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Turkey blocks access to WikiLeaks after it exposes lakhs of ruling party emails

International

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Istanbul, July 20: Turkey has stopped access to the WikiLeaks website hours after the latter leaked thousands of emails of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) while the country was still coping with the aftermath of a failed military coup.

Read more on Turkey coup 2016

Around 50,000 state officials, including soldiers, policemen, judges, teachers and others have been either suspended of detained since the attempt to topple the Recep Tayyip Ergodan regime on July 15 failed to succeed. The western world criticised the counter-coup operations that have been undertaken by the regime after the episode which many felt has only strengthened Ergodan's hands.

On Tuesday (July 19), the WikiLeaks released nearly 3,00,00 emails dating between 2010 and July 6 this year said in its website that the date of their publication was brought ahead "in response to the government's post-coup purges".

Turkey's communication authorities said an "administrative measure" had been initiated against the website---a term which the country generally uses while blocking access to sites. The country, whose secular creed has come under increasing criticism over the last few years, is known for shutting down internet in the wake of political event, drawing flak from the human rights activists and outer world as a result.

Turkey, which has banned academics from leaving the country until further notice and also suspended over 15,000 education officials, accused US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the attempted coup last week, leading to the death of over 230 people. Gulen, howecer, denied the accusation.

Oneindia News
UK PM to visit Germany & France to lay out Brexit roadmap

International

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By Oneindia Staff Writer

London, July 20: British Prime Minister Theresa May will head to Berlin on Wednesday (July 20) and then follow it up with a visit to Paris a day later to chalk out the roadmap for her country's departure from the European Union (EU), AFP reported. [What is Brexit?]

The people of the UK favoured an exit from the EU, a union of 28 countries (including the UK), in a close referendum on June 23. The episode, however, had a huge fallout with the incumbent prime minister David Cameron deciding to give way under pressure and a number of top leaders of the country also facing challenges. Finally, it was May who took over as the successor to Cameron on July 13 to become the second prime minister of the UK after the late 'iron lady'---Margaret Thatcher. [Indian-origin MP appointed junior minister in Theresa May's cabinet]

May, in her first foreign visit since taking over the reins, will straightaway engage in laying out the groundwork for Brexit in talks with Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande, the heads of government of two big European powers---Germany and France, respectively, the AFP added.

The PM's office said she would try to build a personal rapport and explain that her government needed time to lay out its "objectives for Britain's divorce from Brussels", the AFP report added.

"I am determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the European Union and that's why I have decided to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after taking office," May said in a statement.

"I do not underestimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the EU and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation."

"I also want to deliver a very clear message about the importance we attach to our bilateral relationship with our European partners, not just now but also when we have left the EU," it said.

Oneindia News
UK shows first signs of leaving EU; gives up European Council presidency

International

oi-IANS

By Ians English

London, July 20: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday (July 20) said the UK will not take up its rotating six-month presidency of the European Council in 2017.

In the first concrete signs of the country's preparations to leave the European Union (EU), May told the current council president Donald Tusk during a phone call that the UK would relinquish the role, Sky News reported.

The council is the body that sets the priorities and general direction of the EU and it is made up of the heads of state from each of the 27-member nations. [UK PM to meet German & French leaders to lay out Brexit roadmap]

However, May told Tusk that because of the Brexit vote it would be inappropriate for the UK to take its turn. [What is Brexit?]

A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister told Tusk that she thought it was "the right thing to do given we will be very busy with negotiations to leave the EU", Sky News said.

The call was May's first conversation with Tusk since she became the Prime Minister earlier this month and the European Council president welcomed her quick decision on the issue.

The spokesman said that Tusk asked May for a "velvet divorce".

The Prime Minister travels to Germany later in the day for what she has described as frank and open talks with her counterpart Angela Merkel.

Speaking ahead of the trip she said she was "determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the EU" and her visits to Germany and France on Friday was to "forge strong working relationships", Sky News noted.

IANS
US to continue military operations in South China Sea, reports Reuters

International

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By Oneindia Staff Writer

Beijing, July 20: The US said on Wednesday (July 20) that its military forces will continue operation in the South China Sea as per the international law, Reuters reported.

US Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson informed this, the report added.

The South China Sea has been a focal point of international disputes throughout and the ruling by an international court last week quashing Beijing's claims on it has escalated things further. Beijing has refused to abide by the international verdict and did not participate in the proceedings brought by the Philippines---one of the maritime neighbours with which China has been at the loggerheads over the water body which is not only a rich reserve of natural resources but also a key route of global trading. Trade worth over $5 trillion takes place through this strategic waterway annually.

Besides China and the Philippines, countries like Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam are also parties to the dispute over the South China Sea.

China has also seen the US a key challenge to its authority in the strategic region as the latter has conducted navigation patrols close to islands held by the former, annoying and compelling it bolster its own military presence there, thereby escalating the issue further.

During his meeting with Yuan Yubai, China's North Sea Fleet commander, Richardson "underscored the importance of lawful and safe operations in the South China and elsewhere professional navies operate", Reuters reported the US Navy as saying.

"The US Navy will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all. This will not change," Reuters quoted Richardson as saying.

Freedom of navigation patrols carried out by foreign navies in the South China Sea could end "in disaster", a senior Chinese admiral said over the weekend.

China's state news agency Xinhua also countered by saying on Wednesday that countries outside the region should stay out of it.

Oneindia News
SC refuses Uttarakhand disqualified MLAs to take part in session

New Delhi

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, July 20: The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to grant interim relief to nine Uttarakhand MLAs who had sought to take part in the assembly session set to commence from July 21.

The 9 disqualified MLAs of Uttarakhand had moved the Supreme Court seeking a directive permitting them to take part in the assembly session starting on July 21.

The court however refused to issue any interim direction on their petition. As a result of this the MLAs will not be allowed to take part in the session to be held on Thursday.

The MLAs had referred to the Arunachal Pradesh verdict while supporting their case. While quoting the verdict they said that they cannot be disqualified by the Speaker facing resolution for removal.

Referring to paragraph 175 of the landmark verdict of the Supreme Court, re-installing the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, the MLAs have said that Article 179 (c) of the Constitution disentitles the Speaker against whom a resolution for removal is pending from disqualifying any member of the House.

OneIndia News
Central team roped in as dengue cases in Bihar rise to over 5000

Bihar's Gopalganj by-poll to see a tough fight between BJP and RJD

Nitish Kumar condoles CRPF jawans' death, announces compensation

Patna

oi-PTI

Patna, July 20: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today condoled the death of 10 CRPF commandos in an encounter with Naxals on the borders of Gaya and Aurangabad districts in the state and announced compensation to their families.

The commandos of CRPF's COBRA unit were ambushed in the IED blast triggered by Naxals near Chakarbanda-Dumarinala forests after which an encounter started yesterday in which three Naxals were also killed.

While eight CRPF personnel were killed on the spot, two others succumbed to their injuries later.

Kumar instructed top officials of the state, including Chief Secretary Anjani Kumar Singh, state police chief P K Thakur and Principal Secretary Home Amir Subhani, to rush to Gaya to take stock of the situation and ensure that needful action is taken, an official statement said.

He also had a telephonic conversation with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh over the incident.

The Chief Minister directed the Home department to immediately pay Rs 5 lakh compensation to the next of kin of each deceased as per provisions of the state government, the statement said.

Additionally, he ordered officials to make available to the kin of the jawans killed, insurance of Rs 20 lakh under the provisions of special scheme in the Naxal-hit districts, it said, adding Kumar also ordered to provide all medical assistance to the injured jawans.

The Chief Secretary would lay wreath on bodies of deceased jawans on behalf of the Chief Minister.

PTI
Central team roped in as dengue cases in Bihar rise to over 5000

Bihar's Gopalganj by-poll to see a tough fight between BJP and RJD

Nitish Kumar exceeding jurisdiction, claims Sushil Kumar Modi

Patna

oi-PTI

Patna, July 20: Observing that the Governor's post is a constitutional arrangement, senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi today lambasted Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for exceeding his jurisdiction by demanding scrapping of the post.

"The Governor's post is enshrined in the constitution and any move to do away with it, will require constitutional amendment," he told reporters on the sidelines of Janata Durbar at his official residence.

Disapproving the Bihar Chief Minister's demand for scrapping the Governor's post, Modi said that Kumar has no jurisdiction to say so given his stature as a leader of a party which has little or no influence across the country.

It may be mentioned that Kumar had demanded scrapping of the Governor's post at the Inter-State Council Meeting at New Delhi recently.

The senior BJP leader also mourned the death of ten CRPF jawans in combat with the Maoists in Bihar's Aurangabad district yesterday and charged the RJD with patronising naxal elements in the state.

"The RJD supports naxal outfits and provides political patronage to such elements for votebank politics," Modi said.

PTI
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Yggdrasil Expansion Continues With New CFO Appointment

Published July 20, 2016 by Florin P

Yggdrasil's expansion continues with the appointment of a new Chief Financial Officer, Frida Gustafsson.

2015 was a great year for Yggdrasil Gaming who set a couple of important milestones and 2016 promises to be just as good. The company signed agreements with BetClic, Expekt and Monte Carlo Casino to better promote its content. The Infinite API technology for gamification is regarded as a driver for expansion and will push Yggdrasils growth into overdrive. To keep up with all this progress, they decided to appoint Frida Gustafsson as chief financial officer.

Plenty of Experience for the New CFO

Frida Gustafsson has worked at NetEnt for the last six years, after serving as an auditor for Deloitte Sweden. Yggdrasil is a company growing rapidly and it requires a more complex corporate structure. The new CFO joins the company at the perfect time to put her vast experience to good use. Yggdrasil is already a very popular brand in the industry and Frida is expected to contribute to its success.

The content provider is on a recruitment spree, with nearly 70 new people joining in 2016. They are doing very well financially and found it worthwhile to expand to Malta to keep up with its strategic expansion. Their success brought new partners into the fold, such as Interwetten and industry recognition. Yggdrasil won the Slot Provider of the Year at the 2016 EGR B2B Awards and Gaming Software Supplier of the Year at the 2016 International Gaming Awards.

Players Bask in Yggdrasil's Success

Those who chose to open account and Yggdrasil powered casinos were the direct beneficiaries of their recent success and expansion. New games were added in 2015 and the first six months of 2016, including some well paying progressive jackpot. They recently had a big jackpot winner on the Joker Millions progressive, when a lucky player from Norway won $2.9 million. This is the third and by far the largest jackpot ever won spinning the reels of this slot.
Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia: Hedge funds serviced by Peregrine Capital succumbed to the pressures impacting financial markets the world over and recorded a loss in June, albeit slightly ahead of the All Share, pushing year-to-date returns back into the red after having just recovered from losses sustained at the beginning of the year. In its June report to investors, Peregrine said that market sentiment was driven by the Brexit referendum. Although there was some uncertainty prior to the referendum, the market volatility which greeted the actual outcome seemed to indicate that the market had not priced in much chance of British voters democratically choosing to exit the European Union. This saw the All Share Index in turn shed a substantial -3.0% for the month leaving its YTD at +4.3% as firm enter the second half of the year. Peregine commented, "Looking closer at sectoral indices, we see financials as the relative best performer with a loss of -2.8% which in turn pulled its YTD figure into the red at -1.0%. Resources were not far behind in shedding -3.3% for the month, its YTD though, remains impressive at +20.6% while industrials were the least fortunate in claiming the biggest loss for the month, -4.0% which translated into a YTD just marginally negative at -0.3%." Returning to its primary hedge fund styles, Equity Long-short lost -2.62% in June (following an excellent +4.02% in May) while Market Neutr...................... To view our full article Click here
Reprinted from Alternet

What Trump, a GOP Congress and GOP-appointed Supreme Court would do to America.

The Republican Party platform is a wish list for what Republicans in Congress and Donald Trump would like to impose on America. What's surprising is that it goes further to the right than what's even been heard on the campaign trail from Trump as he has promised to build a wall along the Mexican border and embrace the religious right's long-held tenets opposing abortion, LGBT rights and more.

The GOP 2016 platform would make Christianity the official American religion, English the official American language, replace sex education with abstinence-only advice for teenagers, privatize almost all areas of federal services, cut taxes and regulations for the rich and titans of industry, and impose a belligerent foreign policy and military build-up.



Here are 50 excerpts from the 2016 GOP platform.



1. Tax cuts for the rich: "Wherever tax rates penalize thrift or discourage investment, they must be lowered. Wherever current provisions of the code are disincentives for economic growth, they must be changed... We propose to level the international playing field by lowering the corporate tax rate to be on a par with, or below, the rates of other industrial nations."

2. Deregulate the banks: "The Republican vision for American banking calls for establishing transparent, efficient markets where consumers can obtain loans they need at reasonable rates based on market conditions. Unfortunately, in response to the financial institutions crisis of 2008-2009, the Democratic-controlled Congress enacted the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, otherwise known as Dodd-Frank."

3. Stop consumer protection: "The worst of Dodd-Frank is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, deliberately designed to be a rogue agency. It answers to neither Congress nor the executive, has its own guaranteed funding outside the appropriations process... If the Bureau is not abolished, it should be subjected to congressional appropriation."

4. Start repealing environmental laws: "We call for a comprehensive review of federal regulations, especially those dealing with the environment, that make it harder and more costly for Americans to rent, buy, or sell homes."

5. Start shrinking unions and union labor: "We renew our call for repeal of the Davis-Bacon law, which limits employment and drives up construction and maintenance costs for the benefit of unions... Although unionization has never been permitted in any government agency concerned with national security, the current Administration has reversed that policy for the Transportation Security Administration. We will correct that mistake... We support the right of states to enact Right-to-Work laws and call for a national law to protect the economic liberty of the modern workforce."

6. Privatize federal railway aervice: "Amtrak is an extremely expensive railroad for the American taxpayers, who must subsidize every ticket. The federal government should allow private ventures to provide passenger service in the northeast corridor. The same holds true with regard to high-speed and intercity rail across the country. We reaffirm our intention to end federal support for boondoggles like California's high-speed train to nowhere."

7. No change in federal minimum wage: "Minimum wage is an issue that should be handled at the state and local level."

8. Cut government salaries and benefits: "The taxpayers spend an average of $35,000 a year per employee on non-cash benefits, triple the average non-cash compensation of the average worker in the private sector. Federal employees receive extraordinary pension benefits and vacation time wildly out of line with those of the private sector."

9. Appoint anti-choice Supreme Court justices: "Only a Republican president will appoint judges who respect the rule of law expressed within the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, including the inalienable right to life and the laws of nature and nature's God, as did the late Justice Antonin Scalia."

10. Appoint anti-LGBT and anti-Obamacare justices: "Only such appointments will enable courts to begin to reverse the long line of activist decisions -- including Roe, Obergefell, and the Obamacare cases -- that have usurped Congress's and states' lawmaking authority."

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'Palestinian refugees marching for civil rights in Beirut

(Image by Franklin Lamb) Details DMCA



Part II of a III part series

Palestinians march for civil rights in Beirut, Lebanon (photo:fplamb)

The United Nations Human Rights Council, along with the global community and many in Lebanon, has become increasingly concerned about the massive violations of Palestinian civil rights. As noted in Part I of this discussion, Palestinians in Lebanon suffer from more than two dozen targeted violations including ambiguous legal status, absence of protection; the outlawing of their right to work and to own a home or real property; adequate housing; health; fair trial; freedom of association; opinion and expression; freedom of movement, accommodation and travel, among others. Forbidding Palestinian refugees in Lebanon from working in all but menial jobs is a major reason UNWRA calculates that 70% are living below the poverty line.

In an effort to stop these kinds of violations, on March 15, 2006, the UN General Assembly passed GAR 60/251 thus creating the Human Rights Council (HRC) in order to "undertake a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) based on objective and reliable information, of the fulfillment by each country of its human rights obligations and commitments."

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a significant innovation for International humanitarian law and constitutes a unique process which conducts a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States. The UPR is designed to prompt, support, and expand the promotion and protection of human rights in specific locations where human rights violations are widespread. That includes Lebanon.

The UPR Working Group (UPRWG) has assessed the extent to which Lebanon respects its human rights obligations under the UN Charter ; (2) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ; (3) human rights instruments to which Lebanon is party through treaty ratification or bound by International Customary Law, (4) voluntary pledges and commitments made by Lebanon (e.g. national human rights policies and/or programs implemented); and, (5) applicable international humanitarian law.



Sources for the HRC review and decisions relating to Lebanon's treatment of Palestinian refugees include:

1) Information provided by Lebanon as the State under review, known as the "National Report";

2) Information contained in the reports of independent human rights experts and groups, known as the Special Procedures, human rights treaty bodies , and other UN entities;

3) Information from other stakeholders including national human rights institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO's).

Lebanon's Universal Periodic Review was last conducted in November, 2015 during the 23rd session of the UPR Working Group and its government has the primary responsibility to implement the recommendations contained in the UPR. The Human Rights Council is mandated to hold countries accountable for progress or failure in implementing its recommendations. During the second review the State is expected to provide information on what they have been doing to implement the recommendations made during the first review as well as on any developments in the field of human rights. If necessary, the Human Rights Council can apply various sanctions to States which are not co-operating.

The record of Lebanon before the Human Rights Council with respect to Palestinian refugees has been and remains, dismal. The government of Lebanon has ignored HRC recommendations, failed to act on human rights violations toward Palestinian refugees that it pledged to remedy, has not complied with human rights conventions it has ratified, and has even failed to implement its own National Plan to redress violations towards Palestinians. The record of the Government of Lebanon makes a mockery of paragraph B of the Preamble of its Constitution pledges that "Lebanon as a founding and active member of the United Nations Organization is committed to its covenants and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

It is true that the Government of Lebanon appeared to exhibit some good will to improve the socio-economic rights of Palestinian refugees when Parliament passed an amendment to Labor Law 129 /2010, Article 59, and the Social Security law 128/2010, Article 9. However, neither of these modest amendments have to date, six years later, been implemented. Neither has even published in the council of Ministers- COM Decisions. Consequently, their application depends on the arbitrary decision of sectarianized Labor Ministers. To date none has acted to implement the modest 2010 amendments.

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Reprinted from Campaign For America's Future

Word is that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will announce her vice presidential choice on Friday, and rumors that she's going with a "safe" pick should worry Democrats. In this political climate, a search for "safety" could put her candidacy in serious danger.

Change vs. the Status Quo

The GOP chose Mike Pence as its vice presidential nominee in part because his extremist views will reassure the Republican base. Pence is also a seasoned politician whose nomination is meant to reassure voters who worry that presidential nominee Donald Trump has no experience in statecraft or governance.

(Note to readers: Yes, I just used the words "Trump" and "statecraft" in the same sentence. It feels as strange to me as it does to you.)

Clinton's needs are different. She has to energize and excite the Democratic base, along with millions of millennials who have never voted. She needs to bring excitement, and a sense of the new, to a campaign conspicuously lacking in those qualities.

Voters remain deeply dissatisfied with the status quo. Clinton's biggest problem, and the greatest threat to her candidacy, is the fact that she's seen as the candidate of the status quo.

Boring Is as Boring Does

That's one reason why "safe" picks like Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, or Tom Vilsack are so dangerous. Former Iowa governor and current Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack has been described as "boring." So has Virginia's Kaine, who acknowledged the fact but added that "boring is the fastest-growing demographic in this country."

That's a good line. Unfortunately, by her own admission, Hillary Clinton is "not a natural politician," which means that this particular demographic may already be represented on the ticket.

Kaine and Vilsack have forged bland political profiles that lack progressive fire or conspicuous leadership. Both supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the latest in a series of job-destroying and corporation-empowering trade deals. So did Virginia Sen. Mark Warner.

Clinton claims to oppose the TPP, but she has a credibility challenge on the subject. She helped negotiate the deal as secretary of state and frequently spoke in favor of it before running for president. Prospects like Kaine, Vilsack, and Warner are liabilities for a ticket that must confront Trump's faux populism on trade.

Warner is also a longtime advocate for destructive budget cuts. He backed the unpopular and impractical "Bowles-Simpson" fiscal plan that included cuts to Social Security, pushed austerity economics measures as part of the Senate's misguided and self-promoting "Gang of Six," and even urged business elites to get more involved in politics -- at a time when we need campaign reform to reduce their political power.

That may be an effective way to flatter rich donors, but it is a poor way for a Democrat to win votes in 2016.

Booker, the Wall Street Favorite

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As an immigrant myself, I have never faced racism or any kind of discrimination in this great country. I think, younger generation need to learn about the importance of human relationships, love, democracy and a great culture. I have teach many women and children in the community how to reconcile them to reduce violence and anger.



Hillary Clinton as the next president of the United States said recently on President Obama's immigration speech, "I support the president's decision to begin fixing our broken immigration system and focus finite resources on deporting felons rather than families." Hillary Clinton thanking him and also urging a legislative solution. Democratic presidential candidate in 2016 Hilary Clinton further said, "The president taking executive action on immigration." She is always been supporting a comprehensive reform of the immigration system.

US democracy and democratic party has always supported the cause of immigration and anti-racism. US is a nation of immigrants. This openness to accept all people from around the world is the beauty and strength of America. This humanitarian approach to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is the bedrock of the US nation. This country has given million of people the right to live on its land. People from all over the world are coming to the U.S for hope, and this country has given them the opportunity to work hard and make their own destiny.



We need a strong commitment and educational policy. I think education on anti-violence and anger to people is the only way to make sure about the harmony, freedom and love because of our social and economic situations, there are several acts categorized and many more. I believe unless each and every one of us takes it upon ourselves to utilize the educational program won't be able to control the problems. The challenge is to train people extend and increase care and support system as well as provide voluntary programs to reduce anger violence and discrimination.




Boston - After Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton at 11:29am on Tuesday July 12 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Jill Stein's Green Party Presidential campaign began experiencing an immediate surge in online traffic, with a huge spike in social media interest that made Jill Stein a trending topic on both Facebook and Twitter several times throughout the week.

Stein's online growth following Sanders' endorsement was so strong that bySaturday, the campaign had succeeded in an appeal to be added to Google's top search results for "Presidential candidates", and by Sunday the campaign was receiving widespread reports from followers that Facebook was preventing them from inviting more friends to like Stein's page.

The surge was unleashed after Politico posted an article about Jill Stein's live tweeting of the Clinton-Sanders event, which quickly began trending on Facebook. Buzz continued to grow as Stein posted a statement on the endorsement, congratulating Sanders for his success in an "undemocratic primary" and thanking him "for showing clearly how a grassroots campaign, armed only with a progressive vision and small contributions from real people, can win over the majority of Americans."

On the evening of the endorsement, Dr. Stein hosted a live video discussion on her Facebook page with the title "What's next for our revolution?", taking questions from supporters across the country. Jill Stein was trending on Facebook when the live video started, and within hours the video had reached over 2 million people on Facebook, getting over 350,000 views.

Stein's posts continued to go viral over the course of the week, including stories about donations to the campaign jumping 999% the day of Sanders' endorsement, Stein's public offer to pardon whistleblower Edward Snowden, and high-profile endorsements for Stein's Green campaign from actor Viggo Mortensen and renowned academic Dr. Cornel West, who had recently served as a delegate to the Democratic Party's platform committee. By the time Stein broadcast a Facebook Live appearance together with West on Sunday, reaching over 1.3 million people, the campaign had begun to receive a flood of messages and comments from people saying that Facebook was no longer allowing them to invite friends to Dr. Stein's page.

Despite Facebook's apparent decision to put the brakes on Jill Stein's page, in the one-week period following Sanders' endorsement Stein still brought in an increase of 92,583 new followers, a higher increase than either Hillary Clinton, whose page added roughly 79,000 new followers, or Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson. Overall, Stein's Facebook following grew by 31.5%, Johnson's by 9.5%, Donald Trump's by 2.0% and Clinton's by 1.8%.

Meanwhile on Twitter, Stein's following grew by 27,403 over the same period, an increase of 20.9%. Stein's tweets earned over 14 million impressions. Stein's most viral tweet of the week, one featured in the Politico story, aimed a direct jab at the popular argument that voters have to settle for the "lesser evil": "It sounds like the only good thing Bernie can say about Hillary is that she's not Donald. That's what most of her supporters like about her." The viral takedown of Clinton's campaign strategy was retweeted 8,206 times, reaching 721,000 people on Twitter alone.

On Thursday, two days after the endorsement, Stein's campaign posted a petition revealing that the top results of a Google search for "Presidential candidates" yielded the names, pictures and party affiliations of Trump, Clinton, Sanders and Johnson, but not Stein. After over 20,000 supporters signed the petition within 24 hours, Jill Stein promptly appeared next to the other candidates in Google's top results.

"The explosion of interest in Jill Stein's campaign this week shows that when people get a chance to hear from Jill, they want to hear more - and they want their friends to hear about Jill too," said Dave Schwab, the campaign's Communications Director. "The Internet, and social media in particular, are empowering us to bypass the traditional gatekeepers of the political establishment so we can have a conversation directly with regular people who are ready for a new kind of politics."

"A recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll showing Jill Stein at 6% nationally shows that literally millions of Americans are ready to reject the failing two-party system and try a new way forward with the Green Party, a truly democratic party of the people that has never taken money from corporations or super PACs," continued Schwab. "We're now reaching critical mass as these millions of Americans spread the word, online and in their communities, that we all deserve better than Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump as President. Between now and November we will bring together the 60% of Americans who want a new major party with the independents who now outnumber both Democrats and Republicans. Together we will break the DNC-RNC stranglehold on the Presidential debates, and we will break free from the two-party trap for good."
"Children are central to where we are heading for in TB control. If we aim to end TB in the next 20 years we should know the trends in infection and disease in the paediatric population and amend it," said Dr Jennifer Furin of Harvard Medical School, at a session in International TB Conference (TB 2016) - a two-day conference dedicated exclusively to this infectious disease - that immediately preceded the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) being currently held in port city of Durban. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that nearly 1 million children get infected with TB and more than 30,000 children become sick every year with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).

A survey in India done by Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) found that 9% of children with TB were already resistant to rifampicin, before they started treatment. Another study estimated that 2 million children had latent MDR-TB infection. However the actual magnitude of the childhood TB epidemic is likely to be much higher than that currently estimated, as TB in children is often missed due to non-specific symptoms and difficulties in diagnosis.

Unbelievable but true: children not our primary focus

Dr Furin expressed her outrage for very little attention being paid to paediatric TB care and control. "Children need to be our primary focus but they are not. We are practicing the trickle down effect in paediatric TB. We assume that whatever good is happening for adults will somehow make it down for children. But there is a wide gap between our expectations and the ground reality," she said.

Some of the current gaps in paediatric TB care Dr Furin pointed out are lack of - point-of-care test on easily accessible samples; sensitive screening tools; effective nontoxic TB treatment; all oral short course potent regimens for all forms of TB; paediatric formulations and family-centred approach.

According to her there are three main priority areas we need to focus on:

(i) Establish long term family cohorts that are followed for 20 years or so.

(ii) Establish rapid epidemic response protocols, especially in larger MDR-TB outbreak settings (like Papua New Guinea (PNG) where 1% of the population is sick with MDR-TB) and in smaller settings with high number of exposed children (like creches and orphanages)

(iii) Commit to childhood TB as an essential part of 'End TB' strategy.

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CCTV Lens Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2016 - 2023

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Closed circuit television (CCTV) is also termed as video surveillance which is used to transmit video signals to the remotely located monitors. There is no specialized difference between the operation of lens in still camera and the lenses used in CCTV cameras for security surveillance. The lenses deployed in CCTV cameras are either fixed or interchangeable depending upon the required specifications such as focal lengths, aperture, viewing angle, mounting, or other such characteristics. CCTV lens if compared with the conventional photographic camera lens in which exposure can be controlled through shutter speed and iris opening, has fixed exposure time and only the amount of light passing through imaging device is adjusted through iris openings. The two key aspects to be considered while selecting the lens are the user specified focal length and type of iris control. Different mounting techniques are used to install lenses in order to maintain precision in the video quality.Rising adoption of CCTV cameras for security and surveillance purpose has positively affected the market for CCTV lenses to grow substantially. There has been a recent surge in the demand for CCTV cameras in the last few years, owing to mandatory laws set by the governing bodies for installation of CCTV cameras in retail shops, manufacturing units and other verticals in order to maintain 24X7 surveillance and avoid illegitimate activities. With rising security concerns for the domestic utilities installations of CCTV cameras have increased greatly, thereby reinforcing the CCTV lens market to attain the significant market position in terms of revenue generation.Get More Information:However there are various restraints hindering the market growth for CCTV lenses which include limitation in the view, its disability to define the focal length and exposure similar to conventional cameras. CCTV camera deployment has become an extensive utility across major geographies such as the U.S., the U.K., China, Japan, South Asian countries and others, thereby posing an opportunistic growth characteristic for the CCTV lens market.The CCTV lens market is segmented on the basis on types of lens, mounting type, end-use verticals and geography. Segmentation on the basis of lens types include fixed focal length lens, 3CCD camera lens, super wide fish-eye lens, megapixel vari-focal lens, zoom lens and telephoto lens. Lens mount is the interface between camera body and the lens which can be either electrical or mechanical. Lens mount plays a vital role in setting focus of the lens and varying the axial distance thereby affecting the functionality of the camera. Based on mounting types, the CCTV lens market segmentation includes C mount, CS mount, F mount, D mount, manual iris, and others. The CCTV lens market segmentation based on end-use verticals includes banking financial services and institution (BFSI), healthcare, education, telecom IT, government and defense, retail, manufacturing and others. Regional segmentation encompassing CCTV lens market are inclusive of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East and Africa.Some of the key players in the global CCTV lens market are Fujifilm Holdings Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Olympus Corporation, Seiko Holdings Corporation, Feihua Optoelectronic Technology, and Myutron Inc.The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the market. It does so via in-depth qualitative insights, historical data, and verifiable projections about market size. The projections featured in the report have been derived using proven research methodologies and assumptions. By doing so, the research report serves as a repository of analysis and information for every facet of the market, including but not limited to: Regional markets, technology, types, and applications.About UsTMR is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.US Office ContactTMR90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Global Digital Photography Market Receives Impetus from Growth of Social Media

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The advent of social networking sites such as Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and Tumblr has significantly impacted the trend of digital photography, driving the global market to newer heights. Transparency Market Research, in a report titled Digital Photography Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Analysis and Forecasts 2012 - 2018, studies the various factors propelling the digital photography market and those that pose a threat to its future growth. This in-depth industry report is presented in a consistent and logical format, allowing clients to make the most of the information presented by the analysts and make well-informed decisions concerning the future of their businesses.The trend of sharing images over a number of social media platforms has gained momentum over the past few years and picture editing applications such as Adobe Photoshop have spurred this trend, thereby fueling the digital photography market. Professional-quality images are now possible for anyone without the need of an expert and even skilled photographers can benefit from the convenience and efficiency that digital photography offers. Digital cameras and post-production technologies have further aided the digital photography market. Other factors that have contributed towards the expansion of the digital photography market include the increasing internet and smartphone penetration, the revolution of digital media, the rising popularity of photo sharing sites, networking sites, and blogging sites, and the growing interest in photography as a hobby.The major product segments under digital photography include photo processing equipment, camera phones, and interchangeable lenses. Digital photography is applied in a number of fields such as business, security surveillance, recreation, professional photography, automotive, medical visualization, manufacturing, science, art, data storage, photo books, and machine vision. The rising applications of photography in a wide range of industries are also a key factor driving the digital photography market.Get More Information :The Porters five forces analysis model has been deployed to give readers a better understanding of the various components of the industry chain. The bargaining power of buyers and suppliers, the threat of new entrants and substitutes, and the degree of competition among the existing players in the digital photography market.Under the competitive landscape analysis, the most prominent companies have been identified and profiled in the report based on attributes such as company and financial overview, recent developments, and business strategies. With the help of a SWOT analysis, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the profiled companies are highlighted. Kodak Co., PENTAX, Leica, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, Panasonic Corp., Olympus, Toshiba Corporation, Canon Inc., Sony Corp., Fujifilm Holdings Corp., and Nikon Corp. are some of the most prominent names in the global digital photography market.About UsTMR is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.US Office Contact90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Stages of the Job Search Process

https://jafme.com/

There is one riddle which really reflects any job search process. Five frogs sit on a log. One decides to jump. So, how many frogs are there on the log now? The correct answer is five because one thing is to decide to do something and completely different is to actually do it. If you want to be successful in your job hunt, you have to be a doer, not a talker.And even if you know all the tricks and various caveats of the job search in USA, there are never any guarantees you will land your dream job quickly. All hate looking for a new job because any search looks like this. At first, you realize you despise your current position and want a new job, but dont know where and how to start. It is even quite difficult to decide which step to take first. Once you decided how to start, you start browsing for the vacancies and may see absolutely unrelated job openings.The next stage is application process. When you find an opening that interests you, it usually requires a lengthy application. Oh, and even after attaching your resume, you still have to fill up a special form with the information replicated from your resume. You finally submitted your resume and cover letter. Then you just wait and wait, constantly refreshing your email. Most frequently, you just never receive a response from an employer.But other, not many times, you hear from your prospective employer. Here starts a stage of preparation for the interview. A thorough preparation. Everything should be thought out in details. Then you lie to your boss, saying that you must visit a doctor and go to the interview. You do your interview extremely well. And send a thank-you note to the interviewer.You wait again and go one of two ways. You get the job or you dont. I guess we left out one more outcome when you just never hear from them again. And, well, you lose all hope and power and decide to stay in the job you hate. But then remember how much and honestly you hate it and start all over again.JafmeInc is a company-developer of the mobile apps2 Broad Ave, New York NY 10928, USA
Colocation Market to be worth more than US$50 billion by 2021

www.knowledge-sourcing.com/products/data-center-colocation-market-forecasts-from-2016-to-2021

Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence announces the publication of its new report on Global Data Center Colocation Market by Type (Retail and Wholesale Colocation), End Users (Small, Medium, and Large Enterprises), Industry Verticals (BFSI, Manufacturing, Healthcare etc.) and Geography. Global Colocation Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.45% over the forecast period to be worth more than US$ 55 billion by the end of 2021. Growing adoption of cloud computing and virtualization solutions is driving this market. Fast growing economies of China and India are expected to witness maximum growth over the next five years on account of increasing investments in IT infrastructure solutions.Asia Pacific to lead the market growth:Asia Pacific region will witness maximum growth over the forecast period at an expected compound annual growth rate of 19.12% from 2015 to 2021, while Americas (North and Latin America region) will clock for more than 40% market share throughout the forecast period.This report profiles the most promising players in the Colocation Market including Equinix, Rackspace, Telehouse, Verizon, SoftLayer, Colt Technology Services, Zayo Group, CenturyLink, Coresite Reality Corporation, Internap, Net Data Centers and SingleHop.Purchase complete report or request sample:Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence is a market research and consulting firm based out of India. Driven by industry experts, the company provides syndicated reports, custom research and consulting services. Our proprietary data analytics model blended with quality primary and secondary research data assists in generating quality reports providing crucial insights to managers and decision makers. The services offered by us helps companies to gain required competitive edge. Our expertise across 10 industries such as ICT, Chemicals, Semiconductors, Healthcare among others caters to diverse client needs.Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence LLPH-38, Sector 63 Noida, U.P., IndiaPhone:+1-866-714-4587E-mail: sales@knowledge-sourcing.com
Pen Needles Market worth 2.81 Billion USD by 2021

http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/pen-needles-market-75948613.html

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The report "Pen Needles Market by Type (Standard Pen Needles, Safety Pen Needles), Needle Length (4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm), Therapy (Insulin, GLP-1, Growth Hormone), Mode of Purchase (Retail, Non-Retail) - Trends & Global Forecasts to 2021", This report studies the pen needles market for the forecast period of 2016 to 2021. This market is expected to reach USD 2.81 Billion by 2021 from USD 1.65 Billion in 2016, growing at a CAGR of 11.2%.Browse 102 market data Tables and 53 Figures spread through 185 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Pen Needles Market"Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.Growth in the market can be attributed to the favorable reimbursement environment and government support in selected countries; advantages of insulin pens over syringes and vials; technological advancements to minimize pain and anxiety; growing diabetic population; and conferences, meetings, and congresses that create pen needle awareness. On the other hand, the resistance against switching from conventional syringes and vials to advanced pens and pen needles is likely to challenge the market growth during the forecast period.Ask For PDF Brochure:In the coming years, Europe is expected to account for the largest share of the pen needles market. Factors such as EUs Directive on the prevention of sharp injuries in hospitals and the healthcare sector; regulatory frameworks to minimize needlestick injuries & boost the use of safety-engineered devices; high diabetes prevalence and favorable reimbursement for pen needles in Germany; activities to pool funds for diabetes care & research in the U.K.; high insurance coverage and increase in aging population and affordability in France; awareness campaigns for diabetes in Italy; large diabetic population and regulations mandating the use of safety pen needles in Spain; and high diabetes prevalence in Russia, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine are driving the growth of the market in Europe.However, the Asian region is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The high growth of this region can be attributed to the rapidly growing diabetic population, increasing awareness, and rising adoption of pen devices for insulin delivery.Get The Sample Copy:Prominent players in the global pen needles market include Becton, Dickinson and Company (U.S.), Novo Nordisk A/S (Denmark), Ypsomed Holding AG (Switzerland), Owen Mumford, Ltd. (U.K.), HTL-STREFA S.A. (Poland), B. Braun Melsungen (Germany), Terumo Corporation (Japan), UltiMed, Inc. (U.S.), Allison Medical, Inc. (U.S.), and Artsana S.p.a. (Italy).About MarketsandMarkets:MarketsandMarkets is the largest market research firm worldwide in terms of annually published premium market research reports. Serving 1700 global fortune enterprises with more than 1200 premium studies in a year, M&M is catering to a multitude of clients across 8 different industrial verticals. We specialize in consulting assignments and business research across high growth markets, cutting edge technologies and newer applications. Our 850 fulltime analyst and SMEs at MarketsandMarkets are tracking global high growth markets following the "Growth Engagement Model  GEM". The GEM aims at proactive collaboration with the clients to identify new opportunities, identify most important customers, write "Attack, avoid and defend" strategies, identify sources of incremental revenues for both the company and its competitors.M&Ms flagship competitive intelligence and market research platform, "RT" connects over 200,000 markets and entire value chains for deeper understanding of the unmet insights along with market sizing and forecasts of niche markets. The new included chapters on Methodology and Benchmarking presented with high quality analytical infographics in our reports gives complete visibility of how the numbers have been arrived and defend the accuracy of the numbers.We at MarketsandMarkets are inspired to help our clients grow by providing apt business insight with our huge market intelligence repository.Contact:Mr. RohanUnit No. 802, 8th Floor,Tower - 7, Magarpatta City SEZ,Hadapsar, Pune  411013,Maharashtra, India.Tel: +1-888-6006-441.
ouibike - new platform that organises bike rental and guided tours in France

ouibike - bike rental made easy in France.

PARIS, FRANCE - 24/6/16  ouibike has officially launched in both English and French at ouibike.net - a unique platform aimed to help tourists discover Frances most beautiful regions by bike. ouibike is the perfect solution for those who are interested in bike rental and bike tours.The service offers an exciting and healthy activity for both family and friends, bringing everyone together to explore the scenic routes France has to offer by bike. Tours and bike rentals can be found all over France through ouibike, destinations including Paris, the French Riviera and the Basque Country. For every location, we provide an information sheet that helps customers make the most out of their trip (including popular locations, transport, accommodation and a range of different activities).Bikes are environmentally friendly, fun and healthy. Whether you want to discover an entire region or want to explore the hidden parts of a city, biking is the best way. The co-founder of ouibike, Louis-Marie Meyer said We made ouibike in hope that we could create a service that would allow customers to quickly book bike activities of their choice in a simple and secure manner. The platform is continuously growing, where every week new partners are referenced and new destinations are added. If you are planning a trip to France this holiday ouibike is the perfect service to organize a fun day out !ouibike is a newly launched company that simplifies the process of renting bikes and organising guided tours in France.ouibikeB16711 rue Saint Yves75014 PARIS
Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair Market 2016 - Company Supply, Import, Export and Consumption upto 2025

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http://goo.gl/qgKfJS

http://www.qymarketresearch.com/

The market report, titled Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair Market 2016, is an analytical research done by QY Market Research study based on the Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market, which analyzes the competitive framework of the Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair industry worldwide. This report "Worldwide Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair Market 2016" build by the usage of efficient methodical tools such SWOT analysis, the Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair industrial 2016 study offers a comprehensive evaluation worldwide Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market.Do Inquiry About This Report Here:Global Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair Market 2016 report has Forecasted Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in % value for particular period, that will help user to take decision based on futuristic chart. Report also includes key players in global Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market.The Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market size is estimated in terms of revenue (US$) and production volume in this report. Whereas the Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market key segments and the geographical distribution across the globe is also deeply analyzed. Various Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market dynamics such as growth drivers, restrictions, and the future prospects of each segment have been discussed in detail. Based on that, the Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market report determines the future status of the market globally.Request For Sample Report Here:This report covers every aspect of the global market for Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair, starting from the basic market information and advancing further to various significant criteria, based on which, the Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market is segmented. Key application areas of Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair are also assessed on the basis of their performance.The Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair industrial chain, existing policies,and rules and regulations are studied in this Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair Market report. Key manufacturers, their manufacturing chain, products, Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market price structures as well as the revenue.The report also evaluates the production capacity, dynamics of demand and supply, logistics, and the historical performance of the Aircraft Interior Refurbishment & Repair market worldwide.About Us:QY Market Research is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact US:Joel JohnSuite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803Website:Email: sales@qymarketresearch.com
Global Isinglass Market Size (Volume and Value), Sales, Sale Price and End Users Analysis

Isinglass

http://www.qyresearchgroup.com/market-analysis/global-isinglass-market-outlook-2016-2021.html

http://goo.gl/Vpg5Ov

Global Isinglass Industry 2016 Market Size Share Growth Forecast Research and DevelopmentThe Global Isinglass Industry report gives a comprehensive account of the Global Isinglass market. Details such as the size, key players, segmentation, SWOT analysis, most influential trends, and business environment of the market are mentioned in this report. Furthermore, this report features tables and figures that render a clear perspective of the Isinglass market. The report features an up-to-date data on key companies product details, revenue figures, and sales. Furthermore, the details also gives the Global Isinglass market revenue and its forecasts. The business model strategies of the key firms in the Isinglass market are also included. Key strengths, weaknesses, and threats shaping the leading players in the market have also been included in this research report.The report gives a detailed overview of the key segments in the market. The fastest and slowest growing market segments are covered in this report. The key emerging opportunities of the fastest growing Global Isinglass market segments are also covered in this report. Each segments and sub-segments market size, share, and forecast are available in this report. Additionally, the region-wise segmentation and the trends driving the leading geographical region and the emerging region has been presented in this report.Get Complete Report with TOC :The study on the Global Isinglass market also features a history of the tactical mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, and partnerships activity in the market. Valuable recommendations by senior analysts about investing strategically in research and development can help new entrants or established players penetrate the emerging sectors in the Isinglass market. Investors will gain a clear insight on the dominant players in this industry and their future forecasts. Furthermore, readers will get a clear perspective on the high demand and the unmet needs of consumers that will enhance the growth of this market.Table of ContentChapter One Isinglass Industry Overview1.1 Isinglass Definition1.1.1 Isinglass Definition1.1.2 Product Specifications1.2 Isinglass Classification1.3 Isinglass Application Field1.4 Isinglass Industry Chain Structure1.5 Isinglass Industry Regional Overview1.6 Isinglass Industry Policy Analysis1.7 Isinglass Industry Related Companies Contact InformationGet Sample Copy of Report @About Us:QYResearch Group is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. QYResearch Group also carries the capability to assist you with your customized market research requirements including in-depth market surveys, primary interviews, competitive landscaping, and company profiles. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics. QYResearch Group is the comprehensive collection of market intelligence products and services available on air.Contact US:Joel John3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,United StatesTel: +1-386-310-3803GMT Tel: +49-322 210 92714USA/Canada Toll Free No. 1-855-465-46513422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,3422 SW 15 Street, Suit #8138, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442,
Soft Xpansion publishes New Versions of its PDF Apps for Windows 10

http://www.soft-xpansion.com

(Bochum, Germany, July 20, 2016)  Soft Xpansion has published the new versions of its six PDF app retail editions for Windows 10 (Perfect PDF, Perfect PDF Annotate, Perfect PDF Converter, Perfect PDF Combine, Perfect PDF Security, Perfect PDF Signer).All new apps enable the users to open more than one document at a time, since each file is displayed in a separate window. Moreover, the apps now offer extended search functionality in PDF and XPs files, including the search in folders, subfolders and embedded documents. Perfect PDF and Perfect PDF Annotate now come with the additional comment type redact annotations, which makes it possible to remove PDF content from files using the annotation tool. Apart from that, the new Perfect PDF app has functionality to create and edit table of contents, bookmarks and links. Last but not least, a PDF forms designer and editor completes the new features of Perfect PDF. All new functionality has been exclusively implemented into the Windows 10 versions of the apps. On the other hand, the versions for Windows 8.1 are still available.NEW FUNCTIONALITY IN DETAIL* Multiview: Open several documents at a time, each document has its own app window, known from desktop applications like word or spreadsheet processing programs (available in all Soft Xpansion PDF apps)* Extended search functionality, including display of search results as a list (all apps)* Search in folders, subfolders and embedded files, i.e. in PDF and XPS files that are not open (all apps)* Obscure and remove PDF content by using redact annotations (in Perfect PDF and Perfect PDF Annotate)* Create and edit tables of contents, bookmarks and links (in Perfect PDF)* Forms designer & editor: create (8 types) and edit (structure, field properties and design options) PDF form fields (in Perfect PDF)PRODUCT EDITIONS & PRICESPerfect PDF (current price: EUR 9,89) offers the richest set of features, while all other members of the product family focus on certain specific subsets of Perfect PDF features: Annotate (comment PDFs, EUR 3,99), Converter (convert XPS/OXPS, import text files and images to PDF, EUR 3,99) Combine (combine and split, EUR 4,99), Security (protect with AES and RC4 encryption, EUR 1,99) and Signer (digitally sign PDFs, EUR 2,99).LANGUAGES, OPERATING SYSTEMS, PROCESSORS* Languages: Chinese (simplified), English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish* Supported operating systems: Windows 10 for PC, tablet and smartphone; Windows 8.1 (app versions without the new features mentioned above)* Supported processors: x86 (32 bit), x64 (64 bit), ARMABOUT SOFT XPANSIONSince its foundation in 1995, Soft Xpansion is a specialized software manufacturer with global activities. The product range includes solutions (powerful standard desktop software and apps, innovative software development kits and flexible, individual programming) in the core areas PDF technology, content/document management and tools. The company looks back on more than 20 years of experience in the IT sector. The software development expertise covers all steps for standard applications and for individual projects  market and requirement analysis, conceptual design, development, implementation, support and advancements. The clients come from all over the world. Soft Xpansion is headquartered in Bochum, Germany.CONTACT USSoft Xpansion GmbH & Co. KGFrank DueckersKoenigsallee 45D-44789 Bochum, GermanyPhone: +49 (0) 234 298 41 73Fax: +49 (0) 234 298 41 72dueckers@soft-xpansion.com
Film And Music Global Market Briefing 2016

Film and Music Global Market Briefing Released By The Business Research Company

Film And Music Global Market provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the global Film And Music sector.Film, video and sound tracks are the most important forms of media. A film or a movie is formally referred to a motion picture. It is created by projecting sequenced moving images with an optical illusion effect on a screen. Sound recording or audio recording involves capturing of audio signals on storage devices either analog or digital.The film industry mainly consists of establishments engaged in the production and distribution of motion pictures and other forms of videos. Together they make up the film and television production markets, two of the dominant medias globally.The total market value for film and music was $XX billion in 2015. It comprise motion pictures and video industries and sound recording industries.Motion Capture - Motion capture is the process of recording a live motion event and translating it into actionable data that allows a 3D recreation of the performance. To achieve these performers, users need to wear reflective markers all over their body which are then interpreted by a computer and turned into digital 3D models. Some recent box-office blockbusters have incorporated this technology during production and have gained advantageous outcome. Through this technology real time results are achieved faster and it also reduces the cost of key-frame animation.Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) - Stereoscopic 3D involves enabling 3D effect using software techniques. Major studios like Disney are showing a particularly strong interest in S3D format. Not only has Disney made the largest number of S3D animated projects to date, the company is investigating a possibility of producing films in S3D natively. Stereoscopic projection technology is only marginally more expensive than standard digital projection systems. A recent report by Screen Digest indicates that, based on past releases, an exhibitor can expect to make additional revenue of about $10,000 per S3D movie release and generate a profit by the third release.Description Film And Music Global Market Briefing Report from the Business Research Company covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. The market size section gives the Film And Music market revenues, covering both the historic growth of the market and forecasting the future. Drivers and restraints looks at the external factors supporting and controlling the growth of the market. Market segmentations break down the key sub sectors which make up the market. The regional breakdowns section gives the size of the market geographically. Competitive landscape gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in the last three years are identified. The trends and strategies section highlights the likely future developments in the Film And Music market and suggests approaches.Reasons to Purchase Get up to date information available on the Film And Music market globally. Identify growth segments and opportunities. Facilitate decision making on the basis of historic and forecast data and understand the drivers and restraints on the market. Develop strategies based on likely future developments. Gain a global perspective on the development of the market.ScopeMarkets Covered: Motion picture and video industries, Sound recording industriesCompanies Mentioned: Twenty First Century Fox, CBS Corporation, Walt Disney, Comcast Corporation, Time Warner, SonyGeographic scope: Americas, Europe, Asia, Middle East and Africa, Oceania.Time series: Five years historic and forecast.Data: Market value in $ billions.Data segmentations: Regional breakdowns, market share of competitors, key sub segments.Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.Table of Contents Film and Sound Global Market Briefing Film and Sound Market Characteristics Film and Sound Market Size and Comparisons 2015 Film and Sound Industry Historic Growth Drivers of the Market Restraints on the Market Film and Sound Market Forecast Drivers of the Market Restraints on the Market Film and Sound Market Segmentation Film And Sound Market Regional Comparison Global Film And Sound Market Size, Split By Region, 2015 Global Film And Sound Market, Historic and Forecast Growth, By Region, 2011  2019 Film and Sound Market Competitors Walt Disney Company Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. Comcast Corporation CBS Corporation Time Warner Inc. Film and Sound Market Key Mergers and Acquisitions Film and Sound Market Trends and Strategies Motion Capture Stereoscopic 3D (S3D) Digital Out-of-home Advertising Growth In Animation Outsourcing Appendix NAICS Definitions Of Industry Covered In This Report Abbreviations Currencies Research Inquiries The Business Research CompanyList of Tables Table 1: Global Film And Sound Market Historic Market Size, 2011  2015, USD ($) Billion Table 2: Global Film And Sound Market Forecast Market Size, 2015  2019, USD ($) Billion Table 3: Global Film And Sound Market, Split By Region, 2015, USD ($) Billion Table 4: Global Film And Sound Market Size, Historic and Forecast Growth, Split By Region, 2011  2019 Table 5: Global Film And Sound Market, Key Competitor Shares, 2015, Percentage (%)List of Figures Figure 1: Global Film And Sound Market Historic Market Size, 2011  2015, USD ($) Billion Figure 2: Global Film And Sound Market Forecast Market Size, 2015  2019, USD ($) Billion Figure 3: Global Film And Sound Market Segmentation Figure 4: Global Film And Sound Market, Split By Region, 2015, USD ($) Billion Figure 5: Global Film And Sound Market Size, Historic and Forecast Growth, Split By Region, 2011  2019, Percentage (%) Figure 6: Global Film And Sound Market, Key Competitor Shares, 2015, Percentage (%)Buy Now Film And Music Global Market Report is a detailed report giving a unique insight into this market.The report is priced at $1000 for an individual user. To use across your office the price is $1500 and $2000 if you wish to use across a multinational company. Clients are able to input on the design of the report and highlight points of special interest.About The Business Research CompanyVisit TheBusinessResearchCompany.com or call +447443439350, +918897263534 or +919160996838 for more information on this and many other titles.The Business Research Company is a market research and intelligence company which excels in company, market and consumer research. It has research professionals at its offices in the UK, India and the US as well a network of trained researchers globally. It has specialist consultants in a wide range of industries including manufacturing, healthcare, financial services and technology.The Business Research Company's management have more than 20 years of varied business research experience. They have delivered hundreds of research projects to the senior management of some of the world's largest organizations.The Business Research Company's Consultants have masters qualifications from top institutes and include MBAs, MSCs, CFAs and CAs. The Business Research Company's Consultants gain training and qualifications from the Market Research Society and are trained in advanced research practices, techniques, and ethics.47 Anchorage Point42 Cuba Street,Canary Wharf
Global Supercapacitor Materials Industry demand, analysis & forecast to 2021 available in new report

Supercapacitor Materials

http://goo.gl/bp0e5O

http://goo.gl/51vE6j

Global Supercapacitor Materials Industry 2016The report provides a basic overview of Supercapacitor Materials industry including definitions, applications and industry chain structure. Global market analysis and Chinese domestic market analysis are provided with a focus on history, developments, trends and competitive landscape of the market. A comparison between the international and Chinese situation is also offered.Global Supercapacitor Materials Industry Research Report 2016 also focuses on development policies and plans for the industry as well as a consideration of a cost structure analysis. Capacity production, market share analysis, import and export consumption and price cost production value gross margins are discussed.Browse Full Report with TOC @A key feature of this report is it focus on major industry players, providing an overview, product specification, product capacity, production price and contact information for Global Top15 companies. This enables end users to gain a comprehensive insight into the structure of the international and Chinese Supercapacitor Materials industry. Development proposals and the feasibility of new investments are also analyzed. Companies and individuals interested in the structure and value of the Supercapacitor Materials industry should consult this report for guidance and direction.The report begins with a brief overview of the Global Supercapacitor Materials market and then moves on to evaluate the key trends of the market. The key trends shaping the dynamics of the Global Supercapacitor Materials market have been scrutinized along with the related current events, which is impacting the market. Drivers, restraints, opportunities, and threats of the Global Supercapacitor Materials market have been analyzed in the report. Moreover, the key segments and the sub-segments that constitutes the market is also explained in the report.Get Free Sample @Table of ContentsChapter One Supercapacitor Materials Industry Overview1.1 Supercapacitor Materials Definition(Product Picture and Specifications)1.2 Supercapacitor Materials Classification and Application1.3 Supercapacitor Materials Industry Chain Structure1.4 Supercapacitor Materials Industry Overview1.5 Supercapacitor Materials Industry History1.6 Supercapacitor Materials Industry Competitive Landscape1.7 Supercapacitor Materials Industry International and China Development ComparisonChapter Two Supercapacitor Materials Market Data Analysis2.1 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Price List2.2 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Gross Margin List2.3 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Capacity and Market Share List2.4 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Production and Market Share List2.5 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Production Value and Market Share ListChapter Three Supercapacitor Materials Technical Data Analysis3.1 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Product Quality List3.2 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Product Line Capacity and Commercial Production Date3.3 2016 Manufacturing Base(Factory) Global Regional Distribution3.4 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials R&D Status and Technology Sources3.5 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Equipment Investment and Performance3.6 2016 Global Key Manufacturers Supercapacitor Materials Raw Materials Sources AnalysisChapter Four Supercapacitor Materials Government Policy and News4.1 Government Related Policy Analysis4.2 Industry News Analysis4.3 Supercapacitor Materials Industry Development TrendAbout Us:MarketResearchStore.com is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We feature large repository of latest industry reports, leading and niche company profiles, and market statistics released by reputed private publishers and public organizations.Contact US:Joel JohnSuite #8138, 3422 SW 15 Street,Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442United StatesToll Free: +1-855-465-4651 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-386-310-3803
RECOICE project successful closure

The EC funded RECOICE project was successfully concluded in June 2016. Project partners of the consortium met at the end of June in Gorizia, Italy to evaluate the prepared prototype and to discuss further steps of future market entry.The Europe 2020 Strategy aims to achieve sustainable development, which includes the efficiency enhancing too. In line with these requirements, there is a continuous drive towards low energy, environmentally friendly solutions, which can provide a reduced carbon footprint.The RECOICE will provide such a solution for fishing vessels, generating the ice maker power from waste heat, scavenged from the engine exhaust pipe. The benefits will mainly include low ongoing fuel costs, good environmental performance, high quality fishing products and improved flexibility of fishing schedule.According to Albert Holtland, owner of a Belgian fishing vessel and also partner of the project, 95% of the ships that are in the European Union do not have ice making machines on board, so the RECOICE device would be of big help to them.The project consisting of nine partners received founding from the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Union to accomplish its aims between 2014 and 2016 (GA no. 605286). The 30 months long project was coordinated by ATEKNEA Solutions Hungary Kft. with the involvement of: Innovative Technological Systems SLR, MW-Innovation AB, Cooltech GMBH, Naval Architecture Progress, BVBA Verleene, Ateknea Solutions Catalonia and ASSE SRL.We provide business and technological excellence to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to develop their ideas into profitable innovative solutions. Ateknea Solutions has offices in 6 different locations.ATEKNEA Solutions Hungary Kft.1119 Budapest, Tetenyi ut 93Alexandra Flink - recoice@ateknea.com
Fusion Art is Now Accepting Submissions for its September 2016 International Online Juried Art Exhibition, "Waterscapes"

http://www.fusionartps.com

http://www.fusionartps.com/waterscapes-september-2016

http://www.fusionartps.com

Palm Springs, CA, USA -- Fusion Art () is pleased to announce it is now accepting submissions for "Waterscapes," its September 2016 international online juried art exhibition.For this competition artists and photographers worldwide are encouraged to share their artistic vision and interpretation of Waterscapes. The Waterscapes theme includes any art or photography which depicts any type of body of water including the ocean, lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, etc. The theme includes coastal living, any ocean activities, seaside vistas, beaches, and any related seashore or lakeside subjects. It can also include rain, puddles and frozen waterscapes. The artwork can range from realism to surrealism to abstraction.The competition is open to artists worldwide and all artists and photographers, regardless of location or experience level, are encouraged to participate. Cash prizes will be awarded in two categories - "Traditional" Art and "Digital Art & Photography" and the Best in Show winners receive an invitation to participate in Fusion Art's group exhibition in Palm Springs, CA in November 2016. This is the last competition that will qualify for the November 2016 group exhibition. The deadline to apply is August 27, 2016.Each month Fusion Art hosts uniquely themed art competitions and exhibitions. Both winners and finalists are provided with worldwide exposure, by having their work promoted through Fusion Art's website, in 70+ press release announcements, email marketing, online event calendars, art news websites and through the gallery's social media outlets. The gallery's objective is to promote the artists, worldwide, to art professionals, gallerists, collectors and buyers.Founded by Award winning artist, Chris Hoffman, Fusion Art was envisioned and formed out of a passion for art and the artists who create it. The website promotes and connects new, emerging and established artists with collectors and art enthusiasts, while offering the opportunity to participate in art competitions and experiences.Artists who are interested in submitting their artwork for consideration should visit Fusion Art's website for full competition guidelines:About Fusion ArtFusion Art is an online gallery website where new, emerging and professional artists can enter online juried art exhibitions, obtain competition experience, as well as gain exposure to art collectors and art professionals.Media Contact:Valerie HoffmanFusion Art2658 S. Cherokee WayPalm Springs, CA 92264(Mailing Address: PO Box 4236Palm Springs, CA 92263)760-832-7568competitions@fusionartps.com
Temperature monitoring for sales cabinets and refrigerators

www.tandd.com

www.webstorage-service.com

Wireless data loggers ease maintenance and compliance with hygiene regulations for trade and cateringT&D Corporation provides wireless data logger solutions with alert functions and cloud storage that simplify compliance with HCCP regulations. With the RTR-500 series, different temperature zones can be safeguarded simultaneously while measurements are automatically documented. Thanks to the small and wireless devices, cabinets, refrigerators or transportation boxes can be monitored via app or mobile device easily and discretely.The DIN EN 12830-approved RTR-500 data loggers are about the size of a matchbox and can be fixed flexibly wherever temperature control is necessary  even during transportation. The robust loggers are resistant to both dust and water. Up to 100 of them can be wirelessly connected to a base station which automatically forwards measurements via WLAN, USB or GSM to T&Ds cloud-based WebStorage Service. Each registered user may upload and store up to 20 MB of data per account. A newly added auto archiving function supports clients, and as soon as the service detects devices that are out of reach, a "Watchdog Alert" email is sent.Users can monitor their data and adjust settings via PC or mobile device, internet or app, at any time and from anywhere. The Current Readings Monitor and data XML, as well as auto-recorded data  software thats supplied free of charge  enable measurements to be displayed continuously in well-arranged tables and graphs for easy documentation. Should a critical temperature be reached, the system relays an alert by SMS, e-mail and optical and acoustic signals via the app or on site, allowing appropriate action to be taken before damage occurs.The Japanese T&D Corporation was founded 1986 in Matsumoto. The company name derives from try and develop and emphasizes the companys ambition to create innovative products with a high degree of practical usefulness. Having started out developing electronic products mainly for the automotive aftermarket, today the company is the Japanese market leader for data loggers. A team of about 50 specialists are engaged in developing data logger systems for industrial, public and private demands. Production takes place in a high-tech site in Matsumoto, Japan, and since 2003, T&D Corporation has been exporting its wireless data loggers worldwide. The company is represented through a European Sales Office located in Niddatal near Frankfurt and a sales office in the USA.For further information, please visit:visit us on Facebook: T&D Corporation EuropeT&D CorporationEuropean Sales OfficeMinoru ItoGronauer Str. 161194 NiddatalGermanyeurope.office@tandd.dePress Contactakp public relationsChristina FahrtmannTannenstr. 1a69469 WeinheimGermanyTel.: +49 6201 188 98 10fahrtmann@akp-pr.de
Smart Irrigation Market to be propelled by Growing Demand for Sensors during 2016-2024

http://bit.ly/1RT53cE

http://bit.ly/1UjjKHP

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

A new market research report by Transparency Market Research on the global smart irrigation market offers a comprehensive overview of the market and presents insights into the various factors impacting the growth of the market. The report, titled Smart Irrigation Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016 - 2024, describes the importance and advantages of smart irrigation and assesses the growth and valuation of the market during the period between 2016 and 2024. Factors influencing demand for various components of smart irrigation systems have been analyzed in the report. The report studies the growth exhibited the market across some of the key regions and profiles some of the prominent market players therein.Free PDF Sample For More Market insight can be Downloaded @According to a report by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), agricultural production and consumption across the globe would be 60% higher in 2050 than in 2005-2007. As land under cultivation is not significantly increasing, efforts are focused on enhancing the productivity of arable land by advanced agricultural techniques. Governments across nations with the help of the private sector are focusing on helping farmers to maximize agricultural yields through judicious usage of water. Smart irrigation is a relatively new concept in the agriculture sector. Smart irrigation controls the usage of water by scheduling irrigation cycles at specific times of the day. With the help of sensors and water flow controllers, run times of irrigation system are automated. This ensures judicious usage of water as well as providing the crops with precise water levels.Technological advancements have played a key role in the growth of the global smart irrigation market. Features such as automatic shutdown of the smart irrigation system have caught the attention of the agricultural community. Advanced smart irrigation systems can be integrated with weather data systems to project the amount of water required on a field during a particular period. These factors are expected to further boost the growth of the global smart irrigation market.Browse Full Market Report With Complete TOC @In terms of components, the global smart irrigation market has been segmented into smart irrigation hardware, sensors, and network components. Demand for sensors such as temperature sensors, soil moisture sensors, and ambient humidity sensors is expected to be the highest during the forecast period.The report studies the global smart irrigation market across six key regions: Western Europe, Latin America, Eastern Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. Demand for smart irrigation has surged in North America with governments in Canada and the U.S. focusing on the planned usage of natural resources. Subsidies and rebates offered for the implementation of optimal resource utilization techniques have further propelled the growth of the smart irrigation market in the region. In the coming years, Asia Pacific holds a huge potential for the growth of the market with the growing demand from countries such as China and India where focus on food security is driving demand for smart agricultural practices.Describing the competitive hierarchy, the report profiles some of the key players in the global smart irrigation market such as Rachio Inc., The Toro Company, Rain Bird Corporation, Baseline Inc., and Calsense. Detailed information about the key players including their company overview, business segmentation, revenue, financial overview, and recent developments has been included in the report. The market players are trying to create awareness regarding smart irrigation and its advantages, especially across emerging economies.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.Transparency Market Research90 Sate Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
Health Insurance Market to Rise as Disposable Incomes Improve for Most Income Groups

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Transparency Market Researchs report, titled Health Insurance Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast 2015 - 2023, examines the market through a microscopic lens to get a detailed understanding of various facets of the global health insurance market. It also presents historical data pertaining to the healthcare insurance industry and correlates it with the forecast to help readers in building a framework of the markets trajectory.The global health insurance market is growing by leaps and bounds, contributing significantly to the global economy. Health insurance can be purchased individually or by companies for their employees to offer heath care coverage. In an individually purchased health insurance, the out-of-pocket spending is far more than group insurance purchases. The premium is higher in the individual market, as the buyer pays the full premium without any contribution from the employer.The most obvious benefit of health insurance is the financial security it provides to the patient in the event a health-related expense arises. The remarkable growth of the health insurance market in the past few decades has made it the spinal cord of the global economy, as it collects mammoth amounts of revenue. The healthcare industry also plays a vital role in determining the global investments and securing lives of many, thereby keeping the socio-economic structure balanced.In 2014, as the global economies stabilized, limping back to normalcy after an economic downturn, the disposable incomes and GDPs showed notable improvements. As the high income groups and middle class were equipped with more financial resources, both the groups were seen investing in healthcare insurance for safeguarding themselves against unforeseen problems. This trend is expected to augment the global health insurance market in the coming years as well.In the coming years, insurance companies and investment firms will adopt digitalization of business process to reach out to a wider audience across all boundaries. Furthermore, the impactful business and marketing strategies, transparency in operations, and simplification of products by insurance companies is also expected to win them new clientele.Get a Free Sample Report: http://tinyurl.com/jlbt6chSome of the important players profiled in the global health insurance market are UnitedHealth Group Inc., Allianz SE, Cigna Corporation, Express Scripts Holding Company, AIA Insurance Group, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd., AXA, Aetna, Inc., International Medical Group, Aviva plc, and Apollo Munich Health Insurance. The research report offers an insight into the competitive landscape of the global health insurance market along with presenting details regarding companies financial overview, research and development activities, investment outlook, and business and marketing strategies. The report also assesses the companies using a SWOT analysis and a Porters five forces analysis to highlight the key elements impacting them.Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. We have an experienced team of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants, who us e proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather, and analyze information. Our business offerings represent the latest and the most reliable information indispensable for businesses to sustain a competitive edge.Transparency Market Research90 State Street, Suite 700Albany, NY 12207Tel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite:
606 DESOTO PARISH CITIZENS OFFICIALLY NOMINATE AMY BURFORD MCCARTNEY FOR DISTRICT JUDGE (Mansfield, La.)  Stonewall attorney Amy Burford McCartney officially entered the race today

for 42nd Judicial District Court judge. McCartney qualified for the seat by seeking the nomination from 606 registered voters in DeSoto Parish. For the first time in over 40 years, a candidate for political office has succeeded in this procedure, which required visiting with citizens throughout the parish for the last three months.



It was an honor to walk into the courthouse today with 606 people symbolically at my side. This has been a truly rewarding experience, meeting so many people to share my qualifications, experience and judicial philosophy, proclaimed McCartney.



I felt that if I was going to get into this race that I should earn the right for this privilege by first asking everyday citizens for their support, advice and input before signing up for the office, said McCartney.



I know the real work has yet to begin. I look forward to visiting as many people as I possibly can throughout DeSoto Parish to express that their next judge should not belong to a political faction and should be completely independent of political party agendas, said McCartney who qualified for office without a party affiliation.



The election for district judge will be held on November 8th to fulfill the vacancy of retiring judge Robert Burgess. For more information on Amy Burford McCartneys campaign, visit facebook.com/amyfordesotojudge.



McCartney received her Juris Doctor from Baylor Law School in 2003 and graduated magna cum laude with degrees in accounting and business from Centenary College in Shreveport. McCartney is licensed to practice law in Louisiana and Texas and has a law firm in Stonewall where she focuses on property law and civil litigation. She also served as assistant district attorney in the child support enforcement and misdemeanor sections for District Attorney Gary Evans.



Amy is married to Blake McCartney and they have one son, Jake. The McCartneys are active members of Fellowship Community Church in Kickapoo.



Amy Burford McCartney for Judge

Post Office Box 475

Stonewall, LA 71078



This release was published on openPR.



Permanent link to this press release: Copy Please set a link in the press area of your homepage to this press release on openPR. openPR disclaims liability for any content contained in this release.
PWR Pack at PPMA Total Show 2016:

: PWR Pack High Speed Automation Lines completely manufactured out of stainless steel for ease of hy





PWR Pack specialises in robotic solutions for the food industry. The company develops individually tailored concepts that provide the highest levels of flexibility and performance in the packaging of a diverse range of products using innovative, modular-built technology solutions. With a whole range of new innovations, the company confirms its position as one of the leading players in the packaging automation industry. At this years Total PPMA show held at NEC, Birmingham in September, the PWR Pack team will be on hand to discuss automation needs and showcase new developments:



PWR Pack 3D printing gripper technology

PWR Packs high-grade, robust automation solutions are not only built to high quality standards but also for ease of hygiene management: all systems are constructed from stainless steel as a standard and all the grippers produced to handle naked products are totally washable.

The customer-specific gripper system is now produced using ultra-modern 3D printing technology on the basis of CAD drawings. This allows for highest flexibility as the production time of the gripper is reduced immensely also enabling extended testing phases. The lightweight construction of the gripper ensures the highest possible running speeds.



In addition to this the further development of PWR Packs Pick & Place, Top Loading and Cutting Systems is focused towards current trends in the food industry. The company offers reliable and innovative packaging solutions for small portions and mixed packs  for example, for the snack and confectionery industries, as well as innovative robotics applications that cater to the growing market for packaged food products.



High-tech quality control by PWR Packs innovative 3D-Vision System

PWR Packs innovative Vision Control system monitors all running processes ensuring perfect results with its high-tech quality control. It detects position, contour and thickness of the passing products with utmost precision and detail using intelligent analysis-software that guarantee high quality control by monitoring deviations in real-time. Defective products are reliably marked by the innovative colour camera technology with colour differentiation and successfully rejected.



The implemented software, grippers and robotic cells are developed and manufactured by PWR Pack. Peter Mellon, Director of PWR Pack, emphasizes: This allows us to offer perfectly matched systems to our customers. We focus on delivering high speed lines coupled with the highest possible line efficiencies in order to maximise your return on investment. The price to value ratio is very high ensuring a quick pay back of your investment.



PWR Pack at PPMA Total 2016 in Birmingham

At PPMA Total 2016, taking place in Birmingham from 27  29 September, PWR Pack will present its impressive spectrum of automation solutions. At the PPMA Total Show that brings together buyers and sellers at one of the most visually dynamic exhibitions of the very latest processing and packaging machinery, materials, industrial automation and vision innovations, attracting a highly targeted quality audience, trade visitors can learn about the special gripper technology used in the various systems. PWR packs innovative pick & place systems have specialised in the distribution and packaging of highly delicate products with irregular contours, such as pastries or confectionery. In this segment, specialist pneumatic performance grippers guarantee the precise uptake, careful distribution and placing of the products  at high speed and maximum system efficiency. Intelligent vision systems ensure a secure quality control to eliminate defective products. PWR Packs 3D-vision software delivers reliable results even when products are inconsistent or changing light conditions prevail. Trade visitors can look forward to detailed information and advice with regards to the particularly precise, high-performance and efficient automation solutions:





PWR Pack at PPMA Total, Birmingham

from 27 until 29 September 2016 at booth D100. Coatbridge, 19/07/2016 - 3D printing technology for grippers reduces production time; PWR Packs innovative Vision Control System guarantees utmost precision.PWR Pack specialises in robotic solutions for the food industry. The company develops individually tailored concepts that provide the highest levels of flexibility and performance in the packaging of a diverse range of products using innovative, modular-built technology solutions. With a whole range of new innovations, the company confirms its position as one of the leading players in the packaging automation industry. At this years Total PPMA show held at NEC, Birmingham in September, the PWR Pack team will be on hand to discuss automation needs and showcase new developments:PWR Pack 3D printing gripper technologyPWR Packs high-grade, robust automation solutions are not only built to high quality standards but also for ease of hygiene management: all systems are constructed from stainless steel as a standard and all the grippers produced to handle naked products are totally washable.The customer-specific gripper system is now produced using ultra-modern 3D printing technology on the basis of CAD drawings. This allows for highest flexibility as the production time of the gripper is reduced immensely also enabling extended testing phases. The lightweight construction of the gripper ensures the highest possible running speeds.In addition to this the further development of PWR Packs Pick & Place, Top Loading and Cutting Systems is focused towards current trends in the food industry. The company offers reliable and innovative packaging solutions for small portions and mixed packs  for example, for the snack and confectionery industries, as well as innovative robotics applications that cater to the growing market for packaged food products.High-tech quality control by PWR Packs innovative 3D-Vision SystemPWR Packs innovative Vision Control system monitors all running processes ensuring perfect results with its high-tech quality control. It detects position, contour and thickness of the passing products with utmost precision and detail using intelligent analysis-software that guarantee high quality control by monitoring deviations in real-time. Defective products are reliably marked by the innovative colour camera technology with colour differentiation and successfully rejected.The implemented software, grippers and robotic cells are developed and manufactured by PWR Pack. Peter Mellon, Director of PWR Pack, emphasizes: This allows us to offer perfectly matched systems to our customers. We focus on delivering high speed lines coupled with the highest possible line efficiencies in order to maximise your return on investment. The price to value ratio is very high ensuring a quick pay back of your investment.PWR Pack at PPMA Total 2016 in BirminghamAt PPMA Total 2016, taking place in Birmingham from 27  29 September, PWR Pack will present its impressive spectrum of automation solutions. At the PPMA Total Show that brings together buyers and sellers at one of the most visually dynamic exhibitions of the very latest processing and packaging machinery, materials, industrial automation and vision innovations, attracting a highly targeted quality audience, trade visitors can learn about the special gripper technology used in the various systems. PWR packs innovative pick & place systems have specialised in the distribution and packaging of highly delicate products with irregular contours, such as pastries or confectionery. In this segment, specialist pneumatic performance grippers guarantee the precise uptake, careful distribution and placing of the products  at high speed and maximum system efficiency. Intelligent vision systems ensure a secure quality control to eliminate defective products. PWR Packs 3D-vision software delivers reliable results even when products are inconsistent or changing light conditions prevail. Trade visitors can look forward to detailed information and advice with regards to the particularly precise, high-performance and efficient automation solutions:PWR Pack at PPMA Total, Birminghamfrom 27 until 29 September 2016 at booth D100.

Diese Pressemeldung wurde auf openPR veroffentlicht.



Claudia Diedrichsen

Muhlenberger Weg 61

22587 Hamburg, Germany

Tel.: 040 47 11 001-75

Fax: 040 47 11 001-80

Email

Internet www.c-b-c.de Casa Blanca Communication GmbH & Co. KGClaudia DiedrichsenMuhlenberger Weg 6122587 Hamburg, GermanyTel.: 040 47 11 001-75Fax: 040 47 11 001-80EmailInternet

About PWR Pack

PWR Pack is the market leader in robotic solutions for the food industry. With its Headquarters in Ede, The Netherlands and offices in Scotland, Germany, Italy and Australia the company is established as a specialist in the field of robotic solutions thanks to ground-breaking technology and dedication to its customers. With a dedicated team of specialists, the company delivers and services automation concepts around the globe. The robotic solutions from PWR Pack, particularly in the field of pick & place systems, are produced with a high degree of in-house specialisation with all aspects of your project controlled in the new modern facility in Ede, The Netherlands the company moved into in May 2016.

All systems are equipped with an innovative, comprehensive, platform-independent PDS distribution software, reducing the complexity of the overall logistics. This allows the reliable, flexible packing of food at extraordinary high speeds. Innovative vision control systems carry out high-tech quality controls. PWR Packs automation solutions therefore guarantee the highest possible level of overall efficiency.

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This is how Christian DeBenedetti created his own yeast: He cut a plum from a tree on his parents' farm, wrapped it in a cheesecloth and nestled it in the crook of the same tree. Beer became a culture for the yeast that grew on the fruit's skin.

He sent it to a lab that isolated the yeast and returned it, assuring him he had some tasty microflora living on the farm. That strain, named Sebastian, is an active ingredient in at least three of the beers DeBenedetti poured to a small crowd on a intermittently sunny Friday afternoon at the 100-year-old barn that serves as Wolves and People's Newberg headquarters.

Sebastian will soon be mixed with other bacteria, so that most of the beers coming from the two-month-old Wolves and People are made with wild yeast. "It's a riskier and more vulnerable way to of making beer, but it speaks to our philosophy," DeBenedetti said.

Wolves & People makes farmhouse ales the way they were originally made: on an actual farmhouse. Less a style than a tradition of brewing with the ingredients at hand, these beers require a willingness to take risks, and DeBenedetti is running toward them -- an open-air fermenter is on his project list. But if he's successful, Wolves and People could join true farmhouse breweries such as Texas' Jester King or Vermont's Hill Farmstead as one of America's most coveted small breweries.

DeBenedetti knows beer. He traveled the world learning brewing techniques. He scoured the country writing two books on the best brews. All that time, he was interviewing to start his own brewery that would turn his childhood farm into an experimental, wild farmhouse-style hub for Newberg locals, Portland food industry types and beer geeks.

"The more breweries I visited, the more I was like, why am I not doing this at home?" DeBenedetti said.

As microbreweries proliferate, the ones who make seven-barrel batches on the outskirts of urban centers are easy to overlook. The beer DeBenedetti and his head brewer concoct also takes time. They have the freedom to spend a Tuesday morning picking figs on a whim from the farm at peak ripeness, but the beer made from that fruit won't be seen for months. Six beers were on tap at the tasting room Friday, while at least 20 more aged in old wine barrels nearby.

DeBenedetti plans to turn their smooth, dry-hopped saison Instinctive Travels, named after the debut album of A Tribe Called Quest, into a staple of the brand -- but even then, he uses different hops with each brew. Which is where the second risk comes in: "We're trying to toe the line between tame and wild in our lives and beer."

It's the inspiration for the brewery's name. That, and a night-time tag game DeBenedetti played as a kid on the farm.

Where to find Wolves & People

Wolves & People won't be pouring at any upcoming beer festivals this summer, but if you're in town for one -- or live in Portland and want to find them on tap -- try these locations right now:

Imperial, 410 S.W. Broadway

Interurban, 4057 N. Mississippi Ave.

Lardo,1212 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd. and 1205 S.W. Washington St.

Marukin Ramen, 609 S.E. Ankeny St., Suite A

Noble Rot, 1111 E. Burnside St.

Raven & Rose, 1331 S.W. Broadway

Check the

to keep track of where to find them.

Still bootstrap

When DeBenedetti was a kid, the farm was 85 acres. The family recently sold about 50 to Rex Hill Winery, their next-door neighbor. He spent his youth in wineries, before beer had made much of an imprint on Oregon.

On that Friday, DeBenedetti leaned against the bar and poured a truffle-infused hazelnut beer for a group of regulars and one visiting beer geek. The 50 pounds of hazelnuts in the beer came from the 20.5-acre farm steps from the doors of the Wolves and People tasting room. Other beers use the farm's pine cones, rose hips and stone fruit. Their well supplies the water.

The Oregon Truffle Festival gave Wolves & People five pounds of truffles to make a beer. DeBenedetti has had several truffle beers and never liked them much. But, with a little experimentation, he found a way to lock them in an airtight container that infused the hazelnuts with gas from the fungus. It worked for him, and for the visitors at the bar.

Hype around Wolves and People has steadily grown since DeBenedetti announced his intentions. He raised nearly $50,000 in a crowdfunding campaign, and several beer blogs and news outlets were praising his brews before the tasting room even opened.

Farmhouse ales are gaining recognition right now. That, plus DeBenedetti's reputation as a beer writer and the allure of a sunny afternoon on the farm, sipping from a pint brewed feet from your picnic table, set Wolves and People apart.

But the operation is still slightly bootstrap. DeBenedetti's 230-gallon equipment was purchased from Heater Allen Brewing founder Rick Allen with a 20-pound bag of hazelnuts acting as a deposit. He eventually paid it off, and the copper tank is one of the first sights when you enter the barn.

Much of the time, DeBenedetti is in his office, securing ingredients and coordinating shipments, approving labels for their new bottling initiative and planning renovations on the rest of the barn.

The tasting room just added on Fridays, and DeBenedetti and Miller were both on hand to pour beers as well as talk to customers. Zach Farrington works the counter the most, greeting the regulars, and introducing curious travelers to the funkier beers. Usually, newbies find the brewery through a friend. "The name is a little more far-reaching, it's a little more word of mouth," Farrington said.

A new tradition

The barn is 100 years old with a 60-year-old addition where the tasting room and brewery operation is headquartered. The doors were salvaged from the old Rainier brewery in Washington. The beams in the ceiling are from DeBenedetti's late father's Produce Row meat packing plant. A giant wooden boat hangs in the hayloft, a Smithsonian art installation created by a friend of the family.

The barn has been the launch pad of several Oregon wine industry stalwarts. J.K. Carriere made wine there until it grew too big. Oregon Barrel Works built wine barrels in the building before expanding.

It has hosted artists and a hazelnut drying facility.

The last time it was vacated, DeBenedetti convinced his mother and step-father to let him move in. He didn't have the money or equipment at the time, but he was ready to get started.

He started dreaming of his own farmhouse brewery during his college travels on a grant that sent him through Europe and West Africa to learn brewing techniques. One brewer would recommend another, and eventually he found himself in countrysides sipping Belgian ales in barns similar to his childhood home.

"Maybe just from being where I'm from, here on the farm, I was drawn to the ones out in the sticks," DeBenedetti said. "I was always kind of searching for that next cool place where I could communicate with the brewers. And I was thinking of home. I was homesick in a way."

Now he is one of a few brewers making farmhouse ales on a farm. Here in Oregon, those include Agrarian Ales in Eugene and Logsdon Farm Brewery in Hood River. One of the most popular versions comes from The Commons, a farmhouse-focused brewery in the heart of the Southeast Portland.

Farmhouse ales started as sustenance for French and Belgian farmers. The beers are by definition a little experimental, created for working-class tastebuds that understood brewers could only use what was on hand -- sometimes fewer hops, sometimes excess juniper. DeBenedetti likes the freedom that comes from that background. But he's not interested in turning Wolves and People into historical re-enactment. "I hope we're starting a real tradition of being experimental and historical at the same time."

He found the expertise to make it happen with head brewer Jake Miller, who moved to Oregon from Prairie Artisan Ales in Oklahoma. Miller was ready to move on from his last gig, and grabbed a beer with DeBenedetti at last year's Great American Beer Festival in Denver. DeBenedetti was scouting for a new head brewer to replace his former partner, and Miller seemed the right fit. He moved to Oregon in December.

So far, their ideas are taking off. Ramen shop Marukin serves the light Landbouw, a grisette that is the most bitter of Wolves and People's beers but hardly registers compared to the hop monsters most often found in Portland. The Brutaal smells strongly of the plums that created its yeast, but the Belgian pale ale's taste harkens to its name, which means "bold."

They were out of Vale that Friday, but its description as "a beer for brewers and farmers alike" summed up the crowd.

"It's really cool that an old timer from down the road will come in, and a beer geek from out of state will fly in, and sit next to each other and talk," DeBenedetti said.

-- Molly Harbarger

mharbarger@oregonian.com

503-294-5923

@MollyHarbarger
Craigslist threat ad.jpg

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office released a redacted Craigslist post from a man accused of threatening a Clackamas County judge and sheriff's deputies. The accused ad poster, Jonathan Snyders, has since been arrested.

(Clackamas County Sheriff's Office)

Jonathan Snyders

A Sandy-area man who recently had a stalking order filed against him was arrested Tuesday after posting an online ad threatening sheriff's deputies and a Clackamas County judge who signed the document, according to the county sheriff's office.

Jonathan J. Snyders, 39, is scheduled to appear Thursday in Clackamas County Circuit Court on accusations of harassment, stalking and violation of a stalking protective order.

The Craigslist ad was posted Tuesday morning and was still up as of noon on Wednesday. It advertises blinds for $666 and features a photo of someone holding a rifle aimed at a window.

The ad's author mentions Judge Eve Miller and wrote that she is "trying to take a guys home security away."

"I got a little something in mind for you and your crooked blueye Clackamas County sheriff's," the author also wrote.

Several people called the sheriff's office Tuesday and reported seeing the ad, the agency said, and the ad was traced back to Snyders. The rifle in the photo was found when deputies arrested him at his home in the 44000 block of Southeast Keisecker Road.

Miller has been away at a conference since late last week and scheduled to return to the bench on Thursday, said judicial clerk Bonnie Popichak. A woman called the judge's office Tuesday to alert staff to the post. Miller was notified the same day.

Popichak said she recalled the stalking order involving Snyders stemming from a neighbor dispute, but didn't remember when Miller presided over the case.

According to Oregon court records, Snyders has prior convictions in Clackamas County for failure to perform the duties of a driver in 2000 and driving under the influence of intoxicants in 2002. He has various other traffic violations between 1996 and 2008 in Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, and Wasco counties.

-- Everton Bailey Jr.

ebailey@oregonian.com

503-221-8343; @EvertonBailey
Breanne Leigh couldn't talk, so she wrote out and demonstrated her answers to the deputy's questions.

She passed out after being shot in the face, then crawled away from a rural Clark County home. Leigh indicated she flagged down a car to get help. She was "pretty sure" that Brent Ward Luyster, who has ties to a white supremacist group, was her attacker, court documents show.

She jotted a question: Have Joe and Zach been shot?

Court records show Joseph Lamar, Zachary Thompson and Janell Knight were the three people shot dead Friday night at 4006 N.W. 417th St. in Woodland, Washington. Luyster was arrested less than 24 hours later and is being held without bail in the Clark County Jail. He will be arraigned Aug. 1.

Luyster, 35, knew each of the victims, authorities said. A probable cause affidavit doesn't state a motive in the killings.

Leigh was rushed to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center after she showed up at an AM/PM convenience store and someone called 911, records show. A hospital spokesman couldn't say what her condition was Tuesday afternoon or indicate whether she was still a patient.

Luyster was taken into custody without incident about 4:15 p.m. Saturday after being pulled over on State Route 4, Sgt. Fred Neiman, a Clark County Sheriff's Office spokesman, said in a news release.

Neighbors reported hearing rapid-fire gunshots about 10:15 p.m. Friday. About 90 minutes later, SWAT officers had the property where the bodies were found surrounded.

Records showed Knight, 43, and Lamar, 38, lived at the property. Leigh, 31, and Thompson, 36, lived together in Camas, according to the affidavit. Luyster most recently lived with his girlfriend, mother and brother in Woodland.

Luyster has a lengthy criminal record that includes a May arrest for allegedly pistol-whipping an ex-girlfriend. He was arrested on allegations of second-degree assault and felony harassment in the case.

The affidavit says he's facing federal unlawful possession of a firearm charges in the incident, as well.

The ex-girlfriend, Erin Cochran, told Washougal police in June that Luyster had directed his mother, brother and others to try to find her and their 5-year-old son, who lives with her.

She told police there was a no-contact order prohibiting him from getting in touch with her. She said, too, that she thought Luyster was going to find her, hurt or kill her and take the boy, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit also says Cochran and two of her four children were hiding from Luyster.

Luyster's mother, Susan Dvork, told investigators he was upset about federal authorities' involvement in the Longview case and about not seeing his son for two months.

In the most recent case, Luyster is facing three counts of first-degree murder and single counts of first-degree attempted murder and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to court records.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Maxine Bernstein of The Oregonian/OregonLive staff contributed to this report
MHCC Board members

Mt. Hood Community College Board Member James Zordich (left), Board Chair Susie Jones (center) and MHCC President Debra Derr listen to Board Member George "Sonny" Yellott talk about "illegal immigration" on Wednesday, July 13, 2016.

(Andrew Theen/The Oregonian)

Several Mt. Hood Community College board members asks George "Sonny" Yellott to resign Tuesday night following offensive comments made at public meetings and a Facebook post shared earlier this month that featured President Obama in a noose.

Michael Calcagno, another elected Mt. Hood Community College board member, said multiple people asked Yellott to resign at a closed door executive session meeting Tuesday.

But Yellott, who is also a Republican candidate for Oregon House of Representatives District 48, is apparently digging in his heels.

"He refused," Calcagno said in an email.

MHCC is the fourth-largest community college in Oregon.

Yellott, 76, told KGW and KPTV-TV that he didn't know how the Obama lynching meme showed up on his Facebook page and that he'd done nothing wrong.

George "Sonny" Yellott was elected to the Mt. Hood Community College board in 2013 for a four-year term.

Oregon House Republicans have asked Yellott to resign from the Legislative race and called the Facebook post "absolutely abhorrent."

Last week, Yellott ranted about illegal immigrants during a routine board meeting discussion, and also said that a policy that is friendly to breast-feeding mothers discriminated against men.

Calcagno told KPTV that Yellott, "has a history of making comments that are not based in fact, that incite violence, and that are racist, sexist and xenophobic."

There's not much MHCC can do if Yellott declined to step down. He was elected in 2013 and is serving a four-year term.

"The Mt. Hood Community College Board of Education responded quickly and appropriately to address the complaint against one of our board members," board chair Susie Jones told The Oregonian/OregonLive by email. "As an elected governing body, the board does not have the ability to remove one if its members. That authority lies solely with the voters."

In an email, Calcagno said he asked for another special board meeting sometime "within a week" that will be open to the public.

The board could vote to publicly reprimand Yellott at that meeting.



-- Andrew Theen

atheen@oregonian.com

503-294-4026

@andrewtheen
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This section lists terms and abbreviations used within the University. You will encounter them frequently so it is useful to know them.

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U WXYZ

A

Academic points

Each paper has an academic points value which indicates the amount of credit which will be gained towards completing a programme if the paper is passed. For example, a three year Bachelor's degree typically requires a total of at least 360 academic points. See also Workload points.

Academic Progress

Academic progress is a generic term relating to a students overall progress in a programme. The way in which this is assessed will vary considerably depending on the context. For example:

Passing 50% or more of the points for which the student is enrolled (Academic progress policy)

Achieving a specific grade average (e.g. B+) or higher

Receiving a satisfactory written progress report from their supervisor (e.g. a PhD candidate)

Academic Progress Policy

A student who fails to make satisfactory progress (i.e. pass half or more of the points enrolled for in a calendar year) will be placed on Conditional Enrolment and may enrol for a prescribed course of study only, in the next year of enrolment. Such a student who passes fewer than half of the points in the Conditional Enrolment year will be suspended from enrolment from the University for the subsequent two calendar years.

This policy will be applied to students transferring from other universities as if their previous study had been undertaken at the University of Otago. Students suspended under the academic progress policies (or equivalent) of other universities will not be permitted to transfer to the University of Otago until such time as that suspension has passed.

Ad Eundem Credit

Credit awarded to a student on the basis of passes at any other tertiary institution or on the basis of recognition of prior learning (RPL). Such credit is termed credit for study elsewhere (or transfer credit) when it is based on passes at other New Zealand universities, and RPL credit when it is based on recognition of prior non-credentialled learning.

Ad Eundem Statum Admission

Admission "at the same level", which is usually granted on the basis of qualifications from overseas or of non-university tertiary qualifications gained within New Zealand. Admission can be at entrance level (for students with the equivalent of a standard university entrance qualification e.g. through CIE or IB), or with credit for one or more papers, or at graduate level if you have completed a degree or equivalent qualification.

Admission

Admission refers either to admission to the University or to a specific paper or programme. Apart from a few special circumstances, a person must have a university entrance qualification (normally on the basis of NCEA credits, Bursaries results, ad eundem statum admission, special admission, provisional entrance or discretionary entrance) and must have fulfilled language requirements in order to be admitted as a student (new and recommencing students enrolling for most undergraduate courses will be selected via Preferential Entry or Competitive Entry). Also, admission to an Honours or postgraduate programme or to a paper or programme with limited numbers (e.g. degrees in Medicine, Law, Surveying) requires special approval and normally involves making a formal application.

Allowable Timetable Clash

An Allowable Timetable Clash is defined as a timetable clash between teaching events, where at least one of the teaching events has pre-approved arrangements in place which can accommodate the clash. Students are not normally permitted to have more than one allowable timetable clash per week per teaching period.

Details of papers with arrangements that can accommodate Allowable Timetable Clashes can be found on the timetable clash information page.

Application for study

The act of applying for admission to the University and/or to a particular programme (the first phase of the enrolment process).

AskOtago

An online service provided by the University with answers to general enquiries and questions including, but not limited to, matters such as applying, admission, enrolment, records, exchange, accommodation and student life on campus. AskOtago is available via the AskOtago Service Portal.

Assessment

The process by which learning is evaluated either internally on the basis of essays, reports, exercises, and tests or by a final examination at the end of the teaching period, or by a combination of both.

Audioconference

Some papers are taught by audioconference, a telephone link which enables students and lecturers in different towns to talk simultaneously to each other.

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B

Bachelor's degree

A first or undergraduate degree, normally requiring at least three years of full-time study.

Blackboard

A web-based learning environment where University course materials, class discussions, assignments and assessments are available on the internet to enhance on-campus learning and/or to deliver distance learning.

Bridging Course

A course to assist students to prepare for study in a later academic semester or year.

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C

Calendar

The University's official publication containing its statutes, regulations (including programme requirements), important dates, and other information.

Campus

The grounds and buildings of the University.

Certificate

See Postgraduate Certificate.

Certificate of Proficiency

A term which describes a paper not necessarily being counted towards a particular qualification (e.g. an additional paper surplus to degree requirements); or a paper being repeated in the hope of gaining a higher grade; or a paper being taken to complete a degree at another university (e.g. an Otago paper being taken for a Canterbury degree).

Certified copy

A certified copy is a photocopy of an original document that has been stamped or endorsed by an authorised person (e.g. Solicitor, Justice of the Peace) who confirms that the copy is a true copy of the original document.

Change of course

The process by which a student who has completed the course enrolment declaration has any amendments to his or her course approved and recorded (may involve adding or dropping papers, changes to major or minor subjects, changes of programme).

Clash

See Timetable clash.

College

A synonym for School, used in the title of the University of Otago College of Education, which was created from the merger of the Dunedin College of Education with the University in 2007.

Also see Residential College.

Competitive Entry

A pathway for admission to undergraduate courses and programmes, for students who do not qualify for Preferential Entry. Competitive Entry students are ranked according to their academic performance and other relevant criteria and are offered places in the University in order of priority subject to fulfilling minimum age, entrance, and language requirements and the availability of places in their nominated programmes.

Completion

Term used to indicate that all requirements of a programme have been met and that the student is eligible to graduate.

Conditional Enrolment

Under the Academic Progress Policy, students who pass fewer than half of the points they are enrolled in for a calendar year are placed on Conditional Enrolment in their next year of study and may enrol for a prescribed course of study only.

Conjoint degree programme

See Double degree programme.

Corequisite

A paper that must be taken concurrently with another paper, unless it has already been passed.

Council

The governing body of the University.

Course

The collection of papers for which a student is enrolled in a particular semester or year.

Course advice

Academic advice provided to a student concerning his or her studies and future plans.

Course approval

The step of course enrolment in which a student's finalised course for the year or semester is accepted by both the University of Otago and the student.

Course enrolment

Course enrolment is the part of the enrolment process where students provide or update their personal details, select their papers, and complete a declaration concerning their enrolment in a particular year. The personal details include details that may change over time (such as study address), and information the University must collect annually for the New Zealand Government. Students also undertake selection of papers and (once course approval has been given) complete the declaration which constitutes a formal commitment to the course and to liability for associated fees. Students who fail to complete course enrolment on time may not have access to all University resources.

Credit

Papers or points passed at Otago, or for which a student has been granted ad eundem credit (including transfer and RPL credit - see entry for 'Ad eundem credit' above), that may be counted towards a University of Otago programme.

Cross Credit

Cross credit describes the situation in which a pass in a University of Otago course or paper is able to be credited by a student towards the requirements for two University of Otago qualifications. Neither qualification may be a postgraduate qualification or a graduate diploma or graduate certificate. The number of points that may be cross credited varies according to the minimum number of years required to complete the programmes concerned.

Credit for study elsewhere (transfer credit)

Credit may be granted towards Otago qualifications based on study completed at another tertiary institution, or as recognition of prior learning (for certain Maori Studies and Surveying papers only).

Credit may be granted as specified credit (recognising that the passes from elsewhere are equivalent to specific Otago papers, e.g. HIST 102 and 106) or as unspecified credit (recognising passes that do not correspond exactly to any Otago papers, e.g. 36 unspecified Arts points at 100-level).

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D

Dean

The academic and administrative Head of a School or Faculty.

Debtor

A student who owes money to the University and is listed as a debtor. Such students will not have access to the full range of University services until payment of any outstanding amount is made.

Degree

The academic award conferred by the University on the successful completion of a programme of study. Undergraduate (bachelors) degrees normally require at least 3 years of study (some require 4, 5 or 6); postgraduate (masters and doctoral) degrees require at least 1  3 years of study after completion of earlier qualifications.

Deletion (of a paper or programme)

Deletion of a paper or programme (as opposed to withdrawal) indicates the student has removed the paper and/or programme from their enrolment before the prescribed cut-off dates and will be eligible for a fees refund. The paper or programme will also cease to appear on the students academic transcript or academic record.

Department

An organisational unit of the University consisting of academic staff teaching a particular subject or discipline together with supporting general staff.

Diploma

See Postgraduate Diploma and Undergraduate Diploma.

Discretionary Entrance

The method for students under 20 years of age and without a New Zealand University Entrance qualification to gain admission to University. Usually based on Year 12 NCEA results. This does not apply to international students.

Dissertation

An extended piece of written work, normally based on original research, required for an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma and for some masters' degrees.

Distance Learning

Planned learning that normally occurs in a different place or at a different time from teaching. It requires special course design and instruction techniques and use of technologies to enable communication, access to resources, and student support.

Division

The University is divided into four teaching Divisions - Commerce (also known as the Otago Business School), Health Sciences, Humanities, and Sciences - which include the staff in all of the Departments and Schools in each of the four groups of related disciplines. Some Departments teach courses for degrees based in other Divisions (e.g. Information Science is a Commerce subject taught by a Commerce department but can also be taken for degrees in Arts and Science).

Doctoral degrees

The most advanced degrees of the University, mostly awarded on the basis of a thesis or a portfolio of published works of special excellence, but sometimes involving taught papers as well. Doctoral graduates may use the title Doctor.

Domestic student

Students are classified as domestic if they are New Zealand citizens (including citizens of the Cook Islands, Tokelau, and Niue), or holders of New Zealand residence class visas granted under the Immigration Act 2009 residing and studying in New Zealand, or Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia resident and studying in New Zealand. All other students are classified as international students and normally require a student visa to study in New Zealand.

Double degree programme

A programme of study that leads towards two degrees (e.g. BA and BCom), normally including cross crediting.

Double major

A programme of study for a bachelors degree which includes the major subject requirements for two subjects (two separate sets of 300-level papers are required).

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E

EFTS

EFTS (Equivalent Full-Time Student) is a unit of measurement of a student's enrolment and is used in the funding system for the University.

A typical full-time year's study equals 1.0 EFTS unit and the papers taken are fractions of that unit. In practice, a year's study will vary in EFTS value according to the papers studied.

Endorsement

A subject or area of specialisation for certain qualifications (e.g. PGCertHealSc endorsed in Resuscitation).

Enrolment

The collective term used for application, payment of fees, and Course Enrolment. The final step of enrolment is completion by the student of a declaration which constitutes a formal commitment to the course concerned and to liability for associated fees; the student is then fully enrolled.

Further information about enrolment is available elsewhere on this website.

Entry Pathway System

The system under which domestic students are assessed for selection and admission to most undergraduate programmes. Also see Competitive Entry and Preferential Entry.

eVision

eVision is a one-stop shop for study-related information where students will apply to study, access all important study-related information, and maintain their personal information.

Exceptional Timetable Clash

An Exceptional Timetable Clash is any timetable clash which is not considered an Allowable Timetable Clash. Exceptional Timetable Clashes will only be approved in limited circumstances. More information can be found on the timetable clash information page.

Exemption

Permission to leave a particular requirement out of a course. This normally requires approval by the Division concerned.

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F

Faculty

A decision-making body for academic matters affecting a group of Departments or a specialist School.

Fees

Enrolment in any paper or programme involves liability for the payment of fees to the University. Most fees fall under the following categories:

Tuition fee

Students Services fee

Non-tuition (administration) fees

See the Fees page for more details.

Field trip

An off-campus visit, usually to observe natural phenomena or to collect specimens (often a compulsory part of courses in subjects such as Botany or Geology).

Final Examination Only (FEO)

In most papers (but not all), a student who has completed course work satisfactorily but has failed to pass the paper concerned may apply for Final Examination Only enrolment. This means that the student may sit the examination at the end of the next teaching period that the paper is offered but may not attend teaching sessions or submit further assignments. This concession is granted only once for a particular paper, and only for the teaching period in which the paper is offered next.

Finalist

A person enrolled for a course which is sufficient to complete a qualification in that semester or year. A student enrolled in 2015 would be a finalist only if the course he or she was taking would complete the requirements of the programme in 2015.

Final Examinations

Often called 'finals', these are formal examinations conducted under the authority of the Senate at the end of the teaching period for a paper.

First-year student

A student who has not previously attended the University of Otago or any other university in New Zealand.

Full-time

A full-time course is generally between 54 and 72 points in any one semester or 108 and 144 points in any one year. (Also see Workload.)

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G

General bachelors' degrees

Any of the ordinary bachelors' degrees (BA, BAppSc, BASc, BBiomedSc, BCom, BHealSc, MusB, BPA, BPhEd, BSc, BTheol), most of which have a choice of major subjects, available to eligible students under the Entry Pathway Sytem.

Grade

A letter awarded for a particular paper which indicates the level of performance in examinations and other assessment. (A+ is top grade; C- is lowest passing grade; D and E are failing grades).

Grade Point Average (GPA)

A numerical measure of a students academic achievement. When a GPA is needed at Otago for admission or scholarships purposes, a numerical value is assigned to each letter grade:

A+ = 9

A = 8

A- = 7

B+ = 6

B = 5

B- = 4

C+ = 3

C = 2

C- = 1

The weighted average is then calculated (taking into account differing point values of papers).

Graduand

A student who has completed the requirements of a qualification, but has not yet graduated.

Graduate

A person who has had a degree conferred.

Graduate diploma

A qualification available only to graduates but comprising papers at undergraduate level.

Guide to Enrolment

The Guide to Enrolment is produced annually and is the primary source of information and guidance for students concerning the enrolment process. The Guide contains full details of all the papers offered by the University and student-friendly information on basic programme structure, including the requirements for majors, minors and endorsements.

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H

Health Declaration

If you wish to apply for special consideration on health grounds because you miss a compulsory class or assessment for health reasons, or in connection with a final examination for health reasons, you should use a Health Declaration Form. Part B must be completed by a health professional if a final examination is involved, but is not always required in other cases; check with the department or school concerned.

There is some variation in practice for particular programmes (e.g. Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Radiation Therapy, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy). Students enrolled in those programmes must check with their schools or departments on their requirements.

Download the Health Declaration Form (192k in PDF format)

HOD

Head of Department.

Honours degree

A more specialised degree than an ordinary bachelor's degree, usually involving more papers in the subject of the degree and a research report or dissertation. In most subjects, the honours degree is a postgraduate degree, requiring an additional year of study after completion of an ordinary three-year bachelor's degree. In other cases (particularly professional programmes), the honours degree is an undergraduate degree requiring additional work but taking no longer than the corresponding ordinary degree.

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I

Interest Only enrolment

Interest Only enrolment is when a student is permitted to enrol for a paper and to attend classes without undertaking any examinations or other formal assessment (and therefore without the possibility of being awarded any credit for the paper). Interest Only enrolment is not normally available to students who are also taking courses for credit in the same enrolment period.

Internal assessment

In addition to or instead of final examinations, some or all of the final grade for each paper is based on internal assessment - results for essays, assignments, laboratory or other practical work, and tests or examinations (sometimes known as terms tests) conducted by individual departments or schools.

International student

Any student who is not a domestic student (see entry above). International students normally require a student visa to study in New Zealand.

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L

Laboratory

A teaching session involving experimental or practical work.

Lecture

The main method of instruction at the University. Usually a 50 minute oral teaching session.

Level

The different stages at which a subject is taught which reflect how advanced a paper is (e.g. 100-level is the first level).

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M

Main enrolment period

The main enrolment period covers first and second semester.

Major subject

The subject chosen as the main area of study for an ordinary bachelor's degree and studied up to 300-level.

Managed Enrolment / Entry Pathway System

The system under which first year, transferring or recommencing students who are applying for enrolment in a programme subject to this system, have their applications assessed and either approved or declined.

Master's degree

An advanced degree taken by a student who already holds a Bachelor's degree. Normally involves research for a thesis or a dissertation.

Matriculation

The formal addition of a student's name to the records of the University at the beginning of the first year of enrolment. It occurs when a student completes the Declaration at the end of Course Enrolment for the first time, at which point they become a full member of the University.

Medical certificate

See Health Declaration.

Minor subject

A recognised selection of papers in a particular subject area, in addition to a major subject. Normally five papers are required, two at 200-level and one at 300-level.

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N

National Student Index (NSI)

The National Student Index is a national register of all students in the New Zealand education system. Each student on the register has a unique National Student Number (NSN). All students enrolled in formal tertiary education are required to have an active NSN, meaning the name, date of birth and citizenship details of the record have been verified.

National Student Number (NSN)

A number assigned to every student by the Ministry of Education to help in the maintenance of information about students, even if they change institutions.

NCEA  National Certificate of Educational Achievement

NCEA is the current national system for evaluating educational achievement and is administered by NZQA. The majority of new students gaining admission to the University do so by virtue of their NCEA results from secondary school.

New student

A student who has not previously attended the University of Otago.

New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA)

A government agency which maintains an overview of secondary and tertiary qualifications offered within New Zealand and, in particular, is responsible for the NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement).

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O

100-, 200-, 300 -level etc.

Each paper or other course component offered by the University has a level associated with it. For example, ANTH 101 would be an Anthropology paper primarily designed for students new to Anthropology; ANTH 201 would be a paper which would assume some prior 100-level achievement in Anthropology. The highest level used is 900, and this currently indicates study at PhD level.

Ordinary bachelor's degree

A bachelor's degree awarded without honours. Most ordinary bachelor's degrees may be completed in three years of full-time study, although some require four, five or six.

Orientation

A programme of events organised at the beginning of the year to introduce new students to University life.

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P

Papers

The term used to refer to the units of study in which students enrol (sometimes referred to as a course at other institutions).

Paper codes

Each paper is identified by a seven character code. Four letters denoting the subject area (e.g. ACCT for Accounting, PHSE for Physical Education) are followed by three numbers (beginning with 1 for 100-level papers, 2 for 200-level papers, and so on).

Part-time

Any course whose workload is less than 54 points in any one semester or 108 points in any one year is normally regarded as a part-time course. Part-time students are not normally eligible to receive student allowances. (Also see Workload.)

PhD

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy, a higher degree than an Honours or Master's degree, involving at least two and a half years of supervised research and a thesis.

Points

Every paper has a point value that shows its proportion of an equivalent full-time year of enrolment of 120 points.

Postgraduate certificate

A qualification for graduates which requires at least one semester of full-time study (or the equivalent in part-time study).

Postgraduate course

A course undertaken by a student who has already completed a Bachelor's degree and comprising papers or other work at 400-level or above.

Postgraduate degree

An honours, masters, or doctoral degree available only to graduates, requiring advanced study and a research component.

Postgraduate diploma

A qualification for graduates requiring at least one year of full-time study (or the equivalent in part-time study).

Preferential Entry

A pathway for admission to undergraduate courses and programmes. Students who qualify for Preferential Entry on the basis of academic merit and/or other criteria are guaranteed places in the University subject to fulfilling minimum age, entrance, and language requirements.

Prerequisites

A paper that must be passed before taking some other paper or course.

Prescriptions

Description of the academic content of individual papers.

Programme

The entire requirements for the qualification towards which a student is studying (e.g. a certificate programme or degree programme).

Progression

A student's advancement from one stage or year or level or proportion of a programme to the next. For some programmes (e.g. MB ChB) completion of a prescribed full year's course is required for progression to the following year.

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Q

Qualification

A degree, diploma, or certificate of the University awarded to a student after successful completion of the requirements of the programme concerned (e.g. BA, Bachelor of Arts).

R

Recommencing student

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See Internal Assessment.

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Workload recommendation for first-year students
The new chairman of Dow Corning is calling the companys acquisition by the Dow Chemical Company a natural progression that will produce better growth and results for the now-wholly owned subsidiary.

Dow and Corning Inc. have operated Dow Corning as a joint venture for more than seven decades, a partnership that officially ended June 1 with Dow acquiring total ownership of the silicones manufacturer.

The end of that partnership started December 11, 2015, when Dow chairman and chief executive officer Andrew Liveris announced the planned acquisition.

During an interview with the Daily News Tuesday, Dow vice chairman and chief financial officer Howard Ungerleider discussed what went into preparing for the first day Dow Corning would become part of the Dow family, and what he hopes to see as a result of it.

It has gone by exceptionally quickly, but we are excited day one is upon us, Ungerleider said.

The new restructuring has led to several announcements, including the retirement of former Dow Corning CEO Bob Hansen and the appointment of Mauro Gregorio as the new CEO and Andy Tometich as business president.

Im really excited with the organizational design we have set up, Ungerleider said.

He compared it to Dow Agrosciences, which is run by a board of directors and employs its own business president who manages the subsidiary with a team of professionals. Tometich and Gregorio will lead and manage Dow Corning day-by-day, Ungerleider said.

It is not typical to have such a long-lasting joint venture, he added, and he is not aware of any others in the industry that have been around for seven decades like Dow Corning.

The conversation to end the partnership began by looking at the similar markets Dow and Dow Corning operates in, and the similarities between the two companies and their strategies.

Its hard for 73 years to keep partners aligned on a common objective, but weve been great partners, Ungerleider said about Corning. It was just a natural progression into the strategy of narrow and deeper that drove Dow toward Dow Corning.

Both Dow and Corning retain equal and proportional equity interest in Hemlock Semiconductor, located in Hemlock, Mich.

THE NEW DOW CORNING

As the newly appointed chairman of Dow Corning, Ungerleider said the goal for the company can be summed up in three words: accelerate growth efficiently.

Were doing this to grow, Ungerleider said. By combining the two technologies, combining the two capabilities of the organizations, we think theres a real opportunity to grow even faster."

In a company press release sent out Wednesday morning, Liveris described the acquisition as a hand-in-glove, strategic fit for our material sciences portfolio.

By linking our two robust innovation engines, we will bring greater value to our shareholders and a wider range of differentiated, high value solutions to our customers, Liveris said in the press release.

In a conference call in April, Ungerleider said the Dow Corning acquisition would act as a tailwind for the second half of 2016. Revenue not previously included in Dows financial reporting would now be added in. Dow Corning's silicones business earned more than $4.5 billion in revenue in 2015.

It will be a tailwind in our earnings, and in our top line, Ungerleider said. Certainly by bringing in Dow and Dow Corning together, you will be able to do things more efficiently as one company than you would as two separate companies.

Those efficiencies do include cost synergies, which Ungerleider said people are no doubt concerned about. He did not have any information about possible job cuts, and said the companies need time to bring ideas on how to achieve those efficiencies to the table before making any decisions. The company press release said Dow is "positioned to capture a minimum of $400 million in annual cost and growth synergies" due to the acquisition.

There will clearly be some short-term pain, Ungerleider said, but he is convinced both companies will be able to grow faster and support more jobs in the long-term.

Those who are employed by Dow or Dow Corning could expect a better answer about their job status by the end of the third quarter in September.

If we can do it faster, we will but we want to do it right and we want to do it with respect for all our stakeholders: the communities, not just mid-Michigan, but around the world, as well as the Dow team and the Dow Corning team, Ungerleider said. We want to make the best decisions we can make.

He also touched on the impending merger of Dow and Delaware-based DuPont Co. into a company known as DowDuPont worth $131 billion. Ungerleider said there no immediate plans to relocate Dow Cornings headquarters, now currently in Williams Township in Auburn.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE REGION

Dow Corning would become part of the new Material Sciences business, a result of the spin-offs 18 to 24 months after DowDuPont is formed, to be headquartered in Midland. Ungerleider will then transition to a new role as chief financial officer for DowDuPont, but said the companys commitment to mid-Michigan will not change.

He points at Dows footprint across the Great Lakes Bay Region and said that commitment spreads throughout the area.

Over the long-run, assuming we do a good job at accelerating growth efficiently, long-term that should mean more jobs, it should mean more tax revenue and philanthropy for the community, Ungerleider said.

In his 26 years of working for Dow, Ungerleider has had several roles and said he would like to see Dow and Dow Corning employees look at this change in ownership as an opportunity to take on a new position.

You get a tremendous number of options and capabilities to prove yourself and deliver results, Ungerleider said. For me, that should be the most exciting part.
The Dow Chemical Co. is cutting 4 percent of its global workforce, and 700 of those jobs will come from the Great Lakes Bay Region as the company transitions into full ownership of Dow Corning and tackles an impending merger with DuPont Co.

Two separate press releases from Dow contained information about the strategies being employed, including the closure of silicones manufacturing facilities in Greensboro, North Carolina, and Yamakita, Japan.

Howard Ungerleider, Dow chief financial officer and the newly appointed chairman of Dow Corning, told the Daily News that the first goal for company officials is to let employees know of their job status as soon as possible.

At the end of September, the goal is to have everyone who is working for Dow and Dow Corning in the Great Lakes Bay Region to know their status, Ungerleider said. The tough reality is when youre dealing with two companies that have acted standalone as many years as theyve had  you just dont need two of everything from a back-office perspective.

Ungerleider predicted those employees would know whether they had weeks, or possibly months, by the end of September. Some employees may still have roles to play in the next two years as Dow prepares for a $130 billion merger with Delaware-based DuPont.

The combined company known as DowDuPont will spin off into three independent businesses. Company officials have said the material sciences business will remain headquartered in Midland.

Of Dows current global workforce of 60,000 people, about 4 percent will be impacted by the restructuring. The 2,500 job cuts will be spread among departments of Dow and Dow Corning, though Ungerleider did not say what percentage from each company.

Dow Corning was Dow's former joint venture with Corning Inc, and became a wholly-owned Dow subsidiary June 1.

We dont really see it as Dow versus Dow Corning, he said, adding that the goal of a joint implementation team was to put the right people in the right role for the future of Dow.

The 2,500 job cuts will also include the business restructuring of the Dow solar business. It operates out of Michigan and includes a manufacturing site in California, according to Dow spokesperson Rachelle Schikorra. The solar business will change to a licensing model, and some jobs will be affected, she said.

One of the highlights of the announcement is that there are no plans to close any Dow or Dow Corning facilities in operations that are located in the surrounding area, Ungerleider said.

All the locations that have had the greatest local concern will remain open, he told the Daily News.

REGIONAL IMPACT

At least 700 people living in the counties that make up the region will know in the coming weeks that their jobs have been cut due to the restructuring. Company officials have prepared opportunities such as an online job portal, career fairs and an Entrepreneurial Fair that will take place in fall 2016.

Dow has partnered with organizations including the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development, Tata Consultancy, Accenture, Saginaw Future and Bay Future, Midland Tomorrow, along with local Chamber of Commerce groups to aid those affected by the job cuts.

We want to make sure the community not just continues to survive but really thrive and grow here, and our focus is really on growth in mid-Michigan, Ungerleider said.

Part of that growth includes philanthropic contributions. Ungerleider said Dow has no intention of dismantling the 35-year-old Dow Corning Foundation and that Dow Corning is a separate legal entity.

GLOBAL IMPACT

The job cuts will be accompanied by other actions such as harmonizing energy contracts at large sites, optimizing warehouse and logistics footprints, combining information technology service structures and leveraging existing research and development capabilities.

Silicones manufacturing facilities being closed in Greensboro and Yamakita will be followed by other administrative, corporate and manufacturing facilities, but no additional information was provided on where those facilities may be located.

We thought about it in terms of spending a lot of freight dollars moving product around the silicones grid, Ungerleider said about the decision to close Greensboro and Yamakita. The other silicones locations will likely experience growth to cover business demands.

Dows Gulf Coast operations have slowed down external hiring in the last six months, an intentional move, Ungerleider said. According to one of the press releases, hiring managers will head to Midland to discuss employment options there with impacted Dow Corning and Dow talent.

Company officials expect Dow to capture $500 million in combined run rate annual synergies as a result of these measures. The $500 million includes an increase of $100 million from the originally projected $300 million in cost synergies and another $100 million in growth synergies.

These moves are also expected to produce $1 billion in additional annual earnings before certain factors, at full run-rate. Dow is expecting $410 to $460 million in costs related to asset impairments, severance and other costs related to this announcement through the second half of 2016.

KEY POINTS

According to Ungerleider, there are three key points to the press releases from Dow: the company is moving forward on synergies, is putting a significant amount of effort to mitigate negative impacts that may be felt throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region, and one line in particular.

That sentence reiterates that construction will continue on Dows new corporate headquarters on its main campus off Patrick and Abbott roads in Midland. That tells local residents Dow is committed to the city where it was first created, Ungerleider said.

It tells you what we are trying hard to do, is communicate and emphasize that we are committed to the region, Ungerleider said. It doesnt mean for today, for Dow and Dow Corning, but also the materials sciences company we are building.
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Stockholders voted to approve a historic, $130 billion "merger of equals" between The Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont Co. during meetings held in both Michigan and Delaware earlier this morning.

A press release detailed that stockholders approved all proposals necessary to complete the merger, which was first announced in early December 2015 by top officials from both companies. A move to merge Dow and DuPont was first approved by each company's respective board of directors before it was announced in subsequent press releases and conference calls.

The combined company, to be known as DowDuPont, would result in a spin-off of three independent, publicly traded companies within 18 to 24 months after the merger is closed, and is subject to regulatory and board approval. It is anticipated for the merger transaction to close in the second half of 2016, and this morning's vote is one step that has moved that plan forward.

Andrew Liveris, Dow's chairman and chief executive officer, called the voter's approval a "clear testament to the compelling value proposition and enhanced shareholder value that DowDuPont represents."

"Today is a pivotal step toward bringing together these two iconic enterprises, and to the subsequent intended separation into three leading, independent technology and innovation-based science companies that will generate significant benefits for all stakeholders," Liveris said in a press release.

RELATED: Dow cutting 4 percent of global workforce, with regional impact

Company officials have said the combined company will be dual-headquartered in Midland and Wilmington, Del.

Liveris will become executive chairman of the newly formed DowDuPont Board of Directors and Edward D. Breen, chair and CEO of DuPont, will become CEO of DowDuPont. Both will report to the board of directors, which will consist of 16 members (eight from each current company board.)

Breen said both companies are now focused on the next steps in completing the merger transaction.

"We are confident that this merger will create long-term, sustainable value for stockholders and superior solutions and choices for customers," Breen said in a press release.

That value is expected to come through the separation of DowDuPont into three businesses: Agriculture, based in Delaware; Material Sciences, to stay in Midland; and Specialty Products, based in Delaware.

RELATED: Liveris talks future of Dow, bringing Dow Corning on board June 1

Final voting results are awaiting certification and will be posted on each company's website. To view, go to http://bit.ly/29TOEg7 for Dow results and http://bit.ly/29LSUNv for DuPont results.
What took place today could very well be the last annual meeting of stockholders for The Dow Chemical Co, president and CEO Andrew Liveris told a crowd of hundreds of Dow shareholders, employees and retirees at the Midland Center for the Arts.

Highlights of the meeting included remarks addressing the upcoming merger with Delaware-based DuPont Co., the impending acquisition of Dow Corning Corp. and the future Dow company to be headquartered in Midland.

What a moment this is for your Dow Chemical Company, Liveris said in his opening remarks.

He called the DowDuPont merger the largest and most consequential merger in our sector and also announced the acquisition of Auburn-based Dow Corning Corp., its joint venture with Corning Inc., would be complete June 1.

Ive often said, Dow people are the best in the business, Liveris said during opening remarks. They are, quite literally, the human element at work.

He alluded to the companys founder, Herbert H. Dow, who Liveris described as bold and and possessing the spirit of fearless entrepreneurship. It is Herbert H. Dows example that has led the company through multiple generations of expansion, diversifying and investment in innovation, he said.

It guides us today as we make Generation 6.0 a reality, Liveris said.

The year 2015 was a pivotal year in the companys history, with ground-breaking results and gathering momentum, he added. It resulted in an all-time high of $9.6 billion for full-year earnings before certain factors, 667 U.S. patent grants and improved experimental capabilities.

Consumer Solutions, Building and Construction, and undisputed leader Performance Plastics showed strong performance despite global and currency headwinds coupled with fluctuating oil prices, he said, and illustrated a focused, disciplined, innovation-driven company that is hitting its stride. He also commented on the propane dehydrogenation facility in Freeport, Texas, and its joint venture polyethylene company, Sadara Chemical Company in Saudi Arabia, and the bold steps taken by Dow with its other joint ventures like MEGlobal, acquired by Equate at the end of 2015, and its chlorine business.

Those strategies combined to position Dow for two historic transactions, Liveris said. He began with the acquisition of Dow Corning, which has been approved by authorities and is set to join the Dow company on June 1, that he described as a hand-and-glove fit for the companies with complimentary markets.

DowDuPont represents a rare, tax-efficient merger of equals that will truly revolutionize our industry, Liveris said, with $1 billion in growth synergies and $3 billion in price synergies. The combined company will result in the spin-off of three separate companies, one of which he called the new Dow that will focus on material sciences with predicted revenue of $51 billion and headquarters in Midland.

The new Dow will be able to meet even more of the industrys needs, Liveris said. We are truly excited about this new era of growth. We are speeding towards a future even greater than the past.

Liveris shared that he has been an employee of Dow for 40 years, and has served as the CEO for the past decade, and is excited for the company to move into the next generation of its future.

This may well be the last stockholder meeting for the Dow that exists, he said. It has been, and continues to be a privilege to serve you.

Preliminary results for voting matters included "unanimous" approval of nominations for Dows board of directors; 98 percent of voters approving the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the companys independent registered public accounting firm for 2016; and 87.4 percent of voters approving a resolution related to executive compensation.

At least 72 percent of voters approved a proxy access bylaw that would require Dow to include in proxy materials the name, disclosure and statement of any person nominated for election to the board by a shareholder or group that satisfies the criteria. The proxy access bylaw would also allow shareholders to vote on such nominee on Dows proxy card.
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A Republican field that began with 17 candidates for president has been whittled down to just one: Donald Trump. The GOP faithful, including Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, have gathered in Cleveland to nominate Trump.

It didnt matter who you were for, Republicans have one great unifier: Hillary Clinton, Schuette said. She is the great unifier.

But, the first day of the convention was anything but kind to Trump as a group of anti-Trump delegates attempted to derail him as they tried to force a state-by-state roll call vote regarding the rules of the convention.

It wasnt that big, it was just a dust-up. The rules have been set for a long, long time. Youve got to play by the rules, said Schuette, who described the overall atmosphere as upbeat and positive.

After squashing the attempt, Trump now marches on to a Nov. 8 showdown against Clinton, the Democratic nomination for president.

When Donald Trump is elected president, well have more Supreme Court justices like (former justice) Antonin Scalia than those that have the philosophy of Clinton, (President Barack) Obama and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Schuette said.

Also on Schuettes agenda for the opening day was the opportunity to speak to the delegates during the afternoon session.

It was a huge honor to be Michigans voice and talk about the issue of Flint and to provide justice to those families, Schuette said, referring to being the only speaker from Michigan.

As one of three attorney generals to speak during the convention, Schuette also talked about the importance of supporting law enforcement, which was especially significant after an inmate recently shot and killed two court bailiffs at the Berrien County Courthouse.

Any part of law enforcement occupy a very fragile space between chaos and safety, Schuette said. For too long people have been disrespectful to police, which makes us all less safe. I think Donald Trump will be a law and order type president.

Joining Schuette on the convention docket were Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who took to the stage Tuesday, and Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who will speak at tonights session.

Schuette, who is a strong possibility to seek the governorship of Michigan in 2018, also drew upon President Ronald Reagan.

Reagan wanted everyone to get an opportunity in this country, thats why I talked about single mom, Schuette said. Parents want their children to reach the top of the hill.

Before the convention began, Schuette, wife, Cynthia, along with children, Heidi and Bill, took time to visit the childhood homes of Schuettes mother, Esther, father, William H. Schuette, and stepfather, Carl Gerstacker.

I had a beautiful time. My mother, father and stepfather were all from Cleveland, Schuette said. I even got to go into the house where my father lived.

Following the convention, its on toward the Nov. 8 election as he stumps for fellow Republicans.

I want big Republican victories, he said. We need to carry the state and maintain a majority in the Michigan House of Representatives, he said. Ill also be involved with reelecting (Republican Michigan State Supreme Court justices) David Viviano and Joan Larsen.

Key U.S. House of Representative races that Schuette will be involved with will be the 7th District (southern Michigan) and the Upper Peninsulas 1st Congressional District.
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department.

Monday, July 18

1:51 a.m.  A Midland man, 27, was arrested for drunken driving after he was stopped for speeding in Homer Township.

2:48 a.m.  Two Midland men, both age 18, were arrested in Lee Township. One was jailed for driving without a valid license, and the other for drug possession.

7:47 a.m.  Police investigated a driver license violation at West Wackerly Street and Eastman Avenue.

10:26 a.m.  A Lee Township man, 19, was arrested in that township for a probation violation.

12:03 p.m.  A deputy was called to a Lee Township mobile home park for a report of unwanted guests.

1:35 p.m.  A 19-year-old man was arrested in Jerome Township for domestic assault along with an outstanding Midland County warrant.

2:37 p.m.  Officers investigated a case of fraud in the 5000 block of Washington Street.

5:16 p.m.  Police investigated a driver license violation at U.S. 10 and Jefferson Avenue.

6:20 p.m.  A deputy was sent to a Warren Township home to check the wellbeing of numerous cats. The case was sent to Animal Control for follow up.

7:06 p.m.  A deputy was sent to Edenville Township for a report of a boy, 15, pushing another boy, age 13. The older boys mother was spoken with about the incident.

7:59 p.m.  Property in the 700 block of East Main Street was damaged.

11:55 p.m.  A deputy was sent to a report of a loud party at a Geneva Township home and found a woman having a bonfire, but no loud noise.

Sunday, July 17

3:42 a.m.  A Warren Township man, 18, was cited for being a minor in possession of alcohol after a traffic stop in Jerome Township.

10:40 a.m.  A Bay City man, 56, was arrested in Midland for driving while his license was revoked after he was stopped for an equipment violation.

2:54 p.m.  A Lee Township woman, 26, asked for a deputy to speak with her sons, ages 4 and 5, about being respectful and obeying their parents. The boys had stolen an item from a grocery store and were acting out.

8:21 p.m.  A Rochester Hills man, 47, was cited in Lee Township for driving without a valid license after he was stopped for speeding.

8:48 p.m.  A portion of fencing was stolen from a Greendale Township home.

9:06 p.m.  A $350 chain saw was reported stolen from a barn in Mills Township.

9:15 p.m.  Police were sent to a Kentwood Street home for a report of domestic violence.

9:17 p.m.  A motorist was arrested at East Lyon and James Savage roads for domestic assault.

9:29 p.m.  A deputy investigated a report of electricity being stolen. There was no evidence of theft.
To the editor:

Re: The re-interpretation of the world by Keith Korthals in Tuesdays edition.

He forgets that Saddam Husain was killing his own people so that he could stay in power. He forgets that the western civilized world had requested a no fly zone over Iraq to limit Saddams ability to kill his own people. He forgets that our airplanes were being fired upon by this dictator. He neglects to mention that the western world was convinced that he was producing weapons of mass destruction. He forgets that Saddam was warned again and again to cease and desist. Finally, our then-President Bush said enough is enough.

Agreed, we erred in thinking that Iraqs population would prefer a more democratic government. We did almost succeed until the next president pulled the rug out from under a going concern to allow the terrorists to succeed. If he wants to blame anybody for this mess, blame Obama.

JAMES D. WHITESIDE

Midland
During a mass movement starting July 12 and spanning roughly a week, more than 500 Airmen from across Misawa Air Base departed for exercises Cope Taufan 16 and Pitch Black.



Every summer, Airmen from Misawa depart to various temporary duty locations, allowing them to gain practice in another mission set while in a new environment.



Exercise Cope Taufan 16, held in Pangkalan Udara Butterworth and Pangkalan Udara Subang, Malaysia, allows for an exchange of techniques and procedures to enhance interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and Royal Malaysian air force airmen, while conducting operations in air superiority, airborne command and control, close air support, interdiction, air refueling, tactical airlift and tactical air drop.



Exercise Pitch Black is a three-week multi-national large force employment exercise conducted from Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal, encompassing 11 countries, and designed to enhance readiness and strengthen regional partnerships.



Both exercises will last roughly a month, allowing the fighter squadrons to continue flying while Airmen with the 35th Civil Engineer Squadron repair Misawas runway. As the sole bilateral, joint-service, civilian-use air base in the Pacific, the runway sees use for U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and commercial air operations resulting in excessive use and the need for regular repair work.



Runway construction starts on July 19, said Maj. Christopher Byrne, the 35th Fighter Wing director of staff. The construction is going to reduce the runway length to less than what is required for normal day to day operations for F-16s.



As the construction is unavoidable, the deployments also serve to help pilots and maintainers remain proficient.



Deploying these aircraft to different locations will allow us to continue flying operations for both squadrons, said Byrne. This gives unique training opportunities for both squadrons going to two separate locations, training with joint and bilateral partners. Our pilots will also be able to keep their flying hours while out maintainers can keep doing their jobs in a new and exciting location.



Even though both squadrons were gone within the week, the task was no easy feat; it took months of planning for a smooth execution.



The planning for these particular exercises started six or seven months ago, said Senior Master Sgt. Lowell Armstrong, 35th Logistics Readiness Squadron deployment and distribution flight chief. The squadrons needed to determine what kind of training they wanted to do within the exercises and then determined what kind of equipment to pack. The load planners then see what can fit on the aircraft and move forward with prepping the cargo.



Palletizing and loading was one of the focal points during the deployment of the 13th and 14th Fighter Squadrons, ensuring approximately 461,000 pounds of military equipment were safely packed and loaded onto the pallets and aircraft.



We used a smaller team because of a compresses time frame, said Armstrong. The team comprised of traffic management personnel and internal augmentees from the medical group who worked from 6 a.m. to midnight to process the cargo of both 747s in one day each.



Through the efforts of Airmen from across the wing, long hours and tireless work spent processing cargo and aircraft, the 35th FW made good on its mission of providing worldwide deployable forces.



If you look at what we did last week, we launched two full flying squadrons in a single day to another base  thats unprecedented, said Byrne. Across the board, from our maintainers to out load crew to our operators, getting that many people out the door in a single day is something Ive never seen done and its absolutely incredible.
52 Films By Women: It's a Moral Imperative That We Talk about Martha Coolidge's 'Real Genius'

In the wake of all the recent women arent funny nonsense surrounding Paul Feigs Ghostbusters, just imagine what it must have been like to be a woman trying to direct comedies thirty years ago. Before Nora Ephron and Penny Marshall there was Martha Coolidge, first with Valley Girl and then with Real Genius. Martha Coolidge is a boss. A distant relative of President Calvin Coolidge, Martha Coolidge has herself been a president, as the first (and, ridiculously, only) head of the Directors Guild of America. Though she holds no Oscars, shes got an Emmy (Introducing Dorothy Dandridge) and a Spirit Award (Rambling Rose). And perhaps most importantly, with 1985s Real Genius, Martha Coolidge inspired a generation of future scientists.

Do we really need to talk the nuts-and-bolts of this film; is there anyone who hasnt seen it? If so, for shame. But briefly, Real Genius is about some advanced nerd geeks at a Cal Tech-like school who unknowingly create a military-grade space laser as part of their final project. In some ways, it is a quintessential 80s movie. Its a coming of age tale with a solidly of-the-time soundtrack, complete with two montages, and the story culminates in a preposterous act of amusing revenge and comeuppance. Its got a geeky lead character (Mitch - Gabriel Jarret), a cool guy character (Chris Knight - Val Kilmer), a contemporary bully asshole student (Kent - Robert Prescott), and a real and proper antagonist (Professor Hathaway - William Atherton).

Only, Real Genius really isnt a quintessential 80s movie at all. Where other 80s movies pit the nerds against the jocks, this movie is all about and only about the nerds. And the fundamental character dilemma they face isnt about how smart people can fit in but, rather, how one balances book smarts and creativity. With Lazlo Hollyfield (Jonathan Gries), we see the extreme of allowing your intellect to dominate your creativity, while Knight sits at the other extreme, using his intellect merely to feed creative hijinx. Only when 15-year-old Mitch comes onto the scene  pure intellect who has not yet even found his creativity  do all three characters eventually find themselves working together to find the right balance. Of course, this is a heavy and intellectual topic for a college comedy romp, and so much of this sits on the margins. But its far more substance than most of the school-set comedies of the decade (or other comedies of any decade) offer.

Theres something else uniquely non-80s about the film  its female lead, Jordan (Michelle Meyrink). While the film gives Jordan a romance story, its a light and largely inconsequential romance story. More significantly, she is her own woman. Jordan is smart and weird and unique, and unapologetically so. She helps Knight and Mitch out in their eventual scheme not out of puppy love or because theyre boys, but because she just wants to, and she brings her own skills and talents to the group. To have a female character who is every bit the brainy equal of the boys, who doesnt show her tits off, and who is an equal participant in the boys schemes  sadly, that would be uniquely non-now, let alone non-80s.

While there was obviously a script to start with, Coolidge carries most of the responsibility for the films endearing success. Reading up on her career shows that she has always fought to avoid senseless nudity, to make female characters who are independent and who serve their own point and value. And more broadly, when asked about her perception as an actors director and what she brings to the table, Coolidge offered a lovely take on the many roles a director must play:

Ultimately being a good director is a unique combination of male and female qualities: You are a four star General, an inspirational leader and strategist as well as the most nurturing mother in the world. All good directors, men and women, have both these sides very well developed. We have to have a vision but we also must be good communicators to show people our vision and give them the confidence that we know what we are doing. We are mom and dad, boss and confidant and both men and women can be good at all aspects of directing, but not many have it all in spades.

And it is clear that Coolidge brought this type of directorial leadership to Real Genius, not just from what we see on film, but from the mouth of one of her actors. William Atherton may be known best for playing assholes on film, and here he finds himself in the middle of a phenomenal asshole-trilogy run (Real Genius followed on the heels of his turn in Ghostbusters and a few years later hed play king asshole in Die Hard). But in a recent A.V. Club career retrospective interview, Atherton shows that he is nothing like his characters, speaking endearingly about his director of thirty years ago:

Martha Coolidge had the great style for that picture; that picture lasts because of her directorial style. She has great affinity for smart, young people, an organic affinity, and that was really what made that picture go. In the 80s, and I guess in the 90s, all the studios would have a topic, and then they would compete every summer on the topic. So in that year there was My Science Project, Weird Science, and Real Genius. That would be all that same summer. If somebody saw that somebody had adopted this subject, they would have their version of that subject. They felt, Well, they think this is going to go, so maybe our version of it will go, too. Thats how, I think, corporately that all happened. But artistically, that happened because of Martha.

Coolidge made a smart, funny film (See dad, its coherent light. Oh. So it talks?). Its a film with moments of biting satire, like the opening star chamber scene, and classroom scenes culminating in even the teacher not being present. And more importantly, as noted at the top, its a film that inspired a number of budding scientists. I am one of them (sort of).

I was a physics major in college, and I was damn good at it. But I also had (most of) a minor in theater, and took courses on feminist art and 60s counter-culture. My two mentors, and professors who remain treasured friends to this day, were an astrophysicist and a theologian. My college career was an ongoing attempt to balance math and science, on the one hand, with art and creativity on the other. In other words, I was basically trying to be Chris Knight  and when I eventually discovered the legendary and amazing Richard Feynman, I realized that this balance was real and sustainable. And I wasnt alone. A number of friends in the physics department similarly claimed some debt to Real Genius, perhaps none more so than my lab and study partner. I used to refer to her as the other half of my brain, and shes a woman who, as a girl, was able to conceive of herself as a future scientist in no small part because of Jordan. While she would go on, unlike me, to get a PhD in astrophysics (remind me again why I chose the route of law over space?), she was also constantly balancing math/science and art/creativity, and eventually gave up practicing science to teach yoga.

And yet, the director of a movie that inspires like this, still found herself struggling, from that day to this day, because shes a She. For anyone who thinks that there isnt still a massive gender problem in Hollywood, let Coolidge set you straight:

Being a woman director has continued to be a challenge my entire life. It got much better in the 90s and then got worse. Even though there are more women directors now, there are fewer opportunities for us all. The statistics have declined and now fewer women are coming into the feature and episodic business and even into film school. I think its because they read and hear how difficult it is. Maybe they dont want to work that hard without a real shot. Im teaching now and Im shocked at how few women in proportion to men are going into directing. Its worse than it was when I was in school at NYU! And there were no working women directors then.

Now, of course, Im facing both the gender issue and the age issue which is real. Ive been blessed with a good career and Im a better director now than Ive ever been. But jobs are hard to come by for all directors, mostly because of the economy, just harder for women, minorities and older directors. Ive thoroughly loved directing CSI: Crime Scene Investigation because I really get the show, love the writers and actors and it gives me a chance to kill people and take on darker subjects than what I usually am offered. The movies that come to me now are mostly gender driven womens pictures which feels so odd, and all of them are independent films. Ive been writing and developing my own films as well.

Thats really god damned depressing. Heres hoping that the Hollywood establishment eventually rues the days it made women second-class players.

Rue the day? Who talks like that?

You can rent Real Genius on iTunes.

You can see all past 52 Films By Women picks here.

Seth is a Senior Editor and sometime critic. You may email him here or follow him on Twitter.

 Twitter Bans Milo Yiannopoulos After His Sickening Harassment of Leslie Jones | Donald Trump Seems to Have No Interest in Running the Country 
SPRINGFIELD  Participants in drug court programs across Illinois will be allowed to use medication to combat opioid addiction under a new state law that will take effect Jan. 1.

Gov. Bruce Rauner has signed a measure that prevents judges from barring drug court participants from using medications such as methadone when prescribed by a doctor to treat opioid addiction.

At the same time, Rauner signed another bill, also effective Jan. 1, requiring substance abuse programs licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide educational information on medication-based treatments and the use of anti-overdose drugs.

Dennis McGuire, deputy director of the drug court program in McLean County, said officials will review and discuss the new law, but he doesnt foresee it requiring any major changes.

Were going to rely on our treatment providers to come up with the best course of action on how to treat the individual client, McGuire said.

There are currently about 40 people going through the program, which he said is reserved for high-risk, high-need individuals.

Kathie Kane-Willis, director of the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy at Roosevelt University in Chicago, said the new laws are important steps in strengthening efforts to combat the states growing heroin- and opioid-addiction crisis.

The drug court bill in particular will ensure that people struggling with addiction have access to effective treatments, Kane-Willis said.

Drug courts are an alternative to jail or prison for people who have been convicted of nonviolent drug offenses. Participants make regular court appearances and undergo addiction treatment.

However, despite research showing the effectiveness of medication-based treatments, some courts have required participants to refrain from using medications as a condition of completing the program, according to consortium.

People have died as a result of being forced to get off of medication-assisted treatment to complete drug court, Kane-Willis said.

Both laws were designed to fill gaps in a major anti-opioid law the General Assembly passed last year with overwhelming bipartisan support. State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, was the lead sponsor of last years package and this years bills, and state Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, shepherded them through the upper chamber.
CLINTON  Police think the man responsible for robbing a Clinton bank on July 1 was in Carlock earlier that afternoon.

The Clinton Police Department has released new pictures of the suspect, who is described as a tall, slender African American man in his mid to late 20s or 30s.

In images taken in Carlock, the man was wearing dark jeans; a dark, long-sleeved shirt; aviator-style sunglasses; and a black, gray and white camouflage bucket hat bearing a Chicago Bulls logo.

The pictures were shared from a business in Carlock, said Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers.

We are certain that is our suspect, he said. I believe someone who worked in Carlock saw the picture, alerted authorities, and after a review of the video, we know it is the same man.

Police have not released the name of the business where the photos were taken. The suspect is not a suspect in any criminal activity in Carlock, noted Lowers.

Police also released more information about the suspects vehicle, which is believed to be a white, late '90s Oldsmobile Cutlass or Buick Century/Regal four-door with a sunroof and bearing a partial license plate of "V10."

Anyone with information is asked to call the Clinton Police Department at 217-935-9441 or Clinton Area Crime Stoppers at 217-935-3333.

Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $2,500 for information leading to the suspect's arrest.
BLOOMINGTON  Eastern Illinois Foodbank will distribute food to hungry area families from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. July 26 at Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal, 1615 W. Illinois St.

The distribution will target families with children under age 18 and will include fresh produce, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, packaged meals and breakfast bars.

McLean County residents who meet income eligibility criteria are welcome. To be eligible, a household must have an income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $3,746 a month or less for a family of four.

A representative of Eastern Illinois Foodbank will assist families and individuals interesting in applying for SNAP benefits.
CLEVELAND  Chris Gramm was surprised to be a center of attention after the first day of the Republican National Convention.

Gramm, a Bloomington resident and presidential delegate from Illinois' 18th Congressional District, appeared on the front page of an early edition of The New York Times after stepping up to represent delegates opposed to presumed candidate Donald Trump.

Gramm, who was elected during the March 15 primary election as a delegate for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, was pictured shouting Monday for a roll call vote of states on the convention rules  a vote meant to embarrass Trump.

"I want to make the establishment know there are people that wont just lay down for whatever they want, and Im happy to be the face of that movement, he said.

Later editions of Tuesday's Times featured a front-page photo of prospective First Lady Melania Trump, who gave a headline speech Monday night.

Gramm and fellow delegate Jim Fisher, a Hudson resident, told The Pantagraph on Tuesday about their experiences so far:

Fisher: "Lots of speakers. The topic was making America safe: speakers who were at (the 2012 attack on the American diplomatic compound in) Benghazi telling what really happened on the ground; the soldier from the 'Lone Survivor' movie (Marcus Luttrell, on whom the film was based) doing the same.

"Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke (Jr.) was a very passionate speaker. Then (former New York City Mayor) Rudy Giuliani motivated the crowd, fired them up about all the wrongs of our current administration.

"They should have stopped there; Melania Trump was, well... dull.

"Security has blanketed this city. Amazing how they have shut down streets and portions of the downtown Cleveland area just for the buses transporting the delegates back and forth."

Gramm: "The security is sort of oddly tight. I saw someone write that there werent even flies at the convention center (because) security was so tight. That much is true, but its almost as difficult to get out as it is to get in. I wish they would open up more gates when its time to leave. We have to stand in line to leave as well, which seems kind of strange.

"I feel like were ripe for one of those airport-style attacks where were stuck going through this choke point, and it seems like someone could do... I dont know, I dont even want to say it. The choke points cause a lot of people to pool up. Fine, theres a lot of cops around, but they seem to be bigger targets than anybody nowadays. ...

"Theres a lot of venues and events and different things. Im learning a lot about Cleveland. It seems to be a nice place. ...

"I think the crowd really appreciated Giulianis speech. That had people the most riled up and the most excited for the evening. ...

"Im going to a Cruz event (Wednesday), and I dearly look forward to hearing his speech on the convention floor."
SPRINGFIELD  The group pushing changes in the way legislative districts are drawn in Illinois will appeal a ruling issued Wednesday that once again blocked an amendment to the Illinois Constitution.

Cook County Circuit Judge Diane Larsen ruled the ballot measure from the group Independent Maps goes beyond the scope allowed for a voter-driven initiative. Such initiatives are limited to making structural and procedural changes involving the General Assembly, states her ruling.

Another Cook County judge made a similar ruling in 2014 on a previous attempt to change the once-a-decade redistricting process that critics argue puts too much power in the hands of the party that controls the Legislatures.

The proposed amendment would take the power to draw legislative district boundaries away from legislators and put in in the hands of an independent commission.

But Larsen ruled it unconstitutional because it also would assign new duties to the auditor general and the courts, and take powers away from the attorney general.

Supporters of the amendment gathered more than 560,000 signatures to get the question on the ballot, but a group called The Peoples Map challenged its constitutionality. That group is represented by Chicago attorney Michael Kasper, who has close ties to House Speaker Michael Madigan and other prominent Illinois Democrats.

The Peoples Map has argued the proposed amendment would limit the influence of minority voters, but that wasnt at issue in the court case. Kasper did not respond to a request for comment.

John Hooker, chairman of The Peoples Map, hailed the ruling in a statement to The Associated Press.

This unconstitutional amendment would put a tremendous amount of authority in the hands of un-elected middlemen unaccountable to the taxpayers, said Hooker, whos also chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority Board.

But Independent Maps Chairman Dennis FitzSimons issued a statement vowing to take the legal battle all the way to the state Supreme Court.

Redistricting reform was specifically addressed by the framers of our constitution as a critical area for citizen petition initiatives," said FitzSimons.

The Illinois Republican Party also pounced on the ruling, accusing Madigan of thwarting the will of the voters.

Instead of supporting the chance to vote for fair maps, Mike Madigans allies sued to stop voters from having the opportunity to vote for reform, said state GOP spokesman Steven Yaffe.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, whos made redistricting reform a key component of his legislative agenda, said the ruling is a definitely a setback for the people of Illinois.

If this decision remains in place, it will prove that we need to put political reform at the top of our legislative agenda, Rauner said in a statement. We need to fix our broken political system to ensure taxpayers win instead of the insiders.

Steve Brown, a spokesman for Madigan and the Illinois Democratic Party, had no comment.

The ruling comes a day after an Associated Press report raised questions about who is funding The Peoples Map and paying its legal fees. The group hasnt reported any donations or expenses since registering with the Illinois State Board of Elections last summer, the AP reported.

Meanwhile, Independent Maps reported raising $1.3 million from April through June, and ended the quarter with more than $1 million remaining in its campaign fund, according to its most recent filing with the elections board.

The groups proposal has the backing of good-government groups and newspaper editorial boards across the state, and its board features some well-known Democrats, including Bill Daley, the former chief of staff to President Obama, and former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, whos running for the state Senate in southern Illinois.
Uh-oh! "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales" has been reportedly cancelled. Based on the latest reports, Disney is now opting to release a reboot with Orlando Bloom as the lead and not a sequel with Johnny Depp's Jack Sparrow as the main character.

Since the beginning of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, fans already know that Johnny Depp's iconic Captain Jack Sparrow has been the lead character of films. Unfortunately, Depp is now losing the "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales" lead role to fellow "Pirates" co-actor Orlando Bloom, who plays the role of Will Turner in the franchise.

Johnny Depp Vs. Orlando Bloom In 'Pirates Of The Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales'

Due to Disney's plans to release a reboot and cancel "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales" sequel, Johnny Depp is on the verge of losing millions. According to Movie News Guide, the reboot is a "big blow" for Depp's career, especially he's currently in the middle of a nasty divorce battle with estranged wife Amber Heard.

Orlando Bloom, on the other hand, is gearing up for his role in "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales." The reboot will reportedly focus more on Will Turner's relationship with his son, Henry.

Johnny Depp Still Part Of 'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Reboot?

Despite the rumors that Johnny Depp aka Jack Sparrow won't be the lead star in "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales," he will still be a part of the "Pirates" reboot. However, there won't be much a role for Depp in the movie, Ecumenical News notes.

As for the reason why Disney wanted to axe Depp's character, it is reportedly due to the actor's declining popularity. Thus, the speculations that the upcoming "Pirates" movie will be Depp's last Jack Sparrow appearance.

'Pirates Of The Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales' Cast And Release Date

Aside from Bloom and Depp, "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales" will also introduce new characters including Kaya Scodelario as astronomer Carina Smyth and Brenton Thwaites as Henry Turner. Rumors also have it that Carina will also be Henry's love interest Captain Barbossa's (Geoffrey Rush) daughter in the upcoming "Pirates" reboot.

Javier Bardem is also part of "Pirates of the Caribbean 5: Dead Men Tell No Tales" and he will be playing the role of Captain Salazar. Meanwhile, the upcoming reboot is set to be released on May 26, 2017, Parent Herald previously reported.

This guy #may262017 #potc5 #tbt  A photo posted by Joachim Rnning (@joachimronning) on May 26, 2016 at 7:55am PDT

Do you think fans will still watch the "Pirates" franchise even without Johnny Depp? Share your thoughts below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
The cast of "Lucifer" will be in San Diego for Comic Con 2016 and in line with this, a special presentation and Q & A will be held to clue viewers in on what to expect for the upcoming season. With new characters joining the series, producers are going to have to introduce them to the fans. But the curious also want to know -- is Tom Ellis going to get naked again in "Lucifer" Season 2?

'Lucifer' At San Diego Comic Con 2016

Tom Ellis is definitely going to be at the huge fan event, which will happen from July 21 to 24 at the San Diego Convention Center. The Comic Con panel featuring "Lucifer" will specifically take place on Saturday, July 23 at 1:30 p.m. to 2:05 p.m. at the Indigo Ballroom of the convention.

The actor, as well as other cast members and the show's executive producers, will be fielding questions in the panel, where a special preview for "Lucifer" Season 2 will also be presented, per Comic Con. A teaser poster for "Lucifer" on Comic Con was released by Warner Bros days ahead of the event.

.@Comic_Con will never be the same when the #Lucifer cast shows up! Check out the panel Saturday, 1:30pm. #SDCC pic.twitter.com/KnjU7PebAF  Lucifer (@LuciferonFOX) July 19, 2016

'Lucifer' Season 2 To Feature More Naked Tom Ellis

"Lucifer" creator Joe Henderson teased that Tom Ellis might soon be filmed going naked again when the show returns on Fox. Meaghan Oppenheimer, who is Tom Ellis' real-life girlfriend, and Henderson had a Twitter exchange suggesting this could happen, and Oppenheimer, who is also an actress, pretended to be appalled by the idea.

Yo @Henderson_Joe I hear you're making my BF get naked at work tomorrow. I thought we talked about this already. pic.twitter.com/DY42L1NrtK  Meaghan Oppenheimer (@MoppyOpps) July 18, 2016

@MoppyOpps about getting him more naked, right?  Joe Henderson (@Henderson_Joe) July 18, 2016

@Henderson_Joe I'll see you at comic con JOE. I'll be the one with a razor blade coming at your eyebrows  Meaghan Oppenheimer (@MoppyOpps) July 18, 2016

Tom Ellis has stripped not just once on "Lucifer" during the first season, albeit in short and decently done comedic moments. After all, he is the prince of darkness and being naked without inhibitions is something expected of his character.

Meanwhile, filming for "Lucifer" Season 2 has already started and the cast has been spotted on location in the streets of Vancouver. The first three episodes back are entitled as the following, as revealed on Lucifer Writers' official Facebook page:

Episode 2.01 - "Everything's Coming Up Lucifer"

Episode 2.02 - "Liar, Liar, Slutty Dress on Fire"

Episode 2.03 - "Sin-Eater"

"Lucifer" Season 2 is going to air back on Fox beginning Monday, Sept. 19. The show has been tagged as the ratings dark horse this coming season, per Voice of TV.
"Days of Our Lives" just celebrated its 13,000 episodes and will now be returning with many of the familiar faces we have come to love. Fans will be surprised for this week story line as Rafe fights for Hope's survival.

July 20 to 22 'Days of Our Lives' Spoilers

For this week on "Days of Our Lives," Hope (Kristian Alfonso) may die because she is already running a fever and has lost a lot of blood. Although she was able to regain consciousness for a while buy Rafe will realize that she is dying.

Rafe will also feel disoriented and will pass out. He will have a nightmare that will involve Hopes potential fate in "Days of Our Lives." When Rafe wakes up, he will be more determined to save Hope in "DOOL." While Hope may still want revenge for Bo's death but Rafe will help Hope to search for more answers.

"Days of Our Lives" will also show this week how Rafe would immediately bring Hope to the hospital to save her. "DOOL" spoilers confirm that Hope will not die and that there will be more plots to uncover.

How would you feel if "Days of Our Lives" finally end? What do you think will happen to Rafe and Hope? Share with us your thoughts below.

Ken Corday talks about 'Days of Our Lives' Spoilers

In an exclusive interview with Glamour, producer Ken Corday provided major spoilers about "Days of Our Lives" Patsy Pease (Kimberly) and Charles Shaughnessy (Shane) about their storyline. Corday answered that the airdate for Pease and Shaughnessy will air on December.

"I'm thrilled, but especially those two did not miss a beat walking on the stage," Corday said. "It was like they never left."

However, reports have already indicated that "Days of Our Lives" might be in danger from permanently ending. According to Celebrity Laundry, "Days of Our Lives" last year went into a major reboot to make the story more riveting.

Bo died on "Days of Our Lives" while Salem provided more excitement. The show is also giving a lot of air time to the teens to also captivate the attention of their teen audience.

New characters that might save the show and might help in getting more attention to its afternoon viewers are Chad and Abigail and JJ and Gabi. According to Ken Corday, these new characters are the young future of the show.

"Days of Our Lives" may still have some further issues regarding some frustrations about its viewers not being able to control how the scenes play out for them. But the show will definitely have more years ahead of them despite what the rumors are saying about the end of the show.
Pat Smith continues to grieve the violent death of her son, Sean, who was among the four individuals killed in the 2012 terror attacks against Americans staying at a U.S. diplomatic site in Benghazi. In her speech at the Republican National Convention Monday, July 18, the mother expressed that she personally blames Hillary Clinton for what happened. She also called on the Democratic candidate to be held accountable for this behind bars.

Hillary Clinton vs. Pat Smith: Clinton Lied

Pat Smith claims that Hillary Clinton lied to her and the families of the other victims about the Benghazi terror attack. Back then, Hillary Clinton served as the secretary of state who told the victims' families that what happened was not a planned attack. Rather, it was triggered by a riot over a video directed against Islam.

According to Politifact, some families were told by Clinton about the video, while others had no idea that this was the government's reason. For a mom wanting answers, Pat Smith felt that she was being lied to regarding the truth about Benghazi.

"Hillary for prison," she said in her speech at the Republican assembly, per Bustle. "She deserves to be in stripes!" Watch her full speech in the video at the end of this article.

Pat Smith, mom of Benghazi hero Sean Smith: "If Hillary can't give us the truth, why should we give her presidency?" https://t.co/o5NfQcxfdj  Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) July 19, 2016

Hillary Clinton vs. Pat Smith: The Attack Was Predicted

Pat Smith further claims that a day before the attack, her son actually predicted it would happen, according to the Washington Examiner. This implied that tension has been building up in Benghazi, but then the U.S. government didn't order the pullout of its staff to safety early on.

Sean was working as an IT staff in the U.S. compound in Benghazi. The current administration has been receiving criticisms about how the situation was handled, but it was brushed off as a campaign propaganda by the Republicans.

In March, Hillary Clinton publicly stated that Pat Smith was mistaken about branding her as a liar. "We were scrambling to get information that was changing literally by the hour," she said with regards to how they dealt with the situation in Benghazi, per Breitbart.

What's your take on this issue? Do you side with Pat Smith or Hillary Clinton? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Autism is considered one of the disorders that people don't know much about. One of the reasons is that only a few actually want to know more about it, thinking that the disorder wouldn't cost any risk of impending danger in a human's life. With the increasing number of those who are diagnosed with the disorder, people are now finally eager to understand it.

The California Department of Education has recently gathered special education data, which showed that "the number of students diagnosed with autism has dramatically increased since 2001", as posted in Sacbee. According to the data gathered, about 97,000 public school students, most of them were in kindergarten, were diagnosed with autism. The 2006 records also showed that about 5,000 to 7,000 cases of children with autism have increased every year.

Because of the given reason, the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) headed by the Alboma Austism Foundation (AFF) also conducted their first major report about autism. Their data showed that in every 65 students, one is suffering from autism.

Since then, the government started to act on the problem. In fact, the NCSE started to pledge 300m annually primarily to shoulder some of the expenses of children with autism, according to Breaking News.

The US Senate also recently passed a bill that could help individuals that are diagnosed with the disorder. The bipartisan bill has been named Kevin and Avonte's Law in honor of the two autistic boys who have wandered away from their guardians and perished.

The bill's goal is to help people with disorders like autism whenever they get lost or have wandered away from their caregivers. If the US government approves it, the bill's first goal is to allocate funds to finance more autism education and training programs and a "tracking technology" will be made possible, as noted by Pix11.
"Once Upon A Time" Season 6 will indeed be exploring new story lines if and when reports are true that Aladdin and Jasmine, as well as Greek God Morpheus, will be featured in the upcoming episodes of the hit ABC show. Leaked photos from the set of the show also featured a hooded figure making fans speculate who the Dark One is.

What is Morpheus' Role in 'Once Upon A Time' Season 6?

Vine Report shared that Greek God Morpheus will be joining Belle, played by Emilie de Ravin, as well as Rumplestiltskin, played by Robert Carlyle. The actor tapped to play the role of Morpheus for "Once Upon A Time" Season 6 I said to be Giles Matthey.

As per the description of Morpheus, the character is said to be quick-witted, insightful god of dreams, good at reading people, and is hiding his own agenda. It remains unclear how Rumple will cross paths with him but in the "Once Upon A Time" Season 5 finale, Belle was placed under a sleeping curse and Morpheus is said to appear and guide her in the world of dreams. He will be getting in touch with Rumple but details about that remain unclear.

Are Aladdin and Jasmin Joining 'Once Upon A Time' Season 6?

There have been rumors that Jasmine and Aladdin will be ending up in Storybrooke in "Once Upon A Time" Season 6. It is possible that they are part of the Land of Untold Stories but there have been no confirmations about this yet.

Mr. Hyde will be bringing along Sinbad and Scheherazade so it is possible that Jasmine and Aladdin will be facing them in the new episodes of "Once Upon A Time." It was also announced last month that producers are looking for a Middle Eastern/Arabic male actor to play the role of a charming and quick-witted hero.

Leaked Photos Make Fans Speculate Who is the Dark One on 'Once Upon A Time' Season 6

As for the leaked photos, a hooded figure was seen on set of "Once Upon A Time" Season 6. Fans believe that it is the Dark One but the question is who will it be this season. Last Season, most of the Dark Ones were seen when Emma took over the dagger. Will it be Rumple again or will it be a new character?

In the leaked photos, Emma was seen battling the hooded figure so it is unclear who is the face under the hooded figure.

"Once Upon A Time" Season 6 will be released this September 25 on ABC.
A third school district in the United States has been sued by civil rights lawyers for denying education to immigrant and refugee students. This district allegedly directs these pupils to alternative and disciplinary high schools instead.

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, the Lancaster School District in Pennsylvania rejected at least 30 students over the course of three years and sent them to disciplinary high schools instead, ABC News reported. The students, who have stayed in refugee camps for years, wanted the classes and services provided by traditional high schools.

Refugees & Immigrants Sent To Low-Performing Schools

Witold "Vic" Walczak, legal director of Pennsylvania's ACLU, filed the suit on Tuesday, July 19, alongside the Education Law Center and Pepper Hamilton LLP, according to LancasterOnline. The plaintiffs, who are refugees aged 17 to 21, came to the U.S. from Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and other nations struggling with war and poverty.

The students are being sent to Phoenix Academy, which was criticized by the young refugees because of its poor educational environment and bullying. The immigrants and refugee students want to go to McCaskey, the district's regular high school that has higher school performance ratings than Phoenix Academy.

Similar lawsuits have been filed against Utica, New York and in Collier County, Florida, ABC News further reported. Those were filed by civil rights groups as well.

Desire To Learn English

The students involved in the lawsuit don't speak English, which is why they want to attend McCaskey High School and undergo its transitional program designed for English learners. The complaint claimed that Phoenix Academy's English language instruction is shorter, doesn't prioritize individual students, and don't have certified teachers for English as a Second Language.

Walczak said immigrant and refugee students will be more successful integrating themselves into the American society if they properly learn English and interact with American pupils. The district of Lancaster attributes the increase of immigrant and refugees to resettlement programs.

Seventeen percent of Lancaster's 11,300 students are English language learners. Refugee students comprise 4.5 percent.

Pennsylvania's law offers free public education to children aged between six and 21. Those aged 17 to 21 are made to attend an accelerated credit program in Phoenix Academy because they don't have enough credits to graduate on time. District spokeswoman Kelly Burkholder said Pennsylvania's goal is to ensure that students will graduate by the time they turn 21 years old.
"Orange is The New Black" is now in the limelight for the wrong reasons. The plot of the very famous show has now angered the veterans.

The veterans raised their voice against the stereotypes that the storyline hold and also demand an apology. The latest season of "Orange Is The New Black" was found to be offensive as it portrays former soldiers hired as prison guards as "bad people," according to reports.

We have seen that in season four of the Netflix drama, "Orange is The New Black," officers' behavior towards the female inmates was not 'nice' and the inmates are constantly abused by the guards.

What sparked the anger even further is the way in which the characters who run Litchfield Penitentiary in "Orange is The New Black" talk about their experiences of war. This was even more offensive for the veterans. An example would be the way Lee Dixon (Mike Houston) is heard telling Baxter 'Gerber' Bayley (Alan Aisenberg) how he killed innocent people in Afghanistan, in one of the episodes.

"You get so mad, tired and bored [that you] just grab a farm kid and make him juggle live grenades until one blows up," the officer shared, without any regret.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) were not happy as this would stigmatize the veterans even further. The transition of veterans into civilian life is already very difficult and this would further hamper it. Since the story does appeal to many people, this fiction will be fed into their heads when the reality is far from it claimed the Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Of America (IAVA.) The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) also found the content of "Orange is The New Black" inappropriate.

DAV spokesperson Dan Clare voiced these concerns of the veterans. Air force veteran, Tahlia Burton, told that the officers were not "bloodthirsty, heartless killers and sexists" like it was portrayed in "Orange is The New Black." IAVA policy officer Jonathan Schleifer also expressed concerns on how this would stigmatise a community further. VFW national commander John A. Biedrzycki Jr demanded an apology and said that it was time to change the line of the story where a veteran is deranged.

Netflix has not yet reacted to the reports.
Most women fantasize about weddings and how when they become the bride, it's going to be the best day of their lives. Unfortunately, for this bride, she didn't know that it will be the last day of her life.

On May 25, 2014, Tiffany Davenport-Ray of Topeka, Kansas, 42, got married to Melvin Ray. As a newly-married couple, they were off to their post-reception gathering; however, before even reaching the venue, a bullet came from an SUV and fatally hit Davenport-Ray on the head (via The Topeka Capital-Journal).

According to The Topeka Capital-Journal, Ray immediately fired back with his wife's pistol in the car but the damage has already been done. Minutes after becoming a newlywed, he's now a widower who didn't even get to enjoy a day as Davenport-Ray's husband.

Two years after, the court has finally announced a decision on the second suspect of the tragic murder of Davenport-Ray. The Shawnee County District Court Jury has declared Thomas Earl Brown Jr.,39, guilty of premeditated first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, solicitation to commit first-degree murder, aggravated assault of Ray, criminal discharge of a firearm at a motor vehicle, criminal possession of a weapon within ten years of being convicted of voluntary manslaughter, and criminal discharge of a firearm at an occupied dwelling.

Brown is scheduled to be sentenced on September 30. He is the second suspect to be convicted guilty for Davenport-Ray's murder case.

As per another The Topeka Capital-Journal article, the first suspect for Davenport-Ray's murder, Awnterio Dwan Lowery, 32, was the driver of the SUV where the gunshot came from. The SUV, Lowery was driving, and the Dodge Charger, where the newlyweds were had bullet holes when a gunshot battle commenced after the last breath of Davenport-Ray.

The two vehicles crashed but the Dodge Charger was able to leave the scene right away, leaving the SUV with extensive damage. Davenport-Ray was then transferred to a private vehicle that took her to Stormont-Vail HealthCare in an attempt to retrieve her life but hours after, she was proclaimed dead.

In 2015, KSN reported that Lowery has received a guilty verdict and was sentenced for life imprisonment with an additional fifty years in prison. There was a third man in the SUV, Jermel Robbins, 26, who was already killed three weeks after Davenport-Ray's death (via The Topeka Capital-Journal).

What are the things that you don't want to happen on your own wedding? Below is a video compilation of wedding nightmares the bride and groom won't ever forget. Sound off your thoughts on the Comments section below and follow Parent Herald for more news and updates.
"Sleepy Hollow" Season 4 is moving on without Abbie Mills. Nicole Beharie as Abbie Mills will be replaced by Anna, who has a daughter in "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4. After a shocking "Sleepy Hollow" Season 3 ending for Abbie Mills, Tom Mison will move the action from New York to Washington.

"Sleepy Hollow" Season 4 will feel very different after Abbie Mills' death. Tom Mison as Ichabod Crane has always had Abbie Mills through thick and thin in the "Sleepy Hollow" series.

The majority of "Sleepy Hollow" fans were outraged by Abbie Mills' death. Tom Mison and FOX giving "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4 an overhaul, as Parent Herald reports, could be the most considerate treatment for loyal fans.

Abbie Mills was a cherished character in the "Sleepy Hollow" series. FOX and Tom Mison would not be able to move on successfully if fans felt that "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4 made Abbie Mills seem replaceable and interchangeable with anybody.

TVLine reports that Tom Mison will be joined by an entirely new team in "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4. Although former series regular Jessica Camacho will have occasional appearances, "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4 will put Tom Mison with a completely new team.

If you could ask Crane any question, what would it be? #SleepyHollow pic.twitter.com/eQVWivxyKJ  Sleepy Hollow (@SleepyHollowFOX) July 16, 2016

Most notably, Abbie Mills' replacement in "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4, whom fans simultaneously dread and find a curiosity, will be a single mom. While Anna is a member of the Secret Service team at The Basement in Washington, Abbie Mills' replacement is also a mother 11-year old Stella.

Whether or not Abbie Mills' replacement and Ichabod Crane eventually form a romantic bond is yet to be seen. Possibly, Abbie Mills' replacement and Ichabod Crane could develop a platonic but strong bond in "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4.

The "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4 release date will be announced soon. Do you think Anna would make an acceptable replacement for Abbie Mills in "Sleepy Hollow" Season 4?
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BlackBerry's Security Summit kicked off yesterday in New York. With the Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain being unhappy with Apple's CEO for not attending a hearing on encryption last week, BlackBerry's CEO John Chen saw an opportunity to score some political points yesterday by saying that he was disturbed by Apple's tough approach to encryption and user privacy, warning that the firm's attitude is harmful to society.

Chen is on record stating that "We are indeed in a dark place when companies put their reputations above the greater good."

Chen was quizzed about his opinion on government requests for user data during BlackBerry's Security Summit in New York Q&A session. "One of our competitors, we call it 'the other fruit company', has an attitude that it doesn't matter how much it might hurt society, they're not going to help."

Chen added that "I found that disturbing as a citizen. I think BlackBerry, like any company, should have a basic civil responsibility. If the world is in danger, we should be able to help out."

This doesn't mean that BlackBerry is handing out your information willy nilly, though, and Chen pointed out that a lot of "nonsense" has been reported about the company and its approach to such situations.

What exactly BlackBerry is doing to cooperate with governments around the world, especially in the U.S., is unknown and that's the way BlackBerry intends to keep it. If it's about security, they'll keep it close to the vest. Noted below are a few quotes that Wireless Today recorded.

Chen's position on this matter is far from new. In December, BlackBerry's CEO weighed in on the encryption debate on the company's blog. Chen wrote:

"For years, government officials have pleaded to the technology industry for help yet have been met with disdain. In fact, one of the world's most powerful tech companies recently refused a lawful access request in an investigation of a known drug dealer because doing so would "substantially tarnish the brand" of the company. We are indeed in a dark place when companies put their reputations above the greater good. At BlackBerry, we understand, arguably more than any other large tech company, the importance of our privacy commitment to product success and brand value: privacy and security form the crux of everything we do. However, our privacy commitment does not extend to criminals."

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments.


A report out of Beijing today notes that Apple and KFC experienced a surprise backlash from nationalists over Beijing's spat with the Philippines over the South China Sea. Nationalists are protesting at KFC outlets and calling for a boycott, spurred by government accusations that Washington encouraged Manila to oppose Beijing's claims to vast tracts of ocean.

Photos circulated online show young Chinese wearing scarves with patriotic slogans smashing Apple iPhones in protest.

State media have fanned public anger with a torrent of criticism of last week's ruling by a U.N. tribunal, which found no legal basis for Beijing's claim to most of the South China Sea.

"The Chinese public, as optimistic and positive as they are, are deeply patriotic and nationalistic, especially people who are younger," said James Roy of the research firm China Market Research Group. KFC and Apple "are just very closely associated with the United States, and you are seeing people picking the closest symbol they can think of to demonstrate against."





The protests are a reminder of the political risks for global brands in China, where they regularly become targets of nationalist sentiment, often stirred up by official media.

The Chinese leadership has tried to tamp down this week's protests with demands in state media to leave foreign companies and their customers alone.

The government's Xinhua News Agency officially stated that "This is not the right way to express patriotism." The China Daily newspaper called the protests "jingoism that does a disservice to the spirit of devotion to the nation."

An Apple spokeswoman responded to a request for comment by pointing to CEO Tim Cook's positive comments in April about the company's future in China. Cook said Apple was "really optimistic" and planned to open five more stores in China during the current quarter for a total of 40.

About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments.
Samsung woke up today to bad news. According to a poll conducted by Gallup Korea last week, 41% of respondents who are 20 to 29 years old said that they prefer Apple's iPhone. In stark contrast, 57% of respondents aged 50 to 59 preferred Samsung's Galaxy smartphones.

In the big picture, 56 percent of the total respondents said that they use Samsung smartphones, 19 percent use LG smartphones and 17 percent use iPhones. With Apple winning the most coveted demographic in South Korea, Apple should strongly push forward with a flagship Apple Store in that country, something that they've been criticized over for years. While there's been some speculation about a flagship store, nothing has yet to materialize.



The smartphone penetration rate in South Korea stood at 89 percent last month, the survey said.

Apple's iPhone 6 and 6 Plus especially appealed to the South Korean market when it first debuted and in fact, smashed all previous sales records by a foreign company.





About Making Comments on our Site: Patently Apple reserves the right to post, dismiss or edit any comments.
On June 20 Patently Apple posted a report titled "The Indian Government is Giving Apple a Three Year Grace Period to Open Apple Stores." The Hindustan Times reported at the time that "Apple India finally might have the opening to spread its wings free with exclusive Apple retail outlets as the government on Monday relaxed FDI rules and eased the condition that stipulates companies to source at least 30% of their components or merchandise for being eligible to set up company-run retail stores in India." It's being reported today that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is clearing the way for Apple to open its first retail store in India after repeated delays, according to people familiar with the matter.

Bloomberg reports today that "Modi's cabinet on Wednesday is likely to approve a three-year exemption on local-sourcing requirements for foreign single-brand retail companies with "cutting-edge technology," according to the people, who asked not to be identified due to rules for speaking with the media. At the same time, the government will make it easier for companies like Apple to meet that criteria, the people said.

The moves represent the latest shift for Modi's government, which has sent conflicting signals in recent months over Apple's bid to set up shop in India. Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook visited India for the first time in May as he seeks to tap the world's fastest-growing smartphone market to counter slowing sales growth elsewhere.

Modi's push to clarify those procedures will pave the way for Apple to open a retail store, according to the people. The new rules may also impact China's Xiaomi Corp. and Leshi Internet Information & Technology Corp., which have also asked for exemptions." For more on this see the full bloomberg report here.





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Im going to be sharing photos from my recent travels, and unlike the hasty bulk uploads to Facebook which some of you may have seen, here I will be commenting on and explaining them. Rather than make one post that might take a while to load because of the number of images, I will be trying out the new slideshow multi-page option we now have at Patheos. And so be sure to keep clicking to the next page until you reach the end!

Let me start with the very final part of my trip to Italy, the last day before I flew back to the United States. I visited Rome again on the way back from the Enoch Seminar meeting in Camaldoli. I had planned to visit some of the catacombs in Rome with some of the other conference attendees, but a train strike prevented us from leaving Arezzo until 1pm. In the end, we scrapped that plan and went to our various hotels upon arriving in Rome, with a few of us arranging to meet up later for dinner.

I made a point of exploring places that I had not been to, and passing by a couple of places I had visited a week earlier as I traveled a different route through the historic center. I was glad I did, as I got to see the Colosseum and the Forum from another side. The view of the Forum from across the Circus Maximus gave a big picture angle on the site I had visited previously, and I got a photo of the Colosseum that included tourists inside who provide a clearer sense of the size of it.
Europeans keen to invest in Iran's renewable energy sector: EWEA Chief

07/20/16

Source: Tehran Times

TEHRAN - Giles Dickson, the CEO of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), said that renowned European companies are keen to invest in Irans renewable energy sector, especially in wind energy sphere. Dickson made the remarks in an exclusive interview with the Tehran Times on the sidelines of the 4th Iran Wind Energy Conference which was held in Tehran on Tuesday.



Giles Dickson, the CEO of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA)



Asked about the challenges and advantages of investing in Irans wind energy projects, Dickson said that Iran has the potential to generate more than 30 gigawatts (GW) of electricity from wind energy.

EU members are interested and ready to seize this opportunity to transfer their knowledge and technology to Iran and of course to invest in the countrys energy sector, he stressed, recommending that Iran could facilitate the presence of European companies by providing them with straightforward contracts in which land registry, conditional lease and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) are clearly stated.

Mentioning the challenges facing foreign investors in Iran, Dickson said that since there are still some obstacles in banking transactions with Iran, the most important challenge facing foreign investors is to overcome such hurdles and to find resources and export credit agencies to finance their projects.

Of course, local finance agencies could help tackle such problems too, he noted.

The CEO also delivered a speech in the conference in which he briefed the audience on the history of Europes wind energy industry and European Wind Energy Association.

He also mentioned the investors expectations from Iran among which payment guarantees, the conditions for disputed settlement and long term grid development and clarity on costs were mentioned.

Long-term interests of investors guaranteed

Addressing the audience, Irans Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian underscored the development of the countrys energy sector in recent years and said that the post-sanctions era has presented a great opportunity for both domestic and foreign investors.

He noted that after the nuclear deal the number of foreign companies interested in investment in the countrys energy sector has increased drastically.

Energy ministry has no financing problem

Elsewhere in his remarks, Chitchian said that Iran has put producing 5 GW of electricity from renewable sources in the next five years on its agenda. In this regard, the ministry welcomes foreign investors and offers its all-out support for them. The ministry doesnt have any problem regarding financing, he said.

He also assured that the ministry will issue payment guarantees for investors, adding that the purchase guarantee period has been extended to 20 years from the previously 5 years.

The minister also emphasized the importance of domestic production and explained that the ministry will raise guaranteed purchase price by up to 30 percent for those companies that use local technologies and equipment.

Hooshang Falahatian, the deputy energy minister; Mohammad Sadeqzadeh, the managing director of Renewable Energy Organization of Iran, known as SUNA; Jan Hylleberg, the CEO of the Danish Wind Industry Association; and Mustafa Serdar Ataseven, the president of the Turkish Wind Energy Association, also delivered speeches in the conference.
Iran threatens to re-open shuttered uranium enrichment facilities after UN report

07/20/16

Source: Tehran Times

TEHRAN - Iran's parliament speaker urged the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) on Wednesday to prepare a plan for the re-opening of shuttered uranium enrichment facilities, reacting to the recent UN report on the implementation of the JCPOA.



Ali Larijani, Iran's Parliament Speaker



"It is necessary for the Atomic Energy Organization (of Iran) to act in compliance with the law passed on the reopening of the nuclear plant to enrich uranium proportionate to the country's needs and prepare a plan and keeps the Majlis (parliament) posted on it," Ali Larijani said.

In June 2015, the Iranian Parliament signed into law a plan which obliged the government to preserve the country's nuclear achievements if the country faced new sanctions.

The remarks come one day after the UN Security Council briefing on the first report of the secretary-general on the implementation of resolution 2231 adopted immediately after the conclusion of the nuclear deal between Iran and great powers in July 2015.

Iran has strongly objected to the report, calling it "biased" and "unrealistic."

While ambiguous, Larijani should be referring to Natanz and Fordow facilities by the "nuclear plant."

Clarifying Larijani's words, AEOI Director Ali Akbar Salehi said hours after the news hit the headlines that Larijani had meant reversing the stalled uranium enrichment program.

Under the nuclear deal signed last July between Iran and six global powers, Iran agreed to keep its level of uranium enrichment at up to 3.67 percent in the Natanz Enrichment facility and refrain from any uranium enrichment and uranium enrichment R&D at the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP).

Larijani saw the request as a reply to what he called Washington's "diversionary actions" against the JCPOA.

"While regretting the UN General Secretary's move, the Majlis warns the UN administration, the House of Representatives and the Senate that diversionary actions against the nuclear deal have reached a point where Iran has no other option but to retaliate."

While warning Iran against ballistic missile launches, the recently issued report quoted UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as having said that tests "have the potential to increase tensions in the region."

The report also addresses irrelevant issues such as "possible foreign travel undertaken by Major General Qasem Soleimani...," which Larijani rejected as cheap.

In a similar vein, the U.S. and Russia slammed the report, saying it violates the spirit of the deal.

"The United States disagrees strongly with elements of this report, including that its content goes beyond the appropriate scope. We understand that Iran also disagrees strongly with parts of the report," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, told on Monday.

Russian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vitaly Churkin also told a Security Council session on Monday that the report "is not fitting the necessary business rhythm. The document is politically motivated and goes far beyond the frames of factual summary of the course of the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2231."
The Saudis and 9/11: Is It Finally Over?

07/20/16

By Thomas Lippman (source: LobeLog)

From the perspective of the Saudi Arabian government, no news was really good news. The long-withheld 28 pages of a 2002 congressional inquiry into the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, released on Friday, provided scant evidence, and no incontrovertible proof, of government responsibility or involvement. Saudi officials celebrated as if their country had just been acquitted of a crime, as in a sense it had.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the release of the redacted pages from the 2002 Congressional Joint Inquiry, Ambassador Abdullah bin Faisal said in a statement. Since 2002, the 9/11 Commission and several government agencies, including the CIA and the FBI, have investigated the contents of the 28 pages and have confirmed that neither the Saudi government, nor senior Saudi officials, nor any person acting on behalf of the Saudi government, provided any support or encouragement for these attacks.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia cannot respond to blank pages, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a news conference in Washington. Noting that Saudi Arabia had long sought release of the 28 pages to validate its assertions that the government was in no way responsible for 9/11, he said that the matter is now finished, adding his hope that the aspersions that have been cast on Saudi Arabia for the last 14 years will end.

Lingering Questions

They wont end, of course. The fact that 15 of the 19 hijackers were Saudi by birth is etched in the American national consciousness, like Pearl Harbor. Families of 9/11 victims who are trying to sue the Saudi government in New York are unlikely to back off because of the release of the document, and Saudi Arabias many vocal critics in Congress are unlikely to relent. As with so many other issues in American public life today, those who hold firmly to some conviction are usually not persuadable by facts, as the Obama is a Muslim crowd has demonstrated.

As the Saudi ambassador said, multiple inquiries into the 9/11 attacks, including the extensive report of the official 9/11 commission, have found no direct involvement of the Saudi government or senior Saudi officials. But even the official Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, while it absolved the Saudi government of allegations that it financed the hijackers, noted that al-Qaeda found fertile fund-raising ground in Saudi Arabia, where extreme religious views are common and charitable giving was both essential to the culture and subject to very limited oversight. As recently as 2009, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a diplomatic message to Middle East posts that donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide.

The congressional staff members who wrote the 28 pages made clear that they were offering clues and raising questions that merited further investigation, not reaching conclusions. The key paragraph says,

It should be clear that this joint inquiry has made no final determination as to the reliability or sufficiency of the information regarding these issues that we found contained in FBI and CIA documents. It was not the task of this joint inquiry to conduct the kind of extensive investigation that would be required to determine the true significance of any such alleged connections to the Saudi Government. On the one hand, it is possible that these kinds of connections could suggest, as one document did, incontrovertible evidence that there is support for these terrorists within the Saudi Government. On the other hand, it is also possible that further investigation of these allegations could reveal legitimate, and innocent, explanation for these associations.

As that passage suggests, it is easy to find flaws with the assessments and preliminary analyses, and with specific facts, in the 28 pages. For example, the document makes reference to Saudi Crown Prince Abdul Aziz. Saudi Arabia has never had a crown prince by that name. And it makes much of payments made by check from some Saudi officials and diplomats to suspect characters, but it notes elsewhere that money delivered for nefarious purposes was in the form of cash, not easily traceable checks. It is replete with phrases such as it is alleged by some, without substantiation.

Moreover, the declassified pages present little new information and introduce few names that were not already known publicly and much discussed. But in some ways the document resembles the July 5 statement by FBI Director James B. Comey saying that the agency did not recommend prosecution of Hillary Clinton over her use of a private e-mail server while secretary of state. Comey did not exactly exonerate Clinton. He said that she and her staff were reckless and that their actions may have compromised national security, but there was not enough evidence of criminal intent to justify an indictment. The 28 pages offer multiple points on which the Saudi government could have been more vigilant, more careful about whom it sent to the United States, and more willing to recognize the consequences of the ideology they had spread around the Muslim world. The Riyadh regime emerges as not guilty in a legal sense, but as at least somewhat culpable in a political and organizational sense.

In particular, the document strongly suggests that the Riyadh government failed, deliberately or otherwise, to scrutinize connections between Saudi citizens it was supporting in the United States and Osama bin Laden.

And the document notes that the Saudis were, at least initially, reluctant to cooperate with U.S. investigators. A number of FBI agents and CIA officers complained to this Joint Inquiry about a lack of Saudi cooperation in terrorism investigations both before and after the September 11 attacks. For example, a veteran New York FBI agent stated that from his point of view the Saudis have been useless and obstructionist for years, the redacted report says.

By now that is no longer news. Saudi reluctance to scrutinize their own society or let U.S. investigators do so is so well known that it was the subject of the 2007 Jamie Foxx movie, The Kingdom, which one cable TV channel helpfully showed the night the 28 pages were declassified.

Missing Context

The 28 pages are is devoid of the social context that was later well recognized by the 9/11 commission. In reporting that Person A had lunch with Person B or went to a party with Person C, the commission fails to take into account that expatriates everywhere tend to congregate with people of the same background, regardless of their political ideas. Americans do it, as in Harrys New York Bar in Paris. Greeks do it, Russians do it, and Arabs do it, too.

For example, the document says that

FBI files suggest that Bayoumi provided substantial assistance to hijackers Khalid al-Mihdhar and Nawaf al-Hazmi after they arrived in San Diego in February 2000. Al-Bayoumi met the hijackers at a public place shortly after his meeting with an individual at the Saudi consulate and there are indications in the files that his encounter with the hijackers may not have been accidental.

The 9/11 Commission report, issued nearly two years later after countless hours of interviews and investigations, presents this episode in a much more benign light. It says that Omar al-Bayoumi and a man named Caysan bin Don met the two future hijackers in Los Angeles before, not after, their arrival in San Diego. Bayoumi and bin Don drove from San Diego to Los Angeles so that Bayoumi could address a visa issue and collect some papers from the Saudi Consulate. They went to lunch at a halal restaurant, where Bayoumi heard Hazmi and Mihdhar speaking in public what he recognized to be Gulf Arabic and struck up a conversation. When the two future hijackers said that they did not like Los Angeles and were having a hard time, especially because they did not know anyone, Bayoumi told them how pleasant San Diego was and offered to help them settle there. The two pairs then left the restaurant and went their separate ways.

Investigators for the 9-11 Commission interviewed Bayoumi about that lunch many times, the report said. They found him to be a devout Muslim, obliging and gregarious, and thus naturally inclined to help two young men from his home country. He did work for the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority for over 20 years, a direct link to the Saudi government, they reported, but We have seen no credible evidence that he believed in violent extremism or knowingly aided extremist groups. Our investigators who have dealt directly with him and studied his background find him to be an unlikely candidate for clandestine involvement with Islamic extremists. The commission did not directly address statements in the 28 pages that Bayoumis government stipend as a student in the United States increased substantially after he met Hazmi and Mihdhar, or an FBI report that Bayoumi is providing guidance to young Muslims and some of his writings can be interpreted as jihadist.

On the day the 28 pages were released, Saudi Arabias public relations agency in Washington re-issued a document from May titled Data and detailed refutation of accusations that the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was involved in the 9/11 terrorist attacks against the United States, which declares that

Saudi Arabia has endured dozens of major terror attacks against our citizens and servicemen over the last ten years and a surge of attacks by Al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIL) against us over the past two years. In response, the government has rounded up hundreds of terror suspects, our top clerics have unleashed a torrent of public condemnation of extremist violence, we have installed electronic surveillance systems in our mosques and closed independent money-transfer networks. Yet despite these and many other profound changes, our government and our people are still subjects of speculation, accusation and conspiracy thinking about the 9/11 attack. The Kingdom has been convicted in a rump court of public opinion despite more than a decade of investigation that has produced no evidence to support such charges.

All that is true, but there remains the question of Saudi Arabias propagation of its xenophobic, uncompromising brand of Islam. Ever since radical Sunni Muslim extremists attacked the Great Mosque in Mecca in 1979, Saudi Arabia has spent uncounted billions to spread those teachings around the world. The ideology is fundamental to Saudi society and government. A wave of terrorist bombings in Riyadh in 2003 showed the Saudis the potential for blowback from their own ideology and teachings, and they have labored to control it. But they are the ones who let that genie out of the bottle.

Photo courtesy of 9/11 Photos via Flickr.



About the author:

Thomas W. Lippman is a Washington-based author and journalist who has written about Middle Eastern affairs and American foreign policy for more than three decades, specializing in Saudi Arabian affairs, U.S.- Saudi relations, and relations between the West and Islam. He is a former Middle East bureau chief of the Washington Post, and also served as that newspaper's oil and energy reporter. Throughout the 1990s, he covered foreign policy and national security for the Post, traveling frequently to Saudi Arabia and other countries in the Middle East. In 2003 he was the principal writer on the war in Iraq for Washingtonpost.com. Prior to his work in the Middle East, he covered the Vietnam war as the Washington Post's bureau chief in Saigon. Lippman has authored six books about the Middle East and U.S. foreign policy. He is also an adjunct scholar at the Middle East Institute in Washington, where he serves as the principal media contact on Saudi Arabia and U.S. - Saudi relations.
US urged to facilitate Iran banking transactions

07/20/16

Source: Press TV

The US has been urged by fellow members of the P5+1 group of countries to facilitate banking ties with Tehran through the clarification of transaction channels with the Islamic Republic, a senior Iranian official says.



The Sanction Maze

(cartoon by Ali Romani, Iranian daily Shargh)





Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Abbas Araqchi made the remarks in Vienna on Tuesday after a fourth meeting of the commission monitoring the implementation of the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in July 2015.

"In the [meeting of the] JCPOA commission, a demand was raised that the US clarify [the means for] the facilitation of banking ties with Iran," Araqchi said.

He added that members of the P5+1 group lack consensus on the methods of banking transactions with Iran following the implementation of the JCPOA on January 16.

"Some countries admitted that the current circumstances, particularly the conditions created by the US Treasury on the international level, do not provide the necessary clarification and information to economic firms and enterprises that wish to work with Iran," the member of the Iranian nuclear negotiating team said.

He noted that some P5+1 member countries called on the US to outline a clear path for economic enterprises to transact with Iran and allay their concerns over the US Treasury moves.

The JCPOA between Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council -- the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia -- plus Germany envisages Tehran scaling back its nuclear program in return for the lifting of all nuclear-related sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

However, months after the agreement went into effect in January, the US and the European Union continued to maintain some sanctions on Iran, scaring off companies from resuming trade with the country.

European banks have balked at the idea of resuming transaction with Iran, fearing punitive US measures. US Republicans, meanwhile, are pushing through three anti-Iran bills in the Congress.
Republican Platform: Build Border Wall, Outlaw Gay Marriage

07/20/16

By Chris Hannas, VOA

The Republican Party has crafted a new platform that both shows the direct influence of its 2016 presidential candidate, Donald Trump, as well as the traditionally conservative values upon which the party is built.



Republican Platform 2016





The document runs about 60 pages and will stand for the next four years as a statement of what the party believes.

Its foreign policy planks include pieces that directly oppose key policies of President Barack Obama.

The platform criticizes the agreement the United States and five other world powers reached with Iran last year to limit that countrys nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. It also opposes Obamas approach to battling Islamic State militants and the easing of relations with Cuba.

Obama set a goal of settling 10,000 Syrian refugees in the U.S. this year, which many Republicans labeled as a threat to national security. Despite assurances from the administration that the vetting process for refugees is extensive - lasting for up to two years - those fears persist.

The opposition is spelled out in the platform, which says any refugee who cannot be carefully vetted cannot be admitted to the country, especially those whose homelands have been the breeding grounds for terrorism.

Border wall, Israel and China

Concerns about security extend to the U.S. border with Mexico, where a platform statement supports Trumps proposal to build a wall.

The border wall must cover the entirety of the southern border and must be sufficient to stop both vehicular and pedestrian traffic, it says, without comment on Trumps plan for Mexico to pay for the wall.

We will build the wall and make America safe again!" Trump tweeted after the language was added.

He also celebrated changes to a section about Israel that recognizes Jerusalem as its eternal and indivisible capital and rejects the false notion that Israel is an occupier.

Trump called the platform the most pro-Israel of all time. He also announced the creation of an advisory committee to analyze U.S. policy toward Israel and look at alternative ways to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian divide.

The platform shows resistance to the long-held desire of Palestinians to have East Jerusalem as their capital under a two-state solution, as well as complaints about Israeli activities in the West Bank.

Republicans put in place stronger opposition to Chinas activities in the South China Sea and called for crackdowns against countries that violate trade laws. The platform says free trade policies have hurt U.S. manufacturers, and it no longer has language supporting the Trans-Pacific Partnership championed by Obama.

"We cannot allow China to continue its currency manipulation, exclusion of U.S. products from government purchases, and subsidization of Chinese companies to thwart American imports, the platform says.

Social issues

On national defense issues, the committee in charge of drafting the platform rejected an attempt to include support for allowing women to serve in combat roles in the military. The platform also opposes requiring women to register for the draft.

Social issues also include a call for overturning the Supreme Courts decision ruling gay marriage to be legal, and a statement that natural marriage between a man and a woman is best for children. Republicans also want to promote state laws putting limits on which bathrooms transgender people can use.

Republican analyst Paris Dennard said the platform reflects the disdain that Republican Party members have for some of the more liberal things that have been pushed on the country for the past eight years.

Mainstays in the platform include opposition to abortion rights and arejection of efforts to limit the rights to gun ownership.

Trump gave overall praise of the platform, calling many of its elements amazing in an interview with Fox News. But he did note that it does not perfectly align with his policies.

I think whats happening with the platform is very good, he said. Do I agree with everything? Nobody ever has.

Elizabeth Chernoff contributed to this story.



Related Tweets:

The Republican platform is most

pro-Israel of all time!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 13, 2016

The Republican Party platform is so hateful, you'd think Donald Trump wrote it himself. https://t.co/AC4VPRtY4M  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 20, 2016
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Sure, youve got plenty of choices when it comes to picking a new keyboard for your Android phone, but you shouldnt overlook the growing list of customization options available on the stock Android keyboard.

Not only can you change the color of the keypad, you can also create your own background using an image from your camera roll. You can even toggle key borders on and off, raise or lower the height of the keyboard, change the timing of a long-press, get easier access to your favorite emojis, and more.

Change your keyboards theme and background

Back in the early days of Android, the stock keyboard was something of an ugly duckling, with boxy, chunky keys and a single white-on-black theme.

Ben Patterson Ready for a change? Just pick a new color theme for your Android keyboard.

Luckily, the Android keyboard got a makeover a couple of years ago, complete with a sleek new look and a quartet of grayscale color schemes. Today, the number of Android keyboard themes available has expanded to 15, plus the option to use a snapshot on your camera roll as a keypad background.

Tap Settings > Language & Input > Google Keyboard > Theme to see the menu of available keyboard themeseverything from black and red to green and pinkand tap an option to make the change.

To use your own picture as a keypad background, tap the My Image option near the top. Once youve given Google Keyboard access to your photos (just tap Allow when prompted), pick an image from your photo library, crop the image and use the slider to adjust the brightness of the background. Finally, select the new background from the Set Keyboard Theme screen.

Add borders to the keys

When Google gave the Android keypad its sleek material design makeover, one of the big changes was the elimination of outlines for individual keys; instead, letters, numbers, and symbols simply appeared to be floating on the keypad. But if you miss seeing a border for each key, theres an easy fix.

Ben Patterson Just toggle the switch to get those old-school key borders back.

Just go back to the Set Keyboard Theme settings (Settings > Language & Input > Google Keyboard > Set Keyboard Theme), then toggle the Key border switch.

Go back to the keyboard, and youll see translucent borders for each keyand if you ask me, the effect looks pretty good.

Raise or lower the height of the keyboard

By default, the stock Android keypad takes up about the bottom 40 percent of the screen. If you want the keyboard to be a little roomieror, on the flip side, if you want to shrink the keypad a tadtheres an easy way to do it.

Ben Patterson Use the slider to raise or lower the height of the stock Android keypad.

Tap Settings > Language & Input > Google Keyboard > Preferences > Keyboard height, then use the slider to pick a new setting. The Tall setting, for example, expands the keypad to about 45 percent of the display, while Short confines the keyboard to the bottom third of the screen.

Long-press to type symbols

Heres a great setting for anyone sick of having to tap the ?123 key to access the symbol keys. Tap Settings > Language & Input > Google Keyboard > Preferences, then toggle on the Long press for symbols switch.

Ben Patterson You can save yourself a keystroke by enabling the Long press for symbols setting.

Now, go back to the keypad; when you do, youll see little symbol icons in the corners of each letter key. Just tap and hold a key to type the symbol in the corner of the key you pressed, no extra keystroke required.

Bonus tip: If youd rather skip tapping keys altogether, try swiping to type instead.

Change how long a long-press takes

By default, you must hold a key about 300 milliseconds (or three-tenths of a second) for the Android keypad to register your keystroke as a long-press. If 300 milliseconds sounds a little too longor too shortfor you, give this setting a try.

Ben Patterson Wish your long-presses didnt take so long? Try fiddling with the Key long press delay slider.

Tap Settings > Language & Input > Google Keyboard > Preferences > Key long press delay, then pick a setting using the slider; 100 milliseconds (just a tenth of a second) is the shortest, while 700 milliseconds (nearly a whole second) is the longest.

Get shortcuts to your favorite emojis

If you cant resist ending a text message with a smiley face, theres a nifty keyboard setting thatll quickly put your most-used emojis at your fingertips.

Ben Patterson You can reveal shortcuts to your favorite emoji with a single tap.

Tap Settings > Language & Input > Google Keyboard > Preferences, then toggle on the Show emojis in symbols keyboard setting.

Now, when you tap the ?123 keyyou know, the key that calls up the symbols keypadyoull see six of your favorite emojis appear in the suggestions strip just above the keyboard.

Bonus tip: You can easily create keyboard shortcuts for just about any word or phrase you want; heres how.
Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for U.S. president, has antagonized much of the tech industry by opposing free trade and immigration but has otherwise nearly ignored this vital segment of the nations economy.

As Republicans meet in Cleveland this week to officially declare Trump as their presidential candidate, several tech groups have called on him to release a tech agenda. The huge Consumer Technology Association has issued three press releases in the past week calling on Trump to outline his tech priorities.

The U.S. tech industry is too critical to our countrys future to be a policy afterthought, Gary Shapiro, the trade groups president and CEO, said in one release. Shapiros veiled criticism of Republican Trump is notable after the trade group exec once accused Democrat Barack Obama of running the most antibusiness administration in his lifetime.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton released a lengthy tech-policy agenda in late June. She called on the U.S. to train 50,000 new computer science teachers over the next 10 years and to push green cards on foreign students earning advanced tech and science degrees from U.S. colleges.

In contrast, Trump has mentioned a handful of tech issues in passing during his campaign, and in most cases, his comments were antagonistic to tech companies. His lack of a tech agenda sends the message that he doesnt appear to care about those issues, said Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a tech-focused think tank.

Trump should start talking about tech issues if he wants to gain the support of the tech community and people who care about tech, Atkinson said.

Just last week, a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, company founders, engineers, and investors, in an open letter, said a Trump presidency would be a disaster for innovation. The Trump campaign didnt immediately respond to a request for comments on criticisms from the tech industry.

The Republican Party, during its convention this week, released its platform, and the 66-page document promotes several tech issues, including fewer regulations for the tech industry and using government to cause diplomatic, financial, and legal pain to countries supporting cyberattacks.

But the platform was written by Republican Party insiders, not the Trump campaign.

Trump has not said anything [about most tech issues], so theyre just painting on a clean canvas, Atkinson said.

The Republican platform is unlikely a blueprint for what Trump would do as president, added Ed Black, president and CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association.

The reality seems to be that there is little reason to believe that the Republican presidential candidate and the platform of the Republican Party are mutually trustworthy as guides to what might actually unfold in a Republican-controlled federal government, Black said by email.

Trumps opposition to free-trade deals, which are widely popular in a tech industry that seeks to expand its overseas sales, seems to have influenced the Republican platform. The platform this year offers a less full-throated defense of free trade than in past years, Atkinson noted.

When Trump has otherwise waded into tech debates, he hasnt made friends with most in the tech industry. Hes criticized immigration programs and shifted positions on the H-1B skilled worker visa program popular with many tech companies.

In late 2014, he suggested the internet and the whole computer age is really a mixed bag.

Trump has also criticized Apple for fighting the FBIs attempts to force the company to unlock an iPhone used by one of the suspects in the 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. In February, he called on Apples customers to boycott the company over the unlocking court fight.

The new Republican platform appears to depart from Trumps views on encryption by calling on Congress and the president to develop a consensus. No matter the medium, citizens must retain the right to communicate with one another free from unlawful government intrusion, the platform says. It will not be easy to balance privacy rights with the governments legitimate need to access encrypted information.

CCIAs Black praised the platform for embracing encryption. It was good to see the platform recognize strong privacy protections as crucial to the digital economy, he said. We certainly had concerns after Trumps prior claims that Apple is aiding terrorists and ought to be boycotted for refusing to develop a backdoor for the FBI, he added.

Trump has also criticized Apple for building products overseas, saying hes going to force the company to start building their damn computers and things in this country instead of in other countries. Trumps clothing line, however, is made in Bangladesh, Honduras, and other countries.

Trump has also said hes open to shutting down the parts of the internet that terrorists use to communicate.

In the past, Trump, a casino operator, has called for the U.S. to legalize internet gambling.
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Small business owners are getting a new feature tailored just for them in Microsoft Office 365a full-service system for scheduling appointments for their services over the internet.

Microsoft Bookings is a new service that makes it possible for business owners to create their own scheduling page, and then let potential customers make an appointment online. Its supposed to be a boon for businesses used to running that process through a series of emails, phone calls, or text messages.

Customers will be able to look at a list of prices, and then schedule time for an appointment with a list of employees. Bookings will then email the customers a confirmation including an invitation they can put on their calendars.

On the back end of the system, business owners will be able to see a calendar with all of the appointments scheduled through Bookings, across all of the employees that they manage. Its also possible to reschedule, cancel, or re-assign appointments from that screen as well.

Every customer who schedules an appointment through Bookings will be put into a list of contacts so that business owners will be able to follow up with them about their appointments.

Microsoft also plans to make a Bookings mobile app available so that its easier to manage the system while away from a computer.

Right now, Bookings is only available to users of Office 365 Business Premium, Microsofts high-end offering for small business users. The company wont say whether it plans to bring the service to any of its other subscription offerings.

The service is rolling out to customers who are on the First Release program starting Wednesday, with all Business Premium customers worldwide getting access to Bookings within the coming months.

The service is aimed at an audience that often doesnt get a whole lot in the way of exclusive love from the company. The move may make it more likely for small business owners to switch from Office 365 Personal, or upgrade their business subscription to get access to the additional capabilities.
Googles intelligent cloud developer tools are expanding with the launch of a new Cloud Natural Language API on Wednesday. The service is aimed at helping developers create applications that understand human language.

Its an important move for Google, as public cloud providers are racing to host new applications built with intelligent capabilities. Natural language processing allows developers to build apps that can tackle the challenging task of understanding how humans communicate, and it is key for things like building intelligent assistants and chat bots.

This API can provide a bunch of information about a block of text back to an application, including the overall sentiment of a passage and an analysis of the structure of a sentence. The system can also identify entities mentioned, including people, organizations, locations, events, and products.

The API is based on the same research that Google used to create Parsey McParseface, an open source parser for English text that the company released earlier this year.

The natural language API entered public beta alongside Googles already-announced Speech API, which lets applications take in recorded voice clips and get text back. By connecting the two APIs, its possible for developers to build an app that can listen to a users voice and then understand what that person is saying.

By launching these two services in beta, Google continues its competition against the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM, which are also launching intelligent capabilities in their public cloud platforms.

On top of all that, Google also launched one of its cloud platform regions in Oregon, a significant expansion of the companys public cloud capabilities. At first, customers will be able to use the companys Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and Container Engine services, with more capabilities coming later.

Users in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles will see a 30 to 80 percent reduction in latency when using applications hosted in the US-West1 region compared to those hosted at Googles US-Central region in Iowa, the company said.

Its all part of Googles continuing push to increase its relevance in the rough-and-tumble public cloud market, where it faces fierce competition.
SEAL BEACH  Beaches in Seal Beach and Long Beach were closed Tuesday in the wake of a massive sewage spill in downtown Los Angeles than flowed 20 miles and into the Pacific Ocean.

The surf in Seal Beach and Long Beach were made off-limits to waders and swimmers after the waste traveled to the ocean via the Los Angeles River.

Signs on Tuesday dotted the sand in both cities, telling people to keep out of the water by order of health officials. On-duty lifeguards, in at least some stretches, were warning people to keep out of the water.

The pipe, near Mission Road and Sixth Street in Los Angeles, was capped late Monday night but not before 2.4 million gallons escaped into the nearby river.

A Los Angeles Sanitation official said the top of the sewer pipe, installed in 1929, collapsed at about 2 p.m. Monday. Debris fell into the pipe, clogging it and causing an overflow.

Heather Johnson, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles Sanitation, said crews were still working Tuesday morning to repair the damage.

They are doing clean-up and are working on installing a permanent bypass on the pipe, Johnson said.

It was unknown what caused the break. We dont want to speculate, but the presumption is that it was the age, Johnson said.

In Seal Beach, some beach-goers took to the sand, which was fine so long as they didnt enter the water.

We have our lifeguards out there notifying people that they cant get in the water, said Chris Pierce, a marine safety lieutenant in Seal Beach. Some people have chosen to stay and others have gone elsewhere.

We still have quite a few people out there enjoying the beach.

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Long Beachs coast is not likely to open until Thursday morning at the earliest, said Nelson Kerr, Long Beachs environmental health bureau manager, and a heat wave is on the way.

Thursday is also the optimistic opening date for Seal Beach.

We are taking samples today, and we need two days of clear samples to re-open, said Anthony Martinez, a program manager with the Orange County Health Care Agencys environmental-health division.

Though the bacteria levels are of main concern, officials are also monitoring for waste. So far, none has washed up in Seal Beach, Martinez and lifeguards confirmed.

It really could be anything, Martinez said of the waste. Some solids, paper.  Whatever goes in a toilet, a drain or down a shower.

Kerr said going into the water could expose swimmers to a whole litany of ailments: eye infections, problems affecting ears, nose and throat, and gastrointestinal ailments.

This is untreated sewage, he said. Theres obviously extremely high levels of bacteria. There could be viruses.

The spill was bad news for beach-business owners.

Its not fun, said Jesse McCourt, who owns Off the Hook Kiteboarding in Long Beachs Belmont Shore. I spoke to a lifeguard who said it might be closed up to the weekend.

But weekdays are usually our busiest days. We were booked today through Friday, four or five lessons a day.

Staff writer Tim Grobaty contributed to this report.

Contact the writer: afausto@ocregister.com
The city of Banning might finally move past one of its long-lasting, contentious political sagas of recent years. Last week the City Council issued its formal response to a Riverside County grand jury report released in April detailing the dysfunctional dynamic between the city and the Banning Chamber of Commerce.

In 2006, the chamber was given a favorable 50-year lease in a city-owned building, under the condition that the chamber create and maintain a $10,000 maintenance fund for the property. At the time of the grand jury report that had yet to be done.

Additionally, between 2006 and 2013, the chamber failed to pay its utility bills, apparently acceptable under the terms of a handshake agreement in which the city agreed to waive the utility bills for the chamber. In June 2014, the chamber offered to pay three years worth of utility bills, totaling $15,800, in $32.10 monthly installments over the next 41 years, an offer the city turned down.

Finally, the chambers executive director, Jim Smith, had previously sued former councilwoman Barbara Hanna. After losing in court, Mr. Smith was ordered to pay the city $75,000 in legal fees, which has also yet to be received.

The grand jurys recommendations were simple and reasonable: The chamber should create the $10,000 maintenance fund, an agreement should be reached over the outstanding utility bills and Mr. Smith should resign.

In the time since the grand jury report, there has been considerable progress. In May, the chamber finally did create the maintenance fund required in 2006. Mr. Smith also resigned from the chamber, which should help restore the relationship between the city and the chamber.

Still to be achieved is a resolution to the unpaid utility bills. Last week the council, in agreeing with virtually all of the grand jurys findings and recommendations, decided the chamber has until Aug. 23 to pay in full the owed amount. The council also noted that it is in the process of updating its lease and contract policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the provisions in all contracts and leases.

It has taken a needlessly long time to reach this point, but at least the city is a step closer to being free of this shameful and unproductive problem.
San Bernardino County Democratic Party Chairman Chris Robles has been asked to offer observations on the Republican National Convention.

We will present GOP comment as well when the Democrats hold their convention. Robles thoughts:

Plagiarism aside, yesterdays Republican Convention was attempting to make the case that America is unsafe, based largely on recent tragic events. We all agree the shootings in San Bernardino, Florida, and the murder of our police officers are horrific acts of violence.

Where we disagree is how we react to them. Blaming Obama and Clinton and not the individuals with easy access to military grade weapons is disingenuous. Allowing military style weapons on our streets is inarguably a problem worth solving. Even the Cleveland Police Chief preferred that people not openly carry firearms during the Republican Convention because it makes law enforcement difficult.

Local and national statistics (just search FBI Crime Statistics) cannot be disputedcrime is downin spite of last nights rhetoric. No proof was ever given, no statistics cited, and certainly no solutions were provide for the case that America is unsafe. A more accurate theme for last night would have been Making you think America is unsafe (to scare you so we can win this darn election without giving you concrete ideas)

Lastly, I really cant pass without commenting about Melania Trumps speech. I actually feel sorry for her knowing that the campaign failed her. Plagiarism is serious, just ask any college student. However, in this instance, it indicates an indifference to truth, sloppiness, and an inability to accept responsibility.

Presidential campaigns are a reflection of the executive prowess of the candidatea litmus testand illustrates how the candidate would operate in office. Trumps campaign found no fault with themselves but inexplicably blamed Hillary Clinton. What, did the dog eat your homework too?
Wildomar Mayor Bridgette Moore will host her second in a series of coffee talks with residents on Saturday morning, July 23.

The event is scheduled from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Starbucks shop at 23823 Clinton Keith Road, Suite 101, within Oak Creek Center, where City Hall is also located.

Moore, a city councilwoman since Wildomar became a city in 2008, welcomes guests to offer questions, ideas and concerns.

The next coffee talk with the mayor is planned for Sept. 24 at the same time and location. For more information, contact Janet Morales by emailing jmorales@cityofwildomar.org.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com
Whats really going on at the GOP convention? Several Inland delegates to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland are writing diaries about their experiences. They have been edited for space and clarity.

Ben Clymer Jr., 40, Riverside, CFO of Ben Clymers The Body Shop:

First, no California delegates are affected by the Norovirus outbreak. Its being over-hyped by media outlets. So far, it has only affected six paid California Republican Party staff. Now its down to four and all have been effectively quarantined. The California GOP is doing a great job on that front.

Also, in case you hear of a large chunk of California delegates missing, the bus was just late picking us up. Were on our way. We are all fine and no, its not a boycott, were not sending any message. Colorado didnt seek revenge or any other nonsense that may or may not get reported by the media. In total, it affected about 25 percent of the California delegates so look for us to be fashionably late by perhaps 30 minutes or so.

As for some empty seats last night, after Mrs. Trump spoke, it was already 11 p.m. and we had three speakers to go. Yes, some left early yet Id point out our region including Michael Garrison and I remained till the concluding prayer to fulfill our duty.
In a move as symbolic as it is practical, First District Riverside County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries has moved his district office from the city of Lake Elsinore to the other side of the lake in Lakeland Village.

While the Board of Supervisors home base is the Riverside County Administrative Center, board members representing outlying districts typically establish at least one office within their jurisdictions. That way residents from distant corners of the county dont have to go to Riverside to contact their representatives.

Following his election to the board in November 2012, Jeffries opened up the Lake Elsinore office in leased space. The county recently purchased and rehabilitated the old Butterfield Elementary School to serve as the Lakeland Village Community Center, prompting Jefferies to take advantage of ample space there. The move to the campus at 16275 Grand Ave. was completed last week.

Jeffries Chief of Staff Jeff Greene said the relocation reflects the supervisors commitment to communities that remain under the countys land-use jurisdiction. In addition to Lakeland Village, the locale offers convenient access to La Cresta, De Luz, El Cariso, Warm Springs and Temescal Valley among other unincorporated enclaves.

So moving our office into an unincorporated community was a positive step as far that goes, Greene said.

The move also should save the county money in the long run, said Jeffries in an emailed response.

Moving the district office to the new Lakeland Village community center will save the county about $3,000 a month in rent, he said. Saving that kind of taxpayer money was an easy decision.

Jeffries district consists of about 450,000 residents and encompasses the cities of Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, most of Riverside, and numerous unicorporated towns. Lakeland Village, Jeffries hometown, is a hamlet of about 11,000 residents that straddles Grand Avenue on the southwest shore of Lake Elsinore.

At Jeffries urging, the county last year bought the unoccupied school for $2.1 million from the Lake Elsinore Unified School District to serve as the villages first true community center. The rest of the campuss 18-acre site will be used as a park, recreational facilities and county services.

The new office occupies half of a 2,776-square-foot building that once served as the schools kindergarten. Jeffries said he is looking at placing other county functions there, including animal services and code enforcement.

Kirsten Huyck, Jeffries legislative assistant, said the location presents opportunities for interacting with groups that use the center.

Being close to the community center where a lot of meetings take place makes us easily accessible, Huyck said.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com
The mother of a 3-month-old Rancho Cucamonga boy with a severe brain injury was arrested Monday following a child abuse investigation.

On Sunday, deputies were sent to a home in the 9400 block of Glenaire Court after someone reported the infant wasnt breathing, according to a San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department news release.

The baby was taken to San Antonio Regional Hospital, where doctors determined he had sustained the brain injury as a result of trauma to his head, according to the release.

He was then taken to Loma Linda University Childrens Hospital. Doctors there determined he suffered from severe bleeding and swelling in his brain, consistent with ongoing physical abuse.

The baby was admitted to the hospital and detectives from the sheriffs crimes against children detail stepped in to investigate.

Detectives believe the mothers account of how her son received the injuries were not consistent with his injuries. The child was placed into protective custody with the San Bernardino County Children and Family services.

On Monday, the boys mother, Marisela Manuel, 20, was arrested and booked into West Valley Detention Center on suspicion of child endangerment and causing great bodily injury to a child. Bail was set at $500,000.
United for a night, Republicans nominated Donald Trump Tuesday night as their presidential standard-bearer, capping the billionaire businessmans stunning takeover of the GOP and propelling him into a November faceoff with Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trumps campaign hoped the formal nomination would both end the discord surging through the Republican Party and overshadow the conventions chaotic kickoff, including a plagiarism charge involving Melania Trumps address on opening night.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions opened the nominating process with a hearty endorsement of Trump, declaring him a warrior and a winner. There were flurries of dissent on the convention floor as state that Trump did not win recorded their votes, but he far outdistanced his primary rivals.

He was put over the top by his home state of New York.

Convention officials gave some delegates won by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich to Trump, including all 19 from the District of Columbia. A delegate from the district accused the party of trying to quiet anti-Trump dissent.

This weeks four-day convention is Trumps highest-profile opportunity to convince voters that hes better suited for the presidency than Clinton, who will be officially nominated at next weeks Democratic gathering. But the rocky start raises fresh questions about his oversight of his campaign, which gives voters a window into how a candidate might handle the pressures of the presidency.

The plagiarism accusations center on Monday nights speech by Trumps wife. Two passages from Mrs. Trumps address  each 30 words or longer  matched a 2008 Democratic convention address by Michelle Obama nearly word-for-word.

Trumps campaign managed only to keep the controversy alive on Day 2 of the convention by insisting there was no evidence of plagiarism, while offering no explanation for how the strikingly similar passages wound up in Mrs. Trumps address. The matter consumed news coverage from Cleveland, obscuring Mrs. Trumps broader effort to show her husbands softer side.

Clinton pounced on the tumult, saying the Republican gathering had so far been surreal, comparing it to the classic fantasy film Wizard of Oz.

When you pull back the curtain, it was just Donald Trump with nothing to offer to the American people, Clinton said during a speech in Las Vegas.

Top Trump adviser Paul Manafort said the matter had been totally blown out of proportion.

Theyre not even sentences. Theyre literally phrases. I was impressed somebody did their homework to think that that could be possibly done, Manafort told The Associated Press.

Conventions are massive organizational undertakings, with thousands of attendees to manage and dozens of speakers to oversee. But the weeklong gathering pales in comparison to the scope of a presidents responsibilities as head of the U.S. government.

Republican leaders hoping to leave Cleveland with a strong show of party unity also found themselves answering unwelcome questions. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said he probably would have fired his own speechwriters under similar circumstances and acknowledged the matter was a distraction.

It was unclear whether the controversy would have any bearing on how voters view Trump. The businessman has survived numerous politically perilous moments that might have doomed other candidates.

Manafort, a longtime Republican operative, has emerged as a controversial and pivotal figure in Trumps Cleveland operations. He led efforts to successfully tamp down a rebellion on the convention floor Monday, though the campaign still had to contend with angry outbursts from anti-Trump delegates.

The campaign chairman also upended Republicans unity message by slamming Ohio Gov. John Kasich in his home state. He called Kasich petulant and embarrassing for not endorsing Trump or attending the convention, drawing quick condemnation from other GOP leaders worried about angering the popular governor of one of the most important election states.

Following the roll call vote, a parade of Trumps former campaign rivals, Republican leaders who are lukewarm about his nomination and more family members are scheduled to take center stage. Republicans will be closely watching House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has endorsed Trump despite disagreeing with him on numerous issues.

Tiffany Trump, the candidates 22-year-old daughter from his marriage to Marla Maples, and Donald Trump Jr., his eldest son and an executive vice president at The Trump Organization, were scheduled to speak. Both were expected to highlight a more personal side of their father than is often seen in public.

Speaking to reporters on the convention floor, Trump Jr. said he was proud of Mrs. Trumps speech, but said he imagined there were people who should have cleaned it up better.

Mrs. Trump was widely praised for her success in doing just that, despite the plagiarism charges. She spoke of her husbands simple goodness and his loyalty and love of family  while noting the drama that comes with Trump in politics.

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A professor of mathematics and physics at California Baptist University in Riverside is trying to raise at least $45,000 by Saturday, July 23, to turn his screenplay into a film.

Jim Buccholz has pulled in more than $14,000 toward that goal on Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform. His script, called Between Heaven & Hell: Somewhere Beyond Death, is based on a 1980s novel about three towering figures of the 20th century who all died on Friday, Nov. 22, 1963.

The front-page news of President John F. Kennedys assassination by Lee Harvey Oswald overshadowed the deaths of two other famous and influential men: Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis, a British novelist (The Chronicles of Narnia), poet, academic and lecturer; and Aldous Huxley, an English novelist (Brave New World) and philosopher.

Author Peter Kreeft imagined a conversation among the trio and in 1982 published Between Heaven and Hell: A Dialog Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C. S. Lewis, & Aldous Huxley.

Information: kickstarter.com/projects/betweenheavenandhell/between-heaven-and-hell-somewhere-beyond-death.

Contact the writer: llucas@pressenterprise.com, 951-368-9559
In 2008 we elected a man to be leader of our country, knowing that he attended a church with a minister who spouted God damn America. Smooth talking gave him the votes to reside in the White House. The promise of a transparent presidency was a lie.

Our next president will likely be a woman who has been pardoned by a timid FBI of acts that would eliminate most people from holding any public office, not to mention the highest office in our land.

I am an 81-year-old American who is disgusted, confused and discouraged, and I am tired of looking at the false smiles on the face of our potentially first woman president. I am ashamed that America cannot come up with a real leader in this most difficult of times.

Robert Scudder

Hemet

Hemet down wrong path

Re: Hemet looks to pass tax hike through ballot box attrition [Opinion, July 16]: As a seven-year Hemet resident, I take umbrage at some of the Press-Enterprises editorials regarding Hemets way of handling its affairs. But, in the case of an attempt to foist a new tax on its citizens, I have to agree with Sal Rodriguez.

Im disappointed in the City Councils attempt to make its citizens accountable for the councils behavior. This is not a personal attack, but Im disappointed in some of the council members that were very clear in their campaign pronouncements that Hemet must be more responsible for its fiscal decisions. Initially, I thought Measure E was a good idea, but for Police Chief Dave Brown to castigate the citizens the police are sworn to protect is hurtful when he said, How we react to the sting and disappointment of the narrow rejection of Measure E will define what we will become. Hemet has already become the city that Dave Brown refers to.

If I can learn to live on what I earn, so can the city. Hemet will make the same mistake other cities in the county are making if they try to force a tax hike and this reader will conduct business outside Hemet.

Ann Smith

Hemet
The last time people saw Lake Elsinores water level so low, folks were just learning about the internet.

Betrayed by El Nino, Southern Californias largest natural, freshwater lake, is down to its lowest level in 23 years  and continues to dwindle during a persistent drought. The shrinkage is occurring despite efforts by the water bodys overseers to prop it up, including a new project in the works.

This weeks water level at 1,233.5 feet above sea level is the lowest since January 1993, according to data from the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District.

At the current level, the lake is no more than about 15 feet deep. Its surface area has shrunk to about 2,500 acres, 500 less than normal. Water quality is worsening, increasing the likelihood of algae blooms and fish die-offs.

Theres just no rain, said Jean Mosbacher. We havent got rain and its sad.

Mosbacher, 60, manages Roadrunner RV Park off Riverside Drive near the lakes western corner. Over the years, she has witnessed the lakes highs and lows. Today, she said, the shoreline is about where it was in 1974.

In the past few years, the park has lost use of its boat launch  and some customers because the lake has receded so far, she said.

Entertainment value

Still, Lake Elsinore remains a regional attraction, as witnessed one day over the Fourth of July weekend.

On the lakes northeast side at Elm Grove Beach near downtown, groups gathered under canopies and umbrellas near the shore, grilling and drinking. Small children hugged their swim noodles as they bobbed in the lapping waves.

Farther out in the water, speed boats towed water skiers, rooster tails spitting in their wake.

At the beachs far end, sitting in the shade in a tank top and shorts, 56-year-old Rod Pettijohn surveyed the scene. He said he has been visiting the lake since he was a child when his family would come down from Pomona. Now he lives in Lake Elsinore.

Squinting at the activity on the lake against the backdrop of the Santa Ana Mountains framed by a cloudless sky, Pettijohn didnt seem overly concerned about the lakes future.

Well come here until the place goes dry, he said.

That wont happen, Lake Elsinores caretakers say.

Pipe dream

Historical records show the lake in the past has turned into a dust bowl during prolonged droughts, including a stretch in the early 1960s. These days, however, the lake is replenished with up to 6 million gallons of reclaimed water per day. The water district and city each contribute $725,000 per year to finance replenishment.

Joint efforts have been undertaken in conjunction with the Lake Elsinore & San Jacinto Watersheds Authority, a coalition of agencies in the river basin, to maintain water quality. The projects include the insertion of an aeration system boosting the lakes oxygen levels and the removal of millions of tons of carp.

An analysis by UC Riverside Associate Dean Michael Anderson indicates that if the replenishment program been in operation five and half decades ago, the lake would not have gone dry. While the recycled liquid does cause salt content to rise, the alternative is worse, Anderson concluded.

Still, the infusion of reclaimed water from the districts wastewater treatment plant is insufficient to offset evaporation, which subtracts several feet from the lake annually.

Also, an unknown quantity of recycled water never reaches the lake because it is conveyed through an open-air, reed filled channel that stretches from the plant about a mile away.

District officials hope to counter the loss of water in its journey through the channel by rehabilitating and realigning an agricultural pipe situated between the plant and the lake that is no longer in use.

The highest priority is to get recycled water to the lake right at the source so we dont lose water to evaporation, (ground) percolation and plant use, said Elsinore Valleys director of legislative affairs, Greg Morrison. Well avoid all three of those variables if we can get the water straight to the lake.

Later this month, the district is expected to award a contract for the projects initial design for about $90,000. Overall cost hinges on the design. Work on the 5,000-foot-long, 36-inch diameter pipe probably wouldnt begin until early next year and take four to eight months to complete, Morrison said.

Wait til next year

Meanwhile, there is nothing anyone can do but pray for rain  and a lot of it.

For Lake Elsinore to climb back to the level required for adequate health  1,240 feet above sea level  there will have to be enough rain to cause the water districts Canyon Lake drinking water reservoir to overflow its dam. The massive structure blocks the San Jacinto River on its way downstream to Lake Elsinore.

Many observers were confident the overflow would happen this last wet season when forecasters predicted a spate of storms spawned by El Nino, a phenomenon consisting of higher than normal water temperatures in the South Pacific.

The condition brought ample rain to Northern California, but precipitation reached only normal levels in Southern California, not enough to push water over the dam.

The drought and its impacts are a big concern to us, but we are doing everything we can to maintain the best quality we can in Lake Elsinore, and theres a lot of agencies striving to maintain the high quality recreational value of the lake, said watershed authority Administrator Mark Norton. We just wish that nature would cooperate a little bit more, but were doing everything we can.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pressenterprise.com951-368-9682
UPDATE (Saturday, July 23): Defendants face murder charges in unrelated deaths

The family of a Hemet teenager who died from a hit-and-run is hoping that surveillance images that shows a white SUV leaving the scene will help lead to his killer.

Andrew Rodriguez, 17, was walking his dog just before 6:30 p.m. Monday on Sunjoy Drive when he got into an argument with people inside a vehicle, according to information from his family and friends and Hemet police. The reason for the argument was unclear.

The vehicle hit him and sped away.

Rodriguez was taken to the hospital, but died of his injuries.

UPDATE: 2 teenagers arrested in fatal hit-and-run

His uncle, Richard Palmer, 39, of McKinney, Texas, said a nearby apartment complex surveillance system captured images of a white SUV that looks to either be a Mitsubishi Montero or a Ford Explorer.

Police said they have not confirmed the make or model of the vehicle that hit Rodriguez.

Police asked anyone with information to call Investigator Doug Klinzing at 951-765-2423.

RELATED: After 3 slayings in 8 hours, enough is enough, residents say

Palmer said that because he doesnt have children of his own, he treated Rodriguez like his own son.

He had a gentle soul, Palmer said. He was wise beyond his years  kind, caring. He had a smile that would light up any room.

He said he had recently challenged his nephew to save up for a car for college and that he would match what Rodriguez saved from mowing lawns dollar for dollar.

He wasnt saving as much lately, said Palmer with a smile. He was spending on his girlfriend, but he was looking forward to being able to have that for college.

RELATED: He wasnt supposed to die like that, says victims girlfriend
UPDATE (Saturday, July 23): Defendants face murder charges in unrelated deaths

Friends and family on Tuesday were mourning the loss of a 17-year-old who was struck by a vehicle and killed in Hemet the night before.

Andrew Rodriguez was walking his dog when he was struck in the 800 block of Sunjoy Drive just before 6:30 p.m., according to information from his family and friends and a news release from the Hemet Police Department.

Police believe Rodriguez had argued with possibly two people in the vehicle before he was hit. The vehicle left the scene at a high rate of speed. Lt. Eddie Pust said police havent verified the vehicles make or model.

UPDATE: Surveillance images show SUV that hit, killed teen, says family

No suspects had been identified as of Tuesday afternoon, but Pust said police had some good leads. They ask anyone with information to call Investigator Doug Klinzing at 951-765-2423.

Candles and flowers sat at the intersection of Sunjoy and Melissa drives on Tuesday afternoon.

He wasnt supposed to die like that, said Rodriguezs girlfriend, Citlalli Hernandez. It wasnt his time. He was only 17.

Hernandez, also 17, said she had known Rodriguez since about eighth grade. They had gone to middle school and later Mountain View High School together. They started dating about two months ago.

RELATED: After 3 slayings in 9 hours, enough is enough, Hemet residents say

Most recently, Rodriguez had been doing a home school program and was on track to graduate from it this upcoming year, Hernandez said.

He had his whole life ahead of him, she said.

Hernandez described Rodriguez as kind and loving. His 11-year-old sister, Perla, felt the same way.

He was the best, she said, breaking into tears.

Perla Rodriguez said her brother was the happiest he had ever been just before his death.

Friends and family said he was an active, outdoorsy guy who loved BMX bikes and scooters.

A group of his friends stood at the memorial left for Rodriguez on Tuesday remembering him. One of them, Richard Rodriguez, said he learned of his friends death that morning on Facebook.

I just woke up this morning and saw my boy was gone, he said. I started crying. It was devastating.

Staff writer Anne Millerbernd contributed to this report.



OTHER RECENT DEATH INVESTIGATIONS IN AREA

VALLE VISTA: Man found dead in roadway, sparking probe

HEMET: Argument prompts fatal shooting, killer escapes
Riverside County Democratic Party Chairman Howard Katz has been asked to offer observations on the Republican National Convention.

We will present GOP comment as well when the Democrats hold their convention. Katzs thoughts:

The first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention was exciting and raised an interesting question. How would dissent be handled by a Trump administration?

We found out early in the day,when a floor fight ensued about the conventions rules. Specifically, about the binding of delegates to candidates on the first ballot based upon the results of previous Republican state caucuses and primaries.

The conventions presiding officer, Arkansas GOP Representative Steve Womack, put the motion to approve the conventions rules to a voice vote. He declared the rules approved by the voice vote over serious objection, bypassing the roll call vote requested by many delegates. This effectively quashed the possibility of a candidate other than Donald Trump obtaining the Republican presidential nomination.

The main program was even more exciting, with speeches given by a sheriff, television personalities, a former governor, members of the US House of Representatives, members of the U.S. Senate, a former mayor, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general, and veterans of U.S. Armed Forces. Last was Trumps wife Melania.

As was expected, many of the speakers had both positive things to say about Donald Trump and negative things to say about Hillary Clinton. Though, I found most of the negatives either non-verifiable or already debunked.

In an interview onboard Trumps plane soon after arriving in Cleveland Monday afternoon, Melania was asked about her speech. She said she wrote it, or most of it, herself and reviewed it once on the plane in route to Cleveland.

Melania Trumps speech was exceptional and well-received. However, soon after she finished, observant viewers noticed that much of her speech was not original. Portions were almost directly lifted from Michele Obamas Democratic convention speech of 2008. The Trump campaign has offered little in explanation at this time except to state that Donald Trump is upset about how this has played in the media.

Adding the suspected plagiarism in Melanias speech to the number of things that have surfaced about Donald Trump since his entry into the presidential race brings his whole persona into question.
Economies around the globe have struggled in 2016. Low energy prices smacked oil-producing regions. Political tensions  both external and internal  have made companies skittish about major expansion plans.

Californias current 2.2 percent job growth is relatively good. The states annualized job growth has averaged 0.9 percent since 2005 when ADPs tracking began. Nationwide job growth is 0.8 percent in the same period.

But ADPs recent breakout of key industries shows some of the California economys recent weak spots.

Manufacturing has been a challenged sector as a strong U.S. dollar makes California-made exports pricey to foreign buyers at the same time many overseas economies are ailing.

ADP estimates that in the 12 months ended in June, California manufacturers cut 11,869 workers, a drop of 0.9 percent. This sector was growing at a 1.2 percent annual pace a year ago.

Businesses in trade, transportation and utility work added 45,775 employees in the past year, or 1.6 percent growth. This sector added jobs at a 2.4 percent annual pace a year ago. Less manufacturing lowers the need to ship goods.

Construction and mining firms added 21,594 workers in a year, or a 2.9 percent hiring pace vs. 6.4 percent annual pace a year ago. Builders say a shortage of skilled workers is slowing development plans.

Professional service firms continue to boost staffing. In the 12 months ended in June, this sector added 66,041 workers. Thats 2.6 percent growth vs. 3 percent annual pace a year ago.

Its worth noting that the states job stats show similar cooling trends. In the 12 months ended in May, government job figures show Californias private employers added workers at a 2.8 percent pace  down from 3.1 percent a year ago and the slowest pace since April 2012.

Is this cooler pace of hiring a sign of economic trouble ahead? Or is it just the economy falling into a more normal hiring pace after employers refueled staffs that were thinned by deep cuts amid the Great Recession? Stay tuned.

Contact the writer: jlansner@ocregister.com
The San Jacinto school board, which has been pondering placing a bond measure in front of voters for more than two years, will meet Thursday, July 21, to further discuss the issue.

The board has until Aug. 12 to decide if voters will be asked in November to pay more taxes to upgrade facilities in the district. Trustees decided against placing a bond on the 2014 ballot, partially because two other tax measures were on that ballot.

Administrators imagined asking for $80 million, which included money for a new middle school and modernizing and adding technology upgrades at older campuses. But that may not be enough money for a growing district, administrators have said.

The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. in the district office, 2045 S. San Jacinto Ave.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9086 or cshultz@pressenterprise.com
A Superior Court judge on Tuesday ordered AT&T to produce records requested by defense attorneys in the capital murder case of Charles Ray Merritt, accused of killing a San Diego County family of four and burying their bodies in the Mojave Desert near Victorville.

Since April, Merritts attorneys have attempted to subpoena the records, but AT&T has not provided the records, so, defense attorneys filed a motion with the court during Merritts July 8 hearing to compel AT&T to produce the records in question.

On Tuesday, Judge Michael A. Smith, following a meeting in his chambers with defense attorney James E. McGee II and AT&T lawyer David J. Benner, ordered AT&T to produce the records.

Prosecutor Britt Imes objected to being left out of the loop. He declined to comment following Tuesdays hearing.

McGee would not disclose the information he and colleague Rajan Maline have requested from AT&T.

All I can say is there is some information we need for our investigation, and based on what we discover and go over with our experts, we can decide what the next step is in preparation for trial, McGee said.

Merritt, 59, of Homeland was arrested in November 2014 in connection with the sledgehammer beating deaths of Joseph McStay, 40, his wife, Summer, 43, and their two sons, Gianni, 4, and Joseph Jr., 3, in their Fallbrook home in February 2010.

Merritt is suspected of transporting the four bodies 100 miles away, to the remote Mojave Desert near Victorville, where he allegedly buried the family in two shallow graves, west of the 15 Freeway and north of Stoddard Wells Road. Nearly four years later, a man riding his dirt bike in the area discovered human bones and contacted police.

San Bernardino County sheriffs investigators unearthed the two graves and discovered the remains of two adults and two children, later identified as the McStay family. A 3-pound Stanley brand sledgehammer with yellow handle, believed to be the murder weapon, was found in one of the graves, and the victims appeared to have been tortured prior to dying, suffering numerous fractures to their bones and skulls, according to sheriffs reports and testimony from Merritts preliminary hearing.

Prosecutors surmise that Merritt, a former business associate of Joseph McStay whom investigators described as a gambling junkie and deeply in debt, killed the McStay family for financial gain, then went on a gambling spree at casinos across Southern California in the weeks after the killings.

Merritt has pleaded innocent to the charges and maintains his innocence.

The McStay familys mysterious disappearance stumped police and captivated the public. When the familys white Isuzu Trooper was found abandoned at the Mexican border four days after the family was last seen alive, it led many to suspect the family had walked across the border into Mexico, never to be seen again. Rumors about the family associating with Mexican drug cartels have been determined unfounded by police.

DNA found on the steering wheel and gearshift handle of the McStays Isuzu Trooper was confirmed to be Merritts, who told investigators he had never driven the vehicle, according to testimony from Merrits preliminary hearing last August.
The Bank of Ghana has warned that Britains exit from the European Union (EU) bloc could negatively impact Ghanas trade sector, Foreign Direct Investment(FDI), and the cedi.



The central bank further points out that , Ghanas strong trade relations with both the EU and the UK could be affected, with Ghana losing some budgetary support from the EU.



According to Bank of Ghana, its initial assessments after the Brexit indicated that the local currency appreciated sharply by about 5.7 per cent month-on-month against the pound sterling in June 2016, compared with 1.3 per cent depreciation in May.



In June this year, the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU after joining the union for over four decades. This latest response from the Bank of Ghana which is the fisrt since the Brexit comes after Banking consultant and Head of the Osei Tutu II Centre for Executive Education and Research, Nana Otuo Acheampong warned that the exit could affect the local currency and remittances.



The central bank has however assured that it is closely monitoring the potential fallouts from post-Brexit negotiations to take the necessary policy actions to dampen any adverse effects on the domestic economy.



Other views on impact of Brexit



After the announcement, Ghanas Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hannah Tetteh, was of the view that the Brexit will affect Ghanas trade with the UK.



The Brits voted on Thursday to exit the European Union after more than four decades of joining the common market. She stated that the impact even though may be felt more in the long run may have some repercussion for Ghanas trade.



Senior Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School, Dr. Lord Mensah has also stated that the cedi could be affected since the pound has a special relationship with the US dollar. He was however of the opinion that the Brexit could cause the demand for gold to go up, helping Ghana to generate more income from the commodity.



Recent statistics shown that, trade between Ghana and the United Kingdom has reached 1.3 billion. Ghana is currently the UKs fifth largest trade partner in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: citifmonline.com









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.

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Mrs Victoria Natsu, Acting Executive Secretary, Human Trafficking Secretariat, says the root causes and contributory factors that fuel human trafficking are vast and should not be addressed in isolation.



She said no one actor could tackle the issues of human trafficking and a comprehensive response to addressing the trafficking chain would require the combined action of various stakeholders.



Speaking at the launch of the Human Trafficking Prohibition (Protection and Reintegration of Trafficked persons) Regulations, 2015, L.I. 2219, Mrs Natsu said human trafficking is a new form of slavery and has become the third most profitable venture of organised crime globally.



The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, UNICEF, and the Human Trafficking Secretariat went through all the processes needed for the passage of the Legislative Instrument.



The aim of the Act is to prevent and combat human trafficking, protect and assist victims of trafficking, investigate and prosecute offenders of human trafficking, collaborate and promote cooperation among stakeholders and civil society groups.



Mrs Natsu said over the years various actions have been taken to combat Trafficking in persons, but in recent times the Human trafficking management Board has been reconstituted and meets quarterly and takes useful decisions.



The Board is working in earnest with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to weed out unlicensed recruitment agencies so as to eliminate irregular migration of our young women for explanation abroad, he added.



Mrs Natsu said the process is guided by the Attorney Generals and went through consultations with stakeholders and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Subsidiary Legislative and was finally passed in November 2015.



She, therefore, crave the support of each and every one to join the Ministry to highlight the issues and dangers of trafficking in persons their communities and workplaces.



She also commended UNICEF for funding the printing of the legislations and copies of the Human Trafficking Act 694 (2005), which has been out of stock for some time now.



Emelia Allan, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF, urged Ghana to move from policy to practice to address human trafficking in totality.



She said the outdooring alone would not solve the problem we need to implement the regulations.



She, therefore, urged stakeholders to think about the many children out there and come out with innovative programmes to rescue them.

Source: Aljazeera









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.

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NDCs Deputy General Secretary, Koku Anyidoho has vow to torment NPPs running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia if he fails to produce his 90% of Togolese on Ghanas voters register.



He expressed worry as to why Ghanaians are not demanding the evidence from the former governor  why are Ghanaians not asking him [Dr Bawumia] to prove his claims?



I do not doubt the fact that he has a PhD; I do not doubt the fact that he may have been a good banker; I do not doubt that he may have some good qualities: but, can he be trusted as he moves around canvassing for votes to become the Vice President of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumahs Ghana? he questioned.



According to Koku, Dr Bawumia is the genesis of the brouhaha surrounding the voters register in recent times.



It is common knowledge that it was the Press Conference held by Dr. Bawumia at the Alisa Hotel sometime last year that sparked off the unfortunate mayhem that the NPP and its assigns/acolytes have continued to unleash upon Mother Ghana and innocent Ghanaians vis-a-vis the issue of the voters register.



At the said Press Conference, it was Dr. Bawumia who out of his own volition (I do not want to believe that he was being used as a pawn in the NPPs chess game) produced a fictitious document claiming that it was a Togolese Voters Register which proved that many registered Togolese voters also have their names on Ghanas voters register.



At the said press conference, Dr. Bawumia said that the fictitious Togolese register was 10% of work-in-progress, and that in a couple of days, he was going to produce the extra 90% of the work-in-progress from, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, Ivory Coast, etc., to prove to Ghanaians that Ghanas voters register was over-bloated with foreigners. So where is the 90% of the Togolese he promised? he asked in an interview with Neat FMs morning show Ghana Montie.



I will send people after Bawumia everywhere he goes to ask him about the 90% Togolese he promised to produce. Can we trust Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia on the twin issues of the Election Petition Case and the fake Togolese Voters Register? he quizzed host Kwesi Aboagye.







Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007









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.

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The remark by Assin Central legislator, Kennedy Agyapong, to the effect that Electoral Commission chairperson Charlotte Osei traded sex for her current portfolio proves the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has no respect for women, which the governing National Democratic Congress (NDC) will exploit ahead of its 2016 polls, says Anita De Sosoo, vice chairperson of the governing NDC.



Mr Agyapong on June 25, 2016, addressing party supporters in Kumasi, suggested Mrs Osei, who replaced Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan as EC boss in June 2015, did not get the position on merit, but had to sleep her way to her appointment.



Mr Agyapong has been criticised by several people and groups in the country for the comments. However, in a twist, the NPPs national womens organiser, Otiko Afisa Djaba, recently said the allegation needs to be investigated to bring out the truth.



Reacting to Ms Djabas call on Ghana Yensom, Accra100.5FMs breakfast show on Tuesday July 19, Ms De Sosoo said the NPP had been known for disrespecting women, despite the important role the fairer sex plays. According to her, Mr Agyapongs comment was not only in his personal capacity, but represented the stance of the NPP.



It is the partys position and since it is their position that is no problem. They can disgrace us because we are women, but since we have God, we will say nothing.  It is the NPPs sub-culture to sully the image of women, so, we have resorted to using it [in our campaigns].



According to her, she had concentrated her campaign in rural Ghana, where she relays the MPs remarks to women there.



For me, I tour the country; I do not remain in the city. I am informing the women in all the rural communities [I visit]. So, let the spirit enter them [members of the NPP] so they keep insulting women and the women will keep making up their minds to vote for us [the NDC].



The former Deputy NADMO Coordinator said she had personally been at the receiving end of vitriol by Mr Agyapong in the past and mentioned other leading figures of the opposition party as being on record to have hurled abuses at women.



In her view, such talk gave fuel to the perception that all successful women made it to the top only after offering sex and advised that the NPP should be left to continue visiting such invectives on women, who form the majority of the Ghanaian population, as the electoral implication of that will soon be felt.



Ms De Sosoo urged women not to be demoralised by such comments, but rise up and work hard and show their versatility, which leaves men unable to cope with the void created by womens absence from the home and beyond.



Ms Sosoo also stated that she was continuing to hold out hope that a woman would rise to become president of Ghana in the near future.

Source: Classfmonline









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.

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The advice of the Judicial Council and the Council of State as far as the appointment of judges to the Superior Court and the Chair of the Electoral Commission, respectively, are concerned, cannot be binding on the President, a Supreme Court panel chaired by Justice William Atuguba, said on Wednesday July 20.



As far as the case concerning the appointment of justices of the Superior Court is concerned, the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) and three others: President of the GBA, Nene Amegatcher as well as lawyers Justin Amenuvor and Mr Beecham, instituted the action in an attempt to have the advice of the Judicial Council made binding on the president in appointing justices to the apex court.



In a 66-page writ of summons and statement of case, the plaintiffs prayed the court to make the president comply with Article 144 (2) and (3) of the 1992 Constitution, which stipulates that the president seeks the advice of the Judicial Council in appointing justices to the Bench.



In the plaintiffs view, since the 1992 Constitution came into force, presidents after presidents have not acted fully on the advice tendered by the Judicial Council in the appointment of Superior Court judges.



However, the Supreme Court, according to Class FM's court correspondent Nabil Ahmed Rufai, pronounced that as far as the interpretation of article 144(2) and (3) is concerned, the advice of the judicial council in appointing justices of the Superior Court, is not binding on the President.



The suit was filed in June last year barely 24 hours after Mr Justice Yaw Apau and Mr Gabriel Pwamang were sworn into office as justices of the Supreme Court by President John Mahama.



The plaintiffs prayed the court to declare that upon true and proper construction of Article 144 clauses (2) and (3) of the 1992 Constitution, all appointments made by the President of the Republic of Ghana to the Supreme Court were valid on condition that they were made in strict accordance with the advice of the Judicial Council.



Other reliefs sought include a declaration that upon true and proper interpretation of Article 144 (2) and (3) of the 1992 Constitution, a constitutional trust had been created in the Judicial Council to make nominations of the person(s) best qualified to serve as justices of the Superior Courts of Judicature and also that the Judicial Council was required to ensure that such nominations were actually submitted by the President to Parliament for approval after due consultations with the Council of State.



The plaintiffs also wanted the Supreme Court to rule that upon true and proper construction of the Article 144 clauses (2) and (3) of the 1992 Constitution, the Judicial Council had a constitutional obligation to specifically advise the President as to which specific person(s) is/are suitable for appointment to serve as Justice(s) of the Superior Courts of Judicature, in accordance with which advice the President is mandatorily required to exercise his powers of appointment.



Additionally, the GBA and the three others prayed the court to order that an appointment or non-appointment by the President of a Justice of the Superior Court, in a manner out of accord with the advice of the Judicial Council, is unconstitutional, null, void and of no effect.



In the view of the plaintiffs, the Judicial Council had violated its judicial constitutional duties in either not giving advice to the President for appointments to the Superior Courts or not ensuring that the advice it offered to the President was carried out to the letter by taking steps, including court action, to counsel the President to act on its advice, which the council had failed to do.



Since the 1992 Constitution came into force, Presidents after Presidents have not acted fully on the advice tendered by the Judicial Council in the appointment of Superior Court judges, they argued.



A statement of case filed on their behalf by legal counsel Thaddeus Sory, noted that the meaning and effect of Article 144 Clause 2 of the Constitution was that while the power of appointment was without doubt vested in the Presidents discretion to appoint Justices of the Supreme Court, he could only exercise that discretion upon the advice of the Judicial Council.



They further submitted that the President must necessarily adhere to the advice of the Judicial Council to the letter and spirit of the of the advice given in its strictest essence, adding that the President of the Republic of Ghana cannot act out of accord with, side step, ignore or alter the terms of the advice of the Judicial Council in the matter of the appointment of Justices of the Superior Courts.



They also argued that the independence of the Judiciary would be severely undermined if the Presidents power of appointment of justices of the Superior Courts is so interpreted as to allow the President the liberty of acting outside of the Judicial Council, which is constitutionally entrusted with the function of ensuring that the Judiciary carries out its constitutional functions efficiently and effectively for the realisation of justice.



In their estimation, it was insufficient for the President to merely recite in his warrant of appointment of any particular person that his appointment is on the advice of the Judicial Council, regardless of the exact nature of the Judicial Councils advice to the President on the subject.



In the other case relating to the presidents appointment of the chair of the EC, plaintiff Richard Sky, a broadcaster with Accra-based private radio station Citi FM prayed the court to interpret the constitution on whether the counsel offered by the Council of State in relation to the appointment was binding on the president. Mr Skys suit was to seek clarity on two conflicting provisions regarding that particular appointment.



In his statement of claim, Mr Sky averred that what in his view was pivotal in the determination of the suit was whether the operative phrase acting on the advice of the Council of State had any mandatory binding effect. My humble view is that the use of the phrase is not accidental and, therefore, has a binding effect as used in the context of the 1992 Constitution, Mr Skys statement read.



Section 2 of Article 70 of the 1992 Constitution provides that the President shall, acting on the advice of the Council of State, appoint the Chairman, Deputy Chairman and other members of the Electoral Commission.



However, Section 3 of Article 91 of the same Constitution states that: The Council of State may, upon request or on its own initiative, consider or dealt with by the President, a Minister of State, Parliament or any other authority established by this Constitution except that the President, Minister of State, Parliament or any other authority shall not be required to act in accordance with any recommendation made by the Council of State under this clause.



The statement contended that those provisions had brought to the fore, many divergent views on the appointment of the Chairman of the Electoral Commission vis-a-vis the role of the President and the Council of State.



Mr Sky filed the suit in May last year ahead of the mandatory retirement of Chairman of the EC at the time, Dr Kwadwo Afari Gyan. Dr Afari Gyans term expired on June, 18, 2015. The President subsequently appointed Mrs Charlotte Osei as a replacement.

Source: Classfmonline









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
One of Australias most beautiful and successful exports, supermodel Miranda Kerr, has officially said a big ol yes to founder of Snapchat Evan Spiegel.

While rumours have been flying for a while that that tech giant wanted to propose, its finally confirmed  theyre engaged.

Kerr announced the engagement via her Instagram account, as is the common practice in the modern world:

I said yes!!! 

I said yes!!! ?????????? A photo posted by Miranda (@mirandakerr) on Jul 20, 2016 at 8:39am PDT









SIDENOTE: If youre wondering why their cartoon likenesses  which was a custom-made Snapchat filter  look like that bizarre Facebook application no one uses anymore, thats because Snapchat acquired the incredibly weird and slightly passe app Bitstrips less than 24 hours ago.

The pair have been dating for little over a year  they first appeared in public together in June 2015, and purchased a $12 million Los Angeles home together in May this year.

The model told Sydney Morning Herald back in February that she and Evan were really good friends for a long time before [they] started dating.

US Weekly reported last week that Spiegel had started to look at rings for his girlfriend, with a source saying They are both completely smitten, and Evans starting to look at rings.

Congrats, Miranda and Evan!

Source: Instagram.

Photo: Michael Kovac / Getty.
A third of the people killed in the Nice terrorist attack were Muslims, according to a spokesperson for an Islamic association local to the area.

Kawthar Ben Salem from the Union of Muslims of the Alpes-Maritimes has said that at least 30 of the 84 men, women and children killed will be given Muslim funerals, and hopes people will realise these attacks affect us all:

We hope that this sends a global message that the barbarity touches the whole world and that the people here, the victims, are not those who commit the crimes in Syria and Iraq.

In addition to the 84 deaths, 308 people were injured after Tunisian man Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel intentionally drove a truck into crowds after a fireworks display on Bastille Day.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, but French authorities are yet to find any evidence of a connection between Lahouaiej Bouhlel and the group.

The attack has provoked some anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia, notably from Sonia Kruger and (no surprise) Pauline Hanson. As much as these people like to frame this as a war between Muslims and the rest of the world, its really not the case.

Source: NY Times.

Photo: Getty Images / Carl Court.
Theres been calls to fire teachers at Cheltenham Girls High School in New South Wales, after the school decided to use only gender-neutral terminologies.

Teachers have been told to stop referring to the students as girls, ladies, or women, instead using only gender-neutral language towards the students.

This is very obviously to be more inclusive of LGBTQIA students who identify as intersex, gender-fluid, non-binary, or transgender.

The request for gender-neutral language was put to teachers during a meeting last year, which allegedly discussed implementing the ever-fantastic Safe Schools anti-bullying program.

It was reportedly suggested to teachers that using gendered, exclusive language could be seen as breaking the law, and the school could therefore be at risk of being sued.

However, due to the fact that some young women felt safer at school with just a minor change in language and the term Safe Schools was mentioned, right-wing shock jocks have risen from their dark, musty basements to yell about favoured topics such as political correctness gone mad, and indoctrination of cultural Marxism.

2GB talkback shock jock Chris Smith described the language change as deplorable, saying,

Theyve been scared into doing this by whoevers pushing that twisted bible the Safe Schools program, and theyre scared of somehow being sued.

On this mornings Today show, Sunday Mail editor Peter Gleeson also condemned the change, saying its overreach at its worst:

I am all for diversity and making sure that our younger generation understand exactly what is going on within the community, but to implement something like this, its just ridiculous.

The NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has asked his department to investigate. However, he denied that the decision has any connection to Safe Schools, and that the meeting merely reminded teachers about the parameters around discriminatory language:

I dont think theres anything improper about that.

The issue has been written about by Daily Tele writer Miranda Devine (surprise surprise), who says the issue came to light after students complained to their parents that if they didnt want to participate in LGBT activities, they were made to feel ostracised and marginalised.

How much would it suck to be marginalised and ostracised for something that you actually couldnt change? Jeez, that must *really* suck. Really maek u think.





Well update you on this story as more information arises.

Source: Daily Tele.

Photo: Lions Club.
At one point or another, all of us have made a rather questionable decision, and when trying to make sense of it in hindsight well, you just couldnt.

Thus is the tale of a young Austrian man who was recently jailed. His crime? Tattooing a penis on a womans back, when she asked for a Ying Yang.

The 21-year-old hobby tattooist sat with the woman and drew the template of the Chinese symbol with her, so she felt comfortable with the design.

Then, when the time came, he drew a peanus instead. Dick n balls. Ye olde todger.

Oh, and underneath the dick he wrote the word FUCK.

The woman in question, now having had her body defaced, took the tattooist to court where he was jailed for 3 and a half years, and will likely be held in a facility for mentally abnormal offenders.

Possibly because when the judge asked why hed decided to do this, his response was,

Just because.

SAVAGE. AS. HELL. That guy might legit be Satan.

Source: The Local.

Photo: Wanted.
PEDESTRIAN.TV has partnered with Nandos to shower its PERi-Perks members with love. If youre all about that chicken / booze / banger life then gird your loins: Weve been throwing cheeky mid-weeky par-tays in Sydney + Melbourne, and Brisbane + Perth are next up on the itinerary. To RSVP, simply download the PERi-Perks app (iOS HERE, Google play HERE), punch in your details in the comp below, or head to the PERi-Perks website HERE for more info.

The work week can be taxing. Subsequently, its only natural to be drawn to a Wednesday / Thursday blow-out like an overworked moth to a clubs neon signage.

Youre killing it, good people of the internet, and in our not-so-humble opinion, you DAMN WELL DESERVE TO BLOW OFF SOME STEAM.

To aid you in your quest to share many a turnt tale at your offices water-cooler, weve been throwing cheeky mid-weeky parties across Australia with our main squeeze, Nandos.

Photo: Sam Macdonald / Hobo.

Photo: Sam Macdonald / Hobo.

Youre up next, Brisbane and Perth.

Young Franco will be back at it again to deliver his sultry sounds at both events and, if thats not enough, therell also be freeze booze + more Nandos chicken than you could poke a drumstick at.

WHEN / WHERE

BRISBANE: Thursday 28th July / Woolly Mammoth

PERTH: Wednesday 3rd August / Jack Rabbit Slims

If youre game on RSVPing for you n a mate to these one-of-a-kind shindigs, simply enter the competition below (and do so ASAP cause theres limited spots):

Nandos PERi-Perks and Pedestrian.tv Presents Cheeky Midweekers with Peking Duk/Young Franco

GET KEEN, YALL.

Photo: Titanic.
Dear Pedestrian readers,



Weve gathered you here today to show you what happens when Kim Kardashian releases her Taylor Swift receipts.

For the ignorant few among us, Kim leaked the footage of Kanye Wests Famous phone call to Tay Tay, and promptly melted the entire internet. All of it. Taylor is now dead.

We *could* bow our heads, pray and plant some kind of tree in Taylors memory or we could let this fresh Melbourne mural do the memorial work for us.

Youll note that in the bottom right hand corner the mural reads: No tags please, respect the dead  whoever did this is a straight-up savage. (Update: Its Lushsux, the mastermind behind the giant Kim K naked selfie mural.) (Further update: yes, it says Taylor Smith.) (Further further update: Lushsux told us that writing Smith was an accident. I think I just did the cursive too thick.)

Pedestrian reader Simone Simmons came across the mural this morning in Melbournes Hosier Lane. Wed guesstimate it went up in the last 1224 hours or so.

Kim is literally all of us rn.

And Katy Perry is on her way to Taylors funeral like:

Wikipedia knows whats up:

And finally. guess this came true:

http://yeezusquotes.tumblr.com/post/147577334740/theyre-for-your-funeral

Photo: Simone Simmons / Supplied.
Bi-sexual, bi-racial, fine bi-me. THE OPEN PROJECT  a Pedestrian x Smirnoff Collaboration aspires to start a conversation  ranging from newsy pieces to deeper-divers  about the issues worth talking about over the next 12 months. Why? Cause lifes better when were open to new ideas, opportunities n experiences. To find out more, head HERE.

Preparing for Splendour In The Grass can be a panic-inducing affair, especially for the uninitiated. Splendours, yknow, a festival  the whole point is to escape the mundane nine-to-five structure of your life ATM and be your most ~whimsical~ self for three-odd days. While throwing all organisation to the wind / living in the moment might seem like the best way to tackle SITG, our recommendation is to do a tiny bit of pre-planning.

Dont consider yourself all that ace at mapping out your existence / events? Fret not, hedonistic festival punters, for our veteran pals have done us a solid  kindly sharing the love by passing on their Splendour knowledge, so youll be able to survive the weekend.

P.TV & SMIRNOFFS GUIDE TO SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2016

WEATHER

As mentioned, were still a few days out, so the report below is subject to change. Our advice is to pack for all eventualities, because the Festival Gods  as Splendour veterans will agree  do enjoy quite literally raining on your parade. However, its looking like YALL ARE IN LUCK.

(MOSTLY) SUNSHINE ALL DAY, ERRYDAY.

Photo: Weatherzone.

THE ESSENTIALS

Above all else, the two most important things youll need for SITG are YOUR ID + YOUR TICKET. Without these, youre fucked.

If youre 18+, theyll only accept the following forms of Identification:

CURRENT VALID AUSTRALIAN DRIVERS LICENSE (WITH PHOTO)

CURRENT PASSPORT

GOVERNMENT ISSUED PROOF OF AGE CARD

VICTORIAN KEYPASS

INTERNATIONAL DRIVERS LICENSE (MUST CONTAIN A PHOTOGRAPH)

If youre under 18 (you go, Glen Coco), head over HERE to see what ID you can use.

Youll also need a ton of the Festival Swiss Army Knife AKA the humble garbage bag.

Photo: Multix.

If need be, you can use em as a raincoat, makeshift gumboots or whatever else that brilliant brain of yours can think of.

Although a garbage bag or 20 will have you covered, its probably best to have a solid pair of gumboots / a waterproof poncho on your person.

Other essentials include:

Cash

Tissues

Moist face wipes

Surplus socks

Plenty of undies (accidents happen)

Lip balm

Moisturiser to remain moist / sexy

Dry shampoo

Hand sanitiser

Cheap sunnies (cause lets face it, youll lose your expeno ones)

Thongs (to avoid public shower goodies)

3 x rolls of toilet paper

Portable phone charger

TIMETABLE

Unless youve been #Blessed with photographic memory, youll be needing access to a timetable to see when / where your favourite acts are playing. The aforementioned portable phone charger will be your best mate in terms of giving you access to this bad boy:

The Splendour In The Grass app will give you access to set times right on your phone. Traditionally we wouldve said keep your mobiles at home, but lets face it, if you go to SITG and dont take a couple of Grams, did it even happen? This years version includes a nifty day planner thatll let you roughly map out your day/s, if scheduling isnt your forte.

You can download the app HERE.

Worst case scenario, take a screenshot of SITGs set times right here:

TRAFFIC

The Queensland Transport Info Line (131 940) will have updated traffic reports dedicated to the festival area for those of you whore driving, and will carry similar information on their web site (which you can suss HERE).

If you want your traffic info served with a side of bangers, then tune into triple j radio (89.5 FM) to hear listeners road trip reports.

Now that youve got the basics down, head on over to SITGs website HERE to further educate yoself.

HAVE FUN, YALL

Photo: James Ambrose / James Ambrose Photography.
PAUL RYAN RNC PHOTO.jpg

Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., gestures and makes a 'W' for Wisconsin, after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

CLEVELAND -- U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan wanted to talk about a bunch of stuff during his primetime address on Night Two of the Republican National Convention.

But Donald Trump wasn't high on that list.

In fact, the party's new presidential nominee got just two mentions from Ryan on Tuesday night.

But what Ryan R-Wisc.,really wanted to talk about was the House GOP's agenda.

He hammered home how important "a conservative governing majority" was to its chances and how Republicans needed the win the White House to ensure its success.

"There is a reason people in our country are disappointed and restless," he said. "If opportunity seems like it's been slipping away, that's because it has. And liberal progressive ideas have done exactly nothing to help. . . . It's the latest chapter of an old story: Progressives deliver everything except progress."

Ryan's embrace of Trump, with whom he has publicly differed even as he supports him, was reluctant at best.

"We Republicans have made a choice," Ryan said, seemingly trying to convince himself as much as the thousands of delegates crammed onto the floor of the Quicken Loans Arena here.

"In the plainest terms I know, it is all on the line. Let us act that way. Let us act that way," he said, making a plea for party unity on a night in which it was clear that he and other senior Congressional leaders pretty clearly didn't feel the same way.

Ryan, at least, was animated.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell looked like he was filming a hostage video while undergoing a root canal.

To be fair, the disdain was a two-way street: The Kentucky Republican was booed as he took the stage on Tuesday. But he managed to warm them up some with scathing criticism of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

"There is a clear choice before us, and it is not Hillary," McConnell said. "You know what the next four years will look like with Hillary. And you know that if Hillary is president, we will continue to slide, distracted by the scandals that follow the Clintons like flies."

The most McConnell could offer for Trump was that, unlike Clinton, at least he wouldn't veto or disregard the bills that Senate Republicans send to his desk.

For the week, Ryan and McConnell, who share the same party label, but often not the same priorities, were on the same rhetorical page.

But the party leaders' continued reticence in the face of the Trump juggernaut is a reminder of the challenges the billionaire could face in dealing with a Congress that acknowledges him as a Republican, but not a conservative fellow traveler.

"These guys never saw Trump coming," Phil English, a former Republican Congressman from Erie, Pa., said Wednesday. "He's not their flavor of Republican and they don't agree on many issues."

McConnell's and Ryan's speeches Tuesday "were good tactics," English said. "It's not putting them on a collision course [with Trump]."

With 18 members, 13 of whom are Republican, Pennsylvania's Republican Congressional delegation speaks with an outsized voice.

And the absence of at least two of them, U.S. Reps. Charlie Dent of Allentown and Ryan Costello of Chester County, is noticeable this week. Ditto for U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.

U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, a Republican from northeastern Pennsylvania and an early Trump supporter, said he thinks Ryan has a "much higher confidence level" in Trump than he did when he first announced his support in early June.

Trump's "willingness to work with Paul Ryan gives him a greater confidence level and that will be good," Barletta said. "He knows that if the House sends legislation to Ryan's desk, [Trump] will sign it. If Ryan takes our proposals to Hillary Clinton, it will go from her desk to the wastebasket."

U.S. Rep Keith Rothfus, whose Fourth District seat includes a swath of the Pittsburgh suburbs, agreed, adding "That's why we need to elect President Trump this fall."

But according to at least two veteran observers, Ryan and McConnell have their eyes on a greater set of concerns than whether Trump is ideologically simpatico to their respective agendas.

"Their most important goal right now is protecting the House and Senate," Kyle C. Kopko, a political science professor at Elizabethtown College in Lancaster County, said. "They're very aware that the [national] polls have it at an advantage for Clinton or are close."

For Ryan, who has one of the biggest GOP advantages in recent memory, that's less of a concern.

But for McConnell, it's an animating concern: a swing of just five seats in November could hand control of the Senate back to the Democrats. Among the seats on the line is Toomey's.

"That was very much their focus - the whole ticket," Terry Madonna, a political science professor and pollster at Franklin & Marshall College, said. "The last thing they want to do is lose the Senate."

And if that means that Ryan and McConnell have to give clearly reluctant support to Trump, then that's what's going to happen, Kopko added:

"The people may have spoken [at the convention], but Ryan and McConnell need to thinking about governing for more than just four years," he said.
John Kasich.jpg

WESTLAKE, OH -Poor John Kasich.

The Ohio governor has spent this convention week getting kicked around by the Trump campaign. Now he's found he's maybe unwelcome in the state of his birth.

Or at least some parts of its Republican National Convention delegation.

Kasich was supposed to be the keynote speaker at Thursday's Pennsylvania delegation breakfast. But he abruptly canceled, citing a "scheduling conflict."

Pennsylvania's GOP delegation went 70-1 for Donald Trump during Tuesday night's roll call vote that ended with the mogul nabbing the GOP presidential nomination. The lone hold-out was Doug Brubaker of Lancaster County, who voted for Cruz.

Marc Scaringi, a Trump diehard from Cumberland County, told The York Daily Record that Kasich would have gotten a frosty reception from Keystoners:

"I don't want him to come here. ...There's nothing that he has to say that any of us want to listen to. He's been against Donald Trump from the beginning," he told the newspaper.

Kasich, who finished third in Pennsylvania's April 26 nominating contest, hails from McKees Rocks in Allegheny County.

Several members of Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation pinch-hit for Kasich.

The scheduled speaker for Thursday's breakfast, the last of convention week, is the former "Cheers" actor John Ratzenberger.

Hey ... Norm ...
CLEVELAND - With 20 electoral votes at stake, Pennsylvania is still kind of big deal in presidential politics.

Despite that battelground status, however, the Keystone State was nearly at the end of line Tuesday during the state-by-state roll call that ended with Donald Trump officially being named the party's standard-bearer.

The reason: Math.

As the delegate count headed toward the 1,237 needed to hand Trump the nomination, Republicans in Michigan and Pennsylvania skipped their turn in line so that New York, Trump's home state, could cast the vote putting him over the top.

But that meant Pennsylvania and Michigan went to the back of the roll call. So state delegates cooled their heels as delegates from the back half of the alphabet cast their own votes.

Pa. Republican Chairman Rob Gleason (center) gets ready to cast his state's vote in favor of Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland (PennLive photo by John L. Micek, 7/19/16)

Then shortly after 7:30 p.m. or so, Pennsylvania, led by state GOP Chairman Rob Gleason of Cambria County, made its move, casting 70 votes for Trump and just one for Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.

Trump carried all 67 counties during the state's April 26 primary, guaranteeing that just about all 71 delegates would move to support the New York real estate mogul.

Gordon Delinger, a GOP delegate from Lancaster County, was among those who supported Trump. A movement conservative, Denlinger said he'd been reassured by Trump's decision to name Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running-mate.

"I see a ticket uniting movement conservatives and populist Republicans," he said. "Those two factions together ... are good for the fall."

Marc Scaringi, a Trump supporter from Harrisburg, said he believes Republicans will leave the convention unified to support Trump.

"He will lead the Republican Party to victory in the fall," Scaringi said.

Trump sailed over the 1,237 threshold, receiving 1,725 votes. Cruz trailed with 475. Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who's skipping the RNC, received 120 votes, House Speaker Paul Ryan, the convention chairman, said.

Watch the video.
Court reverses ruling, allows FishPass to move ahead in Traverse City

A press release on Thursday announced that the Court of Appeals reversed the 2021 ruling that stalled the FishPass project in Traverse City.
Mexico approves Round 2 auction for 15 offshore oil areas in 2017



Mexico's third auction for onshore mature fields was hailed as a resounding success as all 25 blocks were awarded to mostly Mexican oil and gas companies.

MEXICO CITY

Petroleumworld.com 07 20 2016

Mexico's oil regulator on Tuesday approved contracts and auction terms for 15 shallow water areas in the southern Gulf of Mexico, to be bid out early next year as part of a series of tenders following a sweeping energy overhaul.

The first phase of the so-called Round Two tender will feature 30-year production sharing contracts, the regulator known as CNH said. Winners will be announced on March 22, 2017.

The auction hopes to draw investment of about $750 million per block, or about $11.25 billion in total over the life of the contracts, said CNH president Juan Carlos Zepeda.

Ranging from 375 square miles (972 sq km) to 180 square miles (466 sq km) in size and containing mostly light oil, the blocks lie along the coast of Veracruz, Tabasco and Campeche states, location of most local production. They include nearly 650 million barrels of crude oil equivalent in proven reserves.

Hoping to reverse slumping oil output, Mexico ended the decades-long monopoly of national oil company Pemex in 2013, paving the way for private producers to operate on their own. But a sharp fall in crude prices has made that harder.

To pre-qualify for the auction, firms or consortia must be able to document technical capability from at least three exploration and production projects between 2011-2015, or total investments of at least $1 billion on such developments.

Eligible bidders must also have experience either as an operator or financial partner in either shallow or deep waters.

To bid alone or in consortium, the companies participating must meet minimum capital requirements of $1 billion. Or, the bidders can document assets worth at least $10 billion.

Contracts will be awarded based on which bidders offer the largest government take, using a formula that includes the share of pre-tax profits companies offer the state plus an additional investment commitment.

Local content procurement requirements range from 15 percent to 35 percent of goods and services over the contract lifespan.

The 2017 auction will follow three auctions that began last year covering both shallow water and onshore blocks. The first highly-anticipated deep water auction is scheduled to take place in December.

The three Round One auctions have met with mixed success, with several shallow water fields receiving no bids, while all onshore blocks offered late last year attracted winning bids. ($1 = 18.5716 Mexican pesos)






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Taipei, July 20 (CNA) Police may have thought they had recovered all of the money in a recent ATM heist after discovering a bag containing a large amount of money in Neihu on Wednesday, but the sum in the bag came up about NT$10 million (US$312,200) short of the intended target.
Come and enjoy Read more [...]
Four days of cargo craft mania came to a close at the International Space Station this morning, as astronauts Kate Rubins and Jeff Williams snagged an approaching SpaceX Dragon vehicle and berthed it to the laboratory's Harmony module.

On Saturday, a Progress supply vehicle blasted off from Baikonur, followed by an early Monday morning launch of SpaceX's Dragon from Cape Canaveral in Florida. For just the second time, SpaceX flew the spent first stage of its Falcon 9 carrier rocket back to Florida for an upright landing. The company has also managed to recover three spent rockets using their autonomous drone ship.

For what may have been the first time everaccording to NASA TV commentator Rob Naviastwo cargo spacecraft were briefly en route to the ISS at the same time. Progress arrived first and docked early Tuesday morning, with Dragon completing its journey Wednesday.

Here's a multimedia roundup of two launches, a landing, a docking, and a berthing.

Progress launch, Saturday, July 16
What To Expect in August and September for the PokerNews Cup

July 20, 2016 Matthew Pitt Editor

August and September are not only summer months for many parts of the world, they are also the months where the poker action is going to be hotter than the weather thanks to not one, but two, PokerNews Cups taking place.

The first of these awesome events takes place between August 11-15 at the Kings Casino in Rozvadov, Czech Republic.

Kings Casino is a superb venue for a poker tournament due to it being the home to the biggest poker room in Europe. Located a 90-minute drive from picturesque Prague, and only five minutes from the German border, reaching Rozvadov is a simple task. Once there, you are greeted with an venue that is open 24-hours a day, has free parking for those preferring to drive, and a world class all-you-can-eat buffet, plus an a la carte restaurant.

A total of 11 events are on the schedule with combined guaranteed prize pools of some 260,000.

200,000 of those chunky guarantees is set aside for the 250 buy-in PokerNews Cup Main Event where players sit down with a generous stack of 30,000 chips, and play to 30-minute levels over four starting flights.

The clock increases to 45-minutes on Day 2 (August 14), then to 60-minutes for the final day (August 15), giving players more room to maneuver when it matters the most.

Although the 250 buy-in is at the more affordable end of the spectrum for a tournament, it is possible to win your way to the PokerNews Cup in Rozvadov via online and live satellites.

Online satellites take place at TonyBet Poker where you can secure a package worth 600 that awards your tournament buy-in, six nights accommodation at the Kings Casino, and 110 towards your expenses.

Those of you preferring live poker can head to the Kings Casino between August 11-13 where there are four 40 buy-in satellites that award at least five seats each to the PokerNews Cup Main Event.

PokerNews Cup Goes Stateside in September

After the continued success of the PokerNews Cup in Europe, we are packing up and boarding a flight to the United States in September where the PokerNews Cup makes its North American debut.

The two-day event begins on September 20, 2016, as part of the 14th annual Borgata Poker Open series at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, another iconic venue. Online satellites will be available for customers in New Jersey, and you can get a head start on qualifying at BorgataPoker.com

Stay tuned to PokerNews in the coming weeks for more details on how you can win your way to the PokerNews Cup at Borgata, including a wealth of online satellites at BorgataPoker.com.

Exciting times are ahead!

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Gavin Eugene Long, who police have identified as the shooter who killed three police officers in Baton Rouge on Sunday (July 17), changed his name in May 2015 and declared himself a part of the Washitaw Nation. Members of the affiliated sovereign group consider themselves independent from the United States and dismiss government authority.

Court documents in Kansas City show Long, who changed his name to Cosmo Ausar Setepenra, claimed his nationality as United Washitaw de Dugdahmoundyah Mu'ur. The Washitaw, sometimes spelled Washitah, believe their ancestors were original inhabitants of the New World, who they say were black Africans.

They trace their lineage back to the ancient Mississippian culture that lived along the river and Gulf Coast. The Washitaw Nation says their claims to the Louisiana Purchase were not recognized when Napoleon sold the large swath of North America to the United States in 1803. The federal government does not recognize their existence, and court rulings have followed suit, NOLA.com reports.

The Washitaw also identify as Mu'urs, which they say is the accurate spelling of Moors, the civilization that developed after the Arab conquest of North Africa. Their movement organized in the mid-1990s in north Louisiana. Their leader, Verdiacee Turner Goston, espoused an Afro-centric take on anthropology and history, said Mark Pitcavage, a researcher with the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism, which tracks the sovereign citizen movement.

Goston, who died two years ago, considered herself the hereditary leader of the Washitaw de Dugdahmoundya, the people responsible for massive earthen mounds across the Gulf South ("Dey Dug Da Mound, Yeah"). Her account of Washitaw history at some point meshed with the teachings of the much older Moorish Science Temple of America, a black nationalist religious movement from the 1920s.

The Washitaw are not the Ouachita tribe of native Americans.

According to a report from the Kansas City Star, Long was involved with the Nation of Islam before joining Washitaw Nation.
Even though a judge acquitted a third Baltimore officer of charges stemming from the in-custody death of Freddie Gray Monday, prosecutors seem to be willing to try the remaining three cases amid mounting pressure to call it quits.

Rice's acquittal is the fourth consecutive blow to the state's case, but the next officer remains scheduled to stand trial next week. Prosecutors have given no indication that they plan to change course.

At a news conference, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 3 President Gene Ryan called for the remaining cases to be dismissed, calling it "malicious prosecution against the remaining three officers."

Even Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, chimed in.

"My personal thinking is they should not go further" with the rest of the trials, he said after Rice's acquittal. "It's a waste of time and money. But that's up to the court system to decide."

Gray died April 19, 2015, a week after he suffered a critical spinal injury in the back of a police wagon, ABC News reports.
Officer Michael Flamion (Photo: Facebook)

A suburban St. Louis police officer shot in the neck during a traffic stop is paralyzed from the neck down due to what the Ballwin, MO, police chief calls "catastrophic damage to his spinal cord."

Officer Michael Flamion was shot from behind on July 8 after stopping a man for speeding in Ballwin, a well-to-do St. Louis County town of about 30,000 residents. Antonio Taylor of St. Louis was arrested later that day and is jailed on $500,000 bond on several charges, including first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, reports CBS News.

The shooting occurred one day after five police officers were killed in Dallas, but Missouri officials have not discussed a possible motive for Flamion's shooting. Ballwin Police Chief Kevin Scott declined to discuss the investigation during Monday's news conference.

In the press conference, Chief Scott said that Officer Flamion is responsive, alert, recognizes all family, friends and coworkers and nods "yes and no" responses, CBS affiliate KMOV reported.

The officer will require extensive long-term care.

A GoFundMe page was created for the officer's family with the goal of raising $250,000 to help with intensive care.

Related:

Video: Missouri Officer Shot in Neck on Traffic Stop; Suspect Apprehended
Officer Kris Moules (Photo: WNEP screenshot)

Corrections officer Kris Moules, 25, was killed in a fight with an inmate Monday night at the Luzerne County Prison in Wilkes-Barre, PA, when the two men fell down an elevator shaft.

Both the officer and the inmate are dead and county officials are pledging to make sure nothing like this ever happens again, reports WNEP.

Luzerne County manager David Pedri said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon that the incident occurred Monday shortly before 6 p.m. after a fight broke out on the fifth floor. He said they crashed into the elevator doors, and the doors somehow opened.

The two men then fell five flights to their deaths.

"It's a sad and tragic matter, a freak accident, that we will learn from, and a matter that will help us get better," said Pedri.

The elevator door is blocked off with wood, and police are investigating why those elevators doors suddenly opened.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Monday an effort to strengthen penalties for crimes committed against law enforcement officers. It's called the Police Protection Act.

"At a time when law enforcement officers increasingly come under assault simply because of the job they hold, Texas must send a resolute message that the State will stand by the men and women who serve and protect our communities," said Abbott.

The proposal is punctuated by making it a hate crime for anyone to commit a crime against a law enforcement officer out of bias against the police. The governor will request that the Texas legislature pass the Police Protection Act in the 2017 legislative session, reports KIII.

Governor Abbott's Police Protection Act includes the following proposals:

Extend hate crime protections to law enforcement officers

Increase criminal penalties for any crime in which the victim is a law enforcement officer, whether or not the crime qualifies as a hate crime

Create a culture of respect for law enforcement by organizing a campaign to educate young Texans on the value law enforcement officers bring to their communities

"The recent shooting in Dallas is not the first time law enforcement officers in Texas have been targeted. Our goal is to do everything possible to make it the last," added Abbott.
Corrections Officer Mari Johnson (Photo: Texas Department of Criminal Justice)

An inmate who worked in the kitchen area of the French Robertson Unit 10 miles northeast of Abilene, TX, killed correctional officer Mari Johnson, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in a statement Monday.

Inmate Dillion Gage Compton, 21, attacked Johnson when she entered a storage area, according to the department. Johnson, 55, was found unresponsive early Saturday and later pronounced dead. She began working for the department in 2009, reports the Texas Tribune.

Compton is serving a 25-year prison sentence related to a 2011 conviction in Dallas County of aggravated sexual assault of a child under the age of 14, according to the agency.

Following the attack on Johnson, Compton was transferred from the Robertson Unit, a maximum security, all-male facility, to "an undisclosed maximum-security TDCJ unit," according to the agency.

Investigators with the department's inspector general's office are investigating Officer Johnson's death as a homicide.
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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had the nerve to brag about obstructing President Obamas Supreme Court nominee during his speech at the Republican convention.

Video:

McConnell said:



We put Obamacare repeal on the Presidents desk. He vetoed it. Donald Trump would sign it.

We passed a bill to finally build the Keystone pipeline. Obama vetoed it. Donald Trump would sign it.

We passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood. Obama vetoed it. Donald Trump would sign it.

And on that sad day when we lost Justice Scalia, I made another pledge that Obama would not fill his seat.

That honor will go to Donald Trump next year.



McConnell was making the argument that his failed tenure as Senate Majority Leader has all been President Obamas fault. McConnell also finally admitted that the reason why he is obstructing President Obamas Supreme Court nominee is that he wants Donald Trump to fill the seat.

Mitch McConnell will likely no longer be the Senate Majority Leader in 2017 and his bragging about ignoring the Constitution and not doing his job will be one of the main reasons why.

Sen. McConnell is the least popular Senator in the country because he has not done his job. McConnell is proud of the reason why the voters hate him, and he has given voters every reason in the world to hand control of the Senate back to the Democrats.
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With all the drama on Monday afternoon, followed by a night of speeches by a distraught moth, a crazed Chachi and a more crazed Guliani, radical (and dangerous) changes in the Republican Platform got little attention.

One noticeable change is found in the Republican Partys radical departure from its anti-Russia position. Suddenly, Republicans are cool with Vladimir Putins war of aggression against the Ukraine. While a radical change, its not surprising when you consider Donald Trumps public declarations of admiration the Russian dictator.

Trump wanted this very badly because, as Josh Rogin points out, his employees worked hard to prevent the Republican Party from calling to give Ukraine weapons to defend itself.

The story began when Diana Denman, a Cruz supporter, proposed a platform amendment calling to maintain or increase sanctions against Russia, increase aid for Ukraine and providing lethal defensive weapons for the Ukraine military. After attempting to water the amendment down, Trump staffers wrote an amendment to the amendment to replace the call for lethal defensive weapons with appropriate support. That amendment passed.

When you combine this with Trumps public affection for the dictator who praised him, it isnt a stretch to conclude that Trump places a higher premium on making nice with said dictator than on inconsequential things like having our allies backs and national security. Of course, the wall will fix everything, right?

Trumps campaign has relied on hate and division. The rare moments that he has shown an interest in policy, he has produced nonsense like his wall, his ban on Muslims and his promise to deport 11 million undocumented immigrants. These are so unrealistic they wouldnt fool the cartoon pony that Melania Trump allegedly plagiarized.

So why would Trump be interested in this policy?

As Jonathan Chait wrote,

At the very least, it suggests that the candidates extensive, fulsome praise for the Russian dictator is more than a passing fancy. Reporters who investigate these ties are being very careful about their conclusions, but this looks really bad.

The ties that Chait refers to extend beyond a few public statements of mutual admiration.

Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has ties to both Vladimir Putin and former President (who is pro-Russian) Viktor Yanukovych. Manafort worked for Yanukovych for years. Reportedly, Manaforts friends describe their relationship as a political love connection.

Following Yanukovychs refusal to sign a trade deal with the European Union, he was driven from power and he fled to Russia.

Per Politico:

Manafort was paid handsomely to clean up Yanukovychs negative image, much as he is currently trying to do with Trump. But as is often the case with Western PR men hired to put lipstick on a pig, the pig is still a pig.

Also worth recalling is the fact that Trump delivered his first foreign policy speech at the Center for the National Interest which also has ties to Vladimir Putin. By coincidence Putins ambassador to the United States was seated in the front row.

In isolation, these facts are inconsequential. But when combined with Trumps uncharacteristic interest in reversing his partys Russia-Ukraine policy, his actions look like a signal to Vladimir Putin that Trump has his back. The question is what does this have to do with making America safe again or putting America first?
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Hillary Derangement Syndrome much? We have seen a major party political convention turn into a lynch mob. It didnt take much, given the years of disinformation and invented scandals served up by Fox News. It is little wonder that the theme of the 2016 Republican convention seems to be Hillary for Prison 2016.

As the Chicago Tribunes Rex Huppke observed, Hillary for prison an unprecedented convention cry.

It was a world of the bizarre into which we were all invited. It was not entirely a surprise to see Bridgegate Chris Christie hold a mock trial of Hillary Clinton to cries of lock her up, but we even had Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, one of Trumps policy adviser and a guy who was on the reality stars VP shortlist, chanted along with the crowd, Lock her up! Lock her up!

See for yourself, from Politico:

The crowd chants "lock her up" as Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn criticizes @HillaryClinton in his speech at the #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/PLaBVgysxA  POLITICO (@politico) July 19, 2016

This is not the mature behavior we expect from a general, leading a rabble, sinking to their level. Where is the dignitas? For a Roman, dignitas meant deserving of respect, and Flynn just flushed his down the sewer. Probably, Julius Caesar did better when leading his boys against Pompey.

But Flynn isnt much of a Republican man. Apparently, he is as afraid of Hillary Clinton as he is of Muslims. Maybe Lindsey Graham can find some room for him under his bed to hide until this is all over.

The real sin here is not appealing to a mob, however. Think about what is being said here:

Never watched a convention premised on throwing the other candidate in prison before outside of former Soviet Union.  Michael Weiss (@michaeldweiss) July 19, 2016

We get that Donald Trump loves former KGB guy Vladimir Putin, but come on. This isnt America thats being chanted for in Cleveland. Not the America any of us know or grew up in.

If theyre not generating it, fear is driving them. This is derangement taken to new levels.

Lets be honest: you shouldnt expect much mental acuity from a place that sells anti-Hillary pins saying KFC Hillary Special: 2 fat thighs 2 small breastsleft wing, and Lifes a bitch/Dont vote for one.

So signs like Trump vs. Tramp are hardly a surprise. Never mind that Trump is the one who acts like a Tramp. Fruits of rational thought these are not.

We were fairly warned by Republican Michael Folks and his Hillary Clinton, you should be tried for treason, murder, and crimes against the US Constitution then hung on the Mall in Washington, DC. It wasnt as if the convention crowd, the lowest common denominator in all the land, wasnt going to take its cue from that.

Even the mainstream media, always more than willing to cut Donald Trump some slack, was offended by the display. As MSNBCs Steve Schmidt said, We dont lock up our political opponents. The rule of law matters.

Schmidt rightly called Chris Christies mock trial of Hillary Clinton a little banana republican and said, The rule of law matters, and it matters to Republicans, and Republicans emphasize the importance of the rule of law.

When confronted, Christie said it was just some harmless fun, you know, publicly trying your political opponents in absentia and calling for their imprisonment.

Well, they always said they respected the rule of law, but they also said Donald Trump isnt a racist. And they just nominated him for president.

During Obamas presidency, we have gone from the Republican idea that liberalism is an illegitimate political ideology to the banana republican idea that political opponents should not be merely denigrated, but arrested.

Unprecedented? Hell yes. That isnt how American democracy works.

But then, we are talking about Donald Trump here, and oligarchy. And political strongmen do arrest their opponents. Trump doesnt just love Putin. He wants to be Putin.

Ben Carson compared Hillary to Lucifer. That was just absurd. But as Mother Jones David Corn tweeted, This is actually dangerous. #RNCinCle delegates chanting, Lock her up.

It is dangerous. And it is un-American. As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words, and the Republican mob just spoke very loudly indeed.
Remind you of anybody? At her first PMQs, Theresa May goes full Thatcher

Watch Theresa May's first PMQs:

By Michael DeaconParliamentary Sketchwriter20 July 2016The TelegraphI certainly dont think anybody can be the new Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May told the Telegraph, days before she became Prime Minister. She was absolutely unique.I believed Mrs May when she said that. But now Im not so sure. Because today, at her first PMQs as PM, she wasnt merely channelling Mrs Thatcher. She was practically doing a Spitting Image impression of her.For Labour, Jeremy Corbyn asked her about unscrupulous bosses. Look how she responded.I suspect that there are many members on the Opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss, shot back Mrs May witheringly. A boss who doesnt listen to his workers. A boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload. Maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career.Before delivering the pay-off, she leant over the dispatch box, glared coldly at her prey, and whacked up the volume.Remind him of anybody?Well, I bet I know who that punchline reminded him of.Look, I know its cheap to liken Mrs May to Mrs Thatcher. Id never thought they had much in common, beyond being Tories and women.But the way Mrs May delivered that last line: the icy imperiousness, the deepening of the voice, the thudding sarcasm It was uncanny. More than uncanny, it was chilling. I felt as if Id seen a ghost. Or at least heard one.Naturally enough, Tory MPs were in ecstasy. They were wailing, gasping, groaning for more. Their excitement was downright unseemly. They were watching the Labour leader receive a spanking. And, by the sound of things, feeling quite envious.Next to be Thatchered was Tim Farron. At the general election of 1992, noted the Lib Dem leader pleasantly, he and Mrs May had stood as rival candidates for the same seat.Im very happy to remember the days that he and I spent campaigning in North West Durham, she replied. Little did voters know that the two unsuccessful candidates in that election would become leaders of political parties. Although as I would point out to the honourable gentlemanMay voice off; Thatcher voice on....My partys a little bit bigger than his!Tory MPs moaned with joy.Bear in mind: Mrs May didnt use to be like this. In all her long years as Home Secretary, the only joke I remember her cracking at the dispatch box was a limp pun on the surname of Mark Reckless. She is not generally listed among the leading improvisational comics of her generation.In other words: that Remind him of anybody? gag will have been not only scripted, but rehearsed. The way she leant over the dispatch box to deliver the punchline  shell have practised that. The way she deepened her voice for it  shell have practised that, too. And I refuse to believe she didnt have a particular forebear in mind.Absolutely unique? Maybe not any more.
What does the new generation of small business CEOs look like? Here is my response to a great question from a local Chamber of Commerce staffer in the West Coast where I was doing a SCORE seminar recently.

Small business in the United States has evolved tremendously during the last decade. Baby boomers are retiring and a new generation of entrepreneurs is replacing them. Women, minorities and veterans own more small companies than ever before.

From my perspective, I observe that greater workforce diversity presents new challenges in management, performance expectations and work-life balance for the small business CEO.

From a nationwide view, more than half of Americans either own or work for a small company. Each year, small businesses create about two out of every three new jobs I am seeing that small firms:

 Contribute to local economies through growth and innovation.

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 Provide employment opportunities and thus help stimulate economic growth.

 Attract talent that develops new products or solutions.

 Often support larger businesses through outsourcing services.

Businesses of all sizes are adapting to a workforce that's mobile, connected and data-driven. Today's employers face a slew of challenges to meet employees' demands and keep pace with marketplaces undergoing high-speed evolution. Small companies provide the greatest opportunities for, and are most affected by the dramatic shifts occurring in the U.S. economy.

There are several contributing factors, including: generational changes, entry of more women and minorities, veterans becoming entrepreneurs and what they mean for the future of business.

The Paychex company did an excellent report in May as a part of its contribution to Small Business Week called "The Changing Face of Business." Here are a few points that illustrate my observations about the future of small business by the numbers.

Generational changes: Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) are retiring and selling their businesses to a new generation:

 The number of small businesses listed for sale is at a six-year high.

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 Boomers sold 65 percent of small companies listed in the first quarter of 2014.

 67 percent of boomer business owners expect to retire within the next 10 years.

 66 percent of current small-business owners believe millennials (born early 1980s to 2000) will lead small-business entrepreneurship into the future.

Millennials are shaking up conventional ways of doing business:

 70 percent say they'd reject traditional business to work independently.

 One in five say they want to quit their current jobs to start their own project.

 47 percent of millennial-owned businesses exceeded revenue goals last year, compared with 21 percent of boomer-led enterprises.

 This new generation certainly will put its stamp on American commerce as its members further establish themselves.

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Women-owned businesses on the rise. In the world of work, women are increasingly taking charge in small companies:

 Women own 30 percent of small businesses in the United States.

 The number of small businesses owned by women has increased 50 percent faster than the overall number of small firms.

 During the last three years, the daily average number of companies started by women has doubled.

 The female touch may influence the country's future economic direction in unexpected ways.

More minority-owned businesses. Diversity is the watchword in many small firms:

 The number of Latino-owned companies increased from 11 percent in 2001 to 23 percent in 2011.

 Of boomer-sold businesses, 19 percent of interested buyers between ages 18-29 were of Asian-Pacific Island descent. In that same age group, 15 percent were Hispanic and 12 percent African-American.

 Diversity in business and other sectors of American society will increase as America trends toward what the U.S. Census Bureau calls a "plurality nation."

Veterans flexing their business muscle. Entering the business world with varied experiences in the military, veterans increasingly seek to start and run businesses of their own:

 In fiscal year 2015, loans to veterans rose 101 percent in total dollar amount and 45 percent in the number of loans from the previous year.

 As of late 2013, veterans owned more than 2.4 million businesses, about 9 percent of all U.S. companies. They employed 5.8 million people and paid $210 billion in annual payroll.

 Slightly more than 75 percent of veteran business-owners are age 55 or older, possibly reflecting a change of career after lengthy military tenures.
Hundreds split on mining leases

ELY  Hundreds of people packed a high school gym in Ely over the contentious issue of copper nickel mining in northeast Minnesota.

Wednesday is the last day for the public to comment on whether two mining leases near the Boundary Waters should be renewed. Twin Metals Minnesota is considering whether to build a nearly $3 billion copper nickel mine at the doorstep of the pristine recreational wilderness area. The public is divided on whether a mine would impact the area positively or negatively.

The U.S. Forest Service will decide whether to renew two federal mineral leases near Ely. Twin Metals says those leases are the foundation of its project, should it decide to go ahead.

The meeting Tuesday night, which drew an estimated 900 people, followed a similar listening session in Duluth last week.  Associated Press

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Wisconsin may buy site once slated for nuclear plant

MINNEAPOLIS  The state of Wisconsin may purchase nearly 1,000 acres of land along the Lower Chippewa River in northwestern Wisconsin from Xcel Energy which once had plans to build a nuclear plant on the site.

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board will be asked to approve the purchase of the property in Dunn County from the Minneapolis-based utility for about $2 million. The land southwest of Eau Claire includes part of the Chippewa River trail and 18,000 feet of river shoreline.

Xcel once had plans to build a $1.3 billion nuclear power plant at the site  then later a coal-fired plant. But those plans were scrapped 10 years ago and the company recently decided to sell the land as it evaluated its assets.  Associated Press

21 arrests at march over police shooting

MINNEAPOLIS  Hundreds of educators and community activists marched in downtown Minneapolis to protest the shooting death of a black man by a police officer earlier this month.

Members of the Minneapolis and St. Paul Federation of Teachers were joined by union members attending the American Federation of Teachers convention at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Tuesday. The Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/2a7lbMw ) reports demonstrators then marched to U.S. Bank headquarters to protest bank policies they say hurt education and minorities.

Police arrested 21 people on public nuisance charges after they sat in a street with their arms linked and refused to move to the sidewalk.

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The marchers cited 32-year-old Philando Castile and others killed in encounters with police.

Castile was shot when a suburban St. Paul police officer pulled him over July 6. Castile's girlfriend began livestreaming on Facebook shortly after the shooting.  Associated Press

Prince bought house featured in 'Purple Rain'

MINNEAPOLIS  A real estate agent says Prince last year bought a Minneapolis "fixer-upper" featured in his 1984 hit movie "Purple Rain," though the megastar never lived in the home.

Deborah Larsen of Coldwell Banker Burnet in Minneapolis said Tuesday that Prince's company, NPG Music Publishing, bought the 1913 house for $117,000. The asking price was $110,000.

The house was used for exterior shots in "Purple Rain," which starred Prince as an aspiring musician known as "The Kid."

Larsen says a woman in California called last July wanting to pay cash for the house. It had been on the market for about a week. Larsen doesn't know why Prince wanted the house. She says it needed "a lot of repairs."

Prince died in April. Records show he owned a dozen Minnesota properties.  Associated Press

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Arrest made in homicide case

BROOKLYN CENTER  Police in Brooklyn Center say they've made an arrest in a fatal shooting.

Authorities say a man was found unconscious and suffering from a gunshot wound in his vehicle at an intersection in Brooklyn Center Tuesday afternoon. Officers tried to revive the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A suspect was arrested within a few hours of the shooting. Police believe the man acted alone. A weapon has not been recovered.  Associated Press

Boy, 14, on bike dies after crash with truck

THIEF RIVER FALLS  A teenage boy riding a bicycle has died after colliding with a truck in northwestern Minnesota.

Police say 14-year-old Gannon Hejlik of Thief River Falls was riding his bike in a crosswalk when the crash happened just before 6 p.m. Monday.

The boy was flown to a hospital in Fargo, North Dakota, where he died early Tuesday.

No charges have been filed against the 52-year-old driver of the truck.

The crash remains under investigation.  Associated Press

Father who lost son to suicide sues school

DULUTH  The father of a Duluth middle school student who took his own life is suing the school district, claiming it failed to protect his son from bullying.

Thirteen-year-old Tristan Seehus killed himself in February 2015. His father, Todd Seehus, says other students called his son a "freak" and shoved him into lockers at Lincoln Park Middle School because they mistakenly thought he was gay. It says the Duluth School District's failure to address the bullying amounted to discrimination. The complaint says the district ignored and diminished the abuse.

Seehus is seeking damages and an order for the school district to improve its response to similar situations.

The district said Tuesday its schools work to create an environment "where all students are treated with respect."  Associated Press
ST. PAUL  The mother of a woman critically injured in a Minnesota highway crash that killed her husband, baby and unborn child says her daughter may not survive her injuries.

Suzanne Mohn Brantly says her 26-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Calderara, is breathing only through a ventilator at Regions Hospital in St. Paul and that the family is ready to let her go.

Calderara suffered severe head and neck injuries in a Dakota County crash Monday that killed her 31-year-old husband, Jason Calderara, their 1-year-old daughter, Melody, and their unborn baby. Brantly says her daughter was 35 weeks pregnant. Nine-year-old Nicholas Calderara survived the collision between the family's SUV and a semitrailer and is hospitalized in St. Paul.

Authorities say injuries to the truck driver weren't life threatening.

The patrol said Jason Calderara was driving north on Minnesota State Highway 56 and passed a vehicle, then cut back into the northbound lane. James B. Sathre, 71, of Faribault, was driving a semitrailer south on the highway behind a mini van. The driver of the mini van moved to the right shoulder and slammed on the brakes to avoid Calderara's SUV. Sathre hit the brakes, jackknifed, went into the northbound lane and hit the SUV in the front driver's side.

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The crash was reported at 11:24 a.m.
MINNEAPOLIS  Minnesota regulators on Tuesday unveiled the latest refinements to their proposal for revising the state's water quality standards for protecting wild rice from sulfate pollution.

The draft document released Tuesday by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency builds on more than 600 comments submitted last fall about the agency's original proposal.

The state's existing standard limits sulfate discharges into wild rice waters to a flat 10 parts per million. The 1970s-era rule went largely unenforced until recently when the debate heated up over proposed copper-nickel mining and pollution from existing iron mines. Mining interests and their legislative allies then complained that the standard was too restrictive. So the MPCA is developing a new approach, using a complicated formula for setting limits for individual waters.

That approach is based on the interplay among sulfates, sulfides, iron and organic carbon in sediments where wild rice grows. Research shows that sulfates in the water aren't directly toxic to wild rice, but they become toxic when bacteria convert them to sulfides in the sediments where the plants take root. Carbon in sediment provides food for the bacteria and boosts sulfide production.

The MPCA is taking feedback through Sept. 6, and citizens can formally comment on the updated proposal during the rulemaking process next year.

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"This isn't a decision yet. It's the next step in the process," said Shannon Lotthammer, director of the MPCA's unit that develops water quality standards.

The revisions announced Tuesday fall into four main areas, Lotthammer told reporters. They lower the original proposed limit for sulfide concentrations in sediment. MPCA scientists also refined their equation for determining how this happens. The agency also added more specifics about how data will be collected from individual waters. The fourth area affects how wild rice waters are defined.

Lotthammer acknowledged that the changes are "very technical," but said that the MPCA wanted to be transparent and "show our work" to people who are interested in wild rice. That includes American Indian tribes that consider wild rice to be a sacred food source and an integral part of their culture.

The revisions drew criticism from John Pastor, an expert on wild rice biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He said his research undercuts the MPCA's theory that higher concentrations of iron in water protect wild rice because they reduce sulfides. He said he's found that much of the iron sulfide that precipitates out of the water forms plaques on the roots of wild rice plants that hamper their ability to produce seeds.

Pastor said the MPCA's data on the relationships among sulfides, iron and organic matter don't completely match what his researchers are seeing in their experiments. So he said it's premature for the MPCA to conclude that its model for the role of iron is correct. Established science shows that the existing 10 parts-per-million sulfate standard protects wild rice, he said, so the safest course is to stick with that.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency must approve any change to the standard. Paula Maccabee, an attorney for the environmental group WaterLegacy, said she hopes the EPA's review will focus on science, not political pressures. And she said the MPCA needs to take a closer look at Pastor's research.

Lotthammer said her agency is aware of Pastor's work. But she said the MPCA is confident its approach is grounded in sound science.
PINE ISLAND  In addition to selecting a president on Nov. 8, Pine Island voters will decide whether the city should spend $2.4 million on a new swimming pool.

On Tuesday, the Pine Island City Council approved placing a referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot, seeking the issuance of general obligation bonds to fund a new pool.

Pine Island has an operating public pool. It was constructed about 60 years ago, according to Pine Island Mayor Rod Steele. The pool's age, and comments from citizens favoring a new pool, were key factors in approving the referendum.

The existing pool is also not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits discrimination of people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including public facilities. The existing Pine Island pool does not have the equipment to allow those with disabilities to fully participate in swimming.

The construction of a new pool would be funded through municipal bonds that involve a property tax increase for those within the city. The amount to fund the construction of the new pool will not exceed $2,400,000.

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If the referendum does not pass, Steele said the city will look for ways to rehabilitate the existing pool to make it ADA compliant and more appealing to Pine Island citizens.

"We will leave it up to the voters," Steele said.
Savannah Schafer, Nehawka and Shaila Bennett, Beemer, represented Nebraska at the 2016 National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest, held in conjunction with the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), July 3-9 in Grand Island. The top five winners also received a monetary award from the Ham James Memorial Fund. Fifty-one youth from across the country competed for top honors in the 50th annual event.

Schafer placed in the top 15 at the National Junior Angus Showmanship Contest held in conjunction with the NJAS.

Competing in the National Junior Angus Associations (NJAA) showmanship contest at junior nationals is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent ones state and join a prestigious group of national showmen. This year marked the 50th anniversary of the showmanship contest, and Courtney Younge of Iowa claimed top showman.
PLATTSMOUTH  A local group from the Church of the Holy Spirit in Plattsmouth left Sunday for Krakow, Poland, to attend the World Youth Day (WYD) event from July 26-31. The Plattsmouth group includes Debi Baumert, Sam Baumert, Cathy Kassube, Josie Kassube, Joel Little, Cathy Thayer, Maggie Thayer and Mark Thayer.

WYD is a worldwide encounter with the Pope which is typically celebrated every three years in a different country. The most recent WYD was celebrated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 23- 28, 2013.

World Youth Day is a unique way to deepen your faith and grow closer to Christ, by means of prayer and the sacraments, together with thousands of other young people who share the same interests and ambitions, said The Rev. Fr. Loras Grell, Pastor of Church of the Holy Spirit. Grell is also a part of the Plattsmouth group attending the event.

Prior to the six days of WYD proper, the pilgrimage from Plattsmouth, along with other members from the Lincoln Catholic Diocese, will visit Warsaw, Auschwitz, and Wadowice, the hometown of Pope St. John Paul II. The Diocese pilgrimage will spend its first five days staying with local host families. The pilgrimage encounter includes a complete cultural agenda in addition to the events with Pope Francis. Highlights include culturally-based welcoming and closing ceremonies, a walking pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Shrine and the Pope St. John Paul II Have No Fear Shrine and Pope Francis Via Crucis (The Way of the Cross). After WYD officially closes, and before heading home, the group will tour Prague.

Each of the pilgrimages are assigned a guide during the encounter. Guides are essential to the encounters mission  serving as faithful Catholic leaders who provide spiritual and logistical care to help youth be open to the many graces during the encounter with Christ.

WYD is open to all young people who want to take part in a festive encounter with their contemporaries centered on Jesus Christ. The event is an opportunity to experience in first person the universality of the Church; to share with the whole world the hope of many young people who want to commit themselves to Christ and others. For a complete WYD agenda, visit eww.lincolndiocese.org/pilgrimages/worldyouth-day.
Democrats are mourning the loss of a Rochester woman who worked tirelessly behind the scenes for decades to get the party's candidates elected to office.

Mary Moen died unexpectedly on July 6 at Mayo Clinic Hospital  Saint Marys Campus. She was 67. A memorial service was held for her on Thursday in Rochester.

Friends and family say Moen was an energetic, passionate woman who devoted much of her spare time to helping raise money and organize for DFL candidates, such as 1st District Rep. Tim Walz, Gov. Mark Dayton and Sen. Al Franken  just to name a few.

"When she identified a goal, she was persistent and did not take no for an answer easily," said her husband, Ken Moen.

By the time he met his future wife in 1984, she already was heavily involved in Democratic politics. She worked for 25 years as a financial adviser for Dain Bosworth and Merrill Lynch before retiring and running her husband's law firm. She put her organizational skills and financing know-how to work helping DFLers.

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"She was not an ideologue, but she firmly believed that the Democratic party was much more inclined to adopt policies and pass programs that would benefit the public good," her husband said.

DFL Sen. Al Franken said he met Mary Moen a decade ago and the two became good friends. He said she not only helped fundraise for him, but also helped introduce him to people in Rochester, organized volunteers and did field work.

"You need people in campaigns like Mary, and there aren't enough of them frankly who do that. You don't have to motivate them. They just do it, and they take it on themselves. It's like an enormous jolt to have people like that," he said.

While he appreciated her hard work, Franken said he particularly was struck by her upbeat personality and sense of humor.

"Mary was someone who made you feel good," Franken said. "She was a very, very good friend to me and to Franni."

Mary Petersson, a former Rochester City Council member, met Moen in 1992 and they became best friends. Through the years, Petersson often was called in to help with Moen's house parties for DFL candidates. On one occasion, she went so far as to sign her and Petersson up for a community education class on hosting a tea party. Once finished, they put that knowledge to use organizing a fundraising tea party featuring Franni Franken.

So why was Moen so passionate about politics?

"I don't know. It was just in her makeup. I think it's because she cared so deeply about people and about seeing wrongs righted, about giving everybody a fair shake. She just really cared, and when she cared about something, she jumped into it full tilt," Petersson said.

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Olmsted-25 DFL Chairwoman Diane Hellie also spent plenty of time volunteering at fundraisers with Moen.

"She was full of life. She loved traveling, she loved reading and she loved being with her friends. She was a very generous person," Hellie said.

Moen never ran for political office herself, instead opting to work behind-the-scenes. She did help her husband, Ken Moen, when he ran unsuccessfully for the Minnesota Senate in 2012. She also spent plenty of time lobbying state lawmakers at the state Capitol on issues related to women's rights.

She also had an adventurous spirit. Ken Moen recalled how his wife went to China on a trip and pretended to be sick one day to get out of a group tour. Instead, she hopped on the No. 2 local bus on a hunch it eventually would drop her back off at her hotel. Turned out, she was right.

"She was a real hit on the bus. She took pictures with little kids on the bus," her husband said.

In January 2015, Mary Moen suffered a severe stroke, leaving her paralyzed on her left side. Her husband said it was difficult for a woman who was so independent and full of energy to be dependent on others for her care.

As for Petersson, she said she has never met anyone like her best friend.

"She was one of a kind  totally," Petersson said. "They broke the mold when they made Mary Moen."
CLEVELAND  The art of the coronation has taken something of a beating at the Republican National Convention. Nevertheless, Donald Trump now has the crown  and a final chance to summon unity from the party's restive ranks in the ritual's closing days.

The roll call of the states Tuesday night delivered Trump the nomination, which he welcomed from afar in a videotaped message saying "This is a movement, but we have to go all the way." House Speaker Paul Ryan announced that Trump had amassed 1,725 delegates, more than triple the number of his nearest competitor, the fruits of a political phenomenon without parallel in modern times.

Day 3 of the convention will bring two conservative stalwarts to the stage: Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, a favorite of evangelicals; and the nominee's most tenacious challenger in the primaries, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the man Trump used to call "Lyin' Ted."

Pence is heartily on board the Trump bandwagon; Cruz isn't yet, nor are many of his supporters in Cleveland. The senator's scheduled prime-time address will be keenly watched as a barometer of the party's fighting spirit as the GOP turns to the fall campaign against Democrat Hillary Clinton, who accepts her nomination next week.

Trump, the in-your-face outsider, won at the cost of alienating many traditional Republicans both on the right and in the center, and the divide has spilled over into the convention, though without overwhelming it.

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Delegate Aaron Miller, Rochester, said it was exciting to be on the convention floor for Trump's nomination as the party's presidential candidate.

"It was exciting to be on the floor and feel the energy build as each state reported their delegate numbers," Miller said. "Once the requisite number of delegates was reached to secure the nomination, there was a pause and the party really got going."

Miller was elected a delegate for Trump. He is also chairman of the Republican Party of Olmsted County.

The roll call unfolded largely according to plan after a day dominated by unwelcome attention over passages from an eight-year-old Michelle Obama speech that made their way into Melania Trump's address to the convention, almost word for word, the night before.

This, after unwelcome attention over a loud if short-lived protest on opening day over convention rules aimed at tamping down any remaining threat to Trump's triumph.

Tuesday night, speaker after speaker stepped forward to denounce Clinton, none to greater effect with the crowd than New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

The governor, a dropout in the GOP presidential race who ended up on the short list for Trump's running mate, energized the hall as he ticked through numerous accusations of wrongdoing against Clinton and implored delegates to shout "guilty." They not only did that, but interrupted him with shouts of "Lock her up."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told the crowd scandal follows Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton "like flies."

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Two of Trump's children testified to his character. "For my father, impossible is just the starting point," said Donald Trump Jr., eldest of the nominee's five children. Tiffany Trump, 22, said her dad is a "natural-born encourager" and she recalled the notes he wrote on her report cards.

Questions about plagiarism surfaced for a second day in a row, this time in the eldest son's speech. But F.H. Buckley, the writer behind the original work in question this time  an article in The American Conservative  said he was a principal speechwriter for the younger Trump and said the campaign did nothing wrong.

On the convention floor, Rep. Mark Meadows of North Carolina was feeling the fighting spirit, telling reporters, "It's all starting to gel." Not so for Colorado delegate Kendal Unruh, a leader of the outmaneuvered anti-Trump contingent, who said it's time to "cancel the convention, stop the sham," and who warned Trump might run into a "show of displeasure" in his acceptance speech ending the convention Thursday night. Colorado cast most of its votes for Cruz.

Cruz was not expected to offer a full-throated endorsement in his speech, nor to rock the boat too much, given that his remarks were being vetted by Trump's people. In this at times undisciplined enterprise, though, who knew?

The convention offers Trump one of his best chances to convince voters he's better suited for the presidency than Clinton. But the rocky start raised questions about his oversight of his campaign, which gives voters a window into how a candidate might handle the pressures of the presidency.

The plagiarism accusations centered on Monday night's well-received speech by Trump's wife, Melania. Two passages were nearly identical to a 2008 Democratic convention address by Mrs. Obama.

Trump's campaign chief, Paul Manafort, managed only to keep the controversy alive by insisting there was no evidence of plagiarism, an untenable assertion given the similarities. In contrast, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said he "probably" would have fired his own speechwriters under similar circumstances.

Donald Trump Jr. told reporters he was proud of Mrs. Trump's speech but people in the campaign "should have cleaned it up better."

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As large and challenging as political conventions are, they pale in comparison with the scope of a president's responsibilities, and sloppiness in Cleveland could hint at what a Trump presidency could look like.

Whether that matters to voters, though, is another question. The billionaire has survived, even prospered through, a series of contentious episodes that might have consumed a conventional politician  or a conventional convention.
I absolutely loved the July 11 article about stuttering and the courageous life story of speech-language pathologist Jeffrey Gessling. I am definitely going to read his book, as I wish there was such a positive book about stuttering around when I was a kid.

I think Gessling is right on target with his comments about stuttering.

First, I agree with him that the motion picture has continually portrayed people who stutter in a negative way that invites ridicule and mockery. The list of such movies is too long to mention.

Also, I applaud him for making it his mission to prove that people who stutter are just as intelligent and just as capable as others. In fact the website of the Stuttering Foundation (www.stutteringhelp.org) has a long list of "Famous People Who Stutter," in addition to biographical articles on famous people who stutter. This list and the celebrity articles strongly convey that people who stutter can achieve great things just like the rest of the population. The website of this nonprofit organization is famous for the free resources and the wealth of information it provides.

Two things are sure. First, I think this article and Jeffrey Gessling's story are inspirational. Second, after I submit this letter to the editor, I am going to go to Amazon.com and purchase his book.

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Larry Nilsson

Red Wing
Speculation has haunted the corner of East Center Street and First Avenue since the Center Street Hotel closed its doors on Oct. 31.

Previously known as the Civic Inn, the building had built a reputation before Andy and Kari Friederichs bought it in 2013, and when they announced a major remodel many speculated it would come with a hefty increase for future rents. Discussions by those outside of the effort frequently included predictions that the once-affordable housing would be out of reach for its previous inhabitants.

Last week, the Friederichses let it be known that the prices did rise under the new name  The Parker  but apparently not as high as some expected.

A year ago, we talked with a former resident who was paying $525 a month for a single room without a bathroom. Rents will now be $595 to $695 with private bathrooms in each unit. Nearly every other expense  utilities, cable TV and Internet access  is covered by the monthly rent.

It's obvious that the Friederichses aren't simply out to make a profit on the growth surrounding Destination Medical Center. They are hoping to make a difference by charging much less than some predicted they could generate, especially after spending about $700,000 on improvements.

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One of the first signs that the project would end up differently than expected should have been the fact that there was never talk of city incentives. Despite the fact that the building had earned a negative reputation and required costly attention from law enforcement, the Friederichses didn't turn to the Rochester City Council for help.

Instead, they turned to the police.

It wasn't to deal with ongoing criminal activity or to strong arm residents. Instead, they asked for advice on improving the building and making it something that would attract renters who need lower rents but also want a safe home.

And, while some may not like the idea of a shared kitchen and common space, the upgrades hold promise for future residents of The Parker. We imagine the inviting space will provide more than a sense of security; it will also provide community within the building.

Where past tenants voiced fear about their neighbors, the Friederichses appear to have created a space where new residents will hopefully share friendly hellos and stories about their daily lives, creating new friends along the way.

It shows what is possible if the goal is putting community first.

Andy and Kari Friederichs set out to make a difference with their real estate purchase in 2013, and it appears they are well on the way to doing just that.
We have reached many milestones and witnessed plenty of success stories at the Guam Department of Labor during my current tenure, but I will b Read moreGDOL wants to be a part of your employment solutions
Melania Trumps cultural appropriation of some of Michelle Obamas convention speech cliches from eight years ago now has the LMC (Liberal Media ComplexTM) on hair trigger alert to spot other instances of plagiarism, which the media will then report in identical prose in their filings. (Heh.) I thought Rush Limbaugh had the right idea yesterday: Melania should offer an interview to Brian Williams to explain it.

Yes, it was sloppy and amateurish for such a mistake to have been made, but compared to what Democrats do Melanias stumble isnt even a parking ticket. Democrats simply lie about everything. Its their business model. Maybe they just take their clues from Hillary and Elizabeth Warren. (Memo to Trump, incidentally: You should be calling Warren Fauxcahontas, since she made up her Indian heritage as a way of perpetrating a fraud on several universities in their hiring decisions. And she plagiarized a cookbook. Seriously: a cookbook.) And the media seldom devote as much attention to liberal lies.

There are occasional exceptions. Today, for example, the Wall Street Journal has exposed the blatant lies of Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who has been thought high on the list of potential running mates for Hillary. Never mind that Perez is a first-order leftist thug. Heres the opening:

When U.S. Labor Secretary Tom Perez talks about his ancestry, he routinely mentions that his grandfather was expelled from the Dominican Republic for opposing the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo in the 1930s. Mr. Perez, in the running to be Hillary Clintons vice-presidential pick, said in a speech last month that his grandfather was on the right side of history. And Im so proud of my grandfather for doing that, even though it was against so many forces in place. Archival records offer a more complicated picture of Mr. Perezs maternal grandfather, Rafael Brache. In his comments, Mr. Perez rarely, if ever, mentions that Mr. Brache was one of the dictators champions during at least the first five years of his repressive three-decade regime, a fact documented in dozens of cables, letters and memos in public archives in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic. In addition, Mr. Perez testified in 2013 at his Senate confirmation hearing that his grandfather was declared non grata for speaking out against the dictator following the brutal massacre of thousands of Haitians in 1937. But in fact, Mr. Brache had left the Dominican Republic about two years earlier, according to State Department memos and media accounts at the time.

Perez only made sense as a running mate for Hillary if the Republicans had settled on Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz as nominees or Trump had picked Susana Martinez as his running mate. Still, as you can see Perez would fit well with Hillarys model of prevarication. Heck, Ill bet Perez has taken incoming fire from Bosnian snipers, too. Lets see if anyone else in the LMC picks up on this story.

P.S. One last thought on this plagiarism business. Political rhetoric is rife with cliches, which is one reason there are so few memorable political speeches in our time. But also consider this passage from a famous speech:

You and I know and do not believe that life is so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery. . . You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. Well preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or well sentence them to take the last step into a thousand years of darkness.

Thats from the close of Ronald Reagans Time for Choosing speech in 1964. And it contains allusions or near-exact quotations to four sentences from other great figures all at once: Patrick Henry, Franklin Roosevelt, Lincoln, and Churchill. Plagiarism? Heres what I wrote about it on the 50th anniversary of that speech two years ago:

Reagan was masterful in appropriating the heights of the American rhetorical tradition and enlarging them in the course of making them his own. The conclusion of A Time for Choosing quotes Winston Churchill directly, by also borrows or adapts quotations from Patrick Hnery (is life so dear or peace so sweet. . .), FDR (a rendezvous with destiny) Lincoln (the last best hope of man on earth), and Churchill (a thousand years of darkness). But for his utter sincerity, you might almost charge him with plagiarism.

Or how about this, from Reagans First Inaugural Address:

From time to time weve been tempted to believe that society has become too complex to be managed by self-rule, that government by an elite group is superior to government for, by, and of the people. Well, if no one among us is capable of governing himself, then who among us has the capacity to govern someone else?

Hmm, that sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before (besides Reagans first inaugural address as governor in 1967)? Maybe Thomas Jefferson in his First Inaugural Address:

Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.

The point is: most political rhetoric, like western civilization itself, builds on the images and themes of the giants of old. The real shame of Melanias stumble was that she borrowed from someone as unworthy as Michelle Obama.
A lot of ink has been spilled on the subject of race, crime and policing over the last few months, but rarely to so little purpose as in this article in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, headlined Racial disparities in Twin Cities arrests are widespread. The Strib reporter suggests that the fact that blacks are arrested in greater than pro rata numbers is evidence of discrimination:

Data released by the city last week show that 41 percent of the people St. Anthony police [a St. Anthony police officer shot Philando Castile] arrested last year were black  nearly seven times what one might expect, given that they make up about 6 percent of residents in the departments patrol area.

Actually, no sane person would expect any such thing, since everyone knows that blacks, for whatever reason, commit an enormous number of crimes. Crimes lead to arrests; at least, we hope they do.

Yet nearly every metro police department exhibits a racial disparity in their arrest rates, according to a Star Tribune analysis of recently released FBI Uniform Crime Reports data for serious crimes. Minneapolis, St. Paul and inner-ring suburbs had the highest disparities, which diminished in exurban areas.

Again, who would find this surprising? African-Americans who are not criminals and dont want to live in high-crime neighborhoods generally move to the suburbs and exurbs. This is the map the Strib created, based on FBI data published by Minnesotas Bureau of Criminal Apprehension:

If I understand the map correctly, there are large areas of the Twin Cities metro area where non-white arrest rates are lower than white arrest rates. Is this because urban policemen are racists, while suburban policemen are not? Or, perhaps, are suburban policemen prejudiced against whites?

Of course not. Those low non-white arrest rates in the suburbs probably include a lot of Indian-Americans, Chinese-Americans and so onfor mysterious reasons, members of these ethnic groups rarely seem to have violent encounters with police officersbut they undoubtedly also reflect the fact that successful blacks who move to the suburbs dont get arrested any more often than successful whites who move to the suburbs. In other words, arrest rates have nothing to do with race, and everything to do with criminality, or, at a bare minimum, proximity to criminality.

Which raises another point. The Strib reporter writes:

Implicit bias occurs when police target high-crime areas, [Richard S. Frase, co-director of the University of Minnesotas Robina Institute of Criminal Law & Criminal Justice] said in an interview. Those are largely poor areas in the Twin Cities, which have higher minority populations.

This is an absurd claim. Police target high-crime areas not because they are implicitly biasedwhatever that meansbut because they are trying to fight crime. Of course the police should target high-crime areas; have liberals completely lost their minds?

Generally lost in the controversy over race and policing is the fact that African-Americans not only commit crimes disproportionately, and are victims of crimes disproportionately, they also call on the police to protect them from crime disproportionately. The Strib reporter has perhaps failed to note op-eds published in his own newspaper by local blacks who have described, in harrowing terms, their reliance on police officers to protect them from predators. For police departments to focus their efforts on high-crime areas is only common sense.

It appears that many of todays journalists, working for liberal outlets like the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, are trying to construct an alternative reality and impose their fantasy world on the rest of us. How can anyone write about disproportionate arrests of blacks without at least mentioning the disproportionate number of crimes committed by the same ethnic group? According to Department of Justice data, for example, in 2014 blacks committed 53% of all murders in the U.S. where the race of the perpetrator was known, even though they represent only 13% of the population.

Liberals have created a fantasy land, but, try as they might, they cannot compel the rest of us to live in it. I note that the Star Tribune, which enables comments by default on all of its stories, including the most trivial, has shut them off on this race-conscious, and delusional, article. No doubt the papers editors feared that hundreds or possibly thousands of readers who live in the real world would have been quick to point out the realities that the paper did its best to obscure.
Night Two of the GOP convention featured strong speeches throughout much of the evening, but ended off-key. Two of the best speeches came in the 9:00 hour, before the three major networks were covering the event, but while, I assume, many viewers were tuned in on cable channels.

Paul Ryan, of whom I am no big fan, delivered an excellent condemnation of the Democratic Party on the domestic front followed by a powerful call for Republican unity. Ryan branded the Dems as a hidebound outfit devoid of innovative ideas (actually they have some but these ideas are too radical to advertise). His best line: Progressives deliver everything but progress.

Chris Christie, of whom I am no big fan, then brilliantly put Hillary Clinton on trial before the Convention. He presented the facts regarding Hiilarys policies and conduct on Libya, Nigeria, Syria, Iran, China, Russia, Cuba, and her secret email server. After each recitation, he asked for a verdict  guilty or not guilty. The response was predictable, and difficult to disagree with on the evidence.

It was an inspired concept masterfully executed. His best line: Hillary Clinton will bring all the failures of the Obama years with less charm and more lies.

I wish Christie had been close to this good at the 2012 Convention when he gave the keynote address.

During Christies speech, the crowd frequently chanted lock her up  her being Hillary Clinton, of course. It was jarring to hear such a rallying cry, however justified, at a major party convention.

How did this play to the audience outside the convention hall? Did the delegates sound bloodthirsty? Maybe. But remember that a clear majority of Americans believe Hillary should have been indicted.

After hearing these two speeches I thought, and still do, that the Republicans should have used at least one and preferably both of them in the 10:00 hour. However, the speech that kicked off that hour, by Donald Trump Jr., was almost as good as Ryans and Christies.

Trump Jr. did a fine job of extolling his father (as Tiffany Trump had earlier). He effectively portrayed Trump as a man of the people by describing his interaction with the blue collar employees who work for him and the way Trump made his children learn from them.

It may be counter-intuitive to think of the billionaire as a man of the people, but his success at the ballot box proves he has the common touch. His sons speech suggests where, in part, it comes from.

Trump then moved on to an issue-oriented attacks on Democrats. What impressed me was its conventionally conservative nature. (Note: liberals are criticizing the speech because one of its turns of phrase comes from a conservative publication. Unlike the attack on Melania Trumps speech, which cribbed a long paragraph from Michelle Obama, this attack strikes me as silly).

Is Donald Trump, Jr. actually a conservative? I dont know. He sounded convincing, though, and he is said to have been instrumental in persuading his father to put Mike Pence on the ticket.

Lets hope Trump, Jr. is a conservative. Not only does he have his fathers ear, he may also have a bright political future.

After Trump Jrs. speech, the rest of the 10:00 hour was devoted to minorities and female speakers. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia did a pretty good job of denouncing President Obama and Hillary Clinton for the war on coal. She effectively tied that war to their disdain for ordinary American workers, a theme that played well off of Trump, Jr.s speech.

Two speakers later, Kimberlin Brown, who apparently is a soap opera star, gave a well delivered but fairly generic speech that should have been given a much earlier time slot, it seemed to me.

In between, it was Ben Carsons turn, and what a disappointment the doctor was.

This was a speech best given to a society of hard core conservatives steeped in the themes and the vocabulary of Obamas most strident detractors. I very much doubt it played well to the audience watching on television (the convention audience, to the extent it was paying attention, apparently had the benefit of a video about Alinskys connection to Clinton that was shown on Monday).

At best, it would have left most folks scratching their heads. At worst, it would have sounded unhinged.

Say the name of old-time leftist Saul Alinsky to a hard core conservative (me included) and it is evocative and full of explanatory power. Say it to the man on the street and it means nothing. Alinsky is not a buzz name except to a fairly small segment of the conservative population. To bring this obscure radical who died in 1972 to life, the stage must be set.

But Carson didnt set it, except to say that Hillary wrote her senior thesis about Alinsky. He then tied Alinsky (and by association Hillary) to Lucifer, whom Alinsky once acknowledged as the first radical. I kid you not.

Once Lucifer was invoked, I think it became fair to say that Carsons speech was best given to a secret society of right wingers, or perhaps posted on a crank blog. From Trumps perspective, one hopes that mainstream America had tuned out by this time and/or that the major networks had already cut away.

The ingredients have present in Cleveland for the GOP to have a boffo first two nights. Yet it my view, Team Trump hasnt quite pulled it off. It has been too sloppy.

Is this a sign of things to come? I think it might be.
The Speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly, Sanusi Rikiji, his deputy, Muhammad Gumi and other principal officers of the Assembly have been arrested by the State Security Services on the orders of the state governor, Abdulaziz Yari.

The Voice of America Hausa Service reported Wednesday that the lawmakers were in detention in Abuja after the governor accused them of plotting to impeach him from office.

Others arrested include the House majority leader, Isah Abdulmumini, and the chief whip of the house, Abdullahi Dansadau.

Trouble began for the lawmakers after the assembly called for a special sitting with Governor Yari to discuss what it called the difficult situation the state found itself especially as regards governance of the state and how to find a way out.

However, the lawmakers said the governor misunderstood their mission and assumed that it was just a ploy to impeach him, hence his decision to order their arrest and detention.

One of the lawmakers, Umaru Faru, told the VOA that everyone knows the precarious situation that the state has found itself, saying people accuse the governor of abandoning the state, and they are also complaining about the handling of the state resources especially the bailout funds released specifically to pay workers salaries.

The money came but no one knows what happened to it, as we speak local government staff, pensioners have not been paid, in fact, our traditional rulers have not been paid their 5% constitutional allocation for several months, civil servants pay was cut and some of them were even sacked because of dwindling revenue, however, they were not paid their entitlement even after the bailout came.

That is why we invited them, definitely not for impeachment purposes, he said.

Reports also say the remaining lawmakers have fled the state and were taking refuge in Kaduna state for fear of arrest.

The lawmakers issued a statement late on Tuesday asking President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene, and accused Mr. Yari of abuse of office.

The statement, which was signed by the Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mannir Gidan Jaja, accused the governor of corrupt usage of local government funds for state purposes.

They also accuse him of being unable to explain how the N1 billion commercial agriculture loan given to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, was utilized.

They equally accused him of non-remittance of pension funds to pension administrators, non-remittance of 5 percent emirate councils funds, the gross misappropriation of bailout funds to the state by the federal government to settle workers salaries, including N10b for 2014 and N1.46b in 2016.

The lawmakers said Zamfara was almost crippled owing to the governors frequent trip abroad, and that instead of addressing the issues they raised, the governor resorted to political intimidation, arrest and detention of principal officers of the House and other supporting staff.

However, the state commissioner of information, Umaru Bukkuyum, denied that the lawmaker were in detention.

Mr. Bukkuyum said the lawmakers were just invited to Abuja for a meeting on how to find solution to all the problems.
A colossal failure of intelligence is to blame for last Decembers massacre of at least 347 members of a Shia Muslim group in Zaria, a judicial commission of inquiry into the killings says in its report.

The commission, set up by the Kaduna State government, said the Nigerian Army, Police and the State Security Services, failed in their responsibilities, thereby allowing the killings by the army to occur.

The Shia Islamic Movement said it lost more than a thousand members in the attack that took place between December 12 and 14 at its headquarters.

The judicial panel said it could confirm 349 deaths  including a soldier. It said that military officials refused to cooperate with investigators, hindering the panels ability to know the exact number of deaths.

The army claimed it killed only seven Shiites for blocking a public road and attempting to assassinate its chief, Tukur Buratai, a lieutenant general.

The report did not blame Mr. Buratai for the deaths. It indicted the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Army 1st Division in Kaduna, Adeniyi Oyebade, a major general, and A.K. Ibraheem, a colonel, who led the operation.

It also recommended the trial of officers who partook in the killings and criticised the security agencies for choosing brute force over basic intelligence in responding to civil unrest.

The report was submitted to Governor Nasir el-Rufai on Friday, but its details are not public yet. PREMIUM TIMES obtained the report exclusively.

The 13-man panel, led by Mohammed Garba, a judge at the Federal Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, said the Nigerian Army and security agencies have intelligence capabilities but failed to put them to use.

The clash between the Nigerian Army and the IMN from 12-14 December, 2015, reveals a glaring failure of intelligence. The SSS, the NPF as well as the Nigerian Army all have intelligence functions in their mandates.

The Nigerian Army failed to by all indications gather sufficient intelligence that could have been used to follow another route for example, thereby avoiding the clash, the panel said.

The commission condemned the sloppy attitude of security agencies towards their job, saying they might have allowed themselves to be infiltrated by the IMN when the reverse should have been the case.

This inadequacy and the reluctance of these agencies to provide vital information requested raise concern on how well they are doing their work.

There is also an allegation that has made the rounds that it is the IMN members that have infiltrated the security agencies of the country rather than the order way round. This is indeed a very worrying situation, the commission said.

The commission lambasted Nigeria Police for their role in the bloodbath.

While the NPF was present at the beginning of the clash, they explained to the commission that they took the decision to withdraw from the scene and go and defend their police stations, suggesting thereby that they had no responsibility for law enforcement at the scene of the clash.

The 1999 Constitution task police to for detection and prevention of crime and apprehension of offenders.

While the report did not blame the federal government for any role in the killing, or its response after, it criticised the government for failing to take proactive measures against seemingly dangerous groups and organisations by failing to implement previous reports.

Testimonies of witnesses and stakeholders who appeared before the commission point to reasonable conclusions that there was a lack of political will on the part of the federal government to take proactive action against seemingly dangerous groups and organisations.

Many witnesses pointed to the non-implementation of recommendations of reports of previous commissions of inquiry relating to this group and others who have posed grave threats to peace and harmonious living. Of particular relevance have been the reports of Galtimari and Sheikh Lemu Presidential commissions pertaining to Boko Haram insurgency.

Amongst 33 recommendations, the commission advised the Kaduna State Government and the federal government to take intelligence gathering serious, facilitate training and equipment for security agencies and ensure that Islamic groups like the IMN are placed under regular surveillance.
Over a year ago when Boko Haram insurgents swept through the fishing community of Baga in northern Borno State, horrified residents had limited options. The militants attacked and killed many, locals and security operatives alike.

Men, women and children who managed to flee, arrived camps for internally displaced persons with grisly tales of what they saw either during the attack, or while on the run.

One woman, Jummai Ibrahim, who braved all odds to stay alive, told PREMIUM TIMES chilling details of how she lost everything, including a 21-year-old son, and how Boko Haram insurgents forced her to watch him decapitated.

Back in Baga, Jummai and many other women that fled, lived fairly well, with good earnings from a booming fish trade near the Lake Chad. The 58-year-old was famous as a big time merchant, she said.

Now, seated at the Maiduguri IDP camp where she has lived for months, Jummais appearance tells nothing of that well-to-do past.

All my life fishing is what I do, said Jummai with some degree of pride. It was fishing that took me and my husband to Baga and even into some parts of Chad in the past 40 years.

She said they made money daily from fishing and food crops.

Without being ungrateful to God, I will say we have made great fortune from our fishing business mostly on the Lake Chad waters, she narrated. But unfortunately, Boko Haram came in to dislodge our peace and caused us serious loss of our properties, and money.

Killing and stripping

On the day Boko Haram insurgents struck in January 2015, Jummai said their last consignment of fish for day had been loaded to a truck at about 6 am, ready for delivery to the markets.

The cargo was not much that day at about N700, 000, she said.

When gunfire ran out, the town laid in ruin and residents like Jummai fled leaving all they toiled for.

After loading the truck, we had to leave it in the park overnight for it to be transported the next morning. We later lost everything because everyone had to run for their dear lives when Boko Haram came in large numbers shooting their ways into every household and killing everyone they came across. All our food stuff stored in our silos were also left behind, she narrated.

We suffered a great deal fleeing to safety. Now that we have arrived the IDP camp in Maiduguri, we came to meet a life we never envisaged at all. It was a setback to many of us women who were once masters of their own in terms of financial resources; because back there in Doro-Baga, we do our business and make enough money to take good care of ourselves and our needs.

It is ironical to see me here today begging to feed when I could make over N3 million in a single net-drag of fishes; the least we make in the sales of fishes could be around N500, 000. We do not know any other business except fishing and farming; and here we have nothing to do other than sitting down every day and waiting for handouts from government, she said.

Jummai, a mother of seven children, who are mostly adults, said Boko Haram gunmen did not only invade their community, but went after them as they fled into the bushes. Many, according to her were killed in the bush and many, especially young women, were abducted by the assailants.

I left all my belongings back in Doro-Baga when fleeing the attack by Boko Haram. I came with only the clothes I had on me, she said. We ran all day together with some of my children. When we got to a village called Kalwaram, I saw many people killed, and at the outskirts of the village I saw fresh corpses of two soldiers; one of the soldiers was stripped naked, his manhood was cut off his groin and forced into his mouth. I could not stand the sight of such horror, but I had to untie my wrapper and cover his body up to, at least, protect his dignity. I kept on running with only my underskirt and the blouse I had on me, until I got to a village called Minnati, where a woman saw me and out of sympathy gave me a wrapper to wear over my underskirt. That was how I got to the camp in Maiduguri, all on foot, Jummai narrated.

Jummai said their journey out of Baga began on a bloody note as they ran into the insurgents on the outskirts of the town.

I lost many of my relatives while fleeing from Baga. Immediately we made it to the outskirts of Baga, Boko Haram gunmen intercepted us and took away one of my daughters who was two months pregnant and her three-year-old son and 13 other ladies who were either my cousins or my husbands younger ones that were living with us.

One of my sons, Habibu, who was about 21 years old was killed by Boko Haram. When they saw him with me, one of the Boko Haram gunmen told me that Mama this your son is old enough to join the Civilian-JTF, so he is assumed to be a potential member of the Civilian-JTF. For that reason they dragged him to the ground in my presence and slit his throat. They wanted to force me to hold his legs while they were cutting off his neck, and I told them I could not do such thing. I attempted to close my eyes because I could not stand to see how they were killing my own son like an animal, but one of them hit me with the butt of their gun on my arm, and insisted that I must watch them as they killed my son.

I watched him cry and calling on me to help him, when I cried out that I could not help him, then he kept on screaming that mama pray for me, and forgive me if I ever offended you, pray for me(sobs)that was how my child was slaughtered and beheaded, Jummai narrated, weeping. I have seen pains and torture from Baga to Maiduguri.

Life in Maiduguri

Life at the IDP camp has been another tortuous phase for Jummai. She complains about how she and her surviving family now struggle to eat and get basic needs as clothing.

Now I am left with nothing except rags, she said, struggling a wry smile, but apparently fighting back tears.

Last year, Borno State government came to share clothes for us and that was what we have been using since then. As you can see now, the clothes have turned to rags because of everyday use. Look at my body, look at our skins, we lack soaps to bathe and even the cheapest cream to oil our body. We do not even have washing bar to wash our clothes. It is so pathetic.

It is even more pathetic now that I have over 20 children including some of my own that were able to make it on their own to this camp and those of neighbours that have been killed, all living with me in the same apartment here in the camp. Food that was recently distributed by the Borno state governor during this Ramadan did not get to us in our own house. We have to depend on one or two measures of rice that some good relatives brought to us.

Just imagine the irony of life(sobs) me a woman of means in Baga, whom people do come to meet for help; even when the local government council was in difficulties, they do come to me for assistance which I did render without blinking an eyelid. I was a very independent woman financially. I was very famous and prominent in my community; none of our Lawans (District Head) and Bulamas (village heads) would say they dont know me.

On whether she would want to return to Baga to pick the pieces of their lives, Jummai said such an opportunity would be like being offered free pilgrimage to the holy land.

But looking at what I passed through to get to safety here, I would rather wait here with my children until when the soldiers declare that there is no more Boko Haram, she added cautiously.

Her immediate concern now is having an improved living condition in the camps where food and clothing will not be an issue.

I am calling on government both at the federal and state level to come to our aid; especially in the area of feeding in the camps; of course the SEMA and NEMA normally provide food which are cooked by committee members and shared in the camp. But, sadly, most of the food cooked are not prepared in the best way that it could be consumed. That is why you see many people would rather dry the food in the sun and go out to sell them to get small amount they could use to buy something to eat. No one can eat the food here because it was poorly cooked.

What we want is for the state government to come to the camp and give us the uncooked rice and corn flour so that we can cook them on our own, just like it did during this Ramadan. Allowing us to cook our food is better than some people coming to cook in the camp kitchen and at the end no one can eat what they prepare for us.

I have seven children, one was killed; some that were captured by Boko Haram were able to reunite with us after soldiers rescued them. But most of them, especially the males have to leave the camp to go into the world to fend for themselves. One of my daughters who has 4 children has not seen her husband for a very long time now.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos State will on Thursday deliver judgement on whether or not students in public primary and secondary schools in Lagos State should be allowed to put on Hijab (Muslims headscarf) with their school uniforms.

In a hearing notice made available by the court, the judgement would be delivered in Court Two by nine oclock, the President of the Lagos State Area Unit of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Saheed Ashafa, said in a statement Wednesday.

The special panel of the Court of Appeal set up to hear the case had on May 27 reserved its judgement on the matter.

During the panel hearing, the presiding justice, A.B. Gumel, had asked parties involved in the case to update their defence documents.

Other Justices in the five-man panel set up by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa are Justice M. Fasanmi, Justice A. Jauro, Justice J.S. Ikejegh and Justice I. Jombo Ofor.

The case is between Asiyat Kareem (minor) suing through AbdulKareem Raji; Mariam Oyeniyi through Mr. Sulaimon Oyeniyi; and Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, and Lagos State Government (LASG) and others, who were the respondents.

Justice Amina Augie had on May 3 ruled that granting Muslim students the right to wear Hijab in Lagos State schools needed constitutional interpretation.

Justice Augie therefore asked the appellants to write the President of the Appeal Court to set up a full court (of five justices) to hear the case.

In the case, the appellants want the judgement of the lower court to be reversed, while the defendant wants it to be upheld.

The Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit, however, expressed optimism over the outcome of judgement.

Mr. Ashafa said the position of the constitution was clear on Freedom of Religion, Conscience and Thought.

He added, It is appalling that despite the recognition of freedom of religion in the Nigeria constitution (Section 36) and United Nations Charter, we still need to labour this much. This is enough victimisation.

Without bias, an abuse carried out against anyones freedom to practise the tenets of his/her religion is a disrespect and disregard to the constitution and it constitutes a grievous abuse on human right.
The police in Katsina State have arraigned a man, Muhammad Abdulkadir, before a Chief Magistrates Court, for allegedly inciting disaffection against the state government.

The prosecutor, Altine Ragiji told the court that Abdulkadir was arrested on July 7, after he allegedly committed the said offence against Gov. Aminu Masari.

Ragiji said that the offence was contrary to Section 416 of Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, 1963.

Counsel to the accused person, Mr Peter Israel, however, challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case.

He argued that the law under which the accused person was arraigned, was obsolete as the state has its own laws made in 1989.

The penal code laws of Katsina State does not provide for the said offence. Also, the law itself has not given a particular court that will have jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

So, we are questioning the jurisdiction of the court whether it can entertain, hear and determine the case against the accused person, he said.

Mr. Israell, therefore, urged the court to conditionally or unconditionally release the accused person on bail.

The Chief Magistrate, Nura El-Ladan, turned down the bail application until the court gave its ruling on the issue of jurisdiction.

Mr. El-Ladan adjourned the case to July 26, for continuation of hearing and ordered the accused person to be remanded in prison. (NAN)
The Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has joined the race of groups and individuals calling on a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu, to return to the party.

Mr. Ribadu is one of the founding leaders of the party, but left for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, shortly before the 2015 general elections.

Mr. Ribadu was the PDP candidate for governor in Adamawa State in 2015. He left the APC after the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako by the State House of Assembly in 2014.

Sources close to the anti-corruption Czar said he was  deeply disappointed by the inability of the APC leadership to save Mr Nyako from impeachment.

In a letter to Mr. Ribadu, signed by the acting secretary of the APC in Adamawa State, Saidu Naira, the ruling party said it was time for Mr. Ribadu to return to his home party.

The letter, dated, June, 22, 2016, reads in part:

Given your track records and progressives nature, we strongly belief APC is where you belong to.

We are also mindful of the efforts and contributions you made during the merger without which the merger would have been difficult.

To this end we reaffirm our request for you to come home to APC and assist and contribute to the success of the APC government both at state and national level.

Efforts to reach Mr. Ribadu or his spokesperson, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, were unsuccessful.

PREMIUM TIMES however gathered that the request from the APC is coming at a time the former presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria is under pressure from his present party, the PDP, to serve as national chairman to  reorganise the PDP as it readies itself to reclaim power in 2019.
The Zamfara House of Assembly on Wednesday listed six impeachable offences committed by Gov. Abdulaziz Yari, citing them as reasons lawmakers are pushing for his impeachment.

A statement issued in Gusau by the Chairman of the Assemblys Committee on Information, Mannir Gidan-Jaja, accused the governor of misappropriating billions of naira from the state coffers.

It listed the money allegedly misappropriated to include N11 billion bailout fund, N1 billion agricultural loan released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and corrupt abuse of local government funds.

The assembly also accused the governor of failing to remit funds deducted for pensions and gratuities to pension fund administrators as provided by law.

According to the statement, the governor had also ignored a resolution of the assembly not to appoint Murtala Jangebe as Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board.

It said that the assembly had passed a vote of no confidence in Jangebe, after he was allegedly found to have misappropriated over N1 billion belonging to the board in 2014.

The statement accused the governor of frequent foreign trips which have had negative impact on the day-to-day running of government, apart from imposing financial burden on the state.

The lawmakers condemned the arrest of the Speaker, his Deputy, Majority Whip and supporting staff of the assembly by the Department of States Security Services.

The lawmakers described the arrest as a clear interference in the functions of the legislature as enshrined in the Constitution.

The statement urged President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the SSS against further interference in the matter.

We are also demanding the unconditional release of our principal officers who are currently under detention with the DSS in Abuja. (NAN)
The Senate on Wednesday called on security agencies in the country to take adequate steps to bring incessant killing of Nigerians across the end to an end.

The call followed a Point of Order raised by Joshua Dariye (PDP-Plateau Central) at plenary over the recent killing of Lazarus Agaie, a first-class traditional ruler in Bokkos, Plateau.

Gunmen killed the 76-year-old Saf Ron-Kulere on Monday, on his way to Bokkos, after visiting his farm in Sha district in the area.

Also killed alongside the monarch were his police orderly, Sunday Wuyah, his wife and his son, Shagari.

Relying on Order 42, Mr. Dariye said the late traditional ruler was apprehended on his way from farm.

He described the development as worrisome, adding that the rate at which innocent Nigerians were being killed was alarming.

He called for urgent steps by relevant stakeholders to stem the tide.

In his remarks, the president of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, said, we must put an end to this senseless killing of people returning from their farms.

Security agencies must get the culprits of this dastardly act. Our hearts go to the government and people of Plateau State.

The motion was unanimously adopted and the legislators observed a minute silence for the deceased monarch and others who died in the incident.

(NAN)
The chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abdulmumin Jibrin, was removed from his position as a consequence of his serial betrayal of his colleagues and other government officials, especially the executive, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

The Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara, removed Mr. Jibrins ouster as chairman of the appropriation committee on Wednesday.

He was immediately replaced by Mustapha Bala, APC-Kano, who was the chairman of House Committee on Housing.

Mr. Jibrin, APC-Kano, played a prominent role in the controversies that marred deliberation and passage of the 2016 Appropriation Bill which was the first by Muhammadu Buhari administration. The budget was submitted in December 2015.

Several lawmakers told PREMIUM TIMES they decided to kick Mr. Jibrin out because he was becoming increasingly unreliable, saying he dribbled all the committees during the heated debate over the budget, which was finally passed in April.

The lawmakers said Mr. Jubrin allegedly manipulated the final version of the budget and diverted over N4 billion to his Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State.

Sources in the executive also told PREMIUM TIMES they had lost confidence in the ability of Mr. Jibrin to tell the truth on issues.

The embattled lawmaker did not answer PREMIUM TIMES calls for his comments on the development.

Mr. Jibrin had been a key ally of Mr. Dogara, and played a prominent role in Mr. Dogaras election as speaker.
A former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Anenih, has tasked the Chairman of the partys National Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, to dissuade the PDP caucus in the National Assembly from participating in the alleged ill-advised adventure of removing President Muhammadu Buhari from office.

In a four-page letter to Mr. Makarfi, dated July 15, 2016, Mr. Anenih said he was persuaded that the time was neither right nor the reasons compelling enough to contemplate the impeachment of the President.

He urged him to personally lead the process of consultation with PDP members in the National Assembly, with a view to getting them to play a patriotic, rather than partisan role, at this time of national economic and social uncertainty.

The letter, titled: The PDP Caucus in the National Assembly and the threat to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari reads: I am constrained to write this letter by my love for our great country and my long years of involvement in the pursuit of peace, co-existence and national development.

I am concerned about the noises coming out of the National Assembly to the effect that some of our distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are contemplating a move to impeach the President.

I feel even more disturbed that the PDP Caucus is being rumoured to be actively involved in this plan to go for the jugular of the Executive. The rumoured role of the PDP Caucus is, indeed, the main reason I have chosen to write this letter to you.

I wish to appeal to you to use your noble office as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of our great party to dissuade our party members, in the National Assembly, from embarking on or participating in this ill-advised adventure. I am persuaded, Sir, that the time is neither right nor the reasons compelling enough to contemplate the impeachment of the President.

I do not doubt that the National Assembly may have its grouse against the President, but I am sure that the options of consultation, dialogue and negotiation have not yet been exhausted. We should all assist in persuading our members to persevere in the pursuit of these options.

I do not believe an attempt at impeachment, at this time, is in the best interests of the party, or the country. Such a move will create tension, instability and even crisis in our body-politic. It will unleash all those fissiparous forces which, in the last few months, have begun to gain momentum.

Fundamentally, as the main opposition party, I believe the PDP should concern itself with an inward review of why Nigerians lost faith in us and in our partys vision for Nigeria; our focus should therefore be on trying to figure out how we can once again regain this trust.

As a party in opposition, what I expect is constructive criticism of the ruling party when it goes wrong. Playing an active role in the internal power struggles between factions of the ruling party is an unnecessary distraction, and an exercise that appears to promote personal agenda rather than the National Interest.

I am not unaware that the times are hard; that Nigerians are groaning under the weight of unpaid salaries and astronomical increases in the cost of living, that ballooning security problems are increasingly threatening to rip apart the fabric of our national existence, and that Nigerians feel more divided today than they have ever felt, but it would be unfair to blame this President or this Government for all of these problems. Instructively, none of these problems was floated as justification for the threat of impeachment by the National Assembly.

On the economy, it is a well known fact that all oil-producing countries are suffering from an economic down-turn because of the radical drop in the price of crude oil. As a mono-product economy, dependent on crude oil, there is no magic bubble that could have insulated us completely from the systemic shocks caused by the attendant loss of revenue.

Rather than seek scapegoats, the situation demands that all our institutions, political parties and leaders should set aside all partisan interests, and work together to wade through these difficult times.

It is, therefore, my wish and prayer that you, personally, lead the process of consultation with our members in the National Assembly, with a view to getting them to play a patriotic, rather than partisan role, at this time of national economic and social uncertainty.

May God continue to bless you with the wisdom to lead our party to its manifest destiny.
President Muhammadu Buhari has the political will to rout out corruption in Nigerian public service , a former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, has said.

Mr. Ribadu said the will to battle sharp practices to a standstill had become the most glaring reputation of Mr. Buharis government, urging Nigerians to rally behind him.

Mr. Ribadu, the pioneer chairman of Nigerias anti-corruption office, the EFCC, made the observations in a speech he delivered at a forum on anti-corruption war in Abuja on Wednesday.

The National Stakeholders Workshop on Recovery and Management of Recovered Assets was organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee on Corruption at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Mr. Ribadu began his presentation with an analysis of the assets forfeiture policy of the government and its potential impact on the larger society.

Asset forfeiture is an integral component of the anti-corruption work as it serves many purposes within the anticorruption framework, Mr. Ribadu said. First, it serves as restitution in the sense that what was ill gotten is returned to the right owner(s).

Assets forfeiture functions as deterrence to others as those who illegally enrich themselves get stripped of that wealth overnight, Mr. Ribadu said.

Similarly, through proceeds of final asset forfeiture, government can make extra money that can be channelled to projects that would enable growth and development of the state, he said.

Mr. Ribadu said a shift towards anti-corruption could not have come at a more appropriate time, owing primarily to the political will of Mr. Buhari to face the monster.

I see in the present leadership, specifically the president, the will to allow the war to be fought without interference and the eagerness to support it in whatever way possible. These two points are important prerequisite in winning the anti-corruption war.

Mr. Ribadu said a specialised element of the anticorruption process, asset recovery requires professional and dedicated people comprising investigators, prosecutors and managers to handle it jointly for effectiveness and to drive the maximum benefits

Whatever success that is made of forfeiture or recoveries depend on the thoroughness of investigation and diligence of prosecution and ability of investigators to trace whatever is traceable and recoverable. The success of asset forfeiture begins with the investigation.

Mr. Ribadu, however, called for more transparency in governments handling of assets under forfeiture, saying a forced eviction of residents of a property or closure of a company locked in forfeiture battle with the government could deal a major dent on the anti-corruption campaign.

It should also be made sure that the right of the individual to enjoy the ownership and use of his property is guaranteed. This calls for flexibility so as not to be harmful to the society in the process of restraining an asset by way of sending innocent workers away from work when businesses are forced to close.

In doing all this, transparency and accountability are very key to whatever we do. To forestall any suspicion or false alarm we placed emphasis on transparent handling of recoveries through effective management which will safeguard the recovered assets from depreciation, movement or destruction, especially before final forfeiture.

Mr. Ribadu said a major example during the time he undertook the measure as EFCC chairman was the restraint we exercised in handling many cases including Globacom, Honda Place and The Sun newspapers.

We prioritised saving the businesses by considering the larger picture than just shutting down the premises.
A group, Freedom of Information Advocates Initiative, has dismissed the report on arms purchase released by investigators appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as a tainted report produced by tainted investigators.

In a statement Wednesday, the London-based group said its analysis of the Presidential Investigative Panel showed some members ought to have been disqualified from participating in the probe.

The panel, set up by President Buhari to audit procurement of arms by and for the Nigerian military between 2007 and 2015, submitted a third interim report last week.

The report showed how ex-political appointees, private individuals, and former military chiefs were culpable in fraudulent diversion of funds meant for arms procurement.

The president had come under severe criticism over claims that he may had shielded officials of his government.

The FOIA, in its statement, said the chairman of the probe panel, John Odey, an Air Vice Marshal, ought not to have been in the committee.

Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Odey (Chairman of the Presidential Investigative Panel) was the Special Adviser (SA) to the then Minister of Defence Major Gen Gusau (Rtd) 2014  2015 whose role was to superintend and advise the Hon Minister of Defence on issues relating to arms procurement and other related

matters, the statement, signed by Sharon Adoli-Lawrence, Acting Executive Director, FOIA, said.

It is not prudent for AVM Odey to sit in judgment over a matter in which he was involved.

Suleiman Labaran, former Director General, Defence Industries Corporation Of Nigeria (DICON) who is also a member of the panel, is facing a N3.6 billion contract scandal for the production of AK-47 bullets which was 100 percent paid for but only executed up to 30 percent, according to the group.

As a result, the Nigerian Military continues to suffer casualties fighting Boko Haram. The General has no business on that panel. He is tainted, the statement said.

Brig Gen Nyama who was the procurement director between 2007-2011 is also a member of the Presidential Investigative Panel investigating arms contracts

which he participated in awarding. He should at best be a witness not an investigator, it added.

The FOIA said its forensic analysis further showed that 90 percent of N186 billion arms deal was disbursed by the Ministry of Defence and National Security Advisers office without input from the army, navy, and airforce.

The group wondered why Murtala YarAdua, a former Minister of State for Defence, had not been invited for interrogation despite superintending over the mis-managed N35 billion Peace-Keeping vote.

Major General Gusau (Rtd), Permanent Secretary Aliyu, and others superintended over the arms procurement deal in the Ministry of Defence, NSAs office, within the period 2007-2015 but they were not mentioned in the PIP report. Why?

The group said it also discovered that huge amount of money in dollars was paid to a Nigerian citizen with links to Niger Republic whose identity was never revealed in the investigative report.

Who is this Nigerian? The panel should unveil the identity of this person in spirit of transparency.

The report did not specify the amount allegedly misappropriated by each ministry/agency with dates indicating purpose and level of performance.

The funds were all lumped together misleading the general public. Each ministry/agency ought to have given account of all funds accrued to them within the period under investigation.
President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, the new Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Also appointed was a former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nsima Ekere, as the managing director of the Commission.

Mr. Ekeres appointment could not however be confirmed at the time of this report.

He succeeds Ibim Semenitari, who has been the acting managing director since December 2015.

Mr. Ndoma-Egba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who hails from Cross River State, takes over from Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, also from the state.

He was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party until September last year when he resigned from the party following his inability to secure its governorship ticket of the former.

He joined the ruling All Progressives Congress in November.

Mr. Ewa-Henshaw-led Board was sacked by the federal government on July 16, 2015 though it went to court to challenge the action.

The board members argued that by virtue of sections 2, 3 and 5 of the NDDC Act, they were entitled to four years unbroken tenure from December 16, 2013 to December 15, 2017.

Mr. Ekere, who was deputy to former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, could not be reached for comments.
The Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Eshilokun, on Wednesday accused the leadership of the Senate of complicity in the July 12 altercation between Senators Remi Tinubu and Dino Melaye.

Mr. Eshilokun, who led a delegation of legislators from the assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat in Abuja, alleged this after submitting a protest letter to the partys National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.

Mrs. Tinubu (APC-Lagos Central) and Mr. Melaye (APC-Kogi West) were reported to have had a disagreement during a closed-door deliberation at the red chamber.

In the events that followed the incident, Mr. Melaye addressed a news conference and denied threatening to beat up or impregnate Mrs. Tinubu, and alleged that she called him a thug and a dog.

Mr. Eshilokun said there could be altercations, disagreements and verbal attacks but that it must be with decorum.

We are here to show our displeasure about what happened at the upper chamber. There could be verbal attack but it must be decorous, he said.

There could be equal and opposite reaction not abusive and negative reaction. Such a statement shouldnt come from someone who is from the senate.

Whenever issues arise it should be sorted out in a parliamentary manner, and we also felt that the leadership of the Senate didnt act immediately.

Issues like this should not be allowed to fester; it should be nipped in the bud. This is unbecoming of an August body.

There was a conspiracy of silence and we felt that this is not good. If he had cautioned the senator immediately, it would not have be blown out of proportion, he said.

Reminded that they had shirked their duties in Lagos to pursue a trivial matter, Mr. Eshilokun said, there were protests by concerned women group to the House of Assembly.

He added, We read the letter during plenary and it was resolved that the letter be sent to the president, the senate, the party and that appropriate sanctions should be sought.

Yesterday, we went on recess and will not resume till Aug. 29.

He denied the online allegation trending that they were sponsored with N75 million to embark on the protest, saying, we are buoyant enough to sponsor ourselves.

The N75 million trending is a mere allegation. Its a cause that we feel that we must fight.

He disclosed that the APC chairman assured that he would look into the matter and get it resolved. (NAN)
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.




ST. POLTEN, Austria, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

A buyer is being sought for the former Stefan GmbH & Co KG in the Mistelbach district

Following the insolvency of the former window and conservatory specialist Stefan GmbH in Stronsdorf in the Mistelbach district, the business is now up for sale, free from encumbrances, including an exclusive property and all machinery and office equipment.

On the instructions of the insolvency administrator, Mag. Petra Diwok, recovery specialists Karner & Dechow have initiated the process for the sale of this traditional Lower Austrian business.

The business is situated on a plot land covering 17,455 sqm on the B6 - close to the borders of the Czech Republic and Slovakia - and accommodating workshops, warehouses and offices with a built-up area of 4,200 sqm. The company, which initially specialised in pure wood processing, most recently produced more than 7,000 wood, wood-aluminium and plastic windows per year.

In addition to the complete machinery, for the most part as good as new including special equipment and paint, the company's capital assets also include the entire handling equipment with stacker trucks and the vehicle fleet.

Further information is available at http://www.karner-dechow.at.

All about Karner & Dechow Industrie-Auktionen GmbH

Karner & Dechow is the largest private auction house in its field in Austria. Along with its affiliates BVA-Auctions in the Netherlands and Dechow Auktionen in Germany, the traditional Austrian business has been a flexible partner for recovery, auction and asset sales at public auctions for over 100 years.

Contact for enquiries:

Filip Vezmar

Karner & Dechow Industrie-Auktionen Ges.m.b.H.

Porschestrae 23a

A-3100 St.Polten

Tel.: +43-2742-22-444

vezmar@karner-dechow.at



SOURCE Karner & Dechow Industrie-Auktionen Ges.m.b.H.
DUBLIN, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Algeria and Morocco Telecom Towers Market By Grid Type (Reliable Grid, Unreliable Grid & Off-Grid), Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021" report to their offering.

Telecom towers market in Algeria and Morocco is projected to witness robust growth during 2016 - 2021.

Growing smartphone market, declining voice as well as data tariffs along with rapid upsurge in data demand are the key reasons that are expected to increase telecom tower installations in Algeria. Though, electrification rate is quite high in both Algeria and Morocco, still off-grid telecom tower deployment is anticipated to witness growth due to rising trend of green telecom towers.

Rising demand for wireless connectivity due to rapidly expanding mobile subscriber base is augmenting demand for reliable telecom network infrastructure, including telecom tower deployment, in Algeria and Morocco. With increasing mobile data consumption and roll-out of 3G and 4G/LTE services, the telecom network infrastructure is on an upsurge in both the countries.

Furthermore, rising government support for expanding telecom network across provinces, coupled with growth in regulatory compliances for telecom tower deployment is driving telecom operators to increase their focus on deploying off-grid telecom towers in Algeria and Morocco. Rising population, growing demand for high-speed internet services, upsurge in mobile penetration, rising demand for sustainable telecom towers deployment, etc. are expected to drive telecom towers market in both the countries during the forecast period.

Algeria and Morocco Telecom Towers Market By Grid Type, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021 discusses the following aspects of the telecom towers market in Algeria and Morocco:

Increase in Demand for Operational Optimization: Passive Infrastructure Sharing

Growth in Environmental Focus and Green Telecom Tower Solutions

Rising Demand for Traffic Offloading to Micro Sites

Increasing Focus Towards Selling Off Tower Energy Infrastructures

Telecom Tower Companies: Demand for New Revenue Streams

Key Topics Covered:

1. Product Overview

2. Research Methodology

3. Analyst View

4. Global Telecom Towers Market Outlook

5. Algeria & Morocco Telecom Market Outlook

6. Algeria & Morocco Telecom Towers Market Outlook

7. Algeria & Morocco Reliable Grid Telecom Towers Market Outlook

8. Algeria & Morocco Unreliable Grid Telecom Towers Market Outlook

9. Algeria & Morocco Off-Grid Telecom Towers Market Outlook

10. Market Attractiveness Index

11. Market Dynamics

12. Market Trends & Developments

13. Algeria & Morocco Economic Profiles

14. Competitive Landscape

15. Strategic Recommendations

Companies Mentioned

- ATM Mobilis (Mobilis)

- Maroc Telecom

- Medi Telecom (Meditel)

- Optimum Telecom Algeria SPA (Djezzy)

- Wana Corporate SA (Inwi)

- Wataniya Telecom Algerie S.P.A.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/mv5knf/algeria_and

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com



SOURCE Research and Markets
ESPOO, Finland, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

New Beneq R11 and Beneq T2S products introduced at ALD2016

Beneq, the leading supplier of ALD equipment and thin film coating services, today announced two new thin film equipment solutions for industrial customers that require high capacity and low process cost in advanced ALD applications. The new products are set to revolutionize the standards of coating speed in the ALD industry.

Beneq R11 - Ultra-fast high precision spatial ALD coating

Beneq R11 is the latest addition to Beneq's extensive portfolio of large-throughput spatial ALD solutions for industrial use. It provides an optimal solution for high performance ALD on wafers in industrial applications. It is the ideal choice of equipment when speed, cost, low process temperature and the highest possible film quality are the driving factors.

With Beneq R11, it is for the first time possible to use PEALD (Plasma Enhanced ALD) processes in high volume manufacturing. The system lends itself to barrier, insulation and anti-corrosion applications for MEMS, LED, OLED, photovoltaics, high power semiconductors, sensors and others.

Beneq T2S - Automated batch wafer equipment

Beneq T2S is the newest member of Beneq's wafer-based production equipment portfolio. It offers a unique combination of high capacity batch processing and standard cassette-to-cassette automation. The Beneq T2S is specifically engineered to match the semiconductor requirements, including the SEMI S2 safety requirements and low particle counts.

Beneq T2S is perfectly suited for high volume manufacturing in various wafer-based applications, including MEMS, LED, OLED, ink-jet print heads and more. The thermal batch ALD process of Beneq T2S is ideal for oxide and nitride processes used for dielectric, conductor, barrier and passivation purposes.

New products officially unveiled in ALD2016 in Ireland

Both new products, Beneq R11 and Beneq T2S, will be introduced officially next week at ALD2016 - the 16th International Conference on Atomic Layer Deposition in Dublin, Ireland.

Beneq is the leading supplier of ALD equipment and thin film coating services, and world's premier manufacturer of ALD-based thin film electroluminescent displays.

Beneq thin film solutions improve the performance and durability of electronics, optics and sensitive materials, and protect from humidity, corrosion and tarnishing.

Beneq's rugged, transparent and customized Lumineq displays are used in a wide array of applications in extreme conditions. Fully transparent Lumineq TASEL displays combine superior reliability with a unique see-through viewing experience.

http://www.beneq.com

http://www.beneq.com/beneq-r11.html

http://www.beneq.com/beneq-t2s.html

Further information:

Matias Impivaara, Head of Marketing and Communications, +358-9-7599-530.

SOURCE Beneq
HAGEN, Germany, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

First EUROPART in-house exhibition: m ore than 3 , 500 visitors

S uccessful first half of 2016 for EUROPART

EUROPART continues to expand

With the in-house exhibition "EUROPART BESTZEIT," EUROPART is breaking new ground. For the first time, Europe's leading distributor of commercial vehicle spare parts and workshop equipment hosted a trade fair exclusively for commercial vehicle spare parts as well as equipment, tools and consumable materials for the commercial vehicle workshop on July 2, 2016, in the framework of the ADAC Truck Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring. "Our concept is a complete success," EUROPART Sales Manager D-A-CH Olaf Giesen drew a pleased balance. "Not only that we could acquire 78 brands as exhibitors for our in-house exhibition, it was also very well received by our customers." More than 3,500 visitors - workshop operators, transport and bus operators - found their way into the exhibition. EUROPART itself presented the wide range of spare parts and consumables of its own brand.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/391035 )



With more than 2,500 square meters of exhibition space "EUROPART BESTZEIT" is the biggest event of its kind in the commercial vehicle spare parts industry.

EUROPART CEO Pierre Fleck used the in-house exhibition "EUROPART BESTZEIT" at the Nuerburgring to highlight the successful development of the company. "With our European orientation and the clear focus as a specialist for truck, trailer, van and bus, we have created an excellent basis for a successful expansion. In the last year, we could enlarge our organization and considerably increase sales again, due to numerous new branches, new partners and acquisitions." With more than 300 sales outlets in 28 countries EUROPART today is already one of the leading traders for commercial vehicle spare parts and workshop equipment in Europe.

Press contact:

Stefanie Schmidt

Martinstrae 13

58135 Hagen

Germany

st.schmidt@europart.net

Tel.: +49(0)2331/3564-4101



SOURCE EUROPART Holding GmbH
TORONTO, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (TSX: CF) is scheduled to release its first quarter results and supplementary financial information on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 after TSX market close. Interested investors, the media and other stakeholders may review the earnings release and supplementary financial information at http://www.canaccordgenuitygroup.com.

QUARTERLY CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST:

Interested parties are invited to listen to Canaccord Genuity's first quarter conference call, via live webcast or a toll free number. The conference call is scheduled for Thursday, August 4, 2016 at 5:00 a.m. Pacific time, 8:00 a.m. Eastern time, 1:00 p.m. UK time, 8:00 p.m. China Standard Time, and 10:00 p.m. Australia EST. During the call, senior executives will comment on the results and respond to questions from analysts and institutional investors.

The conference call may be accessed live and archived on a listen-only basis at:http://www.canaccordgenuitygroup.com/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/Events.aspx

Analysts and institutional investors can call in via telephone at:

647-427-7450 (within Toronto )

) 1-888-231-8191 (toll free outside Toronto )

) 0-800-051-7107 (toll free from the United Kingdom )

) 0-800-91-7449 (Toll free from France )

) 10-800-714-1191 (toll free from Northern China )

) 10-800-140-1195 (toll free from Southern China )

) 1-800-287-011 (toll free from Australia )

) 800-017-8071 (toll free from United Arab Emirates )

Please ask to participate in the Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. Q1/17 results call. If a passcode is requested, please use 32141306.

A replay of the conference call will be available on August 4, 2016, after 8:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) 4:00 p.m. (UK Time), 11:00 p.m. (China Standard Time), and on August 5, 2016, at 1:00 a.m. (Australia EST Time) until September 19, 2016 at 416-849-0833 or 1-855-859-2056 by entering passcode 32141306 followed by the pound (#) sign.

ABOUT CANACCORD GENUITY GROUP INC.:

Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (the "Company") is a leading independent, full-service financial services firm, with operations in two principal segments of the securities industry: wealth management and capital markets. Since its establishment in 1950, the Company has been driven by an unwavering commitment to building lasting client relationships. We achieve this by generating value for our individual, institutional and corporate clients through comprehensive investment solutions, brokerage services and investment banking services. The Company has offices in 10 countries worldwide, including Wealth Management offices located in Canada, the UK, Guernsey, Jersey, the Isle of Man and Australia. Canaccord Genuity, the international capital markets division, operates in Canada, the US, the UK, France, Ireland, Hong Kong, China, Australia and Dubai. To us there are no foreign markets. 

Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. is publicly traded under the symbol CF on the TSX.

For investor and media relations inquiries: Christina Marinoff, Vice President, Investor Relations & Communications, Phone: +1-416-687-5507, email: christina.marinoff@canaccord.com, http://www.canaccordgenuitygroup.com

SOURCE Canaccord Genuity Group Inc.
- ALM Intelligence, the foremost research organization in the global management consulting sector, names GEP a Vanguard Leader in its new report on Supply Chain Consulting and Risk Management

- GEP consistently recognized for its consulting acumen in strategy and operations, including sourcing, procurement and supply chain management

CLARK, New Jersey, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GEP, a leading global provider of procurement and supply chain consulting and managed services to Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises worldwide, announced it has achieved leadership ranking on a new ALM Vanguard, the well-known proprietary assessment tool featured in the firm's new research report, "Competitive Landscape Analysis: Supply Chain Risk Management Consulting," part of its Strategy & Operations Consulting Research Series.

The report notes: "In an environment of increasing supply chain volatility and complexity, GEP helps firms become more resilient in responding to risk from geopolitical, environmental, reputational, financial or operational sources."

The report further explains: "In assessing risks, GEP utilizes its Supply Chain Risk Management Model, a tool that helps clients aggregate risk and catalog mitigation strategies, considering up to 20 different categories of risk made up of over 70 individual internal and external factors  it is an effective tool to jump-start organizational and cross-functional dialogue about where their risks lie and what the organization can do about them. GEP helps develop mitigation plans and embeds ongoing governance to monitor events that drive further communication or action."

The Vanguard recognition is the latest in a series of honors achieved by the rapidly expanding GEP, which is widely recognized by a broad range of independent third-parties  including research and advisory firms, industry analysts, industry and professional bodies, and industry media  as a leader in each of its three main business lines: strategic consulting, outsourced services and software (SaaS). In January 2016, GEP announced it had achieved equivalent honors in ALM Intelligence's like report on the procurement consulting sector.

A partial snapshot of the report featuring GEP is available for download here: www.gep.com/gep-vanguard

ALM Intelligence (formerly Kennedy Consulting Research & Advisory) is well-known for its ALM Vanguard tool and analysis, which assesses consulting firms in a defined market on the basis of their relative breadth and depth of service capabilities, as well as their momentum in that market.

"The talent, resources and experience GEP brings to the supply chain consulting sector are among the very best in the industry," said Chris Karney, vice president and head of GEP's Supply Chain Consulting practice. "But I believe that GEP has a distinct advantage in the fresh energy and fresh thinking we bring to bear on what are often perceived as chronic or intractable issues of risk and contingency. A change of perspective and an experienced team can achieve some truly extraordinary breakthroughs."

According to Karney, the supply chain consulting practice is seeing strong growth as GEP's large roster of blue-chip clients, confident of GEP's client-centric culture, commitment and ability to get results, is helping drive accelerated uptake.

About GEP

GEP is a diverse, creative team of people passionate about procurement. We invest ourselves entirely in our clients' success, creating strong collaborative relationships that deliver extraordinary value year after year. We deliver practical, effective procurement services and procurement technology that enable procurement leaders to maximize their impact on business operations, strategy and financial performance.



Honored as Best Supplier at the EPIC Procurement Excellence Awards, GEP regularly wins accolades as both a provider of a broad range of procurement services and innovative procurement technology. Among its recent distinctions, GEP has been named Leader and Star Performer in Everest Group's PEAK Matrix of Procurement Services Providers, Leader in NelsonHall's NEAT Matrix of Global Procurement BPO Service Providers, Winner in the HfS Blueprint Report on Procurement Outsourcing Providers, Leader in the ALM Vanguard Reports on Procurement and Supply Chain Consulting, as well as one of Spend Matters 50 Companies to Know and to the Supply & Demand Chain Executive 100.

Clark, NJ-based GEP has 12 offices and operations centers in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

To learn more about our comprehensive range of consulting and outsourcing services, please visit www.gep.com. For more about SMART by GEP, our cloud-native sourcing and procurement software platform, please visit www.smartbygep.com.

Contact

Al Girardi

Global VP, Marketing & Analyst Relations

GEP Worldwide

Phone: +1-732-382-6565

Email: al.girardi@gep.com

Related Links

http://www.gep.com



SOURCE GEP
DUBLIN, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Industrial Control Systems (ICS) Security Market by IT Solution, by IT Service (Risk Management Services, Design, Integration and Consulting, Managed Services, and Audit and Reporting), by Vertical & by Region - Global Forecast to 2021" report to their offering.

The ICS Security Market Size is Expected to Grow from USD 9.00 Billion in 2016 to USD 12.60 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 7.0%

Major IT solutions contributing to the growth of ICS security market are Database Activity Monitoring (DAM), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Security Information, and Event Management (SIEM).

Firewall IT solutions is estimated to grow at the highest market share duing the forecast period. Furthermore, due to the rise in cyber-attacks at critical infrastructure the demand of DAM is expected to increase in the next five years. One of the most widely recognized cyber-attack occurred in 2010, on Iran by Stuxnet, in which around 15 Iranian nuclear facilities got affected.

North America has the largest market size in the ICS security market due to the presence of large number of security vendors. The MEA is the fastest growing region in the ICS security market. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Israel, and Egypt are leaders in the rapid adoption of these solutions. Furthermore the market growth in developing regions such as APAC and MEA is expected to grow due to the increasing number of cyber-attacks and government regulatory compliance in these regions.

In the process of determining and verifying the market size for several segments and sub-segments gathered through secondary research, extensive primary interviews were conducted with key people.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Introduction

2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary

4 Premium Insights

5 Market Overview

6 Industry Trends

7 Industrial Control Systems Security Market Analysis, By It Solution

8 Industrial Control Systems Security Market Analysis, By It Service

9 Industrial Control Systems Security Market Analysis, By Vertical

10 Geographic Analysis

11 Competitive Landscape

12 Company Profiling

- ABB Group

- Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

- Cisco Systems, Inc.

- Honeywell International Inc.

- International Business Machines Corporation

- Juniper Networks, Inc.

- Lockheed Martin Corporation

- Rockwell Automation, Inc.

- Siemens AG

- Tofino Security

- Trend Micro

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/w5t2pq/industrial

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

Related Links

http://www.researchandmarkets.com



SOURCE Research and Markets
NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Rising urbanization, expanding vehicle fleet size and rising infrastructure developments to drive Kuwait tire market through 2021

According to TechSci Research report, "Kuwait Tire Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2021', Kuwait tire market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of over 11% during 2016 - 2021. In June 2015, the government announced its Five-Year Plan worth USD116 billion, for filling infrastructure gaps and boosting construction, real estate and transportation sectors in the country. This is projected to fuel demand for tires, especially from commercial and OTR segments, in the country during 2016 - 2021. Additionally, rising per capita income of consumers and growing demand for luxury cars in the country is fueling demand for passenger car tires in Kuwait.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140117/663730 )



Browse 23 market data Tables and 25 Figures spread through 112 Pages and an in-depth TOC on "Kuwait Tire Market "

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/kuwait-tire-market-forecast-opportunities-2021/733.html

Vehicle sales in Kuwait grew at a CAGR of around 5.8% during 2011 - 2015, with unit sales increasing from 0.11 million units in 2011 to 0.14 million units in 2015. This resulted in expansion of automotive fleet size from 1.48 million units in 2011 to 1.95 million units in 2015. Growing fleet size boosted demand for tires from the replacement segment during the same period and the trend is anticipated to continue in the coming years as well. Moreover, passenger car tire segment dominated Kuwait tire market in 2015, followed by light commercial vehicle tire segment. Moreover, due to the largest fleet size, passenger cars segment would continue its dominance in Kuwait tire market during the forecast period. Nevertheless, on the back of growing construction and logistics industries, medium and heavy commercial vehicle tire segment is expected to demonstrate robust growth over the next five years.

Download Sample Report

@ https://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=733

Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report.

"Various major infrastructure developments, implementation of government's initiatives such as the Kuwait 2035 Mission Plan, and rising investments in healthcare, education facilities and housing is projected to fuel demand for vehicles, and consequently, tires in the country over the next five years. Additionally, increasing consumer inclination towards enhancing vehicle safety and adopting new tire technologies, such as Seal Inside technology and Black/White Walled tires, is expected to positively influence the country's tire market in the coming years.", said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

"Kuwait Tire Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2021" has evaluated the future growth potential of Kuwait tire market and provides statistics and information on market structure, consumer behaviour and trends. The report is intended to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in Kuwait tire industry.

Browse Related Reports

Iran Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/iran-tire-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2021/705.html

Oman Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/oman-tire-market-forecast-opportunities-2021/690.html

Qatar Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/qatar-tyre-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2020/147.html

About TechSci Research

TechSci Research is a leading global market research firm publishing premium market research reports. Serving 700 global clients with more than 600 premium market research studies, TechSci Research is serving clients across 11 different industrial verticals. TechSci Research specializes in research based consulting assignments in high growth and emerging markets, leading technologies and niche applications. Our workforce of more than 100 fulltime Analysts and Consultants employing innovative research solutions and tracking global and country specific high growth markets helps TechSci clients to lead rather than follow market trends.

Contact

Mr. Ken Mathews

708 Third Avenue,

Manhattan, NY,

New York - 10017

Tel: +1-646-360-1656

Email: sales@techsciresearch.com





Connect with us on Twitter - https://twitter.com/TechSciResearch

Connect with us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/techsci-research

SOURCE TechSci Research
ATLANTA and LONDON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis Risk Solutions, part of RELX Group, today announces the acquisition of Insurance Initiatives, Ltd. (IIL), a business which provides a data distribution platform that extracts, hosts and processes large quantities of data to deliver information predominantly into the point-of-quote in the UK's Property & Casualty Insurance industry. The acquisition of IIL will help UK insurers to transform business performance and continue to win new opportunities with data and advanced analytics from experienced insurance industry experts.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160120/324390LOGO

"By acquiring IIL, we can provide value to UK insurers, brokers, and MGAs through proprietary data analytics products derived from industry leading contributory databases. Injecting data directly into the point-of-quote, insurers can make more informed decisions faster, empowering them to deliver a better customer experience," said Bill Madison, CEO, Insurance, LexisNexis Risk Solutions.

Insurance solutions from LexisNexis enable Motor and Property insurers to:

Better assess risk at point-of-quote and underwriting,

More efficiently process claims, and

Reduce application errors and fraud.

IIL utilises data and technology to deliver intelligence at key data-driven decision points throughout the customer lifecycle. Started in 2008, IIL delivers data enrichment strategies which enable insurers to provide the most accurate services possible to their customers predominantly at point-of-quote. The company is located in Nottingham, UK.

About Insurance Initiatives Ltd. (IIL)

Using data and technology to improve business intelligence is what IIL is all about. We're an agile, fast paced technology business, based in the centre of Nottingham's creative quarter. Since 2008 we have been challenging the status quo by developing technology to pull intelligence out of data. This enables our clients to offer more accurate services to their customers, and gives customers a more accurate quote. Our platforms improve business performance in a wide range of industries, all at the touch of a button. Pushing the boundaries is what we like to do, and we continue to do so at a fast pace, as evidenced by our fast growth. We're agile and we like it! Our vision is to provide the richest data and the most accurate decision possible. Our mission is to deliver innovative and leading edge data technology for informed and intelligent decision applications.

About LexisNexis Risk Solutions

LexisNexis Risk Solutions is a leader in providing essential information that helps customers across industries and government predict, assess and manage risk. Combining cutting-edge technology, unique data and advanced analytics, LexisNexis Risk Solutions provides products and services that address evolving client needs in the risk sector while upholding the highest standards of security and privacy. LexisNexis Risk Solutions is part of RELX Group, a world-leading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries.

http://www.lexisnexis.com/risk/

About RELX Group

RELX Group is a worldleading provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries. The group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs approximately 30,000 people of whom half are in North America. RELX PLC is a London listed holding company which owns 52.9% of RELX Group. RELX NV is an Amsterdam listed holding company which owns 47.1% of RELX Group. The shares are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX and RENX. The total market capitalisation is approximately 28bn/33bn/$37bn.

Related Links

http://www.lexisnexis.com/risk



SOURCE LexisNexis Risk Solutions
CALGARY, Alberta, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Madalena Energy Inc. ("Madalena" or the "Company") (TSXV: MVN and OTCQX: MDLNF) announces the departure of Mr. Ray Smith from the board of directors of the Company. Mr. Smith has been a director of Madalena for over 10 years and the board thanks him for his significant contributions to the Company.

Madalena also announces the departures of Mr. Stephen Kapusta, Vice President, Engineering and Mr. Robert Stanton, Vice President, Operations. Mr. Kapusta has resigned effective July 31, 2016 to pursue other opportunities. The departure of Mr. Stanton, who was previously responsible for Madalena's Canadian operations, is effective August 5, 2016 and is as a result of the sale of Madalena's Canadian assets. The Madalena board of directors and management thank Mr. Kapusta and Mr. Stanton for their contributions and wish each of them success in the future.

In addition, Madalena announces that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Mr. Kevin Shaw, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with respect to his departure from Madalena. Pursuant to such agreement, among other things, Madalena has agreed to issue 1,696,970 common shares of the Company at a deemed issue price of $0.165 per share, which decreases the severance contractually owed to Mr. Shaw by $280,000. Such share issuance is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Madalena Energy

Madalena is an independent, Canadian-based, Argentina focused upstream oil and gas company with operations in four provinces of Argentina where it is focused on the delineation of unconventional resources in the Vaca Muerta shale, Lower Agrio shale and Loma Montosa oil plays. The Company is implementing horizontal drilling and completions technology to develop both its conventional and resource plays.

Madalena trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MVN and on the OTCQX under the symbol MDLNF.

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

For further information: Steven Sharpe, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Madalena Energy Inc., Phone: (403) 262-1901 (Ext. 232), ssharpe@madalenaenergy.com; Thomas Love, CA, VP, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Madalena Energy Inc., Phone: (403) 262-1901 (Ext. 227), tlove@madalenaenergy.com

SOURCE Madalena Energy Inc.
LAS VEGAS, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- National Aten Coin Foundation announces today that its Aten Coin is now available on the C-CEX Exchange. A highly respected electronic digital currency exchange platform, C-CEX trades 140 different forms of digital currencies and has over one hundred thousand users.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150921/LA06934LOGO

Designed for optimal security, C-CEX Exchange provides a deeply leveled authentication process which may be accessed across all web enabled devices including tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers. Orders are processed expeditiously through friendly trading interface as well as through C-CEX's API which allow to build fully automated trading applications. Deposits, withdrawals and access to many services are free of exchange's charge (standard network fees may apply), but all trades have only 0.2% fee applied to them.

C-CEX has a very active online community that shares tips and information in the Exchange's chat box. Users who join the group meet fellow traders and make new acquaintances.

Marcus Andrade, NAC Foundation's CEO discussed the new development. "Our expansion is happening rapidly. Several other exchanges have requested to offer the Aten Coin and we will be announcing those opportunities as well," said Andrade.

For more information about C-CEX: https://c-cex.com and https://c-cex.com/?lpm=btc&p=aten-btc

For more information please visit: AtenCoin.com

About National Aten Coin and the Aten Coin

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, National Aten Coin (NAC) is the creator of the Aten Coin, a form of virtual and electronic money. The NAC utilizes proprietary cryptography techniques to secure communications and to regulate and manage its currency. The company strictly adheres to an Anti-Money Laundering (AML) control system that meticulously track customer identities and recordkeeping requirements. Additionally, NAC's Proof-of-Stake v2 method secures all peer-to-peer electronic cash system digital transactions by verifying their coin holders' ownership.

Related Links

http://AtenCoin.com



SOURCE National Aten Coin (NAC)
DUBLIN, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

A new financial app has started to take over the financial industry, revolutionizing the experience for the modern traders of today. Meet the QuickOption application; born out of the need for binary options traders to be able to execute their trades with no delay, on time, with full personalization, and market fluctuations.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/390943LOGO )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/390942 )

Having come from a trading background themselves, the QuickOption team has created a revolutionary application that meets every trader's needs from beginners to the experienced. QuickOption is a fully regulated platform that allows its users to trade while using an innovative and advanced technology. This mobile trading app is FREE to download, allowing for accessible trading anywhere, anytime, with no limitations.

Not only does the app let traders conveniently trade on the go, it also provides tools for education such as:

Exclusive trading video tutorials

Hourly professional signals,

Market news and updates,

Customizable asset alerts

CASH rewards

24/7 personal assistance

& more, all in the palm of your hand.

QuickOption provides everyone the opportunity to trade the markets in an instant. If that is not enough reasons to download trading app, take a look at the social media icon who recently discovered QuickOption and posted about it on multiple social media platforms.

SOURCE QuickOption
DUBLIN, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Polyurethane Chemicals and Products In Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 2016 11th Edition - Volume 3 Rigid Foam" report to their offering.

Introducing the updated in-depth market report on Polyurethane Chemicals and Products in Europe, Middle East and Africa. The data will also be available separately in a database format for subscribers, enabling the manipulation and output of data.



Geographical coverage of the report is as follows:

Austria, Benelux, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Nordic Region, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom



Eastern Europe (9 countries/regions)



- Czech Republic, CIS, Hungary, Other (Baltic States, Romania, Bulgaria), Poland, Russian Federation, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Turkey



Middle East and Africa (9 countries/regions)



- Iran, Levant, North Africa, Other GCC, Other MEA, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, West Africa



This report contains the Rigid Foam coverage as follows:



- Rigid-Faced Sandwich Panels (Continuous & Discontinuous)

- Flexible-Faced Panels

- Slabstock

- Sprayed Foam (SPF)

- Refrigeration (Commercial & Domestic Appliances)

- One-Component Foam (OCF)

- Moulded Rigid Foam

- Pipe-in-Pipe Insulation

- Other



Key Topics Covered:



1. Introduction Rigid Foam Products



2. Rigid Foam Market Trends



3. Key Market Players



4. Total EMEA Rigid Foam



5. Western Europe Rigid Foam



6. Eastern Europe Rigid Foam



7. Middle East and Africa Rigid Foam



Companies Mentioned



- Eurofoam

- Faurecia

- F.S. Fehrer GmbH & Co. KG

- FoamPartner

- Foamline Group

- Johnson Controls

- Proseat

- Recticel

- The Vita Group



For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/sjkk3k/polyurethane

About Research and Markets

Research and Markets is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

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Related Links

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SOURCE Research and Markets
PUNE, India, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

ReportsnReports.com announces Global Strapping Industry 2016 Market Research Report added and available in the manufacturing and construction section of its every growing online business intelligence library.

Complete report on the Strapping market spread across 134 pages, profiling 15 companies and supported with 120 tables and figures is now available at http://www.reportsnreports.com/reports/627506-global-strapping-market-research-report-2021.html .

This report studies Strapping in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with sales, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering PAC Strapping Products, Uline, Linder Seevetal, Unipack, Teufelberger, Carolina Strapping, Samuel Strapping, Polivektris, Dubose Strapping, Cwestern, Dynaric, Kubinec, Maillis Strappig, Polychem and Coyle Strapping.

Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Region, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Strapping in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India.

Split by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into Type 1, Type 2, Type 3. Split by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Strapping in each application, can be divided into Application 1, Application 2, Application 3. Order a copy of Global Strapping Market Report 2016 research report at http://www.reportsnreports.com/Purchase.aspx?name=627506 .

Some of the tables and figures provided in Global Strapping Market Report 2016 research report include:

Table Global Strapping Revenue Market by Region (2011-2021)

Table Global Strapping Revenue Market Share by Region (2011-2021)

Table 2015 Global Strapping Revenue Market Share by Region

Table Global Strapping Consumption Market by Region (2011-2021)

Table Global Strapping Consumption Market Share by Region (2011-2021)

Figure Global Strapping Consumption Market Share by Region (2011-2021)

Figure 2015 Global Strapping Consumption Market Share by Region

Table North America Strapping Production, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)

Figure North America Strapping Production, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)

Table Europe Strapping Production, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)

Figure China Strapping Production, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)

Table Japan Strapping Production, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)

Figure India Strapping Production, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)

Table Southeast Asia Strapping Production, Revenue and Price (2011-2021)

Figure Southeast Asia Strapping Production, Revenue and Growth Rate (2011-2021)

Table Global Strapping Production by Type (2011-2021)

Table Global Strapping Production Share by Type (2011-2021)

Figure Production Market Share of Strapping by Type (2011-2021)

Figure 2015 Production Market Share of Strapping by Type

Figure Global Strapping Production Growth Rate by Type (2011-2021)

Table Global Strapping Revenue by Type (2011-2021)

Table Global Strapping Revenue Share by Type (2011-2021)

Figure Global Strapping Revenue Growth Rate by Type (2011-2021)

Figure Type 1 Production, Revenue and Growth (2011-2021)

Figure Type 1 Price Trend (2011-2021)

Figure Type 2 Production, Revenue and Growth (2011-2021)

Figure Type 2 Price Trend (2011-2021)

Figure Type 3 Production, Revenue and Growth (2011-2021)

Figure Type 3 Price Trend (2011-2021)

Another research titled "2016 Professional Survey Report on Global Strapping Market" is a professional and in-depth survey on the current state of the Strapping industry. The report provides a basic overview of the industry like definitions, classifications, Specifications, applications and industry chain structure. Global Strapping Overall Market Overview is presented by Capacity, Growth Rate, Sales Analysis, Sales Price Analysis, Gross Margin Analysis. Strapping Regional Market Analysis done by USA, China Europe, South America, Japan and Africa. Market Analysis by Type and by Application covered in this report with global Consumption and Different Application and Different types. Major Manufacturers Analysis of Strapping including Company Profile, Product Picture, Specifications, Sales, Ex-factory Price, Revenue, Gross Margin Analysis, Region wise Distribution. Top manufactures are PAC Strapping Products, Uline, Linder Seevetal, Unipack, Teufelberger, Carolina Strapping, Samuel Strapping, Polivektris, Dubose Strapping, Cwestern, Dynaric, Kubinec, Maillis Strappig, Polychem and Coyle Strapping. Order a copy of Global Strapping Market Professional Survey Report 2016 at http://www.reportsnreports.com/Purchase.aspx?name=565180 .

Explore more reports on the Manufacturing & Construction market athttp://www.reportsnreports.com/market-research/manufacturing/ .

About Us:

ReportsnReports.com is an online market research reports library of 500,000+ in-depth studies of over 5000 micro markets. Not limited to any one industry, ReportsnReports.com offers research studies on agriculture, energy and power, chemicals, environment, medical devices, healthcare, food and beverages, water, advanced materials and much more.

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SOURCE ReportsnReports
LONDON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

100 senior enterprise mobility strategists from FTSE 250 companies across the UK will be sharing case studies and insight into how they are creating value and ROI through mobile strategies, innovation and digital transformation across their whole business.

Taking place at the Hilton, Wembley, London from 19th -20th September, this unique, invitation only forum will provide you with the opportunity to network with your peers - attendance is strictly limited to decision makers - plus get to grips with the best methods and technologies being used to;

Enable/ support digital transformation through mobility initiatives

Increase value and ROI in a mobile first organization by enhancing customer satisfaction, employee productivity and adding/ enhancing new product lines

Utilize data from mobile devices real-time, in a secure way

Read the full programme here: http://bit.ly/2apRIMN

Speakers covering these topics at this industry forum will include:

Patrick Bossert , Digital Transformation Director at Network Rail

, Digital Transformation Director at Network Rail Adrian Wong , Creative Director at AstraZeneca

, Creative Director at AstraZeneca Bill Douglas , Programme Director at Royal Bank of Scotland

, Programme Director at Royal Bank of Wei Wang , Executive Director at GE

, Executive Director at GE Michael Hook , Audio visual and VIP Analyst at Crossrail

, Audio visual and VIP Analyst at Crossrail Nicholas McQuire , Vice President, Enterprise Research at CCS Insight

, Vice President, Enterprise Research at CCS Insight Matthew Dawson , Executive Director - Global Head of Mobile Engineering, UBS

, Executive Director - Global Head of Mobile Engineering, UBS Charles Webb , Waitrose Head of IT Delivery (Interim)

, Waitrose Head of IT Delivery (Interim) Dave Shepherd , Director, Barclays Eagle Labs Chairman, London Digital Security Centre

, Director, Barclays Eagle Labs Chairman, London Digital Security Centre David Wilde , Executive Director for Place Operations and Chief Information Officer at Essex County Council

, Executive Director for Place Operations and Chief Information Officer at Essex County Council James Hodges , IT Director at Mitie Security and Clean Environments

, IT Director at Mitie Security and Clean Environments Roy Corneloues, Principle Architect: Mobile Solutions at BT

Andrew Isenman , Enterprise Mobility Programme Lead at Heathrow

, Enterprise Mobility Programme Lead at Harrison O'Hara , Mobile Technology Manager at Costain Group PLC

, Mobile Technology Manager at Costain Group PLC Emil Berthelsen , Principal Analyst at Machina Research

, Principal Analyst at Machina Research Juan Pablo Luchetti , Consultancy Director at Mubaloo Limited

Find the full program here http://bit.ly/2apRIMN, for event details and registration information visit http://bit.ly/2a7b2Ct, call +44(0)20-7368-9484 or email exchangeinfo@iqpc.com .

Media contact: Abigail Rogerson, Marketing Manager, +44(0)20-7368-9745 abigail.rogerson@iqpc.co.uk or visit http://bit.ly/2a7b2Ct

Press are invited to attend this important industry forum, if you would like a complimentary press pass please email Abigail Rogerson at abigail.rogerson@iqpc.co.uk

SOURCE IQPC
"It has never been easier to pay securely on Zaful."

SHENZHEN, China, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Zaful is well respected in the fashion ecommerce niche by customers and competitors alike. Zaful is known for high quality clothing, the latest trends, affordable prices, or the amazing customer support, but one aspect people rarely heard of is the secure payment system. Zaful values its customers and always wants them to feel safe and secure when shopping online. Today Zaful engineers discuss the latest in payments and what Zaful is doing to keep customers secure.

While consumers trust PayPal as one of the most secure systems in the world, Zaful provides one of the safest ways to shop online. People can store money on their PayPal accounts or even link their bank accounts. PayPal users have the options to pay either by PayPal credit or by installations.

Customers who do not want to create a PayPal account can pay directly by credit card. Zaful has created a secure system that will prevent customer's data from leaking. Cards that are currently accepted for direct payment include American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, JCB, and Diners Club. Zaful will look to import more credit card types as they become available.

Local payments are often popular for people from specific countries. For instance, local payments often have lower fees for users and they can be loyal to their own countries. Brazilian customers can pay by Boleto Bancario, which often reduces fees of paying by credit cards because of Brazil's high import and export rates for international businesses. Currently this is the only local payment on Zaful, but it's just a start. Zaful will begin to carry more local payment types as demand rises. In the near future, Zaful will accept payments from the following local payment companies: Cashu is accepted for Middle Eastern or North American customers. Russian customers can pay by Webmoney or Qiwi. Countries like the Netherlands can use Ideal, and softbanking for Europe.

Last but not least, customers who do not have cards or are scared of paying online can use Western Union and wire transfers. Zaful will work closely with customers paying with this method to ensure money is transfered to the right account during the transaction process.

For more information, please visit http://www.zaful.com/ and its sister companies' websites: SammyDress and Rosegal.

Related Links

http://www.zaful.com



SOURCE Zaful
CLEVELAND, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 2016 Republican National Convention (RNC) continues today in Cleveland, Ohio. The day's events and speakers will expand upon the theme: "Make America First Again."

America has always been an exceptional nation. Unfortunately, years of bad policies and poor leadership have weakened our position abroad and limited our opportunities here at home. In a Trump administration, America will reclaim its historic role in the world, and Americans' best interests will be the touchstone for any presidential decision on domestic or foreign policy.

The speakers participating in Wednesday night's program will discuss the Republican vision for a new century of American leadership and excellence. Below are excerpts from a select group of the speeches to be delivered as part of this evening's program. Speaker background information is also provided.

Note the excerpts are as prepared for delivery.

MAKE AMERICA FIRST AGAIN

WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

Florida Governor Rick Scott

Rick Scott is the current governor of the State of Florida. Before becoming governor, Scott served as CEO of Columbia Hospital Corporation. Under his leadership, the company became one of the world's largest health care companies and the 7th largest employer in the United States.

This evening, Gov. Scott will speak about the recent terrorist attack in Orlando and the growing worldwide threat of Islamic extremism. Gov. Scott will emphasize that putting America first will help keep Americans safe.

"I cried with the grieving moms and dads and brothers and sisters of the 49 people slaughtered by an ISIS-inspired terrorist. This war is real. It is here in America. And the next president must destroy this evil. Donald Trump is the man for that job."

"Today, America is in terrible, world-record-high debt. Our economy is not growing. Our jobs are going overseas. We have allowed our military to decay, and we project weakness on the international stage. Washington grows while the rest of America struggles. The Democrats have not led us to a crossroads, they have led us to a cliff."

Laura Ingraham, Radio Host

A former white-collar defense attorney and Supreme Court law clerk, Laura Ingraham is the most-listened-to woman on political talk radio. The Laura Ingraham Show is ranked in radio's Top 10, and heard coast-to-coast in 225 markets.

Ms. Ingraham will discuss the importance of respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and the inherent rights of the American people the first priority of our elected officials.

"I'm a single mother of three adopted children. I'm here tonight supporting Donald Trump because like most Americans, I refuse to leave them a country that is worse off than the one my parents left me."

"Donald Trump understands that we must turn this around and restore respect across all levels of society. Unlike us, Hillary Clinton believes the status quo is just fine because she helped create it."

Phil Ruffin, Businessman

Ruffin is an American businessman with diverse interests in real estate, lodging, manufacturing, energy, and retail enterprises. Ruffin started his business in 1959 with a single convenience store and expanded it into an operation with 65 stores in four states. He currently holds 12 hotels in Kansas, Maryland, California, Oklahoma, Texas, and Alabama.

Mr. Ruffin will speak about his personal experience working with Donald Trump as a developer, entrepreneur, innovator, and leader.

"I have known Donald Trump as a friend and a business partner for over 20 years. You can't be my friend and my business partner for long if you're not honest with me and good to your word. I can tell you Donald Trump is both. He's been an innovator, an entrepreneur. No one in our business works harder or smarter than he does."

"He is a developer. He is an entrepreneur. He is an innovator. And he is a leader. He now wants to turn around Washington."

Pam Bondi, Attorney General of Florida

Pam Bondi is currently serving as Florida's 37th Attorney General. Since being sworn into office on January 4, 2011, Bondi has worked tirelessly to protect the people of Florida and uphold the state's laws and the U.S. Constitution. During her tenure, she has focused on defending Florida's constitutional rights against the federal health care law.

Bondi will speak about the importance of restoring the rule of law after eight years of living under an administration that has played fast and loose with our constitutional rights.

"Hillary will stack the Supreme Court with liberal justices who will allow government to continue its rampage against our individual rights with utter contempt for our Second Amendment.

"I know Donald, and he will appoint conservative justices who will defend, rather than rewrite, our Constitution. Are you ready to send ISIS a message that we're really coming after them? When Donald Trump is president, he will."

Eileen Collins, Astronaut (retired)

Eileen Collins is an astronaut and veteran of four Space Shuttle missions. She was the first woman to command a Space Shuttle mission and logged over 537 hours in space during her tenure at NASA.

Collins will issue a call to once again make America first in space exploration.

"Nations that lead on the frontier, lead in the world. We need that visionary leadership again: leadership that will inspire the next generation to have that same passion. We need leadership that will challenge every American to ask, 'What's next?' We need leadership that will make America's space program first again. We need leadership that will make America first again."

Michelle Van Etten, Small Business Owner

Michelle Van Etten is a small business owner who was recently featured in The Greatest Networkers in the World, second edition. Michelle employs over 100,000 people, and she supports Donald Trump because she believes that his policies will help businesses across America.

Van Etten will speak about making America first by supporting the next generation of American entrepreneurs.

"Small business are the backbone of the American economy. We need these entrepreneurs. We live in the land of opportunity. We need to protect the American Dream above all else."

"We need a president who is businessman, not a Hillary-crat. Who understands small businesses are the backbone of America. Who will not raise taxes. Who will repeal Obamacare so small businesses can start offering insurance to their employees again. Who will end common core and protect our children's education. Who will encourage creativity and innovation. Who will bring manufacturing back to America. Who will make America great and safe again."

State Senator Ralph Alvarado, Jr. (Kentucky)

Ralph Alvarado is currently serving as a state senator in the Kentucky legislature. Trained as a physician specializing in internal medicine and pediatrics, Alvarado was president of Winchester Medical Associates before joining KentuckyOne Medical Group. Alvarado's experience as a small business owner gave him firsthand knowledge of how tough business ownership can be.

Mr. Alvarado will speak about his parents legally immigrating to American and growing up watching them sacrifice every day to provide a better life for their family. Mr. Alvarado will emphasize that by protecting the American dream for the next generation, we can make America first again.

"We didn't have the luxuries that other families had, but what my parents did give me was family structure, discipline, support, high personal expectations, love and faith in God. They were Hispanic, they were Americans and they were very proud of being both.  But, this story is not unique to my family; it is the story of thousands of legal Latino immigrants who come to America."

Dr. Darrell C. Scott, Senior Pastor and Co-Founder of New Spirit Revival Center Ministries

Dr. Darrell C. Scott has given his life to spreading the word of God and helping those in need. Scott started the New Spirit Revival Center in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, on February 14, 1994, with just four members in attendance. His ministry, which has grown to include thousands of people, is focused on reviving its Cleveland community.

Dr. Scott will speak discuss Donald Trump's unique qualifications for the office of the presidency.

"Donald Trump has played for big stakes and is a master negotiator and deal maker. He knows that for all the sharp elbows and words that the art of the deal is bringing people together, to unify, to get to yes. That means solving problems, finding common ground, and moving forward. He has done that for himself for over 30 years. He now wants to take that experience to get the best deal for America and for all Americans. "

Harold Hamm, Continental Resources

Harold Hamm is an American entrepreneur and played a key role in the development of the technologies behind the United States' recent renaissance in oil and natural gas production. Born in Lexington, Oklahoma, Hamm was the youngest of 13 children. With just a high-school education, Hamm started his own business at the age of 21. This grassroots startup, Continental Resources, soon became a NYSE-traded, Top 10 oil producer in the United States Lower 48.

Mr. Hamm will speak about how unleashing the full potential of America's vast energy resources will power America to greatness. Hamm will contrast this vast opportunity with Hillary Clinton's endeavor to crush America's energy renaissance at the behest of left wing radicals.

"Critics may say I'm just a well-to-do supporter of Donald Trump. They don't know about the 13th child of sharecroppers who was inspired by Vo-Ag [vocational agriculture] teacher, Jim Hunter. I couldn't start school before the first snow or Christmas  whichever came first  because I was pulling cotton to feed our family. My first memories are picking cotton barefoot.

"I'm standing here tonight because the American Dream was alive and well when I struck out on my own at 20 years old with nothing but a truck, a co-signed note, and a phone."

Paid for by the Committee on Arrangements for the 2016 Republican National Convention. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

www.convention.gop.

CONTACT: [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160516/367841LOGO

SOURCE 2016 Republican National Convention

Related Links

http://gopconvention2016.com


ABBOTT PARK, Ill., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Second-quarter worldwide sales of $5.3 billion increased 3.2 percent on a reported basis and 6.4 percent on an operational basis.

increased 3.2 percent on a reported basis and 6.4 percent on an operational basis. Reported diluted EPS from continuing operations under GAAP was $0.40 in the second quarter. Excluding specified items, adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations was $0.55 in the second quarter, above the previous guidance range.

in the second quarter. Excluding specified items, adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations was in the second quarter, above the previous guidance range. Abbott's full-year 2016 EPS for continuing operations under GAAP is projected to be $1.26 to $1.36 . Projected full-year 2016 adjusted EPS for continuing operations remains unchanged at $2.14 to $2.24 .

. Projected full-year 2016 adjusted EPS for continuing operations remains unchanged at . In July, Abbott received U.S. FDA approval for Absorb TM , the only fully dissolving heart stent, as well as U.S. FDA approval for TECNIS  Symfony intraocular lenses for the treatment of cataracts, the first and only extended depth of focus lenses for people with cataracts.

, the only fully dissolving heart stent, as well as U.S. FDA approval for TECNIS Symfony intraocular lenses for the treatment of cataracts, the first and only extended depth of focus lenses for people with cataracts. In the second quarter, Abbott announced the global launch of AlinIQ, the first-of-its-kind informatics solution with enhanced capabilities to help diagnostics laboratories increase productivity and flexibility in managing data throughout hospital networks.

On April 28, 2016 , Abbott announced an agreement to acquire St. Jude Medical, Inc. The transaction will create a premier medical device leader with a highly competitive portfolio that will include an industry-leading pipeline across cardiovascular, neuromodulation, diabetes and vision care.

"It was a good quarter," said Miles D. White, chairman and chief executive officer, Abbott. "We're particularly pleased with the steady cadence of new product approvals and recent launches that are contributing to growth, including FreeStyle Libre, MitraClip, Absorb and Symfony."



SECOND-QUARTER BUSINESS OVERVIEW

Following are sales by business segment and commentary for the second quarter and first half of the year:

Total Company

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 2Q15



Sales 2Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total *

1,655

3,678

5,333

4.0

2.8

7.5

3.2

6.4 Nutrition

750

990

1,740

3.0

0.2

5.3

1.4

4.3 Diagnostics

361

865

1,226

3.0

4.5

7.3

4.1

6.0 Established Pharmaceuticals --

980

980

n/a

0.4

9.5

0.4

9.5 Medical Devices

535

837

1,372

6.1

6.6

7.3

6.4

6.8

* Total Abbott Sales from continuing operations include Other Sales of $15 million.





















% Change vs. 1H15



Sales 1H16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total *

3,186

7,032

10,218

3.0

0.8

7.0

1.5

5.8 Nutrition

1,469

1,942

3,411

3.9

(1.5)

4.6

0.8

4.3 Diagnostics

700

1,644

2,344

3.3

3.2

7.7

3.2

6.4 Established Pharmaceuticals --

1,868

1,868

n/a

(0.3)

10.2

(0.3)

10.2 Medical Devices

1,001

1,568

2,569

1.2

2.8

5.4

2.1

3.7



* Total Abbott Sales from continuing operations include Other Sales of $26 million. n/a = Not Applicable. Note: Operational growth reflects percentage change over the prior year excluding the impact of exchange rates. In order to compute results excluding the impact of exchange rates, current year U.S. dollar sales are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the current year average foreign exchange rates and then those amounts are multiplied or divided, as appropriate, by the prior year average foreign exchange rates.

Second-quarter 2016 worldwide sales of $5.3 billion increased 3.2 percent on a reported basis, including an unfavorable 3.2 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 6.4 percent on an operational basis.

International sales increased 2.8 percent on a reported basis and 7.5 percent on an operational basis in the second quarter. International operational growth was led by strong performance across all of Abbott's business segments.

Emerging market sales increased 1.1 percent on a reported basis and 8.5 percent on an operational basis in the second quarter. Excluding the impact of Venezuelan operations, emerging market sales would have increased 4.8 percent on a reported basis and 12.4 percent on an operational basis.



Nutrition

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 2Q15



Sales 2Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total

750

990

1,740

3.0

0.2

5.3

1.4

4.3 Pediatric

425

547

972

5.8

(3.4)

1.6

0.4

3.4 Adult

325

443

768

(0.6)

5.1

10.3

2.6

5.5





















































































































% Change vs. 1H15



Sales 1H16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total

1,469

1,942

3,411

3.9

(1.5)

4.6

0.8

4.3 Pediatric

828

1,111

1,939

5.3

(2.8)

2.9

0.5

3.9 Adult

641

831

1,472

2.2

0.3

7.0

1.1

4.9

Worldwide Nutrition sales increased 1.4 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 2.9 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 4.3 percent on an operational basis. Excluding the impact of Venezuelan operations, worldwide Nutrition sales would have increased 3.3 percent on a reported basis and 6.2 percent on an operational basis.

Worldwide Pediatric Nutrition sales increased 0.4 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 3.0 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 3.4 percent on an operational basis. Sales growth in the quarter was led by above-market growth in the U.S. with continued uptake of recently launched products, including infant and toddler non-GMO products, as well as strong performance across several countries in Latin America and Asia.

Worldwide Adult Nutrition sales increased 2.6 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 2.9 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 5.5 percent on an operational basis. Operational sales growth in the quarter was led by strong growth of Abbott's complete and balanced nutrition brand, Ensure, and double-digit growth internationally.



Diagnostics

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 2Q15



Sales 2Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total

361

865

1,226

3.0

4.5

7.3

4.1

6.0 Core Laboratory

206

772

978

0.1

4.3

7.1

3.4

5.6 Molecular

51

68

119

1.1

3.6

5.9

2.5

3.8 Point of Care

104

25

129

10.2

17.2

17.4

11.5

11.5





















































































































% Change vs. 1H15



Sales 1H16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total

700

1,644

2,344

3.3

3.2

7.7

3.2

6.4 Core Laboratory

396

1,467

1,863

1.2

3.2

7.8

2.8

6.4 Molecular

98

129

227

(0.5)

0.2

4.6

(0.1)

2.4 Point of Care

206

48

254

9.7

12.1

13.4

10.1

10.4

Worldwide Diagnostics sales increased 4.1 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 1.9 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 6.0 percent on an operational basis.

Core Laboratory Diagnostics sales increased 3.4 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 2.2 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 5.6 percent on an operational basis. Operational sales growth in the quarter was led by double-digit growth in emerging markets. During the quarter, Abbott launched AlinIQ, a first-of-its-kind professional services and informatics solution that enhances diagnostic laboratory productivity and flexibility in managing data throughout hospital networks.

Molecular Diagnostics sales increased 2.5 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 1.3 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 3.8 percent on an operational basis. As expected, continued strong growth in Abbott's infectious disease testing business was partially offset by the planned scale down of its genetics business.

Point of Care Diagnostics sales increased 11.5 percent on a reported and operational basis. Double-digit sales growth was led by continued adoption of Abbott's i-STAT handheld system in the U.S. and international markets.

Established Pharmaceuticals

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 2Q15



Sales 2Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total

--

980

980

n/a

0.4

9.5

0.4

9.5 Key Emerging Markets

--

754

754

n/a

3.9

15.9

3.9

15.9 Other

--

226

226

n/a

(9.9)

(9.1)

(9.9)

(9.1)





















































































































% Change vs. 1H15



Sales 1H16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total

--

1,868

1,868

n/a

(0.3)

10.2

(0.3)

10.2 Key Emerging Markets

--

1,388

1,388

n/a

0.5

14.0

0.5

14.0 Other

--

480

480

n/a

(2.6)

(0.4)

(2.6)

(0.4)

Established Pharmaceuticals sales increased 0.4 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 9.1 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 9.5 percent on an operational basis. Excluding the impact of Venezuelan operations, Established Pharmaceuticals sales would have increased 4.6 percent on a reported basis and 14.1 percent on an operational basis.

Key Emerging Markets include India, Russia, Brazil and China, along with several additional emerging markets that represent the most attractive long-term growth opportunities for Abbott's branded generics product portfolio. Sales in these key geographies increased 3.9 percent on a reported basis and 15.9 percent on an operational basis. Operational sales growth was led by continued strong growth in India, which comprises more than 20 percent of Abbott's Established Pharmaceuticals sales, as well as Russia, China and several countries throughout Latin America.



Medical Devices

($ in millions)

















% Change vs. 2Q15



Sales 2Q16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total

535

837

1,372

6.1

6.6

7.3

6.4

6.8 Vascular

346

436

782

16.4

2.7

3.6

8.3

8.9 Diabetes Care

73

210

283

(21.6)

13.4

15.2

1.7

2.8 Medical Optics

116

191

307

1.9

9.1

7.7

6.2

5.4

































Vascular Product Lines:































Coronary Devicesa)

202

367

569

3.9

1.2

2.0

2.1

2.6 Endovascularb)

77

68

145

8.5

10.5

12.3

9.4

10.2

a) Includes DES / BVS product portfolio, structural heart, guidewires, balloon catheters and other coronary products. b) Includes vessel closure, carotid stents and other peripheral products.





















% Change vs. 1H15



Sales 1H16





Int'l

Total



U.S.

Int'l

Total

U.S.

Reported

Operational

Reported

Operational Total

1,001

1,568

2,569

1.2

2.8

5.4

2.1

3.7 Vascular

635

832

1,467

9.3

(0.8)

1.9

3.3

5.0 Diabetes Care

142

384

526

(26.8)

9.3

13.2

(3.6)

(1.1) Medical Optics

224

352

576

4.5

5.0

6.0

4.8

5.4

































Vascular Product Lines:































Coronary Devicesa)

396

703

1,099

4.4

(2.2)

0.4

0.1

1.8 Endovascularb)

150

128

278

9.0

6.8

10.5

7.9

9.7



a) Includes DES / BVS product portfolio, structural heart, guidewires, balloon catheters and other coronary products. b) Includes vessel closure, carotid stents and other peripheral products.

Worldwide Medical Devices sales increased 6.4 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 0.4 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 6.8 percent on an operational basis.

Worldwide sales of Vascular products increased 8.3 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 0.6 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 8.9 percent on an operational basis. Sales were favorably impacted by the resolution of previously disputed third-party royalty revenue related to the prior year. Excluding this impact, worldwide sales of Vascular products would have increased 4.1 percent on a reported basis and 4.7 percent on an operational basis, and U.S. sales would have increased 6.2 percent on a reported and operational basis.

Sales growth in Vascular products was led by double-digit growth of MitraClip, Abbott's device for the treatment of mitral regurgitation, as Abbott continues to build the market for this first-in-class device. Double-digit operational sales growth in Abbott's Endovascular business was driven by vessel closure products and Supera, Abbott's unique peripheral stent for the treatment of blockages in the leg. In July, the U.S. FDA approved Abbott's Absorb bioresorbable stent, the only fully dissolving heart stent. Absorb offers a unique benefit to patients, as it is designed to treat coronary artery disease like a metallic stent, but then disappears after the artery is healed, leaving no metal behind to restrict natural vessel motion.

Worldwide Diabetes Care sales increased 1.7 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including an unfavorable 1.1 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 2.8 percent on an operational basis. International sales growth was driven by continued consumer uptake of FreeStyle Libre, Abbott's revolutionary Flash Glucose Monitoring System that eliminates routine finger sticks and finger-stick calibration. In the U.S., sales were impacted by competitive and market dynamics.

Worldwide Medical Optics sales increased 6.2 percent on a reported basis in the second quarter, including a favorable 0.8 percent effect of foreign exchange, and increased 5.4 percent on an operational basis. Operational sales growth was driven by continued market uptake of cataract products in the premium intraocular lens segment. In July, Abbott received U.S. FDA approval for the TECNIS Symfony intraocular lenses, the first and only lenses in the U.S. that provide a full range of continuous high-quality vision following cataract surgery.



ABBOTT'S FULL-YEAR EARNINGS-PER-SHARE GUIDANCE

Abbott projects earnings per share from continuing operations under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) of $1.26 to $1.36 for the full year 2016.

Abbott forecasts net specified items for the full year 2016 of approximately $0.88 per share. Specified items include intangible amortization expense, the impact of the Venezuelan currency devaluation in the first quarter, expenses associated with acquisitions, including bridge facility fees, and charges related to cost reduction initiatives and other expenses, partially offset by the favorable resolution of various tax positions from prior years.

Excluding specified items, projected earnings per share from continuing operations remains unchanged at $2.14 to $2.24 for the full year 2016.

ABBOTT DECLARES 370TH QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

On June 10, 2016, the board of directors of Abbott declared the company's quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share. Abbott's cash dividend is payable Aug. 15, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 15, 2016.

Abbott is a member of the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which tracks companies that have annually increased their dividend for 25 consecutive years.

About Abbott:

Abbott is a global healthcare company devoted to improving life through the development of products and technologies that span the breadth of healthcare. With a portfolio of leading, science-based offerings in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic pharmaceuticals, Abbott serves people in more than 150 countries and employs approximately 74,000 people.

Visit Abbott at www.abbott.com and connect with us on Twitter at @AbbottNews.

Abbott will webcast its live second-quarter earnings conference call through its Investor Relations website at www.abbottinvestor.com at 8 a.m. Central time today. An archived edition of the call will be available after 11 a.m. Central time.

 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 

A Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release may be forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Abbott cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect Abbott's operations are discussed in Item 1A, "Risk Factors,'' to our Annual Report on Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K for the year ended Dec. 31, 2015, and are incorporated by reference. Abbott undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





2Q16

2Q15

% Change

Net Sales

$5,333

$5,170

3.2

















Cost of products sold, excluding amortization expense

2,287

2,218

3.1

Amortization of intangible assets

145

151

(4.0)

Research and development

348

345

0.9

Selling, general, and administrative

1,737

1,727

0.6

Total Operating Cost and Expenses

4,517

4,441

1.7

















Operating earnings

816

729

11.9

















Interest expense, net

83

17

n/m

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

10

5

77.0

Other (income) expense, net

8

(279)

n/m 1) Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

715

986

(27.4)

















Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

116

200

(42.0)

Earnings from Continuing Operations

599

786

(23.8)

















Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

16

(1)

n/m

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

--

(1)

n/m

Net Earnings (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

16

(2)

n/m

















Net Earnings

$615

$784

(21.5)

















Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding













Specified Items, as described below

$812

$786

3.3 2)















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from:













Continuing Operations

$0.40

$0.52

(23.1)

Discontinued Operations

0.01

--

n/m

Total

$0.41

$0.52

(21.2)

















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing













Operations, excluding Specified Items, as described below

$0.55

$0.52

5.8 2)















Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding













Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options

1,480

1,504









NOTES:

See tables below for an explanation of certain non-GAAP financial information. n/m = Percent change is not meaningful. See footnotes below.









1) 2015 Other (income) expense includes a gain on the sale of a portion of Abbott's position in Mylan stock and a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration related to a business acquisition, both reported as specified items.



2) 2016 Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $213 million, or $0.15 per share, for intangible amortization expense, expenses primarily associated with acquisitions, including bridge facility fees, and charges related to cost reduction initiatives and other expenses.





2015 Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of less than $1 million as intangible amortization expense, expenses associated with cost reduction initiatives and expenses related to acquisitions were offset by a gain on the sale of a portion of Abbott's position in Mylan stock and a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration related to a business acquisition.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings First Half Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





1H16

1H15

% Change

Net Sales

$10,218

$10,067

1.5

















Cost of products sold, excluding amortization expense

4,427

4,299

3.0

Amortization of intangible assets

289

307

(5.8)

Research and development

727

658

10.5

Selling, general, and administrative

3,435

3,464

(0.8)

Total Operating Cost and Expenses

8,878

8,728

1.7

















Operating earnings

1,340

1,339

0.1

















Interest expense, net

108

33

n/m

Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

488

(49)

n/m 1) Other (income) expense, net

27

(284)

n/m

Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

717

1,639

(56.3)

















Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations

62

324

(80.9) 2) Earnings from Continuing Operations

655

1,315

(50.2)

















Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

260

25

n/m

Gain on Sale of Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

16

1,736

(99.1)

Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes

276

1,761

(84.3) 3)















Net Earnings

$931

$3,076

(69.7)

















Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding













Specified Items, as described below

$1,427

$1,505

(5.2) 4)















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from:













Continuing Operations

$0.44

$0.87

(49.4)

Discontinued Operations

0.19

1.16

(83.6) 3) Total

$0.63

$2.03

(69.0)

















Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Continuing













Operations, excluding Specified Items, as described below

$0.96

$0.99

(3.0) 4)















Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding













Plus Dilutive Common Stock Options

1,482

1,511









NOTES:

See tables below for an explanation of certain non-GAAP financial information. n/m = Percent change is not meaningful. See footnotes below.









1) 2016 Net foreign exchange (gain) loss includes a loss of $477 million related to the revaluation of Abbott's net monetary assets in Venezuela using the Dicom exchange rate, which is the Venezuelan government's official floating exchange rate.



2) 2016 Tax expense on Earnings from Continuing Operations includes the impact of a net tax benefit of approximately $145 million as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of non-deductible foreign exchange losses related to Venezuela.



3) 2016 Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes primarily reflect the impact of a net tax benefit of $266 million as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years.





2015 Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Common Share from Discontinued Operations, net of taxes reflect the after-tax gain of $1.736 billion on the sale of the developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals and animal health businesses to Mylan on Feb. 27, 2015 and Zoetis on Feb. 10, 2015, respectively; the first-quarter financial results from these businesses up to the date of sale; and a favorable adjustment to tax expense as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from previous years related to AbbVie operations.



4) 2016 Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $772 million, or $0.52 per share, for intangible amortization expense, the foreign exchange loss related to Venezuela, expenses associated with acquisitions, including bridge facility fees, and other charges related to cost reduction initiatives and other expenses, partially offset by the favorable impact of a net tax benefit as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years.





2015 Net Earnings from Continuing Operations, excluding Specified Items, excludes net after-tax charges of $190 million, or $0.12 per share, for intangible amortization expense, expenses associated with cost reduction initiatives and expenses related to acquisitions, partially offset by a gain on the sale of a portion of Abbott's position in Mylan stock and a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration related to a business acquisition.

NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





2Q16



As

Reported

(GAAP)

Specified

Items

As

Adjusted

% to

Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$145

($145)

--



Gross Margin

2,901

170

$3,071

57.6% R&D

348

(1)

347

6.5% SG&A

1,737

(54)

1,683

31.6% Interest expense, net

83

(57)

26



Other (income) expense, net

8

(1)

7



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

715

283

998



Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations

116

70

186



Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

599

213

812



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$0.40

$0.15

$0.55





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $145 million, and other expenses of $138 million, primarily associated with acquisitions, including bridge facility fees, and charges related to cost reduction initiatives and other expenses.





2Q15



As

Reported

(GAAP)

Specified

Items

As

Adjusted

% to

Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$151

($151)

--



Gross Margin

2,801

185

$2,986

57.8% R&D

345

(20)

325

6.3% SG&A

1,727

(67)

1,660

32.1% Other (income) expense, net

(279)

287

8



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

986

(15)

971



Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations

200

(15)

185



Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

786

--

786



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$0.52

--

$0.52





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $151 million and other expenses of $121 million, primarily associated with cost reduction initiatives and acquisitions, partially offset by a gain on the sale of a portion of Abbott's position in Mylan stock of $207 million and a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration related to a business acquisition.

Abbott Laboratories and Subsidiaries Non-GAAP Reconciliation of Financial Information From Continuing Operations First Half Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 (in millions, except per share data) (unaudited)





1H16



As

Reported

(GAAP)

Specified

Items

As

Adjusted

% to

Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$289

($289)

--



Gross Margin

5,502

342

$5,844

57.2% R&D

727

(46)

681

6.7% SG&A

3,435

(97)

3,338

32.7% Interest expense, net

108

(69)

39



Net foreign exchange (gain) loss

488

(477)

11



Other (income) expense, net

27

(5)

22



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

717

1,036

1,753



Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations

62

264

326



Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

655

772

1,427



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$0.44

$0.52

$0.96





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $289 million, the impact of the foreign exchange loss in Venezuela of $477 million, and other expenses of $270 million, primarily associated with acquisitions, including bridge facility fees, and charges related to cost reduction initiatives and other expenses, partially offset by a net tax benefit of approximately $145 million as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years.





1H15



As

Reported

(GAAP)

Specified

Items

As

Adjusted

% to

Sales

















Intangible Amortization

$307

($307)

--



Gross Margin

5,461

371

$5,832

57.9% R&D

658

(22)

636

6.3% SG&A

3,464

(109)

3,355

33.3% Other (income) expense, net

(284)

282

(2)



Earnings from Continuing Operations before taxes

1,639

220

1,859



Taxes on Earnings from Continuing Operations

324

30

354



Net Earnings from Continuing Operations

1,315

190

1,505



Diluted Earnings per Share from Continuing Operations

$0.87

$0.12

$0.99





Specified items reflect intangible amortization expense of $307 million and other expenses of $200 million, primarily associated with cost reduction initiatives and acquisitions, partially offset by a gain on the sale of a portion of Abbott's position in Mylan stock of $207 million and a decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration related to a business acquisition.



RECONCILIATION OF TAX RATE FOR CONTINUING OPERATIONS

A reconciliation of the second-quarter tax rates for continuing operations for 2016 and 2015 is shown below:







2Q16 ($ in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income

Taxes on

Earnings

Tax

Rate As reported (GAAP)

$715

$116

16.2% Specified items

283

70



Excluding specified items

$998

$186

18.6%





















2Q15 ($ in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income

Taxes on

Earnings

Tax

Rate As reported (GAAP)

$986

$200

20.2% Specified items

(15)

(15)



Excluding specified items

$971

$185

19.0%

A reconciliation of the year-to-date tax rates for continuing operations for 2016 and 2015 is shown below:







1H16

($ in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income

Taxes on

Earnings

Tax

Rate

As reported (GAAP)

$717

$62

8.6% 1) Specified items

1,036

264





Excluding specified items

$1,753

$326

18.6%

























1H15

($ in millions)

Pre-Tax

Income

Taxes on

Earnings

Tax

Rate

As reported (GAAP)

$1,639

$324

19.7%

Specified items

220

30





Excluding specified items

$1,859

$354

19.0%







1) Reported tax rate on a GAAP basis for 2016 includes the impact of a net tax benefit of approximately $145 million as a result of the resolution of various tax positions from prior years, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of non-deductible foreign exchange losses related to Venezuela.

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NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Following its acquisition by Bloglovin' in February 2016, Activate (formerly known as Sverve) announces 300 percent growth in its influencer network, hitting 100K+ registered influencers, reaching over 550M followers across social channels and blogs. In addition, with the launch of its new Instagram product that provides brands with an ability to source high quality visual content, generate engagement and measure ROI, Activate continues to connect brands to influencers and stay at the forefront of the influencer marketing movement.

"Influencers are the new authority across a variety of industries from fashion to food, and it's no longer just the top one percent of bloggers that consumers are looking to," said Rohit Vashisht, president of Activate by Bloglovin'. "Micro influencers are a largely untapped tool for many businesses, and as influencer marketing is becoming an essential tactic for many companies, more will turn to platforms like Activate by Bloglovin' as a solution."

On the heels of substantial initial quarter growth, furthering its mission to connect brands with the perfect influencers and providing influencers with new opportunities to monetize, Activate's new Instagram offering is a must-have for brands looking to take advantage of influencer marketing in the smartest way possible. Brands have the ability to choose which influencers they want to engage with by viewing their Instagram content, reach, engagement and follower information, approving any influencer content before it is posted and tracking how live content is performing through Activate's dashboard, making it the most transparent and measureable tool available.

"Our integration with Activate has been instrumental in furthering our mission to help both influencers and brands find success," said Bloglovin' CEO, Giordano Contestabile. "Activate's growth over the last quarter is a testament to how much the industry needs and is benefitting from a platform like this, and how influencer marketing is the future for brands."

By utilizing Activate by Bloglovin', brands are able to create unique campaigns to express key messages to niche target audiences through blogs and social networks like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest. Moreover, brands are able to track the success of their campaigns through an interactive analytic platform, as well as optimize their campaigns in real time for their campaign goals. Bloglovin' works with brands across industries such as H&M, Dolce&Gabbana Fragrance, Gucci, NARS, Burberry, Tom's of Maine, Post, Campbell's etc to advance their influencer marketing campaigns.

For more information on Activate by Bloglovin', or to learn more about how influencers or brands can benefit from this new feature, visit: http://activate.bloglovin.com/

About Bloglovin'

With over 8 million registered active users and 750,000 registered bloggers, Bloglovin' is the ultimate destination for fashion, beauty and lifestyle-obsessed users to discover, consume and share professionally produced content from top influencers around the world. The platform encourages users to discover and share their favorite content while connecting with the influencers they love all in one place. For more information, please visit www.bloglovin.com.

The free Bloglovin' app, for reading, discovering and following your favorite fashion and lifestyle blogs, is also available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play.

SOURCE Bloglovin

Related Links

http://www.bloglovin.com


HOUSTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Orion Group has been selected to manage Provenza at Windhaven in Lewisville, Texas -- adding another 324-unit, Class A community to its Dallas/Ft. Worth area portfolio.

Located at 4900 Windhaven Parkway in Lewisville, Texas in the flourishing Castle Hills master-planned area, Provenza at Windhaven offers one, two and three-bedroom floor plan options. Owned by Momentum Real Estate Partners, the upscale apartment homes feature designer interiors, including gourmet kitchens with granite countertops and prep islands, stainless steel appliances, wood-style flooring and modern wood cabinetry. Residents have access to a wide array of lavish amenities, such as a resort-style swimming pool and cabanas, al fresco grilling stations, state-of-the-art fitness center, private courtyards, executive club lounge, game room, dog park and dog wash stations.

Situated off the Sam Rayburn Tollway and near the North Dallas Tollway, Provenza at Windhaven offers residents easy freeway access for commuting and close proximity to major local employers like Toyota, FedEx, JPMorgan Chase and Fannie Mae. The Shops at Willow Bend, The Shops at Legacy, The Platinum Corridor and The Stonebriar Center are close by, and the community is located close to DFW International Airport for easy travel. Outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, camping, water sports, hiking and biking are in abundance with Lake Lewisville only two miles away.

"We chose Allied Orion Group to manage Provenza at Windhaven because of their established presence and thorough knowledge of the DFW property management market, as well as their partner-style management and willingness to do whatever it takes to ensure the success of our asset," said Santiago Peredo, Assistant Vice President of Momentum Real Estate Partners.

Allied Orion Group is a full-service, multi-family residential management, development and investment firm with a growing portfolio of more than 25,000 apartment homes under management throughout the nation. Allied Orion Group is certified by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and is an Accredited Management Organization (AMO). For more information visit www.allied-orion.com.

SOURCE Allied Orion Group

Related Links

http://www.allied-orion.com


DETROIT, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ally Financial announced that nominations are now open for the 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year program. Ally and TIME officially opened the nomination period for the 2017 award, encouraging nominations at the annual Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE) Summer Conference July 14-16 in Alberta, Canada. TIME Dealer of the Year is an annual program that aims to recognize and honor dealers around the country who make remarkable charitable contributions to their communities.

"Every year, the TIME Dealer of the Year nominees continue to amaze us with their tireless dedication to supporting their communities," said Tim Russi, president of auto finance at Ally. "In recognition of their commitment to giving back, Ally is proud to provide charitable grants to reinforce their local impact."

The 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year winner and finalists will be selected by a panel composed of faculty from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan. The panel will choose the finalists from each of the four National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) regions, and from those four finalists, the judges will then select the national winner.

ATAEs, who represent state and metro area dealer associations throughout the country, can begin the process of nominating outstanding dealers within their regions for the upcoming 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year award by visiting www.TIMEDealerOfTheYear.com.

Ally will recognize each TIME Dealer of the Year nominee with a $1,000 grant to the qualifying nonprofit organization of their choosing and will provide additional grants for the finalists and winner. In addition, the ATAE who nominates the winning 2017 dealer will also receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

"TIME is proud to partner with Ally once again in recognizing those outstanding dealers across the country," said Time Inc.'s Meredith Long. "We are looking forward to getting to know a new group of Dealer of the Year nominees and seeing the amazing efforts that so many dealers contribute to their communities."

"We are honored to continue to sponsor one of the automotive industry's most significant awards," said Andrea Riley, chief marketing officer at Ally. "The TIME Dealer of the Year award recognizes dealers who play an integral role in their communities, and we're excited to spotlight their inspirational efforts on a national stage."

Earlier this year, Mary Catherine (Kitty) Van Bortel, president of Van Bortel Motorcars in Victor, New York, was named the 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year. She was nominated by Robert Vancavage, president of the New York State Automobile Dealers Association. Van Bortel donated all $11,000 of her award proceeds to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, NY.

The 2017 award nominees will be announced in October and the winner will be named at the NADA Convention and Expo in New Orleans, being held January 26- 29, 2017.

About Ally Financial Inc.

Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a leading digital financial services company and a top 25 U.S. financial holding company offering financial products for consumers, businesses, automotive dealers and corporate clients. Ally's legacy dates back to 1919, and the company was redesigned in 2009 with a distinctive brand, innovative approach and relentless focus on its customers. Ally has an award-winning online bank (member FDIC), one of the largest full service auto finance operations in the country, a complementary auto-focused insurance business, a growing digital wealth management and online brokerage platform, and a trusted corporate finance business offering capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies.

The company had approximately $156.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2016. For more information, visit the Ally press room at http://media.ally.com or follow Ally on Twitter: @Ally.

Contact:

Desiree Chavis

646-781-2544

[email protected]

SOURCE Ally Financial
VANCOUVER, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Alterra Power Corp. ("Alterra") is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Inovateus Solar LLC to acquire an 80% ownership interest in a two-project 20 MW DC portfolio of solar farms in the Midwestern United States. Both projects are contracted under long-term, investment-grade power purchase agreements. Alterra is actively developing and arranging financing for the first project , a 7 MW DC site located in Indiana that is expected to finish construction by the end of 2016. The second project, a 13 MW DC site located in Michigan, is expected to be developed during 2017.

"We're pleased to develop these solar projects alongside Inovateus, and hope to extend this partnership to other U.S. projects," said Jon Schintler, Alterra's VP of Project Finance.

"The pairing of Alterra's technical and financing resources with Inovateus' project development and EPC expertise provides a compelling solar offering for utilities, municipalities, universities, and businesses in the Midwest and beyond," said TJ Kanczuzewski, president of Inovateus. "We're excited to get started on our first two projects and look forward to working together with Alterra on more projects in the future."

About Alterra Power Corp.

Alterra Power Corp. is a leading global renewable energy company, operating seven power plants totaling 819 MW of generation capacity, including British Columbia's largest run-of-river hydro facility and largest wind farm, the recently completed Shannon and Jimmie Creek projects, and two geothermal facilities in Iceland. Alterra owns a 381 MW share of this capacity, generating over 1,700 GWh of clean power annually. Alterra has an extensive portfolio of exploration and development projects and a skilled international team of developers, builders and operators to support its growth plans.

Alterra trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AXY and OTC in the United States as MGMXF.

About Inovateus Solar

Inovateus Solar is one of the leading solar development, EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and supply companies in the Midwest United States. Headquartered in South Bend, Indiana, the company has developed and built more than 250 MW of utility, commercial and industrial, and microgrid solar systems in the U.S., the Caribbean and Latin America. With strong roots in the communities it serves, Inovateus is passionately committed to Building A Brilliant TomorrowTM through the wide-scale deployment of advanced solar and clean energy technologies.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information included in this news release are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance and reflects management's expectations and beliefs regarding future events as of the date hereof. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include all statements regarding development, construction, and financing of the solar portfolio, and the timing of each thereof, that power will be sold under either project's long-term power purchase agreement, closing of Alterra's acquisition of an 80% ownership interest in each project and the date the projects achieve commercial operations. Forward-looking information is based on factors or assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or projection. Since forward-looking information relates to future events and conditions, by its very nature it requires making assumptions and involves inherent risks and uncertainties. Alterra cautions that although it is believed that the assumptions are reasonable in the circumstances, these risks and uncertainties give rise to the possibility that actual results may differ materially from the expectations set out in the forward-looking information. Material risk factors and assumptions include the timing of construction for the solar portfolio, and Alterra's development, construction and finance plans and timing regarding the portfolio, customary closing conditions related to Alterra's acquisition of an 80% ownership interest as well as those set out in the management's discussion and analysis section of Alterra's most recent annual and quarterly reports and in Alterra's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2015. Although Alterra has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. Except as required by law, Alterra undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information to reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise.

SOURCE Alterra Power Corp.

Related Links

www.alterrapower.ca/


FARMINGTON, N.M., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- "A newly formed milling company, named New Mexico Milling will begin operations in Farmington, New Mexico in August of 2016", announced Bryan Ledgerwood, the President and CEO of New Mexico Milling.

New Mexico Milling will operate the flour mill previously operated by Navajo Agricultural Products Industry. The facility was built in 2012 and is uniquely positioned to serve the Southwest markets, as well as the local four state region. The New Mexico Milling plant is equipped with state of the art packaging equipment with capacities of producing 2, 5, 10, 25, 50 lbs. packaged products along with Bulk vessels. New Mexico Milling will offer specialized blending capabilities to produce custom blends such as various bread, pancake and tortilla mixes. "This is a rare opportunity to operate an independent mill, during a time when the industry has seen continued consolidation into a select few large corporate millers," stated Bryan. "As a result of the wheat sources in the area we see many opportunities to create efficiencies and provide for long-term sustainable growth."

Ledgerwood understands the importance of serving the customer with quality products that will help set New Mexico Milling apart and will ultimately lead to opportunities for growth for not only New Mexico Milling but for the Navajo Nation economy. "Wilton Charley, CEO of NAPI, has been a great resource in identifying tribal, city and state agencies to help bring economic growth and job stability to the Navajo Nation and its surrounding area," says Bryan.

Ledgerwood brings nearly 20 years of executive experience in the milling industry to this new venture. He has worked in various senior leadership roles in ConAgra Foods, 21st Century Grain Processing, Viterra and most recently with Richardson International. Ledgerwood has a proven record of creating sustainable results through forming and unifying strong plant teams.

Through his professional career, Ledgerwood has been directly responsible for multiple flour and oat processing facilities across the United States and Canada that achieved exceptional growth under his leadership. Bryan is excited to bring that experience to this venture. Bryan is married to Ashley and has two daughters, Reagan and Ryann.

For media inquiries or more information please contact Cori Burns, Media Liaison at [email protected] or 806-223-2774.

Contacts:

Bryan Ledgerwood, President & CEO

New Mexico Milling

[email protected]

SOURCE New Mexico Milling
NAPERVILLE, Ill., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AST Corporation today announced that the City of Detroit has completed the transformation of its financial and operational systems and is now live with Oracle Cloud for Finance. The modern and integrated enterprise cloud solution includes Oracle Financials Cloud, Oracle Procurement Cloud, Oracle Project Portfolio Management (PPM) Cloud, Oracle Planning and Budgeting Cloud Service, along with Oracle Fusion Middleware.

Oracle Platinum Cloud Premier Logo

As a result of its fiscal distress and bankruptcy exit criteria, the City underwent a full functional transformation of its financial operations, including replacement of legacy financial management systems and restructuring of the City's financial functions. The objective was to build a high-functioning financial foundation to support the city's current and future goals and objectives.

This implementation is a significant step towards the City's goal of achieving financial transformation, which includes a major restructuring of Financial, IT and HR operations.

"This is a key initiative in reforming the City's financial operations, which will help ensure better service to our citizens and employees," said John W. Hill, Chief Financial Officer at the City of Detroit.

AST, a Platinum level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork, came highly recommended as a systems integrator of choice by Oracle, and began the implementation process in December 2015. "As a Platinum-level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork, AST has a 20-year history of successful enterprise resource planning implementations, and a deep understanding of Public Sector business requirements. They were a logical choice to partner with on this pivotal project," said Dennis Morgan, Group Vice President, Public Sector Channels Sales at Oracle.

"AST was very helpful and responsive throughout the project and did a great job of engaging and integrating with the City of Detroit's project team," added Hill. "Our staff's knowledge of the system improves each day with continued support and assistance from AST."

"AST is honored to have had a part in helping the City of Detroit and assisting with this tremendous transformation to the cloud," said AST President & CEO Pravin Kumar. "The size and success of this implementation demonstrates that Oracle's complete, modern and proven Cloud solutions are ready for wider adoption in the Public Sector."

Media Contact:

Melissa Sider

Phone: (800) AST-0002

Email

www.astcorporation.com

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SOURCE AST Corporation

Related Links

http://www.astcorporation.com


"We are pleased and honored to welcome Ben to our Trust Board," said Francis A. Burke, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Ben is well-known in the Northern Neck and Richmond and is an innovative and results-driven leader in the technology industry. We look forward to his visionary leadership in assisting us with opportunities for growth in the Richmond market."

Humphreys is President/Chief Executive Officer of Comtel Communications, a Richmond, Virginia-based direct-technology consulting agency servicing the entire mid-Atlantic. Humphreys is also founding partner and owner of Simplicity VoIP, a Richmond based company specializing in the design and delivery of Hosted PBX/VoIP Business Phone Solutions for SMB and enterprise businesses in the mid-Atlantic.

Humphreys graduated from VCU's School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. He currently serves on Bank of Lancaster's Richmond Community Board.

"The team at Bay Trust specializes in tailoring trust and financial services to help their clients achieve excellent results," said Humphreys. "I look forward to joining this dedicated group of professionals and helping them expand their services into the Richmond market."

About Bay Banks of Virginia, Inc.

Bay Banks of Virginia, Inc. is the bank holding company for Bank of Lancaster and Bay Trust Company. Founded in 1930, Bank of Lancaster is a state-chartered community bank headquartered in Kilmarnock, Virginia. With eight banking offices located throughout the Northern Neck region and in Middlesex County, and three banking offices in Richmond, Virginia, the bank serves businesses, professionals and consumers with a wide variety of financial services, including retail and commercial banking, investment services, and mortgage banking. Bay Trust Company provides management services for personal and corporate trusts, including estate planning, estate settlement and trust administration.

For further information, contact Randal R. Greene, President and Chief Executive Officer, at 800-435-1140 or [email protected].

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160720/391469

SOURCE Bay Banks of Virginia, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.baybanks.com


IRVINE, Calif., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/  The Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc. (BIASC) is pleased to announce Michael Balsamo as the new Chief Executive Officer for the regional office effective July 18, 2016.

Balsamo, whose previous role was with the BIA as the Executive Officer for the Orange County Chapter (BIAOC), has more than 20 years of experience in land use planning and real estate development in both the public and private sectors.

Mr. Balsamo is a long-time resident of Orange County and graduate of UC Irvine where he studied both Political Science and Environmental Science. Mike gained experience as a land use planner for the cities of Irvine and Lake Forest following his graduation and has made it his mission to champion building as the foundation of vibrant and sustainable communities.

"Mike's command of issues affecting the [building] industry is key to his leadership of our organization. His keen intellect and wealth of relationships both in the public and private sector make him an excellent advocate for the development community. We are fortunate to have him as our CEO," said Michael Battaglia, BIASC 2016 Board President of CalAtlantic Homes.

"Given the severe housing challenges in our state, it is reassuring to elected officials like myself, that a leader of Mike's caliber is at the helm at BIASC," said Assembly Member Tom Daly.

Lucy Dunn, CEO and President of the Orange County Business Council went on to say that, "Mike has demonstrated great leadership over a long period of time in the public policy arena, BIASC has chosen the right man for the job."

BIASC's new CEO's experience also includes working as a consultant to Irvine Company, Retail Properties Division as a project manager for numerous shopping center developments on the Irvine Ranch, serving as a project manager for Lennar Homes, and serving as the Manager of OC Planning at Orange County Public Works in Santa Ana.

Mike Balsamo will continue to work from BIASC's principle office in Irvine, CA.

About the Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.:

BIASC is a full service organization providing legislative advocacy, educational programming, labor relations, networking and community relations. The association objective is to promote a positive business environment for the building industry. http://www.biasc.org/

SOURCE Building Industry Association of Southern California, Inc.
BOSTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 385 Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital (BWFH) nurses, represented by the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), will hold an informational picket outside the hospital on Friday, July 22 to call attention to the hospital and Partners HealthCare's failure to value patients and nurses over its corporate profits.

When: 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 22

Where: Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital at 1153 Centre St., Jamaica Plain

Who: The 385 registered nurses of BWFH, fellow nurses, supporters, friends and family

Negotiations over a new contract for Faulkner nurses began in March 2016. After negotiating for seven sessions, it has become clear to BWFH nurses that Partners/BWFH is prioritizing profits over quality patient care and fairness to their workers. BWFH nurses are fighting over several of the same issues other MNA/Partners nurses have recently confronted, including a health insurance takeaway and hospital security  two of the key sticking points in the Brigham and Women's Hospital nurse negotiations last month, which led to a 95 percent strike vote by the BWH nurses.

"Our chief concern is that our patients receive quality care in a safe environment," said Dan Rec, co-chair of the MNA/BWFH Bargaining Committee. "A highly profitable hospital and health care corporation like Faulkner and Partners should easily be able to uphold the highest standards of safe patient care. It is also irresponsible that the most profitable health care employer in Massachusetts is trying to reduce health benefits and force new nurses into a non-union insurance program."

BWFH nurses are scheduled to negotiate for the eighth time on Wednesday, July 20. On the same day, BWH nurses will be voting to ratify a tentative agreement that last month averted a historic one-day strike.

"Brigham nurses stand with their sisters and brothers at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital, who are fighting a familiar battle," said Kelly Morgan, a labor and delivery nurse and vice chair of the MNA/BWH Bargaining Unit. "Every patient deserves safe and effective care, and every nurse deserves to be valued and respected."

Below are key issues for Faulkner nurses:

Hospital Security: BWFH nurses are seeking similar security improvements as have been promised and/or completed at BWH, including better access control, training, weapon signage and policies and incident response. Faulkner nurses also want front-line nurse input prioritized when decisions about security coverage are made (i.e. when security should be pulled from a patient/incident).

Safe Patient Care: BWFH nurses have proposed that nurses-in-charge not be given patient assignments. A "charge nurse" is responsible for all patients and nurses in their area. If she/he has a patient assignment, she/he is not able to effectively supervise and assist other nurses. This nurse should be managing the flow of patients, be on hand to assist less experienced nurses with more complex cases, while also picking up patient assignments when staff become overburdened.

Equal Benefits: Partners/BWFH is seeking to force all newly hired nurses into a lesser health benefit program. The hospital's proposal for "flex insurance" is a hospital-controlled health insurance program not subject to bargaining. BWH nurses successfully thwarted a similar Partners proposal during their recently completed contract negotiations. BWFH is also seeking to reduce the contribution the hospital makes toward the MNA health insurance, from 100% or 90% (depending on when nurses were hired) to 85%.

Salary Fairness: Partners/BWFH is offering a 1% increase over two-and-a-half years only for nurses at the top of the salary scale. The hospital is also offering a 1% bonus to those nurses at the top of the scale, and not offering any across-the-board- increase. BWFH nurses are seeking wage parity with BWH nurses. That would mean, under the Faulkner nurses' proposal, that their salary step scale would be increased to align with the nurses at Brigham.

BWFH is home to several leading Brigham and Women's institutions, including the Brigham and Women's Comprehensive Spine Center, the Brigham and Women's Sleep Medicine and Endocrinology Center and the Brigham and Women's Department of Orthopedic Surgery, which the hospital has described as having "the same faculty and care standards here in Jamaica Plain as at other locations in our delivery system."

"Partners has given Faulkner the name 'Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital' and it appears to take seriously that designation in some ways," said Kathy Glennon, co-chair of the MNA/BWFH Bargaining Committee. "Management has said that it values Faulkner nurses, their hard work and their abilities as much as Brigham nurses. Partners itself is a highly profitable corporation. Faulkner is also doing well financially. Why not provide wage parity for Faulkner nurses?"

The latest data from the state's Center for Health Information and Analysis shows BWFH made $11.3 million in profit during the first six months of the current fiscal year. That is up from a $3.1 million profit during the first six months of the previous fiscal year.

Between 2010 and 2014 Partners HealthCare made more than $1.9 billion in profits. BWFH itself had a more than $9 million operating surplus during fiscal year 2014. Partners HealthCare has used its substantial profits to enrich its top executives. The five highest paid Partners executives got a nearly $1.3 million combined pay hike from 2013 to 2014, equaling a 23% increase.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association/National Nurses United is the largest professional health care organization and the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 23,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public. The MNA is a founding member of National Nurses United, the largest national nurses' union in the United States with more than 170,000 members from coast to coast.

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SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association/National Nurses United

Related Links

http://www.massnurses.org


FCA US LLC announced today that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has placed orders for more than 580 Dodge Charger Pursuit police sedans to replace aging vehicles in its fleet. The vehicles will be delivered over the next two years with the vast majority of the vehicles being delivered next year.

The California Department of General Services conducted a public, competitive bidding process aimed at selecting a vehicle based on price, performance and payload capacity, the Dodge Charger Pursuit sedan was found to comply with enforcement vehicle specifications for the CHP, the largest state police agency in the nation. The new rear-wheel-drive sedans will replace existing high-mileage patrol vehicles currently in service.

"Our Charger Pursuit police sedans meet CHP's stringent payload requirements, and in particular, will accommodate the agency's radio systems," said Jeff Kommor, Vice President  U.S. Sales Operations, Fleet and Small Business Sales, FCA US LLC. "The Charger Pursuit also meets CHP's demand for ongoing fuel-efficiency and its desire to be a leader in fiscal responsibility in California."

The majority of the Charger Pursuit sedans in this CHP order are powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, which delivers 292 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The V-6 Charger Pursuit delivers up to an EPA estimated 26 miles per gallon (mpg) highway.

The CHP's order also includes a small number of Charger Pursuit 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 models with Fuel Saver Technology to be used by training instructors at CHP's Emergency Vehicle Operations Course in Sacramento. The V-8 model delivers 370 best-in-class horsepower for best-in-class acceleration performance.

"The CHP is ordering our Charger Pursuit vehicle to reintroduce the sedan into their patrol vehicle fleet," said Bick Pratt, head of FCA US government sales and operations. "That's important to us because it reflects a shift back to sedans by a progressive agency like the CHP. It is also important because other agencies throughout California rely on the CHP's vast resources and knowledge to test, evaluate and determine what police vehicle meets the needs of the CHP, and in many cases meets their local needs as well."

Local government agencies have the ability to also purchase from this same CHP contract, a process commonly known as "piggy backing," Pratt said.

The CHP order includes some Charger Pursuit sedans equipped with the segment's largest Uconnect 12.1-inch built-in touchscreen that enables a segment-exclusive integration of law enforcement computer systems with the easy-to-use and award-winning Uconnect touchscreen system.

The CHP plans to have all of the new Charger Pursuit sedans in service near the end of the calendar year. Additional CHP orders for Charger Pursuit sedans are forthcoming.

About Dodge Brand

The Dodge brand is America's mainstream performance brand. With the purification of the brand and consolidation with SRT, Dodge is getting back to its performance roots with every single model it offers. The Dodge and SRT brands offer a complete lineup of performance vehicles that stand out within their own segments. Dodge is the "mainstream performance" brand and SRT is positioned as the "ultimate performance" halo of the Dodge brand, together creating a complete and balanced performance brand with one vision and one voice.

From muscle cars to compact cars, minivans, crossovers and full-size SUVs, the Dodge brand's full lineup of 2016 models deliver best-in-class horsepower, class-exclusive technology, unmatched capability and a slew of cool features, such as LED headlamps, Dodge signature racetrack tail lamps, dual exhaust, 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment centers and 7-inch thin-film transistor (TFT) customizable gauge clusters, to name a few. For the 2016 model year, customers will be able to drive the new 2016 Dodge Charger and Challenger, as well as the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and Charger SRT Hellcat. The Dodge brand lineup also includes the Dodge Dart, Durango, Grand Caravan and Journey, including the Crossroad model, and its flagship, the Dodge Viper.

Follow Dodge, SRT and FCA US news and video on:

FCA Content On Demand (COD): www.fcacod.com

Company blog: http://blog.fcanorthamerica.com

Company website: www.fcanorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.fcanorthamerica.com

FCA360: www.fca360.com

Dodge brand: www.dodge.com

Dodge blog: blog.dodge.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/dodge or https://www.facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica/

Flickr: www.flickr.com/dodgeautos or www.flickr.com/chryslergroup

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/dodgeofficial or www.pinterest.com/FCAcorporate

Instagram: www.instagram.com/dodgeofficial or www.instagram.com/FiatChrysler_NA

Streetfire: www.streetfire.net/uploaded/chryslervideo.htm

Twitter: www.twitter.com/dodge or www.twitter.com/FiatChrysler_NA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/dodge or www.youtube.com/pentastarvideo

For more information, please visit the FCA US LLC media site at http://media.fcanorthamerica.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/391170

SOURCE FCA US LLC

Related Links

http://www.fcanorthamerica.com


LOS ANGELES, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sabio, a Los Angeles-based software engineering program, works with highly motivated and smart individuals wanting to transition to software engineering professions, has been approved by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). BPPE approval shows that Sabio meets the standards for integrity, financial stability, and educational quality as determined by the state agency.

Because of the rapid growth of coding boot camps, standardized audits of coding schools curriculums weren't sanctioned by the government or third-party agencies. However, the recent BPPE approval is the first step in becoming an authorized educational provider to help consumers determine whether a coding boot camp is a legitimate provider of postsecondary education.

"Our goal is to provide a solid educational foundation in programming languages so that we produce exceptional Full Sack Web Developers," Gregorio Rojas, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Sabio said. "Since there isn't an accrediting body for coding boot camps, it's important that potential boot camp students are clear about what to expect from code schools. BPPE certification will help protect the interests of students who want to learn to program languages because our code school meets the standards for instructional quality that are set by the state."

"We are extremely proud of becoming BPPE approved. One of our goals at Sabio is to help diversify the technology workforce. Often students of color get scammed by schools that have not been approved by a government agency or accrediting body. Now people who want to learn to code will have another way of evaluating prospective code schools," Liliana Monge, Sabio's co-founder said.

Sabio is the second code school in Los Angeles County to receive approval from the California BPPE. This comes at a time when Sabio continues to expand its reach within Southern California.

Los Angeles City Council member Felipe Fuentes of the 7th District is thrilled to welcome Sabio to Pacoima.

"The Entrepreneur Center is opening its doors to new frontiers for our community members," said Fuentes. "Thanks to a partnership with Sabio, we will be providing tech training programs and supportive services for tech start-ups and people who want to become tech professionals. We are cultivating and nurturing a tech industry in order to provide opportunities for our residents in the Northeast San Fernando Valley. I believe Pacoima will be included in all technology related discussions throughout the region. Pretty soon, jobs of the 21st century will be created in Pacoima."

Since Sabio's inception nearly three years ago, it has increased the number of boot camp graduates by 250%, tripled the number of full-time instructors, quadrupled the number of part-time instructors, and has maintained a 95% job placement rate for its job-seeking graduates. In July, Sabio graduated its 100th Fellow and plans on opening a third location in Southern California by the end of the calendar year.

Sabio is the only minority/women-owned and operated web developer training program in the country. Co-founder Gregorio Rojas's strong professional history working in large tech companies informs the program's web development curriculum. The project-based curriculum enables Sabio fellows to work on real-world projects to develop and refine their skills.

More information about Sabio can be found here: http://sabio.la.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact Liliana Aide Monge at [email protected] or (562) 307-7589.

SOURCE Sabio

Related Links

http://sabio.la


"Working with CareerSource Suncoast, we are very happy to reconnect residents in Sarasota and Manatee Counties to education with the potential to change their lives," said Taryn McKenzie, Director of Workforce Development, Cengage Learning. "The Career Online High School program is designed to help individuals succeed  whether to secure employment or springboard to further education."

"Earning a high school diploma is a life-changing achievement," said Linda Morlock, Instructor, CareerSource Suncoast. "By offering Career Online High School, we're empowering members of the community to seek new opportunities through education."

According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, individuals with a high school diploma earn 38% more than those without a diploma. Other studies show that high school graduates recognize as much as a 50 percent to 100 percent increase in lifetime income.

"Suncoast is the first State of Florida regional workforce board to adopt the COHS program and we look forward to forming more such partnerships," said Dr. Howard Liebman, Superintendent of Schools for the COHS district. "We designed the program to be aligned to the new federal and state WIOA legislation, to support the efforts of workforce boards helping out-of-school youth and adult job seekers access to education and training that lead to industry trained credentials."

In addition to an accredited high school diploma, graduates earn a credentialed career certificate in one of eight high-growth, high-demand career fields (across a wide spectrum from child care and education to certified transportation). Students have up to 18 months to complete the program but may be able to complete the program in as few as six months by transferring in previously earned high school credits.

Career Online High School was created in 2012 by Cengage Learning and Smart Horizons Career Online Education to provide affordable, career-based online education opportunities for the millions of adults in the United States without high school diplomas. Community members can learn more at https://careersourcesuncoast.com/

For more information, please contact Lindsay Stanley at [email protected].

About Cengage Learning

Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology, and services company for the higher education and K-12, professional, library and workforce training markets worldwide. The company provides superior content, personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that accelerate student engagement and transform the learning experience. Cengage Learning is headquartered in Boston, MA with an office hub located in San Francisco, CA. Cengage Learning employees reside in nearly 40 different countries with company sales in more than 125 countries around the world. www.cengage.com.

Media Contacts:

Lindsay Stanley

Cengage Learning

203-965-8634,

[email protected]

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SOURCE Cengage Learning

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CHANGZHOU, China, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Changzhou National Hi-Tech District signed an agreement on July 9th, under which China's largest aerogel materials manufacturing base will be established in the district. Changzhou National Hi-Tech District plans to put in a dedicated effort to bring in more than 10 aerogel production facilities within five years, with the expectation of generating an output value estimated at 10 billion yuan (approx. US$1.5 billion).

According to the agreement, Hongda Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd. will set up an aerogel material manufacturing facility in Changzhou National Hi-Tech District, to incubate, foster the environment for and bring in new aerogel material application projects. The facility is expected to have an annual production capacity of 30,000 cubic meters of aerogel. The first project will be a production facility for aerogel-based home appliance insulation board jointly invested by Changzhou Leshi Leili Motor Co., Ltd. and Hongda Technology, with testing products already having been developed.

Changzhou National Hi-Tech District has also joined hands with Puhe Capital in setting up a fund valued at 2 billion yuan (approx. US$300 million) for the development of a new aerogel material industry, with 500 million yuan (approx. US$75 million) allocated to the first phase of development. The fund aims to lead and promote the development of the aerogel industry through the leveraging of government and business resources, with the goal of bringing about the transformation of the new material industry at Changzhou Binjiang Economic Development Zone, as well as facilitate the capitalization of projects developed in the zone.

Aerogel is a new material widely used in the aerospace, pharmaceutical and construction industries. It is a promising and super thermal insulation material, and an ideal material for acoustic delay or high-temperature insulation. Aerogel can be used in new catalysts or as a carrier of a catalyst as well as to remove pollutants found in water. It also has applications within the energy storage sector.

SOURCE The Public Promotion Department of Changzhou Xinbei District Commission of CCP
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Don Gawick commented, "Today's Chapter 11 filings represent a significant milestone in our financial restructuring process to significantly strengthen our financial condition by reducing debt, enhancing liquidity and best positioning our Company to proactively respond as the market begins to recover. After thoroughly evaluating our options and strategic alternatives with our advisors and Board of Directors, we are confident that this is the best path forward for C&J and all our stakeholders. During the reorganization proceeding, all of our day-to-day operations will continue in the normal course, and we will maintain ample liquidity and resources to support our business and continue providing safe, reliable and efficient services to all of our customers. We appreciate the continued, strong support demonstrated by our lenders, which will hopefully enable us to move quickly and smoothly the restructuring process.

"On behalf of C&J's Board of Directors and executive management team, I want to thank our employees for their continued hard work and dedication, and note that we look forward to working with our customers and vendors as we move through this process and build a strong foundation for C&J to emerge as a stronger partner."

Additional information about the reorganization process is contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K that the Company will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company has also posted additional information about the reorganization process under the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.cjenergy.com and has set up a toll free information line to answer questions pertaining to the restructuring, which can be accessed by dialing (866) 296-8019.

About C&J Energy Services

C&J Energy Services is a leading provider of well construction, well completions, well support and other complementary oilfield services to oil and gas exploration and production companies. As one of the largest completion and production services companies in North America, C&J offers a full, vertically integrated suite of services involved in the entire life cycle of the well, including directional drilling, cementing, hydraulic fracturing, cased-hole wireline, coiled tubing, rig services, fluids management services and other special well site services. C&J operates in most of the major oil and natural gas producing regions of the continental United States and Western Canada. For additional information about C&J, please visit www.cjenergy.com.

C&J Energy Services Investor Contact

Daniel E. Jenkins

Vice President  Investor Relations

[email protected]

1-713-260-9986

Forward-Looking Statements and Cautionary Statements

This news release (and any oral statements made regarding the subjects of this release) contains certain statements and information that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "ensure," "expect," "if," "once," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "project," "forecasts," "predict," "outlook," "aim," "will," "could," "should," "potential," "would," "may," "probable," "likely," and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes, and the negative thereof, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this press release specifically include statements, estimates and projections regarding our business outlook and plans, future financial position, liquidity and capital resources, operations, performance and other guidance regarding future developments. For example, statements regarding future financial performance, future competitive positioning, future benefits to stockholders, and future economic and industry conditions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws.

Forward-looking statements are not assurances of future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs, forecasts for our existing operations, experience, expectations and perception of historical trends, current conditions, anticipated future developments and their effect on us, and other factors believed to be appropriate. Although management believes that the expectations and assumptions reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, no assurance can be given that these assumptions are accurate or that any of these expectations will be achieved (in full or at all). Moreover, our forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, contingencies and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections which are implied or expressed by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the following: a decline in demand for our services, including due to declining commodity prices, overcapacity and other competitive factors affecting our industry; the cyclical nature and volatility of the oil and gas industry, which impacts the level of exploration, production and development activity and spending patterns by the oil and gas industry; the inability to comply with the financial and other covenants and metrics in our debt agreements as a result of reduced revenue and financial performance or our inability to raise sufficient funds through assets sales or equity issuances should we need to raise funds through such methods; a decline in, or substantial volatility of, crude oil and gas commodity prices, which generally leads to decreased spending by our customers and negatively impacts drilling, completion and production activity and therefore impacts demand and pricing for our services, which negatively impacts our results of operations, including potentially resulting in impairment charges; pressure on pricing for our core services, including due to competition and industry and/or economic conditions, which may impact, among other things, our ability to implement price increases or maintain pricing on our core services; the loss of, or interruption or delay in operations by, one or more significant customers; the failure to pay amounts when due, or at all, by one or more significant customers; changes in customer requirements in markets or industries we serve; costs, delays, regulatory compliance requirements and other difficulties in executing our long-term growth strategy, including those related to expansion into new geographic regions and new business lines; the effects of future acquisitions on our business, including our ability to successfully integrate our operations and the costs incurred in doing so; business growth outpacing the capabilities of our infrastructure; adverse weather conditions in oil or gas producing regions; the effect of environmental and other governmental regulations on our operations, including the risk that future changes in the regulation of hydraulic fracturing could reduce or eliminate demand for our hydraulic fracturing services; the incurrence of significant costs and liabilities resulting from litigation; the incurrence of significant costs and liabilities resulting from our failure to comply, or our compliance with, new or existing environmental regulations or an accidental release of hazardous substances into the environment; expanding our operations overseas; the loss of, or inability to attract key management personnel; a shortage of qualified workers; the loss of, or interruption or delay in operations by, one or more of our key suppliers; operating hazards inherent in our industry, including the significant possibility of accidents resulting in personal injury or death, property damage or environmental damage; and accidental damage to or malfunction of equipment.

C&J cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our present expectations and projected results, please see our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Current Reports on Form 8-K that we file from time to time, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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SOURCE C&J Energy Services Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.cjenergy.com


SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ClearSlide, the Sales Engagement Platform leader, today announced it will co-host a webinar with Aragon Research entitled "A Wake-up Call for Sales & Marketing: Invest in a Sales Engagement Platform," at 10 a.m. PT on Wednesday, July 27. The 60-minute webinar will be led by Jim Lundy, CEO and lead analyst at Aragon Research and Michael Schultz, VP of Marketing for ClearSlide.

Aragon Research forecasts that the Sales Engagement Platform (SEP) space is on-track to become a $5 billion industry by 2021, up from $780 million in 2016. Given strong market demand, hundreds of sales tools have been developed in recent years, with most sales reps using between 5 and 8 individual enablement tools each day just to get work done. Despite this tool proliferation, recent research shows that 65 percent of Sales Leaders say that the lack of proper sales tools leads to lengthened sales cycles.

Drawing from Aragon Research's latest report for this webinar  Digitize the Sales Force: Leverage Sales Engagement Platforms to Gain a Competitive Advantage  Lundy and Schultz will outline how the business of selling is being won by teams who leverage integrated engagement platforms, rather than disconnected point solutions, to serve customers in our increasingly digital and always-on world. Attendees will come away understanding the various components of an effective SEP, how to evaluate the available technologies and providers, and actionable tips for realizing maximum benefit from modern platforms.

Who: Jim Lundy, CEO & Lead Analyst, Aragon Research and Michael Schultz, VP of Marketing, ClearSlide

What: A webinar, "A Wake-up Call for Sales & Marketing: Invest in a Sales Engagement Platform"

When: 10-11 a.m., Wednesday, July 27, available on-demand after the live presentation

Where: Register online here.

Tune in for this can't-miss opportunity to accelerate sales performance leveraging a Sales Engagement Platform. Register today, or learn more at www.clearslide.com.

About ClearSlide

ClearSlide is the Sales Engagement Platform leader that powers valuable, genuine business conversations and enables sales, marketing, and customer success teams to achieve better business outcomes. ClearSlide improves customer communications (phone, email, face-to-face) by providing real-time visibility and analytics for sales and marketing leaders. As a result, customers achieve higher seller productivity, increased sales management effectiveness, and stronger customer-facing messaging. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Francisco, ClearSlide serves thousands of customers, including Comcast, LinkedIn, Medtronic, Rackspace, SurveyMonkey, The Economist, Thomson Reuters and more.

The ClearSlide platform gives sales and marketing leaders ability to engage with insight by seeing the real-time activity of their teams and deep analytics about the types of content that ultimately is most impactful with customers. For sales professionals, ClearSlide allows for easy communication with customers and prospects, whether online or in-person, using ClearSlide's web-based and mobile applications. Visit www.clearslide.com for more information or follow the company on Twitter @ClearSlide.

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SOURCE ClearSlide
WALTHAM, Mass., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England announced today it has acquired the assets of Hammond Residential Real Estate Group LLC in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The announcement combines the operations of the No. 1 company in 2015 sales volume, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, with the No. 3 company, Hammond Residential Real Estate, according to data from the 2016 REAL Trends Market Leaders report. With 16 offices and more than 400 affiliated sales professionals and employees, the acquisition significantly expands Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage's real estate sales operations in Massachusetts.

The acquired operations will continue to conduct business as Hammond Residential Real Estate during the transition. Hammond Residential Real Estate was established in 1991 by Saul B. Cohen and Joseph Hare.

"Saul and the agents affiliated with Hammond have a superior reputation," said Merit McIntyre, president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England. "Over the years, we have established strong business relationships with them, and are excited to formally combine our efforts and position the agents and ultimately their clients in ways that truly distinguish us in the region."

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England will now have 99 offices and more than 4,400 affiliated sales professionals and staff providing real estate brokerage services in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

McIntyre will continue to serve as president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England and Cohen will join the company and serve as chairman.

"We made our decision based on what was in the best interest of our Greater Boston clients and agents, many of whom Joe Hare and I have known for more than 25 years," said Cohen. "We chose to combine our efforts with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage over any other company because of the incredible resources and technology that the agents can utilize. With so many advantages, we are confident the agents will surpass their clients' expectations."

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage is part of NRT LLC, the nation's largest residential real estate brokerage company. NRT is a subsidiary of Realogy (NYSE: RLGY). For more information please visit ColdwellBankerHomes.com.

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact:

Roni Boyles

781.684.5462

[email protected]

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SOURCE Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage

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http://ColdwellBankerHomes.com


DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The CompTIA IT Industry Business Confidence Index fell in Q3, the second consecutive quarter of decline for the measurement of business sentiment among the country's information technology (IT) executives.

The Q3 index declined 1.4 points to 61.7 on a 100-point scale. In Q2 the index fell by 0.9 points. A total of 257 U.S. technology companies participated in the survey, conducted in early July.

The index is based on IT executives' opinions of the U.S economy, the IT industry and their own company. All three components fell in Q3, with the self-assessment experiencing a slightly higher rate of decline (-2.1 percent).

"Despite the positive momentum in metrics such as IT sector hiring and revenue growth in many categories, a rebound in business confidence failed to materialize," noted Tim Herbert, senior vice president, research and market intelligence, CompTIA. "The data indicates the smallest of IT firms  those with fewer than 10 employees, continue to exhibit higher levels of sensitivity to volatility or market disruptions."

The CompTIA IT Industry Business Confidence Index has recorded a negative reading in Q3 in every year since its debut in 2009, declining, on average, by 1.5 points. By comparison, the Q4 index had averaged gains of 2.3 points.

"Among smaller solution providers a summertime slowdown is a common, because many smaller business clients take their foot off the gas in the summer," said Amy Kardel chairwoman of the CompTIA Board of Directors and co-founder of IT service provider Clever Ducks in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

"Knowing this trend, solution providers can plan ahead to avoid a revenue dip by looking to schedule projects during the quieter months and thus even out revenue," Kardel continued.

"One peer I know books a lot of work for the school district during the summer because they can only work on their systems while classes are not in session."

Customer buying patterns impact business confidence. Tech company executives surveyed for the Q3 report said:

49 percent of their customers are increasingly shifting to new models, such as cloud computing and open source.

30 percent of customers are increasingly opting for less expensive or smaller purchases.

24 percent of customers are increasingly postponing purchases or taking a wait-and-see approach.

In the Q3 survey 71 percent of companies said that they are on target or ahead of their revenue goals for 2016. That's down slightly from Q2, when 75 percent of companies were on track or ahead of goals.

The CompTIA IT Industry Business Confidence Index for Q3 report is available at no charge with a simple registration. Visit CompTIA Insight & Tools.

To learn more about CompTIA visit CompTIA online, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

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SOURCE CompTIA

Related Links

http://www.comptia.org


LOS ANGELES, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The United for Human Rights Foundation of Los Angeles announces a series of conferences titled "Religious Tolerance & Intolerance: Shattering Myths." The series will be held the first three Wednesday evenings in August at the Church of Scientology of Los Angeles and will include presentations on Middle Eastern, Judeo-Christian and Eastern Religions.

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"Most people have heard of various religions, but they admit their knowledge of all but a few is superficial," says Betsy Davis, Church of Scientology Los Angeles Director of Community Outreach, one of the organizers of the events. "To live in harmony in a multicultural society like ours, it is important to understand diverse faiths so we can fully respect the religious beliefs of others."

One of the distinguished speakers will be Imam Mohammed Zafarullah, an esteemed member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Imam Zafarullah's work focuses on reaching out to members of other Muslims communities to communicate to them the teachings and purpose of the Ahmadiyya and its motto "Love for AllHatred for None."

Shahrooz Ash, editor of the Zoroastrian Journal, will represent the Zoroastrian community. He is also the founder of a non-profit called Lord of Wisdom, dedicated to the prevention of child labor.

The series will take place at the Church of Scientology Los Angeles at 4810 Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, Wednesday evenings, August 3, 10 and 17. Refreshments will be served before each session at 6 pm and the event begins at 7.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE ScientologyNews.org
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CopaSAT LLC, a world leader in highly reliable and secure satellite solutions, today announced that it has entered into a multiyear contract with a U.S. Government Agency to provide a managed service. During the period of performance (through June 2021), CopaSAT will provide and maintain Ku-band man portable terminals to provide end-to-end communications in support of global operations.

"We are excited to provide our customers the flexibility of a leased service approach allowing for the utilization of Operations and Maintenance dollars to support their long term operational requirements," said Scott Bohnsack, Vice President of Business Development of CopaSAT.

About CopaSAT

CopaSAT is a certified small business provider of turn-key, end-to-end, complex satellite solutions that simplify the deployment of specialized satellite communications for primarily Government usage. CopaSAT is located in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Contact Information



Scott Bohnsack

Vice President of Business Development

[email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE CopaSAT

Related Links

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CALGARY, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) announced that Anthony R. Melman has resigned from the Board of Directors of Canadian Pacific Railway Company and Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, effective close of business today.



Dr. Melman felt that it was in his best interests for now to resign from the Board, so that he can assess his legal options following a recent Tax Court of Canada decision. Dr. Melman stated that he did not want that matter to become a distraction to CP's ongoing mission to be the best run and safest railway in North America.



"On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Tony for his outstanding contribution and thank him for his invaluable service," said Andrew F. Reardon, Chairman of the Board.

Dr. Melman joined the Board in 2012 and was Chair of the Finance Committee and a member of the Audit Committee.

About Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific (TSX:CP)(NYSE:CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to eight major ports, including Vancouver and Montreal, providing North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of Canadian Pacific.

SOURCE Canadian Pacific

Related Links

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BOCA RATON, Fla., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- CSL Plasma Inc., one of the world's largest collectors of human plasma, has set a new giving record for their donation to the Immune Deficiency Foundation (IDF). During the months of April through June, CSL Plasma donors and employees raised over $118,000.

"Year after year, CSL Plasma demonstrates their incredible commitment to people with primary immunodeficiency diseases by raising record funds for the Immune Deficiency Foundation," said Marcia Boyle, IDF President and Founder. "A contribution like this was raised because of the hard work and generosity of manyfrom center staff, plasma donors and local communities across the country. The funds will support the vital resources that we provide to thousands of individuals and families living primary immunodeficiency. We are humbled by this gift and proud that CSL Plasma is a long-time partner, participating in the IDF Plasma Partners Program for 10 years."

Funds raised for the IDF will be used to fund support services, education, and research for individuals with primary immunodeficiencies (PI) and their families. Last year CSL Plasma raised $100,975; this year's total represents a 17%+ increase. Since 2011, CSL Plasma has donated over $499,000 to support the IDF vision and mission.

Michael Deem, Senior Vice-President and General Manager for CSL Plasma stated, "I am proud to see CSL Plasma employees living our promise of giving back and donors participating in this great cause. CSL Plasma is pleased to be a partner that has now spanned a decade."

CSL Plasma U.S. centers, logistic centers, laboratory and corporate offices in Boca Raton all joined in on the fundraising activities during the months of April, May and June. The IDF theme of 'Think Zebra' provided excitement and visual appeal as all locations were decorated with a safari and zebra decor. The reason for this theme is that the PI community often identifies with zebras. As noted by Sonya Williams, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications and Community Relations for CSL Plasma, "In medical school, many doctors learn the saying, 'when you hear hoof beats, think horses, not zebras' and are taught to focus on the likeliest possibilities when making a diagnosis, not the unusual ones." IDF says that patients with PI are like the zebras of the medical world.

About CSL Plasma Inc.

CSL Plasma, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, upholds a tradition of innovation and excellence. As a leader in plasma collection, we are committed to excellence and innovation in everything we do. Our work ensures that tens of thousands of people are able to live normal, healthy lives. We are committed to our work because people's lives depend on us. CSL Plasma is a division of CSL Behring, a global biotherapeutics company and a member of the CSL Group of companies. The parent company, CSL Limited (ASX:CSL), is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia employs more than 16,000 people with operations in more than 30 countries. For more information about CSL Plasma, including eligibility requirements, please go to www.cslplasma.com.

About CSL Behring

CSL Behring is a global biotherapeutics leader, which is driven by its promise to save lives. Focused on serving patients' needs by using the latest technologies, we develop and deliver innovative therapies that are used to treat coagulation disorders, primary immune deficiencies, hereditary angioedema, inherited respiratory disease, and neurological disorders. The company's products are also used in cardiac surgery, organ transplantation, burn treatment and to prevent hemolytic disease of the newborn. For more information about CSL Behring visit www.CSLBehring.com or follow us at www.Twitter.com/CSLBehring.

If you would like to know more about PI or to donate direct, go to www.primaryimmune.org.

Media Contact:

Robert Mitchell

CSL Plasma

561.912.3010

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SOURCE CSL Plasma Inc.

Related Links

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SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dialpad, a pure-cloud modern business communications leader, continues to grow, dramatically expanding the opportunity for enterprise communications. Dialpad is experiencing more than 170 percent year-over-year growth and today announced it is used by more than 25,000 paying customers. New customers, including Uber, Vivint Solar, Denison University, U.S. Security Associates, TED Talks, Code42, and Betterment, join early Dialpad adopters, such as Netflix, ClassPass, Fairchild Semiconductors, Second City and charity: water.

Dialpad became the first pure cloud communications provider to enter the Japanese market and hired former Softbank executive Tenshi Adachi as President and Country Manager of Dialpad Japan. The company also announced new product enhancements  including a tablet app, advanced analytics, integrated group and multimedia messaging, Salesforce Integration, and more  that build upon the company's vision to provide modern workers with new ways to connect and work from anywhere.

These company milestones address a growing business challenge associated with driving productivity for the "anywhere worker." In today's business world, regardless of size, industry or demographic, 80 percent of companies rely on a remote workforce, and this number is only expected to grow over the next three to five years, according to a new "2016 Report on Business Communications in the Era of the Anywhere Worker" produced by Dialpad.

As the gap widens between the technologies anywhere workers need and the solutions that have been available, businesses will rely more on "pure cloud" technology -- a sign that first-generation cloud communications providers did not offer the features and capabilities that enterprises need.

Dialpad is the only solution that meets the needs of the "desk phone optional" workforce. No other enterprise solution combining voice, video, instant messaging, text and online meetings is 100 percent free of on-premise hardware. Dialpad also does not require hardwired phones. With Dialpad, companies can finally junk the nearly useless desk phone, which according to 59 percent of the respondents to the Dialpad survey of more than 1,000 business professionals, is outdated. And yet, 66 percent of workers say their employers still provide them with one.

"We have a laser focus on making the desk phone completely unnecessary for companies of any size," said Craig Walker, CEO at Dialpad. "Across our 25,000 customers, only 15 percent are currently using their desk phones, and we are seeing that number decline every month. The rapid growth of Dialpad reflects the demand for the platform as well as its market acceptance."

Dialpad Growth and Global Expansion

Doubled its customer base during the first half of 2016  a 170 percent year-over-year growth rate

Reached 25,000 paying customers, and the platform has logged over 1.7 billion voice minutes

Revealed 85 percent of Dialpad users are completely free of their desk phones and now enabled to work from anywhere thanks to a "rip and replace" of their communications infrastructure

Opened a new Tokyo office and two data centers in Japan to become the first "pure" cloud communications provider to enter the Japanese market, enabling the movement away from on-premises solutions along with improved call quality compared to existing providers

office and two data centers in to become the first "pure" cloud communications provider to enter the Japanese market, enabling the movement away from on-premises solutions along with improved call quality compared to existing providers Delivered 15 major releases in 19 months, made possible by a modern cloud infrastructure that scales on the Google Cloud Platform and that leverages the WebRTC Framework

Won new customers, including Uber, Vivint Solar, U.S. Security Associates, TED Talks, Code42 and Betterment, which join early adopters of Dialpad, including Netflix, The Second City, charity: water and Fairchild Semiconductors Betterment saved 47 percent in telephony costs by switching to Dialpad Vivint Solar was able to reduce its IT staff from five to one to manage Dialpad for its 4,000 employees, 60 percent of whom are remote



New Dialpad Product Release

Dialpad already offers voice, video, messaging (SMS, MMS) for in and out of network communications; and UberConference by Dialpad, an enterprise-grade HD audio conferencing system with no PINs, no downloads, seamless screen sharing, and powerful call controls from any device.

Today, Dialpad releases 40 new enhancements that build upon the company's vision to provide "anywhere workers" with the optimal way to connect and collaborate, eliminating friction and frustration as employees and colleagues seek to increase productivity. Key enhancements include:

Analytics for Dialpad and Uberconference by Dialpad offers a simple, visual way for end users to understand communication patterns -- callers, time of calls, messages (internal and external) -- to help them better manage the workday. Advanced analytics for administrators offers company-wide communications visibility with out-of-the-box insights on voice, messaging and meetings usage by person, leaderboards, department, office and location.

offers a simple, visual way for end users to understand communication patterns -- callers, time of calls, messages (internal and external) -- to help them better manage the workday. Advanced analytics for administrators offers company-wide communications visibility with out-of-the-box insights on voice, messaging and meetings usage by person, leaderboards, department, office and location. Dialpad for iPad allows employees to make and receive calls, and offers SMS/MMS/Group messaging, caller insights, and call controls while on the go, in the field, or out of the office.

allows employees to make and receive calls, and offers SMS/MMS/Group messaging, caller insights, and call controls while on the go, in the field, or out of the office. Group messaging (chat & text anyone) streamlines internal and external communications from any device. With a simple click, users can message groups, sets of individuals, customers, or teams on the fly, easily add and remove recipients, and send any file, image or video.

streamlines internal and external communications from any device. With a simple click, users can message groups, sets of individuals, customers, or teams on the fly, easily add and remove recipients, and send any file, image or video. Salesforce integration makes sales, marketing and service professionals more productive by making it easy to log on-call interactions while in Dialpad and automatically log all inbound and outbound calls directly into Salesforce.

makes sales, marketing and service professionals more productive by making it easy to log on-call interactions while in Dialpad and automatically log all inbound and outbound calls directly into Salesforce. Call blocking and spam filtering give employees control over their communications by letting them easily block unwanted callers with the click of a button.

give employees control over their communications by letting them easily block unwanted callers with the click of a button. Voicemail Transcription lets users quickly preview a text version of voice messages on any device, ensuring they never miss an opportunity.

"We are fueling an unparalleled level of innovation across our Dialpad product," said Vincent Paquet, Vice President of Product at Dialpad. "No other company is delivering this approach, with the same complete, optimal experience for office-based, remote and mobile users. Our latest series of innovations empower customers to discard their desk phones and move away from the old players in the market, such as RingCentral and Cisco, that still leave their customers dependent on old and irrelevant desktop technology."

Customer Quotes

"With 60 operating sites across the U.S. and 60 percent of our workforce working remotely, we've always committed significant resources to ensuring an effective communications infrastructure," said Mike Hincks, Director of IT Infrastructure at Vivint Solar. "Thanks to Dialpad, our teams are better connected than ever before, even though we've gone from five IT employees managing our voice solution fulltime to just one person spending only about five percent of his time managing Dialpad."

"Our pure cloud IT stack was an important reason we chose Dialpad, and the solution has supported our agility and more, including delivering a 47 percent savings on telephony costs," said Mike Bongardino, Tech Ops Manager at Betterment. "Dialpad supports our work-from-anywhere culture by enabling our employees to connect with each other using their mobile device of choice, and Dialpad Analytics enables us to better understand what we can do to support their productivity."

"As a global charity with operations in 24 countries, we needed an affordable communications solution that was easy to set up and use and that would enable our project teams to communicate no matter where they were," said Ian Cook, Head of IT at charity: water. "Dialpad allows us to stay focused on our mission of providing every person on the planet with access to clean water, not on constantly managing a complex communications infrastructure."

Pricing and Availability

Dialpad is available today for desktop, mobile phones, and tablet.

Dialpad Analytics is available for all Dialpad users. Advanced analytics is available with the Enterprise pricing.

Additional Resources

Learn more about Dialpad: http://www.dialpad.com

Learn more about UberConference by Dialpad: http://www.uberconference.com

Follow us on Twitter @DialpadHQ

Like us on Facebook

Download the 2016 Report on Business Communications in the Era of the Anywhere Worker

About Dialpad

Dialpad is a Modern Business Communications (MBC) solution. Available on any device, anywhere, Dialpad includes voice, video, group messaging, SMS, MMS, conferencing, screen sharing, and document sharing, and is integrated with Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps for Work. Dialpad customers include 60 percent of the Fortune 500, high-growth enterprises and forward thinking organizations including Uber, Vivint Solar, Fairchild Semiconductors, ClassPass, and Netflix. Formerly known as Switch.co, Dialpad is funded by Amasia, Andreessen Horowitz, Felicis Ventures, GV (formerly Google Ventures), Softbank and Work-Bench. For more information, visit dialpad.com and follow @DialpadHQ on Twitter.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160307/340863LOGO

SOURCE Dialpad

Related Links

http://www.dialpad.com


SINGAPORE, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ebiz Cipta Solusi is pleased to announce it has been named the APAC winner in the 5th Annual Nintex Partner Awards within the Solution Innovation category. Ebiz Cipta Solusi was recognized for promoting the value of Nintex's Workflow platform and driving customer success across the Nintex product line.

"Ebiz Cipta Solusi is a well-deserving winner in the 2016 Nintex Partner Awards," said Nintex's VP of Channels & Product Marketing Josh Waldo. "Nintex's success is based on the success of our global partner network and our 6,000-plus customers. From automating workflows and the generation of documents to close sales deals faster, to securing approvals to bring new products to market, to streamlining the employee onboarding process  everyone who is part of the Nintex community is positively improving the way in which we work."

Ebiz Cipta Solusi has been a partner with Nintex since 2009. Through its partnership, the company has successfully supported organizations across industries by implementing Nintex's workflow automation solution. With Nintex, organizations may easily automate processes based on rules and parameters relevant to their businesses. This helps to reduce time consuming manual processes and increases accuracy.

"We are honored and proud as the winner of Solution Innovation for APAC in Nintex Partner Awards," said Ebiz Cipta Solusi President Director Dedy Lingga. "We implemented Nintex for one of the multi-national banks in Indonesia. Before the implementation of this solution, our customer had problems with so many manual processes and documents involved. These circumstances could potentially create more human error issues as well as reduce the performance of their customer services. Our customer decided to work with us and Nintex's workflow platform to eliminate these obstacles. After this solution was delivered, our customer was able to increase their operational productivity and process transaction up to 10 times with approximately 600 active users. This success story has led our customer to create new plans to implement Nintex across more of its business processes."

To learn more about Ebiz Cipta Solusi's partnership with Nintex, visit http://www.ebizcipta.net

Media Contacts

Ferdhi Adrian Kristin Treat Ebiz Cipta Solusi Nintex Public Relations [email protected] [email protected] cell: +62 811 226-6085 cell: (215) 317-9091

About Ebiz Cipta Solusi

Ebiz Cipta Solusi was founded in 2001 and has grown into an IT company with proven track records focused in areas of solution expertise such as Business Process Automation, Enterprise Datawarehouse & Business Intelligence, Enterprise Project Management, XBRL Solution, SharePoint Solution, and Enterprise Custom Application. We have delivered successful projects for a diverse range of customers including Financial and Non-Financial Industry. In order to deliver the best solution based on our customer requirements, Ebiz Cipta Solusi is committed to fulfill and meet the expectations of our customers to support their operations and business.

Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/390842LOGO

SOURCE Nintex

Related Links

http://www.nintex.com


WASHINGTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the release of the 2016 Republican Party Platform, J. David Cox, Sr., National President of the American Federation of Government Employees, representing 670,000 federal and D.C. government employees across the country, issued the following statement:

"The 2016 Republican Platform makes clear the GOP has moved so close to the extremes that it opposes the very government it seeks to lead. The platform advocates such profound changes to the terms of government employment that, if enacted, it would bring to end the merit-based, apolitical civil service system. Without Constitutional due process rights and free unions to provide accountability and transparency to government employment, government employment would cease to be a professional civil service. What would ensue is quite predictable and occurs wherever there is an absence of the rule of law: a government staffed with cronies and political protectors that will fail to provide quality services to the American people. A spoils system staffed by those hired because who they know, not what they can do.

The platform's ignorance and misrepresentation of the facts about federal pay and benefits should be an embarrassment. The truth is that federal pay lags the private sector and state and local governments by an average of 35% according the Federal Salary Council and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And federal benefits only look generous when compared to the shameful practice of private employers who provide nothing or next to nothing for their employees in the way of pensions or insurance. Federal compensation has always been modest, but three years of frozen pay and substantial pension cutbacks enacted over the last several years in the name of deficit reduction have impoverished thousands of federal employees and their families. The notion of dragging a border patrol agent or a VA nursing assistant's living standards down even lower is despicable.

The Republican platform also shows a horrible irresponsibility for the public interest in its embrace of privatization. Handing over the government's work to profit-hungry contractors at the expense of public safety and health is a guarantee of scandal. Dismantling the veterans' health care system by closing down hospitals and clinics and telling veterans to find their own care through a privatized insurance system is a disgraceful and outrageous abrogation of the promise our nation makes to those who have worn our nation's uniform. Today veterans can walk into any VA hospital and access seamlessly integrated primary/specialty care in addition to financial, educational, housing, vocational, and other benefits. Closing down the VA would mean more than just dangerous degradation in their health care. It would also mean missed opportunities for direct employment and job assistance, obtaining an education, and help with overcoming addiction or homelessness.

The platform's plan to privatize TSA would also be a dangerous and expensive disaster, throwing away a decade and a half of reliable airport security and returning us the pre-9/11 model that failed to such devastating effect. Instead of dismantling the TSA, the platform should demand that the agency receive the funding and staff it needs to do its jobs safely and efficiently, which a Republican-led Congress has failed to do for years."

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union, representing 670,000 workers in the federal government and the government of the District of Columbia.

For the latest AFGE news and information, visit the AFGE Media Center.

https://www.facebook.com/afgeunion

https://twitter.com/afgenational

https://www.youtube.com/user/afgeonline

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131120/MM21150LOGO



SOURCE American Federation of Government Employees

Related Links

http://www.afge.org


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Ancient Secrets of Essential Oils, the world's first feature length film about essential oils, examines the history of essential oils and how they have shaped countless cultures, including the United States of America. The film includes interviews with medical doctors, philosophers and research scientists discussing the history of distillation, the importance of the spice trade and why Frankincense and Myrrh were given to Christ.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/391167

The film is receiving critical praise on social media calling it "A brilliant film!" and "A masterpiece that will educate people on the importance of essential oils in the world today."

The feature film journeys into the past and discusses how the ancient Mesopotamians used essential oils, the different ways Egyptians distilled perfumes, and why essential oils will never be classified as a drug by the FDA.

The film's director Rich Praytor and producer Beverly Banks have spent the last two years interviewing experts and tracking down research about essential oils and the role they have played in both history and the health industry.

"What we have discovered is truly fascinating," Praytor said, "herbs, perfumes and essential oils have played a major role in civilizations from the beginning of time and their secrets have been lost. This film will shed some light on how powerful they are."

One of the highlights of the film shows footage of someone inhaling essential oils while being hooked up to a 3D brain scanner. "We saw how different parts of brain light up when smelling certain essential oils," Banks added, "there is definitely evidence that essential oils can have an effect on the body in ways never thought possible."

There has been a growing controversy between a few essential oil companies and the FDA since people have been making claims that these essential oils can cure cancer, kill the Ebola virus and even help with mental illness.

Essential Oils have grown in popularity over the last two decades with major retail outlets like Whole Foods, Target and Walmart beginning to carry essential oils.

For more information about Ancient Secrets of Essential Oils and to view the trailer, visit: www.essentialoilsmovie.com.

Media Contact: Rich Praytor 800-946-1225 [email protected]

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This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com.

SOURCE Ancient Secrets of Essential Oils

Related Links

http://www.essentialoilsmovie.com


SANTA ROSA, Calif., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Food & Wine Trails, which specializes in exclusive culinary travel experiences, has announced the additions of Greg Nacco, Vice President of Business Development, and Carolyn O'Neill, Director of Operations. Nacco and O'Neill both come to Food & Wine Trails with a wealth of experience in the luxury travel and cruise industries. In February of 2016, Food & Wine Trails became an independent division of Adelman Travel. Since the beginning of the relationship, Adelman has invested in new resources that will allow the company to expand their offerings to meet the increasing demand for unique epicurean tours and cruises.

Prior to joining Food & Wine Trails, Nacco held positions in sales and marketing, group development and operations with Cruise Specialists and Golden Bear Travel, affiliates of Travel Leaders and American Express respectively. As Vice President of Business Development for Food & Wine Trails, Nacco will head the sales organization and work directly with winery and cruise line partners to expand the brand both domestically and globally.

"Greg Nacco is well known in the cruise industry and has extensive knowledge of the luxury segment of the industry," said Larry Martin, Founder of Food & Wine Trails. "As the wine and cruise industries become more competitive, his experience in these areas allows us to continue to offer the superior quality and experiences for which we've become so well-known."

"I am extremely excited to work for a company that is so highly respected and innovative," said Nacco. "We simultaneously meet the needs of both our cruise line and winery partners; our objective is to strengthen customer bonds for the wineries while bringing more passengers to the cruise lines."

Carolyn O'Neill, a native of California, recently returned to the U.S. after spending over 20 years in Australia where she owned and operated an event management firm that specialized in luxury travel incentives. Carolyn's role as Director of Operations for Food & Wine Trails is a new position that will primarily focus on the development and expansion of the operation as the company continues to grow.

About Food & Wine Trails

Food & Wine Trail, a division of Adelman Travel, is based in Santa Rosa, California and specializes in exceptional food and wine tours.

SOURCE Food & Wine Trails
Now, as the winds of Project Rawhide dwindle down, Project No. 1 blows into town and with it Lincoln Premium Poultry takes up a downtown location starting in August.

Following Mondays recommendation by the Fremont Planning Commission and after a unanimous vote Tuesday, those new winds continued to fill the unflappable, steady sails of Costco Wholesale and Lincoln Premium Poultry as the two companies continue to coast ahead towards a proposed establishment of a large scale poultry operation anticipated for approximately 421 acres of land located south of Fremont on the Hills Farm Inc. property.

Also coasting ahead, Walt Shafer, Lincoln Premium Poultry general manager informed that his company signed a lease for a office in downtown Fremont. He said the company plans to occupy the location starting in August.

It will serve as a way for the community and the growers who want to get in touch with us personally, Shafer said.

The councils vote adopted a resolution approving the South Fremont Industrial Redevelopment Plan that includes an initial project designated Project No. 1: Costco Poultry Complex. The larger, general plan outlines the redevelopment and remediation of 992 acres of land designated blighted and substandard and located in a largely industrial and commercial just south of Fremont.
Food 4 Less and Foods Co customers and associates can support after-school programs through the supermarket chain's nonprofit arm, The Food 4 Less/Foods Co Fund, by donating their spare change in collection canisters located at the checkstands in their neighborhood Food 4 Less stores in Southern California and greater Chicago, and Foods Co supermarkets in Central and Northern California. The after-school program fund-raising campaign will run from July 20 through October 11, 2016.

"The support of after-school programs is an important cause to Food 4 Less, Foods Co and our customers," said Bryan Kaltenbach, president of Food 4 Less/Foods Co. "By simply donating their spare change into the donation canisters located at each checkstand in our stores, Food 4 Less and Foods Co customers will be able to make a huge difference in supporting after-school programs that inspire and empower young people in our communities."

Together with their customers, Food 4 Less and Foods Co contributed more than $70,000 in 2015 to programs focused on educating our youth, including after-school enrichment programs, in communities served by Food 4 Less stores in Southern California and the greater Chicago area, and those served by Foods Co stores in Central and Northern California.

About Food 4 Less

Headquartered in Los Angeles, Food 4 Less operates 131 price-impact, warehouse-format supermarkets under the banners Food 4 Less in Southern California, Illinois and Indiana, and Foods Co in Central and Northern California. Last year, Food 4 Less and Foods Co combined to contribute more than $4 million to support education, hunger relief, women's health and local nonprofit organizations. Food 4 Less is a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., (NYSE:KR), one of the nation's largest grocery retailers, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information about Food 4 Less, please visit our website at www.food4less.com.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160720/391454

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130715/LA47429LOGO

SOURCE Food 4 Less/Foods Co

Related Links

http://www.food4less.com


HILLSDALE, Mich., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Forbes has again ranked Hillsdale College among the private colleges in the nation, placing it at #142 among private colleges and #38 in the Midwest for return on investment, which is among the top 150 private colleges in the country. Hillsdale is also the top-ranked college nationwide that refuses all federal or state taxpayer fundingeven indirectly in the form of student grants and loans.

"Hillsdale College's inclusion on Forbes' list of 'America's Top Colleges' reaffirms the success of our core curriculum and a rigorous, classical liberal arts education," said Dr. David Whalen, provost of Hillsdale College. "Our curriculum educates students to become better citizens by understanding what is required to live a moral and virtuous life."

Forbes partners with the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP) to rank America's top 650 colleges. The list purports to determine a student's return-on-investment from attending a particular college.

A complete list of Hillsdale College's 2016 rankings and recognitions are available at rankings.hillsdale.edu .

About Hillsdale College

Hillsdale College, founded in 1844, has built a national reputation through its classical liberal arts core curriculum and its principled refusal to accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies, even indirectly in the form of student grants or loans. It also conducts an extensive educational outreach effort promoting civil and religious liberty, including a free monthly speech digest, Imprimis, with a circulation of more than 3.4 million.

SOURCE Hillsdale College
NEWARK, Calif., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GC Express, a gas station in Caro, Michigan, is now offering a free coffee or fountain drink to customers paying with the Team One Credit Union Mobile Banking App on their smartphones for fuel purchases of $10 or more. Consumers can use the mobile app to pay at the pump as a result of GC Express' implementation of the AnyWhereMobile payment service from MShift Inc., which is seamlessly integrated in-store and at the pump with Verifone Commander Site Controller.

MShift Launches AnyWhereMobile Mobile Payments for Gas Stations & Convenience Stores with Verifone Commander Site Controller Merchant-Funded Rewards Build Customer Loyalty MShift has been providing mobile banking and payment solutions to US financial institutions since 1999. MShift's latest product is an innovative new mobile payment network called AnyWhereMobile.

Team One Credit Union is the first financial institution in the United States, to issue MShift's patented AnyWhereMobile Payment Network app, making it available for its members to use on their iPhone and Android devices.

"Gas stations in our community are excited to have a mobile payment option issued by a trusted local financial institution that lowers their interchange costs by more than half," said Tim Ferrio, eServices Supervisor at Team One Credit Union, adding that gas stations pay a flat $0.15 fee per transaction. "By end of 2016, we hope to bring on 20 gas stations in Michigan, using the Verifone Commander Site Controller and benefit both the gas station owners and our members."

To pay with AnyWhereMobile, Team One members open the mobile banking app on their smartphone, scan the QR code at the pump or the register, and authorize the transaction using their PIN or fingerprint. Once the transaction is complete, they receive a receipt for their purchase via the mobile banking app. More than 30 other local merchants near Team One are also accepting AnyWhereMobile payments.

AnyWhereMobile transactions are equivalent to real-time funds transfers within a bank or credit union. There is no risk of insufficient funds for the merchant, as it is not an ACH transaction. In addition to highly secure transactions and reduced risk, AnyWhereMobile reduces transaction costs for merchants, and they can invest the difference into improving and expanding their customer rewards programs to increase customer participation and retention.

"We are unlike any other mobile payment platform on the market today," said Jacqueline Snell, VP of Strategic Initiatives at MShift. "We are not an ACH transaction and we don't ride on the existing expensive payment networks. We offer higher security and lower costs to the benefit of everyone involved."

Commander Site Controller is Verifone's single site management software platform that supports all petroleum and card brands, providing increased speed in at-the-pump and in-store payment acceptance, fueling operations and back office control. It incorporates a Conexxus Mobile standard-based API to streamline gas stations' and convenience stores' ability to support mobile payment apps while improving business processes, reducing costs and increasing productivity.

"Verifone facilitates alternative mobile payment acceptance, enabling gas stations to improve the customer experience," said Dan Yienger, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Petroleum for Verifone. "Our point of sale and site management software solutions help operators better manage their business, improve profitability, increase consumer loyalty and accept mobile payments and EMV. We are committed to incorporating Conexxus standards in our open API."

About Verifone

Verifone is transforming everyday transactions into opportunities for connected commerce. We're connecting payment devices to the cloudmerging the online and instore shopping experience and creating the next generation of digital engagement between merchants and consumers. We are built on a 30 year history of uncompromised security with approximately 29 million devices and terminals deployed worldwide. Our people are known as trusted experts that work with our clients and partners, helping to solve their most complex payments challenges. We have clients and partners in more than 150 countries, including the world's best known retail brands, financial institutions and payment providers.

Verifone.com | @verifone

About MShift

MShift launched the first mobile banking applications in the US in 2001 and now has taken mobile banking into the next generation with AnyWhereMobile, a patented mobile payment network that offers an alternative to the plastic card networks. With an open API, AnyWhereMobile can be integrated into both financial institutions' mobile banking and merchants' own branded apps. AnyWhereMobile is the only open loop mobile payment network that benefits customers, merchants and financial institutions while lowering the cost of payment acceptance for both brick-and-mortar and online commerce down to a flat $0.15 per transaction with no additional costs or risk of chargebacks.

mshift.com | anywheremobile.com

Video - http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/AnyWhereMobilev3.mp4

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160720/391300

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150416/199037LOGO

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150416/199036LOGO

SOURCE MShift Inc.; Verifone

Related Links

http://Verifone.com


"The purchase of this technology will benefit police officers and the public by providing an added layer of transparency and accountability," said DeKalb County's interim CEO, Lee May. "This is another important investment in community-oriented policing and proof of our commitment to use technology to aid in building trust and mutual respect between law enforcement and those they are sworn to protect."

The BodyWorn software operates on a 4G-LTE smartphone that is embedded into the officer's uniform. The camera always points forward and will not be knocked askew or fall off during a struggle or when the officer is running. Wi-Fi and 4G-LTE connectivity, and BodyWorn's Smart Offload software, provides immediate video upload to secure storage in the police car or cloud storage. In addition, video is encrypted as it is recorded, so it is not vulnerable to tampering, mishandling, or loss, and officers do not have to travel back to the police station hours later to manually upload video by putting the camera into a docking station. BodyWorn can also live stream video directly to DeKalb County Central Dispatch during emergency situations.

"We call DeKalb County home, and are honored to announce that the DeKalb County Police Department will be deploying BodyWorn," said Robert McKeeman, CEO of Utility. "There have been too many times when manually operated, clip-on body cameras have failed to record the adequate video necessary for transparency that the publicand 21st-Century Policing demands. Integrating the body camera into the officer's uniform means the camera can't fall off. Automatic policy-based recording and immediate Smart Offload are core parts of our Generation 2 technology that ensures video does not get compromised or lost. An officer having a body camera, but not actually recording usable video of an incident, damages public trustand we feel would be worse than no body camera at all. We are dedicated to providing technology that ensures reliable video recording. I am a proud graduate of Southwest DeKalb High School. No one is more committed to body camera success for DeKalb County than I am."

In addition to BodyWorn, the DeKalb Police Department has also purchased Utility's Rocket integrated vehicle communication systems, turning each patrol car into a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. This will optimize the Department's recording and video maintenance capabilities by adding automatic recording triggers and Smart Offload to its in-vehicle cameras.

BodyWorn also includes Smart Redaction at no additional cost. Smart Redaction automatically identifies and blurs faces, body parts with identifiable tattoos, and other selected objects in a video to protect the privacy of citizens and police officers. This unique capability allows a police department to quickly and reliably redact video to respond to media and FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests, as well as to prepare video for use in Court. Extensive manual labor to redact videos is eliminated, which allows law enforcement agencies to protect privacy while ensuring accountability and transparencyall at a low cost.

BodyWorn is part of Utility's Evidence EcoSystem. For more information about Generation 2 BodyWorn video cameras and the Evidence EcoSystem, visit http://www.BodyWorn.com.

About BodyWorn

BodyWorn uses smart mobile computing technology incorporating real-time communications for the best possible Situational Awareness. Only BodyWorn provides policy-based recording, Officer Down emergency alerts, live video streaming, and secure automatic wireless offload to cloud storage. BodyWorn video, audio and metadata can be accessed through the AVaiLWeb digital evidence management solution hosted on Amazon AWS. BodyWorn Software as a Service will continue to evolve to meet the demands of Police Departments around the world. BodyWorn and the Rocket IoT in-car video system leverage Amazon Web Services cloud storage, and provide our customers with Mission Critical Intelligence.

About Utility

Utility is a venture-capital funded company headquartered in Decatur, Georgia (Metro Atlanta) founded in 2001. The company provides Mission Critical Intelligence through the Rocket IoT vehicle video routers and BodyWorn video systems for Police, Fire, EMS, Electric and Gas Utility, and Public Transit customers. Utility offers a unified operating platform for safely locating, tracking and supporting all aspects of mobile field operations. Utility owns US patents 6,831,556; 7,768,548; 8,781,475; 9,246,898; and 9,282,495 and has numerous patents pending with the US, Canadian, and the European Union Patent Offices.

For more information, visit http://www.utility.com and http://www.bodyworn.com.

Contact: Jake Mendlinger

Office: 516-829-8374 / Cell: 516-639-3373

Email: [email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160427/360504

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160427/360545LOGO

SOURCE Utility

Related Links

http://www.utility.com


LONDON, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally, commercial vehicle tires are usually deployed in vehicles with the load limit of either 3.5 tons to 7 tons or over 7 tons. Commercial vehicles, comprising Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) and Medium & Heavy Commercial Vehicle (M&HCV), are majorly used for public transportation, load carriage, long-haulage, logistics activities, etc. Construction and logistics industries are the major demand generators of commercial vehicles across the globe. Governments in various major developing and developed countries are continuously launching plans and programs for stimulating growth in infrastructure, construction & industrial sectors. This is expected to positively influence demand for LCVs and M&HCVs over the next five years, consequently boosting demand for LCV and M&HCV tires through 2021. During 2011-2015, global logistics market grew at a CAGR of over 32%, predominantly owing to robustly expanding e-commerce industry. Expanding logistics sector has been augmenting demand for commercial vehicle tires over the last five years, globally.



According to "Global Commercial Vehicle Tire Market By Vehicle Type, By Demand Category, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021", the global market for commercial vehicle tires is projected to cross $ 117 billion by 2021. In 2015, Asia-Pacific dominated the global commercial vehicle tire market, followed by North America, Europe & CIS Countries, Middle East & Africa and South America. Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to maintain its dominance over the next five years as well owing to expanding commercial vehicle fleet in the major regional economies such as China, India and Japan. In 2015, China accounted for the largest share in Asia-Pacific commercial vehicle tire market on account of booming logistics and transportation sector. Pirelli, Continental, Goodyear, Bridgestone and Michelin are few of the leading global commercial vehicle tire companies. These companies are anticipated to continue their dominance through the forecast period, on account of their strong brand acceptance among consumers and widespread dealership network, globally. "Global Commercial Vehicle Tire Market By Vehicle Type, By Demand Category, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021" discusses the following aspects of global commercial vehicle tire market:



- Global Commercial Vehicle Tire Market Size, Share & Forecast

- Segmental Analysis  By Vehicle Type (LCV and M&HCV), By Demand Category (OEM Vs Replacement)

- Regional Analysis - North America, Europe & CIS Countries, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and South America

- Changing Market Trends & Emerging Opportunities

- Competitive Landscape & Strategic Recommendations



Why You Should Buy This Report?



- To gain an in-depth understanding of global commercial vehicle tire market

- To identify the on-going trends and anticipated growth in the next five years

- To help industry consultants and commercial vehicle tire manufacturers, distributors and other stakeholders align their market-centric strategies

- To obtain research based business decisions and add weight to presentations and marketing material

- To gain competitive knowledge of leading market players

- To avail 10% customization in the report without any extra charges and get research data or trends added in the report as per the buyer's specific needs



Report Methodology



The information contained in this report is based upon both primary and secondary research. Primary research included interviews with commercial vehicle tire manufacturers, OEM's, distributors and industry experts. Secondary research included an exhaustive search of relevant publications like company annual reports, financial reports and proprietary databases.



Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3992033/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com

For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

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Living on a purpose-built site called GreatnessIsBrewing.com , the campaign is slated to run nationally in the U.S. and continue into early 2017. Its purpose: to increase awareness and demand for 100% Colombian coffee, especially among millennial and emerging coffee consumers. Today, younger coffee consumers are surrounded by coffee origin stories from all around the world. "Greatness is Brewing" finds common ground in Cafe de Colombia's meticulous processes and quality with a millennial pursuit to do more. The work follows Cafe de Colombia and Rokkan's initial partnership announcement from earlier this year.

"Previous generations readily recognize that Colombian coffee is among the best in the world," said Roberto Velez, CEO of the FNC. "With this campaign, we want new coffee drinkers to have a better understanding of the superior qualities that come from Colombian coffee beans, how they are selectively picked, inspected for quality and taste. We want them to look for Colombian coffee in their favorite coffee shop or in the grocery store nearby. We want them to know that 'Greatness is Brewing.'"

Echoing this concept, the campaign by Rokkan uses a tongue-in-cheek version of a Moon mission to ask viewers: "What if humankind's greatest strides aren't made by the biggest steps?" This imagery, juxtaposed with the many steps that it takes to create quality 100% Colombian coffee, is meant to reinforce the importance of a coffee bean's origin since the resulting brew is so often a crucial fuel that drives breakthrough work.

On creative reasoning behind the work, Rokkan's Chief Creative Officer Brian Carley noted that long industry hours served as a sort of inspiration to the team: "Whether it's a manned mission to the Moon or a brand overhaul, odds are high that a few good cups of coffee were involved," he said. "We wanted to draw a fun parallel between 100% Colombian coffee's world-class quality and the small contributions that go into great work."

Other components of the campaign managed by Rokkan include promoted online video and banners; managed social content over Facebook and Instagram; and a supplemental influencer program to drive knowledge and understanding of 100% Arabica, mountain grown, high quality Colombian coffee.

For more information, please visit GreatnessIsBrewing.com and follow the campaign on Facebook and Instagram.

About Cafe de Colombia

In 1927 the Colombian coffee growers organized themselves to create an institution that would represent them both nationally and internationally, and improve their quality of life. Since the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), came to exist, it has become one of the largest producer organizations in the world.

Since the beginning, the FNC has been the foremost coffee association in Colombia, with presences in close to 600 municipalities of Colombia, 54 percent of the country, where coffee is grown. The work of FNC revolves around the coffee growers and their families ensuring Colombian coffee is grown in a sustainable manner, strengthening common interests within coffee-growing communities while positioning Colombian coffee as the best coffee in the world.

For more information visit www.cafedecolombia.com.

About Rokkan

Rokkan, a partner for brave change, takes its name from the Japanese word for "the sixth sense," bringing intuition to research and strategy to help brands create data-driven and highly creative storytelling, social engagement, customer experience and e-commerce. Founded in 2000, Rokkan has grown from a three-person startup into an innovation outlier within the Publicis Groupe. With offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Singapore, Rokkan leverages a unique and nimble approach that blends strategy, storytelling, and technology for outstanding results. Clients include American Express, Cadillac, Hallmark, JetBlue Airways, Purina Nestle, Samsung and Veuve Clicquot.

For more information visit www.rokkan.com, or follow us at @Rokkan, on FB and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Hans Lao

SweeneyVesty

[email protected]

212-226-5105

Video - https://youtu.be/HyzAnINQ85A

SOURCE Rokkan

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PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GSK [LSE/NYSE: GSK] announced today it has begun shipping quadrivalent vaccine doses to US healthcare providers, following licensing and lot-release approval from the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. It is the first company to ship quadrivalent vaccine for the 2016-17 flu season.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccination as the single best measure for flu prevention. The CDC has a routine recommendation for Americans over the age of six months to get a flu vaccination each year as the first and most important step in protecting against this disease.1,2 GSK's flu vaccines are indicated for use in persons three years and older.

"Our goal is to be a reliable partner in the annual flu immunization campaign by developing and manufacturing high quality quadrivalent influenza vaccines for the US population," said Patrick Desbiens, Senior Vice President, US Vaccines. "This year we introduced new functionality to our eCommerce platform, www.GSKDirect.com, to allow those who stock and administer our vaccines to further accelerate delivery of their flu vaccines when they order directly from us. We believe this enhancement supports healthcare providers by helping to ensure that their patients have access to the vaccines they need."

Two different options of the four-strain vaccines will be available to customers. FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT comes in a 5-mL, multidose vial containing 10 doses (0.5mL each), while FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT comes in a 0.5-mL, single-dose, prefilled syringe.

GSK expects to supply up to 40 million doses across both vaccines for the US market in the 2016-17 season. One hundred percent of GSK supply is quadrivalent doses.

Quadrivalent vaccines are designed to help protect against two different types of "A" flu strains and two types of "B" flu strains. Influenza A and Influenza B are the viruses that spread between people and can cause mild to severe illness, leading to seasonal flu. Most flu activity in the US occurs from October-May, and typically peaks in the US between December-February. According to the CDC, each year approximately 5 to 20 percent of people in the US get the flu and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized for flu-related complications.3,4,5

For this year's flu season, the World Health Organization (WHO) and FDA's Vaccines and Related Blood Products Advisory Committee recommended including the A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, A/Hong Kong/4801/2014 (H3N2)-like virus, and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus (B/Victoria lineage), with the addition of B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus (B/Yamagata lineage), for the quadrivalent vaccine.6,7

For more general information about the flu, visit ChooseMoreChooseFour.com.

About GSK flu vaccine manufacturing

FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT is manufactured in Dresden, Germany. FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT is manufactured in Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada.

The following Important Safety Information is based on the Highlights section of the Prescribing Information for FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine) and FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine). Please consult the full Prescribing Information for all the labeled safety information for FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT and FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT.

Professional Indication(s) for FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT (Influenza Vaccine) and FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT (InfluenzaVaccine)

Indication for FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT

FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B viruses contained in the vaccine. FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT is approved for use in persons 3 years of age and older.

Indication for FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT

FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT is a vaccine indicated for active immunization for the prevention of disease caused by influenza A subtype viruses and type B viruses contained in the vaccine. FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT is approved for use in persons 3 years of age and older.

Combined Important Safety Information for FluLaval Quadrivalent (Influenza Vaccine) and Fluarix Quadrivalent (InfluenzaVaccine)

Do not administer FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT or FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT to anyone with known severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine, including egg protein, or a lifethreatening reaction to previous administration of any influenza vaccine

If Guillain-Barre syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of a prior influenza vaccine, the decision to give FLULAVAL  QUADRIVALENT or FLUARIX  QUADRIVALENT should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks

QUADRIVALENT or FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks Syncope (fainting) can occur in association with administration of injectable vaccines. Procedures should be in place to avoid falling injury and to restore cerebral perfusion following syncope

If FLULAVAL  QUADRIVALENT or FLUARIX  QUADRIVALENT is administered to immunosuppressed persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the immune response may be lower than in immunocompetent persons

QUADRIVALENT or FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT is administered to immunosuppressed persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, the immune response may be lower than in immunocompetent persons In clinical trials with FLULAVAL  QUADRIVALENT, the most common solicited local adverse reaction in adults was pain. The most common solicited systemic adverse reactions in adults were muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and arthralgia. In children 3 through 17 years of age, the most common solicited local adverse reaction was pain. In children 3 through 4 years of age, the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were irritability, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. In children 5 through 17 years of age, the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were muscle aches, fatigue, headache, arthralgia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. (See Adverse Reactions section of the Prescribing Information for FLULAVAL  QUADRIVALENT for other potential adverse reactions and events)

QUADRIVALENT, the most common solicited local adverse reaction in adults was pain. The most common solicited systemic adverse reactions in adults were muscle aches, headache, fatigue, and arthralgia. In children 3 through 17 years of age, the most common solicited local adverse reaction was pain. In children 3 through 4 years of age, the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were irritability, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. In children 5 through 17 years of age, the most common solicited systemic adverse reactions were muscle aches, fatigue, headache, arthralgia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. (See Adverse Reactions section of the Prescribing Information for FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT for other potential adverse reactions and events) In clinical trials with FLUARIX  QUADRIVALENT, the most common injection site adverse reaction in adults was pain. The most common systemic adverse reactions in adults were muscle aches, headache, and fatigue. In children 3 through 17 years of age, injection site adverse reactions were pain, redness, and swelling. In children 3 through 5 years of age, the most common systemic adverse reactions were drowsiness, irritability, and loss of appetite. In children 6 through 17 years of age, the most common systemic adverse reactions were fatigue, muscle aches, headache, arthralgia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. (See Adverse Reactions section of the Prescribing Information for FLUARIX  QUADRIVALENT for other potential adverse reactions and events)

QUADRIVALENT, the most common injection site adverse reaction in adults was pain. The most common systemic adverse reactions in adults were muscle aches, headache, and fatigue. In children 3 through 17 years of age, injection site adverse reactions were pain, redness, and swelling. In children 3 through 5 years of age, the most common systemic adverse reactions were drowsiness, irritability, and loss of appetite. In children 6 through 17 years of age, the most common systemic adverse reactions were fatigue, muscle aches, headache, arthralgia, and gastrointestinal symptoms. (See Adverse Reactions section of the Prescribing Information for FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT for other potential adverse reactions and events) Vaccination with FLULAVAL QUADRIVALENT or FLUARIX QUADRIVALENT may not result in protection in all vaccine recipients

GSK  one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies  is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com.

GSK enquiries:





UK Media enquiries: David Mawdsley +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London)

Simon Steel +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London)

David Daley +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London)

Catherine Hartley +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London)

Claire Brough +44 (0) 20 8047 5502 (London)







US Media enquiries: Sarah Alspach +1 202 715 1048 (Washington, DC)

Sarah Spencer +1 215 751 3335 (Philadelphia)

Mary Anne Rhyne +1 919 483 0492 (North Carolina)

Jenni Ligday +1 202 715 1049 (Washington, DC)

Karen Hagens +1 919 483 2863 (North Carolina)

Gwynne Oosterbaan +1 215 751 7468 (Philadelphia)







Analyst/Investor enquiries: Ziba Shamsi +44 (0) 20 8047 5543 (London)

Tom Curry + 1 215 751 5419 (Philadelphia)

Gary Davies +44 (0) 20 8047 5503 (London)

James Dodwell +44 (0) 20 8047 2406 (London)

Jeff McLaughlin +1 215 751 7002 (Philadelphia)

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D 'Risk factors' in the company's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2014.

Registered in England & Wales: No. 3888792

Registered Office: 980 Great West Road Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS

1 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs," Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm. Accessed June 2016. 2 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "Vaccination: Who Should Do It, Who Should Not and Who Should Take Precautions," Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/whoshouldvax.htm#annual-vaccination. Accessed June 2016. 3 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine," Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm. Accessed June 2016. 4 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "What You Should Know for the 2015-2016 Influenza Season," Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/season/flu-season-2015-2016.htm. Accessed June 2016. 5 The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "Information for Schools." Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/qa.htm. Accessed June 2016. 6 World Health Organization (WHO): "Recommended Composition of Influenza Virus Vaccines for use in the 2016-2017 Northern Hemisphere Influenza Season," Available at: http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/201602_recommendation.pdf?ua=1. Accessed June 2016. 7 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): "Influenza Virus Vaccines 2016-2017 Strain Selection," Available at: http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/CommitteesMeetingMaterials/BloodVaccinesandOtherBiologics/VaccinesandRelatedBiologicalProductsAdvisoryCommittee/UCM497026.pdf. Accessed June 2016.

SOURCE GSK

Related Links

http://www.gsk.com


NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- AMA Research are pleased to announce the publication of the 6th edition of its overview of the Healthcare Construction Market in the UK, focusing on key market trends and major structural change within the NHS and private sectors, which should be of particular interest to healthcare providers and construction professionals involved in the healthcare sector.



Key issues analysed include:

 Government reform of the NHS and implications of the Health & Social Care Act for the construction industry.





 New providers and clients under the new NHS Structure.





 Analysis of Capital Funding to 2016 and capital funding arrangements under new NHS Structure.





 Major contractors, consortia, developers and investors involved in the healthcare sector  construction pipelines, budgets, key schemes and players.



Particular areas of insight include:



 Potential impact of the government's 'NHS: Five Year Forward View', which outlines what needs to be done between 2015 and 2020 to improve the NHS - a 'blueprint' for the party that wins the 2015 general election, which sets out new models of care and could have significant implications for the NHS and its estate.





 Review of primary healthcare and GP estate and government funding to upgrade premises - GPs now firmly at the core of the NHS.





 Review of future of main procurement routes and construction programmes - PFI and Private Finance 2 (PF2), LIFT and ExpressLIFT; Hub Initiative in Scotland; Procure21+; Designed for Life: Building for Wales and Frameworks Scotland  construction pipelines, budgets, key schemes and players.





 Shift away from major new build hospital schemes towards local and primary health facilities and refurbishment schemes. ExpressLIFT and P21+ construction pipeline.





 Review of growing involvement of private sector and commercial providers in NHS primary care provision.





Some of the companies included:



Apollo Capital Projects, Assura, Balfour Beatty, Bam Construction, Bouygues, BMI Healthcare, Boots, Brookfield Multiplex, Care UK, Carillion, GPI, GTD (Go To Doc), HCA International, Integrated Dental Holdings Ltd, Interserve, IntraHealth, John Laing, Kier, Laing O'Rourke, Lend Lease, Malling Health, MedicX Fund, Nuffield Health, Octopus Investments, Primary Health Properties, Ramsay Healthcare, Robertson Construction, Ryhurst, Sainsbury's, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK, Spire Healthcare, SSP Health, Carlyle Group, Vinci, Virgin Care, Wates, Willmott Dixon.



Key areas covered in the report:



PUBLIC SECTOR HEALTHCARE IN THE UK



 Overview and new Structure of the NHS  England, Scotland, Wales - government reforms of the NHS and implications of new Health & Social Care Act.





 New Providers and Clients under new NHS Structure  CCGs, Foundation Trusts, NHSCB.





 Size and condition of the NHS Estate in England, Wales and Scotland  impact of NHS reforms on NHS estate rationalisation and upkeep.





 Overview of the Primary Healthcare Estate  Future of GP premises and primary healthcare services under the new Health Act and the 'NHS Five Year Forward View'.





 Healthcare Spending and Investment in the UK  primary care spending, NHS funding in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, 2014 Autumn Statement, forecasts 2014-2016.





PRIVATE ACUTE HEALTHCARE SECTOR IN THE UK



 Private partnership with the NHS and analysis of private and corporate providers in the NHS.





 Acute private hospital provision and leading providers - number of facilities, key contracts.





 Private healthcare companies - key players, market size, including major groups; retail outlets moving into primary healthcare; private healthcare groups and property/ investment companies specialising in GP and primary care premises investment and development.





 Private dental care - major dental companies/practices.





CONTRACTORS OUTPUT IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR



 Analysis of Total New Work Construction Output - output by sector and for 2015 and beyond.





 Construction output in the healthcare sector  2009-2019 - factors influencing forecasts.





 Healthcare construction work pipeline  key funding streams (PFI/PPP P21, P21+), programme budgets to 2017 and beyond, number of schemes, capital values.





 Capital expenditure in NHS  England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland  key developments.





PROCUREMENT OF HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION WORK



 Size/value of the PFI healthcare market and progress of schemes to date.





 Future of Healthcare PFI (Private Finance 2)  key schemes, values.





 Overview of NHS LIFT/ExpressLIFT/Hub Initiative Scotland/Procure21 & Procure21+/ Designed for Life: Building for Wales Framework/Frameworks Scotland  budgets, construction pipelines, progress to date, forecasts.





 NHS LIFTExpress and P21+ construction pipelines 2014-20  values, schemes, status, players etc.





 Other finance and procurement options for NHS clients  LABVs, Joint Ventures, Surplus Land - open up the market considerably to smaller firms and suppliers.





CONSTRUCTION SUPPLY IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR



 Key construction companies in the healthcare sector  recent projects.





 Key consortia in healthcare sector  key players.





 Healthcare developers and investors.





 Current construction opportunities and tenders in the healthcare sector.





The report reviews recent changes and provides insight on forward plans, including capital spending in the healthcare sector, key issues for the construction industry and anticipated opportunities for healthcare construction work over the next few years.

Having reached its peak at 5.9bn in 2008, health sector construction output has subsequently declined by 48% to around 3bn in 2014. Cuts to the capital budget initiated by the Government since April 2011 have had a significant impact on health sector output and the outlook remains one of moderate output improvements to 2019. However, the health sector is one of the largest clients for construction work.







In recent years the mix between public and private sector output has changed, with the public sector share having experienced significant fluctuations due to budget cuts and changing attitudes towards the use of PFI and other private sector input. Overall healthcare construction output remained in decline in 2014, but the private sector accounts for a smaller share of total output continuing the downward trend experienced since 2008.







With more healthcare services being driven out of the acute setting and into the primary sector, GPs are now very firmly at the core of the NHS and the emphasis is now upon the upgrading and refurbishment of the GP estate. Investment in the primary care estate has generally lagged behind that in the secondary or acute sector, however, in the 2014 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a 1bn funding package for investment into GP facilities which will help upgrade current facilities to deliver additional services and care outside hospitals.





The future focus of NHS services will be on moving care within or closer to home, more regional services and the closure of some hospitals. As a result, there is a continued move away from secondary healthcare developments such as large PFI hospitals, towards upgrading, refurbishing and extending the primary care estate, with more emphasis on improving existing premises rather than building new ones.





The broader policies of developing GP-led commissioning have undoubtedly led to greater co-operation between the private and public sectors and more work with private providers and their construction teams. As financial constraints continue, the procurement of services to the NHS, including construction, are increasingly looking towards increased partnership with the private sector.





Established methods of delivery of new capital developments, such as PFI, LIFT, Procure 21+ and Express LIFT are now undergoing change under NHS organisational reforms. As financial constraints continue and public sector capital becomes more difficult to obtain, the procurement system is increasingly looking towards partnering with the private sector in the development of capital projects. This is also leading to the co-location of several public services from a single building including GP services, minor injuries and surgery, diagnostics, therapies, optometrists, dentistry, social and community care. The main challenge for contractors will be to reduce build costs and develop standardised designs and techniques to help NHS trusts achieve capital efficiencies.





As indicated previously, the period of large hospital developments has now all but closed with more recent emphasis being placed on smaller, local projects such as smaller community hospitals, and combined GP surgeries/health centres. The majority of health construction projects are now likely to be procured under P21+, with a focus on smaller, refurbishment projects and rationalisation of NHS estates, as outlined elsewhere in this report.





Health sector output is forecast to pick up slightly in 2015 with value increases of around 4%, though forecasts indicate moderate annual rates of growth to 2019, when output is forecast to reach 3.6bn, underpinned by the recent cuts to capital budgets and the current focus on improving/maintaining existing facilities. Although the latest trend for new orders has been upwards this is unlikely to result in a rapid upturn in output in the medium-term, particularly while budgets remain under pressure.





However, there remains an ongoing programme to build new/replacement clinics and surgeries on a local level, which is likely to underpin output into the medium-term and budgets in the sector remain ring-fenced as announced in the 2014 Autumn Statement. A slight increase in the NHS capital expenditure budget in 2015-16 to 4.7bn may help to sustain output growth in 2016 and beyond as financial pressures on trusts to commission new facilities and upgrade existing ones begin to ease. However, the medium-term prospects for health sector output are still severely constrained by continuing low levels of investment. Key to the future performance of the health sector is the changing focus from larger-scale regional provision to smaller, locally based services based on LIFT/P21+ procurement programmes.





In contrast to new build, health sector RMI is forecast to be more buoyant as plans for service delivery on a local level are pursued. Into the longer-term the issue of an ageing population could boost demand for both new build and RMI due to need to increase nursing/care home places. Whilst health spending for 2016-17 and 2017-18 has not yet been announced, the health budget continues to be under pressure, with the additional demands on the service, combined with rising input costs and the potential for a change of government in 2015 could also alter the focus of health sector capital expenditure.





Read the full report: http://www.reportlinker.com/p03516880-summary/view-report.html



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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HEXPOL, a leading global provider of elastomer compounds, was among 275 companies cited in the newspaper's seventh annual list. Employers were listed in three categories: large, midsize and small. Burton Rubber Processing, located in Burton, Ohio, made the prestigious list for the second year in a row. Founded in 1957, 220 associates currently work at the campus.

"Our goal is to keep all aspects of Burton Rubber Processing amazing  amazing to our associates, valued customers, and the community we serve," said John Gorrell, General Manager, Burton Rubber Processing. "It's an honor and privilege to have our company recognized for the second consecutive year. We are proud to be associated with so many other well respected businesses in our region."

The 2016 Top Workplaces list was published in the Plain Dealer on June 19. Employees of participating companies responded to a detailed survey conducted by independent workplace consultant, Workplace Dynamics. Company rankings were based solely on employee responses to 20 statements addressing multiple work-related factors. Below are examples of survey statements, ranked in order of importance by responding employees, which contributed to employer rankings:

I believe this company is going in the right direction

I feel genuinely appreciated at this company

I have confidence in the leaders of this company

My job makes me feel like I am part of something meaningful

The company enables me to work at my full potential

At this company, we do things efficiently and well

My manager helps me learn and grow

I have the flexibility I need to balance my work/personal life

My pay and benefits are fair for the work I do

Engaged employees agree that they are motivated to do excellent work and deliver quality products and services to their customers.

Survey results certainly support that premise, with respondents indicating that the HEXPOL Burton Rubber Processing campus is comprised of individuals who are dedicated to HEXPOL through meaningful work and a vibrant connection with the company. They stressed the benefits of a positive culture and the support provided through personal and leadership development programs. Respondents also have a strong belief that HEXPOL Compounding is moving in the right direction.

"We continually train our associates and equip them with the skills they need to take on new responsibilities when advancement opportunities appear," Gorrell said. "It's very rewarding to add value to their lives and watch them grow, better serving our customers and progressing into leadership positions. If we don't care about the people we lead, we have no business leading them."

Respondents also felt that HEXPOL leadership provides a clear vision of company goals and makes a significant effort to ensure each associate feels valued and recognized for contributions to HEXPOL's success.

Elastomer compounds made by HEXPOL Compounding touch nearly every aspect of our world, helping to make the products we rely on where we work, live, and play. HEXPOL elastomers are used in products in multiple industries, including transportation, energy, wire & cable, construction & infrastructure, medical technology, and general industrial.

For more information about HEXPOL Compounding and its products and services, visit the company's website at www.hexpolcompounding.com.

About HEXPOL Compounding

HEXPOL is the leading global developer and manufacturer of quality polymer compounds. The company provides proprietary and standard rubber compounding solutions to the automotive and transportation; energy, oil & gas; wire and cable; medical and pharmaceutical; general industrial; building and construction; water treatment; tire and toll, and consumer markets.

Sixteen locations in North America include legacy names such as Gold Key Processing, Burton Rubber Processing, Chase Elastomer, Colonial Rubber Works, Robbins LLC, Kardoes Rubber, HEXPOL Silicone Compounding, and RheTech. HEXPOL capabilities include: Rubber Compounding, Rolls, Specialty Products, Tire and Toll, Retreading, TPE Compounding, Silicone Compounding, and Outsourcing Services.

Based in Malmo, Sweden, HEXPOL has a global footprint, with manufacturing facilities strategically located to serve customers across North America, Europe and Asia. HEXPOL is a U.S. $1.3 billion a year business with 3,900 employees at 34 locations in 11 countries. HEXPOL is a public company traded on the Nordic Stock Exchange.

Contact:

Don Picard

Vice President of Sales and Marketing for North America

HEXPOL Compounding NAFTA

[email protected]

603.770.5664

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160720/391376

SOURCE HEXPOL Compounding

Related Links

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SAN JOSE, Calif. and SANTA CRUZ, Calif., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/-- Ignition Design Labs and Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans (SACNAS) today announced a partnership to help support the nonprofit's STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) efforts.

Ignition will donate 100 of its radically new Portal WiFi routers to SACNAS. Portal was designed to thrive in today's increasingly congested environments and give consumers superior speed, coverage and reliability.

"SACNAS focuses on building a national network of peers and mentors for the next generation of diverse STEM leaders. Partnerships like this provide us with the essential communications tools to create these bridges," said Antonia O. Franco, Ed.D, Executive Director of SACNAS. "Ignition's technology is at the forefront of the industry. We hope their example of innovation will inspire our SACNAS members to achieve even greater heights."

"At the very start, we want to give back and help empower tomorrow's scientists and engineers with the knowledge and tools necessary to further expand their careers," said Terry Ngo, cofounder and CEO of Ignition Design Labs. "Our product, Portal, means 'door' and we hope our contribution will open a wider door for Chicano, Hispanic and Native American STEM students."

About Portal

As the number of consumers and homes with connected devices skyrockets, bandwidth-hungry applications such as HD video streaming, real-time gaming, video chat and WiFi calling are causing a slow and unreliable network. In crowded settings such as multi-unit apartments, dorms and small businesses, Portal performs up to 300 times faster than a conventional consumer router and delivers three times lower latency. It uses congestion management technologies to access additional airwaves, also known as spectrum. Portal's patent-pending technologies received special FCC certification to operate in the entire 5GHz spectrum, unlike other consumer routers.

About SACNAS

SACNAS is an inclusive organization dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists, from college students to professionals, in attaining advanced degrees, careers and positions of leadership in STEM. SACNAS serves a community of over 20,000 and has over 100 chapters nationwide. SACNAS will host its annual National Conference Oct. 13-15 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

About Ignition Design Labs

Silicon Valley-based Ignition Design Labs is a veteran team of wireless networking engineers developing radically new technologies at the heart of the next generation Internet of Things. Its flagship product, Portal, is an entirely new class of agile smart-learning router designed for demanding WiFi environments. For more information, visit getportal.io.

Like us on Facebook | Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

Portal is a pending registered trademark of Ignition Design Labs. All other registered or unregistered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners.

Media Contact:

Karen Lippe

FortyThree, Inc.

831.401.3175

[email protected]

SOURCE Ignition Design Labs

Related Links

http://getportal.io


The family of a pregnant Afghan girl who was burned to death has demanded that the government bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.

The family of 14-year-old Zahra says she was tortured and set alight by her husband's family in the central province of Ghor. Relatives of the teenager's husband insist her death was by self-immolation.

Zahra's parents have set up a protest tent in Kabul demanding justice for their daughter, who was brought to Kabul with burns covering 90 percent of her body. She died in a hospital six days later, on July 16.

"We will not leave this tent until justice has been done," Zahra's father, Mohammad Azam, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan on July 20.

Azam said he had complained to the provincial council and the provincial judiciary that his daughter was mistreated in her husband's house but that no one listened.

Azam said the girl, who was four months' pregnant, had been married when she was 12.

According to Ghor's police chief, Zahra's father-in-law and mother-in-law were in custody and being questioned. No charges have been brought against the two, and Zahra's husband remains at large.

Violence against women, including domestic violence, is commonplace in Afghanistan, where perpetrators often go unpunished.

Some Afghan women have turned to self-immolation to escape domestic violence.

Zahra's death last week has prompted outrage across Afghanistan, with rights groups demanding that the Afghan government bring an end to child marriages.

Child marriages are common in Afghanistan, though the legal age for marriage is 16 for girls.

"The story of Zahra is an extreme example of what can happen when a child is forcibly made to marry, but we know that this is not an isolated case and that this practice is all too common in many parts of the country," the nongovernmental organization Save The Children said in a July 20 statement.

"Early marriages are a material breach of the fundamental rights of a child. Zahra and many other girls who are given in marriage at a young age are deprived of their right to education, to security, and the ability to choose their future," the group added.

With reporting by AFP and dpa


"As a lifelong booklover, nothing brings me more joy than sharing a book I love with my friends," says Heather Reisman, RECO co-founder and Indigo's Chief Executive Officer. "RECO is a platform for everyone to share the joy of reading and nothing beats getting a recommendation from someone whose opinion I trust."

Krishna Nikhil, Indigo's EVP of Print and Strategy, and co-founder of RECO, adds, "Everyone agrees the best book recommendations come from friends, but we all spend too much time reading reviews from strangers and trusting algorithms to tell us what to read next, often with mixed results. RECO solves this problem by bringing personal book recommendations from people you trust right to your mobile device."

Features of RECO :

Connect & Share : RECO allows users to share their favourite books in the app quickly and easily, complete with a beautiful cover image and short recommendation message. Users can post recommendations directly to Facebook, with additional sharing functionality through email, text, Twitter and LinkedIn. As well, users can publish complete book lists that anyone can subscribe to.





RECO allows users to share their favourite books in the app quickly and easily, complete with a beautiful cover image and short recommendation message. Users can post recommendations directly to Facebook, with additional sharing functionality through email, text, Twitter and LinkedIn. As well, users can publish complete book lists that anyone can subscribe to. Discover : RECO helps users find great books personalized to their interests, curated by friends and trusted experts. Upon sign-up, users are led through a "smart" personalization exercise to build their specific interest profile. Based on common interests, RECO helps users find and subscribe to curated book lists from experts and other booklovers who share similar passions. Further, over eight million books in RECO have been tagged with rich interest profiles to help users discover their perfect next read.





RECO helps users find great books personalized to their interests, curated by friends and trusted experts. Upon sign-up, users are led through a "smart" personalization exercise to build their specific interest profile. Based on common interests, RECO helps users find and subscribe to curated book lists from experts and other booklovers who share similar passions. Further, over eight million books in RECO have been tagged with rich interest profiles to help users discover their perfect next read. Capture : RECO makes it simple for users to keep track of books they both want to read and have finished reading. Books discovered through recommendations from friends are captured in a simple, unified reading list. Users can also purchase books in any format directly from Indigo and Kobo in Canada , and the leading online book and ebook retailers in the US and internationally.





: RECO makes it simple for users to keep track of books they both want to read and have finished reading. Books discovered through recommendations from friends are captured in a simple, unified reading list. Users can also purchase books in any format directly from Indigo and Kobo in , and the leading online book and ebook retailers in the US and internationally. Discuss : RECO provides users a place to discuss great books with their friends directly in the app. In addition, RECO has built a proprietary user matching algorithm that leverages individuals' interests and RECO activity to introduce them to like-minded people. RECO has no interest in recommending books directly to users without context. Instead, RECO aspires to connect booklovers based on common interests, who will then go on to provide great book Recommendations to each other and spark new conversations.

Indigo believes that books, more than any other medium, have the power to entertain, inspire and educate. Booklovers are continually in pursuit of their next great read and the mission of RECO is to cultivate a community of likeminded booklovers who motivate each other to read better books, more often. RECO already has a growing community of notable authors and influencers such as Margaret Atwood and Neil Pasricha, with whom users can connect directly. The RECO iOS app was developed in close partnership with Toronto-based Retail Innovation Lab Kinetic Cafe and is the first new technology venture from Indigo since it founded Kobo in 2009.

As one of Canada's great tech success stories, Kobo became an early leader in the global eReading business, garnering millions of users around the world. In early 2012, just 23 months after Indigo launched Kobo, it was sold to Japanese online giant Rakuten for $315 million, and continues to operate as a leading global eReading company. Indigo's successful experience with the creation of Kobo underscored the need to continue to invest in innovative experiences for booklovers, in every channel. RECO is now available for download for free on iOS devices through the app store, with an Android app coming soon.

About Indigo

Indigo is a publicly traded Canadian company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (IDG). As the largest book, gift and specialty toy retailer in Canada, Indigo operates in all provinces under different banners including Indigo Books & Music; Indigo Books, Gifts, Kids; Indigospirit; Chapters; and Coles. The online channel, indigo.ca, offers a one-stop online shop with a robust selection of books, toys, home decor, stationery, and gifts.

Indigo founded the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation in 2004 to address the underfunding of public elementary school libraries. Every year the Love of Reading Foundation makes grants to high-needs elementary schools so they can transform their libraries with the purchase of new books and educational resources. To date, the Love of Reading Foundation has committed over $23.5 million to 2,600 elementary schools, benefitting more than 750,000 students.

To learn more about Indigo, please visit the Our Company section at indigo.ca.

About RECO

RECO is a social book recommendation platform built by Indigo, a publicly traded Canadian company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (IDG). Through its free iOS app, RECO provides readers a place to discover, share, capture, and discuss great books through Recommendations from friends and trusted experts. RECO is a global platform that allows readers to purchase books in any format from a wide range of retailers, depending on region. To learn more about RECO, please visit RECO.com or download RECO for free.

SOURCE Indigo Books & Music Inc.

Related Links

http://www.indigo.ca


CHICAGO, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Insureon, the nation's leading online agent for small-business insurance, today announced the formation of Insureon Underwriting Managers, a managing general agent (MGA) operating under Insurance Noodle, the company's wholesale brokerage subsidiary.

The formation of Insureon Underwriting Managers follows the company's tribunalization with Lloyd's of London earlier this year.

Ted Devine, CEO of Insureon Holdings, acknowledged that Insureon Underwriting Managers marks a strategic evolution of the company.

"We greatly appreciate and understand the power of our primary carrier relationships and their ability to support clients," he said. "These relationships will not change and will only continue to grow. At the same time, we saw a big appetite in the market for hard-to-place and unique risks that primary carriers don't want. Insureon Underwriting Managers allows us to build capacity to meet those customers' needs."

Insureon Underwriting Managers' launch is supported by more than $3 billion of capacity it recently secured from various Lloyd's of London syndicates. It offers coverage for coastal homeowners, including named-storm coverage, and for home-based business risks. Insureon Underwriting Managers is powered by Insureon's leading-edge bind-to-quote insurance management software, TRUDI.

"Insureon Underwriting Managers represents the logical next step in our strategy," Devine noted. "Insureon's primary carriers write 80 percent of the risk in the United States, but for the remaining 20 percent, we need to offer bespoke capital solutions. Serving both groups is only possible thanks to TRUDI, whose multi-carrier, app-to-bind agency management technology is the best in the industry. The additional capacity afforded by Insureon Underwriting Managers just makes TRUDI that much better."

"It's an exciting evolution for Insureon Holdings as we bring new specialty risk capacity to the marketplace," said Ralph Blust, president of Insurance Noodle. "As Ted noted, primary carriers will always be our lifeblood, but this new capacity will allow us to better serve the 1,400 verticals our customers represent, including niche risks."

The products offered by Insureon Underwriting Managers are available only to Insureon's clients, to select agents via Insurance Noodle membership, and through Insureon's exclusive retail channels.

About Insureon Holdings

Insureon Holdings is an insurtech company composed of Insureon, a retail small-business insurance agency; Insurance Noodle, a wholesale brokerage; and Insureon Underwriting Managers, an MGA. Powered by TRUDI, its proprietary software system, the company connects hundreds of thousands of small businesses and individuals with essential insurance policies to protect their families' financial futures and livelihoods.

Press Contact:

Mark Meadows

Propllr PR

[email protected]

302-353-8258

SOURCE Insureon

Related Links

http://www.insureon.com


Participants traversed their way through the Wickersham Dome Trail of the White Mountains, home to dall sheep, caribou, and several other wildlife species. Just north of Fairbanks, the roads to these trails have been featured on the show "Ice Road Truckers."

The hike was the second in a series, which is scheduled to continue through the fall and increase in challenge level of both length and terrain.

Engaging group activities are a crucial part of the healing process for wounded warriors and their families. Providing an environment for social interaction with fellow veterans can help create the types of bonds experienced during military service  relationships that are difficult to duplicate in the civilian world.

"I participate in WWP program activities every chance I get," said Army veteran Diona Burrows.

In spite of mobility issues and being new to hiking, Diona was eager to take part in the interior hiking challenge because of the opportunity to interact with fellow warriors.

"Without these programs, I would not get out of my house," she said.

It is not uncommon for warriors to isolate themselves after returning home from deployment, either as a coping mechanism or because they simply feel others don't understand what they are going through. Because this can be detrimental to their recovery process, WWP offers programs and hosts healing, social events that allow participants to meet fellow warriors who have gone through similar experiences.

During these activities, participants are given the opportunity to learn more about the programs and services available to them  at no cost. By getting a sense of each person's individual needs, WWP staff can help guide warriors to the specific resources that will aid in the recovery process. Since its founding in 2003, WWP has offered free programs and services to wounded warriors, families, and caregivers.

About Wounded Warrior Project

The mission of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. The WWP purpose is to raise awareness and to enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members, to help injured servicemen and women aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs. WWP is a national, nonpartisan organization headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. To get involved and learn more, visit woundedwarriorproject.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160718/390666

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160718/390665

SOURCE Wounded Warrior Project

Related Links

http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org


NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- According to Kalorama Information, the worldwide needle-free drug delivery market grew to $1.3 billion in 2015. Novel, painless, patient-friendly methods of drug delivery have represented an unmet need in the field of health care. The needle-free drug delivery market is growing rapidly as the development of better delivery systems in conjunction with the discovery of novel pharmacological compounds leads to significant improvements in drug delivery. There will likely be significant increases in revenues of needle-free delivery of injectable medications, especially in the vaccine arena and various other disease treatment areas. The healthcare market research firm's report, The Market for Needle-Free Drug Delivery Systems, details the types of drug delivery systems and technologies that are being used in 2016, as well as those that may become major market factors by 2020.

The Market for Needle-Free Drug Delivery Systems can be found at Kalorama Information: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Needle-Free-Drug-10177699/.

"The move in the industry is to greatly capitalize on needle-free delivery for mass vaccinations possibly needed for pandemic vaccinations that eliminate possibilities of contamination and infection," said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information. "Also, a significant problem in the industry is needlestick injuries.

In 2000, the Federal Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act was enacted, which led to increased adoption of safety equipment and other measures designed to protect healthcare personnel from needlestick injuries. However, despite federal regulations and compliance measures, there are still many needlestick injuries each year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that about 5.6 million workers in the U.S. healthcare industry are at risk for unintentional needlesticks. There are approximately 385,000 needlestick injuries each year sustained by hospital-based healthcare personnel  averaging about 1,000 sharps injuries occurring every day in U.S. hospitals. Another 600,000 healthcare workers suffer needlestick injuries in non-acute healthcare facilities in the U.S. each year.

This is a significant number of injuries just in the U.S., but it is worse worldwide. A World Health Organization (WHO) report notes that 35 million healthcare workers experience percutaneous exposures to infectious diseases each year. Approximately 37.6% of Hepatitis B, 39% of Hepatitis C and 4.4% of HIV/AIDs patients diagnosed with those diseases are due to needlestick injuries. Further, the WHO reports that over 3 million healthcare workers experience needlestick injuries and possible exposure to infectious diseases. However, 40%-70% of needlesticks are never reported, so the total number of worldwide unintentional needlesticks is likely much higher.

Worldwide, approximately 40 billion injections are given each year. A staggering 40% of injections are given unsafely, ultimately resulting in 1,300,000 deaths annually from complications. Africa and India have abnormally high rates of HIV and 62.9% of injections in India were performed unsafely.

Needlestick injuries also are costly to the healthcare system. Direct costs for testing and follow-up treatment of healthcare personnel can amount to over $5,000 depending on the treatment needed. According to the American Hospital Association, one case of serious infection by bloodborne pathogens can soon add up to $1 million or more in expenditures for testing, follow-up, lost time, and disability payments.

The healthcare industry has done a good job of establishing guidelines and protocols to protect workers and prevent needlesticks, but it continues to be a significant issue. Development and widespread use of needle-free drug delivery technology would mitigate the number of needlestick injuries and prevent after the fact expenditures. Although cost has been an issue for needle-free devices initially, it would seem that it would pay for itself in the reduction of needlestick injuries to healthcare personnel and the reduction of direct costs for testing and treatment after a needlestick incident.

The Market for Needle-Free Drug Delivery Systems describes the industry, its relationship to various healthcare channels, and the trends for the future. As part of its extensive coverage, the report provides the following information: market estimate and forecast by technology (jet, other), market estimate and forecast by application (insulin, vaccine, pediatric, pain, other ), needle-free products on the market, cost per million injections by injector type, seven important conclusions about the market, and profiles of injectable/implantable and needle-free drug delivery companies.

The geographic scope of the report is worldwide. In terms of products, the report includes data on needle-free delivery, including nasal and specialized transdermal and intradermal delivery of products that would normally be delivered by injection only.

The research conducted by Kalorama included comprehensive research of secondary sources such as company literature, databases, investment reports, and medical and business journals. New technologies, market developments, and research and development trends and expenditures were identified through patent and database searches, as well as via interviews with key personnel. Person-to-person and telephone interviews were the primary method of gathering information. E-mail correspondence was also used in the interview process. Interviews with key industry officials, trade association spokespersons, consultants, healthcare providers, and government personnel were compiled to form the primary basis of information  particularly revenue and market share datapresented in this report.

All market data pertain to the worldwide market at the manufacturers' level and are measured in U.S. dollars. The base year for data was 2015. Historical data are provided for 2011 through 2015, with forecast data provided for 2015 through 2020. Compound annual growth rates are provided for three periods: 20112015, 20152020, and 20112020.

The Market for Needle-Free Drug Delivery Systems can be found at Kalorama Information: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/Needle-Free-Drug-10177699/.

About Kalorama Information

Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased through Kalorama's website and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

We routinely assist the media with healthcare topics. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and our blog at www.kaloramainformation.com.

Contact:

Bruce Carlson

(212) 807-2622

[email protected]

www.KaloramaInformation.com

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150831/262422LOGO

SOURCE Kalorama Information

Related Links

http://www.kaloramainformation.com


Chairman of the 'Other Whisky' category and Whyte & Mackay Distillers master blender, Richard Paterson, said: "Kavalan is such a young company, yet the outstanding quality and consistency of its whisky is impressive."

ISC judges award a "Trophy" in each category for an "Outstanding Product, [with] Exceptional Quality," scoring it the top 90 to 100 points.

Kavalan's Trophy joins its 5 Gold medals already won in this year's 21st ISC whisky competition for its Ex-Bourbon Oak, Podium, Solist Brandy Single Cask Strength, Solist Moscatel Sherry Single Cask Strength, as well as a gold for the Ex-Bourbon.

Kavalan was also shortlisted for the special recognition global prize "Distiller of the Year," which is "scored  on the performance of all brands entered by a company."

This year, the Solist Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength was named the "World's Best Single Cask Single Malt Whisky" by the prestigious World Whiskies Awards (WWA). WWA named Kavalan Solist Vinho Barrique its 2015 "World's Best Single Malt Whisky."

About Kavalan Whisky

The Kavalan Distillery in Taiwan has been dedicated to the art of single malt whisky since 2006. The world's first subtropical whisky distiller, it is a pioneer in making whisky in a hot climate, and has collected more than 180 gold awards. At its distillery, a world-class R&D team and UK-trained master blender, together with an international whisky consultant, oversee the production of an annual 5 million bottles of the world's finest-tasting whiskies, including the 2015 World's Best Single Malt Whisky, Solist Vinho Barrique.

Aged in American oak bottles in intense humidity and heat, Kavalan also benefits from sea and mountain breezes and the Snow Mountain's spring water, which combine to create Kavalan Whisky's signature creaminess. Kavalan takes its name from the old name for Yilan County and is backed by 30 years of beverage-making thanks to parent company, King Car Group. It is available in 40 countries. Visit www.kavalanwhisky.com/en/

Media Contact:

Yvonne Chou

886-3922-9000#7162

[email protected]

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160720/391319

SOURCE Kavalan

Related Links

http://www.kavalanwhisky.com/en/


PHILADELPHIA, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lannett Company, Inc. (NYSE: LCI) today announced that its strategic partner, Sparsha Pharma USA, Inc., has received an Acceptable for Filing letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of its Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) for Fentanyl Transdermal System, 12 mcg/hour, 25 mcg/hour, 50 mcg/hour, 75 mcg/hour and 100 mcg/hour, the generic equivalent of Ortho McNeil's chronic pain treatment Duragesic. According to IMS, total U.S. sales in 2015 of Fentanyl Transdermal System products at Average Wholesale Price (AWP) were more than $650 million.

"Expanding our pain management franchise is a key component of our growth strategy," said Arthur Bedrosian, chief executive officer of Lannett. "Under the agreement, Sparsha Pharma USA will manufacture the product and Lannett will be responsible for distribution. This alliance complements our Cody Labs active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) manufacturing operations and further supports and advances our plans for vertical integration."

About Sparsha Pharma USA, Inc.:

Sparsha Pharma USA, founded in 2012, is a pharmaceutical company which specializes in research, development and manufacture of transdermal therapeutic systems. Sparsha Pharma USA is committed to advancing patient care throughout the world by providing high quality and affordable transdermal drug delivery product lines.

About Lannett Company, Inc.:

Lannett Company, founded in 1942, develops, manufactures, packages, markets and distributes generic pharmaceutical products for a wide range of medical indications. For more information, visit the company's website at www.lannett.com.

This news release contains certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to future events or future business performance. Any such statement, including, but not limited to, receiving FDA approval and successfully commercializing for Fentanyl Transdermal System, 12 mcg/hour, 25 mcg/hour, 50 mcg/hour, 75 mcg/hour and 100 mcg/hour, whether expressed or implied, is subject to market and other conditions, and subject to risks and uncertainties which can cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors which include, but are not limited to, the risk factors discussed in the Company's Form 10-K and other documents filed with the SEC from time to time, including the prospectus supplement related to the proposed offering to be filed with the SEC. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact: Robert Jaffe

Robert Jaffe Co., LLC

(424) 288-4098

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150417/199461LOGO

SOURCE Lannett Company, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.lannett.com


LONDON, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- This Persistence Market Research report examines the Latin America industrial explosives market for the forecast period 2016-2022. The primary objective of the report is to identify opportunities in the market and present updates and insights pertaining to various segments of the Latin America industrial explosives market.



Industrial explosives are used in various end-use industries to reduce human labor and are primarily used in mining and construction activities. The mining industry is the largest end-use industry segment in the industrial explosives market. Growth in the industrial explosives market is largely co-related to GDP growth of respective countries.



To understand and assess opportunities in this market, the report is categorically divided into three main market analysis sections, i.e., by product type, by end-use industry, and by country. The report analyses the Latin America industrial explosives market in terms of market value (US$ Mn) and volume (metric tons).



The report begins with an overview of the Latin America industrial explosives market, appraising the market performance in terms of revenue and volume, followed by PMR's analysis of key trends, drivers, and restraints witnessed in the Latin America industrial explosives market. Impact analysis of key growth drivers and restraints based on the weighted average model are also included in the report to equip the client with crystal-clear, decision-making insights.



The subsequent section analyses the industrial explosives market as per product type, and presents a forecast for the period 2016?2022.



Product type assessed in the report are:



High Explosives

Blasting Agents



The report further analyses the market based on country and presents the forecast in terms of value for the next six years.



Countries assessed in the report are:



Chile

Peru

Brazil

Colombia

Mexico

Argentina

Rest of Latin America



The report further analyses the market based on end-use industry and presents the forecast in terms of value and volume for the next six years.



Mining

Metal Mining

Non-metal Mining

Quarrying

Construction

Others



To calculate the market size, the report considers various aspects based on secondary research. Furthermore, data points such as country-wise split and market split by application and qualitative inputs from primary respondents have been incorporated to arrive at appropriate market estimates. The forecast presented in the report assesses the total revenue generated by the Latin America industrial explosives market between 2016 and 2022.



When developing the market forecast, the starting point begins with sizing up the current market, which forms the basis for forecasting how the market is anticipated to take shape in the near future. Given the characteristics of the market, PMR triangulates the data via a different analysis based on the supply side, demand side, and dynamics of the industrial explosives market. However, quantifying the market across the above-mentioned segments and regions is more a matter of quantifying expectations and identifying opportunities rather than rationalising them after the forecast has been completed.



It is imperative to note that in an ever-fluctuating economy in Latin America, we not only conduct forecasts in terms of CAGR but also analyse on the basis of key parameters, such as Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y) growth, to understand the predictability of the market and to identify the right opportunities.



Another key feature of this report is the analysis of the industrial explosives market by country product type and end-use industry, and the corresponding revenue forecast in terms of absolute dollar opportunity. This is traditionally overlooked while forecasting the market. However, absolute dollar opportunity is critical in assessing the level of opportunity that a provider can look to achieve, as well as to identify potential resources from a sales perspective, in the Latin America industrial explosives market.



To understand key segments in terms of their growth and performance in the industrial explosives market, Persistence Market Research has developed a market attractiveness index. The resulting index should help providers identify existing market opportunities in the Latin America Industrial explosives market.



In the final section of the report, the industrial explosives market competitive landscape is included to provide a dashboard view of companies that manufacture and supply industrial explosives. The report contains company profiles of some of the major players operating in the Latin America industrial explosives market.



Some of the market players featured in this report include:



AEL Mining Services

Enaex S.A

Orica Ltd.

Austin Powder Company

EXSA SA

MAXAM Corp.

Download the full report: https://www.reportbuyer.com/product/3870338/



About Reportbuyer

Reportbuyer is a leading industry intelligence solution that provides all market research reports from top publishers

http://www.reportbuyer.com

For more information:

Sarah Smith

Research Advisor at Reportbuyer.com

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 208 816 85 48

Website: www.reportbuyer.com

SOURCE ReportBuyer

Related Links

http://www.reportbuyer.com


DAYTON, Ohio, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today announced that Reynolds Document Services has released the Reynolds LAW South Carolina F&I Library, a comprehensive catalog of standardized, legally reviewed finance and insurance (F&I) documents available to automobile dealers in the state of South Carolina.

"We are pleased to announce the availability of the LAW South Carolina F&I Library," said Jerry Kirwan, senior vice president and general manager of Reynolds Document Services. "Dealers are continually bombarded with a variety of pressures that greatly influence the success of their business. That's everything from increased regulations to greater consumer demand for a more engaged and rewarding buying experience with the dealership. The documents in the LAW South Carolina F&I Library are designed to help dealers face and handle these pressures."

Kirwan noted documents in the LAW South Carolina F&I Library are regularly reviewed for compliance with the latest automobile regulations by Reynolds' industry-leading forms specialists alongside Reynolds' outside legal partners. These reviews help dealers meet their compliance obligations and reduce their litigation risk.

In addition, since the documents in the library are written in consumer-friendly language, a clearer, more efficient F&I process is created for the consumer. By increasing the efficiency of the F&I process, the overall consumer experience with the dealership can be improved.

The printed documents in the LAW South Carolina F&I Library are also available in digital format, which helps facilitate the conversion to laser-printed transactions or e-contracting. Reynolds Document Services maintains licensing agreements with all major providers of electronic F&I (e-F&I) solutions.

About Reynolds LAW Brand Documents

The Reynolds LAW brand is well established as one of the most trusted brands in the automotive industry. LAW documents are available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and have been endorsed by a number of state automobile dealers associations and leading automotive finance institutions.

The flagship product of the LAW brand is the Reynolds LAW 553 Universal Retail Sale Contract, the most widely accepted document in auto finance. The Reynolds LAW 553 is available in a variety of languages and is regularly reviewed by industry experts to help keep pace with new legislative and regulatory developments.

Reynolds and Reynolds was founded in 1866 as a business forms printing company. Since the 1920s, Reynolds has been known as the leader in serving automobile dealerships nationwide with standard and custom business and vehicle sales documents to help dealers manage their operations more efficiently and serve their customers more effectively.

About Reynolds

Reynolds and Reynolds is a leading provider of automobile dealership software, services, and forms to help dealerships deliver better business results and transform the customer experience. (www.reyrey.com)

SOURCE The Reynolds and Reynolds Company

Related Links

http://www.reyrey.com


FORT WORTH, Texas, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Manufacturing Leadership Council recognized Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) with four awards in three manufacturing categories.

Now in its 12th year, the Manufacturing Leadership Awards honor manufacturing companies and individual manufacturing leaders that are shaping the future of global manufacturing.

"Our employees work tirelessly to field improved processes in manufacturing technology, all in an effort to reduce costs and improve quality, while using state of the art tools," said Joe Rappisi, vice president for Production Operations at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. "It is an honor to receive these awards in manufacturing and technology."

Lockheed Martin's Automated Drilling and Fastening Systems Integration using Reverse Engineering initiative was recognized in the Innovative Process Leadership category and, as the highest scoring entry in the category, earned the High Achiever Award.

With over one million fasteners on the C-130 airframe, the initiative uses structured light scanning as the key enabler for rapidly generating and developing three dimensional models of the "as-built" airframe components to be used in programming and simulation of the new automated systems. The structured light scanning allowed the team to gather detailed definition of the large assemblies that were being automated leading to time efficiencies across all systems.

In the Engineering and Production Technology Leadership category, Lockheed Martin was recognized for its Laser Ablation of F-35 Structure for Nutplates. Adhesive bonding laser ablation is the new manufacturing technology to replace the legacy bonded nutplate surface preparation process and enables the mechanics building the F-35 to complete installation in less time with increased quality.

Next Generation Advanced Metrology and Measurement Systems development encompasses two different technologies related to advanced metrology and measurement systems, and was recognized in the Innovative Process Leadership category. The structured light scanning and projection system developed to aid in the measurement and sanding of F-35 inlet coatings features the ability to use scans before and after the application of coatings to calculate profile thickness measurements. The terahertz coating thickness measurement system is used to interrogate thickness of an entire coating stack-up providing in-tolerance and out-of-tolerance measurements for each layer in the stack up. These manufacturing initiatives are part of the F-35 Blueprint for Affordability Production program, which is shared commitment between government and industry to drive down F-35 unit recurring flyaway cost to $85M (TY$) for the air vehicle by 2019.

The Manufacturing Leadership Council is an invitation-only executive network designed to define and shape a better future for manufacturers worldwide.

For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com/us/what-we-do/emerging/advanced-manufacturing.html

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160210/331919LOGO

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

Related Links

http://www.lockheedmartin.com


CALGARY, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Madalena Energy Inc. ("Madalena" or the "Company") (TSXV: MVN andOTCQX: MDLNF) announces the departure of Mr. Ray Smith from the board of directors of the Company. Mr. Smith has been a director of Madalena for over 10 years and the board thanks him for his significant contributions to the Company.

Madalena also announces the departures of Mr. Stephen Kapusta, Vice President, Engineering and Mr. Robert Stanton, Vice President, Operations. Mr. Kapusta has resigned effective July 31, 2016 to pursue other opportunities. The departure of Mr. Stanton, who was previously responsible for Madalena's Canadian operations, is effective August 5, 2016 and is as a result of the sale of Madalena's Canadian assets. The Madalena board of directors and management thank Mr. Kapusta and Mr. Stanton for their contributions and wish each of them success in the future.

In addition, Madalena announces that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Mr. Kevin Shaw, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with respect to his departure from Madalena. Pursuant to such agreement, among other things, Madalena has agreed to issue 1,696,970 common shares of the Company at a deemed issue price of $0.165 per share, which decreases the severance contractually owed to Mr. Shaw by $280,000. Such share issuance is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Madalena Energy

Madalena is an independent, Canadian-based, Argentina focused upstream oil and gas company with operations in four provinces of Argentina where it is focused on the delineation of unconventional resources in the Vaca Muerta shale, Lower Agrio shale and Loma Montosa oil plays. The Company is implementing horizontal drilling and completions technology to develop both its conventional and resource plays.

Madalena trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MVN and on the OTCQX under the symbol MDLNF.

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

SOURCE Madalena Energy Inc.

Related Links

http://www.madalena-ventures.com/


BRITT  The Britt City Council July 19 approved hiring Cody Thompson as the fourth officer for the citys police department.

Thompson is from Lake Mills and is a student at Riverland Community College in Austin, Minnesota, Britt Police Chief Dan Cummings said.

Thompson was one of five finalists to be interviewed by Cummmings, two law officers, two council members and the citys assistant fire chief.

This young man stood out, council member Curt Gast said at the meeting. Hes finishing his two-year degree...

As part of the hiring requirement, Thompson will need to complete his degree in December and then, complete police academy training within a year.

Thompsons start date is Aug. 1. The department will have three full-time officers and a chief.

Council member Bryan Aitchison asked about Police Officer Ben Nordskog who works for the city on a part-time basis and has completed the police academy.

Cummings and Gast said Nordskog is from Forest City, farms with family members in the Forest City area and would like to join the Forest City Police Department when it has an opening.

If he didnt get the full-time position (in Britt), he still wants to work for us part-time, Cummings said.
Drawing upon the heritage of the company that created the marketing resource management category, the new business will operate under a revitalized Aprimo brand. The new Aprimo will be headquartered in Chicago, with global R&D and customer support headquarters in Indianapolis, and international operations hub in London.

Revenew is best known for bringing automation to the distributed marketing channel, enabling enterprise brands to market to, through and for their channel partners at scale with unmatched levels of control and visibility. The company's SaaS platform combines content, campaign, funds and lead management with advanced analytics and dashboards to monitor channel marketing performance.

By combining two market leaders, as ranked by industry analysts in their respective categories, the new Aprimo offers a comprehensive portfolio of marketing operations and distributed marketing software and services in combination with a deep pool of expertise and domain knowledge. The new Aprimo is uniquely positioned to help companies manage and optimize complex marketing workflows and expenditures across the marketing value chain.

"The creation of the new Aprimo aligns with our strategy to operate the respective marketing execution and marketing operations assets acquired from Teradata as two distinct businesses under Marlin's ownership, with separate leadership teams, operating structures, and brand identities," said Nathan Pingelton, a principal at Marlin. "This approach will enable a clear and focused strategy for delivering best-in-class products and services to our customers and the market, and allow each business to further entrench its position as a category leader. "

In addition, Marlin also announced that it has named John Stammen, previously CEO of Revenew, as CEO of the new Aprimo. Mr. Stammen brings to his new role more than 30 years of global experience in sales, consulting, marketing and senior management in the technology sector, including serving as Executive Vice President with the former Aprimo company, which Teradata acquired in 2010.

"Marlin's decision to acquire Revenew and combine it with complementary assets of TMA demonstrates its strategic vision and commitment to building an innovative platform that addresses the full spectrum of marketing operations requirements of our global customer base. I'm both thrilled and humbled to be leading the new Aprimo," Stammen said. "The marketing function is a critical component to the success of our customers' businesses, and our solutions give them a competitive edge while ensuring they can operate as efficiently as possible. I look forward to engaging with our customers and employees as we continue to build upon the history of innovation and industry leadership of both companies."

About Aprimo

Aprimo is a category-leading provider of marketing operations management solutions that enable marketers to manage the five essentials of marketing: planning, spending, creation, distribution and performance. Aprimo's comprehensive suite maximizes the effectiveness, accountability and overall value of a company's marketing investment. For more information, please visit www.aprimo.com.

About Marlin Equity Partners

Marlin Equity Partners is a global investment firm with over $3 billion of capital under management. The firm is focused on providing corporate parents, shareholders and other stakeholders with tailored solutions that meet their business and liquidity needs. Marlin invests in businesses across multiple industries where its capital base, industry relationships and extensive network of operational resources significantly strengthen a company's outlook and enhance value. Since its inception, Marlin, through its group of funds and related companies, has successfully completed over 100 acquisitions. The firm is headquartered in Los Angeles, California with an additional office in London. For more information, please visit www.marlinequity.com.

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SOURCE Aprimo

Related Links

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CORAL SPRINGS, Florida, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The medical marijuana sector shows no signs of slower growth as more states & Global governments push towards legalization while revenue opportunities continue to steadily rise. Experts are forecasting medical marijuana revenues to significantly top $20 Billion by the year 2020.

New Colombia Resources, Inc. (OTC: NEWC), a Colombian company listed in the U.S., is pleased that Sannabis SAS, their Medical Marijuana joint venture, continues to make headlines. Sannabis products were showcased at an inaugural event for Caucannabis, Colombia's first medical marijuana co-operative that includes 52 Indigenous families that will legally grow medical marijuana. Caucannabis was formed by mayors of the Department of Cauca, home to Sannabis and Colombia's largest marijuana growing region, where 50% of the nation's marijuana is grown. The inauguration made major headlines due the visit from Colombia's Ministers of Justice and Health who support this co-operative. To see all the press Sannabis is getting, visit the News page of their new and improved website,http://www.sannabis.co/#!blog/csjb/

Read the full New Colombia Resources (NEWC) Press Release at: http://financialnewsmedia.com/profiles/newc.html

Sannabis has been growing medical marijuana and producing high quality, organic products in Cauca since 2014. In April they hosted the mayors of the Cauca Department at their facilities to be used as a model for the co-op. Sannabis is increasing their production to satisfy the demand for medical marijuana medicines, the addition of the co-op will add to the Sannabis supply chain. The Sannabis portfolio of medical products has a first to market advantage which is causing huge international demand and Sannabis is fielding interest for their products from all over the World. "We expect to be the first ones with significant products to export that are Made in Colombia, we have experts in marijuana cultivation from Colorado and Washington on their way to Cauca by the end of the month to teach the indigenous community U.S. techniques and vice versa," stated John Campo, President of New Colombia Resources, Inc. Mr. Campo was recently interviewed by Stock Traders Talk Radio; an archived recorded version can be found on the homepage of Stock Traders Talk athttp://www.stocktraderstalk.com.

In other cannabis/marijuana news and developments: Worldwide the number of people living with diabetes has reached 422 million, and if the current trend continues, over 700 million people are expected to be living with diabetes by 2025. Diabetes has clearly become a healthcare crisis on a global scale, and PharmaCyte Biotech (OTC: PMCB) (OTCQB: PMCB) recently received some good news in the form of patent protection that will help the company do its part in bringing a treatment to tens of millions of these patients. PharmaCyte recently learned from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USTPO) that it now has 20 years of patent protection in the United States for the "Melligen" cells that are a part of the company's therapy for Type 1 and insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes. The timing is perfect because the same research that laid out the dramatic rise in the numbers of people affected by diabetes, also found that the global cost of diabetes has ballooned to $825-billion per year.

Oxis International Inc. (OTC: OXIS) (OTCQB: OXIS) announced that the company's innovative cancer therapies will be profiled on Fox Business Network onSunday, July 24, at 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. Anthony J. Cataldo, chief executive of Oxis, discussed the company's drugs for the treatment of cancer and other unmet medical needs on the program Worldwide Business with Kathy Ireland.

Rocky Mountain High Brands, Inc. (OTC: RMHB) announced recently that the Company will go on tour as a sponsor to the red-hot Oklahoma-based country influenced rockers, Hillbilly Vegas. The three-year sponsorship agreement will include product promotional support at concert events, photo shoots, distribution of promotional items, music content, promotional appearances and a vehicle wrap of the band's 42 ft. tour bus.

Medical Marijuana, Inc. (OTC: MJNA) announced earlier this month that the Paraguay government has issued a new import permit for the Company's flagship product Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO) for a new patient in the country. The Company also announced its plans to further expand into Latin America as the cannabis industry continues gaining ground in the region and as demand for its products increase. The Paraguay government granted the country's first-ever import permit for RSHO in May 2016, which marked the third country in Latin America, after Brazil and Mexico to approve Medical Marijuana, Inc.'s cannabidiol (CBD) hemp oil for indications including epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and chronic pain. RSHO also has 12 medical product registrations in Puerto Rico.

FinancialNewsMedia.com is leading provider of third party publishing & news dissemination services. If you would like more information regarding our news coverage solutions, please visit financialnewsmedia.com for more details. Get an edge on the market with our Premium News Alerts that are FREE for a limited time at financialnewsmedia.com. Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/financialnewsmedia and Twitter: twitter.com/FNMgroup.

DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNMG) is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNMG is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNMG and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNMG's market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNMG is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNMG has been compensated one thousand nine hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press release issued by New Colombia Resources by the Company, FNMG HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. "Forward-looking statements" describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as "may", "future", "plan" or "planned", "will" or "should", "expected," "anticipates", "draft", "eventually" or "projected". You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company's annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNMG undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

Contact Information:

Company: FN Media Group, LLC

Contact email: [email protected]



SOURCE FN Media Group LLC
NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- While recent studies have documented a wide gender gap in compensation for established physicians,1,2 the salary gap is virtually non-existent between male and female residents, according to the 2016 Resident Salary & Debt report released today by Medscape, the leading source of medical news and information for physicians. Regardless of gender, fewer residents believe their compensation to be fair as compared to responses in last year's survey.

View Report Here: http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/public/residents-salary-and-debt-report-2016

Medscape's two-part annual report examined the financial and lifestyle/practice-related issues of more than 1,800 U.S. medical residents across 25 specialties. The first part of the report, released today, includes findings on issues related to compensation, resident debt and on-the-job demands that can influence overall professional satisfaction and future career decisions. Medscape will release the remainder of the report, which will focus on lifestyle-related issues, on August 10.

The 2016 Report shows that male residents earn an average $56,700 and female residents earn $56,100  averages comparable to those in 2015 ($56,000 for men, $55,000 for women). And while a majority of male and female residents believe they are fairly compensated (52% and 55%, respectively), these rates are lower than in the 2015 report (60% and 65%, respectively). Commenters cited comparisons with higher paid non-physician health care professionals (nurse practitioners and physician assistants) and those of non-medical professionals with comparable education and experience as reasons for their discontent.

Confronting a significant amount of medical school debt, more than one-half, 56%, say future compensation will influence their choice of specialty (and 36% said it is the leading factor in specialty choice) which may in part be reflective of resident medical school debt. More than two-thirds (68%) owe $50,000 or more, and 40% report debt of $200,000 or greater.

"Our report yielded some surprising insights about the next generation of physicians," said Leslie Kane, MA, Senior Director, Medscape Business of Medicine. "While medical school debt remains a concern and depression is a serious issue for too many residents, they remain largely positive about the future, which we believe has a lot to do with what they value most about the profession. For example, when asked to rank the most rewarding aspects of their job, relationships with patients, gaining clinical knowledge, and pride in being a doctor are at the top of the list while potential for making money ranks low."

Positive on Work Treatment, But Depression a Major Issue

While there have been reports of resident mistreatment and bullying by attending physicians, a strong majority, 88%, said they were satisfied with their relationships with attending physicians. However, nearly one in four (24%) said they have experienced bullying from physicians often or occasionally. The majority, 87%, expressed satisfaction with the degree of supervision by attending physicians, and 76% said they are satisfied with the quality of their learning experiences, in which attending physicians figure prominently. Still, more than half of residents (55%) said that they only occasionally have sufficient time with patients, and nearly one in five residents (19%) said they have doubts about their ability to be a good physician.

Importantly, 10% of residents said they feel depressed always or most of the time and 9% said they have considered suicide. Studies of the general population (adults over age 18) show a 6.7% incidence of depression (National Institutes of Health, 2014) and 3.9% of the general population ages 26-49 have considered suicide (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2013).

How Residents See Their Future

Although current trends show younger physicians opting for employment over private practice, nearly one-quarter of residents responding to the survey (22%) said they envision a future in private practice, either solo or with partners -- a slight drop from 2015 (26%). Employment is preferred by 29%, up somewhat from last year (24%), and about one-fifth said they might do both. And, similar to responses from 2015, 28% have yet to decide.

And while data points to a future shortage of primary care physicians, 43% of residents said they plan to remain in primary care, with 45% indicating they plan to subspecialize.

Medscape Survey Methods:

The Medscape Resident Salary and Debt Survey 2016 was completed by 1,888 physicians, representing more than 25 specialties, from May 20, 2016, to June 13, 2016. Respondents were invited to respond to the online survey and were required to be a medical resident enrolled in a U.S. program. The margin of error for the survey was +/- 2.31% at a 95% confidence level.

About Medscape and WebMD

Medscape, a subsidiary of WebMD Health Corp., is the leading source of clinical news, health information and point-of-care tools for healthcare professionals. Medscape offers specialists, primary care physicians and other health professionals the most robust and integrated medical information and educational tools. Medscape Education (medscape.org) is the leading destination for continuous professional development, consisting of more than 30 specialty-focused destinations offering thousands of free C.M.E. and C.E. courses and other educational programs for physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

WebMD Health Corp. is the leading provider of health information services, serving consumers, physicians, healthcare professionals, employers, and health plans through our public and private online portals, mobile platforms and health-focused publications.

The WebMD Health Network includes WebMD Health, Medscape, MedicineNet, eMedicineHealth, RxList, Medscape Education and other owned WebMD sites.

WebMD, Medscape, CME Circle, Medpulse, eMedicine, MedicineNet, theheart.org and RxList are among the trademarks of WebMD Health Corp. or its subsidiaries.

1) Female Academic Physicians Make $20,000 Less Than Peers, Medscape, July 12, 2016

2) Medscape Physician Compensation Report, 2016

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SOURCE Medscape

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THE CORPORATION RECEIVES AN INITIAL $684,375 FROM THE MERN

MQR.V

QUEBEC CITY, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - MONARQUES GOLD CORP. ("Monarques" or the "Corporation") (TSX-V: MQR) (FRANKFURT: MR7) is pleased to announce that it has received an initial $684,375 from the Ministere de l'Energie et des Ressources Naturelles (MERN), enabling it to start work on the engineering design for the 25 kV power transmission line at the Croinor Gold mining project.

"The power line is the first step in the development of the Croinor Gold mining project," said Jean-Marc Lacoste, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The engineering work is already underway, and is being carried out by WSP in Val-d'Or. As I have said before, we expect this power line to both reduce production costs significantly and minimize the project's environmental footprint."

On May 16, 2016, the Corporation announced that it had been awarded a grant of up to $2,737,500 by the MERN for the 26-kilometre power line to the Croinor Gold site. The funding was granted to X-Ore Resources Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Monarques, under the Ecoperformance program.

ABOUT MONARQUES GOLD

Monarques Gold is a growing junior gold company focused on becoming the leading explorer and developer of gold properties in the Val-d'Or/Abitibi gold camp in Quebec, Canada. The Corporation currently has approximately 200 km of gold exploration properties along the Cadillac Break, including its main asset the Croinor Gold mine, which has a great potential of becoming a producing mine. Monarques Gold is well financed and has over $9 million in credits from Quebec's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources.

Forward-Looking Statements

The forward-looking statements in this press release involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Monarques' actual results, performance and achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements expressed or implied therein. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services. Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

SOURCE Monarques Gold Corporation
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC), the industry association for diverse-owned and emerging private equity firms and hedge funds, today announced the commencement of the Private Equity Women's Initiative to increase the number of women entering and advancing in the private equity industry.

A partnership between the NAIC and the American Investment Council (AIC) recognized that women are grossly underrepresented in the industry, making up just 10 percent of senior employee ranks in private equity. The difficulties women face in surmounting barriers into the industry is compounded by the challenge of effectively navigating their way towards senior level positions.

To achieve its objectives, the Private Equity Women's Initiative will publish relevant research, as well as host educational forums, networking events and mentoring programs. A Working Committee comprised of 11 senior women from NAIC and AIC firms created the Initiative's Guidelines and Best Practices, a framework for promoting recruitment and retention of women.

The Working Committee consists of: Kelly Williams (Chair), Senior Advisor, GCM Grosvenor; Maura Allen, Private Equity Fellowship and Program Manager, Robert Toigo Foundation; Lauren Dillard, Managing Director and Head of Investment Solutions, Carlyle Group; Daphne Dufresne, Managing Member, JBD Holdings; Martina Marshall Edwards, Former Director of Alumni & Alternative Investments Programs, SEO; Nia Gandy, Marketing Manager, GP Investments; Audra Paterna, Director of Human Resources, Silver Lake; JoAnn H. Price, Co-Founder/Managing Partner, Fairview Capital; Sarah Roth, Partner, The Riverside Company; Patricia Winton, Principal, Strategy and Human Capital, Arclight; Alisa A. Wood, Partner, KKR.

"We believe that the guidelines and best practices developed by the steering committee will provide meaningful tools to firms who are committed to improving gender balance," says Kelly Williams, Chair of the Private Equity Women Investor Network and Chair of the Women's Initiative Steering Committee. "I am very impressed by the efforts made by AIC and NAIC member firms to address this important issue."

"NAIC is delighted that our collaboration with the AIC will positively contribute to more women having the opportunity to develop long, vibrant and rewarding careers in private equity because the industry worked to become more inclusive in our policies and practices," says Robert L. Greene, President & CEO of the association. "We continue to believe that no group or demographic holds a license or monopoly on talent, rather talent is evenly distributed amongst all people!"

About the National Association of Investment Companies: The NAIC (www.naicpe.com) is a 501(c)(6) that was founded in 1971 to serve as the industry association for diverse-owned and emerging private equity firms and hedge funds, many of which rank among the best performers in the United States. With more than 40 member firms representing over $60 billion in assets managed, the NAIC is a recognized thought leader on the U.S. Emerging Domestic Market (EDM). For more information on this initiative, visit http://naicpe.com/private-equity-womens-initiative/

MEDIA CONTACT: Jennell Lynch, Vice President, NAIC, [email protected]

SOURCE National Association of Investment Companies

Related Links

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GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- National Bank Holdings Corporation (NYSE: NBHC) is pleased to announce that David Terry has joined NBH Bank as Senior Vice President and Hillcrest Bank Commercial Market President in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market.

Mr. Terry, who will expand our existing team of bankers, will oversee all aspects of commercial banking, including commercial loans, depository and treasury management relationships, as well as serving as senior market executive in North Texas. Mr. Terry has more than 20 years of experience in the finance and banking industry. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President and Division Manager of Corporate Banking at Comerica Bank. In that role, he was responsible for business development, relationship management, development and implementation of core growth initiatives, company profitability, client experience and credit quality.

Tim Laney, the Company's Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased to have David join our Company as a key leader and serve as Market President and leader of our commercial team in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. He has an impressive track record of leading bankers to serve as valuable financial partners for more than 350 top-performing companies in the region. Adding David to our leadership team reinforces our continued focus on growing relationships with our commercial clients in North Texas."

About National Bank Holdings Corporation

National Bank Holdings Corporation is a bank holding company created to build a leading community bank franchise delivering high-quality client service and committed to shareholder results. National Bank Holdings Corporation operates a network of 91 banking centers located in Colorado, the greater Kansas City region and Texas. Through the Company's subsidiary, NBH Bank, it operates under the following brand names: Bank Midwest in Kansas and Missouri, Community Banks of Colorado in Colorado, and Hillcrest Bank in Texas. More information about National Bank Holdings Corporation can be found at www.nationalbankholdings.com.

For more information visit: bankmw.com, cobnks.com, hillcrestbank.com or nbhbank.com. Or, follow us on any of our social media sites:

Bank Midwest: facebook.com/bankmw, twitter.com/bank_mw, instagram.com/bankmw;

Community Banks of Colorado: facebook.com/cobnks, twitter.com/cobnks, instagram.com/cobnks;

Hillcrest Bank: facebook.com/hillcrestbank, twitter.com/hillcrest_bank;

NBH Bank: twitter.com/nbhbank;

or connect with any of our brands on LinkedIn.

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SOURCE National Bank Holdings Corporation

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SALEM, Ore., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At the Oregon Bankers Association's (OBA) 111th Anniversary Convention in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho last week, Becky Kindle, chair of the OBA Bank Operations Committee and senior vice president of operations at Bank of Eastern Oregon, was named the 2016 OBA Presidential Award recipient. The OBA Presidential Award recognizes an OBA committee chair who has gone above and beyond during his or her two-year term of service.

OBA committees play a key role in the Oregon banking industry and are a valuable forum for peer networking, education and policy review. OBA committees are chaired by volunteer bankers who provide leadership, serve as a resource to the OBA, and are at times called upon to meet with policymakers or testify before the legislature.

As chair of the committee, Kindle has been involved in proposing and reviewing legislation, working with state agencies, and assisting OBA in the development of resources for the industry. Most recently, Kindle engaged in advocacy on behalf of the industry by joining OBA and a delegation of Oregon bankers at a Government Relations Summit held in Washington, D.C. Kindle was one of Oregon's two Emerging Leaders Scholarship recipients who were selected to attend this event.

As committee chair, Kindle has served as a resource for other committee members. Said Linda Navarro, president and CEO of OBA, "Becky truly understands the value of the OBA committee experience," adding that "she is always willing to share her knowledge and makes committee meetings a comfortable place for members to pose questions and discuss current banking issues. The OBA greatly values her efforts."

Also during the convention, the Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award was presented to Elizabeth "Betsy" Steinberg, vice president at Pioneer Trust Bank. The number one priority of the Oregon Bankers Association is advocacy on behalf of its members. This includes lobbying at the state level, regulatory relations, federal legislative advocacy, media relations, grassroots programs, political engagement, and public relations efforts. The Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award was established to recognize what it means to be an outstanding advocate for the Oregon banking industry. The Award was named after one of the most passionate advocates in the history of Oregon banking, the late Frank Brawner, CEO of OBA for 24 years.

Steinberg's contributions to the industry are numerous. She has dedicated countless hours reviewing bills on behalf of the OBA, helping the organization understand the impact proposals have on banks, particularly community banks. She serves on both the OBA Compliance Committee and OBA Government Relations Committees and represents the banking industry on state agency and legislative workgroups tackling issues ranging from elder abuse to state agency data matching.

Steinberg is also a voice for banking on a national scale. Last fall, she joined Navarro on a trip to Washington, D.C. to represent America's community banks at a national AARP roundtable on elder financial abuse prevention. Steinberg, who has conducted elder financial abuse prevention training sessions for the OBA's Bank Operations School as well as the OBA Bank Operations and Trust Committees, is a strong voice in the fight against elder financial exploitation.

In commenting about Steinberg's award, Navarro stated, "Betsy is very deserving of the Frank E. Brawner Advocacy Award because she has done about everything we could ask a banker to do in support of our industry. The OBA and the entire Oregon banking industry are fortunate to have such a dedicated individual advocating on our behalf." Navarro added that presenting the award to Steinberg was even more special given that Steinberg considered Brawner to be a friend and mentor during her own career.

About the Oregon Bankers Association

Established in 1905, the Oregon Bankers Association is Oregon's only full-service trade association representing state and national commercial and savings banks chartered to do business in Oregon. More information is available at www.oregonbankers.com.

SOURCE Oregon Bankers Association

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Over the past decade, Olympus Corporation of the Americas (OCA) has changed and grown significantly. Originally known for its long history in developing and marketing cameras, the Company is now recognized for its diverse offerings and businesses; including its vital medical business which accounts for more than 75% of the Company's annual global revenue. Since the relocation, OCA has grown its respective annual revenue and has increased its contribution to the global revenue from approximately 23% in 2006 to 36% in 2016.

Also, OCA has expanded its employee base since establishing itself in the Lehigh Valley. Employing close to 600 people in 2006, it now employs nearly 1,000 people between its main office in Center Valley and its distribution center in Breinigsville, Pa., which has become the largest distribution center for shipping Olympus medical products throughout North and South America.

Most notable may be the mutually rewarding partnerships and relationships that have developed over the years with local vendors, organizations, and the community. OCA currently relies on the expertise of more than 270 vendors in the area, partners with various organizations on common goals and commits to giving back to community through charitable donations and volunteerism. The Company proudly offers all employees the opportunity to dedicate 16 hours of work time to volunteering; and this year, to help commemorate its 10-year anniversary, has launched a "Celebrate and Serve" initiative that challenges employees to dedicate 2,016 volunteer hours to local non-profits by the end of September.

"Olympus' success and growth over the last 10 years in the Lehigh Valley is attributed to the dedication and engagement of employees, as well as the significant support of our partners and the community," said Nacho Abia, President and CEO, OCA. "We are grateful to be a part of this community and thankful for the opportunities it has afforded us to prosper. We look forward to further enhancing our relationships, developing new partnerships and contributing our talents and resources to a community we are very proud to call home."

Olympus Corporation, the parent company of OCA, will celebrate its long history of innovation and service to humanity with its upcoming 100-year anniversary in 2019.

About Olympus Corporation of the Americas

Olympus is a global precision technology leader, designing and delivering innovative solutions in its core business areas of Medical and Surgical Products, Scientific Solutions, and Cameras and Audio Products. Through this technology, Olympus contributes to society every day by making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling.

Olympus Corporation of the Americas  a wholly owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation in Tokyo, Japan  is headquartered in Center Valley, Pa., employs more than 5,000 people, and manages the Company's operations and business activities throughout North and South America. For more information, visit Olympus at www.olympusamerica.com.

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SOURCE Olympus Corporation of the Americas

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http://www.olympusamerica.com


DALLAS, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor") has scheduled a conference call on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, at 9 a.m. Central Time to discuss its second quarter 2016 operational and financial results. Oncor's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2016 will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission prior to the conference call.

The call will be webcast live at www.oncor.com under the "Investors" tab in the webcast section. The following information is provided for investors who wish to participate in the conference call.

US/Canada Dial-in Number: 1.877.674.6428

International Dial-in Number: 1.315.625.3074

Conference Code: 46755979

Participants should use the conference code to access the call.

For those unable to participate in the live event, a replay of the call will be available later that day on Oncor's website, www.oncor.com. To access that call, visit the "Investors" section of the site and select the "Webcasts" archive.

Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC ("Oncor") is a regulated electricity distribution and transmission business that uses superior asset management skills to provide reliable electricity delivery to consumers. Oncor operates the largest distribution and transmission system in Texas, delivering power to more than 3.3 million homes and businesses and operating more than 121,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines in Texas. While Oncor is owned by a limited number of investors (including majority owner, Energy Future Holdings Corp.), Oncor is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of a majority of independent directors.

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SOURCE Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC

Related Links

http://www.oncor.com


FOREST CITY  The Forest City Area Fellowship of Christian Women will meet with the theme of ONE Real Security at 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, at the First Baptist Church, Forest City (east entrance).

Joyce Buseman of Centerville, South Dakota, will tell of growing up in a secure environment, later found her ultimate insurance for a secure future after a personal tragedy.

Kathy Jerome is the guest musician that evening and Paul Fitzgerald will identify considerations when making trust/investment decisions; both are Forest City residents.

Men and women are invited to the meeting. Dinner reservations ($8) are appreciated by noon, Friday, July 29. Call Carol at 641-585-3203.
ROSEMEAD, Calif., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Panda Express, America's favorite Chinese kitchen, has announced the launch of #ShareGoodFortune, a campaign to redefine the meaning of "fortune" and inspire thoughtful generosity. Starting today, National Fortune Cookie Day, Panda Express will kick off its first Fortunate Cookie Season. Now through Aug. 10, all fortune cookies in restaurants will be replaced with "Fortunate Cookies."

During the campaign, Panda's limited edition Fortunate Cookies will feature "FortuNotes" with messages of gratitude and giving, such as "Fortunate that you believe in me," "Fortunate for your kindness" and "Fortunate for your love." In an effort to share gratefulness with those around us and put values into action, guests are encouraged to tag friends and family they want to share their fortune with on social media using the hashtag #ShareGoodFortune. With over 282 million fortune cookies given out annually, Panda Express gives out more fortune cookies than anyone in the world. While the treat typically symbolizes personal good fortune, the limited edition cookies look to change this notion as the Panda family believes good fortune is not something to keep to yourself, but something best shared with others.

Inspired by the family owned and operated restaurant's people-first culture created by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, this campaign looks to spark a movement of generosity and exemplify that having good fortune is not about what you have, but who you have in your life.

"For our family, good fortune is reflected in the growth of our associates and impact on our community; we are beyond grateful for the opportunity to serve and share our good fortune," said Peggy Cherng, co-chairman and Co-CEO. "The #ShareGoodFortune movement is meant to inspire guests and associates to take an intentional pause, show appreciation and recognize how even the smallest act of thoughtful generosity can enrich lives and trigger impactful acts of kindness."

In conjunction with the campaign, Panda Express has released a new animated video illustrating #ShareGoodFortune and the brand's movement to inspire generosity. The short film highlights that true good fortune comes from the people we know and explains how acts of kindness, such as sharing a Fortunate Cookie, can go a long way toward showing someone how lucky you are to have them in your life. Watch the animated video here: https://www.pandaexpress.com/sharegoodfortune

Guests can take part in #ShareGoodFortune by visiting any of Panda's 1,900 locations, giving Fortunate Cookies to others and capturing FortuNotes on social media using the hashtag #ShareGoodFortune.

For more information, please visit www.pandaexpress.com. For media inquiries, please contact [email protected].

About Panda Express

Panda Express, America's favorite Chinese kitchen, is best known for its wide variety of original recipes including its Original Orange Chicken, SweetFire Chicken Breast, award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp and Shanghai Angus Steak. Founded in 1983 and now with more than 1,900 locations throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada, Mexico, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Korea, Panda Express is part of the family owned and operated Panda Restaurant Group, the world leader in Asian dining experiences that also includes Panda Inn and Hibachi-San. For more information, visit pandaexpress.com, or follow on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

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SOURCE Panda Express

Related Links

http://www.pandaexpress.com


LEHI, Utah, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Peak Ventures, the Provo, Utah-based seed-stage venture fund, today announced it led a $2 million seed round investment in accounting software startup ZipBooks, with participation from Pelion Venture Partners, Liquid 2 Ventures and existing angel investors.



After leading a $300K micro investment raise in 2015, Peak Ventures is excited to continue to fuel growth with this investment. "We are really impressed with the team at ZipBooks. They have been able to do a lot with very little," explained Sid Krommenhoek, founder and Managing Partner at Peak Ventures. "Their ability to recruit top talent and execute on their business model has been impressive, and is only going to improve."



With the funding in place, ZipBooks has already been able to recruit additional talent. Jaren Nichols joins ZipBooks as Chief Revenue Officer from Insidesales.com where he was their Director of Global Sales Strategy. Previous to InsideSales.com, Jaren worked for Dropcam, Nest Labs, and Google and completed his MBA at Harvard Business School.



"Peak caught the vision early on of what ZipBooks could become, and they've been a great partner as we've started to realize that vision," said Tim Chaves, founder and CEO of ZipBooks. "Thousands of small business owners have fallen in love with this service over the past year, and we couldn't be more excited to bring the ZipBooks experience to many more of them."

About Peak Ventures



Peak Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in Provo, Utah. Peak Ventures backs talented entrepreneurs going after big markets with exceptional technologies. The thesis is simple: innovation and those who drive it are at the top of the food chain  not the VC. The team is made up of entrepreneurs experienced in the grind of starting, operating, growing and harvesting exciting companies. For more information, visit: http://www.peakventures.vc.



About ZipBooks



ZipBooks is the first accounting software program that lets business owners send and finance an invoice in a single click. ZipBooks provides bookkeeping and credit card processing features without a paid monthly subscription. For more information, visit: http://www.zipbooks.com.



Peak Ventures

4956 N 300 WSuite 300

Provo, UT 84606

Contact:

John Mayfield

[email protected]

(801) 341-0300

SOURCE Peak Ventures

Related Links

http://www.peakventures.vc


HARRISBURG, Pa., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The PA Department of Banking and Securities has issued new guidance for investors on equity crowdfunding, a new way for start-ups and small businesses to offer ownership shares for sale over the Internet.

Under new U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules, start-ups and businesses can raise up to $1 million in a 12-month period from individual investors, who can invest up to $2,000 in a 12-month period but no more than $100,000, determined by their income and net worth. Individuals can invest directly or through an intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or a "funding portal." The guidance is located on the department's website: www.dobs.pa.gov/Documents/Publications/Handouts/Investor-Crowdfunding%201P.pdf

"Online equity crowdfunding allows investors to tap into the collective 'wisdom of the crowd' and allows businesses to reach a lot more people over the Internet," Secretary of Banking and Securities Wiessmann said. "Investors need to keep in mind that all investments have risk, especially small business and start-ups."

Wiessmann urges investors to pay close attention to a company's finances, its timelines and strategies, capitalization, and experience and skills of management.

"While crowdfunding opens new capital raising opportunities, investors should perform due diligence on investment opportunities they learn about over the Internet," Wiessmann continued. "When you see an offering on the Internet  whether on a funding portal, in an online newsletter, message board or chat room  you should investigate before you invest."

The department will be sharing information on crowdfunding and equity crowdfunding for the next week on Facebook and Twitter.

Members of the public can contact the Department of Banking and Securities consumer helpline (1-800-PA-BANKS) to file a complaint or ask questions about financial products, transactions, or companies. Consumers and businesses can learn more at www.dobs.pa.gov, and are also invited to connect to the department's outreach efforts by following us on Facebook and Twitter or subscribing to the department's newsletter.

Media contact: Ed Novak, 717-783-4721

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities

Related Links

http://www.dobs.pa.gov


Experts agree that a proven way to monetize domains is to get involved in the lead acquisition process. The drawback has traditionally been that working with many companies can be tedious and often not produce the best results from the domain owner's perspective. Astoria Company, who are backed by their own proprietary lead exchange platform that processes over 10 million leads a month, recently announced they are now offering domainers a diverse set of tools that can help them quickly and easily monetize their domain assets in ways that can deliver very impressive results. Domain owners couldn't be more pleased with the news.

"We want to make it as simple and easy for domainers to work with us as possible so we can both help each other be more successful and more profitable," commented Astoria Company's CTO, Anthony Peck. "Our new set of tools were developed to help accomplish this goal, by taking the headache out of linking up with us on the domain owner's end. For domainers with a large catalog of domains or with domains with great traffic this opportunity can be a very dramatic game-changer."

According to the company, the tools they offer domain owners include: Host and Post forms, which allow the domain owner to host the form and create their own custom thank you page; White Label Forms, that can be placed using simple JavaScript for very easy installation; all forms available as WordPress plug-ins for the many domain owners who use the platform; and the ability for domainers to create their own forms which can be integrated via the Astoria Company's API, allowing them to monetize leads through the Astoria Company Lead Exchange platform.

The response to the tool set and Astoria Company's lead acquisition affiliate program in early reviews have been very favorable.

Brian S., from Maine, recently said, "I have quite a few domains that I have intended to use for a while now for lead acquisition. A friend remarked how well he has done working with Astoria Company, so I decided to take the same route. A pleasant surprise was being able to put the forms up through a WordPress plugin or use a simple snippet of Java script code, which are absolutely simple. They have been performing very well and I now have another reliable stream of income coming in like clockwork. Five stars and fully recommended."

Astoria Company is a 2015 Inc500 honoree, ranking #119 overall, and #19 of the Top Advertising & Marketing companies. For more information, www.astoriacompany.com

email [email protected]

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/391249

SOURCE Astoria Company

Related Links

http://www.AstoriaCompany.com


ODESSA, Texas, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Dallas-based residential mortgage originator PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital company, announces the addition of Kate Woody as a loan officer to the PrimeLending office located at 1541 JBS Parkway #16, Odessa, TX 79761.

Kate is new to the mortgage industry after working as a branch vice president at BB&T Bank.

In her new role, Kate will work with residents in the community on purchase and refinance mortgage loans needed throughout the greater West Texas area.

"Kate's energy, background in the financial industry and interest in the community make her a great addition to our team," said branch manager Brenda Worthen. "She stands for the same core values that we believe in at PrimeLending. We are so excited and believe that her experience will take us to the next level."

About PrimeLending

PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company, is a residential mortgage originator with locations across the nation and the ability to originate loans in all 50 states. PrimeLending has listed in the top ten for three consecutive years as a top mortgage lender in the nation in purchase units*. Offering fixed, adjustable rate, FHA, VA, USDA and jumbo loans, refinancing and relocation programs, PrimeLending is licensed to originate and close loans in all 50 states. Founded in 1986, PrimeLending is a member of the PlainsCapital Corporation family of companies. PlainsCapital Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hilltop Holdings (NYSE:HTH). Find more information at PrimeLending.com.

*As Ranked by Marketrac for purchase units nationally for Jan.-Dec. 2012-2015.

All loans subject to credit approval. Rates and fees subject to change. Mortgage financing provided by PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. Equal Housing Lender.  2016 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company. PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company (NMLS: 13649) is a wholly owned subsidiary of a state-chartered bank and is an exempt lender in TX. V010116.

 2016 PrimeLending, a PlainsCapital Company.

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SOURCE PrimeLending

Related Links

http://www.primelending.com


NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Below are experts from the ProfNet network who are available to discuss timely issues in your coverage area. You can also submit a query to the hundreds of thousands of experts in our network  it's easy and free! Just fill out the query form to get started: http://prn.to/alertswire.

EXPERT ALERTS

Infrastructure Key Issue in This Election as Conventions Gets Underway

Why Police Feel Threatened

Police Misconduct Tarnishes Reputation of Good Officers

MEDIA JOBS

Senior Writer  CNN International (GA)

Social Media Producer  ABC News (NY)

Breaking News Reporter  Press of Atlantic City (NJ)

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES

Covering the Republican Convention?

Breaking Into Writing for Children and Families

11 Ways to Captivate Your News Audience With Snapchat Stories

-------------------------------------------------------------------

EXPERT ALERTS:

Infrastructure Key Issue in This Election as Conventions Gets Underway

Henry Cisneros

Partner

Siebert Brandford Shank & Co. LLC

Cisneros, who will attend the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, says: "As we watch the presidential candidates debate a number of issues, the future of our infrastructure needs to be at the top of the list. The next administration is going to have to act upon this problem in a creative way and there is likely going to have to be a federal role in dealing with the crisis, because the traditional means of local public debt structuring is not working."

Former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, who also served four terms as mayor of San Antonio, is available for interviews at the DNC. Cisneros, now a partner at the nation's largest Latino, black and woman-owned investment banking firm, can talk about the national crisis of aging and deteriorating infrastructure and the need for the next presidential administration to address this issue. As one of the first Latino mayors of a major American city, Cisneros can also provide insight into the growing importance of Latino voters in this election and into the future. He is fluent in Spanish.

Website: www.sbsco.com

Contact: Jason Fink, [email protected]





Why Police Feel Threatened

Jesse L. Kirkpatrick

Assistant Director, Institute for Philosophy and Public Policy

George Mason University

"To be a police officer, one has to be willing to take on a degree (in some areas, a high degree) of personal risk, even in the face of threats. This assumption of personal risk is part and parcel of service and protecting one's fellow citizens. And here I think the ethos of 'protect and serve' is vital: Unlike combat, where the goal is often to kill, police are given certain privileges in order to better protect those who they are supposed to serve. But this seems to be brought into tension with the increased militarization of the police."

Website: http://ippp.gmu.edu

Contact: Buzz McClain, [email protected]





Police Misconduct Tarnishes Reputation of Good Officers

Antonio Romanucci

Principal and Partner

Romanucci & Blandin, LLC, in Chicago

"The recent acts of violence from police officers have shocked America. These acts violate every expectation we have of responsible police conduct and tarnish the reputation of the many good officers risking their lives daily on the street. This is a systemic and cultural problem that needs to be eradicated from our country. Protecting the constitutional rights of all of our citizens is paramount to the health of this country."

With the recent wrongful police shootings and the number of officers being killed over the last couple of weeks, police misconduct and what can and should be done to rectify relations between the community it serves is top of mind across the country. Romanucci has filed nearly a dozen police misconduct cases (including the Freddie Wilson case filed in 2007, which settled for $4.5 million in 2014). He is also the lead attorney on a current police misconduct case in Louisiana and is being sought out for other national cases as counsel. Romanucci can speak extensively on the following topics: police misconduct, police culture, the "code of silence," police brutality, stop-and-frisk (the firm is representing a class of African-American individuals on this issue), wrongful arrest, excessive force, unjustified police shootings and "the blue shield." He will be able to provide your audience with examples, facts, insights, and national observations on the issues of police misconduct and the scenarios that play out over and over in different cities throughout our country.

ProfNet Profile: http://www.profnetconnect.com/antonioromanucci

Website: http://rblaw.net

Contact: Victoria Walden, [email protected]



****************

MEDIA JOBS:

Following are links to job listings for staff and freelance writers, editors and producers. You can view these and more job listings on our Job Board: https://prnmedia.prnewswire.com/community/jobs/

Senior Writer  CNN International (GA)

Social Media Producer  ABC News (NY)

Breaking News Reporter  Press of Atlantic City (NJ)

*****************

OTHER NEWS & RESOURCES:

Following are links to other news and resources we think you might find useful. If you have an item you think other reporters would be interested in and would like us to include in a future alert, please drop us a line.

COVERING THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION? Whether you're physically in Cleveland or reporting remotely, convention news can be delivered directly to your inbox. As the exclusive press release distributor for both conventions, PR Newswire is distributing speech copy, podium schedules and other convention announcements via the PR Newswire for Journalists media site. More details: http://bit.ly/29P7IYQ

or reporting remotely, convention news can be delivered directly to your inbox. As the exclusive press release distributor for both conventions, PR Newswire is distributing speech copy, podium schedules and other convention announcements via the PR Newswire for Journalists media site. More details: http://bit.ly/29P7IYQ BREAKING INTO WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. Are you interested in writing for kids? In our latest Twitter Q&A, we spoke with Karl Beckstrand , an award-winning author of 15 multicultural books and more than 40 e-book titles. Beckstrand discussed how to find ideas and inspiration, working with illustrators, hiring a publisher vs. self-publishing, marketing your book and more: http://prn.to/29C1UQb

, an award-winning author of 15 multicultural books and more than 40 e-book titles. Beckstrand discussed how to find ideas and inspiration, working with illustrators, hiring a publisher vs. self-publishing, marketing your book and more: http://prn.to/29C1UQb 11 WAYS TO CAPTIVATE YOUR NEWS AUDIENCE WITH SNAPCHAT STORIES. Snapchat is broadening its appeal beyond its fanatical teen base. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that 14 percent of U.S. smartphone users over age 35 are now on Snapchat. With critical mass achieved and a rapidly growing user base of older millennials and above, mainstream adoption now may be firmly cemented. This is good news for those in the media and blogging world who are looking for new ways to reach these previously untapped demographics  in addition to younger generations. Here are some tips for growing your brand and audience through Snapchat stories: http://bit.ly/29XDfuL

****************

PROFNET is an exclusive service of PR Newswire.

To contact ProfNet: [email protected] or 800-776-3638, ext. 1

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SOURCE ProfNet

Related Links

http://www.profnet.com


PESSAMIT, QC, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - The Chief of the Pessamit Innu Indian Band, Mr. Rene Simon, recently sent a letter* to the Quebec minister of the environment, Mr. David Heurtel, on behalf of his community (the Pessamiulnut), asking that the Quebec-New Hampshire interconnection project be the subject of a public examination held under the auspices of the "Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement" (BAPE : Bureau of public hearings on the environment). If the request is not met, Pessamit is ready to take the matter to the national and international levels.

An overall lack of coherence

"We intend to demonstrate to the BAPE that in the case of the Quebec - New Hampshire interconnection project, the government is failing to comply with the spirit of its own laws, specifically those regarding the quality of the environment and sustainable development," said Chief Simon. "Indeed, in its impact assessment, Hydro-Quebec does not take the cumulative effects of the project into account at all" (Translation from French). There is thus a lack of coherence between the principles established by the above laws and the very narrow framework of the impact assessment. Hydro-Quebec Production is playing the role of applicant while avoiding environmental accountability with Hydro-Quebec TransEnergie. We do not find it normal that this project is being analyzed in function of a corporate segmentation, with the production aspect going unmentioned. The legislator's intentions seem incompatible with the fragmentation of environmental rationality, especially in this project where the analytical framework exists within the internal organization of the state company.

An unprecedented situation

With the start of construction of the Bersimis-1 and Bersimis-2 power stations on the Betsiamites River in Quebec's Haute-Cote-Nord (Upper North Shore) region between 1952 and 1956, Quebec laid the groundwork for giant hydro power generating facilities that would include the Manicouagan-Outardes complex. These power stations, located and operated illegitimately in the Nitassinan (traditional territory) of the Pessamiulnut, represent 29% of Hydro-Quebec's installed capacity. With only one exception, (Toulnoustouc), they were built without an impact assessment, without the agreement of Pessamit and without compensation: a unique event in Quebec! They have resulted in the flooding of some 2,675 km2 (1,032.8mi) of productive virgin land, belonging solely to the Nitassinan territory of Pessamit. The aquatic environment has also been massively disrupted. The Betsiamites River, where approximately 1000 catches of salmon per year were recorded between 1940 and 1950, saw this number drop by more than half since the establishment of the dams in the early 1960s. The latest statistics compiled by Pessamit indicate catches of 75 and 77 salmon for the years 2012 and 2013. According to trend curves established from 1948 to 2013, the salmon population could disappear within ten years.

Flow variations: questions remain unanswered

In a context where the Quebec - New Hampshire interconnection project will involve the contribution of peak- load power stations specifically designed to meet short-term peak demands, and given that Bersimis-1 and Bersimis-2 are two such facilities, it is expected that exports to the New England states will cause increased flow variations, which are already considerable at this time (4,590 cubic feet/s to 22,960 cubic feet/s, four to six times per day). Similarly, this is also the case for water levels, which repeatedly vary by 5 feet in one day, depending on energy demand. What is the impact of the current hydraulic management of the Betsiamites River on the tearing away of spawning eggs, the removal of fry from rearing habitats, and the dramatic drop in the river's salmon productivity? Could this situation, which is incompatible with the concept of sustainable development and the underlying principle of precaution, become worse? The irrevocable disruption of a salmon river that has been linked since time immemorial to the history of the Pessamiulnut is now a real short-term threat.

Disregard for international agreements

The Hydro-Quebec impact assessment, in addition to totally disregarding the above concerns, literally tramples the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, both ratified by Canada in 2003. In terms of biological resources, these agreements are based on operational sustainability, protection and restoration, in addition to fostering precaution. Regarding the Betsiamites River, it is clear that through Hydro-Quebec and Quebec's complacency, Canada's performance stands well below its international commitments.

Sustainable development VS commercial imperatives

Pessamit insists on the public hearings with the BAPE so that the anticipated but undeclared impacts of the Quebec-New Hampshire Interconnection Project be examined thoroughly. Since the Betsiamites River has been the subject of illegal, repeated and harmful actions on both the environmental and social level, it is time to refocus on the principles of sustainable development that Quebec intends to prioritize over commercial imperatives.

* Letter to Minister Heurtel available through:

Contact person: Louis Archambault

819 842-3333

[email protected]

SOURCE CONSEIL DES INNUS DE PESSAMIT
CHICAGO, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ReviewTrackers, the award-winning customer feedback platform, has successfully secured $4 million in growth capital, led by American Family Ventures. Square 1 Bank, a division of Pacific Western Bank, provided a debt facility to complement this latest capital raise, bringing ReviewTrackers total financing to $6.1 million. With this latest round of financing, ReviewTrackers will accelerate the development of its software to meet the needs of its expanding enterprise-level customer base.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160720/391368LOGO

"We invest in companies that we believe can improve how businesses interact with and deliver value to customers," said Dan Reed, managing director of American Family Ventures. "It's essential for businesses in the digital age to become customer-centric and deliver on their brand promises. ReviewTrackers offers that function  a simple, fast, and easy way to listen, respond to, and innovate based on what customers are saying."

Ross Mires, vice president, technology banking at Square 1 Bank commented on Square 1's involvement by saying, "In today's data-driven world, it is vital for businesses to not only understand their online reviews, but also utilize them to improve sales functions, customer service, and other operations. We are excited to partner with the ReviewTrackers' team as they continue to bridge this information gap."

Since taking initial capital from American Family Ventures in early 2014, ReviewTrackers has increased its revenue over 10x, tripled its workforce and grown its customer base to more than 25,000 business locations. Many of the newer features are not readily available within other customer feedback management platforms, helping ReviewTrackers to take the lead in innovation.

Contact:

Mandy Yoh

ReviewTrackers

Head of Communications

Email: [email protected]

Office: (866) 854-7670

http://www.reviewtrackers.com

About ReviewTrackers

ReviewTrackers is the award-winning software that elevates the voice of the customer and enables brands to innovate based on customer reviews and feedback. The platform aggregates reviews from over 70 review sites, helping busy professionals save time and focus on what matters most: their customers. ReviewTrackers' easy-to-use dashboard helps brands quickly manage their online reviews, uncover hidden customer insights, make data-driven decisions and improve brand reputation. Used by over 25,000 businesses, ReviewTrackers is the premier customer feedback solution for enterprise businesses.

About American Family Insurance

Madison, Wis. - based American Family Insurance is the nation's 13th-largest mutual property/casualty insurance group and ranks 332nd on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General, Homesite and AssureStart) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone. Web www.amfam.com; Facebook www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter www.twitter.com/amfam; Google+ plus.google.com/+amfam/.

About Square 1 Bank

Square 1 Bank is a division of Pacific Western Bank, a Los Angeles-based commercial bank with over $21 billion in assets. A full service financial services partner to entrepreneurs and their investors, Square 1 provides clients flexible resources and attentive service to help their companies grow. Square 1 offers a broad range of venture debt, treasury and cash management solutions through offices in top innovation centers: Atlanta, Austin, the Bay Area, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Durham, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San Diego, Seattle and Washington, DC. Pacific Western Bank is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PacWest Bancorp. For more information, visit www.square1bank.com.

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

SOURCE ReviewTrackers

Related Links

http://www.reviewtrackers.com


RUEIL-MALMAISON, France, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Among the first companies worldwide to propose a residential media gateway, [email protected] 3890, certified DOCSIS 3.1 by Cablelabs, Sagemcom supports TDC GROUP in deploying gigabit services to the DANISH homes covered by the YouSee cable network.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150717/237924LOGO )

Sagemcom is enabling the Danish Operator, TDC Group, in its large-scale deployment of gigabit Broadband services to the consumers and will deliver the next generation cable gateway, [email protected] 3890, integrating DOCSIS 3.1 technology that has been early certified by Cablelabs in March 2016. This product integrates as well superior Wave 2 Wi-Fi.

Ahmed Selmani, Deputy CEO of Sagemcom Broadband comments: "We have been partnering with TDC Group for years in providing advanced residential and business gateways, and we are strengthening our relationship in deploying the first DOCSIS 3.1 gateway on the Yousee cable network in 2016."

About Sagemcom

A French high-tech group of international dimensions, Sagemcom operates on the broadband (digital home, set-top boxes, Internet gateways, telephony and multimedia terminals), smart city (smart meter, smart grid, smart site, smart infra, smart services) and Internet of Things (founding member of LoRa Alliance) markets.

With a revenue of 1.2 billion euros, Sagemcom employs 4,200 people on five continents. Sagemcom aims to stay a world leader in communicating terminals with high added value.

For more information,

www.sagemcom.com // www.facebook.com/SagemcomOfficial // https://twitter.com/Sagemcom

SOURCE Sagemcom
BARRANQUILLA, Colombia, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

New Colombia Resources, Inc. (OTC: NEWC), a Colombian company listed in the U.S., is pleased that Sannabis SAS, their Medical Marijuana joint venture, continues to make headlines. Sannabis products were showcased at an inaugural event for Caucannabis, Colombia's first medical marijuana co-operative that includes 52 Indigenous families that will legally grow medical marijuana. Caucannabis was formed by mayors of the Department of Cauca, home to Sannabis and Colombia's largest marijuana growing region, where 50% of the nation's marijuana is grown. The inauguration made major headlines due the visit from Colombia's Ministers of Justice and Health who support this co-operative. To see all the press Sannabis is getting, visit the News page of their new and improved website, http://www.sannabis.co/#!blog/csjb/

Sannabis has been growing medical marijuana and producing high quality, organic products in Cauca since 2014. In April they hosted the mayors of the Cauca Department at their facilities to be used as a model for the co-op. Sannabis is increasing their production to satisfy the demand for medical marijuana medicines, the addition of the co-op will add to the Sannabis supply chain. The Sannabis portfolio of medical products has a first to market advantage which is causing huge international demand and Sannabis is fielding interest for their products from all over the World. "We expect to be the first ones with significant products to export that are Made in Colombia, we have experts in marijuana cultivation from Colorado and Washington on their way to Cauca by the end of the month to teach the indigenous community U.S. techniques and vice versa," stated John Campo, President of New Colombia Resources, Inc.

New Colombia Resources' President John Campo was interviewed by Stock Traders Talk Radio; an archived recorded version can be found on the homepage of Stock Traders Talk at http://www.stocktraderstalk.com. Stock Traders Talk Radio is an uncensored, comprehensive approach to disseminating vital facts about public companies trading on the OTC Markets.

New Colombia Resources filed their preliminary financial statements in an 8K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) while they complete their audited reports. These statements do not include information on their foreign subsidiaries, these will be consolidated in the audited report to be filed soon.

To view or purchase Sannabis products visit http://www.sannabis.co . Follow Sannabis on Facebook for photos and testimonials at https://www.facebook.com/sannabis.cannamedicinal

New Colombia Resources, Inc.

New Colombia Resources, Inc. is focused on the acquisition and development of high-quality metallurgical coal properties and other available resources in the Republic of Colombia. They expect to have several revenue producing businesses including; metallurgical coal mining and rock quarry aggregates for domestic Colombian highway and railroad building projects. The Company owns 100% of La Tabaquera metallurgical coal mine in Colombia with an estimated 15- 17 million tonnes of reserves. They have another pending acquisition for 390 ha and a solicitation contract for 184 ha metallurgical coal concession. New Colombia Resources also holds a significant position in Sannabis SAS which legally produces medical marijuana products in the Republic of Colombia, visit http://www.sannabis.co. For more information on the Company visit http://www.newcolombiaresources.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Forward Looking Statements; This Press Release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. A statement containing works such as "anticipate," "seek," intend," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "project," "plan," or similar phrases may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some or all of the events or results anticipated by these forward-looking statements might not occur. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include financing, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company's reliance on existing regulations. New Colombia Resources, Inc. does not undertake any duty nor does it intend to update the results of these forward-looking statements.

Company Contact:

New Colombia Resources, Inc.

John Campo

President/Chairman

(+1)-410-236-8200 USA

(+57)-318-657-0918

[email protected]

[email protected]

Sannabis SAS

http://www.sannabis.co



SOURCE New Colombia Resources, Inc.
FOREST CITY  Officials from the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs say Forest City is a great place and will give it $157,000 because of it.

The city will receive a $157,000 grant as part of the Iowa Great Places Community. Forest City is now designated as an Iowa Great Place. The largest portion of the grant, $150,000, will be used for the planned fine arts center and $7,000 will go toward new welcome signs.

Selection is based on criteria including assets they have, said Jeff Morgan of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Every community is going to be different.

The selection committee reviews the quality-of-life features that appeal to residents as well as guests and tourists, Morgan said.

Arts and culture, natural environment features, historic features and others are considered, Morgan said.

Beth Bilyeu, the executive director of Forest City Economic Development, said one of Forest Citys application strengths was its partnerships.

The fine arts center has the city of Forest City, the Hanson Foundation, Forest City Schools and Waldorf University as its partners.

Community meetings were required as part of the application process. Input from community residents on Forest Citys strengths and weaknesses and ideas to improve were gathered at the meetings.

One of the strong themes was we do things in partnerships and to continue with partnerships, Bilyeu said.

Residents said the community needs to improve its signs, she said.

Thats why $7,000 will go to new welcome signs, Bilyeu said.

Morgan said a key consideration in the application is how communities are cultivating their unique qualities ...

A Great Places designation and grant funding can help a community build on strengths and improve specific areas, Morgan said.

Forest Citys designation as an Iowa Great Place makes it eligible to apply for program grants over the next two years. The city will also receive signs that announce the city as an Iowa Great Place.

Bilyeu said the Iowa Great Place distinction can also be noted when the city or an entity is seeking a grant for a project.

One of the biggest things is that it helps us with community planning, Bilyeu said.

The material from the community information meetings can help guide the city and other entities as they plan for future projects, Bilyeu said.
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense arrived in Washington for the meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.

The meeting will focus on strengthening the mutual cooperation of the coalition countries in order to defeat Daesh (ISIL).

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemns terrorism in all forms, and has been a frequent target of terrorists. Saudi Arabia is among the coalition nations of Operation Inherent Resolve conducting airstrikes against Daesh in Syria. Saudi Arabia, along with the United States and Italy, are co-chairs of the Counter-ISIL Finance Group.

Fact Sheet: Fighting and Defeating Daesh -

http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/ENR/Fact-Sheet-Daesh.pdf

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office
PUNE, India, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Worldwide scooter markets have recently shifted dramatically along with the overall homecare medical equipment industry, where vehicles are useful as personal vehicles in controlled settings, going beyond medical necessity to personal transport. Most vehicles are shared resources available at shopping settings, airports, and travel destination. Some scooters are still used for personal mobility in gated communities, and for local transport. Scooters can be paid for by Medicare or private insurance as users are usually not as mobile as they wished, but privately funded purchase and shared resource scooters are increasingly common in the scooter market.

Complete report "Scooters Medical Equipment Markets Market Share Analysis: Market Shares, Analysis, and Index, Bundle, Worldwide, 2006 to Current, Quarterly" spreads across 14 pages, analysis 10 companies and includes 14 worksheet is available at http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/scooters-medical-equipment-markets-market-share-analysis-market-shares-analysis-and-index-bundle-worldwide-2006-to-current-quarterly-market-report.html .

Forecasts for 2014-2022 indicate the scooter market is expected to grow as the baby boomers age. The aging of the population is expected to change markets. Older people need more support for continued mobility through disability. Many baby boomers have significant resources available for them for leisure travel, but require assistance to travel the long distances between areas of interest. Much of the growth in the scooter market is based on increased sales in travel destinations which are available either free of charge, or for a small rental fee to attract older visitors.

The scooter market is at $152 million in 2015 are expected to grow to $332 million by 2022. Scooters provide mobility and freedom for exploration for the aging population. Impact study Scooters Medical Equipment Market Share Analysis, and Index, US, 2006 to Current, this 2016 study, in Excel file format, has 15 Excel worksheets to provide market share revenue, forecast, graphical presentation of the data, raw data, and strengths of challenges of each company profiled. Single snapshots of the market segment are available, or 4 quarterly updates are provided as part of the module pricing. The excel documents are flat files allowing the data to be used as desired by the client. A short presentation of the information is also provided.

The analysis provides vendor strengths and weakness descriptions, market forecasts, and numerical market revenue for market participants. The unit shipment analysis, the price point, scooter size analysis, and regional market sizes are also provided.

Healthcare medical equipments (scooters) market companies discussed in this research include Pride Mobility, Merits Health, Drive Medical, Afikim Mobility Vehicles, Amigo, Golden Technologies, Honda, Heartway Medical Products, Shop Rider Mobility Products and Zip'r Mobility. Order a Copy of Report at http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/contacts/purchase?rname=635389.

Key Topics cover information on Scooter and All Terrain Vehicle, Forecasts, Ultralife Batteries, Medical Equipment Government Regulations, Science And Medical Technology, Thin Film Battery Technological Trends, Wheelchair Distribution Channels, Market Drivers For Healthcare Cost Containment, Healthcare Equipment Industry, Travel and Leisure Mobility, Mobility Vehicles, 3 wheel scooters and 4 wheel scooters.

Another related report under Homecare Medical Equipment Markets is Wheelchair Medical Equipment Markets Market Share Analysis: Market Shares, Analysis, and Index, Bundle, Worldwide, 2006 to Current, Quarterly available at http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/wheelchair-medical-equipment-markets-market-share-analysis-market-shares-analysis-and-index-bundle-worldwide-2006-to-current-quarterly-market-report.html .

This report includes 13 worksheets and these worksheets starts with List of worksheets, graphs and presentation included in this file; Market Share; Chart Yearly; Chart Quarterly; Market Analysis; Market Index; Company Profiles; Market Forecast; Chart Market Forecast; Market Unit Analysis; Market Unit Penetration Forecast; Methods and Raw Data.

Companies Profiled Include: Invacare, Pride Mobility Products Corp., Hoveround Corporation, Permobil AB, OttoBock Healthcare GmbH, Sunrise Medical, GF Health Products Inc., Merits Health Products Co. Ltd., LEVO AG, Medort Group, MEYRA, Medical Depot Inc., 21st Century Scientific, Inc., Permobil acquires ROHO, Handicare, Drive Medicals Ltd.

Explore other new reports on medical devices market http://www.rnrmarketresearch.com/reports/life-sciences/medical-devices.

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SOURCE RnR Market Research
DALLAS, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Two North Texas college students have filed a lawsuit against Houston-based Reliant Energy claiming they worked for Reliant in the summer of 2015 but were never paid. According to the lawsuit, Trayon Hunter and Alana Bennett both worked for Reliant going door-to-door convincing residents to switch to Reliant as their energy provider. The lawsuit alleges Reliant agreed to pay the students $100 for every residence that switched. Hunter and Bennett allege they both "sold" somewhere between 50 and 100 residents on switching to Reliant, but Reliant never paid them as agreed.

"I'm hoping this is an oversight or limited to one person that thought they could take advantage of college kids," said Hunter and Bennett's attorney, Matt Scott of Scott Perez, LLP. "I am hearing there may be more kids who did this work last summer and were not paid," Scott said, "and this wouldn't be the first time I've seen an employer try to take advantage of younger folks who are new to the job market."

The lawsuit was filed in Dallas County Court at Law No. 4.

SOURCE Scott | Perez LLP
HOUSTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI) announced it expects to issue a press release with financial results for the second quarter 2016 on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, after the market closes. A conference call will be hosted by SCI Management on Thursday, July 28, 2016. Details of the conference call are as follows:

What: Service Corporation International Second Quarter 2016 Earnings Conference Call



When: Thursday, July 28, 2016, at 8:00 a.m. Central Time



How: Dial-in Number  (847) 619-6396 / Code  43011264 or listen live via the internet through our website at www.sci-corp.com in the Investors section under "Webcasts & Presentations"



Replay: (630) 652-3042 / Code  43011264# available through August 11, 2016 or for at least 90 days through our website at www.sci-corp.com in the Investors section under "Webcasts & Presentations"



Contact: Sandy Bobo at (713) 525-5395

About Service Corporation International

Service Corporation International (NYSE: SCI), headquartered in Houston, Texas, is North America's leading provider of deathcare products and services. At June 30, 2016, we owned and operated 1,525 funeral homes and 469 cemeteries (of which 262 are combination locations) in 45 states, eight Canadian provinces, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Through our businesses, we market the Dignity Memorial brand which offers assurance of quality, value, caring service, and exceptional customer satisfaction. For more information about Service Corporation International, please visit our website at www.sci-corp.com. For more information about Dignity Memorial, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com.

SOURCE Service Corporation International

Related Links

http://www.sci-corp.com


HOUSTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Xavier Smith, who attends the University of Chicago Laboratory School, is the recipient of the Houston moving company, JT Melia Moving, Scholarship for 2016. Smith plans on attending the University of Louisville and majoring in criminal justice. By winning the competitive scholarship, based on an essay about the moving industry, Smith now has the opportunity to realize his dreams.

Smith explained why he entered the scholarship competition. "There are circumstances that affect my ability to pay for college. I'm the son of a single mother who is not only amazing, but who has sacrificed, taken out three personal loans and borrowed from her retirement to make ends meet. She cannot afford to pay for college and I am trying to do whatever I can to relieve some of the burden so that I can attend college."

Smith's mother, Tarnisha, is employed by the University of Chicago as an HR administrator. However, in addition to a growing debt load, her struggles to help her son include credit woes and medical issues. To help her, Smith works over the summer to pay for part of the family's cellphone bill and groceries. When not studying or working as a research data entry clerk, Smith has also volunteered as a youth mentor in church, a summer camp leader and with the Boy Scouts of America.

Smith's winning essay subject was "How to select a good moving company." That's a topic dear to Melia's heart since he built his company to implement his vision of providing quality customer service with a variety of options geared toward the customer while maintaining competitive pricing.

Melia is described by moving industry peers as having a "tremendous work ethic with a knack for figuring out difficult situations to get a job done and please the customers." Programs such as this are the embodiment of "The Movers that Care."

An accredited BBB business since 1982, Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage has an excellent reputation throughout the greater Houston area and all of Texas. Located at 2527 Fairway Park Dr. in Houston, the company offers moving services throughout the Houston area, including Katy, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Conroe, Cypress, Humble, Kingwood and Spring. For more information, call Brandon Melia at (713) 683-8585 or visit http://www.jtmeliamoving.com/.

SOURCE Johnnie T. Melia Moving & Storage

Related Links

http://www.jtmeliamoving.com


WICHITA, Kan., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] will release its second quarter 2016 financial results at 6:30 a.m. Central Time Wednesday, August 3, 2016.

Spirit AeroSystems President and Chief Executive Officer will be joined by Spirit's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer on a conference call presentation to securities analysts about second quarter 2016 results and company outlook at 10 a.m. Central Time.

That presentation will be broadcast online. It will include charts and a question-and-answer session. The company's news release detailing the results will also be available. The live audio stream and slide presentation can be accessed August 3, 2016, at http://www.spiritaero.com/investor.aspx.

Individuals are urged to check the web site in advance to ensure their computers are configured for the audio stream and slide presentation.

On the web: http://www.spiritaero.com

About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe. More information is available at www.SpiritAero.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130515/CG13652LOGO

SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.spiritaero.com


THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Partners, LP (NYSE: SMLP) announced today that it will report financial results for the second quarter of 2016 on Thursday, August 4, 2016, after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

SMLP will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern on Friday, August 5, 2016, to discuss its quarterly operating and financial results. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing 847-585-4405 or toll-free 888-771-4371 and entering the passcode 43028964. The conference call will also be webcast live and can be accessed through the Investors section of SMLP's website at www.summitmidstream.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available until August 19, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern, and can be accessed by dialing 888-843-7419 and entering the replay passcode 43028964#. An archive of the conference call will also be available on SMLP's website.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LP

SMLP is a growth-oriented limited partnership focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. SMLP provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering services pursuant to primarily long-term and fee-based gathering and processing agreements with customers and counterparties in five unconventional resource basins: (i) the Appalachian Basin, which includes the Marcellus and Utica shale formations in West Virginia and Ohio; (ii) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (iii) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; (iv) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado and Utah; and (v) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado. SMLP also owns substantially all of a 40% ownership interest in Ohio Gathering, which is developing natural gas gathering and condensate stabilization infrastructure in the Utica Shale in Ohio. SMLP is headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, with regional corporate offices in Denver, Colorado and Atlanta, Georgia.

About Summit Midstream Partners, LLC

As of June 30, 2016, Summit Midstream Partners, LLC ("Summit Investments") beneficially owned a 44.8% limited partner interest in SMLP and indirectly owns and controls the general partner of SMLP, Summit Midstream GP, LLC, which has sole responsibility for conducting the business and managing the operations of SMLP. Summit Investments is a privately held company controlled by Energy Capital Partners II, LLC, and certain of its affiliates. As of June 30, 2016, an affiliate of Energy Capital Partners II, LLC directly owned an 8.9% limited partner interest in SMLP.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond management's control) that may cause SMLP's actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. An extensive list of specific material risks and uncertainties affecting SMLP is contained in its 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K as updated and superseded by the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 6, 2016, and as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and SMLP undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120927/MM82470LOGO

SOURCE Summit Midstream Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.summitmidstream.com


DENVER, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- SyncHR, a leader in Human Capital Management (HCM) cloud-based software, announced today it has relocated its corporate headquarters to Denver, CO. Previously based in Oakland, CA, the company selected the new location based on the ability of Colorado's economy to support SyncHR's growth, as well as its strong technology-focused business environment.

"Colorado is a thriving business community with important resources to help technology-focused companies like SyncHR flourish," said Pamela Glick, Chief Executive Officer at SyncHR. "Moving to Denver provides increased opportunities for collaboration with other technology leaders in the Front Range and offers a more central U.S. location to better service our clients throughout North America."

Another key advantage to moving SyncHR's headquarters to Colorado is the state's strong technology-experienced workforce. According to Colorado's Office of Technology of Economic Development and Trade, "Colorado is a leading high-tech state with the second most educated workforce in the country, third highest concentration of high-tech workers nationwide and high-tech exports totaling more than $2.9 billion per year."

In the past year, SyncHR has increased its employee base by nearly 40%, half of which came from new Colorado hires. Additionally, current company forecasts predict increasing the company's employee base by another 20% to support continued growth. SyncHR will also continue to expand its Oakland, California and Sofia, Bulgaria offices.

SyncHR's sustained high growth and job creation opportunities are a result of strong customer loyalty and increasing adoption of the company's unique single application. The patented, enterprise-class technology is redefining and simplifying HCM for mid-market organizations. It provides critical advantages not found in traditional systems by automating HR, benefits, and payroll processes, balancing the distribution of work, and centralizing data to ensure accuracy at all times. For more information on SyncHR's innovative SaaS application, visit www.synchr.com.

The company secured $17.5 million in new Series A funding in late 2015, driven by Boulder Ventures and returning investor New Enterprise Associates (NEA), with participation by Grayhawk Capital and EPIC Ventures.

About SyncHR

SyncHR is the Human Capital Management (HCM) cloud-based technology leader streamlining Core HR, benefits, payroll and reporting in a single, enterprise-class application for mid-sized organizations. Founded in 2010, the SyncHR team of industry veterans and visionaries has developed patented technology that saves time, increases productivity, and delivers a superior economic value by simplifying the complexity of HCM through one robust application. The company's dedicated services and customer care teams deliver industry-leading implementation times, and the intuitive interface creates an enhanced user experience for employees and administrators. SyncHR has created a new reality in HCM by making centralized, interrelated data easy to access, correct, control, and analyze - anytime. www.syncHR.com

SOURCE SyncHR

Related Links

https://www.synchr.com


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Taylor Morrison Home Corporation ("Taylor Morrison") announced today that it will release its second quarter 2016 results before the market opens on Wednesday, August 3, 2016. Taylor Morrison will hold a conference call to discuss the second quarter results the same day, at 8:30 a.m. ET.

A live audio webcast, as well as an archive of the conference call, will be available on Taylor Morrison's website at investors.taylormorrison.com.

For call participants, the dial in number is: 1 (888) 771-4371 or 1 (847) 585-4405 and the confirmation number is: 4289 1726. This call will be recorded and available for replay at investors.taylormorrison.com.

Taylor Morrison's filings will be available at investors.taylormorrison.com or with the SEC at sec.gov.

About Taylor Morrison

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (NYSE:TMHC) is a leading national homebuilder and developer that was recently recognized as America's Most Trusted Home Builder for 2016 by Lifestory Research. Based in Scottsdale, Arizona we operate under two well-established brands, Taylor Morrison and Darling Homes. We serve a wide array of consumer groups from coast to coast, including first-time, move-up, luxury, and 55 plus buyers. In Texas, Darling Homes builds communities with a focus on individuality and custom detail while delivering on the Taylor Morrison standard of excellence.

For more information about Taylor Morrison and Darling Homes please visit www.taylormorrison.com or www.darlinghomes.com.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150804/255113LOGO



SOURCE Taylor Morrison Home Corporation

Related Links

http://www.taylormorrison.com


WASHINGTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On July 15, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, by majority vote, issued a statement applauding the Supreme Court's Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin decision, which upholds the University's race-conscious admissions program under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The full statement can be viewed here:

http://www.usccr.gov/press/2016/PR_StatementFisher7-20-16.pdf

Because the Court has approved the University of Texas' holistic approach model, other institutions of higher education should similarly craft admissions programs that promote racial diversity among their student bodies. Greater educational opportunity for individuals from a variety of backgrounds benefits not only our college campuses, but also our workplaces and our country as a whole.

Commission Chair Martin R. Castro stated, "Affirmative action in higher education once again survives the continued assault from those who wish to eliminate opportunity for historically underrepresented minorities. This decision is a victory for all Americans, because we are stronger as a nation when we allow all Americans to fulfill their potential, regardless of race, color, or national origin."

The Commission was proud to have issued a statement in November 2015 in support of the Fifth Circuit Fisher decision, and it will remain focused on issues like these, in hopes that our nation strives to provide access to higher education to students from all walks of life.

The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is an independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights matters and issuing a federal civil rights enforcement report. For information about the Commission, please visit http://www.usccr.gov and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/usccrgov

Media Contact: Brian Walch

[email protected]

(202) 376-8371

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110524/DC08224LOGO

SOURCE U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Related Links

http://www.usccr.gov


CLEVELAND  Its official. The Donald is The Nominee.

Cheering, reveling delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention  including 30 from Iowa nominated New York billionaire Donald Trump to be this years GOP standard bearer and put to rest the dump Trump rumblings.

Iowa Republicans, many who preferred Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, found themselves giving the nod to a candidate who ran one of the most non-traditional campaigns in modern history and defied the odds to win the nomination.

If you had told me a year ago that Donald Trump was going to be our nominee, I would have said, no, I dont think thats going to happen at all, said Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. The bottom line is we listen to the people. The people decided.

Iowa GOP convention delegation Chairman Matt Schultz cast all of Iowas 30 votes for Trump during Tuesdays roll call. Delegates also ratified Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as Trumps running mate.

Trump bested a field of 17 Republicans, attracting a large following of Americans fed up with the dysfunction of Washington and intrigued by a new unvarnished voice of the people.

Convention delegate Randy Feenstra of Hull backed Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and switched to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz when Walker dropped out of the race. On Tuesday, he was among the 30 Iowans who cast votes for Trumps nomination on the arena floor.

The process worked, he said. It came that Trump got the most, so he has to be our nominee.

Feenstra said he believes Trump would bring the best business pedigree to the White House of any president weve ever seen and will be a new face to that office who will surround himself with good, qualified people like his choice of Pence.

U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Kiron Republican who brought Trump to Iowa in October 2014 for a fundraiser and again in January 2015 for the Iowa Freedom Summit, but backed Cruz in the 2016 Iowa caucuses, said Tuesday hes still not ready to endorse Trump, but noted, Im closer.

The selection of Mike Pence for VP brings it quite a long ways, said King, who served in the U.S. House with the Indiana Republican.

He is a fiscal hawk. Hes a committed full-spectrum constitutional conservative and a wholesome man with a wholesome family. I think its a terrific addition to the Trump ticket, King noted. This is getting better. Well see how it unfolds.

There are a lot of people who Donald Trump wasnt their first choice. He wasnt my first choice. But he has exceeded all expectations, Gov. Terry Branstad said Tuesday.

Hes attracted a lot of new people, said Branstad, who noted a record 187,000 Iowans flocked to the GOP caucuses last February. Just as it has in the primaries, I think in the general election he could surprise some people.

Kaufmann said Republicans leaving Cleveland later this week are planning to assemble the largest ground game in Iowa history that will include a focus on absentee ballots and get-out-the-vote efforts in conjunction with the Republican National Committee.

I will say this: We took a page right out of Obamas 2008 play book. Youve got to get the feet out there and when you get people with an absentee ballot in their hands, youve got to bug them, Kaufmann told GOP conservatives last week. The key is not how many absentee ballots get distributed, its how many get returned.

Eric Branstad, the governors oldest son who this week was officially named state director for Trumps Iowa campaign, said work already is underway to assemble a very strong, world class team.

The lion is about to be unleashed, is the way Eric Branstad described it, with an expectation that both Trump and Pence will make campaign stops in Iowa in the months leading up to the November general election.

Were going to put an organization together thats going to win Iowa. Were going to put the resources, the manpower, everything in which to do that, he added.
HOUSTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Top officials from three of Houston's leading healthcare institutions will headline Modern Healthcare's upcoming Issue Briefing on Sept. 13, "From Volume to Value." The breakfast and panel discussion will focus on the challenges and the opportunities healthcare leaders face as they transition from volume to value. Panelists will discuss new strategies in population health management, the need for usable data, the importance of provider collaboration and more. The Houston event is the third of this year's multicity series that is exploring how local healthcare markets are addressing this timely topic.

Dr. Benjamin Chu, president and CEO of Memorial Hermann Health System; Dr. Tony Lin, chairman of the board of managers, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic; and Steve Nelson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare's Medicare and retirement business, will discuss a range of topics surrounding their move from volume to value.

"The issue briefings are designed to educate providers on healthcare needs across the entire population they serve," said Fawn Lopez, vice president and publisher of Modern Healthcare. "Attendees value the interaction with panelists, having the ability to ask questions and network with local healthcare professionals."

Modern Healthcare Issue Briefings are designed for leaders seeking new insights and critical discussions, with the executive audience specifically in mind. This year's series is the third annual after successful breakfast events in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis and San Diego.

"The transition from volume to value is one of the most important and strategic issues facing healthcare providers today," said Jaclyn Schiff, editorial programs manager of Modern Healthcare. "These city breakfasts give local stakeholders the chance to learn from one another and forge key relationships."

To learn about Modern Healthcare's Issue Briefings, visit:

ModernHealthcare.com/Houston

Company Overview

Modern Healthcare, owned by Crain Communications Inc., is the most trusted business news and information brand in the healthcare industry. Combining the power of a print publication, 24/7 digital news products, and robust research and event platforms, Modern Healthcare empowers healthcare leaders and influencers to make timely and informed business decisions.

About Crain Communications

Crain Communications is a privately held media company that produces trusted and relevant news publications, lead generation, research and data products, digital platforms, custom publishing, and events with uncompromising integrity. Reaching 6 million business decision-makers and consumers across the United States and in select markets in Europe and Asia, the company's 56 brand portfolio consists of 22 print publications and 34 digital-only news sites. Many of Crain's brands are the most influential media properties in the verticals they serve including Automotive News, Autoweek, Advertising Age, Modern Healthcare, Plastics News, Business Insurance and Pensions & Investments. Headquartered in Detroit, the company has 880 employees in 13 locations delivering exceptional news content over a variety of platforms to empower the success of its readers and clients.

SOURCE Modern Healthcare
JERICHO, N.Y. and NEW LEXINGTON, Ohio, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Tunnel Hill Partners, a community minded business with a mission to serve and be an active participant in bettering society, is partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio to build a simple, decent, an affordable home for a family in need.

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Tunnel Hill Partners is thrilled to offer a $3,000 donation, which will be used for the home build taking place this summer in Crooksville, Ohio.

This particular build will include a "blitz weekend" in which approximately 6 weeks worth of work will be accomplished in only two days. During this time, the home will be framed, the roof installed, windows and doors installed, and the home will be sided by over 200 volunteers. After the blitz, the home will be completed over the following 8-10 weeks.

"Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio is blessed to have a new partner in Perry County," says Kenneth Oehlers, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. "Tunnel Hill Partners shares our belief that everyone deserves to have a decent, affordable home in which to live and is helping us achieve the mission by building a home for a family in need."

Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, works in partnership with families to provide them with safe, affordable homes. Each home build costs about $60,000. Once built, families purchase the homes and pay a zero interest mortgage back to Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. Habitat for Humanity then uses these mortgage payments to build more homes to help others in need.

About Tunnel Hill Partners, LLC

Tunnel Hill Partners, based in Jericho, New York, is the largest waste-by-rail service provider in the United States. Led by a management team with over 160 years of combined experience in the waste industry, the company's assets include two rail-served Subtitle D landfills in Ohio, one rail-served beneficial reuse facility in Pennsylvania, five rail-served transfer stations in New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, and one state-of-the-art construction and demolition processing facility in Massachusetts. The company is supported by American Infrastructure Funds, MLP, an innovative private investment firm specializing in real property, natural resource and infrastructure businesses.

Media Contact:

Zen Design Firm

Contact: Kelly Franks

Tel: 570.471.7073

Email

SOURCE Tunnel Hill Partners
BOSTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The VELCRO Brand and lifestyle designer Sabrina Soto today announced the winner of the 2nd Annual VELCRO Brand Classroom Makeover contest. Ilya Brecque from the Durant-Tuuri-Mott elementary school, part of Flint Community Schools in Flint, Mich. will receive a completely re-designed classroom where her 5th grade students can learn and grow. In addition, the entire Durant-Tuuri-Mott community will benefit from a new reading center with books and stories to foster and build literacy skills.

With her organizational and design expertise, Sabrina Soto will create an inspiring and beautiful space featuring brand new technology, furniture and VELCRO Brand products. Soto is known for her creative ideas for functional, bright and organized living and working spaces. The VELCRO Brand and Soto selected Ms. Brecque for her unfailing commitment and dedication to her students, despite the extensive hardships currently impacting City of Flint residents.

"We received hundreds of compelling and emotional entries for this year's contest and selecting was incredibly difficult," said Sabrina Soto. "However, Ms. Brecque's appeal to give her students a healthy and safe environment where they can be inspired and thrive truly stood out. We are thrilled to design and outfit this sanctuary for learning and can't wait for the students to see their new classroom."

"My students have endured the public health crisis of our community with resiliency and courage," said Ilya Brecque, 5th grade teacher. "A bright and beautiful classroom will give them a place to feel safe and hopeful for their future, even in the face of the dangers and inconveniences of today's situation. I'm honored to be the recipient of this makeover and so pleased that the school community will be able to enjoy the reading space that the VELCRO Brand and Sabrina are designing, as well."

The VELCRO Brand and Sabrina Soto will showcase the re-designed classroom and organizational ideas on www.Velcro.com and via the company's social channels including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. For more information on Velcro Companies' education-focused efforts, please visit: http://www.velcro.com/about-us/sustainability.

About Velcro Companies:

Velcro Companies is a technology-driven, global organization providing fastening solutions that solve problems in simple, elegant and surprising ways for businesses and consumers around the world. We have a heritage of innovation spanning more than 50 years and own over 400 active patents and numerous trademarks, including the VELCRO trademark, which is registered throughout the world. We develop and deliver solutions for customers through an integrated production and service system that includes manufacturing locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, China, Belgium and Uruguay and sales offices around the world. To buy genuine VELCRO brand products and to find out more about our company, visit www.velcro.com.

Note to Editors: At Velcro Companies, we are proud that VELCRO brand products have become a part of everyday life, but that ubiquity sometimes produces confusion. The VELCRO trademark should be used only when referring to genuine VELCRO brand fasteners. Non-VELCRO brand products should be identified by their functional terms, such as "hook and loop," "self-adhesive straps," and so forth. The VELCRO mark should always be used as an adjective and never as a noun or a verb. The term "Velcro Companies" should be used when referring to our company and its executives.

The proper use of the VELCRO trademark assists us in safeguarding the integrity of the VELCRO brand, and helps to protect consumers from products incorrectly sold as VELCRO brand products. For further information on the proper use of the VELCRO trademark, please see the guidelines on our website.

SOURCE Velcro Companies

Related Links

http://www.velcro.com


To change the course of this disease, the Boston Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is inviting the community to attend PurpleStride Boston . The volunteer-led community celebration taking place on Sunday, Aug. 14 through Boston Common - Parkman Bandstand will raise much needed awareness and funds to support the mission of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network to advance research, support patients and create hope.

To register and to learn more visit www.purplestride.org/boston.

"We're saving lives at PurpleStride Boston," said Michele Wood, Media Relations Chair for the Boston Affiliate of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "Every stride we make directly impacts the course of this disease. Our community needs this uplifting celebration of hope that unites families affected by the deadliest major cancer. It's time to take action against pancreatic cancer and make vigorous steps to double survival by 2020!"

The family-friendly awareness one-mile or three-mile walk will include:

Registration at 10 a.m. , event begins at 11 a.m.

, event begins at Kid-friendly activities and "purple play zone"

Opening ceremony featuring live entertainment

WCVB-TV/Channel 5 news anchor Erika Tarantal to emcee

to emcee National Presenting Sponsor: Celgene

Celgene National Silver Sponsor: AbbVie

AbbVie Gold Sponsor: Momenta Pharmaceuticals

Momenta Pharmaceuticals Gold Media Sponsor : WCVB-TV

: WCVB-TV Bronze Sponsor: Tyger Productions

The American Cancer Society reports an estimated 53,070 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and approximately 41,780 will die from the disease this year. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is working to double survival by 2020 by continuing to directly fund research, advocate for increased funding and resources from the national government, raise awareness through community outreach, and provide excellent patient services and support for novel initiatives like Clinical Trial Finder, Know Your TumorSM personalized medicine service and the Patient Registry.

Learn more about how you can support your local Boston Affiliate and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by visiting www.pancan.org. Click to view this year's PurpleStride PSA and organizational PSA.

Follow the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on Twitter, Instagram or on Facebook.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase survival for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative  The Vision of Progress: Double Pancreatic Cancer Survival by 2020. To continue to accelerate progress, a goal to raise $200 million by 2020 is also in place. Together, we can Wage Hope and rewrite the future of pancreatic cancer.

FOR MEDIA:

Members of the media are invited to attend the event, interview and photograph participants, volunteers and special guests. Please contact Michele Wood at [email protected] to receive further press instructions.

Contact:

Michele Wood

Media Relations Chair

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network  Boston Affiliate

Direct: (978)-836-6376

Email: [email protected]

Video - https://youtu.be/fgfqCmz_4uY

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SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network

Related Links

http://www.pancan.org


Western Gas Equity Partners, LP (NYSE: WGP) also announced today that the board of directors of its general partner declared a quarterly cash distribution of $0.43375 per unit for the second quarter of 2016. This distribution represents a 2-percent increase over the prior quarter and a 19-percent increase over the second quarter of 2015. WGP's second quarter 2016 distribution is payable on August 22, 2016, to unitholders of record at the close of business on August 1, 2016.

The Partnerships plan to report their second-quarter 2016 results after the market closes on Tuesday, July 26, 2016. Management will host a conference call on Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at 11 a.m. CDT (12 p.m. EDT) to discuss quarterly results. The full text of the release announcing the results will be available on the Partnerships' website at www.westerngas.com.

Second-Quarter 2016 Results

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

11 a.m. CDT (12 p.m. EDT)

Dial-in number: 844-836-8745

International dial-in number: 412-317-5439

Individuals who would like to participate should dial the applicable dial-in number listed above approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled conference call time. Pre-registration is available through the investor relations page at www.westerngas.com. Pre-registrants will be issued a personal identification number to use when dialing in to the live conference call, which will enable the participant to bypass the operator and gain immediate access to the call.

To access the live audio webcast of the conference call, please visit the investor relations section of the Partnerships' website at www.westerngas.com. A replay of the conference call will also be available on the website for two weeks following the call.

Western Gas Partners, LP ("WES") is a growth-oriented Delaware master limited partnership formed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation to acquire, own, develop and operate midstream energy assets. With midstream assets located in the Rocky Mountains, the Mid-Continent, North-central Pennsylvania and Texas, WES is engaged in the business of gathering, processing, compressing, treating, and transporting natural gas, condensate, natural gas liquids and crude oil for Anadarko, as well as for other producers and customers.

Western Gas Equity Partners, LP ("WGP") is a Delaware master limited partnership formed by Anadarko to own the following types of interests in WES: (i) the general partner interest and all of the incentive distribution rights in WES, both owned through WGP's 100% ownership of WES's general partner, and (ii) a significant limited partner interest in WES.

For more information about Western Gas Partners, LP, Western Gas Equity Partners, LP, and Western Gas Flash Feed updates, please visit www.westerngas.com.

Note regarding Non-United States Investors: This release is intended to be a qualified notice under Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4(b). Brokers and nominees should treat one hundred percent (100.0%) of Western Gas Partners, LP's and Western Gas Equity Partners, LP's distributions to non-U.S. investors as being attributable to income that is effectively connected with a United States trade or business. Accordingly, Western Gas Partners, LP's and Western Gas Equity Partners, LP's distributions to non-U.S. investors are subject to federal income tax withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate.

WESTERN GAS PARTNERS, LP and WESTERN GAS EQUITY PARTNERS, LP CONTACT:

Jonathon E. VandenBrand

Director, Investor Relations

[email protected]

832.636.1007

SOURCE Western Gas Partners, LP

Related Links

http://www.westerngas.com


JERSEY CITY, N.J., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- World Business Lenders, a fast-growing small business lender, today hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the relocation of its corporate headquarters to 101 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ. Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop delivered a proclamation to the company, and U.S. Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) and former U.S. Congressman Edolphus Towns (NY-10 & 11) offered congratulatory remarks.

"World Business Lenders is committed to enhancing the vitality and sustainability of small businesses across the country, and we are thrilled to contribute to the growth of Jersey City as a haven for commerce," said Doug Naidus, Founder and CEO of World Business Lenders. "By continuing to increase jobs, we are enthusiastic about growing our company while adding to the momentum of this tremendous city. We are delighted to call Jersey City our new home."

World Business Lenders' move will bring 225 jobs to Jersey City by the end of 2016, contributing to the expansion of the local economy and infrastructure of the city as it continues to develop into a thriving center for business. As part of its relocation, World Business Lenders is working with the Office of the Jersey City Mayor to support the local small business community.

"Helping small businesses thrive has been one of the guiding priorities of my administration, which makes World Business Lenders' relocation to Jersey City even more rewarding," said Mayor Steven Fulop. "Not only will this mean 225 new jobs for Jersey City, but we are also welcoming a company whose mission fits so well with what we're trying to accomplish. This is a great addition to our Jersey City business community."

World Business Lenders' decision to relocate to New Jersey was supported by a Grow New Jersey (Grow NJ) award approved by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) this past February, which will offer performance-based tax credits to the company of up to $16.8 million over ten years. The project is expected to have a net benefit to the State of New Jersey of more than $85 million over 20 years.

"The Grow NJ program was designed to help New Jersey compete with other locations that are attractive for businesses looking to expand or relocate," said Melissa Orsen, Chief Executive Officer of EDA. "We are delighted to see World Business Lenders joining the ranks of companies that recognize all New Jersey has to offer in terms of location and financial industry talent."

For media inquiries, please contact Rida Bint Fozi at The TASC Group at 212-337-8870 or [email protected].

About World Business Lenders

Newly headquartered in Jersey City pursuant to an agreement with the EDA to create jobs in New Jersey, World Business Lenders specializes in providing collateralized business-purpose loans and access to capital to support the growth and development of underserved small-to-medium sized businesses that lack access to traditional bank funding. Since commencing operations in 2011 (originally in New York City), the company has built a nationwide network of branches to better serve this vital sector of the U.S. economy. World Business Lenders is led by a management team with extensive experience in the financial industry and employs a disciplined approach to credit analysis and risk management.

Media Contact: Rida Bint Fozi

The TASC Group

212-337-8870

[email protected]

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SOURCE World Business Lenders
NORWALK, Conn. and BOSTON, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Zillion Group , Inc. today announced the promotion of Andy Brooks to Chief Financial Officer. With more than 20 years of business operations and investment experience and three years serving as Zillion's Vice President of Operations and Finance, Brooks will now be responsible for the organization's financial operations and long-term financial growth strategy.

"Andy has been a critical member of our team since joining the company, and his financial acumen coupled with his in-depth understanding of growing technology companies made him the ideal choice when selecting a CFO," said Jim Boyle, Chairman and CEO of Zillion. "The company has seen tremendous growth this past year as healthcare organizations across the care continuum begin to realize the inherent value of our patient engagement platform. Andy will be instrumental in helping Zillion meet its strategic growth objectives in the months ahead."

Brooks has played an integral role in Zillion's financial growth. To date, he has helped the company in solidifying its market positioning, sourcing capital to fund the company's operations, defining the company's business model and pricing, and building the team to execute the company's strategy. Brooks' work was also instrumental in the closing of two major partnerships with UnitedHealth Group and Apollo Endosurgery.

A critical member of the Zillion management team for more than three years, Brooks most recently served as the company's Vice President of Operations and Finance. Brooks' career has primarily been focused on building and scaling start-up technology companies, both as a venture capital investor and entrepreneur. Prior to joining Zillion in 2013, Brooks served as a consultant in the healthcare technology sector, advising academic hospitals and medical device vendors on technology commercialization. He also previously served as the principal financial officer in the public offering and PIPE placement of RedRoller, a pioneer in cloud-based e-commerce shipping. His past experience includes positions with Crescendo Ventures, J.P. Morgan Securities, Bloomberg LP and start-ups in the e-commerce, communications and healthcare sectors where he focused on business model optimization, business development, financing strategy, venture equity and debt placements, initial and secondary public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions.

"Zillion is changing the face of engagement within healthcare at the patient, provider and payer level. As CFO, I will continue to drive the financial growth of this company and see additional client partnerships through fruition," said Andy Brooks, CFO of Zillion. "This is an exciting time to be part of Zillion, and I look forward to working with our team to set the path for the next phase of commercial growth."

About Zillion

Zillion's highly configurable, cloud platform offers a broad suite of applications and functionality used to deliver a range of consumer engagement programs. The company is headquartered in Norwalk, Connecticut, with offices in Boston. For more information, visit www.zillion.com or follow us on Twitter at @Zillion_Inc.

Contact: Brittany Boyer, [email protected]

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SOURCE Zillion

Related Links

http://www.zillion.com


MASON CITY  A judge has denied a mans post-conviction relief application in a Mason City vehicular homicide case.

District Court Judge Colleen Weiland ruled Tuesday that Victor Riveras sentence of up to 25 years in prison, which includes a mandatory minimum of 17.5 years before he is eligible for parole, was legal.

Rivera, 48, Mason City, received that sentence after pleading guilty in Cerro Gordo County District Court to homicide by vehicle and failure to stop in event of an accident resulting in death.

Mason City man charged in motorcycle fatality MASON CITY | Felony charges have been filed against the man who allegedly struck and killed 

Authorities say Rivera pulled in front of a motorcycle operated by Jefferson Davis, 43, Mason City, on Nov. 22, 2014, at Highway 122 and South Pierce Avenue.

Davis was killed. Nicole Lynn Shariff, a passenger on the motorcycle, was injured.

During Riveras May 25 hearing on his post-conviction relief conviction, his attorney, Dylan J. Thomas, argued Riveras crime was unintentional and he is therefore less culpable than those who committed other offenses that are subject to mandatory minimum sentences under Iowa law.

Thomas also claimed Riveras sentence was cruel and unusual punishment, stating Iowa has one of the most severe punishments in the nation for Riveras combination of crimes due to mandatory minimum sentencing.

In her ruling Weiland stated Iowa law allows someone convicted of both operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated resulting in the death of another and failing to stop at the scene of a fatality, as Rivera was, to be treated different than someone convicted of the first offense alone.

She noted Rivera continued to drive after the accident and evaded police officers.

Although Iowa does appear to have stricter sentencing for vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident than other states, Texas and South Carolina have similar penalties, Weilands ruling stated.

Thomas also claimed the $150,000 restitution Rivera was ordered to pay Davis family was disproportional to the offense and Rivera doesnt have the ability to pay it.

Weiland ruled the restitution amount was not disproportional because Rivera was convicted of both vehicular homicide and leaving the scene.

Rivera has appealed Weilands decision.
MARBLE ROCK  Due to routine cleaning and inspection of the towns water tower on Wednesday, the city of Marble Rock is advising residents to boil water before drinking it or cooking with it.

Low pressure in the drinking water system during the maintenance creates the potential for bacteria to enter the system. City officials and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources are asking Marble Rock residents to boil their water until testing shows the water is again safe to drink.

Residents should let water boil for one minute, then cool it before using. They should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice. Boiling kills bacteria and other organisms in the water.

Tap water can be used for bathing and similar purposes.

The city or DNR will notify residents when water is safe to drink and the advisory is lifted.

Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 for general guidelines on ways to reduce risks of infection.
CLARION  The Heartland Museums latest program will pay tribute to a female Civil War-era benefactor.

Retired teacher Rosemary Harris will portray Annie Wittenmyer in a half-hour show during the museums A Day at the Heartland on Wednesday.

Im not a feminist, I wouldnt burn my bra or anything like that, said Harris. Womens contributions need to be brought to the forefront.

Wittenmyer settled in Keokuk from Ohio in 1850. With the death of her husband, William  a merchant  she used the inheritance to commit to a variety of social causes affecting soldiers and war orphans.

Rural towns have strong individuals. Growing up in a rural area grows a certain type of individual, said museum volunteer Mary Tesdahl. We think this is one piece of that.

Wittenmyers legacy includes advocating for improved conditions in kitchens and hospitals for soldiers while head of the Iowa State Sanitary Commission.

She later served as the first president of the Womans Christian Temperance Union and successfully convinced the U.S. Congress to establish pensions for Civil War-era nurses.

Wittenmyer also established the Cedar Falls Iowa Soldiers Orphans Home, a precursor to UNI.

Her attributes of strength and sacrifice spoke to me, said Harris, a retired ESL teacher, Being a school teacher, thats kind of what we did.

Her goal is to bring that story to a new audience, she said.

That is kinda the reason I do this, Harris said. People dont know what treasures Iowa has.

Doors open at 10 a.m. Tickets are $20 and includes admission, lunch at its Opera House and Harris performance. The museum is located at 119 Ninth St. SW in Clarion.

For more information, call 515-602-6000.
Mumbai, July 16 : Bounipun and Nachiket Barve have been announced as the menswear and womenswear winners respectively of the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize India, Pakistan & Middle East regional final.

Che Kurrien - Editor, GQ India; Alison Tay - Editor-in-Chief of Grazia Middle East, Grazia Arabia and Grazia Luxury; Mehernaaz Dhondy - Editor, Grazia India; fashion designer Rachel Roy; fashion designer Manish Malhotra; fashion designer Troy Costa and Priya Tanna - Editor, Vogue India, selected the winners at an awards event held here on Friday night.

Mumbai-based Barve used a mixture of felted applique, hand embroidery and digital print for his winning look. Designers Zubair and Renni Kirmani of brand Bounipun presented a three-piece look including 3D laser cutting and looping techniques.

"I can't even begin to express how wonderfully, and excitingly remarkable this entire experience has been. The international Woolmark Prize will catapult me onto the international stage, and I am thrilled and extremely grateful for this opportunity," Kirmani of Bounipun said after their win.

Barve is also thrilled and said: "The International Woolmark Prize is one of the industry's most prestigious fashion awards, having discovered talents such as Karl Lagerfeld and Yves Saint Laurent."

Chosen from amongst the most promising fashion design talents from India, Pakistan and the Middle East, both winners gain a financial contribution of Australian Dollar 50,000, plus the opportunity to represent their region and compete in the prestigious international final. In addition, each winner will receive mentoring support from a global panel of experts along with being granted a Woolmark licence.

For the next six months, the winning designers will be required to develop a capsule collection in Merino wool, to be showcased at one of two events that will highlight the six menswear finalists and six womenswear finalists selected from across the globe. The final for menswear will be held during London Collections Men and the womenswear final will be held in Paris, both in January 2017.

The winners of the menswear and womenswear global finals will receive a further Australian Dollar $100,000 to assist with fabric sourcing and marketing of their collection, as well as mentoring from industry experts.

In addition, both international winners will have the opportunity to have their collection distributed through the prize's prestigious international retail partner network including Harvey Nichols in Britain, David Jones in Australia, Boutique 1 in the UAE, Verso in Belgium, LECLAIREUR in Paris, Boon the Shop in South Korea, The Papilion in Indonesia and online through mytheresa.com (womenswear) and MATCHESFASHION.COM (menswear).

Rahul Mishra emerged as the first Indian fashion designer to win the International Woolmark Prize (IWP), past recipients of which include icons like Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld.
Itanagar, July 17 : Congress legislator Pema Khandu was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh here on Sunday.

The 37-year-old legislator was administered the oath of office by acting Governor Tathagata Roy at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan.

Khandu is the son of a former Arunachal Chief Minister, the late Dorjee Khandu, who died in a chopper crash in 2011. Pema Khandu is a businessman-turned-politician.

Present on the occasion were all the current state legislators, including Nabam Tuki of the Congress, who was reinstated as the Chief Minister following a Supreme Court verdict on Wednesday.

Tuki resigned from his post to make way for Pema Khandu in a bid to get the support of the rebel legislators who had defected from the Congress to unseat Tuki from the post.

Earlier, Tuki resigned as Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, and proposed the name of Khandu as the next CLP leader.

The proposal was supported by all the 44 legislators, including 15 Congress and 29 dissident Congress legislators who had joined the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) in February.

The 44 legislators also include former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, who unseated Tuki and became the Chief Minister in February.
Itanagar, July 17 : Congress legislator Pema Khandu was on Sunday sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, becoming the youngest lawmaker to head a state in the country.

The 37-year-old Khandu, son of former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu, was administered the oaths of office and secrecy by acting Governor Tathagata Roy at a ceremony in the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan here.

On the occasion, legislator Chowna Mein also took oath as Deputy Chief Minister.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Khandu said age is never going to be an issue in his governance and he will run the state administration very well if he has the support of all his legislators.

Former Chief Minister Khaliko Pul said: "I wish all the best to Pema Khandu... we'll co-operate with him for the development of Arunachal Pradesh."

Present at the ceremony were former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and Speaker of the state legislative assembly Nabam Rebia, besides senior Congress leaders.

Tuki resigned from his post to make way for Pema Khandu in a bid to get the support of the rebel legislators who had defected from the Congress to unseat Tuki.

Earlier, Tuki resigned as Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, and proposed the name of Khandu as the next CLP leader.

The proposal was supported by all the 44 legislators, including 15 Congress and 29 dissident Congress legislators who had joined the People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) in February.

The 44 legislators also include former CM Kalikho Pul, who unseated Tuki and became the Chief Minister in February.

Khandu, who has passed out from Hindu College of Delhi University, started his career in the construction business and played a vital role in assisting his father Dorjee Khandu in his developmental initiatives for the state.

The tragic death of his father, in a chopper crash in 2011, compelled Pema Khandu to enter politics to keep the political lineage of his family alive. He won from his father's constituency -- Mukto -- uncontested.

He held the portfolio of Water Resource and Tourism in the erstwhile cabinet of Nabam Tuki. However, he resigned in 2015 after he developed differences with Tuki.

Khandu later joined the dissident faction of the Arunachal Pradesh Congress led by Kaliko Pul and supported Pul in toppling the Tuki government in February this year.

He came to the forefront of Arunachal Pradesh politics only last Wednesday when the Supreme Court verdict restored the Congress government in the state terming the decision of Governor J.P. Rajkhowa to advance the session of the state assembly in January this year as violative of the Constitution.

The apex court directed that status quo ante in Arunachal Pradesh be restored as it prevailed on December 15, 2015.
Moscow, July 17 : Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who on Friday survived a coup attempt, in a phone conversation on Sunday reaffirmed their intention to meet in person soon, the Kremlin said.

The Kremlin said Putin offered condolences to Erdogan over the victims in Friday's coup attempt, which killed at least 161 people and injured 1,440 others, Xinhua news agency reported.

Putin said Russia deemed the actions "categorically unacceptable".

Putin also expressed concerns about the safety of Russian tourists travelling in Turkey, whose numbers have significantly increased after Moscow lifted the restrictive measures against Ankara, and Erdogan vowed to take all necessary steps in that regard, according to the Kremlin press service.

Earlier on Saturday, Turkish authorities said they had regained control of the country after thwarting the coup attempt by a military faction late Friday night.
Patna, July 18 : Major rivers in Bihar, especially the Kosi, Gandak, Bagmati and the Ganga, are in spate following heavy rains in their upstream areas, posing a threat of floods, officials said on Monday.

The state water resources department has issued a flood alert for north Bihar districts bordering Nepal.

With heavy rainfall in the catchment areas in neighbouring Nepal, water levels of these rivers have been rising for the last 24 hours.

"The Gandak river is near the danger mark at some points in West Champaran district and Kosi is also in spate in Supaul district. Bagmati is showing rise in its water level in Sheohar district. Similarly, water level of Kosi and its tributaries is on rise in Shaharsa and Khagaria districts," an official of the department said.

The rivers have flooded more than 150 villages in Supaul, West Champaran and East Champaran, forcing people to abandon their homes. The river system is threatening hundreds of villages in over half a dozen districts, officials said.

Water level of the Ganga is rising in Patna and other places in Bihar.

Bihar Water Resources Development Minister Lalan Singh said preparations have been made to tackle the flood situation. "There is no need to panic. The state government is alert. All embankments are safe," he said.

Singh said the eastern Kosi embankment, which had breached in 2008, was safe.

In 2008, more than three million people were rendered homeless in Bihar when the Kosi river breached its banks upstream in Nepal and changed course.

According to Bihar Disaster Management Minister Chandrashekhar, the department has put its rescue and relief teams on a standby in flood-prone districts of the Koshi belt.

Official sources said engineers of the water resource department have been directed to keep a vigil on the vulnerable embankments.
New Delhi, July 18 : A verbal spat between BSP leader Mayawati and union minister M. Venkaiah Naidu was witnessed on Monday in the Rajya Sabha as she blamed the Centre for what she dubbed were "rising incidents of atrocities against the Dalits".

Mayawati raised the issue of beating up of four Dalit youth in public and parading them in Una town in Gujarat by cow protection vigilantes.

The Bahujan Samaj Party leader said: "Since the BJP-led government has come to power (at the Centre), the Dalits are being exploited at different levels. There are several incidents, and this reflects the narrow and casteist mindset of this party towards these groups."

Naidu immediately objected and said: "You cannot take the party's name. You can raise the issue... that is the practice."

Mayawati however did not shy away from naming the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which irked Naidu.

The minister retorted while Mayawati was speaking, but his comments were not clearly audible.

Mayawati said some "anti-social elements" caught the Dalit youth when they were removing the hide off a dead animal, they were stripped half-naked and beaten up with rods and sticks.

"The administration did not take action against the culprits and the police was a mute spectator," the BSP leader said.

The former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh asked the central government to instruct the Gujarat government to take action against the guilty.

Soon after, as Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Hamid Ansari wanted to take up the Question Hour, BSP members trooped near his podium and started raising slogans against the government.

In the din, the house was adjourned for 10 minutes. Later, the House took up the Question Hour.

According to reports, the youth beaten up in Una had been called by farmers to skin dead cattle. The incident came to light after a video of the atrocity went viral on the social media.
New Delhi, July 18 : The Union government on Monday blamed Pakistan for the violence in the Kashmir valley since the July 8 killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani and refuted the charges of use of excessive force on protesting civilians.

A short duration discussion on the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, the first day of the Monsoon Session, saw opposition parties blaming the government for "mishandling the situation".

As the government was blamed for using too much force, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh insisted that, on the contrary, security forces had been asked to use maximum restraint and the least force.

Singh, as well as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, blamed Pakistan for the situation, and said Islamabad has never reconciled to Jammu and Kashmir being part of India.

The Home Minister, responding to a nearly four-hour-long discussion, said he particularly instructed the chiefs of security forces, including the CRPF and BSF, to "use as little force as possible".

While asserting that the government had sensitivity towards the people, the Home Minister said: "If someone celebrates after security force personnel are killed, will that be called humanity?"

"We will be tough on militants and have sensitivity towards the people," he said.

Singh clearly blamed Pakistan for the situation that has claimed several civilian lives and injured over a thousand.

"Whatever is happening is being done by Pakistan. It is called Pakistan but its actions are impure. They are interfering in our internal matters," he said.

A similar pitch was made by Jaitley, who said: "Pakistan never reconciled to the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India."

As Leader of Opposition in the house Ghulam Nabi Azad lashed out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), calling the party as a "misfit" for Jammu and Kashmir, Jaitley said Pakistan, and not the ruling PDP-BJP alliance, was to be blamed for the situation.

"After fighting conventional wars with India, Pakistan realised that it was impossible to defeat it through these, so it adopted the strategy of terrorism," Jaitley said.

Azad, however, blamed the ruling PDP-BJP alliance in Kashmir for the situation.

"It took us (the Congress government) and other governments, 70 years to try and bring peace to Kashmir. We had a healing touch policy towards people but this government makes no difference between treating common people and militants," he said.

"Government should look at people as they look at their own children..but the situation in the hospitals which are full of injured people narrate it all."

"Everyone says Kashmir is ours, no one says Kashmiris are ours. No one says we want Kashmir with Kashmiris," he said.

Irrespective of party affiliations, Rajya Sabha members, however, stressed upon the need to find a solution to the situation, and expressed regret over the deaths of and injuries to civilians.

Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury also blamed the government for using excessive force.

"Our sympathy is with the youth who were killed. The number of deaths shows excessive force was used. There are many who have lost sight. Use of pellets is totally wrong. You are sending more companies, but they need doctors, heath care," he said.

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien also blamed the government for mishandling the situation.

"I think the most appropriate expression we want to use is the Union Government mishandled the situation," he said.

Janata Dal-United leader Sharad Yadav urged the government to find a political solution to the situation, while AIADMK member Vijila Satyanand said Kashmir was an integral part of India and government needs to instill confidence in the people.

The July 8 killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani triggered a wave of violence and clashes across the valley that has left over 40 dead.
Lucknow, July 18 : The Congress state unit on Monday accused the Samajwadi Party government of turning a 'blind eye' to the sale of illicit liquor in the state and demanded a judicial probe into last week's hooch tragedy in Etah district.

Newly appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress President Raj Babbar said it was most unfortunate that many deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor had occurred during the Akhilesh Yadav government's rule.

"Hundreds of people have died after consuming spurious liquor but nobody in the state government seems to be bothered," Babbar said.

As many as 28 persons have died after the consumption of spurious liquor in Jouhari Darwaza under Aliganj circle in Etah. The victims had consumed the liquor late Friday night.

Demanding a judicial probe into the hooch tragedy, the Congress leader said a thorough probe will expose the nexus behind the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor in the state.

The party also demanded adequate compensation for the affected families.

Even as such tragedies were occurring, the Chief Minister and other Samajwadi Party leaders were busy trying to figure out ways to return to power in the 2017 assembly elections, the yesteryears actor said.
Srinagar/New Delhi, July 18 : Amid a continuing curfew and media lockdown, the Kashmir Valley on Monday stayed calm barring a few stray incidents of stone throwing at security forces as India squarely blamed Pakistan for the unrest that has claimed over 40 lives in the past over 10 days.

Curfew remained in place all across the valley, hitting normal life for the 11th day. Shops, businesses, banks, private and government offices remained closed. People complained of severe hardships due to the security restrictions and separatist-called shutdown.

In New Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament refuted the charges of use of excessive force on protesting civilians and stressed that on the contrary, the security forces had been asked to use maximum restraint and the least force.

Singh, as well as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, blamed Pakistan for the situation in Kashmir, and said Islamabad has never reconciled to Jammu and Kashmir being part of India.

The Home Minister, responding to a nearly four-hour-long discussion, said he particularly instructed the chiefs of security forces, including the CRPF and BSF, to "use as little force as possible".

"We will be tough on militants and have sensitivity towards the people," he said.

Jaitley refuted Congress' charge that the state government had mishandled or failed to handle the bloody unrest triggered by the July 8 killing of 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, the social-media-savvy poster boy of new age militancy in Kashmir.

"To think that because BJP-PDP coalition is ruling there and that's why there is this problem, is not correct," Jaitley said in the Rajya Sabha, replying to opposition charges.

"Pakistan never reconciled the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India," he said, adding it would be wrong to think that the situation deteriorated because of anything else, but Pakistan supporting terrorism in the violence-ravaged state.

The Finance Minister said that in Jammu and Kashmir it was the battle between the country and Pakistan-sponsored separatist forces.

"The battle in Jammu and Kashmir is between the separatists and the country. In the fight against separatism, people of Kashmir are with the country."

As the opposition decried the state and central governments' role in handling the situation, the media ban continued and no newspapers were published for the third day on Monday. The gag is expected to continue on Tuesday.

The information blackout has led to very little being reported from parts of the valley, particularly from south Kashmir which has been the worst hit in the turmoil. Most of the 40 deaths have occurred in this region.

Authorities have imposed a blanket ban on newspapers, asking their editors and owners not to publish till July 19. Journalists fear that the ban may be extended till there is some "semblance" of normalcy on Kashmir streets.

All mobile phone services, including internet and call facilities, have been snapped across the valley. Limited call facility continued on post-paid cell phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

A policeman told IANS here that except for some stone throwing incidents calm prevailed all over the valley on Monday.

One such protest erupted in Khrew area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district where at least five people were injured. One of the wounded is said to be critical.

Earlier, a ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker was seriously injured when his vehicle met with an accident following an alleged mob attack, also in Pulwama.

Mohammed Khalil Bandh was travelling from his home in Pulwama to Srinagar "in the dead of the night" when the accident occurred, a police spokesperson told IANS here, adding that there was "some confusion" about the incident.

People, who have been restricted to their homes due to the curfew and shutdown, complained of severe hardships. They say they have not been able to buy and stock essentials due to incessant restrictions.

Closure of the strategic Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for over a week has caused shortage of essential items. All supplies of essentials items are routed into the landlocked valley through this highway -- the only road link that connects Kashmir with the rest of India.

Train services between Baramulla town in the valley and Banihal town in the Jammu region also remained suspended for the 11th day on Monday.

Separatist leaders continue to remain under house arrest and preventive detention in summer capital Srinagar.

The central government has rushed another 20 companies of paramilitary forces to assist the state in quelling the street unrest.
MASON CITY  Four finalists for Mason City fire chief share a diverse background in firefighting and emergency response.

The final selection will take the helm vacated when former Mason City Fire Chief Bob Platts retired June 30.

The four candidates are: Des Moines Fire Capt. Mark Dooley; Lincoln Park, Michigan, Fire Chief Al Dyer, Jr.; Mason City Fire Department Deputy Chief David Johnson; and Mason City Fire Department Capt. Jared Ogbourne.

A panel consisting of fire chiefs from Waukee, Ankeny and Oelwein interviewed the group on Tuesday. Each finalist also completed a written test and gave a presentation.

City officials hope to fill the position by early August.

A Globe Gazette reporter spoke with the candidates Tuesday afternoon about their qualifications, why theyre interested in the job and what they hope to bring to the community.

Mark Dooley, 46

Position: Captain in Fire Prevention section and public information officer, Des Moines Fire Department

Additional experience: Twenty-two years with Des Moines Fire Department. Associate professor at Des Moines Area Community College and an adjunct with the Iowa Fire Service Training Bureau in Des Moines.

Why Mason City? Beautiful community. Its rich in tradition, deep in history. All-career department since 1909.  Theres lots of great opportunities. The stability of the community is something that really attracted me. The department directors have served for a long time and so that is something, too, that you look at.

What do you bring? The engineering and community development. We have explosive growth in Des Moines, so Im available for making sure that the growth makes all of our buildings sustainable and safe environments for the community and for firefighters.

Al Dyer, Jr., 45





Position: Fire chief, fire marshal and director of emergency management at the Lincoln Park, Michigan, Fire Department.

Current department: Chief ofhe 18-member department, which runs approximately 6,000 fire and medical calls annually in the city of approximately 35,000 in southeast Michigan.

Why Mason City? Growth. No. 1 reason would simply be there is an immense opportunity here not only for growth of the Fire Department, but growth of the city. I think those two would go hand-in-hand. Its a very simple thing to say, because as the city gets bigger, it gets more populated, more businesses, more buildings  you actually need to grow your department to size.

About yourself: Im really laid back, easy going. Doesnt mean I dont take my job seriously, just means I have a very cool demeanor.

David Johnson, 52





Position: Deputy chief, Mason City Fire Department.

Experience: 33 years in fire service in Charles City and Mason City. Promoted to deputy chief in Mason City in 2010.

Biggest challenge facing MCFD? Johnson would review how the department handles EMS calls, a service it took over in 2004. We just need to take the opportunity. Its been 12 years down the road (since the department began providing ambulance service), to look at all the processes that are involved with the Fire Department and make sure that everythings running efficiently.

Why chief? My resume supports advancement and its just kind of a natural progression from deputy chief to chief. Ive been here and Im already kind of in the mix, so I think it would be a fairly seamless transition.

Jared Ogbourne, 41





Position: Captain, Mason City Fire Department

Experience: Captain in Mason City since 2011. Twenty years in fire service.

Biggest challenge facing MCFD? EMS. Obviously we got into EMS in 2004 knowing that it was going to be a large challenge and it continues to be a challenge.  With that large of a response area (750 square miles), that creates lots of challenges for us staffing-wise, long turnaround times, long transport times. It creates lots of problems that we have to deal with on a daily basis.

About yourself: My grandpa was a fire chief, my dad was a fire chief (both) in a volunteer department in southern Iowa (Osceola), so I grew up in a fire station. Since Ive walked Ive been in a fire station.
Berlin, July 19 : A hand-painted flag of the Islamic State terror group was found in the room of a 17-year-old Afghan refugee who attacked passengers on a German train with a axe, injuring at least four people, officials said.

The teenager reportedly shouted "Allahu Akbar" before injuring four travellers from Hong Kong on Monday evening on a train that runs between Treuchlingen and Wuerzburg. He was shot dead by police as he fled.

An eye witness said the train carriage "looked like a slaughterhouse".

Two of those injured are in critical condition, BBC reported.

The attack comes days after the IS claimed that the truck driver who ploughed through a Bastille Day crowd in Nice, France, killing 84 people and injuring over 200, was a "follower".

Joachim Herrmann, the Interior Minister of the state of Bavaria, said the IS flag was found among the teenager's belongings in his room in Ochsenfurt town.

Herrmann said it was too early to say whether the attacker was a member of the IS group or had become self radicalised.

The teenager, who claimed asylum after travelling to Germany as an unaccompanied minor, was living with the foster family since moving from a refugee centre.

Last year Germany registered more than one million migrants, including more than 150,000 Afghans, although the number has slowed dramatically this year since new EU measures were taken to stop the flow.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying condemned the attack and expressed his sympathy to the victims. Immigration officials from the city will accompany family members to Germany.
New Delhi, July 19 : The Ministry of Finance on Tuesday announced the much-awaited capital infusion of Rs 22,915 crore towards the recapitalisation of 13 public sector banks during 2016-17.

The largest amount of Rs 7,575 crore was earmarked for the country's largest lender, the State Bank of India.

"In line with the announcements made under 'Indradhanush' and the Union Budget, the government has undertaken an exercise to assess the capitalisation needs of public sector banks during 2016-17," a ministry statement said.

"The capital infusion exercise for the current year is based on an assessment of need as calculated from the compounded annual growth rate of credit for the last five years, banks' projections of credit growth and an objective assessment of the growth potential of each public sector bank."

Following this assessment, 75 per cent of the amount collected for each bank is being released now to provide liquidity support for lending operations as also to enable banks to raise funds from the market.

The remaining amount, to be released later, is linked to performance, with particular reference to greater efficiency, growth of both credit and deposits and reduction in the cost of operations, the ministry said.

Among others, Indian Overseas Bank will get Rs 3,101 crore, Punjab National Bank Rs 2,816 crore, Bank of India Rs 1,784 crore, Central Bank of India Rs 1,729 crore and Syndicate Bank Rs 1,034 crore.

The 'Indradhanush' scheme was announced on the eve of the Independence Day in 2015, covering seven areas -- appointments, setting up of a Bank Board Bureau, capitalisation of banks, de-stressing their assets, empowerment, accountability and governance reforms.

The preparations for the first tranche of capital infusion for this fiscal began soon after the state-run banks made presentations to the Finance Ministry on their balance sheets, especially the extent of stressed assets and measures being taken to recover them, officials said.

In his Budget speech this year, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that while the problem of stressed assets and bad loans was a "legacy of the past", the structural issues were already being addressed.

This was because a large portion of bad and doubtful debts were on account of the stress in sectors like power, coal, highways, sugar and steel. He, accordingly, promised adequate infusion of funds.

"To support the banks in these efforts as well as to support credit growth, I have proposed an allocation of Rs 25,000 crore in 2016-17 towards recapitalisation of public sector banks," Jaitley said.

"If additional capital is required by these banks, we will find the resources for doing so," he added. "We stand solidly behind these banks."

In fact, in anticipation of such capital infusion, as also because of the steps being taken by the banks to tackle the debt issue, banking stocks have been on the rise in recent weeks.

Since June 1, the banking index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, in fact, has risen nearly 10 per cent. Some stocks, like those of Punjab National Bank, have flared up by over 50 per cent during the period.

Box: Capital Infusion in Banks 01. Allahabad Bank Rs 44 crore 02. Bank of India Rs 1,784 crore 03. Canara Bank Rs 997 crore 04. Central Bank of India Rs 1,729 crore 05. Corporation Bank Rs 677 crore 06. Dena Bank Rs 594 crore 07. Indian Overseas Bank Rs 3,101 crore 08. Punjab National Bank Rs 2,816 crore 09. State Bank of India Rs 7,575 crore 10. Syndicate Bank Rs 1,034 crore 11. UCO Bank Rs 1,033 crore 12. Union Bank of India Rs 721 crore 13. United Bank of India Rs 810 crore
Kochi, July 19 : Senior advocate M.K. Damodaran is not to take up the assignment of advisor to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the government told the Kerala High Court on Tuesday.

This was pointed out by Ranjith Thampan, Additional Advocate General, in the Kerala High Court to a petition filed by state BJP president Kummanem Rajasekheran questioning the rationale behind Damodaran's appointment at a time when the Advocate General, a Constitutional authority, was already there for the Chief Minister to seek legal advice from.

Damodaran's reported appointment as the Chief Minister's legal advisor came under heavy attack from the Congress-led United Democratic Front and the BJP, even when it was pointed out that it was an honorary post with no salary.

"My prayer in the petition was to cancel the order appointing Damodaran as the legal advisor," said Rajasekheran to reporters.

The court took a different position and said that there is nothing that bars Damodaran from giving legal advice to the Chief Minister, and pointed out that though it has been brought to the notice that he is not taking up the post, the case will go forward. It has been posted for Thursday.

The matter erupted into a major controversy when it was known that Damodaran would be the counsel for lottery king, Santiago Martin in a case filed by the Enforcement Department. Martin has cheating cases filed against him by the state government. Damodaran was also seen appearing for quarry owners, where the state was the opposite party.

The Communist Party of India (CPI), the second biggest ally in the ruling Left Democratic Front, also was unhappy over Damodaran's appointment. But it maintained a stoic silence knowing that any public stand taken by it on the issue would invite Vijayan's wrath, who reigns supreme in the government.
Berlin, July 19 : An Afghan refugee ran amok with an axe on a train in northern Bavaria, in Germany, seriously injuring at least five people and leaving the train carriage looking like a slaughter house, officials said on Tuesday. The Islamic State militant group claimed the late Monday night terror attack.

The Afghan refugee was one of the fighters of the Islamic State group, the IS-linked Amaq news agency reported even as investigators were probing if he was recently radicalised.

The teenager carried out the late Monday night attack "in response to calls for attacking the countries which are members of the US-led coalition fighting against the IS", Efe news cited the agency as saying in a statement.

Four of the victims were in critical condition, German officials said.

An eye witness said the train carriage "looked like a slaughterhouse".

The attacker, who arrived without his parents to Germany about two years ago and was staying with a family in Ochsenfurt, was shot dead by police as he fled.

German police said it were investigating whether the 17-year-old man was motivated by religious extremism as he shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) during the assault and later a hand-painted IS flag was found in his room.

People in contact with the suspect in recent months said the attack was "totally incomprehensible", and that he was a believer but did not appear "radical" or "fanatical".

According to them, the suspect went to the mosque on certain days, but not every week.
Cleveland, July 20 : Manhattan real estate mogul Donald Trump was officially crowned as the 2016 Republican Presidential nominee at the party's convention on Tuesday after a roll call vote overshadowed by dissent and apathy.

Trump sailed to the 1,237-delegate threshold, with his home state of New York putting him over the top, Politico reported.

After winning the nomination, Trump tweeted: "Such a great honor to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. I will work hard and never let you down! AMERICA FIRST!"

A giant image of the nominee was beamed into the arena, live via satellite link from Trump Tower in New York City.

"Together we have received historic results, with the largest vote total in the history of the Republican party. This is a movement and we have to go all the way," Trump said.

In the three-minute address, Trump anticipated his big convention speech, rattling through a list of policies such as strengthening the border, "getting rid" of the Islamic State, and "restoring law and order".

"I'll be discussing all that on Thursday night," he said. "But together, most importantly, we're going to make America great again."

The results were declared on the second day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) here after Trump's son, Donald Trump Junior, announced the 89 delegates that formally clinched the nomination.

"It is my honour to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight with 89 delegates," Donald Junior said, surrounded by three of Trump's other children -- Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany.

Donald Junior was tearing up when he told CNN that putting his father over the top was "one of the more surreal moments of my life other perhaps than the birth of my children. To be able to do that is historic, its awesome."

Trump is scheduled to address the convention via remote from New York on Wednesday evening.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence was also formally nominated on Tuesday night as the Republican Party's choice for Vice President.

The effort to nominate Texas Senator Ted Cruz late on Tuesday afternoon had no chance of success since most of the delegates won by Trump in his Grand Old Party (GOP) nominating victory were bound to vote for him in the roll call under the rules of the Republican primary process.

Cruz's inner circle had adamantly opposed any attempt to involve him in last minute convention floor intrigue, a senior adviser to the Texas senator told CNN.

Trump's name was put into the nomination by Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, an early supporter of the businessman, and was seconded by fellow early supporters New York Representative Chris Collins and South Carolina Lt Governor Henry McMaster.

The business magnate's official nomination is a new apex in the political outsider's campaign to shake up Washington.

His White House bid began last June with a widely panned, rambling speech in which he blasted Mexicans as "rapists" and pledged to build a wall on the southern border that Mexico will pay for, Politico noted.

Trump's campaign has seemingly endured strife almost daily since its inception.

Republican leaders were slow to back his campaign and have continued to condemn his controversial rhetoric and actions. But his message has resonated with an overwhelming number of voters who have propelled him atop the Party.

Particularly outraged with the result was the Washington, D.C., delegation, which held its convention in March and attempted to award 10 votes to former hopefuls Marco Rubio and nine to John Kasich. But convention officials announced the rules merit Trump be award all 19 delegates from the nation's capital, NBC News reported.

"This is an outrage, and this is a reason the Republican Party is turning off a lot of voters," a Kasich delegate from Washington D.C. told MSNBC.

After Trump had clinched the nomination, the Alaskan delegation contested how its vote total was recorded. They originally requested 12 votes go to Ted Cruz, 11 to Trump and five to Rubio, but the RNC recorded all 28 votes to Trump.

However, the appeal was unsuccessful because, RNC Chair Reince Priebus said, all the votes went to Trump because Rubio and Cruz suspended their campaigns.

Trump was declared the "presumptive nominee" on May 3 following his decisive victory in Indiana, which ultimately vanquished Cruz and Kasich from the primary and he entered the convention with 1,543 delegates.

The official nomination followed a rocky first day start of the RNC, the biggest backlash being Trump's wife Melania speech being compared to the one Michelle Obama gave during the 2008 Democratic Convention.

Donald Trump is expected to formally accept the nomination during his prime-time speech on Thursday.
Dublin, July 20 : The Irish High Court on Tuesday allowed the US government to take part in a case against Facebook on data transfer from Europe to the US.

Max Schrems, an Austrian law student and privacy activist, brought the case questioning whether Facebook data was protected properly, CNET reported.

"The fact that the US government intervenes in this lawsuit, shows that we hit them from a relevant angle," Schrems said in a statement.

"The US can largely ignore the political critique on US mass surveillance, but it cannot ignore the economic relevance of European Union (EU)-US data flows," CNET quoted Schrems as saying.

The court's decision will allow the US government to defend its legislation before the European Court of Justice.

"The US has a significant and bonafide interest in the outcome of these proceedings", High Court Judge Brian McGovern was quoted as saying.

The EU law allows data transfers if Facebook can guarantee the information is protected from mass surveillance programmes.

McGovern added that the imposition of restrictions on the transfer of such data could affect US companies significantly.

The court's decision comes after the European Commission recently launched Privacy Shield - a new data protection agreement with the US.
United Nations, July 20 : India has hit out at the "subterranean" cover given to terrorists at the UN by China which has vetoed action against Pakistan-based masterminds of attacks on India, and demanded reforming the process of imposing sanctions on terrorists and their protectors.

Deriding the Security Council committees that deal with sanctions as a "subterranean universe" because of their secrecy, India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin on Tuesday called for opening up their voting so that those vetoing action against terrorists are made to publicly acknowledge their role.

Speaking at a Security Council debate on it working methods, he diplomatically avoided naming China but it was clear his criticism was directed at Beijing that has used the secrecy of the sanctions committee, which is one of the so-called subsidiary bodies of the Council to veto action against Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohamed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and against Islamabad for freeing Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

"When a Council resolution is voted upon all of us know who votes for what and member states explain their positions," Akbaruddin said, adding "However, in the subterranean world of subsidiary bodies there is no explanation given. No one says what is the rationale."

"Furthermore, a rejection does not even surface in the public space," he added. "No one indicates who specifically is not supporting a request. Indeed, proposals that can't make it are buried without public acknowledgment that they were ever considered."

While vetoes in the sanctions committee were ultimately leaked - as in the case of Beijing providing cover for Pakistan-based terrorists - the absence of a public record of the decision-making allows countries to avoid taking responsibility for their action.

Akbaruddin also criticised another aspect the decision-making system of the sanctions committee, where rulings have to be unanimous unlike in the Councila, where only the permanent members wield vetoes.

"While the trend now is to consider means to curtail the use of the veto in the Council's own work," he said, acein the subterranean universe all Council members have extended vetoes to themselves as members of Sanctions Committees."

"The adoption of principles of anonymity and unanimity has absolved individual members of accountability," he asserted.

When India asked the sanctions committee to add Azhar, the mastermind of the January attack on Pathankot air force base in its list of terrorists, China vetoed it even though all the other 14 members supported taking action. If the panel, popularly known as the 1267 committee after the Council's resolution number setting it up, had acted Pakistan and other countries would have been required to freeze his assets and ban his travel.

Last June, China also blocked India's demand for taking action under the Council's anti-terrorism resolutions against Pakistan for freeing Lakhvi, the Lashkar-e-Taiba mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people were killed.

Turning to another crucial area of interest to India, which is historically the largest provider of troops to UN peacekeeping operations, Akbaruddin called for regular and inclusive consultations between the Council, the Secretariat and the troop contributors.

The lack of such dialogues has "generated frustration on all sides and underminedathe implementation of mandates", he said citing the case of South Sudan where more than 2,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed.

As conditions have worsened in the civil war-torn country, Akbaruddin said, "there has been talk and suggestions about increasing the number of troops; of possible expansion of mandate; deployment of a rapid action brigade; measures for protection of civilians; and calls for an arms embargo."

But "at no stage have there been efforts at institutionalised consultations" with troop contributors, he said.
Chennai, July 20 : The makers of superstar Rajinikanth-starrer "Kabali", which is slated for release on Friday, have clarified that the film has not leaked online, contrary to some reports.

On Tuesday, reports surfaced online that "Kabali" had leaked even before release.

"These are just baseless rumours circulated for fun. There's no truth in reports that 'Kabali' has leaked online. Producer Kalaipuli S. Thanu plans to officially address the matter via a statement," a source from the film's unit told IANS.

Rajinikanth's fans were shocked to find reports which claimed that nearly 30 minutes of the film were leaked online.

Directed by Pa. Ranjith, the film also stars Radhika Apte, Dhansikaa, Dinesh, Kalaiarasan and Ritwika and Winston Chao among others.

In "Kabali", Rajinikanth plays a don who fights for equal pay rights for Tamils in Malaysia.
Kolkata, July 20 : West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday condemned the thrashing of Dalit youths in Gujarat's Una and demanded the centre to ensure protection of Dalits.

"Incident in Una is organised crime against Dalits. This is unacceptable. I urge the Central government to treat Dalits with care and give them full protection," said Banerjee.

The Trinamool also raised the matter in parliament seeking a discussion on the matter.

Gujarat's Saurashtra has been on the boil since the last week's assault on a group of Dalits by a vigilante cow protection group in Una for allegedly killing a cow.
New Delhi, July 20 : Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday condemning the atrocities against Dalits and minorities said that the party will raise the Una issue in Parliament, where a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday.

Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting here, Sonia Gandhi also said that recent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir were tragic and it required introspection as to what had driven scores of youth to such levels of anger, protest and violence.

"We will raise Una incident issue in Parliament. The government has snatched rights of Adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under Forest Rights Act and weakening environment rights," she said.

"Brutal atrocities against SC, ST and minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all," she added.

A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests against last week's thrashing of four youth in Una town snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat on Tuesday.

The Dalit who died during the day was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.

Speaking on the Kashmir issue, Gandhi said: "Recent events in valley are tragic and pose grave challenge to country. The militants must be dealt with firmly. Yet, we must introspect as to what has driven scores of youth to such levels of anger and protest,even violence."

Curfew imposed by the authorities and a protest shutdown called by separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day on Wednesday.

All normal activities of life have been paralysed by the ongoing cycle of violence that has claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen.
MASON CITY  The Mason City School District is considering adding air conditioning at two of its elementary buildings.

School Board members this week discussed the potential project for Hoover and Jefferson elementaries, the remaining district buildings without air conditioning.

A facility committee identified the project as one of two priorities in the districts master plan, Interim Superintendent Mike Penca said. The second would be adding an auxiliary gym at the high school in the future, offering space for fitness and a weight room.

If approved by the School Board, Penca said, the goal is to add the system next summer with it being operational for the 2017-18 school year.

Looking at the third-grade retention law, we need to prepare for buildings to be used in June, July and August, he said Wednesday at Roosevelt Elementary, where summer school is in session.

The third-grade retention law deals with summer school to improve reading proficiency.

No cost estimate is available, Penca said, since the potential project is in the preliminary stages. It would likely be financed by funds designated for school infrastructure updates.
Mumbai, July 20 : Filmmaker Nishikant Kamat, whose film "Madaari" about a common man's plight in the country, will release on Friday, says he will next work on a romantic movie.

"My next film is a romantic one. I want to reinvent myself, so I am taking break for six months. I have not even taken a Sunday off in the last few years, so I need to slow down. So, right now it's a sabbatical for me and then I will start with my romantic film," Kamat told IANS.

As a director, Kamat has worked on films like "Mumbai Meri Jaan", "Drishyam", "Dombivali Fast" and "Force". He says he has unfortunately not made a film from a woman's point of view.

Asked why all his films have been from a male's point of view, he said: "During my theatre days, I have done all women-centric themes. I will make a women-centric film in future because I know this is one question even I have asked myself.

"Probably I didn't get the right script... It was such an honour to work with Tabu in 'Drishyam', but you need a substantial role for an actor of her calibre."

"Madaari" features Irrfan Khan as the protagonist.
New Delhi, July 20 : The Rajya Sabha faced numerous disruptions on Wednesday as opposition members demanded a debate on atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat's Una town, where protests have continued with one Dalit committing suicide.

The Dalit who killed himself on Tuesday was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.

The upper house faced several adjournments through the day, even as Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot gave clarifications, and later Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tried to pacify the opposition by stating that a debate on the issue would be taken up on Thursday.

As soon as the house met, opposition members from various parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Trinamool Congress, and the Congress raised the issue and said they had submitted notices for a debate.

Even as Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien was scrutinising the notices, agitated opposition members trooped near the chairman's podium, raising slogans against the government.

Following this, the house was first adjourned for ten minutes.

When the house reassembled, Minister Gehlot said that the Gujarat government has taken action against the culprits.

Amid sloganeering and protests from opposition, Gehlot said: "An FIR has been registered and action has also been taken under the act for atrocities against Dalits. Government is also providing financial assistance to the Dalit families."

The minister said probe was ordered into the incident, and the report will come in two months.

He expressed regret at the death of the Dalit who consumed poison.

"Some people consumed poison and one of them died. This is sad. They will also be provided financial help," Gehlot said.

The minister, however, added that the issue should not be "politicised".

An unrelenting opposition, however, continued to raise slogans, standing near the chairman's podium, following which Kurien adjourned the house till 12 noon.

When the house met for question hour at noon, the scene was the same, forcing Chairman Hamid Ansari to adjourn the house first till 12.31, and then till 2 p.m.

The scene was no different post-lunch either.

As opposition members agitated, Naqvi said a short duration discussion on the issue will be taken up on Thursday.

"There will be a discussion on the matters related to Dalits across the country tomorrow. It is not right to create a ruckus when the issue is going to be debated," Naqvi said.

He also attacked opposition members for raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"You are saying Prime Minister should quit... he did not become the Prime Minister because of you, he became the Prime Minister by the mandate of people," he said.

Naqvi also said the compulsory afforestation bill which was listed for discussion was in favour of the Dalits and the Scheduled Tribes.

Kurien made several attempts to pacify the members, but the protests continued, forcing the adjournment of the house till 2.30 p.m., and then till 3 p.m.
New Delhi, July 20 : The Delhi government on Wednesday ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged suicide of a female Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has asked North Delhi's district magistrate to investigate the matter.

"Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry," Sisodia tweeted.

Police said that the female worker, identified as Soni, committed suicide on Tuesday after a molestor she had complained against and who is also a party member, was released on bail.

"She had made a police complaint on June 2, about one of her party collegue Ramesh Wadhwa for harassing her. We registered a case against him and arrested him on June 3. He was granted bail on June 4," a police officer said.

In her police complaint, Soni has alleged Wadhwa for harassing her continuously and asking for sexual favours. She even raised the matter in the party but no action was taken against him.
New Delhi, July 20 : The Congress and other opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress, on Wednesday tried to corner the government over the ongoing violence against Dalits at Una in Gujarat.

Members, including Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge, tried to raise the issue more than once. However, as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called for taking up the question hour, opposition members rushed to the well of the house.

Among others, Congress members, including Sushmita Dev and Deepender Singh Hooda, and members also from Left parties raised slogans like "Pradhan mantri jawab do" (Prime Minister must answer)".

Among Trinamool Congress members, Kalyan Banerjee, Prasun Banerjee and Saugata Roy were seen raising slogans even as their party colleague Sugata Bose wanted to put supplementary questions to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members, including floor leader B. Mahtab, were also up on their feet.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, making a statement during zero hour, termed as "unfortunate" the attack on Dalits at Una on July 11.

Condemning the attacks, he said Gujarat Police had acted swiftly and nine people have been arrested so far.

Lauding the role of the BJP government after the incident, he said the state government is also trying to set up a special court for speed trial of the case.

"But the state needs to take the permission from the high court in this connection," Rajnath added.
New Delhi, July 20 : External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday asserted that India's inability at Seoul to get membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was not a "failure" and that the country is continuing to engage with China to enlist its support for the same.

"China did create procedural hurdles. I am stating this again. They said NSG membership could not be given to non-Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) countries. But our engagement with China is continuing," Swaraj informed the Lok Sabha during question hour.

Answering supplementaries, including from Trinamool Congress member Sugata Bose, the minister said: "Just because China has said no once, we cannot leave it at that. In this parliament also, Congress is opposing Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill which all other parties have agreed. We will continue to try to persuade them. Similarly, we will try with China also."

The minister denied that the government had created a "hype" over India's attempts for NSG membership this year.

"It was a low-key affair when we applied for the NSG membership in May. It was only in later stage that we made all sincere attempts. These attempts should not be called a hype," she said answering to Sugata Bose's contention that the government had created a "hype" over the NSG membership.

Jadavpur MP Bose maintained "while there is no shame to aim achieving something high," he had reservations over the manner in which the government pursued its attempts.

He particularly expressed concern on the "strains" in relations between India and China.

To another question, Swaraj said India will "never" sign the NPT but would respect the mandate. "Some credit for this should go to the previous government (UPA) also," she said.

To a supplementary from Nationalist Congress Party member Supriya Sule, the External Affairs Minister said: "One principal difference between the waiver India got in 2008 and NSG membership now is like sitting at a verandah of a building and walking inside a room".

Amid thumping of desks by BJP members, Swaraj said: "One major benefit of NSG membership will be India's ability to participate in decision making for the NSG."

While Swaraj was making the statement, Congress members rushed to the well and raised slogans demanding answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the violence against Dalits at Una in Gujarat.
Chennai, July 20 : Make hay while Rajinikanth shines! This seems to be the mantra for theatre owners who are making a killing by selling "Kabali" tickets at exorbitant prices -- much to the disappointment of hardcore superstar fans.

With "Kabali" slated to release in over 4,000 screens worldwide on Friday, the demand for its tickets is unprecedented.

"Most theatres across the state (Tamil Nadu) have sold out tickets for the opening weekend. With the average ticket costing Rs 600, most ardent Rajinikanth fans are disappointed that they couldn't afford the tickets on the first day," trade analyst Trinath told IANS.

Despite Tamil Nadu government's cap of Rs 120 on movie tickets, theatre owners have been selling "Kabali" tickets at five times higher than the original price.

"We are used to paying Rs 120 for movie tickets. But this sudden exponential increase in ticket price is very unfair. The prices vary according to the show timings. Early morning shows are sold at Rs 500-600 and the prices are slashed through the course of the day," rues Santhosh Kumar, a second year college student.

Some fans are seething over unavailability of tickets because they were allegedly sold in bulk to corporates.

"We don't have issues with the ticket prices. It's once in two or three years, you get a Thalaivar (Rajinikanth's) film. If you can't shell out Rs 1,000 for your matinee idol, then what kind of a fan are you," asks Muralikrishna, a chartered accountant.

Although most theatres give preference to fan club members, this year they seem to have favoured companies.

"Across major multiplexes, tickets on the first day were booked by corporates. Some of these companies booked in bulk even before the online booking started. I somehow managed to get a ticket through a friend.

"But when I tried to book five tickets for my family just minutes after online bookings opened, it didn't even go through," said Muralikrishna.

A theatre owner, on condition of anonymity, said the tickets were being sold at such high prices because of the high investment involved.

"The Chengalpet area rights of 'Kabali' were bought for a whopping Rs 18 crore. In order to make profits, the film should collect over Rs 30 crore. If the tickets are sold at Rs 120, it's impossible to recover the investment in the first few days," he said, and added that the opening weekend is very crucial for big-ticket films.

"The opening weekend is very important to recover as much as investment as possible. In the case of a Rajinikanth-starrer, only when you sell tickets at Rs 400-500, will you be able to see profits, provided the film opens to positive word-of-mouth.

"Despite taking in over Rs 100 crore, Rajinikanth's 'Lingaa' turned out to be a dud because of the high investment involved," he explained.

Directed by Pa. Ranjith, "Kabali" also stars Radhika Apte, Dinesh, Dhansikaa, Kalaiarasan, Kishore, John Vijay, Ritwika and Winston Chao, among others.

In the US, tickets for "Kabali" premiere on Thursday are priced at $25, as opposed to $14 or $15 for regular releases.

"As an Indian, when I start converting the ticket price into Indian money, it gives me a heart attack. But you don't get to see two or three Rajinikanth releases in a year. I think it's worth it for the euphoria his films bring," Madhusudhan, who has been living in New York for over a decade, told IANS.

(Haricharan Pudipeddi can be contacted at haricharan.p@ians.in)
Mumbai, July 20 : Filmmaker Anil Sharma, who has worked with stars like Dharmendra and Sunny Deol, is ready to launch his son Utkarsh in filmdom with "Genius". He says that while his son has the calibre to be successful, stardom is a tough feat to achieve.

"I think that to be a star, you need at least 10 to 15 hit films behind you. It's not easy to become a star. It's a long journey and I feel Utkarsh has the calibre to pull a film on his shoulders. If the script is right, nothing can go wrong," Anil told IANS.

"Utkarsh has always been a very sharp student. Besides, he did his direction and acting course from Los Angeles. He is a brilliant child and he is very focused with his work," he added.

Utkarsh worked as a child artiste in his father's directorial "Gadar: Ek Prem Katha". He essayed the son of characters played by Sunny and Ameesha Patel.

Talking about "Genius", Anil said: "This script has an unusual subject. I have been working on this script for the last two years. The film is set in today's time and it's not a period drama.

"I can't reveal much about the film right now. It's a very young and youthful film."

"Genius" will go on floors from November.
London, July 20 : British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday said the UK will not take up its six-month presidency of the European Council in 2017.

In the first concrete signs of the country's preparations to leave the European Union (EU)c, May told the current council President Donald Tusk during a phone call that the UK would relinquish the role, Sky News reported.

The council is the body that sets the priorities and general direction of the EU and it is made up of the heads of state from each of the 27-member nations.

However, May told Tusk that because of the Brexit vote it would be inappropriate for the UK to take its turn.

A Downing Street spokesman said the Prime Minister told Tusk that she thought it was "the right thing to do given we will be very busy with negotiations to leave the EU", Sky News said.

The call was May's first conversation with Tusk since she became the Prime Minister earlier this month and the European Council president welcomed her quick decision on the issue.

The spokesman said that Tusk asked May for a "velvet divorce".

The Prime Minister travels to Germany later in the day for what she has described as frank and open talks with her counterpart Angela Merkel.

Speaking ahead of the trip she said she was "determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the EU" and her visits to Germany and France on Friday was to "forge strong working relationships", Sky News noted.
New Delhi, July 20 : Reigning Commonwealth Games champion grappler Vinesh Phogat has set her goal high -- nothing less than a gold at the upcoming Rio Olympics will quench her thirst.

Coming from a Haryanvi family of wrestlers, this youngster aspires to become a "sporting heroine" in the country, which she feels will inspire another generation of grapplers to take up the ancient sport.

The 21-year-old was beaming with confidence after returning from a training camp in Spain earlier this week.

"The target is nothing less than a gold at Rio. Like the other wrestlers, I also have two hands and legs, so why will I be intimidated?" she asked IANS rhetorically in an interview.

The training camp in Madrid, she said, was a success. "We got to fight with some of the experienced wrestlers. Also if you look at the weather conditions, it makes a difference," she said.

Vinesh, who was disqualified in the first attempt from the Olympic qualifying event held in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) for weighing 400 grams more than stipulated for the 48kg category event, acknowledged that it takes a lot to reduce.

"It is mentally and physically challenging to reduce weight. Further, it also increases the chance of picking up an injury which I don't want at this point of time," she said. Later she qualified to go to Rio de Janeiro.

Most Indian wrestlers start managing their weight usually three to seven days prior to the weigh-in day. In the run-up to the day, the wrestlers start dehydrating by reducing the intake of fluid and food.

Sweating out with the help of the sauna procedure, wearing rubber suit and aerobic training also help them maintain their weight.

But ask Vinesh about the pressure, and the younsgter says she is unfazed by the expectations.

"I don't want to take undue pressure before such an important tournament. I just want to go there and give my 100 percent on the mat."

Asked about her fiercest rivals, Vinesh said she expects more competition from Asia, but also quipped that she will also be among the toughest as she too hails from the same continent.

"Asian wrestlers are good and tough, but that also includes me, I am also from Asia and no less than anyone of them. There will be pressure on them as well," she said.

Vinesh is excited to have her cousin Babita Kumari accompanying her at the Olympics. Babita will represent India in the 53kg women's freestyle category.

"Babita knows my strengths and weaknesses and vice versa, it really helps us both as we compliment each other and discuss about our games. Moreover, having a homely environment abroad also helps to keep your focus," she said.

(Tridib Baparnash can be contacted at tridib.b@ians.in)
Bengaluru, July 20 : An alert has been sounded in Karnataka's north districts over the rising levels in Krishna river and its tributaries following heavy discharge of water from dams and reservoirs in rain-hit Maharashtra, an official said on Wednesday.

"People, especially those living on the banks of Krishna river and its tributaries like Doodhganga and Hiranyakeshi, have been cautioned against stepping into them, as water levels have been rising since Monday due to heavy inflows from Maharashatra across the border," an official of the state disaster monitoring centre told IANS here.

Incessant and widespread rains in catchment areas of south-eastern Maharashtra over a week forced its authorities to release excess water from Koyana dam and other reservoirs across Krishna that meanders into the state through Vijayapura (Bijapur), Bagalkot, Belagavi, Kalaburgi, Raichur and Yadgir districts.

"Bathing, swimming, fishing, washing of livestock and crossing the river on boats have been banned to avoid being washed away by strong currents and till water level recedes in the river and its tributaries," the official pointed out.

Heavy inflow also forced the state authorities to release 1.25 lakh cusecs of water from Basavasagar reservoir and 70,000 cusecs from Narayanpura dam into Krishna, resulting in flooding of low-laying areas in Yadgir and Raichur districts.

The water level in the Narayanapura dam is one feet less than its full level of 492 metres.

"A hamlet on the other side of Surpur town in Yadgir district has turned into an island and remains cut off with about 300 people stranded as Krishna is in spate after water was released from Basavasagar without alerting the affected," the official said.

Moderate to heavy rains in the catchment areas of coastal, central and northern regions of the state have submerged many roads and bridges, disrupting normal life in Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Ballari, Raichur and Yadgir districts.

Water was also released from Tungabhadra dam at Hosapete in Ballari district on Tuesday for enabling irrigation of farmlands in the kharif season.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 22, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Charles City with Pastor Jane Keel officiating.

Inurnment will take place at 1:30 p.m. at Oak Hill Cemetery in Nashua.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Hauser Funeral Home from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, and will continue one hour prior to the memorial service at the church on Friday.
Shimla, July 20 : Tomato, capsicum, cucumber and cabbage growers in Himachal Pradesh, a prominent veggie bowl of the country, are getting record prices in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi where rainfall remains largely weak, affecting the crop, experts say.

They say the north Indian states, which are yet to receive adequate rains for vegetables to grow in plenty, are currently depending largely on the hill state, pushing the prices of veggies further.

"There is a huge demand for vegetables in the plains. Since the production (in the hills) is optimal and the demand is high in the plains, the farmers are getting record prices," K.R. Tomar, a vegetable trader in the Solan wholesale market, told IANS.

He said a majority of tomato, capsicum, cucumber, French bean, cabbage, coriander and bottle gourd crops are reaching markets in Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, commanding good prices.

He said a 25-kg crate of tomato is fetching between Rs 750 and Rs 850 a box in Solan, while it was around Rs 650 last year.

The price of a crate increases by Rs 250-Rs 350 in the Delhi and Chandigarh wholesale markets.

Tomato is one of the major off-season cash crops grown in the lower and mid-hills of the state. Solan district alone harvests around 175,000 tonnes of tomato, half of the state's overall production.

Farmers in Shimla, Kangra and Solan districts said the damage to the crop due to heavy rainfall and outbreak of diseases is less this monsoon compared to the past.

Government estimates say vegetable cultivation in Himachal, especially off-season, has increased the state's annual production to over 1.4 million tonnes, and taken its annual revenue well over Rs 2,500 crore.

The state is also a major capsicum producer in the region with the bulk of the crop finding markets not only in Chandigarh and Delhi but also as far as Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru.

It's grown in about 1,200 hectares mainly in Solan, Shimla and Sirmaur districts. The state annually produces 100,000 tonnes of the capsicum.

The wholesale price of super quality capsicum was Rs 30 to Rs 35 a kg and retails for Rs 45 to Rs 50 a kg in Chandigarh these days.

The outbreak of buckeye rot fungus disease was minimal this monsoon in the tomato and capsicum crops across the state due to less frequency of excessive showers, Deputy Director (Agriculture) Charanjit Kapoor told IANS.

Charan Dass Verma, a beaming cabbage grower at Jabbarhatti on the outskirts of Shimla, said the crop is abundant this time due to good pre-monsoon showers and less heavy spells of showers during the monsoon.

"Last year most of the cabbage crop was damaged due to inundating of fields with rainwater. This season the monsoon rains are regular but not heavy so far," he said.

He said the wholesale rate of cabbage in Shimla is Rs 30 to Rs 35 a kg, while it is Rs 45 to Rs 50 in Chandigarh and Rs 55 to Rs 60 in Delhi.

Last year, he said, it was less than Rs 10 a kg in the wholesale market during this period.

Likewise, seedless cucumber is retailing at Rs 60 per kg in Chandigarh.

Met Director Manmohan Singh said Himachal Pradesh was 34 percent rain deficient from July 1 to July 19.

The state received 115 mm of rain against the average of 175 mm during this period.

The state is also laying emphasis on organic farming to cash in on the high demand for such products and the remunerative prices of such products -- be it fruits, vegetables or pulses.

According to the agriculture department, 26,741 farmers have been registered as practitioners of organic farming and a 15,548-hectare area has been brought under organic farming.

(Vishal Gulati can be contacted at vishal.g@ians.in)
New Delhi : The monsoon session of parliament was being projected as a triumphant one for the BJP with those opposing the GST Bill falling in line. Its passage was being seen more as a question of when, rather than if. The prospect of GST becoming a reality soon was giving an additional fillip to the already prevalent feel-good factor in the ruling dispensation.

The party had scored a victory in the northeast by claiming Assam, the monsoon gods were showering bountiful blessings after two years of drought, the cabinet expansion and reshuffle was by and large hailed as a masterly exercise which combined political messaging, regional aspirations, caste equations and administrative requirements. And the Indian economy and stock markets had not just weathered Brexit well, but the timing too was Godsend. Our own Rexit, in RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan's quitting before a second term all but drowned in the global hullabaloo.

All was going well for the BJP, or so it seemed. But the political developments of the past few days have seen the party ceding advantage to its rivals. The BJP leadership, which prides itself on thinking and planning ahead, outsmarting and outwitting its rivals with a mix of strategy, speed and resources, is no longer looking all that pat. Their winning ways, the deft touch, the masterly strokes all seem to be deserting the BJP as its leadership finds itself outmanoeuvred and outwitted.

It all started with Arunachal Pradesh. Of course the cat was set amongst the pigeons by the Supreme Court but then the BJP should have anticipated it; especially after Uttarakhand. The reversal is not just about losing a remote state to the Congress. The manner in which Congress got its act together, marshalled its troops and outsmarted the BJP gave Congress just the lifeline it needed at a time when the party was gasping for oxygen, resigned to a slow, agonising and humiliating political demise.

The Arunachal comeback headlined by India's largest selling newspaper as "Congress snatching victory from the jaws of defeat" has given Congressmen across the country hope, a reason to believe in themselves.

What the Congress leadership could not do since the crushing defeat in May 2014 the BJP managed it by its needless and ill-timed adventurism in Arunachal. And the party may repeat its folly if the leadership continues to depend and be guided by the likes of Himanta Biswa Sharma, who crossed over from Congress just before Assam elections.

Then came the announcement of Sheila Dixit as the Congress chief ministerial candidate in Uttar Pradesh. It's unlikely she and Raj Babbar can galvanize the party to victory, but if the road show in Lucknow was any indication the duo has definitely succeeded in energising the party workers. Dixit's entry has complicated matters for the BJP, which is looking bereft of a strategy in this crucial state.

With the three other political parties now projecting a face in these elections in Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Dixit, how long can the BJP avoid this question? The BJP has maintained that it will not project a face -- or do so at the right time -- but the fact is that with Dixit joining the fray, the BJP's hand is almost forced. It may still not announce a candidate, saying it has many leaders to fit the role but one can see through its discomfiture.

Surely, the electorate of India's most populous state, which returned 71 NDA MP's in 2014, deserve to know who their chief minister will be if they vote for BJP in 2017. The one winning horse the BJP could have backed in UP suffers from the handicap of a wrong surname -- Varun Gandhi.

The UP battle is truly open and the BJP is definitely a serious contender. But here again, the turn of events is making BJP look more like a reactive force than a proactive one.

It's in Punjab that the BJP has suffered the biggest shocker in the exit of Navjot Singh Sidhu. With Sidhu gone, the party has lost its most charismatic face in Punjab. Sidhu is not just all charisma, he is the right caste as well (Jat Sikh). Sidhu has not just left the party faceless in Punjab, his timing has also left the top brass red-faced and squirming.

He quit on the first day of the monsoon session, just a few weeks after he was nominated to the upper house. Sidhu's angst with the Badal-Jaitly duo was one of the country's worst kept political secrets, so who brokered the deal of Sidhu's Rajya Sabha membership in return for his silence?

If Sidhu becomes the face of AAP in Punjab -- as is widely speculated -- the assembly elections really open up.

Let's look at the possible outcomes: the Akali-BJP combination will want the opposition vote to be divided between Congress and AAP. This means it can return to power. The Congress would like its vote share to remain intact and in addition get the anti-incumbency vote. That will ensure a Congress win. The AAP will like a repeat of Delhi which means AAP getting all the anti Akali-BJP votes and a Congress washout.

That's what happened in 2014, when the AAP secured about 24 per cent vote share in Punjab, just marginally behind the Akali Dal and won four seats (the same as the Akali Dal).

For the BJP, it's the third scenario which gives them the nightmare. They don't mind losing Punjab to the Congress. But an AAP will brings the party and Arvind Kejriwal back on centre stage in national politics. A win in Punjab and the BJP will find the AAP cadre swarming Gujarat, where assembly elections are due in December 2017.

A re-energised Congress is something the BJP is still comfortable dealing with in 2019. But not a revitalized Kejriwal and AAP.

A scenario which the BJP may just have forced upon itself by forcing Sidhu's hand.

(Sanjeev Srivastava is founder-editor of EditPlatter.Com and former India Editor of BBC. The views expressed are personal. He can be contacted at sanjeevs59@hotmail.com)
Ahmedabad, July 20 : Different regions of Gujarat observed sporadic protests and partial shutdowns on Wednesday to air anger over atrocities on Dalits as Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited the village of four Dalit youth beaten up in Una town on July 11 for skinning a dead cow.

No untoward incidents nor attempts at suicide by Dalits were reported from the state during the 'Gujarat bandh', the call for which was given by various Dalit organisations.

Many state transport buses were, however, cancelled or their routes diverted and many schools remained shut, especially in the Saurashtra region.

Shops and office establishments remained open for a while in the morning hours while demonstrations continued across the region.

In protest against last week's thrashing of the four Dalit youths in Una town of Saurashtra, 12 youngsters across the region had attempted suicide and one of them died on Tuesday.

A head constable in Amreli too succumbed on Tuesday evening to head injuries sustained during stone-pelting by a mob.

The Chief Minister landed at the Diu airport on Wednesday morning and drove to the Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka of Saurashtra region to meet the families of the four Dalit youths. They broke down on seeing Anandiben at their doorsteps.

After meeting them and holding discussions, Anandiben claimed all 25 Dalit families in the village were satisfied with the government's action in the assault case.

Besides aid, she said, the Gujarat government will provide financial help to these families for the construction of houses and toilets. A special camp will be held to ensure they get benefits of all government schemes. Dalit children studying in Class 5 and above will be enrolled in government model schools for free.

Anandiben said she had ordered the district administration to complete these tasks in a month's time and that she will revisit the place after two months to monitor the progress.

She said police protection has been ordered for families of the four youths. They had complained of threat calls. "Such calls are being recorded and whosoever is responsible will be arrested," Anandiben said.

Asked why the benefits of government schemes had not reached the Dalit families, the Chief Minister said it was the responsibility of the local legislators, village heads and other panchayat functionaries.

About the proposed visits of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and other political leaders in Gujarat, Anandiben said they should not give a political colour to the whole issue.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Social Justice Minister Ramanlal Vora, Chief Secretary G.R. Aloria and minister Jashabhai Barad, among others. She also went to the Civil Hospital in Rajkot to ask after people injured in violence subsequent to the beating incident.

The Gujarat government has ordered a CID-Crime Branch inquiry, formation of a special designated court in consultation with the high court and filing of a chargesheet in 60 days in the case of assault on the four Dalits. So far, 16 persons have been arrested.
Los Angeles, July 20 : From his "Pretty Woman" lead actor Richard Gere to "The Princess Diaries" actress Mandy Moore -- a host of celebrities from Hollywood mourned the death of director Garry Marshall, who passed away on Tuesday.

Marshall breathed his last after complications from pneumonia following a stroke at a hospital in Burbank, California. He was 81.

Taking to their social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, celebrities who have in some way or the other worked with the late director of hit films like "Pretty Woman" and "Runaway Bride", shared their memories with Marshall, reports people.com.

Among those who honoured Marshall with condolences and prayers was Henry Winkler, whose role of Fonz in sitcom "Happy Days" launched his career and Gere, who starred in Marshall's "Pretty Woman" and "Runaway Bride".

Here is what the celebrities had to say:

Henry Winkler: Rest in peace. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity. Larger than life, funnier than most, wise and the definition of friend.

Richard Gere: Garry of course was one of those truly important people one is blessed to meet in one's lifetime. Besides being the pulse and life force of 'Pretty Woman', a steady helmsman on a ship that could have easily capsized.

"He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry."

Mandy Moore: What a gem of a man. He was just the kindest, the most patient, the most human and so, so wildly funny. He also did me me the favor of a lifetime and gave me my very first job (at 16) on 'The Princess Diaries'.

"Thank you for all the glorious means of laughing and crying and feeling whole and connected, Garry. Sending love to his family".

Wendell Pierce: My heart is broken. Comic genius, Garry Marshall has died. A cultural icon who was brilliant till the end. Always kind. Always funny! RIP

Sarah Paulson: Garry Marshall, I am forever indebted to you. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I love you. On the wings on angels, rest now.

Zelda Williams: RIP Garry Marshall. You forever changed my father's life, and thus, mine. Thank you for capturing so much joy on film, over and over.

Alyssa Milano: I was blessed to have worked with Garry Marshall. Not only was he a wonderful director, but also, he was a gentle, loving, kind man. RIP.

Bob Saget: The world has lost a great man, a comedy icon and a wonderful friend. Rest in peace Garry Marshall.

Ashton Kutcher: I lost a friend and mentor. We lost a beautiful man and masterful story teller. Gary Marshall I love you. I hope I get to go where you are.

Jessica Alba: I had the honor to work with the legendary. Thank you for your comedic genius! a true pioneer.

Anna Kendrick: I only met Garry Marshall once, when I was very young, but he was incredibly warm, encouraging, and generous with his time and energy.

Lea Michele: So sad to hear about the passing of the incredible Garry Marshall.. You will be missed.

Bryan Adams: R.I.P. Garry Marshall. It was a privilege to work with you. 'Pretty Woman'
New Delhi, July 20 : The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday condemned BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit Vice-President Dayashankar Singh's remark against Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati that equated her with a sex worker.

As the upper house met after repeated adjournments over alleged atrocities against the Dalits in Gujarat's Una town, members cutting across party lines condemned the remark and demanded action against the BJP leader.

Women members, including Renuka Chaudhary, Kumari Selja and others, demanded strict action against Dayashankar.

"The comments (against a woman) shows their (BJP's) mindset," Selja said.

Chaudhary demanded the immediate arrest of the BJP leader, saying he is "uncivilised".

Jharna Das Baidya of the Communist Party of India-Marxist also echoed the sentiments and demanded legal action against Dayashankar.

Male members of the upper house also supported their demand and termed the BJP state leader's comments against Mayawati "shameful".
New Delhi, July 20 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday condemned BJP leader Dayashankar Singh's abusive remark against Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and termed it "shameful".

Kejriwal also said atrocities against Dalits across the nation have increased under the Modi government.

"This (BJP leader's remark) is shameful. BJP's abuses and threats against women continue unabated both online and offline," Kejriwal tweeted.

BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit Vice President Dayashankar Singh had allegedly made a derogatory remark against the BSP chief.

Mayawati has demanded Singh's expulsion from the BJP.

Kejriwal also slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party led-government at the Centre over recent atrocities against Dalits.

"Atrocities against Dalits and minorities have increased sharply during BJP regime," Kejriwal said in another tweet.

The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday faced numerous disruptions as opposition members demanded a debate on atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat's Una town, where protests have continued with one Dalit man killing himself.

The Dalit was among the five persons from the community who tried to commit suicide in separate incidents in Gujarat to protest atrocities against the Dalits.
New Delhi, July 20 : A video clip showing Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi apparently dozing off momentarily in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday when the party was heatedly raising the anti-Dalit violence in Gujarat had the party on the defensive.

The video clip, which showed Rahul Gandhi resting his head on his right hand, with eyes apparently shut, went viral on social networking sites.

In fact, Gandhi's momentary shut-eye occurred when Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge and other Congress members were loudly protesting Home Minister Rajnath Singh's response to the members' queries on the violence on Dalits in Una, Gujarat.

Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury sought to give a clarification on the party Vice-President's alleged nap, saying he was just "resting his eyes".

"(He) wasn't sleeping. Can anyone sleep through that ruckus? We (MPs) just close our eyes for relief," Chowdhury said.

Kharge defending Rahul Gandhi said: "He was not sleeping. It is very immature to say this. They are purposely spreading rumours to tarnish his image. This is a lie. We were all present there, were discussing issues."

Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister and BJP leader Thawarchand Gehlot, however, later took a potshot at the Congress over the episode.

"We have been saying that they are not serious about issues related to Dalits and their welfare. They are raising this issue only to draw political mileage. And this episode proves this," he said.
New Delhi, July 20 : The Congress on Wednesday slammed the Narendra Modi government for "lying" on savings from the scheme for giving up LPG subsidy.

"The Modi government is used to making hollow promises, false statements and exaggerated claims," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said. "Prime Minister Modi claimed that his policies were responsible for saving Rs 22,000 crore on the LPG subsidies. But the reality brought out by the Comptroller and Auditor General shows the savings amounted to Rs 2,000 crore," he added.

"The savings are also due to the global prices dropping by more than 50 per cent and India importing more LPG. Why is the Prime Minister lying? Why doesn't he just tell the truth?" Singhvi said.

According to reports, a CAG report to be tabled in parliament during the ongoing monsoon session has found that the savings from people voluntarily giving up LPG subsidy and direct bank transfers adds up to less than Rs 2,000 crore.

The remaining savings are actually due to the fall in the prices of LPG that India annually imports.

The Centre has claimed it would end up saving almost Rs 22,000 crore in the financial years of 2014-15 and 2015-16 from the schemes for Direct Benefit Transfer, which provides for transferring subsidy to the accounts of the user, and the 'Give It Up' scheme which urges the citizens above a certain income level to voluntarily give up subsidies on cooking gas.

Latest updates on Howdy Modi Houston
New Delhi, July 20 : Aamir Amin, a 24-year-old Kashmiri man working in Gurgaon, hopes his parents in south Kashmir don't ever come to know about his police detention and his being attacked by a group of locals for "merely carrying placards" with messages seeking "justice" and "peace" in the valley.

Hoping his elderly parents in Shopian and his three sisters do not get to know that he spent a day in detention at a Dwarka police station last week, Amin also wonders -- "If they (people in India) call us their integral part, then why is there so much discrimination against us?"

The attack on him occurred on July 17, when Amin was at a bus stop in Dwarka's Sector 9. He was holding placards that read "Stop innocent killings", "I am from burning Kashmir". This attracted stares from a few men. "Soon around 15-20 youths gathered around me and began calling me a terrorist. They questioned me, I answered their queries, but they refused to listen," Amin told IANS.

"I wanted them to know about Kashmir. I asked them to think on humanitarian lines as I read that even children weren't spared (during the unrest in the valley)," he said.

"After I realised that they won't understand, I stopped explaining. One of them called the police, and said 'we have found a terrorist who is a Burhan Wani supporter'," Amin said.

The July 8 killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani in Anantnag triggered violent protests across Kashmir Valley with over 40 people killed in clashes with security forces.

"I did nothing that was against the government or the Constitution of India. I was beaten ruthlessly and all my credit and debit cards were broken. They even snatched my mobile phone," said Amin, who works with a BPO in Gurgaon.

"I only tried to make the people understand what we (Kashmiris) are going through," he added.

When he was under detention, Amin said he despaired of ever coming out of the "trap".

Amin came to Delhi in January after registering with the central government's Udaan scheme, a Special Industry Initiative (SII) implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and funded by the Union Home Ministry. He was given a training for a few months, after which he got the BPO job.

Amin says he last spoke with his mother on the Eid day (July 7). "I have no news about them. I do not know if they are fine. I just wish they are not worried about me."

Due to the curfew in the Kashmir Valley, the internet blockade and ban on mobile services, Amin has not been able to contact his family in the restive valley.

He said he also fears for his safety in Delhi now after people at his office came to know of his detention at a police station. The police too visited his office to verify his antecedents.

"I am not a terrorist, I tell them. Not everyone understands, but there are people who sympathise with us. And definitely the threat will remain now," he added.

(Ruwa Shah can be reached at ruwa.s@ians.in)
London, July 20 : British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday attended the Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons -- her first since she assumed office last week.

During the PMQs, May received questions from lawmakers in the lower chamber as well as debated topics with opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, Xinhua news agency reported.

Questions regarding the British exit from the European Union (EU) featured heavily throughout the proceedings, ahead of May's scheduled first overseas visit to Germany later on Wednesday, where she is due to hold discussions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

When questioned about future British relations with Europe, May, who campaigned against leaving the EU in the run up to June's EU referendum, said Britain is not leaving Europe, just the EU.

Scottish National Party's (SNP) parliamentary spokesperson Angus Robertson asked if May would ensure that "remain means remain" for Scotland for which the PM replied "Brexit means Brexit".

In Scotland, only 38 per cent of the voting population opted to leave the EU, compared to 52 per cent across the Britain.

May was yet to confirm when Britain would invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, triggering a two-year negotiation period for the seceding country.

Corbyn, who faces a leadership contest within his own parliamentary group, pressed May on rising house prices.

"In 1998, more than half of working households of people aged between 16 to 34 were buying their own homes. Today, the figure is 25 per cent," Corbyn said.

May assumed power from David Cameron on last Wednesday, who announced his resignation in the wake of the "Brexit" victory in the Britain's referendum on its membership of the EU.

May is scheduled to hold talks in France with French President, Francois Hollande on Thursday.

The Prime Minister's office revealed that Britain had relinquished its 2017 European Council presidency in light of "Brexit."
MASON CITY  The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of North Central Iowa is hosting a series of open houses in August to explain its programs and how those age 55 and older can become involved.

RSVP offers literacy programs focused on improving students reading skills, a letter-writing program aimed at building writing skills and other programs  all of which foster intergenerational relationships between volunteers and students - in schools throughout North Iowa.

In addition, RSVP has initiated a partnership with Cerro Gordo County Emergency Management to operate a phone bank in a natural disaster or public safety emergency.

Here is the schedule for the open houses for current RSVP volunteers and anyone interested in becoming a volunteer:

Aug. 2 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Olson Community Room, 906 First Ave. S., Northwood.

Aug. 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Garner Education Center, 325 W. Eighth St., Garner.

Aug. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the First Citizens Bank Heritage Room, 2601 Fourth St. S.W., Mason City.

Aug. 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Titonka Savings Bank, 101 U.S. Highway 69, Forest City.

Anyone interested in volunteering but unable to attend the open houses should call Linda Willeke at the RSVP office at 888-466-4222, ext. 4255, 641-422-4255, or email willelin@niacc.edu.

For information on RSVP of North Central Iowa, visit www.niacc.edu/community-and-continuing-education/continuing-education/rsvp or contact 888-466-4222 ext. 4256, (641) 422-4256 or rsvp@niacc.edu.

RSVP of North Central Iowa serves the counties of Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Winnebago and Worth.

RSVP is sponsored by North Iowa Area Community College and is partly funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, state of Iowa, United Way of North Central Iowa and local county governments.
New Delhi, July 20 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit Gujarat on July 22 to meet members of the Dalit community after four Dalit youth were beaten up on July 11 for skinning a dead cow in Una town.

"Kejriwal will visit Una and meet the victims on July 22," an AAP leader said.

The beating of the Dalit youth has caused nationwide outrage after the video went viral. The victims' said they were skinning a dead cow and had not killed it.

The party leader also said that Aam Aadmi Party supporters would stage statewide protest in Gujarat over the atrocities on Dalits in Una.

This will be Kejriwal's second visit to the state in a fortnight. On July 9, he had visited Somnath temple.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited the village of the victims. After meeting them and holding discussions, Anandiben claimed all 25 Dalit families in the village were satisfied with the government's action in the assault case.
New Delhi, July 20 : Under bilateral civil nuclear cooperation agreements, India imported over 345 tonnes of uranium from Russia and 250 tonnes from Canada during 2015-16 to fuel Indian nuclear plants, parliament was told on wednesday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Atomic Energy Jitendra Singh said that India has earlier imported 297 metric tonnes (MT) of uranium in 2014-15 also from TVEL, the fuel company of Rosatom, Russia's state-run atomic energy corporation.

During 2014-15, 283.4 MT of uranium was imported from the state-run Kazatomprom of Kazakhstan, the minister added.

In connection with the related issue of the latest Indian bid for a Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership, that would allow it to trade in nuclear materials and technology, parliament was told that India's plea tabled at the NSG's Vienna meeting in May was foiled by China on the grounds that New Delhi has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

"While no nation explicitly opposed India's membership, one country raised procedural objections ostensibly on grounds of India's non-NPT status," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Lok sabha in a written reply on Wednesday.

"The broad sentiment was to take the matter forward. Consultations on the issue of membership are ongoing within the NSG," she added.

"It is important for us to be part of the 'rule making' in the NSG rather than be in a position of 'rule taking," the minister said.

"Membership of the NSG would create a predictable environment for the large investments required for setting up nuclear power plants in India, inter alia, to meet India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution pledge of 40 per cent of its power capacity coming from non-fossil sources by 2030," Sushma Swaraj added.
Patna, July 20 : A week after his arrest on charges of taking a bribe, IAS probationer Dr Jitendra Gupta was on Wednesday suspended by the Bihar government, officials said.

"Gupta was suspended after Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's clearance," an official in the Chief Minister's Office said here.

The general administration department has issued a notification on the suspension of the 2013 batch officer, who was posted as Sub-Divisional Officer of Mohania in Kaimur district.

A state Vigilance Department team arrested Gupta on July 12 night on charge of accepting Rs 80,000 from a truck driver of Haryana for releasing four overloaded trucks.

Gupta is lodged in Beur jail here.

Last week, the Bihar chapter of the IAS Officers' Association expressed "deep anguish" over the manner in which the IAS probationer was arrested.

According to reports, Gupta is a medical graduate. He was running a hospital with an annual turnover of over Rs 1 crore in Delhi, before cracking the IAS exam. The hospital is now run by his doctor wife. His father is a builder in Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh.
Nagpur (Maharashtra), July 20 : A publisher tendered an unconditional apology for publishing certain blasphemous comments on Prophet Mohammed in a Class 5 CBSE approved Marathi textbook here on Wednesday.

The proprietor of Emkay & Sons, publishing books under the brand of Orange City Publishers, Parvesh M. Neb on Wednesday issued the apology for the chapter 'Nirmal' Part I to 8, which had hurt Muslim sentiments.

"I don't have any motive or intention of doing it (hurting sentiments). So I and the team author, editor, illustrator, printer, composer apologise for the same," Neb said in his apology.

The regret letter was issued to the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and Students Islamic Organisation, Nanded which had brought the matter to the publisher's notice, pointing out certain "blatantly wrong and mischievous content and erroneous photographs" of Prophet Mohammed accompanying the text material.

"When we were informed about the contents in the Marathi textbook, we felt it prudent to directly approach the publisher and apprise them. He readily accepted the mistakes and even tendered an apology. We are satisfied by his response," JIH state secretary (education) Zahoor Ahmed told IANS.

"We are deeply regretful for this unintended lapse on our part and have given a written apology. As a precautionary measure, we have recalled all the copies of the textbook in the market. We shall delete the offensive content and re-issue them within a week or so," Neb told IANS.

Neb said in the next edition, he would send the revised manuscript to JIH and other experts for vetting before including it in the textbooks.

He appealed to the JIH and SIO to cooperate in the interest of maintaining peace and harmony, to which the two organisations readily agreed.
Hyderabad, July 20 : In yet another incident of cruelty towards dogs, five minors burnt alive three puppies after tying them together and video recorded it, police said on Wednesday.

The incident occurred in Patahnwadi area of Musheerabad in the heart of Hyderabad.

The video uploaded by someone on social media went viral on Wednesday, sparking outrage with animal rights activists calling for strong action against those responsible for the horrific act.

Police said since all the boys were juveniles, they were sent for counselling.

The video shows the boys playing with the stray dog puppies for some time before they threw the hapless creatures into a fire, which they lit using garbage.

The minors were seen holding the pups by their tails and throwing them in the fire. When the screaming puppies tried to come out, the boys threw them back with sticks.

The disturbing images sparked outrage with animal lovers calling for stringent punishment to those involved.

Shreya, cruelty response manager at Humane Society International, India, said she received a complaint about the incident on Tuesday and lodged a complaint with Musheerabad police station, which registered a case.

She said the boys roasted the puppies alive to draw vicarious pleasure.

The boys are said to have committed the act on July 16. It was not clear as to who uploaded the video.

The latest incident comes weeks after two medical students in Chennai threw a dog from the terrace of a three-storey building. They uploaded the video footage on social media and it went viral. Both the accused were arrested and later released on bail.

Animal rights activists have been demanding amendments in the law dealing with cruelty to animals to provide for stricter punishment to offenders. Pointing out that the maximum punishment for killing an animal is just Rs 50, they said the existing law is toothless. They called for stringent law which can deter acts like those seen in Chennai and Hyderabad.
New Delhi, July 20 : As part of its Read to Kids educational programme, global non-profit organisation Worldreader on Wednesday launched here it's Read to Kids mobile app to help parents and teachers tell stories to children below six years of age.

According to a press release, the App which will also inculcate the habit of listening and improve oratory skills, apart from motivating them to read, can be downloaded free of cost from Google Play Store.

As part of a pilot project, 150 schools in South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) area will be using this App to know the impact of digital technology in reviving reading habits among people.

"Education is a top priority for SDMC," said Shyam Sunder Sharma, Mayor, South Delhi Municipal Corporation, in his inaugural address during the launch in the national capital. "Principals and teachers should tell stories of nationalism and freedom struggle which will help in imparting quality and moral values among the young children", he added.

He also mentioned that SDMC is the first municipality in the country which has introduced mobile apps technology for their teachers and will soon invest more in it in collaboration with agencies like NCERT, Worldreader, Pearson and SARD.
Islamabad, July 20 : Pakistan on Wednesday observed a "Black Day" to express "solidarity" with the people of Kashmir, where over 40 persons have been killed in clashes with security forces following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

"Rallies and functions were held across Pakistan to draw attention of the world community towards the burning issue of Kashmir," Dunya News reported.

The Pakistani government had directed ministries, divisions and provincial governments to observe the day and express solidarity with the Kashmiris and protest against the "atrocities done in Kashmir by India".

People including officials wore black arm bands while performing their duties to express political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris during working hours, it added.

The Pakistani media reported that protesters were required to draw attention to the resolution adopted by the United Nations Security Council regarding the grant of right to self determination to Kashmiris.

The call to observe the Black Day on July 20 in Pakistan was made by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

The Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi also observed the "Black Day" in support of the "struggle of the people of Jammu and Kashmir".

Diplomats wore black arm bands to show support for Kashmiris.
New Delhi, July 20 : The government on Wednesday said the direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme on cash subsidy on cooking gas in the last two years had saved it over Rs 21,000 crore.

The government response came after a media report that the Comptroller and Auditor General is said to have found the savings to be less than Rs 2,000 crore.

"The total savings from the elimination of fake/duplicate/ghost LPG connections as a result of the implementation of DBT for the two last years is estimated at more than Rs 21,000 crore," a Petroleum Ministry release said here.

A media report here on Wednesday said the CAG report, to be tabled in Parliament in the ongoing monsoon session, has found that the actual savings on liquified petroleum gas, or cooking gas, subsidy owing to the DBT -- in which the subsidy is directly credited to the consumer's bank account -- could be actually less than Rs 2,000 crore.

Giving details, the government said that for 2014-15, 3.34 crore blocked consumers would have cornered subsidy of Rs 14,818.4 crore, taking into consideration average subsidy of Rs 369.72 per cylinder.

"As a result of the DBT for LPG (or PAHAL) mechanism, it became possible to block these 3.34 crore LPG connections as the subsidy was transferred to accounts of only the registered consumers who have been cleared after de-duplication exercise.

"Before the DBT, all or many of these 3.34 crore consumers would have continued to purchase subsidised cylinders from the distributors. But for the blocking of these accounts, the subsidy bill would have been much higher despite fall in crude oil prices," the statement said.

Moreover, the savings estimated for 2015-16 is Rs 6,443 crore and thus the total for both the years works out to Rs 21,261 crore, it added.
Toronto, July 20 : A jury has found Gurpreet Ronald, 37, and her lover Bhupinderpal Gill, 41, guilty of first degree murder of Gill's wife in the sensational Indo-Canadian love triangle murder case.

The jury after a nine-week trial in the Superior Court in Ottawa found both the lovers guilty of killing Jagtar Gill, 43, who was found dead in the family home in January 2014.

The 12-member gave its verdict on Wednesday.

Mother of three, Jagtar Gill was stabbed and bludgeoned to death on her 17th wedding anniversary. A day before her murder, she underwent a hernia surgery.

Gurpreet Ronald and Bhupinderpal Gill, fellow bus drivers with Ottawa's OC Transpo and neighbours, were in a relationship. They conspired to kill Gill's wife so that they could be together, the jury heard during the trial.

Since they "dreamed of being together", they plotted the murder of Gill's wife.

Gurpreet Ronald, a mother of two girls, is married to Jason Ronald who is also a driver with the same company in Ottawa.

During her testimony, Gurpreet admitted that she had an affair with Gill. But she told the jury that her sexual relationship with Gill was "not satisfactory" and that she had an affair with another fellow driver at the same time while she was in a relationship with Gill.

Her lawyer told the jury that she depended on Gill only for "emotional support, a shoulder to cry upon" and she had no intention of being with him.

During his testimony, Gill told the jury that he ended his affair with Gurpreet in 2013 before his wife was killed in January 2014.

During the trial, a psychic also testified that Gill and Gurpreet had consulted her about their future together. Gurpreet's husband also testified, telling the jury how his wife tried to attack him with a knife many times.
New Delhi, July 21 : The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Wednesday suspended Uttar Pradesh unit Vice-President Daya Shankar Singh for six years following his alleged obscene comments on Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati.

Earlier, he was sacked from all party posts.

The decision to suspend Singh was taken by BJP president Amit Shah, informed sources said.

Before coming to the decision to suspend Singh, Shah discussed the matter with state party leaders, including state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya.

"BJP does not approve such remarks and we strongly condemn it. This was the reason we have removed Singh from all party posts with immediate effect," Maurya told the reporters.

Singh, at a press conference in the Mau district of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, had said that the BSP chief was giving party tickets based on the amount of money paid to her and that even a prostitute was better than her.

His comments caused an uproar in the Rajya Sabha with the BSP leaders leading a vociferous protest. Not happy with mere removal of Singh as party office bearer, the BSP leaders demanded his arrest.

Singh, a student leader who rose in the BJP ranks recently, had unsuccessfully contested the recent polls for the Legislative Council. Last week he was appointed the party's Vice-President in Uttar Pradesh.
MASON CITY  With the help of a tip from two citizens, Mason City police have recovered both weapons stolen from a police vehicle last month.

The department received a call around 6:40 p.m. Tuesday from two citizens who had possibly located the weapons, a semiautomatic Colt M16 A1 rifle and a Remington 870 12-gauge shotgun, Mason City Sgt. Steve Klemas said in a statement.

Klemas said officers met the callers in the 1400 block of North Elm Drive, where all the property was recovered. Twenty-eight rounds of .223-caliber ammunition, 17 shotgun shells with 00 buckshot and 12 slugs had also been taken.

We dont believe the people who called have anything to do with the theft, Mason City Lt. Rich Jensen said Wednesday.

Jensen wouldnt say where the weapons were found, citing an ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made.

Crime Stoppers offered a $250 reward for information leading to the recovery of the stolen property. Jensen said he wasnt aware if the individuals who assisted police were given the reward.

Klemas said the police department thanks all citizens who provided information that led to the recovery of the guns, which were taken sometime between June 25 and June 27 from the back seat of an unmarked police vehicle in the 300 block of South Tennessee Avenue.

The officer, who has not been identified, placed the items in the back seat while dealing with a maintenance issue in the trunk. Officials believe one of the vehicles doors may not have locked due to a malfunction.

Jensen declined comment on whether the officer had been disciplined, saying it was a personnel matter.

 Ashley Miller and John Skipper
Brussels, July 21 : A police operation that lasted five hours in Brussels' city centre on Wednesday turned out to be a false alarm, according to local media reports.

The police launched an operation after being alerted of a suspicious man near the Place de la Monnaie in the centre of the Belgian capital, Xinhua reported citing Belgian Newspaper La Libre.

The man was wearing a heavy winter coat with protruding wires in a temperature of nearly 30 degrees Celsius, the report added.

After hours of intense operations, the man was found out to be a student of nuclear radiation at a university in Brussels. He was researching radiation and radioactivity in the city.

The man has been arrested and taken by the police for hearing.

The operation had resulted in the blockade of a large swathe of blocks, and the evacuation of several shops around Place de la Monnaie.

Special forces and the bomb disposal unit were also called in to assist the operation.

"The way he reacted was totally abnormal, which is why we had to use all these means," Christian De Coninck of Brussels police told Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

The incident came one day ahead of Belgium's National Day, with heightened security in Brussels in the wake of Nice attacks which killed at least 84 people.

Earlier this year, Brussels was struck by three coordinated suicide bombings, which killed at least 32 civilians.
More than one in three equity release customers in the UK are still paying off mortgages highlighting the growing need for retirement lending solutions, new research suggests.

A study from national specialist Bower Retirement Services shows that 36% of over 55s seen by advisers are still paying home loans and advisers are seeing a surge of inquiries from customers with interest only loans.

The firms quarterly Adviser Tracker Research report also shows that 68% of equity release specialists have seen a rise in customers with interest only loans looking for solutions.



Advisers are also reporting an increase in customers who have considered downsizing as a solution but then decided not to go ahead. Some 23% of clients who looked at downsizing did not go ahead with key reasons including staying near family and friends and not being able to find a suitable home.



Around 75% of those who did not go ahead said they wanted to stay near family while 54% could not find a suitable home.



Bower believes the recent launch by Santander and Legal & General of a partnership to offer lifetime mortgages as an option to customers facing the possibility of repayment shortfalls demonstrates the growing need for new solutions.



The Legal & General and Santander deal is a significant move for the launch of retirement lending but much more needs to be done. Significant numbers of people aged over 55 are paying off mortgages but do not have the range of options they need, said Andrea Rozario, chief corporate officer at Bower Retirement Services.

Downsizing will be appropriate for many but it is also clear that many want to stay in their existing home for emotional and financial reasons and should be able to do so as long as it is in their best interests, she pointed out.



She added that one potential problem for clients is their home not being worth what they thought and around 18% of advisers say clients who went ahead with equity release found their house was valued at lower than they had expected.
Georgia SoftWorks, developer of the GSW Telnet Server for Windows and SSH Server for Windows, announces their new partnership with SCG Professional Consulting as an Authorized Reseller of the GSW software.

Located in Mexico, SCG Professional Consulting is a consultation company that helps businesses with their mobile connectivity needs, focusing on the most robust applications on the market. They have the experience to offer businesses the ideal products, from the study of feasibility of their current systems to the implementation, while servicing all of their products. They offer full and complete integration to SAP.

We have found that GSW is the perfect tool for applications running on the Telnet platform, said Alejandro Astudillo of SCG. It is the perfect harmony between client applications server, SAP and Telnet. It is ideal for mobile applications, where it requires a thin client to run in optimal conditions.

SCG Professional Consulting will be using the GSW Telnet Server and SSH Server for Windows in the manufacturing, transportation and logistics, warehouse management and healthcare industries. Their typical installation is connecting mobile devices through SAP console and Telnet sessions to the applications required.

SCG will be a great addition to our reseller network, said Diane Sexton of GSW. They work closely with mobile devices running SAP, which is a perfect match for the GSW software. The GSW UTS works great out of the box with SAP and has been tested and proven in mission critical SAP environments worldwide. We are excited about this partnership with SCG.

Georgia SoftWorks is a software development company located in Dawsonville, Georgia that has received global recognition for their development of the GSW Telnet Server for Windows and SSH Server for Windows. They have end users and resellers all over the world. The Georgia SoftWorks UTS (Telnet Server for Windows and SSH Server for Windows) has been used in demanding SAP environments since the 1990s, providing consistent operation, high end features, performance and unmatched security, which is essential in the industries that SCG serves.

About Georgia SoftWorks:

Established in 1991, Georgia SoftWorks is a privately held software development company recognized for creating high performance data communications, system and telecommunications applications. Georgia SoftWorks has obtained a worldwide presence with its industrial SSH/Telnet Server for Microsoft Windows. GSW's long-term commitment to SSH/Telnet has led to the pioneering of major features such as Session Shadowing, Session Monitoring, Graceful Termination, Automatic Logon, Logon Scripting and more recently Team Services technology which allows mobile device users to transfer, swap, share and recover mobile device sessions. GSW has also provided the very first SSH Server to provide Digital Certificate Authentication with an Internet Information Server (IIS) like certificate-to-user account mapping. This includes One-to-one and Many-to-one mapping methods and also supports certificate trust lists (CTL).
JSLI celebrates the Ordination of 12 new Rabbis in Delray Beach, Florida Joy, plurality and accessibility

On the weekend of July 9th, the online Jewish Spiritual Leaders' Institute Rabbinical School of Sim Shalom, celebrated the ordination of 12 new Rabbis, a total of 112 strong, in Delray Beach, Florida. The school and the jubilant ordination redefines the process of Rabbinical studies to fulfill the growing need of cutting edge solutions that meet the criteria of the twenty- first century Jewish congregant.

Twelve newly ordained Rabbis joined the 100 JSLI trained Rabbis before them that serve worldwide in congregations as pulpit rabbis, pastoral counselors and Jewish teachers, all schooled to perform life cycle events. The Rabbis past, present and future continue the traditions of Jewish rituals officiating weddings, funerals, and B'nai Mitzvot, while guiding communities in innovative paths to celebrate spiritual life.

JSLI Rabbis based throughout United States, Europe, Asia and Canada have filled a void by reversing the decline in Judaic practice, creating vibrant, inclusive practices within existing congregations, independent tutorial Torah study, as well as leading the free week night Sim Shalom online Synagogue services.

Class #13 is already forming for September with candidates from Europe and North America spanning the continent and Jewish affiliations. To sustain Jewish identity a Rabbis role is to understand the community.Sim Shalom and JSLI were seeded by JSLIs Dean and Founder Rabbi Steven Blane, deeply held belief that he believes expresses the pulse of the Rabbinic and congregational community: Joy, plurality and accessibility.

About Sim Shalom and JSLI

Sim Shalom is an interactive online Jewish Universalist synagogue which is liberal in thought and traditional in liturgy. Created in 2009 by Rabbi Steven Blane on Manhattan's Upper West Side, Sim Shalom offers a means of connecting the unconnected. Rabbi Blane leads accessible and short Kabbalat Shabbat services every Friday night using a virtual interface and additionally Sim Shalom provides online education programs, Jazz concerts, conversion and life-cycle ceremonies along with weeknight services at 7:00PM EST led by Rabbis and students of this online community.

Rabbi Blane is also the founder and director of the Jewish Spiritual Leader's Institute, http://www.jsli.net, the online professional rabbinical program.

Sim Shalom, a non profit 501  (3) tax-exempt organization, nurtures a Jewish connection through its mission of innovative services, creative education and dynamic outreach to the global community. For more information visit http://www.simshalom.com or call 201-338-0165.
Ed Keller, President of EarQ, training EarQ members in Somerset, NJ. It is inspiring to see so many independent practice owners take initiative to better prepare themselves for the changes ahead. The energy is hopeful, and we believe our members are equipped with the tools they need to thrive. -Ed Keller, President of EarQ

From July 18-19, EarQ and Oticonthe worlds leading hearing aid manufacturerco-hosted a member event in Somerset, NJ. These trainings become increasingly necessary as the debate surrounding the accessibility and cost of hearing healthcare continues to unfold. EarQs Thrive events include information on innovative business and marketing strategies, unique vendor product engagement, and how to succeed in an ever-evolving industry.

EarQs Thrive training is designed to position its members as leaders in hearing healthcare. The Food and Drug Administration has recently discussed whether or not individuals are able to self-diagnose and treat their hearing loss with personal sound amplification devices rather than hearing aids. If this becomes a reality, it will reduce the quality care audiologists and ENT physicians offer.

As a network of independent practices, EarQ recognizes how vital it is to have trained professionals diagnose the many different types of hearing conditions, offer the best solutions, and provide specialized follow-up care. With its exclusive approach to marketing, hearing technology, and patient experience, EarQ has become the primary resource for practices looking to stay ahead in the industry.

Oticon is EarQs longest standing technology partner, and this event had one of the highest turnouts of any they have had in the past.

It is inspiring to see so many independent practice owners take initiative to better prepare themselves for the changes ahead, said Ed Keller, President of EarQ. The energy is hopeful, and we believe our members are equipped with the tools they need to thrive.

This Thrive event is one in a series by EarQ. A full schedule of training events is available upon request.

About EarQ:

A prestigious nationwide network of independent hearing healthcare providers, EarQ utilizes innovative business and marketing practices as well as national public awareness efforts to advocate for excellence in the industry and patient care. Through its 1,400 hearing healthcare provider locations nationwide, EarQ helps provide greater access to quality hearing healthcare services and products.

Oticon:

Since 1946, Oticon has been a manufacturer of hearing aids. This Danish-American company is currently one of the largest companies in the industry and a consistent leader in the science and technology of hearing worldwide.
Auctioneer Kurt Aumann called bids in English and German The American-style live auction provided a transparent, public buying opportunity where all bidders had equal footing to buy items.

Aumann Auctions Inc. forayed into European old iron history last month when it was commissioned to sell a German collection of antique tractors on June 25, 2016 at auction. More than 2,000 bidders and attendees came from a dozen countries to experience a live, American-style tractor auction.

For many Europeans, the concept of a public auction is new to their commerce culture. Historically, these types of assets were sold privately and behind closed doors.

The American-style live auction provided a transparent, public buying opportunity where all bidders had equal footing to buy items, says Auctioneer Kurt Aumann, CAI, ATS, CES. We were honored to have the opportunity to introduce this method of buying and selling.

Aumann called bids in two languagesGerman and Englishwhile German, Dutch, French and English translators and signs were on site to help with registration and information. In addition to Germany and its neighboring countries, bidders traveled from as far as United Kingdom, Italy and Sweden while bidders from the United States, Canada, Ireland, and Australia participated online.

Calling bids in German was my way of helping bidders feel more comfortable with the American-style auction, says Aumann. Being self taught in German, the most difficult part was learning the annunciation and dialect. The method of counting is also different than the English way. Numbers after twenty are backward. For instance, twenty one is said one and twenty.

Bringing $1.22 million dollars (thats $1.15 million euros) in sales, the auction featured more than 165 antique tractors from the collection of Raimond and George Muller of Uhldingen-Muhlhofen, Germany. It was held on the shores of Lake Constance at the Swiss border, near one of the most renowned tractor museums in the worldThe Traktormuseum Bodensee.

Auction colleagues and fellow MarkNet Alliance members from Sheridan Auction Realty & Auction Co in Owosso, Michigan, and Beckort Auctions in Corydon, Indiana, joined the Aumann Auctions team in Germany to lend additional expertise and support during the sale.

Aumann Auctions has several upcoming antique tractor auctions, including the Gilchrist John Deere Collection in Alberta, Canada, the Stennerson Early Tractors and Traction Engine Collection in Poplar Grove, Illinois, and the Remarkable George Schaaf Collection in Frankfort, Illinois. View more information at http://www.aumannauctions.com.

For more than 54 years, Aumann Auctions has provided auctions services for sellers across the country and internationally. They conduct nearly 100 live and online auctions a year, including antique tractors & memorabilia, farm toys, farm land, real estate, business liquidation and personal property and estates. Aumann Auctions is a member of MarkNet Alliance, a network of international auction companies that conduct nearly 6,000 auctions and sell more than $1 billion in assets annually.

Media Contact: Kurt Aumann, kurt(at)aumannauctions(dot)com, (888) 282-8648 or (217) 563-2523
Santiago Ruiz, Javier Pajares, Reuben Palacios, William Bernal, and Aldrin Perez I really enjoyed San Francisco and can't wait to come back to spend more time here.

On June 20th through 23rd, Pipe Bursting Manufacturer TRIC Tools hosted four engineers from Lima, Peru. Aldrin Perez, Reuben Palacios, William Bernal and Javier Pajares represented Sedapal Water & Sewer Authority. Sedapal is a Peruvian state-owned water utility which provides water and sewer services to Lima and neighboring Callao. Sedapal employs 20,000 people. The company is executing a US$3.25bn plan to bring 100% water and sanitation coverage to Lima and Callao by 2017 through 148 projects, including building the Santa Clara wastewater treatment plant in Ate Vitarte district, Lima province, and the Pachacutec potable water and drainage network in Ventanilla district, Callao province.

VE Groups Santiago Ruiz also joined TRIC during the visit. VE Group is TRICs South American distributor based in Medellin, Columbia. VE Group represents TRIC in Mexico, Latin America and South America. TRIC exports its technology to more than 20 international countries.

During the visit, TRIC introduced Sedapal and VE Group to its manufacturing process, and new Municipal pipe bursting developments. Sedapal recently purchased TRICs M100 Pipe Bursting System to rehabilitate Perus sewer and water pipelines. TRICs Marketing and Technical Director John Rafferty introduced Sedapal to Precision Engineering who were upsizing using the M100 unit to replace an 8 Sewer Line with a 10 line in Palo Alto. CEO Ward Carter, Field Trainer Jose Moreno and John Rafferty also shared a number of Municipal project highlights with Sedapal so they could visualize the full capability of TRICs technology. This week, Mr. Moreno traveled to Lima to provide on the job training with Sedapals field crew. This was Joses first international trip for TRIC. Im very excited to represent TRIC in South America, said Moreno.

While in California, Sedapal was able to enjoy a tour of Los Angeles. They enjoyed their visit to Hollywood and a trip to the Hollywood sign. They also enjoyed shopping at the Stanford and San Mateo Malls. TRICs Operation Manager Michael Lien escorted Santiago Ruiz on a tour of San Francisco. I really enjoyed San Francisco and cant wait to come back to spend more time in the city, said Ruiz.

TRIC invented and patented the first Lateral Pipe Bursting System while simultaneously gaining national approval of the HDPE pipe for its use, thus opening the market for trenchless home sewer replacement in America.

For more information about Trenchless Pipe Bursting equipment or the Trenchless Industry in general - please call 888-883-8742 or visit TRIC's website at http://www.trictrenchless.com to see how they can answer any of these questions for you.
Curriculum Foundry, Learning.coms pioneering solution for seamlessly accessing, organizing and sharing digital content, is a winner of Tech & Learning magazines ISTE 2016 Best of Show award.

We developed Curriculum Foundry to provide districts with the right tools for using digital content to personalize learning for their students, save their teachers time and stretch precious budget dollars through more effectively leveraging OER, said Learning.com CEO, Keith Oelrich. With more than 500 companies exhibiting at ISTE 2016, it is a tremendous honor to have our solution named as Best of Show.

For the third consecutive year, Tech & Learning honored distinguished products at ISTE. The winners were selected from products showcased at ISTE 2016 in Denver by an anonymous panel of educator judges. The judges evaluated areas such as quality and effectiveness, ease of use and creative use of solutions to select the technologies that they believe will have the most impact in the classroom and deserve to be named Best of Show. Curriculum Foundry will be featured in the August 2016 issue of the magazine.

Using Curriculum Foundrys comprehensive set of tools, educators can build learning objects, lessons, units and even entire courses. Curriculum Foundry also provides districts with a searchable repository of high-quality, vetted and tagged open educational resources (OER) and other free digital resources. The repository includes content for all K-12 grade levels, aligned to one of the four core subject areas: math, English language arts, science and social studies. Authors can search by standard, grade, subject and item to identify just the right resource. Districts can add digital content they have created to their repository as well.

Curriculum Foundry also integrates with a variety of learning platforms, including Canvas, Schoology and Google Apps for Education. And coming in fall 2016, it will include robust assessment authoring and management functionality, leveraging a deep integration and partnership with Learnosity.

Learning.com provides comprehensive professional development and training resources to ensure districts can effectively deploy Curriculum Foundry in all of their schools and classrooms.

To learn more, visit http://www.learning.com/digital-content

About Learning.com

Founded in 1999, Learning.com currently partners with one in six districts across the country and serves 5 million students. Learning.com provides K-12 solutions to help students, teachers, and schools excel in a digital world. Districts equip their students with the technology and 21st century skills needed for success on online assessments and in college and the workforce using Learning.coms digital literacy solutions. Learning.coms digital content tools help districts build and share custom digital curriculum helping them meet their instructional goals, facilitate personalized learning, and address budget challenges. Through implementation services and professional development, Learning.com serves educators as they integrate technology and digital content into instruction.
Lice Troopers announces new live chat resource for parents The new live chat gives parents immediate answers to their head lice questions."

Lice Troopers, the all-natural head lice removal service is introducing a new feature to its website. In efforts to achieve its mission of increasing education and awareness of head lice, and ultimately preventing epidemics, the South Florida based company has added a live chat feature to their site. The goal of the live chat is to help parents and teachers get immediate information about head lice and safe, non-toxic treatments, as well as Lice Troopers services.

Many parents dont know anything about head lice until their child is sent home from school with a note saying they have it. Then the parents turn to home remedies and harmful over-the-counter treatments trying to get rid of it quickly, not knowing the risks of using those treatments, owner, Arie Harel stated.

Lice Troopers is the all-natural, guaranteed Head Lice Removal Service that manually removes the head louse parasite safely and discreetly in child-friendly salon settings, or other chosen location. Providing safe solutions for frantic families, the Lice Troopers team has successfully treated thousands of families nationwide, with services widely recommended by pediatricians and reimbursed by many major health insurance carriers, flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts.
This year, LlamaColombia.com invites Colombians worldwide to celebrate Independence Day with a Facebook contest. Being a service designed for Colombian expats, the website challenges the Colombian diaspora to share the things they miss the most about Colombia. The comment receiving the highest number of likes wins the prize: $10 free Voice Credit.

The contest is hosted by LlamaColombia.com Facebook page, starting July 18, 2016. The wave of comments starts on July 18, the customers may share their thoughts until July 19 and the winner gets the prize on Independence Day, so he or she could call all their loved ones on this special occasion.

With LlamaColombia.com, the rates for international calls to Colombia are as low as 3.5 /min for both landlines and mobiles. This means that the $10 prize can be used for 285 free calling minutes for international calls to Colombia with LlamaColombia.com: http://www.llamacolombia.com/buy/voice.

Besides Voice Credit, LlamaColombia.com also offers Monthly Plans and a Mobile Recharge service. Monthly Plans are monthly subscriptions which offer discounted rates for frequent calls to both landlines and mobiles in Colombia. The plans available on LlamaColombia.com are Colombia 300, that includes 300 calling minutes for $4.99/month, Colombia 500, with 500 calling minutes for $7.49/month, and Colombia 1000, offering 1000 calling minutes for $11.99/month.

Mobile Recharge is a service that helps customers recharge phones anywhere in the world. The process is fast and secure and the credit reaches its destination instantly. The operators available for top ups to Colombia are Tigo, Movistar, Claro, Uff Movil, Virgin Mobile, Avantel, ETB, and UNE.

The mission of LlamaColombia.com is to bring people together, no matter the distance, because no distance is too long if people stay connected. Thats why all the services the website offers are a great solution for keeping a close relationship with everyone still living back home in Colombia. This is mainly due to:



the customer-focused approach, based on safe and easy to use services

the frequent special offers: bonuses on international top ups or discounts on international calls

the great Customer Service available 24/7, both in English and Spanish.

LlamaColombia.com is an interactive website designed by KeepCalling, a global telecommunications company registered in 2002 in USA. Presently, KeepCalling provides its services to hundreds of thousands of consumers and businesses worldwide, with a focus on customer satisfaction. KeepCalling has been listed by Inc 5000 as one of the fastest growing companies in the USA for 5 consecutive years. In 2015 the company registered a revenue increase of over 200% from 2011 to 2014.
The hosting provider announced today that its free import tool will allow Microsoft Partners of Record (POR) to automatically transfer all their clients to SherWebs partner portal in a few easy steps. At one time, this process was done manually. Resellers could only transfer one Office 365 client at a time, they had to manually add plans and services for each client, plus enter each clients profile information. Aside from streamlining this process, the new import tool automatically verifies contract renewal dates and provisions the new Office 365 subscription.

Jason Brown, SherWebs Director of Product Management for Office 365, said the tool is flexible enough to give resellers control over each customer and their subscription type.

"SherWeb wanted to create tools and systems that allow IT Advisors to transfer to our CSP program easily, without fuss," said Brown. "We want them to be ready to go to market faster with Office 365 by taking advantage of SherWebs first-class technical support and migration services."

By transferring their Office 365 clients to SherWeb, Microsoft Advisors will receive 15% commission in the first year plus a recurring commission of 5% every month.

SherWeb currently has more than 30,000 subscriptions for Office 365 in North America.

To learn more about using this new import tool, please read our blog: http://www.sherweb.com/blog/csp-import-tool/

About SherWeb

Founded in 1998, SherWeb is a leading cloud hosting provider in North America. The company currently has more than 25,000 customers in more than 100 countries who benefit from the added value of its wide range of SaaS, IaaS and PaaS solutions. SherWeb also has a growing network of 5,000 partners. For more information, visit http://www.sherweb.com.
Mxi Technologies, the leader in aviation maintenance management software, today announced that LATAM Airlines (LATAM) has successfully extended the Maintenix system footprint across its enterprise with the recent Go Live of LATAM Brazils fleet and third-party MRO Shops operations. With this latest milestone, Maintenix now serves as the standard maintenance management platform for consolidated fleet management.

As Latin Americas leading domestic and international passenger and cargo carrier, LATAM first went live with Maintenix in 2011 when it was then known as LAN Airlines. After the merger with TAM Airlines, the company set out to expand its Maintenix solution in phases across TAMs mixed fleet and MRO operations. The most recent milestone encompassed the entire Airbus fleet of 138 A32F aircraft  one of the largest inductions in terms of data volume  and followed closely on the heels of a go live with LATAM Brazils Boeing wide-body fleet in the Fall 2015.

The overall efficiencies that we have seen across our maintenance organization since our initial adoption of the Maintenix software have been significant, said Hernan Pasman, Senior Vice President of Operations and Maintenance at LATAM Airlines. This made it a natural decision to extend the solution to include all LATAM Brazil fleet maintenance management  a move we expect will help us continue to succeed in the marketplace as we further evolve and standardize business and operational processes across the enterprise.

LATAM Airlines has continuously demonstrated their dedication to growth, efficiency and best practices in aviation maintenance, and this expansion of Maintenix is no exception, said Bill Cavitt, President and CEO at Mxi Technologies. Mxi applauds LATAM on what I am confident is yet another significant step forward in their mission to drive operational and service excellence in a world-class airline, for their passenger customers and cargo.

About LATAM Airlines Group SA:

LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is the new name given to LAN Airlines S.A. as a result of its association with TAM S.A. LATAM Airlines Group S.A. now includes LAN Airlines and its affiliates in Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador, and LAN Cargo and its affiliates, as well as TAM S.A. and its subsidiaries TAM Linhas Aereas S.A., including its business units TAM Transportes Aereos del Mercosur S.A., TAM Airlines (Paraguay) and Multiplus S.A. This association creates one of the largest airline groups in the world in terms of network connections, providing passenger transport services to about 140 destinations in 24 countries and cargo services to about 144 destinations in 26 countries, with a fleet of 328 aircraft. In total, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. has more than 53,000 employees and its shares are traded in Santiago, as well as on the New York Stock Exchange, in the form of ADRs, and Sao Paulo Stock Exchange, in the form of BDRs. For more information, please visit http://www.latam.com

About Mxi Technologies:

Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada with U.S. headquarters in Dallas, TX, Mxi Technologies is a leading provider of integrated and intelligent maintenance management software, support and services catering specifically to the global aviation industry, including commercial and defense operators, third-party MROs, and OEM aftermarket service providers. Mxi Technologies suite of Maintenix software is uniquely designed to help aviation organizations maximize the revenue potential of their aviation assets through standard, lean, and predictable maintenance. Mxis global footprint of customers range from emerging, small to midsized organizations to the largest global enterprises, with single to multi-site deployments that scale as high as 6,000 users in a single instance. For more information, visit us at mxi.com.
Known as one of the leading companies in the Professional Pet Grooming industry, B-Air is now revolutionizing the market by bringing one of the top professional pet stylists, Mario DiFante, to its customers to help further their education of proper dog grooming and handling techniques. As one of the most celebrated award winning pet stylists, DiFante has a wealth of knowledge and experience that will educate professional groomers on how to achieve top grooming results while using the B-Air products.

As an expert pet stylist for over forty years, DiFante has served as a world-renowned pet lifestyle expert judge for the US, Canadian, European, South American, Asian and World team competitions; he has developed innovative grooming products and tools for the pet industry and he has produced and instructed thousands of grooming classes for professionals. Furthermore, He has been nominated numerous times for the Cardinal Crystal Awards Judge of the Year and has been invited to compete in numerous international grooming competitions. His past wins include multiple Best in Show and Best All Around awards while also holding the title of World Scissoring Champion. As the Founder and Executive Director of Pet Fashion Week in New York, Brazil and Japan, he has also raised over $140,000 USD for animal shelters, rescues and humane causes over the past six years.

B-Air is proud to form a close collaboration with a globally iconic Pet Lifestyle Judge such as Mario, said Greg Aghamanoukian, B-Air President- WDR  Pet Division. Mario stands for quality, perfection and high standards, which are paralleled by the culture of B-Air and its products. We feel an obligation to further the advancement of grooming by providing quality products and knowledgeable insight to professional groomers so they can perfect their craft bringing more comfort to the pets we love so much.

The American Pet Products Association reported that $60.28 billion USD was spent on pets in America last year and they project that at least $62.75 billion USD will be spent in 2016. With these rising statistics, B-Air is taking the initiative to be a trendsetter by using the top skills, education and knowledge of pet stylist icon DiFante to change the face of the grooming industry and commercial grooming products. B-Air has moved to the helm providing the highest quality manufactured air movers, dryers, blowers, dehumidifiers and ventilators for commercial and retail use. With top products and outstanding education from a winning grooming judge, this will be a win-win situation.

Investing in quality products leads to success in your career. B-Airs 20-year history proves investing in quality products ensures longevity. Try them, I did, said DiFante.

B-Air is thrilled to combine their long-standing merit with DiFantes legacy in the elite pet world and look forward to many more achievements of excellence in the future.

About B-Air (Intertex):

For almost two decades, B-Air has developed and manufactured air movers, dryers, blowers, dehumidifiers and ventilators for commercial and retail use. B-Air prides itself on creating the highest quality products to supply the needs of the ever changing and evolving industries it serves. B-Air products are designed and engineered in California ensuring attention to detail and the highest standard of quality. Leading the industry when it comes to the inflatable and pet industries, B-Air is positioned to become a market leader in the water restoration and janitorial industry having already become the go-to company for quality air movers, dehumidifiers, scrubbers, water damage restoration equipment and more. With accolades by reputable organizations, B-Air continues to uphold its core objectives: to develop superior products with exceptional customer service. For more information visit http://www.B-Air.com.
Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free

Canyon Bakehouse, a Colorado-based gluten-free artisan bakery, is hosting a Sammie Smackdown campaign on social media. From July 20-August 3, five popular gluten-free bloggers will create their tastiest sandwich ever to compete for fan votes. The blogger with the winning sandwich will receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of her choice.

During the two-week campaign, fans can vote once a day. If they sign up for Canyons newsletter or if they share the campaign via the Canyon Bakehouse website to their social pages, they will receive additional votes for their favorite sandwich. Fans will also be entered to win a year supply of Canyon products if they sign up for the newsletter.

The 2016 Sammie Smackdown blogger line-up, their Instagram handles and their selected charities include:



Natasha Gildea (@thefeistykitchen) will compete for Kick Cancer Movement

Lo Karsten (@LoKarsten) will compete for Canine Companions for Independence

Monica Stevens Le (@themovementmenu) will compete for Children of the Night

Rachel Mansfield (@RachlMansfield) will compete for Alzheimer's Association

Dani Nemeh (@Dani_Nemeh) will compete for Children of the Nations

The Sammie Smackdown campaign kicks off on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 and will run through Wednesday, August 3, 2016. Check out their mouth-watering creations and vote for your favorite sammie at: http://www.canyonglutenfree.com/bread/sammie-smackdown

About Canyon Bakehouse

Canyon Bakehouse is a dedicated gluten-free bakery located in Loveland, Colo. The family-owned bakery opened for business in 2009, recognizing the need for delicious gluten-free products that combine great flavor with soft texture, 100 percent whole grains and healthy, real food ingredients. The bakehouse has continued to expand its distribution, including more than 8,000 stores nationwide. The award-winning breads have been featured in Prevention's "100 Cleanest Packaged Food Awards" and Delicious Living's "Best Bite Awards."

Canyon baked goods are always Certified Gluten Free, 100% Whole Grain and Kosher. And, they are free from dairy & casein, tree nuts, peanuts, soy and sesame. For nutritional information or to find delicious recipes using Canyon Bakehouse products visit: http://www.canyonbakehouse.com
3GC Group, the leading consulting firm on Converged Network Technologies, today announced that The Silicon Review Magazine has named it among the 50 Best Companies to Watch for 2016.

The Silicon Review 50 Best Companies to Watch program identifies the most dynamic companies that have made significant contributions in the field of Business and Technology and is designed to showcase companies that provide the most leading and groundbreaking effective technologies, said Manish Pandey, Editor-in-Chief of The Silicon Review Magazine.

The publication has selected 3GC Group based on its revenue growth, creativity in innovation, customer reviews and domain influence.

The Silicon Valley Magazine is a business and technology magazine for tech decisions makers and enterprise IT. It is one of the most trusted sources of news and information for business professionals ranging from CEOs, CIOs, CTOs and other industry leaders.

We are honored to be recognized by The Silicon Review Magazine as the one of the 50 best companies to watch this year, said Henry Park, CEO of 3GC Group. Silicon Valley is the center of worldwide innovation and we are so pleased to see our service in this city getting recognized. With our talented team, we strive to continue in excellence to provide the best Converged Technology and support for our clients keeping them focused on developing brilliant new products and services.

About 3GC Group

3GC Group is a consulting firm, value added reseller and managed services provider focused on Converged Networks Technologies servicing enterprise organizations locally and globally. 3GC Group provides system design, implementation, integration and management services for a complete end to end turnkey solution. 3GC Group is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA with a global presence and expertise in all areas of business communications infrastructure from VoIP to FMC, IP PBX to Call Center Systems, video conferencing to cloud bridging as well as IT network infrastructure and security, IP Video Surveillance, Access Control systems as well as Point-to-Point, Point-to-Multipoint and Mesh wireless network solutions. For more information, visit http://www.3gcgroup.com
Patel recently served as the Vice President of Global Development for Pinkberry, one of the fastest growing retail brands globally. Over his 5-year tenure, the company grew from less than 95 locations to over 270 stores in 23 countries. Ryan is a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and universities in the United States and around the globe. Speaking at prestigious events from London School of Economics to Osaka University, he is a strong believer in giving back to the community and paying it forward.

We are incredibly excited to welcome Ryan Patel to the GIVN team as our growth strategy advisor, says Liz Skalla, GIVN Waters VP of business development. His experience and knowledge in building brands that matter will be instrumental to our continued efforts of enabling consumers to turn their everyday purchases into seriously good impact.

I am thrilled to be added as an advisor to Givn Water, says Ryan Patel. I look forward to working closely with the team to grow the Givn brand nationally. I am excited to be a part of a business that enables consumers to make seriously good impact in the world in such a simple way.

GIVN Water is a premium North American spring water, sourced regionally local, and packaged responsibly. Every bottle of GIVN Water is Infused With Good Karma by providing one day of clean water for a person in need. GIVN Water is available on Amazon.com in retail stores across Illinois, Wisconsin, Georgia, Florida and coming soon to New York.

ABOUT GIVN WATER:

GIVN is a social enterprise dedicated to turning everyday purchases into meaningful good. Launched in 2015 with flagship product GIVN Water, customers of GIVN Water have already funded more than 600,000 days of clean water to people in need throughout the world via the companys partnerships with nonprofits like WaterIsBasic.org. GIVN Water is available in more than 300 retail locations across the United States. Visit givnwater.com for more information.

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GIVN Water is a registered trademark of GIVN Goods, Inc.
Crio Bru today announced winning three awards for its new Durci Taino 70% artisan confection in the 2016 CHOCOLATE BAR AWARDS competition. This Durci bar took Bronze for Best Dark Chocolate and Best Graphic Design, as well as Silver for Best Packaging. The International Chocolate Salon, a premier international body honoring premium chocolates and confections, holds this annual competition.

We are honored to bring home multiple awards with our first entrant to this world leading competition, states Dr. Eric Durtschi, CEO for Crio Bru and creator of the Durci premium chocolate bar. Applying our extreme expertise in the cocoa industry to this new line of artisan chocolate is a natural step following our hugely successful line up of brewed cocoa beverages.

The International Chocolate Salon Awards for the 2016 CHOCOLATE BAR AWARDS are based on the votes of the Judging Panel, consisting of National and Regional Magazines, Newspaper and Blog Editors, plus Topic Experts, Local Chefs and Food Gurus.

Crio Bru plays a key role in the community and agricultural development of emerging cocoa suppliers along the equator including Peru, Nicaragua, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Ghana, Venezuela, and Dominican Republic. Crio Brus patented process takes the cocoa bean to new levels of flavor by controlling five key elements: variety, soil, fermentation, drying, and climate. The result is a consistently one of a kind artisan cocoa experience with a wide variety of flavors.

With headquarters in Utah, increased production soon goes online in Crios new Santa Barbara, CA facility. Highlighted in Consumer Reports, Forbes and on Shark Tank, the company is a winner in the national Grow America startup competition. See more about the company on YouTube.

Durci Chocolate Bars may be found at a growing list of fine confection shops or purchased online.
Michael Phalen

Real estate and land use attorney Michael Phalen has joined Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP as a partner in the firms Business Transactions practice group.

Phalen is a member of the firm's Real Estate team, focusing primarily on land acquisition, entitlement and development. His practice covers a full range of issues from land use planning and zoning, real estate, government affairs, natural resources and endangered species, and mining law and public lands, to renewable energy and clean tech.

Phalen has represented numerous companies and developers in real estate transactions, land use and rezoning matters for some of the largest residential and commercial developments in Arizona. Prior to joining the firm, he chaired the zoning and land use subgroup at Fennemore Craig in Phoenix.

He is experienced in municipal law, local government affairs, rezoning, general plan amendments, development agreements, annexations and infrastructure and impact fee issues before governmental bodies and regulatory agencies throughout Arizona.

Phalen is a former Assistant Arizona Attorney General in the Land and Natural Resources Section, and also served in a non-legal position as Land Planning Director for the Arizona State Land Department. He holds a J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a bachelors degree from the University of Arizona.

He is a member of the State Bar of Arizona and State Bar of California, is recognized for zoning and land use in Chambers USA: Leading Lawyers for Business, and is on the board of directors of the Chrysalis Shelter for Victims of Domestic Violence.

Phalen can be contacted at MPhalen(at)lrrc(dot)com or 602-262-5777.

About Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP

Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie LLP is an Am Law 200 commercial law firm for handling complex matters in litigation, intellectual property, business transactions, gaming, government relations and other practice areas. Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie offices are located in Albuquerque, Colorado Springs, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Irvine, Phoenix, Reno, Silicon Valley and Tucson.
The International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals (ICMCP) today announced global cybersecurity leader Symantec Corporation will sponsor the first ICMCP West Coast Summit on minority underrepresentation in cybersecurity. The summit will be held on October 6th during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month at the Symantec headquarters in Mountain View, CA from 12-6pm PST.

The West Coast Summit will bring together technology and security leaders in Silicon Valley. The summit builds on the success of the inaugural ICMCP National Conference held in Washington D.C. in March and the earlier D.C. town hall meeting hosted by Congresswoman Sheila Jackson. It will provide another opportunity to expand the dialogue on the necessary strategic, tactical and operational imperatives needed to attract and develop minority cybersecurity practitioners.

During the one-day summit, security thought leaders will hold a series of expert panel and audience-driven discussions, and examine ways to further the inclusion of underrepresented minorities in cybersecurity.

Cybersecurity has been identified as one of todays most serious economic and national security challenges. There is a glaring underrepresentation of women and other historically marginalized minority groups, specifically African Americans and Hispanics, in the fast-growing discipline (https://niccs.us-cert.gov/home/women-minorities). Despite the increasing demand for cybersecurity professionals, it remains an area where there is a significant shortage of skilled practitioners. The ICMCP scholarship awards, including voucher certification programs, were established to promote the inclusion of underrepresented and untapped minorities in the next generation of cybersecurity practitioners.

For more information and to register for the event please visit http://icmcp.org/icmcpwest2016

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About ICMCP

The International Consortium of Minority Cybersecurity Professionals (ICMCP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It began official operations in September 2014 and is organized exclusively for charitable purposes, to provide members with educational/technical scholarships, mentoring opportunities, professional development and networking.

About Symantec

Symantec Corporation is the global leader in cybersecurity. Operating one of the worlds largest cyber intelligence networks, we see more threats, and protect more customers from the next generation of attacks. We help companies, governments and individuals secure their most important data wherever it lives.
The Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP), the worlds leading professional association dedicated to the practice of alliance management, partnering, and collaboration, announced the theme and programming for the 2016 ASAP BioPharma Conference, Sept. 7-9, New Faces, Unexpected Places in Partnering: The Foresight to Lead, the Foundation to Succeed, to be held once again at the Revere Hotel Boston Common, Boston. This years conference theme revolves around key changes taking place in the evolving healthcare and life sciences ecosystem.

A company can no longer be comfortable defining its space as just an asset partnership and reside within those confines, commented ASAP CEO Michael Leonetti, CSAP. The ecosystem is getting larger; the alliance managers enterprise now represents the company, its partners, and the entire healthcare system. Too many organizations are happy to keep you in your silo, but it wont happen there. We limit our creation of value in our companies unless we harvest the enterprise.

Registration opens at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 7, followed by a series of developmental workshops and a timely keynote address, Healing the U.S. Health Care System: Collaboration is Essential, by Dr. Sam Nussbaum, strategic consultant, EGB Advisors, Inc. Nussbaum has been central to designing collaborative solutions among Anthem, HealthCore, hospital systems, the FDA, and public agencies to provide cost-effective, high-quality care. Nussbaum was responsible for HealthCore, Anthems clinical outcomes research subsidiary, as a former executive vice president of clinical health policy and chief medical officer at WellPoint, Inc. He has designed partnerships and addressed systemic problems at the highest levels within the private and public sector.

As a healthcare policy guru, Dr. Nussbaum is well-positioned to discuss collaborative approaches he has forged with key stakeholders. He can help attendees envision and define ecosystem challenges and changes that may impact their strategic alliances, remarked Leonetti about the choice. As we explore how healthcare will be impacted by the presidential election, Dr. Nussbaum has the background to diagnose what the outcome could mean for each segment of the industry and prescribe solutions.

Thursday morning opens with an insightful plenary session, The View from the C-Suite: Partnering and Alliances Today and Tomorrow, by Stephane Thiroloix, CEO at Mayoly Spindler, a mid-level French pharmaceutical company with a focus on gastroenterology and dermocosmetics. Thiroloix will discuss how alliance management functions can be best viewed and leveraged by company senior leadership. He will provide perspective on new models of partnering and enhancing productivity in the boardroom between alliance management teams and the C-suite.

The remainder of the conference will be comprised of practical, cutting edge sessions focused on:



Sharing experiences and new viewpoints on front-line partnering innovation through structured breakout sessions and informal networking

Discovering proven frameworks, practices, and tools to drive partnering success

Exploring opportunities and managing partnering risks outside comfort zones, with an emphasis on high tech

As biopharma expands, so has the conference, which will offer multiple opportunities for learning how to partner in new environments, such as tech, academic, and healthcare system partnerships, emphasized Leonetti. Several sessions will emphasize the value of partnering with the tech side of ASAP. They will provide key opportunities to learn about tech company expectations and how they partner.

Working to bridge that gap, for example, are two progressive sessions: New Partnerships Between High Tech and BioPharma and the Alliance Management Practices to Support Them, facilitated by Donna Peek, CSAP, director, partner enablement & operations at SAS Institute, and New Partnerships between High Tech and BioPharma and the Alliance Management Practices to Support Them, led by Russ Buchanan, CSAP, head of corporate alliances, Xerox Corporation.

ASAP also will be unveiling, along with its author, a groundbreaking new study The Economics of Alliances, Social Capital, and Alliance Performance, which is scheduled for release after the conference as ASAPs 6th State of Alliances study. Dr. Shawn Wilson, the author, has analyzed reams of data, extensively surveyed ASAP members, and worked with ASAP to provide new financial and economic ROI analytics that reflect partnering best practices. In addition to Wilsons data, Stuart Kliman, CA-AM, will presenting Vantage Partners own research findings Cross-Industry Review of Alliance Management Trends and Challenges.

Several session leaders will be sharing their views on Strategic Perspectives on a Partnership's First 100 Days, which will offer a range of experiences on partnering with new players. As the borders continue to dissolve, alliance managers, CEOs, and others are brushing up on their cultural understanding. One dynamic session that will broach this topic is A New Model for Western and Chinese Pharmaceutical Partnering, by Brent Harvey, CA-AM, director, alliance management at Eli Lilly and Company.

Attendees also will be given the chance to become participants in a new, interactive ASAP Aquarium session Strengthening our Partnership Capabilities, facilitated by Jan Twombly, CSAP, and president of The Rhythm of Business, Inc. Industry thought leaders and senior-level partnering executives will engage in deep discussions that audience members can tap into and replace a participant onstage. As the new member joins the group, the conversation shifts with new perspectives. Twombly and her partner at The Rhythm of Business, Jeff Shuman, CSAP, also will be facilitating a 90-minute workshop that introduces participants to design thinking centered on innovation and complex problem solving methodologies, Using Design Thinking to Drive Speed, Innovation, and Alignment in Partnering.

Back by popular demand is Ben Gomes-Cassares, CSAP, with a primer on how to avoid the pitfalls that he says lead to half of all alliance failures in Making Better Alliances: How Alliance Management, Business Development, and Legal Can Collaborate More Effectively.

For more information about the conference speakers and sessions, go to http://www.asapweb.org/biopharma/bio16sessions.html.

About ASAP

The Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals (ASAP) is the only professional association dedicated to elevating and promoting the profession of alliance management and partnerships. Founded in 1998, the organization provides professional development, networking and resources for cultivating the skills and toolsets needed to manage successful business partnerships. ASAPs professional certifications include the Certificate of Achievement-Alliance Management (CA-AM) and Certified Strategic Alliance Professional (CSAP). Active global members include AbbVie, Astellas, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Capgemini, Cisco, Citrix, Covance, Dell, Eli Lilly and Company, HealthCore, Huawei, IBM, INC Research, JanssenPharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Mission Pharmacal, NetApp, Novartis, Plantronics, Sanofi, SAS, Schneider Electric, Takeda, The Warren Company, and Xerox. A complete list of global members is available at http://www.strategic-alliances.org.

Register now to take advantage of Early Bird savings. For more information please visit http://www.asapweb.org/biopharma/ or contact Michele Shannon at +1-774- 256-1401.
Jones Benally, world champion hoop dancer and traditional healer, will perform at Restival. Benally has introduced hoop dancing to audiences worldwide. Were honored to bring guests a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in Navajo traditions and culture, and to enjoy the beauty of the ancient tribal homeland

Restival, the global host of wellness retreats and cultural festivals, will offer guests an exclusive opportunity to explore the traditions, arts and knowledge of the Navajo on the tribes historic homelands. This new adventure, scheduled for Sept. 12-17, 2016, will encourage guests to unplug from technology, reconnect with ones self and others, and restore physical and mental equilibrium through ancient Navajo culture and rituals together with wellness and bodywork treatments to truly re-calibrate.

Restival Arizonas site is located amid the four sacred mountains that define Dinetah, the unspoiled tribal homeland in the deserts of northern Arizona. Guests will enjoy a comfortable eco-luxe camp featuring Navajo-made Tipis and bell tents overlooking the Painted Desert, with doors facing east in the traditional manner. The adventure features daily wellness workshops including meditation and yoga; body treatments and beauty therapies; organic dining; writing; gong baths; music and dance.

The Restival experience takes travelers to new dimensions by inviting Dine (Navajo) leaders to lead traditional experiences including Cacao ceremonies, Medicine Wheel, song, art and sweat lodges in an original Hogan, a traditional Navajo structure used as housing or a place of ceremony. Guests will experience the changing seasons in northern Arizona, with average daytime temperatures ranging from 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit and evening temperatures of 50-59 degrees.

This years highlights include:



Navajo Astronomy: Dr. David Begay, an expert on indigenous astronomy who consults for Jet Propulsion Lab/NASA, will bring the night skys constellations closer to guests through the use of powerful telescopes and an understanding of the Navajo perspective on the order of the universe.

Storytelling and Harvest Celebration: Elders will bring evening campfires to life by telling traditional stories that connect the Dine to the natural world around them. The Benally family will share traditional dances and songs for the celebration of the harvest and of the full moon, which will occur on Sept. 16.

Song Bird Grandmother: A medicine woman uses the four sacred directions to guide guests through a healing ceremony that opens perspectives to the world, and seeks to reconnect guests with the earth and sky.

Mask Making: Acclaimed multimedia artist Zarco Guerrero, who lives within the Navajo Nation, makes masks for indigenous tribes around the world. His workshops will help guests create their own masks as unique keepsakes that reflect the Restival Arizona experience.

Were honored to bring guests a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in Navajo traditions and culture, and to enjoy the beauty of the ancient tribal homeland, Caroline Jones, Restivals founder, said. Far from the hectic schedules and technology of our urban lives, we can reconnect with ourselves, each other, and the natural world. Guided by Navajo elders, guests can detox, recalibrate and engage in the changing seasons while seeking mind and body balance.

To preserve the intimate experience, reservations for Restival 2016 are limited. For more information, please visit http://www.restival.global.

Restival plans to announce details of its newest wellness adventure in November 2016. Were off to the Sahara for another adventure this year, Ms. Jones said. Last years life-changing experience in the Sahara was an incredible trip, and our Restival movement is growing as people increasingly seek to tune out for a while from this technologically saturated world. The Sahara really is the place to switch off, with oceans of sand waves seemingly for miles and the Berber Nomads, a fascinating and humble culture, as our friends setting up a small village within our camp.

About Restival

Restival, the global host of wellness retreats and cultural festivals, curates exclusive travel adventures that allow guests to immerse themselves in ancient--sometimes overlooked--cultures and traditions. Through the influence of nature and the land, guests can disconnect from urban life in small, intimate groups and restore equilibrium to both mind and body. For more information about upcoming Restival adventures, please visit http://www.restival.global, and follow us on Twitter at @restivalglobal and Instagram at restival.global.
Modo Labs, provider of the leading mobile communication and engagement platform for universities, hospitals, and enterprise organizations, has announced that Craig Duncan has joined the team as the companys VP of Sales. Duncan, a seasoned executive, will guide the vision for expanding Modo Labs sales operations. He joins the company at an opportune time; the startup recently closed $10,000,000 in Series B funding.

Craig is a strong sales leader with a proven record of revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and relationship building, said Modo Labs CEO, Stewart Elliot. The company is experiencing tremendous growth, and were confident that Craigs abilities will help expand the business while further strengthening our already deep customer relationships.

Duncan most recently served as the Vice President of Global Strategic Alliances for MasterCards data and analytics division, MasterCard Advisors. In this capacity he drove organic and inorganic growth globally through partner distribution channels, mergers, and acquisitions, as well as managed strategic partnerships. Previously, Duncan held sales leadership roles in enterprise mobile software companies, where he learned the power and impact of mobile within large scale organizations.

Its an exciting time to be at Modo Labs. Not only is the company growing, but theres an urgent need in the market for institutions and companies to better communicate and engage their audiences, said Duncan. I look forward to helping the team discover these opportunities and achieve higher levels of business development and sales growth, while continuing to build upon the high levels of customer satisfaction at Modo Labs."

In his 20-year sales career, Duncan has held key positions in content management, analytics, and mobile firms, including EMC Documentum, SAS, Kony, and Mobiquity Inc. He holds a BA in Business from Saint Anselm College.

ABOUT MODO LABS, INC.

Trusted by hundreds of Universities and Companies in over 30 countries, Modo Labs offers an enterprise-scale mobile engagement and communication platform. Regardless of technical skill set, Modo users can quickly create a powerful and sophisticated mobile app experience that connects audiences with essential information when they need it, where they need it.

To learn more, visit http://www.modolabs.com.
Draken International, operator of the worlds largest fleet of ex-military fighter aircraft, has successfully deployed aircraft in support of the US Air Force Air Education and Training Command (AETC). Between June 25th and July 1st, Draken deployed six A-4 Skyhawks from Nellis Air Force Base, along with 28 pilots and maintainers, and flew 36 sorties in support of F-35 upgrade training for AETC and coalition instructor pilots as well as USAF F-16 requalification training at Luke Air Force Base. The purpose of the mission was to provide Red Air support for AETC 4th & 5th generation fighter jets as well as Norways elite F-35 instructor pilots. Drakens A-4 Skyhawks are equipped with 4th generation capabilities, including APG-66 radar, in order to provide credible threat replication and adversary support.

Utilizing a reliable and low-cost 3rd gen platform with 4th gen capabilities allows Draken to provide a practical, sustainable, and most importantly, cost-effective solution to meet the extraordinary demand for Red Air across all armed services. With the recent announcement of a new USAF contract, Draken has now been entrusted to deploy in support of other US Air Force commands at the discretion of the 57th ATG commander, states Nick CAT Guttman, Draken Project Officer for this recent deployment. Guttman went on to explain, Air Forces around the globe are quickly recognizing the need for adversary aircraft and Draken is the solution; we provide contract air support at a lower cost yet still represent a highly capable adversary that can help maintain the edge warfighters need to fight tomorrows wars.

Major Morten Dolby Manche stated, The Draken A-4s we faced in these exercises had sensor performance along the lines of our own upgraded F-16s to include EA jammers. The Draken pilots are very experienced with detailed knowledge of fifth generation tactics and weapons. With the assistance of intercept controllers on the ground, Draken adapted their training and offered us a reactive and challenging opponent.

Drakens CEO Jared Isaacman explains, There is an adversary deficit across many coalition military services and we believe the solution is commercially-provided professional, threat representative and cost-effective Red Air augmented by established military aggressors and enhanced through Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) technology. This successful deployment is impressive, not only because its the first exercise in support of AETC, but also because Draken was able to execute multiple simultaneous sorties out of upwards of six different operating locations throughout the same period. This deployment is further validation of our unique but essential business model and also the quality of our aircraft and the professionalism of the former military men and women that maintain and pilot our aircraft.

Draken has delivered successful and sustained flight operations for the US Air Force and US Marine Corps over the past year, including the Weapons Instructor Course, Red Flag, Joint Operational Test Team, and JTAC schoolhouse.
Experience the Riviera Fire Pit Table designed and manufactured by Firetainment at the 2016 Las Vegas Market, July 31-August 4.

The past sales quarter has been a whirlwind of successes for Orlando-based fire pit table manufacturing company Firetainment Inc. As well as acquiring big name dealers like The Great Escape, and finalizing plans for further expansion throughout the U.S and Canadian markets, the fire pit table manufacturing company has recently been named by the Orlando Business Journal as one of Florida's top manufacturers. This period of remarkable growth and development has not gone unnoticed by industry experts. The company has been featured on world renounced networks such as DIY Network, HGTV, The Price is Right, Hearth and Home, Casual Living and many more.

The Las Vegas Market will see Firetainment Inc. travel to Nevada for a week of celebrations and networking with some of the industry's best and brightest. The Las Vegas Market is the only major market in the western U.S. offering a unique cross-section of suppliers and buyers spanning the home furnishings, decor and gift industries. Firetainment will be available to meet with industry experts at their Las Vegas Market booth #C13-237 on July 31, 2016 through August 3, 2016 between the hours of 8:00am and 6:00pm. They will also be available on August 4, 2016 between the hours of 8:00am and 4:00pm.

Founded in 2010, Firetainment Inc. designs and manufactures luxury granite and copper top fire pit tables for residential and commercial outdoor use from their Orlando manufacturing center. Firetainments fire pit tables are one of the most unique outdoor living products on the market today combining the use of a patio table, hibachi grill, and fire pit, all in one piece of outdoor furniture. Firetainment brings families back together, promoting quality bonding time through family meals and interactive games gathered around the companys one-of-a-kind fire pit table.

About Firetainment Inc.: https://www.firetainment.com

For more information on Firetainment Inc. follow @Firetainment on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.
With UK's recent Brexit, the future is uncertain but we believe that the UK or the remaining part of the EU can be successful through investment in innovations.

Reinhardt Technology Research of London announces the development of a 1:4 scale prototype of its hybrid electric aircraftthe TU 523. In 2017, a roadshow will visit 17 countries in Africa in order to raise awareness of the need for alternative transportation of goods and energy across the globe. The innovative design of the new aircraft would allow it to take off and land vertically. If successful, extensive and costly infrastructure may no longer be necessary, and developing countries may have more opportunities to grow their economies. The company is seeking funding in order to continue research and development of the prototype. A message from the company's CEO along with a video about the project can be viewed at http://reinhardt-tech.com/2015/11/04/searching-the-african-dream/.

With UK's recent Brexit, the future is uncertain but we believe that the UK or the remaining part of the EU can be successful through investment in innovations, said Thorsten U. Reinhardt, Founder and CEO of Reinhardt Technology Research. The market of the new aircraft was originally predicted to be developing countries due to their lack of infrastructure, but we hope for the research and development to be able to continue in the western world as well, as they will benefit from the aircraft equivalently due to the rapid growth in demand for transportation. In order to facilitate our vision for the future, we are looking for partners and investors who may share the same sentiment toward creating new economies and opportunities, especially those that help developing countries overcome their challenges.

Currently, areas in Western Africa, such as Cote d'Ivoire, are facing struggles with limited infrastructure. Just a few years ago, the community built new roads that were supposed to last 20 years but instead only lasted 2-3 years. Reinhardt Technology Research is naming its project, Searching the African dream, because the company believes it can make in impact with the environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution for transporting goods to the around the globe, without any limits or barriers. The TU 523 is expected to operate faster and at lower costs than conventional trucks. Software for the vertical take-off and landing has been developed and is being tested on small quadcopter prototypes. The company's next step is to build the larger prototype.

Reinhardt Technology Research is hosting a send-off for the research team, which will take place in May of 2017. Guests can join in on wishing the explorers well before they venture through 17 countries in Africa to demonstrate the challenges of transportation to and through Africa. Goals and challenges will be shared at the event, which will take place in Leicester Square in London. Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1727059914178022/ to learn more about the event. Reinhardt Technology Research is planning to document the production of the TU 523 prototype and record the prototype in action as it travels across Africa.

About Reinhardt Technology Research, Ltd.:

Reinhardt Technology Research strives to develop transportation solutions that are cost effective and environmentally friendly. Its main projectTU 523is a hybrid electric aircraft that incorporates innovation in vertical take-off and landing. Reinhardt Technology Research is also developing a new energy source that allows for efficiency levels of up to 75%the Reinhardt Turbinewhich will be used in the new aircraft. To learn more about the company and its projects, visit http://reinhardt-tech.com/.
Weve had a transformative year in terms of the growth of our agency into various verticals, new client engagements and key company additions.

KCD PR, a San Diego-based public relations and content marketing agency that provides communications counsel for leaders in the financial services, fintech and high-tech industries, today announced it has added Brain Corporation of San Diego and 1st Global, headquartered in Dallas, to its client roster.

Brain Corporation is a high-tech startup born from Qualcomm specializing in building brains for tomorrows robots, transforming a manually operated machine into an autonomous solution. Brain Corporation applies expertise in machine learning and computer vision to create intelligent systems capable of functioning autonomously in complex human environments. KCD PR will work with Brain Corporation to position the firms transformative technologies and build exposure around the startups autonomy as a service solution.

We look forward to watching our autonomy as a service campaign unfold as we expand our reach into different markets, said Eugene Izhikevich, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Brain Corporation. We truly felt KCD PRs experience managing communications for growing B2B firms, coupled with their knowledge of the technology and financial markets made this a natural fit.

KCD PR also recently secured 1st Global Research & Consulting, an independently owned research and consulting partner for Certified Public Accountants and tax and estate planning firms, as a client. As a part of this relationship, KCD PR will execute a comprehensive communications and public relations strategy aimed at advancing 1st Globals brand awareness within local, industry and national markets. The agencys campaign is designed to showcase the power of 1st Global, advance the companys new initiatives and position its executives as industry thought leaders.

Additionally, KCD PR is proud to announce two key personnel moves: John Stoepler to vice president of corporate development and promotion of Kelly Gardner to account coordinator. The hire of Stoepler will help better position KCD PR to compete in an extremely competitive marketplace and increase awareness of the value the firm offers to its client base. Gardner will be responsible for developing and managing marketing and communications initiatives for clients, conducting media relations outreach and driving internal marketing initiatives.

Weve had a transformative year in terms of the growth of our agency into various verticals, new client engagements and key company additions, said Kevin Dinino, founder and president of KCD PR. We have a shared interest in differentiating and driving brand awareness for both Brain Corporation and 1st Global, as they are visionaries in their space. We are honored to be working with them.

About Brain Corporation

Brain Corporation makes everyday robots a reality by providing advanced technologies and technical services for cyber-physical systems. Brain Corporations BrainOS, a software package that includes machine learning, computer vision and other advanced technologies, provides a central software framework that supports critical technologies, easily interfaces with common peripherals and runs efficiently on low-cost computing hardware. With BrainOS, developers can easily achieve their desired functionality for robotic, IoT, security and other applications. Brain Corporations expert team also provides technical services to help customers integrate the most relevant technology for their individual use case. For more information, please visit http://www.braincorporation.com.

About 1st Global

1st Global was founded in 1992 by CPAs who believe that accounting, tax and estate planning firms are uniquely qualified to provide comprehensive wealth management services to their clients. 1st Global is a research and consulting partner that provides CPA, tax and estate planning firms with education, technology, business-building framework and client solutions that make these firms leaders in their professions through dedicated professional client relationships built around wealth management.

Around 400 firms have chosen to affiliate with 1st Global, making it one of the largest financial services partners for the tax, accounting and legal professions.

1st Global Capital Corp. is a member of FINRA and SIPC and is headquartered at 12750 Merit Drive, Suite 1200 in Dallas, Texas, 214-294-5000. Investment advisory services offered through 1st Global Advisors, Inc., an SEC-Registered Investment Adviser. Additional information about 1st Global is available via the Internet at http://www.1stGlobal.com.

About KCD PR

KCD Public Relations Inc. (KCD PR) is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing agency that delivers award-winning strategic public relations, marketing communications and social media campaigns and counsel to the financial services, fintech and B2B leaders nationwide. KCD PRs mission is to create and communicate a brands vision through highly targeted campaigns focused on messaging development, media relations, outsourced marketing such as marketing content creation, media training and analysis, press kit development and more. For more information on our services, client results and case studies, please visit http://www.kcdpr.com.
12 Weeks to Earn Your Halo Halo Burger is committed to the people of Flint and its surrounding communities.

 Halo Burger to raise or donate $24,000 to send fresh fruits and vegetables (lead inhibiting food) into Flint and Genesee County neighborhoods



Halo Country, LLC donated $10,000 to kick-off initiative

Text-to-donate: Simply text the number 41444 with the message, HaloBurger (one word,) and receive a secure link to complete your donation

Fundraiser being hosted at each of Halo Burgers 12 Genesee County locations

Fundraiser launches July 19th and concludes September 26th

Each truck contains approximately 14,000 pounds of food.

Halo Country LLC, owners of the Flint-based icon Halo Burger, announces the kick-off of an expansive fundraising initiative, 12 Weeks to Earn Your Halo. This company-wide effort challenges each of the 12 Genesee County Halo Burger Restaurants and surrounding communities, area businesses, and vendors to raise money that will be used to send locally-sourced fresh fruits and vegetables directly into Flint, and greater Genesee County communities in greatest need.

Working directly with the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and its partner community organizations and distribution centers, each of Halo Burgers 12 Genesee County locations will kick-off host their own, dedicated fundraisers starting July 19th, 2016, and concluding the week of September 26th. The kick-off will be at the Linden Road Halo Burger in Flint, MI and conclude at the Richfield, MI Halo Burger location. The more donations garnered by each of the participating Halo Burger locations, the more fresh fruit and vegetables will be deployed into the community.

Halo Burger will raise or donate a minimum of $24,000 for this initiative, sending at least 12 Food Trucks directly into both Flint and Genesee County neighborhoods in greatest need of fresh food...thats 12 weeks, 12 locations, 12 food trucks. Bringing fresh food directly into the neighborhoods removes barriers and enables easy community access to the nutritious food they need. Each truck contains approximately 14,000 pounds of fresh food. Deployment of the food trucks will begin in early August.

The Halo Country LLC family has donated $10,000 to kick off the campaign initiative. This is enough to fund the first 5 dedicated food trucks. Halo Burger has been serving the Flint area since 1923, it is our home and our heritage. Together with our [Halo] stores, our customers and our management team, this is our small way of showing that we are dedicated to the community and to helping our neighbors in need, explains Chance Richie, CEO of Halo Country LLC. Halo Burger is committed to the success of Flint and the people in the surrounding communities.

Halo Burgers Linden Road location will kick-off the fundraiser, but all Genesee County Locations are participating:

1. Linden Road, Flint

2. Birch Run Road, Birch Run

3. Hill Road, Grand Blanc

4. Leroy Street, Fenton

5. Belsay Road, Burton

6. Saginaw Street Downtown, Flint

7. Mount Morris Rd, Mt. Morris

8. Holly Road, Grand Blanc

9. Court street, Flint

10. Pierson Road, Flint

11. Fenton Road, Flint

12. Richfield Road, Flint

In an effort to make all donations as seamless as possible, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan together with Halo Burger, has set up a text-to-give platform that makes donating safe, easy and secure. Simply text the number 41444 with the message, HaloBurger (one word,) and receive a secure link to complete your donation.

Anyone can make a charitable donation - to do so online, simply visit igfn.us/f/xtp/n  via phone or computer. Each contribution will go directly to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan and will be used to provide fresh produce to people in need in the Genesee community. To learn how the Food Bank is "changing the face of hunger." Visit their website at http://www.FBEM.org

The Halo initiative is a great example of the business community coming together to provide support for the community as a whole, says William E. Kerr, CEO of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. Residents of Flint, MI will be negatively impacted by the effects of the water crisis and lead exposure for years to come...with this kind of support from Halo Burger, fresh produce containing essential, lead-mitigating nutrients such as Vitamin C, Calcium, and Iron, will be available within the Flint communities that need it most.

Halo Country LLC and Chance Richie believe that business begins at the heart. We serve the people in the communities where we do business - thats first. We already know we serve the best, fresh burgers, famous Boston Coolers, Olive Burgers and QP Burgers! Now were refocused on the principles that have made Halo Burger a great, local favorite for 93 years, Richie adds. His enthusiasm is for bettering the Halo Burger concept, and working to rebuild a better Flint - will be seen in all elements of the business and in the community. Since acquiring Halo Burger in January of 2016, Halo Country, LLC is retrenching on efforts to constantly improve employee and customer engagement, in-store amenities and impactful community outreach.

Halo Burger Restaurant is a chain of 17 Michigan-based, fast-food restaurants. Halo Burger has been serving the Flint area (and the state of Michigan at large) fresh, never-frozen hamburgers since 1923. Halo Burgers locations include six in Flint, two in Grand Blanc, and one each in Burton, Mt. Morris, Fenton, Birch Run, Brighton, Novi and East Lansing. In addition, Halo Country recently opened at the Palace of Auburn Hills and is launching a new Halo Mobile Food truck.

About the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan: Serving local families in need since 1981, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan has grown to provide over 25 million pounds of food each year through more than 415 partner agencies in 22 counties. Partner agencies consist of local soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food pantries who strive to feed more than 300,000 people who struggle with hunger throughout eastern Michigan. For more information, visit http://www.fbem.org.

For more information please contact Julia Gillespie at 917-628-9103 julia(at)lessismo.com
Autism Speaks Walk

Autism Speaks, the worlds leading autism science and advocacy organization, today launched two new Autism Speaks Walk Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Each PSA features the story of a parent and their child with autism and why it is important to fundraise for the Autism Speaks Walk.

Autism Speaks Walk is the worlds largest fundraising event to support the diverse needs of the autism community. This grassroots movement is powered by parents of children on the autism spectrum, generating funds that fuel innovative research and make connections to critical lifelong supports and services.

The new PSA campaign aims to motivate the public to register and fundraise for Autism Speaks Walk, and explains how the funds raised are essential to continuing the innovative research, family and adult services, and advocacy and awareness efforts that define Autism Speaks mission. The campaign builds on the success of the Autism Speaks Walk program over the past ten years, and calls for further support to build on the progress made thus far.

Autism Speaks Walk is the heart and soul of our organization, said Autism Speaks President and CEO Angela Geiger. "The PSAs are designed to convey how essential it is to our mission. By fundraising for Autism Speaks Walk, you are joining a community of people who support a better world for all people on the autism spectrum.

One of the PSAs features Adam Mojica and his father, Jesse. Jesse discusses the sense of celebration, acceptance and progress that his family has found at the Autism Speaks Walk. Jesse appeals to the importance of fundraising as an essential tool to improving the world and lives of all people living with autism.

My experience with the Walks just have changed my life, says Jesse. Fundraising for Autism Speaks is very important because thats where were going to get the answers. Research, Advocacy, all of the changes that we need to make in this society to help those with autism. It is imperative that we do all that we can to fundraise.

The second PSA features Jacob Sanchez and his mother, Carmen. It highlights the incredible community fostered by the Autism Speaks Walk. Carmen calls for the public to register for an Autism Speaks Walk today, and fundraise to support the community and the lifelong supports and resources that are so vital.

We felt like we were alone, and now we are a part of this big amazing community, says Carmen. The hope is that this can be turned to resources for people in our community. Register for an Autism Speaks Walk.

The PSAs will air across multiple media channels and will promote the fall 2016 Autism Speaks Walk season. To learn more about the Walk and how to register and begin fundraising, visit http://www.AutismSpeaks.org/Walk.

About Autism

Autism is a general term used to describe a group of complex developmental brain disorders  autism spectrum disorders  caused by a combination of genes and environmental influences. These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by communication difficulties, social and behavioral challenges, and repetitive behaviors. An estimated 1 in 68 children in the U.S. is on the autism spectrum.

About Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is the worlds leading autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Autism Speaks was founded in February 2005 by Suzanne and Bob Wright, the grandparents of a child with autism. Since its inception, Autism Speaks has committed more than $570 million to its mission, the majority in science and medical research. On the global front, Autism Speaks has established partnerships in more than 70 countries on five continents to foster international research, services and awareness. To learn more about Autism Speaks, please visit AutismSpeaks.org.
A recent report from researchers at Public Impact claims to develop a helpful model for defining turnaround success, with metrics and cut scores that reach beyond student achievement tests to include indicators of engagement by students, parents and teachers; teacher and leader effectiveness; and short-term learning outcomes.

However, a review of the report concludes that, given the dearth of research evidence and sound methodological techniques incorporated into its analysis, as well as the omission of several rigorous, peer-reviewed studies that contradict the majority of its proposals, the report does not meet a minimal standard of evidence to support its claims.

University of California Berkeley professor Tina Trujillo and Texas State University professor Marialena Rivera reviewed Measuring School Turnaround Success for the Think Twice Think Tank Review Project at the National Education Policy Center, housed at the University of Colorado Boulders School of Education.

Trujillo and Rivera explain that, despite the reports stated intentions, it focuses largely on standardized test scores. The result distracts attention and potential resources from schools other goals, including civic, social, emotional, and broader academic goals.

In the end, the report puts forth yet another proposal that encourages state leaders to continue over-relying on flawed, test-centered strategies. Policymakers and practitioners looking for guidance on measuring turnaround success will not find worthwhile recommendations. Instead, the reviewers conclude, they will encounter several unsubstantiated ones and others that are contradicted by solid peer-reviewed research.

Find Tina Trujillo and Marialena Riveras review at: http://nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/review-turnaround

Find Measuring School Turnaround Success, by Public Impacts Cassie Lutterloh, Jeanette P. Cornier, & Bryan C. Hassel, published by WestEds Center on School Turnaround, at:

http://www.schoolturnaroundsupport.org/sites/default/files/resources/Measuring_School_Turnaround_Success.pdf

The National Education Policy Center (NEPC) Think Twice Think Tank Review Project (http://thinktankreview.org) provides the public, policymakers, and the press with timely, academically sound reviews of selected publications. The project is made possible in part by support provided by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice: http://www.greatlakescenter.org/

The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, produces and disseminates high-quality, peer-reviewed research to inform education policy discussions. Visit us at: http://nepc.colorado.edu

Find Documents:

Press Release: nepc.info/node/8140

NEPC Review: nepc.colorado.edu/thinktank/review-turnaround
Chef Brother Luck

Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) is proud to announce that, with the support of The Gohan Society, C-CAP Alum Brother Luck, Chef/Owner of Brother Luck Street Eats in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was awarded a two-week scholarship to Japan to explore Japanese culture and cuisine. In addition, he was also awarded the inaugural The Joyce Chen and Helen Chen Foundation Fund Scholarship, extending his cultural experience into China for an additional week.

Japanese and Chinese ingredients inspire my cooking style, Im excited to have the opportunity to learn authentic cooking techniques and explore the food culture in both countries, says Brother Luck, a graduate of the C-CAP Arizona program, who previously received a full tuition scholarship from C-CAP to the Art Institute of Arizona. C-CAP has supported my career since the very beginning, and I am very grateful to C-CAP, The Gohan Society, and The Joyce Chen and Helen Chen Foundation Fund for these special scholarships.

The Gohan Society U.S.-Japan Culinary Exchange Chefs Scholarship Program is a ten-day gastronomic exchange program designed to educate and inspire American chefs on the principles of Japanese cuisine and culture. Brother Luck was selected to represent C-CAP and will travel with three U.S. chefs to Tokyo and Ishikawa Prefecture, where they will study Japanese cuisine, learn cooking techniques, and new ingredients from highly skilled Japanese chefs.

Saori Kawano launched The Gohan Society in 2005 to foster an understanding of Japanese culture and heritage in the United States through outreach to chefs, culinary arts professionals and others who enjoy Japanese culture and cuisine. The Gohan Society offers master classes for chefs, lectures on Japanese tools and ingredients, workshops for high school students, culinary classes for the public, and scholarships for chefs to study in Japan.

I hope The Gohan Society scholarship will be the first step toward increasing the understanding and use of Japanese ingredients, techniques and products and serve as a catalyst for expansion of that knowledge in the United States, says Saori Kawano, C-CAP Board Member, founder of The Gohan Society and president of Korin Japanese Trading Corporation. As a C-CAP Board member, I am dedicated to promoting the understanding of Japanese cuisine and culture beginning with our students in high school and continuing throughout their entire careers. I am thrilled to be awarding this scholarship to Brother Luck, who is a talented chef from humble beginnings, who has shown a true appreciation for learning more about Japanese culture.

This is the first year that C-CAP and The Joyce Chen and Helen Chen Foundation Fund have partnered together for a scholarship, building on the longtime relationship, as Joyce and Helen Chen have been supporters of C-CAP since the organization was established in 1990. Joyce Chen and C-CAP Founder Richard Grausman shared a mutual enthusiasm and desire to help educate young people in the culinary arts. Over the years, the Chens have donated equipment and ingredients to C-CAP classrooms.

Joyce Chen was a Chinese-American chef, restaurateur, author, television personality, and entrepreneur. She was instrumental in introducing and popularizing authentic Chinese cuisine to America - particularly the eastern and northern cuisines of Shanghai and Beijing. The U.S. Postal Service has honored her accomplishments and influence on American cuisine by including her in its Celebrity Chef Forever stamp series, released on September 26, 2014, which commemorates five chefs who revolutionized cuisine in the United States  Joyce Chen, Julia Child, James Beard, Edna Lewis, and Felipe Rojas-Lombari.

Helen Chen established the fund to preserve her mothers legacy with scholarships to aspiring culinary students through the auspices of the C-CAP program.

I am thrilled to announce that Chef Brother Luck, a C-CAP graduate and recognized chef, will be the first recipient of The Joyce Chen and Helen Chen Foundation Fund travel grant to China this summer where he will have the opportunity to experience, first hand, some of the countrys vast and extraordinary cuisine and culture, says Helen Chen. My mother would be so happy and gratified to know that her long- hoped- for wish to support and further culinary education will finally be realized through this scholarship to her beloved China.

The Scholarships cover all travel and housing expenses during his stay in Japan and China.

About Brother Luck:

My career as a chef has taken me further than Id ever imagined, but there is so much more to achieve, says Brother Luck

Brother Luck was born in San Francisco and raised in a situation most couldnt imagine. Both parents lived in Japan years before he was born, and he remembers growing up in a household where they still lived as if they were in Japan. They spoke fluent Japanese and loved to talk about the amazing country and the food. They enrolled him in a Japanese elementary school to begin his appreciation of the culture. His father died when he was 10 years old and shortly afterwards his mother ended up in prison, leaving him to fend for himself. Those were the roughest years going through adolescence. Eventually an amazing woman who had one rule in order to stay in her home, go to school and graduate, took him in. He enrolled into the culinary program and C-CAP at the age of 16 at Metro Tech High School in Phoenix, Arizona and it changed his life. The kitchen became the place where his passion was fueled to learn about food and culture. C-CAP spotted his talent and commitment to pursue a career in the culinary arts. He competed in the C-CAP Arizona Cooking Competition for Scholarships and was awarded a full-tuition scholarship to attend the Art Institute of Phoenix. While at the school, he studied with Chinese Master Chef Bill Sy and was dazzled by watching him carve the most beautiful fruits and vegetables and made Dim Sum so elegantly that he couldn't process his ease of the skill.

Brother Luck worked his way from the bottom of the industry to owning his own restaurant with his name on the door. He was the executive chef for many restaurants including Craftwood Inn restaurant located in Manitou Springs featuring local Colorado cuisine and wild game selections, and the Hotel Contessa, a personal luxury hotel located in San Antonio, Texas featuring the signature restaurant Las Ramblas which specialized in Spanish cuisine. Prior to that post, Chef Luck was the executive chef for the World of Whirlpool facility: a private 28,000 square foot conference center in Chicago. His background also includes a role as executive sous chef for the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, Chef de Cuisine for Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and guest chef at the famous James Beard House in New York City.

On Sunday, June 26, 2016, viewers watched Brother Luck beat Iron Chef Bobby Flay on Food Networks Beat Bobby Flay. He will also appear on an upcoming episode of Chopped on the Food Network.

About Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP):

C-CAP is a national non-profit that transforms lives of at-risk students through the culinary arts and prepares them for college and careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. Since being founded in 1990 by Richard Grausman, renowned cookbook author and culinary educator, C-CAP has awarded over $50 million in scholarships, provided job training and internships, college and lifetime career support, teacher training and product and equipment donations to classrooms. C-CAP works annually with over 17,000 students nationwide,. Through C-CAPs efforts, a large percentage of its students find rewarding careers in the foodservice and hospitality industry with many alumni, now graduates of top culinary schools, working in leading restaurants and hotels throughout the country. C-CAPs Board of Directors is led by award-winning chef, restaurateur and author Marcus Samuelsson and Mark Weiss, Chief Investment Officer of RFR Holding LLC, as Co-Chairmen. C-CAPs President is Susan Robbins. For more information, visit http://www.ccapinc.org.

For more information about The Gohan Society, visit http://gohansociety.org

For more information about Helen Chen, visit http://helensasiankitchen.com
Photo Credit: JWest Photography Parnassus Medical Systems of Houston, Texas, licensed the molecule from the chemical compound library that is housed at BRITE.

Discovery of a molecule that could make chemotherapy treatments more tolerable for some patients has resulted in the first commercial license executed by the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE) at North Carolina Central University.

Parnassus Medical Systems of Houston, Texas, licensed the molecule from the chemical compound library that is housed at BRITE. University researchers Alfred L. Williams, Ph.D., and John E. Scott, Ph.D., both associate professors of pharmaceutical sciences at NCCU, discovered the ability of a particular small molecule compound to inhibit a bacterial enzyme causing severe diarrhea in some cancer patients.

With certain cancer treatments, chemotherapy becomes dose-limiting due to the side effect of diarrhea. Our researchers were able to identify the small molecule compound that limits that response, potentially allowing more patients to benefit from the treatment, said Undi Hoffler, Ph.D., who is interim vice chancellor for Research and Economic Development at NCCU.

The BRITE library consists of 350,000 compounds donated by Biogen Idec in 2006 and is one the largest publically owned compound libraries in the region. The compounds are used in drug-discovery research at BRITE and the universitys Julius L. Chambers Biomedical/Biotechnology Research Institute.

Because the compound is unique to the compound library at NCCU, the university was able to receive a patent for its use. Parnassus Medical Systems, which works to develop drugs for cancer, neurological disorders and other diseases, licensed the patent in early 2016. Scott called the event a milestone for the university.

Its the first patent that BRITE has licensed, and it demonstrates the value of our high-throughput screening core facility here as well as the compound collection we have, Scott said.

The researchers collaborated on the study with Matt Redinbo, Ph.D., co-inventor and professor at the University North Carolina at Chapel Hill who uses the bacterial enzyme beta-glucuronidase in his research.

Camptosar, an effective chemotherapy for colon and rectal cancer, should become non-toxic in the body and eliminated through the intestine. However, the beta-glucuronidase enzyme, which is normally present in the intestines, converts the drug back into a toxic form that damages the intestinal wall and triggers diarrhea.

The diarrhea, occurring five or more days after treatment, can be severe enough to be life-threatening and results in treatment delays, reduction in dosage or abandonment of future treatments. A drug that inhibits the activity of this bacterial enzyme may prevent this severe diarrhea and may allow increased doses of this chemotherapy.

Using high-throughput screening, an automated process to quickly assay a large number of compounds, the researchers tested more than 30,000 chemicals to find the single molecule with the greatest potential to inhibit the enzymes activity.

We developed the chemistry to synthesize the molecule and make analogs to study their structural activity relationships, Williams said. This compound was identified as an inhibitor of that enzyme.

What happens next with the discovery is up to the licensee.

They may either try to develop the compound further or see if there are any other companies interested in using the compound, Williams said.

North Carolina Central University prepares students to succeed in the global marketplace. Flagship programs include the sciences, technology, nursing, education, law, business and the arts. Founded in 1910 as a liberal arts college for African-Americans, NCCU remains committed to diversity in higher education. Our alumni excel in a wide variety of academic and professional fields. Visit http://www.nccu.edu.
FreeConferenceCall.com has transformed the conferencing and collaboration industry, and were proud that our business solution is being recognized by Aragon Research as a Hot Vendor in Audio Conferencing. - David Erickson, CEO of FreeConferenceCall.com

FreeConferenceCall.com, the worlds most recognized conferencing brand, today announces that it has been named a 2016 Hot Vendor in Audio Conferencing by Aragon Research. The report identifies FreeConferenceCall.com For Business as an emerging vendor with a cutting-edge product, StartMeeting, which is disrupting voice services in Unified Communications and Collaboration (UCC).

For more than 15 years, FreeConferenceCall.com has served users in more than 800,000 businesses and almost all Fortune 500 companies, which has propelled us to become the third largest conferencing provider in the country, said David Erickson, founder and CEO of FreeConferenceCall.com. FreeConferenceCall.com has transformed the conferencing and collaboration industry, and were proud that our business solution is being recognized by Aragon Research as a Hot Vendor in Audio Conferencing.

FreeConferenceCall.com has been a long-time provider of no-fee conference call services, which includes HD audio conferencing and online meetings with screen sharing and video conferencing to consumers. It now offers FreeConferenceCall.com For Business, which enables enterprises of all sizes to communicate with colleagues and customers across the globe. The proven conferencing platform, combined with managed services, dedicated bridges, integrations with leading applications and account management, is transforming traditional conferencing. With FreeConferenceCall.com For Business, companies do not have to sacrifice features and quality for lower costs.

The UCC market is ripe for disruption, and emerging providers such as FreeConferenceCall.com For Business are proving to be forces of change by introducing innovative products and pricing models that offer alternatives to standard voice services, said Jim Lundy, founder and CEO of Aragon Research.

Enterprises no longer need to pay high prices for fees and unused services, said Erickson. With FreeConferenceCall.com For Business, our customers not only realize a savings of up to 80 percent on their conferencing costs, but also find their employees are more productive and IT teams are in more control of the conferencing experience because of our simple, reliable solution.

For more information, please visit the websites for FreeConferenceCall.com For Business and Aragon Research.

About FreeConferenceCall.com

FreeConferenceCall.com is recognized as a top conferencing and collaboration provider around the world, boasting more than 800,000 business customers, worldwide, including users from many Fortune 500 companies. Service offerings around the globe with unlimited use include: high-quality free HD audio conferencing screen sharing, video conferencing, audio and visual recordings, customized greetings, security features, desktop scheduling and mobile applications. Mid-market and enterprise customers can take advantage of FreeConferenceCall.com For Business: high-quality, reliable and secure conferencing and collaboration services complemented by 24/7 customer support, enterprise account management teams, consolidated billing, customized user analytic reports, employee rollout and training and white-label services.

FreeConferenceCall.com was founded by David Erickson in 2001 and is based in Long Beach, California.
Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000 by L. Ron Hubbardthis summers #1 science fiction book and audiobook in the USwill be a feature title at this years Comic-Con International, it was announced by Terl, the alien security chief and central villain, who will be attending SDCC. This statement was confirmed by Galaxy Press President, John Goodwin.

Terl, who has been traveling the world on a campaign to promote his book, will be attending SDCC this coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While Terl was found at these sightings to be repeating over and over that Man was an endangered species, the now famous opening line of Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000, Terl will also be available for photo opportunities, one of his favorite activities when not collecting leverage on his associates.

Goodwin noted, The new book edition of Battlefield Earth features an additional 50 pages of content, including author handwritten notes, something fans had stated they wanted. In addition to the author notes, the 50 pages includes a 20 page interview of Mr. Hubbard conducted by the Rocky Mountain News when the book was initially released. Goodwin concluded, The newly recorded 47  hour long audiobook has simply raised the bar on audiobook productions with 67 actors, 3 hours of original music, and over 150,000 sound effects, making this a true movie of the mind.

Battlefield Earth was written by L. Ron Hubbard in celebration of 50 years as a professional writer. It is a swashbuckling science fiction saga of adventure, daring, and courage, when man is an endangered species and the future survival of what's left of the human race is at stake.

For more information on the Battlefield Earth audiobook, go to http://www.BattlefieldEarth.com .

Audiobook samples can be heard on SoundCloud at https://soundcloud.com/galaxy-758021182

With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most acclaimed and widely read authors of our time. In celebration of his fiftieth anniversary as an author, he again returned to the forefront of popular literature with his monumental epics Battlefield Earth and the ten-volume Mission Earth series. Together, these titles dominated international bestseller lists for 153 weeks, and still remain among the all-time classic works of modern speculative fiction.
Dr. Kimberly White-Smith I look forward to working in collaboration with LaFetra College of Education faculty and administration to develop exceptional educators and leaders who can positively impact students, families and communities.

The University of La Verne announced Dr. Kimberly A. White-Smith as the newly-appointed dean of the recently named LaFetra College of Education. Dr. White-Smith joined the campus this month and fills the role previously held by Interim Dean Barbara Poling.

We are honored to welcome Dr. White-Smith to the University of La Verne community, said President Devorah Lieberman. Her exceptional academic credentials make her the ideal choice to lead the LaFetra College of Education. Dean White-Smith will continue to further the University of La Vernes expertise in the field of education and our 125-year heritage of preparing highly qualified and exemplary teachers.. We are especially proud of our teachers and educators success in serving traditionally under-resourced schools and communities.

Dr. White-Smith most recently served as Associate Dean of the College of Educational Studies and Director of the Donna Ford Attallah Educator Development Academy at Chapman University in Orange, Calif. Her tenure at Chapman University, beginning in 2004, included increasingly responsible administrative positions within the College of Educational Studies, where she was also a Professor of Education. She received her doctorate in learning and instruction from University of Southern California; her dissertation focused on teaching and leadership in high performing, low-income, high minority elementary schools.

Dr. White-Smiths accomplishments as a teacher-scholar, her alignment with the Universitys mission and values, as well as her vision for educating Californias highly diverse public school demographic, make her the ideal choice to lead the LaFetra College of Education, said Provost Jonathan Reed.

The new dean said she is honored to take on what she called an extraordinary opportunity.

I look forward to working in collaboration with LaFetra College of Education faculty and administration to develop exceptional educators and leaders who can positively impact students, families and communities. The University of La Verne is uniquely positioned to support the need for teachers in urban centers and to be a leader in preparing teachers to succeed in their communities, Dr. White-Smith said.

Raised in Inglewood, Calif., Dr. White-Smith was a first-generation college graduate. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Berkeley and her Masters Degree from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York. Dr. White-Smith is the author of numerous scholarly articles on teaching and learning, and among other professional organizations, she is a member of the American Educational Research Association and the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education.. In 2015, she was awarded the Martin Luther King Legacy Award from Chapman University.

About LaFetra College of Education

In May 2016, University of La Vernes College of Education and Organizational Leadership was renamed LaFetra College of Education in recognition of a $10 million gift from Anthony LaFetra, a successful Southern California businessman and member of the University of La Verne Board of Trustees. The LaFetra College of Education (LFCE) includes undergraduate programs in education as well as several masters degrees and a doctorate degree (Ed.D.). Operating under four guiding principles  caring, excellence, leadership, and diversity  LFCE has established institutes that foster dialogue in the fields of child development, educational policy, and school reform. Nearly 1,400 students enrolled in these programs Fall 2015.

About the University of La Verne

Founded in 1891 and located 35 miles east of Los Angeles, the University of La Verne is a private, nonprofit, comprehensive institution founded on four core values: lifelong learning, ethical reasoning, civic and community engagement, and diversity and inclusivity. The University of La Verne serves nearly 8,400 students on the historic La Verne location as well as across 10 Southern California regional campuses. Four colleges  LaFetra College of Education, College of Business and Public Management, College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Law  provide 51 undergraduate degree programs, 17 masters degrees and four doctoral degrees.

U.S. News and World Report named the University of La Verne the top institution in the state the last three years for having the best online undergraduate programs. The same organization also named the university No. 1 in California in its 2015 Best Colleges for Veterans report. That same year, preLaw magazine awarded the College of Law an A+ rating and ranked it the No. 3 law school in the nation for diversity.

Students attending the University of La Verne represent the changing demographics of the State of California and the future demographics of the entire country. More than 40% of the Universitys students are the first in their families to attend college. Additionally, 55% of students are from underrepresented populations (43.7% Hispanic, 5.8% African-American, 5.2% Asian, .4% American Indian/Alaskan Native). Nearly all (93.7%) University of La Verne undergraduate students receive institutional financial aid, $45 million of which the University of La Verne provided in 2015-16.
Due to its quality and commitment to excellence, Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa & Nature Park, part of Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences hotel chain, has been awarded as Best Family Resort in Mexico and Central America for the year 2016 by World Travel Awards.

The award was presented during the gala held at the Swissotel in Lima, Peru, with an audience of tourist industry leaders and international media. Winners of the World Travel Awards are voted on by tourism professionals from all over the world.

These awards acknowledge and celebrate the commitment and excellence in all sectors of the travel industry and global tourism. In that regard, Annie Arroyo, Brand and Communication Director at Sunset World, mentioned that in Hacienda Tres Rios Resort, Spa & Nature Park no detail is spared so that families will have an unforgettable vacation. The objective is for vacations to become unique experiences in the lives of our members and guests, she added.

Year after year Sunset World Resorts & Vacation Experiences maintains the quality in service we give to members and guests, the proof being these awards for excellence being presented by different groups, stated Annie Arroyo. The acknowledgements we receive are very significant because what is truly important is precisely the opinion of our clients, she pointed out.

Annie Arroyo also emphasized that Sunset Worlds hallmark is the service offered by its staff and that is reflected in the amount of tourists that come back to Quintana Roo year after year to stay in one of our four properties.

World Travel Awards was created in 1993 to acknowledge, award and celebrate excellence in every sector of the tourist industry. Today, World Travel Awards seal of approval is known worldwide as the final stamp for quality and the winners of the award set the standards everyone else aims for. Every year, throughout the globe, a series of regional gala ceremonies are held as part of World Travel Awards to celebrate the individual and collective success of each key geographical region.

In his message during the gala, Travel Awards Global President, Graham Cooke, stressed that the event became a celebration of everything thats relevant in Latin American tourism. "We have seen the best hotels, airlines, tourism offices and hotel chains being acknowledged by the voters from all over the world and it is an honor to present the winners who have reached such an important place in the prestigious World Travel Awards," stated Mr. Cooke, adding that all winners have the right to participate in the grand finale of the World Travel Awards which is to take place this year in Maldives where the global winners will be announced.
The San Francisco conference is a remarkable gathering of defense lawyers, plaintiffs' lawyers, judges, along with company and insurance carrier representatives. It is a "must attend" for all asbestos litigation practitioners.

The 2016 Asbestos Litigation Conference: A National Overview & Outlook will be chaired by Perry Browder, Esq., Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, Alton, IL; Nina Lynn Caroselli, Esq., Chief Operating Officer/Senior Vice President Claims, RiverStone Claims Management, LLC, Manchester, NH; John B. Manning, Esq., Manion Gaynor & Manning LLP, Boston, MA; and Joseph F. Rice, Esq., Motley Rice LLC, Mt. Pleasant, SC.

This conference spans over three days and is comprised of panels and events that bring-forth and disseminate the multifaceted legal, scientific, and insurance coverage implications related to asbestos litigation. Panel topics will include the latest National Trends Driving Asbestos Litigation; Insurance, Judges, and Corporate Perspectives Roundtable Discussions; Updates on Lung Cancer; Settlement Dynamics and Negotiation Strategies; Evaluating Industrial Hygiene Conclusions; Jurisdictional Updates; Impact of Bankruptcies on Litigation Strategies; discussions about the latest wave of Talc Litigation including a relevant mock trial exercise; and more. Additionally, this years conference will include a Young Lawyers networking lunch and a Women in Business lunch designed to encourage and foster supportive relationships in those communities within the asbestos litigation industry.

In addition to providing exclusive opportunities for learning, networking, and information sharing, this conference offers Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credit and CE Adjuster Credit for qualified candidates. For more information, registration, and hotel accommodations, please visit http://www.PerrinConferences.com.

***

About Perrin Conferences

As the leading national provider of joint plaintiff/defendant litigation conferences, Perrin Conferences offers comprehensive and specialized continuing legal education (CE/CLE) in an atmosphere of learning, networking and sharing. The companys conferences attract influential leaders and foremost talent in the legal industry to discuss current topics in litigation through mock trials, presentations and webinars, setting the standard in professional litigation education and networking.

# # #

Contact:

Bethany Corio

Perrin Conferences

T. 610-220-1817

bcorio(at)perrinconferences(dot)com

http://www.perrinconferences.com
Lexalytics helped us sift through thousands of comments from medical professionals, enabling us to glean valuable insights, said Ryan Arnold, VP of Medical Affairs, Sage Therapeutics.

Lexalytics, the leader in cloud and on-prem text analytics solutions, announced today the availability of the Pharmaceutical Industry Pack, created to meet the specific needs of market research, social media marketing, customer experience management (CEM) and voice of the customer (VOC) professionals working in the pharmaceutical industry.

Leveraging Lexalytics industry-leading natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) technology to approach a humans ability to understand the meaning and sentiment in a text document, the Pharmaceutical Industry Pack helps pharmaceutical companies and marketing agencies immediately gain important insights such as identifying co-occurrences of medications, conditions, symptoms and sentiment. The Pack will also uncover whether more patients have a positive experience at certain dosages of certain medications, and if patients are being prescribed a medication for off-label symptoms.

Unlike other pure-play text analytics vendors, Lexalytics combines out-of-the-box functionality with the ability to easily configure the platform with a minimum amount of work. The Pharmaceutical Industry Pack comes with over 1,000 user-defined entities -- or the who, what and where being discussed -- relevant to pharmaceuticals, including the most common medications, symptoms, conditions and diseases derived from sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The pack also includes named entity improvements, including anatomical references and two patterns to identify dosages of medications. In addition, the pack includes nearly 7,000 sentiment phrases identified from healthcare forum content, like joint swelling," back pain" and itchy skin."

Our customers in the pharmaceutical industry have told us that theyre inundated with unstructured data from social conversations, news media, surveys and other text, and are looking for a way to make sense of it all and act on it, said Jeff Catlin, CEO of Lexalytics. With the Pharmaceutical Industry Pack -- the latest in our series of industry-specific text analytics packages -- were excited to dramatically simplify the jobs of CEM and VOC pros, market researchers and social marketers in this field.

Lexalytics helped us sift through thousands of comments from medical professionals, enabling us to glean valuable insights, said Ryan Arnold, VP of Medical Affairs, Sage Therapeutics. "With the Pharmaceutical Industry Pack, we're able to find specific trends that we would otherwise have missed.

Availability

The Lexalytics Pharmaceutical Industry Pack is now available for Lexalytics on-premise Salience and SaaS Semantria platforms. For more information, please visit https://www.lexalytics.com/technology/industry-packs

About Lexalytics

Processing billions of unstructured documents every day globally, Lexalytics is the industry leader in translating text into profitable decisions. Lexalytics deploys state-of-the-art cloud and on-premise text and sentiment analytics technologies that transform customers thoughts and conversations into actionable insights. The on-premise Salience and SaaS Semantria platforms are implemented in a variety of industries for social media monitoring, reputation management and voice of the customer programs. Based in Boston, MA, Lexalytics has offices in the US and Canada. For more information, please visit http://www.lexalytics.com, email sales(at)lexalytics(dot)com or call 1-617-249-1049. Follow Lexalytics on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Monica Corman of Alain Pinel Realtors Menlo Park office was named one Americas top real estate professionals by Real Trends, as advertised in The Wall Street Journal. She is now a member of The Thousand Top Real Estate Professionals, a prestigious national awards ranking sponsored annually by Real Trends and advertised in The Wall Street Journal. Corman is now ranked in the top one half of 1 percent of the more than 1.1 million Realtors nationwide.

The Thousand real estate professionals was announced on June 24, 2016, with four separate categories honoring the top 250 residential agents and agent teams for excellence in:



Individual Sales ProfessionalsSales volume

Individual Sales ProfessionalsTransaction sides

Team ProfessionalsSales volume

Team ProfessionalsTransaction sides

For the second year, REAL Trends has added two new categories to The Thousand ranking based off of average sales price. This new category is broken down into the top 50 residential agents and agent teams for excellence in:



Individual Sales Professionals  Average Sales Price

Team Professionals  Average Sales Price

According to The Thousand, Corman had sales volume totaling $86,635,275.06, ranking her 160th in the nation among real estate professionals.

Becoming a member of such an elite group as The Thousand is an incredible accomplishment in any market, but what Corman did during these challenging times is impressive on so many levels, said Marti Gallardo, vice president of classified advertising for The Wall Street Journal. Her efforts topped 99.99 percent of more than 1.1 million Realtors nationwide.

Im fortunate to work with a wide range of clients and properties, said Corman. Each experience teaches me something new. My background in contracts and real estate law is always an advantage, but helping my clients succeed is most important to me. I am honored to be selected for The Thousand list.

Rainy Hake, COO of Alain Pinel Realtors, agreed.

Monica offers an immense amount of talent and expertise to her clients, said Hake. Her ability to examine transactions from every angle helps win the day for her clients. We congratulate Monica on this notable achievement and wish her continued success.

The ranking of The Thousand can be found at: http://www.thethousandrealestateprofessionals.com.

About Alain Pinel Realtors

Alain Pinel Realtors (APR) is the fifth largest residential real estate firm in the United States and the largest privately-owned residential real estate company in California based on its closed-sales volume. The firm has 1,400 agents in more than 30 offices throughout Northern California. Celebrating a quarter century in Bay Area real estate, APR was founded in 1990 by CEO and President Paul L. Hulme, and is based in Saratoga, California. Visit us at apr.com, china.apr.com, facebook.com/AlainPinelRealtors, and @AlainPinel.

About The Thousand

This awards program was developed jointly by WSJ. Custom Studios (and is not affiliated with the Editorial Department) and REAL Trends, a leading source of analysis and information for the residential real estate brokerage industry. REAL Trends The Thousand honors Americas elite real estate professionals and their companies and is compiled and analyzed by REAL Trends with a special ad section included in The Wall Street Journal.
Housekeeping represents the single largest line item among costs for hotels and it lies at the heart of every guest experience.

Signaling the companys recognition as a leading innovator in the housekeeping management software sector, Hans Olbertz, an internationally renowned hotelier and global thought leader for the hospitality industry, has joined the OPTii Solutions board of directors.

During his distinguished career, Olbertz has served as a hotel general manager and senior executive for over three decades with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) and Kempinksi Hotels. He rose steadily through the ranks of IHG in nearly a dozen countries, eventually taking the helm of Kempinskis Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, widely considered one of the worlds most palatial hotels. He has successfully managed major hotel operations throughout the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Housekeeping represents the single largest line item among costs for hotels and it lies at the heart of every guest experience, Olbertz said. OPTiis solution offers a true innovation for managing costs while optimizing the return on investment for hotel owners and enabling them to efficiently provide the highest quality of guest services. I am very excited to join this dynamic companys board of directors.

Olbertz currently serves as a board member with Steigenberger Hotels in Frankfurt, Germany, and as the Founding Governor of the International Association of Hotels General Managers, a Dubai-based provider of benefit programs such as health coverage, pension plans, and executive mentoring services through a large network of hotel industry leaders.

For us, Hans decision to join the OPTii board represents a huge endorsement of the companys potential to transform hotel housekeeping operations around the world, said Sameer Shalaby, chairman of the board. We are elated to welcome his unparalleled wealth of industry knowledge, proven creativity, and global professional network as priceless new resources to support OPTiis rapid growth.

In June, on the heels of a 40 percent surge in licensing revenue, OPTii raised $2.7 million in its first round of venture capital. The company recently relocated its corporate headquarters to Las Vegas, a global center for hospitality innovation and leadership, as it continues expanding its market reach across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

About OPTii Solutions

OPTii Solutions comprises an expert team of seasoned hotel managers and software developers, passionate about improving the business of housekeeping in hotels and resorts around the globe. Founded in 2006, the company provides solutions geared to deliver productivity improvements, quality increases, training enhancements, and an overall more structured and efficient operation. Backed by investment from Select Venture Partners, Camber Creek, and HOF Capital, the company supplies large international hotel clients throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North America.
One of Creation's Award-Winning High-Tech Design, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Facilities Worldwide "In this, Creation's 25th Anniversary year, were honored to be part of this prestigious group of forward-thinking entrepreneurs and customer-focused companies." ~Bhawnesh Mathur

Creation Technologies, award-winning EMS provider for OEMs with electronics Design, Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing locations around the globe, announced today that Ernst & Young has named Creation President and CEO, Bhawnesh Mathur, and Founder and Chairman, Geoff Reed, as Finalists for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2016.

The awards program recognizes high-growth entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in areas such as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

We are honored that Creation Technologies has been named a finalist in the 2016 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year Awards, said Bhawnesh Mathur, President and CEO of Creation Technologies. In this, our 25th Anniversary year, were honored to be part of this prestigious group of forward-thinking entrepreneurs and customer-focused companies. Were proud of the impact that Creation people, our customers and supply partners are having on the hi-tech and manufacturing industries in North America and around the world. Together, were building the future of technology and innovation.

EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Finalists were selected by a panel of independent judges. Award winners will be announced at a gala in Vancouver on September 30th, 2016. The Canadian winner will go on to compete with winners from more than 50 countries for the title of EY World Entrepreneur of The Year in June 2017.

We exceeded our expectations with respect to the number of nominations in the Pacific region this year, said Lui Petrollini, Entrepreneur Of The Year Pacific Program Director. This is a testament to an increasingly impressive entrepreneurial culture in British Columbia, a province which continues to lead the country in economic growth. The men and women who make up our finalists represent a range of industry sectors, that contribute to our vibrant business community. The finalists should be very proud to be part of such an exceptional group.

About Ernst & Youngs Entrepreneur Of The Year

Ernst & Youngs Entrepreneur Of The Year is the worlds most prestigious business award for

entrepreneurs. The unique award recognizes the significant contributions of entrepreneurs who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 167,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential. For more information, please visit ey.com.

About Creation Technologies

Creation Technologies  http://www.creationtech.com  is a global, award-winning EMS provider with an entrepreneurial team of people that specializes in eliminating barriers to help its customers design, commercialize, manufacture and sustain their products to realize market growth and long-term business success. Celebrating 25 years of high-tech service innovation, Creations customers are Fortune 500s and emerging leaders alike. The companys Founder and Chairman, Geoff Reed, and President and CEO, Bhawnesh Mathur, have been named as finalists for 2016s Ernst and Youngs Entrepreneur of the Year in the in the Business-to-Business Products and Services category.
An innovative program to benefit military families was celebrated Monday, July 18th with a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Fort Meade. This event kicks off the placement of collection bins across the installation to directly benefit the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR). DFMWR was represented by their Director, Martha McClary. Far Corner Inc, the Columbia, MD based company was represented by its CEO, Chris Myers, along with Col. Kent Menser, USA (ret.) the Give Back Program Director.

The Give Back Program will accept used books and media in collection bins across the installation. It will use Far Corners global ecommerce network, technology, and logistics capabilities to sell the books through online venues around the world and share the proceeds with DFMWR to generate sustainable revenue.

What began as a question on how to help support military families has grown into a strategically focused program which will provide sustainable revenue over the long haul, Myers stated. It has taken us over four years to make sure we built processes and a foundation that will provide tangible benefit for years to come.

Avid cyclists, Myers and Menser came up with the concept on a bike ride and have made it a priority for Far Corner Inc which has dedicated thousands of man hours and over $150,000 to get the program to this point.

Most other companys would have given up a long time ago. Most of the past four years was spent finding the best way to ensure this program can continue well into the future. Far Corner truly believes in Give Back Program and the tenacity and commitment of its team and the dedicated collaboration of Fort Meade is what has made this possible, said Menser.

Far Corner Inc.s eCommerce division is one of the largest sellers of books through online marketplaces around the world such as Amazon and Half.com. It will use the technology it has built to process millions of orders each year to help sell donations received in the bins and share a portion of the proceeds with DFMWR. In addition, books will be donated to literacy programs and other causes. This program is a win-win-win. It helps DFMWR at a time when their need is increasing, it helps great programs focused on literacy and it keeps these books from ending up in a landfill, added Myers.

The Give Back Program has already garnered attention beyond Fort Meade and will be used in the future to help other groups leverage unwanted books and other materials to support worthy efforts.

About Far Corner, Inc.

Far Corner, Inc. is a 25 year old, Columbia, Maryland based company comprised of multiple business units including Far Corner eCommerce, Far Corner Logistics, Far Corner Technology, Far Corner Wholesale, Far Corner Give Back, Far Corner Media, and Far Corner Publishing. Far Corner generates sustainable revenue for its partners by leveraging its innovation and extensive assets at all points along the global supply chain.

For additional information about Far Corner Inc or any of its divisions, please contact: John Boyer, 410-858-8646.
Wynndel Buenger, MD Helping Patients Relieve Pain and Regain Life

Comprehensive Pain Specialists is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Wynndel Buenger to our Jerseyville staff. Dr. Buenger is the overseeing Physician for our Illinois locations, providing effective pain management for a broad range of ailments and pain syndromes.

Dr. Wynndel Buenger graduated from the St. Louis University of Medicine in 1991. He continued his education with post graduate training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. While in training, Dr. Buenger was decorated with awards and honors including Magna cum Laude, Chemistry; Outstanding Junior and Senior, American Institute of Chemistry; Leopard Marcus Award, American Chemical Society; Best Anesthesia Resident Award, Cleveland Clinic; and Outstanding Resident, Akron Childrens Hospital. Dr. Buenger is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pain Medicine. He travels the United States educating Physicians in Spinal Cord Stimulation, Intrathecal Drug Therapy, Vertebral Augmentation, Vertebroplasty, and Radiofrequency Ablation. He holds staff privileges at Alton Memorial Hospital and Jersey Community Hospital.

CPS, with over 60 locations in 12 states, and boasts a research department with a combined 200 years of experience in clinical research in the specialty of pain management. Dr. Buengers clinics are located in Alton, OFallon, and Jerseyville, Illinois. For a new patient consultation call 314.227.0169 or visit our website at http://www.CPSPAIN.com.

Contact:

Amber Crowder, Senior Director of Marketing

acrowder(at)cpspain.com

615.330.5959

http://www.CPSPAIN.com
AAJ conventions not only provide the opportunity to network with attorneys, but also for us to reconnect with clients who have played an integral part in our success.

Counsel Financial, the nations largest law firm financing company, is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Products Liability Section, Risperdal and Xarelto Litigation Group meetings at the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Annual Convention in Los Angeles. The four-day event, which starts on July 22, features over 300 on-site activities including Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs, networking receptions, section and group meetings, and more.

This is one of the premier events of the year, said Steve Mingle, Director of Business Development at Counsel Financial. It not only provides the opportunity to network with attorneys, but also for us to reconnect with clients who have played an integral part in our success. Mr. Mingle will be in attendance at the Risperdal, Xarelto and Products Liability section meetings where he will spend a few minutes speaking on financing alternatives for contingent-fee law practices. Mr. Mingle and other members of the company will also be involved in several private events during the duration of convention.

As the only specialty finance company exclusively endorsed by AAJ, Counsel Financial is the preferred provider to the association's tens of thousands members and their respective firms. After thorough vetting, AAJ leadership chose to solely recommend law firm financing through Counsel Financial due to the companys proven track record in the industry and extensive knowledge relating to the plaintiffs bar. The company is also a proud AAJ Extras provider, a member-benefit program offering exclusive discounts with select providers, carefully selected by AAJ for their experience services the needs of the plaintiffs bar.

If you will be traveling to the AAJ Annual Convention this week, please visit Counsel Financial at booth 208 to learn more or to speak to one of our representatives. The company will also be at the 2017 AAJ Winter Convention in Austin, Texas.

About Counsel Financial

Counsel Financial is the largest provider of working capital lines of credit to plaintiffs attorneys in the industry, having loaned over $1.5 billion exclusively to plaintiffs attorneys in its 15-year history. Counsel Financial sets the standard for innovation and flexibility in its loan offerings, structuring terms that are conducive to the unique demands of contingency-fee practices. Leveraging 200+ years of internal legal experience, Counsel Financial has financed the growth of firms in every area of plaintiffs litigation, including personal injury, mass torts, class action and labor and employment. The company is exclusively endorsed by six national and state trial organizations, including the American Association for Justice and The National Trial Lawyers.
"Ultimately, its all about improving patient outcomes, said Dave Heckard, President, Pharmacy Times Continuing Education.

The continuing education sessions of the 2nd Annual Convenient Healthcare and Pharmacy Collaborative conference for retail healthcare providers begin today at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, in Florida. This one-of-a-kind, 3-day conference focuses on ways pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can work together and expand patient access to affordable, high-quality healthcare.

The Convenient Healthcare and Pharmacy Collaborative conference, sponsored by Convenient Care Association and Pharmacy Timesboth leaders in educational programming and best practices for delivering high-quality healthcare services by retail health professionalsfeatures continuing education sessions to address gaps in professional education for clinicians and pharmacists, as well as best practices for interdisciplinary collaboration in the retail health practice setting. More than 300 pharmacists and convenient care practitioners are registered for the conference.

This is the only conference in the world to bring together nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmaciststhe heart of convenient careallowing an opportunity to network and discuss best practices, said Tine Hansen-Turton, founding executive director of the Convenient Care Association, during her opening remarks. Separated, we are able to do great things, but together, thats when we become a movement, one dedicated to improving the services that we offer and innovating the healthcare landscape.

Kevin Ban, an emergency medicine doctor, affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, gave todays keynote address, entitled Population Healthier - Population Health & Retail Medicine.

The conference provides the opportunity to engage two professions in the same room to share best practices on diseases and conditions they may come across in practice, said Dave Heckard, President, Pharmacy Times Continuing Education. Its a collaborative opportunity to join together in learning the latest about primary care, health promotion and disease prevention, healthcare screenings, chronic care management, and treatment of common acute and chronic conditions. Ultimately, its all about improving patient outcomes.

Educational sessions address patient management from the clinician and pharmacist perspectives. At these sessions, leading industry experts discuss the management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, respiratory disease and obesity, as well as acute conditions frequently seen in the retail setting.

In addition, the sessions address what pharmacists need to know about the management of patients to whom opioids are prescribed, as well as legal issues related to filling controlled-substance prescriptions. For nurse practitioners and physician assistants, a session will cover the role of naloxone, the opioid antidote, in the retail setting.

Tomorrow, for the first time, the continuing education sessions are presented in two tracks, one for nurse practitioners and physician assistants and the other for pharmacists. The first day of the conference, yesterday, July 19, featured a pre-conference management workshop.

Pharmacists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants can earn up to 10 contact hours of continuing education each. Pharmacy Times Continuing Education will provide accreditation for the pharmacy audience, and Dannemiller will provide accreditation for nurse practitioners and physicians assistants.

Retail clinics, also known as convenient care clinics, provide a valuable service to millions of patients by offering affordable and high-quality basic primary healthcare at convenient retail-based locations, such as retail pharmacies, supermarkets, and big-box retailers, outside of the traditional doctors office. Clinicians within this setting, including nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists, are highly educated and skilled professionals who can offer services ranging from primary, preventive care to the management of chronic illnesses.

About Pharmacy Times

Pharmacy Times is the industrys leading media resource, providing practical clinical information pharmacists can use in their everyday practices when counseling patients and interacting with physicians. Each issue contains articles and features covering medication errors, drug interactions, patient education, pharmacy technology, disease state management, patient counseling, product news, pharmacy law and specialty pharmacy. Pharmacy Times Continuing Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Learn more at http://www.PharmacyTimes.org, write to info(at)pharmacytimes(dot)com, call 609-716-7777 or visit us on Facebook or Twitter. Pharmacy Times is published by Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc., a leading provider of healthcare media resources, research, information and education.

About Convenient Care Association

Convenient Care Association is the national trade association of companies and healthcare systems that provide consumers with accessible, affordable, quality healthcare in more than 2,100 retail-based locations nationally. CCA works primarily to enhance and sustain the growth of the Convenient Care industry through sharing resources, best practices and common standards of operation. Learn more at http://www.ccaclinics.org or email tine(at)ccaclinics(dot)org.
The Kansas City Symphony has received a $2.7 million donation from the remainder of the David T. Beals III Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, to endow the assistant conductor position. We are humbled that the David Beals Trust is supporting the Kansas City Symphony in such a profound way, said Symphony Executive Director Frank Byrne.

The Kansas City Symphony has received a $2.7 million donation from the remainder of the David T. Beals III Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, to endow the assistant conductor position, henceforth named the David T. Beals III Chair.

This generous gift helps the Symphony sustain its remarkable success, secure its financial future and ensure its ability to serve the Kansas City community with world-class symphonic music. Each year, the Kansas City Symphony touches the lives of more than 1 million people through its many concerts, programs, events and media broadcasts.

We are humbled that the David Beals Trust is supporting the Kansas City Symphony in such a profound way, said Symphony Executive Director Frank Byrne. This inspiring gesture reflects David Beals exceptional philanthropic spirit, a legacy that now will live on in perpetuity through the Symphonys work in Helzberg Hall and throughout our community.

The David T. Beals III Assistant Conductor is an important and influential role at the Symphony, leading all pops, family, holiday, special and Classics Uncorked concerts each season. Additionally, the assistant conductor helps design the Symphonys education programs and conducts the orchestra for many prominent community events such as Pops in the Park on Labor Day and Symphony in the Flint Hills Signature Event in June.

After a series of rigorous auditions, the Kansas City Symphony appointed Jason Seber to the David T. Beals III Assistant Conductor position in December 2015. Seber officially will begin his post this fall. Seber succeeds Aram Demirjian, who was with the Symphony for four seasons.

The assistant conductor connects with our community in many ways, Byrne noted. The David Beals Trust has significantly enhanced our communitys cultural life and the most meaningful way to show our gratitude was to permanently name this integral position in his honor.

A lifelong resident of Kansas City, David T. Beals III was a strong patron of the arts. In 1982, the David Beals Charitable Trust, for which Bank of America, N.A. serves as the trustee, was established to further the development of charitable purposes in the publics interest. Mr. Beals wishes were to distribute the remainder of his trust 10 years after the passing of his wife, Jeanne McCray Beals.

Symphony Board Chair William Lyons expressed his deepest appreciation as well.

We are so honored to be able to celebrate the legacy of David Beals through this transformational gift, Lyons said. Our Assistant Conductor leads many of the most important things we do with respect to education, families, audience development, and special events. The permanent funding provided by the Beals Trust is truly a gift to the whole community.

###

About the Kansas City Symphony and Chorus

Founded in 1982, the Kansas City Symphony has established itself as a major force in the cultural life of the community. Praised for performances of uncompromising standard, the orchestra is the largest in the region and enjoys a national reputation under the artistic leadership of Music Director Michael Stern. The Kansas City Symphony Chorus is a volunteer, 160-member ensemble led by multi-Grammy Award-winning conductor, Charles Bruffy, that continues its long tradition of excellence as the choral voice of the Kansas City Symphony. The Kansas City Symphony performs more than 100 concerts each year, while also serving as the orchestra for the Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and it often welcomes guests of international acclaim as part of its Classical and Pops Series.

Complementing its full schedule of concerts, the Symphony enriches the lives of Kansas City residents by providing music education opportunities for children and adults, such as KinderKonzerts, Young Peoples Concerts, an instrument petting zoo and concert comments. Highlights each season include a range of free master classes, events and concerts reaching more than 200,000 community members, including the annual Bank of America Celebration at the Station concert each Memorial Day weekend and Symphony in the Flint Hills every summer.

The Symphony has released five CDs to date with Reference Recordings. Two additional projects have been recorded and slated for future release, including the music of contemporary composer Adam Schoenberg (recorded June 2014) and Holsts The Planets (recorded January 2015). The Symphony and Stern will record three one-movement symphonies (Barbers Symphony No. 1, Sibelius Symphony No. 7 and Scriabins Poem of Ecstasy) in late June on the Reference Recordings label.

The Symphony and Michael Stern also have recorded for the Naxos label. Kansas City Symphony performances can be heard locally each week on KCUR 89.3 FM, Kansas Citys NPR affiliate. More information on the Kansas City Symphony is available at http://www.kcsymphony.org
Vol. 9 Issue 2 (April-June 2016) The plants look like Dalmatian toadflax, but may contain enough yellow toadflax DNA that weevils normally feeding on Dalmatian toadflax will not attack them

Researchers with Colorado State University and the U.S. Forest Service have uncovered new information that may explain why insect biocontrols used to manage toadflax infestations can sometimes exhibit mixed results.

Both yellow toadflax and Dalmatian toadflax are non-native plant species that have become widespread and difficult to control invaders in large areas of the western U.S. Experience shows herbicides are not always effective at toadflax control. In addition, many invasions are found in sensitive public forests, open rangelands and wilderness areas where widespread spraying simply isnt an option.

As an alternative to herbicides, weed managers have relied on stem-boring weevils that have very specific preferences about the plants they will attack. One species (Mecinus janthinus) is drawn only to yellow toadflax, while another (Mecinus janthiniformis) attacks only Dalmatian toadflax. When yellow and Dalmatian toadflax plants cross-pollinate to produce hybrids, though, there are indications that species-specific weevils may become confused.

To better understand the genetics of hybrid toadflax and how cross-pollination might impact insect biocontrols, researchers analyzed chloroplast DNA to investigate the extent and direction of cross-pollination between toadflax species in natural habitats. Hybrid plants were most often found to have yellow toadflax chloroplast DNA, indicating that yellow toadflax is typically the female parent pollinated by Dalmatian toadflax.

The research team also made another unexpected discovery. Plants from two toadflax populations in Colorado that were thought to be pure Dalmatian toadflax based on physical appearance and growing location were found to contain yellow toadflax cytoplasm instead. Scientists suspect this phenomenon is the result of an initial cross-pollination with yellow toadflax, followed by several generations of pollination by Dalmatian toadflax.

The plants look like Dalmatian toadflax, but may contain enough yellow toadflax DNA that weevils normally feeding on Dalmatian toadflax will not attack them, says Sarah Ward of Colorado State University. This may explain reports by weed managers that weevils preferring Dalmatian toadflax are choosing not to feed on some invasive Dalmatian toadflax populations.

Full text of the article Plastid DNA Analysis Reveals Cryptic Hybridization in Invasive Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica) Populations is available in Volume 9, Issue 2 of the journal Invasive Plant Science and Management.

About Invasive Plant Science and Management

Invasive Plant Science and Management is a journal of the Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society focused on weeds and their impact on the environment. The publication focuses on invasive plant species. To learn more, visit http://www.wssa.net.
Tucson Criminal Defense Attorneys James Nesci, Joseph St. Louis & Michelle Behan Tucson Criminal Defense Attorneys James Nesci, Joseph St. Louis, and Michelle Behan of Nesci & St. Louis, PLLC will present at the upcoming NCDD 2016 Summer Session.

Tucson criminal defense law firm Nesci & St. Louis, PLLC is pleased to announce that Partners James Nesci and Joseph P. St. Louis, and Associate Michelle Shelley Behan will be speaking for the National College for DUI Defense, at their 2016 Summer Session in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Summer Session, being held July 20-23, 2016, routinely draws 150 criminal defense attorneys from across the United States. The seminar will mark a crowning achievement in the career of James Nesci, who will be installed as the Dean of the College, the head of the governing body of the College, which boasts over 2,000 members nationwide, on July 23, 2016.

At the conference, Tucson DUI lawyer James Nesci will not only give the Deans address when he is installed in office, but will teach attendees how to challenge breath test results in a talk entitled The Cure for Bad Breath 2.0. Mr. Nesci will also teach attendees how to draft and argue winning pre-trial motions in a lecture named Suppression Motions: Winning it All Before Trial, along with Knoxville, Tennessee attorney Steven Oberman.

Joseph P. St. Louis will teach the attorneys present how to defend cases involving blood test evidence, in a talk entitled Advanced Cross-Examination of the Blood Test Chemist and Phlebotomist. Mr. St. Louis will also describe effective ways to communicate information to judges and juries in a lecture called Using Technology to Win Your Case with Phoenix, Arizona attorney Lawrence Koplow.

Shelley Behan will educate attendees about drafting and arguing winning appellate briefs in a lecture entitled Writing Winning Appeals with Wheaton, Illinois attorney Donald J. Ramsell.

Tucson DUI lawyer James Nesci is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell and was named one of the Best Lawyers in America by Woodward/White. Nesci has authored several publications regarding Arizona DUI law including: Nescis Arizona DUI Defense, The Law and Practice, 4th Edition, Arizona DUI Defense: The Law & Practice, Third Edition, MedicoLegal Aspects of Alcohol, and How to Beat a DUI. He has been a sustaining member of the NCDD since 1999 and is also a member of their Board of Regents.

Joseph St. Louis is recognized nationally for his work challenging crime laboratories, as well as his work challenging blood and breath alcohol test results. Consequently, Mr. St. Louis is a sought-after speaker on laboratory issues in the legal community, and has spoken at legal conferences in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. He will be co-chairing a conference on defending criminal cases with science later this year in San Diego, California.

Mr. St. Louis is certified as a specialist in criminal law by the Arizona State Bar, and certified as a specialist in DUI defense by the National College for DUI Defense, a certification authorized by the American Bar Association. He is one of fourteen members of the Board of Regents, which governs the National College for DUI Defense. Mr. St. Louis has been named to Woodford/Whites Best Lawyers in America since 2013, and has earned an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He has been named to SuperLawyers Magazines Best Lawyers in Arizona since 2009, and has been named one of the Best Lawyers in Tucson by Tucson Lifestyle Magazine.

Michelle Shelley Behan was a 2015 recipient of the Tucson Womens Commission Rising Star Award. Shelley is a member of the National College for DUI Defenses amicus committee, which drafts legal briefs to appellate courts throughout the Country, including the United States Supreme Court, on important legal issues. She is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She served in the United States Navy, and worked as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation prior to attending law school.

About Nesci & St. Louis, PLLC:

Named as a Tier 1 Law Firm in U.S. News & World Reports Best Law Firms in America, the experienced Arizona DUI lawyers at Nesci & St. Louis, PLLC have over 50 years of combined legal experience. The criminal defense attorneys exclusively defend individuals who have been accused of a crime including, but not limited to: DUIs, homicides, drug offenses, sex offenses, aggravated assault, domestic violence, armed robbery and felony theft.

The Tucson DUI lawyers work with clients throughout the state of Arizona, including in Maricopa, Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise, Pinal, Graham and Yuma counties. Contact Nesci & St. Louis, PLLC to schedule a free initial consultation. Call (520) 777-0235 or contact the firm online today at http://www.azdefense.com.
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Last weeks terrorist attack in Nice, after similar tragedies in Paris, San Bernardino, Brussels, Orlando and Istanbul, made two things painfully clear.

Western societies, including the United States, have failed to blunt the growing threat of Islamist terrorism. And that means the 2016 presidential campaign will be fought under a shadow of fear. There will be more attacks between now and November; the only questions are when and where.

Voters who began the year looking for a leader who could raise median incomes are now searching for someone who can keep their families safe. And the two major candidates are offering starkly different approaches  two different brands of toughness: hot and cool, outraged and wonky.

Donald Trump, with his visceral sense of the nations mood, has bluntly voiced voters anger and fear.

If we dont get tough ... were not going to have our country anymore, he said after a New York-born Afghan-American shot up a nightclub in Orlando in June. There will be nothing  absolutely nothing  left.

Trump has proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States, restoring waterboarding and a hell of a lot worse in interrogations, and killing the spouses and children of Islamic State militants (which would be a war crime).

Late last week he warned that allowing Muslim refugees into the United States could be the great Trojan horse of all time.

We have no idea ... who they are, he said. They have no paperwork. (That claim is utterly false; most refugee applicants wait at least 18 months while they are investigated.)

As many national security experts have pointed out, Trumps proposed ban on Muslims would be counterproductive; it would alienate millions of people the United States wants to enlist in the war against Islamic State. It may even be a political loser for Trump. Although most Republicans agree with the proposed ban, most independents  voters he presumably needs in the general election  do not.

Still, Trumps white-hot rhetoric reinforces his image as a tough guy whos willing to do whatever it takes.

Hillary Clinton, with her decades of experience as a policy wonk, is sounding a tough note, too.

This is a war against these terrorist groups, the radical jihadist groups. Its a different kind of war, she said last week. We need to be smart about how we wage it, but we have to be determined that were going to win it.

But her proposals are often cautiously hedged and wrapped in national security jargon.

Shes called for skillful diplomacy, for a new look at our visa programs, for building up a global counterterrorism infrastructure.

Clinton has proposed, essentially, to maintain President Obamas current strategy against Islamic State but to do more and faster: more airstrikes, an intelligence surge and new measures to disrupt terrorists social media networks. Its worth remembering that shes often been more hawkish than Obama, even when she served inside his administration.

If her approach is less memorable than Trumps, in the end its more sensible.

And voters have noticed. When asked which candidate they consider temperamentally suited for the presidency, Clinton wins in a walk. Even on the issue of terrorism, Trump doesnt appear to have an advantage.

In June, polls found that most voters thought Clinton could do a better job on terrorism, by a wide margin. More recent polls  taken when Clinton was in a general slump, probably because of the well-deserved shellacking she took from FBI Director James Comey over her private server  show the two candidates tied on terrorism. Even thats remarkable, though; terrorism should be an easy win for a GOP candidate. In 2008, on that issue, voters preferred Republican John McCain over Obama by a wide margin.

In the last few weeks, after his erratic, self-absorbed reaction to the Orlando tragedy was widely panned, Trump eased up on the bluster  a bit, anyway.

Now Trump has a golden opportunity to change the tone of his campaign for good: The nominating convention in Cleveland at which he is center stage.

If he chooses, he can use the event to look more presidential, more deliberative and more ready to lead, erasing some of the stature gap, the temperament gap, the qualified-to-be-president gap that has kept him behind Clinton for most of the year.

Theres at least one good reason, then, to keep an eye on the convention: Well be able to tell whether Trump is trying to evolve by how he chooses to talk about terrorism.
According to a 2015 Iowa DNR Impaired Waters report, of the 2,567 bodies of water included in the report, only seven were designated as unimpaired. The remaining 2,560 lakes or streams or rivers were either impaired or there was insufficient data to declare them as unimpaired.

In a 2015 Fish Kill report the Iowa DNR counted 243,886 fish killed for a variety of reasons; most were categorized as the result of a spill or runoff.

Conclusions from a 2013 study of Public Well Vulnerability accomplished by the Iowa DNR stated, At 41 percent detection, the most commonly detected contaminant group was pesticide compounds. Of these, the most common were acetanilide degradates.

As of this writing, eight beaches in Iowa exceed the level of E. coli that is safe and swimming is not recommended. (The above information can be found on the www.iowadnr.gov website.)

It seems to me that it is imperative for the health of our grandchildren, children and ourselves that we as Iowans discover how to stop degrading our water and then act to improve such a limited and precious resource.

At 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, First Congregational United Church of Christ at 100 First St. N.E. in Mason City, along with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, is hosting Bill Stowe, Des Moines Water Works CEO and general manager. It is free and open to the public.

In March 2015, the Des Moines Water Works filed a lawsuit against Buena Vista, Calhoun and Sac Counties. Join us to hear why it filed the lawsuit and what it's going to take to clean up Iowa's waterways.

Chuck Kelsey, pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ, Mason City
On July 26, Warner Bros. Animation will release a film adaptation of what is perhaps the most famousand infamousBatman graphic novel of all time: Alan Moore and Brian Bollands bestselling The Killing Joke. The subject of a 2015 cover controversy, the graphic novel follows Batman as he attempts to catch the Joker after a series of crimes against police commissioner Jim Gordon and his family, including notoriously shooting and paralyzing the original Batgirl, Barbara Gordon.

Publishers Weekly talked with animator, writer, and artist Bruce Timmone of the showrunners of Batman: The Animated Series and co-director and co-producer of The Killing Jokein advance of the films Friday screening at San Diego Comic-Con to discuss adapting a classic story, trying to animate a master comics artists style, and more.

What was it like to adapt The Killing Jokea classic batman graphic novel known for its controversial and disturbing plotto screen?

Having been down this road before [when adapting Batman: Year One for film], Im not too terribly worried about it, but at the same time, we just want to do an honest adaptation of it. At the other end of it, though, is the fact that this is a comic that is obviously very disturbing. Honestly, myself, I was always kind of freaked out about it, even back in the day when I first read it. So adapting it always kind of terrified me on one levelits a pretty extreme subject matter, so do we somehow try to tone it down to make it a little more palatable, or do we just do it the way it is? And [the latter] is what we ended up doing. Even though there are story elements that have always bothered me, we made the decision kind of early on that we werent going to try to put our own spin on it, and basically, being the classic that it is, we needed to stay true to the source material.

Theres a prologue to the film that gives Barbara Gordon a new story and provides context for what her character endures at the hands of the Joker. Why did you decide to include it?

One of the things that always kind of disturbed me [about the graphic novel] on a kind of visceral, unconscious level was that years before people coined the term, women in refrigerators, I was very much aware that Barbara was a plot device in the story. She wasnt a genuine human being. She was there to be maimed by the Joker to, you know, enrage Batman and drive Commissioner Gordon insane, and the last time we see her in the comic, she is basically a victim. She was crippled and in the hospital and thats it! And so I thought, OK, well, if we have all of this extra story time to mess around with, instead of just expanding The Killing Joke story by inserting a bunch of different sequences in among the existing comic sequences, why dont we do an entire prologue that is basically all about Barbara.

This is part original work and part adaptation. Did you find that your creative process for different parts of it were different because one was an adaptation and one was your own work based on another work?

Definitely. On one hand, The Killing Joke part of it kind of took care of itself. Thats the beauty of doing an adaptationyou have a template to work from. You can tweak, but especially with a comic that is as perfectly drawn as this one, half of the work is done for you. Instead of asking, OK, theres this story B where such and such happens, whats the best way to visualize that, all youve got to do is look at the comic, and if it aint broke, dont fix it. Whereas, in the prologue thats all new, and its going to be a prologue to one of the most famous Batman stories of all time, and we thought, were going to have to make sure that this is as good as we can make it because its going to share screen time with The Killing Joke.

Youve worked in film for a while, but youve also worked in comics. Do you have a different strategy for how you write for each?

The biggest change I always think of is that in a comic, you can stare at each individual image for as long as youd like. The editor is not going to move you along. You could just sit there and stare at each drawing so that each drawing is as good as it can be on its own. But at the same time, it still has to link up to the whole. It still has to flow, and the rhythm of it has to do its storytelling thing, without an orchestra backing it up or a really good actor reading the lines.

The Killing Joke author Alan Moore has had some less-than-favorable responses to a number of the film adaptations of his work. Are you at all worried about his response?

No. Because on one hand, a lot of the adaptations of his stuff has been really bad. Hes got deeper issues going on with DC Comics in general, going back many, many years, and weve been quite public about that. In some interviews, he says he never watches the movies based on his stuff. The fact that it got made at all just bothers him, so Im not worried that hes going to see the movie and dislike it or like it. He may never comment on it one way or the other, and thats fine too. The other weird thing about it is that this particular project is one that he has gone back and said, and said, Yeah, thats not my favorite of my works. Theres things I did in there that I shouldnt have done. Im more concerned with what [artist] Brian Bolland thinks of it, frankly.

What were some of the biggest challenges that you faced in adapting this work?

The biggest challenge was how to do a style for the film that was animated and also still somewhat recalled the comic. Bolland has an almost photographically realistic style, which is absolutely antithetical to animation. If you had enough time and moneyif you had, like, four years to devote to making a movieyou could hire the best people in the world and make them do every scene over and over and over again until it absolutely looks like Brian Bolland drawings on the screen, But short of that, theres not really anything you can do. At the same time, we did want to at least use his style as a starting place. He has a very specific design for the Joker, which, after ending up on the screen, frankly doesnt look like Brian Bolland drew it.

But he does have the pompadour. He does have the smile that is unique to Brian Bollands vision. The kind of beady, creepy eyes. We tried to mimic that without trying to draw it exactly the way that he does. The same thing with Batman. Nobody here on our staff has the kind of draftsmanship that Brian does, and we cant expect people in Japan to be able to mimic it either. But there were certain stylistic thingsthe way he draws the ears on Batmans cowl, the way he draws sheens on gloves and pants. And so there were certain things that we tried to stylistically mimic, and then everything else had to be simplified and broken down into a formula that could be reproduced overseas, which always is the challenge when we do an adaptation of any comic artists work.
March 11th of this year marked the fifth anniversary of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami near Tohoku that killed roughly 16,000 people. In the aftermath of that event, television commercials were put on hold and instead public service announcements were released; one of them featured the poem Are You an Echo? by the late childrens poet Misuzu Kaneko, who had nearly vanished into obscurity until her work was revived in the 1980s, and then was thrust into the spotlight via the post-tsunami PSA.

This September, Seattle-based publisher Chin Music Press will publish Are You an Echo? The Lost Poetry of Misuzu Kaneko  a book featuring both a narrative about Kanekos life and a collection of her poems. It marks the first time Kanekos poetry will be translated into English for children. The publisher has also created a website to accompany the title.

David Jacobson, editorial consultant at Chin Music Press, told PW he was given a book of Kanekos selected work in 2013, and was immediately enchanted with her poetry; he was inspired to translate Kanekos work and tell her life story to an audience of English-speaking children (while a household name in Japan, Kaneko is virtually unknown in the United States). Jacobson felt that the life story and work of Kaneko would make not only an interesting book, but also a saleable one. So, leveraging the skills he procured with his M.B.A., his writing and editorial chops, and his experience having worked in Japan, he wrote a proposal to Chin Music, which publisher Bruce Rutledge approved.

Jacobson wrote the narrative, and the book features Japanese-to-English translations of her poems by Sally Ito and Michiko Tsuboi, and color illustrations by Toshikado Hajiri of Senzaki, the Japanese fishing town where Kaneko lived. The illustrations were inspired by a trip Jacobson and Hajiri took to Senzaki, and are drawn from actual locations, providing a naturalistic view of what Japan looked like at those times pre-war, said Jacobson. He described Senzaki as an out-of-the-way provincial town that has been turned into somewhat of a shrine to Kaneko. In the 13 years that the Kaneko Misuzu Memorial Museum has been in operation it has welcomed 1.52 million visitors, while the Walt Whitman Birthplace Museum in New Jersey receives only 16,500 visitors annually. Poets are incredibly prominent in Japan in a way you cant really imagine in the States, said Jacobson.

Misuzu Kaneko, who was born in 1903, grew up in a bookshop. Her mother and grandmother began managing a bookstore in Senzaki around the time Misuzu turned three, following the death of her father. The bookstore occupied the street-facing rooms of the familys home, and they lived in the rear of the first floor and on the second floor of the house. She lived there until she was 20, then moved to her stepfathers home in nearby Shimonoseki, which was home to the main branch of the family-run bookstore. She moved away at 23, within a few months of getting married in February 1926.

Then, she turned to writing. In the 1920s there was something of a renaissance of childrens literature in Japan, Jacobson reported. Up until then it had been primarily didactic. But in the 1920s a group of writers decided it was worth providing good quality literature for kids. Kaneko turned 20 just as that movement was starting to gain momentum, and she was able to become known by contributing at first under a pseudonym to the prominent journals in childrens literature.

Yet Kanekos personal life was tragic. Due to a confluence of factors including illness and a philandering husband who forbid her from writing and took custody of their child when she divorced him, she committed suicide at the age of 26. For the next 50 years, her work drifted into obscurity until poet Setsuo Yazaki found the only remaining collected copy of her works, and republished it in its entirety in 1984. Her work then regained prominence, featured in elementary school textbooks and set to music by composers, and her life was fictionalized in teledramas. However, it was the poems appearance in the post-tsunami PSA that helped her to reach millions.

Jacobson added that while Kanekos work has been translated into 11 languages over the years, it has barely made a ripple in English. In addition, none of those translations was made for children. We wanted to make it accessible to kids because thats because thats who she was writing for, he said. So many of her poems are about what its like to be a child. We wanted to make sure that the poems would be translated in a way that would ring true for children.

Jacobson wasnt sure initially if Chin Music would publish a story about Kanekos life, or translations of her poems, but Rutledge thought that her life story was so compelling, that hewanted to weave the two together into a childrens book. After more than 40 drafts, Are You An Echo?, edited by Cali Kopczick. will be published on September 13. The book is geared towards ages 710, partly due to the sensitive material about Kanekos life.

Publisher Bruce Rutledge founded Chin Music Press in 2002, with the initial aim of focusing on works from Japan. Since then the companys focus has evolved to include works from throughout Asia, and to bring translated works to English readers. Commenting on a recent trip to Japan, Rutledge said, So many global writers are translated into Japanese. You come back here and there is such a dearth of translated work.

Are You an Echo? is the presss first childrens book, and Rutledge noted, That might not seem like a leap for people in the industry, but for them it was a great deal of work to figure out how to work within the childrens market. Because of that investment, Rutledge said they will most likely publish a line of childrens books because weve done so much groundwork to figure out how to do it. For fall 2017, Chin Music Press will publish an as-yet-untitled childrens book about Yokai  Japanese mythical monsters.

As for Are You an Echo?, Rutledge said that the press had wanted to do a book about the tsunami and its aftermath, but we didnt want to just be reactive. Rutledge said he hadnt found the right book, until he discovered Echo. This isnt only a beautiful story about a poet who had a really rough life and wrote these beautiful, wide-eyed, empathetic poems, he said. Its also about how these poems came back after the tsunami and gave solace to people after that disaster.

As for the subject matter of Are You an Echo? being appropriate for children, Rutledge admitted that it was one of the trickiest things we had to work out, and that they debated for a long time about how to deal with the poets suicide. We talked to so many people, but in the end we decided we had to trust the readers.

His hope for the book is that it not only exposes children to poetry but adds to the diversity of voices that children are reading. Kanekos story is about a woman who is trapped in an unsympathetic, unrelenting world, said Rutledge. 1930s Japan for a creative young woman was a bit of a nightmare. We want to reach kids who feel a little trapped or feel like there is no space for them. We want to show them the wonder of the world as seen through Kanekos eyes and her poetry.

He added that if taught in schools, Are You an Echo? would allow children to discuss difficult topics as well as the resilience of people and the power of books. I mean she grew up in a bookstore and thats not lost on us. Theres so much here that could resonate with kids.

Are You an Echo? by Misuzu Kaneko, text and translation by David Jacobson, Sally Ito, and Michiko Tsuboi, illus. by Toshikado Hajiri. Chin Music, $19.50, Sep t. 978-1-63405-962-6
Books for middle graders was the topic du jour at a July 12 Children's Book Council panel discussion held at Penguin Random Houses headquarters in Manhattan. The speakers conversed about what makes middle grade a distinctive category, its growth in recent years, as well as current and future trends. Panelists were Susan Marston, editorial director, Junior Library Guild; Lauren Tarshis, editor of Scholastics Storyworks and author of the I Survived series; and Angela Ungaro, librarian at Brooklyn Friends School. Francesco Sedita, president and publisher, Grosset Group, Penguin Young Readers, served as moderator.

Sedita began by asking the panelists to name some of the distinguishing characteristics of middle grade books. For Ungaro, its complicated. In some senses, she said, it can be defined in terms of age range; she personally tends to define the range as grades 47, though even that is subject to interpretation. She added that middle grade books tend to be more focused on self discovery and identity than YA or adult titles. Marston suggested that middle grade stories have an element of hopefulness that distinguishes them from other categories. She added that its often adults that seek this quality in books for their children and not always, necessarily, what children require.

For Tarshis, defining middle grade really boils down to world view, and she agrees that a degree of hopefulness is certainly a part of the middle grade perspective. I write about upsetting, horrible topics for very young children, she joked. But the seriousness of these topics is leavened by a sense that mistakes can be learned from and that the world is inherently good. Tarshis also believes that middle grade has the capacity to allow children to remain children for a while longer.

Arriving at a precise definition of middle grade is also challenging because readers within the middle grade age range are highly diverse in terms of their maturity levels and their readiness to explore and take on more adult themes, said Tarshis. For each child, it must be an individualized question, she believes. Which is why librarians and their ability to curate child by child, are so essential, she added. While librarians can serve as knowledgeable gatekeepers, its often up to the child to determine what he or she is ready to read. Kids can censor themselves, Ungaro said. If kids are going to read up, as the expression goes, thats a childs prerogative, and they will naturally miss some things and retain others. Its a familiar coming-of-age experience had by the panelists when they were kids themselves  reading a book that conventional wisdom suggested wasnt age-appropriate. Tarshis recalled when a fellow student in her elementary school brought in a copy of The Exorcist that was then covertly passed among students. Judy Blumes Forever, Marston mentioned, was a taboo book that wound its way through classrooms when she was a kid.

So are there specific types of material that remain taboo in middle grade today? Sedita asked the group. And what are some differences between middle grade books and its older sibling, YA?

Sexy stuff is definitely more prevalent and to be expected in YA, said Ungaro, while Marston suggested that there is often more of a snarky tone in YA. While sexuality, violence, and world issues may be dealt with a somewhat lighter touch, the panelists agreed that difficult content is still very much a part of many middle grade books  and that middle grade readers not only need to read books that might mirror and explain certain current events, but often have an intense curiosity about such things.

Tarshis frequently receives emails from readers with suggestions for topics she might write about in her I Survived series. In the aftermath of an event like the terrorist bombing in Brussels, there will invariably be a spike in emails or letters from concerned kids. Its really shaped my work  needing to help children understand in a safe way, she said. But while middle grade novels can and do grapple with these weighty historical or contemporary issues, Marston has noticed an increasing degree of polarity in terms of what different parents find acceptable for their children to read, perhaps mirroring some of the polarity within the country as a whole. Its more extreme on both sides, she said. She believes that today parents have an increased awareness and concern about the content in their kids books, in a way that parents did not in the past: My mother didnt scrutinize what I read, she said.

Other topics of discussion included the issue of boy and girl books, and whether books are becoming less gendered in the arena of middle grade. Ungaro has observed that in middle school, kids are less concerned about whether a book might be intended for girls or boys because she senses that kids at that time are more generally focused on figuring themselves out and are open to different sorts of reading experiences. Marston feels that boys are a harder sell and are often less willing to pick up a book that might be seen as intended for girl readers. They also tend to be generally more particular in their reading selections. But again, it comes down to picking the right book for the right kid: Its a case by case basis, said Marston. When you choose a book, it just has to be great. Its not about the topic, but about the quality.

Graphic novels are a category that have equal appeal across genders, said Ungaro, and as the depth and quality of graphic novels (such as Victoria Jamiesons Roller Girl and Cece Bells El Deafo) for kids increases, they are finally being given the credence they deserve as works of literature  but certainly not universally. Many teachers continue to be resistant to having kids check graphic novels out of the library, Ungaro reported. On numerous occasions, she has had teachers reject books that she has suggested for particular readers. To teachers and any gatekeepers resistant to recommend graphic novels like Roller Girl to a reader, she suggests: You have to read it!

Marston believes in the power of peer recommendations, saying: If you can prove to a kid that another kid had an amazing experience with a book, youre in. Ungaro echoed that, saying that direct peer-to-peer recommendations are instrumental in terms of getting kids to pick up books they otherwise would not.

In conclusion, the panelists agreed that the future is bright for middle grade, with books of increasingly exceptional writing quality coming down the pike. They also discussed what they hope to see happening in middle grade in coming years. For Ungaro, she hopes that books will cease to have token diverse characters, instead offering more diverse representation in gender, ability, race, and socioeconomic status. Tarshis is anticipating an increase in the amount of narrative middle grade nonfiction, which she calls a big gift to the non-readers, and she also hopes for more and more work that teaches kids its OK to not have contempt for people with different opinions. For Marston, shes hoping to see more fun, funny books with diverse characters.

Finally, Sedita asked the speakers to attempt to sum up how they feel about the world of middle grade in a single word. Ungaro piped in with amazing, while Tarshis chose optimistic. For Marston, she believes that the category is truly reaching its peak.
HOUSTON, July 19, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Targa Resources Corp. (TRC, Targa or the Company) (NYSE:TRGP) announced its quarterly dividend on common shares and its quarterly dividend on its Series A preferred shares for the second quarter of 2016.



Targa Resources Corp. announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of 91.00 per share, or $3.64 per common share on an annualized basis, for the second quarter 2016. The approved dividend is unchanged from the previous quarter and represents an increase of approximately 4% over the dividend for the second quarter 2015. This cash dividend will be paid August 15, 2016 on all outstanding common shares to holders of record as of the close of business on August 2, 2016.

Targa also announced today that its board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $23.75 per Series A preferred share. This cash dividend will be paid August 12, 2016 on all outstanding Series A preferred shares to holders of record as of the close of business on August 2, 2016.

About Targa Resources Corp.

Targa Resources Corp. is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent midstream energy companies in North America. Targa owns, operates, acquires, and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary midstream energy assets. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, and selling natural gas; storing, fractionating, treating, transporting, and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to LPG exporters; gathering, storing, and terminaling crude oil; storing, terminaling, and selling refined petroleum products.

The principal executive offices of Targa are located at 1000 Louisiana, Suite 4300, Houston, TX 77002 and their telephone number is 713-584-1000. For more information please go to www.targaresources.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Companys control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, weather, political, economic and market conditions, including a decline in the price and market demand for natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, the timing and success of business development efforts; and other uncertainties. These and other applicable uncertainties, factors and risks are described more fully in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


When Michael Morris, a designer at Crown, began conceptualizing the cover for Still Here by Lara Vapnyar (Hogarth, Aug.), it didnt yet have a title. The working title was Virtual Grave," he says. Our publisher kept describing it as the Russian St. Elmos Fire. 

The novel follows four friends, all Russian immigrants to New York City. One of them develops an app called Virtual Grave that allows a person to maintain an online presence after death.

After reading the book, Morris says, I narrowed the story down to four elements: New York, immigrants, technology, and friendship. He tried to incorporate all of those components, but any combination of New York and Russian elements spoke too much to the Cold War. Friendship was also an important part, but the characters were so equally represented; the only way would be to show all of them, which almost always makes the cover look like a band photo or movie poster.

Morris settled on highlighting New York and the Virtual Grave app. Even after the title had changed to Still Here, he says, I liked the idea of using a tombstone. He kicked around a few more concepts, including using the tombstone shape to represent apartment-building windows (above).

In order to better showcase the technology element, he reintroduced an early idea he'd had, which involved a phone. He found the art close to home: My phones screen was broken at the time, which I decided worked with the story. I set the type with a tombstone shape and an image of the night sky, sent it to my phone, and took a picture. (above)

Ultimately, when Morris and his creative director, Christopher Brand, presented the ideas, an even earlier concept (above) won out. Id taken the tombstone and combined it with neon lettering, Morris says, inspired by the publishers description of the book's plot. In the movie St. Elmos Fire, the characters frequent a bar called St. Elmo's. "That gave me the idea of using the sort of signage that would be outside a bar." He shaped the sign around a window, added New York City imagery, and the phone on the floor. "It has the elements I wanted to convey, in an eye-catching layout, but doesn't give too much away."
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ZURICH, Switzerland, July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Isocol Holdings AG has applied to list on the Euronext Paris (Marche Libre) exchange.



The proposed listing forms part of the companys global growth strategy and will help meet the strong demand in European markets for the companys core product, Isocol Rubbing Alcohol Antiseptic.

For more than 30 years, Isocol has been a must-have product in Australian households, with a multitude of applications from general cleaning to skin treatment. Isocol products are sold through more than 1500 of Australias leading supermarkets, including Woolworths, Coles and IGA, as well as 4000 retail pharmacies that include national chains Priceline, Terry White and Amcal.

Isocol Holdings initial growth into Europe will be followed by expansion into the fast-growing Asian retail market.

The application to list on Euronext Paris follows a successful corporate restructure in April 2016 to an international holding company, Isocol Holdings AG.

For more information, contact James Skinner +61 409 875 698.

About Euronext:

Euronext is the first pan-European exchange, spanning Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Portugal and the UK. Created in 2000, it is the primary exchange in the Euro zone with over 1300 issuers worth 2.6 trillion in market capitalization.

About Isocol

Isocol is an iconic Australian brand that has enjoyed 30 years of domestic sales success. It is an existing profitable business with an extensive established distribution network throughout Australia and is ready to expand internationally. Visit www.isocol.com.au
In the wake of a series of incidents over the last couple years where excessive use of force was apparently applied by law enforcement officers against young black males, we have been brought face to face with the reality that blacks in America too often confront daily: a seemingly systematic tendency of certain law enforcement officers to overreact when dealing with young black males in enforcement situations.

Parents feel compelled to counsel their sons to react defensively when dealing with police officers; and even when young men comply -- as seemingly happened in the recent St. Paul area shooting -- deadly force results in senseless deaths.

At the same time, police are faced with a terrible responsibility. As mayor for many years working with our Police Department in Rock Island, I learned firsthand of the dedication of our Thin Blue Line, and of the tough calls police officers have to make almost daily in tense situations.

Across America, the anti-government crowd has managed to deplete resources so police ranks are often thin, and training -- for example in non-deadly measures -- can be non-existent. The tragic killing of five officers in Dallas by a distraught Army veteran merely underscores both the depth of frustration some feel at police overreactions and the senseless violence it provokes in response.

Martin Luther King once observed, Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

Or, as Gandhi noted, When you practice an eye for an eye, everyone just ends up blind.

The religious and secular leaders in our Quad-Cities community who have counseled reflection and the need for greater communication and understanding, serve us well. Only by understanding the underlying problems -- from wrongful racial stereotyping to the need for added police training and resources -- can we hope to curtail the violence that hinders public safety and destroys community understanding.

Efforts of the police department in Rock Island and other area cities over the years to promote community policing move us in this direction. Police presence in a neighborhood that is visible and friendly can help build confidence when troubles arise, as they inevitably do.

Building a force trained in deescalating tension nonviolently can go far in preventing the overreaction that results in tragic deaths. And getting some of the high capacity ammo magazines and semi-automatic weapons off the street would help as well.

Police are an indispensable part of an orderly and just society. The job they do is difficult, demanding, and often dangerous. Representing the front line of authority of government, police also have a terrific responsibility to act with a keen awareness of the need to be fair and reasonable in exercising their authority at all times.

Communication. Education. Understanding. These represent principles critical for all of us in dealing with this problem, as with so many others that trouble our times.
CALDCs Halloween Celebration A Real Treat! The Central Astoria LDCs 7th annual Batty Over Halloween Celebration held on Sunday, October 23rd was a real treat for everyone who came out. Despite...

Meng Brings NASA Astronaut To Queens On October 17, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) brought NASA astronaut Dr. Jonny Kim to Queens where he met and spoke with students at Francis...

Celebrating Columbus The Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Queens (FIAO) held their annual Columbus Day parade in Astoria, on Saturday, October 8, during Italian Heritage Month. The...
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!
The aim of the new contract is to further improve the operation of regional services in the province and promote cross-border operation into Austria. The fleet will be expanded with the acquisition of seven additional trains and there will be an incentive scheme for the operator to encourage levels of performance beyond the contractual minimum.

With the approval of the direct award by the provincial government, negotiations will now begin with SAD to finalise a service agreement.
English Chinese (Simplified)

MADISON, Conn., July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, a leading producer of global patent databases and innovative web services, and China-based Daweisoft today announced their reseller partnership. Daweisoft, a leading provider of patent data and IP management software in China, will incorporate IFI CLAIMs high quality global patent database into its products. Daweisoft customers will have access to IFIs global, value added, patent data content.



We are pleased to announce our collaboration with IFI CLAIMS. Daweisoft serves the patent search and IP management system needs of leading organizations in China, said Xiaomei Pan, CEO, Daweisoft. With IFIs global value added patent data, we will be able to offer world class products to Chinese companies as they compete globally.

China is now both a global industrial and Intellectual Property powerhouse, said Mike Baycroft, CEO, IFI CLAIMS Patent Services. IFI CLAIMS is very pleased to be partnering with Daweisoft to bring high quality, global, patent data to scientists, researching and legal professionals in China.

CLAIMS is a registered trademark of IFI CLAIMS Patent Services.

About Daweisoft

Daweisoft is a leading Chinese provider of patent information search and management solutions. Daweisoft is based in the Baoding National High-tech Industrial Development Zone, Hebei province, China. Daweisoft offers the Innojoy patent search product and the Innojet intellectual property management solution. For more information, contact market@daweisoft.com.

About IFI CLAIMS Patent Services/Fairview Research

IFI CLAIMS Patent Services, a division of Fairview Research, is the preeminent producer of value-added patent databases, the innovative CLAIMS DIRECT web service, and patent reporting solutions. CLAIMS Direct delivers high quality, consistent and integrated patent data to users through the Internet Cloud. Users may deploy CLAIMS Direct as a secure in-house database, or host it in the cloud through hosting services including Amazon AWS. CLAIMS Direct is offered under business-friendly licensing terms and is an ideal platform for deploying patent based applications.

From the most rigorous assignee name standardization process in the industry, to continual class code updates  IFI has built a solid reputation as a leader in patent databases. Fairview Research (Madison, Conn., Barcelona, Spain and Munich, Germany) is a provider of data-enrichment technology and services for information retrieval and analysis. Founded in 2006, the company is skilled at making large-scale scientific and technical databases more searchable and helping to lower the cost of specialized research. For more information, visit www.ificlaims.com.
The second quarter of 2016 was not kind to Canadian Pacific, though in line with CPs quarterly outlook, released in June.

Based on declines in revenues, operating income and net income, CPs second-quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) were $2.15, or $2.05 on an adjusted diluted EPS basis, 9% lower than the prior-year quarters $2.36 diluted EPS and 16% lower than last years $2.45 adjusted diluted EPS. CP cited a 12% drop in revenues as the primary factor.

Compared to second-quarter 2015, CPs revenues fell to $1.45 billion from $1.65 billion. Operating income decreased 15% to $551 million from $646 million. Net income declined 16% to $328 million. Adjusted income fell 23% to $312 million.

CPs operating ratio increased 110 basis points to 62% from 60.9%

Revenue challenges in the second quarter, as noted in our quarterly outlook release last month, included lower-than-anticipated bulk volumes, devastating wildfires in northern Alberta and a strengthening Canadian dollar, said CP Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison. Despite these challenges, our team of dedicated railroaders continues to perform, and their hard work and focus on service, safety and controlling costs positions CP well for the rest of the year. Our business model provides the flexibility and capacity to take advantage of changing market conditions. As volumes increase, we are well-equipped and ready to respond accordingly.

CP is forecasting a strong Canadian grain crop in 2H16, said Cowen and Company Managing Director and Railway Age Wall Street Contributing Editor Jason Seidl. Management thinks it could be a record year on the back of a 4.6% grain cap. Additionally, the company is focusing on improving its productivity in the grain franchise by 20%, which will play out in the coming quarters. The company will also be rolling out trip plans for every single non-bulk car on its network in 3Q16. Those are key drivers of managements hopefulness for a better than expected second half of the year. Over time, we think there are several reasons to be excited about the potential operational improvements this company is making. Trip plans will likely be the last major project that Hunter Harrison focuses on before his retirement next year.

CPs pre-announcement lowered the EPS bar by about 20% on June 21 and today exceeded those revised expectations. Adjusted EPS of C$2.05 fell 17% y/y, but was ahead of our C$2.01 estimate and consensus C$2.04. CPs operating ratio was in line with our 62% forecast, but 50bps worse than what consensus was looking for. The company was unable to achieve any operating leverage in the quarter as revenue fell 12%, adjusted EBIT fell 15% and adjusted EPS fell 16% amidst soft freight demand and wildfires in Alberta.

The U.S. dollar was nearly 5% stronger y/y but depreciated 6% from 1Q16s average. Outside of the U.S. denominated debt translation, we estimate that the stronger USD had a 3% y/y benefit to pre-tax earnings. On a sequential basis, the Canadian dollar, which was 6% stronger in 2Q16 vs. 1Q16, had a 4% negative impact on pre-tax earnings, in our estimation. In order to achieve double-digit earnings growth in 2016, which management still believes is possible, CP would have to grow EPS by 27% in 2H16. We have chosen to remain more conservative.

We are raising our C$ EPS estimate from C$10.35 to C$10.40 and our 2017 estimate from C$11.85 to C$11.95. Our USD equivalent estimates are now higher as well. As a result, our share price target is $168 (up from $166) as we maintain the 18x multiple on our new US$9.32 2017 EPS estimate. Our 18x multiple falls slightly below the average of the stocks three-year historical range of 12-28x.

CPs earnings report came with the announcement that Hunter Harrison will hand the throttle over to President and Chief Operating Officer Keith Creel in mid-2017.
First Transit announced on July 20th that it signed its first rail contract in North America to provide operations and maintenance services for the Denton County Transportation Authoritys (DCTA) A-train commuter rail line in Texas. First Transit is a division of FirstGroup, one of the rail operators in the United Kingdom.

First Transit and DCTAs new contract agreement, which covers a period of nine years with an additional five-year option, will go into effect October 1, 2016. The scope of work includes the operations, dispatch and maintenance for DCTAs A-train commuter rail service.

We have a great deal of rail expertise in the U.K., and look forward to bringing it to the citizens of Denton County, said Brad Thomas, president of First Transit. With our extensive rail operations, including passenger high-speed and commuter, and our strong relationship with DCTA, this is a natural fit.

The A-train is a 21-mile regional rail system connecting Denton and Dallas Counties. DCTA has five A-train stations; two in Denton and three in Lewisville. The A-train also connects with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) at their Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton where passengers can transfer to the DART Green Line and gain access to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. DCTAs A-train carries more than 500,000 passengers per year.

Were excited to extend our partnership with First Transit to our A-train rail operations and maintenance, said Jim Cline, DCTA President. First Transits innovative solutions in rail infrastructure maintenance will enable us to provide enhanced rail services for the many communities we serve.

First Transit provides transit management services for operations of more than 70 vehicles for DCTA fixed-route and demand-response service; as well as call center management, dispatch, customer service, and staff for all bus operations.

We are very pleased that the Denton County Transit Authority have awarded us the contract for A-train, our first rail contract in North America. This contract for A-train represents an exciting new development for the Group and we welcome the opportunity to develop and share our rail expertise with a progressive partner such as Denton County Transportation Authority, said Tim OToole, chief executive of FirstGroup. Our U.S. rail team blends our significant experience in rail in the U.K. with North American transit expertise in both rail and bus. We look forward to building on this success as we explore further opportunities in the sector.
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The Pardee RAND Graduate School (PardeeRAND.edu) is home to the only Ph.D. and M.Phil. programs offered at an independent public policy research organizationthe RAND Corporation.
September 2016 has been set as the Indian government deadline to launch 32 direct-to-home (DTH) TV channels to provide quality educational content to teachers, students and all citizens across India.





Initially the SWAYAM Prabha programmes will be in English but in time they will also be launched in regional languages, Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar told the Lok Sabha.There will be refreshed content of four hours every day, which would be repeated six times through the day to allow a choice of viewing times via Doordarshans free-to-air satellite platform.The SWAYAM Prabha will be curriculum based courses covering disciplines such as arts, science, commerce, performing arts, social sciences and humanities subjects, engineering, technology, law, medicine, and agriculture.Different levels of education will also be accommodated, from school to undergraduate studies, as well as postgraduate, engineering, out of school children, vocational courses and teacher training content.The countrys previous educational television offering Gyan Darshan was taken off the Doordarshan network in early 2014 after the Indira Gandhi National Open University failed to clear its debts to the state broadcaster.
Arabsat is launching the Mauritanian TV bouquet in the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and Europe as the West African national broadcasters exclusive carrier in these regions.





We are delighted to launch the package of Mauritanian channels exclusively  on Arabsat BADR-4, Says Mohamed Dieh Sidaty, general director of the Mauritanian Broadcasting Cooperation. We have a keen interest to ensure the proper delivery of the Mauritanian channels to all its viewers across Europe and the Arab world, whom are always following news and media content from their home country, noting also the remarkable growth in the value proportions of Arabsat TV broadcasting hotspot at 26 degrees East.Arabsat CEO Khalid Balkheyour (pictured), added that the initiative is considered as another remarkable milestone in our partnership with the Arabic broadcasting television bodies. We are proud to be the exclusive carrier of the Mauritanian bouquet for several years, and now we are thrilled to deliver the Mauritanian channels to all viewers in Europe and the Arab world, via Arabsat BADR -4.
Self-purification of Russian Investigative Committee to be continued - official

MOSCOW, July 20 (RAPSI, Lyudmila Klenko)  A probe into the criminal case against Russian investigators casts a shadow on the whole Investigative Committee of Russia, but further work on self-purification of the structure will continue, official representative of the Committee Vladimir Markin said.

Earlier, deputy head of the Investigative Committees Moscow Directorate, Denis Nikandrov, and several of his high-ranking colleagues have been arrested by the Federal Security Service (FSB) on suspicion of receiving a large-scale bribe.

Later suspects were detained by the Lefortovsky District Court of Moscow.

According to the official website of the FSB, the agency, along with the Investigative Committee, is carrying out a probe into the criminal case against the suspects over alleged abuse of office and receiving bribes from some representatives of the criminal community.

On Tuesday, various media outlets reported that Nikandrov and his colleagues were arrested by the FSB as a part of the investigation into the criminal case over extortion of 8 million rubles ($127,000) that involved gang leader Zakhariy Kalashov also known in the criminal world as Shakro Molodoi.
Man allegedly behind Crimea blockade doesnt owe $4.5 mln to bank  Moscow court

MOSCOW, July 20 (RAPSI)  The Moscow Commercial Court has dismissed a claim lodged by Eurocredit bank seeking to put a 297 million rubles ($4.5 million) debt on the list of creditors claims with regard to Lenur Islyamov, an alleged organizer of the food blockade of Crimea, RAPSI learnt in the courtroom on Wednesday.

According to the court, the claims as presented by the creditor failed to provide evidence relating to the settlement date and composition of demands, as well as the date and conversion rate of the claimed amounts.

The Moscow Commercial Court declared Lenur Islyamov, an alleged organizer of food blockade of Crimea, bankrupt, on 18 July.

On March 16, the court introduced a procedure for restructuring of Islyamovs debt upon the application of Sberbank of Russia. According to the banks representative, the businessmans debt under two loans is estimated at 1.1 billion rubles ($17.4 million). Islyamov was a loan guarantor for the Queen Group Company that received these credits. The company later has been declared bankrupt.

Moreover, Aziya-invest Bank turned to court seeking to include Islyamovs 493.6 million ruble debt ($7.8 million) on the register of claims. The application will be considered on August 31.

Islyamov owns TV company ATR, transportation company SimCityTrans, and retail chain ICom selling Apple products. SimCityTrans is a largest Crimea haulier, carrying out its operations in Simferopol and across the peninsula.

In June, the Commercial Court of Crimea has suspended SimCityTrans operations for 90 days on the grounds that the company committed a serious administrative offence with regard to licensing regulations.

In May 2014, Islyamov, who at that time was Deputy Chairman of the Crimean Council of Ministers responsible for repatriates, water provision and utilities, was dismissed as failing to cope with these responsibilities.

The Crimean investigators launched a probe into Islyamov and in November 2015 raided the offices of companies he controlled on the peninsula.

Earlier, Crimea's Prosecutor Natalya Poklonskaya had informed that two men (Mustafa Dzhemilev and Refat Chubarov) behind the peninsula blockade were put on the international and one (Lenur Islyamov) on the federal wanted lists.
Russian court upholds ruling which puts former co-owner of Vneshprombank on wanted list

MOSCOW, July 20 (RAPSI)  The Moscow City Court has upheld the ruling of a lower court putting co-owner of the Vneshprombank Georgy Bedzhamov, who is accused of large-scale fraud, on the international wanted list, RAPSI learned from the courts press-release.

Earlier, the press-service of the Prosecutor Generals Office has confirmed that in April 2015 Bedzhamov was arrested in Monaco.

Bedzhamov is a brother of another co-owner of the bank, Larisa Markus, who was detained on December 22, 2015, on suspicion of fraud.

According to investigators, in 2013 Markus along with her accomplices created an organized criminal group to embezzle the banks funds. They allegedly granted loans to sub-companies and did not refund money to the bank. Investigators claim that the group embezzled 932.1 million rubles ($14.3 million). Markus, who is currently in detention, faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

Vneshprombank is number 40 in RIA Ratings ranking of Russian banks by assets, as of January 1, 2016.

On December 18, 2015, the Central Bank appointed a temporary administration in Vneshprombank for six months to appraise its financial performance. It was revealed that massive transactions had been conducted to transfer assets out of the bank.

In March, the Moscow Commercial Court declared Vneshprombank bankrupt.
Key Highlights

AMG's Supervisory Board approves project to construct a lithium concentrate (spodumene) plant at the Mibra mine in Brazil, with an initial annual production of 90,000 tons, expandable to 140,000 tons

Production is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2018 and capital investment is estimated at approximately $50 million

AMG expects to be the low cost producer of lithium concentrate globally

Pre-feasibility study for the construction of a lithium chemical plant, with targeted annual production of between 14,000 tons and 20,000 tons lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), will be completed in the fourth quarter 2016

Amsterdam, 20 July 2016 (Regulated Information) --- AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. ("AMG", EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: "AMG") is pleased to announce that the Supervisory Board of AMG has approved the construction of a lithium concentrate (spodumene) plant at the Mibra mine in Brazil.

"Following a number of years spent on preparatory activities, including the operation of a pilot plant at AMG's Mibra mine in Brazil, we are delighted to announce our entrance into the lithium market," said Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, CEO and Chairman of the Management Board. "The recovery of lithium-bearing minerals from existing tailings will enable AMG to be a cost leader in the lithium market, creating significant value for our shareholders."

AMG's new business segment, AMG Lithium, will commence operations in the first quarter of 2018, with an initial annual production capacity of 90,000 tons of lithium concentrate, expandable to 140,000 tons. Total capital investment is estimated at approximately $50 million and will be incurred primarily in 2016 and 2017.

The recovery of lithium-bearing minerals from existing tailings, a by-product of AMG's tantalum operations in Brazil, is expected to result in a cost-leading production process.

This announcement follows the press release distributed on March 10, 2016, in which AMG announced that Outotec completed an affirmative prefeasibility study for the recovery of lithium-bearing mineral Spodumene.

In addition, AMG has completed an affirmative scoping study for the downstream conversion of lithium concentrate into lithium hydroxide and/or lithium carbonate. As part of this analysis, AMG performed a global site location study to determine the best location for a new lithium chemical plant.

Following the successful completion of the scoping and location studies, AMG has commissioned Hatch to complete a pre-feasibility study for the construction of a lithium chemical plant, with targeted annual production of between 14,000 tons and 20,000 tons lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE).

The previously published Technical Report on Mineral Resources states that AMG's Mibra mine has 14.7 million tons of measured and indicated resources, including tantalum, niobium, tin and lithium. AMG estimates that the current life of the mineral resource is approximately 18 years, based upon current production levels.

Chemical grade lithium is primarily used in lithium-ion batteries and in the fine-chemical industry.

Further details of AMG's lithium project can be found on AMG's website under www.amg-nv.com/Investors/Presentations.

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO 2 reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG produces aluminum master alloys and powders, titanium alloys and coatings, ferrovanadium, natural graphite, chromium metal, antimony, tantalum, niobium and silicon metal. AMG Engineering designs and produces vacuum furnace equipment and systems used to produce and upgrade specialty metals and alloys for the transportation, automotive, infrastructure, and energy markets.

With approximately 3,000 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Czech Republic, United States, China, Mexico, Brazil and Sri Lanka, and has sales and customer service offices in Russia and Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. +1 610 293 5804

Steve Daniels

Senior Vice President

sdaniels@amg-nv.com
As we see a surge in inflation globally, it is now critical that everyone is aware of the implications this will have along every step of the insurance and reinsurance value chain.
Albany, NY, July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global wireless CapEx is on the rise, as operators deploy LTE and Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) infrastructure, amid growing demands for high-speed mobile broadband connectivity. By eliminating reliance on expensive proprietary hardware platforms, Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN) promise to reduce the CapEx burden on wireless carriers. In addition, both technologies can significantly slash OpEx due to a reduction in physical space, labor and power consumption.

Driven by the promise of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reduction, wireless carriers are aggressively jumping on the NFV and SDN bandwagon, targeting integration across a multitude of areas including Radio Access Network (RAN), mobile core, OSS/BSS, backhaul and CPE/home environment.

By 2020, SNS Research estimates that NFV and SDN investments on the RAN segment alone will account for over $5 Billion. These investments will primarily focus on cloud RAN (C-RAN) deployments, based around the idea of replacing traditional base station nodes with a centralized baseband processing pool serving a number of distributed radio access nodes.

Spanning over 1,105 pages, the "NFV, SDN & Wireless Network Infrastructure Bible: 2014  2020 report package encompasses three comprehensive reports covering the conventional 2G, 3G and 4G wireless network infrastructure market as well as the HetNet and NFV/SDN markets:

The Wireless Network Infrastructure Bible: 2014  2020 - Macrocell RAN, Small Cells, RRH, DAS, Cloud RAN, Carrier WiFi, Mobile Core & Backhaul

The HetNet Bible (Small Cells and Carrier WiFi) - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies and Forecasts: 2013  2020  With an Evaluation of DAS & Cloud RAN

The SDN, NFV & Network Virtualization Bible: 2014 - 2020

This report package provides an in-depth assessment of NFV, SDN, network virtualization, 2G, 3G and 4G wireless network infrastructure, HetNet and mobile backhaul.

Besides analyzing the key market drivers, challenges, commercial commitments and vendor strategies, the report package also presents forecasts for NFV, SDN, wireless network infrastructure, small cell, WiFi offload, Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), C-RAN the mobile backhaul markets from 2014 to 2020 at a regional as well as a global scale. Historical figures and vendor shares are also provided for 2010 till 2013.

Topics Covered:

The report package covers the following topics:

Wireless Network Infrastructure Topics

2G(GSM and CDMA) technology and market trends

3G (W-CDMA, TD-SCDMA and CDMA-2000) technology and market trends

4G (LTE, WiMAX) technology and market trends

Core network equipment market trends

Mobile backhaul equipment and market trends

WiFi offload, small cell, DAS, cloud RAN and HetNet technology and market trends

Market drivers for wireless network infrastructure investments

Challenges to the wireless network infrastructure ecosystem

Vendor profiles and strategies

Global and regional market analysis and forecasts

SWOT analysis of the wireless network infrastructure market

Download Sample Copy of this Report at http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/sample/sample/195793

NFV and SDN Topics

The scope and implementation of SDN, NFV and network virtualization across the globe

SDN, NFV and network virtualization technology

Market drivers and key benefits of SDN, NFV and network virtualization

Challenges and inhibitors to the ecosystem

Standardization and regulatory initiatives

Use cases and application case studies of SDN and NFV

SDN and NFV deployment case studies

SDN and NFV induced service provider CapEx savings

Value chain analysis of the ecosystem and the recognition of key players in each segment of the value chain

Industry roadmap from 2014 till 2020

Key trends in the ecosystem; SDN and NFVs impact on the network infrastructure value chain, the stance of incumbent vendors towards SDN and NFV, impact on the proprietary hardware market and co-existence with legacy networks

Exclusive interview transcripts of 17 players in the ecosystem; Alvarion, Aricent, Arista Networks, Broadcomm, Connectem, ConteXtream, Extreme Networks, GENBAND, Mavenir, Netronome, Open Networking Foundation (ONF), Openwave Mobility, Pica8, Plexxi, Radisys, Spirent Communications and Tellabs

Related Reports

The SDN, NFV & Network Virtualization Bible: 2015 - 2020 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/232292



2015 - 2020 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies & Forecasts: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/232292 The NFV, SDN & Wireless Network Infrastructure Market: 2015 - 2020 - Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies And Forecasts: http://www.marketresearchreports.biz/analysis/236294



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Why is it that such a materially important aspect of the agreement was concealed from public scrutiny? And did Iran, the U.S., and its partners reach any additional understandings last year that the American public still doesn't know about?
The bizarre scenes of Turkey's fleeting coup attempt are imprinted on our minds: a TRT news anchor declaring at gunpoint that the military had seized control of the country, a frazzled CNN Turk journalist holding up her iPhone for a puffy-eyed president calling on the nation to take to the streets, the rat-a-tat-tat of Cobra helicopters raining down bullets on a fleeing crowd, calls to prayer wailing through the night to bring the faithful out to protest, terror-stricken forces in army fatigues being hauled off by police and civilians, a bloodied soldier lynched by a mob of the president's supporters, and jubilant Syrians enjoying the irony of Turkey's chaos as their own country remained under siege.

But there was one subtler scene that stuck with me as I watched the events of July 15 unfold. It was past 3 a.m. in Turkey, roughly five hours after the putschists had started to move. The coup was already showing signs of fraying, and our team crowded around a screen to watch the tiny plane icon that was tracking President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's flight to the Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Coup plotters with an imperative to cut off the head of the Turkish state still had F-16s in the air, raising the stakes of Erdogan's short and precarious journey from his vacation spot in Marmaris to the seat of empire in Istanbul. The flight's transponder went off and we waited in suspense, wondering whether Erdogan had made a safe return. Several minutes later, the president  still wearing the suit and tie from his bold FaceTime appearance  came on NTV and vowed to purge the military of the "parallel" forces behind the coup. As Erdogan spoke with fresh vigor and vengeance, a large, somber portrait of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk stood over him, witnessing the twisted fate of the republic he had built more than nine decades ago.

Several observers were quick to frame the attempted coup as a repetition of history: The military was stepping in to defend the secular principles of Ataturk's republic against an Islamist civilian order, just as it had done between the 1960s and 1990s. But this is an overly simplistic and obsolete read of Turkish politics. The Turkey of the 21st century does not live under the guns of the secular elite and armed forces, nor is it dominated exclusively by a monolithic camp of Islamists. Turkey's fault lines are far more complex, and understanding them is critical to understanding not only the roots of the audacious coup attempt but also the country's geopolitical future.

Divided Between Empire and Nation-State

Turkey suffers from an inescapable identity crisis. If we were to paint Turkey in broad strokes, we would see the portrait of a nation torn between a largely secular old guard centered on Istanbul and the Sea of Marmara, fusing Asia with Europe, and a more pious hinterland centered on the unforgiving Anatolian plateau, fusing Turkey with the Muslim world. Ataturk used the scraps left of the Ottoman Empire after World War I to build a country fueled by nationalism and guided by Western philosophy. In his eyes, the Turkish state would eschew the high maintenance of a sprawling multiethnic empire, instead focusing on the contours of the more moderate but powerful geographic space that straddles the Black and Mediterranean seas. Ataturk had witnessed the death of an empire and spearheaded the birth of a nation-state. For that state to survive, he believed that the military would have to be charged with preserving a strong secular spirit. Only then would Turkey be able to effectively manage its ties with the West while avoiding fatal entanglements in the Islamic lands beyond its borders.

At the same time, Ataturk needed a way to bind the nation. Rather than trying to eliminate the role of Islam altogether, he attempted to institutionalize religion, establishing the Presidency of Religious Affairs to manage religion on the state's terms and use it to distinguish Turkish citizens from the empire's non-Muslim remnants. Bosnians, Albanians and Circassians largely signed on to the new Turkish identity, while the country's Kurdish minority  also predominantly Muslim  was stripped of its ethnic distinction and henceforth considered "mountain Turks." Meanwhile, an identity built on Islam quietly endured in Turkey's periphery.

This was the Turkey of the 20th century. For decades, secular politics and business empires reigned supreme while the Anatolian periphery was sidelined and minorities were expected to assimilate into the Turkish national identity. But starting in the 1970s, the country's conservative interior began to find ways to gradually build up its influence. The effort was helped in part by the grassroots movement led by prominent cleric Fethullah Gulen, who had inherited Said Nursi's legacy of trying to fuse Islam with Western science and learning. In short, Gulen argued that Turkey should not shun the West in its embrace of Islam, but instead take the best of both worlds.

For Gulen to shape Turkey in this image, he first needed to stack the country's institutions with fellow believers. In his sermons, he called on supporters to "move in the arteries of the system without anyone noticing [their] existence until [they reached] all the power centers." Religious conservatives under the tutelage of Gulen as well as leaders seeking to emulate him did just that. They took advantage of lax background checks in the gendarmerie, which was responsible for securing the country's hinterland, to build up their presence in the security forces. At the same time, impressive networks linking Anatolian businessmen to markets in the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa developed to challenge the dominance of Istanbul's secular giants. Well-funded and influential media companies and schools sprouted up, raising the judges, teachers, politicians, policemen, pilots and army generals of a new era in which Turkey once again embraced its Islamist identity while maintaining its foothold in the West.

Through the end of the 1980s, aided by the chaotic security environment of the Cold War, the military had the institutional power needed to quickly step in and oust any civilian governments that strayed too far from Ataturk's secular model. But in the relative peace of the post-Cold War 1990s, the military had to use subtler means of forcing Turkey's first Islamist government from power  the "post-modern coup." By the turn of the century, the military's ability to snuff out Islamism with a simple and speedy overthrow had weakened considerably.

On the back of an economic boom, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) grew into a formidable force in the 2000s, boasting a support base that stretched from Istanbul to the Anatolian core. As the confidence of the party and its allies swelled, they sought to neuter the force that had pinned them down for so many years. The government launched the Sledgehammer and Ergenekon trials, designed to uproot the alleged "deep state" of the ultranationalist military officers, politicians, judges and businessmen who challenged the new Turkey. By the mid-to-late 2000s, Islamists had deeply penetrated the military, and Gulenist-run media outlets were regularly armed with intelligence that was used to blackmail military personnel. Through a series of trials, many of which were presided over by Gulenist judges, the military was purged and the ranks of the air force, army gendarmerie and navy were refilled with loyalists.

A Rift Forms Among Turkey's Islamists

There is no doubt that Erdogan benefited from the weakening of the military at the hands of the Gulenists. But he also grew wary of just how powerful they had become. From his self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, Gulen had begun to politically assert himself and publicly voiced his disapproval of Erdogan's policies. Then, in 2013, when Erdogan attempted to boost his credentials with the Arab world by capitalizing on Turkey's confrontation with Israel over the Mavi Marmara flotilla incident, Gulen criticized Erdogan's anti-Israel stance. But the final straw may have come in late 2013, when the Gulen movement tried to leverage its clout within the judiciary and leaked audio recordings to implicate Erdogan's inner circle  including his son, Bilal  in a corruption scandal.

From that point on, the gap between the Gulenists and Erdogan's backers became unbreachable. In 2014, a Gulenist prosecutor began to target one of Erdogan's key allies, Hakan Fidan, by accusing him of engaging in secret talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). (Gulen seemed to resent that Erdogan and Fidan, the head of Turkish intelligence, were managing the government's peace talks with the PKK without involving his movement.) The same year, Gulen blatantly criticized Erdogan's crackdown on Gezi Park protesters, even seeking the help of secular opposition parties that were fundamentally opposed to his own movement's views in an attempt to undermine the ruling AKP. As the conflict deepened, Erdogan decided that he would be better off disarming the Gulenists while he still had the power to do so. Equipped with the same weapons that the Gulenists had used against the military, Erdogan launched a domestic and international campaign to decimate his former Islamist allies.

Since 2014, the Turkish government has shut down Gulenist media offices, seized banks and businesses, shuttered schools and sacked judges. But purging the military was a job left unfinished. Erdogan knew that the biggest threat to his rule resided there, but he decided to address it in stages. It appears Fidan may have caught wind of a coup in the making, and he was rumored to be planning to have the perpetrators arrested ahead of the Supreme Military Council meeting on Aug. 1. The putschists, aware their cover was blown, sped up their timetable and launched the coup early, putting their plan into action July 15. Yet the fact that they represented a polarizing minority faction within the military doomed them from the start. They went off the script of a bygone era, taking care to seize state-run media but not thinking to do the same with private broadcasts. Anti-coup sentiments trumped anti-Erdogan ones, as evidenced by the massive crowds in Turkey's streets and the unity statement against the coup made by the country's main political parties. The coup started to fall apart just two hours after it began, and within less than 24 hours it had collapsed completely.

An Inopportune Time for Distraction

All of this explains how Turkey got to such a violent point, but the road ahead will be equally complex. The most immediate consequence of the failed coup will be another pervasive purge. As of this writing, nearly 3,000 soldiers have been arrested and 2,700 judges have been fired. But to be clear, the Gulenist movement alone was not responsible for the challenge to Erdogan's rule. Though the Gulenist infiltration of the military was a key factor contributing to the coup attempt, the Gulenists were used as a tool by anti-Erdogan dissenters, just as they were used as a tool by the AKP to expand its power. Still, the president will use the "parallel" movement label broadly to net dissenters of all types. That is not to say the coup itself was a false flag operation designed by Erdogan to consolidate power even further, merely that he will exploit the ugly affair to accelerate his plans to reform the constitution in the name of ridding Turkey of its coup-ridden past. This, in turn, will enable him to augment the powers of the presidency and expand his avenues for clamping down on dissent.

As the inevitable crackdown ensues, European lectures on respect for human rights will fall on deaf ears. Turkey's leaders will do what they deem necessary to feel secure, and their European counterparts will bite their tongues as they try to preserve the Continent's tenuous immigration deal with Ankara. Erdogan will similarly use Washington's reliance on Ankara's cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State to demand Gulen's extradition from the United States.

Beyond the short-term scope of the crackdown to come and bartering with the West, Ankara has a bigger problem on its hands. It will take a long time for Turkey to repair its military after a rebellion of such scale. The Gulenists purged hundreds of military personnel in their time; now thousands more, including senior commanders, are being culled from the ranks. Kurdish militants, radical leftist groups and the Islamic State will be able to use Turkey's extreme vulnerability to carry out more attacks and feed the forces polarizing the state. Meanwhile, Turkey's external weaknesses will grow. As Ankara becomes distracted by internal threats, Kurdish separatists and the Syrian, Iranian and Russian governments will have more room to challenge Turkey's ambitions in the Middle East. The United States, unable to reliably count on Turkey to manage pressing threats like the Islamic State, will be forced to shoulder a heavier burden in the fight, while other Sunni powers such as Saudi Arabia will try to carve out a bigger role for themselves in the region.

And that is where Turkey's identity crisis will be laid bare. At this point in its geopolitical cycle, Turkey has started down a neo-Ottoman path that compels a deeper involvement beyond its own borders, both as near as northern Syria and Iraq and as far as Libya, Gaza and Nagorno-Karabakh. At the same time, Turkey's leaders preside over Ataturkian borders and have a duty to protect the republic's national integrity. Policy contradictions will thus become more frequent, and Turkey's actions may appear almost schizophrenic. The Turkish government has already spearheaded a peace process with the Kurds and referred to vilayets, where minorities can enjoy greater autonomy, only to launch a heavy-handed crackdown, branding any form of Kurdish assertiveness as terrorism against the state a year later.

In the meantime, some factions have argued for deeper military involvement in Syria and Iraq out of necessity, while others counter that this is the very path Ataturk warned would invite destruction. (It is no coincidence that the first order of the putschists was a withdrawal of Turkish forces from northern Iraq.) The Islamists themselves are divided over the tactics Turkey should be using to recreate its sphere of influence within the Muslim world. The Gulenists advocate wielding soft power through schools, business deals and the media, while Erdogan  facing an array of constraints as the head of state  is more willing to deploy the armed forces to manage threats abroad and harbors more aggressive ambitions of reshaping the Middle East according to his vision.

Peace Will Elude Turkey

Holding a TRT news anchor at gunpoint on July 15, those who led the coup declared the formation of a "Peace at Home Council" to govern a post-Erdogan Turkey. The phrase, "yurtta sulh, cihanda sulh," translates to "peace at home, peace in the world" and was first uttered by Ataturk in 1931. It became the official motto for Turkey's foreign policy, reinforcing the idea that a stable republic at home will enable Turkey to respond effectively to problems that arise beyond its borders.

But the problems Turkey faces today are not the same as those it faced in the early 20th century, and interpretations of what kind of balance between pacifism and adventurism is needed to produce peace in Turkey and abroad have predictably varied. What we can say with certainty, however, is that Turkey should not expect peace in either place anytime soon.

The rise of Turkey's conservative class is a decades-long project that will endure for decades more. Regardless of whether Erdogan is at its helm, Turkey will continue down its expansionist path, a path that was unlikely to be short-circuited by a haphazard coup led by a motley group of Islamists and nationalists. Turkey is on this course, at this stage in history, because geopolitics wills it. But nobody said it would be a smooth ride.
This article was first published in Le Temps.

NICE  Will the French authorities have the courage to "tell all" about the Nice tragedy and its perpetrator, Tunisian-born Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel? It looks that way, as the anti-terrorism team led by the respected Paris prosecutor, Francois Molins, demonstrated its commitment to sharing objective information with the public during last year's attacks, both in January and November.

How, then, can we explain this doubt that has started to creep in, which has taken form in accusations launched by the former mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, by leaders of the traditional French conservatives parties, and by the president of the far-right National Front party, Marine Le Pen? The brutal truth is that 230 people have been killed by terrorists since January 2015? And that shows an increasingly disturbing reality, after six months of living in a state of emergency: If France is indeed a priority target for ISIS, because of its military commitments in Africa and the Middle East, it is also a victim of the fractures and blindness within its own society.

The first fracture is the abandonment of too many neighborhoods where Muslim youth are prey to Islamist recruiters. It is not to say that ISIS controls these areas that have been beaten down by unemployment and trafficking: On the contrary, many Muslims and non-Muslims have successfully battled it to avoid the worst.

However, six months of special public powers in the state of emergency are not nearly enough to close gaps opened in recent years. That a psychologically unstable person was able to rapidly radicalize is revealing. Inflamed by ISIS propaganda, a part of French and immigrant youth  the one now pursuing jihad  is ready to turn its hate towards the French Republic by any means.

The second fracture is around security and politics. Like it or not, Marine Le Pen is right in saying that in other countries, the Interior Minister would have offered his resignation after such a string of tragedies. We cannot forget that this Bastille Day was the last of Francois Hollandes five-year-term, as he seeks reelection in spite of disastrous approval ratings. The greatest risk is that the truth is going to be sacrificed, or altered, by politicians settling scores  a fear voiced by more and more police and security officials. At this stage, to avoid the spreading gangrene of suspicion, the president is duty-bound to exhibit complete transparency.
This piece was created in collaboration with the Woodrow Wilson Center, where Marina Ottaway is currently a Middle East Fellow. The views expressed are solely those of the author.

The war against ISIS as a proto-state controlling and governing territory is showing signs of progress, although the appeal of the Islamic State ideology and its capacity to inspire acts of terror appear undiminished.

In Iraq and Syria, ISIS has been losing territory, although slowly and with much resistance. According to the U.S. government, the jihadi organization has lost 40 percent of the territory it once controlled in Iraq and 20 percent of what it controlled in Syria. Operations against the organizations two major strongholds, Raqqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq, have started, although their progress is slow and fitful.

Though limited, the support Washington has provided to the Iraqi military and to Kurdish fighters in Iraq and Syria has been key. Without the bombing of ISIS positions, and to a lesser extent the training and weapons the United States has been providing, ISIS would remain much stronger than it is.

How much this intervention has benefited the United States is open to question.

If the organization responds to loss of territory in the Levant by escalating terrorist attacks in other countries, the United States own domestic security could be at risk. Meanwhile, intervention in Syria and Iraq has already forced the United States into de facto alliances with organizations it does not want to support -- for example, the Tehran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq, or PMF -- and with countries whose goals it does not share, above all Russia and Iran.

Unfortunately, such inconvenient alliances are not the result of poor but reversible decisions by the Obama administration, but of the complexity of the situation in the region, which the United States cannot orchestrate to its own liking. Washington is simply not in a position to build the Middle East it would prefer, and is being forced as a result to accept difficult compromises and enact contradictory policies. Far from being a temporary aberration, this is probably the shape of things to come in the region.

Iraq: An Enemy to Every Ally

In Iraq, the United States backs the government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Iraqi military in the fight against ISIS, providing weapons and training for the military. More than 4,000 military advisers are in Iraq. Deployed ever closer to the battlefield, they are indeed beginning to take casualties. But backing the government also entails accepting the presence in combat situations of Shiite militias that the United States would like to sideline, and implicit cooperation with the Islamic Republic.

Summoned into existence in 2014 by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who called on all Iraqis to mobilize in defense of their country after the army collapsed in Mosul, the militias are almost exclusively Shiite. The PMF includes many different groups acting independently of each other, although they are nominally under the authority of the prime minister. In reality, some commanders, such as Hadi al-Amiri of the Badr Organization, are much closer to Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani and his Quds Force than to al-Abadi. The militias are also politically influential, with some commanders stating openly that the PMF must be transformed into an official force modeled after Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. PMF members receive salaries and equipment from the Iraqi government, and at least some of them also receive support and training from the IRGC.

The United States would like to keep the militias out of the fighting in Sunni areas, but it has failed to do so. The Iraqi military needs the support of the militias, and al-Abadi is too weak politically to challenge the more powerful militia commanders. As a result, the United States ends up supporting the PMF as well as the Iraqi army when it bombs ISIS targets. This support is both distasteful and politically dangerous. Militias tend to be vocally anti-American, and in a disturbing number of instances they have carried out acts of reprisal against the Sunni populations of areas they liberated, suspecting them of being ISIS supporters.

Another somewhat inconvenient U.S. ally in the war against ISIS is the peshmerga, the military forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Their participation is fully welcomed by the United States because they are motivated, listen to American trainers, and are willing, even anxious, to coordinate their operations with American advisers. Politics, however, complicate a good military relationship. Iraqs autonomous Kurdish region does not hide that its ultimate goal is independence, which Baghdad opposes. To avoid increasing tensions, the United States channels weapons meant for peshmerga through the Iraqi government, which, according to the Kurds, may or may not pass them along. Further irritating the Kurds, Washington rejects the idea of Kurdish independence, clinging instead to the utterly unrealistic concept of an Iraq united under an inclusive democratic government. As long as ISIS remains the dominant threat, differences between the United States and the Kurds are glossed over by both sides, but they are bound to become more problematic in the future.

The major post-ISIS problem will emerge because of the virtual absence of Sunni forces in the battle. U.S. hopes of reviving the strong Sunni militias that helped defeat al-Qaeda in 2007-2008 proved unfounded. The Iraqi parliament rejected the idea, seeing large Sunni militias as potential ISIS allies. Sunnis did not trust the Iraqi government after it reneged on promises to continue funding Sunni militias, nor did they trust the United States, believing it had let them down in the past. As a result, while some Sunni tribal militias take part in some battles, there is no evidence that these militias are large or play an important part. The defeat of ISIS risks leaving Sunnis more powerless and resentful than ever.

The war against ISIS in Iraq is forcing the United States into very awkward situations: Washington cannot support the government without accepting the Shiite militias, which are also supported and advised by Iran. It cannot openly arm the peshmerga, which is an effective fighting force, because of the political sensitivities of the Iraqi government, and this makes them less effective fighters. It wants to strengthen the military and summon into existence reliable Sunni militias, but is having difficulty doing so. But if it wants to fight ISIS, it has to accept all the complications and contradictions inherent to the situation.

Fighting Two Enemies in Syria

The fight against ISIS in Syria is forcing the United States to work with even more problematic allies. Washington opposes the government of President Bashar Assad, and it also opposes the Islamic State, and most of the Sunni organizations that fight both Assad and ISIS. Such Sunni organizations include the al-Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front and other radical Sunni armed groups.

Since it cannot work with the government and does not trust most Sunni organizations, the United States can only seek the help of Syrias Kurds, who come with heavy baggage. The United States is backing the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) which now controls a long swath of territory along most of the border with Turkey. But supporting the PYD and its YPG militia puts the United States at odds with Turkey, which considers the PYD to be part of the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, the main Kurdish opposition party in Turkey, which both Ankara and Washington designate as a terrorist organization.

Support for the PYD also risks alienating the very limited number of Sunni organizations the United States considers sufficiently moderate to consider working with: the YPG-controlled territory includes many areas where the population is predominantly Sunni. In an attempt to remedy the problem, the United States helped establish the Syrian Democratic Forces, a supposedly Kurdish-Sunni organization that is in reality 80 percent Kurd. In a perverse way, U.S. support for the PYD may also play into the hands of the Assad government, which until now has tacitly accepted Kurdish control of Northern Syria as a preferable alternative to ISIS control.

The Syrian military, which the United States opposes but does not fight, is supported by Iran and Hezbollah, which has had as many as 6,000 men in Syria and has taken heavy casualties. The Syrian military fights ISIS and the Nusra Front, which puts it on the same side as the United States, but it also fights all other opposition forces, including those to which the United States has intermittently provided some support. While fighting ISIS, the United States and the Syrian military also compete over who will benefit from military victories. In mid-June, for example, two military forces were converging on the ISIS capital of Raqqa: The YPD with its Sunni allies in the Syrian Democratic Forces were conducting operations from the north, while the Syrian military was moving in from the west, raising the question of who would get there first and what would happen next. Although the Syrian advance was halted by an ISIS counteroffensive, and the Syrian Democratic Forces are still fighting to recover the city of Manbij before moving further south, it is only a matter of time before the issue arises again.

Another complication is Russian involvement, which is of marginal importance in Iraq but a major factor in Syria. In September 2015, Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war in support of Assad. The United States criticized Russia for not focusing its efforts on ISIS and also predicted that Putin would soon find himself trapped in a quagmire. Russia avoided such a quagmire by following the U.S. example and limiting its efforts mostly to bombing. This helped Assad regain control in many areas he had lost, and eventually allowed Moscow to turn its attention to the Islamic State. As a result, the United States increasingly finds itself fighting on the same side as Russia, indirectly supporting Assads efforts to remain in control, and cooperating with Russia in so-far failing attempts to negotiate cease-fires and get negotiations under way.

The New Normal

In the war against ISIS, the United States is fighting above all for its own security interests, as it should. Few believe at this point that the United States can transform the region, as many did when the United States first intervened in Iraq in 2003. Despite an occasional whiff of nation-building rhetoric emanating from well-intentioned intellectuals and from contractors in search of opportunities, and notwithstanding the commitment to providing humanitarian relief, the United States is staying in Iraq and Syria because it fears ISIS and other radical Islamist groups. In this fight, it lacks true allies in the sense of governments or other organizations that share its goals and its values. Even the partnerships of convenience it forges come burdened with unwanted linkages.

Of course, alliances and partnerships of convenience are never pure and unburdened by complications. Like all other countries, the United States has a long history of support for governments and organizations that do not share its values. But Syria and Iraq are extreme cases. The complexity of the political and military situation -- of which the present paper provides only a simplified sketch -- is extreme. But most importantly, in neither country does the United States have a single reliable partner. Even in Iraq -- the government the United States supports and would like to see become more democratic and inclusive -- is heavily influenced by Iran.

The situation the United States faces in Iraq and Syria is unfortunately likely to become the new normal in the Middle East. A region once divided between U.S. and Soviet allies, and where the United States wielded considerable influence, is now focused on internal conflicts and regional rivalries the United States cannot influence. Real ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States have greatly frayed and would be extremely difficult to restore, with Saudi Arabia now seeking protection not against the Soviet Union, but against Iran, with which the United States is seeking to restore normal relations. Egypt has become a political embarrassment, although geopolitical considerations have led Washington to pretend that all is well. Even a small country like Bahrain, where the United States maintains an important military installation, feels no need to take Washingtons preferences into consideration before essentially declaring war on its Shiite population. This list could continue.

The Middle East is too dangerous for the United States to withdraw, but it is too complicated for Washington to manipulate and change. This will force Washington to continue working with inconvenient allies for short-term, limited outcomes. This will be the new normal in the region.
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Albany, NY, July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Laminated Labels Market: Introduction

Packaging industry has transformed significantly over time, packaging has emerged from just a need to an integral part of product strategy. Packaging plays a pivotal role in product marketing, and have significant impact on overall product sales. Hence, packaging has emerged as an important factor to compete in fast moving consumer goods and other related market. Innovation and use of technology in packaging is as important as that in product development. Need for highly resistive, flexible, durable, attractive and consumer-engaging packaging led to the introduction of laminated labels in the packaging industry. Manufacturers, especially of consumer goods, adopted laminated labels packaging due to its high receptivity among the consumers. Laminated labels are available in large variety and offers resistant to high moisture, friction, solvent and weathering exposure. Laminated labels are manufactured using polyesters, polypropylene and other laminates. High demand for consumer goods and consumer durables packaging and growing pharmaceuticals industry aid in proliferating the sales volume in the global laminated labels packaging market.

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Laminated Labels Market: Market Dynamics

Food and beverage sector with the maximum product range and highest consumption pattern is the major driver of laminated labels packaging, globally. Pharmaceutical and medical sector with the next bigger product portfolio stands second in boosting the sales of laminated labels packaging. Apart from these sectors, laminated labels packaging sales are fuelled by increasing demand from automobile, furniture, paints and electronics industries. Capital intensive nature of laminated labels packaging and presence of other economic packaging equipment may restraint growth of the laminated labels packaging market. Recent economic downturns across various countries in developed and developing region could hamper the growth of the market. Factors such as increase in sales of packaged food products, beverages, electronic products, clothing merchandise and wooden products, will stimulate the growth of laminated labelspackaging market globally.

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Laminated Labels Market: Segmentation

The global laminated labelspackaging market is segmented by material type, composition, printing ink type, technology and by end-user.

Based on the material type the global laminated labelspackaging market is segmented into:

Polyester

Polypropylene

Other laminates

Based on the composition the global laminated labelspackaging market is segmented into:

Facestock

Adhesive

Release liner

Based on the printing ink type the global laminated labelspackaging market is segmented into:

Water based

Solvent based

Others

Based on the printing technology the global laminated labelspackaging market is segmented into:

Digital

Flexographic

Lithography

Based on the end-use Industry the global laminated labelspackaging market is segmented into:

Food and beverage

Meat & Fish

Poultry

Dairy Products

Soft Drinks & Juice

Others

Healthcare

Pharmaceutical

Medical

Electronic

Furniture

Personal care

Cosmetics & Toiletries

Antiperspirants

Others

Laminated Labels Market: Regional outlook

In terms of geography, the global laminated labelspackaging market has been divided in to seven key regions including North America, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and Middle East & Africa (MEA). The Asia-Pacific laminated labelspackaging revenue contribution to the global laminated labelspackaging market is expected to be the maximum by the end of forecast period owing to increased demand of laminated labelspackaging from food and beverage industry. North America and Europe are expected to create significant opportunities for laminated labelspackaging manufacturers owing to increased demand for laminated labelspackaging in shopping goods, and healthcare sectors. The demand for laminated labelspackaging for electronics and furniture applications in developing economies such as Brazil, Mexico in Latin America will drive the revenue sales of laminated labelspackaging, in the region. Middle East and Africa (MEA) is also expected to foster growth, however at a substantial rate over the forecast period.

Laminated Labels Market: Key players

Some of the major players identified in the global laminated labels market includes Eskay flex, Cosmo films, 3M, Avery Dennison Corporation, Coveris Holdings, Constantia Flexible Group, CCL industries Inc, RR Donnelley and Sons Company, MG Packaging, Woelco Labeling Solutions Inc., Langley Labels, Stickythings Limited, etc.

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Chrissy Teigen shared some tender moments with her new daughter Luna before attending Beyonce's show on Monday in Milan.

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John Legend shared a video of the 30-year-old model cradling their 3-month-old daughter on Instagram, writing, "Mommy getting ready for Beyonce in Milan tonight!"

The clip sees Teigen cuddle and kiss Luna as Beyonce's song "Blue" plays in the background. Beyonce wrote the track for her own daughter, Blue Ivy, whom she welcomed with husband Jay Z in 2012.

Teigen and Legend arrived in Italy last week for a family vacation. The couple made sure to visit Lake Como, the popular celebrity retreat where they married in 2013.

"Back to where it all began - Lake Como, Italy - first came here in 2007," Teigen captioned a photo of herself and Legend at the locale.

"A boat tour guide took us to a little spot on the lake and told us to make a wish," she recalled.

"I asked for this to be the man I marry and have children with. I think John asked for the most perfect bite of cacio e pepe. Both came true, and here we are."

Teigen and Legend welcomed Luna in April and recently posed for a family photo with their daughter.

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HOME > Coupled 'Coupled' recap: Five women leave the show as Alexandra "Alex" Clark takes a chance at love with Jeffrey Blockson

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/20/2016



featured five women leaving the show without a love match and Alexandra "Alex" Clark pairing up with Jeffrey Blockson in the Couples' Villas during Tuesday night's broadcast on Fox.



ADVERTISEMENT Alyssa Reeves, a 32-year-old model from Sherman Oaks, CA; Domonique Price, a 29-year-old attorney from Seattle WA; Brittany Lo, a 24-year-old beauty company CEO from Manhattan, NY; and Talyah Polee, a 27-year-old substance abuse counselor from Lakewood, CO, were sent home because they failed to get coupled up with a man on the island.



Although Alex, a 23-year-old radio DJ from Louisville, KY, initially expected to leave, Jeffrey, a 30-year-old real estate investor from Chicago, IL, asked her to stay so he could get to know her better after dumping Kristin Kirgan, a 33-year-old photographer from Los Angeles, CA.



Despite still having a crush on Tyler Gattuso, a 24-year-old model and real estate agent from Miami, FL, Alex decided to give Jeffrey a chance as Kristin was forced to go home.



The broadcast began with pairs in the Villas forming solid relationships.



Alicia Blanco and Tyler were a new couple, so they were just enjoying each other's company, and Ashley Reitz and Brian "BT" Urruela were falling in love with each other. Terecia "TT" Baker and Brandon Smith were also finding love with one another, and they were getting closer to being physically intimate.



Jeffrey, however, wasn't getting along with Kristin at all, and he admitted he wished he had picked Alex Clark at the start of his journey on the show instead. She was friendly and bubbly and he really liked her.



Meanwhile, there was tension between Alex Clark and Alicia over Tyler. Alex Clark called her a bully and Alicia couldn't believe her "little sister" -- whom she supposedly tried to help -- would say such negative things about her.



Afterward, the remaining women at the Bungalows were told they must pack up to leave the show because no more men were available. But before they left, they were given the opportunity to say goodbye to their friends in the Villas. Alex Clark was dreading a reunion with both Alicia and Tyler, who broke her heart.



Over a couple of drinks, Jeffrey revealed to Alex Clark he wasn't having fun with Kristin and their personalities didn't click, even on a friendship level. Kristin, however, told the cameras that Jeffrey never tried to reach out to her when she left, that he didn't care nor did he try to make her feel special.



Jeffrey wanted to spend his time with Alex Clark instead and asked her if she'd like to go on a date with him. She thought he was super cute, but she still liked Tyler. Alex Clark thought about the possibility and talked to her girlfriends for advice, who seemed to push her into giving Jeffrey a chance.



Afterward, Jeffrey and Kristin officially split. He told her that she was a very tough person to communicate with, adding that she was also bossy and talked to him as if he was a child. In reply, Kristin said Jeffrey was not the hopeless romantic he led her to believe he was.



In her final words, Kristin said she "dodged a bullet" by ending her relationship with Jeffrey. She was at least proud of herself for becoming vulnerable in this process and opening herself up to finding love.

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Alex Clark then spoke to Tyler about Jeffrey wanting to pursue a romance. Tyler was overly excited about the situation, pushing his ex-flame to date another guy. Alex Clark said he made her feel uncomfortable and "gross," which made her like him less. Alex Clark also didn't trust him at all, thinking he wanted a backup plan in case things didn't work out with Alicia.



Although Alex Clark wasn't sure if she had a spark with Jeffrey, she opted to stay and give it a try. Alex Clark thought Jeffrey was honest and real, and she felt like she could be himself around him.



The episode concluded with the remaining couples enjoying a little party outdoors in which they listened to music and danced. Jeffrey escorted Alex Clark to the beach in order to talk to her in private, and he quickly surprised her with red roses and chocolates.



Alex Clark actually cried because she said a man has never done anything like that for her before. She hugged and kissed him in thanks, saying she deserved a great guy and it was very possible Jeffrey could end up being that guy.

About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON GOOGLE NEWS featured five women leaving the show without a love match and Alexandra "Alex" Clark pairing up with Jeffrey Blockson in the Couples' Villas during Tuesday night's broadcast on Fox.Alyssa Reeves, a 32-year-old model from Sherman Oaks, CA; Domonique Price, a 29-year-old attorney from Seattle WA; Brittany Lo, a 24-year-old beauty company CEO from Manhattan, NY; and Talyah Polee, a 27-year-old substance abuse counselor from Lakewood, CO, were sent home because they failed to get coupled up with a man on the island.Although Alex, a 23-year-old radio DJ from Louisville, KY, initially expected to leave, Jeffrey, a 30-year-old real estate investor from Chicago, IL, asked her to stay so he could get to know her better after dumping Kristin Kirgan, a 33-year-old photographer from Los Angeles, CA.Despite still having a crush on Tyler Gattuso, a 24-year-old model and real estate agent from Miami, FL, Alex decided to give Jeffrey a chance as Kristin was forced to go home.The broadcast began with pairs in the Villas forming solid relationships. Ben Rosenfield and Lisa Rotondi had an intense physical connection in which they'd often sneak away to have sex, while Lindsey Tuer and Alex Lagemann were smitten with each other and couldn't stop laughing.Alicia Blanco and Tyler were a new couple, so they were just enjoying each other's company, and Ashley Reitz and Brian "BT" Urruela were falling in love with each other. Terecia "TT" Baker and Brandon Smith were also finding love with one another, and they were getting closer to being physically intimate.Jeffrey, however, wasn't getting along with Kristin at all, and he admitted he wished he had picked Alex Clark at the start of his journey on the show instead. She was friendly and bubbly and he really liked her.Meanwhile, there was tension between Alex Clark and Alicia over Tyler. Alex Clark called her a bully and Alicia couldn't believe her "little sister" -- whom she supposedly tried to help -- would say such negative things about her.Afterward, the remaining women at the Bungalows were told they must pack up to leave the show because no more men were available. But before they left, they were given the opportunity to say goodbye to their friends in the Villas. Alex Clark was dreading a reunion with both Alicia and Tyler, who broke her heart.Over a couple of drinks, Jeffrey revealed to Alex Clark he wasn't having fun with Kristin and their personalities didn't click, even on a friendship level. Kristin, however, told the cameras that Jeffrey never tried to reach out to her when she left, that he didn't care nor did he try to make her feel special.Jeffrey wanted to spend his time with Alex Clark instead and asked her if she'd like to go on a date with him. She thought he was super cute, but she still liked Tyler. Alex Clark thought about the possibility and talked to her girlfriends for advice, who seemed to push her into giving Jeffrey a chance.Afterward, Jeffrey and Kristin officially split. He told her that she was a very tough person to communicate with, adding that she was also bossy and talked to him as if he was a child. In reply, Kristin said Jeffrey was not the hopeless romantic he led her to believe he was.In her final words, Kristin said she "dodged a bullet" by ending her relationship with Jeffrey. She was at least proud of herself for becoming vulnerable in this process and opening herself up to finding love.Alex Clark then spoke to Tyler about Jeffrey wanting to pursue a romance. Tyler was overly excited about the situation, pushing his ex-flame to date another guy. Alex Clark said he made her feel uncomfortable and "gross," which made her like him less. Alex Clark also didn't trust him at all, thinking he wanted a backup plan in case things didn't work out with Alicia.Although Alex Clark wasn't sure if she had a spark with Jeffrey, she opted to stay and give it a try. Alex Clark thought Jeffrey was honest and real, and she felt like she could be himself around him.The episode concluded with the remaining couples enjoying a little party outdoors in which they listened to music and danced. Jeffrey escorted Alex Clark to the beach in order to talk to her in private, and he quickly surprised her with red roses and chocolates.Alex Clark actually cried because she said a man has never done anything like that for her before. She hugged and kissed him in thanks, saying she deserved a great guy and it was very possible Jeffrey could end up being that guy. COUPLED MORE COUPLED NEWS << PRIOR STORY

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NEW HAVEN, Conn., July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Woodbridge International, a global mergers and acquisitions firm, is pleased to welcome Georges Hazan to its worldwide team of investment bankers. Georges is a consummate M&A professional with over 25 years of cross-border transaction experience. He will be heading up Woodbridges office in Paris, France to serve clients throughout France as well as in other French-speaking countries.



Prior to joining Woodbridge, Georges was, respectively, Founder, CEO and Managing Director of various strategic consulting firms that provided a range of corporate financial advisory services to international clients including family businesses, multinational corporations, start-ups, private equity and various nonprofits. Georges has special expertise in advanced technologies and innovation services (IT, health, NBIC). He serves in leadership capacities for a number of educational, entrepreneurial and technology consortiums and is fluent in English, French, Arabic, Spanish and Hebrew. Georges holds a Masters in Science from McGill University, a Masters degree from Universite de Montreal, and an honorary degree from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.

Woodbridge looks forward to working with Georges to provide world-class mergers and acquisitions services to middle-market companies based in French-speaking countries.

Headquartered in New Haven, CT, Woodbridge International, a global M&A firm, was founded in 1993 and has 11 offices in the U.S. and 22 offices abroad.
FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2015 file photo, Trevor Noah appears during a taping of "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" in New York The new "Daily Show" host is finding his footing after a rough start replacing Jon Stewart, the man who made the broadcast essential. His comedy is sharper, he's becoming more comfortable with his adopted country and he's finding an audience of his own, even if smaller than his predecessor's.. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

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By DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer

NEW YORK (AP)  Maybe it's time to forgive Trevor Noah for not being Jon Stewart.

The new "Daily Show" host is finding his footing after a rough start replacing the man who made the broadcast essential. His comedy has grown sharper, he's becoming more comfortable with his adopted country and he's finding an audience of his own, even if smaller than his predecessor's.

"Some people are still going, 'you're not Jon Stewart,'" Noah said. "Some people are still grading me accordingly ... They're doing the wrong thing. They're grading me on something I'm not trying to do. Many of them have caught on, some faster than others. All I can do is make the show for the people who wish to watch it."

In recent weeks, Noah mixed comedy and forceful opinion by advocating for restrictions on gun access following the Orlando massacre, and said it's possible to both support police and activists fighting against institutional racism. Praising House Democrats who used C-SPAN and the Internet to spread news about their sit-in to support gun legislation, he said, "I haven't seen the young and old work that well together since the first 'Karate Kid.'"

Following a story about criticism directed at Justin Timberlake for appropriating black culture, correspondent Roy Wood Jr. tried to "outblack" Noah by noting he'd been born in Alabama, attended a black university and worked in urban radio.

"I'm from South Africa," Noah replied, ending the argument.

A "black Trump" rap video used the candidate's own words for comedy. That and last fall's comparison of Donald Trump to African dictators, probably his first breakthrough segment, are examples of "Daily Show" humor you couldn't imagine in Stewart's hands.

Comedy Central had installed Noah last September only five weeks after Stewart left, giving him a show with Stewart's writers, staff and format.

"You almost got the sense he was mouthing Jon Stewart's words," said Robert Thompson, director of Syracuse University's Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture. "And, actually, he was."

That invited comparisons and, inevitably, Noah was found wanting. In Slate, critic Willa Paskin wrote of a "Daily Show"-shaped hole in culture, despite a lesser version airing each weeknight. She wrote that Noah was too cautious, backing away from tough issues. "You may still laugh, but an inessential 'Daily Show' is a real loss," Paskin wrote.

Noah couldn't ignore the criticism, or the tweets urging him to shut up about Africa and wondering about his funny accent.

Sometimes he'd disarm the haters by tweeting back but, yes, there were adjustment issues.

"I was deferring to the old style of show, because you're so afraid to tarnish an institution," he said. "You're afraid to be the person who destroyed the 'Daily Show.' Once you get that monkey off your back  you realize the "Daily Show' with Jon Stewart is over. As Jon said to me, the show died when he left. The slot exists, the name exists, but the show has to start anew."

Besides incorporating new forms of comedy into the mix, Noah said he's making the show less about media coverage of events than the events themselves. He can't match Stewart's passion for politics, so he's tried to broaden the subject matter. The political conventions  Noah will be in both Cleveland and Philadelphia this month  will give viewers a new chance to see how he's adapted.

Comedy Central had no choice but to give Noah the existing show since there wasn't enough time to create something new from scratch, said Kent Alterman, network president.

"We didn't hire him for his experience," Alterman said. "We hired him for his talent. We always knew it would be a long game, and it would take him awhile to find his way, find his voice, find his rhythm. If we take a step back and look at how he's growing, we're very happy."

Alterman points out that it took time for Stewart to mold the show in his image after replacing Craig Kilborn, and said it's unfair to compare Noah to Stewart in his 16th year.

The Emmy Awards nominations last week spoke to the show's diminished presence. The "Daily Show" wasn't nominated for best variety show, a category that Stewart had dominated. The show was nominated every year between 2002 and 2015, winning 11 times. The recently announced departure of Jessica Williams, who predated Noah and was the show's best-known correspondent, leaves a significant hole.

Stewart took a good chunk of the audience with him; "Daily Show" nightly viewership is down 35 percent since Noah took over, according to the Nielsen company.

Comedy Central says measuring Noah's show strictly on how many people watch each night is outdated, and claims that Noah has increased the show's visibility online, among coveted younger male viewers and internationally. The network said the show reaches 7.9 million people each week through multiple platforms, although it didn't have a similar figure for Stewart's last year.

"It's hard," Alterman said, "to change a rocket ship while you're flying it."

Paskin said she hasn't seen enough of the show lately to update her assessment on Slate. Syracuse's Thompson said the passage of time has helped Noah. Memories of Stewart's "Daily Show" are fading, the comparison less relevant.

"In the past couple of weeks, he seems to really have begun to do what I hoped and expected he would  and that is to find his own voice while still relying on the behemoth that is the 'Daily Show's' system," Thompson said.
Opelousas Fire Chief Charles Mason, right, and Matt Rabalais, a training officer for St. Landry Fire Dist. 3, investigate the site of the old Governor's Mansion, in Opelousas, La., after the house was destroyed following a fire Thursday, July 14, 2016. Fire officials are still investigating the cause of the blaze. The house, which was under renovation, served as the Governor's Mansion for Gov. Thomas O. Moore during the Civil War in 1862 and 1863. (Leslie Westbrook/The Advocate via AP)

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By JANET McCONNAUGHEY, Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Arson destroyed an antebellum plantation house that served as the governor's mansion for nine months during the Civil War and damaged a museum less than a mile away on Thursday, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office said.

The Old Governor's Mansion burned to the ground, but the fire at the Louisiana Orphan Train Museumapparently burned out fairly quickly, said Brant Thompson, chief deputy for the fire marshal's office.

Museum workers found fire damage when they arrived for work Thursday morning, he said.

"We don't know whether there's any connection between the two fires. But certainly we'd not rule that out," Thompson said.

He said investigators do know both were arson. He wouldn't give details because the investigation is continuing.

The Louisiana Orphan Train Museum commemorates the trains that brought abandoned or homeless children from New York to rural homes from 1854 to 1929, and the children who rode on them. Opelousas, about 55 miles west of Baton Rouge, was among the places to which such children were sent from the New York Foundling Hospital.

Opelousas was Louisiana's capital for about nine months in 1862 and 1863, after Union troops seized Baton Rouge. When the Union Army captured Opelousas, the capital moved again, to Shreveport in northwest Louisiana.

Gov. Thomas O. Moore lived and had his headquarters in the mansion.

The dwelling was built about 1850 and bought soon thereafter by Lastie Dupre, whose father had been governor briefly in the 1830s. Lastie Dupre bought the mansion for his daughter, whose husband became lieutenant governor during the Civil War, said James Douget, president of Preservationists of St. Landry Inc.

"When the capital moved to Opelousas, Gov. Moore needed a place to stay, so they opened the house to him," Douget said.

Laws passed while the governor and Legislature were in Opelousas included the conscription law allowing Louisiana's Confederate government to draft men into its army.

Douget said the mansion had been vacant during renovations for about two years, and had been occupied by various families before that.

Douget said he'd been to the Old Governor's Mansion a week ago and again on Wednesday, and had been excited by the progress of renovations.

"It looked like it was going on fast-forward, and I was hoping it would be opened up fairly soon," he said.

On Thursday, Douget said, "I saw one of Louisiana's treasures in ashes."

___

This story has been corrected to show renovations began about two years ago, not November.
Ocean View, Delaware, July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) market size is set to reach USD 4.08 billion by 2023, as per the latest research report by Global Market Insights, Inc.



Increasing market penetration of TPO across medical applications is anticipated to drive market over the forecast period. Automotive application segment was dominant accounting over 70% of global share in 2015. Drifting focus towards reducing overall weight of automobiles will drive product demand. Also, stringent government regulations on account of reducing carbon emissions will assist industry penetration.



Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/507

Advancements in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) have compelled automobile industry participants to evolve news way for vehicle weight reduction. This may boost polymer applications in this section, which further impact positively on thermoplastic polyolefins market size.



Industrial applications should witness over 5% growth up to 2023. Rapid industrialization coupled with increasing per capita disposable income of customers have positively impacted end use sector such as automotive and construction. TPOs are extensively used for residential & commercial roof tops purpose owing to propel thermoplastic polyolefins market from 2016 to 2023.



Central & South America (CSA) is the fastest regional segment, with estimated gains above 7% CAGR. The region is witnessing massive product application in medical and packaging. Thermoplastic polyolefins are fastest growing members of thermoplastic elastomers family which has been gaining adoption on account of its superior properties such as light weight and thermal resistance, compared to other materials.



Key raw material, propylene and ethylene, are correlated with crude oil index. Crude oil price idex correction over the forecast timeframe may affect thermoplastic polyolefins market price trend. Rubber and reinforcing polymers are also used in manufacturing process.



Browse key industry insights spread across 83 pages with 60 market data tables & 16 figures & charts from the report, Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPO) Market Size By Application (Automotive, Industrial/construction), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany, UK, France, Italy, China, India, Japan, Brazil), Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023 in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/thermoplastic-polyolefins-tpo-market





Key insights from the report include:

U.S. thermoplastic polyolefins market size, was largest regional industry in North America. Medical and packaging applications are likely to be the fastest growing segment in the region over 6% growth.



Enormous construction spending coupled with booming automobile sector in this region will propel Asia Pacific TPO market size. Japan thermoplastic polyolefins market size generated over USD 305 million in 2015 with more than 7% growth.



Europe thermoplastic polyolefins market, led by Germany, Italy, UK and France, will surpass USD 1 billion revenue by 2023. Increasing usage of thermoplastic polyolefins replacing conventional thermoplastics and elastomers across medical and packaging is likely to positively impact on product demand.



Automobile application in Germany could be valued at over USD 105 million in 2023. TPO finds application across medical & packaging. Growing healthcare expenditure on account of increased consumers awareness will drive demand. These are used in packaging materials which are primarlily subjected to refrigeration.



Global thermoplastic polyolefins market share is competitive. Key companies include A. Schulman, Dow chemical, Arkema S.A, Sumitomo Chemical, and ExxonMobil, SABIC, DuPont, INOES, LyondellBasell, S & E SpecialtyPpolymers, Polisystem UK, Saudi Aramco, and RTP.



Dow Chemical and LyondellBasell are integrated forward along the value chain to develop fabricated TPO compounds.



Purchase this report @ https://www.gminsights.com/securecheckout/payment/507

Global Market Insights as segmented the thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) industry on the basis of application and region:

Global Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPO) Market Application Analysis (Volume: Kilo Tons; Revenue: USD Million, 2012 - 2023) Automotive Industrial/construction Others

Global Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPO) Market Regional Analysis (Volume: Kilo Tons; Revenue: USD Million, 2012 - 2023) North America U.S Europe Germany France UK Italy Asia Pacific China India Japan Central & South America (CSA) Brazil Middle East & Africa (MEA)







Browse Related Reports:

Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) Market Size By Product (Thermoplastic Polyurethanes [TPU], Styrenic Block Copolymers [SIS, SBS, SBC, HSBC], Thermoplastic Vulcanizates [TPV], Copolyester Elastomers [COPE], Thermoplastic Polyolefins [TPO]), By Application (Footwear, Automotive, Medical, Construction, Industrial, Advanced Materials, Electronics), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook (U.S., Germany, UK, France, Italy, China, India, Japan, Brazil), Application Potential, Price Trend, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2016  2023

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/thermoplastic-elastomers-tpe-market

Synthetic and Bio Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Films Market Size, Potential Industry Outlook Report, Regional Analysis, Price Trend, Application Development, Competitive Landscape & Forecast, 2016 - 2023

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/synthetic-and-bio-thermoplastic-polyurethane-tpu-films-market

Read our insightful industry blogs @

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.




Record Searchlight file photo Sharon Turman, who pleaded guilty in May to leading officers on a high-speed pursuit while she was driving a "Scooby-Doo" style van, wants to withdraw her guilty plea.

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By Jim Schultz of the Redding Record Searchlight

A Redding woman who pleaded guilty in May to leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase in a minivan painted with a colorful "Scooby-Doo" Mystery Machine theme wants to take her plea back.

Sharon Kay Turman, 51, was scheduled to be sentenced Wednesday. She faced no longer than two years, eight months in prison under the terms of her plea bargain.

But she's had a change of heart and wants to rescind her plea.

Redding defense attorney Michael Khoronov has been appointed to determine whether Turman has sufficient legal grounds to withdraw her guilty plea.

He's due back in Superior Court with Turman, who remains in custody, on Aug. 2.

Turman was charged with two counts of evading officers with a disregard for public safety, among other charges, stemming from the March 6 high-speed pursuit.

Additionally, she was charged in a separate case with felony grand theft in connection with the disabling of an expensive GPS ankle bracelet provided to her in February by probation authorities to track her whereabouts.

That case was dismissed as a part of the plea bargain but could be resurrected if Turman if she's allowed to withdraw her guilty plea. In the meantime, she's picked up a misdemeanor battery case.

Police have said Turman was on supervised release for theft and suspected of violating her probation in the deactivation of her ankle monitor when officers spotted her March 6 in her unusual 1994 Town and Country minivan at California and Shasta streets in downtown Redding.

She reportedly took off in the van when officers tried to pull her over. Turman reportedly later told officers she did not stop out of fear she would be hurt by them.

Officers said she drove at high speeds on South Market Street without any concern for motorists and nearly hit four other vehicles before she abandoned the van, which had run out of gas, on Highway 36 off Bowman Road in northwestern Tehama County.

Turman got away but later turned herself in at the Shasta County Jail on March 16.
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By Nathan Solis of the Redding Record Searchlight

Angry residents argued with the Shasta County Board of Supervisors over water on Tuesday by shouting and dredging up past examples of officials ignoring their complaints.

A Shasta County grand jury report found problems with how the county managed water systems in rural parts of the county. Those water customers came to Tuesday's meeting to discuss the findings.

Instead, supervisors rejected most of the report's findings and recommendations, including recommending the county study separating the county's Water Agency from the Public Works Department. The report said the lack of checks and balances that cozy relationship could lead to poor oversight and accountability.

Jones Valley resident Steve Boyd said the board missed the larger points of the report and the grand jury did not have the full history of water woes in the County Service Areas. Boyd said residents have been ignored in the past and the board's rejection of the grand jury report was just another example of that.

Boyd asked, "Does this board want to know the truth?"

One example given in the report is the over purchasing of water.

During the summer, the water rights of the CSAs are trumped and the amount of water they receive is reduced. The grand jury said the county puts a financial strain on residents of CSAs when it over-purchases water.

The county responded to that finding by saying it can't be helped because it purchases water early in the year from the McConnell Foundation. A rainy spring this year brought plenty of water to the region but the county purchased water anyway to the tune of $62,500.

"That water will lapse," said Public Works Director Pat Minturn after the board meeting. Translation: it won't be used by any customers or saved for future years, but the county and the service areas are still on the hook for the bill.

While the board, county staff and Minturn drafted a formal response to the grand jury report, supervisors only had a few questions for the Minturn on Tuesday. Minturn said he was interviewed by the Grand Jury for five hours for their report.

In 2013 the residents of Jones Valley voted for a study separating the Water Agency from Public Works, but the county denied this request and instead asked County Executive Officer Larry Lees to work out a solution. The grand jury said there was never any type of follow up.

On Tuesday a Jones Valley resident said she had seen Lees at only one meeting on water issues.

Lees said he has been to a number of meetings and added, "I think there is a misunderstanding."

Jones Valley resident Peter Scales shouted at the board and singled out Minturn.

"You guys are such hypocrites. Minturn is a liar. He is a tyrant and a despot. That is all backed up in black and white," said Scales, referring to invoices on services from the county for management of water services.

Supervisors were also upset with the tone from residents and the report. Supervisor Bill Schappell said he was appalled with the report and how it criticized the county's actions.

Supervisor Leonard Moty said the residents of Jones Valley have expressed their distrust of the county in the past.

"This board on many occasions has told Jones Valley that if you think we're not doing a good job  take it back. Make it private and see how much it costs you to run your own agency," said Moty.

Boyd said the grand jury report brought up the need for a refund to one of CSAs that was incorrectly charged, but Moty fired back that it was Public Works that brought that up.

"I resent the innuendo that somehow (Minturn) is hiding something and cheating the different water agencies," Moty said.

He said Boyd and Brenda Haynes of the Anderson-Cottonwood Irrigation District had sabotaged past efforts of Public Works and the Water Agency.

"I've got an e-mail that involves you and Brenda Haynes where you're just working behind the scenes trying to sabotage the efforts of the county," Moty said.

Boyd said he did not know which e-mail the supervisor was referring to.

After Tuesday's board meeting, Boyd asked, "What are they scared of when we ask for a study to look at separating the agency? I don't know where to go from here. It hurts to not have any influence with the board of supervisors. I wish I knew where to go from here."
Jenny Espino/Record Searchlight

Councilwoman Kristen Schreder talks to crowd at Tuesday's City Council meeting about work that's happened behind the scenes to create a plan addressing homelessness.

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A packed agenda awaits the Redding City Council tonight.

Among big issues coming before the council are a plan to address homelessness, the arguments in favor of Measure D and Measure E, a one-year contract with Colliers International to list Stillwater Business Park and the reinstatement of a solar rebate program. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Redding City Hall, 777 Cypress Ave.

Councilwoman Kristen Schreder will be leading the request to restructure and fund the Redding/Shasta County Continuum of Care on homelessness. The plan to recruit a nonprofit to run the planning body full time and provide better data collection would cost $209,000 in the first year and about $190,000 in the second year.

Schreder, who has committed to raising with her committee $10,000, has said she is in talks with the McConnell Foundation for financial support. She is asking the city to contribute $130,000 over the two years or $65,000 each year. The cities of Anderson and Shasta Lake and Shasta County also will be asked for contributions.

Councilman Gary Cadd signaled Monday he would not support funding mental health or homeless services."We dont need to start a new department. We need to help the county if that is necessary," he said and noted there are state and federal grants that could be pursued.

Schreders request to the city comes on the heels of studies that revealed about 3,000 Shasta County residents who received food stamps in 2015 were homeless and that the community is spending $34.2 million each year to provide basic services to the homeless. The cost analysis surveyed police and fire services, hospital emergency rooms, the jail and public- and private-led groups doing encampment cleanups.

One report by HomeBase, the San Francisco consultant that Schreder hired, estimated the cost to house someone in the Redding area at about $11,500 annually. The amount requested from the city is comparable to the amount that HomeBase says the community is spending on a chronically homeless person creating the vast majority of costs: $66,188.

As part of her research into the homeless issue over the past year, Schreder listed 76 meetings and communities activities. Included were presentations before local social and business groups, regular attendance of county social services meetings and visits to other parts of the state to learn about homeless programs.
Daniel Lee Bentley, shown today in Shasta County Superior Court, pleaded no contest in Shasta County Superior Court to arson in connection with this month's Fiddler Fire.

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The man accused of setting this months 441-acre Fiddler Fire in the Ono area pleaded no contest today in Shasta County Superior Court to felony arson.

Daniel Lee Bentley, 36, who is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 17 to two years in prison, would be required to serve only half of that before being eligible for parole.

But his conviction is a strike, meaning any future conviction would double the sentence for that crime.

Bentley, who was arrested July 9 and faced six years in prison if tried and convicted of arson, pleaded not guilty earlier this month during his arraignment to setting the fire.

But he also admitted to a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection officer he started the blaze, according to a Cal Fire report filed in Shasta County Superior Court.

He said he did so to protect himself from people who were shooting at him while he was walking by a house on Fiddlers Road.

The Fiddler Fire, which began during the late night of July 8, scorched more than 440 acres and destroyed a travel trailer.

At one point of the fire, up to 50 homes had been under evacuation.
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Police: Teens attack bicyclist on trail

A 47-year-old Redding man riding home from work on his bicycle Tuesday was assaulted by two teenagers who tried to steal his bike, police said.

Police went to the Sacramento River Trail system on the north side of Highway 44 near Sundial Bridge Drive after getting the assault with a deadly weapon report at 4:39 p.m.

Daniel Bradley said he was on his bike when he approached two older teens on the trail. One was on a black mountain bike and had a stick or possibly a shovel while a second male was on foot, police said.

As Bradley rode past the pair, the teen with the stick or shovel hit him on the head, causing Bradley to crash. The two teens started kicking and hitting Bradley with their feet and sticks while trying to take his bike. Bradley was able to stand up and keep the bike while a passer-by named Jeremiah Banister, 43, came to help him.

Banister also told the two robbery suspects to leave Bradley alone and leave, police said. The two teens fled east on the trail, heading toward Hilltop Drive. Police were unable to find them.

The teen on the bike was described as white, 17 to 19 years old with black pants, a black tank top and a black backpack. The second teen was also described as white, 17 to 19 years old with black shorts and a white tank top under a black tank top.

Bradley suffered several non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Redding police at 225-4200.

Tips sought about drone over fire

Redding Fire Chief Gerry Gray is hoping someone will help lead his department to the person who flew a drone in the area of a mobile home fire Saturday evening and forced the grounding of an aircraft.

The fire sent a man to the hospital with second-degree burns and destroyed a mobile home in the 1500 block of Lake Boulevard near Oasis Road.

An aircraft from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection observing the fire was grounded when a drone was spotted flying in the area.

A follow-up investigation would normally be handled by the Redding Fire Department were investigators not already taxed to the limit with other cases, Gray said.

"The RFD does not have the resources to conduct such an investigation," Gray said. "Our two investigators are too busy with many pending arson cases."

Saturday's report comes just more than a week after fire fighting agencies gathered to remind the public about keeping drones out of fire zones.

Flying a drone into restricted airspace  such as a fire zone  is illegal and can carry civil penalties of up to $25,000 and even criminal prosecution. Drones also force the immediate grounding of fire fighting aircraft for safety reasons.

Gray said anyone with tips about Saturday's drone flight can call 225-4141.

Suspect caught in thrift store robbery

A man robbed a Redding store at knife point Tuesday morning and tried to ditch his clothes, but was caught, police said.

The owner of Tammy Got Stuff Thrift Store, at 3130 Bechelli Lane, said she was robbed by a man with a knife and he ran south from the store afterward. Redding police and a California Highway Patrol Helicopter searched for the man, said Sgt. Ron Icely.

Police found some clothing in the area that matched the clothes worn by the robber in the surveillance video of the robbery. Officer Jeff Schmidt and K-9 dog, Abel, tracked the suspect to a greenbelt south of Hartnell Avenue near the intersection of Bechelli Lane.

Police found the robbery suspect and said it was Brandon Carlton Culmer, 21, of Redding, said Icely. He was booked into the Shasta County Jail on suspicion of robbery with bail set at $50,000.

Trial date set in restroom assault

An Aug. 2 trial date has been set for a 26-year-old Redding man charged with assault with a deadly weapon and making threats for allegedly swinging a hammer at a city of Redding employee when he was asked to leave a public restroom where he had been sleeping.

Patrick Francis Brooks was arrested May 16 after police say he assaulted city employee Eric Stevens and threatened to kill him.

Police said Brooks was sleeping inside the restroom near the Caldwell Park boat ramp when Stevens arrived to clean the facility.

Brooks came out of the bathroom with a claw hammer and tried to hit Stevens on the head, but Stevens was able to avoid being hit, police said.

A person in the area tried to help Stevens, but by that time Brooks, who was on probation for carrying a concealed weapon, had run away. Officers found and arrested Brooks a short time later, police said.

Crews' quick work extinguishes fire

Firefighters quickly put out a fire that scorched about an acre of grass in north Redding on Tuesday afternoon.

The fire was reported about 2:40 p.m. in the 1000 block of Lake Boulevard.

Crews said they stopped the forward spread of the flames 10 minutes after the fire was reported.

Trinity County K-9 ill with infection

A Trinity County sheriff's dog has been hospitalized with an infection he contracted while recovering from being stabbed.

K-9 Johnny is being treated at an animal hospital for an upper respiratory infection, sheriff's office spokeswoman Lynn Ward said Tuesday.

The dog had previously been hospitalized after a suspect stabbed him in the neck during a fight at a raid on a rural marijuana grow in Trinity County on Thursday, she said.

On Friday, the hospital released him to his handler. But the next evening, his condition worsened with the infection and he was brought back, she said.

Johnny will stay on medication and in the hospital until the infection goes away and he is stabilized, Ward said.

Shasta Lake fires under investigation

The cause of two fires Monday that nearly burned homes in Shasta Lake remains under investigation, Shasta Lake Fire Protection District Chief Dennis Beck said Tuesday.

"Nothing definitive and nothing ruled out," Beck said.

The district is working with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection investigators on pinpointing the cause of the blazes that broke out just before 4 p.m. along Ashby Road north of Pine Grove Avenue.

Beck said an investigator is working as quick as possible as his department is also eager to learn what caused the fires.

Deputies find pot growing in garage

Authorities say they raided a home in Fall River Mills and destroyed 306 pot plants found growing there.

The raid, authorized by a search warrant, began at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at Terry Erlandson's home, 42900 Little Lakes Drive, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies say they had suspected he was growing cannabis in his garage. They searched his home and found guns, ammunition and 306 pot plants in addition to evidence of sales, deputies said.

That evidence and the weapons were seized, deputies said. The plants were destroyed.

The case will be submitted to the Shasta County District Attorney's Office for prosecution, deputies said.

Erlandson wasn't home at the time, they said.
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A burglar would have gotten away from police if it wasn't for a single glove left at the scene of a crime.

Police arrested a local homeless man, Johnnie Ray Davis, 45, whose DNA matched that of a botched robbery from a downtown Redding home in April, said police.

Walter Proebstal, 91, found a man in a hooded sweater in his home on April 22. The glass from his backdoor was broken and Proebstal found coins and collectible knives from his bedroom on the floor, said police.

The man shoved Proebstal as he ran away from the home, but left behind a glove, said Sgt. Shawn McGinnis.

Police sent the glove to the California Department of Justice laboratory and were able to match it to Davis, who is a known felon.

Davis is 6-ft., 1-in. tall, weighs 190 lbs and fits the description of the burglar in Proebstal's home, said McGinnis.

Elder Abuse investigator Chris Mills questioned and arrested Davis Wednesday morning.

Davis was booked for residential robbery, burglary and elder abuse at the Shasta County Jail. No bail has been set.
Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight

Daniel Brooks, from left, a superintendent with Cleanrite-Buildrite, talks with asbestos inspector Steve West with Guzzi West Inspectors as VFW Commander John Shuler talks with Mike Crowell, a water technician with Cleanrite-Buildrite, Tuesday at the VFW to go over damages to the building from a fire over the weekend.

SHARE Andreas Fuhrmann/Record Searchlight The Redding VFW suffered fire damage from a fire last Saturday.

By Sean Longoria of the Redding Record Searchlight

Redding's all-volunteer Veterans of Foreign Wars post is looking to recover after Saturday's fire that burned a back wall of the group's Oregon Street home and caused enough water damage to leave about half of the building unusable.

They're asking for the community's help to do it.

The VFW Post 1934 is looking to raise $25,000 through donations to fund the repairs. Saturday's fire started in a garbage can in the building and burned the back wall and some property inside.

Investigators have yet to determine the cause of the fire, Redding Fire Chief Gerry Gray said.

It was the sprinklers, though, that ruined ceiling tiles and destroyed furniture, a TV and an Xbox in the VFW's children's room, among other damage, said Tammy Walker, quartermaster for the post.

"We haven't been able to touch anything because we're waiting on the insurance company," Walker said.

A plastic sheet separates the bar and game room from the rear of the building, which mostly houses offices, equipment, a bathroom and kitchen. The sprinklers ruined all of the food in the kitchen and left much of the building with a distinct mildew smell.

About 15 of the VFW's regulars have stopped coming in because the bathroom can't be used, said Jon Shuler, post commander.

The VFW rents the building for about $1,500 per month but it's been broken into four times in the past year and a half, Walker said.

"We have an amazing landlord who's helped us out through some rough patches," but the group can't keep relying on that person, she said.

Long term, the VFW is seeking a larger home to house its operations, relocate the longtime veteran-friendly Klassique Kafe and offer more direct connections to veteran services, Shuler said.

"We want to make the building a one-stop shop," he said.

Part of that vision includes reshaping the VFW's image to a more family-friendly one that incorporates more young veterans, he said.

Donations can be made via the online service GoFundMe at http://bit.ly/VFWFund, though Walker said it's better to take your donations directly to the VFW as GoFundMe will take a percentage of each donation.

Donations to the nonprofit are also tax-deductible and Walker is eager to provide donors with receipts, she said.

The group is also putting on its fourth annual Whiskey Wine Cigar and Brew event, featuring live music, local liquors and food. Admission is $10.

Call 241-9168 or drop by the post at 1251 Oregon St. in downtown Redding to donate or for more information.
Greg Barnette/Record Searchlight A measure to raise sales taxes in Siskiyou County to pay for a new jail is going down in defeat.

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By Sean Longoria of the Redding Record Searchlight

Siskiyou County voters will be asked a second time in November whether they'll support higher sales tax in exchange for a new jail.

Supervisors on Monday unanimously approved placing the question to the voters, who just last month rejected a countywide half-cent tax.

That vote required two-thirds approval and failed to garner even half the vote, though the county will instead seek a simple majority through a general tax that would end once a $10 million loan is paid off, supervisors said.

The lower threshold butted against the normally anti-tax sensibilities of supervisors, who said they were making a rare exception because the project is focused on public safety.

"Crime's not going down in Siskiyou County and quite frankly if there isn't a place to put anybody it's going to get worse," Supervisor Michael Kobseff said, citing Sheriff Jon Lopey's reports of violent and property increases in the county.

The sales tax is a last-ditch effort of sorts for Siskiyou County, which has been looking for years for ways to pay for the nearly $10 million needed to fully fund the jail. The California Board of State and Community Corrections, which awarded some $27 million for the jail, has given the county until September to commit to building the jail or lose that money, Lopey said.

"If the project is killed, I believe  I predict now and in the future, victimization will increase along with violent and property crimes," Lopey told the board.

The new jail would nearly double the available bed space in Siskiyou County, from 104 to 180 beds with ability to expand, Lopey has said. The county has already spent about $800,000 on the project to secure land in Yreka and for water and sewer access.

Andy Fusso, founder of the political action committee Siskiyou Forward Movement, opposed the tax and new jail at Monday's meeting. The county should respect the will of voters in June, he said.

"Jail expansion can't increase public safety without meaningful action to support thriving communities," Fusso said. "Programs to address mental health and lack of economic and social hope, those are the ones that need our support. That's what will stop crime and addiction here in Siskiyou County."

Lopey said the county is already doing great work on rehabilitation and proposed the existing jail be used as a mental health facility if the new jail is built.

"What we're doing in Siskiyou County is very, very positive," he said. "We have this (Community Corrections Partnership), we're trying to rehabilitate people but we still need the capacity and the incentive to put people in jail, especially the habitual offenders and violent offenders who are just thumbing their nose at the justice system."

Supervisor Ray Haupt also dismissed the idea that the tax increase  which would coincide with a statewide quarter-cent drop  would send more people into Oregon to shop.

"In this case, a quarter percent sales tax, we're looking at  if my math is correct  $1.25 on a $500 purchase," Haupt said. "To think that I'm going to drive to Medford for a buck and quarter may be more of an ideological position rather than one of financial responsibility."
Damon Arthur/Record Searchlight Jim Watson, general manager of the Sites Reservoir Project, said the project is likely more than 10 years in the future.

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By Damon Arthur of the Redding Record Searchlight

Don't expect to see a reservoir built in the hills west of Maxwell anytime soon.

Plans to build the Sites Reservoir have been in the works since 1957, and if it is eventually approved, work on the project probably would not be complete for another 10 to 12 years, according to Jim Watson, the Sites Reservoir Project general manager.

"Sites is not for us. Sites is for our grandchildren," said Nadine Bailey, chief operating officer for the Family Water Alliance in Maxwell.

The dam, pumping facilities and the canals and pipes leading to and from the Sacramento River will take about eight years to build, at a cost of about $4.4 billion, Watson said during a visit to the Record Searchlight with Bailey to discuss the project.

In the shorter term, though, Watson said that by June 2017 he plans to submit a proposal to the California Water Commission asking the state to participate in the project. If the state agrees, Sites officials would apply for a grant under the Proposition 1 California water bond, he said.

Watson said up to 50 percent of the project cost could be funded through the water bond. The other half would be paid for by the eight-member joint powers authority backing the project, as well as any other interested agencies willing to invest.

The joint powers authority is made up of Sacramento Valley irrigation and water districts, as well as Colusa and Glenn counties. The state requires principal backers of the project to be from the Sacramento Valley, but others can invest in the project, Watson said.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation also is expected to complete a feasibility study on Sites by next year, Watson said.

Sites supporters say the reservoir would provide additional water storage for agriculture, environmental and municipal needs.

Rather than putting another dam in the Sacramento River, water from the river would be shipped offsite through existing irrigation canals and then pumped into the reservoir for holding until it is needed. Water could only be taken when there is adequate water in the river and conditions in the Delta warrant it, according to the California Department of Water Resources.

During this past winter and spring, about 1 million acre-feet could have been diverted into Sites, Watson said.

The joint powers authority has to show five benefits from the project, Watson said: flood control, recreation, water quality, ecosystem and helping the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

But Tom Stokely, a salmon and water policy analyst for the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen's Associations, said the project's benefit to the general public is questionable.

"If the public is paying for half of it, shouldn't the public get half the water?" Stokely said.

Watson said having water stored in Sites Reservoir could give the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation flexibility in how it manages water from Trinity Lake and Lake Shasta.

Over the past couple years the bureau has had to curtail the amount of water released from Lake Shasta to save cold water to use later in the summer to aid hatching winter-run chinook salmon in the river. The winter run eggs and recent hatches need water at least 56 degrees or colder to survive in the river in the Redding area.

Watson said water stored in Sites could alleviate pressure on Shasta Lake to provide all the water in the river. Water from Sites could be shipped south in the river, leaving more of the cold water in Shasta to help the salmon, he said.
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A potentially dangerous blue-green algae  the same type found in Lake Shasta earlier this month  has been spotted in Lake Britton in eastern Shasta County.

The algae was found in the areas around the Burney Creek Cove Marina Launch Ramp and the Jamo Point Boat Ramp, according to the California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Testing has revealed at least three types of cyanobacteria at the Burney Creek Cove Marina Launch Ramp.

Its not something that happens all the time, said Adam Laputz, assistant executive officer for the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

He said warm summer temperatures, slow-moving water and high nutrient levels in the lake contribute to the algae blooms.

He said the algae is blooming, but the state is testing the water to determine whether it is producing toxic bacteria.

Water board officials said the public should avoid areas where the algae is found. The bacteria in the algae can cause eye and skin irritation, as well flu-like symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Liver failure, nerve damage and death have occurred in cases where people have ingested large amounts of water with blue-green algae. Dogs and livestock also should not be allowed to go near water with the algae, state officials said.

The toxic algae was also found in Lake Shasta earlier this month between the no ski buoys in the middle of the Pit River arm of the lake and the Pit Rivers mouth, the agency said.

The algae has been found in other water bodies around the state, including Clear Lake and the Klamath River, Laputz said.

Warning signs have been posted at commonly used points around the lake, said Paul Moreno, a spokesman for Pacific Gas and Electric Co., which owns Lake Britton.

He said before eating fish caught from the lake people should gut and clean them with potable water. Shellfish, including crayfish, from the lake should not be eaten, he said.

Laputz said the algae has occurred before in Lake Britton, but this years outbreak in Lake Shasta appeared to be a first.

Further tests of algae samples taken from Lake Shasta were inconclusive as to the presence of toxic bacteria, so more tests are planned, he said.

The algae outbreaks are confined and arent widespread in either of the lakes, Laputz said. People can still swim and boat in other parts of both lakes, he said.

We dont want (people) to think the whole lake is blooming, Laputz said.
REDMOND, Wash., July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- S-Ray Incorporated announced today that it has launched on its website a "Testing the Waters" campaign at: http://s-rayinc.com/invest.



The campaign is intended to gauge potential investor interest in a going public transaction  an IPO via Regulation A Plus Tier II. S-Ray is measuring public support for a possible offering by targeting the general investment and dental industry communities as well as socially responsible investors as it seeks to raise up to $50 million of additional capital to support growth strategies and operational goals. S-Rays intention is to file a Regulation A Plus with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) once the "Testing the Waters" campaign reaches the threshold of $1 million.

In the past, only qualified investors, venture capitalists, and private equity firms had the opportunity to invest via special securities in private-to-public transactions. This changed in June 2015 with the passage of the JOBS Act in April 2012 and the SEC's release of the regulations governing the new rules.

S-Ray intends to participate in these new rules under Regulation A Plus Tier II. But before any investment into a Regulation A Plus offering can occur, The Company must first qualify its potential offering with Federal regulators and launch its "Testing the Waters" campaign to gauge market interest. The campaign will target potential investors through email, social media campaigns and by inviting investors to participate.

We have been anticipating the next major steps of growth for our company, said Steve Baird, S-Ray Incorporateds CEO. So we welcome the possibilities afforded by an IPO via Regulation A Plus Tier II.

No money or other consideration is being solicited in S-Rays Testing the Waters campaign, and, if sent, in response, it will not be accepted. Offers to buy securities cannot be accepted, and no sales of securities will be made or commitment to purchase accepted until qualification of the offering statement by the SEC and the approval of any other required government or regulatory agency. An indication of interest made by a prospective investor is non-binding and involves no obligation or commitment of any kind. No offer of securities will be made without a qualified offering circular.

Any eventual Regulation A Plus offering will be presented to investors in the order they participate in the "Testing the Waters" campaign. Potential investors can indicate their interest in the campaign at S-Rays dedicated webpage: http://s-rayinc.com/invest/testing-the-waters-campaign/testing-the-waters-campaign-potential-investors/.

About S-Ray Incorporated

S-Ray Incorporated is a biotech dental company that is developing a low cost 3D imaging system for use by dentists. The products will arrive on the market at a crucial juncture  providing low cost 3D imaging for the dental industry. S-Ray was founded in 2008 and is located in Redmond, Washington, where it is part of the Seattle-areas ultrasound cluster, a collection of businesses, research facilities, organizations and more, all of whom are centered around the development of ultrasound technology. S-Ray Incorporated has been issued its first patent, which provides coverage for the unique way of using ultrasound for dental applications. An additional 31 provisional patents have been secured for other aspects of the system and additional software. Learn more about the company and its breakthrough use of ultrasound for dental imaging at www.s-rayinc.com.

Forward-looking & Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and those statements are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential plans and objectives of the Company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. S-Ray cautions that these forward-looking statements are further qualified by other factors. S-Ray undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Remains of man missing since '97 found near Lake Shasta

David Wayne Wallace of Shasta County went missing in May 1997 and part of his remains were not found until October 2020.
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This month's Democratic convention will be a hotbed of anti-fossil fuel vitriol. The policy platform, invited speakers, and nominee herself all support a war against oil and natural gas.

Gone are the days when Democrats supported nuclear and natural gas. Gone are the days when they championed the fossil-fuel industry because it supports millions of high-paying, blue-collar jobs. Gone are the days when Democrats seriously pursued an energy-independent United States.

Today, they're pursuing a radical overhaul of the American energy market. And if they get their way, the economic consequences would be devastating.

The committee cooking up the convention's official policy platform has explicitly rebuked President Barack Obama, who once promised an all-inclusive energy strategy. Instead, they want to move "beyond the 'all of the above' energy approach."

They just want one of the above  renewables, chiefly solar, wind, and biomass. The committee adopted a proposal envisioning an "America run entirely on clean energy by midcentury."

One might call this an overly ambitious goal. After nearly eight years of the most pro-clean energy president in American history, one that handed out billions of taxpayer dollars to green tech companies, the slice of the electricity market powered by renewables has increased from a puny 4 percent to an only-slightly-less-puny 7 percent.

That's a lot of time and money for very little progress.

Of course, the Democrats' plan is not simply to help clean fuels compete on the energy market. They want to shut down the fossil-fuel industry. Hillary Clinton explicitly promised a CNN town hall that she's "going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business."

But she doesn't want to stop with coal. Clinton wants to impose crushing new regulations on fracking, the innovative drilling technique that's opened up huge new underground energy reserves. In a March debate, she promised that, if elected president, "I do not think there will be many places in America where fracking will continue to take place."

We've been warned.

A regulatory crackdown on fracking would basically spell the end of the domestic energy industry. Most of the easy-to-access energy pockets have been depleted.

Democrats want to back up their fossil-fuel crusade with the full force of the state. Many have been encouraging the Justice Department to investigate companies and others who have allegedly mislead the public about climate change. "Alleged" is a very low bar, since anybody can accuse anyone of anything. In practice, any executive, scientist or policy expert who challenges the climate-change dogma of the far left could face fines or jail time.

Renewables come nowhere near to meeting our country's energy needs. Americans will still need fossil fuels for cars and planes and to power their homes and offices for decades to come. Indeed, one irony of the upcoming convention is that most attendees will arrive by plane, take cars to their hotels and enjoy an air-conditioned convention center, all thanks to the fossil fuels they'll spend days denouncing.

If Democrats are successful in their attempt to crush domestic oil and gas, Americans won't switch to renewables; they'll just be forced to by traditional energy from abroad, including from Russia, Venezuela and Iran, financially fueling those countries' political mischief.

So let's call the Democratic plan what it is: A full-employment act for despots and terrorists.

The Democratic vision of liberating the country from fossil fuels will be on full display at the convention. Their vision is pure fantasy, completely detached from the realities of the modern energy market and society's needs.

Merrill Matthews can be emailed at mmatthews@ipi.org
SHARE Cal Thomas

The announcement by Donald Trump of Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate had not yet been made official last Thursday, but that didn't stop the hard left from hauling out its familiar and overused rhetoric.

Ilya Sheyman, executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action, released a statement which said, "If Trump picks extreme right-wing Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, he will be doubling down on his divisive and hate-filled approach to politics." Funny how turning people against each other is, for the left, a one-way street. When the left wants to obliterate history, tradition, biblical teachings and even common sense it never sees itself as divisive. Conservatives are supposed to accept their agenda without complaint.

Pence has the government experience Trump lacks. He spent a decade in the House of Representatives and has been governor for the last four years. Yes, he was blindsided by the business community's reaction to his signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have allowed businesses to deny service to the LGBT community on the basis of religious beliefs. And yes, it could be argued  and was  that he looked weak as he backtracked in face of heavy opposition and signed an amended bill passed by the Republican majority legislature allowing local governments to add protections for LGBT people.

Pence has the temperament critics say Trump lacks. He is an evangelical Christian, which should appeal to that base whose members have been troubled by Trump's marital history, his rhetoric about women and his unfamiliarity with scripture.

Pence's record as governor is a profile in conservatism: a 5 percent reduction in the state income tax; a reduction in the state corporation tax from 6.5 percent to 4.9 percent (that must have appealed to Trump who wants to cut corporate taxes to return jobs to the U.S.) and an increase in the state labor force which according to the governor's office, by the end of 2014, had grown by more than 51,000 over that year. That was five times the national growth rate.

Here's what he told me in a December 2014 interview in his Indianapolis office: "The Republican Party has become just the other party to Washington solutions. We have to get back to advancing state-based solutions and reforms. We must be relentlessly optimistic." Channeling power from Washington back to the states is another announced Trump priority.

There is something else that will appeal to Trump and a lot of poorer Americans with children trapped in failing schools because Democrats won't let them escape due to pressure and donations from the teachers unions. As governor, Pence set a goal of getting 100,000 more Indiana students in high-quality schools by 2020. The objective, he told me, is to "fix traditional schools, as well as expand the state's educational voucher program, the largest in the country."

Pence said he believed 2016 "will be the first foreign policy election since 1980." He was right.

During our interview Pence refused to describe President Obama's time in office as a failure, saying it has only been "disappointing." Don't look for him to be as judicious during the campaign because he has many reasons not to, including the administration's poor record on fighting terrorism.

In what could turn out to be one of his best stump speech lines as he pursues the vice presidency, Pence said: "There's a lot wrong with our national government, but we've got to stop confusing our national government with our nation."

Modest, self-effacing and a man of deep faith in God and America, Pence will be salt to Trump's pepper.

Readers may email Cal Thomas at tcaeditors@tribpub.com.
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Twice now in less than two weeks, police officers have been targeted in lethal mass shootings by men apparently looking to avenge the deaths of African-Americans at the hands of law enforcement. This is unconscionable, and indefensible, conduct by the gunmen. As we noted after the horrific July 7 attack in Dallas that killed five officers and wounded nine more, there is no moral calculation that justifies the ambush of law enforcement personnel as they go about their work. The killings Sunday in Baton Rouge, La., of three officers, and the wounding of three others, was just as sickening, just as reprehensible, and just as indefensible.

So what to do about it? Grieve, of course. And denounce. But ratcheting back the violence will require a better understanding of the nature and extent of the frictions among police officers and the communities they risk their lives to serve.

It will require a deeper understanding of the real grievances of people who feel the justice and political systems do not hear them.

But it also will require patience. There are no instant solutions to the deep-rooted problems with race relations, over-policing, implicit bias and mistrust, civilians' easy access to military-style firearms, and other factors that have led the nation to this dysfunctional juncture.

Meanwhile, the attacks in Baton Rouge and Dallas only heighten the sense of danger that police officers, trained to look out for their own safety as well as others', may feel as they interact with the public.

There also needs to be a better and more transparent system of accountability. The acquittal Monday of the third of six Baltimore officers (the trial of a fourth ended in a hung jury) charged in the death of Freddie Gray raises fresh questions about how police should treat those in their custody.

Gray died last year of injuries suffered when he bounced around unsecured by safety restraints in the back of a police transport van. Investigations into the deaths of unarmed people at the hands of police too often end in findings that the officers broke no laws or procedures, when common sense tells us that the behavior was unacceptable. If the problem is police policies or legal definitions, then they should be reassessed and recast.

Notably, no statistics beyond those compiled by media exist on how often police kill civilians, or on the demographics of those encounters, or how many of them are justified by the circumstances. That is where we start: Figuring out the scope of the problem, then devising policies to target it.

In the meantime, police departments and political leaders must get better at forging relationships with the people they are supposed to serve.

And we can't let the demonic actions of outliers like the Dallas and Baton Rouge shooters derail a national discussion on how to better and more safely police our neighborhoods, respecting the rights and safety of both civilians and those working to protect them.

Los Angeles Times
Kweku Collins is always creating. Even though the Evanston rapper is only 19 years old, he's already amassed a sizable discography with several mixtapes and his most recent full-length project, "Nat Love," one of the year's best efforts that has already received high praise from outlets such as Pitchfork, Stereogum, Pigeons and Planes and more. "Just every day after school, I would go home, get on GarageBand and that's what I'd do. Even now, every night after I go to bed, I flip the laptop open and work on music," explains the thoughtful Collins at a Pilsen photostudio for his RedEye interview. "Now that I don't have school, I can be home every day and make a song. This is all I dojust escape."

Throughout his life, Collins has been primed for this path. "Music was just always there. My first memories were being a little guy and playing drums at the house. It was before I could even get my head up to edge of it," he says. Collins was born in upstate New York to a musical familyhis father was a drummer who had a background in jazz and African percussion, while his mother was a dancer at SUNY Brockport. He remembers, "I was born into this shit. I was born into a house where drums were 90 percent of tiny little space we had in upstate New York." When he was 4, those drums followed the family on the move to their new home in Evanston. "When people think of Evanston in Chicago, they think of the north side of itthey think of Northwestern, where my neighborhood was much more diverse and had a mix of everything," he says.

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After discovering Kanye West at a young age, Collins later decided to start rapping around eighth grade. "I realized that this is what I really wanted to do around freshman year of high school. At that point, I was like, 'If music doesn't work out I'm gonna go to college.' " Making that decision so early in his high school career proved to be good for his creativity but not his focus. "On the social side, Evanston Township High School was great, but I wasn't the best student. I was raised to be a musician to be so ingrained into my passion. If you love anything, everything is going to pale in comparisonschool was just one of those things," Collins explains. His early recordings, while largely scrubbed from the internet, were directly inspired by Lil Wayne. "Back from eighth grade was a lot of Lil Wayne kind of stuff. To me, he was the best rapper alive. I did some weird Auto-Tune-y kind stuff. My dad just dug one up, and it's super embarrassing."

In high school, he recorded under a variety of monikers including Ell Purps, based off the nearby Purple Line, and Black Belief, which featured some super-sunny pop-rap songs. He also got involved with Louder Than a Bomb, thanks to a passion for poetry that came from his mother. But it wasn't until he started recording under his own name that things really clicked. "[Performing with my name] just felt a lot more authentic, like I was finally ready to really tell my story," he says.

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While Collins was still in high school, Chicago hip-hop blog Elevator found his 2014 mixtape "The Valley." From there, it bubbled up on national outlets like Pigeons and Planes. "This kind of freed me up. My music was on blogs and was reaching more people, so it was like, 'What do I do now?', and [Chicago label] Closed Sessions was the first entity I wanted to align myself with," Collins remembers. He emailed his "Worlds Away" EP to label founders Alexander Fruchter and Michael Kolar in January 2015, and the rest was history. Fruchter told the Chicago Reader, "I just remembering sitting therelike, 'Damn, this is dope.' " They signed him in March and announced his addition with single "Start a Fire," a song that served as his big introduction to the Chicago music scene: "You know that I got something to prove/Show the city I ain't nothing to [bleep] with," he snarls on the track.

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That summer, Closed Sessions put out his "Say It Here, While It's Safe" EP, leading to more buzz in anticipation of "Nat Love," his debut full-length on a label. The name "Nat Love" comes from a 19th century cowboy who went by the name Deadwood Dick. Collins explains, "In history class you learn a lot about white people, so it was really cool finding this black cowboy. Just seeing such a strong figure at the time he did it was so inspiring to me. The name really stuck with me." For Collins, project titles are a major source of inspiration. "I'll come up with something, write it down and then all these storylines will appear in my head," he says.

"I recorded the majority of 'Nat Love' in my bedroom and produced all of it there," Collins notes. Out of the project's 11 incredible tracks, which feature earworm, swaggering jams ("Stupid Rose" and "Everever (Oasis1)") as well as subdued thought-provokers (the piano-led "Nat's Intro" and repurposed older song "The Outsiders"), he co-produced or produced 10, with labelmate Oddcouple getting top billing on "Death of a Salesman." "I mean, it's weird for me to work with other people because I'm used to doing everything myself, and when I have a specific idea in my head, I can do it because it's in my head," Collins explains. "It's easier to do some shit yourself if you know how to do it than to delegate it to somebody else in and try to direct their vision."

That said, the two major vocal collaborations on the project, Taylor Bennett on "Vanilla Skies" and Jamila Woods on highlight "Ego Killed Romance," both happened organically. Collins says of the latter, "That first verse on that song was all it was for a while. It's perfect because Jamila Woods is one of my favorite artists for so longback to the Milo and Otis days. She did her part on the track so quick, and it came out amazing."

Just as he had to get out of his comfort zone to be a team player, he also had to get out of his own head. "Ghost," the project's most claustrophobic track, came out of an intense bout of writer's block as he was near the album's completion: "I had it for like two weeks before the project came out. I had a day to make a new song. I woke up and hadn't left my house in three days. It was dark and dank and dusty in my room," Collins says of the pressure. He had to act: "I backed myself into this corner and then just pushed as hard as I could and 'Ghost' came out," he says, before joking, "It sounds like I pooped it."

After this release, Collins is feeling the pressure, but not because of the success of other Chicago artists like Chance the Rapper, Jamila Woods, Joey Purp and Vic Mensa. "I'm not a Chicago artist because I'm not from Chicago," Collins laughs, before adding, "but, sonically, my music really doesn't belong anywhere. That's the great thing about Chicago is that everyone is so different and everyone is so talented." He continues, "Thematically too, because there are elements of what's happening in Chicago that are happening in my neighborhood. Everybody goes through variations of the same shit everywhere." Sitting just north of the city, he's more than ready to make his mark. He laughs it off: "I'm like their next-door neighbor. I know the kids over there, but now they're letting me into their house, so I gotta figure out where the living room and the bathroom's at, you know?"

Live: 5:15 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at Wicker Park Fest.

@joshhterry | jterry@redeyechicago.com
There are many ways to keep a relationship thriving. Communication, respect, honesty, trust and, last but not least, alcohol.

According to a new study, couples who imbibe together reported fewer instances of declining happiness and marriage quality over time. Time to celebrate these findings with a cold one, right?

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Researchers interviewed 4,864 married couples and noted their levels of alcohol consumption and negative marital qualities (such as criticism and demands between the two). The couples had been together for 33 years on average, and two-thirds were on their first marriage.

Couples older than 50 reported having better marriages if both members of the relationship drank or if both obstained. However, if one party stayed sober while the other drank, couples were found to be unhappy, particularly wives. Surprise, surprise.

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"We're not sure why this is happening," Dr. Kira Birditt of the University of Michigan told Reuters. "But it could be that couples that do more leisure time activities together have better marital quality."

So the next time you're planning a date night, skip the fancy dinner and head to the bar. But try not to take it too far. Twenty percent of men and 6 percent of women in the study had drinking problems.

@shelbiebostedt | sbostedt@redeyechicago.com
Experts said the government had decided to act tough on traders after the price of pulses hit Rs 200 a kg a few months ago.

Delisting of fruits and vegetables from mandis run by the APMC could lower the kitchen budget by 6%

Fruits and vegetables are likely to become cheaper in a few weeks.

Delisting of fruits and vegetables from mandis run by the Agricultural Produce Markets Committee could lower the kitchen budget by six per cent.

Vegetables and fruits have weights of 1.74 per cent and 2.11 per cent, respectively, in the wholesale price index.

The amended APMC Act allows farmers to sell fruits and vegetables to buyers.

"Direct selling will eliminate middlemen and the cost will come down, said Mahesh Pathak, principal secretary in the food and civil supplies department in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra over a week ago amended the APMC Act by ordinance to allow farmers to sell fruits and vegetables to bulk consumers.

Experts said the government had decided to act tough on traders after the price of pulses hit Rs 200 a kg a few months ago.

Farmers incur five per cent cost on transportation, loading and unloading.

"In direct selling these expenses will be saved. Another 10 per cent will be saved on warehousing, weighing and transit losses, said Shri Ram Gadhave, president of the Vegetables Growers Association of India.

The overall cost to the farmer will drop on lower mandi charges and transportation costs. This will reflect in the prices of fruits and vegetables, said Brajendra Singh, director of the National Horticulture Board.

A number of traders in Lasalgaon, Pimpalgaon and nearby mandis have surrendered their licences in protest against the government move.

Once traders are eliminated from the system, who will take care of farmers needs? asked Sanjay Sanap, an onion wholesaler in Lasalgaon.

Fruits and vegetables will be cheaper, but farmers will be in dire straits once traders are removed, warned Sanjay Bhujbal, a vegetable wholesaler in Vashi.

Gadhave said it would take at least a month for consumers to feel the effect of falling prices.

Image: A fruit seller waits for customers at his stall at a wholesale market in Mumbai. Photograph: Vivek Praksh/Reuters
National carrier Air India has topped the airline brand reputation survey.

Take a look at the most reputed airlines in India:







IMAGE: Air India is ranked as the most reputed government airline in India. Photograph: Reuters

Air India

Rank: 1

Despite plagued by a number of financial problems, Air India is ranked as the most reputed government airline in India.



Air India, which started operations 69 years ago, is the third largest airline in India in terms of passengers carried, after IndiGo and Jet Airways.







IMAGE: SpiceJet is ranked first among private airlines. Photograph: Reuters

SpiceJet

Rank: 1



Founded in 2005, SpiceJet is the fourth largest airline in India by number of passengers carried, with a market share of 13.1 per cent.







IMAGE: Jet Airways is ranked second most reputed private airline in India. Photograph: Reuters

Jet Airways

Rank: 2

Jet Airways, which started operations in 1993, is the second largest airline in India after IndiGo with a 21.2 per cent passenger market share.



The survey Indias Most Reputed Aviation Brands 2016, has been conducted by BlueBytes in association with TRA Research.



IMAGE: IndiGo is ranked third among most reputed private airlines in India. Photograph kind courtesy: IndiGo

IndiGo

Rank: 3

Founded in 2006, IndiGo is the largest airline in India in terms of passengers carried with a 36.8 per cent market share.

IMAGE: GoAir is ranked fourth among most reputed private airlines in India. Photograph: Reuters

GoAir

Rank: 4



Founded in 2005, GoAir is the fifth largest airline in India with a 8 per cent passenger market share.

IMAGE: AirAsia is ranked fifth in the most reputed airlines. Photograph kind courtesy: AirAsia

AirAsia

Rank: 5



AirAsia, which started operations in India in 2013 is the largest airline in Malaysia.

The airline is a joint venture, with AirAsia holding 49 per cent, Tata Sons  30 per cent and Arun Bhatia with 21 per cent and stake in the airline.

IMAGE: Vistara is ranked sixth most reputed airline. Photograph kind courtesy: Vistara

Vistara

Rank: 6



Vistara, which started operations in January 2015, is a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines.



The airline has carried more than two million passengers by June 2016 and has a 2.3 per cent share in the domestic market.

IMAGE: Singapore Airlines is ranked No.1 among international airlines.

Photograph: Reuters

Among the international carriers, it is Singapore Airlines that leads the ranking, followed by Etihad and Emirates, says TRA (Trust Research Advisory).

Other international airlines include Lufthansa, British Airways and Qatar Airways.

The ranking is based on a brand's reputation with a two-pronged approach of media analysis and a survey of consumer influencers and was conducted among the 21 airline brands that have measurable media coverage and 2,500 consumers.
SBI has been reeling under a mountain of bad loans for the past few years as the key sectors in the economy are faltering.

As a part of its bad loans resolution process, the nation's largest lender State Bank of India on Wednesday roped in American fund house Brookfield Asset Management to set up an over Rs 7,350-crore (Rs 73.50 billion) stressed assets fund.

Out of the total investible fund of Rs 7,350 crore, the New York-based Brookfield, which manages a whopping $240 billion assets, will contribute Rs 7,000 crore (Rs 70 billion) and the remaining 5 per cent or Rs 350 crore (Rs 3.5 billion) will come from SBI, a senior SBI official told PTI.

When asked how soon the fund will be operationalised, the official said it will set up at the earliest and will be managed by Brookfield and the top management of the bank.

Asked whether the fund will primarily snap up SBI's stressed assets, the official said "yes."

"But we will also be open to others. SBI being the lead lender in most of the large accounts, most of the assets will be ours," the official added.

SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said, "This approach of collaborating with global players will enable the banks in general and SBI in particular to find alternate solution for resolution of stressed assets."

SBI has been reeling under a mountain of bad loans for the past few years as the key sectors in the economy are faltering.

Its net non-performing assets stood at 3.81 per cent or Rs 55,807 crore (Rs 558.07 billion) as of March 2016, against 2.12 per cent (Rs 27,591 crore) a year ago, while its gross NPAs jumped to 6.5 per cent from 2.5 per cent a year ago.

This is the second such fund after Kotak Bank roped in Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) to launch a USD 525 million fund to invest in the stressed assets in March.

The proposed joint venture will independently evaluate and invest in various stressed assets, and will rely on the New York Brookfield's operational expertise to manage recapitalised businesses, SBI said.

Bhattacharya said such an approach will be more acceptable to both the lenders and the borrowers in cases where the promoters are not able to infuse funds and lenders are reluctant to take additional exposure.

SBI said at a later stage the joint venture may seek participation from other lenders in the identified assets.

"This is a great opportunity for us to continue to invest in the long-term India story, and we're pleased to be further expanding our private equity platform here," Brookfield India head Anuj Ranjan said.

This March, Kotak Mahindra Group tied up with the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) to launch a $525 million fund to invest in the stressed assets. The CPPIB has committed $450 million and the Kotak Group $75 million.

The Reserve Bank last December conducted an asset quality review (AQR) which covered 36 banks (including all state-run banks) which accounted for 93 per cent of the gross advances.

After the AQR, net NPAs in the banking system rose sharply to 7.6 per cent in March 2016 from 5.1 per cent in September 2015, while the total stressed loans including the restructured accounts crossed 13 per cent of the system or over Rs 8 trillion as of March 2016.

In fiscal 2015-16, SBI's net profit declined 24 per cent to Rs 9,951 crore (Rs 99.51 billion) from Rs 13,102 crore (Rs 131.02 billion) in 2014-15.

For the March 2016 quarter, SBI's net declined by 66.2 per cent to Rs 1,264 crore (Rs 12.64 billion) from Rs 3,742 crore due to higher provision for stressed assets.

SBI's net non-performing assets stood at 3.81 per cent or Rs 55,807 crore (Rs 558.07 billion) as of March 2016, against 2.12 per cent (Rs 27,591 crore) a year ago, while its gross NPAs jumped to 6.5 per cent from 2.5 per cent a year ago.
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digital Press Announcement, with video footage, is available here.



The Capital Area Food Bank will dramatically cut back on the junk food, full calorie soda, left-over holiday candy, and sheet cake it receives and distributes as part of a broader effort to improve its food supply, the organization announced today.



"With so many of those we serve struggling with diabetes or heart disease, we have a real moral imperative to improve our food stream," said Nancy E. Roman, CEO of the CAFB. "And we can't do it without our largest food donors."



Award-winning nutrition expert and advocate Ashley Koff RD has praised the move. "Bravo!" said Koff. "I applaud the Capital Area Food Bank's commitment and leadership. Today we know clearly what better nutrition is and is not, and its role in enabling better health. This is an incredible step forward to provide better nutrition for all."



On Tuesday, July 19, Roman was joined by Giant Food President Gordon Reid for a news conference explaining what led to the decision and what it will take to implement it.



Video: Announcement by CAFB President and CEO Nancy E. Roman

Video: Announcement by Giant Food President Gordon Reid



Roman said that nearly half of those served by the food bank have high blood pressure or live with someone who does, and that another quarter have diabetes or share a household with someone who does. Observing that the country is becoming increasingly aware of the relationship between food and health, Roman cited a recent comment from former AOL executive Steve Case that "people are finally waking up to the fact that our health begins at the end of a fork."

Shoppers Food and Pharmacy Bob Gleeson was first to embrace the effort. "It's a privilege to help feed hungry people, but it's a much greater privilege to feed them good food that will build their health," said Gleeson. "We're proud to be part of this effort".



In 2014, the Capital Area Food Bank worked with Shoppers Food and Pharmacy to reduce sheet cake and other bakery items from its donation stream.

Last year, then-new Giant Food President Gordon Reid agreed to model a new program, "Retailers for Wellness", that would allow for the next step in the food bank's drive to improve its inventory.



"As a retailer committed to helping our community eat well, Giant is proud to be playing a role in making more nutritious food available to those served by the Capital Area Food Bank," said Gordon Reid.



Under Retailers for Wellness, Giant is:

Working to sort out leftover holiday candy, cakes, and pies

Increasing protein donations

Pairing food bank recipe cards with select produce in four pilot stores

Engaging the community in the effort to donate healthier food. Earlier this summer it offered pre-packed donation boxes at its stores, which allowed customers to easily purchase and donate high fiber, high protein, low salt items.

The CAFB distributes 45 million pounds of food per year, fully one third of which is produce.



The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest organization in the Washington metro area working to solve hunger and its companion problems: chronic undernutrition, heart disease and obesity. By partnering with nearly 450 community organizations in DC, Maryland and Virginia, as well as delivering food directly into hard to reach areas, the CAFB is helping 540,000 people each year get access to good, healthy food. That's 12 percent of our region's mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, and grandparents. To learn more, visit: capitalareafoodbank.org, or find the Capital Area Food Bank on Facebook at facebook.com/CapitalAreaFoodBank, and Twitter at @foodbankmetrodc.



A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=40896
How can you allow so many civilians to lose their lives? Two hundred and eight civilians dying, 1,500 people getting injured, civilians lying on the ground, trying to block passage to the tanks? How can human conscience allow that?

In his first interview since the failed military coup on July 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tells CNNs Becky Anderson he would approve reinstating the death penalty if lawmakers approve the measure.

IMAGE: Supporters of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attend a pro-government demonstration at Taksim square in Istanbul. Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

Before we talk about the outcome and fallout of that attempted coup, take me back to what happened that night.

On July 15, I was with my family on a vacation of five days in Marmaris. That night, around 10:00 pm, I was told about what was going on. I was informed that in Istanbul and Ankara and some other places, there was some kind of movement.

So we decided to move out, and I had my wife, my son-in-law and grandchildren. Therefore, it was all the more serious. If I had stayed 10 or 15 additional minutes there, I would have been killed or taken.

But before that, I wanted to invite the media in. But the national broadcast was not reaching the people, so we resorted to smartphones, and went on live TV. I invited people to take to the streets, to go to the squares in their cities.

Immediately after that invitation, I was informed that people were actually taking to the streets en-masse. That was very important because the only language these coup-attempters, would be the only way to fight this coup would be a counter-coup by the hand of the people.

And thats what our people achieved.

IMAGE: Turkish soldiers search for missing military personnel suspected of being involved in the coup attempt in Marmaris. Photograph: Kenan Gurbuz/Reuters

Given the opportunity for your own freedom of speech that night, will you commit to a free media in what is a democracy here going forward?

When it comes to free press, I have never had that issue whatsoever. If some people keep saying that the press is still not free in Turkey, then I would like to say this: there has been a coup attempt in Turkey.

There are people siding with the coup plotters, but there are also media outlets that have been against the coup attempt and for it.

So my question is against the media that supported the coup; will the Turkish justice, judicial system, not take any steps? Of course it will. Why? Well, because if you're going to suppress this attempt, then those who are siding with this attempt should be given or taken to the right place.

If I do not do anything, they will hold me accountable when the time comes, and rightly so.

Let's get back to what happened on that night.

I was being informed real-time about everything. The coup-plotters were in control of the flight tower at the Istanbul Ataturk airport. I instructed heads of security of police in Istanbul to get rid of the plotters.

They did an operation, and freed the tower.

Starting from the moment we landed at the Ataturk airport, F-16s started flying above us, very close to the ground, but probably faster than the speed of sound. Because as you know, when they exceed the speed of sound, there is what's called a sonic boom, which can be mistaken for bombs being dropped.

We had more than 10,000 citizens waiting for us at the airport.

So that's how we got there. We got of the plane, and had the first contact with the people.

Were you concerned at any point that when you landed in Istanbul, that you would no longer be president of Turkey?

The idea never crossed my mind, because I was with my colleagues, and we never had that troubling thought. Starting from the first declarations, we said, the Turkish state is intact and the government is functioning, so the president remains in power. There is no reason to worry, and these invaders will be gotten rid of as soon as possible.

Twelve hours was all it took, and we got the results we wanted.

IMAGE: A hand rests on a coffin during a funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup at Fatih Mosque in Istanbul. Photograph: Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters

What do you say to those who in the early hours suggested that you had orchestrated this?

That's only misinformation. I mean, how can you plan such a thing? How can you allow so many civilians to lose their lives? Two hundred and eight civilians dying, 1,500 people getting injured, civilians lying on the ground, trying to block passage to the tanks? How can human conscience allow that?

So this is actually a blessing in disguise. What we have achieved is the opportunity that the Fethullah terrorist organisation has now received the biggest hit they have ever in this country.

You are referring to a group that is inspired and run by a man by the name of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric, based in the United States, and have demanded in no uncertain terms either his arrest or extradition from the United States.

I have previously made this request to President Barack Obama orally during our discussions a couple of times. But this week, a written, formal request will also be made to the US and also to a number of Western and African countries.

What happens if Washington doesn't arrest or extradite Gulen at this point?

First, we have to do our formal request. We will ask for the extradition. If there is no positive response to that request, then the US -- well, if there is ever anyone, a criminal in the eyes of the US, and if they ask for their extradition, I will not allow that.

There should be reciprocity in these types of things.

Gulen is not on a terror watch-list in the US. So due process there, would you concede, may be different than due process here, should somebody be considered a terrorist?

If that's the approach you take, its another catastrophe, actually. Because when the US asks for the extradition of a terrorist, and Turkey doesn't have that individual on the list, what do we say, how do we respond?

Now, the individual might not be on your list. But if he is on mine, and if we have an agreement on extradition, they should extradite that person. There have been numerous examples of that mechanism working with many other nations as well, not just the US.

Bin Laden -- was he a terrorist by Afghanistan's consideration? No. What happened? Well, there was a request, it was not given, but the US took initiative and killed him on the ground.

The death penalty has become an issue; something that people are talking about in the wake of this attempted coup. Is that something you stand by?

In the face of these incidents where 208 people were killed, including civilians, the citizens have voiced a request. They asked for the death penalty repeatedly.

But this issue can now be taken in the parliament.

Of course, we previously abolished it my administration. But we can always go back and reintroduce it. If the parliament takes that decision, it will count.

IMAGE: Members of the police special forces are seen in front of the Air Force Academy in Istanbul, Turkey. Photograph: Huseyin Aldemir/Reuters.

Do you think that is likely?

It can be. The people now have the opinion that these terrorists should be killed. They don't see any other outcome to it. I mean, life or aggravated life sentences -- why should I keep them and feed them in prisons for years to come? Thats what the people say.

They want a swift end to it; because people lost relatives, neighbors and children. So the people are very sensitive, and we have to act very sensibly and sensitively in the face of these requests.

What I tell the people is this: there is a clear crime of treason, and your request can never be rejected by our government. So the leaders will have to come together and discuss it. If they accept to discuss it, then as the president, I will approve any decision to come out of the parliament.

Meantime, you will commit, I assume, to due process for those thousands that have been rounded up as being part of this plot?

Of course, there is no doubt. The judiciary is working on it. The same goes to the Turkish national police.

Within the armed forces, we had people that strictly refused and rejected what these plotters tried to do, and they are, of course, on the side of the people. We were able to suppress this attempted coup with a counter-coup.

What will a new Turkey look like, and is this an opportunity for reconciliation with those that you have been opposing and that have opposed you for so long?

Well, we don't have the idea of reconciling with terrorist groups; first things first. But those who have never been part of terrorism, those who have only cared for their homeland, their country, their flag, and their nation, about the Turkish state, we've always embraced them.
Leaders from across parties condemned BJP vice president Dayashankar Singh for comparing the BSP chief to a sex worker; Arun Jaitley personally apologised, saying that action would be taken against him.

A senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday stoked a major row by making derogatory remarks against Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati that drew severe condemnation from parties while an embarrassed BJP expressed regret but furore over the issue forced adjournment of Rajya Sabha for the day.

Mayawati is breaking the dream of Kanshi Ram into pieces. Mayawati is selling tickets like..., BJP vice president Dayashankar Singh said in Mau.

Mayawati gives tickets for Rs 1 crore and if there is someone who can give Rs 2 crore than she sells it for Rs 2 crore within an hour. If someone is ready to give Rs 3 crore by the evening, she gives the ticket to him, Singh alleged.

She is even worse than a p*******te. The BSP workers, who are in BSP since Kanshi Rams days are deserting the party, said Singh, who was in Mau for the first time after becoming party vice president to meet party workers on Wednesday morning.

Singhs remarks drew severe flak from members in the Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson P J Kurien saying that the House wants the government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his unforgivable comments.

There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, Dravida Munnetra Kazaghams Kanimozhi, Congress Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of the Communist Party of India-Marxist and Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP and demands were made for action against him.

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley got up to offer regret on behalf of the party and said the remarks were highly condemnable.

It is highly condemnable that a political leader uses such words against a prominent woman leaders. I regret the use of such words and will ensure that the matter is taken up by the concerned. I personally express regret to Mayawatiji and we are with you on the issue of protecting dignity, Jaitley said.

A visibly agitated Mayawati, who was present in the House, thanked Jaitley and all other members for their condemnation of Singhs remarks, but demanded that BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah discuss the matter, expel Singh from the party and take action against him.

She said mere expression of regret will not suffice and added, His (Singhs) remarks apply for his sister and daughter and not for me. The whole country will not forgive BJP... people will come on the streets.

Mayawati said the remarks by the BJP leader reflected the capitalistic mindset and asserted that never in her political career had she used any derogatory or personal remarks against her adversaries or questioned their character though there could be idealogical differences.

The BSP chief said she represented the most oppressed and exploited people of the country and had dedicated her whole life to them. She said the BSP always collected funds from the poor to carry forward the movement started by Kanshi Ram so that it does not have to rely on capitalists.

On my birthday, I have told my supporters not to give me any expensive gifts like gold and jewellery but make economic contributions to the party, she said.

Mayawati attacked the BJP, saying it was jittery by BSP and its anti-Dalit mindset has been exposed as it has still not sacked a minister who had compared Dalits to dogs, an apparent reference to Minister of State V K Singh.

As the uproar over the issue continued, the deputy chairperson adjourned the House till Thursday.

BSP MP S C Mishra said that the party will carry forward the issue and take legal action against Singh for his utterances under the SC/ST Act as they do not expect the government to take any action in this regard. We will drag him to court, he said outside Parliament.

Later in Ballia, Dayashankar Singh sought to do damage control saying it was a slip of tongue.

Mayawati is a big leader and came from a small family. I did not want to hurt anyone. I regret the slip of tongue. I never meant to hurt the dignity of anyone, he said.
Patidar reservation agitation leader Hardik Patel, who was recently granted bail by the Gujarat high court, on Wednesday issued a video message, appealing Dalits of the state to fight for their just rights in a peaceful and non-violent manner.

Hardik met his supporters as well as state Congress leaders, has since then moved to Udaipur in the neighbouring state of Rajasthan and has been galvanising support from various sections of Gujarat.



In this video, Hardik is seen appealing to Gujarat's Dalits who have been violently protesting thrashing of four young Dalit men in Gujarat's Una by gau rakshaks for engaging in cow slaughter.



Watch the video here:

Translation from the video:



My sincere request to the people of Gujarat: Defeat the Bharatiya Janata Partys ploy of polarising Gujaratis. This government under the BJP's rule has been playing politics of polarising Dalits, Patels and Muslims to reap the benefits of vote-bank politics.



I am requesting my Gujarati brothers to maintain peace and calm; particularly my Dalit brothers, otherwise this government and its police will play the same game with you as they played with the Patels during their reservation stir.



I assure Dalits in Gujarat that the Patels are with them and their interests but let us not fall prey to the BJPs politics.



Let us all unite, keeping aside the upper caste-lower caste divide and come forward for the progress of Gujarat.



My dear Dalit brothers, you have worked hard for your own unity and organisation but adopt non-violent and peaceful methods of protest and fight for your just rights.



Jai Sardar, Jai Bhim
Hashim Ansari's son says the long-drawn court battle had left his father disillusioned, reports Sharat Pradhan from Ayodhya.

The oldest litigant in the Babri Masjid case, 95-year-old Hashim Ansari, who breathed his last in Ayodhya on Wednesday after fighting the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid court battle for more than six-and-a-half decades, was keen for an out-of-court settlement on the vexed issue.

This was disclosed by Ansaris son Iqbal, shortly after the formers body was laid to rest at a local cemetery in Ayodhya on Wednesday afternoon. Iqbal, whom Ansari has formally entrusted the responsibility of pursuing the long-pending case in courts, told mediapersons that the long-drawn court battle had left his father disillusioned.

Towards the end of his life, he had started advocating for an amicable out-of-court settlement of the dispute that he had himself taken to court shortly after some persons planted an idol of Lord Ram inside the 16th-century Ayodhya mosque in 1949, said Iqbal.

Significantly, Iqbal too was in agreement with his father and went on to add that he would not hesitate to push for an amicable settlement through a dialogue. In keeping with my fathers wishes, I would also like to see that a final solution is arrived at through a dialogue and without any kind of conflict between Hindus and Muslims, he pointed out.

Iqbal runs a tyre puncture repair shop close to the modest home of the Ansaris built on the outskirts of Ayodhya by his father, who too was originally known as a humble neighbourhood tailor. However, his death gave him a VIP status, with the whos who of the local administration as well as some ministers joining his funeral.

Significantly, among the first few who turned up at this residence to pay their tributes to Ansari were the local Hindu priests, who had otherwise been at loggerheads with him on the issue.

In fact, no sooner than the news of his death broke out early in the morning, Ram Janmbhoomi priest Mahant Satyendra Das rushed to Ansaris house. He showered praise on Ansari for expressing concern about the makeshift Ram temple being kept under a tarpaulin. I cannot forget how Hashim Ansari sahib would always express his displeasure with the fact that Ram Lalas idol was kept under a tarpaulin, Satyendra Das said.

Mahant Gyan Das, the head priest of Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhyas oldest temple, was next to arrive at Ansaris residence. He also deeply mourned his demise. Both Hashim sahib and I made some effort to thrash out an amicable final settlement on the issue, but what is Gods wish nobody knows. Ultimately whatever is destined, that will happen, Gyan Das said.

A few years ago when Ansari first publicly expressed his inclination for an out-of-court settlement, several voices of dissent rose from different Muslim organisations. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board went to the extent of dismissing the suggestion as meaningless. Its spokespersons argued that the Babri Masjid was nobodys private property and no individual could have the right to barter it away through any private settlement. Some Muslim leaders sought to run down Ansari as old and senile, but the man remained undaunted in his mission and did not dither from his stand till the end.
'I stand here as a helpless father.'

A retired soldier awaits the release of his son languishing in a Kenyan prison.

Rediff.com's Shobha Warrier reports.

After serving the Indian Army for 27 years in various parts of the country, Prabhakaran Nair, 56, took voluntary retirement in 2007 to lead a quiet life as a farmer in his hometown Pathanapuram in Kerala's Kollam district.

But it was not to be. His elder son, who was training to be a sailor, has been in a Kenyan prison for the last two years.

Heartbroken, his 47-year-old wife has become mentally unstable and is currently under psychiatric treatment.

Nair has spent his retired life writing letters to various ministries, meeting politicians and knocking at doors to get his son back. In between, he visits hospitals with his sick wife.

As he began talking about his son Praveen, Nair wept.

When Praveen could not get a job after learning drilling, somebody suggested he should learn sailing. That was how he joined the Alpha Marine Services in New Delhi to do a six-month course.

After the course, Praveen and Vikas Balwan Singh from Haryana were sent to the Iranian vessel, MV Amin Darya based in Dubai to do an 11-month internship in November 2013.

Both young men had completed eight months as interns when the Iranian ship was sold to a Pakistani agency. The MV Amin Darya is said to be now both owned and operated by Ebrahim AM of Dubai. The shipping company Ebrahim Shipping operates out of the UAE and Pakistan.

"All the crew members except my son and Vikas quit. Actually, they were not allowed to quit as their contract with the agency was not over. They said these two could quit after completing their 11-month contract," Nair said. "So, in a way they were forced to be with the ship."

"Praveen was very upset when he came to know that the vessel was sold to a Pakistani agency. He was crying. He didn't want to continue working for the ship especially after all the other crew members left. Others consoled my son and Vikas, saying it was only a matter of three months."

Sometime in July 2014, the MV Amin Darya was taken into custody by Kenyan security agencies at Mombasa port on the suspicion of drug trafficking. Along with Praveen and Vikas, Kenyan security took into custody six Pakistani crew members and the ship's captain.

It was reported then that the Kenyan police brought the vessel to the Mtongwe military base within Mombasa port though the crew claimed the ship was carrying 300 tonnes of cement.

After unloading the cargo of cement, the ship was searched using sniffer dogs and the police found 8 kg of heroin worth $10 million (about Rs 67 crore/Rs 670 million).

The Kenyan police said the vessel was one of two ships that had sailed from Pakistan, and then called in at a port in Somalia en route for Zanzibar. It is said that drugs are transported from Pakistan and Iran to East Africa, and from there to Europe.

On July 30, 2014, Nair found out about his son's arrest.

"I confirmed the news by reading on the internet. From that moment onwards, I have been contacting various people in India and Kenya to get the truth about my son," he said.

With the help of International Workers Federation inspectors in India and Kenya, he managed to talk to Praveen after the arrest.

"My son could not even speak to me properly. Amidst sobs, he told me that he had been arrested. Both Vikas and my son were trapped in the ship. They had no idea what they were transporting. They are innocent students," Nair said.

"When the hearing started," Nair said, "there (in Kenya), the ITF inspector told me that if I wanted a lawyer for my son, I had to give Rs 5 lakh (Rs 500,000). Where do I have that much money?"

"I am only an ex-serviceman, a poor man," the retired Assam Rifles soldier said. "I can only knock at doors. I have sent memoranda to the ministries and Rajya Sabha, but nobody has done anything for these two innocent Indian students."

"I have sent letters to (External Affairs Minister) Sushma Swaraj and (Minister of State for External Affairs) General V K Singh sir. A lawyer in Kenya told me that if the Indian government informed the Kenyan authorities that they were just students, they would be let free, but our government had not done it so far," Nair added.

Once in a while, he gets a chance to talk to his son when someone gives Praveen a phone in the prison.

"He doesn't tell me anything about how he is treated there. But then what can you expect in prison? I have been doing all I can in the last two years, but nobody has helped me get my son back," Nair said.

"I have been travelling to Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) and Ernakulam every month. There is not a single politician whom I have not met. There is not a single door which I have not knocked. But I stand here as a helpless father whose son is in prison in a foreign land. I didn't go to Delhi. I do not know anyone there. Nobody will let me meet anyone in the government there," Nair said.

After two years, the unfortunate story of Praveen and Vikas came into the limelight when Kerala MLA K B Ganesh Kumar raised the issue in the state assembly and brought it to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's notice. The CM told the assembly that he would take up the case with the prime minister and external affairs minister.

"My wife has not spoken to anyone from the day she heard the news. I am sure she will start talking the moment she sees her son," Nair, weeping, said. "I hope somebody helps us get our innocent son back. I fought for my country for 27 years. Now I am fighting to get my son back."

Image published only for representational purposes. Photograph: Reuters
Asserting that the soaring incidents of violence between locals and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir posed a challenge to the nation, Congress Chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday called on the Centre to not obliterate the distinction between the civilian population and the terrorists and separatists.

Addressing the cadres in the Congress Parliamentary Party meet on Wednesday, Gandhi said: "Militants must be dealt with firmly yet we must introspect and ask ourselves what has driven scores of young people to such levels of anger and protest, even violence. Can we say in all honesty that we have responded with sincerity to their pleas? They are our people, we cannot forsake them."

Party spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the media persons in New Delhi that Gandhi warned the government to maintain the fundamental distinction between terrorists and separatists and the civilian population.

"The government must train itself to the utmost to ensure that the distinction is not obliterated," Singhvi said quoting Gandhi.

Meanwhile, the death toll of civilians kept ticking in the Valley as the number stands at 42 now with almost 3000 people including security forces injured.

The death toll climbed to 42 after a woman who had sustained grievous injuries at Qazigund on Monday succumbed in hospital early Tuesday morning.

However, the Indian Army expressed regret over the death of civilians in Qazigund and ordered a probe in the matter.

Expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, the Army appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments, thus creating situations where they are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.
The public discourse surrounding the murder of Infosys techie Swathi begs for sanity. Sadly, there are no takers for it in Tamil Nadu as conspiracy theories -- some communally explosive -- keep cropping up. R Ramasubramanian reports.

The brutal killing of 24-year-old Swathi, an Infosys techie, has polarised Tamil Nadu -- its polity, media and social life -- like never before.

Swathi's murder on June 24 morning at the Nungambakkam railway station in Chennai when she was waiting to catch the morning train to go to her office, received wide coverage both in the local and national media.

The police, who were clueless and somewhat lethargic for the first few days, swung into action after a division bench of the Madras high court took suo motu cognisance of the murder.

The case, which was initially investigated by the Government Railway Police, was transferred to the Chennai police on June 27 afternoon, of course after getting a rap from the court.

On July 2, the Chennai police arrested Ramkumar, a 24-year-old Dalit boy from Meenakshipuram in Tirunelveli district and charged him with murdering Swathi and then fleeing to his village.

At the time of his arrest, the police claimed that Ramkumar tried to commit suicide by slitting his throat with a blade. Ramkumar, who was immediately admitted to the ICU at the Tirunelveli Government Hospital, was later shifted to Chennai and produced before a magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. He was later taken into "police custody" for three days for further interrogation.

On the day of the arrest, while confirming officially that they have indeed nabbed the "killer", Chennai Police Commissioner T K Rajendran said Ramkumar acted alone in executing the murder.

Though the commissioner refused to divulge any other detail -- especially the motive behind the gruesome killing -- the local media went ahead and published stories that during his police custody, Ramkumar has confessed that he had done this heinous act because Swathi simply ignored his proposal and scolded him in foul language.

There is a third character in this tragic drama, and he is 24-year-old Mohammed Bhilal Siddique.

Reportedly a friend of Swathi, the police brought him in at the time of Ramkumars custodial interrogation and placed him face to face with the alleged killer to ascertain the truth.

Media reports suggested that Siddique, who belongs to a middle-class family, was known to Swathi for quite some time and both of them studied or worked together.

Local media reports also suggested that Swathi's family did not relish this acquaintance and discouraged her from further interactions.

The whole story got a nasty twist when two prominent Tamil film personalities -- Y G Mahendran and S Ve Sekhar -- in their Facebook postings suggested that one Bilal Malik was Swathi's original killer. The name too seemed to have been carefully chosen; a person by the name Bilal Malik was a murder accused in another case, and was already in prison.

Angered by this, a Muslim outfit -- a few hours after the post went viral -- approached the Chennai police commissioner demanding action against the actors, claiming that they were instigating communal violence in the state.

Under mounting pressure from several quarters, the Facebook posting was withdrawn and Mahendran expressed his regret about the whole incident.

But the controversy refused to die down and on July 18 it took an ugly turn.

Thol Thirumavalavan, ex-MP and leader of Dalit outfit Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, in an interview to a local Tamil news channel said there were reasons to believe that Swathis murder could be a case of honour killing.

"I have credible information that Swathi, a Brahmin, was observing Ramzan fast and about to get converted in to Islam. This angle must be probed," the Dalit leader claimed.

As expected, the statement triggered an uproar.

H Raja, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader, demanded the immediate arrest of Thirumavalavan for creating communal tensions and also withholding information from the police.

He went a step further and added... "Our information is otherwise. It was (Swathi's friend) Bhilal Siddique who wanted to convert to Hinduism and for this he had started getting having vegetarian food.

On July 18, a little known women's outfit with an open tilt towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-BJP petitioned the Chennai police commissioner to immediately arrest Thirumavalavan for "usurping communal passions".

With the police not coming out with clear-cut answers for several unanswered questions, it was a field day for the local media and of course for the scores of "social media tigers".

The plethora of theories included: 'The NIA is investigating the case as the killing could have been linked to some sort of sleeper cell activities'; 'honour killing as those close to Swathi did not like her getting married to a Muslim'; 'the killing was done by the other side -- the boy's -- because the girl refused to convert'; 'Ramkumar was only a hired killer, as the actual instigator was rejected by her' etc.

Swathi's Facebook page was blocked a couple of days after her murder.

However, Ramkumar's Facebook page, which had been dysfunctional since August 2015, suddenly resurrected on July 18.

A 20-minute video posted on his page punches holes in the police theory and raises several interesting questions. But it is not clear how Ramkumars Facebook page could have been re-activated when he is behind bars. It is also not clear who blocked Swathis page because the police say they had not done it.

With each passing day, the situation is getting murkier and new theories are being floated at regular intervals.

A report in an English daily suggested that the Chennai police are planning to get a gag order from the high court on this case like the one the CBI got in the Aarushi Talwar case. Though no media house or any journalist body in the state has reacted to this suggestion, it has its own takers.

"The developments are nauseating. A Facebook posting from two actors suggesting a Muslim as the killer was the trigger. Then the other side started speaking that that the Swathi's murder could be an honour killing and now it is free for all," M G Deivasayam, former chief secretary of Haryana and an IAS officer, told rediff.com.

"Both sides should be blamed for this. The media has started harassing the judiciary like never before and this is the situation throughout the country. I will support it if the police approach the high court and get a gag order on such irresponsible coverage. Whether it's honour killing or not, a murder is a murder and if anyone has any information about the case he or she should give it to the police instead of rushing to the media, he said.

A senior retired police officer, on condition of anonymity, said: "This is a sensitive case. The girl killed belonged to the Brahmin community and the boy is arrested a Dalit and the third character is a Muslim. Just imagine the pressure on the government and the police. A small trigger can lead to a lot of nasty things. I am not passing any value judgment on the whole incident and the culpability of the accused, because that is up to the courts to decide. I only want every stakeholder in this case and the media to keep this in mind while talking or writing about this murder and the investigations.

Saner words indeed, but alas, there are few takers for this in Tamil Nadu today. Until some other issue crops up, Swathi's murder will continue to dominate both the media and the public discourse.
Uneasy calm prevailed for the second day on Wednesday in curfew-bound Kashmir Valley where one more person succumbed to his injuries raising to 43 the death toll in the unrest that erupted on July 8 even as separatists extended the ongoing strike call till July 25.

Image: The death toll has increased 43 even as curfew entered thirteenth day on Wednesday. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com

Local newspapers are also expected to hit the stands on Thursday after suspending publication six days ago over the alleged clampdown by the government, a claim denied by the state although a senior minister Naeem Akhtar justified the restrictions earlier.

The decision to resume the publications came just hours after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met the editors who called on her, assuring independence of media.

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, who is on a day-long visit to the Valley, reviewed the security situation in Kashmir and appealed to the people to maintain peace while calling for strict vigil along the Line of Control.

Though the situation in the Valley remained by and large peaceful with no major untoward incident reported from anywhere since Tuesday, 56-year-old Ghulam Mohammad Mir, who was injured in a firing incident at Hatmulla in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on July 15, succumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital, officials said.

Hailing from Khumriyal village, the deceased was critically injured in the firing which also left a youth dead.

Image: Chief of the Indian Army General Dalbir Suhag visited the Valley on Wednesday. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com

Soon after his death, a group of people staged a peaceful demonstration outside the hospital against the killing.

Kashmir Valley is on the boil since July 8 following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in Kokernag district of south Kashmir.

Reports of protest demonstrations and hoisting of black flags were also reported from various parts of the city and elsewhere, coinciding with the black day which was observed in Pakistan on Wednesday.

However, police and paramilitary forces removed the flags and enforced strict restrictions in the curfew-bound areas of the Valley to maintain law and order.

Normal life remained paralysed for the thirteenth day following the separatist sponsored strike and curfew which continued in the Valley.

Image: Protesters carry black flags to protest the killings in Kashmir. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com

Following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, the separatists initially called for a three-day strike but extended it as civilian deaths mounted amid widespread clashes.

The schools and colleges in the Valley continue to remain closed after the government extended the summer vacations till July 25.

Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps also remained shut, while the government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance.

Mobile telephony and mobile internet services also remained shut.

Image: Protesters throw stones at security forces in Srinagar even though a curfew has been imposed. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI

The united separatist camp, comprising of chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelandi and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chairman M Y Malik, had asked people to hoist black flags over all the residential houses, commercial establishments like shops and important landmarks and squares in the Valley on Wednesday.

They have also asked people to observe half-an-hour blackout from 8:30 pm by switching off all bulbs and lighting to highlight the atrocities carried by Indian forces.

In a separate statement, the separatist camp extended the strike call till July 25 and asked the people to stockpile the essential commodities during no strike period from 2 pm on Thursday.

The separatists had asked people to resume normal activities from 2 pm Thursday, but asked them to observe a complete shutdown on Friday which will be observed as Kashmir Day.

There will be a strike on July 23, 24 and 25, the statement said, also asking people to assemble at mosques after dusk on July 23 to raise slogans and run songs eulogizing the struggle. It also asked people to observe black out on July 24 evening and assemble at Anantnag town for a rally.
Protests escalated in Gujarat over the brutal thrashing of the community youths in Una town even as incidents of violence were reported from several places across the state.

Enraged community members took out rallies in towns and cities, blocking roads, damaging buses and even a train was stopped near Vadhvan in Surendranagar district.

IMAGE: Police detain members of Dalit Community who were staging a protest in Ahmedabad. Photograph: PTI

The bandh called by Dalit outfits in Gujarat over the Dalit-thrashing issue in Una town evoked mixed response.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited the victims at Rajkot hospital and met their family members at Una, assuring them that stringent action will be taken against the culprits.

Anandiben visited Mota Samaliyala village in Una, where the alleged incident of beating of seven Dalits had taken place and met family members of the victims.

She told them that the government has taken all measures to ensure that the victims get justice.

The scene of beating of Dalits will be disturbing to anyone who witnesses it. The beating, in the manner it took place, is not becoming of any civilised society. The state government has done everything possible, including arrest of the accused, and (facilitating) hospitalisation of the injured, Patel said after the meeting.

IMAGE: Dalits enforcing closure of markets during a protest in Ahmedabad on Wednesday against the assault by cow protectors in Rajkot. Photograph: PTI

The Dalit outfits kept up protests across the state against the assault of some community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow at Una in Gir-Somnath district.

Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat observed total bandh where incidents of stone-pelting, vandalisation of properties, damage to buses and road blockade were witnessed.

The bandh was observed in Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and some small towns in Saurashtra, and also at Patan town and Aravalli district in North Gujarat.

In Porbandar, a private bus was torched, while several other public transport buses were damaged in many parts of Saurashtra region.

As a precautionary measure, the authorities shut down several routes of state transport buses due to the bandh call and protest by Dalit Panthers and other community outfits.

IMAGE: Several roads were shut down in Surat owing to the protest held by Dalits. Photograph: PTI

The protesters blocked several state and some national highways in Saurashtra.

A goods train was stopped by protesters near Vadhvan in Surendranagar district on Bhavnagar-Surendranagar route. Later, the agitators were dispersed by the police.

The situation remained tense in Porbandar city during the day, as a violent mob attacked a police station near the collectors office and torched several vehicles.

According to Porbandar District SP Tarun Duggal, as many as four policemen, including a deputy superintendent of police, were injured in the attack by a mob on a police station near the collector office.

Around four, including a DySP, one police inspector and one sub-inspector, were injured when a mob attacked the rural police station. The violent mob also damaged four police vehicles and torched a private luxury bus. We are trying our best to calm down the protesters, said Duggal.

IMAGE: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visiting the village in Rajkot district on Wednesday where some Dalit members were assaulted by cow protectors. Photograph: PTI

Several shops were also damaged by the mob in Bhavnagar city.

Rajkot also witnessed street protests during the bandh following which around 50 people were detained by police. However, the bandh call was not followed in the town and the situation was normal.

In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.

In Ahmedabad, the protesters tried to enforce bandh in some pockets, like Chandkheda and Kalapinagar, where they were seen forcing markets and schools to shut down.

The state has been witnessing widespread protests following the incident. The Dalit protests have spread to several parts of the state unleashing violence, in which a head constable was killed during stone-pelting in Amreli district on Tuesday. Besides, state transport buses were attacked and more than 10 members of the community allegedly attempted suicide.

Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Rahul Gandhi will meet the Dalit victims and their family members during his visit to the state on Thursday.

He will land at Diu and reach Una by road tomorrow morning. He is scheduled to meet family members of the victims. Gandhi will then reach Rajkot and meet some of the victims, who are undergoing treatment at a hospital there, said Doshi.
Last updated on: July 20, 2016 08:50 IST

Here's a recap of events that occurred in India in the past 24 hours.

A man shows his tooth to a security personnel as he seeks permission to see a doctor after being stopped during a curfew in Srinagar on Tuesday. Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters

Priests performing prayer at Sangam on the occasion of Guru Purnima festival in Allahabad on Tuesday evening. Photograph: PTI Photo

A peacock sits on a window at Parliament Library building during the monsoon session at parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Subhav Shukla/PTI Photo

Union Minister for Ganga Rejuvenation Uma Bharti reacts at Parliament house during the monsoon session in New Delhi on Tuesday. Photograph: Manvender Vashist/PTI Photo

Residents commute on a boat in Anilnagar area of Guwahati on Tuesday. Floods in Assam have affected six districts.

Prime Minster Narendra Modi with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar arrives to attend BJP Parliamentary Party's executive meeting. Photograph: Shahbaz Khan/PTI Photo

Protesters throw stones on police amid tear smoke during clashes in Srinagar on Tuesday. Photograph: S Irfan/PTI Photo

Tourists enjoy heavy rains at Chawmahallah Palace in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo

A girl pushes her scooter at a waterlogged road after heavy rains in Faridabad. Photograph: PTI Photo

Police detain members of Dalit community who were staging a protest in Ahmedabad on Tuesday against the assault on Dalits by cow protectors in Rajkot district, Gujarat. Photograph: PTI Photo

Superstar Rajinikanths fans celebrate after getting ticket of his latest film Kabali at a theater in Chennai on Tuesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Babson Capital Participation Investors (the Trust) Board of Trustees met today. The Trusts Trustees declared a quarterly dividend of 27 cents per share payable on August 12, 2016 to shareholders of record on August 1, 2016. The Trust paid a dividend of 27 cents per share in the preceding quarter.



The Trusts Trustees determined that the Trusts net asset value as of June 30, 2016 was $139,379,949 or $13.46 per share based on 10,355,987 shares outstanding. As of June 30, 2015, the Trusts net assets were $143,105,029 or $13.87 per share based on 10,314,898 shares outstanding. As of March 31, 2016, the Trusts net assets were $138,443,220 or $13.39 per share based on 10,342,412 shares outstanding.

The Trusts net investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 was $2,535,594 or $0.24 per share. Net investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2015 was $2,625,104 or $0.25 per share. For the previous quarter ended March 31, 2016, net investment income was $2,253,036 or $0.22 per share. Net investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was $4,788,630 or $0.46 per share, compared with $5,329,856 or $0.52 per share for the comparable period in 2015.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2016, net capital gains of $560,492 or $0.05 per share were realized by the Trust (compared to losses of $1,101,530 or $0.11 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2015), bringing 2016 year-to-date net realized capital gains to $190,503 or $0.02 per share. During the previous quarter ended March 31, 2016, net capital losses of $369,989 or $0.04 per share were realized by the Trust.

The market price of Babson Capital Participation Investors as of June 30, 2016 was $14.73, which equates to a 9.44% premium over the June 30, 2016 NAV per share. The Trusts average quarter-end premium for the 3, 5 and 10-year periods was 1.13%, 8.26% and 7.40%, respectively.

Babson Capital Participation Investors is a closed-end management investment company advised by Babson Capital Management LLC. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol ("MPV").

Per share amounts are rounded to the nearest cent.

Cautionary Notice: Certain statements contained in this press release may be "forward looking" statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and which reflect managements current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs, and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of the fund's trading intent. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of the fund's current or future investments. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

About Babson Capital Management

Babson Capital Management LLC is one of the worlds leading asset management firms, with over $243 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2016. Through proprietary research, analysis and a focus on investment fundamentals, the firm and its global affiliates develop products and strategies that leverage its broad expertise in global fixed income, structured products, middle market finance, commercial real estate, alternatives and equities. A member of the MassMutual Financial Group, Babson maintains a strong global footprint with operations on four continents and clients in over 20 countries. Learn more at www.babsoncapital.com
Metin Dogan, the shirtless protester made a spine-tingling show of defiance to the army soldiers who launched a failed coup attempt on Friday night

IMAGE: Metin Dogan didn't think twice before he put his body in front of a tank and the armed soldiers. Photograph: Reuters

In an image sure to invite comparisons to the iconic picture of a protester blocking a tank in Tiananmen Square, a man lay down just a few feet from the treads of a Turkish army tank at the Attaturk International Airport.

The shirtless protester made a spine-tingling show of defiance to the army soldiers who launched a failed coup attempt on Friday night.

On Wednesday, as Turkey continues its purge and arrests more officials, who were responsible in trying to overthrow the rule of Turkish President Recep Erdogan, the man behind that iconic image has been identified as Metin Dogan, a 40-year-old medicine student.

Dogan said how he made his way to the airport after seeing news of the unfolding coup. Advancing through the soldiers, I yelled I am a Turkish soldier, whose soldiers are you?, he was quoted as saying, adding, Then the tank stopped but I continued shouting at them. I was surrounded by soldiers.

IMAGE: A man stands in front of a Turkish army tank at Ataturk airport in Istanbul. Photograph: Reuters

He added: Suddenly the tank started moving again and I lay down in front of the right track of the tank. It stopped again.

Dogan said he had no doubt that at that moment he felt that what he was doing was right and his action has been praised all over the world with #tankman trending on social media.

Dogan was among thousands who took to the streets of Istanbul, Ankara and other cities to confront heavily armed coup forces.
The Delhi government on Wednesday ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged suicide of Aam Aadmi Party woman activist in Narela area of Outer Delhi. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has asked North Delhi's district magistrate to investigate the matter.

The family members of the woman claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester, a party colleague, was released on bail.

"Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry (sic)," Sisodia tweeted.

The police said the woman consumed poisonous substance at her home in Narela in the afternoon and died during treatment at the LNJPHospital.

The woman had filed a complaint against party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested, said a senior police officer.

Family members of the woman told police that she went into depression after bail was granted to the accused who, she had alleged, was being protected by the local member of legislative assembly.

The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party had alleged that Aam Aadmi Party leaders had ignored her "harassment" complaint. "It may be recalled this girl had been raising issue of her harassment for months but AAP leaders ignored. This incident has established anti-woman character of the AAP," Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said on Tuesday in a statement.

"Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and local MLA Sharad Chauhan are responsible for her death," he had alleged. The AAP refuted the allegations and accused BJP of playing politics over her death.

"There is no mention of the MLA's name in any of the complainants. Whosoever is alleged to have harassed the girl has no connection with the party. The BJP should not stoop this low and play politics over the death of a poor girl. We also want action against the culprit," AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai had said.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi appeared to have dozed off in the Lok Sabha today during a discussion on attack on dalits in Gujarat, inviting barbs from the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party while the Congress defended its vice president and suggested that he was checking his mobile.

The Congress also showed a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha from November last year to claim that it shows he was also sleeping in the House.

Gandhi was caught on the Lok Sabha TV with his eyes closed and appeared to be catching forty winks when Home Minister Rajnath Singh was replying to a short discussion on the issue of attack by vigilantes on Dalit youths who were skinning a dead cow in Una in Gir-Somnath district.

Attacking the Congress leader, the Bharatiya Janata Party said he was only interested in doing politics on Dalit victims and not in their getting justice.

"It shows that his heart is not on providing justice to Dalit victims. He just wants to do politics. If he was really interested in ensuring justice, then he would not be sleeping," Union Minister Thaavar Chand Gehlot said.

Taking a dig, BSP chief Mayawati said it showed how serious Gandhi was about dalits.

"This publicity is going on that the Congress vice president will go to the spot (in Gujarat) but he was sleeping when the issue was being debated in the House. It shows how serious he is about it," she said.

Putting up a strong defence, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said it was an attempt to trivialise and debase an important issue with a "false" story.

"It is completely false and is condemnably false story that somebody is sleeping in the House. The last I heard was that checking one's cell phone is neither a crime nor negligence."

He said, "What I am castigating in the strongest possible words this attempt, be it by the media or any other quarters, to trivialise, debase and devalue a most important issue. We are discussing dalit issue and your focus on this great story that you are running which is false."

The party also showed a photograph of Modi in the Lok Sabha on November 26, 2015 in which, it claimed, he appears to be sleeping.

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said, "He (Gandhi) was not sleeping. How can someone sleep amidst so much noise? It is so hot outside and we close our eyes inside the House to relax and get relief from the burning sensation caused after standing in sun for long outside.

"The atmosphere inside is cool and we rest our eyes to retain moisture. Media makes up things...."

Gehlot, addressing the press conference, said Opposition leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Mayawati and Arvind Kejriwal did not visit Kerala and Agra when Dalits were killed.

He alleged that Congress and BSP were doing politics with an eye on the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls slated next year, and claimed Opposition parties raised similar issues before the Bihar assembly elections last year and "forgot" about them after that.

He also raked up the Mirchpur case in Haryana, in which Dalits were killed and many of them were forced to leave the village, when Congress was in power in the state with Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the chief minister.

Gehlot, a Dalit face of the BJP, also appealed to the people of Gujarat to observe restraint and not to do anything that causes tension in the society and harms the country.

Dalits have been agitating in the state, protesting alleged inaction of the state government.

The Congress has claimed that the violence against them was "BJP-sponsored" as it was trying to polarise communities ahead of the state election to be held next year.

"I have been trying to speak in Rajya Sabha over the issue for three days but they (Opposition) are unwilling to listen. They are trying to politicise it while we are doing everything to provide the justice to victims," Gehlot said.

This is the third time Rahul has been photographed sleeping in the House.



Image: A screen grab of Rahul Gandhi taking a nap in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday morning. Photograph source: Lo Sabha TV/screengrab
Haryana police on Wednesday formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the alleged gang rape of a 21-year-old Dalit woman in Rohtak. The SIT will submit its report within 90 days.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Mohammad Akil, who paid a visit to the victim in a Rohtak hospital on Wednesday, ordered setting up of the SIT.

Stating this, state Health Minister Anil Vij told reporters on the sidelines of a state cabinet meeting in Chandigarh that the SIT will have two deputy superintendents of police as members.

As part of the investigations, the DNA samples of the complainant and the accused will also be matched. I can assure you of a fair probe. Whosoever has done any wrong will have to face the law, he said, adding that the SIT has been asked to submit its report within 90 days.

The victim, a college student, was allegedly gang-raped by five persons in Rohtak district on July 13. This is said to be a repeat offence on her with two of the offenders also named as accused in the first case of gang rape in Bhiwani three years ago, Director General of Police K P Singh told reporters in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

The two repeat offenders were out on bail. The incident had also echoed in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

Vij said the Bharatiya Janata Party government is sensitive towards cases of crime against women. We try to act swiftly whenever such cases come to light, he said.

The three accused who were arrested in connection with the case on Tuesday were on Wednesday remanded to four-day police custody by a Rohtak court.

Meanwhile, Opposition Congress slammed the BJP government in Haryana, alleging that women were feeling unsafe in the state.

Even as a Dalit girl, raped again by the same culprits within three years, struggles to fight the trauma, the insensitivity of the police and administration in Rohtak, the countless number of such incidents which keep happening every other day, have made women feel unsafe in Haryana, alleged Kiran Choudhry, Leader of Haryana Congress Legislature Party.

She slammed the Manohar Lal Khattar government in the state for the deteriorating law and-order situation, especially crimes against women, and demanded immediate steps to bring to book the remaining two accused in the case.

The Dalit girls rape by the same rapists who were out on bail shows the BJP governments insensitivity, exposes its tall claims on law-and-order and raises two pertinent questions -- why did the state not oppose their bail and since they were granted bail, why the victim and her family, who had shifted to Rohtak, were not given adequate police protection, she said in a statement.

IMAGE: The three accused in Rohtak gang rape case being taken to a court on Wednesday. Photograph: PTI Photo
In a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday accused it of destabilising institutions, polarising society and mistaking its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its narrow ideology on people.

Addressing the first meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, she also slammed it for "deception", "glib marketing slogans" and snatching the rights of Dalits, adivasis, specifically citing the Gujarat incident where four Dalits were beaten and humiliated publicly.

She called the Gujarat case, "just one example of the social terror this government condones".

"In the last few months, we have witnessed how the Modi government's project of destabilising institutions and polarising our society has played out with renewed vigour to the detriment of constitutional values.

"The Modi government has mistaken its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its ideology on our people. It seems to have forgotten that parliamentary majority can never be the reason to abandon the principles and practice of constitutionalism," she said.

Gandhi referred to the unrest in the Kashmir Valley which has witnessed turmoil for the past 11 days after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani with clashes claiming over 40 lives.

"Recent events in the Valley are tragic and pose a grave danger to the country. There can be no compromise on national security. Militants must be dealt with firmly. Yet we must ask ourselves, what has driven scores of young people to such levels of violence," she said,

Questioning PM's foreign policy, she said, "How does the Modi government explain the incoherence of its foreign policy despite PM's frequent travels abroad, his equally frequent embraces of world leaders and impromptu birthday calls!! Its policy towards Pakistan oscillates between one extreme to the other. The government seems to be changing our country's stand on security and defence, departing radically from policies that have stood the test of time."

Gandhi said, "the opaqueness of the Modi government in decision-making and brazen promotion of cronyism has cast a dark shadow on its integrity".

The Congress president also accused the government of practising deception, saying they are creating a "bubble" of achievement.

"Deception is not new to this ruling party. They are skilled at ignoring facts, propagating false claims and orchestrating unsubstantiated charges against the opposition, especially the Congress. As they complete two years in office, they have sought to create a bubble of achievement. But what have they exactly achieved?" she said questioning the government's record on job creation, exports and prices.

Describing the government as a "good marketeer", the Congress chief said, "We are presented with a government that is anchored in slick marketing events, glib marketing slogans, in repackaging, in embellishment, and exaggeration. We may be lacking in numbers, but we will make up for it with our work and continue to demand accountability through Parliament."

Seeking to bring the attention back on alleged scams in BJP-ruled states, Gandhi asked the government, "What happened to the scandals that have been exposed and are sought to be buried in BJP-run states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and in PM's own state of Gujarat. And yet he claims he is curbing corruption".

Earlier referring to the government's "inconsistent" foreign policy, she questioned India's failed bid for NSG membership.

"Government's ill-prepared policy on the NSG membership has exposed us to a snub and is in complete contrast to what the UPA achieved in 2008. Our relations with Nepal are at an all-time low," she noted.

She also picked holes in government's claims of economic growth, saying, "When it comes to growth and GDP figures that they tout, questions on their veracity are raised even by their own party leaders. BJP blocked every important FDI initiative of UPA government. Yet now it has put in place a free-for-all policy even in sensitive areas like defence."

Other points on which Gandhi attacked the government were its confrontation with the judiciary and civil society, its GDP growth numbers, the Gujarat petroleum corporation scam, and the recent "never-before seen" act of changing of pens during Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana.

"There is constant confrontation with the judiciary, civil society and student organisations and debate is being stifled," she said.

Also attacking the government on price-rise, she asked the Congress MPs to be aggressive and hold the government and its Ministers accountable.

The meeting was attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, party leaders in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, besides party MPs
In a first for the Republican Party, a Sikh-American woman opened the second day of the national convention in Cleveland with the 'ardaas' -- a Sikh prayer.

Harmeet Dhillon, vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party, delivered the Sikh prayer on the national stage in Punjabi and then translated it into English.

It was the first such instance for the Republican National Convention but it was not the first time the 47-year-old San Francisco lawyer upended expectations, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Born in Chandigarh, she emigrated with her parents to England and then to the Bronx, New York. Her father, an orthopedic surgeon, soon moved the family to rural Smithfield in central North Carolina.

Taking the stage minutes before Donald Trump was officially nominated as the party's candidate for president, Dhillon led the convention in the Sikh prayer on Tuesday.

After the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, Dhillon took the stage and explained that it was Sikh custom to wear a headscarf for the traditional prayer.

Dhillon, a delegate from San Francisco, covered her head with a shawl after stepping up to the podium.

"I've said this prayer before I could walk," she said.

The prayer -- called Ardaas -- is a Sikh prayer that is recited before performing or after undertaking any significant task. And Dhillon hoped her reading it would show that the Republican Party truly does have a big tent.

"I think this is an inclusive party. I've never felt anything but included since Day One," Dhillon was quoted as saying by The Mercury News.

Trump today clinched the Republican Party's presidential nomination to run against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November polls, a stunning rise for an outsider after months of controversial campaigning that saw him crushing 16 well-established party rivals.

Diversity was showcased by the party in Cleveland as when California's Republicans formally proclaimed their support for Trump, the state party turned to Shirley Husar, who is black, to make the announcement.

IMAGE: Indian-born Sikh Republican activist Harmeet Dhillon delivers the invocation in Punjabi and English at the start of the second session at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters
The Modi government and Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party dispensation of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday came under attack in the Lok Sabha over the unrest in the Valley, with opposition alleging their failure to address the situation and pressing for a political solution.

As the House took up a discussion on the ongoing trouble in Kashmir, various parties demanded sending an all-party delegation to the Valley even as Anurag Thakur, speaking on behalf of the ruling BJP, said every political party should come together and help in dealing with such situations.

Initiating the debate, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said over the last two years, since the BJP government came to power at the Centre, the situation in the valley has "deteriorated" and has become "disappointing".

Alleging failure on part of the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government, he said, "The work done by our government in the last 10 years was undone by this government. They see everything from the rear mirror. BJP-PDP has shunned all principles...we have to heal the wounds with humanity."

The government is claiming that it is moving in ever sector but reality is different.

"This government has miserably failed to restore peace in the valley. There is an environment of insecurity and fear ....44 people have died and 3,140, half of them security personnel, are wounded and this government puts the onus on the state....I would like to ask questions. How many more deaths will happen? When they will get up from sleep," he said.

Scindia said the people of Kashmir are facing huge problems as there is curfew since the last 12 days.

"What was the reason? Why no one from the Central government visited Kashmir to review the situation... Infiltration is happening and our defence minister is distributing LED bulbs in Goa," he said.

Citing the case of a boy and a girl who had allegedly gone blind due to pellet gun use by security forces, Scindia said "this government uses lethal weapons against innocent people."

While attacking the government, the Congress leader alleged that there was an "environment of communalism" and "intolerance" in the country and referred to incidents such as Dadri lynching and HyderabadUniversity issue.

He said people making non-responsible statements and the government is not taking any action against them.

The Congress leader said Pakistan "is guilty" for this situation in Kashmir but "one should also introspect if there are some shortcomings in us also."

He said Modi has condoled the attacks in other parts of the world but never said even a single word on Kashmir.

He said the government should secure the country's borders. "I request this govenment. Secure our borders. Secure our people before it gets too late. Act and act with a plan," he said.

He said after returning from Africa visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called a high level meeting but the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister was not present.

He questioned whether this was the "cooperative federalism" that this government keeps talking about.

The United Progressive Alliance government had taken several steps and worked with all the stakeholders to maintain the peaceful environment and boost development of Kashmir but since this government came into the power, the GDP of the valley has declined by 7 per cent.

He said incidents of infiltration and casualty of soldiers is on the rise and this government is behaving like a "silent spectator".

During the discussion, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju intervened and said the Congress leader should not mislead the House with "wrong facts".

Scindia said the Pakistan policy of this government is "surprising".

"They (BJP) claimed that they would bring 10 heads (of Pakistanis) in case of one death...but today you are giving statements," he said.

Scindia noted that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given call for observing 'black day' and described Burhan Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen militant killed in encounter, as a "martyr".

On the other hand, "our foreign ministry is only saying that please do not give such wrong statements. What can be more unfortunate than this? ...the foreign policy of this government has been failed completely," he said.

This government failed on five issues including controlling terorists' activities, he said.

The Congress leader said an all-party delegation should be sent to Kashmir.

BJP member Anurag Thakur, while acknowledging that situation in Jammu and Kashmir is "grave" and "special, said t is very easy to level allegations. He said every political party should come together and help in dealing with these situations. "We have to work together to create a conducive environment in the state," he said.

Referring to demands by opposition parties for holding dialogue, Thakur wondered with whom talks could be held as it appears that the current bout of mob violence is leadersless.

He said if separatist Hurriyat Conference was in control, it should help in restoring peace which is the first priority. The BJP leader advised those indulging in mob violence to think about their poor Kashmiri brethren, mainly those depending on daily earnings, whose livelihood has been affected badly due to the unrest.

He criticised the special status to the state and raised questions with regard to reasons for emergence of the current unrest in the state.

Citing data, he said the terrorist violence has decreased to 222 in 2014 from 1990 in 2005 and infiltration cases reduced to 222 in 2014 from 557 in 2005.

"I congratulate both this and the previous government for this and also congratulate the soldiers who are securing our borders," Thakur said.

About stone-pelting, he said it was not a new phenomena as it had happened even as back as in 1980s. In 2010, he said, stone-pelting incidents took place for three consecutive months.

Responding to opposition attack over use of pellet guns, he said these weapons had been used for the first time during violence in 2010 when the state was ruled by National Conference and UPA was in power at the Centre.

"It is this government which has announced several steps to boost growth and development in the state," he said adding the prime minister announced new stadium, power projects, medical collges, AIIMS and IIMs.

"The PDP-BJP government will do development in six years of its tenure," Thakur said, adding, however, that for that the state needs to have peace.

He said Modi had even celebrated Diwali in that state.

IMAGE: Congress members raise slogans in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi. Photograph: PTI Photo/TV grab
Sparks are expected to fly in Parliament on Wednesday as the Congress looks set to target the government on the issue of violence against Dalits.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi says her party will raise the Dalit issue in parliament today. The Congress has given notice in Lok Sabha on the incident in Una, Gujarat where some persons claiming to be "Gau rakshak" thrashed seven Dalit youths in Una last week alleging that they had killed a cow which they were skinning.

Watch the proceedings of both House of Parliament LIVE here on Rediff.com
The wife and daughter of Director General Corporate Affairs B K Bansal, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation two days ago for alleged bribery, committed suicide on Tuesday at their apartment, police said.

Bansals wife Satyabala, 58, and daughter Neha, 28, allegedly hung themselves from ceiling fans in two separate rooms at their residence in Nilkanth Apartments in east Delhis Madhu Vihar, leaving separate suicide notes, saying the CBI raid had caused great humiliation and they did not want to live after that. They, however, held nobody responsible for their death.

Two separate suicide notes were recovered. They said that the CBI raid caused them (the family) great humiliation in the society and they did not want to live any more. Nobody is responsible for our death, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Rishipal Singh said.

Bansal, an additional secretary-rank officer in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, was arrested by the CBI on July 16 for allegedly accepting bribe from a prominent pharmaceutical company.

The CBI had carried out searches at eight locations in connection with the case during which the agency had claimed to have made cash recoveries.

CBI spokesperson Devpreet Singh said, We are deeply shocked and saddened by the incident. It may be mentioned here that both the deceased were neither accused nor questioned or summoned in the ongoing investigation. The matter is being looked into by the local police.

Tuesdays incident came to light after the Bansals domestic help arrived around noon but no one opened the door for a long time. She managed to force open the door and found the bodies hanging from stoles, a police official said.

Bansals son was not present at home at the time of the incident. Neighbours told police that they had not seen him at least for the past four days.

The domestic help raised an alarm, following which the security guard of the building reached their flat and called up the police control room. Joint Commissioner of Police (Eastern range) Satish Golcha said the police received a call around 1.30 pm following which teams were rushed to the spot.

Prima facie there seems to be no foul play. However, investigations are being carried out and bodies have been sent for post-mortem, he said.

According to the CBI, Bansal was arrested while receiving Rs nine lakh of the Rs 20 lakh promised as bribe.

Bansal, who is senior administrative grade officer of Indian Corporate Law Service, was promoted to the post of director general of corporate affairs last year.
We are not able to find any work due to the prevailing situation, say migrant labourers who are being forced to move out owing to the unrest.

Lack of work opportunities due to ongoing unrest and curfew in Kashmir has forced thousands of migrant labourers to leave the valley in search of livelihood in other parts of the country.

Minutes after sundown every day, hundreds of labourers -- who come from different states in north and east of the country -- make their way to Tourist Reception Centre to catch the first available bus or taxi heading to Jammu.

We have had no work for the last 15 days due to the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir which was preceded by two days of Eid holidays, Vijay Kumar from Bihar said as he waited to board a bus to Jammu on Tuesday night.

Kumar, who was putting up in a rented accommodation at Rambagh in the civil lines of the area of the city, said while he and his room-mates faced no problems from the locals, lack of work opportunities forced them to leave the valley.

There is limited working season in Kashmir and we come here to earn money to feed our families back home. We are not able to find any work due to the prevailing situation, Sitaram, Kumars room-mate, said.

An estimated five lakh migrant labourers from Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab come to Kashmir every spring for work and return to their homes with the onset of winter, when the working season ends.

We get good wages in Kashmir which is the main reason why so many young workers from my state (Bihar) come here every year. But it seems that the situation is not going to

normalise anytime soon, Narayan, a carpenter, said.

The labourers were unanimous that they did not face any problems during the past 12 days of unrest in the valley.

We have been coming here every year. So far, we have not encountered any problems with locals. We are not into politics... We just come to work, Narayan said.

A similar situation was witnessed in the wake of 2010 summer agitation when the migrant labourers fled the valley to look for work in other parts of the country.

We will try to find work in Jammu, Punjab, Harayana and Delhi. Although the wages are low, something is better than earning nothing, Siraj-ud-din Ahmad, a mason hailing from West Bengal, said.

The fleeing labourers, however, are unhappy with the high fares charged by the taxi drivers for the Srinagar-Jammu journey.

Normally, we used to pay Rs 800 per person for travel between Srinagar and Jammu but now they are charging Rs 1,500. The authorities should look into it, the labourers said.

The taxi drivers on their part expressed helplessness, saying it was not possible for them to operate at the pre-turmoil rates.

No doubt it seems exorbitant but please try to understand that we do not get any passengers for the return leg of journey from Jammu to Srinagar. We have to cover those expenses as well, Bashir Ahmad, a taxi driver, said.

He said in addition to this, the cab drivers also have to make provisions for any damages to their vehicles in case they get caught in clashes along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Kashmir valley has been on the boil since killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. As many as 42 people have been killed and over 3,400 persons injured in the ensuing clashes.

Image: Migrants line up outside a bus stop as they move out of the Valley owing to lack of jobs. Photograph: Umar Ganie/Rediff.com
vwjetty wrote:

In the united states, of the people who moved from one state to another when they retired, the percentage who retired to Florida has decreased by three percentage points over the past ten years. Since many local businesses in Florida cater to retirees, this decline is likely to have a noticeable negative economic effect on these businesses.



Which of the follow, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?



A) Florida attracts more people who move from one state to another when they retire than does any other state.



B) The number of people who move out of Florida to accept employment in other states has increased over the past ten years.



C) There are more local businesses in Florida that cater to tourists than there are local busineeses that cater to retirees.



D) The total number of people who retired and move to another state fro their retirement has increased significantly over the past ten years.



E) The number of people who left Florida when they retired to live in another state was greater last year than it was ten years ago.



Thanks be include explanation.

This is a relative comparison of Florida with other states. Not relevant.

This talks about people moving out of Florida for employment and does not shed light on the retired people. Not relevant.

At first glance this seemed to be a candidate but later found that this sentence talks about the difference between the different business and such a difference might have existed even before the stated premise -- (the percentage who retired to Florida has decreased by three percentage points over the past ten years). Also this choice supports the argument in the question. Hence this choice is ruled out.



This choice talks about the increase in the total number of people who have moved to another state. This is exactly different to the conclusion/argument proposed in the question. Hence this is a very strong candidate.

This choice supports the argument proposed in the question. Hence ruled out.

I have just started out with my CR preparation and hence my reasoning might be a little rusty. Anyway here is what I think.The question stem important conclusion is -- [highlight]this decline is likely to have a noticeable negative economic effect on these (which cater to retired ppl) businesses.[/highlight]Here are the answer choices.A) Florida attracts more people who move from one state to another when they retire than does any other state.B) The number of people who move out of Florida to accept employment in other states has increased over the past ten years.C) There are more local businesses in Florida that cater to tourists than there are local busineeses that cater to retirees.D) The total number of people who retired and move to another state fro their retirement has increased significantly over the past ten years.E) The number of people who left Florida when they retired to live in another state was greater last year than it was ten years ago.Answer is D.
Though Mohammed Hashim Ansari was the oldest litigant in the case and was against the Ram temple coming up at the site, he never spoke ill of his neighbours who were Hindus.

'Ayodhya is the best place where you can see Hindu-Muslim unity.'

'Even when the Babri Masjid was demolished, nobody harmed me.'

'The Hindus of Ayodhya helped me, but it is the outsiders who create trouble,' Ansari would say.

Rediff.com's Syed Firdaus Ashraf recalls his meetings with Hashim Ansari, who passed away on July 20.

IMAGE: Mohammed Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ayodhya dispute, photographed inside his home in Ayodhya, June 16, 2016. Photograph: Tom Lasseter/Reuters

Justice delayed is justice denied may sound cliched, but for nonagenarian Mohammed Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Babri Masjid case who died on Wednesday, July 20, morning, the axiom applies to a T.



For 67 years, from 1949 to 2016, Ansari fought the case with single-minded devotion, spending his own money and appearing in different courts to argue his case.

What was his case?

"I have said a thousand times that it was (sadhu) Abhiram Das who placed Lord Ram's statue inside the Babri Masjid in 1949. The then government did not do anything because Partition had just happened and the communal situation was not very good," Ansari told me the last time we met two years ago.

"One act of mischief by Abhiram put the entire country in flames and till date no solution has been found," he said.

Ansari was convinced that no Ram temple had existed at the disputed site prior to the mosque coming up, and it was Abhiram Das' single act that sealed the Babri Masjid's fate.

He recalled how as a young boy he would pray at the Babri Masjid but all that stopped suddenly in 1949 after what Abhiram Das's "act of mischief."

I met Ansari thrice in the last 20 years and at the end of each meeting I came away with admiration for a man who never gave up his claim on the Babri Masjid. He firmly believed in the judiciary and always felt that justice would not be denied to him.



After the Allahabad high court judgment in 2010, dividing the plot on which the Babri Masjid once stood into three segments, I asked him whether he was happy with the legal outcome, and he had said, "It was a bad judgment, nobody is happy with it."

Ansari then brought out an old photograph of the Babri Masjid and pointed out, "You see, Muslims have got only one-third portion of the left side of the Babri Masjid. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad, on the other hand, got the central dome of the masjid and the Nirmohi Akhara got the right dome. This is not justice, according to me."

Ansari lived in a modest two-room house and his life was bereft of luxuries. His home had hardly any furniture and the only comfort he could offer visitors was a broken cot to sit on.

There was a steel trunk which was close to his heart, for in it were stored files of the Babri Masjid case dating back to 1949. It seemed it was the only possession that he valued.



Journalists could see him uninvited. He was always ready with the facts of the case. He used to bring in newspapers clippings, photographs and court documents to prove his claim.

Even though he was past 90 years in age, he was very sharp as far as the case was concerned.



About the 2010 judgment, Ansari told me, "You know, it is a 11,500-page verdict. It has been four years since the judgment and lawyers from all sides are still studying it. Every side has challenged the judgment in the Supreme Court."



Being the oldest litigant in the case, Ansari was also the most well-known personality in the temple town. You only had to mention his name and any child in Ayodhya would take you to his home.



In fact, it was said that there were only three famous places in Ayodhya. The Babri Masjid-Ram Janambhoomi temple, the banks of the Saryu, and Hashim Ansari's house.



Though the government had provided him 'Y' category security, he never liked it.



Many people made a political career out of the dispute -- L K Advani of Rath Yatra fame being the most well-known -- but Ansari stuck to religiously going to court and not deriving any political mileage out of or gaining financially from the case.



A policeman on his security detail once told me, "He is fighting such an important case, but he never benefited monetarily from it. Anyone else in his place would have minted money."



In 20 years I found little change in his lifestyle or attitude. Or in his doggedness to pursue the case till the very end.



Though he was against the Ram temple coming up at the site, he never spoke ill of his neighbours who were Hindus.



"Ayodhya is the best place where you can see Hindu-Muslim unity. Even when the Babri Masjid was demolished, nobody harmed me. The Hindus of Ayodhya helped me, but it is the outsiders who create trouble in the name of Lord Ram," Ansari would say.



He was disillusioned with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress in the last days of his life. "I feel the Congress and BJP are one party," Ansari said. "The Congress kept Lord Ram inside the masjid while the BJP imprisoned Ram Lalla inside. He is not free. They will never let Him be free."



Ansari's final words to me were: "The government spends Rs 36 lakh (Rs 3.6 million) a day on providing security for this place. So much money is going down the drain, yet to this day there has been no final judgment on the issue."
sophistikate wrote:

One thing I would like to ask about:

I'm about to leave my job to go full-time for this start up but I'm not leaving my job on good terms. Will this be a big deal? I feel like by the time I apply in a few years, this job will be such a small part of my story that it won't even matter. Long story short, I felt really disrespected at this company and was treated poorly so I started performing poorly and basically am playing a waiting game (I have to stay 1 year or else I give back my signing bonus).

Hey dude,So first of all, best of luck with your startup! You seem like a smart and very ambitious person, and it seems like you have your path set out for you.The obvious thing, is to do as well as you can with your startup - find real partners, get angel investment, and succeed. But you don't need me to tell you that.Other than that, make sure you keep up at least one activity and one volunteer work for the duration of the time. If you have time to run fundraisers or get involved in politics, then even better! Additionally, seek out any leadership opportunities you can get anywhere.Those are the main overall things.R.e. your job, do what you can there. And if you can try and preserve one manager who is your friend, at least personally, because they will come in useful when it comes time to getting your recommendation letters. And even if you aren't happy, don't burn your bridges! Bear out the year with a smile and leave with gratitude! In the long-term it will help greatly,I hope these thoughts help, dude,Best,Jon
Boost to Military Reform in Georgia

Publisher Institute for War and Peace Reporting Author Giorgi Tskhvitava Publication Date 19 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol CRS 821 Cite as Institute for War and Peace Reporting, Boost to Military Reform in Georgia, 19 July 2016, CRS 821, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578e4efe4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

A new military assistance deal with the United States has given Georgia the chance to move forward with a long-anticipated plans for army reform.

US secretary of state John Kerry and Georgias minister of defence Tinatin Khidasheli signed a memorandum on deepening the two country's security partnership on July 6 in Tbilisi.

Details of the volume of future assistance are expected at the end of July, but the initial document provides for American assistance for Georgias territorial defence, including the purchase of weapons. This is intended to improve the sustainability and deployability of Georgias forces and their ability to cooperate with NATO forces.

"The focus of the assistance of the Georgian Armed Forces has always been associated with international missions and tied to Georgia's plans to NATO membership," Khidasheli told reporters after the meeting. "Today we've received an additional agreement, which envisages the fundamental and important assistance in fulfilling Georgia's territorial defense goals."

Observers say that enhanced cooperation can play a crucial role in shaping the future architecture of Georgias currently underfunded armed forces.

Within Georgia, there is debate about just what kind of army the country needs, located in a volatile region where major players such as Russia, Iran and Turkey all compete for influence.

A fifth of Georgia's territory is occupied by Russia, it is still involved in two unresolved conflicts, and neighbouring Armenia and Azerbaijan are at war with each other.

According to Lasha Dzebisashvili, associate professor at the International Black Sea University, the key security concern is a future large-scale military confrontation with Russia.

Short, medium and long-term plans for the future development of the armed forces all centre on this contingency.

"Of course, the Georgian armed forces are focused on defence," Dzebisashvili told IWPR. "We have no plans for hegemony. In this scenario other countries are considered, but this is the basic paradigm."

For years, Tbilisi viewed joining NATO as a guarantee of the countrys security, until the 2008 war dashed its hopes for membership.

Since then, Georgia has received over 481 million dollars in bilateral security assistance funding from the US to support its resilience against foreign coercion, Michael Carpenter, deputy assistant secretary of defence, told the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations last month.

But experts note that a significant portion of Georgias defence budget is spent on social support for servicemen.

Steps taken in recent years to cut costs in the military while increasing its efficiency - including abolishing the navy and the air force - have not been enough.

The 2008 war with Russia showed that weapons such as anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems are essential. But they are expensive; the cost of a single shot from the portable anti-tank missile system Javelin costs more than 50,000 US dollars.

Now, the focus is on reforming the actual structure and compositon of the army.

Changes have already been made; on July 9, Khidasheli announced the end of compulsory conscription.

Until now, men between 18 and 27 years of age were drafted twice a year to serve a period of 12 months.

But the number actually allocated to the army was very small.

Out of 3,183 men recruited between February 1 and June 30 this year, 720 were sent to the ministry of interior, 1,020 to the department of corrections, 443 to the state security service and only 1,000 to the ministry of defence.

Irakli Mchedlishvili, project director of the Civil Council on Defence and Security, said that conscription was mostly for the benefit of the prison system and the ministry of interior.

"What shall [the government] tell the people - the fatherland needs prison guards?" Mchedlishvili told IWPR. "In fact, the ministry of interior and the prison system have used the ministry of defence as a shield so they can say that conscription is carried out to protect the country. But in reality, this call has nothing to do with defence."

A central issue is that, compared with its neighbours, Georgias current army of 37,000 soldiers, funded with a budget of about 670 million lari (280 million dollars), is relatively modest.

According to World Bank data, in 2014 Azerbaijan had 81,950 soldiers, with media reports that it could also draw on 300,000 reservists and a military budget of up to two billion dollars.

As for Armenia, in 2014 it had a standing army of 49,100. Accordig to various media reports, it also has 210,000 reservists and a budget of over 400 million dollars. Nagorny Karabakh has up to 25,000 soldiers and around 20,000 reservists.

There are Russian armed forces in the nearby Southern Military District, which includes neighbouring Armenia and the occupied territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia,

Earlier this year, Russian minister of defence Sergei Shoigu announced that three new divisions with 10,000 soldiers each would be set up in Russia, one of them in the Southern Military District. This is to counteract NATOs buildup near Russia's borders.

The government, in cooperation with NATO experts, is considering several models. One is a mixed system, which includes all three components - a professional army, conscription and reserve forces. However, one of the main obstacles is the insufficient military budget.

The reserve model created by the previous government did not live up to expectations due to the reservists low level of preparedness, according to the ministry of defence.

Many of them never actually served in the army, instead receiving just 18 days of training before being enlisted into the reserves.

This proved highly inadequate during the 2008 war with Russia, when many reservists simply did not know what to do.

One project under consideration looks at creating a pool of three categories - army reserve, territorial reserve and reserve specialists.

Under this system, former contractors and career officers would make up the army reserve.

Many analysts agree that a country with unresolved conflicts and external threats cannot fully reject conscription.

"If our main military strategic objective is to create a sufficient deterrent, an army made up of only professionals will not be enough," said Giorgi Antadze, a PhD candidate who researches security issues at the IB Euro-Caucasian University.

"The reserve is an alternative. But to have enough trained reserve personnel, one has to hold a draft," he said. "It is clear that the current system of conscription needs to be changed, but it should not be abandoned."

Giorgi Tskhvitava is a freelance journalist in Georgia.

Copyright notice:  Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Disclaimer

This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.
walkman4mba wrote:

A controversial figure throughout most of his public life, the Black leader Marcus Garvey advocated that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom .



(A) that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom

(B) that some Blacks return to the African land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him

(C) that some Blacks return to Africa which was the land which symbolized the possibility of freedom to him

(D) some Blacks returning to Africa which was the land that to him symbolized the possibility of freedom

(E) some Blacks return to the land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him, Africa

PanpaliaAnshul



Owner of Angles and Arguments





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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

What does the sentence want to tell you? That Marcus advocated something. What is 'something'? Some Blacks should return to Africa. To him, Africa symbolised the possibility of freedom(D) and (E) are incorrect straight away because of Black's. What we want to say is plural Blacks, not possessive Black's.When we have "to him" at the end, it could mean that Africa symbolized the possibility of freedom to him only. But actually what he wanted to say was that Africa symbolises the possibility of freedom to all Blacks. It didn't offer freedom to only Marcus. As per Marcus it offered freedom to all Blacks.Hence (A) is much better. Also, (C) is quite convoluted with multiple uses of 'which'._________________
NATO Can Refloat Romania's Black Sea Naval Initiative (Part Two)

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Vladimir Socor Publication Date 19 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 130 Related Document(s) NATO Can Refloat Romania's Black Sea Naval Initiative (Part One) Cite as Jamestown Foundation, NATO Can Refloat Romania's Black Sea Naval Initiative (Part Two), 19 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 130, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f716c4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

It was a summit of modest expectations and modest results for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Warsaw on July 8-9. These results are of an interim nature: building blocks for further decisions at upcoming ministerial meetings, not waiting until the next summit. The Warsaw results do not, as yet, correlate with the growth in Russia's capacity to threaten, intimidate, or subvert the Alliance generally and its eastern-now "frontline"-member countries in particular.

NATO's summit communique and a post-summit statement by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg indicate that the Alliance's next meeting of defense ministers will reconsider Romania's initiative to establish a framework for joint naval exercises by riparian and non-riparian NATO allies in the Black Sea. Romanian President Klaus Iohannis has announced that Romania will persist with this initiative (see EDM, June 24, July 15, 18).

The riparian allies Bulgaria and Turkey did not support Romania's initiative at this summit. Their support would have been a minimal precondition to approval by the Alliance. For a successful reconsideration down the road, a pre-coordinated stance of the three riparian countries will be required. This would in turn enable the United States to support the initiative. Bulgaria's reasonable concerns need to be addressed (which seems feasible) while the ramifications of Turkey's internal and external crises will need to be circumnavigated (a daunting task after the July 15-16 coup attempt there).

Bulgaria's head of state and its foreign affairs and defense ministers had apparently endorsed Romania's proposal in general terms, until Prime Minister Boyko Borissov overruled them shortly before NATO's summit. From June 16 onward and continuing after the summit, Borissov came out squarely against the proposal. The other three aforementioned officials, however, called for a proposal with NATO's direct involvement, as reinsurance against possible Russian counteractions. These Bulgarian pro-NATO officials are wary about a "regional," i.e. trilateral format (Romania-Bulgaria-Turkey) of the riparian allies. Instead, they seek a wider format with the participation of NATO allies and a political link to NATO.

Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev went on record with these positions:

The proposed framework for joint naval exercises must first be considered at the NATO level (press conference-BTA, June 16).

As a sign of Alliance support, experts from NATO staff should participate in planning joint exercises. Any new initiatives should be implemented under NATO's umbrella, not as a "regional" effort (briefing-Novinite, June 17).

Bulgaria has not made a commitment to participate in "trilateral" or "regional" initiatives with Turkey and Romania (parliamentary hearing-Novinite, June 24).

Given Russia's military buildup in the Black Sea, "NATO should offset the imbalance and demonstrate that it will protect all its members" (government meeting-Novinite, June 24).

(Dismissing Borissov's idea that demilitarizing the Black Sea is preferable to NATO exercises): "Everybody can dream about peace" (press briefing-Novinite, July 12).

Foreign Affairs Minister Daniel Mitov expressed these views publicly:

NATO as a defensive alliance has obligations to protect its allies and provide deterrence. "Bulgaria has always advocated for enhanced allied presence and exercises in the Black Sea, but under the flag of NATO. NATO has long debated the format of an enhanced NATO presence in the Black Sea, but no concrete decisions have been made yet" (interview-BTA, June 18).

Bulgaria is open to exercises in the Black Sea, but not in a "regional format." NATO must show its resolve to defend member states, reacting to the imbalances created by Russia's annexation of Crimea and military buildup (briefing-Novinite, June 22).

The Alliance needs a balanced approach toward the northern part and the southern part of NATO's eastern flank (government meeting-BTA, June 24).

From Georgia 2008 to Crimea 2014, "the power balance in the Black Sea region has been upset dramatically. [However,] NATO has responded mainly with training events, aiming to ensure greater transparency. Bulgaria favors a stronger presence of NATO in the Black Sea in order to deter and prevent conflicts" (parliamentary hearing-BTA, June 29).

President Rossen Plevneliev (who will step down when his term expires in October) also went on record as follows:

"Bulgaria will support it [Romania's proposal] only in a NATO format." "Any decision must be made on the political level in NATO" (press conference-BTA, June 16).

Bulgaria "will insist that the Black Sea should not be left out of focus, while NATO's efforts concentrate to the north and to the south [of the Black Sea]." Bulgaria needs more presence, more exercises in the Black Sea (briefing-BTA, July 8).

To address Russia's militarization of Crimea and the power imbalance, NATO should develop a proposal on enhanced forward presence in the Black Sea. This "should not be a trilateral initiative," but "is possible only under the aegis of NATO, and open to all allied countries" (press conference-BTA, July 10).

In contrast to those carefully considered views, Prime Minister Borissov's response sounded improvised in content and emotional in form. Apparently he had not attentively studied the Romanian proposal ahead of President Iohannis's June 16 presentation of it in Sofia. Borissov's spontaneous responses:

"I want to see sailboats, yachts, tourists, peace and love in our Black Sea resorts. I do not want frigates criss-crossing the sea, [this] would be risking a military conflict." However, "no one should doubt our pro-NATO position." Bulgaria hosts U.S. troops, conducts exercises with U.S., is ready for exercises with Romania (press conference-BTA, June 16).

"I do not want Bulgaria to be Russia's enemy and to be bypassed by [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and [Russian Prime Minister Dmitry] Medvedev on their Balkan visits." Bulgaria needs [from Russia] energy projects, travel visa facilitation and market access (press conference-BTA, July 1).

"Better a good peace than a good war. I would even go to extremes in this regard. The Black Sea should be declared a demilitarized zone without missiles, ships and submarines, a zone where we hope to obtain natural gas, with more opportunities for trade and tourism" (remarks during visit in the countryside-BTA, July 9).

An emotional and colorful style is a Borissov characteristic regardless of the topic at hand. In this case, his remarks were hasty, not well prepared and, therefore, possibly open to his reconsideration. Borissov is one of the most pro-Western prime ministers in Bulgarian history, opposes Russian influence in the country, and has (albeit reluctantly) liquidated Russia's largest-ever energy projects in Bulgaria (Burgas-Alexandroupolis oil pipeline, Belene nuclear power plant and South Stream gas pipeline), at considerable political risk to his government and himself. At present, his Western-oriented government holds a fragile parliamentary majority, could hardly risk pre-term elections, and cannot be certain that Plevneliev would be replaced by a similarly pro-Western head of state.

It would be wrong to blame Bulgaria's response on traditional Russophilia in the country, although the government must take that sentiment among voters into account when setting foreign policy. The defense and foreign affairs ministers, as well as the head of state, have actually called for greater NATO involvement in the proposed joint exercises, as a reinsurance measure vis-a-vis Russia (see above).

All this suggests that Romania's initiative has fair chances of success with Bulgaria, if the government's views are duly tested and taken into account.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
NATO Can Refloat Romania's Black Sea Naval Initiative (Part One)

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Vladimir Socor Publication Date 18 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 129 Related Document(s) NATO Can Refloat Romania's Black Sea Naval Initiative (Part Two) Cite as Jamestown Foundation, NATO Can Refloat Romania's Black Sea Naval Initiative (Part One), 18 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 129, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f71dd4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

It was a summit of modest expectations and modest results for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Warsaw on July 8-9. These results are of an interim nature: building blocks for further decisions at upcoming ministerial meetings, not waiting until the next summit. The Warsaw results do not, as yet, correlate with the growth in Russia's capacity to threaten, intimidate, or subvert the Alliance generally and its eastern-now "frontline"-member countries in particular.

NATO resolved, in its Warsaw Summit final communique, that with regard to the Black Sea, the Alliance will "support, as appropriate, regional efforts by the Black Sea littoral states, aimed at ensuring security and stability (Nato.int, July 9, para. 23). Furthermore, "Options for a strengthened NATO air and maritime presence will be assessed" (Para. 41).

The mention of a possible air presence is a positive novelty. NATO operates an air policing mission in the Baltic States from the moment of their accession to the Alliance (2004, and doubled in strength since 2014), but NATO has no such air operation in the Black Sea region.

However, the summit delayed the consideration of Romania's proposal to establish a regular format for joint naval exercises in the Black Sea. The communique's reference to a possible maritime presence is an echo of those discussions; and the reassessment is intended for the Alliance's Defense Ministers' meeting in October. The communique's term "maritime" presence stops carefully short of "naval" presence and "multinational naval group," which Romania had in fact proposed. And NATO-supported regional efforts by the littoral states (as per the communique) does not connote the same as efforts by NATO as such (which is the case in the Baltic region).

At his post-summit press conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that NATO military staff would prepare proposals for the defense ministers' October meeting, "on whether or how to enhance NATO's forward presence in the Black Sea region, not on land, which will be provided with a brigade, but in the air and at sea" (Nato.int, July 10).

Months ahead of NATO's summit, Romania had presented Bulgaria and Turkey with a proposal for joint naval exercises in the Black Sea. Such exercises would be conducted in combination with warships of NATO member countries (mainly from the United States but also British and French) that are periodically entering the Black Sea for exercises and port calls, in full compliance with the Montreux Convention.

Romania's defense and foreign affairs ministers, Mihnea Motoc and Lazar Comanescu, had discussed the proposal in detail with their Bulgarian counterparts between April and June, in bilateral meetings as well as during NATO pre-summit meetings. The rationale was explained:

"To achieve inter-operability, enabling us to receive allied support when needed. Flying the allied flag to demonstrate that free navigation and free access exist in the Black Sea. Starting with the riparian allied countries, and open to partners Ukraine and Georgia, with participation by non-riparian NATO allies." It would be a "regular framework for joint naval training and exercises." "Once we develop it through exercises, we hope for the participation of other allies in these exercises in the Black Sea." "The main goal of this initiative is to achieve inter-operability among the navies of the three [riparian] NATO allies [[ ultimately under NATO's umbrella, as all three countries are NATO allies" (Rompres, Mediafax, News.ro, April 4, May 20, June 16, 17).

What remained unclear was (and remains) the exact nature of the link to NATO: whether the proposed framework was to be "regional" (of riparian countries) with intermittent participation of ships from non-riparian allied countries, or was it to be authorized by the Alliance at the political level, at best as a NATO-flagged operation.

On June 16, in Sofia, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis aired the proposal publicly together with his Bulgarian counterpart Rossen Plevneliev. The latter strongly endorsed it, reaffirming the Bulgarian foreign affairs and defense ministers' preliminary consent (see above). By that time, some Romanian and Bulgarian media were portraying this cooperation proposal in sensationalist terms as a "NATO fleet in the Black Sea."

The possible lack of a NATO umbrella and the perceived risk of further disturbing Bulgaria's relations with Russia alarmed Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov. He persuaded Bulgaria's government to revoke the preliminary consent to Romania's proposal. Still during President Iohannis's visit in Bulgaria, Borissov appeared at a joint press conference with Plevneliev and Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev, at which all three called for a time-out on the Romanian proposal.

Romania's initiative does not presuppose any supplementary ship procurement beyond what has already been approved by each country. Bucharest has approved funding and announced a tender to upgrade its two British-made frigates, with deadlines to complete the work by 2018 and 2020, respectively. It considers acquisitions of multi-functional corvettes under the Romanian armed forces' modernization program, target date 2027. And it plans to refit its one remaining submarine (HotNews, April 4). The Bulgarian parliament has approved funding for the government's plan to procure two new, multi-purpose patrol ships with a modular design during a five-year period, replacing Soviet-era vessels. Bulgaria will also refit two old Belgian-made frigates currently in Bulgaria's inventory, so that they could participate in NATO operations in the next 15 years (Novinite, May 27, June 2).

The Bulgarian government will almost certainly reconsider the proposal after NATO's summit. Turkey, consumed with challenges in its own neighborhood as well as domestically, has not reacted publicly, one way or the other, to Romania's initiative. Bucharest will undoubtedly continue working on it and discuss it with Sofia and Ankara, ahead of NATO's October ministerial.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Georgia Receives 'Maximum Possible' at NATO's Warsaw Summit

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Giorgi Menabde Publication Date 18 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 129 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Georgia Receives 'Maximum Possible' at NATO's Warsaw Summit, 18 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 129, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f73f84.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

Several paragraphs of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) final Warsaw Summit communique (July 9) refer to long-time NATO-aspirant Georgia (Nato.int, July 9). The Alliance expressed its readiness to ramp up dialogue and cooperation with Georgia and Ukraine on strengthening Black Sea regional security. The document noted the input of Georgia and other non-NATO partner countries in the alliance's peacekeeping activities. The communique confirmed its "open door" policy and encouraged the "Euro-Atlantic aspirations of Georgia." NATO reiterated the point of the Bucharest declaration that Georgia "would become a NATO member," but only through the Membership Action Plan (MAP) as an integral part of the accession process. The organization welcomed the significant progress in the implementation of the Substantial NATO-Georgia Package, which was initiated at the 2014 summit in Wales. NATO proposed additional practical ways to intensify efforts, including support to Georgia's crisis management capabilities, training and exercises, and improvements in strategic communications. In addition, NATO stated that it would provide support to the development of Georgia's air defense and air surveillance. Finally, the North Atlantic Alliance reiterated its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia within its internationally recognized borders. At the same time, NATO welcomed Georgia's commitment not to use force and called on Russia to reciprocate. NATO also called on Russia to reverse its recognition of the separatist Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states, to stop its construction of border-like obstacles along the administrative boundary lines, and to withdraw its forces from Georgia (Civil Georgia, July 9).

Immediately after the conclusion of the Warsaw Summit, Georgian Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli stated that her country received the "maximum possible, especially as, the question of Georgia's membership in NATO was not discussed at NATO's summit in Warsaw." The minister especially noted the point about strengthening cooperation in the Black Sea and the inclusion of Georgia into the joint system of Black Sea security (1tv.ge, July 11).

Prior to the summit, top NATO officials made more far-reaching proposals regarding Georgia. For example, the Alliance's Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow proposed to grant both Georgia, and Ukraine the status of "associated partner of NATO." Vershbow also spoke about establishing a "joint naval group" in the Black Sea, based on the formula "28+2," which would include Georgia and Ukraine (Kommersant, April 17).

Such radical ideas, however, did not come to fruition in Warsaw; nor did the Georgian government succeed in acquiring MAP. Earlier, Minister Khidasheli repeatedly stated that if Tbilisi did not receive a "roadmap" for NATO accession, it could result in the defeat of the pro-Western forces during the parliamentary elections, scheduled for October 8, and Georgia might cease to be an independent state (see EDM, March 11).

Khidasheli later softened her rhetoric. Together with President Giorgi Margvelashili and Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, she praised the results of the Warsaw Summit. US Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Georgia two days prior to the opening of the forum in Poland became the main reason for the Georgian leadership's optimism (Civil Georgia, July 6).

Kerry reiterated the United States' support for Georgia's NATO aspirations and signed with Prime Minister Kvirikashvili the "Memorandum to Expand Defense Cooperation." According to the US Secretary of State, Washington was prepared to "improve the interoperability, sustainability, and deployability of Georgia's forces [] to be able to work and cooperate with the other forces of NATO." In the context of Georgia's security, the memorandum for the first time noted the need for joint evaluations of threats, including threats to US military equipment and personnel deployed on Georgian territory. The US is also prepared to supply defense weaponry to Georgia (Civil Georgia, July 6).

Georgian officials do not regard the US-Georgian memorandum as a "consolation prize" in place of MAP. An analyst with the news agency GHN, Nika Imnaishvili, explained that, "Since the leading European NATO members are not prepared to accept Georgia into the Alliance yet or to give us MAP, the US is demonstrating that it intends to cooperate with Georgia within the NATO framework, but on a bilateral basis, which does not contradict US obligations." Although Moscow successfully pressured Berlin and Paris to reject a "roadmap" for Georgian membership, the Kremlin cannot force European countries to obstruct US-Georgian bilateral defense cooperation, he noted (Author's interview, July 12).

The US-Georgian memorandum is one important step in the latter country's evolving relationship with the Alliance. During the latest meeting of the NATO-Georgia Commission, in Warsaw, the organization also unveiled new initiatives for supporting the development of Georgia's air defense system (Civil Georgia, July 8). Specifically, Tbilisi has asked the Alliance to help bolster the capabilities of the air defense system Georgia had agreed to purchase earlier from France (its delivery is still forthcoming). Last month, in a meeting in Paris with her French counterpart, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Khidasheli announced that the Georgian air defense system would be fully integrated with NATO's broader system "from the very first day in January 2017-when we start the implementation of the active phase of the French agreement" (Civil Georgia, June 14). During the Warsaw Summit, NATO stated that the Allies will provide support for the development of Georgia's air defense and air surveillance. Furthermore, the Alliance pledged to support Georgia's efforts to reform its cyber defense system, military aviation and logistics (Civil Georgia, July 8).

Dr. Vakhtang Maisaya, a former advisor to Georgia's permanent representative to NATO, said that the Alliance's decision to establish a joint naval group in the Aegean Sea, rather than in the Black Sea, was disappointing. Nonetheless, NATO expressed its full political support for Georgia. "Importantly, in September, a NATO council session will convene in Tbilisi. In November, new joint NATO-Georgia military exercises will take place on the territory of our country. Thus, the Alliance demonstrates it does not intend to abandon our country one-on-one with Russia," Maisaya argued (Author's interview, July 11).

Although NATO did not take any radical steps toward Georgia in Warsaw, optimists note the process must be looked at with the proper perspective. Georgia's relations with the world's most powerful military alliance are much closer now than several years ago. In the past, despite general declarations of preparedness to accept Georgia into NATO, member states like the US and France did not develop bilateral relations with Georgia comparable to their more recent deals on air defense and defensive weaponry sales. Now, Georgia has such deals from leading NATO member countries, and more can be expected.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Russia Wanders the War Zones and Political Badlands of the Middle East

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Pavel K. Baev Publication Date 13 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 126 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russia Wanders the War Zones and Political Badlands of the Middle East, 13 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 126, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f75e84.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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Russia's military intervention in Syria is clearly not going well. Last Friday (July 8), another helicopter was reportedly shot down near Palmyra, and the Russian Ministry of Defense, after an initial denial, had to admit that the downed aircraft was not a Syrian Mi-25, but a Russian Mi-35M on a combat mission from the Khmeimym airbase near Latakia (Kommersant, July 11). President Vladimir Putin felt obliged to interrupt his "disappearing act" and made a pilgrimage to the remote Valaam Monastery in Karelia, where he asked the resident Orthodox monks to pray for the two pilots who lost their lives (Kremlin.ru, July 11). Prayers were not the full extent of the Russian response, however. On Monday, six long-range Tu-22M3 bombers delivered a strike on an Islamic State (IS) camp, allegedly destroying three tanks (Gazeta.ru, July 12). This one-off resort to heavy bombing provides little reassurance: it was to be expected that the small grouping of Russian Aerospace Forces presently involved in high-risk operations and dealing with strained logistics would suffer new casualties.

What is not certain at all is the strategic purpose of continuing these operations. Russia's intervention saved Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last autumn, but the Russian effort was not large enough to secure for him a decisive advantage in the multi-party civil war; the retaking of Palmyra last March was merely a symbolic victory (see EDM, March 17, 29). Putin surprised his own top brass that month by ordering a reduction of the grouping in Latakia by half; and that has left al-Assad only able to hold the line, relying on massive Russian military aid, which cannot be sustained indefinitely (Lenta.ru, July 2). Russia's sole aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, is scheduled to arrive to the Eastern Mediterranean in October, but this experiment in projecting air power from the sea is unlikely to make a major impact on the course of entrenched battles in Aleppo or, indeed, Damascus (TASS, July 4).

The Kremlin is certainly aware that its forceful support of the al-Assad regime pits Russia in a profound conflict of interests with most other external stakeholders in the Syrian war. The only exceptions are Iran, which remains ambivalent about the scope of its involvement, and Israel, for whom the authoritarian Syrian leader is a lesser evil compared with the rise of Islamist extremism (Russiancouncil.ru, June 14). Many Moscow commentators predict that the United States' push for "regime change" in Syria will lead to a direct clash with the Russian expeditionary forces; and some have presented last week's downing of the helicopter as corroborating evidence (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, July 11). Putin sought to reduce this risk by initiating a new conversation on Syria with US President Barack Obama last week, but they failed to reach any common understanding regarding the means and ends of extinguishing the war (RBC, July 7). Now, US State Secretary John Kerry is coming to Moscow with a heavy portfolio of problems, including the latest spy scandal, hoping to secure a new compromise on the preservation of the partial ceasefire in Syria (RIA Novosti, July 11).

Somewhat easing the pressure on the Russian forces in Syria has been the swift de-escalation of the conflict with Turkey (see EDM, July 7). President Recep Tayyip Erdogan found it opportune to offer an elliptic apology for shooting down the Russian Su-24 bomber last November, and Putin jumped on this opportunity to minimize the damage from the emotional quarrel by lifting the sanctions (Carnegie.ru, June 30). Russians responded to this reconciliation with quite remarkable enthusiasm. In a matter of a few days, Turkey became the most popular destination for summer tourism, and all the negative perceptions induced by months of Russian anti-Turkish propaganda disappeared without a trace (Novaya Gazeta, June 30). The extra-swift restoration of economic ties does not mean, however, that the sharp disagreements over Syria are overcome, as Turkey remains resolutely opposed to the continuation of the al-Assad regime and fiercely hostile to the Syrian Kurdish forces (YPG), who gained some political support from Moscow (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, July 6).

Russia is keen to restart its cooperation with Turkey against terrorism, particularly since the resumption of high-level dialogue coincided with the tragic June 28 terrorist attack in Istanbul; but this effort inevitably stumbles over familiar problems (Kommersant, July 1). Despite the loud official condemnation of the Islamic State, Russian forces are not prioritizing the fight against this quasi-state, instead targeting other groupings, like the al-Nusra Front, which present a more immediate threat to al-Assad's forces (RIA Novosti, July 12). At the same time, Moscow is carefully monitoring US operations against the IS, both in Syria and in Iraq, emphasizing the setbacks but downplaying the steady advances (Gazeta.ru, July 7).

The terrorist attack in Istanbul revealed the scope of engagement of various extremist cells in Russia and Central Asia into the IS networks, as 11 Russians were detained in the course of investigation of the deadly plot masterminded in Syria (RBC, July 6; Kommersant, July 5). While Russian authorities were not unduly concerned about the outflow of radicalized youth to the war zones in the Middle East, now the return flow of seasoned fighters constitutes a grave security challenge, which has not as yet manifested itself in a wave of terrorist attacks inside Russia (Kavkazsky Uzel, July 13). The Kremlin, however, sees no particular need to concentrate state resources on deterring this threat, and Putin feels free to engage in his pastime of reshuffling over-ambitious government personnel and balancing their feuding clans (Slon.ru, July 1). This indifference may well come from the assumption that a large-scale terrorist attack in Moscow could mobilize public support for the Kremlin in the run-up to the parliamentary elections in September, much the same way as it happened at the start of Putin's political career in 1999.

The Middle East is a theater of secondary importance in these political intrigues aimed at preserving Putin's monopoly on power, and he has already harvested all the propaganda dividends from launching a small-scale but high-impact intervention. Kerry might, therefore, succeed in negotiating a deal on mutual restraint in targeting particular "safe areas" by air strikes, which cannot last long, because the fronts of the civil war are quickly shifting, while al-Assad's forces will likely try to sabotage such a deal. It might be possible for the West to dissuade Moscow from being an active spoiler in Syria, but as the Russian intervention encounters new setbacks, the desire to retaliate by indiscriminate bombing will prevail over any common strategic sense.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Russia's Western Flank: A Mighty Pillar or a Headache? (Part Two)

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Sergey Sukhankin Publication Date 19 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 130 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russia's Western Flank: A Mighty Pillar or a Headache? (Part Two), 19 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 130, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f76644.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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Russia's posture in the Baltic Sea region appears contradictory: a declarative prioritization of this flank-including by deploying Iskander theater ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad (see Part One, EDM, July 11)-is hardly compatible with the real state of affairs in the Russian Baltic Sea Fleet, whose alleged might is said to represent the Kremlin's regional ambitions. This dichotomy was clearly highlighted on June 29, when Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the Baltic Fleet commander, Rear Admiral Viktor Kravchuk, and his chief of staff, Rear Admiral Sergey Popov, would be fired for a "distortion of reality and serious shortcomings in the domain of military training, daily routine, living conditions and the lack of care for military personnel" (Newkaliningrad.ru, June 29). However, the statement lacked any specific facts upon which the decision was taken. Later, on June 30, the media reported that 50 more top-ranking military officials (ranging from Captain 1st rank to Admiral) constituting the officer corps of the Baltic Sea Fleet would be suspended from performing their duties (Newkaliningrad.ru, June 30). The Ministry of Defense has remained largely silent on the details that spurred such a drastic and largely unexpected move, which is indeed unprecedented when compared to Russian historical experience to date.

These decisions appeared to undermine and contradict the results of a recent major inspection of the Baltic Fleet, from May 10 to June 11, which was pointedly positively assessed by the Kremlin. Also, in July 2015, President Vladimir Putin himself visited the headquarters of the Baltic Fleet and reportedly did not express any discontent with what he observed there. Thus, the decisiveness, rapidity and wide scope of these changes have baffled not only the Kaliningrad-based expert community but commander Kravchuk as well (Kommersant.ru, June 29). Russian military expert Mikhail Khodarenko argued that such harsh retribution must have stemmed from grave violations of the rules and extremely serious misdemeanors by members of the outgoing Baltic Fleet command (Ren.tv, June 30).

Nevertheless, a deeper look at these events provides a somewhat broader picture and identifies a new angle for analysis. Various published testimonies as well as the results of a number of recent journalistic investigations reveal many aspects that seem to have been glossed over by boastful propagandist rhetoric. The scope of the discoveries presents a systemically much more serious situation. Namely, it would not be an exaggeration to suggest that the real state of affairs in the Baltic Sea Fleet is downright terrible: widespread corruption, bribery, larceny, absenteeism and a lack of professionalism have for years been a normal, routine mode of life (Fontanka.ru, June 29). Perhaps, the final straw that infuriated the Kremlin had to do with a purported April 2016 incident between the Polish submarine Orze and the Russian submarine Krasnodar, which the Polish side has vociferously denied ever happened (Poranny.pl, June 28). If it did in fact occur, however, the collision between the two vessels could have easily resulted in the repetition of the Kursk tragedy of August 2000, when the eponymous nuclear submarine sank during exercises in the Barents Sea, killing all 118 sailors aboard. According to unofficial Russian sources, the Krasnodar was severely damaged in the accident, and the Baltic Fleet command tried to conceal the fact, which triggered a major inspection, bringing to light massive shortcomings and a gruesome reality. Moreover, a tragic incident (which is presented as such with many details still unknown) in which a Russian marine shot a midshipman has once again posed numerous questions about the level of safety, discipline, and the overall atmosphere of relations among the personnel in the Baltic Fleet (Newkaliningrad.ru, April 7).

Indeed, the reality of such a 21st century "Potemkin village" seriously challenges Moscow's expressed commitment to prioritizing the Baltic flank in the Russian security architecture. The latest developments have once again raised doubts and questions about the profitability (and the fate) of Russia's huge financial injections into its military as well as Moscow's confident posture in the region based on the declared might of the Baltic Sea Fleet. And the mass firings of the Baltic Fleet's top-ranking officials may have just been the tip of the iceberg: reportedly, the Baltic Fleet will be subjected to yet another round of weighty inspections at the end of the year and a series of smaller ones that are currently taking place (RIA Novosti, July 2).

Judging by the intermediate results as well as by the mood at the top echelons of the Russian political leadership, the Baltic Fleet military command can expect much greater attention from Moscow, at least temporarily. Revelations (albeit quite incomplete) of humiliating details of weakness and the wide-ranging evidence of internal malaise poisoning the hearts and minds of military personnel stationed in Kaliningrad could become a prelude to much more aggressive and intense reparatory actions by the Kremlin. Repressive actions could (at least on an ad hoc basis) project the image of a convalescing Baltic Sea Fleet, whose effectiveness is increasing due to a number of harsh and decisive measures initiated from "above." By following this policy path and drawing public attention away from genuine sources of instability for Russia, the Kremlin will most certainly mange to evade criticism, which will instead be leveled against local authorities and low- to mid-level functionaries. Moreover, considering the general logic and patterns of behavior of Russian elites, the Baltic Fleet fiasco is likely to be muted over time since further investigations might bring to the light further undesirable results. Such was the case with the notorious 2012 "Serdyukov affair," whereby former defense minister Anatoly Serdyukov was dismissed as a result of an investigation into corruption surrounding the defense ministry-controlled holding company Oboronservis (see EDM, November 29, 2012).

Thus, the Russian stance and strength in the Baltic region should not be overestimated: Moscow can no longer successfully conceal its weaknesses as before. The image portraying the Baltic Sea Fleet and Russian regional posture as unchallengeable is becoming dated and inaccurate.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Russia's Western Flank: A Mighty Pillar or a Headache? (Part One)

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Sergey Sukhankin Publication Date 20 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 124 Related Document(s) Russia's Western Flank: A Mighty Pillar or a Headache? (Part Two) Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russia's Western Flank: A Mighty Pillar or a Headache? (Part One), 20 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 124, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f76b84.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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The end of June 2016 featured two noticeable events that might alter Russian posture in the Baltic Sea region: Moscow resurrected its threats to deploy Iskander-M ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad oblast, and the Russian high command carried out an unprecedented in Russian history "decapitation" of the Baltic Sea Fleet (see EDM, July 6). At first glance, these two developments appear weakly connected and even contradictory. However, taken together they highlight the genuine nature of Russia's current stance in the Baltic and its overall vision for the region.

On June 25, the former commander-in-chief of the Black Sea Fleet and the current chairman of the State Duma's Defense Committee, Vladimir Komoedov (a member of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation), admitted that the westernmost Russian region of Kaliningrad may, "in the short term," be equipped with Iskander-M ballistic missiles as a response to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) activities in the Baltic region (Interfax, June 25). Also, Komoedov noted that the Baltic Sea Fleet (based out of the port of Baltyisk, Kaliningrad) is likely to receive a large landing craft, Alexander Gren, and other types of advanced weaponry. Furthermore, he firmly stated that Kaliningrad is a Russian "outpost" in the Baltic that is being "encircled" by NATO forces. According to the high-ranking parliamentarian, Kaliningrad oblast's military potential should be dramatically increased so that it can stand up to this threat from the North Atlantic Alliance.

This statement did not appear out of nowhere. On June 15, Major-General Leonid Ivashev, a vice president at the Moscow-based Academy on Geopolitical Affairs, called on Russian authorities to install BM-30 Smerch heavy multiple rocket launchers along with other types of precision-guided munitions, aviation and cruise missiles in Kaliningrad (Kaliningrad.ru, June 15). Before that, on June 5, the first deputy chairman of the Defense and Security Committee of the Federation Council, Frantz Klintsevych, accused NATO of preparing to deliver a "global strike" against Russia via the Baltic States, Romania and Poland (Interfax, June 5).

Andrei Krasov, a Russian Airborne Troops colonel and a Hero of the Russian Federation, reiterated the possibility of Iskanders being sent to Kaliningrad, also adding Crimea to the "list" of potential sites of deployment (Interfax, June 23). Speaking about the missiles in Kaliningrad, Krasov boasted that nuclear warheads on the Iskander would be superfluous, predicting that the "enemy could be beaten with conventional weaponry." He also made an allusion to the defeats suffered by Adolf Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte on Russian soil. Colonel Krasov's remarks (including his ever-popular allusion to the experience of the Great Patriotic War-i.e., the Soviet Union's fight against Nazi Germany during World War II) were likely not a rhetorical improvisation. Rather, his comments were probably designed to echo President Vladimir Putin's speech delivered on June 22 (the day of the German invasion of the Soviet Union, in 1941). On this carefully chosen date, Putin demanded that "all necessary steps must be taken in light of NATO's aggressive [sic] behavior close to Russia's borders" (Interfax, June 22). Yet, the Russian leader failed to mention Russia's own actions in Ukraine, the unlawful annexation of Crimea, and a threefold growth in military expenditures over the course of his tenure as president.

The renewed discussion of Russian missiles in Kaliningrad by the country's top officials has revitalized the debate on this topic in the domestic expert community as well. Mikhail Barabanov, the editor-in chief of the Moscow Defense Brief magazine, claims that Iskander-M complexes will be deployed in Kaliningrad by 2019, as a replacement for the smaller Tochka-U system. Ivan Konovalov, from the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST), believes that the deployment of Iskander-Ms to Kaliningrad is "utterly probable" (Delfi.lt, June 24). Whereas, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that the redeployment of Iskanders to the Russian western exclave is still only in its planning stages within the Kremlin (RIA Novosti, July 3).

All that said, certain crucial conclusions can be drawn. First, ever since the Livonian War (1558-1583), the Baltic Sea region has been a high priority for Russian imperial ambitions, which are currently rising to new levels. The planned further militarization of Kaliningrad strongly suggests Moscow is determined to turn the Baltic Sea into its "mare nostrum"-with the help of the Baltic Sea Fleet and increasing military presence in its so-called "border regions."

Second, Kaliningrad is a recurring point of military pressure on European countries. Judging by escalating rhetoric coming from Moscow, this western oblast's capabilities are likely to be beefed-up in the short to medium term. In spite of its size, this "Russian island" could easily be transformed into a formidable militarized fortress, replicating the experience of the Soviet period. The installment of Iskander-M missiles (along with other advanced military equipment that could supplement the units and materiel already present) in Kaliningrad, in addition to Russian military activities in Crimea, creates an "arc of pressure" stretching from the Black to the Baltic Sea. Under these circumstances, the formidable deployed weaponry (with an estimated kill zone of up to 500 kilometers) would threaten a strategically vital area stretching from the Baltic Sea toward the Czech Republic and Ukraine.

Third, by constantly emphasizing "isolationist" and "militaristic" rhetoric when speaking about Kaliningrad, Russian authorities are artificially excluding this exclave from the dynamically developing Baltic Sea Rim (Interfax-AVN, June 25) and turning the oblast into a regional "scarecrow." This tendency once again corroborates a grim reality: Kaliningrad (and its population) continues to be a "pawn" in the hands of Russia's political-military top brass and remains a "geopolitical hostage" of the Kremlin's aggressive adventurism.

Fourth, even though Russian elites are demonstrating self-confidence and a dismissive attitude regarding NATO's regional activities, this outward facade may not fully reflect the actual state of affairs. Indeed, it is notable that the issue of the deployment of Iskander-M complexes to Kaliningrad had reemerged on the eve of the NATO summit in Warsaw (July 8-9), which was all along expected to underscore the Alliance's instrumental role in Central and Eastern Europe (Kresy.pl, June 10). Evidently, the rhetoric out of Moscow is meant to both frighten and divide NATO member states regarding the perceived level of threat coming from Russia.

Together, these developments signify mounting tensions in and over the Baltic Sea region. And if left unchecked, the Kremlin's ambitious projects and aggressive determination may lead to a further worsening of the situation.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Dialogue With Russia Produces Universal Frustration

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Pavel K. Baev Publication Date 18 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 129 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Dialogue With Russia Produces Universal Frustration, 18 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 129, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f771f4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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The idea of engaging in more dialogue with Russia is eagerly accepted by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), is being pursued by the United States, is cultivated by the Chinese leadership, and has again become embraced by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The latter even swallowed his pride and offered an elliptic apology for his country's air force having shot down a Russian bomber that violated Turkish airspace from Syria last November. The Russian-Turkish quarrel was declared finished-to the surprise of many Russians (Kommersant, July 15). A day after the attempted military coup in Turkey (July 15-16), President Vladimir Putin expressed his support for Turkey, during a phone conversation with Erdogan. The two leaders are expected to meet face to face at the beginning of August (Anadolu Agency, July 17). Putin has good reasons to worry about the threat of a palace coup at home and has been furiously reshuffling the overgrown security services.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Moscow last week (July 14-15) to sell a plan for closer bilateral coordination of military operations in Syria. Russian commentators did not miss the fact that the plan has many opponents in Washington, DC (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, July 15). Kerry's meeting with Putin lasted three hours, and talks with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov went twice as long; yet the results were meager (RBC, July 15). Russia's intervention in Syria is in trouble: the two limited airstrikes by six Tu-22M3 long-range bombers, on July 12, proved that the air force grouping deployed at the Hmeimym airbase near Latakia was stretched too thin to cope with the combat tasks in the multi-front civil war (Gazeta.ru, July 14). Kerry agreed with Russian demands to focus more on checking the offensive by the al-Nusrah Front but was not able to secure an agreement on halting the indiscriminate strikes by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Thus, the US Secretary of State had to admit that his suggestions "need more work in order to work" (Kommersant, July 15).

The Moscow talks once more reiterated the fact that Putin, Russia's ultimate "decider," habitually prefers not to commit. Nevertheless, his European colleagues had placed great emphasis on holding a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council on July 13, days after the North Atlantic Alliance's summit in Warsaw (Russiancouncil.ru, July 14). The Alliance demonstrated unity in political pledges to build up defensive capabilities in the Baltic theater. However, many member states insisted on explaining yet again the non-threatening character of these measures (Moscow Echo, July 11). NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg duly delivered the message about readiness to work on de-escalating military tensions, but the Russian response was predictably uncooperative (Novaya Gazeta, July 14). Ukraine continues to be the subject of profound disagreements, and Moscow's denials of direct involvement in the daily exchanges of heavy fire in the Donbas war zone mean that no substantive exchanges on this crucial European security problem are possible (Ezhednevny Zhurnal, July 14). Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is another leader utterly frustrated with the prospects of the Minsk peace process, even if German Chancellor Angela Merkel insists that there is no alternative to this format of fruitless negotiations (Nezavisimoe Voennoe Obozrenie, July 8).

Irritation over Moscow's self-serving ambiguity is also visibly growing in Beijing, despite their mutual habitual pledges of nurturing a trust-based strategic partnership. President Xi Jinping agreed to invest serious money in the Yamal liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, assuming this was of particular importance for Putin, who paid a shorter-than-usual visit to China last month (Carnegie.ru, June 27). In return, the Chinese side likely expected Russian support should the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague return an unfavorable decision on China's territorial dispute with the Philippines in the South China Sea (Nezavisimaya Gazeta, July 15). The verdict turned out to be even worse than Beijing had feared, but the Russian opinion was diplomatically strictly neutral (Kommersant, July 13). Rejecting the arbitration with extreme prejudice, China now feels obliged to increase its military "ownership" of various rocks and artificial islands-and it clearly believes it cannot count on support from its most important international partner (RBC, July 15).

What makes Russia's behavior so frustrating for many dialogue partners is that it feels free to move back and forth between a "principled" stance and bazaar-style bargaining, as if it is in a position to decide the outcome of major international issues at will. China, which puts supreme priority on sustaining economic growth, is puzzled over Russia's apparent complete disregard for its own deepening economic crisis-even though 77 percent of Russians understand the devastating situation their country is in (Levada.ru, July 13). The US leadership and its NATO allies, meanwhile, cannot logically connect Russian discourse on the primacy of international law with the fact of its breach of the key European norm of inviolability of borders created by the annexation of Crimea. And in Syria, it is quite hard for international stake-holders to reconcile Russia's geopolitical ambitions with the growing discontent among Russian Muslim communities, which creates a pool of recruits for extremist Islamist networks (Carnegie.ru, July 6).

Problems in keeping meaningful conversations with Moscow going are caused by more than just miscommunication and lack of trust: they emerge from a profound confusion over the interplay between Russia's foreign and domestic policies. The Russian leadership cannot afford to design a strategy for overcoming its maturing domestic economic crisis, since this would require implementing no-nonsense reforms. And so the government swings between denials of Russia's decline and attempts to manage it. The latter inform the cautious policy of cutting wasteful expenditures, visible for instance in Moscow's restrained response to NATO's Anaconda 2016 military exercises or in curtailing its Syrian intervention; the former dictate more demonstrations of power. The problem with this combination of growing weakness and imagined strength is that the management of decline does not work. So when Putin tries to show careful statesmanship in the face of a sharp crisis, partners find it hard to believe him, knowing that he may simply be looking for an opportunity to score another victory by projecting military power on the cheap. Putin is almost certainly not a compulsive gambler, and he would much prefer to enjoy stable relations with key peers. But his street-smart instincts tell him that Russia is losing every regulated competition, so he feels compelled to continue breaking international rules and norms. His conversations with world leaders are merely a cover-up for this compulsion.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Moscow 'Bypassing' Armenia to Reach Azerbaijan, Iran and India

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Paul Goble Publication Date 19 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 130 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Moscow 'Bypassing' Armenia to Reach Azerbaijan, Iran and India, 19 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 130, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f776e4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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Perhaps the most important geopolitical development of mid-July 2016 was not the continuing conflict in the South China Sea, the failed coup in Turkey, or terrorist violence in France-all of which attracted considerable international attention-but rather the quiet signing, in Moscow, of an agreement by Russian, Iranian, Azerbaijani and Indian officials to open a north-south rail line in the Caucasus. That accord will not only link those three countries, but ultimately tie together rail systems from India, by ship to Iran (see EDM, December 4, 2015), and on to Europe, via Azerbaijan and Russia. This will have profound consequences for the states and territories along its route. However, the country most immediately and negatively affected by this new rail system will be Armenia, which is not a party to these arrangements (Rusarminfo.ru, July 11).

The Russia-Iran-Azerbaijan-India railroad accord represents Moscow's ongoing efforts to reach an agreement with Baku. These Russian efforts include closer consultations on a range of foreign policy issues as well as an agreement to train Azerbaijani military officers in Russian military academies after a break of two decades. Furthermore, there are indications that the Russian government is now prepared to push harder for a two-step solution to the Karabakh conflict (see EDM, May 2, July 7) by pressing Armenia to withdraw its forces from the seven regions of Azerbaijan other than Karabakh and then later to negotiate about some future autonomous status for the separatist Karabakh territory after that happens. That is something most Armenian political leaders and the Armenian public more generally oppose, but now their country may not be able to block such a resolution of this "frozen" conflict.

In addition, the July rail agreement underscores Armenia's declining importance both economically as well as in Moscow's political calculations, highlighting that country's inability to count on what it had assumed was Russia's inevitable support for a fellow Orthodox Christian country (Armenians are overwhelmingly members of the Armenian Apostolic Church-a part of Oriental Orthodoxy). Instead, Russia is moving to increase its ties with majority Shia Islamic Azerbaijan, Armenia's longtime enemy, and now with Sunni Turkey (Moscow-baku.ru, June 18; see EDM, July 7, 18). In this situation, Armenia has no good choices. Moreover, Iran is likely to back away from plans to build a rail line to Yerevan, preferring to concentrate on Azerbaijan. And the outbreak of violence in Yerevan this week (starting July 17), where self-proclaimed "revolutionaries" seized a police station and took hostages, may be yet another sign of Armenia's combination of domestic and foreign policy problems (Panarmenian.net, July 19).

Unlike many similar protocols Moscow signed in recent years, the north-south railroad agreement is not about some distant future. Instead, it is about events that are already ongoing or will take place in the coming weeks. According to Aleksandr Misharin, the vice president of Russian Railways, India will dispatch the first demonstration container train on this new line on August 7. Moreover, the four parties to this agreement predict that annual cargo traffic along the line will reach five million tons the first year, an amount they hope will rise to "more than ten million tons" in the future. But even if that latter figure takes some time to reach, the new rail network will tie these countries together and add to the difficulties of those in the West who have been promoting east-west corridors in the region (Rusarminfo.ru, July 11).

The most significant factor limiting the expansion of this route is the difference in track gauge between Russian and Azerbaijani railroads versus those of India and Iran. The former two use the Russian standard of 1,520 or 1,524 millimeters, while the latter use the international standard gauge of 1,435 mm. That makes it necessary for any cargo cars to be shifted from one wheel bed to another at the Azerbaijan-Iran border. But in this case, that could work to Azerbaijan's advantage and hence to Armenia's disadvantage: That requirement would appear likely to cement Azerbaijan's role as regional transshipment center and further integrate it with Russia.

Around two decades ago, in 1997, then-Azerbaijani president Heydar Aliyev's national security advisor, Wafa Galuzade, told this author that in the South Caucasus, as far as Russia is concerned, "Armenia is the tool, Georgia is the way, but Azerbaijan is the prize." It would appear with this recently signed railways accord that at least some in the Russian capital think that "the prize" is within reach and that they can dispense with "the tool," at least for the time being, because "the tool" has no good choices. What that means for "the way," of course, remains to be seen. But it is clear that a little-publicized agreement continues to receive scant public attention even as an Indian train is preparing to travel to Moscow via Iran and Azerbaijan. Nonetheless, this important event has the potential to transform the geopolitics of the South Caucasus and reorder those regional countries' relations with others both near and far.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Turkey's Failed Coup: Motivations and Implications

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Zaur Shiriyev Publication Date 19 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 130 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Turkey's Failed Coup: Motivations and Implications, 19 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 130, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f77d54.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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The attempted coup by factions of the Turkish military calling themselves the "Turkish Peace Council" backfired and failed in less than 24 hours. Friday's abortive takeover bid was led by a group of military officials with influence in the Air Force and Gendarmerie; and the center of the action was the Aknc Air Base, near the capital city of Ankara.

Analysts speculate that the coup's motivation and its timing was driven by an operation to arrest of a number of army officers on July 9 (Haberturk, July 9), coupled with rumors that July 16 would bring even many more arrests. This led the plotters to launch their uncoordinated attempt on July 15 (Cumhuriyyet, July 15). Essentially, the attempt was disorganized and chaotic, which is how the government was able to quash it so quickly.

The primary aim of the plotters was to convince top Turkish military commanders, including Chief of the General Staff Hulusi Akar, to join. If he had, the coup would have achieved sufficient operational capabilities for success since all the army units would likely have followed. But when the majority of the high-ranking Turkish military leadership declined to back the operation, the solution was to hold them hostage. The leaders of the coup then used the General Staff to send instructions to all army units, thereby creating the impression that the putsch was institutionally backed and supported by all high-ranking officers (Cumhuriyyet, July 17).

The failure to gain that institutional support from most of the top brass in part predetermined the fate of the coup. But an important role in quashing the attempt was also played by the commander of Turkey's First Army, General Umit Dundar. According to security analyst Metin Gurcan, General Dundar informed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about the plot. He convinced the president to come to Istanbul instead of going to Ankara, assured him of his security, and informed him that Army units and many others opposed the coup (T24.com.tr, July 17). Dundar has been rewarded for his loyalty: he was made acting Chief of Staff to replace General Hulusi Akar (Hurriyet Daily News, July 16), indicating that head of state fully trusted Dundar's account of events.

The second reason for the coup's failure was its timing. It was originally planned for the following morning, July 16, but the chief of the General Staff learned of the plan at 17:00, on July 15 (Milliyet, July 17). This led the plotters to believe that government units and Turkish intelligence would have the same information, and that they would need to act quickly if they were to have any chance of success. The decision to hastily launch the attempt at 22:00 on July 15 led to several failures: they could not capture many strategic institutions, while the maneuvers were chaotic and not pinned to strategic targets. Instead, the insurrectionists made the error of opening fire on the National Assembly, where all the members of parliament gather. This destroyed their chances of gaining the political support they had expected. Ultimately, the putschists were doomed from the start, given their failure to design a strategy that ensured, first of all, institutional support. The resistance of the police forces and the intelligence services also helped to defeat the coup.

As for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and President Erdogan in particular, their mistake was the failure to build strong institutional trust with the military leadership. This dates back to the Balyoz (Sledgehammer) and Ergenekon trials, in which hundreds of Turkish military officials were charged with conspiracy to overthrow the state. No one in the government mistrusted the grounds for these cases until late 2013, when the authorities declared that several military officers had been convicted under false charges. In March 2015, the whole case was dismissed because the evidence was found to be fabricated. Since then, and prior to the aforementioned July 9 operation against a number of army officials, the AKP government likely expected an attempted bid for power by the military. Indeed, in March 2016, such speculation permeated the media, though the General Staff provided an official denial (Deutsche Welle, March 31).

The Turkish president ended up being right to rely on the loyalty of the military leadership and that of other security forces. But Erdogan and the AKP government miscalculated the level of protest and resentment the July 9 law enforcement operation would raise within the Armed Forces. Erdogan may have expected more limited pushback. Military protests short of a coup would actually have helped to politically justify the government's planned large-scale "clean-up" operation within the broader military-including the expected purging of 1,000 alleged Gulenists, followers of Pennsylvania-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former ally of the AKP government-during an upcoming meeting of the Supreme Military Council, on August 2 (Daily Sabah, July 12).

In a broader perspective, the position of the military leadership had been weakened over the past few years, while the police force was strengthened thanks to the influence of the ruling elite. For the military leadership, a failed coup in a situation where the government is strongly backed by the population would be political suicide, leading to the risk of civil war. Thus, the leading post-coup narrative that the July 15 coup was a Gulenist plot suits the army well, allowing the institution to retain its high moral standing in society.

In the short term at least, the failed coup may actually help Erdogan. He can now build on the narrative of triumph, while his survival strengthens his political capital. However, it is hard to say whether he will enjoy carte blanche for further actions. Opposition to the coup does not necessarily translate to support for Erdogan and the AKP. Similarly, the military leadership's continued loyalty to the government is not automatic. If, in the July 15 coup's aftermath, Erdogan is seen to be conducting a "witch hunt" within the Armed Forces, the already strained relationship will be under serious threat. The government's response prior to the Supreme Military Council's upcoming meeting, if it goes ahead on August 2 as planned, will shed light on the likely trajectory of events in Turkey-particularly, regarding relations between the army and the executive.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Actress Kerry Cahill of Free State of Jones shares her favorite things to see and do in New Orleans  a place that will always be home.

There are a number of memorable lines in Robert Frosts poem, The Death of the Hired Man, but my favorite consistently come to mind when asking someone about the place they call home. This is especially true when the idea of home is blurry enough to require definition. Writes Frost:

Home is the place where, when you have to go there,

They have to take you in.

Ive thought about these lines a great deal recently, especially when talking to people who, as adults, decided to make New Orleans their homea very different experience from being born and raised here. The former includes actress Kerry Cahill, whose latest role is in the recently released Free State of Jones.

Born into a military family, Cahill spent her formative years in various places, including Montana. Today, she has another home here in New Orleans, a city far, far away from the landscape and culture of the American west but possessing a shared ability to draw people in and invite them to stay awhile.

Thats what makes her latest film role, Free State of Jones, especially intriguing for Cahill. Free State of Jones is story based on real events that occurred in Jones County, Mississippilocated just two hours north of New Orleansduring and immediately after the Civil War. The film focuses on Newton Knight, an impoverished farmer and former Confederate Army battlefield medic (played by part-time New Orleans resident, Matthew McConaughey), who joins together with escaped slaves and fellow Confederate Army deserters to form a militia that succeeded in holding on to a significant portion of south-central Mississippi, the eponymous Free State of Jones.

Cahills interest in the role and the film is related to her own interest in the social dynamics and history of the American South, and the fact that Free State of Jones is a narrative, says Cahill, about people standing up to something that they didnt believe in. And its a film that combats the myth that the Civil War was black and white when it really wasnt. There were a lot of poor Southerners who didnt own slaves and didnt want to. And there were many Unionists in the South.

In both history books and popular discussion these facts arent often addressed, Cahill asserts, and they should be.

The militia that Knight helped lead defended this countyalong with almost three othersfrom Confederate forces until the end of the Civil War, and in turn showed that support for slavery and the Confederacy wasnt monolithic across the region. In the film Cahill plays Mary, a young mother and yeoman farmer whose home and supplies have been raided by Confederate soldiers; in one of the films more memorable scenes, Mary and Newt Knight take an armed stand against the marauding Confederate troops.

Myths of the Civil War continue to be pervasive, while some factslike Robert E. Lees one-time order that all deserters should be killedare obfuscated. Cahill says one of her favorite lines from Free State of Jones highlight the ambiguity and complexity of the war. One of the characters says, The [Confederate] rebels burnt my first house and Sherman burnt my second. I guess they agree on that.

For Cahill the film is about showing the differing experiences of Southerners, black and white, in Southern Mississippi and beyond, during the Civil War and into the era of a failed reconstruction. In this fashion, Free State of Jones also makes us think about how the strands of history overlap, twist, and fray, and how the past, murky as it is, can help us make some sense of this beguiling present.

While Cahill moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University, her education and dramatic training spans to Europe, where she studied at the British American Drama Academy (Oxford) and Queens University Belfast. Later, she was involved with the legendary Second City in Chicago. On returning to the South, Cahill was involved with a number of artistic projects in New Orleans, and it was here that she appeared in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, the strange and underrated film by famed German director Werner Herzog. (If you havent seen it and youre interested in the intersection one of this countrys most perplexing actors and one of the worlds most important directors, then Bad Lieutenant is the place to start.)

Cahill has gone on to appear in numerous films and television series, including Old Boy, Terminator Genisys, Now You See Me, NCIS: New Orleans, and Mississippi Grind, amongst numerous other roles.

Alongside her acting work, she is involved in advocacy for veterans and victims of domestic terrorism. In 2009, her father, Michael Grant Cahill, a retired Chief Warrant Officer and physicians assistant, was killed at Fort Hood, Texas, as he attempted to stop the shooter; at the time of his death, Michael Cahill was helping assess soldiers through physical examinations prior to deployment. A year after her fathers death, she met with the first cousin and other family members of her fathers killer.

After doing that, Cahill became involved in an ongoing project where she often speaks at events where the primary message is if we can work together, maybe other people can too.

Alongside addressing the necessity of forgiveness and reconciliation, she works to end extremism and domestic terrorism. And even though her acting and advocacy take her around the countrywhen I spoke to her she was in New York City and on her way Washington, DC for an eventshe is adamant about one thing: Home is New Orleans.

And speaking of homecoming: if you want to see Kerry Cahill perform here in New Orleans, she will be doing the one-woman show Grounded, written by the award-winning playwright George Brandt, at Loyola Universitys Lower Depths Theatre Nov. 2-20.

20 Questions with Kerry Cahill

1. Who is your favorite New Orleanian, dead or alive, real or imagined?

Vlu from Tom Robbins novel Jitterbug Perfume. Shes imagined, but she also appears (to me) as a composite of thousands of Creole women, who are amazing.

2. What first brought you to New Orleans?

I went to Loyola University.

3. In your opinion  whats the best neighborhood in New Orleans?

Bayou St. John. It is a great location in terms of beauty, but the neighborhood is also full of locals and local businesses. Its right next to City Park, the bayou is great, and of course Morning Call and Parkway Tavern. I actually looked to buy a house there but there wasnt a lot for sale because no one ever wants to leave that neighborhood.

4. If its a beautiful day, where are you going to spend it?

City Park or Audubon Park. Or, if Im honest, my local bar, and I hang out on the patio.

5. Describe the best meal youve eaten in New Orleans.

My friend runs a seafood business, and on any given day we will be in a backyard grilling fresh soft shell crabs and fresh shrimp. Best thing ever!

6. Wheres your favorite brunch spot?

I love Oak Street Cafe. The grits are some of the best in the city. Also, for special occasions, Dantes.

7. Whats your favorite type of po-boy? Where do you get it?

Grilled shrimp po-boy from Guys on Magazine, or oyster from Parkway

8. Youve got friends visiting, and its their first time in New Orleans  where are you taking them?

Oak Wine Bar, Cooter Browns, d.b.a., and Morning Call. For a start. Of course, hitting up the parks and the French Quarter along the way and ending with Morning Call.

9. Whats your favorite neighborhood bar?

This is so hard. We have so many good ones. The Milan Lounge, The Kingpin, and Le Bon Temps are in my top five.

10. What is your favorite New Orleans cocktail, and where do you go to get it?

The Sazerac at The Roosevelt.

11. Whats your favorite dessert or sweet treat in the city?

Brocatos cannolis.

There is something intangible about Southern artists. You cant put your finger on it, but its like you can see the difference in it. Southern art is a little deeper and grittier in a way I cant really explain.

12. Best spot to see live music?

D.b.a., and I love our outdoor concerts at City Park.

13. Favorite New Orleans musician or band?

Helen Gillet. I love her music. There is something about the way she works that cello that is just magical.

14. Favorite New Orleans festival?

I have to choose just one? French Quarter Fest.

15. Whats your ideal New Orleans date night?

A great dinner, some good cocktails afterward, and then finish it off at City Park or a great walk on the riverfront.

16. What are your favorite local shops?

Sopo on Carrolton has some incredibly cool stuff. I also love book stores, so Blue Cypress books, Maple Street Book Shop, and Octavia Books are on that list too. Fleurty Girl is at the top of that list, too.

17. What is your favorite New Orleans museum?

The Ogden. There is something intangible about Southern artists. You cant put your finger on it, but its like you can see the difference in it. Southern art is a little deeper and grittier in a way I cant really explain.

18. Where do you go to watch The Saints play?

The Milan Lounge. But sometimes I have to stay home. I yell at the screen  a lot.

19. Describe New Orleans in one word.

Sincere.

20. When was the last time you fell in love with New Orleans, and why?

I just had a lot of visitors in town, and we went to Algiers Point to watch the fireworks. Watching all the people there, the fireworks on the river, no one obsessed with their phone, and everyone focused on their friends and family, its not like that everywhere. We may not be perfect, but at least we ask Where yat? or how are you? and mean it in this town.
NATO's Summit Takes Half-Way Measures on the Black Sea Region (Part Two)

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Vladimir Socor Publication Date 15 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 128 Related Document(s) NATO's Summit Takes Half-Way Measures on the Black Sea Region (Part One) Cite as Jamestown Foundation, NATO's Summit Takes Half-Way Measures on the Black Sea Region (Part Two), 15 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 128, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f78ea4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

It was a summit of modest expectations and modest results for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Warsaw on July 8-9. These results are of an interim nature: building blocks for further decisions at upcoming ministerial meetings, not waiting until the next summit. The Warsaw results do not, as yet, correlate with the growth in Russia's capacity to threaten, intimidate, or subvert the Alliance generally and its eastern-now "frontline"-member countries in particular.

NATO's summit in Warsaw on July 8-9 validated the attainment of operational capability by several NATO structures stationed in Romania and Bulgaria. These are staff units, not troop units. They are tasked to organize exercises with the participation of allied troops from within and outside the region. Romania initiated most of these measures and plays a leading role in their implementation.

The Headquarters of the Multinational Division South-East achieved initial operational capability as of July 1. Attached to it are two Force Integration Units (FIU), both of which became fully operational by that same date. A multinational framework brigade headquarters should soon become operational.

All these are permanently stationed staff structures, to coordinate allied troops that would come in and out for exercises. Romania hosts the divisional and the impending brigade headquarters, and serves as the framework nation for both. Romania and Bulgaria host one FIU each.

The divisional headquarters shall oversee the activities of the framework brigade and those of the two FIUs. The divisional and brigade headquarters are tasked with planning and coordinating multinational exercises, "to improve the integrated training of Allied units." The two FIUs are, essentially, logistical staff units, tasked to plan and facilitate the rapid deployment and reception of Allied forces (NATO Response Forces) for collective defense, if required (www.nato.int, July 9).

The summit defined NATO's presence in the Black Sea region (Romania and Bulgaria, without mentioning Turkey) as a "tailored" presence, on a lower level than the "enhanced" presence in the Baltic region (see Part One). A divisional and a brigade headquarters and four FIUs are stationed in Poland and the three Baltic States with more ambitious tasks, along with four combat battalions on a continuous rotational presence. Those battalions' framework nations and some troop-contributing nations-mostly Western ones-have been designated and confirmed at the NATO summit just held.

In the South-East, meanwhile, Bulgaria has committed one infantry battalion ("up to 400 troops") for exercises to be coordinated by the Romanian-based multinational brigade headquarters. According to Romanian President Klaus Iohannis, discussions continue with several countries regarding troop contributions to those exercises. Polish President Andrzej Duda has offered the participation of one Polish company, while Iohannis reciprocated committing one Romanian reinforced company to the Polish-based multinational brigade. According to Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev and other Sofia officials, Bulgaria has not been asked and does not plan at the present stage to contribute troops for NATO activities in the Baltics and Poland (BTA, PAP, July 9; Rompres, July 10).

At his post-summit press conference, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg described the "Romanian-Bulgarian brigade" as a "tailored forward presence in the southeast that will provide a framework for extensive training of NATO forces, a multinational presence under this Romanian-Bulgarian brigade" (Nato.int, accessed July 10). The summit's communique, however, speaks of a "multinational brigade" (Nato.int, July 9), while the practical arrangements cast Romania as the host and framework nation.

NATO's concept for this activity foresees that troops from allied countries would exercise together periodically as part of this framework brigade. Participant units would remain permanently based in their home countries, deploying periodically to the exercise site (in Romania or Bulgaria) for the duration of that multinational activity. The composition, size, frequency, and specific content of exercises are yet to be decided. Multinational exercises are planned to begin in 2017.

The United States will support those activities through its "Combined Joint Enhanced Training Initiative" (CJET) with Romania and Bulgaria. CJET is an element in the United States' European Reassurance Initiative (ERI), parallel to and coordinated with NATO (Nato.int, July 9, para. 78; see Part One).

In parallel with those multinational exercises, US troops will hold bilateral exercises jointly with Romanian troops, under a US-Romania agreement. According to President Iohannis, US military units will rotate in and out of Romania for this activity, starting in 2017 (Rompres, July 10).

The Warsaw Summit declared the attainment of initial operational capability of the NATO ballistic missile defense (BMD) element based in Deveselu, Romania. This constitutes an Aegis Ashore site, built and financed by the United States, as part of NATO's anti-missile defense system in Europe. By decision of this summit, at US initiative, the command and control (C2) and political oversight of the site in Romania are being transferred to the NATO alliance. Turkey already hosts a BMD radar at Kurecik, and Poland will be hosting an Aegis Ashore site at Redzikowo (Nato.int, July 9, para. 56).

President Vladimir Putin and other Moscow officials have recently warned that Russian missiles could target Romania and Poland for hosting those BMD sites (see EDM, May 12, 16). Moscow does not believe that these sites are designed to defend against missiles hypothetically fired from the southeast of NATO's territory, and are quantitatively insufficient for casting doubt on the credibility of Russia's nuclear deterrent (Lindleyfrench.blog, April 15). Moscow's warnings as such lack credibility; instead, they strengthen Romanian and Polish resolve to close ranks with the United States and NATO.

From a Romanian perspective (and, almost certainly, a Polish one) the principal value of these BMD sites is that of keeping US boots on the ground in these two countries. The BMD site in Romania is the sole permanent (non-rotational), operational presence of the United States on the entire South-Eastern flank of NATO (Rompres, July 10).

Although unrelated to Article 5, this form of US military presence (henceforth NATO-flagged-see above) can in itself contribute to deterrence, or to a trip-wire effect in a crisis, at least until NATO provides credible deterrence and defense capabilities. That remains a work in progress after the summit just held.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
NATO's Summit Takes Half-Way Measures on the Black Sea Region (Part One)

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Vladimir Socor Publication Date 15 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 128 Related Document(s) NATO's Summit Takes Half-Way Measures on the Black Sea Region (Part Two) Cite as Jamestown Foundation, NATO's Summit Takes Half-Way Measures on the Black Sea Region (Part One), 15 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 128, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f79634.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

It was a summit of modest expectations and modest results for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Warsaw on July 8-9. These results are of an interim nature: building blocks for further decisions at upcoming ministerial meetings, not waiting until the next summit. The Warsaw results do not, as yet, correlate with the growth in Russia's capacity to threaten, intimidate, or subvert the Alliance generally and its eastern-now "frontline"-member countries in particular.

NATO's summit in Warsaw on July 8-9 approved overdue decisions to shift from vague "reassurance" measures (introduced at the 2014 Wales Summit) to actual deterrence and potentially to defense measures on NATO's Eastern flank.

The pre-summit debates had foreshadowed a lack of balance in terms of deterrence measures for the Eastern flank's informal sectors: the Baltic States and Poland in the north and the Black Sea region (Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey) in the south. The summit's decisions have not significantly re-balanced that approach, heavily weighted toward the northern sector (although the measures taken are insufficient even there, requiring further development). The differentiated approach reflects, in part, differentiated risk assessments for the north and the south of the Eastern flank. It also partly reflects the Allies' uneven political focus on the two areas of what is otherwise recognized as an indivisible flank (see EDM, June 24).

Admittedly, the Black Sea region did better this time than it had at NATO's previous summits in terms of allied attention and planning. This is mainly a result of Romania's persistent work in recent years, under Presidents Traian Basescu and Klaus Iohannis (originating from two different parties, reflecting the national consensus) to bring the Black Sea region closer to NATO's preoccupations. And Russia's ongoing threats in this region helped inadvertently in this regard. Although not yet commensurate with the magnitude of the risks, this summit's decisions have laid a foundation for a more substantive presence and role of NATO in this region.

The summit's communique includes this reference to the Black Sea region in the section dealing with Russian challenges: "We condemn Russia's ongoing and wide-ranging military build-up in Crimea, and are concerned by Russia's efforts and stated plans for further military build-up in the Black Sea region (Nato.int, July 9, para. 17). This sentence is taken word for word from the communique of the NATO foreign affairs ministers' meeting in Antalya, May 2015, and does not answer to Russia's accelerating military build-up since then.

As always in the wake of a NATO summit, the communique is richly instructive through its ways of grouping issues into paragraphs, its carefully calculated formulations, fine semantic nuances, selective use of majuscules, and innovative word usages ("NATO buzzwords"), all negotiated among Allies meticulously.

This communique groups the Baltic and Black Sea together in a paragraph addressing the "evolving challenges in the Baltic and Black Sea regions Russia continues to strengthen its military posture, increase its military activities, deploy new high-end capabilities, and challenge regional security." The formulation suggests that NATO takes the military challenges in the Black Sea region no less seriously than those in the Baltic region, and that the Eastern flank's security is indivisible.

However, in the same paragraph, "Our response will be tailored to specific circumstances in each region We will continue to support, as appropriate, regional efforts by the Black Sea littoral states aimed at ensuring security and stability" (Nato.int, July 9, para. 23).

"Tailored" is a recurrent (see above and below) buzzword, underscoring differentiation: NATO does not (yet?) envisage the same level of deterrence and defense measures in the Black Sea region as it does for the Baltic region. Rather, any measures within the Black Sea region ("regional efforts by littoral states") shall be supported by Allies from outside this region. On the Baltic States and Poland, however, the communique never uses the word "regional," but speaks of NATO efforts on an alliance-wide basis; while certain countries are assigned certain responsibilities to ensure the in-theater presence (Nato.int, July 9, para. 40).

The term "regional," suggesting a tenuous link to NATO, instead of a reassuring direct link, was cited by Bulgaria among its reasons (perhaps pretexts) for turning down Romania's proposal to hold regular joint naval exercises in the Black Sea. The pro-NATO element within the Bulgarian government seems receptive to a NATO-flagged, rather than trilateral (regional) framework for naval exercises.

NATO's summit has decided to "develop tailored forward presence in the southeastern part of the Alliance territory. Appropriate measures, tailored to the Black Sea region and including the Romanian initiative to establish a multinational framework brigade to help improve integrated training of Allied units under Headquarters Multinational Division Southeast, will contribute to the Alliance's strengthened deterrence and defense posture, situational awareness, and peacetime demonstration of NATO's intent to operate without constraint. It will also provide a strong signal of support to regional security. Options for a strengthened NATO air and maritime presence will be assessed" (Nato.int, July 9, para. 41).

Supplementing NATO's efforts, the United States shall undertake by its own decision a "Transatlantic Capability Enhancement and Training Initiative" (TACET) in the Baltic region, as well as a "Combined Joint Enhanced Training Initiative" (CJET) with Romania and Bulgaria. TACET and CJET are elements in the United States' European Reassurance Initiative (ERI), parallel to and coordinated with NATO, but undertaken by the US in its own name, directly with the beneficiary countries. As formulated, the enhancement refers to capability and training in one region, and just to training in the other region (Nato.int, July 9, para. 78).

NATO defines its forward presence as "enhanced" in the Baltic region, with emphasis on a NATO-wide approach and stationing of combat-ready battalions from earmarked Western allied countries (Nato.int, July 9, para. 40). But it defines it as a "tailored" presence in the Black Sea region (para. 41), based on a regional approach, joint training on an intermittent basis (rather than rotation of stationary troops), and no earmarks as yet for the participation of Western troops. As regards a maritime presence, "assessing options" (para. 41) implies a reconsideration of the proposed framework for holding joint naval exercises in the Black Sea. This would need to be a NATO framework, rather than a trilateral one.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Ukraine's Resilience Strengthens, Though Regional Cohesion Risks Remain

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Maksym Bugriy Publication Date 13 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 126 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Ukraine's Resilience Strengthens, Though Regional Cohesion Risks Remain, 13 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 126, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f79cd4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Link to original story on Jamestown website

President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials frequently refer to Ukraine's weak social cohesion, thereby justifying the notion that Russia is intervening in this allegedly ungovernable weak state to protect its clientele groups there. During this year's St. Petersburg Economic Forum (June 16-18), Putin indirectly accused the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) of acting to "scare the Russian-speaking population of southeastern Ukraine and Crimea" and he posited that Moscow "simply had to take measures to protect certain social groups" in Ukraine (Kremlin.ru, June 17).

they had to proceed with a coup, casualties, unleash bloodshed, a civil war, and scare the Russian-speaking population of southeastern Ukraine and Crimea. All for the sake of what? And after we had to, simply had to take measures to protect certain social groups, they began to escalate the situation, ratcheting up tensions. they had to proceed with a coup, casualties, unleash bloodshed, a civil war, and scare the Russian-speaking population of southeastern Ukraine and Crimea. All for the sake of what? And after we had to, simply had to take measures to protect certain social groups, they began to escalate the situation, ratcheting up tensions. Likewise, a document produced by the Moscow-based Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, which lays out a strategy for Russia's foreign policy until the end of this decade, also mentions the "Ukrainian elites' incapacity that led to the country's economic and social degradation." The report predicts Ukraine's likely disintegration. Thus, the document's authors recommend that the Kremlin temporarily halt its activism vis-a-vis Ukraine in order to instead focus on Russia's domestic human capital drain (Svop.ru, May 23).

This continual stream of Russian criticism notwithstanding, the results of a recent sociological study by the Kyiv-based Razumkov Center actually shows that social cohesion and the resilience of Ukrainian society has, in many respects, dramatically improved since the Maidan Revolution of Dignity and subsequent war with Russia (Razumkov.org.ua, June 6). Specifically the Razumkov Center poll, conducted in 2014-2015, shows that a relative majority of Ukrainian residents associate their identity foremost with Ukraine. This latest result reverses the opposite phenomena observed by Razumkov's researchers in 2005-2009, when Ukrainians tended to form "subnational identities at the regional level based on language, cultural, ethnic and religious characteristics." At that time, the experts mentioned the risk that some regional communities could adopt foreign identities-which essentially materialized among groups supportive of Russian aggression in Crimea and parts of Donbas (Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts).

In the Razumkov Centre's latest survey, 40 percent identified themselves with Ukraine and the same proportion identified with their own city or village; only 11.4 percent identified with their region of residence. Compared to 2006, the share of those who chose Ukraine increased by 9 percent. Furthermore, today, only 1.5 percent identify with the Soviet Union, and 0.6 percent with Russia.

Other findings of the survey indicate that Ukrainians prefer a civic nation-i.e. a nation-state that embraces citizens irrespective of their ethnic or religious characteristics-versus a nation based on "cultural" or "ethnic" criteria. This result varies relatively little across various Ukrainian areas: in the central region of Ukraine, 60 percent supported the civic nation; 59 percent did so in the south; 50 percent-in western Ukraine; 52 percent-in eastern Ukraine; and 58 percent specifically in Donbas (not including areas occupied by Russia-backed forces).

At the same time, Razumkov researchers noted that Ukrainians also nevertheless associate a civic understanding of a nation with cultural attributes of citizens, such as the Ukrainian language, history, culture and customs; and this dynamic has increased compared to 2005. Regarding the Ukrainian language, 56 percent believe it should be the only official language, while 24 percent think that Ukrainian should be the state language and Russian an official language in certain regions-as is, in fact, currently the law. Only 14 percent support Russian and Ukrainian languages both having equal official status. Whereas, in 2005, 37 percent Ukrainians supported such official language dualism-Ukrainian as the "state" and Russian as an "official" language-while only 35 percent believed that Ukrainian should be the sole state official language in the country. Yet another characteristic is the language spoken at home: 44 percent speak Ukrainian (39 percent in the 2006 poll) and 25 percent speak both Ukrainian and Russian (15 percent in the 2006 poll).

Even more remarkable is the data related to cultural identity. A strong 70 percent majority identified as belonging to the Ukrainian cultural tradition (56 percent in 2006); and only 3 percent identified with Russian culture (11 percent in 2006). Such notable progress in Ukraine's cohesion is a consequence of national mobilization in response to Russian aggression. Perhaps it also explains why the conflict in Donbas remains limited.

Nonetheless, Ukrainian unity still experiences certain risks, as some distinct regional differences persist. For example, on the issue of identifying foremost with Ukraine, the number is only 23 percent in Donbas and 31 percent in Ukraine's strategic southern Black Sea littoral. Likewise, 23 percent of Donbas residents primarily identify themselves with their region.

At the same time, a plurality (45 percent) of residents in eastern Ukraine replied negatively to the question of their willingness to defend the country, either in actual combat or as a voluntary supporter. In central Ukraine, the comparable proportion was only 26 percent. In the country as a whole, 18 percent of Ukrainians were ready to specifically defend Ukraine with arms, but the range of responses differed from 24 percent in western Ukraine to 20 percent in central Ukraine, 17 percent in the south, 13 percent in the east and only 9 percent in Donbas.

Donbas residents also gave the lowest score assessing the importance of speaking Ukrainian as a characteristic of national identity-3.5 compared to 4.3 percent overall. A relative majority (40 percent) consider Russian to be their native language in Donbas. In comparison, in southern Ukraine, 35 percent consider the Ukrainian language native, and 38 percent answer both Ukrainian and Russian. Whereas in all of eastern Ukraine, 37 percent chose Ukrainian, and 34 percent-both languages. At the same time, 34 percent of Donbas residents identified themselves as belonging to the "Soviet" or Russian cultural tradition; the average across all of Ukraine is only 13 percent.

Contrary to Russian accusations that Ukraine is on the verge of splintering or that Ukrainians and Russians are "one people," the Razumkov Center findings demonstrate that Ukraine is, in fact, resilient. The country's regional difference are not sufficient to justify a federal model of governance. This was acknowledged by federalization proponent Viktor Medvedchuk, who himself admitted that only 14 percent of Ukrainians presently support the country's federalization (Novaya Gazeta, June 24).

At the same time, the question of how to overcome the above-cited regional differences remains open. Such differences could become especially relevant if the security situation in the Donbas war zone improves: the poll did not survey around three million persons currently remaining in areas of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts not controlled by Ukraine. Furthermore, the economic dimension of social cohesion, such as dealing with unemployment in Donbas, is especially important-which Moscow is likely to exploit once armed hostilities freeze.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Russia and the West Engage in Mutual Deterrence

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Pavel Felgenhauer Publication Date 14 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 127 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russia and the West Engage in Mutual Deterrence, 14 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 127, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f7a234.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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After the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) summit in Warsaw last week (July 8-9), the NATO-Russian Council met in Brussels, on July 13, at the ambassadorial level. The meeting did not lead to much progress: Both the Alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Russian ambassador at NATO headquarters, Alexander Grushko, agreed at separate press conferences that the discussions were "frank" but disagreements persisted. According to Grushko, NATO's decision to deploy an additional four reinforced army battalions of around 1,000 soldiers each in Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are "ungrounded, excessive, counter-productive and confrontational; [they] undermine security and return us to the days of the Cold War" (Interfax, July 13).

Meanwhile, the West insists it was Russia's enhanced military activity and aggressive actions in Ukraine that compelled NATO to reinforce its Eastern flank in the first place. Moreover, the Alliance argues that four battalions cannot be considered a serious force that could possibly threaten Russia. Indeed, according to the Kremlin-connected Internet news portal Vzglad, "several thousand NATO soldiers would be easily overrun if Russia began an attack, but Moscow does not intend to invade; this is US-led propaganda" (Vzglad, July 13). Nonetheless, Ambassador Grushko has alleged that NATO is building a bridgehead in Poland and the Baltic States to put pressure on Russia, while the United States' ballistic missile defense bases in Poland and Romania "undermine strategic stability" (TASS, July 13). NATO countries "must freeze military deployments near Russia's borders and withdraw all units already deployed" as a prerequisite of "normalizing relations," he stated. Otherwise, Moscow will deploy additional forces in response, leaving Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania less secure than before (Interfax, July 13).

The Russian ambassador to NATO rejected calls by Western diplomats to modify the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Vienna document on military transparency in Europe to allow Western observers access to massive Russian military snap exercises. Since these exercises are sudden, there is no prior warning and no foreign observers are invited. According to Grushko, "the present level of military confrontation makes modification of the Vienna document senseless." Grushko continued: "NATO must first stop deployments and begin a withdrawal. The Cold War has proven arms control and confidence measures are effective only when combined with a universal vision of an undivided Europe with a joint security architecture" (RIA Novosti, July 13). It would seem Moscow is demanding an unconditional withdrawal and a de facto dismantling of NATO, to be replaced with a new "security architecture" within which Russia would have a decisive voice. Grushko lambasted the Alliance's plans to follow up a Romanian initiative to create a permanent Black Sea maritime deterrent force: It would be destabilizing, while Russia will do all in its power to counter any attempt to shift the military balance in the region (RIA Novosti, July 13).

It seems the only apparently positive outcome of the NATO-Russian Council meeting, according to Grushko, was the confirmation of Moscow's tentative agreement to implement additional transparency measures regarding flights over the Baltic Sea-the initiative of Finnish President Sauli Niinisto for military jets to fly with "switched-on transponders," that is, devices that automatically transmit the identity of an aircraft, its position and altitude in response to a radio-frequency interrogation. During a visit to Finland on July 1, President Vladimir Putin supported the proposal. According to Grushko, "we are ready to fly with activated transponders in some regions of the Baltic Sea, and this could be a first step on the way to deescalating the standoff with NATO." The problem of transponders, continued Grushko, "is a complicated technical issue," involving military and civilian air traffic control systems, but Moscow is ready to comply if all other nations, NATO and non-NATO, do the same. Grushko proposed gathering military experts to discuss and work out a solution: "we will see how NATO responds" (RIA Novosti, July 13).

The technical problems are indeed formidable: According to the commander of the Russian Aerospace Forces (Vosdushno-Kosmicheskiye Sily), General Victor Bondarev, and other air force specialists, Russian military aircraft are not equipped with transponders, so it is problematic to "switch them on," even in response to Putin's direct order (see EDM, July 7). Most likely, Moscow supports Niinisto's initiative to help keep Finland and its neighbor Sweden away from NATO. Stopping further NATO enlargement is a prime task. The military-to-military expert discussions about transponders (if they do begin) will be prolonged and complicated, and likely lead nowhere. Moscow will demonstrate its "peace-loving" intentions and do its best to portray NATO as intransigent.

In Warsaw, NATO agreed to deter Russia militarily, while engaging in dialogue to avoid a new Cold War. Moscow's attitude is similar: to deter the West, while engaging in dialogue, preferably not with NATO per se, but with separate member-countries to try to split the Alliance and promote the new "joint security architecture." Pro-Kremlin observers believe time is on Russia's side. Moscow must be patient: Western unity will crack, elections in Germany and France will install Moscow-friendly governments, while a victorious president Donald Trump will undermine NATO unity and Ukraine will ultimately fall into the Kremlin's lap (Vzglad, July 13).

During the Warsaw Summit, Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski told journalists that within NATO "there is growing understanding" of the need to take in Ukraine. The latter country's president, Petro Poroshenko, signed an ukaz (order) creating a high-level government commission to integrate Ukraine into the Alliance (Liga.net, July 9). Of course, Stoltenberg insisted accepting Ukraine into NATO could only happen sometime later, but underscored that it was for Ukraine and NATO to decide-without any third-party involvement (Interfax, July 9). Poland and Ukraine signed a protocol in Warsaw, creating a joint working group on arms trade (RIA Novosti, July 9). This was too much for Moscow. The chairman of the Federation Council Foreign Relations Committee Konstantin Kosachev accused "enemies of Russia," including Poland, of "trying to pull Georgia, Ukraine and even Belarus into NATO, since they know how this irritates Russia." According to Kosachev, if the process of Ukrainian accession actually begins, this would be close to a casus belli, while Russia in turn could form a military alliance with China-"the nightmare scenario for Europe and America" (RIA Novosti, July 9).

In Brussels, Grushko announced: NATO military and political assistance to Ukraine is pushing forward the possibility of war as "Western-trained Ukrainian soldiers are being deployed in the conflict zone in Donbas" (RIA Novosti, July 13). Russia does not seem too keen to actually invade the Baltic States or Poland to engage NATO head on. But when Ukraine is involved, patience may be running thin.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Russia's Draft Information Security Doctrine at Odds With Realities of Modern Information Environment

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Vadim Shtepa Publication Date 15 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 128 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russia's Draft Information Security Doctrine at Odds With Realities of Modern Information Environment, 15 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 128, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f7a804.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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The Russian Security Council website announced that special discussions took place between June 25 and July 5 regarding the formulation of a new doctrine on information security. A draft "Information Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation"-reportedly prepared with input by members of the Security Council, various government bodies, as well as representatives of the scientific, expert and business communities-was posted to the website in order to solicit "public discussion" (Scrf.gov.ru, June 24). Though the official results of these discussions have not been published yet, the final Doctrine is expected to be approved by the Security Council before the end of 2016 (RIA Novosti, July 11).

In general, this draft document is rife with doctrinal contradictions. For example, it recognizes that "information technologies have a global cross-border nature." But at the same time, the main task of the Doctrine is formulated as follows: "to ensure the sovereignty of the Russian Federation in the information space"-in other words, this is an attempt to set state boundaries within the cross-border information space. The goal of this document is explicitly defined in military terms: to ensure "the stable and smooth functioning of the national information infrastructure [] in peacetime, during the direct threat of aggression, and in wartime" (Scrf.gov.ru, accessed July 14).

And with whom is Russia going to make war? The enemy is not explicitly identified within the document, but the Doctrine does allude to some "leading countries" that are having a "negative impact" on Russian and global information security. This "negative impact" is described as follows: "The special services of certain states provide information and psychological influence, aimed at destabilizing the political and social situation in various regions of the world, resulting in the undermining of the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of other states" (Scrf.gov.ru, accessed July 14).

This formulation is notable because it-inadvertently or not-accurately describes Russia's own information policy toward Ukraine. Specifically, Russian TV programs deliberately aim at destabilizing and undermining the sovereignty of the Ukrainian state, and Russian media was used to justify the annexation of Crimea. Nonetheless, the authors of the Doctrine represent Russia as solely a "victim" of external information influence.

The draft document in question provides a whole host of vague definitions to denote the enemy. Besides "the special services of certain states," it also speaks of "various terrorist and extremist organizations." And as Russian judicial practice shows, the vague legal definition of "extremism" means that anyone can be characterized as such by the authorities (Europarl.europa.eu, June 21, 2012; Loc.gov, November 20, 2015). It is quite significant that the draft Information Security Doctrine was published on the same date (June 24) as the adoption by the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) of the "Yarovaya Law." Named after parliamentarian Irina Yarovaya, the leading figure behind this legislation in the Duma, this law allows authorities to label organized opposition rallies as "terrorism" and to consider the act of reposting certain material on online social networks as "extremism" (Meduza.io, June 24; RFE/RL, July 7).

Especially significant is how the authors of Information Security Doctrine apparently see the information space developing in the future: "The development and improvement of information security of the Russian Federation is achieved by increasing vertical and centralized management" (Scrf.gov.ru, accessed July 14). This formulation demonstrates that the authors of the document fail to grasp the basics of today's information landscape, which has long been analyzed by such famous theorists as Daniel Bell, Marshall McLuhan, Manuel Castells and others. The information landscape operates via horizontally connected networks, which is fundamentally different from centralized "verticals."

Russia's supporters of the "vertical" management of the information space live in a world of centralized hierarchy and unified propaganda. Therefore, their main information tool has been television, with its unidirectional flow. Whereas the Internet, with its interactive network-based communication, looks like "the enemy"-not just because it allows for some oppositional ideas, but by its very structure. Russian political analyst Valery Solovey provides a similar assessment: "Now in Russia, the Internet is considered a hostile form of communication, as a hostile environment. The authorities are trying to take control of the whole digital environment and to intimidate society. By around 2018-2020, they want to cut the Russian Internet off from the outside world-completely or almost completely. But they do not understand how the Internet is constructed technologically and why this is unrealizable. They behave like guardians of the past" (Lb.ua, July 7).

Indeed, on July 7, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Federal Security Service (FSB) to find a way, by July 20 at the latest, to obtain the encryption keys of all messages traveling over the Internet. The head of the FSB, Alexander Bortnikov, was given responsibility to execute this task (Newsru.com, Kremlin.ru, July 7). According to the "Yarovaya Law," which Putin signed on the same day, companies operating in Russia that offer encryption services for e-mail clients or instant messengers must provide the FSB with keys to decode these messages. Failure to disclose such information could result in a fine of up to 1 million rubles ($15,660) (TASS, July 7).

But technology experts note that Putin's order is feasibly impossible because messages can only be decrypted by devices of the sender and the recipient. Vice President and Technical Director of Mail.ru Group Vladimir Gabrielyan says: "All modern methods of encrypted communication are structured such that only participants in the correspondence possess keys. Thus, companies are being required to give something they do not have" (Newsru.com, July 7).

The Russian authorities' misunderstanding of the network-centric nature of the information space and their attempts to control it can only lead only to a further ballooning of the country's security forces. In early July, the Russian president signed a decree increasing the Ministry of Internal Affairs by around 64,000 additional employees, for a total staff of 1,067,876 (Spektr, July 7). With the Kremlin's fixation on top-down solutions to Russia's problems, more such dictates are to be expected.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Russian Security Services Target Muslim Cleric

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Mairbek Vatchagaev Publication Date 15 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 128 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russian Security Services Target Muslim Cleric, 15 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 128, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f7ad74.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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Police in Moscow this week arrested the imam of one of the city's mosques, Makhmud Velitov. The authorities accused the cleric of "public justification of terrorism" as described in Article 205.2, Part 1 of the Russian Criminal Code. The authorities alleged that Velitov defended a member of the organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is outlawed in Russia. Velitov reportedly did so during a sermon at the mosque on Khachaturyan Street in Moscow several years ago (Eg.ru, July 12).

The mosque on Khachaturyan Street is one of the largest in Moscow. The Union of Muftis of Russia, headed by Ravil Gainutdin, has failed to extend control over the mosque and its imam. The Khachaturyan Street mosque is under the control of the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims, which is headed by an eccentric Muslim cleric, Talgat Tadzhuddin. Along with these two Muslim organizations, there is also the Coordinating Center of the Muslims of the North Caucasus, under the leadership of Ismail Berdiev. Velitov, the arrested imam, also heads a charitable organization called Khalial ("Halal"). The police searched Velitov's mosque and his home on the outskirts of Moscow, where they confiscated religious literature, electronic media, and financial documents. Officers from Moscow's Center for Combating Extremism arrested the suspect (TASS, July 12).

Officials of the Council of Muftis of Russia quickly disowned Velitov. The head of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of Moscow and the imam of Moscow's main mosque, Ildar Alyautdinov, said that the Yardyam mosque in Moscow's Otradnoe district existed "in isolation" and the rules it followed did not always comply with Islamic norms. The statement apparently meant that the official Muslim clergy gave up the suspected cleric and planned to appoint their man to the imam's position, one who would not cross "red lines" as Velitov did. Alyautdinov further vilified Velitov, reminding his audience that the cleric had left his previous position at a historical mosque in the center of Moscow amid a scandal. The representative of the Council of Muftis did not mention, however, that Velitov headed the mosque since 1999 and that the authorities apparently did not find anything criminal in the sermons he delivered there for 17 years. The Council of Muftis of Russia is apparently trying to influence the Kremlin to snatch the mosque from the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims. The dispute within the leadership of Russia's Muslim clerics, especially between the Union of Muftis of Russia and the Central Spiritual Directorate of Muslims, has been going on for the past 30 years. The Russian authorities, however, will support the investigators rather than one of the competing Muslim factions.

It is interesting that Velitov was arrested for words he uttered three years ago-on September 23, 2013 (Life.ru, July 12). This suggests that somebody who has been looking for evidence for a long time orchestrated his arrest. According to Velitov's lawyer, the authorities suspect him of justifying Abdulla Gappaev at the Yardyam mosque, who was reportedly a member of the terrorist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami. Investigators say that the cleric justified Gappaev in an interview for an Islamic publication in September 2013 (Kasparov.ru, July 12).

Gappaev was a well-known Muslim activist in the Dagestani city of Kizlyar. Some observers thought that Gappaev's murder on September 19, 2013, was related to his support for Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami (Golosislama.com, September 19, 2013). Velitov's reaction to Gappaev's death prompted the authorities to launch an investigation targeting him three years later, having decided that he supported terrorism.

The other unusual feature of Velitov's arrest is that investigators asked a court to place him under house arrest-a mild preventive measure rarely used by Russian police. The investigation announced that the suspect had partially admitted his guilt. "It can be interpreted in a variety ways," Velitov said. "My guilt is that in one of the four videos on the Internet, I was indirectly deemed an accomplice of terrorism" (TASS, July 12). Inasmuch as Velitov's confession was made on the basis of YouTube videos without the presence of his lawyer, Dagir Khasavov, the cleric's defense team thinks that the confession has no legal basis. It does not always work like that in Russia, however. Showing a suspect mercy is not exactly typical of the Russian judicial and legal system. Nevertheless, Velitov remains at home under house arrest for now, instead of prison.

Russia's security services and police do not differentiate between Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami and al-Qaeda or the Islamic State. Russia's Supreme Court issued a ruling on February 14, 2003, that designated Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami as a terrorist organization and outlawed it. According to the Federal Security Service (FSB), the authorities detained hundreds of suspected members of Hizb ut-Tahrir al-Islami during the last year alone (Krymr.com, April 1).

Muslim clerics routinely are targeted in Russia. However, the unusual feature of the latest action is that the authorities arrested a cleric in Moscow. In any case, Moscow's actions are quite clumsy and likely to fuel discontent among Russia's Muslims, who have become increasingly politicized against the backdrop of violence in the Middle East. It is the Muslim community, not the Russian political opposition, that will cause problems for the Russian authorities.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Russia's National Antiterrorist Committee Reports Special Operation in Dagestan

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Mairbek Vatchagaev Publication Date 14 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 127 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Russia's National Antiterrorist Committee Reports Special Operation in Dagestan, 14 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 127, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f7b624.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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Russia's National Antiterrorist Committee (NAK) reported that during a special operation in Dagestan's Karabudakhkent district on July 7-8, "as a result of operational and combat activities, the forces of the FSB [Federal Security Service] neutralized nine people" (Riadagestan.ru, July 8). According to the NAK, the majority of the rebels killed were identified. The authorities provided the following list of those killed: 28-year-old Magomed Tagirov (younger brother of Gusein Tagirov), 22-year-old Gusein Magomedov, 23-year-old Efendi Medzhidov, 20-year-old Akhmed Ismailov, 36-year-old Rasul Khalilov, and 27-year-old Akhmed Zagirov. The list also included the amir (head) of the Makhachkala rebel group, 30-year-old Gusein Tagirov, who had been on the Russian federal wanted list since 2014. Thus, the oldest person in this group was 36 and the youngest 20, which is the typical age range of rebels in Dagestan (Newsru.com, July 8).

The authorities said that the amir of the Makhachkala group was involved in the murder of an administration chief in a Buinaksk district village, along with a resident of that village, and other terrorism-related crimes. The authorities also said that one serviceman died and four were wounded during the special operation. The special operation was conducted mainly near the villages of Agachaul and Talgi near Makhachkala. Ethnic Kumyks comprise the majority of the population in that part of Dagestan. According to government sources, Gusein Tagirov earlier led the so-called Kadar group. After the amir of the Makhachkala group, Kamil Magomedov, was killed in the town of Leninkent in suburban Makhachkala, Tagirov took over the leadership of the group and brought with him other militants from the Kadar group (Newsru.com, July 8).

Following the special operation, the police detained two men in the village of Novy Paraul in Dagestan's Karabudakhkent district on suspicion of helping the militants. The authorities reportedly found ammunition, bomb-making components, and a ready-to-use improvised explosive device (IED) (Kavpolit.com, July 8).

It is unclear how the police identified the two suspects. The most likely explanation is that the two men supplied food to the rebels prior to the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr. The security services have long established special control over sales of food items in rural areas of Dagestan. People who frequently buy nonperishable food items quickly become of interest to the security services because of its value to militant fighters hiding in the forests.

The destroyed group was one of those in the North Caucasus that had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State. According to a police source, the new group was made up of militants from the Kadar group who moved into forested areas near the capital of the republic and members of the Khushet group who recently joined the illegal armed underground movement. Kadar is a village in Dagestan's Buinaksk district of Dagestan. Kadar has been known as a Salafist center since the mid-1990s (Kommersant, July 7).

A little more than six months ago, the police claimed the group had been destroyed, and that government forces were hunting its surviving members (Ren.tv, December 11, 2015). However, the group turned out to be quite combat-ready. Even though the police killed nine and detained two other suspected members of the Makhachkala rebel group, some of its members still might be hiding in the city, so it is too early to speak of the group's final destruction. What is true is that the group experienced a serious setback and suffered large losses. However, since the start of the second Russian-Chechen war in 1999, "destroyed" groups have again and again continued their activities. The question always has been how long it takes the group to recover. Groups of militants did not disappear once and for all. Hence, hasty statements about the end of one group or another of militants are viewed as being out of place.

The killing of the members of the Makhachkala group was not the only incident in Dagestan. In Dagestan's Sergokalinsky district south of Makhachkala, which is predominantly populated by ethnic Dargins, unidentified individuals killed two men near the village of Sergokala. One of the slain men turned out to be a police officer (Gazeta.ru, July 10). According to law enforcement officials, the attackers killed the two young men, who were on a picnic, and stole their car. The two men may have been killed because the attackers recognized one of them was a police officer. The police said that the attackers may have been militants, but could not confirm whether there was a third victim, who was kidnapped.

That same day, a school principal in Gubden was killed in his home, apparently by several individuals. "Unidentified individuals called the school principal of Gubden out. After a lengthy brawl, the attackers stabbed the man to death and ran away" (Kavtoday.ru, July 10). School principals in the mountainous parts of the North Caucasus are more than simply school administrators. They are also among the most authoritative individuals in remote villages. In many instances, school principals are the leaders of the local community and act as a kind of counterbalance to the heads of the village administrations. School principals often testify as witnesses for the prosecution in court cases related to militants. Since school principals cooperate with the authorities, the insurgents sometimes regard them as enemies.

Rebels and government forces in the North Caucasus once again have exchanged blows. While the latter are much more robust than the former, it is obvious that the armed underground Islamist resistance movement is still undergoing leadership changes and is adjusting to the new regional realities after suffering so many setbacks to Russian attacks and penetration of their cells by the FSB. Consequently, attacks by rebels, and operations against them by government forces, will likely continue.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Cossacks and Moscow Still Disagree Over What It Means to Be a Cossack

Publisher Jamestown Foundation Author Valery Dzutsati Publication Date 13 July 2016 Citation / Document Symbol Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 126 Cite as Jamestown Foundation, Cossacks and Moscow Still Disagree Over What It Means to Be a Cossack, 13 July 2016, Eurasia Daily Monitor Volume: 13 Issue: 126, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f7bcc4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

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Cossacks in Ingushetia have appealed to the Terek Cossack Force to accept them as members. The latter is expected to make its decision by this fall. The Cossacks of Ingushetia have asked to become members of the Terek Cossack force for years, so far unsuccessfully. According to Cossack traditions, Cossacks are supposed to belong to the Russian Orthodox Church and the Ingush, as Muslims, were rejected. In 2013, Vasily Svetlichny became the head of the newly established Sunzha Cossack District in Ingushetia. According to Svetlichny, the Sunzha Cossack District has only about 300 members, and its small size disqualifies it from becoming an officially registered Cossack organization, according to existing Russian laws (Kavkazskaya Politika, July 5). However, a much larger Cossack organization in Ingushetia made up of ethnic Ingush may be behind Svetlichny. Earlier, on February 3, Cossacks from Stavropol met Ingushetia's governor, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, and offered to cooperate with the Ingush Cossacks, signaling that Muslim Cossacks may be acceptable to some (Nazaccent.ru, February 4).

The Union of Cossack Groups of the Republic of Ingushetia, an ethnic-Ingush Cossack organization, was founded back in 1994. Ever since, they have tried to gain legitimacy and government support, experiencing some successes and failures. In 1995, the government suspended the activities of the Ingush Cossack organization. In 1996, the authorities excluded the Ingush Cossack organization from the government's list of registered organizations. But in 1998, after a long bureaucratic battle, the government officially registered the Ingush Cossack organization. In the following years, two main Ingush Cossack organizations formed-the Regional Directorate of the Federation of the Cossack Unions, under the leadership of Magomed Batyrov, and the District Cossack Society of the Terek Cossack Force, under the leadership of Muhammad Tsurov. Jointly, the two Ingush Cossack organizations had an estimated 7,000 members, including about 200 ethnic Slavs. Patriarch Kirill made it abundantly clear that all Cossacks should belong to the Russian Orthodox Church. However, at the same time, the Russian Orthodox Church reportedly pushed the Cossacks to accept Ingush Cossacks as their own. Moreover, the Russian law "On the Russian Cossacks' Government Service" clearly states that any citizen of Russia aged 18 to 60 may become a member of a Cossack society irrespective of their ethnicity or religious affiliation. Hence, the doors for ethnic Ingush to become members of the state-sponsored Cossack force seem to be open (Kazak-center.ru, December 17, 2013).

Ingush Cossacks are seeking to prove that the Ingush historically served in the Cossack forces while also retaining their religion. However, the prospect of accepting Muslim members into a Cossack organization dismayed the Cossacks, who continued to insist that all Cossacks should be Russian Orthodox Christians. The motivation of the Ingush to become Cossacks is quite simple: The government delegates border protection to Cossack forces along with a substantial package of material privileges, such as land rights and salaries (Kazak-center.ru, October 29, 2013). Although Cossack hopes for receiving large government concessions have repeatedly been dashed, Cossacks in some areas still have managed to secure land rights (Izvestia, June 10, 2013).

The Russian government's motivation to turn ethnic Ingush into Cossacks is unclear. One possible reason appears to be Moscow's hope that it would pave the way for the return of ethnic Russians to Ingushetia. Currently, ethnic Russians comprise less than one percent of the population of Ingushetia. Creating a Cossack force in Ingushetia, even if it were dominated by ethnic Ingush, would potentially allow "transfers" between various Cossack societies in the North Caucasus, which would help the Russian government gradually "wash out" ethnic Ingush from the organization. The central government's other motivation may be to offer the Ingush people the same "carrot" that has been offered to their neighbors and competitors to the west-the ethnic Ossetians. The so-called Alan Cossack Republican District Cossack Society (Terkv.ru, accessed July 13) in North Ossetia boasts 12,000 members, seven subdivisions, and 44 local Cossack organizations. Besides prestige and the legal right to bear arms, membership in a government-sponsored Cossack organization has real material benefits. Ossetian Cossacks are recruited for border protection tasks and receive salaries for their work (Sevosetia.ru, June 14). Since the Ingush and Ossetians have been at odds for a long time, especially since the conflict of 1992, Moscow may be considering an overture toward the Ingush by allowing them to also have their own Cossack force.

Moscow increasingly regards the Cossacks in the North Caucasus as a part of its wider political game in the region. Members of the Cossack forces are included and excluded not according to some historical and cultural heritage, but according to political necessity. As a result, however, the meaning of Cossack culture and Cossack identity is becoming more fluid. Some Cossacks still seem to argue in favor of retaining a Cossack identity separate from the ethnic-Russian identity and the identities of other ethnic groups. However, many seem to go along with the Russian government's decisions, thereby turning Cossack identity into a profession rather than a cultural artifact.

Copyright notice:  2010 The Jamestown Foundation
Greece: Migrant Children in Police Cells

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Greece: Migrant Children in Police Cells, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f7d9f4.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Greek authorities regularly detain asylum-seeking and other migrant children traveling on their own in small, crowded, and unsanitary police station cells, Human Rights Watch said today. They are held there for weeks and months, waiting for space in shelter facilities.

Greece should immediately end this practice and find space for unaccompanied children in open facilities with decent living conditions where they can receive care, counseling, legal aid, and other basic services.

"Police cells are no place for children who have fled their countries, endured perilous journeys, and are all alone in Greece," said Rebecca Riddell, Europe fellow at Human Rights Watch. "Locking vulnerable children in cramped and dirty cells for weeks or months is never an acceptable alternative for kids who need and deserve care and protection."

Although detaining children in police stations was originally intended as a short-term protection measure, a lack of shelters and other alternatives has led to arbitrary prolonged detention in places unfit for children, Human Rights Watch said. According to National Center for Social Solidarity (EKKA), as of July 18 an estimated 18 children were locked in police stations awaiting transfer, while hundreds of other unaccompanied children were held in large detention centers, including on the Greek islands, where they were not free to leave.

On visits to two police stations between June 26 and July 1, 2016, Human Rights Watch spoke with 11 children, some as young as 14, who had been detained for up to two months. Human Rights Watch was not allowed to look at the cells.

The children described unsanitary, overcrowded cells, including dirty blankets and bugs, and lack of access to information or services such as counseling and legal aid. At a police station in northeast Greece, children said a broken shower drain was causing water to flood their cell and that they used their clothes to block the water. The station commander said that as many as 23 children had recently been in a cell with a capacity of 10.

"Babrak K.," a 16-year-old boy from Afghanistan, said that before being transferred to the station in northwest Greece where Human Rights Watch spoke to him, he spent five days in a nearby police station in a windowless, vermin-infested basement cell. He said that four people shared three mattresses on the floor, and that the toilet had no door. He said that food was thrown into the cell through a small slot in the door and that because detainees were not provided with cups, he drank water from a discarded food container.

At both police stations, children said they were not allowed to leave their small cells. Some said their meeting with Human Rights Watch was the first time in weeks that they had left their cells.

Records at one police station showed that the eight children held there had been in police custody for an average of one month. "Javed S." a 16-year-old boy from Afghanistan who had been in police custody for 52 days, said: "The situation is very badI feel alone here, far from my family, from my friendsI need to get out of this hell."

Senior police officers interviewed acknowledged that the arrangement was undesirable. The head of the Aliens Police Division in Thessaloniki, Brigadier Pantelakis Georgios, said, "This is not what we want. These children are not detainees." The Thesprotia police director, Ntontis Ilias, said, "Apart from being police officers, we are also parents. Of course we agree children should not be handled by us, but for now it's the best available option."

Human Rights Watch saw children who appeared to be experiencing psychological distress and spoke with two who had attempted to harm themselves. One had used a razor to make small cuts on his arm and another had stopped eating and contemplated suicide. A psychologist at a shelter for unaccompanied children, Fivos Kolovos, stressed that the lack of access to support in detention can be particularly harmful: "Being in detention and having psychological issues is the worst combination. No one can take care of you, not even your friends who are in the cell with you." There was no routine access to psychological care at the police stations visited.

Many of the children interviewed said they had not received information about their rights or about the process for seeking asylum. None had an opportunity to speak with the police with the help of an interpreter. "Houmam B.," a 17-year-old who said he was from Syria and had been in police custody for 10 days, said he had not been able to communicate with the police at all: "I've never spoken to an interpreter, I ask for help from my friends."

Children said they had fled violence, child recruitment, or crushing poverty. Babrak K. said he stopped going to school in Afghanistan when the Taliban executed two of his classmates: "It happened in an instant. The Taliban came and cut off the heads of two boys." He said he finally left Afghanistan after the Taliban sent a written threat to his family.

The detention of unaccompanied children due to a shortage of sufficient and adequate accommodation is a chronic problem in Greece. According to the National Center for Social Solidarity (EKKA), the government authority responsible for managing the placement of unaccompanied children in shelters, Greece has only 661 shelter spaces for unaccompanied children. As of July 18, all facilities were full, and 1,394 requests for placement were pending. EKKA received more than twice the number of requests for transfers of unaccompanied children to shelters in the first quarter of 2016 than in the first quarter of 2015. According to UNHCR, the United Nations refugee agency, more than 60,300 children have reached Greece by sea since the beginning of 2016, 38 percent of total sea arrivals. There are no reliable statistics on how many of these children are unaccompanied.

Applicable Greek law, as amended in April, says that detention of children should be avoided and that unaccompanied children should not be detained as a rule, but only in very exceptional cases as a last resort. However, the law still foresees the possibility of detaining unaccompanied children for up to 25 days pending referral to a dedicated reception facility, and an extension of 20 days if the child cannot be transferred due to exceptional circumstances, such as the arrival of a large number of unaccompanied children. According to police records at a station Human Rights Watch visited at the end of June, five children had been in police custody in excess of 25 days and two had been in custody more than 45 days.

The law also calls for all children in detention to be "given the possibility to occupy themselves with activities, including games and recreational activities appropriate for their age." But Human Rights Watch found no evidence that the children in police cells had any such opportunities. While this law improves upon the previous framework, which provided no clear time limit, it falls short of providing adequate protection to prevent prolonged detention of children, or securing appropriate conditions in the child's best interest, if detention occurs.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Greece is a party, says that children can only be detained as a last resort and for the shortest appropriate period. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, which oversees states' compliance with the convention, has concluded that "[d]etention cannot be justified solely on the basis of the child being unaccompanied or separated, or on their migratory or residence status, or lack thereof." International standards and the 2010 EU Action Plan on Unaccompanied Minors specify that, in the exceptional cases when unaccompanied children are detained, their best interests must be taken into account. Children in detention have a right to recreation and to education, and should have access to basic necessities, appropriate medical and psychological care, and legal assistance.

Greek authorities should avoid detaining unaccompanied children and should adapt Greek law and practice to ensure that children are detained only in exceptional circumstances and for the shortest appropriate period, Human Rights Watch said. Even before any change in law or the establishment of sufficient dedicated shelters, authorities should not detain children in police cells when facilities with better conditions are available. Authorities should transfer children to transitional facilities, including designated safe spaces in refugee camps and other open facilities.

The Greek government should make it a priority to establish open, dedicated shelters with sufficient capacity, where unaccompanied children can get the care and support they need and to which they are entitled under national and international law. The European Union should provide the necessary resources to support such facilities.

"Children who have fled violence and poverty and encountered danger along the way shouldn't face prolonged detention and neglect when they arrive in Greece," Riddell said. "Greece's goal may well be to try to protect these children, but it can't do that by locking them in dirty, crowded police cells, and making police play caretakers."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
Malaysia: Don't Undercut Independence of the Bar

Publisher Human Rights Watch Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as Human Rights Watch, Malaysia: Don't Undercut Independence of the Bar, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f7e134.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

"The Malaysian government's blatant attempt to silence the country's bar shows little concern for the immense damage this will do to the rule of law in the country," said Phil Robertson. "The government should drop its proposed amendments so the bar remains free to choose its own leaders, act without improper government interference, and speak out on legal issues."

Human Rights Watch said that the proposed amendments are contrary to international human rights principles and called on the government to withdraw them.

The Malaysian Bar, created in 1947, is an independent bar association whose aim is "to uphold the rule of law and the cause of justice and protect the interest of the legal profession as well as that of the public." It is managed by a 38-member Bar Council, elected annually from among its members. Consistent with its stated purpose, the Malaysian Bar has been an outspoken voice in Malaysia on issues related to human rights and the rule of law for several decades.

Over the past year, as the Malaysian government has engaged in a persistent crackdown on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, the bar has repeatedly spoken out to criticize the government's abuse of laws such as the Sedition Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and the Peaceful Assembly Act. It has also raised concerns about abusive police practices and detention without trial, and challenged the attorney general's decision to exonerate Prime Minister Najib of any involvement in the long-running scandal involving the government-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The attorney general's proposed amendments to the Legal Profession Act would allow the government to seriously interfere with and obstruct the bar's actions. The minister in charge of legal affairs would be empowered to appoint two members of the Bar Council and to issue rules and regulations governing bar association elections. In addition, the bill would increase the quorum needed for a general meeting from 500 members to 4,000 members, or 25 percent of the bar's 17,000 membership, making it virtually impossible for the bar to take action at its general meetings.

As the United Nations Human Rights Council affirmed in 2015, an independent legal profession is among the "prerequisites for the protection of human rights and the application of the rule of law, and for ensuring fair trials and the administration of justice without discrimination." The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers call on governments to ensure that lawyers can perform all of their professional functions "without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference." As such, "lawyers shall be entitled to form and join self-governing professional associations," and "the executive body of such associations should be elected by its members and exercise its functions without external interference." The government's proposals contravene these principles.

"The government shouldn't undermine the Malaysian Bar's effective and principled support for human rights, accountability, and the rule of law," Robertson said. "The global legal community should send a clear message to Prime Minister Najib that his government's efforts to weaken the bar's independence will only harm the country's reputation."

Copyright notice:  Copyright, Human Rights Watch
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UN staff in South Sudan facing harassment, obstructions  UN Mission reports

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN staff in South Sudan facing harassment, obstructions  UN Mission reports, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f7fd340c.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

19 July 2016 - The situation around South Sudan remains tense, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country today said, calling on all parties to uphold their responsibilities to protect civilians - including UN staff.

At a briefing for reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is encountering harassment of its personnel and increased levels of obstruction of its operations, including denial of flight clearances.

In Bor, restrictions are being placed on UNMISS patrols outside of Bor town and Bor market, the spokesperson said.

UNMISS has also received "deeply disturbing" reports of sexual violence, including rape, by soldiers in uniform against a number of civilians around UN House in the capital, Juba. The Mission is looking into these reports, which, if true, may constitute a war crime, Mr. Haq said.

"UNMISS calls on all parties to uphold their responsibilities to protect civilians and underscores that those perpetrating these entirely unacceptable attacks will be held accountable," the spokesperson said.

In addition, the spokesperson said that UNMISS is calling for an immediate release of the journalist Alfred Taban, who was arrested by the National Security Services, and for protection of freedom of expression. Mr. Taban is the founder and editor in chief of a leading independent newspaper in the country.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Juba, UN peacekeepers are continuing to patrol in and around UN House, where some 29,000 civilians have taken refuge; there are some 3,000 civilians in the adjacent Tomping compound.

South Sudan - which this month marked its fifth anniversary since splitting from Sudan - has spent much of its short life at war with itself, riven by a political face-off between President Salva Kiir and his then former Vice-President Riek Machar. Some 2.4 million people fled their homes in fear, before an August 2015 peace deal ended the major offensives that erupted into a full-blown conflict in late 2013.

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the war, conflict and instability has spread to previously unaffected areas in the Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr-El-Ghazal regions. This past month, deadly clashes in Wau resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people, while up to 35,000 fled their homes. Such fighting is characteristic of the trend that produced fresh refugee outflows this year.
Syria: Food convoy reaches Serghaya, as UN agencies urge protection of aid workers and sites

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Syria: Food convoy reaches Serghaya, as UN agencies urge protection of aid workers and sites, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f80f140b.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

19 July 2016 - As humanitarian convoys gain access to hard-to-reach areas in Syria, some United Nations agencies are speaking out about fresh dangers to aid workers.

In Rural Damascus, an inter-agency convoy today delivered life-saving assistance to 15,000 people in need in the hard-to-reach town of Serghaya for the first time since February, according to a United Nations spokesperson.

"The convoy contains food, education, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and other basic relief items," spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists in New York.

WHO reports up to 40 attacks on medical facilities this year

Attacks on medical facilities throughout Syria are posing additional challenges to humanitarian work in Syria, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

The agency today said that it has reports of up to 40 confirmed attacks on health care facilities across Syria in 2016, with nearly 60 per cent of public hospitals in the country closed or are only partially functional.

"These latest events represent a serious setback for the affected community and an additional challenge to humanitarian work in Syria," the agency said today in a news release referring to recent attacks on three hospitals in the country's Aleppo and Idleb governorates.

"It is unacceptable that such attacks on health care, which violate international humanitarian law, are increasing in both frequency and scale."

UNRWA staff killed in Aleppo

Meanwhile, the UN relief agency charged with the well-being of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East has confirmed that one of its staff was killed in Aleppo. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) deplored the loss of life on 17 July of Yaser Mahmoud Shuaeeb, one of its drivers, who was struck by shrapnel fragments in his back as he was getting off a bus on his way home. He is the 18th UNRWA staff member killed in Syria.

The UN Agency reiterated its call "to all parties to the conflict to respect and comply with their obligations to protect and safeguard civilian lives," according to a statement released yesterday.
UN rights office raises concern about Israel's 'NGO Transparency Law'

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN rights office raises concern about Israel's 'NGO Transparency Law', 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f824440b.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

19 July 2016 - The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) today expressed concern about the so-called NGO Transparency law in Israel, saying it would

disproportionately affect non-governmental organizations working on human rights and contribute to their de-legitimization.

Given the recent attacks against civil society organizations in Israel by public officials and some specific groups, we fear that this law will have a chilling effect on human rights defenders and their legitimate and extremely valuable contribution to the human rights debate in Israel, including those challenging the Israeli Government's policy on the occupied Palestinian territory, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for OHCHR, said at a press briefing in Geneva.

The new law, passed by the Israeli Parliament or Knesset on 11 July, demands that all NGOs receiving more than one-half of their finances from foreign governments or organizations to specify details about the source of funding in their publications and in communications with civil servants or elected officials.

Ms. Shamdasani said that same reporting is not required of NGOs funded by other foreign sources that are not classified as political entities or by private donors.

While this new law has been described as an effort to increase transparency in the NGO sector, it will disproportionately affect NGOs working on human rights, as confirmed by recent research undertaken by the Israeli Ministry of Justice itself, she added.

The OHCHR spokesperson also cautioned that the law will contribute to the de-legitimization of human rights NGOs in Israel, notably by branding them foreign agents.

In late June, three UN human rights experts had expressed grave concern that the then proposed legislation would subject human rights NGOs to harsh penalties for violations and delegitimizing them publicly.

Ms. Shamdasani noted that many NGOs in Israel, including ones not themselves affected by the law, had strongly criticized it, as had UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the European Union and individual donor governments.

We urge the Government to listen to these extremely valid concerns and take them into consideration, she concluded.
Thousands flee to Uganda to escape renewed violence in South Sudan  UN refugee agency

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Thousands flee to Uganda to escape renewed violence in South Sudan  UN refugee agency, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f826240c.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

19 July 2016 - More than 5,000 people - primarily women and children under the age of 18 years - have fled from South Sudan to neighbouring Uganda since the latest violence in the country erupted on 7 July, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The agency expects more people to arrive as the road linking the South Sudanese capital, Juba, to Uganda has been cleared of checkpoints, Leo Dobbs, spokesperson for the UNHCR, today told reporters at a press briefing in Geneva.

"People are arriving in Uganda tired and hungry. Many of them have walked for days carrying belongings. Others are suffering from malnutrition after walking without food for days," said Mr. Dobbs.

Thousands of people entered Uganda's northern region via the border crossing points at Moyo, Kuluba, Lamwo, Yumbe and Elegu. Some of them headed directly to Kiryandongo refugee settlement in the mid-west of the country. Most of the new arrivals have fled from South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria state, with a smaller number coming from Juba.

"Inside Uganda, more than 6,000 South Sudanese are staying in the Pagiarinya settlement in Adjumani District, while others are waiting at collection points to be transferred to the settlement," Mr. Dobbs said, expressing caution that a recent evaluation found that the settlement has capacity for another 6,500 people, "Meaning it is likely to be full within a few days."

Between Friday and Sunday, about 2,950 refugees had crossed into Uganda; prior to Friday, the daily rate was about 233 people.

"Those arriving spoke of a volatile security situation and fear that fighting could return at any time. They also reported an increase in looting," Mr. Dobbs said.

According to reports, the violence in Juba has resulted in the deaths of at least 300 people and over 10,000 have fled their homes. Several countries have evacuated their nationals.

He also condemned violent attacks against humanitarian workers, which have left at least one person dead.

In addition, UN humanitarian property has been destroyed. On 14 July, the main warehouse in the city run by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) was looted. The warehouse held one month's worth of life-saving food and nutrition supplies for 220,000 people before the fighting erupted.

Although a fragile ceasefire has held since late Monday, the threat of fresh fighting remains. The situation is further exasperated by skyrocketing prices, due to the devaluation of the South Sudanese pound, making the food that is available too expensive for many. The fighting has also disrupted supply routes from Uganda into South Sudan, including aid and food.

UNHCR and partners are undertaking assessments and providing assistance in displacement sites. This includes an inter-agency site assessment mission with officials from the Ugandan prime minister's office, to visit and identify sites suitable for establishing new settlement areas.

"The fresh displacement will put a further strain on UNHCR's resources for the South Sudan operation and our ability to provide timely and life-saving assistance," he said.

Last Friday, in Nairobi, Kenya, UNHCR presented a revised appeal for its South Sudanese refugees operations, seeking $701 million. The earlier appeal for $638 million was only 17 per cent funded.

Based on new planning, the agency has revised its figures from 867,239 refugees to 973,000 and there are fears that it could cross 1 million in the coming months.
Children starving in parts of Nigeria held by Boko Haram, UN children's agency warns

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as UN News Service, Children starving in parts of Nigeria held by Boko Haram, UN children's agency warns, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f829d40d.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

19 July 2016 - About a quarter of a million children in Borno state, north-eastern Nigeria, are suffering from severe malnutrition, the United Nations children's agency today announced. Of those, about one in five will die if they do not receive treatment.

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that as Boko Haram is pushed out and more of the north-east area is becoming accessible to humanitarian assistance, the extent of the nutrition crisis is becoming more apparent.

"Some 134 children on average will die every day from causes linked to acute malnutrition if the response is not scaled up quickly," said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF Regional Director for Western and Central Africa, who just returned from a visit to Borno state.

"We and all partners and donors to step forward to prevent any more children from dying. No one can take on a crisis of this scale alone."

Mr. Fontaine described ruins of towns accommodating displaced people, families with little access to adequate sanitation, water or food, and thousands of frail children in desperate need of help.

"There are 2 million people we are still not able to reach in Borno state, which means that the true scope of this crisis has yet to be revealed to the world," he stressed.

The situation in the Lake Chad Basin overall has been the subject of discussions at regional dialogues and at the UN Headquarters. Around 3.8 million people are currently facing severe food insecurity across the Basin, where the lean season has now set in in many parts.

In early 2016, UNICEF appealed for $55.5 million to respond to the humanitarian crisis in north-east Nigeria, but has so far only received $23 million, the equivalent of 41 per cent.
UN rights office urges Bahrain to review dissolution of opposition party

Publisher UN News Service Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as UN News Service, UN rights office urges Bahrain to review dissolution of opposition party, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f82df38e.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

19 July 2016 - The United Nations human rights office today expressed deep regret over a Bahraini court decision to dissolve Al Wefaq, the country's largest opposition group, and urged the country's authorities to review the latest and other bans on organizations that were peacefully exercising their rights.

In spite of strong calls from the international community for Bahrain to seek to de-escalate the worrying tensions in the country, we regret the decision to press ahead with the ban, Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), told reporters in Geneva.

Reports suggest that the court hearing was carried out without due regard for the principles of fair trial, and the ban is the latest in a series of measures over the last few months that appear to be designed to quash dissents, she explained.

We urge the authorities, and the national human rights institutions in place in Bahrain, to take immediate confidence-building measures to ensure the rights to freedom of peaceful expression, assembly and association are respected, Ms. Shamdasani said.

The call comes one day after Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the dissolution of Al Wefaq the latest in a series of restrictions on human rights in the country.

He urged a resumption of an all-inclusive national dialogue aimed at peace and stability in the country, and the region.
Syria: Alarm over reports of high civilian death toll from US-led airstrikes on Manbij

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Syria: Alarm over reports of high civilian death toll from US-led airstrikes on Manbij, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f83454.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

US-led coalition forces carrying out airstrikes in Syria must redouble efforts to prevent civilian deaths and investigate possible violations of international humanitarian law, Amnesty International urged amid growing reports that scores of men, women and children were killed in their homes in al-Tukhar village, near Manbij, on 18-19 July.

Since June, more than 100 civilians are reported to have been killed in suspected coalition attacks on the Manbij area of northern Syria, which has been controlled by the armed group calling itself Islamic State (IS).

"The bombing of al-Tukhar may have resulted in the largest loss of civilian life by coalition operations in Syria. There must be a prompt, independent and transparent investigation to determine what happened, who was responsible, and how to avoid further needless loss of civilian life. Anyone responsible for violations of international humanitarian law must be brought to justice and victims and their families should receive full reparation," said Magdalena Mughrabi, interim Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty International.

Worrying accounts from local activists, as well as photos and video evidence, point to at least 60 civilian deaths in airstrikes in recent days on al-Tukhar village, Manbij, in Aleppo governorate. The true death toll may be difficult to document - according to media reports, members of local families were buried when the airstrikes levelled their clay and adobe homes.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) statements said the US-led forces launched 11 strikes on 17 July and 18 strikes on 18 July against what it said were IS tactical units and fighting positions near Manbij.

Amnesty International has reviewed available information on dozens of suspected coalition airstrikes and found that in the majority of cases in which civilian casualties have been credibly reported, the coalition has dismissed the claims.

"International humanitarian law requires all parties to a conflict to prevent the needless loss of civilian life. Even if the coalition forces believed that fighters from the armed group calling itself Islamic State were present around al-Tukhar, they should have taken the necessary precaution to identify who else was present to avoid or at least minimize civilian casualties," said Magdalena Mughrabi.

The latest deaths add to what are estimated to be hundreds of civilians killed in Syria as a result of airstrikes by coalition forces against IS there since September 2014. Media have also reported civilian casualties stemming from the coalition's operations in Iraq.

Amnesty International will be seeking a clarification from CENTCOM about a series of other airstrikes causing civilian casualties which appear to have violated international humanitarian law.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Pakistan: End impunity for so-called 'honour' crimes

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Pakistan: End impunity for so-called 'honour' crimes, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f83a34.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

The Pakistani authorities must end impunity for so-called 'honour' killings and other violence against women, Amnesty International said today.

"The tragic killing of Qandeel Baloch, at the hands of her brother, has highlighted the need for urgent action to protect women and men from crimes that are justified as a defence of family honour."

Amnesty International welcomes the decision of the Punjab authorities to register Qandeel Baloch's murder as a crime against the state, and refuse her family the legal right to grant their son clemency.

"This needs to become the rule rather than the exception. Pakistan needs to undertake structural reforms that end impunity for so-called 'honour' killings, including by passing legislation that removes the option of clemency for such killings without resorting to the death penalty as a punishment," said Champa Patel.

Qandeel Baloch's brother has confessed to strangling his sister to death during her sleep on 15 July, triggering global outrage.

Under Pakistan's current laws, the family of a murder victim may pardon the perpetrator, including on payment of compensation known as 'diyat' or 'blood money'. In cases of so-called honour killings, where members of the victim's own family are responsible for the crime, the perpetrator may be pardoned by their own family and not face imprisonment or any other punishments.

"By failing to hold perpetrators of so-called 'honour' killings accountable for their crimes, the Pakistani state has been forfeiting its duty to the victims and letting a climate of impunity take reign. This leaves many thousands of people - mostly women and girls - from all walks of life and across the country at risk of falling victim to these crimes," said Champa Patel.

In its latest annual report, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said that nearly 1,100 women were killed in Pakistan last year by relatives on so-called 'honour' grounds. In 2014, the figure was 1,000, and in 2013, it was 869.

Under international law, culture, custom, religion, tradition or so-called 'honour' cannot ever be considered a justification for any act of violence against women.

"There is no honour in killing women under any circumstances. The state must respect and protect women's right to life, equality, and dignity so that they can make life decisions of their own without fear of retribution or violence," said Champa Patel.

Background

The Pakistani parliament is currently debating a bill that, if passed, would lead to the removal of the option of clemency for so-called 'honour' crimes. While Amnesty International calls for an end to impunity for such crimes, it opposes the death penalty as a possible punishment.

Amnesty International opposes the death penalty in all cases without exception, regardless of the nature or circumstances of the crime; guilt, innocence or other characteristics of the individual; or the method used by the state to carry out the execution.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Turkey: Media purge threatens freedom of expression

Publisher Amnesty International Publication Date 20 July 2016 Cite as Amnesty International, Turkey: Media purge threatens freedom of expression, 20 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f83f24.html [accessed 28 October 2022] Disclaimer This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

As the sweeping crackdown in Turkey following a failed coup continues, Amnesty International fears that purges are being extended to censor media houses and journalists, including those critical of government policy.

"We are witnessing a crackdown of exceptional proportions in Turkey at the moment. While it is understandable, and legitimate, that the government wishes to investigate and punish those responsible for this bloody coup attempt, they must abide by the rule of law and respect freedom of expression," said Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International's Turkey researcher.

"Turkey's people are still reeling from the shocking events of the weekend and it is vital that press freedom and the unhindered circulation of information are protected, rather than stifled."

Amnesty International has learned that the authorities arbitrarily blocked access to more than 20 news websites in the days following the coup attempt. Yesterday it was widely reported that the government revoked the licenses of 25 media houses in the country. In addition, 34 individual journalists have had their press cards cancelled and at least one journalist has had an arrest warrant issued against her for her coverage of the attempted coup.

Amnesty International is calling on the Turkish authorities to respect human rights and not arbitrarily restrict freedom of expression.

Copyright notice:  Copyright Amnesty International
Thousands flee to Uganda after South Sudan flare-up

Publisher UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Author Leo Dobbs Publication Date 19 July 2016 Cite as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Thousands flee to Uganda after South Sudan flare-up, 19 July 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/578f92514.html [accessed 28 October 2022]

Nearly 3,000 people fleeing the latest flare-up in South Sudan crossed into Uganda over the weekend and more are expected while tension remains high in the region, the UN refugee agency said today.

On Friday and Saturday, 1,326 South Sudanese entered Uganda and a further 1,633 on Sunday. This brought the total of those who have fled across the border since the violence began on July 7 to 5,015. The average daily rate before Friday was 233.

UNHCR spokesperson Leo Dobbs told a press briefing in Geneva that more than 90 per cent of the new arrivals were women and children under 18.

A fragile ceasefire has held since last Monday, but the United Nations has warned of the possibility of fresh fighting in the capital, Juba.

The 200-km Juba-Nimule road linking Juba to Uganda had been cleared of checkpoints, Dobbs said. "As a result, more people are now coming by truck, and this explains the rising numbers of arrivals, who are also bringing belongings."

Thousands have entered Uganda's northern region via the border crossing points at Moyo, Kuluba, Lamwo, Yumbe and Elegu, and others have gone directly to Kiryandongo refugee settlement in the mid-west of the country.

Previously, the border was closed on the South Sudan side but border restrictions have been eased.

The new arrivals are mostly fleeing Eastern Equatoria state, with a smaller number arriving from Juba. They report that the security situation remains volatile and fighting could return at any time. The refugees said there had been an increase in looting.

Inside Uganda, more than 6,000 South Sudanese are staying in the Pagiarinya settlement in Adjumani District and others are waiting at collection points to be transferred to the settlement. A recent evaluation found that Pagiarinya had the capacity for another 6,500 people, which meant it was likely to be full within days.

An inter-agency site assessment mission, including the government and UNHCR, was visiting sites to identify areas suitable for new settlements, the agency said.

"The refugees are arriving in Uganda tired and hungry," Dobbs added. "Many of them have walked for days carrying belongings. Others have malnutrition after walking without food for days.

"Militia activities in some areas of South Sudan have made it difficult to harvest crops in recent months."

The UN has said at least 300 people were killed and some 10,000 are currently displaced after the violence in Juba. Several countries have begun to evacuate their nationals, while neighbouring countries have offered to send additional UN peacekeeping troops.

Dobbs continued: "There have also been despicable attacks against humanitarian workers, including rape, which we strongly condemn. Those responsible must be brought to justice for barbarous assaults against aid workers."

The devaluation of the South Sudanese pound has contributed to the tension, leading to skyrocketing prices and making food too expensive for many.

In western Ethiopia's Gambella region, the number of new arrivals has not risen significantly since June 11, but the fresh fighting has dampened hopes of a return home soon. The Kenya-South Sudan border has also been relatively quiet. Last Thursday, UNHCR transferred 169 new arrivals from the border to Kakuma camp.

"The fresh displacement in South Sudan will put a further strain on UNHCR's resources for the South Sudan operation and our ability to provide timely and life-saving assistance," Dobbs said.
Schools of sharks, just like schoolchildren, occasionally need a field trip to break up the monotony of memorizing important dates from the Great Plankton Wars. And so, yesterday, one school of sharks headed to Coney Island to ride the Thunderboltunfortunately, they scared the hell out of a bunch of humans, and the beach was briefly evacuated.

Shark Alert at Coney #coney16 A photo posted by Lucien Zayan (@theinvisibledog) on Jul 19, 2016 at 5:18am PDT

Sharks were spotted just off the shore at Coney Island yesterday morning, prompting officials to close the beach between 10th and 16th streets intermittently between the hours of 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

"Suddenly we saw themI saw at least four, but it seems there were much more than that," Lucien Zayak, who got a video of dorsal fins in the water, told NBC. He told Brooklyn Eagle, "There was no panic. There wasnt an attack. The woman from the park said it was a big one. Ive never [seen] a shark except in a movie, and in the movie, they were pretty big. I [had] never seen a shark in my life. That was really the first time.

Sharks Alert at #coneyisland #shark #coney16 A video posted by Lucien Zayan (@theinvisibledog) on Jul 19, 2016 at 5:41am PDT

Though it's not super common for sharks to come close to shore here, Jon Dohlin, director of the New York Aquarium, told NBC the visit is likely due to cleaner waters. "There's a lot of good momentum that's going on in conservation, and we should be thankful for that and see this as a success," he told the station.

Responding to an inquiry from Brooklyn Paper, the city Parks Department could not immediately say how recently city beaches have been closed due to shark sightings. "We dont have records that go that far back  suffice it to say, it seems to have been a long time," the spokesperson said.

Sharks do not typically hunt or attack humans, though sometimes they can mistake dangling limbs for fish and briefly latch on. Still, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration points out, "more people are killed each year by electrocution by Christmas tree lights than by shark attacks." If you see a shark in the water, it's best to get out, and officials with the NY Aquarium say the beaches were closed yesterday "out of an abundance of caution."

The Aquarium provided us with the following statement:

Todays reported shark sightings off Coney Island are a reminder that New York City and its waterways are home to fascinating marine wildlife. A vast ocean wilderness literally laps against the citys shores, and we share these waters with whales, seals, sea turtles, and yes, sometimes sharks. We agree with the decision by New York Citys Department of Parks and Recreation to close beaches out of an abundance of caution and respect for these animals. As people watch from shore we hope they will remember that sightings like these are opportunities for all New Yorkers to appreciate the wonder, beauty, and diversity of the ocean.

We've reached out with some follow-up questions about how scared we should be and will update when we hear back.
Reading, math scores down in 1st test since COVID. How Indiana did.
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A pair of suspects in an alleged murder of an Abilene man were denied a reduction in their court-determined bond on Wednesday.

Judge John Weeks of the 42nd District Court denied both Kimberly Mansell, 39, and Michael Shawn Gootee, 37, a reduction in the $250,000 bond each has been held for since the shooting death of Donald Perkins, 35, near the Five Points Business Park on Arnold Boulevard on June 26. They are both charged with first-degree murder.

District Attorney James Hicks said he's happy the judge saw fit to deny reduction because a life was lost. But he said it's not really winning in this case.

'I don't really see it as a victory for anyone,' Hicks said. 'You have a family that's lost a loved one. That hole will never be covered, or that person will never be replaced. I think that the bonds the judge set in this case are adequate, reasonable and I am very glad Judge Weeks denied any kind of reduction.'

Hearings were completed individually, with Mansell first. She's accused of luring Perkins to his death by claiming she had a flat tire. Police say it is Gootee who shot and killed Perkins on Arnold Boulevard.

John S. Young, representing Gootee, called several witnesses, including his father, fiance and sister  and Gootee himself  to testify to the accused's character, flight risk and his inability to pay the $250,000 bond set at the time of his arrest.

Gootee, witnesses said, had cancer and developed chronic neuropathy, leaving him unable to work. He receives public assistance to care for his two daughters, they said.

They also said he was in Las Vegas for about five weeks until a few days before Perkins was killed and was planning to go to Lampasas to live with his fiance's sister days after the death.

'The standards (for bond reduction) are discretionary,' said Young, . 'We presented evidence that we thought met those standards and there's a great deal of discretion in the law about what an appropriate bond is. Judge Weeks heard the evidence in our case and disagreed with us. I believed that we had met the threshold, but Judge Weeks disagreed with us and I respect that decision. It's unfortunate for Shawn and his children, but we respect that decision.'

Detective Jonathan Merrick of the Abilene Police Department, on the stand Wednesday called by Hicks, said his investigation showed Gootee visited several locations in Abilene attempting to find Perkins and threatening to kill the man.

Merrick also said there was a separate investigation by another detective into the possibility Perkins sexually assaulted Gootee's daughter.

The results of the investigation were not made public.

A pair of suspects in an alleged murder of an Abilene man were denied a reduction in their court-determined bond on Wednesday.

Judge John Weeks of the 42nd District Court denied both Kimberly Mansell, 39, and Michael Shawn Gootee, 37, a reduction in the $250,000 bond each has been held for since the shooting death of Donald Perkins, 35, near the Five Points Business Park on Arnold Boulevard on June 26. They are both charged with first-degree murder.

District Attorney James Hicks said he's happy the judge saw fit to deny reduction because a life was lost. But he said it's not really winning in this case.

'I don't really see it as a victory for anyone,' Hicks said. 'You have a family that's lost a loved one. That hole will never be covered, or that person will never be replaced. I think that the bonds the judge set in this case are adequate, reasonable and I am very glad Judge Weeks denied any kind of reduction.'

Hearings were completed individually, with Mansell first. She's accused of luring Perkins to his death by claiming she had a flat tire. Police say it is Gootee who shot and killed Perkins on Arnold Boulevard.

John S. Young, representing Gootee, called several witnesses, including his father, fiance and sister  and Gootee himself  to testify to the accused's character, flight risk and his inability to pay the $250,000 bond set at the time of his arrest.

Gootee, witnesses said, had cancer and developed chronic neuropathy, leaving him unable to work. He receives public assistance to care for his two daughters, they said.

They also said he was in Las Vegas for about five weeks until a few days before Perkins was killed and was planning to go to Lampasas to live with his fiance's sister days after the death.

'The standards (for bond reduction) are discretionary,' said Young, . 'We presented evidence that we thought met those standards and there's a great deal of discretion in the law about what an appropriate bond is. Judge Weeks heard the evidence in our case and disagreed with us. I believed that we had met the threshold, but Judge Weeks disagreed with us and I respect that decision. It's unfortunate for Shawn and his children, but we respect that decision.'

Detective Jonathan Merrick of the Abilene Police Department, on the stand Wednesday called by Hicks, said his investigation showed Gootee visited several locations in Abilene attempting to find Perkins and threatening to kill the man.

Merrick also said there was a separate investigation by another detective into the possibility Perkins sexually assaulted Gootee's daughter.

The results of the investigation were not made public.




Anxiety could be high this fall in the Abilene Independent School District and students won't be the only ones feeling the strain, an official of a local educators group said Tuesday.

All teachers and administrators will be subject to the Texas Teacher Evaluation and Support System, which represents a sweeping change in how the educators are judged for their work. The use of T-TESS was adopted by AISD trustees during Monday's board meeting.

The change from the previous model, the Professional Development and Appraisal System, has at least one local teachers association concerned

Tyler Burton, incoming vice president of Education Abilene, said T-TESS comes with a component aimed at evaluating teachers based on the success of their students on criteria such as standardized testing. That component is called a value-added measure, and its inclusion is causing a lot of stress for teachers even before it's fully implemented.

'Our concern is the value-added measure,' Burton said. 'The district is allowed to specify up to 20 percent of the teacher's evaluation ... based on how students perform. That's not fair and it's not legal. It has created a lot of anxiety.'

Trustees unanimously approved the change in policy. Education Abilene, the local chapter of the Texas State Teachers Association, has joined a lawsuit filed earlier this year to battle the new appraisal system based on the inclusion of the student-performance component.

The lawsuit alleges that T-TESS's student performance component was developed as part of the state's attempt to come into compliance with the federal No Child Left Behind Act, which mandated that evaluations be tied to student performance. Texas had been receiving waivers, though they eventually were stopped.

The Every Student Succeeds Act  signed by President Barack Obama in December  ended NCLB's requirement for student performance in evaluations, however, among other sweeping changes in federal education policy.

In the lawsuit filed by TSTA and other teachers associations against the Texas Education Agency and Education Commissioner Mike Morath, the educators groups argued the component was no longer needed and should be abandoned.

As far as AISD teachers go, this student-performance component won't be an issue right away. Although district administrators indicated Monday that the requirement eventually would become part of the system, it's not happening this year in what Superintendent David Young said is an effort to reduce teacher anxiety.

'We're trying to demystify this for our teachers,' Young said. 'The primary use of an evaluation is to help our teachers get better. I think we're going to see significant growth coming out of T-TESS (from first-year teachers).'

Burton, an English teacher at Woodson Center for Excellence, said it's difficult for teachers to firmly grasp the system and its implications because the process is so fluid before school starts. But he lamented what he called a lack of trust in teachers from the public, which he said is 'sad.'

He said the lack of trust from the public and a consistent reduction in resources and support from administration has resulted in a loss of incentive to teach. The feeling, he said, is there's less and less value in teaching each year.

Still, Burton said he recognizes, as does the association, that evaluations are not going anywhere.

The goal is to be listened to as the one being judged, he said.

'We will always work with a system that is fair,' Burton said. 'We will always work with a system that takes into account teacher input. What we will not stand for is unfair systems put in place. Evaluations are a reality. But we want teachers to be evaluated fairly and for the results to reflect the quality of the teacher and the quality of the education offered.'
Abilene resident Marcus Anderson, a delegate to the Republican National Convention, said he has been impressed with the convention thus far  and feels good about the party's ability to outline its goals to the American people watching at home.

'If what they're doing in the convention is evidence of how they will convey the message between now and Nov. 8, I'm very optimistic,' Anderson said, noting a 'stark contrast' between presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and her party and 'the kind of changes that Donald Trump has been talking about.'

'I think anyone who is open-minded and listens to what the Republicans have to say will realize that our candidate will do many things that will benefit our country in so many ways, from the economy to protecting the borders, a stronger military, a better foreign policy,' he said.

Each session has a topic emphasizing issues concerning the country, Anderson said, starting with one titled Make America Safe Again.

'This evening, we'll be talking about Making America Work Again, and then later on it will be Making America First Again and (then) Making America One Again,' Anderson said. 'And I think those are four very important areas that Donald Trump is going to be working on and emphasizing.'

He said convention speakers, including former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, and Benghazi security team members Mark Geist and John Tiegen, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, have been effective in 'laying out information' about the party's goals from 'a lot of different perspectives.'

And Anderson said he had been impressed by the plans shared by Republicans in Congress to 'help turn our country around.'

'I hope with the new Republican president they'll be able to do that,' he said.

Addressing concerns that portions of Melania Trump's speech Monday night had been plagiarized from a speech by Michelle Obama, Anderson said he had 'not been aware of any possible plagiarism' and had 'not seen any evidence that shows that.'

'I was first of all just very impressed with Mrs. Trump's speech,' he said. 'It was well-delivered, and I thought if she ends up being our first lady, that we would be proud (of) the way she speaks.'

Melania Trump's speech showed her 'dedication to her husband,' Anderson said.

'She showed that she was convinced that he had capabilities that would be valuable' in the presidency, he said, and that her husband had 'the right ideas for our country,' he said.

A supporter of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz during the primaries, Anderson said that most of Cruz's supporters know that 'in this game, our man lost.'

'He withdrew from the race, and we have another one who will be the winner,' he said. 'What's most important to us is what happens in November.'

It's unknown at this point whether Cruz will continue in his role in the Senate or might have a role in a Trump administration, Anderson said.

'But we're going to be supporting Donald Trump,' he said. 'What's important to us is we support a candidate who is going to be able to beat Hillary Clinton in November.'
By the time Tuesday night's meeting to address the recent increase in violence had ended, Anthony Williams had to be pleased.

At the beginning of the meeting, Williams talked about the structure and purpose of the gathering.

'We want to have an authentic conversation,' said Williams, a member of the Abilene City Council.

An hour and a half later, the authentic conversation had happened. What comes next will be just as important.

The meeting, which was the brainchild of Williams and Chad Mitchell, lead pastor of Mission Abilene, was labeled ACT, an acronym standing for 'accepting' responsibility for the current state of crime in the city, 'collaborating' with the community to come up with solutions, and to 'take' action on those solutions.

Williams said he and Mitchell will go over all of the comments made at the meeting, which was held at Mission Abilene, and then decide on a next step. People who wrote down an email address, and the news media, will be notified about future action, he said.

Williams and Mitchell set the tone for Tuesday night's meeting early. They referenced the recent spate of violence nationwide involving African-Americans and police. As a black man, Williams said he is concerned about his son's future.

'That affects me,' he said.

But he also said that as an American, he is concerned about police officers being assassinated in retaliation for the killing of African-Americans.

'That moves me,' he said.

The purpose of the ACT initiative, Williams said, is to make sure those kinds of things don't happen here.

'Violence in our community is not acceptable,' Williams said.

Mitchell said his church started a Stop the Violence movement in 2008 in reaction to violence here and other places. As a pastor, Mitchell said he had buried seven victims of homicide, some in Abilene. He urged the approximately 50 people in attendance to take action against violence.

'It's going to take all hands on deck,' he said. 'We've got to continue to stand up and make a difference.'

The audience consisted of a mix of black and white Abilenians, many representing churches, schools, and nonprofits. Several suggestions were made, such as having workshops to teach young people how to respond when stopped by police and inviting community leaders to mentor at-risk kids in schools.

Some offered opinions on why there is so much violence and what should be done about it. Steve Savage, a city councilman, said violence is the result of a lack of good judgment. And, he said he believes the lack of good judgment comes from a lack of male role models and the lack of discipline in homes.

'I think that's what a lot of youth lack,' he said.

Houston McLendon, pastor of King Solomon Baptist Church, said it is imperative that young people understand how to interact with police. McLendon, who is black, said blacks and other minorities are fearful of police and that police are fearful of them.

'How do we deal with that?' he asked.

Stephania Gilkey, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church, drew applause after telling about raising her family on an Air Force base. Gilkey is black, but she said her children didn't see color, only Americans on the base. They are confused, she said, at how different it is in a civilian population.

She noted that the people at the meeting were all sitting with others who either looked like them or were in the same profession.

'It has to start with us coming together,' she said, and the audience took her literally.

Several people got up and moved, drawing applause and appreciative laughter.

'That's where it starts,' Gilkey said. 'That's where we've got to get today in order to heal our nation.'

Mike Perry, assistant chief of uniform services with the Abilene Police Department, gave a heartfelt response to the audience comments.

As a police officer of 25 years, Perry said it pains him to hear divisive words like 'us' and 'them,' whether in reference to race or the police.

'It hurts my heart,' he said. 'It hurts my soul.'

COMMUNITY SURVEY

The city of Abilene is conducting a Community Survey on Public Safety & Law Enforcement at www.abilenetx.com/survey. As of Tuesday, the top three concerns listed by approximately 1,000 respondents, were drug abuse, burglaries and auto theft. According to the website, the survey is designed for a law enforcement agency to gather opinions and experiences from members of its community. The survey assesses five key components: community involvement, safety, procedural justice, performance, and contact and satisfaction. The survey, which is used by law enforcement agencies nationwide, was written by the U.S. Department of Justice. The survey closes at 5 p.m. July 29.
Years from now, bright-eyed children will look up at Grandma or Grandpa and ask, 'Where were you when they nominated Donald Trump?' Far too many prominent Republicans will have to hang their heads in shame.

As the garish imperial coronation in Cleveland reaches its climax, there will be much commentary  some, no doubt, from me  about fleeting events. Did So-and-so's speech help Trump or hurt him? Did one line of attack against Hillary Clinton seem more or less promising than another? All of this is news, but we must not lose sight of the big picture: The 'Party of Lincoln' is about to nominate for president a man who is dangerously unfit for the office.

Trump is a brilliant showman, no question about that. His life's work has been self-aggrandizement, not real estate, and all those years of practice served him well when he turned to politics. He knows how to work a crowd. He understands television and social media. He dominated and vanquished a field of experienced campaigners as if they were mere apprentices.

But he lacks the knowledge, curiosity, temperament, wisdom, compassion and resolve to be president. The GOP is about to formally endorse a charlatan for the most important job in the world.

Great political parties do not do this. They might nominate a candidate who is too conservative or too liberal, too wooden or too glib, too inexperienced or too much of a warhorse. They do not nominate the likes of Trump.

The shameful thing is that so many of those scheduled to speak at Trump's convention know full well that he should not be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry said that Trump's candidacy was 'a cancer on conservatism, and it must be clearly diagnosed, excised and discarded.' Sen. Marco Rubio, set to appear by video, called Trump a 'con artist' and an 'erratic individual' who should not be trusted with the nuclear codes. House Speaker Paul Ryan reluctantly endorsed Trump and since then has spent more time criticizing the loudmouthed mogul than praising him.

Explain yourselves, Republican officials. You know that Trump should not be president. Do you secretly assume he will inevitably lose to Clinton? In that case, perhaps you think your support makes sense as a way to promote party unity or self-interest. (I'm being redundant; most politicians believe party unity and self-interest are the same thing.)

But what if Trump wins? Surely you are not under the illusion that Trump would follow the advice of more experienced hands and allow himself to be molded into a statesman. Anyone clinging to that fairy tale paid no attention to the final months of the primaries, when Trump would give a conventional teleprompter-aided speech and the very next day go back to raving like a madman.

Anyone wondering just how bad a Trump presidency would be got a preview from the joint interview he did Sunday with his vice-presidential pick, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, on '60 Minutes.' It was unintentionally hilarious  but also chilling.

It appeared that the candidates had spent all of five minutes preparing for the encounter, since they fumbled when correspondent Lesley Stahl asked obvious questions they should have known were coming. If Clinton's vote for the Iraq War showed bad judgment, as Trump claims, what about the fact that Pence voted the same way? 'I don't care,' Trump declared. When pressed, Trump said that Pence was 'entitled to make a mistake every once in a while' but Clinton was not.

Asked whether Trump 'went too far' when he criticized Sen. John McCain as 'not a war hero' because he was shot down over Vietnam, poor Pence hemmed and hawed until Trump gave him permission to speak freely. 'That one, you could say yes,' Trump told his running mate. 'I mean, you're not  it's fine. Hey, look, I like John McCain. But we have to take care of our vets.'

When Trump first came out with his proposed Muslim ban, Pence called it unconstitutional. Now he loyally says he supports Trump's idea, which seems to have morphed into something Trump calls 'extreme vetting' and applies only to Muslims from 'territories and terror states and terror nations.' When Trump went on about how he would declare war against the Islamic State but without dispatching U.S. troops, Pence said that 'this is the kind of leadership that America needs.'

It is not leadership. It is gibberish. And Republicans in Cleveland will pretend the emperor is wearing clothes.

Email Eugene Robinson at eugenerobinson@washpost.com. He writes for The Washington Post.
Daniell Jara, Abilene

Nationally, our police population is lacking  in terms of size and funding.

Underfunding law enforcement may have unintended consequences. Besides tax revenues, other main sources of income derive via citations and contraband confiscation. Seizing criminal assets is an ingenious way of removing said assets from shadow economies and defunding delinquents  all while repurposing those resources for public benefit. The same can be said about citations, which monetarily penalizes the public and serves as a disincentive to engage in criminal behaviors. The problem  a problem created by us and our lack of support  is that these diminished law enforcement budgets have become dependent on those fluctuating funds in order to sustain overhead expenditures.

A major concern for the public, particularly minorities, is that the shortage of funding is creating over-policing of the general public  leaving room for speculation and scrutiny. Impoverished and underrepresented communities maintain that they are being profiled by police, who are issuing unusual amounts of citations and performing excessive traffic stops because they are forced to amalgamate budgetary deficiencies.

This tension, whether implicitly or explicitly created, attributes to our nation's current partition. More tax revenue should be invested in our law enforcement so that they can perform their job proficiently and be compensated as they merit. Many more things need to be resolved so that Americans of all socioeconomic and racial backgrounds can palpate the egalitarian nature of the American dream. Let's not succumb to the feeblemindedness of hate and social warfare  let's unite and prosper as equals.
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The driver who killed an East Village bodega worker in 2013 was convicted of murder by a judge today. Shaun Martin, 35, killed Mohammed Akkas Ali, 62, and injured two other workers at East Village Farm and Grocery Store when he careened into the East Village Farm at East Fourth Street and Second Avenue while drunk and high on meth and PCP.

Judge Melissa Jackson convicted Martin of murder as well as aggravated vehicular homicide, assault, reckless endangerment, driving while high, driving drunk, and drug possession. Martin reportedly sobbed when Jackson began announcing the verdicts.

"Shaun Martin turned a vehicle into a murder weapon the morning he took the wheel while impaired by drugs, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance said in a statement. "In doing so, he chose to endanger the lives of every New Yorker he encountered that day."

The crash occurred at 6:50 a.m., after a witness said Martin "had been drinking and doing drugs all night." Martin was driving at over 50 miles per hour when he cut across three lanes of traffic and drove onto the sidewalk, smashing through a fire hydrant, pay phone, parking meter, tree, and the flower stand outside of East Village Farm. Along the way, Martin also hit Ali, a Bangladeshi florist who worked the overnight shift seven days a week, and two coworkers, and debris from the crash struck a cyclist. Ali succumbed to his injuries six months later at a nursing home.

At trial, the Daily News reports, Martin's attorney argued that Ali died because his breathing tube was dislodged, not from his crash injuries.

Martin "acted with complete disregard for human life," assistant district attorney Constantine Coritsidis argued during the trial. "He never once pressed his brakes."

As Streetsblog writes:

This case is unusual in several ways. In New York City, motorists charged with murder  itself a rare occurrence  are generally accused of killing their victims intentionally, or causing a fatal crash while fleeing police. Neither condition applied here. Vance also filed serious charges for the injuries Martin inflicted upon the surviving victims, which is relatively uncommon in NYC  and Martin was convicted on all counts.

Martin faces 15-25 years on the second-degree murder charge, as many 25 years on each of two counts of vehicular homicide, 25 years on each of two counts of assault, 7 years for reckless endangerment, and 4 years for each of three driving under the influence charges. He is set to be sentenced in September.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Tom Malinowski speaks during a press conference, April 30, 2015.

The Cambodian government and ruling party on Wednesday rejected Washingtons call to release opposition politicians and human rights workers who have been jailed in a series of arrests over the past few months.

Tom Malinowski, U.S. assistant secretary of state for human rights, democracy and labor, wrapped up a two-day visit to the country this week telling reporters on Tuesday the situation has deteriorated since the opposition and Prime Minister Hun Sen reached a compromise two years ago known as the culture of dialogue.

Officials with the government and the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP), dismissed those concerns, saying Malinowski misreads the situation.

We have found no significant issue regarding human rights and democracy, Sok Eysan, a spokesman for the CPP, told RFAs Khmer Service on Wednesday. Our foreign friends appear to have missed the point on that.

Malinowski told reporters on Tuesday that the recent arrests of government critics is giving Washington pause.

We have seen a very concerning series of arrests and prosecution: prosecution of members of the opposition party, members of parliament, political activists, human rights activists and even a member of the National Election Commission (NEC), Malinowski told reporters.

Its pretty plain

While he emphasized that the U.S. favors neither the CPP nor the CNRP Malinowski said: It is pretty plain, that over the last several weeks and months in Cambodia, the vast majority of these legal actions have been taken against one side, against people who are seen as critics of the government.

On May 2, Cambodian authorities arrested ADHOC staffers Ny Sokha, Nay Vanda, Yi Soksan, and Lim Mony and NEC Deputy Secretary-General Ny Chakrya. An arrest warrant was also issued for U.N. staffer Sally Soen.

All are facing bribery or accessory to bribery charges in a sex scandal that has engulfed CNRP acting leader Kem Sokha.

Kem Sokha has been holed up inside CNRP headquarters since heavily-armed police attempted to arrest him in May for ignoring court orders to appear as a witness in a pair of defamation cases related to his alleged affair with a hairdresser.

Malinowski said the U.S. is urging the government to release the activists.

We have encouraged the government to release and drop charges against people who were defending the rights and freedoms of the Cambodian people, he said.

Defense of human rights is sometimes contentious and controversial work, it often involves criticism of the powers that be, but is absolutely necessary to the health and stability of any democracy, he added.

Nothing political

Government spokesman Phay Siphan said he dismissed Malinowskis concerns, saying the government isnt the problem.

Its nothing political, he said. By turning a blind eye to that, he [Tom Malinowski] has a political tendency toward the opposition party.

Phay Siphan singled out the cases of CNRP leaders Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy.

What has happened is nothing but a personal issue between Mr. Sam Rainsy and Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, he said. In the case of Mr. Kem Sokha, he has failed to follow the court proceedings.

Sam Rainsy has been living abroad since he was stripped of his parliamentary immunity in 2015 because of a warrant issued for his arrest in an eight-year-old defamation case in which he accused Hor Namhong of running a prison for the Khmer Rouge.

While Hun Sen and the CPP have ruled Cambodia for more than three decades, they face new elections in 2017 and 2018. Many observers see the recent crackdown on dissent as a CPP effort to weaken its opponent.

Malinowski warned that the world will be watching this election and that military involvement wouldnt be looked upon with favor in Washington.

Earlier this month, local media reported that Cambodias commander-in-chief for the armed forces, General Pol Saroeun, had asked military officers to work with local authorities to prevent any tendencies to cause instability to the nation or any movements and activities attempting to destroy peace.

Malinowski stressed the importance of neutrality for the military.

I think that it is very important to remember that not only under our policies but also under our laws that if the military was to get involved in a political crackdown or human rights abuses of any kind, it would be difficult for the United States to continue all of the forms of cooperation that we think are in our mutual interest, he said.

Call for a coup

The government and the CPPs claims that Cambodia isnt in a state of turmoil are belied somewhat by what may have been a coup attempt.

Chhum Socheat, spokesman for Cambodian Ministry of Defense, identified the man who announced a plan to topple Hun Sens government as Vichea Som. Its unclear how serious the threat is.

Vichea Som is seen in the four-and-a-half minute YouTube clip that went viral on Facebook. In the clip he claims to be a member of the militarys Southwest Unit. He calls on the armed forces to join his coup plot to liberate Cambodia from Hun Sen in the near future.

He claims his unit does not recognize the government led by the CPP because it has killed numerous Cambodians, and that the government is also behind the recent killings of Sam Bunthoeun, Chhut Wutty and Kem Ley.

Sam Bunthoeun, the president of the countrys Buddhist Meditation Center of Odong, was gunned down in front of a house in the Wat Langka complex by two men on a motorcycle in 2003.

Chut Wutty was a vocal critic of the military's alleged role in illegal logging conducted by companies granted land concessions in protected forests and related government corruption. He was killed in 2012.

Swirling suspicions

Kem Ley, a popular government critic, was killed on July 10 by a man police identified as Oeuth Ang. Authorities charged him premeditated murder on July 13 for the execution-style killing. Authorities have said that Kem Ley was killed over an outstanding $3,000 debt to Oueth Ang, but many in Cambodia question that explanation.

A pair of witnesses to the crime are seeking asylum in a third country because they fear for their safety, one of the witnesses told RFA.

Malinowski met with Kem Leys family in what he said was a very normal practice.

Still, he called for the Cambodian government to invite independent experts to aid in the investigation into Kem Leys killing.

While the government of Cambodia has every right to conduct such an investigation on its own; given the inevitable suspicions that are swirling around this case, I think that the government would benefit from the involvement of independent experts in that investigation, he said.

Reported by Sel San, Chandara Yang and Tha Thai for RFA's Khmer Service. Translated by Nareth Muomg. Written in English by Brooks Boliek.
Authorities in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou have warned an unofficial Protestant "house church" with around 2,000 members that they are hosting "illegal gatherings," church members told RFA.

The church, which currently occupies premises on the ninth floor of the Xingye Mansions building in Hangzhou's Jianghan district, received a notification from the religious affairs bureau of the local government warning it to "reform its illegal gathering activities."

Lawyer Li Guisheng said he had been asked by the church to offer legal advice during a recent business trip to Hangzhou.

"They arranged a meeting with me to ask for legal advice, because the local government and police station had banned them from meeting, on the grounds that they were carrying out illegal gatherings," Li said.

"This church has a particularly long history, and the government has been trying to get them to join the Three-Self Patriotic Association," Li said, in a reference to the state-sponsored official body regulating Protestant Christians in China.

"But they don't want to, so the government is stopping them from meeting at all," he said.

'No end to government power'

The church has held unofficial worship ceremonies for more than 40 years, dating back to before nationwide purges of religious beliefs and practice during the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), according to U.S.-based Christian rights group China Aid.

Since the notice was issued, the local government has sent officials around to the church premises to tear down a large cross displayed on a wall, Li said.

"A lot of people are saying that there seems to be no end to government power at the moment," Li said. "They also have no idea how to pursue and stand up for their own rights."

An official who answered the phone at the Sijiqing neighborhood committee offices, which sent officials to remove the church's cross, declined to comment.

"I don't really know the details," the official said. "You'll have to speak to religious affairs chief Gao.

But repeated calls to the number provided resulted in a fax tone on Wednesday.



Government clamp down

Zhang Mingxuan, president of the Chinese House Church Alliance, similar treatment has been meted out to other Protestant churches in Hangzhou ahead of the city's hosting of the G20 summit in September.

"They have been forcing house churches not to meet ahead of the G20 summit," Zhang said. "They have also been forcing them to join the Three-Self Association in the past couple of years."

"The government has been clamping down on house churches in recent years, trying to manage them more closely, but they are a bit amorphous sometimes, so they have just told them they can't meet for worship," he said. "But the Bible teaches that we can't stop meeting."

The move to stop house churches meeting follows a prolonged cross demolition program in the past year or so by authorities in Zhejiang province, of which Hangzhou is the capital.

The demolition of "illegal" Christian crosses from the roofs of churches came amid growing resistance from local believers, but was billed as a civic pride and building safety campaign in official media.

Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.
Media outlets controlled by the ruling Chinese Communist Party moved on Wednesday to tamp down spreading patriotic protests in the wake of an unfavorable arbitration decision over Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea.



Last week, the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea in The Hague ruled in an arbitration case initiated by the Philippines to limit the size of territorial waters claimed by China in the disputed maritime region.



China immediately reissued claims to sovereignty over all land features in the South China Sea, as well as entitlement to internal waters, territorial seas, an exclusive economic zone, and the continental shelf.



Scattered protests have already broken out around fast-food outlet KFC and other U.S.-linked targets, with some calling for a boycott of U.S. goods in the wake of the ruling.



"The protest against the KFC is obviously irrational," the Global Times newspaper, which has close party ties, said in an editorial on Wednesday.



"Whether it is a spontaneous demonstration or one manipulated by other forces is still unknown," it added, without elaborating.



But it called for a "rational" patriotism that protects and safeguards the safety of Filipinos, who brought the arbitration case, as well as the U.S. and Japan, who have opposed Chinese claims in the crucial shipping lanes of the South China Sea.



"Extreme nationalism does not reflect the mainstream attitude in Chinese society," the paper said.



Public order warnings



Meanwhile, party mouthpiece the People's Daily warned against any breach of public order.



"Any action that promotes national development can rightfully be called patriotic," the paper said in an editorial. "But so-called patriotism that willfully sacrifices public order will only bring damage to the nation and society," it warned.



Posts circulated widely on Chinese social media following last week's ruling against China by The Hague arbitration tribunal, with one post calling on the public to boycott KFC and McDonalds on July 15 and 16, while small numbers of protesters showed up outside a KFC outlet in the northern province of Hebei on July 17, it said.



"Boycott U.S., Japan and the Philippines! You are eating KFC from the U.S. and bringing shame on China!" their banners read. Similar protests also popped up in Hunan, Shandong, Jiangsu, and Anhui provinces.



The protests have sparked counter-protests by others who defend their right to eat at KFC if they want to.



There have also been calls for boycotts of Philippine mangoes and iPhones, while a Hangzhou-based company issued a directive banning its employees from buying the new iPhone7, saying they would offer subsidies for employees buying Chinese-made smartphones instead, the paper said.



'Angry youth'



Some social media users, who are assumed to be members of the "angry youth" generation born in the 1980s, have posted images of themselves smashing their iPhones, wearing patriotic slogans.



But trade officials have played down any suggestion of boycotts of foreign goods in response to the ruling, while the official news agency Xinhua said recent protests had little to do with patriotism.



"In the farce of the South China Sea arbitration, we take a tit-for-tat approach, but still hold the moral high ground," the agency said in a commentary.



The government appears to be trying to avoid a repeat of scenes in late 2012, when tens of thousands of angry protesters thronged the streets of cities across China to protest the nationalization of the disputed Diaoyu/Senkaku island chain in the East China Sea, with some smashing Japanese cars and injuring their drivers.



But Chongqing-based scholar Zhang Qi said there is far less unity to be found in online comment than there was just a few years ago in China.



"We can see from the KFC incident that the government no longer has the same hold on public opinion that it did 10 years ago," Zhang said. "A lot of people are calling for boycotts of U.S. and Japanese ... goods, but there are some people calling for a boycott of goods made by idiots, too."



"This definitely helps the forces pushing back against the Chinese government's attempts to manipulate nationalist fervor," he said.



Patrols to continue



China refused to participate in the arbitration and has refused to recognize last week's ruling overturning its territorial claims in the South China Sea.



The People's Liberation Army (PLA), meanwhile, has vowed to continue air patrols and a program of island-building on disputed reefs.



China says it wants direct talks with the Philippines over the dispute, but Manila has said Beijing should first recognize the arbitration tribunal's ruling.



Hong Kong political commentator Willy Lam said there is little immediate threat from heightened military tensions in the region, in spite of recent PLA military exercises around the Paracel Islands ahead of the court ruling.



"The likelihood of a mishap from accidental firing of weapons is still pretty low," Lam said. "Most of Beijing's ire is directed at Japan and the U.S., and the ... issue was discussed during the visit of U.S. Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson to Beijing."



He said continued PLA military exercises in the region were just a show of force.



"China knows very well that any kind of clash will carry little benefit for Beijing or for any other country," Lam said. "It's all done to raise morale."



Reported by Yang Fan for RFA's Mandarin Service, and by Wong Lok-to for the Cantonese Service. Translated and written in English by Luisetta Mudie.




A South African protester holds a sign and a fake rhino horn during a demonstration calling on poachers to stop killing the endangered animals for their horns outside the Chinese embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, in a file photo.

UPDATED at 11:15 a.m. EST on 2016-07-25

North Korean diplomats have been caught smuggling rhinoceros horns from southern Africa in several instances during the past three decades, according to a new report by a civil society organization that exposes transnational organized crime.

North Korean embassy officials have been implicated in 16 of the 29 cases involving diplomats that we have identified in a variety of sources dating from 1986, said the report issued in July by the Geneva, Switzerland-based Global Initiative Against Transitional Organized Crime.

It is likely that many more cases of diplomatic involvement in the illicit trade have gone undetected and unreported, it said.

The document entitled Beyond Borders: Crime, Conservation and Criminal Networks in the Illicit Rhino Horn Trade, is the second part of a two-part investigative report on rhino horn trafficking in southern Africa. It also says North Korean diplomatic missions have been involved in the illicit ivory trade in Africa.

North Korean missions in southern Africa have been involved in the trade in endangered species, especially in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, to generate income for embassies that must be self-financing and to make financial contributions to the central government in Pyongyang, the report said.

The two southern African countries are plagued by weak economies and rife with political instability, land grabs and rampant corruptionall of which allow for rhino poaching, horn smuggling, and organized crime networks to thrive, the report said.

The rare and pricey horn of endangered white and black rhinos is sold to nationals of other countries, where ground rhino horn is used in traditional medicines.

Driven by seemingly insatiable demand in Southeast Asia and China, rhino horn has become a black market commodity rivaling gold and platinum in value, the report said.

Written by South African investigative journalist Julian Rademeyer, the report is based on documents and interviews with government officials and conservation and law enforcement authorities in southern Africa, Asia and Europe.

Diplomatic and government sources in South Africa told Global Initiative that North Korean embassy personnel in Pretoria are actively involved in smuggling ivory and rhino horn and may be linked to other illegal activities, the report said.

The diplomats rely on their immunity from arrest and detention and do much of the smuggling through diplomatic pouches, bags or shipping containers that are exempt from inspection by customs or police officers, the report said.

The bags are intended to transport diplomatic document or articles for official use.

Authorities can, however, examine such bags if they believe them to contain contraband goods.

The diplomat and the taekwondo master

The latest incident documented by the report occurred on May 3, 2015, when police in Mozambiques capital Maputo found close to U.S. $100,000 in cash and 4.5 kilograms (9.9 pounds) of rhino horn inside a vehicle in which Pak Chol-jun, the political counselor at the North Korean embassy in South Africas capital Pretoria, and North Korean taekwondo master Kim Jong-sua suspected spywere traveling.

Their passports indicated they had made several trips to Mozambique and Namibia, where poaching of the protected species, smuggling and organized crime are rampant, the report said.

Police detained the two and impounded the vehicle. But they were released after paying U.S. $30,000 and authorities returned the vehicle to them.

Later that year, however, the South African government informed the embassy that Park had to leave the country within 30 days, which he did in December.

When a Global Initiative researcher and cameraman went to the North Korean embassy in Pretoria to ask about allegations of the embassys involvement in rhino horn trafficking, an official denied that Park had worked there. He also tried to attack the researcher and threw stones at his vehicle, the report said.

North Korean diplomats in other embassies in Africa have been implicated as well in rhino horn smuggling.

There are also allegations that the North Korean embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is being used as a transit point for the smuggling of illicit wildlife products to China, with embassy officials abusing their diplomatic status to act as couriers, the report said.

North Korea is not a member of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), a multilateral treaty which seeks to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animal and plants does not threaten the survival of the species in the wild.

Hong Kong customs officials display ivory chopsticks, ivory bracelets and a rhinoceros horn found inside a container shipped to Hong Kong from Cape Town, South Africa, in a file photo. Credit: AFP China and Vietnam

North Korea is not the only country covered by RFA to engage in illegal smuggling of rhino horn and elephant ivory.

The document cites several instances where Vietnamese and Chinese nationals have been caught trying to smuggle rhino horn and ivory out of Mozambique since October 2014.

Both countries have ratified CITES.

While Vietnam remains a key destination and transit country, growing numbers of Chinese nationals have been arrested and prosecuted in recent years in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States for smuggling rhino horn, said the first part of the report entitled Tipping Point: Transnational Organized Crime and the War on Poaching.

An average pair of rhino horns weighing about 5.9 kilograms (13 pounds) can sell for an estimated U.S. $30,000 -$65,000 a kilogram on the black market, the report said.

Both Chinese and Vietnamese social media platforms have a thriving online market for the products in the form of raw unworked rhino horn, carvings, libation cups, antiques and bangles, it said.

Sham rhino hunts have also been used as a means of obtaining rhino horn for Asian criminal networks, the report said.

The second part of the report cites a May 12 incident in which Mozambican authorities arrested a Chinese national after they stormed a house where he resided on the outskirts of the capital Maputo and found 1.3 tons of elephant tusks and rhino horns.

The next day, they arrested another Chinese man when he offered police a U.S. $34,000 bribe to drop the case.

A few days after the raid, about 12 horns disappeared and were replaced with bull horn replicas despite being guarded by police. Authorities released the Chinese suspects on bail after they promised to appear in court in November, but they disappeared without a trace, the report said.

Also in May, African authorities detained a Vietnamese national at the airport in Maputo before he could board a plane to Nairobi, Kenya, after they discovered 22.4 kilograms (49.4 pounds) of rhino horn in his bags, it said.

The month before, authorities arrested three Chinese citizens at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi after they found ivory bracelets, lions teeth, and individual pieces of ivory concealed in aluminum cooking foil and a condom, the report said.

China and Vietnamese criminal networks have become ever more deeply entrenched in Mozambique, secure in the knowledge that being caught smuggling ivory, rhino horn or any other wildlife product can usually be resolved by paying a fine or a bribe, the report said.

Since the beginning of the current rhino poaching crisis, no Vietnamese or Chinese nationals arrested in connection with smuggling rhino horn or ivory have been jailed, it said. However, significant numbers of seizures have been made in Mozambique or tied to the country.
An international rights group called on the Myanmar government on Wednesday to immediately relocate a sulfuric acid factory situated close to a village, which continues to operate despite serious concerns about its health and environmental effects.

London-based Amnesty International said residents of Kankone village, Salingyi township, in northwestern Myanmars Sagaing region, told the group in June that emissions from the Moe Gyo Sulfuric Acid Factory are causing respiratory, skin and eye problems.

They also said high levels of sulfate from the emissions have damaged crops.

Myanmars government must intervene immediately and stop the operations of the sulfuric acid factory, said the groups international business and human rights researcher Mark Dummett in a statement. The factory must be relocated to an area where it cant endanger anybodys health.

State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi headed an investigative committee in 2013 that looked into the nine-year-old factory which supplies sulfuric acid to two copper minesLetpadaung, and the Sabetaung and Kyisintaung mines, Amnesty said.

The committee found that the company that runs the factory had built it without securing permission from local authorities, it said.

The Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL), owned by the countrys powerful military, subsequently received permission to keep the factory running in July 2013, Amnesty said.

UMEHL runs both the mines as joint ventures with Chinas Wanbao Mining Copper Limited Company.

A criminal offense

Amnesty went on to say that although it is a criminal offense in the country to operate a factory without permission, the central government did not investigate the issue and failed to impose any sanctions on UMEHLs owners for illegally operating the factory from 2007 to 2013.

But the current permit will expire in October, said Myint Kyi, municipal minister of Sagaing region.

Regional officials have already suggested to the central government that the factory be relocated after they conducted an investigation of the plant.

The Sagaing regional government sent out what we found from the investigation of the factory to the Union government, including data on environmental and health issues, Myint Kyi said. Many villagers told us to move the factory because the smell from it is really bad.

Regional government officials sent health-care workers to the village school, which is 50 meters (164 feet) from the factory, to examine and treat ailments from the emissions, he said.

Though the previous government under former president Thein Sein granted the factory a one-year operating extension, the Sagaing government will not allow it to operate, he said.

The Sagaing regional government will not give the factory permission to run, so I dont know what the Union government will do, he said. The Union government directly controls the Ministry of Mines [which granted the operating permission]. In my opinion, the factory should be moved farther from the village.

The new National League for Democracy (NLD) government under de factor national leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which took office in early April, has announced that it plans to combine the Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry into a new Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation.

Tanintharyi region mines

In a related development, the Tanintharyi region government in southern Myanmar ordered two tin mining companies on Wednesday to temporarily halt production because they broke the countrys mining laws and damaged the environment, said Myint Maung, the regions minister of natural resources and environmental conservation.

The regional government issued warnings at the end of May to Thai-owned Myanmar Pongpipat Company, which operates the Heinda tin ore mine, and Eastern Mining Company, which runs the Bawapin mine, he said.

Companies have to follow rules and regulations set by the Ministry of Mines, Myint Maung said. I dont want anybody to be harmed.

Though the warning letters do not state an exact date for the suspension of operations, they indicate that the companies must repair wastewater drains that empty into nearby rivers and creeks, he said.

Myanmar Pongpipat Company has been operating since 1997, and Eastern Mining has been running since 2000.

Reported by Zarni Htun and Kyaw Lwin Oo for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
Authorities in southwestern Chinas Sichuan province on Tuesday sentenced a Tibetan monk to three years in prison for staging a solitary protest in Ngaba county opposing Beijings rule in Tibetan areas, sources in the region and in exile said.



The monk, who was identified only by his first name Lobsang, was sentenced in a secret trial, with none of his close family members informed at first of the verdict, a Tibetan man living in Switzerland told RFAs Tibetan Service.



Lobsang will serve his sentence at the prison in Maowun [Mao] county, the source named Sonam said, citing contacts in the Ngaba area.



Lobsang was taken into custody in September last year after calling out in public for Tibetan freedom and the long life of exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, and was severely tortured and beaten during his ten months in detention, Sonam said.

Lobsangs protest followed three similar protests in Ngaba that week, one earlier that same day and two others a few days before.



Separately, a Tibetan source inside Ngaba confirmed Lobsangs sentencing, saying that his Sept. 10, 2015 protest and subsequent detention had occurred at a time when the Chinese had clamped down on internet and phone connections in Ngaba.



So nothing was reported in the news media until now, the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.



Lobsang had staged his protest on a street locally known as Heroes Road in the Ngaba county seat, he said.



Chinese police quickly overpowered him and beat him severely in front of bystanders, the source said, adding, He had been held in secret ever since, and his whereabouts remained unknown until he was sentenced.



Details of Lobsangs physical condition are still unknown, and his family members and other relatives remain deeply concerned about his health, he said.



Sporadic demonstrations challenging Beijings rule have continued in Tibetan-populated areas of China since widespread protests swept the region in 2008.



A total of 145 Tibetans living in China have now set themselves ablaze in self-immolations since the wave of fiery protests began in 2009, with most protests featuring calls for Tibetan freedom and the Dalai Lamas return from India, where he has lived since escaping Tibet during a failed national uprising in 1959.



Reported by Sonam Wangdu, Lobe Socktsang, and Kunsang Tenzin for RFAs Tibetan Service. Translated by Dorjee Damdul. Written in English by Richard Finney.




The family of a pregnant Afghan girl who was burned to death has demanded that the government bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.

The family of 14-year-old Zahra says she was tortured and set alight by her husband's family in the central province of Ghor. Relatives of the teenager's husband insist her death was by self-immolation.

Zahra's parents have set up a protest tent in Kabul demanding justice for their daughter, who was brought to Kabul with burns covering 90 percent of her body. She died in a hospital six days later, on July 16.

"We will not leave this tent until justice has been done," Zahra's father, Mohammad Azam, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan on July 20.

Azam said he had complained to the provincial council and the provincial judiciary that his daughter was mistreated in her husband's house but that no one listened.

Azam said the girl, who was four months' pregnant, had been married when she was 12.

According to Ghor's police chief, Zahra's father-in-law and mother-in-law were in custody and being questioned. No charges have been brought against the two, and Zahra's husband remains at large.

Violence against women, including domestic violence, is commonplace in Afghanistan, where perpetrators often go unpunished.

Some Afghan women have turned to self-immolation to escape domestic violence.

Zahra's death last week has prompted outrage across Afghanistan, with rights groups demanding that the Afghan government bring an end to child marriages.

Child marriages are common in Afghanistan, though the legal age for marriage is 16 for girls.

"The story of Zahra is an extreme example of what can happen when a child is forcibly made to marry, but we know that this is not an isolated case and that this practice is all too common in many parts of the country," the nongovernmental organization Save The Children said in a July 20 statement.

"Early marriages are a material breach of the fundamental rights of a child. Zahra and many other girls who are given in marriage at a young age are deprived of their right to education, to security, and the ability to choose their future," the group added.

With reporting by AFP and dpa






YEREVAN -- Hundreds of Armenian protesters sympathetic to an armed opposition group holding hostages at a district police headquarters in Yerevan clashed with police on July 20 after their demand to provide food to the gunmen went unheeded by authorities.

Demonstrators pelted a heavy cordon of riot police with rocks, after which police used stun grenades to disperse the crowd. A group of officers reportedly detached from the rest and chased some demonstrators.

Armenia's Health Ministry said 45 people were hospitalized with wounds, including 25 police officers.

At least 13 people were taken to Yerevans Grigor Lusavorich hospital. Doctors there said 11 of them were police officers and that two policemen suffered particularly serious injuries.

TASS reported that the chairman of the Socialist Party of Armenia, Movses Shaverdian, received serious injuries, including a bleeding wound on the head. The relatives of the 64-year-old politician said he was undergoing medical tests.

The protest continued into the early hours of July 21 as some 2,000 protesters built barricades in front of the cordons of baton-wielding riot police in flak jackets and helmets.

An RFE/RL Armenian Service correspondent at the scene reported seeing bloodstains on the asphalt. One elderly man with blood on his face said he had been struck by police batons, and at least three ambulances were seen speeding to the scene.

The gunmen took over the Erebuni police station at dawn on July 17, killing one police officer and wounding six other people, and prompting a standoff with police. They continue to hold four police officers hostage.

The gunmen are demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilian, the leader of the Founding Parliament opposition movement, who was arrested last month on charges of illegal acquisition and possession of weapons.

They also want President Serzh Sarkisian to step down.

Authorities have rejected the group's demands and say negotiations are under way with the gunmen for their surrender.

Armenia's deputy police chief, Samvel Hovhannisian, told RFE/RL that "numerous" police officers have been injured in the July 20 clashes near the police station.

LIVE FEED: Clashes At Yerevan Police Station

Meanwhile, tensions were also reported in another part of the besieged area.



Nikol Pashinian, an opposition lawmaker who has been acting as a mediator in negotiations between police and the armed group on issues such as food, returned to the scene on July 20 and tried to pacify the situation by talking with both police and protesters.

The Founding Parliament is sharply critical of the way the government has dealt with the long-running conflict in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory that both Armenia and Azerbaijan claim.

The group frequently stages street protests in Yerevan demanding Sarkisian's resignation.

With reporting by AFP and TASS
Russian President Vladimir Putin says the world faces the most dangerous decade since World War II and predicted that the historical period of the West's "undivided dominance over world affairs" is coming to an end.

Speaking on October 27 at a conference of international policy experts in Moscow, Putin said the decade ahead is "probably the most dangerous, unpredictable and, at the same time, important...since the end of World War II."

Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's ongoing invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, Russian protests, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war, click here.

Putin laid the blame for the situation at the feet of Western countries, which he said have cast aside the norms of international affairs in order to maintain dominance and hold down countries they see as "second-class civilizations."

The Russian leader also said he had no regrets about sending troops into Ukraine and sought to explain the conflict as part of the efforts by Western countries to secure their global domination.

Putin claimed in his speech to the Valdai Discussion Club, a think tank, that the West had helped incite the conflict and also seeks to stoke a crisis over Taiwan in an attempt to enforce global dominance.

Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, triggering the biggest military conflict in Europe since World War II and driving relations with Western countries that back Ukraine and its drive to be part of the European Union and NATO to their lowest depths since the Cold War.

Putin cast the conflict in Ukraine as a battle between the West and Russia for the fate of the second-largest Eastern Slav country. It is partly a "civil war," he said, as Russians and Ukrainians are one people. Kyiv has flatly rejected both of those ideas.

The goal of what Russia refers to as a "special military operation" is to take the eastern Donbas region, Putin said, adding that in his view the region would "not have survived" on its own had Russia not intervened militarily in Ukraine.

WATCH: A local official told Russian conscripts "You are not cannon fodder" in a video published online recently. The men responded by angrily shouting that, actually, that's exactly what they are.

But the war has gone far beyond the Donbas region, with Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure, residential buildings, and other nonmilitary structures, killing tens of thousands of Ukrainians across the country.

Putin used the speech largely to rail against the West, saying it has nothing to offer to the world "except its own domination," and the goal of globalization "is neocolonialism to dominate the world." He said Russia is only trying to defend its right to exist in the face these Western efforts.

Putin also asserted that more and more nations refuse to follow Washington's demands and Russia will never accept the West's attempts to dominate the world.

Citing gay pride parades and the acceptance of transgender people in Western countries, Putin also defended "traditional values" and said "nobody can dictate to our people how to develop and what society we should build."

He also said Russia has never considered the West an enemy and has many things in common with it but will continue to oppose the diktat of Western neoliberal elites.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Putin's speech presented no new ideas.

"We don't believe that Mr. Putin's strategic goals have changed here. He doesn't want Ukraine to exist as a sovereign, independent nation state," Kirby said.

Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Putin's speech can be described as "for Freud," referring to psychoanalysis founder Sigmund Freud.



"The person who invaded a foreign country, annexed its land, and committed genocide accuses others of violating international law and the sovereignty of other countries? One truth: The person who started a wind, will get a storm. The storm is coming," he said on Twitter.

Answering questions from journalists after his speech, Putin reiterated the Kremlin's assertion that Ukraine plans to use a so-called dirty bomb on its own territory. The claim has been dismissed as false by Ukraine and its allies, who say Russia may have raised the matter because it plans to use such a bomb in Ukraine as a pretext for escalation.

"It was me who ordered [Defense Minister Sergei] Shoigu to inform by phone all his colleagues about it," Putin said, adding that Russia does not need to use dirty bombs in Ukraine.

Putin also said he supported plans by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit Ukraine's nuclear power plants for inspections.

"It must be done as soon and as openly as possible because we know that Kyiv authorities are now working to cover up such [dirty-bomb attack] preparations," Putin said, without giving any exact information proving the claim.

Ukraine invited IAEA inspectors to visit its nuclear facilities after the Kremlin made its unsubstantiated claim about the preparation of a dirty bomb -- which would use the explosion of a conventional warhead to spread radioactive material or chemicals over a wide area.

Ukraine said it would welcome inspections because it had "nothing to hide."

According to Putin, Russia has never talked about the use of nuclear weapons in the war with Ukraine despite his own promise to defend Russian territory with any means at our disposal" and saying his words were "not a bluff."

"We see no need for [using nuclear weapons in Ukraine]," Putin told reporters. "There is no sense for that, neither political, nor military."
Days after being charged with manslaughter and a DWI after crashing his SUV onto a Williamsburg sidewalk, killing one and seriously injuring three pedestrians, Nicholas Batka will be fired from the NYPD, Commissioner Bill Bratton announced today. In addition, officers who drank with Batka that night are being stripped of their guns and badges.

Officers Jeremy Rodriguez and Emmanuel Collado will be stripped of their guns and badges, "for the good of the department" a source told WPIX. This isn't Collado's only legal problem, as he's one of ten officers named in a lawsuit by activist Christina Gonzalez accusing police of arresting her for filming them at protests. According to the New York Post, Batka is able to be fired so quickly because he's still in his probationary hiring period, and therefore isn't eligible for a departmental trial.

At least one of Batka's friends was willing to try to spin things in a good light for Batka, with his friend Justin Alton telling the Post that Batka is a "great guy," that the DUI was an accident and that he's dealing with personal stress related to the death of his older brother.

Batka killed MIT scholarship student Andrew Esquivel, 21, who was living in New York for the summer for an internship. Another MIT student, Sophia Tabchouri, was injured, as was former student James Balchunas. The third injured pedestrian, Divya Menezes, is unaffiliated with the university.

After killing Esquivel with his car, witnesses say Batka tried to flee the scene, but was prevented by good Samaritans who pushed his door closed. He then allegedly moved over to the passenger side in an attempt to pretend he wasn't driving.

The drunken cop car crash is reminiscent of the 2001 scandal involving officer Joseph Gray, who drunkenly killed four people (including an unborn child) as they crossed a street in Sunset Park. It later emerged that Gray was drinking with other officers in a topless bar and a parking lot before running over the pedestrians. Two officers were later dismissed during the fallout, and Gray was imprisoned for ten years after being convicted of manslaughter.
What can you say when Russia's main intelligence service raids its main law-enforcement agency and arrests some of its top officials for ties to organized crime?

Because that's what happened yesterday when the FSB arrested the head of the Investigative Committee's Moscow branch, as well as the head and deputy head of its Internal Affairs division, accusing them of taking bribes from a notorious mob kingpin.

Well, what you most definitely cannot say is that this is part of some crackdown on corruption and mob ties in law enforcement.

Russia's security services, of course, have long worked hand in glove with organized crime and will continue to do so.

And those arrested yesterday for mob ties could easily have said: "I know you are, but what am I?!"

No, cases like this are never about what is on the surface.

The criminal charges -- which could easily have been levied against anybody -- are almost always a smokescreen for a political battle below the surface.

And what yesterday's raid and arrests suggest is that yet another "siloviki war" -- a battle among Russia's security services -- may be under way.

Elections are on the horizon. Vladimir Putin is hedging his bets by creating a 400,000-strong National Guard that answers to him alone. And everybody appears to be getting nervous.

Russian opposition figure Roman Dobrokhotov summed it all up rather succinctly in a tweet yesterday:

"The cops are afraid of the prosecutors, the prosecutors are afraid of the Investigative Committee, the Investigative Committee is afraid of the FSB, the FSB is afraid of Ramzan Kadyrov, Kadyrov is afraid of Vladimir Putin, and Putin is afraid of everybody."

So hold onto your hats, we should be in for a wild ride.

Keep telling me what you think on The Power Vertical's Twitter feed and on our Facebook page.
Four policemen were reportedly injured as protesters attempted to cross a cordoned-off area around a Yerevan police station seized by an armed opposition group.

According to Nikol Pashinyan, a member of the Armenian parliament's opposition faction Armenian National Congress, told journalists that "some people attempted to use bypass paths to get into the secured area, which resulted in a clash with police."

He said four police officers were injured when the protesters threw stones at them. He said the police were later treated in a hospital,

Pashinyan and two journalists were earlier permitted by police to enter the secured area to visit the armed group and determine their condition.

Local residents said the protesters were attempting to express their resentment that gas and water supplies have been cut off in the area to avoid possible leaks in case of a shoot-out.

When police blocked them, they started throwing stones and other objects at the police.

Yerevan police chief Ashot Karapetyan said no protesters were detained by police.

"The policemen have been hospitalized. The provokers attempted to escalate the situation. Now everything is quiet," he said.

Based on reporting by TASS and Interfax
German media have reported that the 17-year-old asylum seeker who was shot dead by police after attacking passengers with an ax and knife on a train in southern Germany was not Afghan but in fact Pakistani.

German state broadcaster ZDF said on July 20 that documents found in the teenager's room showed that he had Pakistani -- rather than Afghan -- citizenship.

The boy, whose identity has not been released, attacked people on the regional train near the Bavarian city of Wuerzburg on July 18, leaving five people injured.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere, speaking on July 20 at a news conference in Berlin, said "there are indications that he possibly was not at all an Afghan but a Pakistani."

But de Maiziere also insisted that the official register showed his birthplace as Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's ambassador to Germany, Hamid Sadeq, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan on July 19 that the attacker was not necessarily an Afghan national, insisting that some refugees pouring into Europe had registered as "Afghans" for legal and financial gains.

The militant group Islamic State (IS), which claimed responsibility for the attack, has released a video purportedly showing the teenager vowing to carry out the attack. But German authorities insist that the teenager, whose identity has not been released, appears to have no direct ties to the group.

Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, dpa, and BBC


Ukrainians have increasingly woken up to the sound of suicide drones as Russia turns to Iranian-made imports to destroy civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Now they may have another deadly Iranian weapon to worry about -- ballistic missiles.

Cheap but effective, Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 "kamikaze" drones have already made a deadly impact in Ukraine.



If U.S. intelligence assessments pan out, Russia will soon be able to supplement its use of Iranian suicide drones and its own cruise and ballistic missiles with powerful short-range Iranian Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar ballistic missiles.



Coming as the Kremlin is reportedly struggling to maintain its depleted stockpile of aerial weapons as it ramps up strikes, the missiles would potentially boost Russia's ability to continue its costly air campaign.



Jeremy Binnie, a Middle East defense specialist at the global intelligence company Janes, said having more missiles gives Russia the ability to sustain the bombardment against Ukraine."



Going Ballistic



The Fateh-110, which was unveiled in 2001 and has a stated range of 300 to 500 kilometers, was developed from a heavy artillery rocket dating from the 1980s. To increase the weapon's accuracy, the Fateh-110 was given a guidance system and movable fins that allow it to be steered as it approaches its target.



The Zolfaghar, which debuted in 2016 and also has guidance capabilities, comes from the same family as the Fateh-110 but boasts a much longer range due to its use of a lighter carbon-fiber airframe and a smaller warhead.



Binnie said the Zolfaghar's use against the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in eastern Syria confirmed that the missile was capable of reaching at least 650 kilometers, which he said is "a statement of how much the Iranian tactical missile program has really advanced over the years."



Iran's claim that the Zolfaghar can travel even farther -- up to 700 kilometers -- would put the western Ukrainian city of Lviv within range of strikes launched from Russian territory, while the more powerful Fateh-110 could potentially hit the city from Belarus, which has served as a staging ground for Russian attacks.



While there has been no indication that Russia plans to purchase launching systems from Iran, Binnie suggests that the Russian military could pair the missiles with existing equipment because the Iranian launchers were adapted from a Soviet-era system.



"It might be possible for the Russians to quickly adapt some old equipment they have lying around into launch systems," Binnie said.



The Iranian military, he added, fitted the Soviet system to trucks, allowing for mobility and concealment.



"Those civilian trucks can be covered over to make it hard to spot that they're actually missile launchers," Binnie said.



'Lawnmowers' And 'Mopeds'



Iranian military drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have been homing in on targets across Ukraine since late August, according to the United States.



The buzzing sound of the Iranian Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 drones, built with off-the-shelf components, have earned them derisive monikers such as "lawnmowers" and "mopeds." But the slow-moving, low-flying drones, which are maneuvered to crash into their target, have proven themselves capable of hitting their mark both in terms of military effectiveness and cost.

It is capable of extracting or delivering attrition and damage when launched, but it costs little compared to other UAVs that Russia has in its own arsenal," said Samuel Bendett of the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses (CNA).

Ukraine alleges Russia has ordered 2,400 of the Iranian suicide drones, and its military has claimed to have shot them down in great numbers, often using conventional anti-aircraft guns or even small-arms fire. But their ability to be launched in bunches of five -- often from the cover of civilian trucks -- improves their chances of reaching their target.



"The Ukrainians are stopping most of these, but the whole point of these drones is that they fly in a large mass," Bendett said. "The air defense does not always catch all of them. All it takes is for several or even one to make it through."

The estimated range of the Shahed-136 varies, but Iran says it is capable of traveling 2,500 kilometers. The slightly smaller and older Shahed-131, which has been used by Huthi rebels in Yemen to attack Saudi targets in the Arabian Peninsula, has been estimated to have a range of 900 kilometers, according to tests conducted by the Ukrainian military.



Ukraine's Defense Ministry has published multiple images of downed Shahed-136 drones in recent weeks, and the Ukrainian National Guard on October 19 claimed to have shot down a Shahed-131.



Ukraine has also claimed to have shot down a more advanced Iranian combat UAV, the Mojer-6 drone capable of carrying out both reconnaissance missions and aerial strikes within a range of 200 kilometers. There have also been reports of Russian interest in obtaining Irans Shahed-129 and Shahed-191 combat drones.



"When launched from any territory that Russia controls or is allied with -- anywhere from the south, from the Donbas, from Belarus -- they're able to strike a lot of Ukrainian targets," Bendett said.

In addition to the U.S. intelligence assessment that Russia will soon boost its arsenal with Iranian ballistic missiles, as first reported by The Washington Post on October 16, the White House on October 20 said that Iranians are now "directly engaged on the ground" in Moscows war against Ukraine after sending "a relatively small number" of personnel from the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps to assist Russian forces in using the Iranian drones.

Iran has denied sending combat drones to Russia, and Moscow has rejected claims that it is using Iranian UAVs.

Images of downed Iranian drones appear to show that they have been rebranded to look Russian-made, experts say, with the markings in Cyrillic naming them as the Geran-1 (the Shahed-131) and Geran-2 (the Shahed-136).

Observers are widely skeptical of Russia's denials, noting that the drones are essentially identical right down to the font of the serial numbers. Even Russian Defense Ministry experts have unwittingly admitted that the suicide drones are Iranian.



But the rebranding of the drones to make them appear to be Russian has opened the possibility that Moscow could, if it is not already doing so, seek to manufacture or assemble the Iranian drones on its own territory.



Sustaining A Campaign



The new aerial weaponry fits well with the Russian military's renewed focus on striking military and civilian targets far from the front lines in southern and eastern Ukraine. The air assault has ratcheted up following the October 8 appointment of Colonel General Sergei Surovikin, a former Aerospace Forces commander, to lead the Russian war effort.



Just days after Surovikin's appointment, Russia launched the biggest air strikes since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine in February. Moscow said the drone and missile strikes, which targeted civilian areas and infrastructure in cities throughout Ukraine, were in response to a bomb blast that damaged a key bridge linking Russia to the occupied Crimean Peninsula.

While the Kremlin has accused Ukraine's intelligence services of carrying out the "terrorist" attack on the Crimea Bridge, Ukraine has denied responsibility.



Since the initial air assault in response to the bridge blast, Russia has continued to pound Ukrainian infrastructure, often targeting power plants in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said is a deliberate effort to wear down the Ukrainian people by denying them heat and electricity as winter approaches.



"Civilian infrastructure is obviously the new layer in this war. The Ukrainian economy is now the target, the Ukrainian population is now the target," Bendett said.



Hard To Stop



The hypersonic speed and high trajectory of Iran's Fateh-110s and Zolfaghars, should they arrive, would be extremely difficult for Kyiv to counter without a network of high-tech and costly antimissile batteries it currently does not possess.



Ukraine has repeatedly requested more advanced missile-defense systems from the West, and in the face of the threat of the delivery of Iranian ballistic missiles reportedly sent an official request to Israel this week for components of its "Iron Dome" system.



While the United States has said that it is seeking to expedite the process of sending two U.S. air defense systems known as NASAMS, Washington has appeared reluctant to provide more advanced Patriot missile systems.



Janes' defense expert Binnie is skeptical that the delivery of the Patriot system, which has proven to be successful in shooting down ballistic missiles, is realistic for Ukraine.

"It's eye wateringly expensive and it's probably not really practical because each [missile] battery only covers one city," he said. "You would never get enough batteries to get the coverage you would want. You just wouldn't be able to find them, produce them, and train enough Ukrainians."
Kazakhstan has been going through some tough times recently.



There were widespread protests against government land-reform plans in late April that culminated in countrywide rallies against government policies on May 21. Hundreds of people were arrested in the days leading up to and on the day of that protest.



Then in June, an armed group roamed the streets of the northwestern city of Aqtobe in an incident that left 28 people dead, most of them from the armed group, and that has just been followed by a killing spree by a lone gunman in the commercial capital, Almaty.



Certainly, these are occurrences the general population would like to be informed about, especially when the situation is evolving rapidly. But it has been difficult to receive accurate information -- or sometimes even any information -- from media and officials, especially from the countrys president, while these events unfolded.



In this most recent incident, on the morning of July 18, reports said policemen in Almaty had been shot, that attacks might be happening at three places in the city simultaneously, and that people should stay indoors.



Some local television channels decided to suspend broadcasting. So many of those who heeded the warning to stay indoors were left to use cell phones or the Internet to receive information about what was happening in Almaty. Kazakh officials have warned repeatedly against relying on information spread via social networks.



Some of those television channels that went off the air explained they had planned to do maintenance at that time and stuck to their schedules, despite the crisis situation unfolding in Almaty. When they did resume broadcasting, many of the channels had prepared reports about events in Almaty. The Khabar channel had a reporting team at the scene when it came back on the air in the early afternoon.



The temporary suspension of broadcasting is actually to be expected. Regulations adopted in 2014 obligate owners of media outlets -- print, radio, or television -- to hand over texts of their reports to the local "komendatura," the officials in charge of preserving order during a state of emergency, 24 hours before the reports are published or broadcast.



No one at the television stations said that was the reason for being off the air, but management is surely aware of these rules.

After the suspect in the attacks was apprehended in Almaty, President Nursultan Nazarbaev said, It is important to rigidly suppress panicky rumorsand inform the public about Almaty events.

It was a quick response from Nazarbaev, since he remained silent and out of the public eye for several days in the wake of the June 5 attack in Aqtobe and after the unsanctioned demonstrations on May 21.



The Kazakh president seems lately to prefer allowing top officials to speak when crises break out, but this, too, has led to some confusion, mainly due to what appears to be a rift between the Interior Ministry and the National Security Committee (KNB).



Commenting on the Almaty attacker, KNB chief Vladimir Zhumakanov, who was appointed to his position at the end of last year, said the assailant was a terrorist who had been imprisoned for robbery and had fallen under the influence of Islamic radicals while incarcerated.



The Interior Ministry later portrayed the Almaty attacker as a petty criminal who, having been released from jail, decided to target police in revenge for being imprisoned. Interior Minister Kalmukhanbet Kasymov said on July 19 that the gunman said during questioning that his initial plan had been to attack judges and employees of the Prosecutor-Generals Office.

Following the June 5 violence in Aqtobe, when police were still searching for fugitives, KNB chief Zhumankanov was shown on television on June 7 briefing President Nazarbaev about the situation. Zhumakanov told Nazarbaev there was information earlier that day about an attack on a kindergarten and childrens summer camp. But shortly after that, the Interior Ministry released a statement denying there were attacks at either place.



Kazakhstan has been relatively free from acts of violence, mass killings, terrorism, and large-scale unrest throughout its nearly 25 years as an independent country. Incidents so far in 2016 have shown authorities still need to learn some things about how to respond to such crises when they occur.



But part of that response should be assigning some official or officials to keep a steady line of communication open to the public through the countrys media.

RFE/RLs Kazakh Service, known locally as Azattyq, contributed to this report
WASHINGTON -- A former top Moldovan anticorruption official has alleged that the massive banking crisis roiling that tiny former Soviet republic was the result of "economic sabotage" committed by those seeking to destabilize the country and keep it from moving closer to Europe.

In an interview with RFE/RL, Mihail Gofman also suggested that a billionaire former legislator who sought to become prime minister was the main beneficiary of the $1 billion theft from Moldovan banks, a stunning amount totaling nearly one-eighth of the country's GDP.

The comments by Gofman, who was the deputy chief within the Office of Prevention and Control of Money Laundering until he was pushed out in 2014, are the latest twist in the murky saga that has prompted a political crisis pushing Europe's poorest country closer to collapse.

Speculation has swirled in Moldova, which is wedged between Romania and Ukraine, about the perpetrators of the theft and whether Russian banks, crime groups, or even security agencies had a role. The country in recent years has been yanked between political factions wanting either to pull it closer to the European Union or closer to Russia.

The details of the bank theft first emerged in a confidential report commissioned by the country's central bank and conducted by international investigative firm Kroll. The report documented how companies and individuals tied to a 28-year-old businessman took control of three major Moldovan banks between 2012 and 2014 and then allegedly issued massive loans to the businessman's companies during a three-day period in November 2014.

Public Anger

The public anger stoked by the report has been leveled not only at the businessman, Ihon Shor, but also the country's entrepreneurial elite, including Vladimir Plahotniuc, a billionaire and a former legislator whose nomination to be prime minister was rejected in January by President Nicolae Timofti.

"What I'm now showing, examining this theft of the century, which I consider to be economic sabotage -- who's to blame, and how it came about -- we're still going to have to reckon with it," Gofman said. "And without the creation of, let's say, a group of international investigators, I don't foresee any resolution to this question."

Gofman alleged that Plahotniuc was a beneficiary of the theft along with another businessman and former pro-European prime minister, Vladimir Filat. He also suggested wider involvement by top government officials who he said could have enacted stricter financial monitoring controls or even transfer taxes. That, he said, could have kept Moldova's banking system from becoming tainted by laundered money from Russia or elsewhere.

Gofman had largely been out of public view since leaving his post in 2014; he said he was fired because his superiors didnt want him digging deeper into the banking theft. His public remarks this week, which included a news conference at a Washington think tank and an interview with a well-known host of the Moldovan channel TV7, have prompted questions about the timing of his comments and his motivations.

Asked specifically by RFE/RL why he was speaking publicly now, Gofman said he had been sharing details of his investigations all along -- just not in a public forum.

Gofman's allegations against Plahotniuc echo those that have appeared in Moldovan media for months, though with little in the way of solid proof.

'Moldova's Richest Man'

Adding to the murky nature of the scandal, the classified Kroll report was leaked last year to the blog of Andrian Candu, who is currently speaker of Moldova's parliament and an ally of Plahotniuc.

Shor is currently in pretrial detention, after being placed under house arrest after the report's release.

Plahotniuc, who is vice president of the pro-Western Democratic Party, has vigorously denied accusations of involvement in the theft. Forbes magazine has called him the wealthiest person in Moldova.

Filat, meanwhile, was sentenced last month by a court in Chisinau to nine years in jail on corruption charges related to the banking theft. He has denied the accusations and called the prosecution politically motivated.

The country is scheduled to hold a presidential election in October, though with the theft continuing to reverberate throughout the political systems, there is growing doubt about whether the vote will be held.

Moldova has been pulled for years between Moscow and the West. Russia maintains a 1,400-strong contingent of troops in Transdneister, a tiny strip of land whose separatist leanings sparked a brief war in 1990. Moscow also covers an estimated 70 percent of Transdniester's budget through direct or indirect aid.

But Moldova shares a border with, and has close linguistic and ethnic ties to, Romania, which is a member of the European Union and NATO.


A special court trying former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf for treason ordered a freeze on his bank accounts and confiscation of his property, his attorneys said on July 19.

The head of a three-judge panel, Mazhar Alam Miankhel, issued the order after the former president, who left for Dubai in March for medical treatment, failed to appear in court.

Afterward, the court adjourned, saying it could not try Musharraf in his absence.

Musharraf faces multiple charges including treason and murder for the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 2007.

Musharraf ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup in 1999. He resigned in 2008 to avoid possible impeachment and went into exile overseas.

He returned in 2013, after which he was barred from leaving the country while facing multiple lawsuits -- a travel ban that was lifted so he could seek medical care.

In January, Musharraf was acquitted over the 2006 killing of a Baloch rebel leader, Nawab Akbar Bugti.

But four cases against him remain -- one accusing him of treason for imposing emergency rule, as well as suits alleging the unlawful dismissal of judges, the assassination of Bhutto, and a deadly raid on Islamabad's radical Red Mosque.

Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters


A court in Russia's Far East has cleared five imprisoned men who were originally convicted of a notorious 2009 quadruple murder.

In a retrial ordered by the Supreme Court last year, a Vladivostok court found insufficient evidence to convict the gang of young men, known as the Primorsky Partisans.

The court freed group members Vadim Kovtun and Aleksei Nikitin, who have served six years in prison since their 2010 conviction.

Three other members of the group were cleared of the mass killing but will remain in custody as they are serving longer sentences for other crimes, including the murder of two policemen.

The Primorsky Partisans made headlines across the country in 2010 when they declared a guerrilla war on local police to protest corruption and lawlessness by the officers.

The group -- then made up of teenagers -- were finally captured after a shoot-out near the Chinese border and jailed in 2010 for a series of violent attacks on police officers.

Two members of the gang were killed in the shoot-out.

Many Russians sympathized with the gang and their battle against police.


Serbian police said they have detained six people for smuggling 78 migrants trying to reach the European Union on July 19.

Police said they discovered the migrants in two separate incidents near the Bulgarian border -- 37 migrants from Afghanistan and Pakistan were hidden in a van intercepted on a regional road, while another 41 people from Syria were caught crossing illegally from Bulgaria.

The arrests came as Bulgaria announced it had detained 45 migrants who were trying to cross into Serbia, including 30 Afghans, 13 Pakistanis, and two Iranians.

Serbia has been stepping up efforts to stop the migrant influx, including forming joint police and army teams that will patrol the borders with Bulgaria and Macedonia. The country wants to avoid a migrant pileup after EU member Hungary recently introduced tough antimigrant measures.

The Serbian army commander, General Ljubisa Dikovic, and senior police official Vladimir Rebic jointly toured the border area with Bulgaria on July 19, the Defense Ministry said.

It said joint forces are "currently being formed" but didn't specify when they will take up positions. An army general will be in charge.

Based on reporting by AP and Reuters
For those skeptical of verbal promises, Mayor de Blasio today reiterated his commitment to expanding subsidized ferry service in all five boroughs, releasing a rendering of a new ferry terminal planned for Red Hook. The terminal is projected to serve 6,000 residents, along a new South Brooklyn route set to launch next summer.

The new dock will be located at Atlantic Basin, near the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal. DNAInfo reports that the administration initially rejected the spot, citing concerns about heightened U.S. Coastguard security around cruise ships. Locals pushed back, arguing that Atlantic Basin is more accessible by foot and convenient to bus routes than the other spots being considered: near Ikea, Fairway Market on Van Brunt Street, and Valentino Park.

"It's full steam ahead for the launch of Citywide Ferry Service next year," the mayor stated on Wednesday. "Families and businesses in Red Hook have needed better transit options for decades. We're changing that."

The South Brooklyn route will connect to Bay Ridge, the Brooklyn Army Terminal, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park Piers 1 and 6, and Wall Streetwith an optional Governors Island connection.

New Astoria and Rockaway routes are also on track for 2017, according to the city.

The Rockaway route will connect to the Brooklyn Army Terminal and Wall Street, while the Astoria route will stop at Astoria, Roosevelt Island at Cornell Tech, Long Island City, East 34th Street and Wall Street. Commute times will range from about 20 minutes between Astoria and East 34th Street to an hour between Far Rockaway and Wall Street.

The new ferry service will be operated by San Francisco-based Hornblower Cruises, which will receive an annual city subsidy between $10 and $20 million in addition to $55 million in initial funding. (New York Water Taxi, which currently offers cruises and an express shuttle from Wall Street to the Red Hook Ikea, has said that Hornblower's contract with the city could put them out of business before year's end.)

A trip will cost $2.75, equivalent to a single MetroCard swipe. But while riders will be able to transfer to the East River Ferry for free, fare integration with the subway and buses isn't set in stone, meaning unlimited monthly MetroCard holders could shoulder an extra cost.

Like Mayor de Blasio's Brooklyn Queens Connector proposal, the new ferry service is expected to increase property values along its routeabout 8%, according to a 2013 Economic Development Corporation analysis.

Bronx and Lower East Side expanded ferry routes are projected to launch in 2018. A route connecting Wall Street's Pier 11 to Stapleton in Staten Island and Coney Island doesn't have an estimated timeline. You can peruse the planned routes below:



(via Mayor's office).
A three-month state of emergency came into force in Turkey on July 21, a move President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said was necessary and did not violate the rule of law or basic freedoms of citizens.

Authorities say the emergency state will enable them to take swift and effective action against those responsible for last week's failed military coup, which left more than 260 people dead and 1,500 injured.

Erdogans government has said a "cancer virus" within some state institutions led to the July 15 coup attempt, and launched mass purges of state institutions that threaten tens of thousands of people.

The state of emergency, which Erdogan said was necessary and fully in line with Turkey's constitution, began at 1 a.m. local time on June 21.

Turkey's parliament endorsed the state of emergency on July 21, with legislators in the 550-member parliament voting 356-115 in favor.

Media reports said that, in an unusual move after the state of emergency was announced, Erdogan read out the morning call to prayer through loudspeakers at the mosque inside his presidential palace early on July 21.

Meanwhile, eight Turkish military officers who fled by military helicopter and applied for asylum in Greece after the abortive coup have gone on trial in the northern Greek city of Alexandroupolis for illegal entry. If convicted, they face up to five years in prison.

Turkish authorities insist they will receive fair treatment at home, despite indications of rough treatment in the postcoup crackdown by Erdogan's government.

In Turkey, hours after the state of emergency went into effect, Turkish media reported that 32 more judges and two military officers were detained by authorities on July 21 as part of the massive crackdown.

Erdogans government has already fired, suspended, or detained nearly 60,000 police, judges, civil servants, and teachers in an unprecedented reprisal following the failed coup that has stunned world leaders.

Nearly one-third of Turkey's roughly 360 serving generals have been detained. The Defense Ministry is investigating all military judges and prosecutors and has suspended 262 of them, broadcaster NTV reported, while 900 police officers in Ankara were also suspended on July 20.

Turkeys education system has been hit particularly hard during the ongoing crackdown. The Education Ministry on July 20 added more than 6,500 new names to the list of 15,200 school employees suspended, state media reported.

The government also started proceedings to close down more than 600 educational institutions, most of them private schools. In addition, 21,000 teachers at private institutions have had their licenses revoked and more than 1,500 university deans have been forced to resign.

Many of the thousands targeted by the government are purported to be followers of Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic cleric living in self-imposed exile in the United States who Erdogan blames for the coup attempt.

The 75-year-old Gullen, a former ally of Erdogan, has condemned the coup attempt and rejected having any involvement in it.

The newly imposed state of emergency will allow the president and cabinet to bypass parliament in passing new laws and to limit or suspend rights and freedoms as they deem necessary.

Erdogan announced the emergency in a live television broadcast in front of government ministers after a meeting of the National Security Council that lasted nearly five hours on July 20.

"The aim of the declaration of the state of emergency is to be able to take fast and effective steps against this threat against democracy, the rule of law, and rights and freedoms of our citizens," Erdogan said on state television after a five-hour cabinet meeting in Ankara.

"This practice is absolutely not against democracy, rule of law, and freedom -- the opposite. It has the purposes of protecting and strengthening these values," he said.

Erdogan and his deputies sought to reassure the Turkish public there would be no restrictions on press freedom or personal freedom.

However, under a state of emergency the government can impose curfews, ban news media, interdict traffic, cancel private gatherings, and conduct searches of private homes, among other things.

"It isn't martial law of 1990s," Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek wrote on Twitter. "Life of ordinary people and businesses will go unimpacted, uninterrupted, business will be as usual....It won't be any different from [emergency states] imposed by our European partners."

The last state of emergency in Turkey was lifted in 2002 in two southeastern provinces.

Erdogan sought to reassure investors who have been fleeing from Turkish markets since the coup attempt, saying economic reforms would continue.

The lira hit a record low against the dollar on July 20 before slightly recovering July 21, while the Istanbul stock index dropped 9.5 percent as of July 20, its worst performance since 2013.

Ratings agency Standard & Poor's precipitated another downturn in the markets on July 20 by downgrading the nation's credit rating by one notch, putting it further into junk-bond territory.

It cited as reasons "the polarization of Turkey's political landscape" and "eroding institutional checks and balances."

Erdogan derided the downgrade and Standard & Poor's in a nationwide televised address late on July 20, saying the agency's decision was "political" but would not harm Turkey.

In a first Western reaction to Erdogans move to declare a state of emergency, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on July 21 urged Turkey to maintain both the rule of law and a sense of proportionality in its response to the coup attempt.

Steinmeier also called on Erdogan to restrict the state of emergency to only the truly necessary length of time, and to end the measure as quickly as possible.

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders has also voiced serious concerns about the turn of events in Turkey.

Russia, which recently appeared to patch up briefly strained relations with Ankara, refrained from commenting on the Turkish move. Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters on July 21, "This is an internal affair of Turkey." Peskov also rejected a July 20 report by Irans Fars news agency that said Erdogan had received a warning from Russia about an imminent military coup hours before it was initiated.

Fars said the warning was based on data Russian military in the region received intercepting "highly sensitive army exchanges and encoded radio messages showing that the Turkish Army was readying to stage a coup."

"I don't have such information and I don't know the sources which Fars is referring to," Peskov said.

Austria has summoned Turkey's ambassador to explain Ankara's connection with demonstrations in Austria in Erdogans support, Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said on July 21.

Kurz told Austrian radio the ambassador would be asked whether Turkish officials encouraged thousands of people in Austria to take to the streets over recent days in support of Erdogan.

Kurz said authorities have evidence that the demonstrations for Erdogan that have taken place in Vienna were called for directly from Turkey, an action which he called absolutely untenable.

With reporting by Reuters, dpa, and AFP
Turkmen officials have closed the border with Kazakhstan for five days in line with increased security measures.

"Turkmenistan has bolstered border security, which is why access of foreign citizens arriving in the republic...has been suspended for five days," said a statement by officials from Kazakhstan's western Mangistau region.

It added that the two countries have agreed that Kazakh citizens who live in the Mangistau region could visit nearby Turkmen regions visa-free for up to five days.

Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan share a 413-kilometer-long border.

It is unclear if the closure by Ashgabat is related to a pair of deadly attacks on police stations in Kazakhstan that officials have blamed on radical Muslims.

Based on reporting by Interfax
KYIV -- Pavel Sheremet, an award-winning journalist whose reporting challenged the authorities in Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine over the past two decades, was killed on July 20 when the car he was driving was destroyed by a bomb in downtown Kyiv.

Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko called Sheremet's death a "murder," saying the blast was caused by an "explosive device" and that all evidence points to an assassination. Colleagues said they believed it was linked to his work.

Belarusian-born Sheremet, 44, a journalist at news website Ukrayinska Pravda, was driving to the offices of Radio Vesti to do a regular morning show when the bomb went off at about 7:45 a.m., officials said. The Interior Ministry said the explosives were planted underneath the car and the blast was set off by possibly a remote-controlled or delayed-action detonator.

The explosion destroyed the red sedan Sheremet was driving, which was owned by his partner, Ukrayinska Pravda owner and founding editor Olena Prytula. The force of the blast was equivalent to some 600 grams of TNT.

The ministry said Sheremets killers had acted skillfully."

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in televised comments that he believes the killing was carried out "with one aim in mind: to destabilize the situation in the country, possibly ahead of further events."



He said he has requested assistance from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the murder investigation in order to ensure "maximum transparency."

Alyona Horbatko, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, confirmed to RFE/RL that the FBI would assist its Ukrainian counterparts in the case.

In a statement on July 20 that called for a full and impartial investigation, the U.S. State Department lauded Sheremet for what it called "his courageous and tenacious reporting."

"He played a crucial role in Ukraines democracy, reporting on issues important to the public, including corruption and governance," the statement said. "Sheremets killing must not be tolerated in a free and democratic society."

At the scene, kiosk operator Lyubov Pereyenko said she had just opened her shop when a deafening blast shook the ground.

The explosion was so powerful that it sent parts [of the car] flying into my kiosk, she told RFE/RL.

A barista at a mobile coffee truck said the blast thrust him backward and nearly knocked him to the ground and that it appeared Sheremet was alive when onlookers pulled his mangled body from the scorched vehicle.

He took a breath. Maybe just one, said the barista, who did not want to give his name. Sheremet's body was smoking, he added, so bystanders poured water over his body.

Pereyenko said it took first responders five or 10 minutes to arrive at the scene.

Sheremets death prompted an immediate outpouring of grief from journalists in Ukraine, where the grisly slaying of Ukrayinska Pravdas founder 16 years ago has left a cloud over the media and political climate.

It's terrible. We're all very sad today, Mustafa Nayyem, a member of parliament and former journalist at Ukrayinska Pravda, told RFE/RL by phone from the site of the morning rush-hour explosion.

Sheremet was also mourned by officials, colleagues, and friends from Belarus, Russia, and further afield.

Shocked by the murder of Pavel Sheremet, Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, said on Twitter. He called Sheremet one of the best journalists and said: Pavel was such a decent man. So sad."

The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv said in a statement that it was "shocked and saddened" by Sheremets death and that it welcomed "statements by the police and prosecutor general that the circumstances surrounding his murder will be fully investigated and any perpetrators brought to justice."

Global rights watchdogs Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW) called Sheremet's killing a "reprehensible act that has sent a shockwave for freedom of expression in Ukraine."



We call for better protection of journalists in Ukraine that has a sad record of violence committed against media workers, Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty Internationals deputy director for Europe and Central Asia, said in a statement.

Poroshenko wrote on Facebook that he has ordered security officials to "immediately investigate this crime," adding that "the culprits must be punished."

He held a meeting with senior security officials and ordered security to be provided to Prytula, the president's spokesman said on Twitter.

Sheremet's killing will add to concerns about the future of Ukraine, which is struggling with economic hardship and a two-year-old-old conflict with Russia-backed separatists that has killed more than 9,400 people in the eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk.

WATCH: Video taken in the aftermath of the blast

Sevhil Musayeva-Borovyk, the chief editor at Ukrayinska Pravda, told RFE/RL that she believes Sheremet's killing was related to his work. Other colleagues at the website told RFE/RL that he recently had complained that he was being followed.

Colleagues said they were not aware of a particular piece of reporting that might have been a motive to kill Sheremet.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Sheremet was respected as "a professional who was not afraid to tell different authorities at different times all that he thinks of them."

In a statement, the ministry said it was "shocked by the cynical killing" and sought to portray him as a victim of Ukraine, whose pro-Western government is despised by the Kremlin.



"In Russia, despite divergences in views, he was never threatened with physical violence for his professional activity," the ministry said in the statement. "Unfortunately, his move to Ukraine proved to be fatal for him."



Numerous high-profile journalists who irked authorities with their reporting have died in contract-style killings and suspicious circumstances in Russia, both under President Vladimir Putin and his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin.



Born in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, Sheremet had lived and worked in Kyiv during the last five years as a journalist for Ukrayinska Pravda and a presenter at Radio Vesti. He had previously worked for media in Belarus and Russia, where he faced pressure from authorities for his work.



He had served as editor in chief of the popular independent weekly Belarus Business News as well as anchor and producer of Prospekt, a news analysis program on Belarusian state television that was banned by President Alyaksandr Lukashenka in 1995 -- a year after the authoritarian leaders election and a week before a referendum that expanded his powers.

WATCH: Eyewitness Account Of The Blast That Killed Pavel Sheremet

The following year, he became the Minsk bureau chief of the Russias ORT television.

A crusader for human rights, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press, Sheremet was arrested while shooting a report about smuggling across the Belarus-Lithuanian border in 1997 and sentenced to two years in prison -- a move widely viewed as politically motivated.

Amnesty International declared him a prisoner of conscience and he was released after three months, when Yeltsin intervened.

A critic of Lukashenka's persistent crackdown on dissent, Sheremet was passionate about the fate of people in who disappeared in Belarus in the late 1990s and were never found -- including three opponents of Lukashenka as well as Sheremets cameraman, Dmitry Zavadsky.



Sheremet was spokesman for the organization behind Charter 97, a 1997 declaration that called for democracy and human rights in Belarus.

Deliberately reflecting the Charter 77 human rights declaration in Czechoslovakia 20 years earlier, the Charter 97 declaration called for devotion to the principles of independence, freedom and democracy, respect for human rights, and solidarity with everybody who stands for the elimination of the dictatorial regime and restoration of democracy in Belarus.

Under increasing pressure from Lukashenkas government, Sheremet moved to Moscow in 1998 and became a leading investigative TV journalist. He produced several documentaries including Chechen Diary, Wild Hunt, and The Empires Last Year.

Sheremet continued to face threats and harassment in Belarus, where he was badly beaten while covering an election in 2004. He was a founder of Belaruspartizan.org, a popular independent news website that features relentless criticism of Lukashenkas government.

In July 2014, after he had been living and working in Ukraine for several years, Sheremet resigned from the Russian channel formerly called ORT and now Channel One, saying that any journalist in Russia who dared to contradict the Kremlins propaganda was hounded.



Sheremet's reporting earned him the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in 1998.

When authorities in Belarus denied permission for Sheremet to travel to New York for the awards ceremony, the Committee to Protect Journalists held a special award ceremony for him in Minsk.

In 2002, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) awarded Sheremet its Prize for Journalism and Democracy in recognition of his human rights reporting in the Balkans and Afghanistan.

That award hailed Sheremets efforts to promote OSCE principles on human rights, democracy, and the unimpeded flow of information.

Relations between the media and government in Ukraine were poisoned by the killing of Ukrayinska Pravda founder Heorhiy Gongadze, who went missing in September 2000, and successive Ukrainian governments have been accused of restricting media freedoms.

Gongadze's headless body was found in the woods outside Kyiv that November, but was not buried until March of this year. Leonid Kuchma, president when Gongadze was killed, came under suspicion and was charged with involvement in 2011, but the charges were later dropped. A former police general was sentenced to life in prison in 2012 after being convicted of strangling Gongadze to death.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Belarus Service, AP, Reuters, and TASS
U.S. Republicans formally nominated real-estate tycoon Donald Trump to be their presidential candidate amid a struggle to overcome the party's bitter primary fight and doubts about Trumps suitability as a standard bearer.

The July 19 vote by delegates attending the partys convention in Cleveland, Ohio, was the capstone to an extraordinary nominating fight in state primary elections in which Trump edged out 16 other candidates, many with extensive elective experience.

Together we have achieved historic results, with the largest vote total in the history of the Republican Party. This is a movement, but we have to go all the way, Trump said in a videotaped message just minutes after the completion of the state-by-state roll-call vote giving him the nomination.

This is going to be leadership, by the way, that puts the American people first. Were going to bring back our jobs, he said.

Were going to rebuild our depleted military and take care of our great veterans. Were going to have strong borders. Were going to get rid of [Islamic State]. And were going to restore law and order. We have to restore, and quickly, law and order, among many, and just so many other things, he said.

Trump is expected to face Hillary Clinton in the November 8 general election, the former secretary of state who is due to receive the Democratic nomination next week in Philadelphia.

The billionaire developer from New York has run an extraordinary campaign that has upended most expectations of the race to succeed Barack Obama in the White House.

But his calls to bar Muslims from entering the country, build a wall to keep out Mexican immigrants, and comments about women have been decried as divisive and offensive, not only by Democrats but even by many senior Republicans such as former presidents George W. Bush and George H.W. Bush.

The opposition hes garnered has cast a pall over the effort to unify the party at the convention.

The roster of speakers on July 19, the second of the conventions four nights, was notably absent of many of the Republican Partys up-and-coming politicians and elder statesmen.

Several of the speakers were obscure or merely unusual, including a former daytime soap-opera actress turned avocado farmer; the founder of a New York City waterproofing company; the president of the popular Ultimate Fighting Championship franchise; and the head of Trumps own branded winery in Virginia.

The highest elected Republican in the United States --House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan -- called for party unity but made scant mention of Trump in his speech, and notably didnt explicitly call for his election.

What do you say that we unify this party at this crucial moment when unity is everything? Lets take our fight to our opponents with better ideas. Lets get on the offensive and lets stay there! Lets compete in every part of America! Lets turn it out at the polls like every last poll matters, because it will, he said.

Many of the speeches attacked Clinton directly. Chris Christie, the Republican governor whom Trump defeated in the primary race and who had angled to be Trumps running mate, raked Clinton over the coals, listing off a litany of foreign policy issues that he argued indicated her unsuitability to be president.

We cannot reward incompetence and deceit, he said as delegates chanted Lock Her Up! Lock Her Up!

We need to demand more than what Hillary Clinton offers for America, because, see, we know what four years of Hillary Clinton will bring: all the failures of the Obama years with less charm and more lies, Christie said.

Clinton has been heavily criticized by Republicans for her involvement in a scandal surrounding her use of a personal e-mail server in her home while she was secretary of state on which many classified e-mails were sent and received.

Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who also ran against Trump in the primary race, tied Clinton to an activist who Carson said had "acknowledged" the devil.

The second night of the convention followed a first night when Trump critics staged a public, and ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to secure a symbolic vote demonstrating their opposition to his candidacy.

Opening night was also overshadowed by accusations that Trump's wife, Melania, plagiarized parts of a speech by Barack Obamas wife, Michelle, in 2008. Two passages of Melanias speech to the convention on July 18 -- each 30 words or longer -- matched Michelles address to the 2008 Democratic convention, when her husband was first running for the presidency.

Outside the arena, police deployed hundreds of officers and tactical teams, on guard against potential terrorist threats but also street protests and unrest of the sort that has plagued Trumps campaign throughout the primary season.

A few blocks from the arena on July 19, police broke up scuffles between groups of demonstrators. There were no arrests, despite tense moments that saw officers step in between protesters pushing and shouting.

At one point, videos circulating online showed officers on bicycles forming a line to separate a conservative religious group from a communist-leaning organization carrying a sign that read, "America Was Never Great."

The demonstrators on July 19 included anti-Muslim protesters, religious conservatives, and marchers decrying racism and "murder by police," but they appeared outnumbered by law officers and members of the media.


The United Nations, the United States, and other donor nations say they aim to raise more than $2 billion this week for war-torn Iraq during a pledging conference in Washington.

The Iraq donor meeting of 24 countries is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Kuwait, and the Netherlands, and the main pledge session is scheduled for July 20.

A broader meeting on the U.S.-led campaign to fight Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq will be held on July 21, to be attended by dozens of defense and foreign ministers from countries in the anti-IS coalition.

Iraq has a humanitarian crisis of large proportions, with an estimated 3.3 million people displaced by the war with IS.

Both Germany, Iraq's largest donor, and Canada came forward with pledges of additional aid of $1.3 million and $121 million, respectively, on July 19.

"We cannot lose the momentum of our efforts to stabilize Iraq now," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on July 20 ahead of the Washington conference.

"When the city of Mosul is freed from Islamic State, we will face enormous humanitarian, societal, and political challenges, just as we saw when Fallujah was liberated," he said.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi has pledged to retake Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city and IS's most important stronghold in Iraq, by the end of the year.

The UN said on July 19 that it needs to raise $284 million in aid to prepare for humanitarian needs from an expected assault on Mosul, and an additional $1.8 billion would be needed to deal with the aftermath.

Besides raising fresh funds to help Iraqi communities get back on their feet once their towns have been recaptured from IS, the aid is to be used to assist with the clearing of unexploded munitions preventing people from returning home, a U.S. State Department official said.

The United Nations has estimated that Iraq needs a total of $4.5 billion in humanitarian assistance. That is far more than the $778 million that is currently set by the UN humanitarian response plan for Iraq.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP


When you think about it, the Republican National Convention is just like a music festivaldrunk people who paid too much money to be here listening to over-exposed celebrities playing their greatest hits (misogyny, hatred of the Other, guns for everyone). And just like a music festival, the Republican National Convention has a lot of tacky merch for sale.

"Make America Great Again" hats are surely the most popular item on the streets, but other slogans that have been flying off of folding tables include Jail Hillary or Build That Wall. Surely the strangest of the merchandise include the slogan Trump That Bitch, whose precise meaning eludes even the keenest of consumers.

Gabriel Xavie traveled up from Florida to sell Trump shirts. While on break from the military, hes sold shirts from Maine to Houston to Colorado, always selling Trump merchandise. But business has been slow at the RNC, he tells Gothamist.

The shirts were a lot more popular in the southern states in terms of sales, Xavie said from behind his merch table on West 3rd street in downtown Cleveland. Trumps a fucking joke, honestly. Im making money off him. Hes an entrepreneur, and Im one too.

Much of Xavies family is in the military and he doesnt buy that Trump really cares about the armed forces. Theres nothing hes said that actually lays out how hes going to help the military, he just says how much he loves it.

Asked who hed be voting for in November, Xavie replied cryptically, No one. Im screwed either way. Good luck out there!


During the day, Shellie Lundquist works as an electrical engineer at Altria to deliver creative solutions, but at night she has even more freedom to experiment and develop ideas.

Lundquist, 28, is a member of HackRVA, a Richmond makerspace that allows tinkerers and creators to build things and collaborate on projects.

At work, being an engineer, I dont get to tinker with things, said Lundquist, who has been part of HackRVA for nearly three years. But I can come here and do woodshop. Its a way for me to do something I enjoy and care about.

HackRVA, at 1600 Roseneath Road, Suite E, in Scotts Addition, is Richmonds first-known nonprofit makerspace.

The communal enterprise started about seven years ago with two members who wanted to provide other like-minded people with a space to put their creative minds together. Since then, the organization has grown to about 140 members.

Makerspaces originated in Europe in the 1990s and have become increasingly popular in the U.S. within the last decade.

The work spaces allow people with common interests  usually in engineering, programming, machining and graphic design  to socialize and work on projects.

Makerspaces often include a woodworking shop, an electronics lab and equipment  such as 3-D printers and laser cutters  that members use for their projects.

Some of HackRVAs projects have included band saw boxes  small boxes made from oak or pine wood that are used to store jewelry or other valuables; a wooden printer stand made from scratch; and ornaments cut out with the spaces laser cutter.

HackRVA is run entirely by its members, who pay a monthly fee ranging from $30 to $50 to keep the organization going.

Membership dues give participants access to the spaces woodworking shop, which includes a CNC router  a computer-controlled machine that cuts materials such as wood and metal; a drum sander, which sands wood; and a sawstop table saw, which uses an electrical signal to stop the saw blade when it comes in contact with human skin.

HackRVAs electronics lab includes a laser cutter, a computer-controlled machine that cuts through materials and creates designs; a vinyl cutter, a similar device that cuts out designs from sheets of vinyl; and two 3-D printers that make solid objects from designs on a specialized computer.

All of HackRVAs equipment is either donated or loaned from members and nonmembers.

***

The space periodically hosts workshops that are advertised on Meetup  an international networking website  and open to anyone. At the workshops, members teach participants such skills as sawing or circuit board making.

The idea (of workshops) is that you come in, make something, and also learn something in the process, said member Michael Lane, who has been at the space for four years.

Lane, 34, who works at CapTech  a Richmond-based technology consulting firm  said most people discover HackRVA through Meetup or word of mouth.

For instance, Charli Curtis, 31  a photogrammetrist at the Richmond-based civil engineering firm Rice Associates  has been a member since November after discovering the space through Meetup.

Curtis said HackRVA has been a good way to make connections.

Immediately, I was welcomed and now I have friends and a place where I belong, she said. Its exciting to know that if and when I want to do a certain project, I have the resources available (at HackRVA).

Dustin Firebaugh, 28  a systems engineer at Richmond-based information technology service company Sklar Technology Partners  has been at HackRVA for four years after discovering it online.

He said the space allows him to do things outside his occupation.

Im a technologist, but a lot of times Im (at HackRVA) cutting wood, he said. Here, you have different people with different skill sets. Its about skill-sharing.

***

The maker movement has established a national presence within the past couple of years.

President Barack Obama launched a Nation of Makers initiative in June 2014 in which he hosted the first-ever White House Maker Faire, a day for select makers nationwide to show off their inventions and collaborate with one another.

This year, he declared June 17-23 as a National Week of Making to promote collaboration and innovation across the country. Obamas event coincides with the National Maker Faire, a similar event that has been held in Washington since 2015.

Some of HackRVAs members attend the RVA MakerFest  held at the Science Museum of Virginia in the fall  which is similar to Obamas event and the National Maker Faire.

This venue affords HackRVA members a chance to share their inventions with other makers across the Richmond region.

(RVA MakerFest) is local, so we can attract new people to HackRVA and show off our stuff, Lane said.

Aside from all the inventions and high-tech equipment, HackRVA members say the spaces close-knit feel is what keeps them coming back.
Insurance companies operating in Virginia made presentations Wednesday to the State Corporation Commission, explaining why they are attempting to increase rates on Affordable Care Act health insurance plans by an average of 14 percent next year.

Most of the explanations were rooted in health care trends  costs continue to rise, and for most ACA plans, the number of unhealthy members joining is not being balanced out by healthy people signing up as well.

Under state law, the SCC is required to review and approve premium rates for all forms of health plans, whether or not they are sold on the federal exchange.

The companies selling insurance in Virginia reported proposed average rate increases for individual and small-group insurance plans of about 14 percent.

Several of the rate increases and premium increases that have been filed are substantial and we are concerned about those and look forward to hearing justifications for those substantial rate increases, Commissioner Mark Christie said at the start of the hearing.

This year, 11 companies sought to offer health insurance plans in the individual market both on and off the exchange  including new plans from Aetna Health Inc. and Cigna Health and Life Insurance Co.

Three more companies are requesting to offer plans solely off the exchange to individuals in Virginia.

In the small-group market, five carriers are seeking to offer plans on the exchange, while 13 have requested to sell plans off the exchange.

This is the fourth time the SCC has received rate presentations since the ACA was implemented, said Jacqueline K. Cunningham, the commissioner of insurance, at the beginning of the hearing at the Tyler Building in downtown Richmond.

With each year, as the insurers have more claims experience and can more readily identify trends and rate drivers, we are able to see how the many changes that have been implemented over the years in health insurance have impacted premium rates on an ongoing basis, she said.

It is unclear when the SCC may make its decision. Commissioner James Dimitri was not at Wednesdays hearing and will catch up on the proceedings by reading the transcript.

But a decision must be made by Aug. 23, when the Bureau of Insurance must make the final recommendations of rate approvals to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which will also have to approve or deny the propose rates.

***

David Shea, the Bureau of Insurances health actuary  who assesses risks  explained at the start of the hearing that numerous factors have influenced insurance companies proposed rate increases.

As usual, medical trend is a primary culprit, he said. Thats just the changes in the cost of utilization of health care services. In the last few years, medical trend has been lower than it has been in the past. Some have contributed it to the overall economy.

There are some that would advocate that it has to do with the existence of the ACA. The jurys still out on most of that.

But despite that, Shea explained, medical trends are still big drivers of rate changes. So too are insurance companies understanding of exactly how sick or healthy their policyholders are.

During Sheas presentation, Christie pointed out that, on a national scale, health insurance companies are realizing that the sick applicants for their plans are not being balanced by healthy policyholders  in fact, more people than expected are opting to pay the penalty the ACA created for not signing up for health insurance.

Since rates are set on actuarial data, then the rate increases are inevitable, Christie said. Actuarial data refer to the calculated risks insurers take when covering their policyholders.

Shea explained that many insurers expected unhealthy people to initially sign up for ACA plans, and that healthy people would soon follow. But companies are finding that not to be the case.

Ultimately  I think this is important to understand  if the actuarial data requires a rate increase of X percent, then that has to be granted, Christie said to Shea. If the actuarial data is justified, the state regulators cant ignore the actuarial data.

Shea agreed.

From a purely actuarial perspective, if a rate filing being submitted has clearly justified the rate increase, has met the state minimum loss ratio requirements, and all the assumptions are reasonable and defensible from an actuarial perspective, its virtually impossible to disapprove it, he responded.

Each insurance company operating in Virginia had to present the reasons for its rate increases  or decreases, for some plans  to the SCC on Wednesday. Most cited actuarial data as a key driver for their rate increases, some of which were as high as 93.9 percent.

Christie pointed out that Virginia is a state where actuarial data drive decisions.

Shea confirmed that, but added that it does get to be challenging.

Some of these rate increases are more than what people would want and, in some cases, could be more than what some people would bear, he said. But we also have an obligation to ensure that these companies remain in business so that they can pay the claims theyre obligated to pay by the people who pay their premiums.

Its a tough act for everybody involved, he continued. Opinions are nice. Data is much nicer.
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The Hopewell Police Department is hosting a community forum tonight to engage in prayer and open conversation ... in reflection of the tragic events across the nation, according to a statement from Chief John Keohane.

The event will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Carter G. Woodson Middle School, 1000 Winston Churchill Drive. It will be held in the schools multipurpose room.

The police department is planning the forum in partnership with the Hopewell Sheriffs Office and the Organization of Concerned Churches and Citizens. Community and faith leaders and residents are encouraged to attend.
A Richmond man was sentenced to seven years in prison last week after earlier pleading guilty to choking his roommate to death during a struggle.

Ronnie Barner, 57, pleaded guilty in April to voluntary manslaughter in the death of Gene Olive Purnell. Purnell, 57, was discovered by his sister in her Henrico County home Sept. 3.

The two men, who had lived together for years in the 900 block of Hill Top Road in Richmond, had spent the prior two days drinking at Purnell's sister and brother-in-law's home, according to prosecutors. The homeowners had left for about 20 minutes, and when Purnell's sister arrived back home she found her brother unresponsive on the floor.

Barner returned to the home while first responders were administering aid to Purnell, according to Barner's attorney Ted Bruns. Barner later told police he had been alone in the home taking a nap when he awoke to an unknown intruder breaking into the home and had to defend himself.

On July 14, a Henrico Circuit Court judge sentenced Barner to 10 years in prison, but suspended three. Upon release, Barner will face probation for 20 years.
Richmond Public Schools has hired a Texas-based company to take over instructional services at Richmond Alternative School, which services middle and high school students with discipline issues.

The company, Camelot Education, specializes in running schools in which students do not meet academic and graduation requirements and who require a structured environment. Camelot will staff the school with its own employees, although the school system will provide some support staff.

Officials say Richmond Alternative serves students who have been pulled out of their home school because they are too disruptive. The school has major truancy problems, and police were called to the campus on Leigh Street several times last school year.

Michelle Boyd, assistant superintendent of exceptional education and student services, said the school system decided to outsource instruction at Richmond Alternative for two reasons.

One is the need for academic achievement and two for (an improved) school climate, she said.

Boyd said that over the past three years, test scores in several subjects have been stagnant or have decreased and that the number of dropouts had a significant uptick from the 2013-14 school year to the 2014-15 school year.

She said the district is also trying to be conscientious in its efforts at retaining students to make sure they earn their diplomas.

To do that at Richmond Alternative, the district has to try something different, she said.

There is no finger-pointing here, Boyd said. Our staff has worked diligently and is passionate about working with students in the alternative program, but we have just not met our mark.

Camelot Educations contract, which was approved by the School Board on Monday night, is for $1.8 million for the upcoming school year. The district will provide additional support staff to the school at a cost of about $800,000. Thats less than the $2.9 million the district had budgeted to operate Richmond Alternative during the upcoming school year.

Camelot will staff the school with people licensed in specific content areas, who are trained in behavior modification and de-escalation techniques and who are experienced at working in nontraditional environments, Boyd said.

This is what they want to do. They want to work in nontraditional settings. Perhaps they worked in corrections. Perhaps they worked in group homes, said Boyd, who believes having staff members at the school with those skills will help some of our students who need things outside our traditional, comprehensive setting.

Boyd said that some of the schools current teachers and staff have been reassigned to other schools and that work is underway to place others. Those who want to stay at Richmond Alternative will be allowed to apply for a position with Camelot.

Charlotte B. Hayer, president of the Richmond Education Association, worries that the district is rushing the decision, which she thinks could lead to long-term problems for students.

Hayer, whose organization represents teachers, said that if the school district was serious about providing a quality education to all our children, a plan would already be in place.

This is the time of year that teachers are beginning to prepare for the new school year, and you dont even have a program yet in place. ... Last minute usually means that there isnt enough planning time to get the job done.

School officials, however, say that although the timing isnt ideal, the school will be ready when it comes time to open.

School Board member Kimberly Gray, who represents the 2nd District, where Richmond Alternative is located, said the company provided the best proposal and that its success in Philadelphia was a determining factor.

Camelot is one of a number of companies that have operated programs at several Philadelphia-area schools for a number of years.

A 2010 study, The Impacts of Philadelphias Accelerated Schools on Academic Progress and Graduation, found that Camelot has raised both five- and six-year graduation rates by a statistically significant increment.

Camelot has uniformly positive and statistically significant impacts on its enrollees, the reports authors found.

Gray said one big selling point was that the company makes an effort to persuade students to come to school and to do the necessary work.

Thats critical at Richmond Alternative, where, she said, chronic absenteeism is such a major problem.

This company is committed to knocking on doors and talking to families, Gray said.

The board, which considered proposals from six other companies, voted 5-1 to approve the contract.
Update: Virginia State Police canceled the 'endangered missing child alert' for 6-month-old boy.

According to police, Jason Tichenor will be turned over to the custody of the Appomattox County Social Services. Lobo and Calysta Tichenor are now in the custody of the sheriffs office.

I especially want to thank the public for the information provided to us during the course of this search, said Appomattox County Sheriff Barry Letterman. The safe recovery of this infant and his mother were the direct result of the cooperative and dedicated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies and the public coming forth with tips.

Virginia State Police have issued an endangered missing child alert for Jason Tichenor, a 6-month-old white male described as 25 inches tall and 30 pounds with blue eyes and red hair.

Tichenor was last seen at 6385 Old Evergreen Road in Appomattox, Va. Jason Ticheno suffers from a medical condition and is in need of medication.

Police believe Tichenor is with Calysta Tichenor, a 19-year-old woman who is 5'4 and 170 pounds with hazel eyes and black hair.

The two may also be with Chance Lobo, a 16-year-old white male who is 6 feet 2 inches with brown eyes and brown hair.
Kerry Woolard, general manager of Trump Winery near Charlottesville, extolled Donald Trump as a visionary leader during her speech Tuesday night to a national audience at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

The night's theme was "Make America Work Again."

The winery features 195 acres of grapes on the 1,300-acre former Kluge estate. Donald Trump purchased the business and property in 2011. His son, Eric, is the winery's president.

In her speech, which began about 10 p.m., Woolard said the winery employs more than 100 people and supports "countless other entrepreneurs, contractors and suppliers throughout the region."

She said the winery has a $50 million economic impact and has achieved nearly 100 percent sales growth in five years.

I havent just seen this happen. I helped make it happen and I can tell you it would not have happened without Donald Trump and his family," she said.

"Let me be clear. This was not easy and it was not inevitable. It took a team of hard-working, dedicated employees, but it takes more than hard work alone."

She added: Our success would not have come to pass without the leadership and the vision of the Trumps.

You often hear Donald Trump talk but what you dont see is when he listens," she said, praising him and Eric Trump for listening attentively, and asking questions "that lead to engaged, informed decisions based on the expert knowledge of those who have earned their trust.

"That trust is rewarded not just with compensation, but with authority and resources," she said.

Because of them, I now think bigger, she said of the Trumps, and in ways that I didnt think were even possible.

During his June 10 rally at the Richmond Coliseum, Trump said Woolard is "doing a fantastic job" and called her to the stage.

"What an amazing boss you are, but more than a boss - a true leader," Woolard said to Trump at the Richmond rally.

"Your leadership and your vision is just what this country needs to be great again."

Woolard, who oversees operations on the estate, is a graduate of the College of William & Mary, where she studied chemistry and economics.
FAIRFAX  U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he doesnt have any flights booked to Florida this weekend, where Hillary Clinton is expected to unveil her choice for a running mate.

But, Kaine said, deploying his mischievous sense of humor, Im checking the Greyhound schedules.

It was a light moment Wednesday during a Northern Virginia roundtable on business issues in what quickly has become a wall-to-wall Kaine Watch on the junior senators chances in the 2016 Democratic veepstakes.

Kaine joked that the vice presidential speculation was a ruse concocted by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce to drive up attendance today.

Indeed, it was a full house  of business people and national media  at the Inova Center for Personalized Health, where Kaine and fellow U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., gathered to discuss Virginia and national business issues.

But Kaine, who was a runner-up in 2008 to Joe Biden as Democrat Barack Obamas running mate, is used to it. So when he took the stage Wednesday, he knew politics would intersect with business.

Moderator Julie Carey, a reporter for NBC4 in Washington, got right to the point after both men were introduced at the Inova Center for Personalized Health.

She put Kaine on the spot by asking when he might know if hed been selected by Clinton to be her running mate.

I guess all I can tell you is I went through the process in 2008, so I kind of know the rhythm of it and Im glad that I do, he said.

The decision is very late, so I dont expect a decision will be made and announced until the weekend between the two conventions, and thats really all I know right now.

Its wonderful to be mentioned, but you know I love my job and Im trying not to overly think it, but its been a very exciting last few weeks, he added.

Carey said that Del. Mark Keam, D-Fairfax  one of a number of Northern Virginia Democratic lawmakers in attendance  suggested that she ask the vice presidential question a different way:

Any flights booked to Florida over the weekend? Carey asked  a reference to Clintons campaign events in Orlando and Tampa on Friday and Saturday, before the Democratic National Convention convenes Monday in Philadelphia.

Thanks, Mark! Kaine said, smiling and slightly squirming in his chair on stage.

No flights booked, Kaine said. But Im checking the Greyhound schedules, he said to bursts of laughter.

But Kaine wasnt off the hook yet.

His fellow senator, Warner, who also has been mentioned as a possible vice presidential choice for Clinton, was asked the odds that a Virginia senator would be on the ticket that is celebrated in the City of Brotherly Love next week.

I think the junior senators got a bright, bright future, Warner said to laughter and applause.

I could not think of a better person for Secretary Clinton to choose, Warner said, making the case for his friend, who was Warners No. 2 as lieutenant governor when Warner served as governor from 2002 to 2006.

Kaine and Warner have known each other for 37 years. They met in law school at Harvard.

I think Virginia benefits from the fact that we know each other, like each other, and there is nobody more honest, steadfast, trustworthy, Warner said, putting his hand over Kaines arm as they sat next to each other.

Theres nobody I would have more confidence in, and our country would be really well-served if Clinton chose Kaine, Warner said, to applause.

And you get him on a harmonica and hes not boring at all, Warner added  a reference to Kaines self-description as boring, as well as his self-taught hobby of playing blues harmonica.

Clinton praised Kaine in an interview with Charlie Rose of PBS, broadcast Tuesday. Rose asked Clinton about Kaines recent admission on NBCs Meet the Press that he is boring.

I love that about him, Clinton said with a laugh. Hes never lost an election. He was a world-class mayor, governor and senator.

Whether Kaine will be playing the blues in the veepstakes remains a mystery, as Clinton is said to be considering at least a handful of other possible nominees, including Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa; and Labor Secretary Tom Perez.
Seven members of the General Assembly are pressing the University of Virginia for additional details on how operating balances were transferred to create a $2.3 billion Strategic Investment Fund.

In letters Tuesday to the university and to three state investigative agencies, the lawmakers say their examination of investment reports provided by U.Va. appear to show that the balances were transferred to the fund a month before the universitys governing board voted to create it in February 2016.

The letters are signed by Sens. William R. DeSteph Jr., R-Virginia Beach; J. Chapman Chap Petersen, D-Fairfax City; and John A. Cosgrove Jr., R-Chesapeake; and Dels. Barry D. Knight, R-Virginia Beach; Scott W. Taylor, R-Virginia Beach; Glenn R. Davis Jr., R-Virginia Beach; and Robert S. Bloxom Jr., R-Accomack.

Identical letters were sent to the state attorney general, inspector general and auditor of public accounts.

Were board members informed of the $2.3 billion balance in the fund at the time it voted to raise tuition for incoming students by 10 percent in February 2016? the letter asks, in addition to questioning why university announcements about new tuition rates did not include the percentage increase for new students.

The lawmakers are asking for a 10-year accounting ledger for the sources and originally approved uses for money in the university operating fund and in the investment fund.

The amount in the fund was disclosed July 6 in an online opinion column in The Washington Post by former Rector Helen Dragas, whose two four-year terms on the board of visitors expired June 30. As rector four years ago, Dragas sought unsuccessfully to fire President Teresa A. Sullivan.

Dragas alleges the university created a slush fund to spend on projects designed to enhance the universitys national reputation rather than using operating surpluses to lower tuition for Virginia students.

U.Va.s current rector, William H. Goodwin Jr., said the fund was created during a public session and the money has been included in the universitys audited financial statements.
Every year, members of the General Assembly consider proposals to change state law about public notices, which must be published in the local newspaper of record. Some local governments argue they could save money if they were allowed to post notices on their websites instead.

Its a bad idea, principally because it would reduce the transparency of local governments and make it harder for citizens to stay informed. Just look at what happened during a recent meeting of a Freedom of Information Act Council subcommittee.

The committee was considering a proposal that would require localities to post public notices on their websites within three days of their final approval. But as the Virginia Coalition for Open Government reports, local government representatives worried about smaller localities without the ability to quickly or easily access their websites. Two of the subcommittee members representing Fredericksburg and the attorney generals office also complained that the requirement would be an unfunded mandate.

The objections are revealing. They suggest that local governments do not mind posting public notices in local newspapers so much as they mind posting public notices, period. They find the process burdensome and costly regardless of the medium  and some will seek to evade the requirement no matter what form it takes.
Susan Molinari set a precedent. When delivering the keynote address at the 1976 GOP Convention in San Diego, Molinari, a New York City congresswoman, urged Americans to vote Republican because she was pregnant. Melania Trump spoke on the opening day of the 2016 GOP Convention in Cleveland and described her husband as loving, sensitive and concerned.

She expressed her joy at becoming an American citizen. Observers pointed out similarities between her words and Michelle Obamas speech at the 2008 Democratic Convention. The Trump campaign denied plagiarism and explained there are only so many ways of describing a happy marriage. The University of Virginias honor code does not apply to politics.

Speaking of conventions present and past. The 1980 GOP Convention in Detroit also convened during turbulent times. The economy was in decline; Iran held Americans hostage; the USSR seemed to be winning the Cold War. The Republican delegates did not gather in an atmosphere of despair, however. The mood reflected concern but confidence. Joy was in the air.
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CLEVELAND  Ken Cuccinelli is used to being pilloried  by Democrats and centrist Republicans. These days, hes getting it from an unlikely quarter: the Republican right.

The former Virginia attorney general, defeated candidate for governor in 2013 and chief delegate hunter for Ted Cruz, is an object of opprobrium, having helped orchestrate a failed rules revolt on the opening day of the Republican National Convention that Donald Trumps supporters interpreted as a final, desperate effort to deny their man the presidential nomination.

It was thwarted in a brief, captured-on-video fight during which a furious Cuccinelli  arguing that he was interested only in democratizing future Republican conventions  ripped his credentials from around his neck, threw them to the floor and stormed out of the hall.

Its been a remarkable turn for Cuccinelli, who nonetheless intends to vote this fall for Trump  a candidate he describes, with rare understatement, as unconventional in any political sense of the word.

Starting as a state senator in the early 2000s from deep-blue Fairfax County, Cuccinelli has been the heartthrob of ideological conservatives.

A master of process, he has few equals in the arcane convention system with which Virginia Republicans increasingly choose their nominees  nominees, detractors say, with little appeal beyond the partys narrow base.

Cuccinellis skills were on full view at the state GOP convention in Harrisonburg this spring, when he outmaneuvered the Trump forces to assemble a Cruz-dominated delegation to Cleveland.

At one point, Cuccinelli was lustily booed by Trump activists who considered it wrong to shortchange the billionaire in the 49-member delegation, having won the Virginia primary in March.

Thats not exactly the treatment to which Cuccinelli is accustomed. Sure, hes been reduced to caricature by Democrats and more moderate Republicans  depicted as preoccupied with ending abortion, resisting gay rights, and disputing the science on climate change.

Little attention is paid to his interest in issues not ordinarily associated with conservatives: reversing mass incarceration, depoliticizing legislative and congressional redistricting, curbing human trafficking, and tougher oversight of public utilities, including Richmond-based Dominion, which feted the Virginia delegation Tuesday.

I kind of accept the beating Im taking, Cuccinelli said.

Cuccinelli, who may have a chance to run again should Democrat Tim Kaine relinquish his U.S. Senate seat to run for vice president, finds himself in the unusual position of being seen  particularly by Trump backers  as something he wasnt during his rapid ascent in Republican politics: the embodiment of the Establishment.

John Fredericks, a Trump delegate from Chesapeake and the host of a radio talk show, said the rules fight  it started back home in district conventions in April and concluded Monday in the cavernous Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland  augurs Cuccinellis downfall within the GOP.

His time has come and gone, Fredericks said. This was the last desperate moment of a party ruling class about to be swept away by a movement theyve never understood.

Others arent so sure.

Richard Viguerie, a nationally prominent direct-mail pioneer who unsuccessfully ran for lieutenant governor in 1985, said Cuccinelli is just getting started  most of (his) political career is in front of him.

Cuccinelli is now president of the Senate Conservatives Fund, a political-action committee founded by another lion of the right, former U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C.

Still, Cuccinelli had been pounded in recent days.

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, denied a delegate slot, took to Facebook on Monday to chide Cuccinelli: It appears that Ken didnt want other leadership in the delegation that would have opposed his behavior in Cleveland.

And national radio commentator Rush Limbaugh told a caller Tuesday, It wasnt long ago that Ken Cuccinelli was the model conservative. ... And now look: Now we get a call talking about Cuccinelli as not very intelligent; as a sellout; as somebody whos not a Republican anymore. Holy smokes! Wow!

To Viguerie, Cuccinellis difficulties with the Trump wing of the GOP are rooted in an anti-hierarchical populism that lacks the organizational, communications and fundraising infrastructure thats been built and refined by movement conservatives. Viguerie says that ultimately will give conservatives, such as Cuccinelli, the upper hand within the restive Republican coalition.

John Whitbeck, Virginia GOP chairman, says Trump Republicans  many of them newcomers  need to give Cuccinelli time; that theyll find they have much in common.

Suspicion of government would seem a shared interest, with Cuccinelli  as attorney general  going to court in 2010 to stop Obamacare, derided by Trump six years later as federal overreach.

Cuccinelli is a bookish father of seven who publicly counseled tea party Republicans early in their ascendancy to steep themselves in the writings of the 18th-century French philosopher Montesquieu. He acknowledges that part of his problem may be packaging.

Because of the wholesale approach to contemporary politics  mass advertising, around-the-clock news coverage and nonstop social media  its easier to view Cuccinelli as a cut-out figure rather than a conservative activist. The remedy, he says, may be to go retail, as he did in his first statewide campaign in 2009, running for attorney general.

Alluding to the drama this week in Cleveland, Cuccinelli said, If I ever go through the electoral process again, part of it will be to go small group by small group to explain what happened here.
Air Force Lt. Col. (Ret) James Lester Stanley, 87, of Ferrum, Virginia, and Jekyll Island, Georgia, passed away peacefully Friday, July 15, 2016. He will be remembered for his selfless dedication to family, country and community.Jim was born in Nola, Franklin County, Virginia, of the late Claude Dennis Stanley and Leah Belle Thompson Stanley of Ferrum, Virginia. Mr. Stanley was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Agnes (Polly) Piper Stanley; his parents; and his siblings, Nell Stanley Mullins, Margaret Stanley Touchton, Lane Stanley, Warren Stanley and Charles (Chris) Stanley. Survivors include his children, Col. (Ret) James L. Stanley Jr. and his wife, Terri Parenti Stanley, Marsha Stanley Fay and her husband, Clifford Charles Fay, Brian R. Stanley and his wife, Linda Lee Stanley; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.Col. Stanley was raised in Ferrum, Virginia, graduated from Ferrum High School and Ferrum Junior College. Jim answered the call to serve his country in what would later be regarded as some of the most pivotal and challenging times in our history. Stanley's passion for flight drove him to enlist in the United States Air Force where he trained in flight school as a navigator and bombardier. On October 14, 1950, Air Force Second Lieutenant James Stanley married Army Nurses Corp. Second Lieutenant Agnes Doris Piper at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He was later deployed to Korea where on February 19, 1952, his plane was shot down over the mountains of North Korea. After days of long exposure to frigid, sub-zero temperatures, Stanley was captured by Korean soldiers and held prisoner for the following 19 months. He was freed in 1953 in a prisoner of war exchange. Upon his return home, Stanley earned a bachelor of science degree in business from Syracuse University. From 1966 to1969, he served as Commander of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Duke University. At Duke, he also had the opportunity to share his love of flight with students in his role as Professor of Aerospace. Col. Stanley's military service was honored with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with the V Devise for valor, the Air Medal, Commendation Medal, the Prisoner of War Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal. Col. Stanley continued to fly with the Strategic Air Command (SAC) until his retirement from the Air Force in 1971. Upon his retirement, he welcomed a new career direction by accepting a position as Chief of the Georgia Bureau of Public Transportation. During this time, he attended Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he studied intermodal transportation. His successful career with the bureau spanned 23 years and he retired in 1994. Col. Stanley was honored by his hometown as the recipient of the Rocky Mount Rotary Club's Patriot Award for 2005 and the 2006 Ferrum College Distinguished Alumni Award. As a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution, he honored his forefathers and their fight for liberty. Active in his community, Jim was a member of St. James United Methodist Church, the Ferrum College Alumni Association, a volunteer fireman, a Rotary and Masonic Lodge member.The family will receive friends noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 20, at the Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home located 3321 Glynn Avenue, Brunswick, Georgia. Following visitation, there will be a memorial service 2 p.m. at the Edo Miller Funeral Home. A memorial service will also be held in Ferrum, Virginia, at a later date. Final interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be announced.In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to St. James United Methodist Church, 9623 Franklin Street, Ferrum, VA 24088 designated for expansion of the memorial wall.
BILLINGS -- The Montana Supreme Court has reversed the decision ordering the city of Colstrip to pay former police chief Larry Reinlasoder $287,932 in damages for wrongfully terminating him.

The high court reversed the May 2015 jury verdict in Yellowstone County Court Judge Russell Fagg's court and sided with Colstrip, saying that it had good cause for firing the former chief for what it called misconduct.

The Supreme Court said an emailed text, which was attached to a picture of Santa Claus, was one of "many instances of misconduct" Reinlasoder had committed as Colstrip's chief of police.

"'You ain't getting s--- for Christmas! I've just examined your computer and it's full of porn, you f------ pervert,'" was one of the instances cited by the Montana Supreme Court in its opinion handed down Tuesday.

Due to that email, as well as a September 2009 email sent by Reinlasoder containing "pornographic pictures of men and women in various stages of intercourse," and because Reinlasoder lied on his job application to the city, the supreme court determined the City of Colstrip was justified in firing Reinlasoder.

The testimony of a female dispatcher that Reinlasoder had sexually harassed her and asked her if she wanted him to send her porn because she was "kind of freaky that way" also contributed to the court's reversal.

The dispatcher filed a sexual harassment complaint with the Human Rights Bureau, which the City of Colstrip settled.

Reinlasoder was employed as police chief from 2004 to 2012.

Reinlasoder's lawsuit, brought against Colstrip and Mayor Rose Hanser, sought damages for lost wages and other benefits, lost employment opportunities, physical and emotional distress, and mental anxiety.

Reinlasoders firing was announced by Hanser during a regular meeting of the city council on May 21, 2012.

After the meeting, Hanser and Ryder said Reinlasoders employment was terminated for several reasons, including complaints from female employees in the police department and previous incidents of misconduct.

Mayor John Williams, who served for 12 years, said at trial that Reinlasoder was disciplined because of a 2009 email he sent that contained pornographic pictures of men and women in various stages of sexual intercourse, oral sex pictures, close-up pictures of male and female genitalia."

Three women filed grievances against Reinlasoder in the days before he was put on administrative leave, including Colstrip dispatcher Mercedes Kroll, who now is a dispatcher in Anaconda, and Kris Egan, who was promoted to assistant chief after Reinlasoders departure.
De Beers boosts Q3 output, maintains production guidance De Beers rough diamond production rose 4% to 9.6 million carats, mainly due to the treatment of higher grade ore at both Orapa in Botswana and South Africa as well as continued strong performance in Namibia, according to its parent company, Anglo...

Hong Kongs major jewellery fairs are set to return in 2023 An announcement from Informa Markets Jewellery indicates that the industrys two biggest B2B sourcing events will be back in action in Hong Kong in 2023 following a three-year forced pandemic break.

Diamcor rakes in $2.1mln from Q2 rough diamond sales Diamcor Mining sold 3,776.33 carats of rough diamonds for the interim period ended September 30, 2022, generating revenue of about $2,1 million, resulting in an average price of $556.08 per carat. It registered a net income of just above $1 million for...

Lucapa boosts Q3 Lulo output as Mothae dips Lucapa Diamond produced 13,022 carats during the quarter that ended 30 September 2022, an increase of 38% compared to 9,444 carats in the corresponding prior year period. It said among the recoveries during the period were 270 carats recovered through...
Lab-grown diamonds will probably develop into a niche that would put pressure on the prices of melee diamonds in the long term, according to research by Morgan Stanley cited by Rapaport.

The investment bank expects lab-grown diamonds to take 15 percent share of the melee market and 7.5 percent share of the larger-gems space. This means lab-grown production will affect melee prices negatively, resulting in the mined melee market dropping 12 percent in value. Prices of natural large-sized diamonds will be unaffected, the analysts said.

The research estimated the size of the global lab-grown market at $100 to $300 million at a wholesale polished level. At the rough level, it is valued at $75 million to $220 million, which constitutes just 1 percent of the global rough diamond market. However, production is likely to rise, particularly as China has a large existing capacity for producing these diamonds.

Conditions are maturing for lab-grown diamonds to pose a threat to the diamond mining industry, the report said. The market may also be ready for an alternative offering [as] younger consumers have not been exposed to marketing by the diamond industry.

The Morgan Stanley analysts cautioned that ALROSA is "more at risk" than De Beers to the growth in lab-grown diamonds since it has a higher proportional share of melee in its total production. They pointed out that both companies need to invest around $200 million each in marketing, or at least 5 percent of revenue, to combat the threat.




First Element, which is currently marketing diamonds produced by the Zimbabwe Diamond Consolidated Company (ZCDC) has come under scrutiny as the countrys stones continue to fetch low prices, according to media reports.

Zimbabwe allegedly sold 71 000 carats of diamonds last month at average price $14 per carat to earn $1 million.

The Zimbabwe Independent quoted unnamed sources as saying that First Elelemnt had a dodgy past and lacks capacity as it was booted out of Botswana for allegedly undervaluing and smuggling diamonds.

"It (First Element's exit) was because of undervaluation and smuggling of diamonds, but the official word is they ran out of diamonds," an unnamed Botswana intelligence source was quoted as saying.

"First Element was doing their shenanigans and it was exposed, but the government couldn't do much because they are linked to top officials."

However, First Element executive director and country manager for Zimbabwe Tim Wilkes dismissed the allegations of shady deals.

"We had a contract with Firestone Diamonds at their BK11, but they ran out of diamonds so our contract ended."

Another unnamed source said to be close to Zimbabwe's Minerals Marketing Corporation (MMCZ) alleged that First Element had become a monopoly, cleaning and tendering Zimbabwe's diamonds.

Data released by the Kimberley Process in June showed that Zimbabwe exported 3,89 million carats last year raking in $168,6 million at an average price of $43.24 per carat.

Diamonds from Marange were historically said to be of poor quality and brownish in colour.



Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished




Office of Governor Pat McCrory

CSX put a stop to the controversy surrounding its planned Carolina Connector (CCX) intermodal facility in Johnson County, N.C., by moving the project to Rocky Mount in Edgecombe County.

The $272-million project was announced in January 2016, but ran into resistance from homeowners who would have had to sell their property via eminent domain. Moving the terminal to Rocky Mount eliminates the land acquisition hurdle, while preserving the state funding commitment to the project.

CCX will transfer containerized cargo between trains and trucks, processing more than 260,000 containers per year initially. Building the facility is expected to create 250 to 300 short-term jobs in engineering, technical services and construction. Conservative estimates indicate that the hub is expected to create 1,500 jobs throughout North Carolina as a result of the terminals operations.

This historic project is part of our 25-year vision for transportation because it facilitates efficient and cost-effective movement of goods, which is critical for job creation and economic growth, said North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory. The Carolina Connector will be a game-changer for our states economy, supporting North Carolinas agriculture, ports and position as the Southeasts No. 1 state for manufacturing jobs.

CSX will invest $160 million in the project and North Carolinas Transportation Department will contribute $100 million for track improvements, as well as terminal infrastructure through the states new transportation funding formula.

The hub, expected to open in 2020, and related track improvements are expected to take two years to construct once all necessary environmental permits are obtained. Carolinas Gateway Partnership, the local economic development organization, controls nearly all of the land needed for the facility, which is located along CSXs main rail line in a primarily industrial area.

In North Carolina, CSX maintains an intermodal terminal in Charlotte, bulk transfer terminals in Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington and Winston-Salem and major rail yards in Hamlet and Rocky Mount.

In related news, the railroad will begin new Queen City Express intermodal service between the Port of Wilmington and its intermodal terminal in Charlotte.

The Queen City Express will be the only direct freight rail service into the Greater Charlotte area from a port in the Southeast, Gov. McCrory said. The introduction of this new service will facilitate the efficient, cost-effective movement of goods between the global marketplace and one of the most significant economic centers in the southeastern United States.

CSX will eventually provide direct access from the Port of Wilmington to CCX. Gov. MCrorys said in a statement that CCX, along with the Queen City Express, would lower transportation costs for businesses while reducing congestion and wear and tear on the states highways, as well as improving safety and air quality.
On July 19, 2016, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) joined representatives from Harsco Rail and United Auto Workers Local 811 to tour Harsco's Ludington facility, address its union employees and discuss pressing rail and manufacturing issues.

The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association (REMSA) coordinated the event.

The tour was led by Ray Patterson, senior director of operations and supply chain, Harsco Rail. The tour highlighted Harscos rail maintenance-of-way equipment, which is manufactured on site.

We are honored to host Sen. Stabenow and share our commitment to manufacturing in upstate Michigan, said Patterson. Our business and our employees rely on continued freight rail investment for our livelihoods and we must work with our representatives in Washington to encourage sound transportation and investment policy.

Sen. Stabenow focused her remarks on encouraging economic development in the region, partnering with business and labor to ensure safe working conditions and fair wages and the need for a strong, efficient and safe freight rail system to connect Michigans agriculture and auto producers to the global market.

We do not have an economy or a middle class in Michigan unless we make things and grow things, said Sen. Stabenow. Freight rail supports high-skilled manufacturing jobs here in Ludington and across our state and is critical to moving Michigan-grown products around the country. I remain committed to the right policies that stand up for our manufacturers, our workers and our farmers.

The group highlighted recent Congressional considerations of increasing truck sizes and weights. The group thanked the senator for her vote instructing Senate negotiators to oppose increasing truck size in the October 2015 FAST Act surface transportation bill conference committee negotiations. Also discussed was the recent bipartisan and bicameral introduction of the Building Rail Access for Customers and the Economy (BRACE) Act. The BRACE Act will make the Short Line Tax Credit permanent. This will allow the nations small, local freight railroads to increase their reinvestments to upgrade and expand the first and last mile of their transportation infrastructure. The bill has garnered 43 bi-partisan cosponsors in the Senate, including Sen. Stabenow.
DEER LODGE -- The city of Deer Lodge is asking for an injunction to put the brakes on the states decision to move the Title and Registration Bureau -- and 37 jobs -- to Helena.

Council members voted Monday to give the city attorney Jeffrey Hindoien the OK to file the request, which he did shortly thereafter in Deer Lodge district court.

The suit contends the decision to close the office violates the public participation requirements of the Montana Constitution

Plaintiffs in addition to the city are Mayor Zane Cozby, Councilman Terry Jennings and Gerald Bender, a small business owner in the town.

The injunction is intended to stop the state from implementing the decision until a judge can fully adjudicate the matter.

Sarah Garcia, administrator of the Motor Vehicle Division, announced in Deer Lodge on June 17 that the state had decided to relocate the bureau and all employees to Helena. The division falls under the administrative umbrella of the Department of Justice and attorney general.

The decision has sent a shock wave through Deer Lodge. Residents packed a recent meeting to discuss the impact the decision will have on the 37 employees -- who have been offered their jobs in Helena -- and community.

Hindoien said Montana law guarantees the public the right to expect governmental agencies -- cities, counties, school boards and others, including the Department of Justice, to give residents a reasonable opportunity to comment before such a decision is made.

The Montana Constitution requires all agencies, and the attorney general and Department of Justice, to have administrative rules implementing that statutory framework, Hindoien told the city council.

The complaint contends the closure decision was made in violation of these statutory and administrative requirements.

The plaintiffs want the court to order the agencies to allow the required public participation in that decision-making process prior to reaching any new and subsequent decision. They also want the court to forbid the defendants from implementing any action on the decision already reached until the matter is fully adjudicated.

Also, Powell County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in support of the citys lawsuit to overturn the decision, saying the bureau offers good state jobs and benefits that are important to the countys economy.

The bureau has been located in Deer Lodge for over 100 years.

Garcia told bureau employees on June 17 that the bureau will close in November.
Two of Donald Trump's children did the heavy lifting Tuesday on the second day of the Republican National Convention, captivating the crowd with both endearing personal anecdotes and solid campaign ideals.

Tiffany Trump, 22, painted a picture of her father - who earlier in the day had officially claimed the party's nomination for president - as a tender and caring parent.

Donald Trump Jr. followed that up with an effective speech that did touch on some personal items but primarily concentrated on presenting his father as a leader and a man capable of getting things done.

Their combined performance was especially important in light of the previous night's headline speech from Trump's wife Melania, which was later attacked as plagiarism of First Lady Michelle Obama's convention speech in 2008.

Earlier in the evening, the partisan crowd heard speeches from Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Ryan's offering did an effective job of appealing for party unity in the face of dissension that still occasionally surfaced.

Christie's speech was a flat-out attack on presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, playing the role of prosecutor that he used to hold.

Other speakers included West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Dr. Ben Carson, actress-businesswoman Kimberlin Brown and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, among others.

Wednesday, speakers will be focusing on the theme "Make America First Again." The Speakers include Eric Trump, Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista, Trump's running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, and Trump's primary rivals Sen. Marco Rubio, and Sen. Ted Cruz.

Thursday's theme is "Make America One Again," and the speakers are leaders Peter Thiel and Tom Barrack, Ivanka Trump, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, Tennessee Rep. Marsha Blackburn, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Donald Trump.

Some 2,472 GOP delegates, alternates, lawmakers and guests are expected in downtown Cleveland, along with close to 15,000 journalists from around the world. It takes 1,237 delegates to win the Republican nomination.

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Business News
Estonia's producer prices continued to decline at the end of the second quarter, figures from Statistics Estonia showed Wednesday.

Producer prices fell 1.4 percent year-over-year in June, but slower than the 1.8 percent decrease in the prior month.

The price index for mining and quarrying plunged 15.1 percent annually in June and manufacturing prices slid by 1.1 percent.

On a monthly basis, producer prices climbed 0.6 percent in June.

Import prices dipped 3.2 percent in June from a year ago, while it rose 1.2 percent from May. Similarly, export prices dropped 1.6 percent yearly and went up 1.3 percent from the previous month.

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Economic News

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Unemployment data from the U.K. is due on Wednesday, headlining a light day for the European economic news.

At 2.00 am ET, Destatis is set to release German producer prices for June. Economists forecast prices to drop 2.4 percent on a yearly basis, following a 2.7 percent decrease in May.

At 3.00 am ET, average gross wages from Hungary, producer prices from the Czech Republic, and consumer confidence from Turkey are due. Turkey's consumer sentiment index is forecast to rise to 69.8 in July from 69.4 in June.

At 4.00 am ET, the European Central Bank is scheduled to release euro area current account data for May.

At 4.30 am ET, the Office for National Statistics publishes U.K. unemployment data. The ILO jobless rate is seen unchanged at 5 percent in three months to May. The number of people claiming jobseekers' allowances is forecast to increase by 4,000 in June.

At 5.00 am ET, Switzerland's ZEW economic expectations survey results for July are due.

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Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) is likely to release its second-quarter numbers after the bell on Thursday, July 21, with analysts polled by Thomson Reuters estimating a loss of $0.08 per share on revenue of $951.61 million. Analysts' estimate typically exclude certain special items.

The company expects second-quarter revenue to increase 15%, plus or minus 3%, sequentially.

AMD sees strong demand for its Semi-Custom and Graphics products, which is believed to lead to stronger than seasonal sequential revenue growth. For the full year, the company is confident that its product portfolio and execution can further strengthen its financial results and enable it to grow annual revenue and return to non-GAAP operating profitability in the second half of the year.

Longer term, Advanced Micro Devices expects a strong customer interest in its datacenter offerings will result in new design wins that can deliver profitable revenue growth in 2017 and beyond.

For the full-year 2016, the company continues to expect revenue to grow year over year, to be non-GAAP operating profitable in the second half of 2016, and to generate positive free cash flow from operations for 2016.

Last quarter, the company reported net loss of $109 million or $0.14 per share compared to a loss of $180 million or $0.23 per share in the prior year period.

On a non-GAAP basis, net loss widened to $96 million or $0.12 per share from the previous year's loss of $73 million or $0.09 per share.

Revenue declined to $832 million from $1.03 billion generated a year ago. The year-over-year decline was primarily due to lower sales of semi-custom SoCs and client notebook processors.

"Our strategy to build a strong business foundation and improve financial performance through delivering great products is beginning to show benefits," said Lisa Su, AMD president and CEO. "We continued to strengthen the performance of our Computing and Graphics business as our customers and partners show a growing preference for AMD. We are optimistic about our growth prospects in the second half of the year across our businesses based on new product introductions and design wins."

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Business News
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP.TO,CP) reported that its second-quarter earnings per share declined 9 percent to C$2.15 from C$2.36, last year. Adjusted EPS decreased 16 percent to C$2.05 from C$2.45 due in large part to a 12 percent drop in revenues. On average, 22 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of C$2.01 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Second-quarter revenues fell 12 percent year-over-year to C$1.45 billion from C$1.65 billion. Analysts expected revenue of C$1.47 billion for the quarter.

"Revenue challenges in the second quarter included lower-than-anticipated bulk volumes, devastating wildfires in northern Alberta and a strengthening Canadian dollar," said CP's CEO Hunter Harrison.

Canadian Pacific Railway also announced that its Board has reached an agreement with next chief executive officer, Keith Creel. Currently president and chief operating officer, Creel will become president and CEO on July 1, 2017. CP also has reached a three-year, post-retirement consulting agreement with Harrison.

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Business News
Canadian stocks are poised for another quiet session Wednesday, with traders turning cautious after strong recent gains.

Yesterday, the International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecasts for the next two years, citing uncertainty over Britain's impending exit from the European Union.

After a run to 11-month highs, the S&P/TSX Composite Index was down 7.79 points, or 0.05 percent, to 14,524.61. The index is up more than 20 percent from its January lows.

Energy stocks will be in focus after crude oil prices dropped below $45 to the lowest since early May.

The Energy Information Administration is out with its weekly U.S. inventories report at 10:30 am ET.

Brookfield Asset Management (BAM.A.TO) plans to invest about $1 billion in Indian distressed assets through a joint venture with State Bank of India, Reuters reports.

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Market Analysis
Pippa Middleton recently got engaged to 40-year-old James Matthews, according to the Daily Mail.

Matthews, who is a millionaire hedge fund manager, presented Pippa with a huge diamond, which the 32-year-old flashed as she stepped out on Tuesday morning. The large diamond is surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds.

Big sister Kate Middleton, otherwise known as the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William are said to be "absolutely delighted" with the news.

Their father Mr. Middleton also released a statement to the Press Assocation:

"Carole and I are absolutely thrilled with the news. They make a wonderful couple and we wish them every happiness together."

Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 with his mother's 12-carat Ceylon sapphire ring.

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Entertainment News
Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson took aim at Republican nominee Donald Trump in an op-ed piece published by Politico on Tuesday.

Johnson noted that he previously served as a Republican governor and said he was shocked that the GOP would nominate someone with a vision of America that does not resemble that of the party he once knew.

"Despite the calls at the GOP convention in Cleveland for national unity, Donald Trump sees our country as a land of exclusion," Johnson wrote.

"He wants Americans to act as powerless serfs bullied by someone who says he will protect them," he added. "Throughout world history, that has been the calling card of Big Government autocrats."

Johnson argued that he was a successful Republican governor of a very Democratic state by combining a brand of fiscal conservativism with respect for people with different lifestyles.

The former New Mexico Governor argued that Trump's new running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence has instead incited culture wars that divide his state's citizens.

Johnson claimed that the Republican Party is on its way to becoming like the Whig Party, which split in the lead up to Civil War due to the controversy over slavery.

"The Whigs died, then a new party came forward with an inspiring and positive vision for America," Johnson wrote. "We in the Libertarian Party hope to do the same."

He added, "We start out from a fundamental premise: As Americans, we believe in freedom. Every individual has dignity and is worthy of civility and respect."

The Libertarian Party candidate went on to criticize Trump's approach to free trade, the federal budget, and immigration.

A recent CNN/ORC poll showed Johnson with the support of 13 percent of voters nationally, which is believed to be a record high for a Libertarian candidate.

Johnson has indicated that he is focused on reaching an average of 15 percent support in national polls in order to participate in the nationally televised presidential debates.

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Business News
An in-house staff writer for Donald Trump's company has claimed responsibility for the copied phrases included in Melania Trump's speech to the Republican National Convention.

In a statement on Wednesday, Meredith McIver said she offered to resign over the controversy but her offer was rejected.

"Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences," McIver said.

She added, "I asked to put out this statement because I did not like seeing the way this was distracting from Mr. Trump's historic campaign for president and Melania's beautiful message and presentation."

McIver, a former ballet dancer who helped Trump write some of his books, said Melania mentioned First Lady Michelle Obama as someone she liked as they worked on the speech.

"Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obama's speech as examples," McIver said. "I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech. I did not check Mrs. Obama's speeches."

"That was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama," she added. "No harm was meant."

Melania Trump's speech on the first day of the GOP convention included passages that were nearly identical to Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic convention in 2008.

The similar wording led to charges of plagiarism, although the Trump campaign repeatedly denied the claims and accused Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign of spreading the allegations.

(Photo: Marc Nozell)

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Political News
4 women bikers  Dr Sarika Mehta, Dr Yugma Desai, Durriya Tapia and Khyati Desai have just completed a 10,000 km long journey across 10 nations. The team finished their road trip in 39 days.

The ride was a part of the PM Modis Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign. The countries they covered include Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Singapore.

The 4 women bikers set off for their journey from Kathmandu on June 6, 2016 and went from nation to nation spreading the message Save Girl Child. They also educated people about issues such as female foeticide, girl child education, gender inequality and welfare and supportive measures for women empowerment.

They tackled the most diverse of terrains right from the treacherous mountainous terrains in Bhutan to the forests of Nagaland and even had to contend with trouble at the borders while entering Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore. The bikers visited schools and universities along with route besides non government organizations to put forth their message.

The flag-off ceremony was held on 4th June in Surat. It saw over 500 people wave checkered flags, and 15,000 bikers ride along them for 10 minutes. This gained the riders an entry in the Guinness Book of World Record of Most People Waving checkered flags.

Biking Queens Club consists of 50 members as on date. It was formed by Dr. Sarika Mehta, a psychologist, in 2015. The club strives to address various social causes right from Save the Girl Child to Road Safety and Say No to Drugs.

Photos

For more details, visit their Facebook page.
Helena Regional Airport officials plan to meet with Alaska Airlines later this month to continue discussions that could lead to expanded service to Seattle.

Airport officials had applied in May for a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportations Small Community Air Service Development Program.

However, they were notified late last month the $5.15 million was divided among nine other communities including Missoula, which was awarded $600,000, and Billings, which received $750,000.

Missoula and Billings also raised local funds that in each case matched the amount of the federal grants they received, said Jeff Wadekamper, Helena Regional Airport director.

The federal money Helena had applied for was to be matched with $57,900 that had been raised locally, which exceeded the $50,000 goal set for the two weeks of raising funds.

Local financial pledges ranged from $10,000 from the Helena Tourism Alliance/Tourism Business Improvement District, to $100 from individuals.

The diversity among the 34 pledges, Wadekamper said in May, makes a strong case for the communitys desire for the second Alaska Airlines flight.

The federal grant and local funds would have helped guarantee that Alaska Airlines wouldnt lose money if it didnt sell enough seats on its flights from Helena.

This same grant program was tapped in 2008 in the airports bid to get United Airlines to offer service between Helena and Denver, Wadekamper said.

The Department of Transportation provided $450,000 and the community pledged $50,000. The United Airlines flight continues today.

The upcoming talks with Alaska Airlines, Wadekamper said, will explore whether the airline is interested in expanding its service to Helena without the guarantee.

Those who pledged funds locally will also be asked what they want to do regarding their pledges, he added.

What may have hurt Helenas application for the federal money was that it sought the funds to expand the existing service to Seattle, while nearly all of the other applications involved new air service, Wadekamper said.

While Wadekamper said he would like to see Alaska Airlines continue its temporary three-day-per week morning service to Seattle, he also noted that he hoped the airline would restore the seven-day-per-week morning service previously offered.

In August 2015, Alaska Airlines discontinued its late-night flight into Helena that departed early the next morning.

In place of that flight and the afternoon flight that also served Helena, Alaska Airlines initiated a midday flight into Helena with nonstop service to Seattle.

Helena previously shared its afternoon flight with Great Falls.

The loss of the late-night arrival and morning departure from Helena meant people who commute to Seattle for work couldnt leave Helena and return the same day.

Another concern voiced was that those connecting to other flights in Seattle now had to spend the night there before continuing their travels.

An undated letter in support of the federal grant application from Ben Brookman, director of network planning for Alaska Airlines, said the second flight into Helena was discontinued because of resource constraints.

Brookmans letter also said we view this route and market as an important component within the Alaska Airlines route network and are evaluating the possibility of permanent reinstatement of the second daily frequency.

The airline reinstated a second flight to Helena in December 2015 and into early January of this year to accommodate holiday travelers.

In early June of this year, Alaska Airlines again resumed its morning flight three days per week with arrivals from Seattle at about midnight on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and departures early morning on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

This additional service will last through August, Wadekamper said and noted that the number of people boarding Alaska Airlines flights increased 23 percent in June compared to June 2015. Nearly two-thirds of seats on each of its 76-passenger aircraft are filled on each flight.

A study of local air service needs and opportunities may offer the airport options to expanding service.

Boyd Group International, which has previously evaluated local air service needs, has completed a new review, and airport authority members expressed interest in Wadekampers desire to have a company representative return to Helena to discuss the results.

Wadekamper said he hoped to have a company representative here for community meetings in perhaps 30 to 60 days.
Montana National Guard soldiers will be deployed to Romania next week to participate in an international exercise with about 2,800 military personnel from 10 other nations.

Members of the 1-163rd Combined Arms Battalion will participate in Exercise Sabre Guardian 2016 from July 27 to Aug. 7 at the Romanian Land Forces Combat Training Center. Personnel from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Canada, Georgia, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Turkey and Ukraine will also participate.

Officials say the event aims to build multinational, regional and joint partnership capacity by enhancing military relationships and professional experiences.

We appreciate the opportunity to participate in such a high level exercise, said Maj. Gen. Matthew Quinn, the Adjutant General for Montana. It is truly a testament to the quality of our Montana Soldiers and we look forward to working together with U.S. Army Europe and our European allies as well.

Officials say they will release additional details on the exercise after it has concluded.
Gary Lee Miller left this world peacefully surrounded by family at home on July 11, 2016. Gary was born September 4, 1939 to Leslie and Freda Miller in Havre, Montana. Gary attended grades 1  8 in a one-room school house at Lloyd School. Gary met the love of his life, Shirley Bennett, while attending Chinook High School. Gary and Shirley married on September 26, 1959. They had three daughters Debbie, Teri, and Mitzi. Together they worked and lived on the Miller Ranch at Lloyd. He was one tough ole rancher and never complained no matter the difficulties. Gary was a hard worker but also a fun loving man. He was always there for his family. Gary was a champion story teller and had a great cache of jokes for all. He loved his family and enjoyed time with his friends.

Gary and Shirley moved to Chinook in 1978. Gary worked for Tri County Implement for several years selling farm equipment. In 1981, they moved to Great Falls where he operated Industrial Ag and sold Steiger Tractors. He put on annual tractor fest parties for customers. Gary later operated the Water Doctor selling water systems.

Gary and Shirley loved to camp and boat at Holter Lake. Gary had many hobbies including stained glass, wood working, and playing his prized guitars. After Shirley retired, they started spending their winters in Mesa Arizona to be close to his mother Freda. They purchased a motor home and traveled back and forth for 18 years. While they had their motor home, they went on several long trips with their friends, including Alaska. They usually stopped by Reno to see Mitzi and her family on the way to or from Arizona. Last year Gary treated the entire family to a cruise through the Inland Passage to Alaska. Garys favorite trips were the cruises through the Panama Canal and the Inland Passage. While in Arizona, Gary won several shuffleboard tournaments and played many hands of cards. He and Shirley became avid Suns and Cardinal fans.

Gary always put family and friends needs ahead of his own. He was the best husband, father, grandfather and friend a person could ask for.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Freda, a sister Shirley, and numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Shirley, daughters Debbie (Terry) Churchill, Teri (Roche) Juneau, Mitzi (Martin) Bain, grandchildren Philip Churchill, Sara Juneau, Chase (Kaity) Juneau, Kate Bain, Andrew Bain, and great grandson Elijah Juneau. He is also survived by a brother Max (Leah) Miller, aunt Marietta Mosser, and many other relatives.

A service celebrating Garys life will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, July 25th in the social hall at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, P.O. Box 695, La Plata, Maryland 20646 and write Helena or Great Falls Montana Project in the memo of the check or go online to projecthealingwaters.org and designate to the Helena or Great Falls Montana Projects in memory of Gary Miller, or simply donate to the charity of your choice. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Gary.
Millennial Moms Review: 2022 Acura MDX is pretty close to the perfect family car

I dont know if perfect is attainable, especially considering weve got the world of options when it comes to modern vehicles. Were spoiled and, as such, we have very specific needs and wants. Driving-wise, the 2022 Acura MDX is one of my favourite ...
The University of Montana has suffered tremendously from five painful years of bad publicity, the loss of several thousand students, the accompanying loss of millions of dollars in revenue, and devastating cuts that have gutted its budget and curriculum. Meanwhile, the UM president and the commissioner of higher education have failed to address the unfolding crisis.

Instead of accepting any responsibility for the abysmal state of the university, they have assigned surrogates and proxies to attack their critics, portraying them as an isolated and disgruntled minority, all the while continuing to blame the root causes of the present crisis on an array of external and, at times, irrelevant factors.

After five years of alarming decline, we have no choice but to confront the stubborn facts in front of us, especially because they have a direct impact on the Missoula and Montana economies:

1. Since 2011, the University of Montana has lost more than 3,000 students;

2. Since 2011, the University of Montana has lost tens of millions of dollars;

3. In addressing budgetary shortfalls, the UM administration has cut low-paid staff positions, as well as a significant number of academic positions either by direct cuts or by not filling positions that have become vacant due to retirements.

The administration has refused to cut any high-paid administrators. In fact, the UM administration has spent millions on hiring a team of administrators who have not been able to address the financial and academic challenges confronting UM. Neither the commissioner of higher education nor the UM president seem to understand the fundamental fact that throwing money at pricey bureaucratic positions is not a sustainable solution for an institution fighting for its survival.

4. The plan for downsizing UM originated in OCHE in Helena, the same office which has added new administrative positions for itself. Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian, whose present salary stands at $302,000, is expected to receive a $455,000 bonus, while the UM President Royce Engstrom, expects to receive a $500,000 bonus, to be paid over 10 years. Christian was appointed to the commissioner's post after the Board of Regents decided not to conduct a national search for the position. At the same time, the regents did away with the requirement that the commissioner hold a doctoral degree. Christian holds only a bachelor's degree.

UM suffers from inept leadership, both in Helena and Missoula. Worse, the sharp drop in enrollment numbers has had a profound impact on Missoula's economy.

It is troubling to see that Gov. Steve Bullock has refused to address the numerous petitions that his office has received, signed by hundreds of Montana residents pleading with him to address the alarming situation at UM. As a Democrat who has voted for Bullock, I expect no less of him than to act like a true leader and confront this situation head on. Montana higher education cannot be used as a political tool in this or any election year. Montana's universities are the state's economic engines and they play a central role in educating and training the workforce for the great state of Montana.

What is to be done? First, the leadership of the Montana University System should be recruited through open and transparent national searches, which would allow the best and the brightest, as well as the most competent and experienced to rise to the top. Second, rewards and bonuses should be paid based on performances and outcomes. If, after five years of abysmal performance, a leader and a team cannot produce positive results, they should be replaced by a new group of leaders who can produce the necessary results.

Third, the Board of Regents is ultimately responsible for addressing the present crisis at UM. The board is obligated to take a deep look at the underlying causes of the decline and hold open meetings in which a diverse set of voices are heard. UM leadership should be held accountable by Montana's taxpayers. Accountability is the cornerstone of good governance.

Lewis Schneller, of Missoula, is a retired University of Montana alumnus and a community activist with Missoula Advocates for the University of Montana. The salary bonuses mentioned in his guest opinion are part of the contracts the university system made when hiring its top administrators.
A bright and healthy smile was the topic of the day at Samoa Primary School yesterday morning.

The school hosted a visit by Dr. George Spencer and his team who showed their heart for Samoa, highlighting the importance of dental hygiene.

The Latter Day Saints (L.D.S.) team has made it their mission to go to as many schools as possible to teach dental hygiene and to also donate dental supplies.

The children were treated to a few cartoons and an easy to understand lesson which had a clear-cut message.

We are here on a humanitarian mission with the L.D.S. charities to be able to provide dental health education for all of the children in Samoa, Dr. Spencer told the Samoa Observer.

Right now we are developing a plan for a presentation that will be made available to all the schools in Samoa under the direction of the Ministry of Health; we hope to have this available soon.

We love the Samoan children and we are doing all that we can to help increase the dental education and to also operate a free Pesega dental clinic in Apia for everybody who wishes to come.

That will be a first come first serve basis where we will help them, treat them and do whatever we can to help them, that is our purpose.

But what drives these good Samaritans to do what they do?

We are sorry to see many children, who have pain and then lose their teeth, Dr. Spencer said.

We are hopeful that we can help them keep their teeth, keep their smiles, stay away from pain and to stay healthy.

My fellow volunteer Dr. Davis and I practiced dentistry for about 40 years and we loved helping people stay healthy.

We feel that we are all Gods children and we want to help them all; we are here on his errand to help people wherever they may be.

We are so impressed by the volunteers who have come to our clinic. We do not get any pay but many of them come for the joy of helping their fellow Samoans and we feel happy to share our gifts and talents with them. Its the joy of helping others that helps us.
Residents of Fagaloa Bay will be able to access TV3 services tonight for the much-anticipated Lupesoliai Joseph Parker fight against Solomon Haumono.

This was announced by TV3 yesterday following a partnership between Digicel and the network which sees Digicel as naming rights sponsor for tonights fight to be televised live on TV3.

As part of the partnership, Digicel will host TV3s equipment on its tower at Fagaloa Bay.

The partnership was recently fast-tracked specifically to enable live coverage of Parkers fight. This is the first time that coverage will be available in this area, and follows cooperation between TV3, the Office of the Regulator and the matais of the villages.

In its search to find a solution, TV3 sought the assistance of Digicel to host their broadcasting equipment.

TV3 is very excited to finally bring TV to the people of Fagaloa Bay, says C.E.O TV3, Verona Parker.

We acknowledge the great partnership with Digicel to enable this milestone. Having more people access and watch a son of Samoa live in action is the best reward for us, especially at this prime time in Josephs career.

Digicels C.E.O, Rory Condon, said they are pleased to be able to help.

We are delighted to partner with TV3, to enable them to bring TV to the people of Fagaloa Bay.

Our technical team pulled out all the stops in order to help get services up just in time for the Joseph Parker fight, he said.

Digicel and TV3 would like to wish Joseph Parker and all at Team Parker the best of luck for tonight and the road to the title.
A report assessing the competitiveness of Samoas economy is under the microscope during a two-day meeting in Apia this week.

And in opening the validation workshop of the Diagnostic Trade Integrated Study Update at the T.A.T.T.E. Conference Centre yesterday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said governments focus is clear.

He said he wants to increase exports, commercial investments and take advantage of opportunities offered through labour mobility.

The initial report launched in 2010 identified sectors of export potential, outlined trade constraints and opportunities, and presented an Action Plan, which in turn provided the basis for Samoas Trade, Commerce and Manufacturing Sector Plan 2012-2016.

This time, members of the private and public sector are gathering to update the progress of implementation and report on what has been done, and what remains to be actioned.

Leading the work is KVA Consult Ltd who have been appointed to drive the update. So the participants are looking at how to further support the private sector, improve the production and exports, improve institutional capacity and strengthen Samoas participation in international trade.

In addressing the participants yesterday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa said Samoas economic sector has been one of the key priority areas in the Strategy for the Development of the country over the past 10 years.

The P.M. also pointed out that since the first part of the study, a number of achievements have been noted.

With the help of KVA Consult, some of these projects involved the Samoa Trust Estates Corporation (S.T.E.C.), Women in Business Development Inc (W.I.B.D.I.) and the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (S.R.O.S.).

The support was for instance given to Women in Business to enable the building process of a warehouse, to consolidate all the products which they are making and exporting overseas, Nadia Meredith-Hunt, C.E.O. of KVA Consult told the Samoa Observer.

The support provided to S.T.E.C. included the supply of cocoa and coconut.

Under the Trade Sector Support Programme, its been a more focused approach to not cover all products [available], but only those in which we identify the most potential in earning income from overseas.

But the government will not stop there. Tuilaepa said that such reports and updates are extremely important to provide a guideline for the work of the government and all the relevant stakeholders.
Its never too late to fulfill your dreams.

With that mindset a grandfather did just that yesterday when he was sworn in as a Police officer. Talamesi Fuimaono, 54 years old, was the oldest officer sworn in among 23 new recruits.

They were sworn in before District Court Judge, Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke.

A father to four children and grandfather to five granddaughters, Mr. Fuimaono was humbled.

I had worked most of my life in New Zealand and Australia, he said.

I mainly did work in Sales and Marketing. I had also worked here for National Lotto. Im semi retired and I wanted to occupy my time because I still have the strength to serve our country.

According to Mr. Fuimaono, being a Policeman had always been a dream.

It had always been a passion for me to become a policeman, he said.

I wanted to teach my family, friends and a learning step for myself to know more about the law and keep on the safe (side) of the law. I wanted to get in so I can do that and serve our people.

District Court Judge, Leiataualesa congratulated the new recruits.

He emphasised the importance of the police force service to the country and taking their oath seriously.

Your service to our country that is what you are sworn to do its also a service to our people without favour or affection, reminded the Judge.

As a member of Samoa police service you play a very important role in our country. You are entrusted by our country and our people to ethically carry out your duties and enforce the lawyou must exercise the values of honesty and integrity, respect for people and their property, fairness and impartiality as well as loyalty and good faith.

Leiataua reminded the new recruits that their role is to serve the people, not for our people to serve you.

In the conduct of police service you will not only see the best of people and no doubt the worst of them, he said.

The new recruits went through 16 weeks of trainings.

From 28 of the participants only 24 of them made it through to the other side.
The man entrusted with the task of selling Samoa as a tourism destination to the world, Dwayne Bentley, remains upbeat.

Despite the negative publicity since the 60 Minutes coverage of the rape of an Australian tourist, which has inevitably tarnished the image of Samoa as a tourism destination, the Samoa Tourism Authoritys Marketing and Promotions Managers message to the world is crystal clear.

That is Beautiful Samoa is the place to visit.

The Samoa Tourism Authority expresses its support towards the Australian couple who were attacked back in 2015, Mr. Bentley said during an interview with the Samoa Observer.

We wish them comfort and closure on what we understand is a very difficult issue for them.

Mr. Bentley said what happened at the Lupesina Treesort was unfortunate and he understands the anger and the outrage, which the incident has caused.

There is simply no excuse for what happened. We understand that the accused has pleaded guilty to the charges and will be sentenced on the 22nd of July.

But the attack is a reminder that there is no place for complacency when it comes to issues of security and safety.

Major changes have been made and will continue to be implemented by various government agencies which were clarified in great detail by the Office of the Press Secretariat yesterday afternoon.

All these measure will not only go towards the safety of our locals but also our overseas guests that visit Samoa.

According to Mr. Bentley, Australia is Samoas second highest tourism market. He admits that the negative publicity will have an impact but he is hopeful.

Australia is a key source market for us, he said.

In fact they are number two behind New Zealand; its a market that has grown quite significantly over the past five years and we see a lot of potential in the Australian Market.

Unfortunately this is an obstacle in our efforts to continue to grow in the Australian Market but its not going to stop us from continuing to get more Australians to come to Samoa.

The incident has highlighted a key message that we have been driving for many years; and that is that tourism is everyones business.

So much so a campaign is underway to improve security for visitors and locals alike.

The honorable Sala Fata Pinati who is the Minister of Police and has also been recently appointed as the Minister of Tourism has pledged that the Police and Tourism Office will work closely together to promote the Safe Samoa Campaign.

As for the damage that has been done, Mr. Bentley is realistic enough.

All the negative publicity is already out there on social media, he said.

That is something that we cannot take back; we have also been in touch with our key stakeholders and the tourism businesses who are very much at the centre of all of this on what we can do to counter some of the publicity.

This is going to make our job difficult but it wont stop us from continuing the work we do on a collaborative basis with our partners here as well as overseas.

We will continue to promote the beautiful Samoa and continue to emphasize that despite what happened, Samoa remains as a safe and peaceful destination.
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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. 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Frustrated with formal art instruction, renowned illustrator Howard Pyle opened his own art school in the Brandywine Valley in the early 1900s. Rather than teach technique, he encouraged students to capture a moment and bring it to life. See their work here.

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Art, American-style

In 1900, frustrated with formal art instruction, renowned illustrator Howard Pyle opened his own art school in the Brandywine Valley. Rather than teach technique, he encouraged students to capture a moment and bring it to life. His teachings would influence such greats as Maxfield Parrish and Norman Rockwell.

The Wyeth Family

Pyle accepted only the most promising students. One of his most well-known was N.C. Wyeth, who enrolled in 1902 and who shared Pyles fascination with the landscape and history of America. Wyeth soon became a celebrity in his own right, painting several of the greatest early covers for the Post and, later, for The Country Gentleman. His work is known for its vibrant color and frequent high drama.

N.C. Wyeths son Andrew, too, was inspired by the realism of the Brandywine School. But unlike his father, Andrew was a reserved and subtle artist who restricted himself to a limited color palette. Although he frequently painted landscapes like the one below, he described himself as an abstractionist.

A Womans Place

In Pyles time, a career as an artist was not generally considered suitable for women. In a bold challenge to the art establishment, Pyle admitted as many women as men to his school. Several of his alumnae would become quite successful, including Sarah Stilwell-Weber and Katherine R. Wireman, both of whom contributed regularly to the Post.

Down to the Sea

Anton Otto Fischer came to Brandywine after serving as a deckhand for three years. Under Pyle, he learned to apply his nautical experience to vivid seascapes like the one below.

Frank E. Schoonovers early work was influenced by Pyles paintings of knights and pirates, but he soon developed his own style. He is remembered today for scenes of action and romance, frequently set in the wilderness.

Classic Post covers from Brandywine artists and many others are collected in the special collectors edition Reflections of America.
Ottawa, ON -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/20/2016 -- CrowdCoffee.ca is proud to announce the launch of their brand new website that offers some of the lowest prices on K-Cups available anywhere. Being an online vendor means that Crowd Coffee doesn't spend on operating a storefront location and can pass on all cost savings to the consumer instead. The company sorts all incoming orders to create bulk purchases that save everyone money. Coffee drinkers simply pick a flavour, create an order, select a convenient pick-up location and wait for a quick delivery to start enjoying their coffee. Shipping is free to any of the ten pick-up locations currently servicing the Ottawa area and more pick-up locations are consistently being added as CrowdCoffee.ca expands its network. If you don't live in the Ottawa area you can still take advantage of the cost savings by choosing the $10.99 shipping option to anywhere in Canada. There are currently eleven different brands of K-Cups to choose from including Higgins & Burke, Marley Coffee, Wolfgang Puck, Second Cup and more. For those who don't drink coffee, there is tea, hot chocolate and other drinks available for order as well.



CrowdCoffee.ca's media contact Julian Ferrara talks about the website; "Our company consists of coffee drinkers and enthusiasts who were tired of paying high prices for coffee. We decided to do something about it and created CrowdCoffee.ca to enable bulk purchasing to greatly reduce the cost. We thought about how we could achieve the volume needed for bulk ordering and came up with our cooperative buying system. Once you shop with our system and see how effective and easy it is, you'll never pay full price for coffee again."



A K-cup is a coffee pod that is designed for Keurig K-Cup brewing systems and delivers a single cup of perfectly brewed coffee, tea or other hot beverages. Many consumers have adopted this brewing method due to the ease of use, quality of the beverage and the ability to change flavours easily. Traditionally more expensive, this brewing method is now available for reasonable prices that make the coffee that much more enjoyable.



About CrowdCoffee.ca

CrowdCoffee.ca is an online retailer of coffee, tea and other hot beverages in K-Cup format. The service area begins with Ottawa and continues throughout all of Canada. The website is easy to use and gives customers access to hundreds of delicious flavours in one location and for discount prices. There is no membership required, just place an order and enjoy.



Media Contact:

Julian Ferrara

CrowdCoffee.ca

1399 Beaucourt Pl.

Ottawa, ON Canada

K4A1W3

613-424-2200

info@crowdcoffee.ca
Pune, India -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/20/2016 -- The report "Petroleum Resin Market by Type (C5, C9, Hydrogenated Hydrocarbon Resins and C5/C9 Resins), Application (Adhesive & Sealants, Printing Inks, Paints & Coatings), End-Use Industry (Building & Construction, Tire) and by Region - Global Forecast to 2021", The petroleum resin market size is estimated to grow from USD 1.78 Billion in 2016 to USD 2.58 Billion by 2021, at a CAGR of 7.7%.



Browse 147 market data Tables and 61 Figures spread through 166 Pages and in-depth TOC on "Petroleum Resin Market - Global Forecast to 2021"



http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/petroleum-resins-market-123775493.html



Early buyers will receive 10% customization on this report.



The market is driven by the increasing need in end-use industries such as personal hygiene, tire, automotive, and building & construction. The Middle East & Africa and Latin America are estimated to witness a strong growth in the next five years. The demand across these regions is reinforced by the increasing personal hygiene market in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Nigeria.



Asia-Pacific: The largest market of petroleum resins



Asia-Pacific is currently the largest market for petroleum resins. China is the largest consumer of petroleum resins in this region.



The following are the favourable forces driving the market for petroleum resins in Asia-Pacific:



Major manufacturers of petroleum resins in the region

Growing commercial & industrial construction in the region

Increasing investment in automobile sector



For more Info Speak to Our Analyst @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/speaktoanalyst.asp?id=123775493



C5 petroleum resins: The largest type segment of petroleum resin market



Petroleum resins are categorized into four major types by such as C5 petroleum resins, C9 petroleum resins, hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins, and C5/C9 petroleum resins. These are the widely used types of petroleum resins. In 2015, C5 petroleum resins accounted for the largest market share in terms of both value and volume due to easy availability and cost-effective nature.



Adhesives & sealants: The largest application segment of petroleum resin market



Petroleum resins are used in adhesives & sealants, printing inks, paints & coatings, rubber compounding, tapes & labels, and other applications. These are the main applications considered in the report. In 2015, the adhesives & sealants application segment accounted for the largest market share as compared to other applications, in terms of value and volume, due to its increasing usage in building & construction and book binding end-use industries.



The key players in the petroleum resin market are Eastman Chemical Company (U.S.), ExxonMobil Corporation (U.S.), Total CrayValley (U.S.), and Kolon Industries (South Korea), Shandong Landun Petroleum Resin Co., Ltd. (China), Puyang Tiacheng Chemical Co., Ltd. (China), and Shanghai Jinsen Hydrocarbon Resins Co., Limited (China).



Enquire Before Buying of this Report @ http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_Buying.asp?id=123775493



This report covers the market size, in terms of value and volume, for petroleum resins and forecasts the market size till 2021. The report includes the market segmentation by typesC5 petroleum resins, C9 petroleum resins, hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins, and C5/C9 petroleum resins, by applicationadhesives & sealants, printing inks, paints & coatings, rubber compounding, tapes & labels, and others, by end-use industrybuilding & construction, tire, personal hygiene, automotive, and others, and by regionAsia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America. Regions are further segmented by key countries such as China, India, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, U.S., Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nigeria, Brazil, and Mexico. The report also provides company profiles and competitive strategies adopted by the major market players in the petroleum resins market.



Browse Related Reports:



Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Solvents and Thinners Market by Type (Varnish Markets & Paints, Mineral Spirits and Others), Application (Paints &Coatings, Pharmaceutical, Adhesives, Printing Inks and Others) and Geography - Global Forecast to 2020



http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/aliphatic-hydrocarbon-solvents-and-thinners-market-155300623.html



Waterborne UV Curable Resins Market by Chemistry (Urethane Acrylate and Blend), by Application (Wood, Graphics, Opto & Electronics, Foil & Inks, and Plastics), and by Region - Global Forecasts to 2020



http://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/waterborne-uv-curable-resins-market-59672941.html



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Large pockets of HIV infection are not acknowledged, due to a lack of data on HIV occurrence and prevention efforts around the globe, a study has found.

Protecting human rights is not just a moral issue, it is a scientific issue. Chris Beyrer, International AIDS Society

In particular, existing data fail to account adequately for adolescent girls, young women, as well as homosexual men and transgender people in HIV/AIDS-affected countries, says the report issued last month (18 June).

These shortcomings in data sets are due to cultural, geographical and educational reasons, the report says. For example, in many of the countries most afflicted by HIV/AIDS, women are less likely to be educated and more likely to live rurally, so they rarely participate in surveys.

In addition, transgender and homosexual men are often reluctant to come forward in countries that condemn their lifestyle, preventing them from taking part in face-to-face surveys, says the report by AVAC, a non-profit organisation that supports HIV/AIDS vaccine development.

Theres no excuse for HIV prevention data systems to be so uneven, incomplete and inefficient, said Mitchell Warren, AVACs executive director. To have any chance of ending the epidemic by 2030, we need to be collecting and accounting for every bit of useful information from every person living with or at risk for HIV.

The report states that better data is especially important in the light of a UN goal set last year to reduce new diagnoses to no more than 500,000 a year by 2020.

To meet this target, data needs to be more inclusive and better broken down, the report says. The authors criticise existing data sets for their lack of detail on factors such as age and gender, income status and location of people with HIV/AIDS.

The report explains that many countries now collect data on people reached  those who have had HIV testing or have participated in prevention programmes. However, there is little information beyond mere numbers, leaving health organisations and governments in the dark about who exactly is being reached, and how, the report says.

At the International AIDS Conference, which is taking place in Durban this week, policymakers echoed the reports message. Chris Beyrer, president of the International AIDS Society, said that the human right to health was out of reach for the most vulnerably communities, because they are simply not identified and targeted in ongoing efforts to stamp out the disease.

Protecting human rights is not just a moral issue, it is a scientific issue, he said.
African universities face huge, intersecting challenges. As a result, they are struggling to adapt.



Firstly, enrolments are rising without universities increasing their capacities to deliver quality education aligned to the continents needs.



Secondly, raising revenue through fees clearly isnt the answer to funding shortfalls: the policy of co-financing education through tuition fees has failed to yield enough money over the years. Instead, private universities have mushroomed, mostly offering arts-based courses, which are cheaper to run. Public universities have also ramped up arts course enrolments at the expense of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. [1]



A related consequence is that staff are overburdened by their teaching loads and pay little attention to research. This is partly why Sub-Saharan Africa produces only one per cent of all global research. [2]



Thirdly, the introduction of tuition fees that began in the 1990s has continued to lock out poorer students who cannot pay. This amounts to lost talent the continent desperately needs.



The answer may lie in shaking up how universities approach businesses, including informal ones. Universities will be better able to make meaningful contributions to society by working with the private sector to develop innovations people actually need and want.



A more imaginative and engaged approach to the informal sector will, in turn, position universities as socially relevant and so help galvanise new sources of funding  a pressing need for universities across the continent.



Informal sector ignored



One trick policymakers are missing is involving the informal sector  which is growing across the continent  in development plans and projections. The informal sector employs around 80 per cent of the workforce and accounts for about 40 per cent of GDP overall. It is a space where some of the continents most imaginative and exciting innovations have thrived, from 3D printing to audio technology where new varieties of music are constantly being created in response to changing social, economic and political contexts.



Businesses in South Africa have created machinery to improve jewellery design while reducing labour intensity and time spent, for example. And  probably the most famous success story in recent years  the mobile money transfer system M-Pesa is another local innovative idea that has become a game changer in technology and business.



Universities should examine ways of supporting the growth of the informal sector and its formalisation through patenting innovations in order to raise more revenue.

Effective university leadership is therefore critical for honouring commitments in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect; so is managing partnerships effectively. The payoff will be bankable ideas that attract investment. Beatrice Muganda

African universities are also failing to engage properly with business in the formal sector. Indeed, African academics and international organisations have expressed doom and gloom about this. [3] They cite factors such as a lack of confidence among businesses in universities being able to undertake sophisticated research and innovation; the small size of industry and business; and the mismatch between university research strengths and regional industry sectors.



Government investment



So how can university-industry collaboration become fruitful?



A good proportion of public financing for universities should go towards high-quality research to attract private investment into science parks, along with technology and business incubators in academic institutions. These initiatives may initially be modest, only involving small and medium-sized enterprises, but they could dramatically expand.

Banking on innovation

A good example is the Taifa laptop project in Kenya developed by the Nairobi Industrial and Technological Park , a joint project between the government and the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. The laptop was conceived within the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya vision, where the government works with universities and industry to develop world-class products for the local market and beyond. In this case, the government contracted the university to produce laptops for Kenyan primary schools to advance digital learning.Robust engagement with universities in business is an urgent area for government investment because the returns from commercialised research can raise additional resources for funding other university programmes.Revenue generated from such projects should be invested in scholarships and higher salaries for university researchers.



African universities face an additional challenge: how to move into the innovation sector. This can only happen if governments provide research funding, and few African countries have honoured their commitment to invest at least one per cent of GDP (gross domestic product) in research by 2010. [5]



There is also an opportunity for supporting innovation in the informal sector. For example, many African countries have embraced the use of motorcycle taxis, which are imported at great expense from around the world. But, if they gave proper support to engineering departments, African states could produce motorcycles and spare parts locally, rather than relying on expensive imports.



Upon maturity, ideas coming out of engineering departments could transition into a business enterprise and generate massive revenue for universities. Honda is a case in point: it sold 17 million motorcycles in the fiscal year ending in March 2014, making 1.66 trillion Japanese yen. A good proportion of the cash flow can be traced to Africas informal sector.



Nigerias booming Nollywood film industry is another space of digital innovation that universities could tap into. In 2014, Nigerias film and music industry grew by 33 per cent. Nigerian universities could turn their arts studios into commercial units that support the digital distribution of these products.



Part of the problem is that university researchers and innovators rarely meet with entrepreneurs and their counterparts in the private sector. Universities can start to change this by establishing or revamping offices that foster partnerships and using public funds for basic infrastructure: researchers, laboratories and equipment.



But industry can only work with universities if sure that its interests are protected and a return on investment guaranteed. Effective university leadership is therefore critical for honouring commitments in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect; so is managing partnerships effectively. The payoff will be bankable ideas that attract investment.



Beatrice Muganda is director of higher education at the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research, in Nairobi, Kenya, @PASGR_. Beatrice is an education policy practitioner promoting partnerships for graduate teaching of social science research and public policy.


Google Street View has been had millions of people explore distant places without having to leave their homes. However, the tech company has not approved to visit the distant Faroe Islands with its infamous 360 degree cameras. Now, residents of the island took matters into their own hands and set up Sheep View.

According to Mail Online, Faroe Islands are located between the Shetlands, Iceland and Norway. It is so remote that Google Street View has not been able to reach it yet. So, with the help of a local shepherd and a specially made harness built by an islander, Durita Dahl Andreassen of Visit Faroe Islands mounted 360-degree cameras on 5 island's sheep.

This will allow the camera to record and take pictures as the sheep walk and graze around the island. The pictures are then sent to Andreassen using GPS coordinates, which she later uploads to Google Street View.

"Here in the Faroe Islands we have to do things our way," says Andreassen. "Knowing that we are so small and Google is so big, we felt this was the thing to do."

The Irish Times reported that the Sheep View team has managed to take panoramic images of five different locations on the island. The team has also produced a 360 video so travel enthusiasts can explore the island, like the sheep.

Meanwhile, the island is home to 80,000 sheep and only 49,188 humans. The Guardian mentioned that aside from promoting the island to visitors, the project is also part of an online campaign to help convince google to visit the island and complete the mapping project.

Visit Faroe Islands have launched the petition using the hashtag #wewantgooglestreetview. However, many are still saying that Google Street View might ruin the beauty of the island. "I think that we're ready for this," says Andreassen. "It's a place that has always been so hidden and far away from everything, but I think that we are ready to invite people to the place."

Guardian Travel also contacted Google to ask if they had any plans to map the Faroe Islands. However, they would not comment, but emphasized that anyone is welcome to create their own Street View experiences. Google also said that anyone can apply to borrow their camera equipment.

Also, this is not the first time Google has had an issue involving sheep. Last year the Google Sheep View blog was launched, which collected images of sheep found on Street View to celebrate the year of the sheep.
It has already been 47 years since the Apollo 11 mission that successfully took the first man to walk on the moon. However, despite the years had gone by, there are still at least 52 percent of British adults still say it was a fake.

Even though it has been nearly 5 decades ago since the first moon landing happened, the fact still remains that 52 percent of adults in the United Kingdom who think of it as a sham. These people believe that the speech Neil Armstrong, the first man to ever walk on the moon, made was pre-recorded somewhere on Earth.

The Apollo 11 space mission was the first to bring men to the moon. Among those who will be marking the 47th year of the space mission is former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, who walked the moon with Armstrong on the mission. However, even though there have been so many proof that the late Armstrong, who passed away in 2012, actually walked the moon, still a lot of British people who responded a new survey think it's a conspiracy, though there have been studies that say what people thought to be a conspiracy actually happened.

47 years ago today Neil, Mike & I took a ride on a big rocket to the moon.

Liftoff on #Apollo11 pic.twitter.com/FrvdmddkYo  Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 16, 2016

More interestingly, that's not the only one they doubt to be true in the new study.

Mirror.co.uk reported the new survey found almost two-thirds or 64 percent of adults in the United Kingdom don't believe that dinosaurs ever existed, but apparently, one in ten people are sure that the Loch Ness Monster is real.

In the same report, e2save, an online mobile retailer conducted a survey on adults in the UK and found that there are many people who in the supernatural, but doubted a lot of the biggest moments in history, one example is the televised 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing, which was thought to be a hoax by 52 percent of British adults.

The survey also revealed that people between the ages 25 and 34 are the most skeptical, with 73 percent of them thinking that there was never really a moon landing, compared to only 38 percent of people aging 55 and up who were already born at the time the actual landing happened.

The survey also found that 24 percent of British adults believe in extraterrestrials, while 5 percent believe that dragons do exist, that perhaps is due to too much Game of Thrones.

Meanwhile, people are also more inclined to believe in the existence of ghosts and spirits than God (30% vs 29%). And women lean more towards the occult than men, with almost double the amount believing in spirits (38% vs 21%).
The Grandview Aquarium, which is situated inside the mall in Guangzhou, China, is just like an isolated prison for the animals that are trapped there. These include animals such as bears, beluga whales, wolves and walruses.

Washington Post stated that a bear paced back and forth in a small enclosure, displaying behavior that experts say reflects stress and possible psychological problems. Meanwhile, the wolves lay in a small area and the walrus calves and belugas swam back and forth in confined spaces.

Please sign this petition to close Grandview Aquarium and save the worlds saddest polar bear https://t.co/3q0hoqjIfy pic.twitter.com/hCyn0hOvj5  Grim  (@termiteking) July 20, 2016

The Grandview Aquarium was named the "saddest zoo in the world." It is reported that the belugas are swimming in dirty water. On the other hand, the whale shark is confined to a small tank.

please sign the petition to shut down the grandview aquarium in Chinahttps://t.co/f1TvgWhMB3 pic.twitter.com/HMLvRtMypq  Alicia Novoa (@aliiinovoa) July 11, 2016

Help Polar Bears at Grandview Aquarium - Saddest Zoo in the World https://t.co/Re5KWWPjmZ #racingextinction pic.twitter.com/HOrndkEcwN  KoalaBee (@Koala_Bee) July 19, 2016



The animal welfare group said that the bear suffers for selfies. They are trapped in the middle of a shopping center in China. They said that the sad polar bear has no escape. It is nowhere to hide from people taking photos, which are banging on the windows and shouting. The environment truly did not meet the needs of any living bear, as noted by Huffington Post.

The situation of the animals provokes outraged across the nation. One commentator said that the owner of Grandview Mall Ocean World should be kept in a fishbowl for his whole life. Many concerned people are calling for the closure of this animal prison. Currently, there are more than 270,000 people, who have signed a petition to close the Grandview Aquarium.
Adidas has ended its partnership with the rapper formerly known as Kanye West over his offensive and antisemitic remarks. The German sportswear company said Tuesday in a statement that it does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech" and called Yes recent comments and actions unacceptable, hateful and dangerous." It comes after Adidas faced pressure to cut ties with Ye, with celebrities and others on social media urging the company to act. It said at the beginning of the month that it was placing its lucrative sneaker deal with the rapper under review. Adidas is just the latest company to end connections with Ye, who also has been suspended from Twitter and Instagram.
LAMAR  Things have come together quickly for Lamar High School honors graduate Selena Gore over the past few years, and she says she wouldnt have it any other way.

Less than three weeks after Gore crossed the stage at commencement, she was sworn into the U.S. Air Force. She decided to pursue a career in the military to follow in the footsteps of her father, Tony Nettles, a retired Army veteran, whom she feels exemplifies selflessness and passion.

For months at a time, he was separated from his wife and children, she said. Today, he suffers physically from surgeries he had to have because of the wear and tear he collected over in Vietnam. My father sacrificed not only for his family but for every American to be free.

Gore now lives in Las Vegas with her husband, Thatcher, whom she met for the first time in middle school in Lamar. The two were married last December, three months after her husband joined the U.S. Air Force, and he is stationed at Nellis Air Force Base near Las Vegas.

I am proud to say that we were each other's first love and only, something so rare in our generations today, she said.

But things havent always gone as planned for Gore and her family. When Gore was 2, her twin sister, Serena, died. Gore says that though her sister is gone, her spirit has been a motivating force for every step she has taken thus far.

The reason I worked so hard in the classroom, on the field and within my community, was to make her proud, she said. My heart beats for two souls, not one.

And she certainly went the extra mile to live the life her sister would have during her high school years. Gore excelled in the classroom, competed in many sports, including track and field and cheerleading, and grew in service as a part of organizations such as the Beta Club and the Environmental Club.

Gore says that she didnt participate in extracurricular activities just to stay busy.

In all honesty, I was limited on time, she said, but these groups gave me a chance to unite with others like myself and make a positive difference around me.

Through the Beta Club, she was able to affect her classmates in ways that extended far beyond the classroom.

For example, we were able to prevent some hunger that occurred in students' lives outside of school, she said. The fact that many households suffer with hunger is a sad truth, and the Beta members would work with others at the elementary school to organize donations to be given to those in need.

Gore thinks the small Lamar student body meant some limits because of resources and perception, but overall it gave her an environment to meet people and learn new things in an individualized way, especially due to small class sizes.

This gave us more one-on-one time with our teachers, she said. We were able to get all our questions answered and receive the individual assistance we needed. Larger schools can't say the same.

Small class sizes also meant that teachers could connect with families on a more personal level, which Gore and her family definitely felt.

They were knowledgeable of almost everyone's name, personality, strengths, weaknesses, and background, she said. This connection made me feel like Lamar High was a second home and a place where I was loved and pushed to succeed.

Now she is living in a new home, and she might be moving from one place to the next as part of a big military family. But for now, she is focused on creating a life of service for her and her husband.

Serving my country alongside my husband is my biggest dream, and I'm doing everything I can to turn it into a reality, she said.
The collaboration will involve exchanging information on statistics and port development projects, as well as cooperating in the field of training, among others.

Bandar Abbas port accounts for 90% of the in and outgoing containers of Iran and for nearly half of the 200m tonnes of freight handled by 11 Iranian ports put together.

The memorandum of understanding, signed on Monday, will run for a period of five years, after which it can be renewed.

Eddy Bruyninckx, ceo of Antwerp Port Authority, said: We are restoring our trading relations with Iran, a country with great economic growth potential that is also a gateway to neighbouring countries.

Until 2010 Antwerp was the most important European destination port for Iranian cargo, before sanctions were applied. Then in March this year the Iranian shipping company IRISL returned to Antwerp with the first container ship since sanctions were lifted.

Antwerp Port Authority is anticipating a rise in traffic for containers, breakbulk and bulk freight over the next few months.
All of the staff and students in Turner Hall at the University of Illinois may be in party mode, and if they are, please understand why. They may have thought last week was a big week for them. But last week barely held a candle to this week.

Why Turner Hall? Turner Hall is the headquarters for the University of Illinois Department of Crop Sciences. However, staff and researchers spill over into some other campus buildings and certainly preside over all of the activities at the South Farms. And the entire crop sciences department is breaking out the Champagne and doing high fives with each other.

A new day dawned over Turner Hall on July 15, when Kimberlee Kidwell was named the new Dean of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Dr. Kidwell is currently an associate dean at Washington State University, but the big news to the Crop Sciences Department is that she is a nationally respected scholar of plant breeding and genetics. She is also home grown, a native of Danville, and holder of two bachelors degrees from the University of Illinois. So, Dr. Kidwell returns home to manage one of the top three agricultural colleges in the nation.

The College of ACES has been lead by either agricultural economists or animal scientists for more than 30 years. Now, ACES will have an agronomist in the deans office and someone to ensure that crop science research has its financial priorities covered when budget time comes around.

That was the first piece of news which has launched the plant physiologists and soil scientists into doing happy dances long lost with the tradition of Chief Illiniwek.

Tuesday they learned they just won the World Series, the Superbowl, and the Powerball mega lottery all in one, when University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen announced the new chancellor for the Urbana campus would be Dr. Robert Jones, president of the University of Albany (N.Y.), and former vice president at the University of Minnesota.

But what is so important about Dr. Robert Jones to the Illinois agronomy folks is that he is an internationally respected authority on plant physiology. Jones is a native of Georgia, and has advanced crop physiology degrees from the University of Georgia and University of Missouri. And his plaques on the wall announce that he is a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.

Now, the boys and girls in and around Turner Hall have not only a new dean who is one of their own, but a new head of the Urbana-Champaign campus who knows corn and soybeans, can manipulate crop genetics and will have an appreciation for the research being done by hundreds of scientists working on the South Farms.

Reflecting on that was Dennis Bowman a crop science educator who said, You always worry that people in administration do not know what you do and the importance of it. But it can also be a challenge, because they can bring a critical eye on what you are doing and scrutinize your work. Bowman said there would be great opportunities for Dean Kidwell and Chancellor Jones to help cross pollinate the work being done at the University of Illinois with research at other Land Grant institutions.

And when you think about it, the upshot of it all will certainly benefit Illinois agriculture. So if you see some farmers doing a happy dance in the corn field or high fives with each other as they drive down the road, you know they sense the same exhilaration that is currently coursing through the offices in Turner Hall.
David Hile spent decades building his business, Hile Creative . Over the years he grew to know what would make the firm grow; the right opportunity or a promising new employee. And then, when it came time, he devoted just as much thought and attention to properly closing up shop."I told myself if the job ever stops being rewarding or creative I would go back to my roots as a fine artist," Hile says. "The last couple of years were hard because the industry was changing so fast. Also my job had turned into mostly sales."Hile Creative became a household name in the Ann Arbor's creative scene. It did branding and marketing work for big clients like Beaumont Hospital and the University of Michigan, as well as little ones like Venturi , a Traverse City-based maker of bathroom products. There were 11 people on the company payroll when Hile started thinking about winding down.Hile expected to run his business until his 70s. He made it to 63. That was in the first few weeks of 2015. By that spring he broke the news to his staff. The end came in May of last year."My staff was my biggest consideration at the time," Hile says. "I knew they would do well because they are all extremely talented."It seems like everyone dreams of one day opening a business. All of their friends and acquaintances have an idea or two of how best to grow it. Consultants are full of advice on how to scale it. No one ever talks to them about the day they will have to shut it down.And that day is far more likely to come sooner than an owner expects. Statistics from the U.S. Small Business Administration state about half of businesses with employees fail within their first five years. Only a third will make it to their 10th anniversary, while only 26 percent make it to 15 years."Ignorance and blind optimism are an entrepreneur's best friends," says Bill Mayer, vice president of entrepreneurial services for Ann Arbor SPARK . "If you could think of everything that could go wrong in a new company no one would ever start a new business."That quote and those statistics are daunting. So much so that the fear of them drives entrepreneurs to do some kooky things. Even the people who live their lives by facts and statistics start to engage in superstitious behavior when the subject of a failing firm comes up in conversation.For instance, most entrepreneurs will talk anyone and everyone's ear off about what it takes to build a business. Reach out to them to talk about what happens when a business goes under, and the silence is deafening. A handful of the entrepreneurs contacted for this story who had startups fail on their watch declined to talk about the experience.Some of these companies were darlings of Ann Arbor's new economy at one point of another. They scored millions of dollars in venture capital. They took home big prizes at the Accelerate Michigan Innovation Competition, the state's premiere business plan competition. And then they failed for one reason or another."There are a million different reasons a company can go out of business that are unrelated to its performance," Mayer says.Some of those entrepreneurs got right back on the horse and started new companies. A couple landed mid-level managerial jobs at marquee local tech firms hungry to add talent. Ann Arbor SPARK works to pair those entrepreneurs and their former employees with nearby growing companies through its online talent portal and networking events to keep talent local."That's really the mark of a mature ecosystem," Mayer says. "Are there enough companies to absorb displaced people? That means there is less risk for people who want to move here for a job."Making those sorts of smooth transitions happen is often easier said than done. Most entrepreneurs are experts when it comes to explaining their vision. They want to be seen as synonymous with success, not failure. Being honest with people when things are going the wrong way isn't easy, but it's the right move for people who want to build a reputation in a place they want to sink roots."The best thing to do is be honest with everyone," Mayer says. "You can't make a bad situation good. You can just be honest with everyone and make the best of it."Hile lived the good life building Hile Creative for 30 years. He started the company as an illustrator with a dream working part-time for a Ann Arbor-based agency that is no longer in business."My passion at that time was illustration," Hile says. "This was before the computer made its impact in the industry so there was a lot of illustration work out there."The end of Hile Creative came in its 31st year when Hile became tired of it all. He decided to retire to his fine art studio as a one-man operation. He knew he couldn't take his nearly dozen staffers with him so he spent his last months in business helping them find jobs.Many found new jobs shortly after Hile announced the closing of his business. Hile says he also introduced some of his employees to key people on Hile Creative's active client list, paving the way for them to continue that work."They were all able to find a new job very easily," Hile says.One employee stuck around. It was an office manager who worked a couple days a week but had done so at Hile Creative for many years. Hile says he kept that person on the firm's health insurance and payroll for a few extra weeks after shutting down Hile Creative until they landed on their feet with a new job, too. Then it was over. The office furniture was packed up and Hile Creative ceased to be. It was both a sad and exciting day for Hile when he reached out for the office light switch one last time."The day I shut off the lights I was a little nostalgic," Hile says. "Since then I haven't looked back."
A new meat-eating dinosaur has just been discovered in Argentina, a country still known for its red meat.

Discovery of the new dinosaur, named Murusraptor barrosaensis, suggests that what is now Argentina has been dominated by carnivores for at least 80 million years. The dino is described in a paper published in the latest issue of the journal PLOS ONE.

RELATED: Dinosaurs Might Have Gone Up in Smoke

Argentina now has the world's second-highest consumption rate of beef per capita. (Hong Kong holds the top spot.)

Rodolfo Coria from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas and Phillip Currie from the University of Alberta explained how they crafted the new dinosaur's scientific name.

"'Murus' is a Latin term for 'wall,' referring to the discovery of the specimen in the wall of a canyon; 'barrosaensis' alludes to Sierra Barrosa, the locality where it was collected," they wrote. Sierra Barrosa is an Upper Cretaceeous rock formation located at Neuquen Province, Patagonia.

They added that skeletons of turtles, crocodiles, mammals and other dinosaurs were also found at the site, along with the footprints of prehistoric birds.

WATCH:Why Aren't Modern Animals As Large As Dinosaurs?
DECATUR  By utilizing the capabilities of the Midwest Inland Port, a partnership announced Wednesday is intended to add to the economic development in the Decatur area.

Transportation service company OmniTRAX, Inc. plans to enter into a join venture to operate a short line railroad between Decatur and Cisco. Grain from TopFlight will be transported from its Cisco facility to plants at Archer Daniels Midland Co., Tate & Lyle and other processing companies in and around Macon County.

In turn, OmniTRAX hopes to drive business to and rehabilitate the line, which will be renamed Decatur Central Railroad, LLC. It interchanges with CN just north of Decatur and runs along Illinois 48.

OmniTRAX is hoping some of the 350 business from its customer base will be interested in operating along the railroad, said Kevin Shuba, CEO of OmniTRAX, which is one of the largest privately-held transportation service companies in North America and an affiliate of The Broe Group.

The announcement was made during a gathering at Central Park in Decatur. Further details will be discussed during a Business Development Forum later today organized by the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur and Macon County.

The forum starts at 2 p.m. at the Decatur Civic Center. Information will be presented about the Midwest Inland Port and other local economic development efforts.

EDC President Ryan McCrady said by working with the companies, the Midwest Inland Port can start to reach its full potential.

For more on this story, see Thursday's Herald & Review.
DECATUR  A traffic stop on an interstate highway led to the arrest of a Michigan man with an extensive criminal history after Decatur Street Crimes detectives found he was carrying about 3 ounces of crack cocaine with a street value of about $14,000.

About 12:15 p.m. Monday, Jonathan Roseman of the Macon County Sheriff's Office stopped a blue 2016 Mazda in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 72, near the Argenta exit, for exceeding the speed limit.

As Roseman spoke with the driver and only occupant, Devaughn Ballard, 29, Decatur police detective Chad Larner arrived on the scene, deploying his K-9 partner, Neko, to conduct an open air sniff of the vehicle for narcotics.

After Neko indicated that there was the presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle, a search turned up a shopping bag beneath the rear seat, containing two clear, knotted plastic bags filled with crack cocaine weighing 146 grams, including the packaging, said a police affidavit.

Ballard told police he was from the Detroit area but contemplating moving to Decatur as he had several friends in this area.

Ballard denied any knowledge of the cocaine under the rear seat, the affidavit said.

He was booked into the Macon County Jail, where he is being held on $255,000 bond on charges of possession and manufacture/delivery of cocaine, between 100 and 400 grams. He is due in circuit court for his arraignment by Tuesday.

Ballard has had 11 criminal cases in Michigan, including seven felonies, for crimes including robbery, assault, delivery/manufacture of a controlled substance, and assault.
Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

Political conventions are about pulling a party together for the long, tough slog to the November election. Make that a long, tough and expensive slog, which is why making the convention into a political cash cow can also be a good thing.

While reports say GOP fundraisers came up about $6 million short of what they needed to cover the conventions bills, that doesnt mean there arent opportunities for someone known for, ah, the art of the deal.
The departing head of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area vowed that a priority of her new job in the top position at the Grand Canyon National Park would be to usher in reforms amid a district-wide sexual misconduct scandal that prompted the resignation of her predecessor.

Christine Lehnertz will be the first female superintendent in the history of the Arizona park next month, the National Park Service said this week.

In January, the Department of the Interiors Office of Inspector General released an investigative report on Grand Canyon National Park River District that found evidence of a long-term pattern of sexual harassment and hostile work environment in the Grand Canyon district.

Superintendent David Uberuaga was not accused of harassing employees but was criticized for his reportedly weak response to harassment claims from employees. He announced his retirement in May.

Together with the staff and managers at the park, I look forward to keeping up momentum on the important conservation, preservation and operational activities at the Grand Canyon, Lehnertz said in a statement. Regarding the sexual harassment issues that weve learned about, Grand Canyon National Park now has a responsibility to lead the National Park Service in eliminating the factors that have allowed such behaviors.

She said staff and managers have already come up with changes in the working environment there to ensure that the Grand Canyon is a respectful, inclusive place to work and visit, she added.

Colleagues and work associates reacted to Lehnertzs Bay Area departure, including Neal Desai, the National Parks Conservation Association director of field operations.

Were going to miss her. We thought she was an excellent leader at the GGNRA. She worked very closely with all the different types of stakeholders in the community, Desai said Wednesday. The GGNRA is one of the most visited national parks in the country. Shes done a really excellent job in managing.

National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis also praised Lehnertz after announcing her appointment.

Chris brings outstanding leadership skills and an outsiders perspective to the National Park Service. Since she joined the NPS, she has helped us think differently about conservation, preservation, employee engagement and public collaboration, he said.

Lehnertz began her career at the National Park Service in 2007 as deputy superintendent at Yellowstone National Park. She served as regional director for the services Pacific West Region from 2010 to 2015.

She was appointed superintendent at Golden Gate in March 2015.

Lehnertz, trained as an environmental biologist, worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Denver and Washington, D.C., for 16 years, officials said.

She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and worked as a seasonal wildlife and biological technician for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, the U.S. Forest Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Lehnertz, her wife, Shari Dagg, and their cat, Choco, plan to move to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon for the position, officials said.

Jenna Lyons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno
DECATUR -- A hummingbird sat motionless in Avi Manks' hand. Then Vernon Kleen asked, "Are you ready for it to fly?"

Manks, 6, nodded, then Kleen told her to tap her hand from the bottom. When she did, the bird shot out of her hand on a line through the crowd gathered at Rock Springs Nature Center toward trees in the distance.

Avi's older sister Zoey, 10, likes hummingbirds, so their mom, Adele, agreed to take them to Tuesday's Hummingbird Festival. The birds are captured at the hummingbird feeders set up at Rock Springs, given to Kleen -- a licensed hummingbird bander since 2000 -- then handed to the next person in line who has adopted a bird for $5 and the bird is released back into the wild.

"I'm fascinated by hummingbirds because they fascinate other people, just look at this crowd of people," said Kleen, an avian ecologist for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for 30 years.

Avi and Zoey thought the bird would fly as soon as it hit Avi's hand, but it didn't. Kleen said sometimes they do, but other times they become "mesmerized."

"I thought its wing was broke," Avi said.

"Maybe it just liked you," Adele said.

"It probably did," Avi said.

Hannah Steiner, 13, came to the Hummingbird Festival last year but didn't get to release a bird because she arrived late. This year she and her mom, Amy, arrived early and Hannah was able to watch one launch from her hand.

"When it's sitting in your hand it's super light, you can barely feel it," Hannah said. "You can feel the heartbeat, but it doesn't even feel like a heartbeat; it feels like it's just buzzing. When it flew off, it was just a little brush against my hand."

Hannah became interested in hummingbirds by watching the feeders outside of her home in Illiopolis.

"She gets on our deck, gets up on the railing and actually gets right next to the hummingbird feeder and takes pictures of them," Amy said. "She has video from just a foot or two away from them. They're not remotely scared of her."

Kleen does more than 20 hummingbird programs a summer around Illinois. After birds are caught in the feeders, they're taken to Kleen, who measures them and wraps a tiny metal band with a number on it around the bird's leg. He then announces the sex of the bird and whether it's youth or adult before putting it in the hand of the person who paid to adopt it.

"I use special pliers to attach the band so that when I squeeze it, it goes perfectly around the bird's leg, because the last thing we want to do is injure or cause any problems for any of these birds," Kleen said.
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Struggling to curb displacement in a city that is now the fourth most expensive rental market in the nation, the Oakland City Council approved two proposals early Wednesday that would sharply limit property owners ability to raise rents.

Before voting to back the measures, however, the council sat through hours of at times raucous debate between housing activists and small property owners, who argued about whether stronger rent control would slow gentrification in Oakland and whether that was a worthwhile goal.

Many supporters of capping rent increases and extending eviction controls said Oaklands long-awaited economic boom is benefiting newcomers but hurting people whose families have lived there for generations. Longtime Oakland residents are getting pushed out at precisely the moment when opportunity is increasing, said Angela Glover Blackwell, president of the social equity research institute PolicyLink.

Opponents of the rent control measures said they unfairly penalized small property owners.

Not all landlords are from the Donald Trump school of vindictive and irresponsible business practices, yet it seems as though you have painted such a picture, said Doug Sager, president of the Oakland-Berkeley Association of Realtors. He urged the council to abandon the two proposals and instead focus on building more affordable housing.

Billed as companion measures, both proposals require landlords to petition for approval of any annual rent hike of more than 10 percent. Oaklands current laws put the burden for challenges to such increases on tenants, forcing them to show why property owners are not entitled to them.

In addition, each proposal includes several tenant protections.

One of the measures, which will take effect immediately pending a second reading next week, will limit the amount that property owners can charge their tenants for capital improvements to a building.

That drew criticism from Jill Broadhurst, head of the East Bay Rental Housing Association, a trade group representing landlords.

Were being cut to the point where owners will no longer be able to take care of their properties, Broadhurst said.

The measure also requires buyers of duplexes and triplexes to live in their buildings for at least two years before those buildings are exempt from rent control. The council vote approving the measure was 7-0, with Councilwoman Desley Brooks abstaining.

The second measure would expand the citys just-cause eviction law to homes built after 1995, meaning that owners of those buildings could evict tenants only for violating the terms of a lease, or by virtue of the state Ellis Act, which allows property owners to leave the rental business. The council voted 8-0 to put the measure before voters in November.

Neither meaure would apply to rents in buildings constructed after 1983, which are exempted under a state law that restricts local rent controls.

Councilman Dan Kalb said the measures were designed to rein in a small pool of venal landlords, and said the vast majority of mom-and-pop property owners are decent people trying to run a business.

By and large, most landlords neither abuse their tenants nor impose unfair rent increases, Kalb said. Nevertheless, given the incentive they have to raise rents, and the fact that there are some unscrupulous landlords, we have a strong incentive to enforce tenant protections.
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Citing escalating rents that tenant advocates call a threat to Oaklands character, the City Council threw its support Wednesday behind a November ballot measure that would limit property owners ability to charge more and carry out evictions.

The council voted unanimously to approve the measure, which was introduced by Councilwoman Rebecca Kaplan, after a four-hour debate that began Tuesday evening and ended well after midnight.

Some of the more than 300 people who addressed the council grew tearful as they described their fear that they could be forced out of longtime homes. Some landlords grew equally emotional as they complained that they were being vilified for trying to make an honest living.

Soaring rents have become a raw topic in Oakland, a traditionally working-class city that is seeing the first inklings of an economic boom as commercial projects sprout up and Uber prepares to open its new headquarters downtown.

At the same meeting, the council voted 7-0 to pass a companion ordinance to the ballot measure that will take effect immediately. Councilwoman Desley Brooks abstained from voting on the measure, which was proposed by council members Dan Kalb, Abel Guillen and Lynette Gibson McElhaney.

Burden on landlords

Both the ballot measure and the new ordinance require property owners to petition the city for approval of certain rent increases. Oaklands current laws put the burden on tenants to petition against rent hikes that exceed the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index, which last year was 1.7 percent. The new laws would instead put the burden on landlords to prove that such increases are justified.

Ive seen people put in situations where families had to double or triple up in apartments just to afford to live in the cities that they work in, said Mia Carbajal, a housing activist who grew up in San Franciscos Mission District, where she said her family faced many of the insecurities now being felt by lower-income Oakland residents.

Some landlords pledged support for the new rent protections, calling them justifiable. Several, including public-school teacher and property owner Stephanie Schaudel, held signs with the slogan, Dont trick tenants.

But others said the new law and ballot measure will unfairly penalize mom-and-pop landlords who have little control over Oaklands economic fortunes. Some opponents such as Doug Sager, president of the Oakland-Berkeley Association of Realtors, said stronger rent protections could have an adverse effect on Oaklands rental market by driving small landlords out of business.

Defending owners

My small-property-owner clients are hard-working folks that have built sweat equity into retiring on a rental income, Sager said. Sadly, the distaste for doing business in Oakland has become more and more unbearable. Whats the result? Less rentals and a more unstable market.

In addition to the landlord petitioning requirement, the ballot measure and new ordinance each include several tenant protections.

The Renters Protection Act ballot measure would expand the citys just-cause eviction law to multiunit buildings constructed through 1995, meaning that owners of those buildings could evict tenants only for violating the terms of a lease, or by virtue of the state Ellis Act, which allows landlords to leave the rental business. The citys current law applies only to buildings constructed before 1981.

The new ordinance will limit the amount that property owners can charge their tenants for capital improvements to a building. It will also require buyers of duplexes and triplexes to live in their buildings for at least two years before those buildings are exempt from rent control.

State law exceptions

Neither law would apply to rents on single-family homes or buildings constructed after 1983, which are exempted under a state law that restricts local rent controls.

Kalb said both measures were designed to rein in a small pool of venal landlords.

By and large, most landlords neither abuse their tenants nor impose unfair rent increases, Kalb said. Nevertheless, given the incentive they have to raise rents, and the fact that there are some unscrupulous landlords, we have a strong incentive to enforce tenant protections.

Schaudel, the schoolteacher and property owner who supports both measures, said they would help maintain Oaklands diversity.

Currently were seeing a bleeding  a mass exodus  of people all throughout the Bay Area, Schaudel said. And the lack of renter protections has everything to do with that.

Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan
For more than a decade, technology investors and entrepreneurs obsessed over social media and mobile apps that helped people do things like find new friends, fetch a ride home or crowdsource a review of a product or a movie.

Now Silicon Valley has found its next shiny new thing. And it does not have a Like button.

The new era centers on artificial intelligence and robots, a transformation that many believe will have a payoff on the scale of the personal computing industry or the commercial Internet, two previous generations that spread computing globally. Computers have begun to speak, listen and see, as well as sprout legs, wings and wheels to move unfettered in the world.

The shift was evident in a Lowes home improvement store this month, when a prototype inventory checker developed by Bossa Nova Robotics silently glided through the aisles using computer vision to automatically perform a task humans have done manually for centuries.

Taking inventory

The robot, which is skilled enough to move out of the way of shoppers and avoid unexpected obstacles in the aisles, alerted people to its presence with soft birdsong chirps. Gliding down the middle of an aisle at a leisurely pace, it can recognize bar codes on shelves, and it uses a laser to detect which items are out of stock.

Silicon Valleys financiers and entrepreneurs are digging into artificial intelligence with remarkable exuberance. The region now has at least 19 companies designing self-driving cars and trucks, up from a handful five years ago. There are also more than a half-dozen types of mobile robots, including robotic bellhops and aerial drones, being commercialized.

We saw a slow trickle in investments in robotics, and suddenly, boom  there seem to be a dozen companies securing large investment rounds focusing on specific robotic niches, said Martin Hitch, CEO of Bossa Nova, which has offices in San Francisco and Pittsburgh.

Funding in artificial intelligence startups has increased more than fourfold to $681 million in 2015, from $145 million in 2011, according to the market research firm CB Insights. The firm estimates that new investments will reach $1.2 billion this year, up 76 percent from last year.

Whenever there is a new idea, the valley swarms it, said Jen-Hsun Huang, chief executive of Nvidia, a chipmaker that was founded to make graphic processors for the video game business but that has turned decisively toward artificial intelligence applications in the past year. But you have to wait for a good idea, and good ideas dont happen every day.

By contrast, funding for social media startups peaked in 2011 before plunging. That year, venture capital firms made 66 social media deals and pumped in $2.4 billion. So far this year, there have been just 10 social media investments, totaling $6.9 million, according to CB Insights. Last month, the professional social networking site LinkedIn was sold to Microsoft for $26.2 billion, underscoring that social media has become a mature market sector.

Social media shift

Even the biggest social media companies are now getting into artificial intelligence, as are other tech behemoths. Facebook is using it to improve its services. Google will soon compete with Amazons Echo and Apples Siri with a device that listens in the home, answers questions and places e-commerce orders. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently appeared at the Aspen Ideas Conference and called for a partnership between humans and artificial intelligence systems in which machines are designed to augment humans.

The auto industry has also set up camp in the Bay Area to learn how to make cars that can do the driving for you. Both technology and car companies say that powerful sensors and artificial intelligence software will enable cars to drive themselves with the push of a button, perhaps by the end of this decade  despite recent Tesla crashes that have raised the question of how quickly human drivers will be completely replaced by the technology.

The new era underscores the regions ability to opportunistically reinvent itself and quickly follow the latest tech trend.

This is at the heart of the regions culture that goes all the way back to the Gold Rush, said Paul Saffo, a longtime technology forecaster and a faculty member at Singularity University. The valley is built on the idea that there is always a way to start over and find a new beginning.

The change spurred a rush for talent in artificial intelligence that has become intense.

Its ridiculous, said Richard Socher, chief scientist at Salesforce, who teaches a course at Stanford on a machine intelligence technique known as deep learning. The number of people trying to get the students to drop out of the class halfway through because now they know a little bit of this stuff is crazy.

The areas tendency toward Zelig-like reinvention dates back to the its initial emergence from the ashes of a deep aerospace industry recession as a consumer-electronics manufacturing center producing memory chips, video games and digital watches in the mid-1970s. A malaise in the personal computing market in the early 1990s was followed by the World Wide Web and the global expansion of the consumer Internet.

Innovation center

A decade later, in 2007, just as innovation in mobile phones seemed to be on the verge of moving away from Silicon Valley to Europe and Asia, Apple introduced the first iPhone, resetting the mobile communications marketplace and ensuring that the region would  for at least another generation  remain the worlds innovation center.

In the most recent shift, artificial intelligence emerged in Canada in the work of cognitive scientists and computer scientists like Geoffrey Hinton, Yoshua Bengio and Yann LeCun during the previous decade. The three helped pioneer a new approach to deep learning, a machine learning method that is highly effective for pattern recognition challenges like vision and speech. Based on a general understanding of how the human brain works, it has helped technologists make rapid progress in a wide range of artificial intelligence fields.

False starts

How far the boom will go is hotly debated. For some technologists, todays advances are laying the groundwork for truly brilliant machines that will soon have human-level intelligence.

Yet Silicon Valley has faced false starts with artificial intelligence before. During the 1980s, an earlier generation of entrepreneurs also believed that it was the wave of the future, leading to a flurry of startups. Their products offered little business value at the time, and so the commercial enthusiasm ended in disappointment, leading to a period now referred to as the AI Winter.

The resurgence will not fall short this time, said several investors, who believe that the economic potential in terms of new efficiency and new applications is strong.

There is no chance of a new winter, said Shivon Zilis, an investor at Bloomberg Beta who specializes in machine intelligence startups.

John Shoch, a veteran venture capitalist at Alloy Ventures in Palo Alto, said deep learning has made a difference to the potential success of artificial intelligence companies. You get a new set of tools that let you attack a new set of problems, which let you push the boundary out, he said.

For others, like Jerry Kaplan, who helped found two artificial intelligence companies in the 1980s  Symantec, which became a security company, and Teknowledge, which ultimately shut down  the new enthusiasm is troubling because it suggests an unfounded optimism similar to earlier eras in which the field overpromised and underdelivered.

Sometimes when I hang around with AI enthusiasts, ... I feel like an atheist at a convention of evangelicals, he said.
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For the first time, a Bay Area county has banned hydraulic fracturing. Even though no one fracks there.

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to ban the controversial oil and gas extraction technique, which has touched off fierce political fights across the state and country.

And yet, the company that operates Alameda Countys only active oil field, just east of Livermore, does not use fracking, according to the company and a website that tracks fracked wells nationwide. Nor did the business, E&B Natural Resources of Bakersfield, have plans to frack there, according to its executives.

Still, county residents concerned that hydraulic fracturing could taint groundwater pushed for a ban anyway. With Gov. Jerry Brown opposed to a statewide moratorium or ban, environmentalists have focused their efforts on individual counties, winning bans in five so far.

Were so excited about this, said Karen White, a Union City resident with the group Alameda County Against Fracking. Of course we want to see this on a statewide basis. But at this point, we have to do it on a county-by-county basis. So this is a stepping-stone.

Monterey County residents will vote on a ban in November. The counties of Butte, Mendocino, San Benito and Santa Cruz have already approved fracking bans. The vast majority of hydraulic fracturing in California, however, takes place in Kern County, the center of the states oil industry. County officials there have expressed no interest in a fracking ban.

Fracking employs a pressurized mix of water, sand and chemicals to crack underground rocks, allowing oil or natural gas to flow to the surface. Its widespread use, combined with horizontal drilling, touched off a boom in U.S. oil and gas production and helped cut petroleum prices. But concerns about its potential impact on water supplies have dogged the practice for years.

Alameda County may seem like an odd battleground for the fight.

Its only active field, the Livermore Oil Field, lies southwest of the Altamont Pass. E&B operates just six active wells there, producing a total of roughly 30 barrels of oil per day. Older, plugged wells are scattered nearby. Last year, E&B reported finding a leak beneath an unused storage tank. The company ended up paying a $10,912 fine.

E&B opposed the fracking ban, in part, because the countys initial proposal would have barred any use of acid in the wells. Although acid can be combined with fracking or used on its own to etch pathways for oil in the rocks, oil companies periodically use small amounts to clean debris and scale from their wells. They consider it an essential part of regular maintenance.

The ban adopted by the Board of Supervisors blocks the use of acid for stimulating oil production but allows it for maintenance.

We can work with this ordinance, said Amy Roth, E&Bs director of public and government affairs.

White said the ban will ensure that E&B cannot frack the Livermore field in the future. It will also stop anyone from using fracking to open up oil supplies that may still be undiscovered within the county, she said.

Theres always a chance someone will find more potential (oil) and frack to get it, she said.

David R. Baker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dbaker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DavidBakerSF
The best-selling drugs Humira and Enbrel have a lot in common. They both use biotechnology to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases. And they come with giant price tags approaching $50,000 a year.

Now the two companies behind the competing drugs have found common ground in keeping those prices so high: They are deploying new patents to prevent patients and insurers from getting two essentially generic versions of the drugs for less money.

This week, advisers to the Food and Drug Administration recommended approval of the near generic versions. But the patents could delay introduction. And even if the drugs get to market, some patient groups say they will resist efforts by insurers to force them to use the less expensive drugs.

The various developments show that six years after the Affordable Care Act cleared the way for biosimilars, as the generic versions of biotechnology drugs are called, progress has been slow. Only one biosimilar, a mimic of the white blood cell booster Neupogen, is available to patients.

Its a lost opportunity to reduce health care costs, said Fiona Scott Morton, a professor at the Yale School of Management.

By contrast, according to a study she did, biosimilars have been available in Europe for years and have reduced costs for some drugs as much as 80 percent, although in many cases far less.

Humira and Enbrel are biologics, which are complex proteins made in living cells. Seven of the worlds top 10 selling drugs in 2015 were biologics. Humira was No. 1 with $14 billion in global sales, and Enbrel was No. 3 at $8.7 billion, according to the website PharmaCompass.

Until the 2010 Affordable Care Act authorized the FDA to approve biosimilars, biologics were insulated from the generic competition. Since then, it has taken time for the FDA to lay out the ground rules for biosimilars. Some rules are still not in place.

They are still behind when it comes to creating the infrastructure to push these molecules ahead, said Bertrand Liang, chairman of a biosimilars council set up by the Generic Pharmaceutical Association.

Biosimilar vs. generic

Things seem to be heating up, however. A biosimilar that mimics Johnson & Johnsons autoimmune disease drug Remicade was approved by the FDA in April. It is not yet on the market, in part because of patent issues. But Pfizer, which owns the marketing rights, hints that it is planning to introduce it this year.

There are about 60 biosimilars in clinical trials to gain approval in the United States or Europe, according to Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., including 13 versions of Humira.

The makers of the brand-name biotechnology drugs for years argued that biologics were such complex molecules that they could not be exactly copied. It is for that reason the copycats are called biosimilars rather than generics.

Still, that argument is now falling by the wayside, in part because some of those same brand-name companies are developing biosimilars themselves.

Amgen, for example, was on both sides of this weeks debates among the FDA advisers. The company developed the Humira biosimilar, but it also owns Enbrel, which is threatened by biosimilars.

At the meeting last week, the advisory committee voted 26-0 that Amgens Humira knockoff was similar enough to the original drug to be approved for essentially all uses of Humira. It made that decision even though Amgen had tested the drug in patients with only two of those diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

The next day it voted 20-0 in favor of a broad approval of the Enbrel biosimilar, which was developed by Sandoz, the generic division of Novartis, and tested only in patients with psoriasis.

While the FDA itself is expected to approve the two biosimilars in the coming months, patents might keep them off the market.

Patent estate

The main patent on the composition of Humira expires at the end of this year. But AbbVie, the company behind Humira, has amassed more than 70 newer patents, mostly in the past three years, covering formulations of the drug, manufacturing methods and use for specific diseases. It says these ancillary patents should protect its crown jewel  which accounted for 61 percent of its revenue last year  until at least 2022.

Any company seeking to market a biosimilar version of Humira will have to contend with this extensive patent estate, which AbbVie intends to enforce vigorously, Richard Gonzalez, the companys chief executive, said in October.

Enbrels main patent has already expired. But the drug is now protected by two submarine patents, so called because they wended their way through the patent office over a long time, hidden from view. Even though the inventions involved were made in the early 1990s, the patents were not granted until 2011 and 2012 and last until 2028 and 2029.

If those patents hold, by 2029, Enbrel will have been on the market without generic competition for 31 years, far longer than the 12 years of exclusivity for biologics called for in the Affordable Care Act. Humira has been on the market for 14 years.

Even if biosimilars get to market, their impact will depend on how widely they are used.

Impact on patient

At the FDA advisory committee meeting, one issue that could limit the adoption of the biosimilars came into view. Numerous patient and doctor groups argued that insurers should not be allowed to switch patients to a biosimilar if they were doing well on the brand-name drug, because the products are not absolutely identical.

It may be essentially equivalent to a scientist or an insurance company, but its not to the patient, said Seth Ginsberg, president of the Global Healthy Living Foundation, a patient advocacy group. The foundation counts AbbVie and Amgen among its corporate sponsors.
A yearlong digital training course for Irish high school teachers started in 2014. A fund to help European news outlets adapt to the Web popped up in 2015. And in March, a virtual reality exhibition began at a Belgian museum to showcase a Renaissance painter.

All these projects are designed to support European culture and education, helping the region embrace the fast-changing online world. And all are financed by Google.

Google has been staging a full-court press in Europe to finance everything from startup offices to YouTube-sponsored music concerts, trying to remake its image in the region as it battles a mounting list of regulatory woes.

Those efforts represent a campaign of soft lobbying where instead of, or alongside, paying registered lobbyists to argue its case in the corridors of power, a company looks to change the minds of the public at large. In Googles case, experts say, its push to sponsor digital skills training, museum exhibitions and other programs equates to an almost unprecedented effort by a U.S. tech company to change the perceptions of Europeans, many of whom still see it as an American interloper that does not play by the rules.

Googles soft lobbying efforts are by no means unique, and have filled a funding gap that governments and European rivals are unwilling, or incapable, of matching.

But the company is expanding its campaign, earmarking about $450 million from 2015 to 2017  based on Googles public filings and industry estimates of its activities  to revamp its reputation with Europeans and, more important, the regions policymakers who have the power to issue fines totaling billions of dollars.

We can do a better job about listening to peoples questions and concerns, said Matt Brittin, a former British Olympic rower who took over running Googles operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa in 2015, partly to improve relations with European officials, residents and corporate rivals.

Googles programs are important for our partners, for us and for the countries where we work, he added.

Googles European regulatory problems have gone from bad to worse. They range from charges that it broke antitrust rules  including a third round announced last week  to investigations into allegations of tax shortfalls amounting to more than $1 billion. Google also faces accusations that it does not fully protect Europeans privacy rights online. The company rejects all the claims.

Big spending

Even before its recent charm offensive, it was one of the largest spenders on direct lobbying in Brussels, home to most of its European regulatory headaches.

Its spending on political lobbying in Brussels tripled to as much as $4.2 million in 2014, according to the latest figures available in the EUs voluntary transparency register, which may not include all of the companys lobbying efforts. That places it among the top 10 for such spending in Europe, but is a far cry from the approximately $17 million that Google spent in Washington during the same period.

Critics and industry watchers say the Mountain View companys foray into cultural and economic spending, whose increase roughly coincided with Europes first set of antitrust charges in early 2015, is designed to win over skeptics, who worry that Google has too much control over how Europeans gain access to digital services.

Theres an offensive by Google to present itself as a friendly force, said Ramon Tremosa, a Spanish member of the European Parliament and a vocal opponent of the search giants regional dominance. There has been a major change in the last two years. Theres no doubt about that.

Googles efforts have largely concentrated on European arts, education and culture; it has even offered some spending to its critics. And almost no group has been as active in lobbying against Google as Europes powerful publishers.

Many, including Axel Springer of Germany and Rupert Murdochs News Corp., have vocally campaigned for laws to force Google to pay content producers when it uses their material on its European aggregation sites.

Grants for publishers

Yet this year, Google awarded the first grants from a newly created $167 million fund for European publishers to help them adapt to the digital world. The goal, says Madhav Chinnappa, the Google executive running the program, is to give newspapers, magazine publishers and startups the financial freedom to try new ways to connect with online consumers.

The company is also tapping into a more friendly audience: Europes tech community.

From London to Madrid, it has built, or invested in, so-called co-working spaces  open-plan offices where eager developers in their 20s can meet to swap ideas and, potentially, start new businesses. These buildings have helped to connect the U.S. company with Europes fast-growing tech hubs, says Frederic Oru, international director of Numa, a startup incubator in Paris that has received Google funding.

To push its tech credibility, Google will spend more than $75 million by years end to train roughly 3 million Europeans in digital skills like e-commerce and online marketing, an important goal for European policymakers, who are trying to create a digital single market to jump-start economic growth.

In Dublin, home to Googles European headquarters, that has involved a one-year course in software coding for teachers. Participants in the class, run by Trinity College Dublin, have been invited to the companys glass-fronted offices on the banks of the Liffey River to learn directly from Google staff members.

Museums skeptical

Museums still regularly question Googles motives. Institutions also have raised concerns about who controls the copyright of the masterpieces (Google says all rights remain with the institutions).

The tech giant has often picked museums with a digital connection. That includes the restoration of Bletchley Park, a museum on the outskirts of London that housed British code breakers during World War II and that helped spur the creation of modern-day computers.

Yet Sue Hughes, a retired elementary-school teacher who recently visited the museum  made famous in the recent movie The Imitation Game starring Benedict Cumberbatch  remained ambivalent.

Thats typical of Americans, she said when asked about a large poster at the entrance to Bletchley Park highlighting Googles financial support.

Its like they used to say in the war, she added. U.S. companies like Google are oversexed, overpaid and over here.
Mining prospective jurors Facebook, Twitter and other social media accounts is common practice for many attorneys looking to spot biases that might cost their clients a fair trial.

The American Bar Association has said the searches are ethical, and a ruling by the Missouri Supreme Court bolstered arguments that attorneys have a duty to do online research of prospective jurors. Still, some judges have deemed the online searches invasive and banned them.

Now, a federal judges ruling in a copyright battle between Silicon Valley heavyweights Oracle and Google has reignited debate about the practice while also offering a potential middle ground.

U.S. District Judge William Alsup, raising concerns about prospective jurors privacy, said attorneys could research the jury panel, but would have to inform it in advance of the scope of the online sleuthing and give the potential jurors a chance to change online privacy settings.

Otherwise, they had to agree to forgo the searches.

Alsup said prospective jurors are not celebrities or public figures ... but good citizens commuting from all over our district, willing to serve our country.

Their privacy matters, the judge said in March.

Attorneys for Google and Oracle agreed to do without the searches.

The ruling prompted a fresh wave of discussion in legal circles about how aggressively attorneys should be allowed to investigate jurors online personas and how beneficial the searches are.

Effect on legal system

What Judge Alsup has done is truly unique, said Thaddeus Hoffmeister, a professor at the University of Dayton School of Law who studies the impact of social media on the legal system. This may be a route other judges suggest.

Prosecutors in a recent criminal case accusing FedEx of drug trafficking requested that a judge issue the same ultimatum as Alsup. FedEx objected, and the issue became moot after the judge, not a jury, heard the case. All charges were dismissed against the shipping giant in June.

We as a society want the attorneys and litigants to know enough about these people so they can legitimately get rid of those who know about the case or have a bias, said Greg Hurley, a lawyer who studies juries at the National Center for State Courts. On the other hand, we dont want people digging into the jurors private lives.

Paula Frederick, who chaired the American Bar Association committee that in 2014 gave the green light to researching jurors social media sites, said people understand their postings arent private.

The associations opinion said that passively reviewing a jurors sites is just as acceptable as driving down the street where the person lives to glean publicly available information. But lawyers cannot try to get additional information by friending or otherwise requesting access to a site from the juror, the association said.

Cases overturned

It noted that attorneys monitoring social media sites during a trial might find jurors in violation of court rules against discussing a case online. Internet use by jurors has led to mistrials and overturned convictions around the country.

Prospective jurors arent always forthright when questioned by attorneys during the traditional juror vetting process known as voir dire, so checking their social media sites can also help spot inconsistencies, said Jeffrey Frederick, a jury consultant at the National Legal Research Group Inc., a Virginia legal services firm.

The Kentucky Supreme Court in 2012 ordered a hearing after a man convicted of murder and driving while intoxicated in a crash that killed an 11-year-old girl later discovered evidence that two jurors were Facebook friends with the girls mother. One of the jurors said she was not on Facebook during voir dire, and neither responded to a question about whether they knew the victims or their families. The court eventually ordered a new trial on different grounds.

There are also limitations to online digging. Attorneys generally get a list of the jury pool selected for their case days in advance. But the lists can have hundreds of names, making the online research time-consuming and costly, said Frederick, of the National Legal Research Group.

There is a cost-benefit analysis, he said. At what point do we do research on a whole bunch of people?

Privacy settings also allow people to limit their online exposure.

The Missouri Supreme Court in 2010 said attorneys must check an online database to see whether a prospective juror has filed any lawsuits. The court tossed out a verdict in favor of a doctor in a medical malpractice lawsuit after the plaintiffs attorney discovered one of the jurors had been a defendant in multiple debt collection cases and a personal injury case.

Need to vet jurors

Robert Gibson, a New York attorney with the firm Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy and Bach, said the Missouri case shows the importance of thoroughly vetting jurors online profiles in advance to avoid wasting a courts time and money on jurors who are not suitable to serve, and supports the thinking among some attorneys that its their responsibility to fully investigate potential jurors.

If you have the opportunity and youre not reviewing all publicly available information with respect to a juror, are you doing the right thing for your client? he said.
Three attorneys general on Tuesday directly challenged Volkswagens defense over its emissions deception, calling the decision to thwart pollution tests an orchestrated fraud that lasted more than a decade, involved dozens of engineers and managers and reached deep into the companys boardroom.

The accusations, leveled in lawsuits by New York, Maryland and Massachusetts, contradict Volkswagens portrayal of the deception, representing a new threat to the carmakers finances, reputation and management. For the first time, the suits connect Volkswagen CEO Matthias Mueller to the scandal, saying he was aware of a 2006 decision to not outfit Audi vehicles with equipment needed to meet U.S. clean-air standards.

Volkswagen, which admitted late last year to equipping 11 million vehicles worldwide with software to cheat emissions tests, has maintained that the deception was limited to a small group of people. The company has said top management was not aware of the cheating software, known as a defeat device.

But the New York civil complaint depicts a corporate culture that allowed a willful and systematic scheme of cheating. The evidence paints the most detailed picture yet about how the deception unfolded and who was responsible.

The suits describe the defeat device as a cost-saving measure, because meeting U.S. emissions standards would have required an overhaul of the vehicles. The suits stop short of accusing Mueller of having specific knowledge of the devices.

At the time of the 2006 decision, Mueller was head of project management at Audi, Volkswagens luxury car division. He became CEO of Volkswagen in September, replacing Martin Winterkorn, who resigned days after the Environmental Protection Agency accused the company of the diesel deception that month.

The idea that this level of fraud could take place and involve so many people at such high levels of a major international corporation is appalling, said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman at a news conference, describing what he called a cunningly cynical fraud at the heart of this scandal.

He was joined by the attorney general for Massachusetts, Maura Healey.

Mueller and Winterkorn have denied any involvement in the wrongdoing.

The company has agreed to pay nearly $15 billion, a record, to settle claims in the United States by Volkswagen owners and regulators. But the settlement did not resolve what penalties might be imposed on Volkswagen, leaving room for more suits.

The New York complaint is the first to explicitly present evidence that top managers, at the very least, were aware of the engineering problems that led to the use of defeat devices.

After learning in May 2015 that California regulators planned to conduct more thorough tests of Volkswagen diesels, executives emails began to reflect desperation and panic, the complaint said. One, facing questions from California officials, wrote to co-workers, Come up with the story, please!
DETROIT  A judge dismissed charges Tuesday and closed a murder case against a young Detroit man who went to prison as a teen for four slayings that were eventually linked to a hit man.

Though Davontae Sanford, 23, was released from prison June 8, a day after his convictions were thrown out at the request of a prosecutor, Judge Brian Sullivan still needed to dismiss the murder charges to guarantee his freedom. Sullivan acted with some reluctance, saying in a seven-page order that he had many concerns about the case.
A 32-year-old man was killed Tuesday night on a residential street in Richmond, police said.

Woman allegedly arrested for being pretty accused of killing mom

The man, a Richmond resident, was shot multiple times on the 200 block of Gertrude Avenue, near York Street, about 9:45 p.m., said Lt. Felix Tan, a police spokesman. The man succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

No arrests have been made, Tan said. Police were canvassing the neighborhood Wednesday for witnesses and any security footage.

Officials did not immediately release the victims name because his relatives hadnt been notified.

The shooting marked Richmonds 15th homicide of the year, Tan said.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
WASHINGTON  Years from now, bright-eyed children will look up at Grandma or Grandpa and ask, "Where were you when they nominated Donald Trump?" Far too many prominent Republicans will have to hang their heads in shame.

As the garish imperial coronation in Cleveland reaches its climax, there will be much commentary about fleeting events. Did So-and-so's speech help Trump or hurt him? Did one line of attack against Hillary Clinton seem more or less promising than another? All of this is news, but we must not lose sight of the big picture: The "Party of Lincoln" is about to nominate for president a man who is dangerously unfit for the office.

Trump is a brilliant showman, no question about that. His life's work has been self-aggrandizement, not real estate, and all those years of practice served him well when he turned to politics. He knows how to work a crowd. He understands television and social media. He dominated and vanquished a field of experienced campaigners as if they were mere apprentices.

But he lacks the knowledge, curiosity, temperament, wisdom, compassion and resolve to be president. The GOP is about to formally endorse a charlatan for the most important job in the world.

Great political parties do not do this. They might nominate a candidate who is too conservative or too liberal, too wooden or too glib, too inexperienced or too much of a warhorse. They do not nominate the likes of Trump.

The shameful thing is that so many of those scheduled to speak at Trump's convention know full well that he should not be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office. Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry said that Trump's candidacy was "a cancer on conservatism, and it must be clearly diagnosed, excised and discarded." Sen. Marco Rubio, set to appear by video, called Trump a "con artist" and an "erratic individual" who should not be trusted with the nuclear codes. House Speaker Paul Ryan reluctantly endorsed Trump and since then has spent more time criticizing the loudmouthed mogul than praising him.

Explain yourselves, Republican officials. You know that Trump should not be president. Do you secretly assume he will inevitably lose to Clinton? In that case, perhaps you think your support makes sense as a way to promote party unity or self-interest. (I'm being redundant; most politicians believe party unity and self-interest are the same thing.)

But what if Trump wins? Surely you are not under the illusion that Trump would follow the advice of more experienced hands and allow himself to be molded into a statesman. Anyone clinging to that fairy tale paid no attention to the final months of the primaries, when Trump would give a conventional teleprompter-aided speech and the very next day go back to raving like a madman.

Anyone wondering just how bad a Trump presidency would be got a preview from the joint interview he did Sunday with his vice-presidential pick, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, on "60 Minutes." It was unintentionally hilarious, but also chilling.

It appeared that the candidates had spent all of five minutes preparing for the encounter, since they fumbled when correspondent Lesley Stahl asked obvious questions they should have known were coming. If Clinton's vote for the Iraq War showed bad judgment, as Trump claims, what about the fact that Pence voted the same way? "I don't care," Trump declared. When pressed, Trump said that Pence was "entitled to make a mistake every once in a while" but Clinton was not.

Asked whether Trump "went too far" when he criticized Sen. John McCain as "not a war hero" because he was shot down over Vietnam, poor Pence hemmed and hawed until Trump gave him permission to speak freely. "That one, you could say yes," Trump told his running mate. "I mean, you're not  it's fine. Hey, look, I like John McCain. But we have to take care of our vets."

When Trump first came out with his proposed Muslim ban, Pence called it unconstitutional. Now he loyally says he supports Trump's idea, which seems to have morphed into something Trump calls "extreme vetting" and applies only to Muslims from "territories and terror states and terror nations." When Trump went on about how he would declare war against the Islamic State but without dispatching U.S. troops, Pence said that "this is the kind of leadership that America needs."

It is not leadership. It is gibberish. And Republicans in Cleveland will pretend the emperor is wearing clothes.
Rafe Swan/Getty Image

A 19-year-old man who was driving a stolen car when he fatally struck a bicyclist in Golden Gate Park was charged with murder Tuesday, officials said.

Nicky Justin Manzano Garcia, of San Francisco, was additionally charged with one count of vehicular manslaughter, one count of hit and run and one count of auto burglary, according to the district attorneys office.
A Macys store theft, a pair of 8-inch chef knives, blood-stained shoes and a large batch of surveillance videos led homicide investigators in Santa Rosa to arrest the man held in a movie-theater stabbing last month in the slaying of a homeless man as he slept on the sidewalk.

The first victim, 32-year-old Cirak Tesfazgi, died after he was stabbed more than 50 times in front of a Sonoma County Public Health office at 418 Riley St. in Santa Rosa on June 27. Two days later, police said the same knife-wielding man went into the Roxy Theater and ambushed a moviegoer from behind as he watched the shark thriller The Shallows.

Police arrested Delonte Anthony Hart, 23, as he allegedly ran away from the movie theater and tried to discard a knife. He was booked that day on suspicion of attempted murder, but it took weeks for forensic evidence from the homicide case to be processed.

On Tuesday, after the test results came back, police asked the Sonoma County district attorneys office to file murder charges.

Both appeared to be totally random, said Sgt. Josh Ludtke, a police spokesman.

The investigation began shortly after the first stabbing when officers found a large, high-end kitchen knife in the vicinity of the slaying scene they believed to be sold only in select stores. After calling cutlery shops in the area to learn which businesses had the make and model, investigators learned that the Macys store at the Santa Rosa Plaza mall sold that model.

Macys employees checked their inventory to find that two knives were missing and gave investigators security footage that included shots of a man roaming the cutlery area on several occasions. Store security also gave detectives a discarded package for a chefs knife found on a stairwell outside the store.

The empty package matched the weapon in the homicide, police said.

Over the next two days, detectives pored over security footage from businesses and city cameras from the night of the killing.

Detectives spotted the same man in the Macys footage, which showed him exiting near the stairwell where the packaging was found, and in downtown surveillance footage that showed him walking near the scene around the time the first victim was stabbed, police said. Patrol officers identified the man as Hart.

Shortly thereafter, the theater stabbing took place.

A 21-year-old man had been watching The Shallows by himself when someone stabbed him through the neck, arm and chest. His injuries were life-threatening, but he is expected to make a full recovery, police said.

Officers caught up with Hart near the movie theater and found a knife in a garbage can and its packaging nearby, officials said. The knife matched the one found at the homicide scene, according to police.

Hart was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and police obtained a warrant to collect his DNA for testing, Ludtke said.

Forensic tests established that blood found on Harts shoes matched the homicide victims blood and that fingerprints on the knife used to kill Tesfazgi matched Harts, police said.

Hart, who had been in custody since the movie theater attack, now also faces murder charges.

Santa Rosa police are now trying to trace his path from his home in Baltimore to the Bay Area to see if he was connected with other crimes, Ludtke said. Hart, who is homeless, spent time in Southern California before recently coming to Santa Rosa.

Anyone with information may contact investigators at (707) 543-3590.

Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov
Parents have long debated the pros and cons of allowing kids to play video games, but a new study by researchers from New York University Shanghai and the University of Hong Kong might prove that the benefits may just outweigh the drawbacks, at least when it comes to certain gaming genres.

In new research titled "Playing Action Video Games Improves Visumotor Control," published earlier this month in Psychological Science, three academics named Li Li, Rongrong Chen, and Jing Chen conducted a study wherein they compared the "visuomotor abilities" of more experienced players of these types of driving games (who they note played at least five hours per week for the six months prior to the study) with the abilities of those who didn't regularly play these video games.

Specifically, Li, Chen, and Chen asked 80 students and faculty from the University of Hong Kong to attempt to steer a virtual vehicle down a simulated road, while being sure to stay in a marked lane. The participants were also tasked with compensating for crosswinds that affected the drift of the car.

In a later study, researchers asked subjects to take part in another simulated experiment, wherein they would use a joystick to try and keep a target dot from floating away from the middle of a screen.

As the research team found, those who had played action video games were better at both tasks than those who did not play video games.

Then, "to establish a causal link," the study administrators found non-gaming participants to take part in a sort of training process. Some in the recruited bunch would complete 10 1-hour "training sessions" by playing Mario Kart using a steering wheel controller, and the rest, who acted as the control group in the study, were assigned to play Roller Coaster Tycoon III using a mouse and keyboard.

As expected, the researchers found that those participants who trained with Mario Kart using the steering wheel controller performed better on both the virtual vehicle and the target dot tasks than those who played the Roller Coaster Tycoon game. Curiously enough, some participants asked to play a first-person shooter video game called Unreal Tournament did well, too.

"Our research shows that playing easily accessible action video games for as little as five hours can be a cost-effective tool to help people improve essential visuomotor-control skills used for driving," says lead researcher Li Li of New York University Shanghai.

It should be noted here that playing Mario Kart incessantly won't necessarily make someone an excellent driver. As Li states, gaming only improves visuomotor skills, not real life awareness or technical knowledge of cars, and as previously reported, gaming prowess can also make a person dangerously overconfident behind the wheel.

Still, working on one's visuomotor abilities by gaming can't hurt, as long as players are aware of its limitations as a realistic driving practice.

Read the full study recap here at Psychological Science.

Alyssa Pereira is a staff writer for SFGATE. Follow her here on Twitter.
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Northern California blood banks are pleading for donations during what they call an unprecedented national shortage brought on by a surge in blood use and seasonal shortfalls that are more pronounced than usual, due to a range of unusual factors that may include the Zika virus.

Over the past several months, reserves have been consistently down by nearly 10 percent at Blood Centers of the Pacific, among the Bay Areas biggest blood banks, which typically has about 30,000 pints of blood on hand at any given time to serve Northern California.

No Bay Area hospitals have been forced to reschedule elective surgeries or delay nonemergency treatments involving blood transfusions. In fact, several hospitals report no noticeable shortage in their own stock.

But a confluence of factors  among them the typically slow summer donor season, donation restrictions due to the Zika virus and a slight uptick in blood usage  has some blood-bank officials eager to restore reserves that supply hospitals and other transfusion facilities.

I wouldnt say that a patient is going to go without or that surgeries are going to be canceled. But we need to have always a full inventory for normal patient usage, and then have that margin available in case something unexpected happens, said Kent Corley, a spokesman for Blood Centers of the Pacific. Thats when you can really get into trouble.

Blood supplies often run thin during the summer, primarily due to seasonal drops in donations and more need for blood. But this year is especially grim. Requests for blood from Blood Centers of the Pacific are up about 4 percent this year over last year, and donations are down about the same amount, Corley said.

Because the shortage is nationwide, he said, Northern California blood banks cannot necessarily rely on imports from other parts of the country, the way they usually would in a regional blood crunch.

The American Red Cross typically puts out an urgent request for blood donations every August, but it issued that request a month earlier this year, said April Phillips, a spokeswoman for the organization.

We try not to issue calls, especially using that word emergency, unless we truly need people to come out and give, she said.

Transfusions are used to treat trauma victims who have lost large amounts of blood and people undergoing surgery. Theyre also given to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy that can damage their ability to make certain blood products, and to people with certain chronic conditions that hamper blood production.

Need is increasing

Whats spurring increased blood usage isnt entirely clear. Some blood center officials believe usage is simply plateauing, or rebounding slightly, after more than a decade of decreases that came as doctors developed surgical techniques requiring less blood and became more conservative about transfusing.

The causes of the donation shortfall are clearer. For starters, blood donations always fall in the summer because of high school and college breaks. Campus blood drives account for 10 to 20 percent of total collection for many banks.

The Zika virus may be another culprit. People who have traveled almost anywhere south of the United States are barred from donating for a month after they return home.

Stanford Blood Center hasnt reported blood shortages this summer, but medical director Dr. David Oh said it isnt surprising that some of the bigger blood banks would be experiencing shortfalls.

He noted that federal regulations adopted this year changed the allowable hemoglobin level for male blood donors, making it slightly more difficult for men to qualify to give blood. Hemoglobin is the protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells, and low levels can be a concern.

Flaw in blood bags

In addition, a specific type of blood bag was recalled several weeks ago, forcing some banks to dump blood that had already been collected. That put a dent in some stocks, Oh said.

Summer is always a challenging time, Oh said. And all of these things kind of happened together.

The plea for blood donors is not a request for people to rush out to a collection center. Instead, Corley said, donors should make an appointment a week or two out  and then make another appointment after that one. What blood banks need is a steady supply.

At any given time, less than 40 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood, and only about 10 percent of those eligible donate, according to national blood-bank officials. In certain urban centers, including San Francisco, that number drops to 5 percent or even lower.

People are so good at responding after 9/11 or (the gas pipeline explosion in) San Bruno or other things that happen. Theyll line up for hours and hours, and then we never see them again, Corley said. Theyve got to be donating in advance of these things happening, because its too late when it happens.

Erin Allday is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: eallday@sfchronicle.com

How to give blood

The best way to donate blood is to sign up for an appointment, not just walk into a blood center. To make an appointment with Blood Centers of the Pacific, the Bay Areas main blood bank, go to www.bloodcenters.org. To give with the American Red Cross, go to www.redcrossblood.org. Other blood centers also have appointments available online.
With Star Trek Beyond, the rebooted Star Trek franchise that features the original crew of the Enterprise settles into routine sequel territory. This isnt terrible news, and it may have been inevitable, but its something of a letdown all the same. There has never been a bad movie featuring Captain Kirk and the gang, but Star Trek Beyond belongs with Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989) and Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) among the weaker entries.

There are bright, busy Star Trek movies, full of wit and interest, and then there are Star Trek movies, like this one, that are subdued and dark, as if imbued with the monotony of being stuck on a spaceship for five long years.

Star Trek Beyond has an odd lethargy from the beginning. When we meet up with Kirk (Chris Pine), hes talking into his captains log about the psychological oppression of going far into the uncharted universe. Theres a sense of endless pointlessness, dislocation and loneliness.

This is an odd start, but its almost promising in that it indicates something different, perhaps a movie-length philosophical rumination on space travel. Then comes the inevitable shift, and the Enterprise finds itself drawn into a space battle just outside the known universe.

An evil, monstrous-looking creature has lured them into a trap. He wants to hold them prisoner on a rocky, barren planet, and, almost as a sideline, he wants to demolish a nearby Federation colony. Krall (thats Idris Elba underneath all that makeup) neither sings nor plays the piano. He just dislikes civilization and wants to destroy it on principle.

So this is rather a bleak entry. Unlike its two predecessors in the rebooted series, Star Trek Beyond wasnt directed by J.J. Abrams, who was too busy lending his sparkle to Star Wars 7. Instead it was directed by Justin Lin, best known for his films in the Fast & Furious series.

Nor was it written by the team of Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who brought out the series humor in the previous two installments. Rather, it was written by Simon Pegg, who plays Scotty, and Doug Jung (Confidence). This is the B-team, and it shows.

At least this B-team understands what people love about the series: the characters  or, specifically, the characters and their interrelationships. Kirk, Spock and McCoy, and to a lesser extent Scotty, Sulu, Uhura and Chekov, have become permanent archetypes, so familiar in their idiosyncrasies that all they have to do is act like themselves and the audience feels the pleasure of recognition.

Whats more, in this new series, there is a kind of double pleasure, in that Chris Pine is not only giving us Kirk, but hes also evoking William Shatner. Zachary Quinto is not just Spock, but Leonard Nimoy, and Karl Urban is not just McCoy but DeForest Kelly, too.

So in Star Trek Beyond, we can appreciate the breezy self-assurance of Kirk as he talks with McCoy, clearly his favorite colleague, and reaches across the species divide to connect with Spock, the colleague he most respects. The movie finds opportunities for McCoy and Spock to clash and bond  they are like oil and water  and for McCoy to say, I am a doctor! just as hes being recruited for something that has nothing to do with medicine. Indeed, Urbans amping up of McCoys irascibility is the source for most of the new installments humor.

I do wish, though, that Pine would remember that the key to imitating Shatner is to emphasize the wrong word in a sentence. Thus, We come in peace should be spoken as We come in ... peace.

Lin, who is at home in action movies, gives us too much action in a number of colorless battle sequences (although one, in which Krall and Kirk go at it within a light-gravity environment, is at least different). Still, Krall is a washout as a villain, in that he has little reason for his villainy and not much that he wants to accomplish with it. Instead, he just talks and talks about how he finds the spectacle of a civil society repulsive, as an affront to his values, and how he wants to destroy it.

As such, hes like someone you might read about in the newspaper, but considerably less scary.

Mick LaSalle is The San Francisco Chronicles movie critic. Email: mlasalle@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MickLaSalle

Star Trek Beyond

Sci-fi action. Starring Chris Pine, Idris Elba, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban. Directed by Justin Lin. (PG-13. 120 minutes.)

To see a trailer, go to https://youtu.be/H57VfFhU6Ls
1 Police shooting: A special prosecutor has ruled that two St. Louis police officers will not be charged in the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old suspect, determining the officers acted in self-defense. Isaac Holmes was killed in January 2015 after a stolen Chevrolet Monte Carlo sped away from police and crashed into a wall. Police Chief Sam Dotson said at the time that as the two officers approached the wreckage, Holmes emerged with a submachine gun. The officers opened fire, killing Holmes. The shooting, which led to protests, happened just five months after the fatal police shooting of 18-year old Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson.

2 Murder case dismissed: A judge dismissed all charges Tuesday against a young Detroit man who went to prison as a teen for four slayings that were eventually linked to a professional hit man. Davontae Sanford was released from prison in June when Judge Brian Sullivan threw out a second-degree murder conviction at the request of the prosecutor. But the 23-year-old, who was locked up for eight years, wasnt completely in the clear until the charges were formally dropped. Sanford is the 13th person to be exonerated by the Innocence Clinic since 2009.
1 Voter ID law: Texas strict voter ID law discriminates against minorities and the poor and must quickly be scrubbed of those effects before the November election, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday. The ruling was a striking election-year victory for the administration of President Obama, which had taken the unusual step of bringing the U.S. Justice Department into Texas to help fight the case. Its also a blow to Republican lawmakers whose 2011 law had been enforced in three prior statewide elections

2 Gator death: The parents of a toddler killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World say they dont plan to sue the theme park resort over the death. Matt and Melissa Graves of Omaha, Neb., said in a statement Wednesday that they want to focus on their familys future health. A family spokeswoman, Sara Brady, says she couldnt say whether a financial settlement had been reached with Disney World. Disney World President George Kalogridis said in a statement that the company continues to provide support for the family. He did not elaborate.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla.  SpaceX finally made good on its delivery of a space station docking port Wednesday morning.

A Dragon capsule arrived at the International Space Station, bearing more than 2 tons of supplies. The shipment includes a docking port needed for future rocket ships. SpaceX is working on a crew-worthy Dragon, while Boeing is developing a capsule for astronauts named Starliner.

SpaceX launched its latest Dragon from Cape Canaveral on Monday. A year earlier, the first of these new docking rings was destroyed in a SpaceX launch accident. NASA and Boeing  which makes the ports  are working on a replacement that should fly in another 1 years.

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The two U.S. space station residents used a robot arm for Wednesdays 250-mile-high operation above Americas Great Lakes.

Weve captured us a Dragon, reported astronaut Jeffrey Williams.

The newly arrived science experiments include a DNA decoderthat will get a workout by the first virus-hunter in space, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins.
CINCINNATI  Civil rights activists frustrated by police slayings of blacks across the nation are looking to flex their voting power to push for reforms.

The continued alarm over how police treat black men has been a major focus of the five-day NAACP national convention that was wrapping up Wednesday for thousands of participants in Cincinnati. Members of the group that dates to 1909 compared the issue to the 1960s violence against civil rights demonstrators and mob hangings of blacks in earlier eras.

Cornell William Brooks, the NAACPs president, pledged in a fiery speech Monday to end lynching in the 21st century ... practiced not with sheets and ropes but with defiled uniforms, defiled badges and defiled oaths.

The conventions theme of Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count underscored goals of defending black voting rights and getting out the vote in the first presidential election since black turnout helped Barack Obama twice win the presidency. Black voters cast some 13 percent of presidential ballots in 2012, according to exit polling, and are particularly pivotal in Ohio, Florida and other swing states.

Directing his remarks to Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, Williams said, Dont think youre going to measure the (White House) drapes without us.

He called on the next president, whether Trump or Clinton, to commit to taking actions as president such as cutting off federal funding to any law enforcement agencies found to have a pattern of discrimination and increasing federal investigative powers into police agencies.

Stephan Stevens, 22, of the St. Louis area near Ferguson, Mo., where protests broke out two years ago over the death of a black 18-year-old in a confrontation with police, urged young blacks to channel their passion politically.

When we all come together and actually say what we feel and what we want to happen, and then we vote, then things can start to change, he said. We have to start there, and then we can start making a change as far as police brutality.

Clinton spoke to the convention Monday and proposed national guidelines on the use of force by police, new investments in antibias training, funding for body cameras and legislation to end racial profiling. Trump passed on an NAACP speaking invitation to focus on the Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland, but one of his GOP rivals in the presidential primaries, Gov. John Kasich, talked to the gathering Sunday evening about his own Ohio initiative on police reforms. It includes a statewide collaborative effort on police-community relations and work on policy for use of deadly force and improving data collection.
Despite what the fast-tweeting staff at "The Daily Show" might think, Donald Trump Jr. did not steal portions of his speech from someone else.

On Tuesday night, following the second day of the Republican National Convention, "The Daily Show" felt confident that it had spotted another Melania-sized scandal with Trump Jr., and took to Twitter with its "evidence."
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low near 65F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.
A protest march held by the Service Employee International Union members briefly blocked streets in downtown San Francisco Wednesday.

A line of protesters stretched for more than a block and a half as they paraded down 5th to Market Street at 3 p.m., led by a pounding drum and a police escort.

The crowd turned down Market Street in the direction of Civic Center.

Streets cleared within five minutes of the blockage. Members of the group were carrying signs reading "justice for janitors" and "janitors deserve a fair contract."

As of 3:26, protesters were moving Eastbound on 7th, where there movement was being monitored by the SFMTA.
LOS ANGELES  About 5 miles of Southern California beaches remained closed Wednesday due to a massive sewage spill that flowed into the Los Angeles River.

A buried pipe near downtown Los Angeles collapsed Monday, causing a blockage and a spill of 2.4 million gallons of raw sewage onto streets and into storm drains that feed into the river, which empties into Long Beach harbor 20 miles downstream.

Crews managed to contain, divert or vacuum up at least 750,000 gallons, but the rest flowed into the river.

About 4 miles of sand in Long Beach and a mile of coast in neighboring Seal Beach were closed to swimmers and waders while health officials tested the waters for bacteria. Health officials must record two consecutive days of test results showing the beaches are safe

Its a little bit unlikely that none of it got to the end of the river when you have over a million gallons spilled, said Nelson Kerr, a Long Beach health official.

The sewage leak was initially stopped Monday night, but another rupture occurred during repairs. It was finally stopped Tuesday and an above-ground bypass system was being built so repairs and cleanup could get under way, said Adel Hagekhalil, assistant director of Los Angeles Sanitation.

Warning signs and flags were up along the closed beaches and lifeguards shooed away some visitors.

Just pure disappointment, beachgoer Francisco Aleman of Lake Elsinore (Riverside County) told KABC-TV. My little sister, she wanted to come to the beach forever, the whole summer ... she gets here and its like, you cant get in, so whats the point, you know?

The closure was a financial hit for M&M Surfing School of Seal Beach (Orange County), which had to cancel classes for 70 students at a loss of $85 each.

Nobody went out, owner Michael Pless said. The bummer is I have people coming from all over the world. I have people from England, Sweden. I had people flying in to meet me.

Pless said he took some younger students, whose parents had dropped them off, to his home pool and Jacuzzi.

They didnt get to surf, but they got to play, Pless said.

The 1929 concrete, tiled-lined pipe that broke was 18 feet underground, while more recent pipes are 80 to 100 feet below, Hagekhalil said.

The top collapsed and choked the pipe with debris, creating an overflow.

The cause of the collapse wasnt clear.

The pipe had been scheduled for replacement in two years. It just did not wait for us, Hagekhalil said.
Popping open a bottle of champagne with your partner could be the key to a healthy marriage, claims a recent study published in the Journals of Gerontology B: Psychology Sciences.

The survey, which was conducted by four researchers at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, found that marriages between couples over 50 years old were healthier when both partners' drinking habits were the same.

Talking to nearly 3,000 couples who had been married for an average of 33 years, researchers asked how many days in a given week each partner drank and how much they drank each time. Next, researchers asked questions about instances wherein couples were annoyed or upset with each other for being too demanding or critical.

As they found, those who drank comparably with their partner often fared the best in terms of maintaining harmonious marriages, whether that meant the married pair completely abstained from drinking, or that they always imbibed together.

"We're not suggesting that people should drink more or change the way they drink," study author Dr. Kira Birditt told Reuters. "We're not sure why this is happening, but it could be that couples that do more leisure time activities together have better marital quality."

It should be noted that it didn't really matter how much the happy couples consumed, except for when the drinking was too much in excess, which as Birditt noted is "a whole different kettle of fish," and is becoming an increasing problem in baby boomers.

Alyssa Pereira is a staff writer for SFGATE. Follow her here on Twitter.
Shots were heard minutes ago ringing out from the area where the seized police building in Yerevan is located.

Shortly after, two ambulances left the scene. Police provided no information as to the shots or the ambulances.

The armed Sasna Dzrer group that seized the building early Sunday morning then contacted members of the opposition Founding Parliament, claiming that they shot their weapons in the air to protect the demonstrators.

People have been milling about the road, now closed by police, in solidarity with the armed group and their list of demands.

MP Nikol Pashinyan verified this information and stated that the shots werent part of a police assault on the building.

UPDATE  MP Nikol Pashinyan and reps from two new outlets providing live video feeds from the scene attempted to approach the police cordon to ascertain whether clashes had occurred between law enforcement and the armed group inside the building. They were stopped midway.

Pashinyan then told reporters that the shots heard earlier had emanated from another area  Sari Tagh. Police told Pashinyan that a clash had occurred between police and a group of onlookers who entered the security zone.

3-4 police were injured in the scuffle. Yerevan Police Chief Ashot Karapetyan told reporters that no one had been detained. Onlookers told reporters that Mikayel Nazaryan was taken into custody when he was videotaping.

Pashinyan believes that the Sasna Dzrer group fired shots in the air in response to the clash between police and onlookers.
By Melanie Nakashian

As outrage over images of police killings of black men in the US flooded social media, a group of local and diasporan Armenians gathered at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to express solidarity with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

The event was essentially a conversation about why people felt a responsibility to speak up  not just as Armenians, but as human beings.

The call for the July 14 event was announced by the The Hye-Phen Magazine and Collective in response to the release of multiple videos depicting the murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile on July 5 and 6 respectively. Soon after their release, another video surfaced of the July 4 murder of Delrawn Small. All were unjustifiably killed at the hands of policemen, none of whom have been arrested. In fact, the only people to be detained were those who filmed the shootings, posted the film online, or were present at the shooting of their loved one.

Though these incidents are not at all isolated or unusual but rather symptoms of systemic racism in the US, the clear imagery released one after the other renewed and widened this sense of urgency that has sparked a surge of protest and organizing.

BLM first emerged as the hashtag #blacklivesmatter in response to the 2013 acquittal of the man who shot dead unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin. Some of the movements activists have outlined policy goals including the independent investigation of police misconduct and the creation of standards for reporting police use of deadly force.

So, why hold such an event in Armenia  and at the Genocide Memorial, of all places?

The event description read: As a people that has experienced genocide, we recognize the pain and trauma of denialism, state terror, dehumanization, normalization and justification of systematic killings of Black people by state agents and representatives. It also stated a commitment to fight against oppressive genocidal systems by confronting state violence, racism and white supremacy in Armenia and peoples respective communities.

A small group of nearly 20 people  locals, expatriates and repatriates  attended the meet-up. The vast majority of participants were women. Each person had the opportunity to share their opinion on the significance of standing with BLM.

One young woman from Yerevan explained that she believes the world must stand together against discrimination of any kind. As a lineal descendant of Genocide survivors, this gathering was very important for me because if people in different countries had stood next to Armenians in 1915, we might have had another history.

Another local recounted her experience of colorism while growing up in Armenia, when her childhood peers called her Blacky for having a darker complexion. Another mentioned her brief time living in the US when her landlord refused to rent his house to black people  his house that was adorned with a mural portraying black people as animals.

Both locals and US citizens alike expressed that while they may not be well-versed in the struggle of BLM, they want to learn more about systemic racism and understand how to best support the movement, and this is one reason they came to the event.

Milena Abrahamyan, an Armenia-born New Yorker currently living in Tbilisi, attended because she is concerned about violence, especially by forces in uniform. She believes that it is crucial for us in Armenia and the diaspora to have this conversation about the racism we have been fed by the former Soviet system, by mass media and by our own internalized anti-blackness.

Some Armenian-Americans spoke of how they felt it is essential to confront anti-blackness within their own communities in the US. Others spoke of how they grew up in diverse communities, in an entirely black community or have black family members  so to support BLM is, as one person put it, a no-brainer.

Maral Firkatian Wozniak from West Hartford, Connecticut spoke about how she cannot remain silent on the issue because If we are silent, we are complicit, the way so much of the world was complicit in the Armenian Genocide, she said. The one thing I can do to support BLM, as an American living in Armenia, is to share my knowledge with my peers who do not understand the importance of the movement, but want to.

As explained by one young woman from New Jersey, Racism, in all its forms, is not an issue reserved for black people in America If youre a human in the world, you should be concerned. Having open conversations like this one of the most effective ways to combat racism from its root.

Nare Kupelian from Los Angeles felt that the conversation that took place was of absolute importance and long overdue in both Armenia and among diaspora communities, pointing out that despite its mostly homogenous population, Armenia has experienced othering consistently throughout its history.

Kupelian also spoke to the significance of holding this gathering at the Genocide Memorial, which she sees as testament to human struggle for all marginalized people worldwide. At one point in our history, she said, we were deemed problematic, and subject to dispersion and disposal. Today, a black person in America is subjected to systematic repression and is deemed to be killable based on a biased set of standards. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to our ancestors to stand in solidarity with those whose history is following a similar trajectory.

Hye-Phen has published pieces addressing anti-Blackness in the Los Angeles Armenian community and suggesting how Armenians can stand with Black Lives Matter. A recent Armenian Weekly piece about Sterling and Castile pointed out Armenians obligation to be at the forefront of the efforts to prevent future killings of innocent people.

The group will likely continue meeting in Yerevan to have deeper discussions on the issues and to draw parallels around the world and in the local context.

(Melanie Nakashian currently lives in Yerevan. She is from New York and has been involved with various international political, media and environmental organizations)
Garo Yeghnukyan, a member of the Founding Parliament opposition group, has been held at a National Security Service (NSS) detention center since last night.

Lawyer Tigran Hayrapetyan, who recently visited Yeghnukyan, says when his client asked why he was being held, his captors merely said that he had supported the Sasna Dzrer group during the past two days and had been in telephone contact with them.

(Sasna Dzrer is the armed group that seized a Yerevan police patrol building early Sunday morning, taking several hostages. A police colonel was killed in the incident.

Yeghnukyan was taken into custody on the night of July 19, after NSS employees searched his house for five hours.

Syuzan Simonyan, a member of the opposition New Armenia organization, says that police have been searching the homes of the groups members but havent found anything incriminating to link them to the armed seizure.

Simonyan told Hetq that there are two demands being made by the Sasna Dzrer group  the resignation of President Serzh Sargsyan and the release of all political prisoners.

The New Armenia member said that the regime had no moral right to call those who seized the police building terrorists.
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Anti-Trump protesters in Cleveland have built a wigwam out of straw shaped to resemble Donald Trump's unique comb-over.

Advertising partners Tommy Noonan and Douglas Cameron dreamed up the idea as a way of drawing attention to income inequality in the United States, a problem that they believe will only get worse if Donald Trump is elected.

"We wanted to take a well-known image in the media and a symbol associated with Trump and turn it against itself," Noonan told Al Jazeera. "Trump's hair is an interesting notion, a funny one, it's been talked about in a lot of different ways, and we want to use it to get people talking about the great wealth divide in the country."

They are also launching a crowdfunding campaign in order to construct more structures outside Trump-owned properties and at the U.S. border with Mexico.

Perhaps one day Trump huts will shelter the Mexican workers building Trump's wall.
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CLEVELAND  On the night Donald Trump was formally nominated to be the GOP candidate for president of the United States, his fellow Republicans spent more time railing on Democrat Hillary Clinton  even linking her to Lucifer  than extolling the virtues of their freshly minted front man.

From the Republicans who lead Congress to keynote speaker Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, Tuesdays focus was on how horrible a president Clinton would be. Next to nothing was mentioned about the evenings stated theme: Make America Work Again. There was no outline of how Trump would bring back jobs, as he promises, nor how he would stimulate the economy. House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, barely mentioned Trump by name during their prime-time speeches. Total: Ryan twice and McCarthy once.

Instead, Ryan pleaded for party unity, if only to elect a governing Republican majority in Congress.

So much, so much that you and I care about, so many things that we stand for are in the balance in this coming election, Ryan said. Whatever we lack going into this campaign, we should not lack in motivation. It is all on the line, so lets act that way.

What do you say that we unify this party at this crucial moment that unity is everything? Ryan said, bringing much of the audience to its feet.

Similarly, McCarthys only nod to Trump was fleeting: Together, by electing a Republican Congress, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, we can build a better America.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell talked about what polls and many voters feel is Clintons main vulnerability: her trustworthiness.

Hillarys changed her positions so many times its hard to know where her convictions end and her ambitions begin, said McConnell, a lukewarm Trump supporter. Fortunately, theres a clear choice before us  and its not Hillary.

The Kentucky Republican mentioned Trump a few times, but only in the context that he would probably sign bills that President Obama has vetoed.

With Donald Trump in the White House, Senate Republicans will build on the work weve done and pass more bills into law than any Senate in years, McConnell said.

The two speakers who spent the most time talking up Trump were two of his children, Donald Jr. and Tiffany.

My father is good with advice, as you might guess, said Tiffany Trump, who recently graduated from her fathers alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. But he keeps it short and the takeaway is usually the same: to help us find our own way and our own gifts.

But they were the outliers.

Instead, in a preview of how Trump thinks he can win an election where voters mistrust and dislike both candidates, Tuesdays theme might well have been, Make America Hate Clinton Again. Former GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson even tried to link Clinton to Lucifer.

Carson said Clinton wrote her senior thesis at Wellesley College about the iconic community organizer Saul Alinsky, who Carson said  incorrectly  dedicated his book Rules for Radicals to Lucifer. (Alinsky dedicated it to his wife, Irene.)

So are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer? asked Carson, who Trump briefly put in charge of his vice presidential search. Think about it.

Then again, as analyst Nate Silver wrote Tuesday, so far, the (Clinton-bashing) approach is arguably working. The head-to-head polls have tightened, even as Trumps favorability ratings have gotten no better.

Christie brought the audience to its feet by conducting a mock trial of Clinton before a jury of her peers  the convention audience (which makes one think that Clintons attorneys might have wanted to use a peremptory challenge or two in this fantastical exercise).

After explaining how Clinton performed on such controversial topics as the attacks on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi or her email scandal or other items related to her character, Christie would ask the audience: Is she guilty or not guilty?

Led by the vociferous 172-member California delegation sitting in the front of the Quicken Loans Arena, the audience would respond Guilty! followed by Lock her up! Lock her up!

Many in the audience ate it up, like Felix Veiga, a California Trump delegate from San Dimas (Los Angeles County).

I really feel like the party is uniting, Veiga said, noting that when some other delegations tried to derail the nomination earlier in the week, the California delegation squashed them.

But some Republicans wish their party would offer more solutions, rather than trying to appear to be the lesser of two loathed options.

Its also more important that the Republican Party stop saying what theyre against but say what they are for, said Eric Estevez, a state representative from New Hampshire who is running for Congress. Theres too many dissident voices. We need more people who have solutions.

Joe Garofoli is The San Francisco Chronicles senior political writer. Email: jgarofoli@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @joegarofoli
BEIRUT  Air strikes on Islamic State-held villages in northern Syria killed at least 56 civilians on Tuesday as intense fighting was under way between the militants and U.S.-backed fighters, Syrian opposition activists and the extremist group said.

Residents in the area blamed the U.S.-led coalition for the strikes that targeted two villages, Tokhar and Hoshariyeh, which are controlled by the Islamic State, activists said. The villages are near the militant stronghold of Manbij, a town that members of the predominantly Kurdish U.S.-backed Syria Democratic Forces have been trying to capture in a weeks-long offensive.
Cliff Owen/Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Defense and foreign ministers from more than 30 nations gathered Wednesday to plan the next steps in the fight against the Islamic State group and to determine what more they can do as the fights for key cities in Iraq and Syria move forward.

U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter met with his counterparts on Wednesday to discuss how they can accelerate the campaign and build on some of the momentum, particularly in Iraq. The meeting comes as Iraqi security forces, aided by the coalition, are preparing to encircle and eventually attempt to retake the key northern city of Mosul.
1 Taliban attacks: Afghan officials say the Taliban have launched attacks on multiple fronts in the country, including a strategic tunnel in the Hindu Kush mountains. Tuesdays attacks are the first uptick in violence since the Muslim holy month of Ramadan ended in early July. Violence typically takes a downturn during Ramadans dawn-to-dusk fasting. Police commander Nabi Ghichi says attacks are under way in northern Kunduz provinces Qalay-i-Zal district, where his men are outnumbered. In southern Helmand province, Maiwand Zazay, spokesman for the 215 Army Corps says the Taliban attacked Sangin district but were repelled with air strikes. Police commander Mohammad Ayaz says the Salang Pass tunnel in the Hindu Kush, between Parwan and Baghlan provinces, was also attacked.

2 Biden visit: Vice President Joe Biden met with Australias prime minister and other leaders on Tuesday, as he reasserted Americas push to boost its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and maintain its status as a Pacific power. Biden, who is in Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific, also met with troops aboard an Australian navy ship, where he shook hands with veterans of Middle East conflicts and thanked Australia for being a close military ally. Bidens visit comes five years after President Obama announced that U.S. Marines would begin rotating through the Australian port city of Darwin as part of the U.S. military pivot to Asia. Biden flies to New Zealand on Wednesday.
ISTANBUL  Asserting that all the evidence points to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric as the mastermind of last weeks failed coup, Turkeys government on Tuesday fired tens of thousands of teachers, university deans and others accused of ties to the plot and demanded the clerics extradition.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue in a phone call with President Obama, and his spokesman said the government was preparing a formal extradition request for the cleric, Fethullah Gulen. But he also suggested that the U.S. government shouldnt require the facts before extraditing him.

A person of this kind can easily be extradited on grounds of suspicion, said the spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin. And there is very strong suspicion for his involvement, for Gulens involvement, in this coup attempt. So this is sufficient ground.

Later, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that Turkey had submitted materials related to Gulen and that the administration was reviewing whether they amounted to a formal extradition request. Earnest added that a decision on whether to extradite would be made under a long-standing treaty between the two countries, and wouldnt be made by Obama.

Gulen has strongly denied the governments charges, suggesting that Fridays attempted coup could have been staged as a pretext for the Erdogan government to seize even more power.

It is ridiculous, irresponsible and false to suggest I had anything to do with the horrific failed coup, the cleric said in a statement on Tuesday, accusing Erdogan of going to any length necessary to solidify his power and persecute his critics.

The crackdown was escalated Tuesday, as the government announced the firing of nearly 24,000 teachers and Interior Ministry employees and demanded the resignations of another 1,577 university deans as well as hundreds of other government employees.

Tuesdays dismissals touched every aspect of government life.

Turkish media, in rapid-fire reports, said the Education Ministry had fired 15,200 educators, while the Interior Ministry dismissed 8,777 employees and Turkeys Board of Higher Education called for the deans resignations. In addition, 1,500 finance ministry employees were fired, 257 people working at the prime ministers office were sacked and 492 staffers at the Directorate of Religious Affairs were dismissed, including clerics, preachers and religious teachers.
Laurel Carraher carries two cellphones: one for personal calls and one for mental health crises. When the latter device rang on Friday afternoon, she picked it up, jotted down an address and rushed out of her office.

Within minutes, the licensed clinical therapist pulled her Honda up to the urgent care center across from Christus St. Vincent Hospital, where a man was threatening to kill himself. The man, six months off heroin, had depleted his anxiety medication, and a doctor would not prescribe more.

Carraher sat the man down and devised a safety plan. He promised not "to hurt myself in any way." Another doctor prescribed him enough Klonopin to get him through the weekend.

Fires, strokes and robberies all beckon first responders with distinct skill sets. But who do we call when the emergency is about mental health?

One year ago, Santa Fe County partnered with Presbyterian Medical Services to launch a mobile crisis response team. Funded through a $350,000 annual contract, the program opened up a 24/7 line that dispatches therapists and caseworkers to people in crisis, whether they've become a danger to themselves (or others) or their mental state has deteriorated to a point that significantly affects their daily living.

About 2,500 adults in the county have a serious mental illness, according to the most recent community health profile. The Santa Fe Behavioral Health Alliance estimates 400 of those people have contact with the criminal justice system, whether through jail, probation or pretrial release programs.

In the program's first 11 months, therapists report that they have answered 266 requests for on-scene assistance. About 75 percent of calls come from first responders, including police, sheriff's deputies and paramedics. Schools, residential facilities and, increasingly, families of those with mental illness, have also utilized the service.

Having a therapist ready to go helps put first responders at ease, according to those who spoke with SFR about using the mobile crisis response team. "As a paramedic, you're trained to handle trauma and acute medical problems," says Ramos Tsosie, who has worked for both the city and county fire departments. "But we have a fewer tools in our toolbox to handle psychiatric problems and mental illness."

"Before the mobile crisis response team came, really our only resource was taking people with mental illness to the hospital," says city police Captain Mark Lewandowski.

Resolution of a crisis is the end goal for first responders. For therapists on the scene, it's just the beginning. The mobile crisis response team claims success when it's connected someone to all the outpatient services they need, says Mark Boschelli, clinical director of Presbyterian Medical Services' Community Guidance Center.

"The follow-up is not as glamorous as the crisis intervention," Boschelli says. "However, it is more effective. The crisis is a call for help. And like an iceberg, there is a lot more below the surface."

Carraher says this second step is far more challenging than initially responding to a crisis situation. When she's not in the field, Carraher is paging through a growing list of cases, determining what services people need and making the appropriate inquiries. She responded to a call at a senior housing facility, where she discovered that a woman living there didn't have any food or shampoo. When she couldn't find the right provider to help the woman buy groceries, Carraher did it herself. "We're still working on that case," she says, adding that the response team has picked up on an entire community of elders with mental health needs but no avenue to service.



Laurel Carraher is the sole full-time therapist on the mobile crisis response team. (Steven Hsieh)

"We find people of means in beautiful Santa Fe homes, but they are at risk of setting their homes on fire," Carraher says.

It's a lot of work for one person, so much that "we're very quickly going to be buried in all this follow-up." Carraher is the sole psychotherapist working full-time on the team. Presbyterian is in the process of hiring another. For crises that occur during nights and weekends, 39 clinical staff members take turns carrying on-call phones.

First responders seem to understand the limits of the new resource available to them. "Until we have a system where we have a bunch of Laurels readily available, or a system in which someone like Laurel can be directly dispatched, it's not practical to apply that resource to every psychiatric call we get," says Tsosie, who currently works for a city fire department program that aims to pull frequent 911-callers out of destructive cycles .

Presbyterian's contract is good for another three years before it is up for renewal. For the time being, the team will continue to aim for 20 to 25 call-outs a month, though Boschelli says there are talks with the county to develop a center that would be able to service more patients.

Looking toward the more immediate future, Boschelli says Presbyterian wants to divert people experiencing mental health crises, except in certain life-threatening scenarios, from the emergency room to the community guidance center on Rodeo Park West. The team has also started reaching out directly to patients' families through the National Alliance on Mental Illness, offering the crisis dispatch line as an alternative to 911.

Presbyterian's Santa Fe County crisis team is one of two in New Mexico. La Clinica de Familia runs the other one in Dona Ana County. In March, Presbyterian made a presentation to Bernalillo County officials, who are interested in setting up a crisis response team there. In 2014, the police shooting death of a schizophrenic homeless man in Albuquerque led to protests and scrutiny of the department's approach to mental illness.

Carraher started practicing psychotherapy almost three decades ago. Before Presbyterian, she worked at a maximum-security prison, a halfway house for women and her own private practice. She likes her new job because she doesn't have to sit around in an office all day. It's also exposed her to a side of therapy she hadn't before encountered on a day-to-day basis. "When you meet people in crisis, they're open, they're raw, they're ready for change in a way that doesn't happen in other situations," she says. "It's important to for us to bear witness, to just listen, to help a person feel, to be seen or heard."



Reach the crisis response team at 820-6333







Santa Fe Reporter
When Kendra Pinto stepped outside her grandmothers northwestern New Mexico house on a July night to look for signs of a fire a friend texted her about, an orange glow lit the night sky. From a distance of miles, she could hear pops she now surmises were explosions overtaking storage tanks for oil wells recently drilled by WPX Energy.

"We didn't really know what to do because nothing like this has ever happened, and there's no protocol," Pinto says.

They relocated family members, including her sister's infant and her wheelchair-bound grandmother, farther from the fire, but concern for neighbors compelled Pinto, her father and her sister to drive back within half a mile of it. In photographs and video she shot, massive black pillars of smoke spiral away from the flame-lit tanks. What they don't show, she says, was just how big the fire became, how it roared and how smoke blocked the moon.

A parade of fire trucks and oil trucks circled the flames that, ultimately, WPX decided were too hot and potentially hazardous to fight. More than 55 families would be instructed to leave their homes for the Nageezi Chapter House, though no one knew to expect them there, and the gates to the chapter house stayed locked for hours while evacuees waited in their cars.

"There's no evacuation plan, and we talk about how the oil and gas industries out here don't try to communicate with the chapter houses," Pinto says. "The main thing is just chaos. There's no plan out here for things like this."

Pinto grew up around oil and gas development but just a year ago the increasing presence of wells, drilling rigs and oil trucks led her to join WildEarth Guardians and their campaign to stop the extraction of fossil fuels.

"I'm sure there was an 'Aha!' moment, but it's just sort of wanting to save the land, wanting to be able to keep the landscape as it was. It's changed so much within the past three years," she says. "It's crazy to think that none of that was there 10 years ago. We didn't have to worry about safety or explosions. Now, after Monday, that's all gone."

Sentiments in the community have split over development. Something that brings jobs and money can be tough to hate. After the July 11 fire, which was allowed to burn for days, Pinto says she thinks more people will at least want to talk about what's happening, and maybe more people elsewhere will pay attention.

"We're such a small, isolated community that no one really hears our voice," Pinto says. "So I'm glad that people are noticing, because this is a big issue for our community."

There's a "Can you hear me now?" core to the latest objections to ongoing fossil fuel extraction and burning. Even as they call for more transparency, more communication and better planning, environmentalists often feel stonewalled by a federal government that sometimes doesn't seem to account for their protests to ongoing leases and doesn't seem to want to make space for them to watch that process through to its conclusion.

Longtime participants in the government's mapped-out program, which calls for written protests, have jumped those tracks and started showing up at one of the few occasions where the action moves from on-paper to in person: oil and gas lease auctions. The federal government has responded to increasing interest in this typically players-only event by limiting access and making plans to put the whole process online. Interested parties are welcome to monitor proceedings as updates are posted on the US Bureau of Land Management's website. Never mind that many of them live in rural communities without high-speed internet access.

Bidding Battles

Each quarter, as required by Congress, the BLM holds mineral lease auctions. Parcels of land are nominated, often by energy companies interested in the mineral resources they sit atop, and companies bid for rights to explore them. Oil and gas leases start at $2 per acre, but prices can go much higher. An October 2015 lease sale saw a parcel in New Mexico go for $14,200 per acre.

In April, roughly 200 protesters arrived to watch an auction at the Courtyard Marriott on Cerrillos Road. They were invited to view the proceedings via live stream from an adjacent conference room, and only registered bidders were permitted to enter the auction room. Of 14 bidders, the BLM reported, seven of them were successful in purchasing a parcel. As Donna Hummel, communications chief for the New Mexico office of the BLM, explains, some of the other seven were "nontraditional bidderspeople who wanted to be in the room and see the process, and filled out the paperwork that is required to be a bidder. That was how we allowed people into the room, whether they were representing oil and gas traditional bidders or they were there to learn more."

The auction is not the time for a conversation about this practice, an argument about fracking or any other form of public feedback, Hummel told SFR in the wake of the April auction. It's a time for doing business. There are multiple options for public input, and auctions, she insisted, aren't one of them.

Environmental watchdogs see them as another opportunity to be heard and to keep an eye on what's happening.

"These are not oil and gas lands. They're not lands that belong to a particular industry," says Lynne Fischer, who attended the April auction and plans to continue that practice. "These are public lands, and I'm a part of the public, so I think it's important that we should be there.  Because they're public lands, it just seems terribly wrong to try to remove the public and to curtail that dialogue."

The auctions provide a rare opportunity for oil and gas employees to see activists, Fischer adds, and for protesters to gather. Other options for weighing in, like writing letters to the BLM and calling congressional representatives, are done at home, alone.



Smoke from what became a dayslong fire at six new oil wells in northwestern New Mexico blocked the moon and caused 55 families to leave their homes. (Kendra Pinto )

Some activists, frustrated with the inability to protect public lands they love, have gone so far as to bid on the leases themselves. Misrepresenting yourself to the federal government as an energy company carries penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.

In 2008, Tim DeChristopher raised his paddle at a Utah auction to drive up prices on some parcels, and he eventually won nearly $1.8 million in leases for 22,000 acres in the red desert near Canyonlands National Park. The Obama administration later ruled that the BLM had cut corners to put the parcels up for sale, and the leases should never have been released to auction. Despite that conclusion, DeChristopher was convicted of false representation and violating the Federal Onshore Oil and Gas Leasing Reform Act, and sentenced to two years in prison. While he toured the country between his conviction and his sentencing, DeChristopher told a supporter in Santa Fe, "We don't need to figure out how to keep me out of jail. We need to figure out how to get more people into jail."

In February, environmental writer Terry Tempest Williams and her husband, Brooke Williams, spent $2,500 for rights to 1,120 acres of land near their Utah home. She witnessed parcel after parcel sold at auction while protesters, cordoned to a separate area, sang until they drowned out the auctioneer, she wrote in The New York Times. Later, the couple purchased their parcels at the BLM office for a discounted price of $1.50 per acre.

"The land sits adjacent to a proposed wilderness area. When we visited, we were struck by its hard-edge beauty and castle-like topography," she wrote in the Times. "We're not suggesting that everyone who feels as we do about the exploitation of our public lands should do what we did. We aren't going to be able to buy our way out of this problem. Our purchase was more or less spontaneous, done with a coyote's grin, to shine a light on the auctioning away of America's public lands to extract the very fossil fuels that are warming our planet and pushing us toward climate disaster."

To comply with the law, they established Tempest Exploration Co., LLC, and plan to pay the annual rent for the 10-year lease. The energy they hope the land produces is that of support for the call to keep fossil fuels in the ground.

The invitation to watch the April auction in Santa Fe from a separate room was couched by activists as an attempt to stifle the public's voice, and fewer than a dozen visited the viewing room. When this quarter's auction rolled around, scheduled for July 20 at the same Santa Fe hotel, some protesters were prepared to register as bidders so they could watch the auction in person.

"We're not trying to get ourselves arrested, but we have supporters who just want to do something," says Eleanor Bravo, with Food and Water Watch.

Then the BLM made a late-in-the-game choice to move the July 20 auction for nearly 14,000 acres in the Carlsbad area from Santa Fe to Roswell, closer to the parcels for sale.

Bravo labels the move a "dirty trick," arguing that it violated the agency's 45-day rule for posting information on auctions. She says when she called them to say as much, the agency told her it's only the parcels that require 45-day notice; the venue is exempt.

"It's a thinly veiled attempt to keep the public out," she tells SFR.

Protesters lined Cerrillos Road during a BLM auction in April. (Elizabeth Miller)

Environmental groups responded with a plan to station protesters at both the Roswell auction and the BLM office in Santa Fe.

"We will not be deterred," Bravo says. "We're not going away."

A day after that conversation, she got in touch again with news. The BLM had phoned to say they decided to postpone the auction until Sept. 1, still in Roswell. Bravo called it a victory.

"We now can have some effect on what they're doing," she says. "Formerly, they wouldn't listen at all. Now they are beginning to bow to public opinion.  We want the public to have a say over what happens to public lands, so we feel like this is a big step in the right direction."

By WildEarth Guardians' count, the change marks the sixth time an auction has been canceled or postponed since the "Keep it in the Ground" campaign spurred protesters to increase their attendance and continue their objections to this practice.

The broader stroke sees the Obama administration moving these auctions further from public view. Activists characterize this as rightful embarrassment over an ongoing leasing program that flies in the face of a stated policy to address climate change; the two cannot coexist when one cancels out any progress made through the other.

The House Committee on Natural Resources passed a bill earlier this month that would require all offshore lease sales to be held online, and BLM's Eastern States office has already issued notice that their September auction will be held online and open solely to registered bidders. That registration requires confirming that bids "represent a good-faith intention to acquire an oil and gas lease" and a legally binding commitment to pay money for it, the BLM's notice reads. Knowingly and willfully misrepresenting your qualifications or intentions can result in a fine or imprisonment for up to five yearsor both.

"Moving fossil fuel auctions online still doesn't hide the dangerous disconnect between the administration's climate rhetoric and its fossil fuel leasing," Taylor McKinnon, with the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a press release about the proposal. "The clock is ticking on the climate crisis, and each new lease makes a bad problem worse. It's time for the president to shut the federal carbon pollution spigot for good."

Coming Closer

Living in today's world and objecting to oil and gas development necessitates becoming people of paradox, says William Clark, president of Rio Arriba Concerned Citizens. We all use oil and gas, he says; even his earthship, which harvests rainwater and runs on solar power, was built using money he made trucking crude oil. When 16 parcels near his Cebolla home went up for auction, he decided to embrace that paradox.

"It got me active, to have that right in my backyard, because some of the parcels were within half a mile of our house," he says. "And it's been good action, because they're not drilling in Cebolla."

He has fought the eastward expansion of oil and gas leases that pushed into the Santa Fe National Forest, closer to wilderness areas around the Rio Chama gorge and to Santa Fe.

Given his experience working in the industrydays that ended more than 30 years ago after a spill led to one of his co-workers receiving third degree burns over 80 percent of his bodyClark believed that to live near that kind of development was to consent to a slow poisoning. They would become, as he calls it, collateral mortalities.

"I'd just been around too many spills and too much contamination to think that wasn't going to happen," he says.

The spills wouldn't be a problem for Cebolla alone, where the BLM's geological study reported a low potential to produce oil and a high chance for leaks. The Rio Chama Watershed is a main tributary for the Rio Grande, with 90 percent of the watershed adjudicated to the City of Albuquerque, several Pueblos and the acequia system.

"We're in a very remote, rural, wild area; it's some of the wildest country really left in the south San Juans.  [and] the area that we manage provides a third of New Mexico's drinking water. All the reservoirs down in New Mexico are getting fed from our landowners," says Monique DiGiorgio, executive director of the Chama Peak Land Alliance, which represents the interests of landowners in the Chama River Basin. Of oil and gas, DiGiorgio says, "Not here. This is not an appropriate place. It's too risky."

Calls for the BLM to administratively withdraw leases in Rio Arriba County have been met with the response that the agency isn't ready to make a permanent decision on those parcels, but they have been indefinitely deferred.

Rio Arriba's residents have slowed oil and gas developmentpast the 11,600 wells clustered on the western sideby arguing the science, Clark says. The geology is on their side, and a local ordinance also helps. Like Santa Fe County, Rio Arriba County benefits from a firm oil and gas development ordinance. Rio Arriba's halves the county, so that on the west, oil and gas can develop, and on the east, a "frontier" designation strives to preserve a wilder character. That would change, however, if the state legislature were to pass a bill like one proposed last year to give state law pre-emption on all matters related to oil and gas. The bill was proposed by Rep. Nate Gentry (R-Albuquerque), whose top five campaign contributors in both 2012 and 2014 include oil and gas companies.

A Nation Left Open

The vast majority of public lands, including areas like eastern Rio Arriba County that have a relatively low potential for profitably producing mineral reserves, are left open to leasing for oil and gas development, according to a report from The Wilderness Society.

"A lot of problems flow from that because if you're leaving 90 percent of minerals that you manage open to lease, it's difficult to say we're going to protect the surface for wildlife or recreation," says Nada Culver, senior counsel and director of the BLM Action Center for The Wilderness Society and author of that report. That high availability and little active management enable speculative leasing, as in, securing rights to minerals there is only hope that market prices and technology may some day make profitable to extract.



In areas where hydraulic fracturing is heavy, like this part of Wyoming, a dense web of roads, pipelines and well pads turn continuous forests and grasslands into fragmented islands. Community activism might be a way to curb the adverse impacts. (Bruce Gordon)

"Then we get the agency saying, 'Oh, well, now there's a lease, so we really can't protect anything there,'" Culver says. "So you're in this crazy loop."

The fiscal benefit to the federal government of those leases is minimal, she adds, and all they achieve is limiting recreational users' access to the land.

The BLM is amending its resource management plans, which it admitsat least in the Four Corners areafail to account for the scale and pace of development seen since hydraulic fracturing became a widely adopted practice more than a decade ago. Now could be the time, Culver says, to preserve more places for their recreational, wilderness or cultural values.

Despite stating a policy of reducing climate change-causing emissions from the US by up to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, the Obama administration has continued issuing leases to extract fossil fuels. The Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Earth analyzed the reserves already leased on public lands and oceans and found that those leases contain enough fossil fuel that burning all of them will make that goal impossible. Crude oil reserves already under lease will produce through 2055, coal reserves through 2041 and natural gas through 2044.

"The accusation that the environmentalists want to just switch overnight is pretty ludicrous.  Environmentalists are not asking you to turn off the lights," says Rebecca Sobel, with WildEarth Guardians. "We're demanding a ratcheting down of this program, which starts with ending new leases."



In the midst of this development are the communities where it unfolds, and in many cases, they, like Pinto, simply want more information and a little more say in how development unfolds.

"We know a lot about the industry, we know a lot about the high-profile environmental movement, and we know very little about the middle ground, the frontline communities, and they're in between the two," says Cristobal Valencia, assistant professor in the anthropology department at the University of New Mexico, who has studied these communities.

"Social justice would mean allowing them to strike some sort of balance where they're going to be able to stay in the region and thrive, rather than face further loss and dispossession through either a ban in the name of the environment or the contamination of the land and water by opening the doors to unregulated oil and gas development," Valencia says.

These residents often aren't as concerned with preserving pastoral landscapes as they are with creating options for younger generations to stay there and make a living. Local control over where and how oil and gas activity occurs doesn't equate to banning fracking, he says. It could mean asking that some revenue be directed back to the county, a certain number of locals be hired, or road repairs or safety measures be required.

"The more we can understand about the decision-making process that happens around natural resources, then what we are learning is something about how the future is made," Valencia says. "The more we can get regulatory agencies and government institutions to see local residents as future-makers, to see them as experts, I think the more hopes we have for some sort of a co-constructed future, rather than one that's dictated through a government planning process."



Santa Fe Reporter
If a rider on an appropriations bill the US House passed on July 14 sticks, it'll effectively remove the Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species list. Rep. Steve Pearce, a Republican from Las Cruces, proposed the amendment, which states that none of the funds allocated for the next fiscal year to the US Fish and Wildlife Service can be used to treat Mexican wolves as endangered or threatened and that no funds can be used to implement a recovery plan outside the historic range of the Mexican wolf.

In a press statement, Pearce referenced a recent report from the inspector general that substantiated management complaints from Catron County's Board of Commissioners about the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program, in the hands of a former coordinator of the Interagency Field Team. Their investigation found the Fish and Wildlife Service, which oversees the recovery program, had failed to effectively document some nuisance complaints, communicate with livestock owners and handle livestock depredations and compensation. The report also found the agency was aware of the concerns and had taken steps to address the problems.

"FWS has consistently proven its inability to manage the Mexican Wolf program in New Mexico. This is clear in the recent Inspector General report substantiating claims from Catron County that those at the top levels of the program at FWS tolerated a culture of lies, falsification, mismanagement, and manipulation of scientific data, ultimately at the cost of public trust and species recovery," Pearce said in a press release; he declared it time to give management of the program back to the states.

Even as it has rebuffed the introduction of captive-born pups into New Mexico's wild wolf population, the state Department of Game and Fish has expressed an interest in increasing Mexican wolf numbers to allow for hunting them again.



Santa Fe Reporter
Two New Mexico newspapers and an advocacy group filed a public records lawsuit against Corizon Health on Tuesday, claiming that the prison health care contractor is performing a governmental function and should therefore be subject to the same transparency laws.

The Santa Fe New Mexican and Albuquerque Journal this summer asked Corizon to hand over settlement documents related to the medical care of prisoners in state correctional facilities. Corizon instead produced a table listing names of facilities and settlement amounts, and officials asked for a two-week extension to produce the actual documents with the names of prisoners.

The company later reversed its position, claiming it signed confidentiality agreements with the prisoners and therefore did not have any obligation to produce the records.

Not so, says Daniel Yohalem, one of the attorneys representing the three parties. He points to case law that says public disclosure should take precedence over voluntary confidentiality agreements. (Yohalem is also representing SFR in a separate public records lawsuit against the governor's office.)

"We believe it's important that the same standards of public accountability should apply when government outsources essential functions to private contractors," writes Albuquerque Journal editor Kent Walz in an email to SFR.

Corizon, which at one point provided medical services at 10 state facilities, was the subject of a Santa Fe New Mexican investigation revealing that since it took over prison care in 2007, scores of prisoners sued the contractor for medical neglect. The state announced in May that it would drop the company's contract.



UPDATE (8/17/2016): District Judge Raymond Ortiz ordered Corizon to release the settlement documents.

Santa Fe Reporter
National Urban Maori representative John Tamihere says the group wants to work with Te Ohu Kaimoana, the Maori Fisheries Commission, after a ruling by Wellington's High Court that the commission's appointment of iwi-affiliated directors to the board of a trust set up for urban Maori was incorrect.

The judgment, delivered on Friday, meant the National Urban Maori Authority (NUMA) and Te Waipareira Trust succeeded in their claim over the $20 million Te Putea Whakatupu Trust, and all directors of the trust must represent Maori who are not affiliated with an iwi.

The trust was set up under the 2004 Maori Fisheries Act as part of the settlement of Maori fishing rights claims to provide for urban Maori who don't benefit from iwi-based settlements because they don't have an active association with a tribe.

Te Ohu Kaimoana said in a statement that it welcomed the judgment, which "clarifies legislative ambiguity relating to the criteria for appointment of directors and it will follow the court's interpretation when making future appointments."

"Te Ohu will look at how it will re-engage with urban Maori groups in respect of the proposed changes and these issues will be worked through in the coming weeks," it said.

Justice Simon France also ruled that while urban Maori weren't given enough say on proposed changes to the trust in 2015, a resolution to increase the trust's directors to five from three wouldn't be quashed, and could be passed on to the Minister for Primary Industries for consideration.

Tamihere, who was the only one of the trust's three directors affiliated with urban Maori, said the commission had been given "quite clear and compelling directions" by the court, and urban Maori were looking to make progress.

"The chair of the National Urban Maori Authority has reached out to the Fisheries Commission to say look, on the back of this judgment do you want to get around the table and have a discussion about how we proceed to appoint five directors," Tamihere said. "I've dealt with people that have ground down others in their communities to seize control of the chequebook and so they endeavour to use the same methodology when you upgrade the conversation and those tools don't really work here. We don't know whether that will be games again as usual or whether there might be a good discussion on hand."

Tamihere said he wasn't sure whether Te Ohu Kaimoana would try to appeal the court's decision, but the commission ran the risk of getting a worse result if they did.

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New admissions rules by the Australian Stock Exchange represent a new hurdle for the accelerating number of New Zealand companies listing across the Tasman.

In the past three years, the number of kiwi companies either sole or dual-listing on the ASX has more than doubled to 46 and another half dozen or so are said to be following suit this year. There are 36 Kiwi companies dual-listed on the ASX compared to only eight Australian-based ones on the NZX.

The rate of New Zealand companies listing in Australia has sped up since last September after the ASX amended its listing rules to allow those listed on the NZX main board to be recognised under a New Zealand foreign exempt listing category, meaning they don't have to issue a prospectus.

But minimum admission requirements in the ASXs new rules, which its now discussing with the Australian regulator, will make it harder for early-stage companies with limited revenue to list. The changes will capture kiwi companies listing under the foreign exempt category.

The proposed changes follow an Australian Securities Investment Commission review into defective disclosure in IPO prospectuses and poor due diligence, mainly among small to mid-sized issuers. There has been a trend towards early-stage tech listings on the ASX and almost half of those companies floated in the past two years had revenues under A$1 million.

The planned changes, due to come into effect on Sept. 1, increase the financial thresholds required by companies listing to at least A$500,000 of profit, net tangible assets of A$5 million or a market capitalisation of A$20 million. In addition, a minimum free float requirement of at least 20 percent of shares will be introduced and minimum share parcels for each security holder will rise to A$5,000.

Max Cunningham, the ASX general manager of listings and issuer services, said start-ups should avoid listing too early.

Theres a lot of learning from boot-strapping the business and getting equity and loans from friends and family and venture capitalists.

Kiwi companies likely to list on the ASX in the next six months  Powerhouse, HydroWorks, CropLogic, Pushpay, and NZ King Salmon  are expected to do so under the foreign exempt category, which covers 24 New Zealand companies on the Australian exchange. Jewellery retailer Michael Hill is also changing its primary listing to the ASX.

New Zealand companies quite rightly want to access a broader pool of capital and a lower cost of capital, Cunningham said.

A 2014 Orient Capital study the ASX commissioned claimed an Australian listing enabled NZ companies to access an investment pool of A$241 billion, five times the funds available to those solely NZX-listed. The market value of securities on the ASX is A$1.6 trillion compared to the NZXs $122 billion. Many Australian managed funds are also constrained to only invest in Australian-listed entities.

Its not just New Zealand companies seeking to sole list on the ASX, Cunningham said, with companies from Singapore, the US, and Israel also attracted to seek investors with an appetite for risk.

Originally, technology incubator Powerhouse had planned an NZX listing but decided instead to seek a sole Australian listing through a planned A$20 million IPO in August or September because of its bigger capital markets, said chief executive Stephen Hampson. It has managed to raise only a third of the $15 million it sought in New Zealand in pre-listing capital. It also wants to raise its profile in Australia where its about to seal its first deal to commercialise research from an Australian university or research institute.

According to a Forsyth Barr report in March, Australian dual listings are now 78 percent of companies on the S&P/NZX 50, up 28 percent since 2012. Australian investors are also contributing to the near record level of foreign portfolio ownership of the New Zealand equity market, which hit 46.3 percent at the end of last year.

Hartley Atkinson, founder of Auckland-based drug-maker AFT Pharmaceuticals, said it dual-listed last year because it does more business in Australia than in New Zealand though the bulk of its shareholders are based in this country.

The Australian institutions that have invested are still important. They make a difference, he said.

Cunningham wouldnt respond to recent comments from NZX chief executive Tim Bennett who compared local companies listing across the Tasman to welcoming Australians into an All Blacks training camp and allowing them to take our best players.

We have a high regard for the NZX and wouldnt have a New Zealand foreign exempt category if we didnt, Cunningham said.

Bennett said the local market wasnt broken and that listings of Kiwi companies fell into two categories  mid-sized to larger companies dual-listing to access a much bigger capital pool and smaller, early-stage companies sole listing who had effectively exhausted the sources of capital from New Zealand investors.

Companies dual-listing is not a threat by any means because most of the share trading and price-making of their stock is still done on the NZX, he said. Year-to-date, NZX had traded 70 percent of the value of the top 10 dual-listed stocks and this figure has not changed significantly over the past few years, he said.

However, he admitted more work needs to be done by the entire eco-system  brokers, fund managers, bankers, and investors - to get the capital needed for early stage companies in New Zealand that are turning to Australia.

The NXT market, set up specifically last year with less onerous rules for high growth companies, has only attracted four listings to date although Bennett said he had been saying until Im blue in the face that he was happy with its development.

We have to measure the success of that in three to five years by the capital raised and type of companies it has attracted, he said.

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Justice Kit Toogood sits on the bench today for Affco New Zealand's appeal against an Employment Court ruling that the rights of seasonal workers were preserved in the off-season, a decision that overturned a precedent-setting case from 1992 that he played a part in.

Toogood, who was admitted to the bar in 1973 and appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1999 before being appointed a High Court judge in 2011, represented the meat industry in NZ Meat Workers Union v Richmond in 1992. That was a key case in finding that meat workers were employed on a seasonal basis and the employment relationship terminated at the end of each season but it was effectively overturned by the Employment Court last year.

In April, the Talleys Group-controlled meat processor was granted leave to appeal the Employment Court ruling on three questions of law - did the Employment Court err in finding workers were on employment contracts of indefinite duration; did the lower court err in holding that the Employment Relations Act applied even if there was no relationship between company and workers in the off-season; and did it err in holding Affco's new individual employment contract didn't comply with the law.

The appeal is being heard in Wellington today, with Justice Ellen France presiding, alongside Toogood and Justice Rhys Harrison.

The appeal ruling is part of a series of ongoing legal clashes between Affco and the Meatworkers Union, which has achieved a measure of success in the Employment Court. The union's national secretary Graham Cooke said the win in the Employment Court had been a pyrrhic victory because Affco has continued to block access to its members at processing plants and treated them less favourably in terms of shifts and seniority.

Affco was the first under the governments new employment law to apply for an end to bargaining under amendments to the Employment Relations Act which lets firms opt out of multi-employer agreements and removed the duty under good faith bargaining for both sides to reach an agreement.

The original case covered workers at Affcos Rangiuru, Imlay, and Manawatu plants but the company had accepted any finding would cover all eight of its North Island plants.

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The government is investing $35 million over four years into a new initiative, Entrepreneurial Universities, to attract world-leading entrepreneurial researchers and their teams to New Zealand to further strength the countrys universities and innovation eco-system.

The programme, initiated by the University of Auckland, is open to all eight of New Zealands universities who can enter into a 50:50 partnership to attract and support named researchers and their teams to work in the university for an initial period of three to five years.

Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce said it was an unashamedly elite fund designed to bring the top academics, their teams, and labs to New Zealand. Those being recruited will need an established record in innovation and entrepreneurship in the top maker disciplines such as computer sciences, nano-technology, and biotech, to help grow a pipeline of innovative start-up companies, commercialise their intellectual property, and help train the next generation of scientific entrepreneurs, Joyce said.

Its expected up to 15 to 20 researchers and their teams will come to New Zealand over a three-year period. The fund has been modelled on similar programmes around the world, including the US and UK and works out at roughly $1 million per team per year.

When asked why the researchers would come to New Zealand over other countries with similar programmes, Joyce said the nation accounts for something around half a percent of the worlds total science budget so we have to do some innovative thinking that will attract these entrepreneurial researchers to this part of the world.

He said the University of Aucklands draft list includes a number of successful Kiwis, many of whom have done their degrees in New Zealand and then made their careers outside of the country, that may want to come home, along with other researchers that have some kind of linkage to the country that for various reasons want to come here. We dont have to get many to make a significant difference, he said.

New Zealand universities also have a good reputation for excellence with all eight ranked in the top three percent in the world, Joyce said.

Tertiary Education Commission chief executive Tim Fowler said it was about universities identifying which overseas-based researchers are going to be the next rock star and getting them here while theyre still growing their research base.

Auckland University vice-chancellor Professor Stuart McCutcheon said the idea for the initiative stemmed from the university realising New Zealand has lost something like 30,000 jobs in agriculture and around 80,000 in manufacturing over the past 20 years and that it was new companies that create new jobs.

New Zealand universities already had a number of what McCutcheon calls accidental entrepreneurs  academics who it was in their blood to commercialise their research and set up spin-out companies but there wasnt enough of them to build sufficient deal flow. The US experience was that those types of highly-engaged academics also have a profound effect on students who then can go into the private sector to create new companies and increase the size of the overall innovation eco-system, he said.

Government funding for the programme is part of the Budget 2016 Innovative New Zealand package that included an extra $410 million in funding for science researchers already based in New Zealand. The new initiative is expected to be on-going once the announced funding ends.

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Zespri International, the kiwifruit marketer, says its total bill for a Serious Fraud Office investigation has now risen to $6.8 million, with a further $500,000 set aside to cover costs in its 2015/16 accounts.

In its annual review published this morning, Zespri said it continued to cooperate fully with the inquiry, but "the SFO has declined to communicate the focus of its investigation." It believes it has satisfied the requirements of the document production notices served on it by the SFO, but it anticipates further work on the issue in the next financial year, the report said.

A Zespri spokesperson said the last contact they had from the SFO was in December 2015. A spokesperson for the Serious Fraud Office confirmed the inquiry was still ongoing.

The costs of the inquiry, which kicked off in October 2013, are being covered by Zespri's corporate body, rather than grower pools.

In an interview with the Bay of Plenty Times in June 2015, chief executive Lain Jager said the company had no knowledge of what the SFO was looking at but "we can surmise, as I think most people do, that their interest relates to the historic issues in China. But that is a surmise on our part."

In March 2013, Zespri's Chinese subsidiary, ZMMC, was fined almost $1 million and an employee was jailed for five years over the underpayment of customs duties on kiwifruit imports between 2008 and 2010.

Zespri's profits this year were bolstered from the board releasing a $13.9 million charge it had sitting on its balance sheet in case it was pursued for costs by the Chinese courts. The Kiwifruit marketing company booked a $13.9 million charge on its balance sheet in 2012 as a contingent liability but said in March all issues relating to its subsidiary in China have now been resolved with the Shanghai Court.

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Shaw responds, community strengthens

Airmen from the 20th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department responded to a mutual aid request in Sumter, South Carolina, July 18.



Sumter Fire Department personnel requested the assistance of the 20th CES Fire Department around noon due to a spreading building fire in the downtown area.



Its been a great relationship with Shaw, said Brian Christmas, Sumter Fire Department chief. There have been numerous hours where they jump in and theyre just like part of our team. We get in there and work together.



There were approximately 90 firefighters from seven different fire departments across the county, as well as Red Cross and state mutual aid personnel who came to assist with the building fire which started at a local business on Magnolia Street.



We rely on each other for mutual benefits frequently, said Greg Farley, 20th CES Fire Department system fire chief. We provide manpower and equipment, and Shaw gains real world experiences in the field, creating some of the best firemen.



In 2015, the 20th CES Fire Department responded to 142 mutual aid requests from the city of Sumter.



Sumter Fire Department trains frequently with the 20th CES Fire Department to ensure that when the alarm rings, our Airmen are ready at a moments notice to support the local community, said Farley.



The fire was under control by around 7 p.m., after approximately six hours of intense firefighting.


Old Style beer is returning to its roots of being brewed in La Crosse at the same time it is adding a chapter to history with a new brew, tapped as Old Style Oktoberfest, next month.

The new Old Style, first produced as a premium beer at G. Heileman Brewing Co. in La Crosse in 1902, will be the companys first new blend in 15 years when it rolls off the production line Thursday at City Brewery.

The rollout will be a homecoming of another sort for Old Style, which was Heilemans No. 1 beer for nearly a century and helped start Oktoberfest USA in La Crosse 56 years ago. Heileman, the citys major brewer from 1858 until the mid-1990s, is the predecessor of City Brewery, which will be Old Styles sole producer in a contract with brand owner Pabst Brewing Co.

It also will mark the return of Old Style as the official beer sponsor for Oktoberfest, a move with special significance for the Sept. 29-Oct. 2 celebration, said James Brennan, an Oktoberfest board member and member of the festivals beer committee, which sealed the deal with Pabst.

It means a great deal, with the long history of Old Style and Heileman and getting back to its roots, Brennan said. Its a grand re-entrance, and a large sponsor helps a lot with Oktoberfest.

Old Styles new seasonal product, scheduled to take its place on store shelves in September, will be a classic Marzen-style brew, which the company describes as an ideal adult beverage for fall.

City Brewing Co., which also has plants in Latrobe, Pa., and Memphis, Tenn., will not add to its 500-worker payroll for the Old Style production at City Brewery in La Crosse at this point, said brewmaster Randy Hughes.

Its a small step in us hopefully doing more production for Pabst in the future, Hughes said.

Its the first product out of La Crosse with the Heileman shield and name since mid-1999. That for me is enough to celebrate, said Hughes, who began working at Heileman in May 1978 and became brewmaster in May 1995.

Another development for fans of Old Style and Old Style Light is that the company will debut a packaging makeover it says will return the brand to its classic roots. Social media demand helped spark that move, according to the company.

The Midwest is and always will be the true home of Old Style, said Dan McHugh, Pabsts chief marketing officer. Old Styles fans are a loyal group and continue to be a large part of the brands legacy and what makes it such a staple.

The packaging re-design and launch of Old Styles Oktoberfest are the perfect way for us to both honor our past heritage and to celebrate with our fans the future of what is to come, McHugh said.

Tentative plans call for a brief ceremony as the first case of Old Style Oktoberfest rolls off the production line Thursday morning at City Brewery before being delivered via carriage to Mayor Tim Kabats office.
NEW DELHI: LG Electronics India Limited on Monday launched X Screen smartphone equipped with a panic button, in line with the government initiative, and also comes with two screens.

"LG is proud to bring the innovation of a second screen in its X Screen smartphone in India. This smartphone offers premium features at an affordable price point and we are sure that the Indian consumers will truly find value in it," Amit Gujral, Marketing Head - Mobiles, LG India, told reporters here.

The Rs 12,990 X screen comes with dual screens to ease user interaction and will be exclusively available on Snapdeal from July 20.

The Always-on Display allows users to check basic information such as time, date and notifications without having to wake up the phone, while the second screen keeps the recent used user applications for easy access along with a facility to receive calls without interruptions on the main screen.

On the specifications front, the smartphone features 4.93-inch and 1.76-inch HD In-cell touch display, Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 13MP rear camera and a 8MP front camera.

The 4G LTE smartphone runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system, has 2GB RAM, 16GB internal memory and is powered by 2,300mAh battery.

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NEW DELHI: The government has planned to train 50 lakh people in factory skills in five years in a bid to bridge the gap between unskilled youth force and industry requirements, Union minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said today.



"As per the vision of our Prime Minister, India should be the 'skill capital'. People have education but lack the employability skill. We have the demographic dividend but we need to tap it.

"Our industry also has requirements of skilled workforce. In five years, we need 3 crore people in construction sector...And, therefore, as part of the vision of our ministry,



we plan to train 50 lakh people in five years, in factories with stipend," he said.



The Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship was addressing a function to launch the book 'Sourcebook on Skill Development and Management' authored by social scientist B Ramaswamy.



Rudy said the Centre was planning to open centres abroad to train and assist migrant Indian population, many of whom face language barriers, among other issues.



"As part of our ministry's vision, we have approached a three-pronged strategy - identifying those who need to be skilled, creating a curriculum for skilling and having an assessment leading to certification," he said.



Speaking on the changes in Industrial Training Institute (ITI) paradigm, Rudy noted, "now youth trained at ITI from 8th to 10th standard will be considered equivalent to 10th pass and those from 10th to 12th standard as 12th pass."



"Under this new paradigm, 18 lakh students are set to benefit annually. And, 400 million people will benefit from our new vision in the unorganised sector," he said.



Union Minister of State for HRD Upendra Kushwaha said, "the skilling of youth will bridge the gap between the untrained youth and the requirement of skilled workforce in the industry," adding, "it will also help reduce crime."



Lok Sabha MP Maheish Girri said, "skill in India has not been recognised and only education is respected. There is sort of a stigma attached to people who possess skills but little education. That stigma must be broken.

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WASHINGTON: U.S. companies consider India their next FDI frontier and are keen to pump in billions of dollars into the country's infrastructure and transportation sector, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.



"There is overwhelming enthusiasm among American companies and investors to invest in India. Results could be seen soon," Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari told PTI as he concluded his week-long trip to the U.S. that took him to Washington, New York, St Louis, San Francisco and Los Angeles.



Acknowledging that India's infrastructure sector is lagging behind and it has a long way to go to match the international standards, Gadkari said that the modernisation and upgradation of the transport infrastructure has the potential to become driver of the country's growth.



Now that the Modi Government has taken several steps to facilitate smooth and hassle-free foreign direct investment in the infrastructure sector, Gadkari said based on his interaction and meetings in the U.S. he is confident that billions of dollars would soon start flowing into India.



Gadkari said in addition to construction of a road network across the country, the ambitious Sagarmala project along with promoting use of green fuel and clean energy vehicles would create a large number of jobs in the country and provided an unprecedented boost to the Indian economy.



During his week-long trip, Gadkari held a series of productive interactions with investment bankers, fund managers and captains of trade and industry in infrastructure sector.



These meetings, he noted, helped in dispelled apprehensions with regard to bottlenecks and red-tape in the Indian government.



"Prime Minister Modi has made the infrastructure development top-most priority of his government, I told them," he said, adding that the U.S. companies now consider India their next frontier of foreign direct investment.



"The Prime Minister remains committed to improving the country's road, highways, and port connectivity in a time-bound, result-oriented, corruption-free and transparent manner through e-governance and fast-tracking decision-making process," he said.



"I am returning home fully satisfied with his visit which has broken new grounds in the bilateral ties between India and the U.S. and given the much needed impetus to cooperation in the field of infrastructure, particularly road transport, highways andshipping sectors," Gadkari said.



In his talks with the U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, he sought cooperation in sharing intelligent traffic systems and transfer of technology in road engineering, use of IT in reducing road accidents, centrally controlled traffic light surveillance systems for road safety.



During his visit to Tesla, Gadkari asked it to make India their Asia manufacturing hub and offered land near major Indian ports to facilitate export of their vehicles to South and South East Asian countries.



Gadkari said India is committed to encouraging alternate pollution free transport in the country by providing incentives to bio-fuel, CNG, Ethanol and electric vehicles.

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Indian Teenager Bags Google Community Impact Award For Asia
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Clifton man who crashed a minivan into a pole in Arrochar, injuring six people Monday, had a blood-alcohol level more than twice the legal limit, police said.

Norman Williams, 35, consented to a test at Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, about three hours after the incident, according to a criminal complaint.

The test revealed his blood-alcohol content was .205 percent, the complaint said. The legal threshold for driving while intoxicated in New York state is .08 percent.

"I have to be honest with you. I was drinking and caused the accident," Williams told police, according to the complaint.

Williams was driving at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his 2004 Chrysler Town & Country on Fingerboard Road at about 4:30 p.m. and crashed head-on into a utility pole, according to the complaint.

There were five other passengers -- including four children -- in the minivan. Police said they were a 33-year-old woman, a 9-year-old boy, and three girls, ages 11, 3 and 11 months.

According to court documents, two of the children suffered serious injuries. One has a hip fracture and a laceration to the groin area. Another child has an orbital bone fracture and two hip fractures, police said.

They were taken to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, and are in stable condition, an NYPD spokesman said.

The 33-year-old woman is Williams' common-law wife, police said. An NYPD spokesman could not say if Williams is the father of the children injured in the crash.

Williams, of the 100 block of Park Hill Avenue, was charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated, endangering the welfare of a child and three counts of vehicular assault, according to the complaint.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The lawyer for Anthony Morales, the Mariners Harbor man accused of gunning down a mother and her son in their community four months ago, told a justice Wednesday his client remains hospitalized and needs additional surgery.

Attorney Mark J. Fonte said Morales won't be physically able to attend an arraignment in state Supreme Court, St. George, until sometime after the operation.

The defendant is accused of slaying Idelle Rivera, 47, and her son, Anthony Rivera, 21, and wounding Jose Ramirez, the younger Rivera's friend, on March 24.

Morales later fled to Pennsylvania where he was shot multiple times by authorities after ignoring repeated commands to put his hands up, said police.

Last month, prosecutors filed a seven-count indictment charging Morales, 49, with two counts each of first- and second-degree murder and single counts of attempted first- and second-degree murder and second-degree criminal weapon possession.

Morales has yet to be arraigned on the indictment, due to his hospitalization.

According to a criminal complaint, the slayings occurred between 6 and 6:12 p.m. outside 20 Roxbury St., only steps from the victims' apartment building.

Morales lives in a different apartment in the same Mariners Harbor Houses building as the mother and son did, according to police.

Detectives are exploring the possibility that a dispute over a car sparked the shooting. Anthony Rivera recently sold a car to the suspect, who was unhappy with the automobile and wanted a refund, a source with knowledge of the police investigation told the Advance.

Idelle Rivera was shot once in the head, while her son was hit with three bullets in the head. Ramirez, 22, was shot nine times.

In an exclusive interview at his hospital bed after the shooting, Ramirez told the Advance the Rivera family had an ongoing feud with Morales regarding a stolen radio antenna from the suspect's vehicle.

Morales took off for Pennsylvania afterward, sparking a multi-state manhunt.

Investigators tracked him to West Brunswick Township in Schuylkill County, about 125 miles west of Staten Island.

Morales was shot 10 times on March 28 when he ignored repeated commands from authorities to put up his hands before he made a sign of the cross, reached toward his waist and brandished a gun, NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told reporters.

Morales was rushed to Reading Hospital in critical, but stable, condition, police said.

He was later extradited to Staten Island.

Prosecutors have said the gun recovered in Pennsylvania was the same weapon with which the defendant had shot and killed the Riveras and shot and wounded Ramirez.
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Jennifer Rubin: 'Lock her up' is the chant of a banana republic
Editorial: Why are Republican 'constitutionalists' nominating a candidate who wants to shred the Constitution?
Queanbeyan bus services for disadvantaged and vulnerable residents in Oaks Estate will be boosted, but the ACT suburb will remain without a direct ACTION bus line to Canberra.

Oaks Estate residents have been calling for an ACTION bus service for decades, saying it's crucial for a community where 43 per cent of homes are public housing, residents earn far less than other areas of the ACT, and where drug rehabilitation, mental health support services, and post-release corrections programs operate.

Three new services will take Oaks Estate residents to Queanbeyan, but they will remain without an ACTION bus route. Credit:Graham Tidy

The Oaks Estate Progress Association has previously argued the lack of a bus service directly to Canberra is isolating residents, and have described the suburb as a "government-created ghetto" that has been ignored by successive ministers.

Currently, QCity Transit, the Queanbeyan bus line, only operates three scheduled services on Mondays to Fridays, two in the morning, and one in the afternoon.
CCAS Gorman Arts Centre: 2. An investigation of climate change, its effect on the present, and the struggle to avoid disaster by limiting rising global temperatures by 2 degrees. Until August 20. Open Tuesday to Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 10am-4pm. Gorman Arts Centre, 55 Ainslie Avenue, Braddon. See: ccas.com.au.

Canberra Museum and Gallery: Michael Taylor: A Survey 1963-2016. Taylor's paintings spanning six decades oscillate between abstraction and representation. Until October 2. Open Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday and Sunday noon-5pm. Corner of London Circuit and Civic Square, Canberra City. See: cmag.com.au.

ANCA Gallery: Highway to the Wilderness. An exhibition exploring the artist's personal and satirical reflections during a month spent travelling through regional Finland. Until July 31. Open Wednesday to Sunday, noon-5pm. 1 Rosevear Place, Dickson. See: anca.net.au .

Drill Hall Gallery: Streets of Papunya. An exhibition showcasing a new generation of painters from the Western Desert art. Until August 14. Noon-5pm. Kingsley Street, off Barry Drive, Acton. Ph: 6125 5832 or see: dhg.anu.edu.au.

Form Studio and Gallery: Flow Interrupted. Local glass artist Debra Jurss examines movement and flow and reflects on her experience with loss. Ros Auld and Claire Primrose. Up to 40 per cent off selected works to raise funds for Ros and Claire's 2017 touring regional gallery exhibitions. Both until August 7. Open Monday to Friday 9.30am-2.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm. 1/30 Aurora Avenue, Queanbeyan. See: formstudioandgallery.com.au.

Nancy Sever Gallery: Mari Gutharra  Milingimbi Artists. An exhibition featuring the work of artists from Milingimbi, an island off the north coast of Arnhem Land. Until August 21. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-6pm. 4/6 Kennedy Street, Kingston. See: nancysevergallery.com.au.

National Portrait Gallery: Mysterious eyes: Arthur Boyd portraits from 1945. Consisting of nine works, the exhibition brings together a collection of portraits of individuals close to Boyd that he painted when he was 25. The portraits reveal how his treatment of the subjects reflected his state of mind. Until August 14. Tough and Tender. Work by a group of American and Australian artists from the 1960s exploring the complexities of personal relations and individual expression. Until October 16. Open daily 10am-5pm. King Edward Terrace, Parkes. Ph: 6102 7000 or see: portrait.gov.au.

Nishi Gallery: Beauty In This. Works that speak to moments in the human experience. Until Sunday. Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am-3pm. New Acton Precinct, corner of Edinburgh Ave and Marcus Clarke Street, New Acton. See: newacton.com.au
Former Labor minister John Hargreaves has blasted the appointment of Brendan Smyth to a plum government job, saying there is significant disquiet in the party at the amount of money spent "to take out a political opponent".

Mr Hargreaves claimed "a number of members of the [Labor] party" had "expressed outrage" at the cost of the appointment - which he believed would amount to more than $2 million over five years.

Andrew Barr and John Hargreaves in the ACT parliament in 2012. Credit:Graham Tidy

"Much of the concern has been that there have been requests for money out of the budget for good and valid purposes which have been knocked back on the basis that there haven't been any funds available to do this. But funds can be found to take out a political opponent. And that, for me and for the people who have spoken to me, is a matter of concern."

Mr Hargreaves's comments come after Chief Minister Andrew Barr appointed Mr Smyth, a key member of the Liberal team, to a new job as Commissioner for International Engagement.
Canberra had the second highest rate of homelessness in the country and was one of the most unaffordable places to buy a home or rent, with about 19,600 households face housing stress, she said.

Ms Watson, who stands in the Belconnen electorate of Ginninderra, is well known in political circles. She is now communications manager for a peak body for the not-for-profit sector.

Former head of ACT Shelter Leigh Watson will stand as an independent in the ACT election in October on a platform of affordable housing.

The government had "failed to respond in any meaningful way", with affordable housing policies put in place by former Labor Leader Jon Stanhope now only tokenistic.

"It is imperative that we look at developing options for people on the bottom 40 per cent of incomes," she said. "People who are earning in the top 60 per cent can afford housing generally, but if we don't look at options for people in the bottom 40 per cent then we are going to look at a growing homeless rate, growing poverty and a group of people who are totally disenfranchised."

Not having a home had repercussions throughout people's lives, exacerbating problems with domestic violence, unemployment, and the basics of everyday life, such as getting children to school.

"Housing's not just about having somewhere to live. It's about having something safe and appropriate. You might be able to afford a one bedroom apartment but as a family that's just not suitable," she said.

While the problem had causes beyond the government's control, the government had failed to respond and treated land as a commodity, with an aggressive marketing approach, rather than helping families into homes.
The media team for the ACT Emergency Services Agency is becoming the place to go for former Drive presenters on Mix 106.3.

The latest to sign up is Nigel Johnson who this week announced his resignation as host of Drive on Mix 106.3, his final day on-air being July 29.

Nigel Johnson will be the third Drive presenter from Mix 106.3 to work in the media team for the ACT Emergency Services Agency.

Johnson replaces Greg Allan at ESA who is moving on to the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Allan is also a former Drive presenter on Mix 106.3. Johnson replaced him on Mix 106.3 and, now, is doing the same at the ESA.
Two La Crosse men arrested last week in raids were charged Tuesday with drug and gun crimes.

Police teams searched homes at 1317 Redfield St., 854 Winneshiek Road and 929 S. 16th St. on Thursday after police informants about heroin from 53-year-old Henry Swannagan. According to court documents, Swannagan had displayed handguns and offered to sell one to an informant.

During the search on Redfield, police found Antoine Hardie Jr., 31, on a love seat with 22.4 grams of heroin in a pair of Air Jordan sneakers; officers found a .40-caliber handgun with the serial numbers removed in an upstairs bedroom, according to criminal complaints. Hardie said the heroin was not his.

Swannagan was arrested nearby after police stopped the car he was riding in and found 1.3 grams of heroin.

According to the complaint, police found a .22-caliber handgun with the serial numbers removed in the Winneshiek residence and scales and other drug paraphernalia  along with Swannagans paperwork  at the 16th Street address.

Swannagan was charged with delivery of heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia. Hardie was charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin and possession of a firearm.

Hardie has felony convictions from 2007 and 2008 in Dane County. Swannagan is on probation for a 2011 felony drug conviction.
Six men detained by police after a wild fight broke out on a Jetstar plane bound for Phuket will be escorted home by security officers.

The men, who have been taken into custody by Indonesian police, have offered authorities no explanation for the mid-air brawl, other than they were all drunk.

Do you know more? Email scoop@theage.com.au

Flight JQ27 was diverted to Bali, where the six men - identified as Bradley Beecham, Brett Eldridge, Michael Matthews, Mark Rossiter, Lynmin Waharai and Ricky William - were escorted off the plane by police.
A private equity firm has been able to do in one year what Telstra failed to  upload millions of directory listings held by Sensis into the cloud for better searching and more flexible results.

The technology update had cost a "significant amount of money" and was funded by Sensis' new majority owners, Platinum Equity. However, it will "future proof" the business and make it more useful for the hundreds of thousands of business and enterprise that pay for listings.

Businesses can now provide tailored contact information such as a Facebook page, Twitter handle, Whats App number and direct link to an information page.

"How do you want to connect with customers that are calling you? Depending upon your company, what is the way that you want your customers to engage with you?" White Pages executive general manager, Stephen Palmer, said.
Victoria notched up a record $9.4 billion in commercial property transactions last year with investors looking for havens amid a volatile global economy.

Office deals worth $4.74 billion made up more than half the money spent. A further $2.77 billion was splashed on retail properties and industrial acquisitions came to $1.87 billion.

The Freshwater Place office and apartment development, in Queensbridge Road, Southbank. Credit:Michael Rayner

Foreign buyers dominated the 2015-2016 market, making 38 per cent of all purchases, followed by private buyers accounting for 21 per cent and funds snaring only 18 per cent.

Savills state director Clinton Baxter said the record sales volume reflected expectations that Melbourne would become Australia's biggest city by 2050.
They might be quicker for customers, but self-service checkouts could be "normalising" theft in supermarkets, a criminologist has warned.

Research suggests some people are willing to steal at such checkouts when they wouldn't dream of committing theft while wandering around the shop floor.

While the retail sector waits for technology to catch up, the most powerful protection from mounting losses might be something as simple as better customer service or a cleaner corporate image.

The problem with shoppers is they are very good at "neutralising" their moral concerns, according to criminology professor Adrian Beck from the University of Leicester in Britain, especially if there is any sense a retailer is not meeting its social obligations.
Australian employers need to start seeking staff with mixed skills, including creativity, and not solely hire candidates with the sought-after qualifications of science, mathematics or technology, a report says.

In addition to rising demand for digital literacy, recent research reveals a surge in the number of job ads requiring creativity and critical thinking, and researchers say this will only increase in the decades to come.

Businesses are being advised to look for employees with a mix of different skills.

The report from the Australian Council of Learned Academies has determined that the nation's best innovators will have to "draw on a mix of skills" in order to tap into new sources of wealth.

Its findings raise questions about whether there is an over-emphasis on science, technology, engineering and mathematics  commonly referred to as core STEM subjects  as opposed to the development of a versatile knowledge and skills base.
During my research I spoke to people who expressed genuine concerns about terrorism. What we need to be speaking about is what happens when "fearing Muslims" becomes a systematic and methodic process that is reinforced and repeatedly excused, and even justified as "natural". What we need to expose is how white bodies are trained to fear, interrogate, judge, discipline, even seek to banish brown bodies. Why are we not talking about the power relations inherent in the politics of fear in the war on terror? Who gets to hurl the accusations? Who gets to be the "as a mum" who worries, and who is damned as the mother who is feared? Who gets to be scared? Who gets to name who is to be feared, suspected and distrusted, and who is to fear, suspect and distrust?

Of course people are worried about a terrorist attack occurring in Australia. But the discussion proceeds on the basis that Muslims are exempt from any such fears, as though they can only ever perpetrate terrorism, not be its victims. This speaks to the basic racial logic that has always, and continues to underwrite the privileging of Anglo-Australia's fears. Whether it was the fear of indigenous Australians resisting their genocide, dispossession and theft, or the fear of "the yellow peril", or fears of racial "contamination" by non-Whites, or fears of "boat people", or "Asians", or "multiculturalists"  at the centre is always a scared and paranoid Anglo-Australia which, despite all the dominance and privilege afforded to it, continues to play the role of the underdog, the victim.

Meanwhile, it is racialised minorities and, speaking to the current debate, Muslims, who are the subject of intense surveillance, curtailing of basic liberties and democratic freedoms, harassment and hate crimes, and discrimination. These are the dangerous consequences of holding one group to ransom because of the "fears" of the majority. The minority becomes a dehumanised category around which the majority organises its anxieties and emotions. The fear of veiled Muslim women who must walk in the streets the day after Pauline Hanson has ranted about Islam on national TV, or media personalities have called for banning Muslim immigration, are completely irrelevant. The fears of Muslim parents who send their children to school knowing they will be subjected to further abuse and bullying is ignored. The fears of Muslims who must sit on public transport beside commuters reading tabloid headlines against their faith and community simply do not figure in the conversation.

Dialogue, forgiveness and discussion may make for a warm and fuzzy intervention into an increasingly hostile climate of racism. But it assumes that victims of racism aren't already taking the moral high ground, responding on a daily basis to systemic and everyday racism with dignity and resilience. It's about time we stop asking victims to rehabilitate themselves and their responses to racism, and focus our attention instead on rehabilitating the perpetrators of racism.
The director of a new film on the Cronulla riots says the country is more racist now than when that infamous event took place more than a decade ago.

Abe Forsythe, whose black comedy Down Under opens next month, says that extreme views being aired publicly have legitimised racist attitudes.

"When I was writing the script, we weren't talking about this issue," he says. "My initial impulse was to get us talking.
Newly promoted senator Zed Seselja says conservative MPs will not try to block or delay legislation enabling the same-sex marriage plebiscite when it comes before the Parliament.

Senator Seselja, who was promoted to the Coalition ministry in this week's reshuffle, said on Wednesday morning the plebiscite was government policy and MPs would support it.

Zed Seselja was among the Senators who supported the motion. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

"Why would we?" Senator Seselja said when asked on Sky News if MPs opposed to same-sex marriage would try and delay or block the enabling legislation.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said earlier this week the plebiscite might not be held until early next year despite previously saying there was enough time for it to be held before the end of this year.
A chair of the Indigenous recognition referendum council says Coalition and Labor support could leave Pauline Hanson's opposition to a vote sidelined and has called on Tony Abbott to help win over conservative MPs.

Melbourne lawyer Mark Leibler said he remains cautiously optimistic about parliamentary support for the referendum, proposed for sometime in 2017, and that the former prime minister's long-standing advocacy could be used to convince right-wing MPs who are opposed to changes to the constitution.

One Nation opposes acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, on the grounds that all Australians are owners and custodians of the land and recognition could cause "segregation" in the law.

Both major parties, the Greens, Nick Xenophon and other independents support the referendum process and recognition.
Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr has said yes to a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, billionaire Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel.

Kerr, a former spokeswoman for Victoria's Secret who was raised in Gunnedah, NSW, posted a picture online on Wednesday showing a huge diamond ring on her hand.

The image also features a cartoon couple with the man down on one knee proposing and the words "Marry me!" across the bottom.

Kerr, 33, captioned the shot:: "I said yes " She added a string of hearts.
ELKHORN  A Walworth County sheriffs deputy involved in the fatal shooting of a drug suspect will not be charged, according to a press release from the Walworth County Sheriffs Office issued Tuesday.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigations completed its investigation and determined that Deputy Juan Ortizs actions were justified.

The incident occurred Feb. 24, when Ortiz fatally shot Christopher Davis, 21, of Milwaukee, who was sitting in a car in the parking lot of Romas Ristorante and Lounge in East Troy.

According to the report, the Sheriffs Office was attempting a controlled drug buy at the restaurant. The suspects saw police vehicles and tried to drive away. The suspects failed to follow police commands as they attempted to flee.

As the suspects tried to drive away, deputies drew their weapons. Ortiz, who was positioned near the exit, discharged his firearm, according to the initial report, and a shot hit Davis.

A police chase ensued with speeds reaching more than 100 mph. The chase entered Waukesha County and ended in a crash in Muskego.

Two other suspects in the vehicle reportedly fled on foot. Davis was flown via a Flight for Life helicopter to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, where he died.

One of the other suspects, the driver, Jose G. Lara, 31, of Milwaukee, has been charged with conspiracy to commit to manufacture/deliver cocaine and attempting to flee or elude a traffic officer.

Ortiz has been restored to full duty while the internal review of this matter continues, according to the release.

According to the Sheriffs Office, Ortiz is 30 and has been employed full-time by the county since May 2012. He is assigned to the Patrol Division and also serves as a field training officer, pre-employment background investigator, crash team investigator, and dive team member.
On Wednesday, Britain's most powerful anti-corruption agency released a statement that it was investigating Unaoil for suspected "bribery, corruption and money laundering".

Fairfax Media can also reveal that several overseas witnesses have agreed to co-operate with corruption investigators to corroborate evidence showing Unaoil paid kickbacks to help oil industry firms win large contracts in several countries.

Australian police have flown to London to work with British authorities on the international "bribery, corruption and money laundering" case involving oil services firm Unaoil and several leading multinational companies.

Unaoil's owners, the Ahsani family: Saman, Cyrus and Ata. The company denies paying bribes.

The revelation comes after a Fairfax Media investigation into Unaoil's payment of kickbacks to win contracts for multinational companies across the world.

The public statement by the Serious Fraud Office that it is investigating Unaoil and its "officers, its employees and its agents" for serious criminal activity will alarm dozens of companies that used Unaoil as a consultant or agent in such countries as Iraq, Libya and Iran.

It is the first time a police agency has publicly commented on the nature of investigations into Unaoil, which involve the SFO, the Australian Federal Police and the US Department of Justice and the FBI.

While the SFO has not named any of Unaoil's clients, investigators are likely to examine Unaoil's work for the offshore arm of Australian company Leighton Holdings (now trading as CIMIC), British companies Rolls-Royce and Petrofac, and several leading European and American oil service companies.
A wave of gastroenteritis outbreaks in daycare centres and aged-care homes has sent more than 3300 young children and adults to NSW emergency departments in the last two weeks.

Gastroenteritis cases have ballooned over the past fornight, outstripping influenza cases in peak flu season, NSW Health figures show.

Some 49 separate outbreaks have been reported in childcare centres and aged-care facilities in the past three weeks, with some linked to the aggressive norovirus strain. The latest reports brought the total number of outbreaks form the start of June to 98.

Young children and the elderly were most vulnerable, but an abnormal number of young adults presented with gastro last week, suggesting the latest outbreaks were particularly severe.
More country communities should target international migrants as a "top priority" to help boost shrinking populations, a new study says.

"The Missing Migrants" study cites case studies where small regional communities that opened their arms to migrants turned their fortunes around.

A citizenship ceremony in Nhill in 2013.

"If more international migrants settled in regional Australia, our regional population would grow at the same pace or even faster than the capital cities," the report said.

"International migrants make their most important contribution in small rural towns that are most at risk of population decline."
The rapid expansion of the National Disability Insurance Scheme may place pressure on employers to "cut corners" when hiring staff, a royal commission has heard.

The inquiry into sexual abuse in disability services was told that a national system of safeguards under the NDIS is yet to be determined.

Chief executive of provider peak association National Disability Services Ken Baker told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse the growth of the NDIS would create workforce pressures.

"The challenges around workforce are considerable because just as the disability services system will double in size so must the workforce double in size," he said.
The search for missing Malaysian Airlines Boeing 777, flight MH370, may be called off soon.

Ministers from Australia, China and Malaysia will meet this week to decide on the future of the drawn-out search for the aircraft.

Rough, winter weather has disrupted the search in the southern Indian Ocean but only 10 per cent of the search area remains to be examined.

The $180 million search had been expected to finish by last month and could now finish in spring.
The decision to release Ahmed Elomar, the brother and nephew of two infamous Australian terrorists, from prison has been challenged by the NSW government.

Elomar, who has served almost three years in prison for bashing a police officer with a flag pole during protests in Sydney's Hyde Park, was granted parole by the State Parole Authority last Friday.

Ahmed Elomar, pictured here aged 22. Credit:Brendan Esposito

The 33-year-old, who is the brother of slain Islamic State fighter Mohamed Elomar and nephew of Pendennis terror plot mastermind Mohamed Ali Elomar, was given a maximum four years and eight month sentence in June 2014.

Corrections Minister David Elliott has lodged an appeal against Elomar's release on parole in the NSW Supreme Court, saying he is confident his case is strong.
Six police officers have been injured after a fire erupted during a four-hour stand-off with a man in Sydney's south-east.

Police were called to an apartment complex in Stephen Road, Botany Bay, about 11.15am on Wednesday after reports that the man had barricaded himself in the garage.

It is understood emergency services were told the 55-year-old man had doused himself in petrol and threatened to hurt himself.

Officers forced their way into the garage just before 3pm, following concerns for the man's wellbeing.
Members of a group opposing a mosque in the NSW Hunter region have branded the local council "traitors" and pledged the fight is "not over" after councillors voted in favour of its development application.

In a tense meeting at Cessnock City Council on Wednesday night, which was watched over by police, councillors voted 6 - 4 in favour of the mosque and funeral home in the rural area of Buchanan, near Kurri Kurri.

Nathan Paterson holds his fist in the air in a rally against Buchanan Mosque in Cessnock in 2015. Credit:Perry Duffin

The mosque's opponents immediately took to social media to decry the decision and some promoted violence against both the planned place of worship and the council chambers.

"Sounds like the council chambers might need a bomb," one man wrote on an anti-mosque Facebook page, while three separate people proposed setting the mosque on fire.
The police forward commander managing the Lindt siege was never going to send officers into the cafe until someone was killed as he feared the gunman had a backpack bomb.

This revelation from the commander at an inquest on Wednesday appears to contradict other evidence he has given before and since.

It came on the same day that he accepted two hostages and the gunman "lost their lives because of me".
A Sydney man could face up to 10 years jail after being charged with being a member of a listed terrorist group.

Kurdish journalist Renas Lelikan did not apply for bail when he appeared via video link in Parramatta Local Court today and will remain behind bars until his matter returns to court next week.

The 38-year-old was arrested following raids in Sydney's north yesterday and charged over his alleged membership of Kurdish separatist group the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

The Kurdish separatist group has been active in the fight against Islamic State.

The court heard federal police seized more than 2000 emails and attached photos during raids yesterday in North Sydney and Dee Why, and need time to translate them.
The Howards, who bought Keinbah in December 2013, discovered the first evidence of a mass grave in mid-2015, sparking the Steirn inquiry, after having previously called on the regulator to investigate persistent rumours. The greyhound graveyard in the Hunter Valley. In the statement Mr Howard said he and his wife, who are not implicated in the Steirn report, were relieved at the findings. "It has been over two years since Greyhound Racing NSW, the government regulator, was made aware of the potential [of] finding of a grave on our property," he said. Buried greyhounds in the Hunter.

"The stress over the past two years has been horrendous and when GRNSW, the government regulator, was contacted, it went unanswered." "When they did answer we were advised not to speak out or we would be suspended or shut down," he said. "We feel we were gagged." Mr Howard said the government was "blaming the participants for their failings in regulating the industry". "Over the last year the industry has embraced change," he said. "Nothing matters more to us than the welfare of our dogs and the integrity of our industry." "We have not been issued with the final investigation report so therefore we can't comment any further on the matter.

"But, we will say, stop blaming the 95 per cent of good participants in our industry for the government's failings." Greyhound Racing NSW interim chief executive Paul Newson said it is understandable that the Howards are frustrated at the time taken to fully investigate. This was "especially in light of the findings announced today, and following a number of earlier inquiries conducted by GRNSW which did not result in the excavation of the alleged mass graves identified on their property." "The very purpose of the Steirn investigation that I put in place after credible evidence was identified that there may have been a significant number of skeletal remains at the property was to find out if we should excavate the Howards' property and whether or not evidence provided to the earlier inquiries was false or misleading," Mr Newson said. "The Howards should be commended for their persistence and diligence in making sure the mass graves now identified by the Steirn investigation have been made public. This supports the view that the vast majority of greyhound racing participants have integrity and care deeply about their dogs."

What the original inquiry heard Greyhound Racing NSW has also revealed that the Steirn report recommends it consider taking action against witnesses at an earlier inquiry for "allegedly providing false or misleading evidence". In its statement, GRNSW notes that the report states it is "probable" that most of the dogs were killed for reasons other than emergency euthanasia and that this was "the reason advanced by material witnesses" at an earlier inquiry. The man who managed or assisted in the day-to-day running of the Keinbah track for the period in which the Steirn report found the dogs were killed and buried, Tom Pullman, conceded to an earlier inquiry that he had shot dogs because they were injured. He also said that he buried no more than 16 dogs on the property.

The inquiry by investigator William Beekman heard Mr Pullman's evidence in February 2014 and it was published the next month as part of his report. The Beekman report - which did not find evidence of a mass grave of greyhounds at Keinbah - said that in his evidence Mr Pullman was "at best ... vague in his responses and had to be prompted and reminded of his previous answers". One year later, in January 2015, Mr Pullman and his wife Helen were announced as the male and female trainer of the year by the Singleton Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association. The following April, Michael Wayne Brown, the owner of Keinbah from 2008 to 2010, a former Greyhound Racing NSW board member and Mrs Pullman's brother, told the Newcastle Herald allegations of a mass grave on the site were a "beat up". Mr Brown sold the track to his daughter, Kayla Spliet - a former employee of Greyhound Racing NSW - and her husband Cory Spliet, in 2010. They onsold the property in December 2013 to the Howards.

Ms Spliet told the Beekman inquiry that she had no knowledge of any dogs dying on the property apart from her pet dog. The Beekman report found her evidence was "barely credible". Mr Pullman and Ms Spliet have been contacted for comment. Owners association says 'zero tolerance' The chief executive of NSW Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association, Brenton Scott, said the findings "are a great disappointment and confirm that the greyhound industry has issues that must be and are being confronted". "The deaths of any greyhound, without proper reason, is unacceptable and we the industry must maintain a position of zero tolerance. Any position less than this is part of our past, it is not part of our future," he said.
Graham Anthony George Sloane  the man accused of murdering Newcastle woman Renee Mitchell and dumping her body in a suburban park  told detectives: "I hope you catch the motherf---er", according to documents tendered in Newcastle Local Court.

"Give me five minutes with him," Mr Sloane said during his police interview.

Renee Mitchell was found dead in a park on November 11, 2014.

"You could look away and I'll cut his head off.

"Without any hesitation at all.
NSW Liberal powerbroker Michael Photios has had his licence suspended for three months after being caught drink-driving.

The former state MP pleaded guilty in May to low-range drink-driving after blowing .051 when his car was stopped by police in Rose Bay in Sydney's eastern suburbs in March.

Michael Photios was sentenced for low-range drink driving on Wednesday. Credit:Daniel Munoz

Mr Photios, 55, told police he had drunk about five glasses of white wine between 6pm and 8.15pm and eaten light food on the night in question, court documents show.

His black Mercedes sedan was pulled over by police on New South Head Road about 8.35pm. The legal limit is .05 for most fully licensed drivers in NSW.
It was Easter Sunday when teacher and bride-to-be Stephanie Scott decided to drive to work and to prepare some lessons at school in Leeton in the state's Riverina.

The excited 26-year-old was readying herself to marry the love of her life the following Saturday.

She was at Leeton High School on April 5, 2015, to make sure a relief teacher would have all the resources needed while she was on her honeymoon.

But the bubbly drama and English teacher would never return home.
Street Swags founder Jean Madden has agreed to hand back control of the charity's website, email and bank accounts to the board of directors, a day after she was charged with fraud.

The court order came as the former Young Australian of the Year finalist claimed the proceedings were an attempt to "assassinate my character" and the company had been "hijacked".

It's alleged Jean Madden took control of the Street Swags website and emails over the weekend after being sacked in May. Credit:Melissa Adams

The 36-year-old was on Tuesday charged with dishonestly causing detriment to the charity.

It's alleged she took control of the charity's website and emails over the weekend after being sacked as CEO in May, following accusations she misappropriated $441,000 from the organisation.
White Ribbon has distanced itself from a Queensland MP who linked himself to the domestic violence organisation while promoting anti-abortion views.

The Liberal National Party's Cleveland MP Mark Robinson last week referred to himself as a "White Ribbon man" in a Facebook post discussing a bill from independent MP Rob Pyne's bill to decriminalise abortion in Queensland.

Cleveland MP Mark Robinson.

Mr Robinson said he pledged to never ignore domestic violence, saying that he could not support the proposed reform because it "removes protections for women against violent partners who are forcing them to abort the babies they want to keep".

White Ribbon this week rejected any link to the MP and clarified it supports a woman's "fundamental human right" to choose.
It's not every day a successful entrepreneur steps in to buy a $2.5 million building, then leases it to you for just $5 a year for the next half-century.

Yet that was the almost unbelievable situation Melbourne social enterprise Streat found itself in after Flight Centre co-founder Geoff Harris read a story in The Age in November 2012.

Trainees Sam, Nina and Adam outside Streat's new headquarters. Credit:Jason South

The entrepreneur, also a major investor in Boost Juice and the Fonda chain of Mexican eateries, initially got in touch with the youth homelessness charity to offer his services as a business mentor.

But, impressed by Streat's model of using business ventures to fund hospitality training for struggling youth, he eventually went much further.
Gavin Queit was incensed shortly after the Bastille Day attack in Nice when he heard a television commentator declare there was nothing anyone could do to stop a large truck if its driver wanted to plough through a crowd.

"Nonsense," he said. "Nice was a failure of security planning."

He said a removable barrier that can be bolted to the road at the entrance to any street would not only stop a large lorry; it would all but destroy it.

Mr Queit knows about such things.
Cubic, the company that lost the two-horse race for the new $700 million myki contract, has not given up on getting a piece of the deal and says it still hopes to deliver tap-and-go payment technology to Victoria's public transport users.

The San Diego-based company, which operates London's Oyster card, has just signed an agreement with Transport for London to adapt Oyster's contactless technology to other smart cards.

The new myki contract does not include a requirement to introduce tap-and-go payment technology. Credit:Steve Lightfoot

The deal, announced by Transport for London last week, means other cities can buy Oyster's tap-and-go technology from Cubic.

Tom Walker, the head of Cubic Australia, said the deal could pave the way for myki users to touch on by credit card or smart phone, if the Victorian government was interested.
Recent media coverage of youth crime is "corrosive" and is locking young offenders into a life of crime, a senior Victoria Legal Aid executive has warned.

On the eve of a summit and conference to discuss youth crime, Helen Fatouros, Victoria Legal Aid's executive director of criminal law, said coverage about these offenders was counterproductive.

Youth crime, and the gangs responsible, such as Apex, were drawn into sharp focus after riots at the Moomba festival in March.

"There is some particularly corrosive aspects to the coverage of these sorts of issues which flies in the face of what we know is productive when it comes to youth crime," Ms Fatouros said.
The biggest overhaul in the Queen Victoria Market's 140-year history will entail a major transformation of its most beloved sections and construction of at least two high-rise towers.

The heritage-listed sheds that currently house the souvenir and fruit stalls would be temporarily removed as part of Melbourne City Council's $250 million upgrade, and a sprawling underground services area built.

But the revamp may have hit a significant roadblock in Planning Minister Richard Wynne, who has serious concerns about it.

Under the five-year council plan, to be released on Thursday, the busy fruit and vegetable stalls in the market's lower half near the Deli Hall would be shifted and replaced with restaurants and takeaway stalls.
Two men and a woman were arrested after anti-detention centre protesters blocked off the entry to a Wilson Security car park in Melbourne's CBD on Wednesday morning, with one activist hanging from a high tripod for several hours.

It was the third blockade the Whistleblowers Activists and Citizens Alliance group protesters have created in the city this year, as part of their #boycottwilson campaign.

Activists outside at Wilson Security car park at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, protesting the company's role in refugee detention centres. Credit:Justin McManus

Wilson Security is subcontracted by Broadspectrum (formerly known as Transfield) to provide security services on Australia's offshore detention centres in Nauru and on Manus Island.

Last month protesters targeted Melbourne Central's car park.
Any decision to compensate the taxi industry for lost business to newcomer Uber would be paid for out of the pockets of the general public and should be rejected, an economist's report has found.

The report, commissioned by Uber, says passengers who just want a good service at the best price are unfairly penalised when the taxi industry is compensated by government, while the handouts do nothing to improve service standards.

Taxi licence values peaked at about $550,000 in Victoria more than four years ago. Credit:Angela Wylie

Experienced players in the taxi industry made handsome profits for many years from high licence values and do not deserve compensation merely because their investment has become less profitable, it says.

The report is certain to antagonise Victorian taxi plate owners who have watched the value of their assets plunge, seemingly with no bottom, and who have held several public protests against Uber already, sometimes jamming city traffic.
The consequences of even the tiniest mistake can be huge when land is rezoned.

Especially when that land is in Mont Albert's tree-lined Zetland Road (average house price since 2014: $1.6 million). In Zetland Road it's hard to build anything but a low-rise single residence.

Zetland Road resident Graeme Chipp in front of the house that was wrongly zoned "growth". Credit:Justin McManus

Number 43 was, like most on the street, also meant to have the city's most restrictive zoning on it  nothing above two levels, and no more than two houses per lot.

But when developer APD Projects proposed replacing the large single-storey residence with 17 apartments over four levels, the error by planning bureaucrats who rezoned the street in 2014 became apparent.
He has been an advocate for Margaret River wines forever and a day, so it was only too fitting that James Halliday was awarded the inaugural Cullen Award for Excellence at a gala event in the region last weekend.

Halliday, universally considered the leading wine critic in this country, was on hand to receive the award from Cullen winemaker and owner Vanya Cullen at a black-tie event at the Wilyabrup winery.

James Halliday with Vanya Cullen at the ceremony. Credit:Fabian Haegele

His annual Wine Companion, considered the bible on wineries and wines by aficionados around Australia, has long championed the high quality and consistency of wines from Margaret River and WA.

It was a fact not lost on Ms Cullen, the night's host, who brought together a who's who of the Australian wine industry to honour the inaugural recipient of an award named after her parents Dr Kevin John and Diana Madeline Cullen.
Residents from a Perth southern suburb have condemned a gay hate letter anonymously distributed into their letterboxes on Saturday.

The letter, delivered to homes in Piara Waters, labels homosexual marriage as a "poison pill" and calls for the "gay lobby" to "stop forcing their adult sexuality onto children" through the Safe Schools program.

Excerpts from the letter delivered to homes in Perth's south.

Parents in the suburb took to Harrisdale and Piara Waters Chat Facebook to express their disbelief at the letter's contents.

"I honestly think we have no room in society for such negative hate-filled views. All for a debate, but have well informed views and opinions and use facts," wrote one user.
Students across the state could have their Vocational Education and Training certificate qualifications voided after the regulator found the provider was delivering unauthorised courses.

Carine Senior High School was one of 25 high schools to write to students' families with the news.

In the US, charter schools are publicly funded schools of choice, run in competition with the centralised system. Credit:Rob Young

It said the Australian Institute of Commerce and Technology would cease delivering Certificates I-III in Business, and Certificate I in information digital media and technology, as it was not registered to do so.

"This also means that affected students may be at risk of not fulfilling the requirements to their Western Australian Certificate of Education," the principal wrote to parents.
An Afghan teenager who arrived as a refugee last year told confidants in Germany at the weekend he had lost a close friend in Afghanistan. But who had been killed, and how and where, remains unclear.

The loss seemed to unhinge the 17-year-old, who had been specially selected for foster care because he seemed to be adjusting well to his new life in Germany. His foster family noticed the normally quiet young man appeared agitated and spent a lot of time on his phone.

But when he told them on Monday that he was going out for a bike ride and might be gone for a while, they had no inkling he had left armed with an axe and a knife, determined to carry out a brutal attack in the name of the so-called Islamic State.

Hours later, five people were hospitalised  two of them critically  after the teenager slashed them about the head and torso on a passenger train. The teenager, whom officials did not identify, then fled and attacked a woman walking her dog before he was cornered and killed by police.
Pingtung, Taiwan: Five Taiwanese fishing boats set sail for Taiwan's sole holding in the South China Sea on Wednesday in protest against a court ruling that deems it a rock rather than an island, limiting its rights to surrounding resource-rich waters.

Festooned with Taiwanese flags, the fishing boats, loaded with eggs and instant noodles, left the south coast for a week-long trip to Itu Aba, about 1600 kilometres away.

The move is largely symbolic as Taiwan has occupied Itu Aba, which it calls Taiping, for decades.

Taiwan refuses to recognise last week's ruling in a case lodged by the Philippines at The Hague, which denies China's vast claims to the South China Sea.
The rest of the night was dominated by speakers attacking the presumptive Democratic nominee, repeatedly calling Clinton a liar who had endangered national security. Donald Trump is seen speaking on a screen during the RNC. Credit:Daniel Acker New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a former US prosecutor, led the crowd in a mock trial of Clinton, laying out a series of accusations and asking the crowd: "Is Hillary Clinton guilty or not guilty?" The crowd screamed back, again and again, "Guilty!" Donald Trump with wife Melania after her speech during the opening day of the convention. Credit:AP

Every Republican leader who spoke concentrated their fire on Clinton. "I am here to tell you Hillary Clinton will say anything, do anything, and be anything to get elected president," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a prime-time speech. Chris Christie speaks while others chant. Credit:AP "Hillary has changed her positions so many times it's impossible to tell where conviction ends and ambition begins." Sharon Day, the co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, added, "I want to see a woman be president one day and I want my granddaughters to see a woman president, but I stand before you and say, not that woman - not Hillary Clinton - not today, not now, not ever."

Protestors march through downtown Cleveland on the second day of the RNC. Credit:Getty Images The evening's proceedings followed a day of controversy over Melania Trump's use of passages nearly identical to those used by Michelle Obama's in her 2008 Democratic convention speech, adding to the pressure on two of Trump's children, Tiffany and Donald Trump jnr, who are speaking on Tuesday night. The stumble by the campaign, coming on the heels of other missteps, also undercut Trump's efforts to portray himself a skilled executive and manager. Tuesday night's speakers were left with the task of restoring that image. Party unity More importantly for party unity, Ryan, McConnell and a group of Senate freshmen are taking the stage to make a policy pitch on the importance of taking back the White House.

Ryan has been an unenthusiastic endorser of Trump, given their stark differences on issues such as trade and immigration. Ryan also has been critical of the rhetoric Trump has used during the campaign. On Tuesday, Ryan said the party's differences were "signs of life, signs of a party that's not just going through the motions" while Clinton is offering "a third Obama term". McConnell has been more measured than Ryan in his criticism of the nominee. But McConnell has also repeatedly urged the billionaire to run a more serious campaign and avoid insulting minorities and attacking his fellow Republicans. Both spent more time tonight prosecuting the case against Clinton and congressional Democrats than touting the virtues of their own nominee. Ryan also touted his own agenda, while McConnell pointed to the fight over the Supreme Court with the vacancy opened up by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

Vulnerable Republicans Most of the party's senators who are facing tough re-elections aren't attending the convention. But one, Senate Homeland Security Chairman Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, reversed earlier plans to skip the event for the opportunity to speak in prime time. Johnson, like Trump a businessman who entered politics later in life, accused Clinton of lying repeatedly. "If we can't trust her to tell us the truth, how can we possibly trust her to lead America?" he asked, accusing her of lying about Benghazi and backing a failed policy of "peace through withdrawal", leading to the rise of Islamic State and terrorist attacks around the globe. "Our future hangs in the balance. We must unify, work tirelessly, and together, save this great nation," he said.

National security and Clinton are the two subjects that have most unified Republicans this week. "It doesn't have to be like this - we shouldn't have to live in fear," Johnson said. Roll-call After Republican leaders squashed efforts to change the convention's rules, driving a stake into the #NeverTrump movement on Monday, the formal roll-call on the floor went off with Trump triumphant. Trump jnr announced the votes that put his father over the top.

"It's not a campaign any more; it's a movement," he said from the convention floor. "Speaking to real Americans, giving them a voice again, and it's my honour to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight with 89 delegates. Congratulations, Dad, we love you!" But the roll-call also showed the divisions in the party, with the District of Columbia delegation's stated votes for Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Ohio Governor John Kasich wiped out and replaced by votes for Trump under the rules. Kasich has refused to attend the convention while giving interviews continuing to slam Trump's rhetoric. End of #NeverTrump? On the floor, the anti-Trump movement ended with a whimper.

Dissident Kendall Unruh said she realised it became too late in the process to mount a successful challenge to Trump and put another name in contention. She said delegations were registering small displays of displeasure that she said were in protest at what she called an erroneous count of delegate votes. "He made sure this one was rigged," Unruh said of Trump. "The fact that he called the system rigged meant he was projecting onto others what he himself does," she told reporters on the convention floor. "He's going to do whatever it takes for the system to be rigged enough to win." Loading And win he did.
A Minnesota man convicted of extorting thousands of dollars from a Wisconsin man, the man getting threatened with violence at the hands of a motorcycle gang if he didn't pay, has been sentenced to over five years in federal prison.

Gregory Kolk, 35, Oakdale, Minn., was sentenced to five years, three months in prison by U.S. District Judge James Peterson in federal court in Madison on Tuesday.

Kolk pleaded guilty to a charge of extortion in April.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Kolk and co-defendant Cassandra Doerr, 22, made threatening phone calls and sent threatening text messages to the victim in Trempealeau County, in late November.

"In the communications, they demanded the victim pay substantial amounts of money to Doerr, in order to avoid injury or death at the hands of members of a motorcycle gang," the release said.

The unidentified victim initially gave money but then contacted law enforcement, resulting in the arrest of Kolk and Doerr in December, when they went to pick up money from the victim.

Doerr was sentenced to time served, just over four months, because Peterson said Kolk influenced her to participate in the extortion scheme. They were both dating at the time.

Both will also have three years of supervised release, and were ordered to pay $5,500 each in restitution.
Cleveland: If he wins the presidency, Republican nominee Donald Trump will seek to purge the federal government of officials appointed by US President Barack Obama and could ask Congress to pass legislation making it easier to fire public workers, Trump ally Chris Christie has said.

Mr Christie, who is governor of New Jersey and leads Mr Trump's White House transition team, said the campaign was drawing up a list of federal government employees to fire if Mr Trump defeats Hillary Clinton in the November 8 presidential election.

"As you know from his other career, Donald likes to fire people," Mr Christie told a closed-door meeting with dozens of donors at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, according to an audio recording obtained by Reuters and two participants in the meeting.

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
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The Hague Netherlands:---On July 19th, 2016 the Director and acting Director welcomed the Minister Councillor at the Belgian Embassy in The Hague, Mrs. Emmanuelle De Foy, to the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary .

The Director of the Cabinet, Mr. Perry Geerlings, gave a brief synopsis of the role Sint Maarten plays within the Kingdom since obtaining its autonomous status. He also explained the (supporting) diplomatic role the Cabinet plays here in The Hague and Brussels. Whilst direct diplomatic ties between Belgium and Sint Maarten are initially all coordinated via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands, through our Directorate of Foreign Relations (DBB) diplomatic relations can be established directly for instance via bilateral agreements.

Mr. Geerlings emphasized on the special (geographical) position of Sint Maarten in the Caribbean basin and the huge potential we have as a young nation. It is important for the process of nation building to build international alliances and partnerships going along the way.

The Minister Councillor was very much interested in the coexistence of two countries sharing one Island. Both the Minister Councillor and the Director agreed that our both countries show some similarities and both historically share relations with the Netherlands .

The primary purpose of Mrs. De Foys visit was to seek the support of Sint Maarten in the upcoming Universal Postal Union (UPU) election. Belgium who will be vying for a seat on both the Council of Administration as well as on the Operations Council of the UPU.

During the elections on the UPU Congress that will be held from September 19th to the 7th of October 2016 in Istanbul, the Belgian government would like to put forward the following arguments to obtain a seat in both councils.

Firstly that Belgium, although not being a member of either Councils, has played an active role during the cycles of the UPU. Furthermore that Belgium was a member of the Postal Operations Council where they chaired the third commission Physical Services and were therefore a member of the Management Committee of the POC.

Should Belgium be given a mandate within the Council of Administration, it would be represented there by it regulatory body, i.e. the Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT).

This will entail that Belgium would at International level, BIBT collaborate with the UPU, the European Council (EC) and the foreign regulatory authorities for postal services, among other areas.

The Netherlands, by means of a Diplomatic Note, has expressed its intent to support Belgium in its quest. Similar meetings as the one held at the Cabinet, were held with the representatives in The Hague of Curacao and Aruba.

In discussing their respective Postal Services the Director further informed Mrs. de Foy that the postal services in Sint Maarten has been developing steadily and innovating itself but that the strengthening of our services might be a subject matter we would further like to discuss once Belgium is elected into office.

The Director expressed his vision and hopes to see a tightening of the relationship between Belgium and Sint Maarten in areas such as, the field of agriculture, where Belgium has an international reputation where it comes to the development of tropical edible plant species in Africa and Suriname. It is agreed that both the Cabinet of Sint Maarten and the Trade attache at the Belgian Embassy will continue to discuss this matter.

Mr. Geerlings furthermore discussed possibilities of (Higher) education for Sint Maarten students in Belgium. Belgium is known for its excellent universities but also for their affordable tuition fees. The level of education provided in Belgium is of high standards and in comparison to the rest of Europe. This the Director commented, would further be discussed with the relevant departments in Sint Maarten.

Mrs. De Foy, at the closing of this meeting expressed her pleasure of being informed about Sint Maarten and said in parting that she does look forward to closer working relations in the various areas discussed.

A follow up meeting to delve even more in-depth into the areas of possible collaboration has been set , at which point all parties involved will be informed of any progress made in the forging of alliances.

The Director thanked the Minister Councillor for her visit and assured her that the sentiments of her country would be conveyed to the Government of Sint Maarten.
PHILIPSBURG: --- It is the people of St. Maarten who are continuing to suffer while the heated debate over who is most responsible for the current Gebe woes continues between the National Alliance and the United People Party, notes leader of the One St. Maarten People Party Lenny Priest who opined that workable solutions are what the country needs and not high school antics from elected officials.

Priest was reacting to recent media statements on the situation at Gebe from the board of the NA who alleged it seems every time that government or government owned companies needs to make a significant purchase some family or friend is involved in some way or the other and to statements by the UP alleging that it was the NA who stopped the purchase of the engine needed by Gebe.

This constant back and forth between the largest political parties over what has happened at Gebe under their tenure with accusations of nepotism and the like levied against each other is in no way a solution to the problem. The people want to know when will this engine(s) needed by Gebe be purchased and more importantly how soon can we expect to see a permanent end to all this load shedding, outages because of fire, etc. that we are beleaguered with and which affects every facet of the community.

All we have heard so far from our elected officials is constant bickering and apparently everybody is responsible, but no one is proposing solutions. The consumers of Gebe deserve better than high school antics from their elected officials and we call on the government to treat the business of the country seriously, Priest said in a press release.

The high cost of living, new jobs creation, an apparent surge in criminal activities and the lack of affordable homes are among pertinent matters cited by Priest which also require immediate attention from government along with the continuing concerns at Gebe. The OSPP leader further questions why-- given that the company has millions of dollars in surplus and is said to be considering a loan to governmentif the money is not an issue why has the needed engine not been purchased to solve the problems being experienced at the power plant?

Why is it that a government owned company that has millions of dollars in surplus cannot to this day purchase a needed engine that will allow it to provide better service to its consumers? And with all these millions of dollars in surplus, why hasnt government at the very least instructed Gebe to offer lower rates to the schools on the island instead of them paying the same rates that businesses are paying? Or to use some of that money to install solar panels on all the schools thereby reducing the cost of electricity and saving some money for the schools? If the schools operational cost is minimized these savings could be trickled down to parents in the form of lower school fees. Or what about allowing Gebe to be a responsible cooperate citizen by instituting a program to install solar panels on all the schools. This would result in a tremendous savings to the schools and this savings can once again reduce the school fees. The NA and the UP bread are buttered on both sides so they are not pressed to offer a solution for the ordinary people who continue to suffer while they continue to bicker, but dont worry because help is on its way, the OSPP leader promised.
Man in custody responsible for defacing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Sunset Avenue in Venice

LAPD have apprehended the man responsible for defacing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Sunset Avenue in Venice

The Los Angeles District Attorney's office believes they have apprehended the man responsible for defacing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall on Sunset Avenue in Venice.

Before the Memorial Day weekend, graffiti appeared on the wall, which has become an icon for the Venice and West Los Angeles neighborhoods regarding the service and sacrifice given to the United States by those in the armed services. The mural bears the title "You Are Not Forgotten" and lists the names of 2,273 soldiers who are counted as either prisoners of war or missing in action from the Vietnam War. It was painted in 1992 by artist Peter Stewart, who was inspired by a welcoming parade for Operation Desert Storm veterans.

The graffiti damage to the memorial mural stretched about 100 feet. "We were initially hopeful that the graffiti could be removed without damaging the memorial, but Metro's contractor says the damage is too extensive," reported Metro CEO Phil Washington. The mural is painted on the side of a Metro building. Washington's statement went to explain that the transit authority would "work with the community to gather historical photos so the wall can be restored."

The suspected tagger, Angel Castro, 24, was arrested on July 13. He's plead not guilty to one felony count of vandalism over $400. Castro has previously been convicted of robbery in 2015. Prosecutors will ask that bail be set at $85,000.

If convicted as charged, Castro could face up to six years in prison.

Volunteers helped cleanup the Vietnam War memorial wall in Venice after it was vandalized with graffiti.

If convicted as charged, Castro could face up to six years in prison.

The memorial, located on a black wall along Pacific Avenue, was painted by a Vietnam veteran in 1992 and has 2,273 names on it. It declares "You are not forgotten," which was covered up by the graffiti. Citizens all the way from Lancaster and other areas came together to repaint the phrase over the markings and cleanup the graffiti.

Venice is a residential, commercial and recreational beachfront neighborhood on the Westside of the city of Los Angeles.

Venice was founded in 1905 as a seaside resort town. It was an independent city until 1926, when it merged with Los Angeles. Today, Venice is known for its canals, beaches, and the circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half-mile pedestrian-only promenade that features performers, mystics, artists and vendors.
PHOTO ADVISORY: Rudy Giuliani, Former New York City Mayor, and BlackBerry CEO John Chen Discuss the State of Security in an Increasingly Mobile-Driven World

NEW YORK, NEW YORK  (Marketwired)  07/19/16  BLACKBERRY SECURITY SUMMIT 

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire and through the AP Photo Network via Marketwired.

Rudy Giuliani, former New York City Mayor, joined BlackBerry CEO John Chen at the companys annual Security Summit to discuss the state of security in an increasingly mobile-driven world. The prevalence of cybercrime is increasing exponentially and threatens both the reputation as well as the financial and economic stability of people, corporations and governments globally.

At the Security Summit, Giuliani reinforced the need to create solutions that combat the growing number of cyber threats emerging around the world, and how these threats are impacting commercial and national security globally. Giuliani also spoke to the continued importance BlackBerry will have in the security of global information and communications systems as the companys solutions offer the world the opportunity to surround cyber threat problems. He recalled his experience with 9/11, and the role BlackBerry played to keep people connected in a time of crisis, saving lives and enabling him to restore command centers to manage the crisis and how this influenced his mission to keep people safe as we move into an increasingly digital and interconnected world.

To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link:

Image Available:

Contacts:

BlackBerry Media Relations

(519) 597-7273
New Study Reveals Marketers Face Significant ROI Measurement Challenges Even With Widespread Use of Martech and Adtech

BOSTON, MA  (Marketwired)  07/20/16 

U.S. marketers single greatest challenge is creating and quantifying marketing ROI across channels

78% of U.S. marketers feel that understanding marketing technologies have become critically important to their success

Nearly half of U.S. marketers intend to leverage customer insights software over the next 12 months  a 10% increase from today

According to a , 78% of U.S. marketers identify understanding marketing technologies as a skill that is becoming increasingly important for senior marketers. Along with marketing technology expertise, 65% of U.S. marketers identify being data literate and understanding digital media (72%) as mission-critical skills in todays digital-first world.

This data is from a new global report released today by DataXu, a , which surveyed more than 500 senior marketers at major U.S. and European brands to better understand how marketing technologies are transforming marketing departments roles and responsibilities.

The report makes it clear that the widespread adoption of a variety of marketing technologies by U.S. and global marketers is accompanied by both positives and pitfalls:

41% of global marketers and 37% of U.S. marketers surveyed believe the single biggest marketing challenge facing their organization is creating the most efficient marketing mix possible across channels to drive results.

23% of global marketers surveyed say their teams are stretched too thin due to managing too many marketing technology platforms/vendors simultaneously; some marketers work with 10 or more vendors and/or platforms across the martech and adtech landscape.

One-third of global marketers cite poor visibility into metrics on whether or not their marketing is working, and difficulty proving that one marketing channel works better than another channel, as the largest current threats to their teams success.

Whats clear from this study is that globally, marketers are charged with the success of their businesses more than ever before, said Ed Montes, Chief Revenue Officer, DataXu. The promise of marketing and advertising technology has created an expectation of improved marketing effectiveness, but to deliver on that promise requires education and partnership around cross-channel optimization and customer analytics.

DataXus new report also highlights planned increases in marketing technology investments over the next 12 months. 46% of U.S. marketers intend to leverage customer insight analytics in 2017, up from 36% today, while the number of U.S. marketers implementing programmatic marketing in 2017 is slated to increase by 10%.

As marketers combat a fragmented consumer view, the use of analytical software becomes the crucial next step in achieving a 360-degree view of the customer, adds Montes. Marketers note a lack of visibility into the effectiveness of their marketing mix as a serious challenge, and theres only room for improvement in attributing success across a marketing plan.

DataXus report, Modernizing The Mix: Transforming Marketing Through Technology and Analytics, can be downloaded .

This research was carried out by market research specialists Morar on behalf of programmatic marketing and analytics platform DataXu in collaboration with Withpr. An online survey of 29 questions was completed by a total of 532 senior marketers; 50 were based in each of three Continental Europe countries (Germany, Italy, Spain); 52 were based in France, and 174 in the U.S. and 156 in the UK. The survey defines senior marketers as decision makers who manage annual marketing budgets of approximately USD $750,000 or more. This research was carried out in May 2016.

DataXus mission is to make marketing better using data science. The worlds top brands and agencies use DataXu to better understand and engage customers across all devices and media formats. Our solution provides marketers with unparalleled Media Activation, Marketing Analytics and Data Management capabilities. With sixteen offices in eleven countries, DataXus full-stack solution is powering the digital transformation of the worlds most valuable brands.

Melisa Fati

Withpr

+44 207 249 7769

Alexa Harrison

DataXu

+1 781 733 7916
A grandmother and her grandchildren were robbed at gunpoint early Wednesday morning during a home invasion in the town of Viroqua, while the parents of the kids were away from home.

The robbery was reported at about 12:20 a.m. at a residence on West Smith Road, the Vernon County Sheriff's Office said.

The parents of the children, owners of the residence, were out of the area, so grandma was watching the kids while they were away.

Nobody was hurt in the robbery, which netted the robbers a safe with an undisclosed amount of money inside, an iPad mini and several X-Box games.

The suspect fled the area before deputies arrived.

The Westby, Viroqua and Readstown Police Departments and a police bloodhound from La Crosse County assisted at the scene.

The suspects included two white males and one black male, all wearing dark clothing and masks during the home invasion.

Sheriff John Spears said the robbery appeared to be an isolated incident targeting the victims, and that the public was not in danger.

Anyone with information about the home invasion is asked to call the Sheriff's Office, 637-2123, or Crime Stoppers, 637-8477.

The incident remains under investigation.
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As the country is engaged in a national debate about law enforcement, dozens turned out Tuesday to the Madison City Council to voice their thoughts on a petition expressing support for the citys police department.

To a packed council chambers, dozens of officers, community leaders and citizens weighed in on a petition that expressed support for the Madison Police Department, while making several demands of city officials. Mayor Paul Soglin referred the petition to the Mayors Office to be reviewed and discussed further.

The petition, which received more than 1,700 signatures, calls for a number of actions, including for the Common Council and Soglin to refute baseless charges of racism against our police department, to reverse $400,000 in funding for a study of the police department and for the city to invest more in addressing crime and a growing gang problem.

Despite the current climate of disdain for law enforcement, they willingly work with Madisons various communities, serving as social workers as well as law enforcement officers, the petition said about Madison Police officers.

People opposing the petition said it tries to silence criticism of the police, and instead they advocated for the review of the department.

Several said they realize how difficult officers jobs are but said that racial disparities in arrests of people of color need to be addressed.

Ill be the first one to admit, it takes a type of bravery I cant even fathom to put on the uniform of a police officer, Sarah Chodorow said. I think it takes a different kind of bravery to take a step back and take a long hard look at the way the system youre working in is doing things and acknowledge that there might be a problem.

Supporters of the petition, among them several police officers, argued there is a lot of good work done by the department that goes unnoticed.

Some also hailed the department as being a good example of community policing and others thought a review of the department was unnecessary.

Dan Frei, president of the Madison Professional Police Officers Association, encouraged citizens to get to know officers. He said the conversation about law enforcement should be steered away from an us against them mentality.

Just because youre for something, doesnt mean you have to be against something else, Frei said.

In the past months, the city has been roiled by issues involving crime and law enforcement.

A spate of gun violence in spring resulted in three homicides. That was followed by a heated June 7 council meeting where members approved $400,000 for a study into the police department, which Police Chief Mike Koval had criticized in a blog post a few days earlier.

Video of the forceful arrest of 18-year-old Genele Laird on June 21 was followed by the officer-involved shooting of William Michael Schumacher on June 30.Madison Police detective Angela Kamoske said she would welcome the review to demonstrate what officers are doing well and to provide examples of where they can improve.

Sue Pastor, a professor at Edgewood College, said the petition could have a chilling effect on dissent and would not make the community safer.

It denies realities other than the realities of those folks who signed it, Pastor said about the petition.

Several times people on both sides of the issue vocally expressed support for or jeered speakers, prompting Soglin to pound the gavel.

Ald. Barbara Harrington-McKinney, District 1, asked for the attendees to respect each other and the decorum of the council.

Freedom of speech is critically important, Harrington-McKinney said. Every voice needs to be heard. Ill die on the sword for that.
Vancouver-based fitness vlogger Navpreet Banga is currently on news feeds all around the world, because she looks eerily similar to Bollywood actor

Priyanka Chopra.

The fitness freak, also talks like the Bollywood actor, once you hear her in bit-videos on her Instagram feed.

Navpreet routinely puts out pictures, videos on Instagram under the handle browngirllifts, and you have to admit the girl is bloody good at what she does, said Indian media.

There's a lot on the Internet on this fit, confident beauty, yet not enough. She lifts weights, she's a vlogger (video blogger), and loves to eat and cook healthy. Banga has an almost one-year-old YouTube channel where she posts regularly on weight-lifting techniques, the right way to work out, and healthy, nutritious recipes, along with some fun personal Q&A videos, wrote one commentator.

Wait till you see Banga in her Kashi Bai (Chopra's chracter in "Bajirao Mastani") avatar. She is well-aware of the fact that she's Chopra's look-alike, and she doesn't shy away from flaunting it, wrote another.

Banga, 21, originally from Chandigarh, India, moved to Canada when she was in grade four. She can speak English, Hindi and Punjabi and loves to stay fit. Looking at her recent videos, looks like the acting bug has bitten this girl!

We wonder what Chopra has to say about this girl.
Yoga has offered the Indian state unprecedented opportunities for global, media-savvy political performance. In recent years, the nation has made international headlines by creating a national ministry for yoga.

It has promoted yoga tourism; staged mass yoga practices and Indian officials have even proposed yoga as a national solution to an astonishing range of social problems, from reducing rape to curing cancer.

AYUSH, the Indian ministry responsible for yoga, has recently gotten into the music business, releasing Yog Geet as the official song for this years International Day of Yoga, reported Quartz.

But, as yoga has gone global, the cultural meanings of yoga have spiralled far and wide. While Indian politicians have suggested that yoga will tame rates of sexual assault, US lawmakers have tried to ban yoga pants under indecent exposure laws. Yog Geet will have to compete internationally with dozens of yoga-inspired albums in the West.

Yogas global popularity is useful for the Indian state, which uses it to employ soft power. But this popularity can be a double-edged sword. Identifying yoga as Indian may increasingly be an uphill battle.

In the ongoing battle over the question of who owns yoga, one of the most interesting trends has been the emerging voice of the Indian diaspora. Artists and writers of Indian ancestry are offering new and often provocative points of view on yogas origins, its meanings, and its cultural work in a globalizing world.

The Indian-American artist Chiraag Bhakta, who goes by the pseudonym of *Pardon My Hindi, has made visually stunning installations about yoga. These works invite viewers to reflect on the racial and economic hierarchies of globalising yoga.

His 2009 artwork #WhitePeopleDoingYoga formed part of a recent Smithsonian Museum exhibition on yoga and visual culture. It collects decades of magazine covers, posters, and pictures of yoga in the West. Covering a towering wall, these images loom over the viewerasking us to contemplate how small images become part of larger patterns of cultural power.

In #WhitePeopleDoingYoga, stereotypes of South Asia as an otherworldly place abound. Deities both exotic and available for Western use press in on the viewer. So do histories of Western commercialisation. Viewers of #WhitePeopleDoingYoga are asked to think about who has made money from the global popularity of yogaand who has not.

Pardon My Hindi writes in his artists statement accompanying the piece:

In the end, I feel compelled to draw parallels with industrial colonization by the same dominant voice that is now adding another conquest to its collection. Meet the new founders of YOGA.

Yet not all of the Indian diaspora has been quite as critical of the circuits of globalisation and consumerism that have brought contemporary yoga around the world. Others have, instead, seen that relationship as a source of possibility.

This approach appears in novels like those of the writer Bapsy Jain, whose Indian heroine Lucky uses her training in yoga to find the superpowers she needs to survive a life of global crime and cutthroat capitalism in the US.

Blending chick lit with murder mystery, Jains work presents yoga as a powerful tool for Indian women navigating stormy seas of romance and business. In such fiction, yoga is not so much a practice that opposes consumer culture. Instead, it becomes a practice that helps an individual survive the often-nasty search for profit.

Other writers from the Indian diaspora have sought to use yoga-themed popular fiction as a way to promulgate particular Indian philosophies and mythologies. The writer Mohan Ashtakala, who identifies himself as a Hindu priest based in Canada, recently published an adventure novel in this vein called The Yoga Zapper (2015).

This time-travel adventure dramatises a perfect past where yogis meditated in harmony with the grand principles of the cosmos. This ideal, the author suggests, can be found both in South Asian scriptures and in Western fantasies.

These works from the Indian diaspora all, in their different ways, draw attention to the role of India in shaping yoga. They speak out against the potential exploitation of Indian cultural capital for white Western gain.

They develop their own stories, in which yoga plays a part in a globalised commercial world. And they remind us that the wild worlds of imagination, superpower, and fantasy are part of how India has contributed to the yoga of today.

This article was originally published on The Conversation.
Historic building in downtown LaPorte collapses, investigation ongoing

The owner was doing renovations, but investigators say the work was cosmetic and not structural.
Gov. Scott Walker is giving serious consideration to appointing a Milwaukee lawyer to replace retiring Supreme Court justice David Prosser when he leaves the bench this month, the Wisconsin State Journal has learned.

Daniel Kelly, a longtime lawyer and one of three finalists for the governors appointment to the high court, has emerged as a dark horse possibility for Walker over finalists Mark Gundrum and Thomas Hruz, both state appeals court judges, five Republican sources told the Wisconsin State Journal. Conservatives had been expecting Walker to choose Gundrum.

All five sources who spoke with the State Journal asked not to be identified because they had not spoken directly with the governor about the appointment.

The emergence of Kelly as a possible choice was underscored Wednesday when Rick Esenberg, a prominent voice in conservative circles and president of the conservative legal group Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty, wrote a column published on the conservative website RightWisconsin about why Walker might choose Kelly over two sitting judges.

Kelly, Grundrum and Hruz were named by Walkers office as the three finalists for a seat on the states highest court earlier this month.

Were not going to engage in the guessing game, said Tom Evenson, Walkers spokesman, in an email when asked whether Kelly was Walkers choice. Youll know who the governor selects when we announce it.

Kelly declined to comment. Gundrum said he had not heard anything and Hruz declined to comment through an office assistant.

The governor has said he will make the appointment before Prosser leaves the court on July 31.

While he has a lengthy resume as a lawyer handling commercial litigation, Kelly has not served as a judge, which could make him a more unconventional choice.

Kelly, founder of the Rogahn Kelly law firm, also is president of the Milwaukee chapter of the conservative Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy Studies and former vice president and general counsel for the Kern Family Foundation, which has donated money to Republican candidates and causes.

He also acted as an adviser to Justice Rebecca Bradley during her tough election bid against state appeals court judge JoAnne Kloppenburg earlier this year.

Kelly, like Bradley, wrote a column published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in 2008 that urged candidates for the states highest court not to sign a so-called clean-campaign pledge pushed by the state bar association.

Bradley, Kelly and Milwaukee attorneys Don Daugherty and David Simon said in the column that a pledge put forward by the State Bar of Wisconsins Judicial Campaign Integrity Committee shouldnt be signed by candidates because it infringes on free speech.

In his column outlining Kellys qualifications, Esenberg noted Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson  who served as chief justice for nearly 19 years  had not previously been a judge before she was appointed to the court in 1976.

He is known as a lawyers lawyer  one who thinks deeply about the law as a discipline and about its role  and limits  in resolving economic and social problems, Esenberg said of Kelly.

This ability to engage in sophisticated legal reasoning is by far the most important qualification for the Court whether it is found in a sitting judge or practicing lawyer.
John Mathis ideas might seem alien to some. For an astronomer and a volunteer, however, he certainly landed in the right place.

Mathis was recently interviewed in the colored-quilt-walled apartment he and his wife, Carol, share in Oakwood Village, where they have lived the past 10 years. As Mathis described his unusually active life as a volunteer  and now, an honored volunteer  Carol (she is the quilt-maker) sat on a sofa deftly knitting. He deferred to her memory often, and she smiled every time.

Mathis brought his growing family to Madison in 1959, lured here because Michigan State University did not have an astronomy department and UW-Madison did and it was a very good one, he said. A theoritician, Mathis move turned out fruitful, for both sides. Five children and a 36-year career at the university  not counting the extra decade up to 2006 as a research-busy emeritus  later, Mathis heard of a volunteer teaching spot that sounded like fun.

So he became an accredited volunteer for the Childrens Dyslexia Center, at the Madison Masonic Center. Then he volunteered to help prisoners learn to read. He is also a forest ranger, of sorts, keeping Oakwoods forested area free of buckthorn and other invasive species.

At 85, Mathis in April was given the Tutor of the Year award by Wisconsin Literacy, which noted he had given 1,500 hours of one-to-one tutoring sessions and double that on his own time writing individual lesson plans. But he has been at this sort of thing for a long time. On the topic of time, the astrophysicist whose expertise extends to black holes and interstellar dust, the Milky Way and Comet Kohoutek, would probably say its all relative. After all, in 1981, he and two UW-Madison astronomy colleagues were credited with discovering the biggest known star in the universe (R136a, since determined to be a collection of stars), and he once donated a kidney (2007) because he had read that there was a shortage. It went to a woman in Michigan, named Dawn, I think.

A Dallas native, Mathis has a bachelors degree in physics from MIT and a Ph.D. in astronomy from the California Institute of Technology.

Youve been here a long time, why did you stay? Whats so great about Madison?

UW has had a real good astronomy department, its collegial, we all liked and respected one another. A stimulating atmosphere here in Madison, the arts are here. Ive had a great time here. Madison has an influence; you can make a difference here.

You had no background in teaching reading. Why and how dyslexia?

Another resident here knew of the program and dyslexic training in general. I liked to teach. The course was user friendly. Dylexia is all about this amazing plastic organ called the brain. Its common for a dyslexic student to be considered a pariah.

The learning is a gradual process. The most important thing I try to teach is not how to read, not how to spell, but to tell the kid youre not stupid. Kids like to hear that. Get past those barriers and let them know their right brain is ready to fire.

You and Carol in the mid- to late 1960s were temporary infant foster parents, 16 infants and children waiting for adoption, while you were raising your five children?

Yes. We like kids and we sure liked babies. We saw there was a need. And if there is a need for something you like to do, thats great. Holding a newborn is a wonderful thing. There is nothing like the gurgle of a laughing baby.

Can you put your career as an expert in astrophysics and astronomy in context?

Sure. Stars are simple. People are complicated.

Your first job growing up in Dallas?

I worked for the Marigold Petroleum Co. research lab, which was trying to find out if you have oil 5,000 feet underground, is there any hint of it near the surface, traces of hydrocarbons. So I dug post holes, for which there were no posts.

What are you reading?

The Science of Interstellar. Its a fine book about the wonder of black holes. Its about how they made a movie about black holes and how hard they had to work to make the science accurate. And I just read Fahrenheit 451. I got through the first Harry Potter, but after that it didnt make sense. The real world is so much more interesting.

 Interview by George Hesselberg
Milwaukee-area runners, teams to watch at girls state cross-country

A look at the top area competitors chasing titles as Saturday's WIAA state girls cross-country championships.
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Three Dodge County boys who went missing and were later found in an abandoned iron mine last week will not face criminal charges for trespassing.

The Neda Mines owners, UW-Milwaukee, decided last week not to press charges, Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt said on Wednesday.

They felt that the boys had learned their lesson and did not wish to go forward with any charges, he said.

Tate Rose and Zachary Heron, both 16, and Samuel Lien, 15, decided to explore the mine on July 10, entering through a small secondary entrance. The boys were reported missing to authorities later that evening.

The mine was abandoned in 1915 and donated to UW-Milwaukee in 1964. Researchers study a colony of about 100,000 bats that winter in the mine, which is located a few miles north of Iron Ridge, about an hour northeast of Madison.

Up to 100 volunteers from public safety agencies around the state, including the Madison and Milwaukee fire departments, assisted in the search for the boys.

An area resident told authorities on July 11 about the secondary entrance, and searchers found a footprint.

The boys were found early that afternoon about a half-mile from where their bikes were found. After emergency medical responders evaluated the boys, who were uninjured except for a few minor bumps and scrapes, they were released to their parents.

The boys used flashlight apps on their phones and a lighter to navigate the mines tunnels but got lost and the devices batteries and the lighter ran out, Schmidt said.

They then hunkered down in one area, sleeping on the tunnel floor in the dark. The mines temperature was about 58 degrees.

Schmidt described the mine as maze-like and said there are roughly four miles of tunnels.
An unmanned Dragon space capsule is seen captured by a robotic arm at the International Space Station as it delivered fresh supplies to the outpost's crew on July 20, 2016.

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have snagged a SpaceX Dragon supply spacecraft, which reached the station today (July 20) after two days spent catching up to the station.

At 6:56 a.m. EDT (1056 GMT), NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, the space station's current commander, used the 57.7-foot (17.6 meters) Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the incoming craft as it rendezvoused with the space station. Williams was assisted by NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi.

Over the next hours, ground controllers will direct the arm from Johnson Space Center in Houston, to install the craft on the Earth-facing side of the space station. Then, the crew will pressurize the area between the craft and the station and open the hatch, and they'll unload the craft over the course of the next five weeks.

The Dragon spacecraft, which launched on a Falcon 9 rocket Monday (July 18), comes packed with nearly 4,000 lbs. (1,800 kilograms) of supplies and hardware for the crew of six on board the space station, along with scientific equipment and research samples for the more than 250 experiments happening in the orbiting lab. (New experiments making their way on board include space's first DNA sequencer, beating heart cells and a spacecraft temperature regulation device.)

See more

An additional massive piece of equipment, adding more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg), is riding along in a separate compartment on Dragon (its "trunk")  the first of two International Docking Adapters that will let crewed spacecraft dock with the station's U.S. segment for the first time since space shuttles visited. (At first, that will include Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and a crewed version of SpaceX's Dragon, but the dock is standardized so that many future vehicles can visit.) NASA will use the robotic arm to pull out the adapter and position it near the port it will go on, and it will be up to spacewalking astronauts to affix it to its new location.

Dragon will detach from the space station on Aug. 29, bringing more than 3,300 lbs. (1,500 kg) of science to analyze and other supplies back to splash down in the Pacific Ocean. Russia's Progress 64 spacecraft  which arrived at the space station Monday night (July 18), several hours after Dragon launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida  will stick around for more than six months, NASA officials have said.

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 moments after liftoff July 18 on a cargo mission to the International Space Station, a capability developed through the use of public-private partnerships like those endorsed by the new platform of the Republican Party.

WASHINGTON  The new platform of the Republican Party includes language supporting the use of public-private partnerships to develop space capabilities, an approach that has been used by administrations of both major political parties.

The platform, formally approved by delegates at the Republican party convention July 18 in Cleveland, also features language supporting "unfettered access" to space and increasing the number of scientific missions.

The 54-page document includes two paragraphs about space in a section about technology policy nearly one page long. One paragraph focuses on the use of public-private partnerships.

"The public-private partnerships between NASA, the Department of Defense, and commercial companies have given us technological progress that has reduced the cost of accessing space and extended America's space leadership in the commercial, civil, and national security spheres," it states. "The entrepreneurship and innovation culture of the free market is revitalizing the nation's space capabilities, saving taxpayer money, and advancing technology critical to maintain America's edge in space and in other fields."

The platform doesn't give specific examples of those partnerships, but NASA has made significant use of them under both the current and previous presidential administrations. NASA started the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program in 2005 to develop spacecraft to transport cargo to the International Space Station. COTS was run as a public-private partnership through the use of funded Space Act Agreements, with companies expected to supplement the NASA funds with their own to support vehicle development.

COTS led to the development of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft, and Orbital Sciences Corp.'s Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft. Both companies won Commercial Resupply Services contracts from NASA to transport cargo to and from the ISS in December 2008, a month before the end of the presidency of George W. Bush.

Under the Obama Administration, NASA adopted a similar approach for commercial crew systems, awarding a series of funded Space Act Agreements to several companies to support vehicle and other technology capabilities. NASA ultimately gave contracts in September 2014 to Boeing and SpaceX for their CST-100 Starliner and Crew Dragon spacecraft.

The following paragraph of the platform offered more general policy guidance for civil and national security space. "To protect our national security interests and foster innovation and competitiveness, we must sustain our preeminence in space by launching more scientific missions, guaranteeing unfettered access, and ensuring that our space-related industries remain a source of scientific leadership and education," it states.

The platform doesn't elaborate on those positions, including what kinds of scientific missions should be launched or how it defines "unfettered access" to space. That passage is similar to language in the party's 2012 platform, which stated, "To preserve our national security interests and foster innovation and competitiveness, we must sustain our preeminence in space, launching more science missions, guaranteeing unfettered access, and maintaining a source of high-value American jobs."

The platform did not include any criticism of the Obama Administration's space policy, such as the cancellation of the Constellation program in 2010. Eileen Collins, the former astronaut who will speak briefly at the convention July 20, did criticize that decision in congressional testimony earlier this year. The document also does not go into details on military space policy, beyond a call to "fund, develop, and deploy a multi-layered missile defense system."

A draft version of the Democratic Party platform, dated July 1, makes no mention of space, but does state that the party supports "ambitious public and private investments in science, technology, and research." The final version of the platform will be approved by delegates at the partys convention the week of July 25 in Philadelphia.

Originally published on Space News.
Alan Stern, principal investigator for NASA's New Horizons probe, which flew by the dwarf planet Pluto on July 14, 2015, holds up the Guinness World Record for the farthest distance ever traveled by a postage stamp. The 1991 29-cent "Pluto: Not Yet Explored" stamp flew 3 billion miles aboard the spacecraft.

When NASA's New Horizons spacecraft flew by the dwarf planet Pluto one year ago this month, the mission set a number of records. The probe was the first to encounter the small world at the edge of our classical solar system, sending back images that revealed Pluto's surface for the first time.

But beyond its own mission of exploration, New Horizons also served as the delivery vehicle for a 1.5-inch by 1-inch (3.8 by 2.5 cm) relic that set a record of its own.

"The official record for the farthest distance traveled by a postage stamp is 3.26 billion miles [5.25 billion km]," said Jimmy Coggins, an official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, at a ceremony held Tuesday morning (July 19) at the United States Postal Service's (USPS) headquarters in Washington, D.C. [Amazing Space and Planet Stamps in Pictures]

"In 2006, NASA placed a 29-cent "Pluto: Not Yet Explored" stamp on board the New Horizons spacecraft on its way to Pluto and beyond," explained Jim Cochrane, USPS chief marketing and sales officer and executive vice president, in a statement. "That historic flyby with Plutotook place last summer  July 14, 2015, to be precise  after New Horizons travelled more than three billion miles in its nine-and-a-half-year journey."

The newly-affirmed record will extend for at least another 1 billion miles (1.6 billion km), as NASA recently announced that the New Horizons mission is journeying beyond Pluto to visit a Kuiper Belt Object (KBO) known as 2014 MU69  considered to be one of the early building blocks of the solar system.

"The New Horizons project is honored to be recognized by Guinness World Records for its achievements," said Alan Stern, the mission's principal investigator at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. "Among my personal favorites are being the fastest spacecraft ever launched, the first mission to explore the Pluto system, the mission that explored the farthest worlds ever visited  and now sending a U.S. postage stamp farthest from Earth!"

USPS and NASA officials join Guinness World Records adjudicator Jimmy Coggins (right) at the U.S. Postal Service's headquarters in Washington, D.C. on July 19, 2016. Also pictured, from left to right: Janet Klug, Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee chair; Glen Fountain, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory; James Green, NASA Director of Planetary Science; Alan Stern, New Horizons principal investigator at the Southwest Research Institute; Megan Brennan, Postmaster General and USPS Chief Executive Officer and James Cochrane, USPS Chief Marketing and Sales Officer and Executive Vice President. (Image credit: USPS/Daniel Afzal)

The 29-cent stamp was issued by the U.S. Postal Service on Oct. 1, 1991 as part of a set of stamps celebrating the robotic exploration of the solar system. Designed by artist Ron Miller, the stamp's artwork was based on the very little information known about Pluto at the time and included the caption, "Not Yet Explored."

"You know it says 'Not Yet Explored,' and I have to say, it was a beautiful stamp. It really inspired us when we were building New Horizons to explore this last of the classical planets," said Stern at Tuesday's record ceremony. "Well, we canceled that stamp last July when we flew by Pluto."

To mark the mission's accomplishment, the USPS issued a new set of stamps, appropriately titled "PlutoExplored!" on May 31. The two stamps feature an artist's rendering of the spacecraft and an image of the dwarf planet as taken by New Horizons.

This is at least the second Guinness World Record set by the New Horizons mission. In 2006, the robotic probe was recognized for achieving the fastest speed at which a craft has departed from Earth, 36,250 mph (58,338 km/h).

To put that into some perspective, it took three days for the Apollo 11 spacecraft to reach the moon 47 years ago this week. New Horizons flew past the moon's orbit in just nine hours.

"When I started to look at the record, over 3 billion miles, I started thinking about the history of the Postal Service," said Coggins. "At one point in the early 1800s, to deliver a letter from the east coast to the west coast of the United States, it took four to seven weeks. In the mid-1850s, with the Pony Express, they found a more direct route and it still took 10 days to get from St. Louis to San Francisco. That is about 190 miles [306 km] a day."

"To think about this distance, 3 billion miles  that is about 131 [thousand] times around the circumference of the Earth and it was delivered in less than 10 years," Coggins said. "If the Pony Express was trying to deliver that far, they would be swapping ponies out for the next 47,000 years before it got there."

Follow collectSPACE.com on Facebook and on Twitter at @collectSPACE. Copyright 2016 collectSPACE.com. All rights reserved.
Artist's illustration of Planet Nine, a hypothesized world about 10 times more massive than Earth that may orbit in the far outer solar system. Doomsayers fears about the putative planet are unfounded, experts stress.

A massive ice giant may be traveling through the outer solar system. Dubbed "Planet Nine," the hypothetical world was proposed to exist after scientists noticed that a handful of objects beyond Pluto had been shaken up in unusual orbits. Search parties have formed to find the unseen planet, with optimistic hopes of spotting it within a year.

"It's not crazy; this is the kind of stuff people are finding all the time," co-discoverer Mike Brown, at the California Institute of Technology, told Space.com earlier this year. Brown and lead author Konstantin Batygin, also at CalTech, published a paper in January 2016 suggesting that a massive planet could be stirring up the icy bodies of the Kuiper Belt, a ring of material at the edge of the solar system.

"We just need to go out and cover a good swath of the sky." [Infographic  Planet Nine: Facts About the Mysterious Solar System World]

An unseen planet

Pluto makes its home at the edge of the Kuiper Belt, a region of ice-covered rocks left over from the formation of the solar system. Batygin and Brown noticed that several of the objects had similarities in their orbits, which suggested they were affected by a massive body. The usual suspects would be the solar systems giant planets, but the objects the pair spotted were too far away to be affected by the behemoths.

By analyzing the strange orbits of the objects, Batygin and Brown proposed the presence of a new planet in the solar system, an object four times as large as Earth and 10 times as massive. They traced the possible orbit of the unseen giant, which they called "Planet Nine." To create the observed disturbances, they mapped an orbit that comes as close as 200 astronomical units (AU) from the sun and travel as far away as 1,200 AU. (One AU is the distance from Earth to the sun  about 93 million miles, or 150 million kilometers.)

Not everyone is convinced that an enormous giant is skulking around the edges of the solar system. Ann-Marie Madigan, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California Berkeley, found that the objects could "self-organize," pushing and pulling one another into their unusual orbits. Working with co-author Michael McCourt of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the pair found that if the objects in the scattered disk roughly equal the mass of Earth, they could have dragged themselves to their current orbits within about 600 million years of the solar systems birth, omitting the need for Planet Nines interference.

According to Batygin and Brown, however, the Planet Nine scenario is more probable, because current surveys suggest there isnt enough mass in the region. In their research, they note that the disk of material that birthed the planets may have started out with enough mass, but interactions with the giant planets would have quickly tossed it out of the solar system.

Another study suggested that Planet Nine could be tugging on NASAs Cassini probe, orbiting Saturn. Agnes Fienga at the Cote d'Azur Observatory in France and her colleagues added Planet Nine to a theoretical model to see if the proposed world could solve the mystery of tiny changes in the spacecrafts orbit that existing solar system objects cannot account for. If the missing planet lies about 600 AUs away toward the constellation Cetus, the puzzling perturbations can be accounted for.

According to Cassinis mission managers, however, the spacecraft isnt actually experiencing any mysterious anomalies.

"Although we'd love it if Cassini could help detect a new planet in the solar system, we do not see any perturbations in our orbit that we cannot explain with our current models," said Earl Maize, Cassini project manager at JPL, in a statement.

Other objects in the Kuiper Belt may help nail down the case for the world. Research by Renu Halhotra, Kathryn Volk and Xianyu Wang, all at the University of Arizona, reveal half a dozen ice-cover rocks whose orbits appear to fit with the presence of a distant planet.

"Its a different line of evidence than Mike Brown and Konstantin Batygin proposed," Volk told Space.com.

"I think its really intriguing."

The possible internal structure of Planet Nine, a large world hypothesized to exist far beyond the orbit of Pluto. (Image credit: Esther Linder, Christoph Mordasini, University of Bern)

Where did it come from?

A planet in the outer solar system today has to come from somewhere. Without directly seeing it, scientists can only model possibilities for the massive world.

One possibility is that the sun somehow managed to gravitationally grab onto a free-floating world or a planet orbiting another star and add it to the solar systems crown. Computer simulations performed by Gongjie Li and Fred Adams, both of the CfA, suggest that the odds of this happening are less than 2 percent.

If Planet Nine didnt come from outside the solar system, then it must have come from within. Models performed by Scott Kenyon of the CfA and Benjamin Bromely of the University of Utah suggest theres a good chance the hypothetical world could have been born where it was, or been booted into the outer solar system by interactions with the giant planets.

"The nice thing about these scenarios is that theyre observationally testable," Kenyon said in a statement.

"A scattered gas giant will look like a cold Neptune, while a planet that formed in place will resemble a giant Pluto with no gas."

Not everyone is waiting to see the planet before trying to dive inside of it. Astrophysics professor Christoph Mordasini and his doctoral student Esther Linder, both of the University of Bern in Switzerland, modeled what astronomers might see when they spot Planet Nine.

Assuming that it is a smaller version of the ice giants Uranus and Neptune, with hydrogen and helium dominating its atmosphere, the pair calculated that a 10-Earth-mass Planet Nine would be about 3.7 times wider than our planet. Temperatures would average minus 375 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 226 degrees Celsius).

"This means that the planets emission is dominated by the cooling of its core," Linder said in a statement.

Sunlight would contribute very little to the light of the planet, making it brighter in the infrared wavelengths than in visible light.

Although the world remains unseen, that doesnt mean we should fear it. Reports by the New York Post published in April claimed that Planet Nine could hurl asteroids and comets toward Earth, with potentially devastating consequences. The video, which had several factual errors, was dismissed by Brown.

"Hey, so  fun fact? Planet Nine is not going to cause the Earth's destruction. If you read that it will, you have discovered idiotic writing!" Brown said via his Twitter account, @plutokiller.

He also dismissed the idea that the world played a role in mass extinctions of the past. While the planet orbits a significant distance from the sun, it isnt quite far enough out to stir up the Oort Cloud, the region of icy comets beyond the Kuiper Belt. With a 10,000-year orbit, it would also constantly bombard the Earth, Brown said.

"I suspect it has something like zero effect on us, he told Space.com previously.

Hunting the unseen

Planet Nine remains hypothetical; no one has actually seen the world. But that doesnt mean scientists arent searching for it. Batygin and Brown started off by searching through previous skymaps, hunting their unseen world.

"We dumpster-dived into the existing observational data to search for Planet Nine," Batygin said." Because we didnt find it we were able to rule out parts of its orbit."

Exoplanet researcher Nicolas Cowan of McGill University in Montreal thinks Planet Nine might show up in present and future surveys of the cosmic microwave background. Depending on the planets orbit, it could also be picked up by the Dark Energy Survey, a project in the Southern Hemisphere designed to probe the acceleration of the universe. NASAs WISE instrument should also be able to spot the giant, helping to narrow down the potential paths of the planet.

Linder and Mordasini remain cautious. According to their models, existing surveys would likely be incapable of spotting the world if it weighs in at less than 20 Earth masses, especially if it was far enough away.

Batygin and Brown are trying to obtain telescope time on the Subaru Telescope on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Theyre asking for roughly 20 nights of observing, a significant amount of time on a powerful instrument that is constantly in use.

"Its a pretty big request compared to what other people generally get on the telescope," Brown told Space.com.

"Well see if they bite."

If they do, he estimated that the planet could be spotted within a year.

Effect on solar system's history

The number of new papers about Planet Nine makes it impossible to capture the scope of recent research in a brief article, but here are a sampling of interesting findings being discussed. These mostly relate to Planet Nine's impact on the solar system as a whole.

Planet Nine could have tilted the entire solar system, researchers said in October 2016 at a joint meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Division for Planetary Sciences and European Planetary Science Congress in Pasadena, California. The eight solar system planets orbit the sun at a tilt of about 6 degrees compared to the sun's equator. Computer simulations suggest a Planet Nine-sized object could have caused the tilt over the 4.5-billion-year-old lifetime of the solar system.

A study presented at an American Astronomical Society meeting in January 2017 suggests that Planet Nine could be a "rogue planet" that strayed into the gravitational field of our sun, and was captured. While the scenario sounds improbable, other studies have shown that rogue planets may be more numerous than "normal worlds" around host stars.

In April 2017, citizen scientists picked out four potential objects that will be studied to find out if they can be linked to Planet Nine. The discoveries came from objects mapped by the SkyMapper telescope at Siding Spring Observatory in Australia. Researchers added that even if the search turns up empty, at the least they have ruled out a Neptune-sized planet in about 90 percent of the southern sky, as far as 350 AUs.

Separately, there may be yet another large object in the Kuiper Belt, a region of space farther than Neptune that has thousands of icy objects in it. Astronomers said this theoretical body may be disturbing the orbits of Kuiper Belt objects. The orbits of the KBOs that are farthest away from us tilt in a particular way that suggests an object is perturbing their orbits with its gravitational field.

Follow Nola Taylor Redd on Twitter @NolaTRedd or Google+. Follow us at @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+.

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Howell, Space.com contributor

Additional resource
Astronaut Eileen Collins, NASA's first female space shuttle commander (shown here preparing for her final flight in 2005), will speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 20, 2016.

The first-ever female space shuttle commander will speak at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland tonight (July 20).

Retired NASA astronaut Eileen Collins, who commanded shuttle missions in 1999 and 2005 and spent more than 36 days in space during her career, is scheduled to address the RNC tonight during the 7 o'clock hour (EDT; 2300 GMT). You can watch her speech on any of the cable news channels.

Collins has criticized the Obama administration's 2010 cancellation of NASA's moon-oriented Constellation program, as Space News noted last week. (Obama directed the space agency instead to work to get astronauts to a near-Earth asteroid by 2025, and then on to Mars by the end of the 2030s.) [Giant Leaps: Top Milestones of Human Spaceflight]

But Collins said her speech tonight will not be political.

"I will be talking about how the Apollo program inspired Americans to rally behind a cause: John Kennedys challenge to land a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth by the end of the decade," Collins told Mashable in a statement. "We landed on the moon 'in peace, for all mankind,' and I know that is a message we can all get behind."

Today is the 47th anniversary of Apollo 11's historic lunar landing.

The theme of tonight's speeches is "Make America First Again," according to RNC materials. Also speaking tonight, among others, are former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, both of whom have expressed strong feelings about space exploration and NASA's priorities.

For example, Cruz  a climate-change skeptic who chairs the Senate's Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness  has said that NASA should spend more money on space exploration and less on Earth-science studies.

And Gingrich made news during his presidential run in 2012 by promising that the United States would have a permanently crewed moon colony up and running by 2020 if he won the election. (Gingrich lost the Republican nomination that year to Mitt Romney.)

Collins, 59, became an astronaut in July 1991. In February 1995, she piloted the space shuttle Discovery during its STS-63 mission, becoming the first female shuttle pilot. She also piloted the STS-84 mission of Atlantis in May 1997, then served as commander of the STS-93 flight of Columbia in July 1999 and the STS-114 mission of Discovery in July-August 2005.

STS-114 marked the space shuttle program's return to flight following the loss of Columbia during re-entry to Earth's atmosphere on Feb. 1, 2003, a tragedy that claimed the lives of all seven astronauts onboard.

Collins retired from NASA in May 2006. She was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2013.

Follow Mike Wall on Twitter @michaeldwall and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook or Google+. Originally published on Space.com.
Grooves and gashes associated with the Imbrium Basin on the moon have long been puzzling. New research suggests some of these features were formed after a protoplanet slammed into the moon long ago.

A baby planet at least as large as New Jersey that smashed into the moon billions of years ago might have created the mysterious grooves that score the lunar surface, a new study suggests.

This finding could shed light on a violent era of impacts that once bombarded Earth and the rest of the inner solar system, researchers said.

Scientists investigated the area surrounding Mare Imbrium  Latin for "The Sea of Showers." This dark patch on the northwest quadrant on the near side of moon, the side that faces Earth, makes up the right eye of the "Man in the Moon." [The Moon: 10 Surprising Lunar Facts]

Mare Imbrium lies within the Imbrium Basin, the largest basin on the near side of moon. Previous research suggested that the 720-mile-wide (1,160 kilometers) basin was created by a giant ancient cosmic impact, and was later filled with vast lakes of lava that cooled to become dark rock.

Mare Imbrium is surrounded by grooves and gashes large enough to be seen from Earth even with small telescopes. These features, together known as the Imbrium Sculpture, are concentrated on Imbrium Basin's southeast side.

Many elements of the Imbrium Sculpture radiate from the center of Imbrium Basin like spokes on a wheel. Previous research had suggested that the Imbrium Basin and Imbrium Sculpture were created by a giant asteroid impact about 3.8 billion years ago. This asteroid was apparently traveling from the northwest to the southeast and collided with the moon at an oblique angle rather than straight on, with debris spraying southeast along this trajectory.

However, in addition to features radiating from Imbrium Basin's center, prior work discovered another set of grooves in the Imbrium Sculpture that did not spread out from the heart of the basin. Instead, they apparently came from a region northwest of the basin's center.

Trajectories of debris ejected from the Imbrium impact basin on the moon determined by the orientations of grooves and elongate secondary craters (along with locations of the Apollo landing sites). One set does not converge; rather, it forms parallel trends that correspond to the fragments originating from different portions of the Imbrium asteroid, rather than ejecta from the moon. (Image credit: Peter Schultz)

"This second set of grooves was a real mystery," study lead author Peter Schultz, an impact specialist at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, said in a statement. "No one was quite sure where they came from."

But Schultz and co-author David Crawford, of Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, may have solved the mystery. Their results suggest that the Imbrium Basin and Imbrium Sculpture were likely formed by a giant asteroid large enough to be classified as a protoplanet, or baby planet.

To learn more about the impact that might have created the Imbrium, Schultz and Crawford performed hypervelocity-impact experiments using the Vertical Gun Range at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. These experiments involved a 14-foot (4.25 meters) cannon that fired small bullets at up to about 11,200 mph (18,000 km/h), while high-speed cameras and impact plates recorded details about the collisions.

The scientists found that, during a low-angle impact, a high-speed projectile often started breaking up after making contact with a surface. The bottom of the projectile would create a crater, while the sides and top of the projectile would shear off and continue traveling at high speeds along the projectile's original trajectory to scour the surface. The grooves from these chunks would appear to originate from a point slightly offset from the crater generated by the bulk of the projectile  a gap about equal to the distance between the bottom of the projectile and its top and sides. [Asteroid Basics: A Space Rock Quiz]

The researchers suggest that the mystery grooves of the Imbrium Sculpture were etched by chunks that sheared off the sides and top of the impacting asteroid when it hit the moon.

"For Imbrium, as much as 25 percent of the asteroid may have detached from the actual collision," Schultz told Space.com. "Some of the fragments actually escaped the moon entirely."

Computer models analyzing these grooves helped the scientists estimate the size of this "Imbrium Asteroid." Previous estimates suggested that the Imbrium Asteroid was only about 50 miles (80 km) wide. But these new findings suggest that the impactor was actually about 150 miles (250 km) across, or about the length of New Jersey.

Comparison of scours produced by the impactor in experiments (above) and those produced in a computational model of a 100-kilometer-diameter asteroid (red pattern, below). Physical processes affecting the fate of the projectile observed in the lab experiments at high speeds also apply at much larger scale. (Image credit: Peter Schultz)

"That's actually a low-end estimate," Schultz said in a statement. "It's possible that it could have been as large as 300 kilometers [185 miles]."

The scientists also found that several other basins on the moon may have been created by oblique impacts from protoplanets. For instance, they estimated that the Moscoviense and Orientale basins on the moon's far side may have been created by asteroids about 62 and 68 miles (100 and 110 km) across, respectively  larger than previous estimates.

All in all, the researchers suggest that protoplanets may have once been common in the asteroid belt. "The large basins we see on the moon and elsewhere are the record of lost giants," Schultz said in a statement.

Material from protoplanets smashing into the moon could help explain why lunar samples that NASA's Apollo missions brought back to Earth had high levels of meteoritic rock. This was especially true of the Apollo 16 mission, which landed downrange from the Imbrium impact.

The scientists added that collisions with these protoplanets might explain many of the impacts that battered the moon and the rest of the inner solar system during a violent era known as the Late Heavy Bombardment between 4.1 billion and 3.7 billion years ago. Thousands of chunks that sheared off the Imbrium Asteroid and other protoplanets would have kept going after impact, flying off into space to continue striking other bodies.

"These chips off the old blocks could have contributed significantly to the impact record we see on the moon and other terrestrial planets," Schultz said in a statement.

Schultz and Crawford detailed their findings online today (July 20) in the journal Nature (opens in new tab).

Follow Charles Q. Choi on Twitter @cqchoi. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebookand Google+. Original article on Space.com.
The training of Afghan security forces by American troops is now under the command of a Wisconsin native.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Richard G. Kaiser assumed command as commanding general and deputy chief of staff for security assistance in Afghanistan in ceremonies earlier this month at the U.S Army headquarters in Kabul.

Kaiser, who was born in Milwaukee and grew up in Racine, most recently served as commanding general of the Great Lakes and Ohio River division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The combined security command trains, advises and assists the Afghan National Defense Security Forces. Its former commander, Maj. Gen. Gordon Davis, is leaving to take a post with U.S. European Command.

Kaiser will lead the security command for one year.
The crushable ring on the underside of Blue Origin's New Shepard crew capsule can compress upon impact, acting as a decelerator. Here, the crushable ring is seen after a June 19, 2016, test flight that used only two out of three parachutes on the capsule.

Jeff Bezos' private spaceflight company Blue Origin may be trying to assure potential customers of the safety of a trip to space.

During a test flight of its New Shepard vehicle in June, the company intentionally disabled one of three parachutes that guide the crew capsule back to the ground following a trip to suborbital space. Today, in an email to subscribers of a company email newsletter, the company's CEO and founder, Jeff Bezos, said that the capsule came in slightly faster than it would have if all three chutes had deployed, but that the landing was otherwise fairly typical.

Besides the three parachutes, New Shepard is slowed in its descent by a retrorocket that fires just before the capsule hits the ground. Bezos' email also provided pictures of the "crushable ring" on the bottom of the capsule, which can help decelerate the craft if it hits the ground too fast (acting sort of like the bumper on a car). [Watch Blue Origin's Capsule Land With Only 2 Parachutes]

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos leads Blue Origin, a commercial aerospace firm that hopes to send people on suborbital and orbital space trips. See how Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft works here (Image credit: by Karl Tate, Infographics Artist)

"Even with one chute out, the crushable barely crushed," wrote Bezos, who is also founder and CEO of Amazon.com. (The emails are not posted online, but signup is available on the company website.)

"When new, the crushable is about 5.5 inches [14 centimeters] high and can crush down to less than 1 inch [0.4 cm] high, providing a constant deceleration force as it crushes. After the mission, the crushable was still over 5 inches [12.7 cm] high along nearly the entire circumference of the ring," Bezos wrote.

During the June 19 test, the crew capsule descended toward the ground at 23 mph (37 km/h) before the retrorocket was fired, as opposed to 16 mph (25.7 km/h) which is typical when all three parachutes are functioning, Bezos wrote.

New Shepard is Blue Origin's suborbital vehicle, which includes a rocket and a capsule that will carry human passengers on suborbital flights  meaning the capsule never escapes Earth's gravity and must fall back down to the surface. These flights, lasting only a few hours, will take the capsule to an altitude where passengers can see the curvature of the Earth and experience weightlessness, according to company advertising materials.

Segments of the crushable ring from the underside of Blue Origin's New Shepard crew capsule, following a June 19, 2016, test landing. (Image credit: Blue Origin)

Tickets will be made available to average citizens who wish to participate in one of these jaunts, which is an exciting prospect but also a scary one for many people. Spaceflight  even suborbital spaceflight  is dangerous, as was so vividly demonstrated on Oct. 31, 2014, when a pilot for the private spaceflight company Virgin Galactic was killed and another severely injured during a test flight of the company's suborbital spaceplane, SpaceShipTwo.

Blue Origin's representatives have also announced the company's intention to sell tickets aboard New Shepard to anyone who can afford the as-yet-unannounced price tag. (Unlike Virgin Galactic, it has not initiated any presale of such tickets.)

Blue Origin's June 19 test offered audiences a look at the safety of the crew capsule in the event of a parachute failure, and Bezos' email explored that point further.

"Weve designed the capsule to ensure astronaut safety not just for a failure of one parachute, but even for a failure of two parachutes," he wrote. "In addition to the retrorocket system and the crushable ring, there is an energy-absorbing mechanism mounted underneath each seat."

The rocket portion of New Shepard is designed to be reusable, meaning it can land vertically after takeoff, and it can be used for more launches. So far, Blue Origin has reused one of its rockets in four successful test launches and landings. Bezos has said in interviews that he thinks rocket reusability is key to driving down the cost of spaceflight, and eventually having "millions of people" living and working in space.

Blue Origin is also working on an orbital rocket that will use the company's BE-4 engine. The veteran space launch provider United Launch Alliance has entered into a partnership with Blue Origin to use the engine in its next-generation rockets. ULA's current launch vehicles include the Atlas V rocket, which utilizes the Russian-made RD-180 engine.

Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.
CLEVELAND  The Trump campaign has lately alternated between disaster and farce: the awkward rollout of Mike Pence, the botched logo, two parliamentary disputes on the convention floor, a muddled message, a plagiarized speech by the would-be first lady.

But in one respect, the Republican National Convention of 2016 has been a yuge success. It is the triumph of narcissism.

Addressing the convention Monday night, after a Beyonce-style entrance lighted in silhouette: Donald Trump.

Addressing the convention Tuesday night via video from Trump Tower: Donald Trump.

Promising to address the convention Wednesday night: Donald Trump.

Accepting the nomination Thursday night: Donald Trump.

Midway through the 8 p.m. hour of Mondays programming at the convention, Patricia Smith, whose son was killed in the Benghazi terrorist attack, spoke emotionally about how I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son.

But her speech was pre-empted  by the candidate.

Fox News Bill OReilly, citing a breaking-news situation, cut off convention coverage to do a phone interview with the candidate. Trumps breaking news turned out to be little more than a denunciation of Ohio Gov. John Kasich for skipping the convention. Upstaging his own convention speakers? Classic Trump: Self-worship over sound judgment.

For weeks, GOP leaders pleaded with Trump to build a professional operation, but his campaign resisted, saying he didnt need to act like other politicians. Now we see the consequences: a convention rally of conspiracy theorists, co-hosted by Trumps longtime political adviser; a needless floor fight over convention rules in which the hapless presiding officer, a backbench congressman, walked off the stage; and plagiarized phrases in a speech by the would-be first lady that went unvetted by Trumps thin staff.

Trump allies variously reacted by saying there was no plagiarism, that only 7 percent of the speech was plagiarized, that the staffer responsible should be fired, and that a part of the Michelle Obama speech that Melania Trump lifted from was itself purloined from radical leftist Saul Alinsky.

Never Trump has given way to Everywhere Trump in Cleveland: A stream of interviews and tweets distracting from proceedings. Trump packed the weeks prime-time speakers list with low-wattage names unlikely to upstage him  celebrities along the lines of Scott Baio  Chachi of Happy Days fame, who days earlier tweeted a message labeling Hillary Clinton a vulgarity for female genitals. The top-billed speakers: Melania Trump (Monday), Tiffany Trump and Donald Trump Jr. (Tuesday), Eric Trump (Wednesday), Ivanka Trump (Thursday) and, of course, Donald Trump (always).

The shootings of police in Dallas and Baton Rouge gave Republicans an opening to try to establish themselves as the party that will keep Americans safe. Monday nights program was, shrewdly, packed with law-enforcement and military types, numerous victims of illegal immigrants and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who fired up the delegates.

But then the sound system blasted Queens We Are the Champions, and Trump made his backlit entrance. Oh, were going to win, were going to win so big, he said. Were going to win so big. ... Were going to win so big.

Melania Trump made only one passing reference to the nights theme of security. She spoke, rather, about her husbands manifest greatness. He will do this better than anyone else can, and it wont even be close.

His children picked up the magnificence Tuesday, attesting that his desire for excellence is contagious (Tiffany Trump) and that were the only children of billionaires as comfortable in a D10 Caterpillar as we are in our own cars (Donald Jr.).

Trumps personal greatness was, likewise, the theme of his Pence rollout Saturday, when he went on, mostly about himself, for 4,000 words before yielding to his vice-presidential nominee: Ive been a very, very, very successful businessperson. ... I won in landslides. ... I dominated with the evangelicals.

The situation was much the same on 60 Minutes on Sunday: When Lesley Stahl called him brash, Trump countered that hes religious. Hows that? I won the evangelicals.

Stahl observed that youre not known to be a humble man.

Volleyed Trump: Im much more humble than you would understand. Seconds later, he said people tell him, youre going to go down in the history books.

There are signs that delegates have misgivings about their narcissistic nominee: The convention floor is quieter than usual, the roll call lethargic, the Trump merchandise booths uncrowded.

Perhaps some of them can remember, eight years ago, when their nominee, a war hero, spoke of serving a cause greater than self. For Trump, this is impossible. There is no cause greater than himself.
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Kigali (Rwanda), July 18, 2016 (SPS) - The 27th ordinary session of African Union Heads of State and Government reiterated Sunday in Kigali, Rwanda, its unfailing support to Western Sahara people's right to self-determination.

"African Union reiterates its support to Saharawi people and their right to self-determination," AU Commission chairwoman Dlamini-Zuma said in an opening address at the African Union Summit.

"We seize this opportunity to send again our condolences to our people of the Arab Saharawi Democratic Republic (SADR) and pay tribute to the late Saharawi President Mohamed Abdelaziz".

AU heads of State and Government observed a minute's silence in the memory of the late president at the Summit's opening.

Zuma, in addition, greeted the new Saharawi president, Ibrahim Ghali. (SPS)

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In the spring, DEFRA published a statistical notice reporting that the average farm gate milk price for February 2016 increased by 2.48p per litre. This was immediately called into question by dairy commentator Chris Walkland of Walkland Partnerships Ltd who tabled a formal complaint which was supported by the Tenant Farmers Association. It was simply impossible that the February milk price quoted was correct.

An explanation from the DEFRA statistical division suggested that the February price was affected by the payment of an annual bonus but this in itself could not have explained the increase quoted. However, the Director General from the UK Statistics Authority, Ed Humpherson has agreed with the complaint. He said;

the presentation of the series including bonus payments was materially misleading and went as far as to say that the statistical notice should not have been published and concluded the same for publications produced in previous years. DEFRA has now agreed to engage with industry organisations to improve the quality of the statistics produced in future years.
The triennial event, organised by the Royal Agricultural Society for England (RASE), returns to Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on 24-25 May 2017. Promising a bumper display of machinery, live demonstrations and grass plots, along with timely advice and technical forums, the two-day event has something for every grassland farmer.

With 145 acres of working grass and machinery demonstrations, Grassland & Muck is the biggest and best grass, forage and muck event in the UK, says David Gardner, chief executive at the RASE. In 2014 we had nearly 13,500 visitors - 94% of whom rated the event as good or excellent; and over 230 exhibitors  96% of whom met their objectives.

Next year promises to be just as fulfilling, with visitors able to get advice and see displays across the whole spectrum of grass management, from the latest varieties to relieving soil compaction, nutrient management, harvesting, ensiling, feeding and muck spreading. It really is a vast site, with plenty of room to see machinery working: In 2014 we hosted more than 20 million of equipment and 76% of visitors planned to make a purchase as a result of their visit, adds Mr Gardner.

Yara is partnering the event for the fourth time, providing farmers with practical solutions to improve grass efficiencies. Farmers are well aware that forage is the cheapest form of feed, and are striving to boost grass yields and quality, says Mark Tucker, head of marketing and agronomy at Yara UK. What we need to do is pass on the latest research, technology and advice to help them to reach the next level.
HARTFORD  While the state Department of Transportation may study the issue of a mileage-based tax on state motorists, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff announced Wednesday that the idea will receive no support and is a non-starter.

I do not support a mileage tax, Duff said in a statement. The Department of Transportation can study it nine ways to Sunday, up, down, sideways and diagonally. It is an unproven idea and the Senate Democrats will not advance any future proposal to consider a mileage tax for a vote.
CLEVELAND  We are husband and wife, and we protested the Republican National Convention and its pick for president in Cleveland last week.

We both came to this country from Mexico almost 20 years ago in search of a better life. We met in Waukesha, and together have four beautiful children.

In that time, things have gotten harder for undocumented people such as us. More immigrants have been deported under President Barack Obama than during any other presidency. Just last month, the Supreme Court blocked a program that would have kept families such as ours together and brought hard-working immigrants into the economy legally.

And now theres Trump.

Since Donald Trump declared his candidacy for president, our family has felt the open racial hostility his campaign encourages. White supremacist groups are flocking to Trump, whom they credit for bringing their fringe ideas into the mainstream. Racist organizations also traveled to Cleveland, some even carrying guns.

But we were not intimidated. We are undocumented, but we marched unafraid. We marched to send a message to Trump and the GOP: We are going to keep fighting for our families, for our people and for the future of this whole country.

Immigrants pick the food everyone eats. We pay taxes even though we are not eligible for many of the services our taxes provide. A 2009 study found that 40 percent of Wisconsins dairy workers were immigrants. Working families, including immigrants, not Trump, are who make this country great.

For us, this campaign is very personal. Trumps election would be a disaster for our family and for millions like us. And its not only immigrants he has scapegoated.

We also have a message for Muslims, African-Americans, for women and the LGBT community, for those concerned about global warming, and for all people disgusted by Trumps bigotry: Lets stand together. Lets fight together for a world where no one is discriminated against.

We also want to reach the white people Trump is targeting with the old divide-and-conquer rhetoric of past demagogues. We want to tell white working-class people we are not your enemy. So-called free trade policies have caused economic hardship in rural Mexico similar to that seen in former industrial strongholds like Milwaukee. Trump himself profits from cheap goods made overseas.

Trump preaches racism instead of responding to the real needs of working families. He has no plan to create well-paying jobs, support underfunded schools or expand access to college and health care. All working-class people, regardless of background, need a government that responds to the needs of our families.

Our message has a second part: Vote! We will keep marching to save our country, and on Nov. 8, we want you to vote. For the sake of all our children, we must defeat this racist man and the dangerous ideas he represents.
Back when all of us were young, children used to gaze at the night sky and dream of being the first to walk on the moon. Today, kids stare at the stars and likely think about Mars in much the same way.

Related: Why This Entrepreneur Dreams of Living on Mars

That would be especially appropriate this week because tomorrow, July 20, is the 40th anniversary of the Viking 1's landing on Mars -- when it became the first spacecraft to successfully accomplish that feat.

Of course, we're pursuing much more today, when it comes to Mars. Its likely that the astronaut who will someday take that initial one small step for man, and one giant leap for mankind on the Red Planet is sitting in a high school classroom in the United States right now, probably taking a summer science enrichment course.

David Gingerich, a senior staff engineer at Lockheed Martin, certainly hopes so. Recently, I spoke with him about the possibility of a crewed flight to Mars, and how we, as a nation, should teach our kids and retool our public education system to help make such a mission happen.

Gingerich, who believes a crewed mission may be possible by 2028, has been responsible for the operation and maintenance of flight software on five NASA space explorations, including two to Mars. As such, he has some strongly held views about the role public schoolteachers -- and entrepreneurs -- have to play in that effort. We need teachers who can inspire, get students engaged and make them capable, Gingerich says. Lets face it. If you graduate from high school now, and you dont have a math and science background, you are going to have a hard time making it as an engineer.

One way to inspire students, Gingerich says, is through business initiatives that provide touch points for students. Think of museums, practical, real-world experiences for teachers and classrooms with up-to-date technology as touch points, he says. The things we remember are the goofy experiments physics teacher did, he notes. Those are the things that still get kids excited to learn.

Related: Elon Musk Wants to Colonize Mars in Order to Fend Off Human Extinction

A touch point today, Gingerich explains, could involve GPS technology, which was born in the Space Age but is now found on every cell phone (as the Pokemon Go craze makes clear!). Drones are another source of student engagement. [Just] one touch point doesnt count, either, the engineer continues It really takes at least two or three, and starting in elementary school, for any of this to have an impact and influence a students future ambitions.

Creating connections among technology innovators, then -- entrepreneurs and startup engineers as well as larger technology players -- can provide much needed real-world links and inspiration for the next generation and their teachers, Gingerich says.

The engineer adds that more needs to be done beyond simply promoting courses in STEM -- science, technology, engineering and math -- to students and parents. For example, teachers need to be more exposed to innovative ideas outside the classroom that apply to learning.

A challenge will always be how to keep teachers excited when they have so many other things to do, no time and poor equipment, he points out. We have to help solve that issue. Business can be the bridge for educators so they can see firsthand what will be expected of their students when they leave school.

Gingerich cited a teacher professional development program Lockheed Martin is involved with in California, in which a coalition of businesses fund internships for educators, at various companies, and the teachers take their experiences back to the classroom. One teacher we hosted created a science experiment for his class and has now been invited to the White House, Gingerich says. We need to connect more teachers with these kinds of opportunities.

Indeed, parents and schools and the entrepreneurs who serve them need to encourage the following behaviors to help kids succeed in the future of space exploration, and in innovation generally:

Intellectual Curiosity. The students who become astronauts and space engineers are people who are never satisfied with what they already know. They are continuing to learn. This trait will be mandatory in the future, because technology is evolving so fast that knowing only one skill or tool quickly renders the learner as obsolete.

Exploration. Questions are not always binary -- as in "solving for x," or choosing between right and wrong. Sometimes, there is more to explore than meets the eye. Having the ability to keep searching and never being satisfied helps an individual become invaluable to his or her team.

Failing Better. Failing better means accepting, even embracing, and learning from failure. When innovating or risk-taking, scientific explorers always experience failure. Thats part of the process, the scientific method, and it shouldnt kill curiosity or paralyze anyone from acting again. Very few minds get something right the first time. And even then it might be luck.

Intuition. We often call this the sixth sense -- the spidy sense. You know what that means: The numbers are right, but theres still something that makes researchers scratch their heads? So, when this happens, do those researchers say: "Okay, lets run with it?" Or, do they stop and double-check, go back through the process and their network to make sure everything is correct?

Of course, pride, passion and skills, such as creativity, communication and even a proper amount of paranoia, are vital. Inquiry-based learning -- or asking better questions -- is a notion many students need to master, too. Remember hypotheses, theses and theorems from your own geometry class?

Its okay for the teacher not to know all the answers, Gingerich says. We should be teaching inquisitiveness, thinking outside the box and about all the things that dont have answers.

Related: Microsoft and NASA Team Up to Take You on a Tour of Mars

After all, thats what were doing in the space program a lot of the time, he says. Were solving problems that dont have answers.

Related:



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Paul Ryan refused to take the bait Monday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Good for him.

Asked by the Wall Street Journal if he blames Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama for the ugly ramping up of rhetoric against the police, the House speaker from Janesville rejected the premise of the question.

The last thing a leader should be doing is that  is starting to blame other people for this, Ryan responded. What typically is said is Black lives matter. No, all lives matter. Then we just ratchet it up and just go after each other. So lets stop doing that.

Indeed.

Who cares who said what in the past, Ryan continued. Our country is disunified. Our country is tearing itself apart on its streets. Thats wrong. Thats bad. So why dont we dial down the rhetoric, calm ourselves down and start listening to one another.

Good idea.

If people feel unsafe in America because of the color of their skin, thats a problem, the Republican speaker said. And if police officers are targeted because of the badges they wear, thats a problem, too, he stressed.

The last thing we should be doing is ... throwing bombs back and forth at each other, the speaker said. Why dont we talk about some solutions?

Ryan is doing just that. He formed a bipartisan group in Congress following the fatal shooting of five police officers in Dallas two weeks ago, which followed two high-profile killings of black men by officers in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The working group includes members of the Congressional Black Caucus as well as congressmen with backgrounds in law enforcement.

To help de-escalate the racially charged debate surrounding recent tragedies, Ryan cited an example from Somerset, New Jersey, where a prominent black pastor and white police chief have fostered a close relationship between their community and law enforcement. When potentially divisive events occur, leaders there quickly respond and engage.

They dealt with it right at the outset, Ryan said. There are solutions out there. There are people you can go and listen to in communities that you dont hear about because these problems arent occurring in those communities.

Ryan wants to bring similar success stories to Washington and state capitals, where leaders can learn about and try to replicate whats working.

As Ryan called for calm in the wake of turmoil, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke was doing just the opposite, stoking division in TV appearances and during his convention speech. Clarke this week blamed the Black Lives Matter group for the recent shootings of officers, and he suggested Americas social order has collapsed.

I would like to make something very clear: Blue lives matter! Clarke declared at the convention.

Of course police lives matter. So do black lives. So do all lives.

But how do we unify in the face of senseless violence to stop it from repeating?

Ryan is trying to figure that out. More leaders across the political spectrum should join him.
The big heat of 2016 is ready to pounce on southern Wisconsin, with summer school classes being canceled and officials urging residents to stay cool during the dangerously hot weather.

The National Weather Service on Wednesday updated an earlier excessive heat watch to an excessive heat warning, with heat indices  what it feels like when humidity is combined with the temperature  expected to hit triple digits, possibly up to 110 degrees on Thursday.

The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will make for a dangerous situation in which heat illnesses are likely, the warning said. Officials urged family members and caregivers to check on the elderly and home-bound, who are particularly sensitive to heat, as are infants.

Actual daytime temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-90s on Thursday and the low 90s on Friday.

The Madison School District has canceled all summer school programs for Thursday, citing a lack of consistent air conditioning in buildings that house the programs.

The cancellation includes all of the districts summer school programs, enrichment courses, extended school year and summer school Madison School and Community Recreation programs. Other MSCR programs have not been canceled.

No decision has been made about whether the programs will reopen on Friday.

To help residents cope with the dangerous weather, public cooling centers are being set up throughout the region, especially for those who dont have access to air conditioning in their homes. The centers are free and will be available on Thursday and Friday, the hottest days expected during the heat wave.

Cooling centers are just that, places to get cool, so if you plan on a lengthy stay, bring your own food and water, medications, games, books, cards, toys for the kids, and no pets.

Cooling centers by county in south central Wisconsin include:

Columbia County: Columbus Senior Center, Fall River Village Hall, Pardeeville Village Hall and Library, Portage City Hall, Poynette Library, Wisconsin Dells Library. The Dells city pool will also be free on Thursday and Friday.

Dane County: First United Methodist Church in Madison, Stoughton Library and Senior Center, Brooklyn Community Building. Other unofficial cooling centers would include shopping malls, theaters, libraries, etc., throughout the county. First United is also working with representatives of WisCares to provide overnight shelter for pets of anyone experiencing homelessness through 6 p.m. Friday.

Green County: Methodist Church in Brodhead, Brooklyn Community Center, Monroe Fire Station and Senior Center.

Iowa County: Barneveld Library, Dodgeville Library, Arena Fire Station, Avoca Village Hall, St. Anthony and Philip Church in Highland and United Church of Christ in Mineral Point.

Jefferson County: Fort Atkinson Library, Watertown Library, Immanuel Church and Jefferson County Health Department in Jefferson, Lake Mills Library, and Community Action Coalition in Watertown.

Rock County: Beloit Library, Clinton Library, Edgerton Library, Evansville Library and Creekside Place, Janesville Mall, Janesville Library and St. Marys Hospital, and Milton Library.

Sauk County: Baraboo Historic Courthouse and Library, Lake Delton Fire Station, Prairie du Sac Library, Reedsburg Library, City Hall and Police Station.

Utility customers whove had their electricity cut off due to non-payment can get their power back on during a heat advisory, warning or emergency, according to the Public Service Commission.

Wisconsin law also prohibits utilities from cutting off service during heat crises, so customers who feel they should have service restored because of health or life threats, can contact the utility or call the PSC consumer affairs line at 800-225-7729.

Pets also need special attention during a heat wave. Officials say to never leave them in an enclosed vehicle. But owners should also avoid hot sidewalks, asphalt pavement or sand, and be alert for coolant leaking from vehicles because it can cause sickness or death if ingested by a pet.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation also warned motorists to be on the lookout for buckling pavement, which can happen in extremely hot and humid weather.
A n African oil exploration company has set in motion plans to float in what would be Londons biggest oil listing since the crisis bit in 2014.

Surrey-based Impact Oil & Gas, which has assets off the coasts of Gabon, Namibia, and South Africa, is understood to be speaking to potential advisers about a float, likely to be on AIM.

The plans coincide with Impact hiring Standard Chartereds former heavyweight oil adviser Geraldine Murphy as a non-executive director last week. Sources said it was the first step towards an IPO, expected towards the end of the year. Murphy advised Cove Energy on its 1.2 billion sale to Thailands PTTEP.

In 2014, Impact sold a third of the company to London-based Helios Investment Advisers, an African-focused private-equity firm, and a black economic empowerment investment firm for $55 million.

The float is expected to value Impact at more than 100 million, making it the biggest oil listing since Nigerias Seplat went public in April 2014 with a 1 billion valuation.

Seplats move came two months before Brent crude peaked at $115 a barrel before going into freefall.

Impact declined to comment.
I t is easy to forget that the EU referendum result was as big a shock to the rest of the EU as it was to the UK.

Only as the dust begins to settle are different organisations and countries piecing together their thoughts.

But, fragmented though these be, they contrast with the resounding silence from the City which seems totally bereft of a cheerleader or a trade association prepared to pick up the cudgels on its behalf.

Intriguingly the four financial centres seen as the most likely to pick up business from London  Dublin, Luxembourg, Frankfurt and Paris  have each taken a different approach.

The aggressive opportunism of Paris, with comments from government ministers and a roadshow from the mayors office to highlight its attractions, marks one extreme.

The calmer response from Frankfurt and Dublin which are trying not to rock the boat while quietly fielding enquiries and being receptive, marks out the middle ground.

Then there is Luxembourg at the opposite end of the spectrum from Paris.

In the words of Luxembourg finance minister Pierre Gramegna: The UK now has a problem. It has been our long-term partner and it is a relationship we do not want to lose. We see our role as coming up with smart solutions to help them overcome their problem.

This is not to say Luxembourg does not expect to benefit. One big American bank has already enquired about moving its derivatives trading desk to the Grand Duchy, but this is seen as untypical.

Rather, Luxembourg sees its edge in the sectors where it is already well established  fund administration, life assurance and reinsurance, private banking and fintech.

Across Europe they see financial business gravitating from London to where there is already an existing critical mass.

That makes Frankfurt the most natural home for banks and Dublin should pick up insurance.

Luxembourg is already Europes leading centre for the domicile, listing and administration of cross-border European funds  with the actual asset management usually outsourced to London.

They expect this business to pick up further because firms cannot afford to wait and see what deal the UK Government might eventually strike.

In the words of Nicolas Mackel, chief executive of promotional body Luxembourg for Finance, firms need certainty. London can no longer provide that certainty, so firms will go through Luxembourg instead.

Indeed creating a business in Luxembourg is the obvious way for a fund management group to get round the potential loss of its EU passport.

Many of the UKs biggest managers  such as Aberdeen and Schroders  are there already; others will need to establish what is called a significant presence  which in essence means a Luxembourg fund administration company with its own business plan, executives, compliance and board. It can then subcontract the actual investment management back to the UK.

Similar mechanisms are being explored by other firms in other jurisdictions which prompts the thought that much of the City might well give up on the Government  given that Brexit negotiator David Davis seems completely uninterested in the financial sector  and create its own solutions.

The Luxembourg option is one choice but they could also switch from being a PLC to an EU corporate vehicle known as a Societas Europaea which was designed with free movement in mind and makes it much easier for companies to relocate their head offices.

The second big question is for the City to decide and articulate what it really wants and try to get this reflected in the Governments negotiating position.

Years ago when people first asked how international finance could flourish in the City when the UK economy was no longer significant in the world, three drivers were identified.

One was light touch regulation; the second was the willingness to do business in currencies other than sterling; the third was an open door-policy. Arguably it is the third which matters most.

If London is to continue to flourish as an international financial centre then it has to be seen as the best place to find solutions for financial problems. This requires skill, integrity, contacts and innovation, and all depends on the quality of the people the City employs.

For years, London has had a brain-drain from mainland Europe so that, according to some estimates, roughly 30% of the key jobs in asset management and investment banking are held by non-British EU nationals.

Also, a recent book on fintech alleged that 40% of those working in that industry in London are non-British and it stressed that diverse groups are more creative than homogeneous ones: different backgrounds bring different ways of looking at problems.

Now the problem caused by Brexit has thus far been defined mainly in terms of the City losing its easy access to Europe.

But it is already becoming apparent that financial businesses may be able to work round this problem.

So the real threat to the City, and the real reason it might not continue to thrive, comes from slamming shut the open door to non-British talent.

The Citys primary interest is in maintaining the free movement of people. Now all it needs is someone brave enough to spell that out to the Government.
T he Government today faced calls to overhaul the UKs takeover regime as it emerged taxpayers gifted ARM Holdings almost 100 million in the decade before it was sold to Japans SoftBank for 24.3 billion this week.

The Cambridge-based iPhone chip designer has received 98.9 million in tax rebates since 2006 thanks to generous incentives which include research and development (R&D) tax credits and the so-called patent box.

The patent box came into effect in 2013 to help companies with patented inventions such as ARM slash their corporate tax rates in an effort by the government to create a world-beating tech or drugs giant.

Around 650 companies in the UK, including technology and pharmaceutical firms, pay less tax as a result of the scheme.

The tech deal, Europes largest ever, appeared to be waved through this week by Theresa May despite her promise to defend UK companies from foreign takeovers during her campaign to become Prime Minister.

Chancellor Philip Hammond also hailed the takeover, claiming it was a sign that Britain had lost none of its allure to international investors after the Brexit vote.

However, today, former business secretary Vince Cable, repeated his calls for an additional national-interest test based on R&D and science, which would allow the Government to block foreign bids.

If a takeover undermines our national science base which has been built up using taxpayer support then that would be a strong argument for blocking a takeover, he said, adding that the deal completely undermines what Theresa May says shes trying to do.

If the value in the company.......is now going to be shipped out in dividends to Japan that would be very regrettable.

Labour MP John Mann called for a lock-in clause so that money comes back to the taxpayer rather than disappear into the pockets of Japanese shareholders, adding: Id like to see it retrospectively, but Im not optimistic that will happen.
I ts 30 degrees outside, but for Manny Roman, Christmas has just arrived. Financially, at least.

Having had a limited success turning around Man Group, hes flying off to feel the sand between his toes in Newport Beach, where the current London heatwave would barely raise an eyebrow.

Roman suffered the humiliation of a recent shareholder revolt at his $5.3 million (4 million) pay deal in London, but at Pimco he can expect at least 10 times that.

His predecessor-but-one Mohammed El-Erian got a $230 million bonus in 2013 alone.

Charismatic he may be, but even the most excitable of City analysts arent exactly gushing in their assessments of Romans rein at Man.

Perhaps thats something of sour grapes about the fact that he persuaded Man to buy GLG for an outrageous $1.6 billion when he ran that hedgie back in 2010.

It was the deal of the century for GLG, but a stinker for Man, which later wrote down its value by half.

Anyway, having joined Man with the GLG purchase, he replaced Peter Clarke who was ousted as CEO by shareholders three years ago.

Since then, after a cracking 2014, the main AHL black box funds have had a mixed performance, while GLG too has been disappointing.

Man needs a big acquisition to boost its revenues away from AHL but, a few tiddlers beside, has so far not delivered.

The share price was 105p on the day Roman took over and 116p today. Hardly stellar, despite buybacks along the way.

Meanwhile, according to Numis, earnings per share from management fees are only up 2%.

Having said all that, Roman does deserve praise for stabilising this giant of the London fund management scene. It is no longer in crisis mode; its balance sheet is stronger and costs are down.

But if he thought Man was tough, wait until he gets a load of Pimco. This $1.5 trillion fund manager is still reeling from the loss of bond king Bill Gross and, like Man, desperately needs to diversify.

Its Total Return Fund has seen investors flee for every one of the past 38 months  $1 billion in May alone.

Newport Beach may be beautiful, the pay enormous, but rebuilding Pimco will make the Man job look like a sweaty stroll in Hyde Park.

We did right on ARM

I expect many people will be cross that we taxpayers gifted 100 million to ARM in the past three years.

However, their anger is misplaced. Boosting British success stories such as ARM is precisely the reason we offer tax incentives like R&D credits and the patent box.

But ARM, and its new owners, have an obligation to return the favour. Make binding pledges to stay here.
H edge fund titan Man Group stunned the City today after swashbuckling boss Manny Roman quit to join the worlds biggest bond manager Pimco in a major shake-up of the global fund management world.

The 52-year old, a French-born former Goldman Sachs executive, will leave Mans Mayfair offices at the end of August and join Pimcos Newport Beach headquarters in California in early November.

Man president Luke Ellis, a close confidant of Roman, has been promoted to chief executive of the FTSE 250 group while finance boss Jonathan Sorrell, the son of WPP boss Sir Martin, is handed the role of sole president.

Staff were told of the departure this morning.

The shares fell more than 4% on the news, shedding 5.2p to 117.10p, underscoring the high regard Roman was held in by some City firms.

This is a loss to Man Group, RBC analyst Peter Lenardos said. The shares are off because he was well perceived. The market respects him although the bench strength at Man is quite strong.

Man has launched small takeovers since Roman took the helm from 2013 and the strategy is expected to continue under Ellis.

Analysts at Citi called his promotion reassuring and Bank of America said he was a continuity candidate.

Ellis, who once left London to go and live on a farm, has been at Man since 2010 when his boutique firm FRM was snapped up by the hedge fund.

Roman (pictured), who has also lived in Chicago, will move to the coastal resort of Newport Beach from his home in Kensington.

His family live in New York and he has two daughters at university in the US. He will be tasked with turning around stuttering Pimco, a $1.5 trillion US fund manager owned by German insurer Allianz,

The California firm has suffered since the loss of high-profile co-founder Bill Gross in 2014 and former boss Mohamed El-Erian.

Its flagship Total Return bond fund, the worlds largest, suffered its 38th consecutive outflow of cash in May and managers have tried to stem the problem by laying off 3% of staff around the world.

Pimco launched a strategic review several months ago to find a boss to replace head Douglas Hodge, demoted to managing director.
I t didnt take long for Burberry to move to put things in order as the luxury fashion brand kicked off a 100 million share buyback, just a week after laying bare the turnaround challenge facing its new boss.

Todays buyback, which will end by April 18 next year, is the initial phase of a programme worth 150 million which is being run by Morgan Stanley.

Last week, the FTSE 100 company, which has been battling falling demand from China and other big-spending markets, said that Christopher Bailey would step down as chief executive next year to be replaced by Celines Marco Gobbetti.

Two days later, Burberry said that now the long-awaited management shake-up had been confirmed it would look to buy back up to 150 million in shares.

The news accompanied confirmation of Burberrys woes as it revealed falling same-store sales in all its markets in a first-quarter update, forcing the business to slash wholesale revenue forecasts.

Its shares, which have rallied on the weak pound after the Brexit vote, were up 5p at 1286p.

It was a steady day for the FTSE 100, which advanced 39.14 points to 6736.51 ahead of the start of a busy reporting period next week as traders suggested it was the calm before the storm.

Mining shares were again downtrodden after Anglo American missed production forecasts in the second quarter, causing it to tumble 43.35p, or 5.3%, to 770.25p.

Signs of weaker demand also knocked Glencore, still the second best blue-chip performer of 2016 behind Anglo, down 5.7p to 174.2p.

A 6% sales rise to 822 million in the first quarter revved Johnson Matthey shares up 51p to 3198p thanks to strong sales of its catalytic converters.

Regulatory filings reveal Maverick Capital slashed its short position in ARM Holdings to just 0.06% on Monday when the chip designer announced a 24.3 billion takeover by Japans SoftBank.

The US hedge fund emerged as one of the big losers from the deal, whose 1.2% bet against ARM was worth almost 300 million before the deal. Arm shares slipped 2p to 1661p.

Oxford Pharmascience, an AIM-listed drugs firm 33%-owned by Neil Woodford, dived 1.23p, or 26%, to 3.4p as it warned a licensing deal would take longer than expected.

Small-cap punters were chatting about Vale, a new fintech shell that will float on the main board, run by Hong Kong businessman Patrick Tsang.
E lizabeths workplace once gave her a good wage and practical perks  she even had her wisdom teeth treated through her employer.

But today, after more than two decades of service at Marks & Spencer, she describes a very different environment.

Everything is being taken away from us, she says. I wanted to see my kids through university but now Im not sure Ill be able to. It really frightens me.

Her problem is that she is one of the small, but significant group of workers at the High Street stalwart set to lose out as a result of recently tabled changes to pay and pensions.

M&S has sent Elizabeth documents explaining what would happen to her pay, but she says shes still not clear how much shed ultimately be giving up by agreeing to the new terms.

"A lot of us feel betrayed, and like were paying for managing directors past mistakes."

Charlie, an 18-year M&S veteran who works in the food department, is confident in his calculations, however.

While the vast majority of M&Ss 69,000 retail staff will be better off thanks to a bounce in base pay, he expects that by 2019  when a proposed compensation deal ends hed be taking home roughly 1900 a year less.

Well done for wanting to give people a decent living wage but they are paying for that wage out of my money, he says. A lot of us feel betrayed, and like were paying for managing directors past mistakes.

Although there are fewer than 7000 people in the same position as Charlie and Elizabeth at M&S, their concerns for their future prospects are keenly felt elsewhere in the retail sector, one of Britains largest employers.

M&S's proposals Hourly rate for qualified customer assistants rises from 7.41 to 8.50, or 9.65 in Greater London All Sunday premiums removed Bank holiday pay standardised to time-and-a-half Staff moved from not sustainable final salary pension scheme to defined contribution plan. Transition payment to compensate staff with another potential one-off payment to maintain existing remuneration until March 2019 Some 11,000 final salary scheme members get monthly cash supplement to put into new savings pots or taken as pay for two years.

A string of others have made their own changes to pay  similar moves by Tesco and B&Q triggered petitions attracting hundreds and thousands of signatures.

Stories such as this may get even more common as a result of technological advances, tougher competition from online rivals, National Living Wage rises and extra costs such as the apprenticeship levy  not to mention the potential impact from Brexit.

M&S argues that its proposals would mean one of the highest pay rates in UK retail.

A spokesman said the new approach would reward our people in a fair and consistent way, simplify and modernise our business and help us attract and retain the best talent.

He added that the company is listening carefully to colleagues by means of an ongoing consultation process.

M&S chief executive and former shop-floor worker Steve Rowe acknowledged at last weeks annual shareholder meeting that the change will be very difficult for some.

But he stood by the need to make adjustments, saying they would render M&S more sustainable in the long term.

The MP championing workers cause Siobhain McDonagh, Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden, has been contacted by more than 100 worried workers across the retail sector and is campaigning on their behalf. She says the changes arent justifiable. Its not as if head-office staff are getting the sort of pay cut they are dishing out to longstanding staff, she told the Evening Standard. There were a number of options M&S could have pursued. Other companies have invested in skills to improve productivity of their employees. McDonagh, raised the issue yesterday with new Chancellor Philip Hammond who said he would look very carefully at the case. She believes recent pay reviews stem from the poor planning of former Chancellor George Osbornes flagship National Living Wage policy, and wants the Government to ensure the measure is applied appropriately: You cant introduce a policy like that without policing it.

However, management has failed to convince Lily, another employee, that overhauling premiums can really help.

She has worked at M&S for more than 15 years and thinks she will eventually miss out on more than 150 a month.

By the companys own admission, it will have to make a significant contribution to fund the pay increases even with the savings from cutting back on premiums for more antisocial hours.

During a visit from retail director Sacha Berendji  who Lily says was very fair and listened  employees put forward alternatives.

We brought up how much money is wasted on a daily basis on things like decor that never gets used, she says. We questioned the use of celebrities to promote certain clothes. And whats happening at head office? Are the bigwigs taking a cut?

In fairness, M&S executive directors have declined any salary increases due in July 2017.

But the bigger picture is that theres little hope for a much brighter future for those seeking a career on the shop floor, according to Jon Copestake, retail analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit.

At the end of the day, there is the feeling that with e-commerce and technological changes like self-checkouts, retail is becoming overweight with staff anyway, he adds.

Model and actress Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is the face of M&S's Autograph range (Getty Images)

The British Retail Consortium warned earlier this year that 900,000 UK retail jobs could be lost by 2025 as more shopping shifts online, the cost of technology falls and employers bills rise.

That pressure will keep the likes of Elizabeth working despite the threat of a raw deal: Even now, I still go there and sweat buckets. They will always gain from me.

(Names have been changed to protect the identities of M&S workers)
U nilever sharpened its edge in the male-grooming market today with a $1 billion (760 million) swoop for Californias Dollar Shave Club.

The firm, founded by boss Michael Dubin in 2012, is a subscription service which sends out new blade cartridges every month for as little as $1 and has 3.2 million customers.

Its slapstick YouTube marketing campaign mocking its rivals went viral and the company is famed for its use of the slogan, our blades are f**king great.

The start-up is forecast to reach sales of at least $200 million in 2016.

The Anglo-Dutch consumer products giant already has a handful of products in the male-grooming sector, such as Brut aftershave, but the purchase today will significantly boost its offering against rivals such as Procter & Gamble, the owner of the dominant razors brand Gillette.

Kees Kruythoff, president of Unilever North America, said: Dollar Shave Club is an innovative and disruptive male-grooming brand with incredibly deep connections to its diverse and highly engaged consumers.

Unilever hopes to help its new purchase achieve its full potential in terms of offering and reach, he added.

In the UK the male-grooming industry was valued at over 1 billion in 2015.
T he Cabinets big three Brexiteers, David Davis, Boris Johnson and Liam Fox, are to share Chevening, the Governments grace-and-favour country house in Kent. In the manner of Friends, this is how it will work, after Chevenings name plate is changed to Brexiting.

The cast: Boris, a cheerful blond, formally known as Rachel. Hair-tosser, high-maintenance and never quite content with his status. David, a demanding man-child, with a following among yummy mummies. Fell out with ex-flatmate Dave, now seen only in cameos. Liam, the quirky one. Prone to dreaming about instant trade deals with Latin America. Theresa, impossibly demanding kitten-heel shopper. Bossily tidies up the chaos created by the chaps.

Boris: Ya, ya, ya. I know I left those notes for my 2020 leadership bid in the kitchen.

David: I keep telling you it will never work. I say that a lot to other ministers. I was once a contender for the lead in Days of our Lives, yknow.

Liam: No one told me life was gonna be this way. Why do I always host the last weekend in the month, when all the biscuits have gone? (canned laughter).

Boris: Im primus inter pares, old bean. That would be me: the only one Theresa actually likes. I have this affect on Tory women.

David: Oh God, lets get outta here and shoot some pool. Or billiards, as they call this stuff in Little Britain.

Liam: I need to talk to her about the potential for UK trade with Uruguay.

Boris: Me first. Im on a charm offensive with Merkel and Hollande, armed only with my diplomatic limericks: There once was Bundeskanzlerin, who when London called was never in.

The doorbell rings.

Theresa: Hi, guys. Angela Merkel is coming for a girls night in and a laugh at our hopeless male competitors.

Liam: The thing about emerging trade imbalances is

Boris Johnson: the Foreign Secretary in Downing Street / PA

David: As I rightly said in 2005, you will remember.

Boris: Oh cripes, I havent tidied the bedrooms since my Spectator reunion night. Yah, happy days.

Theresa: House meeting. Now have we got a plan for how to pay the rent?

All together: Er. Well. Sort of. Its complicated.

Theresa to Boris: Im sorry that geek Gunther at the cafe let you down. But you were going to run against me. How can I trust you again?

Boris: We were on a break!

David: Ill be there for you.

Theresa: Your leadership chances are DOA. (canned laughter).

Liam: I guess we should call Dave and grab a beer.

Everyone else: Nah.

Theresa: I dont much like this Brexiting. Its got a retro Frasier feel.

Boris: Lumme, shes going to sack us. Get me the Telegraph editor. Hi, Chris, you know what I said about stopping the column? Well...

David: Like er, Theresa, you didnt even vote Brexit but now youre in charge of making it happen. What does that even mean?

Liam: We might be old-school. We might be chaotic and we have lost a lot of leadership races. But when it come to being loyal to an impossible Brexit dream, were true Friends.

Theresa (aside): My majority is as small as a micro-pelmet yellow miniskirt from the Kardashian collection Sam Cam left in the closet. To all: Just kidding. Love you, guys  I dont get to sack you till the next series.

Song plays: Ill be there for you. When we leave the EU. Ooh-ooh.
T oday's visit by the Prime Minister, Theresa May, to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, is in some ways a meeting of like minds. Many observers have pointed out their similarities: both are daughters of clergymen, who set store by their faith; both conservative in their politics; both unflamboyant in their personal style. It should be possible for Mrs May to establish a decent working relationship with Mrs Merkel, probably better than with Frances Francois Hollande, whom she meets next.

Unsurprisingly, Britain is to forgo its turn as the next president of the European Council in the light of the referendum. But we still have another two years of EU membership in which to work out our future relationship.

Mrs May is right to seek to establish a good personal rapport with the major European leaders with whom she will have to deal in the Brexit talks. Her insistence that Britain should not trigger Article 50, which formally starts the divorce proceedings, before the end of the year is a reasonable one  it is better than this process should be thoughtfully managed rather than in haste. But the PM is also right to insist on the importance we attach to our bilateral relationship with our European partners, not just now but also when we have left the EU. These relationships have been vital in the past and they will be vital in the future as we continue to work together to keep our people safe and to support economic growth that benefits people across our countries.

It is an obvious point but cannot be repeated too often that Britain has left the EU  it has not left Europe. We are still bound by the closest ties to our nearest neighbours: ties of friendship, common culture, mutual interest and economic benefit. It would be irrational for either side to compromise our close trading relationship and security co-operation. This must be the context for dealing with the trickiest aspect of the Brexit negotiations  Mrs May cannot accept continuing freedom of movement from the EU as a quid pro quo for access to the single market because that would negate the clear message of the referendum, but she can remind Mrs Merkel and President Hollande that free trade benefits all of us. No one has a greater interest in keeping Britain open than German car manufacturers and French cheese exporters.

Politics is personal, European politics especially so. Mrs Mays attempts to forge friendly relations now with her counterparts in the EU may well bear fruit later on.

So, its Trump

Donald Trump is now the Republican Partys official candidate for the presidency, an extraordinary turn of events for a great party. For the rest of the world the prospect of a Trump presidency is disquieting, not so much because he would, if elected, put all his campaign rhetoric into practice  that would be unlikely  but that he will diminish the US presidency. The US is our close ally; it would be a pity if its global leadership were undermined by its president representing some of the least attractive aspects of America to the world rather than the best. The special relationship will remain regardless, but Americas friends have reason to be worried.

Keep a cool head

For many Londoners this weeks mini-heatwave induced torpor. But a number of young people seemed to let the heat get to their heads last night, as a water fight in Hyde Park ended in violence. Three people suffered stab wounds, including a police officer. There can be no excuse for this  but perhaps it is just as well that the weather is due to turn a little cooler.
P hoto booths can be fun, but its not often we suggest that you get too excited by one.

Then again, its not often that a photo booth serves you beer.

Thats why the roaming booth from Belgian beer brand Vedett is worth seeking out.

Dive inside for the chance to have your photograph turned into a personalised beer mat, and enjoy a sample of Vedett at the same time. Youll even be given a choice of style between Vedett Extra Blond Pilsner, Vedett Extra White or Vedett Extra Ordinary IPA.

The whole experience  and beer  is completely free, all you need to do is track down the booth which will be touring the UK this summer.

It can be found in London at Brewhouse & Kitchen in Highbury on Thursday July 28 and at Cocktails in the City event on Friday July 29 and Saturday July 30. The location of the photo booth can be followed on @Vedett_UK or Facebook.com/VedettUK.

Follow Ben Norum on Twitter @BenNorum

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S weet fruit and mounds of crispy baked sugar wallowing in thick cream and ice cream, and drenched in chocolate sauce. This summer its hard to escape the delicious fantasies of a miserable 5:2er with a sweet tooth, as Londons pudding scene has exploded in a puff of icing sugar. Ultimately, when its too muggy to contemplate a juicy burger, its totally acceptable to skip straight to a cream-smothered happy ending.

Like a pavlova, for example. And just in time. The Meringue Girls  Alex Hoffler and New Zealander Stacey OGorman  have launched Londons first pavlova bar at Street Feasts Dalston Yard.

Any street-food aficionado with a sweet tooth knows the Meringue Girls. Their neon sugar shells have transfixed Londoners since 2012 and the treats are fashion party faves: theyre fat- and gluten-free, after all. The Girls are also long-time Street Feast tenants: over winter, their hot dessert bar at Model Market dispensed outrageous Choc-Chip Cookie Muffs  warm, sticky chocolate chip and Nutella cookie-muffin hybrids with vanilla ice cream and a praline shard  that tempted burgered-out diners to find room for dessert.

In the warmer months, the menu is lighter, though no less decadent. Sugar seekers can take the beautiful rainbow-coloured meringues as a base, and then customise to their hearts content (if not their dentists) with juicy berries and tropical fruit, litres of cream, toasted nuts and a lake of chocolate sauce.

Cool stuff: Milkshakes at Four Winters

If youre too sugar-struck to pimp your own pud, the Meringue Girls have you sorted. Try the nutty one: delicate pistachio meringue thats a million miles away from pre-made supermarket shards of stale Styrofoam. The first teeth-tingling crunch gives way to bonfired marshmallow goo. It comes smothered in fresh cream, tart cherry coulis, pomegranate and brittle pistachio tuile.

Then theres OGormans favourite, a chocolate overload explosion of honeycomb salted peanut pavlova loaded with cream, dark chocolate sauce, more chocolate and (gulp) gluten-free coconut brownie, so the wheat-phobic can scoff towers of sugar and cream too. The salty-sweet meringue is addictive.

30 must-try dishes in London restaurants 1 /41 30 must-try dishes in London restaurants Bone marrow on toast with parsley salad at St John Not only has this dish kicked off countless wonderful meals over the course of St Johns 25 years, but it also gets credit for putting British cooking back on the global culinary map. Roasted bone marrow, coaxed out onto toast, cut perfectly with salad of parsley, shallots and capers. A nose-to-tail revolution, and utterly divine. Whole turbot at Brat Tomos Parrys talents with a turbot first came to feverish acclaim at Mayfair restaurant Kitty Fishers, but they are now the star attraction at his Michelin-starred solo spot. This whole fish  grilled Basque-style, over hot coals and in a specially designed cage  softens as if it has melted, and is basted at the table in an emulsion made with its own juices. Benjamin McMahon Marinara at 50 Kalo di Ciro Salvo Superlatives should be used in moderation  but heck it, this might just be Londons best pizza. This under-the-radar London iteration of a Naples pizzeria serves an unrivalled marinara: just tomato sauce, oil, garlic and oregano. No need for any more  with a sauce this good and a base so fine and perfectly charred, you can stop mourning your cancelled Italian holiday at first bite. Luciano Furia Clay pot baked pork and crab glass noodles at Kiln When we say Kiln is one of the hottest spots in town, we mean it  hang over the counter at the Thai barbecue and youre not far out of range for the odd flame. Baking in the heart of the swirling heat is this must order: shimmering glass noodles, coated with a silky sauce enriched with fatty slicks of Tamworth pork belly and improbably unctuous crab meat. Lamb chops, Melabes Perhaps because its quietly tucked in among its unassuming neighbours down on the wrong end of High Street Kensington, Melabes is often overlooked by Londons food lovers. An unwarranted shame, as this partly Middle Eastern, partly Mediterranean set-up is really very good; it is somewhere to pick and choose from bits and pieces, and put a meal together yourself. The lamb chops, which come all smokey and burnished from the grill, are perfect; pink as a Vegas sign inside, but the fat all soft and dripping and delicious. A must, whatever the order. Steak tartare imperial at Bob Bob Ricard Theres Press For Champagne buttons, lobster in your mac and cheese and anything that stays still long enough gets gilded  there is no point in going small at Bob Bob Ricard. Steak tartare is a luxurious pick at the best of times, but the Imperial upgrade here comes with a dollop of caviar  even without the finishing touch, the tartare itself is one of the best in the capital. Bacon naan at Dishoom Londoners spent decades believing bacon in a bap with some ketchup (or brown sauce, but lets not have that argument now) couldnt be beaten  and then Dishoom came along. This breakfast sandwich fills a fresh naan with bacon, a slathering of cream cheese, a luxurious tomato and chilli chutney, coriander and an oozing fried egg if you feel so inclined. Hangover be gone. Cacio e pepe at Padella Five years ago, you would have thought anyone queuing for pasta in London to have lost their minds  this dish changed that. The starlet of Padellas much coveted is this plate of pici  hand-rolled fat worms of eggless pasta  with a mirror-shine sauce of parmesan cheese and pasta. Simple but unrivalled  and itll set you back just 6. Jamon croquetas at Barrafina A dish like this should be elusive  it is far too easy to eat seven portions of croquetas in a single sitting, which is why we presume Barrafina makes you queue. Very sensible. As the crunchy coating gives way to the oozing centre, enriched with the flavour of Spanish jamon (the best ham in the business), were already planning our next visit. Biang biang noodles at Xi'an Biang Biang Noodles There are oodles of noodles in the capital, but Guirong Weis triumphant take is one of the finest. First finding followers at her north London restaurant Xian Impression (soon to reopen for dine-in, but not yet), the dish of has inspired a whole spin-off restaurant in Spitalfields. Thick, hand-pulled, chewy noodles soak up all the spice and zing of the special sauce they swim in  very special indeed. Souffle Suissesse, Le Gavroche Le Gavroche  the street urchin  is perhaps not for everyone. It is a Mayfair time machine, a reminder of how things were done once upon a time. Fortunately, it happens that how things were once done was very well indeed, and lunch or supper here is a masterclass in traditional French luxury (and often, happily, includes very large glasses of wine). Staff make the place, anyone who has been gently teased by the twins pretending to be each other will know. A tendency towards the old ways does mean the cooking offers little in the way of evolution or revolution, but new, after all, isnt always better. Michel Roux Jrs cheese souffle, baked on double cream, stuns, so overwhelmingly tasty, utter decadence that clings to the taste buds. Buttermilk Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Around the Cluck / 12:51 James Cochran found his signature dish early on, but its good it should stay with him for the rest of his career. While he has chops, and can do more beyond, theres something special in the way he works with his chicken; hotly spiced, gorgeously crispy, beautifully soft on the inside. A long-standing favourite and, though 12:51 cant operate as it did before, there are tables at his new project Around the Cluck, which is operating out of the same site. Breakfast at Hawksmoor Guildhall Your Full English is not full in comparison to the Hawksmoor breakfast at the steak connoisseurs Guildhall restaurant. The mind-boggling two-person spread swaps bacon rashers for an entire smoked chop, serves its bubble and squeak with short rib, puts trotter meat into its baked beans, and adds grilled bone marrow to all the usual trimmings. Cauliflower shawarma at Berber & Q Its not often that the main event at a barbecue restaurant is the veg, but Berber & Q have achieved just that. The cauliflower shawarma here is cooked on their flaming grill until softened and charred, before being doused liberally in tahini, pomegranate molasses, coriander, pomegranate seeds and a scattering of dried rose petals. BBQ Butter Chicken Wings at Brigadiers Brigadiers is a bold, boisterous sort of place: a labyrinthine City dining room, packed to the rafters with beer and Indian food that is indisputably gutsy. But arguably its finest moment comes in one of its smallest packages  these chicken wings may be diminutive, but are mightily spiced, deftly charred and dripping with ghee-fuelled succulence. Beef brisket bun at Smokestak David Carters Shoreditch restaurant occupies itself by giving the entirety of Kansas City a run for its money on a daily basis. The star turn at this lauded barbecue restaurant is its beef brisket bun  the meat is soft and juicy, riddled with its fats in the centre, while charred and treacle-like on the outside, paired perfectly with pickled chillies. To remember it is to salivate, we assure you. Snails, LEscargot LEscargot is one of Sohos old aristocrats and in its grand, beret red dining room there is always a mischievous sense of fun  perhaps because it is still such a smart, suited, chandeliered place, and people are often drinking themselves rather silly. The clue to good eating is in the name; the snails come still clinging to their shells and submerged in their butter and parsley sauce. Dive in; you will emerge stinking gloriously of garlic. It wont matter a jot; roll on the red wine and settle in for a long, comforting night. Confit potatoes at Quality Chop House Yes, there are some high quality chops on offer at this 150-year-old Clerkenwell restaurant but blimey, leave room for the chips. Fine slices of potato are stacked into architecturally sound wedges, and confited until shatteringly crispy on the outside and devastatingly soft in the centre. They have been much imitated in recent years, but never bettered. Smoked eel sandwich at Quo Vadis Jeremy Lee cooks many things to a legendary level at Quo Vadis  his pies could so easily have also made this list  but he gets the nod here for his unrivalled take on the fancy sandwich. Smoked eel, horseradish cream and Dijon mustard, served with red onion pickle  a combination so popular Lee says he nearly ran out of eel on post-lockdown reopening. Classic bao at Bao London has buns in abundance, but we still bow down to the fluffy superiority of Bao. The Taiwanese restaurant has become a cross-town favourite, thanks to its pleasingly pert rice buns (they are genuinely very pert, no crassness intended) and carefully considered fillings. The classic order comes filled with braised pork, fermented veg, coriander and a dusting of peanut powder. Carol Sachs Potato and roe, Core by Clare Smyth Clare Smyth has a knack that must infuriate other chefs; she is able to take the simplest of ingredients  say, a single carrot and a smattering of lamb mince  do something devilish with it and charge rather a lot for it; so good are the results, though, that few mind. Smyths sorcery is perhaps best witnessed with her signature, the potato and roe. It is simply a potato on a plate in a little sauce, but then it is also perhaps the best potato dish in the world; it has this wonderful salty richness, a certain seaside intenseness. It is glorious; so too is the smoked chicken that tends to come as an amuse bouche. Youll be treated here. Omelette Arnold Bennett Dont worry, no Arnolds were harmed in the making of this dish. Alongside impeccable service and an arguably perfect dining room, you could add another highlight to your breakfast at The Wolseley by ordering this creamy, haddock-filled dish, named for the writer who inspired its creation while staying at the Savoy. Fish pie, J Sheekey Long an actors favourite, J Sheekeys glamour has never lost its lustre. Its kept its regulars and charmed newcomers with a menu that plays the greatest hits of fine dining favourites. Seafood is Sheekeys thing; simply done sole is beautiful here, crab comes three ways, brill brushed in butter has a meatiness thats beyond satisfying. The fish pie is famous though, and rightly so; beneath the flaking pastry is a sea of cream, mustard and white wine, in it bobbing cod, haddock and salmon. It is simple but never fails; it does on its own for lunch, but is a failsafe at supper, too. John Carey The Ari Gold at Patty & Bun Theres a cheeseburger on every high street in the capital  but not all of them are created equal. Patty & Bun has got the classic combination down to a tee with its curiously named Ari Gold burger: a fat, 35-day aged patty is served medium rare, and topped with gooey American cheese, smokey house mayo and tangy pickled red onions. Xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung Few dishes in the capital have been known to cause queues of four hours. Thats exactly what the world-famous xiao long bao dumplings did when top Taiwanese restaurant group Din Tai Fung first opened in Covent Garden. An intricately folded out layer (made by chefs trained for at least 18 months) gives way to succulent meat and a broth you could take on by the bowlful. Pig's trotter, the French House Upstairs in the Soho local, Neil Borthwick is quietly running one of the areas best kitchens. He orders in particularly good oysters, does brilliant things with brill and with his pigs trotter, has a dish that is rich and fatty, but with a beautiful salty cut that makes it madly moreish. The menu tends to change often upstairs in the French, but have this if its on. That little dining room is somewhere to go in early for lunch and stay until late, eventually spilling down into the pub below, to drink pints  they do pints now, not just halfs  all while merrily reliving the joys upstairs. Peter Clark Dover sole with crab butter at Bentley's Oyster Bar and Grill There are so many delights at Bentleys, its tricky to pick a single one. This could so easily have been a plate of rigorously sourced oysters, the fish pie, the decadent Royal seafood platter (pictured). It is however, the Dover sole that wins. A sublime piece of fish always, expertly cooked without fail  choose it either filleted with beautiful crab butter, or grilled and whole for a simple pleasure. Over in the City, Corrigan does similarly brilliant things with lobster at Daffodil Mulligan. Ragu, Lina Stores Sohos Lina Stores  the pasta bar, not the longstanding Italian deli it comes from  is the sort of restaurant one longs for; small, fun, friendly, not too pricey. They do small plates of near perfect pasta; their ragu, whether lamb or veal, is a gem. A good ragu is hard to find  too often theres too little meat, or meat not cooked for long enough  but here, they spend the time over it, cooking slowly, carefully. No restaurant can compare with a Nonna, but Lina gets gratifyingly close. Porterhouse steak, the Guinea Grill London is not short of steakhouses, but the Guinea does not number among them. A pub  a proper one  it is tucked down a Mayfair sidestreet, away from everything and yet still perpetually busy. Besides the small bar is a dining room that looks much as it must have done when the likes of Sinatra was in (or Bette Midler, or Kylie, or Regan, or, or, or), where theyve served prime Aberdeen Angus cooked on a smoking hot grill. The Guinea is all about having a good time  pints, red wine, brandies, the lot  but they cook beautifully, and their handling of a good piece of beef is second to none. Puree de pommes de terre, Le Comptoir Robuchon The late Joel Robuchon may have been the most decorated chef of his and perhaps any other era, but his signature stayed humble  mashed potato. Until youve had it, it is hard to believe it could be quite so good; mash, after all, is mash. No matter the scepticism, it will always surprise; it is almost silly that so little could taste of so much. A side, it will match almost everything on the menu; of which, the lamb with aubergine on the menu of classics is extraordinarily good.

OGorman admits that her sugar-packed creations are indulgent, very indulgent. But thats what you do on a Saturday night! You dont need alcohol when youre packing away this much sugar: to keep the buzz going, youll need to keep eating.

Fortunately, London is piling fruit and squirting cream all over the place. The ice lolly of the summer comes courtesy of Bill or Beak: youve got one more week to get to Model Market and slurp on their handmade peanut butter choc ices, dipped in extra peanut dust.

Then theres the new Bao in Fitzrovia: while the hype (and hilariously long queues) swirls around its Taiwanese bun namesake, the new menu also includes a rich condensed milkshake. Its thick, almost fudgey, and served ice cold.

Aussie style: Beany Green's new coconut bread French toast

Or, if you prefer your shake blasted with nitrogen gas, try the Four Winters nitro-ice cream parlour. Theyre turning their buttery rich frozen ices into drinks. Try the Afternoon Tea shake: clotted cream ice cream, freshly baked scones and homemade jam, whizzed up into a glass of pure pleasure.

Caffeine addicts seeking a literal pick-me-up can choose from the capitals abundant tiramisus, such as Burro e Salvia in Bethnal Green, while early-morning sugar-seekers should head to Beany Green in Broadgate Circle, to have pudding for breakfast. The coconut bread with Greek yoghurt, griddled mango, bee pollen and maple is technically a brekkie dish but is also, fundamentally, cake. Snaffle it al fresco on the Broadgate terrace when the sun is out and youre basically on a Barbados beach  albeit watching business suits rather than sunkissed swimmers. Granted, this isnt bikini-friendly food, so dont tell the #cleaneaters. But when the news is so grim and the weather so sticky, treating yourself to a mountain of sugary cream is the sweetest respite. Load up your spoon and ride the sugar high.

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I f you havent yet heard of rising stage star Olivia Vinall the productions in which she has appeared will probably be familiar. There was Othello, with Adrian Lester, at the National Theatre, in which she played Desdemona. Then there was King Lear with Simon Russell Beale, also at the National, in which she was Cordelia, and Tom Stoppards most recent new drama, The Hard Problem, once more at the National, in which she played the central character, psychology student Hilary. Now Vinall is back at the National to portray no less than three Chekhov heroines in the thrillingly audacious trilogy of the Russian masters early works, Young Chekhov.

These three plays  Platonov (1881), Ivanov (1887) and The Seagull (1896)  premiered at Chichester Festival Theatre last autumn to much acclaim, offering as they do a compelling insight into the dramatists literary development.

When I catch up with Vinall, 28, on a lunch break during rehearsals for this new run, she looks elfin-pretty in her low-key shirt and jeans. She tells me that shes enjoying the total immersion in Chekhov for several reasons. Ive always dreamt of being in a rep company. Youd hear stories about a different generation of actors who got to do it as their training, but its a training that isnt available for my generation. So as soon as Jonathan [Kent, the director] said he was going to do it, I thought Thats magic, Ive just got to have a go. I wanted to be in all three.

They are three hefty parts as well, Sofya (Platonov), Sasha (Ivanov) and Nina (The Seagull)  no peasant woman or second bag-carrier to take the pressure off her in any instalment.

Othello: Vinall stars as Desdemona with Adrian Lester in Othello / Robbie Jack/Corbis via Getty Images

Is it a challenge to hold three such meaty roles in your head at once? I was worried that it would be much more difficult than it is, she says. On three-play days, when hardy audience members can see the complete trilogy with shows at 11.45am, 4pm and 8pm, Vinall finds that she can switch crisply from one play to the next.

I try to completely wipe the slate clean. Getting into costume helps and also the shift in cast as well, because new people come in. Ive tried to work really hard on seeing Sofya, Sasha and Nina as very different people and its so interesting to see the development of Chekhovs writing of women. Sofyas in a world where shes not allowed to go to university but shes very interested in thinking and ideas. Sasha in Ivanov isnt allowed to go either but she has great discussions with Ivanov. Nina is the 20th-century girl who gets to work. So theres a moving forward and I can let the others go.

When Vinall and I meet its just after the Brexit vote and we return to the topic throughout the interview (shes very much In). Modern political developments have filtered through to the world of the plays too. Weve been talking about the notion of the destruction of youth by older generations, she says. Its amazing how certain sections of the plays suddenly have a new resonance and relevance, particularly in The Seagull. Its a little more haunting now.

Nicholas Hytner, the former artistic director of the National who oversaw Vinalls casting in those three original roles, is clear about her qualities. Olivia allows you complete access to what shes thinking and feeling; she has intelligence and grace and a gravity unusual for someone so young. Its impossible not to be moved by her, so entire is her immersion in the parts she plays.

I suspect that she might be tired of the question, but I ask it anyway: Othello, Lear and The Hard Problem were such a dream start to a career. Did she ever pinch herself to check if she was dreaming? All the time, Vinall laughs. I dont think theres a day goes by when I dont think, How did I get to work here? They have faith in you, even when you dont always have that faith in yourself.

Vinall, who describes herself as open-minded, sentimental and observant, moved around a lot because of her fathers job as a diplomat. She was born in Brussels (Im very much an EU child) and went to secondary school there; there was also a posting to Washington DC.

I wonder if all this moving endowed her with the observation skills and chameleon-like ability to adapt that all good actors require? People have told me of various actors whove had a similar upbringing. I do think there is something in not being sure of where you fit and perhaps not being able to specify your identity. Its lovely to hear other people say, This is where Im from, but actually its really nice not to have that and feel very fluid, that youre not one thing or another. Maybe theres a restlessness and me figuring things out through that.

Chekhov: Vinall appearing in The Seagull last year at Chichester Festival Theatre / Rex

Were the changes ever destabilising? I loved writing letters, so I was big on the pen-pal side of things. I was like, You will not be rid of me! I will haunt you with my letters!

Her mother, whose most extraordinary bedtime stories Vinall and her siblings still recall, encouraged her to give acting a try after she graduated with a drama degree from the University of East Anglia, so she enrolled on a one-year course at the Drama Studio in Ealing. The recession had just become this thing and it was hard to get any job, so she said You might as well have a go at the thing that seems ridiculous.

Vinalls hero is Charlie Chaplin. He relentlessly worked on his craft and his skill and perfected it and knew everything about every aspect of film-making.

Film and television roles appeal to her and with her Carey Mulligan-style intelligence, vulnerability and talent, I dont envisage her having any trouble getting snapped up. Her dream part, however, looks most likely to materialise on stage: Maybe some new writing that explores gender and the role now of the male and the female. I think that theatre and art has the power to change that relationship and make us re-evaluate it.

On a perfect day off, says Vinall, shed probably go to the theatre, because there is so much here in London and I feel so excited by it all the time. You never think, Oh, Ive seen everything. I feel inspired by watching other people perform. I get a lot of motivation and inspiration from watching people working really hard at what they do.

Im sure a lot of folk will go to Young Chekhov and feel exactly the same about Olivia Vinall.

Young Chekhov is at the National Theatre, SE1 until Oct 8; nationaltheatre.org.uk

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A t this rate Ill be dead by the time we finally get a woman leader, a female Labour MP told me last night. She had hoped Angela Eagle would be the one to try to overthrow Jeremy Corbyn. Instead, Eagle  realising she was lagging in support  yesterday quit the race, allowing Owen Smith, the MP for Pontypridd, to become the great hope of the anti-Corbynites.

So Labour will now have a man-on-man contest. And the Tories will retain their two nil score in the female leader (and PM) stakes that David Cameron so enjoyed taunting the Opposition with in his final Prime Ministers Questions.

Labour is risking alienating half of its voters. Certainly women on social media last night were fed up. Two men fight for Labour leadership. Yawn. Gay, northern, working-class woman probably too radical, wrote one Twitter user. Janice Turner, the Times columnist and a Labour Party member, said: I do hope Labours perfect woman comes along in my lifetime. Even some lifelong Labour supporters were muttering about doing the unthinkable: could they  possibly  see themselves voting for Theresa May?



The stark truth is that no woman who has run for Labour leader has ever polled above any man. Last year Corbyn and Andy Burnham pushed Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall into third and fourth places. In 2010 Diane Abbott came fifth behind four men. And in 1994 Margaret Beckett took bronze behind Tony Blair and John Prescott.

No wonder people are asking whether Labour has a women problem.

As Labourites point out, though, the selection of Smith is more complex. Lots of us thought Angela would have been a good leader, says a female MP who is supporting Smith. But people in the Parliamentary Labour Party arent picking a leader  theyre picking someone who can beat Jeremy. Many who would have supported Angela were concerned that her voting record meant she couldnt win.

The feeling was that Eagle was tainted in the eyes of the membership by her support for the Iraq War. Although she is better known, Smith can paint himself as the next generation. The MP said she believed Smith had set out a clearer direction for Labour than Eagle.

Two female MPs who quit the shadow cabinet have hit out at Corbyns rule / PA

But Labours women problem goes deeper than the leadership. Eagle recently warned that Labour was in danger of becoming the nasty party due to widespread misogyny and other forms of prejudice. As another female MP tells me: Theres a lot of misogyny in the party at the moment. Its hugely worrying. You cant be the party of equality and have misogyny bubbling over.

Some of this falls at Corbyns door. When he first created his shadow cabinet last September he was applauded for appointing more women than men. However, the cheers soon morphed into criticism as big jobs went to the boys.

In recent days, two female MPs who quit the shadow cabinet have also hit out at Corbyns rule. One of the most damning critiques came from Lilian Greenwood, formerly the shadow transport secretary. Corbyn undermined her by choosing one of her most high-profile days  when rail fares rise  to announce the shadow cabinet reshuffle, wasting weeks of Greenwood and her staffs work.

Even more shockingly, Corbyn appointed Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire  who has breast cancer  to the shadow cabinet without telling her, and then sacked her the next day, again neglecting to inform her. She was undergoing treatment at the time and worked on arts policy not knowing hed given her the boot.

These may be examples of insensitivity and incompetence rather than a lack of care for female colleagues but women do seem to have borne much of the brunt of poor leadership decisions. Johanna Baxter, a member of the partys National Executive Committee, tearfully accused Corbyn of failing to protect vulnerable colleagues after he did not allow members to vote in secret on whether he should be automatically on the leadership ballot.

With Labours civil war raging, women also seem to be getting a disproportionate amount of abuse  including orchestrated trolling and threats of deselection. Corbyns response has been half-hearted. Eagle was called a treacherous lesbian for daring to challenge his leadership, she received death threats and a brick was thrown through the window of her constituency office.

MPs who have raised feminist criticisms of the leadership have also received an online onslaught. Much of this abuse is believed to be coming from activists in the hard Left group Momentum (or Bromentum as some feminists have dubbed it), although there may also be misogynists whove jumped on the bandwagon and send abuse under the label of Momentum.

Sacked: Bristol West MP Thangam Debbonaire / Rex

The online abuse is getting worse, says Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn. There hasnt been enough condemnation from the top about that behaviour. It should be zero tolerance of abuse  whether its misogyny or anti-Semitism or any other form  and it needs to be said repeatedly, not just once in a while.

A party insider tells me he believes Corbyn isnt really prioritising tackling sexism. Its more an add-on than integral to his politics because in Corbyns cult, class trumps gender: Its not a central part of his struggle. And a problem with Corbyns politics is that its all about the slogan  once hes said it, its job done  like him condemning the online abuse. But he needs more than slogan politics  he needs to take proactive measures.

He adds that theres a stark contrast with Sadiq Khan, Londons Mayor. Khans someone who understands the importance of action  not just putting out a press release. Which is why one of the first things Khan has done as Mayor is demand an equal pay audit.

10 books every feminist should read 1 /14 10 books every feminist should read Click through to discover 10 essential books for the feminist reader... Shutterstock / Vadim Georgiev 1. The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood Set in the near future, Canadian author Margaret Atwoods dystopian novel follows the story of Offred, a young handmaid to a powerful commander, who is a lynchpin in a totalitarian Christian theocracy which has overthrown the United States government. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. What unfolds is a story of female subjugation at the hands of a male dictatorship, and the desperate hope of a young woman who clings to the memories of her former life and identity. As unpleasant as it is brilliant, this cruel and bone-chilling story will stay with your for the rest of your life - not just because its terrifying, but because its terrifyingly possible. 2. Why We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Adapted from her much-viewed TEDx talk of the same name, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichies 49-page call to arms asks the question what does feminism mean today? Drawing on her own experiences, she aims her literary harpoon at discrimination, and the institutional behaviors that marginalize women around the world. So important, is her essay, that every 16-year-old in Sweden will receive a copy to read as part of a new government initiative.



My own definition of a feminist is a man or a woman who says, Yes, theres a problem with gender as it is today and we must fix it, we must do better, writes Adichie in the essay. All of us, women and men, must do better. 3. How To Be A Woman by Caitlin Moran Britains funniest feminists memoir helps women who are too knackered and confused to work out if they are a womens rights advocate (i.e the vast majority of us) to easily figure it all out. Less a glossy manifesto on womens rights a more an honest attempt to decode what it means to be female, this book is a great read for anyone whos intimidated or confused by the shifting parameters that define feminism. While no stone is left unturned - from bikini waxing and plastic surgery to objectification and Katie Price - the crux of the books argument essentially boils down to this quote:



Put your hand in your pants.

a) Do you have a vagina? and

b) Do you want to be in charge of it?



If you said 'yes' to both, then congratulations! You're a feminist." 4. Men Explain Things To Me by Rebecca Solnit Ever had something mansplained to you? Then youll want to know about this book. Rebecca Solnit's essay 'Men Explain Things to Me' is credited with kickstarting the term - radically addressing the issues that a patriarchal culture may not deem as issues at all. Exploring everything from rape culture to the nuclear family, Solnits prose reminds us of the basic right we all should have to a voice and an opinion. 5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker This Pulitzer-winning novel is set in Georgia in the 1930s and looks at the racism and sexism facing Celie, our heroine, as a black woman at the time. Raped repeatedly by the man she calls 'father', she has two children taken away from her, is separated from her beloved sister Nettie and is trapped into an ugly marriage. But then she meets the glamorous Shug Avery - a woman who has taken charge of her own destiny. A violent and explicit insight into the issues facing African-American women in the US, this book is a surprisingly uplifting and comforting reminder that strength can be found even in the most tragic conditions. 6. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay In these witty and intelligent essays, Roxane Gay takes us through the journey of the evolution of modern woman - from the writers own experience with growing up to the wider popular culture influences that subtly define what it means to be a woman in todays society. Bad Feminist should sit on every informed readers bookshelf - a sharp, biting and hilarious look at the ways in which our consumption shapes the person who we are. 7. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld This young adult novel is a brilliant starting point for teenagers who are interested in the topic of feminism. It is set in a future dystopian world in which everyone is turned "Pretty" by extreme cosmetic surgery upon reaching age 16. We meet our heroine Tally Youngblood, who rebels against society's enforced conformity, after her newfound friends Shay and David show her the downsides to becoming a "Pretty". This is a brilliant read for any young reader, or indeed fully fledged adult, who is beginning to question the meaning of beauty, identity and individuality in the age of vanity and social media. 8. The Second Sex by Simone De Beauvoir No feminist should go without reading French existentialist Simone de Beauvoir's ground breaking study of women. Perhaps the most extensive and enduring feminist book, The Second Sex is at once a work of anthropology and sociology, of biology and psychoanalysis - a book that will make you question the worth of the woman in 2016 just as much as it did upon its release in 1949. 9. The Female Eunuch - Germaine Greer When Germaine Greer penned the Female Eunuch in the early 1970s, a woman's role in society was still set by male expectations. While women were expected to work and be educated, they were still paid less than men for the same men, and were encouraged to marry and become housewives. The Female Eunuch called on women to reject their traditional roles in the home, and explore ways to break out of the mould that society had imposed on them. It also encouraged women to question the power of traditional authority figures and to explore their own sexuality. 10. The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin The American dream suburb of Stepford, Connecticut, has perfect houses, perfect lives, and perfect wives. This satirical thriller concerns Joanna Eberhart, a photographer and young mother who begins to suspect that the frighteningly submissive housewives in her new idyllic neighborhood may be robots created by their husbands. At once a psychological nightmare and a terrifying commentary on a media-driven society that values the pursuit of youth and beauty at all costs, The Stepford Wives will make you rethink the societal pressure to settle down, get a husband and have it all.

Every female Labour MP I spoke to had experienced sexism  showing how vital it is to tackle it. When running for parliament a former candidate asked if she could put up a poster in the shop of a local Labour member; he refused because of her sex. An MP recalled a horrendous selection interview where trade union men belittled her. A colleague had this even worse  shed worked for the trade union yet its bosses wouldnt back her because they fumed about having an all-women shortlist: she was told We need a man here.

Even with this leadership contest, one MP said she felt patronised by the way shed been lobbied by the Smith and Eagle camps: Both chose older men they thought Id defer to. Im a grown woman and I was being treated like a girl who should listen to Daddy.

And sometimes this sexism can inhibit MPs. Young women in the party come under a lot more scrutiny than men, another female Labour MP tells me. Its harder to put your head above the parapet. Whatever youre putting yourself forward for  MP or leader  comes with an added fear. So women dont put themselves forward enough.

Labour is hardly unique in possessing a sexist undercurrent. One MP pointed out how boorish some of the older Tory men can be in parliament: Were in the chamber with them  we can hear their sexist comments.

Angela Eagle says she suffered online abuse / Carl Court/Getty Images

However, Labour is supposed to be the progressive party, the champion of equality. The party has many more female MPs than the Tories and a list of women whove held senior positions: Cooper, Harriet Harman, Tessa Jowell, Margaret Beckett. However, a complacency has perhaps set in whereby the Left assumes  in its holier-than-thou way  that it isnt afflicted by sexism. Another problems is that its served up a gimmicky feminism in the past  all pink buses and slogan T-shirts.

But is the sexism getting worse, or was it always there? Under Blair and with all-women shortlists there was a big increase in the number of female MPs  40 per cent of Ed Milibands cabinet were women. Yet a former adviser to Miliband tells me he still noticed implicit sexism or unconscious bias in favour of men: The top team were mostly men  [political director] Anna Yearley was an excellent exception. Often when it was a discussion about strategy or a speech Id look around the room and there were no women there.

What he believes has worsened is the degree of venom and abuse female MPs face. This requires action from Labour. As Jess Phillips MP said to The Guardian yesterday about Eagles failed bid:

Why would you sacrifice time with your family, time to do your job properly, see your constituents properly, to basically be a figure of hatred? The message it sends out to women activists around the country is politics is not for you, its not worth it.

Follow Rosamund Urwin on Twitter: @rosamundurwin
P uglia, Italy's rustic, flavoursome heel, is one of the hottest holiday destinations of 2016 - and not least for the food.

Packed with vinyards and olive groves, Puglia lends itself to a food-fulled road trip. One of the places you must stop is Ostuni, one of the region's 'white cities. Set atop a hill, this whitewashed town is near the Adriatic Coast and packed with buzzing restaurants and bars.

Here, owner of London's own Ostuni restaurant Rob Claassen - which has branches in Queen's Park and Highgate - shares his insider knowledge for where to eat in the town and surrounding area.

1. Al Solito Posto

This is one of my favourite places in Ostuni. Ive always had a special connection with the owner Francesco whos the same age as me and opened Al Solito Posto at the same time I opened my first restaurant, The Salusbury, back in 1999. Were both obsessed with wine and Francesco has a great rare wine collection as well as having some of the best Puglian wines. But besides that, this place is a must when in town. Its an all-rounder serving everything from pizza, lobster, fish, carpaccio of fish, steak from Tuscany, to the must-order: Antipasto Pugliese. Antipasti is served at every restaurant in Puglia and includes small plates of the house, hot and cold, but the one here is by far one of the best. Al Solito Posto is located by the cinema outside the old town. Reservations are recommended throughout the summer months. ANother notable dish is the Orechiette cime di rapa  the classic dish of Puglia. Francescos version is turbo charged with a serving of burrata.

Find it: alsolitoposto.it

2. Osteria del tempo perso

With such an evocative name, it only makes sense that this restaurant is located within one of the most atmospheric spaces. Built at the top of Ostuni old town, past the white washed side streets, this old, classically smart restaurant is built within a cave. They serve classic Puglian feasts - so no pizza here - and I love the place for its fresh cheeses, especially their burrata. Youll definetly need to reserve here throughout the summer months but make sure you ask to be sat in the main restaurant rather than the other area which has been built recently and not within the cave.

Find it: Via Gaetano Tanzarella Vitale, 47, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; osteriadeltempoperso.com

Osteria del Tempo Perso

3. Ristorante Pantagruel

This place isnt for the faint hearted and serves some of the best meat in Ostuni. Youll find the restaurant amongst the winding cobbled streets at the bottom of the old town and probably smell it before you get there. Inside its rustic and medieval with suits of armour, swords, coats of arms, wooden tables and paper place settings plus a grand butchers counter with all the meat on display  really impressive. Be sure to try the bombette here, the incredible meatballs and braciole, and accompany it with some side salads. Theyll bring all the meat on skewers straight from the oven to your table, making it quite a theatrical event. If youre feeling really brave, Id highly recommend the Diaframma Cavallo which is an onglet of horse  unforgettable. This is a lively dinner spot and Pantagruel has a great tourist menu which is good value too.

Find it: Via Francant Arc Zaccaria, 9, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy

Miramre has a great position on the sea / Miramare

4. Miramare

About a 20-minute drive from Ostuni to the coastal town of Santa Sabina, there is a beautiful seafront restaurant called Miramare which is hands down, my favourite restaurant. Its known to the locals as Da Michele, the name of the owner, and is almost completely surrounded by sea. Its a crime not to sit outside and take in the views. Its also just as bad to not order the Antipasti a la Casa which will include slow cooked octopus, baked clams, gratinee mussels and raw Gallipoli prawns, amongst many others. They have great pasta dishes too like the Ragu of Scorpion Fish with Black Ink Orecchiette or the Cavatelli with baby cuttlefish and fresh artichokes. Miramare is my happy place.

Find it: Via della Torre, Torre Santa Sabina, Marina di carovigno. Brindisi 72012, Italy miramaredamichele.it

Seafood dish at Miramare di Michele / Miramare

5. Porta Nova

This restaurant is the more elegant of the selection and has amazing views of Ostunis old town. Its located on the ramparts of the old town wall and does everything from pasta to fish (no pizzas though!). Its more of a special occasion kind of place, nice for Sunday family lunches or a romantic evening. It also has one of the best wine lists in town.

Find it: Via Gaspare Petrarolo, 38, 72017 Ostuni BR, Italy; en.ristoranteportanova.com

Rob Claassen is the owner of Ostuni, which has branches in Queen's Park and Highgate; ostunirestaurant.co.uk
C ommunity leaders in Stamford Hill have slammed the "disturbingly light" sentence given to a 14-year-old boy who placed lit fireworks in the pockets of Jewish pedestrians.

The teen was ordered to pay 20 after he was dealt with by Hackney Youth Offender Panel after he was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault in January.

The victims managed to escape without injury, and the boy was detained in Dunsmure Road by volunteer neighbourhood watch group Shomrim in Hackney, who alerted police.

Following the sentencing, Moshe Monitz, Supervisor at Stamford Hill Shomrim, said the fine sent out "the wrong message to victims", and called for tougher sentencing on hate crimes.

Mr Monitz said: "The outcome in this case unfortunately sends out a wrong message to victims, a sense of why bother if justice will not be served.

"The CPS and Ministry of Justice should consider the impact that a crime has upon its victim and the message it sends to all victims in general.

"There is so much talk about a zero tolerance approach to hate crime, but it is important that it should not be mere words, it is the action that demonstrates how serious the words are.

"I would encourage victims to continue to come forward and report all crimes, Shomrim are here to support you, and from previous experience I can also assure you that our local police take crime reports seriously and conduct thorough investigations."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: A 14-year-old male who was arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated common assault has been dealt with by the Hackney Youth Offender Panel.

"Police had been called at around 08:00 on Sunday, January 31 to Dunsmure Road N16 to reports of a youth assaulting members of the Jewish community.

"He was referred to the Hackney Youth Offender Panel for the above offence. A contract was issued having effect for an extended compliance period of two months and a total contract period 12 months. Also compensation of 20 is to be paid.
A Croydon man accused of stabbing to death his girlfriend at the home they shared will stand trial for murder in September, a court heard today.

Pawel Sroka, 33, allegedly killed his partner, Joanna Trojniak, at their terraced house home in Meadvale Road on March 23.

Paramedics called just before 9pm found the 29-year-old had suffered multiple stab wounds, and she was declared dead at the scene.

Sroka was arrested at an address in Addiscombe that same evening, and was found to have his own injuries including a stab wound to his shoulder.

He appeared at the Old Bailey via videolink from HMP Belmarsh this morning to plead not guilty to one count of murder.

Asked by the clerk to enter his plea, Sroka answered: "I am not guilty, madam."

Judge Nicholas Hilliard QC, the Recorder of London, remanded Sroka, of Meadvale Road, Croydon, in custody until a trial on September 6.
A teenage girl was knifed in the head after violence broke out when hundreds of youths descended upon Harlesden for a "water fight."

Young people congregated in for "a street party", where witnesses described seeing crowds of between 200 and 300 people gather.

Police said the 15-year-old girl who was stabbed in St Mary's Road and was taken to a central London hospital with suspected knife wounds to the head, where she was treated and later discharged.

She was then arrested in relation to four unrelated incidents, and taken into custody at a north London police station.

Residents said the crowds started to arrive in the area from about 4.30pm, and were there until the early hours.

Louise Arnold, a 33-year-old PA, was forced to leave her house and stay with a friend after noise from the party stopped her from sleeping on Monday night.

She described the incident as "extremely stressful and intimidating", and said the youths left behind "carnage" when they finally departed.

She told the Standard: "About 4.30pm there was a large amount of school kids hanging around.

"More and more people were arriving until there were about 200 people, then a fight broke out between two girls, one of which got stabbed in the head.

"The whole mass of people then ran back into St Mary's Road and one of the girls' heads was steaming with blood.

Crowds: up to 300 young people gathered in Harlesden / Irena Halder

"Most of the residents of Florence Court called 999 and police and ambulance came.

"Then, more and more people of all ages continued to arrive, some of which were with water pistols.

"Police, three of them, just looked on for about three hours.

"By 8.30pm the police left and someone had set up a table with mixing decks and two eight foot speakers right outside residential flats and played extremely loud music, so loud that I couldn't escape it anywhere in the building.

"I stayed at a friend's but I know that my neighbours called the noise pollution people and the music got shut down about 11.45.

"The street looked like carnage in the morning but it mostly got cleaned up by midday."

Another described walking along the road to find "the top half of the entire road to be completely blocked with a massive group of youths."

She said: "They were drunk, chucking glass bottles and it looked like drugs were being sold openly on the street.

"A sound system was blaring and while I tried to pass, I was squared up to, aggressively asked what I was looking at and someone thought it would be funny to pull the trigger of an electronic water pistol near to me - while others around them laughed. Others simply blocked my way.

Street party: young people arrived in the afternoon and stayed until the early hours / Irena Halder

"I am a 5ft 3ins tall female who was walking home alone and such aggressive and threatening behaviour left me feeling hugely intimidated.

"I believe in our area and want it to thrive. But when there is public disorder on our streets to such an extent, over a prolonged period and the police do absolutely nothing about it, then I despair for the future of social cohesion in our neighbourhood.

"I was made to feel afraid on my local streets."

Police said two women, aged 35 and 31, were arrested in a nearby flat on suspicion of GBH in relation to the stabbing and were taken into custody at a separate north London police station.

Officers from Brent Borough are investigating, and anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A mother who allowed an alleged drug dealer to have sex with her 11-year-old daughter in exchange for heroin has been jailed for 51 years.

April Corcoran, from Ohio, would even "reward" her child with the drug after she was abused by the 40-year-old man, it was claimed.

Some of the rapes were recorded on film between February and June 2014, the Cinicinatti Inquirer reported.

At Hamilton County Common Pleas Court yesterday, the 32-year-old was jailed after admitting multiple counts of complicity to rape, human trafficking and child endangerment.

Corcoran never apologised to her child, the paper reported, but in a statement read out in court the mother said: "I made selfish, horrible choices that will affect (the girl) for the rest of her life.

I am consumed by guilt and shame every day."

But Judge Leslie Ghiz told her: "I can honestly say that, in three-and-a-half years on the bench, this is by far the worst thing that has come before this court."

She said: "I don't know that you grasp the damage that has been done to this poor child."

Alleged drug dealer Shandell Willingham, 42, is awaiting a hearing set for next month, the paper reported.

The girl, who has considered suicide and is undergoing medical care, is now living with her father and stepmother in a different state.
L ondon was hit by an "horrific night of spontaenous violence" after the hottest day of the year, one of the capital's top police officers said today.

Trouble flared in at least three London areas on the hottest day of the year as parties descended into chaos.

In Hyde Park, five police officers were injured, including one who was stabbed in the hand, as a water fight turned into a 2,000-strong "warzone" which raged into the early hours.

More ugly scenes occurred at an illegal rave in Hackney, while local police tweeted that a water fight in Burgess Park, Peckham, led to a serious stabbing.

Interview with Metropolitan Police commander following night of violence in London

Speaking about the trouble today, Commander BJ Harrington, head of Met operations, defended the force's Hyde Park tactics, which saw them intervene when revellers set up a soundsystem.

He told BBC Radio London: "The people of London are waking up this morning to some horrific scenes of spontaneous violence.

Police closed off Oxford Street / Nigel Howard

Addressing the scenes in Hyde Park, he added: "Officers deployed through that crowd and found themselves under attack.

"We responded quickly and I'm really proud of the way the officers dealt with these incidents."

He denied claims by some people that police, who used riot gear, escalated things by moving in when loud bashment music started being played.

"These events are not safe, he insisted.

London hit by 'horrific night of violence' as trouble flares across the capital after hottest day of

There are people coming together who are clearly willing to carry knives, to throw bottles and to injure people,

"There's a duty on us to deal with that seriously."

He added: "I'd make an appeal to parents and people who are thinking about attending some of these spontaneous events - they're not safe."

Police are now appealing for anyone who took footage of the Hyde Park violence or who saw anything to get in touch on 0208 246 0076 or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
I slington has suffered a worrying increase in mobile phone snatches by muggers using mopeds, a new report reveals.

More than 300 phones were snatched every month in 2014/15 from people on its streets, more than 80 per cent higher than any other borough in London, according to the findings by an Islington council committee. It also said there was a big jump in knife crime, and 3,000 suspects all under 25 are believed to have committed at least 8,000 crimes where knives were used or a phone snatched over the 12 months.

In addition, for all crimes there was a significant increase in the number of 10- to 14-year-olds arrested.

The report, due to be presented to senior councillors tomorrow, says: Youth violence and gang-related offences, principally violence, robbery and drug offences, are increasing and re-offending and custody rates of Islington young people are much higher than national averages.

In addition, the children becoming involved in criminal activity appeared to be getting younger. The report adds: The most arrested age group are 15- to 17-year -olds and there has been a significant increase in arrests of 10- to 14-year-olds. It also includes claims that local gangs are using children as young as nine or 10 to courier drugs and even children from middle class families are now being targeted.

The report warns: One of the attractions of gang membership is the fact that many young people could not earn the money elsewhere that they did through drugs.

Police have increased their presence in Islington and the council will spend 500,000 mentoring at-risk youngsters. Counselling and family support for offenders, often from chaotic backgrounds, are also being offered.

Detective Chief Superintendent Catherine Roper, Islingtons borough police commander, said some young people do cause misery to residents by committing crime, but they are in the minority.

Moped muggings have surged across the rest of London, with 4,637 in the past 12 months  up from 372 in 2011. Earlier this month dramatic footage emerged of two men on a moped mounting a pavement in Muswell Hill and trying to snatch a phone out of a pedestrians hands.
A pensioner who groped a woman in the court lifts during his trial for molesting a 12-year-old girl has been jailed for 20 weeks.

Ahmet Sami, 76, cornered the 22-year-old woman before grabbing her around the waist. When she tried to move away, Sami ran his hand over her hips and asked if she was married.

She left the lift as soon as the doors opened and ran to report the sexual assault to a security guard.

Sami, a father of four, carried out the attack on May 28 last year  the third day of his trial for kissing a 12-year-old girl. He had offered her sweets at a bus stop before following her onto a bus. He patted her thigh and kissed her hand before kissing her on the cheek.

Sami was found guilty after a trial and given a three-month prison sentence suspended for a year. He was jailed for 20 weeks yesterday for the court attack.

Judge Rebecca Poulet QC told him: It unquestionably had a traumatising effect on [the victim]. Bearing in mind you were on trial for similar offences, I cant fail to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

Prosecutor Nicholas Barraclough said the woman was left feeling sick and humiliated and violated after the sexual assault. She is less outgoing the she previously was and felt unclean, he said. She gets flashbacks and doesnt feel protected at work as a result.

Sami, originally from Northern Cyprus but a UK resident for the past 35 years, pounced on the woman when she got into the lift at the London courthouse.

He immediately moved towards her, invading her personal space, said Mr Barraclough. He commented on her height  she was wearing high heels  and then he put his arm around her midriff and put his hand between her ribs and hips.

She was shocked, she shrugged him off. As she moved away from him he ran his left hand down over her hips. She could feel the pressure of his hand on her. As he did that, he asked if she were married. Very shortly afterwards, the lift doors opened and she left the lift as quickly as she could.

When confronted by security, Sami simply replied, Oh sorry but insisted he had no bad intention. He told police he had touched her on the arm like a gentleman and denied sexual assault, but pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial yesterday.

The pensioner, from Homerton, is banned indefinitely from being alone with children younger than 16.
P olice are hunting a man following a brutal machete attack in Romford.

Detectives from Barking and Dagenham have said they would like to speak to Jimmy Eastwood, 38, in connection with the serious assault, which took place at 11.45am last Wednesday, July 13 outside C Brewer and Sons in Collier Row Road.

The 53-year-old victim was buying building supplies when he was attacked by a man armed with a machete.

The victim suffered stab wounds to his chest and back, and was taken to an east London hospital, where he currently remains in a stable condition.

Eastwood is known to frequent Barking and Dagenham, Havering, Ilford, and Essex, and detectives would like to hear from anyone who knows of his whereabouts, or who witnessed the assault.

Anyone with information is asked to call Barking and Dagenham CID on 020 3276 1047 or via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
F our men are being hunted by police after violent clashes swept the capital on the hottest day of the year.

Trouble flared in four areas across London as parties descended into chaos, leaving several police officers and youths injured.

Police have released photographs of the suspects they want to speak to in connection with the disorder.

Three of the men are believed to have been involved in violence at Hyde Park, where police were injured in clashes with up to 4,000 teenagers.

Appeal: Police want to speak to these men in connection with disorder in Marble Arch (left) and Hyde Park (right) / Metropolitan Police

The fourth was captured on CCTV in Marble Arch, where a crowd of revellers trashed a McDonalds and leapt over the counter to grab food.

More ugly scenes occurred at an illegal rave in Hackney, while local police said a water fight in Burgess Park, Peckham, led to a serious stabbing.

Appeal: Police want to speak to these men in connection with disorder in Hyde Park / Metropolitan Police

Officers have been trawling through hours of CCTV to try to identify those responsible for the disorder.

Commander Nick Downing, said: We are asking for the publics help to identify these five men, to give us any information they may have about anyone else who was involved in the disorder last night and looking ahead, any information about future plans for such disorder.

A lovely day in the Capital turned violent in Hyde Park, Burgess Hill and Stamford Hill last night after spontaneous events turned nasty and people attacked each other and the police.

The CCTV appeal came as Scotland Yard said it would be stepping up patrols this evening to stop a repeat of last nights violence.

Extra police officers will be visible at key locations hit by the violence on Tuesday night.

Any witnesses are asked to contact the police on 020 8246 0076 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
E xtra police officers were on the streets today to stop a repeat of last night's violence that swept through the capital.

More officers will be visible today at key locations hit by the "horrific night of spontaneous violence" on Tuesday night  including Hyde Park, where police were injured in clashes with up to 4,000 teenagers on Tuesday evening.

At least three youths were hurt, two of them stabbed.

A police officer was also knifed as a further four were injured.

Video has emerged of a youth being stabbed in the street amid clashes with police in Hyde Park

Violence flared as a mob clashed with police after they were called to a water fight and party organised on social media.

Officers were also called to a McDonald's restaurant nearby in Marble Arch after crowds of revellers leapt over the counter to grab food as disorder spilled out of the park.

Marble Arch McDonalds ransacked after Hyde Park riots

As part of efforts to prevent a repeat of the disorder, today the Met pledged to put more officers out on patrol.

Commander BJ Harrington - who called yesterday an "horrific night of spontaneous violence" - said: "Extra officers will be on duty tonight across London and this will continue throughout the weekend."

Police closed off Oxford Street on Tuesday night / Nigel Howard

A tweet posted by the force added: "#HydePark: Officers on duty today. We want you to have a safe & enjoyable day. Think carefully before going to spontaneous/unlicenced events"

The message was retweeted by the two borough police force's that patrol the park, Westminster as well as Kensington and Chelsea.

Interview with Metropolitan Police commander following night of violence in London

Violence also exploded in south London on Tuesday night as teenagers flooded into Burgess Park in Southwark for an end of term water fight.

Two 16-year-olds were stabbed as about 1,500 people filled the Camberwell park. Neither were seriously injured, police said.

The outbreak of disorder led police to promise there would be an upped presence of officers in the area today.

Southwark MPS tweeted: What started as end of term water fight in #burgesspark yesterday ended in a serious stabbing. Extra patrols today. #schoolsout #SE17 #SE5.

Hundreds of teenagers gathered in Stamford Hill (Loren Bowe ) / Loren Bowe

End of exam celebrations also descended into chaos in Stamford Hill, Hackney, where police were pelted with bottles after hundreds of youths gathered to drink and have a water fight.

The grim night of violence came as London sweltered in the hottest day of the year so far, with temperatures in the capital reaching 32C.

Scotland Yards BJ Harrington said spell of hot weather was no excuse for violent criminal behaviour

He said: Does the weather cause people to be violent? My personal opinion is no, thats not the case.

Four thousand people assembled in a London park - thats not unusual for one of our central London parks. What is unusual is where people behave criminally, where their behaviour is unacceptable, where they attack officers, they attack each other.
A record number of terror attacks were planned, foiled or carried out in European Union countries last year, it was revealed today.

EU law enforcement agency Europol said there were 211 "failed, foiled or completed" terrorist strikes in 2015, with the highest number logged by the UK.

The UK reported 103 attacks, but it is thought these were mostly linked to Northern Ireland.

Some 151 people died and more than 360 were injured as a result of terrorism - with the vast majority of fatalities in France, which was hit by the Charlie Hebdo and Paris atrocities in 2015 - according to the law enforcement agencys latest Terrorism Situation and Trend Report.

The figures are "markedly higher" than in 2014, when four people were killed and six wounded, Europol said.

The total number of terrorist incidents across the EU in 2015 slightly increased compared with 2014, when there were 201.

Europol said six member states - Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the UK  reported failed, foiled and completed attacks.

The UK did not specify terrorist affiliations, but figures for the other countries showed attacks specifically classified as separatist terrorism accounted for the largest proportion, followed by jihadist attacks. The report added that there was an increase in right-wing attacks.

Europol director Rob Wainwright said the EU experienced a "massive" number of casualties caused by terrorist attacks in 2015 and warned that Europe "currently faces a shifting and increasing range of threats emanating from jihadist groups and individuals".

In a foreword to the report, Mr Wainwright said: "The so-called Islamic State has demonstrated its ability to strike at will, at multiple times and at a diverse range of targets. It has shown its prominence within the 'global jihad', while the threat posed by other jihadist militant groups has not diminished."

He said the overall threat is "reinforced" by substantial numbers of returned foreign terrorist fighters that many member states now have on their soil.

Mr Wainwright added that "another worrying development" is "the significant rise in nationalist (xenophobic), racist and anti-Semitic sentiments across the EU, each resulting in acts of right-wing extremism".

The 60-page report said most jihadist terrorist acts that took place in the EU in 2015 were performed in the name of Islamic State.

It warned that it is a "highly challenging task" for security services and law enforcement authorities to prevent every planned terrorist attack by keeping track of the "ever-increasing numbers of people suspected of being, in one way or another, sympathetic to IS ideology, and to focus their attention for unspecified lengths of time on those who might be willing and able to perform violent acts".
A senior Scotland Yard officer who is under investigation after arranging for riot squad officers to visit her childrens school has been caught speeding.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Maxine de Brunner is understood to have been caught speeding in a 30mph zone in south London about six months ago and given a 100 fixed penalty notice.

A Met spokesman said: Whilst off duty the officer received a fixed penalty notice for speeding. The matter was immediately disclosed to the officers line manager in line with Met policy.

Ms de Brunner is facing a misconduct investigation after she asked for Met officers and dogs, horses and cars to be made available to entertain pupils at her sons private school in Surrey.

The event was due to be held in June at a reported cost of 10,000. It was cancelled when senior officers ruled it was an inappropriate use of resources. Ms de Brunner, 50, organised a similar event at Chinthurst School in Surrey, where pupils were allowed to wear riot gear, helmets, hold truncheons and try on handcuffs, in June 2014.

The Met said it often supported school and community engagement events in London but had asked Hertfordshire Police to carry out a misconduct investigation after receiving an internal report on the matter.

Ms de Brunner, a former head of anti-corruption, has not commented on the allegations. Last month, the officer, who is in charge of the Mets savings programme, was criticised by an employment tribunal for discriminating against a male chief inspector.

Chief Inspector Adrian Denby was in charge of a riot unit when Ms de Brunner objected to meeting another officer wearing a towel as he was walking from a shower to changing rooms at a police station. Mr Denby was later placed on restricted duties and had his promotion opportunities curtailed. The Central London Employment Tribunal found he was the victim of sexual discrimination and that elements of Ms de Brunners evidence were not credible.

In 2013, Ms de Brunner was also criticised for wearing a Napoleon-style ceremonial hat costing 660. The Met defended the purchase on health and safety grounds.


E nd of exam celebrations descended into a riot in which police officers were pelted with bottles during a night of violence in London.

Riot police were called a block party in Stamford Hill last night as hundreds of youths gathered to "drink and have a water fight" on the hottest day of the year.

The evening descended into violence as police tried to clear people away from Malvern House.

Tamsin Wilson, 31, told the Standard that there was a "placid" atmosphere until police were "flipped into action" as they tried to clear the area.

Another resident of nearby Laindon House said: "The girls were running away, screaming and the males started shouting and throwing what they had to hand at police.

The police got into the vans and males were throwing water pistols, that they had to hand, at the vehicles.

Mob: a crowd gathered in Stamford Hill (Loren Bowe ) / Loren Bowe

The youths definitely won, I dont know if the police didnt have enough resources as there was something going on in Hyde Park.

After that it became like mob mentality, it got more rowdy and people got some speakers to play music. I think a lot of people were calling the police then.

The 27-year-old also claimed that the trouble was down to a select few who became violent.

She said: I think it was select few who became violent and went too far.

There was one guy walking up and down with a Black Lives Matter banner riling people up.

Large crowds of people arrived at the Stamford Hill Estate on Tuesday evening / @OfficialFB97

Met Police confirmed that officers raided an unlicensed music event at 8.45pm and seized sound equipment including speakers.

Several officers suffered minor injuries but none required hospital treatment.

A spokesman said: "Approximately 400 people were in attendance with the road blocked to traffic in Stamford Hill and sound systems set up in the street. Officers spoke to the event organisers but the event continued.

"At around 8pm officers from the Territorial Support Group began directing people to leave and at around 8.45pm seized equipment from the sound system.

"There were no arrests."

Bottles thrown at Police offices during Stamford Hill rave

Riots also took place in Hyde Park yesterday evening which resulted in a police officer and at least three people suffering stab wounds.

A second police officer suffered head injuries after being hit by a bottle at Hyde Park.

Police said that they do not believe the incidents are linked but enquiries continues.
A teenage boy has been arrested in Burgess Park amid reports of fresh violence the night after two teenagers were stabbed during the worst outbreak of youth violence since the 2011 riots.

Trouble flared for a second night running in the south London park as dozens of young men and women congregated by the lakes on another sweltering day in the capital.

Eyewitnesses told the Standard police maintained a heavy presence throughout the evening as officers engaged in confrontations with some of the youths.

Police confirmed a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon but that no violence or injuries were reported.

Student Azura Farid, 22, told the Standard more and more officers arrived at the park over the course of the evening which created an "uneasy" atmosphere.

Standing guard: Police form a line as dozens of young people congregated in the park for a second evening running

She said: I didnt see anyone get arrested or anything violent other than a few confrontations but as more officers arrived on foot I did become more anxious.

Another witness Polly Raven told Southwark News riot police were called in response to an aggressive fight which had broken out near the lake.

She told the newspaper: As I approached the lake I saw loads of teenagers hanging around. They were just having water pistol fights. It looked innocent enough.

But a fight broke out on the other side of the lake and it sounded quite aggressive. The police in the park ran over to break it up, and it looked like they called for back-up.

The group of youths started running straight at the police. The police got out their batons, then the youths started throwing bottles. Thats when riot vans showed up.

They kept on charging at the police and the police kind of retreated. Thats when I decided to leave. It looked like the police had it under control, when I was walking away.

The fresh round of trouble comes just 24 hours after two 16-year-olds were stabbed at the Camberwell park after a huge end of term water fight on the hottest day of the year so far in the capital.

The incident was one of several across London as riot police were called to Hyde Park where at least three people were knifed, including a police officer.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the shocking violence across the capital was "fuelled by the hot weather" as he condemned the clashes.
P olitical journalist Robert Peston today called on Theresa May to follow a London boroughs plan to boost science and maths skills.

He said the approach he had helped develop in Haringey will see more pupils taking science- and maths- related subjects and scoring better grades. It came as new research showed fewer children achieving top grades in the science, technology, engineering and maths  or STEM  subjects needed by businesses.

Mr Peston, who sat on the commission that developed the Haringey approach, said he hoped the Prime Minister and new Education Secretary Justine Greening embrace many of our proposals.

The boroughs plan will see a Haringey Diploma based on STEM subjects, accredited by employers and experts.

Two centres of STEM teaching excellence will be established and a STEM co-ordinator appointed to improve standards, with STEM professionals volunteering to help Haringey schools.
A man has been seriously injured after a motorcyclist and a pedestrian were involved in a collision yards from the Bank of England.

Police, paramedics and a London Air Ambulance were called to Princes Street, near Bank station, just before 6pm to reports of a crash.

A City of London police spokeswoman confirmed two men had been injured, one with serious head injuries.

Emergency services remain at the scene treating one of the men while the other has been rushed to hospital.

Several roads have been closed as a result of the collision.

The Standard has approached London Ambulance Service for further details.
A former City high-flier is celebrating after her pioneering website for cancer patients announced a major partnership with the Marie Curie charity.

Tamara Rajah, 33, was the youngest-ever partner at management consultants McKinsey & Co but left her job to launch Live Better With a year ago.

The e-commerce site offers products to remedy a range of common side-effects for patients being treated for cancer including nausea, pain and hair loss. They have all been picked out and recommended by cancer specialists, and the site currently serves 20,000 patients in both the UK and America.

Now Ms Rajah is working with Marie Curie, offering a discount to the patients the charity helps, as well as bundles of special products. A proportion of the money raised from sales will be given to Marie Curie.

Ms Rajah said her work at McKinsey & Co had inspired the site when she spotted a gap in the care system: I worked on chronic disease during my time at the firm and while I saw how good the healthcare system is and how much cancer treatment has come on, the support available for when patients are at home  which is quite a lot of the time  isnt as good. She added: I saw how it was very hard for patients at home away from the hospital to cope. Dealing with symptoms day to day is difficult, especially when they are often getting worse or changing.

I noticed there was nothing there for those people who are struggling. The site is set out so that you search for your side-effect, not search by product. So users can see what options they have and read up on what products might help them. There is a lot of information and they can make a huge difference to how they are feeling.

On partnering with Marie Curie just a year after her launch, she said: This will be an ongoing relationship and one that will hopefully mean we can help thousands more patients. It is a real honour to have such a trail-blazing and well-known charity support us.

Jo Hancock, head of corporate development at Marie Curie, said: We are thrilled to be working with Live Better With. Marie Curie nurses care for people and their families living with a terminal illness, and fantastic support from Live Better With means we can be there for even more people and help them make the most of the time they have left."

livebetterwith.com
P olice are searching for a man and his twin sons who were last seen at a childrens nursery in south London.

Fazal Hossenbux, 54 and his six-year-old sons Farden and Farhan were last seen at 3.30pm on Tuesday when he collected them at a nursery in Thornton Heath.

Police said they are growing increasingly concerned for Mr Hossenbuxs safety as he suffers from a number of health issues.

Officers have appealed for the publics help to find the 54-year-old who is known to visit Southend-On-Sea.

Appeal: Police are growing increasingly concerned for Fazal Hossenbux / Met Police

Police described him as Asian, 5ft 6in, with receding grey hair and a grey beard.

Anyone who has seen Mr Hossenbux or his children, or who knows of their whereabouts is asked to call police in Croydon via 101 or Missing People on 116000
T heresa Mays new government was boosted today after official data showed UK employment hit its highest rate since records began.

The figures, relating to the period just before the EU referendum, show that almost three quarters of all people aged between 16 and 64 were in work. The unemployment rate also dipped under the symbolic five per cent mark for the first time in more than a decade.

It comes as ministers desperately try to highlight the UK economys strength going into the Brexit vote, while experts warn of difficulties to come.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said the statistics showed the fundamentals of the British economy are solid.

He added: While the decision to leave the European Union marks the beginning of a new phase for our economy, the message we take to the world is this: our country remains open for business and we are the same outward-looking, globally-minded, big-thinking country we have always been.

The employment rate in the three months to May was 74.4 per cent, the highest since comparable records began in 1971.

A total of 31.7 million people were in work, 176,000 more than for the three months to February and 624,000 more than a year earlier. Almost 23.2 million were working full time, an annual rise of 401,000, and 8.52 million were part-time, up 223,000 on the year before.

The last time the unemployment rate dropped under five per cent was in 2005 during Tony Blairs administration. Figures today showed it fell to 4.9 per cent. During the referendum, new Work and Pensions Secretary Damian Green had warned of job losses if the UK quit the EU. Today he said the Government would have to work to minimise any impacts of Brexit, which may show in the next round of statistics.

He said: Weve now got to get on with the new reality, the British people have spoken. Its one of the key tasks for gov-ernment, to look at what could go wrong and stop it happening.

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, said the robust employment market up to May could have been helped by stronger than expected GDP growth.

But he pointed to other research  the REC/Markit report on jobs  that showed permanent employment placements fell in June for the first time since September 2012. Markits UK business outlook report for last month also suggested that hiring intentions were the weakest since early 2013.

Mr Archer said: We strongly suspect heightened uncertainty and concerns among businesses following the Brexit vote, as well as a weakening economic performance, will take an increasing toll on the labour market.

ING economist James Smith said: This data is pre-Brexit and thus assumes little relevance for the Bank of England when they meet to decide on the amount of stimulus to add at the start of August.
R estaurant tycoon Richard Caring has told foreign members of staff that he will fight tooth and nail to protect their rights following the absurd Brexit vote, the Standard has learned.

Caring, who owns The Ivy, Le Caprice and 34, told staff they should have no concerns about being able to stay in the country after the UK voted to leave the European Union.

His intervention apparently came after some members of staff told management they were worried about their status following last months referendum result.

In an email to staff, Caring labelled the Brexit vote an absurd result and, addressing the companys immigrant workforce, said: I would like to say that as a company we are proud to have you working with us and would also like to assure all of our immigrant partners that they should have no concern regarding their status in the UK on a long-term basis if that is what they so choose.

I cannot believe that at any time anyone who has been working in this country for a period of time will be asked to leave because they are classified as an immigrant.

I would assure you that this will not happen, will not be allowed to happen and that I, along with the vast majority of employers in this country, would fight tooth and nail to ensure your stability and tenure so that you might carry on and be welcome as a solid and respected part of UK industry.

Caring said that the UK was not racist despite comments from the tiniest minority of the population which every country has to some degree.

He added: There has been talk of foreigners not working or being welcome in this country... these people are ignorant and their voice will not be heard.

A spokesman for Carings Caprice Holdings declined to officially comment.
A leading Polish businessman who stood for Mayor of London is calling for a memorial at Hyde Park Corner to honour his countrymen who gave their lives in the Second World War.

Prince John Zylinski, a property millionaire who polled 38,000 votes, believes the efforts of Polish pilots in the Battle of Britain deserve a permanent recognition in central London.

He has drawn designs for a Spitfire sculpture to be installed in the shadow of Wellington Arch and sent letters to mayor Sadiq Khan and Prime Minister Theresa May asking for their support.

The Lewisham-born prince, whose aristocratic family were uprooted by the communist government before fleeing to Britain after the war, said: It should be dramatic, featuring a full size Spitfire so no one will overlook the Polish contribution to these islands.

To quote Norman Tebbit, an RAF pilot during the war: We would not have won the Battle of Britain without the Polish pilots. The Polish boys knew no fear, they were unstoppable, their spirit infected the whole RAF. Common human decency means this needs to be recognised.

Zylinksi, whose father served as a cavalry officer, said the impact of the Brexit vote on the Polish community had intensified the need for the contribution of his countrymen to be recognised in the UK: Since 2004, when Poles were able to come freely to the UK, we have been saving this country. The phenomenal work ethic, the hunger to work 60-70 hours per week, six or even seven days per week is a wonder to behold.

Since the turn of the century Britain has experienced more economic growth than any European country and 80 per cent of all new jobs created are staffed by EU citizens, the largest group among them being the Poles. So we are saving the country now, just like the Polish pilots did in 1940.
T heresa May today held out an olive branch to angry European Union leaders by giving up Britains turn in the presidency of the 28-nation club.

She stepped aside to demonstrate her constructive and pragmatic approach to EU relations, announcing the move hours before her first talks in Berlin with German leader Angela Merkel.

Britain was due to spend six months in the rotating presidency starting in July next year, a role that gives influence over summits and deals.

But other leaders were not happy for a country to take charge while negotiating its own exit and Mrs Mays concession was seen as a contrast with the approach of David Cameron, who had stressed that Britain would enjoy its full rights as an EU member until after Brexit.

She is due to fly to Berlin this afternoon for talks and a dinner with Mrs Merkel shortly after her first weekly Prime Ministers Questions in the Commons against Jeremy Corbyn.

Theresa May is due to meet with the German Chancellor today / Michael Sohn/AP

The veteran German chancellor is seen as a vital figure in future relations.

Mrs May staged her tactical retreat over the presidency in a phone conversation with European Council president Donald Tusk, who was said to have appreciated the gesture.

The Prime Minister has thought about it since taking office and recognises that the UK will be busy with the negotiations to leave, said Mrs Mays spokeswoman, adding: She wants to have a constructive relationship with the EU and wanted to make that offer early. It was much appreciated by the president of the council. It will allow them to put alternative arrangements in place.

In reality, EU leaders had already begun considering alternative plans.

Some members of the European Parliament are hostile towards the UK / FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images

Moreover, members of the European Parliament, some of whom are hostile to Britain since the referendum result, had planned to stage a vote on the issue.

Tomorrow Mrs May travels to Paris for talks with President Francois Hollande of France, where discussions will be overshadowed by security issues in the wake of the Nice atrocity.

Downing Street said she would underline the importance of establishing strong personal relations with her European counterparts and emphasise the value that the UK placed on its economic, trading and security relationships with the two countries and its commitment to continued strong ties outside the EU.
T heresa May has announced Britain will not start Brexit negotiations before the end of the year on her first foreign visit as Prime Minister.

Mrs May met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday to discuss the UKs relationship with the European Union in the wake of last months historic referendum.

And while she maintained Britain will press ahead with Brexit, Mrs May revealed she would not trigger Article 50, the two-year process to leave the EU, in 2016.

She said: I have been clear that Brexit means Brexit and the United Kingdom is going to make a success of it.

"But I also want to be clear here today, and across Europe in the weeks ahead, that we are not walking away from our European friends.

Meet and greet: Angela Merkel and Theresa May walk on the red carpet during a military welcoming ceremony in Berlin / AP Photo/Michael Sohn

"Britain will remain an outward-looking country and Germany will remain a vital partner and a special friend for us."

Mrs May said that negotiating Britain's successful exit from the EU "will take time, and it will require serious and detailed work".

She said: "I want to work with chancellor Merkel and my colleagues around the European Council in a constructive spirit to make this a sensible and orderly departure.

"All of us will need time to prepare for these negotiations and the United Kingdom will not invoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear.

Laying foundations: Mrs May said she wanted a strong relationship between Britain and Germany / Reuters

"That is why I have said already that this will not happen before the end of this year.

"I understand this timescale will not please everyone but I think it is important to provide clarity on that now.

"We should strive for a solution which respects the decision of British voters, but also respects the interests of our European partners.

"Together, we should maximise the opportunities for both the UK and the EU."

Mrs May said she had come to Berlin in a "constructive spirit to lay the foundations for a strong relationship in the months and years ahead".

She said: "Of course, the nature of our relationship is going to change as the UK leaves the EU, but we both want to maintain the closest possible economic relationship between our countries.

"And I believe that is what German and British businesses want too."

She said Britain and Germany aim to "deepen our bilateral military partnership" and do more together on international issues like Ukraine, Syria, migration, counter-terrorism and cross-border crime.

Mrs May was treated to a full ceremonial welcome including a guard of honour by German troops as she met her counterpart at the Chancellery.

It comes just hours after Mrs Mays first PMQs in which she skewered Jeremy Corbyn over his battle to keep hold of the Labour leadership.

The premiers will talk again over a working dinner during the visit, which is the first since Mrs May took the keys to No 10 last week.
T heresa May today accused Jeremy Corbyn of being an unscrupulous boss as the pair clashed at Prime Ministers Questions for the first time.

The new PM also insisted exiting the EU did not mean leaving Europe as she faced off with the Labour leader in the House of Commons.

After rising to the despatch box to raucous cheers from Tory benches, Mrs May made fun of Mr Corbyns leadership woes in her answer to a question about workers rights.

She said: He refers to the situation of some workers who might have job insecurity and potentially unscrupulous bosses.

First outing: Theresa May faces off with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn / PA

I suspect that there are many members on the opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss.

A boss who doesn't listen to his workers.

A boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload.

And maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career.

Remind him of anybody?

Mr Corbyn is currently gearing for a leadership fight against challenger Owen Smith after a vast majority of MPs said they had no confidence in his premiership.

Theresa May: Tories and women

Mrs May added: "The Labour Party may be about to spend several months fighting and tearing itself apart.

"The Conservative Party will be spending the time bringing the country together."

Following the fractious exchanges with Mr Corbyn, Mrs May was also asked about the recent terror atrocity in Nice last week by Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski.

In her answer she told MPs the thoughts of her Government with those affected by the attack before repeating that Brexit did not mean the UK would break away from Europe.

She said: "We will not be cowed by terrorism.

"We both [UK and France] share the same threats.

"I can absolutely confirm that, yes, the UK is leaving the EU.

"But the UK is not leaving Europe and our co-operation will continue.
P olice have pulled the body of a 16-year-old boy from a river after he died while swimming with his friends on the hottest day of the year so far.

Officers were called shortly before 5.45pm on Tuesday to the River Etherow in Manchester.

A spokeswoman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Officers attended and the body of a 16-year-old boy was found. There are no suspicious circumstances."

He was discovered in the water near Broadbottom Road in Hyde.

River where 16-year-old boy's body was recovered

The police spokeswoman added: "He was with a group of friends, they were in the water."

No-one else was taken to hospital.

Officers from GMP and Derbyshire Constabulary attended the scene along with the fire service and paramedics. GMP's underwater search unit was also deployed.

Temperatures in Manchester on Tuesday topped 30C as the UK sweltered in the heatwave.

In London, the mercury reached as high as 32C.
L ife sciences firms were today urged to seize the opportunity of Brexit rather than allow it to lead to two years of inaction.

Eliot Forster, chairman of MedCity, the body set up by Boris Johnson to promote the golden triangle of London, Oxford and Cambridge, said he was bullish that Britain could still benefit in the long term.

He spoke out after experts told MPs on the Commons science committee of their concerns, amid reports of British scientists facing discrimination and being excluded from EU-wide research partnerships.

All of the assets that existed pre-Brexit are here today, said Mr Forster. We continue to have world-leading institutions. We have a new opportunity to look at how we become more competitive than we have for the past few decades.

Some of the choppiness of the water at the top of the surface is smoothed out over time. Its the underlying currents that are more important.

He said that some EU regulations had hindered clinical studies because of excessive paperwork, resulting in Britain losing its place as the country carrying out most first-in-human drug trials. If a two-year interregnum meant sitting around and literally doing nothing, that would certainly concern me, he said. But continuing to reinforce the message that we are open for business, I think that is important.

George Freeman, the life sciences minister, convened a Brexit cabinet of industry experts and Government chiefs to ensure minimal damage from the referendum vote. The sector generates more than 60 billion a year and provides 220,000 jobs.

About 43,000 staff in British universities are believed to be non-UK EU citizens and MPs conducting an investigation into the consequences of Brexit for the scientific sector were told by Professor Philip Nelson, chief executive of Research Councils UK, that the biggest risk was the countrys ability to recruit and retain the best people.

There are also concerns about the loss of access to EU funding programmes such as Horizon 2020, its largest ever research and innovation programme, with nearly 70 billion available.

Science minister Jo Johnson said the Government was fully committed to keeping us as a science powerhouse, but admitted the UK now needed to scan the horizon for possibilities.

Mr Johnson said: We are going to be more outward-looking, more open, more globally-minded than ever before.@RossLydall
A British female police officer has been killed in an horrific motorbike crash in Spain.

Mother-of-one Amanda Wood was killed in the smash on Monday close to Caspe in the north-east of the country.

Mrs Wood, who volunteered as a Special Constable and worked as sector coordinator with Northamptonshire Police, was riding back from Faro in Portugal as part of a tour of Europe when she was killed.

Just days before her death she tweeted: "Good riding to get down here. Loved the mountain road, sweeps and views. Hot here in Faro... Very."

Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the motorcycle enthusiast, praising the personal touch she added to the police force through her work on social media.

Andy Frost, Deputy Chief Constable for Northamptonshire Police, said: This is tragic news and on behalf of the force I send my deepest condolences to Amandas family and friends.

Amanda was a well-regarded and popular member of the Special Constabulary as well being the East Northants sector coordinator, based out of Rushden."

David Lee, who set up an online crowd funding page to help support Mrs Woods husband and son, said: Amanda was passionate about motorbikes. Anything she could get involved in with the police and Motorbikes made her day.

Amanda was active on Twitter, using her police force Twitter account, promoting what she got up to whilst specialing and also personally. She added that personal touch to her Twitter account showing that people who work within the police are only human.

Colleague Dan Heley wrote on the page: It was a pleasure to have joined, trained and worked with you Amanda. My thoughts go out to your family and friends.

Colin Mansergh added: My riding buddy, my dear friend - many tears, heavy heart. Gone but never forgotten. I will miss you forever and [you are] in my heart always.

The page has raised 540 so far. A flag was flown at half-mast above Wooton Hall - Northamptonshire Police HQ  yesterday and a post-mortem was due to take place in the city of Zaragoza yesterday.
A n Italian restaurant has come under fire after attempting to take a light-hearted stance on the Black Lives Matter protest movement for an advertisment.

The restaurant in New Mexico posted a billboard sporting the line: Black Olives Matter, Try Our Tapenade.

Paisano's Italian restaurant has since been criticised for having poor taste and been accused of hijacking social movements to increase profits.

The joke has been described as "insensitive" following nationwide outcry over recent fatal shootings of black men by police officers.

One woman wrote: As a woman of colour I find your post offensive and in very bad taste.

The civilized world no longer has any tolerance for your hateful public display of what passes to you as humour.

Young men and women are dying - have a shred of humanity.

The sign was taken down by the restaurant and photos were removed from social media following the backlash.

But many have expressed support for the pun and accused critics of being over sensitive and stemming freedom of speech.

One added: I am so sick of people getting offended over every little thing. All lives matter should be the slogan, and for an Italian restaurant black olives matter too!

The restaurant posted on their social media page thanking people for support and saying that business had increased since the controversy.

The statement said: "We have been inundated with positive, supportive phone calls from the community as well as overwhelmed with business.

The restaurant issued this statement (Paisanos) / Paisano's

"Many nowadays would contend that society has changed for the worse, but our experience this week has proven the opposite. We have encountered so many quality people of character; salt of the earth and the bedrock of America.

"Many have shown a unique way to show solidarity."

One user commented on the statement accusing the company of deleting negative comments from the page and added: "I really think that an apology on this page, pinned, would go a long way.

"This post is pretty shameful."
A major police operation took place in Brussels after a man was spotted wearing a long coat with wires hanging from it.

Armed police swarmed the streets of the Belgian capital after the man was spotted wearing a heavy winter coat despite the soaring temperatures of up to 30C.

A suspect was detained after police cordoned off the street where the man was seen in the Muntplein area of the city.

However, it was later declared a false alarm. Authorities said they believed the man was a student measuring radiation levels when the alarm was raised.

Police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere said no explosives were found and the man had been detained for questioning.

"Everything is under control," she added.

Pictures from Brussels showed a man, wearing a long dark coat, on his knees as officers trained their guns on him.

Police said he had been "acting suspiciously" and they had him "under control".

Suspect: A man was surrounded by armed police

Christian De Coninck of Brussels police told Belgian TV: "We got a call about someone acting suspiciously. Someone with a heavy winter coat - in these temperatures it's very suspicious.

"And there were wires coming out of the coat too

"We didn't take any risks. The person was stopped and kept at a distance.

"We are now waiting for more information from the bomb disposal unit which is at the scene now and then we'll know more."

The bomb squad descended on the city centre street, and nearby shops were evacuated while surrounding roads, close to Place de la Monnaie, were closed off.

The city is currently packed with people ahead of Belgium's national day tomorrow.

The bank holiday celebrates the coronation of the first Belgian King in the 19th century.

The incident comes just months after the Brussels airport attack in which 32 people were killed and dozens more injured, and just a week an ISIS supporter murdered 84 people when he ploughed into Bastille Day crowds in Nice.
D onald Trump was formally crowned as the Republican US presidential nominee last night to cap an extraordinary triumph even many members of his own party appeared to find difficult to both believe and to accept.

Trumps tally of delegates - 1,725 - easily surpassed the 1,237 he needed to clinch the right to face-off against Hillary Clinton for the keys of the White House.

But the official nomination, as inevitable as it had become in the weeks leading up to this weeks Republican Party National Convention, nevertheless left a gaping split among members that all the razzamatazz of Trumps coronation was unable to hide.

Although the property billionaire secured the nomination, 721 delegates cast their votes for his campaign rivals, the most significant declaration of party dissent for 40 years.

The words 'Over the top' illuminated screens at the convention in Cleveland as Trump passed the threshold for delegates needed to claim the nomination / AP

Senior party figures were muted in their response to the nomination and there were empty seats in the Cleveland, Ohio, convention hall.

Some states went so far as to try and test the rules, but they didnt get far.

Trump's children celebrate his victory. From left to right: Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump / AP

Alaskas delegation announced on the convention floor yesterday that it was casting its votes exactly as our people voted - 12 delegates for Cruz, 11 for Trump and five for Florida Senator Marco Rubio.

With calls of We want Trump! ringing out across the hall, House of Congress Speaker Paul Ryan  who also chairs the convention  consulted with lawyers to determine how to resolve the standoff.

Nearly 15 minutes later, it was decided that election rules meant all of Alaskas 28 votes should be given to Trump.

The District of Columbia followed suit later. That rebellion was also overruled, and the conventions secretary officially recorded all their votes for Trump as well.

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Speaker Ryan, who was reluctant to back Trump, later pointed to the internal rift in the party in a reference to "our arguments this year," but accepted that democracy meant that choices had to be respected.

Trump, as ever, was unbowed. After the calamity of wife Melania being accused of cribbing Michelle Obamas 2008 speech on Monday night, his 22-year-old daughter, Tiffany took centre stage last night to praise him as a parent.

Trumps youngest child from his marriage to Marla Maples, his second wife, she declared that "like my father, I never back down from challenges".

"I have admired my dad all my life, she said, and I love him with all my heart."

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Earlier, Tiffany joined Trumps son, Donald Jr. and the rest of the family on stage to celebrate the nomination confirmation.

Announcing that Trumps home state of New York had cast the deciding vote, Trump Jr. enthused: "Its not a campaign anymore, its a movement."

Flanked by his three adult siblings, he then plugged into the one unifying theme of the gathering by blasting Democrat White House hopeful Hillary Clinton.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, snubbed as a running mate for Trump, went so far as to cast himself as the former First Ladys prosecutor in a mock trial, rousing the crowd to chants of "lock her up".

The two Republican candidates who ran the closest races to Trump - Texan Senator Ted Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich - both stayed away.

Cruz, perhaps eying another run in 2020, was at a restaurant across the street mingling with donors, according to the New York Times.
A London YouTube personality has been ordered to appear before a US court over claims he fabricated a hate crime.

Callum McSwiggan, who has more than 63,000 subscribers on YouTube, posted a picture of himself in hospital on Instagram claiming he had been the victim of a hate crime after being attacked by three men near a Hollywood gay club.

The 26 year-old told his followers he had suffered three broken teeth and required six stitches to the head from the assault.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said officers investigated the alleged attack on June 27 but were "unable to substantiate the assault".

McSwiggan posted on Instagram: "Last night was the worst night of my life and I'm really struggling to find the words to talk about it.

"After one of the most wonderful weekends at VidCon we went out to a gay club to celebrate, and towards the end of the evening I was separated from my friends and beaten up by three guys."

A Sheriffs Department spokesman added that McSwiggan had sustained the injuries by hitting himself over the head with a police station payphone after being arrested for vandalising a car.

McSwiggan did not appear at the Los Angeles International Airport Courthouse yesterday to answer the charge of filing a false police report.

McSwiggan was arrested for vandalising a car (The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department) / The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Commissioner Jane Godfrey said he must return to California to attend a pre-trial hearing on September 26.

After he was charged last month, McSwiggan posted on Facebook that he had caused the injuries to his head but insisted he was attacked by three men.

The internet blogger, who is known for discussing lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, had travelled to California for the online video conference VidCon.
T he French authorities were under growing pressure over the Bastille Day massacre today as more security failings were exposed.

As families of some of the 84 people killed prepared to sue, there was particular anger that a 19-tonne lorry five times over the weight limit had been allowed to run people down on Nice seafront.

Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was unchallenged by police before he attacked the crowds watching a July 14 firework display in what should have been a pedestrianised zone.

At one point the 31-year-old told officers he had ice creams in the back of his hired vehicle  despite the fact that he was clearly in an ordinary delivery truck with no fridge.

Today it emerged that:

All lorries over 3.5 tonnes were permanently banned from the Promenade des Anglais, where the killings happened.

Despite the vehicle being more than five times over the limit, Bouhlel was allowed to drive it unchallenged up and down the Promenade at least four times.

All trucks over 7.5 tonnes were banned from moving in France on July 14th  Frances biggest public holiday.

Investigators misled the public, saying Bouhlel used a refrigerated lorry, thus capable of delivering ice creams.

Police vehicles used to back up flimsy barriers around the pedestrianised zone were removed just before Bouhlel struck.

Its unreal, said Patrick Mortigliengo, president of National Federation of Road Transport hauliers in the Alpes-Maritimes region that covers Nice.

Highlighting weight limits that should have been strictly enforced, he said the lorry was a standard and easily recognisable Renault Midlum.

French people turned out in their thousands to honour the victims of the attack in Nice / Reuters

Mr Mortigliengo said any transport vehicle over 7.5 tonnes was banned from French roads on public holidays, while the limit on the Nice seafront was always 3.5 tonnes.

July 14  when France celebrates the storming of the Bastille during the 1789 French Revolution  is the countrys most celebrated public holiday, and every police officer in the city should have been aware of the ban.

As well as not mentioning any of the weight bans, the authorities have continually described the lorry as being a refrigerated one.

Killer: Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel / AP

Mr Mortigliengo told France Bleu radio station: First, the sides of refrigerated trucks are in sealed plastic and the doors are much thicker.

Second, refrigerated trucks are equipped with fridges by brand names like Thermo King, Carrier or another.

Third, refrigerated trucks have an FR sign on the front that clearly marks them out. This was actually a Renault Midlum delivery truck.

Deadly weapon: forensics officers examine the truck that was used to kill 84 people in Nice last week / AP

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins, who is leading the investigation into the slaughter, has claimed that Bohlel hired a 19 tonne refrigerated vehicle leased to a company in nearby Saint-Laurent-du-Var.

Mr Molins has also confirmed that Bouhlel drove up and down the promenade hours before he started his attack just after 10.30pm.

He took selfies of himself by the truck at 1.43pm, 4.02pm, 4.42pm, and finally next to a pedestrian crossing at 7.25pm.

Nice Terror Attack Tributes Around The World - In Pictures 1 /20 Nice Terror Attack Tributes Around The World - In Pictures A man reacts near bouquets of flowers near the scene Pascal Rossignol/Reuters Members of the Australian French community place candles during a vigil in central Sydney David Gray/Reuters Tributes laid at the French Embassy in London Lucy Young People hug outside the French Embassy in London Hannah McKay/PA Indian students from DAV Public School pray during a candle light vigil for the victims Raminder Pal Singh/EPA French President Francois Hollande arrives to attend a meeting at the Prefecture the day after the Bastille Day truck attack A man lights a candle outside the French Embassy in Moscow Sergei Savostyanov/TASS/Getty Italian President of the Chamber of Deputies Boldrini carries flowers to the French embassy to pay tribute An Elysee Palace staff member sets black ribbons on the French flag at the Elysee Palace in Paris Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA A man ties a black armband as country mourns at the Tour de France cycling race Jean-Paul Pelissier/Reuters A young woman lays a candle among flowers left by mourners outside the French Embassy in Berlin Sean Gallup/Getty People stand in front of flowers and candles placed near the site in Nice Boris Horvat/AFP/Getty A woman places flowers near the site in Nice Boris Horvat/AFP/Getty A woman places a bouquet of flowers as people pay tribute near the scene where a truck ran into a crowd Pascal Rossignol/Reuters People hug outside the French Embassy in London Hannah McKay/PA

Bohlel was shot dead by police after his rampage, and now investigators are trying to work out his motives. Four men and a woman remain in custody in relation to the crimes.

Islamic State have claimed the Tunisian national as one of their soldiers but Mr Molins said there was no evidence linking him directly to the terrorist group.

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Bohlel has so far been portrayed as a violence-obsessed misfit with no interest in religion, who became obsessed with terrorism and continually looked up atrocities on the Internet.
P okemon GO players in Bosnia are risking their lives to hunt for the cartoon monsters by walking over minefields.

A Bosnian charity has issued a warning to all Pokemon hunters in the country after hearing reports of players venturing into risky areas to catch them.

More than 600 people have been killed in landmine accidents in Bosnia since the end of the Bosnian War in 1995.

Demining charity Posavina bezmina wrote on Facebook: We received information that some users of the Pokemon Go app in Bosnia were going to places which are a risk of mines, in search of a Pokemon.

Explainer: The Pokemon Go craze

Citizens are urged not to do so, to respect demarcation signs of dangerous mine fields and not to go into unknown areas.

The charity has also estimated that 120,000 mines remain undiscovered as two per cent of the country contains unexploded mines.

Numerous incidents involving the popular app have been reported across the UK, with a gang of 20 youths stealing a boat to chase a pokemon across the water.

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A Pokemon Go player also called 999 to report a thief had stolen their pokemon.
T urkey's president has declared a three-month state of emergency following a failed coup.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the measure is being taken to counter threats to Turkish democracy and insisted it wasn't intended to curb basic freedoms.

It comes five days after an insurrection was launched by some military units before it was eventually quashed by loyalist protesters and security forces.

Erdogan says the pro-government death toll in the botched coup was 246.

Tonight in a speech in Ankara, he praised those who were killed fighting the rebels as martyrs. He said the nation would "never forget the bravery and sacrifice of those who lost their lives"

The presidents decision came following a meeting with his Cabinet ministers and top security advisers.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Turkish government said it will close more than 600 private schools and dormitories in response to the failed coup.

Nearly 22,000 workers, mostly teachers, have been fired in a campaign to root out supporters of the rebellion.

The education ministry said the schools were under investigation for "crimes against the constitutional order and the running of that order," the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The agency said the schools are linked to cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former ally of Erdogan, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania.

He has previously denied accusations he engineered the coup attempt last Friday night.
T he character played by the late Anton Yelchin in Star Trek will not be replaced in the franchise, J.J Abrams has confirmed.

Ensign Pavel Chekov, who appears in the new Star Trek Beyond, will not be played by another actor following Yelchins tragic death last month.

Speaking during an interview with Postmedia Network, producer Abrams suggested that they were considering killing off the character.

I would say theres no replacing him. Theres no recasting. I cant possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better, he said.

We have thought about it [killing off the character], were working on it, and its too early to talk about it."

Yelchin was tragically killed at the age of 27 back in June during a freak accident on his driveway in Los Angeles, California.

Ruled as an accidental death, the star was hit by his 2.5 ton Jeep Grand Cherokee and pinned against the metal gates on his driveway.

The car was in neutral and the engine running when Yelchins body was found by a friend.

Star Trek Beyond - Trailer 4

The cast and crew of Star Trek paid tribute to the late actor as they promoted the film in the UK recently.

Chris Pine admitted that the press tour was difficult without Yelchin as the pair has been good friends.

He said: This has been a very difficult tour, because we recently lost a good friend of ours who is in the film, and it feels so weird to have to go out and sell this film after the loss of someone very close.

Producers recently confirmed that they were working on a fourth film in the Star Trek franchise.
M iranda Kerr has announced that she is engaged to Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel.

The Australian model, 33, revealed the news on her Instagram account on Wednesday, sharing a picture of her diamond engagement ring.

Kerr, who was previously married to British actor Orlando Bloom, simply captioned the picture: I said yes!!

A spokesperson for the tech businessman, 26, told MailOnline: They are extremely happy.

The couple met back in 2014 during a dinner for Louis Vuitton in New York and stepped out together as a couple for the first time in June last year.

Speaking about introducing Spiegel to son Flynn, Kerr recently said: We were really good friends for a long time before we started dating.

[My ex and I decided] that we had to know the person for six months and feel good about them [before introducing them to Flynn].

Evan met Flynn, so yeah, things are going well. Orlando thinks he's great. We're just a modern family now!

The former Victorias Secret star started dating ex-husband Bloom back in 2007 and the pair announced their engagement in 2010.

The pair wed the following month and Kerr gave birth to son Flynn on January 6 2011.

Kerr was revealed to be the sixth highest earning model in the world in 2015, having made $5.5 million from modelling alone.

Spiegel, who founded Snapchat while he was still at university, is worth $2.1 billion, making him one of the youngest self-made billionaires in the world.


P layStation 4 players who have already leapt, scrambled, and climbed their way through Uncharted 4 have a new adventure to look forward to.

The latest game in the Tomb Raider franchise is nearing the end of its Microsoft-exclusive period, meaning it will be arriving on PS4 and PC soon.

Rise of the Tomb Raider will hit PS4 on October 11, with a new 20 Year Celebration edition.

The special release marks the 20th anniversary of Lara Crofts debut in the original Tomb Raider game, which arrived on the Sega Saturn in October 1996.

The 20 Year Celebration addition will include a brand new chapter in the story, titled Blood Ties.

"Blood Ties, a new premium DLC, beckons players to explore Croft Manor in a new story mode; then defend it against a zombie invasion in Lara's Nightmare, explains Crystal Dynamics co-head of studio, Scot Amos.

The 30 biggest video games from E3 2016 1 /40 The 30 biggest video games from E3 2016 Death Stranding Platform: PS4, PC

A new game from Hideo Kojima  one of gamings true auteurs  is always cause for celebration, but the reveal of Death Stranding compounded that with strong casting (The Walking Deads Norman Reedus appears prominently in the trailer) and unsettling imagery of a disappearing inky baby and a load of dead fish. Spooky? Yep. Exciting? You betcha. Sony / Kojima Productions The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Platform: Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo NX

While many E3 demos showed off booming battles and zombie skirmishes, the reveal of the new Zelda game was something entirely different: serene, beautiful, and full of stirring natural imagery. Link is back in a new adventure arriving on the Wii U and Nintendo NX, and its drop-dead gorgeous - with a cel-shaded art style thats both painterly and stunningly detailed. A return to Hyrule cant come soon enough. Nintendo Titanfall 2 Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

Titanfall was one of the most anticipated games on Xbox One, but when it was released, reception was lukewarm - especially when it came to the campaign. Thankfully, Respawns sequel looks set to feature a more focused single player effort, as well as the manic, mech-based warfare fans of the series know and love. EA / Respawn Trials of the Blood Dragon Platform: PS4, PC, Xbox One

One huge, daft Eighties throwback, Trials of the Blood Dragon announced itself in a trailer with action figures, fireballs, OTT motorbike stunts, and an eyeball-frazzling neon colour scheme. Who knows if itll actually be any good, but you cant argue that it stood out compared to all the muscular FPS titles on show. Ubisoft / RedLynx Final Fantasy XV Platform: Xbox One, PS4

Another sublime-looking game and one that seems to have been around for ages. This year, gamers finally caught a decent glimpse of the gameplay as well as some of creatures youll encounter along the journey. Riding a Chocobo (a huge bird-like creature) looks incredibly fun - harking back to the outstanding Final Fantasy VII. Interestingly, theres even first-person aiming - which, were still getting used to seeing in a Final Fantasy game - a series famed for turn-based combat. Square Enix Gears of War 4 Platform: Xbox One, PC

The good news: the original Gears of War trilogy saw the end of the Locust horde. The bad news: theyve made way for the Swarm. In the latest Gears 4 demo, Microsoft showed off the new baddies, a shot of Marcus Fenix as an old man, and all the chainsaw-revving mayhem youd hope for. It looks like Marcus son JD will have his work cut out for him. Oh, and if that wasnt enough: Horde 3.0 is coming. Microsoft Watch Dogs 2 Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

The original Watch Dogs was one of the most hyped games of the last few years, but many were underwhelmed when it was finally released. The furore centered on an alleged graphical downgrade, while the gameplay was under developed. Ubisoft seem to have got their act in gear for a San Francisco-set sequel casting players as young hacktivist Marcus Holloway. The gameplay demo focused on an infiltration mission - showing off far superior visuals and a world boasting bags more character. Along with sleek combat and gunplay, Marcus can use a variety of drones and hack cameras to scope out his surroundings. Definitely one to watch. Ubisoft God of War Platform: PS4

Arguably featuring the best visuals on show at E3, the new God of War focuses on the relationship between Kratos and his son. For the first time, the entire game is a single shot - no loading screens, no chapters - just one immense journey. Although fight scenes in the demo were few and far between, expect plenty of large scale boss battles and eye-watering finishing moves. We cant wait. Sony / SIE Battlefield 1 Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

Battlefield is heading back to World War I - but this time with a host of new tricks up its sleeves. For one, its had a stunning visual makeover. Powered by Frostbite, expect graphics on par with Star Wars: Battlefront. Along with a host of weapons and vehicles, melee combat has been redesigned to allow for more depth. Expect huge battles, with maps capable of supporting 64 players. The famed Levolution will also return - albeit bigger and more spectacular than ever. EA / Dice Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

Reaction to Infinite Warfare has so far been mixed, but itll still be one of the biggest games of the year. The problem is that their recent E3 gameplay demo - which showed off an assault on a spaceship - just didnt look like anything revolutionary, coming off more like Edge of Tomorrow than a Call of Duty game. It faces stiff competition from Battlefield 1, and we already know who were backing for the win. The move to space may be a step too far. That remastered Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, though... Activision / Infinity Ward Crash Bandicoot Platform: PS4

The Nineties was dominated by platform games, but the current gen hasnt catered so much to run-jump-collect adventures. In the wake of Yooka-Laylees delays, platforming fans can at least rest easy with the news that Crash Bandicoot is back. As announced in Sonys E3 conference, the original three Crash titles will be amped up for the PlayStation 4. Ooga-booga. Sony Days Gone Platform: PS4

It seems like the folks at Bend Studios have been watching lots of Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead, if the panic-inducing gameplay introduction to Days Gone is anything to go by. The PS4 exclusive title offers players an open-world, a motorbike, and a horde of ravenous flesh-eaters to either fight off, or drive away from very, very fast. These arent slow shuffling zombies either - think the sprinting masses of World War Z. Sony / SIE Bend LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens Platform: Xbox One, PC, PS4

While the LEGO series continues to improve various elements of its titles, you know generally what to expect from the franchise at this point - but its still exciting to see the series return to its roots in a galaxy far, far away. For anyone still thrilled at just how great The Force Awakens turned out, LEGOs faithful reimagining of the latest Star Wars adventure looks like a brilliant way to delve back into the rise of Rey and Finn, and the triumphant return of the original characters. TT Fusion / Warner Bros Horizon: Zero Dawn Platform: PS4

One of the most intriguing new properties on show, Horizon: Zero Dawn features a capable new female lead character - who, for once, isnt totally sexualised - as well as mechanical dinosaur creatures. Whats not to like? Like the Zelda demo, it shows off beautiful natural landscapes, and the combat and free-roaming elements look majorly enticing. Sony / Guerrilla Games ReCore Platform: Xbox One, PC

The exact premise of ReCore still isnt too clear, but the gameplay footage and art style alone makes it one of the most exciting new properties to join the Xbox One. From the looks of things, itll have the puzzle mechanics of Portal alongside elements elements of third-person shooters and platforming. The new footage at E3 finally gave a release date too: September 13. Microsoft / Comcept / Armature Dead Rising 4 Platform: Xbox One, PC

After a slight misstep with Dead Rising 3, the pressures on for DR4 to deliver - and its looking like it will. Expect plenty of wacky Christmas-themed weapons, a huge open world and - if the trailer is anything to go by - integration with social media and beyond. Our favourite weapon already looks to be a mech- exoskeleton, which protagonist Frank can use to wield devastating attacks on hundred-strong zombie invasions. Capcom Sea of Thieves Platform: Xbox One, PC

Legendary developers Rare are heading to the high seas for their latest title Sea of Thieves. The art style is cartoony, but it still looks stunning - just check out those water effects. In a glut of new gameplay footage, E3 brought a look at how to sail to treasure-filled islands, fight pirates, and - erm - get drunk. Microsoft / Rare Mafia III Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

The mobster saga is back, and its offering a new spin on the crime genre. Set in the late Sixties, the latest instalment takes in the Vietnam war, racial tensions, and a new era of organised crime, several decades after the events of Mafia II. The stylish E3 trailer gave more proof that the franchise is straying away from the usual mafioso territory and into a more interesting direction. 2K Games / Hangar 13 Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

This futuristic sequel is high up the most-wanted list. Picking up from 2011s Human Revolution, gamers are once again thrust into the role of Adam Jensen - a part cyborg, part human enforcer. At E3 this year, fans caught their first proper look at the campaign in full swing - a mission in Dubai. Expect plenty of player choice, augmentations, weapons and ways to complete objectives. As in the last game, multiple endings will be affected by player choice. Eidos / Square Enix Dishonored 2 Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

Dishonored was one of the most-loved games of the last console generation - putting players in control of master assassin Corvo on a bloody quest for revenge. This time around, you can play as both Corvo and former Empress of Dunwall Emily Kaldwin - each with their own sets of abilities. An internal engine called Void is offering a significant power upgrade from the old Unreal 3 engine, promising improved lighting and detail. Expect multiple paths through levels and - in response to feedback from the last game - extra non-lethal takedowns. Moral tests and layer choice will also feature, so there should be multiple endings. Bethesda / Arkane Skyrim: Special Edition Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

Its time to get your FUS-RO-DAH back on as Skyrim blasts onto the current console generation. Bethesdas swords-and-dragons RPG has been given a stunning visual makeover for the PS4 and Xbox One. Thats not all - the new version will bring mods to the console editions for the very first time. Bethesda Halo Wars 2 Platform: Xbox One, PC

Seven years on from the original Halo Wars, the Real-Time Strategy spin-off from Microsofts flagship franchise is back - and theres a multiplayer beta for fans to enjoy until June 20. Taking place after the events of Halo V: Guardians, the top-down title sees players fight off new enemies The Banished. Microsoft / 343 Industries Ghost Recon: Wildlands Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC

Weve been hearing a lot about Wildlands, but at E3 fans finally got to see some in-depth gameplay. Its looking superb - and with a varied, detailed world featuring mountains, jungles and deserts, its already allaying fears that itll just be a Division clone. Given the size of the world, gamers can use vehicles - from buggies, helicopters and dirt bikes - to get around. Although it caters for up to four players, gamers can go through the campaign solo, with AI controlling the other members. Expect highly destructible environments, if the latest gameplay demo is anything to go by. Ubisoft Pokemon Sun and Moon Platform: Nintendo 3DS

The notorious monster-collecting handheld RPG series is back with two new adventures on the Nintendo 3DS. Theres a whole new region to explore, the Hawaii-influenced Alola, three new adorable starter Pokemon to choose from, and new legendary Pokemon to track down. In the 20th anniversary year of the series, it looks like the perfect balance of nostalgia and progress. Nintendo Mass Effect: Andromeda Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

The Mass Effect games are some of the greatest of all time, so its not surprising just how much anticipation there is for Andromeda. Whilst details are still scarce, E3 gave us a trailer which showed off new worlds and the game engine in more detail. Set years after the original series, you take on a new protagonist called Ryder. Like in the last games, Ryder can either be male or female, with the latter as the standard preset. The Mako - a clumsy land-based vehicle from the first game which was scrapped for Mass Effect 2 and 3 - looks to be making a return in Andromeda, so lets hope its more refined. EA / BioWare The Last Guardian Platform: PS4

The Last Guardian? At E3? Weve got deja vu over here. Hopefully this will be the last time the long-awaited game appears at the show because its now got a release date at last: October 25. Can it live up to Ico and Shadow of the Colossus? SIE Prey Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

Talk of a Prey sequel seems to have been around for years because it has. In fact, screenshots emerged a few years back before it was axed. Thankfully, its back on track - and while a reveal trailer didnt give much away, expect lots of gravity-defying gunplay, mind-bending abilities and alien weapons. We should see more of Prey at Gamescom later this year. Bethesda / Arkane Resident Evil 7: Biohazard Platform: Xbox One, PS4, PC

You spent hours of Alien: Isolation stuck in a ventilation shaft, and now Resident Evil 7 will have you refusing to leave a corridor. Hey, if you dont enter that door, nothing can get you right? After the more action-oriented Resident Evil 6, the horror is well and truly back for 7. Best of all, on PS4 the full campaign will be VR compatible. Time to stock up on nappies, then. Capcom Spider-Man Platform: PS4

Bucking the trend for film-to-game adaptations being largely terrible, Spider-Man 2 was one of the best superhero experiences on the PS2. Now the webslinger is back on the current gen  and ready to take Batman: Arkhams comic book crown. The new PS4 game is likely a few years off, but certainly one to watch. Sony Star Wars: X-Wing VR Mission Platform: PS4

This spectacular VR demo showing off a mission in an X-Wing went down a storm at E3, and rightfully so. Lets hope, though, that theres more depth to it than just flying around shooting things. Expect ship upgrades and dog-fights aplenty, plus plenty of varied worlds. EA / Dice

When Lara's uncle contests ownership of the Manor, Lara must explore the estate to find proof that she is the rightful heir, or lose her birthright and father's secrets for good.

Players can then test their zombie-killing skills in the replayable Lara's Nightmare mode: a haunted Croft Manor where players have new challenges and must rid the Manor of an evil presence.

Lara Croft 'Rise of the Tomb Raider' preview

The PS4 version will also feature virtual reality support for the Blood Ties segment using the forthcoming PS VR headset.

Rise of the Tomb Raider originally launched on Xbox One and Xbox 360 on November 13, 2015. The new 20 Year Celebration content will also be available for Xbox, and is included in the DLC Season Pass. However, the Xbox edition will not feature VR support for Blood Ties.
CHICAGO - Despite hundreds of thousands of collected signatures that passed the Illinois State Board of Elections scrutiny, the chances dimmed Wednesday that a reform referendum would be on the November ballot.

The Independent Map Amendment effort was to open the way for legislative maps to be drawn by an independent panel, rather drawn by political party chiefs after the toss of a coin.

House Speaker Mike Madigan, who has dominated the Democratic Party and the Illinois House for decades, worked with legal allies to stop the Independent Map Amendment effort, and the court granted Madigan's complaint Wednesday morning.

The decision against the Fair Map Amendment was in the hands of a Cook County judge - those which for the most part are slated and approved for election by Speaker Madigan. Judge Diane Larsen, who makes $184,000 per year as a subcircuit judge, worked for the City of Chicago before being first elected in 2004 and then being retained in 2010.

The legal lead against the referendum was Michael Kasper, general counsel for Madigan's Illinois Democratic Party.
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Not one to bow to political correctness, Trump promptly tweeted: "Another horrific attack, this time in Nice, France. Many dead and injured. When will we learn? It is only getting worse." Trump understands that radical Islam is the cause of the frequent terror happenings world-wide and of the urgency to defeat ISIS before they find their way to America.

Meanwhile, for two days the media advanced the idea that Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a 31-year old Tunisian Muslim, was a "lone wolf" despite his shouts of "Allahu Akahu Akbar: (God is great in Arabic), before being killed in a clear suicide mission. The lone wolf theory was discounted on Saturday, July 16, when the The New York Times reported:

A much anticipated media announcement let the American people know that Donald Trump would not formally announce his vice presidential choice at a scheduled 11 a.m. news conference on Friday, July 15, but that it was postponed to Saturday, July 16, in light of the deadly attack in Nice, France on Thursday, July 13.

What did Trump imply by his words: "When will we learn?"

It was G.W. Bush who called Islam a religion of peace. Of grave and immediate concern is that our present government refuses to call out those who are responsible for the horrific acts of terror namely, Islamic radical terrorists. Although the American people do receive wall-to-wall TV coverage whenever a terrorist act happens in Europe or here at home, many Americans would be surprised to learn that Islam has declared war on the West, the U.S., Jews, Christians, and all "infidels, that can include specific Muslims who do not share their same interpretation of the Caliphate. Islam's grandiose plan is to have a world ruled by Muslims under Islamic Law (Sharia), and that freedom and equal rights for all must come to an end.

Erwin W. Lutzer, senior pastor of The Moody Church, in Chicago, Illinois, from 1980 until his retirement in 2016, published a book in 2013 "The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent," , which examines the growing impact of Islam in relationship to Christianity, noting that where Islam increases, Christianity decreases. Churches in Europe and the United Kingdom are dying out while mosques are growing in number. Religious liberty hangs in the balance worldwide.

In this nation the war with Islam can be traced back to November 4, 1979, the day Iran took US citizens hostage in Tehran and held 52 of them for 444 days. Certainly, 9/11 was the worst single terrorist event on American soil. However, all non Muslim countries are vulnerable to terrorist attacks. Unless all democratic nations acknowledge that all radical terrorist groups have a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam and are a threat to world safety, American citizens are in danger. It is not preposterous to suggest that the United States and the free World are in the cross hairs of Islam, and its goal is to see the Islamic flag over the White House and beyond.

Not all Muslims are terrorists

It would be a misrepresentation to suggest that the war is with all Muslims, because only a minority of Muslims are fundamentalists. Muslims number 1.6 billion people worldwide -- reports do vary -- representing 23% of the global population. The overwhelming majority (87-90%) of Muslims are Sunnis; about 10-13% are Shia Muslims.

According to Victor David Hanson, 10% of Muslims worldwide support ongoing terrorist movements, which still comprise a large enough pool to aid and abet terrorism, either by giving moral and financial support or by acting as pressure groups within mostly autocratic political systems. Here in the U.S. the Pew Research Center report estimates there were about 3.3 million Muslims of all ages living in the United States in 2015. This means that Muslims made up about 1% of the total U.S. population (about 322 million people in 2015), which is expected to increase to 2% by 2050. Another study estimates the number to be at five million or about the size of the Hispanic population 27 years ago, but it is growing six times faster than the national rate, thanks to their high rates of birth, immigration, and conversions.

A shocking poll of U.S. Muslims

A survey of Muslims published by the Center for Security Policy in June of 2015, points to a serious problem in this nation and should raise a big red flag: A majority (51%) of Americans agreed that Muslims in America should have the choice of being governed according to Shariah and not by the U.S. Constitution. 51% likewise believe that they should have the choice of either an American or a Shariah court. Even more troubling is the fact that nearly a quarter of the Muslims polled believed that it is legitimate to use violence to punish those who give offense to Islam by, for example, portraying the prophet Mohammed. Nearly one-fifth of Muslim respondents said that the use of violence in the United States is justified in order to make Shariah the law of the land in this county. Yet according to Hillary, if she becomes president she wants to resettle one million more Muslim migrants her first term alone! Have our schools been negligent in teaching about our immigration laws? We welcome immigrants, but they are expected to embrace our laws, our culture, and our country when they leave theirs behind.

Muslims did try to pass Sharia law in Alabama, but citizens said "Hell No." Islamization of America is accelerating and gaining momentum, in tandem with the spread of Sharia law in America's courts, through the Islamization of the American media that presents Islam as a peaceful religion in both the political world and in education. Dearborn, Michigan, has the largest concentration of Muslims in the U.S. With a population of around 98 thousand people, roughly 30% of its residence are Muslims.

What is the tipping point for Muslim to dominate?

In his book Slavery, Terrorism, and Islam, Peter Hammond unveils a detailed analysis on the proportion of Muslims to the overall population and found increased violence and adherence to Sharia law. Hammonds research paints a horrifying picture of the future of civilization. When the Muslim population remains at or under 2%, their presence tends to fly low under the radar. In the 2%  5% range, Muslims begin to seek converts, targeting those they see as disaffected, such as criminals. etc.

Mark Steyn, in this video, puts the tipping point for Muslim domination at 20%. As the Muslim percentage of the population rises, violence against non-Muslims, terrorism, and disorder increases. This can be observed now in Europe where the Muslim population is rising 10 times faster than the rest of society

Worth reading is Steyn's book published in 2008, "America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It". In recounting the influx of Muslims into Europe in 2008, the book is prophetic in predicting what would result when Muslims gained power through demographics. Muslims were described as "breeding like rabbits."

Warnings by FBI and CIA are counter to political correctness

In October of 2015, FBI director James Comey said during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing that the federal government does not have the ability to conduct thorough background checks on all of the 10,000 Syrian refugees that the Obama administration says will be allowed to come to the U.S. Fast forward to June of this year, at which time CIA Director Brennan affirmed that ISIS is slipping into the country among the refugees under the Refugee/Resettlement plan sponsored by the United Nations.

Gingrich's remarks align with what Americans believe

Former Speaker of the House New Gingrich stated that the Syrian refugees cannot be properly vetted and that 51% of Muslims living in this nation believe they should have a choice of being governed according to Shariah law rather that than our the Constitution. Newt Gingrich still faced a barrage of criticism from President Obama and others for a comment he made on Thursday night, July 14, during an interview on Fox News when interviewed by Sean Hannity hours after a truck driven by a terrorist rampaged through a Bastille Day celebration in Nice.

Let me state where I am coming from and let me be as blunt and direct as I can be  western civilization is in a war. We should frankly test every person here who is of a Muslim background, and if they believe in Sharia, they should be deported, Gingrich said. Sharia is incompatible with western civilization. Modern Muslims who have given up Sharia  glad to have them as citizens. Perfectly happy to have them next door. But we need to be fairly relentless about who our enemies are.

Newt acknowledged the next day that mass "deportation is impossible" with American citizens. In addressing President Obama's criticism of his remark, Gingrich didn't mince words, stating that Obama had forfeited his right to criticize because after eight years, the President still has no plans to defeat radical Islam. He also challenged Obama on the handling of Syrian refugees coming to the U.S.

The belligerent response over Gingrich's remark are out of step with how registered voters view Sharia: Opinion Savvy polled a random sample of 803 registered voters from June 19 to June 20, 2016, and found that seventy-one percent believe that supporters of Sharia should be identified before they are admitted into the US. An even greater percentage, 80%, believe that supporters of Sharia should not be admitted into the U.S.

Part 2: Will detail action FDR took during the WWII when political correctness did not prevent Roosevelt from doing what he perceived was necessary for the sake of National Security and safety of American citizens.
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Wednesday, 20 July 2016 23:52:32 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo

Brazil s ministry of foreign trade has started an anti-dumping (AD) investigation into the Chinese and Russian imports of HRC , the government said on Wednesday.





The products subject to the investigation were defined as both alloyed and non-alloyed finished flat steel, with a width equal to or greater than 600mm, hot rolled, plates (not rolled) with a thickness inferior to 4.75mm as well as coils of any thickness.





The investigation follows a request from local producers ArcelorMittal Brasil, Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) and Gerdau.





The ministry said the relative dumping margin for Russian exports of HRC was 74.1 percent. The absolute dumping margin for the Russian product was $247.56/mt.





As for the Chinese exports of the product, relative dumping margin was 49.1 percent, while absolute dumping margin was $256.35/mt.





The resolution was published at the nations official gazette, Diario Oficial da Uniao (DOU), following similar other measures by the Brazilian government, such as a recently initiated probe on the Chinese imports of PC strand.





The products fall under the Customs Tariff Statistics Position Numbers 7208.10.00, 7208.25.00, 7208.26.10, 7208.26.90, 7208.27.10, 7208.27.90, 7208.36.10, 7208.36.90, 7208.37.00, 7208.38.10, 7208.38.90, 7208.39.10, 7208.39.90, 7208.40.00, 7208.53.00, 7208.54.00, 7208.90.00, 7225.30.00 and 7225.40.90.


Wednesday, 20 July 2016 12:08:42 (GMT+3) | Shanghai

Chinese state-owned China MCC22 Group Corporation Ltd. (MCC20), a subsidiary of China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC), has won a tender for the fourth segment of the continuous casting project of Hebei Province-based Chinese steelmaker Shougang Jingtang United Iron and Steel Co. (Jingtang Steel).





The project in question is being implemented in Caofeidian Industrial District in Tangshan, Hebei. It will have an annual output capacity of 4.50 million mt of steel after completion.
Tuesday, 19 July 2016 23:41:33 (GMT+3) | Sao Paulo

Companhia Siderurgica Nacional (CSN) has opposed the idea of an asset split at Brazilian flats producer Usiminas , according to a media report.





A competitor and a minor shareholder at the flats steelmaker, CSN said a company split would make Usiminas an even weaker company, according to CSNs institutional director, Luiz Paulo Barreto.





The possibility of a split at Usiminas came up in H1 this year, but was just confirmed by a companys major shareholder earlier in July.





The solution is expected to give a cease fire between major fighting shareholders Ternium and Nippon Steel, since each would assume a different asset. Usiminas has a mill in Cubatao city, in the state of Sao Paulo, and another one in Ipatinga city in Minas Gerais.





CSN also said that the ongoing legal fights involving Ternium and Nippon have been affecting Usiminas  financial recovery.





Its a move to facilitate Usiminas  split, CSNs lawyer, Walfrido Warde Jr, said.





As the crossfire continues at Usiminas at different levels, dealing with legal fights with CSN and its main shareholders at the same time, a Minas Gerais court allowed the flats producer to use BRL 180 million that was legally blocked.




In the first four months of this year, French crude steel output decreased by 11.1 percent year on year to 4.74 million mt, according to the latest data released by the French Steel Federation (FFA).

Meanwhile, in April this year, French crude steel production amounted to 966,000 mt, falling by 26.4 percent year on year. In the same month, crude steel production in France using electric arc furnaces (EAFs) fell by 16.4 percent year on year to 418,000 mt, while crude steel production using blast furnaces (BFs) totaled 548,000 mt, decreasing by 32.6 percent year on year.
Tenova HYL Micro Module will oversee the technological design and provide equipment to develop and build a 500,000 mt/year pellet production plant as well as a 250,000 mt/year DRI high carbon plant.

"The Tenova HYL Micro Module will allow our company to add significant value to our iron ore deposit in Aymaraes, producing high carbon DRI with the proven ZR (zero reformer) technology used since 2010 in the Emirate steel," the CEO for the Peruvian company, Alfonso Navarro, said, adding the partnership will allow Ferrobamba to "produce a premium quality DRI that is not currently available in the region."
Wednesday, 20 July 2016 17:27:49 (GMT+3) | Istanbul

According to the preliminary data released by Statistics South Africa (SSA), in May this year South Africa 's manufacturing output increased by four percent compared to the same month last year.

In May, the production of basic iron and steel, non-ferrous metal products, metal products and machinery increased by 1.5 percent on year-on-year basis. In the given month, the production of basic iron and steel products in South Africa rose by 21.6 percent, while the production of structural metal products decreased by 3.7 percent, both on year-on-year basis. As compared with April, in May this year the production of basic iron and steel products in South Africa increased by 3.6 percent and production of structural metal products grew by 9.8 percent.

For basic iron and steel products, the estimated seasonally adjusted sales of manufactured products (at current prices) in May this year increased by 3.8 percent month on month, amounting to ZAR 9.49 billion ($662.4 million).
Tuesday, 19 July 2016 23:32:45 (GMT+3) | San Diego

The Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), commented Monday on the release of the draft Technical Assessment Report (TAR) by the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Transportation and Californias Air Resources Board. The report  the first step in the mid-term evaluation of fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions regulations, examines a wide range of technology factors relevant to the 2022-2025 model year standards.





As noted in todays report, mass reduction is an important contributor to fuel economy and we continue to work with automakers on solutions utilizing advance high-strength steels (AHSS), said Lawrence W. Kavanagh, president of SMDI. The mass reduction and overall value delivered with these advanced steel grades are why they are the fastest growing class of automotive material.





As automakers look for solutions to reduce vehicle mass and increase fuel economy, material selection is an important factor. AHSS meets these requirements with the lowest emissions impact as noted in the recently released Importance of the Production Phase in Vehicle Life Cycle GHG Emissions white paper.




Wednesday, 20 July 2016 12:15:05 (GMT+3) | Istanbul

According to market sources, Chinese offers to the United Arab Emirates ( UAE ) for 4"-12" seamless pipes of B grade have remained stable over the past week at $440-460/mt CFR, while ex-Ukraine seamless pipe offers for the same product to the UAE are still at $770-780/mt CFR. Additionally, ex-South Korea offers to the UAE for 8"-24" water and gas ERW pipes have moved sideways week on week at $550-625/mt CFR.Meanwhile, Japanese offers to the UAE for 2"-10" seamless pipes for grade B have remained stable during the past week at $1,170-1,250/mt CFR.
By MARK EVANS mevans@stegenherald.com Bloomsdale will probably host a major fireworks display. The pyrotechnics will not take place until 2024, however. During the Oct. 12 board of aldermen meeting, Kevin Wehner and city officials again discussed the possibility of a July 4 fireworks display at the youth soccer fields on land leased by the city
Updated at 6 p.m.

Anheuser-Busch InBev won antitrust approval Wednesday for its $107 billion takeover of rival SABMiller after agreeing to give up ownership of the Miller brands in the U.S. and open the door to greater competition from craft brewers.

With the green light from the Justice Department, Belgium-based A-B InBev said it was on track to complete the transaction  the biggest-ever combination in the beer industry  in the second half of 2016.

The worlds largest brewer, which has already secured approvals in 21 jurisdictions around the world, still awaits antitrust approval in China.

With todays agreement, we have taken a significant step forward on the transaction, which will create the worlds first truly global brewer, A-B InBev CEO Carlos Brito said in a statement.

SABMiller makes Miller Genuine Draft and Pilsner Urquell, and A-B InBevs brands include Budweiser, Stella Artois and Becks. After the merger, the combined company would control 31 percent of the beer sold worldwide, according to industry publication Beer Business Daily.

As it struggles for growth in saturated markets such as the United States, A-B InBev is looking for growth in regions such as Africa, where SABMiller has a major presence. To ease concern that it would have too much control of the market, A-B InBev is selling brands in other parts of the world.

To gain antitrust approval in the U.S., A-B InBev announced last fall it would sell SABMillers 58 percent stake in Chicago-based MillerCoors. That joint venture was created in 2008 by SABMiller and Denver-based Molson Coors to sell Miller, Coors and other brands in the United States. Selling SABMillers stake in MillerCoors means Molson Coors will own the Miller brands in the U.S.

For the U.S. market this doesnt change a whole, at least not immediately, said Adam Fleck, equity analyst with Morningstar in Chicago. Theres a chance to increase the profitability for Molson Coors and MillerCoors enterprises that will make MillerCoors more competitive.

Longer term, Fleck said, a consolidated MillerCoors could itself become a more potent rival to independent craft brewers, particularly in negotiating distribution deals.

A-B InBev previously made other commitments that are part of the brewers consent decree released Wednesday by the Justice Department. A-B agreed to cap the number of distributors it owns so that no more than 10 percent of its annual volume is distributed by company-owned distributors, and agreed it wouldnt terminate existing distributors as a result of its acquisition of SABMiller.

As part of the consent decree, A-B agreed to review and modify its U.S. sales programs and policies related to incentives. Reuters announced in May that U.S. antitrust officials were investigating A-B InBev over incentives that encouraged independent distributors to sell more of its own beer brands at the expense of competing craft beers.

The remedy we secured will help preserve and promote competition in the multi-billion dollar U.S. beer industry, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Sonia Pfaffenroth of the Justice Departments Antitrust Division said in a statement.

Independent distributors that sell (A-B InBevs) beer will have the freedom to sell and promote the variety of beers that many Americans drink, she said.

Joao Castro Neves, zone president of North America and CEO of A-Bs U.S. headquarters based in St. Louis, told the Post-Dispatch that the VAIP program will end. Incentives for distributors built around other brands will no longer exist, he said.

A-B InBev agreed to continue to allow the Justice Department to review acquisitions of craft brewers in the U.S., a stipulation put in place when the brewer acquired the 50 percent of Mexicos largest brewer Grupo Modelo it didnt already own in 2013.

The U.S. market is very competitive  and nothing in this transaction, in our opinion, will impact that competitiveness, Neves said.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this story.
Editor's note: Corrects earlier headline.

WASHINGTON  Inventors are filing an exploding number of lawsuits against companies that appropriate their products illegally  and a new report puts the blame for these costly disputes squarely at the feet of the federal government.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is so focused on rewarding its employees for the number of applications they review that the quality of patents they give out is in jeopardy, according to the Government Accountability Office.

The result is that licenses conferring someone's sole right to an invention are "unclear and overly broad" and vulnerable to infringement by competitors.

The patent office "does not have a consistent definition of patent quality that is clearly articulated or fully developed measurable goals and performance indicators to guide and evaluate work towards the agency's quality goals," GAO said in an audit requested by Congress that has not been made public. A copy of the report was obtained by The Washington Post.

Just the threat of litigation can deter innovators from coming up with new products, GAO found.

It's the third review in 15 months to find weaknesses in the quality of patents granted to intellectual-property focused industries like electronics and pharmaceuticals, a crucial sector of the U.S. economy that contributes more than $5 trillion a year to the gross domestic product. The government issued 326,000 patents last year, according to federal data.

In a critical report on deficiencies with quality assurance, the inspector general for the Commerce Department, the patent office's parent agency, found in April 2015 that patent officials have almost no way of knowing whether their examiners are doing a good job.

Three months later, an independent review of the patent and trademark office's award-winning telework program by the National Academy of Public Administration found the system stresses "quantitative production over quality" and questioned whether examiners were working hard enough. That report was done in response to a Washington Post report on a coverup of time and attendance fraud at the agency.

GAO, which conducted its audit from 2014 to 2016, focused on how poor patents are contributing to the recent rise in litigation. Lawsuits in federal district courts over the illegal use of inventions have exploded in recent years, with 5,000 filed in 2015, up from 2,000 in 2007, the audit said. More than 8,000 defendants faced litigation last year, up from 5,000 in 2007. Most disputes concern new computer technology and software.

Patent officials began taking steps last year to address quality control, holding public forums with experts and stakeholders to get their ideas and launching a pilot program that asks a sample of the 8,300 examiners to show clearly what steps they took in their reviews.

"The more patents are correct and clear, the less confusion we'll have in the market and the less litigation we'll see," Patrick Ross, the agency's communications director, said in an interview.

But GAO noted that patent officials, to improve quality, still are focusing too much on the timeliness of reviews, customer service and "process or production goals" rather than quality. And they have not tied bonuses and performance reviews to quality, which needs definition. Is a good patent broad, or clearly defined? How does it prove that the invention is novel, useful, not obvious and clearly described?

In a survey auditors did of a sample of employees, one wrote that "without a working definition, management's focus on patent quality is meaningless."

"Without such goals and indicators, USPTO cannot determine whether it is meeting its goal of enhancing patent quality," auditors wrote.

The inventory is large: As of April, the agency had a backlog of about 550,000 pending patent applications. Reviews take 16 to 26 months.

Examiners are rated largely on their production, auditors said, and they are given different times to complete reviews based on the experience of the examiner and the technical level of the field. For example, someone working on an artificial intelligence review gets an average of about 31 hours to complete it, while an application for exercise devices takes an average of 17 hours.

Timeliness and production produce bonuses: From fiscal 2009 to fiscal 2013, examiners who met these goals got an extra $6,000 a year, GAO said, citing the inspector general's office.

But they are not rated for quality work. Examiners work fast, creating "an environment where patents may be granted that do not fully meet patentability standards," GAO found.

The last time the patent office studied its production quotas was the 1970s  although several years ago, employees got another two-and-a-half hours for each review. GAO said the current system leaves makes it almost impossible to know how to get the best quality work from its staff.

"We work very closely with our unions to determine the right amount of time to meet our goals," Ross said. Last fall, he said, examiners were again given more time to review applications in some fields.

GAO recommended that the agency define what is a good patent, update its performance goals for reviewers and figure out how bonuses for production may be compromising patent quality. Patent officials agreed with the recommendations.

"The strength of the U.S. system relies on the granting of strong patents, ones that are truly novel and non-obvious inventions, those that are true innovations and not the product of legal gamesmanship," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., who requested the audit, said in a statement.

The committee has called patent office Director Michelle Lee to testify in September. Goodlatte called the hearing "an important opportunity for the Judiciary Committee to conduct the appropriate oversight to ensure that our intellectual property laws are being implemented fairly and in line with Congressional intent."
The combined buying power of U.S. lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender adults rose about 3.7 percent to $917 billion last year, rivaling the disposable income of other American minority groups, according to an annual analysis.

The forecast, based on an estimate that as many as 7 percent of adults identify as LGBT, reflects the growing acceptance by society as more people are willing to self-identify, said Bob Witeck, who for the past decade has been conducting the annual study through his Washington-based communications firm.

"The footprint that gay people have today in the economy is much, much more present, much more visible," Witeck said in an interview. "Also, companies are responding not just to LGBT purchasing power, they are responding to others who are aligned and sympathetic."

Gay political and economic power is coming into sharper focus as advocates battle for full equal rights at the federal level. At the same time, hundreds of laws were introduced in state legislatures this year that are seen as eroding rights for LGBT people. In support of their gay employees, Dow Chemical, Salesforce.com, Walt Disney and other companies publicly pressured states to abandon discriminatory laws.

In comparison, purchasing power for black Americans was estimated at $1.2 trillion last year, with Hispanic buying clout at $1.3 trillion and Asian disposable income at $825 billion, according to the University of Georgia's Selig Center for Economic Growth. The same methodology is used to estimate LGBT buying power, Witeck said. Total U.S. disposable income last year was $13.5 trillion, according to the Selig Center.

The LGBT estimates are for adults only, while estimates for blacks and Hispanics include children without income, which reduces the average disposable income available for those bigger demographic groups. Gay Americans are included among those minority groups as well, Witeck said.

The trend is likely to continue. With legal gay marriage now a year old in the U.S., the purchasing power of LGBT people is starting to look more and more like the purchasing patterns of other groups, Witeck said.

"It reminds companies how visible the population is today," he said. "In a year's time, marriage has changed things forever, and that genie is not going back in the bottle again. Families are now quite evident. They are coming forward to buy things for their households. They're shopping for cars. They're buying for the kids they are having."
LONDON  SABMiller has not ruled out asking Anheuser-Busch InBev to revamp its proposed $100 billion-plus takeover offer before formally recommending the bid, a source close to the London-listed brewer told Reuters, amid rising shareholder disquiet about the terms.

SABMiller's board is meeting on Wednesday, a day before its annual shareholder meeting, to discuss how to quell unease about the disparity between ABI's 44-pounds per share cash offer and a stock-and-cash alternative designed for SAB's biggest investors, cigarette maker Altria and Colombia's Santo Domingo family, the source said.

When the original deal was announced in November, that partial share alternative  which avoids triggering large tax bills  was worth about 39 pounds.

But the recent fall in the pound and rise in A-B InBev's shares have increased its value to about 51 pounds, representing a premium of around 15 percent to the cash offer.

All investors have the option to take the stock and cash offer but under current terms the stock cannot be traded for five years, rendering the option highly unattractive for most fund managers.

"At this stage the board will reassure investors and tell them their concerns will only be addressed after the deal gets regulatory clearance," the first source close to SAB said.

"After the pre-conditions are satisfied, (the board) will need to decide whether to refresh its recommendation for the ABI bid or ask for improved terms," the source added.

SABMiller declined to comment.

A second source close to SABMiller described the long-planned meeting as "routine" prior to an AGM and said it was unconnected to recent stakebuilding by activist investors The Children's Investment Fund Management (TCI) and Elliott Advisors.

Those investments have raised the prospects of a late opportunistic push for more cash from A-B InBev, which counts Budweiser and Stella Artois among its top brands.

Approvals

A-B InBev's proposed takeover has already been approved by European and South African regulators but U.S. and Chinese antitrust authorities have yet to sanction the union.

Until then, the deal terms remain flexible and subject to revision, the first source said.

"Regulatory approval is expected very soon. It could come any time now and this is why agitators are building stakes," the source said.

Minority investors meanwhile are waiting nervously to see if any last-minute jostling could secure them more cash or derail the merger altogether.

"They (Elliott) have previous form here in trying to extract value close to decision day ... but the deal feels done so it may be too little too late," said one SABMiller investor, who said he would back a campaign for fresh terms as it was in his clients' interests.

"The fall in sterling makes the cash offer less attractive to general shareholders. The 'insiders' got a better deal here than the other shareholders," he said.

Besides increasing the cash offer to minority investors, sources have suggested that ABI could also address the disparity by increasing the cash component offered to Altria and the Santo Domingos or reducing the lock-up period on the shares.

Currently structured as a 'scheme of arrangement', the deal needs approval by 75 percent of shareholders but sources also said ABI could switch to a straight takeover offer, which only needs a majority.
Off the Menu reported last month that Derek and Lucas Gamlin, the brothers who operate the popular Central West End restaurants Sub Zero Vodka Bar and Gamlin Whiskey House, will open a new venture at the corner of West Pine Boulevard and North Euclid Avenue.

The Gamlin Restaurant Group announced Tuesday that construction has begun on the new restaurant, which will be called 1764 Public House. The name refers to the city's founding. According to a press release, the menu at 1764 Public House will feature "some modern twists on local favorites."

(Tip of the hat to St. Louis Magazine)
When I was growing up, my father would take us to get fresh hot doughnuts from Krispy Kreme every Sunday. The cake doughnuts, covered in peanuts or dipped in sprinkles, were always my favorite. And to this day, I crave cake doughnuts.

Fast forward 20 years to the time when both my sister and I lived in the same New York neighborhood. There was a fantastic bakery nearby where the counters were piled high with zucchini bread, apple walnut muffins, whoopie pies.

As a cook myself, I loved the set-up as much as the pastries. It was an open commissary kitchen with a walk-up counter for ordering. As you waited in line, you could watch the bakers make all manner of homespun baked goods. Among the array of deliciousness displayed on the counter was what looked like a mini muffin coated in cinnamon and sugar. The texture of the crumb inside was less dense and more cake than muffin, and it had a cinnamon flavor and a pop of nutmeg. It was called a puff, or at least that is what my sister and I called it. A puff with a double-shot cappuccino was morning heaven.

My sister moved out the neighborhood years before I too relocated. Because the bakery is no longer close, I decided that I should try to re-create those puffs. A Google search brought up dozens of images for what resembled the mini bites of heaven, but it was amazing how the actual recipes varied greatly and how few delivered.

Finally, I hit upon a recipe with more sugar and milk, making a thinner, cake-like batter. I increased the cinnamon and nutmeg and added a pinch of lemony cardamom to round out the warm spices  and frankly, just because I love cardamom. The advantage of the sweeter, lighter cake is that they will last up to three days in an airtight container. In fact, I think that they are better the next day.
BELLEFONTAINE NEIGHBORS  A 13-year-old girl suspected of shooting and critically wounding a couple in their 70s during a robbery at a beauty supply store surrendered to police on Wednesday, police say.

Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Chief Jeremy Ihler said the girl arrived at the St. Louis County Police Departments North County precinct late Wednesday morning. Ihler said he was told that the girls family accompanied her to the station.

The shooting victims, a man and a woman, reside in OFallon, Mo. They were listed in critical condition at a hospital in St. Louis. Each had been shot once in the torso, said Detective Lt. Shawn Applegate. Their names were not released.

The couple are Korean and dont speak much English but have worked for years at their daughters store, Kings Beauty Supply, police and friends said.

They have had a lot of hardships in the past, a family friend, Joo Lim, said. Theyre very sweet people who didnt deserve this.

The couple were shot after 4 p.m. Tuesday inside the store, at 10073 Lewis and Clark Boulevard in Bellefontaine Neighbors. But police believe the girl, who witnesses saw run from the store carrying a pistol, had been at the store twice earlier that day.

Applegate said early Wednesday that he had been told by the hospital that the woman had died overnight. Police have since corrected that to say both victims remain alive. Chief Ihler said he didnt know how the miscommunication with the hospital staff happened.

In the first visit, the girl and another juvenile went to the business and stole some items, believed to be hair extensions, police said. The couple got the items back and kicked the girls out, warning them to stay away. They did not report the shoplifting to police.

Later, the girls returned to the store and the couple called police, reporting a disturbance.

Police responded, spotted the girls on an adjacent parking lot, and took one of the girls into custody on a previous juvenile warrant. The other girl was released on a formal warning for trespassing, with the couples approval, Applegate said.

Because the couple dont speak English well, police spoke on the phone with the couples daughter, the store owner, who told them what her parents had reported. They didnt want to press charges, police said.

Authorities believe that the girl who was released on a warning later returned to the store and shot the couple.

A witness saw her enter the store, then less than a minute later came running out, swinging in her right hand a revolver as she ran, Applegate said. She was last seen in the area carrying the pistol and items believed taken from the store. She was running in the direction of the Castle Point neighborhood.

After the shootings Tuesday, multiple people called 911, including an employee of a neighboring business who went to check on the couple and discovered them wounded.

Police worked overnight to find her, and released a grainy photo of the girl taken from a surveillance video inside the store. They went to her last known address, where her mother lives, and no one answered. But a neighbor told police the mother had sent the daughter to live with the girls father for the summer, saying she was fed up with the girls behavior.

The girl turned herself in late Wednesday morning alongside three aunts and her father. She was in the custody of juvenile authorities.

Friends, customers try to help

Applegate said the same family had run the beauty supply store at the Lewis and Clark Boulevard location for at least a decade.

Cassandra Lampley, of north St. Louis County, has made it a point to visit once a week after the store was looted during turmoil in Ferguson and nearby areas.

With the negativity surrounding Ferguson, I felt like different cultures should show friendliness to each other, you know? Lampley said. (The store owner) probably didnt have black friends, so I made it my business to go that extra step and always called her my friend, and she did it back  Hi, friend.

The family worked with Lampley on a cultural project for her masters degree not too long ago, giving her information about Korean food, health and religion.

Lim, a family friend of the couple, started a GoFundMe page for the couple. She said the beauty supply store wouldnt be open for a while, so the donations will help the family with medical bills and additional financial support.

Lim said her family was in the beauty supply business, too, and she goes to the same church as the injured couple.

There werent many details Lim could share about the condition of the couple, other than that the man was shot once and would require additional surgeries. The woman was conscious and alert, Lim said.

Applegate said that both were in critical condition but that the mans injuries were worse from the beginning.

He said the gun used to shoot the couple had not been recovered.
Belleville Police are searching for the suspect of a shooting that occurred near Freedom Drive on Tuesday afternoon.

Officers were called to Memorial Hospital at 2:26 p.m. after a black four door vehicle dropped a victim off at the hospital before driving away, Belleville Police said in a news release. The victim sustained an injury to his upper body but is now in stable condition at a St. Louis hospital.

Police said in the release that they believe the shooting may have taken place near Freedom Drive, after officers found evidence of a crime scene in the area.

The vehicle in which the victim was dropped off was also found in a separate location, according to the release. Officers examined the vehicle for evidence and detectives began questioning people for information.

Police said in the release that preliminary information indicates the victim and suspect knew each other.
A group of parents of St. Louis charter school students have been denied their request to intervene in a legal battle over desegregation funding.

The parents had wanted a say in a litigation that could force the charter schools to return more than $50 million to St. Louis Public Schools. The funding stems from a city sales tax approved in 1999 to remedy the harmful impact of segregation in St. Louis Public Schools.

The school district claims that money was falsely distributed to the charter schools by the state since 2006 and should have instead been used in adherence with a Desegregation Settlement Agreement.

On Wednesday, U.S. Circuit Court Judge Henry Edward Autrey ruled that the parents lack standing to intervene in the matter, saying they were not parties to the agreement.

And while the parents argued that their children at the charter schools could be harmed by the litigation, the judge said the parents could cite only "nebulous injuries that might occur."
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First responders in the Metro East spent part of Wednesday saving people  and pigs  from flash flooding.

The Edwardsville Fire Department responded to a call Wednesday morning from people trapped in cars stuck in water up to five feet deep.

Lt. Rodney Hall of the Edwardsville Fire Department said crews rescued people from at least three vehicles that were underwater on Illinois Route 143 Wednesday.

Crews rescued at least one person trapped in a car stuck in water up to five feet deep near 3600 Edwardsville Road around 8 a.m. Fire crews rescued two more people on higher ground near the same area.

Edwardsville fire crews assisted the Roxana fire department with rescues at Old Alton Edwardsville Road between Edwardsville and Roxana shortly after. At least two people were pulled from two separate vehicles. The department reports water was about 3 feet deep in that area.

In State Park Place, a community just east of the Cahokia Mounds, firefighters waded through fast-moving water to rescue five pet pot-bellied pigs that had become trapped in a flooded back yard. Brittney Hargis, a volunteer with the State Park Place Fire Protection District, said some of the water was almost five feet deep.

"We almost got swept away several times," Hargis said, referring to water overflowing from nearby Canteen Creek. The residence with the pet pigs is near Fairway Boulevard and Arlington Street.

She said firefighters moved the pets safely to higher ground.

Hargis said firefighters also evacuated about 20 people from homes that had been surrounded by water.

No injuries have been reported.

Meanwhile, in Marissa, four oil tanks on Randolph County Line Road caught fire as storms passed through the area. Lightning may have caused the fire. The Marissa Fire Department, and several other nearby fire crews, worked to put out the towering blaze.

The National Weather Service says unofficial reports of rainfall in the Metro East were as high as six inches, and accumulations of two inches or more were common along a line roughly from Carrollton south to Mascoutah, with heavy downpours in Madison County. Jayson Gosselin, a Weather Service meteorologist, said the Bethalto area appeared to have had the heaviest rain.
When Colleen Kelly Starkloffs husband, Max, died in 2010, she stowed his powered wheelchair in the basement.

She also kept the van with a lift, and stayed put in the large Central West End house with an elevator that the couple had labored over to make fully accessible for him.

With Maxs death, Starkloffs friends suggested she sell the house and van, and give away the wheelchair. But they were all reminders of her husband of 35 years and the work they had done to make St. Louis and the rest of the country more accessible to the disabled.

They were part of Maxs life, she would say. Besides, the van was paid for, and if any of her disabled friends needed transportation, she wanted to be able to provide it.

As for the wheelchair in the basement, it was an extension of Max. A liberator for a man who became a quadriplegic after an auto accident. And, as Starkloff would glibly tell her friends: You never know when I might need it.

On May 1, 5 years after Maxs death, Starkloff was thrown from her horse, breaking her left leg near the hip.

My surgeon and internist both said: Colleen, you have to stay home for two months. This is a bad fracture. Immediately my brain switched to: How can I do what they want and keep my life moving forward?

She had a relative retrieve the wheelchair from the basement and called a friend to get new batteries for it. She had the van lift serviced, and even hired the driver that had worked with Max for years. But after a seven-week stay at her daughters house in Wildwood, she moved back home and began taking MetroLink from the Central West End to her downtown office.

For four decades, she stood next to Max as they fought to create an independent world for the disabled. From bus lifts to curb cuts to crafting of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Starkloffs were in the thick of the fight-for-rights movement. But only now is she seeing the improvements and remaining challenges from the vantage point of her late husband and others who rely on a wheelchair.

This experience brought me even closer and central to the issue Ive fought my whole life, said Starkloff, 66.

The lived experience

In the wheelchair, she encounters cracked, uneven sidewalks and curb cuts that are not flush with the pavement. One such rough patch disabled the tilt function on her wheelchair.

She now gets why some wheelchair users favor taking to the streets, something she has rallied against, especially after a disabled woman was struck and killed by a motorist on Delmar Boulevard near Jefferson Avenue 11 years ago. The womans family won a $250,000 judgment from the city for not maintaining the sidewalk.

It makes me less frustrated but not less worried, Starkloff said of seeing wheelchair users on the street.

Long before there was an Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law in 1990, Starkloff and her husband, Max, were on the front lines in the fight for disability rights.

Together, the Starkloffs built Paraquad, one of the first 10 federally funded independent living centers in the nation, into a St. Louis-based agency that now serves more than 3,000 people a year.

As Colleen Starkloff likes to say of founding Paraquad in 1970: It was about emancipation.

Today, there are nearly 500 independent living centers.

The Starkloffs, who helped St. Louis become the first city in the country to have lift-equipped public buses, parted ways with Paraquad in 2002 and began the Starkloff Disability Institute, an agency she still heads. The focus of the new endeavor: creating more employment opportunities for the disabled.

In her office on South 11th Street last week, Starkloff moved about with ease in Maxs wheelchair.

This is my legs now, she said. Disability rights advocates call it the lived experience  briefly stepping into the shoes of those with mobility issues to better understand day-to-day challenges.

Starkloff is able to move between the wheelchair and a walker. By next week, she hopes a cane is her primary assistant.

Not an oddity anymore

For the past two months, Starkloff has been getting the glances her husband used to get. The looks of pity. Curiosity. Discomfort.

They remind her of when she and Max began dating in 1973. She was a physical therapist working in the nursing home where Max lived for 12 years.

It was the Christmas season. They were at the old Famous-Barr in Clayton and agreed to part ways for a bit to buy gifts for one another. Colleen bent down to kiss him. A woman walked by, her eyes locked on the couple. She fell into a display case.

Get used to it, Max said of the stares. Two years later, they were married, and the prolonged looks still came. At that time, it was still unusual to see in public a person in a wheelchair. But with the strides made in independence for the disabled, its not an oddity anymore, Starkloff said.

Still, she has noted a difference in the way people look at her and treat her when she is using a wheelchair. And the way she has responded.

The first couple of days when I was getting on the train, I was apologizing because I had this feeling of being in the way, Starkloff said. And some people go out of their way to talk to me. What is interesting is they are not doing the same to anyone else. I dont know what to do with that.

On the flip side, she has had people ignore her. When she struggled with a heavy door at a shop, the guy at the front desk inside ignored her. But someone on the street volunteered to assist. There, Starkloff found herself in a situation that brings familiar complaints from those who are disabled.

Sometimes people help without asking, and end up getting in the way, but if someone asks: Would you like help? or Can I help you with that?, that sends a different message, she said.

Starkloff, the longtime advocate, would certainly have preferred that her Missouri Fox Trotter, Woody, not catapulted her onto the asphalt during a trail ride in Innsbrook. But that incident is providing her insight she never had.

And as she sits in Maxs wheelchair, the one she refused to give up after her husbands death, the stories he shared with her over and again resonate more than ever. Navigating curb cuts and public transportation, she thinks of the work she and Max did together. And how the chair has helped her continue that work.

He still takes care of me, Starkloff said. Hes gone. But hes not.
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Plagiarism is a firing offense in journalism and academia. It has ruined illustrious careers, including that of the late World War II historian Stephen Ambrose. Then-Sen. Joe Bidens 1988 presidential ambitions never recovered from a 1987 speech in which he plagiarized British politician Neil Kinnock.

After GOP presidential candidate Donald Trumps wife, Melania Trump, plagiarized parts of a 2008 Michelle Obama speech before the Republican National Convention on Monday, a campaign spokesman dismissed the controversy as absurd. Wrong answer. But just like every other egregious misstep in the Trump campaign, the notion of a heartfelt public apology is out of the question.

Even worse, Melania Trump spoke Obamas words while extolling the very virtues she was sullying. Growing up in Slovenia, she claimed, her parents instilled in her certain important traits, among them their integrity, compassion and intelligence.

My parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life: that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise; that you treat people with respect, Melania Trump said.

They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life. That is a lesson that I continue to pass along to our son, and we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.

In her own speech to the 2008 Democratic National Convention speech, Obama said of her mother: One of my greatest joys is seeing her integrity, her compassion and her intelligence reflected in my own daughters.

Citing the values she was raised with, Obama said, You work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say youre going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect. She and her husband learned to pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children  and all children in this nation  to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.

Similarly troubling is author Tony Schwartzs lament in this weeks New Yorker magazine about having ghost written Trumps bestselling book, The Art of the Deal. Trumps exploits and accomplishments are so exaggerated they bear little resemblance to reality, Schwartz said. I put lipstick on a pig, he told writer Jane Mayer.

The GOPs apparent goal in Cleveland is to dazzle the voting public with booming voices, flashing lights, smoke and eye candy. Emerald City beckons. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.
LONDON MARKET CLOSE: Pound ebbs; ECB talks tough on inflation

Thursday, October 27, 2022 - 17:15

London's FTSE 100 nudged cautiously higher on Thursday, as the pound's momentum finally waned, while European equities closed mixed as traders digested a rate hike by the European Central Bank.

The FTSE 100 index, stacked with firms that count their earnings in dollars, closed up 17.62 points, or 0.3% at 7,073.69 on Thursday. The pound was quoted at $1.1573 at the London equities close Thursday, down from $1.1612 at the close on Wednesday. A weaker pound is a tailwind for the FTSE.

The FTSE 250 ended down 23.97 points, or 0.1%, at 18,081.92. The AIM All-Share closed down just 0.21 of a point at 809.46.

The Cboe UK 100 ended up 0.4% at 707.04, the Cboe UK 250 closed up 0.2% at 15,534.37, and the Cboe Small Companies ended up 0.3% at 12,385.01.

In European equities on Thursday, the CAC 40 in Paris ended down 0.5%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt ended up 0.1%.

The European Central Bank on Thursday lifted its benchmark interest rates by 75 basis points, as expected.

The ECB is keen to keep a lid on inflation, which "remains far too high". Inflation will stay above its 2% target for "an extended period", the Frankfurt-based central bank warned.

Thursday's three-quarter point hike takes the interest rate on the main refinancing operations and the interest rates on the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility to 2.00%, 2.25% and 1.50%, respectively.

The ECB said it expects to lift rates further to ensure a "timely" return to an inflation rate in line with its target.

The euro fell back below dollar parity, taking some shine off what has been a decent week so far for the single currency.

The euro stood at $0.9984 at the European equities close Thursday, down against $1.0064 at the same time on Wednesday.

Stocks in New York were mixed at the time of the London equities close, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average up 1.0%, the S&P 500 index down 0.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite down 1.0%.

The US economy grew at a faster pace than expected in the third quarter, according to the latest estimate from the US National Bureau of Economic Research on Thursday.

Gross domestic product grew by 2.6% annually in the third quarter of 2022, growth coming in higher than FXStreet-cited consensus of 2.4%. The figure shows the US economy is coping with high interest rates better than the market had expected, and strengthens the case for more US Federal Reserve rate hikes.

Against the yen, the dollar was trading at JP145.90 late Thursday, lower compared to JP146.50 late Wednesday.

In the FTSE 100, Shell added 5.2% to close as the best performer on Thursday.

The oil major swung to a net profit in the third quarter of the year, but reported that profit fell behind the second quarter as it warned of volatility in global energy markets.

Net profit totalled $6.74 billion in the third quarter, after oil prices surged, improving from a loss after tax of $447 million the previous year.

The profit was far lower when compared with its second-quarter net profit of $18.04 billion, however. Shell blamed the drop on a slump in refining margins.

In a positive read across, BP and Harbour Energy climbed 3.3% and 2.6%, respectively.

Airtel Africa sank to the bottom of the FTSE 100, plunging 15%. The Africa-focused telecommunications firm said its profit was held back by the devaluation of certain African currencies.

Pretax profit fell 9.1% to $516 million from $567 million, as the firm recognised $358 million in net finance costs, compared to $169 million a year before.

Net finance costs included foreign exchange and derivative losses of $184 million, compared to $24 million a year before.

Anglo American dropped 2.1% after it reported mixed quarterly production performance, with most commodities declining amid a challenging operating conditions.

For the third quarter that ended September 30, rough diamond production increased by 4% and steelmaking coal production rose by 28%.

Copper output, however, was down 6% and nickel production fell by 4%. Production in platinum group metals fell by 6%, hurt by electricity loadshedding in South Africa, infrastructure closures at Amandelbult and lower grade at Mogalakwena.

Mining peers Rio Tinto and Glencore fell 4.0% and 2.5%, respectively, in a negative read-across.

In the FTSE 250, Renishaw fell 3.5% despite saying it was confident of its long-term strategy after seeing revenue growth across all business sectors in its financial first quarter.

Reinshaw is a Gloucestershire, England-based provider of manufacturing technologies, analytical instruments and medical devices.

For the three months ended September 30, the company reported pretax profit of 38.6 million, down 2.0% from 39.3 million a year prior. Total revenue for the period was 179.9 million, up 14% from 157.8 million.

Renishaw noted, however, that general market sentiment was becoming more cautious, as evidenced by a weakening in order intake from the semiconductor and electronics sectors.

Brent oil was quoted at $94.75 a barrel at the London equities close Thursday, up from $93.93 late Wednesday.

Gold was quoted at $1,662.60 an ounce at the London equities close Thursday, lower against $1,665.70 at the close on Wednesday.

In Friday's UK corporate calendar, Glencore and International Consolidated Airlines publish third quarter results.

The economic calendar has GDP readings from Germany at 0900 BST, before the personal consumption expenditures inflationary gauge from the US at 1330 BST. Core PCE is the Fed's preferred inflationary measure.

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
The work planned on the Banbury stretch of the Stratford-upon-Avon to London train line.

THERE is more disruption on the Stratford-upon-Avon to London rail line ahead with a stretch of track to close for nine days as part of a 76million upgrade.

The section between Leamington Spa, Banbury and Bicester North will shut on Saturday, 30th July, and will not reopen to trains until Monday, 8th August.

During that time engineers will replace the signalling with what has been described as a more reliable and modern system that will be controlled from the West Midlands Signalling Centre in Birmingham.

Network Rail said it will help improve the punctuality and reliability of train services on the Chiltern main line and that a significant amount of work has already taken place, much of it carried out with minimal disruption to passengers.

Martin Ball, area director for Network Rail, said: "There is never a good time to close the railway for this length of time, but we have looked at all options and worked with Chiltern Railways and CrossCountry to complete this work at a time which will cause the least disruption to passengers.

"Our Railway Upgrade Plan is delivering significant investment into the railway network which will provide a better, more reliable railway for passengers."

Dave Penney, managing director at Chiltern Railways, added: "The work at Banbury is an important investment to improve the infrastructure so we can keep our trains some of the most reliable in the country.

"We are working hard to provide our customers with co-ordinated fast replacement bus services to make the closure as easy as possible."

Network Rail is also carrying out upgrade work at Hinksey, near Oxford, to reduce flooding incidents, which have affected the railway in the past.

A total of 18m is being spent to make the railway more resilient, which will mean services between Oxford and Didcot Parkway will also be affected between Saturday, 30th July, and Sunday, 14th August.

Services between Stratford-upon-Avon and London were severely disrupted by a landslip near Harbury early in 2015, with the line closed for several weeks.

And last October the number of direct trains between Stratford-upon-Avon and the capital was reduced dramatically.
A pumpjack drills for oil in the Monterey Shale, California, April 29, 2013. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

By Barani Krishnan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices rose as much as 1 percent on Wednesday, lifting U.S. crude from two-month lows, after the U.S. government reported a ninth straight week of crude inventory draws, easing some concerns in a market worried about a glut.

U.S. gasoline prices, however, hit four-month lows after the data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration also showed a surprise build in supplies of the motor fuel despite forecasts of American drivers hitting the road in record numbers this summer. [EIA/S]

The EIA said crude inventories fell 2.3 million barrels in the week to July 15, close to analysts' expectations for a decrease of 2.1 million barrels.

"While in line with expectations, the drawdown is large enough to provide support, and refiner demand for crude remains elevated," said John Kilduff, partner at New York energy hedge fund Again Capital.

Gasoline stocks rose 911,000 barrels, compared with forecasts for stocks to remain unchanged.

Stocks of the motor fuel rose in spite of gasoline output slipping 168,000 barrels per day even as refinery crude runs increased 319,000 bpd, the EIA data showed.

"We continue to see these builds in gasoline which suggest the market is fundamentally not sound to sustain a rally," said Tariq Zahir, a trader in WTI crude spreads at Tyche Capital Advisors in New York.

Brent crude's front-month contract, settled up 51 cents, or 1 percent, at $47.17 a barrel.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude's August contract expired as the front-month after rising 29 cents, or 0.7 percent, to settle at $44.94 a barrel. August WTI hit a two-month low of $43.69 earlier. September WTI , front-month from Thursday onwards, also settled up 0.7 percent.

Brent's premium versus WTI reached its widest since the end of April, enhancing U.S. crude's export potential.

U.S. gasoline fell nearly 1 percent to settle at $1.3637 per gallon. It hit a March low of $1.3381 earlier.

Oil prices are up nearly 75 percent since hitting 12-year lows of around $27 for Brent and about $26 for WTI in the first quarter. The rally stalled after the two benchmarks breached the $50 psychological barrier in May amid worries that higher prices will add to production.

Prices had been depressed lately by a glut in motor fuels despite the U.S. peak summer driving season.

"Absolute inventories rose to yet another new all-time record" last week, Kyle Cooper, analyst at IAF Advisors in Houston said, referring to the 2.1 billion barrels of total petroleum supply, including strategic reserve stocks, cited by the EIA.

"Next week may see an increase in refined product output," he added.

(Additional reporting by Karolin Schaps in LONDON; Editing by Marguerita Choy and Chris Reese)
C&J Energy Services Ltd. (NYSE: CJES) announced that it has commenced cases for a voluntary reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. The reorganization cases contemplate implementing the previously announced Restructuring Support Agreement (as amended, the "RSA") that C&J executed with its lenders, which provides for the elimination of approximately $1.4 billion in debt from the Company's balance sheet, substantially deleveraging C&J's capital structure and strongly positioning the Company for long-term success. Additionally, the RSA contemplates that, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, the Company will issue one series of seven-year warrants to existing common stockholders, based on their pro rata share, exercisable for up to an aggregate of 6% of new common stock at a strike price of $1.55 billion. Currently, lenders that beneficially own or manage greater than 83% of the aggregate principal amount of debt outstanding under the Company's credit facilities are parties to the RSA. The Company currently estimates that it will emerge from the Chapter 11 reorganization within approximately 130 to 180 days, and fully expects operations to continue as normal throughout the court-supervised financial restructuring process.

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer Don Gawick commented, "Today's Chapter 11 filings represent a significant milestone in our financial restructuring process to significantly strengthen our financial condition by reducing debt, enhancing liquidity and best positioning our Company to proactively respond as the market begins to recover. After thoroughly evaluating our options and strategic alternatives with our advisors and Board of Directors, we are confident that this is the best path forward for C&J and all our stakeholders. During the reorganization proceeding, all of our day-to-day operations will continue in the normal course, and we will maintain ample liquidity and resources to support our business and continue providing safe, reliable and efficient services to all of our customers. We appreciate the continued, strong support demonstrated by our lenders, which will hopefully enable us to move quickly and smoothly the restructuring process.

"On behalf of C&J's Board of Directors and executive management team, I want to thank our employees for their continued hard work and dedication, and note that we look forward to working with our customers and vendors as we move through this process and build a strong foundation for C&J to emerge as a stronger partner."

Additional information about the reorganization process is contained in a Current Report on Form 8-K that the Company will file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company has also posted additional information about the reorganization process under the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.cjenergy.com and has set up a toll free information line to answer questions pertaining to the restructuring, which can be accessed by dialing (866) 296-8019.
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: EEP) and Enbridge Inc. (NYSE: ENB), the ultimate parent of EEP ("Enbridge"), today announced the signing by the Partnership and certain of its affiliates of an agreement in the form of a consent decree (the "Decree") with the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) relating to incidents on the Line 6B pipeline in Marshall, Michigan in July 2010, and on the Line 6A pipeline in Romeoville, Illinois in September 2010. The Decree will take effect following a comment period and upon approval by the US District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Both Line 6B and Line 6A are part of the Lakehead Pipeline system owned by Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of EEP.

"From the beginning, we've taken responsibility for the Line 6B release. We accept the civil penalties and enhanced safety measures in the Decree. The enhanced safety measures included in the Decree are consistent with our approach to safety and integrity and our current practices and have largely been implemented over the past six years," said Mark Maki, President for the Partnership. "In fulfilling the terms of the agreement, we will cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

There are three primary components to the terms of the Decree:



1. Civil penalties: The Decree sets civil penalties under the Clean Water

Act of US$61 million relating to the Line 6B release and an additional

sum of US$1 million related to the Line 6A release, each payable within

30 days of the effective date of the Decree. The amount of the penalties

largely had been accrued by EEP and included in previously reported

total estimated costs related to the 6B release. EEP has previously

resolved claims for natural resource damages, as detailed in the Decree,

and in May 2015, signed an agreement with the State of Michigan with

respect to mitigation payments.



2. Safety measures: The safety measures set out in the Decree codify and

build on continuous improvements that have been implemented since 2010

including enhancements to the comprehensive in-line inspection (ILI)-

based spill prevention program; enhanced measures to protect the Straits

of Mackinac along the Line 5 Straits Crossing; improved leak detection

requirements; installation of new valves to control product loss in the

event of an incident; continued enhancement of control room operations;

and enhanced spill response capabilities. The total cost of these

measures is estimated to be approximately US$110 million throughout the

four-year term of the Decree and is already largely incorporated in

EEP's operational and capital expense planning.



3. Pipeline replacement: EEP replaced the entire 285-mile length of Line 6B

in 2014.



In 2014, Enbridge and its customers agreed to the full replacement of

Line 3 in Canada (owned by Enbridge) and EEP and its customers agreed to

the full replacement of Line 3 in the U.S. (owned by EEP) and embarked

on engineering, design, environmental and permitting activities which

are substantially advanced. Pending regulatory approvals, the new 292-

mile US segment between Neche, North Dakota and Superior, Wisconsin, is

anticipated to be placed in service in early 2019. The estimated cost of

approximately US$2.6 billion is included in EEP's long-term capital

investment plan. The Decree directs EEP to continue with this project.





Lessons learned

Commenting on the Decree, Al Monaco, President and Chief Executive Officer, Enbridge said, "From the beginning, Enbridge and EEP made a commitment to the people of Michigan that we would clean up and restore the Kalamazoo River and surrounding areas, and cover the costs. We've done that. We've worked extremely hard to fulfil our commitments and make good on our promises. That accountability continues with today's announcement.

"The learnings from our experience have made us a better company and the way we think about safety has changed. Over the past six years, we've intensified our focus on the safety and integrity of our systems enterprise-wide and we've invested significantly in our people, processes, equipment and technology. Across Enbridge, our team is galvanized by our number one priority of safety and reliability of our systems and the protection of the public and the environment."

Following the Marshall spill, between 2010 and 2014, Enbridge and EEP significantly enhanced efforts to better understand the condition of its pipelines and mitigate risks, while increasing staffing dedicated to preventative measures, maintaining system fitness and leak detection and pipeline control. Enterprise-wide, Enbridge executed a comprehensive maintenance and inspection program using the most sophisticated inspection tools available with a total investment of nearly $5 billion.

Enbridge and EEP continue to invest significantly in maintenance and integrity management programs across its enterprise in the U.S. and Canada. In 2015, Enbridge achieved record safety performance across its liquids pipeline systems, safely delivering more than 2.8 billion barrels of crude oil used to create gasoline, jet fuel and a variety of products essential to our daily lives.

"Our substantial investment has increased our confidence that our system is safe and reliable and enables us to provide greater comfort to our stakeholders that we're doing everything we can to protect them," said Mr. Monaco, "We're proud of having achieved industry-leading performance in 2015. But while that's good, we're not satisfied. No incident is acceptable to us and our safety culture challenges us to continually strive for our goal of zero incidents."

The Kalamazoo River today

Enbridge worked closely with the U.S. EPA, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and several local agencies to conduct a thorough cleanup and restoration of areas impacted by the Line 6B release. Portions of the Kalamazoo River were re-opened for recreational use beginning in April of 2012. All portions of the Kalamazoo River have been open since October of 2014, and state and federal regulators have determined the river and other impacted areas to be completely cleaned. EEP also built new recreational facilities and river access and improved existing facilities, creating an endowment to provide for long-term maintenance of those new facilities.

"Protection of the public and the environment is the key pillar in delivering the energy people depend on. But that's not the end of our focus; it's the beginning. We fundamentally believe that to be the leading energy company in North America requires a relentless focus on getting better. And getting better is at the heart and soul of our company," said Mr. Monaco.

For detailed backgrounders on clean-up and restoration of the environment, safety measures taken since Marshall and more information on what the Decree stipulates and how EEP and its affiliates are complying with these requirements please refer to our website at the following link: www.enbridge.com/marshall

About Enbridge Inc.

Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, exists to fuel people's quality of life, and has done so for more than 65 years. A North American leader in delivering energy, Enbridge has been ranked on the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations index for the past seven years. Enbridge, together with its affiliates, including EEP, operates the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system across Canada and the U.S., and has a significant and growing involvement in natural gas gathering, transmission and midstream business, as well as an increasing involvement in power transmission. Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. Enbridge has interests in nearly 2,000 megawatts of net renewable and alternative generating capacity, and continues to expand into wind, solar and geothermal power. Enbridge employs nearly 11,000 people, primarily in Canada and the U.S., and is ranked as one of Canada's Top Employers for 2016. Enbridge's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.
Intellicheck Mobilisa, Inc. (NYSE: IDN) today announced it has been awarded a federal contract to expand the deployment of Defense ID at a highly classified federal government facility in the Washington, D.C. area. The $250,000 purchase will increase the ability of security personnel to protect the highly sensitive federal installation with Intellicheck's real-time identification authentication solution.

Dr. William Roof, Intellicheck CEO, noted, "The world is a very different place than it was only a few short years ago as threats of violence to our citizens at home and abroad continue to escalate in frequency, complexity and effectiveness. Defense ID was designed to address a security environment that is fluid and constantly evolving. Our expertise in addressing security challenges is reflected in the advanced features and functionality that make our application mobile, interoperable with multiple standard and proprietary information sources and responsive with programmable rules. We are confident that Defense ID will provide an unprecedented level of situational awareness and security driven by real-time ID document authentication and threat identification."

Security personnel use Defense ID to increase situational awareness and security at restricted facilities by instantly authenticating the identification of visitors, vendors, and employees seeking site access and by enabling rules-based access decision support, while improving operational efficiencies. Deployment of the field-tested and proven advanced technology solution provides security personnel with the ability to maintain uninterrupted line of sight of an individual seeking site access as mobile devices scan the bar code of driver licenses from all U.S. states and Canadian Provinces, as well as military and other identification documents issued by government agencies. Defense ID alerts security officers of a potential threat by comparing a would-be visitors identification card information with information available from public and government data sources and other pertinent information contained in Intellicheck's extensive proprietary databases. Real-time information delivery instantly notifies security personnel if the individual has presented identification that is fake or stolen, is on a terrorist watch list, Be-On-the-Look-Out (BOLO) lists, may be the subject of law enforcement wants and warrants, or is listed for military base debarments and driving suspensions.

In addition to its other computer-based applications, Defense IDs advanced rules-based engine can be set to allow visitation only at certain pre-designated days and times to specific parts of a site. Durable handheld mobile devices assure facility security personnel maximum flexibility for patrol and special event requirements.

"At a time when international terrorism and civil unrest present unprecedented challenges, this contract award underscores the value and flexibility of Defense ID in protecting critical facilities and the people who conduct business at these facilities. We expect our military-grade security technology solution to see increasing adoption beyond the 24 military and federal installations and 16 U.S. ports where it is already deployed," said Dr. Roof.

Intellicheck's portfolio of 25 patents includes many pertaining to identification technology. Its identity technology solutions support customers in the national defense, law enforcement, retail, hospitality and financial markets. The Companys products scan, authenticate and analyze components of identity documents including driver licenses, military identification cards and other government forms of identification containing magnetic stripe, barcode and smart chip information. The information can be used to provide safety, security and efficiencies across markets. Unlike competitive products, Intellicheck's technology solutions are unique in their ability to provide accurate, real-time identification authentication and situational awareness on both mobile and existing fixed infrastructures that is fully regulatory compliant.
The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) issued a preliminary antidumping ruling today confirming Whirlpool Corporation's allegations that Samsung and LG are engaging in ongoing unlawful dumping of clothes washers into the United States.

As a result of today's DOC ruling, Samsung and LG will be required to pay cash deposits on clothes washers imported into the United States from their production facilities in China. The cash deposit rate for Samsung is 111.09 percent, and the rate for LG is 49.88 percent. The DOC also decided to apply Samsung's dumping rate retroactively 90 days to remedy its recent efforts to stockpile washers and undermine the effectiveness of the ruling.

"Today's ruling is an important step forward in an effort to stop serial dumping practices by Samsung and LG and uphold free and fair trade practices," said Marc Bitzer, president and chief operating officer for Whirlpool Corp. "At Whirlpool, we know that open, rules-based trade ensures the highest level of innovation and choice for consumers."

Today's DOC ruling is in response to a petition filed by Whirlpool Corp. in December 2015. The petition outlines a long-term, repeated pattern of pricing below cost by Samsung and LG - a practice that is injuring American washer manufacturers and threatening American manufacturing jobs.

In 2013, the U.S. government also found that Samsung and LG were dumping large residential clothes washers exported to the United States from their production facilities in South Korea and Mexico. Following that ruling, Samsung and LG moved their washer production for the United States to China, skirting the order and continuing to dump into the United States.

Enforcing trade rules will help level the playing field for U.S. appliance manufacturers. This includes Whirlpool Corp.'s 22,000 employees across the United States - which encompass 15,000 manufacturing workers located in nine plants across the country. To learn more about the company's U.S. investments and prior trade case, visit their website: WhirlpoolCorp.com/fair-trade.
By Lawrence Delevingne

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Platinum Partners has hired an independent monitor to oversee the liquidation of its two main hedge funds amid investigations by U.S. authorities, according to a letter sent to investors on Wednesday.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has requested information from New York-based Platinum, according to a person familiar with the situation.

The U.S. hedge fund manager said last month it was likely to return the assets of its largest and oldest fund to clients following the arrest of a longtime associate on allegations he orchestrated a $60,000 cash bribe to secure an investment from a New York City union.

The SEC probe comes on top of a Department of Justice inquiry and a raid by Federal Bureau of Investigation agents last month. The focus of the various reviews was unknown and it was not clear if they are related.

To ensure the assets from its funds are distributed fairly, Platinum has hired Bart Schwartz of Guidepost Solutions to "assist...with the development and implementation of a plan for the orderly liquidation of the Funds under management," according to a letter he sent to Platinum clients.

Guidepost will also report to the SEC at least monthly, Schwartz wrote in the letter, which was seen by Reuters. The communication with the SEC will include the sale of assets from Platinum's portfolios and any potential violations of federal securities law, he wrote.

An SEC spokesman declined to comment.

Platinum, founded and led by Mark Nordlicht, has produced exceptional profits for investors since it launched in 2003. But the firms strategy of lending to troubled companies carries risks that have scared away many large investors. (See Reuters Special Report on Platinum from April 2016: http://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-hedgefunds-platinum/)

Platinum's investors have been rattled by the arrest of longtime firm associate Murray Huberfeld on wire fraud charges related to a separate New York City corruption investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. Huberfeld plans to plead not guilty, according to his attorney.

The firm recently blocked redemptions from its flagship Value Arbitrage fund and told investors they would not receive anything until at least 2017, according to Robert McIver, a Platinum client who has requested his money back.

The source who said the SEC was investigating the firm also said it would remain in business despite the gradual liquidation of the Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund and the Platinum Partners Credit Opportunities Fund. The two funds contain the large majority of Platinum's assets, about $1.35 billion as of April.

The source declined to be identified because the information is private.

"Bart Schwartz will play a key role in ensuring that investors' best interests are served as we monetize the funds and meet redemptions," Platinum said in an emailed statement. "His standing with the investment community, regulators and law enforcement is beyond reproach and we're very pleased to have his assistance."

Schwartz was chief of the criminal division in the Department of Justice's Southern District of New York and more recently worked as the appointed receiver of hedge funds run by J. Ezra Merkin that invested in Bernard Madoff's Ponzi scheme and a compliance consultant for the Department of Justice to monitor Steven Cohen's Point72 Asset Management.

(Reporting by Lawrence Delevingne; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Carmel Crimmins and David Gregorio)
The offices of Pacific Investment Management Co (PIMCO) (R) are shown in Newport Beach, California August 4, 2015. REUTERS/Mike Blake

By Maiya Keidan and Lawrence White

LONDON (Reuters) - Pacific Investment Management Co (Pimco) has poached Emmanuel 'Manny' Roman from Man Group (NYSE: EMG), the world's biggest listed hedge fund, as it tries to reverse a slump in fortunes since co-founder Bill Gross left the fund manager in 2014.

Pimco built its reputation largely through its management of fixed income securities, but has been under pressure to reverse a drop in assets under management since the abrupt departure of Gross, nicknamed 'the Bond King'.

California-based Pimco, owned by German insurer Allianz , managed $1.5 trillion as of the end of March, down from peaks of $2 trillion in the first three months of 2013.

The asset manager has tried to diversify its investor base in recent years to attract clients buying equity products but has struggled to replicate its success in fixed income investment.

Roman, 52, will take over as Pimco chief executive officer on Nov. 1, replacing the incumbent Douglas Hodge who will stay on as senior advisor.

"Manny's deep understanding of global markets, unique skills in investment management and appreciation of Pimco's macro-based investment process make him the ideal executive to position the firm for long-term success," Managing Director and Group Chief Investment Officer Daniel Ivascyn said in a statement.

The Newport Beach-based firm has parted with several top executives it hired to help compete more strongly in other asset classes, including Virginie Maisonneuve, and Neel Kashkari, who is now Minneapolis Federal Reserve President.

A Pimco memo seen by Reuters last month showed that the company, which employs about 2,300 people, was planning to cut some 3 percent of its workforce as it grappled with falling assets and the closure of some unpopular funds.

Gross's departure followed a phase of weak returns, which prompted criticism of his management style. He later claimed executives plotted to eject him from the firm and divide the spoils of his bonus among themselves in a lawsuit launched in October 2015.

He is asking for at least $200 million in compensation from Pimco although he has said proceeds will be donated to charity. Pimco is contesting the claim and has argued it had "good cause" to oust Gross.

ELLIS TAKES CHARGE

Roman, a wine collector who donated 15,000 pounds ($19,650) to the defeated 'In' campaign in Britain's referendum last month on EU membership, has led Man since 2013 and through a period of turmoil for the hedge fund firm..

The fan of English Premier League team Arsenal joined Man Group after it merged with GLG, where he was co-chief executive officer and "the real power of the group", according to Reuters sources.

Prior to joining GLG in 2005, Roman worked at U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs for more than 18 years. He is also a board member of France's second listed biggest bank Societe Generale .

Under Roman's leadership, Man restructured to try to reduce its dependence on its trend-chasing computer-driven business AHL, though Citi said on Wednesday the firm continued to be "heavily reliant" on AHL fund performance and flows.

Man lost $100 million in assets in the funds it manages in the first quarter of 2016, trimming them to $78.6 billion, though AHL helped prop up its fund manager-led equities business, GLG.

Roman's current annual salary at Man was $1.1 million and he received a cash bonus for 2015 of $2.5 million.

Luke Ellis will succeed Roman as CEO of Man Group on Sept.1, the company said. Jonathan Sorrell will continue as president of the firm as well as chief financial officer.

Ellis currently works alongside Roman as president, is a member of the executive committee and oversees Man's four investment units. He is likely to take a similar approach to Roman, according to analysts at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

"Roman has done a good job in steering Man toward its current, robust state," said the report. "Ellis ... could be seen as a continuity candidate."

Man's shares opened 3 percent lower at 119 pence but had recovered some ground to trade 0.9 percent lower at 121.2 pence by 1315 GMT.

(Writing by Sinead Cruise; Editing by David Clarke/Keith Weir)
OLDWICK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A.M. Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the issuer credit rating of a- of Fidelis Insurance Bermuda Limited (Fidelis) (Bermuda) and Fidelis Underwriting Limited (Fidelis UK) (United Kingdom). A.M. Best also has affirmed the ICRs of bbb-of Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited (Bermuda), the ultimate holding company. Concurrently, A.M. Best has affirmed the issue rating of bb on its $304 million 9% cumulative preference shares, due 2050. The outlook for each rating is stable.

The rating affirmations are based on Fidelis and Fidelis UKs excellent projected risk-adjusted capital position, prudent business plan and knowledgeable management team. Partially offsetting these positive rating factors are the start-up nature of the companies and investment risk associated with the companies alternative investment strategy, as well as the competitive conditions and excess capacity in the reinsurance marketplace that may challenge the execution of the business plan.

Furthermore, Fidelis UKs ratings recognize the support it receives from its affiliate, Fidelis, and from Fidelis Insurance Holdings Limited.

The ratings are supported by an amount of capital that has met A.M. Bests stringent requirements for newly formed companies. Fidelis will operate as a Bermuda-based insurer and reinsurer writing a global property insurance and reinsurance portfolio.

A.M. Best believes that Fidelis underwriting risk coupled with its alternative investment strategy creates an elevated-risk profile that could adversely influence the companys risk-adjusted capitalization. Mitigating these concerns are the prudent underwriting leverage contemplated in Fidelis business plan and the diversified, multi-manager investment strategy.

Fidelis assets are managed by eight investment advisers who are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with assistance from Goldman Sachs Alternative Investments Manager & Selection (AIMS) Group. AIMS manages USD 150 billion in client assets and has a staff of over 300 professionals worldwide. Fidelis assets are held in fund-of-one portfolios or separately managed accounts.

This press release relates to rating(s) that have been published on A.M. Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see A.M. Bests Recent Rating Activity web page.

A.M. Best is the worlds oldest and most authoritative insurance rating and information source. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2016 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720006295/en/

A.M. Best

Janet Hernandez, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5767

Senior Financial Analyst

[email protected]

or

Steven Chirico, CPA, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5087

Assistant Vice President

[email protected]

or

Christopher Sharkey, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

Manager, Public Relations

[email protected]

or

Jim Peavy, +1 908 439 2200, ext. 5644

Assistant Vice President, Public Relations

[email protected]

Source: A.M. Best
SALT LAKE CITY, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Canvas by Instructure (NYSE: INST), a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology company that makes software that makes people smarter, announced today at InstructureCon an integration with Microsoft Office 365 to provide instructors and learners around the world with an improved educational experience.

"Teachers need these new capabilities for their education platforms, and we have continuously focused on providing the best technology we could design and build," said Mitch Benson, vice president of Canvas Product. "What happened next was that two of edtech's most established forces connected and worked together to meet the expressed needs of these educators. We're extremely proud of the result and can't wait to roll it out to our robust, global list of educational institutions."

Responding to the needs of educators, representatives from the Canvas Platform Team collaborated with Microsoft to help develop improvements to the Canvas base platform that facilitate the best integration experience possible for their millions of users. The Canvas Platform Team believes this integration will be both a model and a catalyst for change to propel greater innovation to rusty technology in edtech.

"Our schools rely heavily on Canvas and Microsoft for our daily educational functions, and these platforms have grown essential to the learning process of both our K12 educators and students," said Beverly Miller of Greeneville City Schools, a technologically innovative public school district in Greeneville, Tennessee. "The integration of two of our most prominently used technologies will only help further streamline and enhance learning development within each classroom."

Canvas has millions of active users and is employed by hundreds of universities and colleges in 40 countries. Canvas' K12 platform also is operated in 49 of the 50 states, helping young students learn with greater ease. Canvas combines innovative education tools, a platform for hosting those tools and institutions using the platform to transform learning and teaching in the classroom. This integration with Microsoft follows other critical Canvas innovations, including a transformation of their user interface.

"Our relationship with Canvas helps us bring the best tools for learning into the classroom. We know teachers and students are strapped for time and we want to help them focus on what's really important: teaching and learning," said Eran Megiddo, corporate vice president of engineering, Education at Microsoft. "By integrating Office 365 with Canvas, teachers and students can now collaborate online with Office 365 including OneNote Class Notebooks, Word, Excel and PowerPoint directly within their Canvas LMS, saving valuable time so the teachers can remain focused on their students and students can leverage the best tools available and focus on learning."

The Canvas and Microsoft integration provides seven main points of interoperability that make using Office 365 and Canvas seamless. Those points are:

Submit files directly from Office 365 into Canvas Assignments.

Access Office 365 documents through SpeedGrader to add feedback.

Link Office 365 documents anywhere you use the Rich Content Editor.

Include Office 365 documents in your Modules.

Create Collaborations using any type of Office document.

Create and grade assignments in your Microsoft OneNote Class Notebook, then push those grades to Canvas.

Sign in to Canvas with your Office 365 login using single sign-on.

To learn more, please visit https://www.canvaslms.com/.

About InstructureInstructure, Inc. is a leading software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology company that makes software that makes people smarter. With a vision to help maximize the potential of people through technology, Instructure created Canvas and Bridge to enable organizations everywhere to easily develop, deliver and manage engaging face-to-face and online learning experiences. To date, Instructure has connected millions of instructors and learners at more than 2,000 educational institutions and corporations throughout the world. Learn more about Canvas for higher ed and K-12, and Bridge for the corporate market at www.Instructure.com.

Contacts:Shannon MichaelDirector of Public RelationsInstructure(801) 205-6714[email protected]

Jessica HutchisonMethod Communications(801) 461-9779[email protected]

Copyright  2016, Instructure, Inc. All rights reserved. Instructure, Canvas, and the Bridge logo are registered trademarks or trademarks of Instructure, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brands and names may be claimed as the property of others.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121101/SF04201LOGO

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SOURCE Instructure
INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- hhgregg, Inc. (NYSE: HGG) today announced information of two upcoming investor events.

Annual Stockholder Meeting  August 1, 2016

The Company will conduct its annual meeting of stockholders on Monday, August 1, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at the Company's principal executive offices, 4151 E. 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN, 46240. The Company will only have a formal business meeting to go over the results of the agenda items identified in the Companys proxy statement, dated June 30, 2016. Management will not conduct a separate business update or have a separate question and answer session due to the proximity to its upcoming earnings release.

Interested parties who are unable to attend the event, can access the event and listen to the simultaneous webcast by logging on to the Company's investor relations page at www.hhgregg.com. In addition, you may access the meeting over the phone by dialing (877) 304-8963. Callers should reference the hhgregg Annual Stockholder Meeting.

Earnings Release of First Fiscal Quarter  August 4, 2016

Additionally, the Company will release its operating results for the first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2016 before the market opens on Thursday, August 4, 2016. Company management will be conducting a conference call to discuss its operating results later that same day at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The call will be hosted by Robert Riesbeck, Chief Financial Officer and Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, and Lance Peterson, Director of Finance and Investor Relations.

Interested investors and other parties may listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging on to the Company's investor relations page at www.hhgregg.com. The on-line replay will be available for a limited time immediately following the call. The call can also be accessed live over the phone by dialing (877) 304-8963. Callers should reference the hhgregg earnings call.

About hhgregg

hhgregg is an appliance, electronics and furniture retailer that is committed to providing customers with a truly differentiated purchase experience through superior customer service, knowledgeable sales associates and great product selections. Founded in 1955, hhgregg is a multi-regional retailer currently with 226 stores in 20 states that also offers market-leading global and local brands at value prices nationwide via hhgregg.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720006236/en/

hhgregg, Inc.

Lance Peterson, 317-848-8710

Director, Finance & Investor Relations

[email protected]

Source: hhgregg, Inc.
CALGARY, July 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Madalena Energy Inc. ("Madalena" or the "Company") (TSXV: MVN and OTCQX: MDLNF) announces the departure of Mr. Ray Smith from the board of directors of the Company. Mr. Smith has been a director of Madalena for over 10 years and the board thanks him for his significant contributions to the Company.

Madalena also announces the departures of Mr. Stephen Kapusta, Vice President, Engineering and Mr. Robert Stanton, Vice President, Operations. Mr. Kapusta has resigned effective July 31, 2016 to pursue other opportunities. The departure of Mr. Stanton, who was previously responsible for Madalena's Canadian operations, is effective August 5, 2016 and is as a result of the sale of Madalena's Canadian assets. The Madalena board of directors and management thank Mr. Kapusta and Mr. Stanton for their contributions and wish each of them success in the future.

In addition, Madalena announces that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Mr. Kevin Shaw, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, with respect to his departure from Madalena. Pursuant to such agreement, among other things, Madalena has agreed to issue 1,696,970 common shares of the Company at a deemed issue price of $0.165 per share, which decreases the severance contractually owed to Mr. Shaw by $280,000. Such share issuance is subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Madalena Energy

Madalena is an independent, Canadian-based, Argentina focused upstream oil and gas company with operations in four provinces of Argentina where it is focused on the delineation of unconventional resources in the Vaca Muerta shale, Lower Agrio shale and Loma Montosa oil plays. The Company is implementing horizontal drilling and completions technology to develop both its conventional and resource plays.

Madalena trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MVN and on the OTCQX under the symbol MDLNF.

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

SOURCE Madalena Energy Inc.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Under the guidance of newly appointed president Kenneth Efird, Nobilis Health Corp. plans to continue to roll out new products and optimize its marketing strategy.

Included in this article is: Nobilis Health Corp. (NYSE: HLTH) (TSX: NHC)

Kenneth Efird will oversee Nobilis Health Corp.'s operating units across the nation, focusing on execution of the company's strategic plan, according to a press release issued on July 11. Prior to stepping in as president, Efird had served as chief operating officer and chief business development officer at Nobilis, which operates surgical hospitals, physician practices and ambulatory surgical centers in Texas and Phoenix.

Since coming on board in 2005, Efird has overseen various aspects of the company's business, including clinical operations, sales and "the rollout of a new marketing strategy, which includes the integration of Athas technologies and the expansion of Nobilis' portfolio of brands," according to the company.

Neil Maruoka, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity who initiated coverage on Nobilis on July 13, pointed out that Athas, the company's "marketing arm" is "a key differentiator and organic growth engine. . .Through its targeted marketing, we believe that Athas has the ability to drive higher case volumes and higher revenue per procedure through Nobilis' facilities."

Continue reading this article: Nobilis Moves Forward with New President and New Canaccord Coverage

About Streetwise Reports - The Life Sciences Report

The Life Sciences Report shares investment ideas for the biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics industries. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

DISCLOSURE:

The following companies mentioned in the article are sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Nobilis Health Corp. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for its services. Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific analysts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility.

The full disclosure is provided at the end of the published article: Nobilis Moves Forward with New President and New Canaccord Coverage

Jim PatrickEmail contact

Source: Streetwise Reports
SAN DIEGO, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Synthorx Inc. announced today the completion of a $10 million Series B financing, led by RA Capital Management and joined by Series A investors Avalon Ventures and Correlation Ventures. In conjunction with the financing, Andrew Levin, M.D., Ph.D., managing director of RA Capital Management, will join Synthorx's board of directors.

Leveraging a synthetic biology breakthrough, Synthorx has developed scalable platforms for producing proteins that cannot be made through traditional methods. The proceeds will finance the development and scale-up of novel protein therapeutics that incorporate at least one synthetic amino acid.

"The ability to incorporate synthetic or non-natural amino acids into proteins is not new," said Dr. Levin. "What we believe is new and truly groundbreaking about Synthorx's technology is the ability to efficiently produce a variety of proteins containing multiple synthetic amino acids at the necessary scale and cost of goods for drug discovery and development."

Dr. Levin continued, "With a small team and a small initial investment, Synthorx has made notable progress from the Nature paper and helped answer many of the questions about the technology to enable a focus on product development."

Synthorx's technology is based on research published in Nature that described the first single-cell organism capable of replicating and maintaining a novel synthetic DNA base pair, named d5SICSTP and dNaMTP (abbreviated X and Y). DNA from every known species uses its four bases  A, T, G and C  to assemble the 20 natural amino acids into proteins that carry out the functions of life. With X and Y, Synthorx's expanded genetic alphabet technology is designed to produce proteins with multiple, different synthetic amino acids in a scalable and cost-efficient manner.

"There are many peptide and protein therapeutic programs in biotech and pharmaceutical companies that stall because they can't be scaled in a manner amenable to drug development and commercialization," said Court R. Turner, president and CEO of Synthorx. "The breakthrough of having a living cell replicate and maintain a third base pair is not just about creating something new. It's about being able to make better protein therapeutics at the right scale and for the right cost, so patients can access these improved medicines."

Recombinant protein therapeutics have had a dramatic impact on medicine and the treatment of numerous diseases, such as insulin for diabetes and monoclonal antibodies for cancer immunotherapy. While these advances have improved lives and changed how new therapeutics are developed, many protein therapeutics have biophysical and pharmacological limitations. In order to overcome these limitations, therapeutic proteins are frequently chemically modified to enhance their pharmacological properties.

"Synthetic amino acids have a wide diversity of characteristics that can be leveraged to improve delivery, potency, efficacy, selectivity, and efficiency of protein therapeutics. They can also be leveraged to precisely modify the protein and deliver a homogeneous product," explained Mr. Turner. "By genetically encoding for the site-specific incorporation of select synthetic amino acids, we can create entirely novel proteins with greatly enhanced properties and enable a new generation of tailored protein therapeutics."

About Synthorx

Synthorx Inc. is a biotechnology company using synthetic biology to discover and develop novel protein therapeutics. Synthorx's expanded genetic alphabet platform has the unique ability to drive the site-specific incorporation of multiple synthetic amino acids into proteins of any size, from small peptides to large biologics, and to manufacture these improved proteins at scale. Synthorx's unique platform expands the chemical and structural repertoire of protein therapeutics and uncovers new ways to modulate pharmacological properties of biologics, not possible with other technologies. Synthorx is working internally and in collaboration with pharmaceutical companies toward the design and discovery of first-in-class drugs for a variety of therapeutic areas. Synthorx's investors include RA Capital Management, Avalon Ventures, and Correlation Ventures. The company was founded based on important discoveries in Dr. Floyd Romesberg's lab at The Scripps Research Institute. The company is headquartered in La Jolla, Calif.

For more information, please visit www.synthorx.com and follow on Twitter @synthorx.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/391135-INFO

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/synthorx-announces-10-million-series-b-financing-to-develop-and-scale-novel-protein-therapeutics-with-improved-pharmacological-properties-300300939.html

SOURCE Synthorx Inc.
MINNEAPOLIS, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The AA-ISP, an international association dedicated exclusively to advancing the profession of Inside Sales has recently announced a new Chapter in Western Mumbai. Currently, the AA-ISP has over 70 chapters across the 5 Continents including locations in India, Sri-Lanka, Israel, Turkey, Singapore, Australia, Japan, London and Canada. AA-ISP currently has over 11,000 individual members represented by over 2,500 companies in the United States and worldwide.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/391166LOGO

"We are thrilled that western region located at Mumbai will be starting a Chapter to address the needs of the Inside Sales community in that region," stated Sudipta Mukherjee, Director, International Operations for the AA-ISP. "Inside Sales continues to develop and evolve as the required skills, competencies, and overall professionalism is on the rise across all areas in Asia-Pacific and Europe," stated Mukherjee.

The AA-ISP announced Debraj Dam, Founder & CEO of Advisers India as the new Chapter President. The Mumbai Chapter will collaborate with Inside Sales reps, marketing, lead generation and leadership to join quarterly meetings to learn, network and share best practices in an effort to help advance the profession. During his tenure as Chapter President, Debraj is committed to prioritizing and focusing on core needs and growth within AA-ISP, as well as the Inside Sales industry as a whole. His goals include ensuring the chapter operates efficiently and consistently; integrating technology into the delivery of AA-ISP's vast resources including member webinars, mentor program, and Inside Sales Academy Training & Development courses.

Debraj is the Founder & CEO of Advisers India, India's an emerging player in the Technology Advisory, BDaaS and Digital Transformation services and management of high-performance manufacturing representative model. At Advisers India, Debraj is responsible for Sales, business development along with all day-to-day operations and also oversees the strategic development and execution of the AI's corporate business strategy. He is on the panel of Educational Institution & Industries and is an Executive Council member of IIM Ahmedabad Alumni association, Mumbai Chapter. He is an IIM  Ahmedabad & JDC Bytco Alumni.

"This is a great time to be President and a privilege to be a part of AA-ISP's strong and innovative team," said Debraj. "Employment generation and entrepreneurship are imperative to address inclusiveness of the growth process and align the chapter with Government of India initiatives by our Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi such as "Rural BPO Policy," "Skill India," as well at spreading Digital Literacy. My priority is to strive to work harder with Government of India as our mission is to help inside sales representatives and leaders to leverage our information and resources through published content, community chapters, conferences, career development, and an Inside Sales accreditation program. AA-ISP will continue to provide the trusted industry association for which we've become known, acclimating to the changes in our industry and the needs of our global membership," stated Debraj.

About The AA-ISP

The AA-ISP is an international association dedicated exclusively to advancing the profession of Inside Sales. The association engages in research studies, organizational benchmarking and leadership roundtables to better understand and analyze the trends, challenges, and key components of the growth and development of the Inside Sales industry. Our mission is to help inside sales representatives and leaders to leverage our information and resources through published content, local community chapters, national conferences, career development, and Inside Sales Certification programs. Currently, there are about 70 Chapters located in the US and Internationally. www.aa-isp.org

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-aa-isp-announces-new-india-chapter---west-mumbai-300301354.html

SOURCE AA-ISP
An Abbott company logo is pictured at the reception of its office in Mumbai, India, September 8, 2015. REUTERS/Shailesh Andrade

By Amrutha Penumudi

(Reuters) - Abbott Laboratories reported better-than-expected quarterly sales and profit as strong sales in its medical device business more than made up for the hit from an economic turmoil in Venezuela.

Abbott is one of the major U.S. companies to be affected by troubled operations in Venezuela.

The Latin American nation's economy contracted by 4.5 percent in the first nine months of last year as plunging oil prices, and what critics of President Nicolas Maduro see as policy missteps, took an increasing toll.

Venezuela's official annual inflation rate was the world's highest at 141.5 percent in the nine months.

Abbott, which rakes in two-thirds of its revenue from outside the United States, said emerging market sales increased 1.1 percent but would have risen 4.8 percent excluding the impact of Venezuelan operations.

The company's results, however, beat Wall Street estimates, largely helped by its booming medical device business, where sales rose 6.4 percent to $1.37 billion in the second quarter.

Abbott's device unit develops products for heart, diabetes and eye patients and has been helped by launches including glucose monitor FreeStyle Libre and MitraClip, which repairs heart valves less invasively.

Abbott is in the process of acquiring St. Jude Medical Inc for $25 billion. St. Jude on Wednesday reported second-quarter earnings and revenue roughly in line with Wall Street estimates.

Miles White, chief executive of Abbott, said he had still expected to close the transaction before year-end, as the company prepares to respond to a second request of information from the U.S. Federal Trade Commision.

Abbott's acquisition of diagnostic company Alere Inc however, continues to see challenges, especially after Alere was subpoenaed by the U.S. Department of Justice over its sales practices.

Alere rejected a request by Abbott to terminate the deal for a breakup fee in April.

"To be honest, no matter what kind of teeth grinding and gnashing we go through with them .. one thing I'm certain of is that they are trying to do everything they can, in their way to address the challenges," Miles said on a conference call with analysts.

On an adjusted basis, Abbott earned 55 cents per share in the quarter ended June 30, above the average analyst estimate of 53 cents, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

The company's net sales rose 3.2 percent to $5.33 billion, beating analysts' estimate of $5.24 billion. (http://prn.to/2atEUVO)

Abbott's shares were up 2.3 percent at $42.76 in mid-morning trading.

(Reporting by Amrutha Penumudi in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
(Reuters) - C&J Energy Services Ltd (NYSE: CJES) filed for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Wednesday with an agreement with its lenders to swap $1.4 billion in debt for ownership of the reorganized company.

Hamilton, Bermuda-based C&J drills wells and provides related services, and the filing comes four months after founder and Chief Executive Officer Josh Comstock died unexpectedly at age 46.

C&J joins more than 100 energy producers and service companies that have filed for bankruptcy in the past two years after a debt-funded boom turned to bust when oil prices collapsed.

The company filed for bankruptcy in Houston to implement an agreement reached with lenders who hold 83 percent of its credit facility debt, according to a company statement.

Under a previously disclosed plan, lenders will receive all the stock in a reorganized C&J, subject to dilution for management incentive awards.

Lenders will backstop a rights offering for up to $200 million in stock in the reorganized company and provide a $100 million loan, which will increase its liquidity, according to the plan.

The lenders include Ascribe Capital, Blue Mountain Capital Management, GSO Capital Partners, Silver Point Capital, Solus Alternative Asset Management and Symphony Asset Management, according to securities filings.

Equity holders will receive seven-year warrants that are convertible into 6 percent of the stock in the reorganized company, with a strike price of $1.55 billion, according to securities filings.

The plan is subject to court approval. C&J said it expects to emerge from bankruptcy within six months.

Most of the publicly traded energy-related companies that have filed for bankruptcy in the current commodity downturn have been exploration and production.

Bankrupt publicly traded service companies include CHC Group Ltd <61C1.MU>, which provides helicopter flights for the energy sector, and offshore drilling providers Vantage Drilling Co and Hercules Offshore Inc , which filed twice in less than a year.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Del.; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Sensitive health information about almost the entire population of Denmark ended up in the wrong hands when a letter by mistake was sent to a Chinese visa office in Copenhagen, the Danish Data Protection Agency said on Wednesday.

The incident happened when two unencrypted CDs containing the data was sent last year by the Serum Institute, a public enterprise under the Danish health ministry, in an envelope to the country's statistics office.

However, the envelope ended up instead at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Copenhagen, a few hundred meters from the statistics office.

The letter contained information on cancer, diabetes and psychiatric diagnoses as well as other data such as social security numbers, according to documents seen by Reuters.

When a visa center employee delivered the letter to the intended address, it had been opened, the agency said in a statement.

The "sensitive personal data" of about 5.3 million individuals living in Denmark between 2010 and 2012 was of "very comprehensive nature," the agency said.

The visa center is, according to its website, operated by a wholly owned unit of state-controlled Bank of China.

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen)
By Umberto Bacchi

LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Italian police have broken up a criminal ring which smuggled at least 100 migrants from the northern city of Milan to other European countries in what authorities described as one of the biggest operations of its kind.

Italy has been on the frontline of Europe's immigration crisis. About 170,000 migrants reached Italy by sea in 2014 and 153,800 came in 2015. So far this year, more than 79,000 migrants have arrived, the vast majority of them Africans.

Police said they arrested and charged 10 people with smuggling offences, including the suspected ringleader, a 37-year-old Egyptian man. The arrests were made in raids across four northern provinces this week.

The suspects are accused of smuggling at least 100 people - mainly Syrians - out of Italy between September and October 2014.

A police official told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that after reaching Italy, the migrants would make their way to Milan where they would be met by smugglers offering to transport them to northern Europe for between 500 euros and 1,200 euros each.

The migrants would then be loaded into small vehicles and driven to their final destination in France, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, the official said.

During the investigation police seized a minivan carrying an entire family of seven, including four children.

"They were squeezed at the back in inhumane conditions," said the police official, who declined to be named.

The operation came as authorities stepped up their efforts against smuggling and trafficking gangs operating on both sides of the Mediterranean.

Almost 3,000 migrants more have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year, according to the International Organization for Migration.

($1 = 0.9092 euros)

(Reporting by Umberto Bacchi @UmbertoBacchi, Editing by Katie Nguyen.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)
Migrant workers, who work for Saudi Binladin Group, gather as they ask for a final settlement over salary issue, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 29, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser/File Photo

By Katie Paul

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Binladin Group, the kingdom's biggest construction conglomerate, appears to have pulled back from the brink of a financial crisis that risked damaging the wider economy.

SBG was hard hit last year as low oil prices forced the government - its chief customer - to cancel or suspend projects and delay payments. It was then barred from receiving new state contracts altogether after one of its cranes toppled into Mecca's Grand Mosque during a storm, killing 107 people.

Facing a severe cash squeeze, it has been forced to halt work at a string of projects and lay off thousands of staff. Many of its foreign workers in Jeddah, Mecca and Riyadh did not receive their salaries for months. Some staged public protests and in once case, they set company buses on fire.

But the government has taken a more benign approach to SBG in the past three months, letting it resume bidding for new contracts and, according to banking and construction industry sources, making some long-overdue payments to the group.

This has helped the firm pay salaries to some 10,000 workers, secure a 2.5 billion riyal ($667 million) loan from local banks, repay bondholders and resume work at some stalled projects.

An SBG spokesman declined to discuss details of the conglomerate's finances or the status of its projects.

Riyadh has a strong incentive to keep SBG afloat. The group's health matters to the Saudi banking system and wider economy because of its large debt - it is estimated to owe local and foreign banks a total of about $30 billion - and its involvement in many of the kingdom's most important projects.

Continued turmoil at the company could also have a ripple effect on its large network of suppliers.

SBG still faces a challenging future, however.

The group may never regain the preferential access to big projects and control over pricing that it enjoyed for decades, bankers and analysts say - an example of the pressures that Saudi Arabia's family business empires face as cheap oil forces the kingdom to restructure its economy.

"Binladin has enjoyed for a long time a very privileged position that will probably go and never come back," said a senior banker in the region, declining to be named because of commercial sensitivities.

David Butter, a business analyst at the Chatham House think-tank in London, said: "The whole system has gotten a bit sloppy and complacent over the past 10 to 15 years in an environment where there have been no constraints on spending.

"You've had companies able to count on a sweetheart system whereby contracts were allocated among an elite group. Now perhaps there's space for other companies."

The crisis over the past year, and Saudi Arabia's new economic realities, have forced SBG to seek to reduce its reliance on government revenue. It has hired overseas experts and drawn up a new business plan which executives have been presenting in talks with creditors.

Banking sources briefed on the plan say the group will aim for more modest growth and focus more on private-sector leisure projects and overseas business.

EXPOSED

SBG benefited for many years from close ties with the government. Mohammed Binladin, a Yemeni immigrant who founded the group in the 1940s, distinguished himself as a dependable partner by building palaces for the kingdom's expanding line-up of princes. SBG became a behemoth with hundreds of subsidiaries.

But as the business grew, the group tolerated cost overruns and poor bookkeeping, confident that it could secure additional financing from its royal patrons, said bankers, employees and construction industry sources.

"Saudi Binladin Group is a family business that ballooned based on relationships," said a construction executive who worked with SBG for over a decade. "As they started to grow in scale, they developed inefficiencies."

That left SBG severely exposed as low oil prices caused the government to cut spending and left it reeling when it was subsequently banned from receiving state contracts.

The cash squeeze over the past year has forced the company to halt work at projects including Jeddah's new King Abdulaziz International Airport and the King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh.

Work also stopped at Abraj Kudai, a gaudy $3.5 billion, 45-storey luxury hotel in Mecca that is to feature royal floors and rooftop helipads. It slowed for several months at Jeddah Tower, designed to be the world's tallest building.

REFORM DRIVE

The cash crunch has now partially eased. The government let SBG resume bidding for new state projects in May and made some delayed payments to the group.

The brighter outlook helped the company secure the 2.5 billion riyal Arab National Bank <1080.SE> and Saudi British Bank <1060.SE> around the same time, according to banking sources.

SBG resumed work at the Jeddah airport in early June and repaid holders of a 1 billion riyal Islamic bond maturing late that month, albeit after a delay.

The company has hired about 30 finance and management professionals from overseas, including former Morgan Stanley banker Klaus Froehlich as chief financial officer, and drawn up the new business plan.

The SBG spokesman said it had finished laying off and compensating about 70,000 foreign workers, reducing staff numbers from about 200,000 over the past several months - a purge which bankers see as positive.

The group remains under pressure, however. It has asked banks to extend an 817 million riyal loan that matured last week and was being used to fund construction at the Grand Mosque, with government payments for the project still delayed, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Ultimately, bankers' willingness to extend credit may depend on SBG's relations with the government. An economic reform drive launched by authorities last month emphasizes cost-cutting and efficient use of state money, which could affect SBG's business.

Big family conglomerates in Saudi Arabia are also under pressure from authorities to invest more in the economy now that oil prices are low. This has become a source of friction between SBG and the government, bankers said.

"All of the major family business groups in this country have done very well under an economic system that is on its way to reform," said the senior banker.

But time will tell whether the government's reforms work, he added. "They're taking on some strong vested interests."

(Additional reporting by Tom Arnold and Celine Aswad in Dubai; Editing by Andrew Torchia and Pravin Char)
ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland's Attorney General has filed charges against 13 people accused of raising millions of dollars to buy weapons for the Tamil Tigers fighters during the civil war in Sri Lanka.

The indictment alleges that the people collected around 15 million Swiss francs ($15.2 million) during the late 1990s and early 2000s to support the organization, which has the formal title the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The accused, who have not been identified, come from Switzerland, Germany and Sri Lanka. They have been indicted with supporting or being members of a criminal organization, fraud, false certification, and money laundering, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said on Wednesday.

In 2009, the Sri Lankan government ended its 26-year conflict with the Tamil Tigers, who had been fighting for an independent Tamil state in the north and east of the Indian Ocean island.

The OAG did not disclose the names of the accused.

It said money was raised from members of the Sri Lankan community in Switzerland through micro-credit loans from a bank in Zurich and channeled through an offshoot known as the World Tamil Coordinating Committee.

Tamil Tiger leaders in Switzerland "devised and implemented a systematic and rapid method for obtaining money from the Tamil diaspora in Switzerland," the OAG said in a statement on Wednesday.

"As the investigations carried out by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland with the support of the federal police show, substantial sums of money were obtained from the diaspora community using couriers and loans," it said.

The funding system stopped in 2009 following the end of the civil war, the OAG said.

The matter will now be considered by the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, although no date was given for a hearing.

(Reporting by John Revill)
ADEN (Reuters) - A blast in the southern Yemeni city of Aden killed four soldiers and wounded six, the city's security administration said, in an attack claimed by Islamic State.

The militant group said it had detonated an explosion among a group of soldiers in the port city, according to a statement posted to its online news agency Amaq.

One eyewitness told Reuters the bomb, which hit a checkpoint in the central Caltex area of the city, was planted in a plastic bag by a roadside.

Security officials and other witnesses said the blast was set off by a suicide bomber detonating an explosive vest.

Aden has been beset by attacks on troops claimed by Islamic State and Al Qaeda, and the two groups have gained strength as the government - backed by a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia - has fought against Yemen's dominant Houthi movement.

The civil war, which started in March 2015, has killed at least 6,400 people and caused a humanitarian crisis.

(Reporting By Mohammed Mukhashaf and Noah Browning; editing by John Stonestreet)
1. Name and Address of Reporting Person * CLARKE JEFF (Last) (First) (Middle) C/O RED HAT, INC. 100 EAST DAVIE STREET (Street) RALEIGH NC 27601 (City) (State) (Zip)

2. Issuer Name and Ticker or Trading Symbol

RED HAT INC [ RHT ]
SECRETARYS CERTIFICATE

I, Allyson Stewart, being duly appointed Assistant Secretary of Northern Lights Fund Trust II (the Trust), duly certify and attest that, at a Board of Trustees meeting held on July 13-14, 2016, the following resolutions were adopted:

RESOLVED, that a Fidelity Bond for the Trust with Houston Casualty Company for the period May 31, 2016 to May 31, 2017, having an aggregate coverage of $1,500,000, is ratified, it having been determined to be reasonable in form and amount, after giving due consideration to all factors deemed relevant by this Board, including, among other things, the value of the aggregate assets of the Funds of the Trust to which any covered person may have access, the arrangements for custody and safekeeping of such assets and the nature of the securities in the portfolios of the Funds; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the filing by the Assistant Secretary of the Trust with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to give the notices required under Paragraph (1) of Rule 17g-1 under the 1940 Act are approved; and

FURTHER RESOLVED, that the appropriate officers of the Trust are authorized to do any and all acts, in the name of the Trust and on its behalf, as they, or any of them, may determine to be necessary or appropriate in connection with or in furtherance of the foregoing resolutions.

/s/ Allyson Stewart

Allyson Stewart

Assistant Secretary
UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

June 20, 2016 Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported)

OAKRIDGE HOLDINGS, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Minnesota 000-01937 41-0843268 (State of Incorporation) (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

400 West Ontario Street, Chicago, Illinois 60654 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(312) 505-9267 (Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

N/A (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2):

 Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On June 20, 2016, Oakridge Holdings, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the Company), and its wholly owned subsidiary, Stinar HG, Inc., a Minnesota corporation (Stinar), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the Agreement) with Kruckeberg Industries, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (Purchaser). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company and Stinar agreed to sell to Purchaser substantially all of the assets owned by Stinar for the operation of Stinars commercial and military aviation ground support business (the Business), including the premises located at 3255 Sibley Memorial Highway, Eagan, Minnesota 55121, used in the operation of the Business, for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $300,000 in cash, subject to upward or downward adjustment based on the current liabilities to be purchased and assumed by Purchaser pursuant to the Agreement. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement is expected to occur later this year, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions as further described in the Agreement (the Closing).

The Agreement includes customary representations and warranties, covenants and indemnification obligations, including an escrow fund for the benefit of Purchaser of $100,000 for a minimum period of two years after Closing to secure the Companys and Stinars indemnification obligations under the Agreement.

The Agreement contains a no-shop restriction on the ability of the Company and Stinar to solicit alternative acquisition proposals, provide information and engage in discussions with third parties. The no-shop restriction is subject to a fiduciary-out provision that allows the Company under certain circumstances to provide information and participate in discussions at any time with respect to unsolicited alternative acquisition proposals.

The Agreement contains certain termination rights for both the Company and Purchaser. The Agreement provides that, upon termination under specified circumstances, the Company would be required to pay Purchaser a termination fee of $300,000.

Pursuant to the Agreement, each of the Company, Stinar, and Robert Harvey, Chairman of the Companys board of directors and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Stinar, have agreed to five-year non-competition, confidentiality and non-solicitation covenants.

At the request of Purchaser, Mr. Harvey will enter into a Consulting Agreement with Purchaser at the Closing, and Robert Gregor, the Companys Secretary, a director of the Company and Stinars Vice President of Sales and Marketing, will enter into an Employment Agreement with Purchaser at the Closing, each pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement.

The foregoing summary of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Agreement, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 2.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Agreement has been included to provide security holders with information regarding its terms. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about the Company or Stinar. The representations, warranties, and covenants contained in the Agreement were made only for purposes of the Agreement and as of specified dates, were solely for the benefit of the parties to the Agreement, and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the parties to the Agreement, including being qualified by confidential disclosures exchanged between the parties in connection with the execution of the Agreement. The representations and warranties in the Agreement have been made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts, and may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the parties to the Agreement that differ from those applicable to investors. Investors are not third-party beneficiaries under the Agreement and should not rely on the representations, warranties, or covenants or any descriptions thereof as characterizations of the actual state of facts or the actual condition of the Company, Stinar or Purchaser or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date

of the Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in the Companys public disclosures.

Additional Information and Where You Can Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction, the Company will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) a proxy statement and relevant documents concerning the proposed transactions. Investors and security holders of the Company are urged to read the proxy statement and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available because they will contain important information about the Company, the Agreement and the transactions contemplated by the Agreement. The proxy statement (when it becomes available) and any other documents filed by the Company with the SEC may be obtained free of charge at the SECs website at www.sec.gov.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

2.1Asset Purchase Agreement, dated June 20, 2016, by and among Oakridge Holdings, Inc., Stinar HG, Inc. and Kruckeberg Industries, LLC (excluding schedules and exhibits, which the Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request).

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

OAKRIDGE HOLDINGS, INC.

Date: July 11 , 2016 /s/ Robert C. Harvey

Robert C. Harvey

President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial

Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Description Method of Filing 2.1 Asset Purchase Agreement, dated June 20, 2016, by and among Oakridge Holdings, Inc., Stinar HG, Inc. and Kruckeberg Industries, LLC (excluding schedules and exhibits, which the Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request). Filed Electronically.

Exhibit 2.1

ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT , (hereinafter, together with the Exhibits annexed hereto the  Agreement ) is made and entered into as of the 20th day of June, 2016, by and between Kruckeberg Industries, LLC , a Delaware corporation ( Purchaser ), STINAR HG, INC. , dba STINAR CORPORATION , a Minnesota corporation ( Seller ), and OAKRIDGE HOLDINGS, INC. , a Minnesota corporation(the  Shareholder ).

RECITALS

1. Seller owns and operates a business (the  Business ) of manufacturing ground support equipment for the commercial and military aviation industries.

2. Seller operates the Business at a premise which it owns (the  Premise  or the  Real Estate ) located at 3255 Sibley Memorial Highway, Eagan, Minnesota 55121, as more particularly described in Exhibit A attached hereto.

3. Purchaser desires to purchase the Business, the Premise, and substantially all of the assets utilized in the Business, other than the Retained Assets, as defined below. Seller is willing to sell said assets and Business to Purchaser upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, in exchange for cash and the assumption by Purchaser of certain specified liabilities.

4. Shareholder is the sole shareholder of Seller, and will be financially benefited by the transactions provided for in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the purchase and sale of the assets and the mutual promises, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, Purchaser, Seller and Shareholder hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

As used herein, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below, and where said meanings are intended, said terms shall be capitalized:

 Acquired Contracts  shall mean all of the Sellers right, title and interest in and to all contracts and agreements (other than Orders) which relate to the Business or the Purchased Assets being purchased hereunder, all of which are listed on Exhibit C attached hereto. Those Contracts listed on Exhibit C under the heading Assigned Contracts and any other contracts which Purchaser elects to acquire as provided herein are referred to as the  Acquired Contracts . For the avoidance of doubt, the Acquired Contracts do not include any contracts that are Retained Assets. If a contract listed on Exhibit C requires consent to assignment from a third-party then, if so elected by Purchaser, such contract shall not be assigned until such consent is obtained.

 Adverse Recommendation Change  has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.

 Affiliate  shall mean: (i) with respect to a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, trust or other legal entity (the  Subject Entity ), any other person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Subject Entity, where control means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms controlling and controlled shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing; and (ii) with respect to any natural person, any other legal entity that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries is controlled by such natural person, and any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse or sibling of that natural person or his or her spouse, including adoptive relationships.

 Agreement  has the meeting set forth in the Preamble.

 Assignment Agreement  has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 Assumed Liabilities  means those Liabilities specifically stated on Exhibit D, and no others.

 Assumed Vacation Liability " means the liability for accrued vacation owed by Seller to employees of Seller who are hired by Purchaser effective the day after Closing, as such liability exists as of the Effective Time, in the amount of such liability which is assumed by Purchaser. It is understood that the amount of accrued vacation assumed by Purchaser for any individual employee shall not exceed the amount which such employee can earn in one year. Any amount of accrued vacation in excess of said amount shall remain Sellers responsibility.

 Assumption Agreement  has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 Bill of Sale  has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 Board Recommendation  has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.

 Books and Records  shall mean all of Sellers books and records for the Business (other than Sellers tax returns, minute books and other corporate records) including without limitation, data on Sellers computers and on memory sticks or other storage devices (including printouts or other tangible representations of such data); lists of customers and suppliers; customer files; market studies and market data; records with respect to pricing, volume, payment history, cost, inventory, machinery and equipment, sales, purchasing and materials; mailing lists; and distribution and customer lists.

 Business  has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 Capitalized Lease  shall mean a lease by any Person as lessee of any property or asset, which lease is, or should be, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement Number 13, as amended from time to time (or, if such statement is not then in effect, such statement of GAAP as may be applicable) recorded as a liability as a capital lease on the financial statements of such Person where such financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 Capitalized Lease Obligations  shall mean, as to any Person, all rental obligations of such Person, as lessee under a Capitalized Lease, in the amounts which are, in accordance with GAAP, required to be capitalized on the books of such Person.

 Claiming Party  has the meaning set forth in Section 12.5.

 Closing Date  shall mean the date on which the Closing hereunder is held. The Closing shall be held at the offices of Gray, Plant, Mooty, Mooty & Bennett, P.A. in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 9:00 a.m., then current Central time, on August 31, 2016, or at such other time or date as the parties may mutually agree upon in writing, unless delayed by a party for failure to satisfy conditions precedent to said partys obligations hereunder, in which case Closing shall be held as soon as practicable after such conditions are satisfied. The Closing will be effective as of the Effective Time.

 Confidential Information  has the meaning set forth in Section 7.2.

 Consultant  means Landmark Environmental, LLC.

 Consulting Agreement  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6.

 Covenator  has meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 Covenators  has meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 Deed  has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 Deductible  has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 Designated Superior Proposal  has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.

 Effective Time  means 11:59 PM on the Closing Date.

 Employment Agreement  has meaning set forth in Section 2.7.

 Environmental Laws  means the Laws relating to nuisance, the protection of natural resources or the environment, or to public or worker health, safety or welfare, including without limitation, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq. ; the Solid Waste Disposal/Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq. ; the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. 5101 et seq. ; the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.; the Federal Water Pollution Control/Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.; the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. 300f et seq.; the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act, 42 U.S.C. 11001, et seq.; the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq. ,and comparable federal, state, regional and local Laws, all as amended.

 Equipment  means all of Sellers tangible assets, other than inventory and supplies, including but not limited to furniture, machinery, equipment, signs and sign structures, tools, computers, computer systems and the software used therewith, office equipment, welders, and vehicles (excluding chassis which are part of Inventory). The Equipment specifically includes, but is not limited to, (i) the items of Equipment listed on Exhibit E attached hereto, and (ii) even though not listed on Exhibit E, all tools and equipment owned by Seller or Shareholder and used in the Business.

 Escrow  has meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

 Escrow Agent  has meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

 Escrow Agreement  has meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

 GAAP  means generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with Sellers past practices (provided that such past practices are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles).

 Ground Support Equipment Business  has meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 Harvey Covenant  has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 Hazardous Substances  means hazardous materials,wastes, pollutants, contaminants or irritants (including agricultural chemicals, pesticides and petroleum products and their derivatives), defined in, under reviewor regulated under any Environmental Law.

 Indemnifying Party  has the meaning set forth in Section 12.5.

 Initial Claim Notice  has the meaning set forth in Section 12.5.

 Intellectual Property Rights  shall mean intellectual property and other similar proprietary rights, whether owned or held for use under license, whether registered or unregistered, consisting of: (a) trademarks, trade dress, service marks, certification marks, logos and trade names, and the goodwill associated with the foregoing (collectively,  Marks ); (b) all inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice) and all improvements, (c) patents and patent applications, and any and all divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, reissues, continuing patent applications, re-examinations, and extensions thereof, any counterparts claiming priority therefrom, utility models, patents of importation/confirmation, certificates of invention, certificates of registration, inventions, discoveries and improvements, whether or not patentable, and like rights (collectively,  Patents ); (d) writings and other works of authorship ( Copyrights ); (e) trade secrets, non-public and confidential business, technical and know-how information and rights to limit the use or disclosure thereof by any Person, including ideas, research and development, knowAA?A?how, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, technical data, designs, drawings, specifications, customer and supplier lists, pricing and cost information, and business and marketing plans and proposals (collectively,  Trade Secrets ); (f) software, including without limitation data files, source code, object code, firmware, application programming interfaces, databases and other software-related specifications and documentation (collectively,  Software ); (g) registered domain names and uniform resource locators ( Domain Names ); (h) all mask works and all applications, registrations and renewals thereof; (i) all other proprietary rights; and (g) claims, causes of action and defenses relating to the enforcement of any of the foregoing; in each case, including any registrations of, applications to register, and renewals and extensions of, any of the foregoing with or by any Governmental Body in any jurisdiction.

 Interim Statements  shall mean the unaudited consolidated balance sheets of Seller and Shareholder as of March 31, 2016, and related unaudited consolidated statements of income and retained earnings of Seller for the fiscal period ending on said date, compiled by Seller.

 Inventory  shall mean all of Sellers inventory and supplies, including raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods, and includes, for avoidance of doubt, all chassis.

 IP Assignment  has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 IRS  has meaning set forth in Section 4.21.

 Knowledge ,  To the Knowledge of Seller  or phrases of similar import shall mean to the reasonable knowledge of Robert C. Harvey and Robert B. Gregor.

 Laws  means common law and any federal, state, local or foreign constitution, law, code, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, determination, writ, injunction, ruling, judgment, decree, charge, or restriction of any governmental authority, each as amended and in effect as of the time of determination, whether as of the date hereof or as of a past time.

 Liabilities  shall mean any indebtedness, claim, obligation or liability of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether absolute or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, due or to become due, accrued or not accrued, known or unknown or otherwise, including, but not limited to, liabilities for taxes together with interest and penalties thereon.

 Licensed Software  has meaning set forth in Section 4.13.

 Lien  shall mean any lien (statutory or otherwise), claim, lease, mortgage, pledge, charge, collateral assignment, encumbrance, restriction or security interest.

 Losses  has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1.

 Material Adverse Effect  means, with respect to any business or Person, any event or condition that, individually or in the aggregate, has had or is reasonably likely to have a materially adverse effect on such business or the business of such Person, except that none of the following will be deemed to constitute, and none of the following will be taken into account in determining the occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect: (a) any event or condition generally affecting any of the industries in which such business or such Person operates or the United States economy as a whole; (b) any national or international political or social event or condition, including the engagement by the United States in hostilities, whether or not pursuant to the declaration of a national emergency or war, or the occurrence of any military or terrorist attack upon the United States or any of its territories, possessions or personnel; (c) any event or condition generally affecting any financial, banking or securities market (including any disruption thereof or any decline in the price of any security or any market index); (d) compliance with any term of, or the taking of any action required by, this Agreement; (e) any change in GAAP or other accounting requirement or principle or any change in applicable Law or the interpretation thereof; (f) any failure of such business or such Person to meet projections (provided that the underlying reasons for any such failure may be taken into account in determining the occurrence of a Material Adverse Effect); or (g) the announcement of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided that with respect to clauses (a), (b), (c) or (e), the changes or conditions do not have a materially disproportionate effect on such business or Person (relative to other participants in the same industries).

 MPCA  means the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

 Notice of Designated Superior Proposal  has the meaning set forth in Section 11.3.

 Off-the-Shelf Software shall mean software that is readily available on standard license terms and conditions for a license fee of less than $5,000.

 Orders  shall mean all orders from customers of Seller accepted by Seller in the ordinary

course of business.

 PCBs  has meaning set forth in Section 4.14.

 Permit Assignment  has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

 Permitted Lien  means any: (a) Lien for any Tax, assessment or other governmental charge that is not yet due and payable or that may thereafter be paid without penalty; or (b) mechanics, materialmens, landlords, carriers, suppliers or vendors lien or similar Lien arising or incurred in the ordinary course of business of the applicable Person that secures any amount that is (i) not overdue, and (ii) properly reflected in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements of the applicable Person.

 Permits  shall mean all licenses, permits, registrations, certificates, franchises, approvals and authorizations by governmental authorities or third parties held by or for Sellerin connection with the ownership or operation of the Business, the ownership, operation or possession of the Purchased Assets, or the occupancy or operation of the Premise, including without limitation those relating to Environmental Laws..

 Permitted Exceptions  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

 Person  means any natural person, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trustee or trust or any other legal entity or any governmental authority.

 Phase II Report  shall mean the Phase II Environmental Assessment prepared by Landmark Environmental, LLC, with respect to the Real Estate, dated March 2016.

 Plans  shall mean all plans, bills of material, blueprints, designs, processes, computer programs and related documents, formulae, process sheets, engineering drawings, instructions, machine manuals, any nonAA?A?expired warranties and guarantees, and similar items used or required by the Business, including, but not limited to such items relating to Equipment and its operation.

 Premise  has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 Purchased Assets  shall mean the Premise, the Business, the goodwill and the going concern value of the Business, and all of the assets, properties and rights utilized in the Business, excluding only the Retained Assets. The Purchased Assets include, but are not limited to, the Acquired Contracts, the Books and Records, all Equipment, all of Sellers Intellectual Property Rights, all Inventory, the Orders existing as of the Closing Date, the Permits (to the extent transferrable), the Plans, the Receivables and the Web Assets.

 Purchaser  has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 Purchaser Indemnitees  has the meaning set forth in Section 12.1

 Purchase Price  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

 Real Estate  has the meaning set forth in the Recitals.

 Receivables  shall mean Sellers accounts receivable arising from sales of merchandise or services to customers in the ordinary course of Sellers business.

 Retained Assets  shall mean those assets of Seller which are to be retained by Seller, and shall consist only of cash and cash equivalents, debt issuance costs, and the other items specifically listed on Exhibit B.

Seller  has meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 Seller Indemnitees  has the meaning set forth in Section 12.2.

 Seller Debt  shall mean, for Seller: (i) any indebtedness for borrowed money or issued in substitution of or exchange for indebtedness for borrowed money, (ii) any indebtedness evidenced by any note, bond, debenture or other debt security and any contingent reimbursement obligation with respect to any letter of credit, (iii) the aggregate amount of Capitalized Lease Obligations, (iv) any indebtedness for borrowed money to the extent guaranteed in any manner by Seller (including guarantees in the form of an agreement to repurchase or reimburse) and any other indebtedness to the extent that Seller is indirectly liable as guarantor, surety or otherwise, and (v) all interest, premiums, penalties, charges, fees, expenses and other amounts due in connection with the payment and satisfaction in full of the obligations described in the foregoing clauses (i) though (iv) of this definition.

 Seller IP Rights  has meaning set forth in Section 4.12.

 Seller Real Property Liens  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

 Seller Statements  shall mean the audited, consolidated balance sheets of Seller and Shareholder as of June 30, 2015, June 30, 2014, and June 31, 2013, and consolidated statements of income and retained earnings of Seller and Shareholder for the fiscal years ending on said dates.

 Shareholder  has the meaning set forth in the Preamble.

 Shareholder Approval  has the meaning set forth in Section 9.9.

 Shareholder Special Meeting  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

 Superior Proposal  means a bona fide written Third Party Acquisition Proposal that, in the good faith judgment of Shareholders board of directors, (i) if accepted, is reasonably likely to be consummated, and (ii) if consummated, is reasonably likely to result in a transaction that is more favorable to Shareholders shareholders than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

 Survey  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

 Surveyor  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

 Tax  and  Taxes  means all federal, state, county, local, foreign and other taxes or assessments including, without limitation, income, estimated income, business, occupation, franchise, property (real and personal), sales, use, employment, social security, social welfare, pension, medical, VAT, gross receipts, transfer, ad valorem, profits, license, capital, payroll, employee withholding, unemployment, excise, goods and services, severance, stamp and including interest, penalties and additions in connection therewith.

 Taxing Authority  shall mean any governmental body responsible for the administration or imposition of any Tax.

 Tax Return  shall mean any return (including any information return), report, statement, declaration, estimate, schedule, notice, notification, form, election, certificate or other document or information filed with or submitted to, or required to be filed with or submitted to, any Governmental Body in connection with the determination, assessment, collection or payment of any Tax or in connection with the administration, implementation or enforcement of or compliance with any Laws relating to any Tax.

 Term  has meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

 Termination Fee  shall mean $300,000.00.

 Third Party Acquisition Proposal  shall mean (a) a merger, consolidation, or business combination that would result in any Person acquiring assets representing, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the consolidated net revenues, consolidated net income, or consolidated assets of Shareholder and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a sale of 50% or more of the consolidated assets of Shareholder and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (c) the acquisition by any Person of 50% or more of the shares of capital stock of Shareholder or any similar transaction involving Shareholder or any of its subsidiaries, other than the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; or (d) the consummation of any other transaction or the entering into of any other agreement or arrangement with respect to any other transaction, the effect of which would have the same result as the occurrence of the preceding clauses (a), (b), or (c).

 Third Party Claim  has the meaning set forth in Section 12.4.

 Title Commitment  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

 Title Company  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

 Title Evidence  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

 Title Policy  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(a).

 Underground Tanks  has meaning set forth in Section 4.14.

 Updated Commitment  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

 Updated Survey  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

 Updated Title Evidence  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.9(b).

 Web Assets  means all of Sellers website domain names and URLs, Sellers web server host and all associated administrative usernames and passwords.

 Work  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

 Work Expenses  has the meaning set forth in Section 2.10.

ARTICLE II

PURCHASE AND SALE

2.1 Basic Transaction.

(a) On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the Seller shall cause to be sold, assigned, transferred, conveyed and delivered to the Purchaser, at the Closing, good and valid title to the Purchased Assets. Except as provided below, it is understood that all Purchased Assets are to be acquired free and clear of all Liens, other than Liens created by Purchaser or specifically listed on Exhibit D. The Purchaser expressly understands and agrees that it is not purchasing or acquiring, and the Company is not selling or assigning, any Retained Assets, and all such Retained Assets are excluded from the Purchased Assets.

(b) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Purchaser will assume and agree to pay, perform and discharge when due all of the Assumed Liabilities, and no other Liens, liabilities or obligations. Other than the Assumed Liabilities, Purchaser will not assume and will not be responsible to pay, perform or discharge any liabilities or obligations of the Seller or Shareholder of any kind, whether or not related to the operation of the Business.

2.2 Purchase Price; Payment of Purchase Price.

(a) On the Closing Date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller agrees to sell and convey to Purchaser, and Purchaser agrees to purchase, the Purchased Assets, for an amount equal to THREE-HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($300,000.00) (the  Purchase Price ). All payments made hereunder are subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth herein, and will be made by Purchaser in reliance upon the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein.

(b) At the Closing, the Purchaser will satisfy the Purchase Price by paying by wire transfer: (a) a cash amount of $200,000 directly to Seller, and (b) $100,000 in cash (the  Escrow ) to the account of an escrow agent mutually agreeable to the Purchaser and the Seller, as escrow agent (the  Escrow Agent ). The Escrow and any accrued interest will serve as partial security for satisfaction of any indemnification obligations of the Company under Section 12.1 of this Agreement. The Escrow will be subject to the terms of an Escrow Agreement in a form mutually agreeable to the Parties(the  Escrow Agreement ), provided that the minimum term of the Escrow shall be two (2) years from the Closing Date, unless earlier released by mutual consent of the Parties.

2.3 Limited Assumption of Liabilities. Purchaser shall not assume or become liable for any Liabilities of Seller, including without limitation any Seller Debt, except only for the obligations under (i) accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business of Seller as they exist as of the Effective Time; (ii) Seller's warranty obligations arising in the ordinary course of business of Seller with respect to products shipped by Seller prior to the Effective Time; (iii) the Assumed Vacation Liability as it exists as of the Effective Time; (iv) the Assumed Liabilities; (v) the Orders existing as of the Effective Time; and (vi) any Acquired Contracts, but in each case only with respect to performance first required after the Closing Date (specifically excluding any liability for any breaches or failure to perform which may have occurred under any Orders or Acquired Contracts prior to the Closing Date).

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, it is specifically understood and agreed that Purchaser is not assuming any other Liabilities of Seller. Without limitation: (i) except only for Purchasers assumption of Sellers warranty obligations as provided in the preceding paragraph, Purchaser has no liability for, and is not assuming, any Liabilities of Seller relating to services provided by Seller or products sold by Seller, and in particular and without limitation Purchaser has no liability for product liability or service liability or product defect claims of any kind relating to products sold or services performed by Seller; (ii) Purchaser shall not assume any Seller Debt, except as specifically set forth on Exhibit D; and (iii) except only for the Assumed Vacation Liability, Seller shall be responsible for any and all Liabilities owed to its employees which accrue before the Effective Time, including but not limited to any accrued vacation pay(whether vested or not) and sick pay, severance payments, health coverage, and unpaid wages. In this connection, it is understood that although Purchaser intends to offer employment to some or all of Sellers employees employed in the Business, Purchaser has the right to decide in its reasonable discretion which employees, if any, it will hire. Seller shall pay or satisfy all Liabilities that Seller has to employees (other than the Assumed Vacation Liability) within thirty (30) days of Closing, in accordance with Sellers normal practices and procedures, so as to avoid any adverse impact upon the Business and the Purchased Assets in the hands of Purchaser.

Subject to the terms and conditions in this Agreement, Seller and Shareholder, jointly and severally, shall indemnify, save and hold Purchaser harmless from and against any and all Liabilities of Seller, except only for those Liabilities specifically assumed by Purchaser pursuant to this Section, including without limitation, all Liabilities and Losses relating to or arising out of the ownership or operations of the Business, or the condition of the Premise on or prior to the Closing Date.

2.4 Employee Matters. On the Closing Date, Seller shall terminate all of Sellers employees who work in the Business and assist Purchaser in offering employment to the same. Purchaser will, subject only to its ordinary employment diligence, background check, and other investigations and standards, offer employment to some of such employees.

2.5 Prorations. Seller and Purchaser agree to the following prorations and allocation of costs in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby:

(a) All of the following operating costs of the Purchased Assets: (i) utilities, and (ii) any ordinary course of business service agreements for the Premise, each of which shall be allocated between Seller and Purchaser based upon the Effective Time, such that Seller shall pay that portion of the operating costs pertaining to that period of time up to and including the Effective Time, and Purchaser shall pay that portion of the operating costs from and after the Effective Time.

(b) Sales taxes, deed tax or transfer taxes, if any, imposed in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be paid by Seller.

(c) Real estate taxes due and payable in the year prior to the year of Closing and all prior years, including any real estate taxes otherwise payable during any such year which may have been deferred, shall be paid by Seller. Real estate taxes shall be prorated for those taxes which are due and payable during the calendar year in which the Closing Date occurs, such that Seller shall pay that portion of those taxes pertaining to that period of time up to and including the Closing Date, and Purchaser shall pay that portion of such taxes from and after the Closing Date. In the event that, as of the Closing Date, the actual tax bill for the year of Closing is not available and the amount of taxes to be prorated as aforesaid cannot be ascertained, the rates, millages and assessed valuation of the previous year, with known changes, shall be used. On or before the Closing Date, Seller shall pay all special assessments, whether or not then due, levied or pending against the Property as of the Closing Date; or, at Purchasers option, Purchaser shall receive a credit at Closing for the amount thereof against the Purchase Price. If the actual amount of any pending or other assessments is not known at the Closing Date, the Title Company shall withhold in escrow from Sellers proceeds at closing an amount equal to 125% of the estimated amount thereof. When the amount of said assessments becomes fixed and payable, the Title Company shall apply said escrow in payment of the assessments, returning any surplus to Seller; provided that if the amount withheld in escrow is insufficient to pay the assessments, Seller shall immediately pay, and shall be liable for the immediate payment of, any such deficiency. Purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of any special assessments which are not the responsibility of Seller pursuant to this Section.

(d) Seller and Purchaser each shall pay one-half of the fee charged by the Title Company for handling the Real Estate portion of the Closing. All other costs associated with closing the Real Estate portion of the transaction not specifically addressed herein shall be allocated in the manner customary for commercial real estate transactions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.

All prorations and payments to be made under the foregoing provisions shall be made on the basis of a written statement or statements agreed upon by Seller and Purchaser or in accordance with the closing statement for the Real Estate executed and delivered at Closing. If not determined at or before Closing, the parties will endeavor to determine the amounts which are subject to this Section, and effectuate the pro-ration, within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date. At that time, or as soon thereafter as the pro-rations have been completed, the party who owes a net amount based on the pro-rations shall promptly pay said amount to the other party; provided that if such amount is owed by Seller, it may be satisfied by a joint instruction of Purchaser and Seller to the Escrow Agent to release such amount to Purchaser from the Escrow Account.

2.6 Consulting Agreement. At Closing, Purchaser and Robert Harvey shall enter into a Consulting Agreement (the  Consulting Agreement ) in the form of Exhibit H attached hereto.

2.7 Employment Agreement. At Closing, Purchaser and Robert Gregor shall enter into an Employment Agreement (the  Employment Agreement ) in the form of Exhibit I attached hereto.

2.8 Meeting of Stockholders of Shareholder; Agreements to Vote Shares. Promptly upon the execution of this Agreement, Shareholder shall call a special meeting of its stockholders for the purpose of approving the sale and transfer of the Purchased Assets to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement (the  Shareholder Special Meeting ). Shareholder shall give notice of the said meeting and provide a proxy statement (which shall be filed, if required, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission) and other materials in connection with said meeting in compliance with its governing documents and with applicable Laws.

2.9 Title Evidence.

(a) Title Commitment and Survey. Purchaser has obtained, at Sellers expense, a title commitment for the Real Estate issued by Guaranty Commercial Title, Inc., as agent for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company ( Title Company ) dated effective as of January 6, 2016 ( Title Commitment ), wherein Title Company agrees to issue to Purchaser an ALTA Owners Title Insurance Policy (current standard form) for the Real Estate with coverage, deleting standard exceptions, including but not limited those standard exceptions based on (i) mechanics or materialmens liens, (ii) matters affecting title that may be disclosed by an accurate survey, and (iii) the rights of parties in possession ( Title Policy ). The Title Commitment was accompanied by copies of all recorded documents affecting the Real Estate as reflected in the Title Commitment, and included searches for real estate taxes, pending and levied special assessments, judgments, bankruptcies and state and federal tax liens. Purchaser has also obtained a survey of the Real Estate dated February 9, 2016, prepared by Egan, Field & Nowak, Inc. ( Surveyor ) (the  Survey ; hereinafter, the Survey together with the Title Commitment shall be collectively referred to as the  Title Evidence ). The Title Policy shall include such endorsements as required by the Purchaser and insure title subject to the Permitted Exceptions (as hereinafter defined) and in the full amount of the Purchase Price allocated to the Real Estate. The Purchaser shall pay the cost of the premium of the Title Policy and any endorsements and the deletion of the standard exceptions.

(b) Purchasers Acceptance of Permitted Exceptions. Purchaser acknowledges it has received and reviewed the Title Evidence. Purchaser hereby accepts any and all matters reflected in the Title Evidence (excluding Seller Real Property Liens) (collectively, the  Permitted Exceptions ) and waives Purchasers rights to object thereto. Purchaser shall have no right to further object to, or terminate this Agreement because of, any Permitted Exceptions, and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect, and Purchaser shall close the transaction contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof. The Seller shall, however, cause any voluntary liens placed on the Real Estate caused solely by the Seller after the date of this Agreement to be released, at Closing (collectively, the  Seller Real Property Liens ). Purchaser may, at its expense, obtain from the Title Company an update to the Title Commitment ( Updated Commitment ) or obtain from the Surveyor a current survey of the Real Estate ( Updated Survey ; hereinafter, together with the Updated Commitment, the  Updated Title Evidence ). Purchaser shall have no right to object to, or terminate this Agreement because of, any additional items disclosed in the Updated Title Evidence unless such items materially and adversely affect the Real Estate or Purchasers proposed use of the Real Estate, and this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect, and the Purchaser shall close the transaction contemplated hereby in accordance with the terms hereof.

(c) Discharge of Certain Liens. If at the Closing Date there are any liens or encumbrances which arise after the date of this Agreement which are not Permitted Exceptions hereunder, Seller shall pay and satisfy the same at Closing from Sellers Purchase Price proceeds. Unpaid liens for taxes, water charges, sewer rents and assessments which are the obligation of Seller to satisfy and discharge shall not be objections to title, but the amount thereof, plus interest and penalties thereon, shall be satisfied at Closing from Sellers Purchase Price proceeds.

2.10Environmental Remediation. Seller shall perform and pay all costs relating to (a) the cleanup of Hazardous Substances at, under and emanating from the Real Estate and removal of waste, fill and debris from the Real Estate, including as identified in the Phase II Report; (2) issuance by the MPCA of a no action letter applicable to the Real Estate soil, groundwater and soil gas vapor; and (3) issuance of a no association determination by the MPCA applicable to Buyer's proposed actions at the Real Estate (collectively (1) through (3) are hereafter referred to as the " Work "). The costs for the Work include, without limitation, all of Consultant's costs as reflected in part in its Proposal for Environmental Engineering Services, dated June 9, 2016, MPCA oversight costs associated with the Work, permitting, excavation, transport, analytical sampling, and disposal costs, and the Buyer's reasonable attorneys' fees associated with any institutional controls MPCA requests concerning the Real Estate and any liens filed against the Real Estate in connection with the Work (" Work Expenses "). The Buyer may recover all Work Expenses not paid by Seller by any legal means available, including from the Escrow.

ARTICLE III

DELIVERIES BY SELLER AND SHAREHOLDER

3.1 Sellers and Shareholders Deliveries. On the Closing Date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Seller and Shareholder shall make the following deliveries, duly and validly executed:

(a) a bill of sale in form satisfactory to Purchaser ( Bill of Sale ), transferring the Purchased Assets (other than the Real Estate) to Purchaser, certificates of title for vehicles, and other instruments of conveyance reasonably requested by Purchaser assigning and conveying all of the Purchased Assets (other than the Real Estate) to Purchaser;

(b) an assignment and assumption agreement ( Assumption Agreement ), assigning the Assumed Liabilities to Purchaser;

(c) Releases or termination statements for any security interests in the Purchased Assets other than the Assumed Liabilities (including releases of interests in any Purchased Assets leased pursuant to Capitalized Leases or financed Purchased Assets, as well as releases of bank security interests) in a form reasonably satisfactory to Purchaser;

(d) an assignment and assumption agreement assigning all of the Acquired Contracts ( Assignment Agreement );

(e) an assignment and assumption agreement for each of the Permits, to the extent assignable (the  Permit Assignment );

(f) an assignment agreement for all Sellers Intellectual Property Rights such as assignments of registered trade names or trademarks, or other registered intellectual property, or applications for the same, including the Web Assets ( IP Assignment );

(g) a warranty deed conveying the Real Estate to Purchaser, subject only to the Permitted Exceptions (the  Deed );

(h) Sellers title affidavit, in form reasonably acceptable to Seller and the Title Company;

(i) such affidavits of Seller, Certificates of Value or other documents as may be reasonably required by Title Company in order to record the Deed and issue the Title Policy;

(j) a closing statement with respect to the Real Estate;

(k) an affidavit in form and content satisfactory to Purchaser and Title Company stating that neither Seller nor, if Seller is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes, the owner(s) of Seller is a foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Internal Revenue Code;

(l) any well certificate required by Minn. Stat.  103I.235;

(m) a certificate to the effect that the representations and warranties of Seller and Shareholder contained in this Agreement are true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the Closing Date;

(n) certified copies of resolutions of the Sellers board of directors and Shareholder as the sole shareholder of Seller approving this Agreement, and the other agreements and transactions contemplated hereby;

(o) certified copies of resolutions of the Shareholders board of directors and of resolutions adopted by the shareholders of Shareholder at a duly and properly noticed (including, without limitation, by filing and distribution of a valid proxy statement), called and conducted meeting of the shareholders of Shareholder, approving this Agreement, the Lease and the other agreements and transactions contemplated hereby;

(p) the Consulting Agreement, duly executed by Robert Harvey; and

(q) the Escrow Agreement.

3.2 Purchasers Deliveries. On the Closing Date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, Purchaser shall make the following deliveries, duly and validly executed:

(a) Payment of the Purchase Price in accordance with Section 2.2(b);

(b) a certificate to the effect that the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement are true, correct and complete in all material respects as of the Closing Date;

(c) certified copies of resolutions of the Purchasers board of directors and shareholders of the Purchaser approving this Agreement, and the other agreements and transactions contemplated hereby;

(d) the Assumption Agreement, Assignment Agreement, Bill of Sale, Permit Assignment, and IP Assignment;

(e) the Consulting Agreement;

(f) the Employment Agreement; and

(g) the Escrow Agreement.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER AND SHAREHOLDER

Seller and Shareholder, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to Purchaser that, except as specifically set forth on a Disclosure Schedule to be provided by the Seller and Shareholder no later than five business days prior to the Closing Date, the following statements are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement and will be true and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date as if made on said Closing Date. Each disclosure made on the Disclosure Schedule shall be made with reasonable specificity, and shall designate the Sections or Sections of this Article IV to which the disclosure applies; provided, however, that any disclosure that makes its relevance to one or more other Section or Sections of this Article IV reasonably apparent on the face of such disclosure will be deemed to designate such other Section(s) of this Article IV with respect to such disclosure.

4.1 Seller and Shareholder. Seller is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state of Minnesota and is entitled to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business as and in the places where such properties are now owned, leased or operated, or such business is now conducted. Seller has full power and authority to sell, convey, assign, transfer and deliver the Purchased Assets as herein provided, and all board, shareholder and other proceedings necessary to be taken by Seller in connection with the transactions provided for by this Agreement and necessary to make the same effective have been duly and validly taken. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller and Shareholder and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Seller and Shareholder enforceable in accordance with its terms.

Shareholder owns all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of Seller. Shareholder is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the state of Minnesota and is entitled to own or lease its properties and to carry on its business as and in the places where such properties are now owned, leased or operated, or such business is now conducted. Except for the approval of Shareholders shareholders to be voted on at the meeting contemplated by Section 2.8, all board, shareholder and other proceedings necessary to be taken by Seller in connection with the transactions provided for by this Agreement and necessary to make the same effective have been duly and validly taken. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Seller and Shareholder and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of each of Seller and Shareholder enforceable in accordance with its terms.

4.2 Title. Except as set forth on Section 4.2 of the Disclosure Schedule, Seller has good and marketable title to the Purchased Assets, free and clear of any Liens of any kind or nature whatsoever, other than Permitted Liens. At the Closing, Seller and Shareholder will convey good and marketable title to the Purchased Assets to be sold hereunder, free and clear of any and all Liens of any kind or nature whatsoever, other than Liens created by Purchaser.

4.3 Financial Statements. The Seller Statements delivered to Purchaser by Seller are true, complete and correct copies thereof and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Seller Statements fairly and accurately present, in all material respects, the financial condition and assets and liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) of Seller as of the dates indicated, and the results of operations of Seller for the periods then ended.

4.4 Interim Statements. The Interim Statements delivered to Purchaser by Seller are true, complete and correct copies thereof and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, subject, however, to normal year-end adjustments (none of which will be material) and to the absence of footnotes. The Interim Statements fairly and accurately present, in all material respects, the financial condition and assets and liabilities (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) of Seller as of the dates indicated and the results of operations of Seller for the period then ended in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, subject to normal year-end adjustments (none of which will be material) and to the absence of footnotes.

4.5 Other Operations. Each of Seller and Shareholder do not have or control any divisions or other operations, nor do any subsidiaries or other Affiliates of Seller or Shareholder have or control any divisions or operations, whose primary business is the manufacturing of ground support equipment for the commercial and military aviation industries. During the five year period preceding the date hereof, neither Seller nor Shareholder, or any of them, nor any Affiliates of Seller or Shareholder, have sold any divisions, operations or businesses whose primary business is the manufacturing of ground support equipment for the commercial and military aviation industries.

4.6 NonAA?A?Breach, Etc. Except as set forth on Section 4.6 of the Disclosure Schedule, the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby by Seller and Shareholder will not (a) result in a breach of any of the terms or conditions of, or constitute a default under, any material mortgage, note, bond, indenture, agreement, license or other instrument or obligation (including any Contracts) to which Seller or Shareholder, or any of them, is now a party or by which Seller or Shareholder, or any of them, or any of its or their properties or assets may be bound or affected, or (b) violate any material order, writ, injunction or decree of any court, administrative agency or governmental body; or (c) conflict with or result in the breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or ByAA?A?Laws of Seller or Shareholder.

4.7 Contracts. Schedule 4.7 of the Disclosure Schedule lists each of the following agreements, contracts and understandings, whether written or oral, and whether or an Acquired Contract:

(a) each written contract, agreement or understanding for the employment of any officer, consultant, director or employee;

(b) each written contract, agreement or understanding for the purchase of any materials, parts, inventory, supplies, equipment or services with a purchase price exceeding $5,000;

(c) each written contract, agreement or understanding for the sale of products or performance of services, or any other agreement with customers with a purchase price exceeding $5,000;

(d) each license or franchise agreement, either as licensor or licensee or franchisor or franchisee, or distributor, dealership or sales agency contract, agreement or understanding;

(e) each lease of, or other written contract, agreement or understanding for the use of personal property under which Seller is a lessee or lessor, or user or the party permitting the use and for which payments thereunder by or to Seller exceed $5,000 per year;

(f) each written contract, agreement or understanding to purchase or sell a material amount of personal property;

(g) each written contract or agreement relating to Intellectual Property Rights or granting to any Person the right to use any property or property right of Seller, including any trademark or patent licensing agreement, contract or understanding, or contract or agreement granting to Seller the right to use any property or property right of any other Person or entity, including any trademark or patent licensing agreement, contract or understanding, other than licenses for Off-the-Shelf Software;

(h) each contract or agreement containing covenants by Seller or Shareholder, or either of them, not to compete in any line of business or with any Person, or containing covenants by any other Person not to compete with any line of business of Seller;

(i) joint venture, partnership or other contract or arrangement involving a sharing of profits;

(j) each written contract or agreement relating to the borrowing or lending of money by Seller, including contracts to finance purchases of inventory; or

(k) each written contract, agreement or understanding for the commitment of advertising funds or otherwise relating to advertising.

Seller has provided to Purchaser true, current, correct and complete copies of all of said contracts, agreements and understandings, (or in the case of oral contracts, agreements or understandings, written descriptions of the material terms thereof).

Seller has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it to date, and is not in breach or default under, each of the contracts to which it is a party, and there are no events which with notice or passage of time would constitute such a default. To the Knowledge of Seller, the other parties to the contracts are not in breach or default under the contracts, and there are no events which with notice or the passage of time would constitute such a breach or default. Except as stated on Section 4.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, each of said contracts is in full force and effect and are assignable without consent.

4.8 Equipment. Except as set forth on Section 4.8 of the Disclosure Schedule all items included in the Equipment are operational and have been maintained in the ordinary course of business of Seller.

4.9 Assets Complete, Etc. The Purchased Assets which will be acquired by Purchaser at Closing include all assets used in or necessary for the operation of the Business as currently conducted and include all assets presently at the Premise, except only for the Retained Assets and Contracts other than Acquired Contracts.

All Equipment, Inventory, Books and Records and Plans are located at the Premise.

None of the Purchased Assets are leased to any third party or provided to any third party under any arrangement.

4.10 Litigation. There are no claims, actions, suits, proceedings or investigations (whether or not purportedly on behalf of Seller) pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened against or affecting Seller, the Business, the Premise or the Purchased Assets, at law or in equity or before or by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, nor has any such action, suit, proceeding or investigation been pending during the 12AA?A?month period preceding the date hereof; and Seller is not operating under or subject to, or in default with respect to, any order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or federal, state, municipal or other governmental department, commission, board, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.

4.11 Compliance with Laws. Each of Seller, the Business, the Premise, and the Purchased Assets is in compliance with, and for the past threeyears has been in compliance in all material respects with, all Laws applicable to Seller, the Business or the Purchased Assets.

4.11.1 Environmental. Each of Seller, the Business, the Premise, the Purchased Assets, and Sellers use and operations of the Business, the Premise, and the Purchased Assets meet, and for the past threeyears has met in all material respects, all applicable requirements of Environmental Laws, including without limitation, all requirements to obtain and all conditions of Permitsissued under Environmental Laws. There are no conditions at, and there have been no releases, discharges, spills, disposals or other events relating to Hazardous Substances occurring, at, on or about the Premise, or in connection with the Business, that would give rise to any Liabilities to Purchaser or other loss or expense of Purchaser under any Environmental Laws.

Neither Seller nor Shareholder has engaged in the business of generating, transporting, storing, treating or disposing of Hazardous Substances or wastes in or about the Premise or as part of the Business, other than the storing of small amounts of Hazardous Substances in the ordinary course of business in compliance with applicable Laws and nodisposal of waste or Hazardous Substances has occurred on, at or about the Premise.

None of Seller, Shareholder, or the Business has received notice, or has any knowledge, of any Liability or Obligation arising under Environmental Law, including any potential responsibility for transporting, disposing or arranging for the transport or disposal of any wastes, Hazardous Substances, or other materials that were generated by or for Seller or the Business, and disposed of at locations off of the Premise.

4.12 Intellectual Property. Seller owns or has the right to use pursuant to license, sublicense, agreement or permission all Intellectual Property used in the operation of the Business as presently conducted. All such Intellectual Property Rights (including Sellers rights under any such license, sublicense, agreement or permission) are being conveyed to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement. Without limitation, Sellers rights to the trade names Stinar" and Stinar Corporation are being conveyed to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement. Seller consents to Purchaser changing its name to Stinar Corporation effective upon the closing of this Agreement, and agrees that at that time it will change its name to a name that bears no similarity to Stinar Corporation.

Seller does not own any patents or patent applications, and does not own any inventions which Seller presently intends to patent. Seller does not own any copyright registrations or pending applications to register copyrights. Section 4.12 of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth all of the following that are owned or licensed by Seller as of the date of this Agreement (collectively, the  Seller IP Rights ): (i) trademark registrations and pending trademark applications, trade name registrations and pending trade name registrations, and material common law trademarks or trade names; (ii) service mark registrations and pending service mark applications and material common law service marks; and (iii) registered domain names. Seller has properly maintained the registrations of any Seller IP Rights which are registered. Except as set forth on Section 4.12 of the Disclosure Schedule, each of the Seller IP Rights is owned by Seller, free and clear of any Lien, license or other restriction, or limitation regarding use or disclosure. Each of the Seller IP Rights owned or used by Seller immediately before the Closing will be owned or available for use by Purchaser on identical terms and conditions immediately after the Closing.

Except as listed as Section 4.7 of the Disclosure Schedule and contracts for Off-the-Shelf Software, there are no licenses granted by or to Seller or any other agreements to which it is a party, which relate, in whole or in part, to Intellectual Property Rights.

The Purchased Assets and the conduct by Seller of the Business as currently conducted, do not infringe on the rights of any third party, no proceeding is pending to such effect and, to the Knowledge of Seller, no such proceeding is threatened. To the Knowledge of Seller, no third party is infringing on the Intellectual Property Rights of Seller. No claim has been asserted to such effect or otherwise affecting any Intellectual Property Rights of Seller.

4.13 Software. Seller does not utilize any material software which is proprietary; that is, software that was developed either by Seller or by third parties for Seller and specific to the Seller. Except for Off-the-Shelf Software, Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete and accurate list of all software utilized in the business of Seller (including software utilized in the websites of Seller) under which Seller is a licensee, lessee, or otherwise has obtained the right to use such software (the  Licensed Software ). All license agreements relating to the Licensed Software are listed on Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Schedule, and true, current, correct and complete copies of such license agreements have been made available to Purchaser. Except as set forth in Section 4.13 of the Disclosure Schedule, the right and license to use the Licensed Software, in accordance with, and subject to, the terms and provisions of the license agreements applicable thereto will not be affected by the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and, without limitation, no consents will be required under such license agreements in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby. There is no breach or default under, and Seller is in compliance in all material respects with, the provisions of all such license agreements. Seller currently holds valid licenses to all software utilized by Seller in its businesses, and there has been no unauthorized duplication or use by Seller of such software. No computer software or process of Seller has manifested significant operating problems, other than such problems that have been adequately corrected or are correctable in the ordinary course of business.

4.14 Real Estate. The Business is operated by Seller at the Premise, and at no other location. During the past five years, Seller has not used any real property other than the Premise in the operation of the Business. The Premise has direct legal access to, abuts, and is served by dedicated and maintained public roads which provide a valid means of ingress and egress to and from the Premise, sufficient for the present operation of the Business at the Premise. Any existing easements or encroachments, including, but not limited to, those upon, above or below the Premise, will not interfere with Purchasers use of the Premise and the assets thereon in the manner in which they have been used by Seller. The buildings and other improvements and fixtures on the Premise are located entirely within the boundary lines of the Premise, are not in violation of applicable setback requirements, and do not encroach on any easement. The parcel(s) which constitute the Premise do not serve any other property for any purpose, and such parcels are not located within any flood plain or subject to any similar type restriction for which any Permits necessary to the current use have not been obtained. The Premise and the buildings and other improvements and fixtures thereon, and the current use thereof by Seller (collectively " Permitted Use ") are not in violation of zoning Laws (and none of the parcels or buildings or improvements are subject to permitted non-conforming use or permitted non-conforming structure classifications).

Except as may be set forth on Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, all buildings and other improvements and fixtures located on the Premise, including without limitation the structural elements, exterior walls, floor slabs and roofs of the buildings, and the lighting, heating, ventilating and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems of said buildings, improvements and fixtures, are in operating condition; are free of material defect; and are supplied with utilities and other services necessary for the operation of the buildings and other improvements and fixtures, including gas, electricity, water, telephone, sanitary sewer and storm sewer, all of which services are sufficient for the requirements of the Business, are in accordance with all applicable Laws, and are provided via public roads or via permanent, irrevocable, appurtenant easements benefiting the parcel.

Except for the drinking well described on Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are and were no wells, sealed or unsealed, on, at or under the Premise, including but not limited to dry, drinking, injection, monitoring or other wells. There are and were no underground tanks, including without limitation, septic, hydraulic lift or hoist, or other underground storage or containment structures ( Underground Tanks ) located or formerly located on, at or under the Premise. There are no polychlorinated biphenyls ( PCBs ) at, in or about the Premise, whether in hydraulic lifts, transformers, capacitors or other equipment, in building materials or otherwise, and there are no asbestos-containing materials or urea-formaldehyde insulating materials at, in or about the Premise.

Except as set forth on Section 4.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no Hazardous Substances located anywhere on, at, under, about or emanating from, the Premise, except for Hazardous Substances being properly used, handled, contained, and stored in the ordinary course of the Business of Seller that will be disposed of off the Premise, all in accordance with applicable Laws. No activity has been conducted by Seller at the Premise, and to the Knowledge of Seller, no condition exists at the Premise, which would give rise to any liability of Purchaser under any Environmental Law.

The Premise and all buildings and other improvements and fixtures located thereon have received all required Permits of governmental authorities required under applicable Law in connection with the ownership or operation thereof as currently operated, and during the past five years the Business and the Premise have been operated and maintained in accordance with those Permits and applicable Laws in all material respects.

4.15 Conduct of Business. Except as set forth on Section 4.15 of the Disclosure Schedule, since June 30, 2015, and until the Effective Time, Seller has operated and will operate the Business in the ordinary course, including without limitation maintaining normal levels of Inventory, and Seller has not and will not have:

(a) incurred any Liabilities, except for Liabilities disclosed in the Seller Statements or the Interim Statement, or in the Disclosure Schedule annexed hereto, and except for such Liabilities as have arisen in the ordinary course of business of Seller since the date of the Interim Statement, none of which newly arisen Liabilities have a Material Adverse Effect upon Seller, the Business or the Purchased Assets;

(b) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any lien, charge or other encumbrance, any of the Purchased Assets, tangible or intangible;

(c) suffered any damage, destruction or loss to any Purchased Assets, whether or not covered by insurance;

(d) sold or transferred to Shareholder or any third party (including Affiliates of Seller or Shareholder) any tangible assets of Seller, or any assets that would have been included in the Purchased Assets if such assets were owned by Seller on the date hereof, other than sales of inventory or utilization of supplies in the ordinary course of business;

(e) sold, assigned or transferred any Intellectual Property Rights, or other intangible assets;

(f) suffered any extraordinary losses or waived any rights of substantial value relating to the Business or the Purchased Assets;

(g) entered into any transaction involving or relating to the Business or the Purchased Assets other than in the ordinary course of business;

(h) made or suffered any amendment or termination of any of the Acquired Contracts;

(i) made or entered into any material contracts, agreements or understandings affecting the Purchased Assets or Business or made or suffered any material changes in relationships with suppliers or insurance companies or other third party payors;

(j) increased the compensation payable, or to become payable by Seller to any of its employees including, but not limited to, any bonus payment or deferred compensation;

(k) increased any benefits to employees of Seller under pension, insurance or other employee benefit programs;

(l) suffered a termination of, or amended, any license, permit, registration, certificate, franchise, approval or authorization by governmental authorities;

(m) changed its methods of accounting in any respect;

(n) made any payments or transfers of property to Shareholder or Shareholders Affiliates, or entered into any contracts or transactions with Shareholder or Shareholders Affiliates; or

(o) incurred or suffered a Material Adverse Effect to the Business or the Purchased Assets.

4.16 Permits. Seller has all Permits necessary for the operation of the Business as currently conducted and provided Purchaser a copy of all such Permits. No other licenses, registrations, certificates, permits, franchises, approvals or other authorizations by governmental authorities or third parties are held by or for Seller, or are required under applicable Law for Seller, the Purchased Assets or the ownership or operation of the Business as presently conducted by Seller. True, current, correct and complete copies of the Permits have been delivered by Seller to Purchaser. Seller has performed in all material respects all obligations required to be performed by it to date under, and is not in default under, each of the Permits and the Laws of the licensing and permit authorities. All such Permits are in full force and effect, and Seller has filed timely and complete applications for renewal thereof, as required. To the extent assignable, and if desired by Purchaser, all such Permits will be assigned to Purchaser at the Closing. To the extent transferable pursuant to an approval by a governmental authority, and if desired by Purchaser, prior to Closing Seller shall cooperate with Purchaser to prepare, execute and submit for approval all transfer requests for such Permits.

4.17 Suppliers and Customers. Section 4.17 of the Disclosure Schedule attached hereto lists all (i) suppliers of products or services to Seller to whom Seller paid more than $5,000 during the year ended December 31, 2015, and (ii) all customers who purchased equipment (as opposed to only parts) during the year ended December 31, 2015.

To the actual knowledge of Seller, none of Sellers customers intends to cease utilizing the Business (or intends to not do business with Purchaser after the Closing hereunder), nor, to the actual knowledge of Seller, does any supplier to the Business intend to cease being a supplier to the Business, in each case whether as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise.

4.18 Insurance. Seller has provided to Purchaser a copy of Sellers insurance policies, including Sellers liability insurance policy. Said liability insurance policy is on an occurrence basis, and therefore will continue after the Closing to provide coverage for actions of Seller prior to Closing. Section 4.18 of the Disclosure Schedule details the liability claims (for avoidance of doubt, not including warranty claims from customers arising in the ordinary course of business) which have been made during the past three (3) years against Seller with respect to products provided by Seller. Risk of loss to the Real Estate and all improvements and betterments thereto prior to Closing shall remain in Seller.

4.19 Labor Controversies. There are no controversies pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened, between Seller and (i) any union or (ii) any of Sellers employees. Seller is not currently subject to (i) any threats of strikes or work stoppages, or (ii) any organizational efforts or demands for collective bargaining or any union organization. Seller is in compliance with applicable labor Laws. Seller is not party to any collective bargaining agreements.

4.20 Pension and Profit Sharing Plans; Benefits. Except as referenced on Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule, Seller has no pension or profit sharing plans which cover any of its employees. All contributions required to be made or accrued prior to the Closing Date to any such plans shall have been paid. Section 4.20 of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete list of all benefit plans and employee benefits provided by Seller to its employees including but not limited to any disability, medical, dental, workers compensation, health insurance, life insurance, vacation, benefits plans, incentive plans, fringe benefit plans and any other material plans, programs, agreements or arrangements which provide benefits to any current or former employee of Seller.

All the accrued obligations of Seller, whether arising by operation of law, by contract or by past custom, for payments by it to trust or other funds or any governmental agency with respect to unemployment compensation benefits, social security benefits or any other benefits for employees of Seller shall have been paid prior to Closing or, if due after Closing, shall be paid when due under applicable Laws, or provisions of benefit plans or policies, as the case may be [; provided, however, that it is understood Purchaser is assuming the Assumed Vacation Liability]. All benefits, and all [other] reasonably anticipated obligations of Seller, accrued on or before the Closing Date, whether arising by operation of law, by contract or by past custom, for holiday pay, bonuses or other forms of compensation or benefits which are and may become payable to employees of Seller shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of applicable Laws, benefit plans or policies, as the case may be. In no event shall Purchaser assume or be responsible for past or future obligations of Seller to any employee, including any obligations to pay salary, benefits, severance pay, vacation pay or other benefits to any employee, regardless of whether such employees are hired by Purchaser.

4.21 Taxes. Seller and Shareholder have paid or caused to be paid all federal, state, local, foreign, and other taxes, including, without limitation, income taxes, estimated taxes, excise taxes, sales taxes, use taxes, value-added taxes, gross receipts taxes, franchise taxes, employment and payroll-related taxes, withholding taxes and property taxes, and all deficiencies, or other additions to tax, interest, fines and penalties owed by it (collectively,  Taxes ), required to be paid by Seller or Shareholder through the date hereof, and will pay all Taxes required to be paid by Seller or Shareholder through the Effective Time. Seller and Shareholder have, in accordance with applicable Laws, filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed by Seller or Shareholder through the date hereof, and all such returns correctly and accurately set forth the amount of any Taxes or losses relating to the applicable period. For each taxable period of Seller ended on or after December 31, 2013, Seller has delivered to Purchaser correct and complete copies of all federal, state, local and foreign income tax returns filed by Seller, or filed by Shareholder which include results of Seller. Neither the Internal Revenue Service (the  IRS ) nor any other governmental authority is now asserting or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatening to assert against Seller or Shareholder any deficiency or claim for additional Taxes, or claim to reduce reported losses. There are no security interests on any of the assets of Seller that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Taxes, other than Permitted Liens. Except as set forth on Section 4.21 of the Disclosure Schedule, to the Knowledge of Seller, no audit of any tax return filed by Seller is in progress, and Seller has not been notified by any tax authority that any such audit is contemplated or pending.

4.22 Product Matters. Seller has provided Purchaser copies of the standard product or service warranties, indemnifications and guarantees which Seller extends to customers in the ordinary course of business. No warranties, indemnifications or guarantees are now in effect or outstanding with respect to products or services manufactured, produced or performed by Seller, except for such warranties, indemnifications and guarantees which Seller extends to customers in the ordinary course of business. Except as set forth on Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule, and except for individual warranty repairs made in the ordinary course of business where the amount involved in each such warranty claim did not exceed $2,000, since June 30, 2010, each product installed, manufactured, sold, leased or delivered by Seller: (i) has been in conformity with all applicable contractual commitments and all express and implied warranties, all of which are identified and described in Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule; and (ii) is not subject to any guaranty, warranty or other indemnity beyond the applicable standard terms and conditions of sale or lease. Section 4.22 of the Disclosure Schedule list all open and unresolved warranty claims against Seller as of the date hereof. Except for product returns, the scope and magnitude of which are consistent with the product returns experienced by Seller prior to the date hereof, the products sold by Seller prior to the date hereof and to be sold through the Effective Time do not and will not have any defects or failure rates which have given rise or will give rise to material warranty, product liability or related claims. No Person has any valid claim against Seller under any law or regulation relating to unfair competition, false advertising or other similar claims arising out of warranties, guarantees, specifications, manuals or brochures or other advertising materials, and no such claim, action or proceeding is currently pending or, to the Knowledge of Seller, threatened, against Seller.

Seller has fully and accurately disclosed its costs for its warranties to Purchaser, as well as its method of calculating such warranty costs. During the twoAA?A?year period ending on the monthAA?A?end immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, Sellers costs for warranties did not exceed one percent (1%) of its sales during said period.

4.23 Product Liability. Except as described on Section 4.23 of the Disclosure Schedule, since June 30, 2010, Seller has not received notice or information as to any claim or allegation of personal injury, death, or property or economic damages, any claim for punitive or exemplary damages, any claim for contribution or indemnification, or any claim for injunctive relief in connection with any product manufactured, sold or distributed by, or in connection with any service provided by, or based on any error or omission or negligent act in the performance of services by Seller or any of the employees of Seller. To the Knowledge of Seller: (i) no such claim is threatened and (ii) there is no basis for such a claim. Section 4.23 of the Disclosure Schedule accurately and completely describes all such claims, together in each case with the date such claim was made, the amount claimed, the disposition or status of such claim (including settlement or judgment amount), and the amount of attorneys fees incurred in connection with such claim.

4.24 Plans and Designs. Seller has and possesses in written or electronic form plans, designs, test reports, other reports, specifications and manuals (which are included in the Plans conveyed to Purchaser hereunder) which are necessary to manufacture, diagnose and repair all of the products sold by Seller and which are sufficient to enable qualified personnel, without the assistance of employees of Seller, to manufacture, diagnose and repair all of the products sold by Seller. The Plans conveyed to Purchaser hereunder include bills of material for all of Sellers current products.

4.25 Material Change. Since June 30, 2015, there has been no material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise, of Seller, the Business or the Purchased Assets, except changes occurring in the ordinary course of business, which changes have not materially adversely affected the Seller, the Purchased Assets, or the Business, properties or financial condition.

4.26 Removal of Waste. Since June 30, 2015, and at its sole expense, Seller has removed from the Premise and disposed of off the Premise in compliance with applicable Laws, all wastes, including all used paint booth exhaust filters, all used HVAC filters, inoperable lighting fixtures, all trash, and all hazardous and non-hazardous wastes, including, without limitation, old or unusable paints and chemical supplies, used paint thinner and burnt out lighting units.

4.27 Individual Sewage Treatment System. For purposes of satisfying the requirements of Minn. Stat.  115.55, Seller represents that there is no individual sewage treatment system (within the meaning of such statute) on or serving the Real Estate.

4.28 Wells. At the time of Closing, Seller will deliver any required well certificate pursuant to Minn. Stat.  103I.235, Subd. 1.

4.29 Methamphetamine Disclosure. Solely for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Minn. Stat.  152.0275, methamphetamine production has not occurred on the Real Estate.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES BY PURCHASER

Purchaser represents and warrants to Seller that the following statements are true and correct as of the date of this Agreement, and will be true and correct in all material respects on the Closing Date as if made on said date:

5.1 Organization and Standing. Purchaser is a corporation duly organized, existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Delaware. Purchaser has full power and authority to purchase the Purchased Assets as herein provided, and all board, shareholder and other proceedings necessary to be taken by Purchaser in connection with the trnasactions provided for by this Agreement and necessary to make the same effective have been duly and validly taken. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Purchaser and constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms.

5.2 No Conflict. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not (a) result in a breach of any of the terms or conditions of, or constitute a default under, any material mortgage, note, bond, indenture, agreement, license or other instrument or obligation to which Purchaser is a party or by which it or any of its properties or assets may be bound or affected, or (b) violate any material order, writ, injunction or decree of any court, administrative agency or governmental body, or (c) conflict with or result in the breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or ByAA?A?Laws of Purchaser.

5.3 Authority. Purchaser has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and all proceedings required to be taken by Purchaser in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and necessary to make the same effective have been duly and validly taken. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of Purchaser and is enforceable in accordance with its terms.

ARTICLE VI

COVENANTS OF THE PARTIES

6.3 Further Assurances. On the Closing Date, and from time to time thereafter, at the request of the other party, each party will execute and deliver to the other party all such assignments, endorsements and other documents, and take such other action as the other party may reasonably request in order more effectively to transfer and assign to Purchaser the Purchased Assets transferred to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement, to confirm the title of Purchaser thereto, to assist Purchaser in exercising its rights with respect thereto and under this Agreement and to carry out any purpose of this Agreement.

6.4 Phone Numbers and Mail. At or promptly after Closing, Seller will transfer the phone number(s) and fax telephone number(s) utilized in the Business to Purchaser to maximize the effectiveness of the transition of the Business to Purchaser. Appropriate arrangements will be made to ensure that calls and faxes made to the transferred numbers which do not relate to the purchased Business are forwarded to Seller. Seller will forward any mail (including email) which Seller receives which relates to the purchased Business to Purchaser, as promptly as practicable.

6.5 Purchaser Information for Proxy Statement. The information supplied by Purchaser pertaining to Purchaser for inclusion in the proxy statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) for the meeting of shareholders of Shareholder contemplated by Section 2.9 of this Agreement, or any other statement or schedule filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Shareholder at the date mailed to the shareholders of Shareholder and at the time of such meeting, (a) will not include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated in the proxy statement or necessary in order to make the statements in the proxy statement, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; and (b) will comply in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder. For the avoidance of doubt, no representation is made by Purchaser with respect to statements made in any such statement or schedule based on information supplied by Seller or Shareholder for inclusion in such statement or schedule.

ARTICLE VII

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

7.1 Noncompete. During the Term, as defined herein, each of Seller, Shareholder and Robert Harvey, who is the largest stockholder of Shareholder (collectively, the  Covenantors , and individually a  Covenantor ) shall not, anywhere within the Noncompete Area, as defined below, directly or indirectly, whether through an Affiliate of any of them, or otherwise, (i) own, manage, control, operate, be employed by or an agent for, participate in, or consult for or provide services to, a business which provides ground support equipment for the commercial or military aviation industries (the  Ground Support Equipment Business ). The  Term  shall be the time period commencing on the date hereof and ending five (5) years from the date hereof. The  Noncompete Area  shall mean (i) the United States, and (ii) any other country to whom Seller has sold products since December 31, 2013.

Robert Harvey is evidencing his agreement to the Restrictive Covenants set forth in this Article VII by executing this Agreement in the space provided on the signature page hereof, it being understood that by such execution he evidences only his agreement to the Restrictive Covenants as it applies to himself (the  Harvey Covenant ) and shall not otherwise have personal liability under or in connection with this Agreement.

7.2 Confidentiality. During the Term, each Covenantor shall not, directly or indirectly, through an Affiliate or otherwise, communicate, divulge or use for the benefit of anyone other than Purchaser, any Confidential Information.  Confidential Information  for the purposes of this Agreement shall mean any information that relates to the Business or the Purchased Assets and that derives value because it is not generally known or readily ascertainable. Confidential Information includes, without limitation, trade secrets, customer and payor lists, vendor lists and financial information, and information relating to such matters as manufacturing processes, repair techniques, management systems and sales or marketing techniques. This obligation shall apply with respect to any such item until such item ceases (other than due to Covenantors) to be secret or confidential.

7.3 Non-Solicitation. During the Term, each Covenantor shall not, directly or indirectly, including through an Affiliate, (i) recruit, solicit or otherwise induce any person employed by Purchaser, or any of its Affiliates, to become an employee of, or otherwise provide services to Covenantor or to any Affiliate of a Covenantor; or (ii) with respect to any Person who was a customer of the Business during the five-year period preceding the Closing Date, solicit or otherwise induce such Person for Ground Support Equipment Business.

7.4 Remedies and Scope of Enforcement; Construction. In the event of any actual or threatened breach of the provisions of Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 hereof by any Covenantor, Purchaser shall be entitled to all rights and remedies available at law or in equity, including without limitation the right to obtain damages for such breach or nonAA?A?adherence and the right to enjoin any Person in or threatening breach or nonAA?A?adherence, from commencing or continuing, and to remedy, the activities which constitute such breach or nonAA?A?adherence. Covenantors acknowledge and agree that the scope of the restrictive covenants under this Article VII and the consideration received by the Seller and the benefits received by the other Covenantors will permit enforcement of the covenants as written without resulting in a personal hardship to Seller or the other Covenantors. Covenantors further acknowledge and agree that if the scope of any of the covenants in this Article VII is deemed to be too broad, then it is the mutual intention of the parties that the adjudicating court should reduce the scope as it deems reasonable under the circumstances so as to permit enforcement of this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted under the law so that Purchaser obtains the full benefit it has negotiated for under this Agreement.

7.5 Consideration. Each of Covenantors acknowledges that it will be benefited under this Agreement, and that Covenantor is agreeing to the Covenants set forth herein in order to obtain the benefits of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

NO BROKERS OR FINDERS

Seller, Shareholder and Purchaser represent and warrant to each other that each did not directly or indirectly engage any Person to bring about the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein; and, that no Person is entitled to a brokers commission, finders fee or any similar compensation upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein. If this representation and warranty is breached by either Seller and Shareholder or Purchaser, the breaching party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party from any and all claims, demands, liabilities and obligations (and any and all expenses and costs incurred in connection with or in defending against the same), which may arise due to any third partys claim as a broker or finder.

ARTICLE IX

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT OF PURCHASER

The obligations of Purchaser hereunder are subject to the conditions that, on or before the Closing Date:

9.1 Representations and Warranties True at Closing. The representations and warranties of Seller and Shareholder contained in this Agreement or in any certificate or document delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof or in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby shall be true and correct in all respects (in the case of any representation or warranty containing any materiality qualification) or in all material respects (in the case of any representation or warranty without any materiality qualification) on and as of the Closing Date as though such representations and warranties were made at and as of such date.

9.2 Compliance with the Agreement. Seller and Shareholder shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all agreements and conditions required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Seller and Shareholder, as applicable, prior to or at the Closing Date.

9.3 Sellers Certificate. Seller shall deliver to Purchaser a certificate of an officer of Seller dated the Closing Date, certifying in such detail as Purchaser may reasonably request to the fulfillment of the conditions specified in Sections 9.1 and 9.2.

9.4 Deliveries. The documents required under Article III hereof shall be tendered by Seller and Shareholder for delivery to Purchaser at the Closing.

9.5 Injunction. On the Closing Date, there shall be no effective injunction, writ, preliminary restraining order or any order of any nature issued by a court of competent jurisdiction directing that the transactions provided for herein or any of them not be consummated as herein provided.

9.6 Casualty. Prior to and through the Closing Date, the Business and the Purchased Assets and the Premise, or any portion thereof, shall not have been adversely affected in any material way as a result of any fire, accident, flood or other casualty o
Bay of Plenty motorists are putting too many lives at risk by not wearing seat belts and texting while driving, says police.

More than 60 drivers have been issued with infringement notices following an Eastern Bay of Plenty Police campaign focusing on driver behaviour.

Fifty-three occupants of vehicles failed to wear a restraint and 10 drivers were caught driving while using a cell phone from July 4-17.

Sergeant Ray Wylie of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Road Policing group says this is a hugely disappointing result.

We know drivers who are distracted are more likely to be involved in crashes and that those who crash and are not restrained are more likely to be injured or die on our roads.

Drivers need to be aware of the very real risk that distractions present, especially talking, texting, and checking emails on mobile phones while driving. Put the phone away, says Ray.

Police also issued 158 infringement notices to drivers in breach of their graduated licence conditions during this period.

Crashes in the Eastern Bay of Plenty have increased this year compared to last year.

Too many drivers are losing control on straight roads and bends. Driving safely is the responsibility of every road user, they need to consider the risks and conditions before making decisions, says Ray.

Police will have a presence in and around schools next week as students return back from the holidays.

Motorists are asked to consider the risks around schools - this includes speed, driving to the conditions and the correct use of restraints.

Parents, whanau and caregivers should refrain from parking in and around school gates as it can create chaos when students and vehicles are negotiating the same areas.

From Monday July 25, to Sunday August 7, another campaign like this will be run in the Eastern Bay of Plenty targeting restraints, cell phones and general road safety behaviour.

Since January 2014, only one person who was unrestrained in a vehicle has been killed on Eastern Bay of Plenty roads.

This is a significant improvement but we cannot rest on our laurels.

Nationally (January  March 2016) 41 per cent of vehicle occupants killed in road crashes were unrestrained at the time of the crash.

This is 28 people whose deaths could have been prevented. Wearing a seat belt reduces your chance of death or serious injury in a crash by about 50 per cent. Seat belts save lives  its that simple.

Ray says driving requires a motorists complete attention and they need to keep control of their vehicle at the same time as maintaining an awareness of the surroundings and potential hazards.
A reporter at the scene says one man was led away from the property by officers.

Armed police officers, AOS members and a police dog unit were all utilised during this afternoons search.

EARLIER:

A report has come in of an armed police presence in Merivale this afternoon.

A caller to the 0800 SUNLIVE news hotline says members of the Armed Offenders Squad have surrounded a Hampton Terrace address in the past 30 minutes.

A reporter at the scene says a cordon has now been established around the property and police were stopping vehicles from entering the area.

SunLive will bring you more information soon.

If you have information please call 0800 SUNLIVE or email photos to newsroom@thesun.co.nz
A 3D animation of the Tauranga Northern Link and interactive displays showing possible safety improvements for State Highway 2 are going on show this month.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is hosting a series of open days this month where Western Bay locals can find out more about the Governments $520 million investment to improve safety and congestion on SH2 between Waihi and Tauranga.
It is a huge honour for us to once again welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Portsmouth, comments Sir Keith Mills, Chairman of organising body Team Origin Events.

After watching the final race of Americas Cup Portsmouth, the Duke and Duchess will head to the Race Village, where they will meet with all six teams as well as the children involved in the inspiring 1851 Trust; a maritime initiative teaching young people to sail.

We are again looking forward to seeing the huge crowds coming to Portsmouth to watch the action and support home team Land Rover BAR, continues Sir Mills.

Oracle Team USA, Emirates Team New Zealand, Groupama Team France, Softbank Team Japan, Artemis Racing and Land Rover BAR are set to face off once again after clashing in Chicago last month.

The race is set to attract scores of spectators, acting as the last chance for UK viewers to support Sir Ben Ainslies UK team Land Rover BAR in their home waters before next years Americas Cup in Bermuda.

I have been fortunate enough to be involved in many sporting events, from the London Olympic Games in 2012 to the Invictus Games," adds Sir Mills. "I never fail to be amazed by the pride and passion that great sporting events can deliver."

Spectatorship is part of the Americas Cup DNA, with the race calendar most recently showcasing the high-octane AC45 race on the waters of Chicago for all to see.

In the spirit of unparalleled spectatorship, the 2017 Americas Cup in Bermuda will be presenting the first opportunity for exclusive access and unbeatable views through the Superyacht Programme.

Delivered by BWA Yachting, this level of ringside seating has never before been seen, with complete access to every side of the historic sporting event, combined with unparalleled service from BWA Yachting and the chance to explore Bermuda in style.

We took a closer look at the America's Cup Bermuda 2017 Superyacht Programme with BWA Yachting, click here to read more.
Now on her way to Svalbard and Norway, Adeles cruising schedule includes the icy waters of the North before heading down to Central America, the Panama Canal and the South Pacific.

For a journey of this nature, the refit programme of this world-cruising yacht was nothing short of demanding.

The entire engine room was removed during the complete mechanical upgrade, combined with a complete overhaul of propulsion, generators, thrusters, climate control, batteries, lighting systems, electronics, navigation systems, paint work and a new teak deck and interior.

Being involved in the original build at Vitters meant that both [Owner Project Manager] Taco and I had in depth knowledge of Adele right down to her foundations, explains Adeles Captain Andre Engblom. This meant that together with Huisfit we had a winning combination; we brought vital past knowledge that Royal Huisman could draw on to carry Adele elegantly into her future travels

The team of experts within Huisfit has extensive experience refitting complex projects such as Adele, including Lurssen yachts Skat and EOS, including Husiman built yachts such as Hyperion and Antares.

Royal Huisman's refit division Huisfit has introduced an entirely renewed yacht to the water as she prepares for her most intrepid journey yet.
Van Buren, N.Y.  Tessy Plastics Corp. is going forward with a $31 million expansion near Baldwinsville, thanks to $13.5 million in aid from the state.

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the state will give Tessy a $10 million grant and $3.5 million in tax credits to expand its plant on State Fair Boulevard in Van Buren instead of building a new facility in South Carolina.

Hochul said South Carolina officials made the company a generous offer that included free land and help with building a new facility for the manufacture of underarm deodorant containers, a big part of Tessy's business.

"This day almost did not occur," she said, standing next to the 250,000-square-foot addition under construction at Tessy. "Tessy was heavily courted by South Carolina."

Earlier this year, Tessy, a manufacturer of plastic components for medical devices and consumer products, said it wanted to expand in Van Buren but needed state economic development incentives to offset the cost of shipping 3,000 truckloads of deodorant containers each year to the Carolinas, where its customers make the deodorant that goes into the containers.

Tessy President Roland Beck declined to provide specifics on the incentives offered to his company in South Carolina. However, he said they were even greater than those offered by New York. He said he decided to do the expansion in Van Buren because of the state's help, as well as a desire to maintain the company's long-term relationships with suppliers and contractors in New York.



Tessy employs about 1,000 people at its main manufacturing complex in Elbridge, its plant in Van Buren, and its headquarters and factory in Skaneateles. About 50 of them have been hired to staff the expansion, which should be completed in March, Beck said. An additional 50 people will be hired for the expansion, bringing the company's local employment to about 1,050, he said.

Attending the announcement Wednesday with Beck was his father, Henry, 81, who founded Tessy in 1973.

Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148
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Geddes, N.Y.--There was no weapon involved in a domestic incident that prompted a reverse 911 call Monday night warning Geddes resident that a gunman had barricaded himself in a home, police said.

An officer thought he saw a weapon at the scene, which prompted the reverse 911 call, said Geddes Police Capt. John Fall Jr.

The incident shows the heightened police awareness following the death of eight officers targeted by snipers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La. "In this day and age we're trying to be extra careful," Fall said, remarking on the abundance of caution used during Monday's incident.

Someone called Onondaga County 911 at 8:38 p.m. Monday to report an incident at 1604 W. High Terrace.

A Geddes officer responding to the call thought he saw a gun in the home or in a teen's waistband, Fall said. The boy lives in the home's basement and retreated there when police arrived, he said.

Town of Geddes residents were warned by a reverse 911 call that a barricaded gunman was in the area.

Geddes residents receive reverse 911 call for 'barricaded gunman'

The incident was contained to the home with the boy obeying officers' orders to come out with his hands up, the captain said. He was taken into custody and detained on charges unrelated to the incident, Fall said. The captain declined to identify the juvenile.

Geddes residents got a second reverse 911 call at about 10:20 p.m. stating that the incident had been resolved.

Geddes police detained the boy on larceny charges. He is accused of taking items out of a backpack, Fall said. The boy was also detained on charges from another agency that allege he took a vehicle without permission, the captain said.
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Troopers say the men pictured in this surveillance footage committed grand larceny on July 5 at Wheel-A-Way Motorsports in Volney.

(Provided)

VOLNEY, N.Y. -- Troopers have asked the public for help identifying two men suspected of stealing from an Oswego County motorcycle shop.

Two men stole from Wheel-A-Way Motorsports, located 947 S. 1st St. in Volney, on July 5, said the New York State Police. They are accused of stealing a generator, state police said.

Wheel-A-Way Motorsports sells motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, trailers and accessories.

Investigators released surveillance photographs and descriptions of the two men:

The first suspect is a heavier-set, black-haired man who is about 5 foot 10 inches tall. He wore a white tank top and gray shorts.

The second suspect is an approximately 6-foot-1-inch man with a thin build. He wore a black T-shirt and jeans.

Troopers asked anyone who recognizes the suspects to call (315) 598-2112 or (315) 366-6000.
Megyn Kelly

In this Jan. 28, 2016 photo, moderator Megyn Kelly waits for the start of the Republican presidential primary debate in Des Moines, Iowa. A lawyer for Roger Ailes is denying that the Fox News Channel chief executive sexually harassed network star Megyn Kelly. A statement on Tuesday, July 19, came amidst a swirl of contradictory reports that Ailes had been ousted as head of the influential network.

(AP Photo/Chris Carlson, File)

NEW YORK (AP) -- A lawyer for Roger Ailes denied Tuesday that the embattled Fox News Channel chief executive sexually harassed network star Megyn Kelly.

Susan Estrich's statement came amid a swirl of contradictory reports that Ailes had been ousted as head of the influential network he built from scratch, that he hadn't been ousted, and that he was negotiating a departure.

Attributing anonymous sources, New York magazine reported on Tuesday that Kelly had told investigators working for Fox News Channel parent 21st Century Fox that Ailes had sexually harassed her when she was a reporter at Fox 10 years ago.

"Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly," Estrich said. "In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him."

A former Fox anchor, Gretchen Carlson, alleged in a lawsuit that Ailes had forced her out following a meeting where he told her that "you and I should have had a sexual relationship a long time ago." The contract of Carlson, who said there was an atmosphere of harassment at Fox, was not renewed when it ended last month.

Ailes denied Carlson's charges. Since the lawsuit was filed July 6, a succession of Fox employees have come forward to publicly defend him, but they notably did not include Kelly. The prime-time host's profile increased dramatically in the past year following attacks on her by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Kelly's agent did not return a request for comment on Tuesday.

A handful of other women have come forward alleging that Ailes had pressured them for sex, their stories all predating the start of Fox News Channel in 1996. 21st Century Fox hired an outside law firm to look into allegations against Ailes and New York magazine reported on Monday that company chiefs Rupert Murdoch and his sons, James and Lachlan, had concluded that the media executive had to go.

That led to a series of stories late Tuesday that he'd been ousted, even the circulation of a document supposedly outlining an exit agreement. 21st Century Fox said that "Roger is at work. The review is ongoing. And the only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement."

At stake is an extraordinary career in media and politics. At Rupert Murdoch's behest, Ailes started a news network that catered to conservatives who felt ignored by the mainstream media. By 2002, it had eclipsed the original cable news network, CNN, in ratings and has never looked back. Fox is now dominating all of the other networks in this week's coverage of the Republican National Convention.

Fox News is a huge success financially, by some measures providing a quarter of its parent company's revenues. That had given Ailes power in some corporate scrapes he had with Rupert Murdoch's sons.

There was some evidence this campaign that Fox's influence with Republicans had been waning, since the network had gotten into battles with Trump. But in recent weeks Trump has more frequently turned to Fox as a way to reach the Republican audience he needs for election.
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Artist Julian Raven (left) holds a print of his original painting, "Unafraid and Unashamed," in Cleveland during the Republican National Convention. A Donald Trump supporter holds up a flag nearby.

(Katrina Tulloch)

CLEVELAND -- Artist Julian Raven of Elmira, N.Y. has been a mainstay among the demonstrations in Cleveland's Public Square throughout the 2016 Republican National Convention.

He's a quiet one, often silently standing near loud protests, but you can't miss him. He's the one holding a massive portrait of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The portrait isn't real -- rather, a scaled-down canvas print of his original, 8' x 16' masterpiece featuring Trump's face on its left side, and an American eagle, flag and the planet Earth on the right side. Raven titled his painting, "Unafraid and Unashamed." Raven says the original is 300 pounds and takes five men to move.

Raven calls his painting "a prophetic image" for the U.S. presidency, as well as an effort to help Trump win the election.

"I'm trying to bring the arts back to the conservative movement," said Raven. "History has been recorded by great art, murals and paintings."

Raven is visiting Cleveland this week as an alternate New York delegate. He was born in London, England, raised in Marbella, Spain and immigrated to the United States, where he resides in Elmira, N.Y. He became a U.S. citizen last year on Sept. 17, Constitution Day.

"I'm a Christian and I've always loved America," said Raven. "When I swore the Oath of Allegiance, I committed my life to serve my country and I take my oaths very seriously. I cannot sit by and watch the world burn."

Raven has campaigned for Trump for nine months. He started his painting on July 9, 2015 finished on Sept. 28.

Raven's original painting just ended a display run at Politicon, a buzzy convention of politics, art and film in Pasadena, California. It was displayed near Shepard Fairey's "Hope and Change" image of President Barack Obama, and Illma Gore's portrait of a nude Trump.

As an artist, Raven said it would be easy to "go the negative route," to create cynical, anti-Hillary Clinton work. He doesn't have interest in that.

"What does that accomplish?" Raven said. "If all you have is negativity, you have nothing else. My painting is a vision of hope, and my faith in Trump. Art and beauty can dissipate the toxicity, angst and frustration in politics."

Raven takes his canvas print into the NY delegation's daily breakfast, then carries it over the Public Square to display for hours. People in the square have approached Raven many times to talk or argue respectfully about art and politics.

"Art makes the conversation," he said. "People have come up to say, 'I hate Trump, but I love the painting.'"

At a recent breakfast for New York delegates, Raven asked former House Speaker Newt Gingrich how the GOP could help better support the arts.

"There's a terrible disconnect between the conservatives and artists," Raven said. "Gingrich understands the problem. The solution is not so easy, and I'm trying to be part of it."

Gingrich said conservatives in 1940's and 1950's used art to spread their message more than they do today.

"Liberals control the arts today," Raven said. "They're better at the arts than we are. Look how Obama used that 'Hope and Change' image. Unfortunately, a lot of conservative art is cheesy. It's a struggle. We've got to produce more powerful, impactful work."

Katrina Tulloch writes music and culture stories for Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Contact her: Email | Twitter | Facebook
medicalmisconduct.jpg

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A Baldwinsville nurse accused of removing sedatives and painkillers at a Syracuse hospital without documenting she gave them to patients has been sanctioned by the state.

In a signed consent order, Candice C. Bradshaw did not contest a professional misconduct charge of failing to maintain accurate records.

The state Education Department cited five instances in 2013 where the registered nurse was accused of withdrawing Ambien and hydrocodone pills for patients at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center without adequately documenting she administered them.

The state fined Bradshaw $500 and put her on probation for two years.

Contact James T. Mulder anytime: Email | Twitter | 315-470-2245
The Cayuga Community Fund, an affiliate fund of the Central New York Community Foundation, awarded $35,985 to 14 nonprofit organizations that serve residents of Cayuga County.

The money will help the organizations in a variety of ways from giving out personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies to the poor, buying a wheelchair accessible swingset, to helping search and rescue teams.

Cayuga Community Fund grants

Agency Money Purpose ARISE - Auburn $3,000 Pay for the continuation and expansion of the Personal Care Bank program, which provides low-income clients with access to basic necessities such as personal hygiene products and cleaning supplies Auburn Memorial Medical Services $2,000 Help purchase a RetinaVue and associated software for Auburn Regional Diabetes and Endocrinology Cayuga County Highland Search & Rescue $1,000 To purchase upgraded software and GPS units Cayuga Home for Children (Cayuga Centers) $1,997 For an accessible double wheelchair swingset to create a playground for children with special needs Cayuga/Seneca Community Action Agency $3,900 To enhance its existing Breastfeeding Support Group Community Preservation Committee $500 To help update "The History of Willard Memorial Chapel & the Auburn Theological Seminary" video Locke Volunteer Fire Department $3,388 To purchase two HeartStart defibrillator kits and storage cabinets to be installed in various buildings which are designated as Red Cross emergency evacuation shelters and are also available for community events Perform 4 Purpose $3,000 To provide equipment for seven existing and one new after school workshop for the 2016-2017 school year Southern Cayuga Anne Frank Tree Project $1,500 To provide funding for books and marketing materials to support an annual community read event St. Peter and St. John Episcopal Church $2,150 To replace an existing garbage disposal for use by its Bread of Life soup kitchen, which serves a free midday meal to community members every Saturday Transportation Project for Cayuga County $5,000 To buy two new wheelchair accessible vans to provide door-to-door transportation to senior and disabled residents of Cayuga County UCPA (E John Gavras Center) $2,250 To install an electronic door access security system, which will help the center meet its goal of obtaining an operational day care license. Unity House of Cayuga County $3,800 To purchase two adjustable beds for the Auburn Day Habilitation program Village of Aurora Historical Society $2,500 To bring the first floor of Patrick Tavern up to code for use as a three-season museum and community space

Source: Central New York Community Foundation

These grants were made possible with support from the Cayuga Community Fund, the Evelyn B. & Emery S. Osborn Fund, the Cayuga Health Association Fund and the Dr. Henry Romano Fund for Children.

The Cayuga Community Fund has granted more than $260,000 to nonprofit groups since 2010.
2016-01-04-mjg-Homeless4.JPG

A man asks for money in downtown Syracuse. Agencies seeking to help the homeless are encouraged to apply this month for up to $413,775 in federal funding.

(Michael Greenlar)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - If your agency is looking for funding to help the homeless, now is the time to ask.

The Housing and Homeless Coalition of Central New York this week put out a call for applicants seeking all or part of some $413,775 in federal funding that is up for grabs in this region.

To qualify, applicants must either be a nonprofit organization or a government agency in Onondaga, Oswego or Cayuga county. Applicants can ask for all or part of the money.

The money is to be used "to create permanent supportive housing for the chronically homeless'' or for "rapid rehousing for individuals, families, unaccompanied youth under age 24, and persons fleeing domestic violence.''

The deadline to apply is Aug. 1.

The money is part of some $8.2 million that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development made available this year in Central New York under its Continuum of Care program to fight homelessness.

The Housing and Homeless Coalition is urging new applicants to seek funding.

Application forms and more information are available at the coalition's website.

For more information, or to apply, contact

Melissa Marrone, Continuum of Care (CoC) Collaborative Applicant via email: melissa.marrone@dfa.state.ny.us.

Marrone also can be reached by phone at 315-435-2985 (ext. 7162) .

Website: http://www.hhccny.org/2016-nofa/


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WEDNESDAY'S SPECIAL EVENTS

Coffee With A Cop: McDonald's and the Martin County Sheriff's Office are hosting. 8-10 a.m. July 20. McDonald's, 15438 S.W. Warfield Blvd., Indiantown.

Commissioner Anne Scott: Hosts a town hall meeting. 5:30 p.m. July 20. Hobe Sound Community Center 8980 S.E. Olympus St., Hobe Sound.

WEDNESDAY'S RECURRING EVENTS

ARTS/CRAFTS

Alizarin Crimson Art Studio: Over 30 years of Fine Art Instruction Painting Classes-All Levels. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Cedar Pointe Plaza, 2611 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. All ages. 772-287-7030; Alizarincrimsonstudio.net. Professional Teaching Staff: Georgia Abood, Kate Wood & Jennifer Pollack.

Imaginative Drawing Class: 4:30-7:30 p.m. The Artists Nook, 43 S.E. Kindred St., Stuart. Ages: 15+. $30-$360. paradigm_shiftin@mac.com.

Rendering in Mixed Media: Learn to Draw colorfully with more than just a pencil. 7:30-10:30 p.m. The Artists Nook, 43 S.E. Kindred St., Stuart. Ages: 16+. $30-$360. paradigm_shiftin@mac.com.

Watercolor Classes: 9 a.m.-noon. Hobe Sound Fine Arts League, Winn-Dixie Plaza, Bridge Road, Hobe Sound. Register: $20. 772-341-9332.

CHILDREN/TEENS

Family Story Time: 10:30 a.m. Ages 1-3 years. Peter and Julie Cummings Library, 2551 S.W. Matheson Ave, Palm City. 772-288-2551; library.martin.fl.us.

Family Story Time: 11:30 a.m. Ages: 0-12 months. Peter and Julie Cummings Library, 2551 S.W. Matheson Ave, Palm City. 772-288-2551; library.martin.fl.us.

DANCE

Adult Summer Dance Camp: Classes and Social Parties for Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country Dance. 4-10 p.m. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Ages: 18+. $100 to $300 per month per person. Register: 609-356-2973; gloriana@jensenbeachballroom.com.

Ballroom Dancing: 4-5 p.m. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $8/$10. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Broadway Style Tap Dance Classes: 10 a.m. Dance Academy of Stuart, 333 Tressler Drive, Stuart. 772-286-9671; rbetteboo@aol.com.

Dance Classes: Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country and Club group and private classes. 1-9 p.m. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Discounts available. Register: 609-356-2973; www.JensenBeachBallroom.com.

Dancing and Karoke: Music and Dancing at the Elks with Permanent Affair, open membership night. 6-10 p.m. Stuart-Jensen Elks Lodge 1870, 1001 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart. Ages: 21. 772-287-0277; elks1870@bellsouth.net.

Group Dance Lessons: Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country. 6 p.m. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. $10 per person. 609-356-2973; jensenbeachballroom.com.

EXERCISE/health

Aerobic Sitting Exercises: 9-10 a.m. MCP& R Log Cabin Senior Center, Langford Park, 2369 N.E. Dixie Highway, Jensen Beach. Ages: 50+. $2. 772-334-2926; zcarter@martin.fl.us.

Yoga: For caregivers, family, cancer survivors hosted by How Big is Your Brave. 6-7 p.m. 2026 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. Reservation: www.howbigisyourbrave.org/programs.

Zumba Gold: 9-10 a.m. Kane Center, 900 S.E Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $4/$6. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

OTHER

Citizenship Class: Free citizenship application assistance and preparation for the citizenship test. 6-8 p.m. Robert Morgade Library, 5851 S.E. Community Drive, Stuart. 772-463-3245; library.martin.fl.us.

Life Skills Discussion Group: Have you got something you would like to discuss? 1-3 p.m. MCP&R Log Cabin Senior Center at Langford Park, 2369 N.E. Dixie Highway, Jensen Beach. Multigenerational. $2. 772-334-2926; zcarter@martin.fl.us.

Lighthouse Sunset Tour: View the spectacular sunset atop the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Time varies by sunset. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, 500 Captain Armour's Way, Jupiter. Children must be at least 48" to climb. $20 or $15 for Members. Reservation: 561-7478380; www.jupiterlighthouse.org.

Martin County Chapter of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida Meeting: 6:30 p.m. Democratic Executive Committee of Martin County, 948 S.E. Central Parkway, Stuart. 772-221-0405.

Treasure Coast Photography Group: A group of photography enthusiasts. 7 p.m. Conquistador Clubhouse, 1800 S.E. St. Lucie Blvd., Stuart. $40 annually. RSVP: 772-834-9337; jeff_kaplan_47@yahoo.com.

THURSDAY'S SPECIAL EVENTS

Coffee With A Cop: McDonald's and the Martin County Sheriff's Office are hosting. 8-10 a.m. July 21. McDonald's, 5960 S.E. U.S. 1/ Cove Road, Stuart.

Sea Turtle Walks: Learn about these endangered reptiles and experience a female Loggerhead Sea Turtle lay eggs. $5. Nighttime walks. July 21, 22. Reservations: 772-546-2067; www.hobesoundnaturecenter.com.

Martin County Commission Candidate Forum: Candidate Forum for Martin County Commission focus on environment, river. 6:30-7:45 p.m. July 21. Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart. 772-286-9845; savemartincounty.org.

LUAU: Fire Twirling, Refreshing adult beverages, delicious food & amazing raffles. 7-9 p.m. July 21. The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast, 1707 N.E. Glentry Ave., Jensen Beach. Ages: 21+. $25. Ticket: 772-225-7575; www.ChildrensMuseumTC.org.

THURSDAY'S RECURRING EVENTS

Art/Crafts

Alizarin Crimson Art Studio: Over 30 years of Fine Art Instruction Painting Classes-All Levels. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Cedar Pointe Plaza, 2611 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. All ages. 772-287-7030; Alizarincrimsonstudio.net. Professional Teaching Staff: Georgia Abood, Kate Wood & Jennifer Pollack.

Imaginative Drawing Class: 4:30-7:30 p.m. The Artists Nook, 43 S.E. Kindred St., Stuart. Ages: 15+. $30-$360. paradigm_shiftin@mac.com.

Rendering in Mixed Media: Learn to Draw colorfully with more than just a pencil. 7:30-10:30 p.m. The Artists Nook, 43 S.E. Kindred St., Stuart. Ages: 16+. $30-$360. paradigm_shiftin@mac.com.

Watercolor Classes: Class taught by two award winning area artists. 1-3 p.m. MCP&R Log Cabin Senior Center, Langford Park, 2369 N.E. Dixie Highway, Jensen Beach. Multigenerational. $15. 772-334-2926; zcarter@martin.fl.us.

CHILDREN/TEENS

"Music & Movement": Parent/child classes designed to enhance child's growth and development. Ages: 27-60 months. 9:30-10:30 a.m. The Children's Museum, 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach. 772-225-7575.

"Music & Movement": Parent/child classes designed to enhance child's growth and development. Siblings. 10:45-11:45 a.m. The Children's Museum, 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach. 772-225-7575.

"Music & Movement": Parent/child classes designed to enhance child's growth and development. Ages: 3-11 months. Noon-1 p.m. The Children's Museum, 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach. 772-225-7575.

"Music & Movement": Parent/child classes designed to enhance child's growth and development. Ages: 12-18 months. 1:15-2:15 p.m. The Children's Museum, 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach. 772-225-7575.

CLUBS

Hobe Sound Port Salerno Rotary Club: 5:45-7 p.m. Pirates Cove Resort, 4307 S.E. Bayview St., Stuart. Ages: 22+. A la carte snacks, drinks meals. 775-263-0529; HSPSRotaryclub.com.

DANCE

Adult Summer Dance Camp: Classes and Social Parties for Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country Dance. 4-10 p.m. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Ages: 18+. $100 to $300 per month per person. Register: 609-356-2973; gloriana@jensenbeachballroom.com.

Belly Dance with Helia: A complete workout. 5:45 p.m. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Ages: 14+. $11-$45. 772-460-7971; www.movingharmonies.com.

Dance Classes: Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country and Club group and private classes. 1-9 p.m. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Discounts available. Register: 609-356-2973; www.JensenBeachBallroom.com.

Group Dance Lessons: Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Country. 6 p.m. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. $10 per person. 609-356-2973; jensenbeachballroom.com.

EXERCISE/HEALTH

Basic Yoga for Inner Peace: One hour of yoga poses and half-hour of guided meditation. 10-11:30 a.m. Unity of Stuart, 211 S.E. Central Parkway, Stuart. Adults. $10. Register: 772-214-0892; www.unityofstuart.org.

Gentle Chair Yoga: Gentle Chair Yoga. 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Kane Center, 900 S.E Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 55+. $8/$10. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Hip Pop Fitness: Dance your way to fitness. River Walk Center, 600 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce. 6:30 p.m. Ages: 18+. 772-224-4506; chrystalismoments16@gmail.com.

Senior Fitness: 1-2 p.m. Class using weights, balls & stretch bands. Kane Senior Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 55+. $4-$6. 772-223-7807; www.kanecenter.org.

Tai Chi for Arthritis: 10-11 a.m. April 21. Kane Center, 900 S.E Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 60+. $8/$10. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Total Body Workout: 4-5 p.m. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $4/$6. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Zumba Gold: 5:30-6:30 p.m. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $4/$6. 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

OTHER

Piano Instruction: Beginners to concert level. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Shirley Heifetz, Jensen Beach. Ages: 8+. Registration: 772-934-6812.

LOOKING AHEAD

Coffee With A Cop: McDonald's and the Martin County Sheriff's Office are hosting. 8-10 a.m. July 22. McDonald's, 11671 S.E. U.S. 1, Hobe Sound.

Luau Night: Dance Social and Potluck Dinner. 7-10 p.m. July 22. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. $12. 772-444-7003; Gloriana@jensenbeachballroom.com.

Back To School Supply Drive: Helping local families through back to school supply drive. Thru July 22. Florida Living Realty, 8942 S.E. Bridge Road, Hobe Sound. 772-546-7006; www.floridalivingrealty.com.

Salsa Workshop: 6-7:30 p.m. July 23. Jensen Beach Ballroom, 881 N.E. Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Ages: 15+. $12-$15. Register: 772-444-7003; gloriana@jensenbeachballroom.com.

Make the Most of Your Doctor's Appointment: Make the Most of Your Doctor's Appointment. 10:30 a.m. July 25. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 60+. RSVP: 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Let's Get Crafty: Coloring for adults, use your own materials or ours. 3 p.m. July 25. Robert Morgade Library, 5851 S.E. Community Drive, Stuart. 772-463-3245; www.library.martin.fl.us.

Stop the Financial Insanity Course: Michael Burleigh, financial expert will teach the course. 6-7:30 p.m. July 26. Indian River State College, Wolf High-tech Center, 2400 Salerno Road, Building C, Room C102, Stuart. Reservation: 888-710-1002; www.peakcapital.fixedincomecounsel.com.

Coffee With A Cop: McDonald's and the Martin County Sheriff's Office are hosting. 8-10 a.m. July 27. Jensen Beach McDonald's, 3546 N.W. U.S. 1, Jensen Beach.

Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Education: 2:30-4 p.m. July 27. Mayes Center Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 S.E. Indian St., Stuart. 800-272-3900; dtrue@alz.org.

Candidate Forum: Mix & Mingle with Congressional and State Representative Candidates. 5:30-7 p.m. July 27. Location TBA. $10 per person, includes 2 drink tickets and light hors d'oeuvres. RSVP required: www.hobesound.org.

"Rockin' 4 The Waters": A benefit concert for the organizations working for the betterment of our ocean, our marine life, our beaches, and our people. Special Acoustic Performances by Jasin O'Neil Todd of Shinedown fame. Through music we will add our voices to help carry the message, SAVE OUR WATERWAYS. There will be a silent auction. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. July 27. The Stillery, 2196 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. $7 at the door. Portion of proceeds will be donated to 2 nonprofit organizations working for the waterways.

Coffee With A Cop: McDonald's and the Martin County Sheriff's Office are hosting. 8-10 a.m. July 28. McDonald's, 2900 S.W. Martin Downs Blvd., Palm City.

What's In Our Wetland?: Program exploring the preserve area. 10:30 a.m. July 29. Peter & Julie Cummings Library, 2551 S.W. Matheson Ave., Palm City. 772-288-2551; www.library.martin.fl.us.

The Jiggleman Show: The Jiggleman show is high-energy and fun for all ages. 3 p.m. July 29. Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart.

Dog Foster/Adoption Showcase: Foster or adopt; dogs of all sizes ready for love. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 30. Pet Supermarket, 2595 S.E. U.S. 1, Stuart. 772-203-7485; nalasrescue.org.

Sensory Friendly Day: 10 a.m.-Noon. July 31. The Children's Museum, 1707 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach. 772-225-7575.

AUGUST

Bankruptcy and Fair Debt Collections  Know Your Rights: Clinics on Bankruptcy and Fair Debt Collections. 6 p.m. Aug. 1, Sept. 6, Oct. 4, Nov. 7, Dec. 5. Port St. Lucie Civic Center, 9221 S.E. Civic Center Place, Port St. Lucie. Register: 772-466-4766; www.FRLS.org.

Line Dancing: 5-6 p.m. Aug. 3. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $30/$36. Register: 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Photography Class: Photography Class. Noon-1 p.m. Aug. 4. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 21+. $90-$100. Register: 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Writing Artist Statements, Bios and More: Part of Arts Council Summer Series for Artists. 9:30 a.m.-noon Aug. 5. Court House Cultural Center, 80 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. $20 for Arts Council members; $25 for nonmembers. Reservation: 772-287-6676; www.martinarts.org.

Dinner/Dance Fundraiser: Dinner/Dance Fundraiser for Adult Day Program. 5-7 p.m. Aug. 5. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. $12. Ticket: 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Great Back Pack Give Away: Free fully stocked back packs for children K-8. 8-11 a.m. Aug. 6. St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5150 S.E. Railway Ave. Cove Road A1A, Port Salerno.

Back-to-School Bash: Noon-4 p.m. Aug. 6. Treasure Coast Square, 3174 N.W. U.S. 1, Jensen Beach.

Pup Crawl: Begins at Spoto's and then heads to Sneaki Tiki, Crafted Keg and then ends at Terra Fermata; dogs must remain on lead. 5:30 p.m. Aug. 6. Spoto's Oyster Bar, 131 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart. $20. Ages: 21. Benefits the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast. 772- 600-3211.

2nd Annual Pup Crawl: Pup Crawl to benefit HSTC Shelter Pets. 5:30-10 p.m. Aug. 6. Downtown Stuart starting at Spoto's Oyster Bar, 131 S.W. Flagler Ave., Stuart. Ages: 21+. $20 per person. Ticket: 772-600-3211; czanetti@hstc1.org.

Biologist Beach Walk: Public insight into LMC's research department. 6:45-8:30 a.m. Aug. 8.-Sept. 30. Loggerhead Marinelife Center, 14200 U.S. 1 Juno Beach. Ages: 8+. $12. Ticket: 561-627-8280; www.marinelife.org/beachwalk.

Backpack & School Supplies Distribution: Free Backpacks and School Supplies. Noon-2 p.m. Aug. 10. The Salvation Army of Martin County, 821 S.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Stuart. Grades: K-8. 772-288-1471; Maria.McGowan@uss.salvationarmy.org.

Jazz Dance Class: 1-2 p.m. Aug. 10. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 50+. $30/$35. Register: 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Coffee With A Cop: McDonald's and the Martin County Sheriff's Office are hosting. 8-10 a.m. Aug. 11. McDonald's, 3600 S.W. U.S. 1, Wedgewood Commons, Stuart.

Tales from the Archives: Learn historical research & new findings from our Museum's collection. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 17. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, 500 Captain Armour's Way, Jupiter. RSVP: 561-7478380; www.jupiterlighthouse.org.

Estate & Long-Term Care Planning: Estate & Long-Term Care Planning. 3 p.m. Aug. 18. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 60+. RSVP: 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.

Furry Friends Adoption, Clinic & Ranch: Hang 20 Surf Dog Classic Pre-party and fundraiser. 5 p.m. Aug. 18. Guanabanas Waterfront Restaurant, 60 N. Highway A1A, Jupiter. Donation. RSVP: 561-737-5311; www.furryfriendsadoption.org.

Lighthouse Moonrise Tour: View the Full Moon from atop the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. 7:15 p.m. Aug. 18. Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum, 500 Captain Armour's Way, Jupiter. Children must be at least 48" to climb tower. $20 or $15 for Members. Reservation: 561-747-8380; www.jupiterlighthouse.org.

Beach 2 Beach 5k: Run/walk to benefit South Fork High's cross country team. 6:45 p.m. Aug. 19. Jensen Sea Turtle Beach, 4191 N.E. Ocean Blvd., Jensen Beach. $18-$25. Register: 772-521-3548; www.active.com/jensen-beach-fl/running/distance-running-races/beach-to-beach-5k-2016?int.

Hearts at Home: Hearts at Home, Congestive Heart Failure-Focused Care. 10:30 a.m. Aug. 22. Kane Center, 900 S.E. Salerno Road, Stuart. Ages: 60+. RSVP: 772-223-7800; www.kanecenter.org.
The Islamic Center of Fort Pierce is seen before afternoon prayers Monday, June 13, on West Midway Road in Fort Pierce. Omar Mateen, the gunman who was responsible for the deaths of 49 people at an Orlando nightclub, last attended the mosque to pray the night before the shooting. (XAVIER MASCARENAS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)

By Will Greenlee and Melissa E. Holsman of TCPalm

Sheriff's Office investigators say they have the evidence needed to lodge a more severe felony battery charge against a man who was arrested after beating a congregant at a Fort Pierce mosque, which could increase his punishment if he's convicted, according to records released Tuesday.

Port St. Lucie resident Taylor Anthony Mazzanti, 25, is accused of attacking a member of the Islamic Center of Fort Pierce early July 2 in its parking lot, and then yelling at him to "go back to your country." St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office deputies found the victim, who said he had been praying in the mosque earlier, bleeding from the mouth, according to Sheriff's reports. The man told deputies he was punched in the face and head several times. Mazzanti was charged with felony battery.

Prosecutors can upgrade a misdemeanor or felony charge if the offense was committed "on the property of a religious institution while the victim is on the property for the purpose of participating in or attending a religious service."

Florida law also allows enhanced charges if there's evidence the crime was committed based on the race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or national origin.

Investigators found it significant the victim was wearing his religious clothing at the time of the battery.

"The religious clothing was a long white shirt that goes down below the victim's knees and  is not common clothing worn by the majority of citizens of St. Lucie County. (It) indicates the victim is different in religion, possible ancestry and possible ethnicity," according to the report.

Detectives said Mazzanti's telling the victim to return to his country also is significant.

"This statement indicates the suspect saw the victim as different and not belonging in this community or country," investigators wrote.

The Islamic Center of Fort Pierce has been in the national spotlight since the June 12 mass shooting at the Orlando gay nightclub Pulse. The shooter, Omar Mateen, who lived in Fort Pierce, worshipped at the mosque and had been there the night before the shooting. The center had hired extra security about 10 days after the shooting when some members said they felt they were being harassed.

Assistant State Attorney Bruce Harrison, who supervises the St. Lucie County State Attorney's Office, said prosecutors will review the case July 22 to determine what charges to file.

"We plan to investigate it fully and charge (Mazzanti) with what our evidence will support," Harrison said. "Once we've heard all the evidence and evaluated it, we'll make a filing decision based on what he did and what his motivation was and the Florida statutes and what we can prove."

The documents release Tuesday gave a detailed account of what happened July 2:

The victim said he left the mosque about 11:30 p.m. on July 1, went home to get some clothes, then went to a friend's home where he showered and changed. He said he returned about 3 a.m. and realized had he locked his keys in his vehicle.

Another man, identified as Abdul Rauf Khan, offered help. Kahn took the man to a friend's house, where they got a clothes hanger. They returned to the mosque and the man tried to open his vehicle. He said Kahn offered to stay, but the man told Khan to go inside because he had already took up too much of his time.

After Khan went inside, a vehicle pulled up and parked for 2 to 3 minutes. A man got out of the vehicle and approached the victim, saying "Hey, yo, I need to see some I.D." The victim said he couldn't show identification because everything was locked in the vehicle. He also said the man smelled of alcohol.

The victim said he was concerned because he was wearing his galabiyya, or what the report describes as religious clothing, to pray, and he was in front of the mosque. He said the man starting cursing, and told him go to his country, (pray) somewhere else, pray in his country. Then the man attacked the victim, punching him in the face and head.

According to the Sheriff's Office report, Khan gave detectives varying eyewitness accounts and an investigator believed he was being deceptive.

Video provided by the mosque showed Khan was not present in the video during the attack. Detectives said they were led to believe he was with the victim when the attack happened. Statements by the victim and Mazzanti were similar and supported the actions on the video.

According to the report, detectives said Khan appeared to have a motive to invoke anger within the Muslim community and Islamic religion.

Sheriff's spokesman Deputy Brian Beaty said Tuesday detectives have no plan to charge Khan with making a false statement to law enforcement.
Algae at Central Marine in Stuart on July 10, 2016. Water quality and the health of the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon is a hot topic this political season as two Treasure Coast counties battle blue-green algae blooms. (FILE PHOTO)

SHARE Ritch Workman Debbie Mayfield

By Melissa E. Holsman of TCPalm

VERO BEACH  Stuart's toxic algae crisis hasn't reached Vero Beach waters, but it's prompting state Senate candidates who want to represent the area to tell voters what they'll do to help restore Treasure Coast rivers and beaches.

Three Republicans campaigning for the District 17 seat  state Reps. Debbie Mayfield and Ritch Workman and Mike Thomas  agree part of their job would be to champion solutions to stop filthy Lake Okeechobee discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers that have triggered algae blooms and attracted national headlines.

The trio differs on what the state should do to halt lake releases and how best to store, treat and move more water to the Everglades.

With $1.1 million in donations, Workman is the race's top cash collector. Contributions to his campaign and Brooksville-based Citizens United for Liberty and Freedom PAC are nearly double Mayfield's $524,303, which includes $400,000 of her own money, according to state division of election reports. Thomas trails with $22,465, including $2,600 of his own money.

Whoever wins the Aug. 30 GOP primary will face Democrat Amy Tidd in the Nov. 8 general election, as well as write-in candidate Ronald Thomas, whose name won't appear on the ballot.

The district represents all of Indian River County and half of Brevard County.

"CRUTCH TO US"

During a July 1 candidates meeting with Treasure Coast Newspapers' editorial review board, Workman had harsh words for the federal agency that controls when and how much water is released from Lake Okeechobee.

"I think it's either time to sue the (U.S. Army) Corps of Engineers or kick them out of the state. They are polluting our system and ... they've been a crutch to us, to the state for a long time," Workman said to board members. "Five years ago, I'd have said 'our hands are tied with the corps; it's their job," he added. "But now they're killing our lagoon, and ... we have to force their hand or quite frankly, take over the job. And as a sovereign state we have that right."

Workman in a later email said he's not convinced the corps "is as committed to resolving this problem as we are here in Florida."

He touted the state's water farming initiatives, but he offered conditional support for buying land south of the lake to reconnect the Everglades.

"Along with holding water after it leaves the lake, we need to be equally concerned about keeping nutrient-loaded water out of the lake from the north, east, and west," Workman said via email. "I support using Amendment 1 dollars for the purchase of land from a willing seller and for the maintenance of already and future purchased lands."

FIVE-YEAR PLAN

Mayfield accompanied Sen. Marco Rubio to Stuart July 1 to see the algae clogging canals and rivers, and later that day suggested the crisis with the Indian River Lagoon could be handled the same as a state transportation project.

"We should view our lagoon as a highway," she said. "We should be prioritizing, putting together a five-year plan just like we do our road projects ... and it's funded for that five-year period."

Mayfield backs using Amendment 1 money to pay for lagoon restoration, she said via email in a follow-up interview. But she didn't echo the urgency to "buy the land" voiced by a growing number of elected officials.

"I believe the expectation of the voters who voted yes on Amendment 1 was that this money would be used to improve water quality throughout the state and especially the Everglades," she wrote. "Here on the Treasure Coast, the No. 1 restoration priority right now is improving water quality and combating algae in the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. We should do everything that we can that science shows will help solve the problem, including more storage throughout the system which would include land north and south of Lake Okeechobee."

POLITICAL WILL

Thomas, a 30-year physician assistant, said the ecological disasters in the region's waterways is pushing elected officials to act.

"With the fish kills and the algae blooms to the north of us and now the blue-green algae bloom to the south of us and bringing all this attention countrywide, it will be much easier to drive through the things we need to get," he said July 1. "Especially with politicians because their constituents are holding their feet to the fire if they don't get the job done."

Thomas also expressed limited support for acquiring land south of the lake.

"We should not attempt to purchase any more land than the absolute minimum required to ease the effluent discharge load along the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee waterways," Thomas noted in an email. "Furthermore, I believe there are water farming opportunities in other areas besides those that have been discussed."

_______

MORE ON DISTRICT 17 CANDIDATES
Former candidate and Florida governor Jeb Bush has refused to endorse eventual Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. (ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO)

SHARE

By Ledyard King, USA TODAY

CLEVELAND  Jeb Bush's public decision not to endorse Donald Trump is threatening to tarnish the legacy of one of Florida's most revered Republican figures.

Prominent Florida GOP activists attending the Republican National Convention in Cleveland are expressing disappointment, even disgust, that the former Florida governor has declined to board the Trump train, breaking his earlier pledge to support the party's eventual nominee.

Bill Paterson, chairman of the St. Lucie County Republican Party, called Bush's continued public opposition to Trump "a shame" that will be difficult for many to forgive.

"He welshed on a promise that he made and that's never a good sign," said Paterson, noting that county GOP leaders throughout the state have endorsed Trump. "We're Republicans. We keep our word."

When the former Florida governor entered the race for president last year, much of the state's GOP establishment rallied behind him, extolling his record in near-reverential tones. But Bush bowed out in February after a lackluster showing. Meanwhile Trump, who had mocked Bush as "low energy," steamrolled to the nomination on Tuesday.

Initially, many Florida Republicans were reluctant to support the brash billionaire, who had derided both Bush and another favorite son  U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. But when Bush broke his promise to support the eventual nominee, party activists privately seethed, perceiving a threat to the GOP's chances of winning the White House and of keeping control of Congress.

"Jeb is an extreme disappointment," said Charlotte County GOP chairman Bill Folchi. "He has lost my support now and in the future. We worked hard for him. He just didn't have what our voters wanted."

Bush reiterated his opposition to Trump in an interview last week on MSNBC.

"Donald Trump is barely a Republican. He's certainly not a conservative," he said. "I can't vote for Donald Trump and I can't vote for (presumptive Democratic nominee) Hillary Clinton. It breaks my heart."

Bush isn't alone. The 2012 GOP nominee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, as well as former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, are among those who defiantly won't back Trump.

Rubio has endorsed Trump, but has made it clear he disagrees with him on key issues, such as immigration and foreign policy.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller, the Pensacola-area congressman who backed Bush before pivoting to Trump, said he's "very disappointed" the former governor won't endorse the real estate mogul.

"I had said for a year that whoever the nominee was, thinking it was going to be Bush, that everybody needed to be prepared to coalesce around our candidate," Miller said. "And it's disappointing to me that Jeb will not get behind the nominee."

Some party activists at the GOP convention view Bush less harshly.

State Sens. Joe Negron, who represents the Treasure Coast, and Lizbeth Benacquisto, who represents Southwest Florida  both of whom were Bush backers  declined to second-guess the former governor.

"We're all here to celebrate being Republicans and pushing forward with a very conservative agenda and winning in November," Benacquisto said. "What each individual chooses to do is a very personal matter. He wants the best for our country and he will always work from that angle."

Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida, said Florida's voters might not share the disdain for Bush expressed by party activists.

"I think a lot of people here are in the moment and their overriding desire is to leave (the convention) united," she said. "But does it upset a lot of Floridians? No. They just understand that (Bush) lost and his family is not on board with Trump. And let's face it: some Republicans back home are not on board either."
The guardhouse at the stalled Bristol Bay development is seen past barriers blocking access to its unused streets May 16, 2016, east of U.S. 1 and south of County Road 510 in Wabasso. (XAVIER MASCARENAS/TREASURE COAST NEWSPAPERS)

By Nicole Rodriguez of TCPalm

Peppered across the Treasure Coast are at least two dozen communities comprising more than 2,600 acres where development never wholly materialized. Many are like deserted ghost towns, visible remains of the boom years in the form of just a few completed homes, sometimes no homes at all or nothing more than partially built community entrances.

Some are vast, abandoned tracts of neglected grounds with weeds peeking through the cracks of weathered cobblestone. Others neared completion, but froze in time when the housing bubble burst nearly a decade ago. They share a cause of death: The Great Recession.

TYPICAL GHOST COMMUNITY

A classic case of a community left in limbo is Michael Creek, a development at the east end of the Wabasso Causeway in Indian River County. Initially approved in 2005, it was to be 60 luxury waterfront homes on 24 acres on the Indian River Lagoon. Developers in 2008 said they planned to aggressively market the properties to baby boomers in South Florida and northern states, despite a slump in the housing market.

Construction started in early 2007 but by late 2009 it was stopped, said the project's one-time engineer, Joseph Schulke of Vero Beach-based Schulke, Bittle and Stoddard.

Now the community is nothing more than a network of cracked, unfinished streets; concrete paths that lead to nowhere; and overgrown vegetation cordoned off from the main road by a plastic fence and rusty padlock.

At least 10 other developments in Indian River County suffered a fate similar to Michael Creek's, records show.

"The story on a lot of projects is at the peak of the market, people were still buying land," Schulke said. "They paid a lot for the land, paid for all the entitlement work, paid for the construction and then the recession came and you couldn't get the type of money needed per lot. It's pretty simple."

The project's developer could not be reached for comment.

HARDEST HIT

Economists generally agree the recession lasted from December 2007 to June 2009. Some predicted in 2005 the real estate boom would come to a screeching halt and the bursting bubble would mean the loss of 5 million to 6.3 million jobs.

It was late 2005 when the recession started to hit South Florida and the Treasure Coast, said Brad Hunter, chief economist for HomeAdvisor  a nationwide company that matches people with professionals who do home improvement and construction work.

"By 2006, it was a whole different ballgame," he said. "Instead of builders raising prices, builders were offering incentives, and the incentives started getting bigger and bigger and bigger as they were trying to jump-start sales that had fallen completely flat. Sales fell for Treasure Coast builders by 90 percent."

Port St. Lucie, the nation's second-hardest-hit market behind Las Vegas, was billed as a place where buyers could purchase the same home as in Palm Beach County and for $60,000 less, Hunter said. That drove development north to St. Lucie County, some into Indian River County yet very little in notoriously slow-growth Martin County, Hunter said.

"St. Lucie was a bubble  a big one  and when it popped, it was devastating," he remembered. "There were builders that went out of business, never to return."

Port St. Lucie officials acknowledged the city was "the epicenter for the boom and bust," but declined to comment further. There are at least five ghost communities in St. Lucie County. Four, comprising nearly 600 acres, are in Port St. Lucie, records show.

Victoria Parc in Tradition, approved in 2004 as 222 single-family and 222 multifamily homes, still is just a sea of green sewer hookups. Visconti on Westmoreland Boulevard, approved in 2001, consists of just four homes and a partially built gate. Visconti and its partner ghost community across the street, Ravello, together called for 336 homes, city records show.

WHO LIVES THERE?

According to Hunter, the economist, these unsightly communities drive down property values of surrounding neighborhoods.

"(The blight) requires that the builders provide homes that are so attractively priced that people are willing to overlook (the blight), especially if those buyers can buy into the narrative that sooner or later, that blight will go away and their neighborhood will actually go up in value," Hunter said.

Jalisia Taylor rents a three-bedroom town home in the Waterstone development off Indrio Road in St. Lucie County. Out front, its sign is obscured by tree branches, weeds and overgrown grass. Likewise, the guardhouse sits empty, glass windows shattered and covered by trees branches and weeds that cling to the structure like moss.

The 240-acre development, approved in 2006, was to be 720-units: 544 single-family homes and 176 multifamily homes, according to St. Lucie County.

Only four town homes were built, one of which is Taylor's.

"That's been broken for over a year now," Taylor said, gesturing toward the broken window on the unmanned guard house.

Waterstone is a peaceful community, but the overgrowth needs to be manicured, Taylor said. She pointed off into the distance, where the promised clubhouse never was built.

She's worried by the lack of security.

"People just pull up whenever they want," she said, and law enforcement rarely patrols the area.

SIGNS OF LIFE

Hunter shuns the term "ghost developments." Instead, he prefers "zombie communities."

"They're the walking dead, but sooner or later, the dead come back to life," Hunter said. "And now it's finally starting to happen."

For some ghost communities and unfinished developments stifled by the recession, there are signs of life, such as structural skeletons beginning to rise and the nostalgic sound of heavy equipment once again filling the air.

EcoVillage at River Place and Pine Trace, both in Port St. Lucie, are feeling a pulse again. Pine Trace, a planned 126-home community on nearly 40 acres and first approved in 2005, is adding 122 homes to just four existing homes.

"KB Home actively monitors the market to assess the local demand for new homes and determines the best time to activate a new community," spokeswoman Cara Kane said. "We are encouraged by the increased demand across our footprint."

EcoVillage earlier this year broke ground on the first of 23 buildings. The 18-acre development, approved in 2005, will have 118 two- and three-bedroom town homes priced at $169,000- $209,000, developers said.

In Indian River County, Bent Pine Preserve, a 79-acre, 139-home community first approved in 2005; and Orchard Park, a 36-acre, 73-home community approved in 2004, are seeing signs of life, officials said.

Frank Wacha, a Realtor and developer of part of the Avonlea Commerce Park in Martin County, this year plans to revive construction on the incomplete commercial and residential project, he said.

Martin County is a different case than St. Lucie and Indian River counties, where residential development came to a crash. Commercial plazas were struck by the recession in Martin County, where most residents and lawmakers are proud of its slow-growth approach to development, county records show.

Wacha's 49-acre development stalled in 2007.

"There was virtually no development or commercial money available. Nobody was lending. The banks were going under  so, consequently, if you were partially into a project, the money that you had counted on no longer was available," Wacha said. Even staying current on property taxes was a challenge during the bust, he said.

The existing commerce park consists of 23,700 square feet of mixed-use space. Wacha plans to break ground on his own home on the property by August, then start on more commercial buildings, he said.
Silver Alert issued for Port St. Lucie man July 20, 2016.

SHARE George W. Vogeley Jr.,

By Staff Report

BREAKING NEWS: The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office located George Vogeley at a business on Belvedere Road about 9:50 a.m. Wednesday.

He was reportedly found in good health and law enforcement is working to reunite him with his family.

EARLIER STORY

The Port St. Lucie Police Department is asking for the community's help to find George W. Vogeley Jr., 95, of Port St. Lucie.

Vogeley was last seen at his home in the 1600 block of Southeast Higdon Court at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Port St. Lucie Police said Vogeley's son went to the home Tuesday and found his father not at home and the car missing. There were no signs of foul play and it appeared Vogeley had left his house in his car.

Vogeley is described as a white male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing approximately 170 pounds, short cropped gray hair and brown eyes. He is believed to be wearing green or tan shorts, white T-shirt, brown moccasins and glasses. Police said Vogeley suffers from diabetes. He may be driving a tan 2001 Chrysler 300M bearing Florida tag L76-6AU.

Anyone with information could call 911 or the Port St. Lucie Police Department at 772-871-5001.
SHARE PHOTOS BY FRAN FOSTER Children were delighted when the baby kangaroo popped his head out of his 'pouch.' Photos by Fran Foster Willow the anteater enjoys some baby food while people of all ages enjoyed the Extreme Animal presentation at the main county library in Vero Beach How do you get Rafiki, a black and white ruffed lemur, to sit quietly? You give him a lollilop. Shyann & Rhonda Gilbert enjoyed meeting the animals as much as the children at the Extreme Animals demonstration.

By Fran Foster, The Newsweekly

There were no lions, tigers or bears, but the crowd that packed the Indian River County Main Library saw plenty  and with wide-eyed amazement.

The county library system has teamed up with Extreme Animals of Florida to provide interactive, educational presentations of unique  sometimes scary  animals. The objective is to increase people's understanding of the creatures of our planet.

Some members of the large crowd in Vero even got up-close introductions, included petting these exotic animals.

Michelle Wallenstein, Extreme Animals' manager and lead handler, informed everyone about her furry, scaly friends: Fred the red-tailed boa constrictor; Jasmine the chinchilla; Rosie the rose-haired tarantula; Willow the tamandua (a type of anteater); Rafiki the black and white ruffed lemur; Blueberry the blue-tongued skink; Diego the fennec fox; and Sven the red kangaroo.

"We tend to fear the unknown," Wallenstein explained to the audience. "Extreme Animals of Florida hopes that educating people of all ages about the animals will eliminate that fear, and bring awareness and appreciation."

After working as a zookeeper for over a decade, as well as a certified vet assistant, Wallenstein left those careers to work with Extreme Animals.

"I love all animals," she said, "but having been at the zoo for so long, I wanted to work with the exotics, and introduce them to children and adults."

It was unclear which animal stole the show  each one was greeted with "oohs" and "aahs." However the lemur and kangaroo seemed to win the most hearts.

The lemur, an aficionado of lollipops who leaped from table to table, was definitely a crowd-pleaser. But Sven also worked the room and was happy for the attention. Everyone was invited to give the kangaroo a pat on the head as they exited.

The next time to catch this Extreme Animals of Florida program is July 21 at the North County Library in Sebastian. Try not to miss this great experience to get meet and greet some amazing creatures. For more information, visit www.irclibrary.org or www.extremeanimals.org.
Before and after pictures provided by Dr. Pierone showing the benefits of the many treatments he provides throughout the Treasure Coast and central Florida.

SHARE Photos by Fran Foster Dr. Pierone specializes in many types of facial rejuvenation procedures and products. He urges patients to 'do their homework' and understand what products are available and how they are administered. Dr. Gerald Pierone at his Vero Beach office. 'Dr. P' has thousands of patients who rave about his facial rejuvenation procedures for people with infectious diseases, such as HIV.

By Fran Foster, The Newsweekly

Before Dr. Gerald Pierone moved to Vero Beach, he was running an HIV clinic in New Jersey and concentrating on infectious disease.

But when he got married, he realized he didn't want his children growing up in the big city. So he figured he'd become a small town doctor and his work with HIV would come to an end.

As it turned out, the relocation was the beginning of Pierone's long, successful career as a leading caregiver for HIV patients on the Treasure Coast. He built an HIV primary care practice in the 1990s, which eventually led him to a specialty in facial rejuvenation.

"Due to the nature of infectious diseases, HIV in particular, one of the side effects from the medicine that patients develop is the loss of facial fat," Pierone explains. "It's called lipoatrophy, the loss of fat tissue, which gives the person a hollow, sunken in appearance in their face. It's like a scarlet letter, especially in the gay or HIV community."

Needed

Pierone didn't start with facial rejuvenation right away. He used to refer his local patients to a doctor in Miami who was doing a FDA-sanctioned clinical trial with "fillers," as they are called. The first one was Newfill, a product from France that later became known as Sculptra, which was approved by the FDA in 2005.

But Pierone decided that having his patients travel to Miami was a burden. Nevertheless, he couldn't find any local plastic surgeons who were interested in dealing with the paperwork involved in the patient-access program for Sculptra. And many of his patients didn't have the ability to fill out and follow up on the paperwork to get into clinical trials.

"I decided that in order to properly treat my HIV patients here on the Treasure Coast, I would need to be certified in the procedure. So I traveled to Miami and trained," said Pierone.

Expanding

When he expanded his practice to include cosmetic non-invasive treatments, more and more patients began coming for treatment. Medical professionals also sought him out.

"Now, nurse practitioners and doctors come to me for their training so they can treat any individual, whether for HIV or cosmetic purposes," said Pierone. "In order to make the training or treatment easier, I opened up an office in Winter Park in Central Florida. Now patients and practitioners can fly in to Orlando International Airport once a month, and I can train or administer treatments."

Cyndie Witthuhn, ARNP-BC recently participated in one of Pierone's training sessions.

"I had the pleasure recently of attending a filler training class with Dr. Pierone," she says. "As an experienced injector, I always appreciate the trainer's willingness to share knowledge and their ability to provide basic and advanced techniques.

"Dr. Pierone is an excellent trainer and provided a non-threatening environment that allowed all participants to feel comfortable, therefore creating a great learning experience."

Giving back

If running his full-time practice in Vero Beach on top of training and seeing patients in Winter Park isn't enough, Pierone also participates in the Whole Family Health Center, located in Fort Pierce and Vero Beach.

The nonprofit organization was opened in April 2013 by a group of dedicated medical professionals who wanted to offer comprehensive primary care to community members, regardless of socio-economic status and ability to pay.

"It originally started at the AIDS Research and Treatment Center of the Treasure Coast, which was a nonprofit primarily focused on HIV," Pierone said. "About three years ago, we changed the focus to become Whole Family Health Center because we realized our HIV patients had coverage but their families didn't have coverage.

"We are getting about 50 to 100 new patients each month. We now have approximately 1,300 patients without HIV and about 900 who do."

State of the art

Pierone suggests that anyone interested in facial rejuvenation procedures do their homework.

"They need to get up to speed on the latest techniques and products available," he says. "Some clinicians can be resistant to new things. People should ask what type of product and how they are going

Pierone has performed more than 15,000 non-invasive, liquid facelift procedures using advanced injection techniques with dermal fillers, including Sculptra, Radiesse, Bellafill (Artefill), and Juvederm. He is the No. 1 injector of Bellafill in the United States.

As fillers are getting better, so are the injections. To reduce bruising, he uses cannulas or micro cannulas instead of traditional needles.

The treatment for lipoatrophy takes time but, if properly administered, the effects can last two to three years.

"I had a form of filler done before, but it was very temporary," says patient Bruce M.W. "I decided to look for a more permanent solution, when I came across Dr. Pierone. I had various reasons why I decided to have treatment done and the results are simply amazing."

For more information about Dr. Gerald Pierone, visit www.facialrejuvenationfl.com or call (888) 939-3969. To find out more about the Whole Family Health Center visit www.wholefamilyhealthcenter.org or call 772-257-5785.
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More than 85 million Android devices worldwide have been taken over by the Yingmob, a group of China-based cybercriminals who created the HummingBad malware, according to a Check Point report released last week.

HummingBad establishes a persistent rootkit on Android devices, generates fraudulent ad revenue, and installs additional fraudulent apps.

If it fails to establish a rootkit, it effectively carpet bombs the target devices with poisoned apps.

HummingBad has been generating revenue of US$300,000 a month, according to Check Point.

The malware runs along with legitimate ad campaigns that Yingmob has produced for its legitimate ad analytics business.

Weve long been aware of this evolving family of malware, and were constantly improving our systems that detect it, a Google spokesperson said in a statement provided to TechNewsWorld by company rep Aaron Stein. We actively block installations of infected apps to keep users and their information safe.

HummingBads Victim Count

About 25 percent of the roughly 200 apps on the control panel of Umeng  a tracking and analytics service HummingBads creators use  are malicious, Check Point said. An estimated 10 million people have been using those malicious apps.

China and India have the highest number of victims  1.6 million and 1.3 million, respectively. The Philippines comes in third with 520,000. The United States is eighth, with 286,000 victims.

KitKat runs on 50 percent of the affected devices, Jelly Bean on 40 percent, Lollipop on 7 percent, Ice Cream Sandwich on 2 percent, and Marshmallow on 1 percent, according to Check Point.

How HummingBad Works

HummingBad uses a sophisticated, multistage attack chain with two main components.

The first component, SSP, uses a rootkit that exploits multiple vulnerabilities to try to root the target device.

SSP injects a library into the Google Play process using ptrace, Check Point said, which lets HummingBad imitate clicks on install/buy/accept buttons inside Google Play.

If rooting fails, the second component, CAP, installs fraudulent apps using elaborate techniques. It decrypts module_encrypt.jar from its assets when it launches on a device, then dynamically loads code containing the main malware functionality. Next it decrypts and runs a native daemon binary, among other things.

Regardless of whether the rooting succeeds, HummingBad downloads as many fraudulent apps to the target device as possible  a blend of several malicious components, many of them variations with the same functionality.

HummingBad Risk

HummingBad is very hard to identify, very difficult to get rid of, and massively invasive, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

Alphabet has had a very poor reputation with regard to security, and it will be watched closely to see how quickly and permanently it can mitigate this exploit, he told TechNewsWorld.

If done too poorly or slowly, it could quickly turn Android into an unacceptable risk for the entire industry.

HummingBad could stymie Googles plans to embed Android more deeply into the auto industry, Enderle noted. Google has effectively built a car infotainment system into Nougat, the latest version of Android, he pointed out, and HummingBad could easily have adverse implications with regard to driver safety.
Consumer Reports on Thursday urged Tesla to disable the automatic steering function and change the name of its Autopilot driving assist feature.

Questions recently have arisen over whether Teslas Model S vehicles can operate safely without regular human intervention.

Consumer Reports change request sprang from concerns over a number of recent test crashes, including a fatal accident involving a tractor-trailer in Florida, which is the subject of a federal investigation.

The organization questioned whether the Autopilot feature lulls drivers into a false sense of security, and whether Autopilot-equipped cars can function safely without drivers paying close and consistent attention to potential safety hazards and road conditions.

In the long run, advanced active safety technologies in vehicles could make our roads safer, said Laura MacCleery, vice president of consumer policy and mobilization for Consumer Reports. But today, were deeply concerned that consumers are being sold a pile of promises about unproven technology.

Hands on the Wheel

The Autopilot feature cannot drive the car, but it allows drivers to have their hands off the steering wheel for minutes at a time, said MacCleery.

Until the company updates the program to verify that hands should be on the wheel, Consumer Reports recommendation is that the feature should be disabled.

Consumer Reports tested semi-autonomous features from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, and those systems require the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel, noted Jake Fisher, CRs director of auto testing.

Statistically Safer

Tesla is constantly introducing enhancements proven over millions of miles of internal testing to ensure that drivers supported by Autopilot remain safer than those operating without assistance, a Tesla spokesperson said in a statement provided to the E-Commerce Times by company rep Keely Sulprizio.

We will continue to develop, validate, and release those enhancements as the technology grows. While we appreciate well-meaning advice from any individual or group, we make our decisions on the basis of real-world data, not speculation by media, the spokesperson added.

Model S vehicles have driven 130 million miles on Autopilot with one confirmed fatality. That compares to one fatality per 94 million miles for all vehicles in the U.S. and one fatality for every 60 million miles driven worldwide, Tesla pointed out.

Federal Probe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last week sent a letter to Tesla seeking documents regarding the May 7 crash of the 2015 Model S vehicle. Questions have arisen about whether the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems worked properly.

NHTSA called the request a standard step in its preliminary investigation of the design and performance of Teslas automated driving systems that were in use at the time of the crash, administration spokesperson Rebecca Grapsy told the E-Commerce Times.

The investigation may raise questions about potentially wider safety concerns surrounding the entire autonomous vehicle industry, and autonomous vehicle advocates may have to scramble to counteract growing worries.

Our coalition was founded with the express purpose of increasing road safety and dramatically reducing the over 35,000 road fatalities that occur in the U.S. each year, said David Strickland, counsel for the Self Driving Coalition for Safer Streets.

We remain dedicated to developing and testing fully autonomous vehicles in order to bring the promise of self-driving vehicles to roads and highways, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Accident Reports

The company may have a growing problem on its hands due to the rolling nature of the disclosures about its safety record, suggested Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book.

I think even more telling than the fatality that weve now learned about, or Consumer Reports or the NHTSA stance, is that were starting to hear about more accidents, he told the E-Commerce Times.

The level of driver error in those incidents indeed may be quite high, Brauer acknowledged, but he questioned whether drivers actually were given clear and honest disclosure about the Autopilot features capabilities.

Having technological limitations is OK as long as consumers know about the technological limitations, he said.

Entry Price

The Consumer Reports request comes at a critical time for Tesla. The company on Wednesday introduced the Model X 60D SUV, for US$74,000  a more consumer-friendly price than its other models.

The announcement of the lower-priced model follows news that Teslas recent sales failed to meet expectations.

It also follows a public spat with Fortune over Teslas handling of information concerning the fatal crash.

Tesla took vehement exception to a critical report Fortune published, saying it was fundamentally incorrect.

The Securities and Exchange Commission reportedly is investigating whether Tesla disclosed the crash to investors with a proper filing in a timely manner. An SEC spokesperson declined to comment.
The Internet of Medical Things, Part 1: A New Concept in Healthcare

The Internet of Medical Things, Part 2: Devices and Apps

Though quick to capitalize on connected health devices and the coming Internet of Medical Things, hardware manufacturers may be moving too slowly when it comes to building the necessary protections into the back end.

The National Security Agency last month told participants in a defense technology summit in Washington that it was looking into hacking connected medical devices.

The agencys interest is confined to researching the possibility of hacking IoMT devices, for now, and the fruit of its labor may be just another tool in the toolbox, according to NSA Deputy Director Richard Ledgett.

However, if the NSA is looking into hacking such devices, consumers can be sure that the black hats are on it too.

Where Theres a Web, Theres a Way

The cost of connected health programs will challenge the cultivation of the IoMT, as well the user experience and user interfaces, observed Scott Sellers, CEO of Azul Systems. Underneath it all lies a threat to the security of consumers most intimate data.

IoMT challenges include slow or uneven regulatory responses to changes in approach, mostly focusing around data security and, in some markets, reliability of communications, Sellers told TechNewsWorld, especially when traveling, or if patients are in rural areas with less robust network infrastructures.

In theory, any Internet-connected device can be hacked, said Brian Wassom, leader of Honigmans social, mobile and emerging media industry group.

Cybersecurity attacks thus far have focused on large networks  systems that have plenty of access points, are rich with high-value data, and are built on computer languages common enough to invite exploitation, he pointed out.

None of these conditions were met when connected medical devices were in the experimental stage, Wassom told TechNewsWorld.

Carriage and Horse

The Federal Trade Commission last year kicked off the conversation about getting out in front of possible security and privacy issues sure to proliferate as the number of IoT and connected medical devices pile up in coming years.

The Food and Drug Association for the past three years has been issuing guidance on improving the safety and security standards of connected medical devices, noted Stu Bradley, vice president of cybersecurity at SAS.

The proliferation of IoMT technology, and the healthcare industrys enthusiasm to adopt it, has put the veritable cart before the horse in terms of security, he told TechNewsWorld.

Manufacturers will need to embed more robust security solution into IoMT devices, meaning they must proactively address security concerns instead of retroactively responding, Bradley said.

This poses a real challenge for manufacturers whose core competency has historically been device, not software, development, he added.

Manufacturers of connected devices generally have focused on building systems to deliver the needed functionality of a device as cheaply and precisely as possible, noted Matt Gross, director of the SAS health care and life sciences global practice.

Manufacturers, in turn, use the cheapest underlying platforms  usually open source  to keep costs down and accelerate time to market, he told TechNewsWorld. That leaves these devices quite vulnerable to compromise.

Day Zero

Roughly 70 percent of IoT devices were vulnerable to cyberattacks as of two years ago, Honigmans Wassom noted, citing an HP study.

Weaknesses in admin tools, paltry means for updating firmware, and a lack of transport encryption were among the 250 vulnerabilities researchers found.

Bad habits die hard  and the practice of using basic passcodes carried over to IoT devices, the study revealed. About 80 percent of passwords securing IoT devices were 1234 and the like.

Medical devices are not immune to this minimalistic approach to data security, Wassom said.

Two researchers detailed how they remotely accessed a hospitals neonatal monitors in a presentation Wassom attended at last years DEFCON.

In many cases, hospital employees may not even realize that certain devices even have Internet connectivity, much less how to secure them, he said.

Another hacker found an easy way to take charge of an infusion pump, a device that delivers fluids to patients and is common in hospital rooms.

In theory, he could have emptied an entire vial of medication into a patient, said Wassom, and a hospital staff person monitoring the device from a central location would never have known.

While hackers could leverage exploits to modify systems and cause physical harm to other humans, its more likely theyll be motivated to use stolen data for financial gain, said SAS Gross.

They likely will use ill-gotten information to gain access to other systems, or encrypt it for use in ransomware attacks, he suggested. Until the first major breach occurs, however, focus will stay on more immediate threats.
WhatsApp was shut down in Brazil yesterday, marking the third time the messaging app has been banned in the country since last December. As was the case in the other two incidents, it wasn't too long before the Facebook-owned service was up and running again.

Again, the ban revolved around Facebook's refusal to hand over WhatsApp chat logs related to a criminal investigation. The company continues to argue that as the messages are end-to-encrypted, it simply cannot comply with the courts' requests.

Judge Daniela Barbosa Assuncao de Souza in the state of Rio de Janeiro said the most recent blackout "will only be lifted once Facebook surrenders data." She added that the company was treating Brazil like a "banana republic," and criticized its decision to respond to the court in English, "as if this was the official language of this country," according to Globo.

But Brazil's top court overturned the decision just a few hours later. Federal Supreme Court President Ricardo Lewandowski called it"scarcely reasonable or proportional."

WhatsApp co-founder and CEO Jan Koum posted his opinion on the app's seemingly never-ending issues in the South American nation. "It's shocking that less than two months after Brazilian people and lawmakers loudly rejected blocks of services like Whatsapp, history is repeating itself," he wrote in a Facebook post.

Brazil's 100 million WhatsApp users were shut out of the service for 24 hours in December after it failed to respond to a court order to hand over messages linked to a criminal organization. The ban was due to last 48 hours, but the intervention of another Judge saw it return after about 24 hours.

The Brazilian authorities weren't finished with the company. In March, police in Sao Paulo detained Facebook's regional vice president, Diego Dzodan, for failing to provide information related to a WhatsApp account.

Another ban arrived in May, this one set to last 72 hours. Again, it was quickly overturned after an injunction by a higher court.

A Whatsapp spokesperson said: "As we've said in the past we cannot share information we don't have access to. Indiscriminate steps like these threaten people's ability to communicate, to run their businesses, and to live their lives."
With the impending arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, carriers are reportedly planning special deals on the device. A new report claims T-Mobile will offer the flagship phablet under its buy-one-get-one free program.

Samsung recently announced that it will launch the Galaxy Note 7 at an Unpacked event on Aug. 2, which some claim will also be the release date for the new smartphone.

The handset has already been cleared by the FCC to run on all major U.S. carriers, and a new report from a reliable source claims T-Mobile will set itself apart from rival carriers and tempt customers by offering the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 under its buy-one-get-one free promotion at launch.

Evan Blass, who has shared accurate information in the past about upcoming smartphones, took to Twitter and posted, "TMO PROMO: GN7 BOGO."

TMO PROMO: GN7 BOGO  Evan Blass (@evleaks) July 19, 2016

This won't be the first time T-Mobile has offered a BOGO deal on just-released flagship smartphones. The carrier used the same promotion when it began selling the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge in March.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is expected to include a 5.7-inch 2,560 x 1,440 Quad HD Super AMOLED curved edge display and advanced iris scanner above its screen. The phablet will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow and will be powered by either a Qualcomm Snapdragon or Samsung Exynos processor depending on region, in addition to 4 GB of RAM. Internal storage is rumored to start at 64 GB, and the unit will also include a microSD expansion slot to allow users to add additional space.

Reports claim the Galaxy Note 7 will feature the same camera setup as the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, which both include a 12-megapixel rear camera with OIS, phase detection autofocus and 5-megapixel front-facing snapper for selfies and video chat.

Like the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, the Note 7 will be IP68 certified dustproof and water resistant and reportedly pack in a large 3,600 mAh non-removable battery. The smartphone is also expected to ship with a redesigned S Pen stylus with enhanced functionality and features.

Now that we know T-Mobile will reportedly offer the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 as part of its buy-one-get-one free promotions, it will be interesting to see how Verizon, AT&T and Sprint will counter.

We'll be covering Samsung's Aug. 2 Galaxy Note 7 Unpacked event and bring you all the latest details and any new information as it becomes available. Are you planning on purchasing a Note 7? Let us know in the comments below.

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The verdict is in: season 2 of Making a Murderer is officially coming to Netflix.

The internet-based streaming service announced on July 19 that new episodes of the documentary series is currently in production.

First released on Netflix on Dec. 18, 2015, Making a Murderer quickly became the obsession of true crime fans everywhere. Created by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, the series was filmed on a 10-year span and followed the story of Wisconsin resident Steven A. Avery, who was first wrongfully found guilty for the rape of a woman in Lake Michigan in 1985.

After serving 18 years in prison, DNA evidence exonerated him in 2003, but Avery's freedom was short-lived after he was then accused of the murder of another woman, 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach, in 2007. He is currently serving a life sentence for the crime.

Making a Murderer followed all the points of both cases, including the bizarre twist of events, the alleged conspiracy theory that the Manitowoc County Police Department framed Avery after he filed a $36 million lawsuit against them.

The plot also thickened when Avery's then-16-year-old nephew Brendan Dassey was also found guilty for the murder of Halbach, although many viewers believe that the teen was forced into making a false confession.

The series was so popular among viewers that a petition to pardon Avery even reached the White House, and earned six Emmy nominations, including one for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.

With the spotlight on the case, well-known appeal lawyer Kathleen Zellner has taken on Avery's case, along with the Midwest Innocence Project, with plans to present new evidence in court.

Since this story is far from over, it was only a matter of time until the news that there would be a season 2.

Here's what we know about season 2 of Netflix's Making a Murderer thus far.

The Next Chapter

Season 2 of Making a Murderer will pick up where season 1 left off, providing more insight into what is currently going in with Steven Avery and Brendan Dassey, their legal teams, including Avery's new lawyer Kathleen Zellner and Dassey's legal team, led by Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin, and others who are involved in the cases, including the State and family members.

"This next chapter will provide an in-depth look at the high-stakes post-conviction process, as well as, the emotional toll the process takes on all involved," Netflix writes.

New Evidence?

Ricciardi and Demos will return as the directors and executive producers for season 2. The women previously stated that they had even more recorded conversations with Avery that could be used in future episodes if there was enough evidence to continue with the story.

This may include the inconsistencies surrounding the instance when Halbach's body was found, which could help prove that Avery was not given a fair trial. These include the death certificate's date being the day before her bone fragments were found and when they were positively identified, conflicting reports on whether an autopsy was performed and if a body was found.

Zellner also revealed that there were a few new suspects she was looking into, as well as cell phone tower records and advanced scientific testing. Shockingly, Avery alleges that his brother Charles Avery could be the real murderer.

Cellphone tower records of SA & TH provide airtight alibi for him. She left property he didn't. #MakingAMurderer #UnmakingAMurderer  Kathleen Zellner (@ZellnerLaw) March 6, 2016

All day re-tracing TH steps. No doubt she left Avery property alive. All roads lead to one door & it's not Steven Avery's.#MakingAMurderer  Kathleen Zellner (@ZellnerLaw) April 9, 2016

Prosecutor Ken Kratz has also spoken out that there were many pieces of evidence that further prove Avery's guilt that was left out of the docs-series. With Kratz writing a book about the trial, more details could be revealed this time around.

Release Date

It is not yet known when season 2 of Making a Murderer will be released or how many episodes the docs-series will include. The series' second season could differ a lot from the previous one, since the new developments are happening in real-time, as opposed to fleshing out details over the span of 10 years.

"The story does continue," Demos said in an interview with Deadline. "We are committed to finding a way to follow it, and we'll need to explore a different way to do it this time, because it is in the zeitgeist, it is in the 24-hour news cycle. So we're looking at new ways of doing that."

There's a good chance that viewers will continue to be captivated by the next chapter of Making a Murderer.

Source: Netflix

 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Pipa+Bella Launches Its First Mobile Application This July | TechTree.com

Mumbai-based jewellery e-tailer Pipa+Bella has recently launched its new mobile app which is currently available only on Apple's iOS platform.

The free app can be downloaded from App Store and it aims at keeping the e-tailer's customers updated with new collections, flash sales, app-only exclusive launches, exclusive deals, promotions and much more.

With this app, customers can also track orders, explore trending styles and participate in a unique app-only referral program that will provide additional benefit on every purchase.

While currently the app is on iOS, the company has also announced that an Android app will be release within next 60 days. Also, the company plans to use artificial intelligence platforms to create a simpler shopping and sharing experience for users vis a vis a web-only experience in its next app amendment.

With a marked increase in transaction traffic and record sales highs, moving towards a mobile application as an expansion platform was only natural a progression. Almost 70% of our customer base accesses us via a handphone and transacts an average ticket size of INR 1500 in a single purchase. Initially, we are expecting sales from the mobile app to contribute 15% of overall sales, with a 20% month-on-month growth in these numbers" says Shuchi Pandya, CEO / Co-founder, Pipa+Bella.

TAGS: iOS App Store, Jewellery App, Pipa+Bella
In an open letter entitled "Letter to the Brazil of tomorrow," former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2011) promised on Thursday that if elected, he would... | Read More
We ensure that our attendees not only have superb experience in our event Techsauce Summit, but also excellent experience staying in Bangkok during the week.

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Read the complete story here
Titled as "Abstract," this painting is found to be deceptively put under the name of late artist Ta Ty at the exhibition "Paintings returned from the Europe." A living artist has claimed the work as his. Photo: Lucy Nguyen/Thanh Nien

The Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts Tuesday publicly apologized for failing to verify the authenticity of 17 paintings on display at an exhibition that have been confirmed as fake.

A panel of famous artists and experts and officials found 15 of the paintings, supposedly the works of legendary artists such as Nguyen Tu Nghiem and Bui Xuan Phai, were copies.

Two others were found to be works of other artists. At least one living artist, Thanh Chuong, has claimed one of the two paintings as his.

All the paintings at the show are owned by Vu Xuan Chung, who claimed to have acquired them from Jean-Francois Hubert, a known expert on Vietnamese art and a former senior consultant for giant auction houses Christie's and Sotheby's.

The "Paintings returned from the Europe" exhibition opened on July 10 and soon faced forgery accusations from local artists and experts. It was originally slated to end on July 21.

Trinh Xuan Yen, deputy director of the museum, said it would keep all the paintings and ask relevant authorities to step in.

Luong Xuan Doan, vice chairman of the Vietnam Fine Arts Association, called the scandal "an insult to Vietnam's fine arts."

"All local artists are outraged by the paintings which are bad and superficial copies. Anyone can see they are fake."

The "Abstract" painting by painter Thanh Chuong. Photo: Lucy Nguyen/Thanh Nien Chuong, who said his work had been stolen and displayed at the exhibition under another artist's name, said the incident would at least help authorities crack down on the forgery of Vietnamese paintings that has been going on for many years.

Many people, including officials, have been aware of the problem but had no evidence until now, he said.

Speaking to Thanh Nien, Chung, the collector, said all the paintings' authenticity was certified by Hubert and that he trusts the French expert. It is not known how much Chung paid for the collection.

Hubert also insisted on the paintings authenticity in an interview with Thanh Nien.
OSSSO Fusion Musical Experience "Sound of the Nature" - a special Asia - Europe music experience with the unique combination of folk music, light music and symphonic music was first performed abroad in the cultural exchange festival of Vietnam from July 11th 2016 to July 15th 2016 at the cultural capital Saint Petersburg, Russia, which brought the cultural pride of Vietnam to the Russian music lovers.

The Press Conference of OSSSO Fusion Musical Experience - Sound of the Nature in Saint Petersburg

The talented conductor-Marius Stravinsky is leading the symphony orchestra.

The show was elaborately staged with visual effects, sound and light, which gave the audience the most vivid and attractive experience in an atmosphere deeply imbued with Vietnamese culture. The wonderful music with a new combination of traditional music, light music and symphonic music brought the harmony. There was no language or cultural barrier, everyone blended as one of a wonderful music space where their hearts could be stirred the deepest emotion.
A family photo shows a 16-year-old girl sitting at Cho Ray Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City where doctors have removed her right leg from above the knee to save her from dangerous gangrene

A public hospital in Dak Lak Province has admitted that its doctors incapability and irresponsibility caused a 16-year-old to lose one leg last week after they left her injuries to fester and become gangrenous.

The surgeon in charge, Y Tam, was suspended Tuesday. He said he failed to handle the case properly "because of work pressure."

The girl, whose first name is Vi, was rushed to Cu Kuin District General Hospital after a road accident on her way from school on March 6.

Doctors said she had a bone rupture around the right knee and put her in a cast.

Vi complained that night that the cast was too tight and painful and her leg below the cast was numb.

Her family asked doctors to remove the cast and transfer her to a higher-level hospital, but they refused.

They only removed the cast two days later, and by then the leg was swollen and blistered.

Doctors said the problem was a slight one and did not pay much attention to her.

Three days later they transferred her to the provincial hospital, where doctors found the injury had developed gangrene and many veins had ruptured.

So they rushed her to Cho Ray, a leading public hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, where doctors performed an amputation, cutting her leg above the knee, to save her life.

Trang, Vis sister, said her mother was constantly crying while her grandfather was in shock.

The family has demanded that the district hospital should provide financial support for the rest of Vis life.

Nguyen Van Tam, director of the hospital, admitted that Vi had lost her leg because of the carelessness, incapability and irresponsibility of the doctors in charge, local media reported.

The hospital has paid the family a preliminary sum of VND20 million (nearly US$1,000), and would look into the culpability of the people involved, he said.

We take responsibility for the serious consequences we have caused.

The Dak Lak health department would also investigate, an official said.
Five men have been arrested in Hanoi for allegedly kidnapping a Chinese businessman to demand repayment of a 700,000-yuan (US$105,000) loan he had guaranteed for a friend.

The five, aged 23-37, are Pham Van Tuan, Pham Van Luan, Nguyen Van Mui, Dang Van Linh and Vu Dinh Duong.

The police are hunting for Nguyen Van Nam, 34, the alleged mastermind in the kidnap of the businessman, 43, identified only as T, on July 12.

The five said T was Nams business partner and had verbally guaranteed the loan.

But after the friend fled without paying, Nam kidnapped T.

Investigators said Nam asked T, who is based in Ho Chi Minh City, to fly to Hanoi where he had the men kidnap him.

They threatened to cut his hands and legs off if he failed to get back the money.

T phoned a friend, who has not been identified, and asked him for the money. But his friend reported to the Chinese embassy in Hanoi, which reported to the Ministry of Public Security.

The police rescued T and arrested the five men at a hotel in Bac Ninh Province on July 14.

The investigations are continuing.
A senior customs officer in Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam has been suspended pending an investigation into a massive case of illegal logging on his watch.

The local police said they seized more than 50 cubic meters of rare wood logged in protected forests on the Laos border, including nearly seven cubic meters found at the customs office at the Nam Giang border gate.

Le Trung Thinh, the office head, has been suspended for failing to report the wood or prove its legal origin.

The investigation began after some locals found logs of Fujian cypress trees hidden near a border guard station on July 9.

Officials said they are expanding the probe and would likely find more wood.

Fujian cypress is a threatened species in Vietnam, where it is considered valuable due to its aroma and exceptional weight. It is used to make art works, furniture, and charcoal.

Central Vietnam has reported the most cases of deforestation in the country, with a number of forest rangers and managers axed or demoted this year for letting the crime occur.

Nguyen Duc Luyen, vice chairman of Dak Nong Province in the Central Highlands, had said at a conference last year that Vietnam is unable to stop deforestation since illegal logging is either condoned or overlooked by authorities.
A Chinese tour guide leading a group of tourists in Nha Trang, the capital town of Khanh Hoa Province in central Vietnam. Photo credit: Viet Hao/Dan Tri

Khanh Hoa Province authorities Tuesday slapped a fine of VND80 million (US$3,590) on Silent Bay Travel and Trading Company for multiple violations, including illegally employing 64 Chinese nationals.

Tran Son Hai, deputy chairman of the province peoples committee, said the company had organized tours for more than 6,000 tourists in Nha Trang between February and May this year but did not preserve the relevant documents.

Silent Bay was also found employing 64 Chinese workers without work permits.

The company is now banned from hiring foreign workers for three months.

Following a check in June, Khanh Hoa authorities had banned the company from organizing tours for foreign tourists and decided to deport the 64 workers.
Soldiers from the French Foreign Legion patrol on the Promenade des Anglais on the third day of national mourning to pay tribute to victims of the truck attack on Bastille Day that killed scores and injured as many in Nice, France, July 18, 2016.

French lawmakers approved a six-month rollover of emergency rule on Wednesday in the wake of last week's truck attack in Nice, the third deadly assault in 18 months for which Islamist militants have claimed responsibility.

President Francois Hollande's Socialist government is under intense pressure over security since last week's attack, in which a Tunisian man mowed through a Bastille Day crowd, killing 84 people before he was shot dead by police.

The extension of extra search-and-arrest powers for police was approved by 489 votes to 26 shortly before dawn in France's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls, jeered by crowds at a remembrance ceremony on Monday and criticized by political opponents over the attack, called for national unity as he presented the emergency rule bill overnight.

"We must remain united and focused because we must be strong in the face of this threat," he said, accusing political foes of unseemly exploitation of the tragedy before the dead have even been buried.

Christian Estrosi, head of the regional government in the area around Nice, renewed charges of serious security failings and inadequate policing. He has demanded an inquiry.

Hollande under pressure

Emergency rule has been in place since attacks on Paris last November in which Islamist militants killed 130 people. In January 2015, 17 people were killed in attacks that began with the shooting of journalists working for Charlie Hebdo, a satirical publication that had published cartoons mocking Islam.

In response to demands from the main right-wing opposition party, Les Republicains, the rollover of emergency rule was extended for six months, to late January 2017, rather than the three months proposed by Hollande's government.

The emergency regime, due to be examined by the upper house Senate later on Wednesday before becoming law, allows police to search homes and arrest people without prior consent from judges. It also allows them to tap computer and phone communications more freely.

The attacks have further weakened Hollande's chances of winning re-election next year, already damaged by his failure to bring down unemployment.

Defending his government's record, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told Le Monde newspaper in an interview that even with all the measures being taken, "there can never be zero risk."

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Nice attack, although no firm evidence has yet emerged that the 31-year-old attacker had direct contact with the group.

France has said it will step up its involvement in the U.S.-led coalition attacking bases of the militant group in Iraq and Syria. Its defense and foreign ministers are currently in the United States meeting other coalition members to discuss how to increase military efforts against IS.
Women pose while holding portraits of their killed relatives (L-R) Aik Sai, Aik Maung and Aik Lort after their bodies were found in a grave last June at Mong Yaw village in Lashio, Myanmar July 10, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun

The first and second bodies pulled from the shallow grave in northern Myanmar didn't belong to Aik Chin's missing son. Nor, he prayed, did the third, whose face was unrecognizable from a severe beating.

But then Aik Chin checked the corpse's fingertips - his 17-year-old son had lost one in a childhood accident - and his legs began to buckle.

"When I realized it was my little boy, I collapsed and blacked out," he said. "I don't remember anything after that."

Soldiers entered the village of Mong Yaw on June 25 and rounded up dozens of men, witnesses told Reuters. Aik Chin's son and four others were led away, never to be seen alive again. Two other men - brothers - were shot while trying to escape on a motorbike and their bodies found in a ditch, villagers said.

Myanmar's armed forces have often been accused of abuses by human rights groups and Western governments during decades of conflict with ethnic armed separatists in its wild border zones. What is unusual in this case is that the military high command has been taking the allegations seriously.

Major Thein Zaw of the army's Northeast Command said a court martial had begun, although he could not say how many soldiers were on trial or what charges they faced, and local government officials said several soldiers had been arrested.

Villagers say a senior army officer has promised them a full investigation.

However, multiple requests by Reuters for comment from the army in the northern city Lashio and the capital Naypyitaw were declined or went unanswered. The military said it would address the issue at a news conference on Wednesday.

Ringed by misty hills, Mong Yaw lies in a remote corner of northern Shan State, a region ravaged by war and poverty. Thousands of people have been displaced by decades of fighting between the military and ethnic insurgents.

Last year the military lost hundreds of men in a bid to re-take a rebel-held region bordering China. Fuelling the conflict is Myanmar's lucrative narcotics trade, which is centered in lawless Shan state.

Sensitive image

It is extremely rare in Myanmar for soldiers to be held accountable for alleged abuses, or for such allegations to be investigated transparently, rights groups such as Amnesty International say.

The military's response this time suggests a heightened sensitivity about its image as it tries to present itself as a responsible partner in Myanmar's democratic transition and seeks closer ties with its Western counterparts.

Myanmar was a military dictatorship for nearly half a century until a quasi-civilian government of former generals replaced the junta in 2011 and launched a series of political and economic reforms.

Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was swept into office in April after winning a landslide election last year, but the military still holds immense power.

Police and local officials told villagers in Mong Yaw in the days after the late June killings that they couldn't investigate because the military was already doing so.

Then, on July 3, the region's vice-commander, Major General Kyaw Kyaw Soe, visited Mong Yaw and promised a full probe, said villagers. He also gave each bereaved family 300,000 kyat ($250) as a gesture of sympathy, local people said.

General Kyaw Kyaw Soe said some soldiers had been arrested, but gave no further details.

This surprised local activists, who say they have spent decades documenting similar incidents by ill-disciplined troops amid a culture of impunity.

"The military has never done anything like this," said Sai Han, an ethnic Shan leader of the Tai Youth Organization, based in Lashio. He called what happened at Mong Yaw a "war crime" committed by soldiers against civilians.

News of the killings had spread fast, aided by cellphones that have only recently become ubiquitous in Myanmar and by testimony from a population emboldened in an era of reform, Sai Han said, suggesting that the publicity had made it impossible for the military to brush aside the allegations.

"Drunk and angry"

Sai Mong Tan, 22, was weeding a cornfield with his 17-year-old brother, Sai Shwe Lu, when the soldiers arrived. "They seemed drunk," he told Reuters. "I could smell alcohol on them. They were very angry."

The military later said they had come under attack from rebels in the area, although Sai Han and other local activists said there had been no insurgent activity.

A portrait of Sai Shw Lu,17, is seen at his home after his body was found in a grave last June at Mong Yaw village in Lashio, Myanmar July 10, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Soe Zeya Tun The brothers were marched to a nearby road, where dozens more soldiers had detained about a hundred people, and were forced to squat with their hands behind their heads.

The soldiers beat and interrogated the men, demanding to know if anyone had spotted insurgents in the area, said Sai Mong Tan.

He then watched as soldiers tied up his younger brother and the four other victims and led them away.

Reuters could not independently confirm this account, although it matched the version of events described by other villagers and local officials and rights activists.

Sai Mong Tan believes his brother was singled out because he didn't speak Burmese and couldn't answer the soldiers' questions.

Most people in Mong Yaw are from the Shan or Palaung ethnic minorities. Soldiers mostly hail from the majority Bamar ethnic group, and often accuse villagers of harboring insurgents.

Aik Sai, 23, was also among the five men led away. By nightfall, his fretful wife Aye Lu, 18, was hiding at home with their newborn child.

"The soldiers came to the village and told us to stay inside," she said. "I didn't dare go out."

Only three days later, when the soldiers had left, did the villagers start looking for the missing men. A blood-spattered path above a cornfield led them to patches of recently turned soil.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden talks with Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop as they stand on a boat at sunset on Sydney Harbour, Australia, July 19, 2016.

United States Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday assured key ally Australia there would be no retreat from Washington's pivot to the Asia-Pacific region regardless of who wins November's presidential election.

Biden dismissed concerns that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would abandon President Barack Obama's strategy for the Asia-Pacific if he were to defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"Don't worry about our election. The better angels in America will prevail," Biden said in a speech in Sydney.

"The United States is all in. We've made good on that promise and continue to make good on that promise. We have shown our commitment to lead the region over and over again."

Tensions between the United States and China have been rising in recent months over the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion in trade passes every year.

Biden's visit to the region follows last week's court ruling in The Hague that China has no historic title over the disputed waters.

Beijing has dismissed the case, brought by the Philippines, as a farce and accused Washington of fuelling tensions.

Neither Trump nor Clinton have been vocal supporters of Obama's Asia-Pacific pivot in their campaigning, leading some to question Washington's support for the strategy.

Biden insisted that the U.S. military would continue to underpin freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, regardless of which party controls the White House from 2017.

"The United States has kept and will keep a laser focus on the future in the Asia-Pacific," he said.

"America is the linchpin and we want to ensure the sea lanes are secure, the skies remain open. That is how to maintain the free flow of commerce, that is the life-blood of this region."

China claims most of the South China Sea, which is rich in energy and fishing resources. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims.
Last weeks South China Sea ruling by an international tribunal at The Hague represented an emphatic victory for the Philippines, and a stunning defeat for China. The question now facing new Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is how to leverage that win without derailing his countrys vital relationship with its giant neighbor.

Whether or not the ruling poses a threat to closer economic ties depends largely on how China reacts, because "the current Philippine president appears less anti-China than his predecessor and has thus far taken a relatively conciliatory approach towards bilateral ties," said Chia Shuhui, a Singapore-based Asia analyst at BMI Research. "Any retaliatory economic measures are more likely to be undertaken by China against the Philippines instead of vice versa."

China said it was prepared to engage in talks if the Philippines was willing to manage differences, according to a statement by the Chinese foreign ministry on an informal meeting between the two nations top diplomats at an international gathering in Mongolia last week.

Here are three charts showing why China matters so much to the Philippines:

China is the Philippines largest trading partner, buying a quarter of its exports last year, worth $19 billion. And with the Philippines looking for partners to explore oil-and-gas reserves off the Reed Bank, the BMI analyst said the country might consider restarting talks with China National Offshore Oil Corporation that stalled in 2012, to gain Chinese expertise.

Eduardo Araral, vice-dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, says theres significant room for expanded economic ties between the two countries. "China needs food and the Philippines can supply some -- raw and processed," he said. "Export of solar panels from China to the Philippines should grow. Property investments from the mainland has the potential to grow, especially as the property market in the Philippines is fast growing. The Philippines needs Chinese agriculture machinery and irrigation equipment."
Republican U.S. presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks live via satellite from Trump Tower in New York City during the second session at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. July 19, 2016.Photo: Reuters/Mike Segar

If he wins the presidency, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would seek to purge the federal government of officials appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama and could ask Congress to pass legislation making it easier to fire public workers, Trump ally, Chris Christie, said on Tuesday.

Christie, who is governor of New Jersey and leads Trump's White House transition team, said the campaign was drawing up a list of federal government employees to fire if Trump defeats Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 presidential election.

As you know from his other career, Donald likes to fire people, Christie told a closed-door meeting with dozens of donors at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, according to an audio recording obtained by Reuters and two participants in the meeting.

Christie was referring to Trump's starring role in the long-running television show "The Apprentice," where his catch-phrase was "You're fired!"

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump's transition advisers fear that Obama may convert these appointees to civil servants, who have more job security than officials who have been politically appointed. This would allow officials to keep their jobs in a new, possibly Republican, administration, Christie said.

Its called burrowing," Christie said. "You take them from the political appointee side into the civil service side, in order to try to set up ... roadblocks for your successor, kind of like when all the Clinton people took all the Ws off the keyboard when George Bush was coming into the White House.

Christie was referring to pranks committed during the presidential transition from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush in 2001. During that period, some White House staffers removed the W key on computer keyboards and left derogatory signs and stickers in offices, according to a report by the General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress.

"One of the things I have suggested to Donald is that we have to immediately ask the Republican Congress to change the civil service laws. Because if they do, it will make it a lot easier to fire those people," Christie said.

He said firing civil servants was "cumbersome" and "time-consuming."

There was no immediate comment from the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest federal employee union in the United States.

Christie also told the gathering that changing the leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency, long a target of Republicans concerned about over regulation, would be a top priority for Trump should he win in November.

Trump has previously vowed to eliminate the EPA and roll back some of America's most ambitious environmental policies, actions that he says would revive the U.S. oil and coal industries and bolster national security.

Christie added that the Trump team wants to let businesspeople serve in government part time without having to give up their jobs in the private sector. Trump frequently says he is better equipped to be president because of his business experience.

Although Christie was repeatedly asked during the meeting, he declined to name any potential Cabinet picks. He said Trump was not ready to do that yet.
Anastasiya Melnychenko (pictured) has launched a campaign to shatter taboos in her homeland and neighbouring Russia

It was yet another online discussion blaming a rape victim for provoking her attacker that prompted Ukrainian activist Anastasiya Melnychenko's campaign to shatter taboos in her homeland and neighbouring Russia.

In response Melnychenko typed out an unflinching account of the string of sexual assaults she has suffered throughout her life then posted it on Facebook with the hashtag #IAmNotAfraidToSpeak, repeated in Ukrainian and Russian.

Her courageous move this month opened the floodgates and soon hundreds of women in Ukraine and Russia started to share their own personal stories of sexual violence, a subject that is more often hushed up or ignored.

For many of the women it was a powerful way to release pent-up painful memories.

"I was a schoolgirl, when it happened. A young guy followed me to my house, pulled me by the jacket and put his hands up my skirt", wrote 30-year-old art critic Asia Bazdyrieva.

"I was 19, it was my boyfriend's pal. He was two metres (six foot five) tall, very big and strong. The street was completely empty and I was afraid to resist. He raped me," posted mother-of-four Valeriya Bezlepkina.

"I was a young girl with freckles from a poor district. Violence was a common thing there, familiar to every girl I knew", shared famous restaurant critic Aurora Ogorodnyk.

Melnychenko's openess helped to break down a wall of silence that activists say exists around the issue of sexual violence -- and especially rape -- in the ex-Soviet region.

"In our society blaming the victim is the norm", Melnychenko told AFP.

"That is why women are silent about the abuse. They do not talk about these incidents to their relatives or to the police because they are afraid of being condemned".

'Violence loves secrecy'

In Ukraine -- a country of some 45 million inhabitants -- only around 320 cases of rape or attempted rape were registered by the authorities last year.

Rights activists insist that the small number of reported attacks does not represent the true scale of the problem.

"Sexual violence is a subject that gets disregarded", says Anna Sayenko, a lawyer from La Strada Ukraine, an international women's rights centre.

In most cases women do not immediately go to a police station for a forensic examination due to fears of being judged by society, Sayenko said.

"The most important thing is to convey to women that the first thing they need to do if it happens to them is to contact the police", she said.

By breaking through the fear of how people will react, Melnychenko's online campaign appears to have struck a deep chord with women in both Ukraine and Russia.

Psychologist Alevtyna Shevchenko says such sharing of experiences works as a sort of group therapy, where the interaction between the participants encourages even those who are usually silent to talk.

"Violence loves secrecy and silence," Shevchenko says.

"Admitting out loud that the problem exists is the first step towards solving it. There is no other way".

'Brave pioneers'

Not all reaction to the campaign has been positive, however.

Some online commentators, mainly men, accused the participants of "exhibitionism" and performing a "public striptease", with one labelling the campaign a "festival of homemade porn".

But broadly speaking the response appears to have been supportive and a Ukrainian lawmaker on Tuesday said that deputies were already collecting signatures to change legislation on sexual violence against women after reading the posts.

Melnychenko hopes that she and the women who have come forward with their experience -- especially those who spoke about being raped -- have sparked a shift in the discussion that will bring about a real change in Ukraine as it tries to pivot towards the West.

"Public debate is a big step for our society," she said.

"Thanks to these brave pioneers, other women have realised that they are not alone and they have more support than they thought."
Teachers should be preparing to have talks with their students about the killing of three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge, the leader of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools said Wednesday.

"As you prepare to open your classrooms to teachers and students in the coming weeks, I'm sure you'll be thinking about how to have conversations about what has taken place," said Caroline Roemer, executive director of the LAPCS.

"I see it as an opportunity for educators to lead in your communities on the very difficult issue of race and conflict," Roemer said in a newsletter.

"As we at LAPCS prepare ourselves for the next school year, including planning our annual conference, we too will think about what kinds of learning sessions would be helpful to you," she wrote.

Charter schools are public schools run by non-governmental boards.

They are supposed to offer innovative classrooms, minus much of the red tape found in traditional public schools.

About 74,000 students attend 140 charter schools statewide.

In her message, Roemer said she was "horrified and grief stricken, knowing that so many of our Louisiana charter schools are serving students from communities that are directly impacted by violence and inequalities in our education, housing, healthcare and justice systems," she said.

Keep close tabs on children after police shootings, experts say Parents and guardians should carefully monitor their children's behavior after the slaying o

Roemer also encouraged teachers to share best practices with their colleagues.

Most public schools start the 2016-17 school year in early August, just weeks after the shootings in Baton Rouge, and violence elsewhere.

On Sunday two Baton Rouge police officers and an East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's deputy were killed by a lone gunman.

Three other officers were wounded, one critically.

The shooter was killed by a SWAT team from the Baton Rouge Police Department.

How to help your kids understand the BR shootings After the fatal shootings of Baton Rouge law enforcement officers Sunday, it will be almost 

The usually talkative Roemer conceded the shootings have left her almost speechless.

"It's rare that I don't have words, but the events that have recently taken place in my own backyard of Baton Rouge leave me at a loss for what I could possibly say that sheds any light to a very intense problem," she said.
DENHAM SPRINGS  The feelings are still tumbling around -- anger, sadness, gratitude. Some people feel all three, occasionally all at once.

Though the officers killed in Sunday's attack on law enforcement worked in Baton Rouge, the three who died and a fourth who was grievously wounded all lived in Livingston Parish.

Tuesday, residents were still sorting through their feelings. In the meantime, they tried to give comfort in the ways they know best  with prayers and food.

Wayne's Barbecue is down the street from the local sheriff's headquarters and next door to state Sen. Dale Erdey's office, where the mother of wounded deputy Nick Tullier works. The marquee outside the popular Livingston restaurant tells police their meals are on the house.

"It's good being able to rest and sleep at night  knowing those guys are always on shift and ready to help," owner Wayne Henderson said.

"They don't share the fact that they're worried, but you know they are.  It's a big cloud of darkness that's hanging over their heads 24/7."

Emily and Gary Sullivan said they're especially sad for the slain officers' children. It's a sad environment to be raising any kids, Emily Sullivan remarked when interviewed Tuesday outside the Denham Springs Wal-Mart.

It was one thing to watch news of the shootings in Dallas or Minnesota, Gary Sullivan said. But the Baton Rouge attack was "too close to home."

The community has shown solidarity in their support of their local law enforcement, said Denham Springs city councilman and former police chief Jeff Wesley.

The kitchen at the station is filled with donated food and crates of bottled drinks. Their refrigerator is plastered with thank-you cards and children's appreciative drawings and finger-paintings of police officers and squad cars.

"I've just been really heartened by the support people have been giving law enforcement," Wesley said.

"It's just a small group that's not supportive.  It's just a shame that the few who don't are most vocal."

+7 Funeral services for slain Baton Rouge police officers set for Friday, Monday Funeral services have been set for Baton Rouge Police Officers Matthew Gerald and Montrell J

Teachers have also chipped in to help the widow of Officer Matthew Gerald. She was supposed to spend the summer preparing to teach special education at the Maurepas School, but her colleagues are pitching in to help set up her classroom so she has time to grieve, said Superintendent Rick Wentzel.

"The last thing she needs to worry about" is getting ready for school, Wentzel said. "We're gonna surround her with our love.  We all are touched by this tragedy."

Tuesday night, within the sanctuary of Christ's Community Church, hundreds of Denham Springs residents, along with more than 30 colleagues of the fallen officers, gathered to honor their lives through prayer at a candlelight memorial.

Most officers showed up hand-in-hand with their wives and children. Nearly all were visibly shaken, some shedding tears as pastors from various churches throughout the parish prayed for their safety and for healing in the community.

B.J. Bement, who organized the event, asked that attendees let go of any anger and frustrations that have built up since Sunday's attack. Instead, he asked that the community dedicate their lives to serving the families of the slain officers and other law enforcement families throughout the Baton Rouge area.

"I believe the only way we're going to heal this land is through service to one another," said Bement, who organized the event after realizing the officers lived within a close radius of one another in the Denham Springs area.

While people have circled the wagons and offered shoulders to lean on, many still feel anger over the police shooting.

Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks said in a written statement that "he had a sense of distance and security from the events happening in other communities" until Sunday's shootings.

That sense of safety dissolved when Livingston Parish residents fell in the line of duty as Baton Rouge law enforcement officers, Ricks said.

"It woke me up to the somber fact that events, even those happening next door or hundreds of miles away, in an instant can change my life and the lives of those around me," he said.

Ricks said Tuesday that the mood in the parish since Sunday's attack has been a tense mixture of heartache and anger.

"There's an underlying anger that this thing has reached such a stage that they're actually hurting and killing law enforcement officers," Ricks said.

"I think the challenge now, because there is such an unease, is how to channel that in more positive ways," he continued. "Some of that is through prayer  for law enforcement but also for everyone, that people will relax and whatever differences there are, we'll find some common ground and be able to move past this tragic set of events and hopefully prevent it from happening again in the future."

Livingston Mayor Derral Jones was getting ready for church on Sunday when he first heard of the shooting. He decided to go to the service but couldn't concentrate once he got there.

"I was mad. I was confused. I wanted to kill somebody," he said.

The whole time Jones was worried about his colleague's husband in the State Police. Now he knows that the Tulliers are wondering if their son will survive.

"I know how the family is, they're praying," the mayor said.

"If I sound frustrated, I'm sorry, I'm frustrated," Jones continued. "I don't know what to do about it.  Everybody says, 'Let's pull together.' Nobody says how to do that. At least in this community, I've never felt that we were apart."

Jones is afraid that violence might beget more violence as people become more angry and anxious.

He's also worried about the health and stability of people in law enforcement. Dispatchers to deputies are becoming tense and frazzled after weeks on high alert, he remarked.

This week, the mayor put a gun in his car.

"I'm not proud of that.  I don't want ever to harm a human being," Jones said, but he feels he has an obligation to protect his grandchildren who are often in his care.

Before Sunday, he might have expected lawless violence in a bigger city.

"I never thought it would happen in Baton Rouge," Jones said.

Advocate staff writer Terry L. Jones contributed to this report.
The head of the Family Research Council is crying foul over FBI Special Agent In Charge Jeff Sallet's omission of the phrase "under God" when he recited a portion of the Pledge of Allegiance on Monday.

Sallet, who heads the FBI's New Orleans field office, made the remarks that Tony Perkins has taken issue with while responding to Sunday's deadly attack on Baton Rouge law enforcement during a news conference with Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards and law enforcement leaders.

Baton Rouge police officers Montrell Jackson and Matthew Gerald and East Baton Rouge Deputy Sheriff Brad Garafola were all killed in the shooting. Three others were injured. One remains in critical condition.

The somber press conference had several leaders in tears as they gave a step-by-step description of the deadly attack on law enforcement and hailed the slain officers as heroes.

After expressing condolences to the officers' families, Sallet quoted a segment of the Pledge as he called for unity in the wake of the shooting.

"One nation, indivisible with liberty and justice for all," Sallet said. "Baton Rouge unified, Louisiana unified, America unified. This will only make us stronger."

But Perkins, the former state legislator and ally of ex-Gov. Bobby Jindal, sent a letter to Sallet on Tuesday questioning his omission of "under God."

"As someone who had the opportunity to serve with both the East Baton Rouge Sheriffs Office and the Baton Rouge City Police, like many in Baton Rouge, I am grieved by what took place on Sunday," Perkins begins in his letter, which the FRC distributed to media outlets. "Sharing your desire for unity, I wanted to bring to your attention that in your reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance you omitted the fundamental element that has historically unified us  the fact that we are one nation under God."

Perkins, who is currently representing Louisiana as a delegate to the Republican Convention in Cleveland, continues, "I want to give you the benefit of the doubt here and respectfully request that you offer a simple correction. Doing so, would make clear that your remarks were not intended to further divide, but in fact, unify."

The FBI's New Orleans field office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The pledge, as formally adopted by Congress in 1942, didn't originally contain the phrase "under God." Those words were added in 1954.
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Eleven men and women from Louisiana and out of state are vying to head the Ascension Parish school district, in the district's second search for a new superintendent.

The application deadline was noon Monday.

The applicants, announced by Human Resources Director Randy Watts at the School Board's meeting Tuesday, are:

 David Alexander, director of education, Associated Builders and Contractors, Pelican Chapter, who's also a former director of secondary education with the Ascension Parish school district.

 Tyrone Burton, principal, Caddo Parish school district.

 Joey Comeaux, director, Assumption Parish school district.

 Kathryn Cox, chief executive officer, U.S. Education Delivery Institute, Washington, D.C.

 Elizabeth Duran Swinford, consultant/superintendent, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, public schools and a former associate superintendent of human resources for East Baton Rouge public schools.

 Albert DuPont, senior manager, Houston Independent School District.

 Arthur Joffrion Jr., executive assistant superintendent, Rapides Parish School District.

 Victoria Miles, director of federal programs/director of general education support, Keller, Texas Independent School District.

 Esrom Pitre, associate professor of educational leadership, Southern University.

 Carolyn Smith, professor of reading education, Baton Rouge Community College.

 Jerri Williams, superintendent, Albion, Michigan public schools.

Acting Superintendent A. Denise Graves said Tuesday the next step in the superintendent search will be the selection of finalists at the board's July 26 meeting.

She added that the board "reserves the right to stop the process and appoint (someone) at any point."

The new list of applicants is the latest development in a process that began in March when former superintendent Patrice Pujol retired.

In June, a majority of the board voted to reject three finalists arrived at with the help of a search firm and to restart the application process.
LSU is hosting an open house showcase Saturday, just before the peak of the 2016 hurricane season, to demonstrate how homes can be made safer from tropical storms and flooding.

Four times a year, LaHouse opens on a Saturday to provide an opportunity to learn about some of the research-tested techniques that can be used around the home.

We focus on a couple of topics each time and this time is disaster resilience, said Claudette Reichel, director of LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center. Reichel is also a professor at the LSU Agricultural Center.

The open house provides access to experts and includes free literature. In addition, there is a computer assisted aspect to the demonstration that will provide online information on specific flood and wind hazards by address, she said.

The information includes techniques for new construction and retrofits that can help residents get a discount on insurance.

The house features cut outs in the walls and ceilings so visitors can see construction techniques, which range from the relatively inexpensive -- such as removable covers for windows -- to more high-end solutions such as retractable storm shutters.

Its a showcase exhibit, she said. Its a demonstration of what research has verified.

There are also techniques to make homes more flood resistant. The demonstration includes materials and construction practices that makes it easier to clean up after a house has flooded.

How they can make a wash and wear house, Reichel said. That could save people so much hassle and so much expense.

Another features of the home is a retrofitted closet in the master bedroom that has been reinforced to make it a safer place to gather during powerful storms.

What we show is a relatively low-cost, almost a do it yourself thing, she said. To make a storm shelter that is more resilient than the rest of the house.

'It only takes one': Mayor Landrieu preaches hurricane preparedness Local, state and federal officials have a simple message for residents on the even of hurric

The idea for LaHouse started in 2000 as part of the LSU Agricultural Center extension service after Reichel heard about a similar demonstration home in Florida. With the support of the LSU Agricultural Center administration, money was raised through donations to build and design the house based on research from around the country.

The house was half-built in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. In the aftermath of the hurricane, contractors had their hands full with the rebuilding of south Louisiana. The house had a roof and was left unfinished, but open for tours, for two years.

Then in 2008, we went back and completed it, Reichel said.

The downstairs looks like a normal house with the upstairs reserved for offices and an exhibit room where more home-improvement products and ideas are displayed.

The LSU AgCenters LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center showcase house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 2858 Gourier Ave. on LSUs campus.
The United Bank of India (UBI) has released the admit cards for Specialist Officer on its official website, unitedbankofindia.com

By India Today Web Desk: The United Bank of India (UBI) has released admit cards for Specialist Officer on its official website, unitedbankofindia.com



How to download?

In order to download the admit cards, the candidates are required to follow the steps listed below:



Go to the official website

Click on the tab, 'Recruitment'

Thereafter, click on to, 'Click on to download Call letter for Online Examination'

Enter registration number and date of birth

After submitting the same, the admit cards will appear on the screen

The candidates must take a print-out for future use.

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The candidates will be appointed against the posts of Company Secretary and Officer (Security).



The selection will be made on the basis of a group discussion and personal interview. The selected candidates are liable to be transferred anywhere in India.



About UBI:

The bank was established in 1950. Its headquarter is in Kolkata, West Bengal. The bank has three full-fledged overseas branches, one each in Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai. United Bank of India now aims to expand its international activities.



For more details, the candidates can visit the official website.

For more information, follow India Today Education or you can write to us at education.intoday@gmail.com



--- ENDS ---
To use Gov. John Bel Edwards apt word, the diabolical assassination of law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge is being met with the caring and kindness characteristic of our town and our state, as people are donating blood and providing love and support for officers.

That is today: The deaths of three fine officers and the wounding of three others demand our care and concern, for a long time to come.

What must be pondered in the weeks and months ahead is how to improve police protection in a parish with deeply troubled race relations and neighborhoods desperately needing policing that rolls back disorder and the drug trade.

Counter-intuitively, the way forward might be to keep more people out of jail.

Days before the police shooting of Alton Sterling, a new report about East Baton Rouge Parish Prisons chronic problems of overcrowding and higher costs pointed toward a larger agenda of criminal justice reform.

The 33-page report was prepared by a highly respected former mayor of Indianapolis, Stephen Goldsmith.

He said that the city-parish government can be tough on crime but also cut crowding at the jail. The agenda includes not only alternatives to imprisonment but rehabilitation and substance abuse treatment.

The report was commissioned by the city-parish government but it follows upon efforts by leaders to deal with the growing crisis of mental illness. The efforts, spearheaded by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, are not new but action has been slow: Mayor-President Kip Holden joined with Sheriff Sid Gautreaux and others in early 2015 to ask for multiple taxes that would have funded a new prison and a mental health facility. Metro Council members complained the details were not fine-tuned, and they blocked putting the taxes on the ballot and asked for more information.

Things have only gotten worse since. How much information do elected officials need before they face up to the costs of change?

Unfortunately, as Jan Kasofsky, of the Capital Area Human Services District, told the Press Club of Baton Rouge, the area has been hard-hit by a massive deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill.

She noted that leaders across the country want to avoid incarceration of offenders when possible, because they become stuck in the system, unable to either get help for their problems or work to provide for their families, often subsequently penalized for other infractions  the Hotel California effect.

For police officers, some of whom are on a first-name basis with repeat offenders, these people are a massive drain of time and trouble. Despite the training that Kasofskys agency has provided, there is little to be done with the offender except jail or perhaps a hospital emergency room, where officers might be detained for hours.

As Holden looks at the Baton Rouge Police Department, he sees a highly credentialed agency that he has fought to provide with resources over the last dozen years. But Holdens backing of the mental health project also recognizes that the agency faces huge difficulties with not only crime but punishment  how to deal with the burden of people who are causing trouble and need help that cops cannot provide. That is far cheaper, by the way, than a new jail.

Relieving cops of these burdens ought to be a top priority for the new leadership that comes to city hall next January.
At home, Dr. Ali Sadeghi repeatedly raped his wife over the course of years, in one instance forcing a bottle inside her, prosecutors alleged 
ACT public servants will soon be gagged from criticising the government and legally compelled to dob in colleagues they find doing the same.

New laws governing the territory's public sector workers are now before the ACT parliament, which would restrict how bureaucrats can behave outside office hours.

Twitter shares plunged as much as 19 per cent on Thursday in New York, the most since April 2015, to $US20.10. Credit:Bloomberg

Workers would face misconduct proceedings and potential dismissal if they said or did anything "outside of the performance of official functions" that damaged the reputation of the public sector or ACT executive.

Public servants would also be legally compelled to dob in a colleague, should they become aware he or she is harming the government's reputation.
"We need to see more like him," she said. "It's a hard thing for guys to not go along with the pack mentality. He chose not to be a bystander but to reveal it. So he deserves commendation." ANU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington said the university had worked with the college and was "satisfied that the penalties are appropriate". She said none of the images were of naked breasts but they were nonetheless "clearly inappropriate and represent unacceptable behaviour towards fellow residents". These men need to recognise that all the women they reside with are their equals, not objects. An alleged victim of sexual harassment at John XXIII College "ANU believes 'Johns' has taken the appropriate action open to it under its disciplinary processes, and fully supports the penalties handed down to the residents involved," she said.

One of the alleged victims wrote about the experience for the ANU newspaper, Woroni. She said the incident stemmed from a formal dinner at the start of the year when one student created a Facebook group message connecting with other male students. "The night was filled with eating, drinking and dancing, all documented in an online forum with the sole purpose of judging the 'best mooeys (breasts) on show' for the night," she wrote. "A month later a close male friend of mine presented to me the series of messages. I read from the top and scrolled down, sifting through pages and pages of disrespectful words, and the close up photos and videos of mine and a few other girls' cleavages, who were conveniently sitting opposite the photographers. Silly us, so ignorantly unaware of who we were sharing our meal with. "Like mindless sheep following suit, a handful of the men captured and uploaded images of my body. Seasoned with comments of sexist slurs, that included proposals of raping me  all the while I cheerfully sat opposite them."

It is not the first time the college has been in strife. In 2011, two students were expelled from John XXIII for putting dead feral pigs in dorm rooms and on cars. John XXIII head Geoff Johnston, said the college obtained a hard-copy of the Facebook message trail to help whittle down the offenders. Mr Johnston said the behaviour was "totally unacceptable" but young people still made mistakes. "You've got young people coming out of school and put in an environment where they are treated as adults and sometimes they will do stupid things and in this particular case they did something that was totally unacceptable and we acted on it," he said. The incident happened in March. Mr Johnston said fewer than five female students were affected and all remained at the college, which was committed to helping them in whatever way they needed.

Mr Johnston said he could assure women, especially young women, they could be safe in the college. "Let me put it this way, I think there's a couple of positives that came out of this and one is that quite a few boys objected to what had happened and when they found out about it, they are the ones who went to the girls and said, 'Are you aware of this?'," he said. "So there was a lot of proactive action by boys saying this is just not acceptable behaviour and there's been a lot of support to those girls as they then came forward to make a complaint. "That to me shows we are dealing with a small, little group. Sexism is an issue in colleges throughout Australia, throughout the world, but there's a limit to what you talk to people about, discuss with people about. At times you, suspend people or, in this particular case, you expel them." The victim who wrote the article felt she had the full support of the college administration and the punishment was "swift". But she still felt "heartbroken and furious".
Could Fremantle livewire forward Michael Walters be heading to Greater Western Sydney next year?

According to the Giants new list manager Craig Cameron, GWS is apparently looking at bolstering its small forward stocks to complement power forwards Jeremy Cameron and Jonathon Patton.

Giants forward Cam McCarthy could be heading to Fremantle next season. Credit:Quinn Rooney

It's understood GWS is looking at snaffling Walters in a swap that could see troubled forward Cam McCarthy move to Fremantle.

McCarthy is on indefinite leave from GWS after he left the club in January to head back home to Perth to deal with an ongoing mental health issue.
This new app, 21+, initially available in Mumbai, will help you cut the queue at your favourite bars so you can have a relaxed evening.

Tired of wasting your time waiting for drinks at your favourite bars? Get this app. Picture courtesy: Pinterest/Apartment Therapy

By Shreya Goswami: This happens every weekend. You get to your favourite bar after work, hoping to unwind with a glass of something deep, surrounded by your friends. Then you see the crowd at the bar, and realise that this is going to be another evening of shouting orders at the bartenders, waiting for drinks for too long, and getting more exhausted than jubilant by the minute.

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No more!

A team of four Mumbaikars has come up with a new app that will end your bar rush woes. Parag Mehta, Anuj Kanakia and Khushnuma Sheth of Creative Cart, got together with Kewbmaker's CEO, Dhananjay Arora, to create the new 21+ app.

This app is going to make your bar experience more relaxed and fun. Photo: 21+

The user-friendly app will soon be available on IOS and Playstore for all of you to download. Customers can use this app to select a bar, choose their drinks, and pay for the same on the phone itself. The app will generate a 4 digit code that you can show the bartender to get your already paid-for drink.

This is in fact a way of getting prepaid service at a bar with absolutely no hassles, leaving you free to relax with your friends and dates. It's not a bad deal for the bartenders themselves, because they won't have to keep an ear out for drinks being shouted at them.

Here is a list of the bars in Mumbai that have tied up with the 21+ app:

Barking Deer

Cafe Zoe

Blue Frog

The Bombay Bronx

The Little Door

The Sassy Spoon (Bandra)

Three Wise Men

True Tramm Trunk

WTF!

Harry's -Juhu

Harry's - Powai

Harry's - Andheri

Harry's - Phoeneix Market City Kurla

No bills, no waiting around, no missing out on valuable and fun times. The 21+ app is sure to make your life easy, and every evening at the bars just full of Happy Hours!

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Non-bank lenders Resimac and ASX-listed Homeloans are planning to join forces by forming a $13 billion mortgage lender hoping to grow more aggressively in the home loan market.

The two lenders on Wednesday announced plans to merge, a sign of consolidation among smaller lenders looking to steal greater share from the big four banks.

With competition fierce in the mortgage market, the deal is intended to give the new merged business greater ability to distribute mortgages across Australia and New Zealand, and improved access to funding markets. It would have a combined loan book of $13 billion.

Homeloans chairman Robert Scott said the deal would allow the merged business to pursue extra growth opportunities, and it would be better positioned to deal with any regulatory changes.
Roger Ailes, the embattled chairman of Rupert Murdoch's Fox News channel, is to step down.

It has been confirmed the powerful 76-year-old executive is in talks leave the news channel he helped to launch in 1996. What remains to be settled are the terms and timing, his lawyer told a US trade newspaper.

Ailes' lawyer Susan Estrich has confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Ailes is negotiating his exit from the network. The move comes as he fights a series of allegations of sexual harassment, including a lawsuit from former Fox News presenter Gretchen Carlson.

Ailes has been the most influential hand at Fox News since the channel launched in 1996. His current contract was not due to expire until 2018. According to reports, Ailes will receive as much as US$40 million ($53 million) as part of settling his contract.
The quality of a Sydney haircut could be set to plummet, if the state government decides to remove qualification requirements for hairdressers, according to hairdresser Cassandra Hooper Whitmore.

The move would bring NSW into line with most other states and territories - South Australia is the only other jurisdiction that requires hairdressers to hold an industry qualification.

Despite this, Ms Hooper Whitmore - a Hair Stylists Australia ambassador - believes deregulating the industry would lower standards and could present a danger to consumers.

"It's about that on-job experience that you only get when you are working alongside someone who's done it for a long time," she said.
Slack is on a quest to become a hub for everything you do at work.

The fast-growing workplace messaging app said it is putting money into a crop of nascent start-ups that aim to streamline routine work activities such as expense reporting, recruiting and performance reviews. The 11 companies, which will collectively receive $US2 million from Slack's venture fund, will build their applications directly into Slack.

Workers in a communal office space.

Slack's ambitions are the latest evidence that workplace productivity software - once a staid but highly lucrative corner of the technology industry that was largely cornered largely by Microsoft - is a booming area. The trend started roughly nine years ago with such companies as Dropbox, Evernote, Tableau, and Salesforce - the latter is now a giant in its own right - and has surged over the last two years. Even Facebook's former chief technology officer is building a workplace productivity app. (Who knew that finding new ways to share documents could be sexy?)

Rather than being simply a way to exchange messages at work, Slack wants to become a platform upon which other businesses can build useful tools. The start-ups, for their part, get to take advantage of Slack's hard-won inroads into corporations. Slack counts 3 million daily users at companies such as Samsung, Intuit and The Washington Post.
The New York complaint connects Volkswagen's chief executive, Matthias Mueller, to the scandal for the first time. Credit:Bloomberg He was joined by the attorney general for Massachusetts, Maura Healey. The suits claim that the company made false statements to regulators and broke laws requiring cars to have approved pollution control systems 'No credible evidence' Mueller and Winterkorn have previously denied any involvement in the wrongdoing. "There is no credible evidence to support the allegation regarding Matthias Mueller," a Volkswagen spokeswoman, Jeannine Ginivan, said in an emailed statement. "It does not bear scrutiny." The potential blowback for Volkswagen could be costly.

The company last month agreed to pay nearly $US15 billion ($20 billion), a record, to settle claims in the United States by Volkswagen owners and regulators. But the settlement did not resolve what penalties might be imposed on Volkswagen, leaving room for additional suits. New York said Volkswagen was exposed to state penalties of over $US500 million. Suits from Maryland, Massachusetts and other states that might follow will add substantially to that sum. The company is also dealing with criminal investigations and shareholder lawsuits around the world. The US Justice Department said it was still pursuing a criminal inquiry. Volkswagen, Ginivan said, was already discussing a comprehensive resolution that would settle environmental issues nationwide and had addressed many of the accusations with federal authorities. "It is regrettable that some states have decided to sue for environmental claims now," she said. Volkswagen still intends to sell diesels in the United States through 2019, the company said, assuming its new models pass muster with US regulators. But after that, Volkswagen will introduce the first of several electric vehicles while it re-evaluates the role of diesel in the US market, Ginivan said. The company's timetable for the electric-car rollout was first reported Tuesday by Automotive News.

The state's complaints break the silence that prevailed in Germany and the United States about the genesis of the scandal and who was involved. The New York complaint claims that more than two dozen Volkswagen engineers and managers were involved in the deception, including Wolfgang Hatz, the former head of engine and transmission development at Volkswagen and Audi; Ulrich Hackenberg, the former head of development for Audi; and Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the former head of development for the Volkswagen brand. While several executives have been identified by the media, German prosecutors, because of the country's strict privacy laws, have named only one suspect, Winterkorn. The suit, filed in New York State Supreme Court in Albany, also criticised Volkswagen's supervisory board for awarding 63 million (about $92 million) in salary and bonuses to Mueller and other members of the management board last year. "Recent actions," the complaint said, "demonstrate that the company's culture that incentivises cheating and denies accountability comes from the very top and, even now, remains unchecked." Decade of deception The deception, the complaint described, spanned more than a decade.

While scrutiny has focused on the Volkswagen brand, the use of defeat devices was pioneered by Audi, according to the complaint. Engineers at Audi developed a way to eliminate the clattering sound that diesel engines tend to make after starting. But the solution increased pollution to impermissible levels. So Audi in 2004 programmed its diesels in Europe to turn off the noise reduction technology when software recognised that the cars were undergoing emissions tests, the complaint said. The defeat device was euphemistically labelled the "acoustic function." The same software was later adapted for a new generation of diesel motors that could not meet US emissions standards. The New York complaint is the first to explicitly present evidence that top managers, at the very least, were aware of the engineering problems that led to the use of defeat devices. According to the New York suit, Mueller and Winterkorn were informed in 2006 that Audis with 3-litre diesel engines needed additional equipment to meet US standards. Specifically, they needed a larger tank to hold the chemical solution used to neutralise nitrogen oxide emissions in the exhaust. But Volkswagen and Audi, the complaint said, did not want to spend the money necessary to redesign the cars. Instead, the company decided to deploy defeat devices. Both Winterkorn and Mueller held senior positions at the Audi unit at the time.

Documents used as evidence refer to "H. Mueller," according to the complaint. An Audi executive told investigators that was a reference to Matthias Mueller, the current chief executive, the suit said. The New York suit also takes aim at executives' claims that they were ignorant of the defeat devices, citing their behaviour when the threat of exposure loomed. 'Come up with the story!' In early 2014, engineers at West Virginia University published a study in which two unidentified diesel cars were found to have emitted up to 40 times as much pollution on highways as they did under laboratory conditions. Inside Volkswagen, there was widespread alarm, the complaint said. After it became clear that the cars in the study were Volkswagens - a 2012 Jetta and a 2013 Passat - company engineers in the United States were bombarded with requests for information by senior managers, including a management board member, Christian Klingler. He has since left Volkswagen for reasons the company said were not related to the scandal.
What could you do to a city so that people in that city - mothers, fathers, TV hosts or otherwise - were not scared of other people? As a first step, you might create open air markets.

In the US, where social tensions are, outwardly at least, more fraught than here, the sociologist Elijah Anderson has a term for the "respite from wariness" that comes when one is shopping or eating in certain public places.

At a late-night bus stop, Anderson's account runs, you might wait with your eyes down. You might raise them in recognition only to someone who looks like you.

But at a market, where there are signs and noise and hustle and fragrance, where there are a myriad of little personal interactions all about, engaging with people who might otherwise seem different is completely normal.
Norman Carter Roseville Chase Jessica Irvine's article on housing is interesting from the viewpoint of ownership verses having a mortgage. I would doubt that 51.7% of Australians over 18 years of age actually own their home. It is more likely that a large proportion are actually paying off a mortgage. Likewise that 47% of households aged 25 to 34 years of age own their home. To actually own your home one needs first of all to have the mortgage paid out and discharged. A better notion would be the concept of 'currently purchasing their home with an attached mortgage'. Bruce Clydsdale Bathurst The unrecognised contributor to the trend of lower housing ownership is compulsory superannuation. I am an employer in a low wage industry in the Sydney region. The tradeoff of 9.25 percent of a low wage going to superannuation to receive a token weekly payment after 65 means that this group of workers are doomed to a life of renting.

This is the biggest cause of wealth shift in Australia. Money is being forcibly taken from low wage earners and handed to Super companies, union megafunds, and later in life to wealthy property owning landlords who bought their investments with the assistance of government tax write offs. If I didn't have to pay compulsory super that 9% of wages would be in the pockets of my staff, and significantly improve their prospects in the housing market. What a con. It is creating a class of life time renters and giving little in return. Frank Gasparre Eastwood Until the introduction of high-density policies home ownership was attainable for most families. To implement these policies the NSW Government imposed a restrictive growth ring around Sydney, so forcing an increasing population into higher density. Due to the resulting constrained supply land has become scarce. This scarcity caused the land component in the price of a house to increase from the long time 30% to 70% which has pushed the total package beyond the reach of most people. Analysis throughout the world reveals those jurisdictions which restrict land availability feature unaffordable housing. The underprivileged and the young bear the brunt of this wrong-headed ideology.

Tony Recsei Warrawee Every politician in Canberra should today be shamed by the news on housing affordability.Political self interest has driven policy and resulted in the outrageous tax minimisation available in our property market for decades. Politicians of all persuasions put their own interests before the community, and now our young are reaping the pain.It is shameful. Greg Loder Springwood NAPLAN the new gatekeeper that will inflict pain For many years the completion of high school was a holy grail. ("HSC revamp to pressure students from age 14," July 20.) Obtaining a leaving certificate meant you knew something or had the right to go on to further studies. Over time, that holy grail became tarnished as the Higher School Certificate was awarded to all comers.

The requirement to pass the third highest level of NAPLAN literacy and numeracy in NSW will certainly increase the academic value of a HSC in this state. The public can be assured that students have defined literacy and numeracy levels. There is a problem, however, that will affect around half of all students. Many will now face the prospect of no chance of obtaining a Year 12 certificate.This is because only 48.1% of students in Year 9 achieved Band 8 or higher in the NAPLAN Year 8 Reading. Only 52.2% achieved a Band 8 or higher in Numeracy. Even fewer will receive a Band 8 in both.Furthermore, NAPLAN will now assume immense value in secondary schooling. It will become the gatekeeper.This policy is a return to basics and in one sense the authorities need to be congratulated for restoring value. On the other hand, there will be massive collateral damage with some 40,000 students per year realising that the HSC is not for them. James Athanasou Maroubra Fear is warranted but hatred is not Child psychology in the 1940s, when I was growing up, was frighteningly simple; you were told that, if you misbehaved, the bogyman would come and get you. Crude but effective, although hordes of innocent children nervously checking under beds and in wardrobes every night was a distinct downside.

Sadly things don't necessarily change much with adulthood. Fear is a mighty weapon for control - just look at our politicians and their attacks, overt and subtle, on our Muslim citizens. And, as with the bogyman, it involves deceit on top of ignorance. Alan Stokes ("The cult of celebrity doesn't replace facts and sensible debate", July 20) sensibly suggests that, to confront the hostility that comes with that fear and divides our country, we must first address the basic ignorance - " . . . it is harder to hate someone you know". The kneejerk, irrational reactions of the Sonia Krugers, Pauline Hansons et al of our world are prime examples of fear based on false information; but, nevertheless, they need to be recognised as real. The truth is that most of us are scared of the madness, cruelty and instability of our present society. The challenge is whether we react with calm strength to deny the lunatics trying to manipulate us or with blind, broad-brush hatred that satisfies their goal of divide and conquer. The choice should not be difficult. Bert Candy Lemon Tree Passage. Blurring of boundaries Colin Rubenstein's ("Let's speak clearly on Islamism", July 20) makes a worthy case for clarifying what it is that we need to address. The terrorism threat is coming from a highly politicised "Islamism" rather than Muslims in general. What I don't get, whenever anybody presents these arguments around this issue is the tendency to a either/or interpretation of what must be some sort of continuum from politicised to non-politicised, from the religious to the secular. There must at times be a serious blurring of ideological/theological boundaries, as one thing bleeds into another. We are not speaking here of reasoned arguments, be they highly politicised or religious. We are talking about belief systems and doctrinal faith, (which is just as applicable to other isms like Communism, Fascism and Capitalism). I think this may be why we can never entirely create this dichotomy of the political and the religious. As human beings we tend to complex identities made of components from all dimensions of knowledge, experience and belief.

Our only hope lies in the triumph of reason. Garry Feeney Kingsgrove Colin Rubenstein brings a welcome note of rationality in calling for a clear distinction between Islam and Isis terrorism. However does he apply the same objectivity and compassion in assessing Israel's brutal treatment of those West Bank Palestinians who do not support Hammas violence? I doubt it. Peters Thomas Rose Bay WestConnex: light at the end of tunnel

If insanity may be defined as endless repetition of an action but expecting a different result then the RMS /Sydney Motorway Corporation are in dire need of certification. As Matt O'Sullivan pointed out in ("Not yet end of the road for WestConnex project, July 20.) it was only five years ago that $200 million was spent on the Iron Cove bridge duplication. It was opened to a chorus of political tub thumping with fatuous claims to cure all traffic woes on Victoria Road. Fast forward to the present and we are given claims that another billion or so spent has "the potential to reduce traffic ... by almost 50%." While seemingly endless blank cheques are thrown at road building in NSW other government departments are having their budgets halved denying homes for the homeless, medical care for the sick and schools for our children. John Adamson Dulwich Hill David Barrow points out that the ICAC is finally starting to see more light at the end of the tunnel for the citizens of this state (Letters, July 20). Hopefully the ICAC can show us even more light at the end of the tunnel in regards to WestConnex. Todd Hillsley Homebush Elbow bending

How fascinating to read ("Smokers, drinkers outdo sober mates on exercise", July 20.) I was gobsmacked that "men who drink five to 42 drinks a week (a wide margin) "exercise more than teetotallers" Well, I mused, they would certainly bend the elbow much more. Little doubt about that fact. What was more fascinating was precisely what alcoholic drinks were studied. Beer, wine and spirits or all three? This is very relevant to the study as the alcoholic contents vary significantly in all three. I am not a prude and am not against those who enjoy a beer of a glass of red or white wine with dinner but I certainly draw the line of 42 alcoholic drinks a week. Lorraine Nelson Frenchs Forest Delightful half century What lovely sentiments expressed by John Carmody (Letters, July 20). I have another story to tell. I had the privilege of conducting the funeral service for Dorothy Rosemond, who was costume designer and seamstress for the ABC for many years. She made the first 'Humpty' and dressed the first 'Jemima'. At 96 she was still stitching toys for our church playgroup. Play School and the people who made, and still make it the delight it is, have touched many lives in untold positive ways.

Meredith Williams Dee Why Safe and tolerant society for everyone Mary Lawson hit the nail on the head (Letters, July 20.) I too believe that France has been targeted because of the anti-hijab laws passed a couple of years ago. Their colonial connections with Algeria have also helped fuel the rage. I have heard many "experts" on radio rave on about all sorts of reasons for the targeting, yet the simple answer is that young and old Muslim women felt extremely angry with France's hijab laws. It is, after all, the mothers who are the keepers of culture. "Hell hath no fury ..."? Obvious isn't? Deni McKenzie Balala Tolerance for others

I note that Pauline Hanson claims that Australia is a Christian country. ("Hanson blames 'witch-hunt' by Howard, Abbott for jailing", July 20.) I do not know if she also claims to be a Christian. One of Christ's most important teachings was love of others, not hatred. I would hope that not only Ms Hanson, but all Australians could show tolerance with other people, while still disagreeing with their views. We all want to keep Australia a safe and tolerant society. Encouraging hatred does not help. Alan Hislop Wahroonga What about a Royal Commission into redheads. Ian Harrison Edgecliff Please explain ("One-liners serve us badly in immigration debate", July 20)?
They pointed out that large slabs of the text bore an uncanny and completely coincidental resemblance to the speech given by Michelle Obama in support of her then-presidential candidate husband Barack Something, almost as though my speechwriter googled hers, cut and pasted the bits that seemed relevant, and then submitted an invoice.

I recently gave a speech in support of my husband and future Presidential Overlord of the Planet, Donald Trump, which was predictably attacked by the hate-filled liberal media.

"I call the big one 'Bitey', nation!" Credit:Carolyn Kaster

I would like to defend my family and staff in the strongest possible terms from the cruel and frankly slanderous accusation that anyone connected with the Trump campaign would lazily crib material from other sources. This is an insult to me, to our support base, and to my beloved husband's well-known determination to hire only the most capable and cromulent staff to create the well-oiled machine that is our presidential campaign.

The notion that my speech was anything other than a heartfelt and sincere reflection of my innermost thoughts is pure absurdity. As most citizens are well aware, ever since I was a young boy I played the silver ball - from Soho down to Brighton I must have played them all. And I say to you now: Ich bin ein Berliner.

In order to make America great again, all of us - no matter our colour or creed - must be prepared to do the Bartman. And like so many citizens in this great country, every now and then I get a little bit lonely and I dream of something wild, turn around. Because in these times of great global uncertainty, we're gonna need a bigger boat.

That's not to say that there are not challenges ahead. We must do, or do not: there is no try.
By PTI: Dhaka, Jul 20 (PTI) Five Islamist militants were today charged for the grisly murder of a 27-year-old secular Bangladeshi blogger, who was hacked to death by machete- wielding assailants in broad daylight here last year.

An additional metropolitan magistrate court indicted the Ansarullah Bangla Team militants and fixed August 4 as the date for witnesses depositions in the murder case of Oyasiqur Rahman Babu.

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Oyasiqur was stabbed to death in Tejgaon Industrial area of Dhaka in March last year.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Salauddin Hawlader said three suspects were produced before the court for the hearing.

The remaining two, who are absconding, will be tried in absentia, he was quoted as saying by BD News.

On morning of March 30 last year, machete-wielding assailants hacked Oyasiqur to death near his home here.

Locals managed to nab two of the attackers and handed them to law enforcement officials while the third suspect was arrested by police later.

Police produced the trio ? Zikrullah alias Hasan, Ariful Islam and Saiful ? in court today and all of them pleaded not guilty.

Madrassa students, Zikrullah and Ariful, were nabbed by locals from the spot while police arrested Saiful later.

The fugitive suspects are Junayed Ahmed alias Taher and Akram Hossain.

Police said the arrested suspects confessed during interrogation that Oyasiqur was murdered for his writings on religious issues.

The blogger was working at a travel agency called Fareast Aviation as a trainer after completing his studies from the Tejgaon College in Dhaka.

Oyasiur hailed from Hajipur village in Lakshmipur district.

He was mainly active on the Facebook where he used to write on religion, science and against communalism.

Oyasiqur was killed barely after a month of the murder of secular writer-blogger Avijit Roy on the Dhaka university campus in a similar way by machete-wielding assailants.

Protesting the killing, Oyasiqur wrote on the banner of his Facebook page -- I am Avijit. Words cannot be killed.

Bangladesh in the past two years has witnessed deadly attacks on liberal and secular writers and activists, religious minorities including Hindus and moderate Sufis and Shiites. PTI ASK AKJ ASK

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The tragic situation of Harriet Wran, daughter of the late NSW Labor premier, Neville Wran, recently received saturation media coverage. Spiralling problems with ice ended with Ms Wran pleading guilty to accessory after the fact of murder and robbery in company.

In the sentence hearings in court, Harriet Wran revealed the personal demons she has been fighting for many years. She will not be the last person to turn to alcohol and other drugs to get relief from personal demons only to find heaven in the short term and hell in the long term.

More than 30 years ago, Rosalyn Hawke, daughter of the Labor (then) Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, attracted considerable media as her battle with heroin became public knowledge. At the time the public were astonished drug problems could involve the child of a Prime Minister.

The serious problems of Harriet Wran now and Rosalyn Hawke then demonstrated to the community that a privileged background was no protection from serious drug problems.
The NSW government will not guarantee the future of the National Art School as an independent institution.

The art school's location in the historic Darlinghurst jail is also not secure, with the site's new owner offering a license rather than lease.

The National Art School will be offered a license agreement, not lease, to stay in the historic Darlinghurst jail. Credit:Ben Rushton

A spokeswoman for the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Danielle Williams, said: "Presently, no decision has been made on the future of the National Art School (NAS) in regards to mergers with other institutions."
"There are very, very few people who you can say are great artists of cinema," says Kent Jones. One of the few is Alfred Hitchcock, who for anyone who cares about film needs no introduction. Working first in Britain, then in Hollywood, Hitchcock remained a constant innovator over more than 50 years: his classics include Rear Window, Vertigo, Psycho, The Birds and dozens more.

The new documentary by Jones  director of the New York Film Festival and a brilliant critic  covers some familiar ground from a fresh point of view. Hitchcock/Truffaut takes its title from the book of the same name published in 1966 by the French New Wave filmmaker Francois Truffaut, who had already launched a remarkable career of his own.

French New Wave director Francis Truffaut and the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock.

The book is an edited transcription of a week-long interview that Truffaut, who idolised Hitchcock, conducted at Universal Studios in 1962. Generally cagey about his art, Hitchcock was won over by the admiration of the younger artist, opening up as never before about his techniques and themes.

As Jones points out in the documentary, Hitchcock at the time was not the universally revered figure he has since become: his very success in pleasing the public led to him being dismissed as a mere entertainer, the "master of suspense". It took Truffaut and his New Wave comrades to reframe the discussion in a way that would reveal the sophistication of Hitchcock's art.
"It's never been a good bet to bet against the United States," Vice-President Joe Biden has proclaimed, making the case for US economic and military supremacy to maintain the "rules-based international order" in the Pacific region amid ongoing tensions with China.

Mr Biden, wrapping up a four-day Australian tour, also reiterated his belief in the Australia-US alliance, rubbished predictions of America's declining role in international affairs and urged people not to worry about his homeland's eyebrow-raising election race.

"We are not going anywhere. And that is vital because our presence in the region  and it sounds terrible to say coming from the lips of an American elected official  our presence is essential to maintaining peace and stability, without which the economic growth and prosperity I believe would falter," he said in a Sydney address.

"America is the linchpin and we want to ensure the sea lanes are secure, the skies remain open. That is how to maintain the free flow of commerce, that is the life-blood of this region."
Treasurer Scott Morrison has warned that big changes to the federal government's proposed superannuation policies could deliver a half-a-billion-dollar hit to the federal budget.

But he has moved to reassure colleagues there will be further consultation over the $6 billion package of measures, and suggested technical changes to the policies could be made.

The package includes a $1.6 million cap on the amount that can be put into a tax-free retirement accounts, dropping the annual limit of contributions taxed at the concessional rate of 15 per cent from $30,000 to $25,000 and a $500,000 lifetime cap on non-concessional contributions, with this latter change being attacked by some critics for being retrospective as it is backdated to 2007.

Liberal National Party MP George Christensen became the latest Coalition critic of the $500,000 lifetime cap on Wednesday, threatening to cross the floor if the "Labor-style" policies did not change.
One of Australia's top diplomats says the devastating truck attack in the French city of Nice, which has claimed 85 lives, shows why its critical travellers register their travel details before taking off, especially if they are heading to Europe.

Australia's ambassador to France, Stephen Brady, said consular officials trying to contact citizens caught up in crises overseas could reach travellers faster if their details were registered online at Smartraveller.gov.au.

"The numbers are very small that register, and so again this is further reason, it's a broader point than just travelling to France that it's in Australians interest to register if they wish to partake of the capacity to be instantaneously informed," Mr Brady said.

"It makes our lives that much easier to locate people, we can ring a hotel, we can ring an AirBnB," he said.
The United Nations has been asked to investigate dozens of incidents in which children with disabilities were allegedly assaulted, locked in dark rooms and restrained in Australian schools.

The request, which was made on behalf of 55 families by a group of disability organisations, cited "widespread and grave" violations of students' human rights.

The group is seeking international intervention because it claims Australia has failed to act.

Around 36 per cent of students in these 55 families reported being physically assaulted by school staff. Some students with a disability were allegedly punched, pulled and kicked by staff.
A snake named Bread was confiscated from a man on a train at Woy Woy on the NSW Central Coast about 1am on Wednesday.

Police allege that the 20-year-old man produced the one metre-long jungle python - a black and yellow colour - from his backpack and showed it to fellow passengers on the train travelling north.

Police were contacted by passengers who were concerned for the snake's safety.

When officers interviewed the man at Woy Woy railway station, he said he did not have a permit for the snake.
A driver has been charged with a string of offences after he was detained by members of the public following a police chase on the Gold Coast.

The 33-year-old man allegedly drove along a footpath at Labrador before crossing an intersection and crashing into another car after evading police twice on Wednesday afternoon.

A woman was taken to hospital after a collision with a man who was allegedly on the run from police. Credit:Nine News Gold Coast

Drugs and a replica gun were allegedly found in the car.

Police first spotted the Sanctuary Cove man in a stolen Kia Rio about 5.30pm at Little Norman Street at Southport and tried to pull him over but he allegedly sped off.
But we're back to back-and-forths and circular debates, so we might leave it here for today.

Dr Lynham is almost all finished.

Grilling factor: Creme bruleed

MVP: Jo-Ann Miller, backing it up from yesterday's strong performance, followed closely by Jim Pearce, who did just suggest that it might be time for members to take their dispute out the back and think about it, if they don't settle down.

Theme of the day - Your government was/is worse than our government. On repeat and from both sides

Up next - Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni. We'll keep an ear on it for you, so you don't have to - check back on Brisbane Times for updates. You know, just in case you are having trouble sleeping or something.



We'll be back tomorrow morning with more estimates cheer - where Yvette D'Ath and Bill Byrne will step up for their grilling. WON'T THAT BE FUN!
His daughter who is a journalist by profession spotted the dead body first which was lying in a pool of blood when she reached home to drop off her kids as usual.

By India Today Television: A 65 years old senior citizen was found brutally murdered in Samachar Apartments in Mayur Vihar which is a posh area of Delhi.

Retired from government services, Vijay Kumar who four months ago shifted to the apartment no 129 was brutally stabbed in his bed room. According to police source, His throat was slit and two stab injuries on the body.

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SCENE OF THE CRIME



His daughter who is a journalist by profession spotted the dead body first which was lying in a pool of blood when she reached home to drop off her kids as usual.

The Police was immediately informed about heinous crime. Initial probe suggests that the attacker wa s known to Mr. Vijay. Empty cups of tea were found on the dining table. The TV of the bed room was also switched on and the door was open.

The room was ransacked and some money was missing. The Police has also found some suspicious people leaving the compound hurriedly in a CCTV footage. Vijay's wife works in the income tax department. Mr. Vijay was said to be alone during the time of the crime.

ALSO READ:

Jigisha Ghosh murder case: All 3 accused convicted of abducting, killing Delhi techie

Brutal murder in Delhi's Karol Bagh caught on CCTV cameras



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Cyber criminals have adopted a "gold rush" mentality after successfully using ransomware to extort money from businesses, United States security software firm Symantec has warned.

It might only be a matter of time before they took a leaf out of the "Stuxnet" book and held industrial computer systems used to run the likes of manufacturing systems to ransom, the company said in a report published on Wednesday.

Consumers are still being hit by ransomware, but criminals are increasingly after richer pickings.

Stuxnet was malware that was believed to have been developed by US and Israeli security services to disrupt Siemens software that controlled uranium centrifuges at the heart of Iran's nuclear programme.

Symantec Asia Pacific cyber security manager Nick Savvides speculated manufacturers or oil refineries might pay ransoms of tens of thousands of dollars to "make a problem go away".
Then he wrote to his mother in England to admit responsibility for his wife's death and apologise for having "stained" the family name.

David Whitelegg, right, has been jailed for 18 years for murdering his wife Anne. Credit:Channel 9

He gave away his cat.

After he strangled his wife, David Whitelegg set about organising his affairs.

Yet, when authorities found Anne Whitelegg's body on the kitchen floor, her husband said she had fallen ill.

By 2014, the Whitelegg's marriage was strained and Mrs Whitelegg was planning to leave.

Victoria's Supreme Court heard Whitelegg - a 55-year-old former British Army major - lost his temper as the pair argued in their home in Wallan, north of Melbourne, on September 18.

A thin woman, Mrs Whitelegg was very drunk at the time her husband lost control and launched at her, the court heard.

"You attacked your wife when her ability to escape from you was compromised by the alcohol she had consumed," Justice Jane Dixon told the former army major on Wednesday.
Two cars involved in a crash in Melbourne's north on Wednesday may have been racing each other.

A police spokeswoman said two cars were travelling on Plumpton Avenue in Glenroy at 3.30am, one behind the other, when the leading car was hit from behind.

The collision caused the first car to hit a tree and a power pole.

A post box appeared to also have been struck by one of the vehicles, as it ended up on a neighbouring property's doorstep.
A police officer was so close to a car that refused to stop that, when the officer fired at the driver, the bullet casing flew through the windscreen and lodged in the car's footwell.

Tyson Manitta caused chaos on EastLink last year after nearly killing the policeman, Senior Constable Damien Sartori, while attempting to flee a routine traffic stop.

Senior Constable Sartori fired a shot but that did not stop Manitta, who ploughed on, hitting the officer.

Senior Constable Sartori's body flipped up and over the car, up and over a concrete safety barrier on the side of EastLink, and onto the bitumen.
Parents at a Perth hills primary school claim their children have been playing with and crushing up asbestos fragments found around the school, which is located next to an old landfill site.

Sonya Bell told 9 News Perth she would not be allowing her children to return to Gooseberry Hill Primary School until she was reassured by the Department of Education that all asbestos fibres had been removed.

"It's difficult to hear as a parent that your children have been playing with asbestos dust at school," she said.

"I don't want to get into hysteria, I want to make sure I have all the facts and I don't feel I have them."
A young Perth woman holidaying in Bali reportedly cannot leave the holiday island until she pays more than $50,000 in medical bills after suffering suspected methanol poisoning from drinking cheap alcohol.

Jen Neilson, who is aged in her twenties, on Wednesday remained in Siloam Hospital in Bali, after falling seriously ill and undergoing emergency surgery to remove half her pancreas last week.

Her suspected poisoning comes as the Australian Medical Association renewed its concerns about the number of people suffering methanol poisoning in Indonesia.

According to Ms Neilson's friend, Lilian Tagliari, her travel insurance expired the day she was rushed to hospital.
Three men are dead after a hit-and-run in Bennett Springs and two crashes on country roads overnight.

A 21-year-old pedestrian in Bennett Springs was hit by a car on Marshall Road near the intersection of Lord Street about 8pm, a police spokeswoman said.

The driver left the scene and the young man was taken by ambulance to St John of God Hospital in Midland, where he died.

The incident followed another death on WA roads, three hours earlier, when a Toyota Kluger was travelling into Kalbarri along George Grey Drive, about 15 kilometres out of town, when it hit a 52-year-old Howatharra man on his Harley Davidson.
Capping off a turbulent few days for Donald Trump, he seems to have suggested in an interview that he would hesitate to support NATO allies if they came under attack.

Speaking to the New York Times, Mr Trump said if Russia attempted to attack countries such as small Baltic states which have recently been admitted into the NATO alliance, he would first see if the countries "have fulfilled their obligations to us" before offering military support.

He would "prefer to be able to continue" existing security agreements, which mean the United States would automatically support allies if they are attacked, but said US allies need to bear some of the defence costs.

The comment was met with disbelief, with the Foreign Minister of one NATO country reportedly saying Trump would be "the end of the west".
By India Today Web Desk: An 86-year-old woman from Manchester saved herself from being mugged by repeatedly bashing the thief with a packet of pork.

The incident took place when the old lady withdrew a handful of cash from an ATM next to a supermarket in Altrincham, UK. Just as she entered the market, another woman blocked her way, and demanded all the cash from her.

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Greater Manchester Police Trafford South division posted the incident on their Facebook page, "Yesterday afternoon an 86-year-old female withdrew a large quantity of money from a cash machine before heading into a supermarket in Altrincham."

"Whilst shopping, the lady was challenged by an unknown female who grabbed her trolley and demanded the money she had withdrawn."

"The 86 year old lady then defended herself by repeatedly hitting the female offender over the head with a packet of bacon. The offender then retreated and made off from the supermarket."

The post with the quirky hastag #BeatOffWithBacon garnered nearly 3,500 likes on Facebook, and many lauded the brave old lady for making "pig ear "of the robbery.





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DETROIT, July 20, 2016 -- Ally Financial announced that nominations are now open for the 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year program. Ally and TIME officially opened the nomination period for the 2017 award, encouraging nominations at the annual Automotive Trade Association Executives (ATAE) Summer Conference July 14-16 in Alberta, Canada. TIME Dealer of the Year is an annual program that aims to recognize and honor dealers around the country who make remarkable charitable contributions to their communities.

"Every year, the TIME Dealer of the Year nominees continue to amaze us with their tireless dedication to supporting their communities," said Tim Russi, president of auto finance at Ally. "In recognition of their commitment to giving back, Ally is proud to provide charitable grants to reinforce their local impact."

The 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year winner and finalists will be selected by a panel composed of faculty from the Tauber Institute for Global Operations at the University of Michigan. The panel will choose the finalists from each of the four National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) regions, and from those four finalists, the judges will then select the national winner.

ATAEs, who represent state and metro area dealer associations throughout the country, can begin the process of nominating outstanding dealers within their regions for the upcoming 2017 TIME Dealer of the Year award by visiting www.TIMEDealerOfTheYear.com.

Ally will recognize each TIME Dealer of the Year nominee with a $1,000 grant to the qualifying nonprofit organization of their choosing and will provide additional grants for the finalists and winner. In addition, the ATAE who nominates the winning 2017 dealer will also receive a $5,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

"TIME is proud to partner with Ally once again in recognizing those outstanding dealers across the country," said Time Inc.'s Meredith Long. "We are looking forward to getting to know a new group of Dealer of the Year nominees and seeing the amazing efforts that so many dealers contribute to their communities."

"We are honored to continue to sponsor one of the automotive industry's most significant awards," said Andrea Riley, chief marketing officer at Ally. "The TIME Dealer of the Year award recognizes dealers who play an integral role in their communities, and we're excited to spotlight their inspirational efforts on a national stage."

Earlier this year, Mary Catherine (Kitty) Van Bortel, president of Van Bortel Motorcars in Victor, New York, was named the 2016 TIME Dealer of the Year. She was nominated by Robert Vancavage, president of the New York State Automobile Dealers Association. Van Bortel donated all $11,000 of her award proceeds to the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester, NY.

The 2017 award nominees will be announced in October and the winner will be named at the NADA Convention and Expo in New Orleans, being held January 26- 29, 2017.

About Ally Financial Inc.

Ally Financial Inc. is a leading digital financial services company and a top 25 U.S. financial holding company offering financial products for consumers, businesses, automotive dealers and corporate clients. Ally's legacy dates back to 1919, and the company was redesigned in 2009 with a distinctive brand, innovative approach and relentless focus on its customers. Ally has an award-winning online bank (member FDIC), one of the largest full service auto finance operations in the country, a complementary auto-focused insurance business, a growing digital wealth management and online brokerage platform, and a trusted corporate finance business offering capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies.

The company had approximately $156.5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2016. For more information, visit the Ally press room at http://media.ally.com or follow Ally on Twitter: @Ally.
California Highway Patrol Orders Dodge Charger Pursuit Police Sedans for Its Statewide Fleet







 New Dodge Charger Pursuit police sedans to replacec aging California Highway Patrol (CHP) sedans and utility vehicles



 Charger Pursuit meets CHP's stringent payload, fuel efficiency and cost requirements



 Charger Pursuit is the top-selling, pursuit-rated police sedan in the country

AUBURN HILLS, MI - July 20, 2016: FCA US LLC announced today that the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has placed orders for more than 580 Dodge Charger Pursuit police sedans to replace aging vehicles in its fleet. The vehicles will be delivered over the next two years with the vast majority of the vehicles being delivered next year.

The California Department of General Services conducted a public, competitive bidding process aimed at selecting a vehicle based on price, performance and payload capacity, the Dodge Charger Pursuit sedan was found to comply with enforcement vehicle specifications for the CHP, the largest state police agency in the nation. The new rear-wheel-drive sedans will replace existing high-mileage patrol vehicles currently in service.

"Our Charger Pursuit police sedans meet CHP's stringent payload requirements, and in particular, will accommodate the agency's radio systems," said Jeff Kommor, Vice President  U.S. Sales Operations, Fleet and Small Business Sales, FCA US LLC. "The Charger Pursuit also meets CHP's demand for ongoing fuel-efficiency and its desire to be a leader in fiscal responsibility in California."

The majority of the Charger Pursuit sedans in this CHP order are powered by the 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine, which delivers 292 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. The V-6 Charger Pursuit delivers up to an EPA estimated 26 miles per gallon (mpg) highway.

The CHP's order also includes a small number of Charger Pursuit 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 models with Fuel Saver Technology to be used by training instructors at CHP's Emergency Vehicle Operations Course in Sacramento. The V-8 model delivers 370 best-in-class horsepower for best-in-class acceleration performance.

"The CHP is ordering our Charger Pursuit vehicle to reintroduce the sedan into their patrol vehicle fleet," said Bick Pratt, head of FCA US government sales and operations. "That's important to us because it reflects a shift back to sedans by a progressive agency like the CHP. It is also important because other agencies throughout California rely on the CHP's vast resources and knowledge to test, evaluate and determine what police vehicle meets the needs of the CHP, and in many cases meets their local needs as well."

Local government agencies have the ability to also purchase from this same CHP contract, a process commonly known as "piggy backing," Pratt said.

The CHP order includes some Charger Pursuit sedans equipped with the segment's largest Uconnect 12.1-inch built-in touchscreen that enables a segment-exclusive integration of law enforcement computer systems with the easy-to-use and award-winning Uconnect touchscreen system.

The CHP plans to have all of the new Charger Pursuit sedans in service near the end of the calendar year. Additional CHP orders for Charger Pursuit sedans are forthcoming.
Police said the woman consumed poisonous substance at her home in Narela in the afternoon and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital.

By PTI: A woman activist of AAP allegedly committed suicide in Narela area of outer Delhi today with her family members claiming that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester, a party colleague, was released on bail.

Police said the woman consumed poisonous substance at her home in Narela in the afternoon and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital.

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The woman had filed a complaint against party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested, said a senior police officer.

Family members of the woman told police that she went into depression after bail was granted to the accused who, she had alleged, was being protected by the local MLA.

Delhi BJP alleged that AAP leaders had ignored her "harassment" complaint. "It may be recalled this girl had been raising issue of her harassment for months but AAP leaders ignored. This incident has established anti-woman character of AAP," said Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay in a statement.

"Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and local MLA Sharad Chauhan are responsible for her death," he alleged.

AAP refuted the allegations and accused BJP of playing politics over her death.

"There is no mention of the MLAs name in any of the complainants. Whosoever is alleged to have harassed the girl has no connection with the party. The BJP should not stoop this low and play politics over the death of a poor girl. We also want action against the culprit," AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said.



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Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They may not have a plan but they have the support of Steinbach city council.

Bridgepark Village Incorporated, which has spearheaded seniors housing projects on Stone Bridge Crossing in recent years, succeeded on Tuesday night in convincing council to approve a rezoning request which will convert a large section of green space behind the Steinbach Family Medical Clinic from low density residential zoning to a medium density designation.

The change would allow for three-storey multifamily residences on the property.

The organization already owns the land and has proposed creating seniors housing like it has just down the street with its Bridgepark Village development and Bridgepark Manor. Seniors housing projects are viewed as a priority in the city. Council has looked to encourage such projects with Bridgepark itself benefiting from over $100,000 in rebates from the city in recent years.

This time, however, it was the applicants lack of concrete plans for the 1.6 acre parcel of land that made it more of a dilemma for council.

Bridgepark administrator Sieg Hiebert told council members that no specific plans have been set for the property.

Daryl Wiebe, a resident of Albert Street whose home backs onto the property, pointed out concerns about increased traffic and drainage issues but expressed the most concern about the projects lack of detail.

My questions are limited without some sort of a plan, Wiebe said to council.

I had a bunch of questionsif you can elaborate that would be fantastic, he said to Hiebert.

Councillor Michael Zwaagstra questioned city manager Troy Warkentin about whether it was possible to put a condition on their approval that the land be used for seniors housing, concerned that Bridgepark might sell the property in the future if its plans dont work out. He also queried Warkentin on the unique nature of the application, approving a higher density zoning without a plan.

Warkentin said such approvals have happened in the past but noted that normally concept plans are provided to the city. He said he would need to review whether a specific seniors housing condition could be placed on the rezoning request.

Zwaagstra asked Hiebert why there was a need to rezone the property without having a plan in place.

Hiebert said the organization wants to have its land properly zoned to avoid any delays should provincial funding come available.

It might not happen in the next 10 years but when it does it happens quickly, he replied to Zwaagstra.

We just think it makes sense to prepare it for multi-dwelling.

It was suggested the citys infill development policy could allow for some future direction on the project, even if it was approved without a plan, but Warkentin told council the policy wouldnt carry the same weight as requirements laid out through the rezoning process.

I just feel that a lot of this is vague, said Wiebe, who added that he didnt feel a three-storey apartment next to single family residences was compatible.

Hiebert replied to Wiebes concerns, noting that Bridgepark could have come to council with a plan, received rezoning approval, then changed those plans (if council imposed no specific conditions). He suggested it was more appropriate to come with no plan at all.

We have no agenda to misrepresent what we want to do, Hiebert said.

Zwaagstra presented a motion for approval, arguing that there was strong logic for more seniors housing in Steinbach and, with the citys infill policy, the opportunity for a project which fits the neighbourhood to still be established.

Its not a perfect situation, he acknowledged.

Bridgepark is a good neighbour. We know their intentions are good, he said.

Council supported the motion unanimously. Wiebes objection to the project, as well as two other letters of objection already on file with the city, mean the rezoning application will need to be reviewed by the municipal board before final approval can be considered.
The Boucheron Laurel Wreath Tiara (Photo: JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

One of the most unusual tiaras in any royal collection is todays topic of discussion: the Boucheron Laurel Wreath Tiara. The sparkler, which belongs personally to Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, has a lengthy and interesting history within the Bernadotte family.

The convertible tiara/necklace, which was made by Boucheron, was given to Margaret by her new husbands grandmother, Queen Sofia of Sweden. The piece may have been a stock item in Boucherons collection rather than a specific commission by the queen, as another nearly identical necklace by Boucheron was auctioned at Christies in 2010. (Boucheron has also released archive photos of a similar piece  thats the image pictured above.) That necklace differs from Margarets in only one aspect: Margarets appears to have one additional diamond suspended from the center of the necklace, something that the auctioned necklace lacks. (This additional diamond drop is also visible when the piece is worn as a tiara.) Christies notes that the auctioned necklace was made in the late nineteenth century, which could certainly also be true for Margarets necklace  she received hers in 1905. The auctioned necklace is also listed as a necklace-tiara, which suggests that both pieces were intended to be convertible from the start.

Crown Princess Margareta wears the necklace (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

But Margaret apparently never wore the piece as a tiara; she was only ever photographed wearing it as a necklace. Photographs show her wearing the necklace with full Swedish court dress, including her Irish lace veil and the diamond forget-me-not tiara she received from her parents as a wedding gift. The necklace was not worn in public as a tiara until more than half a century after Margarets death, when her daughter-in-law, Princess Lilian, began wearing the piece to official functions.

Princess Lilian wears the tiara in 2003 (Photo: SVEN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

Lilian obtained the right to wear the laurel wreath after she began a relationship with Margarets third son, Prince Bertil. The laurel wreath necklace is one of the jewels that he inherited from his mother; another one of the pieces that he received was her fascinating scarab necklace. Lilian and Bertil had something of a star-crossed love affair. They met and fell in love in England during the war, but Lilian was already married to someone else. Even though she and her husband amicably divorced, marriage to Bertil was still out of the question for more complicated reasons.

Princess Lilian wears the tiara in 2006 (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Marrying Lilian would have caused Bertil to lose his place in the Swedish succession; Bertils grandfather, the king, would not have approved their unequal marriage. It wasnt uncommon for Swedish royal men to chose love over titles (two of Bertils brothers did, in fact), but Bertil needed to keep his place in line so that he could serve as regent for his nephew, Carl Gustaf, should he have become king before his eighteenth birthday. (Because Carl Gustafs father had died in a plane crash, which meant that he became the heir to the throne at the age of four, this was a real possibility.) So Bertil and Lilian waited to get married, choosing duty to the family over legal recognition of their relationship.

Princess Lilian wears the tiara in 2006 (Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

But although their relationship could not be legally sanctioned, Lilian was accepted as a member of the royal family. This tiara was actually one of the public symbols of that acceptance. She wore it in public for the first time in 1972 at the 90th birthday celebrations of Bertils father, King Gustaf VI Adolf. Even today, its highly unusual for unmarried partners of royal men to wear tiaras to family occasions, and when its done, it generally signals that they are considered a part of the royal fold, marriage certificate or not. (See also: Bertil and Lilians great-nephew, Prince Gustav of Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, and his partner, Carina Axelsson.)

Photo: SVEN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images

After Carl XVI Gustaf became king, he granted permission for his Uncle Bertil to marry Lilian and keep his royal titles. They wed in Drottningholm Palace in 1976, and Lilian officially became a Swedish princess. She attended many official functions with the royal family over the years, including the Nobel ceremonies, and she often wore her mother-in-laws laurel wreath at those events. She became an important part of the royal family, even acting as a sort of surrogate grandmother for Crown Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip, and Princess Madeleine.

Crown Princess Victoria wears the tiara (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

The laurel wreath tiara became Lilians sole personal property on the death of Prince Bertil in 1997. After suffering from Alzheimers disease, Lilian died in March 2013. She made sure that this heirloom tiara stayed with the Bernadottes, bequeathing it to her great-niece, Crown Princess Victoria. Victoria wore the tiara for the first time in public at her sisters wedding in June 2013  a lovely gesture that provided a reminder of Lilian at an event she would certainly have loved to have attended.

Note: This is an updated version of an earlier post, with new text/images.








A former Republican Party delegate from Arizona is accusing the state GOP and its chairman of submitting false information in order to remove her as a delegate after she proclaimed her intention to vote her conscience at this weeks convention in Cleveland.

The dispute exemplifies recent efforts by party officials to crush any and all efforts to deny Donald Trump the presidential nomination, which he officially secured Tuesday night.

Lori Hack alleges that Robert Graham, the chairman of the Arizona GOP and a Trump supporter, submitted false information to the Republican National Committee and acted outside of party rules and regulations in order to remove her from the states delegationbecause she refused to support her partys then-presumptive nominee.

In a memo provided to The Daily Beast, Hacks attorney says it appears certain that Graham acted unilaterally in removing her as a delegate, in direct violation of both RNC and Arizona GOP rules.

Hack told The Daily Beast that she did, in fact, sign a pledge to support Trump but maintains that she was coerced into doing so by Graham. Despite newly adopted state regulations which mandate that delegates must vote for the candidate who won the Arizona primary, Hack says a written pledge is not in the rules.

State party officials have said her removal as a delegate is justified because she broke her pledge to back Trump. Hack cites the partys 2012 rules, which do not require delegates to vote for the candidate who won his or her states primary.

The ordeal began last week when Hack informed Graham that she intended to vote her conscience at the convention, rather than in favor of Trump, who won the state with 47.1 percent of the vote and thus all of its 58 delegates under the states winner-take-all system.

She said that despite her decision, she was not resigning as a delegate. Party rules state that a delegate can lose his or her credentials only through death, resignation, or contestthat is, an official challenge by the state party. None of those occurred, Hack said, leading her attorneys to conclude that Graham acted on his own to revoke her credentials.

In order to deny Hack her delegate credentials, Graham would have been required to submit a request to the RNC Committee on Contests. Instead, Graham appeared to bring the case in front of the Committee on Credentials.

Because the Arizona Republican Party did not file an official contest before the Committee on Contests, the Committee on Credentials did not have any jurisdiction over the matter, said Trevor M. Stanley of Baker & Hostetler, the law firm representing Hack.

The attorneys confirmed through the RNC, however, that Graham challenged Hacks delegate status through neither the contests nor the credentials committee. She has not heard from the national party since Friday.

Based on these facts, the only route to remove Ms. Hack as a delegate was by unilateral action by Chairman Graham in contravention of the applicable Party rules, Stanley continued.

Hack is in Cleveland for the GOP convention, but she told The Daily Beast she is only considered a guest because she has been unable to restore her delegate status. She described the entire Republican Party structure as corrupt and rigged.

We asked the Convention Contest Committee at their final meeting yesterday to hear our case and as yesterday's perverse actions on rules showed, the chairman denied any member to bring it forward on our behalf, Hack said. The corruption is at all levelsstate and RNC.

Hack previously told The Daily Beast that Graham leaked a letter to the media that was intended for Hack before it was even sent to her. The letter stated that she resigned her position as a delegate. According to Hack, that never occurred.

Since then, the mother of four boys has been threatened online by Trump supporters who say she doesnt belong in America and should be carrying protection 24/7.

Anti-Trump forces mounted numerous efforts in recent days to allow delegates to unbind or vote their conscience. The Rules Committee failed to adopt such a measure last week after a simple voice vote. On Monday, the same group threw the convention floor into chaos when it attempted yet another vote on unbinding the delegates. They were again denied a roll call tally on the final Rules Committee report after putting together a petition from a majority of delegates in nine states.

The move by Graham is being viewed as a way to cement his power and prominence in GOP circles, as he is reportedly angling for the job of RNC chairman. Graham did not immediately return a request to comment on Hacks attorneys letter.

Speaking with The Arizona Republic, a state party spokesman pointed to a convention floor vote on Monday which resulted in the approval of Arizonas delegate list. Hacks name was not on that list. The state party maintains Hack did not appropriately dispute Grahams decision to remove her.

Asked by The Daily Beast if she is considering legal action against the party apparatus, Hack said simply, time will tell.
When Trevor Noah previewed The Daily Shows trip to the RNC to The Daily Beast last week, he said he was excited at the prospect of the GOP nomination somehow slipping out of Donald Trumps grasp. Now that the majority of delegates have officially named him the nominee, it seems that dream was too good to be true. But there was plenty more chaos for Noah and his team to cover Tuesday night.

After entering Donald Trump-style from a cloud of smoke and blazing backlight, Noah said, I know some of you will say I plagiarized that entrance, but it just reflects how I feel about being in Cleveland!

The host began with Melania Trumps speech from the night before, in which she talked about becoming an American citizen. Unfortunately, the American citizen she became was somehow Michelle Obama, he said.

After showing the back-to-back evidence of Melanias plagiarism, Noah remarked, God damn, Melania Trump just did something a black woman did first and passed it off as her own. Or as Iggy Azalea calls it, her new hit.

But he saw bigger problem with the way the Trump campaign refused to acknowledge the problem. It would have been so easy for them to just own up. Especially when this is a lie that not one person in America believes, he said, saying this could serve as a preview of how a Trump administration would reject reality. This group of people, given actual power, will put us in some deep shit.

Noah joked that the only way we will ever know the truth is if Kim Kardashian uses her Snapchat account to expose Melania Trump. I wrote the whole speech myself, except for the parts I intentionally plagiarized from Michelle Obama, the show imagined her saying in a surreptitiously taped phone call to Kanye West. No one will ever know. If they catch me, I will say it was remix.

After a break, Noah moved on to cover the rest of the nights speeches, which were loosely held together by the theme, Make America Safe Again. However, he said, the whole thing felt more like, Make America Fear Again.

You guys are acting like America is Westeros and winter is coming, he told the GOP. Forget Make America Safe Again. After that I just wanted to make my underpants dry again. Noah was especially incensed by the r emarks of Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, who got cheers for noting that the cop who killed Freddie Gray was acquitted of all charges. Get the fuck out of here, man! he said.

After everything else that went down on night one of the convention, Noah said he found Melania Trumps plagiarism of Michelle Obama almost hopeful. Instead of shaming the potential first lady, he said, We should be encouraging her.

If she feels comfortable stealing Michelle Obama speeches, then maybe Donald Trump will feel OK stealing Barack Obamas policies, Noah said, telling those who would claim we shouldnt be plagiarizing the president, Yes we can.
George was the Minister for Bengaluru City Development since last October, a portfolio that was created by Siddaramaiah following complaints from investors and industrialists over the neglect of the city.

By Mail Today: With senior Congress leader K J George resigning from the cabinet in the wake of the court directive to register a FIR against him in connection with the suicide of a police officer, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has decided to handle the Bengaluru City Development portfolio.

George was the Minister for Bengaluru City Development since last October, a portfolio that was created by Siddaramaiah following complaints from investors and industrialists over the neglect of the city. However, there was not much progress in terms of improvement of public infrastructure. The state government in its Budget for 2016-17 announced long-term plans to improve the city's infrastructure.



KARNATAKA CM TO HOLD BENGALURU CITY DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO

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Though Siddaramaiah said on Tuesday that he would manage the Bengaluru City Development portfolio, but he might hand over the same to some other minister.

Siddaramaiah had come under intense attack for neglecting the city's infrastructure when he held the Bengaluru City Development portfolio from May 2013 to October 2015. His busy schedule kept him busy from reviewing the developments work in the city.

"Now that we have announced special programmes for Bengaluru City, it needs regular monitoring. For the time being Siddaramaiah might handle it. But we will find a suitable minister to take over," said a senior Congress leader.

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By Allison Graves, Neelesh Moorthy, Politifact

Republicans branded the second night of their national convention with an economic theme of "Make America Work Again," but most of the nights speakers used their platform to accuse Hillary Clinton of being dishonest about Benghazi, her emails and even her own name.

"I am here to tell you Hillary Clinton will say anything, do anything, and be anything to get elected president," said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "And we cannot allow it."

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor, opted to "prosecute" Clinton for her foreign policy decisions, with his "evidence" including the Iran deal, destabilizing actions in Libya and pushing for the end of the Cuban embargo.

House Speaker Paul Ryan hewed most closely to the nights touted economic theme, touching on stagnant wages, job growth and the importance of a conservative governing mandate.

Two of Trumps children, Tiffany Trump and Donald Trump Jr., also addressed the delegates, with Trumps son blaming Democratic policies for contributing to low economic mobility.

Our fact-checking team investigated several claims. Heres the rundown. (Check out our coverage of night one here.)

Say her name, say her name

McConnell summed up Clintons track record like this: "She lied about her emails, she lied about her server, She lied about Benghazi, she lied about sniper fire, why, she even lied about why her parents named her Hillary."

Weve taken a look at most of those claims (her emails, the "sniper fire" incident and what she did or didnt tell Benghazi victims families), but the bit about her name was new ground.

Turns out, McConnell has a point  though its not clear if Clinton intentionally lied.

In April 1995, Clinton in her role as first lady made a stop in Nepal at Mount Everest, which was first climbed in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary of New Zealand. According to an account by the New York Times, Clinton met the mountain-climber and told him how a magazine article about him inspired her mother to name her Hillary, with two ls.

So when I was born, she called me Hillary, and she always told me it's because of Sir Edmund Hillary, " she said in the Times account.

However, Hillary only gained prominence six years after Clinton was born with his 1953 climb (she was born in 1947). In October 2006, a Clinton spokesperson walked back the claim, calling it a "sweet family story" used to inspire Clinton to greatness.

We rated McConnells statement Half True.

Prosecuting Clinton on foreign policy

As part of Christies "prosecution" of Clinton, he said she had expressed support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, despite documented human rights abuses in the country.

"In Syria, imagine this, imagine this. (Clinton) called President Assad a reformer. She called Assad a different kind of leader," Christie said. "Theres now 400,000 now dead  think about that. Four hundred thousand dead at the hands of a man that Hillary defended."

The "reformer" quote comes from a March 27, 2011, interview with CBS host Bob Schieffer. During the interview, Clinton actually attributed the characterization to representatives from "both parties," not her own views.

"There is a different leader in Syria now," she said. "Many of the members of Congress of both parties who have gone to Syria in recent months have said they believe he's a reformer."

So she did use those words, mostly, but there is more to the story. When she used the word "reformer," Clinton was referencing the opinions of members of Congress who had interacted with the Syrian president and hoped he represented change for the country. And she said, "There is a different leader in Syria now," and not "a different kind of leader."

Christie is taking quotes by Clinton out of context, and ignoring historical events that followed, when Clinton denounced Assad and called for his exit. We rated his claim Half True.

The gender card

RNC co-chairwoman Sharon Day, of South Florida, called Clinton a hypocrite for playing the gender card.

"She repeatedly plays the gender card. In fact she boasts deal me in. Well, Mrs. Clinton, consider yourself dealt in because as a senator you paid women less than the men in your office," Day said.

Days claim is hard to verify. A previous fact-check on this topic explored a Washington Free Beacon story that used expenditure report data to say Clinton paid her female Senate staffers 72 cents for every dollar earned by a male counterpart. However, this data was flawed, with one reason being that it excludes Senate employees who took leaves of absence, which is common for employees who leave for short periods to work on campaigns.

Clintons campaign responded to a previous fact-check about this with a 2015 BuzzFeed story that found the same median salary for both men and women  but there were more women than men working for Clinton every year.

The BuzzFeed story doesnt fully answer the point Day raises, and neither do other data sets, so we rated this claim Mostly False.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas  just not the capital

One of the more humorous parts of the evening came during the roll-call vote making Trump the official nominee, when Nevada GOP chairman Michael McDonald said Las Vegas was the states capital.

"From the great shores of Lake Tahoe to the most entertaining capital city, Las Vegas, Nevada," he said. "This time, what stays in Las Vegas will not stay in Las Vegas."

Er, no. Nevadas capital is Carson City, not the vastly more populous Las Vegas.

McDonald probably misspoke, but that didnt spare him from making his state the butt of a Jimmy Kimmels Twitter joke.

Nevada is actually one of the few states still using its capital from the territorial days. The rise of Las Vegas only came later during the 1960s.

We didnt rate McDonalds claim, but we did provide a quick Nevada history lesson here.

Who wrote Melania Trumps speech?

The first night of the RNC ended with controversy when various news outlets noticed similarities between Melania Trumps speech and a speech Michelle Obama gave in 2008. (We analyzed the similarities in the two speeches here.)

Paul Manafort, Trumps campaign manager, responded to the plagiarism allegations the morning of the conventions second day.

He said Hillary Clintons campaign was the first to make the comparison to Obamas address.

"The Clinton camp was the first to get it out there and try to say there was something untoward about the speech that Melania Trump gave," Manafort said. "Its just another example, as far as were concerned, that when Hillary Clinton is threatened by a female, the first thing she does is try to destroy the person."

As it turns out, the Clinton campaign was not the first to break the story. Instead it was Jarrett Hill, a Los Angeles-based Twitter user who describes himself as an interior designer and a journalist. Hill has no connections to the Clinton campaign, he told PolitiFact.

In addition, the Clinton campaign has not issued a formal statement responding to the allegations.

We rated this claim False.
A tweet from a white nationalist website managed to careen across the screen on the day Donald Trump formally accepted the nomination.

Across the digital banner around the Quicken Loans Arena at the Republican National Convention, a tweet from the racist VDARE.com displayed during the night's proceedings.

An image of the tweet was captured by Twitter user @EsotericCD. It praised Representative Chris Collins for talking about immigration.

VDARE.com was originally established in 1999 as the Center for American Unity by English immigrant Peter Brimelow. Its affiliated nonprofit, the VDARE Foundation, is defined as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center .

This isnt the first time the campaign of Donald Trump has made controversial connections with its white nationalist supporters throughout the 2016 race, of course. A prominent white nationalist served as one of its delegates in California for a time; the campaign tweeted out an anti-Semitic image to malign Hillary Clinton ; and Trump received the backing of former KKK leader David Duke .

VDARE.com often hosts anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic and white nationalist viewpoints and columns.

"America was defined  almost explicitly, sometimes very explicitly  as a white nation, for white people, and what that means is that there is virtually no figure, no law, no policy, no event in the history of the old, white America that can survive the transition to the new and non-white version. Whether we will want to call the new updated version America at all is another question entirely, white nationalist writer Sam Francis wrote on VDARE in 2003.

It also hosted writing from Kevin MacDonald who postulates that anti-Semitism is a logical reaction to Jewish supremacy.

"Jewish activity collectively, throughout history, is best understood as an elaborate and highly successful group competitive strategy directed against neighboring peoples and host societies. The objective has been control of economic resources and political power. One example: overwhelming Jewish support for non-traditional immigration, which has the effect of weakening Americas historic white majority, he wrote on the site 2006.

Brimelow did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Daily Beast.
Embattled Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes, apparently on the cusp of ending a legendary media career in a whiff of scandal, is negotiating his exit from the top-rated cable network he founded 20 years ago.

What I can say is theres a lot of talk going onat Fox with various people involved, one of Ailess attorneys, Susan Estrich, told The Daily Beast in a phone interview. Roger hasnt approved anything yet. Roger and Rupert [Murdoch, executive chairman of Fox Newss parent company, 21st Century Fox] will talk. Rupert is due back in town [New York] next week.

The 76-year-old Aileswho created the conservative-friendly cable network and turned it into a hugely profitable media powerhouse after several years at NBC and a storied career as a Republican political consultantis poised to step down in the wake of a sensational lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation, filed barely two weeks ago by fired Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson.

Estrich denied a Drudge Report itemlater walked back by the conservative-leaning news sitewhich included what appeared to be a formal term sheet indicating that Ailes is planning to depart Fox News on July 22 with a $40 million golden parachute.

There is no deal about anything at this point, Estrich said. Nobodys got one right now, she added concerning the generous severance package mentioned in the detailed document which Matt Drudge posted on Twitter. We dont know how that term sheet got there, but it is not an accurate or final term sheet about anything.

Estrich said she didnt know how Drudge obtained the term sheet or who provided it, but said many different draft versions exist in PDF form and Ailes has agreed to none of them.

Roger had never seen that term sheet, she said. There were so many PDFs lying around.

21st Century Fox, meanwhile, issued a statement batting down reportsstoked by a headline in The Drudge Reportthat Ailes is abruptly leaving the cable network with a $40 million parachute.

Roger is at work, the statement said. The review is ongoing. And the only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement.

Ailess departure could initially cause big problems for the network.

The Financial Times reported that Fox News prime-time stars Bill OReilly, Sean Hannity, and Greta Van Susteren have clauses in their contracts that would permit them to follow Ailes to the exit.

Carlsons July 6 legal action in New Jersey Superior Courtfiled after her contract was not renewed and she was unceremoniously sacked on June 23prompted 21st Century Fox to engage the blue chip law firm Paul Weiss to conduct an internal review of her allegations, and those of other potential accusers who have reportedly trekked to the law firms Manhattan offices to submit to confidential interviews.

Among the Fox employees reported to have talked to the Paul Weiss lawyersand, according to New York magazine, claimed Ailes sexually harassed her when she was a cub legal reporter a decade agois prime-time star Megyn Kelly.

The 45-year-old Kellya former litigator who is one of the few high-profile women at Fox who didnt publicly defend Ailes against Carlsons allegationsdidnt respond to a request for comment.

Her silence provoked irritation and anger among some of the Ailes loyalists at Fox News, and New York magazine speculated erroneously that the networks communications chief Irena Briganti gave an anonymous quote to The Daily Beast calling Kelly selfish. Briganti was not quoted in The Daily Beasts story.

Estrich said in a statement: Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him.

Ailes, who the FT reported is furious at his treatment by Rupert Murdoch, and his sons Lachlan and James21st Century Foxs top executiveshas staunchly denied the allegations and vowed to mount a vigorous defense against Carlsons lawsuit, which his legal team has been seeking to push into confidential arbitration.
Members of an American-backed rebel group in Syria beheaded a young child in a grisly execution video.

The footage surfaced early Tuesday of members of Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki and a captured child in Handarat, near Aleppo. The young boy, who appears to be prepubescent, is then executed on the back of a pickup truck.

The gruesome videotaped murder of a child drew outrage on social media and the promise of an inquiry from the groups leadership, which has previously received U.S.-made weapons and American funding. The group no longer gets such backing. But its also renewed questions about which rebels the American government has supported in Syrias ongoing civil war.

Even if they no longer get U.S. aid, it still shows the moral pitfalls of what were trying to do in Syria, Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a terrorism expert and senior fellow with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The Daily Beast.

There are two clips from the unsavory events. One shows five militants surrounding the boy. In the second, one of them stands over him on the truck and cuts the boys head off with a dull knife, raising it over his head.

Details conflict about which groups, exactly, comprise the moderate Syrian rebels funded by the U.S.-led coalition, but critics have long warned that fluid dynamics and shifting allegiances on the ground make it difficult to predict which groups will be aligned with U.S. interests.

"We have seen the reports, and we understand that al-Zenki has identified some of its own members as being responsible for this appalling act. We have also seen a statement issued by al-Zenki that it arrested those allegedly responsible," State Department spokesperson John Kirby told The Daily Beast. "We strongly condemn this type of barbaric action, no matter what group is responsible. We encourage al-Zenki to investigate the incident and expect all parties to comply with their obligations under the law of armed conflict."

"Regardless of who may be culpable, we strongly condemn what appears to be the brutal murder of a minor," Kirby added.

Yet the Zenki movement was on the white list as recently as December 2014. A McClatchy report on the U.S.s decision to stop payment and suspend delivery of weapons to rebel factions noted that the crackdown would not affect the Zenki movement and Harakat Hazm in Aleppo. As many as 1,000 Zenki fighters were on the CIA payroll, according to the article.

A field commander for one of the rebel factions told McClatchy at the time that fighters were paid $150 a month, and that the aid cutoff was in response to gains by the Nusra Front, al Qaedas affiliate in Syria. The Islamic extremists of Nusra reportedly seized American weapons from the U.S.-backed groups.

But Thomas Joscelyn, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and editor of The Long War Journal, told The Daily Beast that the Zenki movement wasnt exactly an enemy of al Qaedas. Zenki has a long history with the Nusra Front , Joscelyn addedone that has been whitewashed by advocates of funding a moderate opposition.

Ideologically, its definitely hard-line Islamist at a minimum, he said.

Joscelyn traced numerous interactions between Nusra and the Zenki movement, including one where the latter attacked Nusra on Twitter in English after a confrontation at a checkpoint. But Nusra fired back, demanding they go to a Sharia court and make up, Joscelyn said.

The Zenki movement agreed to all terms and issued a glowing statement about cooperation with Nusra, Joscelyn said.

In another instance, Zenki leader Toufic Shehab al-Dine commended Nusra for decimating another U.S.-backed group.

He basically said, they are corrupt, they deserve to be dismantled, Joscelyn said.

Yet the Zenki movement used American TOW missiles well into 2015, supplied by an allied forces center thats reportedly staffed with CIA officials.

It was only in September 2015 that a military commander for the group told Voice of America that they were out of the weapons.

The group also received significant funding from Saudi Arabia, Foreign Policy reported.

An Amnesty International report about human-rights abuses found that Zenka was responsible for torture and forced confessions in Aleppo, where it is based. One media activist who reports on government abuses told Amnesty International that he could hear the sounds of people being tortured while being held by the brigade, though he couldnt see it happening because of a blindfold. Others said they had received threats for being critical of the movement on Facebook.

More troubling are allegations in the report that the Zenki movement kidnapped Syrian Orthodox bishops on a humanitarian mission and handed them over the the Nusra Front. Yet other activists said they had been tortured by the movement into signing false confessions.

The report notes that the Zenki movement was apparently one of the recipients of aid from MOM, the northern operation command run by the United States and allies. The movement stopped being funded by it in September 2015 after it joined forces with the Aleppo City Battalion and the al-Zaher Bibers Movement, which was accused of kidnapping two Italian humanitarian workers, according to the Amnesty report.

Still, the groups leadership issued a statement condemning the beheading. It said it formed a committee to investigate how such a crime could have happened. Such public executions by rebel groups could bolster embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who has sought to make all rebel groups out to be bloodthirsty radicals.

But even jihadist groups, Joscelyn said, depend on keeping the goodwill of the areas they pass through, and such actions are beyond the pale.

What are they gonna do? Say were all for beheading children? he said. Only the Islamic State would say that.

with additional reporting by Shane Harris
A former dishwasher at Yale University who resigned after smashing a stained glass window featuring racist imagery may soon be reinstated among university staff.

Working with the union of service and maintenance employees at Yale and buoyed by support from students and the local community, 38-year-old Corey Menafee requested that the University give him his job back less than a month after he resignedand Yale is prepared to rehire him as early as next week.

In mid-June, Menafee snapped and broke a window in the dining hall at Yales residential Calhoun College that featured slaves in John C. Calhouns cotton fields.

Menafee was tired of seeing the very degrading image every day, he told the New Haven Independent, so he shattered the window with a broomstick. Facing termination and a felony charge, Menafee agreed to resign from his job if the University dropped charges and cleared his employment record, according to his attorney Patricia Kane.

He was pressured to resign because he had to support his family and didnt want a bad record preventing him from finding another job, Kane told The Daily Beast.

In a statement released Tuesday, Yale said that Menafee will be allowed to return to a position in a different setting, starting on Monday, after serving a five-week unpaid suspension (including the time since his resignation on June 21)We are willing to take these unusual steps given the unique circumstances of this matter, and it is now up to Mr. Menafee whether he wishes to return to Yale.

Yet Menafee never agreed to return under conditions dictated to him by Yale.

Theyre throwing down the gauntlet and asking him to accept their [reinstatement] terms on a take it or leave it basis, said Kane. He has a say in this too.

Menafee and his union representatives spoke with Yale on Monday and stood firm on asking that the University rehire him, according to an emailed statement from the union president. We are now waiting on a draft agreement from Yale and will continue to stand with Mr. Menafee until he is back at work.

If Yale refuses to consider Menafees conditions for returning to his jobthat other windows featuring scenes from the slaveholders life be removed from Calhoun College immediately, for examplehe still has grounds for filing a discrimination or hostile work environment claim with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, according to Kane.

Hes an intelligent man and he knows those images should have been taken down a long time ago, she said, stopping short of disclosing other conditions for Menafees reinstatement.

In early July, Head of Calhoun College Julia Adams announced in an email to the Yale community that the Calhoun dining hall was being named Roosevelt Thompson, who graduated in 1984. Adams also wrote that a suite of contentious window panels depicting Calhouns life would be removed by the time students returned to campus next semester.

Kane said images on the remaining panels included a minstrel player and the slave quarters in Calhouns house, and that the university had not specified exactly when these windows would be removed.

When asked if recent protests of police violence against the black community inspired Menafee to fight harder for his job, Kane said that he understands the context of whats going on nationally and reiterated that the local community has rallied around him.

Yes, he destroyed property, but he didnt hurt anyone, she added. Those images at Yale have been the subject of controversy for thirty years. We need to remember the context in which this happened.

Kane also reiterated that charges have not yet been dropped, despite the Universitys request, and that her client is due back in court next week.

Menafee himself was not available for comment.
CLEVELAND  It took Ben Carson just a few short minutes to move away from the Teleprompter and toward the devil at the Quickens Loans Arena on Tuesday.

About half an hour after New Jersey Governor and fellow Trump primary victim Chris Christie staged a mock witch trial for Hillary Clinton, Carson strolled to the podium, beaming from ear to ear.

Im not politically correct, Carson announced. And I hate political correctness.

From there, he abandoned his prepared remarks to talk about Saul Alinsky, the Democratic socialist writer who met with Hillary Clinton while she was in college and whos become a bugaboo of the right. Alinsky, said Carsonwhos been talking about this for years nowdedicated his book Rules for Radicals to Lucifer. Connect the dots.

Im bringing it to peoples attention, Carson explained to The Daily Beast last month, in the context of defending Hillary Clintons Methodist faith from Trumps attacks on it. Anyone who is associated with Alinsky is someone that they need to know about.

Tuesday, he made sure those souls remaining in the rapidly emptying Quicken Loans Arena or still watching on TV knew about the Alinsky-Lucifer-Clinton triangle.

Are we willing to elect as president someone who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer? he asked.

If we continue to allow [secular progressives] to take God out of our lives, God will remove himself from us, Carson said. We will not be blessed and our nation will go down the tubes.

The remaining faithful cheered as Carson went on to speak in broad, sometimes perplexing strokes about the need to abide by the will of the people in selecting the next president of the United States. Donald Trump understands this very well, Carson explained. He understands that the blessings of this nation come with the responsibility to ensure that they are available to all, not just the privileged few. It is evident in his passion for the American worker. It is found in his desire to put his considerable skills to work on behalf of American interests, not self-interest.

Outside of his own flesh and blood, Trump has arguably not had a more well-intentioned, if sometimes clumsy, surrogate than Carson since the former neurosurgeon turned politician dropped out of the race and endorsed the reality-show mogul whod just months before compared the former neurosurgeon to a child molester.

But Carson has been loyal to Trump since dropping out, which earned him the opportunity to help vet potential vice presidential picks. And his forthright and often revealing interview answers helped earn him a prompt removal from that position.

Nevertheless, Carson, in all his narcoleptic glory, has served as a kind of evangelical whisperer for Trump, helping to convince the faithful that a man with two ex-wives and a potty mouth that rivals that of Howard Stern was their savior for 2016.

Tonight was his consolation prize. Carson had a spring in his step that made him seem like a hero in a Disney film. He wasnt picked for vice president. He didnt even get to help pick the vice president ultimately. This was his chance to swing for the fences before a national audience, after having a bit of whatever Rudy Giuliani had imbibed the night before.

The question before us is not whether we should elect a Republican or a Democrat as president of the United States, Carson said, speaking loudly, with his eyes wide open. The question we must answer is whether we want to retain the ideals upon which this country was founded.

If so, its time to reject Lucifer and Clinton, and embrace Trump.

(Alinksys full dedication, for the record: Lest we forget at least an over the shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history beginsor which is which), the very first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdomLucifer.)
At a brunch event at Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Wednesday morning, Caitlyn Jenner took the stage to reaffirm her commitment to both LGBT rights and the Grand Old Party.

I've been very disappointed over the last five-ten yearsbut I wont give up on [the GOP], Jenner told the gathering of pro-LGBT Republicans. It was easy to come out as trans. It was harder coming out as a Republican.

Jenner, who was speaking at an event organized by American Unity Fund as a counterprogramming event to the Republican National Convention, was there to stress the need for conservatives to move toward a pro-LGBT stance. The Q&A was moderated by AUF President Margaret Hoover. (Disclosure: Hoover is married to The Daily Beasts editor-in-chief, John Avlon.)

Maybe this is the reason God put me on this earth, to tell my story, Jenner said. And maybe at this point in my life and at this point society...maybe [God] thinks I can make a difference in the world.

Jenner also slammed elements of the GOP and conservative movement that engage in what she called anti-LGBT legislative bullying, specifically referencing North Carolinas anti-transgender bathroom legislation as creating laws for a non-issue. Jenner called out anti-gay Republican politicians, including Larry Craig, who themselves have been arrested for lewd behavior.

The party conventions are like the political Olympics, and Im excited to be headed to Cleveland to stand with my fellow LGBT Republicans and allies, Jenner said in a statement sent to The Daily Beast earlier this month. As a proud Republican and transgender woman, I want to support courageous Republicans who advocate for LGBT freedom. Our countrys nondiscrimination laws must be updated and this cannot be achieved without bipartisan support. Congress needs to act, along with almost 30 Republican states, to update our nondiscrimination laws. I want to do my part to persuade more Republicans to support freedom for millions of LGBT Americans.

TV personality and military veteran Montel Williams, another pro-LGBT conservative celebrity, introduced Jenner at the brunch in Cleveland.

As a veteran, I put my life on the line to defend all Americans, Williams told The Daily Beast. Ill be there to help ensure the right of the LGBT community to serve and defend the Constitution We need to get this straight. If you want to send people to war, some of those people are going to be our fellow LGBT Americans.

During this election cycle, it appears Republican Party will not be granting any of Jenner or Williamss wishes.

The two were declaring their solidarity with the LGBT community in Clevelandthe city where the GOP had just ratified a new party platform that is even more anti-LGBT than 2012s.

We are part of society, were out there, were part of humanity, Jenner said. Weve been around...since the beginning of time.
Tuesday, as speaker after speaker took a turn at the Teleprompter at the Republican National Convention, their remarks were interrupted periodically by a groundswell of chanting: Build that wall. Build that wall. Though the camera panned the crowd anxiously, lingering conspicuously on the rare brown or black face, it was clear that the chanters were mainly white peoplemiddle-aged and older, and disproportionately male.

Watching, I found myself thinking of the 2008 film Gran Torino, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood as Walt Kowalski, an ornery old man who feels aggressed by his immigrant neighbors, Laotian Hmongs whove taken over his white working-class neighborhood in Detroit. In the films most iconic scene, after a brawl at the neighbors spills onto his front yard, Walt emerges from the shadows shouldering the M1Garand rifle he brought back from Korea, growling, Get off my lawn. Behind him stands his prized possession, the eponymous 72 Gran Torino. His young Hmong neighbor has already tried once to steal it. Fool me twice, shame on me.

His performance is truthful: Walts simmering anger, his sense of injustice and hair-trigger hostility toward his immigrant neighbors, who make him feel like an endangered minority. That hes managed to live most of a life without feeling that way is the very definition of white privilege, though it seems inadvisable to point this out to an embittered old man who paces around the house with a rifle, waiting for someone to make his day. Walt Kowalski would never call himself privileged. The very suggestion would offend him, a man who came up poor, went to war for his country and worked hard all his life, 30 years at a Ford plant that no longer exists. Gone, all gone.

Growing up in western Pennsylvania, I knew plenty of Walt Kowalskis: gruff, hard-headed coal miners and steel workers left dazed and confused when their livelihoods disappeared. Dont talk to them about privilege. Since the mines died in the 1980s, Cambria County, Pennsylvania has been struggling. Decades of unemployment have led to generational poverty. Drugs are everywhere, and in this largely Catholic county, the clergy sexual abuse scandal has hit recently and hard. In the past three months, two fellow graduates of my parochial high school have died young and violently, each by his own hand. One, an abuse survivor and victims advocate, hanged himself. The othera former All State running backoverdosed on heroin.

Forty years ago, in more prosperous times, Cambria County voted Democratic, thanks to the strong presence of organized laborthe United Mineworkers, the Steelworkers. If you ran a sewing machine at the Barnesboro Shirt Company, you belonged to the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (whose members exhorted us, in song, to Look For the Union Label, in a much-parodied 1970s TV commercial) Those unions are now largely irrelevant in Cambria County, which has turned from deep blue to purple to red. In 2008, Barack Obama won it narrowly. Four years later, Mitt Romney took it in a landslide.

And Donald Trump holds even greater appeal for local voters than Romney did. In his past life as a reality TV star, he entered their living rooms. Hes learned how to pay lip service to their conservative values. They trust him to protect their jobs from immigrants, and hes promised not to take away their guns. Trumps plain-spoken tough talk delights them, but equally important to them is what he doesnt say. He doesnt call out their failings or their racism; he does not shame them. The phrase white privilege will never escape his sphincterous mouth.

It seems fitting that this convention is being held in Cleveland. If Detroit was the original motor city, Cleveland was the second: the home of Fisher Body, which made GM chassis; the giant Ford factory at Brook Park. The city is emblematic of whats happened to the American economy in the last 50 years, the social and economic transformations from which a wide swath of the populationthe Walt Kowalskisfeels excluded.

This week, in Cleveland, they make their stand.
Buddy Fisher wanted a place to stay during Austins Pride Festival. Then he got a message from his potential Airbnb host: No LGBT people, please. I do not support people who are against humanity. Sorry.

Fishers experience, first reported by KHOU, was brought to the attention of the online housing rental marketplace, and the homophobic host was quickly terminated.

We identified this case and immediately removed this host from Airbnb, a spokesperson wrote in a statement to The Daily Beast. Discrimination has no place in the Airbnb community.

But as it is currently written, Airbnbs anti-discrimination policy does not explicitly bar hosts from banning guests based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Instead, it defers to local laws and regulations and instructs hosts to be familiar with the laws that apply to you and your listing.

Airbnb appears to act swiftly after incidents of anti-LGBT discrimination are brought to its attention, but the policy could apparently do much more to prevent them before they occur.

Rae Paoletta, writing for Revelist, noticed this crucial discrepancy after transgender traveler Shadi Petosky went public with her own experience of discrimination early last month.

Petosky had chosen to notify her intended Airbnb host that she was transgender and the host denied her request, writing: I have a 13-year-old boy going through puberty. I dont want him to feel any discomforts in his own home.

Airbnb terminated the host in question.

After reviewing Petoskys case, Paoletta called Airbnbs anti-discrimination policy naive at best, arguing that deactivating accounts on a case-by-case basis doesnt address larger issues of discrimination on Airbnb.

For one, addressing the incidents after the fact leaves LGBT travelers with a sour taste in their mouths. Fisher told KHOU that the experience really, really upset [him].

It felt like weve been going in the right direction but then something like this happens, he said. Its like you take five steps forward then two steps back.

For her part, Petosky brought the incident to public attention a few days after Airbnb released a video for Pride Month under the Twitter hashtag #HostWithPride.

In an interview with The Daily Dot, Petosky recommended that Airbnb have a global nondiscrimination policy or that it institute an orientation for hosts. Her story was widely reported, and it quickly overshadowed Airbnbs #HostWithPride initiative.

Although Airbnb has promptly deactivated homophobic and transphobic hosts in the past, its policy still technically leaves the door open for anti-LGBT housing discriminationin most states, at least. According to the Human Rights Campaign, only 20 states and D.C. prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

In the absence of stricter local laws, Airbnb advises U.S. hosts to follow the Fair Housing Act, which, as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) makes clear, does not specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity.

Instead, as HUD notes, the Fair Housing Act only applies to LGBT people if they are discriminated against based on nonconformity with gender stereotypes. A butch lesbian, for instance, could file a sex discrimination complaint but not a sexual orientation discrimination complaint. A gay man who conforms to gender stereotypes would be entirely out of luck.

Airbnbs policy does prohibit content that promotes discrimination, bigotry, racism, hatred, harassment or harm, and the company clarifies on its community standards page that users should not treat others differently based on sexual orientation and gender identity. As the stories of Fisher and Petosky demonstrate, however, hosts dont always get the memo.

Experiences of discrimination have led some LGBT vacationers to use the application Wimbify, which boasts LGBT hosts as a selling point, or the service misterb&b, which targets gay male vacationers.

Change could be coming soon to Airbnb, however, which is still the most widely used service of its kind.

Faced with widespread allegations of racial bias by Airbnb hostswhich coalesced around the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlackthe company announced on June 2 that it would conduct a thorough internal review, which includes attention to its anti-discrimination policy. Former American Civil Liberties Union leader and African-American civil rights advocate Laura Murphy is assisting in the process.

A copy of the memo provided to The Daily Beast notes that Airbnb expects the review to conclude in early September [2016].

We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination and when we become aware of it we take action, the memo reads.

For LGBT travelers, however, reacting to discrimination is different from doing more to prevent it in the first place.
We all get what Donald Trump is doing when he calls Elizabeth Warren Pocahontas. Hes holding her up as someone using her alleged Native American ancestry to game the system and gain entrance to elite universities, allegations that understandably rile up his conservative base.

There is no evidence that Warren ever cited her Cherokee heritage to get ahead, or that the universities she attended and where she taught even knew of her heritage, but that doesnt stop Trump. He gets laughs at his rallies when he pokes fun at Warren, and thats what matters.

He has no idea how many more people hes insulting when he invokes Pocahontas 400 years after her death, or how the mythical tale of this young Powhatan tribal woman fits into Americas complicated story of race.

Having a laugh at other peoples expense is proving costly for Trump as polls show him with virtually no support from African-Americans in the key swing states of Ohio and Pennsylvania. Slurring Pocahontas is no way to win friends in any minority community.

If you went to an Urban League or an NAACP Convention and asked who in the audience had Native American ancestry, 80 percent would stand up, and it would only be true genetically for a very small group, says Mary Helen Thompson, a longtime Democratic activist, now retired, who has researched her familys freed and enslaved roots back to the colonial period.

She was outraged when former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown, campaigning with Trump last month, said Warren should take a DNA test. Theyre trying to ridicule her for what was a family story, says Thompson. I think she truly believes she is part Native American. A huge number of black people believe they are connected to Native Americans whether they are or not. We shouldnt be talking about a spit test.

A lot of whites too, like Warren, are proud to cite family lore about a Native American ancestor, however distant, and irrespective of whether they could prove it in a court of law. In the early part of the last century, so many influential families in Virginia claimed descent from Pocahontas that a Pocahontas Exception was included in the states 1924 Racial Integrity Act stating that a person could be considered white even if he or she had as much as one-sixteenth Native American ancestry.

This was the era of the one-drop rule, where a single drop of black blood, or one sub-Saharan or African ancestor, made a person black from a social and legal perspective. That ended, at least legally, with the Loving v. Virginia case in 1967, when the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the marriage between Mildred Loving, a black woman, and Richard Loving, a white man, was constitutional, nullifying Virginias Racial Integrity Act and ending all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States.

The claims by African Americans they have Indian blood are controversialnot because they arent truebut because its perceived as not wanting to be 100 percent black, says Paul Butler, a Georgetown University Law Center professor who specializes in criminal and race relations law. There are jokes about the most Afro-centric looking person claiming Native American ancestry.

When white people boast about Indian ancestry, its in a very different context, says Butler. Their concern isnt about being ashamed of being white, he says. Rather, they want to embrace their lineage but they dont want to dilute their whiteness; hence, the Pocahontas Exception.

The whole concept of race is a made up social category, says Butler. Its not a genetic or biological concept. Its a social category thats created to do a certain kind of work. Whats the work that race does? One theory is to preserve white blood purity, he says, putting blood purity in quotes when he talks because it means nothing scientific. There is no difference between black blood and white blood.

Indian blood dilutes just as much as black blood, says Butler, which leads to a second theory: that racial distinctions, far from being about white blood purity, are drawn to protect the economic privileges that white people have. The Pocahontas Exception in his view is evidence that race is more about giving a privilege to people identifying as white.

During the 19th century, the Virginia legislature defined a person with one-eighth or less African ancestry as white, a more generous interpretation than the one-drop rule that followed. During the 1700s and 1800s when slavery was practiced, white Virginians were less concerned about non-European ancestry for obvious reasons: the intermingling of the races was widespread.

Thompsons research led her to a farm in Rappahannock County, Virginia, called The Shade, which had been established from a land grant given to loyalists by King Charles II. From original court records, she learned that James Green built a house in 1780 on 1,000 acres, and that his son, Col. Charles Green, born around 1800, owned her great great grandmother Matilda, and Matildas children. One of those children, fathered by Col. Green, was Thompsons great-great-grandmother on her fathers side.

Her mothers family in North Carolinamostly free people of color, but some enslaved, who considered themselves to have Native American ancestry, says Thompson. But it doesnt show up in me. Her DNA tested at 53.6 percent Northern European, 45.1 sub-Saharan African, and only 0.7 percent Native American, with .6 unassigned.

The low percentage of Native American DNA doesnt matter to me, but it matters to a lot of people, she says. When historian Henry Louis Gates, Jr. found that his genetic makeup was only 0.8 percent Native American ancestry, it created a family crisis. I thought my computer was going to explode, he wrote at the time. I didnt realize I had so many cousins who were so deeply committed to being part Indian. And the venom those emails contained!

Beyond DNA, this is something so many black people believe in, says Thompson. The young couple living on the few acres that remain of the farm are not familiar with its slave-holding history, and Thompson is philosophical about the racial mosaic that made her who she is, musing in an email that Race and identity are a lot like tie-dyed fabric: the pattern depends how you knot and tie the cloth and how long you steep it in the dye. As to the outcomedifferent every time.
Torrent Power Ltd. was even given Rs. 17 crores to shift Tajganj's powerlines by the end of October 2016, but the company has failed to comply with the agreement with the state government.

By Siraj Qureshi: Agra is a historical tourist city with more than half dozen prominent Mughal monuments apart from over 200 lesser known monuments, with tourists arriving from all over the world to view these monuments. Keeping this in mind, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav made a vow to make Agra one of the best cities of not only Uttar Pradesh, but the entire country.

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The 197 crore dream project of Akhilesh Yadav began a couple of years back in the Tajganj area near the Taj Mahal and the private electricity distributor company Torrent Power Ltd. was even given Rs. 17 crores to shift its powerlines by the end of October 2016, but the company has failed to comply with the agreement with the state government in the respect and has even resorted to damaging whatever development work has been done so far in the area.

On the Taj Mahal's eastern gate, the company shifted a power transformer from one place to another and dug up a duct for the high-tension cable. The duct collapsed in a couple of days of rain and the road has been lying damaged since then, seriously affecting tourist traffic. Several vehicles actually got stuck in the damaged part of the road and tourists barely escaped injury.

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Similarly, a duct dug at the Taj Mahal's eastern gate has resulted in the blockage of a storm drain and has caused waterlogging, with the water entering the Taj Mahal's premises. The rains have severely affected the chief minister's dream project and the lax attitude of Torrent Power Ltd. has created additional issues for the administration to handle.

Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber President Prahalad Agrawal said that the administration needs to upgrade the civic amenities in all tourist-frequented areas, not just around the Taj Mahal. Roads are dug up in many places around tourist spots and water logging was seen all around the city, but the situation was particularly bad near the Agra Fort, which needs to be taken care of, before the next rainstorm hits Agra.

He said that the underground digging should be avoided by Torrent power in the areas where the construction agencies have already laid out cobblestones. Due to the digging of the road and improper filling after that, the road collapsed and the traffic is being affected due to that. He said that the Agra Tourist Welfare Chamber has been continually trying to ensure that the tourists have an incident-free and pleasant visit of Agra and take back happy memories with them, but there are a lot of avenues in the city's tourism infrastructure that needed a quick and effective upgrade in order to ensure that tourists do not continue calling Agra one of the dirtiest cities of the world on the internet.

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NGT serves notices to Agra authorities for failing to protect Taj Mahal from pollution

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CLEVELAND  It is not enough to simply beat Hillary Clinton , an adviser to Donald Trumps campaign said. She must be killed.

The theme of the last two nights has been less Make America Safe Again or Make America Work Again and more Lock Her Up. But some of Trumps most diehard supporters want to go furtherthey want her to be executed.

Anyone that commits treason should be shot, Al Baldasaro, an adviser to the Trump campaign for veterans issues, told The Daily Beast. I believe Hillary Clinton committed treason. She put people in danger. When people take confidential material off a server, youre sharing information with the enemy. Thats treason.

Baldasaro was expanding on a violent call he made Tuesday, when he called for Clinton to be put in the firing line over her mishandling of classified emails. He made these remarks on the Jeff Kuhner Show, Buzzfeed reported .

But Trumps adviser, who is also a state representative in New Hampshire, is not the only one at the convention who believes that Clinton should be executed for treasonous acts.

West Virginia lawmaker Michael Folk said earlier this week that Hillary Clinton should be hung on the mall in Washington, DC for treason. And on the campaign trail, reports show that Trump supporters have repeatedly called for her death.

The mood at the Republican National Convention has turned decidedly uglyon stage, primetime speaker Chris Christie conducted a mock trial of Clinton , playing to the crowd to convict her, and the crowd repeatedly called for her to be put in jail. Ben Carson tried to tie Clinton to Lucifer in his Tuesday night address.

Baldasaro called for Clinton to be sent directly to the afterlife. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, he argued, a conviction for treason could result in execution.

Im a military man. Any person who gives up information on an unclassified server, youre putting Americans at risk, he told The Daily Beast. If youre the commander in chief or youre the secretary of state, youre dealing with the military. What makes her any better than people in the military? What makes her above the law?
After last week I called so many people and told them I loved them, Evan Rachel Wood confided to The Daily Beast just days after 2016 saw one of its most horrific tragedies of gun violence: the massacre of LGBT men and women celebrating Pride Week in Orlandos Pulse nightclub. I felt my walls coming down, just wanting to connect with people and let them know that theyre loved.

In the month since I sat down to speak with the actress, musician, and LGBT activist, there have been more heartbreaking killings, more attacks across the world, more unspeakable tragedies, more division. Orlando happened to America just 38 days ago. But then so did Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. Dallas. Nice.

Talking about movies in the face of such unrelenting real-life horrors can feel so insignificant. At least on this afternoon, with Orlando fresh in both of our minds and the entire country mourning the deaths of 49 strangers in Florida, it seemed to foster some semblance of hope in solidarity.

Wood stars with Ellen Page in this weeks Into the Forest, a quietly commanding post-apocalyptic drama about two sisters forced to become their strongest selves when the world as they know it, a world very much like ours, transforms overnight. The end of modern civilization sneaks up silently one evening, when all the lights in the smart house they share with their father in the forested countryside go dark.

Nell (Page), studying for college exams, and older sister Eva (Wood), training for a dance audition, light candles. They wait for the power to come back on. It never does.

Adapted and directed by Patricia Rozema (Mansfield Park) from the novel by Jean Heglund, Into the Forest delivers powerful performances from both of its stars as the sisters live through the everyday hells that follow. When tragedy leaves them to fend for themselves in an increasingly hostile and unknowable future, they panic, fight, and despair as any one of us might if society took a nosedive into chaos tomorrow.

Its a film that left me in a panic, exiting the theater into a darkness that felt all too viscerally real. Sitting across from me in a quiet West Hollywood hotel, Wood offered her sympathies.

Im sure that was very intense, especially having to watch it in the current state that were in, she told me. Were in a weird place right now. But thats one thing I love about this film and the message behind it, what things like Orlando and intense loss and tragedy can doand yes, I wish it didnt take that to bring this out of peoplebut it shows you what really matters.

Theres darkness aplenty around every corner of Into the Forest, puncturing scenes of Nell and Evas mundane home life as the reality of their new lifeno electricity, no internet, no outside help, and plenty of new predatorssinks in. As their dynamic slowly but seismically shifts, the two young women discover strength in themselves and each other.

They go through so much, Wood said. But with death comes birth, and life, and hope. And thats the natural cycle of life. For all the bad, theres just as much good. Theres a balance and an order to things. I think once we can connect with our humanity and our primal nature and see ourselves in our enemies and in other people, thats when we really can make a change.

Into the Forest is one of Pages first films as a producer. Its all the more unusual of a film for the simple fact that it offers a more complete chronicle of female life than most films about women ever try to.

I started correcting myself because I started saying, Its so good to be given a chance to play a strong woman and to show these strong women, but all women are strong, and this is a movie about women as I know them, smiled Wood. Thats why I was excited when I got the script. Its a side of women we dont normally get to see and dont normally give them credit for. Theres no man helping us out or protecting us, or chopping the wood for us or hunting for us. Its all us.

I think that the other thing we show that sometimes can be missing in post-apocalyptic films filled with violence or machine guns or explosions or aliens and stuff is the vulnerability, she added. Yes, theyre defying the odds and surviving, but they also have moments where theyre not. They break. Theyre vulnerable. Theyre fucking scared, and sometimes they dont know if they can go on.

Into the Forest also marked Woods first film after giving birth to her son in 2013. Its evident that motherhood was a transformative experience for the now 28-year-old. Her own decision to have a natural birth at home, she says, opened a connection to something primal.

It wasnt painful. It was just intense, she beamed. Theres nothing you can compare it to. It literally felt like I was connected to the source. Everything I knew, language even, Englishjust went out the window. It was just sounds, just grunts. Primal. That reminded me that we are animals, and that women are made to do this. Weve been told so many times that we cant, and that we cant handle it, and that its too painful or this or that. But we were made to.

The films gift to audiences is that it frequently demonstrates the fortitude people, and especially women, can find in the face of a daunting world as Nell and Eva go from thoroughly modern girls to living without the comforts of contemporary living. And unlike 99 percent of movies, Wood proudly says, this one depicts a natural childbirth in all its glory.

I was excited to show the strength and to show people what it can be and that it is possible, said Wood. The synergy was really cool because I was like, I know how this feels! I know how this sounds. I got it! It changed me. It changes everyone, being a part of that. Its one person becoming two. Its wild.

The takeaways from making a movie like this were twofold, according to Wood. For starters, it made me want to go and take survival courses with my sonwhich Im going to do, she laughed. It also imparted an appreciation for the little things we take for granted.

One of the most powerful moments in the film to me is after theyve lost power and water and theyre conserving this gas for an emergency, they finally give in and put a little bit in the generator and they get their luxuries back for an hour, explained Wood. You see popping popcorn in the microwave, turning on a lamp, watching home movies, playing musicall these things that we dont even think about. And you also see what luxuries they are.

Early last month, Wood woke up with a need to share something with the world. She grabbed a camera and began recording herself talkingfrankly and without a scriptabout her experiences and struggles as a bisexual woman. Her video, posted on June 10 during Pride month, appeared with little fanfare.

First of all, Ive had it up to here with all of the misconceptions about bisexuals and bisexuality, she began. Four little letters for the whole spectrum of queerness whether or not youre gay or lesbian or bisexual or trans, no matter what category youre put into, were all individuals. And we all have our own stories.

I sent it out to a few people before I posted it. Am I insane? Is this a death wish? she said of the video, in which she addressed issues like biphobia, invisibility, and the related mental health issues she and others have faced. I was nervous because it is very personal and there are a lot of things that could be taken out of context and used against you or exploited. But its something thats very close to my heart, and I was tired of it so I figured other people were also tired of it.

After reading the statistics I realized my story wasnt unique, because it was like reading an autobiography. Thats what made me want to tell my story. And its not just my story; its so many peoples stories. We just need voices and faces to back it up so people know that its real.

Wood took inspiration from her co-star Page, who came out as gay in a stirring speech at the 2014 Time to Thrive conference.

She has been so inspiring for me on every level. And I did think, there isnt really a bisexual Ellen Pageyou know what I mean? Wood laughed. It did inspire me to want to speak out and also show that it doesnt matter who you are, youre affected by the way we perceive certain people in the world and the messages that we send out to society.

With all of these topics swirling and converging during our brief afternoon chat, the rawness of recent real-life horrors colliding with an inextinguishable faith in humanity, Wood offered her take on surviving the uncertain future.

See yourself in your so-called enemies or the people youre afraid of, she considered. Instead of fighting, listen. Really listen, and listen to your opponents. You have to try to understand. It is good to be angry because its motivating, as long as its not a hopeless anger and its motivating you to change things. But I feel like we have to find another way to communicate. Otherwise its just all barking and anger and blame, and were all to blame. And we all bear the responsibility.
Jonathan Groff lights up when he sees my iPhone voice recorder turn on. Thats the thing about Jonathan Groff . Hes very excitable. Its adorable. Its charming. Itsat least, it seemssurprisingly genuine.

He uses the voice memo app for literally everything, he swears, excitably (adorably, charmingly, genuinely) taking his out own phone and scrolling through a tour of recordings hes made himself.

Literally everything, it turns out, is largely messages he records as his character Kristoff from the 2013 animated Disney smash Frozen with cameos from Kristoffs reindeer sidekick, Svenand sends to young fans as birthday greetings and, sadly, well wishes for medical treatments.

I dont even have to ask before he starts playing one, blushing a bit as Kristoff talks to Laila, the granddaughter of one of his fathers co-workers who was about to have surgery as part of cancer treatment. Hi Laila, this is Kristoff from Frozen and Im here with Sven. Say hi, Sven the recording begins. Encouragement from both man and reindeer to stay strong follows.

We wanted to sing you a song, isnt that right, Sven? it continues before Groff realizes how long hes been harping on this and stops it abruptly. Anyway, you get the idea, he says.

Should we switch gears to Looking , I ask, referring to HBOs polarizing series about a group of gay friends in San Francisco that ends Sunday night with a farewell movie.

Yes, to the big gay things, Groff laughs. From Frozen to analingus on TV . Thats my life, basically.

Hes laughing it off as quite the dichotomy, right? But hes also not kidding. The 31-year-olds career is schizophrenic in the way that actors mostly fantasize about.

Groff recorded his lines for Frozen, for example, while shooting the first season of Looking on-location in San Francisco, doing voice takes for his Disney romantic lead on weekends while cruising for hand jobs in a park for an endearingly awkward Looking scene during the week.

Couldnt be more different, right? he says, insisting that they really informed each other, with the riffing and collaborating he got to do in Frozen inspiring him to be looser in his performance as Lookings Patrick, a lovably neurotic video game designer trying to find a sense of himself and his sexuality.

He shot Sundays film, a consolation prize for the show and its fans after HBO canceled the series following two low-rated, but much-debated seasons, while on hiatus from diva-walking away with his few short scenes in his Tony-nominated role as King George III in the cultural juggernaut Hamilton .

Even now, promoting the TV movie in a Manhattan hotel suite, hes guzzling coffee, exhausted after performing a one-night-only musical event at New York City Center opposite Tony-winner Sutton Foster, whom he first met as a teenager after standing in the freezing cold at the stage door after a performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie. Risking tonal whiplash, they rehearsed on weekends when he wasnt in Pittsburgh shooting his next role, on David Finchers new Netflix series Mindhunter , about the FBIs elite serial crime unit.

It all plays on each other, he says, referencing his various theater and screen projects. But Looking is different. Looking is special. Looking is personal. The show has changed me for good, he says.

When the first season of Looking premiered in 2014, it arrived pre-packaged by critics and TV writers with zeitgeist-ready branding. It was Girls for Gays. Sometimes it was Gay Sex and the City. Either way it arrived with huge expectations chiefly to speak for an entire community of people who rarely get to see themselves on TVbut met few of them.

More, for many gays it was the worst possible thing: boring .

Its hard not to absorb one of the best lines from Sundays film through the prism of those early responses. I love when gays argue with other gays about being gay, Lauren Weedmans Doris chirps. Looking wasnt everything for everyone. It was a hyper-specific, almost diarist look at a group of gay men in San Francisco dealing with their friendships, love lives, and sex lives. Looking was just Looking.

So when season two finished airing a year later and HBO made the decision to cancel the series, tying things up with a TV movie, the reaction was completely different. It was an outpouring of love! Groff says, almost still in shock himself.

But it was more than that. It was a sadness, a eulogizing of a show that, finally, brought to TV some of the nuanced, organic, everyday conversations and concerns of the gay community. Now it would be gone.

For his part, Groff found himself suddenly a de facto mouthpiece for those conversations and issues, discussing everything from HIV panic, PrEP, and topping vs. bottoming to his own experience coming out and dating. Its a role he rose to admirably even if, as he explains to me, it took him a while to be comfortable doing so.

Being gay and in every scene having to explore gay identity, you cant help but think of your own gay identity and of where you fit in the community and who you are and the issues we talk about it, he says.

Theres one scene from the Looking film in particular that struck him. Its that aforementioned analingus scenewhich, get your DVRs ready, makes that groundbreaking How to Get Away With Murder one look rated G. Rather, its what happens after that scene, when Patrick discovers that his one-night stand, who is 22, has been out and having serious relationships since he was 16 years old.

Patricks reaction mimics that of many gay men who didnt feel comfortable, for myriad reasons, coming out until later in life: awe, admirationand a lot of jealousy. It turns out that reaction also mimics Groffs in real life.

I love that scene because I have that with young people I meet now, even at the stage door, he says. Even like visiting my high school there were kids who were out. I was like What!? I couldnt even wrap my mind around it. That someone would go to prom with a guy is crazy to me. Its amazing to me but I couldnt even believe that was a possibility.

Groff grew up outside Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His father was Mennonite. His mother was Methodist. His upbringing was happy and suitably adorable.

When he was 3, for example, he dressed as Mary Poppins for Halloween. I had a carpet bag and everything, he says. His family raised goats on its farm. Later, after co-starring with her in Spring Awakening and then on Glee, he named one after Lea Michele. A few years ago, Lea Michele gave birth to twins .

He knew he was gay, but he didnt know he could say it. He remembers driving by a billboard of Will and Grace when he was in middle school, and even though he watched the show he didnt feel like he was a Jack or a Will. But just the fact they existed made him feel less alone.

Groff remained in the closet all through his run in Spring Awakening, from when he was 19 to when he was 23. He had a boyfriend whom he lived with that entire time. Laughing as he admits it, Groff called him his roommate. He even thanked him in his Playbill biography.

In Spring Awakening, I played this rebellious character who was very unlike who I was in real life, he says. He didnt let the world define him and spoke his mind and was a passionate rebel.

It was in stark contrast to his own life: I was closeted, living with this guy. Im such a people pleaser, in every sense. The idea that if I came out and was gay and it made people feel uncomfortable, I would never want that.

When he left Spring Awakening, he says, he realized I had cultivated this side of myself and now I had nothing to do with it but put it into my real life. He came out. He broke up with his boyfriend. He started to evolve.

When Groff came out to his parents he gave them the same line that so many gay men tell their parents in order to reassure them that, sure, theyre gaybut theyre not that gay.

I said, Im gay, but Im not going to be in a parade or anything, Groff remembers, shaking his head as he laughs at the memory. Cut to 2014, when he was asked to be the Grand Marshall of New York Gay Pride Parade. Cautiously, he said yes. He was still uncomfortable.

For me, at least, it wasnt like I came out and then was like and now Im fine! he says. Its more complicated than that. I came out and it was a slow evolution.

Doing the gay pride parade, I really realized that I was proud to be gay. Its one thing to be out and its another to be proud of it. I think when I first came out it was like OK Im gay, but if I could not be gay Id not be gay, but Im gay. Thats how it was when I first came out. But Looking really was an experience that changed all of that for me.

He had already been publicly out for years by the time Looking came along, and was steadily and successfully working in Hollywood. He became a household name on Glee. An indie darling in Ang Lees Taking Woodstock. A sex object, thanks to a nude scene in C.O.G. He and actor Gavin Creel were, at one point, Broadways cutest couple. (They broke up in 2010 .) Then he and actor Zachary Quinto were TVs cutest couple. (They broke up in 2013 .)

But Looking required something different from him. It required that he be, well, gay.

It was really publicly owning my sexuality, he says. It was a different step. I mean, now Im fucking guys on TV.

Some gay men like to joke that one of the reasons coming out is hard for parents and parental figures to take is because it forces them to picture you having sex with dudes, and that makes them uncomfortable. Groff sort of upped the ante on that. He was literally, as he just said, fucking guys on TV.

And thats precisely why his parents didnt watch Looking, he says, recalling one particular horror story. In the middle of season two, he told his parents that hed put together a few sex-free clips from Looking to show them. Perhaps thinking he was being proactive, Groffs father beat him to the punch, flipping on a season two episode one night that happened to be on HBO.

And of course Groff begins. You know where its going.

In season two I have like one sex scene with Russell Tovey. It was the one where I fuck him, the top to bottom episode. His father called and relayed the horror. He was like, I turned to the channel and I saw this British guy and you were both naked and I saw him go for a condom. And Im like, Im sorry, I cant watch it.

In a way, though, the reaction exemplifies the exact service that Looking provided.

Groff and I joke about the ass-eating scene that you will certainly be talking about come Sunday night. I love doing those scenes! he insists, possibly the first actor to perform that and not deliver the rote its always awkward and robotic line, as instructed in the Actors Bible. But the scene, in all its graphicnessstark realness, actuallymeans much more than that.

These sex scenes are an opportunity to illuminate something in a character but also in life for people, he says. Like this is what actually goes down.

He likes to tell the story about how many of his straight friends didnt realize that gay men can have sex facing each other until they watched his character do it in a scene in Looking.

I think [Looking creator] Andrew Haigh does a really good job capturing the reality of sex instead of just the salaciousness of sex, he says. So the sex scenes can be sexy but they also feel like real sex. Its not like youre watching perfectly shined, groomed bodies banging in soft lighting. Youre seeing whats real. Its a little awkward. Kind of hot. You know?

I do. Its kind of like Jonathan Groff, really.
The crash site of EgyptAir Flight 804 deep in the eastern Mediterranean has given up all its secrets. Investigators into the crash now have a complete and detailed map of the field of debris. The Daily Beast can reveal that the specialized deepsea search vessel John Lethbridge has completed its mission and left the area after completing the mapping.

Although Egyptian officials have yet to announce what has been disclosed by data downloaded from the flight recorders of the Airbus A320, the picture of the debris field is equally important to understanding what happened. Small details can provide big cluesin this case the role that control surfaces played when pilots lost control of the flight.

Whether the debris is spread across a large area or more concentrated should also help to explain a highly unusual feature of this crash: There was very little debris left floating on the surface, nor were any bodies recovered floating in the days immediately following the crash in May. This suggests that most of the airplane and all of the passengers and crew went to the sea bottom at the site some 180 miles north Alexandria, Egypt.

Experts have been impressed by the speed and success of the search carried out by the John Lethbridge, owned by the Mauritius-based company DeepOceanSearch.

Although the John Lethbridge is a relatively old vesselit was built in 1965 as a fishing trawler in the northern England port of Hullit was fitted out in 2006 with some of the worlds most advanced deepsea search equipment. Its team of 20 specialists includes mine warfare veterans from the French navy.

Nicolas Vincent, the operations manager of DOS, told The Daily Beast that the John Lethbridge was working off the coast of Ireland when they received the Egyptian request to search for the wreck. The ship was resupplied and left for the eastern Mediterranean within six hours of the call.

It took 12 days to reach the site where it joined a French naval vessel, the Laplace, that had sailed at speed from the port of Toulon immediately following the crash. The Laplace was on station at a location that had been indicated as the probable crash site by signals received by a satellite from a device on the Airbus, an emergency locator transmitter, ELT. Within days the French vessel picked up a signal from a beacon on one of the flight recorders, confirming that this was the crash site.

In less than a week, in the early hours of June 17, the crew of the John Lethbridge, using a sonar-scanning towfish, with state-of-the-art navigation aids similar to those used on submarines, located the cockpit voice recorder and, soon afterwards, the flight data recorder at depths believed to have been around 10,000 feet.

The John Lethbridge then deployed its Comanche remotely operated vehicle, ROV, capable of reaching depths of up to 18,000 feet, to retrieve the black boxes and these were then passed to investigators in Alexandria. The cockpit voice recorder was found to be damaged by exposure to seawater and was sent to Paris where investigators were able to repair it so that conversations between the pilots could be retrieved.

First priority of the search after the retrieval of the flight recorders was to use the ROV to get close-up images of the forward section of the A320s fuselage, including the flight deck. This quickly established that there was evidence of heat damage, possibly from a fire, which is consistent with data sent in seven brief bursts from the airplanes Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System, ACARS, before it plunged into the Mediterranean.

The DOS team was then given the grim task of mapping and finding human remains. A team of Egyptian and French pathologists was on board the John Lethbridge. All the human remains that were located have been retrieved and sent to Cairo.

Egyptian investigators are using DNA analysis to identify victims, but the condition of the human remains will also be a crucial part of the forensic investigation into the crash. The kind of injuries sustained can give important clues to the role smoke and fire may have played.

This is vital because one of the most pressing questions has always been why there was no distress call from the pilots. One possible reason could be that the airplanes communications system in the electronics bay beneath the flight deck had already been disabled by a fire before the pilots realized they had an emergency.
Stephen Colbert opened his second live show of the week by addressing the big controversy to come out of the Republican National Conventions first night. As Colbert soberly told his viewers: Melania Trump has been accused of plagiarizing portions of a speech First Lady Michelle Obama gave at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Fortunately, the host revealed that he had secured the first exclusive appearance by Melania Trump so she could explain what happened. With that, out walked a woman in a white dress who looked and sounded remarkably like Donald Trumps third wifebut was actually Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti.

Asked if the statement she was about to read was written by the same staffers who penned her convention speech, she replied, Yes, I wrote it.

My fellow Americans, she said, striking a dramatic pose. This is truly the best of times. It is the worst of times.

I did not plagiarize my speech last night. I would never do such a thing, she continued. I could not, would not with a goat. I would not, could not on a boat. That is because I learned honesty during my humble upbringing in West Philadelphia, born and raised, and on the playground is where I spent most of my days.

From there, Melania quoted everything from the Kit Kat bar jingle and Braveheart to Network and the McDonalds slogan. Oh, and one more thing, she added. Live from New York, its Saturday night! Before she could finish that last line, Colbert stopped her and went on with the rest of his show.
Angus King is an independent senator from Maine. He caucuses with the Democrats.

With all eyes on the GOPs mistake by the lake, its tempting to ignore the serious business going inside the Hillary camp  namely, picking the VP nominee.

The conventional wisdom shortlist includes Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, New Jersey Sen. Corey Booker, and Labor Secretary Tom Perez, augmented by reports that liberal icon and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper were seen exiting meetings at casa de Clinton in Washington D.C.

Given the unusual number of senators on the list, The Daily Beast reached out to get the take of the Senates only centrist independent, Maines Angus King. Given that his political demographic will determine the winner of this election, his insights should carry real weightand they reflect the perspective of a person who knows many of the potential nominees as professional colleagues and has consistently expressed his colleagues respect for Sen. (and former Governor) Tim Kaine. He compiled his thoughts in an email to The Daily Beast from the North Atlantic Blues Festival in Rockland, Maine.

Independent Senator Angus Kings 15 Reasons Why Hillary Clinton should pick Tim Kaine for VP:

1. He would make an excellent president, if the circumstances demanded it.

2. He would make an excellent president, if the circumstances demanded it.

3. He would make an excellent president, if the circumstances demanded it. You may notice that I think this is far and away the most important criterion.

4. He is smart, honest, has good judgment, and is highly principledbut he is also pragmatic, not ideological or dogmatic.

5. He has extensive executive experience (in government, which is different from businessI know; I've done both) as a mayor, lieutenant governor, and governor.

6. He is thoughtful and knowledgeable in foreign policy; serves on Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees and has engaged with the leaders of the world's most troublesome places.

7. He is a man of deep (but not showy) faith; he took a year out of his education to serve as a Catholic missionary in Central America, becoming fluent in Spanish in the process.

8. He is a proud Democrat, but is not excessively partisan; he is genuinely respected by everyone I know in the Senate, on both sides of the aisle.

9. When he stands up to speak in the Democratic caucus, people literally stop eating or conversing and listen. I have seen him change minds, including mine.

10. He has proven his ability to lead (and be elected in) a large, diverse and politically divided state (sound like the country right now?), not by offering non-controversial solutions or avoiding difficult issues, but by taking principled positions and articulating his reasoning. He is a powerful public speaker, in both small and large groups.

11. He is completely unpretentious and un-pompous and doesnt take himself all that seriously, a huge plus for any politician in my book.

12. He works very hard, doing a lot of his own research and getting into the details of policy and legislation. I have seen him late at night in his office rewriting an amendment by hand.

13. He deeply cares about this country and its people in an old-fashioned 4th-of-July kind of way and is a serious student of the Constitution and our history.

14. He is a problem-solver who is more interested in getting things done than ideological purity or purely partisan point-scoring.

15. Finally, he is fun to be with; the president and vice president spend four or eight years together in a lifeboat buffeted by high winds and challenging seas; just being amiable and a solid companion in that situation is a considerable virtue. It would be awful to have to live with a vice president you didnt like.

Heres the basis of my comments. We sit together on the Senate floor and in two committees (Armed Services and Budget), have traveled together (Israel, Lebanon, Afghanistan, India), and often consult with each other on difficult questions. He is one of the two or three best people I have ever met and my first call when undecided or unsure of the right answer on the toughest problems.

Hes also a professional-level harmonica player, but has the sense to resist playing at inopportune moments.

Have I mentioned that he would be an excellent president, if the circumstances demanded it?
Over the past 13 months, Donald Trump has been rightly described as scary, dangerous, misogynistic and racist.

Now, hes about to formally join up with a running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, in a ceremony officiated by the Republican National Committee, in a marriage much scarier and more dangerous than anything weve seen so far.

While Trump holds many conservative views and uses exceptionally incendiary language, he doesnt hold a candle to Pences policy positions or the platform that the RNC adopted this week.

Pences viewsand, most important, his record as a member of Congress and now governoron a whole host of issues from reproductive rights to LGBT rights are more extreme than any vice-presidential nominee in modern history.

Despite his hatred for big government, Pence has repeatedly used government as a tool to discriminate against the LGBT community. Hes been a pioneer in crafting innovative strategies and nuanced language to subject LGBT Americans to discrimination while shielding himself from ridicule.

Like many on the right, Pence favors withholding rights from LGBT Americans, from adoption rights to allowing same-sex couples to marry. But he takes his bigotry a step further by favoring laws and policies that give legal protection to people to discriminate against members of the LGBT community.

But whats most disturbing is Pences years of advocacy for conversion therapy, the insidious treatment that abuses LGBT adults and youth to supposedly eliminate or dramatically reduce their attraction to the same sex or their desire to express a different gender from the gender they were born with.

The American Psychological Association, The American Medical Association, and 11 other major medical organizations reject conversion therapy because they dont believe that there is a disorder to fix, they dont believe one can actually change orientation or gender identity and that attempting doing so is dangerous and harmful, particularly to LGBT youth.

The techniques therapists have used to try to change sexual orientation and gender identity are horrifying. They include inducing nausea, vomiting, or paralysis while showing the patient homoerotic images; providing electric shocks; using shame to create aversion to same-sex attractions. Other techniques include trying to make patients behavior more stereotypically feminine or masculine, teaching heterosexual dating skills, using hypnosis to try to redirect desires and arousal.

Its no wonder that LGBT youth who are forced to face conversion therapy are, according to the American Psychological Association, 8.9 times as likely to be suicidal, 5.9 times as likely to be depressive, and three times as likely to use illegal drugs.

Some organizations and therapists that engage in conversion therapy have become more strategic after significant backlash and have softened their approach. But they still engage in psychological torture by convincing LGBT youth that what they are feeling is unnatural and needs to be changed.

In 2000, when Pence ran for Congress successfully in Indiana, he proposed that Ryan White Act Money intended for organizations providing HIV/AIDS care be redirected from organizations that support LGBT rights to those institutions which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior.

His intention was clear. Even though he knew LGBT organizations were providing critical lifesaving HIV/AIDS services, he said they were promoting the homosexual lifestyle and that the federal governments money would be better spent elsewhere.

If Pences position sounds fringe, remember that the GOP has now adopted conversion therapy into its national platform. This is shocking. As our nation becomes more progressive on LGBT rights, a major political party took a giant leap back.

Worse yet, the amendment to the platform was introduced by the leader of a hate group, Tony Perkins, of the Family Research Council. Initially, his amendment was very explicit in mentioning conversion therapy, but after consulting with RNC Chairman Reince Priebus he made the language more innocuous even as the meaning stayed insidious:

We support the right of parents to determine the proper treatment or therapy, for their minor children, the amendment said.

After this change, Chairman Priebus told reporters including NBCs Chuck Todd that he had pulled the conversion amendmentbut all he did was remove the word conversion. How shameful. Chairman Priebus oversaw the most anti-LGBT platform in the entire 162 year history of the party and he couldnt even be honest about it.

For the first time in our presidential history, a major party candidate and a major party support child abuse, even child torture, as part of their platform. Thats not hyperbole, thats exactly what conversion therapy is. In fact, all known methods of conversion therapy meet the definition of torture under the Geneva Conventions definition.

I accept that parties add certain policies to their platform or that some candidates choose to offer red meat to their supporters, but I draw the line when it comes to forcing a child into a treatment program that they dont deserve, that wont be effective, and exposes them to abuse and even torture that will haunt them for a lifetime.

Elected officials are finally beginning to get the message, states that ban conversion therapy include California, Oregon, New Jersey, Illinois and the District of Columbia. Every time a law is passed, its challenged in the courts. They have constantly upheld laws banning conversion therapy.

Each year, our nation continues to become more and more accepting of LGBT Americans and their civil rights continue to expand, rights that are not special, but are the basic rights that heterosexual or cis-gendered Americans have taken for granted.

What the GOP is promoting with a platform that supports the torture of LGBT youth is a horrifying reality; one that is made worse by their attempts to use nuanced language to cover up their bigotry.

But what is more sinister is that theyve targeted their bigotry at the most vulnerable of our population, our children, who dont have a voice or a vote.

For years the GOP denied that LGBT Americans even existed. When they couldnt do that anymore, they did everything they could to deny them their rights.

And now, by supporting conversion therapy in their platform, by nominating Pence for vice-president, Republicans have finally admitted what we have suspected all along: They just want LGBT Americans to disappear.
KIEV  The people who blew up journalist Pavel Sheremet in the center of Ukraines capital this morning knew exactly what they were doing. His death stabbed at the hearts of independent journalists in countries all over the former Soviet Unioncountries where the press is under siege.

For them, the 44-year-old Sheremet was not just a reporter, he was a journalistic institution, and the founder, not least, of a school in Kiev for young reporters. He published newspaper articles, spoke on Radio Vesti, and expressed his strong opinions on blogs and social networks.

For two decades Sheremets sharp reports attacked dictators and dictatorial regimes. He was fearless, much like his old friend Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who also was a victim of assassination.

At about 7:45 Wednesday morning Sheremet was driving his girlfriends Subaru to work at Radio Vesti when the vehicle exploded at the corner of Bagdan Khmelnitsky Avenue near a popular McDonalds. The journalists legs were just  gone. Bleeding massively, he struggled to crawl out of the car. Several people rushed to the burning vehicle, but there was no hope.

Sheremets assassins had been skillful. They planted an explosive device equivalent to 400 to 600 grams of TNT beneath the drivers position, according to the Ukrainian interior ministry. By noon the news traveled from mouth to mouth in cafes, taxis and shops of Ukraine.

The assassination was another example of Ukraines slide toward the abyss. The countrys leadership is losing support day by day; the economy is deteriorating; the security services are mired in international scandals. Seemingly random attacks are growing more commonplace. The illegal market for deadly weapons is growing.

Almost every week new, random attacks are reported, while in the east, the war with the breakaway republics is growing hotter. The night before Sheremets murder local media recorded seven Ukrainian soldiers killed and 14 wounded in one day.

The nightmarish assassination of Sheremet shook up the country, heightening the profound distrust of government that exists already. To avoid manipulation or interference with investigation by different political powers, President Petro Poroshenko asked the American FBI to get involved helping Ukraine to find out the truth about Sheremets death.

Sheremet will be remembered as somebody who was always ready to help on a story, a man with a wicked sense of humor, and a flair for colorful language.

From my first steps in journalism in Kiev in 2014, he took me by the hand and took me everywhere, introducing me to people and to the profession, says Ekaterina Segatskova, now a journalist with Hramadske TV. His girlfriend, Olena Prytula, a journalist from Ukrainskaya Pravda and Pavel had received multiple threats on their life for their reporting. They complained that somebody began to follow them about a year ago.

Tragically, Sheremet was not the only journalist who fell prey to violence this week. On Tuesday, somebody stabbed the editor of Ukrainian Forbes, Maria Rydvan, injuring her face and arm, local media reported.

In these former Soviet countries assassins target the brave, the famous, the people whose deaths would leave us speechless, breathless. Dozens of strong voices have been silenced in the last decade, including Russian journalist Anna Politkovskaya, human rights activist Natalia Estemirova, lawyer Stanislav Markelov in Russia, Belarusian journalist Dmitry Zlavadsky in Belarus, and Ukrainian journalist Georgy Gangadze.

Sheremet had plenty of enemies, and not only in Kiev but in Moscow and in Minsk, in his native Belarus. Death threats had followed the journalist since the early 1990s, when he began to cover news first out of his own garage in Minsk, then on his website, Belorussian Partisan. I am [Belarusian] dictator [Alexander] Lukashenkos personal enemy, Sheremet liked to say. He openly blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for dictatorial methods and violations of the constitution. In Russia we are going to see a short term but severe dictatorship, Sheremet warned in 2012.

Five years ago the journalist moved from Moscow, where he was already a well-known television anchor, to work and live in Ukraine. Almost every day Sheremets posts attacked Ukrainian nationalists, corrupt bureaucrats and the military. Sheremet told The Daily Beast earlier this year that Renat Akhmetov, the Ukrainian tycoon blamed by investigative reporters for his cooperation with rebel leaders in the east, should be put on trial for the war in Ukraine.

Sheremets close friend, Pavel Marinish, remembers that Belarusian President Lukashenko locked him in jail several times; the Belorussian KGB threatened his life; they blacklisted him out of Ukraine; but he still returned back to his home country. This week the journalist will travel back to his hometown of Minsk for the last time, his mother said.

And in Kiev? On Wednesday afternoon, even before police at the scene had finished their forensic investigations they were suggesting those interested in destabilization were behind Sheremets tragic death: the kind of vague charge that rarely leads to real justice.

A group of about a dozen street sweepers were cleaning the crime scene. Thats all! A man in uniform waved to them hurriedly. People started hosing down the road.

An older woman at the McDonalds watching the scene, could be heard telling a friend: Look, of course, its always the same, they dig his grave, put a monument, and wash their hands.
From a disorganized, racist, heavily plagiarized RNC to the Snapchat heard round the world, its hard to say whos having a harder week: Swifties or Trump supporters. But what if these two groups have more in common than just being wrong?

For better or worseprobably for worseTaylor Swift has long been considered the pop star face of white feminism. As a self-proclaimed feminist, Swift supports all women, unless theyre criticizing her or sleeping with her ex-boyfriend. Swifts solipsism first came under fire when she attacked Amy Poehler and Tina Fey over a critical joke. In retaliation for making a celeb-bashing crack at The Golden Globes aka doing their jobs, Swift warned the comedians that theres a special place in hell for women who dont help other women. According to Taylor Swift (and Madeleine Albright?) feminism means making nice. Thats a nice motto, but unfortunately Swift doesnt exactly practice what she preaches.

In 2014, Swift decided to get even with frenemy Katy Perry after Perry allegedly pilfered some of Taylors backup dancers. Swift, who occasionally takes things too far, gathered together an entire cast of famous women for Bad Blood, a hit single that doubles as a Katy Perry diss track. Perrys response? Finding it ironic to parade the pit women against other women argument about as one unmeasurably capitalizes on the take down of a woman

Heres some more irony for you: Despite her stated support for womens causes, Swift has yet to publicly endorse Hillary Clintons presidential campaign. As two white feminists with more than a handful of racial blind spots between them, Swift and Clinton seem like a match made in second wave feminist heaven. With all the time Swift and her squad have spent since Sunday urging fans to focus on issues that really matter, the pop superstar could have actually directed some much-needed millennial attention toward HRC.

In contrast, Katy Perry has proven herself to be very much With Her. Back when hip stars were feeling the Bern, Perry remained fire-resistant, campaigning alongside Clinton in a series of increasingly patriotic outfits. When Hillary clinched the Democratic nomination in June, Perry was among the first celebs to congratulate her, tweeting, A lot of little girls are in bed right now dreaming for the first time, without limits. Thats exactly the sort of vaguely political, girl power sentiment that weve come to expect from Taylor Swifts PR team. So why is Swift letting her nemesis become the next presidents uncontested First Pop Star?

The answer to this question, like the answers to all of lifes greatest questions, can likely be found within Swifts inscrutable squad.

At first glance, Swift fan Lena Dunhams fervent Hillary support should have influenced Swift to take a stand. But by looking higher up in the squad hierarchy, we hit a snag: Karlie Kloss. While Kloss might look like an unlikely political operative, the former Victorias Secret Angel has been dating Jared Kushners brother, Joshua Kushner, for four years. Jared Kushner used to be famous for inheriting a real-estate empire from his once-imprisoned father and owning The New York Observer. Now, his claim to fame is his wife, Ivanka Trump, and her notorious father, Donald. Instead of conscientiously objecting or simply staying out of the fray, Kushner has permanently tarnished his record by actually going to bat for Donald Trump, acting as his speechwriter and vocal surrogate. In a piece for The Observer, Kushner defended his blustery comb-over of a family member, declaring, My father-in-law is not an anti-Semite.

Its hard to say if Klosss relationship with the other Kushner brother has anything to do with Swifts reticence to enter the political fray. But if that is the case, its pretty unfortunateespecially since Karlie has been noticeably silent in the wake of Snapchat-gate. Sad! And while Swift will hopefully end up voting for Hillary, in another way, a Swift-Trump alliance feels so wrong its right. For one, Swifts public image couldnt get any worse. Plus, Trump and Tay have a few things in common: they both love hanging out with models, and also enjoying weighing in on other famous peoples relationships. Taylor, like Trump, is a bald-faced liar. And while Swift hasnt announced her endorsement yet, Trump is an unabashed fan of the polarizing pop star. It might only be a matter of time until Trump ditches We Are the Champions and starts making his entrances to You Belong With Me:

Of course, were going to need some receipts if we want to solve the mystery of Taylor Swifts missing presidential endorsement once and for all. Wheres (pending) Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kim Kardashian West when you need her?
The Shirley Temple is the most enduring non-alcoholic drink that ever had the temerity to mimic the sophistication of an actual cocktail.

Watching kids order and sip Shirley Temples at a restaurant is adorable. Its like watching a rooster trained to play tic-tac-toe or a monkey in a cowboy hat galloping about on a tiny pony. Its as if youre watching an actual human pretending to be an adult.

Oh wait. Ive been reliably informed that children are human. So I guess its more like watching a 5-year-old girl putting on lipstick or an 8-year-old boy striking his favorite Earl Sweatshirt pose.

I have several objections to the drink, but none are about kids pretending to be adultsplaying adult is how they learn. Its what theyre being served, and therefore what theyre learning, thats wholly objectionable.

First, some backstory: The genesis of the Shirley Temple is a bit murky. Chasens Restaurant in Los Angeles makes a credible claim that it created the drink for the child actress of the same name. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel, on Waikiki Beach, has also planted its flag as originator, although less convincingly. Shirley Temple herself, before she died in 2014 at the age of 85, recalled that shed first been served her namesake drink at the Brown Derby, also in L.A.

Whatever. It really doesnt matter from which effervescent and gaudy fountain it first emerged. The key thing is that it spread quickly and became a viral non-cocktail. By 1950 it was everywhere. It was one of the most popular drinks at Top of the Mark in San Francisco, although the high-class bar changed the name after Temple divorced and the bar manager decided the name was no longer appropriate. He also deemed it outdated, so he renamed it the Shari Robinson, after a starlet you remember from well, actually, you dont remember her. Nobody does. Its not known how long the bar manager kept his job.

The recipe for the Shirley Temple varies slightly depending on where its served. But generally its a concoction of ginger ale (or sometimes 7Up) mixed with a little grenadine and served in a highball glass. The essential coup de grace? A cherry the color of a shiny new fire engine. Thats what made it sophisticated for kids.

I should admit here to some personal history with the Shirley Temple. I grew up with three brothers. On our occasional forays to fancy restaurants, some of us ordered a Roy Rogers and some of us ordered a Shirley Temple. Much embittered discussion ensued about the relative quality of each, and we developed fairly rigid allegiances. (I was a Roy Rogers man.)

Mostly I remember the sheen of sophistication. We clinked glasses, of course, saluted one another, and nodded our heads ponderously, like wed seen adults do in black-and-white movies on TV. I learned in my later teens that the Roy Rogers and the Shirley Temple were pretty much the same drink (although the base of the Roy Rogers was typically cola). I remember thinking it another vile canard promulgated by manipulative adults. I have not fully recovered.

Of course, the Shirley Temple was not actually invented for kids, but for adults. The drink is, at root, a pacifier. It carves out space for the parents, who can briefly buy off their offspring when the family is trying to have a quiet dinner out. Its a potable version of Heres the remote, honey, now shut up while mommy drinks her Manhattan.

The Shirley Temple has history. It has lore. It has a cherry that can be seen from several blocks away.

So why hate on it? Several reasons.

For starters, its a drink that teaches faux sophistication. It makes the cocktail seem like an overhyped event, not a beacon of everyday civility. It teaches kids that celebrity has value and pays in lasting fame. It trains their developing brains to clamor for those very things that will put them on an endless, ultimately fruitless battle against obesity. (Brain says: Sweet! Fancy! Good! More!) It sends all the wrong messages.

But most tragically of all, it teaches bad taste. A good cocktail resides in a citadel of balancesour, bitter, sweet, sharp. Its like a massive steel Calder mobile that hangs perfectly but is so delicate it can be moved by a faint breeze.

What is a Shirley Temple? It is sweet mixed with sweet, garnished with a crimson dollop of sweet. Its an underground bunker of a drink, able to withstand direct assault.

Fixing this problem is not especially vexing. We just need to invent a popular kids cocktail that conveys actual sophisticationmaybe a touch of sour or bitter, coaxed into palatability with sweet. Something that demonstrates that life is varied and full of offsetting complications. Life is not just sweet, and for that we should be thankful.

Im not the only one who objects to the Shirley Temple. One other person never really liked it either. Her name was Shirley Temple. She was tormented by them throughout her long life. Bartenders and waiters and fellow diners would send them to her, finding it uproariously funny.

She played along, because she was a good person.

The saccharine sweet, icky drink? she replied to an NPR interviewer who asked her about the drink in 1986. I had nothing to do with it. But, all over the world, I am served that. People think its funny. I hate them.

Why?

Too sweet! she said.

Exactly.
The Army chief expressed his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians. He also appealed the people maintain peace and calm.

By Shuja-ul-Haq : As the valley continues to be tense the Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh today reviewed the security situation. He was on a visit to the Srinagar based 15 Corps. As per a statement issued by the army, the chief expressed his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians. He also appealed the people maintain peace and calm.



COORDINATION OF DIFFERENT SECURITY AGENCIES

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The Army Chief was briefed by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua on the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all security and other government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley. He was also given a briefing on the situation along the Line of control.

He was accompanied by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders, also visited the Kupwara Division and Awantipur based Victor Force where he was briefed on the operational preparedness as also the initiatives taken by Army in collaboration with civil administration to alleviate hardships being faced by the populace due to the prevailing unrest. The Army Chief also met with the DG Police, J&K, and was reassured about the excellent synergy between Army, Police, CAPFs and intelligence agencies.

Two days back army was involved in an incident of firing on protesters during a clash in Qazigund. Three civilians including two women have been killed in the incident while many others were injured. The army has regretted the incident and ordered an inquiry.

ALSO READ:



Kashmir unrest: Protests flare, 3 killed as army opens fire



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A federal Title IX lawsuit filed in Wisconsin on Tuesday alleges that the Kenosha Unified School District instructed guidance counselors to have Ash Whitaker, a 16-year old transgender boy, and any other transgender students at the school wear bright green wristbands so that the school could more easily monitor and enforce [their] restroom usage.

Ash Whitaker made headlines this year when he was allowed to run for prom king after initially being denied the opportunity to run. His mother, Melissa, is a co-plaintiff in the suit and a teacher at his school.

Kenosha Unified School District spokeswoman Tanya Ruder was not immediately available to comment on the suit or the Whitakers claims.

As the Journal Sentinel reported, the Whitakers had filed an earlier complaint with the U.S. Department of Educations Civil Rights Division that was withdrawn ahead of this week's lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Ash Whitaker came out as transgender to his parents in the eighth grade and to a few close friends during to his freshman year. Then, at the start of his sophomore year he formally came out to all of his teachers and peers. The Whitakers say that the trouble began later that year.

In the spring of 2015, the 36-page complaint alleges, school administrators at George Nelson Tremper High School denied the Whitakers request to allow Ash to use the boys bathroom, instructing him to either use the girls room or a single-occupant restroom in the school office instead.

Ash claims that the office bathroom was far out of the way from most of his classes and that he didnt want to use it anyway because he would be segregated from his classmates and further stigmatized for being different. According to the complaint, this left Ash feeling overwhelmed, helpless, hopeless, and alone.

It is not uncommon for transgender students to feel depressedand even suicidalafter being denied permission to use the appropriate bathroom. A February 2016 study in the The Journal of Homosexuality analyzed data from the Transgender Discrimination Survey and found that restricting transgender college students access to restrooms or campus housing had a significant relationship to [their] suicidality, even after controlling for interpersonal victimization.

The Whitakers claim that Ash then largely avoided using any restrooms at school for the rest of that school year and even restricted his liquid intake, which worsened his migraines and his symptoms of vasovagal syncope, a fainting condition.

This tactic would not be unique to Ash Whitaker. According to preliminary findings from the new U.S. Transgender Survey, nearly a third of the over 27,000 total respondents have avoided drinking or eating to stay out of bathrooms in the last year. Eight percent have suffered a UTI or another kidney-related medical issue as a result.

After the bathroom refusals at home, the Whitakers claim that Ash was then denied his request to room with other boys during his school orchestra groups July 2015 trip to Europe and was indeed forced to share a room with a girl.

But after hearing about the case of Gavin Grimm, the Virginia transgender boy at the center of a bathroom case that would eventually be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, Ash says he decided to begin using the boys room both in Europe and back at Tremper High during his junior year.

The Whitakers claim that he did so without any incident for seven full months before school administrators cracked down again and presented the same ultimatum: girls room or office restroom. The complaint alleges that the conflict between the Whitakers and the district only escalated from there, with school officials repeatedly using Ashs birth name, punishing him for continuing to use the boys room, and denying his housing request on another orchestra trip.

But the most alarming allegations in the suit are claims that the school essentially created a surveillance program to control Ashs bathroom use. Melissa, who taught at Tremper, claimed that school administrators sent an email to security guards in April 2016 instructing them to notify administrators if they spotted any students who appear to be going into the wrong restroom.

The next month, Melissa claims, Ashs guidance counselor introduced the troubling bright green wristband practice for transgender students. The Whitakers believe this policy was aimed directly at Ash but they were allegedly told that it would apply to any other transgender students at the school as well.

[Ash] felt like his safety would be even more threatened if he had to wear this visible badge of his transgender status, the lawsuit alleges.

According to the Whitakers, the alleged green wristband policy may still be in place at Tremper High School for incoming transgender students. The Daily Beast could not confirm whether this was the case. Ash is planning to return to school for his senior year in September.

I worry about how Im going to navigate the demands of senior year if I cant even go to the bathroom without worrying Im being watched, he said in a statement released by the Transgender Law Center, which co-filed the lawsuit.

The Whitakers lawsuit comes after a Virginia school district appealed Gavin Grimms bathroom case to the U.S. Supreme Court following a Fourth Circuit Court of appeals ruling in Grimms favor.

It also follows May 2016 guidance from the Justice Department and the Department of Education instructing school districts to allow transgender students to use the proper bathroomslargely perceived as a direct response to North Carolinas discriminatory anti-LGBT law, which restricts public restroom usage based on birth certificates. At least 21 states are now suing the federal government over this guidance.

But according to the Department of Education, the Fourth Circuit, and the Whitakers lawsuit, these restrictions clearly violate Title IXs ban on sex discrimination. The Whitakers claim that Ash himself raised the issue of his apparent Title IX protections in April in a conversation with a school district official who then denied that the law applied to him. When Ash asked the official to explain how she thought Title IX worked, she allegedly refused, saying something like, I dont think Im going to give you any reasons.
In the aftermath of Fridays failed military coup in Turkey, 14 Turkish navy warships allegedly crewed by rebel sympathizers, reportedly slipped from their moorings or departed their scheduled patrol zones and disappeared into the Aegean and Black Seas, effectively gutting one of Europes most powerful navies and initiating one of the most widespread naval mutinies in modern history.

At least, thats what one newspaper is claiming. Other sources have questioned the allegations of a Turkish naval exodus. And the Turkish government is flatly denying to The Daily Beast that any vessels are missing.

To be sure, thousands of Turkish military personnel actively or passively supported the July 15 attempt to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Rebel tanks rolled down city streets. Fighter jets commandeered by putsch organizers shot up government installations and reportedly came close to intercepting Erdogans jet as the president hurried to Istanbul from a vacation on the Mediterranean coast.

Just one naval vesselthe missile-armed frigate Yavuzwas confirmed as being seized by rebels at the height of the coup attempt. Rebels briefly gained control of the 300-foot-long MEKO-class warship at Golcuk naval base near Istanbul on July 16. Two loyalist warships reportedly moored alongside the frigate, essentially sandwiching it and preventing it from leaving port. Pro-government troops recaptured Yavuz the same day rebels seized it.

According to Hannah Lucinda Smith, a reporter for The Times newspaper, 14 other ships remained at sea and unaccounted for as late as July 18. There were, Smith wrote, concerns that their commanders may be coup conspirators seeking to defect. Earlier, eight putsch plotters had reportedly fled to Greece in a Turkish military Blackhawk helicopter. And on Wednesday, the Turkish government sent jet fighters to investigate two Turkish coast guard vessels that mysteriously appeared in Greek water, according to media reports.

If Smith's claim is true, those 14 ships could represent a significant proportion of Turkish power. In all, the Turkish navy numbers some 150 vessels, including 37 large frigates, corvettes and submarines. Smith did not specify which ships she claimed as missing.

Other media quickly republished Smiths claim, and by Wednesday the allegedly missing ships had made headlines all over the world. But expertsand the Turkish government itselfquestioned Smiths reporting. We can confirm that the report is absolutely untrue, Lt. Sezgin Arslan, a spokesman at Turkish navy headquarters in Ankara, told The Daily Beast. There is no missing vessel in Turkish naval forces.

It would not be entirely out of character for the Turkish government to lie about the status of its forces in order to avoid embarrassment and to rob surviving putsch plotters of any public support they might still enjoy. In the days following the abortive coup, Erdogans administration cracked down on media it perceived as being sympathetic to the rebels, canceling the broadcast licenses of television and radio stations and blocking access to Wikileaks, which had responded to the coup by releasing hundreds of thousands of leaked emails from Erdogans Justice and Development Party.

But independent experts also said they doubt Smiths missing-ships claim. My sources find it hard to believe, Iain Ballantyne, editor of Warships International Fleet Review magazine, told The Daily Beast.

Devrim Yaylali, a Turkish naval expert and blogger who closely tracks ship movements in the Black Sea, likewise was skeptical. Warships commanders are taught and trained to operate alone and independently, he pointed out to The Daily Beast. Thus they do disappear when the mission dictates. But that doesnt mean their crews have mutinied.

Besides, Turkish warships spend most of their time in the Black Sea and the Aegean, making it hard for them to truly disappear from sight over any meaningful period of time. Both Black Sea and the Aegean are small seas and both Greece and Russia are closely monitoring Turkish naval activities, Yaylali said. If there was something wrong with our ships, they would rejoice to publish it.

Smith told The Daily Beast she stands by her reporting but declined to detail her sources. It could be impossible to independently verify her claim until those purportedly missing warships make obvious public appearancesor show up in Greek harbors, their rebellious sailors begging for safe haven from the country theyve fled.
Milo Yiannopoulos, who pointed his hate mob toward Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones this week, had his Twitter account suspended for life on Tuesday night.

He had made a living out of that sort of thing, and thats deplorable. But Twitter also made a business out of it. Thats worse.

I suppose Im meant to feel some immediate justice that the breakout star of the biggest blockbuster in the world got a notorious professional asshole booted off Twitter. Instead the whole thing just illuminated that Twitter has no way to stop abuse for everybody else.

Twitter created a service that relied upon people giving the loudest opinion possible in the smallest number of words, then was shocked to find it had a harassment problem. A study from last year first reported by the Guardian said 88 percent of abuse on social networks came from Twitter.

If anything, the nature of the site rewards the behavior of people like Yiannopoulos, who was able to direct a commuity of swarms of teenagers to fire off racist and sexist opprobrium to political enemies and frame themselves as warriors for free speech.

And Twitter is still playing dumb about it.

When I reached out to the company with questions about the controversyIs there some sort of formal review board you have for these instances? Is there a longer term strategy for dealing with abuse that isnt quite so high profile?it reacted like this was a newish phenomenon.

We know many people believe we have not done enough to curb this type of behavior on Twitter. We agree. We are continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to better allow us to identify and take faster action on abuse as its happening and prevent repeat offenders, wrote a spokesperson.

We have been in the process of reviewing our hateful conduct policy to prohibit additional types of abusive behavior and allow more types of reporting, with the goal of reducing the burden on the person being targeted. Well provide more details on those changes in the coming weeks.

This company is 10 years old. Thats a year older than the first iPhone. If it hasnt fixed the problem already, its not going to fix it now.

Ive spent the last few years, in part, covering stories about people whose lives have been made considerably better and worse by Twitter. When I cover the good parts, its like somebody won the lottery but got no financial gain out of it. Its guys who pulled off a real-life a meet-up that was weirder than usual, or a kid a guy who wrote a funny joke for no compensation.

But the bad parts are considerably more routine, and a lot more dangerous. Last month, I investigated atheist and pro-LGBT teenagers in Muslim countries who were being reported to their respective governments Twitter accounts for blasphemy because of past tweets. Punishment can mean jail time or death in some of these places. At one point, the Dubai Police Departments Twitter account, which was verified by Twitter itself, was helping in the witch hunt. A couple of kids were in serious, immediate, physical danger for using Twitter as it was meant to be used.

When asked for comment for that story in June, the same spokesperson said Twitter does not comment on individual accounts. All further communications about it went ignored.

This is not even close to unique. One user paid Twitter to promote a tweet last year imploring transgender people to commit suicide. In 2014, a Massachusetts teen committed suicide after retweeting her online abuse. The cases of unimpeded bullying toward the non-famous are immeasurable.

The place is untenable, and theres clearly no real plan to fix it.

And why would the company have one? For years, Twitters stated goal was to gain enough users to compete with Facebook at all costs in order to meet growth benchmarks to appease investors or, as The New York Times put it, its goal of being able to reach every person on the planet. Of course, it didnt, so it added GIF support and a Moments section, which is an in-house Twitter editorial section that reads like an airline magazine prop in the background of a Disney movie. Still, nobody new joined last quarter, and the company couldnt figure out why.

Heres why: Not enough people are interested in intentional self-harm.

The company has released two plans to make its website less awful for celebrities: It launched an app called Engage, which provides a safer space, targeted at famous people. This week, it announced that more high-profile people will be able to receive Verified accounts, which are signed off on by a human at Twitterthe same designation Milo Yiannopoulos used to have.

All of these efforts ignore the guts of the problem: The company is built upon a foundation of people yelling at each other to get more attention.

Twitter is a website to get breakingoften wrong, initiallynews faster than anywhere else, and also a place to get mercilessly reamed for being alive. The only reason the news part is still there is because journalists bosses require it, and no one has created a technologically competent knockoff.

It is masochism for a regular person to be on Twitter. I have to be on there for my job and it is like jumping into a volcano every morning. Dont join me.
CLEVELANDIt was surely different from 2012.

Back then, Chris Christie was a potential candidate introducing himself on the national stage as his party nominated Mitt Romney.

The Republican convention was the first time many conservatives and Americans around the country learned the facts of what would become the New Jersey governors stump speech: that he is the son of an Irish father and a Sicilian mother, that his mother ruled with an iron fist and his dad was, in the automobile of life, merely a passenger. He was a successful Republican in a blue state, and he got things done. He told it like it was. He was, perhaps, the something different they were looking for.

Memorably, that speech was a giant flop, one that Christie would have to redeem himself from. But back then, there was reason for people to want that redemption. Back then, he had promise. Back then, he had a future.

Now he just has Trump.

Christie took to the stage at the Republican convention on Tuesday night a political dead man.

He is three years removed from Bridgegate, the scandal that shattered his reputation. He is five months removed from the end of his own presidential campaign, the one hed waited his whole life to run. He is also five months removed from his decision to endorse Trump, despite having spent much of that campaign arguing that he is unfit to be president, often by doing an above average Trump impersonation.

Christie is a joke again now, worse than he was after the famous traffic jam. He plays second fiddle to a former reality TV starthis from the guy who rose to national prominence for his verbal assaults on the cast of Jersey Shore. He doesnt just appear to be the butt boy for a neofascist, he reportedly is one. In June, The New Yorker reported that the governor was tasked with fetching the nominee his McDonalds orders.

Dressed in a pinstripe suit and red polka dot tie, he delivered a polemic against Hillary Clinton, running through what he said is her resume of screw-upsLibya, Nigeria, Russia, Cuba, China, Iran, her emailsand asking, again and again, if she is guilty or not guilty.

He is a lawyer by trade and a one-time prosecutor, having served as the U.S. attorney in New Jersey.

But the best Christie can hope for now is to play some variation of a TV judge, as he did Tuesday night. His law-and-order days are behind him, except on stages like this one, where he misrepresents the law he claims to revere in an attempt to elect a man he claimed, not so long ago, was a joke.

Still, he plays the hardass law-and-order guy well, better than Trump, even, since Christie is more focused.

When he asked, Guilty or not guilty? the crowd sang in response, Guilty!

Often, he was interrupted by chants of Lock her up! Lock her up! Lock her up!

Christie criticized Clinton, perplexingly, for her supposed friendliness toward Russia and claimed she was too nice to dictators, despite Trumps history of saying flattering things about Vladimir Putin, doing business in Saudi Arabia, and singing the praises of the late Saddam Hussein.

He said a Clinton presidency would just be all the failures of the Obama years but with less charm and more lies.

We have an alternative, Christie said. We have a man who is unafraid. We have a man who wants to lead usIt is time to come together and make sure that Donald Trump is the next president of the United States!

He took uneven, unbalanced steps as he walked offstage, waving to his right and smiling.
Hashim Ansari has been fighting the case in favour of the Babri mosque since 1949. He was suffering from serious health conditions from many years.

Hashim Ansari was suffering from serious health conditions from many years.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, passed away in Ayodhya on Wednesday morning, after prolonged illness.

Ansari has been fighting the case in favour of the Babri mosque since 1949. He was suffering from serious health conditions from many years.

Ansari opposed to the bringing down of the disputed structure by 'Hindu Kar Sevaks' on December 6, 1992, and his house was also gutted in the riots that followed the demolition.

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His friendship with other Hindu litigants in the case - Ram Keval Das and Ram Chandra Paramhans of the Digambar Akhada, was very strong despite sharp difference of opinions.

He had recently slammed Uttar Pradesh Minority Affairs Minister Azam Khan, accusing him of cheating Muslims.



Also Read:

Babri Masjid demolition: Rajnath Singh, Mulayam Singh Yadav call up Hashim Ansari

Oldest plaintiff in Ayodhya case Hashim Ansari says he is disgusted with the politics



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By Mail Today Bureau: Karnataka's Home Minister G Parameshwara today said that he would order a probe into the circumstances leading to Police Sub Inspector Roopa Tambad attempting suicide at her home on Tuesday in Bengaluru.

Roopa, following a rift with her boss, attempted suicide by consuming pain killers. However, she was rushed to the hospital in time and was now out of danger. Apparently, she had an argument with her superior on Monday following which he made adverse remarks against her in the Vijayanagar police station diary. This prompted the lady to attempt suicide.

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"I request aggrieved police officers to talk to me directly. Suicide is not answer to your problems. I have sought a complete report on the incident. Action will follow suit if anyone is found guilty," Parameshwara said.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka State Commission for Women has registered a suo motu complait against Roopa's immediate boss Sanjeev Gowda and a probe is on.

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By PTI: Mau/New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) BJP was today left squirming after a senior leader in Uttar Pradesh made derogatory remarks against BSP Chief Mayawati drawing severe all-round condemnation and forcing it to sack him from all posts but its regret failed to douse the uproar in Rajya Sabha, which was paralysed on the issue.

The controversy over party Vice President in UP Dayashanker Singhs statement against the dalit leader hit the party hard on a day it was already battling an opposition onslaught in Parliament on vigilante violence against dalits who had skinned a dead cow in Gujarat.

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"Mayawati is breaking the dream of Kanshi Ram into pieces. Mayawati is selling tickets like a...," Dayashankar Singh told reporters in Mau, Uttar Pradesh. "Mayawati gives tickets for Rs one crore and if there is someone who can give Rs 2 crore than she sells it for Rs 2 crore within an hour. If someone is ready to give Rs 3 crore by the evening, she gives the ticket to him. She is even worse than...," said Singh, who was in Mau for the first time after becoming party vice president to meet party workers this morning.

Singhs remarks drew severe flak from members in the Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson P J Kurien saying that the House wants the Government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his "unforgivable" comments.

There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMKs Kanimozhi, TMCs Derek OBrien, Congress Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of CPI(M) and Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP and demands were made for action against him.

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley got up to express regret saying the remarks were highly condemnable but Mayawati was not convinced and demanded that he be expelled from the party and strong action taken against him.

As the issue snowballed into a major embarrassment for BJP, Dayashankar Singh apologised for his remarks. He claimed it was "slip of tongue" and that he respected Mayawati. But it proved to be too late for Singh as state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya announced that he has been relieved of all posts and said "such language has no place in the party".

"It is highly condemnable that a political leader uses such words against a prominent woman leaders. I regret the use of such words and will ensure that the matter is taken up by the concerned. I personally express regret to Mayawatiji. I associate our dignity with yours and stand with you," Jaitley said in Rajya Sabha.

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A visibly agitated Mayawati, who was present in the House, thanked Jaitley and all other members for their condemnation of Singhs remarks but demanded that BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah discuss the matter, expel Singh from the party and take action against him.

She said mere expression of regret will not suffice and added, "His (Singhs) remarks apply for his sister and daughter and not for me. The whole country will not forgive BJP... people will come on the streets."

Mayawati said the remarks by the BJP leader reflected the "capitalistic mindset" and asserted that never in her political career had she used any derogatory or personal remarks against her adversaries or questioned their character though there could be idealogical differences. MORE PTI AVA ABN KR VSC RT

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What the scientists involved in the EJAtlas do is to look beyond the local particulars and investigate the root cause of all this. Political ecologists at the Autonomous University of Barcelona sifted through the 10,000 pages of information that the Atlas entails to distil a couple of key global trends that are reflected in these local conflicts. In the past decade I've spend most of my time translating their findings to a wider audience.

They speak of material flows, the metabolism of the global economy and the unequal ecological exchange between continents, causing all kinds of local conflicts. But cutting through their jargon, I think that one main conclusion boils down to this: as the easier material and energy reserves have been tapped already and as the need for new materials and energy only keeps rising, the battle lines of extraction are shifting to places where communities depend on the regional environment for their survival. The only structural solution to these rising conflicts is to reverse the trend and to dig, trade, use and dump a lot less stuff. Everything else is kicking the can down another road.

They've come up with a diarrhoea load of data but one statistic stands out: Between 1945 and today world trade multiplied by a factor of 17. What used to be a trickle is now a constant tsunami. But there's more to that figure. Professor Alf Hornborg from LUND University in Sweden has done some math to reveal that there is no other continent that lives so much on the materials and energy of other continents than Europe. Even worse: the trend is upwards. What started with a few raids on the Americas and later some massive cotton plantations in Pakistan to feed the mills of the English Midlands has grown into a massive stream of materials and energy flowing to Europe. Basically they're saying that from a global perspective, Europe is now a super-sized leach.

While France used to have over 100 uranium mines, they now import it from Niger and send the army when some rebel groups come too close for comfort. We'd rather import dirty Niger delta oil than lower our oil consumption. In Europe we now give billions in EU subsidies for cutting full-grown trees in US wetlands and the Amazon rainforest to get enough pellets in our mega bio-energy-plants in order to claim a climate policy and even a moral high ground.

The EU's sucking strategy is now falling apart even on it's own terms. Increased trade flows and the resulting economic growth have been good for Europe's higher income groups ... but the buying power of the lowest incomes in the UK has not increased in the past 30 years. It's precisely this group that just voted to leave the EU. It's also this income group that hates the neo-liberal EU project everywhere in the EU, from Poland to France and from Greece to Denmark. The neoliberal ideology ever increasing environmentally and socially destructive trade flows is bound to become a pretty damn big boomerang and at present it's heading at full speed to Europe's face.

Non-Europeans are engaged in life or death battles on the outer frontiers of this obsolete economic model. Europeans from both the left and right raise their voice (and middle finger) to the crown jewel that the neo-liberals are melting: CETA and TTIP. Regardless of the other problems these inter-continental "free trade" agreements have (such as using the lowest common denominator on environmental and social protections): it's designed to increase intercontinental trade. It's designed to double up in the spiral of violence to people and environment that these flows create.

The time for a great rethink of the economy has come and in the age of climate change and resource depletion, the only sensible and workable road is a radical shift to a much smaller, greener and fairer economy.

There's no point going back to the industrial age of the 20th century: we just no longer have the resources and atmospheric absorption capacity to do that. But ecological economists have macro-economic post-growth economic models that can work for all of humanity, on a planet that has its limits.

Maybe it's a good time for EU leaders to get their hands on a classic from Victor Hugo, from whom we remember the line that you can kill people, but you can't kill an idea whose time has come.

This Author:

Nick Meynen is one of The Ecologist New Voices contributors. He writes blogs and books http://www.epo.be/uitgeverij/boekinfo_auteur.php?isbn=9789064455803 on topics like environmental justice, globalization and human-nature relationships.

When he's not wandering in the activist universe and his Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nick.meynen

is dead, he's probably walking in nature.



@nickmeynen
A seven year old tribal boy is reportedly in a critical condition after being shot by a park guard in a national park in northeast India, notorious for its brutal 'shoot to kill' policy towards suspected poachers.

The boy, named in reports as Akash Oram, is a member of the Oroan tribe who live around Kaziranga national park. He sustained serious injuries to his legs, and is being treated in hospital.

Two park guards have been suspended after the shooting, following an outcry from local tribal people. Akash's village is facing eviction. Ther issue was recently highlighted in The Ecologist after Prince William and Kate visited the park earlier this year.

The incident raises serious concerns over the advisability of the 'shoot to kill' policy, which has seen at least 62 people killed in the park over a nine year period. This militarized approach to conservation has had serious consequences for local tribal people, who face arrest and beatings, torture and even death in the name of conservation.

Madegowda C, a tribal rights activist from the Soliga people in southern India, said: "The Kaziranga park director is violating the human rights and constitutional rights of the tribal people ... Forest conservation is not possible without tribal and local communities. Most of the forest officials do not understand the relationship between the forest and tribal peoples - they need to understand tribal cultures and our lifestyles in the forest. Tribal peoples are the indigenous people of this country and they are human beings."

The Hindustan Times has reported that other tribal people in the area have been shot as 'poachers' just for wandering over the park boundaries to retrieve cattle or collect firewood. A 2014 report by the park's director revealed that Kaziranga park guards are encouraged to execute suspected 'poachers' on sight with slogans including "must obey or get killed" and "never allow any unauthorized entry (kill the unwanted)."

Locals near the park are reportedly paid to inform on suspected poachers. If someone is subsequently killed, the informant is given up to $1,000.

Government should tackle the real criminals!

Former Environment and Forests minister Prakash Javadeka from Narendra Modi's BJP party, planned to implement the policy nationwide, despite human rights concerns and the acute risk of guards killing or wounding innocent people.
By PTI: From H S Rao

London, Jul 20 (PTI) British scientists believe that following Brexit the scientific clock could be turned back in the country on animal testing techniques.

The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) is concerned that hard-fought EU regulations on animal experiments could be rolled back in the UK.

Government figures released today shows that four million animals were used in the country for research last year.

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"With the introduction of advanced scientific methods, we and the public expect to see year-on-year reductions in animal use, so this increase is not what the public wants," Jan Creamer, President of the National Anti-Vivisection Society said.

"The prospect that Brexit could turn the scientific clock back, returning to outdated methods, is a real concern," he added.

Researchers in the UK have previously called for less regulation and may well now press for "cutting through the EU red tape" to make it easier to test on animals, with less scrutiny and oversight.

While the UK is unlikely to allow cosmetics testing on animals, the EU Cosmetics Directive also bans the import of products that have been tested on animals.

This key Directive prevents countries such the US, China and others from selling their cosmetic products in Europe if they have been animal tested.

Brexit may also jeopardise proposals to phase out laboratory primate use. The EU proposals to end the use of monkeys born from parents caught in the wild would be weakened if the UK does not demand the same standards.

The EU plan would stop monkey dealers in Mauritius, Vietnam and elsewhere, from restocking their factory farms with animals captured in the wild. The UK itself does not currently use monkeys born to wild caught parents. PTI HSR EMY AKJ PMS

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Elizabeth Morelos, founder of Island Gal Boutique, will be featured in the Vancouver Swimwear Fashion Show July 16 at Celebrities Underground (1022 Davie St.)

This one-of-a-kind event features local swimwear brands and designers and local artists. Morelos founded the Vancouver Swimwear Fashion Show last year. Other brands include Bikini Bunny, Hannah Middletons Swim, Siperko Swim, Inti Beachwear and Bodhi Beach.

With a passion for culture, travel and the beach, she was inspired to create her own brand of swimwear, as well as create an event that celebrates the local swimwear fashion industry.

For the Facebook Event, go to http://bit.ly/29M89DJ

Tickets can be bought for $10 on Eventbrite at http://bit.ly/264sYQq
The estranged Canadian-based daughter of a Filipino congressman has accused her father of being a deadbeat dad in an open letter posted on Facebook.

The open letter of Gabie Gasataya addressed to her father, Bacolod City Representative Greg Gasataya, went viral over the weekend after she posted it on her Facebook account earlier this month.

Gabie, 18, who is based in Ontario, Canada with her mother Odette Montelibano, the congressmans former wife, disclosed that her biological father failed to continue his promised child support.

In her post, Gabie told her father in my last seven years here in Canada, I havent received a single phone call from you not one Christmas card nor a birthday card.

But where our father-daughter relationship stops, your legal responsibility does not. As a member of thePhilippine Congress, I know you have full understanding of family law. But even with that understanding, you have clearly and deliberately abandoned your obligation to me by not providing child support, she added.

Gabie said she is asking for child support because she is going to university this fall.

My program will cost me $50,000 by the end of four to five years which has to be paid starting six months after graduation. I was hoping to be spared of the huge debt  even to minimize it with help from the congressman  my dad who has been champion of education in Bacolod, she added.

The teen also told her father, You became every poor students champion, except mine, your own daughter. You are sending your stepdaughter to one of the most expensive universities in the Philippines  and yet you have abandoned me.

Gabie said that before her 18th birthday earlier this year, she told her mother she will ask her father again for child support because she considers it as her right as the lawmakers biological child.

She added that her mother asked a lawyer in Bacolod to represent her and an undertaking was drafted for Gasatayas signature.

The undertaking stated that you swear to pay a monthly child support until I finish university. But you never signed the undertaking. On April, 2016, the child support that you started sending on January 2016 stopped. Similar to what youve done in 2013, you cut me off without any explanation, the teener said.

Her original post dated July 5 has been shared more than 300 times. She also asked friends of her mother to share the post.

Many of the netizens expressed support to Gabie, who also furnished a copy of her letter to President Rodrigo Duterte, and to both local and national media entities.

As a member of the newly installed Philippine Congress, I know you have full understanding of family law. But even with that understanding, you have clearly and deliberately abandoned your obligation to me by not providing child support, she wrote.

She said it is an irony that the congressman's campaign slogan for the May polls was that he champions education for the poor.

And here I am, your own flesh and blood, and you intentionally cut me off. You became every poor student's champion, except mine, your own daughter. You are sending your step-daughter to one of the most expensive universities in the Philippines -- and yet you have abandoned me, the 18-year-old said.

Once again I became a victim of your schemes. Your political friends were worried that your name will be tainted and your transition from the city government to congress will be a rough one with a child support case on your head so you stopped me from pursuing the case with another false promise another lie. Should I have expected anything less from you? she asked.

I want you to know how I feel. I am dismayed. When before I felt robbed of a relationship with you, now I feel disgust at what a politician you have become. I want the people you serve to know who you really are, she said.

This here, is my payment and my closure  to expose you for who you really are, she ended.

Bayatan, counsel of Gastaya, said "The tenor of the letter seems ironic and loaded with contradictions.

He said while the daughter completely denounces the congressman as her father, she purports that she needs support from the man with whom she had her blood in her veins.

We can better understand such statement of a daughter with tender mind that she honors her father Cong. Greg Gasataya in as much as her father honors her. We do not believe that daughter Gabie would have thought to also denounce the Fourth Commandment to honor one's father, Bayatan said

He said Gabie is the daughter of the congressman from a first marriage that was long declared by the court as null and void, allowing him to remarry.

"That while daughter Gabie belongs to the voided marriage, she, however, is still, by law, considered as the legitimate child of Cong. Greg Gasataya and his former spouse. Being so, Cong. Greg Gasataya has been tendering support to daughter Gabie conscious of his obligation as father and as a matter of consequence of the court decision in nullifying the first marriage, he claimed.

This matter of support is, however, a joint obligation together with his former spouse. It would be unfair to misinterpret that this obligation of support is exclusively the congressman's responsibility, Bayatan said.

While Cong. Greg is earning peso here in the Philippines it cannot necessarily meet the high demand of the necessities of Gabie in the USA (she lives in Canada), Bayatan said.
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"Please don't let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better. I'm working on these streets so any protesters, officers, friends, family, whatever, if you see me and need a hug or want to say a prayer, I got you."

Baton Rouge police Officer Montrell Jackson in a July 8 Facebook post after the fatal police shooting of an African-American man. Jackson, also African-American, was one of three officers killed Sunday in Baton Rouge.

This time, unlike in Orlando, Fla., or Dallas, the killings tore at a city already uneasy. Baton Rouge has reeled since July 5, when police responding to a call of a man brandishing a gun shot to death a black man outside a convenience store. Alton Sterling's three-hour funeral Friday brought some calm to Baton Rouge.

Sunday morning, though, a firefight erupts in the Louisiana capital. A police radio band crackles: "Shots fired, officer down! Shots fired, officer down!" Six officers down, actually. And, moments later, an officer pleads with dispatchers: "We need the Bearcat!"  an armored personnel carrier of military lineage  to collect the wounded police.

Once again in this summer of slaughter, Americans struggled to parse helter-skelter fragments of information: A rifle-wielding shooter clad in black near Baton Rouge police headquarters. A robot searching for explosives. "Seventeen or so" people huddling for protection in a bathroom at Benny's Car Wash. Even a rush of officers to lock down Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center as surgeons operate on the casualties. And a sobering radio request that cops on the scene look for still more victims: "I need eyes to see if we have any other officers down, so check around and see what else is around you."

See what else is around you. A fair synthesis of what many rattled Americans are telling themselves.

Another day's bloodshed surely compounds grief and suspicion in a country buffeted more intensely than usual by issues of race, policing, firearms and, most recently in Orlando, internationally inspired terrorism. Arguably the most sensible words of a mostly senseless Sunday came from Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards: "This is an unspeakable and unjustified attack on all of us at a time when we need unity and healing."

The agony here is repeated calls for reconciliation  from President Barack Obama, other politicians, religious leaders, talking heads on TV  are falling flat.

In the minds of many Americans, the murders of cops in Baton Rouge now will conflate not only with those burning issues of policing and race, but with starkly rising homicide tolls in Chicago and other cities. That may not make perfect sense, yet given the steady percussion of lawlessness, it's understandable. Otherwise levelheaded people look askance at one another, less with hostility than with wariness. See what else is around you.

Repeat assassinations of police only add to the perception that this summer belongs to violence. Baton Rouge, like Dallas, raises tensions in a tense U.S. populace. That these latest killings come on the cusp of our national political conventions  by nature they are magnets for emotional speeches and emotional protesters  won't help anyone step back from anger and resentment.

Instead, Baton Rouge becomes a fresh weapon for, yes, more anger and resentment: Whatever the killer's motive, many among us already have their preferred narratives of what's wrong with America.

After the shootings of 12 officers in Dallas on July 7, we wrote that ours is a country increasingly transfixed by the distinctions between Them and Us  supply your definitions if you must.

Yet Dallas should have been instructive. During a peaceful march to protest killings of black men by police in other cities, a black sniper set out to kill white cops. Dallas police Chief David Brown, himself African-American, reacted to the mix of motives with blame-free wisdom: "This must stop  this divisiveness between our police and our citizens."

Not everyone listened. And here we are again.

This editorial first appeared in the Chicago Tribune.
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By J. Landon Overfield, Special to The Gleaner

While I agree with Mr. Frank O'Nan's sentiment concerning Gov. Matt Bevin's recent action abolishing the Workers' Compensation Nominating Commission ("WCNC"), his stated facts/opinions as to why and what happened are seriously inaccurate. (Community Comment, July 17, 2016.)

The issues regarding the WCNC actions have nothing to do with "doctors in Texas," which is an issue regarding utilization review of recommended medical treatment of injured workers. That said, I must relate that I believe Gov. Bevin's action abolishing and recreating a process for nomination of workers' compensation Administrative Law Judges ("ALJs") was statutorily inappropriate, unconstitutional and a "purely political power play."

First, some history is in order.

The WCNC was created by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1994 as the process by which ALJs were to be nominated for appointment by the sitting governor to adjudicate claims of injured workers in Kentucky. (KRS 342.213) The WCNC was to consist of 7 members with the following qualifications: 1 attorney who customarily represents claimants; 1 attorney who customarily represents employers; 3 members of the political party having the largest number of registered voters; and 2 members of the political party having the second largest number of registered voters.

That statutorily mandated nominating process worked well for over two decades. It was the process by which four governors (Jones, Patton, Fletcher and Beshear) appointed ALJs.

It resulted in the appointment as ALJs who were Republicans and Democrats; lawyers who usually represented injured workers; lawyers who usually represented employers; lawyers who represented both; men and women; minority and nonminority individuals; etc.

In fact, one of the ALJs appointed by Gov. Beshear was a Republican family member of a very high ranking member of the current Bevin administration.

On May 9, 2016, Gov. Bevin issued an executive order that abolished that statutorily created WCNC, removed the commission members, created a new WCNC with different criteria for appointment of members (one that would allow a sitting governor to stack the commission), then appointed new WCNC members. Gov. Bevin could have, in due time as terms of the WCNC members expired, staffed the statutorily created WCNC with members he wanted to appoint.

Instead, in his zeal to impose his own will on the Commonwealth, he couldn't wait for the statutory process to work.

He, by executive fiat, abolished a statutorily created and staffed commission, rewrote the statute changing the membership criteria, and appointed seven new Commission members.

After the Franklin Circuit Court issued a temporary injunction against action by the WCNC created and staffed by Gov. Bevin, the governor went to work again with executive orders. In two executive orders issued June 13, 2016, he 1) "rescinded" the May 9, 2016, executive order abolishing the statutorily created WCNC; 2) again abolished the statutorily created WCNC and 3) created a five-member "Workers Compensation Nominating Committee" and appointed members to this committee (again allowing stacking of the "committee").

Time and space do not allow an explanation as to myriad of reasons this usurpation of the authority of the General Assembly by a governor is just wrong.

I will relate, however, that the vast majority of the Kentucky workers' compensation community (lawyers, administrators, insurance executives, risk managers, etc.) have condemned this power play by Gov. Bevin. Unfortunately, most Kentuckians fail to appreciate the importance of Kentucky's workers' compensation system, which this month turned 100 years old.

Workers' compensation is seldom in the news. Why? Because the system has worked extremely well for decades. The current governor, who has lived in Kentucky less than two decades, believes he should, by the power of executive order, recreate this 100 year old, properly functioning system in his own image. That is what is wrong with what Gov. Bevin is doing in regards to workers compensation in Kentucky.

J. Landon Overfield is a resident of Henderson.
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) The Union Cabinet today approved signing of an Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Mozambique, a move that will promote air connectivity between the two countries.

Presently there is no such agreement between India and Mozambique.

According to the government statement, the draft text of the Air Services Agreement has been finalised in consultation with Ministry of Finance, External Affairs and Ministry of Law & Justice.

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The two sides initiated the process of consultation in 2011 to finalise the text of the ASA.

The agreement allows designated airlines of either countries to establish offices in the territory of other for the promotion and sale of air services, the statement said.

The designated airlines shall also have fair and equal opportunity to operate the agreed services on specified routes, it said.

The ASA also has the provisions relating to revocation or suspension of operating authorisation, principles governing operations of agreed services, commercial opportunities, and safety and security related clause that were incorporated in the line of Indian model ASA. PTI PR RCJ RG RCJ

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How Columbus Properties is promoting New Heritage Village development

A long-languishing subdivision is seeing an uptick in development thanks in part to efforts by Columbus Junction's former mayor.
NORWALK  When Tony Velez moved to Norwalk seven years ago, it wasnt without trepidation.

A born and raised New Yorker, it took substantial convincing by his wife, Barbara Zarzen, to make the move happen. But once it did, Velez embraced the community as much as it did him.

We moved up here in 2007 and I had to drag him kicking and screaming from Brooklyn, Zarzen said. He was a city boy ... and he did kick and scream for quite a while but then he got very involved in our community, Village Creek. He loved Norwalk. He felt comfortable here because there were so many different people.

Within months of their move, Velez had become an integral part of the community, particularly in the artists realm as an established photographer and boisterous personality who knew seemingly everyone. Now, the community is grieving as Velez succumbed to his second battle with cancer on July 6 at his Norwalk home. He was 69. He is survived by his wife, three children and three grandchildren.

He was the most out-there person youd ever want to meet, Zarzen said. He was crazy and wonderful and everyone loved him. He went into a store and he knew everyones names and their birthdays. Everyone at Costco, ShopRite, the Taqueria, the historical society ... He was just an amazing life. He was an amazing guy. He was a wild man in a good way and an incredibly amazing photographer, artist, friend and father.

Velez was born to Puerto Rican immigrants in the South Bronx where he grew up. He developed an interest in photography at an early age, and at 19 volunteered for service in the Vietnam War, a decision he documented through photography and that would permanently shape his outlook on foreign relations. He served as part of the 11th Armored Cavalry from 1966 to 1967. While there, he was exposed to Agent Orange, associated with his bouts with prostate cancer and multiple myeloma, Zarzen said. After his service in Vietnam, he joined, organized and documented the experiences of veterans with the Vietnam Veterans Against the War, and in 2015 was featured in the PBS documentary, The Draft."

Velez attended New York Citys High School for Art and Design, and later studied with Walter Rosenblum at Brooklyn College where he earned his MFA in photography. His photography, which was almost exclusively black and white, is known for his portrayals of regular people in their communities and has been on display at the Brooklyn Museum, The Bronx Museum, El Museo del Barrio and the historical societies of Brooklyn, New York, Norwalk and New Jersey. An exhibit titled Portraits of Diversity includes more than 4,000 of Velezs photographs of Norwalkers and is on display at the Norwalk Historical Society Museum. The exhibit is one of the first exhibits in the recently reopened museum, and will be on display at least through the end of the year.

He was vert talented, Zarzen said. He worked very closely with people for a period of time, got to know them, got to know their families, and he was able to shoot really intimate portraits of them because of that. The photographs are beautiful. Thats always the kind of work he did. He got to know people. He was very warm and vivacious, an incredibly social, very endearing person. So when he was interested in something, either a neighborhood or a community, he really got to know them and that came through in his work.

Velez retired in June 2014, after a career as a professor of photography for 27 years at Kean University in New Jersey. He was recognized by the New York Historical Society, the New Jersey Historical Society, the Norwalk Historical Society and received grants and commissions including from the National Endowment of the Arts and the New York Foundation for the Arts.

And, though he moved to Norwalk begrudgingly, he embraced the city and community, serving on the Norwalk Arts Commission, and becoming a member at the Rowayton Arts Center and the Westport Arts Center. Velez joined the Norwalk Arts Commission two years ago, serving alongside Norwalk resident Jeff Price, who got to know him well through their work on the board. Price said he was always most impressed with Velezs passion for equality, particularly during a recent debate about a controversial mural at City Hall.

He had a particularly passionate viewpoint for equality and understanding that was very refreshing and he took the trouble to explain his points of view that had come out of not only minority upbringing, but then his days in Vietnam as a peace-loving guy," Price said. Im just sorry I only got to know him for the last few years of his life, because he was one of those people who really wanted to reach across those boundaries for friendship and thats a very special trait.

Velezs authentic social disposition continued even through his illness. Zarzen said the community even through him a going away" party a few weeks ago so he could attend. A family memorial will be held in September, and Zarzen said those wishing to make donations on behalf of Velez should do so to doctors Alexander Lesokhin and Susan Slovin at Sloan Kettering, who treated Velez and are conducting research on multiple myeloma.

Most people when they hear theyre dying, they go and hide, Zarzen said. As soon as he heard, he called everybody he knew and we had a living wake. People came from all over  Florida, Philadelphia, Oregon, everywhere  it was really amazing. His old high school friends, family members, friends from the community ... we were all here with him. He had a very big personality. He loves people."

KKrasselt@scni.com; 203-354-1021; @kaitlynkrasselt
Central Bureau of Investigation placed the sanction order before a CBI court in Delhi to prosecute the second time MP, Anil Kumar Sahani, as an accused in the LTC scam.

By Sneha Agrawal: Armed with a prosecution sanction by Vice President and Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari, against MP, Anil Kumar Sahani in the LTC scam, the CBI placed evidence before a Delhi court for framing charges against him.

CBI TO BRING DOWN MP ANIL KUMAR SAHANI

Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday placed the sanction order before a CBI court in Delhi to prosecute the second time MP as an accused in the LTC scam, along with the Air India's former Office Superintendent (Traffic) N S Nair whose sanction order was also placed on record.

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Reportedly, Sahani would be the first MP from the Upper House whose sanction for prosecution was allowed by Rajya Sabha Chairman Mohammed Hamid Ansari.

CASE OF FAKE TRAVEL RECEIPTS

CBI alleged that Sahani, in collusion with other persons, used forged e-tickets and fake boarding passes and claim to the tune of Rs. 23.71 lakh as travel and dearness allowance reimbursement without undertaking the actual journey. The court is yet to take the cognisance of the matter and listed the matter for August 20 for the hearing.

In its charge sheet filed against Sahni and three others in the scam in October last year under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code which included criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and abuse of official position.

BOGUS CHARGESHEET, CLAIMS SAHANI

Sahani has denied the charges against him in connection with the scam alleging that this was yet another blatant attempt by the Centre to misuse CBI by filing a "bogus chargesheet".

In the earlier new report, Sahani claimed that he had fallen victim to a "racket" which operated in raising fake bills for LTC for parliamentarians. "Twice I drew attention of the authorities in 2013 about false bill submitted in my name by racketeers against LTC. I invite the probe agency to check my bank accounts in Delhi as well in Patna to ascertain flow of money on this count," said the reports quoting Sahani. All Parliamentarians (both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha) get 34 free air tickets in a year for themselves, their family members and associates for domestic travel to their constituencies.

Besides Sahani and Nair, whose term in Rajya Sabha ends in April 2018, others named in the charge sheet are Anup Singh Panwar, an employee of Delhi based Air Cruise Travels Private Limited and Arvind Tiwari, a private person.

Also Read:

Insurance fraud: CBI raids LIC officials, agents in Madhya Pradesh

CBI finds fresh evidence to charge AAP's Rajendra Kumar with forgery and cheating



--- ENDS ---

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Last weeks terrorist attack in Nice, after similar tragedies in Paris, San Bernardino, Brussels, Orlando and Istanbul, made two things painfully clear. Western societies, including the United States, have failed to blunt the growing threat of Islamist terrorism. And that means the 2016 presidential campaign will be fought under a shadow of fear. There will be more attacks between now and November; the only questions are when and where.

Voters who began the year looking for a leader who could raise median incomes are now searching for someone who can keep their families safe. And the two major candidates are offering starkly different approaches  two different brands of toughness: hot and cool, outraged and wonky.

Donald Trump, with his visceral sense of the nations mood, has bluntly voiced voters anger and fear.

If we dont get tough ... were not going to have our country anymore, he said after a New York-born Afghan American shot up a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla., in June. There will be nothing  absolutely nothing  left.

Trump has proposed banning Muslims from entering the United States, restoring waterboarding and a hell of a lot worse in interrogations, and killing the spouses and children of Islamic State militants (which would be a war crime).

On Thursday he warned that allowing Muslim refugees into the United States could be the great Trojan horse of all time.

We have no idea ... who they are, he said. They have no paperwork. (That claim is utterly false; most refugee applicants wait at least 18 months while they are investigated.)

As many national security experts have pointed out, Trumps proposed ban on Muslims would be counterproductive; it would alienate millions of people the United States wants to enlist in the war against Islamic State. It may even be a political loser for Trump. Although most Republicans agree with the proposed ban, most independents  voters he presumably needs in the general election  do not.

Still, Trumps white-hot rhetoric reinforces his image as a tough guy whos willing to do whatever it takes.

Hillary Clinton, with her decades of experience as a policy wonk, is sounding a tough note, too.

This is a war against these terrorist groups, the radical jihadist groups. Its a different kind of war, she said last week. We need to be smart about how we wage it, but we have to be determined that were going to win it.

If he chooses, (Trump) can use the (Republican National Convention) event to look more presidential, more deliberative, and readier to lead.

But her proposals are often cautiously hedged and wrapped in national security jargon.

Shes called for skillful diplomacy, for a new look at our visa programs, for building up a global counterterrorism infrastructure.

Clinton has proposed, essentially, to maintain President Obamas current strategy against the Islamic State, but to do more and faster: more airstrikes, an intelligence surge and new measures to disrupt terrorists social media networks. Its worth remembering that shes often been more hawkish than Obama, even when she served inside his administration.

If her approach is less memorable than Trumps, in the end, its more sensible.

And voters have noticed. When asked which candidate they consider temperamentally suited for the presidency, Clinton wins in a walk. Even on the issue of terrorism, Trump doesnt appear to have an advantage.

In June, polls found that most voters thought Clinton could do a better job on terrorism, by a wide margin. More recent polls  taken when Clinton was in a general slump, probably because of the well-deserved shellacking she took from FBI Director James Comey over her private server  show the two candidates tied on terrorism. Even thats remarkable, though; terrorism should be an easy win for a GOP candidate. In 2008, on that issue, voters preferred Republican John McCain over Obama by a wide margin.

In the last few weeks, after his erratic, self-absorbed reaction to the Orlando tragedy was widely panned, Trump eased up on the bluster  a bit, anyway.

Now Trump has a golden opportunity to change the tone of his campaign for good: The weeklong nominating convention in Cleveland, at which hell be center stage.

If he chooses, he can use the event to look more presidential, more deliberative, and readier to lead, erasing some of the stature gap, the temperament gap, the qualified-to-be-president gap that has kept him behind Clinton for most of the year.

Theres at least one good reason, then, to keep an eye on the convention: Well be able to tell whether Trump is trying to evolve by how he chooses to talk about terrorism.

Doyle McManus is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. Readers may send him email at doyle.mcmanus@latimes.com
Thirty-one interns representing 19 schools and 10 states across the country visited the National Great Rivers Research and Education Centers Jerry F. Costello Confluence Field Station May 24-27 to begin the 2016 summer internship program.

The internship launched with a short course, which was a combination of lectures, field experiences and hands-on lessons that provided the interns with an introduction to NGRRECs goals and priorities.

This sampling of experiences, which were conducted with NGRRECsm and our partner organizations, demonstrated that while all of the intern projects are diverse in the scope of work and advising organization, each intern is united by NGRRECs overall mission, said Natalie Marioni, NGRREC director of environmental education and citizen science.

This year, 151 students from 96 schools in 34 states and two countries, the U.S. and Guatemala, applied for the experience. This was an increase of 33 applicants, 22 schools and 8 states from 2015.

Not only did we receive an impressive 151 student applications, but these were high quality applicants, making it difficult for our selection committee to narrow it down to only the 31 students needed to fill this years available projects, Marioni said.

Lewis and Clark Community College graduate and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville student Guisel Marmolejo is grateful to be included in this summers group of interns.

I am excited for my opportunity to intern at NGRREC, Marmolejo said. I believe my experience will help me meet my educational and professional goals by making me a well-rounded individual, while fueling my excitement for continual learning.

During her internship, Marmolejo will be working with the Illinois RiverWatch program, which is a statewide effort to protect Illinois streams and waterways by training volunteers across the state to become citizen scientists, who monitor water quality in wadeable streams.

RiverWatch citizen scientists examine indicators like stream habitats and diversity of macroinvertebrate species to provide reliable water quality data that can be used by scientists to determine how the conditions of streams are changing over time.

Marmolejo will be responsible for learning the macroinvertebrate sorting and identification procedures; collecting RiverWatch field-processed samples as they arrive at the field station to be laboratory-sorted and identified; and completing statistical analysis for macroinvertebrate sorting efficiency compared between field and laboratory-sorted samples.

As a geography major, I continue to see the connection between the social and biological sciences, Marmolejo said. Interning with RiverWatch is a good fit for me.

Marmolejo is one of 11 interns whose projects are fiscally supported through sponsoring organizations. Funding from The Monticello College Foundation supports Marmolejo and two other interns. Principia College is supporting four internships, while Illinois American Water and Missouri American Water are funding one each. The Mannie Jackson Center for the Humanities Foundation is supporting two internships.

Through this program, students gain valuable research experience, but they are also exposed to and gain an understanding of the importance of the collaborative nature of institutions like NGRREC at L&C and its various partner organizations, Marioni said.

The interns are now working with their advisors in the field on the site-specific projects located in Illinois, Missouri, Arkansas and Iceland. Interns will present their research findings via oral and poster presentations during the Intern Symposium Aug. 1-2.

Learn more about the NGRREC interns at www.ngrrec.org/internship, and find more photos from the short course at www.flickr.com/ngrrec.
The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) celebrated the achievement of 50 students with the bestowal of doctor of dental medicine degrees.

The students received their doctoral hoods during the SIU SDM commencement ceremony held Saturday, June 4 in SIUEs Morris University Centers Meridian Ballroom. Notably, two students were hooded by a SIU SDM alumnus parent.

As the only dental school in downstate Illinois and in the St. Louis area, our graduates are a tremendous asset, said SIUE Interim Chancellor Stephen Hansen, PhD. They are proof that an investment in higher education pays the best dividends, not only for individuals, but also for Illinois and the region.

SIU SDM Dean Bruce Rotter, DMD, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2016 and encouraged the graduates to always remember five key points throughout their professional careers.

Always strive to perform the best dentistry that you can and to continue a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and excellence, Rotter said. Treat both your patients and your staff with the utmost respect. Maintain a moral compass, striving to do what is right. Maintain a social conscience and share your expertise with those less fortunate who may need your help.

Finally, return the love and support to your family and friends which they have given to you through the efforts and sacrifices they have made in helping you reach the successful completion of your dental degree.

The ceremony featured guest speaker George Zehak, DDS, an active advocate for organized dentistry and continuing education, and an avid supporter and good friend of the SIU SDM. Zehak emphasized one of the greatest challenges the graduates will face as dentists - change.

You are now ready to use one of your lifes greatest achievements for the betterment of humankind, said Zehak. Change is occurring rapidly, and it will be exciting, helpful and extremely challenging to keep up with.

Computers can and will continue to give you all kinds of information. Scientists are even working to give computers artificial intelligence. But no computer can have that human sense or go in a different direction in clinical situations. No computer has the human values that your education has drilled into you. Thats what makes you truly unique and makes dentistry a desirable profession both now and in the future.

The celebration concluded with a reception for students, faculty and family members in the Goshen Lounge. The SIU SDM commencement ceremony can be viewed in its entirety online.
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Linkedin Haryo Budi Nugroho (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

China has frequently called on states to follow and apply the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in good faith. Not so long ago, in 2009, China repeated the call when objecting to Japans claim of an extended continental shelf based on Oki-no-Tori, a tiny feature in the Philippine Sea.



China argues that such small features can only be classified as rocks under the UNCLOS definition, and do not entitle a nation to extended maritime zones. China has been persistent in maintaining this position; it went on stating that [R]ecognition of such a claim will set a precedent, which may lead to encroachment upon the high seas and the area on a larger scale. This is the original view of China regarding countries claiming excessive entitlements from maritime features.



During the negotiations of UNCLOS, China played a leading role in protecting developing countries interests. For example in 1974 when discussing the concept of exclusive economic zones, China stated that superpowers had for years wantonly plundered the offshore resources of developing coastal states, thereby seriously damaging their interests.



Throughout the negotiation process, China consistently objected to any accommodation of historic fishing rights that required coastal states to share the resources of their exclusive economic zones with other states that have historically fished in those waters. In short, China put the interests of the international community before its national interests.



Even on the dash line, whether its nine, 10, or 11, China also displayed its flexibility. It changed the dash line in the Gulf of Tonkin through a delimitation treaty with Vietnam. Again, this proved China could work in line with international law and not force its will against others.



But China shocked the world when it initially made the nine-dash line claim to protest Malaysias and Vietnams joint submission on an extended continental shelf back in 2009, the same year when it made a statement concerning Oki-no-Tori. China was sending mixed signals.



This was then followed by a series of incidents with Indonesia, a non-claimant state, over the waters surrounding the Natuna Islands.



Had China found a problem with Indonesias claims over the waters surrounding Natuna, it would have started to talk about and negotiate a solution since the negotiating process of UNCLOS began in 1972. At that time, Malaysia challenged Indonesias archipelagic state claim, but then resolved it through an agreement in 1982. Such compromise was also embedded in UNCLOS provisions, among others, concerning traditional fishing rights.



Even before the UNCLOS negotiations kicked off, when Indonesia was entering a continental shelf agreement with Malaysia in 1969, which presumably also overlapped with Chinas dash line claim, China was silent. Clearly China had no objection to this 47-year-old treaty.



If China was right that history is a benchmark for rights over maritime zones, China had already stopped protesting Indonesias claim. Hence the statement by former Chinese ambassador to Indonesia Chen Shiqiu (The Jakarta Post, July 14), who said that back in 1995, the Indonesian foreign minister Ali Alatas and his Chinese counterpart Qian Qichen admitted there were different views over maritime delimitation separating the two nations but did not go into details because by that time the issue was not as hot as it is now was confusing.



It is even more confusing when Chen said that although Indonesia had its own idea of its exclusive economic zone, China may have its own rights over the area, which completely opposed Chinas position during the UNCLOS negotiations.



Chinas inconsistency was even more apparent during the course of the South China Sea arbitration against the Philippines. Since the initiation of the arbitration in 2013, China has refused to participate and bluntly alleged that the arbitration was illegal under international law.



Indeed it is a very peculiar stance for China to take. While committing to solve disputes peacefully through negotiations in accordance with international law on the surface, China continues to enforce its power, including reclaiming disputed maritime features. This series of inconsistencies creates a notion that there is another branch of international law with a Chinese characteristic, an international law made in China.



When the most anticipated award of the South China Sea arbitration between the Philippines and China was unveiled on July 12, unsurprisingly it was followed by the most anticipated rejection from China.



Looking at Chinas history as a champion of international law, it is expected that it will only be a temporary face-saving strategy. In the long run, it is expected that China will align itself with international law, particularly UNCLOS, as the constitution of the ocean. If in the past it has had difficulties defining its own claims, the award has now clarified matters for China, without interfering with its sovereignty claims over certain maritime features.



The Philippines as a party to the arbitration responded well, saying it will study the award and indicating its readiness to negotiate with China. Other claimants should also clarify their claims. Having the award as a reference, the time is ripe for all claimants, including China, to negotiate a final resolution in the same language of international law.



Indonesia and other states should not stand idly by. As this award is an interpretation of UNCLOS as well as one of the sources of international law, other states should also regard it as guidance for their future conduct.



In everyday life, particularly for business, predictability and stability is important. International law was made to foster stability. With regard to states conduct at sea, UNCLOS was negotiated and agreed upon as a package deal that balances the interests of states in the ocean.



Since the beginning of UNCLOS negotiations, China has shown leadership and consistency in upholding the rule of law in the oceans. But when it gives too much weight to its so-called historical claim, it started to lose its balance.



The persistence of China in its historical claims to the South China Sea is unexpected. It leaves us wondering about what it may do in the future. Will it take us back further to the past or exercise its power over all places where its troops have ever landed? Will it claim the Java Sea as it was sailed by Admiral Cheng Ho more than 600 years ago?



With its growing power, China is expected to continue to be a leader that leads by example, humility and respect for international law which was created by a community of civilized nations. As Lao Tzu says: Avoid putting yourself before others and you can become a leader among men.

***

The writer, who holds a PhD in juridical science on oceans law and policy from the University of Virginia School of Law, Center for Oceans Law and Policy, Charlottesville, the US, was a training fellow at the International Tribunal at the Law of the Sea in Hamburg.

---------------

We are looking for information, opinions, and in-depth analysis from experts or scholars in a variety of fields. We choose articles based on facts or opinions about general news, as well as quality analysis and commentary about Indonesia or international events. Send your piece to community@jakpost.com.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official stance of The Jakarta Post.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Covering over 1,000 museums across 70 countries, Google has launched a new website and app called Google Arts & Culture.

Introduced by the Google Cultural Institute, the platform offers an exploration of art across time, allowing users to search for specific things such as statues from 100 AD, or the color blue in movements such as Pop Art.

The app features Google Cardboard, an innovation that allows 360-degree virtual tours of the worlds most famous heritage sites. Google Arts & Culture also includes a function that carefully zooms in and out of prized pieces of artwork. Users can experience the beauty by probing through timeframes, historic events, colors and themes in art and historical figures.

(Read also: Google Earth, Google Maps update provides sharper images)

Google has also been toying with an augmented reality concept called the Art Recognizer, which enables users to look up museum opening hours and to point their screens at a piece of artwork to pull up information about it. Set to be implemented in museums across the world, the concept is currently only available at Londons Dulwich Picture Gallery, Sydneys Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

View the video below to explore more about art and culture. (jam/kes)
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) Clinical research in India has declined over the years due to inadequate grants, the government said today.

"It is a fact that the clinical research has decreased due to inadequate grant available. The number of clinical research projects financially supported by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has decreased," Health Minister J P Nadda said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.

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In 2015-16, only 26 clinical research projects were supported by ICMR while in 2014-15, there were 71 projects, he said.

In 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14, ICMR had supported 196, 186 and 120 projects of clinical research, Nadda said.

Earlier this year, ICMR had said that a large number of biomedical research projects being undertaken by 32 scientific organisations across the country have been stuck due to resource crunch.

ICMR Director General Soumya Swaminathan had recently said that there have been budget cuts across the board in ICMR and institutions were suffering due to lack of funds for upgrading infrastructure, maintaining equipment, buying consumables and conducting field studies.

Later, Nadda had assured ICMR of providing full funding for research projects, saying that no work will be stopped or hampered for the lack of funds as research will be fully encouraged. PTI TDS CPS ZMN CPS

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Linkedin Scott Smith (Associated Press) Camp Nelson, California, United States  Wed, July 20, 2016

At the foot of a giant sequoia in California's Sierra Nevada, two arborists stepped into harnesses then inched up ropes more than 20 stories into the dizzying canopy of a tree that survived thousands of years, enduring drought, wildfire and disease.

There, the arborists clipped off tips of young branches to be hand-delivered across the country, cloned in a lab and eventually planted in a forest in some other part of the world.

The two are part of a cadre of modern day Johnny Appleseeds who believe California's giant sequoias and coastal redwoods are blessed with some of the heartiest genetics of any trees on Earth  and that propagating them will help reverse climate change, at least in a small way.

"It's a biological miracle," said tree climber Jim Clark, firmly back on the ground and holding a green sprig to his lips as if to kiss it. "This piece of tissue ... can be rooted, and we have a miniature 3,000-year-old tree."

The cloning expedition to Camp Nelson, a mountain community about 100 miles southeast of Fresno, was led by David Milarch, co-founder of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive.

The Michigan-based nurseryman preaches the urgency of restoring the Earth's decimated forests. In two decades, he says his nonprofit group has cloned 170 types of trees and planted more than 300,000 of them in seven countries with willing landowners.

"It's really a race against time," Milarch said. "If we start right now, we can go after climate change and reverse it before it's too late."

Sequoias growing in the Sierra are among the biggest and oldest trees on Earth, some nearly 300 feet tall and up to 3,000 years old.

(Read also: India state aims to plant a record 50 million trees in a day)

Relying on common sense that he says is being borne out by science, Milarch, 66, believes their size and robustness make them ideal for absorbing greenhouse gases that drive climate change on the planet. He likens them to people who drink and smoke all their lives, yet thrive well into their 90s.

One skeptic is Todd Dawson, a professor of integrated biology at the University of California, Berkeley. He admires Archangel's creative efforts but says it's unclear whether the towering trees have superior genes or whether they were simply lucky not to meet the fate of a logger's saw.

Chances are slim, he said, that cloning and planting a limited number of trees will cool the warming planet. He favors more sweeping approaches such as curbing the use of fossil fuels and protecting vast rainforests.

"That's one of the things about global warming  it's a global problem," Dawson said. "You're going to have to plant a lot of trees to combat global warming."

A team of about a dozen expert tree climbers from across the country volunteered for the expedition in May to restock Archangel's store of genetic samples. They risked their lives to climb to the ends of massive limbs, starting in the southern Sierra sequoia grove and winding up nearly 500 miles away in Northern California, where they carefully collected additional samples from coastal redwoods  a taller, thinner cousin of the giant sequoia.

Clark wrapped the clippings he gathered in damp newspaper, placed them inside ice-filled duffel bags and boarded an overnight flight to the Archangel's lab across country in Copemish, a rural village in northwestern Michigan.

There, Clark and another propagation specialist snipped off some 2,000 shoots a few inches long and planted them in small containers of a peat-and-gel mixture.

Another 1,000 fingernail-sized bits of greenery were placed into jars containing a blend of seaweed-based gelatin and growth hormones.

The samples grow beneath purplish fluorescent lights under humidity and temperatures designed to encourage rooting. Cloning ancient trees is tricky business, lab workers say, and many samples don't survive.

Later this year, Archangel's team will come west to plant up to 1,000 sequoia and redwood saplings in a cool, damp region of Oregon where the trees will have the best chance to grow.

Bill Werner, a horticulture consultant based in Monterey, California, who has worked with Archangel, says that in the face of global warming, it's easy to dismiss the efforts of a "renegade" group that relies heavily on donations and volunteer nurserymen and arborists.

"That's not fair," Werner said. "It may be a drop in the bucket, but at least somebody's doing something."

___

Associated Press videographer Terry Chea in Moraga and correspondent John Flesher in Copemish, Michigan, contributed to this report.
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Linkedin Jake Coyle (Associated Press) New York, United States  Wed, July 20, 2016

Under a barrage of hateful posts on Twitter, "Ghostbusters" star Leslie Jones said she was "in a personal hell" and urged the social networking service to do more to eradicate abuse.

In a series of posts Monday night, Jones said she had been pummeled with racist tweets. She retweeted numerous tweets directed at her with disturbing language and pictures of apes.

Jones said the messages were deeply hurtful and brought her to tears. The "Saturday Night Live" cast member called on Twitter to strengthen guidelines and for users to "stop letting the ignorant people be the loud ones."

"I feel like I'm in a personal hell," wrote Jones. "I didn't do anything to deserve this. It's just too much. It shouldn't be like this. So hurt right now."

The exchanges came at a career high point for the "Saturday Night Live" cast member. "Ghostbusters," which opened last week, is her first major film role. "It's like when you think, 'OK I've proven I'm worthy' and then you get hit with a shovel of (hatred)," she said.

(Read also: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Microsoft to remove hate speech across Europe)

She concluded a string of messages early Tuesday morning. "I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart," wrote Jones. "All this cause I did a movie."

The tweets caught the attention of Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey, who sent Jones a message asking her to get in touch with him. Twitter later responded in a statement.

"This type of abusive behavior is not permitted on Twitter, and we've taken action on many of the accounts reported to us by both Leslie and others," said a spokesperson for Twitter. "We rely on people to report this type of behavior to us but we are continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to prevent this kind of abuse. We realize we still have a lot of work in front of us before Twitter is where it should be on how we handle these issues."

Then late Tuesday night, BuzzFeed News reported that Twitter had permanently suspended the account of conservative provocateur and Breitbart.com tech editor Milo Yiannopoulos, who it said led the harassment campaign against Jones. Yiannopoulos had more than 338,000 followers on Twitter prior to his suspension. He could not be immediately reached for comment.

"Ghostbusters," which also stars Melissa McCarthy, Kirsten Wiig and Kate McKinnon, has spawned an unusual amount of vitriol online, with many anonymous commenters targeting its female stars. The film debuted with $46 million over the weekend.

Many, however, have come to Jones' defense, tweeting support for the actress under the hashtag "LoveForLeslieJ."
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Linkedin (Associated Press)  Wed, July 20, 2016

Her husband's campaign slogan is "Make America Great Again." But when it came to her big moment in the spotlight, Melania Trump chose a dress not by an American designer, but by a Serbian-born designer based in London.

The Slovenian-born Trump wore an off-white dress with three-quarter length, bell-shaped sleeves  and a long zipper down the back  to address the Republican National Convention on Monday night. The dress was by Roksanda Illincic, whose designs are very popular in London and among celebrities, among them Gwyneth Paltrow, Keira Knightley and Daisy Ridley, to name just a few.

Samantha Cameron, wife of the former British prime minister, wore a colorful, flared Roksanda dress to leave Downing Street last week. But the designer's most prominent fan is probably the Duchess of Cambridge. The former Kate Middleton has worn her designs to at least three events this summer, including a brilliant yellow dress with blocks of white to Wimbledon.

(Read also: Melania Trump speech closely resembled Michelle Obama's talk)

And then there's Michelle Obama, who wore Roksanda's beaded wool satin dress and wool coat to meet the Chinese president in 2011, among other occasions. Though the first lady has chosen designers from across the globe during her years in the White House, she wore American designers to address both Democratic conventions at which her husband was nominated: Maria Pinto in 2008 and Tracy Reese in 2012.

Women's Wear Daily reported that Trump bought Illincic's "Margot" dress online from the Net-a-Porter fashion site.

Illincic did not immediately return a call to her London office for comment, nor did the Trump campaign.
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The Xbox One S 2TB edition will hit the shelves in select regions starting Aug. 2. Priced at US$399, the release date for Xbox One S 2TB coincides with the release of Microsoft's anniversary update for Windows 10 and Xbox console.

Microsoft released a teaser video for the upcoming console on YouTube on Monday, reminding consumers that it is the first and only console to feature 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, 4K video streaming and High Dynamic Range support for games and video.

Promoted as 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, the product boasts an IR blaster and a revamped Xbox wireless control with textured grip and Bluetooth connectivity, as reported by The Verge.

The Xbox One S 1TB and 500GB will also be available soon, although a release date has not yet been confirmed. (tif/kes)

(Read also: Microsoft to stop manufacture Xbox 360)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Donald Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention on Monday to the sound of Queens "We Are the Champions", and the band has complained.

"An unauthorized use at the Republican Convention against our wishes  Queen," the band tweeted from its official Twitter account.

An unauthorised use at the Republican Convention against our wishes - Queen  Queen (@QueenWillRock) July 19, 2016

Musicians complaining about Republican politicians using their music have become a perpetual political story, as at least 35 artists have fought politicians over their music, according to Rolling Stone. The Foo Fighters against John McCain and Bruce Springsteen versus Ronald Reagan are some examples of the list.

(Read also: Queen calls Trump out: Youre not 'The Champion')

Legally speaking, the Republican Party probably did need a license before using Queens music, but not necessarily directly from the group. The necessary permissions are available from a performing rights organization called Broadcast Music Inc, which is a standard step to play music at big events.

Today, three major performing rights organizations have licenses for the vast majority of music published in the US, so paying a flat fee for the three organizations is enough to be able to play almost any music. Queens "We Are the Champions" is part of the catalog, which means the band does not have the option to restrict licensing for Donald Trump or Republicans in general.

Aside from Queen, musicians like Adele and the Rolling Stones have asked Trump to stop using their music. (tif/kes)
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Linkedin Djemi Amnifu (The Jakarta Post) Kupang  Tue, July 19 2016

Many Timor Leste citizens remain stranded in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), years after a UN referendum that resulted in Timor Lestes independence.

Timor Aswain Union Congress (Untas) in Kupang revealed that the many residents of both countries had been deprived of their right to welfare.

Untas chairman Eurico Guterres told The Jakarta Post at the closing of the congress on Monday that it had been recommended that the Indonesian government maintain ties with Timor Leste and other countries.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Tue, July 19 2016

The House of Representatives says it plans to accelerate its deliberation on passing the regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on sexual violence against children into law.

The commitment was made as part of the effort to curb rampant sexual offenses in the country.

The House aims to hold sessions with the Health Ministry, the Social Affairs Ministry and the Law and Human Rights Ministry during the next sitting period to make sure all the points in the regulation can be exercised effectively.

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Linkedin Christophorus Kevin Santoso (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

Storyteller: Larry Brandy, a Wiradjuri man from New South Wales, Australia, enjoys his time telling stories to enthusiastic kids during the exhibition.

An art exhibition highlights the complexities of the Australian story.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Jakarta-based fund manager Aberdeen Asset Management has teamed up with securities company Philip Securities Indonesia to sell its products online to target more investors across the country.

We are aware that e-commerce has increased significantly, in line with the growth of mobile phone users. This is why we have started to sell our products online, Aberdeen Asset Management president director Sigit Wiryadi said in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Philip Securities was chosen as a partner, she said, because of its success in selling more than 100 mutual fund products of 22 investment managers through its e-commerce platform.

Currently, two of Aberdeens products, namely Aberdeen Indonesia Money Market Fund and Aberdeen Indonesia Balanced Growth Fund, are available on the platform.

The company intends to list three other products  Aberdeen Indonesia Equity Fund, Aberdeen Indonesia Government Bond Fund and Aberdeen Indonesia Bond Fund  on the platform next month.

We hope investors can easily monitor their investments anywhere, anytime through the e-commerce platform, Sigit added. (vny/ags)
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Linkedin Bassem Mroue (Associated Press) Beirut  Wed, July 20, 2016

Airstrikes on Islamic State-held villages in northern Syria killed at least 56 civilians on Tuesday as intense fighting was underway between the militants and US-backed fighters, Syrian opposition activists and the extremist group said.

Residents in the area blamed the US-led coalition for the strikes that targeted two villages, Tokhar and Hoshariyeh, which are controlled by IS, activists said. The villages are near the IS stronghold of Manbij, a town that members of the predominantly Kurdish US-backed Syria Democratic Forces have been trying to capture in a weeks-long offensive.

The death toll from the airstrikes, which coincided with a wide ground offensive by the extremists against SDF fighters, ranged between 56 and 200. If it is confirmed that 200 people were killed, it would be the deadliest strike by the US-led coalition since it began its military campaign against IS in Syria almost two years ago.

Conflicting numbers in the aftermath of attacks are not uncommon in Syria. There were also conflicting reports on where the civilians were killed, with some groups reporting that a school housing refugees was hit and others saying that people were struck as they fled the violence.

An international human rights group said the US-led coalition, which has been carrying out airstrikes against IS in Syria since September 2014, must increase its efforts to prevent civilian deaths and investigate possible violations of international humanitarian law.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 56 civilians, including 11 children, were killed in the strikes on the villages, which also wounded dozens. Another activist group, the Local Coordination Committees, said 90 people, mostly families, were killed.

In a statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said that 120 civilians, mostly women, children and old people, had been killed in the airstrike on Tokhar village. It said the strike was conducted by French warplanes.

The IS-linked Aamaq news agency said that 160 civilians  mostly women and children  were killed in Tokhar alone, in a series of purportedly American airstrikes around dawn Tuesday, while a Facebook page for activists in the area put the death toll at more than 200.

The reports and the disparate casualty tolls could not be independently confirmed because the area is inaccessible to independent media. There was no immediate comment from Washington.

A spokesman for the US-backed SDF, Sherfan Darwish, said the numbers are exaggerated, adding that the coalition targeted gatherings of the Islamic State group who were in the village, killing large numbers of militants. He added that the extremist group quickly buried its dead and claimed many civilians were killed.

Postings on a Facebook page show images of bodies, including those of children, being placed in a collective grave, purportedly in the village of Tokhar. One photograph shows a man carrying the lifeless body of a child covered with dust while another shows a child, partly covered by a blanket, lying in a grave.

The photographs appeared genuine and corresponded to other Associated Press reporting of the events depicted. Tuesday's casualties follow similar airstrikes on the IS-held town of Manbij on Monday, when at least 15 civilians were reportedly killed.

The London-based rights group, Amnesty International, said in a statement Tuesday that since June, more than 100 civilians have been reportedly killed in suspected attacks by the US-led coalition in the Manbij area.

"There must be a prompt, independent and transparent investigation to determine what happened, who was responsible, and how to avoid further needless loss of civilian life," said Magdalena Mughrabi, interim Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme at Amnesty, following the airstrikes on Tokhar.

"Anyone responsible for violations of international humanitarian law must be brought to justice and victims and their families should receive full reparation," Mughrabi said.

The statement said Amnesty International has reviewed available information on dozens of suspected coalition airstrikes and found that in the majority of cases in which civilian casualties have been credibly reported, the coalition has dismissed the claims.

It added that Amnesty International will be seeking clarification from the US Central Command, or CENTCOM, about a series of other airstrikes causing civilian casualties which appear to have violated international humanitarian law.

CENTCOM said the coalition conducted 18 strikes on Monday and destroyed 13 IS fighting positions, seven IS vehicles and two car bombs near Manbij.

The Manbij area has seen intense battles between IS extremists and the Kurdish-led fighters, who have been advancing under the cover of intense airstrikes by the US-led coalition.

If Manbij is captured by the U.S.-backed fighters, it will be the biggest strategic defeat for IS in Syria since July 2015, when the extremist group lost the border town of Tal Abyad. In neighboring Iraq, meanwhile, IS has been beaten back on several fronts, with Iraqi forces, aided by US-led coalition airstrikes, having retaken the cities of Ramadi and Fallujah in western Anbar province.
Lakshmi was scolded by her professor inside the classroom on Tuesday morning. Unable to bare the shame, Lakshmi had jumped from the 4th floor of the building to end her life.

By Pramod Madhav: In a shocking accident, a post graduate medical student jumped to her death from the 4th floor of the medical college campus in Coimbatore.

Lakshmi, 26, hailed from Kochi, Kerala. She was pursuing post graduate degree from BSG Medical college in Coimbatore.

According to reports, Lakshmi was scolded by her professor inside the classroom on Tuesday morning. Unable to bare the shame, Lakshmi had jumped from the 4th floor of the building to end her life.

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Shocked by the incident, students informed the hospital personnel who immediately rushed her to the emergency care unit. Even after struggling for one and a half hours, the medical team was unable to save Lakshmi.

The Police is conducting a preliminary inquiry.



--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Since Santoso alias Abu Wardah was confirmed killed during an ambush on Monday, the police now predict that Basri alias Bagong will take the empty chair as the leader of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group.

Operation Tinombala task force commander Sr. Comr. Leo Bona Lubis said Basri was currently hiding in the deep forests of Poso Pesisir Utara with the 19 members of the group including Ali Kalora and three female fighters.

The MIT leadership has likely passed into Basris hands, he said in a press conference in Palu on Tuesday, accompanied by the Wirabuana Military Command chief, who oversees Sulawesi, Maj. Gen Agus Surya Bakti.

Basri was convicted of mutilating a junior high school student in Poso and was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2007. However, escaped and joined Santosos group in 2013 and became his second-in-command.

He has effectively become the most wanted MIT figure now, as Santoso was confirmed killed along with his aide Mukhtar during a gunfight with the National Armys Strategic Reserves Command (Kostrad) personnel in Alfa 29 Yonif Raider 515/9/2. (ags)

-----------

Ruslan Sangadji in Palu contributed to this story
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Linkedin Julia Suryakusuma (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

Lately weve been getting an onslaught of news and articles about Brexit (British exit)  the UK leaving the EU. The reaction is understandable because of the effect it will have not just on the UK, but also on the global economy and politics.

But did you know, Indonesia had its own Brexit? It stands for the Brebes exit, referring to the capital of Brebes regency in the northwestern part of Central Java. It made headlines because of the massive three-day traffic jam stretching 20 kilometers on the Brebes toll road that claimed at least 12 lives.

At the end of the Ramadhan fasting month, its customary for millions to mudik (return home) to their home villages, causing a mass exodus a few days prior and after Idul Fitri in Indonesia.

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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), the only state-owned listed bank that was excluded from the tax amnesty program, has announced that it will soon become one of the trustee banks after it introduces an investor account service in August.

The government requires all trustee banks involved in the program to have at least one of three services, namely trustee, custody or investor accounts (RDN). In the preliminary official bank list issued by the finance ministry, BTN was not included as it had yet to have one of the facilities.

We have just sealed an agreement with Danareksa Investment Management and the RDN service will be available in early August, BTN president director Maryono told thejakartapost.com in his office on Wednesday in Jakarta.

The bank is preparing assets-backed securities (EBA) to absorb repatriated funds in the tax amnesty program. The investment instrument is targeted to absorb Rp 10 billion (US$762 million).

Our property developer customers are interested in issuing real estate investment trusts [REITs]. Maybe the amount is not very big, but Danareksa and we are ready to securitize them, Maryono added.

Property developers often raise funds from REITs by securitizing assets, which generates a recurring income, such as malls, hotels, hospitals and offices. Maryono said the lender had several customers that developed property with recurring incomes. (ags)
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Indonesia needs to take measures to keep girls out of child marriages, which remain a critical problem in the country despite the Central Statistics Agencys (BPS) latest report showing a slight decrease in the number of child marriage cases.

The agency released a report on Wednesday that said the number of child marriages in Indonesia stood at 23 percent in 2015, slightly down from 24.5 percent in 2010.

The figure is high because of the number of respondents, which represents the number of child marriages, in the survey [for both years], BPS director of social welfare statistics Gantjang Amannullah said Wednesday.

The surveys, conducted in 2015 and in 2010, involved 300,000 households from all provinces across the country as samples. They were selected from around 62.5 million households, in which the respondents were housewives aged between 20 and 24 years, and were married before the age of 18.

University of Indonesias Gender Research Center head Ikilah Muzayyanah said several factors, such as culture and a lack of awareness about the risks of child marriage, were among the major causes, which led parents to let or even force their children to get married at a very young age.

Some people still believe that it is inappropriate to reject a marriage proposal and are afraid that their daughters will become spinsters, Ikilah said.

She further said the prevailing marriage law also allowed children to get married at a young age.

She urged the government to revise the law because it would also affect the education of girls. At the age of 16, children might not yet have finished their secondary schooling and so they would likely drop out of school.

According to the1974 Marriage Law, the minimum age of marriage for girls is set at 16 years, and 19 years for boys. (wnd/ebf)
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Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Confusion ensued after the Jakarta administration denied a claim made by police in Gambir, Central Jakarta, that City Hall had received a bomb threat on Wednesday.

As of now, we have not received any bomb threat in the City Hall area either in written form or by phone call, said Jakarta General Affairs Bureau head Agustino Dharmawan on Wednesday afternoon. We actually got the information from the media.

Earlier in the morning, Gambir Police head Adj. Sr. Comr. Ida Ketut Grahananta Krisna Rendra said that the police had received a report from an internal security officer within the administration.

The officer, who had not been identified, reported that the administration had received a bomb threat via a phone call, Ketut said. As a result of the report personnel from Jakarta Police's Gegana bomb disposal squad were deployed to comb every corner of the City Hall and other buildings in its vicinity.

We are beefing up our security because of the political escalation ahead of the 2017 gubernatorial election. Its not because of the bomb threat, Agustino said.

The polices statement about the bomb threat at City Hall came as the country faces a growing threat of terror attacks instigated by local militants. (ary)
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Linkedin Alexander Shilin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

It has become fashionable of late in swathes of the Western mass media to write about the so-called oppressions of the Crimean Tatars, the people living on the Crimean peninsula in the Crimean federal district of the Russian Federation.

It is interesting that a few articles on this issue have appeared in the Indonesian press as well.

In particular, they mention the alleged closing of cultural organizations of this ethnic minority, harassment on the part of the Russian authorities and other, clearly invented forms of oppression.

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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The National Police's Densus 88 counterterrorism squad has arrested a Makamhaji village resident, identified as H, in Sukoharjo, Central Java, for allegedly providing a motorcycle that was later used by Nur Rohman to attack the Surakarta Police station on July 6.

Aside from providing a motorcycle, H was also suspected of having provided shelter to Nur Rohman during his escape. Nur Rohman was put on the counterterrorism agencys fugitive list after he evaded a raid in Bekasi last December.

"We detained him [H] in the morning around the Makamhaji underpass [] Densus 88 will gather data and evidence to seek Nur Rohmans terrorist links," said Sukoharjo police deputy chief Comm. Andhika Bayu during a search for evidence in the suspects house in Surakarta on Tuesday.

(Read also: Densus 88 raids suicide bombers home)

A resident of Makamhaji village, Sri Yanti, said she was shocked to learn of her neighbor's alleged involvement in the attack. According to her, H had been living for six months in the neighborhood after he married a local woman eight months ago.

"He sells spicy roasted duck around the Makamhaji underpass. Before that, he was a security guard," Sri said.

Another resident named Purnomo claimed that H was very quiet and never mingled socially. In the last two months, he said he saw the suspect use different motorcycles. I heard he is also a [motorcycle] broker, aside from selling duck, he said. (ags)

-----------------------------------

Ganug Nugroho Adi in Surakarta contributed to this story
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Linkedin Tama Salim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

A top US diplomat with vast experience in East Asian affairs is set to replace retiring envoy Robert Blake as the next US ambassador to Indonesia, as Washington looks to consolidate its rebalancing policy in Southeast Asia before the imminent transfer of power.

US President Barack Obama named Joseph R. Donovan, the current managing director of the Washington office of the American Institute in Taiwan, as his nominee for the coveted post of leading the US Embassy in Jakarta.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

JAKARTA: In order to reach the quality needed to meet European standards, Indonesia will bring local certificates up to scratch, the trade minister has said.

"We will work on more internationally compliant local certificates, like the timber legality system (SVLK). One of the priority sectors is food and beverages," Trade Minister Thomas Lembong said, referring to the timber legality verification system issued by local authorities, which has been proven in compliance with European requirements.

Lembong admitted that the Indonesian food and beverage sector found it difficult to penetrate European markets amid more stringent requirements.

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Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

Milk business: Dairy giant Fonterra Brands Indonesia president director Achyut Kasireddy (left to right), New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and Trade Minister Todd McClay share a conversation during an event at Fonterra manufacturing plant in Cikarang, West Java, on Tuesday. Key will end on Wednesday his three-day visit to Indonesia, during which he has brought along dozens of executives from various New Zealand companies in an effort to strengthen economic ties and consolidate several investment opportunities. (JP/Moses Parlindungan)

New Zealand dairy firm Fonterra Brands Indonesia has reaped benefits from Indonesias growing milk consumption, becoming New Zealands poster boy for success.



The company, part of multinational dairy cooperative Fonterra, sees Indonesia as one of its priority markets, with huge promise amid dairy product demand growth.



According to the Agriculture Ministry, annual household consumption of dairy products rose to 313 ounces per capita in 2014 from only 209 ounces in 2013.



As demands grow, Fonterra Brands Indonesia president director Achyut Kasireddy said on Tuesday that it was focusing to fulfill the capacity of its plant to cater to the demand of dairy products for the next three years.



It operates a Rp 340 billion (US$25.98 million)-worth plant in Cikarang, West Java. The plant commenced operations last September and is Fonterras biggest investment in Southeast Asia in the last decade.



Utilization rate of the plant has hit 60 percent of its full potential to produce 16,000 tons of milk powder a year and up to 87,000 packages of dairy products a day. It markets several milk brands in Indonesia, including Anlene, Anchor Boneeto and Anmum.



Kasireddy said Fonterra may expand its investment in the country should it utilize the plant well.



It deems upcoming investment as important to accommodate changes in consumers taste and preference, resulting in different product types, such as powders, liquids and any other formats.



For the future, there may be other opportunities that we will seriously look at. There will be a new concept and they are all in the concept stage right now, he said without going into details.



He claimed that Fonterra Brands Indonesia had also substantially invested in training for farmers to boost their production. It imports around 75 percent of its ingredients for milk powder from New Zealand and hopes to leverage the farmers products in the future.



As we keep helping local dairy communities transform their farming and enhance their production, the country is going to have high quality milk produced locally that will be available for companies like us, he said.



New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said during his visit to the plant that the company could be at the forefront of the growing demand for dairy products in Asia.



These are markets where, inevitably, as the consumer base gets wealthier, demand grows not only for more protein but for more security and quality in its food. Thats where Fonterra fits in, said Key in his speech.



He said the plant was an example of how New Zealand and Indonesia could benefit from investment in the dairy industry.



This [Fonterras plant] is living proof of work by the New Zealand government to pave way for New Zealand companies to develop a footprint and grow New Zealands reach to the world, Key said.



Key was accompanied by New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay and a delegation of New Zealand businesspeople for the plant visit, which was part of his two-day visit to Indonesia. He met with President Joko Jokowi Widodo on Monday and discussed economic cooperation. (mos)

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By PTI: Guwahati, Jul 20 (PTI) Opposition Congress today demanded a clarification from Assam government over continuation of Special Category Status to the state following reports of Centre withdrawing the benefit.

Congress MLA Rakibul Hussain raised the issue as Point of Order after the Question Hour in the Assembly by showing a local newspaper report quoting Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that Centre has withdrawn the facility from Assam and North East as a whole.

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"Yesterday the Finance Minister said in this House that Assam is still getting the benefit after 2014. But here Arun Jaitley says it is withdrawn from Assam. Which one is correct? We need clarification," Hussain said showing the paper.

Yesterday in reply to a query from Congress MLA Ajanta Neog, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said the state continued to enjoy the Special Category Status tag even after the NDA government came to power at the Centre in 2014.

During the last two years, the Centre released Rs 58,016.42 crore to the state since 2014-15 financial year, he had informed the House.

Neog, however, said, "I asked this question yesterday, but did not get a satisfactory answer. So I demand the state government to come out with a White Paper on this issue and clarify the matter.

On behalf of Sarma, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said financial questions cannot be answered instantly as these need detailed discussions.

"I request the Opposition members to bring the matter through a proper device. We will answer it in detail," he added.

On this, Congress MLA Sherman Ali Ahmed alleged that "it is a matter of privilege because the House was misled by the Finance Minister and so it should be discussed".

This led the ruling party MLAs shouting against the Opposition members and a noisy scene prevailed for a brief period of time.

Patowary, however, said privilege motion cannot be moved on the basis of newspaper reports.

Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass said, "You (Ahmed) know there are so many ways to raise a topic in the House. Why did you bring it here as a Point of Order? Is it possible to discuss such a detailed topic in this device?" PTI TR SUS IKA LNS

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin Sarah El Deeb (Associated Press) Istanbul, Turkey  Wed, July 20, 2016

For those who love him, a mix of the religiously conservative and the rising middle class, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been the powerhouse who drove economic success, gave Islam a greater role and boosted regional standing. Now, Uzun Adam, or "Tall man" as he's nicknamed in Turkish, is also the hero who stared down tanks and fighter jets.

He could not have done it without them.

The rush of thousands heeding Erdogan's call to the streets against Friday night's failed coup showed the religious-nationalist bulwark that shores up his rule. In their eyes, he is a man of the people who shaped the identity of modern Turkey, putting it on a par with Europe and establishing its place as a leader among Muslim nations where they feel it belongs.

"He is a hero the entire Islamic world," said Semiha Pacal, a 50-year-old whose shop is across the street from the building where Erdogan lived for nearly 20 years in central Istanbul's Kaptanpasa neighborhood. She notes with pride how Turkey's most powerful politician has always kept in touch with his old neighbors.

Erdogan has made her proud to be Muslim, she said. "He has legalized headscarves. Before that it was banned in universities. Muslim people were relieved," she said. "Even our cemeteries are cleaner, there are flowers blossoming there. He restored all the historical sites and mosques, made them visible."

Erdogan sought to help his country by joining the European Union, even though, she adds, "they will not take us in since we are Muslim"  echoing the government line that membership talks have stalled because of rising Islamophobia in Europe. To prove her point, she pointed to a Quranic verse hanging on her shop wall, reading, "And never will the Jews or the Christians approve of you until you follow their religion."

Erdogan rose through politics touting himself as the representative of Turkey's conservative Muslim heartland, pushing against the secularism enforced by the military. Tussling with the military-backed establishment along the way, he became mayor of Istanbul in the late 1990s, rose to prime minister in 2003 and has dominated politics ever since.

Throughout, he broke secular taboos, most symbolically by allowing women wearing the headscarf into the public sphere. At the same time, he pushed a market economy agenda that helped fuel an economic boom, lifting many  including among his conservative supporters  into the middle class.

Liberals have been alarmed by the overt religiosity and by what is seen as Erdogan's increasing authoritarianism and erosion of their freedoms. Like many rulers in the region his rule was challenged when hundreds of thousands took to the streets in the summer of 2013 in protests sparked by opposition to government plans to uproot trees at Istanbul 's Gezi Park to build a shopping center. In post-coup speech, Erdogan told his supporters late Monday he will go ahead with government plans to build a mosque and a museum there "whether they want it or not."

Erdogan's lock appeared to be weakening in June 2015 elections in which his party lost its parliament majority  until his supporters drove him to surprise victory in a new vote months later.

His 14 years in power have transformed the country, said Ebuzer Ceyhan, a 34-year-old sandwich shop owner.

"Turkey has closed an era and opened a new one. We now see ourselves at a higher place than other countries. Now we compare ourselves with the EU. We can even say now we are surpassing EU countries," he said.

"If the military took over, we would never have heard the calls to prayer again."

He was at his shop in central Istanbul when news broke of the coup. The 34-year-old couldn't go out to join Erdogan's supporters because he had his two young sons with him, but he was transfixed watching the events unfold on TV.

On his way home after closing shop, he was cut on his forehead by flying shrapnel from clashes between soldiers and Erdogan backers. He later learned a friend was shot to death as he tried to wrestle a soldier off a tank.

"This is something you never forget," Ceyhan said, his voice cracking.

That makes him worry about the country's future. He said he always saw the military as part of Turkey's identity  mandatory service means everyone feels a part of it. But he said there had long been talk of the growing influence of anti-Erdogan powers in the military, and now part of the army had turned its guns on people and ran them over in the street.

For him, Erdogan evokes a powerful Ottoman ruler, promoting Islamic culture and relations with Muslim nations. He said Erdogan took a bold risk to help fellow Sunni Muslims in Syria against President Bashar Assad's campaign to crush the rebellion against his rule.

Huseyin Ustunbasi, a 65-year old retiree, marched in the streets when the call went out Friday night.

He was coming to the aid of an old friend. He and Erdogan lived in the same building for nearly 20 years. Three years Erdogan's senior, he watched his rise from young political activist taking part in rallies, clashing with security and calling out corrupt officials to become the towering figure in Turkish politics.

Throughout, Erdogan kept in touch with his people, visited and joined them at weddings, Ustunbasi said. When Ustunbasi's father-in-law died, Erdogan found a burial plot when cemeteries said no spaces were available.

"It is because of his closeness to the people, that they wanted to topple him," he said.

Mustafa Akyol, a lecturer on politics and faith at Istanbul Fatih University, described Erdogan's power base as moderate Muslims, some ultra-conservatives and the rising middle class. A wide section of the bureaucracy backs Erdogan, and the post-coup purge will increase that as Erdogan brings in loyalists.

"That community is now very agitated and think Turkey is under attack, they have to defend the government," said Akyol. "That euphoria is understandable. But it also has the risk of turning into witch-hunts and enmity against people who have nothing to do with the coup but who are just critical of Erdogan."

Opposition parties and many of Erdogan's critics were unified against the coup attempt, but there have been reports on social media of attacks near gatherings of government supporters on people suspected for whatever reason of being secular, such as one man with a tattoo who was attacked. At least three websites critical of the government, including a left-leaning one, have been shut down.

Ustunbasi dismisses fears Erdogan will have no tolerance for opponents after the failed coup. He calls that sort of talk propaganda. The man he knows always tried to lead by example, not force. To prove his point, he said that even though he drinks, smokes and doesn't pray  all violations of the code of a pious Muslim  it never hurt his friendship with Erdogan.

He said Erdogan would see him walking to a bar, and instead of criticizing him would tease him, "Which mosque are you praying at Huseyin?"

___

Associated Press Cinar Kiper contributed to this report from Istanbul
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Central Sulawesi Governor Longki Djanggola has called for the continuation of Operation Tinombala, even though the most-wanted terrorist Santoso aka Abu Wardah, has been pronounced dead.

"I hope Operation Tinombala can get all of Santoso followers to surrender," Longki said in a statement on Tuesday as quoted by Antara News, referring to the operation tasked to hunt down the leader of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group and his men in Poso, Central Sulawesi.

The governor, who is currently on a working visit to Europe, in a written statement expressed his appreciation for the National Police and the Indonesian Military (TNI), whose task force personnel stopped the notorious Santoso.

Longki also took the opportunity to thank President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo for responding to the concerns of Central Sulawesi residents and assigning the defense force to address the terrorist movement in Poso.

Santoso and one of his men, named Muchtar, were shot dead on Monday evening by members of Alpha 29, an Operation Tinombala task force team, in Poso. (liz)
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The government is insisting on including the role of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in the revision of the Terrorism Law in its efforts to safeguard the country against the threat of terrorism, a minister said on Wednesday.

Indonesia should not rely only on the National Police's anti-terrorist squad Densus 88 amid the rising global threat of terrorism, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said. The government is considering whether to combine the force with the TNI to strengthen security measures.

"The police will still lead, but [military involvement] is inevitable. They should be integrated and we will not hesitate in doing so," Luhut told journalists on Wednesday.

The TNI's involvement is in accordance with the 2004 TNI Law which states the force could be involved in non-military operations including anti-terrorism operations. It could also minimize the possibility of terror attacks from happening in the future, he added.

Luhut brushed off concern by human rights activists and the wider public opposed to military involvement over fears of power abuse and securitization. The fear is that a stronger military role would see the TNI regain the power it held under late dictator Soeharto's New Order regime but Luhut has insisted that will not happen again.

The revision of the Terrorism Law is currently being deliberated between the House of Representatives and the government and is expected to be completed by August, Luhut added. (rin)
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Linkedin Ina Parlina and Nurul Fitri Ramadhani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

In an apparent attempt to counter allegations that real vaccines were unavailable, the authorities are declaring that the country had enough antibody stimulants as more than Rp 800 billion (US$61.16 million) had been allocated to vaccinate 23 million Indonesian children in need.



Health Minister Nila F. Moeloek said the state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma had produced a sufficient amount of vaccines of unquestionable quality as the firm already has customers in 130 countries.



We have a sufficient supply to cover the needs of all children, but we cannot prohibit any private hospitals to opt for imported vaccines, she told the media at her office on Tuesday.



Earlier, the police had questioned suspects involved in the distribution and use of fake vaccines and they revealed that a shortage of real vaccines was the trigger for the demand for fake ones.



Nila also pledged to resolve the problem by cooperating with the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) to provide revaccination for every child potentially affected and to closely monitor developments.



She added that the ministry would conduct a thorough evaluation aimed at improving supervision of imported vaccines to prevent similar problems in the future.



The chairman of the IDAI, Aman Bhakti, said the imported vaccines only met 1 percent of the countrys need. Parents have preferred to use the imported ones because they largely believe they are able to prevent children from suffering fever, an effect sometimes caused by vaccinations.



He argued that the fake vaccines did not contain harmful ingredients and the planned revaccinations would help restore childrens immunities.



In response to a recent claim by the IDAI, the chairman of the National Commission for Child Protection (Komnas PA), Arist Merdeka Sirait, said the government should not be too quick to assume that the fake vaccines were not dangerous as they could lead to a false sense of security for parents.



The government should not be defensive [over the issue] and the Food and Drugs Monitoring Agency (BPOM) had apparently been negligent in preventing the case, Arist said.



President Joko Jokowi Widodo, who recently instructed his administration to revamp the BPOM, is scheduled to inaugurate the new BPOM head on Wednesday.



Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung revealed on Tuesday the inauguration plan, but he later declined to mention its name.



Pramono said the recent incidents were indeed triggering the move to start overhauling the BPOM so that it does not serve merely as a body that overseas registrations and monitoring of drugs and cosmetics, but also [as an institution] that can take actions against violators.



The House of Representatives, meanwhile, has planned to establish a special monitoring team to watch over the way the government handles the fake vaccine case and make sure that the victims or parents of the victims receive clear information and proper treatments.



House Speaker Ade Komarudin said that all hospitals identified as having used fake vaccines should establish crisis centers as a one-stop service for parents of victims to seek information.



We cant always be firefighters who seeks solution after the case happens. The team must ensure that the children receive proper revaccinations, Ade said.



He went on to say the team could make recommendations on whether current regulations need revision.



Democratic Party lawmaker Dede Yusuf, chairman of House Commission IX overseeing health and manpower, said the legislative body may revise the law on health that stipulated the BPOMs authority.

We will make a special regulation for the BPOM, so that it can be an eye to watch drug distribution and strengthen its authority in the monitoring, Dede said. (fac)

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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The State Logistics Agency (Bulog) confirmed on Tuesday that the first batch of imported buffalo meat from India would arrive in early August, a delay of the previous plan to have it here by July.

Currently Quarantine Agency personnel are leaving the country for India. Once they arrive, the first batch of the imported beef will be shipped and it will arrive in Indonesia within three weeks, said Bulog president director Djarot Kusumayakti in Jakarta.

"We expect it will arrive by early August," Djarot said at the State Palace on Tuesday.

(Read also: Govt's buffalo meat wheeze meets frosty market response)

The government decided to import 10,000 tons of buffalo meat from India to help cut meat prices, said Djarot, adding that it would give options to consumers.

The price of the buffalo meat is expected to be about Rp 60,000 (US$4.58) per kilogram, lower than the price of local beef, which is between Rp 100,000 and Rp 130,000 per kilogram, or imported frozen beef which costs about Rp 80,000 per kilogram. (bbn)
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Linkedin Grace D. Amianti (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

Indian entrepreneurs are seeking to explore opportunities to start new businesses or expand their existing ones in Indonesia, as they are optimistic about potential economic growth in the country, despite the sluggish global market trend.



To exchange ideas and learn more about business opportunities in Indonesia, a delegation of Indian CEOs visited the country from July 18 to 19, during which they met with a number of top government officials and businesspeople.



The two-day visit of the business leaders, representing the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), was also a follow up to earlier discussions between Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan and top Indian officials during the formers visit to India in February to attend the countrys Make in India Week event.



CII president Naushad Forbes, who led the delegation, said the visit was aimed at enhancing economic engagement between the two countries, particularly in areas that remained untapped by both parties.



Forbes said Indonesia had emerged as Indias largest trading partner in the ASEAN region, with bilateral trade having reached US$15.9 billion between 2015 and 2016.



There is considerable potential for expanding trade between the two countries in a number of areas, such as automotive, engineering, IT, pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors, he said on Monday.



On the investment side, Forbes said 50 Indian companies had a relatively strong presence in Indonesia, with some of them major players in their sectors, having operated in the country for dozens of years, including automotive giants Tata Motors and TVS as well as publicly listed polyester and yarn producer Indorama Synthetic.



Other sectors that have attracted Indian investors are infrastructure, power, mining, banking and consumer goods, Forbes said.



For upcoming investment, Forbes said all 10 companies represented by members of the delegation were either looking at expanding or starting fresh ones. Tata Motors is one example, as it plans to start assembling cars in Indonesia, he said.



From discussions that we had today [Monday], at least 20 or 30 companies expect to do something [in Indonesia] and there will be many, many more, he said.



Godrej Group chairman Adi Godrej, a member of the delegation, said his company planned to grow its consumer business in Indonesia very strongly, as there was a higher per capita sales of consumer products in the country than in India.



Godrejs consumer goods conglomerate, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd., operates Godrej Indonesia. The group will look into opportunities to expand in Indonesias agribusiness sector, following success in its home country, as it is also a very large importer of palm oil and the commoditys derivatives.



We are looking for opportunities as economic relations develop between the two countries. The sky is the limit, he said. Insecticide product Hit has until now generated the most revenues for Godrej Indonesia, with a market share of roughly 50 percent, continued by Stella air fresheners and Mitu wet tissues.



During the two-day visit, the delegation interacted with several economic ministers and officials as well as executives of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) and the Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo).



Industry Minister Saleh Husin said in a statement on Monday evening that the Indonesian government invited Indian businesspeople to seek opportunities and collaborate with companies in promising sectors, namely pharmaceuticals, machinery and industrial.

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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The government has reaffirmed its stance of no apology to the victims and survivors of the 1965 communist purge or their families as recommended by the International Peoples Tribunal for the 1965 crimes against humanity (IPT 1965).

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said on Wednesday that Indonesia had its own legal system and no external party could dictate the way this nation solved its problems.

"Our country is a great nation. We acknowledge and we will resolve this problem [the 1965 tragedy] in our way and through universal values," Luhut told reporters at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday.

Therefore, he further said, the government would not bow to the IPT 1965's recommendations.

As reported earlier, the tribunals panel of judges declared that Indonesian authorities had committed crimes against humanity following the murder of several generals during a failed coup attempt blamed on the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) in October 1965.

It is stated in the tribunals conclusion that the Indonesian government was responsible for and guilty of crimes against humanity through its chain of command in a string of inhumane acts. They comprised the brutal murder of an unknown number of people (generally assumed to be around 400,000  500,000), the imprisonment under inhumane conditions of an unknown number of people (generally assumed to be around 600,000), enslavement, for instance in labor camps on Buru Island, torture, enforced disappearance, as well as sexual violence.

The panel of judges also declared that the Indonesian government was responsible for the thousands of people who were deprived of their citizenship. This may well be considered a crime against humanity.

Therefore, the panel of judges recommended that the Indonesian government apologize to the victims, survivors and their families, as well as investigate the crimes against humanity and comply with the calls of the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) and the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) in their reports, so that the truth will be found and impunity for these crimes against humanity will be ended. (ebf)
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Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

While facing serious problems with poverty in vast areas of the nation's less-developed cities, the government is confident in sharing its zero slum target by 2019 at the upcoming global meeting on urban development.

Making the target even more optimistic, the government -- through the Public Works and Housing Ministry -- eyes to provide clean water and sanitation for the whole country.

The ambitious target was crafted in the "100-0-100" urban plan as a draft for the 3rd Preparatory Committee Meeting (PrepCom 3), which will be held in Surabaya, East Java from July 25 to 27.

Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the "100-0-100" Urban plan was the ministrys program to ensure 100 percent access to water, zero percent of slum areas and 100 percent sanitation access across the country. The urban plan was in line with the countrys 2014 to 2019 medium-term development plan (RPJMN), he said.

We will present the plan as Indonesias proposal in facing global urban issues at the meeting, he told journalists in a press conference at the ministrys office on Tuesday. However, he did not elaborate on the strategy to realize the target.

PrepCom 3 is one of the preparation meetings ahead of the third UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, Habitat III, which will be held in Quito, Ecuador, between Oct. 17 and 20. (rez/ags)
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Indonesia is set to host the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF) at the Jakarta Convention Center from Aug. 2 to 4, the second time that the country has hosted such a forum since 2009, a minister has said.

"The government will use this forum to promote investment opportunities in the country and to market our products, whether they be products with halal certification or existing products deemed competitive in the international market," Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said at the State Palace on Wednesday.

The minister further said the 12th WIEF was also aimed at further exploring the crucial role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in driving economic growth around the world. This was in line with the forums theme, Decentralising Growth, Empowering Future Business", he added.

Bambang said the forum would be divided into several sub-themes, such as Islamic Finance, Islamic fashion and design, sharia-based infrastructure financing, innovative technology, SME financing and the promotion of halal industries.

"For Indonesia, we will also promote halal tourism or Muslim-friendly tourism," he went on.

Some 2,500 delegates and 60 role players from over 100 countries across the globe are expected to attend the 12th WIEF. Four leaders that have already confirmed their attendance are the prime minister of Malaysia, the president of Guinea, the prime minister of Sri Lanka and the president of Tajikistan.

"President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo will make the keynote speech and open the forum," he said. (ebf)
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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

Though global oil prices continue to batter Indonesias oil and gas businesses, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says there is still a bright side: The country can take this opportunity to build up its oil reserves.



IEA executive director Fatih Birol said that prices are expected to rise by the end of the year because of a drastic cut in production by non-OPEC countries by almost 1 million barrels of oil per day (bopd), the largest drop in production since 1992.



But for Indonesia the current low prices can provide two opportunities. One, it is a good window of opportunity to reform prices and phase out the subsidies. Second, [Indonesia can] build up stocks when it is cheap for the rainy day we may have in the future, he told The Jakarta Post recently.



Many countries have a crude and fuel buffer reserve set aside for emergency situations. For example, the US has a fuel reserve for seven months and Japan has one for six months. Meanwhile, neighboring Southeast Asian country Myanmar has a reserve for four months, Thailand for 80 days and Vietnam for 47 days.



Indonesia currently only has operational oil reserves under state-owned oil and gas company Pertamina, which is touted to last for a maximum of 23 days. However, Indonesia does not have a national crude and fuel buffer reserve.



Birol said the agency was willing to help connect Indonesia, as its newly instated associate-member, with other oil producers in order to buy cheaper oil while the prices are still low.



Oil is perhaps the most strategic commodity in any country for its daily economic life. Lets think, if there was a disruption of oil supplies, the entire transportation system and mobility will stop. Therefore, it is important for the countries to have stocks for a rainy day, he said.



Global oil prices suddenly dropped at the beginning of the year to a staggering low of around US$30 per barrel. Although prices have slowly increased in the past few months, oil has yet to be traded at the $60 per barrel mark.



Benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded crude was at $45.17 per barrel on Tuesday afternoon, according to figures from Bloomberg. Meanwhile, fellow benchmark Brent set prices at $46.87 per barrel on the same day.



The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has already started to prepare to build up a crude and fuel buffer reserve by allocating a budget of Rp 800 billion (US$60.8 million) in this years revised state budget. The funds are expected to be enough to stockpile the equivalent of one day of national demand.



For the next five years, we plan to create a buffer reserve that will keep us stocked for 30 days and it will consist of both crude and fuel. We may set another target of 60 days in the next decade, the ministrys oil and gas director general, IGN Wiratmaja Puja, said.



Wiratmaja added that the country would need a budget of Rp 8 trillion to Rp 9 trillion a year in order to accumulate enough reserves for a month.



Despite the high cost, he pointed out that an oil reserve was an important asset to have, especially since Indonesia was an archipelagic country sitting on the notorious Ring of Fire. The reserve could be used if we get hit by natural disasters such as a tsunami or a large earthquake, he said.



Currently, national demand is estimated to be 1.6 million bopd, twice as high as domestic production, which currently stands at around 800,000 bopd.



A report by the IEA launched on Tuesday estimates that energy demand in Southeast Asia will grow to 1,100 million tons of oil equivalent in 2040, more than 80 percent of the level reached in 2013. Indonesia alone accounts for almost 40 percent of total energy demand growth.

--------------

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By PTI: Lahore, Jun 20 (PTI) A police official probing the murder of Pakistani social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch was suspended for poor investigation and negligence and a woman inspector has been assigned to complete the task, officials said today.

Homicide Unit (in-charge) Inspector Ilyas Haider who was doing ground investigation into the murder case will be replaced by woman Inspector Attiya Jaffari who is famous for conducting transparent probes into murder, rape and acid attack cases, said Multan City Police Officer Azhar Ikram.

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Central Police Officer (CPO) Azhar Akram deployed Jaffari following the suspension of two former investigating officers for showing negligence in the probe.

According to media reports, Haider was found to be "soft" and "favouring" Mufti Abdul Qavi, who was suspended from top religious body Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in the controversy following Qandeels video posts with him.

Inspector Attiya has issued notices to various people, including Qavi and the slain models former husband Ashiq Hussain, under Section 160 of the Pakistan Penal Code in the light of the statement of Qandeels mother, Akram said.

"We are preparing the case in a way that its trial is concluded within three months," Akram was quoted as saying by theDawn.

Meanwhile, police have decided to shift self-confessed murderer Waseem, Qandeels younger brother, to Lahore for polygraph (lie detector) test.

Akram said Waseem had made calls to some people soon after strangulating her 26-year-old actor-cum-model sister in central district of Multan on July 15 for the "honour of the family".

The honour-killing has sent shockwaves across the country and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media for Qandeel. PTI MRJ AKJ MRJ

--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin The Jakarta Post Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The Jakarta Administration will manage Bantar Gebang waste treatment facility in Bekasi, West Java, by itself after terminating the contracts of the two operators of the facility, PT Godang Tua Jaya (GTJ) and Navigat Organic Energy Indonesia (NOEI), an official has said.

Jakarta Sanitation Agency head Isnawa Adji said on Wednesday that the 6,000 tons of garbage produced daily in the city would be handled by the agencys Integrated Waste Management Unit at the 108-hectare waste treatment facility.

We will work with experts, who are expected to help the unit manage the waste facility. We want them to give technical advice to the new management of the facility, Isnawa told The Jakarta Post.

The administration terminated the contracts on Tuesday, after the agency issued a third warning letter to the company to improve waste treatment.

According to an audit by Pricewaterhouse Coopers, the two companies have not fulfilled their responsibilities under the contract. In particular, the companies have failed to develop a gasification landfill anaerobic digestion (galfad) facility.

Isnana also said that under the new management, the salaries of workers Bantar Gebang would increase. Previously, Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama has promised to pay workers the provincial minimum wage.

Besides the new management, the city also issued new policies covering the welfare of workers, trash scavengers and residents who live around the landfills. The workers and scavengers will receive healthcare insurance under the Healthcare and Social Security Agency (BPJS Kesehatan). (bbn)
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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Navy chief Adm.Ade Supandi has said he is not certain the governments plan to provide security involving armed military personnel on board coal vessels traveling in areas prone to piracy can be implemented.

He said sea security operations for trading vessels on their routes to destination areas was regulated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

In prevailing rules, the commander said, there were articles that prohibited the placement of military personnel on merchant vessels, although some countries allowed the use of weapons on board.

Actually, the security of merchant vessels sailing on the sea is stipulated in IMO regulations. Several rules dont allow the presence of military personnel on board, although several countries provide security through the equipping of weapons [for crew members] on board, Ade said as quoted by kompas.com in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.

Citing the IMO, Ade further said, it was only armed civilian security personnel that were allowed to provide security on merchant vessels. The number of armed security personnel was also limited and monitored tightly, he went on.

Involving military personnel in providing security on merchant vessels would only lead to unhealthy competition among shipping companies. He said one option the government could take to protect Indonesian trading vessels against piracy was to allow the Navy to escort vessels as far as the sea boarder of their destination country, from where an escort from the destination country could be arranged.

Coal boats and other merchant vessels should also take a safe route decided by authorities to avoid acts of piracy, such as ones recently perpetrated by Abu Sayyaf militants on Indonesian vessels in southern Philippine waters.

Earlier, Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said the government would maximize the role of the military in the use of sea marshals to provide security on coal ships sailing to the Philippines. The Navy would work together with its Philippine counterpart to escort the vessels. He claimed the Philippine government had agreed to allow the Indonesian Military to enter its territory for escort purposes. (ebf)
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Linkedin Farida Susanty (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016





For your eyes only: A newly built apron movement control (AMC) tower stands at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airports new Terminal 3. The launch of the new terminal has faced delays due to various technical glitches, including the absence of a clear line of sight from the air traffic control (ATC) tower to the terminals apron area as it is partially hidden by the new building. (JP/Ricky Yudhistira)

After a series of delays, the operation of Soekarno-Hatta International Airports new Terminal 3 might commence in a few weeks following the Transportation Ministrys acknowledgement of progress made by the airports operator to meet the standards set by the authority.



The expansion of Terminal 3 is an ambitious project worth about Rp 7 trillion (US$535.1 million). The new terminal is supposed to expand the heavily congested airports capacity, with the final stage of operations scheduled for 2017 and expected to have the capacity to accommodate 25 million passengers.



State-owned airport operator Angkasa Pura (AP) II initially planned to commence operations of the terminal on June 20, however a number of technical glitches had been detected during inspections conducted by the ministry.



The terminals electrical system, for example, could not immediately be backed up by standby generators during blackouts. Other findings included the absence of baggage handling signs and shortcomings related to the terminals aerobridge and air conditioners.



During a visit to the terminal in June, Transportation Minister Ignasius Jonan also stated his concern over ground safety at the terminal, as officers in the airports air traffic control (ATC) tower were not able to get a clear visual of the terminals apron area, as it was partially hidden by the new building.



The ministrys airport director, Yudhi Sari, said paperwork verification last week found that AP II had completed 70 percent of required administrative documents for the new terminal. The process would be then followed by on-site verifications and airport system tests.



[The final verification and system test] will take place after July, or basically when AP II is ready. But they have shown some progress, she said on Tuesday.



Providing an example of the progress, Yudhi said state oil and gas firm Pertamina was expected to complete building pipes to distribute jet fuel at the new terminal by July 27, a facility earlier requested by the ministry.



The ministrys expert staff for media relations, Hadi M. Djuraid, said the final verification and operation of the terminal was expected to take place in the second week of August.



He also said the call for the construction of an additional apron movement control (AMC) tower at the terminal, as reported earlier, was not urgent, and would not affect the decision to operate the terminal later in August.



The ministrys navigation director, Novie Riyanto, confirmed the statement, stating that the ministry was verifying and certifying the existing AMC tower. The additional tower is not needed yet as AP II has neither built that part of the terminal nor operated that area yet.



The construction of this other AMC tower can be done independently later on, he said.



The air traffic tower has been another major issue behind the delays in the operation of the new terminal.



Jonan expressed the concern merely days before final verification in June. AP II had borrowed a mobile tower from the ministry to solve the problem, but it had still not met requirements on account of a lack of certification.



The ministry later stated that AP II must build a permanent tower to complement the existing ATC tower. The company completed the establishment of the AMC tower earlier this week.



AP II president director Budi Karya Sumadi said he was optimistic that everything was still on track for an August launch.



The current [AMC] tower is sufficient. We might only need it when we finish the construction of the second phase of Terminal 3 [expansion] by March [2017], he said.



Located in Tangerang, Banten, Soekarno-Hatta, the main gateway to Indonesia, has long been congested, despite its annual capacity of 26 million passengers.

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Linkedin Erika Anindita Dewi (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The House of Representatives elected nine new commissioners for the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI), which has a total of 27 commissioners, in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday evening.

The new commissioners are Nuning Rodiyah, Sudjarwanto Rahmat, Yuliandre Darwis, Ubaidillah, Dewi Setyarini, H. Obsatar Sinaga, Mayong Suryo Laksono, Hardly Stefano Penelon Parnela and Agung Suprio.

House Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs elected the commissioners through a voting mechanism after screening each candidate since Monday.

The successful candidates were elected based on their integrity, capabilities and personality, Commission I chairman Abdul Kharis Almasyhari told journalists in Jakarta on Tuesday.

(Read also: Watchdog calls for tougher broadcasting commission)

Article 10, paragraph 2 of the 2002 Broadcasting Law rules that the House is responsible for selecting KPI commissioners, based on public aspirations.

"After the screening process, we held an internal meeting to decide on the nine commissioner candidates through a voting mechanism after we were involved in a debate, Abdul added.

Evita Nursanti of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) stressed that the debate was tough as lawmakers were divided on who deserved to be selected.

The neutrality of the candidates was one consideration because the commissioners would face tough tasks, particularly during the regional elections in 2017, Evita said.

The House will approve the new commissioners in a plenary meeting on Wednesday. The new KPI members will have a three-year tenure. (bbn)
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Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

A receptionist at a cafe where Wayan Mirna Salihin died after drinking cyanide-spiked coffee testified against defendant Jessica Kumala Wongso in her trial on Wednesday.

The receptionist, Aprilia Cindy Cornelia, told the bench that Jessica was the one who reserved table number 54, the spot where Mirna drank the tainted coffee.

Jessica first came to the cafe at 3.30 p.m. and reserved a non-smoking table for four people. Jessica chose table number 54, which has a half round couch, and Cindy reserved it for her. Jessica told her that she would be back at 4 p.m. and her friends would come visit the cafe at about 4.30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. At 3.32 p.m. Jessica left the cafe to go into the mall after wandering around the cafe, including into the smoking room.

(Read also: Judge calls for end of Mirna-Jessica relationship rumor)

At 4.14 p.m., according to Cindy and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage, Jessica came back to the cafe with three paper bags from the Bath and Body store.

"When I brought a food menu for Jessica, I saw three arranged paper bags on the table," Cindy said.

Meanwhile, Cindy told judges that it was unusual for a customer to request all the drinks to be brought to the table before the company arrives as Jessica did. She said it was also unusual for a customer to pay the bill in advance before having the food and beverages.

"In Olivier, usually customers finish eating first before paying the bills," Cindy said. (ary)
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Linkedin Fedina S. Sundaryani (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

Oil and gas giant Pertamina has reported increased year-on-year (yoy) production during the first half of the year, despite the sluggish trend of global energy prices over the past couple of years.



Data from the state-owned company showed that oil and gas production increased 12.5 percent yoy to 640,000 barrels of oil equivalents per day (boepd) from January to June. Within the total production, Pertamina increased oil production by 11.3 percent to 305,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) and gas production by 15.8 percent to 1.94 billion standard cubic feet per day (bscfd).



Pertaminas production made up more than half of total national output in the first semester. Pertamina spokesperson Wianda Pusponegoro said the production increase had been greatly boosted by the production of its oil and gas fields overseas.



In a time when many oil and gas companies have been slowing operations, we increased production of both oil and gas. Production from our overseas blocks has helped immensely, she told reporters at a media briefing on Tuesday.



Oil prices have risen slightly since they hit a new low in the beginning of the year. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) traded crude at US$45.17 per barrel on Tuesday afternoon, while fellow benchmark set prices at $46.87 per barrel on the same day.



Pertamina data said 85,000 bopd and 200 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of gas were produced at their fields in Algeria, Malaysia and Iraq during the first semester. The field in Iraq, meanwhile, produced the most at 44,000 bopd, while the Algerian fields contributed to 111 mmscfd. During the same period last year, Pertaminas overseas fields only produced 79,000 bopd and 196 mmscfd, adding up to 109,000 boepd.



Wianda said the company hoped to increase its production in the second half of the year, following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing between Pertamina and the National Iranian Oil Co. (NIOC)  operated by the Iranian government  at the end of the month. Once the companies finalize the deal, Pertamina will be able to import crude from two to four undisclosed sites in Iran for processing at the formers refineries, such as the one in Cilacap, Central Java.



Including in Iran, we hope to bring no less than 30,000 bopd from all of our future overseas blocks. We cannot bring home less than that, Wianda said.



A recent report by the International Energy Agency said Irans oil production rose to 3.56 million bopd after international sanctions against the country were lifted in January, in exchange for the disabling of much of its nuclear infrastructure.



Following a deal with Russias Rosneft Oil Company earlier this year to jointly develop the Tuban refinery, Pertamina also announced it was considering investing in Rosnefts upstream industry as it could potentially obtain an additional 35,000 bopd in crude oil supplies.



Pertamina has set an ambitious task to continue to increase its oil and gas production by 8 percent every year to reach a production rate of 2.05 million boepd by 2030. To do so, the company hopes to increase the number of mergers and acquisitions throughout the years, aiming to make up 1.082 million boepd by 2030.

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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Jakarta-based anticrime community Turn Back Crime Indonesia has worked together with popular Korea-based messaging application Line to support its campaign on the fight against crime in the city by creating stickers emblazoned with pictures of prominent Jakarta Police officers who wear Turn Back Crime attire.

We have partnered with Line to promote our fight against crime. With Line, we can use not only news but also stickers to promote our anticrime efforts, Jakarta Police general crimes director Sr. Comr. Krishna Murti said as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.

He further said the creation of the stickers was aimed at making people admire the police. The initiative was also aimed at encouraging people to play more active roles in fighting crime.

We as the initiator of the Turn Back Crime Indonesia want to make people more fond of the police so we can work together to fight crime. So thats why Im partnering with Line, said Krishna.

If relations between the police and society became warmer, he said, it would be easier for the police to involve them in fighting crime.

Krishna is among Jakarta Police officers popular for their success in fighting crime, including a bomb attack on Jl. MH Thamrin in Central Jakarta in January.

Stickers, which can be downloaded for free, display the pictures of Krishna and several other senior officers at the Jakarta Polices Criminal Investigation Department, including the polices general crimes deputy director Adj.Sr.Comr. Herry Heryawan and Comr. Teuku Arsya Khadafi, head of the mobile investigation division at the polices general crimes unit. (ebf)
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Linkedin Agnes Anya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The police are investigating whether a bomb threat at City Hall is credible, as the country faces growing threats from domestic terrorists who support the Islamic State (IS) movement.

Yes, it is true that there was a bomb threat [at City Hall] at around 9:15 a.m., Gambir Police head Adj. Sr. Comr. Ida Ketut Grahananta Krisna Rendra told The Jakarta Post.

Unusually, City Hall's security officers checked the bags of every visitor and employee arriving in the area on Wednesday morning. Hundreds of personnel from the Jakarta Polices Gegana bomb disposal squad were seen combing City Hall and other buildings in the vicinity such as the City Councils offices.

The bomb threat, apparently aimed at Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, came shortly after the National Police and the Indonesian Military killed pro-IS terrorist Santoso, leader of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) group. The political rise of Ahok, the first Christian of Chinese descent to lead the countrys capital, has been strongly opposed by hard-liners in the Muslim-majority country.

A report by the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) mentioned that an Indonesian IS fighter in Syria, Bahrun Naim, ordered Arif Hidayatullah to assassinate Ahok in September 2015. But Naim shifted his focus from Ahok to former National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) chief Tito Karnavian, Ahoks friend, who was recently installed as National Police chief.

Arif, also known as Abu Muzab, was arrested in 2015 for allegedly recruiting IS supporters to carry out attacks on Indonesian soil. His recruits included Nur Rohman, a suicide bomber who attacked the Surakarta Police headquarters on the eve of Idul Fitri. (ary)
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Linkedin Marguerite Afra Sapiie (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The police are urging the members of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group to come out from their hideout and surrender to officials following the death of their leader Santoso on Monday.

National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian made assurances that the remaining MIT members would not get assaulted should they chose to cooperate with the government and that they would face a fair legal process for their crimes.

"If they want to surrender and follow the legal process and be responsible for their actions, it will be better for all parties involved," Tito said on Tuesday.

Most wanted terrorist Santoso and his subordinate Muchtar were shot dead during an exchange of fire with Tinombala task force personnel in Central Sulawesi on Monday.

The law enforcers might consider easing the punishment for the terrorists, Tito said. However, he added that strict judgement would still be implemented against those militants who had been committing attacks against security officials for years in Central Sulawesi.
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Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru  Wed, July 20 2016

Riau Police reportedly have dropped investigations into 11 companies allegedly involved in forest fires in 2015, underlining the poor law enforcement of last years catastrophe that claimed five lives.



The 11 companies were among 18 accused of having been involved in the fires. While two other companies have seen their cases brought to court, six other companies are still being investigated.



Following the termination of the 11 investigations, the Riau Forest Rescue Network (Jikalahari) environmental group has called for the dismissal of the Riau Police chief.



Jikalahari coordinator Woro Supartinah said a termination of investigation (SP3) on the cases was issued in January. But, it was only unveiled recently when some environmental activists visited Riau Police headquarters seeking an update on the cases.



It turned out that only two cases have been brought to court and six others are being investigated by Riau Police, Woro told the media on Tuesday.



The 11 companies that saw their investigations terminated operate industrial plantation forests (HTI) and oil palm plantations. The industrial forest companies are PT Bumi Daya Laksana, PT Siak Raya Timber, PT Perawang Sukses Perkasa Industri, PT Hutani Sola Lestari, PT Bukit Raya Pelalawan and KUD Bina Jaya Langgam.



The five oil palm plantation companies are PT Pan United, PT Riau Jaya Utama, PT Alam Lestari, PT Parawira and PT Hibrindo Inti Langgam.



Meanwhile, the six companies that are being investigated include PT Ruas Utama Jaya, PT Decter Timber Perkasa Industry, PT Suntara Gajapati, PT Rimba Lazuardi, PT Sumatera Riang Lestari and PT Wana Subur Sawit Indah. The first five companies are involved in HTI while the last one is engaged in the oil palm sector.



Only the cases involving PT Langgam Into Hibrindo and PT Palm Lestari Makmur have been brought to court, however, the defendants are individuals and not corporate players. The court verdicts were also quite disappointing as two of the four defendants were acquitted, Woro said.



She recalled millions of Riau residents, who were exposed to severe haze from the September 2015 forest fires, were excited by the prospect of Riau Police undertaking investigations into the alleged involvement of 18 companies in the fires.



The public also appreciated the work of the Riau Police for successfully handling forest fire cases in 2013 and proving the involvement of PT Adei Plantation and Industry and PT National Sago Prima.



Terminating the investigations into the 11 companies has really disappointed the Riau people. It did not at all align with their sense of justice, especially after five residents died from the [fires resulting] air pollution and millions of others suffered respiratory problems, Woro said.



She demanded President Joko Jokowi Widodo and National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian to evaluate the performance of Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Supriyanto.



Woro claimed the Riau Police chief went against the Presidents instructions, who in January ordered the National Police to take stern action against forest fire perpetrators.



However, the SP3s issuance to the companies indicates a lack of willingness by the Riau Police chief in enforcing the law on forest fire cases, which clearly contributes to environmental degradation in Riau, added Woro.



Jikalahari deputy coordinator Made Ali said the Riau Polices attempt to cover up the investigation terminations raised questions, particularly after the police also issued SP3s to 14 companies suspected to be involved in illegal logging in 2006.



Made suspected the cover-up attempt of the cases was the work of a cabal inside the force.



The new police chief should pay special attention to this issue to prove his determination in eradicating the mafias infiltration in law enforcement agencies, said Made.

Separately, Riau Police chief spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Guntur Aryo Tejo acknowledged that Riau Police had terminated investigations into the 11 companies. The cases were discontinued because of insufficient evidence, Guntur told The Jakarta Post.

_________________________________________



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While 10 commandos were killed, the force managed to gun down three Maoists. Officials said five other personnel were critically injured in the fierce gunbattle that ensued after the IED blast.

By Mail Today Bureau: The Maoist ambush on troops of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Bihar that killed 10 commandos of the force had the exit route heavily mined with explosives to ensure that the injured cannot be rushed for medical aide resulting in maximum casualty. The rebels had planted Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) all along the route that could be used to get out of the encounter site resulting in delay for the injured troops to be evacuated as the rebels triggered over a dozen blasts, sources said.

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10 COMMANDOS, 3 MAOISTS KILLED

The encounter in Bihar's Aurangabad district started in the afternoon but the troops could only be evacuated by 8 pm. Even a chopper had to return since the troops were stuck inside the forests where the encounter took place.

While 10 commandos were killed, the force managed to gun down three Maoists. Officials said five other personnel were critically injured in the fierce gun battle that ensued after the IED (Improvised Explosive Device) blast.

While eight personnel were killed on the spot, two others succumbed to their injuries when they were being evacuated, a senior official said. The incident was reported from Chakarbanda-Dumarinala forests of the said district, bordering Gaya.

BIGGEST CASUALTIES IN JUNGLE OPERATIONS

Some arms and ammunition including an AK-47 rifle, INSAS rifle and under barrel grenade launcher were also seized from the site.

The jawans belonged to the 205th COBRA battalion and were deployed in the state for conducting anti-naxal operations. This is one of the biggest casualties of the elite COBRA unit which has been raised by the CRPF for undertaking special jungle warfare operations. Addition reinforcements of the state police and CRPF have reached the spot and a search operation has been launched. The Home Minister directed Director General of CRPF K Durga Prasad to visit Gaya-Aurangabad to assess the situation. Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar briefed the Home Minister on the steps taken to nab those involved in the attack on the team of COBRA commandos of CRPF, sources said.

HOME MINISTRY ASSURES HELP

The Home Minister assured the Chief Minister of all possible help to the state government to deal with the situation arising out of the attack, the sources said. Singh expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the bereaved martyrs and wished speedy recovery of the injured personnel.

The martyred CRPF men have been identified as Head Constables Anil Kumar Singh, a resident of Buxar in Bihar and K Opendra Singh of Thoubal, Manipur, Constables Sinod Kumar of Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, Ramesh Kumar from Hoshiarpur in Punjab, Diwakar Kumar from Khagariya in Bihar, Polash Mondal from South Denajpur in West Bengal, Deepak Ghosh of Nadia in West Bengal, Manoj Kumar of Betul in Madhya Pradesh, Harvender Panwar of Muzaffarnagar in UP and Ravi Kumar from Siwan in Bihar. Also Read:

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10 CRPF commandos killed in IED blast in Bihar

CRPF to form 'Bastariya battalion' to combat Maoists in Chhattisgarh



--- ENDS ---
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Linkedin Rizal Harahap (The Jakarta Post) Pekanbaru  Wed, July 20, 2016

Riau Police reportedly have dropped investigations into 11 companies allegedly involved in forest fires in 2015, underlining the poor law enforcement of last years catastrophe that claimed five lives.



The 11 companies were among 18 accused of having been involved in the fires. While two other companies have seen their cases brought to court, six other companies are still being investigated.



Following the termination of the 11 investigations, the Riau Forest Rescue Network (Jikalahari) environmental group has called for the dismissal of the Riau Police chief.



Jikalahari coordinator Woro Supartinah said a termination of investigation (SP3) on the cases was issued in January. But, it was only unveiled recently when some environmental activists visited Riau Police headquarters seeking an update on the cases.



It turned out that only two cases have been brought to court and six others are being investigated by Riau Police, Woro told the media on Tuesday.



The 11 companies that saw their investigations terminated operate industrial plantation forests (HTI) and oil palm plantations. The industrial forest companies are PT Bumi Daya Laksana, PT Siak Raya Timber, PT Perawang Sukses Perkasa Industri, PT Hutani Sola Lestari, PT Bukit Raya Pelalawan and KUD Bina Jaya Langgam.



The five oil palm plantation companies are PT Pan United, PT Riau Jaya Utama, PT Alam Lestari, PT Parawira and PT Hibrindo Inti Langgam.



Meanwhile, the six companies that are being investigated include PT Ruas Utama Jaya, PT Decter Timber Perkasa Industry, PT Suntara Gajapati, PT Rimba Lazuardi, PT Sumatera Riang Lestari and PT Wana Subur Sawit Indah. The first five companies are involved in HTI while the last one is engaged in the oil palm sector.



Only the cases involving PT Langgam Into Hibrindo and PT Palm Lestari Makmur have been brought to court, however, the defendants are individuals and not corporate players. The court verdicts were also quite disappointing as two of the four defendants were acquitted, Woro said.



She recalled millions of Riau residents, who were exposed to severe haze from the September 2015 forest fires, were excited by the prospect of Riau Police undertaking investigations into the alleged involvement of 18 companies in the fires.



The public also appreciated the work of the Riau Police for successfully handling forest fire cases in 2013 and proving the involvement of PT Adei Plantation and Industry and PT National Sago Prima.



Terminating the investigations into the 11 companies has really disappointed the Riau people. It did not at all align with their sense of justice, especially after five residents died from the [fires resulting] air pollution and millions of others suffered respiratory problems, Woro said.



She demanded President Joko Jokowi Widodo and National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian to evaluate the performance of Riau Police chief Brig. Gen. Supriyanto.



Woro claimed the Riau Police chief went against the Presidents instructions, who in January ordered the National Police to take stern action against forest fire perpetrators.



However, the SP3s issuance to the companies indicates a lack of willingness by the Riau Police chief in enforcing the law on forest fire cases, which clearly contributes to environmental degradation in Riau, added Woro.



Jikalahari deputy coordinator Made Ali said the Riau Polices attempt to cover up the investigation terminations raised questions, particularly after the police also issued SP3s to 14 companies suspected to be involved in illegal logging in 2006.



Made suspected the cover-up attempt of the cases was the work of a cabal inside the force.



The new police chief should pay special attention to this issue to prove his determination in eradicating the mafias infiltration in law enforcement agencies, said Made.



Separately, Riau Police chief spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Guntur Aryo Tejo acknowledged that Riau Police had terminated investigations into the 11 companies. The cases were discontinued because of insufficient evidence, Guntur told The Jakarta Post.

_________________________________



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Linkedin CPF Luhulima (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

The Foreign Ministrys four-paragraph announcement after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague issued its verdict signified its typically political-economical approach to the South China Sea issue. This was succinctly summarized in Kornelius Purbas view on the governments shut up order on the subject. (The Jakarta Post viewpoint, July 16)

Our investment and financial input from China have become increasingly voluminous, so much so that Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, after meeting the head of the Chinese Communist Partys central commission for political and legal affairs in China, reportedly said that he had made an agreement with minister Meng [Jianzhu] not to disclose stories [like the Natuna incident]; we will resolve things under the table. (the Post, May 21).

This is definitely and extremely underestimating the strategic risk to Indonesias sovereignty against the Chinese power of maps imposed upon the territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone of Indonesias Natunas.

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Linkedin Damar Harsanto (The Jakarta Post) Singapore  Wed, July 20, 2016

Singapore Airlines is scheduled to launch a non-stop flight to Dusseldorf, its third destination in Germany, on Thursday. The airline plans to use its new Airbus A350-900 fleet for the route.

Flight SQ 338 will depart Singapore on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. (Singapore time). Flight SQ337 is scheduled to depart Dusseldorf for Singapore on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 11:30 a.m.

The Dusseldorf route is designed to complement the airlines existing services to Frankfurt and Munich.

With the additional flight route, Singapore Airlines will soon run 38 weekly services to and from Germany.

The company said in a statement that it had placed an order for 67 A350-900s.

The airline is considered to be the best airline in Asia and, despite slipping one place, continues to be ranked third-best in the world, according to the latest passenger survey by international air transport rating organization Skytrax.
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Linkedin Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20 2016

President Joko Jokowi Widodo renewed on Tuesday his call on regional police and prosecutors to not criminalize public officials in regions who exercise their discretion in disbursing funds for development projects to help their cash-strapped administrations.

This time, Jokowi also instructed them to not expose graft cases to the media before those alleged to be involved had been taken to court.

However, there is skepticism over whether such protection will be exploited by corrupt bureaucrats amid a lack of transparency in law enforcement institutions.

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Linkedin Anton Hermansyah (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The stocks of lenders acting as trustee banks in the tax amnesty program are promising for medium-term investment, especially Bank Mandiri, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI), Bank Raykat Indonesia (BRI) and Bank Central Asia (BCA), an analyst has said.

Investa Saran Mandiri analyst Hans Kwee said Bank Mandiri and BNI had closer access to the governments projects, which are risk free. Meanwhile, BCA has good credit quality, proven by its low non-performing loans at only 1.1 percent, far below the normal level of 5 percent.

They can absorb most of the tax amnesty funds and have many places to invest into. So their stocks are good to buy, Hans told thejakartapost.com at Atma Jaya Catholic University in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, he added, BRI would still be the best performer in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) market, followed by private SME lenders Bank BTPN and Bank Danamon, which are included among trustee banks for the tax amnesty.

What disappoints me is that BTN is excluded from the list. This bank really has potential if it received tax amnesty funds, Hans said.

BTN is Indonesias largest mortgage lender, holding around 97 percent of middle-low housing credit in Indonesia. Allowing it to absorb the repatriated funds would be a good factor to boost it in financing the governments 4 million houses program. (ags)
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Linkedin Ayomi Amindoni (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Com. Gen. Suhardi Alius has taken the helm of the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), inaugurated into the position by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at the State Palace on Wednesday.

Suhardi, who was chief secretary of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), will lead the counterterrorism agency to eradicate terrorism and radicalism in Indonesia, succeeding Gen. Tito Karnavian who has been appointed to be the National Police chief.

(Read also: Jokowi to inaugurate head of antiterror agency)

Previously, Suhardi served as National Police spokesperson from 2012 to 2013, as the Central Java Police chief until late 2013 and as the head of the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) from 2013 to 2015.

He also made it to the list of candidates to replace the currently retired general Badrodin Haiti, who was then serving as the National Police chief, before Jokowi decided to name Tito his candidate. (dan)
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Linkedin Margareth S. Aritonang and Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The National Police have gained more confidence in hunting down terrorist groups to the last member, particularly after the death of the countrys most-wanted top terrorist leader Santoso.



The death of Santoso, the leader of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) terrorist group, will change the course of counterterrorism efforts in the country because of the inclusion of the Indonesian Military (TNI) in the countrys counterterrorism operations.



Initial information on the death of Santoso, aka Abu Wardah, was released to the public on Monday evening after a firefight involving Santosos group and personnel of Operation Tinombala at Tambarana village in Poso, which ended with two terrorists being shot dead. One of them resembled Santoso.



The National Police eventually confirmed on Tuesday that Santoso was one of the two who were shot dead during the firefight. However, the National Police Disaster Victims Identification (DVI) team is still carrying out a DNA test to make sure.



Despite the success of Operation Tinombala, a joint team of the police and the TNI will remain at work until the MITs remaining leaders are hunted down.



The members of the MIT who are left in Poso, which according to the police are now fewer in numbers since the operation was launched, are believed to be divided in three groups: first was led by Santoso, second by Basri and third by Ali Kalora.



We are continuing the operations and at the same time carrying out measures to neutralize radical teachings and the campaign of violence there, National Police chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said.



Tito made assurances that Operation Tinombala would remain active until all three MIT leaders were captured or killed. He said the existing networks in Poso no longer possessed significant weapons, besides three or four dilapidated firearms and one homemade gun.



Tito believed the death of Santoso would also demoralize supporters of the Islamic State (IS) movement in Indonesia because Santoso was the symbol of an open resistance against the government.



The death of Santoso occurred amid the firefight that lasted from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday and involved five people from Santosos group and members of Alpha 29, an Operation Tinombala task force team.



Operation Tinombala consists of 3,500 personnel from the police and the military. It has narrowed the terrorist groups area and blocked its supplies.



Santoso initially had 45 followers, but the number was reportedly reduced to 14 following arrests and shoot-outs by security personnel. He got the polices attention for the first time in 2004 when he was arrested for attempting to rob a truck carrying clove cigarettes with six other individuals.



He managed to escape and disappear, but was arrested in 2006 for robbing a boxcar in a coastal town of Poso. He spent a year in prison. He organized attacks against the police in the area since then and his group continued to grow larger and stronger.



Santoso established his MIT terrorist group in early 2013 in collaboration with his friend Daeng Koro.



Terrorism analyst Sidney Jones said Santosos death was indeed a significant achievement, but the director of the Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict (IPAC) saw little impact of the success of hunting down Santoso on counterterrorism efforts in the country.



It will not fundamentally alter the risk of violence that Indonesia faces because that risk comes from pro-IS cells in urban areas, especially in Java, and their mentors in Syria, Sidney said.



The success of killing Santoso has apparently inspired lawmakers to grant more power to the TNI in counterterrorism through a revision of the Terrorism Law over assurance that the police cannot carry out the job alone.



Several lawmakers have expressed support to include stipulations to support the TNIs role in the revision. A member of the House of Representatives Commission I overseeing defense, Maj. Gen (ret) Supiadin Aries Saputra from the NasDem Party, said the polices counterterrorism squad, Densus 88, was not yet equipped with jungle warfare capabilities.



Its only the military force that has such a capability. This shows that we need to keep the joint operation to combat terrorism in the future, Supiadin said.



Nurul Fitri Ramadhani, Ruslan Sangadji and Winny Tang also contributed to reporting

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Linkedin Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

The International Peoples Tribunal on the 1965 Crimes Against Humanity (IPT 1965) concluded on Wednesday that the Indonesian government had committed acts of genocide, as stipulated in the 1948 International Genocide Convention, during the 1965 communist purge, which reportedly led to the death approximately 500,000 people.

"The facts brought before the tribunal by the prosecution include acts that fall within those enumerated in the Genocide Convention," said Presiding judge Zakeria Yacoob at the IPT, as he read out the tribunals final report via a video presentation recorded from Cape Town, South Africa.

Yacoob said Indonesia was bound by the 1948 Genocide Convention under international law.

He said the acts committed by the state had targeted a significant and substantial section of the Indonesian nation, which should have been protected according to the Genocide Convention.

Yacoob further said such acts were conducted with the "specific intent to annihilate or destroy that section in whole or in part.

The conclusion comes as an "unexpected" addition from the nine count indictment against the government on human rights violations presented by prosecutors at the hearing held last year at the Hague from Nov. 10 to Nov. 13.

"In the beginning, we did not bring charges on genocide. But as it turns out, along the way, elements of genocide were found based on Article 1 of the 1948 Genocide Convention," IPT 1965 coordinator Nursyahbani Katjasungkana said.

Nursyahbani expressed satisfaction over the tribunals conclusions although they were not legally binding in terms of extending justice or compensation to the victims. However, she said human rights violations committed by the state could be sanctioned Law No. 26/2000 on Human Rights Tribunals.

"Of course, this depends on the Indonesian government taking advantage of this opportunity," Nursyahbani said.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said the government would not apologize to the victims and survivors of the 1965 purge, or their families, because Indonesia had its own legal system. (ebf)
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Linkedin Dominique Soguel and Suzan Fraser (Associated Press) Istanbul, Turkey  Wed, July 20, 2016

Asserting that "all the evidence" points to a US-based Muslim cleric as the mastermind of last week's failed coup, Turkey's government on Tuesday fired tens of thousands of teachers, university deans and others accused of ties to the plot and demanded the cleric's extradition.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue in a phone call with US President Barack Obama, and his spokesman said the government was preparing a formal extradition request for the cleric, Fethullah Gulen. But he also suggested that the US government shouldn't require the facts before extraditing him.

"A person of this kind can easily be extradited on grounds of suspicion," said the spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin. "And there is very strong suspicion for his involvement, for Gulen's involvement, in this coup attempt. So this is sufficient ground."

Later, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that Turkey had submitted materials related to Gulen and the administration was reviewing whether they amounted to a formal extradition request. Earnest added that a decision on whether to extradite would be made under a longstanding treaty between the two countries, and wouldn't be made by Obama.

The extradition demand is likely to strain US-Turkey ties as the Obama administration refers the matter to the Justice Department, which will determine whether the Turkish government has established probable cause that a crime was committed.

Gulen has strongly denied the government's charges, suggesting that Friday's attempted coup could have been staged as a pretext for the Erdogan government to seize even more power.

"It is ridiculous, irresponsible and false to suggest I had anything to do with the horrific failed coup," the cleric said in a statement on Tuesday, accusing Erdogan of going to "any length necessary to solidify his power and persecute his critics.

"I urge the US government to reject any effort to abuse the extradition process to carry out political vendettas," the statement said.

The latest purges were intended to blunt the influence of Gulen, an Erodgan rival who has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since the late 1990s and who the government has long accused of being behind a "parallel terrorist organization." They follow earlier aggressive moves by Erdogan's administration against Gulen loyalists in the government, police and judiciary following corruption probes targeting Erdogan associates and family members in late 2013  prosecutions the government says were orchestrated by Gulen.

The crackdown was escalated Tuesday, as the government announced the firing of nearly 24,000 teachers and Interior Ministry employees and demanded the resignations of another 1,577 university deans as well as hundreds of other government employees.

Tuesday's dismissals touched every aspect of government life.

Turkish media, in rapid-fire reports, said the Education Ministry had fired 15,200 educators, while the Interior Ministry dismissed 8,777 employees and Turkey's Board of Higher Education called for the deans' resignations. In addition, 1,500 finance ministry employees were fired, 257 people working at the prime minister's office were sacked and 492 staffers at the Directorate of Religious Affairs were dismissed, including clerics, preachers and religious teachers.

Tuesday's firings come on top of roughly 9,000 people who have been detained by the government, including security personnel, judges, prosecutors, religious figures and others. Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency says courts have ordered 85 generals and admirals jailed pending trial over their roles in the coup attempt. Dozens of others were still being questioned.

Asked about the scale of the purges, US State Department spokesman Mark Toner cautioned Turkish authorities not to overreach.

"The types of arrests and roundups that you cite have not gone unnoticed by us," he said.

Erdogan, meanwhile, indicated the government was considering reinstating the death penalty, a practice abolished in 2004 as part of Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Several European officials have said such a move would be the end of Turkey's attempts to join.

Addressing hundreds of supporters outside his Istanbul residence early Tuesday, Erdogan responded to calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty with the simple statement: "You cannot put aside the people's demands."

"In a country where our youths are killed with tanks and bombs, if we stay silent, as political people we will be held responsible in the afterlife," Erdogan said, pointing out that capital punishment exists around the world, including in the United States and China.

The violence surrounding the Friday night coup attempt claimed the lives of 210 government supporters and 24 coup plotters, according to the government.

On Tuesday, foreign media were taken on a tour of government buildings that were targeted by F-16 air strikes, including the headquarters of the Turkish special forces police where 47 officers were killed. The explosions damaged the roof of one of the buildings and tore down its front wall, exposing dust-covered bunk beds. A second building was riddled with bullet fire from helicopters, while a charred X-ray machine could be seen inside the wrecked security clearing area at the entrance of the complex.

Esra Kokcu, accompanied by relatives, was visiting the site where her cousin, Selmani Terzi, was severely wounded and lost a leg in the attack. She took out her smartphone to show reporters pictures of Terzi in his hospital bed.

"These people are not human," she said of the coup-plotters.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, meanwhile, lashed out at Europe, whose leaders have expressed concerns over the purges underway across Turkey's key state institutions.

"We thank our European friends for their support against the coup, however their sentences starting with 'but' did not please us at all," he said.

Regarding Turkey's demand that Gulen be extradited, Yildirim compared the situation to the US hunt for Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 attacks.

"We will present them more proof than they'll know what to do with," he said. "I want to ask our friends in the US, did you ask for proof when you demanded the terrorists after the Twin Towers fell on Sept. 11? When you didn't bother looking for proof for bin Laden, why are you demanding evidence for Fetullah Gulen when the evidence is clear as day? You should give up defending that terrorist leader."

___

Fraser reported from Ankara. Associated Press writers Sarah El Deeb and Cinar Kiper in Istanbul and Desmond Butler and Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.
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Linkedin Ruslan Sangadji (The Jakarta Post) Palu, Central Sulawesi  Wed, July 20, 2016

The wife of terrorist leader Santoso, Suwarni, went to the Bhayangkara Hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi on Tuesday night to examine the body of a man killed during a shootout a day earlier to see if it belonged to her husband.

Suwarni was heard to burst into tears minutes after she entered the hospital mortuary. She was accompanied by two of her relatives and under a tight security guard. The woman, wearing a black chador, gave no statements but directly entered a vehicle after examining her husbands corpse.

Operation Tinombala task force commander Sr. Comr. Leo Bona Lubis said Suwarni had confirmed the corpse was her husband Santoso. Yes, the woman has confirmed that it is the body of her husband.

The leader of the East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) Santoso and his subordinate Muchtar were shot dead in Poso, Central Sulawesi on Monday by members of the Tinombala unit Alpha 29.

Family members of Muchtar were scheduled to confirm whether the second corpse was his later on Wednesday.
Expulsion from the party will remain in force for six years in line with the party's rules, BJP sources said.

By India Today Web Desk: Dayashankar Singh, who called Mayawati "worse than a prostitute" triggering a massive political storm, was today expelled from the BJP.

BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya sacked him from the party, hours after he announced that Singh had been relieved from all organisational responsibilities. Expulsion from the party will remain in force for six years in line with the party's rules, BJP sources said.



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"Dayashankar Singh's remarks are not acceptable, therefore we have removed him from all party posts," BJP chief in Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya, told news agency ANI.

Meanwhile, BSP filed a police complaint in Lucknow, seeking lodging of an FIR against Singh under the SC/ST Act for his derogatory remarks.

The cracking of the whip against the UP leader came after severe condemnation from a united opposition over the slur, while an embarrassed Finance Minister Arun Jaitley expressed regret and assured of action.

"Even a prostitute fulfils her commitment to a man after she is paid. But Mayawati, such a big leader in UP, sells party tickets to anyone who pays her the highest amount. If someone gives her Rs one crore for a ticket, she will give it to the other person who is offering Rs 2 crores," Singh had told reporters, repeatedly using the word "veshya" in Hindi.

The remarks drew severe flak from members in the Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien saying that the House wants the government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his "unforgivable" comments.

There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMK's Kanimozhi, Congress' Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of the Left, and Satish Chandra Mishra of the BSP.

A visibly-agitated Mayawati herself tore through the BJP in her speech in the Rajya Sabha. "His (Singh's) remarks apply for his sister and daughter and not for me. The whole country will not forgive BJP...The people will come on the streets," she said.

Mayawati demanded that BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief Amit Shah should discuss the matter, expel Singh from the party and take action against him. The BSP has also decided to file a formal police complaint against the BJP leader.

ALSO READ | Mayawati slur rocks Parliament, opposition tears into 'anti-women, anti-Dalit' BJP

Top BJP leader compares Mayawati to a prostitute as party counters anti-Dalit tag in Gujarat, Parliament





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Linkedin (The Star/ANN) Putrajaya, Malaysia  Wed, July 20, 2016

Malaysia and Singapore have given a firm commitment to ensure that the tender awarding process for the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project will be carried out fairly and in a transparent manner.

With fierce competition for the bidding from China, Japan, South Korea and France, Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong agreed that both countries must work closely to ensure the best choice prevailed.

You can rest assured that the process will be carried out in the fairest possible way, said Najib during a press question-and-answer session after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the HSR project.

Lee said that as the HSR was a joint project, the eventual decision would be a joint one and both countries will have to carry the consequences of both choices.

This [the tender process] is one of the items that has to be settled between the two sides.

We need to discuss how the project will be structured, how the tender will be called and in what sequence, what each package consists of and how the tenders will be evaluated.

The structure has to be right, the execution has to be well and properly done.

The tenders must be evaluated in an objective, fair and transparent manner so that, when we make the decision, we are quite sure that it is the best value and best choice, said Lee.

Najib said it was too early to say how much the project would cost until the bidding process was completed.

Various reports have estimated the project to cost between 40 billion ringgit (US$10 billion) and 60 billion ringgit.

Najib, who is also finance minister, expressed optimism about completing the project by 2026, with the right business model.

Both leaders agreed that the project would bring about economic benefits to Malaysia and Singapore.

Najib said the project would create 30,000 jobs and also bring changes to the towns along the line such as Seremban, Malacca, Muar, Batu Pahat and Johor Baru.
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Linkedin Stephanie Chao (The China Post/ANN) Taipei  Wed, July 20, 2016

President Tsai Ing-wen held her first senior-level national security meeting on the contested South China Sea ruling Tuesday, just after a poll was released showing only 19 percent of respondents in favor of how she was handling the issue.

Only 19 percent of those polled supported the Tsai administrations response to the international arbitration tribunal ruling, which undermined the nations claims in the contested South China Sea, most notably Taiping Island.

The poll, carried out by TVBS (news television channel in Taiwan), showed that 45 percent were not in favor of the governments response, while 36 percent declined to answer.

In terms of a government response, 69 percent believed Tsai should visit Taiping to assert the nations sovereignty and claims to a 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Only 13 percent disapproved of the visit, while 18 percent declined to comment.

The poll also surveyed participants responses to the ruling according to their political party affiliation. An overwhelming 81 percent of Kuomintang supporters were in favor of Tsai visiting Taiping.

Around 69 percent of Democratic Progressive Party supporters said they wished to see Tsai visit the island, while 19 percent opposed such an action, with 12 percent declining to answer. Of New Power Party supporters, 65 percent were in favor of such an action, 25 percent disapproved, and only 10 percent declined to comment.

At least 80 percent polled knew that Taiping had been downgraded to a rock after the ruling, while 20 percent did not, an indication that the public closely followed the case and understood the implications of the ruling.

Despite disapproval of the governments handling of the ruling over the past week, at least 48 percent still expressed confidence in the Tsai administrations ability to safeguard the nations claims in the contested waters, while 39 percent did not.

An overwhelming 68 percent polled believed Taiwan should resume the practice of stationing military on Taiping; 18 percent disapproved and 14 percent declined to respond.

Late Tuesday night, Tsai announced her administrations five-pronged strategy for addressing the ruling during a national security meeting with senior heads of government.

Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang reiterated the governments rejection of the ruling, saying that the Republic of China was not legally bound to follow it.

Tsai, whose remarks were relayed by Huang, proposed that the government strengthen efforts to safeguard the nations fishing rights in the area and to protect fishermens safety during fishing operations.

Tsais measures also include increasing multilateral discussions with relevant countries, spearheaded by the Foreign Affairs Ministry; and promoting scientific research on Taiping in areas such as geology, earthquakes, and weather by sending international experts to the island through the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Other tactics are turning the island into a humanitarian rescue center and transportation and supply base, as well as encouraging maritime law experts to strengthen Taiwans response to issues revolving international law.
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Linkedin Nikko Dizon (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) Manila  Wed, July 20, 2016

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo has called for authorities to investigate the spate of extrajudicial killings in the country.

Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo on Wednesday issued yet another strong statement condemning the spate of extrajudicial killings that occurred recently.

These senseless and unjust violence must stop. We should not foster a culture of fear in our society  one that tacitly accepts death and one that does not give respect to human life, Robredo said.

The vice president repeated her call for authorities to seriously investigate these killings and bring those responsible to justice.

The rise in extrajudicial killings is a call for all of us to uphold every persons right to due process. Each of those Filipinos who were killed over alleged crimes were denied their right to a fair trial, and those lives may never be returned to their loved ones, she said, adding:

We must all stand together in defending our human rights, as well as the rights of those who cannot fight for themselves.

Last week, Robredo warned that anyone could become a victim in the ongoing vigilante-style killings of suspected drug addicts or drug pushers.

It is scary that it could be anyone of us, anyone in our families, anyone in our communities can be victims, Robredo had said.

The Inquirer has been keeping track of the death toll since President Rodrigo Duterte announced he wanted dead suspected drug pushers or users as part of his anti-drug campaign.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa blamed many of the killings to drug syndicates conducting a purge of their ranks.

Some 265 people had been killed since June 30, when Duterte was inaugurated into office; 312 had been killed since May 10, a day after he was elected as president.
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Linkedin (Inquirer.net)  Wed, July 20, 2016

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella on Wednesday said the Duterte administration would continue bilateral talks with Beijing over territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), but only if these negotiations fall within the bounds of an international tribunal courts ruling.

The Philippines continues along a diplomatic path to fully realize the EEZ [exclusive economic zone] rights granted by the Arbitration Court, Abella said in a statement, adding that the tribunals ruling is non-negotiable.

Engagement with China towards the peaceful resolution of the issue must be compliant with the Constitution, International Law and the rule of law, he added.

On Tuesday, United States Senator Chris Murphy said on his Twitter account that President Rodrigo Duterte remained firm in his decision not to trade territorial rights to China.

In Manila  just out of meeting w new Philippines President Duterte. Assured us he has no plans to negotiate w China over islands dispute, said Murphy, who was part of a US congressional delegation that visited Duterte in Malacanang.

We were first US elected officials to meet w Duterte. Says he will not trade territorial rights to China. Tribunal decision non-negotiable, Murphy said in another tweet.

Last week, the United Nations-backed Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands granted the Philippines sovereign rights over the disputed waters and debunked Beijings nine-dash line claim to almost the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

China has rejected to acknowledge the tribunals ruling but said they are open to resolve the dispute with the Philippines.

Duterte has earlier said the interests of the Philippines allies would be taken into consideration as the government eyes bilateral talks with China after winning the arbitration case.

We do not also want to offend the United States. Why? Because we have identified ourselves allied with the Western powers, he said in a speech during a testimonial dinner held in his honor at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City.
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Linkedin Stephanie Chao (The China Post/ANN) Taipei  Wed, July 20, 2016

Kuomintang (KMT) lawmakers urged the Taiwan government Tuesday to exercise greater resolve in protecting the nations South China Sea claims and to accompany fishermen planning a protest trip to Taiping Island.

They suggested that the Defense Ministry station troops on Taiping on a long-term basis and deploy vessels to escort the fishermen, who intend to depart for Taiping Wednesday to champion Taiwanese fishing rights.

Maj. Gen. Zhong Shu-ming, director of the ministry's Joint Operations Division, said that military deployment of vessels to accompany the fishermen would require approval from senior officials.

Seven legislators - four from the KMT and three from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) - are slated to set off for the disputed island the same day on a separate voyage. According to the legislators, this trip is aimed at safeguarding Taiwans sovereignty and right to an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) around Taiping.

Opposition lawmakers also blasted Defense Minister Feng Shih-kuan for backtracking on his promise to accompany the legislators to the disputed island.

KMT legislator Johnny Chiang, who is part of the delegation planning to visit Taiping, said countries including Vietnam and Philippines have already drawn their own EZZs in the South China Sea.

The government should proactively assert the nations territorial claims to ensure that its right to a 200-nautical-mile economic zone around Taiping is protected, Chiang said.

Its strange that the Tsai administration hasnt held an international press conference since the Permanent Court of Arbitration decision last week, Chiang said, referring to a Hague ruling that deemed Taiping a rock entitled to only a 12-nautical-mile economic zone.

Meanwhile, when asked whether DPP lawmakers would also visit Taiping despite rallying cries not to days ago, DPP caucus whip Ker Chien-ming told reporters that since KMT lawmakers are going, the DPP should as well.

Everyones stance on Taiwans sovereignty claims over Taiping Island should be at the same level, Ker said.

Lawmakers will board an Air Force supplier aircraft headed to Taiping for a routine visit on Wednesday morning.

New Power Party (NPP) lawmaker Freddy Lim said that he had politely refused to go, citing that if too many lawmakers went, it would limit seats for supply workers. Its a routine resource supply trip held every three months, he said.

Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Huang Hung-yan, also speaking for the Council of Agriculture, said that they had not banned southern Taiwanese fishermen from sailing to Taiping to assert the nations claims.

Fisheries Agency officials only told fishermen partaking in the event that they should not use vessels intended to transport fresh fish, reported the Central News Agency.

The response came after KMT legislator Wang Yu-min, citing news reports, accused the government of threatening to revoke the fishing licenses of any fishermen who set sail for Taiping Wednesday.

At the press conference held with Chiang and KMT caucus leader Lin Te-fu, Wang demanded that the administration investigate the origins of the alleged directive, which she said the Fisheries Agency denied issuing.

Whoever issued the order should step down, Wang said.
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Linkedin Intan Tanjung (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta  Wed, July 20, 2016

Southeast Asian countries are keen to take a lead in the worlds tourism market by setting standards on skills required in the industry.

Together with tourism stakeholders, representatives from training and educational institutions, certification boards and organizations, government ministers and senior officials from ASEAN countries are slated to launch the Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals (MRA-TP) at an international conference in Jakarta on August 8-9.

(Read also: Hotel now accepts room reservations via WhatsApp, LINE)

The conference, which is being organized by Indonesian Tourism Ministry, will set standardization and benchmarking of skills for 32 hospitality and tourism job profiles, requiring 52 qualifications for positions like front office, housekeeping, food and beverage services, tour operations, food production and travel agencies. To help workers achieve the qualifications, 242 training toolboxes will also be created, accompanied by trainers and skill assessors alongside its registration system.

The fulfillment of the MRA-TP initiative will boost the quality of services, as it will create a mobile, trained and confident workforce suited to travel industry needs, said Tourism Minister Arief Yahya in a press release.

Aside from aiming to increase the standard levels of the industry, the conference will also encourage mobility among tourism and hospitality professionals to work in other countries across ASEAN. (kes)
Rajya Sabha was in chaos after BJP leader Dayashankar Singh's statement against Mayawati. The latter warned the BJP to brace themselves for the consequences.

By Maha Siddiqui: At a time when the BJP is being attacked and labelled as anti-Dalit for the atrocities against the vulnerable and under-privileged section of society, BJP vice-president Dayashankar Singh today inflicted injury to his own party.

Dayashankar Singh, party vice-president in Uttar Pradesh referred to former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh Mayawati as a leader who is 'worse than a prostitute'. This was condemned by all the MPs in the Rajya Sabha including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad.

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BJP's REACTION TO DAYASHANKAR SINGH'S STATEMENT

BJP immediately rushed in to control the damage. MoS Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said that the party has deep respect for the BSP leader despite their differences, and Leader of House Arun Jaitley said that appropriate action will be taken.

However, assurances in the house did not seem to work.

OPPOSITION REACTS

Mayawati warned the BJP to brace themselves for the consequences. Her lieutenant SC Mishra said that a case under SC/ST act should be lodged and Dayashankar should be arrested.

Congress' Kumari Selja charged at the BJP saying that Dayashankar's statement reflects the mindset of the party and how they perceive women.

Even as many women members expressed contempt at such words being used for a senior leader, DMK's Kanimozhi drew attention to the fact that women in public life also face such character assassination on a regular basis. She asked for a resolution to be passed on the issue.

Meanwhile, Derek O'Brien of the TMC said this is a man's issue as much as a woman's as this statement was made by a man. Finally, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurein said the House expects stringent action under law.

Dayashankar Singh apologised for his remark and has been removed from the post of the state unit vice-president.

Also Read

Dayashankar Singh, who compared Mayawati to a prostitute, removed as UP BJP's vice-president

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City Council member Margaret Chin and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer want deed removals to be part of the citys land use review process. Theyre mugging for the cameras in a City Hall press conference this morning. [Daily News]

More than 20 people were busted in an alleged $15 million drug trafficking operation. Among those arrested: Frank Parisi, who was taken into custody at the family-owned Parisi Bakery on Mott Street in Little Italy where 20 pounds of pot was found. [DNA Info]

The city tries new tactics to crack down on bad landlords. [City & State]

Logan Hicks is next up at the Bowery/Houston mural wall. [EV Grieve]

Heres one take a on Bing Kitchen, a tiny new spot on Orchard Street. [Gothamist]
"If Rane knew about such an issue, he should have immediately brought it to the notice of authorities. But he was only waiting for the opportunity to politicise the issue," Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: BJP today filed a breach of privilege complaint against former Maharashtra chief minister Narayan Rane for alleging that a member of Devendra Fadnavis government molested a senior IAS officer.

While participating in a discussion on Ahmednagar rape and murder case, Rane alleged that he has proof of Maharashtra Cabinet minister molesting a senior IAS officer.

BJP leader Pravin Darekar today filed a breach of privilege complaint with the chairman of the legislative council, "Rane is making baseless allegations and has no proofs. He is making allegations to mark his presence in the house."

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Meanwhile, Rane remained defiant saying, "I have proofs about a senior lady officer being molested by a minister. I will disclose the name at the right time."

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back at Rane saying, "Jin ke ghar sheeshey ke hote hai, woh dusro ke ghar pe patthar nahi feka karte." (Those who stay in a glass house, should not pelt stones at others). Fadnavis also reminded Rane about allegations of kidnapping and murder against him.

"If Rane knew about such an issue, he should have immediately brought it to the notice of authorities. But he was only waiting for the opportunity to politicise the issue," Fadnavis said.

Also Read

Rane claims Maha Cabinet minister engaged in immoral act





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When the UK and most of the western worlds eyes were firmly fixed on the Theresa May during her first speech as Prime Minister on the 13th July 2016, something very different was happening off the coast of Lesbos. Four dead bodies were being dragged from the sea after a dinghy carrying migrants had capsized off the east coast. A young girl and boy were among the four that perished in the sea trying to gain access to Europe.

Unfortunately, this is now not a rare occurrence in the Mediterranean. The International Organisation for Migration claims that 240,884 people entered Europe by sea last year and a staggering 2,954 migrants have died at sea since July 2015. Compare that with the figure the year before of 1,906 and we see an increase of 1,000 dead.

I understand the importance of the EU referendum and the subsequent party divisions since the result was released  I think it was all I talked about for a good two months. However, I think it was negligent of the UK media to essentially ignore the ongoing, if not deteriorating, situation in both Europe and across the Middle-East.

Syria has seen the largest mass departure of citizens in the world since the Rwandan genocide 20 years ago. More than 11 million people have either been killed during the conflict or been forced to move from their homes.

Now Syrian residents face the daunting task of either opting to begin a dangerous and most likely life threatening journey to Europe, or stay in a country torn between a brutal civil war and the ongoing spread of Islamic extremism under the leadership of Islamic State.

The journey to Europe is a near impossible route, with families having to flee their homes in the cover of night to avoid being subject to sniper fire. With the added risk of the men being caught by soldiers and forced to fight or women and girls being snatched and sold into the sex trade.

These people are easy prey for human traffickers, which is all the more reason why the UK and Europe as a continent should be doing more to help those who have nothing.

The rise of nationalism in France, the Netherlands, Germany, Hungary and Austria only threatens the safety and prospects of Syrian refugees and could possibly damage the work that has already been done. A number of EU countries are adopting migration policies that are detrimental to their neighbours, with both Bulgaria and Hungary erecting barb-wired fences in order to keep travelling immigrants out.

This is not the inclusive Europe that innocent war victims need. This is not the leadership that our countries deserve. This is not the Europe that I want. History has taught us that we must stop sacrificing innocents in order to preserve domestic political stability.

So yes, public services may be put under more pressure, maybe there may be fewer white faces in town centres and God forbid maybe these people will bring their culture, language, experience and knowledge along with them. But lets not throw up a barrier to those who need help the most.

A refugee is somebody that is fleeing their home state for safety, whether its because war, persecution or otherwise makes no difference. These people are normal, real people. Some young, some old; some richer with mobile phones, some poorer with simple wooden toys; some fit and strong, some desperate and weak  but they all crave safety.

Europe can provide this safety. Europe can offer these people the security, stability and opportunity that they need to rebuild their lives and contribute to our globalised world.

The UN estimates that half of the five million refugees that have applied for asylum are under the age of 18, with many not having attended school in months, sometimes years. Every day that these children sit in a desolate camp in the North Iraq is a day wasted, a day they go without the basic human right to be educated, a day they go without being given the opportunities that we take for granted on a daily, if not hourly, basis.

Throughout their journey out of Syria whether to Europe or another neighbouring nation, refugees are exploited. The organisation Mercy Corps reported that they had seen cases where families have been found living in rooms with no running water or heating. Some cases included refugees living in abandoned chicken coups or disused sheds.

Despite their accommodation not being sufficient they still must pay rent, meaning that they must find some form of employment, which is illegal in certain states. Many refugees have taken on exploitative jobs with long hours and very low pay  sometimes not even enough to pay for necessities, making crime an appealing route to take in order to secure their familys livelihoods.

Europe is refusing to work together on this issue and the UK government seem to think that they no longer have to contribute to solving it due to Brexit. However, the EU will hold the UK responsible for being an active and full member of the EU until its departure. There is no getting out of this for Mays government, and quite rightly so.

I do not offer the solution to this problem but I know for one thing that cooperation and compromise will be the only way we can see an end to this tragedy. When every decision is taken by the countries involved, the principle that the refugees are people must be central. They are not statistics, they are not bargaining chips and they are also not terrorists, no matter what the tabloids would like you to believe.

Every refugee has a story, a life, a purpose and we must do all we can to ensure that they live on after this conflict to be one of the survivors that we have helped, not one of the dead that we have abandoned.

Mercy Corps created a piece on what some Syrian refugees bought with them when they left Syria: created a piece on what some Syrian refugees bought with them when they left Syria:

Sajida, 14: a necklace that was a gift from her best friend in Syria.

Muhanad, 7: a robot toy from his grandfather, who was killed during the conflict.

Muhammad, 18: a mobile phone that he uses to contact his family and friends back in Syria.

Basma, 15: a watch that was a birthday present from her aunt.

Manar: family photographs were the only things she was allowed to take across the border.

This small list shows that no matter what peoples perceptions of refugees or asylum seekers are, they are still real people. They grieve for the loved ones they have lost, they cherish the trinkets that they have acquired throughout their life, they benefit from technology such as mobile phones, but deep down they are hurting. A nation of people abandoned by their government and now by Europe.

Every one of the 2,954 that died in the Mediterranean was a human life, with friends, families and a story to tell. And just like the two young children off the coast of Lesbos, they have perished. I urge all of my readers to donate as little or as much too the UN relief fund for refugees in order to help ensure that no more people die for nothing. The world is a darker place without those that have died on their path to safety.
By PTI: New Delhi, July 20 (PTI) It is difficult to immediately assess the impact of Brexit on India and Indian community in Britain, the government told the Parliament today.

Replying to a question on the issue, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said in Lok Sabha Indian High Commission in London was in the process of evaluating "implications" of Brexit on the Indian community.

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The relationship between Britain and EU is yet to evolve and until such time, it is hard to assess the impact the countrys exit from the bloc on India and Indian community, Singh said.

Earlier this month, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said India and the UK were exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement following the Britains decision to exit from the European Union.

Replying to a separate question, Singh, referring to media reports, said there was a rise in number of "racist incidents and hate crimes" in the week following the referendum on Brexit on June 26.

He, however, said there has been no recorded incident of racist attack targeting Indians there.

To a question on Indias aid to Nepal, he said development assistance extended to that country in 2014-15 was Rs 420 crore while it was Rs 300 crore in 2015-16.

"The disbursement of actual aid to Nepal depends on utilisation of the available amount and progress achieved in numerous projects under implementation with Indias assistance in Nepal," he said adding four lines of credit totalling USD 1.65 billion have been extended to Nepal so far.

Replying to another question, Singh said government is in the process of closing the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojna while strengthening other measures including insurance scheme Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna for overseas Indian workers. PTI MPB RT

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Sovereignty, i.e. who makes Britains laws, was a dominant topic in the recent EU referendum. The question of unelected individuals making decisions on our behalf is seen as unacceptable by the Leave campaign.

The United Kingdom is an independent democratic country and should be entitled to decide the laws that govern its people, would be the summary of the Leave campaigns thoughts surrounding sovereignty. Now, despite supporting the Remain camp, I must admit that the Leave campaign do have a point when discussing unelected law makers.

We do live in a time when the spread of democratisation has flourished in the western world, and more now so in the East, too. However, I think that it is naive of the Leave campaign to suggest that if we were outside the EU, elected British individuals would regain the right to make all our laws. Before we look internationally at what organisations reduce our sovereignty, I think we should look internally at our domestic politics and where democracy is not present in our own system.

The area that I would allude to would be the House of Lords. In this article I will not draw attention to the traditional arguments about the unelected House, but instead focus on how certain members of the House are appointed.

These certain members would be the 26 Lords Spirituals that have a vote in the Lords. These individuals are chosen solely on their religious affiliation as Church of England bishops and not their personal acumen.

Now I understand that for the past 500 years our country has been officially a Protestant country with our head of state also being the head of the Church of England, and I have no desire to change this. However, for centuries Britain has been made up of people from all across the world and all across the religious spectrum. Iust recently London voted for its first Muslim Mayor  a triumph for representation and democracy, no matter whether you agree with Sadiq Kahns politics or not.

The issue arises when no other religious leaders in the UK have the automatic right to sit and vote in the House of Lords. This shows that this tradition is not only discriminatory, but is also damaging to the British values of fairness and equality.

The Commission on Religion and Belief in Public Life, chaired by Baroness Butler-Sloss in 2015, called for fewer Lords Spirituals in the House in order to make way for other faith leaders due to changing religious attitudes in British society. I would like to make clear that a lot of the work done by the Bishops in the Upper Chamber has been very important for example the Archbishop of Canterburys stern stance on austerity or the conflict in Syria. Despite this, though, the 26 sitting Lords Spiritual claim that they represent the views and opinions of all faiths  however if the House of Commons was made up of only white males we would not accept the claim that they spoke on behalf of all races and genders.

The UK is a nation built by a variety of races and various religions, and yet all of these other faiths are not only misrepresented but they are quite frankly ignored in terms of automatic seats in the Upper House.
Its been a staple of the hippie trail and a must-visit for backpackers for generations. But despite its longstanding popularity India has lost none of its allure, and in the 21st Century its just as mythical and enthralling as ever.

Of course its still shrouded in intrigue. Its the land of Ghandi, of painted elephants, of the Taj Mahal; of bindis and orange sellers and fuchsia saris and rickshaws careering through crowded streets at a break-neck pace. From the southern temples of Kerala to the beaches of Goa to the birthplace of Buddhism at Varanasi, its a country that dominates Asia and is home to a billion people - and its as varied and magical as it seems.

Nowhere is more contradictory, hectic, infuriating or fascinating. Come join us there in 2016  and be prepared for a whirlwind.

Where to go

The Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, in the north, is likely to be where you start your Indian adventure.

Indias most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal, is a given  and yes, seeing it with your own eyes is as impressive as you might expect.

Once youve completed your visit to the worlds most ornate death tomb, make sure you get some zen back at a lotus temple  a calming experience that only seems possible in a country thats so heavily spiritual.

If you have time once youve navigated the Golden Triangle, head east to Varanasi - one of the worlds oldest cities, which sits on the Ganges and is the widely-accepted spiritual centre of the whole country.

Next its on to the massive, hectic, coastal home of Bollywood itself, Mumbai. Aside from the glamour of a film industry bigger than Hollywood (or so weve heard) Mumbai also houses the worlds most expensive house, as well as a tropical forest... yes, in the city. Check out the UNESCO-listed Elephanta Island, the imposing Gateway of India monument, and the majestic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, an essential piece of the citys history that has been fully restored since its 2008 terror attack.

Head south to check out Kerala, stopping off halfway for some relaxing downtime in the beachside party resort of Goa. Keralas sex temples will be a highlight, as will the Thekkady wildlife refuge  where you can spend the day rock climbing and mountain biking, and the night suspended amongst the sounds of the jungle in a tree house.

What to do

Get lost in the pink city

Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, and at its heart is the Amber Fort  the 16th Century behemoth that sits high on a hill, overlooking the Maota Lake below.

The City Palace  still home to the one-time royal family  and the pink and honeycombed Hawa Mahal (pictured), the 18th Century landmark that allowed Jaipurs upper-crust ladies to look down on the streets below, will also be high points of your visit.

Wander the streets of Delhi

Busy, beautiful, infuriating, historic... Indias capital is all of these things, and more. Visit a lotus temple at sunset for some calm, and then get lost in one of the citys many gilt-laden bazaars before craning your neck to see the top of Qutb Minar (pictured), the worlds tallest minaret. Its a city where orange sellers cycle past giant glass buildings on broken bicycles and 1,000 year old men herd cattle through the streets in the shadow of skyscrapers.

From the Red Fort to Raj Ghat - the final resting place of Gandhi - to the art reflects the countrys colourful culture, its a city that surprises at every turn. Be enthralled.

Track down Indias three new World Heritage sites

Joining the coveted UNESCO list in 2016 is the Chandigarh Capitol Complex, a number of official buildings in the Punjab that demonstrate local architecture.

Also basking in their UNESCO acceptance are the Khangchendzonga National Park, in the far north of the country, close to the Nepalese border, and the nearby old Nalanda University of Bihar, a gigantic former Buddhist monastery. They might be a long way from the main cities (try 1,000km+ from Delhi) but if UNESCO is to be trusted theyre worth the pilgrimage.

Wonder at the Taj Mahal

Rudyard Kipling might have called the 17th Century death crypt built by Emperor Shah Jahan the embodiment of all things pure, but its real history is a bit less so. According to legend, Emperor Jahan rewarded the slaves who built the now iconic memorial, in memory of his dead wife... by cutting off their hands, allegedly so they could never build anything so beautiful again.

Brutal, undoubtedly. But still majestic, and still one of the most striking sights youll see in your life.

Check out the monkeys on the streets of Agra whilst youre around, too.

Blush at Keralas sex temples...

Are erotic sculptures adorning the walls of religious buildings inappropriate? Kerala cares not  in fact, the elaborately engraved sex temples that call this region home are probably one of the main reasons people visit. Because who doesnt love a naughty sculpture?

...and then get back to nature yourself with an elephant bath

Yes, thats right  you can bathe with the elephants at Keralas Kodanad Elephant Sanctuary. You can also get involved with elephant feeding and partake of an elephant safari. One for the adventurous part of our bucket list? We think so.

Learn about Sikh history at the Golden Temple of Amritsar

The Golden Temple of Amritsar is more than an entirely gilt building in the middle of a lake  in fact, its a working Sikh shrine, a pilgrimage site for visitors the world-over, and a monument offers an essential lesson in the history of one of Indias most prominent religions. Visit during a religious ceremony (5am and 9.40pm in winter; 4am and 10.30pm in summer) that sees continuous changing from the Guru Granth Sahib to experience it properly.

Eat a real curry

Think all Indian food is the same? Youve never been more wrong  in fact, the country is so gigantic and so varied in its culture that believing all Indian dishes are the same is akin to saying the whole of Europe has one cuisine. From the seafood and coconut flavours of Kerala and Goa to buttery roti and mustard seeds in Punjab, Indian food is as eclectic as it is varied. Take a cooking class wherever you happen to be and see for yourself.

Explore the river on a houseboat

If you want to see local villages and get up close and personal with Indias wildlife, you can do so with a trip down one of the countrys many rivers on a floating houseboat. A trip through the backwaters of Kerala will open your eyes to an India that is far removed from the tourist trail.

Drink in some luxury in Goa

After all that exploration, you probably need a cocktail - and a beach to drink it on. If that sounds like a good idea, Goa has you covered. Enjoy.

Tip: when youre done in India, why not hop across the Laccadive Sea for a (potentially more relaxing) visit to the tear drop island of Sri Lanka? We can advise you on that too  check out our Top Destinations for 2015: Sri Lanka piece here.
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By PTI: Washington, Jul 20 (PTI) Attention pet lovers! scientists say sika deer is the best pet you can have, contrary to popular belief that dogs, cats and bunny rabbits make the most suitable pets.

A team of animal welfare experts from Wageningen University in the Netherlands ranked 90 species of animals for a pet suitability ranking on the basis of their basic biology, needs, the danger they pose to humans and how well they actually do when kept in captivity.

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According to the research aimed at a growing trend in the Netherlands of owning exotic pets, dogs, cats and bunny rabbits are nowhere to be seen in the top 25 and the absolute best pet one can have is sika deer ? a sweet little type of deer native to Japan.

The other four animals in the top five are Agile wallaby, Tamar Wallaby, llama and Asian palm civet.

The best pet rankings are not about preference, but which pets will actually be happiest in your home and are "suitable" for keeping by anyone without special knowledge or skills.

The studys goal was to use statistical methods to determine in an "objective and nondiscriminatory" way what animals should qualify for "suitable" category, Chicago Tribune reported.

The scientists led by Paul Koene were all specialists in animal ecology, ethology, veterinary science and husbandry.

They then came up with short summaries - "oneliners" - on each animal for each of 24 behaviour and needs criteria, including their food, shelter and reproductive needs, as well as their risk to humans and other animals.

After gathering information, they then came up with short summaries - "oneliners" - on each animal for each of 24 behaviour and needs criteria, including their food, shelter and reproductive needs, as well as their risk to humans and other animals.

Two other teams of scientists reviewed those summaries and ranked the animals for pet suitability.

The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, did include the caveat that assessors judgments might be influenced by an animals ugliness or cuteness. PTI MRJ AKJ MRJ

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By PTI: verdict

New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) The fate of Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, who had disqualified nine rebel Congress MLAs including ex-Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, would be dependent on the judgement on pleas challenging his action to disqualify the lawmakers, now BJP members, the Supreme Court today said.

The caveat came in the order of the bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman which also refused to grant any interim relief to the rebel MLAs who had sought a stay on their disqualification and permission to participate in the Assembly session starting July 21 at Dehradun.

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The motion to remove the Speaker was moved by then nine rebel Congress MLAs and BJP lawmakers on March 18 and a day after, the Speaker slapped them with disqualification notices.

The bench, which also made clear that it did not intend to interfere with the business of the Assembly, said that if the motion is taken up by the House and voted upon then its fate would be "subject to adjudication" of rebels pleas against the Nainital High Court order upholding their disqualification by the Speaker.

"We are inclined to state that if the motion that was moved by the petitioners (rebel MLAs and BJP MLAs) for removal of the Speaker is taken up anytime in Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, the same shall be subject to final adjudication of the SLPs and all the issues raised in the petition including the jurisdictional issue are kept open," it said.

The rebels, also including Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, filed a plea in their pending appeal seeking a stay on the Speakers decision to disqualify them by relying on the recent historic judgement in the Arunachal Pradesh case which has held that the Speaker, facing motion for removal, cannot disqualify lawmakers who are part of the motion.

Referring to para 175 of the landmark verdict of the Supreme Court, re-installing the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, senior advocate C A Sundaram, appearing for the rebel MLAs, said that Article 179 (c) of the Constitution disentitles the Speaker against whom a resolution for removal is pending from disqualifying any member of the House. (More) PTI MNL SJK RKS SC

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The AAP chief said while some were allowed to take their cellphones inside, others, including him, were barred. "I asked the Prime Minister whether few Chief Ministers pose security threats to him," Kejriwal said.

Delhi Chief Minister said that while some CMs were allowed to take their phones inside the meeting, others were not.

By Press Trust of India: Arvind Kejriwal today alleged that a few Chief Ministers, including him, were not allowed to carry mobile phones to the the Inter-State Council meet and that he raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi wondering whether they posed a "security threat".

Kejriwal said some of the Chief Ministers were allowed to take their phones inside the meeting venue.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was among those who were barred, objected to the move.

FEW CMs POSE SECURITY THREAT TO PM?

"They made few a Chief Ministers, including me, to leave our phones outside. It was very strange. They kept phones of few Chief Ministers outside while few were allowed to take their phones inside. I raised the issue in my speech as well. I asked the Prime Minister whether few Chief Ministers pose security threats to him," Kejriwal said.

He was speaking at the launch of a book Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party, authored by Pran Kurup, his IIT Kharagpur batchmate, at the Constitution Club here.

"In fact, Mamataji protested. She said return (the phone) otherwise I will leave. She asked what if there is an emergency in West Bengal, how will people contact her then? Then they allowed her to take her phone inside. But they did not let Mamataji speak. I also had to face a lot of interferences," Kejriwal said.

WHY INVITE WHEN CENTRE DOESN'T WANT TO LISTEN?

Kejriwal wondered why they were invited in the first place if the Centre "does not want to listen to the voice of the opposition".

"Others did not protest (for not being allowed to carry their cell phones inside), maybe because they are under the threat of CBI.

The Inter-State Council meeting had taken place on Saturday last after a gap of 10 years.

Also Read:

Irrfan quizzes Arvind Kejriwal on freedom of expressionIrrfan quizzes Arvind Kejriwal on freedom of expression

Dictator who? Five times AAP members quit party blaming Kejriwal's leadership





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By PTI: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Jul 20 (PTI) At least five people were killed and five others injured when an amphibian plane hit a highway bridge near Chinas commercial capital Shanghai during its inaugural flight today, officials said.

The Cessna 208 B, carrying 10 people, was on its maiden flight from Shanghais Jinshan District to Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, when it hit the bridge around midday.

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Five people died in hospital due to their injuries.

One person with serious injuries is undergoing surgery, and four others sustained injuries, which were not life threatening, state-run Xinhua quoted a doctor at Jinshan Hospital in Fudan University.

Rescuers are retrieving the wreckage from the water.

According to Shanghai municipal government information office, the plane is owned by AVIC Joy General Aviation, an affiliate of the Aviation Industry Corp. of China.

It is the first amphibian plane operator that was approved to carry passengers in east China.

Its business scope includes medical rescue, aviation exploration, air tours, private and commercial pilot training, aviation photography, air advertising and charter flight. PTI KJVSUA AKJ SUA

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Bangkok Airways wins Worlds Best Regional Airline Skytrax award

PHUKET: Bangkok Airways has received awards for Worlds Best Regional Airline 2016 and Best Regional Airline in Asia 2016 at the Skytrax Passengers Choice Awards, decided through the worlds largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the winners.

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By The Phuket News

Wednesday 20 July 2016, 08:50AM

Bangkok Airways has received awards for Worlds Best Regional Airline 2016 and Best Regional Airline in Asia 2016 at the Skytrax Passengers Choice Awards.

The awards were presented at the Skyview Hall at the Farnborough International Airshow 2016, held south of London, England, Tuesday last week (July 12).

Capt Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, President of Bangkok Airways, commented, As a Thai national carrier, we are extremely delighted and proud to have received the awards which truly reflect a higher level of service and safety standard of Bangkok Airways.

These achievements have fully manifested our continuous commitment to strive for excellence in airline services. It is not only served as a proof of passengers recognition, but also a great encouragement to motivate us to attain even better performance.

On behalf of everyone at Bangkok Airways, I would like to thanks all the voters and most importantly - the dedication of our staffs to excel in a complete airline services. We promise to keep up with our services to provide the highest standard to underline our commitment to be Asias boutique airline, added Capt Puttipong.

Bangkok Airways has previously been awarded Worlds Best Regional Airline 2014 and Best Regional Airline in Asia 2014, and has been among the top five of Worlds Best Regional Airline and Best Regional Airline  Asia category.

The airline won Asias Best Regional Airline from 2004  2005, in 2008 and in 2009 . Bangkok Airways also won South East Asia Best Regional Airline from 2006 - 2007.

Skytrax World Airline Awards are coveted Quality accolades for the world airline industry. Travellers from across the globe take part each year in the worlds largest airline passenger satisfaction survey to decide the award winners. The World Airline Awards are a global benchmark of airline excellence, and widely known as the Passengers Choice awards.
Crystal meth found hidden in CCTV cameras

BANGKOK: Two Nigerians and a Thai woman were arrested for allegedly colluding to transport 5 kilogrammes of crystal meth (ya ice) from Guangzhou, China, to Bangkok.

crimedrugspolicetransport

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 20 July 2016, 08:37AM

A police drug squad guards two Nigerians and a Thai who were arrested after the discovery of crystal meth (ya ice) inside each CCTV camera imported from China. Photo: Pattanapong Hirunard

Speaking at a news briefing yesterday (July 19), Sirinya Sitdhichai, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), said officers detected empty CCTV cameras filled with crystal meth, worth B15 million, in a package sent to a shipping company in Bangkok on Sunday (July 17). Officers later arrested Julapan Saenweang, 35, and a Nigerian man, Muhammad Fahman Tayong, 22, who showed up to pick up the package at 1pm. The arrest led police to capture another Nigerian man, Philip Artumonye, 41, at an apartment in Watthana district. Mr Artumonyae, who came to Thailand on a tourist visa, was believed to have ordered the drugs. Mr Sirinya said the probe determined the drugs were bound for Australia, Japan and New Zealand with some destined for Thai buyers. Mr Sirinya said the package was sent from Guangzhou to Bangkok via Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Maj Gen Supakit Srijantaranon, deputy commander of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB), said African drug traffickers normally come to Thailand as tourists or language students and recruit Thais to support their illicit activities. Read original story here.
Youths held for allegedly shooting dead three rivals

SURAT THANI: Two teens were arrested today (July 20) on suspicion of shooting dead three rivals early this month.

crimedeathhomicidepoliceviolence

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 20 July 2016, 04:00PM

A teen suspect, centre, handcuffed, and another youth, are arrested and escorted by officers from a house in Surat Thani province today (July 20) for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of three rivals. Photo: Supapong Chaolan

The two youths, whose names are withheld and are aged 15 and 16, were apprehended in front of a house in Tha Thongmai in Kanchanadit district of Surat Thani province this morning.

Police, armed with search and arrest warrants, were searching the house for weapons and other evidence when the pair arrived on a motorcycle.

The arrest followed an investigation into whether the two youths had been involved in the fatal shooting of three teenagers on the night of July 3.

Surachart Torlee, 18, Veerayuth Torbai, 16 and Theerapong Tormad, 16, were shot in the chest. They were hit by bullets fired from shotguns.

Maj Gen Apichart Boonsriroj, chief of Surat Thani police, said police found that the two teenagers were involved in the shooting.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed their group had engaged in a brawl with their rival gang. They claimed the victims gang had started the attack and denied shooting dead the three teens, said Maj Gen Apichart.

Police say they have obtained sufficient evidence to substantiate the charges against them.

The suspects were held in police custody for legal action.

Read original story here.
Mehbooba Mufti has failed, as did Omar Abdullah in 2010 and since she can't stop loss of human life, her MLAs should abandon her and come back to their people. The red line of such brutal killings transcends political and ideological differences.

Forget about power and perks and take the side of people. Stop being the loyalist representatives of subjugators and murderers of people. Refuse to be the collaborators of the merchants of death whose hands are soaked in the blood of our youth and children. Dont give India a chance to use you as shield to carry out this butchery of Kashmiris.

The same applies to other pro-India loyalists the National conference and others. For once support truth! Stop the killings! Kashmiri lives matter!

Kashmiri lives matter! We the people of Kashmir declare our humanity. We have a right to live! We are being systematically and intentionally targeted for demise and being blinded.

We declare our resilience in the face of deadly oppression. Every human life matters. The sanctity of life needs to be restored. Children, Women and Youth have lost their lives and eyesight. Media have lost count of toll. It's time not to get dehumanised. Enough is enough! No more deaths! That's why people protest because human life matters, the life of our youth, women and children matter!
South Dakota high school football quarterfinal schedule and scores

The road to the DakotaDome continues tonight with 28 quarterfinal games in seven classes across South Dakota.
On the basis of the car's registration number recorded on CCTV camera and data obtained from the GPS device installed in the car, the cops tracked their location to Faridabad and arrested them with UP Police's help.

By Nitin Jain: A gang of seven Romanian nationals, allegedly involved in thefts in Jaipur and Faridabad, were nabbed by the Uttar Pradesh Police in Faridabad on Tuesday.

Aged between 25 to 40, the Romanian gang landed in Delhi on July 15, 2016, on tourist Visa.

They hired a car from a tourist car company in Delhi (for Rs 8,000 to 10,000 per day) and drove off to Jaipur. Posing as customers, they stole valued items and diamond from jewellery shops in the Pink City and came back to Delhi. But their faces and car registration number were captured on the CCTV camera installed in the shop.

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ROMANIAN GANG REACH FARIDABAD



The story doesn't end here.

On July 17, the Romanian gang reached Jawahar Colony in Faridabad and entered Taneja's garments shop. There, they were caught robbing the shop.

Meanwhile, the police in Jaipur was already behind them. On the basis of the car's registration number recorded on CCTV camera and data obtained from the GPS device installed in the car, the cops tracked their location to Faridabad and arrested them with UP police's help.

The suspects, three men and four women, were operating from a Paharganj hotel in New Delhi.

They belong to Dolj of Romania. Uttar Pradesh cops have informed the Romanian Embassy regarding their arrest.



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By PTI: Jerusalem, Jul 19 (PTI) Scientists have succeeded for the first time in sequencing the genes in 6,000-year-old barley seeds, making these the oldest plant genome to be reconstructed to date.

The 6,000-year-old Chalcolithic barley grains were retrieved from Yoram Cave in Israel, close to the Dead Sea.

Genetically, the prehistoric barley is very similar to present-day barley grown in the Southern Levant, supporting the existing hypothesis of barley domestication having occurred in the Upper Jordan Valley.

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The analysed grains, together with tens of thousands of other plant remains, were retrieved during a systematic archaeological excavation headed by Uri Davidovich, from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Nimrod Marom, from University of Haifa in Israel.

The cave is very difficult to access and was used only for a short time by humans, some 6,000 years ago, probably as ephemeral refuge, researchers said.

Most examination of archaeobotanical findings has been limited to the comparison of ancient and present-day specimens based on their morphology. Up to now, only prehistoric corn has been genetically reconstructed.

In this research, the team succeeded in sequencing the complete genome of the 6,000-year-old barley grains.

"These archaeological remains provided a unique opportunity for us to finally sequence a Chalcolithic plant genome. The genetic material has been well-preserved for several millennia due to the extreme dryness of the region," said Ehud Weiss, of Bar-Ilan University.

In order to determine the age of the ancient seeds, the researchers split the grains and subjected half of them to radiocarbon dating while the other half was used to extract the ancient DNA.

"For us, ancient DNA works like a time capsule that allows us to travel back in history and look into the domestication of crop plants at distinct time points in the past," said Johannes Krause, from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History in Jena.

The genome of Chalcolithic barley grains is the oldest plant genome to be reconstructed to date.

Wheat and barley were already grown 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent, a sickle-shaped region stretching from present-day Iraq and Iran through Turkey and Syria into Lebanon, Jordan and Israel.

Up to this day, the wild forms of these two crops persist in the region and are among the major model species studied at the Institute of Evolution in the University of Haifa.

"It was from there that grain farming originated and later spread to Europe, Asia and North Africa," said Tzion Fahima, of the University of Haifa.

The findings were published in the journal Nature Genetics. PTI MHN MRJ

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A resident of Jharkhand was booked for forging PM Narendra Modi's signature on official letters.

By Atir Khan: CBI today booked a resident from Jharkhand for allegedly forging Prime Minister Narendra Modi's signature on a letter that gives him permission to organise a classical music program on Independence Day.

Few days ago Prime Minister Office received a letter from Pandit Swaraj Kumar Roy stating that PM Modi has given him permission to perform at the Independence Day celebrations. However, no such program was planned.

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PMO then referred the matter to Central Bureau of Investigation who discovered that prime minister's signature appeared to be forged.



WHO IS SWARAJ KUMAR ROY

Pandit Swaraj Kumar Roy is a guitar lover who resides in Bokaro.

Large number of forged documents and articles relating to articles relating to forgery of the signatures of Prime Minister of India from his residence.

Roy is being put to sustained interrogation by the CBI sleuths who are trying to ascertain how many places he has sent such letters purportedly written by the Prime Minister.

CBI has registered a case against Roy and is now trying to find how many times has Roy forged Modi's signature and to what gain. The questioned documents have been sent to the Central Forensic Science Lab for detailed examination.



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With nothing but his taste buds and a yellow plate for companions, Sehgal explores the country and tells the story of several cities through food.

By India Today Web Desk: How often have you gone that extra mile just so you revel in the glory of your favourite food item? Quite a few times, we're guessing.

But for a certain Himanshu Sehgal, his love for food and the want to consume has added a whole new dimension to his life.

The New Delhi boy, who is believed to be an engineer, has a full-fledged Instagram page named My Yellow Plate dedicated to his travel and food escapades across the country.

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Also Read: This food truck in New York hires freed jail inmates, to encourage social change

With nothing but his taste buds and a yellow plate for loyal, befitting companions, Sehgal explores the country and tells the story of several cities through the food they serve.

Also Read: Food trail: Exploring street food in Agra, the city of love

A product of his sheer love for food, My Yellow Plate involves Sehgal travelling across the country with everything from exotic edible pieces of art to drool-worthy street food items adorning his bright yellow plate.

Also Read: Indian girl takes ethnic Naga cuisine to Belgium via her tribal kitchen food truck

While his aim behind My Yellow Plate is to generate awareness about the various delicacies served in the country, Sehgal's plate has sure added heaps of adventures (and food) to his life.

Here's a glimpse of some pages from Sehgal's brotherhood of the yellow travelling plate:





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In horrifying videos, a group of young boys are seen burning three puppies alive, and in another case a guy is seen shooting dogs with a gun.

By Ashish Pandey: Two fresh cases of animal brutality emerged from Hyderabad on Wednesday just weeks after the arrest of two Chennai students who threw a dog off the roof.

In the first case, a video, allegedly shot on July 16, showed five young boys burning three puppies alive.

In the horrifying footage, the boys are seen playing with the pups for sometime before they drag them by their tails and hurl them into the fire. The puppies are seen trying to crawl out from the fire before the boys push them right back into the flames. The boys had built the fire with leaves and other pieces of garbage in a graveyard in Hyderabad.

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Even more troubling is the fact that the boys chose to record the entire incident on video. The incident came to light only on Tuesday when a complainant sent it to an animal rights forum called Humane Society International (HSI).

The group approached the Musheerabad Police, who registered an FIR under Section 429 of Indian Penal Code and various other sections.

Police have now identified the children who say they committed crime 'just for fun'. After confirmation that they're all juveniles, the boys have been sent for counseling, for now.

"We gave a complaint to Musheerabad police station. They have registered a case and are investigating the case," complainant Sreya Paropkari told India Today.

NG Jaisimha, managing director of HSI India said, "Strong animal cruelty law is needed. Earlier minister of environment did nothing particular for the safety of animals. We hope the new minister Anil Madhav Dave will do something."

He also expressed hope that since Parliament is underway, leaders will sit together to come out with stricter laws to safeguard animal rights.

In a separate case, the same forum received another video from Hyderabad in which a man can be seen indiscriminately shooting at street dogs with a gun.

We are fighting a war against animal abuse and to win a big war we need a big tent where people of all kinds are welcome.Posted by Jayasimha Geethaprabhu Nuggehalli on Tuesday, 19 July 2016

The two final year MBBS students Gowtham Sudarshan and Ashish Paul - arrested for throwing a dog from the terrace of a three-storey building - were granted bail soon after their arrest. Animal rights groups across the country have expressed concerns about the lenient animal protection laws that allow people to get away with animal cruelty.

Read: Chennai: Medical students who flung dog off roof arrested, out on bail



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Sankeerth had gone to the US two and a half years ago for studying Master of Science programme and after completing the education, had joined a job in Austin three months ago.

By Indo-Asian News Service: A youth from Hyderabad was allegedly stabbed to death by his roommate in the US.

According to information reaching the family of Sankeerth (25), he was murdered in his room in Austin, Texas late on July 18.

SANKEERTH'S ROOMMATE DETAINED

Police detained Sai Sandeep Goud, one of the roommates of the victim and were questioning him.

Another roommate of Sankeerth told police that Sankeerth had a quarrel with Goud.

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Sankeerth had gone to the US two and a half years ago for studying Master of Science programme and after completing the education, had joined a job in Austin three months ago.

Goud had reportedly checked into his room early this month.

PARENTS IN SHOCK

Sankeerth's father G. Vijaykumar, a government employee and mother Ramadevi were shocked on receiving the news.

A pall of gloom descended on their house located at Badi Chowdi in Sultan Bazar.

Relatives said they were making efforts to bring home the body by the weekend.



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This capability could be used for the benefit of farming sector at regional or local scale for assessing land and crop health; extent, type and severity of damage besides issuing forewarning, post-event management and settlement of compensation under crop insurance schemes.

By Neetu Chandra Sharma: The day is not far when drones would be seen over agricultural fields, not for security, but to monitor crop and soil health. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) under a collaborative research project is developing indigenous prototype for drone based crop and soil health monitoring system using Hyperspectral Remote Sensing (HRS) sensors. This technology could also be integrated with satellite-based technologies for large scale applications.

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THE PROJECT HAS 6 PARTNER INSTITUTES

The project entitled "SENSAGRI: Sensor based Smart Agriculture" is involving six partner institutes (Agriculture & IT) to be funded by Information Technology Research Academy (ITRA), Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY), Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT) and ICAR.

"Drone technology based Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has ability for smooth scouting over farm fields, gathering precise information and transmitting the data on real time basis," Sudarshan Bhagat, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare told Lok Sabha on Tuesday. "This capability could be used for the benefit of farming sector at regional or local scale for assessing land and crop health; extent, type and severity of damage besides issuing forewarning, post-event management and settlement of compensation under crop insurance schemes," he stated.

WHAT WILL THE DRONES DO?

SENSAGRI proposes advanced proof-of-concept services i.e. yield and biomass, tillage change, irrigation and advanced crop maps. The scientists will develop algorithms and these will be developed and validated. "We are currently working on the design of customised multi-rotors for remote sensing of soil and crops. Also, we are analysing the requirement for agricultural based payload for defining the specifications of a fixed wing mini UAV. However several private firms are manufacturing similar drones but our technology will be far more advanced. The drones will capture a big area in a very less time. The mapping and analysis by drones will be done at a very low cost," said Divya Sanghi working on SENSAGRI at Delhi Technological University one of the institutes associated with the project.

"The farmer will be able to analyse his profit or loss because he will get to know the yield even before it grows. Using remote analysis to assess soil moisture and crop development has the potential to cut input costs and raise yields. The analysis done by a satellite can easily assess the vegetation cover to field level. Also Read:

Cannot bring in change without considering farmers' welfare: PM Modi

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Drones to be used to monitor this year's Amaranath Yatra



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By PTI: From Lalit K Jha

Cleveland (US), Jul 20 (PTI)Indias Ambassador to the US Arun K Singh today met top Republican party leadership and Trump Campaign officials during the ongoing Republican National Convention where the party described India as a "geopolitical ally" and strategic trading partner of the US.

Reflective of the positive sentiment about India and the commitment of the GOP leadership and Trump Campaign to strengthen India-US strategic relationship, Singh has been given the highest level of access given to a foreign diplomat during a political convention.

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Among others, Singh met the House of Representative Speaker Paul Ryan, Senator John Cornyn, Senate Majority Whip and Co-Chair India Caucus and Senator Bob Corker Chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He also met Senators Tom Cotton, and Bob Portman.

The Ambassador also addressed American Jewish Committee (AJC) at a reception.

The Indian-American leadership attending the Republican National Convention along with the community leaders in Cleveland hosted a reception for the Indian Ambassador.

Singh held meetings with Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman House Rules Committee; and Devin Nunes, Chairman of House Intelligence Committee.

He also met lawmakers Rodney Davis, Ted Yoho, Renee Ellmers, Kevin Yoder, Tom Price and Mike Turner.

The Republican platform approved by the party on the first day of the convention described India as a "geopolitical ally" and strategic trading partner of the US.

"India is our geopolitical ally and a strategic trading partner. The dynamism of its people and the endurance of their democratic institutions are earning their country a position of leadership not only in Asia but throughout the world," it said.

"We encourage the Indian government to permit expanded foreign investment and trade, the key to rising living standards for those left out of their country?s energetic economy," it said. PTI LKJ PMS

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There are 8,000 ash trees in Pointe-Claire at risk of being destroyed by the emerald ash borer, an insect from Asia that has been ravaging North America since the early 2000s, explained city spokesperson Marie-Pier Paquette-Seguin. The city is offering grants for homeowners for EAB treatment.
Taiwanese fishing boats flying national flags prepare to leave for the Taiwan-controlled Taiping Island from Taiwan's southern port city of Pingtung, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. In Taiwan - one of six sides with territorial claims in the South China Sea - eight legislators from the ruling and main opposition parties flew aboard an air force transport plane Wednesday to Taiping Island, Taiwan's sole holding in the disputed Spratly Island chain. (Central News Agency via AP)
The father of a Turkish policeman killed last during the failed military coup mourns over his son's coffin during his funeral procession, in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Turkey on Wednesday intensified a sweeping crackdown on the media, the military, the courts and the education system following an attempted coup, targeting tens of thousands of teachers and other state employees for dismissal in a purge that raised concerns about basic freedoms and the effectiveness of key institutions. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) is training its first intake of 30 women in Quranic law, constitutional law and gender rights

By Reuters: An Indian Muslim women's rights organisation is training women to be qazis, or judges, a role traditionally reserved for men, amid growing demand for more representation for women.

The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) is training its first intake of 30 women in Quranic law, constitutional law and gender rights. The year-long programme aims to produce a steady stream of female qazis across India, its co-founder said.

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The Indian constitution allows Muslims, the country's biggest religious minority, to regulate matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance through their own civil code.

The qazi, usually a hereditary title, plays an important role by solemnising marriage and finalising divorce and settlements.

ISLAMIC GLASS CEILING

"Traditionally, qazis have all been men, and their judgment has never been questioned, even if many are unfair to women," said Zakia Soman, a co-founder of BMMA in Mumbai. "But it's important to have women hear and represent women who are in a vulnerable position. Besides, there is no bar on women qazis as per the Koran," she said.

The move comes at a time of growing dissent against laws that activists say discriminate against Muslim women. A survey by BMMA last year showed more than 90 per cent of Muslim women want to end the "triple talaq" divorce tradition and polygamy.

Last month, the Supreme Court said it would examine how far it could interfere in Muslim laws, as it heard a plea to end the practice allowing Muslim men to divorce their wives by saying "talaq" three times.

INDIAN MUSLIMS

Muslims make up 13 percent of India's 1.2 billion population, yet government data show they are among some of the most excluded and marginalised communities.

The women being trained to be qazis are largely community workers and activists from states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Bihar, Soman said.

There are some female qazis in Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia.

Women qazis in India can help prevent child marriage, ensure that a woman marries willingly, and that a divorce is only granted after a period of reconciliation, and with fair terms for the woman, Soman said.

USUAL SUSPECTS OPPOSE

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, a non-governmental institution that oversees the application of Muslim personal law in the country, has criticised the female qazis.

"Women don't have the right to be a qazi," said Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, secretary of AIMPLB. "Besides, there is no need - there are enough men who are qazis. So it's completely unnecessary," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

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But female trainee Safia Akhtar said there was a need for women qazis. "There are many grave injustices against Muslim women, and we deserve a say in matters that concern us," said Akhtar in the city of Bhopal.

"If women can be prime ministers and pilots in this country, then why can't we also be qazis?" she asked.

Also Read:

Assamese daily prints 2014 photo of Indian Muslim girl performing martial arts, calls her jihadi

Eidi for Lucknow women: Muslim women allowed entry for the first time in Aishbagh Eidgah



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The government intends to push for the passage of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2014 this monsoon session.

Piyush Goel, the Minister of state for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, said the bill makes it obligatory for coal and lignite based thermal generators to produce 10 per cent of their installed capacity as renewable energy.

The government, he said, favours the idea of people being able to choose their power distributor (discom) much in the way they can choose their mobile service provider. But given the resistance to this from various state governments and discoms, the states will be asked to spell their 5-year roadmap in this direction.

Talking to the media, Goel said power production had gone up by 7.03 % in the last two years, and attributed it to energy efficiency in the sector that was plagued with the problem of many plants designed for imported coal. "India never thought we will be coal surplus, use fly ash etc" the minister said.

With 24x7 power surplus, the states were able to use the Vidyut Pravah app, and purchase power any time. If there are power cuts, it is only because the concerned state governments are not purchasing, or are diverting to certain places or sectors, he said.
Dalits in thousands came out on the streets of Gujarat on Wednesday even as Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited Mota Samadhiyala village of Una in Saurashtra region where four Dalit youths were brutally beaten up on July 11 on the alleged charges of cow slaughter.

A bandh call was been given by various dalit organisations. Protests were reported from across the state, especially Ahmedabad, the Saurashtra region and North Gujarat. In Saurashtra, caste discrimination against the dalits is much higher compared to other parts of the state.

Life in eastern part of Ahmedabad was thrown out of gear with mega rallies in different areas. City bus routes were majorly diverted. Several schools remained shut in the eastern part of the city and so did shops and business establishments, while Ahmedabads western part remained unaffected.

The chief minister along with two of her senior colleagues in the government and chief secretary G.R. Aloria spent quite some time listening to the victims and their families. She also visited the victims who are undergoing treatment at the Rajkot Civil Hospital.

The victims broke down on seeing the chief minister at their doorstep. The youths have maintained that they had only skinned dead cows. After listening to the victims carefully, the CM later told news channels that the state government would provide financial help to the families for constructing houses. She also informed that dalit children studying in Class V and above would be enrolled for free in model schools managed by the government.

The villagers complained to the chief minister that they were getting threat calls on their mobiles. Patel took note of the numbers from which they got threat calls and asked the district collector and the SP to investigate the matter.

Despite the chief minister's appeals for peace since Tuesday, there seems to have been no effect.

The CID Crime has been asked to investigate the matter and so far 16 persons have been arrested. Four policemen, including a police inspector, have been suspended.

The government issued a press release listing out the measures it had taken after the incident. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal are expected to visit Gujarat by the weekend.
Ten CRPF commandos belonging to Combat Battalion for Resolute Action were killed Monday night in serial IED blasts carried out by CPI(Maoist) extremists in Chakarbanda-Dumarinala forested area of Aurangabad district of Bihar.

Speaking to THE WEEK, CRPF DG K. Durga Prasad said at least 340 improvised explosive devices blew up the contingent. The commandos were working on a joint operation with the Bihar police to bust a Maoist gathering in the dense forested areas of Chakarbanda in the naxal-infested district.

Prasad had served as the inspector-general in charge of the then newly-formed anti-Maoist unit (CoBRA) in CRPF in 2008. Before his stint in COBRA, he was chief of the elite greyhounds unit in Andhra Pradesh at a time when the Maoists were wiped out from the state. Prasad later went on to become chief of the Special Protection Group, taking care of Prime Minister's security during the UPA tenure. When the Modi government came to power, he was removed as SPG boss and months later given the critical task of heading the CRPF at a time when the NDA government wants to emulate the "greyhound example" to crack down on the naxal menace in the country in next few years.

The fatal attack by the banned outfit has exposed glaring gaps in the intelligence gathering system as initial reports revealed that the COBRA team walked unawares into the trap laid by the Maoists. "We had no clue that the area was mined," said a top official who was coordinating the operations.

What failed to catch the eye of the intelligence unit of the Bihar police was the presence of a 12km-long mined stretch alongside Dumarinalaathe route taken by the COBRA unit. The encounter happened when the commandos were moving from one hill to another in the forest near Dumarinala.

Prasad on Tuesday took a special flight from New Delhi to reach the spot. The CRPF chief said that though there were more explosions later, all casualties occurred during the first blast. Sources in the Home Ministry revealed that the evacuation exercise took time as the choppers could not land immediately because of the thick forest cover and Maoist firing till evening.

Combing operations have been launched by security forces to flush out the Maoists, the sources said, and additional forces are being deployed in inter-state border areas.

The attack has come as a wake-up call for the Union and state governments. Clearly, the banned CPI(Maoist) remains as potent a threat as ever. Officials overseeing anti-Naxal operations being carried out jointly by states and central paramilitary forces lamented that Bihar has been a problem state as far as Maoist insurgency is concerned. While the Nitish Kumar government has talked of its 'development first' strategy to weed out the Naxal problem, Home Ministry officials said the state was lagging behind in tackling the naxal threat effectively.

Sources revealed that the Central forces had been highlighting the need to tackle the IED threat citing an increase in Maoistsa expertise in manufacturing and laying IEDs. "A soft approach to the Maoist problem cannot yield results. A two-pronged strategy of security and development has to be adopted. Any let up in the anti-naxal operations will spell trouble in areas where the Maoists have a strong presence," an official said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to take stock of the situation and offered central assistance.
A senior BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh on Wendesday stoked a major row by making derogatory remarks against BSP Chief Mayawati that drew severe condemnation from parties while an embarrassed BJP expressed regret but furore over the issue forced adjournment of Rajya Sabha for the day.

"Mayawati is breaking the dream of Kanshi Ram into pieces. Mayawati is selling tickets like...," BJP Vice President Dayashankar Singh told reporters in Mau.

"Mayawati gives tickets for Rs 1 crore and if there is someone who can give Rs 2 crore than she sells it for Rs 2 crore within an hour. If someone is ready to give Rs 3 crore by the evening, she gives the ticket to him," Singh alleged.

"She is even worse than.... The BSP workers, who are in BSP since Kanshi Ram's days are deserting the party," said Singh, who was in Mau for the first time after becoming party vice president to meet party workers this morning.

Singh's remarks drew severe flak from members in the Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson P.J. Kurien saying that the House wants the government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his "unforgivable" comments.

There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMK's Kanimozhi, Congress' Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of CPI(M) and Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP and demands were made for action against him.

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley got up to offer regret on behalf of the party and said the remarks were highly condemnable.

"It is highly condemnable that a political leader uses such words against a prominent woman leaders. I regret the use of such words and will ensure that the matter is taken up by the concerned. I personally express regret to Mayawatiji and we are with you on the issue of protecting dignity," Jaitley said.

A visibly agitated Mayawati, who was present in the House, thanked Jaitley and all other members for their condemnation of Singh's remarks but demanded that BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah discuss the matter, expel Singh from the party and take action against him.

She said mere expression of regret will not suffice and added, "His (Singh's) remarks apply for his sister and daughter and not for me. The whole country will not forgive BJP... people will come on the streets."

Mayawati said the remarks by the BJP leader reflected the "capitalistic mindset" and asserted that never in her political career had she used any derogatory or personal remarks against her adversaries or questioned their character though there could be idealogical differences.

The BSP chief said she represented the most oppressed and exploited people of the country and had dedicated her whole life to them. She said the BSP always collected funds from the poor to carry forward the movement started by Kanshi Ram so that it does not have to rely on capitalists.

"On my birthday, I have told my supporters not to give me any expensive gifts like gold and jewelery but make economic contributions to the party," she said.

Mayawati attacked the BJP, saying it was jittery by BSP and its anti-dalit mindset has been exposed as it has still not sacked a minister who had compared dalits to dogs, an apparent reference to Minister of State V K Singh.

As the uproar over the issue continued, the Deputy Chairperson adjourned the House till Thursday.

BSP MP S.C. Mishra said that the party will carry forward the issue and take legal action against Singh for his utterances under the SC/ST Act as they do not expect the government to take any action in this regard. "We will drag him to court," he said outside Parliament.

Later in Ballia, Dayashankar Singh sought to do damage control saying it was a slip of tongue.

"Mayawati is a big leader and came from a small family. I did not want to hurt anyone. I regret the slip of tongue. I never meant to hurt the dignity of anyone," he said.
The curfew imposed by the authorities and a protest shutdown called by separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day on Wednesday.

Police said the curfew will continue in most parts of the Valley as precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

"No major clash occurred anywhere in the Valley on Tuesday and the situation remained generally calm," a senior police officer said in Srinagar.

After the state government conveyed to the editors of local newspapers through Amitabh Mattoo, Advisor to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, that there was no ban on publication, the editors on Tuesday sought written assurance from the government to resume publication.

The Valley went without any newspaper for the 5th day on Tuesday.

Srinagar District Magistrate Farooq Ahmad Lone said there was no ban order by him on newspaper publication.

The editors have said they will meet again in the afternoon to decide future course of action.

Internet connectivity on all mobile phones remained suspended for the ninth day in the Valley on Wednesday.

Calling facility on mobile phones has also remained suspended during this period except for limited calling facility on post-paid mobile phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

After remaining closed because of the killings of three civilians in army firing during protest in Qazigund area, the Jammu-Sringar National Highway was restored for limited traffic during the night.

Trucks carrying supplies of essential goods and vehicles carrying Amarnath yatris, who had been stranded on the highway, were cleared during the night.

Three civilian protesters, including two women, were killed on Monday in army firing when mob attacked an army patrol party.

The army has regretted the incident and ordered a probe to ascertain whether the standard operating procedure (SOP) was violated by the soldiers, so that the responsibility is fixed and the guilty are punished.

Meanwhile, train services between Baramulla town in the Valley and Banihal in Jammu region also remained suspended for the 13th day on Wednesday.

All normal activities of life have been paralysed by the ongoing cycle of violence that has claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen.

Marriages scheduled during this period have been cancelled causing inconvenience to hundreds of families.

The violence started on July 9, a day after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces along with two of his associates in Kokernag area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
The heart of a class 10 student, who was declared brain-dead after an accident, was transported to Lisie hospital in Kochi to save a woman suffering from a rare heart disease through a heart transplant surgery.

By India Today Web Desk: Vishal, a 15-year-old from Trivandrum, became a victim of a hit-and-run in Thiruvananthapuram last Saturday. The class 10 student was declared brain-dead on Monday.

200 km away, in Kochi, was Sandhya, a 27-year-old suffering from a rare disease where her heart failed after a delivery, had been waiting for a matching heart donor. Sandhya was admitted to Kochi's Lisie Hospital as a heart transplant patient since that was the only option available to save her life, reports Mathrubhumi.

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DONOR'S HEART AIRLIFTED

After Vishal's parent's consent, the Indian Navy's air ambulance airlifted his heart from Thiruvananthapuram to Kochi for a heart transplantation surgery.

The swift transportation of the harvested heart by air was made possible by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan who ensured the recipient recieves the heart on time.

Photo: Twitter@indiannavy

The Indian Navy provided timely assistance and it was a Naval Dronier that was used to fly a team of doctors with Vishal's heart to Kochi. The team was flown back to Thiruvananthapuram as well.



SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

Sandhya underwent a successful heart transplantation surgery. Vishal's heart now pumps life in her body. Dr Jose Chacko Periyapuram led the surgery at Kochi's Lisie hospital.

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In 1985, the Supreme Court nudged the government to bring in the Uniform Civil Code. The context was the Shah Bano case, which brought the Muslim personal laws into debate and also gave rise to a huge controversy that culminated in the Parliament passing a law to overturn the courts order that dealt with the issue of maintenance for Muslim women post-divorce. While the debate on the UCC was a by-product of the episode, at the centre of it was the issue of the rights of Muslim women.

Over three decades later, there is a renewed debate on whether a common civil code should be put in place for laws governing marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance and adoption. It is again the Supreme Court that has nudged the government on it, and yet again, it is the Muslim woman who is at the centre of the issue.

The Centre recently asked the Law Commission to prepare a report on the implementation of UCC, and it has cited the apex courts directions to it in this regard. And the context in which this is happening is the SC deciding to test the Muslim personal law against the touchstone of Constitution and check if it violates the fundamental rights of Muslim women. The court has done this as it has decided to hear the pleas of two Muslim women  Shayara Bano and Afreen Rehman  against Triple Talaq.

Former Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas said that UCC was actually a by-product of fundamental rights as spelt out in Article 14, which makes it clear that the state shall not deny any person equity before law and equal protection of the laws. In this background, the question is whether women belonging to the Muslim community are being protected against denial of Article 14.

Thomas further said that Article 15 prohibits the state against any discrimination against citizens on the grounds of religion and also sex, and also pointed out that Article 13 states that all laws, including any customary law, shall be void if it is inconsistent with fundamental rights.

Those who oppose the UCC say that it would violate the freedom of faith, guaranteed by Article 25 of the Constitution, which gives every citizen the right to follow his or her own religion, culture and customs. However, Thomas said all religious freedoms are subject to fundamental rights.

Those treading the middle ground say that while UCC is desirable and is mandated by the Constitution, it may not be practically feasible in a country like India. It is a desirable thing to have from the Constitutional point of view. But in practical terms, it is not possible. It is a desirable goal spelt out in the Constitution, but there will be a lot of opposition to it, said senior Supreme Court Advocate Lalit Bhasin.

Bhasin said much would depend on what view the SC takes as it deals with the issue of Muslim personal laws while hearing the petitions against Triple Talaq.

Meanwhile, Muslim religious representatives continue to be opposed to UCC, saying they doubt the intentions of the BJP government and also feel that the court is wrongly interpreting the Muslim personal laws.

Abdul Hamid Nomani of the Jamiat Ulema i-Hind said it was a ploy of the Sangh to homogenise the culture and rituals of all. It is an election stunt. It is a social and Constitutional matter that is being sought to be turned into an election issue by political parties, he said.

Nomani said the courts have wrongly interpreted personal laws through the prism of Article 14, that deals with the fundamental rights of citizens. It is not a matter for the courts to decide. It is for the the state and for the community to decide, he said.

Representatives of Muslim women say that while they want practices such as Triple Talaq and polygamy to be banned, they are not in favour of a common civil code. We want reform in the Muslim laws. We want codified Muslim law. We are demanding what the women of other communities have got a long time back, said Noorjehan Safia Niaz, founder of Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan.

Niaz also said that there was an apprehension that in the garb of UCC, the Hindu Code Bill would be thrust upon other communities. You also need to ask the Hindus if they are willing to give up the Hindu Code, she said.

The UCC could well continue to be a mirage.
Efforts are being made to secure release of priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil who has been abducted in war-torn Yemen but such attempts take time, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Lok Sabha on Weednesday, while asking members to "keep faith" in the government.

Swaraj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established in Yemen where India does not have an Embassy of its own.

Picture posted on father Tom Uzhunnalil's Facebook page

The issue was raised by members from Kerala who said disturbing pictures of Fr Uzhunnalil were appearing in the social media.

Father Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was abducted in March by terror group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden. At least 15 people at the old-age home were killed in the attack.

Swaraj said it takes more time to secure release of the people who are held captive and asked the members to keep "faith" in government's efforts to trace the abducted priest.

"Abduction of Father Tom Uzhunnalil is a matter of grave concern for us. Yemen is a war-torn country. We do not have Embassy there but we are looking for ways to reach him. Not only me, but the Prime Minister during his overseas visits has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established with Yemen," the minister said.

She said the government is also trying to ascertain the authencity of the images of Fr Uzhunnalil which have appeared in social media.

"It is taking time, but keep faith on us... We bring back stranded people fast, but it takes time to bring back those who are held captive. We will bring back Fr Tom Uzhunnalil," Swaraj said.
A UP court on Tuesday directed registration of a criminal case against search engine giant Google and its top officials for listing Prime Minister Narendra Modi among the top 10 criminals in the world.

The Allahabad district court issued notice to Googles chief executive officer Sundar Pichai and its India head on a complaint filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Mishra. The court will now hear the case on August 31.

Mishra, in his complaint, argued that Modi's image appeared among the results of an image search on the 'top 10 criminals of the world' on Google. He said though he had written a letter to the California-based company, he received no response.

Mishra had first moved the Chief Judicial Magistrate court which rejected his petition saying that it was a civil matter.

Modi's image in the search alongside images of terrorists, murderers and dictators had created a social media storm last year prompting the tech giant to issue an apology. Google, in a statement, had said that its search function worked on algorithms and that it was trying to improve them.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, lawyer Ram Jethmalani, fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt were also figured in the top criminals list.
Notorious criminal Aadu Antony has been sentenced to life imprisonment in a case where he murdered police constable Maniyan Pillai during a vehicle check.

Aad Antony in different avatars

The court has also sentenced him to five years imprisonment for other offences along with a fine of Rs 4.45 lakhs. Antony was charged under five sections including murder and forgery of documents.

Antony Varghese, aka Aad Antony, 53, had a soft spot for women. He married not less than 14 times, leaving behind a chain of crushed families. On July 20, the Kollam district court proclaimed him guilty of killing a policeman in 2012.

Antony met most of his wives through matrimonial ads in newspapers. He selected women with little income, swived them, and abandoned them. Women who tried to resist his charms were won over with stolen gold and other valuables. He fathered eight sons in his dalliances with women across Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

A hardened criminal, Antony was expert at deceiving people. He lived in different names in different localities, and was once known for stealing goats, and thats how he got the name Aad, the Malayalam for goat. Later, he specialised in stealing electronic goods and home appliances and was involved in more than 200 cases of robbery, burglary, murder and, of course, fake marriages.

Bindu, a widow with two children, was one of Antonys wives. When he met me, he told me that he was an orphan. He assured me that he would look after my children and me well, said Bindu, who hails from Gopalapuram on the outskirts of Palakkad. She never suspected Antony. He used to go out to work at 10am, and come back the next day at the same time. Her father, Sridharan Nair, said, I was not in favour of their relationship. I went with them to Rameshwaram and saw them constantly fight. It was here that Antony abandoned Bindu once and for all.

Shaila from Wayanad, Susan and Sreekala from Ernakulam, Viji from Kozhikode and Girija from Kollam were some of Antonys other wives. Sreekala, in fact, is the daughter of Susan from an earlier marriage. Said Sreekala to a TV channel, weeping, My mother [Susan] and he [Antony] have cheated me all these years. Susan, it seems, was the closest to Antony and lived in a flat in Thiruvananthapuram, where Antony used to meet her once in a while. He [Antony] used to travel across the country using fake names, Susan told the police in 2013.

On June 6, 2012, the police intercepted a van driven by Antony in the early hours of the day. While they were checking the vehicle, Antony attacked them and stabbed assistant sub-inspector Joy and constable Maniyan Pillai. Pillai later succumbed to his injuries. In October 2015, after much searching, the police arrested Antony in Palakkad. Said deputy superintendent of police M.L. Sunil Kumar, After we tracked him near Palakkad, we sent a lady constable to stay with Antonys wife in their home. In a few days, the constable helped us to catch him. The then home minister of Kerala, Ramesh Chennithala, announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh to the 18-member police team led by Sunil Kumar. I am happy with the court verdict, said Sunil Kumar.

Said Chennithala, to THE WEEK: I am extremely happy to know that Antony has been convicted by the court. As home minister, in 2015, I had taken personal interest in the case and wanted the police to nab Antony fast. They did just that. I would like to congratulate all the police officers involved in the operation once again.

Antonys lawyer Muhammed Nahaz said, We will go in appeal to the High Court. Antony has been falsely accused.

Antony grew up in Kundara, Kollam. His mother was a fisherwoman. She persuaded Antony to go to the Gulf, but he returned all too soon, much to her dismay.

Loknath Behera, director general of police, told THE WEEK: Antony was a thoroughly professional criminal. It was a real task nabbing him. I am happy with the effort that the Kerala Police has put in. I dont think he will ever come out of jail.
...with his live performance, of course. The boy who rose from the slums of Mumbai is now going to get Dubai residents grooving to his beats.

By India Today Web Desk: Remember the risen-from-the-earth Indian rapper who shot the entire video for his song on an iPhone? Yes, we're talking about Divine, the Indian rapper who also went on to win a GiMA with Nucleya recently.

Now, Divine is all set to enthral his fans in Dubai, on July 22. He will debut in Dubai at the famous nightclub, The Music Room.

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"I am very excited and totally looking forward to be performing for the first time in Dubai. This set will also include the renowned Jai Row Kavi with his magic on the drums in addition to Spin Doctor on the turntables and Joel D'souza doing the hyping business," Divine told IANS.

Anyone who has been following the rapper--or watching his videos--knows that he's risen from the slums of Mumbai, which is precisely what he likes documenting through his music. Divine attracted a lot of attention with his 2013 release, Yeh Mera Bombay, which went viral on various Indian radio stations.

The boy also made it the Rolling Stone Magazine last year, thanks to his single, Meri Galli Mein, being termed the 'Best Video of 2015'.

Divine was awarded Best New Artist 2015 by iTunes and Apple Music in India and as one of the top six artistes to watch out for in 2016 by the BBC Asian Network.

(With inputs from IANS)

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Dr. Chaim Waxman, Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Jewish Studies at Rutgers University and Chairman of Behavioral Science at Hadassah College, delivered an electrifying presentation at the Center for Kehillah Development in which he revealed new findings that Orthodox drop- out rates are falling and retention rates are rising. Increasingly, Orthodox Jews are choosing to remain Orthodox, he told the crowd of avreichim at the CKD. After a decade of dire alarms over Orthodox drop-outs, trends have changed and Orthodoxy now has the highest retention rate of any denomination, followed by the Reform and then the Conservative.

Describing Orthodoxy as the most vibrant of the movements, Dr. Waxman said that the Orthodox community is going to increase in size dramatically in coming years for many reasons. It is not just that more Orthodox are remaining Orthodox, he explained, It is also that Orthodox birthrates far outpace those of every other Jewish denomination. His research indicates that Chassidishe Jew have 12 times as many children as the non-Orthodox, and even the Modern Orthodox have 4 times the number of children as the non-Orthodox. They are a community on the rise, Dr. Waxman observed.

According to Rabbi Leib Kelemen, founder of the CKD, this sudden growth in Orthodoxy requires urgent action. Read the handwriting on the wall, he said. Unless we help talmidei chochomim who havent yet taken leadership positions increase their knowledge of psak and communal leadership skills, the existing rabbonim could be overwhelmed by their growing communities and the growing number of new communities. Rabbi Kelemen said that some rabbonim already feel challenged to give enough personal attention to every member of their kehillos, and the ongoing Orthodox success-story could make instances like these more common. Rabbi Kelemen also warned that the need for a lot of rabbonim could tempt us to place people with weaker backgrounds into rabbinic positions, while the responsible strategy would be to help the biggest talmidei chochomim get the background and skills they need to assume communal leadership. We have giants in Torah who have tremendous maalos and beautiful middos, Rabbi Kelemen said, and many would be excited to take responsibility for the Klal. This is precisely the mission CKD has accepted  in Rabbi Kelemens words: To give chashuve avreichim the time and training they need to become quality leaders. Rabbi Kelemen said that CKD is currently accepting applications for their five-year learning fellowship, and he encourages qualified talmidei chochomim to apply at www.c4kd.org.

Dr. Waxman also shared data suggesting that the yeshivishe world is not just among the fastest growing, but also in some ways the most spiritually strong. When asked, How important is religion in your life?, 82.8 percent of the Ultra-Orthodox said Very Important compared to 77.4 percent of Modern Orthodox 44.3 percent of the Conservative, and only 17.2 percent of the Reform. When asked How certain are you about your belief in God?, 91.9 percent of the Ultra-Orthodox answered Absolutely Certain, compared to 87.4 percent of the Modern Orthodox, 47.5 percent of the Conservative, and 39.6 percent of the Reform.

In an astounding projection, Dr. Waxman indicated that current data suggest the possibility that the majority of all Jews in the world will live in Israel within less than 20 years. If that were realized it would be the first time this has happened since the destruction of Bayis Sheni. He pointed out that this could have major repercussions in halachah.

Dr. Waxman concluded his talk to the CKD avreichim by encouraging them to remain aware of trends in Jewish sociology: You are going to lead Jewish communities, and in that role you will need to know what is happening both inside and outside the Orthodox community.
Authorities said Monday that police officers were clearly targeted and ambushed in this weekends shooting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which killed three officers and wounded three others. Its the latest such ambush in the United States, and happened just 10 days after five police officers in Dallas were gunned down.



July 7: A gunman in Dallas opened fire on police officers working at a protest about recent killings by police of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana. The attacker, Micah Johnson, killed five officers and wounded nine others and two civilians before police killed him with a robot-delivered bomb when negotiations failed. Authorities say Johnson, who was black, told negotiators he wanted to kill as many white police officers as he could. It was the deadliest day for American law enforcement since September 11, 2001.



Dec 28, 2015: Officer Guarionex Candelario Rivera showed up unannounced at his police station in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and fatally shot three fellow officers. Candelario, a 19-year police veteran, killed Lt. Luz Soto Segarra, Cmdr. Frank Roman Rodriguez and policewoman Rosario Hernandez De Hoyos. Candelario was shot twice but survived.



May 9, 2015: Two Hattiesburg, Mississippi, police officers, Benjamin Deen and Liquori Tate, were shot to death during a traffic stop. Three suspects were later arrested.



Dec 20, 2014: Two New York City police officers, Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, were ambushed and shot to death in their vehicle without warning by a man who approached the passenger window of their marked police car. The suspect, 28-year-old Ismaaiyl Brinsley, then fatally shot himself. Brinsley was black; the officers were Asian and Hispanic, police said. The shooting came amid heightened tensions between law enforcement and minority communities.



September 12, 2014: A survivalist ambushed two Pennsylvania state troopers outside of a police barracks late at night, killing Cpl. Bryon Dickson and wounding Trooper Alex Douglass. Suspect Eric Frein led authorities on a 48-day manhunt through the heavily wooded Pocono Mountains before U.S. marshals captured him at an abandoned airplane hangar. He has pleaded not guilty.



June 8, 2014: A man and a woman ambushed two police officers eating lunch at a Las Vegas pizza restaurant, fatally shooting them before fleeing to a nearby Wal-Mart where they killed a third person and then themselves in an apparent suicide pact. Officers Alyn Beck and Igor Soldo died.



Aug. 28, 2010: Two police officers were ambushed in a tiny Alaskan village of Hoonah before a SWAT team and dozens of other law officers surrounded a house where the gunman took refuge. Officers Tony Wallace and Matt Tokuoka died after the shooting. Hoonah resident John Marvin Jr. was captured and charged in the deaths.



May 20, 2010: Two West Memphis, Arkansas, police officers doing anti-drug work were shot to death by two men wielding AK-47s along a busy Arkansas interstate. Sgt. Brandon Paudert and Officer Bill Evans died at a nearby hospital. The suspects were later killed in a shootout that injured the local sheriff and a deputy at a crowded Wal-Mart parking lot.



Nov. 29, 2009: Four police officers were shot and killed in an ambush in a coffee shop in Lakewood, Washington, by ex-convict Maurice Clemmons. Killed were officers Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards. Clemmons was shot and killed by police after a two-day manhunt.



Jan. 13, 1998  University of Nevada, Reno Police Sgt. George Sullivan is ambushed and attacked with a hatchet while doing paperwork in his squad car. Siaosi Vanisi is later convicted and sentenced to death for Sullivans slaying. Witnesses testified at Vanisis trial that he stalked Sullivan after repeatedly telling friends and relatives that he wanted to kill a police officer.



Dec. 31, 1972, and Jan. 7, 1973: Mark James Essex, a member of the Black Panthers who was discharged from the Navy for going AWOL, kills nine people in New Orleans, including five police officers, in two sniper attacks. Essex is shot more than 200 times by police sharpshooters on Jan. 7. Authorities find the walls of his apartment covered in anti-white graffiti.



April 6, 1970: Career criminals Bobby Davis and Jack Twinning kill four California state troopers in a four-minute gunbattle in Los Angeles County. Twinning kills himself when authorities surround a house where he is holding a hostage; Davis is soon arrested and, almost three decades later, kills himself at Kern State Prison.



Oct. 30, 1950: Members of a nationalist party seeking to overthrow the government of Puerto Rico shoot and kill eight police officers in San Juan, including Chief Aurelio Miranda-Rivera. The revolt is put down by the U.S. military, the FBI and the CIA.



Jan. 2, 1932: Six officers from two Missouri agencies are killed as they surround a house where two suspects wanted in the murder of a Greene County marshal are holed up. The suspects flee to Texas and kill themselves when authorities track them down.

(AP)
Torah Connections, a Flatbush-based group will offer an awesome series of four chizuk lectures to the public on the fast day of Shiva Asar BTammuz, this coming Sunday, July 24 th at the Yeshiva of Brooklyn (Boys Division), 1200 Ocean Parkway on the corner of Avenue L.

The program will focus on the challenge of Finding Meaning in the Three Weeks from Shiva Asar BTammuz through Tisha BAv when the Jewish nation mourns the destruction of our Batei Mikdash and other related national tragedies such as the Crusades and Churban Europe.

The Kinos will begin with a talk at 3 P.M. by Rabbi Avrohom Schorr, the Rav of Beis Medrash Nezer Gedalyahu in Flatbush. Rabbi Dovid Orlofsky, internationally renowned speaker from Yerushalayim will offer his insights at 4 P.M. At 5 P.M. Rabbi Mordechai Becher, Senior Lecturer at Gateways will address the audience on how to make the Three Weeks more meaningful. Rabbi Ron Yitzchok Eisenman, Rav of Congregation Ahavas Yisroel in Passaic will deliver divrei chizuk at 6 P.M. The program will conclude with Mincha and participants are requested to bring their own siddurim.

The program is open to men and women with separate seating. An elevator is available and admission is $10 per person regardless of how many lectures one comes for. There will be a maximum charge of $25 per any one family. Torah Connections will also be organizing its Annual Tisha BAv Program also at the same Yeshiva of Brooklyn location on Motzei Shabbos, August 13 and Sunday, August 14.

The Program will be broadcast live here on YeshivahWolrd. The online broadcast is sponsored in part by Hindy and Kevin Chorney and Mr. and Mrs. Simcha Ezra Valberg.





For more information please visit TorahPrograms.com.

This program and the upcoming Tisha Bav program are made possible by generous sponsorships and donations. To become a partner in these endeavors, please call (718) 998-5822 or visit the donation page at TorahPrograms.com.
Mrs. Edva Biton, whose daughter Adele HYD died as a result of a rock-throwing attack, gave birth this week to a boy, her sixth child.

Adele was critically injured in a car accident in 2013 that resulted from her mother veering out of control when her vehicle was bombarded with stones in the Shomron, near Ariel. Little Adele fought to survive and was then moved to a rehabilitation institute, but she suffered serious neurological damage from the accident and died in February 2015.

Speaking to the daily Yisrael Hayom, Mrs. Biton explained I felt like Adele was there with me during birth, a time of Divine assistance with Adele making sure everything would be okay.

She added that during her fight to survive, Adele touched the hearts of the entire nation, exhibiting amazing strength, so as far as she is concerned, Whats it for her to come and assist her mother from time-to-time, stating with certainty she felt her in the room during delivery.

Mrs. Biton added the birth is yet another proof that her family and Am Yisrael will continue despite the enemies that rise against us.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
An El Al Boeing 777 chartered by Nefesh BNefesh arrived at Ben-Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv on Tuesday 13 Tammuz carrying 218 new immigrants from 17 US states, and two Canadian provinces to Israel to begin their new lives as Israeli citizens. The flight was facilitated in cooperation with Israels Ministry of Aliyah & Immigrant Absorption, The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, and JNF-USA.

The flights passengers included a diverse mix of Olim from 17 US states and two Canadian provinces, including former servicemen from three different US Armed Forces units, families of all sizes, young professionals and others.

A festive ceremony took place for the newcomers at Ben-Gurion Airport, to welcome the new olim to their new home. Notable guests at the ceremony included: Minister of Aliyah & Immigrant Absorption, Sofa Landver; Chairman of the Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption & Diaspora Affairs, MK Avraham Neguise; Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Natan Sharansky; World Chairman of KKL-JNF, Danny Atar; and Founders of Nefesh BNefesh, Rabbi Yehoshua Fass and Tony Gelbart.

We are celebrating today the Aliyah of hundreds of new olim who will begin their lives in the Jewish State, many of whom are modern-day pioneers moving to Israels North and South, said Nefesh BNefesh Co-Founder and Executive Director Rabbi Yehoshua Fass. The thousands of Jews that will be returning to their homeland from the Diaspora over the course of this year are an inspiration to us all in helping to spearhead the future of the State of Israel.

Todays planeload of olim is the first of two charters, which, along with nine group aliyah flights and olim arriving independently on a daily basis, will bring 2,000 olim making aliyah through Nefesh BNefesh this summer. Since 2002, Nefesh BNefesh, together with its partners, has brought nearly 50,000 Olim to Israel from the US, Canada and the UK.

On behalf of myself and the Ministry of Aliyah & Immigrant Absorption, I want to welcome all the new olim to Israel. In recent years, the Ministry has invested a great number of resources into aliyah and we see North American immigration as a wonderful asset to the country  one that provides strength both economically and on a nationalistic level, stated Minister of Absorption Sofa Landver. Our office provides a smooth absorption process and ensures that every new oleh will receive the utmost personal attention in order to quickly integrate into Israeli society. Especially now, as global terrorism raises its head, it is not a given that a person will decide to leave his home and settle somewhere new, but as Jews, we know that we always have a home waiting for us  the State of Israel.

The immigrants arriving from the United States and Canada are coming not out of distress but rather out of excitement to take part in the largest national project of the Jewish people, said Chairman of the Jewish Agency for Israel, Natan Sharansky. We must ensure that the State of Israel remains a place in which every Jew feels at home, a place that ignites Jews imagination and strengthens their identity and security.

Photo: A chartered Nefesh BNefesh flight lands in Ben-Gurion with 218 North American Olim

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem/Photo: Shahar Azran)
A criminal indictment was field against a female schnorrer who made her living at the Kosel. For reasons that remain a mystery, the case against her is being handled with a tenacious determination. She was indicted in the Jerusalem Magistrate Court about two years ago leaving many questioning what the city wants from the 64-year-old mother of eleven, who earns a living collecting tzedaka.

Persons who know the woman explain she has no criminal past, suffers from chronic depression, and all said and done, earns about NIS 20-25 a day collecting. So who is she bothering?

The indictment lists six different cases in which she broke the law, in which she solicited money at a holy site by outstretching her arm requesting tzedaka, explaining this is a violation of the law at a holy site. The indictment points out she worked in the ezras noshim, collected funds, which she kept for herself.

S has had a difficult life and in addition to the criminal charges against her, she RL lost a daughter at a young age while three others were stricken with a rare illness. A motion was filed on her behalf with the prosecution to delay the case, which is tantamount to forgetting the case, but the prosecution is determined to see it through, unwilling to show a measure of compassion. As a result, she faces six months imprisonment despite explaining I come to the Kosel to daven and not just to request money S told Ynet, but her pained voice has gone unheard. She added there were schnorrers at the Beis Hamikdash too since giving tzedaka is a big mitzvah.

S told Ynet she has medical issues and take 15 pills daily, and her economic reality is a difficult one too. The request to have legal proceedings against her dropped included an accurate picture of her difficult life, but it appears the prosecution cannot excuse this heinous crime.

Attorney Daniel Merksy is representing S, explaining for years she davened daily at the Kosel and then she collected a few shekels before heading home. Mersky expresses astonishment over the fact she was actually taken to a police station for her law-breaking activities. He questions the wisdom of prosecuting such a case, wondering if there are not more important cases demanding the systems attention.

When asked to comment, the prosecutors office explains the case is being handled in line with the law for such violations. The statement adds While the circumstances surrounding the life of the accused are tragic, they are not reason to postpone moving ahead with the case.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
The Air Forces two-year-old bombing campaign against the Islamic State had its second-largest month ever in June, dropping 3,167 weapons, Air Force officials disclosed Tuesday.

It marks just the third time the Air Force has dropped more than 3,000 weapons in a single month in the campaign. The others occurred in November and December 2015 as U.S. forces supported a grueling effort to take back the Iraqi city of Ramadi from the militants.

The latest spike came as the coalition supported efforts to take back Fallujah in Iraq and Manbij in northern Syria. Notably, U.S. forces joined with the Iraqi military June 28 to destroy more than 500 vehicles that militants were suspected of using to flee Fallujah.

Those strikes came under scrutiny when it was disclosed a few days later that air support assigned to aid U.S.-backed Syrian rebels in the border town of Bukamal was shifted instead to take out the convoy leaving Fallujah. The rebels were forced to retreat under fire, and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter later called the operation in Syria a missed opportunity, while defending decisions made by U.S. commanders.

We have a lot of air assets and a lot of partners who have air assets, but on any given day, they have to go to a certain place at a certain time, Carter said after being asked whether the United States has enough aircraft to support operations in both Iraq and Syria. But circumstances change.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post  Dan Lamothe
As Turkey spiraled into chaos late Friday during a military coup attempt, one of the concerns that emerged was particularly alarming: What was the status of nuclear weapons the United States keeps at Incirlik Air Base, the Turkish airfield from which the United States regularly launches airstrikes against the Islamic State?

U.S. officials are loath to discuss the location of nuclear weapons, but Air Force budget documents state that special weapons are stored in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey. Thats a delicate way of saying nuclear weapons, as Jeffrey Lewis of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies pointed out Monday on Twitter.

This is remarkable for avoiding the use of the word nuclear. Special weapons please, he posted.

The special weapons are there as part of a nuclear-sharing agreement among NATO allies, including Turkey and the United States. The weapons deal, reached in the 1960s, holds that some NATO allies will allow the storage of B61 nuclear gravity bombs on their land, while other countries will commit to maintaining aircraft capable of delivering them, according to one NATO outline. The United States keeps possession of and provides security for the bombs wherever they are.

The deal was reached to deter Soviet aggression, but also to create conditions under which NATO countries like Germany and Turkey would be disinclined to pursue their own nuclear programs.

NATO said in a 2014 position paper that the alliances nuclear weapons are stored under highly secure conditions, without specifying where they are. But the merits of the nuclear-sharing deal have nonetheless long been argued by scholars, military officials and politicians, particularly when it comes to Turkey, where it is believed up to 90 are kept in storage.

Those in favor of the nuclear deal argue that it helps keep the military alliance together. In one example, Michaela Dodge with the conservative Heritage Foundation argued in a 2014 paper that the United States needed to continue projecting a strong position in order to protect its national security interests, assure allies and deter adversaries.

Perceptions matter and at the time when all the nuclear powers have a robust nuclear weapons modernization program and would-be nuclear powers are trying their best to obtain their own nuclear weapon capabilities, current U.S. withdrawal of TNWs from Europe would be ill-advised, she wrote, using an acronym for tactical nuclear weapons.

It could be misinterpreted as U.S. indifference to the transatlantic alliance and increase Europes vulnerability to other nations blackmail, she continued. Even worse, should a conflict break out, it would place Europes posture at disadvantage.

Historically, some of NATOs top leaders have agreed. In 2005, Marine Gen. James L. Jones, then the supreme allied commander of NATO, was said to be in favor of eliminating the stockpile, but was met with resistance from other NATO leaders. The idea fell flat. More recently, Polish Deputy Defense Minister Tomasz Szatkowski said in December that his country was considering joining the sharing arrangement, although the Polish defense ministry denied that was the case a day later.

Critics of nuclear sharing in Turkey argue that the countrys instability make it a poor choice for nuclear weapons, especially this year as the country deals with an Islamist terrorism threat that has grown large enough that the United States sent home the family members of most diplomats and service members earlier this year.

Lewis, in a piece published Monday by Foreign Policy magazine, argued that its time to pull the nukes out of Incirlik, especially considering there are no planes based there permanently that can deliver them. He cited Greece as an example, saying it is believed that Washington pulled nuclear weapons from storage there in 2001 due to concerns about lax security.

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook was pressed on the issue Monday by journalists, and said that the Pentagon has taken appropriate steps to maintain the safety of its people, families and facilities. The United States boosted security at bases it uses in Turkey to its highest level, Delta, after the coup attempt became clear, U.S. military officials have said.

But Cook declined to address a question about whether it is a good idea to have nuclear weapons stored in Turkey at this point.

Weve taken all those steps that we need to take to make sure that everything that we control in Turkey is safe and secure, he said, after declining to discuss specifics about strategic assets like the the nuclear weapons.

The B61 bombs in storage at Incirlik are designed to be carried on a variety of high-speed jets, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F/A-18 Hornet. Each bomb is typically just under 12 feet long and weighs about 700 pounds, according to U.S. military specifications. They are stored in underground storage vaults inside aircraft hangars, and use control devices known as Permissive Action Links that make them difficult to use without authorization.

In Turkey, however, life isnt close to returning to normal. As of Monday, U.S. troops were operating their facilities at the base using electrical generators, and one of the officers detained following the coup attempt was the Turkish commander at Incirlik. Flight operations from the base against the Islamic State had resumed, but much of the country remained in turmoil.

(c) 2016, The Washington Post  Dan Lamothe
By PTI: Hyderabad, July 19 (PTI) A 24-year-old software engineer from Kachiguda here was allegedly stabbed to death by his roommate in Austin in the US, his family said here today.

"Today morning we got a call from our relatives and Pranith, one of his friends, that Sankeerth was stabbed by one Sai Sandeep Goud, a roommate, yesterday," Sankeerths uncle Srinivas said.

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Sankeerth died while being shifted to a hospital and the accused had been taken into custody by the local police, Srinivas said. PTI VVK KRK RCJ JMF

--- ENDS ---
Recent high-profile terror attacks pose a new challenge for police and intelligence services. All seem to be the work of lone-wolf actors. Yet police and intelligence services, by the nature of their work, target groups. Its possible to adjust that focus, but that would require Western societies to make an important trade-off.

On Monday, a 17-year-old Afghan asylum seeker gravely wounded four fellow passengers with an axe and a knife on a regional train near Wuerzburg in Germany before police shot him to death. The attack continues a series of terrorist acts by loners: the shooting in Orlando in June, the truck rampage in Nice last week, the cop shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Islamic State claimed responsibility for Orlando, Nice and Wuerzburg, but thats merely in keeping with its status as the umbrella brand for Islamist terror. The killers werent members of any terror group, and they werent acting on anyones orders.

Yet the Orlando and Nice attacks had so many casualties  a combined 133 people dead and dozens more wounded  that an organized group could hardly have been more effective. The November attacks in Paris, which were actually planned by an Islamic State affiliate, took 130 lives.

A full-scale military operation against Islamic State or active intelligence work against it wouldnt have prevented the attacks by people who flew under the conventional radar, never traveling to the Syrian war zone or hanging out with known terror operatives. Besides, the lone-wolf phenomenon has little to do with any particular ideology, though the Islamic State banner has seen some heavy use lately (sometimes even literally: The Wuerzburg assailant had a hand-painted IS flag with him). As Jerrold Post wrote in The Mind of the Terrorist, the cause is not the cause.

Lone wolf is a term popularized in the 1990s by white supremacists Tom Metzger and Alex Curtis, who called on like-minded people to commit uncoordinated acts of terror. Some of the deadliest of the predatory species have been white racists: Norways deadliest killer Anders Breivik, Austrian letter bomber Franz Fuchs, London Nail Bomber David Copeland, Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof, Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh. Its likely, though, that their ideologies ran only skin deep, just as radical Islam does for the recent killers of Middle Eastern and North African extraction.

The conscious belief system, psychiatrists J. Reid Meloy and Jessica Yakeley wrote in a 2014 psychological analysis of lone-wolf terrorists, is upon closer examination often quite superficial: a cherry-picked cluster of prescriptive or proscriptive statements that provide a broad rationalization for the homicidal aggression.

Its enough for a system to be simple and binary, pitting good against evil, for it to serve as a justification for extreme violence. Such defensive maneuvers are often part of a pathological narcissism in which the good object is within and the bad objects are all without, Meloy and Yakeley wrote.

The narcissism is an obstacle to affiliating with an actual terrorist group, the psychiatrists pointed out  but it tends to strengthen the lone terrorists dependence on virtual communities, such as those formed on the internet. There, communication is free from the constant trauma of real-world interactions. That trauma is ever-present in lone-wolf terrorists stories  rejection by a father, a nonexistent or troubled sex life, professional or academic underachievement. On the internet, none of this matters.

The radicalization of Orlando shooter Omar Mateen and Nice truck driver Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel could have been tracked by their internet activities. The Wuerzburg attacker, who had arrived in Germany as an unaccompanied minor and who lived with a foster family in a German town, probably left a similar trail.

The tracks these people left online are known as weak signals because they are hard for intelligence services to pick up. Yet there are techniques for doing that. A team from the Swedish Defense Research Agency documented one in a 2013 paper. Its based on a number of behavioral markers that help determine whether a person is capable of radical violence.

For example, potential lone-wolf terrorists leak  they burn to tell outsiders what they want or even plan to do; they also display fixation  a preoccupation with a person or a cause  and identification, picking a warrior role model. The Web can be trawled for the linguistic attributes of these behaviors. For example, the Swedish researchers wrote, leaked information of intent is likely to contain auxiliary verbs signaling intent (i.e.,  will ,  am going to , should ) together with words expressing violent action, either overtly or, perhaps more likely, through euphemisms.

A web crawler program instructed to look for such markers in the social network posts of people who visit radical sites (or, presumably, watch certain YouTube videos) could come up with a short list of people to watch. The Swedish researchers recommend always using a human analyst to check over the results of such trawling:

Having such a human-in-the-loop makes it possible to tolerate a higher number of false positives than would be acceptable in a fully automated system. Since there is a trade-off between false positives and false negatives, the increase of false positives should decrease the number of false negatives (i.e., classifying weak signals from potential terrorists as non-interesting).

If this sounds somewhat cynical  a false positive leading to a person being watched without his knowledge as a potential terrorist, or perhaps interrogated because of a computer programs suspicions  it is. Unlike racial profiling, it is at least color-blind. There is simply no other way to look preemptively for potential lone terrorists, just as, in pre-Web days, there was no way to prevent Unabomber Ted Kaczynsky from mailing his first bomb.

Its up to society in every specific country to decide whether intelligence services should have the power to use methods such as those suggested by the Swedish researchers  and to act on the information collected by such methods. The latter is especially important: The internet is full of hotheads of every description, and their freedom of speech is constitutionally protected in Western countries, though in most of Europe, hate speech is illegal.

My personal preference would be to live with the risk of lone-wolf attacks rather than let law enforcement agencies track citizens online activities so they can prevent them. Yet I suspect many who have lost loved ones in the attacks would gladly sanction such an application of modern technology. Its a debate that can no longer be put off, given the growing number and effectiveness of lone-wolf attacks.

(c) 2016, Bloomberg View  Leonid Bershidsky
President Barack Obama published an open letter to law enforcement Tuesday, saying that in the wake of two deadly shootings that claimed eight officers lives, We proclaim loudly our appreciation for the acts of service you perform as part of your daily routine.

Every day, you confront danger so it does not find our families, carry burdens so they do not fall to us, and courageously meet test after test to keep us safe, he wrote. Thank you for your courageous service. We have your backs.

While the president has made a point in recent days of saying there is no justification for attacking police officers, he has faced strong criticism for not doing enough to defend law enforcement over the past few years as police misconduct has come under intense scrutiny after deadly clashes with civilians  primarily African American men  in communities of color.

Obama met privately last week with several law enforcement officers for two hours, and later that same week invited multiple police officials to join him in a four-hour meeting with a range of individuals involved in pushing for policing reform. He also traveled to Dallas to speak at a memorial for the five officers killed by a lone gunman during a peaceful protest march earlier this month.

In the letter, the president wrote that the nation collectively mourns the deaths of three Baton Rouge officers on Sunday  Montrell Jackson, Matthew Gerald and Brad Garafola  and must not allow those kinds of violent act to turn Americans against one another.

Officer Jackson knew this too, when just days ago he asked us to keep hatred from our hearts. Instead, he offered  to protesters and fellow police officers alike  a hug to anyone who saw him on the street, he wrote. He offered himself as a fellow worshipper to anyone who sought to pray. Today, we offer our comfort and our prayers to his family, to the Geralds and the Garafolas, and to the tight-knit Baton Rouge law enforcement community.

The president reiterated the point that he made during his speech last week in Dallas, that Americans cannot expect police officers to serve as social workers or address all the needs of impoverished communities. The Fraternal Order of Police, which posted the presidents open letter on its Facebook page, added a comment asking for Americans to engage in a national dialogue on the issue.

We can and do provide the best quality law enforcement that we can but we cannot be held responsible for the social issues such as poverty, lack of mental health services, unemployment, and abject poverty, the group said. The work now is to assist our communities by continuing to recognize that we are but one spoke in the wheel and we will do our part.

Obama is meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon with Attorney General Loretta Lynch and FBI Director James Comey about the ongoing federal investigations of the attacks, after which he is scheduled to make remarks to reporters.

Some groups have been pressing for Obama to light the White House in blue as an homage to the fallen officers, just as he lit it in rainbow colors to celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage and in pink to promote breast-cancer awareness.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest has repeatedly indicated thats not something the president plans to do.

But the president dedicated a lot of time to this, both in substance and in symbolism, Earnest told Fox News Kevin Corke during Mondays White House briefing. The presidents strong support for American law enforcement officers is crystal-clear.



(c) 2016, The Washington Post  Juliet Eilperin
A special hearing was held in Ayalon Prison on Tuesday evening the eve of 14 Tammuz during which authorities extended the remand of Rabbi Eliezer Berland for an additional two days. Police requested that his remand be extended for a week but the decision was made for 48 hours only, until Thursday, 15 Tammuz.

During the hearing, a confrontation took place between the rabbi and a woman accusing him of assault. At some point Rabbi Berland collapsed and taken to Assaf HaRofeh Hospital to be checked.

One of the counts of the indictment being prepared against Rabbi Berland state that he instructed two chassidim, Aharon Yaakov Richter and Dovid Avraham Shemtov to beat Itai Nachman and break his bones back in 2013 pertaining to an internal machlokes in the chassidus pertaining to the different factions.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Al-Jazeera and a number of other media sources are reporting the Israel Air Force has struck a building in Quneitra, a facility close to the border with Israel aligned with President Bashar al-Assad.

Sources aligned with the Syrian president were quick to deny there was an Israeli strike, placing the blame on Jabhat a-Nusra. According to the sources, the terrorist organization fired a missile at the building that is used by Assad forces.

Simultaneously reports of an IAF strike in southern Syria were received. The IDF Spokesman Unit is not responding.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Asserting that all the evidence points to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric as the mastermind of last weeks failed coup, Turkeys government on Tuesday fired tens of thousands of teachers, university deans and others accused of ties to the plot and demanded the clerics extradition.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue in a phone call with U.S. President Barack Obama, and his spokesman said the government was preparing a formal extradition request for the cleric, Fethullah Gulen. But he also suggested that the U.S. government shouldnt require the facts before extraditing him.

A person of this kind can easily be extradited on grounds of suspicion, said the spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin. And there is very strong suspicion for his involvement, for Gulens involvement, in this coup attempt. So this is sufficient ground.

Later, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that Turkey had submitted materials related to Gulen and the administration was reviewing whether they amounted to a formal extradition request. Earnest added that a decision on whether to extradite would be made under a longstanding treaty between the two countries, and wouldnt be made by Obama.

The extradition demand is likely to strain U.S.-Turkey ties as the Obama administration refers the matter to the Justice Department, which will determine whether the Turkish government has established probable cause that a crime was committed.

Gulen has strongly denied the governments charges, suggesting that Fridays attempted coup could have been staged as a pretext for the Erdogan government to seize even more power.

It is ridiculous, irresponsible and false to suggest I had anything to do with the horrific failed coup, the cleric said in a statement on Tuesday, accusing Erdogan of going to any length necessary to solidify his power and persecute his critics.

I urge the U.S. government to reject any effort to abuse the extradition process to carry out political vendettas, the statement said.

The latest purges were intended to blunt the influence of Gulen, an Erodgan rival who has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since the late 1990s and who the government has long accused of being behind a parallel terrorist organization. They follow earlier aggressive moves by Erdogans administration against Gulen loyalists in the government, police and judiciary following corruption probes targeting Erdogan associates and family members in late 2013  prosecutions the government says were orchestrated by Gulen.

The crackdown was escalated Tuesday, as the government announced the firing of nearly 24,000 teachers and Interior Ministry employees and demanded the resignations of another 1,577 university deans as well as hundreds of other government employees.

Tuesdays dismissals touched every aspect of government life.

Turkish media, in rapid-fire reports, said the Education Ministry had fired 15,200 educators, while the Interior Ministry dismissed 8,777 employees and Turkeys Board of Higher Education called for the deans resignations. In addition, 1,500 finance ministry employees were fired, 257 people working at the prime ministers office were sacked and 492 staffers at the Directorate of Religious Affairs were dismissed, including clerics, preachers and religious teachers.

Tuesdays firings come on top of roughly 9,000 people who have been detained by the government, including security personnel, judges, prosecutors, religious figures and others. Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency says courts have ordered 85 generals and admirals jailed pending trial over their roles in the coup attempt. Dozens of others were still being questioned.

Asked about the scale of the purges, U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner cautioned Turkish authorities not to overreach.

The types of arrests and roundups that you cite have not gone unnoticed by us, he said.

Erdogan, meanwhile, indicated the government was considering reinstating the death penalty, a practice abolished in 2004 as part of Turkeys bid to join the European Union. Several European officials have said such a move would be the end of Turkeys attempts to join.

Addressing hundreds of supporters outside his Istanbul residence early Tuesday, Erdogan responded to calls for the reintroduction of the death penalty with the simple statement: You cannot put aside the peoples demands.

In a country where our youths are killed with tanks and bombs, if we stay silent, as political people we will be held responsible in the afterlife, Erdogan said, pointing out that capital punishment exists around the world, including in the United States and China.

The violence surrounding the Friday night coup attempt claimed the lives of 210 government supporters and 24 coup plotters, according to the government.

On Tuesday, foreign media were taken on a tour of government buildings that were targeted by F-16 air strikes, including the headquarters of the Turkish special forces police where 47 officers were killed. The explosions damaged the roof of one of the buildings and tore down its front wall, exposing dust-covered bunk beds. A second building was riddled with bullet fire from helicopters, while a charred X-ray machine could be seen inside the wrecked security clearing area at the entrance of the complex.

Esra Kokcu, accompanied by relatives, was visiting the site where her cousin, Selmani Terzi, was severely wounded and lost a leg in the attack. She took out her smartphone to show reporters pictures of Terzi in his hospital bed.

These people are not human, she said of the coup-plotters.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, meanwhile, lashed out at Europe, whose leaders have expressed concerns over the purges underway across Turkeys key state institutions.

We thank our European friends for their support against the coup, however their sentences starting with but did not please us at all, he said.

Regarding Turkeys demand that Gulen be extradited, Yildirim compared the situation to the U.S. hunt for Osama bin Laden after the Sept. 11 attacks.

We will present them more proof than theyll know what to do with, he said. I want to ask our friends in the U.S., did you ask for proof when you demanded the terrorists after the Twin Towers fell on Sept. 11? When you didnt bother looking for proof for bin Laden, why are you demanding evidence for Fetullah Gulen when the evidence is clear as day? You should give up defending that terrorist leader.

(AP)
Jerusalem police report that have taken a man into protective custody after learning he planned to harm himself because the Jerusalem toeiva parade, which is set to take place in the capital on Thursday, 15 Tammuz. The suspect, a 32-year-old male, has expressed plans to take his own life RL in connection to the parade.

In a letter written by the suspect, he describes the machlokes between him and the father of Shira Banki who was murdered at last years parade by Yishai Schlisel.

After reading the letter, police decided to detain the suspect and he was arraigned before the Petach Tikvah Magistrate Court on Tuesday 13 Tammuz. The court sent him to absolute house arrest in a Shomron community until Friday, 16 Tammuz after it was determined he is a danger to himself.

No explanation is given why the man was not placed on suicide watch in a guarded facility.

(YWN  Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
By Tatsam Mukherjee: Naseeruddin Shah and Shernaz Patel play two middle-aged lovers who are reuniting after three decades.

Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Shernaz Patel, Naveen Kasturia, Shweta Basu Prasad

Direction: Adhiraj Bose

Ratings: (3/5)

There are many love stories in the world. Yet, the only ones that survive the trials of time or manage to make a difference, generally turn out to be the ones with a certain degree of honesty to them. Adhiraj Bose's Interior Cafe Night is one of those rare love stories.



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ALSO READ: Shweta Basu Prasad acts again with Naseeruddin Shah in the delightful short film Interior Cafe Night

ALSO READ: Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher argue over Kashmir Pandit rehabilitation

Set in a quaint little cafe, with the radio playing Hemanta Mukherjee's 'Koto din pore ele, ektu bosho' roughly translating to 'You've returned after eons, please stay for a while' - the film sets itself up for the story of two middle-aged lovers reuniting after three decades. Played by veterans Naseeruddin Shah and Shernaz Patel, there is that hesitance, the euphoric peace, the eagerness to know what happened in all these years, all happening simultaneously.

In a parallel narrative, is a young couple (Naveen Kasturia and Shweta Basu Prasad) presumably having their last date. Compared to the other table, this one has an air of sadness hovering over it. And then the news breaks - that the girl's parents have been transferred to London, which means this could be their last meeting for several years possibly.

Adhiraj Bose's direction is keenly observed, there's a lot of attention to detail. The sound design for the film is impeccable, as it nicely weaves in the awkward silences of a cafe between the two sets of lovers dealing with different circumstances of their relationship. There is the air of calmness around the middle-aged couple as they see each other after having been through so much in their respective lives, while the younger couple has an air of frustration, heartbreak as they simply see this separation as a loss they might not be able to deal with.

The actors do a supremely good job in speaking for the characters without having to build a background for them. With a single nod, Naseeruddin Shah communicates his heartbreak, which he has been nursing for so long. Special mention for Shweta Basu Prasad, who was last seen in Iqbal, alongside Naseeruddin Shah again.

Leaving all aside, Shweta is close to perfect in the film, following up on her superlative performances in Vishal Bharadwaj's Makdee and Nagesh Kukunoor's Iqbal. This is a warm little film about love, loss, and redemption. And it deserves to be watched.

Watch the film here:



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ARM Holdings registered a patent for a new invention every other day last year, the Mail can reveal.

The takeover target filed 185 patents in 2015, the fourth highest in the UK, and around four times more than firms such as BT, GlaxoSmithkline, and UCL.

The tech giant also registered more ideas than firms traditionally recognised as the most prolific inventors such as BAE Systems, GE, Dyson and Airbus.

The figures from the Patent Office show just how prolific ARM is in churning out ideas, and will give further support to those who want the firm to stay under UK ownership following a proposed 24billion takeover by Softbank of Japan.

Cutting edge: ARM Holdings filed 185 patents in 2015, the fourth highest in the UK, and around four times more than firms such as BT, GlaxoSmithkline, and UCL

Opponents of the deal say it is vital that the intellectual property for ideas stays in the UK as the income from these would remain on these shores, boosting the economy and balance of payments.

They claim that the UK and ARM could lose the patents for its future inventions as these would all be registered in Japan by Softbank.

On Monday Softbank, led by billionaire inventor Masayoshi Son, made a 24billion all-cash bid for ARM.

Although ARM is a FTSE 100 giant, it has been relatively unknown to many UK consumers. However, its chips, which are in Apple iPhones and Samsung mobiles, are credited with changing the way the world works.

Tech takeover: Softbank, led by billionaire inventor Masayoshi Son, made a 24bn all-cash bid for ARM

Softbank has swooped because ARM is considered to be at the forefront of the next big idea, the so-called internet of things, where all devices are connected by mobile phone chips.

Laith Khalaf, analyst from investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown, said: It is the intellectual property and the ideas that it produces that make ARM so valuable. This is where Softbank sees the potential in the firm.

Data from the Patent Office shows that in terms of the number of patents registered in 2015, ARM was only behind Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and Ford.

While the mobile phone made ARM a global technology player, it is the ideas for future business which Softbank is hoping to cash in on.

Its chips are already in almost every smartphone, and the next big idea is that they will soon be in your washing machine, thermostat, security camera and car.

ARM (down 0.7 per cent or 12p to 1662p) has already had some early successes in the internet of things. In 2005 it shipped 1.6billion chips  but last year this had grown to 15billion.

Shares in Softbank fell 10.3 per cent in Tokyo following the announcement of the ARM takeover.

Investors worry a previous acquisition by Softbank, the US mobile firm Sprint, has yet to make a large contribution to the firms profits.

Makoto Kikuchi, chief executive of Japanese fund Myojo Asset Management, said: SoftBank has taken on another big risk for its balance sheet before it becomes clear when Sprint will start making a clear contribution to profits.
A landmark ruling by a European Union watchdog has given British hedge funds a major boost following the Brexit vote.

The European Securities and Markets Authority has ruled that hedge funds in America, Singapore and Hong Kong can market themselves within the trading bloc  without opening an office on the Continent.

Clarifying a new EU law, ESMA experts said that rules governing the funds in their home states were just as strict as those on the Continent.

This so-called equivalence means they will not face barriers to operating.

The European Securities and Markets Authority has ruled that hedge funds in America, Singapore and Hong Kong can market themselves within the trading bloc  without opening an office on the Continent

Hedge funds in Canada, Guernsey, Japan, the Cayman Islands, Jersey, Australia and Switzerland also got the green light, although with provisos in some cases.

The decision has been seized on by Brexit campaigners as evidence the City can get a good deal after Britain leaves the EU.

They believe equivalence would almost certainly be granted for UK firms because London is already fully compliant with all of the unions regulations.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Conservative MP on the Treasury Select Committee, said: The equivalence regime is an important part of the European structure which allows non-EU funds to be marketed in the EU.

Its very encouraging that the EU has accepted the US and others as having equivalence. This bodes very well for our future negotiations.

Chancellor Philip Hammond has called for Britain to retain its access to the EUs single market  meaning it would be able to rely on existing passporting rights which allow finance firms anywhere in Europe to sell services anywhere else in the region.

Germany has suggested it would support access to the market anyway, with finance minister Wolfgang Schauble saying this was a very reasonable position to take.

City watchdog boss Andrew Bailey yesterday said single market access should be Britains goal.

But France and Italy are seeking to cut Britain out and steal its business.
Reshuffle: New Pensions minister Richard Harrington MP

Unless you're from Watford, the name Richard Harrington probably means very little to you.

Born in Yorkshire in 1957, former property developer and hotelier Mr Harrington was elected to Parliament in the Hertfordshire constituency six years ago.

Since then, by all accounts he has carried out sterling work in the community, including running jobs fairs for local businesses. But his only role in Government has been a minor one in the Home Office.

In fact, he's not even the most famous Richard Harrington. That honour goes to the Welsh actor who played Captain Andrew Blamey in BBC's Poldark  and let's face it, he's not a household name either.

But that is about to change.

After a week of frantic reshuffling, Richard Harrington MP is the man Theresa May has put in charge of shoring up the retirements of millions of British workers.

As our new Pensions Minister, he replaces Baroness (Ros) Altmann, who quit last Friday. Sadly, the contrast between the two could not be greater.

Before her appointment 14 months ago, Baroness Altmann had earned her stripes as a campaigner who fought for decades for a better deal for savers.

She helped rescue the pensions of 150,000 workers whose company plans collapsed in the Nineties.

And she was a strong ally in Money Mail's campaign to stop savers being ripped off when they bought annuities  which led to George Osborne's brilliant pensions freedom reforms last year.

By contrast, Mr Harrington's voting record shows just a passing acquaintance with retirement matters.

For example, he has 'consistently voted for encouraging occupational pensions', according to They Work ForYou, a website that tracks MP activity in the Commons, but does not appear to have made a single comment during debates on the topic.

So while Baroness Altmann can still influence pension policy from the Lords, I fear that her resignation could be a devastating loss to savers. Her successor takes office with a host of tricky issues in his inbox.

First is the furore surrounding women's state pension age. One reason Baroness Altmann gave for quitting was an inability to help 500,000 women born in the Fifties who were told, with very little notice, they'd have to retire age 66, rather than between the ages of 60 and 65.

Mr Harrington voted in favour of this policy in 2011. So even if he could persuade Chancellor Philip Hammond to part with some of the 11 billion needed to help these women, he seems unlikely to have the appetite.

Our pensions chief also has a mountain to climb in getting workers to save more for old age. The Government has pinned its hopes on automatically enrolling every worker into a company pension.

But under current plans, the minimum going into their pots will only ever hit 8 per cent of their salary  for most that will be insufficient to fund a decent retirement.

How will Mr Harrington persuade the under-40s to lock away even more cash for decades when they have so many pressing priorities, such as climbing onto the housing ladder and raising a family?

Worryingly, TheyWorkForYou says there isn't 'enough information' available to guess Richard Harrington's views on the policy.

In her short time as minister, Baroness Altmann also played a vital role in safeguarding pensions tax relief. You currently get a full tax rebate on cash stored in a pension, with tax owed only on withdrawal.

My Westminster sources say she helped prevent former Chancellor George Osborne from raiding the pensions piggy bank by turning pensions into Isas. We campaigned hard to keep the tax breaks  does Mr Harrington have the ability to guide the Treasury towards a fair deal for all?

He also faces propping up final salary pensions amid warnings from regulators that 1,000 schemes are nearing collapse.

And is Mr Harrington ready to fight tooth and nail to safeguard the state pension's value?

Before the EU vote, David Cameron said Brexit would mean the end of the triple lock that ensures pensioner incomes grow with the cost of living.

There have been 13 ministers responsible for pensions in the 18 years since the post was created. That uncertainty has played havoc with savers' retirement plans.

My fear is MPs will once again treat this post as a stepping stone. Mr Harrington's title has also been downgraded from Minister of State to Under-Secretary of State, which is perhaps the clearest sign the Government has lost interest in pensions.

So good luck, Richard. I sincerely hope you prove me wrong.

Travel aid

I'm sure, like me, you've found it painful and shocking to read about events in Turkey and the South of France this past week.

In an ideal world, holiday firms would offer all travellers alternative trips to other sunspots. The trouble is that hotels in Spain and Greece are more expensive  and fully booked this year due to troubles elsewhere  than those in Turkey.

So it's tricky for the likes of Thomas Cook or Thomson to offer families a direct replacement.

But I'd like to see holiday firms at least try to help families who want to change their booking, rather than hiding behind Government travel advice  even if customers have to pay a bit more. It would be great to hear about companies that have gone the extra mile.

Four-day fix

More tales of top service, this week from J. H: 'I bought a Braun electric toothbrush with a two-year guarantee. It stopped working and I contacted customer service.

'Within 48 hours I had an email and a prepaid postal label and the address of a service centre.

'I returned the toothbrush on the Monday, had a text on Tuesday to say the brush had arrived, another on Wednesday saying it had been repaired and then it arrived back to me the next day. I think a four-day turnaround is excellent.'
VIP treatment: Masayoshi Son shakes hands with Philip Hammond outside 11 Downing Street

How extraordinarily hospitable it was for Downing Street to welcome Masayoshi Son of Softbank to Downing Street on the day it publicly unveiled its 24billion offer for ARM Holdings.

But how much better it would have been if someone close to our elected politicians had done more due diligence.

Masayoshi Son is less risk-averse than other Japanese entrepreneurs and has become very wealthy on the back of his groups stake in Chinese digital giant Alibaba.

However, his empire is less cash-rich than might be imagined. Indeed, the financial pressure on the group, reflected in the lacklustre reception to Softbanks offer on the Japanese stock market, means the promises about doubling the ARM workforce could be harder to achieve in reality than on paper.

Softbank is heavily laden with debt and is actually having to sell down its stake in Alibaba to fund the black hole that has opened up at its US telecoms network Sprint that had a net loss of 415million.

In the first quarter of 2016 Sprint has debts of 7.5billion due by 2020 which is just about the time Softbank is meant to be heavily investing in ARM. It must make 1.8billion of debt repayments this year.

Yet it is taking on a chunk of more debt to buy ARM.

A great lesson of former overseas takeovers of UK assets, the Ferrovial takeover of airports owner BAA is a good example, is that when they are financed by borrowing, investment in the underlying enterprise suffers.

No one seems to have considered the technology arguments. PC Magazine points out that one of the great strengths of ARM, as a microprocessor architect, is the role it plays as a benign producer selling the instruction set used by smartphone makers and operators. It is adopting a similar no favourites approach to the internet of things.

Softbank owns two major wireless carriers, Sprint and the former Vodafone Japan, and the real concerns among competitors is that companies in the Softbank empire could get an early look at ARM chip designs placing other carriers and digital groups at a competitive disadvantage.

This unexplored aspect of the transaction could work against the Softbank bid in two ways. It could drive a wedge between ARM and its biggest customers such as Apple and Samsung.

And it might lead to the deal being probed and blocked on anti-trust grounds.

What is certain is that Sprint, which has sunk to fourth place in the highly competitive US mobile phone market, needs the new investment far more than ARM.

The more one sees of the Softbank deal the more problems it would seem to have, irrespective of this papers concerns about Britain selling such a valuable intellectual property.

There is a great assumption that once an announcement of a deal is made it is job done. That is rarely the case. The SABMiller board reportedly wants Anheuser-Busch InBev to redraw the terms of its record takeover offer because of a shareholder revolt over terms. Furthermore, Chinese anti-trust authorities have still to give a green light.

Back in Blighty, investors in the London Stock Exchange back the Deutsche Boerse merger. Frankfurt shareholders are being much slower and regulators across Europe are far from enthusiastic. Sorry everyone.

It may be too early for ARM employees to be celebrating the 400million share options windfall a Softbank deal is expected to deliver.

Autumn beckons

There is much for the new Chancellor Philip Hammond to think about, most notably how to boost growth through infrastructure investment. The Chancellor has indicated he wont be hurried and his fiscal plans will have to await the Autumn Statement.

That will be fine if the statement is brought forward to September or October but if past history is a guide it wont be seen until early December.

Hammond could do worse than read Balfour Beattys Infrastructure 2050 report which says that new financing mechanisms need to be explored, alongside initiatives such as British Wealth Funds, if projects including HS2 as well as new runways at Heathrow and/or Gatwick are to be advanced.

It is estimated every 1 spent on construction projects generates 2.84 of economic activity, 90 per cent of which stays in the UK.

Why are we waiting?

Cheap as chips

The correction in London commercial property prices, that preceded and followed Brexit, is attracting new money.

Norways sovereign wealth fund has been quick to pounce on an Oxford Street retail and office site owned by Aberdeen Asset Management for 124million, some 20 per cent lower than the last valuation.

A Chinese investor has swooped on the 142-room Travelodge in Liverpool Street in the City for 42million.

The Wall Street Journal reports that private equity giant KKR has just raised 564million for a new European property fund and is circling.
Goldman Sachs has posted a 74% surge in earnings

BREXIT BOOST

Goldman Sachs brushed aside the impact of Brexit and uncertainty in financial markets to post a 74 per cent surge in earnings.

The US investment bank  which has 6,500 staff in the UK  reported net earnings of 1.4billion for the second quarter to the end of June, up from 801million a year earlier.

It set aside 13 per cent less year-on-year in pay and bonuses for its 34,800 staff, at 2.5billion in the second quarter, reflecting the fall in revenues.

PAY ROW

Vodafone shareholders should oppose the 5.3million pay of chief executive Vittorio Colao, an advisory group has urged.

PIRC described 54-year-old Colaos earnings as excessive and advised investors to reject the payout at the telecoms firms AGM later this month.

His pay for the year soared by 88 per cent from 2.8million a year earlier, despite the firm topping complaints tables for mobile customers.

TUMBLING TUMBLR

Yahoo has written off the value of Tumblr, the social media service that the internet giant bought in 2013 for 840million, by as much as 370million  pushing it into a net loss for the quarter of 336million.

BIG CHEESE

Dairy Crest said its first-quarter trading was on track after it relaunched Cathedral City cheese. The company also said its butters, spreads and oils business was progressing well.

SHOPPING SPREE

John Lewis said sales stepped up 3.8 per cent last week compared to the same period in 2015.

Sales at the retailer hit 83.1million in the week to July 16. The results provide the most up-to-date insight into shoppers behaviour following Brexit.

BUILDER BLOW

Scottish construction firm Dunne Group has gone into administration with the loss of 524 jobs. The business faced substantial trading losses on some contracts that led to severe cash flow pressures.

CENTRE SOLD

Landlord Hammerson has sold the Manor Walks Shopping Centre in Cramlington, Northumberland for 78million. It also sold a property in Folkestone for 7million.

PROFITS SURGE

Profits soared at finance firms IG Group and Arbuthnot. IG posted a 23 per cent profit rise to 207.9million in the year to June.

Arbuthnot sold its sub-prime loans arm  meaning half-year profits rocketed from 12.7million to 225million.

OIL BOOST

UK Oil & Gas said a report into the Gatwick Gusher oil find near Gatwick airport revealed the oil in the area could be three times more than previously thought  22.9million barrels up from 7.7million barrels.

OFFICE DEALS
To the rescue: ARM's Chairman Stuart Chambers

ARM Holdings's courtly chairman Stuart Chambers says he was first approached about Softbank's 24.3billion takeover a fortnight ago, while holidaying on his luxury yacht.

His vessel is no vulgar, jet-ski laden monstrosity a la Sir Philip Green.

It's an elegant 55-foot sailing boat which he's previously navigated across the Atlantic.

While steering it through the Ionian sea's choppy waters in 2011, father-of-three Chambers, 60, and his blonde wife Nicolette, valiantly hauled aboard 11 Libyan refugees from their sinking raft.

Re Chambers, he's well-versed in foreign takeovers. He was in charge of Pilkington Glass when it was sold to Japanese firm NSG in 2006.

He and ARM are currently receiving public relations instructions from (who else?) City schmoozer Roland Rudd's outfit Finsbury.

Rudd also advised on the Pilkington deal. Surely knighthoods await both for their efforts in flogging British business to the world.

With ARM shareholders set to net 1700p per share from the deal, pity the poor beleaguered brokers at Liberum who last week urged investors to sell their stock with a target price of just 650p.

The firm's technology analyst Janardan Menon remarks sheepishly: 'We did not expect ARM to be acquired, least of all by Softbank.'

The Financial Conduct Authority's magisterial chairman John Griffith-Jones delivered the regulator's annual report in Westminster yesterday, which contained a glaring howler.

Contrary to the whopping 199million it claimed to have spent on auditors, the real figure was a (mildly) more fiscally palatable 199,000.

'Does the report contain any more errors?' asked an audience member. Griffith-Jones chuckled: 'That's an unreasonable question to ask the chairman.'

Many think it unreasonable Griffith-Jones, 62, is in the 192,000 a-year post at all.

He was chairman of KPMG when the accountancy firm gave a clean bill of health to HBOS just before the bank's near collapse in 2008.

Some rare good news for struggling spread-betting firm London Capital Group, which reports a positive trading performance following the referendum.

Are the firm's new(ish) boss Charles Henri-Sabet's self-trumpeted talents finally bearing fruition?
Bansal's wife Satyabala and daughter Neha were found hanging in their flat in East Delhi's Madhu Vihar area on July 19. They left suicide notes, saying nobody was responsible for their death.

Bansal's wife Satyabala and daughter Neha were found hanging in their flat in East Delhi.

By Atir Khan: A day after his wife and daughter were found hanging in their New Delhi flat, a special court today granted a 2-day interim bail to Director General Corporate Affairs BK Bansal, who was in CBI custody after he was arrested red-handed taking bribe.

Bansal's wife Satyabala and daughter Neha were found hanging in their flat in East Delhi's Madhu Vihar area on July 19. They left suicide notes, saying nobody was responsible for their death.

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Bansal, an Additional Secretary-ranked officer in Ministry of Corporate Affairs, was caught red-handed in a hotel while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 9 lakh for favouring a pharmaceutical company.

He, along with three others were arrested with him, are in CBI custody. A senior officer in the Indian Legal Services, Bansal used to check and report on serious corporate frauds.

A Senior Administrative Grade officer with the Indian Corporate Law Service (ICLS), Bansal was promoted to the post of Director General of Corporate Affairs (DGCA) last year.

BANSAL'S TROUBLE FAR FROM OVER

Bansal's trouble is far from getting over. After he was trapped in a corruption case while accepting Rs 9 lakh bribe for helping a pharmaceutical company evade tax liabilities, CBI conducted raids at his premises.

A case was registered under the provisions of Corruption Act on the allegations that Bansal had been dealing with matters related to violations committed by Mumbai-based pharmaceutical company Elder Pharmaceuticals. Bansal had allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 50 lakhs for not recommending investigation by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office on the company's negative inspection report.

Sources said during the raids at Bansal's premises sleuths had recovered documents which show he has nine properties in Sirsa, three in Delhi, three in Faridabad, one each in Gurgaon, Bhatinda and Hapur.

Altogether it is suspected he had twenty properties which are disproportionate to his income. Sleuths suspect he has been indulging in corruption in other cases as well. There is a strong likelihood that CBI will book him in a case of disproportionate assets as well.

TV ACTOR ALSO ON CBI RADAR

Meanwhile, CBI is carrying out raids to nab Arjun Saxena, a TV actor, who is said to be the owner of Elder Pharmaceuticals. It is alleged that Saxena's company was indulging in serious violations and had made money transactions to companies in Dubai and Bulgaria.

The police are currently investigating documents recovered from the accused.

Also Read:

Wife, daughter of senior bureaucrat who was caught taking bribe found hanging in Delhi

Corporate affairs DG, three others arrested for accepting bribe of Rs 9 lakh





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Telecoms firm TalkTalk has provided further evidence that the hangover from a cyber attack which hits its business late last year has subsided, with its churn rate close to an all-time low.

First quarter results from the FTSE 250-listed group revealed that 9,000 broadband customers had left the company, resulting in a 0.4 per cent dip in revenue compared with the same period in 2015.

But the telecoms provider said it has stemmed the pace at which customers have quit the group - with the so-called churn rate at just 1.36 per cent.

Improvement: TalkTalk lost 101,000 subscribers in its third quarter last year and was forced to temporarily shut down its online sales channels in the wake of the cyber attack

Analysts said the low churn rate showed the group was working through the fallout from the October cyber attack, which resulted in the personal data of nearly 160,000 people being accessed.

The group also added new broadband customers, but at half the pace of the previous three months, increasing by 36,000 on a net basis - those joining less those leaving - while mobile net additions also nearly halved to 48,000.

Analysts pointed out that the mobile and fibre broadband customer additions are calculated after taking off leavers, although not all of them are necessarily new to TalkTalk as some are cross sales from existing clients.

The group lost 101,000 subscribers in its third quarter last year and was forced to temporarily shut down its online sales channels in the wake of the cyber attack. This lead to pretax profits halving last year to 14million.

George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: 'TalkTalks last financial year was not a good one for the company although the hack was on a much smaller scale than first feared.

'The headlines generated by the cyber-attack were damaging but the initial fall in customer numbers seems to have stabilised and their churn rate is now low.

'Flat revenues in the face of lower customer numbers is a pretty encouraging start to this financial year, and TalkTalk have made good progress in cross-selling to existing customers.

'Offering all customers a free upgrade in the wake of the hack no doubt helped retention, and the benefits of the cost saving, service improving Making TalkTalk Simpler programme are starting to be felt.'

TalkTalk's chief executive Dido Harding insisted the group was 'pleased with how the year has begun'.

She said: 'Revenue growth was level year on year despite a smaller customer base and churn was down year on year.'

TalkTalk has already warned that its revenues will remain under pressure in the first half, but it expects to return to growth in the final six months of this year and it is sticking by forecasts for underlying annual earnings to grow to between 320million and 360million.

The TalkTalk boss also used the results to repeat her call that Openreach, which owns the UK's broadband internet network, should be split from BT Group.

She told the BBC's Today Programme that her business spends 'hundreds of millions of pounds a year' with BT, adding that despite that spending 'my customers are fed up with the fact that the network does not work well enough.'

She added. 'They know that they are not getting the service the deserve.'
Two travel companies today issued warnings over the impact of last month's Brexit vote and the subsequent sharp falls by the pound on their business.

Channel Tunnel operator Eurotunnel cut its profit forecast for this year and next, while low cost airline Wizz Air slashed its growth plans for the second half as a direct result of Brexit and the weaker pound.

Wizz Air said it will redeploy planes to non-UK routes, but the Hungarian firm - which focuses on flights to and from Eastern Europe - said it was still on track to deliver profits as previously forecast at between 245million and 255million.

The UK's decision to leave the European Union has led to a notable weakness in fares (in euro terms) on routes to/from the UK mainly due to the much weaker British pound which is currently 19 per cent lower than the same period last year versus the euro, the company said in a statement.

Moving on: Wizz Air said it will redeploy planes to non-UK routes now that the UK has voted to leave the EU

The airline said it had already started re-adjusting its network due to this weakness and that the planes it currently has for UK routes will be used to fly passengers to other European destinations.

The news comes as the airline said its pretax profits for the three months to the end of June rose to 52.3million, up 52 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Wizz Air said its revenue rose 9.8 per cent to 364.9million and passenger numbers jumped 17.9 per cent to 5.8million.

The positive update sent shares in the FTSE 250-listed company 3 per cent, or 47p higher, to 1,590p, although they have still a long way to go before they can claw back its post-Brexit vote losses having closed at 1,995p on June 23.

Based in Budapest but listed in London, Wizz Air was among the airlines to be hit in the aftermath of the EU referendum, with its share price plunging 30 per cent in the two days after the vote.

Wizz Airs share price has recovered by about 10 per cent since then. The airline, which was founded in 2003, floated in March last year at 1,150p.

Shares in airlines and travel groups have also taken a hit in the wake of the attempted coup in Turkey and the Bastille Day lorry atrocity in France last week.

The Eastern Europe-focused airline's chief executive, Jozsef Varadi said: While Wizz Air is not immune to the recent challenges in our industry we believe our ultra-low cost base, diversified point-to-point network and ability to adjust capacity quickly when needed enables us to better respond to these challenges than many other European airlines and also means we are well placed to exploit market opportunities as they arise.

It is on this basis that today we are confirming our underlying net profit guidance for the full financial year ended 31 March 2017.

He said that the companys ultra-low cost model and new aircrafts gave Wizz Air a cost advantage towards many rivals.

The airline has also benefited from a lower fuel price, which has meant it has been able to keep fares down and compete with established low cost rivals.

Wizz Air's fuel costs in the three months to the end of June were 16.5 per cent lower than the same period last year.

Warning: Eurotunnel cut its profit forecast for this year and next because of the weakness of the pound

Neil Wilson, analyst at ETX Capital, said: 'After trading above 1,900p in June, Wizz is down below the 1,600p mark now and the latest signal from the group is that Brexit has already had a material impact on its business.'

He added: 'Its easy to get complacent about the effects of Britain leaving the EU when stocks are soaring, but this is yet another clear sign that businesses are looking to the future and making decisions that could mean weaker economic growth in the UK.'

Rival budget airline easyJet will report third quarter figures tomorrow. Analysts believe that the FTSE 100-listed firm could take a 50million hit from the referendum fallout, currency and fuel price swings, and the strike by air traffic control staff in France.

Meanwhile Eurotunnel - the company behind the Channel Tunnel - also warned today about the impact of Brexit on its business.

The tunnel operator - which runs shuttle services for cars and freight and also earns revenue from other trains between London, Paris and Brussels  cut its profit forecast for this year and next because of the weakness of the pound following the EU referendum result.

The group said that based on the pound being 7 per cent lower against the euro, its profits are now expected to be 4.5 per cent lower in 2016 at 535million and 4.3 per cent down in 2017 at 579million.

It said the impact of Brexit on cross-channel traffic was uncertain, but it did not expect any significant knock to its activities in the short term, with trading so far remaining 'buoyant'.

Eurotunnel chief executive Jacques Gounon said: 'Despite the financial market uncertainty generated by the United Kingdom voting to leave the European Union, the group remains confident in the performance of its economic model and in its outlook.'

The Paris-listed group saw as much as a third wiped off its stock market value in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit decision, despite moving to reassure that trading would not be impacted by the vote.

Shares in the group were down 1.2 per cent to 9.7 in morning trading.
industry veteran: Roland Junck is the new executive chairman of British Steel

JUNCK ROLE

British Steel has appointed industry veteran Roland Junck as its new executive chairman.

He was the first chief executive of ArcelorMittal following its creation in 2006 and has been brought in to grow the business after Tata Steel sold its Scunthorpe site to a management buy-out backed by Greybull Capital.

SPEEDY STARBUCKS

Starbucks has brought its super-fast coffee shop to the UK, opening its first express store at Canary Wharf in London.

It has been designed for customers on-the-go and includes an order point, allowing customers to order, pay and pick up faster.

BRAZIL DEAL

Online takeaway firm Just Eat has sold a Brazilian business it bought in February to an existing venture it has in the country.

The firm, which hosts thousands of restaurants on its website, bought hellofood which owns similar businesses in Spain, Italy, Brazil and Mexico.

It has now broken this up, passing the Brazilian bit into a partnership it already had there. It will receive 8.4million for the combined sale. Shares increased 1.5 per cent, or 7p to 477.6p.

ECKOH MOVE

Payments company Eckoh is set to buy an online customer services company in a deal worth up to 8m.

The AIM-listed firm will take on Klick2Contact EU, which specialises in web chat help services, where customers speak to staff assistants via an online messenger.

Eckoh shares were flat at 52p.

TP WIN

Tech company TP Group has won a contract worth 1million in South East Asia.

The AIM-listed firm announced a deal to remove carbon dioxide from submarines. The work will be done in Portsmouth.

Last week it said it expected its full-year results to be in line with market expectations. Shares rose 7.5p per cent, or 0.4p to 5.4p.

SALES RISE

The company which sells Raspberry Pi computers has seen revenues rise with strong performance in southern Europe.

Electrocomponents, which distributes electronic products, reported sales up 1 per cent in the three months to June compared to the previous quarter. And in the south of the continent sales were 4 per cent higher.

The Oxford-based firm said it expected to make 15million in savings by the end of the financial year. Shares rose 10.1 per cent, or 26.1p to 284.5p.

SEVERN SAVINGS

Severn Trent is on track to hit its performance targets for the year.

The water company said it was on target to make efficiency savings.
French connection: Eurotunnel is expecting a boom in passenger numbers

Eurotunnel is expecting a boom in passenger numbers as French shoppers rush to snap up cut-price bargains and take advantage of the cheap pound.

The boss of the Channel Tunnel operator, which transports cars and trucks using its Le Shuttle service, said he was expecting a boost from Brexit.

And it has already seen a lift as travellers stay away from trouble spots in favour of the French mainland.

Despite all this, chief executive Jacques Gounon warned profits would be lower than predicted after a short-term hit from the plunging pound.

However Gounon thinks there will be an upside as shoppers take advantage of sterling sinking to 31-year lows.

Eurotunnel said 2016 profits would be 4.5 per cent lower, at 447million.

Figures for the six months to June 30 showed a 2 per cent increase in sales to 485million, and operating profit rose 4 per cent to 208m.
Fresh fears surfaced over the 24billion takeover of tech giant ARM as it emerged its boss oversaw the sale of another British firm to the Japanese.

Stuart Chambers, chairman of ARM Holdings, was chief executive of UK glassmaker Pilkington when it was bought by a Japanese rival a decade ago.

He announced on Monday that ARM is in talks to be taken over by conglomerate SoftBank, owned by Japans second richest man, Masayoshi Son.

Masayoshi Son, chief executive of Japanese mobile giant SoftBank, and Stuart Chambers, Chairman of British chip designer company ARM Holdings, leave 11 Downing Street in central London yesterday after a meeting with Chancellor Philip Hammond

If successful, the deal will see the board members of ARM, including Mr Chambers, share in a 35million payday.

Mr Chambers, 60, who lives in a five-bedroom 1.2million house near Macclesfield with his wife Nicolette, is set to make 680,000. ARM chief executive Simon Segars will get 11.4million and co-founder Mike Muller, who is in charge of the firms technology, will make 22.7million.

The proposed takeover has sparked heated debate over whether a foreign firm should be allowed to buy a British technology giant.

While largely unknown to consumers, ARM is a shining light in the industry, supplying billions of micro-chips for iPhones and Samsung mobile devices.

NO WONDER THEY BACK THE TAKEOVER! Stuart Chambers Stuart Chambers, chairman, will make 680,000 Mr Chambers, 60, was sailing close to Turkey on his 500,000 yacht with his wife Nicolette, 56, and their family when the call came from Japan to strike a deal for ARM. The same eight-berth, three-cabin 65ft vessel hit the news five years ago when Mr and Mrs Chambers saved the lives of 11 Pakistani refugees fleeing Libya, after coming across them on a sinking boat. The couple, who have three children, live in a five-bedroom, three-bathroom 1.2million property in the Cheshire village of Chelford. Simon Segars Simon Segars, Chief executive, 11million ARMs 48-year-old chief executive lives with his wife Rachel in the village of Fulbourn, near Cambridge, where the company has its global headquarters. The couple bought their detached home for just 125,000 more than 15 years ago. Today they have no mortgage on the property, which is worth 1.25million. Mr Segars studied electronic engineering at Sussex University before completing an MSc at Manchester University. He joined ARM in 1991 and became CEO in 2013. Mike Muller Mike Muller, Chief technology officer, 22.7million Mr Muller, 57, is set to gain the most from the sale of ARM with a multimillion-pound windfall. A co-founder of ARM Holdings, he has been the firms chief technology officer since October 2000 and joined the board of directors in 2001. Mr Muller also lives in Cambridge in a property he co-owns with the historian and lecturer Tamsin Wimhurst, 50. The couple bought their four-bedroom home in 1997. The property has no mortgage and is currently worth in excess of 1.25million. Chris Kennedy Chris Kennedy, Chief financial officer 344,352 Mr Kennedy, 52, joined ARM only in January 2015, having previously worked for high profile budget airline easyJet as their chief financial officer since 2010. He owns an imposing five-bedroom townhouse in Chiswick, in west London, which he bought ten years ago for a little over 2million. He jointly owns the property, now thought to be worth around 4.5million, with his 48-year-old wife Anne. Advertisement

The deal was struck while father-of-three Mr Chambers was on a sailing holiday with his family in Turkey.

Billionaire Mr Son phoned him and persuaded him to meet at the marina resort of Marmaris.

Mr Son jetted in from Japan and Mr Segars flew in from California. As the row over the ARM takeover grew:

Chancellor Philip Hammond promised the Government had hard guarantees about the future of jobs at the company;

ARM was revealed to be one of Britains top five inventors, filing more patents than defence giant BAE or Dyson;

SoftBank shares in Japan fell 10 per cent over fears it has 76billion of debt;

More critics warned the takeover could be harmful to the British economy.

Mr Chambers was chief of UK glassmaker Pilkington when it was bought by a Japanese rival a decade ago

The takeover has been viewed in some quarters as a post-Brexit boost showing that overseas firms are willing to bet on the UK economy.

To win over sceptics both firms have agreed ARMs headquarters will stay in Cambridge, nicknamed Silicon Fen for its cluster of tech firms. SoftBank has also vowed to create 1,500 jobs.

But similar reassurances about job safety were made when Mr Chambers agreed the sale of 180-year-old Pilkington Glass in 2006.

The glassmaker had a proud history in St Helens, Merseyside, until it was bought by Nippon Sheet Glass in a deal worth 2billion  with the promise of no job losses.

But within 15 months of the deal going through, Mr Chambers had quit as chief executive because he could not cope with the Japanese working culture.

A year later, 300 jobs at Pilkington were slashed and hundreds more pencilled in as part of a 150million cost-cutting plan.

In 2012, a further 150 employees were axed, with 140 more jobs lost the following year when a factory in St Helens was shut down.

The fate of Pilkington has led to fears that the takeover of ARM could lead to a similar result. There is no legal obligation to stick to promises made during takeover deals.

David Green, of think-tank Civitas, said: The Pilkington case is a warning. It was one of our leading companies and had been for years.

If its easy to extract the knowhow from a company within a couple of years its potentially harmful for the British economy. Companies shouldnt be able to give assurances of these kind that they can abandon when the going gets tough.

The commitments that have been made should be as binding as possible and I would like to see the Government try to do that using its limited powers, and look to strengthen those powers going forward.

British Finance Minister Philip Hammond greets Stuart Chambers, Chairman of British chip designer company ARM Holdings, outside 11 Downing street yesterday

Mr Hammond yesterday denied acting hastily in backing the Japanese takeover.

He met Mr Son on Monday and trumpeted the deal, saying it proved Britain has lost none of its allure to international investors since last months referendum.

The Chancellor insisted he and Prime Minister Theresa May had achieved very hard guarantees from SoftBank, including a pledge to double the number of UK staff over the next five years.

He also suggested Britain could not afford to refuse investments on this scale, given the economys large trade deficit with the rest of the world.

We need to remind ourselves that we are running a 6.9 per cent of GDP external account deficit, and that has to be funded somehow, he told MPs.

It has been funded by an extraordinarily successful run of foreign direct investment into the UK  more than into any other country in the European Union.

That has slowed as uncertainty around the referendum has been created. We now need to generate the confidence to allow it to resume.

Meanwhile, an investigation by the Mail has discovered that ARM filed a patent on average every other day last year  making it one of the top five creative firms in Britain.

It lodged 185, lagging behind only Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and Ford, putting it ahead of high-profile investors such as BAE, Dyson and drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline. Critics of the SoftBank deal have said that Britain would lose the income from these patents if ARM was taken over.

David Buik, a City commentator and analyst at Panmure Gordon, said: Im all for big deals ordinarily but this makes me a little bit sad.

We have no real stocks in the FTSE 100 that are for the future. ARM is potentially a massive international company and they have yet to scratch the surface.

Now that the Japanese have bought the rights to the knowhow behind ARMs ideas it doesnt matter whether they operate in Yokohama or in Cambridge.

Were losing the property of that company. If SoftBank owns the knowledge that comes with ARM they can say whatever they want to Theresa May.

ARM shares were at 1663p last night, after closing on Friday at 1189p.
One just cannot ignore the participants of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9; they are everywhere.

By India Today Web Desk: Waiting for the premiere of the popular dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 9? We bet you are. Well the show won't hit the small screen before July 30. But here is what you can do instead; feast your eyes on the contestants of the show as they get roasted on Comedy Nights Bachao.

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Also read:Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 9: Everything you need to know about the first episode



Yes, you read that right; your favourite celebrities visited the sets of Comedy Nights Bachao. The Jhalak contestants are not leaving any opportunity to promote their show. Don't believe us? Check out these pictures from the show.

Television actor and Jhalak participant Arjun Bijlani takes a selfie with Bharti Singh. Picture courtesy: Instagram/arjunbijlani

And they took another selfie, or should we say, a 'groupfie'? Picture courtesy: Instagram/arjunbijlani

Contestants of Jhalak like Arjun Bijlani, Karishma Tanna, Salman Yusuff Khan, Nora Fatehi, Sidhant Gupta, and Shakti Arora visited the sets of the show. The actors even posted some pictures from the set.

Television and film actress Karishma Tanna looked stunning, as usual. Picture courtesy: Instagram/karishmaktanna

The Jhalak participants had a fun time bonding with the cast and crew of Comedy Nights Bachao. Picture courtesy: Instagram/salmanyusuffkhanfc

Actor Arjun Bijlani was on a selfie spree. Picture courtesy: Instagram/arjunbijlani

The participants of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa this season are Arjun Bijlani, Shakti Arora, Helly Shah, Gaurav Gera, Surveen Chawla, Karishma Tanna, Nora Fatehi, Siddhant Gupta, Shantanu Maheshwari, Salman Yusuf Khan, Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, and the dancing twins Priyanka and Poonam Shah.



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By PTI: Kochi, Jul 20 (PTI) A group of advocates today allegedly attacked media persons outside the Kerala High Court complex here, leaving two persons injured.

The lawyers allegedly hurled abuses and threatened that they would not allow the reporters to cover the court proceedings. A section of them even locked down the media room in the court complex.

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Two camerapersons of television news channels have been injured in the attack, local media reported.

The injured have been admitted to the Ernakulam government hospital, police said.

Ernakulam unit of Kerala Union of Working Journalists alleged that the advocates resorted to violent protest against the media as they were provoked by its coverage of an alleged attempt by a government pleader to molest a woman here last week.

Journalists under the banner of KUWJ staged a protest at a city corner demanding action against the lawyers who targeted media.

Visuals aired by various TV channels showed media persons being chased and kicked by advocates even as police tried to rescue them.

The lawyers were seen preventing camerapersons from taking visuals of the violence.

Media persons have complained to the High Court registrar about the incident, which occurred a day after some advocates allegedly used abusive words against legal reporters at the courts media room here.

Yesterday, a legal reporter, who was allegedly manhandled by a section of unruly lawyers, had complained to the acting Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan about the incident in the media room.

The government pleader, who is currently out on bail, was arrested last week on the charge of allegedly attempting to molest the woman on a city lane. PTI TGB ROH BN KIS MAV

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The makers of Kabali have rubbished all the baseless rumours surrounding the film.

By India Today Web Desk: The makers of superstar Rajinikanth-starrer Kabali, have clarified that the film has not been leaked online, contrary to the earlier reports.

On Tuesday, reports surfaced online that Kabali had been leaked on Dark Web, ahead of the film's release.



ALSO READ: Kabali-Another petition filed seeking stay on Rajinikanth's film

ALSO READ: Kabali-Thalaivar Rajinikanth's introduction scene revealed

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Speaking about the leaked rumours, a source close to the unit said,"These are just baseless rumours circulated for fun. There's no truth in reports that Kabali has leaked online. Producer Kalaipuli S Thanu plans to officially address the matter via a statement."

The ardent fans of Rajinikanth were shocked to find reports which claimed that nearly 30 minutes of the film were leaked online.

Directed by Pa Ranjith, Kabali features Rajinikanth in the role of a Malaysian don.

The film, which will also be released in Telugu and Hindi, co-stars Radhika Apte, Kishore, Dinesh, Kalaiarasan, Dhanshika and Taiwanese actor Winston Chao.

Tipped to be based on the story of a real life don, Kabali has been predominantly shot in Malaysia. On July 29, the film will also be dubbed and released in Malay.

Produced by Kalaipuli S Thanu, the film has music by Santhosh Narayanan.



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By Mail Today Bureau: A social activist, who had taken on the sand mafia, was hacked to death allegedly by illegal miners in the Western Ghats on Monday night in Karnataka.

Ajay S, 27, from Nidigere village in Sakleshpura taluk in Hassan district kept a movement of trucks transporting sand mined illegally from the Hemavathi River. On Monday, he informed the district police about illegal sand mining near his village. The police raided the illegal sand excavation site and impounded the trucks and equipment.

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The same evening when Ajay was returning to his village from Sakleshpura, miscreants intercepted his vehicle. They hacked him to death on the spot and it is said that as many as 15 people were involved. Later, his brother lodged a police complaint pointing towards the suspects.

On Tuesday, the police arrested 4 people, including D C Sannaswamy, a former member of the local Zilla Panchayat. Another 10 people, who were allegedly involved in the incident, were absconding. The police are searching for the miscreants.



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Omar apprised the Governor on his party's concerns relating to internal security management, role of the media and other matters.

By Shuja-ul-Haq : As the crisis continues in the Valley, former chief minister and national conference working president Omar Abdullah today met Governor NN Voha at Rajbhavan in Srinagar.



CONVEYING CONCERNS ON KASHMIR

As per an official communication, Omar apprised the Governor about his own and his party's concerns on the prevailing situation in the Valley, particularly issues relating to internal security management, role of the media and other matters.

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The Governor has urged Abdullah to contribute towards the very early restoration of peace and normalcy in the Valley.

Meanwhile, the National conference has said that they would not attend the all party meeting that has been called by the government tomorrow. The party has accused the government for not responding to the crisis in time.

ALSO READ:

Army Chief Dalbir Singh reviews situation in Kashmir





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The separatist leaders have asked the people of the Valley to hoist black flags over all the residential houses, commercial establishments like shops and important landmarks and squares.

The violence started on July 9, a day after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces. (Photo: Reuters)

By Shuja-ul-Haq : As the curfew imposed by the authorities and a protest shutdown called by separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day today, the unified separatist leadership including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, in their joint statement, have called for observing Wednesday, July 20, as "Black Day".

Three civilian protesters, including two women, were killed on Monday in army firing when mob attacked an army patrol party.

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READ: Kashmir unrest: Protests flare, 3 killed as army opens fire



The army has regretted the incident and ordered a probe to ascertain whether the standard operating procedure (SOP) was violated by the soldiers, so that the responsibility is fixed and the guilty are punished.

Here are the updates: The separatist leaders have called for hoisting black flags over all the residential houses, commercial establishments like shops and important landmarks and squares. They have also asked the people to observe a blackout from 8:30 pm to 9 pm by switching off all lights. Police said curfew will continue in most parts of the Valley as precautionary measure to maintain law and order. After the state government conveyed to the editors of local newspapers through Amitabh Mattoo, Advisor to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, that there was no ban on publication, the editors on Tuesday sought written assurance from the government to resume publication. The Valley went without any newspaper for the 5th day running Tuesday. The editors have said they will meet again in the afternoon to decide future course of action. Internet connectivity on all mobile phones remained suspended for the ninth day in the Valley on Wednesday. Calling facility on mobile phones has also remained suspended during this period except for limited calling facility on post-paid mobile phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). After remaining closed because of the killings of three civilians in army firing during protest in Qazigund area, the Jammu-Sringar National Highway was restored for limited traffic during the night. Trucks carrying supplies of essential goods and vehicles carrying Amarnath yatris, who had been stranded on the highway, were cleared during the night. Train services between Baramulla town in the Valley and Banihal in Jammu region also remained suspended for the 13th day today. Marriages scheduled during this period have been cancelled causing inconvenience to hundreds of families. All normal activities of life have been paralysed by the ongoing cycle of violence that has claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen.

The violence started on July 9, a day after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces along with two of his associates in Kokernag area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district.

Also Read:

PDP-BJP blame one another for Kashmir unrest

Amartya Sen to India Today: Kashmir brutality biggest blot on our democracy

Kashmir unrest: India hits back at Pakistan



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Turkey on Wednesday intensified a sweeping crackdown on the media, the military, the courts and the education system following an attempted coup, targeting tens of thousands of teachers and other state employees for dismissal in a purge that raised concerns about basic freedoms and the effectiveness of key institutions.

The Turkish government focused in particular on teachers suspected of backing Friday\s failed uprising, taking steps to revoke the licenses of 21,000 teachers at private schools and sacking or detaining half a dozen university presidents. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose followers run a worldwide network of schools, of fomenting the insurrection, which was quashed by security forces and protesters loyal to the government.

Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania and has denied the coup accusations, is increasingly becoming a source of tension between the United States and Turkey, which has requested the cleric\s extradition. The two NATO allies cooperate in the U.S.-led war against the Islamic State group, with American military planes flying missions from Turkey\s Incirlik air base into neighboring Iraq and Syria.

Erdogan on Wednesday was helming an emergency meeting of Turkey\s National Security Council, the highest advisory body on security issues. The president, who has said he narrowly escaped being killed or captured by renegade military units, previously declared that an "important decision" would be announced after the meeting.

While Turks speculated on what the new measure might be, it was almost certain to bolster an aggressive campaign against perceived enemies across a wide spectrum of Turkish society, from schools to the courts to the highest levels of government.

The government of Erdogan, accused of increasingly autocratic conduct even before the coup attempt, revoked the press credentials of 34 journalists because of alleged ties to Gulen\s movement, Turkish media reported. A satirical magazine, Leman, said authorities blocked the distribution of a special edition over its cover featuring a caricature in which two mysterious hands play a game of strategy, one pushing soldiers onto the board and the other responding by sending civilians.

In addition to its moves against private teachers, Turkey has already announced the firing of 15,200 workers at state schools, demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans and halted all foreign assignments for state-employed academics. A total of 50,000 civil service employees have been fired in the purges, which have reached Turkey\s national intelligence service and the prime minister\s office.

Authorities have rounded up close to 9,000 people  including 115 generals, 350 officers and some 4,800 other military personnel  for alleged involvement in the coup attempt. The coup has led to public anger and calls for the government to reinstate the death penalty, a demand that Erdogan has said he will consider.

Anadolu, Turkey\s state-run news agency, published what it said were excerpts from the testimony to prosecutors of the closest aide to the Turkish military chief, in which he allegedly confessed to being a follower of Gulen and of knowing of the coup plans.

Lt. Col. Levent Turkkan allegedly told interrogators that coup plotters wanted to detain top civilian and military leaders, a plan that largely failed. Turkkan allegedly asserted that the coup failed because the military chief, Hulusi Akar, rejected an offer to lead the coup attempt.

"When he didn\t accept the offer, other force commanders could not be convinced. We can say that by not accepting the offer, he paved the way for its failure," the agency quoted Turkkan as saying. Turkkan reportedly said he "started to regret it after I saw the bombs explode and the civilians being harmed."

Officials on Wednesday raised the death toll from the violence surrounding the coup attempt to 240 government supporters. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

The purges against suspected Gulen supporters follow earlier aggressive moves by Erdogan\s administration against Gulen loyalists in the government, police and judiciary following corruption probes targeting Erdogan associates and family members in late 2013  prosecutions the government says were orchestrated by Gulen.

In a separate conflict, Turkish jets carried out cross-border strikes against Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, killing 20 alleged militants, state media reported Wednesday.

F-16 jets pounded targets belonging to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in Iraq\s Hakurk region, the Anadolu agency reported. The Turkish military has been regularly hitting suspected PKK hideouts and position in Iraq since last year, but Wednesday\s strikes were the first since the failed coup.

The military appeared to be at least partly attempting to show that the forces are on top of security matters.

SOURCE: AP
Hopewell Community Park remains a 'labor of love' for local community

The lush green park is a product of the combined efforts of the Hopewell Township community and a symbol of decades of conservation efforts in Beaver County.
Earlier in the day, the Chief Ministers' office called for a meeting with newspaper owners and editors at her residence and conveyed regret over the action by police on one newspaper's office.

By Ashraf Wani: After the government banned the printing press in Kashmir for four straight days, it was confirmed that Kashmir based newspapers will hit the stands from Thursday.

Editors of Kashmir based newspapers have decided to publish news papers from Thursday after apology from State Government for raiding one of the newspaper offices on Saturday.

GOVERNMENT REGRETS CRACKDOWN

The decision to resume publication was taken in a meeting of editors and owners here on Wednesday. Earlier in the day the chief minister's office called for a meeting with newspaper owners and Editors at her residence and had conveyed regret for the action by Police on one newspaper office and seizing of other newspapers from stands.

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News papers owners and editors unanimously later decided to publish their newspaper from tomorrow.

MOBILE AND INTERNET SERVICES



Pertinently, Government had imposed ban on Mobile and mobile internet services also last week in wake of the violent protests across Kashmir that broke out after the killing of Hizbul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani at Kokernag in south Kashmir in first week of July.

So far, internet and mobile services had not been restored and the government may restore these services in valley soon sources said to India Today.

ALSO READ:

Amartya Sen to India Today: Kashmir brutality biggest blot on our democracy



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Contributed photo Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work (left) and Patricia J. Zarodkiewicz, administrative assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force, present the "Spirit of Service" award to Wichita Falls native Dr. Candace Edmonds Bird at the Pentagon.

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Wichita Falls native Dr. Candace Edmonds Bird was one of eight Air Force civilians who received the Department of Defense Spirit of Service Award in ceremonies in May at the Pentagon.

The award, presented by Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work, recognizes federal civilian workers from multiple services and DoD agencies in the National Capital Region for their commitment to community service.

Bird was recognized for being a leading advocate providing exceptional management and leadership of Air Force Child and Youth Programs. Her emphasis from 2012-2016 on ensuring quality, available and affordable child and youth care helped strengthen the Air Force's commitment to serving 250,000 military connected children and youth. She led the CYP to a 100 percent accreditation rate for 224 child care facilities under increased national standards.

Additionally, her advocacy secured $8 million in funds for playgrounds and encouraged obesity prevention efforts in line with the first lady's "Let's Move" campaign. She oversaw implementation of the Exceptional Family Member respite care program, which expanded from seven to 75 locations providing critical support to over 1,300 children with special needs. A staunch advocate of meeting unique child care needs, Bird championed expanding specialized child care programs for bereavement, medical issues, wounded warriors, supplemental care for parents required to work beyond a 12-hour shift, and weekend drill care for Guard and Reserve families.

Work noted that perhaps Bird's most notable achievement to ensure availability was during the 2013 federal budget emergency. Bird spearheaded an appeal to the Office of the Secretary of Defense resulting in 1,634 furlough exceptions to ensure CYP facilities remained open to serve military families. Bird successfully petitioned for over $32 million to expand child care subsidies for geographically dispersed families giving them access to quality care where military programs were not available.

Bird was recognized for being a "tremendous leader who continuously orchestrates avenues that elevate the care and resilience of Air Force families."

Bird served the Air Force for 20 years as a federal civilian and recently was appointed as a senior program analyst within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Personnel & Readiness, Military Community & Family Policy at the Pentagon. Bird is a 1987 honors graduate of Hirschi High School. She is the daughter of the Mrs. Helen Edmonds, of Wichita Falls, and the late Rev. Albert Edmonds.

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More than 200 students from Boys & Girls Clubs in Wichita Falls attended the second annual Closing the Pipeline event July 8 at the Southeast Boys and Girls Club.

Serenity House Impact Youth Prevention Program sponsored the event, whose purpose was to convey to students the importance of celebrating life drug-free and to connect youth to city organizations that provide free and healthy events and activities.

Several community organizations joined in the effort, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, Straight Street, First Baptist Church, the Tobacco Prevention Control Coalition, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Teen Court, Reading Is Power and Serenity House.

Teen Court provided student volunteers, and other organizations sponsored information booths. Every student received a backpack from Serenity.

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Cameron Allen, of Wichita Falls, a management major, has been named to the spring 2016 Chancellor's List at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

To be named to the list, a student must have completed at least nine hours for credit with a grade of A, B, C or CR and have maintained at least a 3.9 grade-point average. Also, the student must not have received a grade of D, F, incomplete or no credit.

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Stephanie Johnston, director of the Breast Center of Texoma, has been elected to the board of directors of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the world's largest radiologic science association.

Johnston, of Holliday, will serve as the 2016-17 secretary-treasurer.

"My experience with various organizations prepared me well to serve the membership as secretary-treasurer, a position I am honored to be entrusted with," Johnston said. "I look forward to representing the members and making the changes that will advance and strengthen the profession."

Johnston also is a former president and chairman of the Texas Society of Radiologic Technologists and New Mexico Society of Radiologic Technologists. She began her one-year term as ASRT secretary-treasurer following the conclusion of the 2016 ASRT Annual Governance and House of Delegates meeting June 24-26 in Las Vegas.
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BAIL

Suspect: Antonio Hastings, 29

Charge: evading arrest or detention with previous convictions

Offense date: June 25

Bail: $5,000

Suspect: Sherri Renee Martin, 39

Charge: possession of a controlled substance

Offense date: June 25

Bail: $3,000

Suspect: Mark Stephen Clark, 47

Charge: theft with two or more previous convictions

Offense date: June 25

Bail: $5,000

Suspect: Paul Anthony Rivas, 49

Charge: possession of a controlled substance

Offense date: June 25

Bail: $20,000

Suspect: Bobby Jackson, 40

Charge: possession of a controlled substance

Offense date: June 25

Bail: $15,000

Suspect: Gregory Brown, 44

Charge: possession of a controlled substance

Offense date: June 26

Bail: $5,000

Suspect: Levi Lynn Givens, 23

Charge: possession of a controlled substance

Offense date: June 26

Bail: $3,500

Suspect: Victoria Gayle Peebles, 27

Charge: Injury to an elderly individual

Offense date: June 26

Bail: $15,000

PLEAS

Defendant: David Wayne Sheppard

Offense: theft of property

Plea: Guilty

Date of plea: July 11

Sentence: 5 days in Wichita County Jail

Defendant: Darrion Lemont Fleeks

Offense: possession of marijuana

Plea: Guilty

Date of plea: July 8

Sentence: 2 years deferred adjudication community supervision

Defendant: Johnny Wayne Gestes II

Offense: driving while intoxicated three or more

Plea: Guilty

Date of plea: July 8

Sentence: 10 years in prison suspended for six years community supervision

Defendant: James Dylan Bryant

Offense: evading arrest/detention with previous conviction

Plea: Guilty

Date of plea: July 8

Sentence: 9 months in prison

Defendant: Wesley Gene Haney

Offense: forgery

Plea: Guilty

Date of plea: July 8

Sentence: 2 years in prison

Defendant: Wesley Gene Haney

Offense: fraudulent use/possession of identifying information

Plea: Guilty

Date of plea: July 8

Sentence: 2 years in prison
Claire Kowalick/Times Record News Wichita Falls Police Chief Manuel Borrego speaks to the city council Tuesday morning about an amendment to a business ordinance to include restrictions on aggressive solicitors.

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By Claire Kowalick of the Times Record News

The Wichita Falls City Council hopes new "aggressive solicitor" regulations and solicitor renewal fees will tame recent issues with certain groups and individuals.

Wichita Falls Police Chief Manuel Borrego presented the ordinance amendment, saying there had been reports of people using aggressive techniques when begging for money or selling items and services. One of the main antagonists appears to be a group based in Dallas called the New Life Church of North Texas, which solicits around the country. The group's aggressive tactics have been documented for years and prompted law enforcement in other cities, including Mineral Wells, Orange Park, Fla., Hennessey, Okla., Yorkville, Ill., and Scottsbluff, Neb., to take action.

By city definition, solicitors include any individual, firm or corporation who, by telephone or in person, attempts to sell, take orders for goods, or attempts to collect money.

The city defines aggressive behavior as: Making any physical contact with or touching a person during the solicitation without the person's consent; following the person being solicited; continuing to solicit a person within five feet if the person says no; blocking free passage to a pedestrian or vehicle; using obscene or foul language and/or gestures toward a person being solicited.

The change is designed to protect people at automated teller facilities, banks or similar financial institutions, buses, check cashing businesses, public areas including sidewalks, streets, highways, parks, parking lots, alleyways, pedestrian walkways, common areas of schools, hospitals, apartment houses, office buildings, transport facilities, and shops.

A person commits an offense if they attempt to solicit in an aggressive manner in a public area, within 25 feet of an ATM or bank, at a crosswalk, on either side of a street on a block with a school attended by minors or child-care facility, or the patio of a bar or restaurant.

"We want to prevent this in areas where people feel vulnerable, like banks and ATMs," Borrego said.

The ordinance amendment also includes a solicitor permit renewal fee. Initially, the renewal fee was set at $50, but Councilor Tom Quintero proposed that they raise the renewal fee to $100 and this motion was approved by the council.

An initial solicitation permit was valid for one year but now the permit will only be good for 90 days. The individual or group will have to pay an additional $100 for a permit renewal fee if they want to continue soliciting. Borrego said the renewal fee will help the police have more control over who is soliciting in the city and where they are. There are only about 20-30 legitimate solicitors each year including groups like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and firefighters collecting for the Fill the Boot MDA drive. A majority of these groups only have one of these fundraising drives each year so they should not be negatively affected by the new renewal fee.

Mayor Glenn Barham asked how this addition to the ordinance would affect nonaggressive solicitors such as panhandlers. Borrego said this ordinance is not meant to affect panhandlers, who can take up police officer time but are not normally aggressive. He said officers usually issue a citation to these individuals if they do not have a permit, or they make the person leave the area. City Clerk Tracy Norr said panhandlers are supposed to carry a permit, but there are currently only four panhandler permits issued.

City attorney Kinley Hegglund said an all-encompassing no-solicitor ordinance would be difficult, if not impossible, to enforce and could infringe on people's rights.

The council approved the new aggressive solicitor amendment and renewal fee. Hegglund said he will continue to research more restrictive measures to limit panhandlers and unauthorized solicitors in the city.
Lauren Roberts/Times Record News Wichita Falls police block entrances to the River Road Wastewater Treatment Plant Saturday evening. Two city workers from the plant were transported to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas in critical condition after being exposed to a gas while making routine repairs in the facility's basement. Officials said the gas was never a threat to the public.

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By Staff Report

A fish fry is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at the Wichita Falls' Elks Lodge to benefit the families of city employees injured in an accident.

On July 2, two wastewater treatment workers were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas after they were exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas while conducting routine maintenance on a pump.

Daniel Arrendondo died July 10 and the other employee is believed to be in critical condition.

Wichita County Commissioner Lee Harvey spoke about the benefit Monday during the Commissioners Court meeting.

"The benefit is for college scholarships for the workers' children. The man that provided for these children is not there anymore," he said.

The lunch benefit will include fish, hush puppies, fries, coleslaw and beans for donations only. All proceeds will go to these employees' families.

To-go orders will be available.

For more information, contact Jon Reese, Wichita Falls fire chief, at 940-631-0499 or John Burrus with the city at 940-631-8837.
TRN Investigates

By Christopher Collins of the Times Record News

Editor's note: This is the second installment of the Times Record News occasional series, Equity in Education. The series examines disparities in funding, quality of instruction and 0ther matters in the Wichita Falls Independent School District.

An audit of the Wichita Falls Independent School District's bilingual education programs identified major inconsistencies in how the programs are being run, finding them to lack uniformity or any clear definition of standards.

The report also showed the vast majority of students in the programs were not meeting English proficiency standards, possibly due to students being removed from bilingual programs prematurely. The audit validates some of the conclusions of a recent Times Record News investigation revealing wide discrepancies in funding, staffing and test scores for bilingual students in WFISD elementary schools.

The audit's findings were presented to the WFISD Board of Trustees by an administrator at a Monday meeting. Greta Benavides, the district's foreign language and English-language-learner coordinator, suggested a possible remedy by moving bilingual programs to five elementary and early childhood center "hubs" instead spreading them across all the district's elementary campuses.

Benavides indicated Lamar, Scotland Park, Southern Hills and Zundy elementary schools, along with Brook Village Early Childhood Center, would be used next year as centralized points of bilingual education. The idea of using a centralized approach to the programs has been floated to trustees before, and it now appears the district will move forward with the plan.

"It was very hard (to educate bilingual students at separate campuses). We have to put them together," Benavides told trustees.

The campuses scheduled to become bilingual hubs are where the majority of English language learners  students whose native language is not English  are enrolled already. But some of those campuses are plagued by vast disparities in the resources allotted to them by the school district, the Times Record News revealed in a story published in June.

The independent research showed some of the district's English language learners do not receive the full benefit of bilingual programs because of funding shortages. For example, Zundy Elementary, which in 2014-15 had the district's highest number English-language learners, received $32,000 for bilingual programs, while Southern Hills Elementary reeled in $237,000 for its programs.

A WFISD spokeswoman did not offer an explanation of specific funding discrepancies despite repeated inquiries. The disparities also were not addressed at Monday's meeting, though district superintendent Michael Kuhrt said his "specific concern right now is resources" for the programs.

In 2014-15, the most recent year for which actual school spending data is available, the WFISD allotted $1.2 million for bilingual programs, down from the 2012-13 funding peak of $2.1 million. The district has about 1,000 students who are classified as English language learners, the majority of whom speak Spanish and are of Mexican descent. That number is expected to grow in coming years.

The audit, conducted by El Saber Enterprises, found the district has no "true" bilingual programs, meaning that WFISD places English language learners in the same classrooms as native English speakers and does not give significant instruction in Spanish. By creating "hub" campuses, English language learners would be concentrated in the same classrooms, allowing certified bilingual teachers to teach in both Spanish and English  a critical step in making the students proficient in English.

Also identified by the audit was "a need for a clear understanding of second language acquisition and its effect on instruction." Auditors reported the school district has "no uniformity in the implementation of the bilingual or English-as-a-second-language program. (It has) no clear definition or shared vision on what the program should look like or how it should be implemented."

The school district did not respond to a request Tuesday for a full copy of the El Saber audit.

By almost any testing metric, English language learners in the WFISD are academically behind their English speaking peers in the district and other English language learners statewide. Despite enrollment in programs aimed at achieving English proficiency, only 20 percent of elementary and 25 percent of junior high and high school English language learners are proficient in the language, according to scores on federally mandated tests.

WFISD English language learners also score poorly on state-required tests, data shows. According to statistics submitted by the school district to the Texas Education Agency, fewer than 20 percent of English language learners in the Class of 2014 were deemed ready for college in the subjects of English or mathematics. There were zero English-language learners in that graduating class who were deemed college-ready in both subjects.

In 2014-15, English language learners did especially poorly in fifth grade STAAR science testing, where they had a passing rate of 22 percent, and in the seventh grade writing test, which showed a 15 percent passing rate.

The district currently is involved in the TEA's intervention process due to the poor performance of its English language learners.

Benavides, the WFISD bilingual programs coordinator, has in the past lamented the academic performance of the student demographic. "There are concerns about the scores," she said at a January school board work retreat, though she partially defended herself by saying the systems in place to educate bilingual students were inadequate. "We cannot implement the program properly, so to say the program is not working is not fair."

On Monday, Benavides hinted that the school district's practice of releasing English language learners from bilingual programs after the third grade may be inherently flawed. Last year, the 53 English language learners enrolled in bilingual programs had dwindled to 32 by the third grade, and by the fourth grade all had been removed from the program, despite research showing the students generally need to be in the programs longer for them to be effective.

"We have an early exit to get (English-language learners) out, but our data shows they're struggling," Benavides said.

Instead of keeping English language learners in bilingual programs through elementary school  as is generally suggested  the students are being moved in the fourth grade to remedial English-as-a-second-language courses, which do not require educators to teach in a student's native language.

It's possible the problem of students' premature removal from bilingual programs can be corrected by the use of the "hub" campuses. Pre-kindgarten students identified as English language learners reportedly will be moved from their home campuses to one of the bilingual hubs, while those students who already attend a campus outside the hub likely will not be moved.
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My grandson loves to sing. As soon as he gets into my car, he is adjusting the radio channel to one of his favorites, and then he sings, and if I know it, I sing also.

When he was just turning 4, his day care was preparing for an upcoming Fourth of July parade. He, along with his class, was learning the patriotic song that his class would sing while marching in the parade  "God Bless America." His singing of this song was what indicated to me that this boy loves to sing. After this parade, you could ask him to sing "God Bless America," and his little arms would go straight to the side of his body, and he would take a breath and belt out the song with enthusiasm and vigor.

Now let's fast forward a few months from July to September or early October of that same year. I took the grandson with me to the homecoming parade in Electra. As we were waiting to meet up with my friend who had invited us, we were walking by the little plaza where a miniature Statue of Liberty resides. Grandson said excitedly, "Look, Grammy! There's Lady Liberty!" I looked, and as I did, he took the singing stance and began singing "God Bless America" as loud and proud as his small body allowed. This little fellow drew an audience, and after he finished singing, he had applause. Proud Grammy and excited Grandson watched the parade, complete with the cheerleaders throwing Grandson a stuffed "tiger" that, to this day, still resides with Grandson  lovingly called "Tiger Sweetheart."

Just like my pride in hearing Grandson sing that day and the pride held by those Electra alumni who had come home that year for homecoming, there is great pride in every Small Town, USA, like Burkburnett. Neighbors help neighbors, and patriotism is mainstream, not something that just happens on July Fourth each year. "God Bless America" is not just a song, but a way of thinking.

I believe there are many in this area who also say, "God Bless the Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation and the Burkburnett Legacy Foundation for the work each of these entities does for charitable causes in this area." Both Wichita Falls Area Community Foundation and the Burkburnett Legacy Foundation are proud to be of service to the constituents served, from nonprofits to churches and universities to volunteer fire departments and the students served by the scholarships received. This is truly a great place to live, work and play.

I also believe that on Sept. 15, Texoma Gives  a 16-hour online giving day that will help nonprofits in 18 North Texas counties and six Southern Oklahoma counties  the multitudes will be proud of the promotions done by nonprofits and the donations made by all of you. Go to www.texomagives.org to learn more.
Sweetie darling! They're back!

Politicians may crumble, but Edina Monsoon and Patsy Stone, London's most intrepid consumers of Bolly (Champagne), Stolly (vodka), drugs, Botox and any passing trend, will apparently never change. "Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie," which opens Friday in the United States, features the unreconstructed, unrepentant duo invented by comedian Jennifer Saunders for a BBC series of the same name in 1992. Soon known as "Ab Fab," the show, with Saunders as Edina and Joanna Lumley as Patsy, has enjoyed an intermittent life and adoring fans since, popping up for several seasons in the early 2000s and again in 2011-12.

The movie, directed by Mandie Fletcher, features "Ab Fab" favorites, like Edina's disapproving daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) and an endless succession of cameos, including those by Jon Hamm, Stella McCartney and Kate Moss, whom Edina manages to push into the Thames, an incident that sets the not-very-complex plot in motion. ("It's not great cinema, or even peak 'Fabulous,' but for a post-Brexit Britain in dire need of some cheering up, it more than does the job," Guy Lodge wrote in Variety.)

In a hotel here on the day after Britain had voted to leave the European Union, Saunders and Lumley at first talked gloomily about the result, both expressing their disbelief at the news. But they perked up when the conversation turned to their new film, talking about their characters, changes in the fashion world and whether the world can expect more Ab-fabulousness in the future. Here are edited excerpts from the conversation.

More Information At a glance "Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie" Stars: Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley, Jane Horrocks Director: Mandie Fletcher Opens: Friday See More Collapse

Q: Why an "Absolutely Fabulous" movie now?

Saunders: I have often thought about it, but unfortunately you have to have an idea. Somehow this seemed like an interesting time to show Patsy and Edina (being) overtaken by what's going on in the world. I was with our producer Jon Plowman, who was going, "Think of a plot, think of a plot!" I said, well it's about Edina, her PR business is failing, and she needs a big new client. And of course it had to be Kate Moss, because Edina just wants to be in the elite crowd. And then I thought, it would be hilarious if Edina accidentally killed her!

Lumley: Jen had written the whole thing, everyone was thrilled, the studio had accepted it, and someone said to her, is Kate OK with it? She had completely forgotten to ask her.

Saunders: That's because I was in a car with Stella McCartney and told her about it, and she said of course Kate will do it. Somehow, in my head that seemed like enough. Of course she did do it!

Lumley: You can tell by the way Jen said, "I was in a car with Stella McCartney," that unlike Edina, she is in fact part of the cool crowd.

Q: You have been playing Patsy and Edina for 25 years now. What keeps drawing you back?

Lumley: We never get a chance to see each other in real life, so it's such fun. We actually look forward to flights and promotional trips so that we can talk.

Saunders: And when we are sitting together, airline stewards think we have to drink Champagne continuously, and often press bottles on us when we leave. We emerge clinking.

Lumley: I love Patsy and Edina. Patsy is getting more and more grotesque; there is nothing inside her at all. The absurdity of their lives, the wall of Champagne in Edina's house, it's just heaven to get back there. The funny thing is that Jen and I are literally the polar opposites of the characters. I like decoupage and making biscuit tins.
Bihar Excise minister Abdul Jalil Mastan said that the amendment bill will be introduced in the upcoming Monsoon session of Bihar Assembly scheduled to begin from July 29.

By Rohit Kumar Singh: The Bihar government is doing everything possible to make the liquor ban a hit in the state. In the latest move, the Nitish government has stated that neighbours will go to jail if anyone is found consuming or keeping liquor in his house.

This is the new amendment that the Bihar government is all set to incorporate in the Excise Act 2016, which has glaring loopholes.

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Speaking exclusively to India Today, Bihar Excise minister Abdul Jalil Mastan said that the amendment bill will be introduced in the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly scheduled to begin from July 29.

Mastan said according to the proposed amendment, neighbours will be held accountable if anyone is found possessing or consuming liquor in his house. The minister said the idea of bringing such a law is that the neighbours should also keep a tab on anyone around them and inform the police about possession or consumption of liquor by someone. He said that the person keeping or consuming liquor should not only fear the police but also his neighbours.



NITISH GOVT WANTS STRICT PUNISHMENT FOR RULE BREAKERS

"The idea is that a person during prohibition is fearing the police but we want that the person should fear his neighbour also. If the neighbour is aware that a person is consuming liquor, he should inform the police failing which we will not spare him. Neighbours will sent to jail in that case", said minister Abdul Mastan.

The minister further added that there was also provision in the amended bill that if liquor is found in someone's house or if someone if found consuming liquor in the house, apart from the guilty person, all the adult members of the family will also be arrested and sent to jail.

"If there is liquor bottle in someone's house, it is the responsibility of the family members to inform police about it or else they will have to go to jail," the minister added.

Also Read:

After liquor ban, crime graph slumps in Bihar



Bihar court denies bail to seven held for drinking

After Bihar, Nitish Kumar wants alcohol ban in Uttar Pradesh too



--- ENDS ---
OPENING FRIDAY

ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS  THE MOVIE: Edina (Jennifer Saunders) and Patsy (Joanna Lumley) take their boozy act to the big screen, where they cause a major incident at a fashion show and are forced to flee to the French Riviera. (R for language including sexual references, and some drug use) http://www.absolutelyfabulousthemovie.co.uk/showtimes

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE: Taika Waititi ("What We Do in the Shadows") directed his own adaptation of the book about the manhunt for a rebellious kid and his foster uncle (Sam Neill) who go missing in the wild New Zealand bush. (PG-13 for thematic elements including violent content, and for some language) http://wilderpeople.film/

ICE AGE  COLLISION COURSE: You know, just like the previous 78 "Ice Age" movies. (PG for mild rude humor and some action/peril) http://www.iceagemovies.com/gate

THE INNOCENTS: In 1945 Poland, a young French Red Cross doctor who is sent to assist the survivors of the German camps discovers several nuns in advanced states of pregnancies during a visit to a nearby convent. (PG-13 for disturbing thematic material including sexual assault, and for some bloody images and brief suggestive content) http://www.musicboxfilms.com/the-innocents-movies-138.php

LIGHTS OUT: Director David F. Sandberg expands his creepy 2013 short film into feature length. Teresa Palmer stars as a woman who is being stalked by a creature she can only see when the lights are out. We're scared already. (PG-13 for terror throughout, violence including disturbing images, some thematic material and brief drug content) http://www.lightsoutmovie.com/

STAR TREK BEYOND: Justin Lin ("Fast Five") takes over from director J.J. Abrams (serving as producer this time) in the further adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise and its crew (Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Zoe Saldana and the late Anton Yelchin). Idris Elba boards as the new baddie. (PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi action and violence) http://www.startrekmovie.com/

Love movies? Love talking about them? Love reading about them? Go to Times Union Movies blog, moderated by film fanatic C.J. Lais Jr. and join in the conversation. http://blog.timesunion.com/movies/
Planning a trip to Georgia in the summertime? Plan on being hot.

St. Simons Island, along Georgia's coast about halfway between Savannah and Jacksonville, is a very hot place in July. But there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the scenery and history of the island without becoming a human puddle.

The St. Simons Island Pier is partially covered and includes benches so you can relax, enjoy the sea breeze, watch for boats, or learn how the locals catch fish and crabs. Take a stroll along the water or find a seat in the shade of a live oak at Neptune Park to enjoy views of nearby Jekyll Island. Or cool off with a quick dip in Fun Zone waterpark. Admission is $8 per day.

Right off of Neptune Park is the The Lighthouse Museum and Maritime Center. Learn about the life of a lighthouse keeper, and check out the Keeper's Dwelling, built in 1872. Climb the 129 steps of the 104-foot lighthouse to get panoramic views of the island and coast. Admission to the lighthouse and Keeper's Dwelling is $12 for adults, $5 for kids.

The island's history is full of surprises. For example, the battle at Bloody Marsh was fought on St. Simons Island. General James Edward Oglethorpe, who also founded Savannah, defeated the Spanish, forever ending Spain's threat to the British colonies in America. Visit the ruins of Fort Frederica, the site of the town Oglethorpe built for his garrison, at Fort Frederica National Monument.

But in the dead of summer, probably the best way to learn more about the island's history is via air-conditioned trolley. Captain Rod of Saint Simons Colonial Island Trolley Tours provides an entertaining and descriptive look back at the island's past, from colonial times to the age of the great sea-island cotton plantations to today, in a 90-minute tour. He also provides tips on the best places to eat and shop from an insider's perspective. The cost to ride the trolley is $20 for adults and $10 for kids 10-15 years old. Kids under age 10 ride for free.

There are plenty of other options for getting out and seeing the island. Bikes and motorized carts are available to rent and a common sight along Mallery Street, one of the prime locations for shops and restaurants on the island. If you choose to drive, you will notice that parking, even at the beach at Massengale Park and near the St. Simons Island Pier, is free.

And finally, probably the best way to beat the heat is to stay indoors and eat. You won't find much in the way of chain restaurants, but there are good local places. If you like fried shrimp, a platter at Iguana's is $18.95. The eatery was voted as the best kid-friendly restaurant in 2016, according to Elegant Island Living magazine. Palm Coast Coffee Cafe & Pub is a great place to get breakfast, but get there early or you'll be waiting in line.

Click through the slideshow above to see a few photos from hot July days on St. Simon's Island.
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Wuerzburg, Germany

A 17-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker vowing "revenge on these infidels" went on an ax-and-knife rampage on a train in southern Germany, wounding five people before being shot and killed by police  an attack that German authorities conceded Tuesday was almost impossible to prevent.

German officials didn't identify the attacker or the victims, but Hong Kong's immigration department said among those wounded were four members of a family of five from the southern Chinese city.

The dpa news agency reported the attacker wounded the 62-year-old father, the 58-year-old mother, their adult daughter and her boyfriend. The teenage son was not hurt. The father and the boyfriend had tried to defend the other family members, dpa said.

At least one member of the Chinese family and another woman attacked outside the train were in life-threatening condition, according to Bamberg prosecutor Erik Ohlenschlager.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Monday night train attack, which came less than a week after the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice, France, also claimed by IS, in which 84 people were killed.

Bavaria's top security official Joachim Herrmann said, while the Nice attack was "clearly another dimension," in both cases the choices of weapons and targets made them "extremely difficult to prevent in any fashion."

"In one case a truck, in another an ax and knife  those are the weapons that society cannot logically eliminate, with which any person could equip themselves, which they could put to use at virtually any location at any time of night or day," he said.

Nevertheless, he urged an increased visible police presence across the country.

Germany has not experienced the large, deadly attacks that France and Belgium have, although a string of sexual assaults and robberies on New Year's Eve in Cologne that prosecutors say were committed largely by foreigners gave rise to fears of whether the country could cope with the 1 million migrants it registered in 2015.

As the flow of migrants has slowed this year, the anti-immigrant protests have faded, but the train attack seemed likely to raise concerns again.
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Ready to step up your profile and order that personalized license plate? A slightly obnoxious one? How about trying to get a sly but dirty reference put on the back of your car?

Classy, but you'll have to get through the state first.

Times Union reporter Tim O'Brien  check out his blog here  wondered if the DMV kept a list of rejected plates, and through a Freedom of Information request, he got a copy of the "Red Guide," a database of naughty plate configurations that are automatically rejected.

Related: Cars that get the most tickets

There are a lot of reasons plates are rejected.

But the biggie: A plate is banned if it "is, in the discretion of the commissioner, obscene, lewd, lascivious, derogatory to a particular ethnic or other group, or patently offensive."

Along with using common sense, DMV employees are officially directed to search for possible meanings on Urban Dictionary and Google.

Related: The 10 worst car brands, according to Consumer Reports

More for you These license plates are banned in New York, part 2

Here is a sampling of what we found in the "Red Guide." Many that we are not posting are, without question, obscene.

We felt like others may be debatable. Breastfeeding advocate? You're out of luck. Want to put your sexuality out there? Seems unlikely.

Related: Rolls-Royce reveals epic concept vehicle that would make any car lover drool

Some plates took us a while to figure out  until we looked at them upside down.

You won't see any of these on the streets. And don't say we didn't warn you.
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Istanbul

Asserting that "all the evidence" points to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric as the mastermind of last week's failed coup, Turkey's government on Tuesday fired tens of thousands of teachers, university deans and others accused of ties to the plot and demanded the cleric's extradition.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue in a phone call with President Barack Obama, and his spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said the government was preparing a formal extradition request for the cleric, Fethullah Gulen. But he also suggested that the U.S. government shouldn't require the facts before extraditing him.

"A person of this kind can easily be extradited on grounds of suspicion," Kalin said. "And there is very strong suspicion for his involvement, for Gulen's involvement, in this coup attempt. So this is sufficient ground."

Later, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that Turkey had submitted materials related to Gulen and the administration was reviewing them to determine whether they amounted to a formal extradition request. Earnest added that a decision on whether to extradite would be made under a longstanding treaty between the two countries, and wouldn't be made by Obama.

The extradition demand is likely to put strains on U.S. ties as the Obama administration refers the matter to the Justice Department, which will review the documents to determine whether the Turkish government has established probable cause that a crime was committed. Gulen has denied any knowledge of the failed coup.

The vast numbers of people purged in recent days suggests that the government is not waiting for evidence at home. The crackdown was escalated Tuesday, as the government announced the firing of nearly 24,000 teachers and Interior Ministry employees and demanded the resignations of another 1,577 university deans.

The dismissals touched every aspect of government life.

Turkish media, in rapid-fire reports, said the Education Ministry had fired 15,200 educators, while the Interior Ministry dismissed 8,777 employees and Turkey's Board of Higher Education called for the deans' resignations.

In addition, 1,500 finance ministry employees were fired, 257 people working at the prime minister's office were sacked and 492 staffers at the Directorate of Religious Affairs were dismissed, including clerics, preachers and religious teachers.
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Albany

It'll take a lot to draw potential clients to a business's Facebook post when it's sandwiched between photos of a child's birthday party and a friend's new pet.

So Facebook Community Engagement Coordinator Meghna Mahadevan suggests that small business posts should be, well, a little more human.

In a Tuesday morning event at 90 State St., she highlighted video posts and sharing behind-the-scenes employee stories as two methods of using the social media behemoth to hook existing and potential clients.

The "Boost Your Business" Albany session was a half-day seminar that discussed Facebook post content and targeting, data analytics and advertising processes. Facebook has held events on this theme in cities worldwide, encouraging small businesses to tailor likeable content to potential customers with the company's abundance of customer data.

"The more relevant and engaging you are, the more reactions you'll have," Mahadevan said.

Facebook's recommendations follow a June company statement that said it would show friend and family updates before content from business and public figure pages.

With that announcement, Facebook said that the update may cause a decline in traffic for those public pages.

Facebook Program Manager Tasha Zuzalek said in an interview that the company will first show users content with many "likes" and comments, so businesses must keep their content as engaging as possible.

Mahadevan recommended that businesses target advertisements to potentially interested clients  a designation based on Facebook users' GPS location, interests and demographics. Experimentation in content is also key, she said.

"Try different things, look at what's working, learn from the things that aren't working so well and repeat your successes," she said.

Steven Kasselman of Albany's Kasselman Solar said in a small-business panel that his initial stabs at engaging Facebook posts look different than the content he posts today.

Video and photos are his preferred media now. "People love seeing how installations look," he said, adding that advertisements encouraging potential clients to ask questions positions the company as a "hub of information."

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"Try as much as possible," he said, "and see what works."

Emmanuel Dako, who attended Tuesday's event, opened a new specialty grocery store on Central Avenue earlier this month. Dako, of Watervliet, said it had felt intimidating to post to E&D African Market's new Facebook page. "You're hoping it's something people like and share," he said after the panel.

But he said he found guidance from the session encouraging, and he plans to target his posts to people who like similar pages to boost awareness of the new store.

U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, and Capital Region Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Eagan spoke briefly before Facebook's keynote talk, each linking social media marketing to stronger business performance.

How and with whom businesses market, Tonko said, is "critical" to the bottom line.

lellis@timesunion.com  518-454-5018  @lindsayaellis
Saratoga Springs

Confession: I haven't given more than a few minutes' thought at a time to the Cyrano de Bergerac story since, at the very beginning of my career, I reviewed the 1990 French film version in which Gerard Depardieu gives what likely will for me remain the definitive performance of the title role. That grand movie, and, from three years earlier, the airy grace of Steve Martin's take on the tale in "Roxanne," remain so vivid in memory that I was curious to see how a local production using a contemporary translation would compare.

In the best moments of the new show at Saratoga Shakespeare Company, it holds up quite well. This is in no small part due to the version of the play they're using, titled "Cyrano," which compresses the story, limits the number of principal roles to nine and delivers dialogue that is by turns beautiful and colloquially current. (The fumble-tongued younger soldier Christian says, "I'm just not very good with the language thing.")

The iconic wooing scene, during which Cyrano, that eloquent and blustering regiment man with the long nose, helps Christian seduce the fair Roxanne, is nearly perfect. Under the direction of William A. Finlay, the actors  Sarah Luz Cordoba as Roxanne, Woodrow Proctor as Christian and Wesley Broulik as Cyrano  find the right overlapping comedic rhythms as Cyrano feeds the younger man his lines, eventually taking over completely.

More Information Review "Cyrano" Where: Saratoga Shakespeare Company, Alfred Z. Solomon Stage, Congress Park, Saratoga Springs When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 19 Continues: 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, through July 30 Length: 120 minutes, no intermission Tickets: Free Info: www.saratogashakespeare.com See More Collapse

Broulik is masterful here, his Cyrano urging himself toward ever more of les mots juste. Proctor makes Christian more than just a pretty fool; late in the play, when he realizes that Roxanne may adore his face but, unknowingly, loves Cyrano's soul, he's genuinely and movingly shattered. Cordoba's Roxanne, witty and grounded, is deserving of both of their attentions.

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The other high point is the final scene, set about 15 years after Christian has been killed in battle. The bereft Roxanne has been in a convent ever since, Cyrano dutifully bringing her a weekly update on the latest news and gossip. He's late, for the first time ever, and he's also dying, one of the many enemies made by Cyrano's irascibility finally having gotten the best of him by cracking his skull with a log. Cyrano gives Roxanne a final report on the doings in town, she figures out the truth about whom she fell in love with all those years ago, and he's gone, a noble man psychologically hobbled by the least of his imperfections.

sbarnes@timesunion.com  518-454-5489
The flogging of four Dalit men in Gujarat last week by self-appointed cow protection vigilantes rocked Parliament today.

By India Today Web Desk: Replying to the Opposition's attack on alleged Dalit atrocities in Gujarat, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today called the Una incident "unfortunate" even as he praised the BJP government in the state for its handling of the protests, triggering uproar in Lok Sabha.

"We strongly condemn the Una incident in Gujarat. PM Narendra Modi also took cognizance of the issue," Singh said, following the remark with a word of praise for the Anandiben Patel government in Gujarat.

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"Nine people have been arrested so far. While seven have been remanded to judicial custody, rest two are in police custody. Four police officials have also been suspended for their negligence of duty," he said.

"During the Congress rule in Gujarat, the number of cases of atrocities against Dalits wa high. There has been a sharp decline since the BJP is in power," Rajnath Singh said amid loud protest by opposition members.

RAJYA SABHA REMAINS ADJOURNED



Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha remained adjourned after opposition MPs stormed the well of the House, protesting against the stripping and beating of four Dalit men in Gujarat last week by self-appointed cow protection vigilantes.

As soon as the Upper House met for the day, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati raised the Una issue and demanded action. She was joined by most opposition parties, forcing the adjournment of the House.



"Brutal atrocities against the SCs, STs and the minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all," Sonia Gandhi earlier said on Day Three of Parliament's monsoon session as she chaired a meeting of parliamentarians from her party to decide their strategy, which also included attacking the government over price rise and "subversion" of India's democratic institutions.

"There is overall failure of this government. They do not see their own corruption. Their numbers are dicey. They cannot control price rise. They are attacking democratic institutions by imposing the President's Rule," Sonia is reported to have briefed her MPs.

DALITS PROTEST IN GUJARAT

At least two men have died and many others injured as massive protests spread across Gujarat after four Dalit men were stripped and beaten by Shiv Sena men for skinning a dead cow in Gir Somnath's Una taaluka on July 11.

The video of the flogging went viral, triggering protest across the state. Seven men attempted to commit suicide while stones were pelted and state buses torched in various protests. In Amreli, heaviy stone pelting killed a police constable.

POLITICS OVER UNA FLOGGING

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel is expected to visit Una tomorrow to meet the victims. Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal have also planned visits.

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Meanwhile, Dalit Panthers of Gujarat have called for a state-wide bandh today in protest against the Una incident. Various organisations such as the Jan Sangharsh Manch and Dalit Movement of India have supported the call.

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Deputy Michael Lowry has welcomed the decision by the Department of Education to formally approve funding for the construction of an additional mainstream classroom for St. Michaels National School in Holycross.

An application for the classroom had been forwarded to the department in recent months and there was great joy amongst members of the Board of Management and staff when the news was announced this week.

Deputy Lowry told The Tipperary Star, This new classroom will also facilitate the recent sanction of a ninth teacher for the school. Holycross National School has a strong reputation for the delivery of high quality education. The school is in great demand and has developed and expanded to the extent that it will have an enrolment of 240 students for the next September school term. Compliments are due to the management and staff of the school for their guidance and expertise which is acknowledged and appreciated by the local community, Deputy Lowry, a past pupil of the school, said.

Mr. Ger Corbett, Principal of St. Michaels National School added, The school community are delighted to hear that we are getting a new classroom for our ninth classroom teacher which will be a very handsome addition to the excellent facilities we have at the moment, ranging from our Gort na nOg facility to the full range of primary provisions.

The school community has worked very hard to provide these and Michael Lowry T.D. has played a key role. From a small but famous school at the top of the Green we now have an excellent facility to cater for this growing community for many years to come.

I sincerely congratulate and thank the partners involved in the education of the young children of this community and we confidently look forward to the years ahead.

The enrolment currently stands at 240 pupils and is being catered for by an excellent staff of nine class teachers and five Special Educational Needs (SEN) team members and all our valued ancillary staff, Mr Corbett said this week.

Deputy Lowry concluded, Fr. Tom Breen, together with the Board of Management of which he is Chairman and the parents body have also welcomed this sanction and the approval to proceed with this project.

Work will get underway immediately for the drawing up of design and planning, before tenders will be published for potential contractors. It is hoped ot have a contractor on-site sooner rather than later at St Michael's NS.
One hundred years after the downing of the HMS Hampshire, a new memorial in honour of the 737 souls who perished, including Kilcommon man Matthew McLoughlin, has been unveiled to commemorate all those who died aboard the ill fated vessel.

On the June 5, 1916, Lord Kitchener, the British Secretary of State for War left Scapa Flow on the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland aboard the HMS Hampshire. The vessel was bound for Russia as part of a diplomatic and military mission sent to boost the Allied efforts on the Eastern front. Among Kitcheners staff who died with him on that day was his Protection Officer Detective Sergeant of the Metropolitan Special Branch Matthew McLoughlin.

Matthew was born on February 5, 1879 in Foilnadrough in the Parish of Kilcommon. He went to London in 1900 and worked with Mr. H.P. Lee a building contractor in Fulham. He later applied for the Metropolitan Police on September 17, 1900 and served there until 1909, when as a Detective Sergeant he transferred to the Special Branch. He progressed through the various classes of that rank to become First Class Sergeant on March 5, 1915.

During his service with Special Branch he soon gained a reputation for being a discreet and extremely capable Officer, with a fluent knowledge of the French language and in the years leading up to the First World War he was involved in many important and sensitive en4quiries. Sgt. McLaughlin also served as Protection Officer to two Kings, Edward V11 and to George V. Prior to his last assignment.

On the June 5, 1916 Kitchener and a party of fourteen including Sgt. McLoughlin and a number of munitions experts boarded the HMS Hampshire bound for Leningrad. At about a quarter to nine in the evening, just off Orkneys north west coast and within two miles of Marwick Head, HMS Hampshire struck a mine laid by German submarine U-75. Only twelve of Hampshires crew survived. Earl Kitchener and his staff including Matthew McLoughlin were lost, along with the 723 crewmembers.

In June this year a commemoration ceremony was held at Marwick Head in the Orkney Islands to commemorate all those who died.

On a brilliant summer's evening, descendants gathered for a ceremony recalling the sombre events of a century before. They stood overlooking the waters where more than 700 men perished. Just offshore, a warship of the modern Royal Navy marked the position where HMS Hampshire, was lost. The wreck site is now a protected war grave. The castellated tower of the Kitchener Memorial has soared above the cliffs of Marwick Head since the mid-1920s.

Now a low wall curves elegantly around the site, bearing the names of each and every one of the 737 men who died in the sinking of the Hampshire, together with nine others from a mine-sweeping vessel. The commemorative wall was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth's representative in Orkney, the Lord Lieutenant, Bill Spence.

Princess Anne had visited Orkney earlier in the afternoon for a private meeting with around 100 descendants. The ceremony was the culmination of a project by the Orkney Heritage Society to restore both the original Kitchener Memorial and to better remember all those who died with Field Marshal Kitchener.

The families of those lost in 1916 were joined by representatives of the British armed forces and local people for the remembrance service, timed to coincide with the exact hour of HMS Hampshire's sinking.

A gun was fired from the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Duncan, anchored at the wreck site, to signal the start of two minutes' silence at 8.45 pm Lady Emma Kitchener, great great niece of Field Marshal Kitchener, attended the service, accompanied by her husband, Lord Fellowes, creator of the British television drama series Downton Abbey. Lady Emma stated "I think the fact that all the men who died on the Hampshire are being commemorated, every single one, is fantastic. It's very, very moving."

Wreaths were laid by Mai Fogarty, Templederry on behalf of the McLoughlin descendants. There was also a wreath on behalf of HRH and one laid by David McLaughlin, Orkney, on behalf of the McLoughlin clan in Scotland. Neil Vyse the Superintendent for the department and head of the Special Branch for whom Matthew worked along with Richard Roe Royalty and Specialist Protection Officer also laid a wreath in Matthews memory. It is their intention later in the year to rename their department after Matthew McLoughlin who was the only member of the Special Protection Unit of Scotland Yard who has died on active service.
The citys new police chief, Harold Jude Minch, is sworn in at the top of Tuesdays Titusville City Council meeting. After leading Minch in the oath of office, City Manager Larry Manross said Welcome to the force. Mayor Esther Smith then spoke directly to Minch, urging him to treat no member of council or their family members differently than all other residents. Minch, 53, has held positions as detective, road patrol sergeant, career criminal unit sergeant, traffic/special operations lieutenant, vice/narcotics lieutenant, and organized crime captain.
[July 20, 2016] 27% of Canadian Consumers Say They Always Feel Concerned about Their Safety, Security

In just-released GfK research, almost three in ten (27%) Canadian consumers report that they are "always concerned" about their safety and security1 - five percentage points below the global average (32%). Canadian respondents were also slightly more likely (11% versus 10%) to disagree strongly with that statement. Download the results charts for all 21 countries According to the GfK survey of 21 countries, people in Brazil, Mexico, Turkey and Russia have the highest levels of worry; these are the only countries surveyed where more than half of consumers agree strongly - choosing "6" or "7" on a scale of 1 to 7 - with the notion of always feeling concerned about their safety. This anxiety is most pronounced in Brazil - about to host the 2016 Summer Olympics - where roughly two-thirds (64%) expressed the highest level of worry about their safety and security. On the other hand, Sweden, ermany and Netherlands have the highest levels of perceived safety and security. These countries are the only ones surveyed where less than 15% of consumers strongly agree with the idea of always being concerned about safety - ranking them well below the global average (32%).



Canadian women more concerned about security than men Looking at the difference between genders, Canadian women are a little more worried about safety and security than men -- 29% for women versus 24% for men. These figures are below the global averages of 30% for men and 34% for women who agree strongly that they are always worried about safety and security.

Age has minimal impact on safety concerns Among the different age groups in Canada, people 40 to 49 years old expressed the most anxiety about their safety and security, with 31% strongly agreeing that they are concerned. Other highly concerned age groups are those 15 to 19 (28%), 30 to 39 (28%), and 60+ (27%). For Canadians in the 20-to-29 and 50-to-59 age groups, the concern for safety and security drops slightly below 24%. Footnotes (1) Bottom two boxes and top two boxes from a seven point scale, where "1" means "disagree strongly," and "7" means "agree strongly." About the study The survey question asked: "Please indicate how strongly you personally agree or disagree with the statement, "I am always concerned about my safety and security," using this scale where 1 means "disagree strongly" and 7 means "agree strongly." GfK conducted the online survey with over 25,000 consumers aged 15 or older in 21 countries. Fieldwork was completed in June 2015 and data are weighted to reflect the demographic composition of the online population age 15+ in each market. The countries included are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK and USA. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005943/en/

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[July 20, 2016] Broadcast News Executive Jill Manuel Joins Futuri Media as Director, TopicPulse Partnership Development

CLEVELAND, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Futuri Media (http://www.FuturiMedia.com) announced today that Peabody Award winning broadcast news executive Jill Manuel is joining the company as Director, TopicPulse Partnership Development. Her expertise with broadcast newsroom digital integration and successful history blending compelling journalism and engagement will provide a unique and specialized strategic resource for Futuri's TopicPulse partners. TopicPulse is Futuri Media's social media monitoring tool that scans Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and 80,000 sources per second to provide real-time insights on what's trending on local social media in a particular target demo.



A journalist for over 20 years, Manuel joins Futuri after two years as Assistant News Director at WFLD in Chicago. Prior to that, she spent nearly six years in Cleveland as the News Director at WEWS where under her leadership, WEWS won multiple awards including a George Foster Peabody Award for an investigation into increased cancer rates among veterans who served at McMurdo Naval Base in Antarctica. WEWS also won numerous Emmy Awards and two regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for "Building Better Neighborhoods," a station-wide initiative aimed at strengthening Northeast Ohio communities. Jill was the News Director at the Tribune-owned 24-hour cable channel CLTV, an Executive Producer at WBBM in Chicago and a Senior Producer for Fox News in New York and Washington, D.C. She was also a producer at Reuters Television in Washington. Senior Vice President/Operations, Todd Thomas said, "Jill Manuel brings incredible intellect and strategic expertise to the Futuri team. We are proud to welcome her to this very important role for TopicPulse, a system that has been growing at an incredible pace. Hundreds of TV and radio stations depend on TopicPulse daily for insights on real-time social trends. Jill will help to connect the dots between those trends and strategic development of newscasts and broadcast content."

Manuel said, "I am so impressed with what Futuri has accomplished, developing innovative products that enable broadcasters to harness the power of social media to engage their audiences. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with such a talented team." "TopicPulse is a game changer for content creators, allowing them to track real-time social engagement in their local markets, around the country and the world. It cuts through the cluttered media landscape by identifying not only the stories people care about the most right now, but what they'll be talking about tomorrow." Jill can be reached directly at [email protected] or 217-220-9523. About Futuri Media

Futuri Media (http://www.futurimedia.com) is a global leader in innovative interactive broadcast technology. It develops SaaS-based social and mobile audience engagement technology for broadcasters and publishers including TopicPulse, a real-time social media measurement system for newsrooms and content producers; Listener Driven Radio's LDR1 voting window and Takeover technologies; TopLine, the sales presentation service; and Futuri Mobile, which designs custom mobile features and apps for broadcasters, offering more than 165 iPhone, Android and tablet apps. Futuri's 2015 acquisition of StreamOn brings next-generation audio streaming, podcasting and social media sharing capabilities to broadcasters. The company's platforms are in use at more than 1000 TV and radio stations and networks in 18 countries, reaching more than 100 million consumers monthly. Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150623/225155LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/broadcast-news-executive-jill-manuel-joins-futuri-media-as-director-topicpulse-partnership-development-300301341.html SOURCE Futuri Media

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[July 20, 2016] CACI Executive Chairman Dr. J.P. (Jack) London Receives Lifetime Distinguished Service Award from Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce

CACI International Inc (NYSE MKT: CACI) announced that the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce has awarded CACI Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board Dr. J.P. (Jack) London its Lifetime Distinguished Service Award at the organization's awards luncheon on July 19th. The award recognizes Dr. London for his business leadership role in helping veterans succeed in business in the greater Washington, DC region. Dr. London served as CACI's President and Chief Executive Officer for 23 years and became Executive Chairman in 2007. Under Dr. London's leadership, CACI has grown from a small professional services consulting firm to become a pacesetter in information technology (IT) solutions and services across markets in North America and Western Europe. He is known as the founder of the modern-day CACI. Under Dr. London's leadership, the company has consistently supported programs to recruit, hire, and support veterans in its workforce. CACI was recognized by President Obama at the White House for its support of the Joining Forces initiative that serves America's military families. Most recently, the company's contributions to veterans programs have been recognized by Forbes as a Top Employer for Veterans, by Civilianjobs.com as a Most Valuable Employer for Military, by Military Times as a "Best for Vets" Employer, and by GI Jobs as a Top 100 Military Friendly Employer.



A veteran himself, Dr. London's steadfast commitment to championing veterans' success in their return to civilian life spans more than four decades. He regularly speaks to veterans throughout the nation about leadership, opportunity, and the fundamental importance of character. Proceeds from Dr. London's book, Character: The Ultimate Success Factor, are donated to CAUSE (Comfort for America's Uniformed Services), the wounded warriors support organization. Dr. London has served on CAUSE's board of directors since the organization's inception in 2003. "It is an honor to be recognized by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce for CACI's commitment to serving America's military men and women," said Dr. London. "We take great pride in our strong veteran recruitment program and history of hiring veterans. The experience, leadership, values, and work ethic veterans gain through their service plays a major role in setting them up for success in their civilian careers. As a U.S. Navy veteran, it is my privilege to offer fellow veterans an opportunity to achieve that success at CACI."

Ken Asbury, CACI's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "On behalf of the people of CACI, more than a quarter of whom are veterans, I would like to congratulate Dr. London on receiving this award from the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Dr. London's dedication to serving those who serve has contributed to CACI's consistent recognition as a top employer for veterans." CACI provides information solutions and services in support of national security missions and government transformation for Intelligence, Defense, and Federal Civilian customers. A Fortune magazine World's Most Admired Company in the IT Services industry, CACI is a member of the Fortune 1000 Largest Companies, the Russell 2000 Index, and the S&P SmallCap600 Index. CACI provides dynamic careers for over 20,000 employees worldwide. Visit www.caci.com. There are statements made herein which do not address historical facts, and therefore could be interpreted to be forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in CACI's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, and other such filings that CACI makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Any forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon and only speak as of the date hereof. CACI-Award View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005177/en/

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Ambedkar Bhavan and the Buddha Bhushan printing press, in Mumbai's Dadar district, started by Babasaheb Ambedkar were demolished by People's Improvement Trust last month resulting in large-scale protests.

By Kamlesh Damodar Sutar: Admitting that the demolition of Ambedkar Bhawan was wrong, CM Fadnavis announced that his government was ready to pay bills for the restoration of the structure had grandsons of Ambedkar come up with a joint plan.

DEMOLITION DRIVE

Ambedkar Bhavan and the Buddha Bhushan printing press, in Mumbai's Dadar district, started by Babasaheb Ambedkar were demolished by People's Improvement Trust last month resulting in large-scale protests.

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PROBE WILL BE ORDERED SOON

Replying to a debate on calling attention notice moved by Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe, CM Fadnavis said that the action of demolishing the building was wrong and an inquiry of officials will be ordered.

He added that the orders to include the structure in the heritage list will be issued soon.

Fadnavis further informed the house that BMC, had ruled that the building was dilapidated, based on reports of two structural engineers and said the trustees should have informed the BMC, fire brigade and Mumbai Police before razing the structure.

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[July 20, 2016] ClassDojo Introduces Student Stories: Student-Led Digital Portfolios, Shared Between School and Home

SAN FRANCISCO, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, ClassDojo introduces Student Stories: an easy way for students to add photos and videos of their classwork to their own digital portfolio, and share them home. Parents will be able to follow along with their child's learning: whether it's a photo of a poem they wrote, a video of a science experiment, or a reflection on finally solving a tough math problem, students can easily record and share their learning with parents. "Like everything we do, the idea for Student Stories came about from speaking with teachers and parents," said Liam Don, co-founder and Chief Product Officer at ClassDojo. "Parents already loved seeing photos and videos from class on 'Class Story,' but wanted to see even more about their own child's projects and accomplishments. And teachers wanted to give students more ownership over their work. Student Stories does both: gives students more of a voice, and involves parents in learning moments they might otherwise never know about." Student Stories replace boxes and binders of students' work with digital portfolios that are shared between school and home, sparking meaningful conversations on what students are learning at school. This is a dramatically different experience to what most parents are used to  where work may only be shared a few times a year or sent home days or weeks after it was done. "ClassDojo has already made me feel more connected to my daughter's education than ever before," said Clarissa Miles, whose daughter, Caraline, is a fifth grader in Tennessee. "Being able to see her 'Story' will help us have even more meaningful conversations at home about what she did at school. Those conversations are the best part of my day, and they've brought me, Caraline, and her teacher closer together. For the first time, I feel like we're part of the same team." Student Stories is simple for any classroom to use  and in particular for the majority of classrooms that don't have a device for every student, but just a few devices to share. With Student Stories, students can use shared devices without having to remember any logins or passwords: they just scan a class QR code, and can then easily add photos or videos to their Story, post reflection or comments, and even tag classmates in work done together. Teachers approve all posts before they're sent home and can also post directly to any student's Story.



"As a Title I school, we don't have classroom devices for every child. So, students being able to safely create their own 'Stories' on ClassDojo using shared classroom devices is a real game-changer," said Amber Humphrey, a principal in Newton, North Carolina. "Students are going to love being able to create their own portfolios, and it's going to make communication with parents even easier. We're excited to help students tell their 'Stories' this year!" So far, most of ClassDojo's communication features have helped teachers, parents, or principals share with each other. Today's announcement marks the first time the company is enabling students to create and share their own learning experience.

"I like getting my own story to add my own photos to because then my mom and my dad see it and we can talk about it at home," said Galen, a second grader in Audrey So's class in San Francisco. ClassDojo teachers can add to their students' Stories immediately on any device. Students are able to start adding to their own Stories from a shared classroom iPad, with other platforms such as Chromebooks following in time for the start of the school semester. "I'm really excited about students having their own Stories," said Stephanie Smith, a fourth grade teacher in Tennessee. "All teachers dream of having a student-centric classroom, where students have a voice, and take ownership over their own learning. With Student Stories, this coming year I'll be able to make that a reality  and I'm hoping it will create some great discussions at home as well!" Over two-thirds of schools in the U.S. use ClassDojo  with more than 500,000 people joining every day during back-to-school in 2015. "I've never seen a company with more raw, user passion than teachers, parents, and students have for ClassDojo," said Deborah Quazzo, co-founder and Managing Partner of GSV Acceleration. "With Student Stories, ClassDojo is making student-led learning a simple reality in millions of classrooms around the world. It's a huge moment and an example of how it's possible to change education at mass scale if you take a ground-up approach." For more information on Student Stories and ClassDojo, please visit:https://www.classdojo.com and https://www.classdojo.com/studentstories . About ClassDojo ClassDojo's mission is to help communities of teachers, parents and students work together to transform education from the ground up, in every classroom in the world. Founded in 2011 and based in San Francisco, California, ClassDojo is a communication platform that creates a community inside and around every classroom. The company does this by helping teachers, parents, and students share moments from class more openly, frequently, and positively with each other. This includes sharing classroom activities, as well as skills students are building, using using photos, videos, and messages. Today, ClassDojo is used in over 2 in 3 U.S. schools, as well as a further 180 countries. To learn more, visit: https://www.classdojo.com/ or Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEgKiwlej50 Photo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160718/390713 Photo- http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160718/390728 Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160127/326817LOGO To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/classdojo-introduces-student-stories-student-led-digital-portfolios-shared-between-school-and-home-300300984.html SOURCE ClassDojo

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[July 20, 2016] EC Infosystems Opens New Customer Support Center in Allentown, PA

EC Infosystems, a leader in Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Billing/Customer Information Solutions (CIS) for clients in the deregulated energy industry, has announced that it has opened a new customer support center in Allentown, PA to serve its growing customer base. This office is staffed by an experienced team of customer service managers, business and technical services analysts. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005258/en/



EC Infosystems President and CEO Mohan Wanchoo cuts the ribbon on his company's new Allentown office. (Photo: Business Wire)

Over the past five years, EC Infosystems has been one of the nation's fastest growing providers of Billing (Utilibill) and EDI services to retail energy marketers, ending 2015 with more than 300 clients whose service territories interface with more than 100 utilities nationally, and support more than 4.5 million meters each month. "Our new support center in Pennsylvania, and recruitment of top professionals to staff the office, demonstrates our commitment to the highest-quality service and support for our customers in the region," said EC Infosystems President and CEO, Mohan Wanchoo. "All of the staff now working in Pennsylvania have extensive industry experience serving Utilities and retail energy marketers," noted Ananda Goswami, EC Infosystems' Vice President of Sales and Marketing, who was instrumental in the opening and staffing of the new office. "A number of our clients are seeking to expand their market share. Our Pennsylvania support center will become a strategic resource to help them better serve their customers and introduce competitive new products and services," said Goswami. A number of the new staff members at Allentown were already working with retail energy marketers in the region, including Christina Shackleton, Russell Morris, Kristofer Mill, Nichole Malesky, JT Krupa, Armon Williams, and Ian Riddell in Client Services, and Maryam O'Donnell in Implementation Services. "Customers really enjoy the ease of use, control, and the low total cost of ownership of the EC Infosystems integrated, hosted model for EDI, Billing and CIS," said Russell Morris, Client Services Manager. "We are looking forward to working closely with new and existing EC Infosystems Utilibill (Billing/CIS) and EDI clients." About EC Infosystems EC Infosystems is a market-leading Software as a Service provider (SaaS (News - Alert)) of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Utilibill (Billing/Customer Information Solutions (CIS)), serving more than 300 clients in the deregulated Energy Industry across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. The company's sophisticated software platform is user friendly, improves efficiency and operating performance, and provides clients with a strong competitive advantage. For more information, visit www.ecinfosystems.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005258/en/

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[July 19, 2016] Geoswift, UnionPay International and Western Union Business Solutions to Offer Tuition Payment Promotion for Students in United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

HONG KONG, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Geoswift, Western Union Business Solutions (a subsidiary of The Western Union Company) and UnionPay International have announced a joint tuition payment promotion for Chinese students studying in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The promotion, starting now till Sept 30 2016, is open to UnionPay cardholders who have successfully completed tuition payment via PayTuitionNow portal (with card number starting with 62). The promotion offers complimentary car pick-up service of up to USD $100 for any tuition payment of equal to or greater than USD $4,000 (RMB 25,000). For more information on the promotion, please refer to UnionPay's Haigou. Geoswift, a leading provider of cross-border payments between China and the rest of the world, partners with Western Union Business Solutions and UnionPay International to provide end-to-end payment services. Together, the three organisations provide participating universities and higher education institutions around the world a payment platform that accepts international tuition and student fees in the Chinese yuan (CNY), enabling Chinese students and families to pay tuition in their local currency. "China has been a key country of origin for international students to study abroad," said Raymond Qu, founder and CEO, Geoswift. "By providing a simple, secure and efficient payment service, we aim to help support and encourage Chinese students and their families when they are studying abroad." Recent data has shown that the number of students studying abroad has increased from 2.1 million in 2000 to almost 5 million in 2014. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), international student mobility is likely to reach 8 million tudents per year by 2025. Currently, almost one in six international students is Chinese.



The United States receives about a quarter of a million Chinese students as the country is perceived to have the most opportunities for continuing vocation after graduation, while Canada receives approximately 35,000 students. Australia and New Zealand sees close to 100,000 Chinese students in total each year opting for these two countries as their educational destination. "UnionPay International is dedicated to creating an all-dimensional payment service system for overseas students which includes tuition payment, daily withdrawal and card swiping, establishment of student grant and other relevant services," said Cai Jianbo, CEO of UnionPay International. "Moving forward, we would like UnionPay payment services to cover various aspects of overseas student life such as clothing, food, accommodation and transportation with the aim to provide more care to help young Chinese become international talents."

"It is important to ensure that the needs for international students are addressed adequately," said Kerry Agiasotis, president, Western Union Business Solutions. "Western Union Business Solutions is delighted to announce the joint collaboration. As a trusted payment provider for students in more than 140 countries studying at more than 300 education institutions worldwide, this is a true collaboration with UnionPay and Geoswift. We are helping students to achieve their educational dreams." About Geoswift Geoswift is an innovative payment technology company connecting China and the rest of the world. The company is comprised by the world's leading payment technology experts and by combining this deep understanding of the industry, technology, and global and China monetary policy, Geoswift provides clients with customized one-stop cross-border payment solutions to and from China. Geoswift is relied upon by the world's leading e-commerce companies, most prestigious universities and the largest brands in the travel industry to grow their businesses. It is the #5 non-bank acquirer of UnionPay International in North America, a co-issuer of MasterCard, and a long term partner of many other leading financial institutions. It also maintains 24 currency exchange outlets throughout China. Geoswift is headquartered in Hong Kong with operating offices in Shanghai, London, Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco for strategic and regulatory functions. About Western Union Business Solutions Western Union Business Solutions enables companies of all sizes to send and receive international payments and manage global cash flow, creating unique solutions tailored to suit their individual needs. It is a business unit of The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leading nonbank provider of cross border payments, which offers Business Solutions services in over 30 countries. Clients are supported by a network of trading offices, strategic banking relationships and a global clearing network and can send cross-border foreign exchange payments in more than 130 currencies. About UnionPay International UnionPay International (UPI) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. In partnership with more than 1000 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 160 countries and regions with issuance in more than 40 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants.

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[July 20, 2016] Geoswift, UnionPay International and Western Union Business Solutions to Offer Tuition Payment Promotion for Students in United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Geoswift, Western Union (News - Alert) Business Solutions (a subsidiary of The Western Union Company) and UnionPay International have announced a joint tuition payment promotion for Chinese students studying in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The promotion, starting now till Sept 30 2016, is open to UnionPay cardholders who have successfully completed tuition payment via PayTuitionNow portal (with card number starting with 62). The promotion offers complimentary car pick-up service of up to USD $100 for any tuition payment of equal to or greater than USD $4,000 (RMB 25,000). For more information on the promotion, please refer to UnionPay's Haigou. Geoswift, a leading provider of cross-border payments between China and the rest of the world, partners with Western Union Business Solutions and UnionPay International to provide end-to-end payment services. Together, the three organisations provide participating universities and higher education institutions around the world a payment platform that accepts international tuition and student fees in the Chinese yuan (CNY), enabling Chinese students and families to pay tuition in their local currency. "China has been a key country of origin for international students to study abroad," said Raymond Qu, founder and CEO, Geoswift. "By providing a simple, secure and efficient payment service, we aim to help support and encourage Chinese students and their families when they are studying abroad." Recent data has shown that the number of students studying abroad has increased from 2.1 million in 2000 to almost 5 million in 2014. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), international student mobility is likely to reach 8 million students per year by 2025. Currently, lmost one in six international students is Chinese.



The United States receives about a quarter of a million Chinese students as the country is perceived to have the most opportunities for continuing vocation after graduation, while Canada receives approximately 35,000 students. Australia and New Zealand sees close to 100,000 Chinese students in total each year opting for these two countries as their educational destination. "UnionPay International is dedicated to creating an all-dimensional payment service system for overseas students which includes tuition payment, daily withdrawal and card swiping, establishment of student grant and other relevant services," said Cai Jianbo, CEO of UnionPay International. "Moving forward, we would like UnionPay payment services to cover various aspects of overseas student life such as clothing, food, accommodation and transportation with the aim to provide more care to help young Chinese become international talents."

"It is important to ensure that the needs for international students are addressed adequately," said Kerry Agiasotis, president, Western Union Business Solutions. "Western Union Business Solutions is delighted to announce the joint collaboration. As a trusted payment provider for students in more than 140 countries studying at more than 300 education institutions worldwide, this is a true collaboration with UnionPay and Geoswift. We are helping students to achieve their educational dreams. " About Geoswift Geoswift is an innovative payment technology company connecting China and the rest of the world. The company is comprised by the world's leading payment technology experts and by combining this deep understanding of the industry, technology, and global and China monetary policy, Geoswift provides clients with customized one-stop cross-border payment solutions to and from China. Geoswift is relied upon by the world's leading e-commerce companies, most prestigious universities and the largest brands in the travel industry to grow their businesses. It is the #5 non-bank acquirer of UnionPay International in North America, a co-issuer of MasterCard (News - Alert), and a long term partner of many other leading financial institutions. It also maintains 24 currency exchange outlets throughout China. Geoswift is headquartered in Hong Kong with operating offices in Shanghai, London, Vancouver, Seattle and San Francisco for strategic and regulatory functions. About Western Union Business Solutions Western Union Business Solutions enables companies of all sizes to send and receive international payments and manage global cash flow, creating unique solutions tailored to suit their individual needs. It is a business unit of The Western Union Company (NYSE: WU), a leading nonbank provider of cross border payments, which offers Business Solutions services in over 30 countries. Clients are supported by a network of trading offices, strategic banking relationships and a global clearing network and can send cross-border foreign exchange payments in more than 130 currencies. About UnionPay International UnionPay International (UPI) is a subsidiary of China UnionPay focused on the growth and support of UnionPay's global business. In partnership with more than 1000 institutions worldwide, UnionPay International has enabled card acceptance in 160 countries and regions with issuance in more than 40 countries and regions. UnionPay International provides high quality, cost effective and secure cross-border payment services to the world's largest cardholder base and ensures convenient local services to a growing number of global UnionPay cardholders and merchants. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005052/en/

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[July 20, 2016] Global Smartphone Production Volume Rose 8.9% Between First and Second Quarter to Reach 315 Million Units, TrendForce Reports

Worldwide smartphone production volume totaled around 315 million units in the second quarter, representing an 8.9% increase over the previous quarter and a marginal year-on-year increase of 3.2%, according to the latest report from the global market research firm TrendForce. Sales gradually recovered after the market endured the off season of the first quarter. Chinese brands in the second quarter continued to enjoy strong domestic demand generated by telecom operators' smartphone subsidies. At the same time, they also benefited from demand pickup in North America and the emerging markets. In sum, Chinese brands have become major growth drivers in global smartphone production. "The combined production volume of Chinese brands in the second quarter reached 139 million units, up 13.8% from the previous quarter," said TrendForce smartphone analyst Avril Wu. "For the second straight quarter, the combined volume from Chinese brands was larger than the combined volume of the two leading international brands, Samsung (News - Alert) and Apple. Furthermore, the volume growth rates of respective Chinese brands are expected to be above the global average in the third quarter." Apple's production volume supported by sales of iPhone (News - Alert) SE while Samsung saw a slight drop of 5% Apple in the second quarter posted an iPhone production volume of around 48 million units, up 13% from the previous quarter. This increase was attributed to the shorter base period and steady sales of iPhone SE, the latest mid-range model in the series. About 9 million out the total iPhone units produced during this quarterly period were iPhone SE. "Sales figures of iPhone SE were not particularly exceptional because Chinese smartphone brands put up strong competition in the mid-range device market by lowering their prices," said Wu. "Nonetheless, iPhone SE has helped prop up sales for Apple before the market launch of the next iPhone. Samsung's smartphone production volume in second quarter dropped slightly by 5% versus the prior quarter to about 77 million units. Before the release of the next flagship models, Samsung is depending on the Galaxy J series, which is noted for having a high cost-performance ratio, to sustain the overall sales. Due to strong promotional efforts, sales of Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge were still brisk in the second quarter. The next flagship to be released by Samsung this year is Galaxy Note 7, which aims to attract consumers with cutting-edge hardware (e.g. 6GB LPDDR4, a biometric recognition system that scans iris patterns). The market expects a very tight match between Galaxy Note 7 and the next iPhone release in te third quarter.



Sales of LG's flagship, G5, have been average at best. LG's smartphone production volume for the second quarter amounted to around 17 million units. Due to the short base period, LG's production volume grew over 10% quarterly. "The release of V20, LG's flagship for the second half of this year, will be at the end of the third quarter at the earliest," said Wu. "However, it will face stiff challenges from Samsung and Apple's offerings." Huawei's (News - Alert) production volume has been revised downward; OPPO and Vivo continue with their stellar performances

Huawei's smartphone production volume in the second quarter increased 7.4% over the previous quarter, arriving at 29 million units. Huawei is secure in its position as the third-largest brand in the global smartphone market, but its domestic rivals are becoming more aggressive. The sales of Huawei's flagship P9, which features a dual camera, may fall short of expectations as other Chinese brands release competitive products. Taking this into consideration, TrendForce has made downward correction to projection of Huawei's annual smartphone production volume. OPPO's and Vivo's smartphone production volumes were exceptionally high in the first quarter and continued to increase in the second quarter, with growth rates respectively at 15% and 8%. TrendForce expects both brands to maintain strong performances in the third quarter, with quarterly production volume increases exceeding 20%. On the whole, OPPO and Vivo have emerged as clear winners in this year's smartphone market. Wu pointed out several factors for OPPO and Vivo's success: "Both brands concentrate their operations in China and their main strength lies in their management of their channels, which have spread out into the country's third- and fourth-tier cities. They are able to maintain their growth momentum via the expansion of their channel networks. Furthermore, OPPO designs its products to fit users' needs and preferences, as in the case of its well-received flagship R9. Vivo on the other hand differentiate itself with special hardware upgrades. Vivo's Xplay 5, which hit the market in the first half of 2016, was the first smartphone to carry 6GB of memory. In the second half of the year, Vivo will rely on X7 and X7 Plus with their unique camera feature to attract consumers." Lenovo's (News - Alert) smartphone production volume in the second quarter benefitted from the returning demand in overseas markets. While the brand is having difficulty increasing sales due to competitors' aggressive pricing in the low-end and mid-range segments, it has generated interests with innovative products. Phab 2 Pro, for instance, is the first consumer smartphone to incorporate Google (News - Alert) Tango, an augment reality platform. Moto Z series, which features the modular design, is set for market launch this September. How the market reacts to these innovations remains to be seen. TrendForce projects Lenovo's smartphone production for this year to be under 60 million units. Short base period also benefitted Xiaomi in the second quarter. The brand's quarterly smartphone production volume grew by over 27% to 14 million units. A major sales contributor was Mi Max, a new phablet model that was released this May. Increasing competition and lack of physical retail network will have a negative impact on Xiaomi's annual production volume, which is projected to be slightly below 60 million units as well. For smartphone ranking tables and more details, please visit: http://press.trendforce.com/press/20160720-2551.html About TrendForce (www.trendforce.com) TrendForce is a global provider of the latest development, insight, and analysis of the technology industry. Having served businesses for over a decade, the company has built up a strong base membership base of 410,000 subscribers. TrendForce has established a reputation as an organization that offers insightful and accurate analysis of the technology industry through five major research divisions: DRAMXchange, WitsView, LEDinside, EnergyTrend and Topology Research Institute. Founded in Taipei, Taiwan in 2000, TrendForce has extended its presence in China since 2004 with offices in Shenzhen and Beijing. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005569/en/

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[July 20, 2016] Greater Toronto Airports Authority Awards Futuristic IT and Business Transformation Contract to Wipro

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Wipro (News - Alert) Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global Information Technology, Consulting and Business Process Services company, today announced that GTAA has entered into a seven-year strategic IT and Business transformation partnership with Wipro. GTAA operates Toronto Pearson International Airport, the largest airport in Canada and the second largest in North America in terms of international traffic. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005803/en/ Wipro provides technology services to some of the world's largest airports including some of those that topped the 2015 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) rankings. With several offices across Canada, Wipro is recognized for its innovative approach to delivering advanced IT solutions and enhanced business value. The company was selected as the finalist vendor following a competitive procurement process. This partnership will transform airport operations, run an integrated service delivery using airport best practices, create opportunities for joint innovation by adopting emerging technologies, and will position Toronto Pearson to evolve into the world's leading digital airport. "As Toronto Pearson continues to grow as a global hub airport, we remain committed to enhancing our passenger experience through technological advancements. Achieving our vision of becoming the best airport in the world will require exceptional technology solutions, resources and services," said Martin Boyer, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, GTAA. "Wipro's aviation-centric experience will provide Toronto Pearson with unique capabilities that improve the airport user experience through scalable, flexible and resilient digital IT systems, while consolidating our IT footprint." Anand Padmanabhan, President, Energy, Natural Resources, Utilities & Construction Strategic Business Unit, Wipro Limited said, "This is a landmark partnership for Wipro and GTAA. Our expertise brings smart airport concepts and digital airport technologies with proprietary airport-specific tools and platforms that will deliver best in class end-to-end integrated services. We are confident that our airport domain expertise combined with our skilled talent pool will provide the GTAA with the reliable and innovative IT solutios that it needs as one of North America's fastest growing airports."



Xavier Diniz, Country Head - Canada, Wipro Limited said, "Wipro will leverage its innovation lab to provide access to advanced technologies such as digital, artificial intelligence, cognitive computing, big data and security technologies. This lab will showcase cutting-edge platforms and test new concepts before they go live, and help transform GTAA into a next-gen Digital Airport, delivering the best quality and value to its customers and stakeholders." The GTAA and Wipro teams are working collaboratively to ensure a seamless implementation of the new contract in the upcoming months.

About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE:WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading information technology, consulting and business process services company that delivers solutions to enable its clients do business better. Wipro delivers winning business outcomes through its deep industry experience and a 360 degree view of "Business through Technology." By combining digital strategy, customer centric design, advanced analytics and product engineering approach, Wipro helps its clients create successful and adaptive businesses. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, Wipro has a dedicated workforce of over 170,000, serving clients across 6 continents. For more information, please visit www.wipro.com. About the GTAA The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is the operator of Toronto Pearson International Airport. With 41 million passengers in 2015, Toronto Pearson is Canada's largest airport, and North America's second-largest international passenger airport, as measured by the total number of annual international passengers. Toronto Pearson is a hub for the movement of people and goods across the country and the continent, and also around the globe. The focus of the GTAA continues to be on growing Toronto Pearson's status as an international gateway: enhancing the customer experience, safety, security, the success of our airline partners and the regional economy. Forward-looking and Cautionary Statements Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects are forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks, and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property, and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005803/en/

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[July 20, 2016] Latest Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California CRE Survey Questions Duration of Construction Boom

The latest Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California Commercial Real Estate Survey signals that California commercial real estate continues its boom, but as U.S. economic growth slows, there are signs of this boom topping out. Commercial real estate fundamentals improve with increases in employment and income and a slowing of the growth of these is potentially of concern. The biannual survey projects a three-year-ahead outlook for California's commercial real estate industry and forecasts potential opportunities and challenges affecting office, multi-family, retail and industrial sectors. The Survey, taken by commercial real estate industry leaders in June 2016, "provides the first indication of a topping out in office and retail markets," says Jerry Nickelsburg, adjunct professor of economics at UCLA Anderson School of Management and senior economist with the UCLA Anderson Forecast. In the two other markets surveyed, industrial and multi-family housing, the optimism of the past few years continued through the June survey period. The 2016 Summer/Fall Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California Commercial Real Estate Survey and related videos are available for download here on July 20, 2016 at 2:00 a.m. PDT. View the 2016 Summer/Fall Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California Commercial Real Estate Survey infographic here. Office Development Continues But Sentiment Declines The latest Survey presages a new topping out of the market for office space in the future. For each of the six markets surveyed (San Francisco, the East Bay, Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Orange (News - Alert) County and San Diego), the trend in office developer sentiment since its peak in 2014 has declined. This downward trend occurs as developers become more pessimistic about the growth of real rental rates and vacancy rates. For the Southern California panels, sentiment has slowly weakened, with the Survey indicating that markets will remain the same three years from now. "One can say that the panels are still optimistic, but clearly that is abating," says Nickelsburg. Moderated sentiment aside, the interest in building new office space has held steady and the expectation is for more building to occur in the 2016-2017 time frame than in the past 12 months. In the Bay Area, the outlook is slightly different. The San Francisco, Silicon Valley and East Bay panels all think that by 2019 real rental rates and vacancy rates will be worse than today. Panelists were most pessimistic about the San Francisco market, in spite of propositions that limit both new building and the conversion of existing B and C office space in the city. To clarify, the survey does not indicate construction of office space is imploding. Rather it says that it is unlikely office space construction will be more robust in 2019 than it is today. Multi-Family Construction Expected to Hit 25-Year High Multi-family developer optimism has remaind strong and consistent over the previous four years it has been included in the Survey. The demand for multi-family housing tends to follow job growth in the more densely populated regions of California. Hence, one would expect the Silicon Valley, San Diego and San Francisco markets to tighten over the coming three years, relative to Orange County. The Los Angeles market is different with Survey panelists in that region expecting vacancy rates to increase over the next three years even as real rental rates continue to rise. The building of new apartments in Los Angeles is therefore expected to ease some of the shortfall in housing units, even while higher rental rates permit lessees to tolerate somewhat higher vacancies.



The current economic expansion reflects a shift in tastes from primarily single-family housing to a balanced mix between single-family and multi-family housing. Though overall residential construction has remained at depressed levels in the State, multi-family construction has rebounded sharply. The Survey anticipates a 25-year high in multi-family construction during the next three years. Unlike office space, there is no evidence of a slowdown in new multi-family development. Retail Sentiment Remains Positive But Hints at a Topping Out

Retail is undergoing a profound change from distribution conduits to experience-shopping venues. In each of the markets polled, retail space sentiment was positive, but not quite as positive as indicated in the previous six months. Retail is currently being driven by two factors: new construction of retail spaces to support the booming multi-family market, and renovations of existing high quality malls from brick-and-mortar stores to experience venues. There are also significant headwinds as consumers shift to online purchases. Data from both Southern California and in the Bay Area suggests that, although the retail space maybe struggling in general, there remain significant opportunities in the realm of retail space construction. The trends reflected in the latest Survey suggest this is a short-lived transitional boost to construction and future survey results should predict a topping out in retail construction. Industrial Space Remains Hot Industrial markets, particularly the warehouse segment, remain on fire. This optimism, expressed in each of the markets surveyed, continues to be manifested in new building. With extremely low vacancy rates at present and an optimistic view by developers, the building boom should continue through at least 2019. The basic underlying economic forces driving the demand for industrial space in California are the export of goods to Asia and Mexico, U.S. importation of consumer goods from Asia and e-commerce. A Broad Based Recovery The optimism about 2019 in the multi-family housing and industrial space segments indicates a high probability of continued development and investment opportunities over the next three years. This optimism, supported by job and income growth, and a lack of sufficient building, portends construction at or above previous peak levels for these asset types. The less optimistic signals in office space and retail markets, while indicators of topping out, do not spell doom and gloom for the markets. About the Survey The Allen Matkins/UCLA Anderson Forecast California Commercial Real Estate Survey and Index Research Project polled a panel of California real estate professionals in the development and investment markets, on various aspects of the commercial real estate market. The survey is designed to capture incipient activity by commercial real estate developers. To achieve this goal, the panel looks at the markets three years in the future, and building conditions over the three-year period. The survey was initiated by Allen Matkins and the UCLA Anderson Forecast in 2006, furtherance of their interest in improving the quality of current information and forecasts of commercial real estate. About Allen Matkins Allen Matkins, founded in 1977, is a California-based law firm with approximately 200 attorneys in four major metropolitan areas of California: Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco. The firm's areas of focus include real estate, construction, land use, environmental and natural resources; corporate and securities, real estate and commercial finance, bankruptcy, restructurings and creditors' rights, joint ventures and tax; labor, employment and OSHA; and trials, litigation, risk management and alternative dispute resolution in all of these areas. Allen Matkins is located on the web at www.allenmatkins.com. About UCLA Anderson Forecast UCLA Anderson Forecast is one of the most widely watched and often-cited economic outlooks for California and the nation and was unique in predicting both the seriousness of the early-1990s downturn in California and the strength of the state's rebound since 1993. More recently, the Forecast was credited as the first major U.S. economic forecasting group to declare the recession of 2001. Visit UCLA Anderson Forecast on the Web at http://www.uclaforecast.com. About UCLA Anderson School of Management UCLA Anderson School of Management is among the leading business schools in the world, with faculty members globally renowned for their teaching excellence and research in advancing management thinking. Located in Los Angeles, gateway to the growing economies of Latin America and Asia and a city that personifies innovation in a diverse range of endeavors, UCLA Anderson's MBA, Fully-Employed MBA, Executive MBA, Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific, Global Executive MBA for the Americas, Master of Financial Engineering, doctoral and executive education programs embody the school's Think In The Next ethos. Annually, some 1,800 students are trained to be global leaders seeking the business models and community solutions of tomorrow. Follow UCLA Anderson on Twitter (News - Alert) at http://twitter.com/UCLAAnderson or on Facebook (News - Alert) at http://www.facebook.com/uclaanderson. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005221/en/

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Media Advisory: California Life Sciences Association Hosts CDC Director for Discussion on Pandemic Preparedness with Academic and Industry Experts

On Thursday, July 28, the California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) will host its "Afternoon with Thought Leaders" program in La Jolla, Calif., and convene an important discussion on Pandemic Preparedness: The Public-Private Research and Response Infrastructure.

In addition to a live stream keynote from Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four leading health experts will join CLSA to discuss how effective and timely responses to emergent public health crises and pandemic threats - Ebola, H1N1, SARS, Zika, etc. - require a united approach by public health agencies, non-profits, healthcare companies and other important stakeholders. This CLSA event will examine these critical partnerships, how our nation's pandemic preparedness and response infrastructure functions, and how it can be improved.

Members of the media are invited to attend free of charge and learn more about how we can better unite government and industry to prepare for these dangers.







View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005324/en/
[July 20, 2016] Wells Fargo and NCR Collaborate to Drive Retail Banking Innovation

NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) today announced a collaboration agreement with Wells Fargo (News - Alert) (NYSE: WFC) to drive unparalleled consumer innovation and dramatically reinvent self-service technology in Wells Fargo's retail stores. As part of the agreement, NCR and Wells Fargo will establish a team, focused on research and development in ATM and retail banking customer experience, to create the next generation of technology that drives customer engagement. NCR's rich heritage in designing end-to-end solutions that drive seamless omni-channel distribution for customers in a number of industries, combined with Wells Fargo's leadership in delivering unparalleled omni-channel experience, promises best-in-class customer service options across store, ATM, digital and contact center channels. "Aligning our development strategy with NCR allows us to shape the future of technology in our stores and ATMs to benefit Wells Fargo customers," said Jonathan Velline, head of ATM Banking and Store Strategy for Wells Fargo. "We have a long history of innovation, and we expect this collaboration with NCR to add to our legacy, deliver the next generation of technology in our physical channels and further enhance customer experience." Over the past eight years, NCR and Wells Fargo have worked together to bring a number of industry-leading technologies to life. These technologies range from cash- and check-processing innovations to high-touch concierge solutions delivered through self-service devices, to next-generation materials that improve the longevity and usability of the physical channels. This agreement builds on that heritage of collaborative innovation and expands the relationship to a more strategic level, co-locating team members from both companies to develop the technologies that will shape the future of retail banking stores and ATMs. It reflects a shared commitment to design and deliver delightful consumer experiences at every touchpoint, and embodies the mission of the NCR CxBanking solution framework: to enable financial institutions to connect and transact seamlessly with the consumers and small businesses who require their services. "Wells Fargo is one of the most innovative banks globally, and our work with them has created breakthroughs in amazing, personalized customer experiences," said Andy Heyman, President, NCR Financial Services. "In addition, Wells Fargo will have access to our global innovation community, customer engineers and executive leadership to provide support in Wells Fargo's lab. Through this relationship, we'll work hand-in-hand to drive market-leading efficiencies, greater solution quality and improved speed-to-market."



About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.7 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 8,700 locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy. With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States. Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortune's 2014 rankings of America's largest corporations. Wells Fargo's vision is to satisfy all our customers' financial needs and help them succeed financially. Wells Fargo perspectives are also available at Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo Stories.

About NCR Corporation NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is a leader in omni-channel solutions, turning everyday interactions with businesses into exceptional experiences. With its software, hardware and portfolio of services, NCR enables more than 550 million transactions daily across retail, financial, travel, hospitality, telecom and technology and small business. NCR solutions run the everyday transactions that make your life easier. NCR is headquartered in Duluth, Ga., with over 30,000 employees and does business in 180 countries. NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are property of their respective owners. Web site: www.ncr.com, www.ncrsilver.com

Twitter (News - Alert): @NCRCorporation

Facebook (News - Alert): www.facebook.com/ncrcorp

LinkedIn (News - Alert): www.linkedin.com/company/ncr-corporation

YouTube (News - Alert): www.youtube.com/user/ncrcorporation View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005355/en/

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[July 20, 2016] 'It's the Storage Speed, Dummy' -- Infinitely Virtual CEO Says Key to Performance Isn't CPU or Memory

LOS ANGELES, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The CEO of leading Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) provider Infinitely Virtual has a flash for owners of small to midsize businesses: (paraphrasing James Carville) it's the storage performance, dummy. "For years, the IT establishment has been telling businesses that faster performance can be achieved through more memory and more CPU power," says Adam Stern, Infinitely Virtual founder and CEO. "The problem with that is simply this: at some point, you have enough processing power and memory capacity, and you're still not satisfied with how your applications perform." The solution, according to Stern: you need faster storage. Stern made the pronouncement in conjunction with HostingCon Global, in New Orleans July 24-27. "Even within the storage business, the mantra has been 'large enough' storage," Stern says. "Only the very savvy have been recommending faster storage for the office network. Now, with the advent of inexpensive SSD/flash disks for the office, everyone can get very fast storage within a network environment. How does this translate to the data center and the cloud? Not all that well, as it turns out. Even as you add more CPU and memory to the cloud, apps are still sluggish." The reason, according to Stern, is that most cloud providers have opted for larger capacity  but slightly slower and less expensive -- disks. High speed flash storage has become feasible in the loud environment only recently, but even SSD drives have their limits in the cloud, he contends.



"The industry hasn't done an adequate job equipping business users with the vocabulary they need to understand storage speed," Stern says. "The key is latency: as StorageSwiss puts it, how long it takes for a single data request to be received and the right data found and accessed from the storage media. The norm used to be storage latency of 5 milliseconds  now, it's 1 to 2 ms latency across the board. And that's not even fast enough. Sub-millisecond performance is just around the corner  and users need to start asking their providers for that kind of capability. Before long, if providers aren't hitting sub-ms latency, they won't even be in the ballpark." Stern indicated that Infinitely Virtual soon be unveiling storage solutions "in that speed range."

Industry analyst Technavio has identified high-speed flash storage as among the three biggest emerging trends in cloud computing, noting that flash storage offers greater efficiency compared to the traditional HDD storage device. "Currently, the cost of flash-based NAS storage is several times larger than that of HDD-based NAS storage," the firm reports. "With the increased user access needs, flash-based NAS storage arrays offer 40-45 times better performance than hard disk input/output (I/O) performance. Because of the higher cost involved in procuring flash-based NAS storage systems, these systems will experience a higher growth in large and mega data centers." For more information, visit www.infinitelyvirtual.com. About Infinitely Virtual Infinitely Virtual is a leading provider of high quality and affordable Cloud Server technology, capable of delivering services to any type of business, via terminal servers, SharePoint servers and SQL servers  all based on Cloud Servers. Named to the Talkin' Cloud 100 as one of the industry's premier hosting providers, Infinitely Virtual has earned the highest rating of "Enterprise-Ready" in Skyhigh Networks' CloudTrust Program for four of its offerings -- Cloud Server Hosting, InfiniteVault, InfiniteProtect and Virtual Terminal Server. The company recently took the #1 spot in HostReview's Ranking of VPS hosting providers. Infinitely Virtual was established as a subsidiary of Altay Corporation, and through this partnership, the company provides customers with expert 247 technical support. More information about Infinitely Virtual can be found at: http://www.infinitelyvirtual.com, @iv_cloudhosting, or call 866-257-8455. Media Contact:

Ken Greenberg

Edge Communications, Inc.

323-469-3397

[email protected] Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160719/391183 To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/its-the-storage-speed-dummy----infinitely-virtual-ceo-says-key-to-performance-isnt-cpu-or-memory-300301173.html SOURCE Infinitely Virtual

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By Indo-Asian News Service: Researchers have developed a malaria vaccine that has been found to offer mice protection against the disease for more than a year.

By identifying and deleting one of the genes of Plasmodium, the parasite responsible for the disease, the scientists enabled it to induce an effective, long-lasting immune response in a mouse model, showed the study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

The team led by Salaheddine Mecheri from Pasteur Institute in Paris, France decided to take an original approach to attenuate parasite virulence for effective vaccine development. The scientists genetically modified strains of the Plasmodium parasite by deleting the gene that codes for the HRF (histamine-releasing factor) protein. The resulting mutants, which no longer expressed HRF, proved to be highly effective in triggering a potent immune response. The absence of HRF boosted the production of the IL-6 cytokine, known for its ability to stimulate the immune response, in the liver and the spleen. This conferred mice with protection from any potential reintroduction of the Plasmodium parasite, including highly virulent strains. This protection was long lasting as it was maintained for more than a year, suggesting that a long-term immunological memory had been established, the study said. It was also effective against all stages of the parasite's life cycle.

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Use of this target gene, or a similar strategy to stimulate immunity, could lead to the development of effective, long-lasting live vaccines for malaria, the researchers said.

"In recent years, the vaccine strategy of choice using live, genetically attenuated parasites to combat malaria has received renewed interest. The HRF mutant is a promising prototype in this respect, offering a rapid, long-lasting and wide-ranging protective effect," Mecheri noted.

Despite increased prevention and eradication efforts over the years, especially targeting mosquito vectors, malaria remains the parasitic disease that poses the biggest threat for the world's population.

Approximately 214 million cases and 438,000 deaths from malaria were recorded in 2015, mostly children under the age of five and pregnant women, according to the World Health Organisation.



Also Read

Monsoon brings fever, malaria and typhoid to Delhi, 11 cases of dengue reported



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Sprinklr Raises $105 Million at $1.8 Billion Valuation to Help Enterprises Unify Their Front Office

Sprinklr, the world's most complete enterprise social technology company, today announced $105 million in new funding at a $1.8 billion valuation. The round, which brings the company's total funding to $239 million, was led by Temasek, a large, Singapore-based investment firm focused on long-term value creation. Wellington Management Company LLP and EDBI, the corporate investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board, also participated along with Sprinklr's existing investors.

Operating in 150+ countries with 1,200 employees worldwide, Sprinklr has cemented itself as the leading social media management platform for the world's most valuable companies. More than half of the Fortune 50 and 1,200+ brands including Nike, McDonald's, Microsoft (News - Alert), P&G, and Samsung use Sprinklr's unified platform to help manage everything they do on social -- from listening to planning, publishing, engagement, analytics, and more -- across their enterprise, from marketing to customer care to sales.

Over the course of 2015, Sprinklr saw dramatic growth -- becoming one of the fastest enterprise SaaS (News - Alert) companies in history to eclipse $100 million in annual revenue -- as a result of a strategic shift in the way businesses are investing in social. In the age of connected and empowered customers, companies are realizing that it's no longer what they say about themselves that matters. It's what their customers say -- and the quality of the experience a brand provides -- that determines whether a business survives. As a result, 89% of companies now compete primarily on the basis of customer experience -- up from just 36% in 2010.

By enabling employees across the front office to collaborate on the same social platform with integrated data and workflows, global brands using Sprinklr have, for the first time, an infrastructure for understanding and engaging each one of their customers -- not as data points, but as people -- to deliver intuitive, personalized experiences at scale.

"Modern businesses are expected to have millions of conversations, simultaneously and at the speed of social, as they flow across dozens of different channels and in and out of traditionally disconnected departments. This complex new reality requires a new class of enterprise software that goes far beyond the customer relationship management systems and legacy enterprise technologies that were designed for a siloed, structured world," said Ragy Thomas, CEO & Founder, Sprinklr. "With departments like marketing and customer care migrating to social and working together on the same platform for the first time, Sprinklr is quickly becoming the underlying infrastructure for the world's largest brands to unify their front office and create real, human relationships with each one of their customers."

Over the last year, Sprinklr has added several powerful pieces of technology to its industry-leading platform. The company acquired the social visualization platform Postano in March 2016, audience segmentation and management platform Booshaka in November 2015, and location-specific text analytics software NewBrand in June 2015. Sprinklr was also recognized by Forrester (News - Alert) Research as a leader in Enterprise Social Listening Platforms (March 2016) and Social Relationship Platforms (April 2015), the only company to achieve this level of recognition in both reports.







Since the beginning of 2015, Sprinklr has expanded its global reach to Brazil, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, adding to its existing international operations in the UK, France, Germany, India, and Canada. In that time, Sprinklr has also announced strategic partnerships with technology and consulting titans SAP, IBM, Deloitte Digital, and, most recently, Microsoft. In October, Sprinklr was inducted into the JPMorgan Chase Hall of Innovation, which recognizes emerging tech companies for their innovation, business value, and disruptive nature.

For more on the announcement, a blog post from Sprinklr CEO & Founder Ragy Thomas can be found here.

About Sprinklr

Sprinklr provides the most complete enterprise social technology in the world, designed to help large companies collaborate across their entire organization to create intuitive, superior customer experiences across every social channel. The company is revolutionizing customer engagement in 150+ countries for more than 1,200 brands, including Nike, McDonald's, Microsoft, P&G, Samsung (News - Alert), more than 50% of the Fortune 50, and nine out of ten of the world's most valuable global brands. Called "the most powerful technology in the market," Sprinklr powers more than four billion social connections to help the enterprise reorient its business around the customer in the age of digital transformation. Headquartered in New York City with more than 1,200 employees globally, Sprinklr works with a powerful group of partners that includes Deloitte Digital, SAP (News - Alert), IBM, and Microsoft. For more information, visit sprinklr.com or chat with us at @sprinklr.

About Temasek

Incorporated in 1974, Temasek is an investment company based in Singapore, with a S$242 billion (US$180 billion) portfolio as of March 31, 2016. Temasek's portfolio covers a broad spectrum of sectors: telecommunications, media & technology; financial services; transportation & industrials; consumer & real estate; life sciences & agriculture; energy & resources. Its investment themes reflect Temasek's perspectives on long term trends: Transforming Economies; Growing Middle Income Populations; Deepening Comparative Advantages; and Emerging Champions. Temasek's compounded annualized Total Shareholder Return since inception in 1974 is 15% in Singapore dollar terms, or 17% in US dollar terms. The company has had a corporate credit rating of AAA/Aaa since its inaugural credit rating in 2004, by rating agencies S&P Global Ratings and Moody's Investors Service respectively. Temasek has offices in Singapore and nine other cities around the world, including New York, Sao Paulo and Mexico City in the Americas; London in Europe; Beijing and Shanghai in China; Mumbai and Chennai in India; and Hanoi in Vietnam.

About EDBI

EDBI is the dedicated corporate investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board, with headquarters in Singapore. We invest to shape the future industries of Singapore in the knowledge and innovation-intensive sectors of Information & Communication Technology, Biomedical Sciences, Smart & Sustainable Technology and select industry clusters under our Strategic Growth Programme. As a value adding investor with over 25 years of investment experience, we support our portfolio companies' growth in Asia and globally, through Singapore by leveraging our extensive network, resources and experience. Through our portfolio of globally competitive companies with high-growth potential, we promote the development, expansion and transformation of successful industries to enhance economic growth and create employment opportunities in Singapore. www.edbi.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005656/en/
[July 20, 2016] In the Latest Commerce of Caring Podcast Episode Presented by Aptos, We Learn How Oxen Offer Hope to Combat Hunger

When discussing modern agriculture technology in the United States, sensors on plants, satellite images and data-driven farming come to mind. But for residents in the Congo, progress is being made with centuries-old "technology" - in the form of oxen - that can combat hunger and save lives. The story of how ox-powered farming is revolutionizing food sustainability one village at a time in the Congo is told in the latest Commerce of Caring podcast episode, produced by Aptos. "Congo: The CATI Project" reveals why this ancient practice is considered novel in many regions and how it is reshaping the harsh legacy of decades of civil war. In this narrative we learn that introducing cattle to the fields has enabled residents to feed their families, produce a surplus to feed others, and kick-start local economies. The podcast also explains how the people of retail are helping to make this happen, through RetailROI, CongoVoice and Congo Animal Traction Initiative (CATI). "Farming in the Congo - before the arrival of oxen - was done by hand and was slow, back-breaking work," said Jeff Roster of IHL Group and RetailROI. "When you work yourself to the bone, and you still do not have enough to feed your family, despair sets in - in addition to unrelenting hunger. The oxen are a resource for more productive farming methods, but they are more than that. They are also a catalyst to long-term economic developent and, in the short-term, to improved food security and happier, more hopeful lives."



As the podcast details, the introduction of oxen in the Congo is not without significant challenges. In this episode we'll hear the obstacles and victories on the way to self-sustainability, including how the oxen must be guarded around the clock to keep desperate people from "eating the tractor." As with all Commerce of Caring episodes, this installment features firsthand accounts by ordinary people whose contributions are achieving extraordinary results in improving people's lives. To listen to these compelling stories of conflict, survival and transformation, access the series via your favorite podcast app, iTunes or www.commerceofcaring.org.

About Commerce of Caring The Commerce of Caring podcast series from Aptos explores the power and possibilities of positive change, and the unsung heroes who are using it to create real opportunities for children in need. In exclusive interviews and firsthand accounts, each episode features stories of ordinary people making an extraordinary difference in the lives of young people throughout the world by turning hardship into hope. The series also shows how people across the retail industry are supporting the efforts of these inspiring individuals through The Retail Orphan Initiative (RetailROI) and their partner organizations. To subscribe to this series or obtain more information, visit www.commerceofcaring.org. About RetailROI The Retail Orphan Initiative is a charity funded by leading retail technology and solutions providers, consultants, media organizations and retailers. Its mission is to provide real solutions for vulnerable children by raising awareness; by building a sponsor and funding network among retailers, vendors and manufacturers; and by channeling resources to proven, local organizations delivering frontline support directly to those in need. RetailROI has raised millions of dollars for a diverse range of education, health and social projects in 17 countries around the world. More than 90% of the funds raised go directly to the programs they are intended to support. For more information, visit www.retailroi.org. About Aptos "Engaging Customers Differently" In an era of virtually limitless choice, sustained competitive advantage only comes to retailers who engage customers differently - by truly understanding who they are, what they want and why they buy. At Aptos, we too, believe that engaging customers differently is critical to our success. We are committed to a deep understanding of each of our clients, to fulfilling their needs with the retail industry's most comprehensive omni-channel solutions, and to fostering long-term relationships built on tangible value and trust. More than 500 retail brands rely upon our Singular Commerce platform to deliver every shopper a personalized, empowered and seamless experienceno matter when, where or how they shop. Learn more: www.aptos.com Follow Aptos on Twitter (News - Alert) @Aptos_Retail Aptos, the Aptos logo and "Singular Commerce" and "Seamless Experience" are trademarks of Aptos, Inc. All other trademarks referenced are the property of their respective owners. The product and service offerings depicted in this document are produced by Aptos, Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005278/en/

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Lawrence County Council approve transfer and appropriation requests

During Tuesday evenings meeting of the Lawrence County Council, budget transfers and additional appropriations were approved for county offices.
"The BJP has the audacity to make such a comment even as Dalits are protesting in Gujarat," an angry Mayawati said in Rajya Sabha.

"The country will not forgive the BJP for the statement. The BJP has the audacity to make such a comment even as Dalits are protesting in Gujarat over the atrocities," Mayawati said .

By India Today Web Desk: Sending a strong message to the BJP over its leader's derogatory language against Mayawati, the Rajya Sabha today unanimously condemned the slur as most opposition parties accused the saffron outfit of being both anti-women and anti-Dalit.

"The country will not forgive the BJP for the statement. The BJP has the audacity to make such a comment even as Dalits are protesting in Gujarat over the atrocities," a furious Mayawati said at the end of a long line of angry members condemning the statement made by Uttar Pradesh BJP vice-president Dayashankar Singh.

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"Even a prostitute fulfils her commitment to a man after she is paid. But Mayawati, such a big leader in UP, sells party tickets to anyone who pays her the highest amount. If someone gives her Rs one crore for a ticket, she will give it to the other person who is offering Rs 2 crores," Singh told reporters, repeatedly using the word "veshya" in Hindi.

"I am referred to as behenji (sister) all over the country... I preferred not to marry and remain a single woman because I wanted to serve the country and its underpriviliged people," Mayawati said as she lamented the lowering of political discourse in the country.



COUNTRY WON'T FORGIVE BJP



The BSP has demanded the immediate sacking of Singh from the BJP and his arrest for his abusive remark. "The BJP state vice-president Dayashankar Singh must be immediately arrested under provisions of the SC/ST Atrocities Act," SC Mishra of the BSP, seated behind Mayawati, demanded.

As the outrage grew in Parliament, Finance Minister and Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, apologised. "I am personally hurt that a BJP party person used such derogatory words against Mayawati. I should tell Mayawati ji that the party shares her grief over this issue, I will look into this matter. We stand with her," he said.

BJP LEADER SAYS SORRY

Speaking to India Today TV, Dayashanker Singh also expressed "regret" for his remark against Mayawati. "I am extending my apology to Mayawati ji and her followers," he said, adding that he is "ready" to go to jail "if Mayawati wants so".



Also Read:

BJP leader compares Mayawati to a prostitute as party counters anti-Dalit tag in Gujarat, Parliament

Mayawati Dalit nahi, daulat ki beti hai: BSP's SP Maurya quits party alleging corruption



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By PTI: Srinagar, July 20 (PTI) Lack of work opportunities due to ongoing unrest and curfew in Kashmir has forced thousands of migrant labourers to leave the valley in search of livelihood in other parts of the country.

Minutes after sundown every day, hundreds of labourers-- who come from different states in north and east of the country--make their way to Tourist Reception Centre here to catch the first available bus or taxi heading to Jammu.

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"We have had no work for the last 15 days due to the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir which was preceded by two days of Eid holidays," Vijay Kumar from Bihar told PTI as he waited to board a bus to Jammu last night.

Kumar, who was putting up in a rented accomodation at Rambagh in the civil lines of the area of the city, said while he and his room-mates faced no problems from the locals, lack of work opportunities forced them to leave the valley.

"There is limited working season in Kashmir and we come here to earn money to feed our families back home. We are not able to find any work due to the prevailing situation," Sitaram, Kumars room-mate, said.

An estimated five lakh migrant labourers from Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab come to Kashmir every spring for work and return to their homes with the onset of winter, when the working season ends.

"We get good wages in Kashmir which is the main reason why so many young workers from my state (Bihar) come here every year. But it seems that the situation is not going to normalise anytime soon," Narayan, a carpenter, said.

The labourers were unanimous that they did not face any problems during the past 12 days of unrest in the valley.

"We have been coming here every year. So far, we have not encountered any problems with locals. We are not into politics... We just come to work," Narayan said.

A similar situation was witnessed in the wake of 2010 summer agitation when the migrant labourers fled the valley to look for work in other parts of the country. More PTI MIJ AAR RG AAR

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Curfew imposed by the government and a protest shutdown called by the separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day today as the ongoing cycle of violence claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen.

By India Today Web Desk: A belligerent Sonia Gandhi today accused the Narendra Modi government of polarising the Indian society and destabilising its democratic institutions, references that the Congress president made respectively to the violence in Kashmir, and the political crisis in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

"The recent events in Kashmir pose a grave danger to the country. The militants must be dealt with firmly. Yet we must introspect as to what has driven scores of youth to such levels of anger and protest, even violence," Sonia said as her party planned a fresh assault on the government in Parliament on the third day of the monsoon session.

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KASHMIR UNREST



Curfew imposed by the government and a protest shutdown called by the separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day today as the ongoing cycle of violence claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen, so far.

"The Modi government is destabilising institutions and polarising the society. Brutal atrocities against Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and the minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all," she said at a meeting of the Congress parliamentary party.

DALIT ATROCITIES



Sonia also condemned the atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat and said her party will raise in Parliament the flogging of four Dalit men by cow protection vigilantes in Una last week.

"We will raise Una incident issue in Parliament. The government has snatched rights of Adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act and weakening environment rights," she said.

A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests against last week's thrashing of four youth in Una town snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The Dalit who died during the day was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.

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If you're considering switching to an alternative music service, then our face-off between Spotify and Apple Music  Spotify's closest rival  will help you make up your mind as the Tom's Guide team compares both services to find out which delivers the best overall experience for music fans.

Latest news

Despite announcing plans for a Spotify HiFi tier last year, there's no word on when it will finally arrive, although a recent survey hints that Spotify Hi-Fi could be back on the horizon (opens in new tab). Meanwhile, Apple Music has just announced a price increase but continues to offer lossless streaming and spatial audio support as standard, and also launched Apple Music sessions with live performances earlier this year to take on Spotify Sessions.

Here's how to try out Apple Music for up to six months for free. Plus you may be interested to find out how to transfer your Spotify playlist to another music streaming service.

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Price

The pricing for Spotify and Apple Music was very similar, with one big difference: the former offers a free starting tier. However, Spotify's free option will interrupt your listening with recorded ads, as well as ads within the app, while paying for the Premium tier will get rid of both. Check out our Spotify Free vs. Premium comparison for the full rundown of differences.

Spotify also offers a Premium Duo package, aimed at 2-person households. It includes the Duo Mix playlist, an automatically produced set of tunes based on the users' listening habits.

Note that signing up the Apple Music annual plan is a bit of an arcane process: you first need to sign up to a monthly plan, then switch to annual billing in the app or through your Apple device's account settings. You can find full instructions for this on the Apple support site (opens in new tab).

Apple has just increased its prices, and has commented that the new pricing structure is due to an "increase in licensing costs, and in turn, artists and songwriters will earn more for the streaming of their music. We also continue to add innovative features that make Apple Music the worlds best listening experience."

An individual subscription to Apple Music now costs: $10.99 / 10.99 / AU$12.99 per month.

Apple Music's student plan went up by $1 per month, so it's now $5.99 (5.99 / AU$5.99), as opposed to Spotify's student plan, which is $4.99/month.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Apple Music vs. Spotify: At a glance



Apple Music

Spotify

Starting Price

$10.99 / 10.99 / AU$12.99 per month Free

Price for offline mode, no ads

$10.99 / 10.99 / AU$12.99 per month $9.99 per month

Student Price $5.99 / 5.99 / AU$5.99 per month $4.99 per month

'Duo' Household  $12.99 per month, 2 accounts Family Package $16.99 / 16.99 / AU$25.95 per month, 6 accounts $15.99 per month, 6 accounts Annual Plan

$109.99 per year $99 per year Exclusives

Works with Siri on the HomePod/HomePod mini; Apple Music 1 Radio; Cloud music locker; spatial audio Available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and Xbox One; Spotify Studios podcasts

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Music library

Apple Music and Spotify both feature massive libraries, but Apple claims the advantage with "over 100 million" songs to Spotify's "over 80 million." The latter also includes around 2.6 million podcast titles, whereas there's an entirely separate Apple Podcasts (opens in new tab) service; Apple Music therefore definitely has more pure music tracks in total.

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

However, Apple Music has also moved away from its initial focus on exclusive (or timed-exclusive) album launches, with then-Apple executive Jimmy Iovine admitting in 2017 that "The labels dont seem to like it." Likewise, Spotify's exclusive content is mainly limited to podcasts, so there's immense overlap between the two services on music content.

Technically this is a win for Apple on sheer numbers, but unless youve got particularly eclectic tastes, youre extremely likely to find the artists you want on either platform.

Winner: Apple Music

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Sound quality

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Previously, standard-quality Apple Music tracks were 256kbps AAC files, the same format as tracks purchased from iTunes. Last year Apple Music updated its entire catalogue, which is now encoded using ALAC in resolutions ranging from 16-bit/44.1kHz (CD-quality) up to 24-bit/192kHz (hi-res audio quality).

Spotify streams songs at three different rates (96kbps, 160kbps and 320kbps) all in the Ogg Vorbis format, though the highest caliber is limited to paid Premium subscribers. This could change when Spotify's delayed HiFi tier launches, though when it comes to resolution and bit rate right now, Apple Music's library of lossless content has Spotify beat.

That's not to say that headphones and speakers don't make a difference at standard resolution, but remember that current Bluetooth tech simply doesn't have the bandwidth for high-resolution audio.

As with hearing any lossless content without compromise, Spotify HiFi will also likely require wired headphones to hear the benefit, though Spotify (opens in new tab) notes that Spotify Connect-enabled speakers will support it.

Check out our pick of the best headphones, best Bluetooth speakers, best soundbars, and best computer speakers to make sure youre getting the best sound quality experience.

In any event, Apple currently supports higher-resolution streaming and Spotify doesn't. In the absence of any other big differences in Spotify's favor, we have to give this one to Apple.

Winner: Apple Music

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Cloud locker

Apple Music's biggest special feature is the iCloud Music Library, accessed through iTunes, which allows collectors to access their libraries of tracks in AAC 256kbps wherever they go when signed in with the same Apple ID. While the service's original rollout was hampered by collection-distorting bugs, it's currently a useful feature that helps the service stand out from the pack.

Spotify allows you to listen to your own MP3s within the app itself, check out our how to upload music to Spotify.

Winner: Apple Music

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Browser playback

Thankfully, Apple no longer requires users to install iTunes to access Apple Music, and currently lets you listen in a browser just as Spotify does. Both browser versions let you browse their respective libraries, access your playlists and play Made for you content, just like their app counterparts.

Winner: Draw

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Availability

Both services have worked on widening their availability in recent years. In addition to the expected devices like phones, tablets, PCs and Macs, Spotify content can be played via your games consoles. That goes for the most recent PS5, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, as well as older consoles like the Xbox One series and the PS4. Early in 2021 Spotify also launched the Car Thing, but this has now been withdrawn from the market.

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple Music has its own automotive solution in Apple CarPlay, and also claims an impressive breadth of supportive devices, from the Apple HomePod and HomePod mini to the Apple TV 4K and Apple Watch. Support for third-party components now includes Sonos, Xbox (Series X, S and One), PS5, and Roku, and extends to Android mobile users. If you're a Windows user though, you will need to download iTunes to get access to its extensive library of content.

Spotify also works on smartwatches ranging from Fitbit and Garmin models to more fashion-minded Samsung and Google Wear OS wearables. Its getting better in this regard too, as Spotify is getting offline listening on Wear OS devices as well as the Apple Watch.

Either way youre spoiled for choice, through thanks to its bonus games console support, Spotify edges this one. You could perhaps also call it a negative that Apple Music lossless content cannot be experienced in full resolution through wireless headphones or speakers due to the bandwidth limitations of Bluetooth connectivity, including its own AirPods models. Although, this could soon change.

Winner: Spotify

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Playlists and curated content

When it comes to user-curated playlists, Apple and Spotify are essentially on parity. Both will present you with personalized playlists, like Spotifys Daily Mix lists and Apple Musics Get Up! And Chill mixes. Both services will also recommend songs and artists you havent listened to yet, but might like based on your listening preferences.

(Image credit: Spotify)

The Apple Music 1 (previously known as Beats 1) radio station also serves as a potential source of new music, though since it functions like a traditional radio station  fronted by veteran DJs like Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden  its content is curated for the Apple Music subscriber base as a whole. Spotifys version of radio is essentially just playlists, curated for certain genres, topics and tastes.

Winner: Draw

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Social media

One of Spotify's clearest wins is its wealth of social sharing features. You can easily share Spotify content as Instagram and Facebook stories, post album art on Snapchat (which then links friends and followers to the song) or create links and scannable, QR-like Spotify Codes to share music and playlists on any messaging platform.

Apple Music lets you share playlists with other registered users over AirDrop, or create content links to post wherever you want, but its social media integration is more basic than Spotifys. If youre not overly keen with sharing your listening habits with the world, this is unlikely to be an issue.

Winner: Spotify

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Design

(Image credit: Apple Music / Spotify)

Ever since Apple Musics big redesign for iOS 10, it's design is close to Spotify in a lot of respects. Both employ large images in an almost tile-like UI, with a navigation bar the bottom of the screen for quick access to your music library or the respective search function.

Honestly, the main difference here is purely aesthetic. Apple Music favors a light, bright and white look with high-contrast text, while Spotify has long stuck to its darker black/grey color scheme with flashes of neon green.

Winner: Draw

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Value

If you dont want to pay for streaming music and youre OK with ads, Apples insistence on not having a free plan will keep you using Spotify. New users can try Apple Music for free for 3 months, which is more generous than Spotify Premiums 1-month free trial, but after than youll need to subscribe.

For those who are willing to pay, the playing field looks balanced at a glance. Apple Music and Spotify Premium are both $9.99 a month for individual accounts, and while Spotifys Family plan is more expensive, its only by a single dollar per month. Both services also offer a $.99 monthly subscription for students.

Keep in mind, however, that Apple Music is now throwing in spatial audio and lossless audio for no extra charge. As such, it simply offers more than Spotify Premium does for the same cash.

If Spotify HiFi was folded into the existing Spotify Premium tier, rather than launching as a separate tiered service, that would keep things somewhat even. But that hasn't happened yet, and even if it does, Apple Music will still have the spatial audio advantage.

The fact that Spotify has a free option makes this particular clash a tie, but if you have the cash for a premium subscription, Apple Music looks like the better deal right now.

Winner: Draw

Apple Music vs Spotify: Which is the better music app?

We first ran an Apple Music vs. Spotify comparison a few years ago, and Spotify comfortably won, on the back of its curated content, value for money and wealth of supported hardware.

Credit to Apple Music, then, for not just closing the gap but surpassing Spotify overall. Its still behind on social features, and lacks native support for games consoles, but changing its approach from consumer-unfriendly exclusives to more thoughtfully curated content streams has paid off. Its also wisely gained a browser version and remains the better choice for those who like to hoard their music files.

Really, though, it's lossless and spatial audio that make the difference. Not only does this make Apple Music the better choice for listeners who want the best sound quality possible, but given it's no more expensive than a Spotify Premium subscription, it's also better on value for those willing to pay.

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Scorecard



Apple Music Spotify Music Library  Music Quality  Cloud Locker 

Browser Playback   Supported Hardware

 Playlists   Social Integration



 Design   Value   Total 7 6

Next: Check out our comparative guide to four of the best music streaming services available right now to find out where Apple Music and Spotify rank.
The opposition party said that the chief minister doesn't command loyalty from the police force and her party.

By Naseer Ganai: The National Conference today said it will not participate in the all party meeting convened by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to discuss the current crisis in Kashmir, in which 43 civilian protesters were killed and over 2000 were wounded. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday.

The opposition party said that the chief minister doesn't command loyalty from the police force and the party.

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"It is extremely unfortunate that although the CM saw it fit to call a meeting within days of protests breaking out, it has taken almost two weeks to do so. The death toll continues to rise. It would have been better had the CM responded to our party leadership's offer of support earlier instead of waiting for the suffering and misery of the people to reach this level", Ali Mohammad Sagar, NC General Secretary, said in response to the invitation by the PDP.

'OFFICE OF CM WEAKENED'



"Successive statements from various high level functionaries of the ruling coalition, especially the PDP, have not only added to the confusion but have significantly weakened the institution and office of the CM. Confusion over the Burhan Wani encounter is one such example", Sagar added.

The opposition also accused Mufti of mishandling the media by enforcing a ban upon it and raiding offices of newspapers.

'MEHBOOBA IS A MUTE SPECTATOR'



Sagar went on to say, "Mehbooba Mufti is seen as a mute spectator, immune to the bloodshed. To make matters worse, a PDP MP has repeatedly asserted that Burhan Wani was unlawfully killed by state police to discredit her. This shows that the CM does not even command the loyalty of the police forces, much less the loyalty of the people".

"Until such time, a credible, effective and humane leadership was re-established in the state. This all-party meet is going to prove to be a meaningless exercise," Sagar added.

--- ENDS ---
LastPass is still the best password manager in terms of features and user experience, but it no longer stands out as much among similarly priced competitors.

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

LastPass: Specs Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux

Free version: Yes (one device type  either desktop or mobile)

2FA: Yes

Browser extensions: Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Opera, and Edge

Form filling: Yes

Biometric login: Face ID, Touch ID on iOS & macOS, Pixel Face Unlock, fingerprint readers on Android & Windows

PIN code: Yes

Killer feature: Background dark web monitoring & email notifications

LastPass has always been  and still is  a top choice for password management, with a solid, easy-to-use design and all the features you could want in a premium plan.

However, other password managers have narrowed the gap with LastPass, especially since LastPass killed off its more unique features, tripled its prices and restricted its free tier to one device type. Keeper and 1Password now cost roughly the same as LastPass and have similar features, and Bitwarden 's free plan comes with the unlimited syncing that LastPass's free tier once had.

Still, LastPass' simple and consistent interface, strong feature set and inexpensive Family plan contribute to this password manager's value, making it first among equals when it comes to the best password managers .

Read on for the rest of our LastPass review.

LastPass: Costs and what's covered

LastPass has three plans: Free, Premium (individual) and Family. At $36 per year for an individual, the premium personal tier is in line with other similarly featured password managers, while the $48-per-year family plan (up to six users) is cheaper than those of many competitors.

For many years, LastPass' free tier was a steal, with most of the basic features you'd want in a password manager, including unlimited syncing across all your devices. However, the company in early 2021 limited syncing to a single device type: Users on the free plan can access their vaults on mobile or on desktop, but not both.

With other password managers on the market offering unlimited free syncing ( Bitwarden and Myki, for example), LastPass may no longer be the top free choice.

That said, LastPass Free users still get to have an unlimited number of passwords, one-to-one sharing, secure notes, limited multi-factor authentication and the LastPass Authenticator app.

An upgrade to LastPass Premium ($36 annually) unlocks unlimited device syncing, one-to-many sharing, advanced MFA, 1GB of file storage, emergency access, 1-to-1 support and a host of security-monitoring features. LastPass does offer a 30-day free trial so you can test out the premium features.

The LastPass Family plan ($48 annually) has all the same features as Premium with unlimited shared folders for up to six users.

To run the LastPass browser extensions, you must have Windows 8.1 and later or one of the most recent two versions of macOS, Linux or Chrome OS. There are browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge and Opera, desktop apps for Windows and macOS, and mobile apps for iOS (13.0 or later) and Android (5 or later).

For LastPass testing, I used a 2020 MacBook Air running macOS 10.15.7 Catalina and an iPhone XR with browser testing on Google Chrome.

LastPass: Setup

To set up LastPass, start by creating an account on LastPass.com with your email address and a strong (and memorable) master password. You can also enter a password hint, although this step may be unnecessary and perhaps risky since there's also an account recovery option.

(Image credit: LastPass)

Next, you'll be prompted to install the browser extension, though you can access your web vault without doing so. There are basic extensions for major browsers, as well as universal installers for Windows and Linux, which will add full-featured "binary component" extensions to all of your browsers at once. Mac users can grab this via the "full version" Chrome extension.

(Image credit: LastPass)

These "binary" extensions, which will share your login state across browsers and automatically log you in, among other things, may be helpful if you use multiple browsers on your machine.

Once you're logged into your web vault, you can add individual items or import them from a very long list of other password managers by uploading an exported file or basic CSV. The import tool can be found under Advanced Options at the bottom of the menu bar.

(Image credit: LastPass)

LastPass has a wide range of built-in item types for passwords and payments as well as health-insurance plans, Wi-Fi credentials and instant-messenger accounts, plus completely customizable templates.

(Image credit: LastPass)

On mobile, download the LastPass app and log in with your email address and master password. On iOS, you'll be asked to enable Face ID right away (or Face Unlock on a Google Pixel ) for easier access to your app, or you can turn on biometrics later (Settings > Security) if they're supported on your device. My vault synced automatically between the web and my mobile app.

(Image credit: LastPass)

There are also desktop apps available for both Mac and Windows. You can get the former from LastPass' download page, while the latter is available in the Microsoft store. Both are basically app versions of the web vault.

LastPass has said it is no longer developing the stand-alone Windows app, but that may change now that LastPass' owner has decided to spin the password manager off into its own company.

Note that I found LastPass' help articles less straightforward and more difficult to navigate than competitors' support sites. If you're new to password management, this may be frustrating.

LastPass: Desktop

The main way to use LastPass on the desktop is as a web vault and browser-extension combination. The online vault has a left-justified collapsible menu bar with a Home button for viewing all items, as well as tabs for passwords, notes, addresses, payment cards and bank accounts.

(Image credit: LastPass)

As noted above, though, you can create a range of different item types as well as customized templates. To create a new record, tap the plus sign in the lower-right corner. If you hover over the icon, you'll also see an option to create a new folder.

Further down the main menu bar are options to view your security dashboard, shared items, emergency access, account settings and advanced options (import, export, account history, deleted items and one-time passwords).

(Image credit: LastPass)

The security dashboard shows you a password-health report as well as dark-web monitoring of email addresses found in your LastPass account. Once you activate web monitoring, LastPass sets you up to receive an email alert if any of your information is found in a data breach. This service is always scanning in the background and does not need to be requested manually.

(Image credit: LastPass)

The sharing and emergency-access screens show you whom you've granted access to your individual records as well as your entire vault. Even for individual users, the Sharing Center oddly defaults to the shared-folder window, which is available only with a family plan. Emergency access can be activated immediately or up to 30 days after a trusted contact has requested it without a response from you.

(Image credit: LastPass)

The account settings are the clunkiest part of an otherwise straightforward (if somewhat outdated) interface. This is where you can update security preferences, enable multi-factor authentication and view connected mobile devices.

(Image credit: LastPass)

The browser extension has most of the functionality of the web vault. You can view, edit and launch all of your items, add new records, generate and fill passwords and see recently used credentials.

To autofill in your browser, tap the LastPass icon in the form field and select the correct login. When you need to change a password, LastPass will pop up its password generator in the form field and then ask if you want to add the updated credential to LastPass, all seamlessly.

(Image credit: LastPass)

If you do download the desktop apps, you can access quick functions using the LastPass icon in your main taskbar. In the Windows app, you can also save and autofill passwords for other desktop apps.

LastPass: Mobile apps

Like the web and desktop interface, the LastPass mobile app is also simple. The main navigation at the bottom of the screen is for your main vault, your security tools and your account settings. Under the vault tab, you can view all items or tap to open specific record categories.

(Image credit: LastPass)

You can also search for individual items or tap Add in the upper-right corner to create a new record using any of the same item types available on desktop. Plus, you can add attachments like photos, files and even audio recordings to a record.

In the security section, you'll find the password generator, emergency access settings, your password-strength report and the option to switch vaults (if you have multiple identities set up).

Note that while there is an option to tap and view your security dashboard, the mobile app does not actually create that report and instead tells you to go to your web vault to view it.

(Image credit: LastPass)

Finally, the settings tab is where you'll adjust security and login options, such as enabling biometrics, auto logout and account recovery. There is a "Remember Master Password" setting, which when toggled on would autofill and log you into your vault, though even LastPass notes that this is not recommended.

To enable autofill, go to your phone settings and select LastPass as your password manager. LastPass popped up automatically when I tapped the Passwords option above my keyboard in my browser so I could select the correct credentials.

(Image credit: LastPass)

You can also launch sites directly from individual records or by tapping on an item in your main vault, and LastPass will ask if you want to autofill with stored credentials. However, LastPass had a difficult time detecting and filling credit-card fields in multiple mobile browsers.

LastPass: Security

LastPass operates using AES-256 encryption, which protects your data locally on your device and on the company's servers (and in between). LastPass does not have access to your master password or your vault content.

LastPass is also SOC 2 Type 2 compliant according to the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA), which means it can be trusted to securely handle consumer data, and the company undergoes regular security audits.

All LastPass plans include two-factor authentication options for vault access. Free users can enable 2FA with apps like LastPass Authenticator, Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, Duo and more. Premium subscribers can also use hardware keys like YubiKey as well as fingerprint and smart-card readers.

(Image credit: LastPass)

Finally, LastPass offers account recovery if your master password is lost. The best option is to use a one-time password on a device you've previously used with LastPass. These are generated automatically and stored locally on any device on which you've logged into the extension or web vault and are used as part of the email verification to recover your account.

Alternatively, you can recover your account via SMS or using a password hint previously set up, but neither of these processes are very secure. On mobile, you can toggle the option to use biometrics for account recovery, though anyone with a biometric profile on your device will be able to access your vault.

LastPass password manager review: Bottom line

LastPass is still our top pick among password managers because it has a clean and consistent design across platforms and all of the key features you might need.
Sticky Password has a user-friendly, feature-rich interface, and lets users choose between syncing data in the cloud or over Wi-Fi networks.

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

Sticky Password isn't as well-known as such competitors as LastPass or 1Password, but this retro-looking password manager gives you a full set of features on both mobile and desktop platforms, cloud backup and smooth cloud syncing across multiple devices. It also includes the option of syncing your devices within the confines of your home local network, making sure none of your data escapes to the internet.

The intuitive user interface makes Sticky Password a good choice for password-manager novices and tech-savvy users alike. We're glad that it recently added true two-factor authentication, and we now only wish it had a richer web interface, as found in LastPass, our Editor's Choice.

Costs and What's Covered

The free version of Sticky Password gives you management of unlimited passwords and automatic form-filling on a single device. You'll have to upgrade to Sticky Password Premium to get syncing across devices (either in the cloud or over a local network), cloud backup and other handy perks. Sticky Password Premium costs $30 per year, and you can opt for a $150 lifetime license.

You'll have to pay for multiple or unlimited devices with almost any decent password manager, and Sticky Password's option of a one-time payment for a lifetime license, instead of recurring yearly subscription fees, is appealing. But while the $30 yearly fee is about average for password managers, we might see prices drop now that LastPass has made unlimited device syncing free.

MORE: Best Password Managers

For smartphones and tablets, the Sticky Password app is available in the Apple and Google Play app stores, and Sticky Password offers a side-loading Android installer for Amazon Kindle Fire, BlackBerry OS10 and Nokia X devices.

Sticky Password is compatible with Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion and up, Windows Vista through 10, iOS 7 and later and Android 2.3 and later.

The Sticky Password extension works with a dozen different browsers  not only Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Internet Explorer and Apple Safari, but also less-used browsers such as Comodo Dragon, Opera and Pale Moon. (Microsoft Edge did not support extensions at the time of this review.)

There's also a unique bonus: If you purchase Sticky Password Premium, the parent company, Lamantine Software, donates money to the Save the Manatee Club. (Lamantine means "manatee" in French, although the company is Czech.) There's even a cartoon manatee on the website.

MORE: How to Create and Remember Super-Secure Passwords



Setup

To download Sticky Password to a computer, simply go to the company website and click the "Get Sticky Password" link. Once the installation is complete, the program launches and walks the user through the setup process.

Once the software is installed, you will need to choose a master password. This is the one and only password that will not be saved anywhere but in your memory. If you forget it, Sticky Password can't recover it for you, and, unlike some other password managers, can't reset your password, either. You'll have to start over from scratch, although if you have a paid account, it will still be viable.

During setup, the user will set up an account, go over syncing, and import saved passwords from a chosen browser. Once the setup is complete, a tutorial pop-up window will open and you can choose to click through the tutorial, or follow a link to the Sticky Password video tutorial library.

Sticky Password's option of a one-time payment for a lifetime license is appealing.

Importing account credentials is easy  Sticky Password has a dedicated tool that directly grabs them from RoboForm, KeePass, LastPass, Dashlane and 1Password, as well as from the major web browsers.

Sticky Password on the Desktop

The Sticky Password desktop application is fairly easy and intuitive to use, even if it isn't the most modern-looking. You can organize your websites by categories, which can be chosen from preset options or created by you.

To add new website credentials, simply go to the website and click the Sticky Password plug-in button in your browser. Enter your login and password information, and Sticky Password will automatically log you in on subsequent visits.

Unlike most password managers, Sticky Password will also securely store application logins, which is a big bonus for anyone who has password-protected desktop software. Saving application login information works the same way as saving website accounts.

Using the desktop app, you can copy logins and passwords temporarily to your clipboard. The information is saved for about 30 seconds, after which a pop-up appears in the lower right hand side of the screen that lets you know the information has been deleted from the clipboard.

This may not seem significant, but consider that every application on a computer has access to the clipboard  and that malware or spyware might as well. We can't imagine why every password manager doesn't offer something comparable.

Sticky Password, like many other password managers, allows you to pre-populate the personal information, such as name, address and so on, that you often need to provide when filling out online forms. The application can save you time by automatically filling out such forms for you. With Sticky Password, you can create as many "identities," or unique form-fill profiles, as you want.

Anyone who juggles more than one online identity  for example, one for personal use and another for business  will find this feature useful, as it lets you select a different names, contact information, billing addresses and credit-card numbers. You can also to save contact and address information for other individuals, such as colleagues and business partners.

In the secure memos section, you can save unlimited IDs, driver's licenses, passports, credit cards, bank accounts and even software licenses.

MORE: Should You Use a Password Manager?

You generally have to enter your master password every time you log into Sticky Password, but you can change your settings to bypass the master password if Sticky Password recognizes a specific Bluetooth or USB device linked to the computer. It's not a very elegant system, and it's a relief that in October 2016, Sticky Password added true two-factor authentication by enabling support for the Google Authenticator mobile app.

Sticky Password Mobile Apps

We installed the free Sticky Password app on an iPad mini and on a OnePlus One Android phone. The iOS app detected that Safari was the default browser on the iPad, and prompted us to enable Sticky Password to work with the browser.

Safari was launched, and a new tab opened with instructions on how to enable Sticky Password in the browser. It gave intuitive, step-by-step directions on how to harness the capabilities of the app. Once that was set up, we were able to manage our web passwords, app passwords and bookmarks through the app.

Whenever you navigate away from the app, you are signed out. This can be adjusted to a one-minute delay, or a 30-minute delay, etc, depending on your personal cellphone habits. You can log back in with your master password, a PIN, or, if your smartphone is capable, with the app's "state-of-the-art biometric authentication," a fancy way of saying fingerprint scanner.

The iOS and Android apps are nearly identical in form and function, but the Android app adds its own secure web browser, the option to block screenshots and the ability to autofill forms in other apps, submit bug reports to Lamantine Software and to import and export databases.

Overall Performance

Sticky Password Premium gives you the option of syncing your devices automatically through Lamantine Software's secure cloud network, or doing so on your personal Wi-Fi network, which means your data never escapes to the internet. This is a pretty cool feature if you are looking for added security and want to be sure that your information  encrypted or not  never leaves your home network.

We opted for cloud sync, and encountered no delays or lag time with logging into websites, entering forms or syncing devices. Everything worked smoothly and easily.

Sticky Password lacks a comprehensive security check. Most password managers scan your accounts and give you a security score so that you can manage weak passwords and improve your score, but Sticky Password's desktop application will show you only if it believes an individual password to be weak. (Like most password managers, Sticky Password can generate a strong new password when you sign into a website for the first time.)

Sticky Password doesn't offer two-factor authentication, and it also lacks a comprehensive security check.

There's no secure way to share passwords, alas. You can copy and paste credentials to other applications in the desktop applications.

StickyPassword is surprisingly lacking in its web interface. Many password managers replicate the desktop experience and give you full access to your password vault when you sign into the service's website, but the Sticky Password web interface is a bare-bones administration portal to manage trusted devices. You can't use it to view, add or manage saved passwords or other items.

MORE: 10 Best Mobile Password Managers

Bottom Line

Sticky Password does a great job of balancing advanced features with a beginner's interface. Both the desktop and smartphone applications are user-friendly and feature-rich, and the browser extensions work without interrupting normal browsing behaviors.

In many ways, Sticky Password combines the best aspects of cloud-based and locally-based password managers, offering the convenience of the former with the security aspects of the latter.

However, we wish Sticky Password had a richer web interface and a way to securely share passwords. But now that it has added true two-factor authentication, this retro-looking service with the goofy cartoon manatee may soon earn a seat at the table with top-of-the-line password managers such as Dashlane, LastPass and True Key.
Laurelle Mellet, the mother of Troye Sivan, the Australian YouTube sensation whos become a bonafide pop star in recent years, has issued an impassioned plea to Education Minister Simon Birmingham to reinstate Safe Schools funding.

Mellet has launched a petition on Change.org with the hope of returning funding to the program, which was devised to tackle homophobic bullying in schools, in addition to having it rolled out in every school in the country.

My son Troye Sivan told us he was gay at 14. It made me nervous  Id heard horrific stories of homophobic bullying and kids being suicidal at school. Whats worse is our education system wont fight it  Malcolm Turnbull hasnt renewed Safe Schools funding, she writes.

Gay teens are 14 times more likely to kill themselves in Australia. Despite this, most schools wont opt in to the program unless its made compulsory  its frightening, she continues.

Troye was terrified but neednt have been  his coming out video went viral and we couldnt be prouder of him. But Troye was lucky. Thousands of gay teens battle aggressive intimidation, exclusion and even attempts of suicide.

To exclude anti-LGBTQI bullying programs from schools is beyond cruel. Id like to think all parents would fight for a system that makes their child feel safe, not worthless. At the time of writing, the petition needs just 684 more signatures to reach its goal of 5,000.

You can read Mellets impassioned and heartfelt plea in its entirety, as well as lending your own voice to the cause, via Change.org here.
Community radio music directors often have an encyclopedic knowledge of local music and an insatiable thirst to keep their ears ahead of the curve. So in this Tone Deaf series, the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (Amrap) invites music directors to highlight new Aussie tunes that you might have missed.

In this edition, Simon Winkler from Melbournes Triple R contributes with a selection of tracks currently making their way to community radio through Amraps music distribution service AirIt. Check out Simons selections below and if youre a musician you can apply here to have your music distributed for free to community radio on Amraps AirIt.

POPPONGENE  Do It Girl

POPPONGENE is the solo recording project of Sophie Treloar, known also for her work with premium psych-pop practitioners Sunbeam Sound Machine. You get a sense from the first few chords of this debut single, echoing and swirling in hazy layers, that were preparing for flight.

Theres a powerful inevitability about the songs skyward trajectory: Do It Girl shimmers with slowly ascending synths and unfolding, uplifting vocal harmonies. When take-off arrives its a technicolour vision in super slow motion.

Carla Dal Forno  Fast Moving Cars

Carla Dal Forno is an Australian artist and musician now based in Berlin. Both the draw of home and a lure of the unknown seem embedded in this track. It begins with familiar sounds, field recordings of tropical thunder. Its a signal perhaps of a storm before the storm as Carla creates her own disquieting atmosphere with tense strings, pulsing bass, and thudding metallic beats.

Reflections on the great unknowns of life, love and the world outside fill the space between  elation and heartbreak told in anticipation and hindsight. You dont so much hear the Fast Moving Cars of the title as you feel the tension and chaos in the echoing silence of the void within.

House of Dad  Hard Working Man

Theres also something deeply contemplative about the latest project from Andras Fox, an artist whos worked collaboratively and under a number of solo guises over the years. The latest alias is in a dedication to his father, a professional plumber with a fastidious dedication to detail and a decade-spanning collection of source materials relevant to his work: audio recordings of storm water drain inspections, instructional videos and structural drawings executed on the backs of drink coasters and table napkins.

Its an archival impulse the respected crate digger and producer can perhaps relate to. Hard Working Man finds Andras return to the methodology of his sample chopping days, a subtle and sophisticated dance track imbued with a minor key sadness that reflects and deepens, rather than overshadows, the affection at its heart.

On Diamond  Long Road

Lisa Salvo forges further along her own musical path with Long Road. Its an extension of the impressive folk-infused solo craft perfected on I Could Have Been A Castle, and also something of a reintroduction.

On Diamond reveals new facets of Lisas songwriting, and reflects the strengths of her exceptional band who together with Salvo have honed this new material. Long Road effectively conveys a sense of journey, a folk and rock and blues arrangement that moves at a languid but determined pace.

Holy Balm  Fashion

Like a tonic for troubled times, Holy Balm are here to help. The Sydney trio shake off ennui and motivate us to move with this single off second album Activity. Lyrics Fashion it the way you want/walk the way you feel and change the way you gotta think to find your own piece of mind form a compelling case, sung persuasively over their signature blend of club, no wave and mutant disco sounds.

If all that wasnt already enough, theres a late cameo from Marcus Whale on saxophone  an urgent melodic addition to the synths, beats and vocals driving the song.

Terry  Chitter Chatter

Terry HQ also feels like a crucial soundtrack for uncertain and unsettled times, filled with lo-fi folk, taut post-punk and no wave. Its the debut album LP from Terry, a Melbourne-based four-piece featuring members from other leading local groups like Total Control, Constant Mongrel, Dick Diver, Mick Harvey Band and Eastlink.

Chitter Chatter is a punk directive straight from the top ranks: playful, poignant and pointed, with a tightly coiled energy and subversive edge.

REMI  For Good (feat. Sampa The Great)

REMI and Sensible J are close collaborators and friends. A passion for the history of hip hop and an interest in its future shines through all their output. For Good is one of the latest examples, a cut from REMIs second official full-length Divas and Demons. A crisp uptempo break carries the song, along with minimal jazz instrumentation and a chopped guitar lick.

The tone is thoughtful, a backdrop to REMIs rueful, ruminative rap about relationships. Sampa The Great is outstanding as ever with her soulful delivery on the vocal hook and guest verse.
"This crime does not fit the national narrative of planned attacks against law enforcement officers but it does fit the narrative when it comes to the fact that words matter. That hate and anti-police speech has got to stop because the consequences are real. Our blue line just got a little thinner yesterday with the loss of Captain Melton. This incident involved a suspect who committed a violent crime in our community and murdered Captain Melton as a result of trying to avoid being apprehended. But make no mistakes, officers of the Kansas City, Kan. Police Department will continue to fight for the safety of our community and we will not apologize for confronting evil and removing it from our community. Our citizens deserve to live in a community that is free of crime," said Chief Zeigler."

IS THE STATEMENT OF THE CHIEF CORRECT GIVEN THE TRAGIC CIRCUMSTANCES OR IS HE MAKING UNFAIR ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE NATURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CRITICISM???

Police provide just a bit of data in today's presser that might be hard for some locals to accept given the rush to create culture war talking points and assign blame . . .However . . .A statement from the KCK Chief of police deserves special attention . . .Here's the most relevant passage:Strong words and the Chief was clearly gripped by emotion during the press conference . . .However . . .In fact, the overwhelming sentiment from most of the community following this tragedy has been sympathy and support for local police that should continue during a candlelight vigil this evening.You decide . . .
KMBC Reports Presser @ 10:30 Today: News conference planned to talk about police captain's slaying

















Newspaper Reports On The Internets: Social media reflect the grief, anger and frustration over death of KCK police officer









Thinking about the big picture, some members of our blog community point out that Capt. Robert David Melton of the KCKPD was the 13th law enforcement murdered since the Dallas massacre.The local incident adds to a tragic toll:And so the news cycle over the past few days directly connects Kansas City to a nationwide assault on police during one of the most divisive epochs in recent history.Check the links and you decide:Developing . . .
Tracy is a brilliant lady known to a great many people in the local media scene and her latest bloggy efforts are worth a click.Tracy offers double posts on two fronts recently . . .Now, the reality is that Rep. Kevin Yoder's Congressional run is probably a sure thing but the attention to detail and political gossip among the JoCo crowd is captivating nonetheless.You decide . . .
The former investment banking chief was appointed head of the HFSF under the Samaras-Venizelos government

The house of the former head of UBSs investment banking in Greece Christos Sklavounis was raided by Greek tax authorities earlier in July, reveals a Financial Times report.

According to the newspaper report, the police raided the house of Mr. Sklavounis on July 4 and seized computers, documents and hard drives. It appears that the investigation was prompted based on suspicion of tax evasion, based on data divulged by German authorities.

The FT report reveals that by using this data Greek authorities have identified about 1,000 suspected tax evaders, some of whom have reached a settlement. The newspaper report also notes that the investigation may also aim to draw further data from the banks officers in Zurich, Lugano, Luxembourg and Singapore

Under the Samaras-Venizelos government, Mr. Sklavounis had been appointed at the helm of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund, which managed funds to rescue Greek banks. He resigned from his position in March 2015, after Alexis Tsipras became Prime Minister.

Read more here.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Greece does not accept and will never accept the consequences of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, argued the Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias on account of the 42nd anniversary of the invasion. In his message, the Minister argued that Greece will support and stand by Cypriot Hellenism and the entire people of Cyprus.

Mr. Kotzias stressed that Turkey continues to illegally occupy one third of the island and underlined the need to abolish the anachronistic system of guarantees and called for the withdrawal of all Turkish occupying troops. He further noted that the recent events in Turkey show how the armed forces are undermining constitutional order and democratic normality, rather than safe-guarding it.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs explained that Greece is seeking a just, sustainable, comprehensive agreement that will not infringe upon the rights of the Greek Cypriot or Turkish Cypriot community, based on United Nations resolutions.

Finally, Mr. Kotzias criticized the systematic and ongoing introduction of Turkish settlers on the island, along with the looting and desecration of Greek and Christian heritage in occupied territories. He concluded by expressing his respect and patriotic gratitude towards the Cypriots and Greeks who fought and sacrificed their lives in 1974.

Political parties comment on the anniversary of the Turkish invasion

In its statement, New Democracy notes that the memory of tragedy and injustice has not faded one bit, but rather it strengthens the determination to end the illegal occupation and reunite the island. The main opposition party stressed that the occupation must end, as provided by international legislation, multiple UN resolutions and the European acquis.

The Communist Party commented that the Cypriot people must not expect a fair solution within the framework of the EU and NATO, as they encourage and tolerate Turkish aggression. KKE also called for the Cypriot people to stand united against the plans to partition the island.

The Independent Greeks expressed their solidarity towards the thousands of brave Cypriot and Greeks who defended the island, sacrificed themselves or were forced to leave their home. The party argued that it insists upon a fair and sustainable slution based on UN resolutions, international and community law, without occupation forces and invasive guarantees.

Read more here.

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
Meteora, which in Greek means suspended in the mid air, has one of the most famous and photographed landscapes in the world

There is no better way to enjoy the magical place of Meteora, than on a hot-air balloon, the owner of the company that organises the tours said in an interview with Praktorio 104.9 FM.

Meteora, which in Greek means suspended in the mid air, has one of the most famous and photographed landscapes in the world. Wind and water have eroded the sandstone rocks of the region into the fantastic valleys, formations and columns of stone.

The tours on hot-air balloons started last year and have mainly attracted Asian and Russian tourists, according to Michalis Karamberidis. "It is not easy to attract the Greeks, but demand from tourists is high, particularly the Asians who are looking for unique experiences," he stressed.

The Russians are also interested in that kind of adventure, he added. "We have also signed a cooperation agreement with a Russian channel that wants to promote our company as more and more Russians are interested in Meteora, which is one of Greece's assets."

Read more here.

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
A settlement in the north-eastern part of Nice, Ariane today is home to a large number of immigrants, majority of them Muslims and within that, a significant chunk from Tunisia.

By Jugal R Purohit: From raised-eyebrows to words like 'sensitive', 'dangerous' and 'better avoided', a conversation about visiting L'Ariane is seldom complete without such advisories.

A settlement in the north-eastern part of Nice, Ariane today is home to a large number of immigrants, majority of them Muslims and within that, a significant chunk from Tunisia. That is the country where 31-year-old Mohammed Bouhlel, whose actions on July 14 plunged France into shock and mourning, was born and lived until he reached the French shores.

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Ariane's record with crime, shootings and the resultant tension makes it what it is.

From the bus stop, upon arriving, the facade of the settlement felt like there was no one in it. From an odd balcony in the apartments all around you'd see someone staring down blankly. On the street, only occasionally would one spot an old woman, a child, an old man and rarely, a young individual. Most women covered their head with scarves.

A hookah joint, some paces away, had three customers.

Yellow Bouhlel's building. Photo: Jugal Purohit

Even though the men, most of them middle-aged, had a lot to say, say they did not. They did not even want to be 'identified'. One of them said, "Speaking before journalists only makes matters worse." Someone asked what our religion was and whether I was a Muslim.

After taking in several, long explanations of the above-mentioned variety, a strong voice called us out from a restaurant we'd left behind. A tall young man was willing to identify himself and speak to us.

A construction worker, Abdel Qader was his name. On July 14, his cousin had gone to witness the fireworks when Bouhlel's truck came hurtling towards them. He only had time to push aside his young daughter, Abdel recounted. His mother did not make it out of the trucker's rage. "I used to drive trucks and can't come to terms with how the police could not barricade the street effectively," he said. He complained that the 'atmosphere in France' didn't let them grieve though victims they were. He believed Muslims in other European countries were better off. "Four out of ten youngsters here, in my locality, have no jobs," he added.

A young mother taking her daughter out met us on the way. She too expressed her fears about the backlash. "My headscarf makes my identity clear and just yesterday I faced abuse while out with my daughter," she said. Immediately behind was Nasiyah Awafi, a Tunisian settler who arrived on French soil as a five-year-old. "Tomorrow may not be as good as yesterday for people like us. My daughter is growing up and it worries me because discrimination is going to increase."

Abdel Qader, a construction worker. Photo credit: Jugal Purohit Abdel Qader, a construction worker. Photo credit: Jugal Purohit

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It was time for the afternoon prayers.

An old man walked up to open the local mosque. Inside we met Momosi P Rahim, another Tunisian expatriate. Wearing a colourful cap, I claimed, "I am an open-minded Muslim. And a large majority is so. Groups like Daesh (Islamic State) have a standing with a miniscule segment. As for Bouhlel, I won't call him a Muslim. He was a crazy, crazy man."

Prayers done, the street was back to being a deserted one. An occasional bus would pass as a reminder of the other, more happening part of French Riviera, the old town in Nice. Old town was also where Magamadov Ramzan was. As the president of the 'Union des Musulmans', he told us he was the leader of Chechen Muslims in Nice. In a text message, he said, "Community was ready to help and be available to the country in whatever way it was needed".

Findings of a Pew Research effort showed as of 2010, France had close to 4.7 million Muslims - the highest in Western Europe, comprising nearly 7.5 per cent of the total population. Nearly three million out of this came from former French colonies of Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

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France and Tunisia have a strange connect when it comes to terrorism. New York-based The Soufan Group (TSG) which has been tracking the presence of foreign fighters operating in Iraq and Syria said in a report published last December that the number of fighters from Western Europe had 'more than doubled' since June 2014. The top contributor was France, it identified, wherefrom nearly 1700 men had travelled out. It also identified Tunisia as the single biggest, global contributor of able-bodied men to the civil war with over 6000 cases.

Meanwhile, the bus began its journey back into the old town. A slaughter house crossed, next was building 62, Rue De Turin. Some heads turned towards that building. "Bouhlel's house," whispered a passenger.

- Writer is a senior special correspondent with India Today TV and tweets @@jrpur

ALSO READ | Exclusive: Nice attacker Mohammed Bouhlel was a womaniser, says his ex-lawyer



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Emirates NBD Egypt said on Tuesday it would not suspend use of its credit and debit cards abroad, contradicting an earlier notice informing customers their cards would be disabled outside Egypt from July 24.



Egypt's central bank last month asked banks to "ensure that debit cards, including pre-paid cards, issued in local currency by Egyptian banks are only used within the country" -- a move aimed at combatting an acute foreign currency shortage that has hampered trade.



Emirates NBD Egypt told customers via SMS on Monday night that "Emirates NBD cards will be disabled for international use outside Egypt only effective 24th of July 2016 till further notice. Apologies for any inconvenience."



It later sent a "corrective statement" in which it said the cards would continue to function abroad.



"They will not be stopped at all," Sahar Al Damatti, a board member of Emirates NBD Egypt, said in a statement.



"The bank is conducting a study to set credit limits for cards and will offer cards in foreign currency and this will be announced soon."



An acute shortage of dollars in the banking system is sapping import-dependent Egypt's ability to pay for purchases of everything from food to fuel.



Egypt's foreign reserves have more than halved since the 2011 uprising ushered in a period of instability that scared off tourists and foreign investors, major sources of hard currency.



The shortage has forced the central bank to ration foreign currency, prompting some Egyptians to use increasingly creative means to get their hands on dollars.



The central bank said the letter it sent to banks last month was not intended to signal a blanket ban, but was a request that banks prevent individuals from misusing debit cards to acquire large quantities of foreign currency while abroad.



Other banks have already reduced spending limits of credit cards used overseas.



On Monday, Lebanon's Bank Audi told customers it was reducing the maximum purchase limit outside Egypt for holders of its Mastercard Titanium card to $4,000 from $7,000, and that its withdrawal limit was $400 per month.



Arab African International Bank cut international cash withdrawal limits to $1,000 a month for its Classic credit card and $2,000 for its Titanium card, according to its website. It did not say what the previous limits were.



The central bank was not immediately available for comment.-Reuters
State oil giant Saudi Aramco signed four engineering contracts to build its Fadhili gas processing project, the company announced at a press conference on Wednesday.

Saudi Aramco president and CEO Amin H Nasser today presided over a signing ceremony, marking a new milestone in the companys drive to expand gas production and supply to meet growing domestic demand for energy.



The new Saudi Aramco mega project will help boost production and supply of clean-burning natural gas, lessening dependence on oil for power generation, said an Aramco statement.



Ten contracts were awarded earlier, and today Saudi Aramco signed four additional, major contracts. They include:

1. Larsen & Tubro for Fadhili offshore facilities;

2. Saudi KAD for Fadhili downstream;

3. Saudi Electric Company and Engie for the Fadhili Combine Heat & Power (CHP); and

4. Al Subeae & Sons Investment Holding Company for the Fadhili residential camp



Joining the Saudi Aramco management team at the ceremony were CEOs and executives from engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) companies, and other service providers involved in the development and execution of the Fadhili gas project.



Scheduled to be completed by the end of 2019, the Fadhili gas project will become a key component of the kingdoms master gas system, processing gas from both onshore and offshore fields.



Together, with Wasit and Midyan, Saudi Aramcos two other new major gas projects, Fadhili will add more than 5 billion standard cubic feet per day (SCFD) of non-associated gas processing capacity.



The increase in the supply of natural gas will grow above 17 billion SCFD by 2020, enabling opportunities in Saudi industries such as steel, aluminum, and downstream value-added industries.



The project will be developed at a total cost exceeding SR50 billion ($13.3 billion) with emphasis placed on in-kingdom expenditures, benefiting localisation initiatives that will reach 40 per cent of the total cost, Aramco said.



The plant is expected to accommodate 4,500 jobs for Saudis between professional training and permanent and temporary jobs, said Aramco in its statement.



A dedicated training centre is expected to be established in the area in collaboration with governmental agencies focused on human resource development.



The Fadhili training programme, to be set up in partnership with project contractors, will provide Saudi nationals with opportunities to gain work experience and technical skills. Furthermore, partner contractors will sponsor developing young engineers at their offices across the world.



Nasser said: Saudi Aramcos multi-billion dollar investment in Fadhili will considerably increase the share of gas in the kingdoms energy mix and fits in with our long term strategy to lower emissions. Gas will be of vital importance to the kingdoms ongoing industrial diversification and economic development while enabling better energy efficiency in the utility sector. The increased gas production will mean more feedstock for industries to expand, and new ones to emerge that will help drive job creation, a key objective of Saudi Vision 2030.



Nasser added: On its own, Fadhili is a pacesetter among mega projects in Saudi Arabia where local sourcing and manufacturing for goods and materials will reach 40 percent, as well as being the first Saudi Aramco project to run on low Btu (British thermal unit) gas. Environmentally, its also unique as its designed for maximum sulfur recovery of 99.9 per cent, utilising the Tail Gas Treatment process, reflecting Saudi Aramcos pioneering environmental stewardship.



Specifically, Fadhili will process a total of 2.5 billion SCFD of non-associated gas, including 2 billion SCFD of Hasbah offshore gas and 500 million SCFD of Khursaniyah onshore gas. It is expected to produce 1.5 billion SCFD of sales gas, 4,000 metric tonnes per day of sulphur, and will supply 470 million SCFD of gas to an adjacent cogeneration power plant, which will provide Fadhili with power and steam requirements, and also supply about 1,100 megawatts of electricity to the domestic grid.



Saudi Aramco is also exploring future opportunities of environmental significance at Fadhili, which may include a helium recovery plant and a CO2 recovery unit to reduce emissions.-TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia will build a maritime complex on its east coast, with shipbuilding capability, to support oil exports, a report said.



The kingdom also will have a shipping fleet that will match its oil capabilities, Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih was quoted as saying in an Oman Observer report.



Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco, an oil major, will need more tankers to meet global demand, he added.






Arab nations have imported $5.24 billion worth of products from Brazil during the first half of 2016, , according to a report.



Saudi Arabia accounted for the lion's share of the trade (23.71 per cent) importing $1.24 billion worth of goods from the South American nation, said the statistical report released by Brazils Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.



The UAE came second in the import list at 17.36 per cent followed by Egypt (16.65 per cent), Qatar (2.33 per cent) and Kuwait (2.08 per cent), it stated.



The positive numbers reflect the strides that companies across various sectors are making towards strengthening communications between the two countries, said the report.



Among the exports, meat registered the major share for Brazilian companies during the period at 34.88 per cent, accounting for $1.82 billion of exports to the Arab World, said the statement.



Sugar came second in the list at 26.62 per cent followed by cereals (6.52 per cent); ores, slag and ash (4.63 per cent) with $242.73 million, inorganic chemicals and rare earth metals (6.61 per cent) and miscellaneous grain seeds and fruits (3.03 per cent), it said.



Of all goods, cereals marked the most growth over 2015, up 113.94 per cent followed by sugar which registered a growth of 10.09 per cent, said a top official.



We are very optimistic about the state of trade between Brazil and the Arab World, remarked Dr Michel Alaby, secretary general and CEO of Arab Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.



We believe these numbers reflect the strong relations both economies have with each other and we hope it will serve as further encouragement for businesses to explore the infinite potentials that the business environment has to offer, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
New Zealand, a leading softwood log exporter in the world, has increased its log shipments to India and South Korea during the first five months of 2016, while exports to China were down, reports the Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ).



Wood Resource Quarterly (WRQ) is a leading source for global wood price data and market information.



With total shipments trending higher, log export prices have gone up by 36 per cent from September of 2015 to May 2016, said the report.



New Zealand continues to be the worlds leading exporter of softwood logs followed by Russia and the US. These three countries accounted for almost 50 per cent of globally traded logs in 2015, with a majority being destined for the Chinese market, according to WRQ.



New Zealand is exporting over 50 per cent of the countrys total harvest in log form. In 2015, New Zealand exported 14.7 million m3 of radiata pine logs, of which almost ten million m3 was shipped to China. This was down from a record high of almost 12 million m3 in 2013, it said.



In late 2015 and early 2016, Chinese log buyers became more active in the New Zealand log market with shipments increasing from 1.8 million m3 in the 3Q/15 to 2.5 million m3 in the 1Q/16, it added.



However, during the first five months of 2016, total New Zealand shipments to Asia have increased slightly with 2016 year-to-date volumes being 2 per cent higher than the same period in 2015. The biggest rises so far this year have been in shipments to India and South Korea, while exports to China were down 10 per cent.



The good news for log exporters in New Zealand over the past 12 month has been the steady increase in log export prices. The average log export price in May of this year was 36 per cent higher than its six year low in September last year. The FOB prices for the major destinations in May 2016 had converged to a range of $100-106/m3, reported WRQ.



Over the past four years, prices for logs exported to Asia have been on a roller-cost ride, averaging just over $90/m3 in 2012, reaching an all-time high of $130/m3 in the 1Q/14, falling to $82/m3 in the 3Q/15 (the lowest level since 2010), then rising significantly in early 2016. These export log price fluctuations have strongly impacted the price trends for both sawlogs and pulplogs consumed by the domestic forest industry in New Zealand over the past ten years, it added.  TradeArabia News Service
Qatar Airways Cargo, a leading international cargo carrier, has launched a new freighter services to New York (US) and Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada), adding to its rapidly growing network of 54 dedicated cargo routes.



Services to New York and Halifax are scheduled with a frequency of one flight per week every Wednesday from Luxembourg, its new European hub, operated with a Boeing 777-200 freighter that offers 103 tonnes of cargo capacity, added the Peninsula Qatar report.



In addition to regular cargo goods, these new flights will allow Qatar Airways Cargo to facilitate the transport of lobster and seafood, major exports from both cities, to Europe, the Middle East, South and North East Asia via Doha, it said.



The new cargo service complements the existing belly-hold cargo on the airlines commercial flights, which recently doubled. Increasing passenger demand to Americas financial centre, New York prompted Qatar Airways to add a second daily service with an Airbus A350 XWB to the city from March 1 this year.



The airline has served the city daily since the initial route launch in 2007 with a Boeing 777 aircraft. The double-daily passenger flights to New York currently offer 125 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity each week.



The commencement of a service to Halifax will increase Qatar Airways presence in Canada, creating jobs in its cargo operations in Halifax.



The airline also operates three passenger flights weekly from Montreal to Hamad International Airport (HIA), its state-of- the-art hub in Qatar and has offices in Montreal (Quebec) and Toronto (Ontario), added the report.
By Rohit Kumar Singh: The Bihar government in a first-of-its-kind today suspended IAS officer Jitendra Gupta on charges of corruption.

Gupta, who became an IAS officer in 2013, was recently caught accepting a bribe of Rs 80,000 from a truck driver.



WHAT HAPPENED

On July 4, Gupta detained four trucks loaded with iron rebars on NH-2 on Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border. Gupta alleged that the two trucks were over loaded and Rs. 1.5 lakhs be paid to release them. When the truck drivers expressed their inability to pay such a hefty amount, Gupta refused to release them for over a week.

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Owners of the truck reported about Gupta's act to the vigilance department in Patna, who then planned to catch him.

THE TRAP

On July 12, the truck drivers informed Gupta that they were willing to pay Rs 80,000 for the release of their trucks. Gupta, later agreed to accept the bribe. Meanwhile, the vigilance team raided his house and found Gupta's driver and guard counting the money accepted by him. After initial interrogation, Gupta, along with his guard and driver were arrested on charges of corruption.



However, the IAS Association believes that the action against the guilty IAS officer was taken in haste.





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Bahrain has dismissed as "unacceptable interference" statements by the US and Britain criticising its decision to dissolve the main opposition party Al Wefaq because "it deviated from political activities."



Bahrain, which hosts the US Fifth Fleet, said a court's decision on Sunday to dissolve the Al Wefaq opposition group, accused of helping foster violence and terrorism, was "just" and "transparent", state news agency BNA reported.



"Bahrain expresses its deep regret at the statements from the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and US State Department and considers them as unacceptable interference in its internal affairs," said BNA.



Bahrain wantsto take into account the interests of its allies and partners to preserve "distinctive and historical relations" with them, it added.-Reuters
Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview there were no discussions about possible coordination with Opec on oil output after a failed attempt to jointly maintain production levels earlier this year.



"We do not discuss the issues of coordination of actions between Russia and Opec... We can't agree on production cuts as we don't have such tools and mechanisms," Novak told Reuters in interview cleared for publication on Wednesday.



The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other big oil producers, including Russia, were not able to reach a deal in Doha in April on freezing oil production in order to support falling oil prices.



Global crude oil prices reached a 13-year low of $27 per barrel in January due to oversupply, but have recovered since then to around $50.



The weak price for oil, Moscow's chief export commodity, hit the Russian economy, which shrank by 3.7 percent last year.



In the interview with Reuters, Novak said Russia sees its cooperation with Opec focussing on the exchange of information and analysis on the global oil market, rather than on coordinating production.



Russian companies have been increasing oil production this year. Novak said he expects domestic oil output at 542-544 million tonnes this year after it hit 534 million tonnes (10.73 million barrels per day), a 30-year high, in 2015.



SAUDI-RUSSIA MEETING



Novak said he will likely meet new Saudi energy minister Khalid Al-Falih at a conference in Algeria at the end of September. It will be their first meeting since Al-Falih was appointed in May, taking over from veteran minister Ali Al-Naimi.



"Obviously, we will discuss the situation on the (global) oil market," he said, adding that they will also look into the possibility of joint energy projects in Russia, Saudi Arabia and third countries.



Last week, Al-Falih said that the oil industry needs a price above $50 per barrel to sustain investments, adding that downward pressure on prices would prevail because of a huge stocks overhang.



Novak said Russia is sticking to its forecast that the oil price will average between $40 and $50 this year. He said though there are risks that it could be lower due to seasonal decline in demand.



Trading houses across the globe are betting on oil markets remaining oversupplied for at least two more years even as crude prices stage a recovery driven by early signs of falling production.



The Russian minister said he expected global oil markets would balance out by mid- or end-2017, with a lot depending on Saudi Arabia's policy. He said he saw demand rising by at least 0.8-1 percent per year, or by 0.7-1.0 million barrels per day.



Novak added that global oil stockpiles have reached 3 billion barrels, of which 500 million barrels he called "excessive" and warned that it will take a long time before they leave the market.



"In general, this is almost 1.5 million bpd, meaning that if nothing in addition will be produced (globally) and output is maintained at current levels, this overhang will still cover for the annual increase in demand," Novak said. -Reuters
Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia were the only major hotel markets in the Middle East to experience increases in revenue per available room (RevPAR) during Ramadan 2016, new data showed.



Makkah saw RevPAR increase 8.3 per cent, driven by a 3.9 per cent rise in occupancy and a 4.3 per cent lift in average daily rate. RevPAR grew 2.6 per cent in Madinah, with occupancy up 1.5 per cent and ADR up 1.1 per cent.



Muscat, Oman, witnessed the steepest decline in RevPAR, down 24.8 per cent during Ramadan from 18.6 per cent during the May 2016 year-to-date period. The Ramadan RevPAR decrease in Muscat was driven mostly by a 14.0 per cent drop in ADR.



Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE, each saw a similar pattern, with larger performance declines during the Ramadan period, albeit at different paces. Specifically during Ramadan, Dubai reported flat occupancy but an 11.6 per cent decrease in ADR. Abu Dhabi reported a 7.7 per cent decline in occupancy and a 7.2 per cent drop in ADR.



Performance in Manama, Bahrain, was heavily affected by the holiday. For the May 2016 year-to-date period, RevPAR was up 2.2 per cent compared with the same period last year. During Ramadan, RevPAR declined 18.9 per cent, which was mainly a result of a 12.7 per cent decrease in ADR. - TradeArabia News Service
Leader Kim Jong Un guided the launches and expressed his satisfaction with them without saying when the tests happened.

By AP: North Korea said Wednesday it test-fired ballistic rockets as part of a simulated pre-emptive attack on ports and airfields in South Korea, in a likely reference to the three missile launches that Seoul says the North carried out a day earlier.

Leader Kim Jong Un guided the launches and expressed his satisfaction with them, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported, without saying when the tests happened.

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Read: North Korea does it again! Fires three ballistic missiles, flew 600 km, says South Korea



The KCNA said the launches "once again examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets the designated altitude over the target area."

Lee Chun-geun, a scientist at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute, said that the North Korean missiles were believed to be carrying warheads, which contain trigger devices but not plutonium or uranium, to see whether those warheads could detonate properly.

The launches were the latest in a series of weapons tests North Korea has carried out since Kim in March ordered tests of a nuclear warhead explosion and ballistic missiles capable of carrying such warheads.

Pyongyang said it conducted a similar test of a warhead-detonating device when it fired a submarine-launched missile in April.

North Korea is pushing to manufacture a warhead small enough to be placed on a long-range missile that can reach the continental U.S., but South Korean defense officials say the North doesn't yet have such a miniaturized warhead. Some civilian experts, however, believe the North has the technology to put warheads on shorter-range missiles that can strike South Korea and Japan.

The three reported launches came as North Korea loudly criticized the planned deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in South Korea. Seoul officials said all three missiles landed in the waters off the North's east coast.

Also Read:

North Korea threatens to turn the South into sea of fire if anti-missile system is deployed North Korea fires missile from submarine but it appears to have failed: South Korea

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Helicopters and boats have been put into service to evacuate people stranded in the flood-affected areas.

While Golaghat and Dhemaji districts have been worst affected, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Jorhat and Sivsagar have also been badly hit. Photo: PTI

By Indrajit Kundu: The flood situation in Assam continues to remain grim with parts of capital Guwahati getting inundated due to incessant rains. The Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger mark in several parts of the state like Jorhat and Dhubri districts.

Guwahati, which is situated on the banks of the Brahmaputra is also bearing the brunt.

DISTRICTS AFFECTED

While Golaghat and Dhemaji districts are worst-affected, Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Jorhat and Sivsagar have also been badly hit. According to the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), more than 1,40,000 people have been affected across 213 villages spread over the six districts in the state.



RESCUE OPERATIONS

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Helicopters and boats have been put into service to evacuate people stranded in the flood-affected areas. So far, one person has died while more than 4,000 people have taken shelter in 24 relief camps set up by the state administration.

ASDMA also added that severe erosion has hit several places and a number of roads, embankments and other infrastructure facilities have been damaged in many districts. Over 13,519 hectares of agricultural land are under water and standing crops have also been destroyed.

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By PTI: Mumbai, July 20 (PTI) A CBI witnesses has claimed that Peter Mukerjea, former media baron and an accused in Sheena Bora murder case, had "no morals" and had many women in his life.

"Peter has no morals and is always fascinated towards young women around him. He was fond of late night parties and had several women in his life. This was the only reason I decided to break my marriage with him," said Peters former wife whom CBI has presented as a secret witness.

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Special judge H S Mahajan, while passing order on Peters application seeking the statement of this witness, had directed CBI to furnish him a copy while asking it to delete one of the paragraphs from it before it was given.

CBI shared with the defence counsel the statement of the witness.

The court named the secret witness in its order and directed the central agency to take care of her safety.

The witness also told the agency that after their divorce, Peter introduced Indrani, the prime accused in the Sheena case, as his girlfriend.

"He told me they were planning to marry. I wished good luck to Peter and sarcastically told him `tum nahin sudharoge (you wont mend your ways) because I was thinking that he would not marry her and dump her like his previous girlfriends as he had a penchant for young women," the statement said.

Peter married Indrani despite being warned of her reputation in Kolkata, it said.

The witness said that she got a call from Indrani who asked her to finalise the amount of alimony once and for all, and not demand an unreasonable amount.

"I got angry and told her to mind her own business," the witness said.

Peters lawyer Mihir Gheewala dismissed the statement as a character assassination. (More) PTI VI KRK SC JMF

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Hyderabad: The Ministry of Finance has rejected a proposal for setting up a Workers Bank by Employees Provident Fund Organisation, according to a senior official of the Labour Ministry. Earlier, the EPFO had sent proposals to the Finance Ministry seeking permission to start a bank to serve its members. The EPFO wanted to set up a bank and the proposal was discussed in the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) meeting on December 19, 2014. The bank proposal was rejected by the Ministry of Finance. They are of the opinion that we do not have necessary competence for running a bank. Some internal discussions are going on in the Ministry. We are trying to come up with answers to satisfy Finance Ministrys queries, the official said. pti
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 20

The government today said public sector undertakings (PSUs) or corporates in technical and services sectors would be given Rs 18,000 by the government for each apprentice hired by them.

Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy said during question hour in the Lok Sabha that the Ministry has set a target for 50 lakh youth to undergo apprenticeship in three years time in PSUs and corporate houses.

We have set aside Rs 10,000 crore for the apprenticeship programme. The money will be given directly to the PSUs or the private organisations for offering the apprenticeship to eligible youths, he said.

Around three crore youths undergo apprenticeship in China and two crore in Japan, but in India only 2.5 lakh youths undergo apprenticeship, Rudy said.

The minister said those PSUs and private organisations which facilitate apprenticeship for two years will be given Rs 18,000 for each candidate.

The Union Cabinet had on July 5 approved a National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme. The scheme has an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore with a target of 50 lakh apprentices to be trained by 2019-20.

The scheme would be implemented by Director General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

It provides for incentivising employers to engage apprentices and 25% of the total stipend payable to an apprentice would be shared with employers directly by the Central government.

The government claims that it is for the first time that a scheme has been designed to offer financial incentives to employers to engage apprentices. In addition, it also supports basic training, which is an essential component of apprenticeship training. Under the scheme, 50% of the total expenditure incurred on providing basic training would be supported by the Central government.

The scheme is expected to catalyse the entire apprenticeship ecosystem in the country and become one of the most powerful skill-delivery vehicles in the country.

Apprenticeship training is considered to be one of the most efficient ways to develop skilled manpower for the country. It provides for an industry-led, practice-oriented, effective and efficient mode of formal training.

The National Policy of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launched in 2015 focuses on apprenticeship as one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India. The present scheme also aims to achieve the objective as stated in the National Policy of 2015.
New Delhi: The Indian restaurant industry will contribute Rs 22,400 crore by way of taxes and create 5.8 million direct jobs in 2016, Indian Food Services Report (IFSR), 2016, revealed today. The report, prepared by industry body National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI), said the countrys food services market is worth over Rs 3.09 lakh crore and is estimated to reach close to Rs 5 lakh crore by 2021. The report estimates that the restaurant industry will contribute close to 2.1% to Indias GDP by 2021, NRAI honorary secretary Rahul Singh said here. Total food services today stand at Rs 3,09,110 crore and has grown at 7.7% since our last report in 2013. It is projected to grow to Rs 4,98,130 crore at a CAGR of 10% by 2021, NRAI president Riyaaz Amlani said. pti
Mumbai: As part of its bad loans resolution process, SBI on Wednesday roped in American fund house Brookfield Asset Management to set up an over Rs 7,350-crore stressed assets fund. Out of the total investible fund of Rs 7,350 crore, the New York-based Brookfield, which manages a whopping $240 billion assets, will contribute Rs 7,000 crore and the remaining 5% or Rs 350 crore will come from SBI, a senior official said. When asked how soon the fund will be operationalised, the official said it will set up at the earliest and will be managed by Brookfield and the bank. SBI chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said, This approach of collaborating with global players will enable the banks in general and SBI in particular to find alternate solution for resolution of stressed assets. PTI
Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 20

Notwithstanding the fact that the termination of the agreement and heavy penalty proceedings are on against it, Delhi-based private firm C&C Constructions has expedited the work on the much-delayed Mohali ISBT project, which, it claims, will be made functional by July 31.

The company management claims that work on the bus stand, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur ISBT, is almost complete. We will hand over the bus stand to the authorities by July 31, said Col CVS Sehgal, chief general manager of the company.

GMADA Additional Chief Administrator Sukhjit Pal Singh said the department had not given any deadline to the company now. The process of termination of the agreement with the company is under way. Now, we have not set any new deadline or condition. If the company is saying that it will hand over the bus stand by a certain date, it has nothing to do with the termination process in question, he said. After completing the formalities, the case would be sent to the state government for approval, he said.

GMADA had issued a notice regarding the termination of the contract to the company. Colonel Sehgal said the company had filed its reply to the GMADA notice and had sought more time to complete the project.

There were some issues, which led to a delay in the project, but now everything is on course, said Colonel Sehgal.

The termination notice was sent to the company on three grounds  long delay in the project, failure to pay penalties of over Rs 50 crore imposed by GMADA and failure to maintain bank guarantees under the norms.

The bus stand is only a part of the project under which the company also has to construct state-of-the-art shopping malls, offices and a helipad.
By PTI: Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 20 (PTI) Kerala Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala today pleaded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps for the release of Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted in the war-torn Yemen in March this year.

Chennithala made the plea in a letter to the prime minister.

Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was abducted by terrorist group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresas Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden. At least 15 people were killed in the attack.

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Video clippings of Uzhunnalil was circulated on the social media today showing the bearded priest blindfolded, and being thrashed.

"It is unfortunate that the central government has been unable to secure his release," Chennithala said in the letter.

He also wanted the Centre to treat the matter as "very serious" as the people of the state were anxious about the fate of the priest.

Kerala lawmakers raised the issue in the Parliament today and the government assured them that efforts were being made to secure his release. PTI UD BN ABH MAV

--- ENDS ---
Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 20

A local Congress leader Sanjeev Rampal has challenged Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to undergo dope test before making it mandatory for youth of the state, who have applied for recruitment in the police, to undergo the same test.

His statement came in the backdrop of over six lakh aspirants vying for the 7,000 posts of constable in the Punjab Police. He said why addicts would come to join the police when the government had already advertised to carry out dope test of the applicants.

Moreover, candidates who will undergo the test before joining as constable are from a limited age group.

Drug addicts and peddlers are devising novel ways to satiate their addiction. Contrabands like heroin, smack, besides abuse of allopathic and ayurvedic medicines is underway, he added.

After the increase of surveillance on drug peddling and abuse of allopathic medicines by the government, there has been a rise in popularity of ayurvedic durgs among addicts, whose cost has also gone up considerably. Notably, these medicines are even available at pansari (provision) stores of various districts in the state.

Anoop Singh Bhullar, chairman, Fateh Foundation, an NGO working against drug abuse, said, Punjab falls between two triangles of drug peddlers. These routes are Vietnam, Myanmar and Thailand, another is Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

He said addicts shifted from poppy husk to synthetic drugs, which sent the alarm bells ringing in the state.

The state, which once produced high number of Olympians and defence personnel, was now earning notoriety of having maximum number of drug addicts, he added.

He blamed it on lack of proper education, awareness, career counselling, besides unemployment. He said, Obviously, there is an issue of easy availability of drugs that, too, at relatively cheap price.

Meanwhile, a study conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in 2009, had pointed towards an exponential increase in number of drug addicts in the state during the past decade.
KC Singh

A WEEK, said former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, is a long time in politics; so, indeed, in global politics. In the last week or so, a number of events with tremendous implications for peace and stability in India and beyond occurred randomly. This was against the background of feared disruptive outcome of the British referendum on exiting the European Union, which caused turmoil in both the ruling Conservative party and the opposition Labour.

On July 12 came the South China Sea award by the International Arbitration Court at the Hague on Philippines plea that the Chinese conduct in unilaterally turning bare rocky shoals into islands and marking almost the entire South China Sea with a nine-dash line, claiming it as their area historically, was wrong. The court passed a scathing order that China, as a signatory to the UN Convention on Laws of the Seas (UNCLOS), had its historical rights eliminated on signature. Moreover, the artificially created islands, to enable the extension of the Chinese economic zone, were illegal and actually damaging ecologically.

The Chinese reacted predictably by muscle flexing and loud protests. Their international credentials as a rising, responsible power stood compromised. The award also raises, per se, questions about historical claims that China makes about Arunachal Pradesh. In Simla, in 1914, an accord between representatives of the British Indian government and Tibet, the Chinese emissary having withdrawn on the Tibet-India border, called henceforth the McMahon Line, also analogously erases Tibetan, and thus Chinese historical claims.

The award has deepened the political divide over the South China Sea and the potential for actual conflict, accidental or deliberate, is high. China has to decide whether it chooses slow de-escalation, or, with its economy slowing and internal friction rising, persists with jingoism.

A military coup in Turkey unfolded from July 15, although after the first few hours, when tanks were out in streets of capital Ankara and Istanbul and air force planes buzzed both cities, it began to unravel. It used to be said of the Turkish military, before the rise of Islamist populist President Recep T Erdogan, that though it was not always in power, nor was it ever out of it. Erdogan, over the last decade, has worked assiduously to break the militarys command structure by punishing generals, jailing, and then, even pardoning them.

Erdogan is caught today between the fear of Kurdish gains in Iraq and Syria that are emboldening Kurds in Turkey to seek more power and the need to both use and contain the ISIS. He has fallen between two stools as now both ISIS and Syrian and Turkish Kurds oppose him. The lingering disaffection in the Turkish defence forces spilled into the open with this coup which failed due to poor planning, missed opportunities by coup leaders and the impossibility today to cut the ability of incumbent leaders to use social media to reach the people and their core followers.

The Turkish militarys outdated coup playbook failed in the face of new technologies of information dissemination and the extent of Erdogans followers. The militarys coups/memorandums of 1960, 1971, 1980, 1993 and 1997 thus proved to be a poor guide this time around. In fact, the then Prime Minister Nehru was in Turkey on an official visit in 1960 as the military prepared to bring down the government of prime minister Adnan Menderes, which was becoming unpopular due to economic hardship. To alleviate those conditions, Menderes was reaching out to the USSR and non-aligned India. Nehru, in London before proceeding to Turkey, saw the clouds gathering but was misled by the Indian ambassador, pleading that a cancellation of his visit would certainly doom Menderes while his coming may save him. The Turkish military waited a couple of days after Nehrus departure from Turkey before unleashing the first military coup. Whether Western powers had some hand in it can only be speculated, but certainly in the middle of the Cold War, the US and its allies were not going to let a crucial ally defect.

President Erdogan sees a wider conspiracy and wants the US to deport moderate cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has a wide following amongst the moderate elite in Turkey and whom he considers the coup mastermind. Widespread arrest of judges and security officials made someone quip that if indeed the conspiracy included all those arrested, it surely would have succeeded. Erdogan risks damaging relations with the US, and the EU particularly, was he to restore capital punishment, as indeed hollowing out the militarys top leadership at a time he needs security agencies and the military to combat internal and external threats from Kurds and the ISIS. Paranoia and score settling will embolden opposition to the Erdogan regime and may be self-defeating.

Finally, the coronation of Donald Trump at the Republican convention on July19-20 brings to an end the first phase of what The Economist this week calls putting a thriving country at risk of a great, self-inflicted wound. It goes on to fear that restive US voters, rabble roused by atavistic appeals to race and religion, at a time when globalisation has impacted workers and increased inequality, may behave as irrationally as the British voters did over Brexit. Though interim national polls show Hillary Clinton ahead of Trump currently, the old certainties are passe in Europe, the US, Turkey, as indeed India.

Those astrologically inclined fear that the return of Mars (Mangal) to Scorpio on July 12, where it stays till September 18, in the company of Saturn  the two being there last in 1984  spells a period of turbulence and events with lasting impact. The unravelling of peace in Kashmir when funerals of militants in the past have been handled by the security forces without such wide conflagration, the random lone wolf terror attacks in Europe and the US, the Arunachal passion play and Navjot Sidhu walking off the pitch without facing a ball in the Rajya Sabha  all are random events with unknown consequences. Shakespeare in Julius Caesar speaks for the rationalists: The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars/But in ourselves, that we are underlings. Coming weeks, months and years will tell who is right.

 The writer is a former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs
In the confidence with which cow vigilantes are going about their business lies the evidence of what the BJPs saffron politics has already achieved. It has given what the party calls the fanatical fringe the confidence of the mainstream. What else would explain the manner in which they filmed themselves while illegally beating people in the name of cow protection, as in Gujarat, or harassing truck drivers coming from J&K in Punjab? ABVP activists allegedly beat up a student from Punjab in Hyderabad. Among much else, the confidence comes from the brazenness with which the BJP went about defending the guilty in the Akhlaq murder of Dadri. It is all very well for the party's leadership in Parliament to condemn the harassment of Dalits, but it is hard to imagine that Narendra Modi cannot stop the hooligans from these planned acts if he decides to.

After a year of ideological confrontation, cow politics today is grappling with reality on the ground. Shelters are brimming with unwanted cattle, where animals injure each other for space, or go with inadequate fodder and water. States resources are stretched, and officials are under pressure to seek donations to keep the cattle. Industry and dairy are suffering, and a whole community is being denied its traditional livelihood. The collection of funds in many states has degenerated into virtual extortion, with overbearing gaushala workers pressuring small businesses.

The BJP may be making a very fine calculation in strengthening its core base vis-a-vis Muslim voters. But the churning in the Dalit community, which is no less affected by the cow slaughter ban, may just upset the plan, what with the Vemula issue still simmering and Gujarat erupting in protests and suicide attempts. Mayawati was joined by Congress and TMC leaders in her protest in Parliament. Amit Shah better rethink the nuances ahead of the UP and Gujarat elections, two very prestigious states for his party. If not the Muslims and Dalits, the sheer cruelty that cows will soon suffer from the unmanageable population growth is going to bear on peoples minds.
Medical education and the healthcare sector are in news for all the wrong reasons. The Health Workforce in India, a WHO report, based on the 2001 census data claims that over 57 per cent allopathic doctors in the country have no medical qualifications. Some experts claim the data on which the WHO report has relied is flawed. Still, the findings may shock urban Indians but villagers heavily depend on quacks or unqualified doctors, who fill a void in Indias healthcare system. According to a report, about 25 lakh quacks practise medicine without acquiring formal training.

In contrast, the total number of registered doctors was a little above nine lakh in 2014. The WHO report only re-establishes a known fact. Since qualified doctors opt for lucrative careers in cities, a few NGOs are training quacks to upgrade their existing skills with a theoretical knowledge of medicine. In West Bengal the Liver Foundation has been doing this work for years. The Indian Medical Association acknowledges the presence of quacks but appears helpless in checking them; their popularity remains steadfast in their communities and areas. Every year a few quacks are arrested, only to be released later due to public pressure. Instead of mocking and berating them, several NGOs are harnessing their skills across the country.

Unfortunately, healthcare of a large segment of the population rests on these semi-qualified professionals. It is hoped the data based on the 2011 census would show better results, the gravity of the situation persists; only one doctor is available for 11,528 people in government hospitals. Figures released by the Union Health Ministry in 2015 show one primary healthcare centre serves 32,944 people in rural India, where 11.9 per cent positions of doctor lie vacant; and at community health centres 81.2 per cent specialist positions remain unfilled. Apart from upgrading the skills of nurses and ANM workers, as suggested by Union Health Minister JP Nadda, the government should also train this 57 per cent segment to utilise available resources, before balancing the skewed ratio of doctors, favouring urban India.
Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 20

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today virtually placed Haryana bureaucracy in dock in a case on protecting archaeological sites. Taking up a contempt of court petition, Justice Mahesh Grover summoned babus who remained Deputy Commissioners of Sirsa since 2012. Haryana Chief Secretary, too, was summoned.

The case has its genesis in an order passed by a Division Bench in October, 2008, in the case of Munshi Ram versus State of Punjab and other respondents. The Deputy Commissioners were directed to obtain report from revenue authorities regarding encroachment.

The DCs and the Archaeological Survey of India were also directed to get the ancient and protected monuments retrieved from the encroachers. Subsequently, the High Court took suo motu cognizance of alleged non-compliance of the directions and issued contempt notice to the Deputy Commissioners of Sirsa, Gurgaon, Hisar, Hansi, Faridabad, Palwal and Kaithal.

As the case came up for resumed hearing, the Sirsa Deputy Commissioner filed an affidavit that the state government had issued a notification declaring Sirsa archaeological site as unprotected.

Blaming the state for not cooperating, the ASI alleged that its officials were running away from their duty. Taking up the matter, Justice Grover summoned all the Deputy Commissioners of Sirsa since 2012 to face contempt proceedings.

Justice Grover was of the opinion that the officers had mislead the court and wasted time by taking false, frivolous and opposite stand every time an affidavit was filed. Justice Grover verbally observed in the open court that the state had made all attempts to thwart the court orders. Rather, the state never had any intention of complying with the court orders.

Justice Grover added the state rather than preserving its heritage was playing politics with the court and judicial orders. Justice Grover, on the previous date of hearing, had asserted that the court, after noticing the entire conduct of the respondents, was convinced that the authorities concerned were absolutely not interested in carrying out the orders and the long rope given by this court by adjournments and numerous opportunities to cajole the respondents into carrying out the orders of this court have fallen on deaf ears.

Justice Grover had added the Sirsa Deputy Commissioner would present as the court was convinced that she has committed wilful disobedience of the order to warrant proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act. Costs of Rs1,00,000 each was imposed on the state and the Archaeological Survey of India as they were shifting the burden of removing the encroachments on one another and at the end the result was that the encroachments have not been cleared.
Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, July 20

Bhiwani youths Amit, Sandeep and Jagmohan  arrested on the charge of kidnapping and gang raping a Dalit woman  were produced before a local court today and remanded in four-day police custody.

The counsel for the accused said there was no evidence against the youths and they were arrested following a media trial and pressure from other quarters.

He demanded a DNA test as well as narco analysis test (lie-detector test) of the complainant as well as the accused to ascertain facts of the matter.

The court fixed the next hearing on July 24.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Muhammad Akil, meanwhile, visited the complainant at the local PGIMS. He also met families of the accused and assured them of a fair and impartial probe.

He later told the media a Special Investigating Team (SIT) had been constituted. DNA samples of the complainant and the accused will be matched to bring out the truth.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Rakesh Arya said, DSPs Ravinder and Pushpa Khatri, and officials in charge of the cyber crime cell and CIA wing are members of the SIT.

He added the complainant had not got her statement recorded before a Magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC yet.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Munish Nagpal also visited the complainant at the PGIMS and handed over a cheque for Rs 4.12 lakh to her, as per rules.

Protests over the matter continued today as well, with activists of some Dalit organisations taking out a march.

The complainant, a 21-year-old college student, had alleged that five youths  Amit, Sandeep, Jagmohan, Mausam and Akash  had raped her nearly three years ago. They allegedly raped her again on July 13 to put pressure on her to withdraw the previous case.

Of the five youths, Amit, Sandeep and Jagmohan, who had joined the investigation on their own, were arrested.
Our Correspondent

Palampur, July 20

Dr NK Kalia, father of martyr Capt Saurabh Kalia who was the first to sacrifice his life in the 1999 Kargil war, said here today that he would continue his battle to seek justice for his son. Dr Kalia was speaking with mediapersons on the completion of 16 years of the Kargil war here.

Dr Kalia regretted that he moved from pillar to post in the past 16 years and approached the Government of India and several national and international organisations to pressurise Pakistan to identify, book and punish those who indulged in most heinous inhuman crime and kept his son in captivity for three weeks and subjected him to unprecedented brutal torture.

Dr Kalia said he was disappointed over the behaviour of successive governments in the past 16 years as none was serious on this important matter and even did not initiate efforts to take up the issue with Pakistan during bilateral talks held several times.

Dr Kalia said though the 16 years had passed, his wounds were yet to be healed. He said not only parents, but the Indian Army and the nation as a whole had lost a dedicated and honest solider.

He said the Pakistan army had indulged in the most dastardly acts of burning bodies with cigarettes, piercing ears with hot iron rods, removing eyes before puncturing them, breaking most of the bones and teeth, chopping off various limbs and private organs of these soldiers.

Dr Kalia said he was proud of his son and his team who fought the battle for 22 days undergoing the worst ordeal. The enemy gave in but these valiant sons did not break while undergoing unlimited savagery.

The Pakistan army has to shoot them ultimately. The postmortem conducted by the Indian Army reflects all this. The postmortem report also confirmed that injuries were inflicted ante mortem (before death), Dr Kalia added.
Abhinav Vashisht

KULLU, JULY 20

Three pilgrims died while undertaking the religiously significant Shrikhand Yatra to the 18,000 feet Shrikhand Mahadev Peak. Confirming the deaths, Anni DSP Baldev Thakur today said Umesh Pratap (24), son of Bhanu Pratap from Ayodhya at Uttar Pradesh, was injured during trekking at Parbati Bagh yesterday.

He was brought to Thachru, but he collapsed en route. Thakur said that body of Umesh Pratap had been brought to Anni and his relatives had arrived to take the body.

The DSP said that another youth Jiten Anand (28), son of Satish Anand from Jalandhar was struck with pneumonia at Thachru base camp. He succumbed to his illness this afternoon.

Thakur said Dayal Chand (35), son of Gugan Chand of Batala village of Anni subdivision of this district, experienced some breathing problems and was put on oxygen at Bheem Dwar. However, he breathed his last today.

The pilgrimage to Shrikhand Mahadev begins from Rampur (Shimla) and Nirmand (Kullu) and is extremely demanding. Even as the district administration sets up rescue posts equipped with police personnel, doctors and paramedical staff for the convenience of the pilgrims, causalities are reported every year. Adverse climatic conditions and high altitude poses a challenge for the devotees undertaking the tough trek. Even last year six casualties were reported during the pilgrimage due to bad weather and heavy rains. The yatra had to be halted before July 25. It is slated to continue till July 29.
Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 20

The government has decided to issue a letter of intent to Reliance Power for the jinxed 960 mw Jangi-Thopan power project this week.

The company withdrew its petition on the allotment of the project from the Supreme Court early this week, but has not shown any keenness on depositing the upfront premium so far.

The government had asked the company to withdraw the petition from the Supreme Court and deposit the upfront premium by June 30. It is now issuing a fresh letter of intent to the company to start the process of allotment, said Dr Ajay Sharma, Director, Energy.

The date for depositing the upfront premium has been extended to August 1. We will issue the letter to the company as the Cabinet has offered the project to it, but the allotment is yet to be done, he clarified.

The government had offered the project to the company because Reliance Power had pleaded that being the second highest bidder after Brakel of the Netherlands, it should be allotted the project. The allotment to Brakel was cancelled in 2009.

The government is yet to take a call on the refund of the upfront premium worth Rs 282 crore that Adani had claimed to have given to the state on behalf of Brakel when the project was allotted to it in 2006, said sources.

Reliance Power has to pay the upfront premium at rate of Rs 35 lakh per megawatt to the state. The government has offered the project to the company without changing any terms or conditions despite the project being delayed by more than 10 years.

The Supreme Court had directed the state to go in for fresh bids if they could get a higher upfront premium. Adani and Japayee were among the eight companies that had offered bids for the project, but they did not participate in the tendering process, said sources.

Reliance was chosen as it had offered the second highest bid in 2006.
Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 20

Kashmir has come to a standstill by the protests and curfew in the past 12 days. Even the ATMs in the Valley are running out of cash.

Taking note of this fact, the High Court has sought a report from the Jammu & Kashmir Bank, which has the largest network of branches and ATMs in the state, about the availability of cash in the ATMs and the functioning of its branch offices in the Valley.

The directions were passed today by a division Bench of the High Court which is hearing public interest litigation (PIL) about the shortage of essential items and medicines in Kashmir.

The J&K Bank, the major bank of the Valley, is not loading ATMs It is also a fact that the branches of the said bank are not functioning, which can facilitate withdrawal of money by the account holders for their day to day emergencies, the Bench observed.

While impleading managing director of the J&K bank, Corporate Office, Srinagar, as the party respondent in the PIL, the High Court directed him to file a status report with regard to availability of cash in the ATMs and functioning of its branch offices.

The Advocate General, quoting Lakes and Waterways Development Authorities (LAWDA), said minor repairs and fixing of temporary GCI sheets was detected near Saidakadal and the work had been stopped.

Five FIRs have been registered against five persons and one person was trying to construct an illegal roof over his house at Akhoon Mohalla, Habak, which has been demolished, the Bench noted in its orders quoting the Advocate General.

It is also to be noticed that weeding operations are not being carried out by the LAWDA authorities which results in enormous growth of weed, the Bench said.
National Award-winning actor and Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee, in an exclusive interview to IndiaToday.in, talks about his role in his upcoming film Khawto, the state of Bengali cinema and his plans for future.

By Devarsi Ghosh: National Award-winning actor and Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee needs no introduction. Starting off as the blue-eyed boy of Bengali cinema in the early 80s, he became a superstar with a string of commercial hits through the 80s and 90s, after which he fashioned himself as a metropolitan star, featuring in arthouse and middle-of-the-road films in the 2000s and so on. Today, Chatterjee is a stalwart of Bengali cinema and one of the finest actors in the country.

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Ahead of the release of Khawto (July 22), his upcoming psychological thriller, Prosenjit speaks to IndiaToday.in about his role in the film, the state of Bengali cinema and his plans for future. Excerpts from the conversation:

After a long time, we are seeing you in a film that looks dangerous, dark, sexual, a bit disturbing and psychologically complex. What is your role like in Khawto?

I play the character of writer Nirbed Lahiri who writes dark, romantic thrillers and is popular across multiple generations. He is a dark character who does not believe in society and the system. At one point, he starts believing in and living the kind of lifestyle he writes about in his books, and well, such journeys are not proper and smooth, and there are twists and turns in his personal life. He has a dual personality, something akin to, say, a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Cinematically, anything like Khawto in Bengali cinema hasn't happened. Yes, you get such films in Hollywood, a few in Bombay. In Bengali literature, you get such stories in the works of Samaresh Basu and Buddhadeb Guha. In fact, Kamaleshwar (Mukherjee, the director) came to me with the script 7-8 years ago. But I asked him to wait till the audience became more accepting and willing to see something different.

ALSO READ: My role in Khawto is extremely complex, says Prosenjit Chatterjee

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Are you saying that this is your most complex role so far and that you have never done something like this?

Without a doubt. I have done experimental roles earlier, but nothing like this. Moreover, for Nirbed Lahiri, I did not have any human reference around me to draw from. All my references were from films and novels. Nirbed Lahiri is a very, very honest man. There are only a few characters like that in Bengali films. Uttam (Kumar) jethu had done such roles in Nayak, Bagh Bandi Khela and Bicharak long ago.

You have worked with Srijit Mukherji, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury and Kamaleshwar Mukherjee - three top directors of New Tollywood. How different is one director from another?

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Everyone has their own way of telling stories. Srijit includes a lot of commercial elements into his films as he just does not make films for himself, he wants the audience to enjoy. Tony (Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury) is slick and sensitive in his storytelling. He plays with climate, weather and music in his films. Kamaleshwar has a very 'old director's element' - very detailed, a good researcher, and most importantly, a good actor himself, which helps us as actors on his set. Shiboprasad (Mukherjee, who directed Prosenjit in Praktan) makes films for the larger middle class Bengali audience. Everyone is good in their own way and people are appreciating and enjoying this diversity.

With the exception of Autograph, you have not worked with any first-time director recently. Why?

When Srijit did Autograph, he was new and not from the industry. Before that I have worked with 50 filmmakers who were newcomers - chief assistant directors within the industry. So, I stood by their debut projects.

After that, I did Subhadra Chowdhury's Clerk because it was a good concept and regardless of its commercial prospects, I felt it would be good cinema. The film did not work, it was not promoted well, it was ahead of its time, sure, but I liked it. So, if and when a newcomer gets me a script which is really good and I can fit into it somewhere, of course, I will do it.



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Referring to a 2014 report by CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) and market research firm IMRB that made many assertions including that 90% of Bengali films are flops in a year, what is the financial state of the Bengali film industry now?

We produce too many films in a year. If we make 100, 110 films a year, that is like eight films a month, which is two films a week. Now, not every film gets the right positioning during release. Only films with marquee actors, directors, star cast etc. get lucky to find the right release, and such films are few. With excessive digitisation, now, everyone is making films, which is good, but the makers think that they will quickly make films in digital and bag satellite rights but television channels buy satellite rights of notable films only. If we made fewer films a year, percentage of hits would be better.



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Why is Bengali song-and-dance oriented commercial cinema still stuck with remakes?

In recent times, apart from my film Praktan, Bengali films that did really well across cities, villages and suburbs were Moner Manush, Mishawr Rawhoshyo, Chander Pahar, Feluda and Byomkesh films - all based on literary works with famous literary characters. So, such commercial films are being made and you'll see more such films in the near future. Meanwhile, Tamil and Telugu remakes have proven to be a good business model both in Bollywood and here. So, yes, they happen. End of the day, every 7-8 years, the audience craves for something new. So, this remake business is just another trend. It will be replaced by something else.

Recently, a professor from Ambedkar University criticised contemporary Bengali cinema, particularly Praktan, in an article in TheWire.in, comparing it to Sairat and saying that Bengali films "thrive on self-perpetuating, aphasiac forgetfulness, a total abhorrence for self-reflection and an incestuous cronyism that celebrates the co-minion's innocuous achievements." Comment.



See, if a person writes something online, that is his perspective and I as Prosenjit Chatterjee cannot comment on it. Everybody has their own concepts and thoughts and they put them up on social media, but that does not mean we are doing shit films and Marathi cinema is doing great. Along with Marathi films and Malayali films, Bengali cinema is also doing great. The audience is not stupid to rush to theatres and watch Praktan like mad. Everywhere I go today, people talk about Bengali cinema. I completely refuse to accept that Bengali filmmakers are not making good films. Contemporary Bengali films have an audience all over India and the world and full credit to our new wave of directors for that.



What did Bengali cinema lose with Rituparno Ghosh's death?

I won't say what I miss personally. He was a friend, philosopher and guide. We were in the same age group and I shared a lot with him. I think Ritu was very needed in the industry today. Rituparna (Sengupta) and I were made to feel by Ritu that we had something else within ourselves. Ritu could've given the new generation actors a much-needed push.

Your part in Dibakar Banerjee's Shanghai was really good. Any new Hindi films?

I recently completed shooting for a satire comedy called Three Dev with Kay Kay Menon, Tisca Chopra and Karan Singh Grover. It will release sometime around September-October. Last month, I completed a film with actor Neeraj Kabi, directed by Nirang Desai. Neeraj and I play the Pakistani and Indian army heads respectively and the film, set on the Indo-Pak border, is about the humane side of these two characters that comes out in the course of the film.

What's next for Prosenjit Chatterjee?



A Kakababu film, definitely. I am also planning to direct a film in Hindi in 2017-18. It will obviously have a flavour of Bangla.

( The writer tweets as @devarsighosh )



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QUOTES

Tell us under which authority the papers were raided. Martial law or emergency has not been declared. The Chief Minister now disowns the ban on newspapers. Then who did it. High Court

Hysteria has been created by some national news channels about Kashmir and its people. They are condemning all Kashmiris. The hysteria is even creating problems for the government." High Court

A young Kashmiri IAS officer, who topped the IAS list, has written about this hysteria in a newspaper. He has been pushed to the edge by it. If he resigns, then he would be pushed to the other side of the divide. High Court

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 20

With Advocate General Jahangir Iqbal Ganai today making a statement before a Bench that there was no official ban on the publication of newspapers in Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court asked him under which authority the newspaper offices in Srinagar were raided.

These observations were made by a Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice NN Paul Vasanthakumar and Justice Muzaffar Husssain Attar, which is hearing a public interest litigation by an NGO, Peoples Welfare Forum, about the shortage of essential items and medicines in Kashmir which is witnessing protests and curfew for the past 12 days.

On Friday night, presses of newspapers were raided in Budgam, printing stopped and staff allegedly detained for some time, after which local newspapers, including the Kashmir edition of The Tribune, did not hit the stands.

There is no official ban on the publication of newspapers, said the Advocate General after being asked why newspaper offices were raided in Srinagar.

Tell us under which authority the papers were raided. Martial law or emergency has not been declared. The Chief Minister now disowns the ban on newspapers. Then who did it, the Bench observed.

We are living in a democratic society... ensure that they must start publication, the Bench further observed when the Advocate General added that it was being looked into who had ordered the ban.

The Bench further went on to say that nobody in a democratic society would accept crackdown on the newspapers, adding that this is the position of law. The High Court also expressed its displeasure over the hysteria created by some national news channels about Kashmir and its people.

Hysteria has been created by some national news channels about Kashmir and its people. They are condemning all Kashmiris. The hysteria is even creating problems for the government," it observed.

A young Kashmiri IAS officer, who topped the IAS list, has written about this hysteria in a newspaper. He has been pushed to the edge by it. If he resigns, then he would be pushed to the other side of the divide, the Bench said.

The government needs to take some action against such news channels and regulate them. The media need to be made aware that they are not above the law and are accountable, the Bench added.
Ehsan Fazili

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 20

The National Conference has decided not to participate in the all-party meeting called by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here on Thursday in view of the delay in calling such a meeting relating to the law and order situation.

The decision was taken at a party meeting under the chairmanship of NC working president and former CM Omar Abdullah today. Earlier, Omar held a meeting with Governor NN Vohra where the two discussed ways and means to restore peace and normalcy. The Congress and other parties, however, have decided to attend the meeting.

I regret that Jammu and Kashmir National Conference is unable to participate under the circumstances. Meanwhile, the NC has already submitted a detailed memorandum to the Governor wherein steps to ease the tension have been mentioned, said general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar.

In his letter to Public Works and Parliamentary Affairs Minister AR Veeri, the NC general secretary lamented that the Chief Minister saw it fit to call a meeting of civil society within days of protests breaking out, but almost two weeks were taken to call a meeting of all parties. During this time, the number of dead and injured had continued to rise, he said. It would have been better if the CM had responded to our party leaderships offer of support earlier instead of waiting for the suffering of the people to reach this level, the letter said.

Meanwhile, a day before the key meet, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav arrived here on Wednesday and held a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh.

In Lok Sabha, Baig pushes for Kashmir roadmap

New Delhi: Warning Pakistan for its nefarious design of aiding and abetting terrorism in India, the Central government here today said the neighbouring country was pursuing a suicidal policy, as its ramifications would harm Islamabad more than New Delhi. Intervening in a debate in Lok Sabha on the situation in the Kashmir valley, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar said If Pakistan feels that it will keep playing with terrorism and use it as a tool against India, then we can tackle the challenge. But they wont be able to tackle it. You (Pakistan) are committing suicide.

Muzaffar Hussain Baig of the PDP also participated in the debate. His remarks on the history of Kashmir and the role of towering personalities like Sheikh Abdullah provoked strong reactions from the opposition members. The Central Government should immediately chalk out a roadmap for Kashmir which will have balance, patience, positive approach and dialogue, he added.
Mohit Khanna

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 20

A day after Shiv Sena Punjab chairman Rajiv Tandon and his 20 associates harassed truckers belonging to Jammu and Kashmir, the police have launched a manhunt for them.

Sensing that the matter has snowballed into a controversy, the police registered an FIR against Rajiv Tandon and his 20-25 aides under section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), 153-A (for promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion) 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committing in prosecution of common object) and 506 (threat) at the Focal Point police station.

Activists belonging to the Shiv Sena had yesterday allegedly stopped truckers from J&K in the presence of the police at Sherpur Chowk after they failed to stop the Delhi-Lahore bus.

Rajiv Tandon and Sanjiv Dhanoli, along with their supporters, pulled out the truck drivers and made them raise anti-Pakistan and pro-India slogans. In the process, the shirt of one of the truckers was torn.

While condemning the incident, Congress MLA and Deputy Leader of the Opposition Bharat Bhushan Ashu said: Such fringe elements, backed by the government, are playing their petty politics and targeting harmless truckers who are working hard to eke out a living. Here, the police are also to be blamed. How these people managed to block the highway and humiliate the truck drivers in the presence of the police. Forcibly making the truckers raise anti-Pakistan slogans will not serve the purpose. Rajiv Tandon and his associates are no different from the stone-pelters of Kashmir.

The ADCP-II, Sandeep Garg, said raids were on to nab the accused persons. Garg added the police had responded quickly soon after they learnt that the Shiv Sena activists had staged a dharna and stopped the trucks.
Ayodhya, July 20

The oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, Mohammad Hashim Ansari died here on Wednesday due to heart-related ailments.

Ansari, 95, took his last breath at his residence in the wee hours, according to his son Iqbal.

Ansari had been associated with the Babri Masjid dispute case since December 1949.

In 1961, he along with six others became main plaintiff in the Ayodhya title suit filed by the Sunni Central Waqf Board in the court of Faizabad civil judge.

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Five other plaintiffs were Mohammad Farooq, Shahabuddin, Maulana Nisaar, Mahmood Sahab and Hashim Ansari.

He was first to file the suit in the court of civil judge of Faizabad on the matter.

Allahabad High Court in 2010 in its majority verdict allotted one-third of the disputed site in Ayodhya to Nirmohi Akahara. The other two-thirds portion has been given equally to be shared by the Waqf Board and the side representing Ram Lalla.

Soon after the verdict, Ansari had called for burying the dispute and making a fresh start.  PTI
Ajay Banerjee

Despite military readiness, the armies of India and China have taken a tentative step to maintain peace along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC)  the defacto border. New Delhi has now proposed to expand the scope of joint-military exercise, which was first conducted in February 2016.

The two armies had taken an unprecedented step by conducting their first-ever joint exercise along the LAC. China had hosted the daylong exercise at its Moldo Garrison facing the Spanggur Gap (Chusul) in eastern Ladakh. Named the Sino-India Cooperation 2016, it involved 30 troops from each side and was based on a situation of national disaster occurring along the LAC and subsequent coordination of rescue mission by joint teams of both the countries.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

This time, India is slated to be the host. India has proposed a wider scope for the exercise at one of its military stations in eastern Ladakh. Since the altitude in the area is in excess of 14,000 feet, the exercise can at best be conducted till October before temperatures plunge to minus 10 or 20C.

Brigadier RS Raman, who headed the brigade which took part in the February exercise, says some working relationship was established at the exercise and we have proposed another one, this time on our side. So far, the Brigade commanders of either side and their teams have been meeting each other only on five-six annual ceremonial occasions or to lodge complaints of transgressions by either side.

A hotline exists between commanders of either side at the designated border personnel meeting (BPM) point at Spanggur gap to call up each other and seek clarifications and lodge complaints of patrolling in disputed areas. Some 100 such meetings are conducted each year. The perception of the LAC varies and troops of either side routinely patrol in the disputed areas.

Also, this year, the two countries have opened a new BPM point east of Daulat Baig Oldie on the disputed Depsang plains in sub-sector north (SSN) of eastern Ladakh. It is one of the areas where disputes on the location of the LAC abound.

Already India and China conduct a larger exercise the Hand-in-Hand series with some 150-odd troops on either side. The two countries share a 3,488-km defacto border that is divided into three sectorswestern sector (between Ladakh and Aksai Chin plateau); central sector (between Uttarakhand and Tibet) and the eastern sector (covering Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh).

The exercise along the LAC was conducted following a May 2015 decision announced in a joint statement at Beijing after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The two leaders had committed to enhance border defence cooperation and tasked the militaries on either side to meet each other often. The joint statement had talked about exchanges between the neighbouring military commands on either side and expansion of exchanges between the border commanders.

Peace and tranquillity on the India-China border was recognised as an important guarantor for the development and continued growth of bilateral relations, the statement had said.

(To be concluded)
New Delhi, July 20

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for destabilising institutions and polarising society, as protests continued in Modi's home state Gujarat against the recent attack on four Dalits in the state.

Addressing the first meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, she accused the central government of "deception", "glib marketing slogans" and taking away rights of Dalits, adivasis, specifically citing the recent incidence in Guajrat.

"In the last few months, we have witnessed how the Modi Government's project of destabilising institutions and polarising our society has played out with renewed vigour to the detriment of constitutional values. The Modi Government has mistaken its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its ideology on our people.

It seems to have forgotten that parliamentary majority can never be the reason to abandon the principles and practice of constitutionalism," she said.

She called the Kahsmir unrest that left more than 40 dead and scores injured a danger to society.

"Recent events in the Valley are tragic and pose a grave danger to the country. There can be no compromise on national security. Militants must be dealt with firmly. Yet we must ask ourselves, what has driven scores of young people to such levels of violence," she said addressing the first meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party in the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.

She claimed that former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government had some good work in the Valley, but that was no longer the case.

"Can we say in all honesty that we have responded with sincerity to their pleas?" Gandhi asked.

"How does the Modi government explain the incoherence of its foreign policy despite PM's frequent travels abroad, his equally frequent embraces of world leaders and impromptu birthday calls!! Its policy towards Pakistan oscillates between one extreme to the other. The government seems to be changing our country's stand on security and defence, departing radically from policies that have stood the test of time."

Kahsmir erupted in violence after Burhan Wani, a militant leader of the Hizbul Mujahedeen, and two other suspected ultras were killed in an encounter with security forces on July 8.  Agencies
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, July 20

The Supreme Court Wednesday refused to stay the disqualification of nine rebel Congress MLAs of Uttarakhand but clarified that the notice, given by them and the BJP members for the removal of the Assembly Speaker would remain alive.

A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and RF Nariman, however, said the result of any voting in the Assembly, which will have its monsoon session from tomorrow, for the Speakers removal would be subject to the outcome of the rebel MLAs petition challenging their disqualification.

The bench posted their appeal for further hearing on July 28.

Despite the fact that the apex court has given the go-ahead for the attempt to remove the Speaker, the BJP MLAs are unlikely to press for voting on their motion as the disqualified MLAs cannot enter the House unless the apex court stays their disqualification.

The Opposition does not have the numbers in the Assembly to get the motion approved.

The disqualified MLAs have moved a fresh application in the apex court, raising additional questions on the Speakers authority to disqualify them. They have cited a recent apex court judgment reviving the ousted Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh. A 5-member Constitution Bench had clarified in the verdict that any Speaker facing demand for his removal had no power to disqualify MLAs.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Congress MLAs today moved a review petition in the SC, pleading that the Constitution Bench review this erroneous finding on the Speakers powers.

On May 9, the SC had declined the plea of the nine disqualified rebel Congress MLAs to let them vote on the trust motion to be moved by the then deposed Chief Minister Harish Rawat in the state assembly the next day. Rawat returned to power, winning the trust vote.

The unseated MLAs have come to the SC challenging the Uttarakhand High Courts refusal to quash Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwals order disqualifying them as MLAs the day Presidents rule was imposed in the state on March 27. The central rule had pre-empted the trust vote slated by the HC for March 28.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 20

To provide protection to the large transgender population in the country, the Union Cabinet today approved the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill 2016. This will allow the government to evolve a mechanism for their social, economic and educational empowerment.

The approval to the Bill will benefit a large number of transgenders, mitigate the stigma, discrimination and abuse against this marginalised section and bring them into the mainstream of society, an official statement read.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

The Cabinet gave its nod for amendments to the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill. These are intended to effectively prohibit benami transactions and consequently prevent circumvention of law through unfair practices. It empowers the government to confiscate benami property.

However, those who declare such properties under the income declaration scheme will get immunity under the Act.

The Cabinet also gave its approval to setting up an All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh.
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 20

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis power nap in the Lok Sabha today had the party in denial over its leaders sleeping act caught on camera. The image went viral on social media, putting the Congress on the defensive.

Checking ones cell phone is not a crime neither negligence, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said when asked why Rahul was snoozing while party leader in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge was attacking the government for atrocities on Dalits and Home Minister Rajnath Singh was responding on the issue. Incidentally, Rahul will visit Una in Gujarats Somnath to meet Dalit families whose victimisation was being discussed when he was said to be snoozing.

The Congress, however, called the snoozing act false. We castigate such reprehensible things. This is an attempt to trivialise and devalue an important debate on atrocities against Dalits. This is an attempt to peripheralise a crucial issue. Are Dalits more important or such false stories, Singhvi said.

Soon afterwards, he appeared to contradict himself when he said there was no big deal in leaders momentarily closing their eyes in case they are tired.
New Delhi, July 20

Last week's attack on Dalits in Gujarat caused uproar in Parliament as Opposition cornered the central government in both Houses on Wednesday morning, even as Dalit organisations called a shutdown against the incident and held rallies across the state..

Congress, the principal opposition party in Parliament, accused the BJP of sponsoring a Hindutva organisation working for "Dalit-mukt Bharat" to polarise communities ahead of next year's assembly elections.

The opposition demanded a joint parliamentary committee to go into the incident.

Singh refuted the charges and cited figures to claim that cases of atrocities against Dalits have been on the decline in the state since 2001, when Narendra Modi took over as chief minister.

K Suresh (Cong) raised the issue in Zero Hour during which Congress members remained in the Well during protesting against the incident.

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Many Dalits have tried to commit suicide as they have no faith in the state government, the Congress leader claimed

"Violence is RSS agenda. RSS is trying for Dalit-mukt Bharat. The government totally failed. It was a BJP-sponsored attack. What is going on? Is this Gujarat model," he said.

In his response to the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said nine people had been arrested and four policemen suspended for the incident.

Atrocities against Dalits a social evil. We must take it up as a challenge. Urge all parties to come together to fight this, he said, as he appreciated the Gujarat governments swift Singh condemned the incident but said atrocities against Dalits occurred in the state when Congress was at its helm.

He also claimed the BJP government in the state had acted swiftly to arrest the suspects in the case.

Singh, whose speech was repeatedly disrupted by the Congress, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "very sad and hurt" by the incident.

The state government was planning to have a special court for the trial in the case, the Minister said.

However, the Congress and the TMC staged a walkout to protest the reply.

Adjournments

The Opposition forced six adjournments of the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday as they protested the incident in Rajya Sabha.

The Trinamool Congress, the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party repeatedly entered the Well as they demanded response Prime Minister Narendra Modis government.

Proceedings in the Upper House could not begin on Wednesday morning, as TMC Parliamentarian Derek O Brien demanded a discussion on the incident as Zero Hour began.

Bahujan Samaj Patry chief Mayawati stood up to speak, but Congress MPs entered the Well shouting slogans. They were soon joined by the TMC and the BSP, forcing the first adjournment.

The three parties continued their protests after the house reassembled.

Not two days into Parliaments Monsoon Session, doubts have already begun to be cast on whether Parliament would function smoothly. Bills such as the Goods and Services Tax  which has been pending passage since the past three sessions  is expected to be discussed in the session.

Dalit organisations callef for a shutdown and held rallies across the state on Wednesday to protest the incident.

Four Dalits were beaten by some vigilantes after they were accused of cow-slaughter in Una, some 360 km from Ahmedabad last week.

Seven people are suspected to have taken poison in separate rallies in the state to protest in incident on Monday. A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat on Tuesday.

The Gujarat incident has once again brought into sharp focus the leadership of BJP's Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, who was criticised for her poor handling of the violent Patidar protests, which left eight people dead in the state last year.

Although sources admit the incident is a cause of discomfort for the party, for which a victory in Gujarat  Narendra Modis home ground  is a subject of great pride, the BJP however continues to play its cards close to its chest.  TNS/ Agencies
However, sources say that one of them returned home recently.

The list was posted on RAB's Online Media Cell's Facebook page late on Tuesday night.

By Sahidul Hasan Khokon: Amid reports of several youngsters joining various militant groups, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) released a list of 261 people who have gone missing from various parts of Bangladesh recently.

The list was posted on RAB's Online Media Cell's Facebook page late on Tuesday night.

INFORMATION SOUGHT THROUGH FB POST



"Please contact your nearest RAB battalion or camp if you can identify any of them," the Facebook post read, while providing a phone number - 01777720050 - for direct contact.

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The post also sought information through the page - www.facebook.com/rabonlinemediacell/ - or email at cybercrime@rab.gov.bd.

However, sources say that one of them returned home recently.

"They (261) are missing. We are not calling them militants," spokesperson Mufti Mahmud Khan told India Today.

The government is trying to gather information on these missing youths after investigations revealed that several youths are leaving the country and joining terror outfits.

The five militants who attacked a cafe in Dhaka's Gulshan area on July 1 went missing for several months, according to their families. One of the Sholakia attackers, who was shot dead by police, went missing in the last four months.

Recently, security agencies had revealed the names of ten other missing youths. Arrival of more information is expected.

GOVT ANNOUNCES REWARD OF Tk 1 MILLION



Meanwhile, Director General Benazir Ahmed on Monday announced a reward of Tk 1 million to former militants who are willing to cooperate by providing information to law enforcers.

"Their families will be given security. An individual who provides information on militant activities will be rewarded Tk 1 million and their identities will be kept confidential," Ahmed said.

TERROR ATTACKS IN DHAKA

As many as 20 persons were killed after armed assailant opened fire at an upscale cafe in Gulshan neighbourhood of Dhaka. While six off the attackers were killed, Bangladeshi security personnel captured one of the militants.

The gunmen were identified as ISIS assailants, after the militant group took responsibility. About 35 people including several foreign nationals were taken hostage by the armed assailants.

On Eid, around seven or eight young men, all in their 20s, threw bombs at the police checkpoint set up to search people coming to Sholakia ground to join Eid-ul-Fitr prayers, and then immediately hacked the policemen with sharp weapons.

A gunbattle ensued in which one person was killed and four other attackers were caught.



Also read:

Bangladesh releases CCTV footage of four suspects in Dhaka attack



Bangladesh: Slain Sholakia attacker identified as North South University student



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GS Paul

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 20

Amritsar South MLA Inderbir Singh Bolaria today said he had no immediate plans to quit the SAD or join any other party. He, however, said there was no question of looking back. He is believed to be in talks with the Congress and AAP.

"I don't deny having meeting Capt Amarinder Singh or Arvind Kejriwal. I have many options, but it will take a few months to take a final call. My only consideration will be the welfare of my constituency. The shifting of the solid waste management plant will be the priority," he said.

Once close to Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia, Bolaria was among the first batch of 19 MLAs elevated to the post of Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) after the 2012 Assembly elections. He was also made Majha zone president of the Youth Akali Dal in 2013.

"I was expecting him (Sukhbir Badal) to dismiss me, but he kept an escape route open. I am well aware of the pressure tactics of Sukhbir and Majithia, but I will not let them succeed. First, they removed me from the YAD post, followed by CPS position," he said.

Bolaria said the trouble began during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. "I had suggested the SAD-BJP top brass to tell all leaders whose names surfaced in the land, sand and drug mafia to maintain a low profile. This had not gone down well with Sukhbir and Majithia," he said.
Johannesburg, July 20

South Africas great white sharks face the threat of extinction after a rapid decline in numbers caused by trophy hunting, shark nets and pollution, according to a study released on Wednesday.

The six-year research project along the countrys coastline revealed that only between 353 and 522 of the sharks are still alive, half the level previously thought.

The numbers in South Africa are extremely low. If the situation stays the same, South Africas great white sharks are heading for possible extinction, said study author and Stellenbosch University researcher Sara Andreotti.

Scientists conducted the census by collecting biopsy samples and photographs of dorsal fins of the great predators, including in the Gansbaai area, near Cape Town, a hotspot for shark cage diving.

We have come to the conclusion that South Africas white sharks faced a rapid decline in the last generation and that their numbers might already be too low to ensure their survival, said Andreotti.

The study published in the journal Marine Ecology Progress Series also blamed shark nets, ocean pollution and baited hooks on the eastern seaboard of South Africa for the dwindling numbers.

The chances for their survival are even worse than what we previously thought, said Andreotti.

About 333 of the sharks are thought to be capable of breeding.

Although the great whites population has dropped off South Africa, the report said the sharks were still found in large numbers off the coast of Canada, Australia and the United States.

The South African coast is notorious for shark attacks, with regular cases of deadly mauling of surfers and swimmers.  AFP
Rohit Khandelwal has become the first Indian to win the coveted Mr World title at the grand finale of the 2016 competition in the UK, defeating 46 contestants from across the globe.

Twenty-six-year-old Khandelwal, who looked dapper in a tuxedo by designer Nivedita Saboo, received a cash prize of $ 50,000 on winning this celebrated title at the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre in Southport.

The model-actor from Hyderabad defeated 46 contestants from across the globe. I still cant believe that I have won the Mr World title. Being the first Indian ever to win this title internationally makes me immensely proud and ecstatic. Its a dream come true and am very thankful to the Miss India Organization for giving me this opportunity and guiding me throughout my exciting journey.PTI
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 20

Ajay Bhatt, Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, has demanded the resignation of Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal and Deputy Speaker Anusuya Prasad Maikhuri on moral ground.

Bhatt, while talking to mediapersons on the eve of the special session of the state Assembly, today said the BJP and the nine Congress legislators had given a notice of no-confidence against the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker on March 18 in the Budget Session of the Assembly and they had no moral right to sit on their chairs. He added if the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker did not resign from their posts, the BJP would raise the issue in the Assembly.

Bhatt said Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who was projecting himself as the messiah of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the state, had failed to utilise the budget meant for the SC/ST schemes. He alleged that the Congress-led state government had dumped the budget for these schemes. He claimed that it could not be done and was a criminal offence. He demanded that a criminal case be registered against the state government in this connection.

Bhatt said a provision of Rs 334.13 crore was made for the SC/ST component during 2015-16 but the state had spent only Rs 99.2 crore till date. He accused the state government of failing to even spend money meant for scholarships for SC/ST students.

He added Rs17.05 crore was earmarked for scholarships but the state government failed to utilise it. As per the law, funds meant for the SC/ST schemes could not be diverted or stopped but the government failed to utilise these. He refuted allegations levelled by Harish Rawat that the Central government did not release funds to the state. He said the Central government had given money for four months budget till July 31, as passed by an Ordinance. All these issues would be raised by BJP members in the special session of the Assembly.
Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, July 20

The Supreme Court today refused to stay the disqualification of the nine rebel Congress MLAs from Uttarakhand but clarified that the notice, given by them and the BJP members, for the removal of the Assembly Speaker would remain alive.

A Bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and RF Nariman, however, said the result of any voting in the Assembly, which will have its monsoon session from tomorrow, for the Speakers removal would be subject to the outcome of the rebel MLAs petition challenging their disqualification.

The Bench posted their appeal for further hearing on July 28.

Despite the fact that the apex court has given the go-ahead for the attempt to remove the Speaker, the BJP MLAs are unlikely to press for voting on their motion as the disqualified MLAs cannot enter the House unless the apex court stays their disqualification. The Opposition does not have the numbers in the Assembly to get the motion approved.

The disqualified MLAs have moved a fresh application in the apex court raising additional questions on the Speakers authority to disqualify them. They have cited a recent apex court judgment reviving the ousted Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh. A five-member Constitution Bench had clarified in the verdict that any Speaker facing demand for his removal had no power to disqualify MLAs.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Congress MLAs today moved a review petition in the SC, pleading that the Constitution Bench review this erroneous finding on the Speakers powers.

On May 9, the SC had declined the plea of the nine disqualified rebel Congress MLAs to let them vote on the trust motion to be moved by the then deposed Chief Minister Harish Rawat in the state Assembly the next day. Rawat returned to power, winning the trust vote.

The unseated MLAs have come to the SC challenging the Uttarakhand High Courts refusal to quash Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwals order disqualifying them as MLAs the day Presidents rule was imposed in the state on March 27. The central rule had pre-empted the trust vote slated by the HC for March 28.

Decision a relief for Rawat government

Dehradun: The Supreme Court decision of not giving any relief to the nine dissident Congress legislators in their disqualification case from the state Assembly has come as a big relief for the Congress-led state government.

The state government was in a dilemma regarding the passage of the Appropriation Bill. The Bill was mired in controversy on March 18 during the Budget session following a rebellion by nine ruling Congress legislators. While the state Congress government claimed that the budget was duly passed by a voice vote, the opposition BJP and the dissident legislators claimed that the budget was not passed as the government was in a minority following the rebellion.

The state government after returning to power had to convene a special session of the state Assembly to get the enhanced budget of Rs 44,000 crore passed.

Any relief to the nine dissident Congress legislators who had since joined the BJP to attend the assembly session would have proved disastrous for the state Congress government. The government would have lost majority on the floor of the House. With Supreme Court not giving any relief to dissidents, it was expected that the state government would get the budget passed in the state Assembly.  TNS
Dehradun, July 20

Governor KK Paul made a courtesy call on President Pranab Mukherjee at the Rashtrapati Bhavan today. The Governor discussed various matters related to Uttarakhand with the President and gave him information about the development of the state.

The Governor also told the President about the problems being caused by heavy rain and landslides in the state. The Governor will return to Dehradun on July 21.TNS
Cleveland, July 20

If he wins the presidency, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would seek to purge the federal government of officials appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama and could ask Congress to pass a legislation making it easier to fire public workers, Trump ally, Chris Christie, said on Tuesday.

Christie, who is governor of New Jersey and leads Trumps White House transition team, said the campaign was drawing up a list of federal government employees to fire if Trump defeats Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the November 8 election.

As you know from his other career, Donald likes to fire people, Christie said at a meeting with donors at the Republican National Convention. Christie was referring to Trumps role in television show The Apprentice, where his catch-phrase was Youre fired! The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Trumps transition advisers fear that Obama may convert these appointees to civil servants, who have more job security than officials who have been politically appointed. This would allow officials to keep their jobs in a new, possibly Republican, administration, Christie said.

Its called burrowing, Christie said. You take them from the political appointee side into the civil service side, in order to try to set up ... roadblocks for your successor, kind of like when all the Clinton people took all the Ws off the keyboard when George Bush was coming into the White House. Christie was referring to pranks committed during the presidential transition from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush in 2001. During that period, some White House staffers removed the W key on computer keyboards and left derogatory signs and stickers in offices, according to a report by the General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress.

One of the things I have suggested to Donald is that we have to immediately ask the Republican Congress to change the civil service laws. Because if they do, it will make it a lot easier to fire those people, Christie said.

He said firing civil servants was cumbersome and time-consuming. There was no immediate comment from the American Federation of Government Employees.  Reuters

$900K for campaign by Indian-American

An Indian-American donor from Chicago will donate $898,000 for Donald Trumps presidential campaign, making him one of the biggest financial backers of the Republican nominee. Chicago-based Shalabh Shalli Kumar wired $449,400 to the Trump Victory Fund on Saturday, The Hill reported. This is the maximum one can donate to the Trump campaign. His wife will send another equal amount to the fund, thus, becoming double max totaling $898,800. Early this year, Kumar founded the Republican Hindu Coalition.

Dont allow Trump to set foot in Oval Office: Hillary

Washington: Hillary Clinton on Wednesday asked American voters to make sure that her rival Donald Trump would never set his foot in the Oval Office of the White House. Donald Trump just became the Republican nominee. Chip in now to make sure he never sets foot in the Oval Office, Clinton, the Democratic partys presumptive presidential candidate tweeted soon after Trumps nomination at the Republican National Convention. The Oval Office is the office of the US President. It is located in the West Wing of the White House Complex. If Donald Trump wants to make America great again, he should start by actually making things in America, she said.
Dhaka, July 20

At least 261 people across Bangladesh are missing, officials announced early on Wednesday, sparking fears many of them have joined homegrown Islamist extremist outfits or the Islamic State group in the Middle East.

The countrys elite security force, the Rapid Action Battalion, published the list on Facebook around midnight and called on citizens to report the whereabouts of the missing.

We have to find them, RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told AFP.

The Bangladeshi government ordered security officials to collate the list in the wake of two major terror attacks by suspected Islamist militants who had been missing for months.

Khan refused to comment on whether the people listed had joined local extremists or the IS group.

Suspected members of a home-grown terror group murdered 20 people, including 18 foreigners, after they attacked an upscale cafe in Dhaka earlier this month. The IS group later claimed responsibility for the attackan assertion rejected by Bangladeshi authorities.

The gruesome murders were followed by another daring assault on the Muslim-majority nations largest Eid prayer congregation in which three people and an attacker were killed in a massive gunfight in a northern Bangladesh town.

Police and parents said the five attackers at the cafe siege and at least two gunmen at the Eid carnage had been missing for months.

If there are any missing family members, please tell us, dont be afraid that law-enforcement agencies will take your sons away, said RAB chief Benazir Ahmed.

Their lives and other lives can be saved if they are found.

Local media outlets have reported that dozens of people including doctors, engineers and students from elite universities have travelled to the Middle East to join the IS group.

In one case, engineer Najibullah Ansari had been missing for over a year when his parents reached out to the police after the government launched the campaign to account for the countrys missing.

According to his family, Ansari last contacted his younger brother in January 2015 via Facebook, saying he was in war-torn Iraq fighting with jihadists.

I have come to Iraq. Tell father and mother not to worry for me. I have come here for jihad, read the message according to a screen shot seen by local daily Dhaka Tribune.

I will never return home, he added.  AFP
Lahore/Islamabad, July 20

Kashmir is not an internal matter of India, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday and demanded a plebiscite even as the Pakistan government's call to observe 'Black Day' to express solidarity with the people of the Valley received a lukewarm response from the public.

"Today, we are observing Black Day to express solidarity with Kashmiris and are giving a strong message to the world that Pakistanis are with them (Kashmiris) for their struggle to get their rights," Sharif said in his message.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

"India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris through force as they will eventually get freedom. The UN has declared Kashmir a disputed territory and India should hold plebiscite to respect the rights of Kashmiris. Terming Kashmir issue internal matter of India is not justifiable," he said.

Sharif alleged that India was committing human rights violation in Kashmir which is a matter of great concern for the world community. He had earlier directed all departments to highlight the Kashmir issue at international fora.

To observe the 'Black Day', all officials of federal and provincial governments wore black band on duty to express "political, moral and diplomatic support" to Kashmiris.

The only big show the political or religious parties put up in connection with showing solidarity with Kashmiris was that of mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack Hafiz Saeed-led Jammat-ud-Dawah in Islamabad.

The ruling PML-N held no rally in major cities like Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. In Lahore, it only held a function at Alhamra Hall which was poorly attended.

Jammat-i-Islami remained on forefront and held rallies in Multan, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad. It held also All-Party Conference in Lahore on Kashmir issue. Rallies were also held under the banner of some other religious parties in some other cities.

As the ruling party could not observe the 'black day' emphatically it chose to give advertisements to electronic media about alleged Indian atrocities and Kashmir people's struggle. The TV channels ran the ads throughout the day.

Saeed saved the day for the Sharif government as his 'Kashmir Caravan' reached Islamabad today after covering 300km Lahore-Islamabad distance in more than 24 hours.

According to the JuD media team, thousands of people reached Islamabad on buses, cars and motorcycles.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq asked the US to play a role in ensuring the grant of the right of self determination to the Kashmiris.

In a meeting with US Consul General in Lahore Zachary Herkinrider, Haq asked him to use the US influence in stopping alleged repression of the Indian forces in Kashmir.

Over 40 people have been killed in Kashmir in the clashes since Hizbul commander Burhan Wani's killing on July 8.  PTI
Turkey has accused a reclusive US-based Muslim cleric of masterminding an abortive coup and launched purges of his suspected followers in state institutions. Fethullah Gulen, 75, denies any involvement in the coup bid.

Who is Fethullah Gulen?

Born in Erzurum, eastern Turkey, Gulen built up his reputation as a Sunni Muslim preacher. His movement Hizmet, or Service in Turkish set up many schools and businesses in Turkey and later abroad. His philosophy stresses the need to embrace scientific progress, shun radicalism and build bridges to the West and other religious faiths. He has lived in self-imposed exile in US since 1999.

Schools & movement

The first Gulen school opened in 1982. Over the following decades, his schools have educated generations of capable graduates, who rose to influential jobs in the judiciary, police, media, state bureaucracy and private business. Members of the Gulen movement are expected to contribute a share of their income to its charitable work.

Ties with ruling party

For many years Gulen and his movement had strong ties with President Tayyip Erdogans AK Party. Erdogan shared some of the Gulenists core beliefs. Gulens supporters helped Erdogan to tame his enemies in Turkeys old secular elite, especially the armed forces, through mass trials, dubbed Sledgehammer and Ergenekon. But Erdogan began to resent the scale of the Gulenists influence at home and abroad and to see them as a state within a state. The fallout was cemented in 2013.

Post-coup crackdown

Accusing Gulen of orchestrating the coup, Erdogan ordered further purges against Gulens followers in state institutions. Earlier also, many policemen were dismissed or reassigned to other tasks. Some officers were detained on charges of spying and illegal wire-tapping. Erdogan also tried to cleanse the judiciary of Gulenist influence.
"Mr Gandhi is a mature politician with intimate knowledge of historical facts. Congress Party and Mr Gandhi will defend these remarks at appropriate forum," Congress chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said.

By Press Trust of India: Congress today said that Rahul Gandhi will not tender an apology over his remarks against the RSS and will instead substantiate them with historical facts and evidence before the court to support his claim. "On a suggestion of Shri Rahul Gandhi expressing regret or apology, the question does not arise. Such a suggestion has been made in the past and not accepted by Rahul Gandhi."

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"Mr Gandhi is a mature politician with intimate knowledge of historical facts. Congress Party and Mr Gandhi will defend these remarks at appropriate forum," Congress chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said.

NO APOLOGIES IN THE NEAR FUTURE

He said since the matter is pending adjudication, "We will not like to comment further on the issue". The Congress leader said that Rahul Gandhi had challenged constitutionality of defamation proceeding besides the order of Maharashtra High Court wherein summoning order was challenged.

He said while the bunch of petitions challenging defamation provisions have been rejected, challenge to Maharashtra High Court order is pending adjudication before Supreme Court in a Special leave petition. "The matter was listed today. Supreme Court nearly adjourned the order to July 23 without passing any order. Any remark exchanged at the bar between counsel for the parties and court cannot be commented upon as the matter is subjudice," he said.

At the AICC briefing, party spokesman Gaurav Gogoi said that "Rahul Gandhi has said that he will not seek an apology over what he has said and will fight the case as he wants to present his facts along with historical proof and evidence to prove his point and help bring out the truth before everyone that we all know." He added, "At this point, Congress party stands with Rahul Gandhi and we are confident that we will be able to present a strong case, present all the facts and historical evidence that we are supposed to make."

WILL PRESENT HISTORICAL EVIDENCES: CONGRESS

Asked about todays order of the Supreme Court, he said there is a case which is undergoing in the Supreme Court and the final judgement is yet to be heard and the case is also yet to be heard on its full merits, for which they are waiting.

"Today, the Supreme Court has made some observations. We would not like to comment on the observations. Nonetheless, we are confident that when the case would be heard on its merits, we will present historical evidence and documents that support Rahul Gandhis claim. We respect the Supreme Court."

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The Supreme Court today observed that Rahul Gandhi, who blamed RSS for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, should not have resorted to "collective denunciation" of an organisation and will have to face trial in the defamation case against him if he does not express regret. "We have held it may be historically correct but the fact or the statement has to meet the test of public good. You cant make collective denunciation," the court said.



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Cleveland, July 20

In a first for the Republican Party, a Sikh-American woman opened the second day of the national convention here with the ardas  a Sikh prayer.

Harmeet Dhillon, vice-chairwoman of the California Republican Party, delivered the Sikh prayer on the national stage here in Punjabi and then translated it into English.

It was the first such instance for the Republican National Convention but it was not the first time the 47-year-old San Francisco lawyer upended expectations, the Los Angeles Times reported.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)

Born in Chandigarh, she emigrated with her parents to England and then to the Bronx, New York. Her father, an orthopaedic surgeon, soon moved the family to rural Smithfield in central North Carolina.

Taking the stage minutes before Donald Trump was officially nominated as the party's candidate for president, Dhillon led the convention in the Sikh prayer yesterday.

After the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, Dhillon took the stage and explained that it was Sikh custom to wear a headscarf for the traditional prayer.

Dhillon, a delegate from San Francisco, covered her head with a shawl after stepping up to the podium.

"I've said this prayer before I could walk," she said.

Ardas is a Sikh prayer that is recited before performing or after undertaking any significant task. Dhillon hoped her reading it would show that the Republican Party truly does have a big tent.

"I think this is an inclusive party. I've never felt anything but included since Day One," Dhillon was quoted as saying by The Mercury News.

Trump today clinched the Republican Party's presidential nomination to run against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November polls, a stunning rise for an outsider after months of controversial campaigning that saw him crushing 16 well-established party rivals.

Diversity was showcased by the party in Cleveland as when California's Republicans formally proclaimed their support for Trump, the state party turned to Shirley Husar, who is black, to make the announcement.  PTI
BEIJING, July 20

US military forces will continue to operate in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, the US Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson said on Wednesday during a visit to a Chinese naval base.

China has refused to recognise a ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings brought by the Philippines.

China has repeatedly blamed the United States for stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually.

China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have rival claims, of which China's is the largest.

The United States has conducted freedom of navigation patrols close to Chinese-held islands, to Beijing's anger, while China has been bolstering its military presence there.

Meeting Yuan Yubai, commander of the Chinese North Sea Fleet, Richardson "underscored the importance of lawful and safe operations in the South China and elsewhere professional navies operate", the US Navy said.

US forces would keep sailing, flying and operating wherever international law allows, Richardson added.

"The US Navy will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all. This will not change." Freedom of navigation patrols carried out by foreign navies in the South China Sea could end "in disaster", a senior Chinese admiral said over the weekend.

State news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday that countries outside the region should stay out of the South China Sea issue lest they cause unwanted problems.

"Western countries have a long history of failing to establish orderly rule over parts of the world. The Middle East is a classic example," it said.

Richardson said he was supportive of the deepening of relations between the US and Chinese navies.

"But I will be continuously reassessing my support conditioned on continued safe and professional interactions at sea. In this area we must judge each other by our deeds and actions, not just by our words," he added.

The United States has complained that Chinese aircraft and ships have performed "unsafe" manoeuvres while shadowing US ships and planes, particularly in the South China Sea.

Speaking in Sydney on Wednesday, US Vice President Joe Biden assured key ally Australia there would be no retreat from Washington's pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, regardless of who wins November's presidential election.  Reuters
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to quash the case filed by RSS activist Rajesh Kunte, directing Rahul Gandhi's lawyer that "either he apologise or face trial" as "such collective denunciation" cannot be pardoned.

By Harish V Nair: It seems there is no easy relief for Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who is facing a two-year-old defamation case for saying "RSS people had killed Mahatma Gandhi."

SC NOT READY TO LET GO OF IT

Adopting a stern view, the Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to quash the case filed by RSS activist Rajesh Kunte, directing Rahul's lawyer that "either he apologise or face trial" as "such collective denunciation" cannot be pardoned.

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Kunte who filed a complaint before a Magistrate Court in Bhiwandi alleged that Rahul said at an election rally at Sonale in Thane district on March 6, 2014. that "RSS people had killed Mahatma Gandhi? They are opposed to Sardar Patel and Gandhiji". Kunte is secretary of the Bhiwandi unit of RSS. "We have upheld the criminal defamation law. The purpose of the law is to make people obey rules so that there is harmony rather than anarchy. The law is not against the right to freedom of speech. Freedom is not crippled or cut. Everyday a writer, politician will speak something and there will be litigation. The purpose of law is not to turn people to into litigants," a bench of justice Dipak Misra and Justice Rohinton Nariman told Rahul's lawyer Haren Rawal.

PACIFYING REMARKS

The court was hearing Rahul's plea challenging the March 10, order of the Bombay High Court which dismissed his petition for quashing the case. Following Kunte's complaint, the magistrate had initiated proceedings and issued notice to Rahul directing him to appear before it.

To add to the drama, despite an earlier SC stay on proceedings, Rahul appeared in the Bhiwandi court on May 8 and later approached the High Court against the complaint. Rahul Gandhi's counsel tried to justify his remarks saying these are "historical facts and even part of the government records".

COURT ON RAHUL'S TAIL

The bench retorted that the only way out for Rahul was by proving the statement was for public good. "We feel the case should be decided on merits. Was it for public good or not. Else, face the trial", the bench told Rahul's lawyer.

The bench stopped short of dictating the order asking Rahul to face trial when Rawal sought some more time to argue the case and said they will be roping in senior Congress leader and well-known lawyer Kapil Sibal to make further points. SC then posted the plea for further hearing on July 27.

MIND YOUR LANGUAGE

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The case which was in cold storage reopened on May 14, when the SC - holding that " it is always better to mind your language as right to free speech does not mean defaming another" - dismissed the plea filed by Rahul, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy to decriminalise criminal defamation law.

The three, faced with defamation cases had challenged the validity of Sections 499 and 500 of the IPC and Section 199 of the Criminal Procedure Code that made defamation punishable with two years in jail. They had argued that rather than protecting individual reputation, these sections have a stringent effect on free speech. The penal provisions conceived in the British era are now outmoded and inconsistent with the right to freedom of speech and expression, the trio contended.

But rejecting the argument, the Bench headed by Justice Misra said: "We uphold the constitutional validity of Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 199 of the Code of Criminal Procedure."

"Once we have held that reputation of an individual is a basic element of Article 21 of the Constitution and balancing of fundamental rights is a constitutional necessity and further the legislature in its wisdom has kept the penal provision alive, it is extremely difficult to subscribe to the view that criminal defamation has a stringent effect on the freedom of speech and expression. Notwithstanding the expansive and sweeping ambit of freedom of speech, as all rights, right to freedom of speech and expression is not absolute. It is subject to imposition of resonable restrictions." Also Read:

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Apologise or face trial: Supreme Court to Rahul in RSS-killed-Gandhi row



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Television cameras panned to show Rahul Gandhi sitting with his hands on his forehead seemingly disinterested in what as going around him in Lok Sabha.

By India Today Web Desk: At the time when his party was busy in cornering the government over the crucial issue of Dalit protests in Gujarat, the Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi was seen taking a 'nap' in Lok Sabha today.

Amid the heated debate between the BJP MPs and Opposition benches during the debate, television cameras panned to show Rahul Gandhi sitting with his hands on his forehead seemingly disinterested in what as going around him.

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While Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and his other associates were at their feet responding to Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement, the Congress scion appeared to have dozed off.

The Congress has been using the incident of thrashing of four Dalit youth in Gujarat's Una to slam the ruling BJP. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit the Gujarat town on July 21.

"HOW CAN HE SLEEP IN SO MUCH NOISE?"

"How can anyone sleep in so much uproar? He was not sleeping. There are much bigger issues to discuss," said senior Congress leader Renuka Choudhary when journalists approached her outside the Parliament for her take.

This is not the first time that Rahul was caught "sleeping" in the House. "He was not sleeping but in deep thoughts," the party had said when cameras showed him taking a 'nap'.

Also Read:

Video of Rahul Gandhi sleeping in Parliament goes viral



Rahul Gandhi will not tender apology, Congress to present historical facts to back claims



Mind your language: A lesson Rahul Gandhi will learn the hard way

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Justice M. Sathyanarayan disposed off Nalini's petition by refusing to direct the Tamil Nadu Governor Konjeti Rosaiah to consider the premature release but said the state's home secretary could consider her representation for early release, subject to the outcome of the Supreme Court judgement in the matter.

By Amarnath K. Menon : An appeal by Nalini Sriharan, a life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and the nation's longest serving woman prisoner, to be set free as she has been in prison for 25 years, though the legal requirement for a life convict is 20 years to be eligible to be considered for premature release, was rejected by the Madras High Court on Wednesday.

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Justice M. Sathyanarayan disposed off her petition by refusing to direct the Tamil Nadu Governor Konjeti Rosaiah to consider the premature release but said the state's home secretary could consider her representation for early release, subject to the outcome of the Supreme Court judgement in the matter.

He pointed out that if her appeal was granted by the court it would implicitly amount to directing the Governor to perform his constitutional function in a particular manner and that there cannot be such a kind of direction. "In the light of the fact that the investigation is conducted by the CBI, coupled with the order of the Supreme Court, this court for the present cannot direct the state government to consider the representation of the petitioner," the judge said.

Rajiv Gandhi assassination: Planned, precise, pulverising

JAYALAITHAA DEMANDS FOR THE RELEASE OF CONVICTS

The Jayalalithaa government is for the release of those convicted in the assassination case. Before the Lok Sabha elections, on February 19, 2014, wrote to the Union Home Ministry seeking its views on the proposal to release of all seven life convicts pointing out that since the case was probed by a central agency, the state government is obliged to consult the Centre in the case of premature release of convicts. The Centre, however, moved the Supreme Court to quash Tamil Nadu government's proposal. The apex court in July 2014 restrained the state government from offering remission to life convicts. On December 2, 2015, the apex court ruled that the term 'consultation' found in Section 435(1) of CrPC implied 'concurrence' and kept the case pending for final disposal.

TAMIL NADU GOVT WROTE TO CENTRE

Again, the Tamil Nadu government wrote to the central government in March this year, ahead of the assembly elections in the state, seeking its concurrence for the release of all seven convicts. The Central government turned down the proposal citing pendency of the case before the Supreme Court.

Diary of an assassin



RAJIV GANDHI ASSASSINATION CASE

In all, 26 accused were sentenced to death by a special court, for the May 21, 1991 assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, including Nalini, her husband Murugan alias Sriharan. However, the Supreme Court struck down the applicability of TADA on the convicts, thereby confirming the death penalty for only four and a life sentence for three. The rest were released after serving short terms in jail.

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Later, the death penalty of all four was commuted. Nalini's punishment was commuted to life after the Tamil Nadu government invoked Article 161 of the Constitution in April 2000. The death penalty of the three others - Murugan, Santhan and Perarivalan - was commuted to life by the Supreme Court on February 18, 2014 on the ground of inordinate delay in disposing of their mercy petitions by the President. It is in the light of this that Nalini filed the fresh petition seeking premature release which was rejected by the Madras High Court today.



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In this episode of Morning Edition, we are joined by Former Finance Minister and now Candida
Renowned science presenter Brian Cox returns to ABC next month with a new show, Forces of Nature with Brian Cox.

This is a four part series in which he combines spectacular sights with our understanding of the universe, to reveal how our planet is created by just a handful of forces.

Episode One: The Universe in a Snowflake.

In episode one, The Universe In A Snowflake, Brian uncovers how the stunning diversity of shapes in our natural world are shadows of the rules that govern the Universe. In Northern Spain he shows how a breathtaking attempt by hundreds of people to build the highest human tower reveals the force that shapes our planet.

In Nepal, honey-hunters seek out giant beehives that cling to precipitous cliff walls. The perfect hexagonal honeycombs made by the bees to store their precious honey conceal a mathematical rule.

Off the coast of Canada Brian explains how some of the most irregular, dangerous shapes in nature  massive icebergs that surge down from Greenland and into shipping lanes of the Atlantic  emerge from a powerful yet infinitely small force of nature. Even the most delicate six-sided snowflake tells an extraordinary story of the forces of nature that forged it  the same forces that created everything in the Universe.

8:30pm Tuesday August 2nd on ABC.
This week on Our World reporter Yalda Hakim is in Ghana, where children are trafficked into forced labour.

Thousands of children work for fishermen on the banks of Lake Volta in Ghana. Many of them are slaves, given away by families who thought theyd get a better life, only to be trafficked into forced labour. Yalda Hakim joins a team who are travelling up Lake Volta to rescue some of the trafficked children, and try to help them rebuild their lives.

Friday July 22nd at 9.30pm and Saturday July 23rd at 8.30am and 2.30pm on BBC World News.
By PTI: From Lalit K Jha

Cleveland, Jul 19 (PTI) The Republican party has favoured reforming the US guest workers programmes, which include H-1B visas, and also indicated a drastic reduction in the green cards being issued every year that could have a major implication on Indian IT professionals.

"In light of both current needs and historic practice, we urge the reform of our guest worker programmes to eliminate fraud, improve efficiency and ensure they serve the national interest," said the Republican platform, which was approved by the party leadership yesterday during its ongoing convention here.

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"In light of the alarming levels of unemployment and underemployment in this country, it is indefensible to continue offering lawful permanent residence to more than one million foreign nationals every year," the platform said.

Currently, Indians have the longest waiting list for green cards. In case of any reduction in the number of such cards being issued every year, that might further delay the process.

However, the platform, which talks in details about the immigration policy does not specifically mention about the H-1B visa programme but the language on guest workers is seen as a move to reform the H-1B visas system.

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has been against increase in H-1B visa and has also called for increasing the salary of those coming to the US on H-1B visas.

The platform said the Supreme Court has correctly recognised that states have the constitutional authority to take steps to reduce illegal immigration.

"We condemn the Obama Administrations lawsuits against states that are seeking to reinforce federal law. We support the right of the states to enact laws deterring illegal aliens from residing within their states," it said.

"From its beginning, our country has been a haven of refuge and asylum. That should continue ? but with major changes. Asylum should be limited to cases of political, ethnic or religious persecution. As the Director of the FBI has noted, it is not possible to vet fully all potential refugees.

"To ensure our national security, refugees who cannot be carefully vetted cannot be admitted to the country, especially those whose homelands have been the breeding grounds for terrorism," the platform said.

While the platform calls for deportation of illegal immigrants, it praises the role of legal immigrants.

"The greatest asset of the American economy is the American worker. Our immigration system must protect American working families and their wages, for citizens and legal immigrants alike, in a way that will improve the economy," it said.

"Just as immigrant labour helped build our country in the past, todays legal immigrants are making vital contributions in every aspect of national life. Their industry and commitment to American values strengthens our economy, enriches our culture, and enables us to better understand and more effectively compete with the rest of the world," the platform said. (MORE) PTI LKJ PMS

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OzTAM has renewed its contract with Nielsen to supply ratings data from 2018 to 2020 and will increase the number of households in its panels by 50%.

Nielsen supplies OzTAM with data for Australias five mainland capital cities and nationally for subscription television (STV).

The expansion, which will be completed by the start of 2017, will take OzTAMs metropolitan panel to 5,250 homes and its STV panel to 2,120 from the present 3,500 and 1,413, respectively.

Concurrently, Regional TAM has announced the expansion of its own panel by 50 per cent to more than 3,000 homes.

The additional homes in the OzTAM and Regional TAM panels will make Australia the worlds largest per capita people metered market.

OzTAM CEO Doug Peiffer said: Australia is a highly dynamic media market, and television is the most scrutinised and analysed of any segment.

To reinforce the confidence the industry retains in OzTAM TV ratings we continually invest in the service to reflect changes in the television landscape and audience behaviour.

Our longstanding and collaborative relationship with Nielsen has underpinned that effort and supported progressive innovation  for example, Time Shift Viewing, the inclusion of mobile phone-only homes in the panels, and previous increases to the number of panel homes.

This new agreement builds on our partnership, provides continuity and delivers even greater accountability. And with the additional OzTAM and Regional TAM panel homes, Australia will become the worlds largest per capita people metered market.

Nielsens Head of TV Audience Measurement, David Ellem, said The Nielsen team have worked hard to deliver the TV industry an impeccable record of exceptional standards of service. The relationship with OzTAM is built on quality, expertise and independence. As OzTAMs service evolves, Nielsen is there for them every step of the way.

The new agreement also gives OzTAM flexibility to expand its iPanel, testing how households respond to new technologies.

 Nielsen is OzTAMs audience research supplier, recruiting, operating and maintaining the in-home panels, and producing the TV ratings data. OzTAM owns the copyright to and markets the data.

 Households are recruited to OzTAMs panels via a large-scale Establishment Survey, which defines and accurately represents the population and its characteristics for which OzTAM provides data.

 OzTAM first awarded the contract to supply television audience measurement services in Australia to the Italy-based AGB Group (now Nielsen) in 2000. The ensuing ATR Australia TV ratings panel, based on 3,000+ homes in metropolitan areas, began supplying data to OzTAM on 1 January 2001. That contract was extended in 2007 for the period 2008-14.

 In April 2003, OzTAM contracted ATR Australia (now Nielsen) to provide television audience measurement services for the National Subscription TV service. That agreement was extended in 2007 for the period 2008-2014.

 Investment in Unitam meters allowed OzTAM to add 7-day Time Shift Viewing data to its ratings service from the start of the 2010 ratings year. In 2016 Time Shift Viewing up to 28 days after the original broadcast was introduced.

 In 2012 OzTAMs panel expanded to 3,500 metro homes and 1,413 national STV homes, and Nielsens contract was extended through 2017.

 The 50 per cent expansion in OzTAMs metro and STV panel homes will bring the panels to 5,250 and 2,120 homes, respectively, in 2017.
Tyndall Air Force Bases community police and K-9 units will partner with city first responders during the National Night Out event at the Panama City Mall in the Sears parking lot Aug. 2, 5 - 8 p.m.

The Panama City police department will host the event, and members of U.S. Naval Support Activity Panama City will also be in attendance.

As a longstanding tradition, the event promotes relations between citizens and emergency services departments across the nation.

As a whole, the event is a way for federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as local fire departments, to provide an awareness of abilities and good conduct, said Tech. Sgt. Robert Sikes, 325th Security Forces Squadron NCO in charge of community police. We demonstrate these capabilities by showcasing some of our specialized service equipment.

Some of these items include patrol cars, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles.

The event is also a chance for first responders to educate attendees by demonstrating the use of their equipment and knowledge skills with exercises they use for training.

Guests will also have the opportunity to speak with first responders to gain a better understanding of their jobs and the risks involved.

The event itself isnt necessarily a recruiting tool but more so just an event to increase interactions with Tyndall emergency services and our civilian counterparts, said Sikes. However, if a participant of the event were to become interested in joining one of the many emergency services, then were more than happy to direct them in the right direction.



The event is held the first Tuesday in August each year across the U.S. as a means to strengthen the bond and trust between police and the people they have sworn to protect.

Ive heard nothing but great things about the event from colleagues and other Airmen around base whove attended in the past, said Staff Sgt. Ryan Sarsfield 325th Communications Squadron NCO in charge of cyber systems. I look forward to taking advantage of what the event has to offer and learning a bit more about the sacrifices first responders make.
Hi, my name is Scott C. Waring and I wrote a few books and am currently a ESL School Owner in Taiwan. I have had my own UFO sighting up close and personal, but that's how it works right? A non believer becomes a believer when they experience their first sighting. You witnessed it, your perceptual field changes, so now you need to share it.





I created this site to help the UFO community get a little bit organized. I noticed that there was a lot of chaos when searching for UFO sighting reports, so I hope this site helps. I wanted to support those eyewitnesses who have tried to tell others about what they have seen, yet were laughed at by even closest of friends.





More and more each day the governments of the world leak bits and pieces of UFO information to the public. They have a trickle down theory in hopes of slowly getting citizens use to the idea that we are not alone in universe and never have been. The truth is being leaked drop by drop until one day we look around and find ourselves neck high in it.





The discovery of alien species in existence is the most monumental scientific event in human history, suppression of that information is a crime against humanity.





About me:

I live in Taiwan. I OWN MY OWN ENGLISH SCHOOL, AND ONCE HAD 5 SCHOOLS.

Am Former USAF at SAC base (flight line).

Age: 42

Educ: BA in Elem ed. Masters in Counseling ed.





I had two UFO sightings, (30+bus size orbs) in military and in 2012 personally saw the UFO over Taipei 101 building on New Years Day (and recored it).
Professor Jim Granato is the director of the UH Hobby Center for Public Policy, which recently conducted a study on the Texas Voter ID Law as it related to the 2014 election. Among the findings on the controversial rule: confusion over what constituted proper identification kept many eligible voters from the polls, even though many were in possession of the correct IDs. Granto is available to media to talk about the Texas Voter ID, which has been struck down in federal court for violating the Voting Rights Act.

The study is available here.

The University of Houston has a wide range of experts available to speak to news media. For assistance in reaching Jim Granato or other UH faculty experts, please contact University of Houston Media Relations.
Ukraine has fulfilled all the steps stipulated by the Memorandum of Cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, some technical details remain to be dealt with, and the Government is working to address them, Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman told journalists after a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels, government site has reported.

"The Government of Ukraine has in fact fulfilled all necessary steps to prolong cooperation with the IMF," said Groysman. tl
Roman Bezsmertny, the former representative of Ukraine in the Trilateral Contact Group on settlement of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, believes that Ukraine should not even consider a possibility to abandon temporarily uncontrolled territories of Donbas.

He stated this at a round-table meeting dedicated to Donbas conflict on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"From the very beginning, when I was invited to this process and until this day, I have remained the supporter of a gradual, planned, and, apparently, long-term reintegration of these territories into Ukraine. We will be useless descendants of our ancestors, if we allow ourselves to think that we have the right even to raise the issue of giving someone or exchange some part of the territory of Ukraine," Bezsmertny said.

He added that he did not understand the debate that part of Donbas or the Autonomous Republic of Crimea "may in some way pass under the sovereignty of another state."

"This is the territory of Ukraine. And if the present generation is not able to return it [Crimea] to Ukraine, the next generation will return it," he said.

ol
Marie Yovanovitch, who successfully passed the approval procedure as new U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine during a hearing in the Senate, will take up her duties immediately in the next weeks, a source in U.S. State Department has told Ukrinforms own Washington correspondent on Tuesday.

"The exact date [of her arrival in Kyiv] is unknown, but I do not think it will take long time. I think we are talking about weeks," said a U.S. State Department official.

Describing the duration of the procedure, which usually occurs in such cases, the State Department official said that after the appointment of new ambassador by the President a formal process will also require an approval from the Senate.

tl
Montenegro, Albania, Liechtenstein, Norway, Georgia and Ukraine have joined the European Union's decision to extend until June 23, 2017 the restrictive measures in response to the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol.

This is said in a declaration by High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

The Candidate Countries Montenegro and Albania, and the EFTA countries Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, and Georgia align themselves with this Council Decision, reads the statement.

Mohgerini also added that such commitment will ensure that the national policies of the mentioned countries conform to the European Council Decision.

The European Union takes note of this commitment and welcomes it, reads the statement.

As earlier reported, the European Union extended until 23 June 2017 the economic restrictive measures against the economy of Crimea that was temporary occupied by Russia.

iy
Unknown persons painted yellow-blue inscription "Glory to Ukraine" and the Ukrainian trident at the monument to Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko in Simferopol, Russian-annexed Crimea.

Kryminform news website of the Russian de facto authorities in Crimea described this act of protest as vandalism.

"Unknown persons desecrated the monument to Taras Shevchenko in Simferopol painting it yellow and blue," Kryminform writes.

The news portal informs that the monument must have been painted last night.

As of now, the paint is almost washed away, a group of police is patrolling near the monument.

ol
The apartment was also Winston Churchill's old home! Get a lowdown on everything that it comes with...

By India Today Web Desk: At GBP 150 million--that comes down to Rs 13,259,265,034.50 according to today's exchange rate--the most expensive apartment in London is up for sale. If you have been caught up with all those numbers, then you can put your mind at ease by letting it know that the property is priced at a little less than the amount (Rs 14,000 crore) involved in 2009's infamous Satyam Scam.

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Also read: You can earn upto Rs 15 lakh and stay at the Buckingham Palace by doing this

Situated in Admiralty Arch, the property's a perfect amalgamation of luxury and history, as the 12-bedroom flat has been home to illustrious names like Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Mountbatten in the past.

The property has been put on the market by Spanish developer Rafael Serrano, who according to a Telegraph report, "...bought a 250-year lease of the building from the Government in 2012 for GBP 60 million. He is also turning the site into a luxury hotel."

In the same report, it's also been mentioned that whoever buys the property must pay the deposit right away and move in within three years. The buyer also has the option of turning it into four flats or keeping it as one big apartment.

Located near the Buckingham Palace, the property comes with, "...six-metre high ceilings, extravagant cornicing, original fireplaces, a concierge service, off-road valet parking and lifetime membership of a private member's club," according to the report published in the Telegraph.

We'll just sit down and figure out where to put the comas between those numbers till then.

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Published July 20, 2016

MONROE, La.  Members of the University of Louisiana Monroes St. Jude Fundraising organization Up til Dawn (UTD) traveled to Memphis to visit the hospital and attend the Collegiate Leadership Seminar (CLS).

Executive Director Nirali Patel and Adviser Laura Jennings represented the group and were trained in how to better raise money and awareness for the hospital while at the three-day seminar.

Jennings, director of Student Life and Leadership, said that the event lets attendees see the difference Up til Dawn is making firsthand.

It opens up our hearts even more and gets us fired up to set a higher goal and do as much as we can for the kids, Jennings said.

While at CLS, Jennings and Patel got the chance to listen to and meet executives from the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities (ALSAC), the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude. Attendees also heard from St. Jude patients and toured the hospital.

Patel, a senior secondary education major, said that hearing from patients and seeing the hospital puts her work with St. Jude into perspective.

To see kids battling cancer and telling us that they wont be wasting their second chancethat is why I do what I do, Patel said.

The two attended several workshops focused on outreach, fundraising and education of the hospital itself as part of their training.

Patel said, I am extremely motivated to bring all the stories and advice I heard this weekend to campus. My hope is to make this one of the most successful fundraising years at ULM!

CLS follows the groups participation in the Up til Dawn Executive Board Fundraising Challenge. After raising over $10 thousand since March, they sit at third place in the nation.

ULM UTD board members for the 2014-2015 school year are Nirali Patel of Monroe; Shelbi Penny of Walker; Silvienne Sint Jago of Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean Islands; Brianna Barron of Leonville; Courneisha James of St. Martinville; Olivia Barfield of Dry Prong; Eryn Robertson of Shreveport; Devin Melancon of Breaux Bridge; Gabbie Labat of Gonzales; Sera Andras of Houma; Katelyn Trahan of Denham Springs; Ariana Claire Waggoner of West Monroe; and Cristina Benavides of Brownsville, Tex.

For more information, or to help ULM Up Til Dawn reach this years goal of $45 thousand, visit ULM Up 'til Dawn.
As part of a community-led project, Iranians and Afghan refugees clean up their Saadi neighbourhood in Shiraz, Iran.  UNHCR

SAADI, Iran  Until recently, discriminating graffiti and widespread rubbish problems fuelled social tensions between Iranians and Afghans in the Saadi neighbourhood of Shiraz, Iran. Now, thanks to UNHCR and the Government of Iran, refugees and the local community have come together to transform the area with colourful works of art.

Like much of Iran, the Saadi neighbourhood in Shiraz is home to a large population of Afghan refugees. Public health and hygiene hazards divided its community before the clean-up project began. "It had become custom for Afghans and Iranians to blame each other  verbally and through graffiti and hate slogans  for the problems they saw around them," recalls Alex Kishara, Head of UNHCRs Sub-Office in Shiraz.

Hoping to empower residents, UNHCR and the Government of Iran brought together local artists and over 60 community volunteers to design and implement a clean-up and paint-up project.

"It had become custom for Afghans and Iranians to blame each other for the problems they saw around them."

The community set to work litter-picking and transforming the hate slogan-ridden walls into striking, colourful murals of art. Two artists  one Iranian, one Afghan  and five art students worked with the children to design and apply the patterns, offering artistic guidance during a week of painting.

Hate slogans and graffiti were soon replaced by skilfully decorated murals of Iranian and Afghan carpets, as well as other motifs symbolizing shared harmony. One participant, 13-year-old Alireza, painted his favourite mural, portraying a large tree with splayed branches next to a text in Farsi that read: The sons of Adam are limbs of each other, having been created from one essence.

Public health and hygiene hazards divided the Saadi community before the clean-up project began.  UNHCR

Hate slogans and graffiti are replaced by skilfully-decorated murals.  UNHCR

Paint pots line the streets of Saadi.  UNHCR

The Saadi neighbourhood is home to a large population of Afghan refugees.  UNHCR

Beautiful murals now adorn the walls of the Saadi community.  UNHCR

An Iranian volunteer also offered face-painting and free medical check-ups were provided by an Afghan physician.

While some community members initially showed scepticism and criticised the project as doomed to fail or a waste of time and money, the murals elicited so much interest that soon many people joined in. More painting equipment had to be purchased, as many of the initially hesitant residents and landlords were soon keen to participate and see their own walls painted," says Mr Sharifi, an Afghan artist and designer.

The project instilled a new sense of community between Afghans and Iranians. Those who didnt participate directly in the painting came to the streets to offer refreshments and food to the volunteers. "What is a good city?" said Alireza, during one of the focus group discussions that took place with children during the week. "A good city is made of good citizens.

"What is a good city? A good city is made of good citizens.

The project also alleviated some protection concerns. One recently orphaned Afghan, a 13-year-old boy named Mohammad, who had returned to Saadi after falling out with his siblings, became involved in the project thanks to the support of a youth initiative and UNHCR assistance. Mohammed showed such creative talent that his skills were noted by Mr Sharifi and he has now been granted free enrolment at the Sepid Institute of Art.

Iran has shown great generosity in hosting almost 1 million refugees during a protracted refugee situation of almost 40 years. With the support of its government and UNHCR, community-led projects like this one will continue to lead the way.
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves argued that existing laws do not permit an abortion after twenty weeks of pregnancy.

By Anusha Soni: The Supreme Court today agreed to hear a plea challenging the constitutional validity of abortion laws in India. A bench headed by Justice Dipak Mishra has scheduled the hearing for tomorrow.

The petition was filed by a woman who is in her 24th week of pregnancy. According to medical reports, the foetus has abnormalities and may cause mental distress to the mother.

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ABORTION NOW ALLOWED AFTER 20TH WEEK



Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves argued that existing laws do not permit an abortion after twenty weeks of pregnancy.

The petition seeks that the relevant Section 3(2) of Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 must be declared unconstitutional or scrapped down.

VIOLATION OF RIGHTS



The mentioned 20 weeks in the law has been termed as unreasonable, arbitrary, harsh, discriminatory and violative of right to life and equality. In case of medical complications, the current laws deny women's rights to abort their child.

Statistics show that out of 26 billion births in India every year, 2.3 per cent suffer from severe medical abnormalities.

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By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) The Supreme court today agreed to give an urgent hearing to a fresh plea of an alleged rape victim challenging provisions of abortion law which prohibits termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks even if there was a fatal risk to the mother and the foetus.

A bench of Justices A R Dave and L Nageswara Rao said, "Let it be listed tomorrow before the bench which is hearing the similar petition."

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The similar plea on the issue is being heard by a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra.

Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves and Satya Mitra mentioned the matter for urgent hearing, saying that in the present case, the life of the woman is in grave danger.

The fresh petition filed by a woman, who alleged that she was raped by her ex-fiance on the false promise of marriage and became pregnant, sought a direction to quash section 3 (2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 to the extent that it puts a ceiling of 20 weeks for an abortion as it is ultra vires to Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution.

The petition contended that the ceiling is unreasonable, arbitrary, harsh, discriminatory and violative of the right to life and equality.

It also sought an order for the Centre to provide necessary directions to hospitals for setting up an expert panel of doctors to assess the pregnancy and offer medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) at least to those women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence and have passed the period of 20 weeks.

The woman, who is in 24th week of pregnancy, said she belonged to poor background and her physical and mental health have been put to risk due to the 20 weeks limit for abortion as her fetus suffers from anencephaly (a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull) and doctors have refused to abort it.

"The denial of her right to an abortion has caused Ms X extreme anguish and has forced her to continue her pregnancy while being aware that the fetus would never survive," the plea by the woman, who does not wish to be named, said and sought permission to terminate her pregnancy. (More) PTI MNL SKV SJK RKS SC

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By PTI: From M Zulqernain

Lahore, Jul 20 (PTI)Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who did not appear in any event of Black Day Pakistan is observing today to express solidarity with Kashmiris, has been advised by doctors to rest for another three to four days in Lahore after he developed infection in his leg.

"Doctors have advised PM Sharif against travel before this Sunday," Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said today.

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He said the premier had an infection in his leg after one of his arteries was used for a bypass.

"The PM is also suffering from fever but the condition is not serious," he was quoted as saying by Dawn.

Nawaz has been staying at his Jati Umra Raiwind Lahore residence since his return from London on July 9.

He had undergone a successful open-heart surgery. He was to leave for Islamabad last Sunday to discharge his duties but he got infection in his leg.

Sharifs daughter Maryam Nawaz tweeted that the PM had fever because of infection in his leg incision which is being treated with antibiotics.

"My father is better now and will be in Islamabad in a day or two," she said. PTI MZ ZH

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor wrote a letter to the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj seeking help for an Aerospace engineer hailing from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram in assuring he gets Australian student visa to pursue PhD at University of Melbourne.

Shashi Tharoor writes to Sushma Swaraj seeking help to assure Australian visa to Kerala student

By India Today Web Desk: Senior Congressman and MP Shashi Tharoor wrote to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj requesting her to help Ananth SM, an Aerospace engineer from Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram and educated at IIT Kanpur, to get an Australian student visa.

Ananth secured a fully-funded scholarship from the University of Melbourne and had applied for a student visa in August 2015.

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Tharoor, MP from Thiruvananthapuram, took up the matter and wrote to the Australian High Commissioner in India, after which Ananth received a letter that 'cast suspicion on his motives' and implied that he could be involved in the 'proliferation of weapons of mass destruction'.

Ananth's visa was eventually denied on July 16.

Shashi Tharoor, who is also the Chairman of the External Affairs Committee of the Parliament, then wrote a letter to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, and later tweeted about the issue along with the letter.





1/2 Am writing to @SushmaSwaraj to urge her to take up Australia's denial of a visa to an Indian aerospace student on proliferation grounds Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 19, 2016

2/2 Unacceptable that a "friendly country" implicitly treats India like a rogue nation. @SushmaSwaraj should protest in the strongest terms Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) July 19, 2016



Tharoor starts his letter saying, "I am forwarding for your most urgent consideration a representation I have received from Mr Ananth SM of Thiruvananthapuram concerning a matter that entails serious implications for our liberal relations with the Commonwealth of Australia."



"I asked the High Commissioner privately over email (correspondence appended) how an Indian scholar could be subjected to such a bizarre suspicion, and stated that such a position is unacceptable since it clubs Indian nationals working in certain sectors with those of rogue nuclear states like North Korea and Pakistan," wrote Tharoor in his letter.



He ends the letter urging Sushma Swaraj to take up this matter with her counterpart at the earliest and says 'that this particular case reflects a matter of fundamental principle'.



Here's the copy of the letter Shashi Tharoor shared on Twitter:

Photo Source: Twitter@shashitharoor

Sushma Swaraj has not yet responded to the Congress MP's tweets.

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Researchers will conduct a huge scale test on HIV vaccine effectiveness in Africa, later this year.

HIV vaccines known as HTVN100

The developed HIV vaccine is a promising HIV cure that was already tested in 2015. Now, scientists will start to give the HIV vaccine to 5,400 people in South Africa.

According to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, the vaccine is an improvement of the first clinical trial in Thailand. It has proven to give more than 30 percent of protection against HIV virus. There were several measurements of the HIV vaccine: the effectiveness, the T-cell progress, and the response of patient's immune system.

The HTVN 100 is more like a modified version from the previous regimen. Thus, it's been adapted to the HIV endemic occurs in South Africa, NIAID wrote.

This year's HIV vaccine trial will have more volunteers than the previous test. In 2015, there were 250 HIV patients who took part. Researchers will give the vaccine in four South African cities and it will continue for three years.

The success of the trial will determine vaccine and treatment developments for HIV/AIDS in the future. Linda G. Bekker from Desmond Tutu HIV Centre hopes that the HIV vaccine will be the first licensable regimen in the world.

Will this be the HIV cures?

As much as researchers hope to find HIV cures, giving HIV vaccines alone will not be enough for protection against the virus. Scientists suggest the vaccines as an effective method that works together with the current safeguards like prevention and social intervention.

Researchers have worked on HIV vaccines for decades but there isn't any significant result that proves to kick the virus out. Hence, even the smallest progress of HIV cures is considered as exciting news. Do you think this HIV vaccine trials will show better efficacy?


The kid was left unattended near the balcony of the 12th floor apartment. He tried to climb the boundary wall of the balcony and fell down.

There were no protective grill in the balcony of the highrise. (File Photo for representation/PTI)

By Pramod Madhav: A two-and-half-year-old boy fell off the 12th floor of a multi-storey building in Triplicane area of Chennai on Tuesday (July 19). The kid was rushed to the hospital but doctors were unable to save him.

According to the police, Yakub and his family stays on the 12 floor of the 17-floor apartment. The kid - Mohammed Fadioosa - was left to play unattended on the balcony of the apartment.

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The child tried to climb the boundary wall of the balcony and fell down.

Cops said there were no protective grill in the balcony which could have prevented the tragic accident.

The police have not filed any FIR in the matter considering this to be an accident case. However, the incident has certainly raised questions about safety of kids in these highrises.

Also Read:

Indian techie's wife falls to death with baby from Melbourne highrise



6-year-old child dies after falling in school's water tank in Delhi





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The study sought to determine the symptomatic profile of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) who visited a urology clinic in Spain and its impact on their health-related quality of life (HRQL).

A national, epidemiological cross-sectional study was conducted and included 291 urology clinics. The prevalence of storage LUTS was investigated in 25,482 men. The study collected sociodemographic and clinical data from a subgroup of 1015 patients with storage LUTS who filled out the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire Short Form (OABq-SF) and Patient Perception of Bladder Condition (PPBC) questionnaires. The impact of urinary urgency on HRQL was analysed.

The prevalence of storage LUTS was 41%, increasing with age: 14.1%, 41.5% and 60.8% for patients aged 18-49, 50-64 and 65 years, respectively. Of the 1015 selected patients, only 2.6% had storage symptoms exclusively. Symptom severity (IPSS) increased with age. Nocturia, frequency and urgency were the most common symptoms and had the most impact on HRQL (IPSS and OABq-SF). The number of urgency episodes was inversely correlated with the HRQL (r=-.773; P<.0001). In the multivariate analysis, only the IPSS and OABq-SF bother scores were significant predictors of HRQL (P<.001).

Storage LUTS are highly prevalent among patients attending urology clinics in Spain. The severity of the urgency (number of urgency episodes) predicted a poorer quality of life for the patient.

Actas urologicas espanolas. 2016 Jun 23 [Epub ahead of print]

J Cambronero Santos, C Errando Smet

Servicio de Urologia, Hospital Universitario Infanta Leonor, Madrid Espana. Electronic address: ., Unidad de Urologia funcional y Femenina, Fundacion Puigvert, Barcelona Espana.

PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27345257
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An Italian restaurant in Singapore serves an Indian cocktail but its name is an expletive in Hindi.

By India Today Web Desk: Imagine yourself stepping into a swanky Italian restaurant in Singapore to sit down for a quiet drink.

This restaurant!

Photo: Facebook@equilibriumsg

Yes, this.

Photo: Facebook@equilibriumsg

Now imagine you are irked by someone over a phone call, you scream at the top of your voice and end up abusing in Hindi, and you use the very common expletive, 'Ma*****od'!

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Before you know, a cocktail will be served to you. And this, is 'Ma******d'.

Because believe it or not, this restaurant has a cocktail named...yes, you guessed it right 'Ma******d'.

Photo: Twitter@DadaThaakur



Equilibrium serves this fancy Indian cocktail which is a strange concoction of chai latte, bourbon, hazelnut syrup, and honey water.



Many Indians will be more than happy to have a cocktail named after an expletive they use at least a thousand times daily.



But we spotted someone who is upset about the whole thing. He wrote a review for the restaurant and pointed out that their cocktail's name is a Hindi expletive.

Oops! Someone is offended. You please chill.



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Page Content

By Stephanie Buffamonte

You may be in luck if you just graduated college. According to a new survey from CareerBuilder, nearly 70 percent of employers plan to hire this year, which is an increase since last year. Employers are on the hunt for college students during this economic recovery. A new report from the Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University found of the 11 million jobs created after the great recession, nearly 8 million went to those with a college degree.



North central Wisconsin graduates are on the prowl Lets face it, looking for jobs is hard work, and it can be stressful. However, here in north central Wisconsin, students at UW Stevens Point are positive after a successful graduating class last year. Seventy-five percent of the graduating class is employed (71 percent in their field, 14 percent out of their field.) Fourteen percent went on to further schooling. For one recent UWSP grad, Stacey Brokish, she's keeping her head up high, while she searches and applies for jobs every day. MORE: STORY and VIDEO




An India Today reporter has exposed rings of young IT professionals who can orchestrate malice and religious polarisation in the virtual world no matter if it tears apart lives, careers and reputations in the real.

The IT professionals who were interviewed by an India Today reporter.

By Ashish Ranjan: "The medium is the message."

That's how celebrated Canadian communications theorist Marshall McLuhan summed up the role of the media way back in the 1960s, propounding that the way information is circulated impacts people more than the information itself. His prophetic analysis dearly applies to social media.

As increasingly partisan politics turn to social sites across the world, an investigation by India Today has found out how vested interests can exploit Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and WhatsApp to manufacture outrage, unleash digital mobs and launch vilification campaigns against rivals.

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Posing as a consultant for a fictitious political party, an India Today reporter dredged up rings of young IT professionals who can orchestrate malice and religious polarization in the virtual world no matter if it tears apart lives, careers and reputations in the real.

For over a week, the reporter visited several so-called IT solution-providers in Noida and Delhi, who readily offered their services to trigger false propaganda against opposing candidates in elections and potentially-dangerous hysteria via social media.

ORM: ONLINE REPUTATION MANAGEMENT

Faking slanderous material is one part of this ignominious social-media operation, deploying Internet researchers is another. Faking slanderous material is one part of this ignominious social-media operation, deploying Internet researchers is another.

Ranveer Kumar, a director at the Noida-based Vibgyor Technosystems, and his colleague shared their expertise in running destructive political tactics on networking sites.

"So, their image is to be destroyed.... It means damaging his ORM -- Online Reputation Management. This is a kind of negative campaign where someone's ORM is basically tarnished," said Kumar, whose company claims to be a leading Internet-marketing firm.

The ORM is a PR process for online makeover.

Essentially, the technique buries negative search results on Google and bumps up information that enhances the client's image.

But Kumar said he would use the same method inversely as he also offered to post scandalous content to malign rivals on social platforms.

"Basically, it's damaging his overall image, not just political. May be it involves posting a scandalous photo with a woman or a comment that hits his image directly. We don't know what that person is like but we have to portray him as a fraud, someone of a questionable character, etc, etc," he said.

"Will you be able to arrange (scandalous) photos?" asked the undercover journalist.

"That all will be arranged. It involves morphing, like replacing his... your... or my face. All of that," he replied.

Kumar said he would charge an additional fee for forging photos, which he described as "hard work."

Faking slanderous material is one part of this ignominious social-media operation, deploying Internet researchers is another, as the investigative journalist discovered.

Kumar would hire a team of Web researchers to dig out anything unfavourable about their targets and popularize that content, true or false, on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.

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Their public esteem would be marred without them ever possibly knowing who the authors of that spiteful offensive were.

IT'S ALL ABOUT PROXY SERVERS, IP ADDRESSES

IT professionals readily offered their services to trigger false propaganda against opposing candidates in elections and potentially-dangerous hysteria via social media.

Kumar claimed his company would route this gambit through servers overseas, beyond the reach of law.

"No one should be identified. There's a full mechanism. It will be separate. That job will not be done from this office," he said.

"Proxy servers will be used. Right, Sir. IP addresses of those servers will keep changing every other day. It will be untraceable then."

The investigative reporter found out that the market was also flooded with experts who could doctor sensational clips for social dissemination.

Jatin Arora of Delhi's Scanf Solutions invoked the adage seeing is believing, when the undercover journalist met him.

Arora claimed he could fabricate footage to demonize competing candidates in elections.

"You know some videos are not genuine. But people believe in them because they see them. There are so many such videos. For example, I post a video about a fight with a (phony) caption that a person seen in this video belongs to the ruling party. This is how it happens," he said. "They (bogus videos) will be created, Sir. We'll do something, Sir. I am telling this to you again. I have disclosed only 10 percent of the things that can be done. Let's meet once or twice again."IT COMES WITH HEAVY PRICE TAG

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But outsourcing such damage on social media doesn't come cheap.

The price could be downright obnoxious.

Executives of Noida-based DS Media Link quoted as high as up to Rs 10 crore for three months of positive publicity for 50 fictitious candidates and negative for their opponents.

"We are responsible for those 50 candidates. We can't neglect anything. It (the charge) will go up to eight to ten (crore). We'll manage everything, both positive and negative. We have no problem damaging (the rivals' reputation). We'll do whatever you say," said Swati Awasthi, a company official.

For many professionals in this industry, greed seemed to have trumped ethics.

At WebAppMate in New Delhi's Pitampura, consultant Ansh apparently had no problem participating in any dangerous communal gameplan scripted by politicians.

Give him any inflammable content and he says he'll spread it on social media.

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"Just think this way that someone tore apart a sacred text. That video will be promoted. That's my job. It's not my job to tear a sacred text. There are two things here in (this) social media (strategy). You'll give us ideas to promote, and we will promote them. We will not give our own ideas," he remarked.

Company director Rohin Jain, sitting beside, then explained how videos of a potential act of desecration could be trended.

He would harness the collective power of all social platforms in order to popularize such incidents as hashtag-driven topics.

"That video has to be posted on various social media sites, not just Facebook or Twitter. There are several sites," Jain said.

ALSO READ:

Here's how you can get Twitter's blue tick of celebrity status



--- ENDS ---
By PTI: Washington, Jul 20 (PTI) An inexpensive lens could turn a smartphone into a microscope and help men analyse semen samples in the privacy of their home, say scientists.

Yoshitomo Kobori, a visiting scholar at University of Illinois at Chicago, discovered a USD 7 lens, that could help address the problem of infertility in men.

He is using the lens to create an iPhone microscope to analyse sperm samples at home, with help from an app that is in development.

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"The lens is not made for a smart phone - it was made nine years ago. Im improving the lens and thinking about how to attach it to a smart phone and analyse sperm," said Kobori.

Kobori believes men would be more likely to analyse their sperm if they could do it in the privacy of their home.

Researchers are also working to create better containers to collect and store semen samples. They use an antioxidant to help preserve the sperm when it is frozen. PTI MHN AKJ MRJ

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By PTI: From K J M Varma

Beijing, Jul 20 (PTI) Chinese police and state-run media today called for"rational patriotism" after sporadic protests broke out against the US across China following an international tribunals verdict rejecting Beijings claims over strategic South China Sea.

The police warning came after video clips posted online showed protesters, who believe the US was behind the ruling, demonstrating outside restaurants owned by the US fast-food chain KFC in cities such as Hebei, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hunan, state-run China Daily reported.

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Several demonstrators held red banners saying "Join the boycott against US, Japanese and Philippine companies, and be a patriotic Chinese" and stopped people from entering the restaurants.

Police officers were dispatched to the protests site to maintain public order. Protests in China are rare.

In recent years the ruling Communist Party of China has encouraged people to stage protests against Japan over the dispute over the islands in East China Sea.

Police have strengthened security at the Philippines embassy in Beijing after the tribunal on July 12 upheld the Philippines rights over the South China Sea.

China has rejected the verdict and said it will not have any impact on its stand that over 90 per cent of the South China Sea belonged to it.

A KFC employee surnamed Lei in Chenzhou, Hunan province, confirmed there had been a small protest outside the restaurant on Monday. She said that business returned to normal today, China Daily reported.

In a widely circulated video, a woman in Tangshan walked into the restaurant and told customers that it is they who pay for the bullets for the US.

Yum! Brands Inc, China Division, which operates the KFC chain in the country, declined to comment on the protests. The protests have been criticised by the police and public.

After one such protest was held at a local KFC, police in Ganyu district, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, issued a statement yesterday urging people to not get involved in illegal protests instigated via the internet or social media.

In Siyang county, Jiangsu, police posted on their micro blog the message, "Love your country, but please dont take out your anger on its people."

Pu Yu, 27, a Tangshan resident who works in Beijing, said she did not understand such behaviour.

"They are simply creating chaos in the name of patriotism. If KFC closes down, its the locals who will be out of jobs," she said. PTI KJV ZH

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SHARE John Grace

If you don't work for a political action committee or for a news media outlet you may agree that presidential campaign spending is completely out of control.

"In the 2008 presidential race, the candidates spent $1.7 billion, double what was spent in the 2004 race. In the United Kingdom election, a spending cap of 20 million pounds, about $33 million, was imposed on each of the major parties. Of course, campaigns there are less expensive, partly because of a ban on paid radio and TV advertising or any ads on matters of "political or industrial controversy," according to the Chicago Tribune.

Another difference is the duration of the campaigns. In this country presidential campaigns officially begin in January of the election year with a number of caucuses and primaries. The truth is the candidates jockey for position 24 months or more with fundraisers and exploratory committees. In the United Kingdom the heart of the campaign is compressed into one month.

On this side of the pond I don't expect anything to change when it comes to the length or the cost of our presidential election cycle.

When it comes to investing it appears to me that many of us get comfortable with whatever happens to be rising in value as though we can simply buy that and go to financial heaven. If I were a decision-maker at a major company and I thought there may be something to gain by contributing to a political party I am certain this year I would donate money to both candidates. It may not be an equal amount, but because I cannot see the future, and I don't like to lose, it is only reasonable to me to bet well and that means to bet on both.

With the stock market at historical highs you can find 'experts' who believe the Dow will go to 50,000 from here. On the other side of the coin, you can find "experts" who believe these highs are hysterical, so the Dow will fall to 5,000. On this note, Quincy Crosby, chief market strategist for Prudential Financial, made the most sense with her declaration, "Investing today is too risky not to hedge."

This if for the bulls. "Low rates, historic caution from over-hedged and underexposed investors, a solid economy, an earnings recovery with stable FX (volatility) and oil, and valuations that are not excessive by historical standards; we expect the ceiling to be shattered in Q3," said UBS's Julian Emanuel on Yahoo Finance earlier this month.

This is for the bears. "No one is buying company stocks, except the companies themselves," said Bob Bryan at Business Insider. Laurence Fink, CEO at BlackRock Inc., the world's largest asset manager put it this way earlier this month at Financial Advisor. "The current rally in equities may not be justified and won't last unless earnings pick up."

The last time debt became a problem we never imagined, the experience was visceral. What can be learned from recent history? Where do we go from here? Since no one knows the answer to that question, now is the time for you to determine what you can do to help hedge your portfolio today.

My friend, Lacy Hunt, of Hoisington Investment Management, studies debt around the world. He concurs with Robert Johnson, editorial director for Dent Research. "U.S. consumers have been adding to their debt and now hold almost $1 trillion in credit card debt."

Hunt points out that the average automobile loan has gone from six years to eight to allow less-qualified buyers to purchase more expensive cars than they might otherwise have been able to afford. Student debt has always been a good way to invest in ourselves, right? Not so much anymore said Hunt. "Unfortunately, the economy is performing so poorly that a lot of our college graduates are coming out and they're having to settle for jobs that are not much better than what they would've received if they had gone directly into the labor force from high school."

Some investments, along with debt, may not pay off like they have in the past.

John Grace is president of Investor's Advantage Corp. in Westlake Village. He is a registered principal of National Planning Corp. and a master certified and charter member of HS Dent Advisors Network.
KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Kim Jones, of Oxnard, makes Athena happy with a snack at the All For Love Animal Rescue booth during Sunday's Pooch Parade and festival in Ventura.

SHARE KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Giselle Pasamonte (from left) and her fiance Sebastion De Schepper, both of Oxnard, look through books of rescue dogs with Maripat Davis and Kathleen MacGregor at the All For Love Animal Rescue booth during Sunday's Pooch Parade and festival in Ventura. KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Eric Brater, of Ventura, brings foster dog Fitz to see Maripat Davis and people looking to adopt a dog from the All For Love Animal Rescue booth at Sunday's Pooch Parade and festival in Ventura. KAREN QUINCY LOBERG/THE STAR Buddy hangs out at the All For Love Animal Rescue booth on Sunday at the Pooch Parade in Ventura.

By Michele Willer-Allred, Special to The Star

A fundraiser is planned Sunday for an organization that takes difficult-to-place dogs from Ventura County Animal Services and finds them a loving home while they recover from surgery, undergo training or simply live out their final days.

The Ventura Improv Company is donating its theater and talent for the All For Love Animal Rescue event, set for 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday at 34 N. Palm St. in Ventura. In addition to a comedy show, the event will include food and a wine bar, a drawing for prizes and a silent auction, with funds going to the care and boarding of dogs.

Thousand Oaks resident Maripat Davis, founder and president of the group, said it pulls pit terriers and Chihuahua-type dogs that often have medical problems requiring special care or surgery  such as cancer  from the Camarillo shelter. Many of the dogs are seniors.

"We have lots of medical cases, and it creates a problem for us to rescue more dogs when trying to keep up money-wise to pay for all these surgeries and vet bills," Davis said about the all-volunteer nonprofit she founded in 2011.

The group pulled 300 dogs from the animal shelter last year. It also took in strays.

"We had so many medicals last year that it financially put a burden on us," Davis said. "We take really, really good care of our dogs."

Davis started the rescue after an experience with a Los Angeles County animal shelter, where her simple request to hold a pit bull an extra day helped him get adopted before his scheduled euthanasia.

Ojai resident Kathleen MacGregor, an animal lover and shelter volunteer, joined the group after seeing Davis work with pit bulls, a breed that she said is often stereotyped and ignored.

MacGregor said it makes all the difference when a pit bull's behavior can be assessed. She credits Davis for doing that and working to get each dog adopted.

When Davis founded the group in 2011, she focused her efforts on the Camarillo shelter, which at the time was still a "kill" shelter.

"Since then, the shelter has radically changed, and we're much more of a rescue partner with the Camarillo shelter," said MacGregor, the group's vice president.

Tara Diller, director of Ventura County Animal Services, said she commends the rescue group for its commitment to pulling pit bull-type dogs from the shelter and putting them in loving homes.

On Sunday, group volunteers brought several of their dogs up for adoption to the Pooch Parade at San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura.

One of those dogs was Misty, a 5-year-old chocolate Lab-pit mix who has arthritis and has been looking for a home for a year and a half.

"Every dog does have their own story, and it really comes down to finding the right person for the dog," MacGregor said.

Learn more: https://www.facebook.com/AllforLoveAnimalRescue
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/ TIM HAUF Santa Rosa Island.

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By Staff Reports

Two adults and eight Boy Scouts were rescued after the boat they were on lost power Tuesday night near Santa Rosa Island, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard.

A crew member on the 36-foot power boat called Coast Guard officials about 8 p.m. to report vessel lost steering control then shut down when it lost power, authorities said.

A C-130 aircraft headed back toward Sacramento was diverted to the incident to keep an eye on the boat reportedly in distress, officials said. A helicopter stationed at Naval Base Ventura County and an 87-foot patrol boat from the Channel Islands Harbor also assisted with the rescue, authorities said.

The stranded boat will be towed into Channel Islands Harbor by the Coast Guard crews, officials said. Waves from 8 to 10 feet and winds up to 30 mph were expected at sea while the boat is being rescued, authorities said.

No injuries were reported, officials said.
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By Staff Reports

People are invited to a police appreciation event Tuesday in Agoura Hills.

Chabad of the Conejo will host the event intended to demonstrate support and respect for local law enforcement agencies, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department news release stated.

Members of the local city councils, as well as event organizer Rabbi Moshe Bryski of Chabad of the Conejo, will be on hand to speak.

The event will be held at 4 p.m. in the front parking lot of the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station at 27050 Agoura Road with additional parking available at the Calabasas Community Center, 27040 Malibu Hills Road.

Refreshments will be provided.

The event, sponsored by Chabad of the Conejo, is billed as "a celebration of honor, integrity, sacrifice and commitment," and a chance for people to express their respect and appreciation for the role police play in society.

"Whatever one's political outlook or party affiliation may be, I think we can all agree that these men and women put their lives on the line for us every single day," Rabbi Bryski said in a news release.

For more information contact Chabad of the Conejo at 818-991-0990 or Deputy Kristen Deschino of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at 818-878-1808.
SHARE STAR FILE PHOTO

By Staff Reports

Members of the public are invited to meet the Thousand Oaks police and fire chiefs over coffee from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 9 at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf inside The Oaks mall.

Sheriffs' Cmdr. Tim Hagel, police chief, and Ventura County Fire Department Division Chief Ted Smith, Thousand Oaks' fire chief, will be at the location, 350 W. Hillcrest Drive, to hear concerns from members of the public and chat over coffee.

The Coffee With the Chiefs program is part of an outreach effort to build partnerships between public safety agencies and the community, according to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff's Office, which under contract provides police services in the city of Thousand Oaks. Fire services are provided by the Ventura County Fire Department.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Oil that spilled in June in Hall Canyon in Ventura is shown in this photograph taken by the Ventura County Fire Department.

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By Kathleen Wilson of the Ventura County Star

A county board asked Tuesday for an analysis of the system for responding to oil spills, citing concerns over decisions that followed a 45,000-gallon spill in Ventura late last month.

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors asked county managers to study how local agencies could take a bigger role in light of issues arising over the performance of a unified command that responded to the June 23 leak from an oil pipeline into Prince Barranca and Hall Canyon.

Under state law, the decision-making power in that command rests in the hands of state and federal regulators and the party responsible for the spill. Local agencies have only a supporting role.

The unified command directs the response and cleanup.

County Supervisor Steve Bennett asked for the study, citing concerns over an apparent delay in holding a meeting to inform the public about the incident and the quality of information provided by Crimson Pipeline, the responsible party.

Larry Alexander, president of Crimson, defended the company's record.

"Crimson is committed to working with the community, working with agencies and taking care of the incident," Alexander told supervisors.

He said the command held off on the meeting sought by local officials to make sure there was enough information to convey.

"We wanted to make sure we had something to say," he said.

The meeting was held June 30, a week after the spill was reported. County officials said that was later than they wanted.

Also at issue was why Crimson representatives told residents at the meeting that they did not know when the pipeline would be restarted. In fact, it was returned to operation that evening, Bennett said.

Alexander said the representatives who spoke at the meeting did not know the restart had been approved.

"It was never our intent to suppress any information," he said.

Finally, the two men differed on the accuracy of testing of the air for benzene after the spill. The substance is considered a carcinogen by federal officials.

A company consultant told residents at the meeting that no benzene had been detected in air tests, according to Bennett. Alexander said that finding has been repeated in thousands of readings.

Bennett said residents should have been told about the results of separate testing by the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District. The district found low levels of benzene based on two samples taken the day of the spill, but said they were too low to cause health problems.

Bennett blamed that largely on the fact that the district was not part of the unified command or listed on the agenda for the public meeting.

District officials tied the discrepancy between their findings and the consultant's to the sensitivity of their equipment.

Mike Villegas, executive officer of the district, said both an impartial agency and the consultant could collect data.

"Sometimes the public would feel assured," he said.

The board's request for a study goes next to the county Emergency Planning Council, a multidisciplinary advisory body. Its next meeting is scheduled July 28.
SHARE COURTESY OF VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE Deputy Peter Aguirre Jr. COURTESY OF VENTURA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE A replica of the highway sign.

By Yazmin Cruz of the Ventura County Star

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a resolution to dedicate a portion of Highway 33 to a Ventura County deputy who lost his life in the line of duty.

Assemblyman Das Williams, who authored Assembly Resolution 142, along with the National Latino Peace Officers Association of Ventura County and Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin were instrumental in passing the legislation for the highway sign, authorities said.

The stretch of highway from Ojai Avenue to Fairview Road will be renamed the Ventura County Deputy Sheriff Peter Aguirre Jr. Memorial Highway in honor of Aguirre, who was killed on July 17, 1996, while investigating a domestic disturbance in the Ojai Valley community of Meiners Oaks, officials said.

At the time of his death, Aguirre was survived by his wife, Dina, and 2-year-old daughter Gabriella, authorities said.

The man responsible for Aguirre's death is on California's death row.

A ceremony to dedicate the highway is planned for a later date, authorities said.
STAR FILE PHOTO NRG Energy Inc. is trying to get a new power plant built at the existing Mandalay Beach site in Oxnard. The State Energy Commission has released a preliminary assessment of the project.

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By Wendy Leung of the Ventura County Star

All things power plant will be discussed Thursday, when staff from the California Energy Commission will lead a public workshop at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.

State representatives will take public comment on a proposal to build a new power plant to replace two of the three existing stations at the Mandalay Generating Station. The fate of the beachside Puente Power Project will be decided by the state energy commission.

The meeting begins at 10 a.m. with a lunch break at an unspecified time. The meeting will wrap up at 4 p.m. for a dinner break and continue again at 5:30 p.m. A 10 a.m. Friday meeting is scheduled but may not be necessary.

State representatives will explain the Preliminary Staff Assessment, a 1,000-page document detailing the findings of the power plant plan. The document considers traffic, visual impact, land use and other topics related to the project proposed by NRG Energy Inc.

The release of the preliminary assessment last month begins a 45-day comment period that is scheduled to end Aug. 4. According to the assessment, environmental concerns related to the project can largely be mitigated and there is no significant harm posed on the community.

A final decision on the power plant is expected in February.

The city, environmental groups and other elected officials oppose the project, saying the oceanside site is wrong for a power plant.

The California Coastal Commission and the city are awaiting word from the state to see if their requests to extend the comment period to Sept. 19, or 45 more days, are granted.

Attorney Ellison Folk, who is representing the city, wrote to the energy commission to say more time is needed to process the assessment, a large document that has not been translated to Spanish. Folk noted that a large portion of Oxnard residents speak Spanish.

"The time provided for the public comment period of 45 days is simply too short to allow meaningful review and comment on such a massive document," Folk wrote.

NRG does not support extending the comment period.

The workshop will take place 800 Hobson Way. To watch the meeting on your computer, visit https://energy.webex.com and enter 926 198 390. You will be prompted to enter a phone number for the audio portion of the meeting. If you need technical support, call 1-866-229-3239.
SHARE Doug Breeze

By Anne Kallas, Special to The Star

In what proved to be an eventful meeting Monday, a divided Port Hueneme City Council rejected an ordinance banning a long list of items from front yards and driveways.

Interim City Manager John Baker announced he will be leaving at the end of next month, and Mayor Doug Breeze announced that he will not run for re-election.

In addition, Baker told the council that the city had received a letter from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reaffirming that the city needs to repay the $2.4 million the federal agency says it was erroneously charged by the city's Housing Authority. But Baker said there is still a chance to appeal that decision.

Messy yards

The council voted 3-2 to reject an ordinance banning barbecues, exercise equipment and other items from front yards and driveways, with the majority decrying the measure as overly restrictive.

Half a dozen residents spoke in protest of the ordinance, which would have also banned couches, chairs, swinging chairs, tables, patio furniture and play equipment from visible side yards, in addition to front yards and driveways.

Shirley Dumas told the council that she and her husband, William, have lived in the same home since 1964.

"I have a beautiful tree in our yard that I planted and watered for 52 years. And they're telling me I cannot have my little lawn chair and tables and sit outside with a glass of water or a glass of wine," Dumas told the council.

Port Hueneme Code Compliance Manager Tamah Figg, wife of City Councilman Tom Figg, said the ordinance is only a revision to rules already in place. She said she had been told by the city's code compliance hearing officer that the language of the existing ordinance was vague and that she had requested a revised ordinance from the city attorney's office.

"I said it seemed overly restrictive and asked if it could be broadened," Tamah Figg said, adding that the city attorney's office balked at broader language. "You're not going to be cited for a couple of chairs in your front yard."

But Councilman Jim Hensley objected to that.

"If you put those words in the ordinance it becomes law," he said. "I know Officer Figg won't abuse it, but what about down the road? It's in the law. We can say we're going to go easy, but we don't know what will happen in the future. I think the wording is dangerous."

Councilman Jon Sharkey and Councilwoman Sylvia Munoz Schnopp agreed that the ordinance was overly restrictive and joined Hensley in defeating it. Munoz Schnopp advised Tamah Figg to see about revising the language and bringing the matter back to the council.

Breeze and Figg both said the ordinance was meant to further codify what constitutes blight in the city and voted in support of the ordinance.

Baker's last day

Baker said his last day with the city will be Aug. 30. He had earlier said he hoped to be able to continue as interim city manager until the council hired someone permanently. However, he said, he was told by the California Public Employees' Retirement System that his original agreement with the city, which has an end date of Aug. 30, would have to stand.

CalPERs limits the hours and length of time that retirees can work for other public agencies.

The council later met in closed session to discuss a possible successor to the interim city manager position until a permanent city manager is selected. No decision was made, so the city council will meet in a special session Aug. 25.

Breeze rejects third term

Breeze, who is wrapping up his second term on the council after a long stint as the city's public works director, said he won't seek a third term. He wants to spend more time with his five grandchildren, he said, and pursue other endeavors.

HUD letter

Baker said the city received a letter on June 20 from HUD that was dated June 10. He explained that the HUD regional office said the city will have to repay $2.4 million in disputed salary charges and cost allocations  the amount of money one city department charges another department for services.

But he noted that while the HUD regional office affirmed the debt, the HUD enforcement department had only recently received the city's response to the original October 2015 letter, even though the city's response was sent in January.

Baker said he feels the city has a good case to substantiate a majority of the charges and will resubmit those charges to the HUD enforcement department by Aug. 15.

The bookkeeping problems that led to the $2.4 million demand have been rectified, Baker said, adding that HUD had forwarded a list of steps that would satisfy its requirements for reimbursement in the future.

Other news

Interim Public Works Director Butch Britt gave a report reaffirming that the city is set to receive about 1.5 million cubic yards of sand when the sand trap at the Channel Island Harbor is dredged this year.

The council also passed its fiscal year 2016-17 budget, which gives the city a small surplus.
JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Debbie Fox (left), co-owner Fox Fine Jewelry in downtown Ventura, works with client Fay Miller (right) who brought in her diamond rings for resizing Wednesday.

SHARE JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Debbie Fox, co-owner Fox Fine Jewelry in downtown Ventura, sorts through a diamond display case Wednesday. Clients can select the size, color and clarity of diamond that will be mounted into the jewelry of their choice. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Debbie Fox, co-owner Fox Fine Jewelry in downtown Ventura, views a 1.08-carat diamond that she said has a round brilliant cut. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Debbie Fox, co-owner Fox Fine Jewelry in downtown Ventura, displays a loose diamond on Wednesday. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Debbie Fox (left), co-owner of Fox Fine Jewelry in downtown Ventura, assists clients Catherine Haiek (center), along with her daughter Joelle (right), who brought in rings to have resized and repaired on Wednesday. Related Photos Jewelers arrest leads customers to check their diamonds

By Megan Diskin of the Ventura County Star

After word spread that a Ventura jewelry store owner had been arrested on suspicion of switching customers' diamonds with fakes, many of his former clients discovered they also had been victimized.

"People have been coming in saying, 'Hey, are my stones real?' " said Debbie Fox, who owns Fox Fine Jewelry in Ventura with her husband, George, a certified gemologist.

The same happened at other jewelry stores, including Nerces Fine Jewelry and Lynn's Jewelry Studio, after Ara Ghazarian, owner of Jewelry Unlimited, was arrested last month on suspicion of grand theft.

There have been so many inquiries that some jewelers are offering free gem identification.

Several Ventura jewelry store owners offered advice to diamond owners seeking out a reputable jeweler.

Bob Lynn, a certified gemologist and owner of Lynn's Jewelry Studio in Ventura, had to tell a woman who came in last Monday that the just-under 3-carat stone she thought was a diamond was actually Moissanite, a rare, naturally occurring crystal that also can be created in a laboratory.

Moissanites vs. Diamonds

North Carolina-based Charles & Colvard is the leading manufacturer of Moissanite stones. The companys website says in the late 1800s French chemist Henri Moissan discovered particles of natural silicon carbide at the site of a meteor strike in Arizona and thought they were diamonds. Moissan spent years trying to recreate the substance in a laboratory. Long after his death researchers perfected the process and patented it for Charles & Colvard.

Ventura jewelers say the main difference between the two stones deals with clarity, color and brilliance.

Moissanites sparkle more than a diamond and give off more of a rainbow effect.

Moissanites are a man-made stones so theres no clarity imperfection or cloudiness.

Moissanites give off a light yellow color.

Her husband had given her the ring to celebrate their 25th anniversary, Lynn said.

"She believed it was a diamond for a number of years," Lynn said. "It just broke my heart."

Of the people who came in to have their diamonds checked, nearly 40 percent had the less-valuable stone, Lynn said.

In the past few weeks at Nerces Fine Jewelry, a newly engaged couple brought in a diamond ring that turned out to be a fake, said owner Nerces Eykjian, a fourth-generation jeweler.

"We got really busy right after" Ghazarian's arrest, Eykjian said. "We had at least 20 customers, and four or five of them had Moissanites."

Fox and Eykjian recommend that diamond owners do research before going to a jeweler.

"It's really beneficial that the owner is a jeweler, not a merchant," Fox said.

Some jewelers are members of the American Gem Society. The requirements are stringent, and members must reapply every year. The organization's website has a list of jewelry stores that are members. Fox Fine Jewelry and Lynn's Jewelry Studio are on that list. However, Lynn said many jewelry stores not on the list are reputable.

It's important to do research on a jeweler, especially when it comes to repairs when the jewelry will remain with the jeweler for an extended period, Fox said. Alterations such as a new setting also take time.

As a safeguard for the business and the client, some jewelers will photograph a diamond before jewelry is repaired and temporarily insure it while it's at the business, Fox said.

A business with a certified gemologist on hand is a sign of a reputable jeweler, Eykjian said.

He said it's important to note that a diamond looks different when it is in a setting and when it is dirty. And most of the time, jewelry is dirty when it arrives for repairs, Fox said.

Hannah Stadler, 25, of Ventura, was one of at least a dozen people who went to Fox's store to check her stones after Ghazarian's arrest. Ventura police allege Ghazarian, who committed suicide last month, was switching out customers' diamonds for Moissanite.

Like many others, Stadler was disappointed to learn the truth about her jewelry.

In April of last year, she took a pair of diamond earrings that were a gift from a former boyfriend to Ghazarian's store for an upgrade because he was the jeweler her mother had gone to for as long as she could remember.

"I thought he was trustworthy," Stadler said. "He'd always say, 'Oh, Hannah, you're like a daughter to me.' "

Stadler said Ghazarian told her the diamonds in her earrings were "junk." Ghazarian offered to sell her half-carat diamonds for the earrings, but that was going to cost her $1,000. As a college student, it was money Stadler didn't have.

As a favor, Stadler said, Ghazarian let her have the stones and pay them off in $200 monthly installments. Stadler said Ghazarian preferred she pay in cash, and she never got a receipt. So it was a real problem later when she didn't have paperwork to authenticate her stones or the $1,000 she paid him.

"I was very mad because not only did I give him diamonds I already had, but I was out $1,000," Stadler said.

An essential item in case of theft is paperwork verifying the identity of a stone, jewelers say. Options include an appraisal, a 3-D map of the stone and a diamond grading report, also known as a certificate, Eykjian said.

Lynn highly suggests getting a 3-D map of the stone because there is a lot of "opinion" in a certificate. A certificate lists a diamond's dimensions, carat, color, clarity and cut. But he says color can be subjective, based on the differences in people's eyesight, and dimensions can differ with the measurement tool used.

Lynn said a proper appraisal, which can include a 3-D map of the stone, should be done.

"It's even more sure than a fingerprint," Lynn said of the mapping technology. "It really and truly is the identity of that stone."

When getting a certificate, the industry standard is a hand-drawn map, Lynn said.

However, a benefit of the report is that the report number is engraved with a laser on the diamond, he said.

"It really takes an effort to fake that," Lynn said.

Insurance on diamond jewelry can also give owners peace of mind. It is offered under a homeowner's insurance policy, but Lynn said to make sure it's been added onto the policy. A separate policy also can be taken out for the jewelry, he said.

Stadler has a homeowner's insurance policy that covers jewelry, and she filed a claim, but she won't get all the money back because she has a $1,000 deductible, she said.

"If this all worked out, I'd only get the difference," Stadler said. "I'm out $2,200 on earrings."

Her mother found out diamonds in her necklace also had been switched when she took it to Ghazarian for an upgrade. The diamonds were worth less than $1,000, so the insurance policy won't cover the loss.

There also was no paperwork authenticating the necklace stones.

"We have zero proof of the value or clarity of our diamonds because unfortunately, we trusted him," Stadler said. "We never thought we would need that proof."

It was a hard lesson for her to learn, she said.

Stadler's family had referred people to Ghazarian, so they felt obligated to contact those people to give them a heads-up.

"We called anyone we could think of," Stadler said.

Word-of-mouth is usually a good way for diamond owners to find a reputable jeweler, Fox and Eykjian said. But in Stadler's case, the opposite was true.

"Your jewelry is only as trustworthy as the jeweler you hire," Fox said.
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) There has been a sudden jump in infiltration bids by terrorists from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir and 54 such "successful" incidents were reported in the first six months this year, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said today.

"There is an increase in infiltration bids by terrorists from across Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir during this year," he said replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha.

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Ahir said there were 90 infiltration attempts till June 30 in comparison to 29 attempts in the corresponding period in 2015.

As many as 54 infiltrations have been successful in the first six months this year in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

The minister said though security forces maintain high level alertness during their duties, still terrorist attacks are hard to mark in advance, that too, precisely on ground.

"Intelligence inputs keep troops vigilant and help them to be in a position to repulse any attack which has been done in the Pampore attack in which both militants were neutralised," he said.

Replying to another question, the minister said seven terrorist attacks on CRPF personnel have taken place in Kashmir Valley during the current year till July 14 in which 10 CRPF personnel were martyred and 43 personnel sustained injuries.

Three BSF personnel were killed and seven BSF jawans received injuries in different incidents this year.

Some of the terrorists killed have been identified. Terrorists identified comprise both local and foreign ones, he said.

Ahir said the Standard Operating Procedures have been reviewed by Central Armed Police Forces concerned and all field formations in Jammu and Kashmir have been sensitised about the latest modus operandi of militants and threat perception to prevent attacks in future, he said. PTI ACB IKA ZMN IKA

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JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Klarissa Ruiz distributes posters advertising the upcoming Tequila & Taco Music Festival that will be held at Plaza Park in Ventura. The annual festival, which was previously in Oxnard, will be Saturday and Sunday.

SHARE JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Klarissa Ruiz leaves the Blue Moon shop in downtown Ventura after distributing a poster advertising the upcoming Tequila & Taco Music Festival that will be held at Plaza Park. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Klarissa Ruiz (left) chats with Raquel Herrera, manager at the Blue Moon shop in downtown Ventura, after distributing a poster advertising the upcoming Tequila & Taco Music Festival. JOSEPH A. GARCIA/THE STAR Klarissa Ruiz distributes a poster at the Iron and Resin Garage in downtown Ventura, advertising the Tequila & Taco Music Festival that will be held this weekend at Plaza Park.

By Anne Kallas

The Tequila & Taco Music Festival is moving to a new location this year, having outgrown the spot where it's been held for the past three years.

Slated for Saturday and Sunday, the festival will be in downtown Ventura at Plaza Park. It has been at The Collection at RiverPark in previous years.

Organizer Vincent Giammanco, an event promoter who heads up the California Beer Festival in the fall and a Champagne and wine trail event in the winter, said there has been a surge of interest in small-batch tequilas, just like the craft beer movement has helped fuel his popular beer festivals.

"Craft tequila is definitely exploding," he said. "It's cool to go out and sample small-batch tequilas that are bottled in Mexico. It's hard to find these tequilas in the local supermarket."

He said Plaza Park "is a good spot to have the festival in one place."

"And who doesn't love tacos?" he said. "It's a perfect fit," adding that tacos will be available from a slew of food trucks.

Giammanco has approached the city of Ventura with plans to turn Plaza Park, which has been a haven for the city's homeless population for years, into a family space that also would host events. His proposal is being evaluated by the city staff.

He said moving the Tequila & Taco Music Festival to the park will give him an opportunity to demonstrate to the city of Ventura the type of event he hopes to promote.

"Last year, we sold out. We turned away thousands," Giammanco said. "We were brought in to help launch The Collection, but now that The Collection is launched, the place where we held the event has been turned into a building site. They did want us to come back smaller, but we're getting bigger. By bringing the festival to Plaza Park in downtown Ventura, we can show off what we can do."

Some of the money from the festival will benefit FOOD Share, Giammanco said.

Bonnie Atmore, president and CEO of FOOD Share, said such partnerships allow the food bank to serve the hungry people of Ventura County.

"We're so grateful for the partnership of events like the Tequila & Taco Music Festival because in addition to providing FOOD Share with crucial resources, they help us raise awareness of the continued need our hungry friends and neighbors face every day," Atmore said.

Giammanco said there's a strong effort to provide transportation for all the alcohol-related events.

"We partnered with Amtrak and have a smart shuttle service available for people to call and arrange a pickup for family and friends," he said. "Because we're located downtown, there will be cabs and Ubers available. And a lot of people bring designated drivers.

"There is a range of people who come. A lot of people come for tacos, not necessarily to drink, and of course, there's the music."

IF YOU GO

What: Tequila & Taco Festival

When: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: Plaza Park, 651 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura

Tickets: Premiere two-day passes at $60 are sold out; Saturday's Tequila Experience, $40; general admission, $10.

Information: 628-9588.

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tequila-taco-music-festival-ventura-july-23th-24th-tickets-24307181434.
CAROLYN KASTER The Republican National Convention continues through Thursdayat Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

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By Bartholomew Sullivan

SANDUSKY, Ohio  The norovirus outbreak appears to be contained, the executive director of the California Republican Party told delegates at Wednesday morning's breakfast at the resort 60 miles from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

"The quarantines have worked. I think we've turned the corner," said Cynthia Bryant, adding she has been astonished at the attention it has received. "They're treating this like it's Ebola."

For the first time since they got here, delegates were treated to featured speakers Wednesday: Omarosa Manigault, the Trump campaign's director of outreach to African-Americans, and conservative firebrand Ann Coulter, who pitched a soon-to-be-released book she's written, "In Trump We Trust  E Pluribus Awesome."

Mike Osborn, chairman of the Ventura County Republican Party, led the group's Pledge of Allegiance Wednesday morning and Chico delegate Josh Cook introduced Manigault, a Baptist military chaplain and friend.

Manigault told the crowd she grew up in Youngstown's housing projects but aimed for more than a job at the steel mills. She told about her three appearances on Donald Trump's reality television shows and how he asked her back after successive high-profile firings because, he said, "We make good TV together."

"You know, the question I get four or five times a day? I'm asked 'is it his hair?' So I want to clear this up: it's his hair. It's all real," she said.

"It's very difficult to hear people calling him terrible names  racist, a divider," she said. "I believe in the vision he has for this country."

Coulter was late and by the time she arrived most of the delegates  who had returned to Sandusky about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday after a party at a downtown Cleveland nightclub  had assembled.

Coulter delivered a series of zingers, opening with Trump's slogan  "Make America Great Again," and contrasting it with "Hillary's slogan: Make America California, without the nice beaches."

She faulted the GOP establishment for not finding a candidate who would take the same stands on immigration and trade that proved Trump popular in the primaries and for Senate Republican establishment maneuvers she called a "betrayal" on immigration policy.

She said Trump read her book, Adios America, and "that's where he got all that stuff about Mexican rapists." She said that 50 years ago, Bradley Manning, who released diplomatic cables and other sensitive documents, "would have been tried for treason and executed within a week. Now, we're paying for his transgender operations."

She said conservatives can now get only part of their message out because Fox News doesn't agree with Trump on immigration. She called Common Core education standards "Chinese-style brainwashing." She said a Clinton presidency would produce a Supreme Court made up of "nine Ruth Bader Ginsburgs," and that the court's Heller decision, establishing the right of individuals to possess firearms, would be overturned.

She said Trump will win because he's tapped into a white working class that hasn't voted in 30 years because "they cannot wait to vote for Donald Trump."

The crowd cheered and clapped with apparent zeal with each point.

On Thursday, the final day of the four-day convention, California delegates are to hear from Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Rep. Darrell Issa at their morning breakfast.
CAROLYN KASTER/AP On Tuesday the California Republican delegation cast 172 votes for Donald Trump.

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By Bartholomew Sullivan, USA Today

CLEVELAND  Tuesday's opening of the second day of the Republican National Convention began with a rendition of the 1978 REO Speedwagon classic "Roll with the Changes" and the lines, "So if you're tired of the same old story."

Many in the California delegation danced.

But then things got down to business with the singing of the national anthem and a prayer, offered by Harmeet Dhillon, vice chair of the California Republican Party. A Sikh, she explained that she would first cover her head.

The San Franciscan ended the prayer with "may all humanity prosper by your grace," and the crowd, especially the Californians, cheered wildly.

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Tuesday was the day to place Donald Trump's name in nomination, with the honors going to Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions and seconded by Rep. Chris Collins of New York and South Carolina Lt. Gov. Henry McMaster. The state-by-state roll call vote reached the California delegation just after 6:30 local time.

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Delegate Shirley Husar of Los Angeles got the honor of announcing the state's entire 172 GOP votes for Trump. She said she did it mindful of her three sons and calling Trump "a true American."

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Brandon M. Gesicki, 43, and his mother, Linda, 69, of Monterey are both delegates.

"I actually started pretty neutral," said Gesicki, who works in government relations and public affairs. But not his mother.

"She was with him from the start," he said. "She's not that political, but Mr. Trump brought it out in her."

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Nachhattar Singh Chandi, 45, of La Quinta, celebrated 25 years in the United States this April. The son of a Punjabi farmer, Chandi is now involved in real estate, oil, construction and other fields.

"From India to Indio," he joked. "I was nominated and I was honored to accept," he said of becoming a delegate. Of Trump, he said: "I love him. He's the best for the country."

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Irvine Delegate Dean Stoecker, 59, founded his software company 19 years ago after first seeing some advice for young entrepreneurs by a modestly well-known New York real estate mogul.

"Don't take crap from anybody," he recalled Donald Trump suggesting, and Stoecker said it has proved useful.

"He's saying all the things we're all thinking," he added.

Asked about the plagiarism allegations about Melania Trump's Monday night speech, Stoecker said he considered it "a cheap shot" because it involved just 22 words in a 1,500-word speech.


On May 15, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Las Vegas awarded $173,830 to 153 high school graduates. $90,000 was also awarded to 90 returning college students as part of the RMHC Alumni Scholarship program (Pictured: RMHC Scholarship Recipients).

This year every applicant who applied to the alumni program was awarded an individual scholarship, a milestone for the RMHC Scholarship Program.

Eva Martin, a local McDonalds owner/operator personally committed to the funding of 18 scholarships through the James and Eva Martin Charitable Trust which amounted to $30,000. This generosity helped ensure even more local students were given the opportunity to make their higher education dreams come true. Since 2002, Southern Nevada McDonalds owner/operators have contributed $1.7 million to the RMHC scholarship program.

From April 4-8, McDonalds restaurants across Southern Nevada successfully raised $50,000 for the RMHC scholarship program during its week-long Eggs for Education fundraiser. Dozens of community leaders, local politicians, and entertainers volunteered their time to visit and greet customers at local restaurants while raising donations for the scholarship program.

The RMHC scholarship program is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible graduating high school seniors who face limited access to educational and career opportunities. Since 1999, the RMHC Scholarship Program has awarded more than $3.8 million to students from Clark and Nye Counties in Nevada.
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) Three Indian firms, Sun Pharma, Glenmark and Aurobindo, have received nod from the US health regulator USFDA to sell their generic versions of the blockbuster cholesterol drug Crestor in the American market.

IPR Pharmaceuticals Incs Crestor tablets had posted annual sales of around USD 6.78 billion in the 12 months ended May 2016.

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The approval granted by the USFDA to three domestic firms for generic rosuvastatin calcium tablets are for strengths of 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 40 mg.

Aurobindo pharma was one of the first ANDA applicants to submit a substantially complete ANDA with a paragraph IV certification.

Therefore, the company "is eligible for 180 days of generic drug shared exclusivity. The product is launched in the US market", it said.

Both Sun Pharma and Glenmark said the approvals for their generic generic rosuvastatin calcium tablets have been granted to their respective subsidiaries in the US.

Crestor is used to lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in blood and is used to reduce the chances of developing problems such as heart disease and strokes. PTI AKT SVK RKL ABK

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Google's NYC headquarters on 8th Avenue in New York. (Photo: AFP/Timothy A Clary)

In its transparency report released Monday (Jul 18), Google said governments around the world made 40,677 requests related to more than 81,000 accounts in the July-December period.

That compared with just over 35,000 requests in the prior six-month period on nearly 69,000 accounts.

"Usage of our services have increased every year, and so have the user data request numbers," Google said.

Google said it turned over at least some data in 64 percent of the cases.

The United States accounted for the largest share, with 12,523 requests, followed by Germany (7,491), France (4,174) and Britain (3,497).

Like other big online firms, Google has emphasized that it turns over data following a legal process in the countries where it operates, while seeking to maintain the privacy of its users.

"Google is proud to have led the charge on publishing these reports, helping shed light on government surveillance laws and practices across the world," said Google legal director Richard Salgado.

Salgado said in a blog post that a recent US-EU agreement on privacy was a positive development because it extends protection in the United States to non-Americans.

"This shift helps address concerns about the ability of non-US persons to redress grievances concerning data collected and stored by the US government under US law," he said.

"Indeed, the distinctions that US privacy and surveillance laws make between US and non-US persons are increasingly obsolete in a world where communications primarily take place over a global medium: the internet."
Ao Dai Festival 2016 will be celebrated at the Thang Long-Hanoi Preservation Centre in Hanoi from October 14 to 16.

The cultural event aims to preserve and promote Vietnams traditional values as well as the beauty and grace of the Ao Dai, which has become a symbol of feminine beauty in Vietnam.

It is also expected to introduce the cultural heritage of the countrys 1,000-year-old capital to both domestic visitors and international friends via its platform and various activities.

Simultaneously, fashion and tourism enterprises will get a chance to exchange experiences and extend their collaboration with both domestic and foreign counterparts.

Meanwhile, visitors can enjoy Hanois special cuisines and have their own Ao Dai tailored at the event.

Entitled Tinh Hoa Ao Dai Vietnam (The Quintessence of Vietnams Ao Dai), the festival will attract the participation of many fashion designers and artists as well as Hanoi lovers.

Within the framework of the festival, a space will be specifically dedicated to displaying images and documents about the history of Ao Dai. Collections of unique Ao Dai of the past and present, in addition to the materials and ancient looms to tailor Ao Dai will also be exhibited.

The highlight of the three-day event will be decorations of lights made of conical hats, set up both inside and outside the festival venue, creating a lively and intimate atmosphere for the visitors.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan told the legislatures members at the opening ceremony that the session would take place within nine days, with six earmarked for considering and determining key state personnel, such as state president, prime minister, and chairman of the National Assembly, as well as government members under the regulations of the Constitution and related laws.

This will be the second time in 2016 that the National Assembly elects new key cabinet personnel. After the 12th National Party Congress in January this year, Vietnam saw some key leadership positions vacant and thus in April, the legislature ratified changes in top personnel, with Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc being selected as the countrys new Prime Minister, Ngan as National Assembly Chairwoman, and Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang as State President.

Considering the prime ministers proposal, the National Assembly will also discuss and adopt the positions of new members of government at this session.

The session will also report on the results of the election of the 14th National Assembly and the peoples councils at all levels for the 2016-2020 tenure.

In its first session, the 14th legislature will also review, debate, and give opinion on socio-economic issues, such as the implementation of 2016 socio-economic development goals, and the annual state budget. The National Assemblys resolutions on laws and ordinances will also be voted on.

The first session of the 14th National Assembly will be very important for Vietnam to begin the implementation of the Socio-economic Development Plan during 2016-2020, Ngan said. The 14th National Assembly will also commensurate and evaluate the experiences and achievements of the previous 13th National Assembly.

Addressing the ceremony, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that the new National Assembly should focus on building a synchronous and feasible legislature, so that all state and Party policies could be implemented effectively.

The government reported to the National Assembly that the economy grew by 5.55 per cent during this years second quarter, higher than the 5.48 per cent in the first quarter, and leading to a 5.52 per cent growth rate in first half of this year.

The economy is recovering, the report stated.

In this years first half, the industrial and construction sector grew by 7.12 per cent, and the services sector by 6.35 per cent, year-on-year. Also, the index for industrial production (IIP) climbed 7.5 per cent year-on-year.

During the years first six months, Vietnam had over 54,500 newly-established enterprises, registered at VND427.8 trillion ($19.44 billion), up 20 per cent in the number of enterprises and 51.5 per cent in capital, year-on-year.

In the same period last year, about 45,400 new enterprises were established, registering the chartered capital of VND282.4 trillion ($12.84 billion), up 21.7 per cent in the number of enterprises and 22.3 per cent in the chartered capital.
According to a source from the Binh Phuoc Department of Natural Resources and Environment, after receiving complaints from several households located near the companys factory, the department carried out an inspection of the companys activities. However, there is no final conclusion about the severity of the violation as well as the fines incurred, because the company is also suspected of being one of the culprits behind the mass dying of fish on the Sai Gon River on July 6.

A few days ago, the local authorities detected that Taiwanese Viet Phuoc Agricultural Product Co., Ltd. dumped hundreds of dead pig carcasses illegally into the Sai Gon River . At the time the local authorities arrived to inspect the scene, the bodies were already decomposed, filling the air with a foul smell.

A representative of Viet Phuoc said that the company rears 27,000 pigs and over ten die in stampedes everyday. Recently, the companys incinerator broke down so the company asked their workers to throw the dead pigs into the river.

However, according to a residents opinion, along with disposing of hundreds of dead pigs, the company has also discharged wastewater into the Sai Gon River , causing the recent fish crisis.

It is the second time the company is investigated for environmental violations. In June 2015, the Binh Phuoc Peoples Committee imposed a fine of VND313.2 million ($13,993) on the company for discharging untreated wastewater into the environment. Notably, the companys wastewater samples showed pollution content exceeding by two to five times the permitted level.
Syrian civil defence workers look for survivors under the rubble of a collapsed building following reported air strikes on Jul 17, 2016 in the rebel-controlled neighbourhood of Karm Homad in the northern city of Aleppo. (Photo: AFP/Thaer Mohammed)

The civilians had apparently been mistaken for militants and were bombed while fleeing fighting in Al-Tukhar in Aleppo province, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

"There are at least 56 dead, including 11 children, and dozens more wounded, including some in critical condition," said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman.

The monitor - which relies on a network of sources inside Syria for its information - says it determines what planes carried out raids according to their type, location, flight patterns and the munitions involved.

Asked about the strike, the coalition said it had "conducted air strikes near Manbij... recently" and that it was looking into the reports alleging civilian casualties.

"As with any allegation we receive, we will review any information we have about the incident ... such as the proximity of the location" to coalition air strikes, it wrote in an email to AFP.

"We take all measures during the targeting process to avoid or minimise civilian casualties or collateral damage and to comply with the principles of the Law of Armed Conflict."

Al-Tukhar lies 14 kilometres (nine miles) north of the town of Manbij, a key IS stronghold that has been repeatedly targeted in raids by the US-led coalition.

On Monday, the Observatory said 21 civilians had been killed in coalition raids in the area, 15 of them in a northern district of Manbij and another six in Al-Tukhar.

Manbij sits on IS's main supply route between Syria and neighbouring Turkey and has been the target of a US-backed offensive by a Kurdish-Arab alliance of fighters since May 31.

In June, the Syrian Democratic Forces alliance broke into western districts of the town, but their advance has been slowed in the past month because of landmines planted by the jihadists and ongoing suicide attacks.

The US-led coalition said in a statement on Tuesday that SDF fighters had captured an IS "command centre and logistics hub" in western Manbij on Sunday.

It said the fighters had also seized "a significant amount of the city during the operation, which provided civilians the opportunity to escape."

SDF fighters control around a quarter of Manbij, according to the Observatory.

CLASHES NEAR ALEPPO

Near Aleppo, meanwhile, government forces sought to tighten their siege of rebel-held districts of the battleground second city.

Clashes erupted around Handarat, a largely deserted Palestinian refugee camp north of the city, after government forces seized parts of the only remaining supply route into rebel-held eastern districts, effectively severing them from the outside world.

The capture of the Castello Road has raised fears of a lengthy siege of east Aleppo, where residents have already reported food shortages and rising prices.

The Observatory said fierce clashes were under way around Handarat Camp, which is less than two kilometres (barely a mile) from the northern outskirts of the city.

"If the regime takes Handarat, it will be able to completely asphyxiate the rebels in east Aleppo, and they will be unable to launch counter-attacks to retake the Castello Road," Abdel Rahman told AFP.

Elsewhere in Aleppo province, 12 civilians were killed in strikes on the rebel-held town of Atareb, said the Observatory.

Analysts have warned that the government advances around Aleppo could be "devastating" for the rebels.

And the United Nations has raised concern about the fate of the more than 200,000 people still living in rebel-held districts.

It said relief supplies had already been stockpiled in the city, but "further life-saving aid is needed urgently."
Accordingly, economy class airfares will be US$19 from HCM City to Yangon (Myanmar), HCM City-Bangkok (US$39), HCM City-Singapore (US$50), HCM City-Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta (US$59), HCM City-Hong Kong (US$80) and HCM City-Seoul (US$170).



For business class, airfares will be US$309 from HCM City to Bangkok/Kuala Lumpur, HCM City Singapore/ Yangon (US$429), HCM City-Hong Kong/Jakarta (US$409) and HCM City-Seoul (US$750).



Airfares exclude taxes and fees. They are available at Vietnam Airlines agents, booking offices and websites. Customers can contact (08) 38 320 320 or website www.vietnamairlines.com to find detailed information.
Foreign tourists stroll on a beach in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province.

The tourism promotion budget hike is part of an ambitious master plan to turn the sector into the countrys key economic pillar. It has been sent out to get suggestions and comment from cities and provinces.

The plan proposes some solutions to strengthen tourism promotion and establish a national fund for publicity campaigns. The State budget is expected to contribute no more than 30% to the fund while main beneficiaries of tourism activities and non-state sources will represent the rest.

There are also measures proposed to create favorable conditions for entry procedures, such as offering unilateral visa exemptions of one to five years for more countries, extending the visa-free stay from 15 days to 30 days for tourists from key markets, and allowing for electronic visa applications.

Compared to other Southeast Asian nations, Vietnam has many advantages to become a leading travel destination thanks to its multiple cultural and natural heritages and its strategic location in the region, according to a report released at the conference.

But that potential has not been fully unlocked. A tourism competitiveness report of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2015 ranked Vietnams tourism 75th out of 141 nations. Regionally the country was far behind Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, and only above Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Vietnam account for only 27% of Thailand, 31% of Malaysia, and 52% of Singapore. Growth of Vietnams tourism sector in Vietnam is not high either, at only 7% in the 2011-2015 period compared to Thailands 12% and Singapores 10%. That was also lower than the rate recorded by the Philippines (8%), Laos (15%), and Myanmar (51%).

At the conference, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien said ineffective tourism promotion is partly to blame for the tourism sectors modest growth.

Besides, Vietnam lacks outstanding tourism products and quality human resources and its tourism services have yet to meet market demand, Thien added.
Citi supporting Vietnam in connecting the global dots Vietnam is considered by US group Citi as an attractive market. Ramachandran A.S., Citi country officer, talked to VIRs Linh Le about the groups efforts to utilise its global experience in the Southeast Asian nation, and its priorities moving forward.

Radisson Hotel Group spearheading hospitality growth in Asia-Pacific With travel restrictions easing, air traffic increasing, and leisure and business travel bookings on the rise, Radisson Hotel Group is optimistic about the outlook for the hospitality industry in Asia-Pacific.

Secrets of the most special securities company in Vietnam Techcom Securities (TCBS) leadership, with cutting-edge vision and execution muscle, has changed the course of the company over the last nine years since Nguyen Xuan Minh became chairman of the Board of Directors. VIRs Tuan Khanh sat together with Minh and talked about his path, vision, and success story.

Promoting gender equality & enhancing women's economic empowerment Vietnarn's national strategy on gender equality for the 2021-2030 period sets a target that by 2025, 60 per cent of state management ageneies and local governments at all levels will have female key leaders.
According to activists, the boy is no more than 13 years old. They are yet to confirm if the boy was a Palestinian or a child soldier.

By India Today Web Desk: A Syrian rebel group, once backed by the US military, allegedly beheaded a young child in Aleppo, images and videos of which are being circulated widely on Tuesday. The disturbing footage being shared across social media platforms shows a fighter sawing off a small boy's head with a knife.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said the men were fighters from the Nour al-Din al-Zinki Movement, a rebel group which has received military support channelled from Turkey, including US-made TOW missiles and funding. The group no longer gets such backing.

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According to a Reuters report, US military is now investigating the beheading.

"These are your dogs, Bashar"

The young child, identified by some as "Abdullah Issa" on social media, is seen in captivity in two separate videos.

In the first footage - shot as an 18-second selfie video - the boy is shown on the back of a truck being taunted by several men who say he was from a Palestinian faction that fights in Aleppo in support of President Bashar al-Assad.

"This is a prisoner from the Quds Brigade. They don't have men any more so they've sent us children today," says one of the men. "These are your dogs, Bashar, children of the Quds brigade," says another. One fighter shouts "we will leave no one in Handarat".

In the second macabre footage a bearded fighter is seen pushing the child down on his stomach in the back of a pick-up truck, while another screams "Allahu Akbar". Grabbing the boy by his hair the fighter furiously saws at his neck with a knife. Once it is separated from his body, the militant raises it up to a cheering crowd.

SOHR chief Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP, "the boy is no more than 13 years old, he was captured on Tuesday in Handarat area, but the incident took place in a rebel-held area in Aleppo city, al-Mashhad neighbourhood to be exact." He could not confirm if the boy was a Palestinian or a child soldier, however.

According to the BBC, Handarat is the location of the unofficial Palestinian refugee camp Ein El Tal, which was home to some 7,000 people before they were displaced by armed groups in 2013.

The al-Quds Brigade, meanwhile, denied that the boy was one of its fighters.

The blood-curdling visuals matched some of the worst brutalities committed by the jihadist Islamic State group, which has killed hundreds of captives in Syria and neighbouring Iraq in the last three years.

Action against the fighter

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Washington was seeking more information on the "appalling report".

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"If we can prove that this was indeed what happened and this group was involved ... it would give us pause about any assistance or any further involvement with this group," he told reporters.

US-backed "rebel" says "We are still thinking if we should boil him" after they beheaded a child in #Aleppo today pic.twitter.com/2PfBTJOihT The 'Nimr' Tiger (@Souria4Syrians) July 19, 2016

The rebel group Nour al-Din al-Zinki denounced the incident too. In a statement it said, "the human rights abuses that were shared on social media sites", did not represent its policies or practices.

It said it had formed a committee to investigate what happened. "All individuals who undertook the violation have been detained and turned over to the committee for investigations in accordance with the relevant legal standards," it said.

Who are the Nour al-Din al-Zinki?

The Nour al-Din al-Zinki was a militant group set up in 2011 to fight the Assad regime.

The group received financial and arms support from the US, as part of a group of "moderate" opposition factions working with a logistics hub partly run by the CIA. They lost this vetted status in September 2015.

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Earlier this month, an Amnesty International report accused the group of abductions, torture and summary killings in and around Aleppo.

Here is a full list of moderate rebel groups in Syria pic.twitter.com/pRZrtt3vPrThe 'Nimr' Tiger (@Souria4Syrians) December 3, 2015

Syria's conflict began in 2011 with the repression of anti-government demonstrations and has evolved into a multi-front war that has left more than 280,000 dead and forced millions from their homes.

Pro-government forces are now attempting to capture Handarat in recent weeks. As part of an offensive, they've cut off the last remaining road out of rebel-held eastern half of Aleppo, trapping an estimated 300,000 people living there.

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Vietnams fiscal deficit is estimated to have widened to about 6.4 per cent of the GDP in 2015. As a result, Vietnams total outstanding public debt was estimated at 62.2 per cent of the GDP, quickly inching towards the ceiling of 65 per cent of the GDP.

The latest estimates of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) show that actual budget revenues exceeded the initial target by 9.4 per cent in 2015. Despite this overall strong revenue performance, collections from major taxes, namely value-added tax (VAT) and corporate income tax (CIT), excluding oil, underperformed.

Weak collection of domestic tax was partially offset by non-tax revenues. However, some of the increase in non-tax revenues was based on one-off effects, such as proceeds from sales of state assets and the collection of land-use rights were 75 per cent higher than the initial plan of $3.1 billion, and accounted for roughly one-third of the states non-tax revenue. However, because these are not recurrent sources of revenue, the recent increases may not be sustainable.

While the risk of acute debt distress remains low, the rapid pace of debt accumulation is a cause for concern, said the report. Fiscal buffers are increasingly limited and debt service poses a growing burden on the budget, with interest expenditures now absorbing 8 per cent of the total government revenue.

The report advised Vietnam to compile a credible fiscal consolidation plan, which would not only lower overall financing needs, but also reduce the cost of commercial borrowing by bolstering investor confidence and improving Vietnams creditworthiness in capital markets.

Notably, in order to strengthen budget discipline, Vietnam should focus on spending efficiency gains as opposed to across-the-board curtailment of discretionary spending and investment. One area where such efficiency gains can be achieved, according to Sebastian Eckart, lead economist for the World Bank in Vietnam, is the procurement of pharmaceuticals.

Vietnams GDP grew by 5.5 per cent in the first half of 2016, compared to the 6.3 per cent in the same period last year. The Taking Stock report attributed the slower growth to a severe drought bringing down agricultural production and slower industrial growth.

Achim Fock, acting country director for the WB in Vietnam, commented that whether Vietnam will be able to achieve high sustained growth depends on its ability to boost productivity through structural reforms.


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Ananta Roy, a TMC councillor of Ward No. 32, was taken into custody for his alleged involvement in threatening 38-year-old Biswajit Roy over loan repayment.

By Manogya Loiwal : A Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader was today arrested for allegedly abetting the suicide of a local businessman over financial debt in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

Ananta Roy, a TMC councillor of Ward No. 32, was taken into custody for his alleged involvement in threatening 38-year-old Biswajit Roy over loan repayment. Ananta threatened Biswajit with dire consequences if the latter failed to return the money on time.

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HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED

Biswajit, a resident of Boral under Sonarpur Police Station, had borrowed money from another businessman named Prasanta Panja in Howrah. While Biswajit managed to repay a major portion, he promised to pay the remaining amount in due course.

Locals say that Ananta began mounting pressure on Biswajit to repay the money at the earliest. Biswajit was summoned at a kangaroo court that was set up in a local club and in which the TMC leader was also present.

The businessman was yet again threatened about the same.

BUSINESSMAN HANGS HIMSELF

Unable to cope with the intimidation, Biswajit committed suicide in his room. His body was found hanging and a suicide note was also recovered.

The victim's family and locals have accused the TMC councillor of abetting Biwajit's suicide.

"He had borrowed money from the businessman and promised to return it on time. The councillor kept forcing him to pay the money at the earliest. The councillor is supposed to look after the welfare of the locals, he has no right to take anyone's life," a local resident said.



PROBE LAUNCHED

Fearing an outrage by locals, Sonarpur Police today arrested the TMC leader and has ordered a probe into the allegations. Co-accused Prasanta Panja was also arrested after a suicide note after the suicide note accused the duo of continuously harassing the victim.

--- ENDS ---
Aid agencies, aware of the recent massive failure to help families fleeing the fierce fighting in Fallujah, are strengthening their plans for the expected military operations on the IS stronghold of Mosul city.



In May and June this year, after being held under siege for months, roughly 85,000 people fled Fallujah in a matter of days, swamping Iraqi government and aid agencies ability to help.



The result was tens of thousands of people left without enough food, drinking water, shelter, medical supplies or latrines, in searing summer temperatures of 48 degrees C. or higher.



Many men and boys ended up in security screening centers without food, water or toilets. Hundreds simply disappeared.



Aid agencies warn that those events will be dwarfed by the access and protection challenges civilians will face when the anticipated military operations on Mosul begin, with over 10 times as many people expected to flee.

Humanitarian agencies are worried for the safety of the civilians living there, how they will escape, and how they will be received.



The humanitarian fallout is bound to be catastrophic unless funding and resources are prioritized to help up to 1.2 million civilians, the Norwegian Refugee Council and the International Rescue Committee warned in a statement.



Some 20,000 civilians have already been displaced from areas southeast of Mosul during recent Iraqi and Kurdish military operations to advance on the IS-controlled city.



Race against time



Civilians have mainly fled to already-crowded camps in Debaga, east of Mosul, others have tried to find safety on the Syrian border.



We are in a race against time to ensure lifesaving aid is ready so families that flee the planned military offensive dont step from one hell into another, warned NRC Secretary-General Jan Egeland.



Once the final battle begins, it is too late to start mobilizing relief. We failed the Iraqi people when they fled from Fallujah. It is inexcusable to make the same mistake again, Egeland said.



Mosul, Iraqs second largest city, is largely Sunni and is considered the Iraqi capital of the Islamic States so-called caliphate. As many as 8,000 IS fighters are said to have been gathered to fight for the city, many of them Iraqis who are familiar with the terrain.



On the other side of the frontline, thousands of Iraqi forces, Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga forces, armed Sunni tribes, and the U.S.-led coalition are preparing to throw their fire power toward liberating the city.



Learning from mistakes



In Fallujah, Iraqi government and military attempts to create safe corridors for civilians to flee the fighting stalled. Instead, families found they had to run a gauntlet of bombs and bullets to get out of the city. Once out, families were often separated as men were taken for questioning.



IRC Iraq Country Director Aleksandar Milutinovic said the same mistakes should not be repeated in Mosul.



Planning must begin immediately to guarantee routes out of the city will really be safe and free of landmines, security screenings should avoid separating families and emergency funding must be made available to properly stock displacement camps and reach everyone in need, Milutinovic said.



Because Islamic State is largely Sunni-based, and its control in Iraq has flourished among Sunni populations disaffected by repressive Shiite governments, many Sunnis fear how they will be treated during the security screenings and what will happen to them if Iraqs heavily Shiite Popular Mobilization militia are involved in the operations.



U.N. envoy for Iraq, Jan Kubis told the Security Council last week that since the May 22 start of the military operation in Fallujah, the United Nations had received credible reports of human rights violations and crimes.



These included torture and killings, disappearances, and other allegations of mistreatment of those detained, committed by elements of the popular mobilization forces and the Iraqi security forces operating in the Fallujah area, Kubis said.



He noted that 643 men and boys remain missing since June 5, after they were intercepted by mobilization-affiliated forces while leaving Saqlawiyah, just northwest of Fallujah.



UNAMI also has registered statements supporting claims that 95 men remain unaccounted for after they were intercepted by forces affiliated to popular mobilization forces while leaving their homes on May 25.



Those lessons from Fallujah shall be taken into account while planning liberation of Mosul, Kubis said.



Just as important, Kubis said, was the need for Iraqi political and community leaders to work on a post-IS reconciliation, to ensure the conditions that gave rise to the extremist militants are not perpetuated.



Sustainable peace and security can be achieved only with a historic compromise that puts an end to the divisive policies of intolerance, inequality, and political and social injustice, he said.
A Czech court sentenced an American to life in prison Wednesday after he was convicted of murdering a family of four three years ago.

A judge ruled that Kevin Dahlgren, 24, fatally stabbed a mother, father, and their two sons in their home during a visit to the Czech town of Brno on May 22, 2013.

Dahlgren, originally from Palo Alto, California, was arrested at a Washington, D.C. airport the next day after Czech authorities issued an international warrant.

Czech authorities found the four bodies in a family house in the city of Brno, about 200 kilometers southeast of Prague. Dahlgren was a relative of the victims.

Dahlgren refused to testify at the regional court in Brno, but called the event a tragedy.
Bangladesh police are trying to determine the whereabouts of at least 260 young men who have been missing for a year or more, a security officer said on Wednesday, as part of an effort to track militants after a deadly attack this month.

Five young men killed 22 people, most of them foreigners, in an attack on an upmarket Dhaka cafe on July 1 claimed by Islamic State. Three of the attackers were from affluent Dhaka homes who had broken off contact with their families months ago.

Authorities have blamed the attack on a domestic militant group, but security experts say the scale and sophistication of the assault suggested links to a transnational network.

In the days after the attack, the government appealed to families to contact authorities if their sons had disappeared.

A senior officer with the police-led Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which is involved in the counter-terrorism effort, said a list of 260 missing young men had been compiled from reports from families and intelligence tip-offs.

"Some of the missing youngsters are sons of retired or serving army officials, bureaucrats and businessmen," Mufti Mahmud Khan, chief of the RAB's legal and media wing chief, told Reuters.

He said information was still being gathered and the number of missing was expected to grow.

On the list, which the RAB posted on its Facebook page, was a 16-year-old, a doctor whose father was in the army and a man who was arrested in 2013 with explosives but who went to Malaysia while on bail.

Mostly Muslim Bangladesh has faced a series of attacks on liberal bloggers, university teachers and members of religious minorities over the past year.

Islamic State has warned that the violence would continue until Islamic law was established worldwide, saying in a video the Dhaka cafe attack was just a hint of what was to come.

Three young Bangladeshi men who appeared in that video posing as fighters also appeared on the list of missing.
British Prime Minister Theresa May is meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel for discussions about Britain's exit from the European Union and other international issues.

In her first weekly prime minister's question session in the House of Commons earlier in the day, May announced she also plans to meet Thursday with French President Francois Hollande in Paris to help forge "the personal relations that will pave the way for open and frank discussions in the months ahead.''

"This afternoon, I will travel to Berlin to meet Chancellor Merkel to discuss how we implement the decision the British people took in the referendum," May said. "I expect we will also cover a number of other pressing international issues, and tomorrow I will visit Paris for similar discussions with President Hollande.

May said she wanted to send a message to Britain's European allies that their relationships have been vital in the past and they will be vital in the future.''

May said the Brexit referendum result showed people want controlled immigration from the European Union, adding it is necessary to bring net migration down to sustainable levels.



"I am very clear that the vote that was taken in this country on 23 June sent a very clear message about immigration  that people want control of free movement from the European Union and that is precisely what we will be doing and ensuring that we get in the negotiations," said May.

May said she remained committed to negotiate the right deal and the best deal on trade in goods and services for the British people.''

She has also announced that Britain is relinquishing its turn at holding the EU presidency in the second half of 2017. Her office said the prime minister spoke Tuesday to European Council President Donald Tusk and told him Britain would give up the rotating six-month presidency to prioritize exit negotiations.

Last week, May replaced David Cameron, who resigned after Britons voted in the referendum of June 23 to leave the 28-nation European Union. He, as well as May, had backed the "Remain" in the bloc campaign.
Cameroonians have been expressing mixed opinions over the credibility of investigations carried out by the rights organization Amnesty International after a recent report accused the central African state of gross human rights violations in its fight against the terrorist group Boko Haram.

Twenty-six-year-old university student Haja Awah lost three members of her family to Boko Haram fighters in Mora on Cameroon's northern border with Nigeria two years ago.

She says as a victim of the insurgency, she was surprised by Amnesty International's accusations of gross human rights violations by the Cameroon military in the fight against Boko Haram, a group, she says, that is only interested in killing, raping, maiming and stealing.

She says she has an impression Amnesty International has evil plans to destroy Cameroon because Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger are both fighting Boko Haram. But Amnesty is only interested in publishing reports about abuses in Cameroon. She says Amnesty should be explaining to the world that people are suffering and dying at the hands of Boko Haram fighters and Cameroon soldiers are struggling to save their lives.

Negative impact



Enenezer Akanga, Cameroon's state television journalist specialized in reporting the Boko Haram insurgency, says such reports are destabilizing and may discourage a military fighting to bring peace in a country that has suffered enormous human and material loses to terrorism.

"A country like Cameroon can not be in war against a terrorist group and Amnesty International thinks what it can do is to write reports saying that government is torturing Boko Haram militants. No. This is total rubbish. Has Amnesty International ever written a report to condemn the fact that Boko Haram is also killing Cameroonians? Does Boko Haram have the right to kill Cameroonians? Why is it that they don't make noise when Boko Haram kills Cameroonians, they only make noise when Cameroonian soldiers kill Boko Haram militants. No. We in Cameroon we fully support our soldiers, we support our government. Amnesty International should get away with this nonsense."

The report entitled "Right Cause, Wrong Means" published July 14 states that more than 1,000 people accused of supporting Boko Haram and arrested arbitrarily are held in horrific conditions and some are tortured to death, while some are dying from disease and malnutrition. It adds that Cameroon arbitrarily arrested hundreds of individuals accused of supporting Boko Haram, often with little or no evidence, and detained them in inhumane, often life-threatening conditions.

Pressure for accountability



Sociologist Emmanuel Ossomba says Amnesty International was simply doing its job to help protect innocent people who may be suffering in jail.

"They are merely doing their job. They talked about Cameroon respecting international laws," he said. "Amnesty says detention conditions are inhumane. It is true, some of the prisons were made for about 300 persons but they actually contain more than they are supposed to contain. Maybe [Cameroon should] look for alternatives to see how they could better handle the situation."

Cameroon Minister of Communication Issa Tchiroma has decried the report as done in bad faith, saying Amnesty's methodology followed no scientific norms. He accused Amnesty International of being biased and of intervening in security issues in a sovereign state without soliciting the government's point of view.

"I have never seen them here coming to me to say mister minister, we are here, members of Amnesty International and this is a study that we would like to carry and this is the result. I have never received them in my office with an application because they want to go to the field and do their investigation," said Tchiroma.

Alleged lack of cooperation

Ilaria Allegrozzi, Amnesty International's research officer for central Africa, says they respected research methodology, but says the Cameroon government failed to collaborate with them at the time the research was carried out.

She says after documenting the abuses, they informed Cameroon authorities, but unfortunately they did provide explanations before the publication of the report and as such the point of view of the government of Cameroon was not taken into consideration in the report. She says they have already explained to the government of Cameroon their worries and they are happy that on July 7, the minister of defense created an investigative commission on human rights violations in the fight against Boko Haram.

Amnesty has suggested that Cameroon should release people detained illegally to reduce the pressure on prisons and stop the abuses that it says intensified in 2016.
Although Cameroon has received praise for its military action to push Boko Haram out of the northern part of the country and neighboring Nigeria, Amnesty International is criticizing the Cameroonian security forces for crimes including extrajudicial killings, torture and holding prisoners in inhumane conditions.

In a report titled "Right Cause, Wrong Means," published late last week, Amnesty International said more than 1,000 people accused of supporting Boko Haram are being detained in terrible conditions, many in a prison called Maroua in the northern part of the country. Built to house 350 people, it is holding more than 1,500. Amnesty said up to eight people are dying each month in the prison due to poor conditions.

"There's lot of illnesses, there's malnutrition and it's dirty conditions and, as a result, in the prison between six and eight people are dying every month because of diseases linked to those conditions," said Stephen Cockburn, the deputy regional director for Amnesty International West and Central Africa. "And there are also some people, not everyone, but some people who are subjected to torture, as well."

Cockburn said most of those who are picked up after allegations of supporting Boko Haram are tried before a military court, where they're offered few legal protections and there is a lower threshold for evidence than in civilian courts. In addition, prosecutors are able to submit accounts from anonymous witnesses who cannot be cross-examined. More than 100 people, including women, have been sentenced to death by military courts in the last year, he said.

Amnesty also references the case of a 27-year-old man, who has been detained over messages sent to his friends joking about Boko Haram's methods to recruit young graduates. The organization calls for the nation's anti-terror law to be revised so that it clearly defines an act of terror in order to avoid people being arrested for making jokes in text messages.

In addition the report states that suspects detained in 2014 and 2015 by Cameroon's elite anti-terror unit, the Bataillon d'Intervention Rapide, were beaten with sticks, whips and machetes. Some died in custody.

Government rejects report

Government officials have rejected the report, saying that human rights groups were not nearly as vocal when Boko Haram killed about 2,000 Cameroonian civilians, according to the government spokesperson. The military spokesperson, Col. Didier Badjeck, also downplayed the report, saying troops did not commit the alleged abuses and had received specific training in the protection of civilians.

"You tell us that you have gone in our prisons and that certain people are innocent. Where is the proof?" Cameroon's Minister of Information Issa Tchiroma Bakary told reporters.

Badjeck added that the report relies heavily on non-credible witnesses.

Additional attempts by VOA to speak to Bakary and the embassy in Washington were not successful.

Amnesty met with officials and wrote a letter to the government in May requesting input prior to releasing the report. However, Cockburn said, no responses have been received so far, but there is some work being done to alleviate prison overcrowding.

"There have been some efforts to improve or to build new parts of the prison in Maroua," he said.

Amnesty goes out of its way to emphasize that the threat posed by Boko Haram is real and the fight against them is necessary, but it believes security forces have crossed a line in terms of respecting human rights.

"What we found in our research has been  although the security forces have been trying to pursue the right goals  they've been using the wrong means," Cockburn said. "They have committed very serious human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, disappearances and subjecting people to unfair trials in military courts."

Potential for government action

Despite immediate rejections, the pressure to improve prison conditions and create better conditions for prisoners is mounting and the Cameroonian government seems ready to take steps to address these issues.

"There is a promise, just a few days ago, to open a commission of inquiry on human rights violations during the conflict," Cockburn said. "We have not seen the scope of that inquiry, we've not seen the terms of reference and we don't know how open and independent that would be, but that could be something."

If done properly, Amnesty says, the government can take this opportunity to turn things around. The organization called on the government to free those held with little or no evidence against them, and that "would also reduce the pressure on the prison system," Cockburn said.
Dozens of people have fallen ill with suspected cholera in South Sudan, a nation already beseiged by civil unrest, the United Nations said.

UNICEF said the main hospital in Juba, admitted 69 new cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of people being treated in the capital to 112. Nationwide, there were 141 suspected cholera cases, with six reported deaths. This was down from an earlier report of 11 deaths.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partner agencies, UNICEF is providing medical supplies, sanitation services and community awareness.

One suspected case came from inside a U.N. base in Juba, raising fears that it could spread among the 4,000 people sheltering there from fighting this month between opposing army factions.

South Sudan's civil war displaced some 28,000 people in Juba after fighting began in late 2013, and renewed fighting last week caused more upheaval, with 15,000 people taking shelter in U.N., aid organization, church and other compounds.

Last year, 47 people died in South Sudan in a cholera outbreak, and 167 died from the disease in 2014.

Cholera is a gastrointestinal disease, usually spread by contaminated water and food, and can cause severe diarrhea that, in extreme cases, can lead to fatal dehydration and kidney failure within hours.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is widely expected to announce her vice presidential running mate shortly after the end of this week's Republican National Convention.

People with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday that Clinton has a "short list" of nine people she is considering.

Thats not the real list, Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginias Center for Politics, told VOA. The reason you issue a list of that length is to please various party constituencies and even powerful individuals.

The Clinton campaign has held focus groups recently to help identify potential candidates. Clinton has met with several of them recently at her Washington home.

I also think they are ... sending out some weather balloons for potential Cabinet appointees, Pennsylvania State University political scientist Mark Major said in an interview with VOA.

The running mate announcement from Clinton is expected to come Friday or Saturday. This is already determined. We just dont know who it is. Thats a very, very tight operation. Its close to leak-free, Sabato said of the Clinton campaign organization.

Clinton is scheduled to attend campaign organizing events Friday and Saturday in Florida, the nations largest battleground state with 29 electoral votes at stake.

If youre looking around the country for swing states with a lot of electoral votes, you start with Florida, Sabato said.

Former NATO commander

Clinton campaign aides say she is considering a vice presidential running mate with national security experience, a factor that has sharpened the focus on former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis, who now is dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, a graduate school for international affairs.

David Lublin, professor at American Universitys School of Public Affairs, told VOA that national security often gets underplayed as a factor in presidential elections, but is becoming a higher priority after recent high-profile terrorist attacks.

"The conversation has really changed in the last month with Orlando and, of course, the Nice attack," said Lara Brown, program director of George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management.

Brown said add to that a recent spate of violence (the Dallas sniper who killed five police officers and the high-profile shooting deaths of African-Americans by police) right here in the United States, calling it a "national sense of insecurity."

"Originally her team was looking at someone to bolster her in terms of progressive, economic domestic kinds of issues, but I do think that the bigger concern now is foreign policy, national security and domestic tumult and this law and order question," she said.

Many political observers consider Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia Clintons top choice for the vice presidency. Kaine is among a field of prospects who include Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, Housing Secretary Julian Castro and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper.

Major said Clinton would most likely select a white male.

Weve seen a huge gender gap in this election. He added that whoever is chosen, the impact on public opinion will be negligible, as is usually the case with vice presidential nominees. Its one way to sort of balance out your portfolio, he said.



A strong vice presidential running mate, Sabato said, should be able to help the presidential nominee do two things: win the election and govern.

It would also be nice if a vice president brought some electoral votes, Sabato said, adding that Kaine could potentially do so as a senator from the swing state of Virginia.
Defense ministers from more than 30 countries have reviewed and agreed upon the next steps for taking on the Islamic State terror group in its final strongholds.

Following the counter-Islamic State meeting Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the coalitions next moves would culminate in seizing control of Mosul, the major IS hub in Iraq, and Raqqa, the terror groups self-proclaimed capital in Syria.

Officials said Carter used the meeting to determine strategies to accelerate the campaign in Iraq and Syria, especially now that the Iraqis are setting up their push to retake Mosul, the largest Iraqi city controlled by the terror group.

"With respect to Mosul, we shouldn't underestimate the amount of preparation necessary to take on an operation like that, said General Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, which overseas military operations in the Middle East.

Contributions

Last week, the United States committed an additional 560 troops to help shape the fight for Mosul, and Carter announced after the meeting that other countries in the room had indicated their intent to contribute additional requirements to help the battle against IS succeed.

It was very encouraging to see so many countries be willing to do so much more across such a wide spectrum of capabilities, Carter said, pointing to new coalition commitments ranging from providing strike aircraft to conducting training and stabilization efforts.

A second counter-IS meeting of both foreign ministers and defense ministers will be held Thursday at the U.S. State Department. Officials said leaders would concentrate on "what comes after" battles are won, so that peace and stability can follow the fights.

"The biggest strategic concern of this group of defense ministers was that the stabilization and governance efforts will lag behind the military campaign, Carter said. Making sure there's no such lag must be a significant strategic priority for us."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hosted a fundraising conference Wednesday at the State Department to try to raise at least $2 billion for Iraq as it retakes territory from the terror organization.

Kerry said that in order to eliminate the group from Iraq, the government in Baghdad has got to be viewed as responsive to the needs of the people in all parts of the country, regardless of tribe, regardless of ethnicity, regardless of creed."

The coalition has established an "immediate stabilization" fund, which officials say contains about $100 million at any given time.

"This is kind of to get the lights on, to get police trained, to get them back in the streets, to allow people to return to their homes," Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy to the Coalition to Counter Islamic State, told reporters Tuesday. He highlighted the city of Tikrit as an example of the stabilization effort's success.

Nearly the entire Tikrit population has returned to the city since it was liberated last year  and overall in Iraq, more than 700,000 Iraqis have returned to their homes in areas that IS used to control, according to McGurk.

Diaspora IS fighters

The coalition also must worry about the large numbers of Islamic State fighters likely to disperse after the so-called caliphate is destroyed in Iraq and Syria.

"This isn't going to be some kind of absolute victory. Nobody's going to sign a surrender document," Anthony Cordesman, the Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA.

The leaders at the counter-IS meeting extended their focus to Islamic State networks outside Iraq and Syria. IS has about eight self-declared affiliates around the world, from Afghanistan to Libya.

Cordesman cautioned that the rising threat against global society, however, was bigger than IS. Lone wolf attacks were the cause of nearly 50 deaths in Orlando, Florida, and more than 80 were killed in such attacks in Nice, France.

"We can't afford to become obsessed with an acronym. The broader threat of Islamic extremism has not diminished," said Cordesman.

Turkey turmoil

One noticeable absence from the meetings is Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Isik. Turkey's ambassador to the United States is representing Ankara instead as the country deals with the aftermath of a coup attempt carried out last week by elements within the military.

Carter said he spoke with Isik by phone Tuesday and reiterated U.S. support for Turkey's democratically elected civilian government. He said Isik assured him that Turkey remains a determined and committed partner in the fight against Islamic State.

Turkey is home to Incirlik Air Base, which houses U.S. refueling aircraft and attack aircraft used in the counter-IS fight. More than 3,000 U.S. personnel are based in the country as well.
In 1976, Nigerias military ruler declared the nation's capital would move from Lagos to Abuja. With the fastest growth rate in Africa, Lagos was becoming overcrowded and difficult to manage.

Abuja, a quiet and obscure place in central Nigeria, was known as a no-mans land. But thousands of people lived there, belonging to about nine different ethnic groups with different languages. When construction of the new capital began, many were forced off their lands by the Nigerian government or pressured to sell to private citizens and businesses.

Today, many Nigerians still believe there were no people in the federal capital territory, the FCT, before it was created.

Somebody ask you where you from, you say, 'From FCT,' " Sani Yahaya said. "They say, 'FCT, no mans land. It is disgusting.' So where do I come from?

Yahaya's ancestors lived in the land occupied by the capital. He has joined a campaign to demand that the government stop taking the land that belonged to residents' forefathers.

'It baffles me'

Why can someone be struggling for what is his?" Yahaya asked. "It baffles me. ... We are not asking for much. We are asking for what belongs to us. Give us what belongs to us.

Abuja is a sprawling landscape with million-dollar homes, multistory office buildings and miles of wide roads. But as the city continues to expand, the original occupants of the land are being displaced and forced into slums with bad roads and poor services.

Yunusa Yusuf, spokesperson for the Coalition of FCT Indigenous Groups, an association of the nine tribes that claim Abuja as their ancestral home, said, "We have continued to comply, even at the expense of our ancestral land. Even at the expense at the poverty that our people suffer over the years.

Among coalition demands is that Abuja be given more political power. It has only one senator and two representatives in parliament, numbers far out of line with the territorys population. The coalition also wants a governor, which is disallowed by the constitution.

In June, Yusuf made a surprising declaration to the federal government:

We, the indigenous people of the FCT, are not cowards. We can as well decide to carry arms, if that will be the only remedy for us to be dialogued with.

Residents protest

In 2014, the Nigerian government demolished some homes belonging to Abuja natives. The community protested, blocking a major highway for six hours. Yunusa was arrested and detained in prison for more than a month.

Yunusa and other indigenous people accuse the Nigerian government of trying to silence them.

Kamal Shuaib vows he will no longer be silent. He said his grandfather was forced to give up his land in 1989 after a businessman moved to Abuja and lobbied the government to allocate land to him. Shuaib had to buy back his grandfathers land in 2001.

It is so sad," he said. "I bought my grandfathers land myself. What belongs to you, buying it from another person. You know how bitter it is. Your birthright. Just because it was allocated on paper.

On paper, the indigenous people of Abuja no longer own the land, but in their hearts, Abuja is still their homeland.
From urinating-in-public kids to pushing-and-shoving fellow tourists--this video blogger's trip to Shanghai Disneyland was not what Disneyland should be about.

By India Today Web Desk: Who doesn't dream about vacationing at Disneyland, really? Now that it's in Shanghai, even more so!

A trip to the lala-land by this vlogger, however, did not turn out the way he'd expected. YouTube video-blogger Disney Dwayne is evidently an avid Disney enthusiast. He documented his recent trip to Shanghai Disneyland, and it has sadly lowered our expectations from the Disney brand.

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According to Stuff, the USD 5.5 billion (Rs 3,69,46,25,00,000 approx) theme park, mainland China's first Disney resort, opened on June 16, with Disney chief executive Robert Iger reporting almost a million visitors in less than a month.

Disney Dwayne's visit, however, was less than pleasing. This is how: when he and his friend waited in line for a ride, other tourists started to push up against them. "Personal space here is absolute zero," he says in the video.

Open/damaged sockets were accessible to children. Picture courtesy: YouTube/Dwayne Disney

Dwayne also goes on to show rubbish lying around the park, vandalised attractions, and tourists entertaining themselves in no-access zones.

The Enchanted Storybook Castle had been turned into an unofficial rest area, with people lying on the ground and smoking cigarettes.

Dwayne even films a woman who is helping her son urinate!

A mother helping her son pee, in PUBLIC! Picture courtesy: YouTube/Dwayne Disney

"What I didn't capture was a little girl who pulled her shorts down. She was naked and running around for a good amount of time. I just couldn't and it would be wrong to film it," he says in the video.

"Not forgetting a whole crowd of people opening every emergency exit door they saw to go exploring."

Picture courtesy: YouTube/Dwayne Disney

While we thank Dwayne for the reality check, we really did expect better out of the Disney brand name.







--- ENDS ---
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday declared a three-month state of emergency in the wake of last week's thwarted coup in his country.

Erdogan said the emergency was needed to hunt down all of those thought to be responsible for the coup attempt.

Speaking after a meeting with his cabinet ministers, the Turkish leader said the state of emergency was not meant to curb basic freedoms, but instead to counter threats to Turkish democracy.

"As commander in chief, I will also attend to it so that all the viruses within the armed forces will be cleansed," he said.

State media said authorities were acting to close down 626 private schools and other educational establishments, the latest step of a crackdown after the botched coup. The schools are linked to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who set up a network of schools across Turkey to promote his teachings.

In addition, Turkey banned academics from leaving the country and urged those traveling abroad to return home.

Turkish media reported that the Education Ministry fired 15,200 teachers across the country, while the Interior Ministry dismissed nearly 9,000 workers. Another 1,500 in the Finance Ministry were fired, as were hundreds more in the Religious Affairs Directorate, the Family and Social Policy Ministry, and the prime minister's office. The country's higher education board demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans.

The firings came in addition to the detentions of about 9,000 people Ankara suspects of involvement in the attempted overthrow of Erdogan's government.

U.S. President Barack Obama has offered to aid in the investigation of last week's attempted coup.

The White House said Obama and Erdogan spoke by telephone Tuesday. Obama made clear that the United States would "provide appropriate assistance" to the investigation.

The two men also discussed Turkey's request that Gulen be extradited from the U.S. to face charges that he was linked to the coup attempt. A White House spokesman did not give details about the U.S. position on Gulen's possible extradition, except to say the decision would be made according to a long-standing treaty between Ankara and Washington.

In his phone call with Erdogan, Obama strongly condemned the coup attempt and urged that investigations and prosecutions related to the uprising be conducted in ways that reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law, according to the White House.

In another telephone call Tuesday , U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter spoke with Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Isik. The Turkish official assured Carter that Turkey remained a determined and committed partner and ally in the fight against terrorism.

Isik had planned to attend a ministerial meeting that Carter hosted Wednesday in Washington on countering Islamic State, but bowed out to stay in Turkey.

Request for Gulen's extradition

Turkey has sent files to the U.S. on Gulen, who has lived in the United States since 1999. In Washington, the State Department confirmed that Washington did receive some materials from Ankara, but that it was working with the Justice Department to determine whether they constitute a formal extradition request.

Gulen lives in Pennsylvania on the grounds of the Golden Generation Worship & Retreat Center, an Islamic facility founded by Turkish-Americans. His philosophy mixes a mystical form of Islam with staunch advocacy of democracy, education, science and interfaith dialogue. His movement operates dozens of charter schools in the U.S.

Gulen continues to exert considerable influence in Turkey, with supporters in the media, police and judiciary.

Erdogan and Gulen were once allies, but had a falling out over 2013 corruption investigations in Turkey, which the Turkish leader blamed on Gulen.

The exiled Gulen has also criticized Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian rule, while the Turkish leader has carried out a broad campaign against Gulen's movement.
The electoral commission of Ghana is rejecting criticism it is doing the bidding of the ruling National Democratic Congress by deleting the names of supporters of the main opposition New Patriotic Party from voter lists.

The electoral commission is preparing for November 7 presidential, parliamentary and local elections.

Following an order from the Supreme Court, the electoral commission this week began expunging the names from the voter list of those who registered using their National Health Insurance Scheme identification card .

But Samuel Pyne, the Ashanti Regional Secretary of the NPP, said the electoral commission deleted the names of party supporters who did not use their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) identification cards.

Local media quoted Pyne as saying, They should look at the pressure at the EC offices, especially in Ashanti region, lots of people there, and people are getting frustrated, people feel the NDC is manipulating the system at the ECs office in Ashanti region. Those who go there are frustrated, telling us that when NDC officials come there, the system changes in favor of NDC, if that is a fact, they should do something about it to redeem their image, Pyne said.

In an interview with VOA, Eric Dzakpasu, electoral commission spokesman, said the accusations are without merit. He says the electoral commission collects basic information about the prospective voter and the type of identification used for the registration.

Dzakpasu also says the accusation of deliberately deleting the names of the NPP to boost the chances of the governing NDC in the upcoming polls doesnt make sense.

I am saying it is baseless, it is not possible, it cannot be done because there is no way you can identify supporters of any political party on the electoral role, said Dzakpasu. It is not possible for any particular individual just by taking a look at the electoral roll to know which party an individual supports or belongs to.

This exercise of deletion of names was based on people who used the NHIS card to register in 2012, and when you go to form 1A, which is the primary document from which these names are extracted, all that you find is the names of the people and the kind of document they used to register. So, there is no way, and it doesnt even make logical sense that the electoral commission as a body, made up of a lot of individuals could just sit down and then fish out the names of persons, who belong to any political party, and to delete them.

Some Ghanaians have questioned the relationship between officials of the electoral commission, stakeholders and the political parties.

They contend that the criticisms could have been avoided if the parties and the stakeholders are well informed and made to be part of the process of the compilation of the voter list. They say this could enhance transparency and ensure the parties have confidence in the electoral commission's impartiality and its effort to administer credible polls this year.

Dzakpasu answers, There is always constant regular interaction between the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the political parties to the extent that the regular meetings between the political parties and the electoral commission has been institutionalized. We call it the Interparty Advisory Committee [IPAC] and they meet once every month. When the need arises we meet as frequent as we should be meeting and at such meetings issues of concerns are brought to the fore for discussions, consensus is built around a lot of issues before they are rolled out to the public, said Dzakpasu.

The modalities of the deletion of the names of persons from the voters roll, was presented to the political parties at an IPAC meeting before the commencement of the exercise. So yes, [political parties] are involved in every activity of the electoral commission.

Critics say the electoral commission appears not to be doing enough public engagement activities to educate Ghanaians and prospective voters about its preparations for the elections. Dzakpasu says the criticisms are unjustified.

The electoral commission of Ghana is up to the scratch in its publicity and voter education drives. We have developed jingles, which are played regularly on most of the radio FM stations. We have television promos and drama shows all over the TV stations and we have engaged with stakeholders at the local level. Our district offices are embarking upon intensive publicity drives across the length and breadth of this country, educating and mobilizing people to take part in these exercises, said Dzakpasu.
Ugandan nurse Rosemary Namubiru spent 10 months in jail for accidentally pricking herself with a needle while treating a patient in 2014.

For that, she was called a "killer nurse" in the courts and tried for attempted murder.

That's because Namubiru is HIV-positive. The child she was treating tested negative for HIV.

Activist Paula Donovan of advocacy group AIDS-Free World said Namubiru is one of many HIV-positive people who have been unfairly prosecuted.

"This happens frequently with cases of criminalization of HIV  that with no transmission whatsoever, and even when there's no possibility of transmission, they are still being brought up in front of courts and charged with heinous crimes," she said on the sidelines of the International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa.

No known law makes it illegal to have HIV, but human rights lawyers say people with the virus are often treated as criminals. Seventy-two nations have laws that specifically apply to people with HIV, most of them concerning disclosure.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last year that 24 U.S. states require people who know they are HIV-positive to disclose their status to sexual partners, and that 25 states criminalize actions that have little chance of spreading the virus.

'They stigmatize people'

"All those laws are quite problematic, in terms of the fact that they stigmatize people who are living HIV, they put unnecessary burdens on people living with HIV," said Nairobi-based human rights lawyer Allan Maleche, who sat in a small, private booth with other lawyers at the International AIDS Conference and dispensed free legal advice to all comers.

Off the top of his head, Maleche rattled off a number of current cases. He's fighting a request from the president of Kenya for a public list of all children living with HIV, which lawyers argue is a gross privacy violation. He's represented numerous tuberculosis patients who have been jailed for not taking their medication.

"And my worst horror story  I have an ongoing case before the high court of Kenya  is doctors carrying out tubal ligation of women who are living with HIV, without their consent," he said. The idea seems to be that women who could get pregnant would put their lives at risk because their immune system will be suppressed, he said. He called the practice another "gross violation of human rights."

Donovan said the laws themselves don't need to change. Instead, she said, everyone, regardless of HIV status, should be treated equally under the law.

The essential thing that needs to be remembered, though, is that we have criminal codes, and that if every citizen in a particular country is held to the same standard, then thats the way the rule of law should apply, she said.
Israels parliament on Wednesday passed a law that enables members to impeach lawmakers who incite violence and racism, but critics fear it could be used to target Arab legislators.

According to the law, any member who incites racism or supports armed struggle against the state of Israel could possibly be booted out of parliament. It passed by a narrow margin of 62 votes in favor to 47 votes against.

When the law goes into effect, it will require the votes of 90 of parliaments 120 members to impeach a lawmaker.

The legislation, which is supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, came about after an incident in which three members of the Arab-Israeli opposition party visited relatives of Palestinians who were killed by Israeli soldiers after the Palestinians allegedly carried out attacks in Israel.

Netanyahu has said of the law that it would put an end to the absurd situation that arises when a person who supports terror against the state of Israel and its citizens could serve in parliament.

Activists and detractors, though, claim the new law is aimed at purging Arab lawmakers from parliament.

"This is one of the most serious legislative proposals in recent years and it harms the very building blocks of democracy  the right to freedom of expression, the right to vote and to be elected, and the right to representation," said Debbie Gilad-Hayo of the Association of Civil Rights in Israel. "Arab [lawmakers] whose actions and remarks do not find favor with the political majority will be the first people harmed by the bill  however, it is a slippery slope and the bill has potential to affect all."

There are currently 18 Arab members of parliament. Of those, 16 are members of the opposition.
The wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday visited several areas in southern Malawi affected by drought, where she announced more U.S. funding to be used to alleviate hunger.

Biden, who was in Malawi as part of a three-country Africa visit, managed to visit only two of the three areas she was scheduled to visit in southern Malawi.

Her visit to the Machinga district was cut short in Zomba City, after Malawi University students, who are protesting a fee hike by the government, blocked the road. This forced the Biden convoy to return to Blantyre.

The Malawi government has since announced the indefinite closure of the university because of the security threat the protest is posing to the city.

Earlier, Biden announced the United States had donated $20 million in assistance to support food-insecure communities in Malawi thorough the World Food Program.

The announcement brings the total United States assistance to over $70 million since the start of the food crisis in October, she said.

Southern Africa is experiencing a historic drought, and the Malawi government declared the situation a disaster in April.

Biden said the United States will continue to support Malawi in all the challenges it is facing.

The United States is proud to continue assisting Malawi in times of need," she said. "And we encourage others to step up and provide assistance to Malawi and the rest of the region reeling from the impact of this devastating drought.

WFP Executive Director Ertharin Cousin, who is also visiting Malawi, said the donation will play a big role in the school feeding program.

Partnering food with education, we are not just feeding stomachs, we are changing minds and providing new opportunity to ensure the positive future that every child deserves, that these children in Malawi will now receive, she said.

Last year, we were worrying about 2.5 million people that were affected because of food problems. This year the number is 6.5 million," said Emanuel Fabiano, Malawi's minister of education. "The United States of America has been our partner for a long time. ... At this point we need assistance most, that we are appreciating.

Biden is expected to meet with Malawis first lady, Gertrude Mutharika, on Wednesday in the capital, Lilongwe, before going to her next stop in Niger.
Human Rights Watch is accusing Kenyan security forces of making dozens of people disappear in the past two years, during its operation to flush out al-Shabab supporters and sympathizers in northeastern Kenya and Nairobi. The organization is calling on authorities to shut down and investigate the operation, aimed at weeding out suspected terrorists.

A report titled Death and Disappearances documents 34 disappearances during the past two years at the hands of different Kenyan security agencies.



Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth says various security services have been involved in the rights violations, including the military.

What we highlight in this report are 54 cases and in 11 of these cases, bodies have been found," said Roth "So technically these are not disappearances, we know where the body is, but they are part of the same pattern. In 34 cases the victims continued to be disappeared. We do not know where the person is, rather than last having been seen in official custody.



Somali Kenyans targeted



Human Rights Watch found security operations targeted young ethnic Somali Kenyans, clerics, and Islamic school teachers.



Adan Yusuf says his brother Omar disappeared in April 2015 in Mandera, a town that borders Somalia.



Yusuf says Omar was picked up by two Criminal Investigation officers and has not been seen since.



Yusuf says his brother was at a tea kiosk when two Criminal Investigation officers, who are well known in the area, told him they wanted to ask him some questions. Yusuf says his brother knew the officer and went with them, and that was the last time he was heard from.



Yusuf hopes to see his brother again one day, either dead or alive.



The investigators found that in the initial stage of arrests, some suspects were detained and transported to military makeshift camps and bases in the northeast and other parts of the country.



Roth of HRW says every security department in the country is involved in the ongoing counterterrorism operations.



This efforted disguise is not longstanding; in other words the initial effort to disguise very quickly breaks down... Sometimes the victim is brought to a police station, although the victim is not registered in the police station, but always they end up either in a military base or sometimes in a less formal military encampment in the forest. In some cases the body is later found, Roth said.



Al-Shabab attacks



Kenya has experienced a series of terror attacks targeting civilians and security forces, most notably the massacres at Nairobis Westgate Mall in 2013 and last year at Garissa University College. Somali militant group al-Shabab claimed responsibility, saying the attacks were retaliation for the presence of Kenyan troops in Somalia.



Human Rights Watch says nothing justifies the disappearances, killings and rights violation witnessed in Kenya.



Police spokesman Charles Owino says police had no involvement in the forceful disappearances.

If Independent Police Oversight Authority together with witness protection unit and DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] will point a finger at a policeman, we will charge him accordingly like any other criminal, said Owino.



This week, four Kenyan police officers were charged with murder in connection with the death of three men whose bodies were found in a river north of Nairobi, a few days after they were reportedly taken to a police compound.



The Independent Police Oversight Authority has the powers to investigate the police, but not other security departments.



Human Rights Watch is calling on the government to form a commission of inquiry to investigate the alleged abuses, including those committed by the military.
Twitter has permanently banned a conservative writer and provocateur for allegedly provoking online racial abuse of Leslie Jones, an actress in the new Ghostbusters movie.



The social media company said Breitbart senior technology editor Milo Yiannopoulos, known as @Nero on Twitter, broke the companys rules "prohibiting participating in or inciting targeted abuse of individuals."



The new Ghostbusters movie is a remake of an 80s classic, but this time features an all-female cast, including Jones, an African-American comedian.



For purists of the movie, the remake has been criticized, while movie critics have given the movie mixed reviews. Yiannopoulos panned the movie in a review on Breitbart.



Jones accused Yiannopoulos, who had over 340,000 followers on Twitter, of inciting racial abuse. The actress shared some of the abusive tweets, which included accusing the comedian of being responsible for AIDS and comparing her to a gorilla.



Jones reached out to Twitter founder Jack Dorsey to complain about the abuse before saying she was quitting the social media platform "with tears and a very sad heart. All this cause I did a movie."



Yiannopoulos denied sending abusive tweets at Jones, saying, Twitter is holding me responsible for the actions of fans and trolls using the special pretzel logic of the left. Where are the Twitter police when Justin Biebers fans cut themselves on his behalf?



He did send Jones a tweet saying If at first you dont succeed (because your work is terrible), play the victim. Everyone gets hate mail. He also poked fun at the comedians grammar.



Yiannopoulos said his suspension was an attack on free speech.



"With the cowardly suspension of my account, Twitter has confirmed itself as a safe space for Muslim terrorists and Black Lives Matter extremists, but a no-go zone for conservatives," Yiannopoulos told Breitbart. "This is the end for Twitter. Anyone who cares about free speech has been sent a clear message: you're not welcome on Twitter."



Yiannopoulos has had his account suspended before over similar charges, but had always been reinstated. He did, however, lose his blue verified designator as a result of one spat.



In a statement, Twitter said it was "continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to prevent this kind of abuse." adding there was "a lot of work in front of us before Twitter is where it should be on how we handle these issues."



Supporters of Yiannopoulos took to Twitter and caused the #freemilo hashtag to become trending.



The dispute comes at a time of transition for Twitter, which is popular, but has yet to find a way to make money. Furthermore, the company has been criticized for not removing accounts promoting so-called hate speech.



The company has even reported losing users in the face of fierce competition from social media behemoths like Facebook and Instagram.

Dorsey recently returned to run the company has has rolled out some changes the company hopes will attract users and advertisers.
The current generation of American voters between the ages of 18 and 35, known as millennials, has emerged as a key part of the nation's electorate in the months before the U.S. presidential election. Its a demographic that some analysts say could have the power to decide who will win, but that depends on whether they actually turn out to vote.

In past elections, millennials have been on the lower end when it comes to voter turnout. Expectations for the upcoming election appear uncertain, with negative approval ratings of both presumptive presidential nominees and the defeat of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, the Democratic candidate that drew the most support from millennials.

Still, Beatriz Cuartas, deputy director of George Washington Universitys graduate political management program, has faith that millennials, whose population now is nearly on par with that of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964), understand the importance of going to the polls.

I know that millennials are trustworthy and they will do the right things for their own country, because whatever happens now, its their future, said Cuartas.

Cuartas said her major concern lies with the increasing polarization of the political parties. In a time when parties are highly divided, she hopes millennials will be driven to the polls in search of the right candidate to support.

We want to trust in our political system, she said, and thats why millennials are there. Theyre making sure that we do what is right.

Cuartas said millennials already are making an impact on this election through social media. Whether its on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Snapchat, students are helping decide the election.

Whether they turn their voices into ballots in November, however, is another thing entirely for Sanders supporter and millennial Jake Stevens, 26.

After Bernie, what now?

As an active member of a grass-roots campaign called D.C. for Bernie, Stevens has been a vocal advocate for the 74-year-old senator through campaign organizing. For Stevens, Sanders was something he had never seen before in American politics.

I just said, Oh, wow, this guy stands for what I believe in and Im not just holding my nose and choosing the lesser of two evils.'  [Hes] actually someone I could more wholeheatedly support, Stevens said.

Stevens attitude is fairly common among young voters. In Iowa, Sanders drew support from an overwhelming 84 percent of voters under 30, compared with Democratic candidate Hillary Clintons 14 percent. Meanwhile, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump has a lower percentage of support in the 18-35 age group than any other recent presidential candidate of his party.

Sanders absence from the race could mean the absence of the large group of millennial voters who supported him.

Theres a distinction between actively offering support where youre sending money and youre volunteering, [and] then theres actually your voting behavior when you go to the polls, said Stevens.

He said Sanders supporters who go to the polls could cast protest votes, if they don't switch their allegiance to Clinton. They might write in Sanders' name or choose Green Party nominee Jill Stein.

Were out there and not accepting these as the only two options, Stevens said. Activists have taken to Twitter with a #JillnotHill hashtag to show their objection to Clinton.



Former Sanders followers also have the option to throw their support behind Libertarian party candidate Gary Johnson, a former New Mexico governor.

Lesser of two evils

For Stevens, its clear that Clinton is the less disastrous choice when compared with Trump, but he still is voting for Stein. Stevens, who will vote in New York, said he is not worried that his protest vote will be be a vote for Trump, since the state traditionally favors the Democratic candidate.

But whats left for young voters to decide in one of the most controversial elections in history?

According to some millennials, its their future. Afshan Mizrahi, 23, says shes definitely voting in November, as are many of the millennials shes spoken to about the election.

A lot of changes are going to affect us, so its important we have a say in whats going to happen, said Mizrahi.

Some wish they had better options available, but they still are planning to turn out in the fall.
AIDS looks vastly different today than it did the last time the International AIDS Conference was held in South Africa 16 years ago. For one thing, while new infections continue, more people are on treatment, and unborn babies are no longer destined to contract the virus if their mothers are infected.

This year, Thailand eliminated mother-to-child HIV transmission, the first country in Asia to do so, and other developing countries, like Haiti, are close behind.

Governments, scientists and U.S. health agencies are working hard to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS around the world.

"Mother-to-child transmission is one of the greatest success stories in HIV research, but there are still 150,000 children in low- and middle-income countries who become infected with HIV every year," said Rachel Sturke, a senior scientist at Fogarty International, a division of the National Institutes of Health.

The challenge is getting HIV-infected women on treatment and keeping them on it for life. Obstacles abound. The clinics may be too hard to get to, or too far away. Getting and staying on the medicine can be difficult, too. And there's still a stigma attached to having HIV.

A team of scientists led by the National Institutes of Health has been studying ways to prevent mother-to-child transmission.

"We have the tools at this moment to further decrease the incidence of new infections, but we need to apply these tools more effectively to reach the undiagnosed and untreated mothers," Fogarty Director, Dr. Roger Glass, and U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, wrote in the forward to a series of articles published in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes.

Testing at churches, homes

Sturke is one of the researchers looking at ways to keep babies free from HIV.

"One of the research studies that we funded look at convening testing and treatment at the church instead of a clinic," she said.

Researchers found that if pastors invited pregnant women to church for baby showers, which included HIV testing, almost twice as many women got screened and on treatment than when clinics provided the same benefits.

Researchers also found that offering testing and counseling at home meant twice as many men got tested and on treatment than clinic-based testing, because men are generally more reluctant to go to a clinic.

For this approach  called implementation science researchers study how to integrate research findings and other evidence-based practices into routine care and services.

Success in Thailand

The Centers for Disease Control found what worked in Thailand.

In a Skype interview, Dr. Tom Frieden of the CDC explained the three keys to Thailand's success.

"The first was to make sure that they had the right technical package: that they were giving the right medications in the right way, he said. The second was to ensure that they had the right operational systems integrating maternal care so it ... [was] actually part of the routine care. And the third was political support, ongoing support."

The CDC has worked with Thai scientists and the government for more than 20 years, but the tools are available to help other countries achieve this same success in breaking mother-to-child transmission in far less time. The challenge is to make it happen.
The unlikeliest supporters of a once-unlikely candidate had their moment in the spotlight Tuesday night, as Sajid Tarar, the founder and leader of a group calling itself Muslims for Trump led a blessing at the Republican National Convention.

Let us pray again to get our country back, Tarar told convention delegates hours after Donald Trump officially secured the Republican presidential nomination.

Some delegates held their hands up in prayer as Tarar invoked the Prophet Muhammad to ask God to bless Donald Trump and bring the United States a strong leader. Tarars group says Donald Trump is revealing harsh truths about immigration and terrorism, speaking to the Muslim community in a way no one else can.

The moment was an unusual milestone in a campaign marked by Trumps controversial comments about the threat of terrorism and Muslim immigration.

Trump has said that "Islam hates us" and has proposed that authorities monitor U.S. mosques and register Muslims in a national database.

I will suspend immigration from areas of the world where there is a proven history of terrorism against the United States, Europe or our allies until we fully understand how to end these threats, Trump said after a gunman who called himself an Islamic soldier killed dozens at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, last month.

Trump also criticized his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton following that shooting.

"If Hillary Clinton, after this attack, still cannot say the two words 'radical Islam,' she should get out of this race for the presidency, Trump said. Clinton maintains it is more accurate to speak of "radical Islamism," depicting an ideological rather than a religion.

While Trump has often made controversial statements about terrorism and Muslim immigration, he has also made clear he does not believe all Muslims are terrorists. He told Fox News in an interview earlier this year, Youve got fabulous Muslims. I know many Muslims. Theyre fabulous people. Theyre smart. Theyre industrious. Theyre great.

The use of the phrase radical Islam is just one of the issues that attracts Tarar  and others in the group Muslims for Trump  to the Republicans candidacy.

The safety of America is No. 1 priority for Donald Trump, and as a Muslim-American, its my No. 1 priority as well, Tarar told VOA earlier this month.

Republican outreach

Tarar says the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee have welcomed Muslims for Trump and is seeking ways to work with the group in the general election.

Muslims for Trump is connected to the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, an organization that met with representatives from the RNC in early July to discuss outreach to minority voters in November.

Tarar is vague when asked about the size of the group and and acknowledges that Muslims have been less welcoming of the organization. Muslims for Trump appears not to have a dedicated website and has been "liked" by only about 550 people on its Facebook page.

Tarar, a Pakistani-born U.S. citizen, has pushed back against accusations hes a traitor and accepting money from Trump in return for his support.

I say [to those critics] 'Look, you are a victim yourself  you are being killed, your relatives are being killed, your kids are getting killed  and this is not what Islam is about,'  Tarar told VOA. He argues that perceptions of the Republican Party have not caught up to reality.

Tip the balance?

Tarar told VOA he thinks increasing numbers of Muslim-Americans will consider voting for Trump as they learn more about the details of his proposals and connect those policies to their own sense of personal safety.

But a February 2016 survey of 2000 Muslim-American voters by the Council on Islamic-American Relations shows theres much ground to be made up.

Two-thirds of voters surveyed said they supported the Democratic party, with anywhere from 15 to 18 percent of voters voicing support for the Republican Party. Only 11 percent of those surveyed said they support Trump.

Robert McCaw, director of government affairs at CAIR, said that makes sense since many Muslim-American Republican voters will always support their partys nominee. But on an anecdotal level, he says he thinks support for Trump does not run deeply in the community.

In the hundreds or thousands of Muslims Ive met, I only met several Trump supporters or at least public supporters, McCaw said. There might be a few closeted Trump supporters, you never know.

Since 2012, the number of Muslims registered to vote in the United States has doubled. While their numbers account for only a small part of the American electorate, their presence in a few pivotal states could make a difference in the November election.

McCaw says their surveys found high concentrations of mosques in Ohio, Florida and Virginia, all "swing" states that could determine the eventual winner.

That bodes well for the communitys ability to tip the election, he said.

Tarar says it makes sense for the Muslim-American community to vote Republican this year.

We are fundamentally Republicans because we come from conservative countries with conservative values, he said.

Now that Donald Trump is trying to explain in more detail what the ban on [admission of some Muslims] means and what the exceptions are, definitely Im hopeful that Muslims will join him.

It's a hope that has yet to be born out by the numbers.
Erdogan made his announcement in a live television broadcast in front of government ministers after a meeting of the National Security Council that lasted nearly five hours.

A three-month state of emergency has been announced to take action against the rebels of coup.Photo credit: Reuters

By Reuters: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday announced a three-month state of emergency to enable the authorities to take swift and effective action against those responsible for last weekend's failed military coup.

Erdogan, who has launched mass purges of state institutions since the July 15 coup attempt, said the move was fully in line with Turkey's constitution and did not violate the rule of law or basic freedoms of Turkish citizens.

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The state of emergency, which comes into force after it is published in Turkey's official gazette, will allow the president and cabinet to bypass parliament in passing new laws and to limit or suspend rights and freedoms as they deem necessary.

Erdogan made his announcement in a live television broadcast in front of government ministers after a meeting of the National Security Council that lasted nearly five hours.

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The purge of thousands in the Turkish military in the aftermath of an attempted coup has not weakened the country's military, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.

"Turkey has a large armed force, professional armed forces and ... I am certain they will continue as a committed and strong NATO ally," Stoltenberg told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of a meeting of defense officials from more than 30 countries involved in the coalition against Islamic State.

Some 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended or detained since the military coup attempt, increasing tension across the country of 80 million that borders Syria's chaos and is a Western ally against Islamic State.

About a third of Turkey's roughly 360 serving generals have been detained since the failed coup on July 15.

The armed forces last used force to stage a successful coup in Turkey more than 30 years ago.

On Wednesday, Dutch, German and Canadian foreign ministers expressed concern about the scale of the crackdown by Turkish authorities and called on Turkey to respect the rule of law.

Stoltenberg said he expected Turkey's reaction to the coup attempt to be proportionate and in line with the values of NATO, adding that there were no talks to reconsider Turkey's membership in the military alliance.

"It is important for all of us that Turkey continue to be a strong NATO ally because Turkey is on the border of all the instability, all the violence we have seen in Iraq and Syria," Stoltenberg said.

Speaking with reporters after the defense ministers meeting at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the meeting focused on what happens after the defeat of Islamic State in terms of stabilization and reconstruction.

Stoltenberg said there was a greater need to share intelligence in general within NATO and specifically in respect to the fight against the militant group Islamic State.

"Partly we need ... to collect more intelligence and partly we need to have better routines, better mechanisms for sharing intelligence as soon as possible," Stoltenberg said.
The number of people killed in terrorist attacks throughout Europe rose in 2015 from a year earlier, according to the European Union police agency.

A report released Wednesday warned Islamic State may put more emphasis on operations abroad as a Western military alliance increases its pressure on the group in Syria and Iraq.

It says 151 people died and more than 360 were injured as a result of terrorist attacks in the European Union countries. Six EU member states faced 211 failed, foiled, and completed terrorist attacks, said Europol which is based in the The Hague.

Europol says 1,077 individuals were arrested for terrorism-related offenses, 424 in France. It says 94 percent of the individuals tried for terrorism were found guilty.

Operational difficulties

Europol also issued a separate statement on the four terrorist attacks recently carried out in France, Germany and the United States, (Orlando, USA; Magnaville and Nice, France; Wurzburg, Germany), saying they "highlight the operational difficulties in detecting and disrupting lone actor attacks.'' Such attacks remain a favored tactic by IS and al-Qaida.

Despite the attackers' pledges of allegiance to the IS group, "their actual involvement ... cannot be established," Europol said.

IS has often shown it trains minors to become the next generation of foreign terrorist fighters, which may pose a future security threat,'' the report said.

Both IS and al-Qaida groups have repeatedly called on Muslims living in Western countries to perpetrate lone actor attacks in their countries.
Police on Wednesday clashed with hundreds of demonstrators who had gathered in a show of support for gunmen holding several hostages in a police station in the Armenian capital Yerevan.

The police fired tear gas and detonated smoke grenades after protesters began throwing stones at them.

A crowd of several hundred had earlier gathered outside the station to express support for the group, which has been holding the hostages since Sunday.

The hostage-takers' main demand is for the release of Jirair Sefilian, an opposition leader whom authorities in the ex-Soviet republic have accused of plotting civil unrest. Sefilian was jailed in June over allegations of illegally possessing weapons.

Wednesday's violence began when demonstrators tried to force their way into the building after the police refused to take in food brought by the demonstrators for the hostage-takers.

The police told Reuters that several policemen had been injured. A Reuters witness also saw a number of injured demonstrators. Shots were heard during the clashes, although it was unclear who had fired them or whether anyone had been hit. The situation appeared to be calming down toward late evening as demonstrators dispersed.

One police officer had been killed and two wounded when the armed men seized the police station on Sunday.

Sefilian, a former military commander, has accused President Serzh Sarksyan of mishandling a long-running conflict between pro-Armenian separatists and the breakaway Azeri region of Nagorno-Karabakh.

A Moscow-brokered cease-fire halted four days of violence in the South Caucasus region on April 5, the worst flare-up in years, but sporadic shooting persists at night and some deaths have been reported.
Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani's public support of Turkey's president in putting down a military coup reflects his strongly pragmatic approach to regional power politics.

Despite President Recep Tayyip Erdogans recent, severe crackdown on Turkish and Syrian Kurds, the Iraqi Kurdish leader praised the Turkish people for coming out on the streets to fight for their democratically elected leader.

Attempts to overthrow an elected civilian government by using arms is condemned, as the logic of violence is against democracy, political stability and coexistence, read a statement released by the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

The statement spoke to Barzanis distaste for any hint of aggression against his regional power backer Erdogan.

Until recently, Erdogan also was seen as having transformed relations between the Turks and Kurds inside Turkey and in neighboring countries.

As a result, the KRG-Turkey relations improved exponentially, leading to a strategic partnership with unprecedented economic and political benefits to both sides, said Dlawer AlaAldeen, president of the Middle East Research Institute in Irbil.

A military coup, if successful, would have at best brought about new uncertainties, and at worse would have taken the two countries back to the old days, AlaAldeen said.

Splintered Kurds

The ties between Barzani and his ruling KDP party and Erdogan are not only political, explained Tim Eaton, a Middle East analyst at Chatham House, pointing out the strong influence that Turkish companies have over the KRI economy.

Investment in the Kurdish Region of Iraq is dominated by Turkey, and despite the recent economic slump in the KRI, Turkey continues to have extensive interests in the autonomous Iraqi region.

Also, regardless of their strong ethnic ties, the Kurds in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria remain politically divided, and there is a lot of factionalism within the groups.

Each of those factions tends to have an international backer to help them press their claims, Eaton said. Turkey is Barzanis regional force.

Yet even within Iraqi Kurdistan there are divisions, falling along largely political lines: the ruling KDP party, and the opposition Gorran and PUK parties. The PUK, centered in Kurdistans city of Suleymania, is seen as pro-Iran.

We have a weird political texture, said Hayman Awrahim, a KRG analyst for Inside Iraqi Politics.

There are the Islamists, who see Erdogan as the new caliphate leader resurrected for the 21st century, who were against the coup; the KDP, who for power and business reasons were also against the coup; but then the PUK who thought it could be a good thing; and Gorran, who didnt necessarily back Erdogan but also did not see any good out of a military coup.

Erdogans fledgling political reconciliation with Turkeys Kurds collapsed last year when he took a discernible tilt to the political right to expand his power base and began cracking down on the Turkish Kurdish PKK party.

Unwelcome coup

Even so, for most Kurds  including those inside Turkey  the prospect of a hawkish military rule was not a welcome alternative.

I dont believe that certainly Turkeys Kurds would have seen this coup as something in favor of their aims. In fact, in many ways, had the military coup succeeded, Turkeys Kurds might conclude they would be in a worse position under a military junta, said Eaton.

The pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) in Turkey came out and opposed the coup, and was thanked directly for its support by Turkish Prime Minister Benali Yildirim.

It is one of the most remarkable elements of this, Eaton said. They should certainly be praised for backing the democratically elected government.

But there are no expectations that Erdogan will change his antagonistic stance against Turkish and Syrian Kurdish militants, whom he views as terrorist threats.

Some see Barzanis support of Erdogans democratically elected government ironic, given that the Iraqi Kurdish leader has remained in power even though his term officially expired in 2015.

Barzani has faced stiff political challenges by both Gorran and the opposition PUK, who claim Barzani has exceeded his mandate.

Barzani has responded that in essence the security situation has determined that he needs to stay to sort out these problems, said Eaton.

But given Barzanis strong hold on power and his drive behind the Iraqi Kurdish independence movement, whether he actually sees himself as term-limited is highly questionable, Eaton added.

If nothing else, the Kurds in Iraq have proven themselves to be pragmatic in a region rife with complex allegiances and conflicts.
A prominent journalist was killed Wednesday in a car explosion in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.

Ukrainian media reported that Pavel Sheremet, 44, a reporter with the country's top online news website Ukrainska Pravda, died when a blast tore through the car he was in as he prepared to go to work. Images from the scene showed a charred vehicle with all four doors open.

The chief of Ukraine's national police, Khatia Dekanoidze, said the blast was being investigated as a homicide and that an explosive device equivalent to 400 to 600 grams of TNT had been used.

The killing of Sheremet, a pro-Western journalist born in Belarus but a Russian citizen, sent shock waves through Ukraine and its journalistic community. Ukrainska Pravda's founder, Georgiy Gongadze, was murdered in 2000 after exposing the corruption scandals of Ukraine's then-president, Leonid Kuchma.

In Washington, U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Sheremet "played a crucial role in Ukraine's democracy" by reporting on issues such as corruption and governance.

In a meeting Wednesday, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko ordered Dekanoidze, along with the country's prosecutor general, Yuriy Lutsenko, and the head of its security service, Vasyl Hrytsak, to "solve this crime as soon as possible, the president's website reported.

Poroshenko said he had asked the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for help, noting the FBI's specialized knowledge of explosives. He also ordered Ukraine's Foreign Ministry to ask experts from EU countries to assist in the probe.

The FBI confirmed to VOA's Ukrainian service on Wednesday that it is assisting in the investigation.





Search for motive



The Ukrainian president said no motive for the crime should be ruled out, adding that Ukrainian military forces had suffered a "record number of casualties" Tuesday in fighting with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

We shouldnt forget that the country is defending itself against the Russian aggressor and the best sons of Ukraine sacrifice their lives on the front line," the presidential website quoted Poroshenko as saying. "We will not let anyone open a second front inside the country."

Seven Ukrainian servicemen were killed in fighting Tuesday in eastern Ukraine, where more than 9,400 people have died since violence between Ukrainian government and separatist forces erupted in April 2014.

Russia's Foreign Ministry, for its part, said in a statement Wednesday that those in Ukraine who are linking Sheremet's killing to Russia have "minds poisoned by Russophobia." The ministry said it was "shocked by the cynical murder of Russian citizen Pavel Sheremet in central Kyiv."

About Sheremet

Sheremet was the recipient of several awards for his work as a journalist. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) gave him the International Press Freedom Award in 1998, but Belarus' government denied him permission to travel to New York for the awards ceremony. CPJ held a special ceremony for him in Minsk.

Sheremet moved to Russia from Belarus in 1999 to work in television after spending three months in a Belarusian prison.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) awarded Sheremet its prize for Journalism and Democracy in 2012, for his human rights reporting in the Balkans and Afghanistan.

He moved to Ukraine in 2014, citing pressure from his Russian editors over his reporting on opposition protests in Kyiv against Ukraine's then-president, Viktor Yanukovych, who was backed by Moscow.

Observers outside Ukraine also expressed shock Wednesday over Sheremet's killing.

It is shocking, devastating news that we received today from Kyiv, Dunja Mijatovic, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europes representative on media freedom, told VOAS Ukrainian service via Skype. The brutality of the murder is something that leaves you speechless, now matter how you try to be professional and do your job.

She called the killing "another sign for all of us trying to protect free speech and freedom of the media worldwide that we live in a very dangerous time, and journalism, and people performing journalism, are in greater danger, I would say, than ever before.

"We honored Pavel Sheremet in 1998 with an International Press Freedom Award in recognition of his courage, his integrity and his commitment to the highest ideals of journalism," CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in a statement. "He upheld those standards through his years even as he mentored and inspired a generation of journalists in Ukraine. His killers cannot be allowed to get away with this terrible crime."

Shocked by the murder of Pavel Sheremet, Michael McFaul, a former U.S. ambassador to Russia, said Wednesday on Twitter. He called Sheremet one of the best journalists and said, Pavel was such a decent man. So sad.

WATCH: Video footage of car bombing

WATCH: Eyewitness account of blast that killed Sheremet
There are two daughters of former presidents and one of a farmer; a history buff, a former president, an honorary citizen of Timbuktu and an assortment of foreign ministers, all of them want to be the next chief of the United Nations.



In all, a dozen declared candidates are in the race to become the ninth secretary-general, and for the first time, half of them are women.



Eastern Europe is hoping one of its eight candidates will prevail, as its region has never had a U.N. chief. There is also a push by more than 50 member states to see a woman selected.



On Thursday, the search for the person to fill what the first U.N chief, Norways Trygve Lie, described as the most impossible job in the world will move to the next level. After weeks of unprecedented public interviews and even a debate of sorts, the decision-making will start.



The 15-member U.N. Security Council will begin secret, closed-door straw polls, an unofficial vote to gauge enthusiasm for each candidate.

Council members will check off encourage, discourage or no opinion for each nominee. If a candidate performs poorly, they might consider withdrawing their candidacy.

The five permanent members - Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States - get to use their veto in the final rounds of the straw polls, meaning they can knock out candidates they dont like. So while they cant make a candidate, their veto can break one.

By October, diplomats say, they hope there will be a council decision about Ban Ki-moons successor.



Once council members decide, they will send their recommended candidates name to the General Assembly, which formally appoints the new secretary-general.

And the winner is 



In the past, candidates names were not made public. Some nominees did not even know they were under consideration, as was the case in 1953 with Swedens Dag Hammarskjold. He said he did not know he was in the race until he received a late-night telegram notifying him that the council had selected him and hoped he would accept. He did.



The current president of the U.N. General Assembly decided to shake things up and invite governments to formally nominate their candidates, only one per government.



As a result, for the first time, the contenders have gone through a public interview process, exposing them for better or worse and creating favorites among the general membership, with a consensus that the United Nations needs a strong, competent leader for challenging times. Whether the Security Council and its five veto-wielding members share that view and those preferences is not yet known.



The most impossible job in the world



With an unending supply of armed conflicts, natural disasters, terror and a global refugee crisis, why would anyone want to be the U.N. chief?



Its one of the most wonderful jobs in the world, Danilo Turk, 64, a former Slovenian president and candidate said in an interview. He compared the U.N. to a big mirror. It reflects all the problems of the world.It reflects all the hopes of the world. What could be better, he asks, than serving those hopes?



Former Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Guterres, 67, says he is running because he wants to create the conditions for solutions to global challenges. As the U.N. high commissioner for refugees for a decade until December 2015, he had a front row seat to the consequences of conflict.



We see things that are going to happen and we fail to organize ourselves, the international community, to be able to act and prevent those conflicts that are then soon going to appear. Guterres said prevention should be a global attitude.





UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, 64, of Bulgaria supports the idea of an eastern European woman leader. She said her region has been through profound transformation and its experience is extremely important and valuable in this particular moment.



The U.N. top job is the ultimate way to make a contribution to the global public good, New Zealands Helen Clark, 66, said in an interview.



The daughter of a farmer who rose to be her countrys prime minister and is currently head of the U.N. Development Program, added, You can throw your efforts, your energy, your determination and skills into trying to advance peace and security, which is so badly needed in so many parts of the world today.



With the right leadership, [the U.N.] has the capacity to bring people together in a unique fashion to put solutions on the table, Costa Rican candidate Christiana Figueres, 59, said this month.The daughter of a three-time president of Costa Rica, she was the U.N. climate change chief for six years and helped achieve the first legally binding international deal to limit global warning.

Whats next?



In the previous race for secretary-general in 2006, it was not until the fourth round of straw polls, two months in to the voting that candidates without broad support started withdrawing. But with the race much more public this time nominees might drop their bids sooner if they have weak support, rather than endure the potential embarrassment of repeated poor showings.



Straw poll results are supposed to be confidential, known only to the 15 council ambassadors and the envoys of the candidate countries, so they can inform their nominee, but the results are likely to leak out.



Other candidates are also possibly waiting in the wings, watching how the others do and considering jumping into the race. Among them, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who said this week he has asked the new government in Canberra to nominate him, and Kristalina Georgieva, a European Commission vice president.She is from Bulgaria, which already has an entrant in the race, so she will have to secure the backing of another government if she hopes to be considered.



The successful candidate will take over January 1, 2017, for an initial five-year term.Most secretaries-general have served two terms.



(To learn more about the selection process and the 12 declared candidates for U.N. Secretary-General, visit http://www.un.org/pga/70/sg/.)
It is one of the more vexing problems facing intelligence agencies across much of the world  trying to understand the phenomenon that has caused tens of thousands of people to leave their homes and take up arms for the Islamic State terror group.

But a new analysis of the terror groups own entry records suggests while those flocking to the self-declared caliphate come from diverse regions and from a variety of socio-economic background, many share a deep-seated resentment of where they live.

And the study suggests it is a sentiment that IS managed to expertly exploit once and could possibly exploit again.

I think this grievance narrative is a common thread that you can knit across a lot of these places, said Nate Rosenblatt, an independent researcher and author of the New America Foundation report, All Jihad is Local.

It's not just that these frustrations drive people to go join ISIS in these areas but that ISIS also actively recruits based on that same narrative, he said, using an acronym for the terror group.

Rosenblatt looked at more than 3,500 foreign fighter registration forms collected by IS officials along the Turkish-Syrian border from mid-2013 to mid-2014, and then leaked by an IS defector in 2016.

At first glance, they seemed to confirm just how little many of the fighters had in common.

Foreign fighters from Bahrain are generally very young in this data set. They are on average 19 or 20 years old at the time of their joining, Rosenblatt said. There are also very old fighters coming from China.

But as Rosenblatt broke down the demographics further, looking at the provinces within a country that were sending the most fighters to IS, a trend began to emerge.

All the provinces that we looked at had some history of protesting the central government or even exhibited some signs of separatist movements, he said. I think a lot of people in this sample see the Islamic State as an alternative state to the one that they currently live in.

Other studies have drawn similar conclusions.

A study published this past April by West Points Combating Terrorism Center, called The Caliphates Global Workforce and based possibly on some of the same records, found many foreigners are presumably travelling to the Islamic State to live, not die.

Only the New America study found that IS was not content to simply rely on selling some generalized vision of an Islamic utopia. Instead, Rosenblatt said, the terror group seemed to focus on each groups particular set of grievances and create a lot of very local advertisements.

One example is how IS marketed itself to Chinas Uighurs.

The Uighur population has been oppressed and marginalized substantially. Head scarves or beard growth are heavily restricted, he said.

They'll show classrooms for younger children learning about Islam and that's almost completely not allowed in China, Rosenblatt said.

Not surprisingly, the IS entry records indicate people from China are much more likely to travel with their families, he said.

Similar patterns emerged with Bahrain and other countries.

While the sample size is small, there could be implications for the larger foreign fighter problem, which according to U.S. intelligence estimates has now encompassed more than 38,200 fighters from over 120 countries.

Intelligence officials have long worried that poor governance combined with tensions could create safe havens for extremist groups.

But Rosenblatt believes the same conditions may just as easily lead to centers of recruitment for extremist groups who establish safe havens in other places.

It suggests that ISIS, or a future group like ISIS, will still have ample fodder from which to recruit, he said.
Indiana Governor Mike Pence, a conservative stalwart picked by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to be his vice presidential running mate, is set to make the case Wednesday why they should be elected as the next American leaders.

Pence, a long-time congressman from the midwestern state and later its chief executive, has been linking Trump this week at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, to the heritage of a favorite Republican icon, Ronald Reagan, who served two terms as the U.S. president in the 1980s.

Pence, 57, is making the headline speech on the third day of the four-day quadrennial convention, a day after convention delegates formally nominated Trump and him to face Democrat Hillary Clinton, a former U.S. secretary of state, and her yet-to-be-named running mate in the November national election.

'Make America First Again'



Pence plans to tell a nationally televised audience that "under a Trump administration, America will once again be a beacon of progress and opportunity," after "years of bad policies and poor leadership have weakened our position in the world."

Trump, a brash, billionaire real estate mogul, is the first major party presidential candidate in the U.S. since the 1950s to become a Republican or Democratic standard bearer without ever having held elected office. He surged past 16 other Republican contenders, many of them current or former senators and governors, in an often bitter, year-long campaign to claim the nomination, with Trump often taunting his rivals with belittling nicknames.

Ahead of Pence, three more of Trump's vanquished foes are set Wednesday for appearances at the convention, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Texas Senator Ted Cruz in person, and Florida Senator Marco Rubio by video.

Cruz, Rubio to speak



U.S. political analysts are particularly awaiting Cruz's address. A conservative firebrand, Cruz was Trump's closest challenger before the one-time television reality show host clinched the presidential nomination in May, but Cruz has yet to endorse his one-time rival. Their head-to-head match ended contentiously, with Cruz deriding Trump as "a serial philanderer," a "pathological liar" and "utterly amoral."

Convention delegates shouted their rejection of the possibility of Clinton as the next U.S. leader at Tuesday's session, yelling "Lock her up!" as New Jersey Governor Chris Christie took on the role of a prosecutor and put Clinton on mock trial.

Republicans have derided her handling of classified information on her private email server while she served as the country's top diplomat from 2009 to 2013. The chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation recently concluded that she was "extremely careless" in dealing with the national security material, but that no criminal charges were warranted.



Tuesday at the convention showcased the main Republican criticisms of Clinton, portraying her candidacy as a bid to extend what they call the failing policies of President Barack Obama and calling her a liar who put the country in danger with her use of the private email server.

House Speaker Paul Ryan accused Democrats of constantly dividing people and "playing one group against the other."

"Here we are, at a time when men and women in both parties so clearly, so undeniably want a big change in direction for America, a clean break from a failed system," Ryan said. "And what does the Democratic Party establishment offer? What is their idea of a clean break? They are offering a third Obama term brought to you by another Clinton," a reference to her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Clinton watching, responding



The Clinton campaign was vocal throughout the night, offering statements and tweets in response to each of the day's major speakers.

"Despite repeatedly attacking Trump's divisive rhetoric and dangerous policies, Speaker Paul Ryan has chosen to put politics over country and wholeheartedly endorse Donald Trump and his candidacy for president," one statement read.

New Jersey's Christie, who also lost to Trump in the Republican presidential race, claimed that "Hillary Clinton cared more about protecting her own secrets than she cared about protecting American secrets."

His criticism focused largely on her time as secretary of state during Obama's first term, blaming her for mistakes regarding Libya, Syria, Russia, Iran and Cuba.

"We cannot promote someone to commander in chief who has made the world a more violent and dangerous place," Christie said.

Clinton responded by pointing to a scandal involving members of Christie's administration in New Jersey who were accused of ordering the partial closure of a bridge into New York City in retaliation against a local politician.

"If you think Chris Christie can lecture anyone on ethics, we have a bridge to sell you," she wrote on Twitter.

Clinton will be officially nominated by her party at its convention next week, setting up the November 8 showdown with Trump. He is set to formally accept the Republican presidential nomination Thursday night.
Some U.S. and Iraqi officials are voicing growing optimism about the prospects of retaking the key city of Mosul from the Islamic State terror group sooner than first anticipated.

No one is suggesting the fight to recapture the city, the Iraqi capital of the terror groups self-declared caliphate, will be easy. But there is a sense that momentum has clearly swung in favor of Iraqi forces backed by U.S. and coalition air power  and that now is the time to press the advantage.

In many ways our campaign is now ahead of where we thought it would be at this time, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Brett McGurk said Tuesday, ahead of two meetings to focus on the future of Iraq and the fight against IS.

Mosul is now upon us, he added at an event with the Iraqi foreign minister at the U.S. Institute for Peace, noting that the Iraqi Security Forces have not lost a battle in over a year.

Iraqs foreign minister was also optimistic, calling Mosul the next target.

It is the last hideout of Daesh [IS] in Iraq, Ibrahim al-Jaafari said through an interpreter.

Remaining challenges

Though heartened by the recent campaign to retake the crucial Qayyarah West Air Base, just south of Mosul, from IS, neither McGurk nor Jaafari was willing to put a timeline on possible Mosul operations, acknowledging any effort to retake the city would be complicated, with setbacks likely.

Among the key challenges are the size of Mosuls remaining civilian population, thought to be around 1 million, and the dense urban terrain, raising the prospect for a possible block-by-block fight through booby traps and human shields.

Additionally, despite having lost considerable ground to coalition-backed forces in Iraq, IS has had plenty of time to prepare since first taking Mosul in June 2014.

I expect that ISIS has extremely hardened defenses inside of Raqqa and Mosul, said Jessica McFate, a former U.S. Army intelligence officer now with the Institute for the Study of War.

There are also concerns IS might find a way to use the failed coup attempt in Turkey to its advantage. In particular, U.S. officials wonder whether the subsequent crackdown on elements of the Turkish military could weaken defenses along the Turkish-Syrian border, giving the terror group just enough space to bolster some of its operations.

But even before the failed military coup in Turkey, IS had already been shifting fighters to defend Mosul, with a series of layered defenses, even making a push into the city, according to military and intelligence officials.

Shia militias

One Iraqi militia leader told VOA perhaps as many as 8,000 IS fighters have been assembled to protect Mosul, many of them Iraqis who are familiar with the terrain.

We can say that they are less than 10,000, said Atheel Alnujaifi, a former governor of Nineveh province.

Yet while that would seem to be a formidable force, Alnujaifi, who heads Iraqs National Mobilization Front and its approximately 4,000 fighters, believes there are growing cracks in the terror groups resolve.

The information coming from inside Mosul says that most of the foreign fighters are leaving these days, he said, adding operatives inside the city see signs of growing resentment. The people of Mosul want indeed to rise up against Daesh.

At the same time, there are concerns a critical misstep could cost Iraqi forces dearly.

Always [IS] say that Shia militia will come to the city, will come to the city, will fight in the city and the Shia militia will kill all the Sunnis, Alnujaifi said, warning the message of fear continues to resonate. If there is a Shia militia in this fight, I think it will be a difficult fight inside the city.

For now, though, the Iraqi government still intends to use Shia militias in Mosul just as it did in Fallujah, rejecting accusations that Shia militias captured or killed hundreds of Sunni men fleeing the city.

Those volunteers are doing a great job in the war against ISIL, Jaafari said Wednesday. What happened in Fallujah after the city has been liberated has proved that its a good plan to apply.

Getting the pieces in place

Even if the plan is good, there is still a matter of making sure Mosul is sufficiently isolated and that all of the other pieces are in place.

Youve got to do all the legwork first, one U.S. official told VOA on condition of anonymity.

U.S. military officials have said the campaign to recapture Mosul will require as many as eight Iraqi brigades and two Kurdish brigades, each with 2,000 to 3,000 troops. And there were concerns not all of them would be ready until late this year.

We can begin the operations, the Defense Intelligence Agency director, Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, cautioned U.S. lawmakers this past March. But taking and securing Mosul in the next eight to 10 months is not something Im seeing in my crystal ball."
Dozens of people have disappeared in the past two years at the hands of counterterrorism forces in Kenya, Human Rights Watch said in a report released Wednesday.

According to the report, military forces have arrested at least 34 people for alleged ties to the Islamist terror group al-Shabab, but none of them have been charged.

Family members say they cannot locate the relatives who were arrested, and have not been informed of their whereabouts, despite reporting the disappearances to authorities.

In the same time period, eleven bodies of people previously arrested by state agents have been found, raising concern for those who remain missing without explanation, according to the human rights watchdog.

There is no doubt that Kenya faces serious security challenges, but the authorities have an obligation to respond effectively and respect due process in any law enforcement operation, said Ken Roth, executive director at Human Rights Watch. The disappearances and uninvestigated deaths in the northeast are illegal and risk alienating local communities, whose cooperation is needed.

Counterterrorism operations in Kenya intensified after the April 2015 attacks on Garissa University college, which left 147 people, mostly students, dead.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday condemned the attack on four Dalit men who were skinning a dead cow in Una, Gujarat, and said the government was committed to stopping such atrocities.

By Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu: The Opposition launched an all out offensive against the BJP government in Gujarat, in both the lower and upper house of Parliament, over atrocities against Dalits in Una. There were repeated adjournments in Rajya Sabha, with Congress MPs walking to the well of the house. Meanwhile, an angry Opposition cornered the BJP government in Lok Sabha. But both the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Social Justice minister Thawar Chand Gehlot came to the rescue of Anandiben Patel, the chief minister. This is a matter of prestige for BJP as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was chief minister of state for 12 years.PM, RAJNATH CONDEMN ATTACK ON DALITS

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Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday condemned the attack on four Dalit men who were skinning a dead cow in Una, Gujarat, and said the government was committed to stopping such atrocities. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also condemned the incident," Singh said. Saying that though PM was abroad when the incident happened. He took cognizance and called home minister over the incident. Home Minister said that 9 men had been arrested, police men had been suspended. That the state of Gujarat had taken right steps in the direction.

Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Gehlot said the government will take strict action against the accused and that an inquiry had been ordered into the case. But came to Anandiben Patel's defence saying that the chief minister reacted without wasting time. That there is unnecessary furore created by opposition.

PROTESTS CONTINUE ACROSS GUJARAT



Meanwhile, protests continued across the state on Wednesday with incidents of stone pelting, road blockades and bandhs reported from Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions. While Chief Minister Anandiben Patel met family members of the victims, Congress vice-vresident Rahul Gandhi will visit Una town on Thursday, and even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to visit Una.

On Tuesday, sixteen members of the Dalit community, including local Congress leader Anil Madhad, attempted suicide in Saurashtra on Monday and Tuesday as a form of protest against the incident. Protests were also held in other parts of Gujarat. The BJP, meanwhile, appealed to political parties not to give this incident a communal issue.

ALSO READ:

Was Rahul Gandhi sleeping in Parliament when Congress cornered BJP on Dalit atrocities?

Gujarat CM Anandiben Patel's daughter in soup over land deal, Congress wants SIT probe





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Suspected Islamist militants have attacked an army base in central Mali, killing 17 soldiers.

Thirty-five soldiers were wounded in Tuesday's raid, which occurred in Nampala, in central Mali, just a few kilometers south of the border with Mauritania. The assailants burned buildings, pillaged shops and shot at troop positions at the base.

The attack followed increasing unrest in Malis central Mopti region that has included not only attacks on security forces but also clashes between self-defense militias and armed groups over territory.

The situation has degenerated since 2015, mainly because the state is absent in some parts of the region, said Boukary Sangare, a researcher who has monitored the conflict in the center for the past decade.

The zone is drenched in intercommunal conflicts between Peul and Dogon, Peul and Tuareg and so on. Its total chaos," Sangare said. "This has pushed some Peul groups to take up arms to defend themselves against other groups, since all traditional conflict-solving mechanisms have broken down.

Little help available

Mali urgently needs help to address the escalating conflict in the center. But with the U.N. peacekeeping mission already overstretched in the north, and French forces in Operation Barkhane engaging with terrorist groups in the northern regions, resources are limited.

Mopti is not a new front, but we are facing a new threat in this region from terrorist groups that have not signed the peace agreement," said Colonel-Major Abdrahamane Baby, the army chief of staff. "The biggest security threat is still northern Mali. What we see in the center is only the echo of the conflict in the north."

On Tuesday, two armed groups claimed responsibility for the attack in Nampala. A radio station received a call from the National Alliance for the Safeguarding of the Peul Identity and the Restoration of Justice, an ethnic Peul self-defense militia. It would be the first time the group, which was set up last month and includes some who fought alongside the Islamists, has launched an attack.

Hours later, the Massina Liberation Front also said it was behind the attack. Last year, the group affiliated with the Islamist extremist group Ansar Dine and killed over a dozen people in an attack on a hotel in Sevare.

Baby said it was more likely that the Massina Front was behind the attack.

We know that some of the movements in the center, such as the Massina Front, are affiliated with Ansar Dine in the north," he said. "The groups leader, Iyad Ag Ghali, is linked to other terrorist groups, such as HCUA and others. Thats why Im saying that the north is the origin of the violence in the center.

Worst loss since 2012

The Nampala attack resulted in the worst loss suffered by Malian forces in such a raid since January 2012, when fighters from Ansar Dine and al-Qaida-linked groups captured a military base in Aguelhok in northern Mali.

Following Tuesdays attack, reinforcements were sent toward Markala, an important army base in the Mopti region.

If we dont act now, the terrorists will continue to occupy the terrain, Baby said.

A peace deal signed between the Bamako government and northern separatist groups last year will allow the groups that are parties to the accord to disarm and reintegrate into the army. Many of the fighters are still waiting to be disarmed. None of the groups that claimed Tuesdays attack are parties to the agreement.
Authorities in Malawi have announced the indefinite closure of the Chancellor College of the University of Malawi, following violent protests by students over an increase in fees.

Authorities say the demonstrations that started Monday pose a security threat, but some education commentators are protesting the closure, saying it will heavily impact of the education of the students.

The closure was announced 20 minutes after protesters blocked the motorcade carrying Jill Biden in Zomba, forcing her delegation to cancel a trip to Machinga district on Tuesday.

The wife of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was expected to visit the USAID-funded Empowering Girls Through Education and Health project, which aims to improve education for girls in elementary and secondary schools.

Malawi's first lady, Gertrude Mutharika, apologized for the student violence that prevented Biden from proceeding with her visit. Mutharika issued the apology to Biden on Wednesday, when the two met in the capital, Lilongwe.

Illegal, dangerous

Chancellor College Principal Richard Tambulasi says the demonstrations not only posed a security threat, but were illegal.

"They [protesters] were supposed to get permission from the DC's [District Commissioner] office, Tambulasi said. The DC did not give [permission]. They decided to go ahead [without] being given permission. Apart from that, we have had security threats on compass."

The students have been protesting a recent increase of more than 100 percent in annual tuition fees. University authorities say the students are blocking roads and smashing property on and around the college.

Sixteen students have been arrested and charged with "conduct likely to cause breach of peace," police say.

Criticism of closure

Despite the uprisings, the move to close the college has sparked criticism.

"We know that if it is going to take more time to reopen the college, that might also create other problems, especially to ensure that the programs are finished on time, said Benedicto Kondowe, executive director of the NGO Civil Society Education Coalition that supports quality education in Malawi.

Government authorities should have "sat down peacefully with students" to reach a compromise on the issue they are protesting, he said.

Malawi University officials say they will meet "soon" to discuss when to reopen the college.
Five fishing boats set out Wednesday for Taiwans chief islet in the contested South China Sea to dispute a world arbitration court ruling that calls the tiny land form a rock rather than an island, meaning there are no rights to an exclusive economic zone in the surrounding waters.

The boats operated by 15 people left from Pingtung County in southern Taiwan for a 10-day trip to the Spratly archipelago islet known as Taiping or Itu Aba. Taiwan is in a dispute with China, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines over rights to the nearly 3.5 million-square-kilometer waterway.

We will show this is an island, not a rock, and belongs to Taiwan, said Luo Chiang-fei, a spokesman for the self-organized group of fishing boat operators.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague announced July 12 it had rejected the legal basis for Beijings claim to about 95 percent of the whole South China Sea. Taiwan uses the same historical records cited by China to support its own claims. The court also said numerous islets, including Taiping, which is 1,400 meters long and 400 meters wide, do not qualify for exclusive economic zones in surrounding waters.

Taipei and Beijing both denounced the ruling, though they and other claimants hinted at working toward dialogue to ease tensions. The sea is valued for its fisheries, oil, natural gas and shipping lanes.

The Philippine government took China to the arbitral court three years ago after a standoff with Chinese fishing boats at a disputed shoal. China also occupies two reefs in the Philippine exclusive economic zone. China declined to participate in the court procedures, saying the arbitral body lacked rights to make a ruling.

Taiwans coast guard will monitor the fishing boats but not follow them to Taiping island, the agencys spokesman, Shih Yi-che, said. The crews have also been briefed on maritime safety as Taiping is about 2,000 kilometers southeast from Taiwan. Once the boats reach Taiping, Shih said, they will be safe because of coast guard presence on the island.

Taiwan has built up Taiping, the largest islet in the South China Sea, with an airstrip, pier, solar energy project and humanitarian rescue center.

We will be looking after the fishing boats to know their status, Shih said. We wont send a patrol ship as support. But we respect what theyre doing.
Three French soldiers have been killed in Libya, according to the countrys defense ministry.

"Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian regrets the loss of three French officers who died while on mission in Libya," the ministry said in a statement. He lauds the bravery and devotion of the French military personnel who, each day, are carrying out dangerous missions against terrorists.

The ministry did not elaborate on how exactly the soldiers were killed, but the soldiers are the first reported Western military casualties from since it became known earlier this year that special forces operators were working on the ground in Libya.

France has had jets flying reconnaissance missions over Libya.

Le Drian told parliament last month that France had been conducting the missions in Libya for some time.

We need to see whats going on, he said.

The French military, along with the British and US militaries, has been backing Libyas unity government in battling jihadists from the Islamic State group since earlier this year.

IS has established a stronghold for itself in the coastal Libyan town of Sirte, but Libyan forces have been battling to retake the city for the past two months.
One of Donald Trump's highest-profile proposals is to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico. On Wednesday, anti-Trump protesters used the same imagery to highlight one of the Republican presidential nominee's biggest weaknesses: his lack of popularity with minorities.

Several hundred protesters, including many from Hispanic organizations, dressed up in brick wall or fence costumes and held hands, forming what they called a symbolic "wall against hate" outside the arena where the Republican National Convention is being held in Cleveland, Ohio.

"Today, we're going to deliver a promise of giving Donald Trump his wall," said Eva Cardenas of the Ruckus Society, one of the groups participating in the protest. "We're going to wall off hate and xenophobia."

Among Republican delegates and supporters, the wall remains one of the most popular proposals by the party's nominee  one that delegates and even some senior party leaders continue to embrace.

Kenny Welch, a Trump supporter from Cleveland, compared the border wall to building a fence around your yard.

"We have families at home, and we protect our families," Welch said. "The wall around the country will protect our families."

Mexican-American Marco Gutierrez, who called himself an "informal delegate from the Latino community," said he is not offended by the idea of a border wall.

"They can build a wall. They can build a river. They can build a lake and put alligators in it," he said. "It's their country."

"Everyone is thinking about this wall and their feelings getting hurt rather than seeing the reality," said Gutierrez, who works in real estate. "I'm voting for Trump because I think he's the man to restore the economy."

Not just the wall

Gutierrez's enthusiasm is not shared by most Hispanics.

Trump's unpopularity with Hispanic voters could be a barrier to his victory at the ballot box. The Republican nominee has the support of just 24 percent of Hispanics, compared to 66 percent for his opponent, Democrat Hillary Clinton, according to a July poll from Pew Research.

Other Republican presidential candidates have done better with Hispanics. Four years ago, Mitt Romney, who lost, got slightly more of the Hispanic vote  27 percent, according to exit polls. Ex-President George W. Bush, winning his second term in 2004, received 40 percent of the Hispanic vote.

Trump has said he will build a wall along the 3,200 kilometer U.S. border with Mexico, a proposal that has drawn ridicule from Democrats and immigrant rights groups for its symbolism, its immense logistical challenge, and the claim that Trump could force Mexico to pay for it.

The wall isn't the only thing causing minorities to worry about Trump. He has also described Mexican immigrants as rapists, criminals and drug dealers, and has promised to form a massive deportation force that would round up undocumented immigrants and ship them out of the country.

It was a theme echoed during the opening days of the convention, as speaker after speaker addressed the consequences of undocumented migration.

"I hate all the rhetoric he's spewing," said Eric Cruz Lopez, who was dressed as a brick in the protest. Lopez has been in the country for 13 years, but is undocumented. "All this hateful rhetoric  these are things that become law."

Putting up walls

Wednesday's protest began in Cleveland's Public Square, which has become a central gathering point for both pro- and anti-Trump protesters. Organizers then began an unsanctioned march, trying to encircle the Quicken Loans Arena, the main convention site.

They were unable to do so. Instead, they settled for building their "wall" across most of two blocks near one of the main entrances to the arena, forcing police to clear a corridor for delegates trying to reach the convention.

The protest remained peaceful, but heated discussions took place between Trump critics and a few of his supporters.

Trump's campaign, along with his surrogates, have argued that Trump's support among Hispanics and other minorities is stronger than many polls suggest, saying they care about issues other than immigration.

"Many legal immigrant Latinos here don't believe in illegal immigration," said Newt Gingrich, a Trump ally and former speaker of the House of Representatives. "There are also many Latinos who are concerned about education, about jobs, and about health care."

But on Wednesday, protesters  including Cardenas  were there to remind the Republican nominee that he cannot count on their support.

"Our wall is just to let Trump know what happens when he puts up walls," she said.

VOA's Ramon Taylor and Celica Mendoza contributed to this report.

WATCH: Pro-Immigration protesters clash with Trump supporter
Turkish state media report at least 20 Kurdish militants were killed in Turkish airstrikes on northern Iraq early Wednesday.

Turkey's F-16 fighter jets targeted members of the outlawed Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) in the mountainous region of Hakurk near Iraq's border with Turkey, according to Anadolu news agency.

A two-year-old cease-fire and peace process between Turkey's government and the PKK collapsed in July 2015.

Turkish warplanes have been carrying out frequent bombing raids on PKK camps in northern Iraq and in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast. The rebels have responded with a string of bloody attacks on security forces.

This is Turkey's first attack on the PKK since the failed coup attempt last week.
Legal experts are casting doubt on the Obama administrations ability to revive an executive order that would shield millions of undocumented foreign nationals from deportation.

It is a long shot, said New York Law School professor Ari Waldman.

On Monday, while Republicans railed against illegal immigration at their partys national convention, the Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to rehear arguments on whether the administration may defer deportation and grant work permits to roughly one-third of the estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States.

The High Court, operating with eight justices since the death of Antonin Scalia in February, deadlocked four-to-four on the case last month. As a result, a lower courts injunction blocking President Barack Obamas unilateral attempt to address illegal immigration remains in effect.

In a petition, acting Solicitor General Ian Gershengorn requested a rehearing before a full nine-Member Court.

The administrations top lawyer acknowledged that High Court do-overs are exceedingly rare, but he argued they are not unprecedented when a vacancy on the bench yields a split decision.

Obama nominated federal appellate judge Merrick Garland to fill the Supreme Court vacancy. The Republican-led Senate has refused to vote on any High Court nominee until after the November election.

Obama Executive Order

The presidents executive order would cover undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors, as well as the undocumented parents of U.S.-born children. Advocacy groups cheered and jeered the administrations refusal to give up on the initiative.

Last months four-to-four tie in the Supreme Court was tremendous blow to millions of immigrant families, said Frank Sharry, executive director of the pro-immigrant rights group Americas Voice. Given the lives at stake, we join the Department of Justice in calling for a rehearing of the case before a fully staffed bench  this issue is just too important to leave to the tied decision of a hamstrung court.

Rehearing this case is the right thing to do, so that millions of American families will finally know where they stand, and whether America stands with them, said the American Immigration Lawyers Association in a statement. The position we find ourselves in, with a Congress unable to lead on immigration reform, and a Supreme Court unable to reach a decision, is an unusual and untenable situation that warrants a rehearing.

Those favoring restrictive immigration policies argued that Obama overstepped his authority by seeking to grant de facto amnesty to millions of law breakers, and that the Supreme Curt acted properly by keeping the injunction in place.

If these kinds of executive orders were allowed to continue, then the president decides how many and who get to come into the country, not Congress, said Roy Beck, director of NumbersUSA. This is a constitutional crisis in that the Congress itself has not stood up for its own rights.

Election Year Politics

Beck sees election year politics at work with a petition that, successful or not, resonates with core Democratic constituencies.

Its a last-ditch attempt. Its for show, to show their open-border supporters that they [the administration] tried to do everything they could, Beck said. It was the only way they could try to get these work permits out before the president leaves office.

Granting a rehearing would require the backing of five Supreme Court justices.

On an eight-member court, it would mean that one of the four who voted against the administration on the injunction would have to side with the four who voted to allow the executive order to proceed, something court-watchers deem highly unlikely.

I assume the administration is hoping that the court will hold off on making a rehearing decision until a ninth justice is in place, Waldman said. All in all, I would file this one under It doesnt hurt to ask.

The White House says it remains confident in the legality of the presidents executive order.

The Supreme Curt was unable to reach a decision about the administrations executive actions, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. The filing from the Department of Justice is merely an effort to pursue every available legal avenue, because we believe in the power of the legal argument in support of the presidents actions. We continue to have confidence in the power of our legal arguments, and we are going to make them in every available venue.
Mike Pence is the running mate of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

- Currently governor of Indiana - a post he has held for three years

- Fiscal conservative; in favor of smaller government role

- Has strong record of cutting taxes; presided over economic recovery as Indiana governor

- Ordered cut-off of funding for groups that help Syrian refugees resettle in Indiana, which a federal judge blocked as discriminatory

- Signed "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" that allows businesses to use religious freedom as a defense in legal proceedings. Many saw this as a way to discriminate against LGBT community members. After a backlash, Pence signed an amended bill that protects LGBT people.

- Initially critical of Trump calls to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. and attacks on the judge in the Trump University lawsuit

- Elected to six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, starting in 2000.

- Initially endorsed Texas Senator Ted Cruz during the Republican primary process; pledged to campaign for Trump after he secured the nomination in May

- An evangelical Christian, supports social conservative causes

- Completed Law School at Indiana University in 1986

- Married to Karen Pence in 1985. Father of three adult children
The controversial anti-secrecy organization WikiLeaks says Turkey has ordered a nationwide blocking of its website, after the group released some 300,000 emails hacked from the ruling party of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Details remained sketchy early Wednesday, and it was not immediately clear whether access to the material had yet been blocked.

WikiLeaks announced Monday it planned to release documents described as detailing Turkey's political power structure, just days after a failed military coup attempt that rattled the country and governments across much of the world.

In announcing its intent on Twitter to publish the material, WikiLeaks warned: "Get ready for a fight as we release 100k+ documents on #Turkey's political power structure."

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, an Australian national, sought asylum in London's Ecuadorian Embassy nearly four years ago to avoid arrest by British police seeking to serve an international arrest warrant. He remains ensconced in the facility.

Sweden wants him in connection with a rape investigation. Assange has denied any connection to the allegations.
With Donald Trump formally chosen as their nominee for president, Republicans at their convention in Cleveland turn Wednesday to some of the party's biggest names in the 2016 campaign to make the case that he is a better choice for the country than Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence gets his chance in the speaking spotlight, less than a week after being announced as Trump's running mate. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who was considered for Vice President, is also speaking Wednesday.

Others who battled Trump for the nomination, including those who sharply criticized his policy proposals and endured his retorts and harassing nicknames, will be giving addresses too. They include: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Clinton criticized



Tuesday at the convention showcased the main Republican criticisms of Clinton, portraying her candidacy as a bid to extend what they call the failing policies of President Barack Obama and calling her a liar who put the country in danger with her use of a private email server.

House Speaker Paul Ryan accused Democrats of constantly dividing people and "playing one group against the other."

"Here we are, at a time when men and women in both parties so clearly, so undeniably want a big change in direction for America, a clean break from a failed system," Ryan said. "And what does the Democratic Party establishment offer? What is their idea of a clean break? They are offering a third Obama term brought to you by another Clinton."

The Clinton campaign was vocal throughout the night, offering statements and tweets in response to each of the day's major speakers.

"Despite repeatedly attacking Trump's divisive rhetoric and dangerous policies, Speaker Paul Ryan has chosen to put politics over country and wholeheartedly endorse Donald Trump and his candidacy for president," one statement read.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who also competed in the Republican race, used his convention address to give a sort of public prosecution of Clinton, drawing chants of "guilty" from the audience.

"Hillary Clinton cared more about protecting her own secrets than she cared about protecting American secrets," Christie said.

His criticism focused largely on her time as secretary of state during Obama's first term, blaming her for mistakes regarding Libya, Syria, Russia, Iran and Cuba.

"We cannot promote someone to commander in chief who has made the world a more violent and dangerous place."

Clinton responded by pointing to a scandal involving members of Christie's administration in New Jersey who were accused of ordering the partial closure of a bridge in retaliation against a local politician.



"If you think Chris Christie can lecture anyone on ethics, we have a bridge to sell you," she wrote on Twitter.

Clinton will be officially nominated by her party at its convention next week, setting up the November 8 showdown with Trump.

Roll call puts Trump over the hump

A roll call vote of Republican delegates Tuesday gave Trump the 1,237 votes he needed to seal the nomination after months of state-by-state voting.

"I will work hard and never let you down!" Trump tweeted after the vote. He gets his chance to address the convention Thursday on its final day.

His daughter Ivanka will also speak Thursday, just as several other Trump children have done this week.

Donald Jr., Tiffany Trump



Donald Trump Jr. gave a strong speech in support of his father Tuesday highlighting how his approach to the business world would translate to the White House.

"A president who speaks his mind and not just when it behooves him to do so. Who doesn't have to run a focus group or use data analytics to form a simple opinion. Who says what needs to be said and not just what you want to hear. A president who will unleash the greatness in our nation and in all of us," he said.

Trump's daughter Tiffany spoke more about the candidate's personal nature, calling him friendly, considerate, funny and real.

"He draws out the talent and drive in people so that they can achieve their full potential. That's a great quality to have in a father, and better yet in the president of the United States," she said.



WATCH: RNC Protests run the gamut from anti-police to pro-Shrek
By PTI: New Delhi, Jul 20 (PTI) The government today gave its nod to the establishment of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, a move which aims at providing super-specialty health care to people of the state and creating a large pool of doctors.

The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) at an estimated cost of Rs 1,011 crore.

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"The establishment of new AIIMS will serve the dual purpose of providing super-specialty health care to the population while creating a large pool of doctors and health workers that can be available for primary and secondary level facilities being created under National Health Mission (NHM).

"This institute will also conduct research on prevalent regional diseases and other health issues and provide for better control and cure of such diseases," an official statement said.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the setting up of the hospital which will have a capacity of 750 beds and also include emergency or trauma and AYUSH sections.

There will be an administration block, AYUSH block, auditorium, night shelter, hostels and residential facilities. The cost estimate of Rs 1,011 crore does not include recurring costs -- wages and salaries and operation and maintenance expenses.

"This recurring expenditure will be met by the respective new AIIMS from their annual budgets through grant-in-aid to them from Plan Budget Head of PMSSY of the Health Ministry," the statement said.

The setting up of AIIMS under PMSSY aims at correcting the regional imbalances in availability of affordable and reliable tertiary level healthcare in the country and to augment facilities for quality medical education in under-served or backward states.

Under this scheme, similar health facilities have been established in Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur, Rishikesh and Patna while work on AIIMS, Rae Bareli is in progress.

Three new AIIMS at Nagpur (Maharashtra), Kalyani (West Bengal) and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh) have been sanctioned last year.

Residents of 14 districts of Eastern UP and five districts of Western Bihar will be benefited by the establishment of new AIIMS. PTI TDS SMN SMN

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The foreign secretary of the Philippines says his government has rejected an offer by China to discuss their territorial dispute in the South China Sea, because Beijing will not permit last week's ruling by an international court to serve as the basis of the talks.

In an interview with Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN Tuesday, Perfecto Yasay said his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, made the offer at last weekend's summit of Asian and European leaders in Mongolia. Yasay says he told Wang the offer "was not consistent with our constitution and our national interest."

The Chinese diplomat responded that if Manila continued to support the decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, "then we might be headed for a confrontation."

The court dismissed Beijing's claim of virtual sovereignty over the nearly 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea in a historic ruling last Tuesday. The decision was a response to a complaint filed by the Philippines in 2013 over China's aggressive actions on the Scarborough Shoal, a reef located about 225 kilometers off the Philippine coast.

Chinese Coast Guard vessels have consistently blocked Philippine fishing boats from operating in the Shoal, and did so again just days after the court's decision. Yasay says he asked Wang to put a stop to the blockade.

The Hague-based court ruled that China's claims of sovereignty under the so-called "nine-dash line" violates the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which established a country's maritime boundaries and economic activities.

Beijing refused to participate in the case, saying the court had no jurisdiction to decide the matter -- despite being a signatory to UNCLOS -- and has angrily denounced the verdict.

China has launched a massive land seizure and rebuilding effort throughout the South China Sea in recent years, transforming numerous reefs into artificial islands that can support military installations, ignoring competing claims over the region by Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan, as well as the Philippines.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that Beijing's rebuilding efforts have "caused severe harm to the coral reef environment."

An estimated $5 trillion in global trade passes each year through the South China Sea, which is home to rich fishing grounds and a potentially vast wealth of oil, gas and other natural resources.
Zanu PF youth have threatened to descend heavily on anti-government protesters - Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign and Pastor Evan Mawarire of #thisflag - who recently shutdown Zimbabwe demanding that President Robert Mugabe should address serious social, economic and political problems in the country.

Thousands of Zimbabweans sign a petition to be sent to the United Nations calling upon the international organization to take immediate measures to address the crisis in the southern African nation.

An influx of Mozambican refugees into Zimbabwe worries people living in Manicaland province.

Republican Donald Trump is now officially the Republican Party candidate for the 2016 presidential election. Do such electoral processes have any significance on Zimbabwe?

And we will give you an update on the on-going International AIDS Conference being held in South Africa.

Stay tuned for these stories and more coming up on Studio 7 at 7:30 pm on 9-0-9 Medium Wave and on the 4-9-3-0, 5-9-4-0 and 1-5-4-6-0 shortwave frequencies. We also broadcast on www.channelzim.net. Please check us out on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.

This evening on Livetalk our hosts will be talking with listeners about protests that have gripped Zimbabwe with Zanu PF activists taking to the streets today, demanding stern measures against Tajamuka-Sesijikile Campaign and Pastor Evan Mawarire of #thisflag campaign.

Participate by sending your messages on our WhatsApp number 001 202 465 0318. The number again 001 202 465 0318. You can also post comments on this Facebook wall or send us your number so we can call you back. Please note that we are livestreaming on all Studio 7 Facebook pages. Stay tuned!!!!!!
Hopes by Donald Trump and the Republican Party to hold a carefully scripted national convention were thrown into disarray Monday, after a chaotic shouting match erupted on the convention floor, displaying long-standing tensions between pro- and anti-Trump factions of the party.

In scenes of disorder not seen in a Republican convention in several decades, hundreds of delegates, most opposed to Trump, waved their fists and angrily screamed for a roll call vote on the convention rules. In response, Trump supporters chanted: USA and We want Trump.

After several minutes of yelling, Republican leaders shot down the demand for a roll call, instead settling the dispute with a voice vote, a controversial move that officially squashed efforts to allow individual delegates the opportunity to vote their consciences and possibly deny Trump the nomination.

Its coercion masquerading as unity, said a stunned-looking Utah Senator Mike Lee - who has led the Never Trump effort - as he spoke to reporters after the effort on the convention floor.

This should be a party that welcomes its grassroots activists, rather than telling them that their vote doesnt matter, rather than telling them that they dont really have a say in the rules of their convention, Lee said.

But Hardy Billington, a Missouri delegate, who is pro-Trump said, "I think by the end of this convention, we'll be totally united. Not one hundred percent, but we'll be united for Mr. Trump."

Angry response

Even though the Stop Trump effort was unsuccessful, there is a likelihood of additional symbolic protests on the convention floor, given the raw anger on display among delegates.

Eric Minor, a delegate from Washington State, told reporters he would love it if half the delegates got up and walked out of here.

Minor said the Republican National Committee had not operated in good faith when it attempted to explicitly bind delegates to the results of their state primaries, an attempt that he said had not been made in the past 140 years.

Minor said, Theres no party unity for me.

Manette Merrill, another member of the Washington delegation, appeared on the verge of frustrated tears as she clapped and whistled to gain the recognition of the Republican committee chair.

Some of her fellow delegates waved red, white and blue scarves  an apparent attempt to match the patriotic slogans of Trump supporters who drowned out the insurgent delegates by chanting Make America Great Again.

Said Merrill, Where in America do you go where they dont let you have a vote when youre supposed to have a vote?

'Rigged election'

Heading into the convention, the chances to unbind the delegates were seen as a long shot. That was especially true after Trumps opponents last week failed to get the 28 votes on the partys rules committee, which would have sent the matter to a wider floor vote.

Instead, the anti-Trump delegates decided Monday to try to force a roll call vote on the entire package of convention rules  a potentially embarrassing moment for the Trump campaign that would have brought the convention process to a halt.

A roll call required organizers to secure the support of a majority of delegates in at least seven states. Anti-Trump organizers reported having enough signatures for eleven states.

But at the last minute, Arkansas Representative Steve Womack, who was presiding over the vote, said only nine states signatures had been presented, and only six had held firm on the vote - three had dropped out - meaning the effort to force a roll call had fallen short.

Womack then called a voice vote, and declared, In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The convention hall exploded in jeers and boos. Some delegates threw their credentials on the floor in protest. In some cases, entire delegations walked out.

Rigged election. Walk out, read a text message sent to delegates by the organization Delegates Unbound.

This is an effort by the RNC to make sure that the delegates  who are the true voice of the party  dont vote their conscience, Dane Waters of Delegates Unbound told a group of reporters shortly before chaos broke out on the convention floor.

He said Delegates Unbound had worked against the clock after a previous Never Trump effort failed Thursday night.

'What chaos?'

Even as he explained the effort, Waters was shouted down by a Trump-supporting delegate who said the will of the people had been heard.

The push for a roll call vote was a combined effort by the Stop Trump team, which wanted to unbind the delegates, and a team of other grassroots conservatives who were aiming to pass other rules that decentralized power within the RNC.

Though the alliance succeeded in creating one of the most chaotic scenes in recent GOP convention history, many establishment party members downplayed the incident.

What chaos? I didnt see any chaos, said Ron Kaufman, co-chair of the RNC rules committee, told VOA. This is fine. People are just expressing their points of view.

"I think they made a mistake," said Billington of Missouri about the Never Trumps. "If we're not united, then in November, we are going to lose."
The Republican National Convention moves Tuesday to the nomination of real estate mogul Donald Trump as the party's 2016 presidential candidate, along with a focus on the U.S. economy.

Two of his children, Tiffany Trump and Donald Trump Jr., are set to advance his cause on the second day of the quadrennial convention in Cleveland, Ohio, along with some of the party's most prominent figures, House Speaker Paul Ryan and former presidential candidates Chris Christie and Ben Carson.

Trump's unexpected surge to the top of the American political scene will become a formal reality as the 70-year-old one-time television reality show host is nominated as the Republican standard bearer in the November election. He will face the Democratic contender, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in the contest to replace President Barack Obama when he leaves office next January.

'Make America Work Again'

Some of Tuesday's speakers are talking about the theme "Make America Work Again," set to make the case that the American economy, the world's largest, would advance much faster with the billionaire Trump offering advice from his decades of business experience building skyscrapers and casinos and starting other businesses, some of which failed.

Speakers Monday attacked Clinton for the lack of security at a U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya where four Americans were killed in a 2012 terrorist attack and for her handling of classified information on the private email server she used while she was the country's top diplomat from 2009 to 2013. The Federal Bureau of Investigation recently determined she was "extremely careless" in the handling of the national security material, but said her actions did not warrant criminal charges.

One speaker, Patricia Smith, the mother of one of the four killed at Benghazi, said, I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son," because of the security shortcomings at the U.S. outpost. She claimed that Clinton lied to her about the reasons for the attack, an account that has been rejected by the Democratic contender.

"This entire campaign comes down to a single question," Smith said. "If Hillary Clinton can't give us the truth, why should we give her the presidency?"

Melania Trump speech plagiarism controversy



Trump appeared on stage to introduce his wife Melania, and in an uncharacteristically short speech, described her as "an amazing mother, an incredible woman."

The Slovenian immigrant has been largely unseen during the presidential campaign and used part of the address to tell her personal story. She called her husband "an amazing leader" and the only one who can deliver change for the United States.

"If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I can assure you he's the guy," she told convention delegates, and millions more on national television.

But her speech prompted questions about its origins after a journalist noted striking similarities in one passage to an address Michelle Obama gave at the Democratic National Convention in 2008 praising her husband, who went on to twice win national elections.

"From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life. That your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise. That you treat people with respect," Melania Trump said.

Eight years ago, Michelle Obama said, "And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: like you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you're going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect."

WATCH: Comparison of Trump / Obama speeches

Trump stands by wife



The Trump campaign issued a statement early Tuesday standing by her convention address.

"In writing her beautiful speech, Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments of her own thinking. Melania's immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success."

Trump adviser Paul Manafort defended the speech in several television interviews, denying that she copied Michelle Obama's words. He blamed Clinton for the controversy even though it was a journalist who spotted the speech similarities.

"What she did was use words that are common words," Manafort told CNN. "To think that she would do something like that knowing how scrutinized her speech was going to be last night is just really absurd."

Fiery convention start



Melania Trump's speech did not have the fiery tones of many of the others who gave addresses Monday on the first day of the convention.

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn followed her speech with sharp criticism of Obama and Clinton.

"There will be no apologies for our American exceptionalism or leadership standing around the world," Flynn said. "Wake up, America. You cannot sit this one out."

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani said a vast majority of Americans do not feel safe and warned terrorists, "We're coming to get you!"

Giuliani also mocked Obama's own address at the 2004 Democratic convention during which the then-Senate candidate said there is no liberal, conservative, black, white, Latino or Asian America, but a United States of America.

"It's time to make America one again," Giuliani said Monday. "What happened to there is no black America, there is no white America, there is just America?"

Senator Tom Cotton criticized Obama's efforts to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan during his term, saying the U.S. wants a leader "who speaks of winning wars and not merely ending wars."

In one of the final addresses, Senator Joni Ernst directed scorn at Clinton, saying the Democrat is "entirely unfit" to be president. Clinton will be nominated at her party's convention next week.

Roll call chaos

The Republican convention erupted in chaos just hours after it began Monday as Trump's opponents loudly protested being denied a floor vote on the convention rules.

"Call the roll, call the roll,'' opponents shouted. Practically drowning them out were chants of "USA, USA'' by Trump supporters and party loyalists.

The convention's presiding officer, Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack, abruptly put the rules to a vote, and then declared that the effort had fallen short.

This discord inside the convention site mimicked the chaos on the streets, where several hundred Trump supporters and opponents held rallies a kilometer apart as the four-day convention opened.

There was a heavy police presence with officers from other states joining their colleagues in Cleveland. The deadly truck attack in France and the ambush killings of five police officers earlier this month in Dallas and three more in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, over the past weekend have heightened fears of violence in Cleveland.
Some Zimbabweans based in Canada are organising a protest in solidarity with campaigns at home under #This Flag, Tajamuka-Sisijikile campaign and other citizen movements, who are demanding the immediate address of problems affecting the country.

Francisca Mandeya, a Zimbabwean based in that country, says she has sought signatures for a petition to be handed over to the United Nations, demanding its help in resolving social, economic and political problems in Zimbabwe.

Mandeya says she has already obtained 15,000 signatures requesting United Nations secretary general Ban Ki Moon to protect protesters that have been on the receiving end following a police clampdown.

At the same time, Zimbabweans living in New York are expected to demonstrate outside the Zimbabwe Embassy on Thursday to show their solidarity to protesters back home.

More protests are expected in Washington DC at the Zimbabwe Embassy this monthend.

Mandeya says she has also ventured into singing as a way of dealing with the frustrations of the deteriorating situation at home.

"My signing came from my frustration with the situation back home. The collapsed health sector, collapsed service delivery system, lack of jobs, corruption, lack of cash in the banks and other traumatic situation," said Mandeya.
Business came to a standstill in the National Assembly on Wedesday after acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Marble Chinomona, ordered two opposition Movement for Democratic Change lawmakers to get rid of Zimbabwean flags they brought to the august house.

Chinomona told Trevor Saruwaka and Godfrey Sithole, who were putting on the national flag, to leave the house in line with Tuesdays ruling barring lawmakers from putting the flag while in parliament.

But the two refused and even attempts by the Sergeant at Arms to eject them failed.

The national flag has become popular with citizens following movement called #This Flag started by pro-democracy activist, Pastor Evan Mawarire , who is asking President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party to deliver on their election promises.

ACT OF PATRIOTISM

Trouble started after Zanu PF lawmaker Oliver Mandipaka asked the Speaker why the MDC lawmakers were defying a ruling made by then acting speaker Reuben Marumahoko who on Tuesday barred the wearing of the flag in the house.

Chinomona ordered the two to take their flags out but they refused forcing her to enlist the services of the Sergeant-At-Arms to eject them.

But they refused and started passing on the flag to fellow lawmakers from their party.

MDC-T chief whip, Innocent Gonese, defended the lawmakers saying putting on the national flag was a display of patriotism.

The flags were eventually taken out of the House of Assembly after Chinomona threatened to suspend the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, all cabinet ministers and the two vice presidents bunked parliament on Wednesday prompting the opposition lawmakers to ask the Speaker to charge them for contempt of parliament.

Opposition lawmakers said the country was facing serious economic and social problems and ministers should come to parliament to answer questions from their constituents.

Gonese said they have been complaining about the behaviour of the ministers and it was time they faced the music.

But acting speaker Chinomana said she had been advised that they were attending a cabinet meeting and their deputies were standing in for them.

MINISTER HECKLED

In another development, Deputy Public Service Minister Tapiwa Matangaidze, was heckled by opposition lawmakers after he claimed that government had the capacity to pay state workers and pensioners.

Matangaidze was responding to a question from opposition lawmaker Jessie Majome of the MDC-T who wanted to know why government was delaying payment of salaries if it had the capacity to pay.

Matangaidze said they had agreed with state workers that their salaries would be staggered as government was experiencing cash-flow problems.

He said he was surprised that the opposition was worried about the payment of civil servants more than the workers themselves.

But Majome and others said they had every reason to worry as they represented the workers in their constituencies.

With 10 days left before the end of the month, government has not paid its workers and does not have specific pay dates as yet.

It paid the June salaries this month.
A political analyst Ricky Munyaradzi Mukonza, who is a lecturer at Tswane University of Technology in Polokwane, South Africa, says President Robert Mugabes stinging remarks about political protest leader Evan Mawarire of #ThisFlag showed that he was not in touch with the situation on the ground.

Mukonzas comments followed President Mugabes attack on Mawarire, a church pastor, during the burial of Charles Utete at the Heroes Acre on Tuesday.

I think the statements by the president which kind of threatened Pastor Evan shows a leader who is clueless, a leader who when issues have been brought to him cannot deal with issues but rather deals with the messenger, Mukonza said.

President Mugabe launched a scathing attack on Pastor Evan Mawarire of the #thisflag movement, who rose to prominence for criticizing his government and organizing crippling protests in Zimbabwe, saying he suspects that he is not a minister of religion.

Officiating at the burial of the former chief secretary to the President and Cabinet, President Mugabe accused Pastor Evan Mawarire of being foreign-sponsored.

Mukonza said the president's remarks could be seen by "some overzealous Zanu PF supporters" as a ticket to physically attack Mawarire.
21-year-old wrestler Vinesh Phogat aspires to become a 'sporting heroine' of the country by winning a gold medal at Rio Olympics 2016.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Reigning Commonwealth Games champion grappler Vinesh Phogat has set her goal high -- nothing less than a gold at the upcoming Rio Olympics will quench her thirst.

Coming from a Haryanvi family of wrestlers, this youngster aspires to become a "sporting heroine" in the country, which she feels will inspire another generation of grapplers to take up the ancient sport.

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The 21-year-old was beaming with confidence after returning from a training camp in Spain earlier this week. (Also read: Rio-bound wrestlers Narsingh, Sandeep win medals at Spanish Grand Prix)

'WHY WILL I BE INTIMIDATED?'

"The target is nothing less than a gold at Rio. Like the other wrestlers, I also have two hands and legs, so why will I be intimidated?" she asked IANS rhetorically in an interview.

The training camp in Madrid, she said, was a success. "We got to fight with some of the experienced wrestlers. Also if you look at the weather conditions, it makes a difference," she said.

Vinesh, who was disqualified in the first attempt from the Olympic qualifying event held in Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia) for weighing 400 grams more than stipulated for the 48kg category event, acknowledged that it takes a lot to reduce.

"It is mentally and physically challenging to reduce weight. Further, it also increases the chance of picking up an injury which I don't want at this point of time," she said. Later she qualified to go to Rio de Janeiro.

'WANT TO GIVE MY 100 PERCENT'

Most Indian wrestlers start managing their weight usually three to seven days prior to the weigh-in day. In the run-up to the day, the wrestlers start dehydrating by reducing the intake of fluid and food.

Sweating out with the help of the sauna procedure, wearing rubber suit and aerobic training also help them maintain their weight.

But ask Vinesh about the pressure, and the younsgter says she is unfazed by the expectations.

"I don't want to take undue pressure before such an important tournament. I just want to go there and give my 100 percent on the mat."

'ASIAN WRESTLERS ARE GOOD'

Asked about her fiercest rivals, Vinesh said she expects more competition from Asia, but also quipped that she will also be among the toughest as she too hails from the same continent.

"Asian wrestlers are good and tough, but that also includes me, I am also from Asia and no less than anyone of them. There will be pressure on them as well," she said.

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Vinesh is excited to have her cousin Babita Kumari accompanying her at the Olympics. Babita will represent India in the 53kg women's freestyle category.

"Babita knows my strengths and weaknesses and vice versa, it really helps us both as we compliment each other and discuss about our games. Moreover, having a homely environment abroad also helps to keep your focus," she said.

--- ENDS ---
As all who live in Ponyville know friendship is magic, and, like a true magical friend, Republican National Convention chief strategist Sean Spicer is a loyal companion, ready to rescue the Republican presidential nominees wife from her publicity crises. When asked about the controversy surrounding Melania Trumps speech in Cleveland, which many have pointed out sounded a great deal like Michelle Obamas 2008 DNC speech, Spicer claimed that several of the phrases in the 2,000-word statement were similar to others that appear in pop culture. He compared passages from the speech to the words of such political luminaries as Kid Rock and Ice T, claiming that these are common values.

Spicer explained, Melania Trump said, the strength of your dreams and willingness to work for them. Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony said, This is your dream. Anything you can do in your dreams, you can do now. And that, folks, is why Princess Celestia (a.k.a. Melania) can count on Spicer.

Donald Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson echoed Spicer when she told reporters today that Mrs. Trump wanted to communicate to Americans in phrases they have heard before. You know what else Americans heard before on My Little Pony? Chaos is a wonderful, wonderful thing!


Jaidev, Bal Thackeray's estranged son, has challenged the Sena supremo's will of December 2011 which bequeaths a large chunk of the estate to Uddhav Thackeray and does not give him anything.

By Vidya : The fight over Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray's will took a shocking turn today when Jaidev, Thackeray's second son, revealed some startling details about his relationship with wife Smita.

"Aishwarya is not my son," Jaidev told the court which has been hearing the case over the last three days. The court was adjourned for lunch as soon Jaidev made the statement.

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During lunch, the advocates of both parties were summoned to the chamber of the judge for a meeting. As soon as Justice Patel came back to court, he announced that every media personnel present in court must leave until further orders.

Why no one dared to mess with the Shiv Sena



Jaidev, Thackeray's estranged son, has challenged the Sena supremo's will of December 2011 which bequeaths a large chunk of the estate to Uddhav Thackeray and does not give him anything.

THE WAR OF WILL GETS DIRTY

Bal Thackeray's will, when it was brought out after he passed away in November 2012, had surprised many. While most of the property was bequeathed on the political heir of Shiv Sena Uddhav, an entire floor in the Sena bastion - Matoshree - was given to Jaidev's ex-wife Smita Thackeray's son. Nothing was however given to Jaidev's other children or to Uddhav's sons. Even Bal Thackeray's eldest son Bindu Madhav's children did not receive anything from the property worth crores. Apart from Matoshree, Thackeray had willed a farmhouse in Karjat, a plot in Bhandardara and bank deposits which have been collectively valued by Uddhav and his associates at Rs 14.85 crore.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN COURT TILL NOW

For the last three days, Jaidev has been sitting in the witness box answering all the questions being put forth by Uddhav's lawyer Rohit Kapadia. Kapadia asked him where he stayed in Matoshree whenever he visited. Jaidev said it was mostly on the second floor which was where Thackeray senior stayed.



In Pics: Bal Thackeray and his controversial legacy



Jaidev tried to rubbish all claims of estrangement with his father claiming that they spoke on phone everyday and he even attended to him regularly.

Jaidev on Tuesday (July 19) told the court that he was against wife Smita joining politics and in order to maintain domestic harmony he avoided staying at Matoshree at night after the sprawling building was refurbished.

During the hearing today, Kapadia asked Jaidev if he ever stayed on the first floor, which was refurbished according to his own taste? Jaidev told the court that he had never stayed there after 2004, the year he got divorced from Smita Thackeray.

"Did you ever go to the first floor at Matoshree after 2004?" Jaidev was asked. "No, it was often locked. It was also occupied at times by some people who were not familiar to me," Jaidev replied and added, "My father told me that there was someone named Aishwarya who was staying there." At this Kapadia asked him if Aishwarya was his son. At this he said, "I wanted to clarify and put this on record many times. No he is not my son."

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Also Read:

Fight over Bal Thackeray's will: Balasaheb wanted me to carry forward his political legacy, says Jaidev Thackeray

Don't care if law comes in way of Bal Thackeray's memorial, says Shiv Sena



--- ENDS ---
BUTTERY SMOOTH

Shea Fabulous Massage, The Khyber Spa



Exclusivity is the mark of luxury, and what better way to indulge than in the lap of "paradise'' to quote a cliche. Far from obsequious platitudes, Gulmarg, and in particular, its most recent jewel, The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, is a must-stay, must-do. While there, be sure to try the shea massage; this Swedish and long kneading Balinese spa treatment is available exclusively at The Khyber Spa by L'OCCITANE. The comforting movements of Balinese and Swedish techniques coupled with the generous indulgence of the formula of 5 per cent pure shea oils (sunflower, baobab, carrot), this massage nourishes, repairs and protects the skin.



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Truly holistic in every sense, it is a treat for the entire body and face. Shea butter is nature's finest skin food so lavish your skin with its healing and rejuvenating properties. Transformed skin is just one of the benefits, the relaxed body and sweet smells will go a long way. It isn't just for the narcissist either, it is ideal for the hyperactive mind for whom stress is a necessary evil. Duration 90 minutes Price Rs 5,500 plus taxes Tel +91-9906603272 Address The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg, Kashmir Website www.khyberhotels.com

By Chumki Bharadwaj

GRAPEVINE BUZZ

Vino Therapy, Woo Wellness & Spa



The Armenians discovered it, the Greeks glorified it and the French glamourised it. But wine's glorious journey now makes its way from ingestation to indulgence via the wellness route. Drink a glass of red wine for antioxidant goodness, but sink your trivial pursuits in a bath tub full of wine. To get into the mood for the 90-minute session, the wrap of the grapes begins with a refreshing glass of grape juice, following which, the well-trained therapist kneads the body into submission with an effleurage massage to warm the tissues. After the body has been oiled, warmed, prepped and readied, a grainy, exfoliating sludge of red wine mixed with warm water, grapes, sea salt, honey, rice powder and grape seed oil is rubbed all over.



Once you've been exfoliated and polished, it's time for a hot shower, after which the therapist slathers on cold lavender moisturiser to quench the skin. The advantages of the therapy include defending the skin from free radicals and promoting tissue elasticity. Duration 90 minutes Price Rs 5,999 plus taxes Tel 011-46080808 Address Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, Asset No 02 GMR Hospitality District, Delhi Website pullmanhotels.com

By Chumki Bharadwaj

BALANCING ACT

Kalari Massage, NeoVeda Spa



If your idea of spa time involves mellow elevator music, lemongrass aroma wafting through the vents and a slightly built, soft-spoken therapist with soft hands gently kneading your troubles away, you need a rethink if you opt for the more vigorous Kalari massage-a therapy based on the body's energetic channels (nadis) and vital spots (marmas).



A massage that harmonises the body, mind and spirit, Kalari synchronises the entire biological system; enhances circulation; activates the lymphatic system of the body, and helps to purify it. The therapist uses both hands and feet to apply pressure to the vital points of the body. At NeoVeda Spa, this treatment uses a special herb infusion of ayurvedic oils that also helps to relax the body. Duration 90 minutes Price Rs 5,500 plus taxes Tel 011-42500200 Address The Metropolitan Hotel and Spa, Bangla Sahib Road, Connaught Place, Delhi Website www.hotelmetdelhi.com

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By Chumki Bharadwaj

COOL UNDER PRESSURE

Tibetan Massage, Ananda Spa



The core of all the Tibetan experiences by Ila, is healing. The higher energy or vibration, which is central to the therapy, is present in Ila's unique products such as Himalayan salt poultices, cardamom, lavender and jatamansi based essential oil. The massage focuses on lymphatic drainage, acupressure and meridian work over the back, legs, chest and culminates in a soothing head massage.



The treatment aims to restore the nervous system and stimulate a free flow of energy within the body, eliminate stress and tension, insomnia, depression, nerve system dysfunctions and bring balance to the internal elements of the body. Duration 115 minutes Price Rs 8,800 plus taxes Tel 01378227500 Address Anand in the Himalayas, The Palace Estate, Narendra Nagar Tehri, Garhwal Website anandaspa.com

By Asmita Bakshi

CRYSTAL CLEAR

Halotherapy, Salt Escape



Owners Lyla and Jamsheed Mehta recommend relaxing in one of the salt rooms for an hour at a time, inhaling the micro-particles of salt disseminated gently through the room. At the end of the hour, you've inhaled approximately 60 mg of salt, which unlike the salty air by the seaside, is low on moisture and helps clear the mucous in the respiratory tracts.



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Those with skin problems such as eczema and acne must expose the affected area for the salt's anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to work. Patrons are encouraged to meditate, do yoga or pilates in the salt room. Duration 60 minutes Price Rs 1,600 onwards Tel 022-22690034 Address Kaiser-E-Hind Pvt. Ltd, Hanuman Building, Ground Floor, 300, Perin Nariman Street, Fort Website saltescape.in

By Moeena Halim

--- ENDS ---
A judge denied a request by death row inmate Carnell Petetan Jr. to speak to a state expert Tuesday after McLennan County prosecutors charged his attorneys were on a fishing expedition and assured them they had provided all evidence favorable to the defense.

Jeremy Schepers and Ashley Steele of the Office of Capital and Forensic Writs filed a motion seeking an order from 19th State District Judge Ralph Strother that they be allowed to interview Dr. Randy Price and that state prosecutors turn over their notes or other communications with the Dallas neuropsychologist.

Price consulted with McLennan County prosecutors in the Petetan capital murder case but did not testify at his trial. Price attended the trial and heard defense expert witnesses testify that Petetan has an intellectual disability that should preclude him from the death penalty.

Strother sentenced Petetan to death in April 2014 after jurors recommended the penalty in the 2012 shooting death of his estranged wife, Kimberly Farr Petetan.

The attorneys from the capital writ office have not filed an application for writ of habeas corpus in Petetans case but are in the preparation stages while his initial appeal is pending before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. The deadline to file the writ application with the states highest criminal court is Oct. 19.

Officials brought Petetan from death row in Livingston, 45 miles east of Huntsville, for the 20-minute hearing.

Prosecutors Michael Jarrett and Sterling Harmon objected to the defenses request. They assured the judge that the state had provided to the defense all so-called Brady material and all subject matter covered by the Michael Morton Act, evidence favorable to the defense.

Dr. Price consulted on the case, Jarrett said. He never gave us any exculpatory materials. He just agreed with the states contention that all of Petetans life, his actions, thoughts and things he did do not support an intellectual disability finding and, in fact, rebut it.

Jarrett reminded Strother that Petetan testified at his trial for hours and said the jury could see he is not intellectually disabled.

This is not a case of test scores, Jarrett said. It is a case of adaptive behavior.

The jury in Petetans case found that Petetan constitutes a continuing threat to society and rejected his claim that he was exempt from execution because of mental impairment.

Kimberly Petetan started writing Carnell Petetan in prison in 2009 after a chance meeting with his brother. A recovering drug addict who was studying to be a drug abuse counselor, Kimberly Petetan shared her story with Carnell Petetans brother, and he thought Carnell Petetan, then serving a 20-year prison term for three violent assaults, could benefit from her kindness.

Kimberly Petetan and Carnell Petetan were married and after his release from prison lived together in Port Arthur for a short time. Kimberly Petetan moved back to Waco after reporting that her husband had threatened her and her daughter.

Carnell Petetan was convicted of breaking into his estranged wifes Lake Shore Drive apartment in September 2012  about seven months after his release from prison  and shooting her in front of her daughter and two men who rode from Port Arthur with him earlier that day.

Both of those men and the girl told jurors that Petetan shot his wife.

Petetan claimed one of the men with him fired the fatal shots.

Petetan served almost 20 years in prison for shooting two men and attacking another man with a chair in separate incidents when he was 16.

He has been locked up since he was 13, being placed on juvenile probation for attacking a teacher before continuing to do poorly and being sent to a state juvenile facility in Brownwood.

Trial testimony showed that in Petetans early prison years, he sexually assaulted three fellow inmates, assaulted guards and was a member of the 357 Graveyard Crips prison gang.
Three-year-old Charlie Coker climbed into a Hewitt Police Department patrol vehicle and sat smiling as he spun the steering wheel, making sure his novelty fire chief helmet did not block his view.

He loves firetrucks and he wants to be a fireman and surgeon who drives a motorcycle, Charlies mother, Amy Coker, said. He seemed to have a lot of fun when he got up into the police car too.

The Cokers, including their 15-month-old son, Benji, joined a crowd of McLennan County residents Wednesday morning at Hero Day at Hewitt Park.

If there was a trash truck out here, he would be in heaven, Joe Coker, Charlies father, said.

Hewitt Public Library officials organized the event and invited residents to bring children and interact with area first responders, including local police departments, fire departments, SWAT and city officials.

This is one of our summer programs that we have every Wednesday morning throughout the summer that allows the kids to connect with different educational programs, but this special day has been near and dear to my heart, Hewitt Library Director Waynette Ditto said. This is just an opportunity for our community to connect with our local heroes, like the police and fire department, but we also have community service workers that keep our water and roads safe.

Ditto said several months ago, library organizers planned to host the inaugural Hero Day at Hewitt Park as a way to give thanks to local emergency responders. Ditto said Hero Day grew into a much more celebrated community gathering after the shooting of police officers in Dallas almost two weeks ago.

Unfortunately, the United States came into a different situation in the past few weeks and everything changed, so we invited all of the local law enforcement throughout in McLennan County to join us and to say thank you, she said. This is a way for our community to connect, because we kept hearing that people wanted to do something to say thanks.

Children, parents and community members climbed into city and county vehicles and visited with multiple agencies. As an additional fundraising opportunity, Hewitt Fire Chief Lance Bracco, City Manager Adam Miles and Police Chief Jim Devlin took turns sitting on a dunking booth.

Wow, now thats refreshing. Nice and cool, Bracco said after his first dunk of the day. I just think that this is a great show of support and a great team effort. Because whenever an incident happens, we all come together and now we can be here together with the community.

Residents got a chance to throw two balls for $1, with all proceeds benefiting Pack of Hope  a local initiative that provides food to children on the weekends and during summer months.

Ditto said the entire Hero Day highlighted the first responders commitment to stay engaged with community needs.

A long time ago, you would see city workers, police or fire and you would just know things would be safe, Ditto said. Nowadays, images that children see on TV or on social media, its not always positive. But this is just a way to get all emergency responders together to not only say job well done, but its also a great opportunity to show kids that these are good people. They will always have your back.
Fifty-three local students received scholarships Tuesday night that will help keep their college education on track.

Waco Foundations MAC College Money Program, founded in 1995 by former Waco Mayor Malcolm Duncan Sr. and his wife, Mary Ruth, held its annual scholarship awards ceremony at McLennan Community College.

The program provides grants to local, low-income students for the first two years at either MCC or Texas State Technical College.

If students maintain a 3.0 grade-point average during those two years, they become eligible for a $5,000 scholarship to attend a four-year university beginning in their third year. The 53 students at the ceremony Tuesday were receiving scholarships to start at four-year universities after meeting the requirements at MCC or TSTC.

Dareicka Banks, 20, will study occupational therapy at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor after spending two years at MCC. A Connally High School graduate, Banks said the MAC scholarship is critical to her and her family.

Its very important, especially when you dont have money to afford it, Banks said. Im able to go to a school that I like.

The 3.0 GPA is not the only challenge for the recipients, Duncan said. He interviewed many of them personally and said he was impressed by the recipients, as is the case each year.

Virtually every one of these students is working, Duncan said. Every one of these students have their families here. Thats a big part of their success.

Since 2011, Baylor University has provided full-ride scholarships each year to three MAC recipients who meet the programs requirements after the first two years.

Sinda Vanderpool, Baylors associate vice provost for academic enrollment management, said the ceremony to award the scholarships symbolizes the universitys partnerships with MCC and the Waco Foundation.

Its one of my favorite events of all time because you can see what a difference these donors and the Waco Foundation and other generous entities make in the lives of students, Vanderpool said.

More than 99 percent of MAC scholarship recipients finish their degrees, and more than half remain in Waco to start their careers.

It personalizes the wonderful educational experience that we know students are having, Vanderpool said.

But to actually hear their stories, they talk about how they grew up and from what academic background they came, they have the opportunity to go to MCC and then to a place like Baylor or other great institutions. Its really wonderful to hear the impact those donors and these generous entities are having in individual student lives.

Hunter Solano, 20, will attend Baylor this fall and study business marketing. He graduated from Reicher Catholic High School and then spent two years at MCC.

One day I could see myself owning a business, Solano said. Thats my goal, hopefully something in Waco. I see Waco growing right now, and I think it would be a good market for a business.

Robbie Stebano, director of scholarships with the MAC program, said she is thrilled when she sees former recipients around town, even as doctors, nurses and dental hygenists.

Stebano said La Vega High School had five recipients this year, McGregor High School had five, Connally had six, and 16 students came from Waco Independent School District.

MCC President Johnette McKown said the MCC students transferring to Baylor include a presidential scholar and an honors college student.

Even if they finish their first two years and then they transfer, one of the biggest obstacles for a student to completing their four-year degree is having scholarship money for their last two years, McKown said. Thats why many of them stop. So this program providing transfer and scholarship is the difference in being able to complete.
A Bellmead tire shop owner was pepper-sprayed and robbed at gunpoint by two masked men Tuesday afternoon before they left the store in a stolen vehicle, Bellmead police Sgt. Kory Martin said.

At about 3:45 p.m., a witness reported that Eddies Tire & Check Cashing, 1422 New Dallas Highway, had been robbed by two men who had driven to the store in a vehicle reportedly stolen out of Waco, Martin said. One man was armed with pepper spray, and the second was armed with a semi-automatic pistol, he said.

The first one through the door sprayed the owner, and then they held him at gunpoint, Martin said. They were able to get an undisclosed amount of cash and business checks.

The men left the store in the stolen vehicle, Martin said. The business owner was treated at the scene for injuries from the pepper spray.

Shortly after officers began the search for the suspects, the vehicle was found unoccupied in the 1200 block of Adams Street in East Waco.

Martin said officers continued to search for the suspects Tuesday evening.

The same business was robbed in February.

In the February robbery, two men entered the business wearing masks, displayed pistols and threatened two employees. Both employees were pepper-sprayed and forced to hand over an undisclosed amount of money, police previously told the Tribune-Herald.

It is unknown if the February robbery is connected to Tuesdays robbery, but Martin said officers are actively investigating the incident.

Martin said officers plan to release surveillance video from the shop in hopes of identifying the suspects.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Bellmead Police Department at 799-0251.
Will Mike Pence help Donald Trump win over Christian conservatives?

White evangelical voters who are put off by Trumps misogyny, racism or astonishing business ethics wont be swayed by the addition to the ticket of a conservative Midwesterner fleeing from his own political problems.

And what then of the millions of Christian conservatives who arent put off? Trump has already won their devotion: He had them at Hell, no.

As the Pew Research Center reported last week, white evangelicals are even more strongly supportive of Trump than they were of Mitt Romney at a similar point in the 2012 campaign. More than three-quarters  78 percent  of white evangelical voters say they would vote for Trump, and about one-third back his campaign strongly.

As a model of Christian virtue, Trump is less than ideal. But most Christian conservatives arent looking for a virtuous lamb. They want a street fighter  the more aggressive the better.

Echoing a quintessentially Trumpian refrain, pastor Robert Jeffress of First Baptist Church in Dallas complained that the evangelical elite who have resisted Trump are out of touch with the average person in the pew. In confronting a dangerous world, Jeffress said, I want the meanest, toughest, son-of-a-you-know-what I can find in that role, and I think thats where many evangelicals are.

Where many white evangelicals are, at least in their own minds, is on the losing end of a seismic event: the transformation of the United States from a nation that, from its founding until the end of the 20th century, was utterly dominated by white Christians, into a racial and religious polyglot that in 2008 elected Barack Obama president.

In remarks at the Brookings Institution, Robert Jones, the author of The End of White Christian America, described the 2016 election as a referendum on that end. The termination date on white Christian pre-eminence, fittingly, was smack in the middle of the Obama administration. The nation went from 54 percent white Christian in 2008 to 45 percent today.

Conservative politics in the Obama era has been dominated by that fact and shaped by the anxieties and insecurities flowing from it. Birtherism, nativism, congressional obstruction, the tea party and other manifestations of panic have culminated in the blunt racial assertion that is the Trump campaign.

Evangelical support for Trump was all but preordained. It was certainly predicted, however obliquely, in one of the more interesting research projects of the past few years  a series of focus groups conducted in 2013 by pollster Stanley Greenberg. The groups convened by Greenberg were divided into moderate Republicans, white evangelicals and tea partyers.

The moderate Republicans understood contemporary America in terms consistent with the portrait portrayed in, for example, mainstream news media. They didnt like Obama but found him a readily comprehensible political figure: Christian, liberal, Democrat.

Tea partyers and conservative evangelicals, on the other hand, deemed the president a mysterious alien intent on destroying all they hold dear. Evangelical participants described Obama as a tyrant who wanted to undermine Christianity and usher in communism. Trump has promised to resuscitate the white Protestant dominance of the 1950s, thus magically sweeping aside the decades of unwanted change that have cost Christian conservatives status and power.

With or without a social conservative on the ticket, Trump is the only one making such an attractive offer.

Francis Wilkinson writes on politics and domestic policy for Bloomberg View.
WAHOO  The registered voters of Saunders County will have one more decision to make on their General Election ballot in November.

The question will be whether or not to eliminate an elected position and consolidate the Countys Assessors Office and Register of Deeds Office.

Supervisor Doris Karloff said the boards rationale for considering consolidation is based on efficiency and savings of dollars.

However, Karloff said during the July 12 public hearing that the board does not have an exact plan for moving forward with consolidation.

And that is what prompted the lone no vote from Supervisor Ed Rastovski.

My biggest complaint is I wanted a plan, said Rastovski after the meeting.

He said he wanted a plan with options to be presented, and any savings presented in those plans.

During the hearing last week, Register of Deeds Don Clark said he estimated that it would save the county between $1 and $1.50 per county resident to make the change.

Clark, who has announced he will not seek another term, argued the total budget for his office is nearly $111,000 and that includes his salary, his deputys salary and one part-time staff.

On Monday, Rastovski said there are several possible scenarios for how much the county would save money, ranging between $350,000 and $800,000 over a 10-year period. Realistically, the savings is somewhere between those two numbers, he added.

He said he wanted to look at numbers over a long range of time, because some money is a one-time expense, but when cutting or adding personnel, those numbers differ. He added that salaries dont stay the same over 10 years.

Rastovski said one option could be hiring a full-time staff with lesser pay than what Clark currently makes, or a half-time staff member that could be cross-trained for both deed and assessor work.

Rastovski said the board will now focus on a plan and then explain it to the public.

The board will settle on a plan in open meeting, said Rastovski.

Several area banks and title agencies testified against consolidation, stating that the Register of Deeds office works efficiently, accurately and has expertise they rely on for their business functions.

Linda Little with Nebraska Land, Title and Abstract said the county citizens most valuable asset is real estate and that its not just a data entry position, that mistakes in the office could cost lots of money.

Douglas County Register of Deeds/Assessor Diane Battiato said her office went through the transition and that in a year and a half, there are a lot more cons and very little savings.

The existing offices have some concerns as well.

Rhonda Andresen, Clarks deputy, said that the county would have to hire more than one person if the offices were consolidated, as the assessor would have to spend time knowing the responsibilities of the deeds office and vice versa.

She said both officials are not simply administrators, but workers in their respective offices.

Saunders County Assessor Cathy Gusman said that it takes an entire year to touch everything her office does. She said that two separate offices for all the responsibilities would not be efficient.

County Clerk Patti Lindgren said she also disagreed with consolidation, because the county takes on a tremendous liability if their offices do not have well-trained staff.

Supervisor Scott Sukstorf said the best way to guarantee keeping a good office is to keep the staff in place they have now, implying Andresen should continue those responsibilities.

There were no members of the public that spoke in favor of consolidation.
This especially published dos and don'ts handbook attempts to decode the socio-cultural mysteries of Russia for Indians travelling to the country.

By Indo-Asian News Service: Why do Russians rarely smile or why is lighting agarbattis (incense sticks) not welcome in hotel rooms in Moscow or St. Petersburg?

If you're planning to visit Russia anytime soon, then such questions are bound to cross your mind--and if they don't, they probably should. Like all countries, Russia too has its own socio-cultural mysteries that might be a tad difficult for Indians to fathom. Which is why this especially published dos and don'ts handbook that attempts to decode the country's culture, might come in handy.



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"Smiling to strangers is not a part of Russian culture. Russians are polite and professional, and they do smile wholeheartedly after they come to know you -- which often takes time," says the booklet which was released last week by the Mumbai-based Russian Information Centre, based on the inputs of the Consulate General of Russian Federation.

"Please do not light up your favourite agarbatti in the hotel room. This is an absolute no-no because of the other International tourists who complain about the fragrances or have allergies to strong fragrances. Do pray, but hold the agarbatti for a few days," the handbook says.

Speaking to IANS, the Centre's head Ekaterina Belyakova said that the list of do's and don'ts were evolved, based on cultural misunderstandings which were logged with the organisation over the last couple of years.

"We've tried to address these in this handbook. We felt warning people about some cultural traditions, social norms and customs, sentiments, even tastes, especially when it comes to food, is very important," Belyakova said.

The handbook also delves deep into the Russian psyche, while it accounts for why Russians overtly dig in their heels and defend beliefs related to Russian history and culture.

"Revolution and two world wars, dramatic political changes of the past century have a clear bearing on every Russian's mind. Hence, Russian people think very deep while they generally look forward to a secure and prosperous future. For the same reasons, Russians can be protective about their culture, language and the country -- sometimes to the point of fiercely defending their beliefs," the advisory says.

Food habits account for a biggish chunk of the handbook. While Russians and Indians love their 'chai' (Russians like it without milk, it says), the handbook advises Indian tourists to keep their spices handy and fret less about availability of Indian food in major Russian cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.

"Russian food contains almost no tropical spices and is generally prepared with less salt... If you are an Indian spice lover, do carry the needful quantity of Indian pepper or garam masala or whatever that fancies your taste buds. These spices are not easily available (and) can be very costly," it says.

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"Many dishes like borsch are quite like Indian soups and can be had with or without meat; other dishes common are cutlets, puffs... Cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg have adequate number of good quality, pure Indian restaurants, with vegetarian food being normally served," the handbook further advises.

The advisory also draws parallels between Russia and other Western European countries vis-a-vis the culture of tipping and pricing of water, which is often more expensive than beer.

"Drinking water is not free anywhere, like in other parts of Europe. You will have to buy small quantities which is expensive or stock up five-litre cans available in product shops or hyper markets," it says, adding that while Russia has a liberal drinking regime, boozing on the country's streets is banned.

The do's and don'ts exercise also advises on how best to deal with Russian immigration officials, most of whom are not well versed in English, a handicap which sometimes leads to unsavoury episodes at immigration check-points.

"They may ask you to wait by using sign language. There is no reason for panicking or having an ego about it... Please do not raise your voice or argue unduly or take any pictures as they are strictly prohibited," the advisory states.

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Out of 18 million Indian outbound tourists, nearly 30,000 visit Russia annually and with our outbound tourism growing faster than China, the South Asian giant is an obvious target for Russian tourism promoters, says Paresh Navani, managing partner of the Russian Information Centre.

"Russia has a lot to offer for Indian tourists, and it is not only beautiful nature or cultural heritage, but the warmth of Russian 'chai' and Russian people too," Navani assures.

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ASHLAND  If you go hungry during Stir-Up, youve got nobody to blame but yourself.

There will be a wide variety of food available during the activities that make up the Stir-Up weekend in Ashland starting on Friday, when the Ashland-Greenwood High School Spirit Squad will hold their annual Burger Bash in the high school commons area. This event starts at 5 p.m. and closes up at 7 p.m., when the coronation ceremony begins.

If youre still hungry and hanging around the high school later, you can buy some movie goodies at the Drive-In Movie hosted by the AGHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) group on Friday night starting at 8:30 p.m. They will be serving popcorn, candy and beverages. The movie is Jurassic World and will be shown on the north side of the high school building. Movie-goers can sit in lawn chairs or sit in their cars and listen on their radios.

Saturday is the big day as far as food, starting bright and early with the Boy Scout Troop 34 breakfast at 7 a.m. at Bank of Ashland. At 9 a.m., the doors open at Willow Point Gallery for the ever-popular Hightshoe Family Bake Sale, featuring delicious baked goods made by the daughters of Archie Hightshoe.

During the Grand Parade, which begins at 10 a.m., the Clear Creek 4-H Club will be scooping out refreshing snow cones from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in front of Lee Sapp Ford, 1602 Silver St., to provide a cool complement to the many activities going on.

As lunch time nears on Saturday, the choices expand for food.

Following the Grand Parade the Ashland American Legion will serve lunch at the Legion Club at 16th and Silver.

The St. Mary Catholic Church Youth Group and Knights of Columbus will be working in tandem to provide sloppy joes, brats and burgers at the churchs education center at 17th and Silver.

At the former library, the Ashland Historical Society will host their second annual Lunch on the Lawn. They have added a cake walk to the food fun this year. Funds raised will go to the Ashland History Museum. The museum is located at 205 North 15th Street.

The food options continue in the afternoon and early evening on Saturday.

In the area of 15th and Silver streets, Word of Hope Lutheran Church is operating a concessions stand.

For dessert, head to Ashland United Methodist Church for a slice of pie and a scoop of ice cream from 4 to 7 p.m.

VFW Post 9776 will hold a Steak and Hamburger Fry at the VFW Hall at 24th and Silver.

On Sunday, food will also be available during the Stir-Up Car Show. There will be a breakfast buffet at the Ashland American Legion Club, 1541 Silver St., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Ashland-Greenwood Post Prom Committee and the Ashland Rescue Squad will have a concession stand from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Silver Street. The Kona Shaved Ice truck will be on 15th Street east of the Post Office.
ASHLAND  Ashlands annual community celebration was born in the midst of the Great Depression.

According to The First 150 Years, Ashland: 1857 to 2007, the Ashland Chamber of Commerce organized the first Stir-Up in 1935 after a successful community picnic the year before.

In 1934, local merchants hosted a day of fun and celebration called the Farmers and Merchants Picnic that brought 3,000 people to Ashlands City Park on Aug. 9. Nebraskas governor was in attendance for the noon picnic dinner, band concert, political speeches, horse races, softball game and dance.

After the success of the Farmers and Merchants Picnic, the Chamber of Commerce felt a large community celebration would bring even more people to Ashland and in turn would increase commerce in the city. They planned it for October, when new fall merchandise was on store shelves.

The local business owners were adept at marketing, and dreamed up unique ways to promote the new festival. First, they sponsored a contest to name the event. The winning name was chosen out of over 3,000 entries.

Contestants were urged to choose a name that would be used year after year for the celebration, which is to be made an annual affair, according to The Ashland Gazette. Make the name brief, snappy and right to the pointsomething that will describe the celebration as well as create interest, the Gazette went on to say.

K.V. Russell of Ashland won the $25 prize with his entry, The Stir-Up. His entry was selected for being unique.

Contrary to what many have assumed, The Stir-Up has nothing to do with the part of a saddle where the foot is placed, known as a stirrup.

The Stir-Up suggests a celebration of festival quite out of the ordinary, one that signifies action, the Gazette wrote.

Twenty-five years ago, Bill Russell, the son of the man who won the naming contest, visited Ashland and dropped by the Gazette office to find a copy of the article about his fathers accomplishment.

Bill Russell was eight years old when his father won the prize, which at that time was a large amount of money.

In 1936, Dad bought either his first or second new Ford V-8 for $600, so $25 would have represented a good two weeks work in those days, Bill Russell said in 1991.

He remembered his father wore a suit for the presentation ceremony, which was accompanied by live music, skits, speeches and a detailed summary of the upcoming Stir-Up lineup.

Excitement for the first Stir-Up was created by a caravan of locals who traveled around the area during the two weeks before the celebration. Twenty carloads of enthusiastic boosters journeyed to 16 towns, including Yutan, Weeping Water, Millard and Greenwood to encourage people to attend Stir-Up. Their presentation included a 12-piece band and skits.

On Saturday nights leading to Stir-Up, evening programs held on Silver Street promoted the event, with speakers, skits and more music.

The traveling band of boosters did their magic, as nearly 10,000 people descended upon Ashland Stir-Up, which was held as a harvest celebration in October.

The first Stir-Up included six parades, as well as carnival rides, dances, games and numerous displays. The sidewalks were brimming with people attending events and chatting with friends, according to accounts.
LINCOLN  Dawoud Isied of rural Raymond was only interested in buying some of the baking equipment that the Grain Bin Bakery had offered up for sale since they were closing.

He walked out of the building owning the business.

That was last December and after weeks of remodeling and hiring help, he re-opened the Grain Bin Bakery, located at 5591 S. 48th Street in Lincoln.

Owning a bakery is not the unusual for Isied.

I owned a restaurant in Jordan for years, he said. He came to the United States to continue his education, majoring in environment management, and ended up in Nebraska where he met Doug and Krista Dittman.

I started making cheese for Branched Oak Farms, he said. But he always wanted to get back into the restaurant business.

I am a believer that bread brings a family together, he said. He kept the name Grain Bin Bakery, but added Share Bread, Share Love to those words.

Isied said that he uses all natural ingredients and no preservatives in his baking, purchasing as much as he can locally. He said he would like to see that grow as he always keeps the farmer in mind.

I am a big supporter of the farm to table program, he said.

Isied describes his bread as healthy bread selling at affordable prices.

And he is all for trying different varieties saying he was open to all creative ideas.

Its all not just white and whole wheat, he said. The shelves are filled with Orange Bread, Green Olive Bread, Apple Almond Bread, Blueberry Bread, and Sunflower Bread.

Im all for trying different kinds and we usually work on it until its just perfect," he said. "Our loaves are similar to the home-baked bread from your grandmothers oven.

Besides owning the bakery which is open to the public six days a week, Isied can be seen loading up a van with bread and heading out to weekend markets.

I go to the three Farmers Markets here in Lincoln, and one in Ashland and Seward, he said. His bread can also be seen on the shelves at all HyVee and Open Harvest stores.

Isied said that they were just beginning to make cinnamon rolls to sell individually.

We make them with honey, no sugar, he said.

Hes hoping that that people will come into the shop and sit to enjoy those cinnamon rolls. In fact, he has made up a corner shelf, stocked it with books, and welcomes people to borrow them. He said he has a take one, bring one policy concerning the books.

I love to learn so there are a lot of books on the shelves right now. It is a good way to learn and Im always learning.

During his time in Nebraska, he met Angie Kubalek of Raymond and has joined in a partnership with her in raising hogs at Branched Oak Farm.

We raise animals with sustainable, certified-organic methods to produce healthy and wholesome pastured pork products free of hormones and antibiotics, he said.

He then sells whole, half or quarter hogs and individual cuts.

The hogs are raised on pasture where they can happily feed, root in the mud and play, he said calling them Happy Hogs. And they enjoy eating any bread we dont sell.

Isied, who majored in environment management, says both businesses were doing well.

We all grew up enjoying food and bread has a lot of meaning to it," he said. "Sharing bread shows the love we have for each other.
A senior BJP leader admitted that what is happening in Gujarat will have bearing in their equation with Dalits in UP as it has given Mayawati an excellent opportunity to take the battle to the BJP court.

By Brijesh Pandey: How at times, one incident is enough to blow your most carefully laid plan to smithereens. BJP must be learning it the hard way. When one cow protection vigilante thrashed four Dalits for skinning a dead cow at a village in Gir Somnath district, they had little idea that this one act of theirs will have alarm bells ringing within the ruling party.

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A purported video of Dalits being beaten with iron rods and sticks went viral on social media and triggered a Dalit fury which forced the government on the back foot. Though the government acted swiftly and arrested those involved in relevant section but the damage was done. The images and video of the incident sparked a Dalit backlash, which the government was not prepared for. Within few days the mob took to the streets and set ablaze busses in Rajkot, and other towns in Saurashtra. In Surendranagar, a truckload of cow carcasses were dumped outside the collectors office. Ever since this agitation broke out, around 15 Dalits have attempted suicide.

Gurjarat CM Anandiben Patel visited the site today and offered her condolences. Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal are going to visit it in the next 48 hours. When the third day of the Monsoon Session began, in the upper house there was a fight between BSP supremo Mayawati and Congress over who is going to raise this issue first in the house. Mayawati accused both the BJP and Congress being party to this drama and said that despite the problems created by the ruling party, it was the BSP which raised this issue first. Home Minister Rajnath Singh denied these allegations and said that the party took immediate action. While Congress protest against this issue was somewhat marred by visuals of Rahul Gandhi taking "nap" in Lok Sabha when other party leaders were vociferously protesting on this issue. Such was the impact of this Dalit flogging in Gujarat and its potential ramification in the all important polls of Uttar Pradesh.

HOW DAMAGING THIS IS FOR THE BJP IN UTTAR PRADESH?

It's not as if this is the first case of excess of cow protection vigilantes. Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand and other states are replete with cases in which over suspicion of cattle smuggling, these vigilantes have taken law in their own hand. People accused of cow smuggling were mercilessly thrashed. In one horrifying case in Jharkhand, two Muslim traders were hanged to death over cattle smuggling. In most of the cases, the accused were arrested and send behind bars, but they didn't raise the political temperature of the government as it didn't rock their carefully woven caste calculus.

But, 11th July incident was different. The image of Dalits being beaten with belts disturbed the status quo for the BJP as it happened in Gujarat. In the last one and a half year, BJP under the leadership of PM Modi had launched a massive Dalit outreach program to co-opt the biggest Dalit icon, Dr. BR Ambedkar. As part of the programme, the NDA government celebrated Ambedkar's birthday as Samajik Samrasta Divas and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to the Dalit icon at his birthplace at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. Even, BJP president Amit Shah, took holy dip with Dalit Sadhus. BJP left no stone unturned to woo them, keeping in mind the all important Uttar Pradesh elections.

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MAYAWATI IS WORSE THAN A SEX WORKER: BJP LEADER'S SHOCKER

But then came Una and it shook the equation which the BJP is so assiduously building. The party was able to put Rohit Vemula episode behind him but this seems to blowing up in their face. A senior BJP leader admitted that what is happening in Gujarat will have bearing in their equation with Dalits in UP as it has given Mayawati an excellent opportunity to take the battle to the BJP court. He said, "What is worrisome for us is that despite this incident taking place more than a week ago, we have not been successfully able to reach out to them. We may be prompt in action, but are losing the perception voice". He is not the only one. The fact that the Dalit outburst in various parts of Gujarat is still showing no signs of abatement. A Uttar Pradesh BJP leader said, "We were able to deal with Vemula issue but with every passing day, incident in Gujarat is turning out to be big headache for us. If we are not able to douse the fire quickly, we will have to pay electoral price for it".

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While the NDA government was grappling with the Una crisis, ousted UP BJP vice president Daya Shankar Singh's comment on BSP supremo Mayawati triggered a massive political storm. Singh allegedly compared Mayawati to a sex worker. As soon as the statement came out in open, another Dalit bombshell hit the BJP. Party was clearly on defensive and dismissed Singh from his post, but the damage was done. The day belonged to Mayawati who tore into the BJP twice in a day, calling them anti-Dalit in their approach.

While Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today visited Una, the party feels that apart from administrative action, a political outreach should have happened soothing the frayed nerves. If the situation is not dealt with immediately, a section of the party feels, that they have handed back the mojo of the BSP supremo Mayawati, back to her.

ALSO READ:

Una Dalit thrashing: As Opposition guns for Gujarat govt, Union ministers come to Anandiben's defence

Mayawati slur rocks Parliament, opposition tears into 'anti-women, anti-Dalit' BJP



--- ENDS ---

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Polina Bosca, VP, Agribusiness and Business Development, Bosca S.p.A, Italy, shares tips on food and wine pairing.



More than 30 billion bottles of wine are produced world-wide each year, among these there are different kinds of wines from white to red passing through a wide range of rose wines; some are sweet, some are dry, some are semi-sweet. There are also many kinds of sparkling wines from traditional methods to industrial methods, from reds to whites, from slightly bubbly to just fizzy, and there are fortified wines, aromatic ones and many more. Each of these wines matches better with specific kinds of food.

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The point is to find the harmony between what you drink and what you eat. Wine should not prevail on food and food should not prevail on wine. Different types of wines fit better with different foods depending on the characteristic of the food, its taste, its consistency, sugar, salt and fat.

Also Read: Electric blue wine is the new in thing



A Matter of Choice

To some extent, we could compare wine pairing with style; for years, we have been told that some colours do not match well together (like blue and brown or orange and red) but time passes by and moods and taste change and, at some point, stylists began to launch new matches that a few years before were considered heretic. Remember you can buy fashion but you cannot buy style; be it fashion or be it wine, your personal style is up to you.

Know your Type

The best pairing is what makes you appreciate what you are consuming, what generates a taste that you might not have tried before, what offers you a feeling of satisfaction. I have a passion for sparkling wines, from the traditional kind to the lighter and sweet ones. Among these, you can find wines able to be matched with any food. For aperitivo, have a more bodied and thick Spumante, a champenoise method, a wine that has been lying on yeast for some years and that has received from them a great quantity of substances that make it complex and rich.

For first dish, it could be a lasagna with aubergines and a touch of rosemary; have a glass of Piemonte Spumante, a sparkling wine made with Chardonnay grapes that has a great acidity and smoothness that is able to let the rude taste of the aubergines in the pasta stand out. As a second course, have some crespelle with artichokes or a nice brasato with Barolo wine and a sauce of artichokes, all amalgamated with a glass of Prosecco to make the food become easy to eat and light. As a dessert with tiramisu, I would recommend a red and sweet sparkling wine such as a Brachetto, that has a slight tannin finish that makes the tiramisu cream become one thing with the tongue. So, what I would suggest you to do is to know your basic rules, try lots of different wines and play with pairings until you find those which you enjoy the best.

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Wine food:



Red wines go well with heavy dishes; red meats, lamb, beans, lentils, tacos and aged cheeses

White wines are perfect with fish, grilled or steamed,with a light sauce, salads, chicken and pork

Sparkling wines are best with finger food, nuts, plates with lots of ingredients inside such as rice salads

Sweet wines, both still and sparkling, are completely perfect both with spicy food and with sweets

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Classic Fighters of America  Restoration Shop Update

by Richard Mallory Allnutt (Editor)

WarbirdsNews founding editor, Moreno Aguiari, made a flight down to Titusville, Florida a couple of weeks ago to check out what Classic Fighters of America has been up to since our visit in May. A good deal has happened since the last report on their SIAI-Marchetti S.211 rebuild program. The third S.211 is coming along well, and is undergoing rewiring while the team also prepares it for the spray booth.

Doug Matthews second F-86 Sabre is slowly coming together, and is currently undergoing rewiring. However, work on the Sabre is a secondary priority until CFAs Douglas TA-4J Skyhawk Bu.156925 is completed. The aircraft rolled of the Douglas production line in August, 1970 and served as a trainer with the US Navy, flying 8751 hours before its retirement from the military in 1991. We managed to find a couple of photographs showing the Scooter during her service years, and thought our readers would enjoy seeing them (used here with permission).

Upcoming tasks on the TA-4J will include:

 Installing HOT seats

 Installing Garmin G3X in the front and rear cockpits

 Wiring

 Prepping the fuel tanks

Doug Matthews other F-86 Sabre marked in the Skyblazer scheme is currently set to feature at EAA AirVenture 2016 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin during a Warbirds in Review session in just a few days time.
By PTI: Kochi, Jul 20 (PTI) A senior woman police officer would probe the case of alleged bid by government pleader Dhanesh Mathew Majooran to molest a woman in the city last week.

Kerala Police chief Loknath Behera today said the investigation into the case has been handed over to Inspector Rural, Radhamani.

"It is not a very complicated case. Let the investigation complete," Behera told reporters when asked about the progress in the probe conducted by local police into the case.

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"If there is evidence, charge sheet will be filed," the DGP added.

The government pleader was arrested last week on the charge of allegedly attempting to molest the woman on a city lane.

Manjooran was apprehended on July 15 by locals after the woman raised an alarm. He is currently out on bail.

Yesterday, Kerala Union of Working Journalists organised a march protesting against some advocates who allegedly used abusive words against some legal reporters at the Kerala High Court media room here for covering the case. PTI TGB BN CPS

--- ENDS ---
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... but you will need to show proof of jab get into bars STUDENTS heading to college in September will not have to be vaccinated...
WATERFORD is marking time with a new museum in the Viking Triangle. The Irish Museum of Time is the first of its kind in the...
IF you are one of those parents who bought your child a bicycle for the new year but are struggling to find somewhere to...
Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins has described the progress which has been made on the purchase of the former Waterford Crystal site for...
Sushil Kumar Mishra, a lawyer, had filed a complaint against Google for showing PM Narendra Modi in the image search result for "top criminals in the world".

By Manish Sain: Following a revision application filed by a lawyer, the Allahabad district court has ordered a criminal case against search engine giant Google. Sushil Kumar Mishra, a lawyer, had filed a complaint against Google for showing PM Narendra Modi in the image search result for "top criminals in the world".



Mishra had first approached Civil Lines police station in Allahabad to file a case but was refused. His application was also dismissed by the chief judicial magistrate in November last year. The CJM refused to entertain the application noting it to be a civil case and not criminal.



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According to a report by Hindustan Times, the additional district judge Mahtab Ahmed has issued a notice to Google ceo and India chief seeking response on the complaint. The next hearing of the case is on July 31.



The issue came to light around June last year when users found Narendra Modi's photo in Google image search result for "top criminals in the world". After which Mishra had written a letter to the company, which is based in Mountain View, California, asking it to remove Modi's image. The company did not respond to Mishra's letter, the report said.



Google, right after the initial complaints and reports regarding the PM's photo, had apologised "for any confusion or misunderstanding".



"These results trouble us and are not reflective of the opinions of Google. Sometimes, the way images are described on the internet can yield surprising results to specific queries. We apologise for any confusion or misunderstanding this has caused. We're continually working to improve our algorithms to prevent unexpected results like this," a Google spokesperson said in a statement in June 2015.



The company had said that in this case, the image search results were drawn from multiple news articles with images of Modi, covering the prime minister's statements with regard to politicians with criminal backgrounds, but added that the news articles do not link Modi to criminal activity, and the words just appeared in close proximity to each other.



Several photos of PM Modi still appear in the image search for the mentioned search text. However, Google started putting a disclosure text after other such incidents involving fake or controversial results were reported.



The disclosure text reads, "These results don't reflect Google's opinion or our beliefs; our algorithms automatically matched the query to web pages with these images."



--- ENDS ---
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Seven jobs at a Waterford charity look set to be lost after it was announced that it is to be wound down. The U-Casadh...
I'm preparing to board a long-haul flight from Melbourne to Berlin and every newspaper at the departure lounge screams news of the Nice atrocity. TV monitors at the gate report live from the military coup taking place in Turkey. Europe seems gripped with terror and political upheaval  and I'm about to jump on a plane there.



The breaking news weighs heavily as I queue up for baggage check and pass through security. Although no one is talking about it openly, I wonder how anyone here, especially those of us heading to Europe, couldn't feel at least a hint of anxiety about the randomness and frequency of these incidents.



For me, returning to Berlin is always something of a homecoming. I will be reuniting with some of my oldest and dearest friends in one of the worlds most exciting and vibrant cities  a city where history and politics is writ large. This time I will take part in the annual Berlin Christopher Street Day, a celebration of Berlin's gay community.



So far Germany has been spared major terror incidents, but my friend who I will rendezvous with in Berlin took the precaution of changing his flights to Istanbul so as to avoid it after the attack on Ataturk Airport last week. He later spoke of feeling torn by the decision, disappointed that he had succumbed to the fear of violence despite his love of Turkey.



I told him I thought it was a wise decision under the circumstances, and clearly many others feel the same: according to some estimates holiday bookings to Turkey are down about 40 per cent this European summer.

For many, it seems a spate of terrorism incidents amplified by mass viral media have changed the experience of travel by introducing a diabolical note of anxiety. It seems much of the world has the travel jitters right now  and many are electing to remain in the safety of their homes.



All statistics tell us the chances of getting caught up in a terrorist act are small, but that doesn't stop the anxiety that now accompanies such journeys  especially to countries that have recently been struck by terror. No one in their right mind would deliberately put themselves or those they care about into harm's way.

Brandenburg Gate, Berlin. Credit:iStock

Yet aside from staying home, how should we respond to the fear of indiscriminate terror?



Our best defence is our shared belief in humanity and freedom. The words of Roosevelt seem to hold true today as they did when he uttered them in the 1930s: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."



Whether it's the Orlando attacks in a gay club or a crazed loner mowing down a crowd in the French Riviera, while remaining mindful of the risks it's crucial we continue to set forth into the world with the same sense of adventure and openness as ever.



Clearly the point of terrorism is to terrify people  so the best response is to get on with our lives and keep travelling, keep living. I plan to dance and celebrate as hard as ever in Berlin this weekend.

James Norman is a freelance writer
Does anybody else have the sense that Donald Trump is slipping off the rails? His speeches have always had a rambling, free association quality, but a couple of the recent ones have, as the Republican political consultant Mike Murphy put it, passed from the category of rant to the category of full on "drunk wedding toast".

Trump's verbal style has always been distinct. He doesn't really speak in sentences or paragraphs. His speeches are punctuated by five- or six-word jabs that are sort of strung together by connections that can only be understood through chaos theory: "They want the wall - I dominated with the evangelicals - I won in a landslide - We can't be the stupid people anymore."

A delegate wears campaign buttons in support of Donald Trump, presumptive 2016 Republican presidential nominee, before the start of the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland, Ohio. Credit:Andrew Harrer

Occasionally Trump will attempt a sentence longer than eight words, but no matter what subject he starts the sentence with, by the end he has been pulled over to the subject of himself. Here's an example from the Mike Pence announcement speech: "So one of the primary reasons I chose Mike was I looked at Indiana, and I won Indiana big." There's sort of a gravitational narcissistic pull that takes command whenever he attempts to utter a compound thought.

Trump has also always been a little engine fuelled by wounded pride. For example, writing in BuzzFeed, McKay Coppins recalls the fusillade of abuse he received from Trump after writing an unflattering profile (he called Mar-a-Lago a "nice, if slightly dated, hotel").
They used to call it the Kate Middleton effect. Any dress or outfit worn by the Duchess of Cambridge for a photo shoot or to an event would often sell out within hours, sometimes even minutes.

Now we have the Melania effect.

Melania Trum at the Republican National Convention. Credit:AP

Melania Trump, the wife of presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, wore a dress by Serbian-born designer Roksanda Ilincic to address the Republican Convention in support of her husband in Cleveland, Ohio, on Monday US time.
It said the propaganda against those accused of being linked to the PKI helped to justify the extra-legal persecution, detention and killing of alleged suspects, and to legitimise sexual violence and other inhumane conduct. Then Indonesian president B.J. Habibie studies a diorama on the killing of six army generals that in turn sparked the 1965 massacres. Credit:AP The judges said it was regrettable Indonesia did not accept the invitation to participate in the tribunal, noting the US, Britain and Australia also failed to do so. They recommended the Indonesian government apologise to the victims, survivors and their families and investigate the crimes against humanity. Former Indonesia president Suharto (in patterned uniform) was a major-general in 1965. Here he attends the funeral of the slain generals. He had a leading role in the anti-communist crackdown and massacres that followed. Credit:AP

"The Indonesian genocide must be included among the major genocides of the 20th century," the tribunal said. Dr Jarvis said the tribunal hoped the report would be an additional voice in the long overdue search for justice in Indonesia. Kusnendar, a survivor of the 1965 crackdown, speaks to a reporter at a nursing home in Jakarta in September 2015. Credit:Tatan Syuflana "(We hope) that it may assist in urging the government to take up the recommendations made by its own human rights organisations, recognising that crimes against humanity did occur and that the surviving victims deserve rehabilitation," she told Fairfax Media. But Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan said Indonesia had its own legal system.

"I don't want other people to dictate to this nation. We will settle it our way with universal values. This is my comment - I am quite strong about it." However the prosecutors - led by prominent human rights lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis - said in their closing statement they believed it would open the door for apologies, reparations and rehabilitation. Jemma Purdey, whose research on the mass killings of ethnic Chinese in 1965 and 1966 was cited in the report, said it was significant the judges had ruled that the events constituted genocide. "I do think that term carries a lot of weight in international law and people's minds," said Dr Purdey, a research fellow at Monash University. The 1965 tragedy was triggered by the kidnapping and murder of several high-ranking army officers, which was blamed on the PKI.

The military - and former president Suharto - depicted communists as a bloodthirsty political force that had to be defeated to save Indonesia. "We were told that we were under attack. The choice was to kill or be killed," Iman Azis, an historical archivist from Indonesia's largest Muslim organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama, told The Jakarta Post in April. But Dr Purdey said the tribunal's report found there was no well-founded fear of a "huge threat that had to be put down". "It makes it clear this was a big myth based on propaganda," she said. Indonesia has consistently ruled out an apology to victims of the 1965 massacres, despite Indonesian President Joko Widodo promising to resolve human rights abuses during his election campaign.
Patrick Norman Pat Chapman is a 34-year-old, Caucasian male who was last known to be in Piedmont which is near the area of Greenville, Missouri on May 10, 2020.

Pat had stayed the night with a friend and his wife at their home. In the early morning when the friend woke to go to work.

Pat was gone in his own Burgundy color 1995 Ford Escort. That is the last anyone was known to have seen him. The vehicle was later recovered on May 29, 2020 in Mill Spring, Missouri.
A WCO National Workshop on the modernization of the Customs Laboratory of Peru was held in the Laboratory in Lima (Callao), from 12 to 15 July 2016.

At the opening of the Workshop, the Director of the Callao "Maritima" Customs, Mr. Rafael Mallea Valdivia, highlighted the importance of a Customs Laboratory for the correct classification of certain commodities in the Harmonized System (HS). A wide range of topics related to the HS and Customs Laboratories were addressed and the participants were also thoroughly informed about several databases and documentation specifically designed for the day to day routine in a Customs Laboratory. The participants discussed relevant areas of analytic methodology, the modifications introduced in the chemical area of the Harmonized System (HS) 2017 edition, HS classification cases and considered the possibilities for the modernization of the Customs Laboratory in Peru. The role of the Customs Laboratory in the protection of mineral resources in Peru was emphasized by the participants. The Customs Laboratory of Peru is a well-equipped medium size laboratory that will be relocated to a new modern building next year when Peru is planning to implement a modern central Customs Laboratory in Lima (Callao).

The workshop was closed by Mr. Mallea Valdivia, who thanked the representative from the WCO Secretariat's Tariff and Trade Affairs Directorate for facilitating the discussions on the modernization of Perus Customs Laboratory. In his remarks he also re-emphasized the importance of a Customs Laboratory for the correct and uniform classification of commodities in the HS and in the national Customs tariff and for the well-functioning of Peru Customs. He also stressed the importance of cooperation and networking between Customs Laboratories.
Sir Franklyn argued recently that "that Opposition supporters were almost willing it to happen (a Moody's downgrade) in the belief it would boost their partys prospects in the upcoming general election."

But he suggests investors need to shake that off and take more risks.

Unfortunately his ties to the governing PLP are so strong, that he hopes to shift the blame for a weak investment climate and downright horrible economy onto investors.

Of course this appears to be typical PLP race baiting, but as a chartered accountant and an "economic visionary" surely Sir Franklyn understands the incentives necessary to encourage investment and likewise he knows the disincentives to investment.

And it's apparent the disincentives, created by bad government polices far out weigh any investors desire to take risks at this point in time.

So what are those "weights" you ask?

Here's a quick list of some of the harmful practices:

The National Debt approaching $7 Billion Ever increasing tax burden Additional regulations Increasing government bureaucracy A civil service that seems to reward inertia Corruption - both in government and the private sector Failing educational system Declining rankings for the Ease of Doing Business?

Not to mention the anti business and anti profit sentiment and racial overtones.

All this, along with the threat of bank de-risking must raise the hair on potential investors necks.

To reiterate, incentives matter, and there is no doubt that negative incentives affect investor and citizen confidence.

Begin to turn some of these negatives around and maybe there will be renewed interest from investors.

Until then it appears a more rocky economic road lies ahead.

Mr. Wilson knows this to be sure. Regretfully his political allegiance won't allow him to encourage the government to take responsibility like leaders do and start to improve the business and investor environment.

I guess if the FNM were the government theyd be blaming the opposition PLP just the same?
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By WestKyStar Staff & Constance Alexander Jul. 18, 2016 | 08:50 PM | MURRAY, KY

The Murray-Calloway County Endowment for Health Care and award-winning writer Constance Alexander are recipients of an Arts Access Grant from the Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency supported by state tax dollars and the National Endowment for the Arts. Entitled Hope & Glory: The Art of Inclusion, the grant will support a year-long series of hands-on arts experiences, as well as arts-related programming and community outreach to celebrate adults with disabilities and increase awareness of the many ways they contribute to the communitys well-being.



The project kicks off August 18, with the Playhouse in the Park production of The Penguin Projects Peter Pan Junior. The Penguin Project was created by Dr. Andrew Morgan to foster collaboration between young actors with disabilities, and peer mentors who provide on-stage support to perform a modified version of the well-known Broadway musical. Holly Bloodworth, Kentucky Teacher of the Year 2014, will direct the production.







Grant funds will be applied to the purchase and distribution of Peter Pan Junior tickets so individuals with disabilities and groups associated with disabilities can attend. The Endowment will also host audience talk-back sessions on the ways theatre enriches the community when inclusion is a priority.





Constance Alexander, recipient of a 2014 Governors Award in the Arts, will provide artistic direction for Hope & Glory and will conduct creative writing workshops and coordinate arts programming on topics associated with disabilities.

Other local artists and organizations collaborating on the grant include: Lisa Cope, executive director of Murrays Playhouse in the Park; Debi Henry Danielson, executive director of the Murray Art Guild; Nicole Hand, artist and Murray State University professor; Station Manager Chad Lampe, WKMS-FM; Sandy Linn, Calloway County Library, Acquisitions/Collection Development/Community Relations; Laura Miller, Special Olympics Regional Director; and Executive Director Peggy Williams, WATCH, Inc.



According to Keith Travis, Vice President of Development for the Endowment, Hope & Glory: The Art of Inclusion is an excellent way to observe the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Grant activities are designed to attract diverse participation, and include a range of arts experiences that showcase the benefits of inclusion, he said.





Our community has been pro-active in recognizing the needs of children with disabilities, but we can do better to ensure that adults with disabilities are not overlooked. The arts are a model for inclusion, and can be an important factor in a communitys good health, he concluded.

On January 14, 2016, the Endowment hosted a focus group that included thirty-three community leaders and representatives from local arts organizations. Discussion focused on adults with disabilities and ways the community might be more responsive to assist in smooth transitions from childhood to adulthood. Group consensus was unanimous that the community could do more to support adults with disabilities through the arts, and eighteen meeting participants offered to write letters of support for the grant.





Additional plans associated with Hope & Glory: The Art of Inclusion are in formative stages, but some proposed events and activities include a community read of books about adults with disabilities; adults with disabilities working side-by-side with local artists and writers; and a community mosaic or mosaics constructed from individual pieces created by people of every age, ability, and income level. Collaborative art works that result will be displayed in high-traffic areas of the community, raising awareness of the beauty of inclusion and showcasing the way every piece -- regardless of the artists skills -- contributes to the overall design.





The Arts Access Assistance Grant is made possible through the Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, which is supported by state tax dollars and federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.





For information about the Murray-Calloway County Endowment for Health Care contact Keith Travis at 270-762-1908, visit www.MCCHEndowment.org, or email Mr. Travis at ktravis@murrayhospital.org.





For more information about grant activities and programming, contact Constance Alexander at constancealexander@twc.com.
By Adam Morton Jul. 19, 2016 | 04:30 PM | PADUCAH, KY





Senator Rand Paul was in Paducah Tuesday to perform no-cost eye surgery as part of a program in conjunction with Paducah Ophthalmologist Dr. Barbara Bowers.The program for patients without insurance began five years ago, when Pain Management Center in Lone Oak Partner/Owner Dr. Laxmaiah Manchikanti introduced Bowers and Paul. In the last five years Paul has made two trips a year to Paducah to perform free surgeries. It is Bowers that chooses the patients."I have a lot of patients who just come through the office for regular exams and really don't know about this and they have cataracts. They're diagnosed and I discuss with them, when I find out they don't have insurance, if they would like to be part of this program. Pretty much everybody says, 'yes'." Bowers said.Although the Republican National Convention is happening this week, Paul says that he would rather be here in Kentucky doing work to help people simply because it is more rewarding than politics."It's more immediately realizable you know. There's probably nothing that compares to seeing the look on someone's face when they can see again. And politics is a little more indirect and frustrating frankly because we talk a lot, and sometimes don't get the problems fixed." Paul said.Senator Paul also said he will support the medicaid waiver that Governor Matt Bevin plans to submit to the federal government. Paul said, "I think its important that we have enough money to take care of those that can't take care of themselves. If 80 percent of Kentucky is on that list, it will overwhelm the system. There won't be enough money. So I don't think I would look at it as we want to take away something. We want to have enough money to take care of those that can't take care of themselves."
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The AmeriKat on a sleepless summer night

musing on the future of patent litigation

The late night witching hours have begun again for the AmeriKat. It is during the quiet, warm summer nights without the ding of incoming emails or calls, that she can muse on the state of patent law. One of the issues that has been preoccupying her time lately has been the future of harmonization for European patent and SPC law, especially in a post-Brexit landscape. With the ultimate fate of the Unified Patent Court unlikely to be determined any time soon, her attention is returning back to a national court's ability to land grab an other EU Member State's designation for the purposes of patent infringement actions. The extent of how long the English court's arm is in this respect was a question posed in various guises in last week's interim decision of Mr Justice Arnold in Anan Kasei Co., Ltd & Rhodia Operations S.A.S. v Molycorp Chemicals & Oxides (Europe) without the ding of incoming emails or calls, that she can muse on the state of patent law. One of the issues that has been preoccupying her time lately has been the future of harmonization for European patent and SPC law, especially in a post-Brexit landscape. With the ultimate fate of the Unified Patent Court unlikely to be determined any time soon, her attention is returning back to a national court's ability to land grab an other EU Member State's designation for the purposes of patent infringement actions. The extent of how long the English court's arm is in this respect was a question posed in various guises in last week's interim decision of Mr Justice Arnold in [2016] EWHC 1722 . The IPKat's ever insightful friend, Eibhlin Vardy , picks up the tale:

Ceric Oxide, not to be confused

with cornmeal....

"4. The Defendant has infringed the UK and German designation s of the Patent as set out in the Particulars of Infringement served herewith. In respect of the German designation of the Patent, if German designation is not invalid (which is to be determined by the German courts) the Defendant's conduct has infringed, and/or would fall within the scope of the claims of, the German designation of the Patent.

(1) A declaration that each of the UK and German designation s of the Patent has been infringed by the Defendant.

(1A) A declaration that, if German designation is not invalid (which is to be determined by the German courts) the Defendant's conduct has infringed the German designation of the Patent. Alternatively, a declaration that the Defendant's conduct falls within the scope of the claims of the German designation of the Patent (if not found invalid, which is to be determined by the German courts)."

"Article 24

The following courts of a Member State shall have exclusive jurisdiction, regardless of the domicile of the parties:



(4) in proceedings concerned with the registration or validity of patents, trade marks, designs, or other similar rights required to be deposited or registered, irrespective of whether the issue is raised by way of an action or as a defence, the courts of the Member State in which the deposit or registration has been applied for, has taken place or is under the terms of an instrument of the Union or an international convention deemed to have taken place.

Without prejudice to the jurisdiction of the European Patent Office under the Convention on the Grant of European Patents, signed at Munich on 5 October 1973, the courts of each Member State shall have e xclusive jurisdiction in proceedings concerned with the registration or validity of any European patent granted for that Member State;

Article 27

Where a court of a Member State is seised of a claim which is principally concerned with a matter over which the courts of another Member State have exclusive jurisdiction by virtue of Article 24, it shall declare of its own motion that it has no jurisdiction." (emphasis added)

As a vocal objector to tentacles ::shudder::, the AmeriKat is pleased

that the English court's long arm is cut short by

Recast Brussels I Regulation ...

"First, Rhodia's amendments are a transparent attempt "simply by the way it formulates its claims, to circumvent the mandatory nature of the rule of jurisdiction laid down in that article". Secondly, to allow Rhodia's claim to proceed "would have the effect of multiplying the heads of jurisdiction and would be liable to undermine the predictability of the rules of jurisdiction laid down by the Convention". Thirdly, it would "multiply the risk of conflicting decisions which the Convention seeks specifically to avoid".

Mr Justice Arnold - "principally

concerned with" being a Patents Judge

or just "concerned with"?

"(1) The High Court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland shall have power to grant interim relief where 



(a) proceedings have been or are to be commenced in  a Regulation State other than the United Kingdom ;





(2) On an application for any interim relief under subsection (1) the court may refuse to grant that relief if, in the opinion of the court, the fact that the court has no jurisdiction apart from this section in relation to the subject matter of the proceedings in question makes it inexpedient for the court to grant it.

...

(7) In this section 'interim relief', in relation to the High Court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland, means interim relief of any kind which that court has power to grant in proceedings relating to matters within its jurisdiction, other than



(b) provision for obtaining evidence."

Let go and be free....a lesson of Rhodia v Molycorp

Rhodia is the exclusive licensee of the UK and German designations of a European patent entitled "Ceric Oxide and method for production thereof, and catalyst for exhaust gas clarification". Rhodia commenced infringement proceedings in the English High Court alleging that the English domiciled Defendant, Molycorp, had infringed the UK and German designations of the patent.Molycorp's solicitors filed an acknowledgment of service, indicating that the Defendant intended to defend the claim, but did not intend to challenge jurisdiction. However, on the same day, Molycorp's solicitors wrote to the Claimant giving notice of Molycorp's intention to challenge jurisdiction of the German designation of the patent in Germany, and asserting that in that situation, the English Courts would not have jurisdiction over infringement of the German designation of the patent.Rhodia then issued an application for an order for the provision by Molycorp of samples of its ceric oxide products for testing by an independent laboratory instructed on behalf of Rhodia for the purposes of infringement of both the UK and German designations of the patent. Shortly thereafter, Molycorp issued nullity proceedings in the Bundespatentgericht (Federal Patent Court) challenging the validity of the German designation of the patent on the usual grounds (lack of novelty/inventive step, and insufficiency). It was common ground between the parties that the German validity proceedings were due to take approximately two years.There were two issues before the Court:Rhodia sought to amend its Particulars of Claim and Particulars of Infringement in order to try and bolster its case on jurisdiction in respect of infringement of the German designation of the patent. The essence of its proposed Amended Particulars of Claim and Particulars of Infringement can be seen from the following excerpts:As things stand, the UK remains a member state of the EU, and the issue of jurisdiction falls under Articles 24(4) and 27 of the Recast Brussels I Regulation , which provide as follows:It was common ground between the parties that the German Courts have exclusive jurisdiction over the validity of the German designation of the patent. The issue in dispute was whether the reformed allegations of infringement in the proposed Amended Particulars of Claim/Infringement were "concerned with" the validity of the German designation of the patent within Article 24(4), or "principally concerned with" the validity of the German designation within Article 27.Rhodia contended that they were not, because the claim had been framed to exclude any question on the validity of the German designation. Molycorp contended that they did fall within these provisions of the Recast Brussels I Regulation, because the question of infringement is inseparable from that of validity.Following a review of relevant case law (includingand), Arnold J concluded that Rhodia's claim fell under article 24(4), or was at least "principally concerned with" the validity of the German designation of the patent under Article 27. The proposed amendments to Rhodia's Particulars of Claim did not assist - the matter in dispute was simply whether "Molycorp has infringed a valid claim" of the patent, and Rhodia could not separate the inseparable through some careful drafting. The reasoning of the CJEU inwas equally applicable here. Mr Justice Arnold held that Arnold J elaborated on the third point, by reiterating that the same claim construction must be used for both infringement and validity. If Courts in different jurisdictions adjudicate these issues separately, this would allow litigants to overcome the pressure of an infringement/validity squeeze, and could result in conflicting decisions on claim construction (the judge noted that a similar potential issue raised by a bifurcated claim in Germany is avoided because only one claim construction will be adopted by the Court on appeal for both infringement and validity).In response to an issue raised by counsel for Rhodia, Arnold J noted that the fact that Rhodia had not challenged jurisdiction in the usual way under Part 11 of the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) was misconceived for at least three reasons: First, the CPR cannot override the mandatory effect of a Regulation, and the timing of the challenge to validity in the German Courts was irrelevant. Secondly, CPR Part 11 does not apply where it is triggered by the defence to the claim, and Molycorp's solicitor's letter giving notice of intention to challenge jurisdiction in Germany was sufficient to raise the issue. Thirdly, Article 27 requires the Patents Court to decline jurisdiction of its own motion, regardless of Molycorp's omission to issue a formal jurisdiction challenge under CPR Part 11.In summary, this issue of jurisdiction was a matter of substance, not form, and the Patents Court had no jurisdiction over Rhodia's infringement claim in respect of the German designation of the patent.Rhodia undertook to bring an infringement claim in Germany in the event that jurisdiction was declined by the English Court. On this basis, Rhodia maintained its application for an order for the provision of Molycorp's samples for testing for the purposes of the German infringement claim. Molycorp opposed the application on the basis that the Court has no jurisdiction to make the order, and that it would be inexpedient to do so.Section 25 of the Civil Jurisdiction and Judgments Act 1982 provides as follows:Arnold J sided with Molycorp. Rhodia's application was for the sole purpose of obtaining evidence to support its infringement claim in Germany, and therefore fell under the exclusion identified in s25 (7) (b) above. It was common ground that this exclusion was included because the proper means for obtaining evidence in aid of proceedings in the EU is now governed by Council Regulation No 1206/2001/EC . Rhodia also submitted that the Court alternatively had jurisdiction to make the order through its general power of injunctive relief under s37(1) of the Senior Courts Act 1981. The Court again disagreed - to rely upon this general provision for interim relief would circumvent the specific restriction which Parliament has placed upon s25 of the 1982 Act.In previous cases, the English Court has not shied away from adjudicating on patent infringement actions involving designations of a patent from another EU Member State, where the validity of those designations has not been challenged (see for example thesaga, reported previously on the IPKat here - with one chapter of the saga pending before the Supreme Court). In the present case, Rhodia attempted to further extend the reach of the English Patents Court, by slicing and dicing the issues of infringement and validity of the German designation of the patent in its pleadings. However, the issue of jurisdiction over such patent infringement actions is ultimately a matter of substance, not form. By analogy, an alleged infringer wishing to establish jurisdiction for a declaration of non-infringement of a European designation of a patent in the English Courts must relinquish a challenge to validity of that designation to maintain jurisdiction in the English Courts."
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"Do you think people will recognise me on the street?" asks Mark Rylance. Despite winning an Academy Award, two Olivier Awards and three Tony Awards, the legendary stage actor has taken his time to become a Hollywood household name. But after winning an Oscar for his role in 2015's Bridge of Spies, he now takes on the title character in Steven Spielberg's live-action adaptation of The BFG. Using motion capture technology, Rylance has been transformed into the giant which looks so much like him, he wonders whether he will begin to be stopped on his way to buy milk.

Rylance describes filming The BFG as a lot more like being in the rehearsal room for a play than on the set of a Hollywood blockbuster. With no sets or costume, he has to "rely just on the situation and the character". The result is a charmingly ditsy character who fits perfectly into the magical world Spielberg has created in the film.

In the '80s Rylance was faced with the choice between a role in Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, or take part in a season at the National. In the end, the actor turned the director down after deciding that theatre felt more like a "community". Nearly 30 years on, his stance is changing, and in 2015 he said yes to Spielberg when he came knocking for Bridge of Spies.

A bromance has now blossomed between the two (the director says he is "one of the best actors I have ever experienced"). Rylance describes the set of The BFG as having the same sense of community he thought cinema lacked all those years ago; "Steven has father' written on the back of his chair rather than director," Rylance explains. "There's a real language of family and in theatre I've always found that, but in film I hadn't."

The BFG opens in cinemas on 22 July



Working with family is something Rylance is quite used to; his wife, composer and director Claire van Kampen, wrote Farinelli and the King which opened at The Globe, where Rylance was the first artistic director for 10 years until 2005.

"I very much enjoy working with her - I'm happiest with her. I've collaborated with her for a long time  her on the music side and me on the theatre side  it's very exciting for us."

Van Kampen will direct his new surreal comedy Nice Fish, which is about two men fishing on a frozen lake in Minnesota, and transfers to the West End this winter. The play ran in New York earlier this year, and The New York Times described the play as a "quirky charmer".

Rylance grew up in the Midwest, and the prospect of bringing the production to London, complete with cast of Minnesotan actors, delights him. He briefly breaks his intense yet amiable demeanour to grin: "I can't wait. I've taken so many things over to Broadway [Boeing Boeing, Jerusalem, Richard III], but this is the first time I've made something in the culture where I grew up."

Whenever signing up to a play, Rylance makes sure his contract stipulates that the boxes in the theatre are free of any lighting or sound rigs. For Nice Fish, he has insisted the boxes are filled with members of the audience dressed as fish, and will even give tickets away to make sure it happens.

Mark Rylance in Farinelli and the King

 Dan Wooller for WhatsOnStage

Why? He demonstrates, delicately using his teacup and saucer, how most great theatres ("like The Globe") are based on a circle in the ceiling. This makes its way down around the auditorium, and reaches a point where the audience meet the stage. "The boxes are a very important conduit between the reality of the stage and the reality of the audience," he says. "They're like little stages, and yet they have audience in them.

"I'm interested to see some of those people being dressed as fishermen or fish so that there's a kind of marriage that it's happening in one room" he says. "The Globe taught me that the most powerful thing is that we all feel we're in the same room together. When Cassius and Brutus are killing Julius Caesar, we're there. We see it and we feel it."

Despite forays into writing and directing, he insists acting is still at the core of everything he does. He wants to be centre stage, but not for the limelight; for the enjoyment of the play. He sees himself as a "captain on the field."

In many ways, it would have been almost impossible to cast anyone else as the Big Friendly Giant. He can play characters as powerful or eccentric as they get, but Rylance the giant has more than a smidgen of Rylance the man. Both humble and cordial, it's clear that Rylance's motives aren't wealth or fame, but to enjoy "playing the great parts I'm lucky enough to be offered".

The BFG opens in cinemas on 22 July. Nice Fish runs at the Harold Pinter Theatre from 25 November 2016 to 21 January 2017, with previews from 15 November.
The regime attempted to stifle a protest by locals against the re-distribution of the towns water pipelines, setting off an angry crowd, who set the regimes local court on fire.

At least one person was killed, 30 were injured and 15 were arrested during the melee.

Eyewitness footage at the site shows the regimes forces fleeing as the angry population attack them with wooden sticks and stones.
MOST RESPONDING TO WHKP SURVEY OPPOSE REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT HERE

Nine out of ten people responding to a WHKP web site survey believe Hendersonville city council and the Henderson County commissioners should pass resolutions opposing the re-settlement of foreign refugees into Henderson County.

WHKP published the survey four days ago following a station editorial expressing our opposition to such re-settlement into our community and agreeing with concerns expressed by city council member Ron Stephens. Stephens indicated there was not enough support among council members at last weeks city council meeting to move forward with such a resolution. Henderson County commissioners have the re-settlement issue on their agenda for discussion at their meeting this Wednesday morning.

The issue of refugees, possibly from trouble spots in the Middle East, being re-settled into Henderson County came up a while back when it was revealed that St. James Episcopal Church was looking into possibly supporting refugees being brought here. The church says its not likely to happen because the nearest re-settlement center is in Nashville, Tennessee, but a spokesman for the church said they would be working to have a re-settlement center located closer to western North Carolinawhich would make it possible for refugees to be re-located here.

(Survey results: 40 participants; 92.5% favor resolutions opposing re-settlement; 7.5% oppose such resolutions)
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TAKE STRONG STAND AGAINST REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT HERE

After hearing from a very outspoken public in opposition to the re-settlement of foreign refugees into Hendersonville and Henderson County, the county commissioners Wednesday morning took a unanimous and strong stand against such foreign refugee re-settlement into our community. The re-settlement issue was added to the agenda for the commissioner's Wednesday morning meeting by Commissioner Grady Hawkins, who pointed out there are serious security concerns with such refugees. Hawkins added that even the Arab countried in the Middle East will not accept such refugees.

In addition to security concerns, Hawkins told the other commissioners that these refugees will not assimilate into our American society, but will attempt to change our very way of life.

The whole issue of foreign refugees being re-settled into our community came up a while back when Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk informed city council members that Saint James Episcopal Church was exploring the possibility of helping re-locate such refugees into our community. That possible re-location was brought to the public's attention by city council member Ron Stephens who opposed such re-location. Stephens told WHKP News there was not enough support among city council members at their last meeting to pass a resolution similar to the county's that opposes such re-settlement.

The county commissioners heard from a very vocal public Wednesday morning that opposes the re-settlement of refugees here, and Commissioners Hawkins introduced a very details resolution against re-settlment here and against the whole re-settlement program currently underway by the federal government.

County Commissioner Charlie Messer not only agreed with the resolution, but ammended it order for it to be sent to the state association of county commissioners so commissioners in all of Noprth Carolina's 100 counties could "sign on" to it and express their opposition to refugee re-settlement in their communities.

The couny commissioners unanimously agreed and the resolution was adopted to the applause of citizens who attended Wednesday morning's meeting.

A recent on-line survey on WHKP's web site show that nine out of twn respondents opposed the re-settlement of refugees here.

Meanwhile, Saint James Church says re-settlment into our community is not likely anytime soon due to Hendersonville's distance from the nearest re-settlement center which is in Nashville, Tennessee. A spookesman for the church did tell the Times-News however that the church would be attempting to help get such a center located closer to the Asheville-Hendersonville area...which of course would facilitate the re-location here of the refugees.

In an e-mail from a spokesman for the re-settlement center in Nashville, WHKP News was told the center has no knowledge of any plans to locate a center in western North Carolina and we were referred to the U.S. State Department.

By WHKP News Director Larry Freeman 07/20/16 Updated 2:30pm
Moreover, despite the large turnout there were even more people who were not able to attend the rally, but supported it from afar. Many of those people who supported the rally from afar include political prisoners detained in Iran. A myriad of NCRI and PMOI (MEK) supporters have been captured and imprisoned in Iran, for their support for a free and democratic Iran. Despite the inability of the political prisoners to attend the July 9th gathering in Paris, they have given their praises to the successful turnout of the rally. Accordingly, some prisoners such as those in Gohardasht prisons ward 6, were able to stream the event from their cell phones, despite being imprisoned. This goes to show that those supporting a free and democratic Iran cannot be silenced, despite their situation they can never truly be stripped of their hope for a free Iran.

Those who have been ripped away from their loved ones, from their homes, and denied their rights, are the true victims of the mullahs regime. Thus, the political prisoners throughout Iran, whose only crime has been to voice their opinion for a free Iran are the true victims of this unjust, and cruel regime. However, despite all the atrocities that the theocratic regime has done to these prisoners, they still stand strong, and they still give their support and praise for those fighting for free Iran.
It also addressed last years nuclear deal between Western countries, like the USA, and Iran.

The statement read: One year has passed after the nuclear deal with Iran but we do not see any change of attitude. The regime has fired long-range ballistic missiles and is a sponsor of terrorism and is fully supporting Bashar Assad in Syria.

The repression of women, restrictions on a free press and rising levels of executions are some of the main abuses that the lawmakers want to change.

Dirk Claes, President of the Committee, wrote in the statement about the need to support the people of Iran who suffer the most because of the mullahs regime.

In the statement, they announced solidarity with Free Iran rally held by members of the Iranian Resistance Forces on July 9.

The statement read: In these circumstances, we were happy that the Iranian resistance held a very big gathering in Paris on 9th of July in solidarity with Mrs. Maryam Rajavi, the opposition leader, who has been to Belgium Senate and Parliament several times before. This gathering has really shaken the regime.

The rally, held in Paris, attracted over 100,000 supporters of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) and Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK).

The statement, signed by over 90 politicians from the Federal parliament and Senate, members of the Flemish parliament and members of the regional parliaments of the Capital Brussels and Wallonia, closed with a plea to put human rights above financial means.

It said: We should not close our eyes to the crimes in Iran for financial interests.
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This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The husband of a Winnipeg mother accused of hiding the remains of six infants in a storage locker testified Wednesday he didnt know the contents of his wifes rented storage unit or that she had possibly carried the six fetuses to term.

Andrea Giesbrecht, 42, is charged with six counts of concealing a childs body. The remains of five boys and one girl were found inside a McPhillips Street storage unit in October 2014.

The Crown has yet to suggest a motive for the alleged crime.

Supplied Surveillance footage of Andrea Giesbrecht from the McPhillips Street U-Haul in Winnipeg on October 3, 2014. The footage was supplied as evidence in the trial.

Giesbrecht watched as her husband of 17 years testified in court Wednesday that he didnt know about the unit.

During lengthy testimony that touched on his wifes alleged secret pregnancies and alleged affair, Jeremy Giesbrecht, 43, told court he believed Andrea had been raped and blackmailed by a man  the same man another witness said was involved in an affair with Andrea Giesbrecht. The accuseds former friend testified earlier that the man got Andrea pregnant.

The man, a casino employee named Gerald Morrissey, visited Jeremy Giesbrecht at home several years ago, Jeremy testified Wednesday.

It was very traumatic, he told court.

When he attended my house, he told me what their relationship was. And I dont believe it is even a relationship. Someone who is raping, blackmailing and threatening someone, I dont believe is a relationship, he told court, adding that he saw Morrissey walking by, hovering around the house, after that first visit.

Those allegations have not been proven in court, and when asked by the Crown whether they had ever been reported to police, Jeremy said he and his wife did go when he kept threatening us, but he said he never reported a rape or blackmailing until he made a statement to police after his wifes 2014 arrest. He said he believed Andrea had contacted police to complain about being harassed.

Jeremy first testified he knew about nine abortions his wife underwent, but when referring back to the statement he gave to police, he contradicted himself, saying he was only aware of two.

He told court he remembered driving her to appointments for two abortions, including one that took place after the rapist came to the house, about nine years ago.

Court has heard the accused had 10 legal abortions, as well as two children. She is believed to be the mother of all six infants whose remains were found in the storage locker, based on DNA taken from a used sanitary napkin in her home.

Jeremy Giesbrecht was found to be the father after he submitted a DNA sample. He testified Wednesday that police told him his children would be put in the care of child welfare authorities if he didnt give a sample.

To counter any suggestion from the defence that the sanitary napkin did not belong to Andrea, who was not ordered to submit a DNA sample, Crown prosecutor Debbie Buors asked Jeremy whether hed had sex with anyone besides his wife during the period of their marriage, from 1999 to 2014. The defence objected to the line of questioning, but the judge allowed it, apologizing to Jeremy for the intrusive nature of the question. Jeremy answered no, he hadnt, and that to his knowledge he had not fathered a child with anyone besides his wife.

Jeremy testified his wife never told him she was pregnant with their oldest son, and he only found out via a call from the hospital on the day he was born. But in retrospect, he testified, he had a small suspicion about two weeks before their son was born, when he noticed her stomach looked a bit bigger while they were having sex.

Was I shocked 10 out of 10 when I got to the hospital? Close, it was nine out of 10, he said of the surprise birth. Andrea did tell him when she was pregnant with their second son, he told court.

Questioned by the Crown as to how he would not have known his wife was pregnant, Jeremy was repeatedly asked to describe the way she dressed.

Boring, was his only response.

Jeremy testified he only found out about the storage unit Andrea had rented for years at Sentinel Self Storage on Inkster Boulevard when his father phoned him about a newspaper notice that mentioned Andreas arrears.

I believe he called me and said she owed money or something, Jeremy told court, saying he never knew about the U-Haul storage locker or its contents. When Crown prosecutor Buors showed him photos of some of the lockers contents  not including the babies remains  he said he didnt recognize the items.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They say you dont know a person until youve walked a mile in her shoes. The first 3-D virtual reality exhibit at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights transports visitors 5,000 kilometres away into the lives of Mayan artisan women in Guatemala.

Its incredible! said master weaver Amparo de Leon, who travelled to Winnipeg for the exhibits opening with her colleague Oralia Chopen. Wearing traditional indigenous garb, they donned virtual reality goggles at the museum Tuesday for a 360-degree look inside their TRAMA Textiles Womens Weaving Co-operative in Guatemala and the lives of fellow members.

Im able to see this grandmother like shes talking to us, de Leon said enthusiastically through a translator.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Amparo de Leon (left) and Oralia Chopen came from Guatemala to try the Canadian Museum for Human Rights first 3-D virtual-reality exhibit, Empowering Women: Artisan Co-operatives that Transform Communities.

I feel great, said Chopen who represents 400 women from 17 villages who formed the co-op in 1988 after their men disappeared during the worst of the civil war in Guatemala. I feel so proud. Their ancient Mayan weaving skills helped them survive and joining forces gave them strength.

Their experience is part of the exhibit Empowering Women: Artisan Co-operatives That Transform Communities that opens this weekend. It tells stories of how grassroots collaboration advanced human rights, such as the right to work, to obtain an adequate standard of living, to reclaim culture, and to live in health and safety. It looks at co-ops in Africa, Asia, South America and focuses on Guatemala where museum curator Armando Perla once worked. He developed a connection with the womens co-op and led a trio from Winnipeg to the Central American country to create the museums first virtual reality exhibit. Viewers experience the beauty of the terrain and the craft that came out of the ugliness of what happened to them.

The womens co-op was born of pain from Guatemalas civil war that lasted from 1960 to 1996 and left 200,000 dead  83 per cent of whom were indigenous Mayan, said Perla.

There were many women who were widowed, Chopen said through an interpreter. People were burned alive, kidnapped and their bodies never found, she said. I lost a lot of family, said Chopen, who saw her grandparents burned alive. I was six at the time. I witnessed it all.

De Leon said in her village, residents were caught in the fight between the military and the guerrillas. The army would make them do their laundry and the guerrillas seeing the soldiers uniforms on the clothesline would punish them for supporting the military. Guerrillas would trade canned goods for the villagers fresh fruits and vegetables and when the military showed up and found the cans of food, theyd accuse the villagers of backing the guerrillas.

Every Friday night they would come and kidnap two or three men, said de Leon. Their bodies were never found. Forming the co-operative, women were able to support one another emotionally and economically, said de Leon. They still face challenges of poverty and discrimination as indigenous people, said Chopen. It was only until recently they felt comfortable wearing their traditional clothes in Guatemala when they were away from home, she said.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS De Leon (left) and Chopen were impressed by how well the virtual-reality exhibit transported them to their co-operative at home.Im able to see this grandmother like shes talking to us, de Leon said through an interpreter. At rear is curator Armando Perla.

Sharing their stories with the rest of the world has been good for their spirits and the bottom line, said Chopen. With the help of volunteers, theyve got their own website and are able to sell their woven goods online. The museum boutique is now selling the artisans wares. The income the women generate helps to put food on the table and to send their girls to school so they have more choices and control over their lives, Chopen said. Im very grateful.

The exhibition, organized by the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, N.M., features embroidered story cloths, beaded neck collars and hand-dyed wool weavings from co-operatives generating change in Bolivia, India, Kenya, Laos, Morocco, Nepal, Peru, Rwanda, South Africa and Swaziland. In Bolivia, for example, women adapted their skills to cultivate garabata plants, reclaiming their indigenous tradition of weaving bags from the plants fibres. In Rwanda, Hutu and Tutsi women work side by side, weaving peace baskets as they heal from the trauma of war. In India, a co-operative allows embroiderers to stop wandering in search of work and support children at home.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca

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This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The future of Winnipegs original 111-year-old library is currently in doubt, along with plans for where the citys thousands of archived documents will eventually be stored.

The citys archives are currently scattered in three locations throughout the city due to extensive water damage suffered by the Carnegie Library building on William Avenue three years ago. The library, built in 1905, was actually being refurbished  including the installation of a new roof  when a torrential rain storm struck in June of 2013, forcing staff to move 20,000 artifacts/documents to storage at 311 Ross Avenue, the Manitoba Government Record Centre and a building at 50 Myrtle Street.

The Myrtle location, which was initially to be a temporary headquarters for city archivists, is located in an industrial area off Notre Dame Avenue.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Carnegie Library was built in 1905 thanks to funding from American industrialist Andrew Carnegie.

But three years later, the Carnegie building, which was designated as a municipal heritage site in 1984, remains vacant and plans to continue the renewal program on the landmark appear on hold.

Heritage Winnipeg executive director Cindy Tugwell said she has been attempting to question city officials about the future of the Carnegie, but to no avail.

I thought they (the city) were doing the (renovation/repair) work, Tugwell said. Thats concerning. How much damage was done and why hasnt it been repaired?

Its been three years, Tugwell added. Thats when I thought, Whats going on?

Requests made to the citys communication department for any information about the current state of the Carnegie building, first made on Monday afternoon, have so far gone unanswered. A request to speak with city archivist Jody Baltessen was denied.

In a 2015 report, Baltessen stated that the Myrtle location is now full, and the lease expires at the end of 2016 and no extension has been secured to date.

This places considerable pressure on the Branch to develop options to house materials presently in storage at the MGRC, Baltessen noted, in the report. The availability of storage space is a critical issue before the Branch. The two floors that comprise the Corporate Records Centre (at Ross Avenue) are at capacity.

As well, given the physical effort required to shelve and move inventory and to respond to service requests from departmental partners, the Branch will begin using warehouse staff to pull and reshelve box inventory as part of day-to-day operations  this will result in an increase to operating costs for the program.

Meanwhile, Baltessen added: Requests for tours and class orientations (at the Myrtle location) have declined given that there is no room to accommodate groups in the space available. Warehouse space used to house the primary research collection onsite is full.

Tugwell said keeping the citys tens of thousands of archives in three separate locations is unmanageable and makes it difficult for researchers, city employees or the public to access.

Thats also disconcerting, she noted. Its all over the place.

Other questions remain, Tugwell added. Is a lawsuit stemming from the rain damage  the city suing the contractor  that is causing a delay? And how much money had the city spent on upgrading the Carnegie building prior to the rain storm and subsequent vacancy? And does the city even plan to return to the original library, which was built for $75,000 on a donation from American industrialist Andrew Carnegie  one of 125 libraries the philanthropist funded across Canada?

The Carnegie served as Winnipegs main library until 1977, then became a branch library until it was repurposed to house archives in the early 1990s. The citys effort to renovate the building  which included everything from a new roof, to exterior renewal to new washrooms  were seen by local heritage advocates as an essential step.

Unequivocally, the building has to be saved, Tugwell said. Its such a beautiful building. It was proving to be a gem and given its proximity to City Hall, it was perfect.

It would be a nightmare for the city to leave it vacant, she added. That would be a horrible, horrible shame.

Tom Nesmith, a University of Manitoba history and archival studies professor, has also expressed concern over the Carnegie buildings uncertain future.

Although Nesmith could not be reached for an interview, he has penned a blog on the Heritage Winnipeg website calling for action from the city, and public, to save the landmark.

This is a tale of great hope, misfortune, Nesmith wrote, and now I fear neglect that could do great harm to a vital community and city government Archives service and place a superb heritage building in jeopardy.

While Nesmith commended the city for beginning work on the old librarys transformation, he lamented the lack of information being made available out of City Hall about the future of a building that was to house Winnipegs historical records dating back to the late 19th century.

There is no public record of a word being spoken about it, Nesmith noted. There is no media attention or outcry by anyone. In a city abuzz with justifiable pride in its architectural achievements and prospects, our City Archives languishes, seemingly forgotten.

Our City Archives holds a unique Winnipeg body of records, he added. No other archives, library, or museum has legal jurisdiction to acquire or maintain these records. No other archives has these records or would take them even if offered. Thus no other city has responsibility for them but the City of Winnipeg, its Mayor and Council. If we do not complete the renovation of the Carnegie building, these invaluable records will be far less readily accessible in the much less than adequate storage many are now in on Myrtle St.

randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @randyturner15
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This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A black man is wrestled to the ground and shot by a Louisiana police officer. The incident is caught on a bystanders camera.

A day later, a Minnesota police officer shoots and kills a black man at a traffic stop. The incident is broadcast by the mans girlfriend using her smartphone.

Those incidents  viewed by millions on social media  have underscored already strained race relations in the U.S. and spurred Black Lives Matter rallies throughout the United States.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

On Tuesday in Winnipeg, a teen girl wearing a mask and waving a replica gun at Portage and Main was caught on camera by a passerby just seconds before police officers ran into the intersection, tackled her and diffused a potentially escalating situation. The dramatic video was uploaded to Facebook and quickly watched by Winnipeggers and others.

But can you automatically film and photograph police doing their jobs? Are there any rules?

Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Rob Carver said if people want to pull out their smartphones to record officers performing their duties in public, police cant stop them.

There are no restrictions on people taking video of police officers in public, he said.

People have the right to record officers arresting somebody by and large, there are no prohibitions whatsoever.

However, Carver said police would be suspicious if people set up outside police headquarters with a video camera and targeted individual officers. Weve had gang members surveil us, he said.

Police want the public to realize they shouldnt endanger themselves or police while recording or getting too close to a potential crime scene, Carver said.

We dont know who you are, he said. If you get too close, I have an officer safety concern.

Maurice Sabourin, president of the Winnipeg Police Association, said officers have learned to accept being recorded on video because it is just so commonplace.

Its not just with cellphones. The statistics of being recorded  we are probably on video 30 times a day youre caught by a camera on a bus, while walking into a bank, your face is recorded.

We tell our members to conduct your business as if youre being videotaped were one of the most scrutinized professions on the planet.

Carver said if people record police performing their duties, they shouldnt be surprised or upset if, when capturing something on video police believe will help an investigation, officers unilaterally take their phone.

We have the ability to intervene, if we think you are about to destroy evidence, without a warrant, Carver said.

I know you can delete video I do have the right to seize the phone. But I would need a warrant to open the phone to peruse evidence.

The situation is so volatile in the U.S., the American Civil Liberties Union has an app that allows users to quickly upload videos of police encounters.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
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This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For the first time in a decade, Winnipegs rate of crime has increased from the previous year.

The Winnipeg Police Service issued its 2015 statistical report on Wednesday and it shows violent crime went up six per cent between 2014 and 2015, while property crimes rose by nine per cent.

Police said total crimes went up by seven per cent.

JOE BRYKSA / FREE PRESS FILES Violent crime went up six per cent between 2014 and 2015 in Winnipeg.

This increase is consistent with what is being reported in other cities across Canada, police said in a statement.

Generally, however, our crime rate has been trending down for the past 10 years. (It) 2015 is the first year that we have experienced a modest increase across categories.

Meanwhile, Statistics Canada says police-reported crime across the country went up by five per cent in 2015, the first jump in 12 years.

But the Stats Canada report, measured by using both the Crime Severity Index and the crime rate, said police-reported crime was still 31 per cent lower than it was in 2005.

The report says an 18-per-cent increase in Albertas crime severity index, as well as smaller increases in British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan, was behind the national increase. Alberta has been experiencing a higher number of break and enters, theft of $5,000 and under, and vehicle theft.

Manitobas crime severity index rose by eight per cent, with mischief accounting for 24 per cent of police-reported crime here.

There were almost 1.9 million Criminal Code incidents reported by police across the country last year with homicide increasing 15 per cent, attempted murder 22 per cent, fraud 15 per cent, and sexual assaults four per cent.

Violent crime increased by six per cent across the country, while non-violent crime rose by four per cent.

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca

2015_wps_annual_report_english
Opinion

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This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The premiers gathering this week in Whitehorse, Yukon, for the annual Council of the Federation meeting will have no shortage of issues to discuss with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

There are all manner of nagging skirmishes between the provinces and Ottawa. There are a wide array of conflicting concerns about the approval of pipelines, reforms to the Canada Pension Plan, internal trade barriers, carbon pricing and even the methodology for the upcoming national inquiry on missing and murdered indigenous women.

Of the issues to be discussed, however, one will easily eclipse all others: health care. That issue will be discussed on Friday.

EDUARDO LIMA / THE CANADIAN PRESS Finance Minister Bill Morneau says Ottawa is looking at health-care measures that would boost both cost efficiency and outcomes.

An agreement on health-care transfer payments to the provinces  one that provided annual increases of six per cent  will expire next year. If a new accord is not reached before then, federal support will increase by about three per cent, a level of funding that the provinces claim will leave them vulnerable to the relentless increase in health-care costs, and teetering on the edge of a fiscal abyss.

The provinces want a new funding relationship that over time increases the percentage of total health-care costs covered by Ottawa. Its an ask that would mean billions upon billions of additional money in transfers, money the Trudeau government does not have right now as it struggles with a nagging deficit.

The federal government has not tipped its hand on what, if anything, it is prepared to do. A spokeswoman for federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau told the Globe and Mail that Ottawa would focus on transformative measures that would boost both cost efficiency and outcomes.

In that one short statement, Morneau has described the Holy Grail when it comes to health care: a system with predictable annual costs that treats increasing volumes of Canadians and produces long-term savings from better outcomes.

It is, in essence, the vision espoused by Brian Pallister. Since being elected, Pallister has vowed to steer clear of austerity in core service areas such as health as he attempts to wrestle the budget deficit under control. To slow the rate in health-care funding, he has promised innovation and efficiencies so that Manitoba gets a bigger bang out of every health-care buck.

Lamentably, the dream has remained, for the most part, just out of reach.

And to be fair, there are many innovations introduced to health care that improve outcomes, boost volumes and reduce the cost of individual services. However, many of these innovations carry big price tags in and of themselves. As a result, there has never been a critical mass of innovations capable of slowing the big drivers of health-care expenditures: hospitals, drugs and physicians.

There is hope, however. Dr. Raisa Deber, a professor with the Institute of Health, Policy, Management and Evaluation at the University of Toronto, said positive discussions are going on now within provinces, and between the federal government and provinces, on measures that could improve overall health-care delivery. Unfortunately, it is a complex challenge that has, to date, defied most of our best efforts. There is no one-size-fits-all solution here.

Right now, Deber said, the health-care system is limited by a lack of consensus on which services and procedures should be covered by the public system, and when they should be used. There are myriad examples of unnecessary diagnostic tests and surgical procedures being performed, ineffective drugs being prescribed and wasteful treatment that has no discernible benefit for patients, she added.

The trick is to decide what we need and what we actually dont need to be doing, Deber said. We need to say were going to stop doing this thing because it costs a lot of money and doesnt really produce a good outcome.

In pursuit of that goal, Deber pointed to the Choosing Wisely (choosingwiselycanda.org) movement, an international campaign started by physicians interested in eliminating ineffective or wasteful treatments and tests. The campaign has been very successful on a case-by-case basis at encouraging health-care facilities and authorities to make better clinical decisions, she added.

Some of these innovations are quite simple and sensible. The Choosing Wisely website reports a number of promising individual examples, including hospitals that have eliminated or restricted certain kinds of diagnostic tests that served little or no purpose, limited expensive CT scans and encouraged early removal of unnecessary urinary catheters to free up ward resources. Deber said initiatives like these do not represent huge savings, on their own, but applied system-wide, there is a possibility of significant cost efficiencies.

The trick will be to see whether the first ministers have the will to apply these principles more comprehensively within their jurisdictions. However, right now there is so much attention to the level of funding, we could be losing sight of small, simple ideas that make the system more effective and efficient.

Ideas that could, quite possibly, bring everyone a few steps closer to the Holy Grail.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Canadas 13 provincial and territorial premiers will be talking about everything from internal trade to indigenous disparity when they meet July 20-22 in Whitehorse, Yukon. But no matter how crowded their agenda, they must address how to stop spending so much on the same old things in health care. The time has come to start investing in change for a health-care system that can provide quality care on a sustainable budget.

Heres why: health care now consumes half of provincial revenues because Canadians are getting older. Statistics Canada reported last fall there are more Canadians over the age of 65 than kids under 15. Some 16.1 per cent of us make up that age group; by 2051, it will be one in four.

How is our health-care system coping? Our hospitals are now filled with more and more seniors not requiring acute care but, because Canada doesnt have enough long-term care facilities or home-care services for aging baby boomers requiring chronic care, they have nowhere else to go. Weve come to accept long wait times for surgery, ambulances being turned away and emergency-room patients being treated in hallways.

JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Health care now consumes half of provincial revenues because Canadians are getting older.

We shouldnt expect this from our health-care system.

Hospitals are not supposed to be in the housing business. Yet 16 per cent of hospital beds  at a cost of more than $800 per day  are tied up with seniors waiting for someplace to go. At the Canadian Medical Association, we believe that $2.3-billion-a-year price tag could be better spent if seniors got the care they needed in long-term care or through home and community care.

The federal governments plans to have a new Health Accord by the end of the year are most opportune. And this summers Council of the Federation meeting  an assembly of premiers and territorial leaders  is a critical opportunity to discuss how all levels of government can work together for the health of Canadians.

Admittedly, the 2004 Health Accord did little to transform a system designed more than 50 years ago, when Canadians were far younger and the average life expectancy was 71 instead of the current 83 years. But a new accord, with special emphasis on our seniors, is the best opportunity we have to improve standards of care and ensure our dollars are invested in real change for our health-care system.

Lets start with the Canada Health Transfer. Giving money to all jurisdictions on an equal per-capita basis, as Ottawa does now, is no longer effective when provinces are facing varying issues based on age demographics. Some provinces  such as New Brunswick or British Columbia, for example  have a higher proportion of seniors than other provinces and are struggling to deliver the right kind of care to their patients.

Canadas physicians are proposing an easy and workable solution that would allow for increased funds to the provinces that need the most help caring for aging populations. Heres how a demographic top-up would work: Ottawa would deliver $1.6 billion in additional funding, starting in the fiscal year of 2016-17, on the basis of age demographics. This investment would help support the transformation these provinces and territories need to address the growing needs of their aging populations. Indeed, every province would gain.

The association is also proposing that federal funding be redirected to improve and expand home and long-term care. We know Ottawa has promised to spend $3 billion over four years on home care once the accord is signed; now its time for the premiers to start planning how this money will be used most effectively.

As federal Health Minister Jane Philpott has noted, proper home care must include palliative and end-of-life care. Through our proposed Home Care Innovation Fund, the association has identified a wide range of deficiencies, ranging from lack of access to a shortage of trained caregivers. This fund would include benchmarks, agreed to by all signatories, so the funds would be used to achieve the best results.

The association has said many times: fix care for seniors and we go a long way in improving our entire health-care system. Lets make Whitehorse a major milestone in doing that for all Canadians.

Dr. Cindy Forbes is president of the Canadian Medical Association.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, chairing the first meeting of her new cabinet Tuesday, told her ministers she did not want the United Kingdom to be defined by its exit from the European Union. She wanted to build the education, skills and social mobility to allow everyone to prosper from the opportunities of leaving the EU.

Canada can help her to move quickly along that path. Canada has a functioning free-trade treaty with the United States and Mexico. Jointly with Mexico and the U.S., Canada should invite the U.K. to sign on as a partner in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

We may need to change the name to the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement, but the fewer changes we make, the easier the process will be. If this becomes the occasion for reopening and renegotiating NAFTA, every Canadian, U.S. or Mexican axe-grinder with a grievance against the existing treaty will come forward with demands and the process will take years.

ANDREW PARSONS / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May

Canada was planning to conclude a comprehensive economic and trade agreement with the European Union back in the days when the U.K. was happily part of the EU. The soon-to-be reduced EU has, however, decided each of the 27 remaining member countries will have to study and approve the Canadian trade treaty by its own domestic process. This will be slow work and may lead to demands for changes to the treaty. If one of the 27 members drags its feet, the thing may never see the light of day.

The U.K.s future trading relationship with Europe is shrouded in uncertainty. Talks about that relationship will not start until the U.K. formally gives notice of its intention to quit, and Mrs. May will not do that before the end of this year. In the meantime, the U.K. is an orphan among the trading blocs.

The EU up to now has been a bloc of 508 million people in 28 countries with a combined gross domestic product of around US$16 trillion. We can invite the U.K. to take its 64 million people and its US$2.8-trillion GDP out of the EU and add them to NAFTAs 450-million people and US$20-trillion GDP.

NAFTA is a very different kind of deal compared to Europe. It has no central administration, no intention of running domestic affairs in the member countries and no aim of forming an ever-closer union. It does not promise free movement of people among the member countries. It is therefore free of the irritants that persuaded a majority of Britons to want out of the EU. The U.K. might find this to be their kind of trade bloc.

For Canada, the advantage could be great. NAFTA, at the moment, has a dominant partner and two junior players. The addition of the U.K. would slightly curtail the dominance of the U.S. and improve Canadas chances of winning the occasional dispute among NAFTA partners. Annual two-way trade between Canada and the U.K. is around $27 billion, making the U.K. by far Canadas most important commercial partner in Europe. If we can keep that trade flowing and growing through a free-trade deal, we scarcely need to worry what the European governments decide to do about the comprehensive economic and trade agreement.

The great advantage is the heavy lifting has already been done. Canada and the U.S. agonized over the choices and trade-offs in 1987 and 1988, struck a deal and then broadened it to include Mexico in 1994. Broadly speaking, it has worked to the advantage of all the parties. There is no need to start from scratch and struggle through the difficult trade-offs all over again.
The Mississippi Land Connection and Timber Company LLC and Wisconsin Bluff Sands LLC filed an application for a permit for a mine in the town of Waumandee in 2013. The Buffalo County Board of Adjustment denied the application after hearing from experts that little vegetation would grow in the area after the mine closed and from members of the public concerned about potential traffic, declining air quality and declining property values.
Winona County is well-positioned to adapt to a new state law intended to better protect the states waterways by requiring buffer zones.

The law, created and approved by the Legislature in 2015 and revised in 2016, relies on detailed maps released late last week that show more than 90,000 miles of waters in the state as requiring a buffer or other protection.

Specifically, public waterways  lakes, wetlands and other waterways  will require an average 50-foot buffer, with a minimum of 30 feet, by November 2017. Public ditches are also included, and require a 16.5-foot buffer by November 2018.

The goal of creating buffers, an initiative led by Gov. Mark Dayton that led to some controversy at the state Capitol, is to help filter out phosphorus, nitrogen and sediment that impairs water quality. Its a particularly pressing issue in southeast Minnesota because of the scale of agriculture, combined with the presence of pristine trout streams and other waterways.

Winona County is already on the right track to preparing for the new law to take effect, local officials said.

The county adopted the states 50-foot shoreland buffer rule in 1989, and has been systematically informing landowners of the rule since 2010.

Daryl Buck, manager of the Winona County Soil and Water Conservation District, said that rule applied to row crops, so most farms have been working on compliance for years.

Theres going to be a number of those that already meet the minimum buffer, said Buck, whose district will take lead responsibility in ensuring the law is followed in Winona County. The main thing is going to be to inventory the ones in compliance and work with the ones that arent.

Jason Garms, a Minnesota DNR agricultural program liaison, said the buffer laws put more responsibility into local governments, soil and water districts and watersheds to monitor and enforce the buffer requirements.

What this does is it simplifies, in many ways, the enforcement, Garms said.

After Nov. 1, 2017, those not in compliance will face the possibility of fines, though both state and local officials have said the primary initiative is to proactively help all landowners comply, rather than threaten with fines after the deadline passes.

Garms said the specifics as to how and when a fine is assessed are still being developed, and said the DNR believes issues can be resolved at local government levels.

Garms said the buffer law fulfills three main goals: Expanding uniform coverage, simplifying the system, and creating an enforcement hierarchy to replace a patchwork of enforcement that existed before.

He, like Buck, predicted that the vast majority of landowners will be, or already are, in compliance, and said other states are already watching to see how Minnesotas law can be implemented effectively.

It is a piece of legislation that is sort of one-of-a-kind, Garms said.

Even though officials are refining the law as they go, the law has gone a long way toward pleasing buffer advocates, and wasnt as problematic as opponents had framed it in initial conversations.

Glen Groth, president of the Winona County Farm Bureau, said their association had argued against the mandatory buffer laws initially because buffers arent a single solution to the problem of water quality, and dont necessarily take into account the complexity of modern operations.

A buffer is just one tool in the toolbox, Groth said.

But after studying the maps that have come out, Groth said the law is less of an issue in the Winona area, with the majority of streams already going through wooded areas and a large amount already meeting the requirements.

Theres more clarity, Groth said. Farmers and landowners are breathing a little easier.

With their earlier questions now answered of how the law would be enforced and by whom, now we can move forward, Groth said.

The waterways subject to the buffer law are still being revised as the local groups work with landowners to check the maps accuracy. If soil and water districts, other local level governments, or individual landowners find errors in the map they can notify the DNR, which will hear the appeal and make corrections where appropriate.

Jeff Broberg, president of the Minnesota Trout Association, said the association has been keenly supportive of the efforts, and expected the implementation would not be a problem in the area.

The 50-foot buffer standardized is the easiest way to do it, Broberg said. Its a standardized effort, and thats a good place to start.

Broberg said he found that the streams on his land were already compliant, and he expected most landowners in Winona, Fillmore, Houston and Olmsted counties would find the same.

Because buffers were widely in place before, Broberg said, places where there were issues with compliance were usually small areas, corners and other odd pieces of ground.

Theres a way landowners can make an adjustment, Broberg said.

In most cases, the adjustments wont have to be significant.

As one example, Buck said, perennial vegetation can cover a number of previous uses, including pasture space, hay or wildlife habitats.

There are a number of programs that provide cost-sharing assistance for setting up a buffer, like Reinvest in Minnesota Reserve or the Conservation Reserve Program, which both provide compensation for the land use.

They could do things like that that would have relatively low impact on their farming, Buck said.
[July 19, 2016] Fitch Rates Alvin ISD, TX's ULT Schoolhouse & Rfdg Bonds 'AA'; Outlook Stable

Fitch Ratings has assigned an 'AA' rating to the following Alvin Independent School District, TX bonds: --$90.5 million unlimited tax (ULT) schoolhouse and refunding bonds, series 2016A. The bonds are scheduled for negotiated sale the week of Aug. 1. Proceeds from the sale will be used to construct school facilities, purchase land, and refund a portion of the district's outstanding ULT bonds for debt service savings. In addition, Fitch has affirmed the following ratings at 'AA': --$504.7 million in outstanding ULT bonds; --the district's Issuer Default Rating (IDR). The Rating Outlook is Stable. SECURITY The bonds are payable from an unlimited ad valorem tax levied against all taxable property within the district. KEY RATING DRIVERS The 'AA' IDR and underlying ULT ratings reflect the district's solid financial resilience, aided by expenditure flexibility and sound operating reserves that help offset very limited revenue raising ability. The district's somewhat elevated debt burden is driven by rapid enrollment growth, and is expected to remain in the moderate range. Economic Resource Base Alvin ISD is located 25 miles southeast of Houston in the northern portion of Brazoria County, which allows residents access to the broad metropolitan statistical area (MSA) employment market. The district's population has grown at a rapid pace over the past decade, accompanied by robust tax base expansion at an annual average rate of 10%. Although the MSA economy is dominated by the chemical and energy sector, residential development makes up an increasingly large portion of the district's tax base. Revenue Framework: 'a' factor assessment Revenue growth prospects are strong, consistent with historical trends and incorporate projected enrollment growth. The district's independent ability to raise revenues is limited by state law. Expenditure Framework: 'aa' factor assessment A solid degree of expenditure flexibility incorporates moderately low carrying costs and management's control over workforce spending; the district has demonstrated its ability to curtail spending during times of weakened revenue. The natural pace of spending is expected to exceed revenue gains over the intermediate term given the district's current mode of fast growth. Long-Term Liability Burden: 'a' factor assessment The long-term liability burden is elevated, but still within the moderate range. Fitch expects the burden to remain in this range given the district's significant capital needs over the medium to longer term. Operating Performance: 'aaa' factor assessment Fitch expects the district's financial position to remain sound through the economic cycle based on healthy reserves and satisfactory expenditure flexibility. Multi-year forecasting and conservative budget practices support structurally balanced operations. RATING SENSITIVITIES Growth-related Pressures: The maintenance of operational balance and financial flexibility through conservative budgeting is a key mitigant to credit concerns over the district's large debt load and ongoing growth-related spending pressure. CREDIT PROFILE The local housing market has been strong over the past decade, aided by enhanced transportation corridors accessing the Houston MSA. Recent declines in mineral values have been more than offset by significant growth in the residential sector and modest commercial development, softening Fitch's concerns about energy industry concentration. Revenue Framework Operating revenues are a mix of state funding and local property taxes at 63% and 36% in fiscal 2015, respectively. Revenue growth is primarily a function of enrollment, as the state seeks to ensure a certain level of per-pupil spending for all state school districts. Enrollment has grown at around 6% annually in recent years, and is expected to continue at a rapid pace given the significant housing development in the district. Alvin ISD's general fund revenues grew at a compound annual rate of 9.5% over the 10 years through fiscal 2014, much faster than U.S GDP. Prospects for continued revenue growth are strong. The operating tax rate of $1.04 per $100 of TAV is below the legal limit of $1.17, but any increase would require voter approval. The district levies a separate, unlimited debt service tax rate of $0.38 for fiscal 2016. Management anticipates increasing this rate to $0.42 by fisal 2018, leaving some margin below the statutory rate cap of $0.50 for new debt issuance. Fitch considers the district's TAV assumptions for this tax rate projection to be somewhat aggressive at 8% annually, although it is consistent with recent performance.



Expenditure Framework Alvin ISD's spending profile is led by instruction at over 60% of general fund expenditures. The district regularly funds a number of facility improvements from the general fund, often through transfers to capital projects.

Fitch expects that the district's pace of operating expenditures will likely exceed revenue gains over the near to medium term as the district brings on new facilities and personnel to meet projected student growth. The district retains a solid degree of expenditure flexibility in labor costs given a lack of collective bargaining and its use of individual employment contracts for teachers. Fixed costs for debt service, pensions, and other postemployment benefits are affordable at 10% of fiscal 2015 governmental spending (reduced to 7% after factoring in state support for debt service), incorporating slow amortization. Fitch expects that carrying costs will remain in the low to moderate range as the district continues its practice of funding capital items from both debt and general fund reserves. Long-Term Liability Burden This offering is the second from the district's 2015 bond program, which will finance six new campuses, a high school expansion, and a new stadium. The district's overall debt and net pension liability equal an elevated yet still moderate 24% of personal income, and Fitch expects that the liability burden will remain in this range as the district issues additional debt to meet growing capital needs over the medium to longer term. The district plans to issue its remaining $52 million of authorized bonds in spring of 2017, and anticipates seeking additional voter authorization as early as 2018. The district participates in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), a cost-sharing multiple-employer pension system. Under GASB 67 and 68, TRS's assets covered 83.3% of liabilities as of fiscal 2015, a ratio that falls to a Fitch-estimated 75% using a more conservative 7% return assumption. Contributions are determined by state statute rather than actuarially and historically have fallen short of the actuarial level. Recent reforms have lowered benefits and increased statutory contributions in order to improve plan sustainability over time. The state assumes the majority of TRS employer contributions and net pension liability on behalf of school district, except for small amounts that state statute requires districts to assume. Like all Texas school districts, Alvin ISD is vulnerable to future policy changes that shift more of the contributions and liabilities onto districts, as evidenced by a relatively modest 1.5% of salary contribution requirement effective fiscal 2015. Operating Performance Fitch believes Alvin ISD would utilize a combination of its expenditure flexibility and currently sound reserves to adjust to a moderate economic downturn. The district has historically preserved operational balance while making frequent draws on fund balance for capital projects. In order to preserve future bond capacity, the district funded a large portion of its high school expansion from the general fund in fiscal 2016 with a projected drawdown of about $27 million. Management indicates an ability to cut departmental spending or defer capital outlay during a revenue downturn in order to maintain compliance with the district's reserve policy of 17%-25% of spending. Management's generally conservative budget assumptions have allowed the district to address growth needs while building financial flexibility during periods of economic recovery. Alvin ISD outperformed its fiscal 2015 budget with a smaller than projected general fund drawdown of $2.5 million for new facilities, ending the year with an unrestricted fund balance of $73.6 million (40% of spending). The district's five-year forecast reflects operational balance (before capital outlays) and compliance with fund balance policy under reasonable assumptions for expenditure growth. In the event that enrollment growth exceeds current projections or tax base expansion occurs more slowly than forecast by management, the district's ability to issue bonds for new facilities could be limited by the state's tax rate cap of $0.50 per $100 TAV for new issuance. Additional information is available at 'www.fitchratings.com'. In addition to the sources of information identified in the applicable criteria specified below, this action was informed by information from Lumesis, InvestorTools, and the Municipal Advisory Council of Texas. Applicable Criteria U.S. Tax-Supported Rating Criteria (pub. 18 Apr 2016) https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/reports/report_frame.cfm?rpt_id=879478 Additional Disclosures Dodd-Frank Rating Information Disclosure Form https://www.fitchratings.com/creditdesk/press_releases/content/ridf_frame.cfm?pr_id=1009142 Solicitation Status https://www.fitchratings.com/gws/en/disclosure/solicitation?pr_id=1009142 Endorsement Policy https://www.fitchratings.com/jsp/creditdesk/PolicyRegulation.faces?context=2&detail=31 ALL FITCH CREDIT RATINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS. PLEASE READ THESE LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK: HTTP://FITCHRATINGS.COM/UNDERSTANDINGCREDITRATINGS. IN ADDITION, RATING DEFINITIONS AND THE TERMS OF USE OF SUCH RATINGS ARE AVAILABLE ON (News - Alert) THE AGENCY'S PUBLIC WEBSITE 'WWW.FITCHRATINGS.COM'. PUBLISHED RATINGS, CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THIS SITE AT ALL TIMES. FITCH'S CODE OF CONDUCT, CONFIDENTIALITY, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, AFFILIATE FIREWALL, COMPLIANCE AND OTHER RELEVANT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE 'CODE OF CONDUCT' SECTION OF THIS SITE. FITCH MAY HAVE PROVIDED ANOTHER PERMISSIBLE SERVICE TO THE RATED ENTITY OR ITS RELATED THIRD PARTIES. DETAILS OF THIS SERVICE FOR RATINGS FOR WHICH THE LEAD ANALYST IS BASED IN AN EU-REGISTERED ENTITY CAN BE FOUND ON THE ENTITY SUMMARY PAGE FOR THIS ISSUER ON THE FITCH WEBSITE. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160719006584/en/

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Four larger-than-life figures will return to Baraboo today, in larger-than-life form. And theyll be hanging around for quite some time.

At 6 p.m. the Baraboo Public Arts Association will unveil and dedicate the first four public portraits created as part of the People are the Fabric of Our Community project. The event will take place at the corner of Oak and Fourth streets, where murals depicting three key supporters of Circus World Museum have been installed. The public is encouraged to attend and to nominate their own cherished Baraboo residents for enshrinement.

We know that Baraboo is a special place, Mayor Mike Palm said. But the spirit of a community comes from its collection of people  past and present. This project celebrates people from all walks of life who have made a differenceto the Baraboo community or to someone who lives here.

Acclaimed northern Wisconsin muralist Kelly Meredith has been commissioned to paint large portraits for the project. Todays unveiling will feature images of the late Rochelle Robkin, art teacher and community leader; and the three men whose vision, energy and leadership were responsible for the creation of the Circus World  W.W. Deppe, John M. Kelley and Chappie Fox.

Community residents are encouraged to nominate people they would like to see memorialized on a wall in the downtown area. Forty nominations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Meredith will paint portraits on panels that measure 7 feet tall by 2 feet wide and will be displayed on the east wall of the former Spurgeons Department Store at Fourth and Oak.

I have painted nearly 1,500 portraits for 30 communities throughout the Midwest, Meredith said, and when pictures of beloved grandmothers appear alongside captains of industry, it builds community by saying everyone here is important.

Each nomination requires four components:

A nominee must be/have been a resident in the Baraboo area.

The artist requires one or more good photographs from which to create a portrait.

Two or three paragraphs of handwritten narrative about the nominee are required. This handwriting will appear in the background of the portrait, symbolizing that there is a story behind every person.

A donation of $600 payable in cash or by check to BPAA. Donations are tax-deductible.

There is a lot of interest in this project, BPAA board member Morgan McArthur said. I have seen lists of people who could go on the wall for any of many reasons. However, this is a self-funding project and donations alone are supporting the artwork. One way to put a portrait within reach is to have several interested people pool their money.

McArthur noted the project is expandable: Portraits will likely appear on more walls around the downtown area in future nomination cycles.
On Tuesday the Sauk County Board voted 25-2 in favor of a resolution to support the U.S. Bike Route 30 and Route 230 on county highways. The resolution states the route  from Reedsburg to Sauk City along State Highway 136  would have no fiscal impact, but is anticipated to encourage bike-related tourism.

Supervisor John Deitrich of Reedsburg said he supports bike routes and tourism, but voted against the proposal because of a lack of information about how its approval might impact ATV or UTV routes.

Nobody adequately answered my question, Deitrich said. I didnt want to put my stamp on one activity at the expense of another.

An alternate route would go from State Highway 154 southwest of Rock Springs onto County Highway D, to County Highway PF, then onto County Highway E and County Highway O, ending along Otter Creek Road.

The resolution states that bicycle tourism in North America contributes $47 billion each year to the economies of communities that provide facilities for bike tourists.

The Baraboo City Council approved of the route, and requested that it go through Baraboo rather than the alternate route through Sauk City.

In other business, the board took the following action:

Postponed action on creating two full-time public health nurse positions for the Sauk County Health Department, due to uncertainty about potential grant funding.

Voted 27-0 to amend an agreement with a company called WIN that leases unused fiber on the countys fiber optic cable. The company has requested additional fiber, and the amendment is estimated to boost revenue by $22,821.

Voted 26-1 to approve the purchase of $99,000 in replacement fiber optic network equipment from Calix Inc.

Voted 27-0 to authorize a contract for physical, occupational and speech therapy services at the Sauk County Health Care Center with MJcare Professional Rehabilitation and Health Services of Milwaukee.

Voted 27-0 to approve emergency repairs on the Lake Redstone Dam. An inspection revealed that the gate to open the dame was not operable. The county has committed $20,000 toward emergency repairs, and $194,000 still is available in the Parks Departments budget for further repairs.

Voted 27-0 to authorize the purchase of a $86,000 single-axle truck from Truck Country of Madison for the Sauk County Highway Department. The purchase is part of a planned program of replacement, according to the resolution.

Voted 27-0 to approve an amendment to the countys building space lease agreement with the Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin. The amendment would turn over 378 square feet of space that has been abandoned by Madison Area Technical College to the workforce development board.

Voted 27-0 to authorize a contract with Johnson Controls to complete emergency repair to the chiller unit at the Sauk County Law Enforcement Center.
Gordena Clary

Gordena Dena Mott Clary, 80, of Sarasota., Florida, left this world peacefully on Sunday, July 10, 2016, after a short battle with MDS bone cancer; surrounded by family and in the compassionate care of hospice nurses at her home. She was the soft spot in the family and affectionately known to all as Gran.

Dena was born on Nov. 7, 1935, and enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Woodward, Oklahoma before moving to Norman, Oklahoma to attend Oklahoma University. There, fate captured the heart of her devoted husband-to-be, fellow student Ken Clary who persisted in asking her for a date after spotting her in the student union. The couples 59-year union would bear fruit in three children and nine grandchildren.

In addition to nurturing her family, Dena worked as a respected speech therapist and special education teacher and later enjoyed continuing education studies focused on religion and theology. She was passionate about local theater throughout her life, especially in Baraboo where she was a frequent producer and lead actress in the Baraboo Theatre Guild. Her passing at precisely 6:08 p.m. was surely an otherworldly nod to Baraboo (area code 608) her favorite hometown over the course of many.

In addition to dear friends in Baraboo, Dena is survived by her husband, Kenneth Clary; children, Kay, Susan, and John and daughter-in-law Misti; grandchildren Andrea, Jake, Evie, Megan, Breen, Jenny, Will, Colin, and Ethan.
This is the week the GOP has to figure out how to shine with Donald Trump. Its also time for the NeverTrump crowd to realize it is more important for conservatives to accept NeverHillary. Its also the week Trump needs to earn their support.

The Republican National Convention in Cleveland got off on the right foot earlier this week with the Rules Committee striking down a movement to allow delegates to vote their conscience. It was a smart move that protects the votes of millions of voters who voted for Trump in Republican primaries.

The challenge for Trump is he needs to rise above statements that the media, and Hillary Clinton, exposed due to his lack of political savvy. Its easy to spew out rhetoric that grabs a headline when you are chasing away 18 other respectable candidates. Its harder when the spotlight is on just two.

The reality is Trumps vice presidential selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence wasnt sexy. It was safe. Pence is a political insider who served 10 years in the House of Representatives and is hated by the left in his home state. Unlike then-political newcomer Sarah Palin it certainly wont excite the base, but it might bring some supporters who might believe he is beginning to take this campaign seriously.

The convention has a long list of notable speakers all agreeing to rally the troops around the presumptive nominee. One of those speakers, Wisconsins Gov. Scott Walker, even went as far as announcing other candidates needed to get out of the race last November to defeat Trump. Now that Trump is the last man standing, Walker will stand against Clinton.

Other speakers this week included politicians, business people, veterans, and ministers. Even actor Scott Baio took the podium on July 18 demonstrating Clint Eastwood isnt alone in the Hollywood corps of conservative actors. Of course, Trump is going to have to prove he can fill Eastwoods symbolic empty chair to garner additional conservative support.

On July 21, Trump gets the stage all to himself. Trump is going to have to shine and, contrary to claims by those who adulate him, he wont be Reaganesque. He will, however, have to appear serious and capable of reaching out to a broader audience. Its easy to build a wall, but tearing one down is another story.

Trumps been pegged by the national media as being a racist for claiming immigrants are rapists. Hell have the national stage to state he is talking about the lowest of the low sneaking into this country by means of illegal immigration. Hell also have to articulate how he might actually keep illegal immigrants out of this country and present a practical solution for dealing with the 11 million that are already living here.

This one political miscue has defined his candidacy and it is important he clarifies the matter. Illegal immigration has been a bane in this country for the past 40 years or better. Can he present a solution that is practical and acceptable to both sides of the debate?

In spite of terrorist attacks around the globe, he will also have to clarify his anti-Muslim rhetoric. He has stated he wanted to stop all Muslim immigration, but later clarified himself as to mean only those people from ISIS-states. In his GOP spotlight, he will need to outline a very clear and concise plan that will not ban someone from entering this country for their religious beliefs, but for their beliefs they are waging a war against the United States.

Trump also needs to avoid recanting any of the conspiracy theories that he embraced along the campaign trail. Its political fodder that attracts voters who live on the fringes of the political spectrum, but it is definitely not the sort of rhetoric that will garner mainstream Republican support and it certainly wont sway those voters who flip-flop between Democrat and Republican candidates every two years.

One thing is for certain, a lot of people have spent convention week presenting a Republican plan for Making America Great Again. Many believe these same folks are committing political suicide by taking one for the team. Trump, and the Republican Party, cannot afford another unscripted speech from New Yorks favorite real estate mogul turned reality TV star.

This is Trumps prime time debut. Either he takes the lead over Clinton or he fails. Heres hoping the guy who hates losing delivers the speech of a lifetimethe speech that finally puts an end to NeverTrump.
U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson is seeking to prohibit Department of Justice officials from enforcing parts of the Americans with Disabilities Act at private voucher schools, the Wisconsin State Journal reported July 5.

The amendment, which Johnson submitted to be included in the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriation Act that has yet to pass, prohibits DOJ from regarding choice schools as being government-run schools.

Johnsons amendment says the provisions that protect students with disabilities from discrimination cannot be enforced in private voucher schools because the schools are not public, despite receiving public money in the form of a school voucher.

A spokeswoman for Johnsons Senate office said the amendment is meant to protect voucher schools from a hostile attitude President Barack Obamas administration and other Democratic lawmakers have toward voucher programs, and comes months after the Obama administration closed a probe into the Milwaukee voucher system after a lawsuit alleging discrimination against students with disabilities.

In other words, a hot-button political issue is becoming further politicized.

It is true that parents of disabled students generally opt to stay with public schools. Because public schools are legally required to educate all students and private schools can be selective in which students they admit, public schools have the staff and infrastructure to accommodate disabled students, accommodations which private schools generally do not have.

But does it seem fair that school vouchers would, effectively, only be usable by students without disabilities? Is there not de facto discrimination in school vouchers as they pertain to disabled students, the very discrimination the ADA was intended to fight when signed into law in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush?

As is often the case, we advocate locating middle ground. Should a child with a disability wish to attend a private school using a voucher and a reasonable accommodation can be made, the private school should make that accommodation. When voucher advocates invite parents to choose the option of a private school over a public one for their children, they shouldnt be surprised if the parents of a disabled child show up wanting to exercise that option. Dont say Its better over here with a but not for you addendum.

But, neither should the Americans with Disabilities Act be used as a hammer to bludgeon private schools. School vouchers are a local issue, and nothings more local than your own household. Lets leave such decisions to parents and the private schools in which they might enroll their children, and invite Congress and the White House to sit this one out.
In the wake of tragedy, lawmakers sometimes make the mistake of allowing their emotions to do the legislating, which largely explains the sudden emergence of so-called Blue Lives Matters bills.

The laws create enhanced penalties for anyone who intentionally targets law enforcement officers. Louisiana was the first state to pass such a law, and Wisconsin could be up next as Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, announced plans last week to introduce a bill based on Louisianas law.

While police officer killings are abhorrent and deserve severe punishments, hate crime legislation is unnecessary to deliver justice. Wisconsin law already provides heightened penalties for anyone who assaults an officer, classifying as a felony what would be considered misdemeanor battery for the Average Joe.

To be sure, we cannot blame legislators for wanting to respond to hateful rhetoric expressed by some members of Black Lives Matter. At the GOP National Convention on Monday, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke received the biggest applause of the night for his comments regarding violence against officers.

Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to make something very clear: Blue lives matter in America, Clarke told the crowd.

Clarke is absolutely right. But as hate crime legislation, Blue Lives Matter bills only serve to reinforce divisions between officers and residents.

These bills set a conspicuous precedent by making a persons occupation a protected class. One certainly could argue that firefighters deserve to be listed alongside police officers in any hate crime legislation. Perhaps teachers, legislators and journalists should be included, too.

Philosophically, hate crime laws are constitutionally suspect. Wisconsins hate crime law  which includes race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin and ancestry  survived a legal challenge at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993, but debate continues about whether punishing someones motives violates the First and Fourteenth amendments.

Given the controversy surrounding hate crime laws and policing issues, advocates of Blue Lives Matters bills are missing an opportunity to put the focus on building relationships among officers and residents.

Politically charged laws, such as Blue Lives Matter bills, might feel satisfying to advance, but they do little toward solving societal ills. If legislators think new laws can help, they should seek to break down barriers, not build new ones.
HORICON  Archery, birding, cooking, hunting and fishing are among the fun things to be taught by Department of Natural Resources staff and expert volunteers during the free and family-friendly August Horicon Marsh Outdoor Skills Day.

Horicon Wildlife Educator, Liz Herzmann, said no registration is required for the Aug. 6 event while will run from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, N7725 Highway 28.

There will be something for everyone at this hands-on event, Herzmann said. Even if you have a pretty good idea of which activities appeal to you, it can be a great learning experience for anyone with an interest in the outdoors.

The Horicon Bowmen and the DNR will offer archery camp at this years event. People of all ages can try archery using the National Archery in the Schools Program equipment. Herzmann said it is the same easy-to-use equipment dozens of schools all across Wisconsin use in their physical education programs.

Watch a cast iron cook in action and taste delicious treats, all prepared over the campfire. Members of the Wisconsin Trappers Association will have a booth with pelts, traps and information for anyone who is interested in learning more about regulated trapping. Certified Hunter Safety Instructors will be available with firearm action sets to demonstrate proper firearm use and safety. Expert birders will be on hand to show the basics of binocular use. Then, you can put those skills to action on a bird scavenger hunt.

New this year is a fishing station that will take interested people on a mock fishing trip. They will get to choose the lake and species to fish and then learn how to plan and execute a successful fishing trip. An instructor will assist on choosing and preparing the proper gear for the excursion. There will be a fish identification primer that will be accompanied with the pertinent rules and regulations.

Finally, the participants will get to put their knowledge to the test as they get to fish with rods and plastic fish. Skills to be taught include map reading, knot tying, fish identification, regulations and casting.

For more information regarding this event or other Horicon Marsh education programs, contact Herzmann at 387-7893.
The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for most of southern Wisconsin, including Dodge County for Thursday and Friday.

Dodge County Emergency Management as well as the Dodge County Human Services and Health have issued advisories regarding the heat and are during people to be safe.

Young children, seniors, those who are overweight and people with chronic medical conditions have the most difficulty in regulating their body temperature and should be watched closely, said Dodge County Public Health Officer Jody Lagnfeldt.

Heat related deaths and illness are preventable if people remember these tips:

Stay Cool

Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible and avoid direct sunlight. If you dont have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate. When its hotter than 95 degrees, use fans to blow hot air out of the window, rather than to blow hot air on to your body. Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.

Never leave children, disabled persons or pets in a parked car  even briefly. Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes.

Slow down and limit physical activity. Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark, when temperatures are cooler.

Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light colored clothing. Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool and dont forget sunscreen.

Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water. Dont wait until youre thirsty to drink, instead drink fluids steadily throughout the day.

Stay Informed

Watch your local weather forecasts so you can plan activities safely when its hot outside.

Those people at higher risk of heat related illness include

Infants and young children

People 65 years of age and older

People who are overweight

People with chronic medical conditions

Where you are most at risk:

Homes with little or no air conditioning

Cars

Dodge County Emergency Management reminds everyone to check on those that are at higher risk for heat related illness. If you suspect, you or a loved one maybe experiencing heat illness contact your local Hospital Emergency Department, if in doubt of the severity, or if there is signs of an altered mental status call 911 Immediately.

Municipalities may decide to open cooling centers during periods of extreme heat, ReadyWisconsin will list open cooling centers on their website, http://readywisconsin.wi.gov. If there is not an official cooling center in your area, local libraries, senior centers, and public meeting areas are good places to cool down, during normal hours of operations.

People also are reminded to take precautions for pets and livestock by providing shade and water.
JUNEAU  Dodge County became the first county Tuesday to approve the merger of the Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System with the Eastern Shores System.

The Dodge County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the merger during its meeting. The county boards in Ozaukee, Sheboygan and Washington will consider the resolution over the next few months. All four counties have to approve the resolution for the merger to take place.

If the merger is approved by the counties, the two systems will join together Jan. 1.

The Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System, a cooperative venture between libraries in Dodge and Washington counties, works to offer library services. The system has undergone a series of changes in the last few years, including having Jefferson County pull out of the cooperative. When Jefferson County left the group began to consider merging in order to maintain a strong level of services.

The cost of operating a two-county library system may have meant additional fees for individual libraries. In addition, the state could have forced the system to join another system if they did not find another system with which to merge.

The Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System includes libraries in Beaver Dam, Brownsville, Fox Lake, Germantown, Hartford, Horicon, Hustisford, Iron Ridge, Juneau, Kewaskum, Lomira, Lowell, Mayville, Reeseville, Slinger, Theresa, Waupun and West Bend.

Eastern Shores includes libraries in Cedar Grove, Cedarburg, Elkhart Lake, Mequon-Thiensville, Grafton, Kohler, Random Lake, Sheboygan, Oostburg, Saukville, Plymouth, Sheboygan Falls and Port Washington.

The new system will include a shared catalog of more than 1.1 million holdings. It will also save the libraries about $98,000 in cumulative system fees being paid by member libraries for sharing services. It will also improve technology support and expertise.
[July 20, 2016] New Dell Systems Management Capabilities Bolster Customer Successes for Fast-growing Dell PowerEdge FX2 Modular Infrastructure

Dell (News - Alert) today announced updates to the systems management portfolio for the Dell PowerEdge FX2 modular infrastructure to help customers further maximize IT productivity and business continuity. The new features enhance provisioning and infrastructure visibility, plus add support for Nagios users and open source applications. Dell's overall blade server growth is bolstered by the PowerEdge FX2, which is significantly outpacing industry blade server growth. The PowerEdge FX2 has demonstrated triple-digit percentage growth year-over-year in unit and revenue over the previous four quarters, contributing substantially to PowerEdge blade server gains, since its launch in 2014.1 According to IDC (News - Alert), Dell PowerEdge blade servers experienced 34 percent year-over-year revenue growth and grew 17 percent faster than the industry in the first quarter of 2016.2 "Our customers are interested in making their IT infrastructure more flexible and efficient to address evolving business and workload demands in real-time," said Ashley Gorakhpurwalla, vice president and general manager, Dell Server Solutions. "With strong systems management capabilities, the PowerEdge FX2 can help customers meet their goals by supporting traditional applications and new workloads driven by social, mobile, analytics and cloud computing in a modular infrastructure. These attributes combined with recent customer successes is driving unprecedented growth." Improved Management and Industry Software Integration for Dell PowerEdge FX2 Dell has enhanced its systems management software to take advantage of the unique engineering of the Dell PowerEdge FX2 and is designed to simplify and automate critical hardware management tasks. New capabilities and updates enhance the user experience with improved ease of provisioning for virtualized workloads, plug-ins for Nagios users, and comprehensive infrastructure visibility and flexibility to run open source applications. This includes: Dell OpenManage Essentials 2.2 enables fast provisioning of I/O aggregators with template-based processes that easily and uniformly replicate the assignment of vLANs during the blade port mapping process, which ensures simplicity and accuracy in network set-up. The new geographic view feature enables quick, easy location access to PowerEdge FX2 systems onsite or across the globe with manageability across 5500 devices. Additionally, seamless integration with SupportAssist 3 provides proactive, predictive support and automated case creation to resolve hardware issues up to 90% faster with ProSupport Plus. 4

provides proactive, predictive support and automated case creation to resolve hardware issues up to 90% faster with ProSupport Plus. The new OpenManage plug-in for Nagios XI 1.0 extracts detailed PowerEdge FX2 infrastructure information from the Dell Chassis Management Controller and server embedded intelligence, iDRAC with Lifecycle Controller, delivering a unified set of alerts and health monitoring details to Nagios XI administrators. As a result, customers can continue using their Nagios XI console to monitor Dell hardware without additional tools or training while achieving a higher return on their investment.

New Active System Manager (ASM) 8.2 capabilities enable fast and easy on-boarding and deployment of IT services across multiple chassis, server, storage and networking devices. The port view provides a visual mapping of physical and virtual infrastructures and any connectivity issues to allow for quick troubleshooting to help IT teams maintain business continuity and deliver more consistent, reliable IT services. Additionally, a new software developer kit (SDK) simplifies creating and deploying complex applications using readily available open source modules. Customers and Partners Choose PowerEdge FX2 to Revolutionize Data Centers With the Dell PowerEdge FX2 and Dell systems management software, customers across 70 countries are takin advantage of the integrated building blocks of servers, storage and networking that help them achieve data center flexibility and efficiency without having to overhaul their existing infrastructure. Examples include:



Tracewell Systems, an Ohio-based Dell OEM (News - Alert) partner, makes it possible for defense agencies, commercial businesses and OEMs to deploy Dell's powerful FX architecture "beyond the back office," in settings where standard systems are not designed to operate, such as space-constrained or rugged environments. Engineered from the ground up, in partnership with Dell OEM Solutions, the Tracewell T-FX2 products feature identical compute, network, storage and systems management tools, making them fully interoperable with Dell PowerEdge FX technology. The T-FX2 family of products currently includes three distinct platforms: T-FX2 for solutions that require Dell's FX2 in a smaller form factor; T-FX2s for solutions that require integration with full-size, high-power PCIe cards or specialty hardware; and T-FX2e for the next generation of hyper-converged, storage-intensive applications. "The Tracewell T-FX2 family of products is perfect for customers who want to deliver workloads optimized for the data center - big data analytics, software-defined storage, VDI - on converged platforms that can operate in small or unusual places," said Matt Tracewell, vice president at Tracewell Systems. "With the Dell PowerEdge FX2, we can deliver modular building blocks that are configurable in multiple combinations of compute and storage nodes, and combine the density and flexibility of blades with the advantages of rack-based systems. These capabilities, combined with simplified management tools, such as iDRAC and Dell OpenManage technology, have helped us deliver an unrivaled solution and significantly enhance our customer satisfaction."

Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc., in North Carolina, needed to upgrade its infrastructure to support its laboratory information management systems solutions that automate more than 400 laboratories. The company recently deployed the Dell PowerEdge FX architecture to consolidate its data center footprint for savings in rack space, power and cooling. "The Dell FX2 architecture supports our whole business in a 2U space, and it is critical that it is extremely reliable for our employees and our customers," said Mark Burke, chief information officer at Accelerated Technology Laboratories, Inc. "With the Dell FX2 as the center of our end-to-end Dell solution, our infrastructure gives us the flexibility to expand storage and compute as our company grows." ATS Automation, in Canada, used the scalable Dell FX2 architecture to achieve full disaster recovery and enhance scalability for future growth while also enhancing performance and simplifying management. With assistance from partner Scalar and Dell Deployment Services, ATS deployed six Dell PowerEdge FX2 chassis with 23 Dell PowerEdge FC630 servers, which has enabled the company to shrink its data center footprint while isolating and troubleshooting issues quickly and efficiently. "We've been using Dell PowerEdge servers for a long time, so when the Dell FX2 was presented to us, we instantly moved forward with it," said Brian Bayne, technology services manager at ATS Automation (News - Alert). "The density of the Dell FX architecture saved us space as well as money spent on power and cooling. In the future, we know that our Dell PowerEdge FX2 architecture will be easy to expand to support our ever-growing workforce." Clayton Public Schools, in New Jersey, wanted to support new district IT initiatives and eliminate application performance issues by upgrading its IT infrastructure to a Dell PowerEdge FX2 server enclosure with Dell PowerEdge FC630 servers. With access to a new IT infrastructure based on a modular 2U converged platform that provides quick performance, the district can stream HD video and digital learning tools, so students and teachers are allowed more time for creativity and learning. "Even though we're a small school district, we're now running an enterprise-level infrastructure here because of the Dell solution, which means we can give our students and teachers the tools they need to spark their creativity and prepare for the workforce," said Dan Marakowski, technology coordinator at Clayton Public Schools. "With the Dell FX2, we are seeing a 50 percent time savings on IT administration because of our consolidated environment and the increased performance and reliability we get with the Dell technologies." MEIZU, in China, is a smartphone manufacturer that was looking to switch from a traditional desktop environment to a virtualized desktop infrastructure to increase customer service productivity. MEIZU deployed six Dell PowerEdge FX2 chassis and 24 Dell PowerEdge FM120x4 micro servers to replace a disparate environment where previously applications and data were run locally across multiple desktops. With instant access to data, MEIZU enhanced customer service satisfaction while reducing the time needed for IT management at a cost-efficient rate. "The converged infrastructure is a hit with the IT team as it helps them reduce the management burden, is simpler to scale, and supports growth," said Li Kechen, R&D and IT Director at MEIZU. "With the FX2 solution, MEIZU expects developers will gain faster and more reliable access to their testing environments while delivering significant savings that can be reinvested in other areas of the organization. The Dell ProSupport Plus agreement helps maximize reliability over the long term." Rising Sun Pictures, in Australia, wanted to have a future-ready IT environment to stay at the forefront of the movie industry with cutting-edge movie visual effects. By teaming up with Dell partner Vlnet Solutions, Rising Sun Pictures deployed a compact, high-density and high-performance computing solution with 40 Dell PowerEdge FC630 servers across 10 Dell PowerEdge FX2 chassis with Dell ProSupport for Enterprise. These artists now have the tools they need to focus on visual effects innovation. "The Dell PowerEdge FX2 solution was a great fit because the technology is modular and very flexible, which allowed us to protect our investment with the option of changing the server modules down the line as Dell brings new servers on stream," said Mark Day, director of engineering at Rising Sun Pictures. "Now we can play a greater role in the storytelling process because our artists have reliable Dell technology that opens up new opportunities for movie visual effects." Additional Information: Dell Converged IT eBrochure

Dell PowerEdge FX2 infographic

Dell FX2 Customer case studies About Dell Dell Inc. listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.com. Dell and Dell PowerEdge are trademarks of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others. 1According to Dell internal data, July 2016.

2IDC Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker, Q1 2016, June 2016.

3Based on September 2015 Principled Technologies Test Report commissioned by Dell comparing time to resolve a failed hard drive by Dell tech support with and without SupportAssist technology. Actual results will vary. Full report can be found here.

4Dell ProSupport Plus availability and terms vary by region. See dell.com/servicecontracts/global. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005179/en/

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CLEVELAND  Security has been tight at the Republican National Convention.

Gerard Randall, 62, a Wisconsin alternate delegate and executive director of the Milwaukee Education Partnership, who has been to six conventions since 1996, said security is even tighter than in New York City in 2004 after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

"No one thought that would happen again," Randall said, but the concerns are heightened this year because more recent attacks have involved lone guerrilla tactics.

To enhance security, several streets around the Quicken Loans Arena are lined with several blocks of iron fences patrolled by local police, police from other states and Secret Service agents. Streets around that perimeter are closed to vehicle traffic. And there are metal detectors and bag searches for all delegates entering the arena.

The Wisconsin delegation also has its own security team assigned to it and receives security briefings each morning, Randall said. After some protesters were able to infiltrate the arena on Monday, delegates have been warned to protect their credentials.
CLEVELAND  The Wisconsin GOP delegation's Wednesday morning breakfast turned into a 1980s TV reunion as Scott Baio and John Ratzenberger gave speeches.

Baio, known for his roles as Chachi in "Happy Days" and "Joanie Loves Chachi," the eponymous "Charles in Charge" and more recently as Bob Loblaw on "Arrested Development," talked about the difficulty of being a Republican in Hollywood. He also said he's supporting Donald Trump for president because Republicans never fight back.

"Hes bombastic, yes," Baio said. "He says a lot of words people dont like. Hes not a politician. When he gets hit, he hits back hard. And Ive never seen that in a Republican."

Pollster Frank Luntz, who brought Baio with him, said Wisconsin was the only delegation that he brought Baio to. Baio also spoke during Monday night's prime time convention program.

Ratzenberger, a former carpenter known for his turn as Cliff Clavin the mailman on Cheers, as well as for voicing characters in every Pixar animated film, such as Hamm the Piggy Bank in the Toy Story movies, said he supports Trump because "hes a builder and builders understand the necessity for a strong foundation."
The word Edsel has come to be synonymous with failure, over-hype, under-performance and commercial catastrophe.

But to Harv Woebbeking of Fox Lake, the word, and the car, conjure feelings of deep devotion.

Hes far from alone in feeling that way.

On Tuesday afternoon, Woebbeking kept a close eye on the driveway of the Best Western Resort and Conference Center in Portage, as other Edsel aficionados pulled in, one by one  some of them driving their vintage vehicles, some towing them on flatbeds or in wagons.

During the International Edsel Club Rally Convention today through Sunday, about 75 of the vintage vehicles, and about 145 people, will come to Portage to celebrate all things Edsel.

On the lawn by the Best Westerns main driveway, Woebbekings coral-colored 1958 Edsel convertible was there Tuesday afternoon to greet new arrivals.

In high school, mused Woebbeking, who graduated from Menominee Falls High School in 1972, everybody else had Mustangs or Novas or Camaros. I wanted to be driving an Edsel. And when I ran for senior class president, my campaign car was an Edsel station wagon. I lost by just six votes.

Matt McLaughlin of the Adams-Friendship area drove his turquoise-and-white 1958 Edsel 40 miles to show off the work hed done to restore it.

When he drives it, he has to use ethanol-free gasoline, and add some lead to the fuel. He gets about 10 miles to the gallon.

But he loves the vehicle, found in a barn near Harpers Ferry, Iowa, as much as he loves the 1960 model, found in Minnesota, that he plans to restore next.

Ive had around 92 of them, he said, but I currently have 17.

Thats nothing compared to the 106 Edsels that Woebbeking has owned over the years  though most of them were acquired for parts, which are very hard for Edsel owners to find.

There are Edsels that have had to die, he said, so that others may live.

McLaughlin said the Edsel  made in model years 1958, 1959 and 1960  doesnt deserve its reputation as one of the worst cars ever made.

Sure, the first models, the 1958s, had grilles shaped like vertical ovals, which some said looked like horse collars, like toilet seats or like a person sucking on a lemon.

Sure, theyre gas-guzzlers that drive like a safe on wheels, McLaughlin said.

But in many ways, McLaughlin said, they were far ahead of their time.

For example, the tele-touch drive feature, which allowed drivers to shift gears by pushing buttons on the steering wheel, now exists in many modern four-wheel-drive pickups. (At the time of the Edsels inauguration, some owners complained about hitting the gear-shifting push buttons when they wanted to honk the horn.)

And, the Edsel had an optional remote trunk release that allowed the driver to open the trunk from the drivers seat  a feature thats standard equipment in many vehicles today.

Both McLaughlin and Woebbeking said the failure of the Edsel happened mainly because it became available at the wrong time. In the late 1950s, the United States was experiencing an economic downturn similar to the recession of 2008, and no one wanted a vehicle that was marketed as a medium-sized, medium-priced car.

The sticker price for various Edsel models ranged from about $2,500 to about $3,800 in 1958.

Today, McLaughlin said, a well-restored 1960 Edsel convertible could easily command a six-figure price from a collector.

Frank Rollins of Clarkston, Michigan, drove his 1959 four-door to Portage. In addition to his Edsel, he said, there was at least one other Edsel  a police car, complete with cherry-style red light on top  on the SS Badger Ferry from Michigan to Wisconsin.

McLaughlin said the Edsel convocation comes to Wisconsin about every 10 years.

Several locations were considered, he said, but Portage won, because of its availability of lodging and numerous things to do in the area.

On Thursday morning, all of the Edsels at the convention will be parked in downtown Portage, so that the convention attendees can tour the World War II Museum.

On Thursday afternoon, theyll head west on Highway 16 for an afternoon in Wisconsin Dells, capped off by an after-dusk movie at the Big Sky Twin Drive-In Theatres.

On Friday morning, theyll go to Cross Point Assembly of God Church, where the parking lot will be equipped with traffic cones and barrels for a driving agility contest.

Convention attendees also will compete for prizes for best-restored vehicle.
As Republican Party constitutionalists were preparing to nominate authoritarian billionaire Donald Trump for the presidency this week in Cleveland, the American Civil Liberties Union determined that the candidates proposals would violate four amendments of the Constitution.

It is not news that Trump has, during the course of his campaign for the GOP nomination, put himself at odds with basic premises of a Bill of Rights that defends a free press, guarantees freedom of religion, and guards against torture and abuses of privacy. But when all of his proposals are pulled together  as the ACLU has done in a fresh analysis of the Republican candidates public statements and policy positions  the extent to which Trump would shred the Constitution in general and the Bill of Rights in particular is breathtaking.

Taken together, his policies and positions, if put into place, would violate the Constitution and federal and international law, said Anthony Romero, the executive director of the ACLU, which reviewed the candidates agenda and determined that Trumps proposals would violate the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth Amendments of the Constitution.

Trump has from the start of his campaign sparked controversy with statements, actions and proposals that disregard the First Amendment. He and his aides have created blacklists of journalists, and the candidate has expressed an interest in rewriting libel laws in order to intimidate, punish and potentially silence critics of powerful individuals and interests. Trump has, as well, proposed schemes to discriminate against Muslims and to spy on mosques and neighborhoods where Muslims live  with steady disregard for the amendments guarantee of protection for Americas diverse religious communities.

But thats just the beginning of Trumps assaults on the Constitution. The candidate has encouraged the use of torture and blatantly disregarded privacy protections that have been enshrined in the founding document since the 18th century. He has attacked the basic premises of a constitutionally defined separation of powers, with rhetorical assaults on individual jurists and the federal judiciary so extreme that House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Janesville, has described them as textbook racism. He has imagined religious tests. He has shown open and consistent disregard for the promise that all Americans will receive equal protection under the law.

If implemented, Donald Trumps proposed policies will spark a constitutional and legal challenge that would require all hands on deck at the ACLU, said Romero. The ACLU and its more than 300 attorneys in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., stand ready to challenge and impede implementation of his unlawful proposals, should he attempt to see them through.

It should never come to that.

The Republicans who are gathered in Cleveland are heirs to a political tradition that was started in 1854 in Ripon, Wisconsin, by genuine believers in the Constitution, whose first party platform resolved: That the maintenance of the principles promulgated in the Declaration of Independence, and embodied in the Federal Constitution are essential to the preservation of our Republican institutions, and that the Federal Constitution, the rights of the States, and the union of the States, must and shall be preserved.

Even today, sincere conservative and libertarian-leaning Republicans defend the Constitution, sometimes working in conjunction with progressive Democrats and the nonpartisan ACLU.

A Republican convention that is true to the partys heritage and its values, expressed not just by past presidents (from Abraham Lincoln to Teddy Roosevelt to Dwight Eisenhower and, yes, even to George W. Bush) but by the founders and defenders of the American experiment, would make a mockery of itself by nominating Donald Trump.

Now that it has, responsible Republicans should join Democrats and independents in aggressively and absolutely rejecting the nominee of a party that has abandoned its history, its ideals and its country.

If by some chance Trump becomes president, patriots of all persuasions and ideologies should celebrate the fact that Anthony Romero and the American Civil Liberties Union say: We stand ready to defend our Constitution.
Wisconsin company wrestles with the FDA over an infant formula

Nikos Linardakis says the FDA has stymied efforts that he and James Esselman have made to launch their Bene Baby Co.s product.
[July 20, 2016] Atypon Makes Significant Enhancements to Its Online Publishing Platform

In the most recent of its three regularly scheduled yearly releases, Atypon has added significant enhancements to Literatum, the most widely used and fully featured online publishing platform for the professional and scholarly publishing industry. Atypon's new universal content type technology, known as Digital Objects, assigns a DOI (Digital Object Identifier) to any type of content or media, including blogs, news articles, videos, images, and interactive visualizations. Each Digital Object can then be tagged, indexed, packaged, targeted, promoted, bundled, and sold as easily as traditional content types like journal articles and book chapters. As with all other website interface elements, Digital Objects are incorporated with Page Builder, Literatum's easy-to-use, widget-based website creation and editing tool. The Digital Objects widget enables publishers to customize the way each Digital Object looks and functions. "Digital Objects are helping us attract readers with new types of non-peer-reviewed content," said Tim Marney, Senior Manager, Digital Publishing and Product Development at American Psychiatric Association Publishing. "Employing them on our newest microsite allowed us to feature videos, audio clips, and book content that is as easy to search for, bundle, and promote as the journal articles on our main site." The idea of universal content types stemmed from a development for The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), an Atypon customer since 2008, who needed a means to replace Flash video with HTML on their site. Atypon developed NEJM's initial requirement int a powerful feature that has been incorporated into Literatum and is now available to all Atypon customers.



"Unique features such as these keep our customers at the leading edge of digital publishing technology," said Marty Picco, Atypon's Vice President of Product Management. "Our ongoing investment in product development ensures that Literatum's capabilities support our customers' evolving strategic and revenue goals." Literatum has been in continuous development for 20 years. Nearly two-thirds of Atypon's staff is devoted to software engineering.

The latest Literatum release also includes a streamlined eCommerce interface modeled on the best practices of leading consumer-oriented websites. Subscriptions, pay-per-view options, and both print and electronic content can now all be purchased from the same shopping cart. Unpurchased items are automatically saved until the user next logs in, and the platform provides automated product recommendations, acquisition histories, and abandoned cart alerts. Literatum can also sell content and products from publishers' websites hosted elsewhere. The new release also includes support for two-factor authentication (2FA), a security feature, and for JATS 1.1, the latest version of the XML standard. About Atypon Atypon develops software essential to the business of online publishing. Literatum, our publishing platform, is home to more than one-third of the world's English-language scholarly and professional journals. Literatum puts publishers in control of the presentation, marketing, and sale of their online publications, with easy-to-use tools for creating new products, testing sales and subscription models, and regularly refreshing a website's look and feel. The platform's automation features free editorial and business staff to focus on content, not technology. Literatum is engineered for Active Publishing, Atypon's strategy for expanding readership, increasing revenues, and elevating a brand's industry impact. Modern, easy-to-navigate publication websites with user-specific content targeting provide engaging and productive reading experiences that extend site visits and convert visitors into subscribers. Atypon's continuous investment in Literatum's development keeps publishers at the forefront of online technologies, and our commitment to scalable software design results in a platform that not only drives business growth but easily accommodates it-without requiring additional staff. Atypon's customers include Elsevier, The New England Journal of Medicine, the American Chemical Society, the University of Chicago Press, and SAGE. Founded in 1996, we are headquartered in Silicon Valley, with offices in New York City, Europe, and the Middle East. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005307/en/

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Mandela Day Food Bank Challenge: A call to action

Wits University staff members take on the Mandela Day Food Bank Challenge in celebration of Mandela Day.

The spirit of giving permeated Wits University on 19 July 2016 as staff came out in numbers to participate in the Mandela Day Food Bank Challenge, an initiative of the Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach Programme (WCCO).

The WCCO challenged departments at Wits to #BeMoreMadiba by donating non-perishable food in aid of needy students.

In celebration of Mandela Day, celebrated on 18 July 2016 by dedicating 67 minutes towards a worthy cause, the challenge aimed to encourage generosity among staff and students while celebrating what Mandela Day represents.

The 67 minutes of solidarity with the Food Bank allows one to reflect on assisting students who struggle with hunger while studying at our University, says Karuna Singh, Senior Programme Officer at WCCO.

The Food Bank requires ongoing donations of non-perishable food in order to meet the needs of hungry students on campus.

Since the beginning of the year, the Bank has already provided more than 2000 meal packs to students.

 We would not be able to do this if it were not for the good will of staff, students and other benevolent individuals, says Singh.

The late Nelson Mandela said, While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.

Mobilising for the Advancement Division, Buhle Zuma, Senior Communications Officer in the Communications Department kept these words in mind when she went door to door to offices in Senate House, urging colleagues to participate in the challenge.

If these students fail to meet their academic requirements because they are too hungry to study, they are not the only ones who lose. We are not only failing them but we are failing ourselves. Do your bit by donating food and help our students graduate, said Zuma.

Besides, we need to increase our tax pool and the only way we can do that is to increase graduates who will give back to society, she said with a chuckle.

This mobilisation enabled the Advancement Division staff to fill a giant bin with non-perishable food.

The Mandela Day Food Bank Challenge was taken on with great success by various Departments at Wits including the Advancement Division, Central Finance, Public Health, Wits Sports, Central Networking Services, BIS, Wits Enterprise, the Faculty of Humanities, School of Law, and individuals from other departments as well.

The Central Finance office staff collected the most non- perishable items amounting to 617 items, followed by the Advancement Division with 369 items.

The total number of items collected was just over 1800.

An estimated 20 to 50 students per day rely on the Food Bank.

Two-thousand items would fill about 30 bins and these 2000 items, with an average of eight items each pack, enables the Bank to support 250 students in need.

The challenge to meet the needs of hungry, indigent students persists. The WCCO encourages all students and staff to continue donating non-perishable food or to volunteer.

Visit the WCCO on the ground floor at the Matrix to see how else you can assist.

For their 67 minutes, the Wits Central Archives Department volunteered at the WCCO and donated 121 sanitary towels in solidarity with students who are unable to afford them.
[July 20, 2016] Red River Serves SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic, DoD and Federal Agencies with New Command and Control Contract

New Hampshire-based Red River, a leading technology integrator, announced today that it was awarded a new contract by the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center (SPAWARSYSCEN) Atlantic. The multiple-award, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract is worth a maximum of $750 million annually with a five-year period of performance (including four option years). "Red River is proud and excited to have yet another opportunity to serve our warfighters and to assist SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic in achieving it mission to secure America and promote global freedom," said Jeff Sessions, Red River President. Under the new contract, Red River will support SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic (SSC LANT) in Charleston, South Carolina with providing SPAWAR and other DoD and Federal Agencies with relevant Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Command and Control (C2) equipment, software and hardware, licenses, and incidental services necessary to perform and fulfill the SPAWAR mission. In addition to traditional and leading-edge infrastructure equipment from Cisco (News - Alert), Dell and other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Red River will leverage its experience in delivering specialized C2 equipment, like custom Panasonic (News - Alert) Toughbook Rugged Laptops, Siemens/RUGGEDCOM military switches and routers,Parvus rugged embedded computing and RVvisio's hardened video products, among others, to provide tactical OEMs to the Navy.



The SPAWARSYSCEN C2 program will be managed by Patty Bortz of Red River, who recently joined the company's Strategic Programs Team as Program Manager. Ms. Bortz will work directly with the Navy Account Team to ensure that Red River is fulfilling the needs of the Navy under this powerful new purchasing vehicle. Red River is well practiced at delivering the IT services and support military agencies need to overcome the complex challenges of fostering homeland security, emergency management and supporting warfighter across the globe. Red River is ISO 9001 certified and its IT experts hold the highest technical certifications, credentials and partnership levels with key OEMs, including Cisco Systems, Dell, HP, EMC (News - Alert), NetApp, VMware and more.

The new SPAWARSYSCEN C2 contract expands Red River's growing list of federal contracts, which includes NASA SEWP V, GSA (News - Alert) Federal Supply Schedule, Veterans Affairs CEC, NITAAC CIO-CS, DHS First Source II, Air Force NETCENTS-2 and multiple agency-specific contract vehicles. About Red River Founded on the core values of hard work, honesty and integrity, Red River is a leading technology integrator. The company's technology expertise and mission-critical experience helps its customers optimize their business processes and enhance the value of their technology investments. Red River earned its reputation as a leading technology integrator by delivering best-in-class security, network and cloud solutions to military, intelligence and civilian agencies and the companies that serve them. We combine an uncommon work ethic with exceptional service to deliver performance beyond expectations to its customers, partners and suppliers. Follow Red River on Twitter (News - Alert) at @ThinkRed. For more information please call 800.769.3060 or visit www.redriver.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720006093/en/

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Israel. Frustraron un intento de contrabando de armas en la frontera con Jordania
The Knesset passed into law a bill that lets it oust a sitting lawmaker  legislation that critics say targets Arab lawmakers deemed to be inciting against Israels interests.

According to the law, the Knesset can oust a lawmaker for incitement to racism and support of armed struggle against the state with a majority of 90 lawmakers. The newest version of the bill requires 70 of the Knesset\s 120 members, including 10 from the opposition to launch expulsion proceedings. The original version of the bill only required 61 MKs to launch the proceedings, and not necessarily anyone from the opposition.

Members of the Joint List of Arab parties said they intend to appeal the Supreme Court against the law.

MK Nissan Slomiansky (Habayit Hayehudi) rejected claims that the law is targeting the Arab lawmakers. "You know that in actual fact, the only time this calling card has been activated was against Jews," he said, referring at the rightwing extremist Meir Kahana, who was disqualified from running for Knesset in the 1980s.

On Monday, the chairman of the Joint List of Arab parties, Ayman Odeh, harshly criticized the legislation.

The prime minister has a clear objective, and this law is only another stage in its implementation, he said. Netanyahu doesnt want Arabs to vote; he doesnt want us to be a legitimate political force. Netanyahu wants politics for Jews only. Thats why he systematically incites against the Arab public and against its elected officials.

The broader opposition also opposes the bill.

This is a fundamental change in policy, and we will fight it accordingly, MK Merav Michaeli (Zionist Union) said ahead of the vote. The coalition is passing a law that lets certain MKs oust other publicly elected MKs. This is another law for political persecution and intimidation. Its another Erdogan law from the House of Netanyahu, she said, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The ruling Likud party isnt necessarily happy with the bill either. This law is a failure. It will be impossible to implement, a senior Likud official said. Theyve raised the threshold of MKs so high that theres no longer any point to it.

Coalition Chairman David Bitan has tried to shelve the current version in exchange for a law designed simply to oust firebrand MK Haneen Zoabi (Joint List), but the opposition refused to cooperate.

Under the bill, an expulsion process would begin with a request submitted to the Knesset speaker, who would send it on to the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee. Approval would require three-quarters of the committee members before going to the full Knesset. Any ousted MK would be able to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Suspension proceedings could not begin during an election campaign.


Life on the front lines of the war on cancer

The following story originally appeared in the summer 2016 issue of the W&M Alumni Magazine - Ed.

In 2009, Dr. Vincent DeVita Jr. 57, D.Sc. 82, an internationally renowned oncologist, was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. His prognosis looked grim.

DeVita spent the first week in a daze.

I was viewing the information from the eyes of a doctor whos seen patients die of this disease, and imagining the worst, DeVita says. So I got a colleague to help me. He took my case, blinded my name, and presented it to all the leading urologic surgeons.

Most of them, including the most famous one in this country, said they would not operate on me.

As DeVita recounts in his new book, The Death of Cancer  co-written with his daughter, Elizabeth DeVita-Raeburn 88  he eventually found a surgeon willing to operate. He remains cancer-free today.

DeVitas experience reinforces the primary message of his book: we are winning the war on cancer. We can now successfully treat 68 percent of all people with cancer, he says. When I started out, it was 38 percent.

But, he argues, we could and should be doing even better.

Too often, lives are tragically ended not by cancer but by bureaucracy, by review boards, by the FDA, and by doctors who wont stand by their patients or who are afraid to take a chance.

Theres information in the book that I think people with cancer, or family members with cancer, need to know about the way that oncology is practiced in this country that is not talked about by the establishment, Elizabeth adds.

DeVita is uniquely qualified to tell the inside story about the war on cancer. As a young doctor at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in the 1960s, he helped to pioneer the use of combination chemotherapy and developed the first successful treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma. He went on to play a pivotal role in the passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter appointed DeVita director of the NCI and the National Cancer Program, a position he held until 1988. DeVita subsequently served as physician-in-chief at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and director of the Yale Cancer Center. DeVita is also co-editor of the leading textbook on cancer, now in its 10th edition.

For the past half-century, he has been at the forefront of the fight against one of the worlds most feared diseases, writes New Yorker reviewer Malcolm Gladwell. And in The Death of Cancer he has written an extraordinary chronicle.

Pioneers and heroes

DeVita began his career intending to become a cardiologist, not an oncologist. If not for an encounter with William & Mary chemistry professor Alfred Armstrong, however, he might not have become a doctor at all.

I was walking on campus and he was walking ahead of me, DeVita recalls. I was trying to make sure I didnt walk fast enough to catch him. DeVita, a chemistry major, had recently joined a fraternity and knew his grades were slipping.

I can take you almost to the brick where he stopped. He turned around and talked to me for five to 10 minutes about what was happening with my grades and why. I didnt realize somebody was watching out for me. I just pulled up my socks and wound up doing very well.

When I was given an honorary degree at William & Mary, he came to the podium and he had a copy of one of my tests. Hed saved a pipette that Id used  it was very touching.

That interaction  thats part of the strength of the school, says Mary Kay Bush DeVita 57, who met her husband while they were undergraduates at the College.

After graduating from medical school with honors from George Washington University thanks to his rigorous undergraduate education, and completing his advanced training, DeVita sought a position at the National Heart Institute to fulfill his public service obligation during the Vietnam War. By his own admission he blew the interview and fate landed him at the NCI as a clinical associate in the fall of 1963.

At that time, few scientists were focused on finding new treatments for cancer.

As a newcomer to the field back in those days, the thought that you could actually cure cancer with drugs was considered a higher form of insanity, DeVita says. Everyone knew you couldnt cure cancer. And if you couldnt cure it, you didnt treat it. And if you didnt treat it, it was indeed incurable.

DeVita found himself working with a group of maverick doctors led by Tom Frei and Emil Freireich, who were developing a protocol using combination chemotherapy to treat childhood leukemia.

I wasnt sure if these scientists were maniacs or geniuses, he recalls in the book. (He recounts a raucous party he and Mary Kay attended early on, where the 6-foot, 4-inch Freireich ended up passed out in the bathtub.)

Inspired by Frei and Freireichs results, DeVita and colleague Jack Moxley set out to develop a drug protocol for Hodgkins lymphoma, which at that time was nearly always fatal. They came up with a combination of four drugs called by the acronym MOMP. The results of the first trial were remarkable  12 of the 14 patients went into remission  but the medical establishment remained unmoved.

DeVita then refined the combination, creating MOPP, which had a four-year remission rate of 80 percent. Many skeptical doctors were finally ready to acknowledge the efficacy of combination chemotherapy. In 1972, DeVita shared the prestigious Lasker Award with Frei, Freireich and other NCI pioneers. Chemotherapy, later termed medical oncology, became an official subspecialty of medicine in 1974.

For DeVita, the real heroes of the story are not the doctors, but the patients. Without the drugs available today to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, patients receiving the MOPP regimen suffered constant bouts of vomiting, mouth sores, and more.

The people who had the guts were the patients who put their lives in our hands. They were told they were going to die and thought they had little to lose  but still, we were young, in our early 30s. Medically, it was courageous. Thats why we dedicated the book to them.

A private battle

Promoted to chief of medicine at the NCI and then director of the treatment division, DeVita became a public face in the war on cancer throughout the 1970s  meeting with congressmen and government officials, testifying on Capitol Hill, and fighting interagency battles.

At the same time, DeVita and his family were fighting a very private battle of their own. In 1972, Vincent and Mary Kay learned that their 9-year-old son, Ted, had developed an extremely rare condition called aplastic anemia. His bone marrow was no longer producing blood cells and platelets, making him defenseless against infection. Elizabeth was only 5 years old at the time.

Ted spent the next eight and a half years in a specially designed laminar airflow room at the NCI, originally designed for leukemia patients, just one floor above the wards where his father treated cancer patients. The only human touch he experienced was through plastic gloves. DeVita explored every possible avenue to find a treatment. We tried to do with my son what Ive done with other patients, but we just didnt succeed, he says.

I thought I had a lot of empathy with patients and their families, that I understood what they were going through, but I had to experience it myself to really understand.

From their vantage point on the front lines in the cancer battle, the DeVitas have seen numerous families shatter from the impact of coping with a deadly disease. Vince DeVita credits his wife for holding their own family together.

Mary Kay was the strongest person Ive ever seen during this, he says. I could hide in my job and have my mind directed away from it; Mary Kay and Elizabeth couldnt.

In 2004, Elizabeth published The Empty Room: Understanding Sibling Loss, a recollection of her life with Ted and a deep exploration of the impact of losing a sibling.

Elizabeth bore a burden that we didnt appreciate until she wrote the book. We tried to protect her from information, DeVita says. All it was doing was making her more frightened.

Everything about me is related to that experience, Elizabeth says. In terms of the work that I do, its very informed by it. I can see the full spectrum when Im writing about science, what it means for the patient. The projects that I pick are about making things better for someone, because otherwise its not worth my lifes energy.

It certainly defined us as who we are today, Mary Kay says. It brought out the best in all of us, including our son.

He was a little boy when he went into that room, and he became the most amazing young man. He conquered the room.

On May 27, 1980, Ted finally succumbed to his disease. Two months later, DeVita was sworn in as director of the NCI. In his official portrait, the NCIs clinical center appears in the background, with the window of Teds 13th floor room clearly visible.

Father-and-daughter co-authors

During DeVitas tenure as NCI director, Swem Library contacted him with a request for his papers. By this time, hed saved files and files of irreplaceable documents that others wanted to toss. Swem agreed to take it all.

In an NIH oral history recorded in 1997, DeVita told the interviewer, I received a letter from William & Mary a year ago that they had now catalogued everything. All I have to do is find the time to write a book on the war on cancer.

It would take almost two decades, but DeVita eventually did find the time to begin work on The Death of Cancer. In the intervening years, he lobbied relentlessly for advances in the lab to be quickly translated into patient treatment.

His initial experience in the real world of cancer care as physician-in-chief at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center  considered the premier cancer institution in the country  was disheartening, and he spent five years butting heads with physicians and administrators. (When he resigned in 1993, his boss reportedly told the department chairs, The problem with Vince is that he wants to cure cancer.)

DeVita has seen continued improvements since that time at his own institution, Yale Cancer Center, and throughout the country. He contends in The Death of Cancer, however, that we could be curing an additional 100,000 patients a year.

In setting out to write his book, DeVita knew that hed need a co-author.

People told me its always a mistake to work with your family, he says. But I realized that Elizabeth had a lot more information since she was with us for the whole process. So she took over.

DeVita handed his daughter a manuscript of 320,000 words. He got back 110,000 words. I almost had a heart attack, he says. But then I read it and said, This is good. She recognized the good stories. She also brought a lot of warmth. Many times Elizabeth and Mary Kay would be sitting there talking with me, and Elizabeth would ask, Well, where were you, what was happening at the office, what does the office look like, what color are the walls?  things that I would never, as a medical person, bring into a story. I knew she was good; I just didnt realize how good she was.

For Elizabeth, the collaboration gave her an opportunity rarely available to children to view the full scope of a parents life.

I was there for it, but my perspective was that of a child. Working on the book, I got to understand my fathers life in a much more in-depth, rich way than I would have otherwise.

It turned out to be an absolutely fabulous experience, DeVita says. Writing the book with Elizabeth was one of the greatest experiences of my career.

'The best is yet to come'

Now the Amy and Joseph Perella Professor of Medicine at Yale, DeVita has no plans for retirement. He is consulting with Congress on the new National Cancer Moonshot Initiative, headed up by Vice President Joe Biden, and working on the 11th edition of Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology.

DeVita will be on sabbatical this fall, and the family will come home to William & Mary. He and Elizabeth plan to review his papers in the Swem archives with the intention of writing a second book.

Under the tutelage of Frei and Freireich, DeVita learned never to give up hope.

To dedicate yourself to helping people survive, especially to survive this disease, you had to be an eternal optimist, he writes.

He remains optimistic.

If a doctor tells you, Theres nothing I can do for you, find another doctor. Theres something we can do for virtually anyone with cancer. And the best is yet to come.




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Itongadol.- The largest french aliya flight of the summer landed at Israel\s Ben-Gurion airport on Wednesday, where the newcomers were greeted with calls of "bienvenue en Israel" at a festive event held in their honor.

More than 200 French Jews were aboard the flight, organized by the Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) in collaboration with the Immigration and Absorption Ministry, and Keren Hayesod-UIA.

I feel very happy, one man exclaimed as he stepped off the bus that had shuttled the olim from the airplane to the event hall. There they were greeted by Israeli singing and dancing, before listening to a host of welcome messages including one from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, transmitted by video. \\When you walk here in the streets you will feel that you are in the Jewish homeland," Netanyahu assured the new olim. "This is not just a big personal journey, it\s not just of personal important but also of national importance."

Keren Hayesod-UIA Chairman Eliezer Sandberg dedicated his speech, to a nine-year-old girl celebrating her birthday, as well as her move to Israel. "Maybe in many years when I will be much older, we will meet, and you will be Prime MinisterIn Israel there is no glass ceiling, this country belongs to us all and all dreams can become reality."

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky, who was an active participant of the frequent interludes of dancing, told The Jerusalem Post that despite the many welcome ceremonies he has attended for new olim, the emotion never fades. Each aliya reminds me of my own aliya, each aliya is the closing of a huge circle, says the Soviet-born former refusenik, who made his own aliya in 1986 after nine years of imprisonment

We all know there is a future for French Jews in Israel, while there is a discussion over whether they have a future in France, he told the new olim. You all made a giant step today in building a more secure future for your children.

Indeed, many of those fresh off the plane, said they had made the move to Israel for their children.

"We decided to leave Israel for the children," Anthony Marek of Paris told the Post. "I think it\s better here because they will be able to have a better quality of life here, and we have family here. In France life is good but here we want to restart something. It\s a chance to begin something new and to give the children that chance that we didn\t have."

His 14-year-old daughter Alexia is visibly emotional, with tears in her eyes. I\m scared because I have to make new friends, and change everything. But I\m so happy that I have family in Israel. The family will make their home in Raanana, like many of the new olim, as well as Netanya, Raanana, Jerusalem, and Ashdod.

Yael Saal, who comes from a small town just outside Paris is heading to the Israeli settlement Brukhin, in the West Bank. Its a big day for all the family, she says, motioning to her five children. I think the future is better for my children in Israel, she says, for security, for work and its easier to follow the religion here.

"It\s good you\re home," Aliya and Immigrant Absorption Minister Sofa Landver told the crowd. "We are standing side by side with you and you will very quickly feel that you didn\t make an effort for nothing, you will feel that Israel is your home."

Fred Guedj, who came with his wife and three children from Paris, already feels at home. Its like a dream come true to live here. I feel like a fish in the sea, I feel at home.

Dozens of the events participants simply came to welcome the new olim to Israel. Some are themselves olim, reunited with their families who followed in their footsteps, and other have come to greet their friends.

Elina Grinshteyn, 26, a Russian immigrant who has been in Israel for one year, came to meet her French friend off the plane.

"I came to support her. We met here in Israel at seminary. It\s very special for me to be here today and to see aliya growing, it\s very exciting to see my friends who I made here making the same choices to live in Israel." Grinshteyn was at the airport just two days earlier, greeting another friend from London, who joined her this time round to welcome their French friend.

"I think it\s very important to come. It\s so crucial for people making aliya to see a familiar face, to have someone to hug. Its the scariest moment ever when you leave this airport with four suitcases, and you have your whole life in those four suitcases, and all you want is a little confirmation that you made the right choice."


CHARLESTON -- Carl Sandburg Elementary School is in need of sprinkler repairs, according to the school board agenda.

Superintendent Jim Littleford said faulty o-rings, used for sealing, were discovered in sprinkler heads near the beginning of the summer throughout the school. This requires the replacement of these heads, he said.

Because these o-rings are faulty, the sprinkler heads might not operate during a fire, Littleford said.

The Charleston school board will be acting on the recommendation to approve this replacement using Health Life Safety funds, funds designated to deal with safety concerns, at their meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the district office at 410 W. Polk Ave.

Littleford said the district would be replacing 246 sprinkler heads.

Even after the potential approval from the board, Littleford said the district will have to get approval from the Illinois State Board of Education as well. However, he said he hopes to get the repairs done as soon as possible.

Also at the meeting, the board will possibly renew coverage with Egyptian Trust as the district's health benefits program for 2016-17. The district has used Egyptian Trust since January.

In the past, Littleford said the district had a self-funded services program. He said there is an expected increase of 5 percent to insurance premiums starting Sept. 1.

The board could also award a bid contract to The Equity based out of Effingham to cover diesel fuel for buses for the 2016-17 through to the 2018-19 school year.

The board will also vote on whether to grant authority to staff to begin the 2016-17 school year. Littleford said especially in the beginning, vacancies need to be filled quickly.

Also on the agenda is:

-- the adoption of the new and revised proposed school board policies

-- the adoption of revised job descriptions for the school social worker and school counselor
Steam generator anomalies to extend Fessenheim 2 outage

20 July 2016

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A serviceability certificate for one of the three steam generators installed at unit 2 of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant, currently offline for maintenance, has been suspended by the French nuclear safety regulator. A number of anomalies were discovered last month in the steel of the component's lower shell.

The two-unit Fessenheim plant (Image: EDF)

Last month, EDF informed the ASN that parts of some steam generators at 18 nuclear power units in France may have anomalies similar to those found in the steel of Flamanville EPR vessel. At Fessenheim 2 this includes the steam generator's lower shells. Steam generators are heat exchangers between the water circulating in the primary circuit - at a temperature of about 350C and a pressure of 155 bar - and the water in the secondary circuit that supplies steam to the turbines. There are three steam generators in 900 MWe pressurized water reactors, while the larger ones feature four.

Outages impact production target



EDF yesterday revised its nuclear electricity generation target for 2016 to reflect expected extended outages at some of its plants.



The utility said output last month totalled 28.6 TWh, down 2.1 TWh compared with June 2015. Total output over the first half of 2016 was 205.2 TWh, 5.2 TWh less than in the first half of 2015.



EDF said it needs to demonstrate in the second half this year that "some components, mainly steam generators ... can operate in a fully safe mode". It added, "Taking into account ASN's examination schedule, extensions of part of the outages are expected over the second half of 2016".



As a result, EDF has revised its 2016 nuclear output target down from 408-412 TWh to 395-400 TWh.

An analysis in May of the internal production record for the component "established a divergence from the nuclear pressure equipment manufacturing standards", Areva said. They were forged at Areva's Le Creusot facility in 2008 and the ASN certified the component's conformity to safety standards in 2012.

EDF took Fessenheim 2 offline on 13 June for a scheduled maintenance outage and two days later sent an initial analysis of the detected anomalies to ASN which announced yesterday that it has suspended the test certificate for one of the Fessenheim 2 steam generators as its forging "had not been conducted in accordance with the technical dossier" submitted to it by Areva. These test certificates - issued following multiple inspections and hydraulic testing - are required for commissioning, ASN noted. The regulator added that, had it been aware of this non-compliance, it would not have originally issued the certificate.

ASN has requested Areva submit a file detailing the approach it intends to take in order to demonstrate the steam generator meets regulatory standards.

Areva said the ASN took the decision to suspend the certificate "as a precautionary measure". The company said the technical analyses conducted by its own workers have so far concluded "the irregular findings are not detrimental to operational safety". It added that a similar part has just been cast and forged at Le Creusot to validate its mechanical and chemical properties.

Areva said it is "continuing its analysis in order to specify appropriate measures to secure the lifting of this suspension". Until that time, however, Fessenheim 2 must remain offline.



Researched and written

by World Nuclear News

Related topics
Frankel: I might just have party plans

The 45-year-old founder of Skinny Girl Cocktails split from her husband, Jason Hoppy, four years ago. After many disputes, their pending divorce has finally been finalized.

Frankel is happy that everything has been sorted out and she can move on with her life, though the details regarding the divorce are private to protect their daughter, Bryn.

Bernard Clair spoke to People magazine on behalf of his client, Jason Hoppy, saying: Jason is thrilled that this chapter of his life is over; he is extremely pleased with the settlement that was reached. Jason looks forward to the future and enjoying that time privately with family, friends and most important to him, his daughter.

Frankels lawyer Allan Mayefsky released a statement, adding: Out of respect for her privacy and the well-being of her daughter, Bethenny is declining to comment. We can confirm that the divorce has been resolved. Our client is ecstatic that this long chapter is over, and she is looking forward to moving on.

The Real Housewives of New York Citys star had previously revealed she will plan a party once the divorce was behind her. She said: I believe theres an end in sight. I do. I think we are at the very end. Ive said that before and been wrong. But this is the closest Ive ever felt. I might just have party plans.

Frankel paid Hoppy $26,000 a month in spousal support, which was discontinued once the divorce was settled. She could not understand why proceedings had taken so long, explaining: You know, theres a lot more to that puzzle than people will realize. Divorces on two-year marriages dont normally take almost four years to get divorced.
CHARLESTON (JG-TC) -- People interested in owning a home through Habitat for Humanity can get more information about the program during an open house next week.

The Coles County Habitat for Humanity chapter will have an open house at the chapter's office on Tuesday, according to a news release.

The release said anyone interested in the program can attend the event, set for 5:30 p.m. at the office at 990 W. State St., Charleston.

According to the release, requirements for home ownership through Habitat for Humanity include county residency for at least a year, low to moderate income, low debt ratio and an adequate credit record.

It said anyone with questions or wanting more information can call the chapter office at 217-348-7063.
Couple in bed (illustration)

By: Mahesh Sarin

A couple woke up in middle of the night in horror after feeling a stranger sleeping in their bed, according to police in Wisconsin.

River Falls police said that they were called to an apartment at 1119 State Street, after the couple turned on the light in their bedroom and saw an unknown black man in their bed.

According to the police investigation, the incident unfolded on Saturday morning around 4:00 a.m. A 32-year-old man told investigators that he felt something rubbing up against him in bed.

His girlfriend was sleeping with him, but it was not her touch.

He woke up his girlfriend, feeling that they were not alone in their bed. He got up to turn on the light in the room. The light revealed a stranger sharing their bed.

The man woke him up. He apologized for intruding into the couples apartment. The suspect was escorted out the front door.

The suspect returned a few minutes later, looking for his cellphone. The man promised to call him if he finds it. The suspect was described as a black man, around 5 foot 10 inches, wearing shorts and black socks.

Police officers who arrived at the scene, found a trail of gum on the floor of the property along with the suspectas cellphone.

The suspect, a 32-year-old man, eventually showed up at the police station. He said that he was sorry, and he thought it was his friends apartment.

He was given a $187 citation for trespassing. Police returned his cellphone and gum.
Council Leader Affirms Strong Ambitions For Wrexhams Future

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jul 20th, 2016

The Leader of Wrexham Council has announced he remains ambitious for the future of the county borough in spite of a continued difficult economic climate.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council has affirmed his strong ambitions for Wrexham and that the authority aims to ensure they will ensure they continue to improve wherever they can.

Over the past few months the local authority has faced criticism with regards to the town centre, with many residents frequently calling for Wrexham Council, plus other elected representatives, to do more to help regenerate the town centre.

Such criticism has been posted online over the past two months, with a number of high profile stores, including BHS, Peacocks and Store Twenty One announcing that they would be closing. Locally independent businesses have also been lost, with two chip shops and cafes closing their doors for good over the past six weeks. Often when writing about such closures or relocations common themes and feedback gets mentioned  rents and rates.

Wrexham Council often gets blamed for high rents, while back in February after 200 comments were left by members of the public, Cllr Neil Rogers pointed out of 466 town centre ground floor units, Wrexham Council owned just six. Also referenced at the time was a draft Town Centre Action Plan created six months ago by the Town Centre Forum, with the final plan not yet published.

In an unprompted statement issued by Wrexham Council, Cllr Pritchard said: In spite of cuts, we are continuing to achieve outcomes for the public. While councils across Wales and the UK in general continue to find their budgets tightened, and Wrexham Council is no exception to that, we still have the expertise, capabilities and  in some cases  powers needed to lead on improvement.

We know the economic and funding climate is not a positive one, but we remain ambitious.

Population growth in Wrexham is increasing faster than in most areas of Wales. Were already the largest town in Wales, and serve as an important, culturally rich gateway to Wales for those in the Midlands or North West of England.

Earlier this month Cllr Pritchard hammered Welsh Government for giving the town just crumbs when talking about possible infrastructure upgrades.

Cllr Pritchard referenced two important projects currently underway in Wrexham  including HMP Berwyn which is set to open on the Industrial Estate early next year.

The second large and important project taking place referenced is the Town Centre Masterplan, a strategic vision which outlines a framework for the town in the next ten years.

The Town Centre Masterplan was unveiled in October 2015 and focuses on plans to promote the creation of a town centre destination, improved public space, a diversified mix of leisure, arts and culture supported by development of niche and specialist retailing.

Cllr Pritchard continued onto say: Weve also seen a huge tourist spend in the county borough, reaching more than 100million last year. And the recorded number of businesses reached 9,775; an increase of 140 on last year.

And were well in line to ensuring that all 11,300 council homes are up to the Wales Housing Quality Standard by 2020, with investment worth 228m.

While this is all encouraging and worthy of commendation, our ambition is to ensure that we continue to improve wherever we can. We can take advantage of these trends and use them to increase jobs, economic opportunity, investment and civic pride.

He added: And I say all this not only as the Leader of the Council, but someone who was born and bred in Wrexham.

I really am confident for Wrexham  we should be proud of the fact that we can stand as capital of North Wales and I know we can see our ambitions fulfilled.
Student Art Therapy Sessions Help Boost Wellbeing of Local Care Home Residents

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Jul 20th, 2016

A Wrexham university student is helping boost the wellbeing of elderly care home residents with art therapy.

Megan Wyatt, a Fine Art PhD research student, has joined forces with Stansty Care Home to help the residents get creative.

Megan, whose PhD focuses on the impact painting can have on those living with dementia, helped the residents design a mural for the care home  along with recently designing collages and paintings to celebrate the Queens 90th birthday.

Megan said: When I first visited the care home late last year they wanted a mural for the residents. But I thought it would be better to go in and meet the residents and get those living at the care home, especially those with dementia, to get involved rather than just me creating the mural.

Three students from Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys art school also helped me supervise the residents creating the mural.

Megan added: Overall getting the residents to design it themselves went really well, we went into the care home once a week for two hours and the residents started looking forward to us coming in. We got great feedback from the residents and staff.

Art therapy has proven to be a powerful tool for treating Alzheimers disease as it stimulates the brain. Studies indicate it stirs memories and can bring language back into the life of someone who struggles to speak.

Once the mural was finished in March, staff at the Stansty care home asked Megan to help them celebrate the Queens 90th birthday last month.

Megan and two Fine Art students from Wrexham Glyndwr University, Jacqui Kiff and Jodie Haggart, visited the care home ahead of their street party to help create royal themed artwork.

Megan said: The art workshop went really well and the residents seemed to really enjoy it. Ive always been interested in dementia research and artwork and this was a good way of linking them together.

Following the success at Stansty Care Home, Megan has started her next project at Wrexham Maelor Hospital with undergraduate students, facilitating art workshops for patients on the Evington Ward.

Sue Liggett, Reader in Fine Art at Wrexham Glyndwr University and Megans PhD supervisor, said: Megan is an exceptional student, her work in the community shows how much she cares about helping and encouraging others to be creative.

The study of Fine Art encourages students to take a range of approaches to their work. Megans paintings and PhD work has informed her research project involving the local care home, and undergraduate students have learnt vital skills through engaging in real life situations when volunteering on arts projects.

Megan has become an independent creative professional, she is a credit to Wrexham Glyndwr Universitys School of Creative Arts.

More information on the Fine Art course at the School of Creative Arts in Wrexham can be found on the Wrexham Glyndwr University website.
In the wake of last Fridays military coup in Turkey, US officials have repeatedly been forced to deny Washingtons involvement in and support for the abortive attempt to seize power, even as public reactions point to US disappointment that the rebellious officers were repulsed.

Much of the heavy lifting in this regard has been delegated to John Bass, our man in Ankara, a US ambassador who is no stranger to dirty operations mounted by US imperialism.

Following the ending of the attempted putsch Turkish Labor Minister Suleyman Soylu directly charged that The United States is behind the coup. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has insisted that the coup was the work of the pro-American Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen. Directly taunting US President Barack Obama, he has demanded Gulenwidely believed to be a CIA assetbe extradited from his sanctuary in Pennsylvania. Erdogan has charged that he made the request before, warning Obama that a coup was threatened, but the American government failed to act. While less direct than his ministers statement, Erdogans charges likewise lay blame for the military revolt at Washingtons doorstep.

The public reaction of the Obama administration has only fed these suspicions. The initial response came from Secretary of State John Kerry, who was in Moscow. In the midst of the coup he issued a call for stability and peace and continuity within Turkey, an equivocal statement that at the very least indicated no support for the countrys elected president as tanks and warplanes besieged Istanbul and Ankara. Only after it became clear that the coup would fail did Obama and Kerry issue a statement declaring that all parties in Turkey should support the democratically-elected Government of Turkey, show restraint, and avoid any violence or bloodshed.

In the days following the coup attempt, the fire of both the Obama administration and the major US corporate media outlets has been directed almost entirely at Erdogan and his use of the events to carry out a wholesale purge of his opponents from the state apparatus. Little breath has been wasted over the significance of a military coup against the elected government of a key NATO ally.

Ambassador Bass waded into this situation with a statement claiming that false words had been attributed to him personally, describing them as an absolute fabrication that appears designed to heighten tension between the United States and Turkey and undermine Turkeys security.

Bass continued: Some news reportsand, unfortunately, some public figureshave speculated that the United States in some way supported the coup attempt. This is categorically untrue, and such speculation is harmful to the decades-long friendship between two great nations.

If the decades-long friendship between Washington and Ankara proves anything it is that the job of the American ambassador is to deny the US governments responsibility for military coups, whether it is true or not.

This was the case with James Spain, the ambassador to Turkey in 1980 when the Turkish military last carried out a direct seizure of power. Spain was one of a large number of diplomats sent to Ankara after having first passed through a period of service in the Central Intelligence Agency.

As the US media reported at the time, Spain denied charges that the United States was behind Fridays military coup or knew about it in advance.

Spains denials were quickly exposed as a pack of lies. The Turkish military gave the US embassy in Ankara advance notice of the coup, which was launched just hours after Turkeys air force chief returned to the country from consultations in Washington. The US State Department publicly announced the coup before anyone in the Turkish government.

Moreover, one of Spains colleagues, the CIAs Ankara station Chief Paul Henze, was less reticent once the victory of the coup was clear. He cabled Washington proclaiming proudly, Our boys did it!

This victory opened up a period of horrific repression for the Turkish working class. Turkeys parliament was shut down and all political parties and trade unions banned. As many as 650,000 people were detained, hundreds of thousands were tortured and thousands were killed or disappeared. The military regime imposed an economic program dictated by the IMF that froze wages and drove down living standards, while creating profitable conditions for foreign and Turkish capital. No wonder the CIA chief couldnt help bragging.

Whether Bass, the current ambassador, passed like Spain through the CIA on his way to Ankara is not known. It is common practice, however, for the agency to use diplomatic postings as cover for its operations. In Basss case, such postings included Chad and Iraq, as well as in Europe. He was also assigned to the State Departments Bureau of Intelligence.

Basss rise within the State Department included stints as an advisor first to Strobe Talbott, the State Department official who oversaw US policy in relation to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, and then to Republican Vice President Dick Cheney.

Significantly, this career path precisely matches that of Victoria Nuland, the assistant secretary of state who played a key part in the orchestration of the fascist spear-headed 2014 coup that ousted the elected government of President Viktor Yanukovych in Ukraine. Bass worked closely with Nuland over the course of three administrations and was presumably groomed to play a similar role.

Before being posted to Turkey, Basss sole previous assignment as a US ambassador was to Georgia, where he was sent in 2009 to coordinate anti-Russian operations with the right-wing regime of President Mikheil Saakashvili. Also a top priority was securing Georgian logistical assistance for the US wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Before he was replaced three years later, the country had also become a focal point for the funneling of Islamist foreign fighters into the war for regime change in Syria.

It is understandable if some may find the categorical denial of US involvement in an attempted military coup less than convincing, coming from such a figure.
Students and academics at the University of Sydney (USYD) are protesting plans by university management to close its fine arts college at the beginning of next year, as part of a broader pro-business restructure.

Management emailed students on June 21, announcing that the Sydney College of the Arts (SCA) would be merged with the University of New South Wales arts college, UNSW Art & Design, at the beginning of Semester One, 2017.

In November last year, USYD announced that Callan Park, where the SCA is located, would be vacated due to financial sustainability issues. Discussions have been underway since then between the university and the NSW government about external opportunities for the site, which is prime real estate in the suburb of Rozelle in Sydneys inner-city. Successive state governments, Liberal and Labor alike, have sought to sell-off Callan Parks 61-hectares of foreshore parkland, which house the SCA, a mental health facility and a writers centre.

From the outset, university management has sought to nullify opposition to the move. The email informing students of the merger was sent during assessment week, when many were either away on break or focused on completing assignments.

Nevertheless widespread anger over the closure rapidly emerged. At the beginning of July, 60 students launched legal action against the move, alleging that it constituted deceptive conduct under consumer law.

A number of demonstrations have also been held on campus. At an information session on the merger organised by university management, students and staff passed a motion of no confidence in the dean of SCA, Colin Rhodes. At the beginning of the month, 200 students attempted to enter a meeting of the university Senate, chanting slogans against the closure of SCA. They were met by police from the Public Order division. Last Friday, around 100 students also took part in a protest outside the Art Gallery of New South Wales ahead of the announcement of the prestigious Archibald Prize.

Late last month, Merilyn Fairskye, a former associate professor at the SCA and a well-known visual artist, denounced the merger, declaring, The University of Sydney is no friend of the arts. She commented that the battle to have non-traditional research ... recognised within the university sector has been long and hard fought but, disappointingly, appears to have been to no avail.

Fairskye noted that much of the funding allocated by the federal government to the SCA is appropriated by central university management, and explained that this was why the college was financially unsustainable.

USYD is one of the most corporatised universities in Australia. In December 2015, the university Senate passed restructure plans slashing the number of undergraduate degrees from 122 to just 20. The universitys current 16 faculties and schools are also to be collapsed into 6 facilities and 3 schools. The overhaul is based on a model implemented at the University of Melbourne, which included the destruction of hundreds of jobs.

The closure of SCA is of a piece with this broader agenda. It will see the colleges 700 students forced into UNSW Art & Design, an already overcrowded and under-resourced facility of 3,000 students. Fifty SCA staff members are likely to lose their jobs.

SCA students wishing to study masters or honours degrees in their field are unlikely to be able to do so at UNSW A&D, which has developed a greater focus on design than on the fine arts. Students who choose to attend SCA because many of its teachers are practising visual artists will also be disadvantaged.

The merger is being touted by both university bureaucracies as positive for the arts community. UNSW Vice Chancellor Ian Jacobs claimed the move was an exciting step towards the creation of a national centre of artistic excellence that will put NSW at the forefront of art and design education and research in Australia.

There are also discussions about the National Arts School (NAS), located in inner-Sydney, being rolled into UNSW A&D to create one super-arts campus. Last month, the lease for the property where NAS is located was transferred to the state government division responsible for earmarking state-owned property for sale.

A super-arts campus will curtail the options available to students. Each art college has a different focus. NAS is operated on a classical arts training basis, SCA specialises in contemporary art and UNSW A&D is geared towards design.

The development of arts students is of little interest to the corporate world. With university education ever-more tied to the immediate needs of big business, the conception of an all-rounded cultural education, aimed at creating individuals able to make informed and thoughtful contributions to society, has been abandoned.

The leadership of Let SCA Stay, the protest movement that has emerged against SCAs closure, is largely indifferent to these broader political questions. It has confined students to demanding that all negotiations between USYD, the state Liberal government, and UNSW cease, and that the college remain open. Let SCA Stay is silent, moreover, on the bipartisan character of the attacks on the arts and education.

At its protest last Friday, Let SCA Stay invited prominent Labor MP Anthony Albanese to posture as a defender of public education and a friend of the arts.

None of the other speakers mentioned that it was the Hawke Labor government that abolished free tertiary education, and reintroduced university fees in the late 1980s. That Labor government also launched an efficiency dividend to impose annual funding cuts on all sections of the federal public sector, including museums, galleries, the National Film and Sound Archive and other important cultural institutions. These dividends have been maintained or deepened by successive governments, Labor and Liberal alike.

Albanese himself was a leading figure in the Rudd and Gillard Labor governments, which carried out a host of measures to open higher education up to the free market and force universities to compete with one another for government funding. It was the Gillard Labor government that introduced the single largest cuts to university funding in Australian history, of $2.3 billion, in its 2013 budget.

At the same time, the leadership of Let SCA Stay works closely with the National Tertiary Education Union, which has enforced successive pro-business restructures, including at the University of Sydney in 2013, resulting in the destruction of at least 60 jobs, a host of voluntary redundancies and the forcing of 100 academics into teaching-only positions.

The gutting of the arts and education poses major political issues before students and young people. It underscores the need for a mass movement of the working class in defence of the basic social right to culture for all, and to free education, including at the tertiary level. Such a movement can only go forward by rejecting the subordination of social needs, including culture, to the profit interests of the corporations and big business. In other words, it must be based on a socialist perspective.

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Australian artists and industry professionals oppose funding cuts

[30 June 2016]
At a joint media conference in Sydney yesterday, US Vice President Joe Biden stressed the importance of the military alliance between Australia and the US, the history of shared involvement in wars and their joint commitment to blocking Chinas activities in the South China Sea.

Bidens trip to Australia, Washingtons key ally in the Asia Pacific, came in the immediate aftermath of the July 12 arbitration court decision in The Hague branding as illegal Chinas activities on islets it controls in the South China Seaa ruling that the US intends to exploit to confront Beijing.

The US vice president also arrived in Australia less than two weeks after the narrow return to office of Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, whose government the Obama administration is pressing to join provocative US freedom of navigation military operations in the South China Sea to challenge Chinas territorial claims.

Bidens remarks, delivered at a media presentation with Turnbull after talks in Sydney, were bellicose. Australia and the United States, weve had each others back for a long time. We continue to have one anothers back. And I assure you, the United States is going nowhere. The United States is here in the Pacific to stay. We are a Pacific nation. We are a Pacific power. And we will do our part to maintain peace and stability in the region.

While couched in the language of peace and stability, the message was war-mongering. Biden said he and Turnbull discussed the steps that Australia and the United States are taking so our troops can train more together and increase our interoperability so that we are fully prepared to respond to any challenges in the Pacific with a united front. Its important we stand together.

This language points to escalating war preparations. Already, since 2011, when President Barack Obama visited Australia to announce, on the floor of the countrys parliament, the US strategic pivot to counter Chinas rising influence, Australia has become a forward base for the US military build-up in Asia. Growing numbers of US Marines rotate through Darwin, and US air force bombers and naval warships make increasing use of Australian bases and ports.

Before meeting Turnbull, Biden visited Sydneys main naval base. On the flight deck of HMAS Adelaide, one of the countrys two new large landing ships, he told the assembled crew that US troops had huge respect for Australians, because of their Aussie grit and the fact you never, never leave anybody behind.

At his media conference with Turnbull, Biden reiterated the strong statements issued by the US and Australia last week urging China and the Philippines to abide by the verdict delivered in The Hague. He said he and Turnbull reaffirmed our commitment to maintain the free flow of commerce and trade in the air and on sea, making sure the sea lanes are open and the skies are free for navigation.

Although China was not mentioned, Biden specifically referred to Chinese President Xi Jinping: Im often asked, whether Im with President Xi in Beijing or whether Im in Tokyo or whether Im anywhere in this regionwe are a Pacific power. The United States is a Pacific power. We are going nowhere. We are going nowhere.

These statements are particularly belligerent in the light of Beijings rejection of The Hague ruling, its declarations of intent to continue its activities in the South China Sea and its announcement of military exercises in the area.



The entire media conference was framed in terms of underscoring a military and wartime alliance. Turnbull began by stating: We talked about a hundred years of shared service of our servicemen and women fighting alongside each other in freedoms cause. Australia had no stronger alliance, he declared.

Publicly, Turnbull offered no commitment to send Australian war planes and ships within the 12-nautical-mile zones around Chinese-controlled islets and reefs, but there is no doubt Biden pushed for that. Biden was accompanied at the talks by his South China Sea adviser Dr Ely Ratner and State Department assistant secretary for East Asia Daniel Russel.

Together with Japan, Australia is Washingtons major anchor point for a confrontation with China, and the US particularly needs Australian involvement in the South China Sea so that the conflict there does not appear to be a purely American one.

An indication of the behind-the-scenes discussion was provided by the Australian Financial Reviews Laura Tingle, who cited sources saying there were a lot of conversations left unfinished from Turnbulls visit to Washington in January, during which he was pressed on the issue.

Tingle reported that the two governments were working on ways to calibrate the brinkmanship in the disputed waters. This would mean establishing patterns of behaviour that would see an escalation in the number of patrols in the region to levels possibly not seen since the Vietnam War.

While Australia has not yet joined the US in directly challenging Chinas 12-nautical-mile zones, Australias air force chief yesterday emphasised that Australia already conducts frequent air and naval operations in the South China Sea. Chief Air Marshal Leo Davies said his forces had carried out 32 Operation Gateway flights so far this year. These contributions would continue to develop working closely with our allies. He said: We need to send P3s and tankers and Hornets, naval ships.

At the media conference, Turnbull announced an expansion of Australias participation in the US-led war in Iraq and Syria. Australian troops would train the police, gendarmerie and other security agencies of the US-backed regime in Iraq, as well as the Iraqi army. Australia already has 300 army instructors in Iraq, plus 80 special forces troops and an air force contingent of 400 air and ground crew carrying out airstrikes.

Biden welcomed Turnbulls pledge. Your folks are the best trainers in the world. Your special operations forces have come in, taken on the responsibility of training the guts and the core of the Iraqi National Security Force, their counterterrorism force.

At the same time, Biden returned to a theme he repeated throughout his visit: that Australia benefits from US investment and trade, as well the military alliance. He spoke of two-way trade between the countries reaching $60 billion last year and the need to strengthen our robust economic ties. During his three days in Australia, Biden addressed business leaders and spoke at Boeings Australian headquarters to underscore Australias considerable dependence on US investment.

As he has done previously, Biden conveyed a pointed message to those sections of the Australian corporate elite and political establishment that fear the potentially devastating military and economic costs of any confrontation with China, Australias biggest export market. Regardless of the consequences, Washington is demanding nothing less than an unequivocal line-up by Australia in reckless US operations in the South China Sea that risk conflict with Beijing.
On the second anniversary of the police murder of Eric Garner, family members and workers from Staten Island, New York spoke with Jerry White, the Socialist Equality Partys candidate for US president about the class divide in Americas largest city.

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The Republican National Convention voted Tuesday evening to make billionaire real estate investor Donald Trump its presidential candidate after a roll-call vote staged to allow the candidates son, Donald Trump Jr., to announce the vote of the New York state delegation, putting his father over the 1,237 votes required for the nomination.

The final tally was 1,725 for Trump, 484 for Texas Senator Ted Cruz, 125 for Ohio Governor John Kasich, 123 for Florida Senator Marco Rubio and a scattering of votes for other candidates. The 753 votes for candidates other than Trump was the largest number in opposition to a Republican nominee since the 1976 convention contested between Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan.

The comparatively large number of votes for other candidates suggests a degree of ambivalence even in this ultra-right-wing audience over the implications of delivering the presidential nomination to the real estate and casino mogul. But the decision was made and it has enormous historical significance.

For the first time, one of the two major capitalist parties in America has chosen as its presidential nominee an individual of openly authoritarian and semi-fascist views who has publicly called for actions by the US government that are brazenly unconstitutional and illegal.

Among Trumps more notorious proposals are the mass round-up and expulsion of 11 million undocumented immigrants; a ban on Muslims entering the United States; an official policy of torture, including waterboarding and much worse, against prisoners captured by the US military; and the extermination of the families of those designated as terrorists by the US government.

The staging and atmosphere of the convention are aimed at promoting a cult of Trump as the billionaire savior who will Make American Great Again by the sheer force of his own personality and will. The convention is in large measure given over to the Trump family, with each of his adult children making speeches along with his current wife Melania, who spoke Monday praising her husband in terms heavily plagiarized from a similar speech given by Michelle Obama to the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

Perhaps most remarkable was the speech delivered by the billionaires oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on Tuesday night. He turned out to be not only a polished speaker, but an advocate of extreme free market policies, including the destruction of public education.

The younger Trump declared that what will Make America Great Again will be the mere fact of his fathers election and entry into the White House. In other words, it is not that Trump will improve the conditions of life for the American people, but that the American people will make themselves great by electing Trump. There is more than a whiff here of Josef Goebbels declaring that the Fuhrer is everything and everything is for the Fuhrer.

The authoritarian trend was further demonstrated in the focus of speaker after speaker on denouncing Trumps Democratic opponent, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, not merely as a rival to be defeated on November 8, but as someone who should be put in jail as one of the first acts of a Trump administration.

This is not merely a matter of rhetorical overkill. It is the plain meaning of diatribes such as that delivered by former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani on Monday night and the speech by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on Tuesday night.

Christie presented a series of accusations against Clintons tenure as secretary of state, citing events in Libya, Nigeria, China, Syria, Russia, Iran and Cuba, as well as Clintons use of a private email server, and each time asking the audience to shout guilty or not guilty. This performance was greeted with rising applause as well as swelling chants of lock her up, lock her up.

Perhaps the low point in this whipping up of right-wing hysteria came when Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who was one of the myriad candidates defeated by Trump in the primaries, suggested that Clinton was in league with the devil, tracing a connection to Lucifer through the personage of the community organizer Saul Alinsky, a social-democrat (and Jew) who died in 1972.

What is being put on display at the convention in Cleveland is the transformation of one of the two main capitalist parties in the United States into an ultra-right political formation that regards its traditional bourgeois opponents in the Democratic Party not as electoral rivals, but as illegitimate and subversive enemies.

This is the outcome of a protracted process, going back to the right-wing campaign to overthrow an elected president that led to the 1998 impeachment of Bill Clinton, followed by the stolen election of 2000, and now the nomination of a fascistic candidate who declares that his principal electoral opponent should be disqualified from running or jailed.
Nearly 800 historians, academics and professionals across the United States have signed an Open Letter to the American People warning of the danger, seen from a historical perspective, of Trump and Trumpism.

The recently formed group, Historians Against Trump, explains in its letter that The lessons of history compel us to speak out against Trump. The letter lists as members of the Historians Against Trump Organizing Committee Brian Dolber, Amy Harth, Caroline Luce and David Schlitt.

The letter, posted on the Internet on July 11, states, in part:

Historians of different specialties, eras and regions understand the enduring appeal of demagogues, the promise and peril of populism, and the political uses of bigotry and scapegoating. Historians understand the impact these phenomena have upon societys most vulnerable and upon a nations conscience. The lessons of history compel us to speak out against a movement rooted in fear and authoritarianism.

Alluding to the fascistic and right-wing populist movements that sprang up during the first half of the 20th Century, the letter includes a photograph of Charles Lindbergh addressing an America First rally in October of 1941. Lindbergh, the famous aviator, was a fascist sympathizer and anti-Semite whose demagogic America First speeches downplayed the crimes of the Nazis and promoted neutrality in World War II.

The letters authors claim not to support any particular party or politician, but to be united by the belief that Trump poses a threat to American democracy. They denounce Trumps attacks on the press and highlight the Republican presidential candidates misogyny, racism and bigoted attacks on immigrants. They describe Trumps spoken and written words as an archive of know-nothingism and blinding self-regard. They characterize Trumps campaign as one of violence against individuals and groups; against memory and accountability; against historical analysis and fact.

The most significant aspect of the letter is the writers insistence that history has something to say about the present, and that Trump, far from an accident or aberrationas he is often characterized by Democrats and Republicans alikeis the outcome of a historical process of political degeneration of American society.

The authors write:

Donald Trumps candidacy is the latest chapter in a troubled narrative many decades in the making. In another era, civil society institutions such as the academy, the free press and the judiciary were counted on to safeguard constitutional democracy. That this is no longer the case cannot be blamed solely on Trump. Donald Trumps candidacy has profited from the fears of people living precariously and a political culture of spectacle and cynicism, both of which long predate his emergence as a candidate. The impulses and ideologies that animate the Trump campaign will not disappear once he is defeated in November.

This statement is correct, as far as it goes. But it avoids an examination of the relation of the process it describes to the class and economic interests that largely determine the course of American politics. Nevertheless, the recognition that the Trump phenomenon reflects a broader social crisis represents a certain advance beyond the platitudes offered up by the Democratic Party and its apologists.

In a pointed criticism of the complacency that prevails among American academics, the letter encourages historians to undertake the task of equipping the public with historical skills and narratives that are factual, accurate, comprehensive, meaningful, useful, and resistant to cynical manipulators who sell snake oil as historical truth.

Not surprisingly, this statement has come under sharp attack by a leading postmodern academic.

In a column published in the New York Times on July 15, Stanley Fish, a literary theorist and legal scholar, denounced the Historians Against Trump letter for its hubris in claiming that historians, because of their training, are uniquely objective observers.

Fish headed Duke Universitys English Department from 1986 to 1992 and now has a visiting professorship at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City. He is a frequent contributor to both the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times .

In this op-ed response to the professors letter, he writes:

By dressing up their obviously partisan views as the lessons of history, the signatories to the letter present themselves as the impersonal transmitters of a truth that just happens to flow through them. In fact they are merely people with history degrees, which means that they have read certain books, taken and taught certain courses and written scholarly essays, often on topics of interest only to other practitioners in the field.

Fish continues:

While this disciplinary experience qualifies them to ask and answer discipline-specific questions, it does not qualify them to be our leaders and guides as we prepare to exercise our franchise in a general election. Academic expertise is not a qualification for delivering political wisdom.

Fish, in short, asks the professors to stick to their discipline, telling them that their place is in the classroom where they teach students to ask the right questions and discern good evidence from bad.

It must be asked, if historical knowledge is a purely academic affairwhich Fish makes it out to bewhat is the use of studying history? If history has no bearing on politics, then what is the point of it?

As a literary scholar, Fish is known for his 1982 book Is There a Text in This Class? published by Harvard University Press. Harvards blurb for the book explains that in arguing for the right of the reader to interpret and in effect create the literary work, he [Fish] skillfully avoids the trap of subjectivity.

It is entirely unsurprising that Fish would be repulsed by a section of historians who feel compelled by the lessons of history to counter Trumps violence against historical analysis and fact. The truth is that Fish and his postmodern cohorts are, in their own way, an expression of the same culture of spectacle and cynicism that produced Trump.

The Historians Against Trump document has been signed by at least 786 people. Leading historians such as Ellen Carol DuBois (University of California, Los Angeles), Geoff Eley (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), Glenda Gilmore (Yale University), Mary Hancock (University of California, Santa Barbara), Mary Nolan (New York University), Thomas McAfee (University of Nevada, Las Vegas), Deborah Dash Moore (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), Claire Potter (The New School), Vicki Ruiz (University of California, Irvine), Maurice Isserman (Hamilton), Valerie Johnson (Bennett College) and Kevin Mattson (Ohio University) have added their names.

The letter can be accessed here.
The Mail On Sunday reported that a breakaway party is being discussed in secret, involving up to 150 Labour MPs, who would align themselves with the Liberal Democrats, with just eight MPs, in a pro-European party of the progressive centre.

The Mail states that the name Continuity Labour is under discussion, involving Stephen Kinnock, the son of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock and MP for Aberavon, and former Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown. Ashdown is also said to have the support of present Lib Dem party leader, Tim Farron. The plan would be put into operation in the event that Jeremy Corbyn succeeds in being re-elected as party leader in the contest triggered by the no-confidence motion endorsed by 170 Labour MPs and triggered by a tight-knit group of coup plotters, of which Kinnock junior is a leading figure.

Kinnock has allegedly met with Ashdown in secret talks about safeguarding the interests of our country.

Glen Owen reports that Kinnock is tipped to head any new formation and that MPs are poised to make approaches to Labours top 50 donors to fund the new party if the Labour leader fends off challenges from Angela Eagle and Owen Smith.

Lord Ashdown did not deny that the talks have taken place, but said the discussions did not include the formation of a new centre-ground party.

The M ail cites a senior source stating, If Corbyn wins, the party is finished in its current form. There are at least 150 MPs who would break away, and many are already discreetly sounding out donors about what they are calling Continuity Labour. Stephen is central to the plans. The plotters have calculated that they could start a new party, debt-free, while leaving Corbyns rump mired in financial problems.

Kinnock strenuously denied the report, but there is no reason to believe him.

There has been widespread speculation and even calls for such a move for weeks. Janan Ganesh wrote July 4 in the Financial Times, for example, By all means, Labour MPs must try to remove Mr Corbyn and replace him with a plausible prime minister. But if the mission fails, political logic and the national interest both argue for a breakaway...

He and others have pointed to the example of 1981, when Labours Roy Jenkins, David Owen, Shirley Williams and Bill Rodgers formed the breakaway Social Democratic Party (SDP) and then later an alliance with the Liberals that itself gave birth to the present-day Liberal Democrats. Their actions helped ensure that Margaret Thatchers Tory government was re-elected in 1983.

It is a measure of Labours degeneration and its incessant shift to the right that this time the talk is not of a Gang of 4, but a Gang of 150.

The Mails report, moreover, follows a series of open statements on the possible formation of a new party by the Lib Demswho have less to hide and more to gain than the Labour plotters by revealing the truth.

Ashdown announced July 3 his plans for a cross-party progressive platform, aimed at bringing together politicians from different parties to back a grassroots organisation dedicated to advancing a pro-EU line in the aftermath of the June 23 referendum vote to leave the EU. It would only be a start, he told the Times. But with a general election perhaps soon, who knows where a start could lead...

On June 29, Farron told the BBC, Amongst the things that I think weve got out of the referendum is that weve discovered, lots of us, who have worked across party boundaries, that weve enjoyed doing so. ... We shouldnt put any construct or constraint on what might happen next. People could come to us, they could set up another party, who knows.

The Guardian, the main backer of the Labour coup plotters, gave Farron a prominent place in its July 18 edition, one day after the publication of the Mail On Sunday piece, to state that he was looking seriously at a credible new party or alliance to oppose the Tories, saying he would write nothing off.

Ashdown is someone who has pursued the possibility of unification with Labour in one form or another for most of his political career. He supported the Lib-Lab pact in 1977 that kept James Callaghans Labour government in office for two yearsas it imposed International Monetary Fund-dictated economic policies against the working class and paved the way for the election of Thatcher in 1979. He supported the SDP-Liberal Party alliance, and then became party leader following the 1988 merger to form the Liberal Democrats. He was elected party leader in 1989.

Most significantly, Ashdown engaged in secret talks with Tony Blair between 1994 and 1999 on what he referred to as the project. The ultimate aim of both was for a political merger of the two parties, possibly preceded by a coalition.

Blair, who was heavily influenced by Roy Jenkins, declared to the first Labour congress after the 1997 general election that the split with the Liberals that led to the formation of the Labour Party had been a historic mistake. It was a view that was evidenced by his earlier success in 1995 in securing the ditching of Clause Four (regarded as the Socialist Clause) of the partys constitution, which pledged Labour:

To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

However, Labours landslide victory prevented his and Ashdowns plans reaching fruition, as he could not convince his own inner circle that a merger was either now necessary or acceptable to Labour members. A Joint Cabinet Committee was briefly formed between the two parties and Ashdown offered a post on it, which he declined.

Blairs acolytes are now contemplating whether this long desired shift has now been made both possible and necessary in order to engineer a sharp political shift to the right. Their target is not merely Corbyn, but to reinforce and make permanent the exclusion of the working class from political life that has been the real abiding project of the Blairites for more than two decades.

Those who are busy counselling against these plansCorbyn with his constant appeal for unity, Len McCluskey of the Unite trade union, and even leadership challenger Owen Smith, all fear that such a move would destroy what little political credibility Labour retains as an alternative to the Tories and a vehicle for opposing capitalisms worst excesses. But with reports that Corbyn would be re-elected even if the right fielded a single candidate, and Labour MPs in open revolt, as evidenced in the 140 that on Monday supported the renewal of the Trident nuclear weapon system, a permanent split is possible.
As one follows the Republican National Convention, one cannot avoid the conclusion that some fundamental political boundary is being crossed.

There is little reason to idealize the political history of the United States. The conventions of the two capitalist partiesattended by several thousand delegates representing a cross section of corrupt politicos and operatives in the pay of Big Businesshave usually been sordid affairs. Over the past half-century they have resulted in the nominations of people such as Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and the two Bushes. And yet this Republican Party convention in Cleveland, which has just officially chosen Donald Trump as its candidate for president, represents something new, ugly and sick.

Even as socialists, who have carefully followed, analyzed and explained the protracted crisis of American democracy, it is difficult to suppress a feeling of disgust, akin to nausea, as one watches the proceedings. One cannot help but ask oneself, Has it really come to this? The convention is a display of the grotesque and the absurd, in which all that is seedy, stupid, backward, cruel and reactionary in American politics and culture is on display.

An air of demoralized paranoia dominates the convention. Under the slogan Make America Great Again, the speakers describe a country in irreversible breakdown, beset by enemies inside and out. In the speeches, filled with appeals to the military and the police, one senses, beneath all the braggadocio, a ruling class extremely nervous about its future.

Donald Trump emerged from a silhouetted stage on Monday night to introduce his wife, who was about to read her plagiarized tribute to her hero. Unfortunately, there is not to be found among the ranks of present-day journalists the equal of an H.L Mencken, who certainly would have drawn attention to the absurd irony of hysterical evangelical delegates choosing as their prophet a thrice-wed man who publicly extols the size of his private parts and has entertained the New York tabloids with descriptions of his most memorable sexual encounters.

Another great American satirist, Sinclair Lewis, the author of Elmer Gantry and It Cant Happen Here, would probably have seen in the excitement of the delegates proof that the United States is a country where puritanical hysteria commingles with a fascination for the pornographic, and where pious moral virtue never stops the pursuit of the almighty dollar.

There is very little that is original in the person of Trump, except, perhaps, that his limitless self-obsession and narcissism have allowed him to become a vessel into which the greed and criminality of the American ruling class can be poured. In his personal history, he stands out only for his ability to combine the phenomenon of the crooked CEO with the celebrity culture of American television.

As the World Socialist Web Site has pointed out before, Trumps particular fascistic personality was forged not in the beer halls of Munich and the trenches of World War I, but in the real estate market of New York City. With his casinos, his fictional universities and his endless stream of failed businesses, this personification of corporate fraud could hardly be a more fitting symbol for the state of American capitalism.

That Trump emerges from a broader political degradation is evident in the convention, the events that surround it and the line-up of speakers, each more reactionary than the last. On Monday, there was Rudolph Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, who, in his screaming for vengeance and blood, appeared to be doing his best impression of Benito Mussolini. Giuliani came after Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke, who recently declared that the country was in the midst of a civil war, pitting defenders of law and order against revolutionary Marxist forces, Occupy Wall Street and Black Lives Matter, which he lumped together with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

The Republican Party Platform was passed quickly on Monday. Officially dedicated to the military and the police, it outlines a program for eliminating every legal, financial and government restraint on the accumulation of wealth by the capitalist class. It calls for repealing the 16th amendment, which established the federal income tax; lowering the corporate tax rate; eliminating government regulations; cutting Medicaid and transitioning Medicare into a program for subsidizing the purchase of private insurance; cutting Social Security; replacing remaining welfare programs with the dynamic compassion of work requirements and abolishing the Environmental Protection Agency. The platform also adopts Trumps proposal to build a wall on the US-Mexico border.

It enshrines a form of clerical authoritarianism, with government based on religious principles. Aside from the ubiquitous references to God, the platform would ban abortion under all conditions, protect corporations and other entities that discriminate on the basis of religious prejudice, and overturn court rulings legalizing gay marriage.

The most significant element of the Republican Party platform, however, is what it says about foreign policyasserting that the United States must subordinate the entire world to the interests of American corporations. We cannot allow foreign governments to limit American access to their markets while stealing our designs, patents, brands, know-how, and technology, it proclaims. We cannot allow China to continue its currency manipulation, exclusion of US products from government purchases, and subsidization of Chinese companies to thwart American imports.

In the Middle East, it calls for forcing out Assad in Syria, going to war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, repudiating the Obama administrations deal with Iran, expanding the war in Iraq and unconditionally supporting Israel. The platform backs the arming of Ukraine against Russia and pledges to meet the return of Russian belligerence with the same resolve that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Summing up the drive of American imperialism to dominate the entire globe, the platform asserts that the United States must retake its natural position as leader of the free world by rebuilding the US military into the strongest on earth, with vast superiority over any other nation or group of nations in the world.

This is a program for a Fortress America, armed to the teeth. It is an agenda that cannot be realized without the implementation of a police state, the reduction of the working class to absolute poverty, and the launching of world war.

With the Democratic Party convention coming up next week, we will have the opportunity to analyze the other side of the US political system. However, it must be said that the characteristics revealed in the Republican convention and the persona of Trump are an expression of the decay of not just one party, let alone one individual, but of the political and social system as a whole. What is to some extent concealed in the Democratic Party is revealed more fully in the Republican Party. The nomination of Trump is a nodal point in the terminal crisis of American capitalism.
The confrontation between the US and China in the South China Sea has intensified after last weeks ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague against Beijings longstanding maritime claims in the strategic waters.

Admiral John Richardson, chief of US naval operations, met with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Wu Shengli in Beijing on Monday and told the media that talks were frank and honest. While discussing cooperation and collaboration, he stressed that on the other hand we didnt dodge any of the more contentious issues regarding dispositions in the South China Sea and the court ruling.

In comments to the Financial Times, Richardson reiterated: We would expect that [China and the Philippines] would abide by the ruling... the ruling gives all claimants to the South China Sea disputes a lot of reasons to stop and think.

The appearance of even-handedness and support for the rule of international law is completely at odds with US actions. The US supported and assisted the Philippines in presenting its case to the arbitration court, yet Washington has not ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Since last October, US warships have deliberately intruded on three separate occasions within the 12-nautical-mile limit around Chinese islets in the South China Sea.

In the wake of the ruling in The Hague, Washington is mustering support throughout the region as it prepares to step up its military provocations in the South China Sea. Currently, US Vice President Joseph Biden is in Australia pushing for its military involvement in so-called freedom of navigation operations to challenge Chinese claims.



After talks with Richardson, Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency reported Admiral Wu as saying: We will never stop our construction on the Nansha [Spratly] Islands halfway. The Nansha Islands are Chinas inherent territory, and our necessary construction on the islands is reasonable, justified and lawful.

Another senior Chinese admiral, Sun Jianguo, warned against further US freedom of navigation operations at a separate closed-door meeting. As reported by Reuters, Sun declared that China was the biggest beneficiary of freedom of navigation. But China consistently opposes so-called military freedom of navigation which brings with it a military threat and which challenges and disrespects the international law of the sea. This kind of military navigation... could even play out in a disastrous way.

Chinas ambassador to London, Liu Xiaoming, was scathing of the arbitration court ruling, saying: There is a big question about US behaviour in all of this... I think the arbitration case is politically motivated. On the one hand they send their warships and airplanes to challenge Chinas sovereignty and on the other they think this might be a good case ... to try to humiliate China diplomatically, to damage Chinas image and also give them a legal basis with which to challenge China.

While pointing to the cynicism and hypocrisy of US actions, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime is playing directly into Washingtons hands by resorting to its own reckless military measures that only heighten the danger of conflict. The CCP, which represents the interests of a thin layer of super-rich oligarchs, is organically incapable of making any appeal to the working class, in China or internationallythe only social force able to halt the intensifying drive to war.

Xinhua reported that the Chinese air force has begun air patrols over the South China Sea. Air force spokesman Shen Jinke said a combat air patrol took place recently involving bombers, fighters, scouts and tankers, and that such operations would become regular practice. Pictures were released of H-6 strategic bombers flying near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

The American and international press highlighted the air patrol, as well as a new round of Chinese naval exercises close to Chinas Hainan Island, but deliberately downplayed the activities of the US military, which routinely sends warships and warplanes into sensitive areas. The aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, along with its full strike force of cruisers and destroyers, is currently in the South China Sea. Last weekend it hosted a group of senior Cambodian officials and military officers as part of Washingtons broader campaign to strengthen military ties throughout the region.

For the past five years, the Obama administration has exploited the territorial disputes in the South China Sea to drive a wedge between China and rival claimants, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam. This confrontational tactic is part of the broader US pivot to Asia aimed at undermining Chinese influence and preparing for war.

Newly-installed Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has raised concerns in Washington by taking what appeared to be a more equivocal stance toward Beijing than his predecessor and offering bilateral talks over territorial disputes. Philippine foreign secretary Perfecto Yasay yesterday effectively ruled out negotiations with China, after an informal meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during last weekends summit of European and Asian leaders in Mongolia.

Yasay said he told Wang that Chinas condition that negotiations should proceed outside, or in disregard of The Hague ruling was not consistent with our constitution and our national interest. He said the Chinese foreign minister had warned that the two countries might be headed for a confrontation if the Philippines insisted on discussions based on the ruling.

Over the past six months, the US has rapidly implemented its military basing agreement with the Philippines, known as the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The American military now has access to five agreed locations, including four airfields and the Philippine armys largest training camp. Two of the air bases are directly adjacent to the South China Sea. Duterte has already declared that he will honour Philippine commitments under EDCA.

A meeting of Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers next week in Laos is likely to become the next diplomatic battleground in the South China Sea disputes. AFP reported last week that Laos and Cambodia, both of which are aligned with Beijing, had combined to block an ASEAN statement on the decision in The Hague.
Britains Parliament voted by a massive majority Monday evening to support the renewal of the UKs Trident nuclear weapons system.

The 472 to 117 vote in favour of the Conservative government motion approves the manufacture of four replacement submarines at a current estimated cost of 31 billion. However, this is just the initial cost. The final cost, including the maintenance of the system, could reach 205 billion, according to the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). To put this into perspective, the entire annual cost of the National Health Service budget for 2015/16 is 116 billion.

The vote on Trident was originally put in place by former Prime Minister David Cameron, prior to Junes referendum on UK membership of the European Union (EU). Cameron supported remaining in the EU and wanted the vote held after an expected victory for the Remain camp in the referendum. This was seen by Cameron as a way to tackle divisions in a Tory party split down the middle over EU membership and as a means of avoiding any controversy with Labour, which supported Remain, during the referendum. With the vote to leave the EU, Cameron was forced to step down, to be replaced by Theresa May after an aborted leadership contest.

Just one Conservative, Crispin Blunt, voted against renewal, with 322 of his partys MPs backing renewal. Blunt, the chair of Parliaments Foreign Affairs Committee, stated that he could not back renewal as the cost was colossal, when factoring in 32-year in-service life.

The governments figures estimated a total renewal cost of 179 billion, he said, adding, We have capped defence expenditure at 2 percent of GDP. The cost of this programme comes at the expense of the rest of the defence programme.

Tory and opposition Labour MPs took it in turns to support the use of nuclear weapons, with many stating Trident had to be retained in order to confront Russia.

Prime Minister Theresa May declared, In the past two years, there has been a disturbing increase in both Russian rhetoric about the use of nuclear weapons and the frequency of snap nuclear exercises.

Asked by an MP of the Scottish National Party if she was personally prepared to authorise a nuclear strike that can kill a hundred thousand innocent men, women and children, May replied. Yes ... the whole point of a deterrent is that our enemies need to know that we would be prepared to use it, unlike some suggestions that we could have a deterrent but not actually be willing to use it, which seem to come from the Labour Party frontbench.

May was referring to the position of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has said he would not authorise a nuclear strike.

Corbyn told MPs, to heckling from Labours backbenches, I make it clear today, I would not take a decision that kills millions of innocent people.

May did not have to rely on Tory MPs to oppose Corbyn. Pro-war Labourites actively plotting his removal queued up to denounce him.

Corbyn refused to whip the vote on Trident, meaning that they had a free vote. This allowed fully three-quarters of the parliamentary party to back the government, as 140 Labour MPs supported the motion with just 47 against. Also, de facto siding with the government were the 40 Labourites who stayed away from the Commons or who abstained in the vote. Among these were Emily Thornberry, Corbyns shadow foreign secretary, who is conducting a review into Labour defence policy. Also abstaining was Clive Lewis, Labours shadow defence secretary.

Supporting Trident were Owen Smith and Angela Eagle, the two Labour MPs challenging Corbyn for Labour leadership. Smith and Eagle stood down from Corbyns Shadow Cabinet in a failed attempt to force him to resign. Even among those who remained, three, Andy Burnham, Rosie Winterton and Deputy Leader Tom Watson, voted with the government.

Labour MP John Woodcock said he hoped May would be reassured that whatever she is about to hear from our front benchers, it remains steadfastly Labour party policy to renew the deterrent while other countries have the capacity to threaten the United Kingdom and that many of my colleagues will do the right thing for the long-term security of our nation and vote to complete the programme that we ourselves started in government.

Referring to the coup against Corbyn, he stated that workers in the defence industry are now being ignored by the party leader, who clings to an idea of Labour party democracy to save his own skin, and that is not right.

Toby Perkins, who resigned as shadow armed forces minister, ridiculed Corbyn, stating, As a 13-year-old I certainly made some of the arguments we heard from our front bench a few moments ago.

Underscoring Labours intimate links to the defence and intelligence operations of the British state and its role in the ongoing US-led preparations for war against Russia, he told Parliament, In the past nine months, I have visited NATO with two previous shadow secretaries of state for defence. We met representatives from Estonia, Latvia, Poland and several other NATO allies.

Ruth Smeeth, who resigned from the shadow cabinet and is playing a leading role in the coup targeting Corbyn, gave a succinct statement about Labours historic role in defence of the British capitalist state:

From Major Attlees support for Churchill in our countrys darkest hour to the founding of NATO under Ernest Bevin, our party has always stood up first and foremost for the security of our nationwe do now, and we always will.

Jamie Reed, who resigned from the shadow cabinet last September before Corbyn had even finished his leadership victory speech, said in the debate he supported every word of the motion before us in the name of the prime minister, because the truth is that the preservation of our national security does not wear the colours of any political party.

Prior to the 2015 general election, a poll conducted by CND found that 75 percent of Labours parliamentary candidates opposed renewing Trident. This underscores the extent of the move to the right by the party, which, in line with the dictates of the ruling class, has abandoned any such pose of pacifism.

Once again, the view of the Parliamentary Labour Party is in blatant opposition to that of most rank-and-file Labour members, who overwhelmingly support Corbyn. A poll of members earlier this year found that 40 percent opposed Trident renewal, with just 29 in favour.

Concluding his speech, Reed said of Corbyn, A policy of unilateral nuclear disarmament is a bar to being elected.

May referred to the Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and some Labour Members who seem to be the first to defend the countrys enemies and the last to accept these [nuclear weapons] capabilities when we need them.

Workers should recall how these politically loaded and ominous statements, essentially a charge of treason, align with those of senior figures in the UKs military, who have already threatened a mutiny against Corbyn if he ever takes office.
Washington and Europe have stepped up their pressure on the Erdogan government following the failed July 15 coup in Turkey. To this end they are using the wave of arrests of army personnel and judges by the Turkish government in the immediate aftermath of the coup attempt.

US Secretary of State John Kerry indirectly warned Turkey of losing its NATO membership. NATO also has a requirement with respect to democracy and NATO will indeed measure very carefully what is happening, Kerry told journalists in Brussels on Monday.

Previously, European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini had warned Turkey against reinstating the death penalty for those alleged to be responsible for the coup, insisting countries that applied the death penalty could not be EU members.

The German government also warned Turkey not to take disproportionate measures after the failed coup. Germany and the EU have a clear position: we categorically oppose the death penalty, declared government spokesman Steffen Seibert in Berlin. The introduction of the death penalty in Turkey would therefore mean the end of EU accession negotiations.

Prior to a meeting with their EU counterparts, the foreign ministers of Austria and Luxembourg, Sebastian Kurz and Jean Asselborn, also warned Turkey against authoritarian measures and the reintroduction of the death penalty. There must be no arbitrary purges, no criminal sanctions outside the constitutional framework and the judiciary, Kurz said in an interview with the newspaper Kurier.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeated his call for the extradition of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen. Gulen lives in the US and has been accused by Erdogan of being behind the coup. Erdogan said he would formally request the extradition of Gulen and submit evidence on his role in the coup attempt.

At the same time, the wave of purges launched in Turkey has aggravated social and political tensions. On Monday, the Turkish Interior Ministry suspended 8,777 persons, including 7,899 police officers and 614 gendarmerie officers, along with 30 provincial and 47 district governors. The move came a day after the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutors Office issued arrest warrants for some 2,750 judges accused of links to the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), named after Gulen.

Speaking to the state-run broadcaster TRT on Sunday, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said that more than 6,000 people, including some 3,000 military personnel and dozens of high-ranking generals, had been arrested for alleged links to the failed coup.

Within the last two days, 103 generals and admirals have been detained across Turkey, while investigations at various military headquarters, including the Incirlik airbase, continue. The ongoing purge and prosecution of thousands of military, security and judiciary officials will be, in the words of the Turkish justice minister, the most extensive case ever seen in Turkeys history.

Speaking Sunday at a funeral for people killed in the coup attempt, Erdogan vowed that his government would continue to cleanse the state institutions of all these viruses [i.e., FETO members]. He said, Since yesterday, the judiciary has been cleansed of these elements. They have been put in custodydismissed and imprisoned. This was necessary, but that is not enough.

By Tuesday, an estimated 50,000 public servants were estimated to have been either arrested or sacked, including over 15,000 teachers.

The ongoing purge and arrests have failed, however, to calm the tense situation. Rather, they have served to intensify conflicts within the state apparatus. Thus, the Turkish president instructed military combat planes to conduct patrols across Turkey, and the Istanbul Security General Directorate ordered its forces to shoot down any unidentified helicopters without warning.

The scale of ongoing operations, the number of suspended and arrested people, and the elevated positions of many of those arrested, especially in the military, belie the claims that the failed coup was a desperate kamikaze action organised by a small minority within the military.

Erdogan has not limited himself to government agencies in his purge of political opponents from the state apparatus. His government has mobilised tens of thousands of Islamist militants, mainly members of the pro-AKP Ottoman Societies, within the larger mass of AKP voters who took to the streets against the attempted coup following Erdogans call early Saturday morning.

After preventing large sections of the population from taking part in anti-coup demonstrations, these Islamist mobs are increasingly directing their attacks against AKP opponents. Hundreds of Islamist demonstrators in Istanbul vandalised the central office of a local newspaper and blocked the main entrance of a barracks while shouting jihadist and religious slogans.

Similar reactionary forces are active in other cities. In an attempt to provoke sectarian conflicts, Sunni Islamist mobs have gathered in largely Alawite-populated neighbourhoods in the eastern province of Malatya, shouting pro-AKP and Sunni Islamist slogans.

It was this angry religious mob that provided Erdogan and his government the opportunity to initiate a debate on reinstating capital punishment. Their demands for reinstating the death penalty to punish coup plotters were positively answered by Prime Minister Binali Yldrm on July 15. Yildirim declared that his government could not remain indifferent to such demands.

Three days later, he repeated this view, saying, People on the streets are chanting for capital punishment Our citizens demand is an order for us... Our parliament will consider the issue. We will act in line with public opinion.

Yldrms remarks came after Erdogan vowed on July 17 that Turkey would consider reinstating the death penalty. In democracies, decisions are made based on what the people say. I think our government will speak with the opposition and come to a decision, he said.

Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 as part of reforms aimed at obtaining European Union membership.
UnitedHealth, the largest US health insurer, has indicated it is drastically cutting its Affordable Health Care (ACA) public exchange offerings to only three states. This could affect some tens of thousands in the 31 states to be eliminated from the health insurers currently served markets. The drastic reduction in its covered health exchange markets comes despite revenues rising by 28 percent in the second quarter of 2016, to $46.5 billion, and profits jumping 13 percent, to nearly $3.4 billion. This is due mainly to profits in the companys Optum division.

UnitedHealth reports that it has lost more than $1 billion over the last two years on the exchanges run by what is commonly known as Obamacare. This includes an estimated $200 million in losses in ACA-compliant individual products in 2016, Forbes reports.

In a telephone call with analysts Tuesday, UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Hemsley said the company now expects to operate three or fewer exchange markets in 2017, down from 34 this year. UnitedHealth plans to maintain public exchange offerings only in New York, Nevada and Virginia, pending approvals, Hemsley said.

UnitedHealth cited higher-than-expected enrollment in Obamacare insurance products as the main cause of its projected $200 million losses for 2016. According to Investors Business Daily, the insurer had 820,000 exchange customers at the end of June, up by about 25,000 from the end of March. These figures were surprising, as enrollment typically declines for most companies as the year progresses.

UnitedHealth ACA enrollees since March have tended to be sicker, including customers with chronic conditions such as HIV, diabetes and hepatitis C. Under Obamacare, insurers are prohibited from discriminating against those with preexisting conditions. The moves by UnitedHealth to dump the vast majority of their ACA products demonstrate, however, that insurers are free to exit the market if they determine their profits are threatened.

Under the ACAs individual mandate, individuals and families without health insurance from their employer or a government program such as Medicare or Medicaid must purchase coverage from a private insurer on the exchanges or pay a substantial tax penalty. But the insurer companies are under no such obligation to actually provide such coverage.

For UnitedHealth, the real driver of profits and revenue has been the companys Optum division, which saw revenues soar by 52 percent in the second-quarter, to $20.6 billion. The Optum unit includes OptumRx, a pharmacy benefit management company, which saw a 69 percent growth in revenue in the second quarter, to $15.1 billion, due to growth and acquisitions, according to Forbes .

Through urgent care centers and doctors practices it owns, Optum also provides technology services to doctors and hospitals as well as a business providing outpatient care.

The giant insurers can pick and choose where to do business, letting profits and revenue be their guide, as Obamacare is based on the for-profit model. The insurance companies make no pretense that their involvement in the ACA marketplace is driven by altruistic motives.

When insurers do choose to participate in the ACA marketplace there is little meaningful oversight on the prices they charge for premiums. While premiums and the scope of plan networks vary from state to state, a recent Kaiser Family Foundation report showed that the average cost of the second-lowest-cost silver plan on the Obamacare marketplaces will rise by 10 percent in 2016, double last years rate.

The most affordable ACA plans also come with large deductibles, which must be paid in full before any coverage, except that deemed essential, kicks in. Many of the lowest-cost bronze plans come with deductibles as high as $5,000 and more.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Obamacare premiums in California will rise by an average of 13.2 percent in 2017, according to state officials. This follows increases of 4.2 percent in 2015 and 4 percent in 2016. Officials had previously boasted that the states Covered California program had insured hundreds of thousands of people while keeping costs relatively low.
CLEVELAND (AP) - The Latest on the Republican National Convention (all times EDT):

7:10 p.m.

Make it official: The Republican Party has nominated Donald Trump for president.

And now the New York billionaire has completed a remarkable rise from political outsider to major party nominee for the White House.

New York put him over the top in the delegate count Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention.

There was a disruptive fight on Monday night over the party's rules, but a day later that was history.

There was little drama as party delegates united behind the real estate mogul and reality TV star.

___

6:58 p.m.

Donald Trump's former campaign manager - Corey Lewandowski - has announced how his home state of New Hampshire is casting its votes for the Republican nomination.

Lewandowski was fired by the Trump campaign last month. But he's remained a vocal supporter of Trump and has advocated for him in his new role as a commentator on CNN.

Lewandowski note that New Hampshire was the first primary contest that Trump won. He says New Hampshire is casting 11 of its votes for "my friend and the next president of the United States, Donald J. Trump."

___

6:43 p.m.

Republican convention officials are giving some delegates won by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich to Donald Trump.

Rubio won the District of Columbia convention and got 10 delegates. Kasich came in second and got nine. That's how the district's delegation announced its tally from the floor of the convention.

But the convention's presiding officer awarded all 19 delegates to Trump.

Here's what delegate Chip Nottingham thought of that move:

"The chair, in a power play, just deemed that all 19 would go to Trump 'cause they don't want any dissent even though they clearly have a majority of votes that they need."

Nottingham demanded that the delegation be polled. But convention officials didn't give him the chance to speak.

___

6:35 p.m.

Donald Trump now has recorded more than half of the delegates needed to become the GOP presidential nominee.

The state-by-state roll call is still going on at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

It takes 1,237 delegates to win the nomination.

Trump hit the halfway point when Illinois cast 54 delegates for Trump, six for Ohio Gov. John Kasich and nine for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

___

6:20 p.m.

The state-by-state roll call to nominate Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee is underway.

There's not much drama but lots of noise - chants of "We want Trump" broke out as the roll call reached California.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's name isn't formally placed in nomination even though he was closest to Trump in the primaries.

Earlier Tuesday, some Republicans were saying Cruz's supporters wanted to gather enough signatures to allow the Texan to be nominated.

Being officially nominated means a candidate is entitled to have supporters deliver a nominating and seconding speech. But Trump's campaign and GOP officials eager for a show of unity behind Trump worked to head that off.

___

6:10 p.m.

New York Rep. Chris Collins has seconded the nomination of Donald Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.

Collins - a delegate to the Republican National Convention - says Trump will build a wall to secure the U.S.-Mexican border. He says Trump will defeat terrorism and make the U.S. safe again.

South Carolina's lieutenant governor, Henry McMaster, is also voicing his support for Trump.

McMaster is one of Trump's highest-profile early endorsers and says Trump wants to go to work "for us."

Many observers wondered why McMaster - an establishment Republican - was getting behind the unconventional candidate when he endorsed Trump ahead of South Carolina's February primary. McMaster's inner circle questioned the support, and some were disappointment he hadn't picked another candidate.

___

6 p.m.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions is painting a dire picture of the state of America as he nominates Donald Trump for president at the Republican National Convention.

Sessions is returning to themes that other speakers focused on during the first day of the convention. He says the U.S. has gotten off-course and the political system isn't working.

Sessions says incomes have dropped and terrorist attacks have increased. He says respect for the U.S. has fallen, while crime has risen.

Sessions is blaming President Barack Obama for the nation's ill and says Obama "does not lead." He says Trump isn't intimidated by the challenge.

Sessions has been one of the most prominent backers of Trump's hard-line position on immigration. He says Trump is the "singular leader that can get this country back on track."

___

5:50 p.m.

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus has gaveled in the second day of his party's summer convention in Cleveland.

The session started with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.

Set to give speeches are House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie plans to speak, as do two of Donald Trump's children - Tiffany and Donald Jr.

But the big event is the state-by-state roll call vote for the GOP presidential nomination, when Donald Trump will become the party's White House nominee.

___

4:40 p.m.

Donald Trump's campaign says the presidential candidate will be back in Cleveland for a "Family Welcome Event" on Wednesday afternoon at the Great Lakes Science Center.

He's expected to arrive by helicopter at the center on the shore of Lake Erie and next to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

___

3:43 p.m.

Hillary Clinton says the Republican National Convention has been "surreal" and she's comparing the event to the "Wizard of Oz."

Clinton says the GOP event has amounted to "lots of sound and fury - even a fog machine."

She says that "when you pull back the curtain, it was just Donald Trump with nothing to offer to the American people."

Clinton is in Las Vegas, speaking to the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, a trade union.

___

2:45 p.m.

As Donald Trump prepares to receive the nomination for president on Tuesday evening, Ohio Gov. John Kasich will be nearby - speaking to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Trump has angered Hispanics with his call to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico and to make Mexico pay for it. Kasich has refused to endorse Trump and is skipping the Cleveland convention.

Trump's campaign chairman has called Kasich's decision to skip the convention "petulant" and "embarrassing."

Kasich's advisers say he's trying not to be rude but has moved on to helping other candidates on the Republican ticket.

___

2:27 p.m.

The commission on presidential debates is switching the site of the first presidential debate from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, to Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.

Wright State already had announced it was pulling out as host.

The debate is scheduled for Sept. 26.

Hofstra hosted a presidential debate in 2012. The school had been designated as an alternate debate site for 2016.

___

2:01 p.m.

When it came to her moment in the spotlight, Melania Trump chose a dress not by an American, but by a Serbian-born designer based in London.

She wore an off-white dress with three-quarter length, bell-shaped sleeves for her convention speech Monday night.

It's from Roksanda Ilincic, whose designs are popular among celebrities.

Samantha Cameron, wife of former British Prime Minister David Cameron, wore a colorful, flared dress from the designer when she left Downing Street last week.

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, has worn her designs to at least three events this summer, including a brilliant yellow dress with blocks of white to Wimbledon.

Michelle Obama wore the designer's beaded wool satin dress and wool coat to meet the Chinese president in 2011.

___

1:38 p.m.

The White House is staying out of the debate over similarities between Melania Trump's GOP convention speech and Michelle Obama's speech to the 2008 Democratic convention.

Spokesman Josh Earnest says Michelle Obama received an enthusiastic reception and strong reviews back then because of the speech, her life story and the values of integrity and hard work that she and the president try to instill in their kids

Earnest says what matters most in the 2016 race is the agenda being put forward to advance those values. He says voters will decide in November whether Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton is the best candidate to instill those values in the next generation.

Trump's campaign has dismissed as "just absurd" criticism that two passages in Melania Trump's speech were lifted nearly word-for-word from Michelle Obama.

___

12 p.m.

Another musical act is telling Donald Trump to stop using their music.

The classic rock band Queen Tweeted Tuesday that they never approved Trump's use of "We Are the Champions" during the 2016 Republic National Convention.

Before Melania Trump gave a speech in Cleveland on Monday night, Trump made a brief appearance to introduce her and walked onstage to Queen's 1977 hit song.

The band wrote on Twitter, "An unauthorized use at the Republican Convention against our wishes."

Other musicians who have asked Trump to stop using their music include the Rolling Stones, Adele and Neil Young.

(Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

7/19/2016 7:14:46 PM (GMT -4:00)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Tallahassee Police are searching for missing teenager Preston Penton.

The 17-year old was last seen on July 15, 2016 on Gerald Drive. TPD believes he may be in Panama City with his mother Samantha Swanson.

Police say Penton is confined to a wheelchair and is not able to speak or communicate.

Anyone who has seen him or knows where he is should call TPD at (850) 891-4200.
Loren Corpuz, a member of the Yakama Warriors Association, plays the trumpet for their functions. He played "The Marines' Hymn" for a wheelchair-bound veteran during a break in the Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. and got a nice note from the man's daughter, who tracked him down through the Yakama Warriors website. (Courtesy photo)
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Thirty-four minutes were all it took for about 40 Israel Air Force (IAF) fighter jets and drones to deliver Israel's opening punch to Hezbollah in what later became the Second Lebanon War. The planes made a night landing in Israel following the attack and were readied for their next missions. For some of the pilots involved, this was their first flight above Lebanese territory, which had rarely been entered by Israeli aircraft since the country's withdrawal from Southern Lebanon in 2000.

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IDF analysts inspected the results the next day: Hundreds of rockets destroyed, along with 44 Iran-made Fajr types 3 and 5 rockets and Zilzal rocket launchers possessing medium-to-long ranges, which could have reached all the way to Israel's Sharon region and the outskirts of the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area (Gush Dan). Hezbollah's strategic weapons were taken away less than an hour after IDF reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were kidnapped by the Lebanese Shi'ite terror organization.

IDF strikes against Hezbollah.

X

This concentrated strike on Hezbollah was based on years of contingency planning, which cost tens of millions of dollars. The Mossad was involved in preparations, which were classified even inside IDF ranks due to their sensitive nature.

The results astonished IDF officials, some of whom advised against the actions, fearing that they would result in 200-300 civilian deaths and damage Israel's legitimacy in fighting Hezbollah. In reality, about 20 civilians died in the strikes.

The strikes, codenamed Operation Specific Gravity, also had negative consequences for Israel. It created the feeling that the IAF could do most of the IDF's work in the war against Hezbollah. This line of thinking was not limited to Dan Halutzstill the only IDF chief of staff to ever come out of the Air Forcewho opposed a ground offensive. Then-prime minister Ehud Olmert and defense minister Amir Peretz agreed with Halutz.

Overconfidence in the IAF's capabilities on its own comes up in nearly all background briefings done by IDF ground combat officers. "Only fighters on the ground, sent quickly to locate and dismantle Hezbollah's weapons caches, will bring about achievements and decisive wins," officials in the IDF Tank and Infantry Corps say.

IDF Chief of Staff during the Second Lebanon War, Dan Halutz. An Air Force-centric conception. (Photo: Yaron Brener)

Just like in training

"I hesitate to define it as a too-successful operation," said then-Valley Squadron commander and current Head of the IAF Air Division, Brig. Gen. Nir Barkan. "It was a successful operation, and if it hadn't been, then the war would have looked different, especially in its first few daysthe blows we suffered would have been much tougher."

Not long after the initial reports about the incident in which Hezbollah abducted Goldwasser and Regev, four fighter jet formations from the Valley Squadron were launched, with Barkan piloting one of the planes. "We struck structure that we believed to have been used to abduct the soldiers," he recounted. "When I came back to base, I found the squadron in a totally difference state  a state of war. (They were) arming the planes with bombs and (fuel tanks). We realized that the war had begun."

During his years of preparing for Operation Specific Gravity, Barkan doubted it would ever take place. "After all, we had left Lebanon and there were almost no confrontations on the border," he said recently, "but that same afternoon I got an order to prepare for the operation, and at night dozens of fighter jets took off from the bases. The distance between planes was small. The execution itself wasn't difficult, and we acted skillfully and according to plan. After we landed back, people said it was exactly according to operative training."

A bomb every minute

Major Sagi, a reservist pilot in the Valley Squadron, was called up for the operation. "We divided Southern Lebanon to two areas  north and south. I was part of the first pair (of planes) to strike. We dropped a bomb every minute. I remember how we flew quietly. We took off at about 11pm, a plane armada, each on their own course. We dropped two one-ton bombs, and everything worked perfectly. In these operations, if there's a problem, the entire operation goes wrong, and you see it immediately. That didnt happen. We quickly knew that the operation had succeeded."

Weeks later, there was disappointment in the high ranks of the IDF over the fact that Specific Gravity was not sufficiently publicized, as it could have been seen as a "big win" moment for Israel during the wara morale booster for a nation that felt as if it had not won a decisive-enough victory against Hezbollah.

Brig. Gen. Nir Barkan. "We caused the ground to fall beneath the enemy's feet."

Lt. Col. A., an Air Force intelligence officer, was one of the people in charge of planning Specific Gravity. According to him, "The main dilemma then was the (potential) harm to non-involved people, which is why we recommended different strata of action, and the political leadership chose the maximal stratum. We could not simply call up planes back then and give them targets and mission updates, because of the lessons learned from previous wars. We operated according to a perception of a minimal amount of bombs for maximal effect."

Hezbollah's arms caches were dispersed between Southern Lebanon villages, some in open areas and others near or even inside residential buildings. This led to the Israeli decision to use "surgical" tools, which could hit targets with an accuracy radius of just a few meters.

Bombings later during the war were not always as successful as those of Operation Specific Gravity. "The element of surprise can be used to a limited extent," explained Brig. Gen. Barkan. "You can't keep surprising (the enemy) for 33 days. Were we to try that (flight operation) after two days or ten days, the level of success would not have been similar. These days, our intelligence capabilities are improved and our rate of attack capabilities is much higher. On the other hand, the other side also hasn't stayed put, which will require us to handle absorption (of attacks) and fighting under fire."

Despite the fairly quiet decade on Israel's northern front since that war, which has, over the years, mitigated the notion that it was a failed effort, Barkan advises Israelis not to jump to any conclusions about Hezbollah's level of deterrence. The long-term perspective, he says, is not achieved in ten years.
DURBAN, South Africa - Doctors Without Borders' HIV policy adviser says the global aid group has "zero tolerance" for inaction on fighting the virus in Central and West Africa.

The organization says 4.5 million of the 6.5 million people living with HIV in those regions don't get treatment.

Sharonann Lynch said Doctors Without Borders has no tolerance for "essentially what will be bold-faced lies" to meet the goal of getting 30 million people on HIV treatment by 2020 if more funding and political will isn't applied.

A doctor with the aid group, Eric Goemaere, said almost half of the children born with HIV come from Central and West Africa.
It was one of the hardest and saddest moments in the history of the LGBT community's struggle in Israel. One year ago, on July 30, 2015, Yishai Schlissel drew a knife at the Jerusalem Pride parade and murdered 16-year-old Shira Banki. Thursday, the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance will return to the streets of the capitalbut Mayor Nir Barkat will not be one of the thousands who will march in pride and in memory.

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"I won't march because I don't want to be part of the harm to the ultra-Orthodox public and the Religious-Zionist public," Barkat said in an interview with Yedioth Ahronoth, Ynet's sister publication.

"The gay-lesbian community receives services in the city of Jerusalem to its satisfaction. Of course, it's their right to march. The Jerusalem Municipality, I, and the police are doing everything that we can to facilitate them to realize their right, but they need to know that this hurts others.

Nir Barkat (R) speaking with Telem Yahav

"Tolerance is not just letting people march; it's also looking for the way to get what you want without offending others' opinions or others' feelings. In Jerusalem, there's a large population who has a really hard time with the parade."

Perhaps it is precisely now, after what happened last year, that the mayor should come and say, "I stand at the head of this march, because I will support every disadvantaged population in my city"?

"Don't obsess over the march."

A march is a symbol.

"It's a symbol that has positive and negative complications. So as mayor, I positively support its message and the right of the members to march."

But there's also symbolic importance in a mayor who comes to express his support.

"So you're basically coming and asking me to be part of the harm caused to the ultra-Orthodox and Religious-Zionist population. And I say no; I don't want to harm that population. As mayor, I represent everyone, and therefore I'm on the side of the heads of the community and their rights, and I'll do everything to facilitate their realizing them."

The march in Jerusalem, compared to the Tel Aviv Pride parade, is relatively more serious in tone, and it generally involves a parade of youths and adults with flags calling for tolerance and equality. However, Barkat explained that as mayor, he is responsible for preventing harm to the public's feelings, and that includes the march.

"There's a concept in the Jewish faith that's called 'parrhesia,'" he explained. "Parrhesia says that if somebody unexpectedly runs into something in public, such as nudity or other things, it's something that harms the public's feelings. The gay-lesbian community needs to be considerate, just like the gay-lesbian community demands that the ultra-Orthodox and religious community be considerate."

Barkat disagrees with the "perverts" speech of Rabbi Yigal Levinstein and from the other harsh pronouncements by additional rabbis against the LGBT community. "I think that these statements are superfluous; they're not good," he said. "It just harms a very wide community."

Quite a few, even in Jerusalem, would say similar things.

"You need to understand that halacha (Jewish law) doesn't change. Halacha is halacha, and halacha says certain things, and some rabbis commentate on halacha. In democratic countries in 2016, you need to relate to the rights of various communities in the nation of Israel, and certainly the gay-lesbian community, and uphold them.

"Pluralism in Jerusalem goes in all directions. Get for a minute in the head of an ultra-Orthodox gay who is an expert in halacha at a high level, and he understands this phenomenon as unacceptable, and that's the education that he's been getting. It's the education that he's been getting for two thousand years. Take into consideration the education that he's been getting just like you demand that they be considerate of the gay-lesbian community."
The Knesset passed a law late Tuesday night allowing a three-fourths majority to expel a sitting member of parliament who was found to be inciting to racism or supporting an armed struggle against the State of Israel.

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The controversial legislation passed the second and third readings in a 62-47 vote after a tumultuous meeting that lasted into the night.

MK Nissan Slomiansky (Bayit Yehudi) presented the bill while Arab MKs, among them Ahmad Tibi and Jamal Zahalka, slammed the legislation. The uproar continued when MKs from Meretz and from the Zionist Union vocally protested the proposal as well.

MKs and ministers during the discussion on the bill (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

The law will allow the ouster of an MK only with the support of 90 out of the 120 members of Knesset, at least ten of which have to be from the opposition.

After Slomiansky presented the legislation, members of the opposition noticed the coalition did not have the sufficient amount of votes to pass it and demanded to hold the vote posthaste.

Arab MKs from the Joint List (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) tweeted during the meeting "We decided, all factions of the opposition, to call for an immediate vote on this imbecilic lawthe coalition is in panic mode."

The coalition then insisted Slomiansky returned to the podium to respond to the objections raised against the bill.

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein allowed itdenying he did so in order to stall for timeand while Slomiansky was responding to objections, coalition members were called in from home, including Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz and Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, who is currently on maternity leave.

During the tempestuous meeting, MK Ilan Gilon was removed from the plenum after being called to order three times, while many of the opposition MKs were enraged and constantly interrupted Slomianksy.

MK Tibi claimed that "There were no reservations made so there's no room, based on the regulations, for another discussion," while MK Tzipi Livni started reading out the relevant section of the Knesset regulations that indicated it was time for the voting to commence.

MK Ahmad Tibi during the discussion (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Slomiansky addressed the claims made against the legislation that it was "targeting a specific party."

"My friends from the Joint Arab List told me that this law is supposed to get rid of Bayit Yehudi members," he said, referring to his own party. "This means it's targeting them (Bayit Yehudi) and not you (Joint List). The last time such a move was enacted was against Jews."

Bayit Yehudi MK Nissan Slomiansky (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

The Arab MKs were outraged by Slomiansky's comments, shouting at him "Tell the truth. This is against us."

Herzog argued that "if we know that MKs can oust another MK, it would be a black mark in the history of the Knesset."

He later wrote on Twitter, "The 'Ouster Law' is a black stain on the State of Israel. The government of hate is busy widening the rift threatening the State of Israel more than any outside enemy."

Opposition leader Isaac Herzog talking to Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein as Minister Ze'ev Elkin addresses the plenum (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

Jerusalem Minister Ze'ev Elkin provoked further outcry when he accused, "Of all the issues there are, you chose to defend (MK Hanin) Zoabi? You gave up on everything, skipped discussions, lost vote after vote, but you are fighting to defend Zoabi."

This was met with outrage from the opposition, with Zionist Union MK Yoel Hasson lamenting "You've ruined the country, you've buried democracy. You have no God."

The new legislation is an amendment to Basic Law: The Knesset, led and supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and pushed by Slomianksy, the chairman of the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.

The old legislation determined that a person cannot run for Knesset if his acts or objectives serve to reject the right of the State of Israel to exist as a Jewish and democratic state; incite to racism; support an armed struggle and more. But if such acts are carried out by someone already elected to Knessetthey cannot be removed from the legislature until the next elections, when they could be disqualified.

Prime Minister Netanyahu with Ministers Yisrael Katz and uval Steinitz (Photo: Gil Yohanan)

The new amendment will allow beginning the process of expulsion only after obtaining the support of at least 70 MKs, with at least 10 of them from the opposition. The preliminary discussion the Knesset must also have the support of three-quarters of its members.

The decision to expel an MK will come into effect 14 days after it was made to allow the expelled MK to appeal it to the Supreme Court. During those 14 days, the expelled MK will not be allowed to join Knesset discussions, but will be able to continue voting.

In addition, the Knesset will not be able to expel any of its members during elections time, as such a decision is more likely to be politically motivated.

The new legislation will not apply to acts done before it came into effect, so the Knesset will not be able to expel MK Hanin Zoabi for her past virulent comments against IDF soldiers or for her participation in the Marmara flotilla.
Wednesday, one day before the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance, the police have called in for questioning several family members of the murderer Yishai Schlissel, who stabbed six persons at last year's march, killing one.

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Police arrived at his family's house on Wednesday to bring in some family members. Following the questioning, some of them had restraining orders issued against them from entering Jerusalem until the march's completion on Thursday.

Schlissel's brother, Michael Schlissel, was arrested on suspicion that he intended to harm the marchers. His detention has been authorized for one day.

Yishai Schlissel shortly before stabbing Shira Banki and others (Photo: AP)

Shira Banki last year, had been released from his prison sentence for attacking and stabbing participants in the capital's 2005 Pride parade . Following the murder, he was sentenced last month to a life sentence with an additional 31 years of prison, both for murder and for six counts of attempted murder. Several members of his family came to his sentencing, including some members who had restraining orders issued against them on Wednesday.

Itamar Gvir (Photo: Ido Erez)

Itamar Ben Gvir, the lawyer representing the mother and her children who were brought in for questioning, said, "The police admitted to most of those questioned that there was no basis for detaining them; it's abuse of the family members just because they're relatives of Yishai Schlissel."

Earlier in the day Wednesday, Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat was reported as stating that he would not be attending his city's Pride parade either, out of fear of causing 'harm' to the ultra-Orthodox and Religious-Zionist population.
Yochai Werman and Yotam Hacohen intend to celebrate their love at the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance on Thursday by holding a marriage ceremony at Liberty Bell Park.

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Their joy however, will also be accompanied by sadness with the murder of 16-year-old Shira Banki in last year's Pride parade figuring in the background. Prominent rabbis speaking against the LGBT community, and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat's announcement on Wednesday morning that he would not be attending for fear of causing 'harm' to the religious have also done little to remove the shadow of mourning.

"It really saddened me," said Werman." We're not trying to hurt anybody."

The couple both grew up in Jerusalem, and today they live in Tel Aviv where they are studying for advanced degrees at the Weizmann Institute of Science. After four years together, they decided to wed in the heart of their native city's celebration of Pride.

Yochai Werman (L) and Yotam Hacohen in Ynet studios

Werman explained, "Both of us were in the Pride parade last year in Jerusalem, and the murder of Shira really affected us. The Haredi press incites against us, members of Knesset say things that aren't fitting to be said in a democratic country."

"We wanted to support the Pride parade; it's an important demonstration because Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and because Jerusalem represents the population of the State of Israel as it really is," he continued. "We hope to return to live in the city after we finish our studies, and it's important to us that we be able to live in our city how we want to."

The fiances said that the mayor's decision not to attend the event is puzzling to them. Hacohen explained, "When someone says that our march is 'damage,' it's not like we can have a private party in a private location. When we tried to rent a hall for our wedding but they refused to rent to us, claiming that they weren't ready to host a wedding for gay men. So statements like that, about hurting someone's feelings when we just want to march in a public place, are unacceptable to us."

Hacohen is the son of a longtime Jerusalemite familyhe's the fifth generationwhile Werman grew up in a religious family. They both shared that their families completely accepted and supported them when they came out of the closet, but it took them time take to get used to the idea of such a public wedding, especially in light of last year's murder.

"It's important to me to transmit a message not to the march's opponents, but to the people who say that they're on our side but ask, 'But why in Jerusalem?' I want to tell them, 'I need you in my fight to walk the streets of Jerusalem and say that I'm gay without being afraid,'" said Hacohen.

While feelings of trepidation are not absent from the couple due to last year's horrors, they refuse to give in to them. In recent weeks, they've contacted several politicians on Facebook and invited them to the wedding. MKs Shelly Yachimovich and Zehava Galon have both replied that they'll be attending while Nir Barkat has declined, and Education Minister Naftali Bennett has yet to RSVP. To the public at large, they say, "Come to our wedding, say 'mazal tov' and that we have a place in Jerusalem and in the State of Israel."

Werman summarized by saying that he hoped the wedding would convey the message that gay marriage is not intended to be a provocation: "I think that this is the essence of the wedding: saying, where's the provocation here?' I'm a gay man, I'm a gay man from Jerusalemis this is provocation? Is being a lesbian in Be'er Sheva provocation? It's not provocationit's our lives."
KAMPALA- A Ugandan-led rebel group operating in Central Africa abducted 498 civilians and killed 17 others in the first half of this year, a watchdog organization said Wednesday, suggesting a resurgence of the group whose leader is the target of an international manhunt.

The attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army happened mostly in the eastern part of Central African Republic and in northern Congo, according to the LRA Crisis Tracker, which monitors the activities of the rebel group.

Members of the LRA, including leader Joseph Kony, are the subject of an international manhunt that includes U.S. troops. Kony is wanted by the International Criminal Court.
NAIROBI- Dozens of people have died or disappeared without a trace after being detained by Kenyan security forces during operations against Islamist militants in the capital and on the border with Somalia, Human Rights Watch said.

Kenya launched a crackdown on jihadist groups last year after Islamist militants, including the Somalia-based al Shabaab, stepped up attacks in the East African country. In one of the worst, gunmen killed 148 people at a university in the north eastern town of Garissa.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report late on Tuesday that it had documented 34 cases in which people suspected of having ties to al Shabaab went missing after their homes were raided and they were detained by security forces.
An Israeli jet launched missiles at a military checkpost in the Quneitra Governorate in the Golan on Wednesday morning, according to a senior Syrian security official quoted by a German news agency.

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The report claimed that the attack resulted in the death of a civilian who crossed the border by mistake and the wounding of three more Syrian soldiers.

The Lebanese Hezbollah-affiliated satellite television station, Al-Manar however, quoted officials denying that the the attack was carried out by the Israel Air Force (IAF). According to the station, Jabhat al-Nusra (the al-Nusra Front) - the al-Qaeda branch in Syria - launched two rockets from villages near the border killing civilians in the process.

The same officials claimed that the Israeli military was monitoring the points from where the rockets were launched.

According to the reports published in media outlets identifying with Hezbollah, the Syrian army retaliated by destroying a vehicle which launched the rockets belonging to the al-Nusra Front.

Reported attack in Syria

An official from the opposition uploaded to the internet a picture of smoke rising from a building in Quneitra seemingly damaged by the alleged attack. The Syrian regime has yet to publish any response on the matter.

The Monitoring Center for Syrian Human Rights have stated that it is not yet clear as to what caused the explosion and whether it emanated from rebel forces or Israeli jets.They added that they were unsure as to whether the explosion had inflicted any deaths.

On Wednesday morning an Israeli soldier was wounded at a checkpost in the Galilee from shrapnel wounds caused by unidentified gunfire, prompting the arrival of an emergency alert team. Military officials said that the soldier was not evacuated to the hospital and the area was swiftly returned to normality.

On Sunday an alarm was sounded in communities located in the Golan after an unmanned aircraft was detected over Israeli territory. Following the detection, two missiles were launched by Israel from the Galilee. No strike was recorded and the aircraft likely returned to Syria. Following the incident IAF fighter jets were called to the area.
Bayit Yehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett expressed concerns on Tuesday evening over bill proposals surrounding the workings of Israeli media. Over the last few hours, the picture has become increasingly clear, Bennett wrote on his Twitter account.

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The laws restricting the media raises deep concerns for the future of freedom of expression. Freedom of the press is the basis of democracy, he continued.

Two days ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahuwho also occupies the portfolio of Minister of Communicationstogether with Histadrut Chairman Avi Nissenkorn, decided to postpone the opening a new public broadcasting corporation until January 2018. The Histadrut and the ministry of communications issued a joint statement explaining the decision.

Bayit Yehudi Chairman Naftali Bennett (Photo: Shaul Golan)

The new alternative public broadcasting via the new corporation is still not ready. Given the importance of not creating a break in public broadcasting - and of (maintaining) a continuous and full public broadcasting schedule - the closure of the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) will be postponed until early 2018, the statement read.

As a result of the decision, the closure of other operating broadcasting networks will be postponed meaning that hundreds of workers currently waiting to receive an answer about their professional fate will be forced to wait even longer. Moreover, the new broadcasting corporation already employed 200 workers who will now also have to wait to hear word of when they are set to begin their news roles.

Responding to the prime minister's and Histadrut's announcement, the committee of the Israeli Broadcasting Company rejected the claims on Tuesday night, responding that it would indeed be ready to begin transmission by September 30.

The committee further stated that it "rejected the attempts to pressure (the committee) which stem from interests whose goal is the weakening public broadcasting in Israel."
The relationship between US Jewish youth and Israel presents serious concerns. The majority of the older Jewish community grew up with first-hand memories of the Holocaust, and still sees Israel as the center of Jewish life. Those Jews embrace Israel even when the countrys internal politics are not clear to them, when they have reservations about Israel's approach to State versus religion issues or when they are worried about its political decisions and actions.

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This unwavering support, which has remained steadfast even in the face of political differences, viewpoints and style, relies heavily on the realization that the Israelis are the ones who shoulder the burden of sovereign Jewish existence and carry this responsibility in an immensely difficult environment.

Younger Jews see things differently. As they get older and enter college or the workforce, we are witnessing a historical transformation in the Jewish communitys relationship to Israelone that takes place despite the positive impact of Israel-focused programs such as Birthright.

American Jews protesting in support of Israel (Photo: Shahar Azran)

More than any other moment in history, young American Jewscontrary to their parents generationare applying liberal and judgmental views to Israel. Millennials grew up when Israel was seen as a regional superpower equipped with nuclear weapons and a developed high-tech industry. Many believe that Israel fails to exhibit the creativity, generosity and flexibility expected of a superpower of its scale. Some news items make them believe that Israel is abandoning its democratic values and religious pluralism. These same young people donate to or volunteer in Greenpeace and Amnesty Internationaland they dont understand why Israel criticizes human rights NGOs.

Many young American Jews are no longer convinced that the Palestinians are the only ones to blame for undermining the peace process. They fail to understand why Israel continues to expand and build settlements that are believed to thwart the hope for a two-state solution, and why the Arab peace initiative is received with cynicism and scorn. Military strength alone does not impress the younger generation of American Jews. They cherish wisdom, openness and respect of human beings whether they are Jews or non-Jews. While some of the values important to them are evident in Israel, they are becoming harder to notice and highlight.

Considering the prevailing mindset amongst their peers, the challenge to democratic values together with the stalemate to the peace process has made defending Israel on campuses difficult for many young American Jews. Instead, they seek and find different ways to express their Judaismsome associated with healing the world of its ills (Tikkun Olam) or spiritual awakening, many of which are less identified with the Jewish State. Unlike the older generation, they do not see the centrality of Israel in their Jewish lives.

Make no mistake: these young Jews are not becoming Palestinian sympathizers and/or supporters of de-legitimization. Instead, they are simply drifting away from Israel. When asked about it (and every Jew is asked about Israel) they sometimes criticize or even evade the conversation.

Israelis might be aware of these developments. Perhaps it is accepted as an unpleasant reality. Nevertheless, they need to know that they play a role in it and that the political and ideological choices they make have an impact on the changing reality of young peoples perception of Israel. We respect the rights of Israelis to make their own political choices, but as Zionists who love and support Israel, it is also our duty to voice our concerns and observations.

American Jews can play a significant role in meeting the challenges Israel facessuch as the attempts to isolate it, the de-legitimization campaign and the BDS. However, mobilizing younger American Jews will be extremely difficult if the current perception of Israeli policies and values continues to prevail. If the trends continue, we might enter an era when most of the Jewish community becomes a bystander, rather than participant in the Israeli story. This will be a tremendous loss for both communities.

The Israeli leadership needs to understand its role in unifying the Jewish Diaspora, to be attentive to understanding and take responsibility for the impact and consequences of their decisions. Failing to do so will leave us all on the losing side.
Israeli Foreign Ministry Director General Dore Gold and the secretary of the Guinean president signed an official agreement establishing diplomatic ties on Wednesday evening in Paris.

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The Republic of Guinea, a Muslim country in sub-Saharan West Africa, used to be a territory within French West Africa. The state was established in 1958 after it gained independence from France. Although Israel previously had diplomatic relations with the Territory of Guinea and French West Africa, those connections were severed after the Republic of Guinea became independent.

Foreign Ministry Chairman Dore Gold opened relations with the African nation of Guinea

We are closing an important circle with the renewal of diplomatic relations between our two countries, stated Gold after signing the agreement. Israel calls on all countries that have yet to renew their ties with Israel to follow Guineas example. This way, we can all act together for the benefit of the regions nations.





Israel and Guinea now have diplomatic relations

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led a diplomatic delegation to several sub-Saharan countriesUganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopiawith the aim of reestablishing and strengthening existing diplomatic and commercial ties.

During that visit, Netanyahu hinted to the press that he intends to meet with a leader of a Muslim African country with which Israel previously never had diplomatic relations.
WASHINGTON- US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday that the battlefield momentum in Iraq and Syria has shifted against Islamic State but the international community must now also confront the challenge of stabilizing newly liberated areas.

"The momentum has shifted," Kerry told an international conference to raise funds for Iraq. "The new challenge that we face is securing and aiding for the recovery of a liberated area."

Lise Grande, the United Nations' humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, warned that without addressing the needs of Iraqis displaced by the conflict, military victories will prove transient.
ISTANBUL- Turkish F-16 fighter jets scrambled on Wednesday to check reports that missing Turkish coastguard vessels had appeared in Greek waters in the Aegean Sea, Turkish military sources said.

They gave no further details. Some Turkish military hardware was seized and used in last weekend's failed coup in which more than 230 people were killed. Officials have said no military equipment remains unaccounted for.

Turkey's government and military General Staff say they are fully in control of the situation in the country but tensions remain high as the authorities purge tens of thousands of suspected coup supporters from state institutions, including in the armed forces.
More than two hundred Olim (new immigrants) from the USA and Canada arrived in Israel on Tuesday morning with Nefesh BNefesh, an Aliyah and support organization as part of a project which took place in cooperation with the Ministry of Immigration and absorption, the Jewish Agency and the US Jewish National Fund.

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I thought about it for 50 years, and now life will be as is it supposed to be. I came alone, said Elaine from New Jersey explained who left her children and grandchildren in the US. My parents survived the Holocaust and went to the US and now, finally, I am in Israel.

Upon arrival in the country, the immigrants were greeted with welcoming expressions ranging from signs bearing the words Welcome Home to shofar blasts as part of the official ceremony held in Ben Gurion Airport.

Welcome ceremony for the Olim in Ben Gurion Airport

We came to greet them and salute them. It is so important that they make Aliyah. I did it a few years ago and I am so proud, said Lindsey, who came all the way from Jerusalem with her friends to welcome the newcomers.

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky praised the Olim for taking the step emphasizing that Israel continues to be a warm home for Jews all around the world:

"The people from the US who come here do not come here because they are in distress, but because of their enthusiasm to be part of the national project of the Jewish people. We must ensure that the State of Israel continues to be a place in which every Jew feels at home, and a place which excites the imagination of Jews and strengthens their identity and security, he said.

Shofar blasted as the Olim are welcomed to Israel

Caroline Mendelson who immigrated to Israel from Washington DC said, I am celebrating today my 25th birthday and this is the first time as an Israeli citizen. I am extremely excited. I was in Israel many times and I have no doubt that I made the right decision.

Steven from Los Angeles explained how the security situation in Israel did not deter him in the slightest from reaching his decision: I am not scared at all. In LA the situation is the same but as a result of crime. It was hard to leave everything but I fell in love with Israel and I am very happy to come and live here and start studying in Herzliya, he explained.

The Olim, of whom 103 are children, will spread throughout the country in their new homes from Beer Sheva to Jerusalem to Haifa. Immigrating to Israel for Zionist and ideological reasons, the Olim join almost 2,000 more immigrants who made the move this summer.

Dozens of Israelis travel to Ben Gurion Airport to greet the Olim

Minister of Immigrant Absorption, MK Sofa Landver greeted the new Olim offering her own words which she hoped would accompany them throughout their journey: I welcome all of you in my name and in the name of the Ministry of Immigration and Absorption. Over the last few years the ministry has made significant investments in Aliyah and we see a wonderful increase from North America which strengthens Israel economically and nationally.

Minister of Immigrant Absoption Sofa Lavender and Chairman of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Dani Atar stands with the Olim

She went on to say, Especially in times like these, when worldwide terror rears its head, it cannot be taken for granted that a person decides to leave his home and settle in a new home. But as Jews, she continued, we know that we have a warm home which waits for us - the state of Israel.

Chairman of the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Dani Atar also addressed the newcomers at the ceremony: The move to Israel is the base on which Zionism stands, it is the strongest expression of love for Israel. The strategic cooperation between the JNF and Nefesh BNefesh is designed to help as much as possible people from the diaspora to find their way in the State of Israel, to establish their homes, to integrate into the Israeli way of life and to contribute to the flourishing of the state each in his own way.
ISLAMABAD- The founder of the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hafiz Saeed, has pledged support to armed rebels in Indian-ruled Kashmir.

Saeed, who is designated a terrorist by the US government with a $10 million bounty on his head, addressed thousands of his supporters in Islamabad Wednesday.

His charity, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, has rallied in various Pakistani cities with a series of so called "black day" demonstrations against recent violence in the Indian-held portion of the divided territory of Kashmir.
WASHINGTON - Dutch, German and Canadian foreign ministers on Wednesday expressed concern about the scale of the crackdown by Turkish authorities in the aftermath of the country's failed coup attempt and called on Turkey to respect the rule of law.

"We have serious concerns about the situation in Turkey," Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders told a news conference in Washington. "We want to send a strong signal on the need to ... respect the rule of law."

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said his government viewed with concern reports of thousands of people arrested in Turkey and some prevented from leaving the country.
WASHINGTON- An Iraq donor conference on Wednesday raised more than $2.1 billion in aid, surpassing the estimated $2 billion organizers had expected, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

"The conference raised in excess of $2.1 billion, with a number of additional pledges still being finalized," Kirby said in a statement. Defense and foreign ministers from 24 countries met in Washington for a pledging session to help Iraq in its fight against ISIS militants.
This has been a long time in the making, but in our continuing pursuit to bring only the best of firearms, 2nd Amendment and defence related news to our readers, we are very excited to announce the next step in our evolution as a company.

As of 2020, Minuteman Review is now the proud owner and operator of Your Defence News, a website with a long history of breaking huge news stories and investigative journalism.

We hope you are equally as excited as us.

This means that now the teams of Minuteman can combine with the firepower of Your Defence News to stay at the absolute forefront for our readers.

Keep an eye. Big things are coming soon. We couldn't be more excited.

In the meanwhile, here are some of our most popular posts and categories to keep you busy.

Happy shootin' my friends!

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According to the latest Stamp Duty Watch report form the Housing Industry Association (HIA), a typical non-first home buyer owner occupier was hit with a stamp duty bill of $17,811 in June 2016, adding an additional 3.6% to the cost of purchasing a home.

According to the HIA, that sum accounts for four months worth of after tax income and significantly increases mortgage repayment, while also negatively impacting the economy and housing supply.

By eroding deposits and making homebuyers borrow more, stamp duty is estimated to add $91 per month to household mortgage repayments for a median priced home, HIA senior economist Shane Garrett said.

Apart from hurting ordinary households, stamp duty restricts economic activity and obstructs the national dwelling stock from achieving its full potential in terms of the people it can house, Garrett said.

While stamp duty has a significant impost on Australians looking to purchase property, foreign investors are feeling the pinch even more.

Combined with fees payable to the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB), stamp duty arrangements could mean foreign buyers are hit with a stamp duty bill of more than $50,000 in some states.

Including the new FIRB application fee, foreign investors in Australias biggest rental markets now face major costs on entry. This is most severe in Melbourne, where the purchase of the typical unit involves almost $65,000 in stamp duty and fees, Garrett said.

The situation is not much better in Sydney, with foreign investors hit for over $58,000 on the acquisition of a unit of average price. Under the new rules, foreign investors in Brisbane units will be charged $29,000 in transaction taxes alone.

Foreign investors act as key tenet of supply to the rental markets in Australias largest cities and conditions would be much tighter in their absence. These additional costs will act as a deterrent.
Three local companies have been honored for their support of military employees.

The Nebraska Chapter of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recently honored 19 companies and state agencies for their support of employees who serve in the National Guard or Reserves.

Local companies Magellan Behavioral Health and Spickelmier Horizontal Drilling both received the Pro Patria award, which is the highest award given by state ESGR organizations. Fiserv's Lincoln office was given the Seven Seals award.

Other organizations that received awards were the Nebraska State Patrol and Southeast Community College's Milford Campus, which both received Pro Patria awards.
News

Washington, DC - Secretary Kerry met today in London with UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura to discuss the situation in Syria and ongoing efforts to achieve a political solution to the conflict there.

The Secretary thanked Special Envoy de Mistura for his leadership and briefed him on the concrete steps discussed between the United States and Russia last week which are aimed at better securing a nationwide cessation of hostilities, improving the delivery of humanitarian assistance, fighting terrorism, and creating the necessary conditions for political talks to resume.

The Secretary and the Special Envoy agreed that the status quo in Syria was unsustainable and expressed their expectation that these renewed efforts, if fully implemented, would make a significant difference in reducing the violence and restoring momentum to the peace process endorsed by the ISSG and the UN, in keeping with UNSCR 2254.

The Secretary made clear that it is vital for Moscow to use its considerable influence with the Asad regime to halt regime attacks on opposition groups and innocent civilians, in clear violation of the cessation of hostilities. He also emphasized the critical need to end all attempts to besiege Aleppo city as well as other besieged towns in Syria and ensure full humanitarian access there.

The two promised to remain in close touch as US and Russian teams prepare to meet to further discuss the modalities of implementing the steps developed in Moscow.
Latest News

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Vienna, Austria, on July 22 to join EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy and the U.S. Delegation in Vienna for the first day of high-level talks at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

The meeting is aimed at making progress on a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) phasedown amendment for adoption later this year. Achieving such an amendment would build upon the climate change success achieved last year in Paris, and is one of the most consequential and cost-effective actions the global community can take this year to combat climate change.

Secretary Kerry will then travel to Paris, France, from July 22 to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to discuss ongoing efforts to advance a two state solution.

The Secretary will travel to Vientiane, Laos, from July 25-26 to participate in the ASEAN Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers Meeting, the ASEAN-U.S. Ministerial Meeting, and the Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial Meeting. At these ASEAN meetings the Secretary will discuss the regions security architecture and shared transnational challenges including maritime security, Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the South China Sea.

Next, Secretary Kerry will visit Manila, Philippines, from July 26-27, where he will meet with President Rodrigo Duterte and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Perfecto Yasay to discuss the full range of our cooperation with the new administration.
Call it hacking. Call it spoofing.

Or just call it fraudulent use of someone else's email and contact lists.

It happened to two state senators, a couple of their staffers and another legislative employee this week. They learned of it when a spam message showed up in their contacts' inboxes Wednesday morning.

According to Google, spoofing means faking the return address on outgoing mail to hide the true origin of the message.

And that apparently can be accomplished when a person clicks on a link that sends information from their account, including contacts, to a spam source.

The email spoof of Omaha Sens. Burke Harr and Brett Lindstrom was about a too-good-to-be-true job offer.

"Don't know if you have interest," the email said. "I had a business lunch with an old friend yesterday. He needs less than 2hrs online part-time workers and he'll be paying $400-$1,000 weekly. Write him if you are interested in more details."

The email included a name and a link to a Gmail address.

Don't click on it, said Dick Brown, assistant clerk of the Legislature.

That would just spread the spoof.

Brown said the content of the senators' and staffers' email files, correspondence and drafts of bills were not breached. An audit of four days worth of computer system logs showed no one from out-of-state or out of the country had gained access into the system. It was just an annoying capture of contact lists.

If you received the spoofed email, don't click on the link. Then mark it as spam to keep it from spreading.

The Legislature has a Gmail-based system for official legislative business, Brown said, which is a more secure system designed for the use of government and agencies -- not the system the general public uses.

So the accounts used in the spoof were not private ones. Although at least one staffer's private contacts also got the spam.

Harr quickly sent out this email early Wednesday, before he knew whether the content of emails had been breached:

"I want to apologize. Earlier this morning, my legislative Gmail account was hacked. In light of recent events, I want you to know the legislature and I take e-mail security seriously. Our IT department is working to determine how the hack occurred.

"This is the second time in less then three years my account has been hacked. We are working hard to insure you can e-mail our office without concern of being a target of a spammer and to make sure this does not happen again."
Latest News

Washington, DC - The President spoke by phone today with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and again strongly condemned last weeks attempt to violently remove the democratically-elected civilian government of Turkey and expressed his support for Turkish democracy.

The President lauded the Turkish people's resolve against this violent intervention and their commitment to democracy. He further urged that the investigations and prosecution of the coups perpetrators be conducted in ways that reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law. President Obama made clear that the United States is willing to provide appropriate assistance to Turkish authorities investigating the attempted coup.
Yuma News

Yuma, Arizona - The Yuma City Council will consider calling for a special election to be held at the same time as the City of Yuma General Election on Nov. 8, 2016, to submit to those persons qualified to vote in the City of Yuma the question of increasing the City's general sales tax by 0.3 percent. The item is scheduled to be voted on during the regular City Council meeting beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 20, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, One City Plaza.

This ordinance was introduced to the Yuma City Council during their July 6 meeting and is one of five ordinances up for adoption Wednesday.

Per the Yuma City Charter, the City must call an election to increase the transaction privilege tax rate, and the rate increase must be approved by a majority of qualified electors voting on the question. The 0.3 percent increase will be used to fund public safety and road improvements.

Council will also consider a resolution that refers a property rezoning issue to voters on the Nov. 8 ballot. Petitioners who opposed a proposed apartment/townhome development in the area of Avenue 9E and 24th Street obtained a sufficient number of signatures to have this item placed on a special election ballot.

Also on the resolution consent agenda is a development fee deferral for Saguaro Unit No. 2 subdivision.

There are several items on the motion consent agenda, usually considered and enacted with one motion. They include:

A liquor license request.

Two special event liquor license requests: one for Fort Yuma Rotary's Beat the Heat Block Party and a separate one for the Humane Society of Yuma's Fur Ball.

A bid award for the reconstruction of 24th Street from Avenue B to Avenue C. The project cost is $1,568,733.27.

Authorization of nine subrecipient agreements in accordance with the 2016 Community Development Block Grant Action Plan.

Authorization of the execution of an agreement with the Yuma Visitor's Bureau Inc., providing funding for the fiscal year 2016-2017 and setting performance standards.

Authorization of an agreement with the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation providing funding for the fiscal year 2016-2017 and setting performance standards.

Authorization of an agreement with the Western Arizona Council of Governments to provide qualified City utility customers with assistance to meet a delinquent utility bill payment, avoid disconnection for non-payment, and receive educational support regarding conservation and financial management.

Authorization to execute a grant agreement and accept monies received under the City of Tucson High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area grant program.

Council will consider several items on the adoption of ordinances agenda, aside from the call for a special election regarding the question of increasing the Transaction Privilege Tax, which will be considered and enacted with one motion:

Two separate amendments to the Yuma City Code: one gives the Fire Chief the authority to regulate the reporting of certain fire or life safety systems by contractors; the other concerns powers of the Housing Authority of the City of Yuma (HACY).

The rezoning of property located on the northwest corner of 34th Drive and 24th Street.

Declaration of surplus and real property exchange.

The following ordinances are scheduled for introduction:

Adoption of the "Amendments to the Tax Code of the City of Yuma for Cities and Towns in the State Collection System Performing Supplementary Local Audits," which were declared a public record during the July 6 regular City Council meeting.

Rezoning of property located at the northwest corner of 1st Avenue and 10th Street.

Yuma City Council meetings are open to the public, and can be viewed locally on Time Warner Cable (channel 73 for digital subscribers) and online at yuma.peg.tv.

Complete agendas of Yuma City Council meetings are available to members of the public at any time, online, through our City Council Meetings page. From the homepage of the Citys all-new website at www.yumaaz.gov, click on "Minutes, Agendas, Notices" on the left. From that page, click on "City Council" from the choices listed on the top section. From there, you can choose between upcoming Council agendas and previous Council agendas. Meeting agendas and supporting documents are published in PDF format.
Spanish News

San Luis, Arizona - Cafe Literario (Literary Cafe) is held every Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. at the San Luis Library. Meet with members of your community and enjoy coffee, tea, and lively conversation! The group will read popular Spanish books and discuss books, authors, and more.

There is no charge to attend.



Please note, discussion will be in Spanish.



The San Luis Library is located at 1075 N 6th Avenue in San Luis, Arizona. For more information, call (928) 627-8344.
The quest to catch 'em all isn't a free pass to trespass, Lincoln police warned local players of the worldwide gaming craze Pokemon Go this week.

Police have fielded complaints from organizations that have had problems with people playing the smartphone game on their property after hours or in violation of the law, Officer Katie Flood said. There have also been issues with Pokemon hunters in city parks after hours.

The location-based game allows players wandering around to search for and capture little monsters, called Pokemon.

In media interviews and on social media, police department officials encouraged the Pokemon Go crowd to be mindful of trespassing laws and city park hours when hunting for Pikachus, Meowths and Squirtles.

Be courteous while Poke hunting.Finding a creature or stop on private prop. does not give you permission to trespass pic.twitter.com/ZhkPLzgtsN  Lincoln Police (@Lincoln_Police) July 19, 2016

Among those citing problems with Pokemon hunters is Union College, a private Seventh-day Adventist campus near 48th Street and Prescott Avenue.

"We always welcome visitors to enjoy our campus during daytime hours, said college spokesman Ryan Teller.

But there's been Pokemon Go players on campus after it closes at dusk, he said.

Campus security has reported some Pokemon hunters smoking and drinking on a campus that forbids both, he said.

Lancaster County Youth Services Center Director Sheli Schindler said the detention center in southwest Lincoln hasn't had trespassers, but wants to be proactive.

An employee told her there are Pokemon Go game items in and around the center that aren't accessible to the public, Schindler said.

Nebraska law forbids people from loitering around correctional institutions like the youth detention center.

Schindler wants kids to have fun, she said, but doesn't want needless issues to arise.

"The state pen is just down the road from us, Schindler said. "I hope Pokemon arent going into their back area."
My sole motivation behind letting myself into that abominable prison house called school was the little white stick that my mother allowed me to grab and lick after the classes were over. I used to look with wishful eyes the attractive white box of ice cream walla who also had other varieties-the red tangy one that came in twenty five paisa, the slightly yellow one that came in fifty paisa and the expensive white creamy one that came in full one rupee. My mother had warned me against eating the orange one as she said it contained worms that came out if you sprinkled salt on it! So my childhood remained deprived of that one single taste that so often contented the appetite of my not-so-affluent friends. <BR><BR> When I went to college I read about globalisation, about the invasion of markets by foreign goods and of absolute wiping out of the local economy by organized production houses. But I could not understand these things till one day while crossing from near my school my eyes failed to spot that old ice cream walla whose presence had become such an inseparable part of the entire set up. It came as a rude shock to me that his place was now taken by three four colourful wheeled vans endorsing attractive logos and pictures of branded ice cream. <BR><BR> That changes are always for better or worse is like putting an emotion into plain black and white. I may have in my own personal way some attachment with the white stick ice cream or with the more expensive soapy, frothy softie of my school days but the accessibility, taste and variety that the present day ice cream industry is offering is no doubt incomparable. <BR><BR> Who would have thought barely a decade ago of eating ice creams made of real fresh fruits- a la Gelato Vittorio or a cool creamy liquid fried in hot boiling oil or what is called today the fried ice cream. <BR><BR> In India the ice cream industry took sometimes to catch the global cue because the country has an indigenous rich and well developed dessert market. What ice cream would stand in competition against Indian sweets? But no you cant say so just because you are born in the land of Kulfi. You will have the authority only when you taste Baked Alaska (an ice-cream sponge cake dish topped with meringue), Arctic roll (British dessert made of vanilla and flour), Adzuki (Japanese red bean ice cream) and Dondruma( a Turkish ice made of salep and mastic resin). <BR><BR> We Indians who generally go gaga over a handful of varieties that Baskin Robbins offers are unaware of the fact that the company actually makes 1000 flavours! What we get in India generally as branded ice cream is nothing but milk and corn flour seasoned with a few chemicals and packed in attractive cones, cups and cornettos. Our knowledge of Ice cream is so poor that we do not even know what cornetto is! Most of us think it is the name of an ice cream that Kwality offers. Update your dictionary- it is actually the registered name of an improved variety of waffle cone that does not become soggy and that was invented and patented by an Italian firm called Spica in 1960! <BR><BR> The world offers so much in shape of that delicate, cool, tender delight called ice cream that I being a lover of it feel choked with emotion at my own minisculeness and misfortune of not having tasted even a fraction of that tremendous, rich and inexhaustible treasure. What is thy life O mortal, my heart cries out, if thou hast not known the glories of the Australian Giant Sandwich Monster, the Manoco Bar, the Irish Scottish Sliders, the Argentine Helado, the Greek Kimaki and the Japanese Macha! <BR><BR> Sometimes I wonder whether there is an intricate connection between the survival of a race and its appetite for ice cream! Otherwise why would the Greeks, the Romans, the Chinese and the Persians survive the ravages of time and the Glorious Harappan civilization fade into oblivion? And let us be pragmatic and not blame some harmless ecology or innocent river for their decline. The reason I am sure was hidden in their food habits-they having failed to secure the divine blessings of the Gods. Yes, thats precisely what the ancient Greeks called ice cream! Imagine what foodies they must have been that nearly 4000 years ago they got for themselves ice houses constructed at the banks of Euphrates and as early as 5th century BC they began its marketing by selling ice cones mixed with fruit and honey. A honey flavoured cornetto.! <BR><BR> Roman emperor Nero (62 AD) was fond of fruit ice cream and hence sent his servants to fetch ice from mountains! The Falooda that we eat today is actually a Persian dish Faloodeh made from starch and has its origin around 400BC. The Chinese who claim to be the pioneers in almost everything -be it the first currency notes, the first stint with silk or the first to flood the markets of neighbours with cheap plastic goods-were not far behind in making ice cream too. They are credited to have invented a device that made quick ice using salt peter (no, it was not imported from Bihar, China had enough of it). <BR><BR> The unfortunate Charles I whom the world knows as an autocrat, a despot, a tyrant, an enemy of democracy and parliament was also a lover of ice cream! It is said that he made his chef keep the formula a secret so that it remained a royal prerogative. <BR><BR> Our great Mughals, we should not forget were the die hard lovers of food and all that is rich and luxurious in the modern Indian cuisine has a Mughal origin. So they too loved ice cream and they too enjoyed it in royal feasts and ceremonies. When they could get choicest fruits from Farghana and Samarquand and the best wines from Persia, why couldnt they send relays of horsemen to bring ice from Hindukush for their aromatic fruit sherbets? <BR><BR> But were sending horsemen to run and fetch ice or storing ice in underground icehouses near rivers, the only way of making ice creams in those days? Sadly, yes. And thats why the common man remained deprived of and unknown to its delectable taste. But lets thank Nancy Johnson of Philadelphia who first got the patent for a small hand run ice cream freezer. Gradually with the coming of electricity there also came a revolution in ice cream making. Thereafter Giant corporates like Howard Johnson, Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins, Gelato Vittorio, Ben and Jerrys, Haagen Dazs and Carvel changed the concept of ice cream in the world. Soft serves, Sundaes and super premiums began to be offered by shops next door. <BR><BR> Thanks to globalisation, the world has really become a small place to live in. Today I can access any ice cream from the world over in my local confectionary shop. but among the confused tastes of multitudinous flavours I some how always try to find that one singular taste of the white stick ice-cream which trickled through my fingers and ran into my nursery uniformspoiling it but leaving an imprint on my memory which has failed to faint in all these years.
Police suspect a 32-year-old Lincoln woman was drunk when she hit an SUV stopped at a traffic light in north Lincoln, sped off and crashed into a pole early Wednesday morning.

A 62-year-old man in a Chevrolet Blazer stopped at a red light at 27th and Superior streets just after 1 a.m. when a Nissan Xterra rear-ended him, according to the accident report.

A witness estimated the Xterra was going 60 mph in the 45 mph zone as it headed toward the intersection and made no attempt to slow down prior to hitting the other SUV, the report said.

After the crash, the Xterra continued north, swerving and repeatedly hitting the east curb, the witness told police.

The Xterra hit a street sign at 27th Street and Folkways Boulevard and then crashed into a light pole about a mile north of the original crash scene, according to police.

Andrea J. Nissen, the driver, tried to take off again but her SUV was inoperable, the report said.

Officers detained Nissen as she tried to run off, the report said.

Nissen and the driver of the Blazer were both taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

The man suffered a broken arm.

Nissen was treated and released for back pain before police took her to jail on suspicion of leaving the scene of an injury accident, third-offense drunk driving, reckless driving and driving on a revoked license.

Officers reported smelling an alcohol odor coming from Nissen and also believe she had taken muscle relaxers, police said.

Tests from a blood sample taken at the hospital were pending, Officer Katie Flood said.
Ramallah: A Palestinian boy was killed by Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated bullets near Jerusalem on Tuesday, said the Palestinian health ministry.

"Mohiyeh al-Tabakhi, 12, was killed by shots fired by occupation soldiers in the Al-Ram area near Jerusalem," the ministry said in a statement.

The Palestinian suburb in the occupied West Bank near Jerusalem is cut off from the Holy City by the "separation wall" built by Israel.

The boy was hit in the chest by a rubber-coated bullet which caused cardiac arrest, medical sources were quoted by the Palestinian news agency WAFA as saying.

Israeli police said tear gas grenades and sound bombs had been used against demonstrators in the area.

"After being pelted with Molotov cocktails, police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters," police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP.

"There was no live fire," she added.

Earlier on Tuesday, a Palestinian shot after stabbing two Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank died of his wounds, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Mustafa Baradeah, 51, lightly wounded the soldiers with a screwdriver before being shot, the army said. He also had a knife in his possession.

Monday`s attack took place near Al-Arroub, north of the flashpoint West Bank city of Hebron.

Baradeah was taken in critical condition to Shaare Zedek hospital in Jerusalem where he died later, a spokeswoman there said.

His brother Ibrahim was killed in April after carrying out an attack with an axe that left a soldier lightly wounded.

Baradeah was from Al-Arroub refugee camp, located about half way between Bethlehem and Hebron, where many of the attackers in a recent wave of violence have come from.

The violence in the Palestinian territories and Israel since last October has killed at least 217 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP count.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities.

Others were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed by Israeli air strikes on the Islamist-controlled Gaza Strip.

In a briefing to parliament last week, the head of Israel`s Shin Bet internal security agency, Nadav Argaman, said that since October more than 300 attacks or attempted attacks had taken place, 180 of them with knives.
Kampala: The Ugandan Army said Wednesday it had evacuated 38,000 civilians caught up in fighting in Juba, the capital of crisis-hit South Sudan.

Most of those taken across the border were Ugandans but "they were joined by hundreds of Kenyans, Rwandans among other nationalities who wanted to leave South Sudan for their safety," Ugandan army spokesman Paddy Ankunda told AFP.

Describing the evacuation process in recent days as successful, the army spokesman said "the total number of civilians evacuated from South Sudan by road under protection of the UPDF (Ugandan army) since the start of the operation has reached 38,000".

The evacuation operation began on Friday.

The Ugandan army joined the conflict in South Sudan soon after it began in December 2013, fighting on President Salva Kiir`s side against a rebel force led by arch-rival Riek Machar, now the country`s vice president. The combat troops only pulled out late last year.

The recent violence in the capital echoes the fighting that first triggered the civil war and marks a fresh blow to a deal reached last year to end the bitter conflict which began when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup.

Kiir is a member of the Dinka tribe, while Machar is a Nuer, and the dispute has split the country along ethnic lines and caused tens of thousands of deaths.

The Ugandan army`s rescue operation involves a heavily protected convoy of 30 vehicles which have been ferrying people the 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Juba to the Ugandan border.

Once the evacuees safely reach Ugandan territory, helicopters take young children, the sick and pregnant women to a hospital in Gulu, in the north of the country, said Ankunda.

These are people who fled Juba after deadly fighting broke out earlier this month between government forces and the rebels.

The United Nations` refugee agency, UNHCR, estimated that 10,300 South Sudanese found refuge in Uganda between Friday and Tuesday.
New Delhi: All Gram Panchayats in the country will be connected through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) to set up a network infrastructure by December 2018 under the government's Digital India Programme, Lok Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the National Optical Fibre Network project, renamed as Bharat Net, is one of the pillars of thea programme, and through it, the government plans to establish a network infrastructure by connecting all 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats through OFC.

This will be done by using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre overpower lines, radio and satellite media, for providing broadband connectivity by all categories of service providers on non-discriminatory basis.

"The project is planned to be implemented in three phases. Under first phase of the project, one lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) are to be connected by laying underground OFC by March 2017.

"Under second phase, connectivity will be provided to remaining 1.5 lakh GPs in the country using an optimal mix of underground fibre, fibre overpower lines, radio and satellite media by December 2018," he said during Question Hour.

Prasad said a state-of-the-art Internet, future-proof network, including fibre between districts and blocks and with for 5G services and Internet of Things era with underground OFC in ring architecture, is planned to be completed by 2023.

"As on July 9, OFC has been laid to 54,023 GPs with a total length of 1,25,642 km. Out of these, 7,312 GPs have been tested with broadband connectivity," he said.
Cleveland: After eliminating 16 party rivals, warring with much of the Republican establishment and provoking controversy at the party convention, Donald Trump on Tuesday had his name formally placed in nomination for the White House.

The party began a formal roll-call vote to put Trump`s name in nomination one day after opponents staged a failed attempt to force a vote opposing his candidacy, and a speech by his wife Melania drew accusations of plagiarism.

Senator Jeff Sessions, an early backer of Trump, placed the New York businessman`s name in nomination, calling him "a warrior and a winner." House Speaker Paul Ryan, the highest ranking elected Republican, ran the meeting and launched the nominating process.

Trump`s campaign has been marked by frequent controversy over his rhetoric on Muslims, Hispanics, illegal immigration and trade, alarming many in the Republican establishment.

Party officials are hoping to use the convention to smooth out some of his rough edges and present him as a job creator and a strong hand to combat security threats at home and abroad.

CHALLENGING CLINTON

Speakers on Monday, the first day of the convention, put the focus on defeating the presumptive Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, and taking back the White House after eight years under Democratic President Barack Obama.

The theme of Tuesday`s convention was "Make America Work Again," and speakers were to take aim at Obama`s record on the economy.

After the roll-call vote of the states, Trump was to receive the blessing on stage of other senior Republicans, like Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Both Ryan and McConnell need Trump to do well in the November election as they seek to preserve majorities in Congress.

Trump, a 70-year-old real estate developer and former reality TV star who has never held elective office, trails Clinton, 68, in many opinion polls after a bruising Republican primary season.

Clinton was due to be formally nominated at a Democratic convention next week in Philadelphia.

Republicans, meeting for the second of four days this week, were due also to place in nomination Indiana Governor Mike Pence, 57, Trump`s choice for vice presidential running mate.

SPEECH CONTROVERSY

In Melania Trump`s roughly 15-minute address on Monday night, a small section closely resembled a part of Michelle Obamas speech in 2008 in support of her husband, Barack Obama, who was then campaigning for his first term as president.

In that section, Melania Trump, a Slovenian-born jewellery designer and former model, talked about passing on to the next generation the value of hard work that she inherited from her parents and said "the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

In a Twitter post on Tuesday, Trump himself made no mention of the accusations about plagiarism, saying simply: "It was truly an honour to introduce my wife, Melania Trump last night. Her speech and demeanour were absolutely incredible. Very proud!"

Security forces were on high alert in Cleveland. Wright State University, a public university located near Dayton, Ohio, said on Tuesday it had decided not to host the first U.S. presidential debate scheduled for Sept. 26, citing mounting costs and security concerns. The event will now be held at Hofstra University in New York.
Sao Paulo: A Brazilian judge briefly blocked Facebook Inc`s WhatsApp messaging service on Tuesday for failing to cooperate in a criminal investigation, before the nation`s top court overturned the measure in the third such incident since December.

Federal Supreme Court President Ricardo Lewandowski said in a decision that it seemed "scarcely reasonable or proportional" for a judge in Rio de Janeiro state to have ordered the indefinite suspension of the messaging app until it revealed encrypted messages pertaining to a confidential case.

Still, the criminal judge left some 100 million Brazilian users without access to the messaging app for hours on Tuesday afternoon, showing the vast and unpredictable discretionary power of Brazil`s lower courts.

WhatsApp stood by its defence that messages sent over the app are not stored on its servers and cannot be turned over to the courts. Co-founder and Chief Executive Jan Koum even took to Facebook to vent his frustration with the recurring legal issues in Brazil.

"It`s shocking that less than two months after Brazilian people and lawmakers loudly rejected blocks of services like Whatsapp, history is repeating itself," he posted.

The office of Brazil`s attorney general reiterated its position that judges who suspend WhatsApp are incorrectly interpreting a 2014 law meant to update the legal framework for the internet.

Still, that guidance has not stopped judges frustrated with the modern limits of wiretaps in drug-trafficking investigations from going after the service and even briefly jailing a senior Facebook executive in March.

"As we`ve said in the past, we cannot share information we don`t have access to," said a WhatsApp spokesperson in a public statement.
The Nebraska Attorney Generals Office has handed its investigation into a former Lancaster County official to the state Accountability and Disclosure Commission, signaling a turn toward civil rather than criminal prosecution.

We do not feel that this matter is criminal in nature, said Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for Attorney General Doug Peterson. Therefore, it was forwarded to Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure, which is better suited to address a situation such as this.

Gage wouldnt offer further comment as to the outcome of her offices investigation into Mike Thurber, former Lancaster County corrections director.

The Accountability and Disclosure Commission typically investigates violations of state law related to such issues as conflicts of interest, misuse of government resources and nepotism.

Frank Daley, the commissions executive director, declined to comment on whether his office will investigate Thurber.

The Lancaster County Board launched an internal investigation into Thurber and suspended him April 26.

He resigned May 10, and county officials have not said why he was being investigated.

In early May, a judge instructed the Nebraska Attorney Generals office to do its own investigation of Thurber, who had been county corrections director since 1993.

Daley said the Accountability and Disclosure Commissions investigations are confidential until the commission decides a violation has occurred, at which point the process becomes public. Typically, violations result in fines of $2,000 per violation.

He said the commission's investigations typically take several months to complete.
Washington: Donald Trump campaign has been rocked by accusations!

Melania Trump, wife of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, faced allegations that her speech plagiarised US First Lady Michelle Obama as she took centre stage on the first day of the Republican National Convention.

Commentators noticed similarities with Michelle Obama's 2008 convention speech as Melania Trump on Monday praised her husband as a "compassionate" man who would "fight for the country".

It was Melania's first speech of the campaign, and according to Donald Trump's communications adviser Jason Miller, it was "beautiful".

"Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking," he said in a statement.

WATCH this amazing mashup of Melania Trump and Michelle Obama speeches and decide:-
Cleveland: The billionaire businessman Donald Trump was officially named the 2016 Republican Presidential nominee early on Wednesday.

His son Donald Trump, Jr, cast the votes for the New York delegation that put the billionaire businessman over the top of the 1,237 delegates he needed to clinch the nomination, as any talk of disruptive protest votes or walkouts dissipated, CNN reported.

An effort to place the name of Texas Senator Ted Cruz for nomination fizzled late on Tuesday afternoon.

The effort had no chance of success since most of the delegates won by Trump in his Grand Old Party (GOP) nominating victory were bound to vote for him in the roll call under the rules of the Republican primary process.

Cruz's inner circle had adamantly opposed any attempt to involve him in last minute convention floor intrigue, a senior adviser to the Texas senator told CNN.

"We're not encouraging it. We're actually trying to stop it," the adviser said.

A rebellion would have emphasised the divides in the GOP torn open by Trump's campaign, which was given little chance of success when he descended a golden escalator in Trump Tower with his wife Melania to set his sights on the White House in 2015.

Trump's name was put into the nomination by Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, an early supporter of the businessman, and was seconded by fellow early supporters New York Representative Chris Collins and South Carolina Lt Governor Henry McMaster.

"We have gotten off course and the American people know it," Sessions said in his speech, warning that crime is rising, terrorist attacks are proliferating, and Congress is deadlocked, arguing that Trump is the only answer.

"The American voters heard his message and they rewarded his courage and his leadership with a huge victory in our primaries," Sessions said, drawing raucous cheers from Trump fans on the convention floor.

"He loves his country and he is determined to see it be a winner again," CNN quoted Sessions as saying. "Donald Trump is the singular leader that can get this country back on track. He has the strength, the courage the will to get it done."

Trump's roll call will be followed by the nomination and vote for Indiana Governor Mike Pence as the Vice Presidential nominee.

With IANS inputs
Washington: Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has a track record of achieving the "impossible," his son has said, while his daughter told Americans that his father is a natural-born encourager as the siblings made a passionate push for the candidacy of their dad's race for the White House.

"This is the most important election of our lifetime, one that will determine the future of our country and, in turn, the future of the world," Donald J Trump Jr, 38, said in his address to the Republican National Convention.

"For too long, our country has ignored its problems, punting them down the road for future generations to deal with. In business, I was trained by my father to make the tough investments decisions today to assure a brighter future tomorrow," he said.

"We've actually started to believe that solving our great problems is an impossible task, and that's why we need to elect a man who has a track record of accomplishing the impossible," he added.

"Remember one thing: We're still Americans, we're still one country, and we're going to get it all back. We're going to get it back better than ever before," he said.

"I know we'll get it back because I know my father. I know that when someone tells him that something is impossible, that's what triggers him into action," Trump Jr said amidst applause from the audience.

"I've seen it time and time again, that look in his eyes when someone says it can't be done. I saw that look a little over a year ago when he was told he couldn't possibly succeed in politics. Yes, he did," he said.

He also slammed Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate.

"Let me tell you something about risk. If Clinton was elected, she'd be the first president who couldn't pass a basic background check. It's incredible," he said.

"Clinton is a risk Americans can't afford to take. She says she'll issue executive orders to take away Americans' guns. She wants to appoint judges who will abolish the Second Amendment," he alleged.

"She'll throw every possible obstacle in the path of safe, reliable, affordable energy produced in America, by Americans, for American businesses and families. Rather than being energy independent, our country will be forced to remain beholden to her buddies in the Middle East," the Junior Trump said.

Trump's daughter, Tiffney Trump, 22, said: "My dad is a natural-born encourager, the last person who will ever tell you to lower your sights up, give up your dreams."

"I always looked forward to introducing him to my friends, because they meet a man with natural charm and no facade. In person, my father is so friendly, so considerate, so funny and so real," said Tiffney, reflecting the fatherly and humane character of 70-year-old Trump.

"It's often said that with enough effort and determination, you can do whatever you put your mind to, but saying those words and living them are different things, and my father has lived them," she said.

"He motivates me to work my hardest and to always stay true to who I am. That's a great quality to have in a father, and better yet, in the US president," Tiffney said.
Kansas City: An officer with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department died after he was shot in his car as he approached people matching the description of suspects in an earlier shooting.

Capt Robert Melton was brought to the University of Kansas Hospital just before 2:30 PM, but resuscitation efforts did not work, trauma surgeon James Howard said at a news conference yesterday.

"There's a lot of pain and brokenness in our community and our nation right now, and we just want to ask everyone to be prayerful and thoughtful right now," Mayor Mark Holland of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said.

Melton had responded to a report of person being shot at by several people in a vehicle, the police department said in a news release. When he and other officers arrived on the scene, the three or four occupants of the car jumped out and ran away.

About a half-hour after the initial call, Melton saw people who matched the suspects' descriptions about 20 blocks from the original scene and pulled up to them, police spokesman Tom Tomasic said. Before he could get out of his car, he was shot multiple times.

Melton's car was in the middle of the street with "glass and blood all around it," police spokesman Cameron Morgan said.

A second suspect was taken into custody later and police were looking for at least one more person. Authorities did not provide more details about the shooting or the possible motive.

It's the second time a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has been shot and killed this year; in early May, a detective was fatally shot near the Kansas Speedway.

Authorities said another news conference in the Melton shooting is planned for this morning.
District of Columbia: With jihadist attacks proliferating around the world, the United States has reassembled its coalition partners for meetings Wednesday and Thursday to review a two-year-old war that has so far failed to eliminate the Islamic State group.

The militant group may have lost ground in Iraq and Syria, but in recent weeks it has claimed horrific attacks in Nice, Istanbul, Baghdad and Dhaka that have left hundreds dead and injured.

The attacks are "going to be a primary focus, obviously, of the discussions," Brett McGurk, President Barack Obama`s special envoy to the anti-IS coalition, acknowledged.

For two days, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will meet with about 40 of their counterparts in Washington, including France`s Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Echoing French Prime Minister Manuel Valls` warning of more attacks ahead and and more "innocents killed," McGurk also cautioned: "Nobody can say these attacks are going to stop.

"Unfortunately, I think we are going to see more of these," he said.

McGurk emphasized that the coalition, which has conducted 14,000 air strikes in two years, is "succeeding on the ground." But he added, "We have a lot of work to do on (jihadist) networks."The problem, says Michael Weiss, an expert at the Atlantic Council think tank, is that "at the territorial level ... ISIS is down but not out." ISIS and IS are an alternate acronym for the Islamic State group.

"It has lost its ability to back and hold large swaths of terrain but it has not lost its ability to wage ... opportunistic attacks," he said.

Washington maintains that since its peak in 2014 IS has lost nearly 50 percent of the Iraqi territory it conquered and between 20 and 30 percent of its Syrian strongholds.

In Iraq, with the fall of the Sunni bastion of Fallujah to government forces, the coalition has turned its sights on IS-held Mosul, bent on keeping the pressure on.

"We are going to reinforce the coalition`s means," Valls vowed Tuesday night.

Peter Cook, the Pentagon press secretary, also insisted: "There is a sincere interest and you`ll see it reflected Wednesday at this meeting -- that that effort will accelerate".

But Weiss, for one, doubts that Mosul or Raqa, IS`s "capital" in Syria, can be retaken before Obama leaves office in January.

In Syria, where civil war has claimed 280,000 lives and uprooted millions of people, the Syrian Human Rights Observatory said nearly 60 civilians, including children, were killed Tuesday in coalition air strikes near an IS-held village in the province of Aleppo.

Kerry just returned from Moscow where he reach an agreement with the Russians to cooperate more closely in an attempt to salvage a failing truce and focus on the jihadists.

But Kerry said the concrete measures adopted by Russia and the United States would not be disclosed to allow the "quiet business" of peacemaking to continue.The coalition will also be discussing what comes after IS, particularly in Iraq, the subject of a separate donors meeting Wednesday.

The United States, Japan, Canada, Germany, Netherlands and Kuwait are hoping to raise two billion dollars in pledges, according to US diplomats.

Baghdad needs the money to rebuild in areas that have been retaken and enable the population to return.

"Today is the time" for "assisting Iraq in the post-liberation area," Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari pleaded in Washington Tuesday.

Iraqi forces that recently retook Fallujah are advancing through the Tigris valley toward Mosul. They have recaptured the Qayyara air base about 60 kilometers (40 miles) south of the city, which US military officials say will serve as a launch pad for offensive operations against Mosul.

Washington has also announced that it will send 560 more US troops to Iraq to help the government fight IS and recapture Mosul.

That will bring to 4,600 troops the US military presence in Iraq five years after the United States` 2011 military withdrawal.
Bengaluru: An alert has been sounded in Karnataka's north districts over the rising levels in Krishna river and its tributaries following heavy discharge of water from dams and reservoirs in rain-hit Maharashtra, an official said on Wednesday.

"People, especially those living on the banks of Krishna river and its tributaries like Doodhganga and Hiranyakeshi, have been cautioned against stepping into them, as water levels have been rising since Monday due to heavy inflows from Maharashatra across the border," an official of the state disaster monitoring centre told IANS here.

Incessant and widespread rains in catchment areas of south-eastern Maharashtra over a week forced its authorities to release excess water from Koyana dam and other reservoirs across Krishna that meanders into the state through Vijayapura (Bijapur), Bagalkot, Belagavi, Kalaburgi, Raichur and Yadgir districts.

"Bathing, swimming, fishing, washing of livestock and crossing the river on boats have been banned to avoid being washed away by strong currents and till water level recedes in the river and its tributaries," the official pointed out.

Heavy inflow also forced the state authorities to release 1.25 lakh cusecs of water from Basavasagar reservoir and 70,000 cusecs from Narayanpura dam into Krishna, resulting in flooding of low-laying areas in Yadgir and Raichur districts.

The water level in the Narayanapura dam is one feet less than its full level of 492 metres.

"A hamlet on the other side of Surpur town in Yadgir district has turned into an island and remains cut off with about 300 people stranded as Krishna is in spate after water was released from Basavasagar without alerting the affected," the official said.

Moderate to heavy rains in the catchment areas of coastal, central and northern regions of the state have submerged many roads and bridges, disrupting normal life in Belagavi, Vijayapura, Bagalkot, Ballari, Raichur and Yadgir districts.

Water was also released from Tungabhadra dam at Hosapete in Ballari district on Tuesday for enabling irrigation of farmlands in the kharif season.


Motihari: A woman along with her three daughters allegedly committed suicide in Bihar's East Champaran district, a police officer said on Wednesday.

The incident took place in Rajpur panchayat's Bahuara village yesterday when apparently fed up with frequent quarrels in the family, Prema Devi (45) consumed poison before forcing her daughters Amrita Kumari (20), Guddan Kumari (18) and Guddu Kumari (16) to consume the substance, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mundrika Prasad said.

While Guddan and Guddi died at home, their mother and the elder daughter succumbed to poisoning during treatment at a government hospital late last night, he said.

The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, Prasad said.

Meanwhile, Prema Devi's brother Prabhunath Pandey has lodged a complaint charging his brother-in-law Raghunath Ojha with the murder of his sister and daughters by poisoning them, the DSP said, adding a probe was on in the matter.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought response of the Ministry of Law and Justice on a plea which claimed that "inconsistency" has crept in through the amended rape law which protects a husband from prosecution for the offence of unnatural sex with his wife.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal also sought the response of the Delhi government on the plea which alleged that amendment made in 2013 in section 375 (rape) of IPC was "incorrect" and "inconsistent" with section 377 (unnatural sex) of IPC.

The petition has raised a legal issue alleging that there is "uncertainty" in the two penal provisions of IPC as section 375 IPC has an exception that "sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape".

The petition, filed through advocates Amit Kumar and Anand Ranjan, claimed that the existing penal law was not certain as the act of sexual offence which was punishable under section 377 of IPC was non-penal under section 375, if committed by the husband.

"The legal issue raised by the petitioner deserves to be settled/determined by this court in the interest of public at large as the said uncertain/unsettled position of law has been infringing the respective rights of the husband and wife," it said.

It claimed that the alleged act of husband being penal at one place and non-penal at other place in IPC has made the penal law inconsistent.

The bench has sought response of the ministry and the Delhi government by August 29, the next date of hearing.

The petitioner, who is facing trial for alleged offence of unnatural sex on the complaint by his wife, has said that his prosecution under section 377 IPC was contrary to the existing law as his purported act was protected under section 375 of IPC and the unsettled position of law infringes his rights.

In 2013, the man had married the 20-year-old girl who later lodged an FIR against him for alleged offences of rape and unnatural offence.

The trial court had discharged him for the alleged offence of rape but he was put on trial on the charge of committing unnatural sex with his wife.

The man was granted bail by high court in January 2015.
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Somnath Bharti is once again in midst of a controversy. The Delhi Police, Wednesday, filed an FIR him on charges of allegedly 'instigating' some men to misbehave with a woman earlier this month.

The case has been registered at the Saket Police Station under IPC section 109- Punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence.

The men he allegedly instigated have been booked under IPC sections 354- Assault or criminal force to woman, 323- Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt, 506- Punishment for criminal intimidation and 509- Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

Bharti already faces a chargesheet for attempting to kill his wife Lipika Mitra and inflicting cruelty on her in a domestic violence case.

He also faces charges of molestation and assault and promoting enmity stemming from the January 2014 raid on the African residents of Khirki Extension in his constituency.
New Delhi: A woman Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker committed suicide after a party member, who she accused of sexually harassing her, was released on bail. Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has ordered a magisterial probe into the matter.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), attacking the ruling AAP, said the incident has exposed the anti-women character of the party.

The woman, Soni, who resided in outer Delhi's Narela area with her two daughters and other family members, had filed a police complaint on June 2 about party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for harassing her.

"We registered a case against him and arrested him on June 3," a police official said.

"He was granted police bail on June 4," the officer added.

The case was registered under Sections 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said.

In her police complaint, Soni alleged that Wadhwa harassed her continuously and asked for sexual favours. She even raised the matter in the party but no action was taken against him, she said.

"On Tuesday, she mixed something into her cold drink and tried to commit suicide around 2 p.m.," the officer said, adding "She was rushed to hospital, but died around 7 p.m."

The officer said that Soni was basically unhappy with her party for not initiating any action against her alleged molester.

Police said that Wadhwa had got a stay on his arrest from the court on June 22.

Meanwhile, family members of the woman alleged that Soni went into depression after bail was granted to the accused.

Taking note of the incident, the Delhi government on Wednesday ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged suicide of Soni.

Sisodia asked North Delhi's district magistrate to investigate the matter.

"Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry," Sisodia tweeted.

Delhi Women Commission chief Swati Maliwal expressed concern over the incident and demanded stringent action against those behind Soni's suicide.

Very sad case of Soni suicide. DCW counsellor met SHO, ACP and got her FIR filed. Court gave bail to accused. We demand strictest action in this case, Maliwal tweeted.

Suicide case increasing. Many get depressed during battle for justice. DCW to set up special counselling centre for women dealing with depression, Maliwal said in another tweet.

Attacking the AAP, Delhi unit BJP chief Satish Upadhyay told IANS, "The real face of AAP has been exposed and the suicide by the woman party worker has established the fact that it is an anti-women character party."

"She raised the issue with the party leaders but they kept on ignoring her complaint," Upadhyay said, adding, "And it is not the first incident, around six cases have been filed against AAP leaders for misbehaving with the women who either work with them or go to their office to meet them."
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department has issued food enforcement warnings to:

Andy's Express Convenience Store, 2500 Wildcat Drive. All items in display cooler above safe temps, discarded (corrected). No time indicating when items placed in hot holding and when to discard, items discarded (corrected). Cheese sauces past 7 days date marks, some items lacking date of open marking (repeat), discarded (corrected).

Bahnwich Cafe, 940 N. 26th St. Several employees lacking current food handler permits. No roster provided. Items at unsafe temps in upright cooler, discarded (corrected). Chemicals mixed with food items or among utensils (repeat). Sanitizer measured above correct level (repeat, corrected). Liquid Wrench chain spray being used as lubricant for slicer. Bread for sandwiches stored in non-food grade bags (repeat). Numerous items lacking date marks (repeat). Employee drinking from open beverage.

Blessing Thai Restaurant, 4451 N. 26th St. Employee failed to wash hands between changing tasks and putting on new gloves. Soup at unsafe temp, discarded (corrected). Items stacked too high above rail and for less than 4 hours (corrected). Chemicals stored on same shelf as onions and other food items.

Subway, 6100 O St. Multiple employees on schedule lack current food handler permit (repeat). No food handler data sheet provided. Front cooler containing milk at incorrect temp, milk bottles removed (corrected). Unapproved employee beverage cup observed on prep table (corrected).
New Delhi: Hours after Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged suicide of Aam Aadmi Party woman activist, the Delhi Police announced the constitution of a SIT to investigate the case.

The Delhi Police said that the case has been transferred to the crime branch and will be probed by a Special Investigation Team (SIT)

The family members of the woman claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester, a party colleague, was released on bail.

Police said the woman consumed poisonous substance at her home in Narela in the afternoon and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital.

The woman had filed a complaint against party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested, said a senior police officer.

Family members of the woman told police that she went into depression after bail was granted to the accused who, she had alleged, was being protected by the local MLA.

Delhi BJP had alleged that AAP leaders had ignored her "harassment" complaint. "It may be recalled this girl had been raising issue of her harassment for months but AAP leaders ignored. This incident has established anti-woman character of AAP," Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay yesterday said in a statement.

"Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and local MLA Sharad Chauhan are responsible for her death," he had alleged. AAP refuted the allegations and accused BJP of playing politics over her death.

"There is no mention of the MLA's name in any of the complainants. Whosoever is alleged to have harassed the girl has no connection with the party. The BJP should not stoop this low and play politics over the death of a poor girl. We also want action against the culprit," AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai had said.

With PTI inputs
New Delhi: A female Aam Aadmi Party worker, who committed suicide on Tuesday after her alleged molester, a party member, was released on bail, had made a sensational allegation before ending her own life.

The deceased has been identified as Soni, who resided in outer Delhi's Narela area with her two daughters and other family members.

A senior police officer told news agency IANS, "She had made a police complaint on June 2, about one of her party colleagues Ramesh Wadhwa for harassing her. We registered a case against him and arrested him on June 3." Wadhwa was granted bail on June 04.

In an interview broadcast by news channel Aaj Tak, Soni, before consuming poisonous substance at her home in Narela, had alleged that she had made a complaint regarding this to Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. The CM asked me to compromise, the channel showed Soni as speaking.

She was basically unhappy over her party for not initiating any action against her alleged molester, the officer told IANS.

In her police complaint, Soni had accused Wadhwa of harassing her continuously and asking for sexual favours. She even raised the matter in the party but no action was taken against him.

Meanwhile, the family members of the woman alleged that Soni went into depression after bail was granted to the accused.

Delhi BJP alleged that AAP leaders had ignored her "harassment" complaint. The AAP has refuted the allegations and accused the BJP of playing politics over her death.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: The youth Congress and other frontal organisations including the Mahila Congress will hold a massive protest march against the rising prices of essential items in the country on Wednesday.

"The BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi coined the slogan, `Abki bar, Modi Sarkar`. People thought that he would do something for the nation. But now people are frustrated as there has been four-fold increase in prices of essential commodities," Youth Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Brar had said earlier.

Leaders and workers of all frontal organisations of the Congress would join the protest.

Chief of the All-India Mahila Congress Shobha Ozha had also lashed out at the Modi government.

"Earlier when the price of `dal` had reached Rs 70 (during the Congress rule) Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders protested. But now the price is much higher," she said.

"People are now saying that 'Achhe Din' will only come when Modiji leaves. Jumlas don`t fill stomachs," she added.



With IANS inputs
New Delhi: Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Wednesday criticised Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for sleeping in Parliament when the sensitive issue of women safety was being discussed.

She demanded that there should be deduction in the salaries of such lawmakers.

I think it is extremely shameful that we see all over the television, Mr. Rahul Gandhi conveniently sleeping in the front row of the Parliament of the country when the issue of women safety is being discussed, Maliwal said.

I think all politicians, who are either absent from the parliamentary session, or behave in an insensitive way, their salaries should be deducted, she added.

Responding to Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Dayashankar Singhs derogatory remark against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, Maliwal said the politicians who cannot respect women dont deserve to be a part of any political party.

Maliwal said the politicians who cannot respect women dont deserve to be a part of any political party.

It is very disgraceful statement and all such politicians across all parties who make such comments, which actually disrespect women, it is extremely important that they should be immediately thrown out of the parties, she added.

Meanwhile, the BJP has sacked Singh as the partys vice-president for Uttar Pradesh following his slur on Mayawati.
New Delhi: Union minister Uma Bharti on Wednesday made a pitch for the use of Hindi in administrative works, saying it is "shameful" that the people of the country are yet to free themselves from the "slavery" of English language even after 68 years of Independence.

"It is very sad and shameful that we have not freed ourselves from the slavery of English 68 years after British left India. A society which is not proud of its language is spineless," she said at a meeting of the Hindi Salahkar Committee.

"It is a mental illness not being able to get rid of the trap of English. It needs to be treated," a statement later quoted her as saying.

Bharti asked officials to use Hindi while writing remarks in their files, preparing the agenda of important meetings, conventions and other programmes of the Ministry.

The Union Water Resource Minister said they should use English and Urdu only "when required".

She rued that the committee was meeting after a long gap of three years and said it should get together at least once in three months.

"We also will need to ensure that the decisions taken during these meetings are implemented within a stipulated time frame," she added.

Minister of State for Water Resources, Sanjeev Balyan, who accompanied Bharti at the meeting, seconded her and said "everyone should take pride in the use of Hindi".

The Samiti was set up to render advice regarding implementation of provisions relating to official language contained in the Constitution, OL Act and Rules, and policy decisions of Kendriya Hindi Samiti and instructions issued by Department of Official Language about progressive use of Hindi in the Ministry.
New Delhi: Would accidentally stumbling upon a snake make you jump with joy? Celebration would be the last thing on your mind, we're sure, but not for professor Christopher Parkinson.

Parkinson, a professor in the University of Florida, is an expert on venomous snakes. Along with his team, he recently discovered a type of snake that wasnt previously identified by scientists called the Talamancan Palm-Pitviper, which has become the cause for celebration!

The new species that had gone unnoticed for more than 100 years, are striking green-and-black reptiles living in the most remote regions of Costa Rica.

They are small to medium sized pitvipers, are relatively slender and are found in trees where they are brilliantly camouflaged owing to their green and black colour, which they share with the Black-Speckled Palm-Pitviper.

In fact, these two species look so similar, which explains why the Talamancan Palm-Pitviper went unrecognized for over 100 years. It is a case of cryptic speciation, where two species look almost identical, but are genetically different.

A large snake might reach about 30 inches, but most are less than 24 inches. Scientists believe their habitat to include only 100 km area in the north of the Talamancan Cordillera of Costa Rica.

"It shows some of the complexities we deal with when cataloging biodiversity and underscores the importance of maintaining natural-history collections," said Parkinson.

The team first discovered evidence of the new species in 2001 during a genetic analysis of the palm-pitviper clade.

The researchers noticed some unusual genetic differences among the snakes they were studying.

They began questioning if they could have a distinct new species on their hands.

However, the snakes live at high elevations and are rare even in their natural habitat, making it difficult to find the samples needed for thorough comparisons.

Researchers turned to several museums to generate the morphological data used in the project.

These institutions house natural-history collections containing thousands of reptile specimens from decades of research.

The findings were published in the journal Zootaxa.

(With PTI inputs)
Buenos Aires: A previously unknown species of meat-eating dinosaur from 80 million years ago has been unearthed in Argentina, adding to the dino family known as the "Giant Thieves," researchers said Wednesday.

The fossil found in Patagonia -- an area rich in bone discoveries from the Late Cretaceous Period -- is named Murusraptor barrosaensis and may reveal more about the origins of the group known as the megaraptorids, according to the study in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.

These dinosaurs walked on two legs, bore large sickle-shaped toe claws and were fast, agile and smart with voracious appetites that led to the nickname, "Giant Thief."

Other well known megaraptorids include the Megaraptor, Orkoraptor, and Aerosteon. Some members of the family have been found in Australia and Japan.

This fossilized partial skeleton was discovered in Sierra Barrosa, in northwest Patagonia.

Researchers said it is "one of the most complete megaraptorids found, with an unusually intact brain case."

The dinosaur appears to have been a juvenile, but may have grown "larger and slenderer than Megaraptor and comparable in size with Aerosteon and Orkoraptor."

The lead researchers are Rodolfo Coria from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas, Argentina, and Phillip Currie from the University of Alberta, Canada.

"A new meat-eating dinosaur, Murusraptor barrosaensis, has been discovered from 80 million year old rocks from Patagonia, Argentina," said Coria.

"Although incomplete, the beautifully preserved bones of Murusraptor unveil unknown information about the skeletal anatomy of megaraptors, a highly specialized group of Mesozoic predators."
New Delhi: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), said an official statement.

According to the cabinet, the cost of the project will be Rs 1,011 crore.

"The given cost estimate does not include recurring costs (wages & salaries and operation & maintenance expenses). This recurring expenditure will be met by the respective new AIIMS from their annual budgets through Grant-in-Aid to them from Plan Budget Head of PMSSY of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare," said a statement.

The institution will have a hospital with capacity of 750 beds which will include Emergency/Trauma Beds, AYUSH Beds, Private Beds and ICU Speciality and Super Speciality beds.

"The establishment of new AIIMS will serve the dual purpose of providing super specialty health care to the population while creating a large pool of doctors and other health workers in this region that can be available for primary and secondary level institutions/facilities being created under National Health Mission (NHM). This institute will also conduct research on prevalent regional diseases and other health issues and provide for better control and cure of such diseases," said the statement.

According to the cabinet, the population of entire region of eastern Uttar Pradesh which comprises of four Commissionerate of UP (Goarakhpur, Azamgarh, Basti and Devi Patan) comprising 14 districts of the state and also 5 districts of Western Bihar (West-Champaran, East-Champaran, Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj) will be benefited by establishment of the new AIIMS.
Berlin: An Afghan teenager who attacked passengers on a German train with an axe, badly injuring four people, was out to avenge the death of his friend in Afghanistan, said prosecutors in Germany.

Bavarian regional prosecutor Erik Ohlenschlager said the 17-year-old Afghan was a devout Muslim and on learning about his friend`s death he wanted to get revenge on "infidels" who killed him. The youngster even accepted that his own death was a possibility.

The teenager, during the attack on board the train on Monday evening in Wuerzburg, injured four people, two critically, BBC reported.

The young man, whose identity is protected by law, arrived in Germany a year ago as an unaccompanied refugee.

He was shot dead by police as he fled.

The Islamic State group (IS) released a video purporting to show the teenager making threats while brandishing an axe. He claimed to be an "IS soldier" preparing for a suicide mission.

German officials said they later found a hand-painted IS flag in his room.

Ohlenschlager said the attack was "definitely politically motivated".

However, Bavaria`s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said there was no indication that the teenager had direct contact with IS.

The teenager reportedly shouted the Islamic phrase "Alla-hu-akbar" ("God is great") as he mounted the attack.

A police official said on Tuesday that two of the five people injured were in a "life-threatening" condition.

Inside the carriage, a 62-year-old man, his 58-year-old wife, their daughter, 27, and her boyfriend, 27, were attacked, while their 17-year old son was not hurt. They were from Hong Kong.

The father and boyfriend had tried to protect the other members of the group.

Herrmann said there was no indication Chinese citizens had been specifically targeted.

Another woman was injured outside the train as the man fled and 14 people were treated for shock.

A news agency with links to IS said the boy had launched the attack "in answer to the calls to target the countries of the coalition fighting Islamic State".

Herrmann said those who had interacted with the teenager in recent months described him as calm and quiet and they could not understand his actions.

The teenager had gone to the mosque "on special occasions", he said, adding that no-one ever noticed any radical behaviour.

He had a placement in a bakery and was likely to secure paid employment soon.

The Afghan teenager was living with a foster family since moving from a refugee centre in the town two weeks ago.

The axe attack came days after a lorry ploughed into a crowd in Nice in France, killing 84 people. IS claimed that one of its "followers" had carried out the attack.
Brussels: Police backed by bomb disposal teams on today cordoned off part of central Brussels where they surrounded a "suspect" individual wearing a long coat with wires showing.

"Following police intervention, a cordon has been established" around part of the Place de la Monnaie and adjoining streets, Brussels police said in a tweeted message.

Brussels has remained on high alert since Islamic State-claimed suicide bomb attacks at the airport and in the metro on March 22 that left 32 people dead.

Belga news agency, quoting a police spokesman, said the suspect was "under control" as the bomb squad waited to check if he had any explosives concealed under his coat.

Local media footage showed troops, police and firemen in and around the cordoned-off area, with the streets largely deserted in what is normally a very busy shopping district.

In another later tweet, the Brussels police said the situation remained unchanged.

The March IS attacks caused shockwaves in a Belgium already on edge after it emerged that many of the IS jihadis involved in the November Paris onslaught which killed 130 people had grown up together in Brussels.

Last week's deadly Nice attack set off a fresh wave of unease in Belgium and the latest incident, even if it proves to be a false alarm, will add to nerves as the country prepares to celebrate its national day tomorrow.

Belgium is the main source per head of population of jihadi recruits going from the European Union to fight with IS in Syria, causing deep concern that they will return home battle-hardened and even more radicalised.
About 250 suicide prevention signs will soon be installed in 12 city and five University of Nebraska-Lincoln parking garages -- fulfilling a goal of a coalition formed in the wake of a spike in suicides by young people.

Members of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Suicide Prevention Coalition have been working with city officials since November, when the first signs went up in the Que Place garage at 1111 S. 11th St., one month after a UNL cheerleader fell to her death from that structure. In November, signs also were posted in garages at Lincoln hospitals.

City officials gave approval this week for about 50 additional signs to be put on the top floors of the remaining 12 downtown parking garages, said Rose Hood Buss, co-chair of the coalition. Que Place has signs in the lobby, first floor and top two floors.

The city waited to approve the additional signs because officials wanted to gather more evidence on their effectiveness, said Rick Hoppe, the mayor's chief of staff. The coalition provided that evidence, he said.

There was some concern, Hood Buss said, that signs could encourage rather than discourage suicide. The coalition provided the city with evidence that such fears are unfounded.

Theres a lot of stigma that surrounds suicide, a fear that if we talk about it, if we have signs up, well lead people to do it, she said. What we know is that research says 95 percent of people asked directly (if they are contemplating suicide) will not go on to complete.

The remaining 200 signs will go into many areas of the five UNL garages, she said.

UNL Police Chief Owen Yardley said his department reached out to the coalition a couple of months ago in an effort to be proactive.

UNL officials had talked with other schools and hired a consultant to recommend steps the university could take, Yardley said.

In addition to the signs, the coalition will provide suicide prevention training to UNL police and dispatchers. Police also will increase patrols during high stress times such as finals week, Yardley said.

Training on how to recognize warning signs and know how and where to refer people for help was another of the coalition's priorities.

The coalition has trained numerous community members since it formed in December 2014, when the number of suicides by young people spiked, and it has worked with schools to ramp up curriculum of social and emotional issues.

It also worked to get signs posted in parking garages, because six people had jumped or fallen from downtown parking garages in the past two years. In May, another person jumped to his death from a garage in the Haymarket.

The signs, Hood Buss said, let people who feel hopeless, depressed or suicidal know they're not alone and provide information about places people can go or call for help. The UNL signs will also include university resources, Hood Buss said.

The cost of the signs, about $25 apiece, will be paid for through a coalition grant.

Hood Buss said the response from the community to the signs in the Que Place garage has been positive.

What weve heard from individuals is that we have a community that cares, she said.
Wuerzburg: German authorities have cast doubt on whether a teenager who went on an axe rampage on a Bavarian train was really an Afghan refugee, saying Wednesday he might have been from Pakistan.

The Islamic State group released a video on Tuesday purportedly featuring the 17-year-old, who was shot dead by police following the train attack in which he injured five people, two of them critically.

However, sources close to the German security services now think he might have pretended to be Afghan on arrival in Germany in 2015 in order to have a better chance at securing asylum, television station ZDF reported.

In the IS video the youth uses phrases of a dialect of Pashto spoken in Pakistan and not Afghanistan and experts have indicated that his accent is also clearly Pakistani, ZDF said.

A Pakistani document was also found in his room.

The name he used in the video, "Mohammed Riyadh", does not match the name under which he registered in Germany, Riaz Kahn, the station added.

German authorities said they had authenticated the video.

On Tuesday, authorities said they had found a hand-painted IS flag and what they called a suicide letter among the attacker`s belongings.

"The perpetrator of the stabbing attack in Germany was one of the fighters of the Islamic State," the IS-linked Amaq news agency said.Locals described the assailant, identified in media reports as Riaz A., as "calm and even-keeled" and a "devout Muslim who did not appear to be radical or a fanatic", according to Joachim Herrmann, interior minister of Bavaria state.

"According to the investigation thus far, there was no evidence on site to point to him belonging to the Islamist network," Herrmann said.

Police however later found a farewell letter he apparently left for his father in which he said the world`s Muslims "must defend themselves".

"Now pray for me that I can take revenge on non-believers, pray for me that I can get to heaven," the note said.

Prosecutors said he shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) three times as he made his way through the carriage.

An eyewitness told DPA news agency that the train, which had been carrying around 25 people, looked "like a slaughterhouse".

Germany has thus far escaped the kind of large-scale jihadist attack seen in the southern French city of Nice last week, in which 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel used a truck to mow down 84 people.

That attack was also claimed by IS without the assailant having clear ties to the group.

A record 1.1 million people were let in to Germany last year, with Syrians making up the largest group followed by Afghans.

The assailant had arrived as an unaccompanied minor in Germany in June 2015 and had been staying with a foster family in the region for the last two weeks, Herrmann said.

"We must determine what the motive was and to what extent he really belonged to the Islamist scene or self-radicalised very recently," Herrmann said, adding that the assailant had no criminal record in Germany. Four members of a family of tourists from Hong Kong were injured in the attack, with two of them in intensive care, and a passer-by was also hurt.

The elder daughter of the Yau family told local media that her parents tried to defend her sister`s boyfriend when the axe-wielding teenager went for him.

"Originally the assailant was attacking my sister`s boyfriend and when my mother and father saw, they went up to get in the way and then they got injured," Sylvia, 30, told the Hong Kong-based Apple Daily newspaper Tuesday night.

Her father and sister`s boyfriend are now in intensive care with serious head injuries. Her sister Tracy, 26, and mother, 58, were also injured, while Sylvia`s 17-year-old brother was unharmed.

"My father-in-law`s friends received pictures and said they were having lots of fun," said Sylvia`s husband, who was not named. In May, a mentally unstable 27-year-old man wielding a knife killed one person and injured three others on another Bavarian regional train.

Early reports had suggested he had yelled "Allahu akbar" but police later said there was no evidence pointing to a political motive. He is being held in a psychiatric hospital.

In February, a 15-year-old girl of Turkish origin stabbed a policeman in the neck with a kitchen knife at Hanover train station in what prosecutors later said was an IS-inspired attack.

Before ZDF reported on the questions over the attacker`s nationality, Bavarian interior minister Herrmann had warned against demonising asylum seekers.

"It is undisputed that he was a refugee and if he hadn`t been there, he wouldn`t have committed this act. But I don`t think that we should make blanket judgements in any way about refugees."
Challenger Angela Eagle withdrew from the contest to lead Britain`s main opposition Labour Party on Tuesday and backed rival Owen Smith in a unity bid to oust embattled leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"I`m withdrawing from this race and supporting Owen," Eagle told journalists in parliament, after Smith secured more nominations from the party`s members of the British and European parliaments.

Smith will now go forward alone to fight socialist stalwart Corbyn in a ballot of party members, trade unionists and registered supporters which ends on September 24.

Labour is in deep crisis with Corbyn wildly popular among the party`s grassroots, but deeply at odds with an overwhelming majority of his MPs.

They believe he is an incapable leader driving the party towards another crushing general election defeat in 2020 with an uncompromisingly leftist platform that cannot win over swing voters who backed the Conservatives at the 2015 election.

Eagle was the first to announce a challenge in the aftermath of Britain`s June 23 referendum vote to leave the European Union.

Labour`s policy was for Britain to stay in the EU but Corbyn, who has a long history of euroscepticism, was accused of leading a half-hearted campaign that failed to stir traditional Labour-voting areas.Corbyn lost the support of three-quarters of the party`s MPs in a subsequent vote of confidence on June 28 but refused to step down, triggering Eagle, and then Smith, to come forward.

"We have a Labour Party at the moment that is not working. We`ve got a leader that doesn`t have the confidence of his members of parliament and isn`t reaching out to the country," Eagle said.

"We need to have a strong and united Labour Party so we can be a good opposition, take the fight to the Conservative government and heal our country.

"So I am announcing tonight that I will be supporting Owen.

"We are going to be in lock-step together arguing for an effective, united Labour Party."

Leadership challengers needed to get the nominations of 20 percent of the party`s MPs and MEPs.

The party`s governing National Executive Committee decided that Corbyn would automatically go onto the ballot: the Labour rule book did not say whether the leader also needed nominations something Corbyn would struggle to get.

Smith received 88 nominations way more than the 51 needed. His backers included former party leader Ed Miliband and former foreign minister Margaret Beckett.

It is understood Eagle withdrew to prevent the publication of the names on her list in the hope of avoiding creating rival camps among anti-Corbyn MPs.

The nominations-gathering process officially closes at 1600 GMT on Wednesday, triggering the formal contest.Labour had been out of power since 1979 until prime minister Tony Blair led them to three straight general election victories from 1997, on a centrist platform. They have been out of office since 2010.

"We do need a new generation of Labour men and women to take this party forward and get us ready for government once more. We`ve been on the sidelines for too long," Smith said.

He said Eagle would be his "right hand woman", adding: "I absolutely cannot do without her."

"It`s time to move on from Jeremy.

"The country has to look at us and say, `we can imagine these people running our country, and doing it better than the Conservatives`."

Corbyn was elected in September with 60 percent backing from Labour members, trade unionists and registered supporters.

A YouGov poll for The Times newspaper put Corbyn on 56 percent support, with 34 percent for Smith in a straight, two-way battle.

The leadership contest has been marred by incidents of violence and intimidation. A brick was hurled through Eagle`s office window.

The incident followed repeated complaints by Labour MPs particularly women that they have been subjected to threats and abuse from Corbyn`s grassroots supporters if they speak out against the party leader.
Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was Wednesday to chair a crunch security meeting in Ankara for the first time since the failed coup, with tens of thousands either detained or sacked from their jobs in a widening purge.

The Turkish air force meanwhile launched their first strikes against targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq since the putsch aimed at unseating Erdogan, in a sign he has regained full control over the armed forces.

The coup represented the most serious threat to Erdogan`s 13 year domination of Turkey, and the president has said he came within 15 minutes of being killed or kidnapped by the plotters before escaping.

The putsch left over 300 dead and caused scenes of devastation, especially in Ankara where raids by F-16s and attack helicopters on strategic targets terrified residents and turned parts of parliament and the police headquarters to rubble.

More than 9,000 suspects have been detained, including some of Turkey`s most senior generals, and thousands of officials, police and teachers dismissed from their posts.

Erdogan, who was in the Aegean resort of Marmaris when the coup struck late Friday, flew to Istanbul where he had stayed since, appearing before supporters each night in a "vigil" for democracy.

But the president returned to the capital late Tuesday for the first time since the coup, a Turkish official told AFP.

He also held his first international bilateral meeting, hosting Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili at his presidential palace in Ankara.

The president will later Wednesday around 0900 GMT chair a meeting of his national security council at the presidential palace, his office said. The council is composed of top military figures and security ministers.

Erdogan will then at 1200 GMT chair a meeting of the cabinet, also at the palace, whose immediate vicinity was bombed during the botched coup bid.

Erdogan told supporters in Istanbul on Monday that "an important decision" would be announced after the national security council meeting, without specifying.The crunch meetings come as controversy grows over the scope of the legal crackdown against those behind the coup plot, with global leaders urging Turkey to obey the rule of law.

Erdogan`s suggestion that the death penalty could be reinstated has also sent shudders through Europe, with the EU warning such a move would be the nail in the coffin of Turkey`s already embattled bid to join the bloc.

Ankara says the coup was masterminded by the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen and the legal crackdown appears to be targeting individuals suspected of any connection to him.

On Tuesday, the government suspended 15,200 state education employees and demanded the resignation of almost 1,600 deans from private and state universities over alleged links to Gulen.

Gulen lives in Pennsylvania but retains vast interests in Turkey ranging from media to finance to schools and wields influence in various apparatus including the judiciary and police.

About 9,300 people have also been detained, including top generals accused of treason for allegedly masterminding the plot as well as soldiers, police and judges.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim nevertheless warned Turks against exacting "revenge" on backers of the attempted overthrow, after disturbing pictures emerged of rough treatment meted out to suspects.

MPs have meanwhile carried on working in parliament, despite rubble and shards of glass still covering the floor after three air strikes on the night of the coup.

The Ankara police headquarters is in an even worse state, with the entire 10-storey building gutted by repeated air attacks and the air still thick with dust from the rubble.

"I do not know how long the rebuilding will take. But we have started," a senior Turkish police official told AFP at the scene, surveying the extent of the damage.

Turkey accuses Gulen of running a "terror group" and has stepped up the pressure on Washington to extradite him, sending several "dossiers" it says are packed with evidence about his alleged involvement.

Gulen in a statement urged Washington Tuesday to reject Turkey`s efforts to extradite him and rejected as "ridiculous" the claim he was behind the botched coup.

In their first telephone talks since the coup, US President Barack Obama pledged US assistance to Erdogan for the investigation into the putsch, which has threatened to again raise tensions between Washington and Ankara.

The government says 312 people were killed in the coup, including 145 civilians, 60 police, three soldiers and 104 plotters.

Before the plot erupted, the government had been waging a relentless military campaign against Kurdish rebels in the southeast of the country and their rear bases in northern Iraq.

In the first air strikes since the coup, F-16 fighter jets late Tuesday hit targets of the PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, said the state-run Anadolu news agency, quoting security sources. It claimed 20 fighters were killed.
Paris: French lawmakers approved a six-month rollover of emergency rule on Wednesday in the wake of last week`s truck attack on the city of Nice, the third deadly assault in 18 months for which the Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility.

President Francois Hollande`s Socialist government remained under pressure, however, over security standards as the head of the regional government in the southern Nice area demanded an inquiry into policing levels on the night of the carnage.

Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel drove a truck into crowds of Bastille Day revellers in the July 14 attack in the Riviera coast resort of Nice, killing 84 people before he was shot dead by police. Around 38 of the 84 killed were foreigners.

The extension of extra search-and-arrest powers for police was approved by 489 votes to 26 shortly before dawn in France`s National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls, jeered by crowds at a remembrance ceremony on Monday and criticised by political opponents over the attack, called for national unity as he presented the emergency rule bill overnight.

"We must remain united and focused because we must be strong in the face of this threat," he said.

"Populism stalks us, ready to pounce at any opportunity, to blow on the embers of discord and exacerbate divisions, as every new division makes us more vulnerable," Valls said.

Valls has accused political foes of unseemly exploitation of events before the dead have been buried. One such opponent, Christian Estrosi, head of the regional government in the area around Nice, renewed charges of serious security failings.

Estrosi said in an interview with the Nice-Matin newspaper Valls and his interior minister had given very different tallies of the number of police officers deployed in Nice on the night of the attack, saying Valls spoke of 185 and Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve of just 64.

"Both figures are lies," said Estrosi, who demanded a public inquiry.

In response to demands of the main right-wing opposition party, Les Republicains, the rollover of emergency rule was backed for six months, to late January 2017, rather than the three months proposed by Hollande`s government.

The emergency regime, due to be examined by the upper house Senate later on Wednesday before becoming law, allows police to search homes and arrest people without prior consent from judges. It also allows them to tap computer and phone communications more freely.

Emergency rule has been in place since the attacks on Paris last November in which Islamist militants killed 130 people. That attack followed one in January in which gunmen killed journalists working for Charlie Hebdo, a satirical publication targeted over cartoons mocking Islam.
Rome: Some 3,200 migrants were plucked from overcrowded boats off the coast of Libya on Tuesday and one dead body was recovered, Italy`s coast guard said, as people smugglers operating in Libya took advantage of calm seas and warm weather.

A coast guard spokesman said the smugglers had sent at least 26 boats toward Italy, the latest in a tide of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Three Italian navy ships took part in rescues, picking up more than 1,000 of those brought to safety. British and Spanish ships operating within the European Union`s anti-people-smuggling mission also conducted rescues.

The Doctors Without Borders charity and migrant rescue groups MOAS and Sea Watch also participated. An Irish navy ship and a private tugboat completed the cast of rescuers.

A deal struck between the EU and Turkey and border closures have helped to stem the flow of migrants from the Middle East and Asia coming through Turkey and Greece. But Italy has received the same number of migrants setting off from North Africa this year as during the same period of 2015.

As of Monday, 79,861 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea, compared with 83,119 during the same period of last year, while the number of migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey was down 95 percent.

Almost 3,000 boat migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The Hague: Europe is at major risk of so-called "lone wolf" terror attacks, its policing agency said Wednesday, with the latest incidents showing "how difficult it is to detect and disrupt suspects".

Recent incidents including Monday`s attack on a German train and last week`s carnage in Nice which left 84 people dead "remain a favoured tactic by the Islamic State group and al Qaeda," Europol said in a statement.

"Both groups have repeatedly called on Muslims living in western countries to perpetrate lone actor attacks in their countries of residence," it said.

In the latest incident, the Islamic State group Tuesday released a video purportedly featuring a 17-year-old migrant who went on an axe rampage on a train at Wuerzburg in southern Germany, injuring five people, two critically.

"Although IS has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, none... seem to have been planned, logistically supported or executed directly by IS," Europol said,

Despite the attackers` pledges of allegiance to the IS group, "their actual involvement... cannot be established," Europol said.

The Hague-based policing organisation also released its 2015 "EU Terrorism and Trend Report" saying 151 people died and more than 350 others were injured in terror attacks last year in the 28-member bloc.

The 55-page report only looked at 2015 and did not take into account the Nice attack or the attacks on the Brussels airport and metro stations in March in which 32 people died.

"In 2015 the EU experienced a massive number of casualties caused by terrorist attacks," Europol chief Rob Wainwright said.

"The carefully planned attacks demonstrate the elevated threat to the EU from a fanatical minority... based in the Middle East, combined with a network of people born and raised in the EU," he said.

These people are "often radicalised within a short space of time, (and) proven willing to act as facilitators and active accomplices in terrorism," Wainwright said.

A significant number of all foreign terrorist travellers in Syria and Iraq are now female, the report said, and women have also "proven to be very successful in facilitating and recruiting while still in the EU".

These women are trained in the use of weapons though are probably not currently taking part in active combat, Europol added.

"Their roles may change in the future, which may have an effect on the nature and impact" of Islamic State group operations in Europe, the policing agency warned.

Last year, 687 suspects were arrested, of whom 198 were convicted of jihadist activities.

Europol warned: "It is a highly challenging task for the security services and law enforcement to prevent every terrorist attack by keeping track of the ever-increasing numbers of people suspected of being, in one way, or another sympathetic to IS ideology."
Paris: At least 30 of the 84 victims killed in the attack last Thursday in Nice were Muslim, the French Catholic daily La Croix said on Tuesday.

The newspaper added that 20 of those killed were of Tunisian nationality, the same as the truck driver Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, who carried out the attack during the Bastille Day celebrations, Efe news reported.

Speaking to the newspaper, the imam of the city and president of the Union of Muslims of the Alpes-Maritimes, Otmane Aissaoui, confirmed the death toll belonging to the Muslim community.

One of the victims Bouhlel left behind was Fatima Charrihi, a Moroccan of 62 and mother of 7 children, who was a frequent worshipper at the Rahma Mosque in Nice, where Aissaoui is a preacher.

Among the Muslim victims were children, such as Mehdi, 12, whose twin sister is still in a coma, or Kylian, 4, who came from Lyon with her mother Olfa to attend the fireworks show, both deceased.

Faced with possible reactions of hatred in neighbourhoods and schools, Aissaoui said that to defend coexistence against isolation it must be remembered that these people died together, regardless of their religion.
Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the government to consider measures needed to strengthen the national currency, the ruble, the president's official website said Wednesday.

During a meeting Tuesday with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Putin said there was a definite strengthening of the currency recently.

"The ruble has strengthened despite the price volatility in commodity markets," he said. "In this regard, we certainly need to think about how and what we will be doing in the near future in connection with these factors," he added.

The authorities have taken a series of measures this year to support the real sector of the economy, including small- and medium-sized businesses and non-oil exports.

The ruble strengthened to around 63.40 against the U.S. dollar in June, the best rate since November.
London: Prime Minister Theresa May took the first step towards Brexit on Wednesday by relinquishing Britain`s presidency of the European Council, ahead of her first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Britain will no longer assume the six-month rotating presidency next July as planned, choosing instead to prioritise negotiations on implementing last month`s shock referendum vote to leave the European Union.

The decision was announced just hours before May, who took office one week ago, makes her first foreign trip with a visit to Berlin for a meeting and working dinner with Merkel.

She will then go to Paris on Thursday for talks with French President Francois Hollande, in a bid to forge a personal relationship with two leaders who will play a key role in developing Britain`s new relationship with the EU.

Officials said May will repeat her call for patience as her new government works out what it hopes to achieve after ending its 43-year-old membership with the bloc.

"I am determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the European Union and that`s why I have decided to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after taking office," May said in a statement.

"I do not underestimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the EU and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation.

"I also want to deliver a very clear message about the importance we attach to our bilateral relationship with our European partners, not just now but also when we have left the EU."

Key sticking points in the Brexit negotiations could be freedom of movement and the timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which starts the two-year countdown to Britain`s formal departure.May spoke to European Council president Donald Tusk on Tuesday, where she informed him of her decision to give up the rotating presidency.

Belgium was quick to put itself forward as a replacement, and EU ambassadors were due to meet later in Brussels to discuss the issue.

Britain`s new foreign minister, the leading Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson, held his first talks with his EU peers this week in which he urged the bloc to leave the doors open to the UK and promised the country would continue to play a "leading role" in Europe.

May is likely to have an easier ride with Merkel than with France`s Socialist leader, although both have their own domestic election cycles to think about.

"May has to build bridges with her fellow leaders," Professor Iain Begg, from the European Institute at the London School of Economics university, told AFP.

"It will be getting to know each other combined with trying to put positions on the table.

"May has this reputation as a tough negotiator who says what she wants and wants what she says. She will be anxious to convey that she`s not a soft touch."Commentators have drawn comparisons between Merkel and May: both pastors` daughters with low-profile husbands, no children and a love of Alpine hiking, who rose to become leaders of centre-right parties.

While some EU countries want Britain out of the bloc as soon as possible, the German leader has called for patience.

However, she has also warned that Britain cannot have continued access to the single market while restricting the freedom of EU citizens to emigrate to Britain the key issue in the June 23 referendum.

"In politics, it is always better to take a deep breath and only then begin dialogue with others," German President Joachim Gauck said in an interview with the Bild newspaper published on Wednesday.

He said punishing Britain in the negotiations "would not be the right path to follow for future generations".

But Hollande has a presidential election looming in April and is coming under pressure from the far-right National Front, which wants France to leave the EU too.

"For Hollande there is manifestly a concern about Brexit contagion to France," said Begg.

"He will want to impress upon May that she cannot string this along indefinitely or expect great gifts from France because Hollande has domestic politics to think about and he will want to avoid `encourager les autres` (encouraging others)."
Istanbul: Turkey`s higher education council has banned academics from work trips abroad and urged those overseas to quickly return home, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Wednesday.

The council in a statement told universities that academics who are already abroad on work or study missions should return home "within the shortest possible time".
New Delhi: Protesters from the low-caste Dalit community blocked roads and attacked government buses in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat on Wednesday in a third day of demonstrations over the flogging of four men accused of skinning a cow.

The four members of the Dalit community were last week tied to a car, stripped and flogged with sticks by self-styled hardline Hindu cow protectors who then published a video of the attack as a 'warning' to others.

The beatings sparked the most serious protests by Dalits in years in Gujarat, with seven youths trying to kill themselves in protest by taking pesticide in different parts of the state, an act that further inflamed tempers.

A police officer was killed on Tuesday during clashes in Una, 340 km (210 miles) from Gujarat`s main city, Ahmedabad, where the tannery workers were attacked.

Cows are revered in Hinduism and their slaughter is banned in most states including Gujarat, where Modi ruled as chief minister for a decade and spearheaded a 2011 ban.

Dalits in the state, however, said they earn their livelihood from skinning cows that die naturally, buffalos and other animals, and vowed to fight anyone trying to stop them from doing so.

"We are the poorest but we are not cowards," Mayur Dabhia, a leader of the Dalit campaign group in Ahmedabad.

Police are investigating whether the flogged men killed the cow or whether it was already dead.

Dalits are at the bottom of India`s ages-old social hierarchy, making them vulnerable to attacks perpetrated by self-styled cow-protecting vigilantes.

The vigilantes chase trucks transporting cattle and raid slaughter houses.

Several people accused of eating beef have also been attacked, including a Muslim man who was last year beaten to death by a mob in a town near New Delhi.

Opposition lawmakers disrupted parliament on Wednesday to protest against the floggings in Gujarat and demanded Modi apologise to the victims.

"The recent shocking incident in Gujarat where four Dalit youths were savagely beaten and humiliated publicly is just one example of the social terror this government condones," Sonia Gandhi, president of the opposition Congress party told supporters, Indian media reported.

Critics say Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party`s Hindu nationalist agenda empowers hardline activists to believe they can take matters into their hands and target minority groups like Dalits and Muslims involved in the cattle trade.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack in Gujarat and said Modi was committed to the protection of low-caste people.
New Delhi: The issue of Dalit unrest in Gujarat rocked Parliament on Wednesday as opposition members accused the government of being anti-Dalit.

Both houses saw protests from opposition parties, even as the Modi government made statements in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha stressing that the Gujarat government took appropriate action to tackle the situation.

While the Rajya Sabha lost the entire day to protests and adjournments, the Lok Sabha witnessed an uproar but the issue did not lead to adjournments.

In the Lok Sabha, the highlight was a video clip that showed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi dozing off when his party members were protesting against the Home Minister's response on the Dalit issue.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, addressing the Congress parliamentary party on Wednesday morning had announced that the party would take up the matter.

In the Rajya Sabha as soon as the house met for the day, opposition members demanded a debate on the issue. Even as Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien was scrutinising the notices, opposition members trooped near the Chairman's podium raising anti-government slogans.

Clarifications came from Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot who said the Gujarat government has taken action against the culprits.

The minister said an FIR has been registered and a probe was also underway. He also regretted the suicide by a Dalit, who was one of the five who consumed poison during protests in different parts of Gujarat.

The minister added that the issue should not be "politicised".

Later, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said a discussion on the issue will be taken up on Thursday.

The upper house was finally adjourned for the day around 3.40 pm amid protests.

In the lower house, members, including Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge, tried to raise the issue more than once. However, as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called for taking up the question hour, opposition members rushed to the well of the house.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, making a statement during zero hour, termed as "unfortunate" the attack on Dalits at Una on July 11.

Condemning the attacks, he said Gujarat Police had acted swiftly and nine people have been arrested so far.

Lauding the role of the BJP government after the incident, he said the state government is also trying to set up a special court for speedy trial of the case.

"But the state needs to take the permission from the high court in this connection," Singh added.


Gandhinagar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will visit the violence-hit Una on Thursday as the ongoing protests over the brutal assault on some Dalits in this Gujarat town worsened with seven more youths attempting suicide yesterday.

The incidents of suicide bid were reported from districts of Rajkot, Porbandar, Botad and Gir-Somnath. With fresh incidents, the number of Dalits who have attempted to kill themselves in the wake of the thrashing of seven youths by a vigilante group for allegedly slaughtering a cow on July 11 has gone up to 17.

Dalits had denied killing the animal, contending that they only skinned a dead cow. In Dhoraji town of Rajkot district, three Dalit youths consumed some poisonous drink, following which they were rushed to a nearby hospital. The trio, identified as Yogesh Solanki, Vinod Solanki and Hitu Chauhan, were shifted to Junagadh civil hospital after their condition deteriorated.

In Gondal town in the district, one Mukesh Chavda consumed poison and was admitted to civil hospital. In Bantwa town of Porbandar district, one Mahesh Rathod allegedly consumed poison, and was rushed to district hospital, police said.

In Una, the place where Dalit youths were flogged in a public view sparking the protests, one Raju Parmar tried to kill himself by consuming poison. A Dalit protester Paresh Rathod tried to immolate himself but was saved by police in Botad town.

In the last two days, 10 Dalit youths from various places have tried to kill themselves to register their protest. A policeman was also killed in stone-pelting by mob in Amreli town. The issue has gathered a political steam with the proposed visit of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to Una on Thursday and Friday, respectively.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel yesterday met the Dalit victims' family at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una tehsil of Gir-Somnath district, and promised them all possible help.

She told the family that her government was taking strict action against the culprits and 16 of them were already arrested, an official release said. In view of the separate visits by Gandhi and Kejriwal, Patel told reporters that the issue should not be politicised.

Meanwhile, the bandh by Dalit outfits evoked a mixed response even as enraged community members took out rallies in towns and cities, blocking roads, damaging buses and even a train was stopped near Vadhvan in Surendranagar district.

Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat observed total bandh where incidents of stone-pelting, vandalisation of properties, damage to buses and road blockade were witnessed.

The bandh was observed in Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and some small towns in Saurashtra, and also at Patan town and Aravalli district in North Gujarat
Chandigarh: A teenager was on Wednesday stabbed to death while another injured in a clash between two groups of students near the bus stand in Karnal city, police said.

"The boy, a student of Class XII, was stabbed to death and another was injured in the incident," Deputy Superintendent of Police, Karnal City, Vivek Choudhary said.

The accused were at large and police have launched action to nab them, the DSP said.

The exact cause behind the clash is yet to be ascertained, he said, adding a case has been registered in the matter.
New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday issued notice to the Haryana government over the gang-rape of a girl by persons who had gang-raped her three years ago.

Taking cognizance of media reports on the issue, the commission observed that two of the five men, who were out on bail in the earlier case of gang-rape, were pressurising the victim`s family for an out-of-court settlement, but the girl`s family was refusing to accede to the demand.

The commission noted that the family and the victim were not provided any security by the state police.

The victim`s family was also getting threats from the men accused of already having gang-raped her. The family, therefore, shifted to Rohtak.

Two of the five men accused of sexually assaulting the girl in 2013 in Bhiwani, were arrested and recently came out of jail on bail.

They allegedly abducted the 21-year-old victim from near her college, where she is pursing Master`s degree, and again sexually assaulted her. She was left to die in an unconscious state and was spotted by a passerby and taken to a hospital.

The commission has observed that the incident paints a worrisome picture and reflects poorly on the law and order situation Haryana.

It also points to the failure of law enforcement machinery to provide adequate security to people in general and women in particular.

"The commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Government of Haryana, calling for a factual report in the incident within four weeks," said a statement from the commission.

The state government had filed a case in the court for the arrest of the remaining three and re-arrest of the two accused released on bail.
Chandigarh: Haryana police on Wednesday formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged gang-rape of a 21-year-old Dalit woman in Rohtak.

The SIT will submit its report within 90 days.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Mohammad Akil, who paid a visit to the victim in a Rohtak hospital today, ordered setting up of the SIT.

Stating this, state Health Minister Anil Vij told reporters on the sidelines of a state cabinet meeting here that the SIT will have two DSPs as members.

"As part of the investigations, the DNA samples of the complainant and the accused will also be matched. I can assure you of a fair probe. Whosoever has done any wrong will have to face the law," he said, adding that the SIT has been asked to submit its report within 90 days.

The victim, a college student, was allegedly gang-raped by five persons in Rohtak district on July 13. This is said to be a repeat offence on her with two of the offenders also named as accused in the first case of gang-rape in Bhiwani three years ago, DGP KP Singh told reporters here yesterday.

The two repeat offenders were out on bail.

The incident had also echoed in Lok Sabha yesterday.

Vij said the BJP government is sensitive towards cases of crime against women. "We try to act swiftly whenever such cases come to light," he said.

The three accused who were arrested in connection with the case yesterday were today remanded to a four-day police custody by a Rohtak court.

Meanwhile, Opposition Congress slammed the BJP government in Haryana, alleging that women were feeling unsafe in the state.

"Even as a Dalit girl, raped again by the same culprits within three years, struggles to fight the trauma, the insensitivity of the police and administration in Rohtak, the countless number of such incidents which keep happening every other day, have made women feel unsafe in Haryana," alleged Kiran Choudhry, Leader of Haryana Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

She slammed the Manohar Lal Khattar government in the state for the deteriorating law-and-order situation, especially crimes against women, and demanded immediate steps to bring to book the remaining two accused in the case.

"The Dalit girl's rape by the same rapists who were out on bail shows the BJP government's insensitivity, exposes its tall claims on law-and-order and raises two pertinent questions - why did the state not oppose their bail and since they were granted bail, why the victim and her family, who had shifted to Rohtak, were not given adequate police protection," she said in a statement here.
Shimla: Enforcement Directorate sleuths on Wednesday issued summon to the wife of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in money-laundering case, officials said.

According to a News18 report, Singh's wife Pratibha was summoned for questioning under Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

She has been asked to appear before ED officials next week.

ED is working to investigate the allegation that Singh and his family allegedly amassed Rs 6.1 crore between 2009 and 2011, disproportionate to his known sources of income while serving as the Union minister of steel.

The CBI FIR had named Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, Chauhan and his brother CL Chauhan and they were charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

CM Singh his wife are facing a CBI probe for alleged abuse of power, corruption and money laundering. However, their two children have not been named in the CBI investigation, but have been probed by the ED for allegedly benefitting from the proceeds of crime.

The CBI suspects that from 2009-11, Singh allegedly invested Rs 6.1 crore in life insurance policies in his and his family members names through Chauhan, claiming the money to be his agricultural income.

It alleged that Singh attempted to legitimise the same as agricultural income by filing revised Income-Tax returns in 2012.
New Delhi: In an another embarrassment to Congress party, Rahul Gandhi was apparently spotted dozing off in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during the crucial debate on atrocities on Dalits.

The television shot, which has gone viral on the social media accompanied by carping comments, shows the Congress vice-president with closed eyes and head tilting on the right while his party MPs take on the government over recent Gujarat Dalit atrocity issue.

The image, splashed on TV, went viral even as Congress President Sonia Gandhi launched an all-out attack on the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of destabilising institutions, polarising society and mistaking its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its narrow ideology on people.

"In the last few months, we have witnessed how the Modi Government's project of destabilising institutions and polarising our society has played out with renewed vigour to the detriment of constitutional values," Sonia said.

"The Modi Government has mistaken its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its ideology on our people. It seems to have forgotten that parliamentary majority can never be the reason to abandon the principles and practice of constitutionalism," she added further.

Meanwhile, the Congress party struggled hard to defend its leader, who came under severe criticism from all over after the 'catnapping' video surfaced today.

"How can anyone sleep in so much uproar? Rahul ji was not sleeping in Parliament. There are much bigger issues to discuss", party senior leader Renuka Choudhary told ANI.

WATCH: Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury's clarification on Rahul Gandhi appearing to be dozing off in Lok Sabha.https://t.co/BdhqvGwG1U  ANI (@ANI_news) July 20, 2016

On Thursday, Rahul along with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit Gujarat's Una town where some Dalit youths were brutally thrashed last week for allegedly killing a cow.

Some persons claiming to be Gau rakshak thrashed seven Dalit youths in Una last week alleging that they had killed a cow which they were skinning.
New Delhi: In a major development, a special court on Wednesday granted 22 days of interim bail to Director General of Corporate Affairs BK Bansal, whose wife and daughter committed suicide on Tuesday.

The wife and daughter of BK Bansal, who was arrested by the CBI two days ago for alleged bribery, committed suicide on Tuesday in their apartment in east Delhi.

Bansal's wife Satyabala (57) and daughter Neha (27) left separate suicide notes, saying nobody was responsible for their death, police said.

Joint Commissioner of Police (Eastern range) Satish Golcha said the police received a call around 1.30 pm following which teams were rushed to the spot.

"Two separate suicide notes have been recovered. Prima facie there seems to be no foul play. However, investigations are being carried out and bodies have been sent for postmortem," he said.

Bansal, an additional secretary-rank officer in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, was arrested by CBI on July 17 for allegedly accepting bribe from a prominent pharmaceutical company.

CBI had carried out searches at eight locations in connection with the case during which the agency had claimed to have made cash recoveries.

According to the CBI, Bansal was arrested while receiving Rs nine lakh of the Rs 20 lakh promised as bribe.
Lucknow: Taking strong action, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expelled Dayashanker Singh on Wednesday night for derogatory remark against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati.

Earlier today, BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya had said that Singh, now-sacked party state vice president, had been relieved of all responsibilities with immediate effect.

Dayashankar Singh kicked up a huge controversy with his comments that Mayawati is breaking the dream of Kanshi Ram into pieces. Mayawati is selling tickets like a...."

"Mayawati gives tickets for Rs one crore and if there is someone who can give Rs 2 crore than she sells it for Rs 2 crore within an hour. If someone is ready to give Rs 3 crore by the evening, she gives the ticket to him. She is even worse than...," Singh had said.

Meanwhile, a case was registered against Singh at the Hazratganj police station by Mewa Lal Gautam who said that his statement had violated the honour of a Dalit woman and had tried to foment trouble and tension between two communities.

The police lodged the FIR against Singh under Sections 153-A, 504 and 509 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Rajya Sabha witnesses uproar over BJP leader's remarks

Rajya Sabha today witnessed an uproar over alleged derogatory remarks by Singh.

There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMK's Kanimozhi, TMC's Derek O'Brien, Congress' Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of CPI(M) and Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP and demands were made for action against him.

Azad demanded that the person be arrested and added that "someone with such a mentality should have no place in any party or hold any office in any party."

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa came out in support of BSP supremo Mayawati.

Taking note of the derogatory remark by Dayashankar Singh against Mayawati, the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh said "appropriate action" will be taken against him by the state government.

Mayawati's reaction

The BSP supremo said: "I did not marry and considered the entire country's oppressed as my family. I have always followed my mentor Kanshi Ram's advice to take (donation) from the underprivileged and not industrialists," she said, adding that the BJP was perturbed by the huge support her party was getting in Uttar Pradesh.

BJP condemns Singh's remarks

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley expressed regret saying the remarks were highly condemnable but Mayawati.

"It is highly condemnable that a political leader uses such words against a prominent woman leaders. I regret the use of such words and will ensure that the matter is taken up by the concerned. I personally express regret to Mayawatiji. I associate our dignity with yours and stand with you," Jaitley said in Rajya Sabha.

As the issue snowballed into a major embarrassment for BJP, Dayashankar Singh apologised for his remarks. He claimed it was "slip of tongue" and that he respected Mayawati. But it proved to be too late for Singh as state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya announced that he has been relieved of all posts and said "such language has no place in the party".
Islamabad: Kashmir is not an internal matter of India, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday and asked it to hold a plebiscite there to respect the rights of Kashmiris as Pakistan observed a 'Black Day' to express solidarity with the people of the Valley.

In his message, Sharif said, "Today we are observing Black Day to express solidarity with Kashmiris and are giving a strong message to the world that Pakistanis are with them (Kashmiris) for their struggle to get their rights."

"India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris through force as they will eventually get freedom. The United Nations has declared?Kashmir a disputed territory and India should hold plebiscite to respect the rights of Kashmiris. Terming Kashmir issue internal matter of India is not justifiable," he said.

Sharif said India was committing human rights violation in the occupied territory which is a matter of great concern for the world community.

The Prime Minister has earlier directed all relevant departments to highlight the Kashmir issue at international fora.

To observe the Black Day, rallies and events are being held across the country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to draw attention of the world towards the Kashmir issue.

All officials of federal and provincial governments were wearing black band on duty to express "political, moral and diplomatic support" to Kashmiris.

Special prayers will be held for those killed in Kashmir after the death of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

On the government's order, Pakistani missions abroad will hold ceremonies there to draw world's attention towards Kashmir.

Mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack, Hafiz Saeed-led Jammaat-ud-Dawah's 'Kashmir Caravan', which yesterday left for Islamabad from Lahore, will hold a "large" public meeting here.

Saeed yesterday vowed to march towards Jammu and Kashmir "till Kashmiris get freedom".

Over 40 people have been killed in Kashmir in the clashes since Wani's killing on July 8.
Srinagar: With the curfew in the Valley dragging into its 12th day on Wednesday, life in Jammu and Kashmir continued to be in a state of paralysis even though incidents of violence between locals and the security forces show no sign of cooling down and the death toll of civilians continues to rise.

Meanwhile, owners and editors of newspapers in the Valley have refused to publish dailies, in protest against the state government`s failure to own the "ban order" that was issued three days ago.

Yesterday, Mufti had clarified to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu that no ban has been imposed on the publication of newspapers in the troubled state.Naidu spoke to Mufti on Monday night on the issue of ban on newspapers in the state.

Mufti`s contradiction came days after government spokesman Nayeem Akhtar reportedly said that "the undesirable step was taken to ensure peace, to save lives and strengthen peace efforts."

According to reports, hawkers in the city`s centre alleged that police did not allow them to distribute the newspapers and also seized their copies.

With Pakistan observing `Black Day` today over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, security measured have been stepped up as more police and paramilitary soldiers have been deployed across all towns and villages, including Srinagar to maintain law and order.

So far, at least 43 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and around 3000 remain injured.Cellphone services and mobile internet remains blocked, also newspapers are refusing to publish.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the violent situation in the Valley spiraling out of control day-by-day, Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir today to take stock of the situation.

The death toll climbed to 42 after a woman who had sustained grievous injuries at Qazigund on Monday succumbed in hospital early morning yesterday.

However, the Indian Army yesterday expressed regret over the death of civilians in Qazigund and ordered a probe in the matter.

Expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, the Army appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments, thus creating situations where they are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.
Srinagar: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag is slated to visit Srinagar on Wednesday to take stock of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Singh's visit follows the unrest witnessed in the Kashmir Valley following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8 in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag.

PTI reported that the Army Chief would also visit areas along the Line of Control (LoC) to assess the situation there as well.

"The Chief of Army Staff will review the security situation in Kashmir during meetings with the Corps Commander of China Corp and other officers," a defence source said.

General Singh, who will reach the Army's Badamibagh Cantonment area in the morning, will be briefed about the situation in the Valley and the counter-infiltration operations along the LoC.

During the unrest witnessed in the Valley since July 8, violent mobs attacked Army camps and installations.

In the latest incident, three persons, including two women, were killed in firing by Army personnel yesterday at Qazigund in Anantnag district when their vehicle came under stone pelting.

The Army has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

Overall, the death toll in the recent violence has touched 42 with curfew continuing to remain in force in all 10 districts across the state.
New Delhi: Visiting Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Dato Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Tuesday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

"The Prime Minister warmly recalled his successful visit to Malaysia last year for the ASEAN and related Summits, as well as for a bilateral visit," an official statement issued here said.

Hamidi, who is also his country`s Home Minister, briefed Modi on the state of bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of counter-terrorism, cyber security and trans-national crimes, it said.

The Prime Minister reiterated his invitation to his Malaysian counterpart to visit India in the near future.
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed concern regarding crime against Dalits and urged the central government to treat them with care and give full protection.

"Incident in Una is organised crime against Dalits. I urge Central Govt to treat Dalits with care & give full protection. This is unacceptable," she said in a tweet.

Dalit youths at Una in Gujarat were paraded and flogged for allegedly killing a cow. The incident caused a nationwide outrage after its video went viral. The youths, however, alleged they were skinning the dead cow and had not killed it.
New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday took a swipe at Modi government's foreign policy, saying "its policy towards Pakistan oscillates from one extreme to the other".

Addressing the Congress parliamentary party meeting here, Gandhi also blamed the government for its failed policy on the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) membership, saying "its policy exposed the country to a snub".

"How does the Modi government explain the incoherence and inconsistency of its foreign policy despite the Prime Minister's frequent travels abroad, his equally frequent embraces of world leaders and impromptu birthday calls," said Gandhi.

"Its policy towards Pakistan oscillates from one extreme to the other. Relations with Nepal are an all-time low. Its ill-prepared policy on the NSG membership exposed us as to a snub and is in complete contrast to what the UPA achieved in 2008," she added.

Gandhi further said: "The Modi government seems to be changing our country's stand on security and defence issues, departing radically from policies that have stood the test of time over the decades."
New Delhi: Opening another front against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has alleged that few Chief Ministers, including him, were not allowed to carry mobile phones to the Inter-State Council meet chaired by the PM in the national capital recently.

"They made few a Chief Ministers, including me, to leave our phones outside. It was very strange. They kept phones of few Chief Ministers outside while few were allowed to take their phones inside. I raised the issue in my speech as well," Kejriwal said.

The Delhi CM added that he raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him whether they posed a security threat to his security.

He also alleged that that his speech faced "interferences".

Kejriwal said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was among those who were barred, objected to the move, and she was not allowed to speak.

He was speaking at the launch of a book 'Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party', authored by Pran Kurup, his IIT Kharagpur batchmate, at the Constitution Club. "In fact, Mamataji protested. She said return (the phone) otherwise I will leave. She asked what if there is an emergency in West Bengal, how will people contact her then? Then they allowed her to take her phone inside. But they did not let Mamataji speak. I also had to face a lot of interferences," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal wondered why they were invited in the first place if the Centre "does not want to listen to the voice of the opposition". Others did not protest (for not being allowed to carry their cell phones inside), maybe because they are under the threat of CBI. The Inter-State Council meeting had taken place on Saturday last after a gap of 10 years.

With PTI inputs
Lahore: Reiterating its call on Pakistan to stop terrorism from spreading roots on its own soil, the United States has reiterated that Islamabad must target all terrorist groups, particularly those that have their eyes set on its neighbours.

However, the U.S acknowledged that Pakistan is taking steps to counter terrorist violence, particularly focused on groups that threaten Pakistani stability.

In a statement shared with Dawn, the US State Department noted that Pakistan was waging "a serious and sustained campaign" against violent extremism and had suffered greatly from terrorism.

It noted that the Pakistani military had made progress in shutting down terrorist safe havens through Zarb-i-Azb and other operations, and had restored government control to parts of Pakistan that had been used as terrorist sanctuaries for years.

"These are important and meaningful steps for Pakistan; they have contributed to our interests in the region; and they have come at significant cost, in lives lost by both Pakistani civilians and security personnel," the State Department said.

While appreciating Pakistan`s efforts, the U.S. also pointed out that it has been "very clear with the highest levels of the government of Pakistan that Pakistan must target all militant groups -- including those that target Pakistan`s neighbours -- and close all safe havens".

"Pakistan`s leaders have assured us of their intention to do so. In this regard, we welcome Gen Raheel Sharif`s statement of July 6, in which he directed Pakistani military commanders, intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies to take concrete measures to deny any militant group safe haven or the use of Pakistani soil to launch terrorist attacks in Afghanistan," the statement said.

The statement acknowledged that the broad, multi-faceted partnership between the two countries allowed the US to advance shared interests with Pakistan, including in the region.

"Where we have disagreements or conflicting views, we address those directly with Pakistani authorities.

The U.S. further asserted that they have made no secret of their concern that the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network continue to operate from Pakistani territory.
New Delhi: Asserting that Kashmir is a distant dream for Pakistan which will never get fulfilled, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said that Islamabad should forget about Kashmir as it is an integral part of India.

Naidu said Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is doing all these stunts to divert attention from real matters, adding that Islamabad should observe black day for all wrong happenings in their country.

"Pakistan should forget about Kashmir, Kashmir is an integral part of India. No matter what they do, their dream of Kashmir will never get fulfilled. Kashmir is India`s and will always remain," said Naidu.

"In Kashmir here we have democracy, we have a government there. Pakistan just to divert attention from its internal problems is doing all this.

What all is happening in Pakistan, Islamabad should observe a black day for that," he added.

Naidu further said that instead of expressing grief for the people of the valley, Sharif should try and cater to the problems of the people lining in PoK. Addressing a Cabinet meeting in Lahore on July 15, Sharif had announced to observe 19th of July as a "Black Day".

However, the "Black Day" observance was shifted on July 20 as Pakistan celebrates July 19 as `Accession to Pakistan` Day. As per reports, rallies will be organised to draw attention of the world community towards the Kashmir issue.

All officials of federal and provincial governments will wear black armband while on duty to express political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris, said reports, adding that special prayers will also be held after `Zohar` prayers.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir today to review the security situations in Kashmir valley as well as along the Line of Control.

General Singh`s visit to the valley comes in the backdrop of violent protests in the wake of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter earlier on July 8.

The Army Chief will be briefed about the situation in the valley and the counter infiltration operations along the LoC.After Wani`s death, Kashmir is on the boil and more than 40 people have been killed and over 3,000, including 1,600 civilians, injured in clashes between the youth and security forces during the protests.
New Delhi: Parliament witnessed uproar on Wednesday over the Una incident wherein a group of Dalit youths were assaulted by a vigilante cow protection group last week for allegedly killing a cow.

Several opposition MPs belonging to the Congress, BSP, TMC and JD(U) entered the well of the House in the Rajya Sabha forcing Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien to adjourn the House first for 10 minutes and then till 12 noon.

In the Lok Sabha also, opposition lawmakers caused an uproar but the proceedings continued.

The main opposition Congress had earlier given a notice in the Lok Sabha for discussion on the Una incident.

We will raise the Una incident issue in Parliament, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said at her party's parliamentary meeting in the morning.

Hitting out at the Central government, Sonia said brutal atrocities against SC, ST and other minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all.

The government has snatched the rights of tribals, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and is weakening environment rights, she further stated.

On Wednesday, Dalit rights organisations have called a state-wide shutdown in Gujarat to protest against the Una incident.
CLEVELAND -- Roger Stone, longtime confidant and informal adviser to Donald Trump, removed his all-access convention credentials and ascended the stage at Citizens for Trump's America First Unity Rally on Monday afternoon.

Stone, wearing a yellow linen suit, white saddle shoes and suspenders, explained that he was late because "I had some meetings that I had to conclude over at the Westin with members of the Trump staff."

And what did this boastful Trump consigliere, fresh from his meeting with Trump aides, wish to impart on this first day of the GOP convention?

He wished to revisit the Vince Foster murder conspiracy. "They told us that he died in Fort Marcy Park and his body was found 50 yards down a muddy trail," Stone said of the Clinton family friend and aide who killed himself 23 years ago. "But there was no mud or dirt on his shoes. ... There was carpet fiber all over his body because they rolled him in a carpet. Hillary Clinton ordered a guy named Sullivan and a guy named Kennedy, her hoodlums, her thugs, [to] move his body."

Welcome to the Donald Trump Republican National Convention.

Stone chose this moment, when the party presents itself to the nation, to team up with Alex Jones -- the conspiracy theorist and radio host -- as "co-hosts" of the rally for a couple thousand Trump supporters. Like the Trump campaign itself, the convention has elevated those who bring the crazy.

Many Republican officials are avoiding Cleveland this week entirely. Others are tacitly supporting the Trump ticket, swallowing their reservations; a last-ditch rebellion on the floor Monday afternoon by anti-Trump delegates was easily put down.

This vacuum gives voice to Trump's proudest and loudest supporters, those who, before Trump, resided on the fringes. It has legitimized people like Jones.

Jones is famous for asserting, among other things, that the U.S. government was behind the 9/11 attacks and the Oklahoma City bombing. Trump, who has often appeared on Jones' show, told its host in December that "your reputation is amazing."

Jones, in black wayfarers and blue blazer, limped onto the stage at the Citizens for Trump rally to huge cheers. "Donald Trump is surging in every major poll across the country," he exulted.Three men in the crowd, Trump supporters all, sounded notes on kudu horns in celebration.

He said that "Hillary is a foreign agent of the communist Chinese, the Saudi Arabians and others." Noticing a disruption in the crowd, he denounced these "anti-freedom scum who need to get their ass to North Korea."

He then called the "agitator" to the stage to confront him, a man who "wants to shut down our free speech." It turned out to be comedian Eric Andre.

Andre, after offering Jones his hotel room key because "I want you to have sex with my wife" and asking Jones why "my pee-pee comes out yellow," mentioned the Jones 9/11 theory: "Airplane fuel can't melt steel. The bomb's in Tower 7!"

"I exposed all that," Jones boasted.

Jones' ill-advised stage invite to the comedian added to the freak-show atmosphere on the bank of the Cuyahoga River. Police on the perimeter and in a boat could witness a few participants openly carrying handguns, the droning of the kudu horns, the guy carrying an eight-foot wooden cross, the woman who botched the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner," and the primary challenger to John McCain who said, "We don't need frail, fearful, old people representing us."

Dozens of attendees wore "Hillary for Prison" T-shirts. One sign that said "Latinos for Trump" featured a bumper sticker declaring "9/11 was an inside job." The flip side had the message "Hillary for Prison" (the first "i" was dotted with a Jewish star and Muslim crescent).

One of the emcees, Ken Crow, referenced the time he said immigration was like breeding "Secretariat to a donkey" and was scolded by MSNBC's Rachel Maddow.

"You mean Mr. Maddow?!" somebody in the crowd shouted.

Then there was Stone, who pronounced himself "Italian from the waist down" and praised his "friend Alex Jones."

Trump has "cojones," Stone said. And Clinton? "A short-tempered, foul-mouthed, greedy, bipolar, mentally unbalanced criminal."

"She's a reptile!" somebody added.

"A liar!"

"Lizard!"

This is the face of Trump's GOP. "Republicans who do not choose to join our cause: You will be replaced," Stone said. "Good riddance. This is not about unity."

Trump's buddy flashed a Nixon-style double-victory sign. The kudu horns sounded.
Allahabad: A local court here has issued notices to global search engine company Google, its CEO and India head for listing Prime Minister Narendra Modi among top 10 criminals in the world.

A Times of India report said on Wednesday that the court has also directed concerned authorities to register a criminal complaint case against Google and its top executives.

The court passed the order while hearing a complaint filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Mishra. The court also posted the matter for hearing on August 31.

In his complaint, the advocate said that Google search engine showed PM Modi among "top ten criminals of the world," which is a huge disrespect to the Indian Republic.

Gupta said he had written to Google asking it to remove Modi's name but got no response.

He then moved an application before the chief judicial magistrate but his plea was dismissed on November 3, 2015, on the grounds that it was a civil case.

Gupta challenged CJM's order by filing a revision application in court which allowed the revision application and passed the order.
Delhi: Dayashankar Singh was on Wednesday removed by the BJP from all party posts after his derogatory remarks against BJP chief Mayawati caused an uproar in Parliament.

"UP BJP vice president Dayashanker Singh relieved of all responsibilities with immediate effect for derogatory statement against BSP supremo Mayawati," BJP state president Keshav Prasad Maurya said.

The senior BJP leader's comments today drew severe condemnation from Opposition, while an embarrassed BJP expressed regret.

However, the furore over the issue forced adjournment of Rajya Sabha for the day.

"Mayawati is breaking the dream of Kanshi Ram into pieces. Mayawati is selling tickets like...," Singh had told reporters in Mau.

"Mayawati gives tickets for Rs one crore and if there is someone who can give Rs 2 crore than she sells it for Rs 2 crore within an hour. If someone is ready to give Rs 3 crore by the evening, she gives the ticket to him," Singh had alleged.

"She is even worse than.... The BSP workers, who are in BSP since Kanshi Ram's days are deserting the party," Singh had told party workers.

Singh's remarks drew severe flak from members in the Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien saying that the House wants the Government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his "unforgivable" comments.

There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMK's Kanimozhi, Congress' Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of CPI(M) and Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP and demands were made for action against him.

Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, got up to offer regret on behalf of the party and said the remarks were highly condemnable.

"It is highly condemnable that a political leader uses such words against a prominent woman leaders. I regret the use of such words and will ensure that the matter is taken up by the concerned. I personally express regret to Mayawatiji and we are with you on the issue of protecting dignity," Jaitley said.

A visibly agitated Mayawati, who was present in the House, thanked Jaitley and all other members for their condemnation of Singh's remarks but demanded that BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah discuss the matter, expel Singh from the party and take action against him.

She maintained that mere expression of regret will not suffice and added, "His (Singh's) remarks apply for his sister and daughter and not for me. The whole country will not forgive BJP... People will come on the streets."

"I did not marry and considered the entire country's oppressed as my family. I have always followed my mentor Kanshi Ram's advice to take (donation) from the underprivileged and not industrialists," she said, adding that the BJP was perturbed by the huge support her party was getting in UP.

(With PTI inputs)
United Nations: India has called for reform in the "subterranean universe" of the UN Security Council's sanctions regimes as it criticised the lack of transparency in their functioning, saying principles of "anonymity and unanimity" absolve individual members of accountability.

There "is the need for change of the processes followed in the subterranean universe of the Council's subsidiary bodies.

The subterranean universe I refer to consists of 26 sanctions regimes acting on behalf of the Council," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said at a Security Council session on 'Working Methods'.

He said the 26 sanctions regimes cumulatively take 1,000 decisions every year but rarely does the Chair of any of these bodies briefs Member States or the media about the proceedings after their meetings.

He questioned why efforts at transparency are not extended to the "subterranean universe, where more decisions are taken than in formal meetings or informal consultations".

"Why is it that we are blandly informed of positive decisions of this subterranean universe and never told about negative decisions when proposals are not acceded to," he said yesterday as he lamented that in the Council's sanctions regimes no explanations are given about how the members voted and what their positions are.

He further stressed that in the sanctions regimes no rationale is given for accepting requests for listing nor do the applications that are rejected surface in the public space.

"No one indicates who specifically is not supporting a request. Indeed, proposals that can?t make it are buried without public acknowledgement that they were ever considered," he said.

"In the subterranean universe, all decisions are required to be taken by unanimity, a practice that is not in vogue in the Council itself. While the trend now is to consider means to curtail the use of the veto in the Council's own work and many here support such efforts, however, in the subterranean universe all Council Members have extended vetoes to themselves as members of Sanctions Committees," he said.

He further stressed that in the "subterranean universe of subsidiary bodies, the adoption of principles of anonymity and unanimity has absolved individual members of accountability".

"Taking their cue from the membership of these bodies, other Member States too perhaps have not been implementing many of the decisions taken by these bodies," he said, adding that implementation reports from Member States indicates how outdated they are and in most cases are of 2003 vintage.

Previously, India has slammed the UN sanctions committe for taking a "selective approach" in tackling terrorism when a technical hold was put on its application to include the name of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar on the committee's list of designated terrorists.

India had said in April that it finds it "incomprehensible" that while the Pakistan-based JeM was listed in the UN Security Council Committee as far back as 2001 for its known terror activities and links to Al Qaeda, the designation of the group's main leader, financier and motivator has been put on a technical hold.

Welcoming the Council's adoption of a new procedure for selection of the Chairs of subsidiary bodies, Akbaruddin hoped that this will be a "harbinger of greater change" in the overall functioning of the sanctions regime.

Akbaruddin said there is a "sense of unease" among UN member states, who regularly articulate suggestions for enhancing transparency, effectiveness and inclusivity in the work of the Council and have expectations that these suggestions will be implemented.

"It is an unease that stems from the old saying 'Expectation is the mother of all frustration'...These suggestions, supported by many, remain largely unimplemented.

"Notwithstanding persistent efforts, progress on Working methods of the Council sadly is best measured not by what has been achieved but how much more remains to be fulfilled," he said.

He also pointed to the lack of institutionalised interaction and consultation between the Council and Troop and Police Contributing Countries, saying the Council itself has noted that this lack of effective dialogue had generated frustration on all sides and undermined mandate implementation.

Citing the example of recent developments concerning the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, he said there has been talk about increasing the number of troops and of possible expansion of mandate but at no stage have there been efforts at institutionalised consultations with troop contributing countries on any of these.

"Consultations amongst Council, Secretariat and Troop Contributing Countries remains an improvement which has been wished in various fora by many but remains to be implemented years after its necessity has been accepted," he said questioning when its time will come.

He said the issues raised by India "exemplify the chasm" that exists between the Council's working methods and the general membership's wishes for a comprehensive structural-functional reform.

"India is committed to the pursuit of that quest for far-reaching reform to make the Council fit for purpose for the 21st century," he added.
New Delhi: The Congress party on Wednesday said there is no bigger organisation than the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in telling lies and giving it a political angle.

"Nothing will expose the Congress because there is no bigger organisation than the RSS in speaking lies and giving it a political angle. They think that only one ruling of the Supreme Court will clear all their lies and ill deeds," Congress leader Salman Khurshid told ANI.

"But it will not happen. Everything will be clear after the trial court verdict," he added.

These remarks from the grand old party comes a day after the Supreme Court rapped the Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in connection with the defamation case filed against him for his remark on the RSS and said that he must face trial.

Reacting to the Supreme Court`s observation, RSS Prachar Pramukh Dr Manmohan Vaidya said that the Congress had been consistently trying to spread lies and baseless allegations about RSS and that the apex court`s ruling has exposed the party.

Attempting to distance itself from Mahatma Gandhi`s assassin Nathuram Godse, the RSS yesterday said that the Congress vice-president must tender an apology otherwise he would have to frequently visit the Supreme Court.

"If he has even a bit of respect for the court, he will apologise. If he doesn`t apologise, he will have to frequently visit the court. Let me tell him, his party member Sitaram Kesri had associated the RSS with the murder of Gandhi and he had to apologise. Another leader Arjun Singh had to frequently visit the court. A renowned columnist A.G. Noorani had to apologise," RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha told ANI.

Sinha said if Gandhi doesn`t apologise then he will be punished in the court`s trial.

"Defamation case is not ordinary. The politics of the Nehru family for three generations goes on the basis of lie. Its proof is from Jawaharlal Nehru to Rahul Gandhi. They are putting in such a blame which has been rejected by the court," he added.

Meanwhile, the grand old party yesterday said that Gandhi would not tender an apology over his remarks against the RSS.

It said Gandhi would instead substantiate the allegations with facts and evidence before the court.

Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala said such a suggestion was also made in the past which was not accepted by Gandhi.

He said Gandhi is a mature politician with intimate knowledge of historical facts and the party and he will defend these remarks at appropriate forum.
New Delhi: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday said in Lok Sabha that there should be "plebiscite" in Kashmir as the situation in the Valley has deteriorated and the PDP-BJP government has "insulted" the "crown" of India.

"In Kashmir today, there is a need for plebiscite," he said using Urdu word 'rai shumari' while initiating a discussion in the House on Kashmir situation.

"PDP-BJP government has shed all the principles. Administration is divided and the government, which should support people, is using weapons against them," Scindia said, adding "the wounds there can be healed only through humanity."

While attacking the Centre and state government, the chief whip of Congress said, "There is a need to create an environment of peace and tranquillity; growth and development."

Describing Kashmir as "an important part of the heart of every Indian", he said, "but today that crown is being insulted. This I feel is irresponsible."

He said the UPA government had created an environment of peace and harmony by taking everybody along.

"The reality is that there is a marriage of convenience in Jammu and Kashmir," Scindia said referring to the alliance between PDP and BJP.

"The reality is that there is an identity crisis in the state government...Today it is clear that there is a political upheaval and terrorism is flourishing in Jammu and Kashmir. 60 per cent population in the state is below 30 years of age. If we are not able to create opportunities for them, we would be pushing them towards militancy," the Congress leader said.

He said the central government has failed to provide safety and security to the people of the Valley.

In the last two years, infiltration has increased by 65 per cent and killing of soldiers has increased by 47 per cent, he said, asking the government, "secure our borders, secure our people before it is too late. We are with you. But act, act with a plan".

"The central government is sitting like a silent spectator. The government has miserably failed to control the power of foreign militants," he said.

The Congress leader said the incident of June 25 in Pampore, where eight CRPF soldiers died, was third such case.

"This is true that this happened because of inadequate security arrangements and it reflects failure of the administration," he said.

Scindia said after killing of a terrorist on July 8, an atmosphere of fear and tension has been created and subsequently 44 people have lost their lives while 3140 people, half of them security personnel, have been injured.

As far as the state government is concerned, the surprising thing is that the whole media has been banned there.

"The fourth pillar of democracy is being strangulated. 12th day, the curfew is on. People are not getting ration, food products and medicine....What was the reason behind that no representative from the central government visited the Valley," he said.
New Delhi: On a day when the BJP suspended its senior leader from UP - Dayashankar Singh - for his derogatory remark against BSP chief Mayawati, the incident also threw light on past incidents of top politicians making sexist and highly inappropriate comments against women.

Here are some of the highly controversial statements made by senior politicians which not only evoked a severe backlash but also triggered a national debate on the conduct of public figures.

'Thumkewaali'

In December, 2012, former Congress MP Sanjay Nirupam had called Smriti Irani a 'thumkewaali'.

"It's only four days of your entry into politics and you have become a political analyst. Aap toh TV pe thumke lagati thi, aaj chunavi vishleshak ban gayi," Nirupam had said in an interview.

'South women have sexy bodies'

Sharad Yadav, then JD(U) president in 2015, had made a sexist comment on south Indian women in Rajya Sabha, leaving some parliamentarians dumbstruck.

Commenting on the complexion of south Indian women, Yadav had said, "The women of the south are dark but they are as beautiful as their bodies ... We don't see it here. They know dance." Yadav's comment made several male MPs burst into laughter during a debate in Parliament.

'100% tunch maal'

Congress' outspoken leader Digvijaya Singh too made a crass, sexist remark against her party colleague Meenakshi Natrajan. The veteran Congress leader had called Natrajan, then party MP from Mandsaur, a "100% tunch maal" (totally unblemished) - a northern colloquial that loosely translates into "a desirable object".

"Our party MP, Meenakshi Natrajan, is a Gandhian, simple and an honest leader. She keeps going from place to place in her constituency. I am a seasoned smith of politics. Meenakshi sau tunch maal hai," Singh told party workers in Mandsaur.

'Infertile woman'

In 2011, veteran CPM leader from Hooghly and former MP Anil Basu had attacked Mamata Banerjee and compared her with the sex workers of Sonagachi. His remarks drew flak and led to a major controversy over use of words by politicians.

Left leader Subhas Chakraborty also targeted Mamata and ridiculed her Maa-Mati-Manush slogan using inappropriate remarks. He said: "She is an infertile woman; what does she know about Maa?"

'Men make mistakes'

Referring to the sentencing of three men who were found guilty of gang-raping two women in the abandoned Shakti Mills in Mumbai in 2014, Samjawadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had said that 'boys are boys' and that 'men make mistakes'.

"When their friendship ends, the girl complains she has been raped," the SP supremo had said later.

'Dented painted women'

President Pranab Mukherjee's son Abhijit Mukherjee courted a major controversy by describing women participating in candle light protests in Delhi against gang rape of a medical student as 'highly dented and painted', triggering angry backlash.

Abhijit said, "Walking in candlelight processions, going to discotheques, we have also led student life, we have been students. I well know what the character of a student should be."

While reacting to the demonstrations against politicians in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi had said, "Some women wearing lipstick and powder have taken to streets in Mumbai and are abusing politicians spreading dissatisfaction against democracy. This is what terrorists are doing in Jammu and Kashmir."
New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday issued a statement in the Lok Sabha on the Una incident and instead of mollifying the opposition, caused further uproar.

Speaking in the Lower House, Rajnath praised the manner in which the Gujarat government handled the situation post the Una incident wherein a group of Dalit youths were assaulted by a vigilante cow protection group last week for allegedly killing a cow.

He also hit out at the main opposition party, saying, During the Congress rule in Gujarat, the number of cases of atrocities against Dalits were high. There has been a sharp decline since the BJP came to power.

The remarks immediately led to an uproar.

Rajnath, however, also said that atrocities against Dalits are a social evil and it must be taken up as a challenge to tackle them.

We must take it up as a challenge. I urge all parties to come together to fight this, the minister told MPs.

We strongly condemn the Una incident in Gujarat. The PM has also taken cognizance of the issue.

Nine people have been arrested so far. Four police officials have been suspended for negligence of duty, the minister informed.

He added that of the nine persons arrested, seven have been sent to judicial custody while the remaining two have been remanded to police custody.

As sloganeering continued, the Upper House was adjourned for the fourth time till 2 pm.

Uproar was witnessed in both Houses of Parliament earlier today as well when they convened for the session, over the Una incident.

Several opposition MPs belonging to the Congress, BSP, TMC and JD(U) had entered the well of the House in the Rajya Sabha forcing Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien to adjourn the House first for 10 minutes and then till 12 noon. The disruptions continued afterwards as well.

In the Lok Sabha also, opposition lawmakers caused an uproar but the proceedings continued.

The main opposition Congress had earlier given a notice in the Lok Sabha for discussion on the Una incident.

We will raise the Una incident issue in Parliament, Congress president Sonia Gandhi said at her party's parliamentary meeting in the morning.

Hitting out at the Central government, Sonia said brutal atrocities against SC, ST and other minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all.

The government has snatched the rights of tribals, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 and is weakening environment rights, she further stated.

On Wednesday, Dalit rights organisations have called a state-wide shutdown in Gujarat to protest against the Una incident.
Gujranwala: Do you know what was the last wish of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani, who was gunned down by Indian security forces?

According to 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed, Burhan Wani spoke to him before he was killed in an encounter by the security forces in Kashmir.

"Burhan Wani told me over the phone that it was his wish to talk to me. He told me that now his wish was fulfilled, he was waiting for martyrdom," Hafiz Saeed said.

"A few days later news of his 'martyrdom' came, Saeed added addressing the crowd.

The chief of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba revealed this about slain terrorist Burhan Wani in a rally in Pakistans Gujranwala on Tuesday, according to a report in India TV.

Noteworthy, internet savvy Burhan Wani used to tag Hafiz Saeed in most of his tweets.

Violent protests erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter by the security forces.
Jammu: A fresh batch of 1,000 pilgrimson Wednesday left for the twin base camps of Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas amidst tight security.

The yatra, which was suspended yesterday morning due to tense situation in the Valley, resumed in the evening.

A total of 1,000 pilgrims, including 731 males, 219 females and 50 sadhus, left in a cavalcade of 29 vehicles from Bhagwati Nagar base camp here for the two base camps of Pahalgam and Baltal in Kashmir this morning, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said.

"The convoy of pilgrims has left amidst tight mobile security cover," he said.

The yatra has faced suspension three times in the past 10 days due to the ongoing unrest in the Valley. It was initially suspended on July 9 and resumed on July 11.

It was stopped again on July 14 and restarted two days later. The toll in the 10-day-long spate of violence in the Valley has mounted to 42.
Jammu: The annual Amarnath Yatra resumed on Wednesday as another batch of pilgrims was allowed from winter capital Jammu to move to the Valley late on Tuesday evening.

A senior police officer told IANS in Jammu, "A batch of 2,500 yatris left Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu yesterday (Tuesday) evening for the Valley."

"The yatris left in a convoy escorted by the security forces and reached the base camp in the Valley safely."

Officials of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) said so far over 1,85,000 pilgrims have performed this year`s yatra.

"Charri Mubarak (lord Shiva`s mace) reached the Pahalgam base camp yesterday."

"After the traditional puja at Pahalgam, the Charri Mubarak will move through Chandanwari, Pissu Top, Sheshnag and Panchtarni to reach finally to cave shrine."

The 48-day-long yatra started on July 2 and will end on August 17, coinciding with Shravan Purnima at Raksha Bandhan Festival.

Twelve yatris have died of natural causes during this year`s yatra.
Gov. Pete Ricketts had the proper, proactive response to the latest revenue figures, which showed that state government ended the fiscal year about $95 million short of projections.

The governor told state agencies to take various measures, such as postponing or eliminating hiring when possible, limiting equipment purchases to improve efficiency or maintain services and to use video calls and web meetings when possible to avoid travel.

The governor also ordered a 1 percent reduction in the 25 percent of appropriations that is allotted to agencies, boards and commissions.

Net tax receipts in June were 5.5 percent below projections, and the state ended the year about 2.2 percent below projections. Revenue has come in below projections four out of the past seven months.

The figures underscore how important it is that the state maintain an adequate cash reserve. Mike Calvert, the Legislatures chief fiscal analyst, said state government ended the year with about $617.2 million in the reserve, once transfers already approved by the Legislature are deducted.

Another important lesson that lawmakers should draw from the figures is how unwise it would be to enact income tax cuts in the current economic conditions.

As the Journal Star board has said previously, the Legislature should focus its energy on reducing property taxes. Theres all kind of evidence that taxpayers want that to be the tax cut priority.

Meanwhile the Platte Institute for Policy Research is holding meetings across the state in a misguided attempt to gin up support for more income tax cuts. And Sen. Jim Smith, who wants to chair the Revenue Committee, has promised to introduce legislation to that effect.

In contrast to the claims of some tax cut advocates, the Legislature has enacted major tax cut packages in recent years.

According to an analysis by the OpenSky Policy Institute, most of those cuts were made in income taxes, and the impact will continue in coming years. In the 201415 fiscal year income tax cuts amounted to almost $300 million a year, the Lincoln-based think tank said.

The decreased reliance on income tax revenue shifts more of the tax burden to property taxes. Making deeper income tax cuts would worsen that trend.

When Ricketts announced the measures to control spending, he said it was not a crisis. What we get paid to do is manage our budgets within the constraints of the revenues we project, he said.

The states elected officials can continue to keep Nebraskas finances in stable order by keeping a hefty cash reserve and resisting pressure to switch the tax cut focus from property tax relief.
Srinagar: Expressing his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians and security forces during the recent protests in Kashmir Valley, Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh on Wednesday made an "earnest" appeal to the `awaam` to maintain peace and help the men in inform serve them better and exhorted everyone to ensure strict vigil along the Line of Control (LoC).

The Army Chief, who was reviewing the security situation in Kashmir during his visit to the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, impressed upon everyone to continue their positive engagement with the `awaam` and lend them all possible assistance in close coordination with the other stakeholders.

Appreciating the synergy being shown among all security agencies that has resulted in successful counter-terrorist operations, he also "complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation".

In his interaction with the officers and troops, the Army Chief commended their operational preparedness and commitment to the cause of national security.

Earlier, the Army Chief was briefed by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua on the situation along the LoC and the hinterland, including the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all security and other government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley0.

The Army Chief, accompanied by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders, also visited the Kupwara Division and Awantipur-based Victor Force, where he was briefed on the operational preparedness as also the initiatives taken by the army in collaboration with the civil administration to alleviate hardships being faced by people due to the prevailing unrest.

He also met with Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police K Rajendra Kumar and was reassured about the excellent synergy between the Army, police, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and intelligence agencies.
Jammu: With Kashmir witnessing unrest following protests over the last few days post killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani, the separatists on Wednesday extended shutdown in the valley up to July 25 even as the authorities have clamped curfew in certain regions.

Earlier today, Army chief General Dalbir Singh visited and reviewed the security situation in Kashmir and expressed his grief over the casualties during the protests while appealing for peace from all sections.

The death toll climbed to 44 today as several civilians have lost their lives and several people sustained injuries after clashing with security forces in the state.

On Monday, a 10-day curfew was imposed by the state government and 20 additional troops of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed by the centre to maintain law and order in the state.

All mobile phone services, excluding BSNL, trains and internet services continue to remain suspended.

According to reports, several newspapers were banned from publishing for three days; however Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister Mehbooba mufti categorically denied the claim stating that no such decision was made.

According to latest info coming up, newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir will resume publication from tomorrow as the government lifted the ban on Tuesday and said that the decision taken at some 'local level' was a mistake.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.

(With agency inputs)
Srinagar: Curfew imposed by the authorities and a protest shutdown called by separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day on Wednesday.

Police said curfew will continue in most parts of the Valley as precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

"No major clash occurred anywhere in the Valley on Tuesday and the situation remained generally calm," a senior police officer told IANS in summer capital Srinagar.

After the state government conveyed to the editors of local newspapers through Amitabh Mattoo, Advisor to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, that there was no ban on publication, the editors on Tuesday sought written assurance from the government to resume publication.

The Valley went without any newspaper for the 5th day running Tuesday.

Farooq Ahmad Lone, District Magistrate Srinagar, told IANS there was no ban order by him on newspaper publication.

The editors have said they will meet again in the afternoon to decide future course of action.

Internet connectivity on all mobile phones remained suspended for the ninth day in the Valley on Wednesday.

Calling facility on mobile phones has also remained suspended during this period except for limited calling facility on post-paid mobile phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

After remaining closed because of the killings of three civilians in army firing during protest in Qazigund area, the Jammu-Sringar National Highway was restored for limited traffic during the night.

Trucks carrying supplies of essential goods and vehicles carrying Amarnath yatris, who had been stranded on the highway, were cleared during the night.

Three civilian protesters, including two women, were killed on Monday in army firing when mob attacked an army patrol party.

The army has regretted the incident and ordered a probe to ascertain whether the standard operating procedure (SOP) was violated by the soldiers, so that the responsibility is fixed and the guilty are punished.

Meanwhile, train services between Baramulla town in the Valley and Banihal in Jammu region also remained suspended for the 13th day today.

All normal activities of life have been paralysed by the ongoing cycle of violence that has claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen.

Marriages scheduled during this period have been cancelled causing inconvenience to hundreds of families.

The violence started on July 9, a day after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces along with two of his associates in Kokernag area of south Kashmir`s Anantnag district.
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has called an all-party meeting on Thursday to discuss the situation in the violence-hit state.

However, Omar Abdullah-led National Conference has decided to boycott the meeting, saying that actions in the recent past have shown that there was no "effective leadership" in the state government.

In a two-page letter to senior Minister of PDP Abdul Rehman Veeri, National Conference said in absence of any "credible, effective and humane leadership" in the state, an all party meeting was a "futile" and "meaningless" exercise.

Mehbooba had announced on Monday that she had convened an all-party meeting on July 21 to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley.

The decision to convene the meeting came days after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, which led to violent clashes between protesters and law enforcing agencies across the Valley, leaving over 40 people dead and over 4,000 injured.

The National Conference, which has 15 members in the 87-member state assembly, while rejecting the offer to attend the meeting asked the state government to come clear on various issues which includes the killing of Wani.

"On one hand a senior police official says that the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister of the state, was in complete knowledge about the operation, on the other a senior Parliament Member of PDP (Muzzafar Hussain Baig) claims that the killing of Wani was done by a section of police to discredit the Chief Minister," the letter written by senior NC leader Ali Mohammed Sagar said.

The National Conference said it took the state government nearly two weeks to call for an important meeting whereas the Chief Minister took no time in calling a civil society meeting which indicates that she has no respect for elected people.

The letter also drew the attention towards banning of newspapers and double speaking by the state government. "Education Minister (Naeem Akhter) told them not bring out newspapers and on the other Mehbooba's Advisor (Amitabh Mattoo) claimed that there was no ban and the Chief Minister was unaware about it."

"There seems to no effective leadership in the state government and until credibility is not established, no meetings will be ever successful," the letter said while reaffirming that National Conference was committed for peace in the state.

Earlier, National Conference President Omar Abdullah called on Governor N N Vohra and submitted a memorandum about the situation in the state.

With PTI inputs
Srinagar: National Conference on Wednesday decided to boycott an All party meeting called by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tomorrow to discuss the situation in the state, saying that actions in the recent past have shown that there was no "effective leadership" in the state government.

In a two-page letter to senior Minister of PDP Abdul Rehman Veeri, National Conference said in absence of any "credible, effective and humane leadership" in the state, an all party meeting was a "futile" and "meaningless" exercise.

Mehbooba had announced on Monday that she had convened an All Party Meeting here on July 21 to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley.

The decision to convene the meeting came 12 days after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, which led to violent clashes between protesters and law enforcing agencies across the Valley, leaving over 40 people dead and over 4,000 injured.

The National Conference, which has 15 members in the 87-member state assembly, while rejecting the offer to attend the meeting asked the state government to come clear on various issues which includes the killing of Wani.

"On one hand a senior police official says that the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister of the state, was in complete knowledge about the operation, on the other a senior Parliament Member of PDP (Muzzafar Hussain Baig) claims that the killing of Wani was done by a section of police to discredit the Chief Minister," the letter written by senior NC leader Ali Mohammed Sagar said.

The National Conference said it took the state government nearly two weeks to call for an important meeting whereas the Chief Minister took no time in calling a civil society meeting which indicates that she has no respect for elected people.

The letter also drew the attention towards banning of newspapers and double speaking by the state government. "Education Minister (Naeem Akhter) told them not bring out newspapers and on the other Mehbooba's Advisor (Amitabh Mattoo) claimed that there was no ban and the Chief Minister was unaware about it."

"There seems to no effective leadership in the state government and until credibility is not established, no meetings will be ever successful," the letter said while reaffirming that National Conference was committed for peace in the state.

Earlier, National Conference President Omar Abdullah called on Governor N N Vohra and submitted a memorandum about the situation in the state.
Srinagar: Kashmir newspapers are expected to hit the stands on Thursday after the government assured editors and publishers that their work won`t be hindered by the heightened security in the Kashmir Valley in the wake of unrest that has left over 40 people dead and hundreds injured.

The government had put curbs on the media on Saturday and lifted the ban on Tuesday, saying the decision taken at some "local" level was a mistake.

But newspapers refused print runs, alleging that the authorities were denying that the government had banned newspaper publications in the valley.

The logjam was resolved in a meeting on Wednesday between Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and editors of Srinagar-based newspapers.

Editors and publishers said the Chief Minister "regretted" the ban and assured them of unhindered news gathering, printing and distribution.


Jammu: A police constable was arrested with 80 pouches of illicit liquor allegedly seized from his possession in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ajay Kumar, who was travelling to Katra belt in the district on a motorcycle, was stopped and searched last night, following which the pouches were seized from his possession, a police officer claimed.

A case has been registered at Katra Police Station.
Srinagar: Separatist groups, which are spearheading the protests in the Kashmir valley, on Wednesday asked ruling PDP MLAs to "abandon" Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and "come back to be with your people" to "support the truth".

"Mehbooba Mufti has failed as did Omar Abdullah in 2010 and since she can't stop loss of human life her MLAs should abandon her and come back to their people.

"The red line of such brutal killings transcends political and ideological differences. Introspect and come back to be with your people. Forget about power and perks and take side of people," Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik said in a joint resolution circulated through email.

The separatist leaders asked the MLAs to stop being the "loyalist representatives of subjugators and murderers of people".

"Refuse to be the collaborators of the merchants of death whose hands are soaked in the blood of our youth and children. Don't give India a chance to use you as shield to carry out this butchery of Kashmiris," they said.

They said the MLAs from other mainstream parties should also do the same.

"The same applies to other pro-India loyalists The National conference and others. For once support truth! Stop the killings! Kashmiri lives matter!" they added.

Without naming security forces, the separatist leaders said, "To the perpetrators we issue an immediate ultimatum to put a stop to firing, killings, maiming and blinding."

"We the people of Kashmir declare our humanity. We have a right to live! We are being systematically and intentionally targeted for demise and being blinded.

"We declare our resilience in the face of deadly oppression. Every human life matters. The sanctity of life needs to be restored. Children, Women and Youth have lost their lives and eyesight. Media have lost count of toll. It's time not to get dehumanised. Enough is enough! No more deaths!" the resolution added.
Ranchi: A huge quantity of explosives was seized in Maoist-infested Dumka district of Jharkhand on Wednesday, police said.

As many as 40,000 gelatin sticks, 35,000 detonators and other explosives were seized in Kanthikund area, around 400 km from state capital Ranchi, after police stopped a truck following a tip-off.

Police said the explosives were meant to be supplied to Maoist guerrillas for making landmines used to blast the vehicles of security forces.

Maoists are active in 18 of the state`s 24 districts.
Kolkata:Trinamol Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will on Thursday hold her party's first major public event after retaining power in West Bengal for the second successive term.

Lakhs of people are expected to converge for the Trinamool Congress mega rally.

Observed as Martyrs' Day in remembrance of the 13 youth killed in police firing on July 21, 1993, the event is likely to be used by Banerjee as a public thanksgiving for the thumping majority her party received in the assembly polls.

Banerjee, who has been cracking the whip against party infighting as well as the rise of illegal syndicates, is also expected to give a stern message to her partymen.

Following the Chief Minister's instructions, the state administration has cracked down on criminals in the past few days and taken into custody over 7,000 people from across the state.

Among those arrested are two TMC men, including Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation's influential member Anindya Chatterjee, accused of extortion.

Trinamool General Secretary Mukul Roy said the event will see Banerjee simultaneously play the twin role of a chief minister and party chief.

"On one hand, the message would be for the state's people from the government while on the other hand she (Mamata) will address the party workers," said Roy.

The mega rally is all set to choke the city even as police have made elaborate arrangements, including installation of Closed-Circuit Televisions at strategic locations and deployment of several thousand police personnel across the city.

While nearly 3,000 personnel will be deployed around the grand stage erected in front of the Victoria House at Esplanade, several Radio Flying Squads and Heavy Radio Flying Squads and at least a dozen ambulances will be on standby, said a police officer.

Bomb disposal and dog squads will also be deployed.

As is usual in Banerjee's programmes now, a bevy of Bengali filmstars, including the likes of reigning superstar and party MP Dev, will add glamour to the event.

With the event likely to witness a stream of processions that will throw traffic out of gear, several schools have announced a holiday while daily commuters may face a harrowing time since most of the buses are expected to ferry Trinamool supporters to the venue and back.

With IANS inputs
Gov. Pete Ricketts said Wednesday that Donald Trump's private sector experience could help improve accountability within the federal government, but the governor said he'd like to talk more with Trump about the importance of trade.

Ricketts already has visited with the Republican presidential nominee about the value of free and fair trade, and its vital importance to states like Nebraska.

Their conversation occurred before Trump mounted the stage inside an airport hangar in Omaha days before Nebraska's primary election in May.

That visit prompted Trump to promise to clear a path for beef exports that are vital to Nebraska's agricultural economy.

"I will get rid of those tariffs in Japan (and) make sure China buys your product," Trump pledged at the rally.

"It was one of the things he asked about" before he entered the hangar, Ricketts said during a telephone call from Cleveland on Wednesday. "I hope to be able to have more conversations with him," the governor said.

Trump's position on trade has run counter to traditional Republican policy generally supporting free trade. Trump has promised to protect U.S. industry, raising the prospect of new tariffs, and he opposes the pending Trans-Pacific trade agreement.

Ricketts said he believes Trump's private sector experience could result in a more efficient executive branch while his choice of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his vice presidential running mate adds experience in Washington as well as in state government to the Republican ticket.

Pence served six terms in the House of Representatives before being elected governor.

"Trump could not have picked a better person," Ricketts said.

Ricketts said he chatted briefly with Pence on the floor of the Republican national convention on Tuesday. He also visited with House Speaker Paul Ryan.

Asked whether he would have any interest in serving in a Trump administration, Ricketts said: "I've got the best job in the world right now."

The governor already has declared his intent to seek a second four-year term in 2018.

Ricketts said Trump's political impact in Nebraska this November might be measured more in terms of how his candidacy affects voter turnout rather than how it might influence other contests down the ballot.

"Ultimately, every candidate is judged on their own merits," he said.
Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday witnessed ruckus as the opposition Congress staged a walkout alleging that wheat mixed with soil was being disbursed to victims of the recent floods in the state capital.

Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh raised the issue of sacks of wheat allegedly mixed with soil being distributed to the victims of the recent flood in Bhopal and demanded a stern action against the guilty.

The other Congress members carrying wheat with balls of mud in the House joined Jaivardhan, creating bedlam saying that such help is being given to flood ravaged victims and demanded that the guilty should be punished.

He said that some bags of 50 kg containing 20 kg soil were being distributed in state capital as help to victims, and the situation might be worse than this in the rural and far-flung areas hit by the floods.

Senior BJP member Babulal Gaur too expressed concern over the issue, saying that rotten wheat is being disbursed to the flood victims in Bhopal.

Legislative Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra said that already an inquiry has been ordered into the issue and guilty won't be spared.

He said the wheat had come from the farmers, to which the opposition reacted sharply saying that the government was putting blame on the farmers instead of middlemen.

Dissatisfied with the answer, Congress members Arif Aqueel, Ramniwas Rawat, Jittu Patwari and Mukesh Naik demanded stern action against the guilty and pressed for tabling an adjournment motion on the issue.

Rawat demanded that the probe should be completed and put forth during the ongoing Monsoon session of the Assembly itself, to which Mishra agreed.

There was a heated argument between the treasury and opposition benches before the Congress members walked out of the House.

Outside the House, Congress member Tarun Bhanot said that the wheat mixed with soil was being distributed to Bhopal flood victims and termed it as a slap on the face on poor.

"We are going to raise the issue in the House till stern action is taken against the guilty," he told reporters.

Congress members will press for an adjournment motion for a debate on the issue of public concern. It is shocking that no action has been taken yet on the issue, he added.
Mumbai: Slamming senior Congress leader Narayan Rane over his allegation that criminals were joining the BJP, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others.

While replying to a debate on the issue of the brutal gangrape and murder of a minor girl in Ahmednagar's Kopardi village, Fadnavis also said that a picture of one of the accused shown by him during a media briefing had already been published in newspapers.

During his speech in the state Legislative Council yesterday, Rane was acerbic in his criticism of the BJP, alleging criminals were joining the party whose character, he claimed, has changed over the years.

Reacting to it, Fadnavis said in the Upper House today that, "Rane had said there are three CMs governing the state. I want to tell him I am the only CM and I am capable enough. Common people will judge my work."

"Look who is saying BJP is a party of goons. If I list out the number of cases filed against you (Rane) in Sindhudurg, it will be proved which is the party of goons. 'Jo kaanch ke gharon mein rehte hain, woh dusron pe patthar nahin phekte' (those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others)," he said.

Also, responding to Rane's charge that a Cabinet minister had engaged in an immoral act with a woman officer, Fadnavis said he should have immediately informed him rather than speaking on it in the Council.

"It was expected of you to immediately give me the details of what transpired. By speaking about it here, do you intend to play politics over the issue Today ministers are asking one another if they were involved. Shoot and scoot policy is being played out by the opposition here," he said.

Rane had yesterday said that he was recently informed by a woman officer that a senior Cabinet minister engaged in "immoral behaviour" towards her.

He, however, did not name the minister or the party to which he belongs.Fadnavis said that if any of the ministers is found to be

guilty, he will not be allowed to sit on the Chair for even a minute, but no minister will resign only on the basis of allegations of the opposition.

Listing out the IPC sections under which cases have been filed against Rane, Fadnavis said, "I don't want to threaten anyone. It is not in my nature. I am a calm natured person. Not in my nature to put on revengeful inquiries against anyone. Ranesaheb, you are extremely cultured and wise. Why are you afraid of any inquiry?"

He said that Rane had in the past spoken about Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan, Manikrao Thakrey as well.

"Everything that Rane says should thus not be taken seriously. He has a different view about the same person after a few months," he said.

Fadnavis further said that the POCSO court hearing the Kopardi gangrape and murder of the minor girl will be given fast track status and that the government has irrefutable evidences against the accused.

"Dhananjay Munde had said that my act of showing the picture of the accused may have consequences on the case. But, did you not do the same thing in the press conference? It is a different matter that you showed the wrong photo."

"Anyways, the picture that I showed has already been published in papers and we have irrefutable evidence against the accused. There is thus no way in which the accused can take benefit," Fadnavis said.
Mumbai: Maharashta Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis under attack from the Opposition over the transfer of an Excise Inspector, who had died three years ago.

Fadnavis , as in-charge of the Excise Department, had signed the order approving the transfer of Excise Inspector Sandip Maruti Sabale from Kohlapur to Nashik.

After the matter came to light, the Maharashtra government suspended a clerk for the gaffe. However, the Opposition is demanding a high-level inquiry to probe the matter.

Firstpost reported that the transfer order had mandated that Sabale must assume his duties in Nashik with immediate effect - failing to do so would invite disciplinary action.

Tragically, Sabale had died three years ago in a road accident and, since then, his wife has been running from pillar to post seeking a job in the department on compassionate grounds.

The Opposition has claimed that large-scale irregularities were committed in the recent transfer of 220 Excise department officials.
New York: The world's top microblogging site, Twitter, has been under fire from critics and many users for being a bit too lax when it comes to taking action on trolls and abusive behaviour on the social networking platform.

Now, it seems that Twitter has finally started to take matters seriously and its first step in this direction was banning its most abusive user from the site permanently!

Twitter took the plunge and banned Milo Yiannopoulos, the tech editor at conservative news site Breitbart and one of Twitter's most offensive users, after several complaints and repeated suspensions against him.

Twitter decided it was the last straw when, Yiannopoulos led an online troll against Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones, who was showered with racist and misogynist tweets following her role in the female-led film remake. Jones vowed to leave Twitter over her treatment, prompting a major outburst on social media, engadget.com reported on Wednesday.

This led to a huge outcry by Twitter users, who seized the microblogging site asking it to ban Yiannopoulos and triggering off a hashtag trend for #BanNero (@Nero is the handle that Milo Yiannopoulos used on Twitter).

"People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter. But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, and our rules prohibit inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others," Twitter said in a statement.

Yiannopoulos reacted to the ban, saying that the site has "confirmed itself as a safe space for Muslim terrorists and 'Black Lives Matter' extremists, but a no-go zone for conservatives."

The Breitbart tech editor has been disturbing Twitter users with his trolls for the past few years. Twitter earlier removed his verified status, but allowed him to keep tweeting.

This is not the first time Twitter has issued a permanent ban on a user. Last March, Chuck Johnson who once argued that homosexuality caused a horrendous Amtrak train crash, was permanently barred from the site.

(With IANS inputs)
Bhubaneswar: Dogs are considered to be the best friends of humans and the saying was yet again proved in Odisha's Gajapati district.

The loyalty of a dog was well witnessed by Dibakar Raita and his family, when pet doberman gave away his life fighting four cobras.

The incident happened when four cobras tried to enter Raita's house, the canine sensing deep trouble to his master's family, attacked the deadly snakes with full vigour.

However, the couldn't sustain long and after few minutes of intense fight, it succumbed to the fatal poison of the cobras.

The villagers recalled that the dog didn't let the snakes enter the house of his master.

The village members laid floral tribute to the faithful pet and held a funeral procession for him.

Speaking to a local media house, Raita said, he will never forget the supreme sacrifice made by his pet.
New Delhi: Security at airports across the country has been beefed up in the wake of Istanbul terror attack, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

In response to a question, Minister of State in Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said security at Indian airports has been reviewed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the nodal ministry for civil aviation security.

"Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has also issued an advisory on June 29, 2016 to all the state governments, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), airport operators, airline operators to adopt enhanced security measures at all the airports," he said.

The minister said after the recent terrorist attack at Istanbul airport, a Special Airport Security Committee meeting was held at all airports under CISF security cover, which includes state police, CISF, airport operators, airline operators, Customs, Immigration and ground handling authorities and concessionaires and all these stakeholders were sensitised to be vigilant and beef up security.

"In many of the airports in the country which are under CISF security cover, latest gadgets/security equipment, including hydraulic bollards, liquid explosive detector, explosive trace detectors, camera fitted optic fibre endoscopes, have been installed, based on the need and threat perception in respect of the airports, by the airport operators concerned," he said.
Beijing: At least 13 people have been killed and 13 others remain missing after heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides across a number of provinces in China.

Floods had left three people dead in Jiangxi, according to the provincial civil affairs department. So far, 21,000 people in the province have been relocated to safer places.

In Hunan, continuous rain resulted in swollen rivers, landslides and mud-rock flows. Three people died in Hengshan County, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters on Wednesday.

Three residents of Xiangtan County were reported missing after their home was buried by a landslide while in Longhui County one person is also missing.

About 530 houses collapsed, and 11,900 people were evacuated, said the headquarters.

A reservoir with capacity of more than 70,000 cubic meters in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, was reported to be leaking on Wednesday morning.

As of today, workers were still at the site, trying to bring the situation under control. More than 1,400 people living downstream have been evacuated, said the local flood control office.

In Guangxi, one person was killed when a house collapsed in torrential rain, said the regional civil affairs department on Wednesday.

Two unaccounted for people were swept away by floods while another was buried by a landslide.

The rain and ensuing disasters also destroyed 754 houses, seriously damaged another 408, ruined 20,200 hectares of crops, forced the evacuation of 5,900 people and inflicted a direct economic loss estimated at 150 million yuan.

In Jinping County in Guizhou, five people have died and four are still missing, according to the county's publicity office.

Heavy rain pounded the county with 202 millimeters of precipitation recorded in some areas.

Traffic, power and telecommunications were all disrupted and homes destroyed.

It is estimated that the rain has caused direct economic losses of 127 million yuan.

In Guangdong, a female climber died and nearly 300 rescuers are searching for three members of her group who were swept away by a flash flood on Tianchi Mountain, according to the publicity office of Qujiang District, Shaoguan city.

The Hebei Provincial Meteorological Bureau today issued a red rainstorm alert, forecasting more heavy rains.

Meanwhile, heavy rain has hit many parts of north China, flooding streets and halting transportation as the met officials raised its storm alert from yellow to orange.

Shanxi Province is experiencing its strongest rainfall since the high water season began, with 109 out of 119 cities and counties having seen rain, local authorities said.

Beijing too had heavy rains since yesterday with showers continuing to lash the city today.

China has a four-tier colour-coded system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Dhaka: Emdadul Islam`s three-decade career in Bangladesh`s garment trade has seen the industry hit by riots, labour unrest, power shortages and safety scandals, but he had never lost faith in its ability to weather the latest crisis and continue to grow.

Now, after a group of radicalised young Bangladeshis killed about 20 people, including 18 foreigners, in an attack on an upscale Dhaka restaurant claimed by Islamic State, he fears for the future of the $28 billion sector.

"I thought it impossible for this to happen in Bangladesh," said Islam, a director of Babylon Group, which makes garments for the likes of H&M and Tesco . "It was just a nightmare. This is not Afghanistan, or Pakistan, or something."

Bangladesh relies on garments for more than 80 percent of its exports and roughly 4 million jobs. It ranks behind only China as a clothing supplier to developed markets in Europe and the United States.

But the July 1 attack has confronted the industry with its biggest image crisis since the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building in 2013, with some fearing security worries could cripple a sector that is the lifeblood of the economy.

"I never thought Islamic extremism would be a big threat to the industry directly, and I never thought it would happen quite like this," said Rubana Huq, managing director at the Mohammadi Group, which owns a string of garment factories and other businesses.

Foreign companies, including Japan`s Uniqlo, have suspended all but critical travel to the country since the attack, although there are no signs yet of big players moving orders elsewhere. The government says it has stepped up security for foreign business travellers, investors and diplomats.

"BLACK FRIDAY"

Despite a long history of turbulent domestic politics that often spills onto the streets, Islam said the relative stability of Bangladesh compared with rival manufacturing bases had been an important factor in the rise of its garment sector.

"When we started in the 1980s, Sri Lanka at that time was in a very volatile situation, so companies came to us. They wanted Bangladesh to produce - that`s how we grew," said Islam, 60, one of the founding partners of garment maker Babylon Group back in 1986.

Islamic State and al Qaeda have made competing claims for a series of killings of liberals and members of Bangladesh`s religious minorities in the past year.

But the July 1 attack signalled a far more sophisticated threat from those seeking to replace the mainly Muslim country`s secular democracy with strict Islamic rule.

"On that night, we lost the identity of our country," said Mesbha Uddin Ali, chairman of garment maker Wega Group.

What has been particularly shocking to many middle class Bangladeshis is that the attackers mostly came from well-to-do backgrounds and appear to have been radicalised only recently.

"One of my friends called it `Black Friday`, which I think was pretty accurate," said an American in the garment industry, who has been living in Bangladesh for seven years.

"Bangladesh has such a strong family culture, and yet the fact that these young, educated boys chose to leave that and do something like this is shocking."

Many of the victims of the latest attack worked in the garment trade, and the U.S. executive, who declined to be identified due to personal safety concerns, said it had prompted him to take extra precautions.

"I don`t walk anymore," he said. "I don`t take the rickshaws anymore. And I`m not a man who likes to waste time, or money, so I did take a rickshaw for short distances. Now I just lay low."

Some local executives have taken more robust measures.

"Earlier I had this pistol, but it was never loaded and I did not carry it," said Mohsin Uddin Ahmed Niru, a director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). "Now I carry it every day."

WARNING SIGNS

There had been warning signs that the radicalisation threat in Bangladesh was growing.

An Italian aid worker was shot dead in Dhaka`s diplomatic quarter in September 2015, in the same week masked gunmen killed a Japanese farmer in northern Bangladesh.

In response, the government deployed paramilitary soldiers on night-time patrols in the diplomatic quarter and a number of companies stepped up security for visiting executives.

More protection has been promised in the wake of the July 1 killings.

"We have already re-arranged security measures all over the country after the terror attack," said Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, who also heads the cabinet committee on law and order.

"All foreigners including diplomats, business travellers, garment buyers, investors and development partners are all covered by extra security."

Industry sources say H&M last week sent an email to all its vendors informing them about a series of upgraded security norms at its office in Bangladesh.

"We are in contact with our office in Dhaka, and none of H&M`s company workers are affected," a spokesman for the Swedish fashion retailer said in an email.

"We have safety routines to assure our co-workers safety on-site. Regarding our sourcing, there are no plans in changing any sourcing, but we are following developments closely."

An official at El Corte Ingles, one of Europe`s largest department store chains, said the company had moved all eight of its foreign staff out of the country and was observing a two-month "hold period" before deciding whether they would return.

All of the company`s meetings in Dhaka have been cancelled, and would be rescheduled in Hong Kong, said the official, who declined to be identified. El Corte did not respond to a request for comment.

One garment exporter, who also declined to be named, said he had already lost a $3.6 million order from privately-held French retailer Celio.

"They were supposed to come to Dhaka on July 13, but after the attack they cancelled the visit," he said. "This meeting was vital for me. I tried to convince them to meet somewhere else, but they said they had already shifted the order to China."

Celio did not respond to a request for comment.

There are no signs yet of major buyers shifting orders away from Bangladesh, not least because the production cycle has entered the busy Christmas season and pulling out business now would be expensive and logistically challenging.

But industry players fear that, over time, security worries may prompt buyers to look to up-and-coming garment centres such as Myanmar and Ethiopia that offer similar cost advantages to Bangladesh.

"There may not be any short-term impact, but medium-to-longer term, for sure," said Mohammadi Group`s Huq.

"Buyers have a right to go wherever they feel their business is more secure, and most importantly - their lives. They do not want to die in Bangladesh."

(Reporting by Zeba Siddiqui, Ruma Paul and Serajul Quadir in Dhaka; Writing by Euan Rocha; Editing by Alex Richardson)


Pyong Yang: North Korea said Wednesday its latest ballistic missile tests were personally ordered and monitored by supreme leader Kim Jong-Un and simulated nuclear strikes on US targets in South Korea.

Tuesday`s test firing of three missiles in violation of existing UN resolutions was seen as an angry reaction to the planned deployment of a US missile defence system in the South.

The launch of the two Scud missiles and one intermediate-range Rodong was condemned by the United States, Japan and South Korea, who vowed a collective diplomatic response.

The tests were monitored by Kim Jong-Un and the range of the missiles was limited to simulate pre-emptive attacks on South Korean ports and airfields hosting US military "hardware," the North`s official KCNA news agency said.

The tests "examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area," it said.

According to the South Korean military, the two Scuds flew between 500 and 600 kilometres (310-370 miles) into the Sea of Japan, while the Rodong was fired about an hour later.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday said the tests were "deeply troubling" and undermined efforts to reduce tension on the Korean peninsula.

UN resolutions prohibit North Korea from developing ballistic missile technology.
Islamabad: Pakistan's ruling party plans to pass long-delayed legislation against "honour killings" within weeks in the wake of the high-profile murder of an outspoken social media star, the daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

The bill will go before a parliamentary committee as early as Thursday, said Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who is an increasingly influential member of her father's ruling party.

The government has faced mounting pressure to pass the law against murders carried out by people professing to be acting in defence of the honour of their family.

The law would remove a loophole that allows other family members to pardon a killer.

The brother of social media star Qandeel Baloch, often described as Pakistan's Kim Kardashian, has been arrested in connection with her strangling death and told a news conference he was incensed by her often risque posts on social media.

Some 500 women are killed each year in Pakistan at the hands of family members over perceived damage to "honour" that can involve eloping, fraternising with men or any other infraction against conservative values that govern women's modesty.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the government wanted to pass the law unanimously and had been negotiating with religious parties in parliament.

"We have finalised the draft law in the light of negotiations," she told Reuters in an interview. "The final draft will be presented to a committee of joint session of parliament on July 21 for consideration and approval."

Maryam said once the parliamentary committee approved the bill, it would be presented for a vote in a "couple of weeks" before a joint session of parliament.

A spokesman for Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the two major religious parties in parliament, said his party would not oppose the bill.
After the escape of two inmates from Lincoln Correctional Center, the Department of Correctional Services is learning important information from a security audit of all prisons.

"We are close to completing that," Department of Correctional Services Director Scott Frakes said.

Problems identified that could be fixed immediately were fixed, he said. Corrective action plans will be created for those that need longer term fixes.

Some, such as areas of perimeter fencing that are at or past their life cycle, may require budget requests, Frakes said.

"They're still working, but they're not the kind of things that you want to wait until they fail," he said.

But most can be handled within the department's existing funds.

It's a high priority, he said.

"It's unfortunate that is was an incident like the escape that provided us ... an opportunity to go do this," he said.

The department does annual security audits but had apparently become more or less focused on the same things each year.

"We went in with a different set of eyes, with a different set of expectations," he said.

This audit looked at issues that were identified specifically from the escape, and each time auditors identified a problem somewhere, the department looked at all 10 facilities to see if the problems extended elsewhere.

Lots of ways the prisons were using good practices were found, Frakes said.

But there were also issues identified in some prisons in which written directions were there but not being followed.

"Those are things we corrected on the spot," he said.

Looking at laundries, where the escape started at Lincoln Correctional Center, auditors found the best example of a correctly and effectively run laundry was at Nebraska State Penitentiary.

"Today, of course, it would be nice to say, 'If we'd have figured that out and replicated that across all our facilities, we wouldn't have had the issue that we had at LCC,'" Frakes said.

In the June escape, Armon Dixon and Timothy Clausen, inmates serving time on sexual assaults, got away from the Lincoln Correctional Center, a prison for higher security inmates near Pioneers Park, in a laundry truck bound for Tecumseh State Correctional Institution.

They jumped out in Lincoln, and Dixon was gone for a day and Claussen a few days. Dixon was captured in Lincoln and Claussen in Omaha.

Other than the Lincoln Correctional Center warden being removed, no one else has been disciplined, Frakes said. The criminal investigation is ongoing. The critical incident review, led by two experts from the Virginia Department of Corrections, could be completed by next week.

"That will give us a good sense of what personnel issues we should pursue with some of the staff," he said. "If there's any issues that seem to overlap with criminal activity, then we'll hold off on those."

State employees have very specific rights, he said.

"I want to make sure those rights are maintained and that we do it correctly," he said.

Investigators said in a search warrant they believe Clausen set up plans to escape from the Lincoln Correctional Center by using a cellphone smuggled in for him by a prison caseworker.
Ramallah: A Palestinian child aged 12 was killed by Israeli soldiers who fired rubber-coated bullets near Jerusalem today, said the Palestinian health ministry.

"Mohiyeh al-Tabakhi, 12, was killed by shots fired by occupation soldiers in the Al-Ram area near Jerusalem," it said in a statement.

The Palestinian suburb in the occupied West Bank near Jerusalem is cut off from the Holy City by the "separation wall" built by Israel.

The boy was hit in the chest by a rubber-coated bullet which caused cardiac arrest, medical sources were quoted by the Palestinian news agency WAFA as saying.

Israeli police said tear gas grenades and sound bombs had been used against demonstrators in the area.

"After being pelted with Molotov cocktails, police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters," police spokeswoman Luba Samri told AFP.

"There was no live fire," she added.

Violence in the Palestinian territories and Israel since last October has killed at least 217 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP count.

Most of the Palestinians killed were carrying out knife, gun or car-ramming attacks, according to Israeli authorities.

Others were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed by Israeli air strikes on the Islamist-controlled Gaza Strip.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to urgently take up with the Uttarakhand government the issue of installation of a statue of Tamil sage poet Thiruvalluvar in Haridwar.

In a letter to Modi, the text of which was released to the media here, Jayalalithaa requested Modi to accord this issue the highest priority and prevail upon the Uttarakhand government to resolve the matter at the earliest.

"It is learnt that the Thiruvalluvar statue is now lying in the Dam Kothi Guest House, Haridwar, in an abandoned condition. The visuals of the statue in this condition beamed on television screens is causing outrage in Tamil Nadu," Jayalalithaa said.

She said BJP`s Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay had proposed the installation of the statue of Thiruvalluvar at Haridwar, and he had offered to raise the funds for the purpose.

Thiruvalluvar is a celebrated poet believed to have lived between 3rd Century BC and 1st Century BC.

He wrote the most popular Tamil literary works 'Thirukkural', also known as the common creed. The verses are a moral guide for human beings and has been translated in several languages.

Jayalalithaa said the Thiruvalluvar Ganga Payanam/journey was flagged off on June 18 at Kanniyakumari by Pon Radhakrishnan, Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, in the presence of BJP MP Vijay and several other leaders cutting across party lines.

"The object of the Thiruvalluvar Ganga Payanam is to show solidarity of the North with the Tamil saint poet Thiruvalluvar`s message of equality and ending social discrimination in society," Jayalalithaa said.

According to her, due to the local protests, the installation of Thiruvalluvar statue at Har ki Pauri was prevented and was installed at Shankaracharya Chowk, Haridwar, on June 28.

The statute was to be unveiled on June 29 by the Governor and Chief Minister of Uttarakhand.

She said the continued protests by the local elements prevented the unveiling and the statue was temporarily installed in the Dam Kothi Guest House, Haridwar in the presence of the Governor of Uttar Pradesh and the Governor of Meghalaya and other dignitaries.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday came out in support of BSP supremo Mayawati, who was at the receiving end of derogatory remarks by a BJP leader, saying his choice of words brought 'disgrace' to his party and demanded his expulsion.

The AIADMK General Secretary also regretted such attacks on women politicians, including herself, and said they should immediately come to an end.

She said "respected sister" Mayawati was being hailed as an "unparalleled" leader of the oppressed classes in Uttar Pradesh and elsewhere and recalled she had been raising the issue of attack on Dalits in Gujarat for the past few days in Parliament.

"May be because of that, Dayashanker Singh has berated her in obscene and obnoxious terms. It is unacceptable to criticise persons with differing opinions in such language," she said in a statement.

Women in politics often faced such 'atrocities,' she said, adding, "I have also faced such bad moments. My heart goes out to Ms Mayawati."

Union Finance Minister Minister Arun Jaitley expressing regret and Singh being relieved of all party posts was "some solace" but this was not enough, Jayalalithaa said.

"I urge the BJP President (Amit Shah) to sack Singh, who has insulted women, from the party," she demanded.

Singh, since relieved from all party posts including as Uttar Pradesh BJP Vice-President, had made derogatory remarks against Mayawati, triggering a national outrage.

Mayawati had also demanded Singh's expulsion from BJP.
New Delhi: Condemning the attacks on Dalits in Gujarat, CPI(M) on Wednesday asked the BJP government in the state to act against culprits and demanded a "ban" on activities of cow protection committees which it termed as "rabid communal outfits".

"The attack in Una has once again highlighted vicious role played by so-called gau raksha committees which are nothing but rabid communal outfits that target Muslims and Dalits engaged in cattle trading and the skinning of dead cattle.

"The Gujarat government should, apart from taking strong action against the culprits in the Una incident, ban the activities of the cow protection committees," the party said in a statement.

Some persons claiming to be "gau rakshaks" (cow protectors) had thrashed seven Dalit youths in Una town in Gir-Somnath district last week, alleging they had killed a cow which they were skinning. The victims claimed they were skinning the cow which had died of natural causes.

Video of the incident went viral, sparking protests. A head constable was killed yesterday after a mob attacked police in Amreli town, while some Dalit youths tried to commit suicide protesting the incident.
Lucknow: The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is mulling to take action against the foul-mouthed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Daya Shankar Singh as the party plans to register a complaint against him for making a derogatory remark against its party supremo.

Singh, who was appointed as BJP Uttar Pradesh vice-president recently, triggered a controversy after he accused BSP supremo of indulging in ticket selling and quipped, 'Mayawati is worst than a prostitute'.

Lacerated by critics, Singh apologized today and said, "I can't even think of Mayawati Ji that way. She has come up after a lot of struggle."

But it was not enough to save his job.

The BJP removed Singh from the post of Uttar Pradesh BJP soon after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley expressed personal regret in Parliament.

"It is not right and I condemn the use of this word and if a person has said this, we will investigate. I express personal regret. I associate with your dignity and stand with you," Rajnath told Mayawati.

Daya Shankar Singh was one of the 15 BJP vice presidents in Uttar Pradesh, where campaigning for elections next year has picked up both pace and aggression.
New Delhi: Nine disqualified Uttarakhand Congress MLAs, who had approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to attend the upcoming session of the state Assembly, have failed to win approval from the apex court.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to allow the rebel Congress MLAs, who have joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), to attend the Uttarakhand Assembly session starting July 21.

The MLAs had also urged the SC for a reconsideration of the Speakers decision to disqualify them.

The Speaker, who is facing a motion for removal, cannot disqualify members of the Assembly, the court had said in its July 13 verdict on Arunachal Pradesh, which faced a similar crisis.

The apex court today said the outcome of rebels notice seeking removal of the Speaker will be subjected to final verdict of Supreme Court.

In the Uttarakhand Assembly, a motion seeking removal of Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal was under consideration when the nine rebel Congress MLAs were disqualified.

The Centre had in March imposed President's rule in Uttarakhand. Nearly two months later, the Harish Rawat-led Congress government was brought back after the apex court directed a trust vote in the Assembly.

The Speaker had then on March 27 disqualified the nine rebel Congress MLAs for supporting the BJP.

The Uttarakhand High Court had later upheld the Speaker's decision.
Kolkata: Veteran Maoist spokesperson Gour Chakraborty, who was behind bars since his arrest in 2009, was on Tuesday acquitted by a city court here.

The septuagenarian Chakraborty was arrested on June 23, 2009, a day after the central government banned the radical left-wing Communist Party of India-Maoist

He was charged with several offences including under section 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which provides punishment for being member of terrorist gang or organisation and carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment.

"The court of city Sessions Judge Kum Kum Singha acquitted Chakraborty of all the charges. The prosecution could not substantiate the charges brought against Chakraborty, and court acquitted him," said Chakraborty's counsel S. Roy.

The verdict was cheered by Chakraborty's wife Mukta Keshi and several rights activists present at the court premises.

"I always had hoped of his release someday and that today is that day," she said.

Hailing the verdict, Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR), a rights organisation demanded release of several political prisoners including pro-Maoist tribal group Peoples' Committee against Police Atrocities (PCAPA) convener Chhatradhar Mahato who are now in various West Bengal jails.

"The charges under UAPA against people like Mahato and others are false and baseless and someday the courts will declare that. The Mamata Banerjee government had declared releasing all the political prisoners who have been languishing in jails for long. We demand their unconditional release," APDR secretary Ranjit Sur said.

Chakraborty became a spokesperson of the CPI-Maoist in 2008 and was active in the Lalgarh movement. He played a crucial role in uniting urban support bases in favour of the tribal upsurge in Jangalmahal- the three Left Wing Extremism (LWE) hit districts of Bankura, Purulia and West Midnapore.

Lalgarh, 200 km west of Kolkata, in West Midnapore district, was on the boil for over two years since November 2, 2008, when a landmine exploded on the route of the convoy of then state Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Union Ministers Ram Vilas Paswan and Jitin Prasada.

Complaining of police atrocities after the blast, angry tribals egged on by the Maoists, launched an agitation against the Left Front government of the day, virtually cutting off the area from the rest of the district.

The agitators torched LF spearhead CPI-M offices, drove away its supporters and forced police to leave, thereby establishing a virtual free zone.

In June 2009, joint forces comprising central paramilitary troopers and crack teams of state police reclaimed the areas and conducted intense operations to flush out the left wing ultras.

The movement gradually died down after the widespread arrests and deaths in gunfights.
Paris: French military intelligence estimates that about 100 foreigners continue to enter Syria from Turkey each week to join Islamic State, French daily Le Figaro reported on Wednesday.

France`s foreign minister said on Sunday that questions needed to be asked on whether Turkey was a viable partner in the fight against Islamic State in Syria and would raise the issue in a coalition meeting in Washington this week.

"According to the Direction for Military Intelligence (DRM) in Paris, each week, about 100 foreigners continue to cross Turkey into Syria to join Islamic State," Le Figaro reported, citing sources.

The defence ministry did not immediately comment on the report.
Dhaka: Bangladeshi investigators have sought more samples from the bodies of the slain attackers to check whether the ISIS' 'super soldiers' carried out the country's worst terror attack at an upscale restaurant in Dhaka's diplomatic zone early this month, killing 22 people.

"Police's counter-terrorism unit has asked for samples of hair, 20 millilitres of blood among other things. So we will extract them from the dead bodies," assistant professor of Forensic Medicine at Dhaka Medical College and Hospital Soheil Mahmud was quoted as saying by the bdnews24.Com today.

The autopsy officials took samples of the attackers' blood, teeth and flesh from their thighs to check if they were under the influence of drugs the ISIS uses to create "super soldiers", said

"We had collected five millilitres of their blood. But the investigators want 20 millilitres and more samples. We will collect them at a suitable time," he said.

ISIS fighters use an amphetamine-based drug in the form of a pill, Captagon, for energy and agility at the battlefront, according to investigators and military analysts.

According to experts, Captagon users can go on without sleeping for days and without feeling hungry.

The attackers, mostly in their 20s, seized the Holey Artisan Bakery on the night of July 1, where they murdered 20 hostages, 17 of them foreigners.

Two police officers died when hit by a grenade. The six gunmen were killed by army commandos who stormed the cafe the next morning.

The remains of the attackers are kept at the mortuary of the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka.

The so-called Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadly attack, but the government denied their presence in Bangladesh, saying homegrown militants were responsible.

The elite anti-crime Rapid Action Battalion yesterday released a CCTV footage of four suspected terrorists including a woman linked to the cafe attack.

In the video, the four are seen strolling around the cafe ahead of the attack and talking among themselves while the young woman was carrying something heavy in a vanity bag. However, none of their faces appear clear in the footage.
London: British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said on Tuesday it would take far too long for him to apologise for the "rich thesaurus" of rude comments and insults he has directed at world leaders and others over the years.

Johnson, a former journalist with a talent for trenchant comments that his critics say sometimes tip over into untruth, said his utterances over a three-decade career had often been "misconstrued".

Appointed foreign secretary, to widespread surprise, in a government reshuffle following Britain`s vote to leave the European Union last month, Johnson first made his name in the early 1990s as a foreign correspondent in Brussels writing highly coloured stories about the EU.

Since then he has continued to court controversy, for example accusing US President Barack Obama of nurturing an ancestral dislike for the British empire. He also wrote an obscene limerick about President Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey.

In the run-up to the referendum, he fronted the campaign to leave the EU, lending support to claims on government spending and immigration that critics said were at best misleading.

Appearing at a London news conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Johnson was asked if he was going to apologise for his disobliging remarks about world leaders.

"We can spend an awfully long time going over lots of stuff that I`ve written over the last 30 years ... all of which in my view has been taken out of context, but never mind, some serious issues call us today," Johnson said.

He was then asked if he wanted to retract his comments about Obama, or whether they were an indication of the kind of diplomacy he intended to practise in his new job.

"I`m afraid that there is such a rich thesaurus now of things that I have said that have been one way or another, through what alchemy I do not know, somehow misconstrued that it would really take me too long to engage in a fully global itinerary of apology to all concerned," Johnson responded.

He stuck to his guns, even when accused by another reporter of having a long history of exaggerations and "frankly outright lies".

"Let me just repeat my point, which is that I think people are more than welcome to rake over stuff I`ve written over many, many years but I think (the) most important thing is to get on with the very heavy agenda we have before us today, and to try and sort out, if we can, some of the intensifying problems we are seeing particularly in Syria."

Johnson on two occasions said that one of the issues he would be seeking to tackle was the burgeoning "crisis in Egypt". It was not clear what he was talking about, but the foreign office said he had intended to say Egypt.

Johnson was clearly not surprised by the questioning on his past remarks from the British and US media. He tried to brush off the first couple of questions with a prepared answer but became more irritated.

He did get a break from Kerry, who said the U.S. ambassador in Brussels had referred to Johnson as a "very smart and capable man". Kerry added: "That`s the Boris Johnson I intend to work with."

"I can live with that," said a rather sheepish-looking Johnson, prompting Kerry to reply: "It`s called diplomacy Boris."
STANTON -- Russ and Marla Gubbels went home Tuesday night with a couple jars and a sense of unease about the 30-inch pipeline that transports Canadian tar sand oil across their farm northeast of Randolph.

The jars were given to them by the advocacy group Bold Nebraska for gathering samples of soil and water from their land to be tested by an independent lab in Omaha.

The sense of unease was given stems from what they see as a lack of oversight and lack of information as TransCanada Corp. digs up and replaces sections of its Keystone pipeline.

"I'd kind of be an idiot not to be concerned," said Russ Gubbels, who was one of about 25 people who attended a meeting organized by Bold Nebraska and held at the Red Road Herbs Retreat & Learning Center near Stanton.

TransCanada is digging up sections of the pipeline for two different reasons, only six years after it began operating in June 2010, said Angela Pickett, one of two representative of the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that attended the meeting.

The first surfaced in the wake of an oil leak from the pipeline discovered April 2 by a landowner near Freeman, South Dakota. A third-party investigator hired by TransCanada found a small hole in a weld that leaked about two drops per minute. It's unknown how long it leaked but officials estimate it spilled 400 barrels of crude oil.

The pipeline administration ordered TransCanada to verify the integrity of the pipeline and address any areas of concern.

The second reason TransCanada is digging up the pipeline is to replace portions that don't meet current government strength guidelines that became an issue after the pipeline was installed. Replacing those sections will allow the company to run the pipeline at higher pressure.

TransCanada spokesman Mark Cooper on Wednesday said the company is not replacing girth welds and is only replacing sections to allow the pipeline to operate at higher pressure.

"We did carry out additional integrity inspections on areas that may have similar characteristics on the Keystone Pipeline as requested by PHMSA following the incident in Freeman, however, no welds or sections of pipeline were identified as needing to be repaired or replaced," Cooper said in an email.

"As such, there are no plans to carry out additional pipe replacements beyond the proactive maintenance work scheduled in order to comply with guidelines issued by PSMSA so we can operate the pipeline at a higher operating pressure."

Cooper said the work to replace sections of the pipeline is not related to the Freeman, South Dakota, leak.

In addition to Nebraska, pipeline sections are being replaced in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and South Dakota. Work started in May and is expected to continue through mid-2017. Crews have completed six section projects so far, TransCanada said.

"The Keystone Pipeline continues to operate safely and there is no public safety issue or integrity concern with the pipeline," Cooper said.

"This maintenance work is simply being done to comply with PHMSA's guidelines and so we can safely increase the operating pressure on the pipeline," he said.

Bold Nebraska founder Jane Kleeb said Nebraska landowners have no way to verify TransCanada's safety assurances.

"Our fear is slow leaks have been happening and they know that and that is why they have been doing these replacements ... We feel there should be some level of accountability of TransCanada," said Kleeb, one of the foremost grassroots organizers who opposed TransCanada's failed Keystone XL, the final phase of its Keystone pipeline network.

President Barack Obama last year killed the Keystone XL project by denying a permit TransCanda needed to build across the border between the United States and Canada.

PHMSA has had inspectors at Keystone excavation sites, Pickett said, but their reports are not made public. Kleeb said Bold Nebraska plans to file Freedom of Information Act requests demanding those reports.

Pickett said both the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have the authority to do soil and water testing.

Crystal Rhoads, an elected member of the Nebraska Public Service Commission, also spoke at the meeting encouraging people who attended to contact state regulators and lawmakers to encourage them to give the Public Service Commission more authority over pipeline issues, including safety and reporting.

Currently the Public Service Commission only has sway over approval of the path pipelines take through the state and violations of the state laws that require companies to restore land after digging it up, Rhoads said.

The Keystone pipeline network runs from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City in southern Nebraska where it splits south and east. The south section connects to refineries along the Gulf Coast while the eastern section runs to Illinois.

The pipeline administration is reviewing a request by Rep. Brad Ashford, 2nd District Democrat from Omaha, for independent testing of soil and water along sections of the pipeline that TransCanada plans to replace.
London: Britain will no longer take on the rotating EU presidency as planned next year, relinquishing the role in the wake of the Brexit vote, Prime Minister Theresa May's office said on Wednesday.

May informed European Council president Donald Tusk of her decision in a phone call on Tuesday evening, their first since she took over from David Cameron last week.

"The prime minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating Presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union," a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

"Donald Tusk welcomed the prime minister's swift decision on this issue which would allow the council to put alternative arrangements in place."

The presidency of the Council -- the gathering of national ministers from the EU's 28 member states -- rotates among members every six months.

EU ambassadors will meet later on Wednesday to decide who will replace Britain.

Slovakia currently has the presidency, until December 31, followed by Malta. Britain was due to take it from July 1 until December 31, 2017.

May repeated to Tusk that she wanted to approach negotiations on extricating Britain from its 43-year-old members of the bloc "in a constructive and pragmatic spirit" but will need time to prepare, the spokeswoman said.

She added: "Donald Tusk reassured the prime minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible.

"They concluded by looking forward to a strong working relationship and agreed that they should meet soon in Brussels or London."
London: Prime Minister Theresa May will try to reassure allies over Britain`s vote to leave the European Union when she meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday and then heads to France in her first foreign trips as leader.

May, appointed a week ago after her predecessor David Cameron resigned over the result of the EU vote, will make clear she will not be rushed into triggering Britain`s divorce because she says she needs time to form a negotiating stance.

But by heading to Germany and France, soon after visiting Scotland and Wales to underline her desire to keep Britain united, May will sound out two of the EU`s most powerful leaders, Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, as she gears up to launch the complex negotiation for Britain`s exit.

May said before her trip that she was heading to Germany and France "so soon after taking office" because she was determined Britain would "make a success of leaving the European Union".

"These visits will be an opportunity to forge a strong working relationship that we can build upon and which I hope to develop with more leaders across the European Union in the weeks and months ahead," she said in a statement.

"I do not underestimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the European Union and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation."

May`s spokeswoman characterised the visits as "a first conversation" and said the prime minister would not get into detailed discussions on Brexit.

EU leaders have said they will not enter into formal negotiations with Britain until it invokes Article 50 of the EU`s Lisbon Treaty to trigger the exit procedure.

But there is a clear desire for May to scope out attitudes in Europe, especially with Merkel. The German leader has indicated that the EU`s biggest member states - rather than its institutions - will determine the talks.

MILITARY HONOURS

May will be received on Wednesday in Berlin with military honours and meet Merkel for a working dinner. On Thursday, after returning to Britain, she will head to Paris to meet Hollande.

The former interior minister is under no illusion about how tough the talks on Britain`s departure might be.

May, who has struggled to control migration into Britain, must try to balance voters` demands for a reduction in movement of people from the rest of the 28-country bloc and a desire from business to keep access to the lucrative EU single market.

Described as "utterly intractable" by a Cameron ally, May will be up against the equally pragmatic Merkel, who has told Britain it will not be able to "cherry pick" what it wants to keep from its EU membership.

Hollande, under pressure after last week`s deadly truck attack in Nice, will also be firm in demanding that Britain either sign up to EU rules or suffer the consequences.

He is keen to dampen the popularity of Marine Le Pen and her far-right National Front, which wants a French "Frexit".

May also wants to reinforce the importance to Britain of continued counter-terrorism cooperation.

"I also want to deliver a very clear message about the importance we attach to our bilateral relationship with our European partners, not just now but also when we have left the European Union," she said.

"These relationships have been vital in the past and they will be vital in the future as we continue to work together to keep our people safe and to support economic growth that benefits people across our countries."
Phnom Penh: Cambodia`s military is investigating a suspected coup plot against Prime Minister Hun Sen, a defence ministry official said on Wednesday, amid rising political tension in the Southeast Asian country.

The army investigation centres on a man who announced plans to topple Hun Sen in Facebook and YouTube videos and called on others to join his cause, said Defence Ministry spokesman Chhum Sucheat.

"The authorities are investigating and looking for him," Chhum Sucheat told Reuters. He identified the man as Vichea Som but declined to give further details.

News of the plot comes a day after a senior U.S. official responsible for human rights urged Cambodia`s political rivals to return to negotiations amid a "deteriorating situation".

In the video, the man the ministry identified as Vichea Som is dressed in a business suit and tie with a camouflage background visible in the footage.

He did not identify himself but accused Hun Sen`s government and his ruling Cambodian People`s Party of being behind big land grabs in one of Southeast Asia`s poorest countries. He also accused the government of high-profile killings and human rights abuses.

"In the near future, please all forces be ready against the dictatorial regime," the man said.

He did not specifically call for a coup or threaten to organise a coup in the video clip.

It was not clear where he was speaking from but he said he belonged to a "unit" based in southwestern Cambodia.

The Facebook page bearing the name Vichea Som showed the same man. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook.

Hun Sen has ruled with an iron fist for more than 30 years, defeating all challenges to his authority, but he faces a young electorate which appears increasingly hungry for change.

In recent moths, tension has been rising between Hun Sen and an opposition hoping to challenge his grip in local elections next year and a general election in 2018.

Several members of the opposition and activists have been jailed as part of what they say is a government crackdown to silence critics ahead of the elections.

On July 10, Kem Ley, a prominent activist and frequent critic of Hun Sen, was murdered in the capital Phnom Penh.

A suspect has been arrested and police said they believed Kem Ley was killed because of a debt. Activists believe his murder was political.

The United States has called for a credible investigation. The European Union and United Nations have expressed concern about the political tension.
Hong Kong: China warned Wednesday against Hong Kong pro-independence parties running in the city`s upcoming elections as the movement gains traction among some young campaigners.

It comes days after leaders of two pro-independence groups nominated candidates for the September parliamentary vote.

A concern is growing that the Chinese government is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city, spurring an emerging "localist" movement seeking more autonomy or even a full split from China.

Beijing and authorities in Hong Kong have said the pro-independence movement is against the city`s mini-constitution and that campaigning for a breakaway could result in unspecified "action according to the law".

The director of China`s representative office in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, warned Wednesday against parties transforming the election into a promotion of Hong Kong independence.

"If Hong Kong independence groups are tolerated in entering gloriously into the legislative body of Hong Kong, is this in accordance with "one country, two systems?" Zhang asked in a televised news conference, referring to the city`s semi-autonomous status.

"Which direction would this set Hong Kong society down?...This isn`t just only a legal issue, it`s a major matter of principle, a matter of the bottom line," he said.

The "one country, two systems" deal is enshrined in an agreement when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997, guaranteeing its freedoms and way of life for 50 years.

But there are fears those freedoms are being eroded by Beijing interference.

Zhang`s comments come after at least 13 pro-democracy candidates, including some who are campaigning for independence, refused to sign a form reiterating the city is an "inalienable" part of China in order to be nominated a new electoral requirement that has been slammed as political censorship.

Critics say the Hong Kong leadership is merely a puppet of Beijing, particularly since mass rallies in 2014 failed to win political reform.

Negative sentiment has been exacerbated by the disappearance last year of five Hong Kong booksellers from a firm that published gossipy books about leading Chinese politicians. All resurfaced on the mainland.

One of the men, who skipped bail and is now in Hong Kong, told how he was blindfolded, detained and interrogated over alleged involvement in bringing banned books into the mainland.

Pro-independence activists clashed with police in some of the city`s worst violence in decades in February, but have since maintained a fairly low profile.
Dhaka: A Dhaka court on Wednesday charged five activists of a banned militant outfit for the 2015 murder of popular blogger Oyasiqur Rahman Babu, who wrote against the Jamaat-e-Islami and radical Islamists.

An additional metropolitan magistrate court indicted the Ansarullah Bangla Team militants and fixed August 4 for depositions by witnesses, bdnews24 reported.

Three of the suspects were presented in the court for the hearing, an official said.

The remaining two are absconding and will be tried in absentia, the official added.

On the morning of March 30, 2015, machete-wielding religious fundamentalists hacked Oyasiqur to death near his home in Dhaka`s Tejgaon area.

Oyasiqur`s attackers targeted his neck and head, similar to previous attacks on bloggers, Ahmed Rajib Haider and Avijit Roy.

According to bdnews24, one of the arrested is a madrassa student from Hathazari area of Chittagong and the other attends a madrassa situated in Dhaka`s Mirpur area.

Locals managed to nab two of the attackers and handed them over to law enforcers while the third suspect was arrested by police later.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, Oyasiqur worked as a travel agency executive and had over 2,600 friends on Facebook. The blogger wrote under pseudonyms on popular blogs.

On his Facebook account, Oyasiqur wrote several notes opposing irrational religious beliefs, superstitions, and radical Islamists.

He was also an admirer of Avijit Roy, a US-based Bangladeshi -- founder of Mukto Mona, a web forum for South Asian rationalists -- who was hacked to death on February 26, 2015.

Oyasiqur wrote against Jamaat-e-Islami and radical Islamist groups. He was also vocal against human rights violations on the religious minorities and indigenous people of the country.

Oyasiqur was a member of eight Facebook group pages including Atheist Bangladesh.
Ohio: Republicans formally chose Donald Trump as the party`s presidential nominee Tuesday, a landmark moment in American politics and a stunning victory for a man whose White House ambitions were once openly mocked.

After a roller-coaster campaign that saw Trump defeat 16 rivals and steamroller stubborn party opposition, the tycoon said it was time to "go all the way" and beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in November.

"This is a movement," he told the delegates via video link.

On the convention floor, states from Alabama to West Virginia took it in turns to pledge their delegates.

It fell to Trump`s home state of New York, represented by a coterie of the candidate`s adult children, to hand him the majority-plus-one needed to clinch the nomination.

"It`s my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegation count tonight," Donald Trump Jr said to cheers and applause.

When the bombastic mogul came down the escalators of Trump Towers in New York 13 months ago to announce his candidacy, few experts gave him even the faintest chance.

His campaign has defied political norms -- embracing racially inflammatory policies, offending key voting blocks, eschewing big-spending advertising campaigns and relying on saturated media coverage above campaign structure.

"It`s unbelievable. It`s surreal. I`m so proud of my father," said Trump`s eldest daughter and businesswoman Ivanka Trump, often described as his secret weapon.

"He`s the ultimate outsider and he did it. We are so proud of him."Trump became the presumptive nominee nearly two months ago. But relentless controversy over his campaign rhetoric and a simmering movement by anti-Trump delegates to deny him the nomination made it less than a foregone conclusion.

Around the convention floor, Trump`s victory was far from universally welcomed.

Many delegates clapped politely after his victory, a few angrily walked out or voiced their unease.

Several states refused to honor party convention and pledge their delegates to a frontrunner who was by then unopposed.

"I`m disappointed` said Utah Senator Mike Lee. "But it is what it is."

Washington delegate Teri Galvez said baldly: "We do not support Donald Trump."But as the last vestiges of Republican resistance were quashed, there fresh signs that the party establishment had thrown its lot in with Trump in a bid to beat Clinton.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie led delegates in declaring Clinton "guilty" and encouraged visceral chants of "lock her up."

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan declared "the Obama years are almost over. The Clinton years are way over. Two-thousand sixteen is the year America moves on."

The Trump campaign will hope that disdain for Clinton will unite the party and make a series of missteps irrelevant.

"The party is unified, we`re all here, I will bet you, if you polled this place, there is not one vote for Hillary Clinton in this building," key Trump lieutenant Corey Lewandowski told AFP.

"People are ready for a fundamental and unequivocal change in Washington and the person who is going to bring that is Donald Trump."

Before Trump emerged victorious, it had been a brutal week for the candidate.

His glamorous wife Melania Trump brought some pizzazz to the proceedings on the opening night.

But an embarrassing plagiarism scandal tarnished her prime-time speech -- and brought her husband`s presidential campaign under withering scrutiny.

Earlier delegates exchanged jeers and heckles as anti-Trump forces tried in vain to thwart his nomination.

Again on Tuesday it fell to Trump`s kin to reshape his public image.

Donald Trump Jr made a sweeping speech peppered with personal anecdotes that humanized his father.

The married father of five touched on themes of economic inequality, job creation, promised healthcare for "our most vulnerable citizens" and to improve public education.

Clinton wasted no time seeking to capitalize on Trump`s party victory.

"Donald Trump just became the Republican nominee. Chip in now to make sure he never steps foot in the Oval Office," she said in a fundraising tweet.
Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was to chair meetings of his national security council and cabinet in Ankara Wednesday after returning to the capital for the first time since the failed coup aimed at ousting him from power, officials said.

Erdogan, who was in the Aegean resort of Marmaris when the coup struck late Friday, flew to Istanbul where he had stayed since, appearing before supporters each night.

But the president returned to the capital late Tuesday for the first time since the coup, a Turkish official told AFP.

He also held his first international bilateral meeting, hosting Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili for talks at his presidential palace in Ankara.

The president will later Wednesday at 0900 GMT chair a meeting of his national security council for the first time since the coup at his presidential palace, his office said. The council is composed of top military figures and security ministers.

Erdogan will then at 1200 GMT chair a meeting of the cabinet, also at the palace, whose immediate vicinity was bombed during the botched coup bid.

Erdogan told supporters in Istanbul on Monday that "an important decision" would be announced after the national security council meeting, without specifying.

The crunch meetings come as controversy grows over the scope of the legal crackdown against those behind the coup plot.

On Tuesday, the government suspended 15,200 state education employees allegedly linked to the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen who Ankara blames for the coup.

About 9,300 people have also been detained, including top generals accused of treason for allegedly masterminding the plot as well as soldiers, police and judges.
Istanbul: Turkish security forces and Kurdish militants are locked in a grinding conflict with no end in sight even after the botched coup, following a year of renewed fighting that has sown death and devastation in Turkey`s southeast.

The coup bid on Friday to unseat President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was staged by disgruntled members of the Turkish army, which has taken the lead role in the conflict and borne the brunt of the losses on the Turkish side.

By late Tuesday, four days after the failed putsch, Turkish F-16s were back in the air to launch their first strikes against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) since the coup attempt, bombing its bases in northern Iraq.

Until a year ago, a largely respected two-and-a-half year truce had sparked hopes of a final peace deal to end Turkey`s three-decade conflict with the PKK.

But the fighting resumed last July and an accord now seems further away than ever.

In a bloody sequence of events, 34 people pro-Kurdish activists were killed on July 20 last year close to the Syrian border in a bombing blamed on Islamic State group (IS) jihadists.

Accusing Turkey of collaborating with IS -- a claim Ankara fiercely denies -- the PKK then killed two police as they slept in what it called an act of revenge a day later.

The PKK then tore up the truce it had declared in March 2013 and resumed attacks on security forces, which retaliated with relentless operations in Kurdish urban centres and air raids in the mountains of southeast Turkey and against PKK bases in northern Iraq.

The latest raids appear to be a sign that Erdogan has regained full control of the military to persue his battle against the PKK.

"The two actors were ready for the resumption of the conflict and that explains why the escalation has been so serious," said Yohanan Benhaim of the Paris 1-Pantheon Sorbonne University.

But the resumption of violence "has been disastrous for the actors as well as the civilian population," he added.Founded by radical leftist students led by Abdullah Ocalan in the 1970s, the PKK formally launched its insurrection against the Turkish state in 1984.

Initially it sought independence for Turkey`s Kurdish minority -- making up around 20 percent of the population -- although over the years the emphasis switched to greater rights and self-rule.

Existing tensions were fuelled by the conflict in neighbouring Syria, where Kurdish militias were battling to stop the advance of IS.

The Kurds accused Turkey of encouraging the rise of the Islamists but Ankara saw the Kurdish People`s Protection Units (YPG) militia as simply the Syrian branch of the PKK.

According to Turkish authorities, at least 483 members of the security forces have been killed in attacks since the truce collapsed last year. They also say over 7,000 members of the PKK have been eliminated, a figure that is impossible to independently verify.

With the fighting reducing parts of some towns to rubble, some 355,000 people have been internally displaced, according to Human Rights Watch, which has also denounced "widespread unlawful destruction of private property".

One shift in the conflict has been attempts by the PKK to establish themselves in Turkish urban centres, away from their remote mountain strongholds, with militants launching patrols and setting up barricades.

The army responded by launching crushing military operations backed by curfews to root out PKK in almost two dozen towns which activists say took a heavy toll on civilians.

Images from the targeted areas showed the scale of the violence, like in the historic Sur district of Diyarbakir or the town of Cizre which could easily have been mistaken for areas in Homs or Aleppo -- both of which have been devastated by five years of war in neighbouring Syria.

"The government could not allow the PKK to obtain territorial control in urban areas," said Sinan Ulgen, director of the Edam think tank, adding that the violence had risen to a level "never before seen". But for all the human suffering, analysts question where the fighting has taken either side, with the PKK no closer to achieving its goals but the Turkish government also no closer to defeating the group.

"After a year since the start of this tragedy, there is no sign that the cycle of violence is going to end," said Ulgen.

"The PKK failed in its aim of launching its own governance model in the southeast of Turkey due to the lack of popular support that it had been counting on. It strengthened itself in Syria, but not in Turkey."

Ocalan, jailed for life on a prison island off Istanbul, is cut off and silent, with more belligerent PKK figures taking the lead. Meanwhile, Turkish leaders warn there will be no let-up in the "anti-terror fight".

"Neither of the two actors have an interest in the end of the conflict," said Benhaim. "The security forces have managed to reimpose control on towns, but at what price?"
Mexico: Gunmen killed eight fishermen in the popular Mexican surf resort of Puerto Escondido late on Monday, prosecutors said, in a rare shooting for a part of the country that has largely avoided serious gang violence.

The shark fishermen were in a house in the Pacific port when the gunmen entered and opened fire. Four were killed at the scene while the other four died soon after being taken to a local hospital, prosecutors from the southern state of Oaxaca said on Tuesday.

One of the main lines of investigation is whether the men also engaged in other activities at sea aside from fishing, the prosecutors said in a statement.

Monitored by federal police and the Mexican Navy, the coast of Oaxaca is a strategic point for traffickers moving drugs from Central and South America to the United States. Shark hunters fish offshore using vessels larger than ordinary fishing boats.

More than 120,000 people have been killed in Mexico in violence linked to drug gangs since the start of 2007.

Famous for the powerful waves that roll into the Zicatela beach, Puerto Escondido is a small resort frequented by visitors from the United States and Europe, particularly Italians.
Cleveland: An Indian-American donor from Chicago will donate a whopping USD 898,000 to Donald Trump's presidential campaign, making him one of the biggest financial backers to the Republican nominee.

Chicago-based Shalabh "Shalli" Kumar wired USD 449,400 to the Trump Victory Fund on Saturday afternoon, The Hill reported. This is the maximum one can donate to the Trump campaign.

His wife will send another equal amount to the Trump Victory fund thus becoming "double max" totaling USD 898,800.

Early this year, Kumar founded the Republican Hindu Coalition.

He yesterday hosted a breakfast reception for Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives and a close aide of Trump.

Kumar also met Trump on Saturday.

"That's just a start. That's the seed money," Kumar said.

Kumar praised Trump for his policies on Pakistan and his views on Muslim profiling.

"He has to do whatever [it takes] and he is the strongest that has come about in the last 45 years. On national defence, he will be stronger than Reagan (former president Ronald Wilson Reagan)," Kumar said.
A coalition of leaders from six Nebraska ag groups on Wednesday came out against amending the states constitution to guarantee the right to farm and said legislators should be focused on tax reform and specifically reducing property taxes.

Ag groups were divided last legislative session over a failed Right to Farm constitutional amendment (LR378CA) introduced by state Sen. John Kuehn of Heartwell.

Supporters said the measure would protect the states top industry from environmentalists, animal rights groups and other threats. Opponents said it would have done more harm than good and would have blocked lawmakers from creating rules to limit farm practices without a compelling state interest.

Two states, North Dakota and Missouri, already have right-to-farm measures, and Oklahoma voters in November will weigh in on whether to adopt it.

Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson said the new consensus came out of a work group of agriculture leaders that began meeting this year.

After discussing concerns about the right-to-farm issue, the group unanimously concluded it should not be pursued as a constitutional amendment. The group said in a news release that its members still support enacting some of the right-to-farm concepts through state law at a time they deem appropriate.

We think there are some reasons to take a go-slow approach here. As weve learned about what other states have dealt with as it relates to those kinds of proposals weve been urged to be very cautious, Nelson said in a phone interview.

Having the right to farm doesnt mean much if you cant afford to farm we have low commodity prices in practically every commodity we raise in Nebraska. At the same time, we have property taxes that continue to grow.

Kuehn said he was surprised by the announcement Wednesday and plans to continue pursuing the legislation.

He said a constitutional amendment is the best way to protect and support Nebraska agriculture, because it would stop future activist legislators from regulating farm practices.

Working on taxes and tax reform and working on science-based agricultural policy and economic development tools, theyre not mutually exclusive, Kuehn said.

The ag leadership group said its main focus in the coming year will be propelling the agricultural economy forward through property tax relief and reform. The group also said it plans to advocate greater access to new technology and biotechnology for the ag industry.

The fact that we have such a heavy over-reliance on property to pay for government services is what needs to be addressed. Almost 50 percent of all the government services in Nebraska are paid for through property tax, Nelson said.

Farmers, he said, have seen their tax bills increase more than 170 percent in the past decade.

The group has not endorsed a specific plan for resolving the states tax issues.

Nebraska Cattlemen President Barb Cooksley, whose group previously supported the constitutional amendment, said the ag leaders discussed their priorities with Gov. Pete Ricketts earlier this week.

Tax reform across the board is needed. Property, income and sales, she said. We need good roads. We need good schools, hospitals. Taxes impact all of those. We know that no one sector can have it all. Everybody needs to have some tax relief in the state.

Agricultural organizations whose leaders participated in the work group include Nebraska Cattlemen, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Nebraska Soybean Association and the Nebraska State Dairy Association.
Nairobi: Security agencies are killing and abducting men in north-east Kenya suspected of links to Islamist extremists, a rights group said Wednesday, as police challenged them to provide evidence to an independent body.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented 34 "enforced disappearances" and 11 suspected "extrajudicial killings" over two years in Garissa, Mandera and Wajir counties as part of counterterrorism operations in Kenya`s predominately ethnic Somali north-east.

"People in northeastern Kenya deserve protection from Al-Shabaab attacks, not further abuse from the authorities," said HRW executive director Ken Roth.

He said the cases documented were "just the tip of the iceberg."

The report details people taken from their homes by masked, armed men who did not identify themselves, or being beaten in the streets and driven away in government vehicles.

Some of the disappeared were last seen in police or military custody. No one has been charged with any crime, nor are their families able to trace them.

"Rounding people up and refusing to disclose their whereabouts is a serious crime and only compounds fears and mistrust in the security forces," Roth said.

Kenya`s Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) is regularly accused of intimidating or killing suspects.

Both human rights and academic researchers have repeatedly warned that the heavy-handed approach alienates and angers communities, helping drive radicalisation.

Those warnings have been ignored, HRW says, with a range of security agencies employing the same tactics in north-east Kenya under the legal authority of Kenya`s National Security Council, headed by the president and other senior officials."The allegations raised by Human Rights Watch are very serious," said police spokesman Charles Owino.

"We challenge them to provide all the evidence they have about those allegations to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, the Witness Protection Unit and the Director of Public Prosecutions for a thorough investigation so that action can be taken," he said.

"I know they will not trust us to investigate ourselves and that is why we are saying they give all the information to IPOA which is an independent body charging with investigating police excesses."

There is a host of security agencies deployed in Kenya`s north-east, including national police and reservists, the army and even the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

All are said to be implicated in the alleged murders and abductions of mostly ethnic Somali men in their 20s-40s.

"This is multi-agency abuse, with a sophisticated operational structure that reaches to the highest levels of government," Roth said.

The report also points the finger at Kenya`s new National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) established to coordinate the counterterrorism operations.

Since sending troops into Somalia in 2011, Kenya has suffered numerous terrorist attacks by the Somali-led al-Qaeda group, the Shabaab, including an assault on Nairobi`s Westgate shopping mall in 2013 and a massacre of students at a university in Garissa in 2015.
Rome: More than 3,200 migrants were rescued from the Mediterranean Tuesday in 25 operations, the Italian coast guard said.

One person was found dead during the rescue efforts, said the coastguard Wednesday, which coordinated the missions conducted by the Italian navy and coastguard, the EU`s Eunavfor Med msision and NGOs such as MSF, Sea Watch and MOAS.

The latest arrivals take the number of migrants to have landed in Italy this year to more than 80,000, according to the UN`s refugee agency. Most of them are Africans.

Since 2014, more than 10,000 migrants have died or are feared to have drowned while attempting the perilous journey to Europe by sea, most losing their lives in the central Mediterranean, UNHCR says.
Bavaria: A woman on trial in one of Germany's worst infanticide cases was convicted Wednesday of killing four of her babies and handed a 14-year jail sentence.

Andrea Goeppner, 45, was found to have murdered the four newborns, whose remains were discovered wrapped in towels and plastic bags last year, in a case that has horrified the country.

Her estranged husband, Johann Goeppner, 55, was acquitted on charges of complicity for failing to stop the killings, which took place between 2003 and 2013.

Prosecutors at the regional court in the southern city of Coburg had demanded a life sentence for Andrea Goeppner, who was originally arrested on suspicion of killing up to eight of her babies.

Their bodies were uncovered at her home in the small Bavarian town of Wallenfels following a tip-off from a neighbour.

However prosecutors were unable to pursue murder charges for the other four infants, as one was found to have been stillborn and three were so badly decomposed that it was unclear whether they were viable at birth.

Defence lawyers had called for the charges to be reduced to involuntary manslaughter.Presiding judge Christoph Gillot defended the decision to stop short of a life sentence.

"When a case like this is tried, you suddenly have a lot of people who know what the right thing to do is -- that a supposed `horror mother` should be locked away forever," he said, DPA news agency reported.

"But we first must try to understand this behaviour. That doesn`t mean justifying it but rather trying to comprehend it."

Andrea Goeppner confessed during the trial, in a statement read out by her lawyer, to killing several of her babies but added that she could not remember how many.

She said she had given birth to each of the eight babies at home alone and had wrapped every infant in a hand towel.

She would promptly suffocate any baby that moved or cried, then place the body in a plastic bag or container and hide it in the apartment.

The couple had each brought two children into the marriage and conceived three more surviving children together.

Even though they did not want any more children, they used no contraceptives, and Andrea Goeppner was almost constantly pregnant over a decade.

Germany has been shocked by several infanticide cases in recent years.

In May 2015, a woman was sentenced to 44 months in prison for killing two of her children and hiding their remains in a freezer.

In October 2013 construction workers found the remains of two babies in Bavaria. They had been dead since the 1980s.

And in 2008, a 42-year-old woman was convicted of killing eight of her newborns, then hiding their bodies in buckets, flower pots and an old fish tank.
Washington: Having prevailed in his remarkable run to the Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump turns to his next task of healing crippling party divisions and solidifying support for his White House campaign.

Trump wasted little time basking in the glow of Tuesday`s historic achievement, flipping the script once again on the Republican National Convention and telling delegates he would see them Wednesday, a day before he officially accepts the nomination.

After a roller-coaster campaign that saw Trump defeat 16 rivals and steamroll stubborn party opposition, the tycoon said it was time to "go all the way" and beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in November.

"This is a movement," he told the delegates via video link.

On the convention floor, states from Alabama to West Virginia took it in turns to pledge their delegates.

It fell to Trump`s home state of New York, represented by a coterie of the candidate`s adult children, to hand him the majority-plus-one needed to clinch the nomination.

"It`s my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegation count tonight," Donald Trump Jr said to cheers and applause.

When the brash real estate mogul descended down the escalators of Trump Tower in New York 13 months ago to announce his candidacy, few experts gave him even the faintest chance.

His campaign has defied political norms -- embracing racially inflammatory policies, offending key voting blocs, eschewing big-spending advertising campaigns and relying on saturated media coverage above campaign structure.

"It`s unbelievable. It`s surreal. I`m so proud of my father," said Trump`s eldest daughter and businesswoman Ivanka Trump, often described as his secret weapon.

"He`s the ultimate outsider and he did it. We are so proud of him."Around the convention floor, Trump`s victory was far from universally welcomed.

Many delegates clapped politely after his victory, a few angrily walked out or voiced their unease.

"I`m disappointed," said Senator Mike Lee of Utah. "But it is what it is."

Washington delegate Teri Galvez said baldly: "We do not support Donald Trump."

But some delegates who supported others in the primaries were already lining up behind Trump.

"Everybody realizes now that the family infighting is over, we do in fact have a candidate, and I would hope that 99 percent-plus of Republicans get behind that candidate moving forward," said Gary Inmon, a Texas delegate bound to Senator Ted Cruz but who is now solidly behind the nominee.As the last vestiges of Republican resistance were quashed, there were fresh signs that the party establishment had thrown its lot in with Trump in a bid to beat Clinton.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie led delegates in declaring Clinton "guilty" and encouraged visceral chants of "lock her up."

Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan, who hesitated to endorse Trump earlier this year, sounded like he was all in at the convention.

"The Obama years are almost over. The Clinton years are way over," Ryan said. "Two-thousand sixteen is the year America moves on."

The Trump campaign will hope that disdain for Clinton will unite the party and make a series of missteps irrelevant.

"The party is unified, we`re all here, I will bet you if you polled this place, there is not one vote for Hillary Clinton in this building," former key Trump lieutenant Corey Lewandowski told AFP.

"People are ready for a fundamental and unequivocal change in Washington and the person who is going to bring that is Donald Trump."

Before Trump emerged victorious, it had been a brutal week for the candidate.

His glamorous wife Melania Trump brought some pizzazz to the proceedings on opening night.

But an embarrassing plagiarism scandal tarnished her prime-time speech -- and brought her husband`s presidential campaign under withering scrutiny.

On Monday, delegates exchanged jeers and heckles as anti-Trump forces tried in vain to thwart his nomination.

Again Tuesday it fell to Trump`s kin to reshape his public image.

Donald Trump Jr, the candidate`s eldest son, made a sweeping speech peppered with personal anecdotes that humanized his father.

The married father of five touched on themes of economic inequality, job creation, promised healthcare for "our most vulnerable citizens" and to improve public education.

As in Melania Trump`s speech the night before, similarities were noted between phrases in the junior Trump`s keynote Tuesday night and an article published in a conservative publication.

But he was saved from major controversy when the author of the May 2 article in American Conservative, FH Buckley, stepped forward to say he had been a principal speechwriter for the Trump keynoter.

"So it`s not an issue," Buckley told Time.com.

On Wednesday another son, Eric Trump, will make the case for his father, while two senators whom Trump vanquished in the primary race, Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, will also speak.

Trump`s vice presidential pick, Indiana Governor Mike Pence, addresses the confab too.

Clinton wasted no time seeking to capitalize on Trump`s party victory.

"Donald Trump just became the Republican nominee. Chip in now to make sure he never steps foot in the Oval Office," she said in a fundraising tweet.
Washington: President Barack Obama and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the status of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, blamed by Turkish authorities for masterminding a recent failed coup, during a call on Tuesday, the White House said.

The Turkish government has filed material in electronic form about Gulen with the US government, which has been waiting for a formal extradition request, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

US officials have said Turkey must provide proof that Gulen was involved in the coup attempt. Any extradition request from Turkey, once submitted, would be evaluated under the terms of a treaty between the two countries, Earnest said.

Obama offered US assistance for Ankara`s investigation into the attempted coup and pressed Erdogan to proceed according to the democratic principles outlined in Turkey`s constitution, Earnest said.

"The principles of democracy should be adhered to even as a thorough investigation is conducted," he said.

The US State Department said it was still in the process of analysing the documents submitted by Turkey and could not characterize them as an extradition request for Gulen.

Gulen, a 75-year-old former ally of Erdogan, has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since the late 1990s. He has denied any involvement in the abortive coup.

Earlier, Turkey`s Justice Ministry it had sent a dossier to the United States on Gulen, but did not make clear whether that amounted to an official extradition request.

A request to extradite Gulen would face legal and political hurdles in the United States.

Lawyers at the State and Justice departments would review it to determine if the alleged offence is a crime in both countries and whether it falls within the scope of the countries extradition treaty. The request would then go before a judge, who would rule on whether probable cause existed that a crime was committed and that the accused person did it.

If the request survived those tests and is found lawful, it would still need to get the approval of US Secretary of State John Kerry, who can consider non-legal factors, such as humanitarian arguments.

The US-Turkey extradition treaty went into force in 1981 and covers any offence punishable in both countries by more than a year in prison. It does not cover offences of a political character, although it does cover any offence committed or attempted against a head of state or a head of government, according to the treaty.

Separately, the State Department said Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken met with the Turkish ambassador on Tuesday in Washington and likely discussed the extradition issue as well as broader issues.
Cleveland: A speechwriter on Wednesday took responsibility for parts of a speech Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump`s wife Melania gave at the Republican convention this week that drew accusations of plagiarism.

Meredith McIver, a staff writer for the Trump Organization, said she had inserted passages into Melania Trump`s speech that resembled parts of a 2008 speech by first lady Michelle Obama.

I did not check Mrs. Obamas speeches. This was my mistake and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs Obama. No harm was meant, McIver said in a statement.

She said Melania Trump had read passages from Michelle Obamas speech to the 2008 Democratic National Convention over the phone to her as examples. McIver then wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in a draft that became Melania Trump`s speech on Monday night.

In a potentially embarrassing admission for the Trump campaign, McIver said the first lady is a person that Melania Trump "has always liked.

A small section of Melania Trump`s roughly 15-minute speech, a highlight of the opening day of the convention in Cleveland, was similar to Michelle Obamas speech in support of Barack Obama, then a U.S. senator campaigning for president.

Accusations of plagiarism plagued the Trump campaign from the moment news of the similarities emerged.

Under pressure to explain what had happened and who was to blame, Trump`s people offered different versions of events on Monday and Tuesday.

Hours before giving the speech on Monday, Melania Trump told NBC`s "Today" that she wrote it with as little help as possible. But her husband`s campaign manager, Paul Manafort, told CBS` "This Morning" on Tuesday that it was a collaboration with speechwriters.

Democrats said the affair and the explanations showed Trump`s team was not ready for prime time, all the more embarrassing because Trump has accused the presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton of being untrustworthy.

The Trump Organization is owned Donald Trump.
Taipei: Taiwanese lawmakers and fishermen headed to an island in the disputed South China Sea Wednesday to protest at an international tribunal ruling which undermined Taipei`s claims there.

Eight lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) boarded a military plane to the Taiwan-controlled Taiping island in the Spratlys archipelago.

Five fishing boats decorated with Taiwanese flags and banners reading "Protect fishing rights, safeguard sovereignty" also set sail to Taiping from southern Pingtung county to protest at the perceived threat to fishermen`s livelihoods.

The fishermen waved to onlookers, who shouted their support and set off firecrackers as their boats departed. Those boats will arrive in five to six days` time.

The protests come after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled last week that China has no historic rights to its claimed "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea and had violated the Philippines` sovereign rights in Manila`s exclusive economic zone.

Crucially for Taiwan it also ruled that Taiping, the largest island in the Spratlys chain, was legally a "rock" and not entitled to its own exclusive economic zone, undermining Taiwanese claims to waters surrounding the island.

Taiwan last week sent a warship to the South China Sea "to defend maritime territory", with President Tsai Ing-wen rallying troops on the frigate`s deck a day after the ruling.

"The ruling is absolutely unacceptable. It is necessary for us to visit Taiping at this time to show the international community that it is an island, not a rock," said KMT lawmaker Johnny Chiang, who was part of the protest visit.

The lawmakers watched a display of combat skills by the coastguard stationed on Taiping as well as visiting facilities that show the island is self-sufficient. They are due to return Wednesday afternoon.

When the fishermen arrive in Taiping they will receive drinking water from the island in a bid to prove it is more than just a rock and is fit for human habitation, a spokesman for the group said.

Taiwan last year inaugurated a solar-powered lighthouse, an expanded airstrip and a pier as part of efforts to strengthen defence capabilities on Taiping.

There is also a farm, water well, hospital and temple on the island.

Taiping island is 0.51 square kilometres (0.19 square miles) and most of its inhabitants work for the coastguard, which has about 160 staff there.

Each year about 200 fishing boats operate in the waters near Taiping island.

The Spratlys are also claimed in part or whole by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

Taiwan`s government rejected the arbitration court`s ruling, saying it "severely jeopardised" Taiwan`s rights.

It said the judgement has no legally binding force since the tribunal did not formally invite Taipei to take part in its proceedings or solicit its views.

Taiwanese authorities have said they will continue to send aircraft and ships for patrol missions to the region and expel any foreign boats that enter its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone despite the ruling.
Beijing: The top US admiral said on Wednesday that friendly exchanges with China's navy are conditional on safe interactions at sea, an indication of Washington's concern over recent fractious encounters with Chinese forces in and over the disputed South China Sea.

On a visit to the northern Chinese port of Qingdao, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said he backs more exchanges, but added: "In this area we must judge each other by our deeds and actions, not just by our words."

"I am supportive of a continued and deepening navy-to-navy relationship, but I will be continuously reassessing my support conditioned on continued safe and professional interactions at sea," Richardson said, according to a Navy news release.

Richardson is on what they Navy called a five-day visit to improve mutual understanding and encourage professional interaction between the two navies. In Qingdao, he visited the headquarters of China's North Sea Fleet and met with its commander, Vice Adm. Yuan Yubai.

Richardson "underscored the importance of lawful and safe operations in the South China Sea and elsewhere where professional navies operate," the Navy said.

He said the U.S. Navy will continue to conduct "routine and lawful operations" around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect "the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all. This will not change," Richardson said.

He was also scheduled to visit China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, along with a submarine training base.

Yesterday, he met in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Wu Shengli, who took a hard line on China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, where China has been building airstrips, harbors and military facilities on man-made islands created by piling sand on top of coral reefs.

The US refuses to recognize the new features as possessing the legal status of islands and has emphasized the point by sending Navy ships to sail close to them on so-called freedom of navigation missions. That has incensed China, which has responded by dispatching its own vessels to threaten and harass the US ships.

Chinese planes have also engaged recently in what the U.S. described as unsafe maneuvering close to American surveillance aircraft.

Despite suspicions on both sides, U.S.-China military-to-military exchanges have steadily gained pace in recent years. China's navy is currently taking part for the second time in the Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, the world's largest naval drills hosted by the U.S. Off Hawaii and including military forces from 26 nations.
Cleveland: If he wins the presidency, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would seek to purge the federal government of officials appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama and could ask Congress to pass legislation making it easier to fire public workers, Trump ally, Chris Christie, said on Tuesday.

Christie, who is governor of New Jersey and leads Trump`s White House transition team, said the campaign was drawing up a list of federal government employees to fire if Trump defeats Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 presidential election.

As you know from his other career, Donald likes to fire people, Christie told a closed-door meeting with dozens of donors at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, according to an audio recording obtained by Reuters and two participants in the meeting.

Christie was referring to Trump`s starring role in the long-running television show "The Apprentice," where his catch-phrase was "You`re fired!"

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump`s transition advisers fear is that Obama may convert these appointees to civil servants, who have more job security than officials who have been politically appointed. This would allow officials to keep their jobs in a new, possibly Republican, administration, Christie said.

Its called burrowing," Christie said. "You take them from the political appointee side into the civil service side, in order to try to set up ... roadblocks for your successor, kind of like when all the Clinton people took all the Ws off the keyboard when George Bush was coming into the White House.

Christie was referring to pranks committed during the presidential transition from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush in 2001. During that period, some White House staffers removed the W key on computer keyboards and left derogatory signs and stickers in offices, according to a report by the General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress.

"One of the things I have suggested to Donald is that we have to immediately ask the Republican Congress to change the civil service laws. Because if they do, it will make it a lot easier to fire those people," Christie said.

Christie also told the gathering that changing the leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency, long a target of Republicans concerned about over-regulation, would be a top priority for Trump should he win in November.

Trump has previously vowed to eliminated the EPA and roll back some of America`s most ambitious environmental policies, actions that he says would revive the U.S. oil and coal industries and bolster national security.

Christie added that the Trump team wants to let businesspeople serve in government part time without having to give up their jobs in the private sector. Trump frequently says he is better equipped to be president because of his business experience.

Although Christie was repeatedly asked during the meeting, he declined to name any potential Cabinet picks. He said Trump was not ready to do that yet.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. US Deputy Department Spokesman Mark Toner says the US State Department condemns strongly the use of violence to effect political change in Armenia or anywhere, Armenpress reports, he said at the daily briefing.

Toner expressed condolences to the families of the police officers who were killed or injured during the incident that took place Sunday in Yerevans Erebuni district.

We encourage the Armenian authorities to handle the situation with appropriate restraint, he said.

In the morning of July 17 gunmen stormed a Police HQ in Yerevan and took hostages  demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilyan, who was imprisoned a month ago, charged with illegal possession, transportation and acquirement of weapons and ammunition. Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan has been killed by the gunmen during the ambush. Colonel Aram Hovhannisyan, Lt.-Colonel Hrach Khosteghyan, Corporal Gagik Mkrtchyan received gunshot wounds. There are no wounded among the gunmen.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is being blamed by the Turkish leadership for being involved in the military coup attempt in Turkey, asked the US leadership not to extradite him to Turkey, Alliance for Shared Values New York-based organization reported.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today once again demonstrated he will go to any length necessary to solidify his power and persecute his critics. It is ridiculous, irresponsible and false to suggest I had anything to do with the horrific failed coup. I urge the US government to reject any effort to abuse the extradition process to carry out political vendettas, Gulen said in the document.

On July 18 in an interview with CNN, Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced he hopes from the US the extradition of Gulen. He recalled that Washington and Ankara has signed an extradition treaty.

On July 17 US State Secretary John Kerry announced that Washington may extradite Gulen to Turkey if sufficient official information will be provided to the US Justice Ministry.

On July 19 official Ankara sent a request to the US on Gulens extradition.

Nearly 290 people were killed in the failed military coup in Turkey on July 15. According to official data, the number of wounded reaches to 1440. Nearly 8000 people have been arrested.

30 governors in Turkey were dismissed over the military coup attempt.

Anadolu reported that 257 employees of the Turkish Government were dimissed over the failed military coup attempt. Hundreds of state officials were also dismissed from their posts.

The Turkish leadership believes Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, the founder of the Hizmet movement, is behind the failed military coup attempt.

Gulen, a 74-year-old former ally of Erdogan, has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since the late 1990s. He has denied any involvement in the abortive coup.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. President of Nagorno Karabakh Bako Sahakyan signed a decree on July 20 according to which the list approved by the 1st point of the Presidential decree on "Approving the list of judge candidates" from December 16, 2011 was laid down in a new edition, press service of the NKR Presidential administration informed Armenpress.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. United States Congressman Jim Costa visited Tsitsernakaberd Armenian Genocide Memorial on July 20 to pay tribute to the memory of the innocent victims.

He was accompanied by head of the Armenia-USA friendship group of the Armenian National Assembly Samvel Nikoyan, press service of the Armenian National Assembly informed Armenpress.

Jim Costa laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and paid tribute to the memory of victims with a moment of silence.

Jim Costa visited one of the halls of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, watched the posters, photos, personal items and other exclusive things of Auction of Souls silent movie starring Armenian Genocide survivor Aurora Mardiganian.

At the end of the visit Jim Costa left a note in the Honorary Guest Book.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. President of the National Assembly of Armenia Galust Sahakyan on July 20 received U.S. Congressman Jim Costa, press service of the Parliament informed Armenpress.

Welcoming the guest, Galust Sahakyan said he is happy to host Armenias best friend in the Parliament who is from Fresno where American-Armenian famous writer William Saroyan was born. He said the United States of America is Armenias one of key partners and plays a crucial role in the Armenian political and economic life.

Speaking about the parliamentary diplomacy, Galust Sahakyan emphasized that it plays a key role for the development of inter-state relations and in this context he said Armenia attaches great importance to the development of the Armenian-American inter-parliamentary ties.

The Armenian Parliament Speaker highly appreciated the activity of the U.S. Congress Commission on Armenian Affairs the members of which have always contributed to strengthening the relations between Armenia and the U.S.

Referring to the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Galust Sahakyan attached importance to the continuous U.S. efforts as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair country towards the peaceful settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the provision of peace and stability in the region.

Speaking about the international recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Galust Sahakyan expressed gratitude to the Congressmen who for many years made efforts for raising the issue of the Armenian Genocide recognition and expressed confidence these efforts will succeed.

Jim Costa expressed gratitude for the warm reception and said his long-time dream was visiting Armenia. Referring to the Armenian Genocide recognition issue he said: Being a member of the U.S. Congress Group on Armenian Affairs, I must take such measures and efforts for the Armenian Genocide to be recognized and no genocide to take place ever. He expressed hope the U.S. Congress will recognize the Armenian Genocide.

Referring to regional issues, Jim Costa expressed hope the Nagorno Karabakh conflict will be settled at the diplomatic platform and he underscored the NKRs participation in the negotiations.

The sides expressed hope such visits will continue aimed at expanding and intensifying the inter-parliamentary ties.

At the end of the meeting Galust Sahakyan awarded Jim Costa with a National Assembly Medal of Honor for his activity in the benefit of Armenia.




YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Violence can never be an acceptable option for making political changes in Armenia, US Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Richard Mills said, touching upon the July 17 ambush of a Police station by gunmen.

This issue was raised yesterday in the US Department of State. There was an urge from our side to the Armenian authorities regarding resolving the situation professionally and with restraint. Now its time, that all Armenians display respect for the rule of law for the situation to resolve peacefully, which, in my opinion, is what everyone wants, Ambassador Mills said.

According to him the US Embassy is closely following the situation. The Ambassador expressed condolences to the family of the killed officer.

In the morning of July 17 gunmen stormed a Police HQ in Yerevan and took hostages  demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilyan, who was imprisoned a month ago, charged with illegal possession, transportation and acquisition of firearms and ammunition.

Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan has been killed by the gunmen during the ambush.

Colonel Aram Hovhannisyan, Lt.  Colonel Hrach Khosteghyan, Corporal Gagik Mkrtchyan received gunshot wounds. 7 people are being held hostage. There are no wounded among the gunmen.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs that on July 20 the USD exchange rate was 476.56 AMD which is an increase of 0.15 drams compared to the previous day.

Armenpress reports that the Euro decreased by 2.45 drams forming 524.55 drams. British remained the same 628.58 drams compared to the previous day, Russian ruble decreased by 0.03 drams forming 7.53 drams on July 11.

The prices for precious metals are as follows: the price for silver per gram is 306.28 AMD, gold-20,391.73 AMD, and platinum-16,639.43 AMD.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. The funeral of fallen Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan, who was shot dead when gunmen stormed a Police station in Yerevan, took place in Abovyan city.

Police Chief of Armenia Vladimir Gasparyan, MP Michael Melkumyan, MP Naira Zohrabyan and others attended the funeral.

Neighbors described Colonel Vanoyan as an exemplary and modest man.

Hed always reach out a helping hand to neighbors, he was a good parent. It is very bad that a soldier kills a soldier or a police officer kills a police officer, Gyulnara Aylazyan told ARMENPRESS.

Police engineer Martik Vahradyan worked with the Colonel since 1998. Knowing him, I can say that we have never seen any bad action from him. There are very few people like him in Armenia. He was one of the very first during the war, he said.

In the morning of July 17 gunmen stormed a Police HQ in Yerevan and took hostages  demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilyan, who was imprisoned a month ago, charged with illegal possession, transportation and acquisition of firearms and ammunition.

Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan has been killed by the gunmen during the ambush.

Colonel Vanoyan was born in 1967. He graduated the Agricultural Academy and the Russian Interior Ministrys Management Academy. He began serving in the Police force in 1995. Was awarded many times for excellent service. Colonel Vanoyan was married with three children.
Lincoln resident Vicki Lamb is on a mission to cover the Capital City in blue.

In the wake of recent violence against police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lamb asked her friend -- Lincoln Police Capt. Don Scheinost -- what he was thinking.

Scheinost said he and his colleagues didnt want money, they didnt need food, but what he really wanted was the communitys support.

Lambs next move was to start wrapping trees around Lincoln in a simple blue ribbon, to show her solidarity with police officers. She posted a picture on Facebook, which has been shared over and over.

I just think its really important that the citizens of Lincoln show their support and appreciation for police officers, with all the violence and attacks, Lamb said on Tuesday, only hours after an attack killed a police officer in nearby Kansas City, Kansas.

Its a dangerous job they do," Lamb said. "They never know what theyre going to find that day or whats going to happen.

Police everywhere are thinking about officer safety in the wake of recent attacks.

In Omaha, police officials say they will step up event security and officer training.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said security will be strengthened for the public's safety at major events, such as the minute of silence ceremony this Sept. 11.

"We are expanding our security protocol and our resources to do everything in our power to make sure those go off safe," he said.

All Omaha officers will also soon receive additional daylong active-shooter training. The new training will cover some of the tactics that have been used in recent attacks, particularly the sniper in Dallas and the truck attack in Nice, France.

Lincoln Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said his department continuously looks for ways to improve officer safety, and the recent tragedies have prompted internal discussion.

He declined to specify any new measures his department is taking, saying "to detail those in a public forum would be counterintuitive to our efforts."

Following the Baton Rouge attacks, police chiefs in cities such as Minneapolis and Seattle have directed their officers to work in pairs whenever possible and wear bulletproof vests, according to media reports.

In Lincoln, many officers already wear ballistic vests, and providing back-up to fellow officers is always the expectation, the chief said.

"We will fulfill our mission with integrity despite the escalating violent acts on law enforcement officers across the United States," the chief said. "Our officers have received outstanding support from those in Lincoln."

Schmaderer also commended the Omaha community and his department for working to cultivate a positive relationship that has helped curtail crime and violence.

"When you break down these issues, we're all on the same page. We want proper policing, and we want to reduce violent crime," he said.

The police chief said he's particularly proud of officers who blew bubbles and passed out stickers during Omaha's Black Lives Matter rally July 8.

After the rally, Officer Bryan Kulhanek was placed on paid administrative leave for a Facebook post that criticized the Black Lives Matter movement and for other posts the department called "potentially inappropriate."

Schmaderer declined to comment on the social media posts because an internal investigation is pending, but he said that paid administrative leave isn't considered a form of punishment.

Schmaderer said he's pleased with what he sees in the Omaha Police Department compared with other cities.

Lamb is asking people in Lincoln to show their support and wrap their own trees in blue so officers feel backed by the community theyre protecting.

They keep us safe as they are going toward the danger, Lamb said. Theyre always there for us. ... We take them for granted.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. On July 20 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia (Coca-Cola HBC Armenia) and the Ministry of Nature Protection of the Republic of Armenia signed a Memorandum of Understanding, aimed at improving water stewardship across Armenia and particularly contributing to conservation, effective use and management of water resources in Ararat valley, Armenpress was informed by the US Embassy in Armenia.

This partnership will support some of the activities implemented under the USAIDs Advanced Science and Partnerships for Integrated Resource Development Project (ASPIRED) aimed at curbing the groundwater extraction in Ararat Valley and bringing it to sustainable levels.

Tackling such a large problem requires partnerships and cooperation. For many years, USAID has been working closely with the Armenian government and other partners on a coordinated approach to using and safeguarding the Ararat Valley water supply, said Ambassador Mills. The government has responded in a number of ways, including reducing the amount of fisheries allowed, and closing illegal and abandoned wells. These are good steps, necessary steps. But more must be done, and thanks to the alliance established today  between USAID, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia, and the Ministry of Nature Protection  more will be done.

In fact, the decreasing groundwater reserves and the uncontrolled use of the artesian water by fish farms has left some 30 communities in the Ararat and Armavir provinces without reliable access to drinking or irrigation water. In 2016, the joint efforts of the USAID and Coca-Cola will allow rehabilitating the irrigation network on over 40 ha of agricultural land in Hayanist community. Further, the parties will contribute to the installation of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems at 20 fish farms to improve water management on a greater area facing groundwater shortages.

Sayyora Ayupova, the General Manager of Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia, emphasized the importance of the Memorandum in terms of the positive impact it will have on the socio-economic development of the region: Water stewardship and community development are the key pillars of the CSR activity of Coca-Cola Hellenic Armenia. Thus, this Memorandum and particularly the implementation of this irrigation project is highly valued by our Company. It tackles the responsible and effective use of water resource while contributing to the sustainable development of Hayanist and other communities of Ararat valley.

Highly appreciating the support of USAID, as well as the CSR policy of Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Armenia aimed at introducing mechanisms for an effective management of Armenian water resources, Deputy Minister of Nature Protection Simon Papyan said: The program is in line with the policy adopted by Armenia. The use of advanced technologies for integrated resource conservation will significantly boost our own efforts aimed at the protection, efficient and economical management of underground water resources in Ararat Valley, bringing them to a sustainable level.

Under the MoU the parties will also join efforts in the organization of the Water Ideathon  a contest to mobilize community participation and solicit innovative ideas for solving Armenias water resource management challenges.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. A group of Armenia prominent intellectuals issued a statement addressed to Zhirayr Sefilian calling on him to intervene and prevent undesired developments by urging his friends to surrender to law enforcement bodies.

Armenpress reports the statement reads as follows, Honorable Zhirayr, we apply to you since we know that you appreciate and attach value to the opinion and plea of intellectuals. Today your friends, who are also our compatriots, have taken an extreme step by initiating and armed assault and taking hostages. A police Colonel has been killed. Believing in your reasonability and patriotism, we are convinced you will intervene and prevent these unpromising and undesired developments by your prudency and calls addressed to your friends to surrender to the law enforcement bodies. We are also convinced your and your friends wise and vigilant steps will be directed at national unity, peace and security.

28 intellectuals, poets, musicians, writers, and directors have signed the statement.
Buying a home is out-of-reach for many Sydneysiders as prices have continued hiking over the past year.

Several new suburbs have been added to Sydneys million-dollar club as the median property price continues to sit around six figures or more.

If you own a slice of Westmead, these days youre sitting on a fortune as its one of the newest suburbs to join Sydneys millionaires row.

Also read: Aussie home value growth swelled in these two areas

Prices in the area have dramatically increased so houses which were once worth $1 million are now worth in excess of $1.5 million, or even $1.7 million.

In the Parramatta region, land rezoning is gaining more bang for the developers buck.

Some of the land sizes there are quite large compared to some of those in the city remit, which is gathering attention from developers.

Also read: Top five star Aussie growth markets

Rezoning has helped nine suburbs near Parramatta pass the million dollar mark, including Ermington, Westmead, Northmead and North Rocks.

Meanwhile the north-west rail-line has boosted the hills, with Baulkham Hills joining the list, thorough to Kellyville and Rouse Hill.

Transport is fast attracting families away from Sydneys inner ring.

It will open up or improve the commuting times back into the city, which is now very much in demand, CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless said.

Also read: Apartment over-building doesn't mean prices will fall

Its leaving suburbs like Westmead with a very different look  some is residential still available for duplex while there are also rezoned properties up to seven stories high.

There was a call on Monday for the federal housing minister to improve affordability.

Its also to ensure that there is stock available for families  so were not just putting in apartments, LJ Hooker head of research Matt Tiller said.
The Fort McMurray wildfire in May never did damage any of northern Albertas sprawling oil sands facilities, but the precautionary shutdown it triggered sent a brief shiver through world oil markets.

The operative word is brief, though, because a glut of production combined with soft demand mitigated the markets fear Alberta bitumen crude might be unavailable.

Still, about a million barrels a day of bitumen-sourced oil  roughly 25 per cent of Albertas total conventional and non-conventional production  was affected by the shutdown and evacuation of several operations.

Added to production problems in Nigeria, markets were briefly jittery in late May as fire threatened oil sands facilities. Those concerns lifted quickly, said Jim Burkhard, vice president of oil market research at the consulting firm IHS Markit.

After a week or two we knew that production was going to come back on stream, he said. Facilities werent damaged.

Benchmark prices, which were around US$30 a barrel near the beginning of 2016, settled around in the US$40 range except for a brief June foray to US$52.

That was because it became clear that Alberta production is going to return, he said. The Alberta return was one of the factors that blunted the upward trajectory of oil prices in the last few months.

Also read: Canada wildfire rages near oil sand facilities, extending shutdowns

The affected operations all should be back to pre-fire production by the end of the year, Dinara Millington, vice-president of research at the Canadian Energy Research Institute at the University of Calgary, said in an interview. It may take until sometime in 2017 for that crude to make it to market, she said.

Oil prices didnt move much in fire emergency

The fact oil prices barely moved due to the emergency raises the question of just how much the world would care if Alberta production magically disappeared.

Its a hypothetical question, perhaps, but not altogether unreasonable. The pressure is on to cap expansion of oil sands production and exports to fight climate change. That, coupled with international efforts to move to climate-friendly energy sources and away from hydrocarbons, suggests demand for oil sands crude may flatten and decline in the longer term.

Story continues

The global economy is on a long-term trend of declining oil intensity, Burkhard said, explaining that improvements in energy efficiency have cut the amount of oil needed per thousand dollars of economic output.

The long-term trend is for growth in oil demand to separate from growth in global economic demand.

The idea of having a peak in world oil demand in the next decade is not a fantasy. Its not guaranteed to happen, either, but its more plausible now than it was, say, 20 years ago.

But the significance of Albertas oil production, roughly 80 per cent of which now comes from oil sands, extends beyond its barrels of oil, Burkhard said.

Also read: Canadian oil prices little changed, production shutins increase

Canada is the worlds fifth largest oil producer and ranks second behind the resurgent U.S. oil sector in supply growth, he said.

When we look out at the next five to 10 years theres two regions that have the potential to be big players in satisfying world oil demand growth, said Burkhard.

One is the Middle East, the other is North America. There arent too many regions or countries around the world that have the potential to increase production significantly.

Forecasts by groups such as the International Energy Agency suggest world oil demand  now around 100 barrels a day  will continue to grow in the foreseeable future.

So the direction of Canadas oil production, whether its up or flat or down a little bit will have an impact on the oil market, said Burkhard.

Canadian producers looking abroad for markets

For most of its history, the Canadian oil patch has exported its production to the United States. But the U.S. market now is glutted with domestic production from shale-oil fracking operations. Canadian producers how see overseas markets, especially China and India, as the most promising for growth.

Fitful efforts to build pipelines to tidewater on the east and west coasts, plus the U.S. governments rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline project, have bottlenecked export efforts.

But Millington and Burkhard pointed out Canadian bitumen crude is finding its way into the U.S. thanks to the availability of pipeline capacity that used to handle conventional oil and new connections into the U.S. Midwest.

Also read: What Canada will look like with $40 oil

Efforts are being made to get that supply to the U.S. Gulf Coast, which has unused heavy oil refining capacity and would provide an opportunity to export production outside North America now that the U.S. has lifted along-standing ban.

Albertas other defining characteristic as an oil producer, said Burkhard, is its resilience. While conventional oil production is on a steady decline, the provinces bitumen crude offers consistency, unlike shale oil that requires a treadmill of activity to maintain or increase production, he said.

Oil sands operations are similar to manufacturing plants or mineral mines. They require high initial capital investment but then offer consistent long-term output.

Once you bring a facility into operation they dont have year-to-year declines like you do in a conventional field, said Burkhard. You have a plateau of production that could last 30 years 

As long as prices stay above operating cost its one of the worlds most resilient sources of supply.
People walk to Brookfield Place off Bay Street on the day of the annual general meeting for Brookfield Asset Management shareholders in Toronto, May 7, 2014. REUTERS/Mark Blinch/Files

By Devidutta Tripathy

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Canada's Brookfield Asset Management Inc plans to invest about $1 billion in Indian distressed assets through a joint venture with State Bank of India (SBI). India's largest lender, where banks are battling a record $120 billion of sour debt.

Brookfield and SBI have signed a preliminary agreement to set up a joint venture for the investments, the firms said on Wednesday. SBI aims to contribute up to 5 percent of the total investments targeted by the venture, which may also rope in other banks at a later stage, they said.

Indian banks, with 11.5 percent of their loans soured, are under pressure from the regulator and the government to clean up their books as higher bad loans choke fresh lending in an economy whose main source of funding is bank credit.

The government earlier this year eased rules for bad-loan buyers, and was also in talks with banks to help set up funds to deal with distressed assets.

The scale of the opportunity and the rule easing are drawing other foreign companies such as J.C. Flowers & Co and Canada Pension Plan which have announced plans to invest in the Indian distressed assets space.

Brookfield, which manages about $240 billion of assets globally, has previously invested in the Indian real estate and infrastructure sector. The 70 billion rupees ($1.04 billion) that it has committed to invest through the venture with SBI will be its biggest through a single venture in India.

The companies did not give a timeline for the investments. They also did not say by when the venture will be set up or detail the ownership structure.

The collaboration, though, will help banks in general and SBI in particular to find alternative solution for resolution of stressed assets, Arundhati Bhattacharya, chairman of SBI, said in the statement. SBI accounts for about a fifth of India's banking assets.

The JV has no plan to set up a so-called Asset Reconstruction Company required to directly buy bad loans from banks, but will instead make equity or mezzanine financing to distressed cases, a senior SBI executive said separately. Details of the investment plan were yet to be worked out, the executive said.

Story continues

Siddharth Purohit, a banking analyst at Mumbai's Angel Broking, said while more investors were expected in the distressed assets space, the size of India's non-performing assets (NPAs) was just too big.

"The requirement of funds will be much higher than what is being initially committed," he said.

($1 = 67.2100 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
An Air Canada plane lands at the Calgary International Airport An Air Canada aircraft lands at the Calgary International Airport in Calgary, Alberta, June 17, 2008. REUTERS/Todd Korol

It may come as a shock, but Canadian airfares have actually dropped in price.

According to Statistics Canada's latest numbers, domestic and international base fares combined averaged $248.70 in the third quarter of 2015, down 1.7% from the same period in 2014.

This marks the second consecutive year-over-year quarterly decline in airline fares.

The numbers were based on flights offered by Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat.

Numbers don't lie so why does flying still seem so pricey to so many Canadians? Chances are it's those pesky add-ons  everything from airport improvement fees to the bill for checking your bag.

"I'm paying more and more," says Pat Renahan, on her way to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to catch a flight to Moncton. "It's really twice the price when you put in the taxes and [fees]."

And as Canadians clamour for the lowest fare possible, some of those added charges keep going up.

"The carriers have sliced and diced their product up every which way they can," says Calgary-based aviation consultant Rick Erickson.

The dreaded baggage fee

Remember the old days when your first checked bag was free?

WestJet has gotten to the point where it charges the fee for all economy trips, including international. Other major Canadian carriers are getting close.

All charge at least $25 for the first checked bag for economy fares on domestic and U.S. flights. Air Canada also requires the fee for sun destinations like the Caribbean.

Air Transat will be adding that charge come November.

The carrier says it's introducing the fee "to simplify our baggage policy."

This year, Porter Airlines upped its first checked bag fee from $25 to $27.50 for most fares. The airline is also now charging an extra $10 for passengers who don't pay up until they arrive at the airport.

Porters' "ancillary fees are very competitive and passengers benefit from lower ticket prices," said company spokeswoman Robyn Vanteunenbroek in an email to CBC News.

Story continues

"We have not received any negative feedback," she added about the hike in fees.

But Porter passenger, Renahan is not happy about the charge. She paid in advance to check her suitcase and says with taxes the total was $31.

"I think it's ridiculous. I'm going away for six weeks. I can't go with a carry-on."

Bigger baggage fees to come?

Porter was the first Canadian airline to introduce the $25 checked bag fee for domestic flights back in May 2014. All other major carriers soon followed in some fashion.

Analyst Erickson predicts that other airlines will also soon follow once again by hiking luggage fees.

He points out that NewLeaf Travel based in Winnipeg has come out of the gate with high baggage charges. The Winnipeg company is offering ultra-low fares to many Canadian cities and is supposed to start flying later this month.

Like some U.S. discount airlines, NewLeaf charges for carry-on bags  anywhere from $31.50 to a whopping $92.00 at the gate.

"NewLeaf would prefer if passengers checked their bags," said spokeswoman Julie Rempel in an email to CBC News. She explains it speeds up boarding time and that "greater efficiency at the gate allows us to maintain our low fares."

However, NewLeaf passengers also have to pay up for checked luggage  from $26.25 online to as high as $80.50 at the gate.

No dinner for you

There are numerous other fees for flyers  everything from seat selection to pillows and headphones on some carriers.

While some add-ons can be considered luxuries, many would argue a complimentary meal on an international flight is a necessity.

Not according to WestJet which is charging for all meals on its service to London, England. For Vancouver passengers, that's a 9.5 hour flight.

The move has sparked a backlash. "And how much is it to use the washroom?" a reader wondered while commenting on a CBC News story about the issue.

But someone else pointed out that "if we want cheap flights, then it's user-pay."

Indeed, WestJet's flights to London can go as low as $250 for a one-way ticket from Toronto.

"Our guests have always told us that they do not want to pay for things they do not need or want, and that includes expensive meals," said spokesman Robert Palmer to CBC News in May, soon after WestJet launched the service.

And like all other new and surprising fees, Erickson predicts WestJet's no free meals on international flights may spark a trend. "I suspect it's here to stay and we'll probably see the charter guys that will start doing this next."

As long as Canadians continue to demand bargain fares says Erickson, airlines will continue to look for new ways to generate revenue.

"Those fees are here and there's absolutely no rollback on anybody's books coming," he predicted.

So what's next? How about a second checked bag fee? Recently, British Airways and American Airlines and their affiliates started charging an extra transfer fee for checked luggage when a flight is booked with two separate tickets.
STEM

Arkansas Coding Academy to Boost Students' Job Skills in Computer Science

Students in Arkansas now can gain real-world skills in coding and computer science, thanks to a new partnership between the University of Central Arkansas and Metova. The university and mobile app development company today announced the opening of the Arkansas Coding Academy, which will "provide turnkey education and training opportunities to individuals seeking new careers in information technology," according to a statement from UCA.

Part of UCA's Division of Outreach and Community Engagement, the university's noncredit, continuing education and outreach unit, the Arkansas Coding Academy offers three-month coding bootcamps at a cost of $6,000 per student. Courses are hands-on, immersing students in skills such as building flexible user interfaces for multiple device operating systems (including Android and iOS), developing and debugging applications, and more, according to a press release. Coding Academy credits can be applied to UCA four-year degree programs, and all students receive access to UCA resources.

Students who successfully complete the program receive a certificate of completion, updated resume and portfolio, and job search assistance. The academy works with Metova and other tech companies such as Acxiom, Rock Pond, Rockfish, RevUnit and Field Agent to facilitate student job placement.

"The Arkansas Coding Academy will open a wide variety of opportunities for Arkansans to learn the skills necessary to compete in the fast growing and exciting tech sector," said Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson in a statement. "Metova and UCA's coding academy, combined with our state's efforts to provide computer science classes for all students, will continue to raise Arkansas's stature as a state ripe for tech sector investment."

"The Arkansas Coding Academy will not only fill a void in the state for an educated workforce in the areas of technology and computer programming, but will also provide the talent that our new tech startup and existing companies need around the state," said UCA President Tom Courtway in a press release. "We are proud that UCA is able to deliver a program of this caliber to the state of Arkansas."

For more information, visit the Arkansas Coding Academy site.
Open Educational Resources

Thomas Edison State U to Expand OER Use with Outside Help

A public New Jersey university that caters to adults who want to finish their degrees is expanding its use of open educational resources (OER) with the help of an education technology company that provides services related to that. Thomas Edison State University has signed an agreement with Ed Map to help develop the OER offerings for 35 courses, following an earlier, successful pilot. The school will be using Ed Map's Curate service.

Under the Curate service, academic librarians and other content experts work with the institution to understand the learning objectives for a given course; develop content recommendations that match those objectives and fit into other criteria, such as cost or knowledge level; deliver annotated bibliographies of copyright-cleared recommendations; and optionally can deliver the content to students on its Openvue digital content platform.

The initial pilot identified curriculum to use in several general education courses. That "e-book pilot" turned out to be a "great success with students," said Matthew Cooper, associate provost of the university's Center for Learning and Technology, in a press release.

As he explained, the university's subject matter experts, "who are integral to our course development efforts," may already be familiar with "established textbooks and materials," but could be "missing opportunities to leverage new and innovative course resources because of the sheer volume of what is out there."

The use of the Curate service, Cooper said, allowed the institution "to offer innovative, high-quality course materials while simultaneously driving down costs." Calling the discovery process "fast," he added that the company's curators "provided recommendations of OER items at the appropriate level for the course that we could easily aggregate and use. We view Curate as an extension of our team."
English Swedish

Toronto, Ontario (July 19, 2016) - Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN) (OMX:LUMI) ("Lundin Mining" or the "Company") announces that Lundin Mining, Freeport-McMoran Inc. (Freeport), and China Molybdenum Co., Ltd. (CMOC) have agreed to extend the period in which the Company has the right to acquire Freeports indirect interest in TF Holdings Limited (TF Holdings) to September 15, 2016 at 11:59 pm.

TF Holdings is the holding company that indirectly owns an 80 percent interest in Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A.R.L. ("Tenke"). Freeport and Lundin each hold a 70 and 30 percent interest, respectively, in TF Holdings.

As previously announced on May 9, 2016, Lundin Mining received a notice from Freeport offering Lundin Mining the right to acquire Freeports indirect interest in TF Holdings at the same purchase price and on the same terms and conditions offered by CMOC.

Lundin Mining, in consultation with its legal and financial advisors, continues to evaluate all its options in connection with its ownership interest in TF Holdings.

About Lundin Mining

Lundin Mining is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company with operations in Chile, the USA, Portugal, and Sweden, primarily producing copper, nickel and zinc. In addition, Lundin Mining holds a 24% equity stake in the world-class Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Freeport Cobalt Oy business, which includes a cobalt refinery located in Kokkola, Finland.

On Behalf of the Board,

Paul Conibear, President and CEO

The information in this release is subject to the disclosure requirements of Lundin Mining under the Swedish Securities Market Act and/or the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act. This information was publicly communicated on July 19, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
INDIANAPOLIS and ROOSENDAAL The Netherlands, July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Netherlands-based Telecom Expense Management company, A&B Groep, recently achieved Efficiency First Vendor Solution Certification for Telecom Management. This esteemed certification demonstrates A&B Groeps commitment to providing best-in-class service for their clients and an intentional effort to provide consistency through its global growth phase.



The company initiated the Efficiency First Vendor Solution Certification process after a joint venture in 2015 with Grand Rapids (Michigan), US-based CBI Telecommunications Consultants. This joint venture will result in a concrete merger in September of this year. Global TEM, the new, combined company, offers a full suite of telecom expense management services and solutions.

After undergoing solution diagnostic, evaluation, and capabilities ratings, A&B Groep met all necessary requirements to receive Efficiency First Vendor Solution Certification, which adheres to standards for driving technical, financial and operational efficiency across enterprise fixed and mobile telecommunications environments to maximize alignment with enterprise customers.

This certification validates A&B Groeps alignment to Efficiency First Framework performance principles. It provides an edge for the company in a competitive global market and increases the consistency of the companys service offerings and solutions as they continue to experience exponential growth, states Timothy C. Colwell, SVP, Efficiency First Adoption. Were thrilled for A&B Groeps certification and excited for their continued expansion.

Becoming AOTMP Efficiency First certified is a logical step that fits perfectly into our strategic plan in which we have expressed our ambition to become the leading global Telecom Expense Management auditing and benchmarking business. Later this year, we will finalize our merger with our US-based partner, stated Ron Rijkenberg, CEO of A&B Groep. We are delighted to be a Certified Vendor because this means our practices are not only endorsed by our clients, but also enforced and certified through AOTMP - THE global authority on telecom vendors and enterprises - objective and independent.

ABOUT A&B GROEP

A&B Groep was founded in 1999 and is now firmly established as a leading global Telecom Expense Management auditing and benchmarking business on a global scale. A&B Groep actively supports clients by optimizing their local and international communications estates; enabling cost reduction and visibility, control, security and reporting capability. More than 500 global companies have come to safely rely on us. GTEM Solutions is a robust mobility management platform that spans across devices, users, applications, documents and expenses. Whether for fixed telephony, mobile services or data networks, GTEM Solutions, A&B Groeps managed services TEM and Mobility platform, provides financial and usage reporting, creating end-user awareness of areas to be addressed. For more information, visit ab-groep.eu.

ABOUT AOTMP

AOTMP is a global leader providing telecom management best practices and industry standards for organizations and the vendors who support them. Using information and data points from thousands of telecom environments worldwide, AOTMP solutions help enterprises drive performance, efficiency and productivity while significantly reducing costs; and help telecom vendors provide a new level of value to their customers. AOTMPs patented Efficiency First Framework methodology brings balance to the telecom management ecosystem, resulting in vendors positively impacting the telecom environment and the telecom environment being better leveraged to drive business results. AOTMPs clients represent $24+ billion in annual telecom spend and include 100+ of the Fortune 500, small and medium businesses, public sector organizations and industry suppliers. For more information, visit aotmp.com.
Ocean View, Delaware, July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It is predicted that biofertilizers Market share will touch USD 1.66 billion till 2022 which is rising at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.2% during the years from 2015 to 2022. This exponential growth of market is because of customers awareness towards fitness and wellness, bad effect of inorganic material and the rise in price of chemicals. There is a boom of organic food as its farming is popular in more than 160 countries across the world. In 2014, market of organic food reached USD 88.06 million and its growth is projected to touch USD 304.99 million till 2022, and its CAGR will remain 17.3% between years 2015 to 2022.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/112

Chemical fertilizers are widely used for increasing the productivity of plants, but they are responsible for pollution of underground water; these fertilizers also get stored in plants which becomes hazardous. These adverse effects of chemicals have enhanced biofertilizers market trends because of their eco-friendly nature. Nitrogen fixing biofertilizers are gaining huge publicity in the market and have noticed 75% of share in revenue in the year 2014. Increasing demand of nitrogen fixation for consuming nutritious compounds like nucleic acid, chlorophylls will give a significant boost to this industry. Apart from this, these fertilizers reduce dependency on the products of petroleum and minimize emission of carbon in the environment, thereby giving one more reason to use them.

Phosphate solubilizers are the second highest product and are anticipated to grow at the rate of 13% till 2022. Bacillus, pseudomonas along with aspergillums is commonly used bacteria which cater phosphorus to plants. With the adoption of organic nutrients, demand of phosphorus solubilizers is going to increase in near future.

It is the global reach of biofertilizers which has made North America a foremost region contributing around 30% of the overall share in 2014. Positive attitude of U.S. and Canada towards organic materials in agriculture has given an upsurge to North America. Countries like India and China are predicted to enjoy a decent CAGR of 13.5% till 2022. Agricultural growth in India, Pakistan, Indonesia, and China along with Malaysia is likely to include latest technologies for fuelling up the demand of these organic products.

Talking about the companies dealing with these products, Novozymes A/S along with CBF China Biofertilizers AG are the top leading firms delivering their materials to Europe as well as North America. Companies working with these products take help from resellers, contractors and distributors for exporting them, but there are firms who follow an integrated process thereby working with own resellers and distributors.

Browse key industry insights spread across 100 pages with 58 market data tables & 11 figures & charts from the report, Biofertilizers Market Size By Product By Application (Soil Treatment, Seed Treatment), By Product (Phosphate Solubilizing, Nitrogen Fixing), Industry Outlook Report, Regional Analysis, Application Development Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast, 2015  2022 in detail along with the table of contents:

https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/biofertilizers-market





Global Market Insights has analyzed the biofertilizer industry on the basis of product, application and region:

Biofertilizer Market Product Analysis (Revenue, USD Million, 2012  2022)

Nitrogen fixing

Phosphate solubilizing

Others

Biofertilizer Market Application Analysis (Revenue, USD Million, 2012  2022)

Seed treatment

Soil treatment

Biofertilizer Market Regional Analysis (Revenue, USD Million, 2012  2022)

North America U.S. Canada

Europe France Spain

Asia Pacific China India

Latin America Brazil

MEA

Egypt



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About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights, Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.


WILKES-BARRE, Pa., July 20, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sundance Vacations telephone service representatives (TSRs) organized a basket raffle to assist wounded service members helped by the Wounded Warrior Project.

After weeks of planning, employees decided that raffling off useful giveaway baskets would be a fun way to engage people at the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Sundance Vacations office. Using money out of their own pockets, the TSRs put together baskets filled with themed prizes for employees to win.

There were seven baskets for the giveaway, each packed with specially selected supplies including beauty, picnic, pet prizes and more. Tickets were three for $5 or $2 each and were on sale from Tuesday, July 5 till the day of the drawing on Tuesday, July 19 at 8 a.m.

Two local serviceman came to our Wilkes-Barre office that morning to draw the winners as a thank you for our office's support. Sargent Todd W. Knouse and Specialist Dan Miller emphasized that donations such as these go a long way towards helping soldiers in need.

Whether it be providing mental health support through the Warrior Care Network or physical therapy for injuries, the funds Sundance Vacations employees raised are graciously welcomed to help recovering veterans.

Sundance Vacations Telephone Service Representative Marketing Manager Ben Uzialko admires the time and effort his team took to support such a noble cause.

"I couldn't be more proud of the Wilkes-Barre TSR staff," Uzialko tells Sundance Vacations. "We chose the Wounded Warriors Project due to the lack of funding for our servicemen and servicewomen [and to] bring light to an important cause."

The TSR team raised a total of $441 from their fundraiser and co-owners of Sundance Vacations, John and Tina Dowd, chipped in to make the donation an even $1,000!

"Some of these people are risking their lives every day so that people like you or I can be safe," Tina Dowd said. "We can't thank them enough."

About Wounded Warrior Project

The Wounded Warrior Project is stationed in Jacksonville, Florida, and supports servicemen and women all across the United States. By offering programs for mental and physical recovery as well as helping people find workplace opportunities and engage in peer mentoring, the Wounded Warrior Project empowers veterans and gives back to the warriors that gave for our nation.

About Sundance Vacations

Sundance Vacations is a national travel company that specializes in wholesale vacation accommodations. The company is headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. and maintains offices in New Jersey, Washington DC, Pittsburgh, Chicago and four call centers located in Northeastern Pa. Sundance Vacations placed in the Best Place to Work in Pennsylvania by Best Companies Group for four consecutive years, and 12th Best Place to Work out of 100 finalist companies from the Best Place to Work Illinois program. The company was recently honored for the second time as one of the Fastest-Growing Travel Companies in Pennsylvania by Inc 500/5000.

Photos accompanying this release are available at:

http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=40898

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The Nebraska Democratic Womens Caucus will be hosting the eighth annual Tribute to Helen Boosalis Inspiring Women Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5 at the Country Club of Lincoln, 3200 S. 24th St. Keynote speaker will be Suzanna de Bacca, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Voters of Nebraska.

An induction of a new scholarship for Native American women honoring the late Lexie LaMere, who passed away in 2014, will be presented by Judi gaiashkibos, executive director of the Nebraska Commission on Indian Affairs. Lexie was the daughter of Cynthia and Frank LaMere, former chairman of the National Native American Caucus, and current 1st associate chair-elect of the Nebraska Democratic Party.

Before the age of 21, Lexie was the secretary of the Dakota County Democratic Party, attended six Democratic National Conventions, was elected to be a delegate to the national convention in 2012, and was selected by Senator Ben Nelson to the Senate Page School, which she completed in 2009.

Scholarships

Presentation of the three $500 Helen Boosalis Scholarships will go to Nebraska women who are continuing their education and are active in their communities and progressive politics. Proceeds from the luncheon will fund the Helen Boosalis Inspiring Women 2017 Scholarships.

Tickets are $40 for individuals, $15 for students and $300 for a table of 8. Registration is due Wednesday, Aug. 3. Register at https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/boosalis2016 or www.ndpwomenscaucus.org. For more information contact: Mary Herres, NDWC Chair, (402 617-2089) or email: maryherres@aol.com.
Lancaster County 4-H announces Lincoln Center Kiwanis has won Augusts Heart of 4-H Award in recognition of outstanding volunteer service. Lincoln Center Kiwanis currently has nearly 100 members who live in Lincoln, rural Lancaster County and surrounding communities.

Lincoln Center Kiwanis has supported the 4-H program for over 50 years. Club activities include:

* presenting Outstanding 4-H Club Awards to the top 4-H clubs participating in the Lancaster County Super Fair;

* annually awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior active in Lancaster County 4-H;

* sponsoring the annual Kiwanis Karnival, a free family event; and

* supporting the Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center by helping build cabins and with landscaping -- including donating, planting and caring for trees.

Many Kiwanis members have been 4-H club leaders and/or Eastern Nebraska 4-H Center board members. Lincoln Center Kiwanis has also supported the Lancaster County Fair for numerous years, including helping serve the Family Barbecue.

Kiwanis member Bill Caldwell says: 4-H is the best single investment in youth. My favorite experience volunteering is all activities where youth are excited. Lincoln Center Kiwanis Club President Keith Prettyman added: I like being there for youth -- there is no better way to make them understand they are important and valued.

To find out more about 4-H, go to http://lancaster.unl.edu/4h or call 402-441-7180. To find out more about Lincoln Center Kiwanis, go to www.kiwanislincoln.org.
Paraeducators from across the state will meet in Kearney on Oct. 26 for training and networking. Anyone who works with children in educational programs from preschool through high school is invited to attend the 27th Nebraska Paraeducator Conference at the Younes Conference Center. Last years conference drew over 300 participants.

The conference theme, Paraeducators at a Crossroads: Changing Roles in Serving Students, emphasizes the increasing diversity of children in Nebraska schools and the broad range of skills required to address their needs. The 2016 Paraeducator of the Year award winners will be recognized by Dr. Matt Blomstedt, Nebraska Commissioner of Education.

Dr. Kim Snyder, Nebraska coordinator for the National Assessment of Educational Performance (NAEP) and reading specialist, will present the keynote address, The Fringe Benefits of Being a Para.

Registration information can be found at http://para.unl.edu/conference/conference2016.html
RACINE  A 35-year-old man was transported by Flight For Life early Tuesday morning after reportedly being stabbed, according to Racine Police.

At approximately 12:50 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints hospital to investigate a report of a stabbing. The stabbing took place in the 1500 block of Perry Avenue, according to Sgt. Adam Malacara, the new public information officer for the Racine Police Department. Malacara said the victim got to the hospital on his own.

The victim was reportedly stabbed numerous times and was later transferred to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa, Malacara said.

The victim was still at Froedtert as of Tuesday afternoon, but there was no update available on his condition, Malacara said.

Racine Police investigators are interested in any additional information that anyone may have about the crime. Any witnesses, or citizens with information, are urged to call the Racine Police Department Investigations Unit at 262-635-7756.

Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 262-636-9330, or text 274637 (CRIMES).
Editor's Note: Racine County GOP convention delegate Bill Jaeck will share his perspective on the convention and provide updates from Cleveland throughout the week. The Democratic National Convention is next week in Philadelphia.

CLEVELAND  Tuesday was another exciting day at the convention and the Wisconsin connection was again quintessential with Reince Priebus, Paul Ryan and Ron Johnson having major roles.

The event started with two nominating speeches by Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama and Congressman Chris Collins of New York. Jeff remarked, Donald Trump is the singular leader that can get this country back on track and Chris stated, Western New York state has been devastated by unfair trade deals under President Obama that have lost jobs. Our county has no borders and China & Mexico are stealing our jobs. Its time to take back our country with Donald Trump.

The role calls then commenced state by state in alphabetical order. When it was Michigans turn they passed. Im wondering to myself, what does a pass mean? Is it like blackjack where you can push? Then it happened again a few minutes later with the New York delegation. But as the vote count approached the magic 1,237 requirement, it made sense. Out of order, the New York delegation came back in play with Trumps family making the historic announcement as 1,237 was breached. There was a grand pause with music playing and the entire coliseum standing.

Wisconsins address was given about 20 minutes later by Gov. Scott Walker, who referenced the state as the original home for the GOP (Ripon). Mr. Walker proudly mentioned were the home to Harley Davidson and the Green Bay Packers, too. Thirty-six votes were ultimately cast for Ted Cruz (who won the state's primary) while Donald Trump gained only six. When the delegate count was finalized, Trump totaled 1,725, Cruz 475, Kasich 120 and Rubio 114.

About 30 minutes later, our Senator Ron Johnson addressed the delegates by reminding the crowd of his history to Hillarys famous response, What difference does it make? during a Senate investigation. I am the guy that got under her skin and provoked that infamous response by asking a simple question, Ron said. Then he stated, If we cant trust her to tell us the truth, how call we possibly trust her to lead America? He concluded his presentation, "In Wisconsin, I'm running against Russ Feingold, who, even after 9/11, voted against giving law enforcement the tools they need to help stop international terror. Feingold's vote against the Patriot Act and during his 18-year Senate career, he also voted against authorizing our military 11 separate times. And now he's asking Wisconsinites to give him a fourth term  just as Hillary Clinton is asking America to give her Obama's third term. The world is simply too dangerous to elect either of them.

Paul Ryans presentation started by thanking Clevelands law enforcement for your service. Then he said, You know, standing up here again, it all has a familiar feel. Students of trivia will recall that last time around I was your nominee for vice president. It was a great honor, even if things didnt work out quite according to the plan. Near the end of his speech he remarked, Progressives like our president talk forever about poverty in America. And if high-sounding talk did any good, wed have overcome these deep problems long ago. This explains why, under the most liberal president weve had so far, poverty in America is worse, especially for our fellow citizens who were promised better and need it most. Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way. And, last, let the other party go on and on with its constant dividing up of people.always playing one group against the other, as if group identity were everything.

The surprise star of the evening was Donald Trump Jr., who delivered a powerful and compassionate testimonial for his father. Donald Jr. stated, He's promoted people based on their character, their street smarts, and their work ethic, not simply paper credentials. To this day, many of the top executives in our company are individuals that started out in positions that were blue collar. But he saw something in them, and he pushed them to succeed. His true gift as a leader is that he sees the potential in people that they don't even see in themselves.

Referencing his fathers career as a real-estate developer, Trump Jr. remarked, When people told him it was impossible for a boy from Queens to go to Manhattan and take on developers in the big city, rather than give up, he changed the skyline of New York. He then laid out the stakes against Hillary Clinton in stark terms, "We're going to put Americans first  all Americans, not a special class of crony elites at the top of the heap. Referring to education, he said, You know why other countries do better in K-12, they let parents choose where to send their children to school. Thats called competition, its called free enterprise and it is what the other party fears. They are more concerned about protecting the jobs of tenured teachers than serving the students in desperate need of a good education. Declaring his father a qualified and ready commander in chief, he provided a personal note, referring to him as "my mentor, my best friend, my father, Donald Trump.

The RNC schedule for Wednesday includes the following speakers: conservative commentator Laura Ingraham, our Scott Walker, Marco Rubio (video), Ted Cruz, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and Mike Pence, the VP nominee.
YORKVILLE  Nobody was injured when three vehicles collided and one rolled onto its side Wednesday afternoon at the tricky intersection of Highway C and Highway 20.

Racine County Sheriffs Office deputies and Union Grove-Yorkville fire and rescue crews were dispatched at 2:30 p.m. for a report of a multiple-vehicle crash with a rollover and possible entrapment.

Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling confirmed there were no injuries.

Perhaps its a testament to wearing seat belts and how cars are engineered for safety today, said Schmaling.

The crash involved a black SUV that incurred severe damage to its right side and a red Mazda that ended up with severe front-end damage. Both cars were removed from the scene on flatbed wreckers. A third car, a white Toyota, drove away after the crash.

Schmaling said one of the drivers was cited for failure to yield the right of way.

State officials have said the intersection is one of the most dangerous in Wisconsin. In 2014, it ranked in the top 5 percent of hazardous intersections based on a formula that takes into account the type of roadway, the number of crashes and severity of crashes, with more weight given to severe and fatal crashes. At the intersection, Highway C (Spring Street) crosses Highway 20 (Washington Avenue) at an angle. And just a few feet south of Highway 20, Highway C has an abrupt intersection with Highway A (Plank Road).

The state Department of Transportation plans to reconstruct the intersection with a roundabout in 2018.
CLEVELAND  House Speaker Paul Ryan gave his strongest show of support for Donald Trump on Tuesday, hours after the real estate mogul was given the Republican presidential nomination.

"Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way," Ryan said in his speech to the Republican National Convention.

The Janesville Republican laid out components of his House GOP "A Better Way" agenda, which includes a "comprehensive" approach to national security, rolling back government regulations, overhauling the tax code and developing a more effective approach to fighting poverty.

Under Democratic former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, those plans won't be realized, Ryan said.

"The Obama years are almost over. The Clinton years are way over. 2016 is the year America moves on," he said.

Ryan painted Barack Obama's presidency as eight years of failed liberal policies, doing nothing to boost wages or foster middle-class security.

"Everyone is equal  everyone has a place  no one is written off, because there is worth and goodness in every life," Ryan said. "Straight from the Declaration of Independence, that is the Republican ideal  and if we wont defend it, who will?"

He left the GOP delegates with a call to put "their all" into electing Trump and Pence, warning them "it is all on the line," and a plea to unite as a party.

Ryan himself was slow to back Trump, saying even on Monday that the candidate is "not (his) kind of conservative." And speaking to a room full of Wisconsin Republicans on Monday, he failed to mention Trump's name even once.

But on the convention floor Tuesday, he dismissed discord within the party as "signs of life" and "signs of a party not just going through the motions." He named Trump twice in his speech.

But Wisconsin Democrats weren't convinced.

"Donald Trump and his ideas are so incredibly dangerous that not even Paul Ryan could keep up a brave face at this own convention," said Democratic Party of Wisconsin spokesman Brandon Weathersby.
Why is the media so focused on stirring up as much drama as possible? By all accounts the vast majority of Bernie backers are on board with Clinton and will vote for her. But all the media wants to talk about and the only people they want to talk to are the few rabble rousers who don't like Hillary. After Bernie's speech last night MSNBC went to the floor to interview a young woman who doesn't like Clinton and had doctored her sign to say "Stop Her" instead of "Stronger Toegther". Giving a platform to such a tiny minority just eggs them on and makes everyone else think there's some real, huge discord. Sure, the disruptions yesterday were notable. But I think making them the singular focus of coverage overemphasizes a few loud people and their grievances.
DOT Moves Gateway Projects Into Funding Queue

"Building a new rail tunnel under the Hudson to allow for the repair of the ancient and Sandy-damaged tunnels is critical for the countless commuters, shoppers, and tourists who are the lifeblood of our regional economy," U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said.

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced this week that it has moved two infrastructure projects in the New York City area, the Hudson Tunnel Project and Portal North Bridge, into the Project Development process for New Starts, which are a type of Capital Investment Grant available through the Federal Transit Administration. The projects are critical elements of the Gateway Program, according to DOT, and this is the first step toward qualifying for federal funding for them.

"Building on our previous investments to date, the U.S. Department of Transportation is taking a concrete step toward making a substantial federal investment in the Hudson Tunnel and Portal North Bridge projects, and we're looking forward to continuing to work closely with our partners in New York and New Jersey to make a new rail tunnel a reality. The existing Hudson tunnel is more than 100 years old and was badly damaged by Super Storm Sandy, and if it fails, it would effectively shut down passenger rail service from Manhattan to New Jersey and the southern portion of the Northeast Corridor," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said.

The tunnel project and bridge will move forward with identifying a specific development plan and, in the case of the Hudson Tunnel Project, completing the environmental review process; the Portal North Bridge has completed the necessary environmental review. DOT's move authorizes the project sponsor, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey along with partners Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT, to begin incurring costs related to the environmental review and engineering and design activities.

"Building a new rail tunnel under the Hudson to allow for the repair of the ancient and Sandy-damaged tunnels is critical for the countless commuters, shoppers, and tourists who are the lifeblood of our regional economy," U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., said. "That is why the U.S. Department of Transportation placing the Gateway Hudson Tunnel program into the Project Development process for New Starts is a huge boost to the project. New Starts will provide a steady and predictable source of federal funds to keep this effort moving down the tracks."
Enbridge Agrees to Pay Civil Penalties Over Pipeline Spills

The company's consent decree with EPA and DOJ includes civil penalties under the Clean Water Act of $61 million relating to the Line 6B release and $1 million related to the Line 6A release, both payable within 30 days of the effective date of the decree.

Canada-based Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.and Enbridge Inc., its parent company, announced they have signed a consent decree with EPA and the U.S. Department of Justice over the spills from the Line 6B pipeline in Marshall, Mich., in July 2010 and the Line 6A pipeline in Romeoville, Ill., in September 2010. Both lines are part of the Lakehead Pipeline system owned by Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of EEP.

The decree will take effect following a comment period and upon approval by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

"From the beginning, we've taken responsibility for the Line 6B release. We accept the civil penalties and enhanced safety measures in the decree. The enhanced safety measures included in the decree are consistent with our approach to safety and integrity and our current practices and have largely been implemented over the past six years," said Mark Maki, president of the partnership. "In fulfilling the terms of the agreement, we will cooperate with the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency."

The decree includes:
Estonia is set to take over the rotating EU presidency from Britain in late 2017 after London pulled out to focus on negotiations to leave the bloc, officials said Wednesday. In the first major step towards Brexit after last month's shock referendum result, Prime Minister Theresa May announced that Britain would no longer take up its scheduled six-month stint next July. A spokesman for European Council President Donald Tusk said there was "broad agreement" when EU ambassadors met in Brussels "that Estonia's presidency be brought forward by six months to take the place of the UK". He told AFP that "subsequent presidencies, in the order they are currently foreseen, would all in turn be brought forward by six months", meaning that Bulgaria will now take over in January 2018. "It is hoped that this result will be confirmed through a formal decision shortly," the spokesman added. Estonian Prime Minister Taavi Roivas said his country was "ready". "No decision on our Presidency, but it seems likely we are about to move to second half of 2017. We can manage it," he said on Twitter. Estonian government official Tiina Urm added that "although moving the presidency to an earlier period compared to the planned 2018 would not be Estonia's first choice, they will be able to do it." Slovakia currently holds the presidency and will be followed by Malta in the first half of 2017. Belgium had earlier been in the frame to take on the presidency after Britain dropped out. Another EU diplomat confirmed there was broad agreement on the change to Estonia. "Everyone was for this solution. Austria has a reservation because its presidency would than fall in an election period, and it might change with Romania," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity. New member Croatia, which is not yet on the list to resumes the rotating EU presidency, "will be included in the first half of 2020" when the officially scheduled list of future presidencies currently ends.
Federal judge: those who lack

photo ID may vote in November

MADISON  A federal judge has issued an order allowing people who lack photo identification to vote in November.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman in Milwaukee issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday that allows people who havent been able to obtain IDs to vote if they sign an affidavit stating why they couldnt get identification.

Adelman said in the injunction the affidavit option wont be in place for the Aug. 9 primary, saying elections officials dont have time to implement it by then, but will be in place for the Nov. 8 general election.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty filed a motion asking for the injunction in June.

Officials with the state Justice Department didnt immediately respond to a message.

State home sales in first half

of year strongest since 2005

MILWAUKEE  A new reports show home sales in Wisconsin for the first half of the year are the best theyve been since 2005.

The Wisconsin Realtors Association says sales of existing homes are up 5.5 percent from the same period last year. The median price of a home rose 4.5 percent to $162,000.

Association chairman K.C. Maurer says homes are moving quickly. He says the average time on the market fell to 86 days in June. The last time the days on the market were that low was August 2005.

The associations report says every region of the state experienced a growth in sales compared to the same period in 2015.

Police return purse left in mall bathroom with $12K to Ill. woman

LA CROSSE  An Illinois woman who lost nearly $12,000 at a La Crosse mall has her money back.

The La Crosse Tribune reports that 73-year-old Norberta Pickett of Rockford and her husband had hoped to buy a camper while riding motorcycles around Sparta earlier this month. On the last day of their trip they visited Valley View Mall. Pickett forgot her purse in a Hallmark Store restroom.

An employee found the purse. When no one claimed it by Friday, she checked it for an ID and turned it over to police. Officers discovered $11,773 in cash as well as gift cards and photos of Picketts children and grandchildren inside.

Police contacted Pickett, who drove to La Crosse to retrieve the purse. She said she was most upset about losing her photos.

1st Green Bay firefighter killed on duty honored with gravesite tribute

ALLOUEZ  A Green Bay firefighter who died in the line of duty nearly 125 years ago has finally received a graveside tribute.

Hans Hanson was the first Green Bay firefighter to die while on duty. He was killed during his first day on the job back in 1892.

WLUK-TV reported that through research, it was discovered that Hanson was buried in an unmarked grave and had not received full fire department honor.

So on Monday, firefighters and others gathered at Woodlawn Cemetery in Allouez to give Hanson proper burial rites and honor him with a gravestone.

Hanson is one of nine Green Bay firefighters that have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Court affirms decision blocking sand mine proposal

MADISON  A state appeals court has affirmed a decision blocking a frack sand mine in western Wisconsin.

The Mississippi Land Connection and Timber Company LLC and Wisconsin Bluff Sands LLC filed an application for a permit for a mine in the town of Waumandee in 2013.

The Buffalo County Board of Adjustment denied the application after hearing from experts that little vegetation would grow in the area after the mine closed and from members of the public concerned about potential traffic, declining air quality and declining property values.

The 1st District Court of Appeals upheld the boards decision on Tuesday, finding that the board properly considered the mines environmental impact.

The companies attorney, Richard White, said he hadnt seen the decision and had no comment.

Man dies of gunshot wound, woman is recovering

TOWN OF UTICA  Winnebago County sheriffs officials have released a few more details about a double shooting in the Town of Utica.

Investigators say deputies responded to a call about a disturbance and shots fired Monday morning.

They found 29-year-old Luke Smith of Picket dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot. A 36-year-old woman had also been shot. Authorities say she is recovering at a hospital following surgery.

Deputies say they also found three dogs had been fatally shot at the scene.

 Associated Press
China insisted its controls over some raw materials exports were legal, after the European Union followed the United States to take it to the World Trade Organisation over the restrictions. The EU lodged the legal challenge on Tuesday, accusing China -- the world's largest trader in goods -- of violating WTO rules with duties and quotas on 11 key materials. In a similar filing last week, the US alleged China failed to live up to a commitment made when it joined the WTO in 2001 to eliminate such export duties. Washington said Tuesday it had expanded its complaint to include all the same materials covered in the European action. The substances -- including graphite, cobalt, chromium and magnesia -- are essential in a broad range of industries, from aerospace and car manufacturing to electronics and chemicals. But China's trade authorities defended the curbs, saying they were meant to protect the environment and comply with WTO rules. "China's controls such as export duties and quotas over relevant raw materials are based on the need to protect the resources and the environment," Beijing's commerce ministry said in a statement Tuesday. "They are part of the comprehensive measures to strengthen the protection of the ecological environment and are in line with WTO rules," it said. It added China "regrets" the EU action and will handle the case following the WTO's dispute settlement procedures. The US complained that Beijing's export duties raised prices for overseas buyers while local companies paid much less and had more secure supplies, and that they put pressure on non-Chinese manufacturers to shift production, technologies and jobs to the country. The EU launched successful actions against China in 2012 and 2014 over rare earths and raw materials such as bauxite, zinc and coke. The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, is due Wednesday to review trade links with China ahead of a December deadline whereby, under the terms of its WTO accession, the country should be regarded as a market economy, not one where the state plays a central role.
The government of Panama on Wednesday launched an independent commission to identify people killed or missing in the 1989 US invasion of the country that brought down dictator Manuel Noriega. "There can be no reconciliation if the truth is not known," Panama's vice president and foreign minister, Isabel De Saint Malo, said. "Panama is seeking to heal its wounds," she added, speaking to a gathering of officials, religious leaders, some who lost kin or property in the invasion, and the UN representative to Panama. There have been insistent calls in Panama for compensation from the US for the deaths and damage wrought in the invasion. While the Panamanian government has not officially backed those demands, it has for the past two years pressed for a "reconciliation" effort. President Juan Carlos Varela signed the decree on Tuesday creating the new independent panel, which is to be made up of five members with backgrounds in human rights. Its formal name is the "Commission of December 20, 1989." That is the date the United States sent 27,000 soldiers to Panama, resulting in the capture of Noriega, a former CIA collaborator who was wanted in the US on drug trafficking charges. The former dictator spent time behind bars in America and in France, and is currently imprisoned in Panama for ordering the disappearance of dissidents during his 1983-1989 rule. Many Panamanians welcomed the end of Noriega's reign, but believe the United States should make up for the other consequences of its military incursion. Officially, the US Defense Department recorded some 500 deaths in the invasion. But other organizations put the toll at a several thousand. Thousands of people lost their homes and many businesses were destroyed. The US ambassador to Panama, John Feely, in February said his country was willing to participate in the reconciliation process and look at providing any help requested by the Panamanian government.
(Yahoo file photo)



An online spat has broken out between Workers Partys Png Eng Huat and Minister Tan Chuan-Jin over the latters expedited clearance at the Tuas Checkpoint.



Png and Tan, who had gone on a day trip to Johor Baru with residents on Sunday to eat durians, found that the immigration checkpoints were crowded during the return to Singapore.



Png, the MP for Hougang, described the checkpoints as overwhelmed.



In the long queue at the immigration check point yesterday were many travellers, some of whom are old and tired, but they all had to wait patiently for hours for their turn, Png said in a post on Facebook on 18 July.



He added that also in the queue were two elderly residents who had been patiently waiting to clear immigration.

When an additional counter opened at Tuas, Png said there was a certain excitement in the air, only for everyone to realise the checkpoint was opened to clear Tan and his entourage.

No one else could use that counter, Png added.



Before Tan responded, the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) issued a statement of Facebook on Tuesday saying, it is normal practice for ICA to give expedited clearance to Ministers, on both sides of the Causeway as well as members of the Malaysian royalty.

Minister Tan, his security officers and the other passengers in his bus were given clearance, without having to queue, at the Tuas Checkpoint on 17 July at around 9.20pm, the ICA said.

Where they travel with others in a group, ICA officers will use their judgment on the clearance process.

Reacting to Pngs Facebook post, Tan hit back saying the Hougang MPs post was aimed at stirring hate and anger.

He also pointed out that Png failed to mention that he waited only 30 minutes to clear immigration and that ICA officers were on hand to help any Singaporeans who needed special assistance.

Png responded to Tans Facebook post at around 9 pm on Tuesday saying he understands this was a judgement call by the ICA, but at the same time questioned why Tans entourage needed to be expedited if the wait time was all of 30 minutes only.I cannot control how people feel. I am also on the receiving end of hate and anger for bringing this issue out in the open. I dont have an issue with Minister Tan, personally or politically. I have an issue with inequality, Png said.
The Vans Summer Pro Skate Tour continues its trek across the country, landing this time in Cleveland, Ohio for Justin Henry, Kyle Walker, Tyson Peterson, Daniel Lutheran, Jason Dill, Corey Glick and Johnny Layton to smash out another demo  laying down some ridiculous hubba ledge business like it was nothing

The last three parts of the Vans Summer Pro Skate Tour puzzle sees the crew hit Philly, move on to New Brunswick to christen the...

The top three runs in full from Jordyn Barratt, Lizzie Armanto and Hanna Zanzi and a gallery of some more of the radness that went...

Vans have compiled some highlights from the Vans Shop Riot finals in all countries involved so far, including clips from our own finals at Nottingham's...

If you haven't been keeping up with the Vans Pro Skate Park Series, we highly recommend dropping upcoming plans and coming to terms with the...

Seven minutes of stylish, creative skating taken to a wide array of terrain is exactly what's needed to help push through to the weekend.

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The human gut is a complex and amazing system, and the more we learn about it, the more amazed we are. It turns out
(Adds context, details on next steps)

By William James and Kylie MacLellan

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Britain will give up its planned presidency of the European Council, due to start in July 2017, to focus on negotiating the country's exit from the European Union a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday.

The decision, reached in a phone call between May and EU Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday evening, reflects the scale of the task facing Britain as it seeks to negotiate a new relationship with the EU after a June 23 public vote to leave.

"The Prime Minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating Presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union," the spokeswoman said.

"The Prime Minister explained that we will need to carefully prepare for the negotiations to leave the EU before triggering Article 50," she said, referring to the formal legal process for leaving the bloc.

"Donald Tusk reassured the Prime Minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible."

A spokesman for Tusk said there had been no decision yet on who would take up the vacant slot, and that discussions on the issue would begin immediately between ambassadors.

The presidency is currently held by Slovakia and is due to be handed over to Malta for the first half of 2017. Estonia was due to follow the British presidency.

Possible solutions could be to extend Malta and Estonia's terms by three months to cover the gap or for Belgium to step in for the six months. (Additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Arbor Investments has paid tribute to its co-founder and former vice chairman Joseph P. Campolo following his death after a battle with brain cancer.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. At least 26 people have died after a tour bus caught fire in Taiwan's Taoyuan city, according to local officials, Armenpress reports, citing BBC.

The bus smashed into a roadside barrier on a national highway and caught fire, Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) reported.

It had been bringing the group of Chinese tourists to Taoyuan Airport to catch a flight back to Dalian.

Officials said there were 24 tourists on board plus a local guide and driver.

"The fire moved very fast. All 26 died," Lu Jui-yao, an official with the National Highway Police Bureau told Reuters.

Pictures from the scene showed thick black smoke and flames engulfing the bus.

The cause of the crash, shortly before 13:00 (05:00 GMT), was not immediately known. Taiwan authorities are still investigating.

Taiwanese cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan said tourism government officials had reached out to their mainland counterparts and would arrange for relatives of the victims to come to Taiwan.
Modified On Jul 21, 2016 04:58 PM By Alshaar

Ford Motor Private Limited (FMPL) plans to invest around Rs 1,300 crore in its new Global Technology and Business Centre that is slated to begin operations in Tamil Nadu by the first quarter of 2019, informed companys managing director David Dubensky.

Dubensky, who is also the global business services head of FMPL, was recently talking at the sidelines of the Indo-US Trade Conclave, The March towards $500 billion Trade, reported Mint.

In a bid to consolidate all its services that are currently spread across Chennai, Coimbatore and Gurgaon the company is eyeing Chennai to emerge as a centre to design cars after integration with its global engineering core.

This (India) is a small car market and that is the logical place we are looking at, he added.

The new 28-acre centre will house a research and development unit along with a product testing centre. A workforce of 2,000 employees will be added to perform duties here, said Dubensky.

Ford was shown the green light by the Tamil Nadu government to set up a global technology and business centre under the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltds (ELCOT) special economic zone (SEZ) in Shollinganalur, near Chennai back in March this year.

Ford currently manufactures from its twin facilities in Sanand (Gujarat) and Chennai that have a combined capacity of rolling out 10.5 lakh units annually. The Ford lineup in India currently features the likes of the Figo Aspire, Figo and EcoSport; that are exported to more than 50 countries globally.
Modified On Jul 20, 2016 03:22 PM By Tushar for Toyota Innova Crysta 2016-2020

With manufacturers bearing the brunt of recently introduced restrictions on the sale of diesel cars, many automakers have been holding back on their investments in India. Toyota has been very vocal about the negative implications of the diesel ban and the Japanese automaker has now halted fresh investments in India.

As a brand, Toyota relies heavily on models like the Innova Crysta and Fortuner in India. Both models use diesel engines that displace over 2,000cc, due to which they cannot be sold in Delhi or NCR. The sales slowdown has been compounded by the reducing gap between petrol and diesel prices, along with the National Green Tribunals (NGT) recent directive to ban all diesel vehicles that are over 10 years old in the capital. The combination of these factors has demotivated buyers from opting for diesel models, which puts manufacturers like Toyota and Honda in a soup.

Toyotas statement comes in just a few weeks after it inaugurated its new engine plant in Bangalore. The facility, built with an investment of Rs 1,100 crore, was developed to produce the 2.4-litre and 2.8-litre diesel engines that are used in the Innova Crysta. The plant is capable of producing 1 lakh units annually, but is running at 30% of its capacity. "I do not know what to do with this excess capacity. We cannot live with the betrayal of faith. When I go to the Toyota headquarters in Japan for the next project, it is very hard to explain," said Shekhar Viswanathan, vice chairman and director of Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

In addition to the investment freeze, Toyota will reconsider its plan to introduce new models in India as well. Luxury carmakers like Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW have also been affected, with Mercedes-Benz already stalling its investments in India.

Source: ET Auto

What are your thoughts on the Delhi diesel ban? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section!

Read More on : Innova Crysta
NAFCUs Carrie Hunt and Chad Adams met with several lawmakers on the second day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, including Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Bob Corker, R-Tenn., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Hunt, NAFCUs executive vice president of government affairs and general counsel, and Adams, NAFCUs senior associate director of legislative affairs, also met with House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price, R-Ga., and Reps. John Shimkus, R-Ill., Ander Crenshaw, R-Fla. chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services, and Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., who is the vice-chairman of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. On Monday evening, Hunt also met with Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W. Va., who is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Rules Committee.

Hunt and Adams are at the convention to attend policy meetings, breakfast and lunch events, and they have been meeting with lawmakers to discuss issues important to credit unions. Convention speakers Tuesday included Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Capito and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
This daily digest focuses on market sentiment, new developments in Chinas foreign exchange policy, changes in financial market regulations and Chinese-language economic coverage in order to keep DailyFX readers up-to-date on news typically covered only in Chinese-language sources.

- The Yuan advanced the most in two weeks against the US Dollar following the PBOCs guidance.

- Chinas Central Bank added short-term liquidity this week in the effort of meeting temporary demand.

- Chinas tax income in the first six months increased +9.4%, providing support to the proactive fiscal policy.

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Hexun News: Chinese leading online media of financial news.

- The onshore Yuan extended its rally against the US Dollar for the second consecutive day after the PBOC fixed the Yuan rate 25 pips or 0.03% stronger from the Tuesday fix. As of 10am EDT, the onshore Yuan (USD/CNY) has increased +0.3% to 6.6728. The offshore Yuan (USD/CNH) strengthened as well, rising +0.41% on Wednesday, which is the largest rally in two weeks. Chinas financial institutions suspect that the PBOC may intend to hold Yuan rates near or below the key level of 6.70 ahead of the G20 ministers meeting in Chengdu this weekend.

From July 23rd to 24th, finance ministers and central bank governors from G20 countries will meet in Chengdu, a major Chinese city in the southwest region. This will be the first meeting of these top officials after the Brexit decision. It is expected that they will discuss topics such as how to promote the global economy and maintain financial stability in the post-Brexit world.

Sina News: Chinas most important online media source, similar to CNN in the US. They also own a Chinese version of Twitter, called Weibo, with around 200 million active users monthly.

- Chinas Central Bank started to add liquidity to the market this week, following two weeks of withdrawals. The Shanghai overnight Yuan borrowing rate saw increases from Monday, indicating slightly tightened liquidity in the short term. Thus, the PBOC injected a net of 30 billion Yuan on Tuesday and 45 billion Yuan on Wednesday. The increasing demand in cash is mainly resulting from corporate tax payments in July. In terms of the medium-term liquidity, 1W, 2W, 1M, 3M SHIBOR are all in downward trends, indicating sufficient supply.

- Chinas tax income in the first six months of 2016 increased +9.4% to 6.4979 trillion Yuan, according to the State Administration of Taxation. After deducting the carryover effect, the real growth in tax income was +5.1%. The increase in tax income is critical for China right now as it contributes a major portion of Chinas fiscal income. As the efficiency of monetary policy is on the decline, the Chinese government is introducing proactive fiscal policy to support the slowing economy. Sufficient tax income assures this kind of policy to remain sustainable. Also, the breakdown of tax income shows that the tertiary sector continues to expand as expected: Taxes collected from the third industry increased +10.9% from last year and took up 58.2% of all the taxes.

China Finance Information: a finance online media administrated by Xinhua Agency.

- The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced a national railway plan on July 20th. By 2020, China will establish a railway network of 150,000 km (93,205.7 miles). In 2015, the Chinese government launched a five-year plan, which is to double its 2010 GDP and per-capita income of Chinese household by 2020. In order to reach the target, China needs to maintain an annual growth of 6.5% over the following years. National infrastructure projects such as railway constructions will help to boost the economic growth. Also, they provide job opportunities for construction workers who are facing job relocation challenges due to the national-wide production cuts.

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The measures adopted by the EU's Agriculture Council to give 500 million is "far from enough to overcome the crisis," according to the European Milk Board.

"Producers on the dairy market are under exceptional pressure," the Board said, describing thebcrisis with 'continuously sinking milk prices' that has dairy farms across the EU at the 'end of their tether.'

"It was therefore key that yesterday's Agriculture Council decided on radical measures to reduce overproduction on the market.

"This amount is not nearly enough in light of the severity of the current crisis"

"However, the measures adopted yesterday are not going to provide the urgent reorientation the sector needs

"Instead of taking a consequent EU-wide approach, which would offer all producers the possibility of voluntary production cuts, 350 million euros of the total 500 million package, that is, the majority was allocated to measures that are not clearly defined."

Romuald Schaber, President of the European Milk Board (EMB), is disappointed: "Production cuts is the label used to describe the current package of measures.

"However, no one wants to take a crack at their proper implementation, with 150 million euros merely to be used for measures to reduce production.

"This amount is not nearly enough in light of the severity of the current crisis."

Too short a reduction period and no simultaneous capping

The EMB explained that the envisaged reduction period of 3 months is 'too short'.

This is during the time which willing producers will receive financial compensation, but there is no simultaneous volume capping for other producers.

"Therefore, there is a great risk that the achieved reductions will be neutralised by increased production by other producers and the effect on milk prices will be minimal or insignificant.

"The equivalent 14 cents to be paid for each litre of milk not produced is not enough of an incentive either.

"This compensation has to be higher in order to generate enough willingness and bring about sufficient volume reduction on the market.

"With prices that are sometimes below 20 cents per litre of milk, we are facing an acute and significant crisis in the dairy sector in Europe. This crisis must be combated with consequent and clear policy," says Schaber.

"However, the European Commission and some Member States have been trying to ignore the consequences of this crisis for months now.

The EMB concluded: "Sadly, the measures adopted yesterday show that nothing has changed."
The Police killing of Michael Brown by a Furguson policeman and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and subsequent U.S. invasion are dominos, variations upon a theme: the hubris of a powerful nation, class or ruling elite to control a much subservient people or nation, there are tragic lessons to be learned to the demise of the powerful (at the expense of the powerless).

I was so impressed by MIT emeritus linguistics professor Noam Chomskys NY Times op ed interview The Roots of American Racism that I forwarded it to several of my friends, with this introduction below:Ok gentlemen, here is a NY times interview of Noam Chomsky, the oracle of our nation, who tells us what we must know about why our so-called enlightened democracy is and has been a slave owning oligarchy almost since the first English landing in the "new world." The genocide began and has continued here and across the globe, ever since.I pre-apologize if this is an inconvenient truth for you, but some truths must be known if we are to not re-live them again and again in Afghanistan, Ferguson, Vietnam, Iraq, Wounded Knee, Cuba, The Philippines, the Alamo, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Chile, etc. etc. etc.!!!The common denominator between Afghanistan and Ferguson, and any other case of one country or class in conflict with an asymmetrical power imbalance, is that a powerful ruling elite controls, exploits and ultimately, if challenged, in even a minor way, destroys those without power, quickly and directly with weapons or gradually and indirectly with abuse; over-work without sustainable wages, such as white tenant farmers during the dust bowl or black sharecroppers during reconstruction, or low-grade chemical degradation such as of Mexican farmworkers in present day U.S.Here are the parallels:Afghanistan in the 1800s is haplessly between two mighty empires in what Rudyard Kipling called, "The Great Game" -- the strategic rivalry and conflict between the British Empire and the Russian Empire for supremacy in Central Asia.So in 1838 the British rode on horseback to conquer the diverse tribal people of Afghanistan to further secure their century old colony, India, the so-called Jewel in the Crown of Queen Victoria, fearful that Victorias cousin, Czar Nicholas I, coveted India. To save the empire and British honor, hundreds of thousands died in the rocky gorges of the Khyber Pass and it began the gradual dimming of the British Empire due to cost over-runs of this and every other warand most of British history is the tragic history of one war after another, and oftenseveral wars at the same time. Hence the ironically proud claim: the sun never sets upon the British Empire until it will finally set if even a fraction of the Empires enemies can sustain a coalition and obtain their own weapons of mass destruction. I hope this does not happen because I love British literature, but I fear we may live in a time such as depicted by the Percy Bysshe Shellys 1817 poem, Ozymandias, which describes the remains of a long dead mighty emperors stone statue, decaying in the desert sands, where nothing remains of his civilization. I fear it may prove to be much more than just another Romantic poem, but a tragic prophecy.By 1979 it was Russia's turn to what historian Barbara Tuchman aptly named, "The March of Folly when empires suffer from national hubris, and spend themselves to an early death spiral to conquer, control and exploit a lesser empire.As Russia invaded Afghanistan seeking its millennia long dream of a warm water port (eventually needing to then invade Pakistan to finally get to the warm water of the Indian Ocean) suffered its own "Vietnam, aka: ignoble defeat.Zbigniew Brzezinski, president Carter's national security advisor, ensured this by providing the Afghanistan army with Stinger missiles to enable resistance fighters to shoot down hundreds of Soviet planes and helicopters--causing so many Russian deaths that Russian mothers, after ten years of war, were no longer willing to give up more sons to Mother Russia, bitterly protested the waralmost sparking an insurrection--and Russian spent itself into near financial collapse.See the quote below:Zbigniew Brzezinski admitted in an interview:How Jimmy Carter and I Started the MujahedeenBy Alexander Cockburn And Jeffrey St. ClairQ: The former director of the CIA, Robert Gates, stated in his memoirs ["From the Shadows"], that American intelligence services began to aid the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan 6 months before the Soviet intervention. In this period you were the national security adviser to President Carter. You therefore played a role in this affair. Is that correct?Brzezinski: Yes. According to the official version of history, CIA aid to the Mujahedeen began during 1980, that is to say, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan, 24 Dec 1979. But the reality, secretly guarded until now, is completely otherwise: Indeed, it was July 3, 1979 that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention.Q: Despite this risk, you were an advocate of this covert action. But perhaps you yourself desired this Soviet entry into war and looked to provoke it?Brzezinski: It isnt quite that. We didnt push the Russians to intervene, but we knowingly increased the probability that they would.Q: When the Soviets justified their intervention by asserting that they intended to fight against a secret involvement of the United States in Afghanistan, people didnt believe them. However, there was a basis of truth. You dont regret anything today?Brzezinski: Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter: We now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam War. Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war unsupported by the Russian people, a conflict that brought about the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire.GV: So the CIA plan worked, but our U.S. ruling elite failed to learn from our own history in Vietnam, and our folly was replicated as we funded Osama bin Laden's "liberators" to damage the USSR. Then by the 1990s bin Laden began his plot to kill the other giant empire, the U.S. So on Sept. 11, 2001, he sprang his U.S. A. trap upon us at the World Trade Center, and the rest is our tragic history---we marched back into Afghanistan "to get bin Laden, but George W. Bush did not really want to capture bin Laden at Bora Bora. He realized that we must not because if we captured him, he would tell the world his tale of collaborating with the Saudi Royal family and GHW Bush family and Dick Cheney-Halliburton Corporation on oil infrastructure projects in the middle east, cashing our CIA issued checks, receiving our weapons, training his terrorists at the camps we built for the Mujahedeen, who bin Laden renamed al Qaida.Now back to Ferguson, Mo: the ruling elite of mayor, city manager, DA, judge and police milked the powerless Black population with petty infractions like parking, jay walking, or changing lanes without signaling (as did Sandra Bland in Texaswhich led to her death days later). One black teen had a $500 fine for not crossing at a crosswalk on a street without sidewalks. In addition to high fines for municipal infractions that cannot be appealed, late fees and court costs are added, atop of other fines to the extent that they provided more than 60% of the municipal budget--more than $2 million per year. The city manager and fiscal officer sent a memo to the police chief, "can your officers increase last year's fines to $3 million?" The police chief responded cheerfully, "We'll do our best!"So that is why Michael Brown was stopped by Officer Darren Wilson, for jaywalking--in the middle of the day, on an almost empty street--not because it is dangerous, but rather because the city needed the fines to be able to afford police and all other city services to "serve and protect" the citizens of Ferguson (sic).So the U. S. Attorney Generals Department of Justice report just released, concluded that the Black population was used as a fiscal source for city services.Not dissimilar to how the pre-emancipated Black population, called slaves at the time, were used as a source of free labor to enable their owners to live a life of ease and luxury. It took a warthe Civil Warwith 600,000 dead Americans, to end that despicable abuse of one population by another. Let us pray that we do not need a second civil war to resolve the present injustices in our nation.
Fairfax has been running a story for several days that alleged very senior China official were threatening a trade war with New Zealand because of a complaint with MBIE about steel imports allegedly being dumped in NZ.

One of the so called sources has clarified in NBR that in fact he could find little substance to it: The star witness in the China trade war rumours that has erupted over the past couple of days says the story is a dud. Former trade negotiator Charles Finny says he was quoted out of context in a Sunday Star Times story alleging China is pressuring for an investigation into steel dumping to be dropped  and that his own investigations indicated the rumour was baseless. The editor asked Mr Finny to ring around. He duly obliged. But when he called contacts he had made during his time with Prime Ministers Department, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the former China FTA negotiator drew a blank. No one had heard rumours of any China pressure on exporters on exporters  bar one source in the Beehive who had heard that the topic had been raised with an exporter in China but by a person at a Chamber of Commerce-type organisation.

So this seemed to be the basis of a major story which gave the impression that the Chinese Government at senior levels was planning trade restrictions.

A later story in Stuff claims vindication on the basis that Zespri knew of the approach. But look closely at the actual details:

In a major backdown, the Government confirms it was told a Chinese industry body had approached a New Zealand exporter, venting anger over a complaint against alleged steel dumping practices. But Trade Minister Todd McClay says Mofcom  Chinas trade ministry equivalent  has denied any knowledge that an approach occurred.

So the allegation is that someone from a Chinese industry body made a threat, not the Government (which knows nothing of it). But again look at the actual details:

Zespri released a statement following McClays comments, saying its local staff in Beijing received unsubstantiated information from an industry body in China on purported industry consultations related to the import of New Zealand agricultural products.

So a local Zespri staff member received some unsubstantiated information from an industry body, and this is the basis of the entire front page story.

This is like saying that because someone from Federated Farmers says they have heard some gossip about what the NZ Government will do, that this is proof the Government is planning a trade war.

The story was worth reporting, but not in the way it was. I think the original story was quite misleading as to the source of the so called threat, and that it represented the view of the Chinese Government. The original story said:

China has threatened retaliatory measures against New Zealand trade, warning it will slow the flow of dairy, wool and kiwifruit imports.  But somehow, China learned of the application  and it is taking retaliatory action. In the past week, representatives of New Zealands biggest export industries have been called in by Chinese officials, and told to exert their influence to make sure the MBIE investigation does not go ahead.

Those paragraphs are not supported by the facts now emerged. China is not taking retaliatory measures. No representatives have been called in by Chinese officials, and there is no demand the investigation does not go ahead. The far less sensational story is that a Chinese industry body said that they had heard there was an investigation.

My suspicion is that the story was fed to the Sunday Star-Times by NZ First, and they ran it on the basis of a fourth hand verification that someone heard someone from someone.

As I said the story was worth reporting, but the way they do so was over the top. What is annoying is they wont admit their original story was overblown. Heres their latest:

Dairy giant Fonterra told Government officials it had been approached by Chinese commerce representatives, warning of reprisals if they did anything to compromise Chinese steel imports. Its the latest revelation in a series of about-turns about the Governments knowledge of Chinese threats of a wider trade war.

Fairfax are desperately trying to keep the story alive, but again read beyond the first two sentences.

Fonterra director for global stakeholder affairs Phil Turner said there had been rumours on the ground that Fonterra concluded were simply that  unsubstantiated rumours. Fonterra has not received any threats, has not been approached by the Chinese Government, and does not have any information related to the rumours which includes the source of the initial speculation.

What is amazing is that their own story contradicts them. They start claiming vindication and keep using the language of warning of reprisals, and the actual quotes from Fonterra say quite the opposite.

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- Aisha Buhari has sued Governor Fayose for his statement that she was involve in a corruption scandal

- She had earlier ordered him to retract the statement which he refused

- An order has been issued to that effect by an Abuja court asking Fayose to be served

The first lady of the country, Aisha Buhari has formally sued Governor Ayodele Fayose for claiming that she was involved in the infamous Halliburton corruption scandal.

Fayose versus Aisha Buhari

The governor shortly after his account was frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) claimed in a statement through his media aide that President Muhammadu Buhari cannot say he is free of corruption too as his wife is named in a bribery case involving a convicted former U.S. lawmaker, Williams Jefferson.

READ ALSO: Does Aisha Buhari plan to visit USA after rift with Fayose?

Fayose had said: The estate he built in Abuja is known to us. His wife was indicted over the Halliburton Scandal (sic). When that American, Jefferson, was being sentenced, the Presidents wife was mentioned as having wired $170,000 to Jefferson. Her name was on page 25 of the sentencing of Jefferson. We can serialize the judgment for people to see and read.

In the US Government Sentencing Memorandum that Fayose referred to, it read: Government Exhibits 36-87 (6/26/02 $170,000 wire transfer from account in Nigeria in the name of Aisha Buhari to an account in the name of The ANJ Group, LLC, identifying William Jefferson as Beneficiary),

In a swift response, the first lady denied the allegation and through her legal team sent a letter to the embattled Ekiti state governor asking him to retract his statement within five days or face the law.

Demand for unqualified retraction of the false statement published by you in various media on the 20th of June, 2016, and subsequent dates regarding our client, Her Excellency, Mrs. Aisha Buhari the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,

The governor had however refused to retract his statement and insisted he was right about his allegation.

According to Premium Times, a court order was issued on Wednesday, July 20 although it is not known if the governor will appear in court considering he has immunity against criminal prosecution as a sitting governor.

In the ex-parte motion Mrs. Buhari prayed the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, to grant her reliefs to issue writ of summons against Mr. Fayose and his media advisers, Idowu Adelusi and Lere Olayinka.

The court presided by Olukayode Adeniyi granted all reliefs sought by Mrs. Buhari, including an order of substituted service.

Mary Ekpere, counsel to Mrs. Buhari, prayed the court for the lawsuit to be served on Mr. Fayose and his two aides, even though Ekiti state is outside the jurisdiction of the Abuja Division of the federal high court.

The judge approved the service and asked that it be done either through a courier service or publication in an online media.

Governor Fayose had earlier advised the wife of the president to wait until the end of his tenure on October 16, 2018, to sue him for defamation of character.

READ ALSO: How Fayose erred with his allegation against Aisha Buhari

He said by virtue of Section 308 of the constitution, he remained immune from legal attacks until the end of his tenure.

Through his counsel, Fayose responded to the letter sent by Aisha Buhari and insisted that she was the one mentioned in the corruption scandal and would therefore not retract his statement.

His counsel wrote: Our client states and reaffirms categorically that the statement he made as regards the involvement of Mrs. Aisha Buhari, the wife of President Buhari, in the Halliburton scandal, is correct and justified in law; having regards to a court judgement convicting one Mr. William Jefferson for bribery in the Halliburton case.

Therein, the name of the Presidents wife featured conspicuously. At page 22 of the said judgment delivered by the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, USA, in criminal No 1: 07CR209, the said Mr. William Jefferson was sentenced at 9:00am on November 13, 2009, by Mark D, Lytle. Your client, Mrs. Aisha Buhari was specifically mentioned in the judgment.

Source: Legit.ng
An astonishing one in every three Transportation Security Administration agents have been accused of misconduct. The Department of Homeland Security released a report referring to the TSA on July 7 displaying the growth of misconduct that threatens the security of fliers.

The report cited seemingly continuous scandals, some of the incidents included federal air marshals using government funded money to pay for hotel rooms and prostitutes, officers smuggling objects such as marijuana, narcotics, and undocumented immigrants through security checkpoints and unaccountable bonuses.

Data shows that the misconduct has grown over time, the report states. From 2010 to 2012 reports of misconducts increased 27 percent while from 2013 to 2015 there was an increase of 29 percent. Even with recommendations within the agency to reduce and manage behavior, reported incidents still rose.

In 2015, there were 17,627 allegations of conduct ranging from, bribery to unexcused absences, large-scale drug smuggling and even child pornography. Between 2013 and 2015, misconduct allegations nearly doubled.

Federal security directors called the negligence devastating and just as disturbing, the report had no explanation to why the misconduct has been mishandled from the TSA officials who were interviewed.

TSA could not explain to Committee staff  why employees might have a significant number of complaints filed against them, nor why headquarters had not identified or

handled these repeat offenders, the report states.

The report closed with identifying the TSA needs bold reform, led by senior officials with a strong commitment and willingness to change in the face of criticism in order for lasting, positive change to take hold. Many proposals were included for recommendation to allow the TSA to deter future misconducts and succeeds in protecting the flying public.

Lauren Spiler is a freelance journalist based in Athens, Georgia, but most call her Spiler.
Senior Met officer facing misconduct probe

High ranking officer allegedly requested resources be deployed outside of London for an event at son's school.

DAC Maxine de Brunner is now being investigated

Date - 20th July 2016

By - Josh Loeb - Police Oracle - 20th July 2016

0203 119 3303

or alternatively get in touch via the Do you have an interesting news story? Contact the newsdesk onor alternatively get in touch via the contact form

One of the Mets most senior officers is facing a misconduct investigation after allegedly arranging for thousands of pounds worth of specialist resources to be deployed to her sons private school as part of an event for...
New research from QUT shows preventable hospitalisation from diabetic foot disease is costing Australia hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

Senior Research Fellow at the Queensland University of Technology and co-chair of Diabetic Foot Australia, Peter Lazzarini, said the importance of early prevention of diabetic foot disease was never more important.

Mr Lazzarini led the Australian-first study published in BMJ Open finding one in every 22 patients in our hospitals have active diabetic foot disease.

"Our study, which investigated a representative sample of hospitalised patients in five hospitals across metropolitan and regional Queensland, found 4.6% of all patients had active diabetic foot disease and nearly half of those were in hospital because of their diabetic foot disease.

"This equates to 27,600 hospitalisations each year caused by diabetic foot disease in Australia, which puts diabetic foot disease easily in the top 20 causes of hospitalisation in Australia."

He said this amounted to an annual direct cost to Australia for hospitalisation alone of $350 million.

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"This figure is much higher than we previously thought and is still very much a conservative estimate, because this cost only relates to patients admitted because of their diabetic foot disease in public hospitals," he said.

Mr Lazzarini said diabetic foot disease didn't stop with hospitalisation and that it also causes 4,400 amputations and nearly 1,700 deaths in Australia each year.

"If diabetic foot disease is left untreated it can quite easily result in hospitalisation, amputation and even death," he said.

"Unfortunately, we also found that people hospitalised because of diabetic foot disease had rarely received the recommended multi-disciplinary foot care needed to properly treat their disease in the year prior to their hospitalisation. This seems to confirm our thoughts that people with diabetic foot disease that do not see a multi-disciplinary foot disease team are more likely to end up in hospital."

However, Mr Lazzarini offers a message of hope: early prevention.

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"We know from our previous research in Australia that when people with diabetic foot disease receive this recommended multi-disciplinary foot care we can prevent around half of the hospitalisations, amputations and costs that would have occurred without this care. Diabetic foot disease is a readily preventable disease if diagnosed and treated early."

Mr Lazzarini, and a national expert team from Diabetic Foot Australia, are advocating for a national multi-disciplinary approach this National Diabetes Week to help end avoidable hospitalisation and amputation from diabetic foot disease.

"Our study, and similar research from Europe and the US, firstly recommends everyone with diabetes presenting to a hospital needs to have their feet screened for diabetic foot disease. This would help identify nearly everyone who presents to an Australian hospital that needs treatment for this disease but doesn't necessarily know it.

"Secondly, everyone who is found to have diabetic foot disease needs to be seen by a multi-disciplinary foot disease team both in and out of hospital. In the UK they are up in arms that 20% of their hospitals do not have these teams. We estimate only 20% of our hospitals in Australia actually have these teams and this needs to significantly improve.

"Thirdly, people with diabetes need to see their GP or podiatrist at least every year for a foot screen. Unfortunately, people with diabetes can lose feeling in their feet and left unchecked diabetic foot disease can develop in the form of sores, infections and poor circulation. We know that about 50 per cent of the over one million Australians with diabetes have a foot screen each year. This means we don't know if diabetic foot disease has affected the other 50 per cent and sometimes it's too late when we do. If we can pick up diabetic foot disease early and refer people to these multi-disciplinary foot teams we can prevent thousands of hospitalisations, amputations and even deaths.

"We know these simple preventative measures can save our hospital system millions and millions of dollars each year, but most importantly, change the lives of thousands of Australians with diabetes by empowering them to keep both their feet firmly on the ground and out of hospital."

Diabetic Glenn Wilson from Albany Creek knows only too well the value of early intervention.

Having lost every toe on his left foot and one on his right some years ago, Mr Wilson is keen to raise awareness of the need for diabetics to keep their diabetes under control.

"You have to be on your toes to keep your toes," he said.

"You can only keep your diabetes under control if you are having regular check-ups with your GP and your podiatrist, self-check for any injuries or abnormalities, a feeling of heat in the foot which can indicate infection even though you might not be able to see it, and check your blood sugar levels daily.

"All this information wasn't available when I first had diabetes but people now have the knowledge and knowledge is power."

Mr Wilson said people needed to be aware of the need to act quickly when they spotted a problem.

"When I saw an infection on my foot a while ago and couldn't get an appointment with my GP I came to the QUT Podiatry Clinic and was able to have a script prepared so I could receive the antibiotics I needed," he said.

Mr Wilson said the cost to the health system was really just a fraction of the overall cost to society.

"There are so many things that people take for granted that I can no longer do. For example, walking on the beach and being able to feel sand between your toes, hiking in nature, riding a bike. I can't even ride an exercise bike because I have no feeling in either foot," he said.
With the rapid advance of miniaturization, data processing using electric currents faces tough challenges, some of which are insurmountable. Magnetic spin waves are a promising alternative for the transfer of information in even more compact chips. Scientists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR), as part of an international research venture, have now succeeded in generating spin waves with extremely short wavelengths in the nanometer range -- a key feature for their future application.

Smaller, faster, more energy-efficient -- this is the mantra for the further development of computers and mobile telephones which is currently progressing at a breathtaking pace. However, Dr. Sebastian Wintz of the HZDR Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research knows only too well, how difficult it already is to achieve any further degree of miniaturization. "One major problem with current technologies," he said, "is the heat which is generated when data are transmitted with the aid of electric currents. We need a new concept." The physicist is working with international colleagues on so-called spin waves (magnons) which are set to replace moving charges in the future as information carriers. The scientists have now succeeded for the first time in generating spin waves of such short wavelengths that they have potential for future applications in data processing.

Spin waves replace electric current

The spin denotes a property which lends the particles a magnetic moment. They then act like tiny magnets which run parallel to each other in ferromagnetic materials. If one of the spins then changes direction, this has a knock-on effect on its neighbors. A chain reaction gives rise to a spin wave.

The processing of information is presently based on electric currents. The charged particles speed through a network of wires which are squeezed closer and closer together, driven by the desire for ever more compact chips. On their way, the electrons collide with atoms, causing them to rock to and fro in the crystal lattice thereby generating heat. If the wires are too close together, this heat can no longer be dissipated and the system breaks down. "The great advantage of spin waves is that the electrons themselves don't move," explained Wintz, "therefore precious little heat is produced by the flow of data."

Magnetic vortex as a nano-antenna

The traditional approach adopted to generate spin waves is to use small metal antennas which generate magnons when driven by a high-frequency alternating current. The smallest wavelength which can be generated in this way will be about the size of the antenna which is used. This is precisely where the major problem lies in that small wavelengths on the nanometer scale are required in order to satisfy the demand for ever greater miniaturization. It is not currently possible, however, to make such small high-frequency antennas.

The research team from Germany, Switzerland and the USA has now succeeded in generating extremely short-wavelength spin waves in an entirely new way. As a naturally formed antenna, they use the center of a magnetic vortex which is produced in a small, ultra-thin ferromagnetic disk. Due to the disk's limited size, the spins do not all line up in parallel as normal but lie along concentric circles in the plane of the disk. This, in turn, forces the spins from a small area in the center of the disk, which measures just a few nanometers in diameter, to straighten up and, thus, to point away from the surface of the disk. If this central region is subjected to an alternating magnetic field then a spin wave is produced.

A few more tricks are needed, however, in order to shorten the wavelength as required. Consequently, a second tiny disk is placed onto the first, separated by a thin, non-magnetic layer. When this separating layer is fabricated with a specific thickness, then the two disks interact in such a way as to elicit an antiferromagnetic coupling between the disks -- the spins try to point in opposite directions -- which reduces the wavelength of the emitted spin waves many times over. "Only in this way do we arrive at a result which is relevant for information technology," added Wintz.

Attractive properties for applications

The scientists not only demonstrated the short wavelengths of the spin waves generated in this way but were also able to reveal other wave properties which could be very useful for future applications. With the help of high-speed movies taken with an X-ray microscope belonging to the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart (which is installed at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin) they showed that the wavelength can be adjusted precisely by the selection of the excitation frequency. Similar measurements were also carried out at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. The results are consistent with a theoretical model which was developed specifically for this study at Oakland University in the USA. What is more, a remarkable phenomenon was predicted, which so far has not been seen directly in the experiments: The speed at which the spin waves travel was calculated to be heavily dependent on their propagation direction (forwards or backwards) -- another point which could enable a large number of applications in signal processing.
Certain questions in modern cell biology can only be answered by specifically observing the fate of individual cells. For example, researchers are interested in how stem cells develop into other cell types. Since in some cases such processes take several days to complete, the analysis with standard methods, which often measure only a single time point of the process, is not adequate.

But the recording and analysis of so-called time-lapse microscopy movies is not trivial: "On the one hand, it is necessary to take enough images in order not to lose track of the cells, while on the other hand, this results in enormous data quantities, in some cases with millions of images," reports Prof. Dr. Dr. Fabian Theis as he explains the previous dilemma. "The idea was consequently to make this emerging big data utilizable for science." Theis is Director of the Institute of Computational Biology (ICB) at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and holds the Chair of Mathematical Modeling of Biological Systems at the Technical University of Munich. He led the study together with Prof. Dr. Timm Schroeder from the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering (D-BSSE) at the ETH Zurich, which is headquartered in Basel.

Software available online

Schroeder himself conducted research at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen until 2013 and has been investigating the dynamics of stem cells for some time. And so he knew perfectly well what the new software should be able to do: "We put together two separate packages: a manual tracking tool and a semi-automatic quantification tool for individual cell analyses in time-lapse microscopy movies. The two together allow measurements of properties such as the length of the cell cycle, the expression dynamics of certain proteins, and correlations of these properties between sister cells."

As far as the scientists are concerned, the new possibilities that these programs offer should be available to as many researchers around the world as possible. Therefore the software is freely available, and can be downloaded from the following link: http://www.bsse.ethz.ch/csd/software/ttt-and-qtfy.html

Technical obstacles were removed as far as possible. "Our focus was on making the application also available to researchers who do not have background IT know-how," Schroeder explains. And the application appears to work well: Two high-ranking publications can be traced back to the spyware for cells.
The international guidelines for the management of diabetes mellitus (type 2) purport to observe factors such as age, social environment, the duration of the illness or associated health complaints. The factor gender is not included. However, this is becoming an ever growing issue -- because men and women bear different risks and fall victim to or suffer from a different type of diabetes, so that also the treatment should be increasingly more gender-specific and thus personalised.

This is the most important realisation of a review regarding the status of gender-specific differences authored to this holistic extent for the first time worldwide, to which the MedUni Vienna researchers Alexandra Kautzky-Willer and Jurgen Harreiter (both of the University or Internal Medicine II, Gender Medicine Unit). The review was published in Endocrine Reviews, the journal in endocrinology with the highest impact factor 21,059 by far. In addition, the article from the MedUni Vienna scientists was featured prominently on the cover of the journal.

Other risk factors, genetic disposition and biomarkers in women and men The facts clearly speak for a gender-specific consideration and treatment of diabetes mellitus, which affects approximately 600,000 Austrians: from a biological aspect, men are principally at a higher risk of contracting diabetes mellitus; women are "protected" for a while due to the increased disbursement of the estrogen hormone until menopause causes a hormonal change and reduces this protection. In most cases, the risk for men is increased because they have a greater amount of stomach fat and more liver fat and a lower sensitivity to insulin, even if they are not overweight. However, the lack of testosterone in men is a risk factor, whereby women with a greater amount of male sexual hormones are principally at a higher risk.

"In contrast, it was shown that the thigh fat, which is more frequent in women due to genetics and estrogen, can even have a protective effect. On the other hand, the stomach circumference in women has a better diabetes predictive power than in men," states Kautzky-Willer, diabetes expert and Austria's first professor for gender medicine. "In women, also psychosocial stress, stress on the job as well as lack of decision-making competency at high performance pressure or lack of sleep more frequently lead to diabetes than in men. This is often also intensified due to weight gain." On the other hand, men are more at risk of developing diabetes at a later point in live, if their mothers suffered malnutrition during.

There are also gender-specific differences in the biomarkers, which can aid in the early detection of the diabetes risk: so are the protein Fetuin-A formed by the liver as well as Copeptin (a prohormone formed in the hypothalamus), and proneurotensin (a neurotransmitter) promising biomarkers in women, yet not in men. Here, the hormone Leptin, which sends chemical messages to cease eating and to harvest energy from the reservoirs, such as fat depots, is a strong biomarker.

Also environmental impacts as risk factors for diabetes Also endocrine disruptors, meaning hormone-active substances, become increasingly important," emphasises Jurgen Harreiter. Studies showed that synthetically manufactured substances such as Bisphenol A or Phatalate (softening agent), which are contained in many plastic items, are considered risk factors for diabetes -- depending on age, also here there are different effects in men and women.

There are also regional differences: More and more women in Oceania, South and Central Asia as well as the Middle East are contracting diabetes, whereas the illness concerns more and more men in more affluent areas of the Pacific-Asia region as well as in central Europe.

Diabetes research: MedUni Wien top throughout Europe

In the future, the mentioned gender-specific factors in case of diabetes are to be incorporated in the praxis more than ever. Here, MedUni Vienna is playing a leading role throughout Europe, particularly with the internal network of researches at the University for internal medicine III with gynaecology, the Excellence Centre for Hochfeld-MR, nephrology, the centre for Public Health but also with the Institute for the science of complex systems as well as strong international cooperation. ODG (Austrian Diabetes Society) with Kautzky-Willer as Deputy Chairperson and many MedUni Vienna scientists in leading position, is worldwide the only one with gender-specific guidelines in their program.
Our closest primate relatives may have evolved "us versus them" social traits as a means to cope with competition from rival groups of monkeys long before this behaviour first occurred in humans, new research suggests.

Researchers from the UK and Italy analysed data from past field studies of 27 wild groups of primates belonging to 15 different 'old world' species. They compared instances of aggression between groups -- known as intergroup contest competition -- with behaviours known to strengthen social bonds within groups, such as grooming.

Their findings, published in the academic journal Animal Behaviour, are the first to indicate a positive correlation between in-group affiliation and the intensity of competition with perceived 'outsiders' among primates. This pattern was observed only in females, not males, suggesting there must be different evolutionary benefits for this 'parochialism' between the sexes.

Lead author Dr Bonaventura Majolo, a behavioural ecologist based in the School of Psychology at the University of Lincoln, said: "Parochialism -- or being 'prosocial' towards a member of your own group while being aggressive towards other groups -- is an interesting trait from an evolutionary perspective because it lies at the heart of racism and out-group discrimination in humans.

"The view has long been held that this trait evolved during the course of human evolution, when our ancestors were facing a prolonged period of warfare, as parochialism increases group cohesion and cooperation against opposing factions.

"Our study is the first to provide some support of a positive link between behaviour which benefits others within the group and the intensity of competition with other groups of primates.

"Our findings, together with recent work on fish and birds, indicate that parochialism is not a uniquely human trait but it has its evolutionary roots in our closest non-human primate relatives and it is possible it may have evolved independently in different group-living species facing intense between-group competition."
Climate change could make much of the Arctic unsuitable for millions of migratory birds that travel north to breed each year, according to a new international study published today in Global Change Biology.

The University of Queensland School of Biological Sciences' researcher Hannah Wauchope said that suitable breeding conditions for Arctic shorebirds could collapse by 2070.

"This means that countries throughout the world will have fewer migratory birds reaching their shores," Ms Wauchope said.

Arctic breeding shorebirds undertake some of the longest known migratory journeys in the animal kingdom, with many travelling more than 20,000 kilometres per year to escape the northern winter.

The bar-tailed godwit flies from Alaska to New Zealand in a single flight of 12,000 kilometres without landing.

The study predicts that, in a warming world, migratory birds will become increasingly restricted to small islands in the Arctic Ocean as they retreat north.

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This could cause declines in hard-hit regions and some birds could even completely change migratory pathways to migrate closer to suitable habitat.

"Climate change is also opening up the Arctic to threats such as mining and tourism, and we must make sure we protect key places for all Arctic species, including these amazing migratory birds," Ms Wauchope said.

UQ's Associate Professor Richard Fuller from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) said most migratory populations followed well-defined migratory routes.

"This makes shorebirds an excellent group to investigate how climate change might impact breeding grounds and conservation actions that could address these impacts," Associate Professor Fuller said.

The research modelled the suitable climate breeding conditions of 24 Arctic shorebirds and projected them to 2070.

The researchers also examined the impact on Arctic birds of the world's last major warming event about 6000 to 8000 years ago.

"Climatically suitable breeding conditions could shift and contract over the next 70 years, with up to 83 per cent of Arctic bird species losing most of their currently suitable area," Ms Wauchope said.

"This far exceeds the effects of the last major warming event on Earth, but genetic evidence suggests that even then the birds struggled to deal with the warming."

She said that suitable climatic conditions are predicted to decline fastest in the areas with most species (western Alaska and eastern Russia), where Arctic birds are already becoming vulnerable to the "shrubification" of the tundra, and predators such as red foxes moving north.
Investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine have learned the signal that tumor cells display on their surfaces to protect themselves from being devoured by the immune system also plays a role in enabling atherosclerosis, the process underlying heart attacks and strokes.

A biological drug capable of blocking this so-called "don't eat me" signal is now being tested in clinical trials in cancer patients. The same agent, the investigators found, was able to prevent the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque in several mouse models of cardiovascular disease. If this success is borne out in human studies, the drug could be used to combat cardiovascular disease -- the world's No. 1 killer -- and do so by targeting not mere risk factors such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, but the actual lesions bearing direct responsibility for cardiovascular disease: atherosclerotic plaques.

"It seems that heart disease may be driven by our immune system's inability to 'take out the trash,'" said Nicholas Leeper, MD, associate professor of vascular surgery and of cardiovascular medicine.

A study describing the researchers' findings will be published July 20 in Nature. Leeper is the senior author.

Atherosclerosis is caused by the deposition of fatty substances along arterial walls. Over the years, these substances form plaques. It's now known that numerous dead and dying cells accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques, which inflammation renders brittle and vulnerable to rupture, the ultimate cause of heart attack and stroke.

Immune cell malfeasance

Contributing to the pathology is malfeasance on the part of a class of immune cells that first arrive at the site with presumably benign intentions, said Leeper.

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"Even a perfectly healthy body turns over more than 100 billion cells a day, every day," he said. "One of the several jobs performed by immune cells called macrophages -- from the Greek words for 'big eater'-- is to come and gobble up those dead and dying cells, which might otherwise begin releasing substances that can foster inflammation."

Many cells in the human body feature a "don't eat me" signal on their surface: a protein called CD47. The protein tells the immune system that a cell is alive, still going strong and part of a person's healthy tissue.

Normally, as a cell approaches death, its CD47 surface proteins start disappearing, exposing the cell to macrophages' garbage-disposal service. But atherosclerotic plaques are filled with dead and dying cells that should have been cleared by macrophages, yet weren't. In fact, many of the cells piling up in these lesions are dead macrophages and other vascular cells that should have been cleared long ago.

"The fact that there are so many dying cells in an atherosclerotic plaque, although those sick cells are supposed to be cleared promptly by macrophages, got us thinking," said Yoko Kojima, MD, PhD, a basic life science research associate who is the study's lead author.

CD47 in atherosclerotic tissue

In the new study, Leeper, Kojima and their colleagues performed genetic analyses of hundreds of human coronary and carotid artery tissue samples collected at Stanford and at Sweden's Karolinska Institute. They found that CD47 is extremely abundant in atherosclerotic tissue compared with normal vascular tissue, and correlated with risk for adverse clinical outcomes such as stroke.

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Much of what's now known about CD47's function stems from pioneering work by Irving Weissman, MD, professor of pathology and of developmental biology and director of Stanford's Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and the Ludwig Cancer Stem Cell Institute. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Weissman and his colleagues first identified CD47 as being overexpressed on tumor cells, which helps them evade destruction by macrophages. Weissman's group went on to show that blocking CD47 with monoclonal antibodies that bind to and obstruct the protein on tumor cells restores macrophages' ability to devour those cells. Phase-1 clinical safety trials of CD47-blocking antibodies in patients with solid tumors and blood cancers are now underway.

Alerted to the Leeper lab's discovery, Weissman, a co-author of the new study, provided anti-CD47 antibodies so Leeper's group could test their efficacy in battling atherosclerosis.

In a laboratory dish, anti-CD47 antibodies induced the clearance of diseased, dying and dead smooth muscle cells and macrophages incubated in conditions designed to simulate the atherosclerotic environment. And in several different mouse models of atherosclerosis, blocking CD47 with anti-CD47 antibodies dramatically countered the buildup of arterial plaque and made it less vulnerable to rupture. Many mice even experienced regression of their plaques -- a phenomenon rarely observed in mouse models of cardiovascular disease.

Looking at data from other genetic research, the scientists learned that surplus CD47 in atherosclerotic plaques strongly correlates with elevated levels, in these plaques, of a well-known inflammation-promoting substance called TNF-alpha. Further experiments showed that TNF-alpha activity prevents what would otherwise be a progressive decrease of CD47 on dying cells. Hence, those cells are less susceptible to being eaten by macrophages, especially in an atherosclerosis-promoting environment.

A vicious circle?

"The problem could be an endless loop," said Leeper, "in which TNF-alpha-driven CD47 overexpression prevents macrophages from clearing dying cells in the lesion. Those cells release substances that promote the production of even more TNF-alpha in nearby cells."

Leeper and Weissman said they hope to find out, in clinical trials of human patients, whether CD47-blocking antibodies will prove effective in breaking that vicious circle.

"This opens up the door for these antibodies' use in noncancerous pathological states where cell proliferation is a primary attribute of the diseased cells," said Weissman, who is the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Professor for Clinical Investigation in Cancer Research.

One side effect of anti-CD47 antibodies in the mouse experiments, Leeper said, was transitory anemia. "Young red blood cells have high surface levels of CD47, which tells macrophages to leave them alone. Older red blood cells lose this protection, allowing macrophages to cull them from the herd," he said. Anti-CD47 antibodies render these older cells more prone to macrophage attack. But the anemia appeared to clear up fairly quickly in the mice as their bodies adapted by producing numerous fresh red blood cells with high surface CD47 levels.

The work is an example of Stanford Medicine's focus on precision health, the goal of which is to anticipate and prevent disease in the healthy and precisely diagnose and treat disease in the ill.

Leeper and Weissman have filed a patent describing inhibition of CD47 as a method to prevent atherosclerosis. Both researchers hold equity in Palo Alto-based Forty Seven Inc., a company they cofounded that has licensed related intellectual property from Stanford's Office of Licensing Technology for cancer applications.
Routine scientific procedures using millions of animals are still being authorised when there is a tried and tested alternative, according to a group of scientists investigating the production of antibodies.

The scientists, writing in the Cell Press journal, Trends in Biotechnology, say the use of animals in consumer society is effectively 'hidden' and products assumed to be 'animal-friendly' are anything but. They say an animal friendly antibody production technique using bacteriophage viruses instead of live animals is being overlooked, despite the enormous potential for reduction in animal use.

The global antibody industry is worth 80 billion dollars and relies heavily on animals to produce the antibodies that are used to detect the vast range of molecules indicative of state of health, safety or the environment. Antibody-based tests are used in consumer and environmental safeguarding -- from healthcare, over the counter, point of care and laboratory diagnostic testing to food safety, agriculture and household products.

Dr Alison Gray, a visiting researcher at The University of Nottingham's School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, said: "The antibody-based tests that are commonly used in society appear to be far removed from animal experimentation since no animals were directly tested on. However, the target molecule to be detected is repeatedly injected into the animal, initiating an immune response. Months later, the animal is euthanased and antibodies to that molecule are extracted and incorporated into an in vitro, 'animal-free' test. So in reality, we are not replacing animals but substituting methods.

"The ultimate aim of scientists in this field should be to replace the use of animals in research and industry but due to a lack of awareness about this technology, this is not happening fast enough. The 20 year old advanced technology called 'phage display' which uses bacteriophage viruses to produce monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies is available and cost-effective and can replace a huge number of animals. In fact this technology has grown to a level of scientific sophistication that outweighs obsolete and outdated animal immunisation protocols."

In response to the UK stats on animals use in scientific procedures, released today, Dr Alison Gray said "There is a clear opportunity for replacement here. The statistics show that 9,500 animals were used for antibody production in 2013 but in subsequent reports, the reporting procedure has changed so we can't even know how many animals are used. Comparing the 2013 figure to the average 3,000 per year animals that were used in cosmetics testing in Europe (European stats 1999-2011) before the European wide ban, it is evident that the statistics justify their replacement."

Dr Andrew Bennett, Director of the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) Laboratory which is based in The University of Nottingham medical School, said: "The paper by Dr Gray and her colleagues highlights the unusual situation in terms of antibody production. Antibodies can be made without using animals and the technology is both accessible and robust; yet thousands of animals are killed each year in commercial antibody production. Apart from the unnecessary use of animals there is also the issue of the quality of antibodies raised in animals for use in scientific research -- a substantial proportion of which either perform poorly or do not work at all. Phage display technology has the potential to produce more specific and better functioning antibodies than traditional animal based methods. FRAME will be working with and supporting Dr Gray in order to promote the use of phage display technology in the future."

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The scientists from the Universities of Nottingham, Toronto, Utrecht and Lund in Sweden are proposing a seven point EU led action plan by the wider scientific community and biotechnology industry:

 The replacement of animal immunisation methods for antibody production, including the import of antibodies and antibody-containing products unless it can be demonstrated on a case-by-case basis that Animal Friendly affinity reagents (AFAs) cannot be applied.

 An expert working group should be established to set up a roadmap for moving away from animal immunisation-based techniques for antibody production, in light of the scientific feasibility and commercial availability of AFAs.

 Implementation programmes should be set up to facilitate the transfer of establishments to the new technology. These should include centres of excellence for training in AFA-based technologies to ensure that antibody producers are fully supported.

 Measures should be taken to ensure that animal-derived antibodies manufactured outside the EU adhere to European standards to avoid ethics dumping in regions where animal welfare is less well regulated.

 The European Union Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM) should extend its field of activities with its international collaborative partners to include the production of AFAs and their subsequent use.

 EU and national agencies who are committed to the 3Rs and who execute EU regulations at an operational level for the commercial production of cosmetics, medicines, household products, and food or to safeguard our health or the environment should reinforce this action and no longer permit the import or use of animal-derived antibodies and antibody-containing products aimed to monitor, detect, diagnose, or extract targets of interest.

 Subsequent reports from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the statistics on the number of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes should include data on the use of animals for antibody production as an independent category.
Yes, we need to keep it under control

No, we need to learn to live with it
11 passengers hurt in Tanahun bus plunge

At least 11 passengers were hurt when a passenger bus (Na 5 Kha 6447) skidded off the road and fell some 15 meters at Gunadi in Jamune VDC-3 in Tanahun on Wednesday.
One day, at a high-kill shelter in Southern California, an unusual animal was dropped off: a baby opossum who was in terrible shape.

Anysia Dickson

The little wild animal had become stuck to a glue trap, where she'd been wasting away until someone found her and brought her to get help. Volunteers at the shelter were determined to save her life, so they called local animal lover Gina Lynn, founder of New Life Animal Sanctuary in Lake Elsinore. While Lynn herself isn't a wildlife rehabilitator, she knew just who to contact to help the little opossum.

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Anysia Dickson

"We got this baby quickly to Project Wildlife in Temecula," Lynn told The Dodo. "But we were not sure she would make it through the first night." But the little animal still had some strength in her. Wildlife rehabilitator Anysia Dickson devotedly helped her build even more strength so she could go back to the wild.

Anysia Dickson

Animals can be removed from glue traps with a little oil to dissolve the glue. But recovering from being parched, starved and terrified can take much longer. Too many wild animals, though, are harmed or killed because of glue traps. And the animals for which the traps are intended suffer painful deaths that can take days. After she was cleaned up and rested, the opossum regained that wild spark of life in her eyes.

Anysia Dickson

"As you can see, her recovery has been nothing short of miraculous," Lynn said. "After two months, she was ready to go," Dickson added. "I opened her carrier and off she went - fast as an opossum can go."
<p><a href="http://www.daktaribushschool.org/" target="_blank">Daktari Bush School</a></p>

A man and woman were inside their chalet when they heard something "splat" onto the concrete floor. A baby squirrel had fallen from the rafters of the thatched, cone-shaped roof, landing between their beds. The squirrel was tiny - no bigger than a thumb - and he couldn't survive on his own. His mother must have been nearby because the baby squeaked and squealed for her.

Chris and Debbie Compton gazed up at the chalet's roof, hoping the mother squirrel would return for her baby. After an hour of waiting, they decided to take the squirrel to their friends, Michele and Ian Merrifield, who run Daktari Bush School and Wildlife Orphanage, an organization in Hoedspruit, South Africa, that cares for orphaned and injured wildlife, and teaches local children to care for animals and their environment.

The Merrifields weren't terribly surprised when their friends showed up with a baby squirrel. Squirrels often make their nests in the thatched roofs of local buildings, and it's common for babies to fall from the rafters. "If there's a threat such as a snake in the thatch, the mothers will carry their babies in their mouths," Ian tells The Dodo. "If the snake chases them, they might drop the baby and run for their lives. We've had many over the years, falling from the roofs and rafters in a similar manner. At one stage we had 10 volunteers at Daktari, and each one had a baby squirrel!" The baby squirrel, named "Compton" after his rescuers, hadn't opened his eyes yet, so the Merrifields guessed he was only 4 or 5 days old.

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Compton was weak, and probably a little concussed from his fall, so Michele and Ian helped him get better by keeping him warm, and feeding him syringes of warm milk every three hours. Compton got his first syringe of milk at 6 a.m. and his last at 9 p.m., consuming 10 to 20 percent of his body weight in milk each day.

After about three weeks, the Merrifields weaned Compton from the milk, and started giving him Pro-Nutro, a nutrient-rich porridge that would help him grow strong. Then, six months later, they started feeding him fruits and seeds.

Compton had an enclosure, and the Merrifields locked him inside at night to keep him safe. But during the day, Compton liked running around the Daktari property, and getting into as much trouble as he could. He especially liked helping himself to food on the breakfast table.

"He loved opening the peanut butter and jam jars with his teeth," says Ian. "He also loved stealing cereal, opening the sealed flaps of the containers. Very clever little fellow." Compton liked cereal so much, he chewed through the plastic lids. The Merrifields tried keeping the cereal containers upside down to "Compton-proof" them, but this just caused spillage, meaning more cereal for Compton.

This cheeky squirrel also had a sweet tooth, and loved licking leftover Coke from glasses. "He would hang inside the glass, by his back legs, licking it up," says Ian. "Of course, quite often he would knock the glass over, trying to drink it." Compton didn't mind orange juice, either.

When Compton wasn't eating, he'd venture into the bathroom to steal toilet paper for his nest. "Often the whole roll would go missing because of his antics," Ian says.

Mischief-making can be tiring for a squirrel, so after stealing his daily dose of peanut butter and toilet paper, Compton would lie under the sun, stretching out his tiny body to soak in the heat. He also loved snoozing with the dogs.

By now, Compton had become completely independent, and Ian and Michele decided it was time to release him. They started leaving Compton's enclosure open at night, but for about six months, he continued to sleep there. Then one day, he stopped. "We think he eventually found his own 'home' in the wild," says Ian.

Compton might be a wild squirrel now, but he still returns to Daktari every single day for breakfast. "I suppose he knows he's safe here, and there's always food," says Ian. "I also think he believes he's human. He chases other squirrels away. I am also sure he believes everything is his, by right! He seems quite upset when you chase him away and really sneaks up again when he thinks you are not looking."
A group of teachers was traveling through the remote villages of Cameroon when two young boys approached them with something to sell - actually, someone. They unzipped a backpack. Looking up from the darkness was a baby chimp with swollen eyes. This was the moment her life changed.

Paula was being kept in a backpack by people who were trying to sell her. | Ape Action Africa

The teachers negotiated with the boys and brought the chimp, now named Paula, to Ape Action Africa's Mefou Primate Sanctuary in May.

Paula, on the drive to the sanctuary | Ape Action Africa

Severely malnourished, Paula slowly gained strength by eating healthy foods like papaya. Little did she know that she was about to form two of the most important relationships of her life.

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Paula shows her curiosity about the sanctuary's deputy director, Larry Taylor. | Ian Bickerstaff/Ape Action Africa

Earlier this month, Paula met Little Larry and Daphne.

Paula eating papaya to gain strength | Ian Bickerstaff/Ape Action Africa

Daphne and Little Larry understood Paula's hardships. Daphne was rescued in 2014 when authorities confiscated ape body parts from traffickers - Daphne was the tiny, terrified baby among the gruesome loot.

Daphne, when she was first rescued from wildlife traffickers in 2014 | LAGA

She was just four months old.

Daphne was just four months old when she was rescued. Now she acts as a big sister to Paula and Little Larry. | Ape Action Africa

Little Larry was rejected by his mom in April, when he was just a couple weeks old, so he needed to be bottle-fed by sanctuary staff. Now that he's a little older, he depends on his bigger, adopted sisters for guidance.

Little Larry was rejected by his mom. | Ape Action Africa

Their suffering is behind them now. Together, the trio is forming a family, learning from one another how to be chimps again.

Paula and Daphne climb trees together. | Amy Hanes/Ape Action Africa

"Since being introduced to Daphne and Little Larry, our newest addition Paula has become more confident with her new friends," Ape Action Africa wrote. "Daphne - a daredevil climber - has taken Paula under her wing and as a result, little Paula is climbing to new heights. She follows closely behind Daphne, testing vines, making calculated jumps, and recovering easily when she falls."

Paula (left) hands a leaf to her friend Daphne as they explore the forest. | Amy Hanes/Ape Action Africa

Little Larry is a little less adventurous than the ladies when it comes to climbing. Paula sits with Little Larry when he explores the forest floor.

Paula (left) and Little Larry share fruit. | Amy Hanes/Ape Action Africa

And Daphne, the eldest, acts as any older sibling would. "Daphne has keen social insight - quickly assessing skirmishes between the others," Ape Action Africa wrote. "At this young age, it is common for chimps to feel jealous of each other, but they also bond well and we are confident that the trio will soon be a tight-knit family."

Amy Hanes/Ape Action Africa
<p><em>Hope for Paws</em><span></span></p>

Eldad Hagar, founder of Hope for Paws, was at the Costa Rica Dog Rescue one night when an unexpected visitor showed up. "We were up in the sanctuary just hanging out there with the dogs and all the sudden we heard Scott yelling for help," Hagar told The Dodo.

Hope for Paws

Scott Bradley, founder of Costa Rica Dog Rescue, was outside the sanctuary when a dog approached, severely injured and looking for help. It appeared that he had been attacked by another animal. The sanctuary is on top of a steep hill - which means the dog, later named Hank, had climbed all the way up there, while hurt, looking for someone to help him.

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This browser does not support the video tag. Hope for Paws

"I ran down the mountain and I saw Hank there and was able to block him from running down the hill again," Hagar said. "I was able to calm him down and have him come to me."

Hope for Paws

Hagar and Bradley brought Hank into the sanctuary and immediately made him comfortable. Hank was an older dog, and was missing most of his teeth. They called the local vet clinic, which said it couldn't see Hank until the next morning. So the rescuers gave him some medicine and made sure he felt loved and safe until his injures could be tended to.

Hope for Paws

"The craziest part is that he walked up there," Hagar said. "Somehow he knew to go to a place where there were barking dogs to get help, even though he'd likely just been attacked by a dog." The next day, Hank was taken to the vet, where they decided he would need to stay for awhile due to several infections. While there, several dogs came up to say hello to Hank and welcome him - and he was eager and gentle with every single one.

Hope for Paws

Even though Hank's injuries likely came from another dog, he has no ill will towards anyone, and is super great with every human and animal he meets. "He just licks all the dogs around him," Hagar said. "He's just so cool and such a special, special dog. Some dogs just have a very special impact on you and Hank is definitely one of those dogs."

Hope for Paws

After being treated in Costa Rica, Hank flew to Los Angeles and is now being fostered through Grand Paws Rescue.

Hope for Paws
<p><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/6236335581/in/photolist-aeUJHT-aeXy1h-aeXxRW-icYX9j-av5Rpv-av8wGS-av5Rig-av8wXN-av8wEf-av5RfZ-av5R4g-av5Rme-adGwMB-adGwwZ-4GXzcQ-dodExF-aejSy2-btce1e-btceY2-btceo8-btceFn-btcdHM-dzBTLL-F8Hff-F8GzX-pdpBA8-9ScorE-9ScorU-9Scosy-5eSKCR-4YLNqg-4ZjDZJ-8nfgMa-2saQEP-2saQSF-c6cz-drsFue-dmjSHY-dmjSDG-vwjSN-5eX8kC-4UsMdH-6B5sD2-9sRRu2-dodNQS-9TzGmT-9sUQSY-9sUTsY-9sRSh2-9sUQ1W">Flickr/Gage Skidmore</a></p>

Of all the animal haters in Congress, Steve King is among the worst. The Republican representative from Iowa has campaigned against any and all legislation to protect animals, enthusiastically supported dog fighting and encouraged hunters to shoot threatened polar bears. He's even advocated for legislation that would allow the sale of dog and cat meat. Here are seven things that have earned Steve King a place at the table of the nation's most horrible animal villains: 1. Defending one of the cruelest "sports" in the world. (Flickr/Max Schneider)

King has championed the notion that dogs should be allowed to fight because people are allowed to fight. When asked in 2012 about legislation that would prevent states from enacting policies against animal torture, King claimed that it's "wrong to rate animals above human beings" and "there's something wrong with the priorities of people" who would ban animals from fighting. He also campaigned against a measure that made it illegal to bring a child to a dog fight.

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2. Trying - but failing - to help illegal cockfighting rings operate. (Flickr/Lennart Tange)

King's stance on cockfighting is similar to his stance on dogfighting: all for it. In 2007, he fought a proposed bill that would make it a federal felony to transport animals meant for cockfights across state lines. Despite King's efforts, the measure was signed into law - just days after the dog fighting ring led by Michael Vick was revealed. 3. Campaigning against animal lovers. King, an outspoken supporter of the agriculture industry and a self-proclaimed "committed carnivore," loves eating meat - and wants to make sure everyone else does, too.

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sent out a newsletter advocating for Meatless Mondays as "one simple way to reduce your environmental impact while dining at our cafeterias." King, outraged that the USDA would offer suggestions for a more sustainable, humane and healthy alternative, took to Twitter:

4. Proudly forcing vegetarians to "confess" their "agenda." The Meatless Monday debacle wasn't the only incident in King's war on vegetarians. At a town hall meeting in 2013, he bragged about demanding that vegetarians confess "under oath" to not eating meat. He also claimed that he, too is a vegetarian, because he eats "concentrated, recycled, enhanced vegetables in the form of meat."

5. Attempting to make inhumane factory farms even worse. (Flickr/egrego2)

His proposed amendment to last year's Farm Bill, referred to as the King Amendment, would have totally stripped a wide range of animal welfare protections. The amendment would have hit livestock protections particularly hard, legalizing cramped veal crates and gestation crates for pigs in states that had previously banned them. When he proposed the legislation, King said that it "wipes out everything they've [animal rights advocates] done with pork and veal." That Farm Bill was passed without the King Amendment last February. 6. Pushing puppy mills and cat meat. (Flickr/Daniel Stockman)

Another set of laws that King's amendment would have destroyed were laws that banned puppy mills in certain states. If a state had a ban on puppy mills, the amendment would repeal those laws. A group of 166 members of the House of Representatives and 23 Senators sent a letter opposing the amendment, citing legalizing "the sale of dog and cat meat" in states that have banned it as one of the amendment's horrific consequences. 7. Supporting the slaughter of threatened polar bears. (Flickr/Abd allah Foteih)
Food and travel writer Larry Olmsted was the first to inform North Americans that no, sadly, they have probably not tried Kobe beef.

No matter how much you have spent, how fancy a steak house you went to, or which of the many celebrity chefs who regularly feature Kobe beef on their menus you believed, you were duped, he wrote in Forbes magazine in 2012 in an article that has been viewed more than a million times.

It also launched in Olmsted a dedication to uncovering other food scams, the topic of his new book, Real Food, Fake Food: Why You Dont Know What Youre Eating & What You Can Do About It.

A tiny amount of Kobe beef is now available in the U.S. and one chef in Canada is authorized to sell it, but the vast majority of fake food sales continue, Olmsted reports. Those include everyday items such as cheese, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sushi, wine, coffee, honey and juice, which are often made with additives and other ingredients forbidden by artisans who produce the originals.

He argues there is a very good chance youve never tasted red snapper, real olive oil or Parmesan cheese, let alone Kobe beef. Theres corn syrup in your honey, the origin of your coffee is unclear and no imported shrimp is ethical, he says.

Olmsted visited some of the actual artisanal producers to find out how consumers can tell the real food from the fake. The Star reached him at home in Vermont.

Was there any particular discovery of fakery that made you so mad you felt you had to write the book, or was it a culmination?

It was a culmination, but it was really driven by two things. My readers were outraged (by the Kobe beef story). It kind of surprised me, because its not a food that affects a lot of people the way olive oil or other staples do. I just started to think: if so many people dont know about this and it elicits such passion, what if theres more to this fake food story than Kobe beef?

The other was visiting Parma in Italy. It was the opposite side of the coin. I came away mesmerized by the way they make the food, the way the entire town and the fabric of society revolves around this age-old tradition of making really excellent, high-quality food, taking pride in it and policing it very tightly. I came back thinking, Why cant everyone make their food the way they do in Parma?

How did you get into this gourmet world?

Interest in food is at an all-time high and has been building for years. The experience I describe of visiting the Champagne growers in their houses, anyone can do. The towns are dotted with these mom and pop (operations), literally a house with a sign outside. Some are open to the public and some are not, just like Napa Valley.

In Parma, I contacted the (Parmigiano-Reggiano) cheesemakers consortium, who escorted me to some of the warehouses. But many of the dairies themselves are open to the public. People can go to Parma and see the cheese being made and sample it.

Theres a guy in your book who now refuses to eat shrimp. Have you written off any particular food?

I have not written it off, but I have become much, much pickier. I eat less shrimp than I used to, but I eat more shrimp at home because I feel like I can control the sourcing better. Ill buy wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf of Mexico, which is mainly the only shrimp I will eat, and I will buy it with third-party labelling that verifies the chain of custody.

Are we stuck eating toxic fish or just not having sushi?

Im a big fan of all things in moderation. I write this column for USA Today on regional foods so I eat barbecue and burgers. I know the provenance of the ingredients is not good, but I dont eat barbecue every day. I look at it as a treat. If you love sushi, its not going to kill you to eat sushi. You can also be pickier about what you get. I get the eel because I like eel but also because its a low-value food that tends not to be faked and is very distinctive. I wouldnt get crab legs expecting it to be real.

What about olive oil and other staples? Does this mean I cant get olive oil at a decent price?

You can. Its more expensive than the supermarket olive oil and the big brands that dominate. The thing is, a lot of people are already buying olive oil that is just as expensive as good olive oil, but is not good. You can go into a gourmet store and spend $30 on a bottle of oil that is either fake or in many cases spoiled. Many are past their sell-by date.

The biggest general tip is to buy your olive oil at a place that lets you taste it. Theyre not going to let you do that at the supermarket but there are a lot more gourmet stores and specialty stores that will.

What if the only place you can shop is the grocery store?

(Companies) are not required by law to give any information or chemical composition. The good producers tend to do that. See if it has a pressed on date. A lot of them have bottled on, but thats useless because it could have been sitting in a keg for a year before they bottled it. Sell by is also useless. Pressed on is a good indication and should be less than six months earlier. The website extravirginity.com has a list of supermarket brands that have been recently tested.

Some of your other advice is to buy domestic cheeses, for example, rather than fake Gruyere. Other stuff, like coffee, is necessarily imported.

Coffee is a little bit harder. Hawaii is the only state that grows coffee and their labelling is pretty lax. For coffee, in general, you never know where it comes from or what youre buying. I recommend buying whole beans  at least you know youre getting coffee  rather than ground, where you might be getting sawdust. When they have five barrels sitting there and one says Sumatra and one says Nicaragua, but theres no way of knowing.

What do you hope the reaction will be to this book?

I hope it will enact change. I think some previous books about food such as Fast Food Nation and Food, Inc. and The Omnivores Dilemma have spurred some outrage that led to change and I am hoping theres more of the same.

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WHITEHORSEPrime Minister Justin Trudeau hoped to crash the annual premiers conference but was unable to do so because the deal enhancing the Canada Pension Plan has not been finalized, sources told the Star.

In a dramatic break from tradition, Trudeau wanted to swoop into the Council of the Federation meeting  his first since being elected last October  to sign the accord bolstering the national pension scheme.

Provincial and territorial officials said plans for a splashy photo op with the prime minister and the premiers were derailed because British Columbia will not finish its public consultations on the CPP until later next month.

That means the accord will not be ratified this summer though there is little danger of it being scuttled before federal legislation expected in the fall.

The premiers gather each summer in a different province  this years summit is the first to be held in a territory  and no prime minister has ever attended a COF meeting.

Over the past decade under former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper, the annual sessions often descended into Ottawa-bashing with premiers from across the country using it as a forum for airing their various federal grievances.

Premier Kathleen Wynne, who proposed the complementary Ontario Retirement Pension Plan in 2014 after Harper refused to improve the CPP, led the charge in thundering against the federal government of the day.

But with Trudeaus Liberals winning power, Wynne said we have a federal government that is interested in engaging us.

Indeed, four weeks ago, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau and the provincial and territorial treasurers achieved a provisional agreement to enrich CPP with premiums for employees and employers beginning to rise in 2019.

That surprise move allowed Wynne to abandon her controversial retirement benefits scheme that would have impacted every employee and employer without a workplace pension plan starting in 2018.

CPP payouts, which currently max out at $13,110 a year, will rise to $17,478 under the revamp, which is not quite as lucrative for contributors as the ORPP would have been.

While the draft deal was supposed to have been formally endorsed by the provinces  excluding Quebec, which has a separate pension plan  by last Friday, B.C. Premier Christy Clarks consultations will not be completed until late August.

Clark, who supports boosting CPP, is facing an election next spring and wanted more time to sell British Columbians on the enhancement.

We want to make sure that small business and the public . . . know what the changes are (and) whats been proposed, she said in an interview Wednesday.

Theres been a real mixed message out there. Some people think its going to be extremely expensive, some people think its going to be quite modest. My view is its going to quite modest, Clark said.

We signed onto the agreement in principle because it was our finance minister (Mike de Jong) who took the lead in ensuring that we ended up with a much more modest proposal. In all likelihood were going to get there, but its important to take the time to include the public in these things.

Cameron Ahmad, Trudeaus press secretary, said the prime minister was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts this week.

But I would highlight the strong emphasis placed strengthening bilateral relationships with all the provinces and territories  both by the prime minister personally, and by the entire government, said Ahmad.

Last month  fulfilling a key promise to Canadian  the federal government reached a historic agreement with the provinces to enhance and strengthen the Canada Pension Plan for future generations, and ensure a dignified, secure retirement that Canadians expect and deserve, he said.

We believe that Canada works best when its governments come together to achieve progress for everyone.

While they were denied an audience with Trudeau  at least until a first ministers meeting expected in Ottawa this fall  the premiers met Wednesday with indigenous leaders.

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Perry Bellegarde said theres no need to wait until the upcoming public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls to act on preventing violence.

Governments can make investments to end violence amongst our people . . . and deal with investments in housing, in education, in training, in daycare, in shelter, in detox centres, and wellness centres. We all have a role to play as indigenous governments as well to make sure that men are healthy, said Bellegarde.

Native Womens Association of Canada President Dawn Lavell-Harvard said indigenous peoples are not looking for a handout  were looking for a hand up.

Were looking for an opportunity to provide for ourselves, for an opportunity for our people to not just survive on a day-to-day basis, but to actually thrive because we have the economic development opportunities, we have the education and development opportunities, said Lavell-Harvard.

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OTTAWA  Canadas electronic spy agency wont say how often it shares information that could lead to someone being tortured in an overseas prison.

The Communications Security Establishment  which monitors threats from foreign terrorists and spies  has censored documents that spell out the figures, even though the RCMP and Canadian Security Intelligence Service have revealed such numbers in the past.

The reticence prompted Amnesty International Canada to say much greater transparency is needed from the Ottawa-based CSE.

At stake is Canadas compliance with crucial international human rights obligations to prevent torture and ill-treatment, said Alex Neve, Amnestys Canadian secretary general.

The secretive CSE has been thrust into the national spotlight in recent years due to leaks by Edward Snowden, the former spy contractor who worked for the National Security Agency, CSEs American counterpart.

It is also among a handful of Canadian agencies, including the RCMP, CSIS, the Canada Border Services Agency and National Defence, bound by a government instruction that allows it to share information with foreign partners  even when it means someone could be abused as a result of that exchange.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said earlier this year the Liberals will review the troubling set of issues raised by the foreign-sharing policy, enacted by the previous Conservative government.

A four-page 2010 federal framework document says when there is a substantial risk that sending information to  or soliciting information from  a foreign agency would result in torture, the matter should be referred to the responsible deputy minister or agency head.

In deciding what to do, the agency head will consider factors including the threat to Canadas national security and the nature and imminence of the threat; the status of Canadas relationship with  and the human rights record of  the foreign agency; and the rationale for believing that sharing the information would lead to torture.

Records obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act offer a glimpse into how the CSE handled such cases in the first three months of 2015.

The quarterly report to CSE Chief Greta Bossenmaier, labelled Top Secret and for Canadian Eyes Only, told her the number of cases that required a mistreatment risk assessment and the level of risk associated with passing the information to others.

But those details were deleted from the publicly released version of the document.

Under the rules for deciding whether to share, the greater the risk, the higher the level of approval required. When the risk of mistreatment is low, a manager can decide. When the risk is substantial and cannot be managed  for instance, by seeking assurances from the foreign agency that someone will not be harmed  then the CSE chief or the defence minister must make the call.

The report says there were no known instances of a recipient countrys non-compliance with conditions attached to information-sharing during the three months. But little else was disclosed.

The CSE faces unique considerations it must weigh when discussing details of assessments, said Christopher Williams, a senior spokesman for the intelligence agency. With this in mind, we are not able to release the specific number you have requested without risking revealing insight into our capabilities.

However, the number and content of such assessments are reviewed by the independent watchdog which keeps an eye on the CSE, said Williams.

In addition, none of the requests in the three-month period involved a Canadian, all green-lighted information-sharing requests got the nod to help mitigate foreign security threats, and requests are approved only after a thorough review, he added.

Amnestys Neve said that when Canada shares intelligence information, there is a very real risk of contributing to torture.

The assessments are the safeguard meant to ensure that does not happen, he said.

For Canadians to have any confidence that is the case we do, at a minimum, need details of how many assessments are being conducted, the breakdown of requests that are approved and denied, and some general information that conveys the basis for the decisions that have been reached.

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A young woman claims she endured a traumatic and sickening 28 hours in custody after Chatham police made her remove her bra, and later appear braless before a judge.

Its embarrassing, it really is, for me and for my family, Tara Fice, 22, told the Star Tuesday. They made me feel like I wasnt a human being.

The alleged events came to light Tuesday, the same day the Chatham-Kent Police Service announced an internal review of its policy to remove brassieres from women held in custody. The review follows a separate case where a lower court judge chastised the force for directing another woman to remove her bra before taking a breathalyzer test.

The move came too late for some, with civil and womens rights advocates roundly criticizing the practice.

Some police departments view underwire bras as possible ligatures that could be used for self-strangulation, or harming officers or cellmates.

Fice, a Lambton College student who lives south of Sarnia, was arrested at her boyfriends home on charges of dangerous driving and mischief Sunday morning, court staff said.

At the station, officers had her remove her bra and placed her in a cell, she says, where they held her until Monday morning.

The Star has not been able to verify her allegations and Chatham police did not respond when asked about each of her claims.

Fice alleges an officer entered her cell repeatedly in the night and told her to fully undress.

The guy came in and said that I needed to take off all my clothes and that I was on suicide watch, she said, her voice breaking. She denies any threats of self-harm and says she was fully sober.

She says she wound up curled in a ball on the concrete floor, half-covered in the jumpsuit they provided  which she says she took off at the officers insistence  with nothing else on but shorts and underwear.

On Monday, police brought her to the courthouse for her bail hearing where she says she appeared braless before a judge, clerks, lawyers, her family and community members.

It was sickening, Fice said. I thought stuff like that was only in movies, it was so traumatic.

In a statement Tuesday, Chief Gary Conn addressed an Ontario Court of Justice decision last week to dismiss an impaired driving charge against another Chatham woman due to several Charter of Rights and Freedoms violations by local police, who had demanded the mother  a school teacher  remove her bra for a breath test.

In this particular case, our primary concern was safety and the taking of clothing which could be used as ligatures for self-harm or strangulation, Conn stated.

(A)lthough I can appreciate there being a level of anxiety associated with one being taken into custody, searched and charged with a criminal offence, I fully support the actions and professionalism taken by our officers during this particular incident.

The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services rubberstamped the Chatham forces procedures on prisoner care and control in a 2011 audit, though it did not explicitly endorse the policy on bra removal.

A ministry guideline recommends police chiefs seize any personal property with which a prisoner could cause harm, specifying belts, ties and shoelaces. It does not specify undergarments, said spokesperson Greg Flood.

The police chief told Postmedia a woman tried to strangle herself in custody in the early 1990s, triggering the policy.

Fices mother Tammy Ross, who was in court when her daughters bra was returned in a sealed evidence bag along with her cellphone and hair elastic, called the ordeal very upsetting.

Brad Dinning, Fices paralegal, said shed never been in trouble with police. He said bra removals are not a thing they should have a right to do.

Civil liberties advocates agree, viewing the practice as a violation of Section 8 Charter rights protecting against unreasonable search and seizure.

I think its absolutely ridiculous that a woman would be required to remove her bra for a court appearance or to take a breathalyzer test, said Kim Pate, executive director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies.

Pate called the process degrading and humiliating, and warranted only in the face of serious risk of self-injury or harm to others.

Abby Deshman, director of the public safety program with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association deemed bra seizures invasive.

To force a woman to appear in court without her bra is a very serious violation of physical integrity and privacy, Deschman said.

Even if a more thorough search is justified, its hard for me to imagine how youd need to confiscate all bras.

The Toronto and Ottawa police departments and the Ontario Provincial Police handle searches and seizures on a case-by-case basis. Even with level three searches  involving clothing removal and inspection of the body to detect ligatures, weapons, tools or evidence  bras are often returned to an accused, especially by the time she appears in court, said Toronto police spokesperson Shane Branton.

Vancouver police, however, ask everyone taken into custody remove clothing items including bras, shoe laces and belts for safety reasons, said spokesperson Sgt. Randy Fincham

Joe Couto, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police spokesperson, noted anything that might be used as a ligature, anything that could be twisted or cause harm to the individual is ripe for removal.

The Star was unable to confirm whether the bra-seizure issue was raised in court.

Fices legal counsel said they were mulling how to move forward to fight the charges. Her duty counsel could not be reached by the Star.

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A week after Peel police announced the capture of two suspects allegedly involved in a series of violent home invasions targeting South Asian jewellery store owners, a third suspect turned himself in to investigators on Monday.

Rashid Ahmad, 25, from Windsor, has been charged with robbery, disguise with intent, and holding an imitation firearm while committing an offence.

These acts were vicious and cowardly, investigators wrote in a statement, adding handguns, duct tape, zip ties and a taser were allegedly used to assault the victims, which included elderly people and children.

The four attacks, two in Brampton and two in Toronto between October and December 2015 were well-orchestrated and terrifying, Chief Jennifer Evans told media last Wednesday.

According to investigators, the movements of the jewellery store owners were tracked by a GPS unit the attackers had placed on the underside of their cars, police said.

Mohammad Zia, one of the victims, said he remembers every moment he and his family spent zip-tied, duct-taped and being beaten in what police called an extremely vicious home invasion.

My children havent been the same, my father had a heart attack during the assault and I have been contemplating moving, he said.

Despite months of living in fear, Zia is positive his family will be able to recover with the great work the investigators have done.

Police thanked MPP Harinder Malhi, Jewelers Vigilance Canada  a non-profit industry association  and the South Asian community generally for assisting with the investigation.

I think the reason why they chose to target me, and other South Asian owners are because they think we are a soft target, Zia said. Were easy to target, and we have very high-value products without a lot of security.

The investigators, with Peels crime prevention services and Toronto Police, continue to investigate the open investigation as police look to identify more culprits, Ross said.

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12 supporters of Dr KC held

At least 12 persons, who were staging a demonstration in support of Dr Govinda KCa surgeon on hunger strike demanding reforms in the medical sectorwere briefly arrested from Baluwatar on Tuesday.
As Heather Thompson looked around the room at the team of lawyers representing police at the recent coroners inquest probing her sons death, variations of the same question kept coming to her mind.

How is it reasonable to ask somebody who has already lost a human being to go into debt to come up with money to pay legal fees? That is downright unfair. I dont even think unfair is the just word to use, she told the Star.

Like most relatives of people killed by police, Thompson doesnt meet government criteria for getting funding for legal representation at inquests. That funding normally goes only to parents or spouses of victims of crime, explains her lawyer, Peter Rosenthal.

Ontarios police watchdog, the Special Investigations Unit, declined to lay criminal charges in the Toronto police shooting death of Thompsons son, Ian Pryce.

Fortunately for Thompson, Rosenthal took on the three-week inquest pro bono, but he underscored the fact thats simply not a possibility in every case.

In my view, there should also be a separate provision in the Coroners Act saying that the family should be entitled to coverage for legal expenses at any inquest into a death caused by police officers, he said.

Its an idea gaining momentum, as at least three inquests probing police-involved deaths are set to take place in the GTA soon.

No criminal charges were laid in the deaths of Andrew Loku in Toronto or John Caleb Ross in Aurora. Toronto police Const. David Cavanagh was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Eric Osawe, but the charge was thrown out by a judge, who found there was no evidence the officer carelessly used his gun.

The Office of the Chief Coroner is also reviewing the decision not to hold an inquest in the 2015 police shooting death of 20-year-old Kitchener man Beau Baker.

Thompsons friend, former Metro Toronto councillor Bev Salmon, wrote to Premier Kathleen Wynne in the spring urging the government to change the legal funding rules.

She said she was told the matter had been referred to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, which manages the fund, but hasnt received an update recently.

Its a pressing issue because there are a lot of other inquests coming up, she told the Star in an interview.

Its just so wrong. No family of any ordinary means can afford three weeks of legal counsel, plus the preparation before and during the inquest. Its heavy lifting. Its really hard work, and so the whole emotional aspect is really draining and exhausting.

A spokesman told the Star the ministry is always willing to work with families who want to apply to the fund and to hear feedback from the public.

The ministrys legal reimbursement criteria say the deceased is considered a victim of crime if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the death was the direct result of conduct by another person that is prohibited under the Criminal Code of Canada. It also says a conviction is not a prerequisite for funding.

The fund allows for a maximum reimbursement of $45,000, but there is a possibility of getting more money if the inquest runs longer than 20 days or is held in a location that requires higher travel and accommodation expenses.

Legal representation for an inquest into a police-shooting death can easily cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, said lawyer Julian Falconer, who has represented, at inquests, many families of people killed by police.

If you want to see changes in this area, you would have to change the legislation. The current criteria for qualifying is as good as a guarantee that families involved in police use-of-lethal-force inquests will not get access to those funds, except in the rarest of circumstances, he said.

Falconer mentioned the death of 18-year-old Sammy Yatim on a Toronto streetcar in 2013 as a rare circumstance, because the officer responsible for his death, Const. James Forcillo, was convicted of attempted murder.

Without that change in the law, this fund will never be accessible in any meaningful way to these families. It wasnt designed to do that. The system doesnt have the courage to give these families funding.

Ian Pryce, who had been living with paranoid schizophrenia, was shot dead in 2013 during a standoff with Toronto polices Emergency Task Force, after wielding what police later learned was a pellet gun.

His mother said she was appalled that she was expected to pay out of pocket for legal representation, saying the facts of the case should have come to her freely.

I also lost wages in being there, although I was told, You dont have to be there. But then whats the point of an inquest if the family members dont have to be there? she said.

In my case, I was fortunate somebody stepped forward (to represent her). But what about all the other people? How do they manage?

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Two friends who hit the beach at Hanlans Point last weekend found themselves telling men in the buff to back off.

At first, Cailey Root, 29, and Gordon Veldhoen, 32, thought the two nude men who approached them were just being cheeky, asking them to take their clothes off on the boardwalk.

Hanlans Point has hosted thousands of exposed beach bums since it was officially designated as clothing optional in 2002. Still, taking ones clothes off isnt required to go on the beach.

Often, naturists will approach clothed people on the beach and encourage them to strip down, but rarely are they forceful about it, said Veldhoen, who goes to the beach nearly every weekend.

I think it was a little bit worse, too, because Cailey had never been there before  so her introduction to the beach was these guys harassing her, he said.

As the friends entered the boardwalk and took off their shoes, two men  whom they described as nude, tanned and in their 60s  butted in.

They were like, okay, well thats a start. But you need to take the rest of your clothes off, Root said. I had never been there before and if I wasnt with my friend, I would have just gone home because it felt super unwelcoming and really unsettling.

What do you think?

The friends ignored the comments and went to the beach. They also spotted laminated signs on nearby poles, telling people to undress.

One sign read: UNDRESS STATION. BEYOND this place, YOU should be NUDE. For the COMFORT OF THE NUDISTS AND to show respect for the nudists. Below, the word CLOTHES was circled in red with a slash running through it. Another sign read NUDIST ZONE AHEAD with an arrow pointing forward.

Once the city got the skinny on the unauthorized signs, the placards were removed, said Matt Cutler, a spokesman for the citys parks, forestry and recreation department. At least one NUDIST ZONE AHEAD sign remained Monday evening when the Star visited.

Cutler said the illegal signs are being looked into and he doesnt know whether the city will pursue legal enforcement. Anyone who violates the sign bylaw is liable to a fine between $500 and $100,000.

Dave Fleming, 67, was at the beach Sunday, but said he didnt ask anyone to bare it all. Hes part of the Hanlans Beach Naturists Club and has visited the shores nearly every summer weekend since 1999.

To the general population in North America, who dont have European experience they dont know the true meaning of clothing optional, Fleming said. They make up their own definition, which is: dont I have the right to wear clothes?

Its okay if there are just a few people, but now theres a tsunami of clothed people, he continued. Theyve taken over the beach.

Sometimes Fleming hands out pamphlets to the clothed beach-goers about naturist clubs and camping spots around North America. He has also set up an information table on the beach with fellow naturist, Gene Dare.

Dare has been visiting Hanlans for 16 years and helps set up games for the public, like volleyball, scoop ball and Frisbee. He also contributes to the naturists weekend potlucks at the beach.

Everybody has a good time, but there are people who come in and I think they sometimes do it on purpose  they actually sit there and gawk, he said. People from the clothing side are coming over to the naked side and making the naked people feel awkward.

Fleming asked for a meeting with the area councilor, Pam McConnell, to discuss the turmoil at Hanlans. McConnell was traveling Tuesday and unavailable to comment. A spokesman from her office said they received Flemings call and will get back to him shortly about a meeting in the flesh.

Attire is required while visiting all other areas of the Toronto Islands except the southern portion of Hanlans. There are nine other beaches where clothing is mandatory around the islands.

Fleming hopes to change Hanlans Points designation from clothing optional to nude beach to quash misunderstandings. He cant bear to see the beach peppered with people in clothes.

You have to be tough to be a nudist. You cant have any weakness. You have to be determined, you have to have courage. Otherwise you should wait until youre ready to go and be nude before you cross into an area designated for nude use, he said.

As for Root and Veldhoen, they insist theyre not prudes about being nude.

I do go in the nude every time Im there, Veldhoen said. But I really dont care for someone telling me when Im going to do that, especially at a clothing optional beach.

With files from Michael Robinson.

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WHITEHORSEAs Canadas provincial and territorial leaders gather for their annual summer conference, Premier Kathleen Wynne wants the inside dope from her colleagues about legalized recreational marijuana.

I can tell you Im going to ask people what theyre thinking about it, Wynne told the Star in an interview before the summit begins Wednesday.

Her comments come against as Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government prepares to end the prohibition of marijuana.

Trudeau has appointed former deputy prime minister Anne McLellan to lead a task force of medical and legal experts to consult with provinces, municipalities, and Canadians before releasing a report in November that will serve as the template of next years legislation.

Wynne, who has officials from 12 provincial departments working on Ontarios weed strategy, said she is eager to learn the views of other premiers as they gear up for that.

While marijuana is not on the meetings formal agenda, the premier said there will be opportunities for us in casual conversation.

Ill certainly be saying, How are you guys dealing with this? You know what Im saying; what are you saying? I will be stunned if they say they are not being asked about (it), she said, noting her colleagues across the country all have different regimes around alcohol.

On the subject of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Wynne clarified what she has been saying about the provincial booze monopolys involvement in the recreational marijuana market.

It may not even be sold out of the LCBO. Because Ive had people say to me we dont want to have marijuana and alcohol sold out of the same places, she said, emphasizing she envisions the agencys cannabis role being in regulation and distribution and monitoring it in some way.

Like Wynne, British Columbia Premier Christy Clark has expressed concern on the effects of weed on children and teenagers.

We need to make sure that young people whose brains are growing, will not be allowed unfettered access to getting marijuana, Clark told Global News in December.

Just like we have with alcohol . . . (if) its something that government is prepared to endorse and allow, we should make sure that the rules are very clear that we dont want young people to be using it, she said.

Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeils government has a working group examining the issue, including whether weed should be sold at government-owned Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation stores.

Canadians are asking for it, Canadians believe its time to have marijuana legalized, McNeil said in April, noting Im sure there will be tax revenue, yes.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillards government, which owns the Societe des alcools du Quebec monopoly, has said it does not want marijuana sold on SAQ shelves.

Finance Minister Carlos Leitao said in February that they have no plan, no idea, no intention of commercializing cannabis.

Its up to the federal government to determine how to do it. I will never have the obligation to commercialize (marijuana) even if it becomes legal. Its not up to the province of Quebec to do that, said Leitao, adding Ottawa will have to figure it out.

Recently elected Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said in April that legalization is a concern for parents, its a concern for all . . . that this be done properly.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Walls government, meanwhile, has three of his cabinet ministers studying how legalized weed will affect road safety.

I dont think we have clear answers on the potential effects on driver safety and what the plan is to prevent impaired driving due to marijuana use, Wall said in May.

There are still too many accidents and deaths due to drunk drivers and all governments are taking steps to crack down on that. Legalizing marijuana could certainly mean more impaired drivers, which no one wants, he said.

Right now, there isnt a clear standard for what constitutes impairment and there isnt a roadside test like there is for drunk driving. These are the kinds of issues that need to be sorted out before the federal government makes marijuana use legal.

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NEW DELHI  Bangladesh, reeling from a sudden intensification of terrorism this summer, has begun an urgent search for men suspected of building a Daesh presence in the country and recruiting young Bangladeshis to fight in Syria and Iraq.

Bangladeshs government has maintained that the escalating attacks there were the work of domestic terrorists supported by domestic patrons, and it has dismissed claims of responsibility from groups like al-Qaida and Daesh, also known as ISIS or ISIL.

But a list of 10 high-value suspects made public this month, after the harrowing siege of a restaurant in Dhaka, tells another story.

The list includes three Bangladeshi expatriates  longtime residents of Canada, Australia and Japan  who have long been sought by the police and suspected of setting up training and recruitment pipelines for Daesh. A fourth man on the list vanished last year after telling his brother he planned to fight for Daesh in Iraq, the police said.

The most talked-about of the suspects, Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury, a Canadian, is believed by some analysts to act as a co-ordinator of Daeshs activities in Bangladesh and parts of northeast India. None of the suspects have been arrested because some operated in countries with stronger legal protections, the police said, and others have disappeared.

The profiles of these men offer a snapshot of a militancy undergoing a metamorphosis, as links develop between domestic and international terrorist groups.

It is possible that they have become the link, the liaison between the local militants and the transnational groups, particularly in providing strategic guidance, said Ali Riaz, a professor of politics and government at Illinois State University. The question is: Are there more like them that we dont know?

Until last fall, officials openly discussed fledgling efforts by a handful of Daesh recruiters to lure Bangladeshis to Turkey, and on to Iraq or Syria. They did not seem to pose an urgent problem for Bangladesh: The number of recruits was not large, believed to be several dozen, and officials had no inkling that they aspired to carry out domestic attacks.

We have good intelligence about Islamic State supporters, Monirul Islam, then the joint commissioner of the Dhaka metropolitan police, said in an interview last year. They have confided that they want to go to Syria and participate in jihad. Not in Bangladesh. Their plan does not include anything like they would kill anyone in Bangladesh.

He added, though, that these boys, if they return, that is a potential threat all over the world.

After that, the question of Daesh involvement in attacks in Bangladesh became a matter of dispute. In September, the United States warned the Bangladeshi authorities, based on intercepted communications, that Daesh was preparing an attack on foreigners in Bangladesh. Shortly thereafter, two foreigners were shot, and claims of responsibility began to appear on social media accounts linked to Daesh.

Sheikh Hasina, Bangladeshs prime minister, responded with skepticism and mistrust, complaining that the United States had not shared any actionable intelligence with Dhaka. There was little evidence of Daesh involvement beyond claims on social media, and investigators had traced dozens of previous attacks to well-established domestic networks, including some that had been active for decades.

Attributing the attacks to Daesh, moreover, threatened the countrys all-important garment industry, which depends on annual visits from western buyers.

After militants killed 22 people in a siege on the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka this month, the government said the attack was solely the handiwork of homegrown militants from Jamaatul Mujahedeen Bangladesh, despite the fact that the perpetrators sent photos to a Daesh-linked private email account during the operation.

Officials softened their position as the investigation proceeded, acknowledging in recent days that the attackers may have had foreign links, including to Daesh.

Now the police are seeking several suspected Daesh operatives as possible co-ordinators of domestic terrorism. Among the 10 high-priority suspects are three whom Islam described last year as Daesh recruiters.

They are Chowdhury, who is thought to have returned to Bangladesh from Canada in 2013; Mohammad Saifullah Ojaki, a professor of business administration at a university in Japan; and Abu Terek Mohammad Tajuddin Kausar, who has lived in Australia for a decade.

A senior intelligence official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak, said the men being sought acted as contact points between militants inside Bangladesh and organizers outside the country.

The official said two to three dozen fighters had returned from Syria and were serving as operatives in Bangladesh. Others, the official said, had returned after receiving training in Turkey, and a third group may be training within Bangladeshs borders.

Investigators are most interested in apprehending Chowdhury, who was identified in The Daily Star, the countrys most popular English-language newspaper, as the leader of Bangladeshi militants aligned with Daesh. If that is true, he is the man interviewed under an assumed name in Daeshs English-language magazine, Dabiq, promising to stage bloody attacks in India, with the help of the existing local mujahedeen.

Our soldiers are presently sharpening their knives to slaughter the atheist, the mockers of the prophet and every other apostate in the region, the man said in the interview.

Chowdhury left Windsor, Ont., for Bangladesh in 2013 or some time after, at the same time as two friends who the police suspected of trying to reach Syria to fight, said Amarnath Amarasingam, a fellow at George Washington Universitys Program on Extremism, who tracks jihadist fighters from the West.

Before he left Canada, Chowdhury had complained to acquaintances of harassment from law enforcement, and his radical beliefs were criticized by leaders in his mosque. Acquaintances described Chowdhury as a nerdy kid who no one would have ever thought to take on a leadership role of any kind, Amarasingam said.

Another suspect, Ojaki, has lived in Japan for many years. Born into a modest Hindu family in central Bangladesh, he earned a scholarship and eventually taught business administration at a university in Kyoto.

While living there, he underwent a transformation, changing his name and converting to Islam, said his father, Janardan Debnath. Debnath said the family was staggered by the news of his conversion.

When I understood, it was like I couldnt breathe, he said. I was completely stunned to see the beard. Were Hindu people, our sons come back with this beard. The neighbours were gossiping about it.

He had heard from reporters that his son was suspected of participating in a terrorist network, he said.

I cant understand whats happening at all, he said, breaking into uncontrollable sobs.

Other suspects, too, have fallen out of touch with their families.

Nazibullah Ansari, who had been sent to study in Malaysia, sent his brother a farewell message in January 2015 saying,  I have come to Iraq to join IS, I will not be in touch with you anymore, and wont be coming back,  said Abul Kalam, the officer in charge at the police station in Chittagong, where a missing persons report was filed this month.

Junnun Sikder, previously a computer science student at one of Dhakas elite private universities, was arrested in 2013 on suspicion of serving as a recruiter for a domestic jihadist group, the Ansarullah Bangla Team. Released on bail, he left the country for Malaysia, and has since dropped out of contact.

Another, A.T.M. Tajuddin Kausar, had left Bangladesh in 2006 to study computer science at the University of New South Wales in Australia, said his mother, Tahera Begum. He fell out of touch in 2013, calling once every few months. I never thought he would be capable of being a terrorist, she said. I still dont believe it.

Zayadul Ahsan Pintu, a journalist who has published widely on the countrys militant networks, said that apprehending the 10 suspects would allow the police to identify the linkage, internal and external.

Chowdhury, in particular, he said, is the connection from Bangladesh to Syria.

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LOS ANGELESAuthorities closed a stretch of popular Southern California ocean amid fears that raw sewage from a massive spill miles away might have made it to the coast.

A buried pipe some 20 miles (32 kilometres) away in Los Angeles collapsed Monday, causing a blockage that belched 2.4 million gallons (10.9 million litres) of stinky sludge onto streets and into storm drains, officials said.

Crews managed to contain, divert or vacuum up at least 750,000 gallons but the rest flowed into the Los Angeles River, and some may have reached the Pacific Ocean, officials said.

The flow was stopped Tuesday and an above-ground bypass system was being built so repairs and cleanup could get underway, said Adel Hagekhalil, assistant director of Los Angeles Sanitation.

Beaches in Long Beach and Seal Beach were closed to swimmers and waders until at least Wednesday while health officials tested the waters for bacteria to determine whether it was safe.

Warning signs and flags were up and lifeguards shooed way some visitors.

Just pure disappointment, beachgoer Francisco Aleman of Lake Elsinore told KABC-TV. My little sister, she wanted to come to the beach forever, the whole summer...she gets here and its like, you cant get in, so whats the point, you know?

The closure was a financial hit for M&M Surfing School of Seal Beach, which had to cancel classes for 70 students at a loss of $85 ($110 Canadian) each.

Nobody went out, owner Michael Pless said. The bummer is I have people coming from all over the world. I have people from England, Sweden. I had people flying in to meet me.

Pless said he took some younger students, whose parents had dropped them off, to his home pool and Jacuzzi.

They didnt get to surf but they got to play, Pless said.

The 1929 concrete, tiled-lined pipe that broke was 18 feet underground, while more recent pipes are 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 metres) below, Hagekhalil said.

The top collapsed and choked the pipe with debris, creating an overflow.

The cause of the collapse wasnt clear.

The pipe had been scheduled for replacement in two years. It just did not wait for us, Hagekhalil said.

Sewage warnings arent unusual for beaches at the end of the Los Angeles River, a mostly concrete channel that runs 51 miles through the massive industrial and urban regions of Los Angeles County to Long Beach. Most of its water comes from a sewage treatment plant but it also handles storm runoff.

During storms in 1998, more than 30 million gallons of sewage spilled.

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MEXICO CITY  Authorities said Tuesday they will fire nine investigators and suspend 21 others for misconduct related to the 2014 army slayings of 22 suspected gang members in central Mexico.

More than 50 officials from the central State of Mexico were under investigation for alleged abuses committed during the coverup of the bloodshed at a grain warehouse. The countrys human rights commission has said soldiers killed at least a dozen of the suspects after they surrendered.

Israel Montoya, head of the Internal Affairs Division at the Mexico State prosecutors office, said the 52 employees investigated included detectives, supervisors and crime scene experts. Montoya said 30 got some form of punishment.

Two of the three survivors of the slayings told The Associated Press that state detectives and prosecutors agents tortured and threatened them to go along with the armys version that all the suspects had died during a shootout with troops.

Montoya said all the disciplinary actions were for failure to correctly perform their duties.

A year ago, Mexico State prosecutors formally accused seven state police officers of torturing all three women who survived the confrontation. Trials in Mexico frequently last for years and there was no immediate information on whether any of the officers have been convicted.

On July 1, 2014, a day after the shooting, Mexico State Gov. Eruviel Avila publicly thanked the army for its bravery and firmness in the confrontation. Manzur said later that the governors statement was meant to thank the army for freeing three kidnap victims, not for the violent actions.

Originally considered kidnap victims, two of the three survivors were jailed for months on weapons charges before being released. They claim they were tortured while in custody.

The federal governments human rights commission found that between 12 and 15 of the suspects cornered at a warehouse on June 30, 2014, surrendered but were shot anyway. It also said there was evidence the scene had been altered.

The army initially said all 22 dead were killed in a fierce gun battle with soldiers after a patrol came under fire at the warehouse in the town of San Pedro Limon. It said only one soldier was wounded.

Seven low-ranking soldiers, including a lieutenant, were charged in the case but were later acquitted or the charges were dropped.

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CLEVELANDPolice broke up scuffles between groups of demonstrators a few blocks from the Republican National Convention as crowds in the hundreds gathered Tuesday afternoon.

There were no arrests, police said, despite several tense moments that saw officers step in between protesters pushing and shouting at each other during some of the biggest, most raucous gatherings in downtown Cleveland since the four-day convention began on Monday.

One skirmish broke out when right-wing conspiracy theorist and radio show host Alex Jones started speaking in downtowns Public Square through a bullhorn. Police on bicycles pushed back a surging crowd, and Jones was whisked away.

Minutes later, more officers on bicycles formed a line to separate a conservative religious group from a communist-leaning organization carrying a sign that read, America Was Never Great.

Overall, five people have been arrested since the convention started, said a police spokeswoman, Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia.

That includes one person accused of trying to steal a state troopers gas mask and three people who are alleged to have climbed flagpoles at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hung an anti-Donald Trump banner.

The demonstrators on Tuesday, including anti-Muslim protesters, religious conservatives and marchers decrying racism and murder by police, appeared outnumbered by law officers and members of the media.

Demonstrators soon spilled into the streets, and some appeared to be making their way toward the convention arena before turning back. More skirmishes broke out at one intersection. But by the evening, the protests were breaking up.

Cleveland police Chief Calvin Williams waded into crowds of demonstrators during the day, warning one group, Its an unlawful gathering. Youre blocking a city street. They eventually moved along.

About 300 officers from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies are patrolling on bicycles in downtown Cleveland during the convention, the police chief said.

Supporters of bike patrols say they make officers more manoeuvrable and less threatening-looking at a time when tensions are running high between police and the public.

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EDMONTONAn Edmonton university has confirmed that one of its students was killed in last weeks truck attack in France.

MacEwan University said in a release that Mykhaylo Bazelevskyy, who was 22 and also went by the first name Misha, was among those who died July 14 in Nice.

The school said confirmation of his death came late Tuesday from French authorities and from his family.

Few, if any of us, can comprehend the senselessness of what occurred in Nice, school president David Atkinson said is a statement. There is no greater loss to a university than a student who has so much life and promise ahead of him.

Bazelevskyy  who was in the School of Business  had permanent resident status in Canada, but was travelling on a Ukrainian passport. His parents still live in Ukraine, but his brother and sister-in-law live in Edmonton.

He was one of five MacEwan students, who, along with a faculty member, were participating in a three-week entrepreneurship and innovation training program offered by the European Innovation Academy.

On the night of the attack, the group of MacEwan students was heading to the Promenade des Anglais to enjoy Bastille Day fireworks, but inclement weather convinced three of them to turn back.

Bazelevskyy and another student were on the promenade when the truck plowed into the crowd and chaos ensued.

No one else in the MacEwan group was hurt.

Bazelevskyy was active in student life at the school. He ran for student government, was a member of the mens cross-country team and was also a resident adviser.

The nicest guy that anyone could meet, said fellow student and friend Amy Beard when Bazelevskyy was first reported missing last week. Misha just always wanted to say hi to everybody in the hallway and he would always stop to talk to you. It didnt matter how busy he was. Hes such a good-hearted person.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley expressed her condolences.

This young man had every right to believe that he was safe. He was in a democratic country that is committed to peace, she said. Tragically, that feeling of safety was shattered for this innocent student, and for everyone in Nice, and in France.

Atkinson said the whole school feels the loss.

I know that everyone joins me in expressing our profound sympathy to Mishas family at this terrible time, Atkinson said. Misha will be deeply missed by his friends and family.

All 84 people killed in the Nice truck attack were formally identified earlier Wednesday. The death toll for the Bastille Day carnage has not increased despite several people being still in critical condition, a top French official said Wednesday.

Some of those killed died at the scene, others while hospitalized, prosecutors office spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre said.

Authorities have not released an official list naming the dead from the July 14 Bastille Day rampage in the southern French city, but its known they include French, Americans, Germans, Ukrainians, Swiss, Tunisians, Polish and a Russian.

The completion of the identification process comes as Frances National Assembly voted in favour of extending by six months the state of emergency  a security measure thats been in place since the Nov. 13 Paris attacks that were claimed by Daesh. The French senate must also vote on the extension later Wednesday, but is expected to approve it.

With files from the Associated Press

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BEIRUTA U.S.-supported Syrian rebel group said Wednesday it will open an investigation into the beheading of a Syrian boy on spy accusations, calling it an individual mistake that does not represent the overall policies of the group.

Nour el-Din al-Zinki, a relatively moderate group that fights the Syrian government and Daesh, also known as ISIS and ISIL, condemned the beheading, which was captured on video and triggered an instant backlash against the group.

It is not clear who the boy was or why he was beheaded on camera. He was identified by activists on social media as Mahmoud Issa, a 12-year-old Palestinian. The Syrian government also denounced the repulsive crime against an innocent child in a statement to the United Nations, saying the boy was a Palestinian from the Palestinian refugee camp of Handarat on the edge of Aleppo.

The incident is believed to have occurred in Handarat, near Aleppo, on Tuesday. A young boy is seen on the back of a pickup truck surrounded by armed men who accuse him of being a spy and a member of the Quds Brigade, a pro-government Palestinian militia. He is then beheaded with a knife by one of them.

The Quds Brigade, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, strongly denied that Issa was a fighter, adding that the boy was ill. It said he was killed by a terrorist who lost his brother in battles near Handarat, apparently as revenge.

Nour el-Din al-Zinki, in its statement, said it will investigate the incident and expedite punishment. It said everyone involved in the violation was arrested and is being investigated. The group, which operates mainly in Aleppo, has received support in the past from the United States.

Amnesty International said the video is the latest abhorrent signal that opposition groups are carrying out serious abuses with impunity.

This horrific video showing the beheading of a boy suggests some members of armed groups have truly plumbed the depths of depravity. It is yet another gruesome example of the summary killing of captives, which amounts to a war crime, said Philip Luther, director of Amnesty Internationals Middle East and North Africa Program.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he has seen the appalling report but could not confirm it happened. Obviously were very concerned certainly if its accurate, he said, adding that if the report is proven it would give us pause about any assistance or, frankly, any further involvement with this group.

Lebanons Hezbollah, whose fighters are in Syria fighting alongside President Bashar Assads forces against the rebels, also pounced on the beheading. In a statement issued in Beirut, it described the beheading as a disgusting crime by so-called moderate rebels backed by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.

The Red Cross said a lack of access is forcing it to scale back its operations aimed at helping tens of thousands of people, mostly women and children, who need urgent assistance near Syrias border with Jordan. The Geneva-based organization decried international failure to help refugees and others affected by war.

The International Committee for the Red Cross said aid agencies have faced difficulty accessing the border area, known as the berm for its earthen mounds, after Jordan closed the border following a car bombing last month that killed seven Jordanian soldiers near the Rukban crossing point.

ICRC Middle East regional director Robert Mardini said, The crisis at the berm reflects an international failure to protect and help people affected by conflict and who are in desperate need.

Also Wednesday, an explosion struck a building in a southern town in Syria Wednesday, but there was no immediate word on casualties and there were conflicting reports on the cause of the blast.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an Israeli warplane targeted the building in Baath, on the edge of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, without saying how it knew it was an Israeli warplane. Israeli warplanes and artillery have struck southern Syria in the past and Hezbollah fighters are believed to operate in the area.

But the Military Media of Hezbollah denied an Israeli airstrike and claimed that the blast was caused by two rockets fired by members of al-Qaedas affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front.

Later, Hezbollahs Al-Manar TV said Syrian government troops retaliated, hitting a Nusra Front vehicle from which the rockets were fired.

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CLEVELANDDonald Trumps attempt to showcase a unified Republican Party was crushed in a chorus of boos on Wednesday when former rival Ted Cruz was jeered off the convention stage after refusing to endorse Trump and urging conservatives to vote with their conscience rather than their party.

Cruz received a rapturous reception for most of his soaring address, devoted to the theme of freedom. But the mood descended into unbridled rage when the Texas senator delivered an unsubtle rebuke of Trumps unorthodox policy agenda and asked conservatives to vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.

The wild scene on the convention floor in Cleveland, a shocking departure from the traditional infomercial-style scripted smiles of the major party shindig, distracted from a critical prime-time speech by Trumps vice-presidential nominee, Mike Pence, who remains an unknown to much of the country. And it highlighted, to a large national audience, the extent to which the freshly minted Republican nominee still discomforts prominent members of his own party.

Roger Stone, a friend of Trump, told The Hill newspaper that Cruz is a dumb son of a bitch who thinks hes smarter than everybody else.

Trump later tweeted a response about Cruzs betrayal, shrugging it off as not a big deal. He also shared multiple tweets of support for Pence, calling him, our next vice-president of the United States of America.

Pence, the governor of Indiana, introduced himself to the nation with a self-deprecating biographical address he began with his standard introduction: Im a Christian, Im a conservative and Im a Republican, in that order.

After joking about his obscurity and dullness, the low-key social conservative delivered a lengthy recommendation of Trumps qualities as a leader, change-maker, straight shooter and all-around good man.

As we say back home, you cant fake good kids, Pence said to loud applause.

He soon pivoted to an assault on Clinton, describing her as the secretary of the status quo and blaming her for what he said were a series of foreign policy disasters under President Barack Obama.

Related:

Ted Cruz addresses Republican National Convention . . . and does not endorse the nominee

Donald Trumps vanquished rivals converge on Republican convention to make nice

Cleveland rocks for Trump, but its an uneasy dance: Potter

Tidbits from Trumpland: Republican convention, Day 3, and the Trumpcopters epic landing

Even before Cruz took the stage, the proceedings at Quicken Loans Arena had the everybody-nod-and-smile mood of a reunion imposed on a dysfunctional family by a domineering patriarch. Florida Sen. Marco Rubio spoke only by recorded video, without introduction, though he urged the party to stop its fighting. Ohio Gov. John Kasich spoke to two state delegations in the afternoon and then continued his boycott of the home-state convention itself.

And Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who has done little to hide his distaste for Trump, issued an endorsement that conspicuously focused almost entirely on the threat of Hillary Clinton.

The simple truth is: Liberal Washington insiders created our problems. And Hillary Clinton is the ultimate liberal Washington insider. If she were any more on the inside, shed be in prison, Walker said. America deserves better than Hillary Clinton. That is why we need to support Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

The unresolved intra-party tension was brought into the open by the second speaker of the night, right-wing talk radio firebrand Laura Ingraham, who demanded that all you boys with wounded feelings and bruised egos honour their primary-season pledge to support the nominee, a clear reference to Cruz.

But Cruz has long shown a willingness to make people mad, and he refused to bow to pressure from the Trump campaign, party leaders and his own states delegation. Instead, he delivered a paean to personal and economic freedom, a traditional Republican theme that has rarely been discussed at a Trumpified convention more interested in strength and enemy-crushing.

The speech served as a kind of revenge for a man whose wife Trump suggested is ugly and whose father Trump suggested had a role in the assassination of John F. Kennedy. And it sets him up for a near-certain candidacy in 2020 in the event Trump loses this year.

Did we live up to our values? Did we do all we could? Thats really what elections should be about. Thats why you and millions like you devoted so much time and sacrifice to this campaign. Were fighting, not for one particular candidate or one campaign, but because each of us wants to be able to tell our kids and grandkids . . . that we did our best for their future, and for our country, Cruz said. America is more than just a land mass between two oceans. America is an idea, a simple yet powerful idea: freedom matters.

The speech so infuriated the party that, according to CNN, a man in a suite reserved for big donors had to be restrained from assaulting him.

Former House speaker Newt Gingrich ad-libbed an attempted rebuttal to Cruz, arguing that Trump is the only candidate in the election who will indeed uphold the Constitution. The Trump supporters in the crowd shouted their approval.

For the most part, though, the mood on the floor of the arena was angry again.

By the middle of the second speech, the delegates had chanted Lock Her Up three times, demonstrating again how popular the once-fringe suggestion of imprisoning Clinton has become with the new Republican mainstream. Ingraham earned one of the loudest cheers of the whole convention, a raucous standing ovation, when she accused the media of failing to report on the phonies and frauds she said Trump has exposed.

For a third straight night, speakers depicted the United States as a country mired in dire problems caused by the ineptitude and weakness of Clinton and Obama.

Today, America is in terrible, world-record-high debt. Our economy is not growing. Our jobs are going overseas. We have allowed our military to decay. And we project weakness on the international stage, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said in the first speech of the night. Washington grows while the rest of America struggles. The Democrats have not led us to a crossroads, they have led us to a cliff.

Scott offered the conventions first explicit acknowledgment of many Americans unease with Trump, conceding that hes sometimes not polite and can be a little rough. But he urged voters to consider Clintons flaws and the high stakes.

This election is about the very survival of the American Dream, he said.

The roster of speakers was far less eclectic than the curious hodgepodge of the previous two nights, when rising party politicians competed for time with obscure celebrities. Among the other Wednesday speakers were retired astronaut Eileen Collins, the candidates son Eric Trump, and businessman Phil Ruffin, who testified to Trumps work ethic and management savvy.

An unexpected moment was delivered by a black woman identified as the Trumps senior family assistant. Breaking with standard Republican rhetoric on Black Lives Matter and race relations, Lynne Patton said black lives have historically mattered less in the U.S. and still do to some Americans. Not to her boss, she said.

As a minority, she said, I personally pledge to you that Donald Trump knows that your life matters, he knows that my life matters.

Convention protests, expected to be large and potentially violent, have been small and largely calm. There was a brief flash of drama on Wednesday afternoon, when police accosted members of the Revolutionary Communist Party as they tried to burn a U.S. flag even though flag-burning is constitutionally protected speech. More than 10 people were taken into custody after a series of scuffles between officers and protesters.

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3 die in separate attacks

Three persons were murdered in separate incidents in Rukum and Panchthar districts on Tuesday.
CLEVELAND  After weeks of planning and one ferocious outburst that upstaged nearly everything on the Republican National Conventions first day, conservatives feisty but always improbable effort to deny Donald Trump the Republican presidential nomination succumbed to multiple causes of death.

The lack of vital signs grew daily, culminating during Tuesdays roll call of the states that formally put Trump over the top. That vote saw a fizzling of what conservatives hoped would be an effort by some delegates to brazenly ignore state party rules and back the candidate of their choice, not Trump.

Whatever may or may not have been planned, apparently it didnt happen, said Colorado delegate Kevin Grantham. He said party leaders wanted to make sure that Donald Trump is the nominee, regardless of what the states said, regardless of what the delegates say.

The anti-Trump conservatives unified with another faction trying to alter party rules to shift power from the establishment Republican National Committee to grassroots activists, including many supporters of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a defeated presidential hopeful. But they were badly outnumbered by Trump delegates and party regulars who believed, like him or not, hed won this years GOP primaries.

Also weighing against them was the rebels lack of an alternative candidate, vigorous lobbying by an alliance between the Trump campaign and the RNC and a growing sense it was time to unite against presumptive Democratic pick Hillary Clinton.

You can stand your ground until the point comes when you would be compromising the country or the state, said Steve House, chairman of the Colorado GOP, whose delegation was loaded with dissidents and Cruz supporters. The team said, Lets stand up and support the nominee.

On the other side of the arena, the Utah delegation gamely announced that it was casting its 40 votes for Cruz. But the presiding officer awarded all those delegates to Trump because of a quirk in Utah GOP rules that allow votes only for active candidates at the convention  and Trump was the only one.

Theres been a lot of effort to make sure we have a smooth convention, that Donald Trump is the nominee and that we unite, said Phil Wright, chairman of the Utah delegation. He said awarding all the votes to Trump was the GOPs way of trying to squash any dissent.

Since it became clear last spring that Trump was the likely nominee, conservative delegates around the country plotted ways to use the partys rules to derail him at the convention. They organized using social media, conference calls and seemingly endless emails.

But they were soundly thrashed last week when the conventions rules committee approved guidelines for this weeks gathering. That carried over to the convention itself, which is run by party leaders who wield the gavel and make final rulings on disputes.

On Monday, conservatives demanded a final shot at rewriting party rules but were blocked. Their roars of outrage drew widespread coverage and distracted from party leaders efforts to show unity, but still they lost.

During Tuesdays roll call, the Alaska delegation split its 28 votes among Trump, Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Convention officials counted all 28 Alaskan delegates for Trump, citing a discrepancy in state party rules, and overruled the delegation when it demanded a fresh count.

Underscoring the futility in challenging party leaders, GOP Chairman Reince Priebus explained the ruling against Alaska to the entire convention and said, In any event, have a great night. He then quickly left the stage as music began to play, leaving the Alaska delegates unhappy and vanquished.

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NEW DELHI  Indias parliament was in an uproar Wednesday after four men belonging to the low-caste Dalit community were beaten while trying to skin a dead cow in western India.

Lawmakers from the opposition parties shouted slogans while accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modis government of failing to protect the Dalits, who belong to the lowest rung of Hinduisms caste hierarchy.

Videos of the four being stripped and beaten with sticks by men claiming to be cow protectors in Gujarat state last week have gone viral and have sparked protests by Dalit groups across the state.

Hindus consider cows to be sacred, and the slaughter of cows is banned in many parts of India. Slaughtering a cow carries a punishment of up to seven years in jail.

Attacks against Muslims and Dalits accused of eating or smuggling beef have risen since Modis Hindu-nationalist party came to power two years ago.

Vigilante groups comprising mostly members of Hindu nationalist organizations have become active in small towns and cities across India over the past year. Last year, a Muslim man was lynched by a mob in northern Uttar Pradesh state over charges that his family had eaten beef for dinner.

Dalits usually carry out undesirable tasks such as skinning dead animals, and many work in tanneries and in the leather industry.

The four men who were attacked by vigilantes in Una town in Gujarat last week worked in a tannery. In the video, they were seen pleading that they were tannery workers who were only skinning the dead animal.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh told lawmakers in Parliament on Wednesday that the victims were attacked by a group of men who hit them with metal pipes and wooden rods.

Singh said nine people involved in the attack had been arrested.

On Tuesday, Gujarats top elected official, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, promised that her government would take strict action against those involved in the attack. Four police officers who failed to take action have been suspended for dereliction of duty, she said.

Several towns in Gujarat have been rocked by protests since last weeks beating incident, and at least 10 Dalit men have attempted suicide, lawmakers told Parliament on Wednesday.

The Dalit protests turned violent in some towns. In the states Amreli district, a police constable was killed when angry mobs pelted police with stones.

Dalits are being oppressed in Gujarat and we have to raise our voices to get the government to act, said Derek OBrien, a lawmaker from West Bengal state. This is an organized crime that is happening in Gujarat.

Although caste discrimination was banned soon after Indias independence from Britain in 1947, the practice persists. Successive governments have set quotas for jobs and university spots to level out disadvantages faced by lower castes, but it has been difficult to change social attitudes.

In Parliament, Singh condemned the attacks and called on all political parties to help end discrimination against Dalits.

Atrocities against Dalits are a social evil, he said. I appeal to all political parties to take this as a challenge and wipe out this problem.

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Mike Pence almost had his thunder stolen from a rogue Ted Cruz Wednesday night, but after Donald Trumps running mate delivered a folksy, carefully crafted speech, he established himself as a clutch player during this election cycle.

In many ways, the Republican National Convention was the coming out party for the little-known Governor of Indiana.

Pence had struggled to get a word in edgewise during an interview on 60 Minutes Sunday night, one of his first high-profile television appearances since being named Trumps pick for vice-president.

But Wednesday night, Pence established himself as a classic conservative Republican a la Ronald Reagan with roots in Middle America.

Im a Christian, a Conservative and a Republican in that order, Pence said to loud applause. Soon after gushing about growing up near cornfields on the front row of the American Dream and introducing his mother, wife and children, Pence had the delegates eating out of his hand.

The American people are tired of being told . . . that this is as good as it gets, he said.

Trump has his detractors in the Republican Party, especially amongst the ultra right-wing, and Pences speech, which mixed folksy charm with political platitudes and self-deprecating humour, tried to appeal to them directly by convincing them that Trump can bring common-sense Republican leadership to the party.

As we say back home, you cant fake good kids. How about his amazing children? Arent they something? he said.

Pence did not mince words about Hillary Clinton, who has become the bogeyman of the convention.

In the end, this election comes down to just two names on the ballot so lets resolve here and now that Hillary Clinton will never become president of the United States of America, Pence said.

But this message was almost derailed by Cruz, who refused to endorse his one-time arch nemesis Donald Trump.

Cruz congratulated his former rival on winning the nomination, despite rumours that he wouldnt even bother to mention his opponents name. But after that opening, every word he uttered urged Republicans to vote their conscience, a tactic that elicited boos from the crowd as well as cries of We want Trump.

I am here to tell you there is a better vision for our future: a return to freedom, Cruz said.

Towards the end of his speech, Trump strolled onto the floor, riling up the crowd even more.

Related:

Donald Trumps vanquished rivals converge on Republican convention to make nice

Cleveland rocks for Trump, but its an uneasy dance: Potter

Tidbits from Trumpland: Republican convention, Day 3, and the Trumpcopters epic landing

tried in vain to stop Trump from getting the partys nomination END on Monday.

90s night: Newt Gingrich and his wife Callista took the stage just before Pence.

Gingrich was floated as a possible contender for vice president, and is considered a shoe-in for a senior position in a Trump administration.

Taking the stage minutes after Cruz was booed for telling people to vote their conscience, Gingrich went into damage control, arguing the crowd misinterpreted Cruz.

In this election, there is only one candidate who will uphold the U.S. constitution, he said.

In his speech, the conservative political analyst and former Speaker of the House said this election cycle is about ensuring that America is safe from terrorists.

We are sleepwalking through this crisis as if it was all about politics. Its not; its about our safety, he said.

Gingrich was a prominent fixture in the Republican Party in the 1990s, who helped the party take the House of Representatives for the first time in more than 40 years.

Gingrich resigned in 1999, and made an unsuccessful bid for the partys presidential nomination in 2012.

Trump insiders:

A key testament to Trumps character came from his son, Eric Trump. The 32-year-old is the executive vice-president of his fathers Trump Organization.

Its time for a president with common sense. Its time for a president who appreciates the art of a deal and the value of a dollar, he said.

Although not an experienced political hand, Eric Trump has found himself at the centre of his fathers unlikely presidential campaign. Hes appeared often on radio and television, and many once-reluctant Trump supporters have said that getting to know his kids has reassured them about the candidates character.

Trump executive Lynne Patton delivered a tearful speech in favour of her boss. Notably, she spoke out about the senseless deaths of young black men around the country.

I personally pledge to you that Donald Trump knows that your life matters; he knows that my life matters, she said. LGBTQ lives matter, and he knows that veterans lives matter, and he knows that blue! lives! matter!

Anyone but Hillary Clinton: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, a former opponent of Trumps in the primary, took the stage to hammer home the big takeaway from the convention:

A vote for anyone but Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton, Walker said.

About six minutes and 30 seconds into the program, the first round of Lock Her Up! jeers from the crowd began, and was repeated throughout the evening.

Bashing Hillary Clinton has become a prominent theme during the convention, as party members unite not over Trumps contentious candidacy, but over their mutual hatred of the Democratic nominee.

Walker used the platform to tour his economic reforms in his home state  a wise move politically, as he is running for re-election.

Marco Rubio, another former enemy in the primaries, taped a video ahead of the convention with a similar message. The video focused more on Clintons negatives than Trumps positives, and urged people to vote Republican in November.

Early speakers: Florida Governor Rick Scott opened the night, speaking about the attack at Pulse nightclub in Orlando. Scott condemned the hate filled attack and radical Islam.

Right-wing radio show host Laura Ingraham spoke next, urging all you boys with wounded feelings and bruised egos to honour their pledge to support Trump.

A strong minority of Republican delegates  many of them supporters of Ted Cruz  have voiced their support for Never Trump. For them, this conventions program must be sorely disappointing.

A tsunami is coming. His name is Donald Trump, said businessman Phil Ruffin, a Trump ally, who spoke at the convention.

Ralph Alvarado, a state senator from Kentucky, switched briefly to Spanish during his speech to the Republican convention and urged voters to back Donald Trump.

Hispanics believe what Republicans believe: Church, family values,

Trump has struggled to reach Hispanic voters, due to his strong stance against immigration and inflammatory remarks.

Michelle Van Etten, a multi-level marketer, was billed as a small business owner.

Other things to watch for on the third day of the convention:

Protests rock Cleveland:Police arrested 17 protesters as skirmishes broke out during a flag-burning Wednesday in the streets outside the Republican National Convention.

Fire extinguisher spray used to put out flames was incorrectly mistaken for pepper spray by some protestors early in the fracas.

It was the most turbulent protest since the four-day convention began on Monday. The chaos prevented delegates and members of the media from getting into the Quicken Loans Arena for the evenings proceedings.

Police say some officers suffered minor injuries.

Trump supporter investigated by Secret Service for Clinton bashing: A prominent Trump delegate from New Hampshire says Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason, over the Benghazi, Libya, attacks that killed four Americans.

New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro appears frequently with Trump and serves as an adviser on veterans issues. He made the remarks Tuesday when asked on a Boston radio program if Clinton was responsible for the Benghazi deaths.

He says Clinton is a disgrace for the lies she told those mothers about their children, adding, Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.

Secret Service spokesman Robert Hoback says the agency is aware of comments made by New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro. Hoback says the Secret Service will conduct the appropriate investigation.

Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks tells NH1 News that Baldasaro doesnt speak for the campaign.

Recap: Day 3 of the Republican National Convention

With files from The Associated Press and Daniel Dale

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I can honestly say that, in three-and-a-half years on the bench, this is by far the worst thing that has come before this court, said Judge Leslie Ghiz of the Hamilton (Ohio) County Pleas Court as she sentenced April Corcoran to 51 years in prison Tuesday.

Her crime: Corcoran, 32, had pleaded guilty in June to raising money to feed her heroin addiction by loaning out her 11-year-old daughter to her drug dealer, who, with the mothers blessing, raped and abused her, sometimes videotaping it, reported the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Thanks to Corcorans drug habit, this preteen was being forced to have vaginal, anal and oral sex with a 40-year-old man, according to the indictment against her. She pleaded guilty to multiple counts of complicity to rape, human trafficking and child endangerment.

The alleged dealer, Shandell Willingham, was also charged and is awaiting a hearing.

Corcoran had a special routine after her daughter was brutalized by her drug dealer. As a reward, she gave her daughter heroin, the court was told. The middle schooler vomited each time.

This happened four times between February and June 2014. Corcoran still hasnt expressed any apologies for her daughter for the drugs, the judge said in court on Tuesday.

Now 13 years old, the girl is living out-of-state with her father and stepmother. She is taking medication, has had suicidal thoughts and is undergoing medical care, Ghiz said in court Tuesday.

I saw my granddaughter. I heard her small voice, the girls grandmother said in court. It was horrific. How could she (Corcoran) do this? I dont know if my granddaughter is going to be able to have a normal life.

The authorities learned of the case in June 201s4, when the girl moved in with her father, who reported it.

The young teens plight didnt shock locals in the rural area of Ohio where Corcoran lived, the paper reported at the time of her arrest. I mean, things like this happen a lot down here, resident Keith Benson said. Probably not to this degree, but theres constantly being reports of animal abuse and fights breaking out around. Its a little bit surprising but not entirely unexpected.

As a parent, it is hard to imagine how you could use your child to satisfy your drug addiction, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T. Deters said at the time of the indictment. Even after all my years as a prosecutor, I continue to be amazed at how badly parents treat their children. What this little girl endured is unimaginable and I can only hope that mom and drug dealers prosecution and intense counselling will help this child regain some trust in the world. This case is Exhibit A for how devastating heroin is to our communities.

They tell me before she became hooked on heroin, she was a very loving and attentive parent, James Bogen, Corcorans court-appointed attorney told the paper.

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ANKARA, TURKEYTurkeys president on Wednesday declared a three-month state of emergency following a failed coup.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the measure was being taken to counter threats to Turkish democracy and wasnt intended to curb basic freedoms. He spoke after an extraordinary national security meeting with cabinet ministers and top security advisers.

The aim is to rapidly and effectively take all steps needed to eliminate the threat against democracy, the rule of law and the peoples rights and freedoms, Erdogan said.

This measure is in no way against democracy, the law and freedoms, he added. On the contrary it aims to protect and strengthen them.

The president, who has said he narrowly escaped being killed or captured by renegade military units, suggested that purges would continue within military ranks.

As the commander in chief, I will also attend to it so that all the viruses within the armed forces will be cleansed, Erdogan said.

Turkey had imposed martial law-like emergency rule in the southeast of Turkey in 1987, allowing officials to set curfews, issue search and arrest warrants and restrict gatherings as the security forces fought Kurdish rebels in the region. The emergency rule was gradually lifted by 2002.

The latest insurrection by some military units was launched late Friday, but security forces and protesters loyal to the government quashed the rebellion.

Erdogan says the pro-government death toll in the botched coup was 246. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

Cracking down on alleged subversives in education, Turkey also said Wednesday that it would close more than 600 private schools and dormitories, spurring fears that the states move against perceived enemies is throwing key institutions in the NATO ally into disarray.

Erdogans government said it has fired nearly 22,000 education ministry workers, mostly teachers, taken steps to revoke the licenses of 21,000 other teachers at private schools and sacked or detained half a dozen university presidents in a campaign to root out alleged supporters of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric blamed for the botched insurrection on Friday.

Earlier, Erdogan suggested in an interview with the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV network that coup plotters might still be active in the weeks ahead.

I dont think we have come to the end of it yet, the president said.

The targeting of education ties in with Erdogans belief that the U.S.-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, whose followers run a worldwide network of schools, seeks to infiltrate the Turkish education system and other institutions to bend the country to his will. The clerics movement, which espouses moderation and multi-faith harmony, says it is a scapegoat for what it describes as the presidents increasingly autocratic conduct.

Erdogan is seeking to consolidate the power of his elected government in the wake of the attempt to oust him and his crackdown could further polarize a country that once enjoyed a reputation for relative stability in the turbulent Middle East. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the military, courts and other institutions that are now being purged.

The fact that so many judges have been detained, never mind the workload at the courthouses, will render them inoperable, said Vildan Yirmibesoglu, a human rights lawyer. How they will fill the vacancies, I dont know.

The education ministry said it decided to close 626 private schools and other establishments that are under investigation for crimes against the constitutional order and the running of that order, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The agency said the schools are linked to Gulen, a former ally of Erdogan who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania and has denied accusations that he engineered the coup attempt that was quashed by security forces and protesters loyal to the government.

Turkey has repeatedly named Gulen as the instigator of its turmoil and demands his extradition from the United States. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that Turkey must provide hard evidence that Gulen was behind the foiled coup if it wants him extradited, and that mere allegations of wrongdoing wouldnt suffice.

The two allies co-operate in the U.S.-led war against Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), with U.S. military planes flying missions from Turkeys Incirlik air base into neighbouring Iraq and Syria.

Turkeys domestic situation is increasingly a concern as the government seeks to rid broad sectors of society of alleged antagonists. Huseyin Ozev, an education union leader in Istanbul, said state education workers who were reported to have been fired had not received notices and that employees were waiting at home or on vacation, anxiously, to see if they had lost their jobs.

Any workers suspected of wrongdoing should undergo a formal investigation and the fight against coup plotters should not be turned into a witch hunt, Ozev said.

In other moves against education, Turkey demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans and halted foreign assignments for state-employed academics. A total of 50,000 civil service employees have been fired in the purges, which have reached Turkeys national intelligence service and the prime ministers office.

The government has also revoked the press credentials of 34 journalists because of alleged ties to Gulens movement, Turkish media reported. A satirical magazine, Leman, said authorities blocked the distribution of a special edition over its cover featuring a caricature in which two mysterious hands play a game of strategy, one pushing soldiers onto the board and the other responding by sending civilians.

Authorities have rounded up about 9,000 people  including 115 generals, 350 officers, 4,800 other military personnel and 60 military high school students  for alleged involvement in the coup attempt. Turkeys defence ministry has also sacked at least 262 military court judges and prosecutors, according to Turkish media reports.

The coup has led to public anger and calls for the government to reinstate the death penalty, a demand that Erdogan has said he will consider.

Hasan Ay, a municipal worker in Istanbul, said he wanted coup ringleaders to be executed.

I am not talking about the private soldiers. They said on television that some of the privates were innocent, Ay said.

The instability is hurting confidence in the Turkish economy. The Turkish currency dropped 1.8 per cent against the U.S. dollar Wednesday, trading at a low for the year of just over 3 lira to the dollar.

The purges against suspected Gulen supporters follow earlier aggressive moves by Erdogans administration against Gulen loyalists in the government, police and judiciary following corruption probes targeting Erdogan associates and family members in late 2013, prosecutions the government says were orchestrated by Gulen.

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NICE, FRANCENow that the last bodies from the Bastille Day attack have been identified by authorities, it is clear that although the carnage happened on French soil, it disproportionately affected tourists and Muslims.

Among the 84 dead, 38 were from 19 different countries, announced the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They were from as close as Italy and Algeria and as far away as Madagascar and Brazil, and included Ukrainian citizen Mykhaylo Bazelevskyy, who had permanent resident status in Canada as a student. If the 200 wounded are included, the number of countries rises to 29, said a ministry spokesman, Romain Nadal.

No official count of Muslim victims exists, but Samy Boubakri, an imam at the Bon Voyage Mosque in Nice, says there were at least 25 Muslims from the local community among the victims. That number rises to 35 if foreign Muslims are included, he said.

Muslims make up only 7 per cent of the population of France, but at least 30 per cent of the victims of the attack, he told the Star.

The definitive identities of the dead took days to come out, leaving many families with an excruciating wait for news of their loved ones.

French officials say the delay was necessary to make sure no family would receive the wrong remains, a heartbreaking mistake that reportedly occurred after the Paris terrorist attacks in November. Forensic experts went to great lengths to confirm the identity of each body twice using different methods: one derived from the remains themselves, another from the victims family, such as dental records or a DNA sample taken from a toothbrush.

Its a scientific process in which the smallest error is tragic, announced Juliette Meadel, the French secretary of state for victims.

Ever since the morning after the attacks, senior members of the Islamic community have been present at the hospitals to console victims families, lead prayers and offer counselling. Boubakri put his cellphone number on Facebook and promised to answer 24 hours a day.

Ive barely slept since last Thursday, he said. But this is when the community needs us most.

Beyond spiritual support, the imams have had to step into an unexpected role: defending Islam from angry members of the public who accuse it of being the cause of terrorism.

It hurts me when people tell me to go back to where I came from. I was born in France, grew up in France. I was educated in France. What do we have to do to finally be accepted as French? asked Boubakri, who is also a member of the regional Union of Independent Islamic Institutions.

People are emotional and they want to blame Muslims for terrorism, but were really the biggest victims of terrorism, here and abroad, he said.

As 42,000 people gathered on the Promenade des Anglais on Monday for a moment of silence, tensions continued to flare. Several acrimonious exchanges between Muslims and non-Muslims were caught on video and posted to Twitter, going viral in minutes.

A small group of people booed Prime Minister Manuel Valls, calling him an assassin for failing to assure adequate security for the Bastille Day celebrations.

The state of emergency, which has been in force since the Paris attacks, was scheduled to be lifted next week. Instead, Tuesday evening, it was extended six more months. A late-night session of the national assembly provided a venue for opposition politicians to accuse the government of lying about the number of police on duty and the additional security precautions taken.

You havent succeeded in protecting the French. This isnt my opinion, its a fact, said Eric Ciotti, the Nice representative for Les Republicains, a right-wing party. Its civil war or extremism that awaits us.

Valls, for his part, accused the opposition, which has a strong lead in the polls heading into the presidential election next spring, of making false promises.

He denounced these shameful statements insinuating that all this could have been avoided.  If anyone in the chamber has the means of stopping terrorism in a few days, a few weeks, a few months, let him come forward.

The reality, he said, is that, there will be other attacks and other innocents will be killed. We must not get used to this, but to learn to live with this threat.

Marine Le Pen, who leads the openly racist Front National, denounced Vallss statements, saying they can only incite the people to defeatism, discouragement and worry.

In any other country in the world, a minister with as dreadful a record as (Interior Minister) Bernard Cazeneuve  250 deaths in 18 months  would have resigned long ago.

Two hundred and thirty-five people have been killed in terrorist attacks in France since January 2015.

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In 2006, Stephen Harper came to power in the wake of the Liberal sponsorship scandal promising a new era of accountability in Ottawa. Today, looking back on nearly a decade of Conservative secrecy and abuse of Parliament, its hard not to laugh bitterly at the thought. Yet, early in his tenure, Harper did make an important, if deeply flawed, contribution to government oversight  the establishment of the Parliamentary Budget Office.

Like Dr. Frankenstein, Harper unwittingly created his own worst enemy. The watchdog, which was designed to monitor government spending and report on it to Parliament, proved a persistent nuisance to the obscurantist Tories. Under the leadership of its first head, Kevin Page, the PBO exposed faulty government accounting of the costs of F-35 jets, the Afghan war and tough-on-crime legislation, among other dubious numbers buried in outsized omnibus budgets or obscure departmental planning reports.

So irritating proved Page that the government waged war on him, denying him access to departmental records, denigrating him in Parliament and demonizing him in the media. He left after a single term.

This subversion should not have been possible. As transparency advocates have long argued, the PBOs design leaves it vulnerable to the whims of governments that will inevitably be tempted to undermine its work.

Unlike the auditor general and other similar accountability watchdogs, the Parliamentary Budget Office is not an office of Parliament. Instead, it falls incongruously under the purview of the Library of Parliament and its head serves at the pleasure of the prime minister. As Page wrote before leaving the post in 2013, In watchdog parlance, I am appointed by the person who I am supposed to watch. That makes no sense, as the PBO itself has always maintained.

Now the Liberal government, which like its predecessor campaigned on a vow of greater transparency, has an opportunity to undo Harpers mistake and make Ottawas budget watchdog truly independent. As the National Post reports, the PBO has proposed new legislation that would improve its powers of access and make its head an officer of Parliament, no longer subject to the whims of uncooperative governments. As the Star has argued before, these changes are necessary and overdue.

The question is whether the Liberals have the conviction the Harper government lacked, especially knowing that strengthening the PBO will inevitably carry a political cost. After all, the Trudeau government, too, has already felt the watchdogs bite. In the days after the Liberals tabled their first federal budget, PBO analysts suggested the governments growth projections were based on distorted data and that the finance department was suppressing research that would corroborate the claim. It shouldnt be so hard for the office to get the information it needs to help parliamentarians hold government to account.

It is a natural law of politics that when it comes to transparency governments will over-promise and under-deliver. The benefits of vowing openness, and the costs of implementing it, are well established. Clearly, our institutions of accountability should not work only as well as the government of the day wants them to. As a political party, the Liberals have every reason not to strengthen the PBO. As a government, they would be irresponsible not to.

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Sadly, but all too predictably, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is rushing towards one-man rule.

He is using last weekends botched coup to crack down mercilessly  not just on those who plotted the attempted military takeover but on tens of thousands of others throughout Turkish society.

As of Wednesday, more than 70,000 people had been charged, arrested, suspended, fired or been put under investigation. They include about 100 generals and admirals suspected of involvement in the failed coup. But they also include some 2,745 judges accused of being complicit in the plot, as well as 1,577 university deans, 21,000 teachers and 15,000 officials in the education ministry.

Hundreds of schools have been shut down. Academics have been banned from travelling abroad. And late on Wednesday, Erdogan declared a three-month state of emergency to cleanse the virus from our military. The purge is widening by the day.

This is what Turkeys allies feared when it became clear last Saturday that the shambolic coup attempt was crumbling and Erdogans government would survive, with widespread popular support from hundreds of thousands of people who demonstrated in the streets against a military takeover.

Erdogan was already on a path toward increasing his powers before the coup, in which about 270 people were killed. Having served the maximum term as prime minister, he won election as president and was turning that office from a mostly ceremonial position into a much more powerful executive function.

Now he seems bent on sweeping away all obstacles before him, using the coup threat as a weapon with which to cow his opponents, all the while claiming to be protecting the peoples rights and freedoms from subversion. In doing so, he risks destroying Turkeys standing as the only stable, properly functioning democracy in the Middle East.

Thats the last thing Turkeys friends and allies in the west want to see happen. The countrys strong ties with the United States are under severe strain, as Erdogans government demands that Washington extradite Fethullah Gulen, the Muslim cleric it accuses of being behind both the coup and a shadowy anti-Erdogan network inside the military, judiciary and education system.

Others, including Canada, are properly worried that Turkeys democracy may be in the process of being smothered from the top. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday urged that those accused after the coup attempt be able to defend themselves in a robust and legitimate process. And he said Canada is concerned that the democratic institutions, Turkeys constitution, are respected.

Those are the right sentiments, but unfortunately, the signs are pointing mostly in the other direction. Not only is Erdogan using the crushed coup as an excuse to purge his opponents, but he is edging closer to Russias authoritarian president, Vladimir Putin.

All this will test Turkeys friendship with its western allies and potentially undermine its position as NATOs reliable eastern flank. With the military coup decisively defeated, Turks should be celebrating a rebirth of their democracy. Instead, their president seems bent on strangling it.

SHARE:
NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Shares of Wells Fargo (WFC) are up 0.15% to $48.33 on Tuesday afternoon, as the bank announced former Wachovia (WB) executive Mary Mack would become head of community banking on July 31.

The San Francisco-based company's community bank has 6,000 branches and 13,000 ATMs in 39 states and D.C. that generated $49.3 billion in revenue in 2015, or about 60% of Wells Fargo's total revenue.

Additionally, the banking company will pay $397 million to purchase new European headquarters in London's financial district, Bloomberg reports. The company will move into the building in the fall of 2017.

The real estate purchase is meant to increase Wells Fargo's presence in London, Bloomberg adds. While 850 people currently work for the company in London, the new building is said to hold 2,600 employees.

(Wells Fargo is held in Jim Cramer's charitable trust Action Alerts PLUS. See all of his holdings with a free trial.)

Recently, TheStreet Ratings objectively rated this stock according to its "risk-adjusted" total return prospect over a 12-month investment horizon. Not based on the news in any given day, the rating may differ from Jim Cramer's view or that of this articles's author. TheStreet Ratings has this to say about the recommendation:

We rate WELLS FARGO & CO as a Buy with a ratings score of B. This is driven by multiple strengths, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, expanding profit margins and attractive valuation levels. We feel its strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had lackluster performance in the stock itself.

You can view the full analysis from the report here: WFC

WFC

data by

YCharts
The tussle over ownership of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea has brought together an extremely odd couple: China and Taiwan.

China claims almost 90% of the South China Sea based on a 1947 Chinese map depicting the "Nine Dash Line" of the country's territory. Taiwan, so often at political odds with a motherland that views it as a rogue province, supports the same claim.

Taiwan heightened tensions over the region on Wednesday when eight politicians -- from both the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the opposition Kuomintang -- flew to Taiping Island, which is around 1,000 miles away from Taiwan.

To stake their claim to their fishing rights in the area, five vessels and 12 fishermen set sail on Wednesday for the island, which Taiwan defends heavily and which is also known in the Philippines as Itu Aba.

There are close to 200 Taiwanese Coast Guard personnel on Taiping, who call it the "Happy Farm." They grow pumpkins, okra, corn and cabbage on the island, which Taiwan has occupied since the 1950s, and they also raise chickens and goats.

Still, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled last week that Taiping, the largest of the Spratly Islands, is a rock, not an island. It cannot sustain permanent life or support an economy, the court ruled.

The odd partnership between China and Taiwan stems from the fact that the Nine Dash Line map was first published in pre-Communist days, under the Nationalist government of Chiang Kai-shek. After losing China's civil war, the Nationalists fled to Taiwan, which to this day continues to call itself the Republic of China. Ironically, given the Taiping decision, Taiwan is affectionately known as the ROC or "rock."

Taiwan's government still insists that it is the rightful leadership of China, particularly now that it is democratically elected. Although it only occupies the one island in the Spratlys, its concept would extend Taiwanese control of the South China Sea to the doorstep of Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines.

All those nations, as well as China and Taiwan, have overlapping claims to the territory in the South China Sea -- and at least part of the $1.3 trillion in oil and gas reserves that lie beneath its seabed.

The arbitration court in The Hague threw out China's Nine Dash Line claim as unfounded. The court also stated that China did not have any right to the resources in the region. That's because the Rule of the Sea, which went into effect in 1994, stipulates that islands have a 200-mile exclusive economic zone around them, while rocks have nothing more than a 12-mile nautical zone and no economic rights at all.

Since the Spratlys are rocks, the court decided, any of them that fall within 200 miles of the Philippines belong to that nation.

The leadership of both China and Taiwan have refused to accept the ruling and say the court had no jurisdiction over their territorial claims.

So far, the dispute has done little to deter Chinese economic growth. Last Friday, China posted GDP growth of 6.7% for the second quarter, a basis point better than expected. That caused China bears such as Nomura, which had forecast Q2 growth of only 6.3%, to raise its full-year forecast for 2016 to 6.5%, up from 6.0%.

However, the political tensions would spill over into economic underperformance if the United States slapped China with trade sanctions for ignoring the arbitration decision. Growth in the region would also take a hit if military jostling, which has seen the United States sail warships through the area claimed by China, led to outright conflict.

Chinese Admiral Wu Shengli warned U.S. Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson that the People's Liberation Army would react to any aggression or infringement of Chinese rights. "Efforts to force us to succumb to pressure will only be counterproductive," he said, according to China's state broadcaster.

Still, in the first contact between the two militaries since the decision in The Hague, Wu said the two sides had stepped up communication to avoid any miscalculation. China has launched "combat overflight" operations at Scarborough Shoal with an H-6K plane that has nuclear capability. Those trips will be "regular practice," the Chinese air force said.

The Philippines rejected an offer of bilateral talks with China, its foreign minister said on Tuesday. China had stipulated that the talks would only take place if they did not involve any discussion of the arbitration.

Ultimately, that decision could be very good news for Chinese oil companies such as CNOOC (CEO) and Sinopec (SHI) . As I explained last week, those are the likely participants in any joint venture with the national oil company of the Philippines to exploit the natural resources in the area.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published at 8 a.m. EDT on Real Money on July 20.

.
800 million reasons

Low trade volumes must rise if South Asia is to reduce its number of impoverished people
The Justice Department filed suit against DynCorp International Tuesday, alleging the contractor knowingly inflated claims in connection with a State Department contract to train Iraqi police forces.

In the suit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the government alleges that the McLean-based company allowed one of its subcontractors on the contract, awarded in 2004, to charge excessive and unsubstantiated rates for hotel lodging, translator, security guard and driving services and overhead expenses.

It also says that DynCorp added its own markup to its subcontractors excessive charges exacerbating the fraud by driving up the costs to the government even further.

Companies that contract with the United States have an obligation to deal fairly and openly with the government, said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer, head of the Justice Departments Civil Division. Attempting to take advantage of the American taxpayers in times of war is a shameful abuse of this responsibility.

In a statement, the company said it is disappointed with the Justice Departments decision and that it denies the allegations. DynCorp said it stopped doing business with the subcontractor, which it said was recommended by the U.S. government, many years ago, and that none of the allegations relate to any ongoing or even recent contracting activities.
The following review appears in The Washington Posts 2016 Fall Dining Guide.



A seafood pancake at Hazel is dressed with shrimp, calamari, garlic mayonnaise and shaved bonito. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

Hazel

GOOD/EXCELLENT

Chef Rob Rubba serves some of my favorite trends: medium-size portions of food that gather accents from around the globe, as well as bread worthy of its own category. Bring on the gnocchi that ricochets from one country to another with the help of pork-kimchi ragu and smoked pecorino! Get down with the citrus-glazed, peanut-strewn ribs, sticky-crunchy as advertised! And be sure to ask for the saucer-size seafood-scallion pancake, Seoul food jazzed up with garlic mayonnaise and shaved bonito. The current darling of the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, the arty Hazel is a tip of the hat to the chefs late grandmother, whose fine zucchini bread gets paired with a little jar of foie gras mousse topped off with camomile gelee. She would be proud of an heir whose dining room became the neighborhood hot spot on Day 1.

Previous: Fiola Mare | Next: Indique

2 1/2 stars

Hazel: 808 V St. NW. 202-847-4980. hazelrestaurant.com .

Prices: Mains $11- $17.

Sound check: 72 decibels / Must speak with raised voice.

--

The following review was originally published July 20, 2016.

Hazel review: Not too big, not too small, and a lot thats just right

The dish looks like breakfast for dinner: slices of craggy English muffins alongside what the eyes register as a sunny poached egg in a ramekin. But when my sleek wooden spreader makes contact with the yolk, it turns out to be a well of olive oil within a circle of thick yogurt. A little digging reveals another surprise: a layer of nduja  spicy spreadable salami  hiding beneath the egg.

The illusion  and subsequent thrill, as tangy yogurt and fiery pork transform the English muffin into something sensational  comes courtesy of former Talullah chef Rob Rubba. Enlisted by the Neighborhood Restaurant Group to come up with another place to eat, Rubba responded with Hazel in Shaw and (bless him) a collection of medium-size plates that take their cues from around the globe.

The chefs seafood-scallion pancake could almost pass for the ubiquitous Korean appetizer, except this one is thinner, more refined and includes circles of garlic mayonnaise and shaved bonito  the restaurant accent du jour  in addition to shrimp and rings of calamari. Fried cubes of tofu, draped with a peppery lamb sauce and crunchy with fried chickpeas? Another dish you cant let go of until theres nothing left but a grin on your face. (Frying is an art here, judging by the high-rise soft shell crabs, blinged out with trout roe and some of the best Ive caught this season.) There are clams, too, heaped with wood-smoked potatoes in a steaming broth of brown butter and miso. With the bowl comes a side of rice  a fragrant combination of short-grain and jasmine  which a server advises us to add to the remaining broth after the clams are dispatched: two treats for the price of one!

Chef Rob Rubba, left, in the kitchen at Hazel in the Districts Shaw neighborhood. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

If you havent noticed, medium-size servings are enjoying increasing cachet, as some diners are tiring of small plates and some chefs are listening. Medium, you should know, is larger than a typical appetizer and less than the average entree. Its also a style of eating the chef says he prefers when dining out: More appetizers than entrees.

Hazel pays tribute to Rubbas late grandmother, whose recipe for zucchini bread is incorporated into a dish that uses a few things the New Jersey homemaker surely never cooked with: foie gras mousse, chamomile gelee and bee pollen. (As a kid, Rubba ate the bread with Country Crock margarine.) A lot of chefs trot out steak tartare. Rubba refreshes the workhorse, serving a round of racy minced beef in a circle of crisp potato coins and a liquid French onion dip that almost upstage the raw centerpiece. Easier to resist are the citrus-glazed ribs whose sweetness takes attention from the tender meat.

Rubba designed Hazels duck sausage, shot through with black vinegar and Sichuan peppercorns, but has it made by Red Apron, the butcher shop thats part of NRGs collection of 20 food establishments.

Undecided? Chefs 7 puts the responsibility on the kitchen, which sends out seven dishes it hopes you might like. Rubba says a quarter of Hazels clientele are opting for whats basically a tasting menu sprinkled with surprises, including dishes that have yet to land on the standing script. Duck Duck is even more of a feast. The arrangements cost $46 and $50 per chowhound, respectively, and must be ordered by the whole table (the surprises) or a minimum of two (the duck).

In theory, I dig the duck, which is served in two stages atop a handsome walnut lazy Susan. First up are sticky hot-sauced wings, a bowl of fried rice flecked with marigolds and a patch of mixed greens. Could the skin be more crisp? It could. Could the rice be less oily? Sure. The breakout performer is the salad. Strewn with cracklings and glossed with a tart sherry dressing, its a sword cutting through the richness of the meal. Next comes another platter with neat rows of steamed buns, sliced duck sausage and spiced duck breast, plus a cast of characters  pickles, kimchi, a ketchup based on black garlic  to enliven the plot. Its a lot of food for two and, early on, tastes like a dish on training wheels. That kimchi is timid. The buns taste ordinary.

Something sweet? Pastry chef Naomi Gallego has devised a way of serving chocolate in summer that leaves you feeling revived. Splurge, then, on her dark chocolate jasmine custard, almost cloudlike. Im less enamored of the Japanese-inspired cotton cheesecake, its texture closer to linen, although I make short work of the confections cooling yuzu sorbet and coconut ice cream.



Soft-shell crab at Hazel with trout roe is a work of art. (Dixie D. Vereen/For The Washington Post)

The champion liquids team makes sure youll drink well at Hazel. Heres the chance to explore a wine from Georgia (as in the former Soviet Republic); beers from hard-to-find Jester King in Texas and even Estonia; and a cocktail, All Good Things  bourbon, sherry and coffee liqueur  that makes its recipient sorry to see all its goodness end.

Like the menu, the interior is quirky and compelling, with a see-through wall of banisters separating Hazels front bar from its small dining room, fewer than 40 seats including some plum-colored booths and a collage of artists and images, the latter a colorful tip of the hat to the nearby 9:30 Club. (The cute cloth bread baskets are the design of Deb Rubba, the chefs wife, who used Japanese fabric to hold the zippy rice chips that launch dinner.)

Customers reach the entrance via a side patio, its slender Astroturf lawn outfitted with broad wicker seating and pots of sedums clinging to a brick wall. As parks in the city go, this one is a gem. And if you position yourself right at the bar inside, the picture window captures both patio and summer sunset.

Sophisticated but not stuffy, Hazel feels like the right restaurant at the right time. As an exuberant server put it, eating here is like a dinner party where theres no cleanup. Ill buy that.
Dear Amy: Recently, my mother and I found out that my father is having an affair with a woman not much older than myself (I am 21). This has (understandably) shocked and devastated our household.

My mother has two older daughters, my half-sisters from a previous marriage, who  putting it nicely, have a tendency to gossip without thinking about the feelings of others.

Knowing this, I asked my mother to keep our family situation to herself while we process and decide our next steps. She agreed that keeping this private was for the best. However, she ended up telling one sister, who then told the other, who then told my entire extended family.

I now receive calls from aunts and uncles, cousins I barely talk to, and family friends expressing their condolences and subtly prying for more information.

I am shocked and hurt and dont know who to be most angry with: my mother or my sisters for betraying my confidence. On the other hand, I feel as if I dont have the right to be angry as the primary victim is my mother, but I do also feel cheated by my fathers affair.

Thoughts?

Devastated

Devastated: Of course you have the right to be angry. Anyone would be. Validating your own feelings about this betrayal will help you to cope with those feelings.

In terms of your mother and sisters essentially gossiping about this, you might be feeling somewhat torn because the person your sisters are gossiping about is your father (not theirs). I could imagine that you are even wrestling with a defensive impulse, as these other women who are not DNA-related to your father perhaps gang up on him, gossip about him and call him out.

You can certainly ask family members to keep something a secret or to be discreet, but your mother and sisters are definitely a part of this story, and they have the right to discuss it. You are in a family together. You cant control their pages in this family album  only your own.

Without question, this would be easier on you if people would simmer down long enough for you to get your emotions in check, but people dont work that way. Mainly they duct tape themselves to their own drama, heedless of the impact on others.

When you hear from far-flung family members, thank them for their concern, offer up no details and refer them to your mother if they want to talk further about it.

Dear Amy: My husband and I have recently decided we want to move to his home town, near his family. My mom is incredibly upset with me over it. The thing is, I havent lived near my mother since I left for college and have lived almost halfway across the country from my mom and other family for almost a decade. She obviously thinks Im choosing his family over my own, even though I dont see it that way at all.

We have many good reasons to move. Our friends have moved away, and we want to be near family now that we have a child. I just dont feel connected to my home town. I never planned to live there as an adult.

I love my mom and family and we will see each other just as often, but shes making what should be an exciting and somewhat difficult decision a miserable one, and I feel horrible enough about it to possibly not make the move.

Terrible Daughter

Terrible Daughter: You blame your mother for creating an untrue narrative (Im choosing his family over my own) and then feed it (We want to be near family now that we have a child).

It is your right and responsibility to live wherever you want to live. But you are deliberately moving your mothers grandchild to be closer to your husbands family. You can expect your mother to be sad about this  and she is.

Reassure her. Say, Mom, I know this is hard on you, but everythings going to be okay. Plan trips home with your child. Invite her out to stay with you.

Dear Amy: Done In described the same feeling I have. After more than 50 years of being a full-time homemaker, I found that when my husband retired, my duties seemed to double.

Dont I get to retire, too?

Had It

Had It: Yes, you should get to retire. A pattern of more than 50 years will not change overnight, but your partner should.

Amys column appears seven days a week at washingtonpost.com/advice. Write to Amy Dickinson at askamy@tribpub.com or Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60611.
Fox News chairman and chief executive Roger Ailes is in negotiations about exiting the popular news network amid a sexual harassment suit brought forward by former host Gretchen Carlson. (Erin Patrick O'Connor/The Washington Post)

Fox News chairman and chief executive Roger Ailes is in negotiations about exiting the popular news network amid a sexual harassment suit brought forward by former host Gretchen Carlson. (Erin Patrick O'Connor/The Washington Post)

Two weeks. Thats all it took from Gretchen Carlsons filing a sexual harassment suit against Fox News chief Roger Ailes to the evident demise of one of the most powerful figures in American media and politics.

With Ailess departure expected as early as Friday (the exit terms reportedly are being negotiated), it was an Icarus-like fall from great heights. After all, it was Ailes  a former consultant to Richard Nixon and two other Republican presidents  who, from the networks beginning in 1996, drove its sky-high ratings and legendary profitability. (And had an undeniable role in creating the political atmosphere in which Donald Trump has thrived enough to become the Republican nominee for president, happening, bizarrely enough, even as Ailes is forced out.)

Is it possible that all it took, after decades of alleged sexual harassment of women, was for one of them to come forward and say, in the clearest possible terms, what so many had murmured in the shadows?

Its stunning only that he survived so long, said one former longtime network producer, Barbara Raab.

Why did it take so long, if the claims against Ailes  many reported by Gabriel Sherman, author of the Ailes biography The Loudest Voice in the Room  are true? In his 2014 book and in recent reporting for New York magazine, Sherman has brought forth appalling charges from women, allegations that Ailes has denied.

One reason is that the Fox News working environment seemed designed to make sure such stories never surfaced. When Carlson, a former Fox News host, filed her complaint, a hushed-up culture of nondisclosure agreements and arbitration clauses were exposed. (Those are far from rare in corporate America, but the Ailes-led company seemed especially aggressive in enforcing them.)

But over the past two weeks, an internal investigation was launched by Fox Newss corporate parent, 21st Century Fox, and those restraints were brushed aside as a prominent law firm was empowered to find out the truth.

So what has happened to change an entrenched culture, and show Ailes the door?

I see three factors. First, Carlson made a gutsy move in filing suit. Those who say she had nothing to lose (the former Miss America and Stanford graduate had already lost her job as a Fox News host) are wrong. It takes courage to come forward; the suit opened her up to counter-attacks, smears and blackballing.

Second, reporting by Sherman and others of similar claims against Ailes backed up Carlson, making it impossible to dismiss her suit as simply retaliatory. (Ailes, through his attorney, certainly tried.) When Fox News star Megyn Kelly broke her silence this week to say that she, too, had suffered Ailess come-ons, she may have delivered the final blow. Theres power in numbers.

Third and, perhaps, most important, the times  and Fox executives  have changed. With the vastly increased power and presence of Rupert Murdochs sons, James and Lachlan, Fox seems intent on joining the modern era.

Thats not about altruism but about responsible business practices  a workplace where sexual harassment claims are taken seriously is a place where expensive, reputation-killing lawsuits become far less likely.

So the leadership has changed, but so has the cultural moment. We live in the post-Cosby era. Its a long way from the 1990s, when Anita Hills credible claims against Clarence Thomas and Paula Joness against Bill Clinton gained plenty of traction but left the powerful men in their top-of-the-world perches. No longer.

Ailes has become Cosby, conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck wrote on Facebook, where he also nodded to Ailess accomplishments.

Raab, the former NBC producer, told me that change is far from complete. The Ailes situation signals change in that now he cannot survive. But, until recently, and for years, he left the landscape littered with other victims who either didnt come forward or were ignored when they did.

Richard Tofel, president of ProPublica, the investigative news organization, and formerly the assistant publisher of the Wall Street Journal, observes a significant generational turnover  sexual harassment is seen as a big deal by many more people (men as well as women) than it once was.

Aberrant behavior that is deeply entrenched and covered up can seem normal, even acceptable. Theres little incentive to do anything except carry on and look out for your own paycheck and career.

But entrenched doesnt mean intractable. Things can change, if all the pieces come together, as they did in the past two weeks.

In 2013, a behemoth media corporation began using the name 21st Century Fox. Now, the new millennium may have finally arrived there.

For more by Margaret Sullivan, visit wapo.st/sullivan


This week in Cleveland, clockwise from right: A man yells at a protester, Texas delegates raise their hats, convention-goers brandish Donald Trump cut-outs, and Code Pink protesters hold an anti-war rally. (Jabin Botsford; Toni L. Sandys; Botsford; Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

What did it feel like to be at the Republican convention, as the country moved closer to deciding its future?

It felt like a street festival. One celebrating the great American virtues of resentment and loathing.

Outside Quicken Loans Arena this week, everyone was distracting themselves with booze, with corporate-sponsored panels that aped Aspen and Davos, or with the passionate performance of protest. On Monday evening, some of the great tribes of grievance converged at the intersection of East Fourth Street and Prospect Avenue.

From the west, Code Pink activists were carrying antiwar signs.

From the east, College Republicans in pleated khakis heckled anyone who dared waste their lives protesting the great and powerful America.

From the north, bearded wrath-of-God types advanced with megaphones spouting damnation for all.

In the middle, a multiracial group calling themselves Revolutionary Communists hoisted a banner with pictures of citizens killed by police.

A line of cops cupped around them all in a semicircle. Another line of cops appeared on horseback, forming a stoic row in the street.



Anti-Trump demonstrators in downtown Cleveland on Monday. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

If you vote for Trump, youre a racist b----! yelled a black man drinking a purple Vitamin Water on the sidewalk.

Thank you for the mansplaining, for the testosterone, snarked a Code Pinker as a posse of baby-faced Trump bros held forth on how some wars are necessary to defend America.

Youre an abomination to the Lord! shouted one of wrath-of-God types, at everyone. God  He hates this!

[The most baffling (and eye-catching!) Trump protest we have seen in Cleveland thus far]

A man who had been standing near the group protesting police killings left the throng and wandered closer to the officers on horseback. One of them looked down at him.

You can pet him, the policeman said, nodding to his Clydesdale crossbreed. He likes that.

And the protester silently rubbed the horses nose.

From the beginning, this has felt like a reality show. That was the criticism, right? That a reality-show star had been propped up by a media-industrial complex who saw him as a funny, ratings-boosting Muppet, and then suddenly hed swept a dozen states.

And here was the culmination of all that: an event to which an estimated 15,000 journalists had come to witness and report. The newspapers and networks took over restaurants and bars along the block outside the convention center. MSNBC erected a giant screen on the sidewalk to graciously share its broadcast with the public, bathing the area in the spectral light of a billion pixels. The eerie, garbled echo of Brian Williams battled with the voice of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who paid to have trucks drive around broadcasting his hysteria through giant speakers.

You are the resistance! he bellowed on a recording.

[This is preposterous, says the media about the medias convention overkill]

The civilians themselves are broadcasting their every move  on Snapchat, on Periscope, on YouTube. One man who appeared to be homeless and mentally ill had a GoPro camera attached to his helmet.

The America that complained about the media had now come to perform for the media, trying to get their causes and their ridiculousness on camera.

Vendors at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland were seen selling Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton-themed cereal on July 20. (Jorge Ribas,Bian Elkhatib/The Washington Post)

PETA activists who were dressed as nuns tottered around on stilts, encouraging reporters to write about vegans. A man in a dress asked people to channel their Trump frustration by kicking a man in a diaper. At least two people were dragging giant wooden crosses around town, talking on the Lords behalf about how theres no such thing as a lesser of two evils.

Trump condoms! hollered one enterprising vendor. Make America safe again!



Everywhere you go, delegates are dancing. Here, its some Floridians, at Mondays evening session of the convention. (Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post)

BREAKING NEWS: Norovirus forces GOP staffers from California to hug their hotel toilets in Sandusky, Ohio.

There have been parties  terrible parties!  fueled not by celebration but by grievance.

BuzzFeed held a party to whine about being banned from covering the Trump campaign. Gay Republicans held a party to indict the entire religion of Islam. Republican women hosted a brunch to remind the world that they exist.

Getting to these parties requires endless security checks: perimeter badges, bomb-sniffing dogs, miles of roads cordoned off with cement blockades. To get to a place called Freedom Plaza, you have to go through two checkpoints, a metal detector and a vigorous wanding.

The ratio of law enforcement to civilians in downtown Cleveland seems about 1 to 1. There are cops on foot, cops on bikes, cops on horses, cops in riot gear, cops in golf carts. There are droves of visiting cops; California alone sent 300 officers. Snipers peer from the roof of the county fiscal office on East Ninth Street.

A scuffle broke out after protesters lit an American flag on fire outside the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, where the Republican National Convention is being held. (Adriana Usero,Alice Li,Jorge Ribas/The Washington Post)

The man at the center all of this, Donald Trump, has spent his limited time in Cleveland at the Westin Hotel, the lobby of which smells of mint and cologne. It is here that Apprentice star Omarosa Manigault, Trumps new director of African American outreach, gives interviews extolling the new Trump golf course in Scotland.

[The best place to be a C-list celebrity is the GOP convention]

Inside the arena, it feels like no ones really in charge. The Colorado delegation picked up and walked out. Melania Trump suddenly started spouting Michelle Obamas words and then blamed it on a former ballerina. Some of the crowd booed the Muslim man who gave a benediction, and cheered when a Christian pastor implied that God was partisan.

At times, its all funny. Ben Carson talked about Lucifer. Delegates toddled around in their garish state-pride regalia  Rhode Islands infantilizing sailor caps, Washington states goofy foam hats in the shape of evergreen trees  like they were Disney staffers in a domestic version of Epcot. Its all very funny until its not funny, like when the street-vendor buttons for sale dont just say Elect Trump but also say KFC Hillary Special: 2 Fat Thighs, 2 Small Breasts, Left Wing. It was funny like your uncle is funny after three drinks at a wedding, but how after five drinks he hits things, hard.

At the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, vendors are selling everything from "Hillary for Prison" T-shirts to Donald Trump whoopee cushions. (Jorge Ribas/The Washington Post)

Tuesday evening, during the tally of votes to officially nominate Trump, a Mississippi delegate sat in her seat and read the Bible on her iPad. She swiped through the Book of James and seemed to linger longest on the page for Rich Oppressors Will Be Judged.

The vibe on the arena floor was somewhat celebratory, but somewhat somber, with whiffs of denial, indignation and jubilation. When Trumps tally reached the threshold for the nomination, the convention band played an elevator-music rendition of New York, New York. There were no kick lines in sight.

In the mens bathroom, two besuited delegates straightened their ties in the mirror.

Where you from?

Arkansas. You?

Georgia. Southerners! Real America.

Which is the question of this entire election: What is real America? Where is it? Have we found it in Cleveland, where pro-Trump factions bellowed Make America Great Again and other protesters chant Five, six, seven, eight: America was never great!



Campaign signs in Cleveland. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post)

At its party on a downtown rooftop Tuesday night, BuzzFeed was projecting old black-and-white footage of the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings. Several blocks east, in a dingy multipurpose room on the Cleveland State University campus, the gay party featured Geert Wilders, the far-right Dutch politician who calls Europe a living hell of fear and violence wrought by Islam.

[Milo Yiannopoulos seemed to be enjoying his Twitter ban last night at the GOP convention]

It gets worse, Wilders said to a community that normally tells its younger generations it gets better. The partygoers called for a war on Islam while drinking cheap wine and listening to Rick Astley. Was this entire party just one big rick-roll?

The next morning, over in Public Square, immigration activists formed a human wall, using fabric ponchos painted like bricks, and chanted Wall off Trump! They paraded down Euclid Avenue toward media row and the convention arena.

The protest passed by a 10-year-old African American girl who was hawking Trump hats and T-shirts that said BOMB THE S--- OUT OF ISIS.

In this cauldron of complaint, at least we can all agree we hate ISIS.

We take cash or credit, the girl said.

Paul Farhi and Ben Terris contributed to this report.
AI report shows police torturing detainees

The Amnesty International has revealed police mistreatment of the persons held in connection with the killings of eight security personnel and a child in Tikapur last year.
Anne Arundel County

The following were among incidents reported by the Anne Arundel County police. For information, call 410-222-8050.

BROOKLYN PARK AREA

ROBBERIES

Fourth St., 8:40 p.m. July 12. Three males hit a man in the head from behind and stole cash and gift cards from his pockets.

WEAPONS

Belle Grove Rd., 8 a.m. July 8. During a response to an assault with a handgun, a man was arrested a short distance away in his vehicle. A Baltimore man, 41, was charged with first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, having a handgun in a vehicle and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

LAUREL AREA

HOMICIDES

Laurel Fort Meade Rd., 3300 block, June 25. During a robbery, a Laurel man, 19, was shot. He was taken to shock trauma center but died of the gunshot wound July 3. Two males shot a man during a robbery at a gas station. A D.C. man, 28, was charged on an arrest warrant with first- and second-degree murder, two counts of first- and second-degree assault, two counts of robbery, two counts of armed robbery, two counts of theft of less than $1,000, two counts of reckless endangerment and using a firearm in a crime of violence.

ROBBERIES

Laurel Fort Meade Rd., 3300 block, 5:20 a.m. July 15. Eight armed males stole cash and property from a man, hit him in the head with a handgun, and fled.

MILLERSVILLE AREA

ANIMAL CRUELTY

Hope Point Ct., 1 a.m. June 30. A cat with burns on a large portion of its body was found in a residence. A Millersville man was charged with animal cruelty.

SEVERN AREA

HOMICIDES

Sandy Farm Rd., 11:58 p.m. July 9. During a confrontation, two men were shot. One was found in a vehicle, dead from the gunshot wound. The other man had forced his way into a home through a window, and later died at a medical center. Detectives are trying to determine why the two men were shot.

ROBBERIES

Donaldson Ave., 500 block, 1 a.m. July 8. Two people wearing masks and armed with a gun stole cash from a convenience store and fled.

SEVERNA PARK AREA

ROBBERIES

McBride Lane, 400 block, 4 a.m. July 7. A man went into a vacant building, assaulted a man who was asleep and stole property. A Severna Park man, 23, was charged with armed robbery, robbery and first-degree assault.

Annapolis

These were among incidents reported by the Annapolis Police Department. For information, call 410-268-9000.

ROBBERIES

Glenwood St., 700 block, 6:30 p.m. July 9. A female acquaintance and an unknown man agreed to drive a man to visit family members. During the drive, they drove him to a bank and demanded his bank card at knifepoint. The male complied, after which the two drove him back to his home and fled.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

City Gate Lane, 6 p.m. July 10 to 7 a.m. July 11. A convertible top on a vehicle was damaged, and cash was stolen.

Conley Dr., 100 block, 10 p.m. July 7 to 10 a.m. July 8. A wedding ring was stolen from a window ledge.

Cornhill St., 9 p.m. July 6 to 2 a.m. July 7. Cash and electronic devices were stolen from an apartment.

Cove Rd., 1100 block, 8 p.m. July 7 to 7:30 a.m. July 8. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Dean St.., 7:15 p.m. July 11. A purse was stolen from a vehicle.

Janwall St., 10:30 p.m. July 6 to 7:50 a.m. July 7. A cellphone was stolen from a vehicle.

Locust Ave., 5 p.m. July 8 to 8:30 a.m. July 9. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Locust Ave., 8:20 p.m. July 7 to noon, July 9. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle, and credit cards from the wallet were used.

Northwest St., 11 p.m. July 10 to 10 a.m. July 11. A vehicles convertible top was damaged, and checks were stolen.

Northwest St., 9:15 p.m. July 12. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Obery Ct., 100 block, 5 a.m. July 7 to 3 p.m. July 12. Cash and electronic devices were stolen.

Ritchie Lane, 1000 block, July 2 to July 12. Several rooms in a house were ransacked; nothing was reported stolen.

Rosedale St., 700 block, 11 p.m. July 12 to 6:40 a.m. July 13. A top on a vehicle was cut, and several power tools were stolen.

Shiley St., 100 block, 8 p.m. July 10 to 9:30 a.m. July 11. A laptop computer and cash were stolen from a vehicle.

Sixth St., 300 block, 3:30 to 6:15 p.m. July 11. A bicycle was stolen.

Howard County

These were among incidents reported by the Howard County Police Department. For information, call 410-313-2236.

COLUMBIA AREA

ROBBERIES

Constant Course, 9000 block, 8:30 p.m. July 8. During a meeting to buy a mini-bike, the seller was shoved by an acquaintance, who fled on the mini-bike.

Merryrest Rd., 9400 block, 9:21 p.m. July 6. Three males hit a man and fled. A cellphone phone may have been stolen during the incident.

Whiteacre Rd., 9600 block, 12:34 a.m. July 8. An armed man stole a womans purse, and fled.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Cobblefield Dr., 8600 block, 11:42 a.m. July 11. A window at a home was forced open; nothing was reported stolen.

College Square, 10300 block, 12:03 a.m. July 11. A cellphone was stolen from a residence.

Dobbin Center Way, 6400 block, 12:11 a.m. July 12. A window at a video game store was broken; it was unclear whether anything was stolen.

Harpers Farm Rd., 5900 block, 10:43 a.m. July 11. A cash register was pried open; nothing was reported stolen from a business.

Hickory Ridge Rd., 10200 block, 8:16 p.m. July 11. A handgun was stolen from a home.

Little Patuxent Pkwy., 10300 block, 12:43 a.m. July 11. Four males used an employee entrance at a mall to try to gain access to a cellphone kiosk but fled when they were confronted.

Pembroke Green Pl., 10200 block, 8:09 a.m. July 7. A door was pried open, and locks were damaged at a residence, but nothing was reported stolen.

Rain Flower Way, 7500 block, 6:20 a.m. July 7. Jewelry and electronic devices were stolen from a home.

Stevens Forest Rd., 5700 block, 5:31 p.m. July 11. Four people were found inside a residence. A Columbia man, 18, and two male juveniles, 17, were charged with burglary. The fourth person fled.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Deep Earth Lane, 6200 block, 4:16 a.m. July 10. A purple, 2008 Ford Crown Victoria was stolen.

El Camino, 6400 block, 4:44 p.m. July 10. A green Ford Escape was stolen.

ELKRIDGE AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Santa Barbara Ct., 6600 block, 7:25 a.m. July 8. Keys were stolen from a business.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Washington Blvd., 7800 block, 6:36 a.m. July 9. An Isuzu box truck was stolen.

ELLICOTT CITY AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Alice Ave., 5000 block, 10:46 a.m. July 12. Credit cards were stolen from a vehicle parked in a garage.

Cornflower Ct., 4500 block, 11:06 p.m. July 9. A male who entered a garage at a residence fled when he was confronted. Nothing was reported stolen.

W. Springs Dr., 3100 block, 7:23 a.m. July 12. A cellphone was stolen from a home.

VANDALISM

St. Johns Lane, 2900 block, 7:30 a.m. July 9. The lenses of police speed cameras were spray-painted.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

North Ridge Rd., 3200 block, 3:04 p.m. July 9. A gray 2011 Toyota Camry was stolen.

HIGHLAND AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Deer Valley Rd., 7100 block, noon to 7 p.m. July 11. Jewelry and cash were stolen from a home.

JESSUP AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Willow Wood Way, 8800 block, 6:38 a.m. July 7. Six vehicles were broken into overnight; nothing of value was reported stolen.

LAUREL AREA

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFTS

Blues Alley, 3100 block, 12:29 a.m. July 10. A gray Toyota Corolla was stolen.

MARRIOTTSVILLE AREA

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Driver Rd., 1200 block, 4;43 a.m. July 12. A shed was entered; nothing was reported stolen.
Melissa Whitaker and her son Ash Whitaker, a transgender boy who is suing to protect his civil rights at a Wisconsin public school. (Transgender Law Center)

A Wisconsin school district that is facing a lawsuit over its treatment of a transgender teen says that it is confident that it is following the law, and that some of the allegations against it are patently false.

The District has worked diligently with transgendered students and their families to address their unique needs and accommodations, including the family named in the suit, Tanya Ruder, a spokeswoman for Kenosha Unified School District, wrote in an email.

Ash Whitaker, a 16-year-old rising senior at Kenoshas Tremper High, filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday alleging that his school district violated his civil rights by refusing to treat him as a boy. School officials told him he was prohibited from using the boys bathroom, directed security guards to monitor his restroom use, and repeatedly referred to him by his birth name and female pronouns, according to the complaint.

[This transgender student won the right to run for prom king, now hes suing to use the boys bathroom]

Whitaker also accused Kenosha officials of forcing him to room with girls during a school trip to Europe even though he felt uncomfortable doing so. The lawsuit accuses the district of planning to identify transgender students with green wristbands, a move that Whitaker said would stigmatize him and other transgender students.

Ruder said the district has no policy or practice requiring students to wear a wristband for any reason. Even a cursory review of the complaint shows that some of the factual allegations are patently false, she wrote.

District officials said they are reviewing the allegations in the complaint.

The District is confident that when the litigation process establishes accurate facts and applies them to the proper legal standards its policies and practices will be found to be in total compliance with all laws, said Ron Stadler, a lawyer for the school district.

Whitaker filed his lawsuit on the same day that a transgender teen filed a similar complaint against schools in Talbot County, on Marylands Eastern Shore.

[Transgender students in Maryland, Wisconsin file federal discrimination lawsuits]
A transgender 16-year-old boy from Wisconsin filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday alleging that his school district violated his civil rights by refusing to treat him as a boy, including by requiring him to use the girls bathroom, directing security guards to monitor his restroom use and repeatedly referring to him by his birth name and female pronouns.

The complaint against the Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 was filed on the same day a transgender boy from Maryland filed a similar federal lawsuit, a sign of the intensifying legal battle over the rights of transgender students in the nations public schools.

[Transgender students in Maryland, Wisconsin file federal discrimination lawsuits]

A Kenosha school district spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Tuesday.

The students lawyers identified him as Ash Whitaker, an honors student at Kenoshas George Nelson Tremper High School who is involved in extracurricular activities ranging from the orchestra and tennis team to the Astronomical Society.

Melissa and Ash Whitaker, a transgender boy who is suing to protect his civil rights at a Wisconsin public school. (Transgender Law Center)

Whitaker made national headlines in April when he tried to run for prom king, but his school told him he had to run for prom queen instead. Whitaker publicly challenged that ruling, aided by 7,000 people who signed an online petition and 70 students at his school who staged a sit-in to support him. The district ultimately reversed course.

My peers and many of my teachers know me as a boy, and have been incredibly supportive, Whitaker said in a statement. But the school administrators have made my life miserable every school day since this spring, when they told me I could no longer use the boys restrooms, which Id been using with the support of my classmates for months. I worry about how Im going to navigate the demands of senior year if I cant even go to the bathroom without worrying that Im being watched.

[Transgender students bathroom access is latest front in battle for LGBT rights]

Whitaker also alleges that district officials required him to room with girls during a trip to Europe with the school orchestra even though he felt uncomfortable doing so.

And the lawsuit accuses the district of devising a plan to identify transgender students by having them wear bright green wristbands, a move that the plaintiff argues would stigmatize him and other transgender students and leave them vulnerable to harassment.

[Read the Wisconsin lawsuit]

Transgender youth should have the same opportunity as all other students to go to school and get an education without being singled out for harassment and discrimination by school administrators, said Kris Hayashi, the executive director of the Transgender Law Center, which is representing Whitaker along with lawyers from firms in Milwaukee and Washington, D.C.

Whitaker was identified as a female at birth and lived as a girl until middle school, when he realized he was a boy and began feeling profound discomfort with others assumption that he was female, according to the complaint.

He came out as transgender to his parents at the end of eighth grade and began, under the guidance of doctors and therapists, to transition to living as a male.

During his sophomore year, he told all of his teachers and peers that he is a boy, and  with his mother, a teacher at Tremper High  asked school officials for permission to use the boys bathroom. Administrators denied that request, telling Whitaker that he could choose between using the girls bathroom or a single-occupancy bathroom in the school office.

That decision left Whitaker feeling overwhelmed, helpless, hopeless, and alone, according to the complaint. But that summer, while he was on a trip to Europe with the school orchestra, he was elated to learn that the Justice Department was supporting Gavin Grimm, a Virginia transgender teenager who had sued his school district over access to the boys bathroom.

[Were human beings: Transgender teen gratified after courts ruling in bathroom case]

Newly convinced of his own rights, he decided to quietly use the boys bathroom when he returned to school for his junior year. There was no fuss for seven months until February 2016, when a teacher notified administrators, and Whitaker was again told to use girls bathrooms or single-stall bathrooms in the office.

In response, Whitaker limited his liquid intake and tried not to use the bathroom at all while at school, which exacerbated his migraine headaches and other medical conditions, according to the complaint. But when he needed a bathroom, he used the boys room  and he continued to assert his right to do so as school officials insisted that he use the girls bathroom.

In April 2016, Whitaker asked for the districts rationale for prohibiting him from using the boys facilities. An administrator said that Title IX, the federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, does not protect transgender students access to bathrooms, according to the complaint. When Whitaker challenged the administrator to explain her understanding of Title IX, she refused. I dont think Im going to give you any reasons, she said, according to the complaint.

The following month, the Obama administration directed all of the nations public schools to accommodate transgender students by allowing them to use bathrooms that match their gender identity instead of their biological sex. LGBT advocates hailed the move as a critical protection for vulnerable youth, but it triggered a fierce backlash from politicians and parents who called it a federal overreach and an invasion of student privacy.

Twenty-one states are now challenging the Obama administrations policy in two separate lawsuits, and school districts nationwide are wrestling with how to handle the divisive issue in their own communities.

[Another 10 states sue Obama administration over bathroom guidance]

One of the lawyers representing Whitaker is Joseph Wardenski, who previously was in the Obama administrations Justice Department, where he worked on a landmark 2013 case in which the administration successfully pressed a California school district to allow a transgender student to use facilities that matched his gender identity.

Wardenski, who is now in private practice in Washington, said in a statement that Kenoshas treatment of Whitaker amounted to a campaign to segregate and humiliate him.

Kenoshas school board is currently contemplating policy revisions that would explicitly protect transgender students privacy and would prohibit bullying and harassment of transgender students, according to documents posted on the districts website.

The proposed revisions for the school district  which serves more than 22,000 students -- also include a new policy on bathroom access. Whitakers lawyers say it doesnt offer enough protection: It presumes that students will use restrooms that match their biological sex, and it says that students who feel uncomfortable doing so should contact school staff, who will decide how to proceed on a case-by-case basis.
Fairfax County

These were among incidents reported by the Fairfax County Police Department. For information, call 703-246-2253.

Fair Oaks District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Blake Lane, 9500 block, July 14. Bicycles were stolen from a residence.

Fair Lakes Shopping Center, 13000 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Fair Oaks Shopping Center., 11900 block, July 12. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Fair Ridge Dr., 3900 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Fair Ridge Dr., 3900 block, July 13. Liquor was stolen from a business.

Fairfax Towne Center, 12200 block, July 11. A phone was stolen from a business.

James Swart Circle, 11200 block, July 13. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Leith Ct., 13500 block, 7 a.m. July 12. A resident reported that someone unlawfully entered their home and took property.

Lindenbrook St., 9500 block, 6:50 a.m. July 11. A resident reported that while she was out of town someone unlawfully entered her home and took property.

Monument Corner Dr., 4100 block, July 13. A phone was stolen from a residence.

Park Center Rd., 13800 block, July 12. Property was stolen from a residence.

Shoppes Lane, 12700 block, July 11. Cash was stolen from a vehicle.

Sutler Hill Sq., 4300 block, July 12. A jewelry was stolen from a residence.

Sutton Rd., 2900 block, July 11. Property was stolen from a school.

Franconia District

PEEPING TOMS

Backlick Rd., 6000 block, 3:04 a.m. July 11. A resident reported that she looked out the window and saw a man looking into the room. The man fled prior to police arrival. He was described as Hispanic, between 20 and 30 years old, with dark hair and a beard.

Stoddard Ct., 6000 block, 10:52 p.m. July 14. A resident looked out the window and saw a man looking into a room. The man fled. He was described as Hispanic, of dark complexion, 20 to 25 years old, with brown hair. He was about 6 feet to 6 feet 2 inches tall, around 160 pounds, and wearing a black T-shirt and black shorts.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Bowie Dr., 6700 block, July 11. Property was stolen from a residence.

Commerce St., 7200 block, 11:06 a.m. July 12. An employee reported that someone unlawfully entered the business and took property.

Coverdale Way, 5900 block, July 13. Between 6:50 a.m. and 5:40 p.m. Someone forced entry into a home and stole property.

Dunsmore Rd., 5400 block, July 11. Cash was stolen from a vehicle.

Eaton Woods Plaza, 9600 block, July 14. A phone was stolen from a residence.

Foxboro Ct., 5300 block, July 11. A jewelry was stolen from a vehicle.

Franconia Rd., 6100 block, July 12. A TV was stolen from a residence.

Gunston Plaza, 7700 block, July 11. A beer was stolen from a business.

Kingstowne Blvd., 5800 block, July 12. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Loisdale Rd., 6600 block, July 14. Shoes were stolen from a business.

Skyles Way, 7000 block, July 13. A license was stolen from a vehicle.

Springfield Towne Center, 6500 block, July 13. Jewelry was stolen from a business.

Springfield Towne Center, 6500 block, July 13. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Springfield Towne Center, 6500 block, July 13. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Springfield Towne Center, 6600 block, July 12. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Springfield Towne Center, 6700 block, July 11. Cash was stolen from a business.

Springfield Towne Center, 6800 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Springfield Plaza, 6300 block, July 14. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Terminal Rd., 8400 block, July 13. A license was stolen from a vehicle.

Wickford Dr., 7300 block, July 11. Cash was stolen from a residence.

VEHICLE THEFTS

Backlick Rd., 5500 block, July 13. A 2015 Nissan Altima.

Franconia Rd., 6100 block, July 11. A 1996 Honda Accord.

Hampton Manor Pl., 7300 block, July 14. A 2016 Nissan Sentra.

Mason District

ASSAULT

Greenberry Lane, 4300 block, 12:08 a.m. July 10. Robbery with malicious wounding; arrest made.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Arlington Blvd., 6100 block, July 11. A phone was stolen from a business.

Arlington Blvd., 6100 block, July 12. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Arlington Blvd., 7200 block, July 11. Wine was stolen from a business.

Columbia Pike, 5700 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Columbia Pike, 5700 block, July 12. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Columbia Pike, 5700 block, July 14. Property was stolen from a residence.

Lafayette Park Dr., 6800 block, July 11. Cash was stolen from a vehicle.

Leesburg Pike, 4800 block, July 13. Cash was stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 5500 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 5700 block, July 12. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Leesburg Pike, 5800 block, July 12. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Little River Turnpike, 6400 block, 7:51 a.m. July 11. The owner of the business reported that someone unlawfully entered it and took property.

Little River Turnpike, 6400 block, July 12. An atm was stolen from a business.

Lynnhurst Dr., 8900 block, July 11. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Parkwood Ct., 7400 block, July 15. A purse was stolen from a vehicle.

Pentland Pl., 9300 block, July 15. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Seven Corners Center, 6200 block, July 12. A luggage was stolen from a vehicle.

South Jefferson St., 3500 block, July 11. A wallet was stolen from a business.

VEHICLE THEFTS

Anchorway Ct., 3100 block, July 11. A 2004 Suzuki Colt motorcycle.

Courtland Dr., 3500 block, July 13. A 2016 Jeep Wrangler.

Manitoba Dr., 4900 block, July 13. A 2003 Dodge Caravan.

McLean District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Amethyst Dr., 8200 block, July 11. A package was stolen from a residence.

Chain Bridge Rd., 1400 block, July 11. Beer was stolen from a business.

Chain Bridge Rd., 1900 block, July 13. A drill was stolen from a business.

Chain Bridge Rd., 2000 block, July 14. Property was stolen from a residence.

District Ave., 2900 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Dover Lane, 2800 block, July 12. Bicycles were stolen from a residence.

Fairwood Lane, 7300 block, July 11. A checkbook was stolen from a vehicle.

Farm Credit Dr., 1500 block, July 15. A license was stolen from a vehicle.

Greensboro Dr., 8300 block, 1:53 p.m. July 11. A resident reported someone unlawfully entered her home and took property.

International Dr., 2000 block, July 11. A purse was stolen from a business.

Lee Hwy., 7300 block, July 14. A beer was stolen from a business.

Lincoln Way, 1500 block, July 12. Items were stolen from a residence.

Maddux Lane, 1600 block, July 12. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Nutley St., 3000 block, July 11. Cigarettes were stolen from a business.

Nutley St., 3000 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Nutley St., 3000 block, July 15. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Old Courthouse Rd., 8300 block, July 12. Sunglasses were stolen from a residence.

Westbranch Dr., 1500 block, 9:51 a.m. July 11. An employee reported that someone unlawfully entered the business and took property.

VEHICLE THEFT

Lawndale Dr., 6600 block, July 11. A 2008 Suzuki Colt motorcycle.

Mount Vernon District

ASSAULT

Arlington Dr., 2900 block, 12:04 a.m. July 12. Malicious wounding.

ROBBERY

Richmond Hwy., 7300 block, July 14. Robbery reported.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Aspen Dr., 4400 block, July 14. A laptop was stolen from a vehicle.

Beekman Pl., 8600 block, July 14. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Buckman Ct., 8000 block, July 11. Property was stolen from a residence.

Derwood Lane, 3600 block, July 11. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Fairchild Dr., 7100 block, July 15. A ring was stolen from a residence.

Grand Pavilion Way, 5900 block, July 11. Property was stolen from a residence.

Keeler St., 8100 block, July 14. Property was stolen from a business.

Kidd St., 7900 block, July 14. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Lockheed Blvd., 3100 block, July 13. A beer was stolen from a business.

Lockheed Blvd., 3100 block, July 15. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Mount Vernon Square Ctr., 7400 block, July 15. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Old Colony Way, 8700 block, July 11. A newspaper was stolen from a residence.

Parkers Lane, 2500 block, July 13. A license was stolen from a vehicle.

Pike Rd., 3500 block, July 13. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Quander Rd., 6700 block, July 15. Property was stolen from a residence.

Richmond Hwy., 6100 block, July 11. Tires were stolen from a vehicle.

Richmond Hwy., 6700 block, July 12. Keys were stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 6700 block, July 12. Property was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 6700 block, July 15. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 7500 block, July 14. A license was stolen from a vehicle.

Richmond Hwy., 7600 block, July 11. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Richmond Hwy., 7600 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Richmond Hwy., 8600 block, 6:10 a.m. July 9. Two employees reported that someone broke into a business and took property.

VEHICLE THEFTS

Janna Lee Ave., 7900 block, July 13. A 2011 Toyota Sienna.

Monticello Rd., 5800 block, July 13. A 2000 Dodge Caravan.

Scarborough Sq., 4400 block, July 11. A 2012 Ford Explorer.

Reston District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Admiral Zumwalt Lane, 1200 block, July 14. Items were stolen from a vehicle.

Baron Cameron Ave., 11800 block, July 11. Beer was stolen from a business.

Centreville Rd., 2200 block, July 12. A laptop was stolen from a business.

Masons Ferry Dr., 2400 block, July 15. A bicycle was stolen from a school.

Park Crescent Cir., 13000 block, July 15. Jewelry was stolen from a residence.

Poener Pl., 13200 block, July 11. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Rolling Plains Dr., 2400 block, July 15. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Spectrum Ctr., 11800 block, July 13. Beer was stolen from a business.

Washington Plaza, 1600 block, July 14. Property was stolen from a residence.

Sully District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Buckman Ct., 8000 block, July 11. Property was stolen from a residence.

Derwood Lane, 3600 block, July 11. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Grand Pavilion Way, 5900 block, July 11. Property was stolen from a residence.

Honnicut Dr., 6000 block, July 15. Watches were stolen from a residence.

Newbrook Dr., 14300 block, July 11. A wallet was stolen from a business.

Newbrook Dr., 14300 block, July 13. A projector was stolen from a residence.

Old Colony Way, 8700 block, July 11. A newspaper was stolen from a residence.

Richmond Hwy., 6100 block, July 11. Tires were stolen from a vehicle.

Richmond Hwy., 7600 block, July 11. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Richmond Hwy., 7600 block, July 11. Merchandise was stolen from a business.

Sauterne Ct., 4200 block, July 11. Cash was stolen from a residence.

Walney Rd., 4100 block, July 11. Computers were stolen from a business.

Walney Rd., 4200 block, July 11. A phone was stolen from a business.

Woodfield Dr., 5100 block, July 11. A ring was stolen from a residence.

VEHICLE THEFT

Scarborough Sq., 4400 block, July 11. A 2012 Ford Explorer.

West Springfield District

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Cliffview Ave., 8100 block, July 11. A phone was stolen from a business.

Fairburn Dr., 8500 block, July 13. A bicycle was stolen from a residence.

Farm View Ct., 9500 block, July 15. Items were stolen from a vehicles.

Gabrill Rd., 7300 block, July 13. A license was stolen from a vehicle.

Galvin Lane, 9000 block, July 14. A phone was stolen from a residence.

Lee Hwy., 11100 block, July 15. Tools were stolen from a residence.

Mirror Pond Dr., 9400 block, July 15. A laptop was stolen from a vehicle.

Mountain Ash Ct., 8900 block, July 11. Property was stolen from a vehicle.

Old Keene Mill Rd., 8400 block, July 14. Liquor was stolen from a business.

Rolling Rd., 7900 block, July 11. Beer was stolen from a business.

Shady Cove Dr., 9900 block, July 14. A wallet was stolen from a vehicle.

Sontag Way, 7200 block, July 15. Cash was stolen from a vehicle.

KIDNAPPING

Ivymount Ct., 4300 block, 2:23 a.m. July 10. Attempted abduction.

VEHICLE THEFT

Trips Way, 6300 block, July 13. A 2006 Dodge Caravan.

Fairfax City

These were among incidents reported by the Fairfax City Police Department. For information, call 703-273-2889.

ASSAULT

Old Pickett Rd., 3400 block, 2:01 p.m. July 9. The 29 year old male victim reported that on July 8 at 7:40 AM while driving a dump truck to the asphalt plant he had gotten into a dispute with the driver of another dump truck who had then approached the victims vehicle, opened the door and struck him in the leg. The suspect then drove away from the scene. The victim did not require medical treatment. The Patrol Division is investigating the case.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Eaton Pl., 10400 block, 3:03 p.m. July 8. Larceny.

Fairfax Blvd., 10900 block, 9:13 p.m. July 12. Larceny.

Fairfax Blvd., 11000 block, 1:37 p.m. July 11. From vehicle.

Fairfax Blvd., 11200 block, 7:21 a.m. July 9. Shoplifting.

Main St., 9600 block, 5:26 p.m. July 12. Larceny.

VEHICLE THEFT

Fairfax Blvd., 11100 block, 10:23 a.m. July 7.

VANDALISM

High Oak Lane, 4300 block, 1:49 p.m. July 8.

Old Pickett Rd., 3200 block, 9:41 p.m. July 11.

Falls Church

These were among incidents reported by the Falls Church Police Department. For information, call 703-248-5056.

ASSAULTS

Hillwood Ave., 100 block, midnight July 8. Simple assault.

Wilson Blvd., 6700 block, midnight July 10. Simple assault.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Broad St. W., 100 block, midnight July 7. From vehicle.

West St. N., 100 block, midnight July 7. Shoplifting.

FRAUD

Park Ave., 300 block, midnight July 6. Credit card/ATM fraud.

Rosemary Lane W., 200 block, midnight July 9. Credit card/ATM fraud.

MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT

Washington St. N., 500 block, midnight July 7. Stolen vehicle.

VANDALISM

Roosevelt St. N., 800 block, midnight July 10. Destruction of property.

Herndon

These were among incidents reported by the Herndon Police Department. For information, call 703-435-6846.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

Dulles Park Ct., 600 block, 7:27 p.m. June 30. A sexual assault was reported.

ASSAULTS

April Way, 1300 block, 9:16 a.m. June 30. Simple assault.

Dulles Park Ct., 600 block, 7:50 a.m. July 10. Simple assault.

Elden St., 1000 block, 11:49 a.m. July 2. Simple assault.

Tamarack Way, 700 block, 7:46 p.m. July 9. Simple assault.

Worchester St., 600 block, 4:48 p.m. June 29. Simple assault.

Wordsworth Ct., 2100 block, 2:29 p.m. June 27. Harassing phone calls.

ROBBERIES

Elden St., 1000 block, 2:51 p.m. July 7. A person was robbed.

Elden St., 1200 block, 8:16 p.m. July 8. A person was robbed.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Alabama Dr., 900 block, 3:49 p.m. June 29.

Cordell Way, 700 block, 7:14 p.m. July 5. From vehicle.

Crestview Dr., 1100 block, 10:01 p.m. July 8. Shoplifting.

Elden St., 400 block, 6:42 p.m. June 27. Shoplifting.

Elden St., 600 block, 9:15 p.m. June 28.

Elden St., 800 block, 12:41 p.m. July 4. From vehicle.

Elden St., 1200 block, 4:40 p.m. July 2. Shoplifting.

Fortnightly Blvd., 100 block, 9:54 p.m. July 1. Residential.

Herndon Woods Ct., 700 block, 10:52 a.m. July 5.

Highcourt Lane, 2100 block, 6:23 p.m. July 8.

Lexus Way, 1000 block, 12:13 a.m. July 2. Trespassing.

Old Hunt Way, 600 block, 9:26 a.m. July 6.

Pickett Lane, 400 block, 5:20 p.m. July 6. From building.

Tamarack Way, 700 block, midnight June 27. From vehicle.

Worldgate Dr., 12000 block, 9:47 p.m. July 4. From vehicle.

VANDALISM

Cypress Tree Pl., 1100 block, 2:52 p.m. July 6. Graffiti.

Ferndale Ave., 800 block, 9:57 a.m. July 2. Graffiti.

Florida Ave., 500 block, 7:21 p.m. June 28. Destruction of property.

Patrick Lane, 400 block, 8:28 a.m. July 10. Destruction of property.

Van Buren St., 400 block, 12:32 p.m. June 27. Graffiti.

Vienna

These were among incidents reported by the Vienna Police Department. For information, call 703-255-6396.

ASSAULT

Yeonas Dr. SW, 400 block, 5:14 p.m. July 9. Someone reported an assault. The woman said she went to a residence in an attempt to see a relative. She said that when she arrived, she attempted to knock on the front door, and two males came around from the side and assaulted her. Officers made contact with the two males and an independent witness who stated that the woman wasnt assaulted but that she was impaired and injured herself. All parties involved were told the process of obtaining warrants.

THEFTS/BREAK-INS

Valley Dr. SE, 600 block, 1:14 p.m. July 7. A resident called to report a burglary. The resident told officers that they saw a male enter a residence and take out something heavy. The resident confronted the male, who fled the scene.

Windover Ave. NW, 200 block, 11:03 p.m. July 8. Grand larceny.

Center Street South, 200 block, 9:10 a.m. July 11. Petty theft.

Maple Avenue East, 100 block, 5:47 p.m. July 12. Trespassing.

Maple Avenue East, 400 block, 8:28 p.m. July 12. Shoplifting.

VANDALISM

Charles St. SE, 300 block, 11:57 p.m. July 9.
At Washington National Cathedral on Sunday, an interracial group of clergy gathered to discuss the role of the white church in perpetuating racism. And what the church might do to heal the wounds. A tough subject, but dealt with unflinchingly.

They began with church complicity in the nations original sins  genocide of indigenous peoples and the enslavement of Africans.

We Christians  British and Americans  said we cant do those things to people we believe are made in the image of God, said the Rev. Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners, a D.C.-based social justice organization. So we will throw away Imago Dei. And thats what we did. We threw away the image of God and said that these indigenous and African peoples are less than human.

Several hundred people had gathered in the nave of the cathedral, sunlight streaming through stained glass windows. Among the windows at the church is one that memorializes Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson and features a Confederate flag. They were installed in 1953 after lobbying by the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

The church decided last month to remove them after devoting time for discussing race and reconciliation. Their gathering on Sunday continued that discussion.

[Cathedral to remove Confederate battle flags from its windows]

We are gathered where Martin Luther King Jr. preached the last Sunday sermon of his life, urging us to stay awake in the light of stained glass windows, said the Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington and interim dean of Washington National Cathedral. The controversial windows, she said, glorify a way of life that was sustained by chattel slavery and even now demands that we take account of what resources churches like ours was built on.

The Rev. Kelly Brown Douglas, the cathedrals canon theologian, honed in on why the white church was being singled out. Why not just the church,  she asked? You say white racism is a sin. Why colorize it?

Wallis, who is white, chimed in: If white Christians acted more Christian than white, black parents would have less reason to fear for their children. Thats a fact. He paraphrased a verse in the book of Corinthians that says when one part of the body of Christ hurts, all of the body feels the pain.

Not happening, Wallis said. When the black part of the body hurts, the white part doesnt know whats happening most of the time.

The discussion was prompted by a sermon given last year by the Rev. Delman Coates, senior pastor at Mount Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Md. The sermon was a resurrection of themes from Kings 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail. Sent to eight white ministers, the letter said King had almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Ku Klux Klan was not the greatest stumbling block to black freedom; it was white moderates who were more devoted to order than to justice.

I have become acutely aware that many of the popular, leading clergy around the country  many of our white denominational leaders  are unfortunately not on the front lines of the causes for justice and reclamation of black humanity in the public square, Coates said. I continue to be concerned about the white leaders. Not the ones who are here but the ones who elected not to accept our invitation to be here.

The Rev. Amy Stapleton, who serves on the General Commission on Race and Religion for the United Methodist Church, suggested that part of the problem stemmed from Christian theologys emphasis on having a personal relationship with Jesus.

How many times have we heard a white person say, I have black friends. I didnt contribute to this violence? There is a personalization that focuses on the care and concerns of white folks and not the systems of oppression that brings us to this place.

That place being the aftermath of ever more horrific police shootings of black people, caught on video, and two subsequent shootings of police officers by black men. There are also the glaring racial disparities in how police deal with blacks and whites.

[An overwhelming feeling: Violent events have a way of driving people into their respective corners]

On July 6, for instance, a Wake County, N.C., sheriffs deputy was trying to wrestle a shotgun from a white man who was pointing it at passing cars. During the struggle, the man pulled a handgun and shot at the deputy.

Was he killed by the cops? No, he was arrested and taken into custody.

If we focus just on the shootings, we miss the opportunity to go deeper and see the things that we have unconsciously worked very hard not to see, Budde said. And that, to me, is the most dangerous of sins, because we arent burdened by them. We imagine ourselves to be something that we are not as a result of that lack of awareness.

At the end, a question loomed: When will white Christian America wake up?

God only knows.

To read previous columns, go to washingtonpost.com/milloy.


The 40th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake drew several politicians from both major parties, including Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R). (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

It took Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) 30 minutes to walk 30 feet Wednesday inside the iron gates of the marina in Somerset County, where the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake was in full swing.

There was a woman with a large stuffed-crab hat who wanted a picture. An artist who wanted a hug. And an official from Williamsport, in Washington County, who wanted to pitch an idea about creating jobs in his town.

Hogan, who chose the schmoozefest over attending the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, enjoyed every minute.

Its kind of a slice of Maryland, Hogan said of the annual event, where for 40 years politicians have spent the third Wednesday in July shaking hands with Marylanders and talking deals with lobbyists and other lawmakers over beers and crabs. Theres nothing that compares to it. I love coming here.

Hogan wasnt able to attend the crabfest last year, his first as governor, because he was battling cancer and was advised to avoid large crowds. If his preferred presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, had won the Republican nomination, Hogan might have missed Tawes for a second year.



Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan gets a warm greeting from Ruby Byrd who was working at a crab booth. Byrd wanted to give Hogan a full-on hug but she was worried that the crab spices on her hands would soil his shirt. So, she just offered him a kiss on the cheek. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

But the former real estate executive, who has made no secret of his disdain for GOP nominee Donald Trump, said shortly after Christie dropped out that he would choose Crisfield over Cleveland.

I was elected by all of the people of Maryland. Republicans are 26 percent of the vote, Hogan said, ignoring the Trump signs hanging near the tent of the Somerset County Republican Club, where people were selling $20 raffle tickets for a chance to win an AR-15 rifle. Its not just Republicans that I represent.



Bill Benson, who was manning a Republican party booth, puts together some Trump campaign signs at the 40th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County), who also skipped the GOP convention, said pressing the flesh at Tawes was an important part of her campaign for an open Senate seat against U.S. Rep Chris Van Hollen (D)  who also was in Crisfield.

I wouldnt miss this. This is the place to be, Szeliga said. Its Americana at its best.

While Szeliga was at one end of the marina chatting with voters, Van Hollen was at the other end doing the same.

The Democrat said that he came to show support for an important part of Maryland. . . . Ive been spending a lot of time on the Eastern Shore.



Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) was one of the politicians who attended the Crab and Clam Bake. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

But Hogan was the main attraction, and the crowds that surged around him were a clear indication of his popularity and what possible Democratic challengers could be up against when he runs for reelection in 2018.

Prince Georges County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D), widely considered a likely candidate, on Wednesday made his first appearance at Tawes in nearly 15 years. Back then, he was in the state legislature leading the Prince Georges delegation. He was told by lobbyist Bruce Bereano that Tawes was the place to meet with Democrats and Republicans during the summer to get things done.

I decided this was a good time to see whats going on again, to reconnect with a lot of folks I dont get to see in Annapolis, Baker said, and just kind of check the landscape of the state. I dont get a chance to get around the state. So I want to do that.

Democrats such as Jacqueline Butler of Baltimore County said that they wanted to see Hogan and thank him for lowering tolls and pushing small reductions in taxes.

I told him hes good people, Butler said. Im not a Republican; Im a Democrat. But I feel hes done a good job so far.

Jennifer Smith, the artist, praised Hogans commitment to the arts. She is getting state help to preserve a historic building and transform it into an artists retreat in Crisfield.



Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan poses for a photo with some officers from the Somerset County Sheriff's Office. (Michael S. Williamson/The Washington Post)

Doug Gosnell, who lives in Wicomoco County, said he and his wife, Donna, just wanted to say hello.

Hes a nice guy, a nice governor, we like him, Donna added.

Very much, their friend, Sandra Henry, chimed in.

Hogan paused to hug Jackie Wellfonder, who worked for Change Maryland, the nonprofit group that laid the groundwork for his gubernatorial bid. He expressed surprise that Wellfonder wasnt in Cleveland, but she said his choice made perfect sense.

I really respect his decision to stay local, she said. I think he made the best decision in light of his own reelection.

Donnie Stotelmyer drove nearly four hours to propose relocating the headquarters of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park to Williamsport, where Stotelmyer is the town clerk.

He handed a manila folder filled with papers to Hogan with his business card attached. Then he made the same pitch to Comptroller Peter Franchot (D), another possible gubernatorial candidate, and to Van Hollen.

I have to get them all while I can, Stotelmyer said as sweat began to show through his blue T-shirt.
This undated photo shows contraband, including strips of Suboxone, smuggled by an undercover investigator into the Rikers Island jail in New York City. (New York City Department of Investigation via AP)

Maryland corrections officials have withdrawn a controversial proposal for the first statewide ban on letters sent to inmates  an attempt to stop smuggling of a difficult-to-detect drug that has become a problem for jails and prisons nationwide.

The states Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Stephen T. Moyer proposed the ban last month but said Wednesday that he had dropped the request. Lawmakers and civil liberties advocates called the ban an extreme and unconstitutional move that would have deprived inmates of contact with loved ones.

Moyer said he is forming a focus group to study the best ways to block mail smuggling of contraband, including Suboxone, a liquid medication used to treat heroin addiction that also can be used to get high.

[Inmates getting drug-soaked paper through mail, jails moving to stop it]

Maryland prison officials discovered 1,615 instances of Suboxone being smuggled via the mail last year, and said such attempts are on the rise  part of an ongoing and alarming epidemic of drug addiction that has sent the number of fatal opioid overdoses throughout the state soaring in recent years.

The drug can be soaked into photos and paper that are being put in the mail, or hidden in tiny strips inside envelopes.

Its like a Listerine strip, said Gerard Shields, a spokesman for Moyer, referring to a dissolving breath freshener. Its a big problem.

The ban in Maryland would have been the first adopted by a statewide prison system. The policy would have allowed postcards, and would not have applied to communication from lawyers.

Currently, the jail in Cecil County only allows inmates to receive postcards. Several other local jail systems across the country also have banned letters to inmates. Some of those policies were abandoned, however, after legal challenges.

[The drug Suboxone can help heroin addicts, so why is it so hard to get?]

Sonia Kumar, a staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland who has spoken to Moyer about the policy, said a better approach would be to focus on training staff to intercept drugs while screening mail.

In another attempt to stem the influx of Suboxone into prisons, Marylands Medicaid program in July removed the more easily smuggled film form of the drug from its preferred medication list in favor of tablets.

Prisoners-rights groups have successfully challenged a postcard-only policy on free speech grounds in Spokane, Wash., and reached a settlement with New Hampshire over its policy barring greeting cards and drawings. Utah officials also barred inmates from receiving marker or crayon drawings in a bid to stop Suboxone smuggling.

David Fathi, director of the ACLU National Prison Project, called bans on letters the latest bad idea in the corrections world because the bans make it harder for prisoners to reintegrate into society.

Prisons should be doing everything they can to encourage prisoners to send and receive mail, not setting up these arbitrary barriers, Fathi said.

He said letters are especially important for the low-income families of inmates who cannot afford phone calls or lengthy or frequent trips to prisons. Postcards, Fathi added, dont allow for private or in-depth communication.

In Maryland, state lawmakers on the Joint Committee on Administrative, Executive and Legislative Review, which needed to approve the letter ban, echoed the ACLUs concerns.

We all recognize the serious challenge of preventing contraband from making its way to prisoners, said state Sen. Roger Manno (D-Montgomery), co-chair of the review committee.

But, he added, it would be unprecedented to ban all mail going into facilities other than postcards, and it raises serious constitutional concerns.
Kathmandu-bound Air India flight makes emergency landing

An Air India jet flying to Kathmandu from Kolkata made an emergency landing after pilot informed about a problem with one of its engine, Press Trust of India reported.
Eleanor Ellie Merrill, who along with her husband, Philip Merrill, the longtime publisher of Washingtonian magazine and the Capital newspaper of Annapolis, became a leader in regional journalism and philanthropy, died July 15 at a hospital in Baltimore. She was 82.

The cause was a head injury sustained in a fall, said her daughter Catherine Merrill Williams, the president and publisher of Washingtonian magazine.

Mrs. Merrill, a daughter of Lithuanian immigrants and the first person in her family to go to college, became a prominent figure in the Maryland and national capital areas for five decades.

In 1960, she and her husband, newly married, settled in Washington, where he was an intelligence analyst at the State Department. Constitutionally unsuited for bureaucracy, he left government in 1968 to purchase the Capital, a struggling newspaper that under his leadership grew into a hard-charging, high-circulation publication.

Over the years, he expanded his holdings, which also included the Maryland Gazette, to include the Bowie Blade-News, the Crofton News-Crier, the West County Gazette, the South County Gazette and, for a period, Baltimore magazine.

Phil and Ellie Merrill. (Diana Walker/Washingtonian)

In 1979, he purchased Washingtonian magazine. Under his leadership, it combined service-oriented lists of top doctors and top restaurants with National Magazine Award-winning reportage to become one of the citys most popular publications.

Philip Merrill took occasional sabbaticals from his publishing work to serve in government posts, including in the Defense Department, as assistant secretary-general for NATO of for defense support, and as chairman and president of the Export-Import Bank of the United States. In his absence, Mrs. Merrill oversaw the newspapers and Washingtonian.

They both loved Washington and wanted to publish a magazine that [would] help make it a better city, Jack Limpert, the editor of Washingtonian for four decades before his retirement in 2012, said in an email.

Mrs. Merrill was smart and low-key and kept the magazine on a steady course while Phil was away, Limpert wrote. Phil was brilliant but at times temperamental and Ellie was a wonderfully stabilizing force, making them a good team. They were like a two-person crew piloting a plane  Phil the pilot and Ellie the navigator, with Ellie telling Phil to slow down when she thought he was going too fast or going in the wrong direction.

In 2006, after undergoing heart surgery and other medical problems, Philip Merrill died from what the Maryland medical examiners office determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His body was found in the Chesapeake Bay nine days after he went sailing alone on his boat, the Merrilly, and disappeared.

After her husbands death, Mrs. Merrill briefly became chairman and publisher of the family company, Capital-Gazette Communications. The next year, she and a business partner, Landmark Communications, reached an agreement in which Landmark took control of the newspapers and the Merrill family took control of Washingtonian.

Mrs. Merrill became chairman of Washingtonian, and her daughter ascended to publisher.

Eleanor Anne Pocius was born in Scranton, Pa., on Nov. 2, 1933. Her father was a coal miner and bar owner, and her mother was a homemaker.

She received a bachelors degree in English from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., in 1955, then ventured to New York, where she was a Broadway press agent. In her early days in Washington, she was a press secretary to U.S. Sen. Kenneth B. Keating (R-N.Y.).

Mrs. Merrill was a former chairman of the board of visitors at the University of Marylands journalism school. In 2001, she and her husband donated $10 million to the school, which today is called the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

The couple also supported the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, home to the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, whose headquarters are located at the Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis.

Mrs. Merrill served on the boards of Washington organizations including the Shakespeare Theatre and Fords Theatre. A resident of Arnold, Md., she also maintained residences in the District and in Aspen, Colo.

Survivors include three children, Douglas Merrill of Shelburne, Vt., Catherine Merrill Williams of Washington and Nancy Merrill of Annapolis; and four grandsons.
Dr. Macauley was considered a national leader in the field of environmental economics. (Resources for the Future)

Molly K. Macauley, a vice president for research at Resources for the Future, a Washington-based think tank that studies environmental and economic policy, died July 8 in Baltimore. She was 59.

She was stabbed while walking her dogs near her home in Baltimores Roland Park neighborhood and was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died. According to the Baltimore Sun newspaper, it was the first homicide in the upscale neighborhood since 1998.

Homicide detectives are continuing to investigate this case, Baltimore police spokesman Jeremy Silbert told the Sun.

Dr. Macauley was considered a national leader in the field of environmental economics and helped lead research projects on space, renewable energy, new technologies and natural resources. After joining Resources for the Future in 1983, she developed a specialty in linking economics with space science. Her scholarly interests extended to space stations and eliminating debris in space, as well as commercial opportunities associated with space travel.

The co-author of dozens of research papers and several books, Dr. Macauley testified before Congress, spoke at leading colleges and research institutions, and appeared before various organizations affiliated with the United Nations.

Over the years, she served on more than 20 committees of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, as well as advisory boards of NASA and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

William H. Hooke, associate executive director of the American Meteorological Society, wrote in a blog post that Dr. Macauley was known for finding a middle path between disputed scientific views.

Sooner or later the belligerents would pause for breath and shed then quietly and gently introduce a synthesis of what had been said, Hooke wrote. At one and the same time her counsel would draw the disagreement to a positive and brilliant close and leave the disputants a bit shamefaced. She could do this in any setting with a consistency and moral effect that was a marvel to watch.

Molly Kenna Macauley was born June 10, 1957, in Richmond. Her father was a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service.

She grew up mostly in Northern Virginia and was a 1975 graduate of Falls Church High School. She graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1979 and received masters and doctoral degrees in economics from Johns Hopkins University in 1981 and 1983, respectively. She was a visiting professor at Johns Hopkins from 1989 to 2008.

Friends and colleagues said she was driven to succeed from an early age.

She was a very sort of pure and loving person who was dedicated to a passion in her life, and that was making the world a better place, a cousin, Tom Geyer, told the Sun.

Dr. Macauley was named a senior fellow at Resources for the Future in 1993 and later spent 14 years as director of academic relations and programs. She had been vice president for research since 2011.

Dr. Macauley became a Christian Scientist when she was 12 and was a member of a Christian Science congregation in Baltimore.

Her husband of four years, Will Sheppard, died in 2003.

Survivors include her partner of 12 years, Lee Lasky of Baltimore.

Frederick N. Rasmussen of the Baltimore Sun contributed to this report.
Thursday, July 21

National Active and Retired Federal Employees meeting Woodbridge Chapter 1270. 11:30 a.m. Holiday Inn: Quantico Center, 3901 Fettler Park Dr., Dumfries. 703-499-8902. www.vanarfe.org/1270. Free; lunch $18.50; reservations required.

Historic Manassas walking tour Learn the history of the city. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Thursday-Friday at noon, Manassas Museum, 9101 Prince William St., Manassas. 703-368-1873. www.manassasmuseum.org. Free.

U.S. Navy Band Country Current performs. 7 p.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. Free.

Woodbridge Toastmasters Club An open house meeting. Learn effective communication and leadership skills. 7:30 p.m. Ebenezer Baptist Church, 13020 Telegraph Rd., Woodbridge. 703-898-7171. woodbridge.toastmastersclubs.org. $68 membership fee.

Art with Luster Photography by Gerry Gantt and wood turning by Greg Wandless, both of Fairfax. Through Aug. 1. Artists Undertaking, 309 Mill St., Occoquan.

Captured An exhibit of photographs by Donna Bellows, Elena Stewart and Cole Whitworth. Through July 29. Manassas City Hall, 9027 Center St., Manassas. 703-257-8200. Free.

Red, White, and . . . Watercolor paintings by Terry Anstrom. Through July 31. Loft Gallery, 313 Mill St., Occoquan. 703-490-1117. www.loftgallery.org. Free.

The Painters Journey Nancy Brittle, Janie Mosby, Chris Smith and Kathleen Willingham explore rural life in this collaborative exhibit. Through July 29, Center for the Arts, 9419 Battle St., Manassas. 703-330-2787. www.center-for-the-arts.org. Free.

Friday, July 22

Library used book sale Sponsored by the Friends of Chinn Park Regional Library. Friday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Chinn Park Regional Library, 13065 Chinn Park Dr., Woodbridge. 703-792-4800. Free.

Revolutionary Readers A book club for children in fourth through sixth grades. A discussion of The Witch of Blackbird Pond. 10 a.m.-noon, Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge. 703-449-9812. $7.

American Legion dinner The public is invited to dinner with a different special every week. Proceeds support local veterans and the community. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Woodbridge American Legion, 3640 Friendly Post Lane, Woodbridge. 703-494-4304. www.vapost364.org. $5-$15.

Cabaret Prince William Little Theatre stages the musical that takes place in post World War I Berlin. Friday-Saturday at 8 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Cir., Manassas. 703-993-7759. www.hyltoncenter.org. $25; seniors, military and students $20; children $15.

Saturday, July 23

In Much Need of Service: Civil War Hospitals of First Manassas bus tour Commemorating the 155th anniversary of the First Battle of Manassas, learn about the role of medicine and Civil War hospitals. Lunch is included. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas. 703-367-7872. www.pwcgov.org/historicsites. $80, reservations required.

American flag collection service Operated by the Bull Run District Committee of the Boy Scouts, who will collect flags and demonstrate proper folding techniques. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Prince William County Balls Ford Road Yard Waste Compost Facility, 13000 Balls Ford Rd., Manassas. Free.

Yoga on the Lawn Vinyasa yoga taught by certified yoga instructor Christopher Glowacki. 9 a.m. Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Rd., Woodbridge. 703-499-9812. www.pwcgov.org/ripponlodge. $5.

Basics of Home Food Preservation Virginia Cooperative Extension leads a class on canning, freezing and drying. 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Manassas Church of the Brethren, 10047 Nokesville Rd., Manassas. 703-792-4371. www.manassasbrethren.org. $25, registration required.

Home seller seminar Presented by local real estate broker Bob Hummer. 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Strayer University, 13385 Minnieville Rd., Woodbridge. 703-878-4866. www.military-realestate.com. Free.

Pringle House Hospital Weekend To commemorate the 155th anniversary of Ben Lomond being used as a Civil War hospital, the site will host a Civil War encampment, medical demonstrations by living historians and specialized tours. Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Ben Lomond Historic Site, 10321 Sudley Manor Dr., Manassas. 703-367-7872. www.pwcgov.org. $5, children 6 and younger free.

Sweet Yonder The all-female band plays bluegrass-inspired Americana as part of the Center for the Arts Summer Sounds Concert Series. 6:30 p.m. Through Sept. 3. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. Free.

Movie Under the Stars Open Season. 7 p.m. Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center, 14900 Potomac Town Pl., Woodbridge. www.stonebridgeptc.com. Free.

Sunday, July 24

Bingo Proceeds support local veterans. Doors open at noon Sundays with games beginning at 2 p.m. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Mondays with games beginning at 7:15 p.m. Woodbridge American Legion, 3640 Friendly Post Lane, Woodbridge. 703-494-4304. $15 minimum.

Ice cream social Moonlight Jazz Orchestra performs. 3 p.m. Loy E. Harris Pavilion, 9201 Center St., Manassas. 703-361-9800. Free.

Monday, July 25

Job search network group Plus discussion of various topics related to the search process. 1-3 p.m. House of Mercy, 8170 Flannery Ct., Manassas. 703-659-1636. Free.

Bingo Proceeds support Dale City Knights of Columbus activities and charities. Doors open at 6 p.m. with games beginning at 7:30 p.m. VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Rd., Dale City. 703-491-2378. $9 minimum.

Cabin Branch Quilters meeting 7 p.m. Lake Ridge Baptist Church, 12450 Clipper Dr., Lake Ridge. 571-285-5405. www.cabinbranchquilters.org. Free.

Potomac Nationals The first of three games against Salem. 7:05 p.m. G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, 7 County Complex Ct., Woodbridge. 703-590-2311. www.potomacnationals.com. $9-$16.

Wednesday, July 27

Lake Ridge Toastmasters Club Members 18 and older develop their public speaking and leadership skills. 7:30-9:15 p.m. Tall Oaks Community Center, 12298 Cotton Mill Dr., Lake Ridge. 703-491-3020. contact-8913@toastmastersclubs.org. lakeridge.toastmastersclubs.org. $34-$64 membership fee.

 Compiled by Sarah Lane

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A Washington man stole more than $142,000 from the religious charity that employed him in a reimbursement scheme that stretched five years, according to his guilty plea Tuesday in federal court.

Floyd L. Middleton, 47, was an office manager with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington when he submitted false claims to help pay his rent and reimbursement claims for expenses he had never made, court files show.

Middleton faces sentencing Oct. 12 before U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper on a federal count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

According to prosecutors, from about February 2009 to October 2014 Middleton drew fraudulent rent payments totalling $60,410 by logging his apartment buildings property manager into his employers payment system, as well as reimbursement checks for $82,074.44 for bogus expenses.

Middleton agreed to pay back the full amount, and faces a likely range of 15- to 21-months in prison and up to a $30,000 fine under federal sentencing guidelines, U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips said in a statement.

Assistant Federal Defender Dani Jahn declined to comment on the case.

[Thefts, scams and phantom purchases at the nations nonprofits]

In a statement, a Catholic Charities spokesman said it identified and investigated the fraud, notified law enforcement, filed an insurance claim to return the missing funds and was grateful to law enforcement for helping right this wrong.
After steadfastly maintaining his innocence for 15 years, Justin Michael Wolfe walked into a Prince William County courtroom Wednesday and apologized for helping to arrange the high-profile murder and robbery of a member of his drug ring in March 2001.

Wolfes apology and a lengthy prison sentence put an end to a case that had led to the untangling of a sprawling suburban marijuana operation, years on Virginias death row for Wolfe after a murder-for-hire conviction, a retrial amid allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, and ultimately his acceptance of responsibility for the slaying of Danny Petrole, who had supplied him with large shipments of high-grade marijuana.

Standing before Circuit Court Judge Carroll A. Weimer Jr. in a white jumpsuit, Wolfe spoke in a soft voice: I understand all the pain and suffering I caused. I know an apology is not enough. But Im sorry.

Weimer sentenced Wolfe to 41 years in prison, the maximum punishment as part of a plea agreement Wolfe signed. He acknowledged working with Owen Merton Barber IV to kill Petrole, part of an orchestrated hit outside of Petroles townhouse in Bristow, Va. Barber shot Petrole multiple times and fled, leading authorities on a nationwide manhunt before pointing to Wolfe as the mastermind after his arrest.

Petroles mother, Jane, described her sons death in court Wednesday as the worst day of my life. My son was taken from me. My heart literally broke that day. I miss him every day of my life.

Daniel Robert Petrole Sr, father of murder victim Daniel Robert Petrole, testifies in the Justin Wolfe capital murder trial in Manassas, Va. in 2002. (Larry Morris/The Washington Post)

The emotionally wrenching proceedings led to tears from the families of both young men whose lives became entangled in a massive drug ring that authorities have said included millions of dollars in sales to teenagers in the Washington suburbs.

In a March letter admitting his guilt, Wolfe wrote that he decided to arrange for the murder of Petrole, 21, rather than repay him about $60,000 in drug debts.

[Justin Wolfe admits role in drug dealers slaying, enters guilty plea after stint on death row]

Wolfe  then just days shy of his 20th birthday  met with Petrole that spring night he was killed. Jane Petrole testified that Wolfe shook her sons hand, looked him in the eye and sent him to his death.

When Petrole left, Wolfe called Barber, who was waiting outside. Barber followed Petrole home, and when they arrived, he emptied his 9mm handgun into Petroles car, hitting him nine times.

[Triggerman details killing of drug dealer]

Afterward, Wolfe and Barber celebrated Petroles killing with shots of liquor at a local bar; Wolfe then threw a massive party at a downtown Washington club for his birthday two days later.

Retired Secret Service agent Dan Petrole Sr. told the court that he vividly remembered the day his first son and namesake was born. He returned from the hospital, where his wife and child rested, and called his own father to talk about his newfound parenthood. He testified that he cried himself to sleep with tears of joy.

The father also testified that he spoke on the phone with his son on the evening he died.

He said I love you,  Petrole Sr. said. Those were the last words I heard from him.

A few hours later, Petrole and his wife drove to the crime scene, where they encountered the flashing red-and-blue lights of emergency vehicles. In the back of an ambulance, Petrole Sr. said goodbye to his son, who was covered with a sheet up to his chin. He told the court that his son appeared peaceful but for a trickle of blood from his left ear.

I kissed him on the forehead and told him I loved him, he said.

Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Ray Morrogh, who oversaw the latest chapter of Wolfes case, argued for Weimer to impose the 41-year sentence. It put closure on a case that had been going on for more than a decade and a half.

Wolfe  who admitted to dealing drugs but claimed innocence in the murder plot  was convicted of capital murder and was sentenced to death during his first trial in 2002, when Barber testified that he shot Petrole as part of an arrangement with Wolfe. Wolfe spent time in solitary confinement on death row and at one point was two weeks away from execution. But Barber changed his story several times  including in an affidavit saying he lied in court, then again reaffirming his original testimony in a federal court  and Wolfes conviction was overturned in part due to alleged misconduct by Prince William prosecutors. The case was handed to Morrogh for re-trial.

The result was a plea agreement reached in March that would spare Wolfes life in exchange for a written confession.

Theres no such thing as a good murder  theyre all bad  but this one I submit is worse than most, Morrogh said in court Wednesday, before comparing Wolfe to the Robert Louis Stevensons literary characters Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. In each of us there is a constant struggle between good and evil. Sadly for the Petroles and the defendant and his family, he chose evil.

Joseph Flood, a lawyer representing Wolfe, argued for leniency. He said that Wolfe was a teenager impaired by his addiction to drugs and immaturity, leading to a perfect storm of bad behavior.

Flood said that Wolfes early interest in drugs and alcohol, along with an unstable home with divorced parents, resulted in a toxic family environment that sent him on the trajectory that led him to make this God-awful choice.

Flood said that Wolfe was remorseful and that in his 15 years in prison he has been a model inmate.

We are not the sum total of the worst things we have done and neither is Justin Wolfe, Flood said.

During the sentencing, Wolfe stood up and addressed the Petrole family. He apologized and called his former friend, the man he killed, a great person.

Ive had a long time to reflect on all the suffering I have caused, Wolfe wrote in a letter to the judge. I hope that Dannys family knows just how sorry I am and how ashamed I am to have caused them immense pain that will never heal.

Wolfe was sentenced to a total of 83 years in prison for drug distribution, firearms violations and murder, but the judge suspended 42 of those years and gave him credit for 15 years already served, leaving him with 26 to serve. Under Virginia sentencing rules, he likely will be eligible for release in his early 50s.
Inmates and corrections officers at the D.C. jail are complaining of sweltering conditions inside the poorly ventilated facility, even as another heat wave approaches that could push temperatures near triple digits.

Concern mounted last week when Lester Irby, 70, awaiting trial on two assault charges, collapsed of an apparent stroke in the facility on July 14 and died at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

His daughter said he had complained of the heat and the medication he was receiving for high blood pressure, and she believes the adverse conditions contributed to his death. Autopsy results are pending. A spokeswoman for the jail said there has been no medical report or initial medical assessment indicating a correlation between elevated temperatures and this inmates death.

D.C. Council member Kenyan R. McDuffie (D-Ward 5), chairman of the public safety committee, issued a statement calling Irbys death a tragedy. The lawmaker cited the air-conditioning problems, saying he has visited the jail many times and knows how extreme the temperatures can be.

The jail in the 1900 block of D Street SE, near the Stadium-Armory Metro station, was built in 1972 to replace another jail built in the late 1800s. Problems keeping the facility cool during the summer date back years.

The jail houses nearly 1,300 inmates serving sentences for misdemeanor offenses or awaiting trial or transfer to federal prisons. The D.C. Department of Corrections said in a statement that officials are working on system improvements to address temperatures and that a contractor has been on site and completing work to enhance the airflow and circulation systems.

Problems are being blamed on old or faulty ducts that do not adequately move the cool air from air conditioners. Air conditioners are being cleaned to improve efficiency, officials said.

They said extra ice is being distributed, inmates can wear shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops, and industrial fans have been put in common areas. Correctional officers are being given extra breaks and water and can wear light-colored shirts.

Temperatures are expected to hit the high 90s and might even break 100 by this weekend or early next week.

District officials, prisoner advocacy groups and the union representing correctional officers agree the jail is obsolete and a new one is needed. There is not currently money in the budget to build a new facility. McDuffie said on Tuesday that he has started the funding process, calling repairs being made now a temporary fix, at best.

Sgt. John Rosser, chairman the Fraternal Order of Police labor committee representing correctional officers, said the union is preparing to file a formal complaint with the District by the end of the week. He said officers are exhausted and hot, and are spread thin escorting inmates overcome by heat to hospitals. He said inmates are taking more showers to get relief, though that adds to the oppressive humidity.

Deborah Golden, director of the Prisoners Project for the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, said her office has received a stream of complaints from inmates.

Golden said her advocacy group is considering a number of options includes a lawsuit. We know its not a situation where they can just fix it, because the jail is 40 years old, she said. But in the meantime, we have to constitutionally house the people who are there.

Irbys 50-year-old daughter, Felicia Haigler, said her father had complained of conditions in the jail after he was arrested in May. He kept telling me about the heat, said Haigler, who lives in Northeast Washington.

Irby was in D.C. Superior Court on July 13. His attorney, Paul Signet, said he noticed no sign of any physical problem with Irby that day. He was in good spirits, the attorney said, and he had just gotten new glasses and had a dental checkup.

Irby had been in and out of prison more than half his life for armed robberies. While incarcerated in the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary, he wrote a fictional story for D.C. Noir, a collection of stories published in 2005 and edited by George Pelecanos, one of the writers on HBOs The Wire. Irbys story, titled God Dont Like Ugly, told a stark tale of crime in Northeast Washington.


Marine Maj. Mark Thompson, accused of having sex with two U.S. Naval Academy students, is photographed in Annapolis, Md. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

When Marine Maj. Mark Thompson appears in court next month, the former instructor at the U.S. Naval Academy will face what military law experts agree is an unusual charge  lying to a journalist.

Thompson, 46, has long fought to prove that he was unfairly convicted of sexual misconduct with two female midshipmen, and brought his allegations of injustice to The Washington Post. But the Post uncovered evidence that Thompson was dishonest when he testified before an administrative board deciding whether he should be kicked out of the service.

[A Marine fights to prove hes innocent of sexual misconduct. Then a lost cellphone is found]

After the revelations were published in March, the military launched a new investigation, and in April accused Thompson of lying to the board, encouraging a friend to lie for him at his 2013 court-martial  and lying to a Post reporter about his accusers.

Thompson, a 19-year Marine Corps veteran who served in Afghanistan, is charged with making a false official statement and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. He is scheduled to be arraigned in August.

At Thompsons preliminary hearing this spring, the lead prosecutor acknowledged what he called the novel application of the conduct-unbecoming charge to Thompsons statements to a reporter. Marine Corps prosecutor Maj. Babu Kaza submitted two front-page articles into evidence, and said Thompson used the newspaper to spread lies about the female midshipmen.

Kaza argued that Thompson should be imprisoned for 32 months, fined $200,000 and expelled from the Marines. The prosecution is seeking the audio of the interview that helped lead to the new charges against Thompson.

Thompson went to the ultimate billboard. He tried to get this story disseminated throughout the world, Kaza said during the Article 32 hearing, a precursor to a court-martial. That is conduct unbecoming.

Military law experts agree that the underlying circumstances of the charge that Thompson lied to a reporter are highly unusual, if not unprecedented. They disagree about whether it is a legitimate course to pursue at Thompsons court-martial, which has yet to be scheduled.

Military law expert Eugene R. Fidell said the charge involving Thompsons comments to a reporter should not be pursued. The military can make its case against Thompson without it, he said, and he expressed doubts about the validity of a criminal charge based on false statements to the press.

If thats a crime, there are a lot of people in Congress and the government in general who should be brought up on charges, said Fidell, who teaches at Yale Law School.

Being dishonest or misleading during an interview with a journalist does not usually land a person in jail. But military officers are held to higher personal and professional standards than civilians, and can be punished for failing to meet those expectations.

Rachel E. VanLandingham, a retired Air Force Judge Advocate, said the charge against Thompson is consistent with past prosecutions.

Intentionally telling lies about other people (the two female cadets) to a newspaper reporter in an attempt to get that reporter to publish those lies certainly, if true, falls below the standards the U.S. military expects of its officers, VanLandingham, a Southwestern Law School professor, said in an email.

The conduct-unbecoming charge is something of a catch all, legal experts said, that penalizes behavior considered dishonorable or compromising, even if it might not otherwise amount to a crime. The provision in military law, known as Article 133, is meant to ensure the integrity of officers, who are entrusted as leaders.

Military courts have found officers in violation for lying to a landlord about their military assignments in order to get out of a lease and telling another member of the military how to use a catheter to avoid drug detection in a urine test.

The strict standards for officers can apply whether or not an officer is on duty and in uniform. Thompsons attorneys could argue that the conduct was private  a one-on-one conversation in a non-military setting.

But retired Rear Adm. Christian L. Reismeier, who served as chief judge of the Navy, pointed out that Thompson appeared in uniform in photographs he posed for that accompany The Post stories. The events Thompson discussed at length also occurred during his tenure as a history instructor and concerned two midshipmen, whom he knew through the schools rifle team.

Hes picked the most public billboard in the world to drag these girls through the mud in order to clear his name. Thats pretty bad. Its hard to argue that its not dishonorable, Reismeier said.

Thompsons attorney Kevin B. McDermott did not return phone calls or email messages seeking comment. He and Thompson declined to participate in the May preliminary hearing at Marine Corps Base Quantico, with McDermott referring to the proceedings as a show trial.

[Marine accused of lying in sex case was obsessed with vindication]

Throughout his 2013 court-martial and during subsequent testimony to the administrative board, Thompson disputed allegations that he had sex with two midshipmen after a drunken game of strip poker.

One of the accusers, Sarah Stadler, then 23, said the sex with her was consensual and part of an ongoing relationship. Her 21-year-old classmate alleged that Thompson raped her.

He was acquitted of sexual assault, but convicted of five lesser offenses, including indecent conduct and fraternization.

Text messages discovered after The Post contacted Stadler suggest that she and Thompson were involved in a sexual relationship and that Thompson had misrepresented to the board  and to the newspaper  the last time he saw Stadler before she left Annapolis in 2011.

In January 2016, a Post reporter questioned Thompson about the text messages he exchanged with Stadler. Because the Post generally protects the identities of alleged victims of sexual assault, the name of the woman who accused Thompson of rape has been bleeped from the audio.

During a 45-minute interview in January  previously excerpted and now published in full online  reporter John Woodrow Cox showed Thompson copies of the text messages he uncovered and repeatedly asked Thompson why he had lied about Stadlers late-night visit to his Annapolis home during her graduation weekend.

I simply had to, Thompson said in the recorded interview. When they were coming after me for 41 years, I cant begin to say, you know, how terrifying that is.

If hed been convicted of the rape charge, he might have faced a sentence that long. During the interview, Thompson continued to maintain that he had not had sex with either woman and offered more explanation for not divulging the text messages.

If I were to say, acknowledge that I thought they were flirtatious, that moved me on the scale closer towards, well, it was probably a relationship, he said. So I avoided anything that looked like it could be unduly familiar or flirtatious.

When Cox again pressed Thompson on why hed lied, the Marine asserted that he was never questioned about his final encounter with Stadler. The reporter reminded Thompson that he had been asked about it both at the administrative hearing and multiple times by The Post.

I simply wanted to distance myself, Thompson said, from anything that would look like there was more familiarity than there was.
Montgomery County police are searching for an armed robber who authorities said donned a fishermans hat and restrained a Rockville store employee before running off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Investigators released surveillance video Tuesday of the July 5th robbery at a Dollar Tree store in the 1700 block of East Jefferson Street.

Authorities said the robbery happened around 9:15 p.m. Police said an employee opened the door to a restroom and found a man inside. He pointed a handgun at the employee, restrained her wrists and used her keys to open the stores office, according to a department press release.

Police said the robber then used those keys to open the office safe, took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled out the front of the store.

He was wearing a white fishermans style hat, black sunglasses and a black mask that covered the lower part of his face, the release said.

Authorities ask that anyone with information about the armed robbery call Montgomery County Police Departments robbery section at (240) 773-5070. Those who wish to remain anonymous may contact Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477). Crime Solvers will pay a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information provided to them that leads to an arrest in this case.
Boss takes pay cut for employees, gets his dream car as token of thanks

Employees of Gravity Payments fulfilled the dream of their boss after he raised the minimum wage to $70,000 a year by taking a pay cut himself in April of 2015. And his own dream? 120 employees took care of that by saving a month's salary each to gift Dan Price a shiny blue Tesla Model S electric car.
The year-long Metrorail rehabilitation plan includes 15 projects that will require the longest stretches of single-tracking and station shutdowns.

The year-long Metrorail rehabilitation plan includes 15 projects that will require the longest stretches of single-tracking and station shutdowns.

The year-long Metrorail rehabilitation plan includes 15 projects that will require the longest stretches of single-tracking and station shutdowns. View Graphic

Been there, done that?

No way.

For commuters in Northern Virginia facing Metros fifth SafeTrack surge  the second bout of heavy-duty maintenance work between the East Falls Church and Ballston stations  the continuous single-tracking stands to bring new challenges this time around.

During a 12-day stretch scheduled to begin Wednesday, Metro crews will be working on the outbound tracks, mirroring the repairs they performed on the inbound tracks in early June during Surge No. 1.

Their mandate: Install hundreds of new wooden crossties, introduce new insulators and fasteners; revamp thousands of feet of rail; and inspect dozens of power cables and expansion cables.

The fifth surge in Metros long-term maintenance overhaul known as SafeTrack runs July 20 - July 31 on the Silver Line. Take a look at how it will affect your commute. (Danielle Kunitz,Claritza Jimenez/The Washington Post)

And just as before, expect long headways between trains: Orange Line trains will operate every 18 minutes on the segment between the Vienna and Ballston stations, while Silver Line trains will operate every 18 minutes throughout most of the line  between Wiehle-Reston East and Largo Town Center stations.

But will riders avoid the Orange and Silver lines? During the first surge, people heeded the warnings from local leaders and Metro officials about potentially untenable crowds and hours-long delays: During Surge No. 1, ridership at stations west of Ballston was down by more than 25 percent.

The whole episode was fairly smooth  and therein lies the problem: Commuters lulled into a this isnt so bad mind-set may not think its necessary to plan an alternate route to work, instead showing up at their station and encountering significant crowds and delays.

[Metros hot car problem: Riders get heated over broken air conditioners]

Add in Metros persistent air-conditioning problems and the forecast for record-high temperatures in coming days that could affect service, and crowding on cars could quickly go from uncomfortable to unbearable.

Consider alternate travel options, and avoid traveling during rush hour if possible, Metro said in a statement preparing for the surge.

What are those alternate travel options?

The fifth surge in Metros long-term maintenance overhaul known as SafeTrack runs July 20 - July 31 on the Orange Line. Take a look at how it will affect your commute. (Claritza Jimenez,Danielle Kunitz/The Washington Post)

Space will be limited on shuttle buses running between Ballston, East Falls Church and West Falls Church. Bike trains  group rides led by experienced cyclists  will leave from East Falls Church and end in Rosslyn.

The Virginia Railway Express and MARC reported an increase in ridership during the first surge and are again options.

[Commuter train ridership up since Metros SafeTrack started; officials urge Metro riders to give MARC and VRE a try]

And for those with cars and access to parking, theres always the option of driving  a choice that officials discouraged but one that many opted for during the first round of maintenance work.

In fact, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board, the first surge had the most significant effect on vehicular traffic around the region.

Compared with the same time period in 2014, freeway travel times during the first SafeTrack project were, on average, about 10 percent longer during the morning rush period and 15 percent longer during the evening rush  a much larger difference in travel times than what the region experienced during late June and early July during the second, third and fourth surges.

[How the first four SafeTrack surges affected traffic]

And despite the repetitive nature of Surge No. 5, Metro employees also will have to deal with challenges that didnt exist during the first go-round.

For starters, the hot weather expected over the next two weeks could slow workers progress: In a report for Surge No. 3 released by Metro on Tuesday, officials said that 5 percent of track work, 11 percent of work on the traction power system and 28 percent of the maintenance planned for drains, signs and grout pads could not be completed because the extreme heat required workers to take frequent hydration breaks.

The same delays may be possible over the next 12 days.

And although Metro workers mandate for this round of maintenance remains largely the same as Surge No. 1, theyre also responding to pressure from a recent Federal Transit Administration report indicating that federal investigators flagged 109 safety defects during the first two SafeTrack surges  54 of them coming from the first one.

[SafeTrack workers violated safety standards in dozens of incidents, FTA says]

Workers will be aiming to reduce the number of issues raised by FTA inspectors, who will shadow them while theyre making repairs.

Although an FTA spokesman declined to release the full inspection report or a tabulation of the kinds of defects found, he pinpointed such issues as violations of roadway worker protection rules, inconsistencies in following track maintenance standards and a lack of procedures to ensure that metal debris is not placed near the electrified third rail.

Metro spokesman Dan Stessel pointed out that some of those defects were minor infractions that dont compromise safety, such as having too few portable toilets along the tracks during the surge.

We work closely with the FTA on its safety inspections and work immediately to address any safety critical issues identified, Metro spokeswoman Morgan Dye said.

But, she added, it is important to remember that the surges are just one aspect of the overall SafeTrack program, and there is a great deal of maintenance work occurring across the system during weekend, evening and overnight hours.
Arlingtons Fire Station 8, the historic fire station founded by black volunteers 98 years ago, will double in size but will be rebuilt on the small Lee Highway plot of land where it has always been based, the County Board decided in a 4-to-1 vote Tuesday night.

The board members rejected the county managers advice to move the station eight blocks north, saying that the move would not significantly improve response times to the northern part of the county, and it would shift emergency crews away from the portion of the stations most densely populated zone  an area where significant new residential development is planned for coming years.

This choice is not to add resources to provide better outcomes overall. Its to shift resources . . . away from most of the people, said board member Christian Dorsey (D).

Why would we degrade service for so many when we only marginally improve service for others? asked board member John Vihstadt (I).

[Historic fire stations future hangs on question of response times]

The board also voted 5 to 0 to allow a Defense Department agency to install explosion-detection equipment on public property in the county, despite a statement from the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia that the board was endorsing a culture of secrecy over a culture of openness.

Response times and number of calls for service for Arlingtons Fire Station 8. (Arlington County)

With its fire-station decision, the board endorsed the recommendation of a citizens task force that was appointed last year after community members complained they had not been consulted about whether to close down the cramped, two-bay station and build a larger, modern one on a county-owned parcel at 26th Street and Old Dominion Boulevard.

Residents who opposed moving the facility included descendants of the African American firefighters who founded the station to provide protection to neighborhoods ignored by white fire crews, as well as other residents concerned about worsening response times and losing resources along the busy Lee Highway corridor.

Board members said the research and analysis provided by the task force persuaded them to overrule the county managers recommendation.

We tried to look at the whole picture, said Marguarite Reed Gooden, a task force member whose father was one of Arlingtons earliest African American firefighters. The bottom line is this was about safety. We worked hard to take the emotions out of it.

The fire department strives to arrive at all calls within four to six minutes; in the northernmost reaches of Fire Station 8s territory, that wait averages eight to 11 minutes. Some of the delay comes from how the 911 center handles calls and how long it takes firefighters to get the fire engines out of the station and whether another station has to handle the call because the nearest crew is on another call.

Board chair Libby Garvey (D), who according to residents was a lead voice in seeking community input on the decision, cast the lone vote against rebuilding the station at its current location at 4845 Lee Highway.

While moving the station would not completely solve the response-time problem, she said 30 seconds, 60 seconds, 90 seconds doesnt sound like much, but if you are waiting for somebody to come when someone you love desperately needs help, every second counts. . . . Closer is faster. Faster is better.

Planning for the new station  and for where to locate an interim station while the existing one is under construction  will start next year.

[Feds want to quietly install blast sensors in Arlington]

In another controversial matter before the board Tuesday night, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency won a license to install sensors somewhere in Arlington that it said would monitor seismic, sound, air pressure, radiation, light, and radio frequency signals to help determine the size, location, and other characteristics of an explosion. All of the sensors being installed are passive until triggered by an event, and do not at any time record video or voice data.

The Fort Belvoir-based agency said it had installed sensors in other cities around the country and is setting up a system that would link them together.

Arlington County Attorney Stephen MacIsaac said the details of the equipment are explained in the license agreement, the details of which are being kept secret for security reasons. He said board members could have a high degree of confidence that the sensors are post-incident forensics devices.

The year-long license agreement can be canceled by either party with 30 days notice, MacIsaac said, and equipment cannot be upgraded or changed without the countys consent.

Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, the Virginia ACLUs executive director, appeared at the board meeting Tuesday night to restate concerns she had already expressed in a letter to the board and to urge county lawmakers to err in favor of transparency.

It is important that the capabilities of the equipment be public, Gastanaga said, noting that the agencys statement that the equipment cannot record audio or video came in a memo, not in the licensing agreement or official board materials.

She questioned whether the countys agreement with the defense agency meets any of the state Freedom of Information Acts exceptions allowing government agencies to keep material secret.

MacIsaac said it did, but Gastanaga said the state ACLU will discuss its legal options.
Fairfax Countys Board of Supervisors on Tuesday signaled support for providing more civilian scrutiny of police officers use of force, a day after a report revealed that African Americans in the county are disproportionately affected in such cases.

Proposals to create a civilian review panel for police abuse investigations and to hire an independent auditor in cases involving death or serious injury stem from recommendations made by a police advisory commission created in response to controversy over the 2013 fatal shooting of an unarmed white man.

However, tensions nationwide over how African Americans are treated by the police spilled into a Tuesday meeting about the proposals, on which county supervisors will probably vote in the fall.

[More than 40 percent of Fairfax cases in which police used force involved black residents]

Black lives matter! an activist shouted, while others held signs that referred to the report released this week that showed more than 40 percent of use-of-force cases in the county last year involved African Americans, who account for about 8 percent of Fairfaxs population of 1.1 million residents.

Supervisor John C. Cook (R-Braddock) chaired the meeting, which started with a moment of silence to honor police officers killed this month in Dallas and Baton Rouge. At one point, he threatened to have the activists kicked out.

We wont stand for that, Cook told the activists.

County officials were already rattled by the controversy surrounding the death of John Geer, a Springfield man shot by a county police officer at the doorway of his home three years ago. A Fairfax County officer pleaded guilty to manslaughter in April.

The ongoing protests over police shootings around the country underscored their support for more oversight, several county officials said.

A proposal to create a civilian review panel would give that appointed body authority to refer complaints of abuse by officers to county police and to review those investigations for thoroughness. The panel could also request a follow-up investigation if the first one appeared problematic.

Meanwhile, a proposal to hire an independent auditor would allow that person to monitor police department investigations into cases that caused death or serious injury, and to report on cases where there were questions about whether police acted appropriately.

Supervisor Linda Q. Smyth (D-Providence) said the new oversight would help assure residents that officials are serious about reviewing instances where officers use force or are accused of misconduct.

Its just to be sure that we have done as much as we can to be as fair as possible, Smyth said.

Fairfax Countys police chief, Edwin C. Roessler Jr., who attended the meeting, said such external review is greatly needed in the law enforcement profession.

We need to restore the confidence and public trust from our community members to be effective as a community, he said.

Some county police officers, however, criticized the ideas.

Joseph Woloszyn, president of the Police Benevolent Association of Virginia, said the Board of Supervisors already had oversight of the department, so there was no need to add an auditor or a civilian review panel.

He questioned whether civilian review panel members would have the policing expertise to properly review complaints and whether their decisions might be subject to political pressures because they would be appointees.

Depending on the qualifications for picking the auditor or civilian review panel, that could make policing more politicized in the county, Woloszyn said. Look at panels like this in Chicago, Baltimore and Atlanta. It hasnt worked out so well.

The ideas for increased oversight are among 202 reforms proposed in response to the Geer shooting that county officials estimate would cost $35 million to implement.

Many of the changes  including requiring police cadets to undergo training in de-escalating hostile situations before learning to fire their weapons  are already underway.

Last month, the board debated heavily over whether to release the name of an officer involved in an incident causing death or serious injury within 10 days. The board finally endorsed the policy.

A decision to require county police officers to wear body cameras was put off until the fall of 2017 to give county officials time to research concerns over privacy related to those devices.

Tuesdays discussion came a day after Fairfax County police released their first comprehensive assessment of the use of force by county officers, another move for increased transparency that stems from the Geer controversy.

The accounting concluded that 985 officers had been involved in using force on 539 occasions in 2015.

Physical contact, stun guns and vehicle intercepts were the most common types of force deployed. An officer discharged a firearm in one case.

The data revealed that in 98 percent of use-of-force cases, civilians were unarmed. Police officials found a violation of department policy in just one of the cases reviewed in 2015.

The report also found that African American civilians were disproportionately involved in use-of-force cases and field stops. More than 40 percent of use-of-force cases and 25 percent of field stops involved black residents.

Shirley Ginwright, the president of the Fairfax County NAACP, said she was surprised by the number of use-of-force incidents in the county last year and the proportion that involved African Americans.

It is a concern when a disproportionate number of these cases involve minorities, Ginwright said. We are working to see how we can correct things like these in high-crime areas.

Roessler said the percentage of African Americans involved in use-of-force cases does not indicate that black residents are being targeted by police.

We as a department are going where the crime is, he said. Obviously, I will not tolerate any profiling or discrimination. These calls are all generated through engagement with the community.

With pressure mounting to better handle police incidents in Fairfax, some supervisors were nonetheless worried about the cost of doing so.

I want to understand what the rush is to get this done, said Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield,) who expressed concern about the cost of hiring an auditor and the possibility of creating more work for police department officials who would have to respond to requests from the civilian review panel.

Were not rushing to address a problem. Were rushing to address the issue of accountability and transparency, and we want to do it right, he said.
Walter Fauntroy at his home in Northwest Washington earlier this month. He spent four years living in the Persian Gulf after he was accused of writing a bad check in 2009. (Nikki Kahn/The Washington Post)

Walter E. Fauntroy, whod been avoiding a bad-check charge for the past four years while he was in the Persian Gulf, was ordered by a judge Wednesday to pay back his creditor by next month, according to his longtime attorney, Johnny Barnes. If he doesnt, the 83-year-old civil rights leader will face a Sept. 12 trial in Prince Georges County Circuit Court.

Fauntroy, who once helped Martin Luther King Jr. plan the 1963 March on Washington and served for two decades as the Districts congressional delegate, left the country in early 2012 after a bench warrant was issued for him to appear in court on the $55,000 bad-check charge. He had allegedly signed a worthless check to an event planner who helped him host an ill-fated inaugural ball in 2009 for President Obama.

But shortly after the bench warrant was issued, Fauntroy flew to Dubai, leaving his wife of 58 years struggling to stave off foreclosure of their Northwest Washington home. When Fauntroy finally returned in June, he was arrested at Dulles International Airport and spent a night in the Loudoun County jail before being released the next day.

During his time abroad, he and his wife, Dorothy, 82, filed for bankruptcy and fought to keep a bank from taking their home, in the Crestwood neighborhood off 16th Street NW. All the while, Fauntroy was living in the United Arab Emirates, often on the streets or with strangers, trying to persuade financiers and friends to fund a green-energy project designed to provide access to clean water and energy to poor people in Africa and the Middle East.

Friends and relatives back home worried about his physical and mental health because hed passed out numerous times in the heat and sent emails home worrying that spies were monitoring him.

[A renowned civil rights leaders descent into debt and delusion]

In an interview Wednesday, Fauntroy vowed that he would repay Karen Bryant  who helped him plan a 2009 inaugural ball for President Obama at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center  before Sept. 12.

Oh yeah, thats going to be done, he said. People have come forward and have provided me money.

In an interview this month, Bryant said she needed the money to protect her own credit scores and has been upset that she never was paid.

For me, the whole journey has been difficult, she said. He made promises after promises.

Barnes, Fauntroys attorney, said most of the money has been repaid to Bryant, with somewhere between $10,000 and $20,000 left to go. Recently, Barnes said hed received word from R. Donahue Don Peebles, a developer who considered running for mayor in 2010, that he was donating $10,000 to help reduce Fauntroys debt to Bryant.

An email message for Peebless spokesman was not returned.
Not a lot of there there

Renegade delegates had tried to derail  or at least delay  Donald Trumps nomination since the convention began.

On Tuesday night, they threatened to walk off the convention floor during the roll call vote that put Trumps nomination formally in motion. But no such protest had occurred as the roll call began. From everything Ive heard, Trump has the votes, George Leing, one of Colorados delegates for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), told David Weigel. I just know a lot of people feel strongly and want their votes counted.

Can math settle plagiarism charges?

Robert Rutledge, an astrophysicist at McGill University in Montreal, thinks he knows the answer to whether some of the text in Melania Trumps Monday night convention address actually was plagiarized from a Michelle Obama speech.

He used math to figure it out, and heres what he found, according to Isaac Stanley-Becker. If Trump used only 14 phrases (the ones that were allegedly plagiarized), she would have had 87 billion ways in which to arrange them, Rutledge concluded using a factorial function. Just being given these words, randomly, the chance that she would have put them in the same order  the odds are one in 87 billion, Rutledge told Stanley-Becker. Its about 7,000 times less likely than winning Lotto 6/49, where youre given 49 numbers and you choose six of them.

by the numbers

2

The number of former presidential rivals who will speak in Cleveland on Wednesday night. They are Sens. Ted Cruz (Tex.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.).

1

The number of former NASA astronauts appearing on stage for the conventions third night. Her name is Eileen Collins.
CPN (Maoist Centre) issues whip to vote in favour of no-confidence motion

The CPN (Maoist Centre) has issued whip to its all lawmakers to vote in favour of the no-confidence motion tabled at the Legislature-Parliament against the government.
Bright spot for Trump

At a meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, there was surprising support for Donald Trump. At a noon gathering in downtown Cleveland, there were no empty chairs, reports Tom Hamburger, who notes that a kosher meal was served. Several participants said the mood was upbeat and rumors proved unfounded that there would be a drop-off in attendance by Republican Jewish donors, who some thought were put off by some of Trumps more inflammatory rhetoric. In fact, several said that support for Trump was strong and that attendance at the summit was high. Attendees included big GOP donor and Las Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who sat in the audience with his wife Miriam and did not speak but seemed supportive of Trump (who was not there) and the speakers. Newt Gingrich addressed the group, as did former U.N. ambassador John Bolton.

Conversation revolved around the high stakes of the election for Israel and the world because of the threat from Iran and radical jihadists.

Trump is the champion

The rock band Queen complained about the use of its anthem We are the Champions, which blasted over loudspeakers while Trump made grand entrance onto the convention stage to introduce his wife, Melania, Monday night. They said Trump, king of licensing deals, had used the bands song without authorization.

But, as The Fixs Philip Bump reports, Queen is incorrect. The band actually plays next to no part in licensing its songs, which the Republican National Committee has done in this case, according to spokesman Sean Spicer. Bump talked to Will Ritter, director of advance for Mitt Romneys 2012 campaign, who broke down the process. The bottom line: Typically, when campaigns pull songs from their playlists, they do so because its creating a political headache  not because theyre on weak legal footing. So, Trump is likely, in the words of Queen, to keep on fighting till the end.

quotable

Off to a good start.

 House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) Tuesday during Trumps formal nomination
Robert B. Morgan, a North Carolina Democrat who was a freshman U.S. senator when he cast crucial votes in favor of treaties that transferred control of the Panama Canal to the Panamanian government, a decision that brought a swift end to his Senate career but which he stood by all his life, died July 16 at his home in Buies Creek, N.C. He was 90.

The cause was complications from Alzheimers disease, said his former Senate chief of staff, Carroll Leggett.

Mr. Morgan practiced law and ascended the ranks of North Carolina politics before his election to the U.S. Senate in 1974. He served in the North Carolina state Senate, including a stint as president pro tempore, from 1955 to 1969 and later was state attorney general, developing a reputation as a hard-charging activist for consumer rights.

In the U.S. Senate, he assumed the seat vacated by retiring Sen. Sam J. Ervin Jr. (D), who was rocketed to national attention as chairman of the Senate committee that investigated the Watergate scandal during the Nixon administration.

Mr. Morgan accumulated a voting record that defies ideological labels, according to the Almanac of American Politics. He was liberal on some issues but conservative on others, and he gained his greatest prominence on the matter of the Panama Canal.

Sen. Robert B. Morgan outside the Capitol in 1979. (William E. Sauro/The New York Times)

The canal and surrounding area, a critical waterway that connects the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, had been controlled by the United States since 1903, an arrangement that by the 1970s had caused increasing friction with the Panamanians.

President Jimmy Carter, elected in 1976, became persuaded that authority over the canal should reside with the Panamanian government. Opponents of his position regarded any treaty to that effect as a giveaway.

Mr. Morgan was initially among those opponents. He changed his position after visiting Panama as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee and meeting with the CIA contingent there and with Panamanian leaders.

Our relationship with Panama on the future of the canal is a festering sore and affects our relations not only with Latin America but with the rest of the world, the News and Observer of Raleigh, N.C., quoted Mr. Morgan as saying in a 1977 speech. Our global position as world leader and a moral standard bearer is seriously weakened by maintaining this vestige of colonialism.

Two treaties were hammered out, one establishing the right of the U.S. military to defend the canals neutrality and the other giving control of the canal to Panama by 1999.

Together, Mr. Morgan argued in comments reported by the Charlotte Observer, the treaties would allow us to maintain our vital interests in that country while allowing the Panamanians the dignity and benefit of living on their own land  a fact which we would surely insist upon in our part of the United States. It is just plain right to do so.

The treaties were signed in 1977 but faced withering opposition led in part by North Carolinas senior senator, Jesse Helms (R). In 1978, the Senate ratified the treaties by a margin of 68 to 32  just one vote more than the minimum required.

In 1980, Mr. Morgan was challenged by a relatively unknown law professor, Republican John P. East, who attracted the support of Helmss political machine. In his campaign, East told voters that Mr. Morgan had voted to give your Panama Canal away.

In one of many television ads targeting the Democrat, Helms asserted that what we need is a real American in the Senate. A real Christian in the U.S. Senate.

Nothing was said about me not being a real American or a real Christian, Mr. Morgan told People magazine after his defeat, but it was certainly obvious what Helms meant.

Mr. Morgan lost the race by roughly 10,000 votes.

Robert Burren Morgan, a son of farmers, was born Oct. 5, 1925, in Lillington, N.C.

He served in the Navy before receiving a bachelors degree from what is now East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C., in 1947 and a law degree from Wake Forest University in North Carolina in 1950.

He returned to the Navy to serve in the Korean War and remained in the Navy Reserve until 1971, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander. He later served in the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

In 1960, Mr. Morgan managed the unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign of I. Beverly Lake, a staunch segregationist, who lost his bid for the Democratic nomination to Terry Sanford, a more progressive politician who was elected governor that year. Lake had been Mr. Morgans professor at Wake Forest.

After his Senate tenure, Mr. Morgan ran the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the North Carolina Center for Voter Education, an organization that worked on campaign finance issues.

Mr. Morgans daughter Alice Jean Morgan died in 1967. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, the former Katie Earle Owen of Buies Creek; two daughters, Mary Morgan of Raleigh, N.C., and Margaret Morgan Holmes of Chapel Hill, N.C.; a foster son, Rupert Tart of Angier, N.C.; and five grandchildren.

I made a lot of decisions, and some cost me politically, cost me dearly, Mr. Morgan told the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer in 2012, looking back in particular on his votes on the Panama Canal treaties. But they were decisions I made with a clear conscience.
TEXAS

School district revises transgender policy

A Texas school district that triggered a passionate debate when it announced restroom guidelines for transgender students pledged Wednesday to work more closely with parents on matters affecting LGBT children.

Fort Worth Schools Superintendent Kent Scribner said Wednesday that transgender guidelines have been condensed and that each student will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Guidelines announced in April noted that transitioning to a different gender is a private matter and that students could choose whether to have their parents involved. The policy said informing a parent could carry risks for a child who may be punished.

The revision came after a series of community meetings where it was clear there was much misinformation and misunderstanding about this policy, Scribner said.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) last month issued a nonbinding opinion suggesting that Fort Worth schools were violating state law with the restroom guidelines.

 Associated Press

MINNESOTA

Catholic Church says it mishandled allegations

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis publicly admitted wrongdoing Wednesday for the way it handled sexual abuse allegations against a former priest, while prosecutors dropped criminal charges that alleged the archdiocese ignored repeated misconduct by the defrocked cleric.

The admission was part of an agreement in a lawsuit that calls for Archbishop Bernard Hebda to participate in at least three and probably more restorative justice sessions with abuse victims. The archbishop took the unusual step of attending the Wednesday hearing.

Ramsey County prosecutors filed civil and criminal charges against the archdiocese last year. The six gross misdemeanor child-endangerment charges against the archdiocese involved Curtis Wehmeyer, who is in prison for molesting two boys in Minnesota and a third in Wisconsin.

The civil case was settled in December under a plan that allowed for more oversight of the church. But attorneys for both sides used the hearing on the progress in the civil case to announce new steps aimed at reinforcing that agreement.

Archbishop John Nienstedt resigned from his post 10 days after the criminal charges were filed in June of last year. Hebda, who took over an archdiocese in turmoil about a year ago, apologized for its failures at a Wednesday news conference.

 Associated Press

ILLINOIS

Falsely convicted men freed from prison

Prosecutors in Chicago on Wednesday dropped charges against two men imprisoned more than 20 years for a 1993 murder after allegations of misconduct by police investigators.

Jose Montanez and Armando Serrano were expected to be released almost immediately from state prisons after Cook County prosecutors announced their decision not to retry the men. The decision came after an appeals court ruling last month found that profoundly alarming acts of misconduct led to the mens convictions in the death of Rodrigo Vargas. Both men have long said they are innocent.

Serrano and Montanez were convicted and sentenced to 55 years in prison largely on the testimony of Francisco Vicente, a heroin addict who allegedly told Detective Reynaldo Guevara that the two men had confessed to killing Vargas as he left his apartment for work.

Vicente later recanted his testimony, telling students from Northwestern Universitys Medill Justice Project in 2004 that Guevara fed him the story.

Serrano, 43, is to be released from the Dixon Correctional Center in northern Illinois. Montanez, 48, will be freed from Danville Correctional Center in central Illinois.

 Associated Press

HAWAII

U.S. House member dies of cancer

Rep. Mark Takai (D-Hawaii) died Wednesday after a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer, his office announced.

Takai, 49, was elected to represent Hawaiis Oahu-based 1st Congressional District in 2014.

In late October, he announced that he had been diagnosed with a small tumor on his pancreas after experiencing stomach pains. At that time, Takai described his prognosis as very good thanks to early detection. He underwent surgery to remove the tumor in November.

On May 20, he announced that he would serve out the rest of his term but not seek reelection because the cancer had spread.

Takai served in the Hawaii House from 1994 to 2014, including two years as vice speaker. Survivors include his wife, Sami, and two children.

Elise Viebeck

North Dakota drops Sioux warrior profile from signs: The profile of a famous Sioux warrior that has adorned the states highway signs for nearly a century is being replaced by a rectangle as part of the 100th birthday of the states transportation agency. Marcellus Red Tomahawk was the first elected chairman of the Standing Rock reservation in 1914. North Dakotas transportation department adopted Red Tomahawks profile on state highway signs in 1923. Jamie Olson, an agency spokeswoman, said switching to an outline of North Dakota is being done not just to celebrate the agencys anniversary but also to help provide nationwide uniformity with other states signage.

 From news services
NORTH KOREA

3 ballistic missiles fired in show of force

North Korea on Tuesday fired three ballistic missiles into its eastern sea in an apparent protest of South Koreas decision to allow the deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in the country, Seoul officials said.

The missiles were launched from a western North Korean town, Seouls Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Two of the missiles flew about 310 to 375 miles, displaying a sufficient range to reach all of South Korea, a JCS spokesman said. He said South Koreas military was analyzing how far the third missile flew.

A Pentagon statement said U.S. Strategic Command systems tracked what we assess were three North Korean missile launches. It said two were presumed to be Scud tactical ballistic missiles, followed by the presumed launch of a Rodong intermediate-range ballistic missile.

North Korea routinely tests short-range missiles and artillery systems, but the latest launches came days after it warned of unspecified physical counter-action over the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system in the southern town of Seongju.

 Associated Press

FRANCE

Man stabs woman, 3 daughters at resort

Authorities in southern France have detained a Moroccan man who they said stabbed a woman and her three daughters Tuesday at an Alps resort, briefly sparking some panic in a nation reeling from its third major attack in 18 months.

Jean-Marc Duprat, a deputy mayor for the town of Laragne-Monteglin in the Hautes-Alpes region, said the mother and her girls, ages 8, 12 and 14, were vacationing at a nearby resort when a man from a neighboring apartment attacked them Tuesday as they ate breakfast.

All four were expected to recover, the deputy mayor said.

Duprat initially said the man was upset that the girls were wearing shorts and T-shirts. He later said that did not appear to be the case and that the attackers motive was not known.

Raphael Balland, prosecutor for the region, said the attacker brandished a three-inch folding knife. The suspect was said to be on vacation with his wife and children,

Laragne-Monteglin is 110 miles northwest of Nice, where a Tunisian man killed at least 84 people last week by driving a truck through a holiday crowd on Bastille Day.

 Associated Press

MALI

12 troops killed in attack on army camp

Gunmen killed 12 soldiers and wounded more than 30 in an attack early Tuesday on an army camp in central Mali, the government said. A movement within the Peul ethnic group asserted responsibility.

A group called the National Alliance for the Protection of the Peul Identity and the Restoration of Justice said it had carried out the attack in the city of Nampala.

This was the first time the group, formed in recent months, had assaulted an army position.

We attacked Nampala this morning to respond to the deadly attacks by the Malian army against our Peul population, said Oumar Aldjana, the groups secretary general.

He said that several trucks and stocks of ammunition were seized and that three members of his group were wounded.

Aldjana said his group is not an extremist one. We used the slogan Allahu akbar during the attack, but that has nothing to do with jihadism, he said.

 Associated Press

Corbyn challenger drops out of race: One of the two lawmakers vying to replace British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has dropped out of the leadership race. Angela Eagle said she is putting her support behind Owen Smith because he has more backing from Labour legislators. Corbyn, a veteran left-wing lawmaker who was elected Labour leader last year, has lost the support of most of his partys legislators.

India lifts ban, but Kashmir papers not printing amid unrest: Authorities lifted a three-day publication ban in the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir, but newspapers delayed print runs because of uncertainties about restrictions imposed during anti-India protests that have left dozens dead and hundreds injured. Kashmirs largest protests in years erupted more than a week ago after Indian troops killed a popular leader of the largest group fighting Indian rule in the disputed region. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but both claim it in its entirety.

Palestinian boy killed during clashes with Israeli forces: A Palestinian hospital official said a 12-year-old boy was killed after clashes erupted between Israeli forces and protesters in the West Bank. Ramallah hospital director Ahmad Bitawi said the boy was killed by a bullet to the chest. Israeli police denied that live

fire was used against protesters. The incident is the latest in a wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence.

8 shark fishermen killed in Mexico: Mexican authorities said eight members of a family have been killed in a popular beach resort city in the southern state of Oaxaca. The Oaxaca state prosecutors office said that the eight were shark fishermen and that an early line of inquiry is whether they may have been involved in other activities while at sea. The statement did not mention drug trafficking, but drugs are often transported along Mexicos coast. Prosecutors said armed men arrived outside the mens home in downtown Puerto Escondido and entered shooting those inside.

 From news services
Do it already

The govt must put an end to its apathy towards Dr KCs demands and his health
SYRIA

U.S.-backed rebels to probe child beheading

A U.S.-supported Syrian rebel group said Wednesday that it will open an investigation into the beheading of a boy over spying accusations, calling it an individual mistake that does not represent the overall policies of the group.

Nour el-Din al-Zinki, a relatively moderate group that fights the government and Islamic State militants, condemned the beheading, which was captured on video.

It is not clear who the boy was. He was identified on social media as Mahmoud Issa, a 12-year-old Palestinian.

The incident allegedly occurred Tuesday. In the video, a young boy is seen in the back of a truck surrounded by armed men who accuse him of being a spy and a member of the al-Quds Brigade, a pro-government Palestinian militia. He is then beheaded by one of them.

U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry said he has seen the appalling report but could not confirm the incident. Obviously were very concerned certainly if its accurate, he said, adding that if the report is true, it will give us pause about any assistance or, frankly, any further involvement with this group.

 Associated Press

LIBYA

3 French soldiers killed on anti-terror mission

Three French soldiers were killed in Libya while on a mission, the French Defense Ministry announced Wednesday, in the first official confirmation that French special forces have been active in Libya in apparent operations against the Islamic State militant group.

The Defense Ministry declined to confirm the reported details of the soldiers deaths, but President Francois Hollande, addressing a military training center in southwestern France, specifically mentioned a helicopter crash.

The Associated Press, quoting Libyan officials, reported that the soldiers were killed Sunday in an attack on their helicopter. An Islamist militia known as the Defending Benghazi Brigade asserted responsibility for the downing.

There are an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 Islamic State fighters in Libya, which has been gripped by unrest and political upheavals since an uprising in 2011 deposed ruler Moammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed by rebels.

 James McAuley

France adopts new labor law: France adopted a deeply divisive labor bill after the government used a special measure to force it through Parliament without a vote, ending months of often violent protests between police and leftist protesters. Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the bill  which weakens union powers, makes layoffs easier and extends the workweek  is necessary to create jobs and make Frances economy more globally competitive.

Prominent journalist killed in Ukraine: An award-winning journalist working for the online investigative website Ukrayinska Pravda was killed by a car bomb in Kiev, in what President Petro Poroshenko said was an attempt to destabilize Ukraine. Belarusan-born Pavel Sheremet was known for his criticism of his home countrys leadership and his friendship with slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. His killing was a throwback to the days of violence against journalists that Ukraine, under a pro-Western leadership since 2014, hoped to have shed.

Burmese soldiers to be tried in deaths of five civilians: Soldiers in Burma killed at least five civilians in their custody last month and will be prosecuted, a senior general announced in a rare case of the military taking responsibility for atrocities against ethnic minorities. Lt. Gen. Mya Tun Oo said at a news conference that the army is investigating the deaths of seven civilians in northern Shan state on June 25, including five who were taken away by soldiers. The incident occurred in an area riven by a long-running ethnic insurgency.

American jailed for life in Czech relatives deaths: A Czech court convicted an American of killing four of his relatives and sentenced him to life in prison. Judge Michal Zamecnik said Kevin Dahlgren, 24, fatally stabbed his cousin, her husband and one of their two sons in a very brutal way in their home during his visit to the Czech city of Brno on May 22, 2013. Zamecnik said Dahlgren later in the day attacked their other son, probably with a stone, and stabbed him. Life imprisonment is the maximum sentence in the Czech Republic.

 From news services
Chrys P. Kefalas was a candidate in the 2016 Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Maryland.

Tonight, voters around the country will hear directly from the man the Republican Party has nominated for vice president. If Indiana Gov. Mike Pence wants to head off months of negative stories about his long record of discrimination and intolerance, now is his chance to show that he is accepting of all Americans  including LGBT Americans  and affirm his commitment to a Republican Party that leaves no one behind.

Now, that may require a change of heart  and mind.

During his public career, Pence has been an outspoken opponent of equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens. In Congress, he opposed efforts to encourage foreign governments to decriminalize homosexuality and sought to block the repeal of the militarys dont ask, dont tell policy. As a governor, he stood against not only marriage equality, but civil unions as well. He also opposed a law prohibiting discrimination against LGBT people in the workplace and signed one opening the door to wide-ranging discrimination against these residents of his own state under the guise of religious liberty.

The Fix's Chris Cillizza explains why Gov. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) was the best vice presidential pick of the candidates Donald Trump was considering. (Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

On their own, such actions would signal that Pence would work to reverse the progress that has been made and stand in the way of efforts to advance the equal dignity and opportunity of all Americans, efforts which so many other Republicans fully support. But it is his past support for, and failure to repudiate, the heinous practice of conversion, or reparative, therapy that raises an even more disturbing concern: Pence doesnt just seem to disagree with advocates for equal rights on issues of law. His record suggests that he personally believes LGBT people are abnormal and unworthy of the equal protection of the law.

As a candidate for Congress, Pence went so far as to endorse a proposal to divert money from a program to help those with HIV/AIDS to organizations which provide assistance to those seeking to change their sexual behavior.

It would be easy to dismiss his past support for this damaging practice as a relic of a bygone age. Unfortunately, its not. This week, the Republican Party Platform Committee adopted language approving of conversion therapy in its statement of the partys fundamental beliefs. It also, by the way, condemned the Supreme Courts landmark decisions securing equal freedom, dignity and rights for LGBT individuals.

This isnt just disappointing and demoralizing to all those of us who want to strengthen the Republican Party by making it more inclusive  its horrifying. Today, I am a dedicated Republican who also happens to be gay. But before I found the strength to be who I was, I survived conversion therapy. For almost nine months before my 30th birthday, I had the relationships that I most valued questioned and my life demeaned by the use of techniques, including shock therapy, with no basis in science or medicine.

Its easy to see why millennials and many minority groups are not rallying to the Republican Party. That a major party in the United States, and its vice-presidential nominee, dont reject such a dehumanizing practice (and fight to end it) and speak out for personal freedom and equal rights makes it difficult to see how any part of its economic or security agenda means the same for everyone.

And thats a shame, because Republican solutions  to creating jobs, making our communities safer and securing the peace  are needed more than ever. After traveling across Maryland during my recent U.S. Senate campaign and meeting voters from all walks of life, I know that Americans are ready to embrace a unifying, Republican vision for a new way forward. We do not need distractions that push voters away from the GOP and the best path to promoting prosperity and security for all.

Pences vice-presidential nomination, and this Republican convention, make it seem like it was so long ago when leading Republicans such as Ohio Sen. Rob Portman and Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, among others, joined former vice president Dick Cheney and former George W. Bush administration solicitor general Ted Olson in embracing marriage equality. But it wasnt. Progress, however, is full of setbacks and false starts.

But Pence can still do a lot to turn the page  and take an important step to making the Republican Party great again by renewing the legacy of Lincoln, disavowing his old thinking and embracing a future of inclusion.
As the U.S.-led coalition has begun to gain ground against the Islamic State in Syria, officials have begun focusing attention on another jihadist group they fear may pose a more dangerous long-run threat there, the al-Qaeda affiliate known as Jabhat al-Nusra.

Jabhat al-Nusra has played a clever waiting game over the past four years, embedding itself with more moderate opposition factions and championing Sunni resistance to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The group has mostly avoided foreign terrorist operations and has largely escaped targeting by U.S. forces. Meanwhile, it has developed close links with rebel organizations such as Ahrar al-Sham that are backed by Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

But the global jihadist ambitions of Osama bin Laden remain part of Jabhat al-Nusras DNA. U.S. officials report increasing evidence that the group is plotting external operations against Europe and the United States. Its operatives are said to have tried recently to infiltrate Syrian refugee communities in Europe.

A stark warning of the danger ahead comes from the Institute for the Study of War, which closely follows events in Syria. In a forthcoming forecast, the institute argues that by January 2017, Jabhat al-Nusra will have created an Islamic emirate in northwestern Syria in all but name and will merge with the supposedly more moderate Ahrar al-Sham.

The merger, even if incomplete, will accomplish a major Jabhat al-Nusra objective to unify the northern Syria opposition under its own leadership. . . . It will lay the groundwork for Jabhat al-Nusra to absorb or defeat remaining independent elements of the opposition.

The agonizing question for the Obama administration is how to combat Jabhat al-Nusra as it moves to fill the vacuum left by an Islamic State that is losing territory and popularity. As with most other aspects of the Syrian war, the administration finds nothing but bad choices. The current version of this policy nightmare is whether to ally with Russia in suppressing the Jabhat al-Nusra threat.

Secretary of State John F. Kerry appears to be attempting a tricky three-cushion shot: Kerrys plan would include joint U.S.-Russian operations against the group, as well as the Islamic State. Kerry also hopes to reduce Assads attacks on moderate rebel forces so that they (rather than Jabhat al-Nusra) can gain ground in a post-Islamic State Syria.

Like many of Kerrys gambits, this is a high-risk maneuver. Even his supporters fear that its born more out of desperation than a carefully articulated strategy.

According to one source familiar with Kerrys plan, it would begin with an attempt to reduce violence, as happened after the initial Russian-American cessation of hostilities plan was announced in February. If violence ebbed, and the Assad regime allowed humanitarian assistance to reach besieged areas in Aleppo and elsewhere, then the United States would begin sharing targeting information with Russia.

One sweetener in this still-untested deal is that the Assad regime would agree to a significant reduction in its air operations over rebel-held areas. If this curb on Assads barrel-bombing tactics succeeded, it could begin a real path toward de-escalation. But even administration officials who have helped frame the Russia-America package are skeptical that the details will fall into place.

Bassam Barabandi, a senior adviser to the opposition coalition, says that most Syrians recognize that Jabhat al-Nusra is a terrorist group and will support gradual U.S. efforts to combat it. But he cautions that Syrians fear the U.S.-Russia pact will only strengthen Assad and kill the revolution against Assads regime.

Kerrys diplomacy suffers from a weak U.S. bargaining position. Russia and Syria think theyre winning, as they tighten their siege of Aleppo and other rebel strongholds. Theres little incentive for them to make the serious concessions that might bring buy-in from the opposition. The United States, by contrast, has failed in a three-year, CIA-led effort to build a moderate opposition force that could draw rebels away from Jabhat al-Nusra and its Sunni allies.

The U.S. military has had more success fighting the Islamic State in eastern Syria with a largely Kurdish force known as the YPG. But this Kurdish-centric strategy antagonizes both Turkey and the official Sunni-led opposition.

Five years on, the Syrian civil war remains a problem from hell. Allying with Russia against Jabhat al-Nusra risks deepening the terrorist groups support within Syria and further alienating Sunnis; but continuing with the current strategy is almost certain to fail.

The right approach now, as when this mess started, is for the United States to aggressively, passionately, visibly provide humanitarian aid, governance and security assistance in areas that are liberated from Assad and the jihadists. Realism can be a trap in Syria; doing the right thing is also good policy.

Read more from David Ignatiuss archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook.
Neither the unanimous decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, nor Chinas rejection of it, was surprising. The timing of it was, however, as serendipitous as Chinas rejection is ominous. Coming as Republican delegates convene on Lake Eries shore, the tribunals opinion about the South China Sea underscores the current frivolousness of U.S. politics, which is fixated on a fictitious wall that will never exist but silent about realities on and above the waters that now are the worlds most dangerous cockpit of national rivalries.

Chinas nine-dash line aggression  asserting sovereignty over the South China Sea  is being steadily implemented by the manufacture and militarization of artificial islands far from Chinas mainland, and by increasingly reckless air and naval actions in the region. China is attempting to intimidate the six nations (the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia) whose claims conflict with Chinas. China has threatened these nations, and others, freedom on the seas, fishing rights, oil exploration and more.

In 2013, the Philippines took its case to the Court of Arbitration, whose jurisdiction China preemptively rejected. The Philippines has now won most of its claims but has achieved nothing unless the United States leads regional powers in enforcing this decision. The Hague has no navy.

International law fulfills important functions but often is most successful when least important: It arbitrates disputes about rights and duties among like-minded nations that acknowledge its underlying norms. When, however, a rising nations interests and aspirations conflict with those norms, trying to restrain this nation with those norms is like lassoing a locomotive with a cobweb.

So, although it was prudent for the Philippines to bring this case, and although the court conscientiously measured Chinas claims and behavior next to the pertinent precedents, the courts correct legal decision makes the world more dangerous: China now knows that only force can achieve its ends. We are, as Defense Secretary Ash Carter has said with notable understatement, in a long-term competitive situation.

The projection of U.S. power to the far side of the Pacific depends on alliances and cooperation  including access to bases  with Australia, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and others. Chinas aim of dominance in the region can be achieved only by weakening the U.S. allies confidence  particularly that of the Philippines, which seems susceptible to Chinas promises of development projects  in U.S. resolve, and by weakening confidence in U.S. skill at calibrating the pressure requisite for countering Chinas ambitions without provoking a Chinese miscalculation in a region where U.S. military assets, especially naval, still dominate.

Two U.S. carrier groups have visited the region this year. China is developing and deploying a modern nuclear submarine fleet, land-based aircraft and anti-ship ballistic missiles, and other means of pushing back the U.S. presence. Chinese military aircraft have made dangerous approaches to U.S. military aircraft. A Taiwanese naval vessel accidentally sank, with an anti-ship missile, a Taiwanese shrimp boat. Accidents happen. And intentional acts can have unintended consequences. A single assassination loosed the cascade of events that produced the war that was devouring Europe 100 years ago.

At the turn of the 20th century, the worlds most formidable challenge was to integrate into the international system a rising, restless, assertive Germany. This did not go well. Early in the 21st century, China poses a comparable challenge. If this does not go well, the differences might be arbitrated by weapons undreamt of a century ago.

This week, the Republican Party is formalizing its judgment that the Navy, the nuclear launch codes and other important things should be placed in the hands of someone not known for nuance, patience or interest in allies and collective security. Americans, dismayed by two consecutive commanders in chief  the recklessness of one and the inconstancy of his successor  must now decide whether, and if so how and by whom, they want U.S. power to be projected.

In the South China Sea, Carter said, the United States must steel itself for a long campaign of firmness, and gentle but strong pushback. This will require freedom-of-navigation assertions, involving naval and air operations that challenge, among other things, Chinas expansive claims to sovereignty over islands and waters far from its mainland.

If the next president does not conduct such operations with steady, measured skill, the result could be the collapse of the United States position in the worlds most populous, dynamic and perhaps dangerous region, or war. Is any of this on anyones mind in Cleveland?

Read more from George F. Wills archive or follow him on Facebook.
With one condition, I concur with Carl Levins suggestion in his July 18 letter that J.E.B. Stuart High School in Fairfax County keep its honorable name.

Lets add to the title of everything in Northern Virginia named for a Confederate leader the name of someone else who led armies against the United States. J.E.B. Stuart High School could become, focusing on Stuarts identity as a great tactician and distinguished leader of troops, as Mr. Levin pointed out, the J.E.B. Stuart-Erwin Rommel High School; U.S. Route 29 in Northern Virginia, known as Lee Highway, could become the Lee-Ho Chi Minh Highway; and Arlingtons Washington-Lee High School could be renamed the Washington-Lee-Santa Anna High School, although that technically stretches the rule because Santa Anna led troops against the Texans at the Alamo about a decade before Texas was admitted to the Union as the 28th state.

Or maybe it is time for the United States to stop celebrating those traitors who fought, gallantly or not, to retain a significant portion of our population in chattel slavery.

Frederick Winter, Arlington
The "House on Fire" ruins in Mule Canyon, near Blanding, Utah, are inside an area that tribal groups hope will be designated as the Bears Ears natonal monument. (Rick Bowmer/Associated Press)

Richard Moe was president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation from 1993 to 2010. He is a member of the board of the Conservation Lands Foundation.

A desert landscape not far from here called Bears Ears could be the most historically significant site in the United States that most Americans have never heard of. Spread out over 1.9 million acres in southeastern Utah are tens of thousands of cliff dwellings, ceremonial kivas, pit houses, granaries, towers and rock art panels, along with countless pots and other artifacts of the first Americans going back more than 10,000 years.

Bears Ears represents the most important and intact array of unprotected cultural resources on federal land. And those resources are increasingly at risk  from looting, vandalism, off-road vehicles, grave robbing and the occasional carelessness of visitors. Assigned to patrol and protect this huge area are two full-time rangers.

Named for two buttes rising dramatically from the desert landscape, Bears Ears is especially important to the Indian tribes and pueblos of the Southwest that trace their ancestry to the area and the ancient sites it contains. Twenty-six tribes support protecting lands within Bears Ears, and some of them  led by the Hopi, the Ute Mountain Utes, the Zuni Pueblo, the Navajo Nation and the Ute Tribe of Unitah and Ouray  have formed an unprecedented Inter-Tribal Coalition to advocate the permanent protection of their ancient and sacred homeland.

The coalition emphasizes its deep spiritual connection with Bears Ears, where tribal leaders and medicine people go to conduct ceremonies, collect herbs for medicinal purposes, and practice healing rituals stemming from time immemorial. . . . Our relationship and visits to Bears Ears are essential for healing, and ruining the integrity of those lands forever compromises our ability to heal.

There is virtually unanimous agreement on the unique cultural significance of Bears Ears  there is nothing else in the country even approaching it  yet there is no agreement on the need to protect it. Despite active local support for protection among both Indians and non-Indians, Utahs congressional delegation has persistently but so far unsuccessfully tried to deny President Obama the right to make Bears Ears a national monument under the Antiquities Act, which was signed into law and used by President Theodore Roosevelt more than 100 years ago for exactly this purpose.

Republican Utah Reps. Rob Bishop and Jason Chaffetz, both of whom hold key committee chairmanships, have been telling interested constituents for three years that they have been drafting legislation to protect the area, but they failed to introduce legislation containing specific boundaries and provisions. It became increasingly clear to those following the so-called negotiations that they aimed to run out the clock on the Obama administrations ability to use the Antiquities Act to create a national monument.

Apparently convinced that such an action was under serious consideration, however, Bishop and Chaffetz finally introduced their bill last week, just two days before Interior Secretary Sally Jewell held a public hearing on Bears Ears in Bluff, Utah, that was attended by some 2,000 people, a clear majority of whom supported a monument, according to officials from the Conservation Lands Foundation. To no ones surprise, several provisions of the bill would eviscerate any serious concept of protection. Among them:

The bill would split Bears Ears in two, leaving many important cultural areas unprotected, and give the tribes too little voice in managing sites sacred to their heritage.

The bill would mandate that grazing be permitted in fragile archeological areas and give land managers no discretion to reduce it even when resources were being damaged.

The National Conservation Areas in the bill include huge loopholes that confuse the meaning of conservation and even prevent managers from prohibiting some uses that have been historically damaging to cultural resources.

With the obvious intention of weakening standards for wilderness areas, the bill includes provisions in direct conflict with the federal Wilderness Act that could affect areas besides Bears Ears.

If these and other provisions remain in the bill, it should be clear to all that the Utah congressional delegation has no intention of supporting serious legislation to protect the most significant and at-risk cultural landscape in the United States. This is precisely the kind of situation that Congress had in mind when it gave the president the authority to create national monuments, and why nearly every president of both parties has used the act, particularly when Congress failed in its duty to act responsibly on its own. Obama has previously showed vision and courage in using this authority, and creating a Bears Ears National Monument would be very much in that tradition and fully justified by the facts.
RECENT INTERACTIONS between the United States and Russia are a study in, well, incongruity. Last week, Secretary of State John F. Kerry hastened from Moscows airport to the Kremlin bearing the Obama administrations latest proposal for U.S.-Russian military coordination against al-Qaeda-linked guerrillas battling the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria. In the days leading up to this meeting, Russia had exhibited its contempt for Washington by harassing U.S. diplomats and expelling Jeff Shell, chairman of the board of a U.S. agency that oversees Voice of America and Radio Free Europe.

Mr. Shell, the Russians explained, was on a blacklist they had put together in retaliation for U.S. sanctions targeting Moscow figures culpable for Russias illegal annexation of Crimea  an attempt at moral equivalence whose falsity is underscored by the fact that Mr. Shell was visiting Vladimir Putins realm not on government business but in his capacity as chairman of NBCUniversals movie-production division.

Beyond these highly publicized events, Russias recent treatment of Americans has gotten arguably even uglier.

Consider the story of Jim Mulcahy, 72, the Ukraine-based pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church, a 48-year-old U.S. institution founded as an alternative Christian organization for gay men and lesbians who feel excluded from traditional churches. The MCC boasts 43,000 followers in 22 countries and campaigns, nonviolently and openly, for gay rights around the world.

This month, Mr. Mulcahy, the MCCs program officer for Eastern Europe, visited Russia, as he has done annually since 2012. Traveling on a tourist visa, as per usual, he met with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups in several locations, apparently without incident. However, during a July 10 gathering with about a dozen people at a gay community center in Samara, the countrys sixth-largest city, Mr. Mulcahy was suddenly accosted by police, who arrived unannounced, accompanied by a TV crew. They arrested, interrogated and fingerprinted him and brought him before a judge  without any access to the lawyer his Russian friends hastily hired for him. At midnight, eight hours after his arrest, and without having had an opportunity to call witnesses, Mr. Mulcahy was convicted of violating his visa by conducting religious activity. He was sentenced to a 2,000-ruble fine (about $31) and ordered out of the country. Mr. Mulcahy tells us he later learned that this result was announced on television a few hours before the court actually ruled.

Mr. Mulcahy left Russia at 4 a.m. July 13, having been further vilified in the media. His Russian lawyer later informed him that an anonymous tipster had told police that he was going to perform a same-sex wedding at the Samara meeting  a false allegation, Mr. Mulcahy tells us, although it would have been unobjectionable if true. In Mr. Putins Russia, same-sex marriage is banned and hostility to homosexuality is official doctrine; official and unofficial harassment of gays is a common occurrence. Indeed, Mr. Mulcahy says police pressed him for the names and phone numbers of his friends in Samara, which he refused to divulge. No doubt he knew that, as badly and as brazenly as Mr. Putins Russia may trample the rights of visiting U.S. citizens, the regime reserves the harshest treatment for its own.
Peter Slevin, a former Post national correspondent, is an associate professor at Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism and the author of Michelle Obama: A Life.

Much was riding on Michelle Obamas words and delivery when she stepped onto a Denver stage in August 2008 to address delegates on the first night of the Democratic National Convention. She aimed to reassure a raft of voters wary of a Barack Obama presidency and skeptical about her own values.

Six months earlier, she had been vilified in some quarters for saying she was really proud of the United States for the first time in her adult life. On the eve of the convention, only 38 percent of respondents to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll viewed her favorably. Its scary, an undecided voter mused to a Florida reporter. To think shes going to be whispering in the presidents ear when hes in bed.

Obama carefully chose her words and rehearsed every phrase  including the ones that Melania Trumps speechwriter apologized Wednesday for borrowing  until she nearly knew them by heart. Working closely with her staff, Obama filled the speech with personal details designed to illuminate what she called her improbable journey while offering a vivid take on working-class Americans and her desire for a fairer, more tolerant society.

One of the many ironies of the plagiarism episode, beyond the curious decision to purloin the words of a first lady routinely demonized by Republicans, is the way that Trumps speech had a few of the phrases, but none of the sentiment or the specifics delivered by Obama.

In her 2008 keynote address at the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama discussed the values she shares with President Obama. After hearing Melania Trump's 2016 Republican National Convention speech, some people are drawing comparisons between the two speeches. (Video: C-Span, Photo: Preston Keres/The Post)

The sentence fragments borrowed by the Trump campaign and rendered anodyne by Melania Trump were central to Michelle Obamas narrative. She spoke of her blue-collar parents, including her father, afflicted by multiple sclerosis, struggling to walk with two canes, rarely missing a shift at the Chicago water plant. She told of Barack Obamas working-class grandparents and his mothers time as a single parent.

It was all about the lessons their elders taught them  and how the first African American couple to reach the cusp of the presidency could be trusted.

Barack and I, she told the delegates, were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say youre going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you dont know them and even if you dont agree with them.

The Trump speechwriter left out that last part, about how dignity and respect should rule even when you dont know or agree. But the rest, it was all there. Among the revealing passages not borrowed was Obamas homage to men and women gathered in churches and union halls and people who stood up and marched and risked everything they had, refusing to settle. Also missing was Obamas pointed conviction, particularly apt amid the apocalyptic speechmaking in Cleveland on Monday night, that it was time that voters listened to our hopes, instead of our fears.

Political speechmaking is ultimately political theater, and the Obamas have always understood the power of personal narratives. Back in 2004, when Barack Obama was an Illinois state senator, he told Oprah Winfrey in an interview, Policy has to be guided by facts, but to move people, you have to tell stories.

None of the anecdotes in Michelle Obamas 2008 speech would prove more central than her carefully crafted recollection of a trip they made to a church basement on the South Side of Chicago in the late 1980s. Still in law school, Barack Obama was addressing working-class folks, she said. Parents living paycheck to paycheck; grandparents trying to get by on a fixed income; men frustrated that they couldnt support their families after their jobs disappeared.

In that basement room, she told the delegates, Barack Obama talked about the world as it is and the world as it should be. And he said that, all too often, we accept the distance between the two and we settle for the world as it is, even when it doesnt reflect our values and aspirations.

She described an obligation to fight for that better world and called it the thread that runs through my journey and Baracks journey. By the time she finished, to raucous cheers and widespread praise from the punditocracy, she had spoken of ending the Iraq War and delivering health care, an equitable economy and a quality education to all Americans.

After months of rough treatment that wounded her confidence and caused her to fear that she was damaging Barack Obamas chances, the convention speech represented her resurrection. Her favorability numbers in the campaigns tracking poll jumped 18 percent overnight and never came down.
Donald Trump walked on stage at the Republican National Convention July 18 to Queen's "We Are the Champions." Trump was introducing his wife Melania who also addressed the crowd. (The Washington Post)

Donald Trump walked on stage at the Republican National Convention July 18 to Queen's "We Are the Champions." Trump was introducing his wife Melania who also addressed the crowd. (The Washington Post)

Donald Trump has left himself with a mighty challenge for the final day of the Republican National Convention. After three days of tumult and controversy, the success  or not  of the week now depends even more heavily than it should on his performance Thursday night.

Trump might not have it any other way. Maybe this was always part of the plan, to create the drama and heighten the stakes ahead of his acceptance speech. After all, the campaign has always been about him. Hes the candidate, chief strategist, communications director and opposition researcher all wrapped up in one unlikely package. Thursday night, he must also be seen as a possible president.

The first days of his convention have been messy, highlighting a divided party and a convention floor that has seen angry protest and at other times what might be described as low energy. When the delegates have sparked to life, it has often been due to the contempt that many have for Hillary Clinton. The raw and unofficial battle cry here  Lock her up!  speaks to the coarseness and negativity of 2016.

[Donald Trumps vision of doom and despair]

No doubt Trump is confident about Thursday. By his own boasts, he is the ultimate clutch performer, the man with ice water in his veins in crucial moments. He believes, as he has said throughout the campaign, that he is a winner  capable of dominating in any setting.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump arrived in Cleveland, Ohio, July 20, ahead of vice-presidential pick Mike Pence's speech at the Republican National Convention. (Reuters)

What awaits him Thursday night, however, is no Apprentice moment. It is reality TV at the highest level  as serious and critical a test as he has faced during the 13 months he has been a candidate. Hell be judged in ways he hasnt been evaluated before, and likely by a larger audience than any so far.

Ratings, however, arent the issue. He probably will get them. He draws eyeballs, for better and for worse. But what will really count is whether Trump accomplishes everything that still needs to be done. He needs this convention to send him out of Cleveland on Thursday night absent controversy, without damaging questions trailing behind him and, in the best of all worlds, with a wider group of voters prepared to take a fresh look at him.

For Trump, this will be unlike the other tests of his candidacy, one that will cross-pressure him. The most unconventional of candidates now must navigate the most conventional rite of passage of any presidential campaign as he makes the official transition to general-election candidate and possible president.

Trump promised more than his convention has delivered. Each night has had a crisp theme: making America safe, making America work, making America first. But the speeches have not always followed the theme. Most of Tuesdays speeches, for example, lacked real content about jobs or the economy, whether in critiquing Clintons policies or outlining what Trump would do.

[Trump Vs. Hillary: Where do they stand on the issues?]

Trump promised showbiz, glitz, glamour to spice up what can be a parade of politicians, many of them not well known to the country, delivering boilerplate rhetoric. But pizzazz isnt the first word to describe the events so far. The convention has delivered little on that front that has broken through, with celebrities who are aging stars and not even as well known as some of the politicians.

The best showbiz moment came Monday night when Trump rose up silhouetted on the stage in a smoky cloud, a Las Vegas entry in the heart of the Rust Belt. On Wednesday, he flew into Cleveland and then switched to his helicopter, with the familiar Trump logo, for the short trip to a field by the lake. It was a photo-op moment, but hardly something that fulfills his promise of something really different.

1 of 52 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What it looks like at the Republican National Convention on Day 3 View Photos Supporters  and protesting opponents  of Donald Trump show up in Cleveland, as well as campaign merchandise vendors. Caption Supporters  and protesting opponents  of Donald Trump show up in Cleveland, as well as campaign merchandise vendors. July 20, 2016 Vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence greets the crowd on the third day of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

Some speeches have broken through. Former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani roused the convention delegates Monday with a fiery speech that offered validation of Trump as a law-and-order candidate who has a softer human side. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie sent a jolt of electricity through the convention on Tuesday night when he played prosecutor against Clintons record. Guilty or not guilty? he asked. The crowd roared back its predictable verdict.

Still, many speakers have left the audience flat and the television networks scrambling for counter-programming. Ordinarily, the networks spend most of the hour between 10 and 11 p.m. with their cameras focused on the stage and the speakers. This week, because some of those speakers have lacked star power or a compelling message, the networks have cut away. Through its own scheduling decision, the campaign has robbed itself of what should be its best opportunity to deliver an undiluted message on behalf of the candidate.

The Trump family has drawn much praise. Donald Trump Jr. was effective on Tuesday night in talking about his father. Before he spoke, Tiffany Trump, the second-youngest of his five children, offered testimonials about Trump as a dad. Before Trump speaks on Thursday, the convention will also have heard from two other children, Eric and Ivanka Trump

[Speechwriter says shes to blame for Melania speech]

The highlight of Mondays program was Melania Trump. She wowed the delegates, and no doubt many watching on television with her poise and delivery. But within hours, the campaign was plunged into controversy over charges of plagiarism because of passages in the speech that had been lifted from the 2008 convention speech by Michelle Obama.

The controversy provided chum for a huge and ravenous press corps, which pursued the details of how something as basic as the vetting of such a high-profile speech had gone wrong. For a day, the campaign hunkered down, pointed fingers and tried to ride out the storm  without success.

On Wednesday, they pivoted to a different strategy by identifying a culprit. Meredith McIver, a writer who has worked on Trumps books, came forward and confessed that the error was hers alone.

Trump must hope that the confession will end the controversy. He needs a clean break ahead of Thursday night. He wants the focus to be on him and his speech, not on mistakes made by his campaign that have added to doubts about its readiness for what will be a hard-fought contest against the Clinton machinery.

Wednesdays series of speeches brought more coherence to a pro-Trump message, highlighted by the well-received speech from Trumps running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. But just as the convention seemed to be pivoting toward greater harmony, Sen. Ted Cruz blew it up with a speech in which he refused again to endorse Trump. The Texan who has an eye on 2020 was booed lustily as he ended his speech. It was one more case of Trump prevailing over Cruz but an episode that nonetheless fed the subplot of a party divided.

Trump is at his best  and sometimes his worst  when he is mostly unscripted. His free-form style, in defiance of conventional rules of politics, worked during the primaries. But now he is being told he must curtail those instincts and use a text and a teleprompter. It will be an uncomfortable experience.

When he spoke to the Cleveland delegates from Trump Tower in New York, after being formally nominated on Tuesday night, he was clearly reading his brief remarks with such cadence and precision that he conveyed his distaste at being shackled to prewritten words. But can he be both freewheeling and off the cuff, and disciplined and serious?

Whats left for Trump on Thursday? Only this: He needs to energize his base. He needs to unify his party. He needs to make himself a more appealing candidate to the wider electorate. He needs to soften his image. He needs to make the case against Clinton, but more he needs to make a positive case for himself. He needs to show he has a grasp of issues and answers to problems that add heft and credibility to the slogans that have been the hallmark of his campaign.

Mostly he needs to find a way to combine the most effective theme of his candidacy  that of an outsider who connects with disgruntled and disaffected voters and will shake up Washington  with something that reassures people of his temperament, stability and reliability. He can still redeem the week, but the opening days havent done much to help him. As always, its going to be all about Donald.
Republican delegate Rachel Hoff, center, recites the Pledge of Allegiance during the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post)

Some days its hard for Christian Berle to reconcile being gay and a Republican.

I always say I never chose to be gay, but I choose to be a Republican, Berle said a few minutes before his party voted to accept a platform that tacked far to the right on gay rights  yet another difficult day. Right now its not an easy position.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Republicans are grappling with their partys many contradictions on gay rights, all of which have been on display here this week at the Republican National Convention.

More than a year after the Supreme Court granted gays the right to marry nationwide, the Republican Party adopted a platform that urged that ruling to be overturned. It rejected calls for more inclusive language in the document, which reaffirmed state laws restricting which bathrooms transgender people can use, and nodded to the controversial practice of gay conversion therapy. GOP presidential nominee Donald Trumps running mate is Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, an evangelical conservative who signed a law last year that many considered anti-gay.

[While Trump stays out of it, GOP platform tacks to the right on gay rights]

But there have also been some public overtures to gays. Businessman Peter Thiel, who is gay, will address the convention Thursday. Former New York mayor Rudolph W. Guiliani mentioned sexual orientation while praising police officers during his convention speech. Trump has expressed solidarity with the gay community and has shown little appetite for dealing with social issues.

Transgender activist Caitlyn Jenner came here for a brunch Wednesday organized by the American Unity Fund, a conservative group that advocates for gay rights. Organizers said they held the event to showcase the fact that many Republicans, both gay and straight, care about gay issues.

It was easy to come out as trans, Jenner said jokingly at the brunch. It was harder to come out as a Republican.

And for some LGBT Republicans, it can be difficult to stay in the party right now. Rachel Hoff, a delegate from the District who opposes Trump, made a strikingly personal appeal to the GOP platform committee to adopt more inclusive language on gay rights. It did not, and gay people are mentioned nowhere in the 2016 document, even in references to last months terrorist attack at a gay nightclub in Orlando.

I did have thoughts of, Is this a party that even wants me to be a part of it?  she said.

Earlier this week, Hoff stood on the convention floor and listened to a speaker talk about how the partys platform reaffirms the values that unite Republicans.

Thats a joke, right? Hoff said.

1 of 52 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What it looks like at the Republican National Convention on Day 3 View Photos Supporters  and protesting opponents  of Donald Trump show up in Cleveland, as well as campaign merchandise vendors. Caption Supporters  and protesting opponents  of Donald Trump show up in Cleveland, as well as campaign merchandise vendors. July 20, 2016 Vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence greets the crowd on the third day of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

But after much contemplation, she said she has now doubled down on her party. She became a Republican decades ago because she believes in a strong national defense. That hasnt changed, and switching party affiliations would not fit her views. If she and others leave, she said, the party would remain a stronghold for those who oppose same-sex marriage.

There were so many encouraging signs this week other than the results of the [platform committee] vote, Hoff said.

[In a year of setbacks, activists push to encourage more LGBT candidates]

Scott Ashley has long been active in the local GOP here in Cleveland. He strongly supports many of the partys tenets: He opposes abortion, is religious and believes in individual freedoms.

The LGBT thing is a tricky line to walk, said Ashley, who does not support Trump. There are so, so many inclusive people in the party. . . . I get disappointed when those voices are vanquished.

Ashley had been feeling optimistic until Trump named Pence as his running mate. The law Pence signed last year was designed to give businesses and individuals legal protections against claims of discrimination if they chose not to serve some customers. It sparked an outcry from gay rights activists and companies including Apple, Eli Lilly and Twitter. The NCAA, which is based in Indianapolis, threatened to move its events and artists canceled concerts.

Pence backtracked, and the law was amended to include a provision that prohibits business owners from denying services to gay patrons  a measure that made few on either side happy. Ashley thinks Pence could turn some gay people against the party altogether.

I had so many friends who said, I can do it. I can vote Republican,  Ashley said Then the platform came out and Pence was the choice and they pulled back.

The party is also split on another issue: whether transgender people should be able to use the bathroom of their choice. North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed a law in February mandating that people use the bathroom that corresponds with the sex on their birth certificate, a move some Republicans cheered. Trump initially said the law should not have been passed; he later backtracked and said states should be able to make their own decisions. Trump said Jenner can use whatever bathroom she wants at his properties.

[Not about bathrooms: Critics decry North Carolina laws lesser-known elements]

At what was billed as the most fab party at the convention, Breitbart News editor and provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos  banned from Twitter on Tuesday chiefly for encouraging online abuse of Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones  called Trump the most pro-gay candidate in history. He said the gay rights movement has fixated on transgender bathroom issues at the expense of combating an existential threat from Islam.

Jenner, who was interviewed by conservative commentator Margaret Hoover as guests munched on mini doughnuts and tiny breakfast sandwiches, said that the Democratic Party does a much better job of reaching out to LGBT people and that Republicans need to meet transgender people.

Im here today since most people dont know anybody whos trans, Jenner said. I want to help the Republican Party in so many ways.

To Ashley, the party would benefit most if it stopped making such a big deal out of gay people.

Its such a non-issue for most Republicans, he said. Stop talking about it.

Dan Zak in Cleveland contributed to this report.
Drinking water and sanitation minister resigns

Minister for Drinking Water and Sanitation Prem Bahadur Singh has resigned from his post on Wednesday.
An election worker checks a voters drivers license as North Carolinas controversial voter-ID law goes into effect for the states presidential primary election at a polling place in Charlotte in March. (Chris Keane/Reuters)

A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that Texass strict voter-ID law discriminates against minority voters, and it ordered a lower court to come up with a fix for the law in time for the November elections.

The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, one of the most conservative in the country, declined to strike down the law completely but said provisions must be made to allow those who lack the specific ID the law requires to be able to cast a vote.

[Appeals court questions whether Texas law can offer accommodations]

Nine of the 15 appellate judges who heard the case generally upheld a district courts finding that 600,000 people, disproportionately minorities, lack the specific kind of identification required  a drivers license, military ID, passport or weapons permit, among them  and that it would be difficult for many to secure it.

African American, Hispanic and poor voters were most likely to be affected, the court found.

This year more states than ever will require potential voters to show photo identification to vote in the election. Here is why this is so controversial. (Monica Akhtar/The Washington Post)

It would be untenable to permit a law with a discriminatory effect to remain in operation for the coming election, wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Catharina Haynes for the majority, made of up five judges nominated by Democratic presidents and four nominated by Republicans.

[Supreme Court declines to block Texas voter-ID law, for now]

Those who possess the necessary ID must show it to vote in November, Haynes wrote. But she said the district court judge who first heard the case should fashion a remedy to rectify the discriminatory effect on those voters who do not have . . . ID or are unable to reasonably obtain such identification.

That was similar to a federal judges decision Tuesday that voters in Wisconsin who have trouble meeting that states voter-ID requirements should still be allowed to vote by signing an affidavit attesting to the voters identity.

Every judge who has considered the Texas law has found it discriminatory, but it still has been used in elections there. Challengers to the law had asked the Supreme Court to stop the law from being used in November, and the high court had given the 5th Circuit a Wednesday deadline to make its own decision about the law.

Texas could appeal the 5th Circuit decision to the Supreme Court. But the high court is split 4 to 4 on ideological grounds, and it would require the vote of five to overturn the circuit court decision.

The law has been challenged since its enactment by a broad coalition of civil rights groups and others, including the Obama administration.

Today is a great day for the secure voting rights of all Americans, but it is a watershed day in the protection of voters in Texas who have recently been under attack by state leaders, said Chad Dunn, a lawyer for some of the plaintiffs. Help is on the way to our clients and hundreds of thousands of Texans like them.

Texas contended that the earlier decisions were incorrect and that challengers have not been able to prove the law has reduced turnout or participation in any of the three statewide or five local elections in which the law has been used.

Preventing voter fraud is essential to accurately reflecting the will of Texas voters during elections, and it is unfortunate that this common-sense law, providing protections against fraud, was not upheld in its entirety, said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

The full appeals court said U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos had gone too far in finding that the Texas legislature had a discriminatory intent in passing the law. But it did find there was reason for her to reexamine the question under more demanding standards.

That drew a scathing dissent from six of the courts judges.

By keeping this latter claim alive, the majority fans the flames of perniciously irresponsible racial name-calling, wrote Judge Edith J. Jones. She compared the majority with Area 51 alien enthusiasts who, lacking any real evidence, espied a vast but clandestine government conspiracy to conceal the truth.

The state relied on a 2008 Supreme Court decision upholding an Indiana law that recognized a states interest in requiring voter IDs to maintain a fair and honest voting system.

Attorneys for the laws challengers said the Voting Rights Act requires courts to look closely at the context and consequences of the changes and whether they are needlessly burdensome.

Challengers, including the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said the legislatures purpose, in part, was to curb the increasing power of minority voters in the state. It said the legislature worked with surgical precision to rule out the kinds of identification  government employment cards, for instance, or college IDs  that minorities were most likely to hold.

The Texas law, known as SB 14, is one of several that will face court tests between now and the general election. Seventeen states have more-restrictive voting laws than they did during the presidential election four years ago, and several are under court scrutiny.

A voter-ID law in North Carolina was recently upheld, and that case now heads to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond. Virginias less-restrictive law was upheld as well.

But the Texas law has a long legal past. It was passed in 2011, but challenged under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which forbids changes that discriminate against minorities.
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that voters in Wisconsin who lack the specific kind of identification the state requires be allowed to vote in November by signing an affidavit as to their identity.

In the latest installment of a long-running legal battle over a law passed five years ago by the states Republican legislature and signed by Gov. Scott Walker (R), U.S. District Judge Lynn S. Adelman said the law would exclude qualified voters.

Although most voters in Wisconsin either possess qualifying ID or can easily obtain one, a safety net is needed for those voters who cannot obtain qualifying ID with reasonable effort, Adelman wrote in his 44-page decision.

[Federal court wonders if Texas voter-ID law offers exceptions]

The ruling would allow voters to use affidavits instead of IDs to vote in the Nov. 8 presidential election. Adelman said there would not be enough time to implement the new system for the Aug. 9 primary for congressional and state legislative races.

As the presidential election approaches, numerous legal battles are being waged nationwide over voter-ID laws. Republicans say they are necessary to protect the integrity of the system and discourage voter fraud, and Democrats say they are aimed at poor and minority voters who most often lack the specific kinds of identification the laws require.

The biggest battle is over a Texas law that is considered one of the most strict in the nation and is under review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. The Supreme Court has told that court that it should issue an opinion in the case soon, so that the loser can make what is sure to be an inevitable challenge to the justices.

The Wisconsin decision is likely to be appealed as well, and there are also challenges to laws in North Carolina and Virginia.

Adelman, at one point, had found the Wisconsin law unconstitutional but was overruled by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. The state made some changes in the law, and it was back for further review.

Even with the changes, Adelman said, thousands of eligible voters lack the necessary ID, and it is virtually self-evident that some of them will either need to exercise an extraordinary effort to obtain qualifying ID or be unable to obtain ID no matter how hard they try.

Adelman said that there is virtually no voter-impersonation fraud in Wisconsin and that the state has produced no evidence suggesting that the publics confidence in the electoral process would be undermined by allowing those who cannot obtain the ID to vote by presenting an affidavit.

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel (R) said in a statement that his office is studying the ruling before deciding the next step.

Sean Young, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, praised the decision.

Wisconsins voter ID law has been a mistake from day one, he said in a statement. This ruling is a strong rebuke of the states efforts to limit access to the ballot box. It means that a fail-safe will be in place in November for voters who have had difficulty obtaining ID.
U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, a Hawaii Democrat who was a longtime member of his states legislature and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and who was serving his first term in the House of Representatives, died July 20 at his home in Honolulu. He was 49.

The cause was pancreatic cancer, said his chief of staff, Rod Tanonaka. Rep. Takais illness was diagnosed in October, and he announced in May, after learning the cancer had spread, that he would not seek reelection in 2016.

Rep. Takai served in the Hawaii state house for 20 years before his election in 2014 to Congress, where he represented a district that included Honolulu and the surrounding area. The seat had been vacated by Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who that year unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.

Rep. Takai won with 52 percent of the vote to the 48 percent garnered by Republican Charles Djou, a veteran of the war in Afghanistan who served briefly in Congress after a special election in 2010. During the campaign, the candidates debated the role of the United States in the conflicts in Syria and elsewhere.

The war in the Middle East from my perspective is really not our war, said Rep. Takai, who served in the Hawaii Army National Guard and was deployed as a medical officer in the region in 2009. This is centuries in the making; these conflicts began when time began.

Mr. Takai in Honolulu in 2014. (Marco Garcia/AP)

In the House, Rep. Takai served on the Armed Services and Small Business committees. Among his legislative efforts, according to the Almanac of American Politics, was a bill to help Filipino veterans of World War II reunite with their families.

Kyle Mark Takai was born in Honolulu on July 1, 1967. He received a bachelors degree in political science in 1990 and a master of public health degree three years later, both from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he was a champion swimmer.

Rep. Takai ran an insurance brokerage and consultancy. He was elected in 1994 to the state house, where he rose to vice speaker, and had been a member of the Hawaii Army National Guard since 1999.

Survivors include his wife, the former Sami Kai of Honolulu; two children, Matthew Takai and Kaila Takai, also of Honolulu; his parents, Erik Takai and Naomi Takai, both of Waipahu, Hawaii; a brother; and two sisters.
Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) presented his case against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the GOP convention on July 18. People in the crowd shouted "Guilty!" throughout his speech and started a "Lock her up" chant. (The Washington Post)

Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.) presented his case against Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at the GOP convention on July 18. People in the crowd shouted "Guilty!" throughout his speech and started a "Lock her up" chant. (The Washington Post)

The refrain of this Republican convention hasnt been Make America Great Again. It has been Lock her up!

Over the conventions first two nights, a growing number of Republicans called for Hillary Clinton to be imprisoned. One of Trumps advisers called for her death. The unprecedented tenor for a national political convention has prompted dismay in some corners of the GOP and even launched a Secret Service investigation into a New Hampshire state representative who said Clinton should be shot by a firing squad.

At least three speakers called for the presumptive Democratic nominees imprisonment. Lock her up! the convention crowd shouted repeatedly on both nights, a chant not heard before at nominee Donald Trumps rallies.

On Wednesday evening, the chants continued  echoed onstage.

Lock her up! Florida Attorney General Pamela Bondi, her states top law enforcement official, said. I love that.

A law enforcement officer clashes with a protester who is holding a burning American flag in Cleveland during the third day of the Republican convention on July 20. (John Minchillo/AP)

Later Wednesday, the chant resurfaced during the speech of the vice-presidential nominee, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. He ignored it.

A Republican Party still divided over Trump has sought unity by focusing on attacking Clinton instead. But the recurring chant has made clear how much Trump has changed his partys tone and direction.

On Tuesday, for instance, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie recited a series of Clintons alleged misdeeds and led the crowd in shouts of Guilty! after each.

Months ago, Trump  who calls his opponent Crooked Hillary  was among the first prominent Republicans to suggest that Clinton should be imprisoned for her use of a private email server to conduct public business while she was secretary of state. That was before the Justice Department, acting on an FBI recommendation, decided not to prosecute Clinton, although FBI Director James B. Comey said she had been extremely careless.

Clintons use of that server  and her inability to explain why she had used it  have contributed to a decline in voters trust. In a July CNN poll, 34 percent of respondents said Clinton was honest and trustworthy. That was down significantly from 55 percent in March 2014.

I will say this: Hillary Clinton has got to go to jail, Trump said at a June rally in San Jose. Folks, honestly, shes guilty as hell, Trump said then. He indicated that, if elected, he would have his attorney general revisit the case against Clinton.

Some delegates came to the convention thinking that Clinton might deserve worse.

At the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, vendors are selling everything from "Hillary for Prison" T-shirts to Donald Trump whoopee cushions. (Jorge Ribas/The Washington Post)

She should be swinging from the rafters  a reference to hanging, said Susan Reneau, an alternate delegate from Montana, in an interview in Cleveland. Reneau said she blamed Clinton and her handling of government emails for Islamic State attacks in Paris, Belgium and Istanbul.

Hillary has jeopardized everyone, Reneau said. Its not even fair to call this her Watergate  Watergate was peanuts by comparison. She was wearing a black button that said Hillary for Prison on her jacket. Outside, vendors said those buttons were selling mainly to women.

Al Baldasaro, a Republican state representative in New Hampshire and an adviser to Trump on veterans issues, said that Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason on The Kuhner Report, a conservative radio show hosted by Jeff Kuhner. Trump chose Baldasaro to stand behind him at one of the most combative moments of his campaign, a news conference at which he defended his handling of money raised for veterans groups.

On Wednesday, Baldasaro stood by those comments in an interview with radio station WMUR. He said the death penalty was appropriate for Clintons handling of government emails. As far as Im concerned, it is treason, and the penalty for treason is the firing squad  or maybe its the electric chair now, Baldasaro said.

That got the attention of the Secret Service, which protects Clinton as a candidate and former first lady. The U.S. Secret Service is aware of this matter and will conduct the appropriate investigation, spokeswoman Nicole Mainor confirmed in an email.

In the convention hall, the chants began Monday night, the first night of the convention. One speaker  Pat Smith, whose son Sean Smith was killed in the terrorist attacks on U.S. outposts in Benghazi, Libya  said she wanted to see Clinton in stripes. Another, U.S. Senate candidate Darryl Glenn of Colorado, said, We all know she loves her pantsuits, but we should send her an email and tell her she deserves a bright orange jumpsuit.

Some Republicans reacted with dismay to that tone. I wouldnt say that she belongs in jail, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), whose Monday speech had been punctuated by the Lock her up chant, said afterward on CNN.

On Tuesday night, however, the idea of Clinton as a guilty defendant was the centerpiece of the speech by Christie, a former federal prosecutor who was passed over in Trumps running-mate search.

Christies speech was a powerful sign of how much the GOP  and its theory of what voters wanted  has shifted in just four years.

At the partys 2012 convention, Christie gave an upbeat, policy-heavy speech focused on his record in New Jersey. It was time, he said, for Republicans to start doing things that got results.

We are demanding that our leaders stop tearing each other down and work together to take action on the big things facing America, Christie said then.

The day before his speech, Christie told Michigan GOP delegates he would not commit to prosecuting Clinton if he became Trumps attorney general. Its very tempting to give in to what would be an enormous applause line, but he wouldnt, he said.

Then he used the applause line the next day  and the applause was enormous.

So lets do something fun tonight, he said Tuesday, asking the convention crowd to act as a kind of mass jury. Heres what were going to do. Were going to present the facts to you  you, a jury of her peers  both in this hall and in your living rooms around our nation.

Christie began with a series of assertions about Clintons time as secretary of state: She pushed for a military intervention in Libya, which led to a power vacuum and chaos. She supported better relations with the communist regime in Cuba and for a reset with Vladimir Putins Russia. In Christies speech, these all brought shouts of Guilty! from the crowd.

Some of Christies message dealt with the actual email investigation. The former U.S. attorney essentially asked the crowd to overrule the Justice Department.

You see, since the Justice Department refuses to allow you to render a verdict, Im going to present the case now, on the facts, against Hillary Rodham Clinton, Christie said.

Later, he got to the point about the emails: Hillary Clinton, lying to the American people about her selfish, awful judgment in making our secrets vulnerable, he said. Whats your verdict? Guilty or not guilty?

Guilty! the crowd said.

Several Republican officeholders said they thought Tuesday nights rhetoric went too far.

Clinton now belongs in prison? Cmon, Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) wrote on Twitter. We can make the case that she shouldnt be elected without jumping the shark.

Four years ago, the second night of the GOP convention was dedicated to rebuking President Obama for uttering the phrase, You didnt build that, which Republicans believed was Obama discounting the hard work of small-business owners.

This year, the tone inside the GOPs convention hall had begun to match the raunchy T-shirts sold outside it. Vendors are selling shirts and pins that make crude references to Clintons gender, to sexual acts and to the scandal involving her husband and former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.

Candidates and party leaders have lobbed insults at the other party in past U.S. political conventions: In 1936, Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt likened his opponents to economic royalists. But Michael Kazin, a history professor at Georgetown University, said he did not know of another convention with rhetoric like that being used against Clinton.

Saying [the nominee] should be in jail? Kazin said. Thats unique.

For some in the crowd, the chant was something harmless. A school cheer, one man called it  fun to chant but not meant literally.

 Jail Hillary is more of a slogan, said Norma Sanders, 50, a delegate from Mississippi. She said the slogan was invented long before the convention. She heard it first on Facebook, then on Fox News Channel, and finally from other people, face-to-face. Its a slogan that gets the point across that people think they would have a punishment for what she did with her email server, though Clinton did not, Sanders said.

The Clinton campaign did not waste any time taking advantage of the imagery with her supporters.

If you closed your eyes, you could imagine it being a lot like a witch trial, read a campaign email soliciting donations. They were barely one step removed from screaming burn her at the stake. It felt like a dark turning point in American politics.

That hasnt stopped Republicans from picking up the rhetoric and taking it further.

Michael Folk, a Republican member of West Virginias House of Delegates, tweeted last week that Clinton should be hung on the Mall in Washington.

Inside the convention hall here in Cleveland, Christie was followed by retired neurosurgeon and former presidential candidate Ben Carson. He accused Clinton of another offense  literally showing sympathy for the devil. He said Clinton admired now-deceased community organizer Saul Alinsky, who Carson said showed an interest in Lucifer and his ambitions on Earth.

So are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer? Carson asked. Think about that.

Joel Achenbach, Isaac Stanley-Becker and Aryn Braun in Cleveland and Emily Guskin and Aaron Blake in Washington contributed to this report.
Vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence greets the crowd on the third day of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

July 20, 2016 Vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence greets the crowd on the third day of the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post

Supporters  and protesting opponents  of Donald Trump show up in Cleveland, as well as campaign merchandise vendors.

Supporters  and protesting opponents  of Donald Trump show up in Cleveland, as well as campaign merchandise vendors.

Supporters  and protesting opponents  of Donald Trump show up in Cleveland, as well as campaign merchandise vendors.

What it looks like at the Republican National Convention on Day 3

What it looks like at the Republican National Convention on Day 3

Donald Trumps campaign has tried to use this weeks Republican National Convention to court African Americans by arguing that President Obama has failed them on jobs and crime. But when the GOP presidential nominee delivers his acceptance speech here Thursday, he will address an estimated 18 blacks out of 2,472 delegates.

Although that handful includes some of Trumps most vociferous backers, the overall lack of ethnic diversity at the convention illustrates one of his greatest challenges: how to court black voters after four decades of controversy over his racial views, including campaign-trail rhetoric that has alienated many minorities.

Twelve years ago, the GOP seemed on its way toward broadening its base, boasting 167 black delegates at its convention. That year, President George W. Bush drew 16 percent of the black vote here in Ohio, unusually high for a Republican, to help secure his reelection, as well as 11 percent nationally, and party leaders had hoped to increase minority engagement in 2016.

But as Trump heads to the general election, a Washington Post-ABC News poll found Democrat Hillary Clinton leading Trump among blacks by 89 percent to 4 percent, and a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll said Trump has zero support among African Americans in Ohio.

That is frustrating to the black delegates here, several of whom said in interviews that Trump has a compelling case to make to African Americans.

Speaking from the Quicken Loans Arena during the second night of the RNC, The Washington Post's Ed O'Keefe breaks down how the Republican National Convention that nominated Donald Trump for president has been more surprising - and sometimes nastier - than past conventions. (Sarah Parnass,Peter Stevenson/The Washington Post)

The rest of America has to see the person I sat down with, said James Evans, the chairman of the Utah Republican Party, who last month met privately with Trump after unsuccessfully trying to draft Mitt Romney to seek the nomination. The Democratic playbook is that if you are a white Republican candidate, you are a racially insensitive candidate. Lets look at the policies of the political left and how they devastated the black community, and you tell me who is more racist.

Bruce LeVell, a delegate who heads Trumps National Diversity Coalition, said he faces discrimination as a Trump supporter. To be a black American in Georgia, and to be a Republican and to be for Trump, I cant even tell you all the things Ive been called, he said.

Trumps outlook on race has come under new scrutiny in recent days as he has stepped up his criticism of the Black Lives Matter movement, saying it is very divisive. He asserted that after a black man shot five white police officers in Dallas before being killed, adding, I have seen, you know, moments of silence called for . . . this horrible human being. The assertion came despite the fact that leaders of Black Lives Matter condemned the killing of police officers.

Trump has vowed that he would unify the races as president.

I am not a racist, he told The Washington Post in an interview earlier this year. Im the least racist person that youve ever interviewed.

Trump, however, faces many challenges in winning over black voters, in part because he has been at the center of controversies regarding his racial views for decades.

The first front-page news story about Trump was a 1973 report about the federal governments lawsuit against him and his father in a racial bias case. Trump denied discriminating against black housing applicants and settled the case without admitting guilt.

Several years later, after Trump had expanded his real estate empire by building casinos in Atlantic City, a former executive from his business accused him of making racist statements. John ODonnell, who was president of the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and later wrote a memoir about his experience, said Trump blamed financial difficulties partly on African American accountants.

Ive got black accountants at Trump Castle and at Trump Plaza  black guys counting my money! ODonnells book quoted Trump as saying. I hate it. The only kind of people I want counting my money are short guys that wear yarmulkes every day. Those are the kind of people I want counting my money. Nobody else. . . . Besides that, Ive got to tell you something else. I think that the guy is lazy. And its probably not his fault because laziness is a trait in blacks. It really is; I believe that. Its not anything they can control.

ODonnell said in an interview that he admonished Trump not to talk that way.

Youre sitting there listening to him talk in stereotypes about black people being lazy and that it was a trait in his mind. And you just go, Oh my God,  ODonnell said.

Trump told Playboy magazine that ODonnells memoir was probably true. He told The Post earlier this year that the book was fiction, although he hadnt read it. Trump said he fired ODonnell, but ODonnell said he quit.

In 1989, Trump inserted himself into a racially charged case in New York City. Five boys, four black and one Hispanic, ages 14 to 16, had been arrested for the brutal attack and rape of a woman who had been jogging in Central Park. Two weeks later, Trump paid for a full-page ad in four New York newspapers urging the return of the death penalty and warning of roving bands of wild criminals.

The jogger suffered permanent damage. The boys were convicted and served six to 13 years in prison. But years later, a career criminal confessed to the rape, providing a DNA match. The convictions were overturned, and the city paid $41 million to settle a wrongful-imprisonment suit that the men had filed. Trump called the settlement a disgrace, refused to apologize, and said, These young men do not exactly have the pasts of angels.

A few months after the Central Park incident, Trump appeared on an NBC-TV special called Racial Attitudes and Consciousness Exam, hosted by Bryant Gumbel. He appeared to criticize affirmative action.

A well-educated black has a tremendous advantage over a well-educated white in terms of the job market, Trump said on the program. I think sometimes a black may think they dont have an advantage or this and that. Ive said on one occasion, even about myself, if I were starting off today, I would love to be a well-educated black, because I believe they do have an actual advantage.

During Trumps time as the star of his reality show, The Apprentice, he worked with a number of African American contestants.

Kwame Jackson, a Harvard Business School graduate who was on the first season of the show, said he saw the Dr. Jekyll-Mr. Hyde nature of Trump. During the taping of the show, Jackson said, Trump was respectful and Jackson didnt think of him as racist. But when Trump became a leading voice of the birther movement and questioned whether Obama was born in the United States, and then spoke critically of Mexicans and Muslims, Jackson said he sadly came to a different conclusion.

People thought he is flirting with racism, or manipulating American anger, then it became pure racism, he said. My distance [with Trump] grew to true disdain.

In November, Trump drew criticism when he retweeted a tweet that said blacks killed 81 percent of white homicide victims. The claim quickly was shown to be false. The actual number was 15 percent; 82 percent of whites were killed by whites.

The number of black delegates was disclosed last month in a Republican Party email reported by Post columnist Jonathan Capehart. A party official did not respond this week to a request for comment.

Trump declined an invitation to speak to the NAACPs annual convention, which was held in Cincinnati this week. The civil rights organization said Trumps campaign cited a scheduling conflict with the Republican convention.

Although only a handful of African American delegates are at this weeks convention, a number of blacks have been given prominent speaking roles, On Monday night, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke Jr., who has called Black Lives Matter a hate group, praised Trump as the steadfast leader our nation needs.

Trump, meanwhile, said in the interview earlier this year that his candidacy would be best for African Americans.

Somebody said Make America Great Again is a very negative theme, he said. I said, No, its a very positive theme because people have been disenfranchised. Look at African Americans. I mean, Im going to be so great. I think Im going to do great with African Americans.
The Rev. Thomas Chulak had this idea come over him as he was driving down to Cleveland from a Sleep Inn 50 miles away for the second day of the Republican convention: There was all this talk about what lives matter, but the reality is that we are all now black and blue.

Cops shooting and being shot. Violence in the land. Barricades. Some guys toting guns. Legions of officers from California to Texas to Florida roaming city streets. Evocations of law and order reminiscent of the 1960s. Fear of something more. It was not about the false choice of blue lives matter or black lives matter. We are all black and blue because we are all bruised, he thought.

Chulak is a Unitarian minister who lives in the town of Ghent, N.Y., about two hours north of New York City. He drove all day Sunday to get close to the action in Cleveland, compelled in part by his desire to exercise his First Amendment rights to protest Donald Trump, but more than that to offer himself as an instrument of peace  to see what he could do about all those black and blue bruises. He was out of uniform, no white collar, but brought with him a multicolored stole that reflected his sensibility, made for him by a parishioner from the fabric of neckties once worn by Roy Wilkins, a legendary civil rights leader.

As he parked his car in a lot on the edge of downtown, Chulak encountered his first police officer of the day and asked him the key to maintaining peace. Keep calm, the officer said. Talk quietly.

When he reached the Public Square, he shook hands with Sgt. T.J. Jones of the Cleveland Transit Police. Hows it going? he asked.

Police block protesters as they march near the site of the Republican National Convention in downtown Cleveland Tuesday. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Wonderful, Jones said, with what seemed like the practiced lines of a Chamber of Commerce official. Fifty thousand people? No big deal. Nothing compared to the 1.5 million who came out to celebrate the Cavs. A man with a rifle slung across his back? No big deal. Open carry is fine. Any trouble with protesters? Someone called him a pig. He heard a shout of fascist. But everything was peaceful. And delegates kept coming up to him and saying thanks. Even reporters and demonstrators were saying thanks.

The reverend asked the sergeant whether he was in any way afraid of what might happen to him in Cleveland that week. Part of the job, according to Jones, who came to work in the city after growing up on a farm in Mallet Creek. It so happened that he had just been elected vice president of the Police Memorial Society in Cleveland, an institution that honors fallen officers in the region and tries to help their families. He said 186 Cleveland officers had died in the line of duty since the early 1800s, the last death occurring four years ago.

Black and blue wounds of present and past. A memorial of a different sort helped Chulak make sense of the many contradictions and crosscurrents of this week in Cleveland. The dominant structure in the Public Square is a Civil War memorial with a 125-foot-high granite shaft and various sculpture reliefs inside depicting Abraham Lincoln emancipating the slaves and conferring with his generals. From Lincoln to Trump seemed to him a long way, as great a distance as between the killing fields of the Civil War and those of the America of today. But, still, in many ways it came back to race.

Lincoln was in Cleveland only twice. The first time was on the train in February 1861 that took him to his inauguration in Washington. The second time was also on a train, the funeral train that stopped here on April 28, 1865, as it carried his body back to Illinois after his assassination. His casket was placed in an open space in the Public Square under a pagoda. An inscription in the memorial notes that there were no walls, no major obstructions, to hide him from view.

From the memorial, Chulak walked across the square to the Old Stone Church, also known as First Presbyterian, where the widow Mary Lincoln found brief respite during that Cleveland stop. Now, 151 years later, the Unitarian minister took solace there, too, and opened the psalm book to find that song 563 was Lift Every Voice and Sing  also known as the black national anthem.

The day before, Chulak had walked about seven miles participating in various peace and anti-Trump demonstrations, carrying that stole from Roy Wilkins. The officers were friendly wherever he went, most of them either smiling or offering unsolicited hellos. One of the marches took him past a battalion of Cleveland officers on bicycles who had formed a wall of wheels and spokes at the corner of St. Clair and 9th that directed the demonstrators down toward the lake instead of up toward the Q, the convention arena.

It seemed somehow like a scene out of the Civil War, even though these cops were on bikes, not horses, and were wearing black shorts and black shirts and pointy bicycle helmets. It was the way they held firmly in place as their commanders rode behind them, up and down the line, bucking them up with shouts of Good job! Good job and re-arming them not with bullets but with nourishment to combat the afternoon heat and humidity. Water. Water. Water.

1 of 44 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  What the second day of the Republican National Convention looks like View Photos Scenes from Cleveland. Caption Scenes from Cleveland. July 19, 2016 Donald Trumps children Donald Jr., left, Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany celebrate after New York delegates seal their fathers nomination during the roll call states. Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post Wait 1 second to continue.

When the marchers had moved down the street another block, a bicycle commander gave the orders to move. P-2, double! P-4, double, against the curb, and the Cleveland officers, black and white, men and women, formed double lines, one in the street, one near the curb, and headed out. The reverend eventually began the long drive back to his motel 50 miles away, and started thinking about the meaning of black and blue and the healing of bruises. He had a song looping through his head, one that he had heard earlier in the day when he slipped over to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for half an hour. Not long after he walked in, the plaintive plea of Marvin Gaye washed over him, the words from a different era that never seemed more appropriate. Brother, brother, brother. Theres too many of you dying.
They are  for now  the worlds two most powerful women, and they will soon sit on opposite sides of a negotiation that could set the direction of Europe for decades to come.

But if there was any tension in Wednesdays meeting in Berlin between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Theresa May, leaders known for their no-nonsense style and tenacious bargaining, it hardly showed.

In a news conference after what was Mays first meeting with a foreign leader since taking the keys to 10 Downing Street last week, the two women struck notably conciliatory tones.

The British exit from the European Union, both insisted, can be an amicable process that works out well for the United Kingdom and the E.U. In this extraordinarily complex and consequential divorce, they suggested, both sides can be winners  even if neither Merkel nor May had wanted the split.

We have two women here . . . who want to get on with the job and want to deliver the best possible results for the people of the U.K and the people of Germany, May said as she stood by Merkels side in front of the concrete and glass of the postmodern German Chancellery building.

British Prime Minister Theresa May, left, attends a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. (Adam Berry/Getty Images)

Exactly, Merkel quickly interjected, allowing herself an uncharacteristic smile. I completely agree with that.

[May and Merkel: Europes two most powerful women have a lot in common]

The genial mood could reflect the timing of Wednesdays talks as much as it does any genuine cause for optimism that Britains E.U. exit may not be as messy as many have feared.

The meeting, after all, was not a true negotiation.

Merkel and other European leaders have insisted that there will be no talks on the terms of Britains departure until the United Kingdom formally triggers Article 50, the never-before-used mechanism for leaving the E.U. that will start the clock on a two-year process of withdrawal.

May, meanwhile, has been stalling for time, insisting that Britain needs to develop its negotiating strategy after its stunning vote last month to leave the E.U. She said Wednesday, as she has before, that Britain will not activate Article 50 this year.

But in a possible softening of a European position that has focused on pressuring Britain to move faster, Merkel signaled that she was okay with that, calling the need for time absolutely understandable.

Addressing embattled Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, May questions his ability to lead his "employees." (Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

Whenever Britain is ready to launch talks, Merkel said, Europe will listen to what Great Britain wants, and we will find the right answer.

The meeting was a historic coming together of female leaders in a year in which the United States could elect its first female president.

When Merkel first took office in 2005, she was compared to former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher. Now May is referred to in the German press as the British Merkel.

As they negotiate the tricky terms of Brexit, much could depend on the personal chemistry between the two women, who have much in common: Both are the daughters of pastors, were born in the 1950s and leveraged their reputations as hard-working pragmatists to emerge as leaders of their center-right parties, and their nations.

The Brexit talks are likely to center on two interrelated issues: trade and immigration. Britain wants to maintain its access to the European common market, but without giving European workers the unlimited right to move to the United Kingdom. Merkel and other E.U. leaders have said that Britain cannot cherry-pick the terms of its relationship with the bloc.

Merkel had sought to dissuade Britain from exiting the E.U., and May sided with the 48 percent of British voters who lost to the pro-Brexit majority. But May has said repeatedly that she will implement the voters will, declaring that Brexit means Brexit. Merkel, who as Germanys leader bears much of the responsibility for holding the remainder of the E.U. together, agreed that we have to deal with this reality, however unwelcome.

[Theresa May is boring and reliable  and maybe just what Britain needs right now]

The apparent bonhomie between Merkel and May in Berlin was in marked contrast with the blistering political put-downs of the other major first of Mays tenure on Wednesday: her debut in the epic weekly jousting match that is Prime Ministers Questions.

By all accounts, it was a confident beginning.

Few expected May  often described as a cautious and understated politician  to let it rip. But that is what she did, delivering zinger upon zinger in a session that prompted raucous cheering from her fellow Conservatives and stone-faced stares from the opposition Labour Party.

In one of the most striking moments, she ridiculed Labour for not producing a female prime minister when the Conservative Party has now had two.

In my years here in this house, Ive long heard the Labour Party asking what the Conservative Party does for women, she said, stretching her arms wide as if to draw attention to the obvious answer. Well, it just keeps making us prime minister.

But while she delivered the one-liners, many of them possibly well rehearsed, she also evaded several tough questions.

She dodged a request to comment on controversial remarks made by new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson over the years, including his views on President Obamas part-Kenyan heritage.

And when asked to rule out seeking access to the E.U.s single market  a key demand of hard-line Brexiteers who want latitude to impose maximum controls on immigration  May did no such thing.

But she did wish the member of Parliament who asked the question a happy birthday.

Read more:

The undemocratic result of Britains Brexit referendum

Theresa May vows bold, new future for Britain as E.U. exit awaits

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Flood destroys seven houses in Tikapur

Seven houses have been destroyed after flood water entered a settlement in Ekatangar, Tikapur on Monday.
French soldiers patrol on July 19 on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the scene of the previous weeks truck attack that killed at least 84 people. (Claude Paris/AP)

Three French soldiers were killed in Libya while on a mission, the French Defense Ministry announced Wednesday, in the first official confirmation that French special forces have been active in Libya in apparent operations against the Islamic State.

The Defense Ministry declined to confirm the reported details of the soldiers deaths, but President Francois Hollande, addressing a military training center in southwestern France, specifically mentioned a helicopter crash.

The Associated Press, quoting Libyan officials, reported that the soldiers were killed Sunday in an attack on their helicopter. An Islamist militia known as the Defending Benghazi Brigade asserted responsibility for the downing.

There are an estimated 2,000 to 5,000 Islamic State fighters across Libya, which has been gripped by unrest and political upheavals since a Western-aided uprising in 2011 deposed longtime ruler Moammar Gaddafi, who was captured and killed by rebels.

In Paris, government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said in a radio interview that French forces in Libya were there to ensure that France is present everywhere in the fight against terrorism.

[Pentagon outlines next phase of Islamic State fight]

The French newspaper Le Monde first reported the presence of the special forces, claiming in February that several thousand French troops were engaged in clandestine operations against the Islamic State. It also reported that a November airstrike that killed Abu Nabil al-Anbari, believed to be the top Islamic State figure in Libya, was initiated by Paris.

Anbari was thought to be the narrator in a February 2015 video that showed the beheadings of 21 Christian workers in Libya, nearly all Copts from Egypt.

At the time, Libyan officials denied the Le Monde report and the French government said its interest was merely in reconnaissance.

Libyan-based militants have not been directly linked to any of the major Islamic State attacks in Europe, including the rampage across Paris last year that claimed 130 lives and last weeks Bastille Day truck attack in Nice, which left 84 dead. Some suspects had links to Tunisia and other nations in northern Africa.

Since 2014, Libya has been split between rival governments backed by various militias and tribes. A unity government brokered by the United Nations in December has struggled to make headway.

According to the claim of responsibility by the Defending Benghazi Brigade militia, the helicopter used by the French forces belonged to Khalifa Hifter, a Libyan general who opposes the internationally recognized government, the AP reported.

[Tunisia nervously eyes Islamic State havens next door in Libya]

The United States has conducted occasional airstrikes in Libya amid deepening worries among Western powers and allies about the expanding footholds in the country of the Islamic State and other militant groups, including factions inspired by al-Qaeda.

In addition, about two dozen U.S. Special Operations troops have been stationed at two outposts in eastern and western Libya since late 2015, seeking to coordinate with Western-allied militia groups.

In February, U.S. F-15 fighter jets struck a suspected Islamic State camp on the outskirts of Sabratha in western Libya, killing at least 40 people in an early-morning attack that targeted senior militant Noureddine Chouchane. The Pentagon said Chouchane was suspected of overseeing attacks on Western tourists in neighboring Tunisia in 2015.

The Sabratha raid marked the second U.S. attack against Islamic State militants in Libya.

On Tuesday, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said there was a distinct possibility that the Islamic State could be driven from its main Libyan stronghold in the coastal city of Sirte but could scatter to other parts of the region.

Ban cited a recent U.N. report that said there are about 2,000 to 7,000 Islamic State militants in the area from Egypt to Mali and Mauritania.

Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report.

Read more:

In Libya, the Islamic States black banner rises by the Mediterranean

U.S. establishes Libyan outposts with eye toward offensive against Islamic State

U.S. and allies ready to help arm Libyan forces against Islamic State

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Police officers stand by the regional train on which a teenager wielding an ax attacked passengers in Wurzburg, Germany.

July 18, 2016 Police officers stand by the regional train on which a teenager wielding an ax attacked passengers in Wurzburg, Germany. Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/European Pressphoto Agency

A 17-year-old Afghan refugee injured at least four people before being killed by police, authorities said.

A 17-year-old Afghan refugee injured at least four people before being killed by police, authorities said.

A 17-year-old Afghan refugee injured at least four people before being killed by police, authorities said.

Photos from the aftermath of attack by ax-wielding teen on a train in Germany

Photos from the aftermath of attack by ax-wielding teen on a train in Germany

A teenager who attacked passengers with an ax on a German commuter train seems to have acted alone and had no direct connections to the Islamic State, Germanys top law enforcement official said Wednesday.

The 17-year-old, who applied for asylum as an Afghan refugee earlier this year, used an ax and a knife to injure five people, two of them seriously, late Monday. He pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State in a Pashto-language video the militant group released hours after the attack.

Although the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack in Bavaria, German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Wednesday that investigators have found no evidence that the group directed the violence.

A lot indicates that it was an attack by an individual perpetrator who had been incited by the propaganda of the Islamic State, de Maiziere said. Perhaps its a case in the border area between rampage and terror.

The attack has fueled the roiling debate in Germany about whether Chancellor Angela Merkel erred by throwing open her nations doors to more than a million asylum seekers last year. The wave of migrants  unprecedented since the years immediately after World War II  has swamped Germanys ability to provide even basic services, and it has created the greatest political vulnerability for the leader in her 11 years in office. Anti-immigrant parties are surging in the polls despite an initially welcoming stance toward refugees by ordinary Germans.

A 17-year-old Afghan asylum seeker is suspected of carrying out an ax attack on a German commuter train. The Islamic State has claimed that the young man was a fighter of the group. (Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)

[Ax-wielding attacker on train roils Germany over migrants]

The attack came three days after a rampage in Nice, France, killed 84 people, adding to the sense that Europe is facing a new threat of terrorism from people inspired by the Islamic State.

The teenager arrived in Germany in June 2015, unaccompanied by his family. After he applied for asylum in March, he was housed in a group home near where the attack took place, in southern Germany.

For the past two weeks, he was living with a foster family, in a bedroom where investigators found a notebook with a hand-drawn Islamic State flag and violent notes that he had apparently written in Pashto.

In the video, the teen, who has not been publicly identified, called himself a soldier of the caliphate.

I lived among you and in your houses. . . . I will slaughter you in your houses and tear you apart, he said, according to a translation by the SITE Intelligence Group.

De Maiziere said that German authorities think the video is authentic.

Police officers walk along train tracks in Wuerzburg southern Germany a day after a man attacked train passengers with an axe. (Daniel Roland/AFP/Getty Images)

The survival of the two most seriously injured victims is still in question, he said.

Investigators have said the teens behavior changed after he learned of the death of a friend in Afghanistan over the weekend. De Maiziere said that terrorism investigators were trying to determine whether he was truly from Afghanistan, as he claimed on his asylum application, or whether he was from a Pashto-speaking part of eastern Pakistan.

Some Pakistanis have applied for asylum as Afghan citizens to improve the chances that they will be allowed to remain in Europe.

Read more:

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Smoke billows from buildings after forces loyal to Libya's unity government fired rockets targeting Islamic State positions in Sirte on July 18. (Mahmud Turkia/AFP/Getty Images)

Forces loyal to Libyas fragile unity government are laying siege to Islamic State militants in the city of Sirte, a senior official said Wednesday, as fighters from the groups strongest affiliate put up stiff resistance to a Western-backed offensive there.

The extremists, who took over the coastal city last year, are now holed up in a conference center in central Sirte after forces aligned with the unity government in Tripoli reclaimed other areas of the city in recent weeks, said Mohamed Taher Siyala, the governments foreign minister.

About 250 members of the pro-government forces have been killed, and more than 1,000 wounded, Siyala said. He did not have figures for militant losses but said some had been arrested and others were thought to have fled to the south.

Government-aligned fighters have had trouble advancing farther because militants have sown the area with booby traps and bombs, and the opposing forces, who are mostly part-time or militia fighters, lack skills and equipment required to disarm them.

We are patient, Siyala said. We are trying to cut electricity, to cut food.

Victory in Sirte would be a milestone in efforts to weaken the Islamic State, which has urged recruits to flock to Libya as it faces increased military pressure in Iraq and Syria.

Since the groups appearance in Libya, it has used the same harsh tactics it has elsewhere, beheading those seen as unbelievers and subjecting residents to hard-line Islamist rule.

The minister said that Libyan forces around Sirte would continue to require intelligence and logistics assistance from foreign military advisers in Libya. He said those advisers came from various important countries but declined to name them.

Western nations including France, Britain and the United States have small numbers of elite forces on the ground in Libya.

But the battle is a Libyan battle, and its proved by the casualties, Siyala said.

[U.S. establishes Libyan outposts with eye toward offensive against Islamic State]

On Wednesday, the French government announced that an accident had killed three of its soldiers during a mission in eastern Libya.

That part of the country now lies outside the control of the unity government, which has been installed in Tripoli since March and is being led by Prime Minister Fayez Serraj.

Western officials hope Serrajs government will earn the support of Libyas feuding factions and put an end to the two-year partition that has pushed the country to the brink of bankruptcy and allowed Islamist groups to flourish.

For months, the United Nations has been working to generate wider support for the unity government, which is widely recognized by outside powers but has not won the support of the legislature based in eastern Libya or the powerful military figure Khalifa Hifter, who has been battling Islamist militants there.

Siyala was in Washington to meet with other ministers facing a threat from the Islamic State. On Thursday, Secretary of State John F. Kerry and Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter will host defense and foreign ministers for discussions about how to weaken the group.

While the United States has conducted several airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Libya, the White House has not yet granted approval of military plans, under consideration for months, that would significantly broaden Western military action there.

[France says 3 soldiers killed during mission in Libya]

Even if the Serraj government gets the backing of political opponents in Libya, it will face a major challenge in creating a unified army and demobilizing the array of militia groups that have wielded power since the 2011 war that ended Moammar Gaddafis long rule.

This is a process [in which] we need a lot of help from the international community, Siyala said. People will not give up easily. This is what happens always after wars.

After Gaddafis ouster, the United States and its allies tried to help Libyas nascent democracy curb militias and build up law enforcement powers. But those efforts, modest in scale, unraveled in the face of political and militia rivalries.

This time, Western nations hope to provide more immediate, coordinated assistance, including help building a presidential guard and improving the countrys security institutions. But even with Islamic State threats of attacking Europe across the Mediterranean, securing resources for Libya has not been easy.

Always we are asking the international community to give a hand, Siyala said. We believe they are giving a lot of promises and they are not meeting their promises.

[Libyan force was lesson in limits of U.S. power]

Siyala said Libyan forces do not need foreign air power in the Sirte battle.

Actually we not hurrying up any airstrikes, and we believe that our forces can do the job, he said. But he said the government may request additional nonlethal equipment and certain kinds of unspecified high-tech weaponry.

As the battle for Sirte unfolds, Libyan officials are struggling to provide even the most basic services to citizens. For the past few days, oil production has been at virtually zero because of a dispute over payment to petroleum guard forces. Siyala said Libya should be exporting up to 600,000 barrels per day of crude.

Read more:
North Korea said Wednesday that it practiced trying to blow up South Korean ports and airports with nuclear warheads during its most recent ballistic missile launches, the latest sign of Pyongyangs anger over attempts to contain it.

North Korea launched three missiles  two short-range Scuds and one medium-range Rodong  from a launch site south of Pyongyang early Tuesday. They flew about 350 miles across the peninsula to land in the sea off the eastern coast, and South Korean military officials said the missiles had the potential to hit even the southernmost parts of their country.

The launches were part of a drill overseen by Kim Jong Un, the third-generation leader of North Korea who bears the official title of Supreme Commander of the Korean Peoples Army.

[South Koreas president vows all-out push to punish North for provocations]

The drill rehearsed making preemptive strikes at ports and airfields in the operational theater in South Korea, where the U.S. imperialists nuclear war hardware is to be hurled, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Wednesday.

In response to the Norths provocations this year  a nuclear test in January and the steady stream of missiles that have followed it  South Korea has agreed to host a sophisticated antimissile system despite strong objections from China, a key trading partner.

The United States and South Korea this month finalized the details for deploying a terminal high-altitude area defense (THAAD) battery to South Korea that would be operated by U.S. forces stationed there. It is designed to intercept incoming missiles.

Han Min-goo, the Souths defense minister, told lawmakers in an emergency session Tuesday afternoon that the Norths missiles constituted a sort of protest against the planned THAAD deployment.

The decision also has been controversial in South Korea, particularly in the rural area of Seongju, which has been chosen as the site for the battery. Residents pelted the South Korean prime minister with eggs last week when he visited the area, about 130 miles southeast of Seoul, to try to alleviate their concerns that they would become a target for North Korea.

The North has unleashed a steady stream of invective over the South Korean governments increasingly assertive response, and it has boasted of technological breakthroughs in its nuclear weapons program.

Tuesdays drill simulated detonating nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area, KCNA said.

North Korea has proved it has nuclear devices and has also shown advances in its missile program, although progress has not always been smooth. Most of the six intermediate-range Musudan missile tests carried out in recent months have been failures.

[U.N. adopts sweeping new sanctions on North Korea]

Despite North Koreas boasts, there is considerable doubt about whether North Korea has mastered the next, difficult steps: making nuclear warheads small enough to mount on a missile, and then being able to deliver the blow. While many analysts, and a considerable number of U.S. officials, think that it is just a matter of time until the North figures it out, no evidence yet suggests that the countrys nuclear weapons program is at such a level.

But North Korea has continued to pump out statements that increase tension on the peninsula, where the two sides remain technically at war, more than 60 years after the Korean War.

Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction over the successful drill, the KCNA statement said, and he praised the soldiers for being fully ready to carry out any order issued all of a sudden.

Read more:

Pentagon to deploy anti-missile system in South Korea

South Koreas president vows all-out push to punish North for provocations

North Korea fires projectiles into sea after U.N. passes new sanctions

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
Turkey declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, a move that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said would enable the state to act faster against those who plotted a failed coup.

In a late-night televised address, Erdogan, who has been carrying out a large-scale purge of the countrys institutions, sought to reassure the country that the measure  which would be in force for three months  will protect democratic freedoms. But the move consolidates more power in the presidents hands, allowing him to rule by decree.

For the state of emergency to be implemented, the decision must be approved by parliament.

The United States and Europe have urged Turkey to follow the rule of law and maintain democratic order in the wake of the attempted power grab that saw a renegade part of the armed forces hijack aircraft and attack key military and government buildings last week. Turkeys countermeasures have affected more than 50,000 people  judges, civil servants, military, police and others  as the countrys leaders seek to root out opponents and perceived internal dissent.

The government is presenting the measures as an effort to confront a wide-ranging conspiracy led by a U.S.-based Turkish cleric, Fethullah Gulen, a former ally of Erdogan whom Turkey accuses of running a terrorist organization. Critics, however, claim that Erdogans government is using the coup attempt as an excuse to eliminate the last vestiges of opposition to its rule.

The cleansing is continuing, and we remain very determined, Erdogan said. He described a virus within the Turkish military and state institutions that had spread like cancer.

[A family caught on both sides of the failed coup]

Article 120 of the Turkish constitution allows for a state of emergency to be announced in the event of an act of violence intended to abolish democracy or cripple fundamental rights and freedoms, Erdogan said. The declaration will enable Turkey to take the most efficient steps in order to remove threats to democracy, to the rule of law and to the freedoms of the citizens in our country, he said.

The crackdown against alleged Gulenists has showed no signs of relenting and continued on Wednesday as Turkey issued a ban on professional travel for all academics, opened investigations into military courts and closed schools.

At least 262 military judges and prosecutors were suspended as part of an investigation by the Defense Ministry into all personnel in its judiciary, the private NTV broadcaster reported. The Education Ministry said it was closing 626 private schools and other institutions that are under investigation for crimes against the constitutional order, state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

Almost a third of Turkeys top military generals have been charged in the coup plot. Turkish government officials have indicated that authorities may move to take more control over the armed forces.

[An interview with Turkeys minister of foreign affairs]

1 of 63 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad  The scene in Turkey after an attempted coup View Photos The nations military tried to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Caption The nations military tried to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. July 17, 2016 Women mourn near the flag-draped coffin of a relative in Istanbul, during the funeral of seven victims of the July 15 coup attempt. Aris Messinis/AFP/Getty Images Wait 1 second to continue.

The military has long seen itself as the guardian of secularism in this mostly Muslim country and has staged a series of coups in past decades, but its power has been gradually diminished. Thousands of Turks took to the streets to prevent another coup, but the crackdown has raised fears that Erdogan  who described the plot as a gift from God  will use it as an opportunity to make the government more authoritarian.

The armed forces . . . will act in unison with the government, Erdogan said, hinting that civil control of the military  long a subject of debate in Turkey  could be expanded.

According to a senior Turkish intelligence official, Turkish authorities have begun to arrest defense attaches stationed in several countries abroad who might have been involved with the attempted putsch.

Analysts have raised fears that Erdogan may be moving toward establishing a one-party state.

A Turkish intelligence official said he believes elements of the Gulen movement have infiltrated opposition political parties.

According to the official, Turkish intelligence estimates that at least 100,000 people were involved in planning the coup.

Gulen, the cleric accused of inspiring the coup attempt, has denied any link to the plot, implying instead that Erdogan staged it as part of a bid to consolidate power. Gulen lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, and his backers operate education networks in Turkey, the United States and elsewhere.

Turkey has requested Gulens extradition from the United States.

In Washington, Secretary of State John F. Kerry said the Justice Department has jurisdiction over the issue. They will have to make their judgments applying our legal standards to whatever has been put forward, he said.

The travel restrictions on educators officially apply to work-related trips, the state broadcaster TRT reported. There are no restrictions to personal travel, said a senior Turkish official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government protocol. He described the travel ban as a temporary measure.

[Thousands of judges purged in Turkey]

But some professors and others in academic fields claim that their administrators have told them they cannot leave the country for any reason. Several university professors also confirmed that their supervisors told them to cancel vacations and other leave plans indefinitely.

The travel ban came a day after more than 15,000 education workers were suspended and resignations were demanded for all university deans. Turkey has also revoked the licenses of 21,000 teachers.

Naylor reported from Istanbul. Carol Morello in Washington and Souad Mekhennet and Thomas Gibbons-Neff in Ankara contributed to this report.

Read more

Secular citizens feel increasingly nervous in post-coup Turkey

Turkish government looking to put tighter leash on the military

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
The day after rogue soldiers failed to unseat the government, some of Turkeys top judges called an emergency meeting.

The 22 justices  known as the High Council of Judges and Prosecutors  convened Saturday in the Turkish capital, Ankara, which was the scene of heavy clashes the night before.

The council usually appoints judges and prosecutors and rules on cases of misconduct, which are then subject to review. But this time, the justices turned against their own and sacked nearly 3,000 judges, marking the start of a now-widespread government purge.

Stacked with supporters of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the council even suspended five fellow members.

The targeting of Turkeys judiciary offers a window into how swiftly Erdogans allies on the council moved to eliminate opponents, eroding the rule of law and politicizing a system that relies on a balanced administration of justice. With such sweeping dismissals in the wake of the attempted coup, that impartiality is now under threat.

Authorities have suspended or detained tens of thousands of bureaucrats for alleged links to the plot. Mass dismissals have also hollowed out the army, police, schools, universities and the states highest religious-affairs council, bringing the number of people in detention or newly unemployed to roughly 50,000.

[Turkey bans all academics from travel in latest post-coup measure]

About 800 judges and prosecutors have been taken into custody in at least 40 of Turkeys 81 provinces, including two members of the Constitutional Court. An additional 262 military prosecutors have also been suspended. These dismissals represent nearly a fifth of all judicial officials, according to figures from the Turkish Justice Ministry.

Its total chaos. They are not applying any kind of law at this stage, Gunal Kursun, assistant law professor at Turkeys Cukurova University, said of the legal system.

Rights advocates have warned that the speed with which the government is firing and detaining opponents suggests authorities have bypassed laws requiring criminal investigations.

The courts are only a formality at the moment, Kursun said. Right now, they are not really working as courts.

On Thursday, researchers for Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch said that a prominent human rights lawyer, Orhan Kemal Cengiz, had been detained at Istanbul Ataturk Airport. He was taken into custody with his wife, writer Sibel Hurtas, and transferred to a police station in Istanbul.

The Turkish government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Cengizs reported detention.

Very concerned to hear from [Cengiz and Hurtas] they are detained at Ataturk airport, Human Rights Watchs Turkey director, Emma Sinclair-Webb, posted on Twitter.

Gutting the judiciary in the aftermath of a coup seems counterintuitive, legal experts say. The government ostensibly needs the legitimacy of the law to arrest and prosecute conspirators and would not want anything to jeopardize those convictions. Also worrying is the fact that the judiciary played no overt role in the bid to oust the government Friday night.

It was a mutinous faction of the military that hijacked aircraft, gunned down civilians and declared martial law by taking over state broadcasters. But having just survived a violent coup, authorities here are in no mood to tolerate dissent.

According to the president and other officials, followers of a Muslim cleric and Erdogan rival, Fethullah Gulen, were responsible for the conspiracy. For years, Erdogan and his supporters have accused Gulenists of infiltrating state institutions  including the judiciary  in an attempt to create a parallel state.

[The cleric blamed by Turkey leads a global movement from the Poconos]

Gulen and Erdogan  both religious Muslims  were once allies against holdouts of Turkeys staunchly secular and militaristic republic, founded by nationalist Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923.

But when allegedly pro-Gulen prosecutors launched corruption probes into Erdogan's senior ministers, the relationship quickly soured.

Turkey's judiciary, then, emerged as one of the last institutions capable of challenging Erdogan, who had consolidated power as president with a comfortable majority in parliament.

But the feud also turned its judges into targets. Now, officials say, long-running investigations into the Gulen movements penetration of law enforcement, the judiciary, and the military have allowed authorities to move quickly to arrest the coup plotters.

One senior official, speaking on the condition of anonymity in line with government protocol, said the decisions to detain or suspend certain judges are made based on financial transactions and communications between the individuals in question and the putschists.

Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania, has denied any role in the plot to bring down the government.

Historians and Turkish legal experts say the purge  both within the judiciary and more generally  is probably the biggest in Turkeys modern history. The country has been through four successful military coups since its founding nearly a century ago.

Cengiz, the lawyer reported to be detained, said in an interview earlier this week that during [the rule of] previous military juntas, there were similar purges, but never to this scale.

While there has been no formal declaration, Cengiz said that in practice, the constitution is suspended right now.

Erdogan said in the aftermath of the attempted coup that at every level of government, the period of cleaning this virus will continue.

Like the cancer virus, it spreads all around the government, he said.

Read more:

On the streets of Istanbul, anger, joy, devastation and celebration

Turkeys increasingly complicated relationship with NATO

An interview with Turkeys minister of foreign affairs

Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world
High schools in Erie, Pennsylvania were recently threatened with closures due to a budget crisis. Niles Niemuth, the vice presidential candidate for the Socialist Equality Party, spoke with residents about the defense of public education and the conditions workers and youth face in the US today.

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Did he or didnt he? Regardless of whether Drake got plastic surgery, he doesnt deserve to be shamed. (Photo: Getty Images)

When we think of cosmetic surgery, we usually picture things like breast enlargements and lip injections. We rarely imagine men going under the knife or the needle. But thats what rapper Drake is being accused of in a new track by fellow rapper Joe Budden, who claims Drizzy had liposuction to define his six-pack abs, according to Uproxx.

In Afraid, Budden has the nerve to sample Drakes own music while claiming that the Canadian went to Dr. Miami  aka Florida plastic surgeon Michael Salzhauer  to get fat sucked out of his abdomen. Yeah, Aubrey, thats the one we trusted, not this new Aubrey with his stomach sculpted, Budden rhymed, referencing Drakes birth name, Aubrey Drake Graham. He saw Dr. Miami and didnt tell yall  hip-hop weird now lol, Budden tweeted, along with Irrelevant rappers >> rappers who get lipo  twice.

Related: Nurse Shamed by Cashier for Her Rainbow Hair

Nothing but Buddens words, though, indicate that Drake had any cosmetic procedures at all. Even a plastic surgeon contacted by Uproxx said that Champagne Papis well-chiseled physique can be achieved through exercise, weight loss  and zero surgery. Though Budden implies that he knows the rapper went under the knife, his diss track could easily be retaliation for Drakes hit No Shopping, in which he says, Im not a one-hit wonder, they know all my stuff/You let me turn into the n***a that you almost was. Fans are convinced the dig is aimed at Budden.

According to Boston Plastic Surgery Specialists website, liposuction is very effective in men because their skin is literally thicker, so retraction and tightening can be quite good, and men can achieve rock-hard abs in an instant.

Statistics by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery show that the number of men having cosmetic surgery has increased significantly since 2000. Liposuction is the No. 1 cosmetic procedure performed in the United States, bumping breast augmentation for the top spot. Men comprised only 9.4 percent of those patients, but liposuction was the most popular procedure for them.

Story continues

Related: Whoa: Kat Von D Denounces Racist Jeffree Star

An article in the Telegraph says that the number of plastic surgery procedures performed on men increased by 16 percent in 2013, and liposuction was the fastest-growing procedure. The article said the U.K.s Private Clinic of Harley Street reported a whopping 150 percent increase in mens requests for VASER lipo, a minimally invasive procedure that uses ultrasound technology to target fat cells for removal.

The most popular cosmetic procedures sought by men today are minimally invasive body contouring procedures, such as Vaser Lipo, confirms Dr. Dennis Wolf, cosmetic doctor at The Private Clinic of Harley Street. I think today men have a more open attitude towards cosmetic treatments and I also think they are more aware of the treatments that are available to them. If we look back 5-10 years, you would find a far lower number of men who would be prepared to have cosmetic treatments to improve the way they look; not because they did not want to undergo the procedure, but perhaps because they were embarrassed or did not want others to see them as vain. Now, however, perceptions have changed and people dont associate cosmetic treatments solely with women.

Dr. Wolf adds that just five years ago, the majority of male VASER procedures he carried out were on men in their late 30s or early 40s, but now it is common for him to treat men even in their late 50s and early 60s.

Of course, its impossible to know whether or not Drake had such a procedure done, especially since his camp hasnt spoken out against the verbal assault. But even if he did, its not a reason to take jabs at the rapper  or anyone who chooses cosmetic surgery.

Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
ICT training for youth and woman kicks off

A weeklong ICT training for youth and woman programme has kicked off in Tokha from Sunday.
Rich and famous people often have very different hobbies than the rest of us: collecting luxury cars, jetting the globe in private planes, dating other rich and famous people. But Jared Leto is just like us  if we were world-class rock climbers, that is. In recent years, the actor and rocker has expanded his repertoire to include scaling some of the most impressive natural formations on earth, and he doesnt seem inclined to stop anytime soon.



On Tuesday, July 20, the Suicide Squad star shared a breathtaking pic on Instagram from his recent trek to Yosemite National Park. In the photo, he can be seen working his way up a near-vertical rock (artfully positioned sideways), with a blanket of trees far below. Leto playfully sticks out his tongue as he mugs for the camera. As you do.

Started with the classic OZ (ounce) on Drug Dome and finished up on the very fun Hobbit, he explained. Epic day with @renan_ozturk and co in #Tuolumne @yosemite #findyourpark ps. Great Wide Open is coming #soon.

Started with the classic OZ (ounce) on Drug Dome and finished up on the very fun Hobbit. Epic day with @renan_ozturk and co in #Tuolumne #yosemite #findyourpark ps. Great Wide Open is coming #soon A photo posted by JARED LETO (@jaredleto) on Jul 19, 2016 at 5:57pm PDT

In case youre wondering, Renan Ozturk is a climber and National Geographic contributor  and it seems that the two are kindred spirits. Ozturk posted his own photo of the actor reaching the summit, which showed just how high they truly were. Not much beats the feeling of covering ground over impeccable alpine granite, he wrote. Here, @jaredleto tops out the formation in Tuolumne Meadows @yosemitenps after a long simul climbing session racing the setting sun.

Not much beats the feeling of covering ground over impeccable alpine granite. Here, @jaredleto tops out the formation in Tuolumne Meadows @yosemitenps after a long 'simul climbing session racing the setting sun. #alpinewonderlands #summer #GreatWideOpen A photo posted by Renan Ozturk (@renan_ozturk) on Jul 18, 2016 at 1:04am PDT

On Monday, Leto also shared an up-close-and-personal shot alongside his friend that looked like it belonged on the side of a Wheaties box. Summit  Tuolumne/Yosemite, he wrote next to it.

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Summit - Tuolumne / Yosemite @renan_ozturk #GreatWideOpen A photo posted by JARED LETO (@jaredleto) on Jul 17, 2016 at 8:02pm PDT

But the 30 Seconds to Mars frontman had been out in the great wide open for longer than that. A week ago, he shared a gorgeous shot of himself perched high on a jagged rock with crystal-clear blue skies in the background. #yosemite, he explained with a smattering of emoji ranging from a heart to a thumbs-up to a pine tree.

#yosemite #greatwideopen A photo posted by JARED LETO (@jaredleto) on Jul 6, 2016 at 9:45pm PDT

This wasnt his first trip to the national park. In May, Leto chatted with Ellen DeGeneres about a recent trip to Yosemite. I was climbing something called the East Buttress of El Cap, he said to a wide-eyed DeGeneres. (In case youre not up to speed on famous rock formations, El Cap is an impressive 1,500-foot ascent that takes half a day to complete.)

East buttress of El Cap - Yosemite 2016  @jimmy_chin  @alexhonnold A photo posted by JARED LETO (@jaredleto) on May 22, 2016 at 3:15pm PDT

Its true! Its not a joke! He went on to describe the trip with a couple of guys who are some of the best climbers in the world, though the host was more infatuated with the tie-dye onesie that hed sported on other adventures. Its a really incredible thing to do. (He was referring to the climbing, not the onesie.)

Onesie with the universe #deserteagle #woosahhhh #wolfmoon #tiedyesoldier A photo posted by JARED LETO (@jaredleto) on Jan 24, 2016 at 1:57pm PST

If I do wear that, I make sure its at least 1,000 miles from anyone to make sure that I dont offend anyones sensibility, he said before adding that the outfit was in honor of a very special day in the desert. Ellen didnt pry further, but she flashed a knowing smile.

And as his rock-climbing abilities have grown, so has his roster of rock-climbing compatriots. Earlier this spring, he met up with premier climbers Alex Honnold and Jimmy Chin to practice his favorite pastime.

When Mens Journal asked his BFFs about his abilities earlier this year, they didnt mince words. I wouldnt be surprised if Jared climbs the Nose at some point, predicted Honnold. (The Nose measures 3,000 feet, to be exact.) Hes a legitimately good climber; for sure the best A-list climber in the world.

Thats probably nice for Leto to hear, considering he called rock climbing one of his real passions. (The other was raw food, of course.) Im a closet rock climber. I love being on the edge, he told People at the My Coke Fest in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2008. I hiked up Cape Towns Table Mountain yesterday, he added. It was magic. Close to heaven.

Were not sure the term closet really applies to this hobby anymore, considering the plethora of social media posts on his accounts about the sport, but were happy hes found something to be passionate about  you know, in case that whole actor-slash-rock-star thing doesnt work out.
Demand for tickets for the Sept. 7 conversation between CAA founders Michael Ovitz and Ron Meyer and James Andrew Miller, the author of Powerhouse, a history of the agency, has been so strong it has been moved to a bigger venue. The confab will now take place at the Directors Guild Theatre at 7920 Sunset Blvd. The additional seats will be VIP-level reserved seating in the front rows. Prices are $60 and can be bought here.

Powerhouse, which publishes Aug. 9, promises to be the first truly inside look at CAA, the talent agency that dominated Hollywood in the 1980s and 1990s when Ovitz and Meyer were still there. (Ovitz and Meyer both left in 1995; Meyer for Universal, Ovitz for Disney). An exclusive excerpt from the book can be found here.

Miller previously wrote the best-selling oral histories These Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN and Live From New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests.

Read More: Inside the Saga, Secrets and Sale of CAA (Exclusive Book Excerpt)
Buddha

Here is what you need to know.

The Bank of England says Brexit isn't killing the economy. "As yet, there was no clear evidence of a sharp general slowing in activity," said the BOE's July "Agents' summary of business conditions." The central bank did suggest, however, that there was still a high degree of uncertainty as businesses are just now attempting to formulate their strategies for a British exit from the European Union. The BOE said that while most businesses didn't expect hiring to be affected in the near-term, some suggested that "there would be some negative impact on those plans over the next twelve months."

UK unemployment dropped below 5%. According to the Office for National Statistics, UK unemployment fell to 4.9% for the three months to May, the lowest since 2005. Additionally, the number of employed people hit 31.7 million, the highest on record. It should be noted that the data was collected before the Brexit vote. The British pound is up 0.5% at 1.3176.

Microsoft beat on the top and bottom lines. The company announced adjusted earnings of $0.69 a share, easily beating the $0.58 that analysts were expecting. Revenue rose 1.9% to $22.6 billion, topping the $22.14 billion that Wall Street was anticipating. Microsoft says it had a "run rate" of $12.1 billion for commercial cloud products during the quarter. Shares were up about 3% in after-hours trade.

Unilever is buying Dollar Shave Club. Unilever hopes the $1 billion deal will help it take away market share from Gillette. According to The Wall Street Journal, Dollar Shave Club has 3.2 million members paying a flat monthly fee for its disposable razors but is not profitable. Unilever says Dollar Shave Club brought in $152 million in revenue in 2015 and is on track to top $200 million in revenue this year.

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Monsanto has rejected Bayer  again. Monsanto has rejected a $64 billion takeover bid by Bayer. This marks the second time in two months in which Monsanto has turned down Bayer, saying the bid of $125 a share is "financially inadequate and insufficient to ensure deal certainty." Monsanto says it is open to talks with Bayer and other parties, Reuters reports.

Volkswagen is being sued by a handful of states. Attorney generals from Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York have filed a lawsuit against Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi, alleging a "cover up" that was "orchestrated and approved at the highest levels of the company." The lawsuit accuses Volkswagen of skirting emissions standards by installing "defeat devices" since the mid-2000s. Additionally, the suit says that the group "made a knowing decision to violate the law" and that Volkswagen "allegedly destroyed incriminating documents" upon hearing about the investigation. A Volkswagen representative wasn't immediately available for comment.

Nintendo got destroyed. Shares of Nintendo ended lower by 12.6% in Tokyo, making for their biggest drop in 16 years. The plunge comes as the stock has more than doubled over the past two weeks following the launch of Pokemon Go. According to Deutsche Bank, "Nintendo's share price jump only makes sense if the app is downloaded by every second person on planet Earth."

Stock markets around the world are mostly higher. Hong Kong's Hang Seng (+1.0%) led the gains in Asia, and Germany's DAX (+1.4%) paces the advance in Europe. S&P 500 futures are higher by 7.25 points at 2,166.00.

Earnings reports come at a steady pace. Halliburton and Morgan Stanley are among the names reporting ahead of the opening bell, while eBay and Intel highlight the names releasing their quarterly results after markets close.

US economic data is light. Data is limited to the Department of Energy's release of crude-oil inventories at 10:30 a.m. ET. The US 10-year yield is higher by 2 basis points at 1.57%.





More From Business Insider


PARIS (Reuters) - French military intelligence estimates that about 100 foreigners continue to enter Syria from Turkey each week to join Islamic State, French daily Le Figaro reported on Wednesday. France's foreign minister said on Sunday that questions needed to be asked on whether Turkey was a viable partner in the fight against Islamic State in Syria and would raise the issue in a coalition meeting in Washington this week "According to the Direction for Military Intelligence (DRM) in Paris, each week, about 100 foreigners continue to cross Turkey into Syria to join Islamic State," Le Figaro reported, citing sources. The defense ministry did not immediately comment on the report. (Reporting By John Irish Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
NextShark

Jahrah, who only has a first name as customary in Indonesia, went out to collect rubber on Sunday morning in the forest in Jambi Province on Sumatra Island, Indonesia. The search parties only found success a day later, on Monday, when they discovered a 22-foot-long (6.7-meters-long) python with a bulging stomach resting in the woods. Her family then reported her missing to the local authorities, and a search has been carried out since then, Anto, the local villages chief, said.
Before Astronaut School, There Was College

Many children around the country dream of taking off into outer space.

A lucky few had that opportunity, but if you'd like to be one of them, you'll have to head to college first.

Apollo 11 astronauts like Neil Armstrong, a Purdue University--West Lafayette alumnus, and Buzz Aldrin, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology alumnus, went to some of the best colleges for aerospace engineering.

With July 20 marking the 47th anniversary of America's first moon landing, here's a look at the colleges and graduate schools where the most astronauts have received degrees.

United States Naval Academy

Number of astronauts: 52

U.S. News rank: 9 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

Learn more about the United States Naval Academy.

United States Air Force Academy

Number of astronauts: 36

U.S. News rank: 29 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges

Learn more about the United States Air Force Academy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Number of astronauts: 34

U.S. News rank: 7, National Universities

Learn more about Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Naval Postgraduate School

Number of astronauts: 32

U.S. News rank: Unranked

Learn more about the Naval Postgraduate School.

Stanford University

Number of astronauts: 21

U.S. News rank: 4 (tie), National Universities

Learn more about Stanford University.

Purdue University--West Lafayette

Number of astronauts: 20

U.S. News rank: 61 (tie), National Universities

Learn more about Purdue University--West Lafayette.

United States Military Academy

Number of astronauts: 18

U.S. News rank: 22, National Liberal Arts Colleges

Learn more about the United States Military Academy.

University of Colorado--Boulder

Number of astronauts: 14

U.S. News rank: 89 (tie), National Universities

Learn more about the University of Colorado--Boulder.

Georgia Institute of Technology

Number of astronauts: 14

U.S. News rank: 36, National Universities

Learn more about the Georgia Institute of Technology.

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University of Texas--Austin

Number of astronauts: 12

U.S. News rank: 52 (tie), National Universities

Learn more about the University of Texas--Austin.

University of Washington

Number of astronauts: 12

U.S. News rank: 52 (tie), National Universities

Learn more about the University of Washington.

Air Force Institute of Technology

Number of astronauts: 12

U.S. News rank: Unranked

Learn more about the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Find the College to Support Your Journey

Get more information about how to choose a college, and check out the complete rankings of the 2016 Best Colleges.

For more advice and information on how to select a college, connect with U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook.

Darian Somers is an associate social media editor at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at dsomers@usnews.com.
Photo credit: Getty Images

Despite what you see on Instagram, being a travel agent isnt always glamorous. As amazing as it is to jet around the world, you also have to keep in contact with clients 24/7/365no matter what timezone youre in. And while technically anyone can work in this field, only those who are detail-oriented and meticulously organized will excel. So we talked to former travel agent Katelyn O'Shaughnessy and current agent Erina Pindar to find out what their jobs are actually like.

Youll make a decent living, and youll get to travel the world like a rockstar

"Think about this as a lifestyle rather than a career," says O'Shaughnessy. The pay isn't necessarily exorbitant the median income is $38,700 a year, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, but according to Pindar, it can actually be much higher. "Agents make anywhere from $50-100K on the low end and up to $250-500K annually," says Pindar. But there's no other industry where you get to travel like this. You'll regularly go on discounted trips to luxury resorts sponsored by hotel companies, so based on your Instagram alone, your friends will definitely think you're living the high life.

You get paid on commission, meaning you earn money based on the trips you book for your client.

The bulk of your salary will come from commission, so first and foremost, you're a salesperson. When you're an in-house agent with a travel agency (on-staff positions at agencies are increasingly rare, btw, but they're still in demand), you typically have a base salary and a commission split. This can vary from agency to agency, and also depends on your level of experience. For example, let's say you have an 8020 commission split. That means if you get paid 10 percent commission on booking a hotel, 80 percent of that commission goes to your agency while you keep 20 percent. If you've rounded up enough clients, you can become an independent agent, which means you work for yourself but remain affiliated with a host agency. As an independent agent, you lose the base salary but get to keep your commission.

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If you work as an independent agent, you need your own insurance.

Let's say you make a mistake on your clients' itinerary, causing them to miss their first-class flight, which costs $6,000 a seat. If you did something wrong, you're liable. "There are hundreds of things that can go wrong, and they will," warns O'Shaughnessy. You definitely need errors and omissions insurance, which can be expensive, but if you accidentally screw something up, you don't have to pay out of pocket for the cost of the mistake.

"Travel agents" and "travel advisors" are relatively synonymous, though advisors tend to use a more holistic planning strategy.

While in the past, travel agents mainly assisted in booking accommodations, a travel advisor helps provide a client with a broader picture of their trip. "If someone says, 'I want to go to Cabo and I want to do all of these adventurous things,' We may say, 'Okay, great, you can go to Cabo, but you may not want to stay on the strip. You may want to consider the new Four Seasons that just opened on the cape because there's a lot more adventure on that side of the destination,'" explains Pindar.

You don't need any special training to get started.

Unlike being a real estate agent, where you have to pass a series of tests to prove you know your stuff. "When I started working as a travel agent right out of college, I didn't know anything," insists O'Shaughnessy. "I'd barely even traveled out of Portland, where I grew up. I got the job after a series of persistent emails and a good first interview. It's definitely useful to know things like basic history and geography but there are no real required skills."

Travel agents tend to come from a variety of backgroundsyou can switch careers at any point in your life and become a travel agent with a pretty low barrier to entry. But according to Pindar, it does takes a specific personality to be a quality agent. "One thing that all of our agents have in common is they're great salespeople, because at the end of the day, this is a sales job," she says.

Being type-A is also a plus: You need to be a meticulous planner, an excellent researcher, and possess extreme attention to detail. "It's easy to put someone in a beautiful room," says Pindar, "but if you remember that they're going there for their anniversary and you're somehow able to get a picture from their wedding to be put in the room and their favorite champagne that they popped on their wedding day, those little things make a difference."

Developing a niche is essential.

No one can have an encyclopedic knowledge of the whole world, so the most successful travel agents choose a specialty. You might focus on cruises, or African safaris, or trips to Italy. "[Before I started my company] I specialized in honeymoons and travel for destination weddings, which I narrowed down to Tahiti, Fiji, Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. I knew every hotel, every restaurant, and every excursion in those areas that related to a romantic vacation," says O'Shaughnessy.

Traveling is a regular part of the job, but it's not a vacation.

Every few months, travel agents go on "fam trips," short for "familiarization," and they sound both ah-maz-ing and tiring, according to O'Shaughnessy:

"You try everything you'd want to sell to your clients: You sleep in the hotels, eat the food, get the massages. Sometimes you can even bring a guest. The first few times, it feels ridiculously luxurious, and it is. But you're there to work. You have to be up at 7 a.m. the next day and remain professional while visiting as many as 10 hotel sites in a day, inspecting each of the rooms, and taking notes on everything. You can't sleep in and relax on the beach like you would on a real vacation."

Pindar echoes the same sentiment: "90% of the time when we do travel, it's generally for educational purposes." Travel advisors need to know a destination inside and out, as they often make recommendations based on experience. While traveling, the days can get long. You're expected to attend breakfast meetings, go out all day, and by the time dinner's over, you need to catch up on emails. "Even though people think you're traveling and it's glamorous, it's a lot of work," says Pindar.

On that note, you *will* stop taking normal vacations.

Some travel agents do still travel for fun, but most will do at least one hotel site inspection or other work-related task while they're there. The industry is very small, so when hotel reps see on your Instagram that you're in London, they'll insist you come say hello, see the latest remodel, and try the new menu at the hotel restaurant sometimes even for a discount! "It's a double-edged sword: You'll have friends and free swag everywhere you go, but you can never really travel without thinking of work," says O'Shaughnessy. Regardless of connections, you're not traveling for free. With discounts come expectations, AKA, receiving business from your clients in return. Additionally, you'll have to front your own travel fees just like everyone else, according to Pindar.

And by the way, holidays kinda suck.

The "365" part of 24/7/365 is not a joke. Holidays are the most stressful time of the year for travel agents, since so many of your clients will be traveling.

Hotel reps will become your best friends.

When you're working in an agency, hotel reps will come in every single day to give presentations about why you should recommend their hotel to your clients. Once you have a niche, you'll see the same travel reps at your regular fam trips and you'll develop a relationship with them from regularly sending them business. "Those relationships are super important," says O'Shaughnessy, "because when you need to call in a favor, like upgrading someone's room, you have someone to hook it up."

Learning to book travel is like learning a new language.

Every travel agency has access to a program called Global Distribution System, which lists options for airfare, hotels, car rentals, and so on. "You'd think it would have a clean interface like Expedia, but no, it's more like Microsoft circa 1990. You have to know very specific codes to do anything; for example, to look for flight options, you have to type this symbol  called the Cross of Lorraine, followed by your request. It's almost like learning how to code," says O'Shaughnessy. So, yeah, it can take a while to get familiar with it.

Your clients will act like you're their personal butler.

You *will* get the occasional 2 a.m. call from a client in Europe asking for details that you definitely included on their itinerary. "I once had a client call me from a cruise shipwhich is really hard to do!to tell me that she couldn't get the television to work in her room and could I call someone to fix it?" remembers O'Shaughnessy. It can definitely veer into the realm of ridiculous, but you have to remember that people can get very anxious about travelyour job is to be available and make sure they're taken care of. That's part of the added value of booking your trip with a travel agent.

But the thing is...you are responsible for their time.

"If you buy something, you can return it and get your money back," says Pindar, "but if you go on vacation and spend $30,000 on a weeklong trip and it's terrible, you will never get that time back." There's a lot of pressure involved in making sure clients are having the vacation they envisioned, which means being there for them every step of the way, even if they're in a different time zone. "You have to act like [your client's] handler in a way," says Pindar.

Clients will hire you again and again for your thoughtfulness.

Travel is a very personal thing, and the best travel agents have empathy for what the individual traveler wants to get out of the trip, whether it's beautiful memories with their family or an adventure or a deeper understanding of the local culture. "Since I worked primarily with honeymoons and weddings, I'd regularly use my hotel connections to make sure my clients had a bottle of wine waiting for them in their room or a couple's photo next to the bed," says O'Shaughnessy. "Those personal touches are the reason people continue to use travel agents rather than booking for themselves online."

And lastly, travel agents are not a dying breed.

"Every time I tell someone I'm a travel agent, they're like, 'Wait, travel agents still exist?' The answer: Yes, and we still account for one-third of all travel booked in the United States," insists O'Shaughnessy. It's still a profitable industry in the United States and there's no reason to believe the industry is dying off.

Katelyn O'Shaughnessy was a luxury travel agent before founding travel agent platform TripScope and later, medical tourism company Doctours. Erina Pindar has worked as a travel agent for 13 years, and she's currently the Managing Director of SmartFlyer, a travel agency based in the U.S. and Australia.







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Kabali fever: Companies declare holiday on Friday

With superstar Rajinikanth's latest release, Kabali, almost in cinemas, some employers in the city have fallen to the star's charm and not only declared a holiday on the day the movie releases, but also booked tickets for employees.
Its a presidential election year. The country is roiling. Theres violence in the streets and a growing menace overseas. As the convention unfolds, authorities brace for unrest. The national mood can only be described as grim.

This probably sounds familiar. But it is in fact a description of the cultural cauldron that was boiling over during the 1968 presidential contest, most famously at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

That event  punctuated by broadcasts of crowds of demonstrators chanting, The whole world is watching! and live coverage of altercations inside the convention hall  marked a turning point in the medias handling of national conventions.

This year, after decades of bland, carefully choreographed conventions that have met with low viewership, audiences once again find themselves engaged in coverage that offers the possibility of something rare: both political news value and civil unrest.

Already the Republican National Convention is off to a tumultuous start. Nerves had been on edge about the potential for revolt on the convention floor, and indeed members of the Donald Trump campaign and representatives of the Stop Trump movement had a chaotic shouting match after party leaders blocked a roll-call vote on convention rules, essentially guaranteeing Trump the nomination.

Then there were allegations that portions of Melania Trumps speech plagiarized statements made by Michelle Obama eight years ago at the DNC.

Most of the evenings speeches  given under the convention theme of Make America Safe Again  focused on perceived threats to the nation. The vast majority of Americans today do not feel safe, former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani said. They fear for their children. They fear for themselves.

Openly racist rhetoric was heard at the gathering. Rep. Steve King of Iowa, speaking on an MSNBC panel, questioned the contributions of non-white people to civilization.

Riot Act: During protests around the 1968 convention, reporters were shocked by the level of force used by police. Barton Silverman/The New York Times

Trumps unconventional, antagonistic campaign, and the volatile state of U.S. race relations surrounding the shooting of unarmed black men by white police officers and the shooting of police in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La., have raised parallels between 2016 and that historic 1968 convention. The more we see this year unfold, the more it is seeming like 1968, says CBS News veteran Bob Schieffer.

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So far, events in Cleveland have not matched the level of anarchy that ensued nearly 50 years ago in Chicago. With police-provoked riots outside, and shouting and scuffling among delegates inside, the 1968 convention marked the implosion of the Democratic Party and a pivotal moment for the nation as a whole.

It was a terrible time, says Sam Donaldson, the ABC News veteran who covered the conventions that year. What came out of Chicago was chaos.

Journalists who were swept up in the mayhem of those August nights note differences between the unrest then and now. In 2016, there are myriad issues driving partisan and cultural divisions. The big factor that fueled the 1968 meltdown was opposition to the Vietnam War and the draft.

There are huge similarities between 1968 and today despite all the changes over the last half century, says CBS News vet Bill Plante, who covered the convention that year. There is the part of the population that feels ignored and discriminated against by the authorities. There is a level of discontent and the feeling that things are getting out of control. But without the war, its hard to say its really the same.

The 1968 convention received gavel-to-gavel live TV coverage inside the hall, but outside was a different story. Even the largest news organizations were still shooting on film, which meant an hourslong, if not daylong, delay in processing before it could air. Thats why footage of the melees that erupted during the convention week is hard to come by. Filmmaker Haskell Wexler famously found himself in the right place at the right time to capture dramatic footage of the bedlam in the streets, which he used in his 1969 feature Medium Cool, about a reporter who gets swept up in the violence at the convention.

It all escalated in a matter of seconds. One of them punched me in the solar plexus. There, in a microcosm, is everything you need to know about what happened at that convention.

Dan Rather

All we had in the field were film cameras, Donaldson recalls. Video cameras were not lightweight like they are now. So that really made it hard to have instant communication.

Still, theres no doubt that the unsettling scenes from Aug. 26 to 29, 1968, helped Republican Richard Nixon defeat Hubert Humphrey, the incumbent vice president, that November. The breakdown in Chicago could not have been better scripted to support Nixons message of being the law and order candidate  the same mantle Trump has invoked.

Dan Rather, the CBS News alum who has covered every presidential nominating convention since 1960, notes that 1968 marked the end of the reign of iron-fisted Democratic Party bosses such as Richard J. Daley, Chicagos mayor at the time. Daley sought to make the 1968 DNC a showcase for his city, by any means necessary. That directive was passed on to his police force. A post-convention federal probe found that the conflicts involving thousands of antiwar protestors amounted to a police riot.

TV and film footage of the unrest shows Chicago police officers mercilessly beating youthful protestors with billy clubs and riot shields. Tear gas and stink bombs were lobbed to keep protestors away from the International Amphitheatre where the convention was held. Chicago became a textbook case of crowd control gone awry. Even as protestors taunted and pelted cops with rocks and other projectiles, reporters on the scene were shocked by the level of force used by police.

I was not prepared for what happened in 1968, and I dont think anybody was, Rather says. Daley could not keep control inside the hall. Nor could his police and other forces keep control outside the hall. There was, if you will, an explosion. Outside, it eventually devolved into a scene from Les Miserables. 

The 1968 conventions came on the heels of riots in major cities and the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy in June. Just four days before King was slain, President Lyndon B. Johnson announced that he would not run for reelection, after early primary results revealed the depth of the opposition to his escalation of the war.

Donaldson notes similarities between the outpouring of support by young adults for Sanders liberal platform and the groundswell of youthful energy in 1968 behind Sen. Eugene McCarthy of Minnesota. McCarthy campaigned on an antiwar platform, which resonated with the generation facing the draft.

Johnsons withdrawal and the assassination of Kennedy sent the Democratic race into a tailspin. The Clean for Gene kids (McCarthys volunteers vowed to cut their hair and lose the hippie garb to help him win) were outraged that Humphrey was chosen by Democratic Party bosses even though he had not run in a single primary.

Activists in Action: An anti-Trump rally on July 18, the first day of the convention, highlighted a variety of causes. AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

Bernie Sanders was the not the first candidate to inspire a generation of young activists, Donaldson says. The thing that stands out about Chicago was the clash between young and old over the war. Mayor Daley had his idea of what he wanted the convention to look like. He ordered his police to surprise these kids in the street with tear gas and riot batons. The stage was set for violence and chaos.

Inside the convention, the action was captured live. CBS News alum Rather was famously punched in the stomach by a security guard as he tried to speak with a delegate who was being hustled out of the hall. He was unaware at the time that the incident was broadcast live on the network.

Security kept trying to muscle me out of the way, and I kept trying to talk to this delegate and ask why he was being ejected, Rather recalls. It all escalated in a matter of seconds. One of them punched me in the solar plexus to get me out of the way. There, in a microcosm, is everything you need to know about what happened at that convention.

NBC News John Chancellor didnt get clocked, but he did get caught up in a boisterous shouting match between members of the New York and Alabama delegations  one that also aired live.

This is a perfect indication of the mood of this convention on the floor, Chancellor told NBCs live TV audience, fractious, disputatious, discontented, annoyed, mad at the security force and the police here.

Another famous moment was the F-bomb dropped after Abraham Ribicoff, the powerful senator from Connecticut, decried the Chicago polices Gestapo tactics during his speech nominating South Dakota Sen. George McGovern (who would win the Democratic nomination in 1972). News cameras caught Daley mouthing F you in response (although he later maintained he was shouting faker). In 1968, such language was shocking for network television. Whatever he said, it started with an F,  Plante says.

Schieffer attended the 1968 convention not as a reporter but as a political spouse. His wife, Patricia, was a member of the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee. The drama, he recalls, even made its way into the Hilton Hotel where many delegates were staying. One night we came back to the hotel, and there were fire hoses running through the lobby and police everywhere, Schieffer says. Somebody had set a fire in the hotel. Gene McCarthy was trying to negotiate with the cops who had come into the hotel and clashed with his young supporters. It was all just scary.

Plante witnessed the worst of the outdoor rioting on the night of Aug. 28. Police and protestors had been clashing throughout the week in various locations near the convention site, but the climax came on the night Humphrey took the floor to accept the nomination. The battle erupted around 8:30 p.m., after pressure had been building following an antiwar rally in Grant Park, as thousands of people tried to move from the park to the amphitheatre.

The cops advanced on the protestors and anyone else who was in the way, swinging their clubs, throwing tear gas, Plante says. People were watching from the balconies of hotels. There had been a lot of taunting of police all day. It was just a really ugly moment. Being in the middle of it  Ill never forget it.

Plantes crew got about 10 minutes of footage, but eventually had to retreat or wed get whacked in the head, he says.

The tension was so pervasive and the issues so divisive that below-the-belt brawling extended into the TV studio, where ABC News had National Review editor William F. Buckley and author Gore Vidal conducting nightly point-counterpoint commentaries on the convention.

Bernie Sanders was not the first candidate to inspire a generation of young activists. The thing that stands out about Chicago was the clash between young and old over the war.The stage was set for violence and chaos.

Sam Donaldson

One night it got so vicious, Vidal called Buckley a crypto-Nazi, and Buckley shot back, Youre a queer,  Donaldson says, recalling his shock at the language going out on live TV. Howard K. Smith was saying Gentlemen, gentlemen, please. 

The fallout from the Chicago convention included the federal investigation of police tactics and a four-year legal battle over the Chicago 7 protest leaders. But the most lasting ramification was a generations worth of damage to the Democratic Partys image.

The debacle also marked the beginning of the modern emphasis on primaries and caucuses as the vehicle by which candidates are selected. Anger over the fact that Democratic insiders installed Humphrey forced big changes in the partys rules by 1972 (when Nixon cruised to reelection in a landslide victory over McGovern).

1968 was the last time that you could argue the conventions actually decided [the nominee], Rather says. That changed post-1968, when the balance of power shifted to the primaries and caucuses.

That shift also coincided with the nominating conventions becoming much more predictable and made-for-TV affairs. Party leaders were too spooked by the memory of Chicago 1968 to leave much to chance. With a few exceptions, youve basically seen the conventions become infomercials for the parties, Rather says.

He and others note that the tools of communication available in 1968 were primitive by the standards of today, when anyone with a smartphone can be a broadcaster. Back then, reporters had to don headphones and a backpack full of equipment just to communicate with producers in makeshift convention studios. Rather remembers feeling like he was in a bad futuristic movie wearing headphones with an antenna sticking up on top.

This year, Rather will be a one-man band: Hes doing reports for Sirius XM Satellite Radio and longer dispatches that he will produce himself for broadcast via  what else?  Facebook Live. Im really looking forward to it, he says.

He and other veterans of the Battle of Chicago say they hope law enforcement and security forces remember the most important lesson from 1968.

The Republicans will make every effort to keep the lid on this convention and not have violence, Donaldson says. But the Republicans are not going to be in control of the forces outside. The people who come to protest Donald Trump need to be handled in the right way, unlike the Chicago police of 1968, so that it doesnt break into full-scale warfare.

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21st Century Fox responded to reports that Fox News Channel executive Roger Ailes is leaving the network following a slew of sexual harassment allegations.

PHOTOS: Stars at Court

In a statement, 21st Century Fox said that Ailes, 76, is currently still an employee. Roger is at work, the company said in a statement via Twitter on Tuesday, July 19. The review is ongoing. And the only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement.



Ailes attorney, Susan Estrich, shared a similar message in a recent interview. Asked by The Hollywood Reporter if her client was in talks to negotiate his exit from Fox, she replied, There are a lot of ideas floating around, but no final decision has been made by anybody.

Roger wants Fox to be successful, Estrich said when asked if Ailes wants to remain an executive at Fox. The most important thing for Roger is that Fox News continues to be the No. 1 cable network.

The statement from 21st Century Fox comes amid several reports that the chairman and CEO is negotiating his exit. An insider told New York Magazine on Tuesday that three top executives at 21st Century Fox, have, according to multiple sources, decided that [he] needs to be removed. The New York Times also reported that Ailes is in talks to leave.



PHOTOS: Celebrities' Political Affiliations

As previously reported, former Fox & Friends anchor Gretchen Carlson  who exited the show in June  filed a lawsuit in New Jersey earlier this month claiming Ailes had harassed her. After Carlson filed her suit, more women came forward alleging that they experienced similar behavior from Ailes during his days working as a producer in the '90s.



Ailes denied Carlsons claims in a statement. Gretchen Carlsons allegations are false, he wrote. This is a retaliatory suit for the networks decision not to renew her contract, which he attributed to ratings he labeled disappointingly low.

According to New York Magazine, Megyn Kelly, one of Fox News most beloved stars, reportedly told investigators that Ailes had made unwarranted sexual advances on her.

Story continues

PHOTOS: Stars  They're Just Like Us!

However, Estrich refuted those claims on Tuesday. Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly, Estrich, a partner at the Quinn Emanuel law firm, said in a prepared statement. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him.






Q. How can I reduce my companys insurance costs?

A. Its simple, in theory: The less risky your business seems, the less your insurance company will charge you, says Michael Turpin, an executive VP at New York City-based brokerage USI.

1. Think like your insurer. A good risk manager first seeks to identify all risks, then eliminate and mitigate those practices that might give rise to a claim, Turpin says. Those can include undocumented human resources practices, financially unstable vendors or the absence of compliance procedures. Catch those problems before your insurer does.

2. Hire by experience. Dont settle for your insurance-selling brother-in-law. Find a broker or agent with expertise in your industry; theyll know how to negotiate the best rate. An uninformed agent, Turpin says, can translate into significantly higher premiums and gaps in coverage.

3. Buy in bulk. Professional employer organizations like Insperity and ADP can manage the administration of your workforce -- payroll, benefits, HR and the like. But you can also buy insurance through them, and their bulk purchasing power will bring down your costs.
Benjamin Franklin was a Founding Father, statesman and signer of the Declaration of Independence.

He was also a brilliant inventor -- creating bifocals, the lightning rod and the odometer.

But his greatest invention has been shrouded in mystery for more than 250 years...

It involves controlling one of the most important resources known to man: energy.

In 1749, through a revolutionary experiment, Franklin created a device that could capture and harness energy. Then, 150 years later, Thomas Edison picked up where Franklin left off. Since then, many others have carried forward this work.

But a few months ago, a band of scientists -- backed by an eccentric billionaire -- took Franklin's dream to new heights.

They finally broke through -- and now it has the potential to make early investors a fortune.

From Franklin, Tesla, Edison -- And Now Musk

We've all heard the first part of the folk tale... Ben Franklin was convinced that lightning bolts contain energy, and he wanted to prove it. So during a thunderstorm, he flew a kite with a metal key attached, hoping the kite would get hit.

And it worked.

The kite was struck by lightning, and the key produced a shock.

[More from StreetAuthority.com: How To Invest In America's Next $1.3 Trillion Opportunity]

But that's only half the story.

What's less well-known is that Franklin was able to store the energy from the lightning bolt -- a feat no one had accomplished before.

Four years earlier, he had invented a groundbreaking energy storage device, composed of glass panes coated with metal. During his kite experiment, Franklin tied a thin metal wire from the key and connected it to this device.

When the lightning struck, it went down the kite string, through the key, through the metal wire and into Franklin's device, where a charge was stored.

Franklin didn't know it at the time, but this primitive device would trigger a silent energy revolution with enormous implications 250 years later.

Others began to study Franklin's work, and they started to see the full potential of his discovery. If you could capture energy, store it, and use it later, then you'd have free energy.

Story continues

So for the next 250 years, the world's top scientists studied Franklin's work and carried it forward, little by little.

In 1800, Italian inventor Alessandro Volta made a breakthrough. He created what was called the voltaic pile, which is considered the first practical energy storage device.

A century later, a mysterious Serbian-American named Nikola Tesla took the work further.

He was a reclusive genius who dreamed about transferring electricity without wires... and providing free electricity to the world. He made several breakthroughs, including a device that could store energy and even shoot bolts of electricity.

[More from StreetAuthority.com: It's Time To Sell One Of My Favorite Companies]

Then came Thomas Edison. He stood on the shoulders of those before him and eventually patented a storage device of his own.

And so it went. Every generation of scientists upgrading and building upon Franklin's original energy storage system. And it's continued to this very day.

Now The Breakthrough Is Here...

Earlier this year, there were whispers that a group of scientists finally succeeded in building an energy storage device capable of harnessing massive amounts of energy.

Finally, on April 30, 2015, this device was unveiled. It was immediately heralded as something with the potential to "change the world."

You may even have seen it yourself. I'm talking about Tesla Motors' revolutionary energy storage device: the "Tesla Powerwall."

Make no mistake: this device is the 21st century reincarnation of Franklin's dream. It's nothing like your old-fashioned AA battery. It's a sleek, compact battery unit that you can mount on the wall in your garage. A single, stand-alone unit delivers enough power to take your entire home completely off the grid. You simply charge it with a solar panel, windmill, or any other power source, and just like that, you've got all the energy you need.

When a bad storm knocks your power out, all you have to do is flip it on to have full power in seconds. Not surprisingly, the demand has been "crazy," as Tesla CEO Elon Musk put it.

Within days of announcing their breakthrough, the company received more than 38,000 orders. Within three months, it had received more than 100,000. That's $1 billion worth of orders in just a few months.

[More from StreetAuthority.com: This $5 Billion Niche Market Leader Is A 'Buy']

In fact, Tesla's already sold out through 2016. The company literally can't build them fast enough.

Now, before I go any further, let me just make clear that I'm not recommending you invest in Tesla.

Of course, you probably wouldn't go wrong investing in the company. I recommended it back in 2010, and it delivered 397% gains to my readers in three years.

But I have several other lesser-known plays that will capture the lion's share of the gains to be made in this groundbreaking new space.

As you can imagine, early investors are already making a fortune.

So far, energy storage companies I've recommended have delivered gains of 303% and 397% in as little as three years. But now, this opportunity is about to hit the sweet spot of the business cycle.

The early adopters have already gotten in, and they're proving that it's a viable technology. Now, a major catalyst -- Tesla -- is introducing it to a broader audience. Soon, this technology will get cheaper and cheaper -- and before you know it, we'll have one of these devices in every residential home in the United States.

This is the perfect time to get in. That's why Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, MIT, Berkeley and Harvard continue pouring money into this field. They see the writing on the wall. They know what kind of fortunes are going to be made here.

As I mentioned earlier, Tesla is sure to profit nicely from this technology. But in cases like this, it's the lesser-known plays that usually deliver the triple-digit gains.

That's why I've developed a special presentation that tells you everything you need to know about how to get the names and ticker symbols of my three favorite companies behind this technology that could have even more upside than Tesla in the years ahead. To view this presentation, I invite you to follow this link .

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Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. CMG is scheduled to release its second quarter financial results tomorrow, July 21st. The companys earnings report is different from most other companies as metrics other than earnings and revenue will be incredibly important, if not more so because declines are expected in both after Chipotles recent fallout due to food-safety issues. (Also read: 10 Delicious Facts Behind Chipotle)

This does not mean, however, that the companys earnings and revenue will not be important in the eyes of investors and analysts; they still will be watched closely. Investors and analysts alike are really looking for the companys progress on its journey back to previous peak levels. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate for the quarter stands at $1.04, which would represent a year-over-year decrease of 76.56%. Revenue is projected to be around $1.04 billion, representing a year-over-year drop of nearly 13%.

Aside from earnings per share and revenue figures, these 3 metrics will be closely looked for in Chipotles earnings results, and will be key for investors and analysts to see the progress the company has made in its turnaround effort:

Same-Store Sales Growth

It shouldnt be a surprise that same-store sales will be likely the most important metric that will be looked at. Restaurant stocks are constantly measured by the metric, and for Chipotle, the figure it reports will be a show of the slow down it continues to see in its stores, but also how well its comeback is working.

In its most recent earnings report from the first quarter of this year, Chipotle reported a brutal 29.7% drop in same store restaurant sales for the March-ended quarter. In a previous earnings call, management had said that sales for April were down 26%.

Credit Suisse CS said as recently as Tuesday that it expects a 20% drop in comps for Chipotles second quarter, in line with consensus views, but up slightly from previous expectations of a 22% drop. Credit Suisse analyst Jason West wrote, these sales forecasts are a notable improvement from -30% comp in Q1, CMGs sales recovery seems to have stalled out in recent months.

Story continues

Number of New Store Openings

When a restaurant is trying to grow, there are two ways in which it does so. The first is organically, which is where same-store sales growth comes in, where the company relies on increased traffic in already existing restaurants. The other is inorganically, which is where new restaurant openings spur revenue growth by the sheer fact that they added another revenue-producing location.

Any company can obviously grow its sales by opening another location, which is why same-store sales growth is a much more valuable measure, but for an expanding company like Chipotle, inorganic growth is still important too.

In the first quarter, Chipotle reported that it had opened 58 new restaurants, bringing its total locations to 2,066. While in its Q1 earnings report it did not mention a specific number of restaurants to be opened in Q2, Chipotle management did say that for the full year there would be between 220 and 235 new restaurant openings. Based on these estimates, by the start of 2017 Chipotle could have anywhere from 2,228 to 2,243 total locations.

Full Year Outlook

Usually when a company reports its quarterly financial results for quarters 1 through 3, they will adjust, update, or confirm their full year outlook. Chipotles guidance for the rest of the year after its second quarter would be telling of two main things. First, an update to full-year guidance would show the levels at which its previous food safety issues are still affecting the company, and how much they plan to spend on marketing and customer reacquisition. Secondly, it would show whether or not the company is on a good path to regaining its previous levels of sales and profits.

When Chipotle reported its Q1 earnings earlier in the year, it unfortunately did not release much guidance on the rest of the year other than that it expected to open 220 to 235 new restaurants as mentioned earlier, and then that it expected an effective full year tax rate of approximately 38.4%.

Currently the Zacks Consensus Estimate for EPS for the full year stands at $4.82, and is $4.2 billion for revenue. If Chipotle does release positive guidance for the rest of the year, it could be a great sign that the company is recovering well from its earlier issues, and could send its stock price higher. If there is no updated guidance and poor earnings results though, the stock could sink lower as investors lose faith in its comeback.

CHIPOTLE MEXICN Price and Consensus

CHIPOTLE MEXICN Price and Consensus | CHIPOTLE MEXICN Quote

Bottom Line

Chipotle has a great deal to prove when it reports its second quarter financial results tomorrow. As the company tries to make a comeback with its customers after food safety issues, it too will need to win back investors who have made the stock fall as far as it has. Chipotle is currently a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell), and will report Thursday after the bell. Many eyes will be on its earnings report, and subsequently on its share price.

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CREDIT SUISSE (CS): Free Stock Analysis Report



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A 3-year-old girl died on Saturday after being put under anesthesia at a California dentist's office for "normal dental work," according to her father Homam Rady.



Marvelena Rady of Brentwood was taken to Dentabliss in nearby San Ramon early Saturday morning around 7:00 a.m. for the procedure, where two dentists  one a licensed anesthesiologist  administered the drug and treated the toddler's teeth.



"We got an assessment done beforehand and they said there were multiple teeth to be worked on and that's why we went [with] anesthesia," Homam explains. "The procedure was just a matter of dealing with cavities, a couple of crowns and a couple of extractions."



He adds, "We knew she was going under [anesthesia] but we relied on the professional opinion."



The procedure, which Homam says was scheduled to end at 9:30 a.m., took an hour longer than expected  and that's when he and his wife (who would like remain anonymous) began to suspect something was wrong.



"We were waiting and waiting and we checked to see what was going on. At 10 a.m. they said everything was fine," he says. "But at 10:30 a.m. paramedics rushed in and went into the room [where Marvelena was]".



Marvelena was rushed to San Ramon Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead soon after arrival, Contra Costa County coroner's office confirms to PEOPLE. Her official cause of death will not be known for an estimated 90-100 days.



Dentabliss did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.



"So many memories of her and now she's gone," Homam says through tears.



"I hold a piece of her clothing with me every night."





3-Year-Old Dies After Complications During 'Normal' Dental Procedure: 'I Kissed Her on Her Head and That Was It,' Says Dad| Death, Personal Tragedy, Real People Stories



Homam says his daughter was a "playful child" who loved spending time with her 9-year-old sister and "best friend" Juliviana  the girls liked singing and playing with littlest pet shop animals.



"We were applying to pre-schools, [Marvelena] was so excited to start school. She was so smart and had a bright future ahead of her," Homam says. "We were planning for her life and now we are planning her death."



Homam says he will always remember his daughter's loving goodbye ritual as he headed to work in the morning.



"She would run to me and say, 'Bye bye daddy!' and bring me my phone and keys," he says. "She was just so caring."





Story continues

3-Year-Old Dies After Complications During 'Normal' Dental Procedure: 'I Kissed Her on Her Head and That Was It,' Says Dad| Death, Personal Tragedy, Real People Stories



The grieving father recalls one final precious moment he and his wife, who has been at a local hospital in a "coma-like state" since the tragedy, had with their daughter before she underwent anesthesia.



"She was crying and we were putting the mask over her face and her mom gave her one last kiss and a hug and that was the last we saw of her," he says. "That was the lasta I kissed her on her head and that was it."



The last image Homam has of his daughter is her "unresponsive body" being wheeled out of the dentist's office.



"There were tubes coming out of her nose and mouth and I just saw her for a second," he says. "I can't describe it, [it was like] every bit of my stomach was coming out."



San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District firefighter paramedics were the first to arrive on the scene after receiving a call that Marvelena was not breathing, battalion chief Dan McNamara confirms to PEOPLE. Medics immediately began "advanced life support care" as they transported the 3-year-old to the hospital,.



"We waited for around 40 minutes and saw nurses and paramedics taking turns pumping her chest [in the hospital]," explains Homam.



"Then the doctor tapped me on my shoulder and said, 'We did everything we could.' "





3-Year-Old Dies After Complications During 'Normal' Dental Procedure: 'I Kissed Her on Her Head and That Was It,' Says Dad| Death, Personal Tragedy, Real People Stories



The Dental Board of California is conducting an investigation into the incident, which could take months to conclude. The dentist/anesthesiologist in question has "no records of any enforcement actions, citation, or letters against" them, the board confirms to PEOPLE.



The death of Marvelena comes only four months after 14-month-old Daisy Lynn Torres tragically died after she was put under anesthesia for a dental crown procedure.



"Obviously there is something wrong with the process," Homam says. "The medical reports will tell us what happeneda but it's not right  the care that the child gets, complicationsa are [the dentists and anesthesiologists] trained properly?"



He adds, "We want other families to be safe from something like this."



Marvelena's family will hold a memorial service for her on Thursday in Hayward, California. Homam is currently working with a malpractice attorney to determine what went wrong during the procedure.



"We are just looking for answers right now," he says. "I just want to understand.



"I miss her so much."
Many investors like to look for value in stocks, but this can be very tough to define. There is great debate regarding which metrics are the best to focus on in this regard, and which are not really quality indicators of future performance. Fortunately, with our new style score system we have identified the key statistics to pay close attention to and thus which stocks might be the best for value investors in the near term.

This method discovered several great candidates for value-oriented investors, but today lets focus on KB Home KBHas this stock is looking especially impressive right now. And while there are numerous reasons why this is the case, we have highlighted three of the most vital reasons for ETEs status as a solid value stock below:

PEG Ratio for KBH

While earnings are definitely important, it is vital to know how much you are paying for the growth of earnings as well. One can easily do that with the PEG ratio as this metric looks to show investors how much they are paying for each unit of earnings growth.

KBH manages to impress on this front as well, as the companys PEG is just 0.43, suggesting that KB Home is trading as a relative bargain right now. This is particularly the case when you compare this PEG to the industry, as the broader segment has an average PEG of 0.84 in comparison.

Price to Forward Sales for KB Home

One of the most underrated ratios for value investors is the price/forward sales metric. This ratio shows investors how much they are paying for each dollar of revenues generated. In other words, a lower number is better here while a price to sales ratio of 1 means that you are paying one dollar for each dollar in sales.

With a P/S ratio of 0.39, KBH investors are paying 39 cents in stock price for each dollar of revenue generated by the company. Compare this to the industry average of 0.68, and it is safe to say that KBH is undervalued compared to many of its peers on this important metric.

Story continues

KB HOME PE Ratio (TTM)

KB HOME PE Ratio (TTM) | KB HOME Quote

KBH Earnings Estimate Revisions Moving in the Right Direction

The solid value ratios outlined in the preceding paragraphs might be enough for some investors, but we should also note that the earnings estimate revisions have been trending in a positive direction as well. Analysts who follow KBH stock have been raising their estimates for the company lately, meaning that the EPS picture is looking a bit more favorably for KB Home now.

Over the past 30 days, 6 earnings estimates have gone higher compared to none lower for the full year, while we are also seeing that 2 estimates have move upwards with no downward revision for the next year time frame too. These revisions have helped to boost the consensus estimate as 30 days ago KBH was expected to post earnings of $1.31 per share for the full year though today it looks to have EPS of $1.35 for the full year.

Bottom Line

For the reasons detailed above, investors shouldnt be surprised to read that we have KBH as a stock with a Value Score of A and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). So if you are a value investor, definitely keep KBH on your short list as this looks to be a stock that is very well-positioned for gains in the near term.

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Many investors like to look for value in stocks, but this can be very tough to define. There is great debate regarding which metrics are the best to focus on in this regard, and which are not really quality indicators of future performance. Fortunately, with our new style score system we have identified the key statistics to pay close attention to and thus which stocks might be the best for value investors in the near term.

This method discovered several great candidates for value-oriented investors, but today lets focus on Energy Transfer Equity, L.P. ETE as this stock is looking especially impressive right now. And while there are numerous reasons why this is the case, we have highlighted three of the most vital reasons for ETEs status as a solid value stock below:

Forward PE for Energy Transfer Equity

Easily one of the most popular readings for value investors, the forward PE ratio shows us the current price of a stock divided by the full year earnings. Generally speaking, value investors like to see this ratio below 20, though it can vary by industry.

Right now, ETE has a forward PE of just 14.91, which means that investors are paying $14.91 for each dollar in expected Energy Transfer Equity earnings this year. Compared to the industry at large this is pretty favorable as the overall space has an average PE of 18.36 in comparison.

Price to Forward Sales for Energy Transfer Equity

One of the most underrated ratios for value investors is the price/forward sales metric. This ratio shows investors how much they are paying for each dollar of revenues generated. In other words, a lower number is better here while a price to sales ratio of 1 means that you are paying one dollar for each dollar in sales.

With a P/S ratio of 0.49, ETE investors are paying 49 cents in stock price for each dollar of revenue generated by the company. Compare this to the industry average of 1.70, and it is safe to say that ETE is undervalued compared to many of its peers on this important metric.

Story continues

ENERGY TRAN EQT PE Ratio (TTM)

ENERGY TRAN EQT PE Ratio (TTM) | ENERGY TRAN EQT Quote

ETE Earnings Estimate Revisions Moving in the Right Direction

The solid value ratios outlined in the preceding paragraphs might be enough for some investors, but we should also note that the earnings estimate revisions have been trending in a positive direction as well. Analysts who follow ETE stock have been raising their estimates for the company lately, meaning that the EPS picture is looking a bit more favorably for Energy Transfer Equity now.

Over the past 60 days, 1 earnings estimate has gone higher compared to 1 lower for the full year, while we are also seeing that 2 estimates have move upwards with no downward revision for the next year time frame too. These revisions have helped to boost the consensus estimate as 60 days ago ETE was expected to post earnings of $1.01 per share for the full year though today it looks to have EPS of $1.14 for the full year.

Bottom Line

For the reasons detailed above, investors shouldnt be surprised to read that we have ETE as a stock with a Value Score of A and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). So if you are a value investor, definitely keep ETE on your short list as this looks to be a stock that is very well-positioned for gains in the near term.

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Destinations worldwide welcomed 5.3% more international tourists during the first four months of the year than for the same period in 2015, reports the UN's World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in its World Tourism Barometer. A total of 348 million international tourists traveled the globe during this time.

There's no sign of crisis in the global tourism sector. In 2015, international tourist arrivals -- defined as visitors who spend at least one night at their destination -- grew by 4.6% worldwide. In fact, yearly increases of at least 4% have been recorded since 2009. "Results show a strong desire to travel and this continues to drive tourism growth. Destinations keep benefitting from solid demand across all world regions despite ongoing challenges, showing that tourism is a dynamic and resilient economic sector," said UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai.

With the summer getaway now in full swing, 500 million international tourists are expected to jet off on jaunts between May and August. Indeed, the upward trend looks set to continue in 2016 with a forecast 3.5% to 4.5% increase in international tourist arrivals. This falls in line with the UNWTO's long-term projection of 3.8% growth per year from 2010 to 2020.

Asia and the Pacific on the up

Asia and the Pacific saw 9% growth in international tourist arrivals since the beginning of the year, with growth of around 7% for all Asian subregions. South-East Asia, driven by the popularity of Thailand, as well as Oceania, both welcomed 10% more international tourists.

Africa takes second place, showing the next strongest growth in international tourist arrivals, up 7%. This is the result of a rebound in visitors to Sub-saharan Africa (+13%) rather than North Africa, which is suffering the effects of the current geopolitical situation (-8%).

Over the Atlantic, Central and South America lead the way, each with a 7% increase in international arrivals.

Europe remains the most popular region

The Old Continent is still the world's most visited region, according to UNWTO's data. In spite of the heightened terror threat, Europe still recorded 4% growth in international tourist arrivals since the beginning of the year. Northern, Central and Eastern Europe lead the way with 6% growth all round, whereas Western Europe showed the slowest growth, at 3%.
Kashmir newspapers 'ban' lifted

Authorities in Indian-administered Kashmir have lifted a ban on publication of newspapers.
Not all global universities offer dorms or other types of student housing like many U.S. schools do. For this and other reasons, students pursuing long-term international studies or international degree programs may have to fend for themselves when it comes to finding a place to live.

Eve Binder, a U.S. student, had to find her own housing in the U.K. prior to starting a master's degree program at the University of Oxford. University housing wasn't an option because she wanted to bring her two cats -- Disaster and Calamity -- abroad with her.

Binder was able to find a place that met her needs -- but not before almost wiring money to a fraudulent landlord.

[See global universities where tuition is low or free.]

Here are five tips to help prospective international students avoid common pitfalls of finding student housing abroad.

1. Check out Facebook groups: Current and former American international students say that Facebook was a key resource in their housing search.

"That's where I found most of my information really, was Facebook," says Grace Taylor, an American student who spent around two years of her undergraduate career studying in Ecuador. She looked up groups for expats in the area where she was looking for housing and read about recommended apartments and landlords.

Rosie Thomas, a U.S. native and master's student at Bielefeld University in Germany, recommends joining university student groups on the social media platform. Group members can ask for housing advice, such as, "What's the best website to use to find a flat? Or, does anyone know about this university accommodation? Like, is it any good?" Thomas says.

[Learn four myths about Americans earning graduate degrees abroad.]

2. Make in-country connections: Lots of university websites have information for international students about finding local housing. For instance, Bielefeld University suggests several online housing platforms students can use in their search. Students can also reach out to their university's international office with additional housing questions.

Story continues

Another way to tap local knowledge is to seek out any friends -- or friends of friends -- who are already living overseas. This is a strategy Binder used -- and it saved her from a financial scam.

Binder sought help from a U.K.-based acquaintance to scope out an interesting apartment she had found online. After talking with friends, the connection realized the listing was a scam well-known to local students.

"If you have a friend of a friend who's staying in the area, offer to pay them $20 or something to go look at the place for you," Binder says, "because $20 pales in comparison to like 3,000 pounds that you could potentially lose on a fraudulent apartment."

3. Determine what's most important to you: Thomas, who is studying at Bielefeld University, says there are usually three main criteria when it comes to housing: "There's location, there's people and there's price. And the majority of the time you have to let one of those go," she says. Of these, the two that are most important for her are the location and the people, both of which have "a huge impact on your daily life."

For Binder, a major consideration was pet-friendliness. Distance from campus is also an important detail for any international student looking for local housing.

If public transportation is convenient and affordable, living farther away from campus might not be a problem, students say. Biking to class may be another option.

[Understand how to calculate the cost of an overseas degree.]

4. Consider short-term housing: The strategy Thomas used to find housing in Germany was to first book short-term accommodations. After arriving, she scouted longer-term housing options during the few weeks she was in her temporary rental.

"I knew from experience how important it is to meet people in real life, get a feel for the city before I commit to anything long term," she says. Thomas used the website WG-Gesucht.de to find her short-term digs.

5. Get the details in writing: Taylor, who studied in Ecuador, says her biggest piece of advice to students is to get a contract "that's in writing , that both the tenant and the landlord sign before the person sets foot on the property."

Taylor found an apartment she liked close to the University of Cuenca, where she had enrolled. She paid a deposit and the first month's rent and planned to move in when renovations to the apartment were complete.

However, the landlord didn't complete the repairs in time. Taylor not only needed a different apartment, but she also lost her money. She says the landlord refused to admit that she had paid.

One of the reasons Taylor had no recourse was that she hadn't signed a housing contract. "I learned the hard way," she says, "but I learned."

See the complete rankings of the Best Global Universities.

Kelly Mae Ross is an education staff writer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at kross@usnews.com.


Roger Ailes has been the most powerful person in cable news for so long, it sometimes seemed the title would be his forever.

But now Ailes, the co-founder and longtime boss of No. 1-rated Fox News Channel, is negotiating his exit from the company, according to one of his lawyers, effectively ending one of the most storied career chapters in TV history. Former Fox News host Gretchen Carlson sent the company reeling on July 6 when she filed a lawsuit claiming Ailes had sexually harassed her. 21st Century Fox, the parent company of Fox News, subsequently began an internal investigation.

Ailes, 76, started reinventing the cable news business 20 years ago, when he and News Corp. billionaire Rupert Murdoch envisioned a channel that could reach viewers turned off by mainstream news coverage. His exit will have far-reaching impacts on some of the best-known figures in the news business, at the network he shaped and beyond.

Also Read: Roger Ailes Denies Sexually Harassing Megyn Kelly

1. Wither Bill OReilly?

OReilly has yet to say publicly what he might do if Ailes were to exit. But one person close to the situation said that the host of The OReilly Factor might bail if his boss leaves. Years ago, when OReillys program was foundering during Fox News early years, Ailes stuck with OReilly and even upgraded his time slot, eventually helping the show rise to No. 1 in cable news.

OReilly might want to repay that loyalty now, depriving Fox of its top-rated show. There is concern at the network that other top talent might leap too, including Sean Hannity and Greta Van Susteren.

2. Megyn Kellys Next Chapter

Kelly was, until very recently, missing from the Ailes saga. While other women of Fox News stepped forward to speak on Ailes behalf, the star anchor  who famously tussled with Donald Trump over his treatment of women  remained conspicuously silent.

This week, a report surfaced that Kelly had told lawyers she too had been sexually harassed by Ailes, whom she had praised as recently as a few months ago as an invaluable booster. Ailes denied harassing her, just as he has denied all other allegations.

Story continues

Kelly has made no secret of her ambitions beyond Fox News: Earlier this year, she hosted a prime time interview special on the Fox broadcast network to test her bona fides as the next Diane Sawyer. Ratings and reviews werent great, but Kelly is very likely looking toward her next mountain to climb, and if Fox News finds itself in the midst of a messy transition, the company might be too distracted to stop her.

Also Read: Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity May Leave Fox News if Roger Ailes Departs

3. A Test for the Murdochs

The Ailes scandal is the first major managerial test for Lachlan and James Murdoch, Ruperts sons, who are assuming day-to-day control of 21st Century Fox. Ailes, famous for his sarcastic put-downs, has taken a jaundiced view of the Murdoch kids, treating them more as princelings than as kings to whom homage must be paid. If Ailes is out, investors will naturally wonder about the long-term health of 21st Century Fox, which derives up to one-fifth of its revenue from Fox News.

There may also be questions about their abilities to manage a major crisis. After Carlson sued, the Murdochs quickly announced the internal investigation, a move that is said to have enraged Ailes. For what its worth, internal investigations arent really Rupert Murdochs style, so the Ailes scandal is a strong sign that the 85-year-old billionaire really has handed over the reins to his company.

4. A Shot in the Arm for CNN?

CNN, the network founded by Ted Turner in 1980, has had no greater foe than Ailes. When Fox News began beating its archrival in the ratings in the early 2000s, Ailes bought billboards trumpeting the achievement right across from CNN Center in Atlanta. Under Jeff Zucker, CNN has in recent years recovered a bit of ratings momentum  but it hasnt come close to replacing Fox News as the No. 1 cable news leader.

Thats partly because CNN has never found an effective way to counter the lure of opinion in prime time, which Ailes has exploited with talents such as OReilly and Hannity. If Fox News post-Ailes loses some of its top talent, or refocuses its strategy, CNN may have one of its best opportunities in years to recapture the ratings crown. And if nothing else, CNN will no longer have to endure barbs from one of its sharpest critics.

Also Read: Gretchen Carlson on Sexual Harassment: 'We Will Not Be Silenced' (Video)

5. Donald Trump and the GOP

Its fitting that Ailes Waterloo came during GOP national convention week, which officially crowned occasional Fox News nemesis Donald Trump as the Republican presidential nominee. Trump has been one of the very few top Republicans willing to openly attack Fox News, with his feud with Kelly attracting headlines for much of last year. This is a marked change from a decade ago, when officials in the George W. Bush administration gave the network exclusive interviews and lauded it as their channel of choice.

In this, as in so many other ways, Trump may have reframed the discussion. Ailes roots in the GOP extend back to his days as a Richard M. Nixon adviser in the 1960s. But in Trumps rise, Ailes has been sent back against the ropes by another septuagenarian with a surer common touch and better show-biz chops.

In that sense, maybe Ailes is getting out at exactly the right time.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Roger Ailes Denies Sexually Harassing Megyn Kelly

Roger Ailes Remains at Fox News Channel for Now, Company Says

Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity May Leave Fox News if Roger Ailes Departs
Come fall, families with high schoolers will embark on pilgrimages to college campuses across the country to ask questions and decide where to apply. This is an expense that many parents don't think about, but the travel costs can add up quickly. Still, visiting top schools is a worthwhile experience because college brochures don't tell the whole story.

[See: 11 Easy Ways to Slash Travel Costs.]

Read on for advice on planning budget-friendly campus visits.

Incorporate college visits into family vacations. When Tim Beyers and his family of five vacation in Arizona this summer, they'll make a stop in Prescott, Arizona, so Beyers' 16-year-old son can visit Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Beyers says they're signed up for a campus tour and "a chance to meet with somebody to get a sense of how the school works and what a new student can expect."

However, there is one caveat with this strategy: "If families schedule [their] college visits while they're on vacation they can accomplish two things at once, but campuses can be very quiet during the summer and other vacation times," cautions Debra Felix, executive director of the Washington, District of Columbia-based Felix Educational Consulting, an admissions consulting group. Don't assume that classrooms, the library or fitness facilities will be open; contact the admissions office in advance to see if you can schedule a campus tour or check if the library or dining halls will be open if those things are important to you.

Of course, some families prefer to explore on their own rather than taking a carefully rehearsed campus tour. New Jersey dad Jack Killion says his family stopped at college campuses wherever they traveled in the U.S. or abroad beginning when his son Jonathan was age 5 or 6. "We would head to the bookstore and buy a cap or T-shirt from the college or university," Killion says. "We would talk to students and others we ran into. We looked for the gym and usually wound up shooting some hoops," he adds. Killion's son chose Georgetown University, which the family visited on a weekend trip to the District of Columbia, for other reasons. "We never made a special trip to visit any college or university," Killion says, emphasizing that they'd already seen a variety of schools during their family trips.

Story continues

Tap into discounts. Felix suggests looking for travel promotions to help lower your costs getting to campus. For instance, Amtrak offers half-price companion tickets to students traveling with a parent or guardian who purchases a full-fare ticket during select dates (blackout dates may apply). Felix also recommends checking the college's admissions website for information about hotels that may offer reduced rates to visiting families or asking hotels near campuses if they offer any deals.

[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]

Consider creative accommodation options. To trim travel costs, opt to forgo a traditional hotel. One of the cheapest and best options is staying with family or friends who live in the same city or town as the school you're visiting. "By staying with people you know in the area you might learn a lot about the colleges you're visiting," Felix says. Alternatively, look into vacation rentals from companies like Airbnb, so you can take advantage of a full kitchen rather than eating every meal out.

If you're comfortable sending students to visit universities by themselves, some schools will let them stay overnight in a dorm, typically with a current student, to get a taste of life on campus. Super-competitive schools with really low admit rates don't have this option, but schools that have an admit rate of 33 percent or more do tend to offer this, according to Felix. "Some only offer [this option] for admitted students, and some will offer it for prospective students," she adds.

If you opt for a hotel, look for a property with free breakfast and other perks. Hannah Roveto, a mother of two who lives outside of Boston, says she looks for added benefits on her kids' college visits. "We look for hotels with free breakfasts, free Wi-Fi [and] parking deals if not free parking, in the area."

Bring younger siblings. If you have multiple college-bound kids, bring them all on campus visits to avoid unnecessary repeat trips later on. Even they're not interested in a particular school, they can start learning about the process and figuring out if they want a rural or urban campus, a small liberal arts school or a larger university, which can help them narrow down their search later on.

Many families visit several schools in one trip, which can save money but can also prove overwhelming. When Roveto's son wanted to visit schools along the West Coast, her younger daughter tagged along. "We definitely checked a number of boxes," Roveto says. Once you've been on a few campus tours, they can start to blend together, so the family made it into a little game to keep the everyone engaged. "If the guide walked backwards or the guide mentioned the brand new research facility, they got a check mark [like in bingo]," Roveto says. After long days of college visits, Roveto and her family would relax and debrief over dinner to prevent the college decision-making process from feeling overwhelming.

[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]

If all else fails, arrange a virtual visit. Google Hangouts, phone calls and brochures can help narrow down a student's search, but they often can't match the experience of actually visiting a campus in person. Browsing the campus bookstore or enjoying a meal in the dining hall can give you a feel for intangibles that won't show up on the admissions website. Plus, as Felix points out, some college admissions offices track which applicants visit and value demonstrated interest. "There's nothing like stepping foot on campus to actually know if it's a good fit for a student," she adds.

But if an in-person visit isn't possible for financial or logistical reasons, you can still gather intel from afar. For instance, you might be able to chat with a professor or a current student by phone. Don't just rely on contacts from the admissions office. They often train students on how to answer questions and speak about the school, so for a candid point of view, startups like CampusOwl.com will set you up 30-minute private Skype session with a current student, for a $34.99 fee.





More From US News & World Report


Come fall, families with high schoolers will embark on pilgrimages to college campuses across the country to ask questions and decide where to apply. This is an expense that many parents don't think about, but the travel costs can add up quickly. Still, visiting top schools is a worthwhile experience because college brochures don't tell the whole story.

[See: 11 Easy Ways to Slash Travel Costs.]

Read on for advice on planning budget-friendly campus visits.

Incorporate college visits into family vacations. When Tim Beyers and his family of five vacation in Arizona this summer, they'll make a stop in Prescott, Arizona, so Beyers' 16-year-old son can visit Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Beyers says they're signed up for a campus tour and "a chance to meet with somebody to get a sense of how the school works and what a new student can expect."

However, there is one caveat with this strategy: "If families schedule [their] college visits while they're on vacation they can accomplish two things at once, but campuses can be very quiet during the summer and other vacation times," cautions Debra Felix, executive director of the Washington, District of Columbia-based Felix Educational Consulting, an admissions consulting group. Don't assume that classrooms, the library or fitness facilities will be open; contact the admissions office in advance to see if you can schedule a campus tour or check if the library or dining halls will be open if those things are important to you.

Of course, some families prefer to explore on their own rather than taking a carefully rehearsed campus tour. New Jersey dad Jack Killion says his family stopped at college campuses wherever they traveled in the U.S. or abroad beginning when his son Jonathan was age 5 or 6. "We would head to the bookstore and buy a cap or T-shirt from the college or university," Killion says. "We would talk to students and others we ran into. We looked for the gym and usually wound up shooting some hoops," he adds. Killion's son chose Georgetown University, which the family visited on a weekend trip to the District of Columbia, for other reasons. "We never made a special trip to visit any college or university," Killion says, emphasizing that they'd already seen a variety of schools during their family trips.

Story continues

Tap into discounts. Felix suggests looking for travel promotions to help lower your costs getting to campus. For instance, Amtrak offers half-price companion tickets to students traveling with a parent or guardian who purchases a full-fare ticket during select dates (blackout dates may apply). Felix also recommends checking the college's admissions website for information about hotels that may offer reduced rates to visiting families or asking hotels near campuses if they offer any deals.

[See: 12 Frugal Ways to Save on Vacation.]

Consider creative accommodation options. To trim travel costs, opt to forgo a traditional hotel. One of the cheapest and best options is staying with family or friends who live in the same city or town as the school you're visiting. "By staying with people you know in the area you might learn a lot about the colleges you're visiting," Felix says. Alternatively, look into vacation rentals from companies like Airbnb, so you can take advantage of a full kitchen rather than eating every meal out.

If you're comfortable sending students to visit universities by themselves, some schools will let them stay overnight in a dorm, typically with a current student, to get a taste of life on campus. Super-competitive schools with really low admit rates don't have this option, but schools that have an admit rate of 33 percent or more do tend to offer this, according to Felix. "Some only offer [this option] for admitted students, and some will offer it for prospective students," she adds.

If you opt for a hotel, look for a property with free breakfast and other perks. Hannah Roveto, a mother of two who lives outside of Boston, says she looks for added benefits on her kids' college visits. "We look for hotels with free breakfasts, free Wi-Fi [and] parking deals if not free parking, in the area."

Bring younger siblings. If you have multiple college-bound kids, bring them all on campus visits to avoid unnecessary repeat trips later on. Even they're not interested in a particular school, they can start learning about the process and figuring out if they want a rural or urban campus, a small liberal arts school or a larger university, which can help them narrow down their search later on.

Many families visit several schools in one trip, which can save money but can also prove overwhelming. When Roveto's son wanted to visit schools along the West Coast, her younger daughter tagged along. "We definitely checked a number of boxes," Roveto says. Once you've been on a few campus tours, they can start to blend together, so the family made it into a little game to keep the everyone engaged. "If the guide walked backwards or the guide mentioned the brand new research facility, they got a check mark [like in bingo]," Roveto says. After long days of college visits, Roveto and her family would relax and debrief over dinner to prevent the college decision-making process from feeling overwhelming.

[See: 12 Ways to Be a More Mindful Spender.]

If all else fails, arrange a virtual visit. Google Hangouts, phone calls and brochures can help narrow down a student's search, but they often can't match the experience of actually visiting a campus in person. Browsing the campus bookstore or enjoying a meal in the dining hall can give you a feel for intangibles that won't show up on the admissions website. Plus, as Felix points out, some college admissions offices track which applicants visit and value demonstrated interest. "There's nothing like stepping foot on campus to actually know if it's a good fit for a student," she adds.

But if an in-person visit isn't possible for financial or logistical reasons, you can still gather intel from afar. For instance, you might be able to chat with a professor or a current student by phone. Don't just rely on contacts from the admissions office. They often train students on how to answer questions and speak about the school, so for a candid point of view, startups like CampusOwl.com will set you up 30-minute private Skype session with a current student, for a $34.99 fee.

Susan Johnston Taylor contributes to the money section of USNews.com. Her articles on business and personal finance have also appeared in or on The Boston Globe, Learnvest.com, Entrepreneur.com and FastCompany.com. You can find her on Twitter @UrbanMuseWriter.
Police searching for a missing 7-year-old autistic girl have pulled the body of a "young female" from a nearby lake in Texas, authorities said.

Alexis Wartena disappeared Tuesday afternoon from an Amarillo motel where her family was staying.

Read: 5-Year-Old Missing Autistic Boy With No Shoes And No Coat Found Dead In Canal

Divers searching the lake Wednesday pulled the body of a young female from the water, but declined to say whether it was the missing child.

Amarillo Police Department spokesman Jeb Hilton told InsideEdtion.com I cant confirm or deny that the remains were little Alexis.

An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning, he said.

Alexis was last seen at about 3 p.m. at the La Kiva Motel, where she was staying with her parents and four siblings.

Read: Driver Arrested In Death Of Boy With Autism Who Was Left On Bus For Entire School Day

Her parents said she disappeared while being out of their sight for just a few minutes.

Police searched every room in the hotel, as well as lodgings at the Sleep Inn Motel next door. Dogs were used by officers combing nearby areas, and volunteers looked in surrounding neighborhoods.

The blue-eyed, blond-haired child did not speak, but did respond to her name, police said.

Watch: Dad Charged With Neglect After Twin Daughter With Autism Dies in Hot RV

Related Articles:
compass cofounders

Compass cofounder Ori Allon thinks easy access to data is going to break open the real-estate market, and his $800 million startup took another step in that direction Wednesday by releasing a mobile app that gives real-time national data to potential home buyers and renters.

Compass was founded in 2013, and while it's more or less like a traditional broker, the company says its technology can reduce the time and friction of buying and selling a house.

Compass works on both sides of the equation: agent and consumer.

When Business Insider spoke to IVP General Partner Todd Chaffee, a big Compass investor, he said what had really impressed the firm about Compass was its agent-side technology. This tech has helped Compass grow to 22 cities and attract more than 1,000 real-estate agents and employees.

But this new app, which was previously only available in New York, is equally focused on buyers as well. Compass has over 50 engineers on staff, and their latest creation is meant to replace quarterly market reports. The app, which is available in Compass markets like New York, DC, Boston, Miami, and Los Angeles, gives both agents and consumers constantly updated housing data.

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In the app, you can search by standard things like neighborhood, number of bedrooms, price range, and so on. But you can also look at more advanced metrics, like year-over-year analysis of median price per square foot, days on the market, and negotiability.

The app also lets Compass agents create a custom PDF report to send to their clients if the customer doesn't want to dig into the app.

The future

Allon told Business Insider that before launching Compass, when he would talk to buyers, sellers, developers, and agents, everyone felt they were getting the short end of the stick. And when everyone feels like they are getting screwed, the market is probably inefficient, he concluded.

Allon's answer was technology.

A recent report from The Real Deal says Compass is looking for $50 million in fresh funding, at a $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion valuation  the company has raised $135 million so far.

Story continues

To prove it's worthy of that valuation, Compass investors are expecting the startup to push beyond being a traditional brokerage and disrupt the market with proprietary technology.

A nationwide launch of this app could help Compass make its case.

Here is a video Compass made explaining how to use the app:

Check out the app for yourself here.

NOW WATCH: We took a ride in the $400,000 McLaren 675 supercar





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Stocks (^DJI, ^GSPC, ^IXIC) are rallying at midday, with tech (XLK) leading and utilities (XLU) in the red. Keith Bliss of Cuttone & Co. joins us live from the New York Stock Exchange.

To discuss the other big stories of the day, Alexis Christoforous is joined by Yahoo Finance editor-in-chief Andy Serwer and Yahoo Finances Melody Hahm.

Shaving down the competition and cashing out

After trimming down its biggest rival, Dollar Shave Club CEO is selling the startup to Unilever. The $1 billion acquisition gives Unilever entry into the shaving market which was previously dominated by rival Proctor and Gambles Gillette. Could we see higher prices after this deal?

Where are the magical unicorns?

Its been a light year for the IPO market. But that means there are a lot of unicorns that keep attracting funding. But why are so many unicorns delaying their IPOs?

The US is holding off retirement

If youre worried about retirement, it may be for a good reason. The US was 14th in the Global Retirement Index. Norway and Switzerland took the top two spots while India came in last. The U.S. wasnt all around bad. Where did they score well?

#WaysToSave

Looking to save big? Well tell you how your beneficiary forms and bills should be the first thing you review now that half of 2016 is in the can.
Medicine may always be changing, but for this 93-year-old nurse, taking care of others has always stayed the same.

Now, after being a nurse for more than 70 years, Alice Graber of South Dakota has finally decided it's time to retire.

Read: Woman Becomes Nurse at Hospital That Treated Her Cancer When She Was a Baby: 'I've Had My Heart Set on It'

"I enjoy it. I didn't have anything else to do, and I don't have any other talents," Graber told InsideEdition.com. "It's one way I can at least take care of somebody. That's why I kept going."

Though there was often talk among the patients that a nurse at the Salem Mennonite Home for the Aged was older than many of the residents, other staff at the assisted living facility knew of the 93-year-old as "an energetic go-getter nurse [who's] always been good with patients."

After both her parents passed away at a young age, Graber said she was given the responsibility to take care of her two younger siblings, which is when she realized that taking care of others was her passion.

Her aunt Minnie then suggested Graber go into a career in nursing, so when she graduated from high school, she started a three-year nurse's program at the St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska.

"The lord took care of me, and I got into nurse's training," Graber remembered. "It's been a gift all along."

Her career later took her to the Freeman Community Hospital, where she became mentor to an up-and-coming nurse, Shirley Knobel in 1979.

"I always had a great respect for her," Knobel told InsideEdition.com. "She trained me in procedures we don't even do today."

Read: Bride and Groom Ask Grandmothers, 75 and 74, to Be Flower Girls at Their Wedding

Knobel, 58, said even though the woman was trained in the era when penicillin was still an emerging drug, Graber has been able to adapt to and continue learning new medications and procedures.

Story continues

"Some people can't keep up with all the changes  it just overwhelms them," Knobel said. "She has done phenomenally well in it [during] her career. I don't know how anyone can keep going that long with all the changes in healthcare."

But one thing that remained constant was Graber's good health. The only ailment the 93-year-old suffers from is arthritis, and pain in her knees, "but I take a Tylenol and grit my teeth, and there I go. The dear Lord has been good to me as long as my body is concerned."

Graber spent the last 20 years in the field at the Salem Mennonite Home in Freeman, where she cared for residents of the assisted living senior home as an on-call nurse.

"I think about half the residents are younger than I am," she joked. "They don't seem to mind, but they don't believe it when I tell them."

Finally, at 93 years old, Graber has decided it was time to retire. She said although her body is well and she plans to continue volunteering at nursing homes in her town, but admits she was getting worn out trying to learn medical advances as they developed.

Graber insisted she did not need a going away celebration, but Knodel, who has since become the director of the Salem Mennonite Home, insisted on throwing her a retirement party.

Though the women live in a small town, more than 150 people who knew Graber stopped by the party last month to thank her for delivering them as a baby, or helping them through hard times.

Read: Elderly Polish Couple Who Partied Until Dawn in London Nightclub Pens Thank You Note to Promoter

"I couldn't believe all the people came to congratulate me," Graber said. "I just thought it was incredible."

In her retirement, Graber will spend her free time volunteering at a nursing home where she feeds patients who can't feed themselves, and recreating old German recipes that she often sends to fundraising events.

"Not everyone can make the German foods she can make anymore," Knobel said. "It's a lost art."

Watch: 90-Year-Old Couple Spotted Going On Their First Date Proves It's Never Too Late For Love

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A photo posted by Caroline Vreeland (@carolinevreeland) on Jul 4, 2016 at 7:28am PDT

Caroline Vreeland is a musician and model, and at first glance, you might peg her to be just one of the many, beautiful, blonde and blessed. Her piercing blue eyes are mesmerizing and hypnotic. Not to mention, Carolines surname is that of one of the most iconic fashion editors of the 60s - Diana Vreeland who was her great-grandmother.



In her time, Diana was a force to be reckoned with - a confident, eclectic woman with a vigorous fashion point of view. Although Caroline was only two years old when her Ms. Vreeland passed, Dianas fervent thoughts on what constitutes beauty remained poignant in her life.

Despite her famous pedigree, Caroline is forging a different identity for herself. She released her debut album, In Ruins in 2014 and an intoxicating video for her single, Wasteland in 2015.

Caroline Vreeland spoke to Yahoo Style before the Hot-as-Hell show during SWIMMIAMI in Miami, Fl this past weekend. To open the show - Caroline performed a special cover of Peggy Lees, Fever.

Caroline Vreeland performing at the Hot-As-Hell show during SWIMMIAMI. (Photo: Getty Images)

Read below to see what she did to prepare before the show, how she describes her own personal style and how her great-grandmother impacted her thoughts on body positivity in an industry that is so fiercely focused on body image

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.

Yahoo Style: So is this your first time walking at Miami Fashion Week?

Caroline Vreeland: It is, but not technically walking because Ill be doing a performance, but Ill be going down the runway, so in a way yes. But I came last year to support a friend of mine who has a brand. This is my second time coming up, but its the first time being in the show, involved with the show.

Is it due to a special connection with the designer of Hot-As-Hell that you are performing?

Well, we actually shot together.

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Oh how so?

In Paris - in this amazing tiny little hotel. We shot maybe 10 looks or something  and we did a really beautiful photo shoot with Jordan Keith. And I just fell in love with the girls. It was as if I was hanging out with my friends. Were just drinking wine, and we just have a

An organic relationship?

Yes totally. And when they asked me to sing I thought, how fun? You know. I like to be part of their family. Theyre very sweet.

A photo posted by Caroline Vreeland (@carolinevreeland) on Jul 16, 2016 at 2:27pm PDT

Did you do anything particular to get ready for the day? Did you just relax this morning or was it very hectic?

Well [Laughs] I had not a wild night. But I had a Miami night last night.

Oh! Tell me more.

So, when I woke up this morning they were really sweet. Like - just have the day by the beach [and] come to sound check at 6:00. So I had a very chill day with my friends by the beach and it was great.

That sounds great. So obviously youre a musician as well, do you have a certain regimen you do during the day or do you take it easy, relax

You mean before a performance?

Yes, exactly.

Hmm. Good question. [laughs] Mm. Not really. Im pretty chill about it. I always have to have a soundcheck. Thats super important to me. No matter what. This is easy because its going to be A cappella. Theres no levels with the music. Its fun. Its more haunting I feel like. The song really speaks to the brand and speaks to the idea of being sung A cappella.



Will it be one of your songs? Or

No, they wanted me to pick a cover so people knew, and so I chose it and I think its a perfect fit. Should I give it away?

No, lets keep it a surprise.

You know, I think being a model in the fashion industry, especially nowadays is different in that the industry is trying to be more diverse and include more body types other than the typical waif-thin model type.

Thank God.

Do you have any advice for aspiring models who dont fit that type of body shape and the age old mold?

I think the sexiest thing about you is the thing that sets you apart. I mean, weve all heard it said before, but a lot of people also ask me what do you think your great grandmother imparted on you?

Exactly.

And thats the main thing. She loved peoples flaws. For instance, when she saw Barbara Streisands nose. That was to her the most exciting part of her. She was like, Feature the nose!  have it be about that. But beauty comes from that too. For example, with Michael Jackson - the skin on his hands and why he started wearing the glove. The glove became a part of who he is. So I really like that. I had a producer a couple of years ago who was deathly afraid to go onstage so he put on an opera mask and it became his thing. So I love when those beautiful things make you who you are instead of bringing you down. I mean, thats been hard too with me for having a full chest and stuff in the fashion world.

Definitely.

But theyre there and thats what it is.

It makes you who you are.

I hid them a lot at first and then Carine Roitfeld was like - no embrace it! She was like  the whole story is about your boobs. You know that right? [laughs] Because the first time I ever showed my boobs in a high fashion situation was my first shoot. And it was for Vogue Italia with Michel Comte and he was like, I love you, but I cant work with that. I had to leave. And the next thing I did I was with Carine and she was saying, Lets bring the boobs, lets embrace the boobs. So I think you just have to be confident in who you are and love yourself and thats whats way sexier.

I think the scope [in the modeling industry] is definitely changing and I hope in 5-10 years that ideology will be the norm, but I definitely feel like thats where its headed.

Were totally going in that direction.

Yes absolutely.

Playing in New York with my friends at @style_rac wearing @carolinakuniverse I guess I was trying to find my holly golightly fire escape moment 

A photo posted by Caroline Vreeland (@carolinevreeland) on Nov 16, 2015 at 7:45am PST

So how would you describe your personal style?

Well, since I feel that Im very feminine, I - a lot of times try to have a more masculine vibe. I always opt for a jumpsuit or a pant

And those pieces are obviously comfortable for one, first of all.

And its chic  always. A black jumpsuit - you cant really go wrong. But I get to have fun with it too. When Im in Milan for Fashion Week I get to go a little more crazy and wear certain colors and try things out, but Im still learning what I like. But right now, Im super into streetwear shit and my thigh high boots and my Justin Bieber shirt that says Sorry on the back.

[Laughs]

Thats my vibe. So its always changing, but I like to try and keep it a little more casual and a little more boyish I would say.

Love that.

Do you have one piece in your closet that you absolutely love and could never part ways with? Or perhaps that one treasured piece you bought when you were young?

Well I do have my great grandmother [Diana Vreeland]s cuff from the 1900s. I had signature cuffs of hers and those are obviously invaluable to me.

Did she leave a lot of her emblems to you? Or was it passed through your family?

I got to take home the bracelets because I have a small wrist and she had baby wrists. And so I got kind of lucky in that department. Theres a mirror that my aunt has  its convex so it comes out like this. [gestures with her hands the shape] Its tiny. Its a gold snake eating its tail. And she always said every woman should be covered in serpents. That was her total vibe. So I know she loved the snake and so I love that mirror. I hope I get it one day.
Maiti Nepal honours TIP Hero SP Kiran Bajracharya

Maiti Nepal, a women and child rights organisation, honored SP Kiran Bajracharya who was awarded with 2016 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes by the United States Department of State.
Abbott Laboratories ABT is an Illinois-based company focused on bringing a diverse line of healthcare products to the market.

Abbott Labs reports its diversified business in four segments  namely Established Pharmaceuticals Division (EPD), Medical Devices, Diagnostics and Nutrition. The company has reshaped its portfolio through strategic acquisitions/divestitures in recent times. It has also been taking strategic steps to expand its footprint in the growing geographies and investing in R&D, which has resulted in numerous new product launches across its businesses.

In Feb 2015, Abbott completed the sale of its branded generics pharmaceuticals business in developed markets. Realignment of the EPD division through acquisitions in Latin America and Russia, along with business divestitures in developed markets, has positioned the company well for the coming quarters. However, unfavorable movement in foreign currency rates is affecting the top line adversely.

Abbott Labs has an impressive track record as the company beat estimates in the last four trailing quarters with an average positive earnings surprise of 3.2%.

ABBOTT LABS Price and EPS Surprise

ABBOTT LABS Price and EPS Surprise | ABBOTT LABS Quote

Currently, Abbott Labs has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:

Earnings: Our consensus called for EPS of 53 cents per share, while the company reported EPS of 55 cents (from continuing operations excluding one-time items).

Revenue: Abbott Labs posted revenues of $5.33 billion, above our expectations of $5.26 billion.

Key Stats: The recent launches of FreeStyle Libre, MitraClip, Absorb and Symfony have boosted the performance. Foreign currency exchange rate movements negatively impacted sales by 3.2%. The company expects 2016 earnings per share in the range of $2.14 per share to $2.24 per share (excluding specified items).

Check back later for our full write up on this Abbott Labs earnings report later!

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Abbott Laboratories ABT reported second-quarter 2016 earnings of 55 cents per share, higher than both the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 53 cents and the year-ago figure of 52 cents.

In the reported quarter, sales came in at $5.3 billion, up 3.2% year over year on a reported basis, and surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $5.26 billion. However, the top line was impacted by unfavorable foreign exchange movement of 3.2% during the quarter.

Quarter in Detail

Abbott Labs operates through four segments  Established Pharmaceuticals Division (EPD), Medical Devices, Nutrition and Diagnostics.

EPD sales were down 0.4% to $980 million, including a negative impact of 9.1% due to currency fluctuations. Sales in key emerging markets soared 15.9% on an operational basis driven by solid growth in India.

The Medical Devices business generated sales of $1.4 billion, up 6.4% year over year. Vascular product sales were up 8.3% on the back of double-digit growth of MitraClip. The FDA recently approved the companys bioresorbable stent, Absorb. Diabetes Care sales increased 1.7% driven by continued consumer uptake of FreeStyle Libre.

However, sales were impacted by competitive and market dynamics in the U.S. Sales of Medical Optics were up 6.2% backed by continued market uptake of cataract products in the premium intraocular lens segment. Abbott recently received FDA approval for its Tecnis Symfony intraocular lenses as well.

Nutrition sales were up 1.4% year over year to $1.7 billion. Pediatric Nutrition sales grew 3.4% on an operational basis. Growth was driven above-market growth in the U.S. as well as continued uptake of recently launched products including infant and toddler non-GMO products and growth in Latin America and Asia. Adult Nutrition sales improved 5.5% on an operational basis led by a strong performance of Ensure and growth in international markets.

Diagnostics sales increased 4.1% year over year to $1.2 billion. Core Laboratory sales and Point-of-Care Diagnostics sales were up 3.4% and 11.5%, respectively. Molecular Diagnostics sales grew 2.5% as growth in the infectious disease testing business was partially offset by the planned scale-down of the genetics business.

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2016 Outlook

Abbott Labs reiterated its earnings per share guidance in the range of $2.14 to $2.24. The current Zacks Consensus Estimate stands at $2.20.

ABBOTT LABS Price and EPS Surprise

ABBOTT LABS Price and EPS Surprise | ABBOTT LABS Quote

Our Take

Abbott Labs second-quarter results were much better than expected due to the recent product launches  Eleva in China, MitraClip, Freestyle Libre in Europe and Supera peripheral stent. Going ahead, the recent FDA approval of Absorb, the only fully dissolving heart stent, and Tecnis Symfony intraocular lenses for the treatment of cataracts will fuel its performance. The company also stands to benefit from its upcoming acquisition of St. Jude Medical STJ, which will offer it an industry leading pipeline across cardiovascular, neuromodulation, diabetes and vision care.

Abbott Labs currently has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the health care sector may consider Johnson & Johnson JNJ and Gilead Sciences GILD. Both the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

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By David Schwartz

PHOENIX (Reuters) - An Arizona teenager who the FBI said has professed to be an "American jihadist" was ordered to remain held without bond on Wednesday on charges of plotting to stage an attack with bombs and other weapons on a Phoenix-area state motor vehicle office.

The suspect, Mahin Khan, 18, of Tucson, was charged in a three-count indictment earlier this month with terrorism, conspiracy to commit terrorism and conspiracy to commit misconduct involving weapons.

Jailed since his arrest on July 1, Khan faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last week.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers declared Khan ineligible for bond at the end of a hearing in Phoenix on Wednesday, finding the defendant posed a "substantial danger to the community" if he were released.

The ruling capped two days of testimony by FBI special agent Ben Trentlage, who said Khan first came to the agency's attention when he was 15. At that time, Trentlage said, FBI agents contacted the boy and his family and ended up recommending they seek mental health treatment for him.

Trentlage said the current case stemmed from months of communications between Khan with undercover FBI operatives in which he expressed a desire to carry out "lone jihadist" attacks that would kill hundreds of people in Arizona.

Among potential targets Khan mentioned, Trentlage said, were a Jewish community center and an Air Force recruitment office in Tucson, as well as a pizza parlor.

Khan ultimately decided the Division of Motor Vehicles office was a preferred "soft target," reasoning that relatively light security and crowded conditions there offered the best chance of inflicting high casualties, prosecutors said in court.

Prosecutors previously said Khan sought to obtain weapons such as pipe bombs or pressure cooker bombs for the planned DMV attack in communications with an individual he believed was an Islamic State fighter.

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In a probable cause statement filed earlier this month, the FBI said Khan had described himself in an email as an "American jihadist" who supports Islamic State, the militant group that has seized parts of Syria and Iraq and claimed responsibility for deadly bomb and gun attacks in France, Belgium and Bangladesh.

On Wednesday, Trentlage said a search of Khans home in Tucson uncovered hand-written attack plans, three pressure cookers and what may have been a crude Molotov cocktail.

(Editing by Steve Gorman and Andrew Hay)
By Angela Moon

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Airbnb said on Wednesday it hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to help craft its anti-discrimination policy to combat discrimination occurring on the home-sharing company's platform.

Airbnb, which allows private homeowners, or "hosts," on the site to rent apartments and houses on a short-term basis, has received complaints of discrimination based on race, gender and sexual orientation.

"While we have a policy that prohibits discrimination, we want this policy to be stronger," Airbnb Chief Executive Brian Chesky said in a blog post announcing the hiring of Holder.

Holder, the first African American to hold the position of U.S. Attorney General, will be working with John Relman, a civil rights attorney and authority "on fair housing and public accommodation issues," Chesky said.

In June, Holder wrote to lawmakers on behalf of ride-hailing service Uber to argue against the use of fingerprint-based background checks as they consider how to regulate ride-hailing service drivers.

Airbnb has said that discrimination occurring on its platform is the biggest challenge facing the company. Last month, the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack trended heavily on Twitter in the United States, serving as a forum for black travelers to share experiences of racial discrimination from white Airbnb hosts.

(Additional reporting by Heather Sommerville in San Francisco)
By Angela Moon NEW YORK (Reuters) - Airbnb said on Wednesday it hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to help craft its anti-discrimination policy to combat discrimination occurring on the home-sharing company's platform. Airbnb, which allows private homeowners, or "hosts," on the site to rent apartments and houses on a short-term basis, has received complaints of discrimination based on race, gender and sexual orientation. "While we have a policy that prohibits discrimination, we want this policy to be stronger," Airbnb Chief Executive Brian Chesky said in a blog post announcing the hiring of Holder. Holder, the first African American to hold the position of U.S. Attorney General, will be working with John Relman, a civil rights attorney and authority "on fair housing and public accommodation issues," Chesky said. In June, Holder wrote to lawmakers on behalf of ride-hailing service Uber to argue against the use of fingerprint-based background checks as they consider how to regulate ride-hailing service drivers. Airbnb has said that discrimination occurring on its platform is the biggest challenge facing the company. Last month, the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack trended heavily on Twitter in the United States, serving as a forum for black travelers to share experiences of racial discrimination from white Airbnb hosts. (Additional reporting by Heather Sommerville in San Francisco)
Delta Air Lines DAL kicked off the second-quarter earnings season for the airlines sector with an earnings beat last week. However, the Atlanta, GA-based carrier continued to struggle on the revenue front with the top line shrinking 2.4% mainly due to currency woes. Revenues also fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate.

United Continental Holdings UAL also posted a second-quarter earnings beat on Jul 19 (after market close). The Chicago-based carrier went a step ahead, outshining the Zacks Consensus Estimate even on the revenue front.

On the non-earnings front, somber news flowed in from Nice, France when a suspected terror attack resulted in over 80 casualties apart from multiple injuries. The incident occurred when an individual drove a truck through a crowd watching Bastille Day fireworks. The massacre hurt travel stocks, airlines being no exception.

Low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines SAVE also grabbed headlines by virtue of its bearish second-quarter view, especially with respect to total revenue per available seat mile (TRASM). The past week also saw the likes of American Airlines Group AAL, JetBlue Airways Corp. JBLU and GOL Linhas GOL disclosing their respective numbers for June.

On the price front, the NYSE ARCA Airline index was almost flat over the past week at $90.15 as the positive impact of Deltas bottom-line outperformance was offset by the terror-induced sell off.

TRANSPORTATION-AIRLINE Industry Price Index

TRANSPORTATION-AIRLINE Industry Price Index

Read the last Airline Stock Roundup for Jul 13, 2016.

Recap of the Past Weeks Most Important Stories

1. Delta Air Lines kicked off the second-quarter earnings season in the airline space on a mixed note. The airline behemoth reported lower-than-expected revenues while earnings beat estimates in the quarter. For the third quarter of 2016, the carrier expects operating margin in the range of 19% to 21%. Passenger unit revenue in the third quarter is projected to decline in the band of 4% to 6% (read more: Delta Air Lines Q2 Earnings Beat, Stock Up).

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2. Stocks in the airline space, such as Delta Air Lines and United Continental Holdings were particularly hurt by the suspected terror attack in southern France on Jul 14. The possibility of waning travel demand from security fears hurt investor confidence. Such terror acts are unfortunately becoming more regular, dealing a heavy blow to airlines.

3. United Continentals second-quarter 2016 earnings (on an adjusted basis) of $2.61 per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8 cents. Earnings, however, declined 21.1% on a year-over-year basis. Operating revenues of $9.4 billion in the quarter edged past the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.38 billion. However, revenues fell 5.2% on a year-over-year basis due to a strong U.S. dollar, lower surcharge, drop in customer travel due to low oil prices and competitive actions.

The carrier expects consolidated PRASM decline in the range of 5.5%7.5% in the third quarter. Consolidated capacity is projected to increase 1.5%2.5% in the third quarter. Fuel price, including all cash settled hedges, is estimated in the band of $1.48 to $1.53 per gallon. The company expects pre-tax margin in the range of 13.5%15.5%.

4. Shares of Spirit Airlines were hurt by its bearish guidance with respect to TRASM for the second quarter of 2016 (detailed results will be revealed on Jul 29).The company now expects the metric to decline 14.3%, which is at the lower end of the initial guidance mainly due to discounts from rivals. Capacity for the second quarter is expected to increase 23.1% while operating margin is estimated at around 22% ( the initial guidance was in the band of 20.5% and 22%.

5. JetBlue Airways witnessed an improvement in air traffic in the month of June. Traffic  measured in revenue passenger miles (RPMs)  was 3.95 billion, up 11.6% from 3.54 billion recorded a year ago. On a year-over-year basis, consolidated capacity or available seat miles (ASMs) soared to 10.5% to 4.58 billion (read more: JetBlue June Traffic Improves, RASM Declines 4.5%).

6. June traffic at American Airlines improved 2.2% on a 2.8% capacity expansion. The carrier now expects PRASM (passenger revenue per available seat mile: a key measure of unit revenue) to decline in the band of 6%7% for the second quarter (detailed results will be revealed on Jul 22). The earlier guidance had called for a PRASM decline in the band of 6% to 8% (read more: American Airlines June Traffic Up, Guidance Revised).

7. GOL Linhas, weighed down by weak economic conditions and currency headwinds, reported dismal traffic numbers in June with all three key metrics viz. traffic, capacity and load factor moving south. Traffic  measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPK)  stood at 2.76 billion, down 7.1% from a year ago.

Also, on a year-over-year basis, consolidated capacity (or available seat kilometers/ASKs) was down 5.9% to 3.68 billion mainly because of 5.2% and 10.9% declines in domestic and international capacity, respectively. Load factor contracted 100 basis points to 74.9% in Jun 2016. Furthermore, in the month, the carrier witnessed a 19.7% decline in the volume of departures.

Performance

The following table shows the price movement of the major airline players over the past week and during the last 6 months.

Company Past Week Last 6 months HA -1.19% 43.26% UAL 3.12% 6.05% GOL 23.92% 470.00% DAL 0.88% -11.29% JBLU 0.33% -12.19% AAL 3.67% -7.81% SAVE -8.97% 6.88% LUV -0.63% 8.70% VA -0.20% 86.47% ALK -0.70% -4.90%

The table shows that airline stocks exhibited a mixed trend with respect to price over the past week. Shares of GOL Linhas appreciated the most (23.92%) and Spirit Airlines emerged as the biggest laggard with shares depreciating 8.97%.

Over the past six months, the majority of the airline stocks gained value, leading to a 21.14% improvement in the NYSE ARCA Airline index on the back of huge gains at GOL Linhas and Virgin America.

What's Next in the Airline Space?

Earnings releases are going to dominate the airline space this coming week. Sector heavyweights like American Airlines Group and Southwest Airlines LUV are slated to release their quarterly figures over the next few days.

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Washington (AFP) - The United States gathered its allies in the coalition fighting the Islamic State group Wednesday and agreed on a plan to corner the jihadists in their final bastions.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told reporters that an accelerated military effort would soon see the group pushed back to Raqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.

And US officials said donor countries had pledged a total of $2 billion towards the cost of rebuilding Iraq and insulating its communities from extremism.

But Carter warned that isolating and taking out what he called the IS "parent tumor" would not eliminate its ability to spring or inspire attacks elsewhere.

And, as if on cue, IS propagandists released a video claiming last week's truck attack in Nice that left 84 dead, and threatening more against coalition states.

Defense ministers from the Western and Arab countries of the coalition said they have a military plan to liberate the cities with local Iraqi and Syrian forces.

"Today, we made the plans and commitments that will help us deliver ISIL the lasting defeat that it deserves," Carter told reporters at an air base outside Washington.

The Pentagon chief did not reveal details, but added: "Let me be clear: They culminate in the collapse of ISIL's control over the cities of Mosul and Raqa."

Britain's defense minister, Michael Fallon, said London would double to 500 the number of its troops assigned to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting the IS group.

- Parent tumor -

Separately, US Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with foreign ministers from the coalition countries to discuss the broader political and humanitarian plan.

And donor countries were set to pledge what officials hoped would be up to $2 billion to help civilians return to normal life in liberated areas of Iraq.

Baghdad needs the money to rebuild in areas that have been retaken and enable the population to return.

"The fight against Daesh is obviously far from finished, even as we have progress. Mosul is not yet free. Acts of terrorism remain a constant daily danger," Kerry said.

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"But the momentum -- there is nobody at this table who would argue that the momentum hasn't shifted -- it has shifted," he said, sitting with allied foreign ministers.

"And Daesh has been driven out of almost half of the territory that once occupied in Iraq," he said, using his preferred term for the Islamic State group.

The two days of meetings were called as jihadist attacks -- some of them inspired or ordered by the IS group -- are proliferating around the world.

The coalition, and in particular its US leadership, are keen to seize back the narrative and emphasize what they see as progress on the main battlefield.

But their task is complicated by the jihadist violence erupting in French seafront resorts, on German passenger trains and in the streets of Turkey and the Middle East.

In recent weeks, jihadists have claimed horrific attacks in Nice, Istanbul, Baghdad and Dhaka that have left hundreds dead and injured.

- Battle for Mosul -

These are "going to be a primary focus, obviously, of the discussions," acknowledged Brett McGurk, President Barack Obama's special envoy to the anti-IS coalition.

For two days, Kerry and Carter will meet with about 40 of their counterparts in Washington.

French defense minister Jean-Yves le Drian told AFP that the battle for Iraq and Mosul is also key for the future security of Europe's cities.

"Daesh is not only a terrorist army that has seized territory," he said, referring to the swath of desert the group has claimed as a "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria.

"It is also from this territory that it has launched both the operations ordered by terrorists that France has suffered (and) also propaganda efforts."

McGurk also warned: "Nobody can say these attacks are going to stop. Unfortunately, I think we are going to see more of these."

The coalition, which has conducted 14,000 strikes in two years, is "succeeding on the ground."

Washington maintains that since its peak in 2014, IS has lost nearly 50 percent of its Iraqi territory and between 20 and 30 percent of its Syrian strongholds.

Iraqi forces that recently retook Fallujah are advancing through the Tigris valley toward Mosul.

They have recaptured the Qayyara air base south of Mosul, which US military officials say will serve as a launch pad for offensive operations against the city.

Washington has also announced that it will send 560 more US troops to Iraq to help the government fight IS and recapture Mosul.

That will bring to 4,600 troops the US military presence in Iraq five years after the United States' 2011 military withdrawal.
Ministry invites EoI to appoint consultant

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on Tuesday issued a notice, inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) from consulting firms to conduct a geo-technical investigation for the design of bridges, flyovers, grade separated intersections and preliminary design of the Kathmandu-Terai/Madhes Fast Track Road Project.
Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon.com, speaks in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on May 5, 2016 (Photo: Associated Press)



As CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos likely can pay his own way to the moon. However, even though hes founded a private space-travel company called Blue Origin, the mogul recently discovered a far easier way to achieve his outer-space dreams  via a cameo in the about-to-be-released Star Trek Beyond.

A devoted Trek fan, Bezos tweeted out a Vine this morning of himself in full alien makeup while participating in Star Trek Beyonds production. In the short clip, Bezos enjoys a quick behind-the-scenes bite to eat, thereby adding visual confirmation to last weeks Associated Press story about the Amazon CEO appearing in the alien guise for a single tracking shot in the movie.



Related: Star Trek Cast Embraces Films Beyond Beyond

At a press conference for the film, Star Trek Beyond director Justin Lin talked about the hoopla surrounding Bezos arrival on the set:

He was awesome. It was like a president was visiting, you know? He had a big entourage! But it didnt matter because he was so into it. He had to wait around all day because it was one day we were shooting like three different scenes and, it was also credit to Jeff because  he just nailed it every time.

Related: Meet Sofia Boutellas Bold Jaylah in New Star Trek Beyond Clip

To further confirm his own story, Lin also tweeted out a photo of Bezos-as-alien on a starship bridge opposite actress Lydia Wilson.

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Great thing about making Trek is having passionate people drop by, like @JeffBezos. Here he is with Lydia Wilson. pic.twitter.com/bKkEAmwjDS  Justin Lin (@trailingjohnson) July 20, 2016

Chris Pine, Treks Captain Kirk, was similarly impressed with the commotion caused by Bezos one-day production stint, even though he confessed that, at the time, he didnt quite know who, exactly, was causing such a stir.

I was there for the bit with his like nine bodyguards and three limos. It was really intense. I had no idea who he was. Not a clue. But he was obviously very important.

Star Trek Beyond opens in theaters on Friday.

Star Trek Beyond: Watch a featurette about director Justin Lin:


Prague (AFP) - A Czech court handed a life sentence to an American citizen Wednesday for killing four of his relatives and trying to burn their bodies while he was staying with them in 2013.

Kevin Dahlgren, 24, fatally slashed a man 29 times in his study before also stabbing the man's wife and their 23-year-old son to death at their home in Brno, eastern Czech Republic.

Brno regional court judge Michal Zamecnik ruled that Dahlgren suffered from emotional instability, narcissism, paranoia and increased aggression.

Following the frenzied assault, he attacked the dead couple's 17-year-old son, striking him on the head with a stone as he returned home from school before stabbing him six times, said the judge.

He then tried to burn the bodies of his victims inside the house.

Czech media said the dead woman was Dahlgren's cousin.

Dahlgren claimed he had heard "a voice" telling him to attack his family.

His lawyer has lodged an appeal against the sentence.

Following the incident Dahlgren flew to Vienna and on to the United States where he was detained at a Washington airport the day after the killings.

Last year he became the first American to be extradited to the Czech Republic, an EU member of 10.5 million people.

Dahlgren's Facebook page said he was from Palo Alto, California, and that he had offered English lessons in Brno, the Czech Republic's second-largest city.
shopping cart shopper walmart

Some of America's biggest companies are suddenly desperate to hang on to their lowest-level workers, and it's resulting in wage increases across the US.

Starbucks, Walmart, McDonald's, JPMorgan, Target, and TJ Maxx are among the companies that have announced wage increases within the last year.

In addition to paying workers more, several of these companies are improving employee benefits and scheduling processes, and investing more in training.

Starbucks announced this week that it will give all of its US employees  roughly 150,000 people  a raise of at least 5% effective October 3.

The coffee chain is also doubling the annual stock award for employees who work at the company for at least two years straight.

A day later, JPMorgan said it would boost pay for 18,000 of its lowest-tier employees, including tellers and customer service representatives, as well as invest more in training.

Many analysts say companies are raising wages only to stay ahead of anticipated local minimum-wage hikes in cities and states across the US.

Others say the raises are simply the result of a tightening labor market that's making it harder to hire and retain talented people in low-paying jobs.

Executives from Starbucks, Walmart, and others have tried to cast the compensation changes in a much more generous light, saying they are meant to show appreciation for employees and improve customer service.

McDonalds

When Walmart CEO Doug McMillon announced $2.7 billion in spending on wages and training last year, he told employees that it was meant to "demonstrate our commitment to you, our associates."

"When we take a step back, it's clear to me that one of our highest priorities must be to invest more in our people this year," McMillon said.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz shared a similar sentiment in a letter to employees this week that said the wage increases are intended to "deepen the reservoir of trust between" Starbucks and its employees.

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"The world around us is increasingly fragile," Schultz wrote. "But our commitment to you is not. We are in this together, and honoring your needs is essential to Starbucks' success."

JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon had a similarly altruistic message on the topic of increasing pay. In an op-ed in The New York Times, he said he was raising the wages of tellers by as much as 62% to battle income inequality.

While many low-level workers have applauded the changes, labor activists have argued that the raises aren't steep enough. Walmart and McDonald's are both in the process of pushing their starting wages to above $10, but labor activists are fighting for a minimum wage of at least $15.

Former McDonald's USA CEO Ed Rensi, however, said a blanket $15 minimum wage would be disastrous, especially for the restaurant industry, where he says labor accounts for about 35% of operating costs.

"They are going to raise prices to offset the cost of labor, and then they are going to lose customers," Rensi told Business Insider in an interview. "And guess what happens when they lose customers? They fire employees because they don't need them anymore."

Wages in the leisure-and-hospitality sector are rising faster than the national average, increasing 4% over the prior year in June.

As wages climb higher, companies are investing more in automation  like digital tablets that allow customers to order and pay for food  that would eliminate the need for some employees, he said.

"McDonald's ... is going to automate everything they can," Rensi said. "This is survival of the fittest. They are going to do whatever they have to do to survive."

Automation has affected the banking industry as well. Now that consumers can deposit checks on their cellphones, a main component of bank tellers' jobs has been eliminated.

In explaining to investors the decision to raise wages, executives are arguing that the investment now will pay off down the road in better customer service, which is expected to eventually turn into more profit.

But investors appear skeptical that the investments will do so.

Walmart suffered its worst stock decline in 27 years in October 2015 after the company revealed its investments in wages would lower operating profits by about $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2017.

The stock price has rebounded since then, up 24% since the October announcement, but it's still down about 15% from where it was before Walmart announced the wage investment in February 2015.

According to Walmart US President Greg Foran, however, the wage investments are already paying off. Foran said in May that stores are already seeing improvements to widespread issues like empty shelves and cleanliness.

"Associates are feeling a little bit more engaged," Foran said.

The company is even seeing sales and traffic improvements, which it said were driven in part by the investments in labor. In the most recent quarter, Walmart's US same-store sales rose 1%, driven by a 1.5% increase in traffic.

Walmart

The changes aren't going unnoticed by customers.

"Our customers continue to tell us they are happy with the changes we're making in our stores, as evidenced by our customer-experience scores, which rose again this quarter versus last year," Brett Biggs, executive vice president and CFO& of Walmart, said on a call with analysts.

McDonald's has also been seeing positive results from its labor investments, according to the company.

The fast-food chain lifted its average hourly wage from $9.01 to $9.90 last July, and it will raise it further to exceed $10 by the end of this year.

McDonald's has also started allowing workers to earn up to five days of paid vacation every year, and it invested in training by implementing new procedures like "ask, ask, tell" to speed up drive-thru service.

McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook said recently that the changes "have resulted in lower crew turnover and higher customer-satisfaction scores ... and we are gaining share relative to the [fast-food] sandwich segment."

Customer-satisfaction scores were up 6% in the first quarter, compared with the same period last year, he said.

It remains to be seen how the rising wages will affect Starbucks, Walmart, McDonald's, JPMorgan, and others in the long term.

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RATINGS CHANGES

TD Ameritrade was downgraded to hold from buy at Deutsche Bank. $31 price target. The company is facing IDA yield headwinds, Deutsche said.

AutoNation was upgraded to buy at TheStreet Ratings. You can view the full analysis from the report here: AN.

Diamondback Energy was upgraded to buy from hold at Canaccord Genuity. $100 price target. Increased activity should drive top-tier growth, Canaccord said.

Genesco was downgraded to equal-weight at Morgan Stanley. $74 price target. The stock is up 19% year-to-date, but the company is facing macro headwinds, Morgan said.

Alphabet was upgraded to buy at TheStreet Ratings. You can view the full analysis from the report here: GOOG.

Nucor was downgraded to neutral from buy at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. $56 price target. Earnings estimates were also cut, as margins will likely be squeezed in the second half of the year, analysts said.

Panera Bread was initiated with an outperform rating at RBC Capital. $250 price target. Expect earnings growth to accelerate through 2018, RBC said.

Papa John's was upgraded to overweight from sector weight at Keybanc. $80 price target. Expect the pizza business to pick up steam in the second half of the year, Keybanc said.

RetailMeNot was upgraded to hold at TheStreet Ratings. You can view the full analysis from the report here: SALE.

Steel Dynamics was downgraded to neutral from buy at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch. $28 price target. Pricing and volume have likely peaked, analysts said.

T. Rowe Price was downgraded to hold from buy at Deutsche Bank. $75 price target. Net flows will likely be challenged for at least two or three quarters, Deutsche said.

Verizon was downgraded to perform at Oppenheimer. The valuation is less attractive, given wireless spectrum and regulatory headwinds, Oppenheimer said.

Wynn Resorts was downgraded to neutral from buy at UBS. The valuation is less attractive, based on a $98 price target, UBS said.

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Bayern 1 Man City 0:Second victory for Ancelotti in home debut

Four days after a 4-3 friendly victory against Lippstadt FC Bayern won the second match of their pre-season programme, and this time the Reds took on heavyweight opponents Manchester City in what could easily pass for a mouth-watering Champions League encounter. FC Bayern reserves midfielder Erdal Ozturk scored the 75th-minute match-winner with a deflected 20-yard effort as Carlo Ancelotti's home debut against his predecessor Pep Guardiola ended in a deserved 1-0 victory for the German record champions. The 68,000 crowd at the Allianz Arena gave Guardiola a warm welcome in an early reunion after the Catalan left to take charge of the Premier League outfit.
Luanda (AFP) - The Angolan parliament on Wednesday approved a prisoner amnesty exepected to result in the release of 17 young activists -- including a well-known rapper -- under house arrest for an act of rebellion against President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

The law "pardons all crimes punishable by imprisonment of up to 12 years", Justice Minister and Human Rights Minister Rui Mangueiras announced.

The amnesty will benefit around 8,000 prisoners but will exclude prisoners serving sentences for "intentionally committed violent crimes" such as sexual offences, drug trafficking, human and organ trafficking, the minister told parliament.

The 17 activists -- arrested last year during a book club meeting at which one of the books was about non-violent resistance to repressive regimes -- should "in principle" benefit from the law, said Human Rights Watch's researcher Zenaida Machado.

"However if it happens, it does not meet our expectations because what we wanted is for the government to drop the charges against the group or for a court to acquit them because they have committed no crime," she told AFP.

Zola Bambi, a lawyer for the group of activists, said he was disappointed that the government had failed to recognise that the 17 committed no offence.

They have "committed no crime that would justify the conviction. What we expect is an acquittal not amnesty," he told AFP.

The activists were in March handed sentences of between two and eight years in prison, but were released in June to serve out the rest of the sentences at home.

The activists say they are peaceful campaigners seeking the departure of dos Santos, who has been in power since 1979 and rules the oil-rich country with an iron fist.

Correctional services spokesman Menezes Cassoma said the law would help to relieve pressure on overcrowded prisons.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, actress Anne Hathaway reflected on her experience working with Garry Marshall, the director of the popular Princess Diaries movies, who passed away Tuesday.

Marshall gave the Oscar-winning actress her first big break 15 years ago, when she burst onto the scene as the bookish, klutzy Mia in the modern-day fairytale story. Under his direction, Hathaway transformed into a poised princess  and was catapulted into global stardom. But Hathaway says Marshall had a much more formative impact on her than just giving her acting career its start.

Before we made the Princess Diaries, he told me You never know if a movie is going to be a hit or not. The only thing you can control is the memories you make when shooting it. So, lets make some good memories,' Hathaway wrote. That advice changed my life even more than the film did.

As recently as March, Marshall stirred the hopes of Diaries fans by teasing a potential third movie with Hathaway. I was with Anne Hathaway a couple weeks ago, it looks like we want to do Princess Diaries 3 in Manhattan, he said to People magazine. Anne Hathaway is very pregnant, so we have to wait until she has the baby and then I think were going to do it.

That recent conversation makes the news of his passing even more emotional.

Garry was goodness itself, Hathaway wrote. He was generous. He was kind beyond kind. He was thoughtful and sweet and so funny you would pee yourself a little. I met him when I was a child who thought she was a grown-up; he treated me with grace and patience and respect and always, always love.

Hathaways note adds to the chorus of fond memories that celebrities have been sharing since his passing. You can read her full note below.
MJF-L to vote in favour of ruling coalition

The Bijaya Kumar Gachhadar-led Madhesi Janadhikar Forum Loktantrik (MJF-L), a key ally and the only Madhes-based party in the ruling alliance, has decided to stand by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as he faces a vote of no-confidence in Parliament later this week.
The Brexit mandate may have taken the shine off the pound but British companies continue to attract international investors. This is reflected in Japan-based SoftBank Group Corp.s SFTBY decision to acquire ARM Holdings plc ARMH for a whopping $32 billion.

Its an all-cash deal per which ARM will receive 17 per share ($22.50 per share approx.) at a 43% premium on Fridays closing price.

The deal is clearly understandable in the current scenario when the pound has depreciated against Japanese yen.

SoftBank chief Masayoshi Son however has refused to cite this as a reason behind one of the biggest and quickest (2 weeks) takeover of a European technology business by an Asian company.

Why ARM Holdings?

Well, a straight forward answer would be that the company does not develop chips but designs the core engines embedded in chips, an area that has huge potential in every space thats Internet connected.

Though the link between Internet-of-Things (IoT) and telecommunications isnt clear at the moment, Sons visionary eyes are already seeing the future.

ARM designs microprocessors that power more than 95% of smartphones of the world. Yes, smartphones that have substituted PCsin some parts of the world.

Moreover, the company is trying to improve its IoT portfolio. If successful, everything that is connected may not have Intel inside but will certainly have ARMs design.

And thats what Softbank is looking at. The company has now got its hands on a technology that would make it easy for it to venture into any Internet-based space.

To industry watchers like us, the ARM buyout is a part of SoftBanks push into the advanced computing and artificial intelligence space. SoftBank believes that ARM has the capacity to contribute significantly to the development of chips that will power these new technologies.

We do not often see ARM coming into the limelight, but it has a major presence in the chip industry with its processor and graphics technology and Softbank appears to be the first company to realize this capacity.

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From Britains perspective, this capital investment is meaningful and could lessen the impact of Brexit on the U.K. technology sector. That probably is the reason why Prime Minister Theresa May did not mind discussing things with Son and the government welcomed the deal.

ARM HOLDNGS ADR Price

ARM HOLDNGS ADR Price | ARM HOLDNGS ADR Quote

Benefits for ARM

ARM designs chips for big companies like Apple Inc. AAPL, QUALCOMM Incorporated QCOM and Samsung.

Just like Intel has a near monopoly in PCs, ARM rules the roost in smartphones. Intel has had nearly no success in the smartphone space. The deal may pose concerns for Intel as ARM will now have access to SoftBanks resources and Softbank is going full-steam into the Internet of Things (IoT) where Intel is also trying to build a position.

Softbank has assured that it will preserve and help grow ARMs brand name and existing culture. The company is also considering doubling the number of ARM employees in Britain.

At present, ARM has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

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Yerevan (AFP) - Police in the Armenian capital Yerevan on Thursday arrested dozens of protesters following a night of violent clashes over a four-day hostage standoff in which pro-opposition gunmen killed one officer and took several hostage.

At least 51 people, including 25 police were wounded Wednesday night, Armenia's health ministry said, after stone-throwing protesters attacked officers deployed outside a police building where the gunmen -- supporters of jailed opposition leader Zhirair Sefilyan -- have been holding four police officers hostage since Sunday morning.

Police hit back firing tear gas into the crowd, an AFP reporter said.

The protest continued into the early hours of Thursday as some 2,000 protesters built barricades in front of the cordons of baton-wielding riot police in flak jackets and helmets.

At dawn, riot police dispersed the crowd beating and arresting scores of demonstrators.

At least 15 opposition politicians from the moderate Civil Agreement party were arrested, the party leader, MP Nikol Pashinyan, told journalists.

Furious over the government's handling of the protracted hostage crisis, protesters have demanded Pashinyan be allowed to deliver food to the gunmen who have refused to accept provisions from the government.

The gunmen, who on Sunday seized on a police regiment building in Yerevan's Erebuni district and captured a large arsenal of police weapons, freed four hostages on Sunday and Monday, but were still holding four hostages as of Wednesday night.

The hostages include Armenia's deputy police chief General Major Vardan Egiazaryan and Yerevan deputy police chief Colonel Valeri Osipyan.

The attackers have demanded the resignation of President Serzh Sarkisian and the release of Sefilyan.

They issued a statement calling for Armenians to take to the streets against the government.

- US urges restraint -

The US State Department has condemned "the use of violence to effect political change in Armenia" and urged the government to "handle the situation with appropriate restraint."

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More than 1,500 anti-government protesters rallied in Yerevan on Monday, calling for a bloodless resolution to the crisis.

Sefilyan -- the leader of small opposition group named the New Armenia Public Salvation Front -- and six of his supporters were arrested in June after authorities said they were preparing to seize government buildings and telecoms facilities in Yerevan.

A fierce critic of the government, he was arrested in 2006 over calls for "a violent overthrow of the government" and jailed for 18 months. He was released in 2008.

Last year, Sefilyan and several of his supporters were arrested again on suspicion of preparing a coup, but released shortly afterwards.

An ethnic-Armenian, he was born in Lebanon where he fought in the civil war in the 1980s, defending Beirut's Armenian Quarters.

He then moved to Armenia to take part in the 1990s war with neighbouring Azerbaijan for control of the Armenian-populated separatist region of Nagorny Karabakh.

Sarkisian, a former military officer, has been president of the tiny country of 2.9 million people since winning a vote in 2008 that saw bloody clashes between police and supporters of the defeated opposition candidate in which 10 people died.
Cleveland (AFP) - Police arrested 17 people outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland after protesters tried to burn American flags.

Two officers were assaulted and suffered "minor bumps and bruises," Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said.

Two people were arrested on felony counts and 15 others on misdemeanor charges.

"There are people that don't want to just protest," Williams said.

"Their only reason for being here is disruption, disorder and chaos."

Tensions flared on the street in front of a secure entrance area to the Quicken Loans Arena, where Republicans anointed Donald Trump as their party's 2016 presidential nominee.

A protester tried to set an American flag on fire, and in the process caught his pant leg on fire. A police officer responded to put the flames out, and the protester punched and pushed the officer, Williams said.

In the skirmish, the pant legs of two other people nearby also caught on fire, the chief said.

Security forces, including horse-mounted police, closed ranks around the protesters, and detained people were seen kneeling with their hands behind their backs.

A group calling itself the Revolution Club sent out a press release earlier saying that Joey Johnson, a "notorious flag burner and revolutionary communist," would conduct civil disobedience in Cleveland.

Police declined to identify the arrestees, because they had not yet been booked and officially charged, but a member of the group said that Johnson was among those arrested.

A woman from the same group also was seen trying to burn a second flag. Police intervened and tussled with protesters as an officer snatched away the singed flag.

Later, the woman was arrested, as people chanted "Let her go!"

Demonstrations have taken place mostly peacefully in the city during the week of the convention, although scuffles have broken out during some protests.

The police chief emphasized that there have only been 22 arrests over the three days of the convention.

"So far so good," Williams said, "We're still out there. We're still vigilant."

Police have been on alert in the Ohio city, and security was ramped up dramatically for the week of the Republican convention in the wake of the recent killings of police officers in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps plan to build a wall has irked many an activist, but one artist decided to have some fun with it.

Trumps Hollywood star was surrounded Tuesday by a 6-in concrete wall, complete with razor wire, by the artist Plastic Jesus, according to the Associated Press.

Hollywood sightseers on the famous walk of fame were confronted with an unusual edition (sic) to Trumps famous star, the artist wrote on Instagram. Someone had built a 6-inch tall grey concrete wall around it. Complete with Keep out signs and topped with razor wire.

The same artist previously placed No Trump Anytime mock parking signs across Los Angeles in April, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Ashley Tisdale is pulling a reverse Blindspot.

As Freeform prepares to test the waters for a Logan-centric Young & Hungry spinoff  Wednesdays episode (8/7c), titled Young & Sofia, serves as a backdoor pilot  Tisdales character is undergoing a pretty major change of her own.

RELATEDPretty Little Liars Boss Hints at Major Revelations for Emily and Alison in Summer Finale

In the past, Logan had full arm tattoos, Tisdale reminds TVLine. When she was just a character doing guest appearances on Young & Hungry, it was so easy to do something like that. But thinking bigger picture, if [the spinoff] were to take off, wed have to re-examine the tattoos. Theyre hard to get off. They stay on for a couple of days, so having to redo that every week would be really exhausting in the hair and makeup chair.

Keep reading for our full Q&A with Tisdale, including which of Tisdales former co-stars shed consider casting as one of Logans love interests:

TVLINE | From promos, we can tell that Logan is a tough boss. What will Sofia need to do to survive?

Sofia needs to prove herself, for sure. Part of Logans whole ordeal is that shes never had an assistant last long enough, so Sofias going to have to show that shes willing to do the job without backing down.

TVLINE | And this wont be like Young & Hungry where the employer sleeps with the employee on the first night?

[Laughs] Definitely not. I mean, Logan is gay, but thats not happening.

TVLINE | Were always learning something new about Logan. What will Wednesdays episode reveal?

This time around, you realize how empowering she is as a woman. Shes running her own company called Clikd Media, which is a little like BuzzFeed, and she has a lot of pressure on her. People tend to be like, Shes bitchy, but I think its more that she just gets straight to the point.

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TVLINE | And this episode will give us a pretty solid idea of what the spinoff will look like?

Definitely. It takes place at Clikd Media, and its really a workplace comedy. There are new characters, played by Ryan Pinkston and Steve Talley, and you get a sense for everybodys different dynamics. Its the beginning of Sofias journey, wanting to assist Logan and seeing if shes even capable of doing that. Its different from Young & Hungry, in a good way. If it does branch out into its own thing, we want it to feel different.

TVLINE | Will it be strange for you to cast your characters potential girlfriends?

Well, I cast Jessica Lowndes as Logans ex-girlfriend on Young & Hungry, so that wouldnt be new. But, for example, Ryan Pinkston was on Clipped with me. Everyone on that show was best friends, so the fact that I was able to say, I think we should bring Ryan in on this is kind of scary. Like, you know how talented your friend is, and you just have to hope that everyone else feels the same way. And hes so perfect for the part.

TVLINE | If you could invite any former co-star to come play your love interest, who would it be?

I mean, Id really have to think about it. Any of my friends Ive worked with, of course, Id love to have on the show.

TVLINE | I was really hoping youd say Vanessa Hudgens. High School Musical fans would lose their minds.

[Laughs] Well, shes on her own show right now. So the scheduling would be kind of hard.

Your thoughts on a Young & Hungry spinoff? Drop em in a comment below.

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You turn down the lights, mute your phone and spend a few minutes massaging your skin with lavender oil. Or maybe you meditate in the morning with the scents of tea tree or thyme wafting to you from an oil diffuser.

These practices are pleasant. And theres evidence that aspects of these ritualsparticularly meditation and massageare legitimately beneficial to your health.

But when it comes to breathing in or rubbing on aromatic plant oils, the fact that the experience is pleasing doesnt make it therapeutic, says Dr. Edzard Ernst, former chair of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter in the U.K. Ernst has published two review studiesone in 2000 and another in 2012that closely examine the health effects of aromatherapy. When it comes to calming hypertension, depression, anxiety, pain and symptoms of dementia, Ernst found no convincing evidence that aromatherapy does you any good.

Aromatherapists claim that specific oils have specific health effects, he says. This, in my view, is little more than wishful thinking.

Other complementary medicine experts voice similar misgivings. There have been some small studies showing that aromatherapy can be beneficial in certain populations for easing anxiety, says Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, director of education and fellowship at the Academy of Integrative Health & Medicine. However, when looked at in totality, the evidence is weak for beneficial effects with inhalation.

All of this may seem perplexing if youve heard about one of the dozens of studies linking aromatherapy to improved health outcomes. Recent research efforts have found that lavender oil improves pain tolerance and ginger oil lowers levels of nausea following surgery. Another study found that lotion containing lemon balm eased agitation among severe dementia sufferers.

But even the authors of these pro-aromatherapy studies say the benefits they uncovered could be attributable to a lot of different factors. In the dementia study, to pick one, the researchers say increased social and physical contact between the sufferers and the caregivers who applied the lemon balm could explain some of the calming effects.

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Another issue with this kind of research involves something scientists call expectancy. If you believe sniffing rosemary or eucalyptus is going to perk you up or mellow you out, your expectations can result in placebo benefits that stem from your brainnot the plant essences youre inhaling. These sorts of confounding variables are common in aromatherapy studies, Ernst says.

Not everyone agrees with his conclusions. Research from the University of Viennas Gerhard Buchbauer suggests some essential oils have the power to activate your central nervous system in ways that may increase attention, sharpen thinking and improve sleep.

But even if they do exist, all of the effects might not be good. The work of Buchbauer and others shows that some plant essential oils contain volatile organic compounds that may produce unwanted side effects. A New England Journal of Medicine report linked some of the compounds in lavender and tea tree oil to gynecomastiaor abnormal amounts of breast tissuein adolescent boys.

Plant chemicals and oils are very powerful substances that can cause adverse events, including allergic reactions, says Paul Posadzki, a research fellow at the UKs Plymouth University.

Posadzki, working with Ernst, found a number of case studies describing bad reactions to aromatherapy products, including skin rashes or inflammation resulting from balms or lotions. The assumption that aromatherapy is natural and therefore free of any risks is inaccurate, they write.

To be clear, most studies of aromatherapy dont turn up any adverse reactions. Even Posadzki says he doesnt advise people to avoid aromatherapy, though he does caution pregnant or breastfeeding women, kids and people with health problems to speak with a doctor before using essential oils. But when you put all the existing research together, a lot of unanswered questions remain. (Almost every study of aromatherapy ends with a call for more research.)

For now, though, its safe to say the science on aromatherapys health perks is, at best, inconclusive.
Aspenmark Roofing & Solar of Dallas, Texas, has received GAFs most prestigious contractor award: The GAF President's Club Award; This highly coveted award recognizes Aspenmark Roofing & Solar as one of the elite of the elite

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2016 / Aspenmark Roofing & Solar of Dallas, Texas, has received GAF's most prestigious contractor award: The GAF President's Club Award. This highly coveted award recognizes Aspenmark Roofing & Solar as one of the "elite of the elite" residential roofing contractors in the United States.

GAF is North America's largest roofing manufacturer, and only GAF Master Elite Contractors can compete for its President's Club Award. To qualify for this award, a contractor must demonstrate an exceptional level of excellence in their business, especially in the areas of Installation Excellence, Consumer Protection, and Installer Training.

Aspenmark Roofing & Solar has been a GAF Master Elite Contractor since 2009. To become a Master Elite Contractora status that less than 2% of roofing contractors nationwide have achieveda candidate must demonstrate proper licensing and adequate insurance, have a proven reputation and show commitment to ongoing professional training.

What is the term used to describe a contractor who is always striving to say "yes" to customers, has founded its own roofing charity to give back to the communities it serves, and produces wines through its own Napa Valley vineyard? Some may use the term customer-centric, others may say innovative, while others simply call it Aspenmark Roofing & Solar. "We're one of the good guys," according to Chris Zazo, Chief Executive Officer. "In an industry where good service is hard to find, we deliver everything in a positive fashion to find what's best for the customer. We make our homeowners and commercial building owners feel like part of the Aspenmark family."

The company is dedicated to providing "white-glove" service. "Our trucks are clean," states Zazo. "Our people follow a dress code. Trucks and shirts alike display our logo. When we're on the job, we're taking care of and in custody of someone's homeso we ensure that we give customers the respect they deserve. We pride ourselves on that reputation."

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Aspenmark utilizes modern technology in all aspects of its daily work. "We give our presentations on iPads, and we have access to all the technical information on the GAF side. Our pricing is readily available, so we have a real-time quoting model. On top of all this, we employ an expert social-media strategy that delivers ongoing value to our customers. Homeowners can find great roofing resources on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages, which are proving to be great ways to interact with customers." The company also utilizes cutting-edge weather technology through the National Storm Damage Center, a contractor network that shares information and job leads outside of contractors' home markets.

In partnership with Dallas Habitat for Humanity, Aspenmark has founded its own charity, called Roof Angels, says Zazo. "We provide roofing for veterans, for people without insurance, or anyone who can't afford it, really. It's been a big hit since we launched last year. The charity work has also helped engage our employees through service to others, which ultimately reinforces our overall approach to doing business, so it's really had a ripple effect throughout our company. Studies have shown that this type of program increases employee retention. It helps with morale and keeping people together." Aspenmark roofed a number of homes for Habitat for Humanity in 2015.

And let's not forget about the wine  "That's on the fun side," says Zazo. "Because so much of our living comes from repairing hail damage, we named our winery Hailstone Vineyards. It's quality Napa wine, and we're very proud of it. It started as a customer appreciation thing, but now it's got some distribution throughout the country and is even served at some high-end restaurants. It's actually another sign of how we do things at Aspenmark: first-rate and with class."

Looking toward the future, Zazo concludes: "We're on a path of continuing to grow and build on our reputation and credentials, aided in large part by our great partners and distributors. Working as a network and a family, they really make us look like stars!"

About Aspenmark Roofing & Solar:

Serving the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 2005, Aspenmark's core business values are designed to provide an exceptional experience by delivering quality workmanship and unmatched value, before, during, and after the job, while offering the safest and cleanest job sites in the industry.

Aspenmark Roofing & Solar

2947 Blystone Lane

Dallas, TX 75220

(214) 823-7663

http://www.AspenmarkRoofing.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/aspenmarkroofing

Twitter: https://twitter.com/aspenmark

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aspenmark-roofing-and-solar-solutions

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClEG3x1QCxgy8tBHv6EgSFQ

About GAF:

Founded in 1886, GAF is the largest roofing manufacturer in North America. The company's products include a comprehensive portfolio of steep-slope and commercial roofing systems, which are supported by an extensive national network of factory-certified contractors. Its success is driven by its commitment to Advanced Quality, Industry Expertise, and Solutions Made Simple. GAF was the first roofing manufacturer to offer a Lifetime limited warranty on all of its laminated shingles, which then evolved with the introduction of the GAF Lifetime Roofing System by extending the Lifetime coverage beyond just the roofing shingles. For more about GAF, visit http://www.gaf.com.

Contact:

Mathew Simmons

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NC leaders ask PM to clear way for new govt

A majority of the Nepali Congress leaders on Tuesday urged Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign immediately to pave the way for the formation of a new government.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australian authorities said on Wednesday they are investigating whether building materials supplied by Hong Kong-listed Yuanda China contain the banned mineral asbestos and have seized evidence related to the checks. The Australian Border Force (ABF), the agency responsible for screening imports, said it conducted several searches on Tuesday, during which it seized "digital and physical evidence". All imports from Yuanda and its affiliates will be held at the border until the tests can be conducted to confirm no asbestos contamination is present, it said. Yuanda was not immediately available to comment at both its Australia and China offices. The move comes after Australian property group LendLease said on Friday it was investigating the presence of asbestos in materials supplied by Yuanda. That followed confirmation earlier by Western Australia of the presence of white asbestos in one of the 150 roof panels supplied by the Chinese construction company in the soon-to-be-opened A$1.2 billion ($896.76 million) Perth Children's Hospital. The discovery of asbestos could have ramifications for other major government projects that source their products from China, including the Perth Stadium, local media reports have said. Asbestos has not been used in building materials in Australia since the 1980s but it was not until December 2003 that asbestos and all products containing asbestos were banned in the country. It is illegal to import, store, supply, sell, install, use or re-use these materials. Prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibers can cause serious and fatal illnesses such as lung cancer and asbestosis, according to the World Health Organisation. In Australia, offences related to asbestos can attract fines of up A$180,000 or three times the value of the goods, whichever is greater, the ABF said. Companies can face fines of up to A$900,000, it said. ($1 = 1.3382 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Colin Packham; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. AVB is slated to report second-quarter 2016 results after the market closes on Jul 25. Last quarter, this residential real estate investment trust (REIT) had delivered a positive surprise of 0.98%.



AvalonBay beat estimates in three out of four trailing quarters, with a positive average surprise of 3.89%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for second-quarter funds from operations (FFO) is currently $2.08 per share.



Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement.



Factors to Consider



AvalonBay is well poised to grow on the back of an improving demand from household formation and favorable demographics. In fact, amid the dismal residential real estate market in June, following Equity Residentials EQR guidance cut for weakness in New York and San Francisco portfolio, AvalonBay revealed that it expects its second-quarter rental revenue for established communities to grow at a pace that is consistent with its earlier projections.



Specifically, the company said that total rental revenue for the second quarter for established communities is expected to increase around 4.95.1% over the prior-year period. Further, for the second-quarter 2016, AvalonBay expects FFO per share in the range of $2.07$2.13 and core FFO per share within $1.97$2.03.



However, the completion of a number of projects in its markets, which would lead to higher supply, raises our concern. This is because higher supply usually curtails the landlords capability to demand more rents and also brings down absorption. In fact, though the DC market is showing modest improvement, New York and Northern California regions are witnessing deceleration amid new supply, which remains a concern.



AVALONBAY CMMTY Price and EPS Surprise

AVALONBAY CMMTY Price and EPS Surprise | AVALONBAY CMMTY Quote

Earnings Whispers?



Our proven model does not conclusively show that AvalonBay will beat on earnings this season. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), #2 (Buy) or #3 (Hold) for this to happen. However, that is not the case here as you will see below.



Zacks ESP: The Earnings ESP, which represents the percentage difference between the Most Accurate estimate of $2.02 and the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.08, is -2.89%.



Zacks Rank: AvalonBay currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Though a favorable Zacks Rank increases the predictive power of ESP, the companys negative ESP makes our surprise prediction difficult.



We caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell rated) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.



Stocks to Consider



Here are a few stocks in the REIT sector you may want to consider, as our model shows that they have the right combination of elements to post a positive surprise this quarter:



American Campus Communities, Inc. ACC has an Earnings ESP of +1.89% and a Zacks Rank #2. The company will report results on Jul 25.



Regency Centers Corporation REG has an Earnings ESP of +1.25% and a Zacks Rank #3. The company will release results on Aug 2.



Note: All EPS numbers presented in this write up represent funds from operations (FFO) per share. FFO, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income.



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By Andrew Mambondiyani MUTARE, Zimbabwe Thomson Reuters Foundation - Charles Samuriwo, a farmer from the Odzi area north west of Mutare city, cannot hide his frustration. As a beneficiary of Zimbabwe's controversial program to redistribute land taken from white farmers, Samuriwo has been working his tobacco farm since 2001. Today he is struggling because 15 years after taking over the farm, he still has no security of tenure or title deed. Without such collateral, he cannot borrow from a bank to buy machinery or pay for seasonal expenses such as seeds or fertilizer. "As farmers, we have nothing but the land," Samuriwo told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Financial institutions need a form of security for them to lend us money. We want to invest in irrigation but without financial support we are not able to do that." His fears for the future have grown amid the severe, prolonged drought induced by the El Nino weather phenomenon that has hit southern Africa hard. GROWING HUNGER The worst drought to hit Zimbabwe in two decades has left many rural areas in the grip of hunger. The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that around 4 million people in the country are struggling to meet their basic food needs. To counter food insecurity, the government is importing maize from countries including Zambia, Ukraine, South Africa and Brazil, after drought hit production of the staple crop. Earlier this year, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe needed nearly $1.6 billion to pay for grain and other food to feed millions of people in need. Critics say the country's once strong agricultural base has been damaged by the chaotic land redistribution program. In 2001, President Robert Mugabe introduced land reforms aimed at addressing colonial imbalances whereby a few white farmers own most of the best agricultural land in Zimbabwe. More than 4,000 farmers were forcibly evicted from their land in often violent struggles. The violence - and allegations of rigged elections and rights abuses - led western donors to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe. The sanctions compounded an economic crisis that had worsened since the World Bank, IMF and African Development Bank suspended aid in 1999, after Zimbabwe defaulted on debts. LEGAL LOOPHOLE The source of insecurity for both farmers and banks in Zimbabwe lies with section 72 of the 2013 constitution, which sets out the state's rights and powers over agricultural land. It says: "Land, right or interest may be compulsorily acquired by the state by notice published in the Gazette identifying the land, right or interest, whereupon the land, right or interest vests in the state with full title with effect from the date of publication of the notice." Even though the government moved in 2006 to offer 99-year land leases and permits to some farmers, banks have consistently refused to recognize these as secure collateral for loans. To date, fewer than 200 of the leases have been issued. In March, however, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor John Mangudya said he was confident the situation for farmers would improve once the "bankability" of the leases was finalised. In a telephone interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said there were still a "few issues" which the banks wanted addressed before they would accept the 99-year leases as collateral. He was not at liberty to discuss these issues, he said, but a document would soon be presented to the cabinet for approval. POLICIES INCONSISTENT According to Charles Tawazadza, who grows wheat and soya beans on his farm in Middle Sabi in the southeastern Chipinge district, tenure is not the only missing link for farmers. Inconsistent government policies were part of the problem, Tawazadza said. "We need security for us to invest on the farms," Tawazadza said. "The problem is not with the banks but our policies as a country. Our policies are changing overnight." According to Paul Zakaria, executive director of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union, commercial agriculture will always require some form of financial support. "This support will come in the form of capital expenditure as well as working capital," Zakaria told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Security of tenure would be on the "national radar for a long time", he said. "Beyond the bankability of either the 99-year leases or title deeds stability, certainty on the farms is very necessary. That will give farmers the confidence to invest," he said. Eddie Cross, an economist and MP for Bulawayo South, said Mugabe's land reforms were intended to strip away security of tenure and replace it with political control - much like the old traditional systems when local chiefs controlled access to land. "It (the government) has been almost 100 percent successful in this respect," Cross said. He said that even though some newly settled farmers had taken over functioning commercial farms, they had been unable to maintain production. This was partly because they had stripped properties of assets such as irrigation equipment and tractors for short-term monetary gain, he said. The "new farmers" were unable to run their farms as businesses because they lacked the capital or collateral needed to borrow funds for new investments, Cross said. Prior to the land reforms introduced by Mugabe, farmers had borrowed an estimated $2 billion a year to cover seasonal expenses such as seed and fertilisers, he said. Farm leases would only be useful if they could be traded, he said. "Without a market for farm land, borrowing is impossible." (Reporting by Andrew Mambondiyani Editing by Paola Totaro and Jo Griffin; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit news.trust.org)
Gawker founder Nick Denton appears headed for personal bankruptcy after a bankruptcy judge on Tuesday refused to stop Hulk Hogan's collection pursuits.

Denton had hoped that Gawker's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filed on June 10 would give him temporary relief from his portion of a $140 million judgment in favor of Hogan, who prevailed in an invasion-of-privacy lawsuit over the posting of a sex tape.

In conjunction with Gawker's bankruptcy, Denton's company brought an adversary case against its legal foes and warned that if Hogan was allowed to pursue Denton, it would distract from the planned sale of Gawker. The two sides stipulated to a temporary restraining order, but when it came time to determine whether a judge would convert this into a preliminary injunction, Hogan fought back.

On Tuesday, Denton took the witness stand and was questioned about his ongoing involvement with Gawker. He also faced cross-examination from Hogan's lawyers about whether he was really indispensable to Gawker's reorganization. Despite Denton's word that he has had to reassure staff about what's been happening at the company as well as communicate with potential bidders including stalking horse Ziff Davis, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Stuart Bernstein denied the injunction motion.

Denton, who has gotten a $200,000 loan and has at least prepared bankruptcy papers, may now move quickly to file for personal bankruptcy so as to take advantage of an automatic stay that will result in pausing Hogan's collection pursuits. Denton has testified that his main assets are Gawker stock holdings and his New York City apartment, which he recently listed for sale.

While Gawker and Denton both figure to be in bankruptcy together, the company still has hopes of overturning the Hogan judgment on appeal and battling back efforts by Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, who funded the Hogan lawsuit and has reportedly made it a mission to sink the company.

Story continues

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, Denton said: "As I've said, Peter Thiel's vendetta against my company may well require me as well as the company to file for bankruptcy protection until the Florida appeals court can rule on the extraordinary $140 million judgment. I'm focused now on the sale process which will conclude in a month, and maintaining the value of the business. This story will conclude with Gawker Media's popular brands sheltered under new ownership and the importance of a free and critical press reaffirmed by the courts. In the end, the Facebook board member will have nothing to show for his petty grudge other than legal expenses and a reputation for thin skin."

July 19, 3:30 p.m.: Updated with Denton's statement
The gunman who killed three police officers and wounded three others in Louisianas capital, Baton Rouge, on Sunday reportedly suffered from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

An anonymous source involved in the investigation told CNN that Gavin Eugene Long, 29, filled his prescription for the antianxiety drug lorazepam, which is sold under the brand name Ativan, in June. He had also been prescribed the antianxiety drug diazepam (Valium) and the anti-insomnia drug eszopiclone (Lunesta), according to the report.

Diazepam and lorazepam are both benzodiazepines, classified as tranquilizers, which are commonly prescribed to treat PTSD, according to the National Center for PTSD.

Long, of Kansas City, Mo., served in the Marine Corps from August 2005 to August 2010 as a data network specialist and achieved the rank of sergeant, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. military. He was deployed to Iraq from June 2008 until January 2009.

The National Institute of Mental Health says that feeling afraid during and after a traumatic event is natural and that the fight-or-flight response is intended to protect oneself from harm. Most people recover from these early symptoms naturally, but someone might be diagnosed with PTSD if feelings of fright or stress persist long after the danger has gone away.

Slideshow: Several police officers shot in Baton Rouge >>>

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), roughly 11 to 20 percent of veterans who served in the Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom) or the war in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) suffer from PTSD in a given year.

These figures are similar to those provided by the VA for other modern wars: Twelve percent of Gulf War veterans have PTSD in a given year, and 15 percent of Vietnam War veterans had PTSD at the time of the latest study in the 1980s: the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study.

Long went by the name Cosmos Setepenra on his social media channels. On July 10, three days after five police officers were killed and nine other people were injured in Dallas, Long produced a YouTube video from that city in which he advocated for violence over peaceful protest.

Story continues

He incorrectly argued that 100 percent of violent revolutions have been successful and that zero nonviolent protests have been successful, ignoring well-known cases of successful nonviolent resistance like Mahatma Gandhis civil disobedience in British-ruled India.

Authorities said Long specifically targeted police officers and bypassed civilians during his killing spree on Sunday. A police marksman ended the bloodshed less than 10 minutes after it began by killing Long from 100 yards away.

Police said they think that the former Marine had planned to extend his rampage to the nearby Baton Rouge Police Departments headquarters.

The city of Baton Rouge has become a flashpoint for racial tension in the United States this month. On July 5, Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was shot and killed while pinned down by two police officers outside a convenience store.

Video of Sterlings death led to widespread protest and further damaged the already frayed relationship between law enforcement and minority communities.

Related video:
It will explore green building research in the tropics.

Singapore is now home to the worlds first high-rise rotatable laboratory for the tropics, as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today opened BCA SkyLab.

According to Building and Construction Authority's (BCA) media release, BCA SkyLab was developed in collaboration with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. It is envisioned to improve energy efficiency and explore green building research in the tropics.

The 132 sqm facility houses a 360-degree rotatable capability, full plug-and-play configurability and is fitted with extensive instrumentation and sensor networks scalable in future.

Further, it is equipped with a network of over 200 sensors with high accuracy and granularity, across two identical cells for comparison testing. The sensors measure performance metrics like energy performance, indoor environmental quality, outdoor environmental parameters and building automation system indicators.

A series of potential experiments involving over 20 organisations have been lined up until end-2018. Researchers from local universities such as Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore and Singapore University of Technology and Design will be among the first principal investigators for these projects, together with the industry.

The laboratory sits atop the newly built Academic Tower at BCA Academy.







More From Singapore Business Review


Apple Corps Ltd. and Universal Music Group have announced plans to release a new album from iconic British band "The Beatles", showcasing three sold-out concerts they played at the Los Angeles' Hollywood Bowl in 1964 and 1965.

A companion to Ron Howard's highly anticipated documentary feature film "The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years" about the band's early years, the album, titled "The Beatles: Live At The Hollywood Bowl," will be released worldwide on CD and for digital download and streaming on September 9, followed by a 180-gram gatefold vinyl LP on November 18.

The album will also comprise a 24-page booklet with an essay by noted music journalist David Fricke, with cover art featuring a sunny photo taken on August 22, 1964 by The Beatles' then-US tour manager, Bob Bonis, as John, Paul, George and Ringo boarded a chartered flight from Seattle Tacoma Airport to Vancouver, BC for their first concert in Canada.

Following a world premiere event in London on September 15, the film will roll out theatrically worldwide with release dates set in the UK, France and Germany (September 15); the US, Australia and New Zealand (September 16); and Japan (September 22).
Bell-Boeing, a strategic alliance between The Boeing Co. BA and Bell Helicopter, Textron Inc.s TXT wholly owned subsidiary, has won a $544.7 million multi-year modification contract from the U.S. Navy to supply four MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft. Contracting activity is the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MA.



Per the modification, the joint venture will provide long lead production materials for the aircraft, and manufacture and deliver the order. The modification is in agreement with the difference in quantity clause for the government of Japan and includes an engineering alteration proposal for the standby flight display.



Work is scheduled to be complete by May 2020. The company will execute the majority of the work in Fort Worth, TX, while the rest will be carried out across the states of Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, California Arizona, Utah, Washington, Georgia, New Mexico, Michigan Vermont, North Carolina and Ohio among other locations in the U.S. as well as in other countries including the UK and Canada. The contract will use foreign military sales funds.



TEXTRON INC Price

TEXTRON INC Price | TEXTRON INC Quote

BOEING CO Price

BOEING CO Price | BOEING CO Quote

MV-22 is a variant of the V-22 Osprey which is supplied to the U.S. Marine corps by Boeing. The V-22 aircraft was built by Boeing, in collaboration with Bell Helicopter. The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service multi-role combat aircraft that can fly as fast as a plane and land like a helicopter. It has the capacity to carry 24 combat troops, or up to 20,000 pounds of internal cargo or 15,000 pounds of external cargo.



Zacks Rank & Key Picks



Currently, Boeing holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and Textron has a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). A couple of stocks worth considering in this space include Northrop Grumman Corporation NOC and Lockheed Martin Corporation LMT, both carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



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CLEVELAND  In a bizarre, meandering departure from his prepared remarks, Dr. Ben Carson suggested that electing Hillary Clinton would be the same as endorsing the devil himself.

Speaking near the end of Day Two at the Republican National Convention, former rival of nominee Donald Trump, Carson brought up Saul Alinsky, the community organizer whose work Hillary Clinton wrote about while at college in Wellesley.

Her senior thesis was about Saul Alinsky, said Carson. This was someone that she greatly admired and that affected all of her philosophies subsequently. Now interestingly enough, let me tell you something about Saul Alinsky: He wrote a book called Rules for Radicals. On the dedication page, it acknowledges Lucifer, the original radical who gained his own kingdom.

This is a nation where our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, talks about certain inalienable rights that come from our creator, Carson continued. This is a nation where our pledge of allegiance says we are one nation under God. This is a nation where every coin in our pocket and every bill in our wallet says, In God We Trust. So are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer? Think about that.

Carsons riff on Lucifer was not part of his prepared remarks distributed to reporters earlier Tuesday night, nor did it appear on the teleprompter in the arena. But it was not the first time he has mused on a Clinton-to-Alinsky-to-Satan connection. Just last month, Carson launched into a similar digression at a New York City gathering where conservative evangelicals met with Donald Trump.

When asked by a reporter earlier Tuesday what he planned to talk about in his speech, Carson replied, Only God knows the answer to that.

A majority of the speakers during the first two nights of the Republican National Convention have taken time to attack the Democratic nominee.

Carson, a supremely talented and revolutionary neurosurgeon, saw his run for the Republican nomination plagued by odd remarks. He suggested the Egyptian pyramids were used to store grain, that homosexuality was a choice and that there were no such things as war crimes as long as the actions helped Americans win. Earlier Tuesday Carson told Yahoo News in an interview that it was silly to believe that humans could change genders, comparing it to someone deciding they wanted to swap ethnicities after seeing a movie.

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Alinskys book, Rules for Radicals, is dedicated to his wife, Irene, and not the prince of darkness, but it does mention Lucifer at the end of his personal acknowledgements. The full quote is as follows:

Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom  Lucifer

Clinton, however, has never mentioned any interest in being a Satanist, and has in fact spoken often about her Christian faith and lifelong membership in the United Methodist Church. Her thesis on Alinsky was locked in the Wellesley archives during her husbands presidency at the request of the White House, but became available after he left office. Clinton includes a quote from T.S. Eliot at the beginning of the 90-page document, which is also where the name of the paper is drawn from, but makes no mention of Lucifer. The paper serves as an analysis of Alinskys work, not a rubber-stamping of his beliefs.

_____

Related slideshows:

On the ground at the RNC Convention  A photo report >>>

Melania Trump in the convention spotlight >>>

Convention floor erupts when no roll call taken to change rules to unbind delegates >>>

Demonstrators protest outside the RNC >>>

Donald Trumps America >>>
Ben Carson went off-script to deliver an eyebrow-raising speech that linked Hillary Clinton to Lucifer at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night.

"I hate political correctness," the retired neurosurgeon told the crowd upon taking the stage in Cleveland during the second day of the GOP Convention.

His speech then veered into talk of the dangers of "secular progressives" and away from the prepared speech that had reportedly been sent to media prior to the event.

"One of the things that I have learned about Hillary Clinton is that one of her heroes, her mentors was Saul Alinsky," he said about Alinsky, who is known as the founder of community organizing. "And her senior thesis was about Saul Alinsky. This was someone that she greatly admired.

"Let me tell you something about Saul Alinsky. He wrote a book called Rules for Radicals. On the dedication page, it acknowledges Lucifer, the original radical who gained his own kingdom."

He continued.

"Now think about that," he said. "Are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer?"

Twitter immediately ignited in response.

this is what happens when Ben Carson approaches speeches like they're SNL rehearsals https://t.co/HtGklqflb4

- Audrey Assad (@audreyassad) July 20, 2016

This string of tweets made me laugh more than it should have.. I love rogue Ben Carson pic.twitter.com/fdm6CsBb36

- Alison Arkin (@Cronikeys) July 20, 2016

Everyone laughed when Ben Carson went off script, but he was just trying to make sure the nonsense he spouted wasn't already written.

- Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) July 20, 2016

Carson wasn't the only GOP-candidate-turned-Trump-supporter, as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also joined Tuesday's roster of speakers.

Before the convention began, Carson - who ended his bid for the GOP nomination in March - was already making headlines over an interview he gave to The Hill on Monday.

Story continues

In the interview, he said that being transgender "doesn't make any sense."

"For someone to wake up and think that they belong to a different sex because they feel different, that day is the same as if you woke up and said, 'I'm Afghani today because I saw a movie about that last night, and even though my genetics might not indicate that, that's the way I feel, and if you say that I'm not, then you're a racist,'" he said. "What we ought to do is utilize our brains, utilize our common sense as human beings. We've known what men are and what women are for thousands of years. So we don't know anything, everything is relative - this doesn't make any sense."

Watch Carson's full speech from the RNC below.

Read More: GOP Convention Day 2: Watch Speeches From Tiffany Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Chris Christie and More
Nepse records Rs2.14b single-day transaction

Despite political wrangling, the share market has continued a brisk business, with transaction volume on the Nepal Stock Exchange (Nepse) crossing Rs2.14 billion on Tuesday.
Saul Alinsky graced headlines on Wednesday, after retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson named him as one of Hillary Clintons mentors and heroes in a speech to the Republican convention the night before. And, her senior thesis was about Saul Alinsky. This was someone that she greatly admired and that affected all of her philosophies subsequently, the former presidential candidate told the crowd. Let me tell you something about Saul Alinsky. He wrote a book called, Rules for Radicals. On the dedication page it acknowledges Lucifer, the original radical who gained his own kingdom.

Alinskys book, while it does contain an epigram that quotes Alinsky himself referring to Lucifer as the first radical, is dedicated to Irene, his wife. But Alinsky, a community activist who wrote about organizational tactics for grassroots groups, was in fact the subject of Clintons 1969 senior thesis at Wellesleyand clearly remains to this day a subject of much debate.

So, who was Saul Alinsky, and what did he do?

TIMEs first reporting on Alinsky, who was born in 1909, goes all the way back to 1939, when he was named as the organizer of the Back-of-the-Yards Neighborhood Council, a pro-labor and anti-fascist group that had been brought together by the Chicago native and University of Chicago graduatewho, the magazine noted, once lived with the Capone gang for social research. At that point, Alinsky had been getting involved in labor organizing for years, as part of a career that has been traced back to when he first got involved with disputes among miners groups.

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Reports from the 1960s recognized Alinsky as for his work in community organizing throughout Chicago and the country. In 1965, Alinsky traveled from city to city advising the poor on how to organize for uplift amid the new poverty that had hit the U.S. at that time. And neither party was immune from his barbs: Alinsky became a vocal critic of President Lyndon Johnsons administrations famous antipoverty programs; in 1966, Alinsky called the War on Poverty a prize piece of political pornography.

Story continues

But it was in 1970, in an essay called Radical Saul Alinsky: Prophet of Power to the People, that TIME attempted to distill the Alinsky mythos:

Saul Alinsky has possibly antagonized more peopleregardless of race, color or creedthan any other living American. From his point of view, that adds up to an eminently successful career: his aim in life is to make people mad enough to fight for their own interests. The only place you really have consensus is where you have totalitarianism, he says, as he organizes conflict as the only route to true progress. Like Machiavelli, whom he has studied and admires, Alinsky teaches how power may be used. Unlike Machiavelli, his pupil is not the prince but the people. It is not too much to argue that American democracy is being altered by Alinskys ideas. In an age of dissolving political labels, he is a radicalbut not in the usual sense, and he is certainly a long way removed from New Left extremists. He has instructed white slums and black ghettos in organizing to improve their living and working conditions; he inspired Cesar Chavezs effort to organize Californias grape pickers. His strategy was emulated by the Federal Government in its antipoverty and model-cities programs: the poor have been encouraged to participate in measures for their relief instead of just accepting handouts. A sharing of power, thinks Alinsky, is what democracy is all about. Where power is lacking, so are hope and happiness. Alinsky seeks power for others, not for himself. His goal is to build the kind of organization that can dispense with his services as soon as possible. Nor does he confine his tactics to the traditionally underprivileged. Although he has largely helped the very poor, he has begun to teach members of the alienated middle classes how to use power to combat increasingly burdensome taxes and pollution.

At the time, Alinskys goals were to build power and share it with othersand not only people who were most obviously in need of it. Although he has largely helped the very poor, he has begun to teach members of the alienated middle classes how to use power to combat increasingly burdensome taxes and pollution, the profile noted.

Alinsky was never one to shy away from conflict. To prove a point about the need for better city sanitation services in poor neighborhoods, he had garbage brought to an aldermans house and rats to city hall. Some saw his tactics as evidence of that he was a bit of a jokester, who had mastered the technique of complaining with a touch of imagination. (His influence carries on: this year, Bernie Sanders supporters said they are planning a fart-in at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia to protest Clintons nomination  an idea attributed to Alinsky, who once threatened the same form of protest in Rochester, N.Y.) Others, however, saw him thumbing his nose at American society; in the last presidential election, Barack Obamas Chicago-organizer link to Alinsky was used to paint him, as Newt Gingrich put it, as the most radical President in American history.

But Alinsky, clearly, was all right being the subject of conflictand with the difficulty of pinning down his legacy. Asked by TIME in 1968 whether he was a true revolutionary or a person who wanted to work within the system, his answer was a complicated one.

I would destroy [the system] if I knew of a better one, Alinsky told TIME. The problem is that I cant find a better one.
Several hundred bikers gathered in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and rode in a procession to the city's police headquarters in a show of support for the policemen shot and killed by a gunman at the weekend.

The bikers, many carrying U.S. flags and revving their engines, rode past the gas station where the policemen where killed en route to the police station.

Spectators gathered on the side of the streets to cheers them on. One woman carried a banner reading 'cops lives matter.'

President Barack Obama has told law enforcement officials that Americans recognize, respect and depend upon the difficult and dangerous work they do, a rallying call of support following the ambush killings of eight officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge.

Three police officers were gunned down in Louisiana's state capital on Sunday by a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with ties to an African-American anti-government group, authorities said. On July 7, another former U.S. serviceman espousing militant black nationalist views killed five Dallas officers.

Authorities identified the Baton Rouge gunman as former Sergeant Gavin Long of Kansas City, Missouri, an Iraq war veteran, and said he seemed determined to slay as many police officers as possible before a SWAT team marksman cut short his attack.

The single gunshot that killed Long, 29, was fired by an officer from about 100 yards away, police have said as they deepened their investigation into the second racially charged armed assault on U.S. law enforcement this month.
Billionaire activist investor Bill Ackman, the CEO of $12 billion hedge fund Pershing Square Capital, is not giving up his battle against Herbalife (HLF)  a multi-level marketing company that sells nutritional shakes and supplements.

Hes still short the stock. Hes still giving presentations. And he still thinks the company will go out of business.

Were short the stock, not for emotion, not for anything else other than we believe this is a massively overvalued company. We believe a fraudulent business will not survive, Ackman concluded in a phone call with investors in his fund.

An Herbalife rep wasnt immediately available for comment.

On Friday July 15, Herbalife agreed to pay a $200 million settlement with the Federal Trade Commission and fundamentally restructure its business.

The FTC alleged in its complaint that most distributors make little to no money and a substantial percentage lose money. The small minority of distributors who receive substantial income do so through recruiting participants, not actual retail sales. The complaint said the company does not offer a viable retail-based business opportunity.

On his call, Ackman said he found the facts in the complaint against Herbalife sufficiently damning.

As part of the settlement agreement, Herbalife will have to change its compensation plan and track retail sales to ensure that those sales are real. They will also change the incentives that they reward people for recruiting a downline. Theyll also be prohibited from marketing tactics such as showing off a lavish lifestyle, suggesting people could attain the same if they become distributors.

On that Friday morning of the settlement, at around 7 a.m., Ackman got a phone call from a reporter at the Wall Street Journal. Ackman said that this reporter had learned that the government had settled a $200 million fine, and the FTC determined Herbalife to not be a pyramid scheme. Ackman suggested he double check his facts.

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Immediately after the settlement was announced, Herbalifes CEO Michael Johnson said in a statement its an acknowledgment that our business model is sound and underscore our confidence in our ability to move forward successfully, otherwise we would not have agreed to the terms.

Also, Carl Icahn, Herbalifes largest shareholder and former rival of Ackman, put out a statement at around 8:30 a.m. that the board has decided to increase his ownership limit from 25% to 34.99%. He also noted that the investigation concluded that Herbalife is not a pyramid scheme.

(Credit: Pershing Square)

The stock surged on all this news.

On his investor call, Ackman contended this was an attempt by Herbalife to manipulate the stock price higher.

He played a video showing FTC chair Edith Ramirez side by side CEO Johnsons video. Ramirez said during the press conference she does not endorse the statement that Herbalife was not determined to be a pyramid scheme.

Ackman posed his own theory as to why pyramid scheme wording doesnt appear in the FTCs complaint.

Let me just briefly comment on Michael Johnsons comment that they would never agree to a settlement that would destroy their business, of course its good for business. The answer is they had a gun to their head, Ackman said.

Ackman contended that the company knew it would be shut down if the FTC sued them for being a pyramid scheme. Instead, he believes the company chose to negotiate a settlement with the harshest findings without using the pyramid scheme language. He then added the company designed a marketing campaign with an intent to mislead distributors and the market.

We think its a nice try. Herbalife has actually been shut down by the FTC, they just havent realized it.

For more than three years, Ackman, the founder of $12 billion Pershing Square Capital Management, has been crusading against Herbalife.

In late December 2012, Ackman, who first shorted the stock in the mid-$40 range, publicly declared that he was short $1 billion worth of Herbalife and that the stock would go to $0. His thesis centered around his belief that the company is operating as a pyramid scheme that targets poor people, particularly from minority populations. He said that regulators, specifically the FTC, would shut the company down. Hes given numerous public presentations and released videos slamming the company.

Herbalife has always denied Ackmans allegations.

The FTC began investigating the company in March 2014.

Pershing Square found that the SECs complaint confirms their long held allegation that Herbalife operates as a pyramid scheme. The fund believes that the implementation of the settlement agreement will cause the pyramid to collapse.

In conclusion, we were a short seller and therefore no one took us seriously because we had a billion-dollar short position. The good news here is the FTC is not short the stock. They had access to inside information via subpoena power. They came to the same conclusions we did. The FTC did a remarkable job, Ackman said on the call.

Pershing Square International is down about 14% year-to-date and Pershing Square Holdings, the funds publicly-traded vehicle, is down about 18%, Ackman said on the call, noting those numbers will be finalized at the end of the day.



Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance.

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A hedge fund manager gave some blunt advice to a bunch of 9th grade boys
Entertainer Bill Cosby is once again trying to get a court to compel accuser Andrea Constand to testify in person at a preliminary hearing prior to his sexual assault trial.



On Wednesday, his attorneys filed a notice of appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania.



"The violation of Mr. Cosby's [d]ue [p]rocess right to confrontation at a preliminary hearing is an issue that is far too important to be denied review," his attorneys wrote. "The issue in this case is one of paramount importance to the future of Pennsylvania's criminal justice system."



On May 24, Cosby, now 79, was held for trial on three counts of aggravated indecent assault for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting Constand, now 43, at his Elkins Park, Pennsylvania mansion in January 2004.



Constand did not testify at the preliminary hearing. Instead, a detective read a statement she gave to Montgomery County authorities in January 2005. Cosby's attorneys have been challenging the outcome ever since but have lost every battle so far.



On July 7, Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill ruled against Cosby after a three-hour hearing on the matter and said the criminal case would move forward even if Cosby appealed his ruling.



Cosby's attorneys were challenging part of Rule 542 of the Pennsylvania Codes of Criminal Procedure, which states hearsay evidence alone is enough to establish a prima facie case against an offender.



 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.



They based their argument in part on the case of Dave Ricker in West Hanover Township, Pennsylvania, who is charged with attempted murder and other offenses for allegedly shooting a state trooper in June 2012. Neither of the troopers who were present testified at his preliminary hearing; instead the prosecutor played an audio tape of the trooper who'd been wounded. Ricker argued his constitutional right to confront witnesses was violated.



The Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected this argument but the state Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal on the matter. That will likely be in September, Ricker's attorney, William Costopoulos, told PEOPLE earlier this month. Ricker has not yet entered a plea in the matter.



Cosby is next due in court on Sept. 6 for a pre-trial conference. He maintains the sexual contact he had with Constand was consensual and has denied similar allegations from more than 50 women.



Constand, who revealed in court papers last summer she is gay and says she was in a relationship with a woman at the time the alleged drugging incident occurred, says the contact between them was not consensual.
New York (AFP) - Disgraced American television legend Bill Cosby is seeking to appeal his sexual assault case yet again to avoid standing trial.

Cosby's attorneys filed the notice of appeal Wednesday asking Pennsylvania's Superior Court to overturn a ruling that denied his third bid to have the case tossed on July 7.

The lawyers again argued that Andrea Constand -- who alleges that Cosby sexually assaulted her after plying her with drugs at his Philadelphia home -- should testify at a proceeding prior to the trial.

Cosby argues that the sexual encounter was consensual.

The pioneering African American comedian has lost three attempts to have the case dropped, clearing the way for a trial over the claims dating back to 2004.

In recent years more than 50 women have publicly painted Cosby as a serial sexual predator.

The vast majority of the alleged abuses happened too long ago to prosecute, meaning the only criminal charge brought against him stems from the 2004 allegations from Constand, who has not yet appeared at a hearing.

Legal discussions have focused mostly on her written records, as well as Cosby's 2005 deposition given as part of his civil suit with Constand.

The three hearings held since Cosby's indictment have focused on procedural matters rather than the merits of the case.

The sitcom megastar who played a lovable family man on the hit 1980s "The Cosby Show" is slated to stand trial, but a date has not been set.
[Photo: Pexels]

You love G&Ts, they love Pinot Grigio - whatever drinks you and your partner like, good news - drinking together could be good for your relationship.

A new study has found that drinking with your partner could make you happier than drinking separately.

Conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan, the study asked more than 2,700 married couples about the impact of alcohol on their relationship.

They were asked a series of questions, including how much they drank with their partner, how often they drank together, and how critical, demanding or irritating their partner is.

[Photo: Pexels]

It concluded, of course, that couples who drank together rather than apart or at different times from one another were happier - and those who had issues in their relationship tended to have one person drinking while the other wasnt.

The researchers concluded: concordant drinking couples reported decreased negative marital quality over time, and that booze reportedly had powerful effects on marital quality for younger couples.

[Photo: Giphy/Beyonce]

Importantly, its all about how you drink rather than how much you drink, as apparently the findings stress the importance of considering the drinking status rather than the amount of alcohol consumed.

Right - grab your partner and lets hit the nearest happy hour, shall we?



What do you think? Does drinking together make your relationship better? Tweet us at @YahooStyleUK.

Splitting The Bill At Dinner: Is It Ever Okay To Refuse?



What The Way You Sleep Says About Your Relationship
Britains new Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, said hes made so many controversial comments about world leaders that it is not worth the time it would take to apologize for all of them.

Johnson faced the U.S. press corps for the first time in his new role following a meeting with Secretary of State John Kerry in London on Tuesday. Reporters peppered him with questions, including whether he told frankly outright lies during the countrys recent E.U. referendum campaign, Reuters reports.

Asked if he was going to apologize for remarks about world leaders, Johnson said, We can spend an awfully long time going over lots of stuff that Ive written over the last 30 years.

Johnson was given the job earlier this month by Prime Minister Theresa May, who took charge and appointed a new Cabinet after her predecessor David Cameron resigned over his failure to persuade the country to remain in the European Union. Some 52% of Britons voted on June 23 to leave the bloc, supporting a Leave campaign fronted by Johnson.

Read More: Why Making Boris Johnson Britains Foreign Secretary Is a Smart Move

It was a controversial appointment thanks to comments the former journalist has made about leaders including Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, whom Johnson once described as like a sadistic nurse in a mental hospital.

Just this past April, the man who is now the U.K.s top diplomat suggested in a newspaper column that President Barack Obama might have an ancestral dislike of the British empire because of the Presidents part-Kenyan heritage. Johnson insists all such comments have been misconstrued.

Read More: 7 Times New U.K. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson Shocked the World

When pushed on the Obama controversy specifically, the Foreign Secretary Tuesday declined to apologize. Im afraid that there is such a rich thesaurus now of things that I have said that have been one way or another, through what alchemy I do not know, somehow misconstrued that it would really take me too long to engage in a fully global itinerary of apology to all concerned, Johnson said.

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Johnson insisted he wanted to get on with the very heavy agenda we have before us today, including discussing the ongoing conflict in Syria and the failed coup attempt in Turkey (although he appeared, twice, to confuse the country with Egypt).

Kerry, for his part, said diplomatically that he had been reliably informed Johnson was a very smart and capable man. Said Kerry: Thats the Boris Johnson I intend to work with.

[Reuters]
Oli urges Speaker to play balanced role

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Tuesday urged Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar to be mindful of regulations and parliamentary practices before fixing the House businesses.
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Atlanta's two young pitchers grew up a little bit during a ragged, extra-inning win.

The Braves' bullpen blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning, but Ender Inciarte hit a sacrifice fly in the 11th for a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night that evened a series between the NL's worst teams.

The Braves' focus was more on their young starter and their even younger reliever who handled pressure situations like they were nothing new.

Tyrell Jenkins gave up Jay Bruce's two-run homer but held the Reds to four hits in six innings during his second major league start - a good sign for a rebuilding team.

''He never lets off the gas,'' interim manager Brian Snitker said. ''Good, bad or ugly, this kid never gives in. That's a good trait for a young pitcher.

''He matured a lot tonight. It was a great learning game for him.''

Jenkins, who turns 24 on Wednesday, felt a lot more comfortable in his second start.

''I really felt good,'' said Jenkins, who threw 107 pitches. ''I didn't get my first win, but the team got the win. And (Mauricio) Cabrera got his first win.''

Nick Markakis started the winning rally with a single off Tony Cingrani (2-3) and took third on Jeff Francoeur's single off Blake Wood. Inciarte's fly to deep center broke the tie.

Cabrera (1-0) got the last five outs for his first career win. The 22-year-old reliever fanned Zack Cozart on a 102 mph fastball to end it.

''He's something,'' Snitker said. ''He keeps pitching through stressful innings and it doesn't bother him a bit. His expression doesn't change.''

The win evened the teams' season series at three games apiece. Atlanta is last in the NL at 33-61. Cincinnati is next at 35-59.

Atlanta's bullpen blew a late lead for the second time in four games. Jim Johnson gave up four hits and a pair of runs in the ninth. Cozart tied it with a single. Johnson, who is filling in as the closer, has blown three of his five save chances.

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Gordon Beckham emerged from a deep slump by hitting a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning for a 4-2 lead. Beckham broke his 0-for-16 slump with a single in the first, and then connected off reliever Michael Lorenzen for his first homer since July 9.

''You certainly want to go after anybody in that situation, but Lorenzen just wasn't locked in,'' Reds manager Bryan Price said.

STATS

Since returning from a left hamstring injury, Beckham is 6 for 31 in eight games. ... Bruce's homer gave him a team-high 66 RBIs. The Reds are looking to trade the right fielder this month - they had a deal fall through in the offseason.

SO LONG

Snitker was ejected in the 10th by first base umpire Angel Hernandez. Adonis Garcia singled and was picked off by Cingrani. Snitker argue that the left-hander had balked.

CROSSING SPORTS

Bengals cornerback Adam ''Pacman'' Jones was on the field for batting practice. He talked to several players and signed autographs for fans.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Braves: RHP Shae Simmons felt good a day after he threw nearly 30 pitches in a simulated game. He'll start a rehab assignment in a couple of days. Simmons is recovering from Tommy John surgery a year ago.

Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips was back in the starting lineup. He missed two games with a strained right calf, returned on Monday night and left after tweaking it in the fifth inning. ... RHP Jon Moscot had Tommy John surgery. He went 0-3 with an 8.02 ERA in five starts for the Reds. He also had two stints on the disabled list.

UP NEXT

Braves: Lucas Harrell (1-1) makes his fourth start. He's faced the Reds once before, allowing two runs in five innings in 2013.

Reds: Anthony DeSclafani (4-0) makes his eighth start. He's had six quality starts, the most on the staff. DeSclafani is 4-0 in his last five starts with a 2.67 ERA.

---

Follow Joe Kay on Twitter: http://twitter.com/apjoekay
By Alonso Soto

BRASILIA, July 20 (Reuters) - Brazil's government may not need a further freeze spending to meet fiscal goals because revenues are expected to recover in the second half of the year as the recession-hit economy stabilizes, government officials said on Wednesday.

Local media reports have said the government was considering freezing an additional 20 billion reais ($6.17 billion) in spending to meet its primary budget deficit target of 170.5 billion reais as tax revenues continue to drop. The announcement was expected on Friday with the release of a fiscal balance report.

However, three officials contacted by Reuters said that the hefty deficit target already envisions the drop in revenues, which have started to stabilize and could pick up in the second half.

"The government believes that given the numbers detailed in the target there is no need to freeze," said one official briefed on the matter, who asked for anonymity to speak freely. "Revenues have also stopped falling and may recover in the second semester."

Interim President Michel Temer's chief of staff, Eliseu Padilha, told reporters later on Wednesday that the government will use all its alternatives to avoid a freeze. He said the government could securitize part of the debt it is owed to raise revenues.

The government is considering securitizing up to 60 billion reais in debt to reduce its budget deficit, Planning Minister Dyogo Oliveira said on July 14.

Temer, who replaced President Dilma Rousseff pending her impeachment trial, has vowed to rebalance public accounts to regain the confidence of investors.

A severe recession that started last year has curbed tax revenues, eroding fiscal accounts already compromised after years of heavy public spending. The primary balance, or budget result before interest debt payments, is a key indicator of a country's financial health.

Improving business confidence has raised hopes within the government that the economy, while stabilizing later this year, will grow again in 2017.

The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday said the recession in Brazil will be less severe than previously forecast this year due partly to some recovery in oil and commodities prices. The IMF sees the Brazilian economy contracting 3.3 percent his year and growing 0.5 percent in 2017.

Fiscal and political challenges prompted rating agencies to strip Latin America's largest economy of its coveted investment-grade rating last year. ($1 = 3.2423 Brazilian reais) (Additional reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Tom Brown)
PASADENA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2016 / Brazil Minerals, Inc. (BMIX) (the "Company" or "BMIX") today gave a brief update on its first test of a new gold recovery platform. A Gold Retrieval Unit (GRU) test run of 6.8 cubic meters of material produced 59.1 grams (approximately 1.9 troy ounces) of 96% gold, now molten into a gold bar, as seen in an attached photograph. Note: The photographs cited in this press release are available in the version posted on the Company's website (www.brazil-minerals.com).

Last week, BMIX's initial portable GRU test ran material originated from the waste pile, a sand tailing box, and the new mining area. The Company cautions that the samples were small and certain waste from its large plant had high concentrations of gold. Nevertheless, the test afforded several important conclusions as described below.

1) Every material processed by the GRU yielded gold. This confirmed that centrifugation is an effective recovery method for the fine gold prevalent in BMIX's properties along the Jequitinhonha River valley.

2) BMIX believes that the concentration of gold per cubic meter from alluvial material originating from the new mining area was attractive and will be economical with mechanization to increase the throughput. Tests are continuing on additional samples. The material from the new mining area at disposal to run in GRUs, or retrievable from the locale, is very large.

3) Diesel cost as a percentage of the expected revenue from the sale of the gold bar this week was only approximately 1%. Internal Company calculations show that diesel cost should run at 5% or less of the revenues of GRU-based operations. In the past, with retrieval of gold and diamonds in the large plant, diesel was by far the highest operating cost, at a substantial multiple of this anticipated level.

4) For effective, continuous operations, the GRUs ideally should be larger and mechanized. The test used manual labor for sieving of material before passage to the centrifuge, which required on average three workers and yet precluded a large volume from reaching the GRU. A mechanized sieving system will achieve much higher throughput per hour and use less direct labor. BMIX plans to acquire or build mechanical sieves but wants first to perform additional tests to solidify specifications. A photograph attached to this press release shows the GRU used in the test.

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About Brazil Minerals, Inc.

Brazil Minerals, Inc. (BMIX) is a producer of diamonds, gold, sand, and industrialized mortar. We have title to 32 mineral rights for gold, diamonds, manganese, and sand, including 10 mining concessions for gold and diamonds, the highest level of right to mine in Brazil. More information on BMIX is at www.brazil-minerals.com.

Safe Harbor Statement



This press release contains forward-looking statements made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are based upon the current plans, estimates and projections of Brazil Minerals, Inc.'s management and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward looking statements. Such statements include, among others, those concerning market and industry segment growth and demand and acceptance of new and existing products; any projections of production, reserves, sales, earnings, revenue, margins or other financial items; any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; uncertainties related to conducting business in Brazil, as well as all assumptions, expectations, predictions, intentions or beliefs about future events. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: business conditions in Brazil, general economic conditions, geopolitical events and regulatory changes, availability of capital, BMIX's ability to maintain its competitive position and dependence on key management. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Cautionary note regarding estimates of Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources of Diamonds and Gold as found in MDBs NI 43-101 Technical Reports.

We advise U.S. investors that while these terms and amounts are recognized by Canadian regulations, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) does not recognize them. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in these categories will ever be converted into mineral reserves as defined by the U.S.'s Industry Guide 7.

Cautionary note regarding estimates of Mineral Reserves of Diamonds and Gold as found in MDBs Bankable Feasibility Study.

We advise U.S. investors that while these terms and amounts are recognized by Brazilian regulations, the SEC does not recognize them. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of the mineral deposits in this category will ever be converted into mineral reserves as defined by the U.S.'s Industry Guide 7.

Cautionary note regarding estimates of Volume and Weight of Sand as found in MDBs studies filed with the local Brazilian regulatory agencies.

We advise U.S. investors that while sand volume and weight terms and amounts as filed in Brazil are recognized by Brazilian regulations, the SEC does not recognize them. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of such are not considered mineral reserves as defined by the U.S.'s Industry Guide 7.

Cautionary note regarding estimates of potential mineralization for gold of the Apui/Borba Project with the local Brazilian regulatory agencies.

We advise U.S. investors that potential mineralization for gold of the Apui/Borba Project with Brazilian regulators is not recognized by the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that any part of such potential mineralization is or will ever become mineral reserves as defined by the U.S.'s Industry Guide 7.

Contact:

Marc Fogassa

(213) 590-2500

info@brazil-minerals.com

www.brazil-minerals.com

SOURCE: Brazil Minerals, Inc.
By Marta Nogueira RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A Brazilian state law to ban upstream tailings dams, the design used at a dam that collapsed at the Samarco iron ore mine in November, could be approved this year, an environmental official for the state of Minas Gerais told Reuters on Wednesday. Anderson Silva de Aguilar, the subsecretary for environmental regulation, also said Samarco, which is co-owned by Vale SA and BHP Billiton, would not be resuming operations this year and may not in 2017 either. In an emailed comment, Samarco said it was following all licensing procedures and had delivered the documents necessary for agencies to allow it to resume partial operations. Support for a ban of upstream tailings dams from Silva de Aguilar, who has been in the job for less than two months, represents a major policy change for his department that could increase the cost of new projects in Brazil's mining heartland. As recently as May, his predecessor, Geraldo Abreu, said an outright ban was not on the cards in a Reuters report which showed that engineers, prosecutors and tailings dam experts were increasingly arguing for a ban. "It was a devastating disaster... it is a stain on the industry," Silva de Aguilar said by phone. "There is now great impetus for us to introduce more rigorous norms and criteria." A dam design used to store mining waste, known as tailings, upstream costs about half the price of other dams but is regarded as having a greater risk of failure because its walls are built on a foundation of mining waste rather than external material or solid ground. It is also the most common, holding back waste at mines across the world. Chile, where earthquakes have caused deadly spills in the past, is currently the only major mining nation to ban upstream dams. The dam burst at the Samarco mine killed 19 people, left hundreds homeless and polluted a major river. Brazil's government called it the country's worst-ever environmental disaster. Vale, Brazil's largest miner and the world's biggest producer of iron ore, has already warned that stricter licensing laws could force it to cut output by as much as 100 million tonnes. Silva de Aguilar said he aims not to curtail Minas Gerais' mining industry, crucial to the state's economy. "The state can't afford to lose mining activity now, our gross domestic product depends on it, but the standards will be much higher," he said. (writing by Stephen Eisenhammer; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Alan Crosby)
* Graphic on Brexit impact http://reut.rs/2aqnwkw LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Britain's June 23 referendum decision to leave the European Union has had far-reaching consequences for the world's economy, businesses, investors and politics. Following are the main developments: July 20 From the it-all-depends-on-who-you-are department: Appliance-maker Electrolux's CEO Jonas Samuelson tells us the weaker pound - around 10 percent down vs euro since the Brexit vote - means his company takes a conversion hit on its imports into Britain. He adds, "We have gotten indications from house builders that they will be cautious going forward until there is clarity on what the demand for them will look like." But business solutions giant SAP is getting a boost, according to CEO Bill McDermott.

He says, "We have seen a rise in customers saying: help me rethink and re-imagine how I can run my business. Help me understand if the regulatory environment changes in the EU. Help me understand some of the arbitrage I could do offset the currency impact." Busy day for Mrs May. First comes Prime Minister's Questions, in which Theresa May will, for the first time as premier, trade barbs with her parliamentary opponents - colourfully, if she sticks to tradition. Lots of hear-hears and shame-shames.

Then it is off to Berlin to meet Angela Merkel to discuss Brexit with the German chancellor. Merkel's attitude to the divorce negotiations will dictate how amicable they are.

The Bank of England's spies across the country report in that there is "no clear evidence" yet of any sharp slowdown in the UK economy as a result of Brexit.

Britain says it will give up its right to be EU president next year. Conflict of interest? IMPORTANT DATES AHEAD: - July 21: European Central Bank policy meeting - Aug. 4: Bank of England policy meeting, economic forecasts - Sept. 16: Informal EU summit in Bratislava - Sept. 25-28: UK Labour Party conference - October TBA: Italian constitutional reform referendum - Oct. 2: Re-run of Austrian presidential election - Oct. 2-5: UK Conservative Party conference - Oct. 13-15: Scottish National Party conference - Oct. 20-21: Formal EU summit in Brussels PREVIOUS July 19 "Spanner in the works" (U.S. translation: "Wrench in the works") is how International Monetary Fund describes Brexit's impact on global economy. Global growth will now be 3.1 percent this year and 3.4 percent next, it says, down from previous projections of 3.2 percent and 3.5 percent respectively.

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Britain's economy is, not surprisingly, seen as a big part of the problem. Both the IMF and European Commission issue glum reports.

IMF says 1.7 percent growth this year, down 0.2 percentage points from April forecast; down 0.9 percentage points to 1.3 percent in 2017.

Commission is glummer. "Substantial slowdown" to 1.3 percent-1.6 percent this year. Next year, 0.3 percent contraction (worst case scenario), 1.1 percent (best case).

Signs of Brexit stress: 1) Britain's housing market appears to be slowing due to the country's EU vote, according to the Bank of England's new deputy governor, Sam Woods.

2) Ratings agency Moody's says Britain's Brexit vote and its run-up halved high-yield bond and rated leveraged loan issuance in June.

3)Derivatives trader IG Group Holdings says Brexit poses a challenge to its online trading business, but it's devising plans to protect itself if UK firms lose right to offer services across EU.

Britain's new finance minister, Philip Hammond, makes his first major comments on the post-Brexit economy. Essentially: vote is a shock to the system, more so given UK's fiscal deficit, budgetary measures, if needed, will be taken in autumn, monetary stimulus must come first.

So over to you, Mr Carney.

Germans are particularly unhappy about Brexit - or at least about its potential impact. The ZEW index of investor sentiment has plunged this month following the British vote. Indeed, the fall was far worse than any economist polled by Reuters expected. May not last, of course, but it is a sign of disquiet nonetheless.

REGULAR ITEMS: - Global Markets - Currency reports - Brexit Factbox: [nL8N19T1LJ (Reporting by Jeremy Gaunt)
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company BMY received encouraging news with the FDA accepting and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) validating the companys marketing applications for label expansion of its immuno-oncology drug Opdivo. The company is looking to get Opdivo approved for the treatment of patients with previously treated recurrent or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).

The companys supplemental biologics license application for Opdivo has been accepted for priority review by the FDA. With the FDA granting priority review status, a response should be out by Nov 11, 2016. We remind investors that Opdivo was granted Breakthrough Therapy status in the U.S. for SCCHN in Apr 2016.

The EMA has validated a type II variation application for the same patient population. The validation marks the initiation of the EMAs centralized review process.

BRISTOL-MYERS Price

BRISTOL-MYERS Price | BRISTOL-MYERS Quote

We are encouraged by the simultaneous acceptance of Opdivo for review in the U.S. and EU. Data from the CheckMate -141 study has demonstrated that Opdivo is the first and only PD-1 inhibitor to show an overall survival benefit in a phase III study in these patients.

Per the companys press release, head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer worldwide, accounting for an estimated 400,000 to 600,000 new cases per year resulting in 223,000 to 300,000 deaths annually. SCCHN accounts for approximately 90% of all head and neck cancers and is usually associated with a particularly poor prognosis and very low survival rates.

We note that Opdivo recorded worldwide revenues of $942 million in 2015. Label expansion into additional indications would give Opdivo access to an expanded patient population and increase the commercial potential of the drug.

Meanwhile, the company is working on expanding the drugs label further. Opdivo is being evaluated for the treatment of various tumor types, alone or in combination with other approved cancer products such as Yervoy (Bristol-Myers other immuno-oncology drug).

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Bristol-Myers is a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stock. Other equally ranked stocks in the health care sector include Innoviva, Inc. INVA, Fibrocell Science, Inc. FCSC and Nektar Therapeutics NKTR.

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BEIJING (Reuters) - Britain has listed the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) as a terrorist organisation, pleasing China, which had demanded Western support for its fight against a group it says seeks to split off its western region of Xinjiang. Britain's Home Office, or interior ministry, on Friday designated ETIM, which it also called the Turkestan Islamic Party (TIP), as an "Islamic terrorist and separatist organisation" trying to create an "independent caliphate" in Xinjiang. The United States and the United Nations have listed ETIM as a terrorist group, though there is some discrepancy internationally over whether ETIM and TIP are the same entity as China says, and experts have questioned their cohesiveness. Western countries have long been reluctant to share intelligence with China or otherwise cooperate when it comes to counter-terrorism in Xinjiang, saying China has provided little evidence to prove ETIM's existence and citing worries about possible human rights abuses. The addition of ETIM to the list of proscribed organisations comes as leaders from China and Britain have proclaimed the countries are enjoying a "golden age" in relations. The Home Office said the group was based in tribal regions of Pakistan, had claimed responsibility for attacks in China, "maintained an active and visible presence in the Syrian war" and had detailed its "jihad against the Chinese authorities". China's Foreign Ministry welcomed the designation. "We are willing to work with Britain and other parties to increase practical counter-terrorism cooperation and resolutely crack down on international terrorist forces," the ministry said in a faxed statement. China's state-owned Xinhua news agency also praised the British decision but said it came "a bit late". Hundreds have died in violence in recent years in Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur people. Beijing blames the bloodshed on Islamist militants and separatists, though rights groups say the unrest is more a reaction to repressive Chinese policies. "Regrettably, some western countries not only fail to recognise these East Turkestan terrorist groups as illegal, but also secretly aid them, using them as a chess piece to contain China," Xinhua said in a commentary. The U.S. State Department, in its annual report on terrorism around the world, said there was a lack of transparency or information from China about incidents Beijing called terrorism, and said counter-terrorism cooperation was limited. It has also criticised Chinese restrictions on religious expression in Xinjiang, like banning veils for women. Last week, Premier Li Keqiang called for greater global cooperation against terrorism. Dilxat Raxit, a spokesman for the World Uyghur Congress, the main Uighur exile group, said in an email that Britain had given China the pretence it needed to "increase its crackdown on Uighurs". "In China, any Uighurs that are unhappy with China's systematic policies of suppression are all accused of terror, but China is incapable of providing any evidence able to stand up to transparent examination," he said. (Reporting by Michael Martina and Ben Blanchard; Additional reporting by Jake Spring; Editing by John Ruwitch and Nick Macfie)
Washington (AFP) - Britain will double its deployment of troops to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting the Islamic State group, defense minister Michael Fallon told reporters Wednesday.

The additional 250 troops will bring Britain's contingent of advisers to more than 500, he said, as allied ministers met in Washington to plan moves to defeat the jihadists.

"We will be sending an additional 250 troops into the theater over the next few weeks," Fallon said.

"Other countries are being asked to look for their contribution to see what more they can do."

Earlier, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter had said the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group was drawing up a plan to liberate its remaining bastions.

Allied air power and military trainers are helping Iraqi government, Kurdish militia and Syrian anti-IS fighters push the jihadists back to Raqa, Syria and Mosul, Iraq.

There, in the coming months, commanders hope to defeat the IS "caliphate" -- its heartland territory -- but they admit its broader network will be harder to crack.
By Kit Rees

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's top shares index climbed to its highest closing level in 11 months on Wednesday, boosted by a rise in insurance stocks, although a slump in Anglo American (AAL.L) pushed down the mining sector.

The blue-chip FTSE 100 index (.FTSE) ended up 0.5 percent at 6,728.99 points -- its best closing level since August 2015.

Insurance company Admiral (ADML.L) rose 2.8 percent after UBS upgraded the stock to "buy" from "neutral", helping to lift shares in rival Legal & General (LGEN.L) by 3.1 percent.

Healthcare stocks Shire (SHP.L) and Hikma (HIK.L) also gained ground.

Traders said the healthcare sector remained in favour for its "defensive" characteristics of solid profits and dividends, given general uncertainty over Britain's vote last month to quit the European Union.

While the FTSE 100 has managed to recover from an initial slump after the Brexit vote, the hit to sterling has dented the value of the FTSE 100 in U.S. dollar terms for international investors.

"The health sector has been a traditional, defensive play. There is an element of nervousness creeping into the market currently regarding what the implications of the Brexit will be, so pharmaceuticals do present some form of a safe haven in terms of volatility," said Jonathan Roy, advisory investment manager at Charles Hanover Investments.

Mining stocks underperformed, with Anglo American (AAL.L) falling 4.8 percent after reporting a setback in its iron ore production.

The FTSE 350 Mining index dropped 2.4 percent, marking its fourth straight session of losses.

"There is a good chance the earnings downgrade cycle may be over for the resources sector, with commodity prices regaining strength and demand fundamentals looking slightly better," said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

(Editing by Catherine Evans)
Over 50,000 detained, sacked or suspended in Turkey after failed coup

More than 50,000 people have been rounded up, sacked or suspended from their jobs by Turkey's government in the wake of last week's failed coup.
Madrid (AFP) - Spain said Thursday it had asked London for "urgent" explanations after a British nuclear submarine collided with a vessel off the coast of Gibraltar, forcing it to dock in the disputed territory.

The incident sparked environmental fears as well as concerns it could lead to yet another diplomatic row between London and Madrid, which wants Gibraltar back centuries after it was ceded to Britain in 1713.

The HMS Ambush submarine was submerged and carrying out a training exercise when it collided with an unspecified merchant vessel on Wednesday afternoon, damaging the front of its conning tower and forcing it to dock for checks in the overseas British territory on Spain's southern tip known as "the Rock".

"The ministry has asked the British embassy in Madrid for urgent explanations over the extent of the breakdown and all relevant information regarding the circumstances of this incident," Spain's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Britain's navy tried to allay fears on Wednesday, saying there were "no safety concerns" as the collision had not damaged HMS Ambush's nuclear plant, adding that initial indications suggested the vessel had not been damaged.

Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said he was "satisfied" with the assurances that the submarine posed no danger.

"HMS Ambush is therefore as welcome today on the Rock as ever," he said in a statement.

"Gibraltar has often played host to nuclear submarines, something which the government welcomes as it helps to demonstrate the strategic importance of the United Kingdom and to the Royal Navy in particular."

- Environmental concerns -

Earlier Thursday, Antonio Munoz, a spokesman for Spanish environmental group Ecologists in Action, called for more information on the incident.

"We don't have any form of report to see if there was a radioactive leak," he said.

"We don't know exactly where the collision happened, where the other vessel is, whether the vessel that collided with the submarine was a freighter, an oil tanker... We don't know whether there was a leak from the vessel."

Story continues

The incident revived memories of another submarine incident at the turn of the century, when Britain's HMS Tireless was forced to dock in Gibraltar for repairs for nearly a year after a crack was found in a cooling pipe near its nuclear reactor.

Its presence caused outrage in Gibraltar and southern Spain, which people staging regular protests, and strained ties between London and Madrid.

The tiny rocky outcrop of Gibraltar has long been the subject of an acrimonious sovereignty row between both countries.

Spain's conservative government, which has been in place since 2011, has been particularly vocal about its desire to see the territory come back into its fold.

In one particularly belligerent row over disputed waters, Spanish authorities upped checks at its land border with Gibraltar in 2013, creating hours-long logjams and forcing the European Commission to wade in and ease the crisis.

And there have been repeated incidents involving fishing or police patrol boats in disputed waters off the coast of Gibraltar.
By Elizabeth Piper and Paul Carrel BERLIN (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May sought to reassure Germany on Wednesday over Britain's vote to leave the European Union, stressing her desire to deepen ties with neighboring countries in her first foreign visit as leader. But while Angela Merkel agreed with May that Britain needed time to put together a negotiating stance before triggering a formal divorce from the bloc, the German chancellor was clear that no one wanted "a long period of limbo". May, appointed a week ago after David Cameron resigned over the result of the EU vote, has appealed for time to work out how best to attack the unprecedented and complex negotiation for Brexit, with the other leaders in the bloc offering little sign they will make things easy for Britain. By heading to Germany and then later to France, May is keen to sound out the EU's two most powerful leaders, Merkel and President Francois Hollande, as, officials expect, the EU's biggest member states will take a lead in the talks. "(The visit) underlines my personal commitment to bring a strong and constructive partnership ... a partnership that works for the benefit of people here in Germany and people back home in Britain," May told a news conference standing next to Merkel. "I also want to be clear here today, and across Europe in the weeks ahead that we are not walking away from European friends." Merkel reiterated that there could be no formal negotiations on the terms for a post-Brexit Britain before London invokes Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to trigger the formal exit procedure. She urged May not to wait too long. "Nobody wants a long period of limbo. Neither the British people nor the European member states," Merkel said. "Everyone has an interest that the preparations are conducted in a thorough manner, that the positions are clear, and I think it is absolutely understandable that Britain needs a certain amount of time for this." May has said that Britain would not trigger Article 50 this year. MILITARY HONORS The new British leader was received by a guard of honor, a military brass band and dozens of solders standing to attention. She was heard saying the scene was "very splendid" before heading for brief talks. She later had dinner with Merkel to further discuss Brexit over a meal of tuna with mango chutney and veal with mushrooms. Since May's emergence as British prime minister, much has been made of the stylistic similarities between the two women: both daughters of pastors, both with reputations as no-nonsense pragmatists, who rose to the top of conservative parties dominated by more conventionally outgoing men. Speaking of their relationship, May said they were "two women here who ... if I may say so, I think get on with the job. Both want the best possible results for the people of the UK and Germany". Merkel answered: "Exactly". But both leaders are under no illusion about how tough the talks on Britain's departure might be. May, who has struggled to control migration into Britain, must try to balance voters' demands for a reduction in movement of people from the other 27 members of the bloc and a desire from business to keep access to the lucrative EU single market. Described as "utterly intractable" by a Cameron ally, May will be up against the equally tough Merkel, who has told Britain it will not be able to "cherry pick" what it wants to keep from its EU membership. In France on Thursday, Hollande, under pressure after last week's deadly truck attack in Nice, will also be firm in demanding that Britain either sign up to EU rules or suffer the consequences. He is keen to dampen the popularity of Marine Le Pen and her far-right National Front, which wants a French "Frexit". For Merkel, she indicated she was more than ready to start negotiations with Britain, which she described as "an experienced country in terms of its diplomatic skills". "Negotiations with British governments are always taxing, interesting and tactically clever and even while competing with our negotiating strategies we try to work on an equal terms - it's always exciting," she said. "I mean even during Britains years as a member of the European Union the negotiations with Great Britain were never trivial." (Additional reporting by Noah Barkin, Kylie MacLellan and William James; Editing by Peter Graff)
By Lin Taylor LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - In a quiet suburban school in northwest London, young children are asked to imagine that they need to leave their homes because Britain is at war. As they close their eyes and sit in silence, their teacher Teri-Louise O'Brien explains that there are 60 million displaced people in the world right now. "Time to reflect: how would you feel if you had no home? Take a pen, and write your feelings on the paper." One child scribbles, "I would feel heartbroken and sad" while another writes, "I would feel sad and neglected because I wouldn't have a warm place to sleep in". The children, aged between six and 11, spend time discussing the differences between a refugee, an asylum seeker, a migrant and a displaced person. O'Brien then switches off the lights before playing a short video of Syrian refugees living in camps in Lebanon and Jordan. "I HATE NOT KNOWING" It's not a typical classroom lesson for students at Norbury School, but it's one that some of the children are grateful for. "It feels good to know what's happening in the news because I hate not knowing," said 10-year-old Naavya. Since learning about the refugee crisis, she said she no longer finds her classmate, a Syrian refugee, "annoying". "I do learn that it can be really hard for him," Naavya told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "I didn't even know it (the Syrian war) was happening when he first came. I kind of feel sad for him because he had to leave (his country)." Britain is home to 126,000 refugees, according to the British Red Cross, and received nearly 40,000 asylum applications last year of which 45 percent were approved. The largest numbers of asylum seekers were from Eritrea, Pakistan then Syria. In Norbury School, there are around 25 children with refugee backgrounds from Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Somalia. While many were born in Britain, others like Yakoub, 7, have only recently arrived from Syria. "I saw some really bad stuff like bombs and guns," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. "Once there was a gas bomb right in front me." Yakoub, who arrived two years ago with his family, said he would think about the war a lot during school. When these memories overwhelm him, or other refugee students, they are taken outside to play. More than 4.8 million Syrian refugees have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt to escape a war that has killed more than 250,000 people since 2011 and left 13.5 million inside Syria in need of aid. SAFE SPACE O'Brien said she hoped teaching the students about refugees would give them a better understanding of what it means to flee war and persecution. The 23-year-old uses lesson plans, supplied by the United Nations Children's Agency (UNICEF), to encourage children to ask questions. The students' parents are also encouraged to discuss the issues at home. "We want them to understand that everybody is human, and everybody is the same and that they need to look after each other," she said. Since there are refugee students in classrooms, it is important to help children make sense of the crisis in a child-friendly way, said UNICEF spokeswoman Lilly Carlise. "It's everywhere in the news at the moment. There are refugees in schools, they're part of the community, so I don't think you can shield children from these issues," she said. Carlise said more than 4,000 primary and secondary schools were sent the lesson plans in June and the response so far has been positive. "It's the whole school coming together ... to talk about issues around the refugee crisis and welcome refugee children into their school." Being among other children who have had a similar experience has brought comfort to most refugee students. "I thought I was I was going to be the only one from Afghanistan. I'll be the only one who's different," said Mahsa. "But I wasn't. Everyone's from different backgrounds and I just fit in." Zainab, whose parents are Iraqi refugees, agreed. "You don't feel like a refugee, you feel like a normal person. It's because everyone's treats everyone the same." (Reporting by Lin Taylor @linnytayls, Editing by Katie Nguyen.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian issues, conflicts, global land and property rights, modern slavery and human trafficking, women's rights, and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org to see more stories)
reuters gun panel

In the wake of the high-profile shootings of police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and in Dallas and of a shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Florida, gun violence is a major part of the political conversation in the US.

Ken Thompson, the district attorney for Brooklyn, New York, added to the dialogue on Monday, saying lawmakers weren't doing anything to solve the problem.

"There's no backbone in Congress," Thompson said, speaking at a Reuters Newsmakers event.

"At the end of the day," he continued, "the NRA has such a stranglehold on our representatives in the House and the US Senate."

Thompson called gun violence a "national crisis." He highlighted that almost 2,200 people had been shot in Chicago so far this year.

Part of the problem, Thompson said, is that even in states with strict gun laws, like New York, most of the guns recovered at crime scenes were initially purchased in states with weaker gun laws.

Thompson noted that in the past 20 years, the past seven police officers "shot and killed in the line of duty" in New York City were shot with guns that came from other states.

Randolph Holder, a New York Police Department officer killed in 2015, was shot by a gun purchased in South Carolina.

Thompson also said shootings of police officers or of bystanders should be described as acts of domestic terrorism. He pointed to a shooting in Brooklyn's Red Hook neighborhood, where five young people were wounded and an unborn baby was killed.

nra gun show

"The pregnant woman was shot five times," Thompson said. "And she lost her baby. I think that was a domestic act of terrorism."

Thompson was joined onstage by Gov. Dannel Malloy of Connecticut, former NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly, and Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado.

Malloy said racist policies had a strong effect in how gun violence was treated by lawmakers.

Story continues

"If the white community had been subjected to the level of crime, in Brooklyn, that the black community was subjected to," Malloy said, "we would have changed laws and our approach to criminal justice a lot faster."

Kelly said the increased militarization of police forces across the country was "bad optics" and was not the way departments "should do civil policing in this country."

"You saw it in Ferguson," Kelly continued. "So I think militarized police forces should be eliminated. It doesn't look right."

Thompson became the first African-American district attorney in Kings County in 2013 when he ran a campaign critical of many New York police policies.

NOW WATCH: Obama had some incredible reactions while campaigning with Hillary Clinton





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Venkat Desirazu

We can bring Euro 6/BS6 compliant vehicles as early as April 2018 if the fuel is readily available and there is sufficient support from the Centre, said Roland Folger, MD and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India. He was speaking at the launch of the German automakers My Mercedes-My Service in Bengaluru, yesterday.



The automaker said its buyers had been expressing uncertainty over the future of diesel cars in India due to the various controversies that have been associated with it recently. It added that the future of diesels in India lay in the introduction of Euro6/BS6 compliant diesel fuel. This would bring the emission levels between petrol and diesels vehicles to a similar level making it a fully acceptable option for its buyers.



The German automaker has been one of those who had been affected majorly by the diesel ban that came into effect in December 2015. The ban called for the stopping of the registration of new diesel vehicles that had engines above the capacity of 2000cc. The order was revisited recently but till date has not been lifted though the calls for it to be lifted have been growing stronger over the last few months.



New Delhi had announced at the end of February that India would leapfrog BS5 norms and go straight for BS6 norms with effect from April 2020.

For more news,reviews,videos and information about cars, visit CarWale.com.

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One of the toughest parts of buying or selling a home is the fact that you're doing a business deal that involves something so personal. It can be difficult to separate the emotional aspect of where you're going to live with the fact that you need to make a smart decision on what is likely the biggest investment you'll ever make in your life.

Fortunately, there are people who make this kind of investment their business to show us how it's done.

Real estate investors of all levels make a living out of buying, selling and owning property, both commercial and residential, and they better understand the nuances of real estate deals than the typical homebuyer or seller who will only go through the process a few times during their life.

Any property purchase is an investment of your money, regardless of whether you're planning to live there yourself or make money off it. You want to be able to make a profit when it comes time to sell your home again, or at the very least get back what you originally spent. Here are key strategies from real estate investors that you can adopt to make your personal investment a success.

[See: 10 Tips to Sell Your Home Fast.]

Assess the risk. Before you spend your savings on a down payment and lock yourself into monthly mortgage payments for the next 15 to 30 years, assess the chances the property will be worth the purchase price when you decide to sell.

Look at the home you're purchasing in the context of the bigger picture: the city, neighborhood and even the traffic near the property. And if the property is affected by negative factors while you live there -- maybe it's in a declining neighborhood with an increasing number of vacant houses or the county decides to take a piece of your property to widen a road -- are you able to take the hit on your home's value?

Any monetary investment comes with risk, explains Harmel Rayat, a Vancouver, British Columbia-based real estate investor and author of "Winning With Commercial Real Estate." "It comes with things you can't control," he says.

Story continues

Rayat says a great example is his own home, which he purchased about 20 years ago. "I bought it in a great area, paid a very healthy price for it, and a year and a half later my home was down 40 percent," he explains.

An international political situation lowered interest in the area of Vancouver where the property is located, and as a result home values dropped. While the area has not only recovered but significantly increased its value and interest, Rayat notes it took a long time to get there -- and had he opted to sell after 10 years there would have been little profit.

It's essential to understand the risk you're taking on before making an offer. If you're putting your entire life savings into a down payment and you know you'll be stretching your money simply to make mortgage payments, taking a leap on a home that may not pay off could leave you underwater.

While risks can pay off big -- like buying in an up-and-coming neighborhood or purchasing a home sight unseen -- there's no harm in selecting a house you're more confident in.

Know the market. To calculate the potential risk factors involved with the home you're considering, you have to know and understand the local market -- or bring in someone who does.

Because you're not in the business of buying and selling on a regular basis, having a real estate agent who can explain the nuances of homes and values in the area is imperative to bring you to the level of understanding that most real estate investors already possess. A knowledgeable agent should provide insight on the variation in cost based on certain features, like the number of bedrooms or an updated kitchen, as well as manage expectations for a competitive pool of other interested buyers.

"Making sure the agent knows that micromarket [is key]," says Tom Pietsch, managing partner and broker associate with Tom & Cindy and Associates at Long & Foster in northern Virginia, who works with homebuyers, sellers and real estate investors.

Making an offer is a decision only you should make, so select an agent who can help you understand the market in relation to your needs and the available properties, and then assess your options from there. That means considering the local school district, transportation, community amenities and more, explains Fred Cooper, senior vice president of finance, international development and investor relations at home building company Toll Brothers.

"Homebuyers should not only analyze the specific property they're buying, but look at the ancillary aspects of the community that they're moving into," Cooper says.

[See: The Best Apps for House Hunting.]

Be realistic when it comes time to sell. Your understanding of the market is important again when it comes time to sell your home. Regardless of the sale price you were hoping for when you purchased your home, you have to accept what comparable sales in the area tell you.

"Successful investors understand the dynamics of the local property market, so that allows them to be realistic in their expectations of what they can sell for and what they can buy for," Cooper says.

He adds that it is important to recognize any parts of your home or the area that may not be appealing to buyers, and set the listing price accordingly to ensure the property is still enticing to them.

"Pricing the property realistically is going to make it a lot easier to sell it," Cooper says. And with information about the market easily accessible online through sites like Zillow, realtor.com and even public record databases, there's no reason to make an uninformed guess at what your home is worth compared to your neighbor's. By viewing comparable properties that recently sold and researching the value of certain updates versus others when it comes to home sales, you can find a more confident price point for your home.

Your feelings still matter -- but control them. When you're making a decision about where you're going to live, there's no way to extract emotion from the equation -- something that's not as difficult to do in investment deals. "How do you remove emotion from one of the biggest decisions in life you'll ever make?" Rayat says.

But being able to control those emotions can make the business aspect of the deal smoother, especially when you're selling.

"It's undeniable that emotions play a role in everything that involves spending money," Cooper says. "For a homebuyer, and also for an investor, I would caution against blowing up a deal over small things."

Rather than holding out for an extra $50 in rent, a good landlord will recognize the value in having a tenant occupy the home instead of paying to keep a vacant space and hoping to fetch a higher rent down the line.

Pietsch says real estate investors who rent out a home they previously lived in often exhibit detachment. "Those people tend to then move on emotionally because it's not their house anymore and try to keep it looking good but for the least [money] they can, while getting the most that they can in rent."

[See: 10 Unorthodox Ways Your Real Estate Agent May Market Your Home.]

Recognizing the home is no longer yours once you put it on the market can remove your emotional attachment and help you focus on how to appeal to the new buyer's feelings.

"Turn your home back into a house. On the other hand, think about the buyer's emotion, and do what you can to appeal to that emotion," Pietsch says.
PM warns against delaying budget related bills

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has warned against holding off Budget related bills in the parliament.
Caitlyn Jenner has made it known she's a lifelong Republican  and that won't be changing any time soon.



Speaking at a Q&A hosted by the LGBT-focused American Unity Fund on Wednesday morning , day three of the Republican National Convention, the I Am Cait star opened up about her views on the GOP.



According to Variety, Jenner, 66, said she's been "disappointed" in the Republican party's platform during the past 10 years. (Other speakers at the event, meanwhile, called this year's GOP platform "downright hostile" to LGBT concerns.)



But that being said, the former Olympian maintained she still strongly identifies as a Republican, reports Variety.







"I want to help the Republican party in so many ways," Jenner said, according to the outlet. "I think our best move to get back to a constitutional government is in the Republican party. I won't give up hope on it."



The star once again joked that in the world of Hollywood, it was "harder for me to come out as Republican" than as a trans woman.



Meanwhile, it's no mystery why certain speakers at the event raised the issue of hostility towards the LGBT community: Outside the Quicken Loans arena where the convention was meeting, some supporters on the streets sported red trucker caps bearing the words "Make Bruce a Man Again"  a twist on Donald Trump's signature "Make America Great Again" hats.



During the Q&A, Jenner also took specific aim at the anti-LGBT legislative efforts many states have made to restrict bathroom usage by gender, calling it a "non-issue" and noting that more Republican legislators have been arrested for lewd acts in public bathrooms in recent years than there have been arrests of transgender people.



"Maybe we should ban Republican representatives at the state level from being in bathrooms," she quipped.



Jenner's political views were explored on the most recent season of I Am Cait, and the star also shared her thoughts on the heated election with Australian radio show Rove & Sam for Breakfast in March.



"Whoever is the Republican candidate obviously I'm going to vote that direction," Jenner said. "I have my ones that I like more than others but those are for me personally. Because I really feel like we've got to fix this country, we have a lot of, not so much trans issues but fiscal issues."



 Reporting by SANDRA SOBIERAJ WESTFALL
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK, July 20 (Reuters) - A 73-year-old Californian charged with running a scheme with three of his sons to manipulate the stock price of reinsurer Gerova Financial Group Ltd and then dump the shares at inflated prices pleaded guilty to fraud on Wednesday, U.S. prosecutors said.

John Galanis, of Oceanside, California, admitted to securities fraud and conspiracy charges before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn in Manhattan.

The defendants were accused of secretly taking control of nearly half of Gerova's shares and then cashing out at a profit after bribing investment advisers to buy the shares for their own clients, costing investors in Gerova nearly $20 million. Prosecutors said the scheme ran from 2009 to 2011.

Under his plea agreement, Galanis could be sentenced to roughly eight to 10 years in prison and fined as much as $5 million. He also agreed to forfeit $19.04 million.

David Touger, a lawyer for Galanis, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Galanis' sons Jason, Jared and Derek and former Gerova Chairman Gary Hirst were also criminally charge. They face a Sept. 12 trial. A sixth defendant pleaded guilty, and a seventh is at large.

Jason Galanis, an investment banker, faces unrelated criminal charges that he enlisted his father and others to steal proceeds of bond issues from an affiliate of South Dakota's Oglala Sioux Nation, and used them to make other investments and buy luxury goods.

John Galanis was also charged in that case, which was announced on May 11.

Jason Galanis' bail in the Gerova case was revoked following his arrest in the tribal bond case.

A federal appeals court on Wednesday denied Jason Galanis' request to be freed from custody, saying, "The evidence supports the district court's probable cause finding of Galanis's continued criminal activity while on release."

The cases are U.S. v. John Galanis et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 15-cr-00643; and U.S. v. Jason Galanis et al, 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 16-1761.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Leslie Adler)
By Prak Chan Thul PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia's military is investigating a suspected coup plot against Prime Minister Hun Sen, a defense ministry official said on Wednesday, amid rising political tension in the Southeast Asian country. The army investigation centers on a man who announced plans to topple Hun Sen in Facebook and YouTube videos and called on others to join his cause, said Defence Ministry spokesman Chhum Sucheat. "The authorities are investigating and looking for him," Chhum Sucheat told Reuters. He identified the man as Vichea Som but declined to give further details. News of the plot comes a day after a senior U.S. official responsible for human rights urged Cambodia's political rivals to return to negotiations amid a "deteriorating situation". In the video, the man the ministry identified as Vichea Som is dressed in a business suit and tie with a camouflage background visible in the footage. He did not identify himself but accused Hun Sen's government and his ruling Cambodian People's Party of being behind big land grabs in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries. He also accused the government of high-profile killings and human rights abuses. "In the near future, please all forces be ready against the dictatorial regime," the man said. He did not specifically call for a coup or threaten to organize a coup in the video clip. It was not clear where he was speaking from but he said he belonged to a "unit" based in southwestern Cambodia. The Facebook page bearing the name Vichea Som showed the same man. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook. Hun Sen has ruled with an iron fist for more than 30 years, defeating all challenges to his authority, but he faces a young electorate which appears increasingly hungry for change. In recent moths, tension has been rising between Hun Sen and an opposition hoping to challenge his grip in local elections next year and a general election in 2018. Several members of the opposition and activists have been jailed as part of what they say is a government crackdown to silence critics ahead of the elections. On July 10, Kem Ley, a prominent activist and frequent critic of Hun Sen, was murdered in the capital Phnom Penh. A suspect has been arrested and police said they believed Kem Ley was killed because of a debt. Activists believe his murder was political. The United States has called for a credible investigation. The European Union and United Nations have expressed concern about the political tension. (Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Robert Birsel)
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This man at the Republican National Convention understands you, Democrats.

A delegate from South Dakota, standing as far away from the microphone as possible, was clearly not thrilled about nominating Donald Trump.

SEE ALSO: 11 totally real earlier drafts of Melania Trump's speech

Considering delegates from Alaska also contested their votes being awarded to Trump, we'd say he's not alone.

Bonus: Can you find the Doc Brown in this group of Bernie Sanders?
A woman with a Muslim headscarf walks past a voting sign at PS 3 on April 19, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Stephanie Keith/Getty Images)

By Mana Rabiee

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (Reuters) - U.S. Muslim leaders hope to register a million voters from within their community to help combat what they say is the anti-Muslim stance of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

The United States has only about 3.3 million Muslims, but campaign organizers say Muslim voters could have an outsize impact in swing states that are key to the November general election, such as Virginia and Florida.

We want the Muslim community to understand that if you give up your rights voluntarily, no one will come and give it back to you, said Osama Abu Irshaid, a member of the board of the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations, which is spearheading the drive.

Imams have been asked to encourage their congregations to register to vote. Organizers have sent canvassers to college campuses, bus stations and gas stations in Muslim neighborhoods.

The campaign began in December and is part of an effort among U.S. Muslims to combat an unprecedented rise in Islamophobia, said Nihad Awad, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

CAIRs database showed that 300,000 Muslims had registered since November, he said.

Executive Director and Founder of the Council on American-Islamic Relations Nihad Awad speaks at a press conference held by the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations at the National Press Club in Washington, Monday, Dec. 21, 2015. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Awad said anti-Muslim sentiment had grown since the mass shooting in San Bernardino, California, last year that authorities have said was inspired by Islamist militants, and due to comments by Trump. He has called for a ban on Muslim immigrants.

Campaign volunteers were outside the Dar al-Hijrah mosque in suburban Washington this month to get worshippers to register.

I was thinking quite a long time to register but this time especially  I really believed that I have to, said Sadat Najmi as he filled out a registration form.

Najmi, a U.S. citizen since 1988, said Trump had motivated him to sign up for the first time.

U.S. Muslim backers of Trump said they were trying to build their own coalitions in swing states.

Baltimore businessman Sajid Tarar said he launched American Muslims for Trump because he favored Trumps stance on combating radical Islam.

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ISIS (an acronym for the Islamic State), al Qaeda, Taliban, they have killed more Muslims than anything else, and thats a message Muslims need to hear and understand, he said, referring to various militant groups.

Michael Cohen, co-chair of the National Diversity Coalition for Trump, which aims to mobilize minority support, said Muslim Americans were equally worried about violence at home and abroad.

Sajid Tarar, founder of Muslims for Trump, delivers a speech on the second day of the Republican National Convention on July 19, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Trump is the only candidate who will enhance our national security, bring jobs back to America and fix our ailing economy, he said in an email.

(Writing by Ian Simpson; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)

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Ottawa (AFP) - The Canadian government promised Tuesday to send 158 million dollars (US$121 million) in humanitarian assistance to Iraq, along with up to 200 million dollars in loan guarantees.

Nearly all of the humanitarian funds will go toward supporting "the international humanitarian response to help meet the basic needs of conflict-affected Iraqis," said Canadian Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau.

The 200 million dollar credit guarantee matches the Canadian commitment at the recent G7 summit in Japan to "support Iraq's economic reform efforts through the World Bank," said Bibeau.

A small fraction of the 158 million dollars will go to the United Nations Development Program focused on helping Iraqis liberated from the Islamic State group to return home, with another share earmarked for clearing improvised explosive devices in freed areas including Ramadi.

The Canadian contribution comes a day before a Washington donors conference for Iraq.

Canadas assistance will help meet the urgent health, shelter, protection, education and food needs of hundreds of thousands of affected civilians," said Bibeau.
* Brookfield, SBI to set up JV to invest in distressed assets

* Indian banks battling $120 bln of soured debt (Adds details of plan and comments by executives and analyst)

By Devidutta Tripathy

MUMBAI, July 20 (Reuters) - Canada's Brookfield Asset Management Inc plans to invest about $1 billion in Indian distressed assets through a joint venture with the largest lender in the South Asian nation where banks are battling a record $120 billion of sour debt.

Brookfield and State Bank of India have signed a preliminary agreement to set up a joint venture for the investments, the firms said on Wednesday. SBI aims to contribute up to 5 percent of the total investments targeted by the venture, which may also rope in other banks at a later stage, they said.

Indian banks, with 11.5 percent of their loans soured, are under pressure from the regulator and the government to clean up their books as higher bad loans choke fresh lending in an economy whose main source of funding is bank credit.

The government earlier this year eased rules for bad-loan buyers, and was also in talks with banks to help set up funds to deal with distressed assets.

The scale of the opportunity and the rule easing are drawing other foreign companies such as J.C. Flowers & Co and Canada Pension Plan which have announced plans to invest in the Indian distressed assets space.

Brookfield, which manages about $240 billion of assets globally, has previously invested in the Indian real estate and infrastructure sector. The 70 billion rupees ($1.04 billion) that it has committed to invest through the venture with SBI will be its biggest through a single venture in India.

The companies did not give a timeline for the investments. They also did not say by when the venture will be set up or detail the ownership structure.

The collaboration, though, will help banks in general and SBI in particular to find alternative solution for resolution of stressed assets, Arundhati Bhattacharya, chairman of SBI, said in the statement. SBI accounts for about a fifth of India's banking assets.

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The JV has no plan to set up a so-called Asset Reconstruction Company required to directly buy bad loans from banks, but will instead make equity or mezzanine financing to distressed cases, a senior SBI executive said separately. Details of the investment plan were yet to be worked out, the executive said.

Siddharth Purohit, a banking analyst at Mumbai's Angel Broking, said while more investors were expected in the distressed assets space, the size of India's non-performing assets (NPAs) was just too big.

"The requirement of funds will be much higher than what is being initially committed," he said. ($1 = 67.2100 Indian rupees) (Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Prez expresses concern over Dr KC's health, govt steps to address demands

President Bidya Devi Bhandari has expressed her concern regarding the health condition and indefinite hunger strike of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) professor and senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda KC demanding reforms in the country's medical sector.
Finhaut-Emosson (Switzerland) (AFP) - Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara quit the Tour de France on Wednesday at the end of the 17th stage to concentrate on his bid for an Olympic Games gold medal.

The 35-year-old, nicknamed 'Spartacus', is the second high-profile rider to pull out of the Tour in two days after British sprinter Mark Cavendish withdrew on Tuesday to focus on his bid for a first Olympic medal.

"This was not an easy decision to take, but I feel it is the right one," said Cancellara in a statement released by his Trek team.

"I don't like withdrawing from a race, especially not when our GC leader (Bauke Mollema) is in second place at four days from Paris.

"With some really hard stages ahead of us my support would naturally be more limited so we took the decision together to withdraw. It was a hard Tour for me -- a lot of stress and I feel tired. If I want to be good at the Olympics I need rest."

It was a sad end for Cancellara who was riding in his last Tour de France.

"The Tour has given me a lot in the last twelve years and I dont say this lightly," he added.

"I gave a lot of thought to this decision to withdraw from the race. Today was very emotional for me - more than I expected it to be.

"Right now knowing that these were my last kilometers in the Tour de France is hard."
Matthew Heineman, who was nominated for an Oscar for his documentary Cartel Land, has been hired to direct Marie Colvin, a true-life drama being produced by Charlize Theron and Basil Iwanyk.

Marissa McMahon, Iwanyk's Thunder Road Pictures and Theron's Denver & Delilah banner are producing.

The script was adapted by Arash Amel and is based on a Vanity Fair article about Colvin's dramatic life as a war correspondent. Colvin covered every major conflict of the last three decades, including the Sri Lankan civil war, where she was severely injured and lost an eye; the Arab Spring; and finally the war in Syria, where she died in a rocket attack while reporting from Homs.

CAA is packaging Colvin and will be taking it out to financiers. CAA will also represent the film's domestic rights.

Heineman last directed Cartel Land, which looked at the intra-country drug trade between Mexico and the U.S. The film won wide acclaim, nabbing a nomination for best documentary. It premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, where Heineman won the Best Director Award and Special Jury Prize for Cinematography.

In addition, Heineman won the outstanding directorial achievement in documentary award from the Director's Guild of America, the Courage Under Fire Award from the International Documentary Association, and a prestigious George Polk Award in Investigative Journalism.

Amel wrote Seducing Ingrid Bergman, which is being developed as a director vehicle for James Mangold, and writing Starman for Shawn Levy.

Heineman is repped by CAA, Cinetic Media, and attorney Jerry Dasti.
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There's nothing not to love about cats, especially this furry little creature in Japan called Tetsuro-kun.

SEE ALSO: Panda gives birth to the tiniest little gem and we're in awe

Tetsuro's owner recently posted a video clip on Twitter of the feline snoozing and the internet (us included) couldn't handle its cuteness.

The beginning of the clip shows @goma_chips, Twitter user and owner of two very adorable kitties, opening a door quietly in search of Tetsuro and chancing on the cat lying flat out on its back in the middle of a bed. Its sleeping position looks like Tetsuro was having the best cap nap of its life.

@goma_chips obviously couldn't resist the adorable sight and proceeded to tickle its face lovingly. The cat's follow-up nuzzling action without waking, will make you go "Awwwww..."

It's no wonder that this video is going viral  it'd make even grumpy cat want to cuddle up to its human.

[H/T: Rocketnews24]
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Police sealed off a Brussels square and called in bomb experts after a man was seen wearing a thick coat on a hot summer's day with wires protruding from underneath, but he turned out to be a student who said he was researching radiation levels. "The way in which he reacted initially was not normal, which is why we had to use such measures," a police spokesman in the Belgian capital told reporters after Wednesday's incident. He said the bomb squad had used a robot to carry out an initial check which revealed metal plates underneath the man's coat, further raising suspicions. The man was taken in for questioning. Brussels airport was the site of an Islamist militant attack that killed 32 people in March. Authorities are on high alert before a national holiday on Thursday, which police fear could be a target after last week's attack on crowds celebrating Bastille Day in the French resort of Nice. (Reporting by Robert-Jan Bartunek; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
By Jake Spring and Hyunjoo Jin

BEIJING/SEOUL (Reuters) - A group of Hyundai Motor Co dealers in China is seeking 800 million-900 million yuan (92 million-103 million pounds) in compensation from the Korean automaker, saying Hyundai has cut the flow of models it exports to them, resulting in dealership losses and closures.

The group's leader, Wang Rongzhen, told Reuters on Wednesday that the automaker has scaled back the range of models it supplies to dealers in Hyundai imports in China, only consistently supplying one model, while steadily increasing car manufacturing in China.

"We sell cars, if you don't give us cars, naturally we won't be able to go on, we'll close," Wang said in an interview. The group seeking compensation represents 30 of the roughly 40 remaining imported Hyundai dealers in the country.

The Hyundai row is brewing as car dealers in China, sure-fire moneymakers for decades, have had a troubled transition to slower growth in the world's biggest auto market in the last two years. Many dealers are looking to manufacturers for support in soaking up losses: Germany's BMW AG agreed to pay out $820 million to cash-strapped dealers in early 2015. (http://reut.rs/29ZvKCc)

According to the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce, which is helping to organise the dealers, Hyundai's import-only dealer network has already halved in size since 2014.

Hyundai said in a statement earlier this week it is keeping communications open in an effort to find a solution with the import-only dealers, noting that import dealers account for less than 1 percent of its sales in China.

The automaker sold about 1.1 million passenger vehicles in China in 2015.

(Reporting by Jake Spring in BEIJING and Hyunjoo Jin in SEOUL; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
China warned Wednesday against Hong Kong pro-independence parties running in the city's upcoming elections as the movement gains traction among some young campaigners.

It comes days after leaders of two pro-independence groups nominated candidates for the September parliamentary vote.

Concern is growing that the Chinese government is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city, spurring an emerging "localist" movement seeking more autonomy or even a full split from China.

Beijing and authorities in Hong Kong have said the pro-independence movement is against the city's mini-constitution and that campaigning for a breakaway could result in unspecified "action according to the law".

The director of China's representative office in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, warned Wednesday against parties transforming the election into a promotion of Hong Kong independence.

"If Hong Kong independence groups are tolerated in entering gloriously into the legislative body of Hong Kong, is this in accordance with "one country, two systems?" Zhang asked in a televised news conference, referring to the city's semi-autonomous status.

"Which direction would this set Hong Kong society down?...This isn't just only a legal issue, it's a major matter of principle, a matter of the bottom line," he said.

The "one country, two systems" deal is enshrined in an agreement when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997, guaranteeing its freedoms and way of life for 50 years.

But there are fears those freedoms are being eroded by Beijing interference.

Zhang's comments come after at least 13 pro-democracy candidates, including some who are campaigning for independence, refused to sign a form reiterating the city is an "inalienable" part of China in order to be nominated -- a new electoral requirement that has been slammed as political censorship.

Critics say the Hong Kong leadership is merely a puppet of Beijing, particularly since mass rallies in 2014 failed to win political reform.

Story continues

Negative sentiment has been exacerbated by the disappearance last year of five Hong Kong booksellers from a firm that published gossipy books about leading Chinese politicians. All resurfaced on the mainland.

One of the men, who skipped bail and is now in Hong Kong, told how he was blindfolded, detained and interrogated over alleged involvement in bringing banned books into the mainland.

Pro-independence activists clashed with police in some of the city's worst violence in decades in February, but have since maintained a fairly low profile.
Record number of EU terror attacks recorded in 2015

A record number of terrorist attacks were planned, foiled or carried out in European Union countries last year, with the UK reporting the highest number of attacks.
A woman who traveled from China to Minnesota to work as a nanny says she was abused, starved and held captive by her employer for months before she escaped this week.



According to a news release from the Washington County Attorney, officers found a 58-year-old woman wandering the streets of Woodbury, Minnesota, in the middle of the night with two black eyes and bruises. Upon arriving at the hospital, X-rays revealed she also had broken ribs and a broken sternum.



The woman, who only spoke Chinese, told police through a translator that she was a nanny and was allegedly horrifically abused by her employer, the release states.



She allegedly worked for the wealthy Huang family in Shanghai and came to the United States with them to continue her work caring for the children, the release states. However, after the move, Lili Huang, a member of the family, allegedly began treating the nanny cruelly.



According to the release, the nanny was allegedly given almost nothing to eat, causing her weight to drop from 120 lbs. to 88 lbs. in just four months. She was allegedly sometimes forced to cook, clean and care for the children for up to 18 hours per day and not permitted to leave the house. Authorities calculate her alleged pay at about $1.80 an hour, but she said she did not receive any of it, the release states.



 Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.



The Washington Post reports that according to authorities, on July 10, the nanny was allegedly forced to crawl around the house "like a dog" after being beaten so severely she couldn't rise from her hands and knees.



The Post also reports that police said they found a bag of human hair hidden under the nanny's mattress. The nanny allegedly told police that she hid of bag of hairs Huang had ripped from her head so Huang wouldnat find it "and force her to eat it," the paper reports.



When the nanny told her employer she wanted to return to China, Huang allegedly took her passport and told her she was "not going anywhere," the Post reports.



The nanny fled the house shortly after Huang allegedly threatened to kill her with a knife for accidentally spilling food on the counter on July 13, the Post reports.



Lili Huang is being charged with five felony counts, including labor trafficking, false imprisonment and assault, according to the release.



"Human labor trafficking is a crime that no one can believe exists in their community," County Attorney Pete Orput said in the release. "However, it is here, it is being committed by some of our citizens, and it amounts to nothing less than slavery in the 21st century."



Calls to Huang's attorney, Daniel S. Le, were not immediately returned, but Le told CBS Minnesota that Huang is innocent.



He said his client "categorically denies the false allegations levied by a family friend and will be vindicated through our system of justice."



Information on Huang's plea and next court date were not immediately available.
china protester nationalist south china sea

For years the Chinese government has used its grip over the media to tell its people that the South China Sea historically and rightfully belongs to it and that the US is behind a plot to undermine that.

So earlier this month, when an international tribunal in The Hague determined that China had unequivocally been violating the sovereignty of neighboring nations with its self-proclaimed nine-dash line in the South China Sea, Chinese people were outraged. They were conditioned for it.

And in their condition, they have started exercising their anger on the American things they can touch: American brands.

Smashing iPhones has become one of the more popular ways for people to display their disgust.

And then there's this video of a guy getting attacked on the train for wearing Nikes. Shanghaiist posted the video, saying:

"During the altercation, the attacker also accused the Nike-shoed man of being a spy and selling out the Chinese people to foreign interests. A bystander carrying a Nike bag was quick to get out of the way.

"Curiously, nobody on the subway attempted to stop the fight and mediate the situation."

Over at The New York Times, the word is that KFC has also become a major target for anti-American protests:

"The first sign of the KFC campaign was a banner unfurled on Sunday outside an outlet in the northern province of Hebei. 'Boycott the US, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines. Love the Chinese people,' the banner read. 'What you eat is KFC. What is lost is the face of our ancestors."

#china KFC in northern China targeted by protesters shouting anti-US slogans https://t.co/7d3iTalZLF pic.twitter.com/Kn6HeNlpnK  China Business Watch (@ChinaBizWatch) July 18, 2016

The Chinese government has been as defiant as its people.

Story continues

"Chinese President Xi Jinping said China will not accept any proposition or action based on the decision Tuesday by the South China Sea arbitrary tribunal," the state media outlet Xinhua News reported after the ruling.

"Xi said the South China Sea Islands have been China's territory since ancient times. China's territorial sovereignty and maritime interests in South China Sea, in any circumstances, will not be affected by the award."

Uncle Softee

The Chinese government has called for order through its state-controlled media, but it hasn't denounced the protesters' sentiments by any means.

"Any action that promotes national development can rightfully be called patriotic," People's Daily expressed in an op-ed article. "But so-called patriotism that willfully sacrifices public order will only bring damage to the nation and society."

Still, People's Daily said:

"In the farce of the South China Sea arbitration, we take a tit-for-tat approach, but still hold the moral high ground. We have passion and rationality in equal measure. The government and society voice the same staunch position, based on reason and evidence. Together, this provides a foundation on which China can build a new type of patriotism."

This kind of language is important because it attacks something intangible that the US has been working on in China since the 1970s: soft power.

US products and brands are the physical manifestation of Western ideas exported to distant places. Chinese President Xi Jinping has throughout his presidency been hard at work discrediting Western ideas and replacing them with this "new kind of patriotism" that People's Daily was talking about.

This goes for education and scholarship at all levels, where Western ideas are getting pushed out.

"Think tanks should stick to Marxist ideology, follow the CPC's leadership, and provide intellectual support to help rejuvenate the nation," a report by Xinhua said back in January 2015.

In a memo called "Cybersovereignty Symbolizes National Sovereignty," the Chinese army, the People's Liberation Army, declared war on Western ideas on the internet (emphasis ours):

"Western hostile forces and a small number of 'ideological traitors' in our country use the network, and relying on computers, mobile phones, and other such information terminals, maliciously attack our Party, blacken the leaders who founded the New China, vilify our heroes, and arouse mistaken thinking trends of historical nihilism, with the ultimate goal of using 'universal values' to mislead us, using 'constitutional democracy' to throw us into turmoil, use 'color revolutions' to overthrow us, use negative public opinion and rumors to oppose us, and use 'de-partification and depoliticization of the military' to upset us."



So go ahead people  stay angry. Just try not to break anything too valuable.

NOW WATCH: The US Navy just flexed its muscles in the world's most contested region





More From Business Insider


Smashed iPhones

Chinese nationalists are smashing their iPhones "in protest of American companies," according to a report from USA Today on Wednesday.

To the right is a picture of those smashed iPhones.

It's a bit of a complicated story, but here's what you need to know: China recently lost a international tribunal ruling over the South China Sea, specifically whether territory belonged to China or the Philippines.

It's a matter of national pride. So angry Chinese people took to the streets to protest the United States, which is seen as the global power backing the Philippines in the dispute.

These protestors reached for the closest American symbols they could find  KFC restaurants and Apple iPhones.

Mashable has a great GIF of students purportedly smashing iPhones in a dorm.

People in China are smashing iPhones and mobbing KFC in 'patriotism'. https://t.co/5g5H7WXGuo pic.twitter.com/jch74unitk  Victoria Ho (@vickiho) July 19, 2016

The Financial Times has a reliable story the protest that has received the most media attention and documentation. Here is how FT described it:

The protest on Sunday by a few dozen people waving flags and banners in front of a KFC outlet in Laoting county, in Hebei province near the port city of Tianjin, attracted only a small crowd of onlookers, according to photos posted online and quickly deleted.

These protests don't appear to be a massive movement, according to video and social media from the events, and the FT report. (China seems to be censoring photos from the protests).

But even so, Chinese state-run media has encouraged the protestors to knock it off.

In sum, iPhones aren't being smashed in huge numbers in China. But it is interesting that Chinese citizens think of Apple as a symbol of America.

China is a key market for Apple, and it faces regulatory questions as the Chinese government has signaled it may be less friendly to the iPhone company to help boost homegrown smartphone companies.

Story continues

NOW WATCH: 'Pokemon Go' just released an update that fixes its most annoying problems





More From Business Insider


In June 2016, China was accepted as a formal member of the International Organization for Migration, a Geneva-based intergovernmental organization. Wang Yaohui, director at the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing-based think tank, said China should loosen its immigration policy and lower the bar for acquiring a Chinese permanent residency permit. China hopes to shoulder more international responsibilities, Wang said. That has to include accepting refugees.

Thats not likely to happen any time soon, and not just because Chinas government lacks a welcoming refugee policy. (According to state-run China Daily, by the end of November 2015, there were 154 recognized refugees and 641 refugees in China yet to be processed; by comparison, in the United States, 69,933 refugees were resettled in fiscal year 2015.) Its also because grassroots sentiment doesnt appear to favor it. In June, the UN Refugee Agency marked World Refugee Day by publishing its annual estimate of worldwide refugees, showing the highest overall totals in 20 years. On Weibo, Chinas Twitter-like social media platform, many mainstream accounts shared the news. Few grassroots users responded with empathy.

Many pointed out that China has long struggled with overpopulation and said should solve its own problems, including extreme income inequality, first. One Weibo user wrote, Many people in China cant even have a full meal. I know it sounds ruthless, but I really dont want refugees to come. Another wrote that poor Chinese in remote areas were the equivalent of internal refugees. Go deep into the mountains and look around. They also need help. Another user argued, We [didnt have] a one-child policy for so many years so we could save resources for foreigners. (That policy, in place since the 1970s, was recently lifted.) The comments, while harsh, are not baseless: According to the World Bank, as of 2011, even after years of fast economic development, China still had the worlds third-largest share of people below the global poverty line.

Story continues

Some commenters contrasted the refugee crisis with Chinas own situation during World War II, when years of fighting invading Japanese and intermittent civil war between the Chinese Communists and the Nationalists laid portions of the country to waste. One argued that since China, once poor and war-torn, kicked out the invaders and rebuilt our home without exporting any refugees, other countries should be able to do the same. (In fact, starting in 1945, as the mainland approached the end of its civil war, massive number of refugees fled to the then-British colony Hong Kong, and some through Hong Kong to Britain.)

Others were bitter that foreign aid from Western countries slowed to a trickle shortly after the founding of the (Communist) Peoples Republic in 1949, a result of both the Cold War and the new governments attempt to nationalize foreign entities. Those years we were very poor, but no one took us in, one user wrote. We relied on ourselves. Traditional Chinese values consider begging for help shameful; Chinas government reportedly rejected foreign aid from the United States and other countries during the great famine in early 1960s and again after a severe earthquake near the city of Tangshan in 1976.

Some of the most popular Weibo comments noted that China did not cause the refugee problem. Many suggested that refugees go to the United States instead of coming to China, because China should not be paying for the bad things the United States did. Some argued the United States would be an ideal destination: they have money, land, and democracy; it will be heaven for refugees.

Then theres the rising global tide of Islamophobia, from which Chinese society is not immune. In recent years, increasing tension between Uighurs, a largely Muslim ethnic minority in western China, and Han, the ethnic supermajority, has led to violent clashes, including a 2009 riot in the western region of Xinjiang in which more than 200 people died. One Weibo account dedicated to anti-Muslim posts has attracted more than 100,000 followers. A day after World Refugee Day, it criticized the UNs stand with refugees video as politically correct. In response, one user suggested that to solve the refugee problem, one should consider Islam a cult, correct it  or decrease the number of the followers of the religion. Weibo even has a hashtag called the green religion is anti human race; quit the religion to be safe. (Green religion is Chinese slang for Islam.)

To be sure, online opinion tends to be more extreme, and negative, than Chinese opinion at large. In survey results published May 19 by U.K.-based NGO Amnesty International, 46 percent of Chinese respondents said they would take refugees into their homes, and 94 percent said they would welcome refugees into China generally. Among the 27 nationalities surveyed, China ranked as the most welcoming. That may be because netizens tend to be young, while the Amnesty survey consulted only more educated people over age 18.

Even on Weibo, some of the less welcome comments faced rebuke. You have no right to criticize other peoples religion, one wrote. Please be open-minded. Some Weibo users were disappointed in how the online majority reacted to refugee issue. I looked through many comments above, and I feel cold, wrote another. The world needs more tolerance and understanding.

Its nonetheless true that while many Chinese embrace its newfound status as an international power, they are less keen to embrace Chinas international responsibilities. China is both rich and poor at the same time; while it became the worlds second-largest economy in 2009, in 2015 its per capita income still trailed the worldwide average. Perhaps as Chinese people get wealthier, they will also get more welcoming towards refugees.

AFP/Getty Images
Expansion to overseas markets arent risk-free.

Singapores healthcare stocks have outperformed the STI index for a couple of years now, but the stocks arent as impenetrable as one might think.

According to a report by KGI Fraser, among the risks faced by Singapore healthcare stocks include the appreciation of the SGD against regional currencies, notably the Indonesian Rupiah, may affect medical tourism.

Indonesian market makes up around ~60% of medical tourism revenues, KGI Fraser said.

Meanwhile, KGI Fraser added that delays in overseas expansion could also be a bane for healthcare stocks due to regulatory hurdles.

However, analysts are optimistic that the stocks would continue to outperform the general market, as the sector banks on long-term trends.

The healthcare sector is riding on structural changes in Singapores population age profile. Our aging population is expected to require more healthcare services. Furthermore, medical tourism is recovering as regional currencies stabilize and as income levels continue to rise, KGI Fraser noted.





More From Singapore Business Review


When Chris Christie took the stage at the Republican convention in Tampa in 2012, he was at the apex of his political career and on a promising path toward his 2016 presidential bid. We have never been victims of destiny, Christie said on his primetime speech in August 2012, remarks that served as a primer for his presidential ambitions. We have always been masters of our own.

But in the four years since, Christie has mostly been a victim of destiny. He has been brought low by a plot by his aids to cause a traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge as political retribution, and by a failed presidential bid that won him just a fraction of the vote in the New Hampshire primary. Christie has now pinned his hopes to a combustible businessman who last week denied him the vice presidential nomination.

So when Christie again delivered a primetime speech on Tuesday to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, he focused instead on his adopted, secondary role: Donald Trumps most aggressive attack dog.

We know exactly what four years of Hillary Clinton will bring: all the failures of the Obama years, but with less charm and more lies, Christie told the convention hall on Tuesday. It is our obligation to stop Hillary Clinton now and never let her within ten miles of the White House again.

We cannot reward incompetence and deceit, Christie continued. It is time to get together and make sure Donald Trump is the next president of the United States.

The governor of New Jersey is in an ambivalent position: He has the ear of the Republican nominee and is a powerful force in his campaign. He is a top choice for a cabinet post in the Trump administration and has a national profile. And yet, he has been publicly humiliated by Trump, who audibly told him in a rally to get on the plane and go home and mocked him for eating too many Oreos. His reputation has sunk in New Jersey, where he has an all-time low approval rating of 26%.

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His future is now tied to the man who defeated him in the New Hampshire primary and who faces difficult odds in a general election against Hillary Clinton. Christie has taken a supporting role as Trumps sidekick, and his speech at the convention hall on Tuesday seemed aimed directly at what has become his next prized goal: attorney general in a Trump administration.

Tonight, as a former federal prosecutor, I welcome the opportunity to hold her accountable for her performance and her character, Christie said. We must present those facts to you, a jury of her peers, both in this hall and in living rooms around our nation.

Christie recounted the attacks in Benghazi, Libya, and Clintons use of a private email server as Secretary of State. He listed what he called foreign policy failures, pointing to the detente with Cuba and faltered relations with Russia. He said Clinton lied to the American people and accused her of grossly underestimating Basher Assad. Christie accused her of endangering classified information and pointed to the verdict of FBI director James Comey, who called Clintons use of email careless.

And Christie repeatedly stirred the crowd of Republican delegates into a chant: Lock her up! Lock her up! When he asked the crowd over and over, whether Clinton was Guilty or not guilty, the crowd shouted back, Guilty!

Christies speech was a markedly different speech from the one Christie delivered to the Republican convention in August 2012, when he barely mentioned then-presumptive Republican nominee Mitt Romney and paved the way to a future presidential bid.

That year Christie called for a second American century that would be as great as the last one. He told personal stories about his fathers work in the Breyers Ice Cream plant and his Sicilian mothers influence, and said the United States needed to stand up once again for American greatness.

Among the members of the New Jersey Republican delegation to the convention, Christies stock remained high on Tuesday night. Delegates gave him credit for his handling of New Jerseys pension reform and his support of Trump. They praised him for giving New Jersey a national profile with the Republican Party; Christie was the chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

Hes speaking here and he was in line for the vice presidential nomination, one of the final three, said Richard Mola, another New Jersey delegate who is also the mayor Elmwood in Bergen County. Hes a very strong member of the Republican Party.

Christies own supporters from his delegation tacitly recognized their governors new role.

His main chore now is to get Donald Trump elected president of the United States. Thats his job right now, said Richard Miller, a third delegate from New Jersey. And thats what we want our governor to do.


CLEVELAND  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie used his speech at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday to make a detailed case against presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Lets do something fun tonight. As a former federal prosecutor, I welcome the opportunity to hold Hillary Rodham Clinton accountable for her performance and her character, Christie said.

Throughout his speech, the audience at the Quicken Loans Arena shouted, Lock her up! Christie, a former 2016 presidential candidate on Donald Trumps shortlist for vice president, often smiled and nodded as they chanted.

Christie began by taking the audience on a world tour as he itemized Clintons record as a former secretary of state. He started with Clintons advocacy for military intervention against the regime of Moammar Gadhafi in Libya.

Lets go to North Africa. She was the chief engineer of our disastrous overthrow of Gadhafi, Christie said. Libya today after Hillary Clintons grand strategy? Their economy is in ruins, theres death and violence in the streets, and ISIS is now dominating the country.

Christie then turned to the State Departments decision to designate the Nigerian militant Islamic organization Boko Haram as a terrorist group in 2013. The agency faced criticism for not applying the terrorist label to Boko Haram a year earlier. Some officials have conceded the designation could have come earlier, though there is a multistep process for applying these official labels.

In his Tuesday speech, Christie further claimed that Clinton fought to delay the designation for Boko Haram, which has been linked to al-Qaida. He also suggested that the delay in making the designation was one of the reasons why the group kidnapped a large group of Nigerian schoolgirls, many of whom have never been rescued.

What happened because of this reckless action by the candidate who is the self-proclaimed champion of women all around the world? These al-Qaida terrorists abducted hundreds of innocent young women two years ago, Christie said.

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He argued that the Obama administrations handling of the crises in Libya and Nigeria show how Clinton has her priorities mixed up.

See, she fights for the wrong people. She never fights for us. She doesnt get the real threats America faces, Christie said.

China was the next stop on Christies tour. He criticized Clinton for encouraging the Chinese government to buy U.S. Treasury bonds as the United States tried to finance the bank bailout and stimulus package after the 2008 financial crisis. Christie claimed that Clinton had promised to put up a fight against a provision in the stimulus package requiring the usage of American products on projects it financed, in exchange for China buying this debt. Though the Obama administration initially supported this Buy American provision, it subsequently backed down, bowing to pressure from foreign governments

So Hillary Clinton, putting big government spending financed by the Chinese ahead of good paying jobs for middle-class Americans: Is she guilty or not guilty? Christie asked.

Guilty! the audience roared after Christie leveled each charge.

Christie continued by accusing Clinton of defending President Bashar Assad of Syria, whose forces have killed over 100,000 civilians in Syria. He cited comments Clinton made in 2011 in which she said many of the members of Congress of both parties who have gone to Syria in recent months have said they believe hes a reformer. Though Christie claimed Clinton personally called Assad a reformer, her remarks in fact attributed that description to others.

Theres now 400,000 now dead. Think about that, Christie said before drawing out the figure for emphasis. Four. Hundred. Thousand. Dead. At the hands of the man Hillary defended.

Some organizations say over 400,000 people have died in the Syrian civil war since 2011. However, that figure also includes civilians and Syrian troops killed by other groups fighting against Assads government.

Christie went on to criticize Clinton for supporting and working on the U.S. nuclear deal with Iran. He called it the worst nuclear deal in history.

Its a deal that will lead to a nuclear Iran, an Israel that will be less safe and secure and a much more dangerous Middle East, said Christie.

Christie next turned to Russia, arguing that Clinton presented the government of President Vladimir Putin with a symbolic reset button in 2009, meant to signal a clean slate in relations between the two countries. The gesture is widely regarded as a failure, since the two countries have had an extensive series of disagreements in the ensuing years.

As a flawed evaluator of dictators and failed strategist who has permitted Russia back in as a major player in the Middle East, is Hillary Clinton guilty or not guilty? Christie asked.

Guilty! the audience shouted back.

Christie then brought up a controversy relevant to his home state. He attacked Clinton for supporting the normalization of U.S. relations in Cuba and noted that the deal did not include the repatriation of a fugitive convicted in the 1973 shooting death of a New Jersey state trooper.

She supported a deal that didnt even require this murderous regime to return a cop killer, Joanne Chesimard, to face justice, Christie said. Joanne Chesimard murdered a New Jersey state trooper in cold blood, fled to Cuba and lives there under Cuban protection to this very day.

Christie concluded his indictment of Clintons record by outlining the scandal over her usage of a private email server for official State Department business. Though the FBI did not recommend bringing charges against Clinton, the agencys director, James Comey, when he announced the decision earlier this month, rebuked her for being extremely careless with sensitive information.

Time time after time after time, the facts, and just the facts, lead you to the same verdict, both around the world and here at home, Christie said.

Christie summed up his case against Clinton by saying that the facts of her life and career disqualify her from being president.

Her focus-group-tested persona, with no genuineness to be found, is a sham meant to obscure all the facts and leave you able to vote for her, Christie said. We cannot promote someone to commander in chief who has made the world a more violent and dangerous place with every bad judgment she has made.

Christie concluded by urging voters to choose Trump in November.

We do not need to settle for less, Christie said. We cannot reward incompetence and deceit. We need to demand more than what Hillary Clinton offers for America.

_____

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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie devoted his speech to the Republican National Convention to a mock prosecution of Hillary Clinton, going through a list of attacks on the candidate and asking the crowd at the Quicken Loans Arena, Guilty or not guilty?

Guilty! the crowd shouted.

The convention already had a reality show tinge, and this was in line with a TV courtroom show.

Among other things, Christie blamed Clinton for the rise of ISIS, her use of a private email server, and the turbulence in the Middle East.

Syria  Imagine this. She called President Assad a reformer. She called Assad a different kind of leader. There is now 400,000 dead  at the hands of a man Hillary defended.

Guilty or not guilty? he then asked the crowd.

Guilty! they shouted.

The speech was in line with other convention speeches meant to elicit crowd response, but this was a bit harsher in tone. At several points he was interrupted by chants of Lock Her Up! Lock Her Up!

We know exactly what four years of Hillary Clinton will bring: all the failures of the Obama years, but with less charm and more lies, Christie said.

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In a tough indictment of Hillary Clinton, Chris Christie, Governor of New Jersey and the stateas former U.S. Attorney, addressed the Republican National Convention with warrior-like rhetoric Tuesday night.



While he said his longtime friend Donald Trump is "caring, generous and decent," he tore Clinton apart.



"I hold Hillary Clinton accountable for her performance and her character," Christie began his attacks, repudiating the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee on her performance as Secretary of State under President Obama.



Christie ticked through several "facts" of his case against Clinton, reciting them like a prosecutor would read an indictment to a jury and punctuating each charge with a call to the crowd: "What's your verdict? Guilty or not guilty?!"







The raucous audience shouted every time "Guilty!" and several times broke into hearty chants of "Lock her up! Lock her up!"





Chris Christie Whips GOP Convention Into Anti-Clinton Frenzy of Shouts: 'Guilty! Lock Her Up!'| 2016 Presidential Elections, Republican National Convention, Chris Christie, Donald Trump, Hillary Rodham Clinton

Among the charges Christie presented:



In North Africa, where Clinton was America's chief diplomat, Christie blasted Clinton as "chief engineer of disaster" in the overthrow of Muammar Khaddafi, former Prime Minister of Libya.



"She created a nest for ISIS," charged Christie. "Guilty or not guilty?"



In Nigeria and China, he blamed Clinton for America's problems, again asking the audience to answer his chant, "Guilty or not guilty?"



In Syria, Christie said Clinton called President al-Assad a reformer and blamed her for 400,000 deaths at "the hands of a man Hillary defended." And in Iran, he called Clinton a "cheerleader for the worst nuclear deal in history making the Middle East even more dangerous."



Giving his assessment of Clinton's work in Russia, Christie made veiled reference to her email controversy. "She went to the Kremlin and gave them a symbolic reset button," he yelled, then added:



"It should have said 'delete' because she is good at that."



Christie also told delegates that Clinton cared more about protecting her own secrets than America's secrets. "Then she lied about it," he said. "She put herself ahead of America."



Following his melody of chants, Christie, who was on Trumpas short list of vice presidential candidates before Indiana Governor Mike Pence was chosen, applauded his friend, telling delegates what they will get in a Trump presidency.



"Donald Trump is a man unafraid, a person who wants to lead us and who understands the frustrations and aspirations of the American people," says Christie.



"He rewards people based on their performance."
Speaker Gharti Magar meets fasting Dr KC

House Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar met Dr Govinda KC on the 11th day of his hunger strike on Wednesday.
Director Paul Feig has said that cutting the Ghostbusters dance sequence starring Chris Hemsworth was the biggest decision of my life, but a source on the film tells THR that it was an expensive one, too - the scene cost in the low seven figures and took up two full days of shooting, not including rehearsal time.



Mixed audience reactions during test screenings of the scene, in which Hemsworths possessed receptionist leads NYPD officers and camouflage-clad soldiers in a choreographed dance number to The Bee Gees You Should Be Dancing, led filmmakers to move it into the closing credits. It now plays after several deleted scenes including one featuring Sigourney Weaver.

Sony and Village Roadshow surely would like to have that chunk of change back as the film, with a net production budget of $144 million, will have a tough road to profitability after a $46 million debut. A Sony rep denied the amount quoted by the source, saying You should check your source, the cost is absolutely wrong, completely overinflated.

Feigs rep didnt respond to a request for comment.

A version of this story first appeared in the Aug. 5 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.

Read More: Box-Office Analysis: Why the Ghostbusters Reboot May Haunt Sony
From ELLE

This article originally appeared in the August 2016 issue of ELLE.

Chris Pine is basically the thinking woman's action hero. He's got Sinatra-blue eyes and he-man biceps-but his nightstand is piled high with recommendations from his mom's book club (yes, A Little Life made him cry, too). And he's the rare A-list star comfortable enough in his masculinity to take a backseat to a woman, or, more specifically, Wonder Woman. (He plays Gal Gadot's boyfriend in 2017's most anticipated superhero flick.) So where did this modern god come from? Pine, 35, grew up in Los Angeles, where acting was the family business. His father, Robert Pine, was the sergeant on CHiPs; his grandmother and mom were actresses, too (until the latter gave it up to become a therapist). But Pine's the first to go supernova. He joins Ben Foster in this month's Hell or High Water-about two down-and-out Texas brothers who resort to robbing banks-but first he's back as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek threequel, Star Trek Beyond, which finds him, Spock, and the gang facing off against Idris Elba. Engage!

Did your agents advise you against taking the boyfriend role in Wonder Woman? You're Captain Kirk!

Chris Pine: It's a fun thing for journalists to say that it's the boyfriend role. I'm happy to give a laugh. But it's a really complex story. Steve Trevor-he's a little bit jaded, a little bit charming, and madly in love with this woman. I'm certainly not the lead of the film and I don't have a problem with that. Although I have to say, there were certain times we were on the beach doing this big fight sequence, and I didn't have much to do, and I remember going up to Patty [Jenkins, the director] and saying, "Shouldn't I be hitting someone-or at least getting hit-instead of just running and hiding behind boulders?" [Laughs] The male ego is strong and definitely still present.

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You're not being paid more than Gal Gadot, are you?

I don't know. I wouldn't even begin to start that conversation right now.

You cried during John Legend and Common's performance of "Glory" at last year's Oscars. Then your cry face became an Internet meme. Did friends make fun of you?

No, no. I think I said friends gave me shit on a talk show just to have something to talk about.

You mean talk-show anecdotes aren't real?

God, come on. The amount of shit you have to come up with to pass the time

What made you cry that night?

What spoke to me about the song was the idea of obstacles of any kind. And how much we strive to overcome them, whatever our struggles are-be it racial segregation or bullying or hardshipIt's just the human spirit. It's hope.

What's your struggle?

There are plenty. Life is a beautiful thing. But you're always striving to be better in your art, striving to be heard. And obviously in this business, it's striving to be noticed and appreciated. I'm always surprised reading my old journals. There's this idea that life is hard now, but then I'll reach that moment where it'll change. But there's no summit. It's a constant climb.

You lived in the same one-bedroom apartment for eight years-long after you became successful. Were you afraid it would all go away?

I loved my apartment. It was an old, beautiful, 1920s Spanish-style-original hardwood floors and tile, stuff that aesthetically turned me on. I had a coffee shop across the street. I had a great Italian restaurant next door. I was working a bunch. There's not too much time to think about anything else. But in the back of any actor's mind there's this gnawing insecurity-it's not going to last; it's not going to work out-and I definitely experienced that.

What was your first splurge on a woman?

I bought my mom a watch. But I love to splurge on travel. Especially being in London [shooting Wonder Woman], you can go anywhere. You can go to Morocco and have a great time. But most recently, I took this lady I was dating at the time over to Liberty-this great department store in central London-and told her to pick out something, and we had a great day.

So you're single now?

Next question.

You've often talked about how unattractive you were in high school. Since then, you've dated several models. Are you making up for lost time?

At the time, I was in love with these girls and that's how it works. But I think the desire to be with someone beautifulI just had such a different experience growing up. To be in a position where you're lauded for things that you don't own-and don't think of yourself as-it's so bizarre. It feels great to not be the acne-ridden outsider that I felt like when I was in high school. It's a lot more fun being alive now than it was then, I'll say that much.

William Shatner-the original Captain Kirk-once told me he lost his virginity at age 12. How old were you?

I was in college. It was my first year. The experience was completely out of the blue. We finished the deed, and she was kind of terrified.

Why?

She was terrified that she'd taken someone's virginity! Then she said, "If you need to call me and talk about this, I'll be around. You're welcome to come by tomorrow if you're feeling uncomfortable." She was very sweet about it.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As protests outside the convention hall here grew increasingly violent, Republican delegates made official what had become inevitable -- nominating New York businessman Donald Trump for president in a raucous roll call vote punctuated by chants of USA! USA! and Trump! Trump! Trump!

Trumps name was placed in nomination by Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, an early supporter of Trump who echoed many convention speakers messages about a United States in decline before suggesting -- as the nominee has -- that Trump is the only one who can fix it.

Related: Melania Trumps Speech -- Another Campaign Crisis, Another Glib Denial

It is not given to us to know the future, Sessions said. I certainly dont. But I came to believe some months ago that Donald Trump is the singular leader that can get this country back on track.

With the crowd primed to erupt, he officially placed Trumps name in nomination, and after a few more brief speeches from Republican officials, a roll call vote of the states began, with the New York delegation, led by Trumps son, Donald Trump Jr., providing the votes that officially placed Trump over the top.

The band played New York, New York for several minutes before the roll call recommenced, but the result was no longer in doubt: The GOP had officially declared Trump its candidate for president in the upcoming November election.

However, just as the process of getting to the roll call was a messy one, the roll call itself was not without its uncomfortable moments.

Related: How Much Will the Republican National Convention Cost?

When the call came for Utah, the home of anti-Trump Sen. Mike Lee, to cast its votes, it was announced that the states 40 delegates were bound to Trump. However, when Utahs representative came to the microphone, he said, We cast all 40 of our delegates to the gentleman who won out state, Sen. Ted Cruz.

Cruz, from Texas, withdrew from the race in the spring, but multiple other states that had cast at least some delegates for Cruz were allowed to cast votes for him. But after the delegates made their statement, the secretary reiterated that all 40 of the states votes would go to Trump.

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When Sessions placed Trumps name in nomination, the seats belonging to the Virginia delegation were largely empty, and when the time came for the state to announce that it was throwing a plurality -- but far from a majority -- of its votes to Trump, it sent delegate Subba R. Kolla, the first Indian American to serve as a Virginia delegate to the national convention, to the microphone. However, Kollas accent was so heavy that it was extremely difficult for attendees to understand what he was saying.

Related: Americans Want a Washington Makeover, but Is Trump the One to Do It?

In the end, the result was a Trump nomination -- something that will largely define the Republican Party in all likelihood for a lot longer than the four years between now and the next presidential election.

As the states were finalizing the selection of Trump, an Ohio State Highway Patrol officer stood guard at one of the many doors to the Quicken Loan arena, listening to radio reports of what was going on out in the streets.

Protesters are moving up 9th Street, he said to a reporter. Theyve got injuries...They sent in the riot squad.

Related: Outside the RNC Convention on Tuesday

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Where do we go from here? Thats what many Americans wonder, as they watch race relations spiral downward and cops across the country come under siege. How can we bring the nation together again? How can we make everyone safe?

On Monday, Hillary Clinton laid out her plan to mend the racial divide, asserting that there is clear evidence that African Americans are disproportionately killed in police incidents compared to any other group. Speaking to the NAACP in Cincinnati, Hillary said she wants the federal government to ride herd on local law enforcement, to create clear national guidelines on the use of force, especially lethal force and set up independent investigations of fatal encounters. So much for community policing.

Related: NAACP Head: We Know What to Do About Police Shootings

Its hard to know whether Clinton is still atoning for her husband signing the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act or for having called black youngsters super-predators. There is no confusion about what she wanted, however. After her pitch on confronting racial bias in policing, she alerted the NAACP crowd to her recruiters in the hall, looking to hire paid organizers to help round up votes.

In a speech in Baltimore last year, Clinton decried the inequities that persist in our justice system and proposed beefing up the Justice Departments unit that monitors civil rights violations. She also advised limiting the transfer of military equipment to local law enforcement. She also wants double funding for the DOJ Collaborative Reform program and to support legislation to end racial profiling by cops.

Thats her plan  imposing more federal oversight on local law enforcement. More feds probing every violent cop-related encounter, monitoring what kind of weapons they are allowed to carry, whether or not they have followed federal guidelines on use of force or engaged in racial profiling. How do we think cops on the beat will respond to having Big Brother along in the patrol car?

Story continues

Related: Clinton's Conundrum: Caught Between Protesters and Police

Cops rarely resort to violence unnecessarily, despite the narrative perpetuated in recent months by black activists and their supporters. When attacked by a man matching the description of someone suspected of robbing a convenience store, police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. In the heat of the moment, Wilson defended himself.

The Justice Department cleared Wilson of wrongdoing. They found evidence at the scene that exonerated the cop, and that showed differing versions  those that sparked the Black Lives Matter movement by claiming Brown had his hands up in surrender -- untrue. The witnesses, according to a DOJ investigation  the Obama DOJ -- were not credible. One witness recanted her story that Wilson had shot Brown in the back when the latter was lying in the street and admitted she was afraid to contradict the false story that others were spreading, according to The New York Times. Nonetheless, the mythology of Ferguson lives on.

Already, some say that cops on the beat are looking over their shoulders. Homicide rates are up sharply so far this year in more than 20 cities, including Chicago and Dallas. In a speech at the University of Chicago Law School last year, FBI Chief James Comey said, I do have a strong sense that some part of the explanation {for rising crime rates} is a chill wind blowing through American law enforcement over the last year. And that wind is surely changing behavior. In response to the higher murder rates reported in May, Comey reiterated his belief that a viral video effect had caused cops to be wary about confronting suspects.

Related: How Obamas Support of Black Lives Matter Deepens the Racial Divide

Comey was quoted in an article in The Atlantic in which the drop in crime over the past 20 years was described as largely unexplained. For people living in large cities like New York, there is no mystery at all. Aggressive policing and the use of stop & frisk cut down on rampant crime, and made the streets safe again.

Indeed, such tactics continue to prove effective. Just this week the New York Post reported on a cop in Brooklyn who, as they describe it pays house calls. NYPD Deputy Inspector William Taylor, in charge of the 60th precinct, actually goes to the homes of the top repeat-offenders in his district  people he dubs the Dirty 30. He tells them whatever happened in the past isnt going to happen anymore. Were not going to tolerate it. Crime in the precinct is down in all major categories this year. Robberies are off 52 percent and shootings 43 percent. Thats good policing.

If Hillary were president, would Taylor be hauled in for a review by the DOJ? Would his in-your-face police style be considered profiling? Or an abridgement of civil rights? Maybe, and the neighborhoods under his supervision would suffer as a result.

Related: Obama Says More Must Be Done to Address U.S. Police Shootings

Police forces around the country are most likely as wary as the individual cops who work for them. The DOJ opened an investigation into the Chicago police force last December, looking for evidence of bad practice in use of force and whether its accountability systems comply with constitutional standards. The investigation includes interrogation of police officials and local authorities, community members, public defenders and prosecutors and is being conducted by lawyers and staff of the Civil Rights division.

The feds will engage in ride-alongs, to observe cops at work, and review documents and specific incidents. Is it unkind to imagine that the lawyers and staff of the Civil Rights division may have an agenda?

This is not to suggest that police departments should not be held accountable by the federal authorities, or that such investigations are not worthwhile. A 150-page Collaborative Reform Initiative report assessing the use of deadly force in the Philadelphia Police Department lays out strict guidelines for, among other things, using firearms to destroy injured deer (unless they are presenting a threat to a police officer). If the deers injuries appear fatal, the police are advised to call in a SWAT team which can resolve the encounter with one shot between the eyes and is then required to fill out a preformatted memorandum. Seriously.

Hillarys website describes her approach to criminal justice reform as intended to strengthen bonds of trust between communities and police. It is hard to imagine anything less likely.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Cold War-Era Czech Pig Scooter Cezeta Reborn

A uniquely styled scooter manufactured in then-Czechoslovakia during the height of the Cold War has been reborn in electric form.

Cezeta scooters were only manufactured from 1957 to 1964 but gained a small cult following thanks in part to their distinct look, which came as a result of placing the gas tank at the front of the vehicle, over the front tire.

Many fans referred to them as pigs because of their looks, whereas others joked that the location of the tank turned the scooter into a kind of land-based torpedo.

The original Cezeta was driven by a 175cc two-stroke single, but the newly resurrected Cezeta 506 will get its go from a three-phase brushless electric motor. The revival comes at the hands of Briton Neil Eamonn Smith, who first spotted a Cezeta while attending a wedding in the Czech Republic.

Cezeta 506

I was instantly in love, said Smith. It was a fantastic thing and I bought one.

Which led to buying more and more, and more. After a number of restorations, Smith adopted the technique of replacing the scooters old engines with electric motors  an idea that ultimately led to his desire to resurrect the brand.

Smith says the new Cezeta 506 will have a range of roughly 150 kilometers (93 miles) and will be capable of hitting a top speed of 110 km/h (68.3 mph). He says his company plans to manufacture 1,000 scooters this year.
San Diego Comic-Con 2016, the mecca of all things nerd, is finally here, officially kicking off Thursday at the San Diego Convention Center and running through Sunday. And whether you're a casual fan or just finishing the fringe work on your Kylo Ren cosplay cloak, the four-day event schedule can be a bit overwhelming.



So in an effort to simplify things, we're highlighting the top 5 must-watch events from this year's convention, and breaking down what you can expect to learn, who you can expect to see and what surprises might be in store for this year's festivities.





1. Warner Bros. and DC Comics





Comic-Con 2016: Top 5 Must-See Events from Superheroes to Star Trek| San Diego Comic-Con, Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Movie News





After taking a backseat to the excitement at Marvel over the past several years, Warner Bros. and DC Comics are back in the hot seat with a host of highly anticipated new projects to show off.







With Suicide Squad's premiere date just weeks away, fans are practically foaming at the mouth for any last-minute tidbits. But which bad guy  or caped crusader  will be in attendance remains to be seen.



Fans are also expecting a sneak preview of the Wonder Woman stand-alone film starring Gal Gadot, who reintroduced the character in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice earlier this year.



Early looks at The Lego Batman Movie, the Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and next year's Kong: Skull Island are also sure to draw a crowd, with the latter's former Marvel star and current Taylor Swift boyfriend, Tom Hiddleston, confirmed to make an appearance.



If that wasn't enough excitement, Guy Ritchie will introduce his planned six-part film series, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, starring Charlie Hunnan.





2. Marvel and Disney





Comic-Con 2016: Top 5 Must-See Events from Superheroes to Star Trek| San Diego Comic-Con, Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Movie News





Comic-Con is the place for all things Marvel Cinematic Universe, and this year is no different. With appearances from Chris Pratt and director James Gunn already on the books, it's safe to say we can expect plenty of hype for Guardians of the Galaxy 2.



Plus, with a full schedule of upcoming projects already on the calendar, Marvel is sure to have plenty of surprises up its sleeve. A new look at the Benedict CumberbatchDr. Strange film would certainly be welcome.



As for Disney, fans can expect lots of excitement surrounding the upcoming tale of Pacific-island princess Moana. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who voices Moana's mentor/demigod, will unfortunately not be making an appearance, but the artists behind the film's stunning animation will be holding a panel.





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3. DreamWorks





Comic-Con 2016: Top 5 Must-See Events from Superheroes to Star Trek| San Diego Comic-Con, Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Movie News





After serenading the Cannes Film Festival crowd earlier this year, Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick are teaming up again up to promote their new film Trolls. Based on the frizzy-haired dolls from the '80s, the DreamsWorks Animation film is hoping to transform the iconic collectibles into major box-office dollars. Expect Timberlake and Kendrick to bust out a few tunes from the upcoming musical.



Also on the slate is the controversial Oliver Stone political thriller Snowden. The director and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who stars as the whistleblower, are expected to make an appearance, along with much of the supporting class, which includes Shailene Woodley and Zachary Quinto.





4. TV at SDCC





Comic-Con 2016: Top 5 Must-See Events from Superheroes to Star Trek| San Diego Comic-Con, Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Movie News





Don't be distracted by all the flashy movie news, there's still plenty of must-see TV to look forward to this year.



The cast and creators of last year's hottest new show, USA's Mr. Robot, will be on hand for a panel, and AMC hits The Walking Dead and its spin-off Fear the Walking Dead will also be represented in force.



HBO is sure to bring the hype for Comic-Con favorite Game of Thrones, which is rapidly approaching its final season. And the highly anticipated new Starz show American Gods will finally be previewed.





5. Star Trek's 50th Anniversary





Comic-Con 2016: Top 5 Must-See Events from Superheroes to Star Trek| San Diego Comic-Con, Comic Books/Graphic Novels, Movie News





The show that brought sci-fi to the mainstream is turning 50, and what better place to celebrate than Comic-Con?



William Shatner, the original Captain Kirk, will join a host of Star Trek alums for a special panel to honor the show's past and get fans ready for its future. Bryan Fuller, who is executive producing the upcoming 2017 Star Trek TV series, is set to host the panel.




Photo: Warner Bros.

Comic-Con International officially takes over San Diego on Thursday, July 21, but the geek masses are already assembling in the SoCal metropolis for the official preview, when badge holders can get an early taste of whats in store on the show floor. And Yahoo Movies will be among them; keep tabs on all our SDCC coverage via the Yahoo Movies homepage, as well as our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook channels. Before we enter San Diegos mammoth convention center, heres a look at the 10 things were most excited to learn about at this years Comic-Con.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (Photo: Vikram Gounassegarin/TF1 Films)

10. The Besson Element

Its been nearly two decades since French multihyphenate Luc Besson scratched his space opera itch in the 1997 cult favorite The Fifth Element. Based on advance images, his latest film, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, will be even more gonzo and out there than the idea of a blond Bruce Willis piloting a flying taxi. Adapted from a 60s Gallic comic series, the film stars Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne as interstellar adventurers from the 28th century who journey to a teeming space metropolis thats being threatened with extinction. Heres hoping the footage delivers all the candy-colored, gravity defying crazy that we wanted (and missed) from the leaden Jupiter Ascending. (Panel: Thursday, July 21, 1 p.m. PT)

Photo: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images



9. Joss Whedons Next Move

Since parting ways with Marvel after last summers successful but divisive Avengers: Age of Ultron, its been an open question of which project geek god Joss Whedon plans to pursue next. A Serenity revival, perhaps? Another low-fi Shakespeare adaptation? Or maybe, just maybe, something (gasp!) original? Lets face it: You cant direct the third-highest-grossing film of all time and just fade away quietly. Whedon may be holding his cards close to his vest, but the big stage at Comic-Con is the perfect opportunity to lay them on the table. (Panel: Friday, July 22, 3:45 p.m. PT)

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Related: Comic-Con 2016: Your Guide to the Movie Screenings, Panels and Events

Zachary Quinto, Sofia Boutella, and Karl Urban in Star Trek: Beyond. (Photo: Paramount)

8. Keep on Trekkin

With Star Trek turning the big 5-0 this year, Gene Roddenberrys enduring Wagon Train to the stars franchise is going to be all over San Diego, with multiple panels, a preview of the new Trek TV series, and the premiere of the latest entry in the film franchise, Star Trek Beyond, on Wednesday night. Like all Trekkies, were excited to celebrate the seriess expansive history (especially anything Deep Space Nine-related), but were even more psyched to see what the plans are for the next 50 years.

Aulii Cravalho voices the title character in Moana. (Photo: Disney)



7. The Rock Gets Animated

Dwayne Johnson has already proven hes got the chops for action (the Fast and the Furious series) and comedy (Central Intelligence). Now hes determined to be the peoples champ in the cartoon realm as well, anchoring Disneys new animated feature, Moana. And by the way, the Mouse House has been on a winning streak that rivals that of their new leading man. The combination of Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, and Zootopia shows just how far the company has come since the bad old days of Treasure Planet and Home on the Range. (Panel: Thursday, July 21, 12:30 p.m. PT)

Watch the Fantastic Beasts trailer:

6. Beasts of the South London Wild

Nine years after closing the book on the Potterverse  and five years since the last film  J.K. Rowling is bringing the magic back with the prequel series, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The Boy Who Lived wont be part of this new cycle of adventures (at least, not yet), but were eager to make the acquaintance of a new batch of wizards, Muggles, and monsters. If nothing else, Fantastic Beasts will expand the Potterverse cosplay line significantly.

Related: What Was Popular at Comic-Con 10 Years Ago?

Watch the Rogue One cast introduce their characters:

5. Going Rogue



Star Wars: The Force Awakens stole the spotlight at last years Comic-Con, but with the official fan event celebration having just wrapped up in London this week, the franchise isnt bringing the full  um, force of its marketing power to San Diego. That said, its hard to imagine that Disney wont seize the opportunity to tease Rogue One: A Star Wars Story to this captive audience, the vast majority of whom did not travel across the pond. At least show us some new action figures!

Photo: Gabriel Olsen/Getty Images

4. Avatar at Last?

King of the World, aka James Cameron, is ostensibly coming to Comic-Con to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Aliens. But a small piece of us hopes that he might use this opportunity to offer up some substantive details about his burgeoning Avatar franchise. And not just how many movies the series will wind up encompassing. Were hoping for some real intel on storylines, characters, and maybe even test footage. (Panel: Saturday, July 23, 3:15 p.m. PT)

3. Justice League vs. the Avengers

Zack Snyder premiered the first-ever footage from Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice at SDCCs 2014 edition to wild enthusiasm. Were expecting Warner Bros. to try to recapture that magic by putting together a reel for Justice League, Snyders sequel to/apology for BvS. Footage from the film definitely exists because, last month, the studio invited a squad of movie bloggers to visit the JL set, where they saw several scenes being shot. And if DC is going to have the League in the house, look for Marvel to counter with its own super-group, the Avengers. While Infinity War has yet to go before cameras, we can only imagine what big idea the House of Ideas will have to stoke the flame of the eternal Marvel vs. DC war.

Related: 9 Costumes That Will Rule This Years Comic-Con

Photo: Marvel Studios

2. We Are Groot

Heres what a deep bench of heroes Marvel has: The Avengers isnt even the team were most looking forward to seeing! Our spider senses are tingling at the thought of the Guardians of the Galaxy reassembled on the Hall H stage for director James Gunns follow-up to one of the studios very best movies. Were also looking forward to Civil War scene-stealer Tom Holland making his official Comic-Con debut as Spider-Man (well like him even more than we already do if he brings along early footage of Spider-Man: Homecoming) and Benedict Cumberbatch shedding more light on the strange ways of Doctor Strange. (Panel: Saturday, July 23, 5:30 p.m. PT)

Watch the Suicide Squad trailer:

1. Squad Goals

Suicide Squad has all the makings of a titanic summer smash, from great trailers to a character thats already taken on a life of her own. SDCC is the place where Warner Bros. will seek to seal the deal on our off-the-charts anticipation for the next DC Universe feature. If they really want to tear the roof off the place, how about they screen a full half-hour for the assembled masses during the Warner Bros. panel  and follow that up with a surprise screening of the whole thing that same night? (We can dream) (Panel: Saturday, July 23, 11:30 a.m. PT)

Stay turned to Yahoo Movies for all our Comic-Con coverage.
Speaker Gharti Magar steps up political parleys; meets Deuba, Dahal

Speaker Onsari Gharti Magar has stepped up political parleys to forge consensus among parties at a time when the main opposition Nepali Congress and former coalition partner CPN (Maoist Centre) are at loggerheads with the ruling CPN-UML.
We expect coal and natural gas producer CONSOL Energy CNX to beat expectations when it reports second quarter 2016 results on Jul 26 before the market opens.



Why a Likely Positive Surprise?



Our proven model shows that CONSOL Energy is likely to beat earnings because it has the right combination of two key ingredients. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is the case here as you will see below.



Positive Zacks ESP: Earnings ESP is at +22.73%. This is a meaningful and leading indicator of a likely positive earnings surprise for the shares.



Zacks #2 Rank: The combination of CONSOLs Zacks Rank #2 and +22.73% ESP makes us confident of an earnings beat this season.



The Sell-rated stocks (#4 and #5) should never be considered going into an earnings announcement.

CONSOL ENERGY Price and EPS Surprise

CONSOL ENERGY Price and EPS Surprise | CONSOL ENERGY Quote



What is Driving the Better Than Expected Earnings?



CONSOL Energys increasing focus on natural gas operation and cost savings will be the driving force behind its performance in the second quarter. Its E&P Division is well positioned to grow production in the second quarter by 15% year over year. The company will also continue to generate free cash flow.



During the quarter, the company further lowered its coal assets by signing an agreement to sell its Buchanan Mine in southwestern Virginia, and certain other metallurgical coal reserves to Coronado IV LLC for $420 million. This improvement in liquidity will help the company to lower its debt levels.



Stocks to Consider



At present, other than CONSOL Energy, we have found none related to the coal industry worth considering on the basis of our model, which shows that it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.



Here are a few companies from the Energy Sector poised for an earnings beat.



Anadarko Petroleum Corporation APC has an earnings ESP of +1.33% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. It is expected to report earnings on Jul 26, 2016.



Murphy Oil Corporation MUR has an earnings ESP of +13.51% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. It is expected to report earnings on Jul 27, 2016.



ConocoPhillips COP has an earnings ESP of +5.45% and carries a Zacks Rank #2. It is expected to report earnings on Jul 28, 2016.



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To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
From Cosmopolitan

Back in 2012, a woman named Victoria fell in love with a Twitter account. In a classic tale of romance, she was swept off her feet by some tweets from a local bookstore in London.

And for a while, the actual person running the account would send her some replies and they conversed.

But after a while, the Twitter flirtation just wasn't good enough anymore, and Victoria wanted to meet the mystery guy behind the bookstore account IRL. "One day Victoria came into the shop with doughnuts, I ate them (giving away a very cavalier attitude to food from strangers)," Jonathan O'Brien, the mystery tweeter, told Mashable. "It was easily the best first date I've ever been on (and hopefully the last first date I'll ever go on). I brought a book of The Wizard of Oz as a present because Victoria had mentioned to me how much she loves the film," Jonathan said.

From there, the rest is history. After that first doughnut date, and four years of dating, the two were recently married. And, of course, Victoria documented the big day on Twitter.

If you want to recreate this exact wedding situation for yourself, it seems the current social media manager of the Waterstones bookstore account is currently ~available~.

All wedding photos by Luna Photography.

Follow Hannah on Twitter.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler Vans units and Ferrari NV are among a small group of automakers selling some new vehicles with faulty Takata airbags that will be subject to recalls by the end of 2018, a U.S. Senate report said on Wednesday.

The vehicles are legal to sell since the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has said they will not become potentially unsafe until exposed to high humidity for an extended period. Safety advocates and some in Congress have criticized the sale of vehicles that will be recalled.

Senator Bill Nelson, a Florida Democrat, said the vehicles include the 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and 2016-2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe/Convertible and numerous 2016 and 2017 Ferrari models including the FF, California T, 488 GTB/488 Spider, F12/F12tdf and GTC4 Lusso.

Nelson said the report underscores "the failure of certain automakers and regulators to level with people about the true extent of the problem and to have the cars fixed before theyre sold."

Mercedes Benz USA spokeswoman Donna Boland said the company has told regulators that its "dealers will be informing prospective buyers of the pending recall on these models at the time of purchase in the very near future."

Ferrari spokeswoman Krista Florin said the Italian automaker also plans to notify customers of the future recalls.Seven out of 17 automakers Nelson contacted have admitted to equipping some new vehicles with defective Takata airbags, including Toyota Motor Corp , Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCHA.MI) and Volkswagen AG (VOWG_p.DE). All agreed to notify buyers of the planned recalls.

Tesla Motors Inc (TSLA.O) is the only automaker that has not provided a written response, Nelson said. Tesla did not respond to a request for comment on Wednesday from Reuters. NHTSA said in May Tesla would be required to recall vehicles for Takata inflators.

Takata inflators can explode with excessive force and spray metal shrapnel. They are suspected in at least 13 deaths worldwide and more than 100 injuries.

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In May, Takata agreed to declare as defective, by 2018, another 35 million to 40 million U.S. inflators that lack drying agents in frontal airbags after 14 automakers previously recalled more than 24 million U.S. vehicles. Worldwide nearly 100 million inflators have been declared defective.

NHTSA said there have been no ruptures in vehicles built since 2008. According to NHTSA, the vehicles do not become vulnerable to exploding airbags without long-term exposure to high humidity. In the short-term, the agency says, they are safe to drive and much safer than older models.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Meredith Mazzilli)
From Esquire

CLEVELAND, OHIO-There are no available intellectual metrics to measure what was thrown across the stage in Cleveland Monday night.

I'm not talking about Scott Baio or whatever Duck Dynasty guy that was. I'm not talking about Marcus Luttrell, or the meretricious Benghazi video, or the two 13 Hours guys, whose account of the attack went on slightly longer than does the Iliad. Or even the rapturous ovation that greeted David Clarke, the gun-nutty Democratic sheriff from Milwaukee. ("I'd like to make something very clear. Blue Lives Matter in America!") Or even the loud applause that greeted his invocation of the acquittal of another one of the Baltimore police officers charged in the death of Freddie Gray. That's the kind of thing that happens at every convention, at certain times louder than at others.

(For comic relief, there was Wisconsin's fun couple, Congressman Sean Duffy and his wife, Rachel, who pointed out that their grandparents had come to America to escape the socialist hellholes ofMexico and Ireland. No, I don't know, either.)

No, what I'm talking about is the shameless exploitation of weaponized grief, presented on behalf of a man whose entire public life has been devoid of any evidence of empathy, except when it could be worked to his personal advantage. And that is what happened on Monday night, on Make America Safe Again Night at the Republican National Convention. The testimony from the podium was heartbreaking. The use to which that testimony was put was positively indecent.

Widows. Gold Star mothers. Poignant stories of love and loss, the emotional truth of them unarguable. But coined into tribute to someone who wouldn't have given any of them a second look if he'd tripped over them before this year. Their grief and lost loved ones are simply grist for his ambition. They were the contestants in his greatest performance piece of all. It was a profoundly depressing spectacle.

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I am fully aware that all of them signed up for this. Nobody dragooned them into giving speeches to this audience. Nobody fooled them into being part of this. Nobody can say they were used. But that didn't make the spectacle any more edifying or the purpose any more uplifting. If you didn't feel for these people, you have no heart. If you thought it had anything to do with any issue facing the next president, you have no brain.

This all came to me as Rudy Giuliani bellowed like a man in search of a balcony, or a man in search of a Thorazine the size of a manhole cover. This was the real stuff, the strong medicine that this crowd had gathered to hear. His national ambitions snuffed out in gales of laughter back in the day, Giuliani did everything Monday night except guarantee that the trains would run on time.

"There's no next election. This is it. There's no time left for us to revive our great country!"

And I beheld a pale horse's ass and the name that sat upon him was Death, and hell followed after him.

That's what they wanted to hear. The Gold Star mothers were the sweeteners, and they deserved so much better than that.

The case in point-Pat Smith, the mother of Sean Smith, a State Department employee who was one of the four people killed in the attack on the consulate in Benghazi. "I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son. That's personally," she said. She accused HRC of lying to her about the circumstances of her son's death.

"For all of this loss, for all of this grief, for all of the cynicism the tragedy in Benghazi has wrought upon America, I blame Hillary Clinton. I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son. That's personally. She lied and then she accused me of being a liar."

Someone out in the crowd shouted, "Hillary For Prison!"

"Hillary for prison, that's right," said Pat Smith. "She should be wearing stripes."

At this point, I couldn't even muster the energy to get angry at the fact that, from the podium of a national convention, the opposing candidate was accused of being half a murderer. There was so much talk about dark betrayals coming from the stage all night that what Smith said got completely lost.

Later, I learned something else. That, during Pat Smith's speech, Trump called into Fox News and forced them to cut away. I learned this just about at the time that He, Trump and Melania were taking their final bows. I got angry then.

Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page.
GettyImages 577705644

CLEVELAND  A GOP delegate made a dire prediction for vulnerable Republican senators up for reelection this fall  including the one from her home state, after Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania decided to skip the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this week.

"Here's what I think Donald Trump is going to do," Lee Snover, a pro-Trump delegate from the Keystone State, told Business Insider, noting that she is working to get Toomey reelected. "The last night of the convention, when the doors close and the lights go out, Republicans who aren't on board  he's going to run against them as hard as he does the Democrats."

"He's going to run against the establishment in both parties," she continued. "So that's a caution from me to all the Republicans not on board. I think he's going to put both groups in the same basket as establishment. He's going to run against those the same as the Democrats."

Toomey is locked in a tough reelection bout with Democratic nominee Katie McGinty. The Pennsylvania Republican, who has not endorsed Trump, is campaigning throughout the state instead of attending the Manhattan billionaire's coronation.

"He intends no disrespect to anyone, and wishes the party a good convention, but he will be on an aggressive travel schedule all across Pennsylvania during that time," his campaign said in a statement.

Snover told Business Insider at a breakfast for the Pennsylvania delegation in Cleveland that "a lot of people" were discussing Toomey's absence.

"It is kind of odd," she said. "It's funny, there's a going joke in our area that he must have done a poll and he doesn't need his base."

Although she said that many are "a little disgruntled with him," her fellow Pennsylvania Republicans still believe that they need him in the Senate.

"Because we need a Republican majority, so let's go get him elected," she said. "But I think Trump's going to put anyone not with him together as establishment."

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Others felt that Toomey had a legitimate reason to bail on the Cleveland convention.

Rep. Keith Rothfus of Pennsylvania said that Toomey's "using his time wisely," while state delegate Mary Ann Meloy, who's attending her seventh convention since 1968, said that he "needs to stick to" campaigning in the state.

"He comes to our state committee meetings, he comes to county dinners," she said. "Everyone in this room has met Sen. Toomey and expressed whatever they've wanted to say to him."

NOW WATCH: IAN BREMMER: This is what I am most looking forward to seeing at the Republican National Convention





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The Kathmandu Post Career EduFair kicks off on Friday

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CLEVELAND  Republican delegates officially nominated Donald Trump as their party standard-bearer Tuesday night. But the nights speeches, grouped under the economic theme Make America Work Again, were focused squarely on Hillary Clinton.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie led the assault, presenting a mock trial of Clinton during his address in one of the most spirited moments of the night. Christie turned the delegates into the jury and asked them to judge her guilty or not guilty on various charges of his devising, including supporting the overthrow of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi. Each time, the delegates shouted guilty!

Though Christie said he was presenting the case against her performance and her character, the delegates began yelling for Clinton to be literally thrown in jail. They drowned out Christie by chanting Lock her up! Christie nodded as the delegates yelled.

This wasnt the only time Clinton has been accused of crimes at the RNC. On Monday night, the mother of a State Department official who was killed in the Benghazi terror attack in 2012 said she held Clinton personally responsible for her sons death as many delegates wiped tears away from their eyes.

The FBI and Justice Department recently announced they did not find any criminal wrongdoing in Clintons use of private email servers while she was secretary of state, and a lengthy House Republican investigation into how the State Department handled the Benghazi terror attack turned up no clear evidence of professional misconduct. But speakers and delegates insist Clinton is guilty of something, and a theme that she is above the law permeates the convention. (Vendors outside the arena sell Hillary for Prison buttons.) She needs her comeuppance, said Wisconsin delegate Barb Finger, who believes Clinton mishandled the aftermath of the Benghazi attack. I dont know if you could indict her criminally, but its something she should be punished for.

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RELATED: Trumps children give ringing endorsement of their dad

Other speakers railed on Clinton as untrustworthy  hitting on a theme that dogged the former secretary of state during the Democratic primary.

Not since Baghdad Bob has there been a public figure with such a tortured relationship with the truth, said Sen. Mitch McConnell, who barely mentioned Trump in his speech.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin introduced himself to the crowd as the man who got under Clintons skin in the House hearings on Benghazi. If we cant trust her to tell the truth, how can we possibly trust her to lead America? Johnson asked.

Delegates yell, Guilty! as they participate during New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies speech on the second day of the Republican National Convention. (Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

National Rifle Association official Chris Cox argued that voting for Clinton would mean voting for the end of the Second Amendment. (The Clinton campaign called Coxs claim false, saying she wants common sense gun safety measures consistent with the Second Amendment, such as universal background checks.)

Perhaps the most extreme Clinton slam of the night came from former presidential candidate Ben Carson, who warned that the nation should be one nation under God, not one nation under Lucifer. He implied that Clinton felt an allegiance to the devil because she wrote her senior thesis on community organizer Saul Alinsky. Are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model someone who acknowledges Lucifer? Carson asked.

One of the few speakers who did not raise the specter of a Clinton presidency was Trump himself, who addressed the crowd in a video from Trump Tower in New York. (Hes taking the unusual tack of addressing the convention every night, instead of just the final night.) This is a movement, but we have to go all the way, he said on the convention Jumbotron.

_____

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On the ground at the RNC Convention  A photo report >>>

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By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Sensitive health information about almost the entire population of Denmark ended up in the wrong hands when a letter by mistake was sent to a Chinese visa office in Copenhagen, the Danish Data Protection Agency said on Wednesday. The incident happened when two unencrypted CDs containing the data was sent last year by the Serum Institute, a public enterprise under the Danish health ministry, in an envelope to the country's statistics office. However, the envelope ended up instead at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Copenhagen, a few hundred meters from the statistics office. The letter contained information on cancer, diabetes and psychiatric diagnoses as well as other data such as social security numbers, according to documents seen by Reuters. When a visa center employee delivered the letter to the intended address, it had been opened, the agency said in a statement. The "sensitive personal data" of about 5.3 million individuals living in Denmark between 2010 and 2012 was of "very comprehensive nature," the agency said. The visa center is, according to its website, operated by a wholly owned unit of state-controlled Bank of China. (Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen)
(Reuters) - Director, producer and writer Garry Marshall, who was responsible for creating sitcom hits such as "The Odd Couple" and "Happy Days" and directed hit movies Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries, died on Tuesday, Variety reported. He was 81. Marshall died at 5 p.m. local time (0000 GMT) in Burbank, California, from complications of pneumonia after a stroke, his representative Michelle Bega told USA Today. "The Odd Couple," a hit sitcom created and produced by Marshall, began a five-year run on ABC in 1970. The show, starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall, received Emmy nominations and wins for the comedy series based on Neil Simon's play about two divorced men with different lifestyles who are forced to share an apartment. Marshall's Happy Days debuted as a television series on ABC in 1974, starting a 10-year run that saw Henry Winklers "the Fonz" become what Variety described as a cultural touchstone. "Garry Marshall Rest In Peace. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity," Winkler said on Twitter. Marshall was the older brother of Penny Marshall, who played the unrefined but lovable Laverne DeFazio on "Laverne & Shirley," a "Happy Days" sequel he co-created that ran on the ABC network from 1976 to 1983. It followed the lives of two single women and their nutty friends in 1950s and '60s Milwaukee. He also directed Pretty Woman, a big screen blockbuster in 1990 starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere that grossed $463 million worldwide. Roberts earned an Oscar nomination for best actress and the film was nominated for a Golden Globe for best comedy/musical. The Princess Diaries, Beaches and The Flamingo Kid, were among other popular films Marshall had a hand in putting on the big screen. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; Editing by Paul Tait)
UPDATE with Red Granite statement: To Red Granites knowledge, none of the funding it received four years ago was in any way illegitimate and there is nothing in todays civil lawsuit claiming that Red Granite knew otherwise. Red Granite continues to cooperate fully with all inquiries and is confident that when the facts come out, it will be clear that Riza Aziz and Red Granite did nothing wrong. Red Granite does not expect the lawsuit  which is limited to future proceeds generated by a single film, and which was not filed against Red Granite or any of its employees  to impact its day to day operations, and the company continues to move forward with exciting new projects.

PREVIOUSLY, 9:33 AM: The U.S. offers no safe haven for those who illegally use public funds for private gains, said Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in this mornings D.C. press conference by the Department of Justice in alleging a vast scheme carried out by co-conspirators  which included The Wolf of Wall Street producer Red Granite and its co-founder Riza Aziz  to enrich themselves to the detriment of the Malaysian people. The investigation is ongoing and continuing into Red Granite and Aziz as well as Low Taek Jho  known as Jho Low and the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), officials said. You can read the filing in Los Angeles Central District Court here.

1MDB has been in existence since 2009, when Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak turned it into a state-run entity, ostensibly to help the economic well-being of Malaysia. Jho Low was one of its architects. The DOJ said the funds were stolen from 1MDB amount to the tune of more than $3 billion. Corrupt officials at 1MDB used this account as a personal bank account, they said. Deadline was the first to report the federal investigation into Red Granite back in February:

RELATED: Red Granite Swept Up In Federal Probe

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Staff of Red Granite on Sunset Blvd. were not in the offices this AM, but late today are now working there as word came that the government was in the process of seizing the companys assets. Neither Aziz nor Joey McFarland showed up as of 2 PM today.

This is a civil forfeiture action that allows the government to seize assets and that includes anything hereforewith from the Red Granite-produced film The Wolf of Wall Street which was funded through corrupt practices. Were seeking to restrain anything that Red Granite would receive on an ongoing basis  royalties or any fees coming in from any interest in that film. According to Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Criminal Division, Red Granite used 1MDB money to fund the Martin Scorsese directed, Leonardo DiCaprio-starring film.

The feds filed this AM outlining all the extravagant spending that involved Red Granite co-founders Riza Aziz and Christopher Joey McFarland, a former chief investment office of 1MDB and a Hollywood actor they said was a lead actor in Red Granites The Wolf of Wall Street (clearly DiCaprio). The spending and asset gathering of Jho Lo is one of the focuses of the crime; he allegedly laundered more than $400M of funds misappropriated from 1MDB. Jho Lo received a special thanks at the end of the film The Wolf of Wall Street.

Calling it a complex web of transactions that these co-conspirators used to launder billions of dollars that they stole from the people of Malaysia, said Leslie R. Caldwell, Assistant Attorney of the Criminal Division. That money was used to fund Red Granite Pictures, who allegedly used more than $100M of that money to finance the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street. Of course, neither 1MDB nor the Malaysian people saw a penny of profit from that film or from any of the other assets that were purchased from funds that were siphoned from 1MDB.

Because the assets were laundered money, the future rights to the film are subject to the forfeiture complain that was filed today in Los Angeles, said Caldwell.

Corrupt officials at 1MDB and their associates began a sophisticated scheme to enrich themselves through shell companies used to pay gambling debts in Las Vegas, rented luxury yachts, hired an interior decorator, and spent millions in real estate, spent $35 million on a private jet, said FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. The Malaysian people were defrauded on an enormous scale.

IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Richard Weber announced the seizure of assets during the conference. He said his L.A. fields offices got involved in October 2015 specifically focusing on Riza Aziz and Red Granite Pictures. Approximately $238 million was wired to Red Granite Capital in Singapore, an entity controlled by Aziz  wire transfers totaling approximately $64 million were sent from the Red Granite Capital account to the City National Bank in the U.S. maintained by Red Granite Pictures, a production company also owned by Aziz. This money was then used to fund Red Granite operations, including the production of the film The Wolf of Wall Street. Additionally, the misappropriation of funds was used to acquire nearly $100 million in real estate in the U.S. and the United Kingdom and elsewhere for the benefit of Aziz.

Included in that list is a Beverly Hills Mansion currently under construction, a Park Laurel condo in New York City, and a townhouse in the U.K.

U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker of the Central District of California said that a bond arranged by Goldman Sachs international was then alleged to be used by 1MDB to misappropriate funds. Only days after the initial bond sale, approximately $1.26 billion was diverted for the benefit of individuals associated with 1MDB. Approximately $137M of the pilfered money was used to purchase works of art, including a $35M work by Claude Monet  but these works of art were not put in museums in Malaysia for the benefit of the population. Rather they were obtained to further enhance the luxury and lavish lifestyles of those stealing money from 1MBD. Decker also noted that that money was also traced to the purchase of an interest in the Park Lane Hotel in New York. We seek to forfeit approximately a quarter of a billion dollars invested in that luxury hotel. An additional $106M of laundered money was used to purchase an interest in EMI Music Publishing by Jho Low was also allegedly misappropriated.

Since the conspirators purchased the interest in EMI, it was they and not the citizens of Malaysia who earn money every time those songs were performed publicly, recorded or downloaded. In seeking to seize these forfeited items, the Department of Justice is sending a message: That we will not allow the United States to become a playground for the corrupt. That we will not allow it to become a platform for money laundering or a place to hide and invest in stolen riches, she said.

The Justice Department filed a 136-page civil complaint this AM (read it here) charging Red Granite Pictures with participating in an international conspiracy to launder money tied to 1MDB.

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Feds File "Kleptocracy Enforcement Action" To Seize Assets Of 'Wolf Of Wall Street' Producer Red Granite

'Wolf Of Wall Street' Producer Red Granite Now Cooperating In Federal Probe Into Funding
From Esquire

CLEVELAND, OHIO-On Monday night, the Republican Party staged a compelling revival of the classic Rod Serling script, The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street. Of course, this became lost in the festival of Melania Obscura that broke out over many platforms. By one in the morning, everyone had forgotten the relevance of Rod Serling's closing narration from 1960 to the events of the first night of the 2016 Republican National Convention.

"The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices-to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can killand suspicion can destroy-and a thoughtless frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own-for the children-and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is-that these things cannot be confined-to the Twilight Zone."

I'll say.

(Also lost to history is the dramatic disrespect shown to my new friend, United States Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, whose putative primetime speech was pushed into the Kimmelsphere because they had to wedge in Antonio Sabato, Jr. and the Duck Dynasty spalpeen. I am only joking a little bit here. Ernst is a rising star in the party; on election night in 2014, Luke Russert, late of MSNBC, called her the "crown jewel" of the new Republican Senate majority. And she winds up speaking to the custodial staff because a parade of D-listers had to pass by first. I am offended by the sheer inept politics of this.)

So, after a night like that, there was nothing else to do but spend Tuesday morning noshing on bagels with the Dark Lord of this curious Sith, Roger Stone. In the luxurious rumpus room that it sponsors at every convention, Tiger Beat On The Potomac hosted Stone as part of its breakfast speakers series. Mike (Payola) Allen was our host, and a fine host he was, too. (Perhaps he has been overtaken by the spirit of local hero Alan Freed, whose attitude toward airplay was generally similar to Allen's attitude toward political journalism.) For his part, Stone was jocular, jovial, and resplendent in a summer suit and white shoes, tipped in black. It was like watching a well-dressed cobra at rest.

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It was like watching a well-dressed cobra at rest.

Right now, Stone is plugging a book which is something of a Malleus Maleficarum of every charge that ever has been made against Bill and Hillary Clinton regarding Bill's alleged sexual history. His co-author on this masterpiece, a guy named Robert Morrow, is a nasty bit of work who long ago bought a luxury condo on the grounds of the Mena Airport, and we have encountered him here in the shebeen before. This will become important later. On Monday afternoon, he held a rally down by the big lake-co-hosted by space alien celebrity Alex Jones-at which he once again explained that the late Vince Foster had committed suicide in the White House and that Mob Boss Hillary Clinton had called in Winston Wolf to move the body to Fort Marcy Park.

"They don't tell us about Vince Foster," Stone said at one point-after shedding his jacket and tossing it aside. "There was carpet fiber all over his body. They rolled him up in a carpet."

As I said, over breakfast, Stone was quite the raconteur, going into detail about his long friendship with He, Trump, including trying to get him to run for president as long ago as 1988, which, I confess, had slipped my mind. But there were the occasional glimpses of the reptile beneath the spiffy, tailored human suit, usually in asides that Stone dropped smoothly into the conversation and which seemed to lodge in the wall about eight feet over Mike Allen's head. For example, when the subject of Melania Trump's troubles came up, Stone began by explaining, quite reasonably, that it probably was the product of "sloppy staff work." But then, he went on and, oh, the places he went.

"Do we know who wrote the speech? I concluded it was Bill Ayers. I mean, Barack Obama didn't write his own book."

It is an article of faith on the far frontiers of the anti-Obama fringe that Ayers ghosted Dreams of My Father, the president's first book and one that went very far toward defining him to the large majority of non-paranoid Americans. (The next stop on the crazy train are the people who think the president's real father was Frank Marshall Davis or, perhaps, Malcolm X.) Give him this-Roger Stone is the most elegant maitre d' the American political sewer ever has had.

Which is not to say he's always wrong about everything. He was politely scathing about certain obvious aspects of the Trump's campaign disorganization. "Campaigns are not democracies," he said. "Campaigns are dictatorships and the campaign manager's authority has to flow from the candidate himself. If your mind is somewhere else, if you're thinking about the job you'll have in the White House, if you're already measuring for the curtains in your office, you are doing a disservice to your candidate."

For another, Stone thinks the Trump campaign's blacklisting of reporters is counterproductive. "Even Richard Nixon never banned a reporter," Stone said. "I don't believe in it. I think it was an error and now that the campaign is under different leadership, I hope to see that tactic abandoned.

"I mean, I don't think you ban a reporter. You can argue with reporters. You can argue with them after a story is printed when you think it's in error or needs a retraction. But banning reporters is absolutely not something I believe in."

Reasonableness, of course, only goes so far. An intrepid reporter from Media Matters rose and asked Stone about the fact that his co-author, Morrow, has been quite open about his personal belief that Trump once raped his wife.

"Where are you from again?" Stone said.

"Media Matters," repeated the questioners.

"I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions from illegitimate news organizations," Stone replied.

Knowing his cue, and realizing that actual news was about to break out, Mike Allen leaped into the breach. "What," he asked Stone, "is Donald Trump's path to the White House?"

Roger Stone knows what that path is. It's a path through the dark and tangled forest of fear and anger. He is the finest guide anyone who ever walked that path has had. He's Natty Goddamn Bumppo in there. It's the path the entire convention walked on Monday night. It is Roger Stone who is the alien on the hill, manipulating the panicked humans down on Maple Street into destroying themselves.

Listening to him answer the polite questions from Mike Allen, you came to a fundamental realization about human nature: If you accept that everyone is capable of almost anything, life becomes more brutal-but a helluva lot less complicated.

Click here to respond to this post on the official Esquire Politics Facebook page.
Donald Trump Jr. used multiple sentences in a convention speech Tuesday night that were similar to phrases published in an article in The American Conservative in May.

But the author of the article says nothing was stolen from his work. Thats because he was an author of the convention speech.

I was a principal speechwriter for the speech, F. H. Buckley, a law professor at George Mason University, wrote to TIME. So its not an issue.

The phrases, first reported by The Daily Show, were written by Buckley in a May 2, 2016 article entitled Trump vs. the New Class. The article criticized Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, as a new liberal. The similarities between the articles passages and Trump Jr.s speech came after Melania Trump was accused of plagiarizing Michelle Obama in a Monday night speech at the convention.

In his speech, Trumps eldest son, said:

Our schools used to be an elevator to the middle class. Now theyre stalled on the ground floor. Theyre like Soviet-era department stores that are run for the benefit of the clerks and not the customers.

In his May article, F.H. Buckley wrote:
Its official. Real estate mogul-turned-reality TV star Donald Trump is the Republican Partys nominee for president of the United States.

In his capacity as a delegate from New York, Donald Trump Jr. got to put Dads delegate count over the 1,237 needed to become the nominee. Thank you to my family  and all of our supporters from the great state of New York, Donald Jr. said during the roll call, adopting Dads speech pattern. Even in places that arent so conservative, weve had such support, you wont believe it.

Ive had the incredible honor of not only being part of the ride thats been this election process but to watch as a small fly on the wall what my father has done as part of the movement, he said, surrounded by his many siblings. It is my honor to [put] Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count with 89 delegates. Congratulations, Dad! We love you!

Speaking with CNNs Dana Bash right afterward, Trump Jr. said: I watched him work so hard and speak to so many real people who are feeling left out. Its a real movement. Its not a campaign; it never was.

In order to make this a family affair, New York had passed when its at-bat occurred in the alphabetically ordered state-by-state roll call. House Speaker Paul Ryan had warned at the outset of the roll call that New York would be allowed to go out of order, without elaborating.

RelatedTrump Campaign Manager Paul Manafort Blames Hillary Clinton For Melania Trump Cribbing Controversy

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UML for larger deal among major parties

The larger political deal would mean understandings on budget endorsement before the House votes on the no-trust motion, post-quake reconstruction, implementation of the pacts signed with India and China and constitution implementation, say the leaders.
Theres nothing presumptive about it anymore; Donald Trump on Tuesday officially became the Republican partys nominee for President of the United States.

PHOTOSRepublican National Convention 2016: Melania Trump Offers Her First-Lady Vision, The Donald Co-Opts Queen

The announcement was made live by Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, who added that it was his distinct honor and great pleasure to nominate the former Celebrity Apprentice host.

We have gotten off course, and the American people know it, Sessions said. Our political system is not working.  But this time, its different. One man, Donald Trump, was not intimidated. He would not be silenced. He spoke the truth. He gave a voice to the peoples concerns. The American voters heard this message, and they rewarded his courage and leadership with a huge victory in our primaries.

VIDEOSScott Baio Defends Hillary C-Word Meme Tweet: I Just Put It Up There

The 2016 RNC kicked off Monday, immediately generating headlines with controversial (for a number of reasons) speeches from sitcom vet Scott Baio, soap star Antonio Sabato, Jr., and the Donalds wife Melania Trump.

Your thoughts on the RNC thus far? Hit PLAY on the video above, then drop em in a comment below.

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A Donald Trump advisor said Hillary Clinton should be put in a firing line and shot for treason.

Al Baldasaro, a New Hampshire state representative and an advisor to Trump on veterans issues, made the comments on the Jeff Kuhner Show on Tuesday.

Im a veteran that went to Desert Shield, Desert Storm. Im also a father who sent a son to war, to Iraq, as a Marine Corps helicopter avionics technician. Hillary Clinton to me is the Jane Fonda of the Vietnam, Baldasaro said. She is a disgrace for the lies that she told those mothers about their children that got killed over there in Benghazi. She dropped the ball on over 400 emails requesting back up security. Somethings wrong there.

This whole thing disgusts me, Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason, he added.

Baldasaro is a Trump delegate to the Republican National Convention and appeared with Trump at press conference where he defended Trumps donations to veterans groups in May.

Buzzfeed News reports that Baldasro stands by his comments.

[Buzzfeed]
tree forest study

Forests can slow the warming of our planet by absorbing around 25% of the emissions of carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas), but only if the forests are healthy. And, according to a new study published today in the journal Ecology Letters, North American forests might not be healthy enough to help in the near future.

When temperatures get too high and stay high year after year, whole forests in North America could be devastated, the researchers said. Heat or drought weakens trees, making them more susceptible to fire, disease, and insects, thereby preventing healthy growth, and diminishing their absorption rate of carbon dioxide.

There is a critical and potentially detrimental feedback loop going on here, Noah Charney, study author and researcher at the University of Arizona, said in a press release.

In fact, forests could actually turn into a source of CO2 in the atmosphere  maybe as soon as 2050  because the trees could die faster than they could absorb carbon dioxide. If they die, they would release trapped carbon, adding to the vicious cycle and helping accelerating climate change.

The newly published study combined widely-used climate projection models, tapped 1,457 sample sites across the continent, and utilized the North American historic tree-ring records from 1900 to 1950 to arrive at their results.

map

By 2075, trees in the north and southwest (including the Rocky Mountains, Canada, and Alaska) could grow as much as 75% slower than normal.

The study challenged previous research, which had suggested that trees in colder areas could grow larger with warming temperatures and absorb more CO2.

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The researchers say their work adds to the evidence that carbon emissions need to be monitored in order to have any impact on limiting the effects of a continually warming world.

NOW WATCH: Heres why the most popular map of the world is totally misleading





More From Business Insider


The iShares MSCI Italy Capped ETF (EWI) , which is already one of this years worst-performing developed markets single-country exchange traded funds, could be an ideal short-term trade for risk-tolerant, active traders as the charts indicate the largest Italy ETF could be primed to bounce higher.

Italys fragile banking sector, the largest sector allocation in EWI, is in focus as global market participants fret about Brexits impact on Italys banks. The Italian government has been under pressure to calm concerns over its ailing banking system, which underperformed in the European Central Banks 2014 financial stress test and is holding 360 billion, or $410.5 billion, in bad loans.

Related: Rome Extends Italy Banks, ETFs a Helping Hand

Italian officials recently revealed that JP Morgan Chase (JPM) will manage a bailout program that will help Italys sprawling banking system manage one of the largest bad debt loan burdens in the developed world.

Trending on ETF Trends

An Exceptional Preferred Stock ETF for Yield-Seeking Investors

Semiconductor ETF Looking Solid Amid Mixed Earnings

Some Traders are Nibbling at Bank ETFs

Regardless of Election Outcome, Defense ETFs can Keep Flying Higher

Emerging Markets ETFs Could be in for Lengthy Rallies

After the market crash in 2008, price action for EWI played through a series of three-wave moves with the net result taking the fund sideways within a converging range. Since the initial rebound in early 2009, the pattern almost certainly has been corrective, and the specific formation suggests a corrective triangle. If that interpretation plays out, then the pattern for the Italian ETF should present at least one more three-wave move upward before bears are able to take control again, according to See It Market.

Since the days of the Greek financial crisis, investors have frequently wondered which Eurozone shoe would be the next to drop. Italy has often been mentioned as that shoe and that sentiment has become widespread in recent months.

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Related: 10 ETFs Hit the Hardest in Brexit Fallout

Italian banks bad loan problem has become more pressing during years of economic stagnation. A highly fragmented and inefficient industry doesnt help  Italy has more than 600 banks, supporting 52 bank branches for every 100,000 adults. Germany has 14 bank branches per 100,000 adults, and the United States 38, according to CNN Money.

If the pattern truly is a triangle, then the limit for EWIs near-term decline is 9.21, corresponding to the funds 2012 low. Beneath that level, we would have to assign a different interpretation. Also, beneath that level the decline could accelerate due to stops being hit. On the other hand, there is an attractive Fibonacci support area just above that price floor, near 9.81. June saw that support tested, and we are watching for a possible bounce from there, adds See It Market.

Click here to read the full story on ETF Trends.

iShares MSCI Italy Capped ETF

ewi

The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.
(Corrects punctuation in fifth paragraph)

AMSTERDAM, July 20 (Reuters) - A Dutch court has ordered the confiscation of 123 million euros ($135 million) in assets from a Dutch-based company that prosecutors alleged was used by two telecoms companies to bribe Gulnara Karimova, the elder daughter of Uzbekistan's president, to secure local operating licences.

The Amsterdam court said in a ruling it had found that the company, Takilant, had received bribes from Vimpelcom and Telia AB to allow their Uzbek subsidiaries, Unitel and Ucell, to operate in the local mobile market.

The two judges also ruled that Takilant should pay a fine of 1.58 million euros and ordered the confiscation of its 6 percent stake in Ucell, the Uzbek subsidiary of Telia AB.

Earlier this month prosecutors said they had targeted Takilant, not Karimova personally, because she was outside the court's jurisdiction.

The Swiss, Swedish and U.S. authorities had already named Karimova as a suspect in their related bribery investigations in 2012. The Swiss and Swedish investigations are continuing, as is a Dutch investigation into Telia, which changed its name from TeliSonera earlier this year after announcing plans to eventually sell its various Eurasian businesses, including Ucell.

The whereabouts of Karimova, who until last year was her country's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, are not known. Also known to her countrymen as a jewelry designer and pop star, she has not spoken to the press for more than a year and could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

In February Vimpelcom agreed to pay $795 million to settle the U.S. and Dutch investigations into the bribery scheme.

Vimpelcom declined to comment on the Dutch court ruling against Takilant, while no one at Telia was immediately available for comment. ($1=0.9083 euros) (Reporting By Thomas Escritt; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
By Lesley Wroughton and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Dutch, German and Canadian foreign ministers on Wednesday expressed concern about the scale of the crackdown by Turkish authorities in the aftermath of the country's failed coup attempt and called on Turkey to respect the rule of law. "We have serious concerns about the situation in Turkey," Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders told a news conference in Washington. "We want to send a strong signal on the need to ... respect the rule of law." German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said his government viewed with concern reports of thousands of people arrested in Turkey and some prevented from leaving the country. "We are looking with concern at news ... that thousands of people have been dismissed and suspended, including soldiers and judges, and that university professors are now being prevented from leaving the country, and that broadcast stations are being closed, and having their licenses withdrawn," Steinmeier said. "We understand, of course, that there must be a political and judicial processing of this attempted coup, but it must occur in accordance with criteria established by the rule of law," he said. The foreign ministers spoke at a news conference on the sidelines of an Iraq donor conference. European leaders have also been united in their rejection of any plans by Turkey to reinstate the death penalty in response to the coup attempt, saying that such a move would be a deal-breaker for Turkey's bid to join the European Union. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was more cautious in his remarks, repeating that Washington supported the Turkish authorities efforts to put down the coup and condemned any effort to overthrow a democratically elected government. Asked whether the Turkish governments initial reaction to the coup was excessive, Kerry said: There is no way for us to know because we dont know what the evidence is. We are clear about our desire to see democracy sustained and flourish in Turkey, Kerry said, adding that at the same time the U.S. wanted to ensure that the response to the coup fully respected democratic principles. Kerry said Turkey had submitted material to the U.S. government on Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric whom Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accuses of orchestrating the coup and wants the U.S. government to extradite. Gulen, a former ally turned critic of Erdogan, has denied any role in the attempted coup and condemned it. They have apparently submitted something ... and we know that is on its way to us. I havent seen it yet, Kerry said, referring to material Turkey submitted electronically to the United States government on Gulen. He said he had emphasized to Turkey that it should not submit allegations against Gulen and instead should provide evidence of his apparent involvement in the attempted coup. We need to have evidence with which we can make a judgment," Kerry said. U.S. officials have said that the State Department and Justice Department were reviewing whether the material sent by Turkey amounted to an official extradition request. Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion echoed concerns voiced by his Dutch and German counterparts, and said his country had also received requests from Turkey before and after the coup about supporters of Gulen who were living in Canada. "We have asked for evidence because ... the Canadian justice system cannot press an issue on the basis of allegations," Dion said. Kerry and U.S. Defence Secretary Ash Carter, attending a separate meeting on the issue with defence ministers, said Turkish officials had assured them they remained committed to the fight against Islamic State. Nothing that happened over the weekend will interrupt their support for our collective counter-ISIL campaign, Carter told a news conference, using another acronym for the extremist group. (Reporting by Lesley Wroughton and Andrea Shalal; Additional reporting by Yeganah Torbati; Editing by Tom Brown and James Dalgleish)
UML plans to obstruct deliberation on no-confidence motion

The CPN-UML has decided to obstruct the presentation of no-confidence motion tabled at the parliament by main opposition Nepali Congress and former coalition partner CPN (Maoist Centre) if budget related bills are not put in priority- before the deliberation on no-confidence motion.
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Dutch police on Wednesday said they were investigating an assault after an anti-immigrant group said its members had detained an asylum seeker. Members of a new Dutch branch of the group 'Soldiers of Odin', set up in Finland in 2015, said in a post on Facebook they had detained an asylum seeker whom they accused of assaulting women in the northern Dutch town of Winschoten. The group had appealed to members to hunt for the man. The group denied using violence against the man, saying he was approached in the street and waited voluntarily for police to arrive. "They called on members to hunt an asylum seeker in posts on Facebook," said police spokesman Ernest Zinsmeyer. "The person in question had been assaulted, but it is unclear who did it. That's what we are investigating." One of the founders of the Finnish branch of Soldiers of Odin was convicted last month for aggravated assault. On its Dutch-language Facebook page, Soldiers of Odin said a branch had been opened in Groningen, a province in the northern Netherlands. The Soldiers of Odin, named after the king of the gods in Norse mythology, have triggered fears of a rise in vigilante movements in the Nordic countries as the numbers of immigrants rise. Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders, who is leading opinion polls ahead of March 15 elections but does not advocate violence, has called for the borders to be closed to Muslim immigrants. (Reporting By Anthony Deutsch; Editing by Janet Lawrence)
Dwayne The Rock Johnson, his co-founder Dany Garcia and Beau Flynn are developing a Muscle Beach series with USA Network, Variety has learned.

Muscle Beach  an hourlong scripted drama  is set in a legendary bodybuilding gym in 80s Venice Beach where a colorful tribe of lost souls struggle to reinvent themselves by bench-pressing their way to a bigger, better American dream, no matter what the cost. The series explores the body-obsessed fitness movement that took the nation by storm at the time of the supersized Reagan 80s, the excess of the era and the many temptations of Los Angeles that will expose the dark side of chasing dreams.

The script is penned by Jeremiah Friedman and Nick Palmer, who will also serve as exec producers. Johnson and Garcia will exec produce through their Seven Bucks Productions banner, and Flynn of FlynnPictureCo. Seven Bucks Hiram Garcia and Brian Gewirtz, plus FlynnPictureCos Wendy Jacobson will also produce.

The writers and producers are the same team that sold the sci-fi action comedy feature Alpha Squad 7, starring Johnson, to DreamWorks  now Amblin Partners  this year.

Alex Sepiol and Tiffany Hawthorne bought the script for USA Network. Universal Cable Productions Dawn Olmstead, Kate Fenske and Garrett Kimble will oversee the project for the studio.

The project is the second Muscle Beach-inspired TV project to be announced this week. Yesterday, Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a deal with CBS Television Studios to develop Pump, a series about his Venice Beach-based bodybuilding youth.

Instagram Photo

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CAIRO, July 20 (Reuters) - EgyptAir expects to receive in December the first of nine new Boeing 737-800s ordered as part of plans to upgrade its ageing fleet, its chairman Safwat Mosallem said on Wednesday.

The airline announced last week it had ordered nine Boeing 737-800 planes in a deal valued at $864 million at current list prices. Eight of the planes will be financed by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.

Mosallem told reporters that four Boeing 737-500 planes had now been retired after about 25 years of service.

"The airline is keen to develop its fleet by relying on the most modern aircraft," Mosallem said.

"The first of these aircraft will arrive next December to boost the company's fleet in the coming period as we expect a recovery in the tourism and airline sectors." (Writing by Lin Noueihed; editing by Adrian Croft)
Emil Meek has been pulled from his UFC debut due to a potential conflict with the UFC's Anti-Doping Policy. He had been slated to fight Jessin Ayari at UFC Fight Night 93 on Sept. 3 in Hamburg, Germany.

Meek has not failed a drug test or been flagged for a potential violation. The issue stems from Meek voluntarily disclosing medical treatment that he received prior to signing with the UFC and the possibility that it may not be in compliance with the company's anti-doping standards.

As part of the athlete onboarding process, Emil Meek voluntarily disclosed medical treatment he received prior to signing with UFC that is potentially out of compliance with UFCs Anti-Doping Policy. As a result, Meek will not compete in his previously scheduled bout on September 3, 2016, in Hamburg, Germany, in order to allow him time to consult with his physician and evaluate his medical treatment, read a UFC statement on Wednesday.

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Given Meeks medical treatment occurred before his signing with UFC, he is not subject to any potential anti-doping violations under the policy relating to that treatment. However, UFC is requiring Meek to be enrolled in USADAs registered testing pool for a period of four months before he is placed on a fight card in the future.

With the four-month testing period in front of him, Meeks said his debut has been pushed back to sometime around the end of the year, which should allow him time to make sure any medical treatment is in compliance with the anti-doping policy.

Due to medical reasons as stated in the UFC press release, my entrance to the UFC cage is postponed for later this year, Meeks wrote on Facebook.

I got signed up for the debut fight before my enrollment in the UFC was complete. Going from Venator to UFC involves a way stricter regiment as to what kind of medication Im allowed to use. We have decided it was not worth the risk. The result was pulling out of my upcoming fight in Hamburg. It changes nothing when it comes to my relationship with UFC, other than that my debut in the Octagon will be pushed to around December.

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Let me stress that I have not failed any drug test whatsoever! This is merely a preliminary precaution.

Having fought the majority of his career in and around his home country of Norway, Meek (8-2) is best known for his first-round knockout of former World Series of Fighting champion Rousimar Palhares at Venator FC 3 on May 21 in Italy.

(Photo courtesy of Emil Meek)

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PHOENIX (AP) -- Edwin Encarnacion had a good time in Chase Field again on Tuesday night.

The Toronto slugger hit a three-run home run to give Aaron Sanchez all the support he needed in the Blue Jays' 5-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Encarnacion has hit nine home runs in seven games in Arizona.

''I see the ball real well,'' he said through an interpreter. ''I feel comfortable in this ballpark. ... Maybe it's the hitter's eye. It's really big. It's a green wall over there. Maybe it's that, I don't know.''

The first time he came up against Arizona's Zack Godley he flied out on a curveball.

''I just missed it the first at-bat so I was looking for it in my second at-bat,'' Encarnacion said. ''I didn't miss it that time.''

Sanchez (10-1), pitching on nine days' rest other than an inning in the All-Star Game, allowed a run and scattered six hits in seven innings to improve to 9-0 in his last 15 starts. He struck out five with no walks and hit two batters.

''He threw the heck out of the ball,'' Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said, ''and we knew it going in. He is an All-Star. His sinker is as good as anybody's.''

Asked if it took some time for him to get back in the groove after so long off, he said, ''I felt like it took a little bit.''

''But it's still pitching,'' Sanchez said. ''This is something that I do. So for me it's just kind of going back to what got me there.''

With the seven innings, Sanchez is up to 125 1/3 for the season. He's never pitched more than 133 1/3 innings in a season.

He could be pulled from the rotation in the midst of a breakout season with his team in a pennant chase.

''If and when it happens we're not going to be real popular,'' manager John Gibbons said. ''But it hasn't happened yet.''

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Godley (2-1), called up from Triple-A Reno to make the start for Arizona, went five innings, giving up four runs, three earned, and six hits. He struck out seven and walked one.

With the victory in the opener of a two-game interleague series, the Blue Jays pulled within 1 1/2 games of first-place Baltimore in the AL East.

Josh Donaldson singled three times for Toronto, driving in a run and scoring another.

Godley retired the first two batters in the third before singles by Devon Travis and Donaldson. That brought up Encarnacion, who hit Godley's 2-1 pitch into the seats in left field and Toronto led 3-1.

Arizona had runners at second and third and one out in the third but Paul Goldschmidt grounded out to third and Jake Lamb flied out to center.

Travis singled again in the fifth and raced to third when Godley threw wildly to first on a pickoff try. Travis came home on Donaldson's single and the Blue Jays were up 4-1.

The Diamondbacks went ahead 1-0 in the first. Jean Segura led off with a single, stole second, took third on Michael Bourn's groundout and scored when Goldschmidt bounced out to second.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: OF Jose Bautista (turf toe) is to make his first rehab appearance for Class-A Dunedin on Wednesday. He is to play three games for Triple-A Buffalo over the weekend and, Gibbons said, if all goes well he will rejoin the Blue Jays on Monday.

Diamondbacks: OF David Peralta (lower back strain) was 1 for 6 with a double and RBI in his first two rehab games for Double-A Mobile. Hale said Peralta could rejoin the Diamondbacks next week. ... INF Chris Owings (plantar fasciitis in left foot) was 4 for 6 with a triple and two walks in two rehab games for Triple-A Reno.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays.: RHP Marcus Stroman (7-4, 4.89 ERA) takes the mound in a Wednesday afternoon game, the finale before the Jays head to Toronto for a nine-game homestand.

Diamondbacks: LHP Patrick Corbin (4-8, 5.28) tries to bounce back from a rough start against the Dodgers in the last home game before Arizona embarks on a 10-game trip.
Upiyanko Nibandha to continue staging

After winning rave reviews from audiences and critics alike, the play Upiyanko Nibandha is now slated to host several booked shows for schools and colleges in the Capital, before embarking on a nationwide tour.
MILAN (Reuters) - Italian oil and gas group Eni said on Wednesday it lost a gas price review arbitration against Holland's GasTerra and was notified of a provisional seizure by a Dutch court of a 1-billion euro stake in its Amsterdam based unit.

The original arbitration initiated by Eni aimed at a downward price revision of the long-term gas supply contracts with the Dutch group for the four years starting in 2012.

Although the arbitration panel did not determine a new price for the contracts, GasTerra claimed an additional amount to be paid by Eni and obtained the provisional seizure of a part of Eni International BV, the Italian group added.

Eni said it did not agree with the GasTerra interpretation and consequently its upcoming results for the first half of the year would not be impacted.

"GasTerra's request for payment is unfounded and (Eni) will take all necessary measures to protect its rights... and will seek further compensation for any damages it incurs," the Italian energy group said in a statement.

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti, editing by Francesca Landini)
Ankara (AFP) - Turkey faced fresh accusations it was flouting the rule of law with its purge of 50,000 people after an attempted coup, as the president gathered security chiefs Wednesday for the first time since the putsch.

Authorities have rounded up or sacked tens of thousands of police, judges, teachers and other civil servants from across the state bureaucracy in the aftermath of Friday's failed bid to seize power by disgruntled elements in the military.

But the purge has sparked an outpouring of global concern with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman saying: "nearly every day we are seeing new measures that flout the rule of law and that disregard the principle of proportionality."

The putsch left more than 300 dead and caused scenes of devastation, especially in Ankara where raids by fighter jets and attack helicopters turned parts of parliament and the police headquarters to rubble.

The president returned to the capital late Tuesday for the first time since the coup and chaired meetings of his national security council, composed of top military brass and security ministers, and the cabinet, at his presidential palace.

Erdogan was in the Aegean resort of Marmaris when the coup struck and then, narrowly escaping the rebel soldiers, flew to Istanbul where he had stayed since, appearing before crowds of flag-waving supporters each night in "vigils" for democracy.

He told supporters in Istanbul on Monday that "an important decision" would be announced after the security meeting, without specifying -- fuelling fears that the government may impose even tougher security measures.

- 'Flout the rule of law' -

About 9,300 people have been detained, including 118 generals and admirals accused of treason for allegedly masterminding the plot as well as soldiers, police and judges.

The number of state education ministry personnel suspended has risen by some 6,000 to nearly 22,000, according to reports Wednesday.

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Also, 21,000 people working in private education will have their licences removed and banned from teaching in the future. Even the sports ministry has dismissed 245 personnel.

Turkey's higher education council also banned academics from work trips abroad and urged those overseas to return home quickly.

The moves amplified international concern Erdogan was using the coup plot as a pretext to crack down on opponents, with Turkey's Western allies urging the authorities in the strategic NATO state to obey the rule of law.

Erdogan's suggestion that the death penalty could be reinstated has sent shockwaves through Europe, with the EU warning such a move would be the nail in the coffin of Turkey's already embattled bid to join the bloc.

Ankara says the coup was masterminded by US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen and the massive crackdown appears to be targeting individuals suspected of any connection to Erdogan's ally-turned-foe.

Turkey accuses Gulen of running a "terror group" and has stepped up pressure on Washington to extradite him, sending several "dossiers" it says are packed with evidence about his alleged involvement.

Gulen issued a statement Tuesday urging Washington to reject the extradition call and dismissed as "ridiculous" the claim he was behind the botched coup.

The 75-year-old reclusive cleric lives in Pennsylvania but retains vast interests in Turkey ranging from media to finance to schools and wields influence in various arms of the state, including the judiciary and police.

In their first telephone conversation since the attempted overthrow, President Barack Obama pledged US assistance to Erdogan for the investigation into the putsch, which has threatened to once again raise tensions between the uneasy NATO allies.

- Rubble and glass -

MPs have meanwhile carried on working in parliament, despite rubble and shards of glass still covering the floor after three air strikes on the night of the coup.

Ankara's police headquarters is in an even worse state, with the 10-storey building gutted by repeated air attacks and the air still thick with dust from the rubble.

"I do not know how long the rebuilding will take. But we have started," a senior police official told AFP at the scene.

The government says 312 people were killed in the coup, including 145 civilians, 60 police, three soldiers and 104 plotters.

Before the plot erupted, the government had been waging a relentless military campaign against Kurdish rebels in the southeast of the country and their rear bases in northern Iraq.

The Turkish air force launched its first strikes since the abortive putsch against targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, in a sign Erdogan has regained full control over the armed forces.

Fighter jets late Tuesday hit PKK targets in the Hakurk region, said the state-run Anadolu news agency, quoting security sources. It claimed 20 fighters were killed.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan could soon become the most powerful Turkish leader since Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded modern Turkey, and arguably the most powerful leader since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, Soner Cagaptay told me.

Cagaptay told me this on Sunday, just two days after roaring fighter jets, rolling tanks, and rebel helicopters had descended on Ankara, Istanbul, and the Turkish Riviera in an attempt to overthrow the Turkish presidenttwo days after the insurrectionists had forced a television newscaster to read their manifesto on air, while Erdogan was reduced to FaceTiming with a TV anchor from an undisclosed location, flickering in and out of view as the anchor received incoming calls. How, between Friday and Sunday, had the itty-bitty man on the iPhone screen morphed into the second coming of Ataturk? Why did FaceTime triumph over tanks? And what does that tell us about the nature of Erdogans power, and how he might wield it after squashing last weekends coup?

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Cagaptay, an expert on Turkey at the Washington Institute, has been warning for months of Turkeys coming crackup. In a 2015 article for The Atlantic, he noted that Erdogans policies and power grabs in recent years had produced a toxic mix of political polarization, widespread opposition from the minority Kurdish population, and blowback from the Syrian Civil War, including attacks by ISIS and Kurdish militants. It was up to Erdogan, he wrote, to tamp down tensions before they explode.

As the coup and its aftermath come into greater focus this weekwith Erdogans reinstated government rounding up tens of thousands of security forces, judges, teachers, politicians, and other officials, and demanding the U.S. extradite Fethullah Gulen, an exiled Turkish cleric in Pennsylvania, for allegedly plotting the putschI asked Cagaptay why the explosion he feared had played out the way it did, and what might come next for Turkey.

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The revolt against Erdogan failed in part because of basic math, said Cagaptay. Unlike past successful coups in the country, this one was not orchestrated by top military officials through the chain of command; instead, a faction of the security services, perhaps concentrated in branches like the Air Force and gendarmerie, appears to have been implicated. Erdogan retained control over much of the military and police force throughout the showdown. There were probably more pro-Erdogan people with weapons than pro-coup people with weapons in the end, Cagaptay noted. The rogue soldiers also squandered whatever public support they might have mustered by bombarding cities and firing on their own people.

But maybe more importantly, the coup failed because Erdogan won the information battle on two fronts. The putschists staged a 1980s-style coup, Cagaptay told me, proclaiming their takeover on the public broadcaster TRT, which isnt widely watched in Turkey these days. Erdogan goes on his smartphone, does a FaceTime interview, puts it on social media, millions saw it, Cagaptay said. It was a victory of digital over analog, in terms of communications styles. (Turkish cellphone-service providers reportedly ramped up call, text, and data packages during the tumult.)

Recommended: Why the Republican Convention Is So Mean

What proved pivotal was not just the medium, but the message: In the interview, in Facebook and Twitter posts, in a text message sent to every cell phone in the country, Erdogan called for his supporters to take to the streets in defense of his democratically elected government. And they did, en masse, in the wee hours of Saturday. That is the turning point of the coup, Cagaptay argued. Thats when the countercoup started to rise.

Around the same time, according to Cagaptay, Erdogan urged imams to mobilize people as well, likely through communications channels maintained by the governments religious-affairs directorate, which runs and funds Turkeys 80,000 mosques. Mosque loudspeakers began issuing the call to prayer at an ungodly hour. It would be the equivalent of church bells suddenly starting to toll all over the United States at 1:15 AM, and ringing for hours, Cagaptay said. Erdogan was asking his political base, which includes many Islamists, to flood the country. The Wall Street Journal reports that Mehmet Gormez, the head of the religious directorate, ordered thousands of imams to recite prayers known as sela, ordinarily reserved for funerals and special religious occasions. When issued at other times, the prayers act as a call to arms for the Islamic community. Within hours, people were clambering on top of tanks. The coup was a husk of its former self.

Erdogan likely owes his survival to a counteroffensive that marshaled military might, technology and religion, the Journal notes. It was the first time in Turkeys history that its citizens rose up to prevent a military coup.

The climate reminds me of Iran in 1979, with the mixing of religion and politics.

Critically, however, the evidence so far suggests that Erdogan wont be leveraging this popular supportwhich included backing from many of his secular, liberal opponents, who were aghast at the militarys subversion of Turkish democracyinto a campaign to bridge the countrys political divisions. He wont be scaling back his crackdown on the press, social media, and freedom of expression and assembly, even if he now largely owes his survival to those fixtures of a free society.

Instead, he has embarked on a purge whose vast scale and scope belies the notion that hes simply rooting out those who were involved in the coup. You dont expel tens of thousands of people from the government in a matter of days unless youve been keeping tabs for some time on rivals to stamp out and scores to settle.

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Cagaptay envisions two scenarios for how Erdogan could proceed. One is drastic and dramatic. The conservative, Islamist-allied Erdogan has already challenged Turkeys tradition of secularisma tradition the military has long sought to upholdin realms such as public education. Now Erdogan could harness the religious zeal whipped up by the coup to disregard the Turkish constitution and usher in an Islamist revolution. The current climate reminds me at times of Iran in 1979 [during the Islamic Revolution] when I see the fervor on the streets and the constant call to political activism through the mosques, the mixing of religion and politics, Cagaptay told me. He admits that Erdogan is highly unlikely to pursue this course. And yet, the Iran 1979 scenario has never been closer to reality than today.

The more likely scenario is that Erdogan capitalizes on his post-coup support to push constitutional amendments through parliament that change Turkey from a parliamentary system to a presidential one, with Erdogan at the helm. (Erdogan became president in 2014 after serving the limit of three terms as prime minister, though he has remained Turkeys de facto leader even when occupying the ostensibly ceremonial presidential office.) This approach would be in keeping with Erdogans pragmatic, gradualist style, Cagaptay said. Erdogan has already amassed a great deal of power, Cagaptay noted, but hes done so over 13 years, unlike Mohamed Morsi, the Islamist leader and former Egyptian president, who tried to consolidate authority all at once and was overthrown in a military coup as a result.

The Democracy Report

Before the coup, many analysts thought that if Erdogan went too far, the military could always step in to check him, Cagaptay said. But Erdogan now has a carte blanche to go as far as he wants. All this time we wondered what Erdogans final agenda [for] Turkey was. We are now going to see it.

Erdogan, Cagaptay continued, has a track record of persecuting and prosecuting his opponents, usually on the premise that theres a conspiracy to undermine him. Now its clear that there actually was a conspiracy to undermine him. ... So I think his crackdown on dissent is going to become more pervasive, the net is going to be cast more widely. As he marches toward an executive-style presidency, it will become even more difficult for people in the opposition to oppose him democratically, because every opposition movement can easily be labeled as supporting a coup, therefore being illegitimate, and therefore susceptible to being targeted by the government or by its supporters.

All this time we wondered what Erdogans final agenda for Turkey was. We are now going to see it.

One of the greatest casualties of the coup is the Turkish military, Cagaptay added. Erdogan has been trying to neutralize the military for years, in part through a series of dubious trials and convictions over an alleged coup plot. On Friday, according to Cagaptay, the military made one more effort to stand up to Erdogan. And it lost. Not only did it lose, but in the process it flung itself into Turkeys partisan muck: The failed insurrection is the final nail in the coffin in this long historical tradition of the Turkish military being the grand arbiter of Turkish politics, seeing itself as the protector of Turkeys constitutional order and secular politics.

Until this coup the military was the most respected and trusted public institution of the country, Cagaptay said. Now its going to witness a free fall of its respectability.

The coup, and Erdogans response to it, could also seriously damage Turkeys relationships with the EU and U.S., at a time when those relationships are crucial given Turkeys role in absorbing refugees and battling ISIS. Erdogans government is considering reinstating the death penalty to punish coup plotters, which would halt Turkeys bid to join the European Union. And Erdogan will be gutting the military just when the United States had finally convinced Turkey to contribute an air base and special forces to the fight against ISIS in Syria. After ISISs attack on the Istanbul airport in June, for the first time perhaps, Turkish threat perceptions of ISIS were almost the same as U.S. threat perceptions of ISIS, Cagaptay explained. The coup may freeze much of that cooperation.

All this is hard to stomach for Cagaptay, who just two years ago wrote a book titled, The Rise of Turkey: The Twenty-First Centurys First Muslim Power. Erdogan, he noted, has improved living standards in Turkey and fashioned Turkey into a middle-income country. But he never healed Turkish societys most problematic schismsbetween religious and secular Turks, between the government and the Kurds. In fact, those schisms have only grown more pronounced. Erdogan, Cagaptay told me, is going to go down in history as the guy who transformed Turkey economically, and either messed it up politically or almost messed it up politically.

Read more from The Atlantic:

This article was originally published on The Atlantic.
Washington (AFP) - US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen urged Washington to reject Turkey's efforts to extradite him and rejected as "ridiculous" the claim he was behind the past week's coup attempt.

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today once again demonstrated he will go to any length necessary to solidify his power and persecute his critics," Gulen said in a statement.

"I urge the US government to reject any effort to abuse the extradition process to carry out political vendettas."

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, denies any involvement in the putsch.

"It is ridiculous, irresponsible and false to suggest I had anything to do with the horrific failed coup," he reiterated in the statement.

Gulen is the spiritual leader of the Hizmet movement, which promotes moderate Islam across dozens of countries and is dubbed a terrorist group by the Turkish government.

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Tuesday that his government had sent four files to the United States in a bid to secure the extradition of a man Ankara brands a "traitor."

The White House said President Barack Obama discussed the extradition request during a phone call with Erdogan Tuesday, during which he pledged US assistance in investigating the coup attempt.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the documents were being reviewed in light of the three-decade old extradition treaty that exists between the United States and Turkey.

He also stressed that the cleric is entitled to certain rights by law.

Last week's coup bid was the most serious threat to Erdogan since he took power first as prime minister in 2003, and saw rebel troops close down bridges in Istanbul, parliament bombed from the sky and protesters shot in the streets.

It has raised deep concerns about the stability of the strategic NATO partner, which has a key air base used in the US-led fight against the Islamic State group that has a large nuclear weapons stockpile.

Turkey has launched a massive post-coup purge, detaining thousands of people.

The crackdown on military, police and the judiciary has widened to include schools and the media, and Turkish authorities Tuesday scrapped all TV and radio station licenses linked to what they call the "Fethullah Terrorist Organization," the government's derogatory name for the Gulen movement.
Ankara (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday told French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault "to mind his own business" after he warned Ankara over the crackdown after the coup in Turkey.

"He should mind his own business. Does he have the authority to make these declarations about my person? No he does not. If he wants a lesson in democracy he can very easily get a lesson in democracy from us," Erdogan told Al-Jazeera in an interview.

Ayrault had called for maintaining the rule of law in Turkey in the wake of the coup saying "this is not a blank cheque for Mr Erdogan" to silence critics.
Eric Trump said he had zero assistance writing the speech he will deliver Wednesday night at the Republican National Convention, following the fallout from his stepmother Melania Trumps speech, which included lines cribbed from Michelle Obama.

I wrote every single word of my speech myself, Trump, 32, told ABCs Good Morning America on Wednesday.

Donald Trumps son did not comment, however, on Melania Trumps speech, which used phrases from Obamas 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention. He did give high praise to his older brother Donald Trump Jr., saying the bar is high for his own remarks after his brothers performance.

Trump said his speech will focus on the why of his fathers campaign.

I think sometimes when you write from the heart, and Ill certainly deliver it from the heart, the product will be what it will be, Trump said. But it will be certainly sincere and full of love and full of emotion and thats how its supposed to be.
With lingering concerns over the Eurozone, a post-Brexit world and growth in China, investors seeking international exposure should turn to exchange traded funds that target strongly positioned companies.

On the upcoming webcast, ETF Strategy to Access Morningstars Top International Picks , Dan Lefkovitz Content Strategist for Indexes Morningstar, Alex Morozov, Director of European Equity Research at Morningstar, and Brandon Rakszawski Product Manager for VanEck, discuss firms with sustainable competitive advantages, or so-called economic moats, and attractive valuations.

For instance, the VanEck Vectors Morningstar International Moat ETF (MOTI) tracks 50 quality international names, targeting the most attractively priced companies and those with a wide economic moat.

Morningstars underlying indexing methodology has helped the ETF strategy outperform the broader markets with lower volatility. The Morningstars moat philosophy tries to identify companies with structural competitive advantages that could help investors earn above-average returns on capital over a long period of time.

Related: Find Value with Wide Moat ETFs

The Morningstar Moat Focus Indices target companies with a wide economic moat or sustainable competitive advantages and focuses on the most undervalued moat stocks, which have helped generate significant excess returns relative to the overall market.

According to Morningstars indexing methodology, there are five sources of economic moats: Intangible assets that include brand recognition to charge premium prices. Switching costs that make it too expensive to stop using a companys products.

Trending on ETF Trends

An International Passive ETF That Implements Active Screens

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MOTIs top country weights include a heavy tilt toward Australia at 16.3% of the funds portfolio, followed by France 11.8%, Singapore 10.8%, Canada 9.8%, the U.K. 8.7% and the U.S. 8.1%.

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Additionally, the international moat ETF has a large 47.2% position in financials, along with 20.1% consumer discretionary, 8.5% health care, 6.0% industrials, 4.2% materials, 4.1% information tech, 3.9% consumer staples, 3.9% energy and 2.1% telecom.

Related: 10 ETFs Hit the Hardest in Brexit Fallout

In contrast, the benchmark MSCI EAFE Index has a large 23% tilt toward Japan and 19.2% U.K. Two troubled areas in the developed markets this year. Japan has been suffering from a strengthening yen currency and slowing economic growth. Meanwhile, the Brexit referendum has kept a lid on the United Kingdoms growth prospects.

Financial advisors who are interested in learning more about Morningstars international investment strategy can register for the Thursday, July 21 webcast here.
Water level in Koshi River increases

Waters level in the Saptakoshi River has increased, following incessant rains in the eastern hilly region since Tuesday.
Brussels (AFP) - The EU unveiled national targets Wednesday for cutting greenhouse gases by 2030, insisting Britain is still legally required to help the bloc meet its UN goal despite being set to leave.

Wealthy northern European countries including Britain bear the brunt of the EU's plans to meet the commitment it made at the Paris climate summit in December to cut emissions by 40 percent over 1990 levels.

Despite Britain's shock referendum vote last month for Brexit, the European Commission included it on its list of proposed binding emissions targets for all 28 EU countries.

"These targets are realistic, fair and flexible," EU Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete told a press conference, adding that the targets would become legally binding if and when approved by member states.

Under the targets, which are based on economic growth, Sweden and tiny Luxembourg must cut emissions by 40 percent over 2005 levels, while Finland and Denmark must cut emissions by 39 percent and powerhouse Germany by 38 percent.

Britain and France are asked to cut emissions by 37 percent while Netherlands and Austria should cut by 36 percent.

"Let's be very clear: from a legal point of view the outcome of the referendum has not changed anything," Spain's Canete said when asked whether the proposed targets would have to be readjusted following Britain's exit.

"The UK (United Kingdom) remains a member state with all the rights and obligations for member states and EU law continues to apply in full to the UK," he said.

New British Prime Minister Theresa May's government has yet to initiate the exit negotiations but has promised to follow through with the process that could take several years.

- 'Astoundingly out-of-synch' -

In contrast, poorer eastern and southern EU countries are asked to contribute far less to the targets, despite the fact that they often rely more heavily on dirtier fossil fuels.

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Bulgaria, the poorest state in the bloc, was given an emissions reductions target of zero percent, while Romania, Latvia, Croatia, Poland, Hungary and Lithuania are all set below 10 percent.

Poland in particular gets off lightly given its reliance on coal-fired power stations.

Canete added that the targets offer incentives for investment in sectors like transport, agriculture, buildings and waste management.

The system allows for flexibility. Member states can reduce emissions jointly across a range of sectors and over time.

Despite it being denounced as a loophole by environmentalists, they can also transfer cheap carbon credits from the Emissions Trading System, the world's largest, and use forests, which absorb carbon, to count towards their emissions reduction goal.

The ETS puts a cap on carbon dioxide emitted by large factories and other companies, which can trade in quotas of these emissions.

The non-government organisation World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said the proposals fall short of the ambitions Brussels set at the Paris summit, which calls for holding global warming to well under two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

"Not only is the Commission astoundingly out-of-synch with international climate commitments, but it has also included loopholes in this proposal which will allow countries to cheat their way out of real climate action," said Imke Luebbeke, head of climate and energy at the WWF European Policy Office.

The proposals will be debated by the member states and the European Parliament.
There was a record number of terror attacks carried out, planned or stopped in European Union countries in 2015, according to Europol.

The European Union law enforcement agency reported that there were 211 attacks last year, making it the highest year since Europol began recording in 2006, according to the BBC. The figures did not include the recent Nice attack, in which 84 people were killed.

The United Kingdom had the highest with 103 attacks, with France following behind with 72 and 25 in Spain. Most of the attacks in the U.K. occurred in Northern Ireland.

Europol reported more than 1,000 arrests for terrorism-related offenses, with 424 of those occurring in France, the BBC reports. Most arrests in the E.U. were linked to Jihadists.

The report outlined two worrying developments, the substantial numbers of returned foreign terrorist fighters that many member states now have on their soil and a significant rise in nationalist or racist sentiments across Europe.
By Atul Prakash

LONDON (Reuters) - European shares advanced on Wednesday, with the technology sector leading the market higher after SAP and ASML Holding reported forecast-beating quarterly results.

Shares in SAP, Europe's largest software company, rose 4.7 percent as unexpectedly strong growth in high-margin packaged software licenses fuelled its quarterly earnings. Its second-quarter operating profit rose 9 percent.

ASML Holding, a key supplier to major semiconductor makers, was up 3.5 percent after reporting a better-than-expected quarterly profit as customers started taking shipments of its newest tool.

"So far, European earnings have been better than expected, with investors focusing on company guidance to form a view on the market's likely direction," Christian Stocker, equity strategist at UniCredit in Munich, said.

"The market is definitely getting some boost, at least today, from some strong results from companies like SAP, with the technology sector leading the market higher."

The STOXX Europe 600 Technology index was up 2.6 percent, the top sectoral gainer. It has surged nearly 10 percent since the start of last week and is heading for its best 2-week gain in more than seven years, mainly on the back of a sharp rally in ARM Holdings this week.

ARM spiked 41 percent on Monday after Japan's SoftBank agreed to buy Britain's most valuable technology company for $32 billion in cash.

The sector also got some support after Microsoft reported on Tuesday a 2.1 percent rise in quarterly adjusted revenue as growth in its cloud business helped to offset weakness in the personal computer market.

The pan-European STOXX Europe 600 and the FTSEurofirst 300 index were both up 0.7 percent by 0855 GMT. They have gained around 10 percent since a post-Brexit low hit in late June.

Some other firms also rose on positive updates. Lonza shares rose 5.4 percent, the top gainer in the pan-European FTSEurofirst 300, as the Swiss speciality chemicals and life sciences group raised its guidance for 2016 after reporting the strongest earnings growth in its history during the first six months.

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Orpea, which runs clinics and homes for the elderly, rose 5.1 percent after lifting its full-year target. It also said sales in the second quarter to June 30 had risen 20 percent, boosted by acquisitions and solid demand for its services.

However, gains were capped by weaker miners, with the European Basic Resources index falling 1.2 percent, the worst sectoral performer, as prices of metals dropped.

Anglo American fell 6.1 percent after lowering its full-year guidance, while BHP Billiton was down 2.1 percent after it fell 3 million tonnes short of its iron ore production guidance for fiscal 2016.

Finnish ship engine and power plant maker Wartsila fell 5 percent after reporting weaker-than-expected quarterly profit and order intake, citing tight competition in the energy markets and overcapacity of ships.
Cleveland (AFP) - An assortment of European right-wing politicians made a fraternal pilgrimage to the Republican convention Tuesday, voicing their backing for Donald Trump.

Fresh from a Brexit referendum victory Nigel Farage was expected in Cleveland on the heels of Dutch far-right firebrand Geert Wilders.

"What is happening in America is also happening in Europe. People feel misrepresented," said Wilders as he made his way to the convention floor.

Wilders predicted that Europe would soon see a new stripe of politician and he was rooting for America to follow suit.

"It would be so much better if in America and Europe we would have leadership that goes in the same direction," he said.

"I believe it would certainly help if Trump would be elected."
Photo credit: Chevrolet

From Road & Track

It's graduation day. After a couple of years spent grinding your entry-level machine around the local track, shaving off seconds and sharpening your skills, it's time to take the training wheels off.

As we've laid out in the past, the best way to "win" an HPDE track day on a budget is to find, purchase, and properly prepare a Corvette Z06. As we also point out, the fifth-generation Corvette is generally seen by the uninitiated as an old man's car. Every one, it is rumored, came from the factory with a Hawaiian shirt and pleated khaki shorts folded neatly in the trunk.

Ignore the hatersthe C5 Z06 landed in 2001 running a twelve second quarter-mile out of the box. It is brutally simple, it weighs as much as (and kinda smells like) a scale model kit, and it pulls nearly one g in the corners. Throw a set of decent tires on it, and it will put down numbers that'll have the 911 Turbo and the Nissan GT-R sweating beads of oil.

And, because this is America's supercar, it'll also light up the rear tires, slew around if you jump on the throttle too early, and depreciate like an ice sculpture of a bald eagle. There's almost nothing else that's this fast for the money. Here's how to get one.

What to look for:

Photo credit: Chevrolet

The Z06 arrived in 2000 for the 2001 model year with an all-aluminum 5.7L V8 producing 385hp at 6000rpm and 385lb-ft of torque at 4800rpm. In a world where your rental V8 Mustang now makes more than 400hp, these numbers sound relatively modest, but you have to remember it was a different time.

Chevy's fiberglass cruise missile was aimed straight at blasting much more expensive machinery into smithereens. In instrumented testing, it pulled 0.98g on the skidpad, ran to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, braked from 70mph in 152 feet, and went through the quarter-mile in 12.7 seconds. Holy crapHawaiian shirt guy just punched out a dude in a UFC hat!

The first-year cars have the least amount of power of the C5 Z06's run, but don't dismiss them out of hand. If you're going to be bolting on a few upgrades anyway, the 2001 cars are a great place to start, and can often be the cheapest deals.

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The base C5 was already a pretty quick car, and along with its LS6-code V8, the Z06 added a few other enhancements. Starting with the fixed-roof coupe version of the basic 'Vette (known as the FRC in Corvette circles), the Z06 had a titanium exhaust, a reduced amount of sound-deadening material, improved suspension, and sharp-looking lightweight wheels; thinner windshield glass was also an option starting for 2002. While the FRC is really neat too, and can be a great basis for a trackday car, it's not very common, and a solid Z06 probably won't be that much more expensive.

Photo credit: Chevrolet

In its second year of production, Chevrolet took the LS6 and helped it breathe a little easier. Adding a stiffer, lighter valve train and a more aggressive camshaft profile, the total output was bumped to 405hp at 6000rpm and 400lb-ft at 4800 rpm. 0-60 times dropped to less than four seconds. With a set of really sticky modern performance tires on it, quarter-mile times drop into the low 11s. Goodbye, Hellcat.

For the final year, Chevrolet offered a special commemorative version with the option code Z16, celebrating their back-to-back class wins at Le Mans. More than two thousand Z06s came with this option in 2004, which includes a weight-saving carbonfiber hood, special Le Mans blue paint, a host of badges, and a returned suspension.

The 2004 cracked the Nurburgring's eight minute mark. Nowadays, Porsche claims far faster times than that for its Panamera sedan, but you have to put the Z06's performance into context. It was a different time. For instance, if you turned on the television in 2004, you might catch an episode of The Apprentice, which featured a man named Donald Trump yelling at people. These days, things are completely different.

What to avoid:

Photo credit: Chevrolet

Bless GM for continuing to improve the base Corvette by leaps and bounds, while still keeping it relatively inexpensive. The C7 Stingray is vicious enough to tempt many a Z06 owner out of a well-loved, low-mileage ride, just in time for you to snap it up. Unlike a double-duty car like a Mustang or Camaro, a 'Vette might well have never spent a night outside, let alone been driven in the rain.

As per usual with a second hand vehicle, buying a Z06 is as much about gauging the owner as it is about getting a surface read on the car. If said owner is wearing a Blipshift shirt reading "HPDE Champion," and tries to tell you he's never tracked the car, that's probably a fib. But don't make any ageist assumptions eitherplenty of old guys can and do cane the ever-loving bejesus out of their cars.

Having found a car that looks like it hasn't been thrashed, there are a few problem areas to look for before paying for a pre-purchase inspection. First, look for body damage in the usual manner, checking for overspray and the like. Indications that a panel has been replaced can be found by checking for worn screws: check the hatch and pop the hood.

Checking under the car, chances are you're going to find some scraping. The Z06 is pretty low, and the underside will likely be chewed up a little. Double check the rocker panels for any serious damage and cracking, whether from impacts or improper jacking.

Photo credit: Chevrolet

The interior of even the most well-loved Z06 will likely look pretty shoddy. The early 2000s were not GM's strongest time for build quality, and things break. You can get a partial read on how well an owner has cared for the car by checking out the seat bolsters for excessive wear; leather seats in this generation are prone to cracking. Also, watch for a faulty LED indicators in the HVAC gauges.

Checking all the gauges is a good idea. If the oil-pressure gauge is stuck reading high, it can indicate a failure of the oil pressure sending unit. It's a cheap part, but you have to pull off the intake manifold to get at it.

While you're in there, you can check the Z06's onboard diagnostic system for past errors. Turn the car on but don't start it. Clear the dash by pressing the Reset button, then press and hold the Option button; while holding, press the Fuel button four times. Activate manual mode by pressing any of the right side buttons (except E/M, which closes the session), and use the Options and Trip buttons to scroll through the codes. A C after a code indicates a current problem, an H means it's part of the car's past. Write everything down, then sprint to the internet to see if anything serious is in there.

The other major issue with the C5's interior is the lockout for the steering column. As a theft-deterrent, the C5 will lock down the steering if it detects something it thinks isn't the ignition key. Problem is, it's way too sensitive and can lock you out of your Corvette if you put your key in just a little wrong. There are a bunch of recalls for this issue and an option to just delete the lockout. Ask the owner if it's been dealt with.

Even if you're going to swap in a set of track-focused tires as soon as you get the car home, it's worth taking a look at those tires. Original equipment on the Z06 calls for run-flats, which can be expensive. Look for wear on the inners, and factor the cost into your bargaining.

Mechanically-speaking, the Z06 is very robust, but has a few mechanical issues that are difficult to diagnose without a thorough pre-purchase inspection from an experienced 'Vette specialist. 2001 and some early 2002 models can suffer from excessive oil consumption. The lighter valvetrain in the 2002 and 2003 models can result in broken valve-springsif the owner has modified the valve springs for more durable units, this can be a boon.

A note on modifications:

Photo credit: Chevrolet

Being a twelve year old performance car with a large aftermarket, it's likely the Z06 you're looking at is going to have some non-factory parts. If you're going to be tracking the car, these are generally no big deal, especially small, useful power-adding stuff, or replacement of worn bushings with polyurethane units.

As far as your own plans for the car:

1.) It's a Chevy V8.

2.) This is America, pal.

Having said that, making big power out of a C5 Z06, while not particularly difficult, might not be your first focusit's pretty damned fast as is. Adding extra cooling for the transmission and/or engine will help you run laps for longer. Upgrading to high-temp brake pads and brake and clutch fluid that can take the heat at the track is a minimum. You might consider a big-brake kit as well, but since this is budget speed, maybe focus on learning a little brake management first.

As mentioned, run-flats for the Z06 will set you back a pretty penny, especially for the rears. An alternative is to just swap in normal tires, and purchase a small chicken to sacrifice in appeasement of the god of flat tires, Puncturus.

Community:

Photo credit: Chevrolet

The fifth-generation Corvette is very well supported on forums, and there's a wealth of information to be found on the Z06 specialists in them. Corvetteforum.com has a specific section on C5 Z06 technical info.

Don't be too quick to dismiss your local Corvette club as a show n' shine only crowd either. Like any sportscar fraternity, there are those more interested in polishing chrome rims than checking tire pressures, but Corvette clubs are often built on a spine of genuine racing enthusiasts, many of whom know a trick or two the internet crew has yet to discover.

This guide was originally published on 7/19/16 and has been updated.

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A Trump Organization staffer took the blame on Wednesday for plagiarizing a portion of Melania Trumps Republican National Convention speech, following observations that part of her speech borrowed heavily from First Lady Michelle Obamas 2008 address.

Donald Trump, campaign officials and his surrogates initially praised the speech, refuted plagiarism claims and argued that it had included words and phrases commonly used by many people, not just Obamabut their response morphed as the team played damage control over a day and a half.

Here are the different ways Trump and his team have responded to the speech since Monday night:

Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible

Donald Trump immediately praised his wifes speech in the early hours of Tuesday morning, as observations about its similarities to Obamas speech began to spread.

It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible. Very proud! he wrote on Twitter.

Melanias team of writers took notes on her lifes inspirations

The first official statement from the campaign emphasized that the speech was inspired by Melania Trumps own thoughts and experiences.

In writing her beautiful speech, Melanias team of writers took notes on her lifes inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking. Melanias immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success, said Jason Miller, senior communications adviser for the Trump campaign.

Theyre not words that are unique words

Paul Manafort, Donald Trumps campaign manager, defended Melania Trump and accused Hillary Clinton of making it an issue, while speaking in interviews and at a press conference on Tuesday morning. Theyre not words that are unique words, he told TIME.

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Theres a political tint to this whole issue, he then said at a press conference. Its just another example, as far as were concerned, that when Hillary Clinton is threatened by a female, the first thing she does is try to destroy the person. He argued that while the words were common, they were personal to Melania.

We dont believe theres anything in that speech that doesnt reflect her thinking, he said. Were comfortable that the words that she used are words that are personal to her.

This concept that Michelle Obama invented the English language is absurd

Katrina Pierson, a spokeswoman for Donald Trumps campaign, praised the speech and said Melania Trump had simply spoken about values that are shared by many people.

These are valuesRepublican values, by the wayof hard work, determination, family values, dedication and respect, and thats Melania Trump, Pierson said in an interview with the Hill. This concept that Michelle Obama invented the English language is absurd.

Read more: Watch Republicans in Cleveland Talk About Melania Trumps Speech

Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony  she said something similar too

Sean Spicer, communications director for the Republican National Committee, adamantly refuted plagiarism accusations on Tuesday afternoon, quoting Kid Rock, John Legend, Akon and Twilight Sparkle for saying similar things about dreaming and working hard.

Melania Trump said, the strength of your dreams and willingness to work from them. Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony said, This is your dream, anything you can do in your dreams, you can do now, Spicer told CNN.

He later doubled down on that point: Look, I just quoted Twilight Sparkle from My Little Pony  she said something similar too, so did Mrs. Obama plagiarize her? I would never say that, but these are common phrases that were used over and over again.

All press is good press!

Donald Trump responded again on Wednesday morning, making the unlikely claim that his wifes speech had received more publicity than any in the history of politics.

Good news is Melanias speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press! he wrote on Twitter, while also criticizing the press for its attention to the speech.

The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melanias speech than the FBI spent on Hillarys emails, he said.

This was my mistake

On Wednesday afternoon, Meredith McIver, a writer for the Trump Organization, said it was her mistake and admitted the speech included some of the phrasing that Melania Trump had relayed to her from Obamas 2008 address.

A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama. Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obamas speech as examples. I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech, she said in a statement. I did not check Mrs. Obamas speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant.

We all make mistakes

In an interview with ABC News on Wednesday night, Donald Trump defended McIver and called her a very good person whom hes worked with on books for years.

She made a mistake, and you know, people make mistakes, he said. We all make mistakes.

Trump said McIver came to him this week to explain what happened. Asked how Melania Trump has handled the controversy, Donald Trump said she handles it well and said a cloud has lifted off her since McIvers statement.

Shes a strong woman. Shes a good woman, he said. I thought she made an incredible speech. I thought she made a beautiful speech.
From Esquire

CLEVELAND, OHIO-You see the slogan everywhere. Inside the Quicken Loans Arena, an official Make America Great Again hat will set you back $25, or, like with any arena spectacle, you can snag bootlegs outside the venue for much less. But the font is always off, the stitching subpar, the capitalization inconsistent.

If there's one key to Trump's success over the past year and change, it's consistency. He repeats his message, no matter how bigoted or racist that message may be on a given week. So it was more than a little jarring when RNC opening night speaker and former Happy Days star Scott Baio iterated The Slogan up on the arena stage: "Let's make America America again."

Baio was the second speaker of the night, following a tame opening by Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson, who sauntered out under the lights in a blazer, American flag bandana, and salmon-colored Going Out Shirt. "It's been a rough year for media experts," Robertson said. "It must be so hard to be so wrong about so much for so long." He extended an olive branch to the "average American" who believes that the deck has been stacked against him, who feels like he just can't win. "Donald Trump will have your back," Robertson assured the gaggle of mostly white faces before him, and, more important, to the millions of mostly white faces watching him on TV, the same mostly white faces who watch his reality show about "real" life in the American south-white life.

But, yeah, Baio.

From day one, liberal pundits have taken the slogan to really mean that Trump wants to "Make America White Again." In the eyes of more than a few Trump supporters, greatness equals whiteness, and vice versa. But after even more black men have been killed by law enforcement across the country, and retaliatory attacks on police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, the Republican ideal of Respect is nearing the top of the GOP's long list of endangered values. It's not enough for America to be great again vis-a-vis white power; America needs to be America again via some en masse return to white norms, white culture, white tradition.

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What does a hypothetical reversion to white dominance even look like in 2016? When the most compelling piece of pop culture is Beyonce's Lemonade? When Trump's blueish-green-smokescreen-silhouette surprise entrance makes everyone think of the video for Drake's "Hotline Bling"? When tens of millions of Americans are running around holding out their phones playing a Japanese video game?

"America, the greatest country God ever created," Scott Baio said.

"America is an easy place to get to," Scott Baio also said.

What does it mean to be an American, Scott Baio?

"It doesn't mean getting free stuff," Scott Baio said.

Before his America-America line, Baio threw out the other slogan of the night: "Make America Safe Again." On the surface, "safety" includes everything from Benghazi to bathrooms. But beyond that, safety is consistency. Safety is familiarity. Safety is comfort; safety is what you've come to expect from decades of the same.

Safety is interns shuttling trays of Dunkin' Donuts coffee from the snack bar inside the arena. Safety is $4 bottles of icy Coors Light out in the official party plaza between the arena and Progressive Field, where the not-very-sensitively-named Cleveland Indians play. Safety is a country band cruising through covers as you and people who look like you eat mac n' cheese and pulled pork at picnic tables in the swampy July heat. Safety is embroidered RNC koozies and Christmas ornaments. Safety is the name TRUMP in all caps on your shirt, on oversized banners, on vintage campaign buttons. Safety is TRUMP because TRUMP is familiar; TRUMP is familiar because TRUMP is white and TRUMP is loud.

Safety is a country band cruising through covers as you and people who look like you eat mac n' cheese and pulled pork at picnic tables in swampy July heat.

Last night, an elderly woman stood in line for barbecue wearing a white sun hat with a Make America Great Again ribbon around the rim. She wore a red bandana around her neck and a sheer stars-and-stripes blue blouse. When it was finally her turn to order, she leaned in close and squinted at the young black woman working the register. There were five black women and one white woman slinging dinner at this particular stand. A black man hurriedly stocked hamburger buns. The burgers had temporarily run out, and the white people in line were increasingly pissed off. Their faces were growing impatient. This was their party, and they paid for this food, and what the hell was the damn hold up?

"[America] doesn't mean getting free stuff," Scott Baio said inside the venue. "It means sacrificing, winning, losing, failing, succeeding."

The elderly woman in the white sun hat and red bandana was eventually handed her order. I did not hear this woman speak a word; I have no idea if she is racist. All I know is she is a self-identifying supporter of Trump's movement. She walked away clutching her clamshell container, smiling, nudging her way past scores of white people who looked just like her. She felt safe. Everyone did.
By Astrid Wendlandt

PARIS (Reuters) - LVMH boss Bernard Arnault is considering a change of creative director at Louis Vuitton with the up-and-coming Jonathan Anderson, now at sister brand Loewe, viewed as the best candidate to replace Nicolas Ghesquiere, according to three sources with knowledge of the matter.

The timing and the terms under which the reshuffle would happen have not yet been determined, the sources said. However, they added the matter was being actively discussed at LVMH.

LVMH declined to comment when contacted before publication.

Later, LVMH denied the "erroneous information that Nicolas Ghesquiere might soon leave as artistic director of Louis Vuitton". Ghesquiere's contract is not due for renewal until the end of 2018, a spokesman said.

Louis Vuitton is the world's biggest luxury brand, generating nearly 8 billion euros (6.6 billion) in annual revenue and accounts for the bulk of profit at parent LVMH (LVMH.PA), owner of 70 luxury brands and businesses, ranging from fashion and wine to jewellery and hotels.

"People in the studio are expecting him (Ghesquiere) to leave, possibly as early as after the October collection," one of the sources said.

Ghesquiere, 45, told French TV channel Canal Plus in early June that we wished to create his own label and would be in a position to do it very soon but he did not provide details.

Designers at big brands including Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga (PRTP.PA) and Hermes (HRMS.PA) - Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and Christophe Lemaire, respectively - have left in recent years to develop their own labels.

ARNAULT 'ADORES' ANDERSON

The sources said Arnault and his daughter Delphine, No.2 at Louis Vuitton, were big fans of 32-year-old Anderson, known for his playful designs and contemporary art inspiration.

They said executives at LVMH believed Louis Vuitton would give him a bigger platform to express his talent. LVMH recruited the prize-winning Northern Irish designer in 2013 after taking a minority stake in his brand J.W. Anderson.

Story continues

"Arnault is very fond of Anderson, everybody knows he adores him," a second source said. "As of now, he is the best positioned to replace Ghesquiere."

The luxury goods industry downturn has prompted a series of high-profile management and designer reshuffles, aimed at giving brands a creative and strategy reboot to perk up their sales.

Burberry last week poached Celine's boss Marco Gobbetti to be its new chief executive, becoming the latest major luxury label to announce leadership changes after Dior, Chanel, Cartier, Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent and Lanvin.

Ghesquiere worked at Balenciaga before joining Louis Vuitton. By October, he will have been at the French label for three years.

Three years has become the standard length of time for designers to stay at a fashion label, though there it no set formula as some have worked at brands for more than a decade.

It is possible that Ghesquiere may not leave Louis Vuitton until next year as his departure is likely to be a lengthy, complex and delicate matter to negotiate and plan internally, the sources said. "It is a sensitive issue which could take time to solve," a third source said.

Ghesquiere's razor-sharp modern style has played out well at Louis Vuitton's core leather goods business for which he created a popular new range of handbags and the "V" logo.

However, his experimental, warrior-style silhouettes in ready-to-wear has not yet lived up to commercial expectations, several sources said.

LVMH, due to publish half-year results on July 26, does not disclose separate sales figures for any of its brands.

(Editing by Pravin Char and Adrian Croft)
Crack open a fortune cookie and youre likely to see words of wisdom like Your smile is a passport into the heart of others or advice like Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now. Hiding at the bottom of a bag of Chinese food delivery or awaiting diners at the end of a meal, the lightly flavored fortune cookie has grown into a staple at Chinese restaurants, with approximately three billion made each year.

Of those three billion cookies, American Chinese fast casual restaurant Panda Express hands out a million dollars worth of fortune cookies each month (over 282 million annually) across its 1,900 domestic and international locations. Founded in 1983 by Peggy and Andrew Cherng, Panda Express has grown into the largest Asian food chain in the country and hit revenues of $2.2 billion in 2014. The chain continues to expand, including tackling New York City for a second time, after a failed run on Wall Street from 1997 to 2001.

But beyond serving the brands famous Orange Chicken (they served 67.9 million pounds of the chicken in 2014) or the award winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, the chain wants to give back to both their employees and customers in a different way.

Starting today and running through August 10, Panda Express will distribute Fortunate Cookies at its locations replacing all existing fortune cookies. The new cookies will have FortuNotes, detailing notes of gratitude and giving. Customers are encouraged to post pictures of their FortuNotes on social media sites using the hashtag #ShareGoodFortune and tag someone who they are thankful for. Messages will include phrases like Fortunate that you believe in me and Fortunate for your love but all cookies will have a unique message.

The goal is that they will pause and stop and acknowledge the people in their lives that they feel most fortunate for Andrea Cherng, Panda Express Chief Marketing Officer and daughter of Peggy and Andrew, tells FOXBusiness.com exclusively.

Story continues

The origins of the #ShareGoodFortune campaign started over a year ago when Panda hosted a leadership conference to celebrate who they are as a company and help employees grow personally and professionally. At the conference, the chain presented a video featuring a girl passing out fortune cookies, hoping that a small gesture could have a seismic and positive impact on the recipient. The theme emerged as one of the most celebrated of the conference and thus the Fortunate Cookie was born.

Fortunate Cookies will be wrapped in new packaging and there will be signage both inside and outside the stores signaling to customers that the campaign has launched. We wanted guests to know that this is something different and that its meant to convey the journey of acknowledgement for the people that matter in our lives says Cherng.

And from the corporate perspective, Cherng says that what fascinated Panda Express as a challenge was how to make a positive impact on the world.

The campaign comes on the heels of the attacks in Nice, the shooting in Orlando and multiple deaths of black males and police officers and Panda Express believes that this campaign is timely as the world is experiencing pain.

The habit of pausing and saying to someone that you matter--thats the richness, thats the fortune of life says Cherng.

Panda Express hopes that the campaign will become an annual event.

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Where are we headed?

Prachanda and Deuba do not appear to have a plan or the resources to resolve new challenges
By Steven Scheer

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - For decades, Israel's high growth was driven by exports of oranges, diamonds, pharmaceuticals and software, but the picture is changing due to weak global demand and a strong shekel.

Consumer spending is now a critical growth driver. Businesses fear factories and jobs are at risk if exports, which have declined 10 percentage points over the past decade, fall further.

"We are exporting 80 percent less than our peak" a decade ago, said Joseph Ben-Dor, chief executive of Ben-Dor Fruits & Nurseries on the Jordan River in northern Israel.

Ben-Dor, whose family started the business in 1888, said his main market is Europe, particularly Britain where his largest customers for plums and other fruits are Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons and Waitrose. He largely blames a strong shekel, rising water, labour and other costs, and government obstacles for lower sales abroad.

Diamond exports, 25-30 percent of Israel's industrial exports, have slid 30 percent in the past few years, mainly on slower global demand, said Yoram Dvash, president of the Israel Diamond Exchange. Exports to China, a key market, have plunged 70 percent in the last 18 months.

Citing weak global growth that has hurt exports, Israel's Finance Ministry on Wednesday lowered its economic growth forecast for 2016 to 2.5 percent from 2.8 percent and trimmed estimates through 2019.

The Bank of Israel last month cut its growth estimate from 2.8 percent to 2.4 percent for 2016 and 2.9 percent in 2017.

When exports are hot, Israel's economy tends to grow between 4 and 5 percent a year. With flat or declining exports in 2014, 2015 and probably again this year, growth is closer to 2.5 percent, well below the average of 4.5 percent from 2004-2011.

"If the trend continues we can witness sustained private consumption growth but we will shift to a lower growth rate," Nathan Sussman, head of research at the Bank of Israel, said. "Growth will likely be in the 2.5 to 3 percent range if it stays this way."

Story continues

With the population growing 2 percent a year, that amounts to per capita growth of just 0.5-1 percent.

NO MAGIC PILL

Ten years ago, net exports accounted for 41 percent of output. Now the ratio is 31 percent. While that tops the 13 percent in the United States and 27 percent for Europe, the decline has strained the economy.

"We need to target growth of 4 to 5 percent so if you want to reach that, you need to turn on the engine of exports," said Shraga Brosh, president of Israel's Manufacturers' Association.

Brosh said the government needed to invest more in research and development and encourage small- and medium-sized factories to become more efficient through tax incentives.

Ohad Cohen, head of the Foreign Trade Administration in the Economy Ministry, said there was only so much the government could do. "We don't have any magic pill," he said.

Still, the ministry supports exporters with insurance guarantees and in opening new markets. In recent years, it has doubled the number of offices in Asia to 16. Asia now accounts for 22 percent of Israel's exports, compared with 31 percent for Europe and 25 percent for the United States.

Israel plans to invest in penetrating markets in Africa and Latin America, Cohen said.

Exports excluding diamonds and start-ups are forecast to fall 1.5 percent this year after a similar decline in 2015. Much of the weakness has come from Europe, in part because the euro has lost 15 percent against the shekel since late 2014.

Another issue is that three companies - Intel, Israel Chemicals (ICL) and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries - control nearly half of industrial exports. For various reasons they have trimmed output.

Intel is shifting production to a new chip plant in Israel, while falling demand and prices for potash have weighed on ICL. Teva said its exports are "characterised with monthly and seasonal fluctuations" but are not falling on an annual basis.

Concerned by sluggish exports, the central bank continues to buy dollars to try to prevent further shekel strength. It has bought about $70 billion of foreign currency since 2008, but the shekel has not weakened enough to spur an export recovery.

(Editing by Janet Lawrence)
f35a

While the F-35 Lightning II continues its turbulent march to combat readiness, the jet's manufacturer posted better than expected quarterly revenue earnings on Tuesday.

Lockheed Martin, the Pentagon's top weapons supplier, also lifted its 2016 revenue and profit forecasts for a second time  despite significant snags in developing America's most expensive arms program.

Considered a bellwether for the US defense sector, Lockheed Martin's stock also posted a record high of $261.37 in early trading on Tuesday. What's more, the world's largest defense contractor's shares were already up approximately 18% this year.

And all of this is great news for the troubled fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.

f35b

"(The) consensus expectations are finally positive for the F-35 and for improvement in the defense budget, which has led to a higher valuation," Bernstein analyst Douglas Harned wrote in a note, according to Reuters.

The now nearly $400 billion F-35 weapons program was developed in 2001 to replace the US military's F-15, F-16, and F-18 aircraft.

Lockheed Martin's "jack of all trades" F-35s were developed to dogfight, provide close air support, execute long-range bombing attacks, and take off from and land on aircraft carriers  all while using the most advanced available stealth capabilities.

Adding to the complexity, Lockheed Martin agreed to design and manufacture three variant F-35s for different sister service branches.

The Air Force has the agile F-35A; the F-35B can take off and land without a runway, ideal for the amphibious Marine Corps; and the F-35C is meant to serve on the Navy's aircraft carriers.

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As it stands now the Pentagon expects to buy 2,457 of these supersonic warplanes.

f35 variants

According to Lockheed Martin, sales in its aeronautics business, the company's largest, rose 6% in the past three months due to delivery of 14 F-35s.

The company has said it plans to deliver 53 F-35 jets in 2016, up from 45 a year earlier.

Highlights from Lockheed Martin's quarterly earnings report:

Net sales rose to $12.91 billion (from $11.64 billion in Q2 2015)

Net income rose to $1.02 billion (or $3.32 per share), which is up from $929 million (or $2.94 per share) in Q2 2015

Generated $1.5 billion in cash from operations

Raised 2016's profit forecast to $12.15$12.45 per share (from $11.50-$11.80)

Raised 2016's full-year sales of $50.0 billion-$51.5 billion (from earlier estimate of $49.6 billion-$51.1 billion)

Defense giants Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are expected to report quarterly results next week.

Reuters contributed to this report.

NOW WATCH: America's $400 billion warplane has some major flaws





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A coup detat, done well, is a terribly retro exercise of hard power. Commandos seize the head of government in the dead of night. Tanks roll through the streets. A government puppet reads a statement over state television. And in the morning, people wake up to a pallid general in charge of the presidential palace  pledging unity, stability, and a return to order.

And that was how it was supposed to go in Turkey over the weekend, when the countrys military tried and failed to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. To the dismay of Turkeys dissident generals, the commandos failed to capture Erdogan, who promptly  and ironically  put the communication tools of the internet revolution to work, urging his supporters to take to the the streets and thwart the coup.

In a dramatic appearance via the FaceTime app, Erdogan called into CNN Turk to say he was still alive and in power. Through the night, information about the coup flooded social media, as Turks streamed protests and clashes with the military via Facebook Live and Twitters Periscope. While the military faction attempting to oust Erdogan claimed to be in control, social media told a very different story.

That amalgam of technology has some observers asking whether the Turkish coup was the first to be thwarted via cyberspace, and whether the rapid proliferation of social media may have dramatic implications for future coups by renegade colonels. But whether Twitter and Facebook have actually revolutionized the business of coup-making remains very much in the eye of the observer  as does the extent to which ordinary people have an ability to influence the outcome of internal military conflict.

Control the medium. Control the message.

Done well, a coup is a fait accompli. A population wakes up told that a new faction is in power  and, crucially, believes, that to be the case. Convincing an entire population that control of government has shifted overnight requires controlling all the channels of communication.

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Before the internet revolution, that was a simple proposition: Send a few well-trained squads to take over the television station; send another to take the radio station, or just blow up its broadcasting equipment. A third will shut down the newspaper printing press.

In 2016, even in Turkey, that was a far more difficult proposition. Edward Luttwak, a strategist and consultant who literally wrote the handbook on military coups, points out that social media and the internet create a huge variety communication channels that must be controlled by coup plotters. That variety, Luttwak says, makes it more difficult, but not impossible to carry out a coup.

There is some evidence that the plotters attempted to cut internet service in Turkey and failed to do so. Turkish internet users reported difficulty in accessing Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook in the coups early hours, but forces loyal to Erdogan appeared to have succeeded in stopping the throttling of Turkeys internet  no small irony given that Erdogan once described Twitter as the worst menace to society. Amid terror attacks, his government has frequently shut down all or parts of the Turkish internet.

Other users reported receiving gigs of free additional data from their cell phone carriers to ensure that they could continue to follow events  likely at the behest of the Erdogan government. While the coup plotters had, by the book, seized the TV station, todays more important tools remained open and free for Erdogans supporters to exploit.

And thats how Erdogan came to tweet the following:

President Erdogan: " I call on everyone to go to city squares and airports. I also will be with them"  Turkish Presidency (@trpresidency) July 16, 2016

A note to future coup plotters: Seize the presidents Twitter account.

Cut the head off the snake.

For Luttwak, the plotters fundamental mistake was not so much failing to control the internet, but rather failing to kill or capture Erdogan. According to the Wall Street Journal, the commandos dispatched to the resort town of Marmaris, where Erdogan was vacationing, missed their target. After a battle with the presidential guard, the commandos slinked away defeated.

Still, the Turkish military had other chances to kill Erdogan  but didnt seize them. Turkish F-16 fighter jets sidled up next to Erdogans presidential jet on its way to Istanbul and had the opportunity to shoot him down, but didnt pull the trigger. Once Erdogan landed at Ataturk Airport, military forces on the ground could have pounced, but they didnt.

If you dont get to the leader, Luttwak says, then your goose is cooked. And what happens afterwards doesnt particularly matter. Facebook and Twitter became unimportant when they failed to seize Erdogan, Luttwak argues.

Decisiveness and speed are key factors in a successful coup, and in their bungling of the coups initial hours, the plotters lost key momentum. If you aim to overthrow the leader of a government, you better overthrow the leader. What happens in cyberspace is a secondary consideration. Had Erdogan been seized or killed, he never would have made the televised appeal to his supporters and the military would have faced fewer obstacles.

People power doesnt matter.

Naunihal Singh is a professor at the U.S. Air War College and a scholar of coups. Hes concluded that they are more than anything else internal power struggles within the military. A coup is about a military organization breaking apart and coming back together, either for or against the government, he says.

In such a situation, the patina of success is key to winning the support of the rest of the military. Military factions plotting coups are, by necessity, small. They require secrecy to succeed, and are launched with the aim of securing the support of the rest once in motion. By publicly declaring that they are in control of a government, a renegade military faction might actually make it so, as other units join their side out of genuine disaffection with the government, or from a desire to prevent further bloodshed. In short, for those on the sharp end of a coup, perception is reality.

And that makes control of the media even more important. The question, Singh says, is to what extent can social media behave like traditional mass media?

The plotters initial broadcast to the country was a weak one, Singh says. They did not give a face to the coup, using instead a state television anchor to read their statement. When Erdogan appeared on CNN Turk, he was still using a traditional method, albeit with a contemporary twist, to call people into the streets. That statement on CNN Turk was made on the small screen of the presenters iPhone, broadcasting Erdogans image via FaceTime, but disseminating his message through TV.

But what Singh calls a twist on old media, a security researcher who goes by the name of The Grugq calls Facetime a cyberweapon deployed by the Turkish leader. Writing on Medium, the Grugq argued that Erdogans FaceTime call brought people into the streets and turned the tide for Erdogan.

Its an idea many have echoed. But Singhs research shows that people power actually doesnt matter. In hundreds of cases studied by Singh, crowds have rarely shown the ability to stop a coup in progress.

Moreover, armies are quite capable of moving large crowds out of public spaces if and when they want, Singh argues. In 1991, as the Soviet Union disintegrated, huge numbers of people took to the streets of Moscow to protest a coup attempt against Mikhail Gorbachev, then the leader of the USSR. Though the coup plotters had the backing of basically the entire security establishment, they declined to clear the crowds from the streets despite having a plan on hand to do so. The coup failed. Two years later, embattled Russian President Boris Yeltsin was faced with crowds of similar size and simply dusted off the same playbook and put it in motion. The military cleared the streets without major problems, Singh said.

If internal military dynamics are the key factor in a coups outcome, then social media must convince not just those at the barricades, but those in the barracks. Theres gobs of evidence of a massive amount of social media posts and videos spreading information about the coup, but it remains unclear if or how they may have affected the military. So far, Singh argues, we simply dont have enough evidence to say Twitter turned back any brigades.

Gokhan Tan/Getty Images
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey has accused a reclusive U.S.-based Muslim cleric of masterminding an abortive military coup and launched purges of his suspected followers in state institutions including the army, schools and universities, in an unprecedented crackdown. Fethullah Gulen, 75, denies any involvement in the July 15 attempted coup, in which at least 232 people were killed. Ankara has said it will formally ask the United States to extradite Gulen to face trial in Turkey. Washington says Ankara must first provide clear evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Here are some details about Gulen and his movement: WHO IS FETHULLAH GULEN? Born in Erzurum, in eastern Turkey, in 1941, Gulen built up his reputation as a Sunni Muslim preacher with intense sermons. His movement, known as Hizmet, or "Service" in Turkish, set up hundreds of schools and businesses in Turkey and later abroad, with an initial focus on post-Soviet Turkic-language-speaking Central Asia. His philosophy stresses the need to embrace scientific progress, shun radicalism and build bridges to the West and other religious faiths. Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999. SCHOOLS The first Gulen school opened in 1982. Over the following decades, his schools have educated generations of capable graduates, who rose to influential jobs in the judiciary, police, media, state bureaucracy and private business. His millions of followers refer to Gulen as "Hocafendi", or "respected teacher". MOVEMENT Members of the Gulen movement are expected to contribute a share of their income to its charitable work, a source of funding that has helped build the schools and colleges that produce the graduates that expand its reach. His emphasis on education, free-market economics and integration into Europe drew middle-class followers, who in turn earned influence through their own successful careers and built more schools with their donations. RELATIONS WITH TURKEY'S RULING PARTY For many years Gulen and his movement had strong ties with President Tayyip Erdogan's center-right Islamist-rooted AK Party, which has governed Turkey since 2002. Erdogan, a pious Muslim who served as prime minister from 2003 until he stepped up to the presidency in 2014, shared some of the Gulenists' core beliefs. Gulen's supporters in the judiciary, police and civil service helped Erdogan to tame his enemies in Turkey's old secular elite, especially the armed forces, through mass trials, dubbed "Sledgehammer" and "Ergenekon", which led to the jailing of many top generals. But Erdogan, an ambitious and popular leader, began to resent the scale of the Gulenists' influence at home and abroad and to see them as a "state within a state". The fallout was cemented in 2013 after anti-graft police raids that touched on Erdogan's inner circle. CRACKDOWN Erdogan launched a series of purges against Gulen's followers in state institutions including the financial, organized crime, smuggling and anti-terrorism units of the police force. Thousands of police officers were dismissed or reassigned to other tasks. Some high-ranking officers were detained on charges of spying and illegal wire-tapping. Erdogan also tried to "cleanse" the judiciary of Gulenist influence, reforming Turkey's two top courts and packing the High Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) with its own supporters. The HSYK is responsible for appointments, transfers, promotions and expulsions in the judiciary. Private preparatory schools, many of which are a source of income and influence for Gulen's movement, were shut. Authorities also moved against more than 20 Gulen-related companies, including opposition media outlets. On July 15, hours before the coup attempt, authorities said a tender for the sale of Bank Asya, founded by Gulen followers, had failed to attract any bids. After the coup, they suspended the bank's activities, including freezing customers' deposits. AFTER THE COUP The coup, carried out by a faction within the armed forces, quickly crumbled in the early hours of July 16 as Erdogan rallied his supporters onto the streets and won the backing of the bulk of the security forces. Accusing Gulen of orchestrating the coup, Erdogan ordered further purges of suspected Gulenists in the armed forces, government ministries, schools, universities and other state institutions. Turkey said it was preparing a formal request to the United states for Gulen's extradition and suggested its failure to cooperate could harm bilateral ties between the NATO allies. Lawyers say any extradition process could take years. (Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by Ayla Jean Yackley and David Stamp)
Global health officials are racing to better understand the Zika virus behind a major outbreak that began in Brazil last year and has spread to many countries in the Americas. The following are some questions and answers about the virus and current outbreak: How do people become infected? Zika is transmitted to people through the bite of infected female mosquitoes, primarily the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the same type that spreads dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said Aedes mosquitoes are found in all countries in the Americas except Canada and continental Chile, and the virus will likely reach all countries and territories of the region where Aedes mosquitoes are found. How do you treat Zika? There is no treatment or vaccine for Zika infection. Companies and scientists are racing to develop a safe and effective vaccine for Zika, but the World Health Organization (WHO) had said it would take at least 18 months to start large-scale clinical trials of potential preventative shots. How dangerous is it? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that infection with the Zika virus in pregnant women is a cause of the birth defect microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities in babies. The CDC said now that the causal relationship has been established, several important questions must still be answered with studies that could take years. According to the World Health Organization, there is strong scientific consensus that Zika can cause the birth defect microcephaly in babies, a condition defined by unusually small heads that can result in developmental problems. In addition, the agency said it could cause Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can result in paralysis. Conclusive proof of the damage caused by Zika may take months or years. Brazil reports the number of confirmed cases of microcephaly at more than 1,600 as doctors and Brazilian health officials find that some suspected cases of microcephaly are not the disorder. Suspected ones under investigation declined to 3,257. Colombia confirmed two cases of microcephaly linked to Zika. Brazil registered 91,387 likely cases of the Zika virus from February until April 2. Current research in Brazil indicates the greatest microcephaly risk is associated with infection during the first trimester of pregnancy, but health officials have warned an impact could be seen in later weeks. Recent studies have shown evidence of Zika in amniotic fluid, placenta and fetal brain tissue. What are the symptoms of Zika infection? People infected with Zika may have a mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain and fatigue that can last for two to seven days. But as many as 80 percent of people infected never develop symptoms. The symptoms are similar to those of dengue or chikungunya, which are transmitted by the same type of mosquito. How can Zika be contained? Efforts to control the spread of the virus focus on eliminating mosquito breeding sites and taking precautions against mosquito bites such as using insect repellent and mosquito nets. U.S. and international health officials have advised pregnant women to avoid travel to Latin American and Caribbean countries where they may be exposed to Zika. Cases of sexual transmission have also been reported, prompting health officials to advise use of condoms, or abstaining from sex, to prevent infection between partners. How widespread is the outbreak? Active Zika outbreaks have been reported in at least 50 countries or territories, most of them in the Americas, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Brazil has been the country most affected. (http://1.usa.gov/1ovAJyh) Africa (1): Cape Verde Americas (41): Anguilla, Argentina, Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bonaire, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthelmy, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Eustatius, St. Maarten, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, U.S. Virgin Islands and Venezuela Oceania/Pacific Islands (8): American Samoa, Fiji, Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, and Tonga. What is the history of the Zika virus? The Zika virus is found in tropical locales with large mosquito populations. Outbreaks of Zika have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Southern Asia and the Western Pacific. The virus was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys and was first identified in people in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania, according to the WHO. Can Zika be transmitted through sexual contact? The World Health Organization (WHO) said sexual transmission is "relatively common" and has advised pregnant women not to travel to areas with ongoing outbreaks of Zika virus. It also advised women living in areas where the virus is being transmitted to delay getting pregnant. The U.S. CDC is investigating about a dozen cases of possible sexual transmission. All cases involve possible transmission of the virus from men to their sex partners. The WHO has also identified Zika cases in Argentina, Chile, France, Italy and New Zealand as likely caused by sexual transmission. British health officials reported Zika was found in a man's semen two months after he was infected, suggesting the virus may linger in semen long after infection symptoms fade. The PAHO said Zika can be transmitted through blood, but this is an infrequent transmission mechanism. There is no evidence Zika can be transmitted to babies through breast milk. What other complications are associated with Zika? Zika has also been associated with other neurological disorders, including serious brain and spinal cord infections. The long-term health consequences of Zika infection are unclear. Other uncertainties surround the incubation period of the virus and how Zika interacts with other viruses that are transmitted by mosquitoes, such as dengue. (Compiled by the Americas Desk)
The parents of the 2-year-old boy who died after being snatched by an alligator at a Disney resort in Orlando in June have decided not to sue Disney over the toddlers death.

Matt and Melissa Graves issued a statement to KETV, an Omaha, Neb.-based ABC affiliate, on Wednesday, more than a month after an alligator dragged their son Lane into the water by Disneys Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The Graves said they plan to keep his spirit alive by establishing the Lane Thomas Foundation in Lanes honor.

In addition to the foundation, we will solely be focused on the future health of our family and will not be pursuing a lawsuit against Disney, the Graves said.

Disney officials were previously aware of potential dangers posed by alligators, according to reports. In 2015, David Hiden, a San Diego attorney, notified a Disney World manager that an alligator had rapidly come after his son, who was wading in the lagoon of the Coronado Springs Resort, CBS News reported. According to Hiden, the manager said the alligators were harmless.

Walt Disney Resort President George A. Kalogridis said in a statement that the company continues to provide ongoing support for the family.

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From Cosmopolitan

Get ready to play "You and I" on repeat for the rest of the week because Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney are no longer together, TMZ reports. Gaga and Taylor, who became engaged on Valentine's Day in 2015 after dating for nearly four years, broke up earlier this month but sources tell TMZ it's unclear if the split was mutual. People also confirmed the breakup Tuesday. Gaga and Taylor have not been seen in public together in recent months, save for the occasional appearance on an Instagram account created for their batpigs (French Bulldogs) Asia and Koji. Here's a photo of the pups from May on "Pig Mountain," with both Gaga and Taylor tagged.

Gaga and Taylor's most recent red carpet appearance together was in March when they attended an Operation Smile event in Salt Lake City. They also took part in the annual Chicago Polar Bear Plunge that month:

Gaga spoke of her relationship with Taylor in a 2013 interview with Howard Stern. You might want to grab a tissue while reliving this and the beautiful photos I've included after the quote.

The way that it works is that we trust each other. He's on his journey and I'm on mine and we're gypsies. And then when we're together, we're really in love and that's it  For me, the connection that I feel is so strong that it's so much stronger than physical. We're both very protective of our love as well. We treat each other with a lot of care and we're good to one another.

Follow Peggy on Twitter.
By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's markets watchdog said on Wednesday it may buttress steps from competition regulators to cut very high fees on unauthorised bank overdrafts.

Andrew Bailey, chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), told MPs he would look at overdraft fees after scrutinising final recommendations from a retail banking review by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Initial recommendations have proposed that each bank sets its own fee cap on unauthorised overdrafts.

Some MPs want tougher action, saying overdraft fees were now higher than charges on payday loans, which have been capped by the regulator.

Bailey said the FCA has powers to go further than the CMA if it found that consumers were being harmed. "Do we implement their recommendations or do we bring some other things to play?" Bailey told parliament's Treasury Select Committee.

The former Bank of England deputy governor took up the reins on July 1, replacing Martin Wheatley who was ousted by the government for being hardline in the treatment of banks, and for presiding over a bungled insurance sector announcement.

Restoring morale will be one of Bailey's challenges.

"There is a very committed staff that wants to do the right thing. I am very encouraged. It's an organisation that has taken a battering," Bailey said, admitting that even his wife had qualms about him taking the job.

The Complaints Commissioner for the FCA said this week that a rising workload and high staff turnover has increased the watchdog's "defensiveness in the face of criticism".

Bailey, who previously headed the Bank of England's banking supervision arm, said the turnover rate at the FCA has fallen to 11.5 percent from 14 percent, but needed to fall further.

After Britain voted in June to leave the European Union, he said the country's ability to advance its regulatory agenda in Europe where financial rules are made has "diminished materially".

Britain will remain a member of the bloc and its regulatory bodies for at least another two years.

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"As long as the UK remains a member of EU we have a duty to apply the rules and we will do that. We are cooperative. We have no wish to disrupt these organisations and we wish to be good citizens," Bailey said.

While it was unclear what access Britain's financial services sector would have in future to the EU market, Bailey said would sketch out to MPs what an "optimal" deal would look like.

He said the FCA was having to work hard to reassure unsettled staff from EU countries as their future status was unclear.

(Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by David Clarke)
UPDATE, 6:28 AM: The Justice Department just filed a 136-page civil complaint (read it here) charging The Wolf Of Wall Street producer Red Granite Pictures with participating in an international conspiracy to launder money tied to an investment and development company owned by the government of Malaysia.

Although the company, 1MDB, was supposed to engage in economic development, between 2009 and 2013 it diverted funds for the personal benefit of the co-conspirators and their relatives and associates, including to purchase luxury real estate in the United States, pay gambling expenses at Las Vegas casinos, acquire more than $200 million in artwork, invest in a major New York real estate development project, and fund the production of major Hollywood films, the Justice Department says. 1MDB maintained no interest in these assets and saw no returns on these investments.

Deadline was the first to report the investigation into Red Granite in February.

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and other law enforcement officials have scheduled a press conference in Washington D.C. at 11:30 AM ET, where they will formally announce the filing of civil forfeiture complaints seeking the forfeiture and recovery of more than $1 billion in assets associated with an international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund.

The complaint at the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles focuses on Low Taek Jho  more popularly known as Jho Low  a jet-setting Malaysian national who allegedly laundered more than $400 million of the funds misappropriated from 1MDB through the U.S. He was closely linked to Red Granite co-founder Riza Aziz.

The filing is filled with accounts of extravagant spending including a $1.15 million evening of gambling Low funded at the Venetian Casino in 2012 involving Aziz, Red Granite co-founder Christopher McFarland plus a lead actor in The Wolf Of Wall Street and a former Chief Investment Officer of 1MDB.

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The actor appears to be Leonardo DiCaprio: He isnt mentioned by name, but the filing says the actor won a Golden Globe for Wolf Of Wall Street and, in his acceptance speech, thanked Aziz and Low as collaborators  which DiCaprio did.

In addition to charging misuse of funds to pay for the movie, officials say Low siphoned cash to buy interests in real estate  including New Yorks Park Lane Hotel, a penthouse in the Time Warner Building, and a mansion in Beverly Hills. Hes said to have funneled nearly $107 million to buy a major interest in EMI Music Publishing Group.

He also bought a Bombardier Jet, and art work including Vincent Van Goghs pen and ink drawing La maison de Vincent a Arles, and Claude Monets oil painting Saint-Georges Majeur.

Deadline broke the story in February that federal authorities were bearing down on what they are now calling a Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. It is relevant to Hollywood because of the direct tie to financier-producer Red Granite.

Leading the press conference will be Lynch, Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker of the Central District of California, Deputy Director Andrew McCabe of the FBI, and Chief Richard Weber of IRS-Criminal Investigation.

PREVIOUS, TUESDAY 9:56 PM: The feds are about to move on Red Granite, the production company behind The Wolf of Wall Street whose co-founder Riza Aziz is the stepson of Malaysias embattled Prime Minister. The Wall Street Journal reported tonight that U.S. prosecutors are ready to file civil lawsuits as early as Wednesday and launch the largest asset seizures in American history  it could exceed $850M.

The Justice Department (as well as law enforcement in other countries around the world) have, for months, been probing possible wrongdoing by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, his controversial 1MDB fund and a man named Low Taek Jho (also known as Jho Lo) who is a friend of Azizs. The federal investigation has been focused on whether the crime of money laundering applies to the transactions involving 1MDB, Low and production company Red Granite. The investigation is being handled by the DOJs Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section.

Deadline first reported the investigation into Red Granite in February and then in April, Red Granite said it was cooperating with the feds.

At issue is whether $155M moved through offshore companies and then used to fund expenditures and buy assets in the states. 1MDB was set up by Prime Minister Razak and Low, who received a special thanks at the end of The Wolf of Wall Street. Perhaps telling of the feds efforts, Low was cited repeatedly in an investigation in Malaysia last year over political slush funds and he is said to be involved in several companies that may have received funds from 1MDB.

Just yesterday, another company surfaced  Good Star Ltd.  which received over $1B from 1MDB and was long thought to have been owned by PetroSaudi International but was found, instead, to be solely owned by Low.

The U.S. DOJ could seize real estate and other assets from Low, Aziz and Red Granite or any other company owned/registered by/to them. Deadline investigated earlier this year and found 14 entities registered to Red Granite and had possible ties to Aziz. The feds were interested in their financial transactions. Red Granite, however, has consistently maintained, through a spokesman, that it has been involved in no wrongdoing.

The New York Times last year reported that it had found shell companies tied to Aziz and Low that spent about $150 million on real estate properties. Low is also a major investor in EMI Music Publishing and New Yorks Park Lane Hotel. He was also tied to a $30.6M penthouse in New York, a $39 million mansion in the Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills LErmitage Hotel and part of the Park Lane Hotel. Aziz was tied to a $33.5 million condo on 63rd Street in NYC and several properties in Los Angeles including a Beverly Hills residence with a garden that includes a gold pyramid.

There is also said to be expensive artwork that was bought either by Red Granite, Aziz and/or Low that could be on a forfeiture list. Red Granite has backed several movies, including the Will Ferrell-Mark Wahlberg comedy Daddys Home, which was the companies first 50-50 co-financing deal with Paramount with a budget of around $50M.

This case, although much larger in scope, is not unlike the 2014 case of Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, the son of the Equatorial Guinea president, who saw $30M in assets seized in the U.S. after it was found that the money was stolen from the African nation. Stay tuned.

Erik Pedersen contributed to this story.

Related stories

Red Granite Refutes DOJ Claims It Conspired To Use Laundered Money To Fund 'Wolf Of Wall Street'

'Wolf Of Wall Street' Producer Red Granite Now Cooperating In Federal Probe Into Funding

Red Granite Halts Hacking Lawsuit - For Now
Actress Erin Cummings and actor Tom Degnan are married!



The couple tied the knot on July 2 at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, and became the first celebrity bride and groom to get married at the historic church.



The Feed the Beast star looked beautiful in her white off the shoulder wedding gown custom made by designer and bridesmaid Rochelle Rodriguez. For the reception, Cummings, 39, wore a second dress also created by Rodriguez. Meanwhile, the Limitless actor was dapper in a black tuxedo and color coordinated bowtie.





Feed the Beast Star Erin Cummings Marries Limitless Actor Tom Degnan| Wedding









A total of nine bridesmaids and nine groomsmen were in the couple's wedding party including Cummings' former Astronaut Wives Club costar JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Cummings' manager and bridesman Todd Diener as well as the bride's mother Cheryl, who served as matron of honor. Groomsmen included People v O.J. Simpson star Billy Magnussen and UnREAL actor Josh Kelly.









Cummings shared a sweet wedding photo of the new Mr. and Mrs. Degnan on social media. "Words cannot describe the joy, light, laughter and love that @tomdegnan and I experienced this weekend," she captioned her picture. "I will always cherish the moment I entered the church and saw the smiling faces of everyone we know and love, before looking down the aisle and seeing the man I always dreamed about before I even knew him. This was all worth the wait and now I understand when people said to never, ever settle. For the 150+ people who were still holding strong at the end of the night and were able to be part of that unbelievable Piano Man finale, I cannot even think of that moment without getting choked up."



Adding, "It was truly an unexpected and emotional moment that will fill my heart and spirit for years to come."









The newlyweds celebrated their honeymoon in Rome, Italy and capped off their romantic getaway with a trip to New York City to watch the Broadway sensation Hamilton.
Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B de C.V. FMX, also known as FEMSA, is slated to report second-quarter 2016 results on Jul 27. Last quarter, the company delivered earnings in line with our estimates.



However, the leading Latin American beverage company delivered negative earnings surprises in three out of the last four quarters, with an average negative surprise of 11.11%. Lets see how things are shaping up for this announcement.

FOMENTO ECO-ADR Price and EPS Surprise

FOMENTO ECO-ADR Price and EPS Surprise | FOMENTO ECO-ADR Quote

Factors Influencing This Quarter



FEMSA is on track to drive growth through its strategic measures, which include increasing store count, diversifying business portfolio and focusing on core business activities. We believe the company is well positioned to gain from its venture in the drugstore business, as marked by its recent acquisitions in this line of business.

Currently, this business contributes about 10% to FEMSAs total revenues. In fact, considering the importance of its drugstore operations, management also split the reporting divisions of FEMSA Comercio into three  Fuel, Health and Retail for enhanced presentation and clarity.



While these factors bode well for FEMSAs growth, the company continues to struggle with adverse currency fluctuations, which have been weighing on Coca-Cola FEMSA's results for a while now. Also, soft Heineken performance has been a hurdle in the past two quarters, affecting the companys results.

Additionally, it has been witnessing pressurized margins owing to growth and incorporation of lower-margin businesses in FEMSA Comercios Health and Fuel divisions. Together, these factors make us slightly cautious of the upcoming results.



Earnings Whispers



Our proven model does not conclusively show that FEMSA is likely to beat estimates this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1, 2 or 3 for this to happen. This is not the case here, as you will see below:



Zacks ESP: Earnings ESP for FEMSA is currently 0.00%. This is because both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate are pegged at 66 cents.



Zacks Rank: FEMSA carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, a 0.00% ESP makes surprise prediction difficult.



Meanwhile, we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.



Stocks That Warrant a Look



Here are some companies you may want to consider as our model shows these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter:



Amazon.com Inc. AMZN, scheduled to report earnings on Jul 28, has an Earnings ESP of +37.72% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



Cabela's Inc. CAB, scheduled to report earnings on Jul 28, has an Earnings ESP of +4.92% and a Zacks Rank #2.



Papa John's International Inc. PZZA, expected to report earnings on Aug 2, has an Earnings ESP of +3.70% and a Zacks Rank #2.



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Late in For the Plasma, Anabelle LeMieuxs character, Charlie, complains to her employer Helen (Rosalie Lowe) that her job  and her overriding purpose  at the secluded Maine cabin where theyre living and working together makes no sense. Moviegoers are apt to feel likewise about Bingham Bryant and Kyle Molzans indie head-scratcher, which operates according to its own dreamy wavelength, disregarding traditional narrative structure or lucidity at every turn. Equally entrancing and off-putting, this low-budget curio will have more luck attracting a cult audience on home video than in theaters, where its prospects are as murky as its plot.

At a picturesque house nestled amongst towering trees, Charlie arrives to serve as the assistant to longtime friend Helen, who spends her days monitoring the surrounding forest for possible wildfires via CCTV security cameras that feed video to her residences bank of computer monitors. While that may be her nominal task, however, Helen promptly informs Charlie that, by staring at her screens images of trees for hours on end, shes been able to achieve a kind of epiphany about spatial perspectives and relationships that, in turn, has allowed her to accurately predict stock market fluctuations  and thus earn her regular checks from (unidentified) employers.

Charlie takes this befuddling, bonkers revelation in stride, as she does her chore of going into the woods to further investigate the areas trees. There, she discovers white, rectangular frames hanging by wire in front of the cameras  denoting the visual spaces being recorded  though their origins or functional intentions are left vague by directors Bryant and Molzan, who pace their film like a laconic reverie headed toward some indistinct destination. Or, rather, they stage it like a hazy, spiraling hallucination determined to double back on itself, as suggested by a scene in which Helen draws circles on a newspaper to explain how she foresees the financial sectors future, and Charlie responds by illustrating a tale about a Japanese bug that travels in a circular pattern.

Centered around a remote cabin located in some sort of pseudo-sci-fi-horror netherworld, For the Plasma faintly recalls Justin Benson and Aaron Mooreheads sterling 2012 thriller Resolution. Nonetheless, despite talk about ghosts and some faint inklings of outer-space enigmas  the latter via a meeting between Helen and two Japanese businessmen who ask her to study lunar telescope-snapped shots of distant galaxies  Bryant and Molzans film exhibits no interest in adhering to, or subverting, familiar genre conventions. Instead, their feature debut (shot on 16mm in a constricting 4:3 aspect-ratio, the better to lend it an 80s-ish aesthetic vibe) operates as something akin to a uniquely bizarre expression of its milieu, a sleepy New England locale of battered lobster shacks, placid rock quarries, and rustic lighthouses where the salty air seems infused with indefinable but ever-present mystery.

Bryant and Molzans off-kilter editorial design is matched by cinematography thats alternately detached and measured, and up-close-and-personal and handheld-shaky. The effect is a constantly shifting POV that further destabilizes the proceedings. Compounding the impression that the action is unmoored from any firm reality is a score by Tokyo Godfathers and Outrage composer Keiichi Suzuki, whose synth-heavy music  sometimes bouncy and playful, other times cascading and unsettling  provides jagged, beguiling accompaniment to a story that drifts along to its own blissfully idiosyncratic tune.

Only faintly touching upon notions of intuitive collaboration and inspiration, For the Plasma wanders about as if its in a fog, ultimately to the point of pointlessness. LeMieux and Lowes arrhythmic line readings are exacerbated by (deliberately) shoddy ADR, and as they traverse their rural setting, neither character (nor the actresses playing them) makes much of an impression. The same cant be said of Tom Lloyd, who as a local lighthouse watchman flashes such overly mannered smiles while speaking in a strangely halting, unnatural robotic manner that he comes across as a quasi-pod person beamed in from an alternate universe. If David Lynch hasnt yet cast him in an upcoming project, he should.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton, the group's first-ever endorsement for a presidential nominee and a rebuke of Republican Donald Trump in the middle of his party's convention. The Trump campaign has gone from frankly something that was entertaining, comical, and has devolved into something that is frankly scary, said Javier Palomarez, the chamber president and chief executive officer. He said the group weighed in because of Trumps rhetoric, which has angered many in the U.S. minority community. Trump has been accused of bigotry for his hard line on immigration, and many of his comments have been blasted as racist ahead of the Nov. 8 presidential election. It wasnt a step that was taken easily, Palomarez said, noting that many of the chambers board and members are staunch Republicans. Trump kicked off his campaign last year saying Mexico was sending rapists and drug dealers across the border, and he proposed building a wall to stop them. He has called for a temporary ban on Muslim immigrants to shore up national security and suggested an Indiana-born federal judge was unable to hear a lawsuit against his Trump University venture because the judge is of Mexican descent. The New York businessman's positions have angered minority groups, liberals, Democrats, and even some Republicans, who have called them racist, divisive and callous. Among black, Hispanic and Asian voters polled in the first 15 days of July, 70 percent supported Clinton while 9 percent supported Trump, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll. Over that time, 45 percent of all likely voters supported Clinton and 34 percent supported Trump. Trump became his partys official nominee to the presidency on Tuesday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Palomarez said the Clinton campaign earned their groups endorsement by doing significant outreach to Latinos, including asking to speak with chamber members in different parts of the country. I think she understands the challenges of American small businesses, he said. The convention had a dramatic start, as anti-Trump delegates tried, and failed, to force a roll-call vote that would record the number of delegates opposed to the New York real estate developer. The chamber is an organization of Hispanic business leaders representing the interests of Hispanic-owned businesses nationwide. It had endorsed Clinton and Republican John Kasich in their respective primaries, the group's first-ever such endorsements. (Reporting by Luciana Lopez; Editing by David Gregorio)
By Matthew Stock Scientists have shown for the first time how a species of tropical fish can distinguish between human faces. The archerfish used in experiments could demonstrate the ability to a high degree of accuracy; despite lacking the crucial neocortex part of the brain which other animals use for sophisticated visual recognition. The research, conducted by scientists from the University of Oxford and Australia's University of Queensland, wanted to test the long-held belief that differentiating between human faces could only be accomplished by more sophisticated animals, such as primates. The archerfish, found largely in Australia and southeast Asia, was chosen for its ability to spit a jet of water; a technique it uses to shoot down insect prey even above the water level. In laboratory-based tests, an archerfish was presented with two different images of human faces and trained to 'choose' one of them by shooting a jet of water at it. "We present them with different stimuli, and it can be a whole range of different things. But what we do is we give them different options and then we train them by giving them a food reward to select a particular one. So this can give us a huge amount of information about what the fish is able to see and how they do it," explained lead author Dr. Cait Newport from the University of Oxford. In subsequent tests, the archerfish were presented with the learned face and a series of new faces. Researchers found that the fish could discriminate one face from up to 44 new faces with up to an 81 percent success rate. They were able to do this even when features such as head shape and colour were removed from the images. In her lab at the Department of Zoology, Newport demonstrated a similar level of visual perception in her Picasso triggerfish. The brightly coloured tropical fish were able to successfully pick out a black coloured disc mounted on a board surrounded by white discs. Newport said the lack of a neocortex in fish and the fact they have no evolutionary need to recognise human faces makes the results of their research all the more surprising. "It [the brain] is very large in primates, and it's highly folded, so there is a lot of different connections within the neurons happening in the brain; fish entirely lack that. When you look at a picture of a fish's brain it's only got what we consider the primitive sections of the human brain which are underneath that highly folded neocortex. And yet fish are still able to perform really complex behaviours; they can do facial recognition as we showed, they also build social systems, and there's some evidence of potential tool use," Newport told Reuters, adding that the fish could be applying their pattern recognition ability that evolved to detect aerial prey to the task of discriminating human faces. The cognition demonstrated by fish sheds some light on their ability to recognise and return to the same territory year after year for breeding. This is something that could be under threat in the Great Barrier Reef due to the current mass bleaching of coral reefs. Bleaching occurs when the water is too warm, forcing coral to expel living algae and causing it to calcify and turn white. Mildly bleached coral can recover if the temperature drops, otherwise it may die. Australian scientists have said mass bleaching is likely to destroy half of the northern coral. This could prove devastating for the marine life there. "These guys [the fish] are looking at colours and patterns and textures. And if all of that is bleached we don't know if they're still going to be able to find their territories, their homes; we don't know how that will affect how they detect predators or potential prey," said Newport. The study, published recently in the journal Scientific Reports, suggests that complicated brains are not necessarily needed to recognise human faces, even though subtle features need to be identified in order to differentiate. Newport added that the research provides evidence that fish have much more impressive visual discrimination abilities than previously believed. "It is amazing what they can do with a really simple brain, as humans like to call it. Although it seems a bit unfair to call it simple - I think their brains are perfectly adapted to what they do and that's what's important to remember about all this - brains can look different, but they've evolved for different tasks," she said.
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Five people died on Wednesday when a seaplane they were traveling in crashed into a bridge in Shanghai on its maiden flight to an offshore island, the government said. The Cessna 208, operated by AVIC Joy General Aviation, was carrying 10 people from Shanghai's Jinshan district to Zhoushan, an island in the eastern province of Zhejiang, the district government said in a statement. One survivor is seriously hurt and is undergoing surgery, while four others sustained lighter injuries, the government said. The cause of the crash is under investigation, it added. Xinhua news agency said the airline is the first seaplane operator in eastern China approved to carry passengers. An airline official, reached by telephone, declined to comment. AVIC Joy General Aviation is an affiliate of state-owned Aviation Industry Corp of China. (Reporting by Reuters Television; Writing by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Ryan Woo)
Legendary animator Floyd Norman is headed to San Diego Comic-Con for the screening of the documentary about his career - and Heat Vision has an early look at the film.

Floyd Norman: An Animated Life tells the story of Floyd Norman, who was the first African American animator to work for Walt Disney Animation Studios and whose career has spanned 60 years.

Norman began his career at Disney in 1956 as an inbetweener for Sleeping Beauty. He worked his way up to movies like One Hundred and One Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone, and The Jungle Book. Norman was there for many of the key events in Disney's history, giving him the reputation as "The Forrest Gump" of the animation industry.

After Walt Disney died in 1966, Norman left the company to work on Saturday morning cartoons shows like Fat Albert and The Cosby Kids before returning to Disney productions in the 1970's for Robin Hood.

After overcoming doubts from people that he could break into Disney because of his race, he found ageism to be the next hurdle, when he was forced into retirement at 65. But now 81, Norman works as a freelancer at Disney and has said he plans to die at the drawing board.

Floyd Norman: An Animated Life, screens at Comic-Con at 3:10 p.m. Friday and will be followed by a Q&A with Norman, filmmakers Michael Fiore and Erik Sharkey, as well as Music Composer Ryan Shore. A separate panel on the film will be held Friday at 9 p.m. More information on the documentary can be found on the official website.

The film will hit theaters and VOD platforms on August 26th from FilmBuff and can be preordered here.

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Airbnb has hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to join its anti-discrimination team, the company announced Wednesday.

Holder will assist Airbnb in crafting a world class anti-discrimination policy, CEO Brian Chesky said in a blog post. The company is working to ensure that those renting out their homes through the service are adhering to that policy.

Airbnb launched a policy review in June after claims from some users, many of whom were people of color, that they were being discriminated by home owners. The claims inspired the hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack on Twitter, where people shared stories of discrimination they said they had faced on the site.

Airbnb is committed to building a community where everyone can belong, no matter who they are or what they look like, Holder said in a statement, Business Insider reported. Im eager to help them craft policies that will be the model for companies who share Airbnbs commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Holder is the latest former member of the Obama administration to head to Silicon Valley, with former White House press secretary Jay Carney going to Amazon, former adviser Dan Pfeiffer now at GoFundMe and 2008 campaign manager David Plouffe joining Uber as a board member.
TySon Williams is using the GI Bill to transfer to USC (Getty).

Former three-star recruit TySon Williams is heading to South Carolina as a walk-on.

Williams, a native of South Carolina, decided to transfer from North Carolina after his freshman season in 2015. Hes walking on because of transfer restrictions UNC put in place upon his departure. He was barred from going to any school that UNC would play for the duration of his college tenure.

Hes thankfully able to take advantage of a federal provision to avoid paying for his tuition, however.

From the State:

I just want to thank my parents, because honestly I wouldnt be able to do it without them, Williams said. With them being in the military and the GI Bill, that kind of just opened up a variety of things. I could go to any school I wanted to. With that being said, I felt comfortable going back home to South Carolina, that school and their people. I just felt comfortable with that decision At the end of the day, I just had to do something that I just felt was right for me, and I just felt that was right.

Just imagine if Larry Fedora was barred from being hired at Clemson or Florida State because either of the ACC schools was on UNCs schedule in the near future.

[Check out Dr. Saturday on Tumblr for entertaining things you wont see on the blog]

Williams was the No. 43 running back in the country in the class of 2015 and the No. 7 recruit in South Carolina. He had 19 carries for 57 yards in 2015 and was likely going to be no higher than second or third on North Carolinas depth chart in 2016.

[Visit Dr. Saturday on Facebook for stories you might have missed and chat with the writers]

     



Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!


Update: 21st Century Fox announced that Ailes will leave the network on Thursday. Read here.

As 21st Century Fox negotiates an exit package with embattled Fox News chief Roger Ailes, one that is expected to conclude imminently, the parent company is also scrambling to put a succession plan together.

Among the names that have emerged: Bill Shine, a longtime Fox News executive who runs primetime programming and also oversees Fox Business Network; Jay Wallace, who in April was promoted to executive vp news and editorial; Jesse Angelo, CEO and publisher of the New York Post; and David Rhodes, a former Fox News staffer who is now president of CBS News.

Sources have dismissed reports that the Murdochs would bring in someone from their British broadcaster Sky. And Rhodes is seen as a real long shot. He has maintained a relationship with Ailes, but he is under contract at CBS, where he has a strong relationship with president and CEO Leslie Moonves, who is known to keep favored executives around for decades.

Ailes, 76, has also been in his Fox News office in Manhattan this week, even as the fall-out from ousted anchor Gretchen Carlson's sexual harassment lawsuit and an internal review conducted by New York law firm Paul, Weiss, have intensified the pressure. Insiders describe a surreal atmosphere, especially as the network has hundreds of staffers in Cleveland for the Republican national convention. "No one knows what the hell is going on," said one. "We're just trying to focus on the work."

Read More: Roger Ailes Resigns as Fox News Chief After Sexual Harassment Accusations

Meanwhile, Ailes is also being slammed by a bombshell New York magazine report that Megyn Kelly told lawyers conducting the review that she was the target of unwanted sexual advances early in her career at Fox News. (Ailes' lawyer, Susan Estrich has denied the report. "Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly," she said in a statement released July 19. "In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him.")

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One scenario, say sources, would be to temporarily put Shine and Wallace in a dual role running Fox News, giving the Murdochs time to conduct a search for a permanent replacement. Shine, who has been at Fox News since the network's inception in 1996, is senior executive vp programming. Sources tell THR he returned to New York from Cleveland on Tuesday amidst the flurry of apparently premature reports that Ailes was out.

Wallace, last April was promoted to executive vp news and editorial (the job previously held by Michael Clemente). He has oversight of Shepard Smith Reporting and the Fox News Deck, as well as the programs that originate from the network's Washington, D.C., bureau such as Special Report with Bret Baier and Chris Wallace's Fox News Sunday.

Jay Wallace is known to be well-regarded by Ailes, who said in a network press release announcing his recent promotion: "Jay's television journalism acumen has played a major role in the success of Fox News throughout his nearly 20 years here and his leadership during the current election season has especially stood out. He's both liked and respected throughout the newsroom and I'm certain he'll excel in this position."

But the question is what would Fox News look like without Ailes?

He has his hand in virtually every aspect of Fox News from coverage to the graphics to guest bookings. He has always viewed himself as a producer. And his laser focus on what is on the television screen - and what viewers will respond to - has made him one of the most successful executives in the business. In building the top-rated cable news network, and a revenue-generating juggernaut, Ailes forged close relationships with his top on-air stars. So much so that Bill O'Reilly, Greta van Susteren and Sean Hannity all have clauses in their contracts that allow them to leave if Ailes does, say multiple sources. It is an unusual wrinkle in an industry where eye-popping salaries are on the wane and many news division heads chafe at the care-and-feeding requirements of their top stars.

"It's one of the things that I get accused of - defending talent too much," Ailes told THR during a wide-ranging interview in March 2015. "But I like talent and think they're vulnerable. They get out there in front of the public and take all the criticism. They do a lot of hard work. So one of my jobs as a producer is to protect them."

Ailes is known to have given O'Reilly in particular, considerable autonomy. "Ailes does not micromanage me," O'Reilly told THR during a recent interview. "If I do something that tees him off then I'll hear about it, sometimes from him directly. I have to make split-second decisions every day of my life about how to handle people, what questions to ask, my tone. I can't be worrying about what they think. Ailes understands that. He knows I can't be perfect. He knows I'm going to make mistakes. So that's his genius: understanding who the person is."

If Ailes' management style is unusual, it's also proved effective. He's created a business that contributes almost 25 percent to the bottom line of 21st Century Fox, the single most profitable asset in the company's portfolio. Fox News and Fox Business generated $900 million in ad revenue, $1.5 billion in affiliate revenue and $2.5 billion in total revenue last year, according to data from SNL Kagan. Their operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) totaled $1.6 billion. (In comparison, Time Warner's CNN and HLN generated $600 million in ad revenue, $700 million in affiliate fee revenue and $1.4 billion overall, with around $500 million in OIBDA.)

Meanwhile, Kelly, who anchors the network's 9 p.m. program, is said to be in negotiations with Fox News management for a new deal when her current contract comes up next July. She is the network's second-most watched personality after The O'Reilly Factor. And she's also made no secret of her desire to take the next step in her career and also be home to see her three children.

Kelly's live show means she goes to work around the time her kids are coming home from school and gets home after they've gone to bed. "I don't know what's going to happen," she told Variety in an interview published April 5.

"I've had a great 12 years [at Fox News], and I really like working for Roger Ailes. I really like my show, and I love my team. But you know, there's a lot of brain damage that comes from the job. There was probably less brain damage when I worked in the afternoon. I was less well known. I had far less conflict in my life."

Kelly has said she'd like to do more interviews, a la Charlie Rose. And a primetime interview special last May on the Fox broadcasting network, produced by Ailes, may have been a trial balloon for a bigger role at the company. So Kelly's on-air colleagues are waiting to see what kind of deal - and how much power - she'll get if she stays.

The loss of O'Reilly would also leave a huge hole - and if van Susteren and Hannity also took advantage of their exit clauses, most of the network's primetime lineup would collapse. A potential talent exodus that has not gone unnoticed on Wall Street.

Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Todd Juenger wrote in a report Wednesday: "Mr. Ailes is widely viewed as the architect and soul of Fox News Channel. Therefore, losing Mr. Ailes injects some degree of risk into its future. But we struggle to identify any material negative near-term financial implications."

The biggest risk seems to be key talent. "However, we question: where else would they go?" Juenger wrote. "The most damaging theory (and this is just a theory, we have not heard it espoused by journalists or investors) is if Mr. Ailes were to set up a new, competitive network/service and bring this talent with him."

Juenger in that context highlighted that Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin, "both rather noteworthy personalities of their own, have struggled to set up their own services."

Similarly Pivotal Research Group analyst Brian Wieser said in a report that he does not expect Ailes' departure to have a "meaningful impact on the business given the strong political cycle providing a headwind to audience shares and the long-term nature of affiliate fees."

But he also acknowledged that a "disruption of this nature may introduce some challenges. Reports that the unit's CEO is set to depart in the wake of sexual harassment allegations introduce concerns for investors beyond the allegations themselves. Fox News is more heavily dependent on its CEO for its personality and operations than are most other networks. Because of this, the network has historically operated as an independent fief, and many of the network's highest profile on-air commentators evidently prioritize loyalty to its current leader rather than to the parent company. These elements lead investors to question whether recent developments create new risks."

Read More: Michael Wolff: Roger Ailes' Stunning Fall Marks the End of a Murdoch Era
* Microsoft ordered to stop tracking Windows users without consent

* French privacy regulator gives Microsoft 3 months to comply

* Company could face sanctions if no action taken (Adds Microsoft comment)

By Julia Fioretti

BRUSSELS, July 20 (Reuters) - The French data protection authority on Wednesday ordered Microsoft Corp to stop collecting excessive data on users of its Windows 10 operating system and serving them personalised ads without their consent.

The CNIL said the U.S. company had three months to stop tracking browsing by users so that Windows apps and third-party apps can offer them targeted advertising without their consent, failing which it could initiate a sanctions procedure.

A number of EU data protection authorities created a contact group to investigate Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system following its launch in July 2015, the French privacy watchdog said.

The action against Microsoft mirrors that taken by the CNIL against Facebook, which was ordered in February to stop collecting users' information then used for advertising without their consent.

Microsoft processes information on all the apps downloaded and installed on Windows by a user and the time spent on each one to identify problems and improve its products. However the CNIL said it considered this to be excessive since the data "are not necessary for the operation of the service".

The French watchdog also said that Microsoft puts advertising cookies on users' terminals without properly informing them beforehand or giving them a chance to opt out.

"It has been decided to make the formal notice public due to, among other reasons, the seriousness of the breaches and the number of individuals concerned (more than ten million Windows users on French territory)," the CNIL said in a statement.

"The purpose of the notice is not to prohibit any advertising on the company's services but, rather, to enable users to make their choice freely, having been properly informed of their rights."

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While the fines that can currently be levied by European data protection authorities are paltry compared to the revenues of big U.S. tech companies, a new European Union data protection law set to enter into force in two years provides for fines of up to 4 percent of a company's annual global turnover.

David Heiner, vice president and deputy general counsel for Microsoft, said the company would work closely with the CNIL over the next few months to understand its concerns fully and "to work toward solutions that it will find acceptable."

The CNIL also said Microsoft was still illegally transferring data to the United States using the Safe Harbour framework, which was struck down by the top EU court in October on concerns about mass U.S. surveillance practices.

Companies have had to rely on alternative legal structures such as "standard contractual clauses" to move data across the Atlantic in line with tough EU data transferral rules.

Heiner said Microsoft relied on a variety of legal mechanisms for transferring data from Europe to the United States, including standard contractual clauses.

A new EU-U.S. data transfer pact will be open to companies as of Aug. 1 and Microsoft has said it will sign up to it.

(Additional reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel; editing by Adrian Croft and Alan Crosby)
DreamWorks AnimationJustin Timberlake's new movie Trolls will hit San Diego Comic Con on Thursday, along with Justin himself. While the movie itself isn't won't be out for months, the first song from the film, "Can't Stop the Feeling!," is one of the biggest hits of the summer. Which is kind of ironic, considering Justin's character Trolls isn't a big music fan, to say the least.

Justin plays Branch, a paranoid survivalist troll who is terrified that Troll Village will be invaded by the evil troll-eating Bergens. While everyone else in the village loves to sing and dance, Branch refuses to do so. "He keeps saying to everyone, 'You guys have to stop singing and dancing so loud! Youre going to attract the Bergens,'" explains JT. "And he ends up being right."

Of course, by the end of the film, Branch has embraced his singing and dancing side, and that's when "Can't Stop the Feeling!" comes in.

"'Cant Stop the Feeling! is a really big moment in the movie," teases Justin. "Its a really big, big song in the movie and the whole cast sings it."

As previously reported, Justin doesn't just sing this one song: he's in charge of the entire soundtrack for the film, which will feature the cast -- which includes Gwen Stefani -- as well as Ariana Grande and other artists.

"Its kind of amazing to work on all the music for a film but also, especially, one that youre playing a lead character in thats also an animated film," Justin explains. "Cause animated films are, y'know, they just never miss. Theyre just always great."

Trolls hit theaters November 4. The soundtrack arrives September 20.

Copyright  2016, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
(Adds details from decision, background, comments, case citation, byline)

By Jonathan Stempel

July 20 (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Wednesday revived Ohio's lawsuit accusing Freddie Mac of defrauding the state's $87.3 billion public pension fund by hiding its exposure to subprime and other risky mortgages prior to the 2007-09 financial crisis.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court judge erred in finding that the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) did not plausibly allege that disclosure shortfalls by Freddie Mac and officials, including former Chief Executive Richard Syron, caused it to lose money on the company's stock.

A spokesman for Freddie Mac said the McLean, Virginia-based mortgage finance company does not discuss pending litigation. The office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said it is pleased with the decision.

Freddie Mac and the larger Fannie Mae were seized by the U.S. government in September 2008 after racking up huge losses from mortgage securities.

They have since regained profitability, but remain in a federal conservatorship and send profits to the U.S. Treasury Department.

In its lawsuit, which began in January 2008, OPERS accused Freddie Mac of concealing nearly $227 billion in exposure it had taken on to subprime and other low-quality loans, as well as its ability to manage risk and fight fraud.

The fund said Freddie Mac's stock price plunged 29 percent in one day after the truth became known in November 2007.

OPERS sought class action status on behalf of purchases of Freddie Mac stock from Aug. 1, 2006, to Nov. 20, 2007.

Its case has lasted this long in part because the lower court judge who oversaw it for more than five years recused himself in 2013, and because the 6th Circuit took more than nine months after oral arguments to rule.

The case is Ohio Public Employees Retirement System et al v. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp et al, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 14-4189.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York, editing by G Crosse)
By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Wednesday revived Ohio's lawsuit accusing Freddie Mac of defrauding the state's $87.3 billion public pension fund by hiding its exposure to subprime and other risky mortgages prior to the 2007-09 financial crisis. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a lower court judge erred in finding that the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) did not plausibly allege that disclosure shortfalls by Freddie Mac and officials, including former Chief Executive Richard Syron, caused it to lose money on the company's stock. A spokesman for Freddie Mac said the McLean, Virginia-based mortgage finance company does not discuss pending litigation. The office of Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said it is pleased with the decision. Freddie Mac and the larger Fannie Mae were seized by the U.S. government in September 2008 after racking up huge losses from mortgage securities. They have since regained profitability, but remain in a federal conservatorship and send profits to the U.S. Treasury Department. In its lawsuit, which began in January 2008, OPERS accused Freddie Mac of concealing nearly $227 billion in exposure it had taken on to subprime and other low-quality loans, as well as its ability to manage risk and fight fraud. The fund said Freddie Mac's stock price plunged 29 percent in one day after the truth became known in November 2007. OPERS sought class action status on behalf of purchases of Freddie Mac stock from Aug. 1, 2006, to Nov. 20, 2007. Its case has lasted this long in part because the lower court judge who oversaw it for more than five years recused himself in 2013, and because the 6th Circuit took more than nine months after oral arguments to rule. The case is Ohio Public Employees Retirement System et al v. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp et al, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 14-4189. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York, editing by G Crosse)
Paris (AFP) - French investigating magistrates have dismissed charges against two elite officers who were sensationally accused of raping a Canadian tourist at Paris police headquarters in 2014, judicial sources said Tuesday.

The 34-year-old woman claimed she was gang-raped by two policemen she met in a pub across the Seine river from the headquarters of the criminal police department in the French capital.

The Paris prosecutor's office had recommended that the two men face trial and could yet appeal the decision by the magistrates to dismiss the case.

The affair cast a cloud over the accused officers' elite BRI unit, which fights gang crime.

The woman said that after a night of heavy drinking with the accused and other officers, she agreed to follow them back to their workplace, known as "36 quai des Orfevres" after its address.

She left the building later in shock and reported a rape.

One policeman admitted to having sex with her but insisted it was consensual. The other denied having intercourse with her.

There was further embarrassment for the "36" later that year when 52 kilos of seized cocaine, with an estimated street value of two million euros ($2.2 million) vanished from the building.

Sebastien Schapira, a lawyer for one of the two accused, hailed the decision as "just", claiming the woman's testimony was incoherent and contained "untruths".

The woman's lawyer has yet to react.
Paris (AFP) - French lawmakers voted massively Wednesday to extend a state of emergency as President Francois Hollande said that a call to boost reserve forces had paved the way towards a "National Guard."

The government is scrambling to find new ways to assure a jittery population after its third major attack in 18 months saw a truck driver plough into a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, killing 84 people.

After seven hours of fraught debate into the night, during which the opposition accused the government of being lax on security, the lower house of parliament voted by 489 to 26 to prolong the state of emergency for a further six months.

Then on Wednesday afternoon, a large majority of senators followed suit, voting to extend the state of emergency by 309 to 26.

It is the fourth time the measures have been extended since Islamic State jihadists struck Paris in November, killing 130 people at restaurants, a concert hall and the national stadium.

Hollande had planned to lift the measures on July 26 but changed tack after the Nice attack by Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel.

IS said the Tunisian driver was one of its "soldiers" but investigators say that while he showed a recent interest in jihadist activity, there was no evidence he acted on behalf of the extremist group.

Hollande said that of the 331 people injured in the attack, 15 were still fighting for their lives. The victims came from 38 different nations.

As part of the government's reaction to the assault -- which has exposed it to tough questions over security failures -- a call has gone out for volunteers in the reserve forces.

Between current reservists, and the call for more volunteers, "we can say that France, with you, is forming a National Guard," Hollande said Wednesday on a visit to a military training complex in southwest France.

France's reserve force comprises civilian volunteers in the police, army and paramilitary police, who can be deployed for specific missions.

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- Extra police powers -

Hollande's Socialist government had proposed a three-month extension to the state of emergency but relented to demands from the conservative opposition that the tough security laws be kept in place until the end of January.

The laws give the police extra powers to carry out searches and place people under house arrest.

On Wednesday, MPs also voted to allow authorities to search luggage and vehicles without prior approval from a prosecutor and to allow the police to seize data from computers and mobile phones.

The legislation also makes it easier for authorities to shut down places of worship where calls for violence and hate are made.

The bill then passed to the upper house, where an overwhelming majority also approved the extension.

With elections due next year, the cross-party solidarity seen after last year's attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket has all but evaporated.

But Socialist members of the lower house and majority-conservative senators reached a deal on ammendments before the legislation was put to a vote.

During a visit to Portugal Tuesday Hollande had appealed for greater unity.

"The terrorists want to divide us, to separate us and turn people against each other," he warned.

The government has defended its response to the jihadist threat, pointing to a raft of new anti-terror laws and the deployment of thousands of troops to patrol the streets.

A recent parliamentary commission of inquiry said however the new laws had had a "limited impact" on security.

- 'There will be other attacks' -

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned the country about the enduring nature of the menace from extremists returning from jihad in the Middle East or becoming radicalised at home, by devouring propaganda on the internet.

"Even if these words are hard to say, it's my duty to do so: There will be other attacks and there will be other innocent people killed.

"We must learn to live with this threat," he told parliament, accusing opponents who suggested the Nice attack could have been thwarted of "lying to the French".

In a video posted online on Wednesday that was apparently shot in Iraq, where IS holds large swaths of territory, the group threatened new attacks against France.

Two French-speaking jihadists are shown in the video, praising the attacker behind the Nice massacre, and threatening to "intensify" attacks against France before they behead two captives accused of "spying".

Five people are still being held over the Nice massacre, including a 22-year-old man to whom Bouhlel sent a text message minutes before the attack about a pistol he used to fire at the police.

Friends and relatives of the 31-year-old father of three, who had a history of violence, told police he showed no interest in religion until recently.

However, authorities found "very violent" photos on his computer, including of corpses, fighters posing with the IS flag and photos of Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.
Finhaut-Emosson (Switzerland) (AFP) - Chris Froome took a big step towards winning a third Tour de France as Nairo Quintana's challenge wilted on Wednesday's first Alpine stage.

Russia's Ilnur Zakarin won the 184.5km 17th stage from Bern to Finhaut-Emosson in Switzerland ahead of Sunday's stage 15 winner Jarlinson Pantano of Colombia.

Froome put in a burst inside the final 2km to chase after former Sky team-mate Richie Porte of Australia and put time into all his other rivals.

Quintana, who was the first to respond to Porte's attack and then Froome's counter, cracked badly and lost 28sec to the race leader.

The 26-year-old Colombian -- second overall to Froome in 2013 and 2015 -- remains fourth but is drifting away from even a podium finish, now 3min 27sec behind Froome.

"He (Quintana) tried one time (to attack) but maybe he didn't have the legs like last year," said Froome.

"It was tough but I'm happy to follow the best -- Richie Porte today was very strong on the final climb.

"It's never easy but maybe I feel better in the third week than last year, for sure."

A young star was born as Adam Yates resisted the best of the rest and lost only 8sec to Froome.

He stays third, but at 2:53 he is now only 26sec behind second-placed Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands, who gave up 40sec to the race leader.

Tasmanian Porte, 31, who has been the only rider to remain alongside Froome in all three uphill finishes at this Tour, looks a strong bet for a top-three finish, now moving up to sixth overall at 4:27.

He lost 1:45 due to a late puncture on the second stage and but for that would be second overall.

- Break-neck racing -

Zakarin was part of an 11-man breakaway that finally got away after 75km of break-neck racing to start the day.

A second pack of eight formed a chase group before three of those bridged over to the leaders to make a 14-strong breakaway.

Once they got clear, the peloton, which had been riding at 52km/h, slowed up considerably and the leaders managed to stretch out their lead to a maximum of just over 13 minutes by the time the final two climbs began.

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That was where the stage was sure to be won or lost with a 13km first category climb preceding a 10km hors category one, and only 7km of downhill between the two to gain some respite.

As the peloton hit the foot of the Col de Forclaz, the penultimate climb, Quintana's Movistar set the pace.

By the top it was the Astana team of Italian Fabio Aru pushing the tempo.

But when the race got to the business end, there was the familiar sight of a posse of Froome's black-shirted Sky team-mates taking control.

In the breakaway, Pantano and Poland's Rafal Majka, who would finish third, escaped on the 7km descent before Zakarin joined them once the final climb began.

Zakarin was restless and attacked almost immediately after catching the front two.

Pantano went with him, but when the Russian accelerated again, the Colombian couldn't follow and eventually finished 55sec back.

"I did my best today. I'm really happy now," said Zakarin. "This result is not a surprise for me."

Ireland's Dan Martin attacked from the peloton but Sky pair Mikel Nieve and Wouter Poels kept the tempo going and reeled him in.

Porte then launched his attack with Quintana trying to follow.

Froome went after the pair and soon enough dropped Quintana and bridged to his former team-mate.

Quintana was going backwards and was passed by Yates, Frenchman Romain Bardet, Aru and Louis Meintjes of South Africa by the finish.
Royal Dutch Shell plc (ADR) (NYSE: RDS-A) is an oil company, right? If you ask the company's CEO Ben van Beurden this question the answer is a straight up no.

According to a report by Bloomberg, Shell's CEO said the company that he oversees is more of a gas company than oil company. Near Australia's northeastern coast lies Shells' 667-acre liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in which gas from more than 2,500 wells move hundreds of miles by pipeline and then chilled and pumped into 10-story high tanks.

This may represent the new norm for oil companies that are scrambling to survive in a world that is moving towards new ways of producing and consuming energy while simultaneously lowering their carbon footprint.

"If you have to place bets, which we have to, I'd rather place them there," van Beursen told Bloomberg.

Related Link: Western Refining Neutral At Goldman Sachs; Phoenix Exposure Offsets Low Crude Differentials

Shell's large bet includes a massive $54 billion takeover of BG Group, a deal which closed in February and gives the company exposure to gas fields worldwide, including the United States.

Shell also commands a 20 percent market share in the global LNG market and its production capacity is nearly double of its closest competitor, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM).

However, Shell faces many obstacles, including the high cost of production at a time when the market is flooded with cheap coal. Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency downgraded its gas growth forecast and noted the market will "struggle to absorb" new supplies.

Nevertheless, Shell isn't deterred and is actually expanding its production facility near Australia's coast that will increase capacity by 40 percent.

Did you like this article? Could it have been improved? Please email feedback@benzinga.com with the story link to let us know!

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 2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
DAKAR (Reuters) - Gambia sentenced a prominent lawyer and 18 of his supporters to three years in jail on Wednesday for "unlawful assembly" and for holding a protest without a permit, a court document reviewed by Reuters showed. Ousainou Darboe, a lawyer, was arrested after taking part in a small protest near the capital Banjul, along with other senior members of the United Democratic Party (UDP). Both the United Nations and the United States condemned the arrests. Justice Eunice Dada Oshim convicted them for unlawful assembly, for "riotously interfering with vehicles", holding a procession without a permit and disobeying an order to disperse. The total sentences came to eight years, but the judge ruled that they should run concurrently. Protests are rare in Gambia, a tiny territory along the banks of a river that is almost encircled by Senegal. President Yahya Jammeh has ruled for two decades since seizing power in a bloodless coup. But rights groups say he has been cracking down on opposition figures in recent months with an eye on December's election, where he will seek his fifth term, after he scrapped term limits. (Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Garry Marshall was one of the most beloved luminaries in Hollywood  as evidenced by the number of celebrities who are mourning his death Tuesday at 81. But the writer and director's last interview with PEOPLE reveals just how important his personal relationships were to his success, and paint a picture of a loving grandfather and friend as well as an acclaimed Hollywood hitmaker.



Speaking before the premiere of his last film, Mother's Day, earlier this year, Marshall explained how his longstanding relationships with stars including Julia Roberts made casting easy.



"Why I get along with them is I don't call them, I bump into them," he told PEOPLE, calling his strategy "the key to movies."



"Julia Roberts has a 10-year-old and I have a 10-year-old grandson," he also said. "They play in the same little league, so there I am in the stands, cheering with Julia, and eventually between innings she'll say, 'What are you doing?' 'I'm doing Mother's Day  You're a mother!' 'Yeah? Okay.' "







He went on to joke that he'd visit Roberts's Malibu house with a script "and shove it in her mailbox."



"She reads it, goes 'Okay, I could do something' and she picks her part and that's it," he said. "That's not usually the way show business works."





Garry Marshall's Touching Final Interview with PEOPLE Reveals a Generous Man Who Cherished His Friends| Death, Movie News, Chris Pine, Garry Marshall, Jason Sudeikis, Julia Roberts, Kate Hudson



Roberts wasn't the only longtime friend Marshall turned to for Mother's Day. He also cast Kate Hudson, whom he had previously worked with on Raising Helen. He first met the 37-year-old when she was 7, on the set of mom Goldie Hawn's movie Overboard.



"It may sound corny, but I'm a corny guy," Marshall said. "When I was doing Overboard, I would hold Kate Hudson in my lap and I'd say 'Let's yell 'Action!' for mommy! Look, mommy's funny!' So in this movie, I had her two sons there sitting in my director's chair. 'Here she comes  watch mommy, she's going to be funny.' So it was a circle."



Connecting circles was important to Marshall. He cast Chris Pine in The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, and Chris's father, Robert Pine, in Mother's Day. That relationship made Marshall feel confident Pine would return for another Princess Diaries installment.



"Chris Pine likes me, you know why? Because his father is in Mother's Day!" he joked. "His father I know, I've seen him in plays. Chris Pine and my kids went to similar schools, so I knew him as a kid."





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RELATED VIDEO: 'Pretty Woman' Director Garry Marshall Dies of Complications from Pneumonia at 81

Pretty Woman Director Garry Marshall Dies of Complications from Pneumonia at 81" data-ad-channel="peoplenow" data-ad-subchannel="peoplenownews" data-auto-play="no">



Marshall's warmth was evident on his sets, which he described as being "open" to everyone's family. "I always meet everybody's parents, and like kids to be running around," he explained. "I love when they come to the set and say hello."



For Mother's Day  a "feel-good movie" meant to "salute mothers" for all they do  his set seemed particularly full.



"The kids were there,' he said. "I had all my grandchildren there. Kate Hudson's kids were there, Julia's kids were there, Jason Sudeikis had his son there  it was quite that kind of set. I love the kids  they make me laugh."



Judging by the love Marshall's been receiving after his death, the feeling appears to be mutual.



 Reporting by KARA WARNER
(Adds Denton statement, background)

By Jessica DiNapoli

NEW YORK, July 19 (Reuters) - Gawker Media LLC founder Nick Denton faces personal bankruptcy after a U.S. judge refused on Tuesday to extend protections shielding him from liabilities resulting from a lawsuit over the invasion of privacy of former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan.

The decision represents a victory for Hogan as well billionaire investor Peter Thiel, an early backer and board member of Facebook Inc who helped fund Hogan's lawsuit following the publication of an article by Gawker about Thiel's homosexuality.

"This story will conclude with Gawker Media's popular brands sheltered under new ownership and the importance of a free and critical press reaffirmed by the courts. In the end, the Facebook board member will have nothing to show for his petty grudge other than legal expenses and a reputation for thin skin," Denton said in a statement.

Thiel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Gawker, a U.S. internet publisher, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June after Hogan won a $140 million judgment against the company over the publication of excerpts from a sex tape, $125 million of which Denton is liable for, according to court filings.

Attorneys for Gawker had asked the court for the same protections for its founder, including a shield from lawsuits. The court had only agreed to give Denton temporary protections.

Stuart Bernstein, U.S. bankruptcy court judge for the Southern District of New York, declined on Tuesday to extend the shield.

Attorneys for Gawker argued that without the shield, Denton would be distracted by his own personal bankruptcy process. Gawker's business and its plan to sell itself in bankruptcy would suffer, they said.

Gawker and its investment bankers are now soliciting acquisition offers for the company. When Gawker filed for bankruptcy, it had an agreement from online publisher Ziff Davis LLC to buy the company for $90 million, but this was only meant to be a stalking horse bid setting the floor price in an auction process that is now underway.

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Prior to the ruling, Denton said a personal bankruptcy process would be major distraction to him helping navigate Gawker through its auction, arguing that he would be playing a crucial role.

"I know they are going to want to speak to me," Denton said in court Tuesday of other potential bidders for Gawker. "I'm the founder of the company. I know where all the bodies are buried."

Hogan's attorneys argued that Denton's personal bankruptcy would not weigh on Gawker because the company already had in place an executive team and outside professionals who would be able to execute the sale.

Denton said that Gawker had loaned him money to pay for his personal bankruptcy attorney, and that he had met with the attorney twice. In court papers, Hogan's attorney stated that the loan was for $200,000.

Denton said in court that he has two assets, his equity in his apartment and his stock in Gawker. Denton owns about 30 percent of Gawker. The value of the equity of his apartment was not referenced in court.

(Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli in New York; Editing by Alan Crosby and Diane Craft)
SHANGHAI (Reuters) - General Electric still sees plenty of opportunities in a slower-growing China, even as the government's anti-corruption campaign causes some deals to take longer to get approved, a senior executive said on Wednesday. GE vice chairman John Rice, speaking on the sidelines of a company event in Shanghai, told Reuters there was some "level of caution" in reaction to President Xi Jinping's crackdown on corruption even though he broadly welcomed the campaign. "Yes the economy is growing at a slower growth rate ... (but) it's the worlds second-largest economy so theres plenty of opportunity," he said. "Theres some level of caution, people in some cases reacting to the anti-corruption campaign ... The effort to clean this up and deal with some of these issues will be really helpful to China and very helpful to companies like GE." Rice also said the fall in the value of the British pound after the vote to leave the European Union would help GE's exports and the company had no long-term plans to make substantive changes to its business in the United Kingdom. GE earlier Wednesday announced a partnership with China's Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL] to develop its industrial internet strategy. GE said industrial internet applications would help the firm make $500 million in productivity savings globally in 2016. (Reporting by Brenda Goh; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Stephen Coates)
Kino Lorber has acquired U.S. distribution rights to The Daughter, Simon Stones Aussie drama starring Geoffrey Rush, Ewen Leslie, Paul Schneider, Miranda Otto, Anna Torv, Odessa Young and Sam Neill. A winter theatrical release is planned for the pic, which was the closing-night films at Venice Days and had a special presentation at the Toronto Film Festival.

The story follows Christian (Schneider), who returns to his family home for his the wedding of his father Henry (Rush) to the much younger Anna (Torv). While home, he reconnects with his childhood friend Oliver (Leslie), who has stayed in town working at Henrys timber mill and is now out of a job. As Christian gets to know Olivers wife Charlotte (Otto), daughter Hedvig (Odessa Young) and father Walter (Neill), he discovers a secret that could tear Olivers family apart. As he tries to right the wrongs of the past, his actions threaten to shatter the lives of those he left behind years before.

Jan Chapman and Nicole ODonohue produced the pic, which was financed by principal investor Screen Australia in association with Screen NSW, Roadshow Films, Kazstar and The Gingerbread Man. Mongrel International repped sales.

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BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany wants a message of stability to emerge from this weekend's G20 meeting in China, where Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble will also meet his newly appointed British counterpart Philip Hammond to discuss Brexit, a senior government official in Berlin said on Wednesday.

Finance heads from the world's 20 leading economies will confront fresh fears about protectionism when they meet in Chengdu, with Brexit fallout and dwindling policy options to boost global growth expected to dominate talks.

The Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers will put the spotlight on Hammond, who makes his international debut at the gathering and will need to answer questions about how London will manage its exit from the European Union.

"Brexit will be one of the topics in focus of discussions," the senior official said on condition of anonymity.

The official added Germany also expected the meeting to focus on creating better conditions for sustainable growth and strengthening the resilience of economies.

"The issue of structural reforms will be paramount... we won't have a debate about more stimulus or not," the official said, adding participants could agree on certain guidelines for such reforms.

"For us it's clear that Chengdu will send a signal of stability and reliability," the official said.

The official added that Schaeuble would push for further measures to fight global tax evasion such as sharing detailed data on the ownership of companies, trusts and foundations.

Hammond said last week that he wants Britain to ensure access to the EU's single market for its financial services industry, despite the decision to leave the bloc.

But Schaeuble has already made clear that access to the EU's single market means accepting the bloc's basic freedoms, rejecting suggestions from London that Britain could retain full market access while curbing immigration.

Some British politicians who advocated Brexit have suggested Britain could have full EU market access, including for the vital financial sector, while limiting the number of EU nationals who enter the country. The EU's single market seeks to guarantee the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people between the EU's 28 member states.

(Reporting by Michael Nienaber; Editing by Madeline Chambers and Mark Trevelyan)
Leading razor company Gillette (PG) is officially on the defense. Unilever (UN), the Anglo-Dutch consumer goods company, announced it would acquire hot startup Dollar Shave Club for a reported $1 billion on Wednesday.

The monthly razor subscription service started in 2011, and CEO Michael Dubin made a splash with his YouTube video, modestly called Our Blades are F***ing Great. The video has garnered 22.9 million views.

Offering three distinct razors  the Humble Twin at $1, The 4X at $6 and The Executive at $9  Dollar Shave Clubs model is simple. Choose a blade and get it delivered once a month (bimonthly if you dont need to shave so frequently).

With fewer than 5% of American men currently part of an online shave club, theres significant upward potential in the $8.5 billion US market for mens grooming products. Even within the smaller space, Dollar Shave Club has been the original and the incumbent  with 3.2 million subscribers. Harrys  another subscription and a la carte razor service  has also gained significant momentum (likely because co-founder Jeff Raider is also a co-founder of Warby Parker) and has 2 million users.

This momentum may be making the industry leader Gillette a little nervous. To be sure, Gillette is one of the most profitable businesses for Procter & Gamble, which acquired it for $54 billion in 2004. According to its 2015 annual report, Gillette has 65% market share in the global blades and razors market.

But its stronghold on the market has deteriorated materially. P&G announced that grooming net sales decreased 7% to $7.4 billion in 2015. Much of that decrease is precisely because of the momentum that upstarts have seen.

Dollar Shave Club and Harrys both employ a direct-to-consumer subscription strategy thats become trendy over the past few years (e.g. Blue Apron for food, Birchbox for beauty, and Stitchfix for clothing, to name a few).

In order to remain competitive, Gillette even launched its own subscription service  Gillette Shave Club  in 2014. The company has the search engine optimization comp-nent down pat. When searching shave club, Gillette is the first advertisement available. The key here, however, is that companies like Dollar Shave Club are using their cheeky branding, clean design and youthful vibe to target audiences through social media.

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Dollar Shave Club, in particular, has dominated the digital realm. The company posts clever, cutesy images frequently, and its Instagram account has 58,300 followers and was posted on just 19 hours prior to this writing. The startup has 2.8 million likes on its Facebook page.

Gillette, meanwhile, has 2.1 million likes on Facebook and hasnt posted on its Instagram account (which has 9,232 followers) in over a year.

Dollar Shave Club also appears as a clear winner for the digital natives, a.k.a. pre-pubescent youth who are freshly entering the grooming market. And despite Dollar Shave Club seeming like a masculine brand, the blade is gender-neutral. Dollar Shave Club says the women in the Club love the 4X and the Executive  these could be more affordable, trendy alternatives to the Venus or the Schick (EPC).

And Gillette has taken legal action with its upstart competition. In December, the company filed a lawsuit against Dollar Shave Club, claiming that it has been violating intellectual property by selling razors using patented technology that supposedly reduces wear and tear on blades. Dollar Shave filed a countersuit denying the allegations and said its not intimidated by Gillettes attempt to thwart competition. The lawsuit is still pending.

Calling Dollar Shave Club innovative and disruptive, Unilever North Americas President Kees Kruythoff acknowledged that Dollar Shave Clubs primary appeal is its incredibly deep connections to its diverse and highly engaged consumers.

And with Dubin remaining at the helm as CEO, he can infuse his spunk and witty touch that hatched this brand in the first place.

Though $1 billion may seem like a steep sum to acquire a little over 3 million shavers, lets not forget Facebooks $1 billion bet on Instagram. The photo-sharing social network is now, undeniably, its bright spot. Starting with 30 million users in 2012, Instagram now has half a billion monthly active users, 300 of whom use the service daily. There is massive opportunity for Unilever to leverage its global presence to catapult Dollar Shave Club to millions more.
A 13-year-old from Missouri surrendered to police Wednesday morning after an elderly couple in their 70s were shot and critically wounded at a beauty supply store following a suspected shoplifting.

Read: Elderly Couple Facing Eviction After Grandson Allegedly Scams Them Out of Their Home

The teen, who stands just under 5 feet tall, turned herself in to law enforcement at about 10 a.m. and was transferred into the custody of St. Louis County Family Court, officials reported in a Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department statement provided to InsideEdition.com.

She was dropped off at the station by family members, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

The unnamed girl was wanted after being suspected of shooting a man and woman in their 70s in King's Beauty Supply, according to the statement.

The man and the woman from O'Fallon are critically injured but alive after being shot in the torso, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported, although officers mistakenly believed the woman had died of her injuries overnight.

The 13-year-old African-American girl, who is often seen in the area, first arrived at the King's Beauty Supply on Tuesday accompanied by another juvenile, according to police.

Staff members said the pair were suspected of shoplifting, and after the items that some believe to be hair extensions were returned to the store, the girls were kicked out and warned not to return, the police press release reported. The alleged shoplifting incident was not reported at the time.

According to St. Louis Post-Dispatch, it was the elderly couple, believed to be the parents of the Korean store owners, who originally handled the situation. The 70-year-olds do not speak much English, and the store has been owned by the same family for more than a decade.

A few hours later, the police were called after the two minors returned to the store.

One of the pair was taken into custody after officers discovered a juvenile warrant for her arrest.

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The 13-year-old was released at that time and issued a formal warning with the approval of the couple, KMOV reported. But she reportedly returned shortly after. This time, she was armed, cops say.

The girl went back to the store after 4 p.m. and shot both the man and the woman before leaving with merchandise, according to police.

A witness said she was only in the store for less than a minute, before she "came running out, swinging in her right hand a revolver as she ran," Detective Lt. Shawn Applegate from the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Read: Daughter is Found Guilty of Killing 96-Year-Old Mother Then Saying: 'I Killed the B****'

It is unclear where the 13-year-old got the gun, police say.

Cops say she fled the scene before they named her a person of interest before she turned herself in the next morning.

The investigation is ongoing and police ask anyone with information about the incident to contact the Bellefontaine Neighbors Police Department or Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-8477.

Watch: Ex-Cop Charged in Killing of 2 K9 Partners Now Linked to Death of Third Dog

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SAO PAULO, July 20 (Reuters) - U.S. investment bank Goldman Sachs has led a second round of investment to inject around 35 million reais ($11 million) into Brazilian technology startup CargoX, in a sign of investor confidence despite the deepest recession in decades.

The Brazilian logistics firm is using mobile technology to connect companies that need freight services to more than 100,000 independent truck drivers. CargoX began to operate last March and expects 50 million reais ($15.4 million) in revenue in the first year.

CargoX's chief executive, Federico Vega, a former JPMorgan Chase & Co executive, said that around 40 percent of truck trips in Brazil are made without cargo, usually while coming back from freight destinations.

"The idea is to test our model thoroughly in a single country, in this case Brazil, and then do as Uber did, launching the service in several countries simultaneously," Vega told Reuters.

With little rail infrastructure in the vast South American nation, the majority of freight in Brazil is transported by trucks.

Vega expects the company to break even by the end of 2017, despite a sharp decline in demand for freight services this year due to Brazil's worst recession since the 1930s. He said this could help the company as clients are keen to economize on freight expenditure.

The company said that other backers of the financing round included Oscar Salazar, co-founder of Uber Technologies Inc and Hans Hickler, former executive at DHL Worldwide Express BV.

Agility Logistics and investment firms Lumia Capital and Valor Capital Group also took part in the fundraising.

The second round of investment raises the amount CargoX has gotten from investors to 49 million reais ($15 million).

($1 = 3.2472 Brazilian reais) (Reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr, writing by Tatiana Bautzer; editing by Daniel Flynn)
NEW YORK, July 20 (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs' work with Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB is under the spotlight over U.S. government allegations that billions of dollars were diverted for the personal use of officials in the southeast Asian country.

The Wall Street bank helped 1MDB raise $6.5 billion in three bond sales in 2012 and 2013 to invest in energy projects and real estate to boost the Malaysian economy.

Instead, more than $2.5 billion raised from those bonds was misappropriated by high-level 1MDB officials, their relatives and associates, U.S. Department of Justice civil lawsuits filed in court on Wednesday said.

Prosecutors said the money was used to buy artwork, including paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, luxury properties in New York and London and gambling debts in Las Vegas.

Goldman Sachs, which earned close to $600 million to arrange and underwrite the 1MDB bonds, has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

"We helped raise money for a sovereign wealth fund that was designed to invest in Malaysia. We had no visibility into whether some of those funds may have been subsequently diverted to other purposes," a spokesman for the bank said.

The FBI and other U.S. regulators, including New York's Department of Financial Services, have been investigating Goldman Sachs' business relationship with 1MDB.

The Wall Street bank had deep ties with 1MDB and Malaysia. In May 2012, it had helped 1MDB raise $1.75 billion in a bond deal it dubbed "Project Magnolia", and $1.75 billion in a separate bond issue it called "Project Maximus" in October 2012.

The Justice Department said that the offering circulars for the two bonds contained "material misrepresentations and omissions" over what the proceeds of the bonds would be used for and the nature of the relationship between 1MDB and International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), an entity owned by the Abu Dhabi government.

IPIC guaranteed one bond directly and another one indirectly. The U.S. government's allegations were that no reference to IPIC's indirect guarantee was included on the second bond offering circular.

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After 1MDB received the proceeds of the 2012 bonds, approximately $1.3 billion was misappropriated and fraudulently diverted to bank accounts in Switzerland and Singapore, according to the lawsuits.

In 2013, Goldman helped 1MDB raise $3 billion, in a transaction referred to as "Project Catalyze". The Department of Justice lawsuit said that more than $1.26 billion in proceeds from that bond was diverted to overseas shell company accounts.

U.S authorities said that the offer document used to sell the bond failed to disclose that individuals connected to 1MDB would receive hundreds of millions of dollars from the bond proceeds within days of its closing.

"This fact would have been material to the bond transaction, as it would have alerted investors to the possibility of conflicts of interest and related-party transactions," one of the lawsuits said.

(Reporting by Carmel Crimmins and Olivia Oran; editing by Grant McCool)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs' (GS.N) work with Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB is under the spotlight over U.S. government allegations that billions of dollars were diverted for the personal use of officials in the southeast Asian country.

The Wall Street bank helped 1MDB raise $6.5 billion in three bond sales in 2012 and 2013 to invest in energy projects and real estate to boost the Malaysian economy.

Instead, more than $2.5 billion raised from those bonds was misappropriated by high-level 1MDB officials, their relatives and associates, U.S. Department of Justice civil lawsuits filed in court on Wednesday said.

Prosecutors said the money was used to buy artwork, including paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, luxury properties in New York and London and gambling debts in Las Vegas.

Goldman Sachs, which earned close to $600 million to arrange and underwrite the 1MDB bonds, has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

"We helped raise money for a sovereign wealth fund that was designed to invest in Malaysia. We had no visibility into whether some of those funds may have been subsequently diverted to other purposes," a spokesman for the bank said.

The FBI and other U.S. regulators, including New York's Department of Financial Services, have been investigating Goldman Sachs' business relationship with 1MDB.

The Wall Street bank had deep ties with 1MDB and Malaysia. In May 2012, it had helped 1MDB raise $1.75 billion in a bond deal it dubbed "Project Magnolia", and $1.75 billion in a separate bond issue it called "Project Maximus" in October 2012.

The Justice Department said that the offering circulars for the two bonds contained "material misrepresentations and omissions" over what the proceeds of the bonds would be used for and the nature of the relationship between 1MDB and International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), an entity owned by the Abu Dhabi government.

IPIC guaranteed one bond directly and another one indirectly. The U.S. government's allegations were that no reference to IPIC's indirect guarantee was included on the second bond offering circular.

Story continues

After 1MDB received the proceeds of the 2012 bonds, approximately $1.3 billion was misappropriated and fraudulently diverted to bank accounts in Switzerland and Singapore, according to the lawsuits.

In 2013, Goldman helped 1MDB raise $3 billion, in a transaction referred to as "Project Catalyze". The Department of Justice lawsuit said that more than $1.26 billion in proceeds from that bond was diverted to overseas shell company accounts.

U.S authorities said that the offer document used to sell the bond failed to disclose that individuals connected to 1MDB would receive hundreds of millions of dollars from the bond proceeds within days of its closing.

"This fact would have been material to the bond transaction, as it would have alerted investors to the possibility of conflicts of interest and related-party transactions," one of the lawsuits said.

(Reporting by Carmel Crimmins and Olivia Oran; editing by Grant McCool)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs' <GS.N> work with Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB is under the spotlight over U.S. government allegations that billions of dollars were diverted for the personal use of officials in the southeast Asian country.

The Wall Street bank helped 1MDB raise $6.5 billion in three bond sales in 2012 and 2013 to invest in energy projects and real estate to boost the Malaysian economy.

Instead, more than $2.5 billion raised from those bonds was misappropriated by high-level 1MDB officials, their relatives and associates, U.S. Department of Justice civil lawsuits filed in court on Wednesday said.

Prosecutors said the money was used to buy artwork, including paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, luxury properties in New York and London and gambling debts in Las Vegas.

Goldman Sachs, which earned close to $600 million to arrange and underwrite the 1MDB bonds, has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

"We helped raise money for a sovereign wealth fund that was designed to invest in Malaysia. We had no visibility into whether some of those funds may have been subsequently diverted to other purposes," a spokesman for the bank said.

The FBI and other U.S. regulators, including New York's Department of Financial Services, have been investigating Goldman Sachs' business relationship with 1MDB.

The Wall Street bank had deep ties with 1MDB and Malaysia. In May 2012, it had helped 1MDB raise $1.75 billion in a bond deal it dubbed "Project Magnolia", and $1.75 billion in a separate bond issue it called "Project Maximus" in October 2012.

The Justice Department said that the offering circulars for the two bonds contained "material misrepresentations and omissions" over what the proceeds of the bonds would be used for and the nature of the relationship between 1MDB and International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC), an entity owned by the Abu Dhabi government.

Story continues

IPIC guaranteed one bond directly and another one indirectly. The U.S. government's allegations were that no reference to IPIC's indirect guarantee was included on the second bond offering circular.

After 1MDB received the proceeds of the 2012 bonds, approximately $1.3 billion was misappropriated and fraudulently diverted to bank accounts in Switzerland and Singapore, according to the lawsuits.

In 2013, Goldman helped 1MDB raise $3 billion, in a transaction referred to as "Project Catalyze". The Department of Justice lawsuit said that more than $1.26 billion in proceeds from that bond was diverted to overseas shell company accounts.

U.S authorities said that the offer document used to sell the bond failed to disclose that individuals connected to 1MDB would receive hundreds of millions of dollars from the bond proceeds within days of its closing.

"This fact would have been material to the bond transaction, as it would have alerted investors to the possibility of conflicts of interest and related-party transactions," one of the lawsuits said.

(Reporting by Carmel Crimmins and Olivia Oran; editing by Grant McCool)
CLEVELAND, Ohio - It was a tense scene Tuesday in Cleveland's downtown Public Square about an hour before the Republican National Contention started its second day when an enormous police presence moved in after protesters seemingly became too rowdy.

Officers from numerous police departments from around the country were in the park and ultimately formed a barrier with their bodies around the space so no one else could enter. People were allowed to leave the area, but not re-enter. The square had been designated a free-speech zone.

It is unclear exactly what prompted police to fill the area.

Supporters of Donald Trump and those against him shouted back and forth at one another, but nothing violent took place as far as this reporter witnessed.

At one point, as more authorities moved into the area, a protester blared a fanfare musical number over a loud speaker. It did not appear arrests were made, but multiple individuals were told repeatedly to stop trying to get past officers, into the park.

After about an hour, the largest group of protesters began to leave the area and march into the street. Officers on horseback secured some paths leading to the Quicken Loans Arena where the RNC would begin at 5:30 p.m. ET.

Protesters now on the move. Police hop on bikes, follow. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/XN7msU5S0X

- Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) July 19, 2016

Amount of police on scene is staggering. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/brt6QFRAz5

- Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) July 19, 2016

The massive crowd packed inside Public Square. More officers are riding in on horseback.#RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/0OICRPyF7y

- Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) July 19, 2016

More police. Barrier is expanding. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/x11mIX93m2

- Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) July 19, 2016

Read More: Michael Wolff at GOP Convention: Melania's Misstep Mars a Trump Dynasty Moment
CLEVELAND  Just hours before the Republican Party made Donald Trumps nomination official, two of the partys best-known leaders  Ohio Gov. John Kasich and House Speaker Paul Ryan  made clear that they still werent entirely on the same page as the New York businessman.

Trumps nomination Tuesday night  and the entire four-day Republican national convention in Cleveland  shouldve been the pinnacle of the real estate magnate and reality TV stars rise to the top of a once-crowded field of would-be presidents, including Kasich. It also should have signaled his effective ascension to the top of the Republican establishment he has spent so many months railing against.

Instead, in separate speeches hosted by the International Republican Institute, a nonpartisan nonprofit, Kasich and Ryan highlighted lingering differences with the Republican nominee.

Kasich has refused to endorse Trump or attend the convention in his home state that he played a sizable role in helping bring to Cleveland. On Tuesday, just blocks from the convention hall, he went further, trumpeting his opposition to Trumps views on trade, immigration, foreign policy, and national security.

Kasich clearly blamed Trump for what he described as an increasing attitude of lets just take care of us, lets just pull the shades down, lets lock the doors and lets not take care of the rest of the world, lets just take care of ourselves.

The Ohio governor allowed that he has never been a doctrinaire free trader, but said his years in Congress left him to ultimately believe in the importance of closer economic relationships between countries.

So we see in the world a growing nationalism, a growing isolationism, anti-immigration, and anti-trade  if you put that all together, what does that stew look like? What does it mean for the world? What does it mean for stability? he said.

He summed up his opposition to Trump by pointing to the moguls talk of possibly pulling the U.S. out of NATO.

Story continues

Are we kidding? he said. Let me ask you a question: What would we put in its place?

Kasich, Trump, and their aides have sparred in recent days in dueling media interviews, and the mutual dislike has literally manifested itself in the convention hall. In a rare move, organizers relegated the delegation from Ohio  a key battleground state generally guaranteed a spot front-and-center at the national conventions for both parties  to the sidelines stage left, sandwiched between Pennsylvania and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Ryan in his later speech sought himself to give the answer to Kasichs question What would we put in its place?  but it wasnt a commander-in-chief Trump.

Ryans ambitions to shape a new policy vision for the GOP and present it as a big tent party of ideas have been constantly thwarted by divisive rhetoric from Trump.

Still, the House speaker was more circumspect in comments alluding to his nominee, whose racially charged remarks have repeatedly left him in the uncomfortable position of explaining why he was still endorsing the businessman.

Normally the president as the commander-in-chief sets the tone and the tenor and maps out the strategy  thats not happening, so we need to do that, Ryan said, explaining what he saw as the need for a new GOP policy blueprint during the Obama administration. We need to show what we believe a good strong foreign policy looks like, for the world to see, so that we can run on this and win a mandate to put it in place.

His comments had obvious implications. The policy draft was begun months before anyone thought Trump stood a shot, and was led by Ryan and GOP leaders without any real input from the candidate who is now the nominee.

In the end, Trump won with an overwhelming mandate from Republican voters not for the more traditional, strong on defense Republican foreign policy platform Ryan worked so hard to draft, but his own ever-evolving America First national security doctrine which breaks from much of it.

Without referring to the nominee by name, Ryan said he agreed the border did need to be secured and stricter screening needed to be done for immigrants and international visitors. But, he emphasized American leadership in the world, including trade, human rights, and democratic values  an implicit distancing with Trumps policy pronouncements.

These are things we should not shrink from, he said, but we should be proud of.

The remarks came a day after the opening of the convention was marked by an eruption of intraparty rancor on the floor of the hall as #NeverTrump opponents tried, and failed, to mount an insurrection against the Republican National Committee and other pro-Trump supporters. The event was also memorable for a reason Trump would clearly not have wanted: wall-to-wall media coverage of his wife Melanias apparent plagiarism of remarks in 2008 from Michelle Obama.

On Tuesday, roughly two hours after his earlier speech, it was Ryan who, as chairman of the convention, tried to put on a happy face as he made his first appearance on stage and kicked off the proceedings of state delegates chiming out their support for Trump, making his nomination official.

When he finally announced the results just after 8 p.m., Ryan gave the distinct impression of someone carrying on his political duty: Grin and bear it.

Have we had our arguments this year? Sure we have  and you know what I call those? Signs of life, Ryan said in his later speech at center stage. Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way.

Yet even his urging for the party to come together came in the form of a question.

So what do you say that we unify this party, he said, at this crucial moment when unity is everything?

Credit: Alex Wong / Staff
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The two most powerful Republicans in Congress last night presided over the formal nomination of Donald Trump as the GOPs presidential candidate for the 2016 election, and of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his vice presidential running mate. But on a night when the party was supposedly coalescing behind its new standard bearer, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan, seemed to struggle to even utter Trumps name.

Party conventions are traditionally full of hyperbolic praise of the partys nominee, and there was no shortage of that here last night. Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama called Trump the singular leader that can get this country back on track. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who had been on the short list as Trumps choice for VP, called Trump not only a strong leader but a caring, genuine and decent person.

Related: Cleveland Protests Turn Violent as Donald Trump Receives GOP Nomination

Two of Trumps children, Donald Trump Jr. and Tiffany Trump, were effusive in their praise for their father. But the men who a President Trump would actually have to work with in order to get things done in Washington were far more reticent when it came to the new nominee.

Donald Trump Campaign Summary | InsideGov

In his nearly 13-minute formal address, Ryan, the chair of the convention, mentioned Donald Trumps name exactly twice.

Next time theres a State of the Union address, I dont know where Joe Biden and Barack Obama will be. But youll find me right there on the rostrum with Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump, he said near the beginning of his speech.

At the end of his remarks, riffing on the set of Better Way proposals that he had been rolling out over the past few weeks, Ryan said, Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way.

Related: Melania Trumps Speech -- Another Campaign Crisis, another Glib Denial

Along the way Ryan made comments that seemed to reflect something like resignation, such as Democracy is a series of choices. We Republicans have made ours. Ryans second-in-command, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, delivered a much shorter speech, which may be why he only mentioned the word Trump once.

Story continues

In these difficult times I remember the words of President Ronald Reagan when he described America as that shining city upon the hill, McCarthy said, concluding a speech that consisted mainly of a recitation of complaints about the Obama administration and generalities about the Republican agenda. Together --- by electing a Republican Congress --- Donald Trump --- and Mike Pence. We can build a better America and make that shining city upon the hill bright again.

McConnell mentioned Trumps name five times, but that included an almost mantra-like repetition of the phrase Trump will sign it in reference to Republican legislative priorities like Obamacare repeal and the construction of the Keystone pipeline.

With Donald Trump in the White House, McConnell said, Senate Republicans will build on the work weve done and pass more bills into law than any Senate in years.

Slideshow: Outside the RNC Convention on Tuesday

Now with McConnell in particular, the lack of might not seem too surprising. The dour Kentuckian isnt exactly known for either his oratory or for gushing praise of other lawmakers. But compare his remarks about Trump last night to his 2012 convention speech in support of Mitt Romney, which contained remarks like these:

We're here this week for the simple reason that our nation is in desperate need of leadership. And we believe Mitt Romney is the man for the moment. I tell students all the time the only way to fail in America is to quit. I truly believe that. And I know Mitt Romney does too.

Mitt Romney has spent his entire life finding ways to solve problems. Mitt Romney has never been resigned to what someone else said was possible. He cut his own path. That's why he believes in his heart that America has a future full of opportunity and hope. And that's why when Mitt Romney looks down the road, he sees a country that's ready for a comeback.

Related: Americans Want a Washington Makeover, but Is Trump the One to Do It?

It is time for a leader who will lead. That leader is Mitt Romney.

There was nothing resembling that kind of praise from McConnell last night. In fact, taken as a whole, the remarks from top Congressional leaders in support of Donald Trump last night sounded like the words of men going through the motions -- doing what was expected of them, even though their hearts werent really in it.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have snagged a SpaceX Dragon supply spacecraft, which reached the station today (July 20) after two days spent catching up to the station.

At 6:56 a.m. EDT (1056 GMT), NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, the space station's current commander, used the 57.7-foot (17.6 meters) Canadarm2 robotic arm to grab the incoming craft as it rendezvoused with the space station. Williams was assisted by NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Takuya Onishi.

Over the next hours, ground controllers will direct the arm from Johnson Space Center in Houston, to install the craft on the Earth-facing side of the space station. Then, the crew will pressurize the area between the craft and the station and open the hatch, and they'll unload the craft over the course of the next five weeks.

The Dragon spacecraft, which launched on a Falcon 9 rocket Monday (July 18), comes packed with nearly 4,000 lbs. (1,800 kilograms) of supplies and hardware for the crew of six on board the space station, along with scientific equipment and research samples for the more than 250 experiments happening in the orbiting lab. (New experiments making their way on board include space's first DNA sequencer, beating heart cells and a spacecraft temperature regulation device.)

An additional massive piece of equipment, adding more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg), is riding along in a separate compartment on Dragon (its "trunk")  the first of two International Docking Adapters that will let crewed spacecraft dock with the station's U.S. segment for the first time since space shuttles visited. (At first, that will include Boeing's CST-100 Starliner and a crewed version of SpaceX's Dragon, but the dock is standardized so that many future vehicles can visit.) NASA will use the robotic arm to pull out the adapter and position it near the port it will go on, and it will be up to spacewalking astronauts to affix it to its new location.

Story continues

Dragon will detach from the space station on Aug. 29, bringing more than 3,300 lbs. (1,500 kg) of science to analyze and other supplies back to splash down in the Pacific Ocean. Russia's Progress 64 spacecraft  which arrived at the space station Monday night (July 18), several hours after Dragon launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida  will stick around for more than six months, NASA officials have said.

Email Sarah Lewin at slewin@space.com or follow her @SarahExplains. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com.

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Copyright 2016 SPACE.com, a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
She wears a rose gold Apple watch on her left wrist, while her black Madeline shoes and horn-rimmed glasses have a nerdy-schoolgirl vibe. But then there are the indigenous beads and feather earrings, signifying the Andean respect for pachamama  Mother Earth. This is the 39-year-old governor who is supposed to transform one of Colombias most war-torn regions  lands rich in cocaines base ingredient, the coca plant? Who is supposed to make Colombias promise of peace a reality?

You bet.

Politics is like a board game, Sorrel Aroca tells OZY while seated on a hand-carved wooden stool in her governors chambers in Mocoa, Putumayos capital. But thats the only way you can bring about change in this country. If I had another way, I wouldnt use politics. But she is in politics  and shes among a group of newly inaugurated governors charged with managing the transition as the countrys relationship with decades-long drug conflict shifts. Colombias multi-actor armed conflict has claimed more than 220,000 lives since 1964.

The conflict isnt likely to fully dissipate, experts say  indeed, United Nations figures show a bump of around 39 percent in acreage under coca cultivation between 2014 and 2015. But a major chapter is about to end. In June, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and President Juan Manuel Santos government agreed at last on the conditions for a bilateral cease-fire. Now, as the government tries to impose some legitimate authority on regions long ruled by FARC guerrillas, Aroca faces some of the thorniest problems. Her region, Putumayo, is FARC territory, says Daniel M. Rico, researcher with Bogota-based Fundacion Ideas para la Paz. Theyve managed to penetrate the political agenda, he says of the the handful of armed groups involved in the narcotics business. Even if FARC is quelled, Rico notes, a number of other organizations will remain.

Sorrel despacho

Source: Courtesy of Sorrel Aroca

She saw young girls wielding AK-47s.

Story continues

Aroca has a strategy, the pillar of which is building an alternative economy to coca production. Shes also prioritizing health, education, childrens rights and caring for marginalized groups. The real challenge? Farmers want to get out of coca, but what happens? Theres no other economic alternative, says Heraldo Vallejo, Arocas agriculture secretary. This is increasingly true in the wake of a recent oil price crash, which tanked the regions main legal export. Arocas crop substitution program, by her estimate, will cost $133 million up front and $33 million annually. Thats a lot for a region with a population of 400,000, Aroca confesses to a group of visiting farmers in her government chambers. But for the U.S.? Far cheaper. If you really want to resolve the coca problem, you need at least a decade of serious financing, says Maria Torres, an expert on Colombian drug policy who has written on Putumayo.

Government officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, say the national government largely supports Arocas plans, but wants farmers to strip away all coca immediately. Farmers prefer gradually removing coca as alternative crops start to bear fruit. That disagreement presents challenges, since the crop substitution program, Arocas make-or-break policy, is managed through Bogota. Aroca and her government are spectators, Rico says, in an echo of Colombias perpetual Achilles heel  the divide between capital and periphery. She could have the integrity, a good proposal, but she lacks resources, so her capacity for transformation is limited.

But Aroca is sharp, savvy and cosmopolitan, equipped to negotiate both city and countryside issues. Raised around Putumayo in the Gabriel Garcia Marquezian boomtown of Orito, Aroca grew up in an environment notorious for extortion. In the town of 45,000, owners of small shops can be hit up to three times a month by three separate criminal groups. Orito has ridden booms and busts: rubber, petroleum and, since Arocas childhood in the 1980s, coca.

Hoping to understand the why behind her countrys violent psyche, the self-described humanist spent her college years delving into the writings of thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Marx, Nietzsche and Fromm. Toward the end of her law studies in Bogota, when the Pastrana government opened up a (doomed) peace process with FARC, Aroca met with guerrilla groups on behalf of a university research project. She saw young girls wielding AK-47s, and recalls meeting a beautiful female soldier. How is it that a woman as beautiful as you are can be a guerrilla? Aroca asked. The girl replied that she had no other choice.

After college, Aroca began work with the Orito mayors office. In 2007, at barely 30 years old, she ran for the mayorship herself. The political machine nearly skinned her alive, and she lost by huge margins to the former mayors wife. Aroca departed politics for the private sector  consulting for the state oil company Ecopetrol  but she maintained her connection to communities. In 2015, the farmers associations approached her. They had been watching her and wanted her to run for governor. She did, as an independent, beating the main parties by nearly 50 percent. The victory was symbolic, a vindication, says Torres. The area from which Aroca hails is stereotyped as being home to the sons and daughters of cocaleros and whores, says Torres; Aroca disproved that stereotype.

Its the end of a long day, and Arocas armored Toyota, trailed by a police escort, pulls up. Her rush to the SUV indicates her need for constant vigilance. She dodged an attack on her life during her mayoral campaign and has accepted being hunted as part of political theatrics. I too am a daughter of this war, she says. Proof lies in her decision, during the election, to send her 7-year-old daughter away, for safety. When the victory rolled in, her daughter came back, in time for her mother to return to the front lines of peacemaking.

Related Articles
The architectural practive Grimshaw has been chosen as the concept designer for an as-yet unconfirmed new terminal at Heathrow Airport, UK.

Despite heavy criticism from public figures and environmental and local advocacy groups over a new runway and terminal, London Heathrow Airport appears to be confident that the expansion will go ahead. On July 19, the airport announced that the architectural firm Grimshaw has been officially selected to design the plans.

The "hub airport of the future"

The London-based firm was named as one of the shortlisted architects back in May 2016, alongside rivals Zaha Hadid Architects, Benoy and HOK. In its announcement, Heathrow explains that Grimshaw's application showed "visionary concept designs, which pushed the boundary of what an airport could and should be" and "unique ideas around how Heathrow could be expanded in a sustainable but affordable way." Grimshaw will work alongside other selected client partners arup, CH2M, MACE and Turner & Townsend.

Grimshaw's concept designs, as well as a brief clip released this week, reveal a new international terminal with a satellite concourse, control tower, urban center and landscaped exterior. As per the brief, the designs show innovative, contemporary lines and an emphasis on sustainable infrastructure. The firm has also redesigned the Central Terminal, which will become the host of Terminal 2, with a large skylight and curving balcony for retail outlets.

The airport is confident that the expansion will go ahead, emphasizing the importance of the new runway and terminal for Britain in the current European climate. Heathrow's head of design Barry Weekes is quoted insisting that "with the concept architect and programme client partners now in place, we are now ready to begin the process of expansion once the government makes the right choice for the whole of Britain."

But with the new prime minister Theresa Lay's constituency Maidenhead strongly opposed to the expansion, the final decision by the Transport Minister, expected in October, leaves room for doubt.

See a clip of the planned extension here: https://youtu.be/6l3Vbyepe6c
Haim announced Wednesday (July 20) via Facebook that they will no longer be performing in Europe this summer.

The pop-rock band revealed in a handwritten letter posted on Facebook that the cancellations are due to time conflicts in finishing their upcoming album.

Kanye West, The Weeknd, Haim & More Model Alexander Wang's 10th Anniversary Collection

"We'd hoped to be done with recording but as it turns out, we're at a critical point of finishing up and need to stay close to home until it's complete," read the note. "We hate to disappoint you guys that had plans to come see us and promise we'll be back in the near future to share our new music with you."

Haim had been scheduled to perform at a handful of festivals, including Way Out West, Tivoli, Oya, Zurich Openair, Electric Picnic and Reading & Leeds. The band will continue with their North American tour dates, including their next performance at the Mo Pop Festival on July 23 in Sterling Heights, Michigan.
Major oilfield services provider, Halliburton Company HAL reported narrower-than-expected second-quarter 2016 loss following higher fluid works and improved pipeline services in the North Sea. However, lower pricing and reduced global activities  especially North American pressure pumping works  hurt results significantly over the year-ago quarter.



Loss per share from continuing operations came in at 14 cents, narrower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 19 cents. The company had posted profits of 44 cents in second-quarter 2015.



Halliburton Company (HAL) Street EPS & Surprise Percent - Last 5 Quarters | FindTheCompany

Halliburton is the first member of the big 4 oil service companies to come up with second-quarter earnings. Baker Hughes Inc. BHI, Schlumberger Ltd SLB and Weatherford International Ltd WFT  the other members  are expected to release earnings on Jul 28, Jul 21 and Jul 27, respectively.

Halliburtons revenues of $3,835 million surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3,744 million owing to higher sales of completion tools in Nigeria. However, the top line witnessed a 35.2% year-over-year decline.

During the quarter, North America accounted for approximately 39.5% of Halliburtons total revenues.



Segmental Performance



Revenues at Halliburtons Completion and Production segment came in at $2.1 billion, down 38.2% year over year and almost 9% sequentially. Lower prices of product service lines and pressure pumping works in North America did the damage. However, the negatives were partially offset by higher sales of completion tools in Nigeria and improved the North Sea pipeline services.



The segments operating loss came in at $32 million while it had reported profits of $313 million and $30 million, the year-ago and prior quarter, respectively. Lower pricing and reduced global activities  especially North American pressure pumping works  played foul this time around.



Revenues at Halliburtons Drilling & Evaluation business came in at $1.7 billion, 32% below the second-quarter 2015 level and almost 11% less than the prior quarter. Lower pricing, record low rig counts and constraints in customer budgets affected the results. This was negated to some extent by higher fluid works in the North Sea.



Moreover, the segments operating income fell 62% from the year-ago quarter and 36% from first-quarter 2016 to $154 million due to reduced activities and pricing weakness primarily in North America and Middle East/Asia.



Balance Sheet



Halliburtons capital expenditure in the second quarter totaled $213 million. As of Jun 30, 2016, the company had approximately $3.1 billion in cash/cash equivalents and $12.2 billion in long-term debt, representing a debt-to-capitalization ratio of 56.9%.



Outlook



Halliburton expects rig count to increase modestly during the second half of 2016 which should push up North American activities.



Story continues

HALLIBURTON CO Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

HALLIBURTON CO Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | HALLIBURTON CO Quote

Zacks Rank



Halliburton currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), implying that to the stock will perform in line with the broader U.S. equity market over the next one to three months.



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Cleveland (AFP) - They demand her imprisonment, paint her as above the law, and warn her election would trigger the Apocalypse -- the Republican National Convention's collective hatred of Hillary Clinton has proven an intoxicating unifier.

Republicans may be split over whether to support Donald Trump, the brash billionaire whom the Republican Party elevated to its presidential nominee on Tuesday, and who has consistently blasted Clinton as "Crooked Hillary."

But their embrace of the invective against the presumptive Democratic nominee is absolute.

They come to the convention's podium with Clinton's name on their lips: Hillary the liar, Hillary and Benghazi, Hillary and her emails, Hillary and past escapades of her husband, former president Bill Clinton.

Trump's one-time presidential rival Ben Carson even linked her to Lucifer himself.

"She should be in jail," Rudy Giuliani, who was mayor of New York during the 9/11 attacks of 2001, told MSNBC.

On Monday Giuliani fired up the convention crowd, stoking terrorism fears and blasting Clinton for her "dereliction of duty" related to the 2012 attack on the US mission in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans.

"Hillary Clinton's experience is exactly the reason she should not be our president," he said, adding he could never trust her to keep America safe.

On Tuesday the Clinton-bashing duty fell to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor, who conjured a mock trial seeking to convict the former secretary of state who served in President Barack Obama's administration from 2009 to 2013.

He charged her with ineptitude on an array of diplomatic fronts, from Syria, Libya and Nigeria to Iran, Cuba, China and Russia.

"Is she guilty, or not guilty?" he asked half a dozen times to the assembled delegates. The response: "Guilty!"

- 'Lock her up' -

Adding to the raised-pitchforks tone, Republicans unleashed full-throated chants of "Lock her up! Lock her up!"

Story continues

Of the 25 speeches Tuesday, fully 19 were anti-Hillary. Just six focused primarily on singing Trump's praises, including addresses delivered by his son Donald Jr and daughter Tiffany.

The 70-year-old billionaire businessman has never been elected to public office, but surrogates praised him as a "change agent" and a great leader who will, as his slogan declares, "make America great again."

Clinton is viewed unfavorably by some 56 percent of Americans, according to a RealClearPolitics poll average, only slightly better than Trump's 59.2 percent.

Republicans are furious she has not been indicted for sending and receiving classified information on a private email account and server that she used while secretary of state, an action rebuked by the FBI director James Comey as "extremely careless."

"If I did a tenth of what she did, I would be in jail. Crooked Hillary Clinton, leave this race now!" thundered retired US Army lieutenant general Michael Flynn on Monday before a cheering crowd.

They blame her for Benghazi and accuse her of covering her incompetence on that tragic night, and say her presidency would precipitate an economic nightmare.

"Our small businesses would suffer and industries will be destroyed as fellow Americans all across this country continue to lose their jobs," Sharon Day, co-chair of the Republican National Committee, told the convention.

Day went so far as to accuse Clinton of having "viciously attacked the character of women who were victims of sexual abuse... at the hands of your husband."

Day is eager to see a female US commander in chief, "but not that woman Hillary Clinton. Not now, not ever."

The messaging continued in the skies above Cleveland, where small planes pulled banners that read "Hillary For Prison 2016."

Her campaign shoved back, lambasting Republicans for making the "Lock her up" chant "the mantra of the RNC."

"If you closed your eyes, you could imagine it being a lot like a witch trial -- they were barely one step removed from screaming 'burn her at the stake,'" Clinton's campaign said in a fundraising email.

Is all the Clinton-bashing too much?

"I do believe it's effective," especially since there is such a long Clinton record to comb through, Gary Emineth, a delegate and entrepreneur from North Dakota, told AFP.

"I think it will be a vote against Hillary Clinton and that might be enough for Trump to win," Emineth said.

Next week, Democrats gathering for their own national convention will all but certainly assail Trump with equal relish.
occupy protestor financial crisis

Sometimes it can seem as if the financial crisis never left.

Americans are still saving much more than ever before, as if another disaster is on the horizon. The appetite for household debt has decreased dramatically. Heck, polls show that a majority of Americans still thought we were in a recession as late as last year.

This isn't surprising to Linda Duessel, senior equity strategist at Federated Investors, who thinks that the lackluster recovery has prevented Americans from recognizing the (somewhat slowly) improving economy.

"I do believe that the financial crisis left a very deep scar, and I do believe that it will last for a very long time," Duessel told Business Insider. "I mean, with the growth that we're seeing, there isn't any reason to think these feelings are going to fade."

Admittedly, GDP growth coming out of the recession has been seriously underwhelming, hovering around 2% per year since since 2010. The problem, according to Duessel, is that Americans were down in the dumps after the crisis, and instead of a strong recovery getting people back to an OK outlook about the economy, the "meh" recovery left most Americans still thinking negatively.

Here's Duessel's diagnosis:

"All the discussion that most of us haven't had a decent wage hike in 15 years, the economy is stagnant in terms of the growth, it's stagnant around the world. If you look at the strength of this economic recovery against the last six economy recoveries coming out of post-WWII recessions, it has been so mild that people are saying it's terrible. It's not terrible, but it's not awesome, and you need some awesome to get people out of terrible."

Duessel did note that this negativity may show up more in financial markets because older people are holding a large portion of the "investable assets." Baby boomers and older generations are also much more pessimistic about the economy than younger people.

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To be fair, this may be a case of how people act versus what they say. Consumer confidence measures have returned to precrisis levels, and as former Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke noted, Americans are likely to say that the whole economy is going in a bad direction while still being optimistic about their personal trajectory.

Duessel proposed two solutions to the problem. First, alleviate the postcrisis regulations that were designed to make the economy safer, but have instead restricted business investment. Second, invest in creating jobs for the country by filling the gap between what employers want and the jobs we're training young people for.

Do those two things, Duessel believes, and you just might shake the ghost of recessions past.

NOW WATCH: 3 Wall Street legends share one investment they find attractive right now





More From Business Insider


Hillary Clinton has always embraced a strong defense platform, and it would be safe to say that she is more hawkish on national security in comparison to her peers.

Over the course of this election season, Clinton has collected the most money than any other candidate from contractors in the defense industry. According to Politico, she has accepted at least $454,994 in campaign funds over a 14-month period ending this past February.

The reason for this high amount? Politico explains that Clintons large defense-related contributions could possibly be due to donors at defense-related companiesbetting that a Democrat is more likely to win the White House in the fall, or that the Democratic Partys highest elected official, [President Obama], has called for a $2.4 billion increase in defense spending for fiscal year 2017.

Defense Stance

During her time as Secretary of State, Clintons track record suggests she would be more aggressive than President Obama when it comes to using military force. She advocated for the United States intervention in Libya, pushed Obama to arm Syrian rebels in the fight against ISIS, and backed Israel.

While on the campaign trail, Clinton has said she plans on cracking down on ISIS, as well as holding China responsible in the ongoing territorial fight over the South China Sea. The Democratic frontrunner has yet to provide any specific defense strategies, but she has used certain phrases and themes during her campaign that give us a somewhat clearer picture.

On her campaign websites National Security page, Clinton promises to ensure we are stronger at home; stick with our allies; embrace all the tools of American power (i.e. to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, and building a strong relationship between Americans and Cubans); be firm but wise with our rivals, or in other words, stand up to Russian president Vladimir Putin and make sure China is held accountable; and have a real plan for confronting terrorists.

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Stocks to Watch

What does this mean for the defense industry? Well, in short, some pretty good things.

As a whole, the Aerospace/Defense industry current sits in the bottom 42% of all 265 industries ranked on the Zacks Industry Rank, but could potentially see a much-needed boost if Clinton wins in November.

Clintons commitment to making sure the U.S. military is strong, modern, and sophisticated bodes well for defense contractors, as the need for more weapons means more business. Companies like Lockheed Martin LMT and Northrop Grumman Corp. NOC could see sales of their F-35 stealth fighter jet and B-21 bomber, respectively, rise if Clinton takes office. Current Pentagon plans call for approximately $400 billion in spending on the F-35 and B-21 as the Air Force is looking to replace its aging bomber fleet.

Boeing Co.s BA, one of the worlds biggest aerospace and defense firms, could also see more government contracts coming their way, perhaps for its Airborne Laser, an anti-ballistic weapons system inside a modified 747-400F.

Other defense companies like General Dynamics Corp. GD, which makes Gulfstream jets, tanks, and warships, and is one of only two contactors in the world equipped to build nuclear-powered submarines; Raytheon Co. RTN, maker of a diversified line of military products like missiles, radars, and sensors, among others; and Orbital ATK Inc. OA, which produces and delivers launch vehicles, and supplies ammunitions and related accessories to government agencies, could all too see an increase in valuation and in the number of contracts they receive.

Bottom Line

Investors in the defense industry wont have to worry too much about the results of the election, because even if Trump wins, the defense budget would likely see an increase as well. But Clinton is an obvious favorite among these companies, and under her administration, the industry would probably get a significant boost in research and spending dollars.

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While Republican National Convention speakers continued to largely attack Hillary Clinton (some even more than promoting Trump), her social team was hard at work with some serious snark.

On Tuesday night, Paul Ryan, Chris Christie and other speakers attacked Clinton for her diplomatic experience, her private email server and most everything else. Her Twitter account, in response, fact checked, pulled out arguments and turned up the sassiness during the GOP's big event.

SEE ALSO: Melania Trump's speech was run through a plagiarism checker

When Senator Mitch McConnell warned the convention of all the harm a Clinton presidency could do, she tweeted his quote about their friendly relationship.

When Speaker of the House Paul Ryan boasted about the inclusivity of the Republican party, Clinton fired back with her view of its limiting platform.

When New Jersey Governor Chris Christie put her on a mock trial, inviting the GOP attendees to judge her innocent or guilty, Clinton's Twitter called into question his own record.

When West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said that Clinton was in no way capable of serving as president, her social team responded with a quote from Capito herself.

And when Ben Carson questioned Hillary Clinton's possible allegiance to a mentor that worshipped Lucifer, Clinton merely responded with a quote from the brain surgeon about her ability to lead.

We're sure the next two nights of the GOP convention will keep Clinton's social team mighty busy.
As Donald Trump prepares to celebrate his nomination as the Republican Party candidate for President with a speech on Thursday night at the partys national convention in Cleveland, he will surely be looking forward, to November. But hell also be looking back.

Insiders on the Trump team have said that, in his speech and in general, Trump will be looking to a very specific moment in history: Richard Nixons nomination in 1968. In particular, the New York Times reported on Monday that campaign chairman Paul Manafort had said that Trump planned to look to Nixons 1968 acceptance of the nomination for inspiration for his own such speech.

So, what does 1968 tell todays political observers about what to expect on Thursday?

That late-60s moment was one of great tumult in America: Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy had been killed that year, leaving both the civil-rights movement and the Democratic Party in turmoil. President Lyndon Johnson had decided not to seek reelection, declaring so in a speech that centered on the ongoing struggle in Vietnam. Protests roiled American campuses and popular culture only highlighted what many saw as a schism between the generations. Nixons task, then, was to position himself as a way out of all that.

[Nixon] worked for two weeks on the speech, writing it out himself on yellow legal pads TIME reported in 1968, following the convention. It was a mixture of carefully balanced political calculations and genuine personal warmth. It was, by any reasonable standard, corny, but it also was one of Nixons most effective speeches in years. Gone was the excessive partisanship and professional anti-Communism of his early days. The nation wants a high-roader after Lyndon Johnson. The republic has survived subversion. The cold war is passe. Viet Nam is something to be settled, not won. So Nixon told them what they wanted to hear.

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If Nixons speech is any indication, what they wanted to hear was, first, a show of party unity. The future president opened the speech in Miami with a call back to President Eisenhower, and spoke of the party feeling that had come out of the convention. He praised his vanquished rivals and compared the Republicans post-primary unity with the feeling of division that had swept the nation under the previous White House administration.

They wanted their despair and alienation acknowledged. Nixon assessed the stakes of the election, asking a poignant question about the tumultuous state of the world at that moment: Did we come all this way for this? Did American boys die in Normandy, and Korea, and in Valley Forge for this? The question and its answer both came from the group that would be known as the silent majority, the people whom Nixon said were the great majority of Americans, the forgotten Americans  the non-shouters; the non-demonstrators. Those people, of all races and national backgrounds and ages, give lift to the American Dream, he said, and they were the reason for the nations glory. Those people were, he said, the real voice of America.

The nations recent leaders, Nixon believed, had not lived up to that greatness. From Vietnam to the economy to racial violence, he saw evidence that it was time for a change at the top. Though he was careful to specify that solutions would not come overnight, he promised honesty and action, beginning with an end to the war in Vietnam.

They wanted a return to what was painted as a rosy, calm and orderly past. An honorable end to the conflict, he continued, would be just one part of the mission to restore international respect for the United States. Looking to the American Revolution as an example, he judged that the first requisite of progress is order and promised to restore power to the courts, to law enforcement, to those who would fight the merchants of crime and corruption in American society. The progress side of that law-and-order promise was to reduce government programs like welfare and public housing while using tax policies to support American private enterprise.

And they wanted a hopeful vision of the future. In closing his speech, Nixon looked back to his own archetypal American boyhood and ahead to the American bicentennial and to the year 2000, summoning a vision of a future America on a day on which our nation is at peace and the world is at peace.

Perhaps most significantly, throughout this speech Nixon summoned an idea that will be familiar to Trump-watchers todayalbeit in slightly different form. While Trumps Make America Great Again slogan implies that the nation is not great at the moment, Nixon portrayed the greatness of the United States as enduring but obscured.

My friends, America is a great nation, Nixon said. And it is time we started to act like a great nation around the world.
By Michelle Price and Eric Onstad

HONG KONG/LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's vote to leave the EU has prompted the Hong Kong stock exchange (HKEX) to put on hold a commodities clearing link with its London Metal Exchange (LME), dealing a blow to its bid to make the LME more profitable.

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Chief Executive Charlies Li said the planned link-up would now have to wait due to the uncertainty created by the British vote last month.

Other LME initiatives, however, should not be affected by the Brexit vote, Li wrote in his blog published on Wednesday.

The freeze is another obstacle to the Hong Kong exchange's efforts to generate a payback from its $2.2 billion (1.6 billion) takeover of LME in 2012 by expanding into China, the world's biggest metals consumer, an analyst said.

"The Hong Kong exchange's strategy regarding the LME seems to have gone into a holding pattern in general," said Wiktor Bielski, head of commodities research at VTB Capital in London.

"A lot of the things that they had proposed to do after buying the LME all proved to be a lot more difficult than they expected."

HKEX has succeeded, however, in some of its plans to boost profits at the LME, raising fees and boosting electronic trading, while arbitrage activity between the LME and the Shanghai Futures Exchange has soared this year.

Li said the planned link, designed to clear and settle LME trades in Hong Kong, would have been subject to regulatory authorities in Hong Kong, Britain and the European Union.

"With Britain withdrawing from the EU, there is some uncertainty about the policy developments in the UK. Therefore, we will wait and monitor the development of the UK and Europe's regulatory policy before making further plans to connect the commodities markets in London and Hong Kong," Li wrote.

BREXIT HOLDING PATTERN

Last October, HKEX said it had started a preliminary study to build the link, which would allow big commodity importers in Hong Kong to hedge their trading exposure through the LME.

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The HKEX and LME had also hoped that such a tie-up would allow them to offer yuan-denominated futures and other commodities products to European investors, which would further expand the use of the Chinese currency globally.

"Brexit is bad news for them. Anybody that is a UK-based and internationally-focused organisation that has been regulated by the EU but isn't going to be in the future, goes into a 2-1/2 year holding pattern," Bielski said.

The LME, the world's oldest and largest market for industrial metals, has been operating for almost 140 years, long before the EU was created, Li said.

The exchange was pressing ahead with other plans, such as establishing LME-certified warehouses on the Chinese mainland and launching a spot commodities trading platform in Shenzhen.

Bielski said, however, that HKEX would continue to face difficulties in getting regulatory approvals from mainland Chinese authorities.

"The Chinese without a doubt want to develop Shanghai into the major trading area in Asia and getting approval for any sort of Hong Kong-China or LME-China plans are going to be almost impossible," he said.

(Editing by Louise Heavens and David Clarke)
Garry Marshall, who created and executive produced some of the most popular sitcoms on TV died Tuesday at 81.

The creator or producer behind Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, The Odd Couple and Mork & Mindy, as well as director of the box-office smash Pretty Woman, his most recent film was the April release Mother's Day.

Pretty Woman star Richard Gere remembered Marshall in a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter: "Garry, of course, was one of those truly important people one is blessed to meet in one's lifetime. Besides being the pulse and life force of Pretty Woman ... a steady helmsman on a ship that could have easily capsized ... he was a super fine and decent man, husband and father who brought real joy and love and infectious good spirits to every thing and everyone he crossed paths with. Everyone loved Garry. He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry."

Julie Andrews, who starred in Marshall's 2001 film The Princess Diaries, said, "I'm devastated to hear of Garry's passing. He was a dear friend and colleague ... generous to a fault. My heart goes out to Barbara and the entire family. We shall miss him."

Disney CEO Bob Iger said, "Garry Marshall was an original, with an incredible knack for finding and telling stories that resonate in the moment and also stand the test of time. He was also a beloved part of the family at ABC and Disney, creating an incredible string of iconic hits from Happy Days to Princess Diaries. We consider it a great personal privilege to have known him and will miss his great talent and wonderful humor."

Producer Paula Wagner, who was working with Marshall on a Pretty Woman musical said, "I loved being in the room with him while we were at work. Garry read the stage directions for our first reading. It was fascinating to watch because he stole the show with his distinct voice and enthusiasm. He brought such heart and fun to the reading. Garry had a manner of speaking that put everyone at ease and yet he had a very clear vision. He could be pointed and focused, yet share his ideas and thoughts in a very amusing and gracious way. He took great pride and delight from Pretty Woman and I know he would have wanted us to continue on and therefore we will bring this story to Broadway. Pretty Woman the musical will be a reminder of his humanity, his heart and his sense of humor."

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Anson Williams, who played Potsie on Happy Days, said this of the TV creator: "Garry Marshall gave me the opportunity of many lifetimes and, more importantly, genuine love and friendship; a love that transcended far beyond show business. Garry's selfless nurturing of talent will be past on to future generations along with all that he has created. Two of my young daughters' favorite TV show segment? The Odd Couple, "Hospital Mates," written by Garry Marshall ... Garry, you are forever with us and I love you."

Don Most, who played Ralph on the series, added: "Garry was a uniquely creative force. It was a great pleasure and treat to see him work, and work with him. And on top of this, he was a warm and generous man, who always fostered a feeling of family with our cast. We lost a giant today."

Said Marion Ross, the mom on the show: "Garry was such a kind, wonderful man. For Garry, making Happy Days was just 'children at play.' I'll miss him forever."

Murphy Brown creator Diane English said, "Garry played the head of the fictional network on Murphy Brown during its last seasons. He loved doing it, and anytime he was on set it was special. People may not realize that he was as gifted a comic actor as he was a writer and director. I'm not one for actors ad-libbing lines but we let him do it because he always knocked it out of the park. We loved him. We miss him."

He also helmed such movies as Young Doctors in Love (1982), The Flamingo Kid (1984), Nothing in Common (1986), Overboard (1987), Beaches (1988), Frankie and Johnny (1991), Dear God (1996), The Other Sister (1999), Runaway Bride (1999), The Princess Diaries (2001), Valentine's Day (2010) and New Year's Eve (2011).

Read More: Critic's Notebook: Garry Marshall Leaves a Legacy of Star Grooming and Storytelling

The prolific creator/producer/director left several fans behind who took to social media to mourn him.

GARRY MARSHALL Rest In Peace .. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty , friendship and generosity .

- Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) July 20, 2016

R.I.P. Garry Marshall. A great, great guy and the best casino boss in the history of film. #lostinamerica

- Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall, without you there'd be no me. My heart is aching. #Mentor #Godfather #Dearfriend pic.twitter.com/ndeSiNRXM6

- John Stamos (@JohnStamos) July 20, 2016

We lost one of the all time greatest tonight. My dear friend, Garry Marshall, has passed away. My deepest thoughts to Barbara & the family.

- Tony Danza (@TonyDanza) July 20, 2016

So sad to hear the news about Garry Marshall. He was a kind and generous man who gave everything to his family and his work. A real loss...

- Fred Savage (@thefredsavage) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall hired me at 15 years old. He gave my wife her start at 18, as a makeup artist. He changed our lives. And MANY others. #love

- Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall, I am forever indebted to you. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I love you. On the wings on Angels, rest now.

- Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) July 20, 2016

RIP #GarryMarshall... a real gentle, kind man who treated us to many laughs and certainly loved what he did for a living!

- Beau Bridges (@MrBeauBridges) July 20, 2016

I was blessed to have worked with Garry Marshall. Not only was he a wonderful director, but also, he was a gentle, loving, kind man. #RIP

- Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) July 20, 2016

RIP Garry Marshall. Had the privilege of working with this legend on "Father of the Pride". He will be missed. Condolences to friends/family

- Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) July 20, 2016

RIP Garry Marshall.

What a devotion to the art of comedy. "Happy Days" have come and gone. pic.twitter.com/ojyL6FMeER- Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) July 20, 2016

The world has lost a great man, a comedy icon and a wonderful friend.

Rest in peace Garry Marshall.- bob saget (@bobsaget) July 20, 2016

Worked with Garry Marshall on the new Odd Couple. I was so excited to meet him. He was gracious,kind & very funny. #GarryMarshal #legend

- Dave Foley (@DaveSFoley) July 20, 2016

Oh, man. RIP Garry Marshall. Sad. Just talked to him. Great guy.

- marc maron (@marcmaron) July 20, 2016

My heart is broken. Comic genius, Garry Marshall has died. A cultural icon who was brilliant till the end. Always kind. Always funny! RIP

- Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) July 20, 2016

I will never be the same. I can't even put into words what #GarryMarshall has meant to my life. I am just heartbroken. #RIP kind Sir.

- yvette nicole brown (@YNB) July 20, 2016

RIP #GarryMarshall will miss that talented one

- octavia spencer (@octaviaspencer) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall gave me one of the best experiences I ever had in my career. Thanks pal. RIP

- jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) July 20, 2016

#GarryMarshall was one of the good ones! He always fought for what is right! He helped change this world in many ways.

- Lance Bass (@LanceBass) July 20, 2016

RIP #GarryMarshall . Talk about a bright light! You will be missed.

- Tony Goldwyn (@tonygoldwyn) July 20, 2016

RIP to one of Northwestern's finest, the wonderful Garry Marshall. #PeppyandCheap&ensp&ensphttps://t.co/VKE0nmmExR

- billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 20, 2016

Oh man, this is a tough one. Honored I spent time with this kind man. My love to his wife and family. #garrymarshall pic.twitter.com/COetJYtqMz

- Topher Grace (@TopherGrace) July 20, 2016

I lost a friend & mentor. We lost a beautiful man & masterful story teller. Gary Marshall I love you. I hope I get to go where you are.

- ashton kutcher (@aplusk) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall was as sweet as he was generous and he told a great story. He will be missed.

- Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) July 20, 2016

So sad to hear about the passing of the incredible Garry Marshall.. You will be missed.. pic.twitter.com/jOBXevwMFy

- Lea Michele (@msleamichele) July 20, 2016

RIP Garry Marshall, a Hollywood legend & lovely man.

'It's nice to be important, it's more important to be nice.' pic.twitter.com/G0Zns0Ei6I- Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall was one of the greats. He connected us all through joy, laughter, compassion & kindness. He also gave me my very 1st job.

- Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) July 20, 2016

I hope Garry Marshall does a "Squiggy" entrance when he enters the afterlife. #HELlo #RIPGarryMarshall

&...; Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall. Lovely man.

- Steve Carell (@SteveCarell) July 20, 2016

Garry Marshall I adored working with you, your kindness unforgotten. "May you be in heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead."

- Kathy Bates (@MsKathyBates) July 20, 2016

Thank you Garry Marshall for all that you've given us.

You'll be missed. pic.twitter.com/tHmEtSqgYs- The Academy (@TheAcademy) July 20, 2016

God I loved this Man. #GarryMarshall pic.twitter.com/WETmZQhdK2

- Zach Braff (@zachbraff) July 20, 2016

I had the honor to work w the legendary #GarryMarshall -thank u 4 ur comedic genius! #ripa true pioneer pic.twitter.com/e90RNT8aV4

- Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba) July 20, 2016

RIP Garry Marshall. He was an amazing person and gave me my first true exposure to the industry. You will be missed. #TheDesertInnHasHeart

- Paul Feig (@paulfeig) July 20, 2016

I only met Garry Marshall once, when I was very young, but he was incredibly warm, encouraging, and generous with his time and energy.

- Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) July 20, 2016

I have been fortunate in the sense that I have not lost many people that have made a significant, life changing impact to my world. Today, we lost someone who not only changed my life, but changed and touched the lives of so many others. Through his work, Garry Marshall was able to make us laugh, cry, feel joy and pride one moment, and the next, utter sadness. But he always did this in a beautiful way that made for such fantastic and timeless films. Each moment I spent with Garry on the set of Mother's Day was perfect, and is something I am so honored to have experienced. It's also something I look forward to telling my children about. I will always remember his infectious laugh and his joyful spirit. I am so grateful to of been able to be in his world, even for a small moment. Garry, you will be truly missed...

A photo posted by Shay Mitchell (@shaym) on Jul 19, 2016 at 9:28pm PDT

Too early, #GarryMarshall. (Best script note ever: "Throw in some princesses at a slumber party!") pic.twitter.com/EsLLQJKBud

- shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) July 20, 2016

Take 2: Garry Marshall was a very nice man.

- Eric Stonestreet (@ericstonestreet) July 20, 2016

A hard day for those of us in the Garry camp. In reflection, I share some memories and feelings with you. Garry and I were shooting Mothers Day this past year my children came to visit the set. I was behind a wall about to do a scene waiting for the very words that every working actor is quite used to, "and....ACTION!" Much to my pleasant surprise the voice booming from behind the wall was my son, Ryder. I couldn't help but smile and after we finished the scene both Garry and I shared a moment. We knew in an instant that so many things come full circle. That once upon a time that was me on his lap yelling ACTION for my mother and pa on Overboard in 1987. That in Garry's words in that moment, "The circle of life is an amazing thing isn't it..." In that moment he was more then my director, he was family. That moment meant way more then any success of any film. I looked around the set and saw faces I had known and seen since I was a little girl. In one flash of a moment there was so much recognition of how loyal, wonderful, kind, generous, funny and profound Garry was. He kept his loved ones close, he loved people, he loved making movies, he loved to laugh, he loved loved loved. And those of us who were fortunate to know him like this were so lucky. The messages Garry shared with the world truly represented his character. He wanted peace and the importance of family and connection to be at the forefront of everything he did. I have so much admiration for his purity of such loving messages. He created things that made us feel good because he just wanted people around him to be happy. Once while shooting Raising Helen, I was reaching for a laugh. I didn't feel that a scene was going right and I wasn't hitting the joke and I was incredibly frustrated. He came over to me and gently held my hand and said, "Kate, sometimes we don't need to laugh, sometimes making us smile is even more important." Garry wanted to see the world smile because he knew we all need more of that. To everyone in the Garry Marshall family, I love you all so much. I will miss you Garry I love you.

A photo posted by Kate Hudson (@katehudson) on Jul 20, 2016 at 6:02am PDT

My wonderful, hilarious, big-hearted friend Garry Marshall died yesterday. He guided Barbara Hershey and me through #Beaches...

- Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) July 20, 2016

Gary Marshall loved every minute of it. He lit it up.

He was deeply true to everything and every one in his life.- james l. brooks (@canyonjim) July 20, 2016

#RIPGaryMarshall I treasured our time making The Other Sister together. It has gone down as one of the most fullfilling, joyous and profound experiences of my career. He made movie sets a place of warmth humor and magic. And his relationships with people as well. What an honor to have known him. #GiovanniRibisi #DianeKeaton

A video posted by Juliette Lewis (@juliettelewis) on Jul 19, 2016 at 8:27pm PDT
By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A senior HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA.L) manager has been arrested and charged alongside a former foreign exchange executive with engaging in a scheme to front-run a $3.5 billion transaction by one of the bank's clients, U.S. prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Mark Johnson, HSBC's global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, and Stuart Scott, its ex-head of cash trading for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, were charged in a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn.

Both men were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, in a case that a person familiar with the matter said was the first against individuals to flow out of a U.S. Justice Department probe of foreign-exchange rigging at global banks.

A lawyer for Johnson declined comment, while an attorney for Scott could not be identified. Robert Sherman, an HSBC spokesman, said the bank is cooperating in the Justice Department's foreign exchange investigation.

Prosecutors said Johnson, 50, and Scott, 43, misused information provided by a client who had hired HSBC to convert $3.5 billion to British pounds in connection with a planned sale of one of the unnamed company's subsidiaries.

The two British citizens then used their insider knowledge to engage in a process called front-running in which they made trades ahead of the December 2011 transaction, resulting in a spike in the price of the currency that was detrimental to HSBC's client, prosecutors said.

"Ohhh, f---ing Christmas," Johnson told Scott in a recorded call the day the transaction went through, the complaint said.

In total, HSBC earned $3 million from trades its FX traders placed and earned $5 million executing the transaction, the complaint said.

"The defendants allegedly betrayed their client's confidence, and corruptly manipulated the foreign exchange market to benefit themselves and their bank," Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell said in a statement.

Johnson was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday night and was released on Wednesday on a $1 million bond following a court hearing.

Story continues

Frank Wohl, Johnson's lawyer, in court told a judge that Johnson had been in the process of moving to the United States with his wife and six children after being transferred by HSBC.

The case was, according to a source, related to a years-long Justice Department probe that has led to four banks last year pleading guilty to conspiring to manipulate currency prices.

The charges came a day after the Federal Reserve Board said it was banning Matthew Gardiner, a former FX trader at Barclays Plc (BARC.L) and at UBS AG [UBSAG.UL], from participating in the banking industry for manipulating pricing benchmarks.

HSBC was not among the four banks that pleaded guilty, but in 2014 agreed to pay $618 million to resolve related probes by U.S. and British regulators.

The Justice Department has continued to investigate, and HSBC has set aside $1.2 billion to cover various forex-related probes, according to a regulatory filing.

The case is U.S. v. Johnson et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 16-mj-0674.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York and Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Matthew Lewis)
By Nate Raymond

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A senior HSBC Holdings Plc <HSBA.L> manager has been arrested and charged alongside a former foreign exchange executive with engaging in a scheme to front-run a $3.5 billion transaction by one of the bank's clients, U.S. prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Mark Johnson, HSBC's global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, and Stuart Scott, its ex-head of cash trading for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, were charged in a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Brooklyn.

Both men were charged with wire fraud conspiracy, in a case that a person familiar with the matter said was the first against individuals to flow out of a U.S. Justice Department probe of foreign-exchange rigging at global banks.

A lawyer for Johnson declined comment, while an attorney for Scott could not be identified. Robert Sherman, an HSBC spokesman, said the bank is cooperating in the Justice Department's foreign exchange investigation.

Prosecutors said Johnson, 50, and Scott, 43, misused information provided by a client who had hired HSBC to convert $3.5 billion to British pounds in connection with a planned sale of one of the unnamed company's subsidiaries.

The two British citizens then used their insider knowledge to engage in a process called front-running in which they made trades ahead of the December 2011 transaction, resulting in a spike in the price of the currency that was detrimental to HSBC's client, prosecutors said.

"Ohhh, f---ing Christmas," Johnson told Scott in a recorded call the day the transaction went through, the complaint said.

In total, HSBC earned $3 million from trades its FX traders placed and earned $5 million executing the transaction, the complaint said.

"The defendants allegedly betrayed their client's confidence, and corruptly manipulated the foreign exchange market to benefit themselves and their bank," Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell said in a statement.

Story continues

Johnson was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Tuesday night and was released on Wednesday on a $1 million bond following a court hearing.

Frank Wohl, Johnson's lawyer, in court told a judge that Johnson had been in the process of moving to the United States with his wife and six children after being transferred by HSBC.

The case was, according to a source, related to a years-long Justice Department probe that has led to four banks last year pleading guilty to conspiring to manipulate currency prices.

The charges came a day after the Federal Reserve Board said it was banning Matthew Gardiner, a former FX trader at Barclays Plc <BARC.L> and at UBS AG [UBSAG.UL], from participating in the banking industry for manipulating pricing benchmarks.

HSBC was not among the four banks that pleaded guilty, but in 2014 agreed to pay $618 million to resolve related probes by U.S. and British regulators.

The Justice Department has continued to investigate, and HSBC has set aside $1.2 billion to cover various forex-related probes, according to a regulatory filing.

The case is U.S. v. Johnson et al, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York, No. 16-mj-0674.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond in New York and Sruthi Shankar in Bengaluru; Editing by Meredith Mazzilli and Matthew Lewis)
It was only a matter of time before the worlds of Dexter and How to Get Away With Murder collided.

Luna (Lauren) Velez, who played Captain Maria LaGuerta on Showtimes vigilante drama, is joining HTGAWM in a major Season 3 recurring role, TVLine has learned exclusively. The actress will play the President of Middleton University, where Viola Davis Annalise Keating works as a professor (when shes not, you know, covering up murders with the help of her students).

RELATEDHTGAWM: Gay Sex Scene Censored in Italy, Station Blames Editors Modesty

The original casting breakdown described the character  whose name is TBA  as self-assured, friendly, warm and diplomatic.

In addition to her seven-season run on Dexter, Velezs TV credits include Ugly Betty, Elementary and Law & Order: SVU.

RELATEDHTGAWM Season 3: Bang! Wes Father Is Dead  What Happens Next?

This is HTGAWMs second major casting move ahead of Season 3, following the promotion of Conrad Ricamora  aka Connors tech-savvy boyfriend  to a full-fledged series regular.How to Get Away With Murders third season is set to bow Thursday, Sept. 22 at 10/9c.

Launch Gallery: Fall TV Cast Changes: New, Leaving Actors for Returning Shows

Related stories

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Once Upon a Time: Cinderella Returns -- To Explore Two Past Connections

black-ish Season 3 Casts Hamilton's Daveed Diggs as [Spoiler]'s Brother
Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is a worldwide manufacturer of highly engineered products and specialty systems. The companys diversified range of industrial products and equipment are sold in 57 countries. It currently has a $39.9 billion market capitalization.



However, this industrial tool maker faces risks from geopolitical issues and a competitive business environment. Also, uncertain economic conditions or depressed industrial activities as well as adverse foreign currency movements can severely impact its financials. Investors are eagerly waiting for the companys latest earnings report.



Illinois Tool Works delivered better-than-expected results in the last four trailing quarters, with a positive average earnings surprise of 1.95%. However, earnings estimate on the company has decreased over the last few days.

ILL TOOL WORKS Price and EPS Surprise

ILL TOOL WORKS Price and EPS Surprise | ILL TOOL WORKS Quote

Currently, Illinois Tool Works has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), but that could definitely change after the release of its upcoming earnings report. We have highlighted some of the key stats from this just-revealed announcement below:



Earnings: Illinois Tool Works earnings came in at $1.46 per share in second-quarter of 2016. The bottom line result surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.40 per share.



Revenue: Revenues surpassed. Illinois Tool Works generated revenues of $3.43 billion, above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.40 billion.



Key Stats to Note: Illinois Tool Works operating margin in the second quarter grew 180 basis points (bps) year over year to 23.1%. Enterprise initiatives added 120 bps to operating margin growth. The company increased its 2016 earnings guidance to $5.50$5.70 per share, up 10 cents from the previous forecast. Organic revenue is expected to be within 12% range versus the previous range of 13%.



Stock Price: Illinois Tool Works shares were up 0.41% ahead of the report.



Check back our full write up on this ITW earnings report later!



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>



Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report



To read this article on Zacks.com click here.



Zacks Investment Research
Juba (AFP) - South Sudan journalist John Gatluak knew the risks of war: his radio station was destroyed twice but he never stopped broadcasting the news, even when hiding in swamps.

But the quiet, deeply committed journalist was shot dead on July 11 in the capital Juba, the latest in a string of killings and assaults on media and rights groups daring to criticise the leaders of a conflict that has driven the world's youngest nation to the depths of despair.

"Being a journalist in South Sudan is risking one's life," Gatluak said last year when his station in the war-ravaged town of Leer was looted again, according to a statement from his employer Internews, which supports media freedom.

"But I have dedicated myself to serving my community through radio as a watchdog, informing them about what the politicians are doing."

His wife gave birth to their third child the day after he was hunted down and shot at close range when his compound was stormed by gunmen.

- Ethnic killings -

The latest violence echoed the December 2013 start of the civil war with fighting starting in Juba, leaving in tatters a peace deal that was hoped would end the bitter conflict between President Salva Kiir and arch-rival Riek Machar, now vice-president in a so-called unity government.

Hundreds died in this latest spasm of violence, which began with a shootout at the presidential palace between men loyal to Kiir and Machar on the eve of South Sudan's fifth anniversary of independence.

Like many of the tens of thousands killed in a war that has divided the country along tribal lines, reports suggest Gatluak was targeted for his ethnicity.

Scars across his forehead marked him out as a Nuer, the same ethnicity as Machar.

Nine journalists have been killed since 2015, ncluding government cameraman Kamula Duro, who died after fighting erupted between rival forces at the presidential palace on July 8.

Bullets smashed into the popular Eye Radio station office in Juba, which continued reporting through some of the worst of the fighting.

Story continues

Last year a reporter was shot in an apparently targeted attack, days after Kiir publicly threatened to kill journalists who reported "against the country".

- Exit blocked -

"Officials have intensified repressive measures," press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (known by its French acronym, RSF) said, which ranks South Sudan as the 140th worst nation out of 180 for press freedoms world wide.

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the crackdown is just the latest in a string of efforts to muzzle the press, including beatings, threats, arrests and the closure of several newspapers.

For some, the latest violence is the final straw, but with security forces restricting South Sudanese men from using land borders or the airport, those who want to leave must risk using back routes to smuggle themselves to safety.

"The rest are in fear across the country," said CEPO, a civil society group.

- Arrests and beatings -

Others have been arrested. Veteran journalist Alfred Taban was arrested on Saturday and his Juba Monitor newspaper closed after he wrote in an editorial arguing that South Sudan's leaders had "completely failed".

He is no stranger to arrest, having worked as a journalist in Khartoum before Sudan split in 2011, where he was repeatedly harassed for his support for an independent South Sudan.

Hassan Shire of East African rights group Defend Defenders called it: "another unacceptable attack on free speech at a time when the country needs it most".

Taban, who is in poor health, joins journalist George Livio, who worked for the UN-backed Radio Miraya in the town of Wau. He has been in detention since his arrest in August 2014.

Civil society leaders are also wary of speaking out.

"The system in South Sudan cracks down on anything that is not in accordance with the 'norm'," the author of the popular satirical Saakam website told AFP.

"It is understood... that if you are not in agreement with what they do, you must be an enemy -- or even worse -- a paid enemy. Not many have or will want to dare go into investigative journalism for fear of being gunned down as a spy."

Amid the gloom, Saakam's satire has continued to mock leaders with stories that provoke laughter but that are all too close to the bone.

"Former rebels intend to remain 'In Opposition' even if they democratically become majority in government," one satirical Saakam piece read.

"New S.Sudan states run out of new symbols, clash over old ones," another headline read, poking fun at how Kiir undermined the fundamental power-sharing pillar of the peace deal by nearly tripling the number of regional states.

But in a serious reflection, Saakam said the "real threat" to journalists and their families "cannot be overstated".

One recent post by Saakam highlighted a genuine message urging peace from the president of Somalia, a country that is a byword for anarchy.

"At least listen to Somalia," the post read.
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian forces are on high alert for reprisal attacks after the country's most-wanted militant was killed this week, officials said on Wednesday. Police confirmed Santoso, among the first Indonesians to pledge loyalty to Islamic State, was killed in a gun battle with security forces on the island of Sulawesi on Monday. But officials say the threat level in the world's largest Muslim-majority nation remains high. Rudy Sufahriadi, the police chief for central Sulawesi, said the security operation in Poso, where the U.S.-designated "terrorist" Santoso had been hiding, would continue. "There is a possibility of a backlash," he told Reuters by phone. "They are not terrorists if they do not take revenge." Chief Security Minister Luhut Pandjaitan told reporters in Jakarta operations would be intensified in regions considered hotbeds for radicalism. Around 20 members of Santoso's Mujahidin Indonesia Timur remain in hiding in the jungles of Sulawesi, where Indonesia has been running a major security operation for years. A team of police and military personnel also shot a man believed to be Santoso's right-hand man on Monday, a move officials say will weaken the group. President Joko Widodo last year stepped up efforts to capture or kill Santoso, ordering the military to support thousands of police scouring the jungles where he was hiding. The effort included fighter jets and warships. The majority of Indonesians are moderate Muslims but militants have launched sporadic attacks over the past 15 years. (Reporting by Agustinus Beo Da Costa and Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Nick Macfie)
An international panel of judges has declared that Indonesia committed crimes against humanity during the 196566 mass killings and that the U.S., the U.K. and Australia were complicit in the crimes.

Eight months after the International Peoples Tribunal on 1965 Crimes Against Humanity in Indonesia (IPT 1965) held November in The Hague, presiding head judge Zak Yacoob  a former South African Constitutional Court Justice  read its findings on Wednesday.

The state of Indonesia is responsible for and guilty of crimes against humanity  particularly by the military of that state through its chain of command, of the inhumane acts detailed below, Yacoob said via video link from South Africa that was broadcast to Indonesia, Australia, the Netherlands, Cambodia and Germany. He listed the brutal murder of an estimated 400,000 to 500,000 people; inhumane imprisonment of around 600,000 people; enslavement in labor camps; torture; forced disappearance; sexual violence; and depriving hundreds of thousands of citizenship.

The 196566 bloodbath was triggered by the murders of six generals and other officers on the night of Sept. 30, 1965 and in the early hours of Oct. 1. General Suharto put the blame on the Indonesian Communist Party, better known as the PKI. Helped by Muslim organizations and paramilitary groups, the Indonesian army led a massive witch hunt targeting PKI members and sympathizers, suspected communists and leftists, as well as ethnic Chinese.

The final judgment also goes into detail the role of Suharto in the massacres and draws to attention the false propaganda that was spread to prepare the ground for violence.

It also says that the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Australia were all complicit to differing degrees in the commission of these crimes against humanity.

Read: The Look of Silence and Indonesias Quest for Truth and Reconciliation

Story continues

The judges recommend that the Indonesian government apologize to the victims, survivors and their families, and to investigate the crimes against humanity.

But Indonesia immediately rejected the IPT 1965s recommendations. Our country is a great nation, Chief Security Minister Luhut Panjaitan told journalists Wednesday. We acknowledge and we will resolve this problem [the 1965 tragedy] in our way and through universal values.

Even before the release of its ruling, those involved with the tribunal have recognized its limitations. The ruling doesnt have a binding effect or is enforceable, Todung Mulya Lubis, prominent human-rights lawyer who served as the lead prosecutor at the tribunal, told TIME on Tuesday. The 1965 tragedy happened more than 50 years ago, it is time for the state to take accountability and break the chain of impunity, he added.

The panel held a four-day hearing from Nov. 10 to 13 in The Hague, listening to 20 witnesses as well as scholars. Some victims of sexual violence gave evidence behind a screen to protect their identity.

Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, a human-rights lawyer and coordinator of IPT 1965, calls on the U.S., the U.K. and Australia to admit their complicity because its been proved from their various diplomatic communications and cant be denied anymore.

Read: There Were No Apologies at Indonesias First Hearing Into the Savage Killings of 1965

The first ever government-backed symposium on the 1965 tragedy was held in April. The organizers gave its recommendations to Chief Security Minister Luhut behind closed doors and they have yet to be released in entirety to the public.

For survivors of the 1965 tragedy and their families, the ruling gives them not only a revelation but also validation of their grievances. Says journalist Febriana Firdaus, whose grandfather disappeared half a decade ago: The final ruling of the IPT 1965 judges have opened my eyes, and maybe the young generation, that the events in 1965 need to be discussed so that we get a complete picture of what happened at that time.
* To price crude using premium or discount to dated Brent

* Oil price formula change to take effect from July

* Traders concerned over pricing uncertainty (Adds market reaction)

By Wilda Asmarini

JAKARTA, July 20 (Reuters) - Indonesia will price its crude grades against dated Brent from July, the first change to its oil price formulas since 2007, a senior government official said on Wednesday.

The country will price the various Indonesian crudes by setting their values at a premium or discount against dated Brent each month, Oil and Gas Director General Wiratmaja Puja at Indonesia's energy ministry, told reporters.

The change is "to make our crude price more realistic" and closer to global prices, he said.

The new formula for Indonesia Crude Price (ICP) includes an alpha in the form of a premium or discount to dated Brent, a benchmark assessed by oil price agency Platts.

Puja said the alpha could change from month to month and will be set by the country's energy minister.

Indonesia previously priced its crude using a formula based on an average of price assessments from Platts and Japanese intelligence company RIM.

Indonesia has yet to inform market participants of the price formula change, trade sources said, and uncertainty over how the alpha will be set may affect demand for Indonesian crude for crude loading over the next few months.

"It is still a black box," one of the trade sources said.

Indonesia has typically set its prices retroactively by applying its ICP formula for a month just ended, although its crude and other grades in Asia are usually sold two months ahead. Indonesia's July cargoes, for instance, were sold and hedged in May.

One crude seller said he will wait until early next month when Indonesia sets its prices for July before starting to offer cargoes loading in September.

State energy company Pertamina said earlier this week that its oil output in the first half of this year rose 11 percent to 305,000 barrels per day from the same period in 2015, buoyed by a rise in Banyu Urip crude production.

Story continues

Foreign oil producers in Indonesia include Chevron Corp , Exxon Mobil Corp, Inpex Corp and CNOOC Ltd.

Indonesia's counterpart Malaysia dropped its Asia-Pacific Petroleum Index (APPI) for Brent in June 2011.

Low liquidity had made the Malaysian and Indonesian benchmarks vulnerable to large price swings that affected sellers and buyers in the market. (Reporting by Wilda Asmarini in JAKARTA; Additional reporting and writing by Florence Tan in SINGAPORE; Editing by Tom Hogue)
* Digitally connected devices aim to track medicine use

* GSK, AstraZeneca, Novartis all working on smart inhalers

* Innovation drive comes as sector faces growing competition

By Ben Hirschler

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Makers of inhalers to treat asthma and chronic lung disease are racing to develop a new generation of smart devices with sensors to monitor if patients are using their puffers properly.

Linked wirelessly to the cloud, the gadgets are part of a medical "Internet of Things" that promises improved adherence, or correct use of the medication, and better health outcomes. They may also hold the key to company profits in an era of increasingly tough competition.

Drugmakers believe giving patients and doctors the ability to check inhaler use in this way could be a big help in proving the value of their medicines to governments and insurers, though they need to tread carefully on data privacy.

GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Novartis are all chasing the opportunity via deals with device firms including U.S.-based Propeller Health and Australian-listed Adherium, as well as technology players like Qualcomm.

Over the past half century, inhalers have revolutionised care by delivering medicines direct into the lungs and avoiding the serious side effects seen with older oral drugs. But getting patients to take their medication correctly remains a challenge.

"Technique is critical. You might have the world's best blockbuster drug in an inhaler, but if patients don't use it properly they won't get the benefits," said Omar Usmani, a consultant physician at Imperial College London.

With asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affecting about 500 million people worldwide, the opportunity is large, and reducing serious attacks by improving adherence could save $19 billion a year in U.S. healthcare costs alone, Goldman Sachs analysts estimated in a report last year.

Usmani envisages a future of high-tech inhalers that not only record doses but also use gyroscopic and acoustic sensors to check medicine flow, while monitoring the environment for allergens such as pollen. All that data can be fed to remote computer servers known as the cloud.

Story continues

It is an idea big drug companies have embraced enthusiastically, in the knowledge that they need to find new ways to sell their products as cheap generics undercut long-established brands.

The first generic copies of GSK's Advair, the world's biggest inhaler with worldwide sales of nearly $6 billion in 2015, are expected to reach the U.S. market next year.

"It's a race to the starting line," Propeller CEO David Van Sickle told Reuters, describing the current jockeying among leading pharmaceutical firms.

"Today, there is really no major respiratory pharma company that doesn't have a programme to add connectivity to their inhaled medicines."

NEXT LEVEL

The field is now at an inflection point. Some inhalers with clip-on sensors are already being supplied to patients, but the drug industry is about to take things to the next level.

Next month, AstraZeneca will start a year-long U.S. clinical trial designed to improve adherence to long-term therapy in nearly 400 patients with COPD using Adherium's smart inhaler.

If it works as hoped, it could have the same impact on improving clinical outcomes as a completely new medicine, according to Martin Olovsson, AstraZeneca's head of respiratory inhalation.

"Many asthma and COPD patients are misusing their medicines, for various reasons - they forget to take them or they don't understand how to take them properly - and the result of that is less than optimal outcomes," he said. "This offers a chance to change that dramatically."

Last year, a smaller study reported in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine already showed Adherium's device increased adherence to preventative medication to 84 percent from 30 percent in New Zealand children with asthma.

Now, with bigger studies, drug companies plan to dig deeper.

"There is still quite a lot of work to be done to understand which type of patients will benefit most," said Raj Sharma, director of respiratory science and delivery systems at GSK, which is also planning clinical trials.

GSK, the respiratory market world leader since launching the Ventolin inhaler in 1969, signed a deal last December for Propeller to develop a customised sensor for its next-generation Ellipta inhaler.

While current smart inhalers use a clip-on device to send data, Novartis, working with Qualcomm, aims to go a step further by developing the first inhaler with an integrated sensor, which it aims to launch in 2019.

Generic drugmakers are also moving into the space, with Britain's Vectura, one of the companies behind generic Advair, signing a deal with Propeller in May and Teva acquiring smart inhaler firm Gecko Health last year.

Current add-on sensors cost between $10 and $30 to produce and last up to two years, according to Propeller's Van Sickle, but the pharmaceutical industry plans to include them in deals struck with healthcare providers by promising overall savings due to fewer hospitalisations.

Usmani, the Imperial College consultant, believes proving the cost-effectiveness of a connected device is the key challenge for smart inhalers, along with reassuring patients that their medical records are secure.

Research by Usmani and colleagues suggests younger patients, familiar with online banking and digital apps, are broadly happy to engage but older patients are more cautious.

(Editing by Pravin Char)
By Ben Hirschler LONDON (Reuters) - Makers of inhalers to treat asthma and chronic lung disease are racing to develop a new generation of smart devices with sensors to monitor if patients are using their puffers properly. Linked wirelessly to the cloud, the gadgets are part of a medical "Internet of Things" that promises improved adherence, or correct use of the medication, and better health outcomes. They may also hold the key to company profits in an era of increasingly tough competition. Drugmakers believe giving patients and doctors the ability to check inhaler use in this way could be a big help in proving the value of their medicines to governments and insurers, though they need to tread carefully on data privacy. GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Novartis are all chasing the opportunity via deals with device firms including U.S.-based Propeller Health and Australian-listed Adherium, as well as technology players like Qualcomm. Over the past half century, inhalers have revolutionised care by delivering medicines direct into the lungs and avoiding the serious side effects seen with older oral drugs. But getting patients to take their medication correctly remains a challenge. "Technique is critical. You might have the world's best blockbuster drug in an inhaler, but if patients don't use it properly they won't get the benefits," said Omar Usmani, a consultant physician at Imperial College London. With asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affecting about 500 million people worldwide, the opportunity is large, and reducing serious attacks by improving adherence could save $19 billion a year in U.S. healthcare costs alone, Goldman Sachs analysts estimated in a report last year. Usmani envisages a future of high-tech inhalers that not only record doses but also use gyroscopic and acoustic sensors to check medicine flow, while monitoring the environment for allergens such as pollen. All that data can be fed to remote computer servers known as the cloud. It is an idea big drug companies have embraced enthusiastically, in the knowledge that they need to find new ways to sell their products as cheap generics undercut long-established brands. The first generic copies of GSK's Advair, the world's biggest inhaler with worldwide sales of nearly $6 billion in 2015, are expected to reach the U.S. market next year. "It's a race to the starting line," Propeller CEO David Van Sickle told Reuters, describing the current jockeying among leading pharmaceutical firms. "Today, there is really no major respiratory pharma company that doesn't have a programme to add connectivity to their inhaled medicines." NEXT LEVEL The field is now at an inflection point. Some inhalers with clip-on sensors are already being supplied to patients, but the drug industry is about to take things to the next level. Next month, AstraZeneca will start a year-long U.S. clinical trial designed to improve adherence to long-term therapy in nearly 400 patients with COPD using Adherium's smart inhaler. If it works as hoped, it could have the same impact on improving clinical outcomes as a completely new medicine, according to Martin Olovsson, AstraZeneca's head of respiratory inhalation. "Many asthma and COPD patients are misusing their medicines, for various reasons - they forget to take them or they don't understand how to take them properly - and the result of that is less than optimal outcomes," he said. "This offers a chance to change that dramatically." Last year, a smaller study reported in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine already showed Adherium's device increased adherence to preventative medication to 84 percent from 30 percent in New Zealand children with asthma. Now, with bigger studies, drug companies plan to dig deeper. "There is still quite a lot of work to be done to understand which type of patients will benefit most," said Raj Sharma, director of respiratory science and delivery systems at GSK, which is also planning clinical trials. GSK, the respiratory market world leader since launching the Ventolin inhaler in 1969, signed a deal last December for Propeller to develop a customised sensor for its next-generation Ellipta inhaler. While current smart inhalers use a clip-on device to send data, Novartis, working with Qualcomm, aims to go a step further by developing the first inhaler with an integrated sensor, which it aims to launch in 2019. Generic drugmakers are also moving into the space, with Britain's Vectura, one of the companies behind generic Advair, signing a deal with Propeller in May and Teva acquiring smart inhaler firm Gecko Health last year. Current add-on sensors cost between $10 and $30 to produce and last up to two years, according to Propeller's Van Sickle, but the pharmaceutical industry plans to include them in deals struck with healthcare providers by promising overall savings due to fewer hospitalisations. Usmani, the Imperial College consultant, believes proving the cost-effectiveness of a connected device is the key challenge for smart inhalers, along with reassuring patients that their medical records are secure. Research by Usmani and colleagues suggests younger patients, familiar with online banking and digital apps, are broadly happy to engage but older patients are more cautious. (Editing by Pravin Char)
FORT WORTH, TX / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2016 / D.R. Horton, Inc. (DHI) will host a conference call to discuss the results of the third quarter 2016, to be held Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.

To participate in this event, dial 877-407-8033 domestically, or 201-689-8033 internationally, approximately 5 to 10 minutes before the beginning of the call.

You may access the teleconference replay by dialing 877-660-6853 domestically or 201-612-7415 internationally, referencing conference ID # 13640084. The replay will be available beginning approximately 2 hours after the completion of the live event, ending at midnight Eastern on July 28, 2016.

About D.R. Horton, Inc.

D.R. Horton, Inc., America's Builder, has been the largest homebuilder by volume in the United States for fourteen consecutive years. Founded in 1978 in Fort Worth, Texas, D.R. Horton has operations in 79 markets in 27 states across the United States and closed 36,736 homes in the twelve-month period ended December 31, 2015. The Company is engaged in the construction and sale of high-quality homes through its diverse brand portfolio that includes D.R. Horton, Express Homes and Emerald Homes ranging from $100,000 to over $1,000,000. D.R. Horton also provides mortgage financing and title services for homebuyers through its mortgage and title subsidiaries.

SOURCE: Investor Calendar
CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2016 / The Sherwin-Williams Company (SHW) will host a live webcast to discuss the results of the second quarter 2016 to be held Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time.

You can listen to the event online at www.investorcalendar.com/IC/CEPage.asp?ID=175111 as well as via the Sherwin-Williams Company website (http://investors.sherwin-williams.com/press/index.jsp).

If you are unable to participate during the live webcast, the event archive will be available at www.investorcalendar.com or http://investors.sherwin-williams.com/press/index.jsp.

About The Sherwin-Williams Company

Founded in 1866, The Sherwin-Williams Company is a global leader in the manufacture, development, distribution, and sale of coatings and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. The company manufactures products under well-known brands such as Sherwin-Williams, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams, Dutch Boy, Krylon, Minwax, Thompson's Water Seal, and many more. With global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, Sherwin-Williams branded products are sold exclusively through a chain of more than 4,100 company-operated stores and facilities, while the company's other brands are sold through leading mass merchandisers, home centers, independent paint dealers, hardware stores, automotive retailers, and industrial distributors. The Sherwin-Williams Global Finishes Group distributes a wide range of products in more than 115 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.sherwin.com.

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Baghdad (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has accepted the resignation of another minister, his office said on Wednesday, as he seeks to move forward with long-stalled efforts to replace the cabinet.

Abadi agreed "to accept the resignation of Minister of Higher Education Hussein al-Shahristani," his office said in a statement, referring to a long-serving official who has also held positions including deputy prime minister and oil minister.

The statement came a day after the premier's office announced he had accepted five more ministerial resignations, as well as that of the interior minister earlier this month.

But replacing the ministers will likely be a significant challenge, as Abadi has struggled to win parliament's approval for new ministers he has proposed.

Lawmakers finally approved a few of Abadi's candidates in late April, but a court later scrapped the session, from which some MPs were barred from attending.

The premier called in February for the cabinet to include technocrats, but has faced major opposition from powerful political parties that rely on control of ministries for patronage and funds.

Populist Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr later took up the call for a technocratic government, and has organised repeated demonstrations calling for reforms.

His supporters have broken into Baghdad's fortified Green Zone area, where the government is headquartered, on multiple occasions during Friday protests.
National Geographic Channel and the U.K.'s Channel 4 are teaming to create a scripted drama series inspired by the militant group ISIS.

The untitled four-part project will be written and directed by Peter Kosminsky, the Golden Globe winner behind Warriors and Emmy-nominated helmer of Wolf Hall.

The co-production is described as a compelling fictional story based on extensive research and first-hand accounts. It will follow four British men and women who leave their lives behind to join ISIS in Raqqah, Syria.

Read More: Nat Geo Prepping Scripted Dramas 'Blood Ivory,' 'Barkskins' From Scott Rudin

The series, which is set to premiere in 2017 on Nat Geo and Channel 4 in the U.K., is produced by Archery Pictures. A cast is not yet attached.

"After a year of extensive research, Peter has written a fascinating fictional story that sheds light on an unknown and unimaginable world," Channel 4 drama head Beth Willis said Wednesday in a statement. "This is a deeply authentic drama through which we are able to question and confront an incredibly complex, divisive and urgent global issue. I'm delighted to be partnering with National Geographic and Archery Pictures to bring Peter's brilliant work to audiences in the U.K. and worldwide."

The drama was developed by Channel 4 and commissioned by Piers Wenger and Willis. Archery's Liza Marshall and Kris Thykier will executive produce.

Read More: Nat Geo Orders First Scripted Series, Ron Howard to Direct

"National Geographic has always been on the forefront of covering the complexities of war in our documentary features and series," said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vp and head of global scripted development and production at Nat Geo. "Peter's scripts take that same bold, unblinking approach to telling the fact-based stories of young ISIS recruits and offer an authentic and nuanced look inside one of the most serious global threats we face today."

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Kosminsky's recent credits include BBC's Wolf Hall, which in addition to winning a Golden Globe also scored a BAFTA award for best drama series and a best actor nod for star Mark Rylance. The untitled ISIS drama becomes the latest Channel 4 project for Kosminsky, who also created drama Blitz, about a British Muslim family who are pulled in different directions following Sept. 11, as well as The Promise, a love story set against the conflict between Israel and Palestine. He is repped by UTA.

For Nat Geo, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society, the ISIS drama marks its latest scripted foray since joining the originals fray in April with anthology Genius and Ron Howard. Nat Geo in January announced a new roster of scripted fare in the works after finding success with Bill O'Reilly's Killing miniseries.
NatGeo and UK broadcaster Channel 4 are teaming up to produce a limited, scripted series based on the terrorist organization ISIS.

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Per our sister site Deadline, the untitled drama will explore the fact-inspired, fictitious tale of four British men and women who join the Islamic State in Raqqah, Syria. The four-part program will be helmed by writer/director Peter Kosminsky (Wolf Hall), and is expected to debut in 2017.

After a year of extensive research, Peter has written a fascinating fictional story that sheds light on an unknown and unimaginable world, said Beth Willis, Channel 4 drama boss via statement. Carolyn Bernstein, NetGeo EVP, added that Kosminskys scripts take a bold, unblinking approach to telling the fact-based stories of young ISIS recruits and offer an authentic and nuanced look inside one of the most serious global threats we face today.

Thoughts on NetGeos ISIS drama? Cast your vote below.

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Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's parliament passed controversial legislation early on Wednesday allowing the ouster of members accused of racial incitement, a measure critics say is intended to target opposition Arab lawmakers.

The bill, supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allows parliament to vote to sack a member "who incites racism or supports armed struggle against the state of Israel".

The law will require 90 of parliament's 120 lawmakers to approve an expulsion.

It passed after a heated debate with 62 votes in favour, 47 against and several members absent.

The legislation was put forward after three Arab-Israeli opposition lawmakers sparked controversy when they visited relatives of Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces while carrying out attacks.

The MPs said they were attending a meeting about the repatriation of the Palestinians' bodies to their families.

Netanyahu welcomed the vote and said it "brings an end to an absurdity."

"Those who support terrorism against the state of Israel and its citizens cannot be a member of the Knesset," he said in a statement.

"Like in all democracies worldwide, the Israeli democracy has the right and the duty to defend itself."

Arab Israelis are the descendants of Palestinians who remained after the creation of the Jewish state in 1948, and make up about 17.5 percent of Israel's eight million population.

They are largely supportive of the Palestinian cause.

Mainly Arab-Israeli parties won 13 seats in parliament in a March 2015 election, making them its third largest bloc.

Adalah, a legal centre for Arab rights in Israel, called the new law "the latest attempt by the government to trample on the political rights of Palestinian citizens of Israel."

"This law presents a most grave danger to one of the most basic civil rights in a democratic society - the right to vote and the right to be elected," Adalah said in a statement.

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"There is no doubt that this law is intended to expel Arab Knesset members who 'dare' to stray beyond the boundaries dictated to them by the Israeli Jewish majority, thus silencing the voice of the Palestinian Arab public."

Arab lawmakers were expected to challenge the law in the supreme court.

A number of observers said the final version of the law makes the expulsion procedure extremely difficult to implement.

In order to start the procedures, 70 lawmakers must approve, including at least 10 members of the opposition. It cannot be done during electoral campaigns.

Those who are expelled can appeal to the supreme court.

The passing of the bill comes after parliament earlier this month adopted a controversial law on NGOs that receive foreign funding, which was seen by critics as targeting left-wing groups.

That law, which forces NGOs that receive most of their funding from foreign states to declare it, was criticised by the European Union which warned it risked "undermining" Israeli democracy.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel said Wednesday it has renewed diplomatic relations with Guinea, 49 years after the mostly-Muslim West African state severed ties following the 1967 Six-Day War.

"I am happy to announce that just now we signed... a joint declaration announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Guinea and the state of Israel," Israeli foreign ministry director Dore Gold said in a statement from Paris, where he met senior Guinean official Ibrahim Khalil Kaba.

The announcement followed close on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "historic" four-nation Africa trade and security tour aimed at boosting ties.

At the start of the July 4-7 trip, the first by an Israeli premier to sub-Saharan Africa for decades, Netanyahu proclaimed "Israel is coming back to Africa and Africa is coming back to Israel."

Prior to his departure Israel announced a relatively modest $13 million (12 million euro) aid package to strengthen economic ties and cooperation with African countries.

Netanyahu said he expected another exchange of ambassadors soon.

"In the coming days I think that yet another country will be added," his office quoted him as saying on Wednesday. "This is part of a process that is gaining momentum."

Israel's business with Africa constitutes only two percent of its foreign trade, leaving plenty of room for growth while demand for its defence expertise and products is rising.

It also sees African countries as potential allies, particularly at the United Nations and other international bodies, where it is regularly condemned over its occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli-Arab conflict drove a wedge between African countries and the Jewish state in the 1960s.

It was exacerbated by Israel's occupation of North African heavyweight Egypt's territory in the Six-Day war and another round of fighting in 1973.

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The conflict led a stream of African countries to break off relations with the Jewish state.

Guinea, Gold said in his Hebrew-language statement, "was the first to sever ties back in 1967" but many have since renewed full relations.

"The number of states on the continent yet to do so is shrinking and I hope that soon there will be none," he said.

"Israel calls on those states which have still not renewed diplomatic relations to follow in Guinea's footsteps so that we can work together for the benefit of all the peoples of the region."
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel said on Wednesday that it and the Republic of Guinea have renewed diplomatic relations after 49 years, a diplomatic score for Israel as it looks to improve political and economic ties in the Muslim world. A number of African countries have either never had diplomatic relations with Israel, or severed them in the past, often citing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Guinea cut off ties after the 1967 Middle East war. The Director General of Israel's Foreign Ministry, Dore Gold, in Paris to sign an official agreement, said he hoped other African countries would follow suit and open relations with Israel. "The number of countries in Africa that still haven't done so is getting smaller and we hope that soon there will not be any," Gold said in a statement. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; editing by John Stonestreet)
By Ori Lewis JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's parliament on Wednesday passed a law enabling it to impeach deputies for incitement to violence, racism or support for armed struggle against the state, in a move critics said was aimed mainly at Arab legislators. Some Arab parliamentarians have enraged Israel's Jewish majority by meeting with families of some of the Palestinians killed during a recent surge in street attacks on Israelis. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the new law ended "the absurd situation" whereby someone who "supports terror against the State of Israel and its citizens" could serve as a member of parliament. Passed by a 62-47 vote, the bill is also seen by campaigners as the latest example of legislation promoted by Netanyahu's right-wing government attempting to curb freedom of speech. "This is one of the most serious legislative proposals in recent years and it harms the very building blocks of democracy - the right to freedom of expression, the right to vote and to be elected, and the right to representation," said Debbie Gilad-Hayo of the Association of Civil Rights in Israel. "Arab (lawmakers) whose actions and remarks do not find favor with the political majority will be the first people harmed by the bill - however, it is a slippery slope and the bill has potential to affect all," she said in a statement. But the law could prove to be more symbolic than practical, as it requires at least 90 of the house's 120 members to vote in favor of any impeachment, a majority that may be hard to achieve in the fractious Knesset. There are 18 Arab members of parliament, 16 of them in the opposition. Arabs citizens, many of whom identify as Palestinian, make up some 20 percent of Israel's population. In a move that the European Union said risked undermining democracy and free speech, parliament last week adopted a law requiring NGOs that receive more than half their funding from abroad to provide details of their donations. This could have an impact on some of the most outspoken opponents of Israeli policies in the occupied territories, including groups such as the anti-settlement Peace Now and Breaking the Silence, which takes testimony from former soldiers on treatment of Palestinians. Netanyahu said the law was aimed at preventing interference by foreign countries and entities in Israel's internal affairs. (Editing by Jeffrey Heller and Raissa Kasolowsky)
By Umberto Bacchi LONDON (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Italian police have broken up a criminal ring which smuggled at least 100 migrants from the northern city of Milan to other European countries in what authorities described as one of the biggest operations of its kind. Italy has been on the frontline of Europe's immigration crisis. About 170,000 migrants reached Italy by sea in 2014 and 153,800 came in 2015. So far this year, more than 79,000 migrants have arrived, the vast majority of them Africans. Police said they arrested and charged 10 people with smuggling offences, including the suspected ringleader, a 37-year-old Egyptian man. The arrests were made in raids across four northern provinces this week. The suspects are accused of smuggling at least 100 people - mainly Syrians - out of Italy between September and October 2014. A police official told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that after reaching Italy, the migrants would make their way to Milan where they would be met by smugglers offering to transport them to northern Europe for between 500 euros and 1,200 euros each. The migrants would then be loaded into small vehicles and driven to their final destination in France, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands, the official said. During the investigation police seized a minivan carrying an entire family of seven, including four children. "They were squeezed at the back in inhumane conditions," said the police official, who declined to be named. The operation came as authorities stepped up their efforts against smuggling and trafficking gangs operating on both sides of the Mediterranean. Almost 3,000 migrants more have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year, according to the International Organization for Migration. ($1 = 0.9092 euros) (Reporting by Umberto Bacchi @UmbertoBacchi, Editing by Katie Nguyen.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)
(Adds details on verdict, statement from attorneys)

By Brendan Pierson

July 19 (Reuters) - Two former executives of Acclarent Inc, a medical device company bought by Johnson & Johnson in 2010, were convicted on Wednesday by a U.S. jury on charges of promoting a product for an unapproved use.

Former Acclarent Chief Executive William Facteau and former Vice President of Sales Patrick Fabian were found guilty in federal court in Boston of 10 misdemeanor counts of violating the U.S. Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, federal prosecutors said in a statement. The counts each carry a maximum prison sentence of one year.

The jury acquitted the men of more serious felony counts of wire fraud and conspiracy, finding they did not act with intent to defraud or mislead.

Facteau's attorney, Reid Weingarten, and Fabian's attorney, Frank Libby, said in a statement they would move to overturn the convictions.

The verdict came after legal setbacks in recent years for regulators' attempting to curb the promotion of drugs and devices for unapproved uses, known as off-label marketing.

In an indictment unsealed last April, federal prosecutors said that beginning in 2006 or earlier, Facteau, 47, and Fabian, 49, promoted Acclarent's Relieva Stratus Microflow Spacer device to deliver steroid medications to patients' sinuses, though it was only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for keeping sinuses open.

Prosecutors said Facteau and Fabian had hoped to increase the company's revenue to make it an attractive acquisition target, and concealed the off-label marketing from potential buyers, including J&J unit Ethicon Inc.

Ethicon bought California-based Acclarent in early 2010 for about $785 million. Facteau and Fabian received compensation worth about $30 million and $4 million, respectively, from the deal, according to the indictment.

Facteau and Fabian stayed with the company until 2011 and told the sales force to sell the device as a way to deliver steroids, even after Ethicon executives told them to stop promoting it at all, according to the indictment.

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Facteau is currently CEO of hearing aid company Earlens.

Drug companies have successfully argued in court that some off-label marketing is legal.

In March, a Manhattan federal judge ruled that Amarin Corp could promote its fish oil-based pill Vascepa off-label, finding it had the right under the First Amendment to make non-misleading statements about its products.

In 2012, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the conviction of a drug salesman for promoting Jazz Pharmaceuticals' narcolepsy drug Xyrem off-label, also on First Amendment grounds.

The case is USA v. Facteau et al, U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, No. 1:15-cr-10076.

(Reporting By Brendan Pierson in New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Richard Chang)
Jeff Gordon is making his return to the Sprint Cup Series on Sunday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Hendrick Motorsports announced Wednesday the four-time Sprint Cup Series champion would take the place of Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 car for the Brickyard 400. Earnhardt Jr. will miss two more races because of concussion worries. Gordon will also fill in at Pocono.

Earnhardt Jr. missed last weeks race at New Hampshire and was replaced by Alex Bowman. Gordon was vacationing in France.

Our focus is giving Dale all the time he needs to recover, Rick Hendrick said in a statement. Theres nothing we want more than to see him back in the race car, but well continue to listen to the doctors and follow their lead. Whats best for Dale is whats best for Hendrick Motorsports and everyone involved with the team. Were all proud of him and looking forward to having him racing soon.

The team said Friday that if Junior was to miss the 400 that Gordon would take his place, a sign that the team was incredibly prepared for this exact situation to happen.

Gordon, now an analyst for Fox Sports, has five wins at Indianapolis, a track that can be considered his home track. Gordons family moved to Indiana when he was a teenager so he could pursue his driving career. He won the first Brickyard 400 in 1994 and also won the 2014 race. Gordon has won 93 races in the Sprint Cup Series and has 475 top-10 finishes in 797 career starts.

When Gordon said he was quitting the No. 24 car at the end of the 2015 season, he never used the word retirement and left open the possibility that he could still drive again, just not on a full-time basis. And, really, this is the only opportunity Gordon would have to be able to drive a race or few in the Cup Series.

Gordon cant drive for another team outside HMS and the team is at the four-car NASCAR limit; it cant field a car for Gordon on a part-time basis (Gordon is listed as the owner of the No. 48). So the absence of one of Hendricks drivers, at a track where Gordon has had a ton of success, is the perfect chance for the legendary driver to jump back into a car.

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Jeffs a team player, Hendrick said. I know hell be ready, and I know Dale has incredible trust in him. Its going to be an emotional weekend with Dale not being there and seeing Jeff back behind the wheel. [No. 88 crew chief Greg Ives] and the team did a great job at New Hampshire, and they have the full support of our organization.

Jeff Gordon is back in the Cup Series (Getty Images).

Thinking Gordon is automatically a contender for the win Sunday is a bit foolish. But its not a stretch to believe he could be a contender. While Hendrick has lagged a bit behind Joe Gibbs Racing and Team Penske this summer, Gordons still going to have a damn good piece of equipment. And if he isnt too rusty and the car is dialed in, a top five is certainly possible.

Earnhardt Jr. said in his podcast on Sunday that he definitely wouldnt have been able to drive at New Hampshire because of the balance issues and nausea hed been experiencing. He did say that he felt his mind was sharp and that he performed well on an ImPACT concussion test and the HMS release noted he visited with doctors on Tuesday at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers sports concussion program.

      

Nick Bromberg is the editor of From The Marbles on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
Jessica Alba turned the beach into her own personal runway! The 35-year-old actress showed off her toned figure in a pineapple-print Tori Burch bikini (and matching shirt) while vacationing with her family in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Wednesday. She completed the look with a straw hat and dark sunglasses.

ETONLINE

WATCH: Jessica Alba Talks Being a Virgin in Hollywood

For the last few days, Alba and husband Cash Warren, their daughters -- Honor, 7, and Haven, 4, -- and a group of friends have been soaking up the sun in the Aloha State, where the Sin City star was photographed paddleboarding.

READ: Jessica Alba Celebrates Wedding Anniversary With Daughter, But No Cash Warren

Alba has been sharing a bunch of adorable vacay photos on Instagram, including a sweet snap of her daughters giving their father a kiss. "Dad smooches -So grateful for my family, " she wrote next to the photo.

"Smooches" she captioned another pic, this time of her planting a kiss on 37-year-old Warren.

Between motherhood, marriage, acting, and the Honest Company, Alba certainly deserves a little vacation time.

Find out the one thing Alba's daughter, Honor, won't forgive her for in the video below.

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By Dave McNary, Variety



Producer J.J. Abrams has decided that Anton Yelchins Pavel Chekov character will not be re-cast for future Star Trek movies.

I would say theres no replacing him, Abrams told the Toronto Sun. Theres no recasting. I cant possibly imagine that, and I think Anton deserves better.

Yelchin, who died June 19 in a freak accident, had played the Chekov character in the three reboots. Star Trek Beyond, the third film in the revamped franchise premieres on Wednesday at Comic-Con in San Diego and opens in theaters on Friday.

Abrams told the newspaper he could not disclose if the next Star Trek film would include the death of Chekovs character. I have thought about it, were working on it, and its too early to talk about it, he said.

Related: Film Review: Star Trek: Beyond

Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Bad Robot announced on Monday that they were going ahead with the fourth film in the rebooted Star Trek series, starring Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth. They disclosed that Pines Captain Kirk will cross paths with his father, described as a man he never had a chance to meet, but whose legacy has haunted him since the day he was born.

Hemsworth, who appeared in 2009s Star Trek, will return to the space saga in the father role as George Kirk. The remaining cast  which includes Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, John Cho and Simon Pegg  is expected to return.

J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay will write the screenplay. J.J. Abrams and Lindsey Weber will produce through Bad Robot Productions. David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance will executive produce.

The announcement did not indicate who will direct. Justin Lin directed Star Trek Beyond from a script by Doug Jung and Simon Pegg.
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?

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Octogenarian novelist John Le Carre is enjoying quite a surge in popularity these days: Paramount Television and The Ink Factory have just put Le Carres novel The Spy Who Came in From the Cold into development for TV. Chapter 7 will also assist with the financing and production.

Le Carres seminal 1963 novel was already adapted for the screen, an Oscar-nominated 1965 film Paul Dehn wrote for Paramount, and hell serve as an executive producer on the TV project. The Ink Factorys Stephen and Simon Cornwell will executive produce as well, along with Chapter 7s Stephen Garrett.

Simon Beaufoy, who penned Oscar-winner Slumdog Millionaire, will write. Adapting one of the best thrillers ever written is a rare privilege, he said.

The story centers on British intelligence operative Alec Leamas, the titular spy who adopts the guise of a turncoat to wreak vengeance on the East German Intelligence Service deputy director responsible for the death of one of Leamas agents.

The Ink Factory was also behind turning Le Carres The Night Manager into a six-part limited series for the BBC and AMC. Last week, The Night Manager earned itself an even dozen Emmy nominations, including best limited series and acting nods for Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, and Olivia Coleman.

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Following the success of AMCs The Night Manager, Paramount is developing another John le Carre classic in association with Ink Factory, our sister site Deadline reports.

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The Spy Who Came In From the Cold, the 1963 Cold War novel which was subsequently adapted into a 1965 film starring Richard Burton, is eyeing a limited series remake. Academy Award-winning writer Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire) is attached to pen the small-screen retelling, while le Carre will serve as an executive producer. A U.S. television network has not yet acquired the program.

A New York Times bestseller, The Spy Who Came In From the Cold follows the rise of the Berlin Wall as senior British intelligence officer Alec Leamas witnesses the brutal murder of one his agents. From there, Leamas agrees to go undercover to avenge his colleagues death by punishing the East German sentries responsible.

The Spy Who Came In From the Cold is one of the greatest espionage stories ever told, Ink Factory co-CEO Simon Cornwell said in a statement. Simon Beaufoy is one of the most brilliant screenwriters of our generation. We are thrilled to be embarking on this extraordinary creative journey.

Will you tune in for this (eventual) TV adaptation of the John le Carre thriller?

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You probablly already know that the Dodge Challenger Hellcat and Dodge Charger Hellcat are 707-horsepower beasts. Thats a wonderfully ridiculous amount of horsepower for any one human being. But if thats not enough, then you now have the opportunity to boost them up to 1,500 horsepower for just under $11,000.

According to TorqueNews, Savage Street Cars out of Houston, Texas, will boost your Hellcat to that monstrous figure for just $10,995, fully installed. The Stage 5 package develops and extra 793 horsepower and 650 lb-ft torque, taking your lowly 707-horsepower Hellcat to 1,500 horsepower and 1,300 lb-ft torque. Let that number sink in for a minute.

RELATED: See Photos of the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

An upgraded supercharger is the first piece in this new setup, providing boost levels somewhere between 18-20 psi. Then the company adds a custom nitrous spray bar system, with 200-horsepower jets, and an advanced NOS controller system. The stock exhaust manifolds are replaced, an ice tank is added to the closed loop cooling system, and a final tune brings it all together to the desired figure.

Depending on the price of your new Charger or Challenger Hellcat, you could hypothetically have everything (including the price of the car), for less than $85,000. 1,500 horsepower for $85,000, what a time to be alive.

RELATED: See Photos of the Dodge Challenger Hellcat X
Just Cavalli is getting playful for Fall 2016 by returning to the fairground for its latest campaign.

Images released by the Italian label reveal Creative Director Peter Dundas chose New York's famous Coney Island fun fair as the backdrop for the campaign for its frisky energy. The fairground's 'Americana' vibe, with its retro colors and pin-up signs, reflects the leathers, chiffons and rodeo detailing of the brand's hedonistic and spirited Autumn / Winter 2016 collection.

Shot by fashion photographer Sebastian Faena, the images show a collection saturated with glam rock and punk references, from Andy Warhol screen-prints, to neon zebra stripes, leopard prints, and biker jackets. The New Wave aesthetic can be seen in the line's winged cat-eye sunglasses, smoking lip motifs and loud patterned blouses, while fishnet tights and leather mini skirts lend things a sharper, rockier edge.

The beauty look is fierce too, with models sporting vibrant pink pixie crops and shaggy long bobs. Lipstick is a rich ruby and smeared slightly imperfectly over the mouth, while the eye makeup is bold and glittering, even on the boys. The models are styled as all-night revellers, photographed on a bare boardwalk in early morning light to symbolize "the rebels and the baby rockers" embodying the Just Cavalli attitude.
Over the past five years, the Department of Justice has showered more than $10 billion of special grants on federal, state and local government agencies and non-government groups for everything from aerial drug interdiction efforts to juvenile justice initiatives and Native American justice systems.

While much of those funds have gone for useful activities, approximately $100 million went for questionable expenditures or funds that could have been put to better use, according to Justice Department Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz.

Related: Justice Department unveils 'largest takedown ever' to combat Medicare fraud

Whats more, nearly 50 grant-related audits during that period turned up evidence of criminal activity that led to 13 convictions and more than $6.1 million in restitution and recoveries.

In January, for example, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America officials agreed to pay $1.6 million to the federal government to settle allegations related to making false claims in connection with a grant program. The non-profit mentoring group based in Philadelphia was found to have comingled federal grant funds with other operating funds.

In another fraud case, two employees of the Alameda Heights Outreach Center in Dallas pleaded guilty in August 2014 to the theft of $75,000 in Justice Department grant funding for a program to mentor youth. The employees were sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to make restitution of the funds.

Over the past several years, [the Office of Justice Programs] and the Department have made positive strides in improving their grants management, Horowitz said in testimony last week to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Related: National fund to help victims of Orlando massacre

Yet the Department must undertake robust efforts to ensure that the billions it gives out in grants are appropriately spent and that the public receives the expected and desired return on its investment, he said.

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In the greater scheme of things, the misuse or theft of $100 million in grant funds for justice related programs amounts to small fraction of the total expenditures. The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) provides innovative leadership to federal, state, local, and tribal justice systems, by disseminating state-of-the art knowledge and practices across America, the agency says on its website.

Because state and local governments and organizations are principally responsible for law enforcement, the Justice Department enters into partnerships with local authorities and provides grant money to attempt to improve the quality of law enforcement and identify the most pressing crime-related challenges confronting the criminal justice system.

Horowitz cautioned that while the rate of mishandling or theft of the federal funding is small for now, the prospects for fraud and other wrongdoing would mount as Congress spends more and more money on criminal justice programs. At a time when the nation is struggling with an epidemic of terrorist attacks on Americans and racially motivated killings, Congress and the Justice Department are certain to increase anti-crime and compensation funding in the months to come.

In the case of the Justice Departments Crime Victims Fund, for example, Congress in 2015 authorized Justice to distribute more than $2.3 billion to victims and their families  or three times more than was approved for fiscal 2014. Congress raised the total to more than $3 billion for fiscal 2016. More funding likely will be needed to compensate the families of victims of shootings.

Related: Justice Department changes social media policy after rogue tweet criticizing CNN

This significant increase requires OJP to have sufficient controls and oversight to ensure that the funds are used appropriately, Horowitz said in his testimony.

Moreover, he said, the Justice Department has to find new and improved ways to interact with funding recipients to ensure that funds are expended for their stated purposes.

Over the years, the Justice Department has provided federal agencies including the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration with over $3.7 million in grants to acquire unmanned aircraft or drones for surveillance or illegal drug trafficking interdiction. Yet much of that money was never used for its intended purpose.

Horowitz said that his office uncovered a related case in which two local jurisdictions spent $234,000 of DOJ funds to purchase drones that, because of technical and regulatory limitations, ended up never being used operationally.

Related: Medicaid Fraud Climbed to a Whopping $29 Billion Last Year

In another case, the Navajo Division of Public Safety in 2015 was found to have made over $35 million in questionable uses of grant funding intended to design and build a tribal jail and rehabilitation center for adult offenders in the Arizona-New Mexico area.

Most of the questioned costs were related to the construction of two correctional facilities that were built with capacities that were at least 250 percent larger than needed, and at an excess cost of more than $32 million, according to Horowitz.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Keegan-Michael Key showed up on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert as Frank, the only African-American at the Republican National Convention. Since a recent poll showed that 0% of black voters in Ohio support Donald Trump, Frank was a very popular person. Decked out in Trump gear, Key said that everyone was being really nice to him: They gave me a shirt, they gave me a hat, theyre always putting me on camera for some reason. Ive never been so popular in my life!

A lot of people have been saying that this years Republican National Convention has been kind of boring so far, but Frank seemed to be having a ton of fun, saying, Chris Christie burned a witch earlier, Ben Carson was just juggling brains. I didnt know it was going to be this entertaining!



The Late Show with Stephen Colbert airs weeknights at 11:35 p.m. on CBS.

The Colbert Report returns on 'The Late Show thanks to Jon Stewart.

Tell us what you think! Hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or leave your comments below. And check out our host, Cynthia LuCiette, on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.


NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya expects the East African Community bloc to sign a trade deal with the European Union by an Oct. 1 deadline, its trade minister said on Wednesday. Governments in the region are anxious to ensure that exports such as tea and fresh flowers, which are major sources of foreign exchange, are not hampered by any post-Brexit tariffs. Regional media said Tanzania was holding back on the deal after Britain voted to leave the EU. Adan Mohamed, the Kenyan minister for industrialisation and trade, told Reuters: "I don't think that is the formal (Tanzanian) position. "I have no reason to doubt it (the EU-East African trade deal) will not be signed because we have an agreement that has been initialled by all the member states." Tanzanian officials were not immediately available to comment. Mohamed said the six-nation EAC bloc was working with the EU to get a suitable date and venue to sign the economic partnership agreement (EPA). Governments were given two years from the October 2014 agreement to ratify the deal in national parliaments. "It is not a matter of 'if' but 'when' it is going to be signed by all the member states," Mohamed said. "If this process is not concluded in time, then our market access on a duty free basis is going to be disrupted. From that point of view it is critical and it is important," he said. (Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by George Obulutsa/Ruth Pitchford)
By Warren Strobel and Lesley Wroughton WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The battlefield momentum in Iraq and Syria has shifted against Islamic State, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday, but the international community must now also confront the challenge of stabilizing newly liberated areas. "The momentum has shifted," Kerry told an international conference to raise funds for Iraq at a critical juncture in the military campaign. "The new challenge that we face is securing and aiding for the recovery of a liberated area." Lise Grande, the United Nations' humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, warned that military victories will prove transient if the needs of Iraqis displaced by the conflict are not addressed. "The military campaign will have achieved a great short-term success, but perhaps little else of enduring impact," she said. The officials spoke as defense and foreign ministers gathered to also agree on next steps in the two-year-long fight against Islamic State, in particular the militant group's bastion in Mosul. The Iraq donor conference raised more than $2.1 billion in aid, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. The United Nations has said that, under a worst-case scenario, it could take $2 billion in relief and stabilization funds to deal just with the civilian impact of the Mosul battle and its aftermath. With the early stages of the Mosul campaign underway, plans are still being finalized to provide urgent humanitarian aid and restore basic services and security for residents and as many as 2.4 million displaced people. "Most of our conversations today ... were about what happens after the defeat of ISIL," U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said after a separate meeting of about 30 defense ministers at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, using an acronym for Islamic State. "The biggest strategic concern of the defense ministers here was for the stabilization and reconstruction ... and making sure our planning and execution of that is in time for the execution of the military aspect," Carter said. Some of the defense ministers indicated their countries' intent to contribute more to the military campaign, he said. Wednesday's meetings will be followed by a joint session of foreign and defense chiefs on Thursday to discuss the broader fight against Islamic State not only in Syria and Iraq, but also in Libya and globally. A spate of recent attacks claimed or apparently inspired by Islamic State, such as a truck attack in Nice, France, that killed 84 people last week, formed a grim backdrop to the Washington meetings. "We are nowhere near the defeat of Daesh. It's an octopus, it's a snake with many heads," said Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, using a derogatory Arabic term for the group. Around Mosul, the United Nations is preparing for what it says will be the largest humanitarian relief operation so far this year as terrified people stream out of the path of the advancing Iraqi military and flee from the city itself. They will need shelter, food and water, and sanitation for three to 12 months, depending on the extent of the city's destruction. The U.N. estimates that under the worst scenario, more than one million people could be displaced from Mosul and another 830,000 from a populated corridor south of the city, adding to the burden of caring for 3.5 million Iraqis already displaced. U.S. representative to the United Nations Samantha Power told donors they must pony up the money now. "Commitments made today must be met, promptly and in full," she said. "In one recent humanitarian campaign after another, we have seen multiple donors over-promise and under-deliver." Mosul, which Islamic State seized from a collapsing Iraqi army in June 2014, is Iraq's second biggest city and home to a combustible mixture of Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen and others. Kerry cautioned that the Shi'ite-led Iraqi government, which the country's Sunni Muslim minority views with distrust, must embrace political reconciliation if Islamic State is to be defeated. "To eliminate Daesh from Iraq permanently, the government of Baghdad has got to be viewed as responsive to the needs of the people in all parts of the country," he said. At a press conference later, Kerry praised the government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, but said: "We would like to see some reforms moving faster." Officials in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, criticized the coalition for excluding the Kurds from the Washington gathering. Masrour Barzani, head of the regional security council, called it "a travesty" on Twitter. Although Iraqi and U.S. officials have not announced a timetable for moving on Mosul, a senior Baghdad-based diplomat said Abadi wants to advance the start of the campaign to October after the seizure of Falluja from Islamic State last month. (Additional reporting by Idrees Ali, Yeganeh Torbati and Andrea Shalal; Editing by James Dalgleish)
Killeen, TX (76540)

Today

Cloudy skies this evening followed by thunderstorms late. Low 61F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Cloudy skies this evening followed by thunderstorms late. Low 61F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Https%3a%2f%2fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2fuploads%2fcard%2fimage%2f150329%2f29e733b58b7648f79aa5a2d26e36c00c

Koalas are great at eating eucalyptus and getting belly rubs. Dancing? Not so much.

Perhaps this little fella climbing up a pole is trying to challenge the lazy reputation of one of Australia's most well-known and beloved animals.

SEE ALSO: 9 photogenic spots around Australia to take an Instagram shot

It was captured in a video uploaded to Facebook on June 30 by Nikki Erickson, who explained in the description that she came home from work hoping to "dance the shitty day away" when the discovery of the creature "turned her day around."

"She sat there while I talked to her and took photos and did not growl once," Erickson wrote. Unfortunately for this koala, who may have mistook the pole for a tree, going for a climb didn't work out so well.

The koala was eventually rescued by the folks at Queensland's Daisy Hill Conservation Park and given the name "Larissa," according to the Huffington Post.

"They made sure she was ok and in good condition, then released her," Erickson told the publication. "They sent me an email the following day to let me know."

Just another one of those "only in Australia" moments, yet again.
Company is Finalizing Terms on Additional Warehouse Space in Florida

CHARLESTON, SC / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2016 / Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. (KGKG), a premier hemp lifestyle brand of exclusivity and status, has announced that the Company has placed its initial order for their new hemp infused energy drink that will hit store shelves in 4-5 weeks. Kona Gold's new hemp infused energy drink will feature the Company's new logo, which can be viewed on its website, konagoldhemp.com. The Company's new hemp energy drink will be available for sale on Amazon.com, konagoldhemp.com, as well as local retailers.

The Company would also like to announce that it is finalizing its lease agreement for additional warehouse space for expanded operations in Florida. Kona Gold's management team plans to have the lease in place within the next 7 business days. The additional location will increase warehouse and front office space to house inventory of their new hemp energy drink. Inventory will also be stored in Amazon facilities as Kona Gold joins their FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) program, allowing for free 2-day delivery to Prime Members.

"This is a great day and milestone for our company," stated Robert Clark, CEO of Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. "Our team has been working diligently to create a fantastic hemp energy drink that is going to resonate with our existing and new customers. Our new hemp energy drink is so smooth and tastes amazing, I am beyond excited at what our team has made possible and look forward to getting cans in our consumers' hands."

For more information regarding Kona Gold Solutions, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/konagoldhemp

https://twitter.com/konagoldhemp

https://www.instagram.com/konagoldhemp/

http://www.konagoldhemp.com

Kona Gold Solutions, Inc.:

Kona Gold Solutions, Inc. is currently in the process of developing a premier Hemp Infused Product line as well as merging its current subsidiaries out of the Company. The Company announced it has moved its Corporate Headquarters to 1591 Savannah Hwy, Suite 201, Charleston, SC 29407. Kona's new warehouse and office space gives the Company the space needed to expand rapidly.

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The Company has created Kona Gold LLC, a Delaware Corporation, to begin developing its Hemp Product line. Kona Gold will begin developing Hemp Energy Drinks, Energy Patches, Hemp Apparel, Hemp Shampoo as well as a Hydroponics division; please visit the Company's new website to view updates and new products www.konagoldhemp.com.

There are many hemp companies out there that get lost in the crowd, but Kona Gold sets the gold standard with its premiere line of products.

Safe Harbor Statement:

The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technological advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, and various other factors beyond the Company's control.

Investor Relations Contact:

investorrelations@konagoldhemp.com

SOURCE: Kona Gold Solutions, Inc.
While it pays to clip coupons, most of us just dont have the time. To find out how to snag the best in-store shopping hacks, we invited Joanie Demer and Heather Wheeler, founders of the popular couponing blog, The Krazy Coupon Lady, to join us in our studios. The best part about these deals is that you dont need to clip a single coupon.

Target hack

Of all the retailers listed on the site, Target (TGT) is one of Krazy Coupon Ladys favorites because of all the ways you can save therewith or without coupons. The key to shopping smart is knowing when to go for the items you want. Shop on Mondays to find markdowns on kids and infants clothes, Tuesdays for womens and juniors, Wednesdays for mens, Thursdays for shoes and Fridays for scarves and jewelry. After studying the stores schedule, they confirmed their findings with Target. The takeaway is, if youre shopping for a necklace on Thursday, and youre on the fence about whether to buy, come back the next day because it might be on clearance, explains Demer.

TJ Maxx hack

Maximize your savings by shopping on Wednesdays for first dibs on markdowns. Like at its sister stores, Homegoods and Marshalls, TJ Maxx (TJX) shipments for new products arrive daily, but the markdowns start on Tuesday nights. So shopping the very next day means better selections for you on the newest items in store.

And Wheeler says to be on the lookout for TJ Maxxs yellow price-tags because those items are final sale and you wont see prices go any lower.

Costco hack

For the best way to buy in bulk, skip the Costco (COST) membership fees and pay with a Costco cash card. Heres how it works: Pay a friend whos a member to get you a Costco Cash gift card. Flash that at the entrance, and youre in, no membership needed. Its a great way to test out the membership before youre ready to commit, says Demer. Note: This doesnt work at Walmarts Sams Club (WMT).

Trader Joes store hack

Look for some of your favorite products under Trader Joes (private label. One of the best kept secrets at Trader Joes is that its private label items are made in the exact same factories as some of the premium brand names, says Wheeler. For example, you can get Stacys Pita Chips for $4 at any grocery store, but at Trader Joes, they are half the price. And the same goes for products like Cheerios and cheese puffs.

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Ikea store hack

By design, Ikeas layout was created so that you can spend an entire day just trying to exit the store. One way to get out faster is by shopping on Tuesdays. Why? Because you can drop off your kids at the free childcare center and shop soloand faster. Ikea childcare is typically an hour and a half, but on Tuesdays you get an extra 30 minutes, says Demer. And when youre ready to pick them up, stop by the cafeteria and get two free kids meals when you buy one adult meal.

Have a shopping hack to share with us? Using the hashtag #WAYSTOSAVE and share them with us on Twitter, Facebook, or email them to us and well feature some of your best tips at the end of the month and share them with our viewers.

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MOSCOW, July 20 (Reuters) - A balance is needed to prevent an excessive support of one sector of the Russian economy at the expense of another, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday, in comments on a stronger rouble.

Peskov was asked to clarify comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin who had said that the rouble was strengthening despite volatility on the global commodity markets and the authorities needed to think about what to do in the near future given those factors.

"In general, the rouble's strengthening has positive sides, yet from another point of view, this requires some measures towards export-oriented sectors," Peskov said. "Of course, fully moving to one side would not be wise - and this was meant." (Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova; writing by Katya Golubkova; editing by Vladimir Soldatkin)
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (ticker: KKD) has done what will likely anger health advocates everywhere -- but leave investors with an appetite.

The North Carolina-based company is introducing a doughnut-flavored soda, USA Today reports.

The chain, which announced in May that it would be acquired by European investment fund JAB Holding Co. and taken private, teamed up with soft-drink bottling company Cheerwine, also based in North Carolina, for the aptly titled Cheerwine Kreme.

That's right: The cherry flavor of Cheerwine will now be combined with Krispy Kreme's Original Glazed flavor.

Unfortunately, this treat is only available for those in North Carolina, South Carolina and certain areas of Georgia in convenience and grocery stores and Krispy Kreme eateries.

USA Today also notes the companies worked together in 2010 for a limited time Cheerwine-filled doughnut.

The food industry hasn't shied away from mixing things up to entice consumers, even if they're bucking against the healthy eating trend. Because if one thing is going to keep consumers interested in anything, it's a surprise. Exhibit A: Kellogg Co.'s (K) soda-flavored Pop-Tarts.

JAB, which also owns Keurig Green Mountain, the maker of single-serving coffee makers and K-cup coffee pods, is buying Krispy Kreme for $1.35 billion, or $21 per share in a transaction that is expected to close in the third quarter.

KKD stock has traded right at $21 since the sale announcement, and was unchanged in late morning trading on Wednesday.

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David Oliver is Associate Editor, Social Media at U.S. News & World Report. Follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, or send him an email at doliver@usnews.com.
The punishment for Volkswagens violation of emissions regulations continued today, with new civil lawsuits filed by attorneys general for the states of New York, Massachusetts, and Marylandcollectively seeking more than $1 billion in damages. The allegations claim that responsibility for the scandal rises to the highest levels of VWs leadership.

The details provided in todays suits paint an even darker picture of VWs corporate deception than outlined in the consumer and environmental-rights settlement unveiled last month in California. Massachusetts AG Maura Healey described VWs practices as including, sham software recalls, overly technical presentations designed to obfuscate, and (resistance) to new testing of VW vehicles. The allegations include VWs creation of a cost-benefit analysis for the cost of complying versus flouting the law, and the destruction of incriminating documents at the direction of the most senior people at the automaker.

And New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said that VWs attempt to paint their actions as the work of a few rogue engineers is far from the truth, describing VWs actions as a willful systemic scheme to the highest levels.

Heres what you need to know about the latest developments.



Will these lawsuits affect last months $15 billion settlement in California?

Todays actions by the states of New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts shouldnt affect the California case, which involved the Department of Justice, consumer-rights plaintiffs and regulatory agencies seeking restitution for consumers and the environment. In addition to penalties for environmental damage, the proposed settlement from the California case provides avenues for direct restitution for customers, including direct payments and buybacks to owners of 2.0-liter four-cylinder TDI vehicles. Todays case doesnt directly involve consumers. It seeks damages on behalf of the three states bringing the suit, not only for 2.0-liter TDIs, but also for 3.0-liter V6 diesel cars sold by Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche. Other states could file similar suits.

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What damages are being sought in these cases?

The $1 billion total is the result of some very complicated math, New York is seeking approximately $500 million in damages. Maryland is seeking $25,000 for each of 13,000 diesels sold in its state, which may total $325 million, plus additional penalties and injunctive relief. Massachusetts is seeking $25,000 for each day of each violation, which could be about $375 million, although a Massachusetts AG spokesman declined to clarify if that figure is correct.

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California Rejects VW's Plan to Fix Emissions Cheating 3.0L Diesel Vehicles

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VW to Pay About $15B in Diesel Scandal

How to Spend Your VW Buyback Money



Some VW Owners: Don't Take My TDI Away



What VW Should Do for Diesel Owners

Will consumers gain any benefit from this?

Consumers will probably not see any direct monetary benefit from these cases, but the states will. These cases are meant to penalize Volkswagen for its violation of the law, damage to the environment, and abuse of consumer trustthe aim is not to directly compensate diesel owners for lost value or harm. But the steep penalties are intended to discourage this sort of corporate behavior by automakers going forward.

Are any criminal charges being filed? Might VW executives go to jail?

The New York lawsuit implicates multiple high-level executives at Volkswagen, Audi, and Porsche, from CEOs to division chiefs, to heads of product development and engineering. The suits also use strong language, describing the conduct at VW as unlawful and deceptive. However, this is a civil case brought against the VW, Audi, and Porsche corporate entities, not against any particular individuals, so it will not put anyone behind bars. But a criminal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice is ongoing, so individual charges are still a possibility.

What does Consumer Reports think of the lawsuit?

According to Laura MacCleery, vice president of consumer policy and mobilization for Consumer Reports: Consumers cheated by Volkswagen deserve a full explanation. According to the lawsuits filed today, VW executives oversaw a deliberate scheme to cheat emissions regulations for more than a decade, then went to appalling lengths to try to keep it from the publiceven after violations were discovered. We urge these states, as well as federal officials still looking into environmental fines and possible criminal charges, to hold VW and its executives fully accountable for their actions so that nothing like this happens again."

What is Volkswagens response to the lawsuits?

Through a spokeswoman, VW released the following statement: The allegations in complaints filed by certain states today are essentially not new and we have been addressing them in our discussions with U.S. federal and state authorities. Volkswagen continues to work cooperatively with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board on a comprehensive national resolution of all remaining environmental issues arising from the diesel matter. To date, Volkswagen has agreed to buy back or modify affected 2.0L TDI vehicles, establish a $2.7 billion environmental remediation trust for the benefit of all 50 states, and invest $2 billion for infrastructure to increase the use of zero emission vehicles across the United States. It is regrettable that some states have decided to sue for environmental claims now, notwithstanding their prior support of this ongoing federal-state collaborative process.

Whats next for Volkswagen?

According to industry analyst Ed Kim at AutoPacific in Tustin, Calif., VW has been expecting and planning for these lawsuits from the states, but the company is experiencing some deep hurt. Volkswagen is getting slammed left and right by many governments around the world, he says Dieselgate is far from over and will continue. It will be tough for Volkswagen to weather this and will take years to get through. With the loss of TDI sales, the numerous fines, and the loss of trust with both newer customers and their deep fanbase, they hit a huge speed bump in their long-term plans. But it wont kill the brand. It all comes at a time when VW is about to launch a whole line of new products.





More from Consumer Reports:

5 least reliable cars from Consumer Reports' survey

Best Used Cars for $25,000 and Less

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Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S.
Laverne Cox has redefined beautiful for a new generation. (Photo: Getty Images)

Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox doesnt need any help to look gorgeous, but like most social media users, she likes to play with filters now and then. When she used Snapchats pretty filter, or beauty filter, as people have nicknamed it, fans were in an uproar, speculating that the transgender actress had a nose job.

#selfie #filter magic #TransIsBeautiful A photo posted by laverne cox (@lavernecox) on Jul 18, 2016 at 6:09pm PDT

Cox, 32, responded publicly on Instagram by posting side-by-side shots of her face with and without the filter, which seems to lighten complexions and slim down facial features. For everyone who thinks I had a nose job, the surgeon is snapchat, she said to clear the air on the issue. I try to love, embrace and accept myself everyday, filter or no filter, make up or no makeup, weave or no weave. Filters are fun but they are no substitute for me waking up, looking in the mirror and seeing the unfiltered me as beautiful and worthy of acceptance and love. #TransIsBeautiful, she continued.

Her inspired fans were generous with their support of the star. I prefer the nofilter one :) wrote @antonietta1958. hannahgold37. Adulting done right. Youre confidence and maturity is awe-inspiring, @ninjaginga22 added.

Related: Why Do People Keep Doing 100 Layers Videos?

Cox has worked hard on her confidence, growing up in Mobile, Ala., in a single-parent household, having no friends, and being bullied and beat up as a young boy for being feminine, according to the Telegraph. Now shes an LGBT activist and one of the first commercially successful transgender people on television. When I got the script, I said to my brother, This is the moment that Ive been waiting for my entire career, she told the Telegraph.

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Snapchat has been the subject of criticism for its filters in the past. Some social media users have accused the app of whitewashing people, or lightening their skin tones, in the name of beauty. Theyve also been taken to task for subtly altering facial features and producing large doe eyes and even making them lighter  implying that blue eyes are more attractive.

In April, the app was under fire for promoting black face by posting a filter of reggae legend Bob Marley on 4/20, the unofficial holiday that celebrates marijuana. Kylie Jenner wasted no time using the filter, but others found it offensive. I love #bobmarley but, um  isnt this technically black face? @Snapchat, wrote @danny_ruiz on Twitter.

Snapchat hasnt commented on any of the filter controversies.

Lets keep in touch! Follow Yahoo Beauty on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
By Brian Love and Emile Picy PARIS (Reuters) - French lawmakers approved a six-month extension of emergency rule on Wednesday after last week's truck attack on holiday crowds in Nice, the third deadly assault in just 18 months for which Islamist militants have claimed responsibility. President Francois Hollande's Socialist government, accused by political opponents of doing too little to avert the attack that killed 84 and hurt hundreds, also said it would step up strikes against Islamic State in its strongholds in Iraq and Syria. A year from elections, Hollande is under intense pressure as opponents accuse his administration of police failings over the tragedy. A Tunisian man was able to drive a 19-tonne truck along a packed sea-front promenade, mowing down people in the Bastille Day crowd, before he was shot dead by police. In a sign of other tensions, the outer wall of a Mosque in Lyon was spray-painted in red with the words "leave or die", local prefect Michel Delpuech said. And Paris's police prefect canceled an open-air film festival as well as plans to turn the Champs Elysees boulevard into a summer pedestrian zone. The extension of exceptional search-and-arrest powers for police was approved by 489 votes to 26 shortly before dawn in France's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, but not without renewed calls for an inquest. The Senate, where conservative lawmakers hold a majority, adopted the extension hours later with 310 votes in favor and 26 against after tweaking the text to make it tougher. Christian Estrosi, regional government head in the greater Nice area, said policing was lighter than Prime Minister Manuel Valls claimed, and that concrete blocks were not deployed to seal roads off during the national holiday festivities of July 14. HOLLANDE UNDER PRESSURE Emergency rule has been in place since attacks on Paris last November in which Islamist militants killed 130 people. Another 17 people were killed in January 2015 in attacks that began with the shooting of journalists working for Charlie Hebdo, a satirical weekly that had published cartoons mocking Islam. In response to demands from the main right-wing opposition party, Les Republicains, the rollover of emergency rule was extended for six months, to late January 2017, rather than the three months proposed by Hollande's government. The emergency regime, due to be examined by the upper house Senate later on Wednesday before becoming law, allows police to search homes and arrest people without prior consent from judges. It also allows them to tap computer and phone communications more freely. The attacks could hurt Hollande's chances of re-election next year, already damaged by failure to cut unemployment. Defending his government's record, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told Le Monde newspaper in an interview that he had no intention of resigning and that even with all the measures being taken, "there can never be zero risk." While Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the Nice attack, no firm evidence has yet emerged that the 31-year-old attacker, a delivery van driver with a record of home violence and petty crimes, had direct contact with the group. France's defense and foreign ministers were in the United States on Wednesday for talks with other members of a U.S.-led coalition on increased military efforts against the group, which has urged followers to attack France, among other enemy countries. Back home, Economy Minister Emmanuel Macron said tourism in the Nice area had already seen bookings plunge by 20-30 percent after the attack, highlighting the risk the confrontation poses to a nascent recovery in one of the world's top economies. (Additional reporting by Matthias Galante in Nice, Catherine Lagrange in Lyon and Michel Rose in Paris; Writing by Brian Love; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
From Road & Track

Since news of Volkswagen's emissions-cheating exploits broke wide open nearly a year ago, the company has maintained that the cheating "defeat device" installed in many of its diesel cars was the work of a small group of rogue engineers. It's been said that former CEO Martin Winterkornwho resigned shortly after knowledge the cheating became publicwas aware of the cheating, but other VW Group executives have remained relatively unscathed.

A new lawsuit filed by the Attorneys General of New York and Massachusetts threatens all of this, though, with claims that many top executives were aware to of what was going on to various degrees. Per a Tuesday New York Times report, the lawsuit accuses current VW CEO Matthias Muller (pictured above) as being aware of the decision not to equip certain Audi diesel models with equipment necessary to meet U.S. emissions regulations as far back as 2006.

The suit also names former VW and Audi powertrain development lead Wolfgang Hatz, former Audi development head Ulrich Hackenberg, and former VW development head Hans-Jakob Neusser. German prosecutors haven't yet named any of these men as being complicit in the cheating because of the country's famously strict privacy laws.

"The allegations against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche reveal a culture of deeply rooted corporate arrogance, combined with a conscious disregard for the rule of law or the protection of public health and the environment," said New York attorney general Eric T. Schneiderman, in a statement.

The suit seems to imply that both Winterkorn and Muller were aware of the decision to use defeat devices in Audi's 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, which was also used in the Volkswagen Touraeg and the Porsche Cayenne. Both Winterkorn and Muller have denied any wrongdoing.

Additionally, this suit gives credence to reports that Audi first developed the emissions-cheating software in 1999. Audi apparently developed the software to reduce the characteristic clattering sounds diesels make at idle, but this increased emissions significantly. The defeat device was developed in order for these cars to pass emissions testing (by reducing pollution and increasing noise), and produce a quiet idle in the real world.

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The software was called an "acoustic function," which lines up with an April report that VW employees labeled the defeat device as "acoustic software." It was believed this term was used to hide the software's true function.

Finally, the suit cites panicked emails and other internal communications in the months leading up to the scandal becoming public to insinuate many at VW were aware of cheating. Per the Times, one unnamed executive reportedly wrote, "[c]ome up with the story, please!" to colleagues when faced with questions from California regulators in May 2015.

If the allegations presented in the suit prove to be true, this doesn't bode well for Volkswagen whatsoever. The company already faces a $14.7 billion settlement in the U.S. for its cheating four-cylinder diesels, and there's still the matter of the aforementioned V6 diesels. Things could soon become unfathomably expensive, to say nothing of the company's troubles in Europe and a suit by the FTC over its "Clean Diesel" commercials.

This suit implies that VW's lying is much more extensive than the company has been willing to admit, and to say the very least, that's not a good look.
Warsaw (AFP) - The US confirmed Thursday it was seeking the extradition of the alleged boss of the world's biggest online piracy site, Kickass Torrents, on charges of distributing over $1 billion worth of illegally copied films, music and other content.

A day earlier, the US Justice Department unveiled a criminal complaint against Ukrainian national Artem Vaulin, 30, who was arrested in Poland and is wanted by American authorities for copyright infringement, money laundering and other charges.

Vaulin is alleged to own Kickass Torrents or KAT, which in recent years has eclipsed Pirate Bay and others to become the world's biggest source of pirated media.

Stephen Dreikorn, a spokesman for the US embassy in Warsaw, told AFP Thursday via email: "We can confirm the United States government is seeking extradition of Artem Vaulin."

The US criminal complaint said the website offers "a sophisticated and user-friendly environment in which its users are able to search for and locate content" which is protected by copyright.

KAT -- which distributes pirated films, video games, television programmes and music -- is estimated to be the 69th most frequently visited website on the internet, according to a Justice Department statement.

"Vaulin is charged with running today's most visited illegal file-sharing website, responsible for unlawfully distributing well over $1 billion of copyrighted materials," said Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell.

- 'Run but cannot hide' -

"In an effort to evade law enforcement, Vaulin allegedly relied on servers located in countries around the world and moved his domains due to repeated seizures and civil lawsuits.

"His arrest in Poland, however, demonstrates again that cybercriminals can run, but they cannot hide from justice."

Polish border guard spokeswoman Agnieszka Golias told AFP Thursday that Vaulin was arrested at Warsaw's Chopin airport on Wednesday "during an attempt to enter Poland".

Story continues

US officials are seeking to extradite Vaulin on charges filed in a federal court in Chicago, which ordered the seizure of one bank account and seven domain names associated with the file-sharing website.

The complaint said officials were able to track and identify Vaulin from records provided by Apple on his iCloud account.

- Service in 28 languages -

According to the complaint, KAT operates in 28 languages and has made available movies that were still in cinemas along with other content, earning revenue from advertising throughout its site.

The website's value is estimated at more than $54 million (49 million euros), with annual advertising revenue in the range of $12.5 million to $22.3 million, according to the complaint.

KAT has moved its domains several times after being blocked in Britain, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Belgium and Malaysia, according to the complaint, and has relied on a network of computer servers located around the world, including in Chicago.

Recently, the website allowed users to download illegal copies of recent hit movies such as "Captain America: Civil War," "Now You See Me 2," and "Finding Dory."

Vaulin, who used the screen name "tirm," was involved in designing the original website and ran the site which has been operating since 2008 through a Ukrainian-based front company called Cryptoneat.

According to the Justice Department, KAT's website "purports to comply with the removal of copyrighted materials" but evidence showed it did not remove content requested by organisations such as the Motion Picture Association of America, the Recording Industry Association of America and Entertainment Software Association.

The move comes with US officials in a long battle to extradite the head of Megaupload, a major piracy site shuttered by the FBI in 2012.

The head of Megaupload, known by the pseudonym Kim Dotcom, is free on bail in New Zealand pending an effort to extradite him to the US, and vowed earlier this month to revive his operations.

His extradition appeal is set to begin in the High Court in Auckland on August 29 and is expected to last four to eight weeks.

Pirate Bay meanwhile has been able to keep operating despite jail sentences handed down in Sweden against its founders, and the seizure of its web domains.

Authorities say they can seize or shut down illegal file-sharing sites but that the operators often reopen with servers in different jurisdictions.
From ELLE

Leslie Jones just gave us a horrific look at what it's like to be a black woman on Twitter. After tweeting several examples of hateful, racist comments she received on the social media platform, her account was hacked and used to publish homophobic messages.

Understandably, Jones decided to quit Twitter altogether, saying she felt exhausted and numb from all the hate.

The Ghostbusters remake, starring Jones, Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, and Kate McKinnon, has been a target for "Ghostbros," fans of the original movie who made it a point to negatively rate the film and its trailers on websites like IMDb and YouTube.

Some of the messages Jones had received were shockingly racist.

Before signing out, the actress and comedian reminded everyone that Hollywood stars are also just people.

Despite her own success and hard work, she commented that racism was still very much alive and kicking.

She took the opportunity to criticize Twitter for not doing more to stop racist comments from proliferating on the platform, which is famously easy for people to use for sending abuse online.

Friends and colleagues took to Twitter, using the #LoveforLeslieJ hashtag to express solidarity and support.

In particular, Chrissy Teigen showed that she too had received racist abuse on Twitter.

A Twitter spokesperson told BuzzFeed: "This type of abusive behavior is not permitted on Twitter, and we've taken action on many of the accounts reported to us by both Leslie and others. We rely on people to report this type of behavior to us but we are continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to prevent this kind of abuse. We realize we still have a lot of work in front of us before Twitter is where it should be on how we handle these issues."

The company's acknowledgment that it has far to go is welcome, but it might be too little, too late for the Ghostbusters star.
Paris (AFP) - Libya's UN-backed government on Wednesday criticised the presence of French troops in the chaos-wracked country, as President Francois Hollande confirmed France has soldiers there after three died.

The presence of the troops in Libya was a "violation" of the nation's sovereignty, the government of national accord said on its Facebook page following Hollande's announcement that its soldiers had been in the country.

The government said it would welcome "any help given to us by friendly nations in the fight against Daesh", using another name for the Islamic State group, which controls the key Libyan city of Sirte.

But any assistance given "should be based on a request (by the Libyan unity government) or in coordination" with it, the statement added.

Hundreds of people took to the streets of several Libyan cities to protest against the French military presence, mainly in Tripoli and Misrata, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of the capital, according to an AFP photographer and Libyan television.

"Get your hands off Libya," read one placard held by a child attending the protest in the capital. "No French intervention," read another, written in English.

Protesters waved the Libyan flag as one woman burned a French flag.

Hollande on Wednesday said three French soldiers were killed during a mission to gather intelligence in Libya.

Without revealing when the incident took place, Hollande said the troops died in a helicopter accident while taking part in "dangerous intelligence operations".

Libyan sources gave a different account of events, telling AFP the M17 helicopter was shot down by surface-to-air missiles.

They were "probably targeted by Islamist groups in the Magroun area, about 65 kilometres west of Benghazi" on Sunday, a commander of forces loyal to a controversial general, Khalifa Haftar, said.

Another source close to Haftar -- who opposes the internationally backed unity government in Tripoli as well as the Islamist factions that have overrun large parts of the country -- said the dead soldiers were military advisors.

Story continues

Announcing their deaths earlier Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian praised the officers' "courage of devotion" but gave no details of how they were killed.

Rival militias in Libya have been vying for power since the overthrow of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Several Islamist groups, including the Islamic State, have a presence around Benghazi which is situated in the east, analysts said.

IS's main stronghold is the central coastal city of Sirte.

Forces loyal to the unity government have been embroiled in a two-month battle to try to retake the city from the jihadists.

- Europe's shores at risk -

Western powers have been nervously watching the group's advance on Europe's doorstep.

Hollande said Libya was experiencing "dangerous instability" and noted: "It's only a few hundred kilometres from Europe's shores."

France had previously revealed its warplanes were carrying out reconnaissance flights over the country from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

But Paris has never confirmed reports that it has intelligence agents or special forces on the ground.

France, together with Britain, led the push in 2011 for the NATO-led campaign of airstrikes that helped topple Kadhafi's regime.

The two countries were later accused of not doing enough to support Libya after the intervention.

British media reported in May that British special forces had taken part in combat against IS in the country's northeast.

The news of the soldiers' deaths comes as France struggles to recover from a massacre in Nice last week, in which a Tunisian with a fascination for jihad slammed a truck into a crowd, killing 84 people.

IS, which directed last year's attacks on the national stadium in Paris and several nightspots in the capital, claimed the attack.

But French investigators have said there is no proof Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was acting on the group's behalf.
Lockheed Martin Corp.s LMT Aeronautics division won a contract from the Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD for the procurement of diminishing manufacturing sources electronic components. This is a modification contract valued at $241.8 million.

LOCKHEED MARTIN Price

LOCKHEED MARTIN Price | LOCKHEED MARTIN Quote

Per this contract, Lockheed Martin will support aircraft production through Lot 15 for U.S. and international facilities for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft. The majority of work will be performed in Burlington, VT and is expected to be completed in Dec 2018.



The latest contract combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, foreign military sales (FMS) customers and international partners under the FMS program.



The company has secured quite a few major contracts from the Pentagon as well as from foreign allies related to F-35, helping it to remain in the limelight. Importantly, revenues will likely be rising on its F-35 program as seen in its recently released second-quarter results.



The Pentagons prime contractor reported second-quarter 2016 earnings of $3.32 per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2.92 by 13.7%. Earnings also increased 12.9% from the year-ago level owing to higher deliveries of F-35 fighter jets as well as higher sales from its Sikorsky helicopter unit.



The company not only reported better-than-expected earnings, but also boosted this years projection. Revenues for 2016 are expected to be in the range of $50 billion to $51.5 billion (earlier projection: $49.6 billion to $51.1 billion), while earnings per share are expected in the $12.15$12.45 range (earlier projection: $11.50$11.80). The company also expects a higher operating profit of $5,725$5,875 million from the earlier projection of $5,625$5,775 million.



Zacks Rank



Lockheed Martin currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Other well-placed stocks in the aerospace and defense sector include General Dynamics Corp. GD, Northrop Grumman Corp. NOC and Orbital ATK Inc. OA, all with the same Zacks rank as Lockheed Martin.



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By Kagondu Njagi THARAKA NITHI, Kenya (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Logging in the Mount Kenya National Park has set a group of politicians against a local community in a dispute over land rights involving allegations of privilege, harassment and violence. Atiriri Bururi ma Chuka, a local conservation group whose name translates as "keepers of Chuka community land", says four politicians are working with a company that is felling trees on a 24,000-acre strip of protected forest land. The company, Kamweru Farm, has cleared more than 15 acres, says Atiriri, which has mapped the land, and work is continuing, which could scare off wildlife, contribute to climate change, and curb the forest's ability to replenish freshwater stocks, impacting locals' livelihoods. Commercial logging is prohibited on the land, which is a government reserve but also claimed by the Chuka community. However, the politicians say they obtained a permit in 2014 from the District Forestry Office to harvest trees. The forestry office confirmed a permit was issued two years ago for the purpose of "forestry research" under the mandate of the Mount Kenya Community Forest Association. That association is legally recognised by the government to perform activities in the forest such as tree planting and forest fire prevention. Atiriri's chairman Ngai M'Uboro said the politicians received a permit that communities would never be able to access, taking away a valued local resource. Politician John Muchiri, who is the Tharaka Nithi County Assembly speaker, said he and three other politicians linked to Kamweru Farm have a permit to legally harvest wood and accused political opponents of trying to sully his name ahead of an election next year. "I am not involved in any illegal activities because I have a permit allowing me and my partners to cut trees from the forest," Muchiri told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by telephone. "What I know is that some groups, which I will not name, are working with my political opponents to frustrate my efforts to win the Tharaka Nithi Member of Parliament seat in 2017." The row over the clearance of the land in a forest reserve, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, has caused tempers to flare - and even violence - highlighting the tensions involved in land disputes being fought across Africa. One member of Atiriri was shot dead by security guards earlier this year as several group members patrolled the area looking for illegal loggers. The local government said it had not received any reports of illegal logging and would act if it did. Tharaka Nithi County Environment Minister Albert Mugambi said he believed the forest was fully guarded by the Kenya Forest Service. "We are not aware of any politician involved in (illegal) logging," Mugambi said in a telephone interview. "If anyone is doing this, it is illegal. They are thieves and should face the full force of the law." DISPUTED OWNERSHIP The row over the legality of the logging has highlighted a major underlying tension: Who actually owns the land? "Mount Kenya forest has always been vulnerable to encroachment because there are issues that remain unresolved as to whether part of the forest lies on community land or not," said James Mugambi, a program officer with Centre for Research in Environment Kenya. The counties of Tharaka Nithi, home to three of the politicians involved, and Meru, home to the other, flank the forest to the east. The Kenya Forest Service has placed protection posts at key entry points around the forest and conducts aerial surveillance, according to a ranger at Chuka Forest Station in Tharaka Nithi. A tea plantation belt separating the forest and upper eastern communities was established by former President Daniel Arap Moi. Recently, an electric fence to restrict encroachment and the movement of elephants was erected along the Tharaka Nithi and Meru forest corridor. Yet, despite these measures, parts of the forest are still under threat, including the area claimed by the Chuka community. It was incorporated by the government as reserve land in 1934. According to Wendy Wanja, a lawyer representing the Atiriri group, controversy over who owns the land may explain why politicians have been able to harvest trees there. "The government claims ownership of this piece of land which they have earmarked for forestry research," she explained. Official parliamentary records, seen by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, show the Chuka people have customary tenure of the land, as noted by Wanja. Local people are angry that politicians have been taking wood from the forest when they do not have enough themselves. "We are not able to build and repair classrooms because of a lack of timber," said Njiru Kirimo, 36, a farmer in Kiangondu village, who said he was beaten twice in 2014 by rangers who accused him of entering the forest illegally to collect wood. "The current law requires someone to obtain permission from the chief to even cut a tree on their farm. Yet for nearly three years we've seen trucks carrying timber from the forest." M'Uboro's said he had evidence to show the harvested wood was sold in markets in Nairobi and in Isiolo, northern Kenya. "Illegal logging in Mount Kenya is a big business, but the money acquired only benefits a few individuals," he added. (Editing by Megan Rowling and Belinda Goldsmith; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)
RuPauls Drag Race, which just scored its host an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Host for a Reality of Reality-Competition Program, has been renewed for a ninth season at Logo. The network also said today it has given a greenlight to Fire Island, a docuseries from Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Milojo Productions that will premiere next year.

The news comes on the heels of Logo ordering the dating series Finding Prince Charming, which will feature a cast of gay men competing to win the favor of Americas Most Eligible Gay Heartthrob. Lance Bass is hosting the show from Brian Graden Media which is in production for a fall premiere.

Fire Island will follow a group of young New York City professionals who leave behind the stress of their big-city lives and escape to the magical sun-soaked oasis that is Fire Island Pines. Milojo Productions produces with Albert Bianchini and Lenid Rolov. For Logo, Pamela Post and Tim Palazzola are executive producers and Jen Passovoy is producer.

Fire Island is an exciting new addition to Logos slate and perfectly complements the stories our audience craves, said Post, Logos SVP Original Programming. Were thrilled to give it a home alongside yet another incredible season of intense competition on RuPauls Drag Race.

RuPauls Drag Race wrapped its eighth season in May, with Season 2 of spinoff RuPauls All Stars Drag Race to bow August 25. The series is produced by World of Wonder Productions with Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Steven Corfe, Mandy Salangsang and RuPaul Charles as executive producers. McCarthy, Post and Palazzola executive produce for Logo.

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Logo has renewed RuPauls Drag Race for a ninth season, Variety has learned. The Viacom-owned cabler has also greenlit a new reality series from Kelly Ripa.

The Drag Race renewal comes after the competition show landed two Emmy nominations  one for RuPaul as outstanding reality host, and another for costumes.

Season 9 of RuPauls Drag Race will be bigger, better and more twisted than ever, said RuPaul, host and exec producer. Thank you, Logo, for continuing to provide a powerful platform for these brave, gorgeous and creative souls to tell their stories. They represent the hopes and dreams of all the outsiders around the world.

RuPauls Drag Race is Logos highest-rated series. The drag queen competition has become a franchise for the cable net with an All Stars spinoff, which heads into its second season on Aug. 25. The flagship series is produced by World of Wonder with Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato, Tom Campbell, Steven Corfe and Mandy Salangsang exec producing, along with RuPaul.

In addition to renewing RuPauls Drag Race, Logo announced a new series Fire Island, hailing from Live! host Ripa and her husband/producing partner Mark Consuelos.

Fire Island is a docuseries following a group of young, New York City professionals who leave behind the stress of their big city lives and escape to the sun-soaked oasis of Fire Island. The series, like a love letter to the Pines, highlights the adventure, romance and relationships of friends and housemates as they vacation together in a share-house and experience the magic and drama of the landmark location.

The series hails from Ripa and Consuelos company Milojo Productions. Albert Bianchini, Chris McCarthy, Pamela Post and Tim Palazzola are also exec producers and Jen Passovoy is producer.

Fire Island is an exciting new addition to Logos slate and perfectly complements the stories our audience craves, said Pamela Post, SVP of original programing for Logo. Were thrilled to give it a home alongside yet another incredible season of intense competition on RuPauls Drag Race.

Story continues

Just last week, Logo greenlit the first-ever reality dating show with an all gay male cast, Finding Prince Charming, which will be hosted by former NSYNC star Lance Bass, and is set to premiere this fall.

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By Andy Swift



Logo is saying shantay, you stay to RuPauls Drag Race, renewing the Emmy Award-nominated competition series for a ninth season.

RELATED Gay Bachelor Series Hosted By Lance Bass Gets Logo Series Order

Meanwhile, RuPauls All Stars Drag Race returns for its second season with a 90-minute premiere on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 8/7c.

In addition to the aforementioned Ru-newal, Logo on Wednesday that its given a series order to Fire Island, a docuseries premiering in 2017. From Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos Milojo Productions, the reality series will follow a group of young New York City dwellers who leave behind the stress of their big city lives and escape to the sun-soaked oasis of Fire Island. The series  highlights the adventure, romance and relationships of friends and housemates as they vacation together in a share-house and experience the magic and drama of the landmark location.

Are you excited for more Drag Race? Curious to check out Fire Island? Whatevers on your mind, drop it in a comment below.



Related stories

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TVLine Items: Hamilton Docu on PBS, Drag Race: All Stars Cast and More

RuPauls Drag Race Season 8 Winner Bob The Drag Queen Praises Kim Chi  and Schools Michelle Visage

Get more from TVLine: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Newsletter
Logo is ready to Race again.

The LGBT-themed Viacom-owned cable network has renewed RuPaul's Drag Race for a ninth season and picked up docuseries Fire Island, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The renewal news comes days after host RuPaul scored his first-ever Emmy nomination for best reality host, with the series also nominated for best costumes.

Read More: Emmys: RuPaul Lands First-Ever Nomination

The recently concluded eighth season of the World of Wonder Productions show posted year-over-year ratings growth and ranked as the most-watched premiere in series history. Spinoff RuPaul's All Stars Drag Race returns for its second season on Aug. 25.

"Season nine of RuPaul's Drag Race will be bigger, better and more twisted than ever," RuPaul said Wednesday in a statement. "Thank you Logo for continuing to provide a powerful platform for these brave, gorgeous and creative souls to tell their stories. They represent the hopes and dreams of all the outsiders around the world."

Meanwhile, Logo has added docuseries Fire Island from producers Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos' Milojo Productions.

The project follows a group of young New York professionals who leave behind the stress of their big city lives and escape to the sun-soaked oasis of Fire Island. The series features the adventure, romance and relationships of friends and housemates as they vacation together in a share-house and experience the magic and drama of the landmark location.

Albert Bianchini exec produces alongside Logo's Pamela Post and Tim Palazzola; Jen Passovoy is set to produce for the cabler.

"Fire Island is an exciting new addition to Logo's slate and perfectly complements the stories our audience craves," said Post, senior vp original programming at Logo.

Fire Island joins the recently ordered gay dating competition series Finding Prince Charming, hosted by Lance Bass, as Logo continues to add originals.
A selection of the greatest figurative painters based in England from the latter end of the 20th century are being exhibited at the Getty Center in Los Angeles opening July 26.

The painters Francis Bacon, Lucian Freud, Leon Kossoff, Michael Andrews, Frank Auerbach and R.B. Kitaj were part of the "School of London" in post-war Britain, a movement that rejected the popular abstraction and conceptualism of the time, preferring figurative art -- depicting real objects and figures.

"London Calling"

This summer, six of the pioneering "School of London" painters are coming to the US in an exhibition entitled "London Calling," to be held at the Getty Center in collaboration with the Tate in London. The first major exhibition in the US to show work from leading figures of the figurative movement, "London Calling" seeks to assess the influence of the movement, as well as explore the transnational dialogue between the London-based artists and their American counterparts, both now and at the time.

Francis Bacon (named after his famous ancestor) was one of the most successful British painters of the 20th century, evolving from surreal to figurative art over the course of his career. His friend and rival Lucian Freud also preferred figurative art and was known for his heavily impastoed portraits. Frank Auerbach, Michael Andrews and Leon Kossoff were all also known for their use of the impasto technique -- thick, textured layers of paint applied to the canvas. Kitaj, an American, nevertheless spent most of his time in England. He had particular influence on the development of the Pop art movement thanks to his use of color and collage effects.

The J. Paul Getty Museum will be hosting the "London's Calling" exhibition from July 26 through November 13, 2016.
By Matthew Mpoke Bigg ABOARD PROF JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS, Ghana (Reuters) - In the depths of Ghana's fiscal crisis in 2014 policymakers looked forward to a time when a new oil field would open to boost the economy. That time has come but there's a catch: oil prices have halved since the project started. The drop in the crude price to under $50 a barrel reduces the short-term boost to government revenue from the offshore Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN) field at a moment of triumph for Tullow and its partners, who include Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). TEN should ramp up production to around 50,000 barrels per day within weeks of coming on stream by the end of August. "There is no way that, even with the new money from TEN, revenue in 2016 will hit what it was two years ago, unless something extraordinary happens with the oil price," said Benjamin Boakye of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy. Ghana, which also produces cocoa and gold, is following an International Monetary Fund programme to restore fiscal balance and spur growth, which dropped to 3.9 percent in 2015 from 14.4 percent in 2011, a year after it began producing oil. On Monday, the government said it had cut its forecast for 2016 GDP growth to 4.1 percent from a previous forecast of 5.4 percent due to lower export prices and irregular oil production. Oil output was halted between March and May at the offshore Jubilee field due to a breakdown on a production ship, and the country lost millions of dollars in revenue. It has since restarted and is currently producing around 50,000 barrels per day, far lower than the 120,000 bpd capacity, according to Alex Mould, chief executive of GNPC. Oil holds a special place for the country because optimism about the prospects for rapid economic progress soared when crude began to flow from its offshore Jubilee field in 2010. But government figures show that revenue from Jubilee fell from $978 million in 2014 to $396 million the following year due to falling oil prices, forcing the government to revise its budget. The hope is that TEN and the Offshore Cape Three Points field operated by Italy's ENI, which is due to come onstream next year, will help offset the shortfall from Jubilee. HEART OF THE PROJECT The deepwater TEN project should weather the low oil prices as a commercial proposition because its production costs are at $20 a barrel and its oil quality is high. In addition, it has a lifespan of more than 20 years. "What will stop us achieving that (start) is if we come across any unplanned events. So far the plan is telling us that we are good within that (end of August) window," said Tony Oldfield, a senior official with the TEN project. At the heart of the deepwater project is a $1.6-billion Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel, the Prof John Evans Atta Mills, named after Ghana's late president who died in 2012. The ship was converted from a super-taker at a shipyard in Singapore. It stands over 350 metres long, towering over other vessels in the Gulf of Guinea south of the port city of Takoradi. Project managers say its 4,500-tonne turret, which connects the vessel to the sea floor and prevents it from rotating, can avoid the problems that crippled Jubilee earlier this year. For a start, the TEN bearing is in segments, making it easier to repair than the older Kwame Nkrumah ship that operates in the Jubilee field. In addition, the turret has an automatic greasing system, which will facilitate maintenance. "The Atta Mills is a much better design," Mould said. (Editing by Tim Cocks)
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), Germany's largest airline, on Wednesday cut its full-year profit target, saying advance bookings to Europe had declined significantly due to "terrorist attacks in Europe and to greater political and economic uncertainty".

The company now expects adjusted earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) to fall this year, having previously expected it to be slightly higher compared with 2015.

With the announcement, Lufthansa joins other major European airlines such as British Airways owner IAG (ICAG.L) and easyJet (EZJ.L) in warning on profit as a result of political and economic uncertainty dampening travel demand.

The group also released preliminary results for the first half of 2016, saying sales fell to 15.0 billion euros ($16.50 billion), down from 15.4 billion in the same period last year. First-half adjusted EBIT rose to 529 million euros, up from 468 million last year.

Lufthansa also now expects to increase the amount of flying it does this year by 5.4 percent, instead of a previous target of around 6 percent.

Analysts are looking for details of how attacks in France, Belgium and Turkey are impacting demand when IAG, Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA) and Lufthansa all release full results over the next two weeks.

Lufthansa is scheduled to release full-year results on Aug. 2.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz, editing by David Evans)
20 Jul - Actor-host Luis Manzano is stressing yet again that Jessy Mendiola is not a third party that caused his previous breakup with Angel Locsin.



As reported on Coconuts Manila, the actor, who released a statement to a member of the media recently, stressed that he and Locsin broke up way before he and Mendiola even started going out.



"My family knows the reason why we broke up, and Jessy was never in it," said Manzano.



Speculations about Mendiola breaking up the couple's relationship resurfaced recently, after Locsin gave an ambiguous response regarding Manzano and Mendiola's relationship.



When asked if her breakup with Manzano had something to do with a third party, Locsin responded, "Whatever he said. It's always like that. If that's what he said, then that's that", sparking speculations that it was truly the case.



Mendiola later denied the allegations, saying that she will never do such a hurtful thing to any woman as she herself has experienced it before.



(Photo source: manila.coconuts.co)
American comedy rock band Pizza Underground is poised to release an album, group member Macaulay Culkin has revealed, NME suggests.

Speaking to The Guardian, Culkin said that the the Pizza-themed group, which plays Velvet Underground covers, are working on a record, despite cancelling their UK tour and Primavera Sound appearance after they were pelted with beer and booed offstage at the Nottingham leg of the Dot To Dot festival in 2014.

"We have an album coming out, a vinyl pressing with a children's choir, a symphony orchestra. We're giving it away, our gift to the world," Culkin said.

A release date for the forthcoming record has not yet been announced.
SKOPJE (Reuters) - Macedonian police arrested 19 people, including five police officers, suspected of trafficking migrants, the interior minister said on Wednesday. Three more suspected members of the same gang remained at large after the pre-dawn arrests. The group is also suspected of robberies and arms and drugs trafficking. "The group started operating in early 2015 on the domestic and international level ... the investigation showed that the group organized the smuggling of at least 550 migrants," Interior Minister Mitko Cavkov told a news conference. With unprecedented numbers of migrants and refugees entering Europe, in February Balkan countries shut their borders to those trying to head north to wealthy western European Union countries, but many are still attempting the journey, some using human trafficking networks. In neighboring Serbia on Tuesday, police detained six suspected human traffickers, while 78 migrants were discovered attempting to cross the country illegally. Bulgarian police arrested 45 migrants attempting to cross to Serbia on Tuesday. (Reporting by Kole Casule; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)
Artificial intelligence (AI) may still sound like a foreign, other-worldly term, but don't dismiss it too quickly: It could be the future of shopping.

At least, that's the aim of Macy's (ticker: M) latest initiative, Macy's On Call. The retailer is partnering with intelligent engagement platform Satisfi and leveraging International Business Machines Corp.'s (IBM) Watson to improve customers' shopping experience.

Customers can find the technology on his or her mobile browser at macys.com/storehelp and can request information, like "Where are the ladies shoes?" or search for a particular product, The program will adjust itself accordingly as it gets to know each store, as shown in its popular searches category, according to a news release.

Macy's On Call is currently being tested in 10 U.S. stores in Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, California, Florida, Georgia and New York.

This first testing phase is anticipated to last through late fall.

"This program, in partnership with Satisfi and leveraging the power of IBM Watson, will help us explore new ways to engage one-on-one with customers in-store, providing them another level of service right at their fingertips," Peter Sachse, Macy's chief growth officer, says.

As e-commerce continues to plague dominant brick-and-mortar retailers like Macy's, it's these types of initiatives and ensuing interactions that ideally will encourage traffic to physical stores.

With this pilot and other steps it's taking to improve, don't count the retailer out just yet. "I've invested in Macy's because I feel it will be a long-term survivor," Eugene Fram, professor emeritus of marketing at the Rochester Institute of Technology's Saunders College of Business, told U.S. News in June. "It has already taken steps to move to lower price levels, retain its 'sales' format, close unproductive stores, and provide higher-styled private brands."

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Macy's stock was up 0.4 percent Wednesday morning.

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David Oliver is Associate Editor, Social Media at U.S. News & World Report. Follow him on Twitter, connect with him on LinkedIn, or send him an email at doliver@usnews.com.
Bamako (AFP) - The Malian government on Thursday declared a state of emergency, a day after an attack in the centre of the country left 17 soldiers dead and 35 wounded.

The government said the state of emergency would last "for a duration of 10 days" following the attack at at an army base in Nampala.

Its also said a period of national mourning would begin on Thursday "in homage to the victims of the terrorist attack".

In the hours after Tuesday's assaults two groups -- one jihadist, the other ethnic -- both claimed to have carried out the raid on the military camp.

Several security sources in the region told AFP they doubted the veracity of the claim of responsibility from the National Alliance for the Protection of Peul Identity and Restoration of Justice (ANSIPRJ).

The ethnic group was only founded last month following inter-communal clashes in the area and lacked the means to mount an attack.

Malian jihadist organisation Ansar Dine also took credit for the attack, which the Malian government described as a "coordinated terrorist attack".

The government that the military was in control in Nampala and that the attackers would be hunted down and punished.

The attack was the latest in a series of assaults on security forces in Mali, and was condemned by the United Nations and European Union.

A previous state of emergency in place since April had only been lifted the week before.

Northern Mali 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.

But attacks are now becoming more frequent in the country's centre, close to its borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, both from criminal and jihadist elements.

Although Islamists were largely ousted by an ongoing French-led military operation launched in January 2013, sporadic attacks from desert hideouts are common.
By Marty Graham

SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - A man with a history of mental illness was charged on Tuesday with attacking five homeless men in San Diego, killing three of his victims, in a violent crime spree this month that terrorized the city's poorest residents.

Jon David Guerrero, 39, described by the city police chief as "disturbed" and a "predator," appeared briefly in San Diego County Superior Court and was ordered held without bond on three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

If convicted Guerrero faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole, unless prosecutors decide to seek the death penalty.

No plea was entered in the case as yet. Arraignment proceedings were postponed until Aug. 2 at the request of Guerrero's lawyer, public defender Dan Tandon, who sought additional time to prepare.

Neither police nor prosecutors have furnished details about the nature and circumstances of the attacks, except that all five victims suffered "trauma to the upper torso," including two slain men who were set on fire.

Guerrero was arrested on Friday. He was stopped on his bicycle 30 minutes after the latest surviving victim was found bleeding from a chest wound and screaming for help at the edge of downtown, police said.

The string of attacks, beginning on July 3, sent fear through a sprawling homeless community estimated at about 9,000 people in and around California's second-largest city.

According to police, evidence linking Guerrero to the slayings was uncovered at his residence.

He lived in a "supportive-housing" project downtown called Alpha Square, consisting of about 200 studio apartments for former homeless men and women and other individuals with special needs.

A check of the Superior Court case index showed five mental health matters filed under his name since 2008, all of them sealed.

Dameon Ditto, a friend of Guerrero who taught him art at Alpha Square, told Reuters he had not seen the defendant since June 12.

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"He had expressed to me that he was taking psychiatric medications he didn't like," Ditto recalled of their last encounter.

Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom after Tuesday's hearing, Tandon appealed to the media and public for patience.

"San Diego deserves to know the truth and the whole story," he said, adding, "The story begins many years ago." He did not elaborate.

(Reporting by Marty Graham in San Diego; Writing by Steve Gorman; Editing by Bernard Orr)
After it was revealed on Tuesday that Brock Lesnar had been flagged for the second time for a potential anti-doping violation, his UFC 200 opponent Mark Hunt is calling for the formation of a fighter union.

In an interview with his website, MarkHunt.tv, The Super Samoan criticized the UFC for not caring about fighters.

The way I see it, the Brock Lesnar doping thing is just another reason why we need a fighters association, Hunt said. These guys are just making up the rules as they go.

First, the Reebok thing, then Brocks 4 month-testing exemption. Conor (McGregor) gets pulled off a card for not going to a press conference that me or Brock didnt go to anyway. Work that out. Theres probably a heap of others.

These guys are just making (expletive) it up as they go, he added. Yet, fighters refuse to support other fighters when they (expletive) us over.

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Hunt questioned the anti-doping procedures and believes theyre in place to put the fight promotion in a favorable light with a $4 billion sale pending.

They say they are cleaning up the sport, yet Ive risked my health two times against guys cheating since this USADA thing started. I was told Brock was gonna be tested when I took the fight. He comes in looking fricking juicy as hell and then I find out hes popped after the PPV has already been sold.

Its ridiculous. The fact that they havent even bothered to make contact with me since all of this happened just proves they dont care.

I dont even know how he made 265 pounds, that guy; he looked about 500 kilograms. Look at the pictures and tell me this guy passed the smell test that Jeff (Novitsky) guy talks about. I mean, even the other passport stuff, which is supposed to be important for testing, they would have none of that from Brock because of the exemption, said Hunt.

The whole point of the four-month testing period should be to make sure someone doesnt pop back in, juiced to the gills, and beat the crap out of the guys who are clean and have been clean and tested this whole time, he added. Im pretty sure all of this stuff is just there to look good for the sale.

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Hunts rant didnt stop there. He continued to blast the UFC about fighter pay and benefits.

These guys have lined their pockets with our blood. They deserve to get paid, no doubt. They took the UFC from nothing into what it is today, but come on, most of the guys fighting get paid nothing and have no benefits, he said.

There needs to be a system where they at least run things past the fighters before making these decisions and the fighters can look out for each other. We need an association where we can have our voices heard. We are a massive reason why fans watch the sport, and we risk our health to do it.

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Speaking out against the organization could have repercussions, but Hunts not concerned about that.

Im not worried about the UFC, he said. Ive been fighting my whole life. Fighting to survive in my home, to the ring, and now the cage. These guys didnt even want me in the UFC, but here I am. Im not scared of them.

Im not sure what it's like in the States, but in Australia workers stick together to make sure their voice is heard. Lots of guys have talked about this, but someone needs to make this happen and Im happy for it to be me.

Hunt called for fighters to contact him about forming a fighter association. Hes more than willing to spearhead the effort.

Im not an expert on all this, but me and my team have been talking to the experts about how to make this a reality, he said.

To the fighters listening to this, I want them to get in touch with me via my Facebook page and we can get things going. I wont name anyone until we sort it all out, but get in touch and let's make this happen.

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sprinklr Ragy Thomas

Sprinklr, a US-based martech company that helps brands manage their paid and organic social media presence in one place, has raised a $105 million funding round at a $1.8 billion valuation.

It brings the company's total funding to date up to $239 million.

Last March, the Sprinklr CEO Ragy Thomas told The Wall Street Journal that the company's then-$1.17 billion valuation was a "very conservative multiple of our recurring annual revenue."

Sprinklr says in the press release announcing the funding that it surpassed $100 million in annual revenue in 2015, although it doesn't indicate whether this is gross or net revenue.

In the past 12 months, the company has made a number of acquisitions: Social visualization platform Postano; location-specific text analytics software firm NewBrand; and audience segmentation platform Booshaka.

The company's clients include Nike, McDonald's, Microsoft, and JPMorgan Chase. It has around 1,100 employees.

The round was led by Singapore investment firm Temasek, with participation from Wellington Management Company LLP, EDBI, and Sprinklr's existing investors.

In a blog post, Thomas explains how Sprinklr has become the "underlying infrastructure for a rewired front office."

He writes:

"In an age where customer experience is the new battleground and word-of-mouth is everything, global brands need a way to tap into these unstructured customer interactions. They need a new approach to building real customer relationships at scale  one that goes beyond traditional notions of relationship management. They need a foundation that models not just structured customer attributes like age and address, but one that also makes sense of and allows them to act on unstructured data, like a recent Instagram post or review on Yelp. This is what our platform was designed to do."

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Matt Damon Team America

Paramount

Back in 2014, Matt Damon hosted an Ask Me Anything session on Reddit and he continued to prove that hes one of the folksiest, most normal dudes in Hollywood. A man of the people, they might say (they definitely say it), and he did his best to answer everyones questions. One question that caught our attention dealt with the actors portrayal in the 2004 film Team America: World Police, as a fan wanted to know what he thought of his puppet saying, MAAAAAAATT DAAAAAMON. Damon claimed he thought the film was brilliant, but he also never understood it.

The story, as he came to learn, was that the Matt Damon puppet arrived at the Team America production looking kind of mentally deficient, and Matt Stone and Trey Parker didnt have time to fix that, so they just rolled with it. MAAAAAAATT DAAAAAMON was born, but at the very least, the actor wrote, he liked being included as a person who was against the Iraq war.

Fast forward to this week, and Damon is back on the PR trail for his glorious return as Jason Bourne in the aptly-titled Jason Bourne. GQ has a hell of a feature profile on the 45-year-old, as his Hollywood friends and A-list co-stars contributed in describing what kind of person he really is. Spoiler: hes a great person and his life is very good. Except when it comes to meeting fans and signing his headshots for them, because thats when MAAAAAAATT DAAAAAMON comes back to haunt him.

The most common head shot that Im asked to sign is pictures of that fucking puppet [from Team America: World Police]. And they always say, Will you write Maaaaaatt Daaaaamon? Im like, Okay. Matt, with, like, 16 as in it. [Trey Parker and Matt Stone] are legitimate geniuses. But when that came out, I thought, Wow, is that what people think of me? That Im really dumb? So I remember asking friends of mine, and they all told me that it didnt really make sense that I was dumb. I was like, Are you just saying that? And then [my wife] Lucy heard an interview with [Matt and Trey] where they said the puppet showed up the day before they were supposed to shoot with it, and it looked like it had special needs, and they didnt have time to change it with the budget. I dont know if they made that up subsequently.

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On Tuesday, he returned to Reddit for a new AMA and the same question popped up. His answer was mostly the same, but he especially hit on one important positive aspect.

I was always kind of bewildered by Team America, I think because its hard for us to understand what our images are in public, I think were not good judges of that, and when I saw myself on screen just only able to say my own name and not really that well, I kind of wondered Wow, is that how people perceive me? At that point I just kind of was like, Im a screenwriter and an actor, and like really? I can barely say my own name? So I was always bewildered by that, and I never talked to Trey and Matt about that. And Incidentally, I believe those two are geniuses, and I dont use that word lightly. I think they are absolute geniuses, and what theyve done is awesome and Im a big fan of theirs, but I never quite understood that one. But I will say this. Those of us who were parodied in that video were parodied because we were against the Iraq war, and we went on the record against that war, and so history is on my side not theirs.

So, you can certainly ask him to sign your puppet pictures from Team America  and you should, because thats a great autograph to own  but just remember that even though his puppet was slow, he was still against the war in Iraq. And if Damon is secretly upset about that film and his portrayal, he can at least take comfort knowing that it almost ruined the relationship between Parker and Stone. (But it didnt, thank goodness.)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May, perhaps hoping to lighten the mood in what are expected to be challenging talks on Britain's exit from the European Union with Angela Merkel in Berlin, has given the German chancellor a birthday present. May's office said that as usual there would be no formal exchange of gifts during the visit, but the British leader had given Merkel two books "reflecting their shared interest in hiking" - Coast to Coast with Wainwright, and Great Mountain Days in Snowdonia - to mark her 62nd birthday on Sunday. May is said to enjoy hiking trips to the Alps, while Merkel often holidays in mountainous South Tyrol, a mostly German-speaking area of northern Italy. The two are also daughters of Protestant clergymen. Berlin is May's first trip abroad since she became prime minister last week following Britain's vote to leave the European Union. She can expect tough talks with Merkel, who has shown no sign that she will make things easy for post-Brexit Britain. May's meeting with Merkel includes a working dinner at the chancellery. On the menu: tuna with mango chutney, quinoa and avocado; veal with mushrooms, vegetables and potatoes; marinated wild berries with ice cream or cheese and grapes. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Writing by Giles Elgood; editing by Stephen Addison)
By Elizabeth Piper and Paul Carrel BERLIN (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May sought to reassure Germany on Wednesday over Britain's vote to leave the European Union, stressing her desire to deepen ties with neighbouring countries in her first foreign visit as leader. But while Angela Merkel agreed with May that Britain needed time to put together a negotiating stance before triggering a formal divorce from the bloc, the German chancellor was clear that no one wanted "a long period of limbo". May, appointed a week ago after David Cameron resigned over the result of the EU vote, has appealed for time to work out how best to attack the unprecedented and complex negotiation for Brexit, with the other leaders in the bloc offering little sign they will make things easy for Britain. By heading to Germany and then later to France, May is keen to sound out the EU's two most powerful leaders, Merkel and President Francois Hollande, as, officials expect, the EU's biggest member states will take a lead in the talks. "(The visit) underlines my personal commitment to bring a strong and constructive partnership ... a partnership that works for the benefit of people here in Germany and people back home in Britain," May told a news conference standing next to Merkel. "I also want to be clear here today, and across Europe in the weeks ahead that we are not walking away from European friends." Merkel reiterated that there could be no formal negotiations on the terms for a post-Brexit Britain before London invokes Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to trigger the formal exit procedure. She urged May not to wait too long. "Nobody wants a long period of limbo. Neither the British people nor the European member states," Merkel said. "Everyone has an interest that the preparations are conducted in a thorough manner, that the positions are clear, and I think it is absolutely understandable that Britain needs a certain amount of time for this." May has said that Britain would not trigger Article 50 this year. MILITARY HONOURS The new British leader was received by a guard of honour, a military brass band and dozens of solders standing to attention. She was heard saying the scene was "very splendid" before heading for brief talks. She later had dinner with Merkel to further discuss Brexit over a meal of tuna with mango chutney and veal with mushrooms. Since May's emergence as British prime minister, much has been made of the stylistic similarities between the two women: both daughters of pastors, both with reputations as no-nonsense pragmatists, who rose to the top of conservative parties dominated by more conventionally outgoing men. Speaking of their relationship, May said they were "two women here who ... if I may say so, I think get on with the job. Both want the best possible results for the people of the UK and Germany". Merkel answered: "Exactly". But both leaders are under no illusion about how tough the talks on Britain's departure might be. May, who has struggled to control migration into Britain, must try to balance voters' demands for a reduction in movement of people from the other 27 members of the bloc and a desire from business to keep access to the lucrative EU single market. Described as "utterly intractable" by a Cameron ally, May will be up against the equally tough Merkel, who has told Britain it will not be able to "cherry pick" what it wants to keep from its EU membership. In France on Thursday, Hollande, under pressure after last week's deadly truck attack in Nice, will also be firm in demanding that Britain either sign up to EU rules or suffer the consequences. He is keen to dampen the popularity of Marine Le Pen and her far-right National Front, which wants a French "Frexit". For Merkel, she indicated she was more than ready to start negotiations with Britain, which she described as "an experienced country in terms of its diplomatic skills". "Negotiations with British governments are always taxing, interesting and tactically clever and even while competing with our negotiating strategies we try to work on an equal terms - it's always exciting," she said. "I mean even during Britains years as a member of the European Union the negotiations with Great Britain were never trivial." (Additional reporting by Noah Barkin, Kylie MacLellan and William James; Editing by Peter Graff)
mcdonalds double

McDonald's has been testing fresh, never-frozen beef patties at restaurants in Dallas.

Wall Street analysts have applauded the change, but some McDonald's franchisees say it's a food-safety disaster waiting to happen.

In a recent survey by Nomura, two dozen franchisees warned that introducing fresh beef patties nationwide would slow down service and expose the chain to new food contamination risks.

"I have major concerns over food safety and our lack of ability to serve a large number of customers quickly," one franchisee wrote.

Another wrote, "If we do not handle the meat perfectly there is the opportunity for bacterial invasion of our product."

One operator brought up the E. coli outbreak that affected 14 Chipotle restaurants across the country last fall, sending the chain's sales plunging by as much as 30%.

"An uncaring employee [could end up] doing something that puts the entire system at risk," the franchisee wrote. "We are the lightning rod. Chipotle will be a walk in the park if we have an incident."

McDonald's has long relied on an extensive network of suppliers who make, freeze, and ship beef patties to its more than 14,000 restaurants in the US.

Expanding the fresh beef test  which is currently limited to 14 restaurants in Dallas  would require big changes to its supply chain. The potential for foodborne illnesses is higher when uncooked meat is kept at a temperature above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the USDA.

McDonalds bacon burger 4.JPG

At the restaurant level, it would be a "massive learning curve for our managers and crew," one franchisee wrote. "No doubt the biggest change in McDonalds history. Would be a huge distraction from our 'turnaround.'"

In the same survey, many McDonald's franchisees also acknowledged that fresh beef would help improve the fast-food chain's public image.

"Faster cook times, juicier product, seared product versus stewed meat," one franchisee wrote.

Another said, "Many customers perceive unfrozen to be better for you. Perception is everything."

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Twenty-seven domestic franchisees with approximately 199 stores participated in the Nomura survey, representing a small fraction of McDonald's 14,000 stores in the US.

McDonald's CEO Steve Easterbrook said last month that there isn't currently a large enough supply of fresh beef to expand the test nationally but that the company could start expanding it gradually region by region.

"Would that supply be there right now? No it wouldn't," Easterbrook said at a conference in New York. "It doesn't mean we shouldn't start to expand it. You can go region by region ... and develop it that way. We are pretty good at solving operational supply chain issues when we have a good idea."

McDonald's Australia makes a cheeseburger

He said a larger rollout wouldn't require any major new equipment or expenses for franchisees.

The company just has a few small issues to work out through the test, such as finding the best system for storage and handling of the beef to avoid any cross-contamination of the fresh, uncooked meat with other food items.

"We are trying to figure out the best way to segregate equipment like spatulas and scrapers for the grill," he said.

But if there's enough enthusiasm for the fresh beef patties among customers, a rapid rollout isn't out of the question.

"When there is a ground swell of enthusiasm and the operators are aligned behind it and the company is helping support that, suppliers have stepped up in an unbelievable way to deliver both the equipment and also the ingredients," Easterbrook said. "We have shown how quick we can move when we have a good idea."

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From Cosmopolitan

Among the merchants hawking bawdy, outrageous, and even sexist Trump merchandise at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, two bros are attracting attention for their lighthearted, custom-made Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton-themed cereal.

Darrin Maconi and Dan Malafronte, two self-described "gym rats" from Monmouth County, New Jersey, are not trying to make any grandiose political statement. "Politics is such a serious topic. Every word is underneath a microscope. We decided, let's have a little fun," said Malafronte, 21, said.

The cereal boxes sell for $40 each, or $60 as a pair - a steep price for off-brand Captain Crunch and Frosted Flakes. But according to Maconi, they have created a one-of-a-kind collector's item that isn't available for purchase anywhere but at the conventions. "If you had Reagan Flakes, or Kennedy Crunch, and you had it from like 50, 60 years ago in your closet, you'd be like, 'Yeah, that was really cool. I remember that time,'" he said.

Maconi, 27, works as a financial planner. The two came up with the idea about six weeks ago. They enlisted an artist friend (a woman who prefers not to be identified, Malafronte said) to design the packaging. Between them, they've funneled thousands of dollars into the project and spent over 100 hours gluing and prepping the 1,000 boxes of cereal, Maconi said. Then they rented a U-Haul and drove across Pennsylvania to get to Cleveland, where they say the Trump boxes have been selling quickly. They'll take any leftover wares to Philadelphia's Democratic National Convention next week. The profits will go toward Malafronte's college tuition and recouping investments.

I asked how they were planning to vote, but taking a political stance is apparently bad for business. "We say that we are neutral, but I did have an elephant on my shirt yesterday. It was a Banana Republic shirt," Malafronte joked. "We're trying to not sway one way yet. We gotta let it play out."

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"We would love to pose without our shirts on," Maconi said, because of course I asked. Looking down at his chest, though, he added, "Oh, I didn't shave today." But after privately consulting Malafronte, whom he affectionately referred to as "D," he demurred. "I'm happy to show off our gains in the gym," Maconi said, "but I think it would cheapen the idea behind this."

Maconi insisted that he "usually" wouldn't say no to a request like mine and scrolled through his phone to show me photos of some modeling he's done. "It should be about the cereal, not about us," he insisted. "We want people to look back and say that we supported a college student and got a limited edition cereal. I didn't buy cereal from two gym rats."

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It's a sunny Saturday afternoon in July and dozens of men and women have traveled from across New York State to gather in the backroom of a bar and grill while classic rock plays in the background.

Most are covered in tattoos. Some wear bandanas and keep their sunglasses on, even while indoors at the Albany Rail Yard on Central Avenue.

All proudly wear their hard-earned, leather cuts. Theyre bikers and theyre on a mission  but not one you might immediately think.

These men and women want to help and protect children.

"No child deserves to live in fear, and we take that seriously," said Thumper, the Sgt. at Arms of the Albany Chapter of B.A.C.A., or Bikers Against Child Abuse, a nonprofit, 501c3 organization that provides comfort, aid, support and safety to children who have been sexually, physically or emotionally abused.

The organization was founded 21 years ago by John Paul Chief Lilly, a Utah-based licensed clinical social worker with a passion for bikes who noticed there were gaps in the system to help abused children heal. Today, B.A.C.A. works to fill those gaps.

B.A.C.A. exists to empower children who are victims of abuse. And the biggest single thing we can do for victims of abuse who are children, is help them be kids again, Riff, the public relations liaison for the Buffalo Chapter, told InsideEdition.com.

B.A.C.A. provides comfort, aid, support and safety to children who have been abused.(Inside Edition)

B.A.C.A. members keep their identities private, taking on road names that are bestowed upon them when they become full-fledged members by other brothers and sisters in the organization.

Those who wish to join the organization and are expected to give their all to the cause. They must ride for at least one year with a chapter before they are considered for membership, undergoing an extensive vetting process  including a background check  meant to weed out anyone not fully dedicated to the cause.

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"The Albany chapter started out with about 60 people. By the time we got patched we were down to 10," said "Bling," a member of the original 10.

When B.A.C.A. takes on a childs case, it assigns one member to be that childs primary. They are expected to be available to that child at all hours of the day. There are no paid members in the organization.

"People walk in the door and theyre like, hey! I heard about you guys, this is cool. Wheres the beer? Were not about that, Thumper said. Its asked, 'are you prepared to take a bullet for a child?' We mean it."

***

There are no days off for a member of B.A.C.A.

Bikers interested in joining are told to expect to use their vacation time, free time and even call out of work so they can step up when the time comes.

After taking on a case and notifying local law enforcement of their plans, B.A.C.A. has four levels of intervention. Their aim is to ensure a child is safe while also sending a message to their alleged abuser to stay away.

In a level 1, as many bikers as possible will ride to a childs home or meeting place to give the youngster gifts to show they care, including their own cut, a patch displaying their new road name, and a teddy bear they tell the child is filled with love and support. If the child is old enough and his or her parents or guardians are game, that child can also go on a motorcycle ride.

This really is the first time that our B.A.C.A. child meets the chapter, Riff said. This is very, very important because it strengthens the bond between B.A.C.A. and our B.A.C.A. child. And it is the first step to allowing that child to begin to heal.

B.A.C.A. will take further levels of action if the child is still afraid or if their alleged abuser refuses to be dissuaded, including establishing an around-the-clock presence with the child, writing to law enforcement to notify them of the suspects actions and even conducting "neighborhood awareness rides" through the streets where the suspect lives.

***

Above all, the B.A.C.A. family will stop at nothing to keep a child safe.

Police cant do this. CPS, Child Protective Services cant do this. A volunteer organization like us can  we can protect that child 24/7, said Falcon, president of the Long Island chapter.

His chapter held a level 2 intervention at a Long Island hospital for nearly two weeks, standing guard of the room of a little girl in fear of her abuser.

There was a direct threat, Falcon said. We had a picture of the perp. We dealt with hospital security and the administration to allow us to be there 24/7. We did four-hour shifts.

For 13 days and nights, members of B.A.C.A. were constantly posted at that childs door. Chapters from the Hudson Valley, Connecticut and Pennsylvania made the journey to lend a hand as well, Falcon said.

Theres no borders in B.A.C.A., he continued.

Members also attend court for moral support when a B.A.C.A. child testifies against their abuser.

Read: Mom Meets Hero Store Clerk Who Saved Her Baby When She Had a Seizure

Another case in Long Island saw B.A.C.A. chapters from across the country come together to put a little girl at ease during a stressful time in and out of court.

Her case was postponed like eight times in the courts so that little kid had that anxiety and stress and emotions like you wouldnt believe whenever that case came close, Falcon said. When it finally came to date, we escorted that child at 6 a.m. to [a local airport]. On the way she forgot her teddy bear, the B.A.C.A. bear.

Falcon, a tower of a man with a booming voice to match, becomes quiet.

Its giving me goosebumps just thinking about it, he said.

He jumped into action.

I called ... the chapter in the area that they were going to land in. I think I woke them up. I said, Yo! We need a B.A.C.A. bear and we need it at the airport, he said.

Wearing the child's favorite color, members of B.A.C.A.  and the bear  remained by her side throughout the entire ordeal, including during her testimony.

About 92 percent of children involved with B.A.C.A. successfully testify against their alleged abusers, the organization said.

***

Were fighting a war, Thumper said, citing statistics that show many abusers were children of abuse themselves.

Thirty-seven percent of women, 14 percent of men incarcerated in our prison systems today are victims of child abuse, one-third of abused children unfortunately will go on to abuse children, he said. Breaking the chains of abuse is a focal point ... its by empowering these kids, letting them know were here for them, they can lean on us, take from us whatever they need tophysically and emotionallyto help them get over that so they dont make the same mistake.

Bling agrees, saying: We do understand that were coming in after abuse has been done to them, and there isnt anything we can do about that. But if we can empower children to not be or feel victimized, if we can get them to a place in their lives where they can maybe, somehow, be a normal child and they can go into their adulthood, they can go to school, they can get married, they can have children, and maybe, that abuse wont continue. Because it does continue.

The war B.A.C.A. is fighting in providing a support system for children can sometimes take a toll on the members itself, but the group's members say its work never veers into vigilante territory.

We are human beings It can get stressful, Thumper said. But our procedures and our policies are very clear. If a member were to take something, a matter into their own hands  forget for a moment the legal ramifications for that person  his patch is gone. Hes out.

Read: This Judge Flies Fighter Jets and Races Motorcycles in His Free Time

Its a constant balancing act to move past the stereotype of bikers, but also use them to the groups advantage.

That really is the difference between being a member of B.A.C.A., which is a very responsible organization that goes through all the right trainings for ourselves and for the people around us, and being a vigilante, Riff said. Theres a perception, and then theres the reality that we are very caring, loving parents ourselves  We dont want to fight that perception. Its good for the world to be afraid of bikers. It works for us.

(Inside Edition)

The organization also prioritizes the mental health of its members, taking care to look out for each other and recognizing that sometimes, doing nothing is the best thing to do.

We have a lot of debriefing afterwards, we get together, we talk about it, we let those emotions go... get it all out, said Geek, president of the Albany chapter.

Above and beyond that, we spend a lot of time together, he continued. If I see my brother over there struggling with something, thats my job as his brother is to help him out. If that means (saying), you need to sit this one out. Youre getting way to close to this, then thats my job, is to help him out. So that I know he can help other kids later on down the road.

***

Its a beautiful day for a motorcycle ride when the B.A.C.A. chapters in New York State get together.

Many passersby stop and stare as dozens of bikes come roaring down the road in a staggered formation, but who could blame them?

Theyre a sight to be seen, riding loud but smooth down a picturesque suburban street in Albany.

The group stops at a local park, where they demonstrate a level 1 with the daughter of one of their members.

Lil Bit, as shes affectionately called, is game for the drill and returns the members enthusiasm for the cause.

A B.A.C.A. member presents 'Lil Bit' with presents, including a B.A.C.A. bear. (InsideEdition.com)

Lil Bit was also given a B.A.C.A. blanket. (InsideEdition.com)

Each member made sure to introduce themselves to Lil Bit, shaking her hand or giving her hug, depending on what she was most comfortable with. (InsideEdition.com)

They clap and cheer when she agrees to a motorcycle ride and wait patiently for her to select the bike shell claim the back of.

Lil Bit is met with more applause when she returns from her ride, The smile on her face delights the 30 or so tough-looking men and women who have come together for a special cause.

It works, said Demo, the vice president of the Staten Island chapter. You know when a kid is empowered. You see the changes, you see the difference. Its something I wont ever call a paycheck, but its what we signed up for: To empower a child.

"When you look at that child and you know that he or she can sleep in their room at night and not wet the bed, thats when you know it works... Thats it right there.

Watch: How Brave Heroes Saved 9-Year-Old Carlie Trent After Discovering Her with Uncle

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Stephen Colbert offered his viewers more fun at the expense of Melania Trump on Tuesdays Late Show, airing a sketch in which the wife of the GOP presidential nominee gives another speech about how she absolutely did not plagiarize her speech at the Republican National Convention.

My fellow Americans, This is truly the best of times; it is the worst of times, Melania, played by actress Laura Benanti (Supergirl), says in the parody pulling from classic literature, TV theme songs and even commercial jingles. I did not plagiarize my speech last night. I would never do such a thing. I could not, would not with a goat. I would not, could not on a boat.

That is because I learned honesty during my humble upbringing in West Philadelphia, born and raised, and on the playground is where I spent most of my days. So to those who say I stole my speech, I say, Give me a break! Give me break! Break me off a piece of that Kit Kat bar, Benanti said, as Melania.

Also Read: Jesse Williams Rips Melania Trump Speech Amidst Plagiarism Accusations

Early on, Colbert pointed out Melanias speech was probably the fault of a speechwriter but nobody has taken the blame. If only there was someone in the Trump campaign who enjoyed firing people, he joked.

The real Melania made quite an impression on opening night of the RNC, delivering a speech that was praised by pundits on both sides of the aisles. However, the passionate speech in support of her husband quickly sparked outrage across social media, since segments of the oration were found to strongly resemble words uttered by the current first lady eight years ago at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Also Read: 'My Little Pony' Trots All Over Twitter Amid Melania Trump Plagiarism Scandal

Watch the video above.

Related stories from TheWrap:

Republican Chairman Would 'Probably' Fire Someone Over Melania Trump Speech

Forget Plagiarism  Did Melania Trump Rickroll Us With Her RNC Speech? (Video)

Jesse Williams Rips Melania Trump Speech Amidst Plagiarism Accusations
A writer for the Trump Organization on Wednesday took the blame for the plagiarized speech Melania Trump delivered at the Republican National Convention and offered to resign over the error.

Meredith McIver apologized for the hysteria she indirectly sparked after the speech egregiously borrowed heavily from First Lady Michelle Obamas 2008 convention speech and marred Donald Trumps campaign since Monday.

In a statement, McIver said she jotted down some passages from Obamas speech after Melania Trump read them out loud on the telephone as examples for inspiration. She said she ended up including those passages in her final draft without checking the First Ladys speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama, McIver said. No harm was meant.

Heres what we know about Meredith McIver:

She is a close ally to the Trump family

McIver describes herself in the issued statement as an in-house staff writer at the Trump Organization and also a longtime friend and admirer of the Trump family. She has been working for the Trump Organization since September 2001, according to a Speakerpedia biography. McIver said in her statement that she is honored to work for the Trumps.

She has written books with Donald Trump

McIver co-authored several books with the reality TV star and real estate mogul, including the national best-seller Trump: How to Get Rich, which purports to reveal the secrets of his success learned from The Apprentice. She also helped Trump write his 2010 book Think Like a Champion, in which he shares his strategies and future goals.

She is a former dancer

McIver is a former ballet dancer and English major, the New York Times reports. She began training at George Balanchines School of American Ballet in New York City when she was a teenager, according to her Speakerpedia biography. McIver attended the School of American Ballet in the summers of 1965 and 1966, the dance school confirmed Wednesday. She then enrolled as a full-time student in their advanced division from 1966 to 1970. Before that, she worked on Wall Street, the biography says.

Story continues

She is a California native

McIver is from San Jose, California. She graduated with honors from the University of Utah in 1976, according to Annalisa Purser, a spokeswoman for the school. McIver has since worked as an editor and writer.

She was forgiven for the plagiarism

McIver said she offered to resign after the plagiarized speech sparked a firestorm in the media and embarrassed the campaign. However, she said the Trumps rejected her resignation. McIver said Donald Trump told her that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences.

She did not immediately return a call for comment.
CLEVELAND  A speechwriter who worked on Melania Trumps speech at the Republican National Convention took responsibility for phrasing that closely resembles words said by Michelle Obama in a speech in 2008.

Meredith McIver offered to resign, but that was rejected, she wrote in a letter released by the Trump campaign.

In working with Melania Trump on her recent First Lady speech, we discussed many people who inspired her and messages she wanted to share with the American people, she wrote. A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama. Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obamas speech as examples. I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech.

Melanie Trumps speech was well received, but was quickly overshadowed by allegations that it was copied from the Obama address, made at the Democratic National Convention that year.

Trumps campaign pushed back on the story in a number of ways, including that the media was blowing the situation out of proportion, but it has proven to be a distraction during the convention.

I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused, McIver wrote.

She wrote that she is an in-house speechwriter at the Trump Organization. I am also a longtime admirer and friend of the Trump family, she wrote.

Trump tweeted out her letter, although he had personally stayed silent about the controversy throughout the day on Tuesday. He and his vice presidential running mate, Mike Pence, are expected to arrive at an event by helicopter on Wednesday afternoon at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland.

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A portion of the speech given by Melania Trump during the first night of the Republication National Convention in Cleveland on Monday night is similar in sections to one previously given by first lady Michelle Obama.

Political journalists, comedians and celebrities were quick to take to Twitter to slam Melania Trump for plagiarizing from Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic convention address.

Conservative political analyst Brit Hume called the evidence "damaging," while Jon Favreau, President Barack Obama's former chief speechwriter, pointed out: "Sarah Hurwitz, Michelle's head speechwriter, used to be Hillary's. So the Trump campaign plagiarized from a Hillary speechwriter."

The hashtag #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes - started by actor Jesse Williams with the below tweet - rose to the top of Twitter's trending list on Monday night, spurring quotes and memes targeted at Melania Trump.

Donald Trump's campaign released a statement in the early morning hours on Tuesday that did not mention the bubbling scandal.

Read More: The Backstory of Laura Benanti's Melania Trump Speech Spoof on 'Late Show' (Q&A)

See some of the reactions below.

Read More: Melania Trump Accused of Plagiarizing Michelle Obama in Republican Convention Speech

"Ain't I a woman?" #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes #RNCinCLE

- jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 19, 2016

#CrookedMelania

RT @jennifersterger "Let's get ready to rumble"... #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes pic.twitter.com/eLNAzOeRKa- Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) July 19, 2016

"Work, work, work, work, work, work

He say me have to

Work, work, work, work, work, work!" #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes- jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 19, 2016

Sad to say, this is damaging. Intercut sound bites leave no doubt. https://t.co/rezA9agDDA

- Brit Hume (@brithume) July 19, 2016

I was quite moved by Melania's description of her husband's days as a community organizer. #RNCinCLE

Story continues

- David Corn (@DavidCornDC) July 19, 2016

"Life is like a box of chocolates" - Melania Trump

- billy eichner (@billyeichner) July 19, 2016

Watch this Melania's gonna have a snapchat vid showing Michelle allowing her to use those lines.

- Farhad Manjoo (@fmanjoo) July 19, 2016

Before empathizing w/ Melania for being screwed by a writer, keep in mind she told folks she wrote it. She's either a plagiarist, or a liar.

- Amy Berg (@bergopolis) July 19, 2016

Look, do we really know Michelle didn't lift it from Melania in 2008? There's something going on.

- Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) July 19, 2016

Steve Schmidt is even more brutal: says Melania plagiarism "has brought scandal on a potential first lady."

- Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 19, 2016

in hindsight it did seem odd when Melania talked about the challenges of being a black woman at Princeton

- Michael Crowley (@michaelcrowley) July 19, 2016

I feel genuinely bad for Melania. This is probably a staffer's screw-up from an unprofessional campaign, and she'll be humiliated over it.

- Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) July 19, 2016

#Triumph The Insult Dog just photo bombed MSNBC with a sign reading "Melania Stole My Jokes" #gopconvention pic.twitter.com/FFg8moYT47

- Baker Machado (@BakerMachado) July 19, 2016

Sarah Hurwitz, Michelle's head speechwriter, used to be Hillary's. So the Trump campaign plagiarized from a Hillary speechwriter.

- Jon Favreau (@jonfavs) July 19, 2016

Donald Trump's only hope is to release Snapchat video of Melania getting Michelle Obama's blessing to borrow her words and ideas

- Alex Blagg (@alexblagg) July 19, 2016

Melania really sounded like a first lady! A specific, current one

- Chelsea Peretti (@chelseaperetti) July 19, 2016

"I have had it with these mothahfuckin' snakes on this mothahfuckin' plane" #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes

- Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) July 19, 2016

"YOU'RE FIRED!" #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes pic.twitter.com/c0G1RcQMPZ

- W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) July 19, 2016

"I'll have what she's having." #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes

- Clea DuVall (@cleaduvall) July 19, 2016

#shesaidwhat?!?! #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes got us like... pic.twitter.com/Ta39Ft5YDQ

- Jason Collins (@jasoncollins98) July 19, 2016

"Work sets you free." #FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes

- Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) July 19, 2016

Twitter being Twitter, tens of thousands of people have been retweeting Trump congratulating Michelle Obama on her convention speech from 2012.

Very good speech by @MichelleObama--and under great pressure--Dems should be proud!

- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2012
CLEVELAND (Reuters) - Melania Trump's speech at the Republican National Convention has ignited controversy because it contained a section strikingly similar to words delivered at the Democratic convention in 2008 by the woman she hopes to succeed as U.S. first lady, Michelle Obama. An official with the campaign of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump suggested the similarity in the section to Michelle Obama's speech may have been the result of an error by her team of speech writers. Donald Trump made no mention of the issue in a Twitter post early on Tuesday, saying simply: "It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania Trump last night. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible. Very proud!" Trump has never held elective office and his White House campaign has been marked by frequent controversy over unorthodox policies and freewheeling remarks that have alarmed many in the Republican establishment. It is a tradition of the party conventions for spouses to offer an enthusiastic personal endorsement of candidates. On Tuesday night, the gathering in Cleveland will formally anoint Donald Trump the Republican presidential candidate for the Nov. 8 election. It was a small section of Melania Trump's roughly 15-minute speech, a highlight of the opening day of the convention, that was similar to a part of Michelle Obamas speech in 2008 in support of Barack Obama, who was then campaigning for president. "My parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise; that you treat people with respect," said Melania Trump, a Slovenian-born jewelry designer and former model. "They taught me to show the values and morals in my daily life. That is the lesson that I continue to pass along to our son," she said. "And we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow, because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them." In 2008, Michelle Obama said, "And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect. "...And Barack Obama and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generations," she added. "Because we want our children, and all children in this nation, to know that the only limit to the height of your achievement is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them." Before Monday's speech, Melania Trump told NBC in remarks that were aired on several networks: "I wrote it... with as little help as possible." A spokesman for the Trump campaign called the speech a success, but suggested her writers might have mistakenly injected some borrowed language. "In writing her beautiful speech, Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking," Jason Miller, Trump's senior communications adviser, said in a statement. A 'COLLABORATION' Paul Manafort, chairman of the Trump campaign, played down the similarities in the Trump and Obama speeches. "There aren't that many similarities. There are a couple of phrases," Manafort told CBS News on Tuesday. "It's basically three places in the speech and it's fragments of words. She spoke in front of 35 million people yesterday. She knew what she was doing. And she never cribbed from another speech without acknowledging that she was quoting somebody else." "There was nothing that she did in that speech that she thought was anybody's words but herself," Manafort said. Asked if she wrote it herself, Manafort said it was a collaboration and he didnt know how much exactly she had written. But the words of her speech reflect her feelings for her husband, her country and her family. Frankly this was her vision that she wanted to communicate about her husband. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, asked if as a former prosecutor he could make a case for plagiarism from Melania Trumps speech, replied: No, not when 93 percent of the speech is completely different from Michelle Obamas speech, and they express common thoughts. I think after tonight we wont be talking about this, well move on to whatever ... comes up tonight, Christie, a former rival to Trump for the Republican presidential nomination who now supports him, told NBC's Today show on Tuesday. (This story corrects to show Melania interview was with NBC, paragraph 13) (Reporting by Richard Valdmanis and Eric Walsh; Editing by John Stonestreet and Frances Kerry)
A Trump organization staffer has come forward to say she was responsible for the undeniable similarities between Melania Trump's speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention and first lady Michelle Obama's 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention, calling the plagiarism an innocent mistake.

On Wednesday, Trump Organization in-house staff writer Meredith McIver released an open letter, taking the blame for the accusations of plagiarism. McIver says she worked with Melania on the speech beforehand, and that the 46-year-old former model read her some passages from Obama's speech over the phone as examples of what she liked. McIver says she included them in a draft of the speech, without first checking Obama's speeches.

"In working with Melania Trump on her recent First Lady speech, we discussed many people who inspired her and messages she wanted to share with the American people," McIver writes. "A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama. Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obama's speech as examples. I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech. I did not check Mrs. Obama's speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant."

WATCH: Melania Trump Plagiarism Accusations Dismissed by Trump Campaign

McIver says she offered her resignation to the Trump family on Tuesday, but they rejected it.

"Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences," McIver, who calls herself a "longtime friend and admirer of the Trump family," writes. "I asked to put out this statement because I did not like seeing the way this was distracting from Mr. Trump's historic campaign for president and Melania's beautiful message and presentation."

Story continues

"I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused," she adds. "Today, more than ever, I am honored to work for such a great family. I personally admire the way Mr. Trump has handled this situation and I am grateful for his understanding."

Trump's campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, previously publicly denied that any plagiarism occurred.

"There's no cribbing of Michelle Obama's speech. These were common words and values that she cares about, her family, things like that," Manafort said on CNN's New Day on Tuesday. "She was speaking in front of 35 million people last night --she knew that -- to think that she would be cribbing Michelle Obama's words is crazy."

Trump tweeted about all the controversy surrounding his wife's speech on Wednesday, and remained unapologetic.

"Good news is Melania's speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!" the 70-year-old presidential hopeful tweeted.

"The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania's speech than the FBI spent on Hillary's emails," he also wrote.

Good news is Melania's speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2016

The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania's speech than the FBI spent on Hillary's emails.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2016

WATCH: Laura Benanti Hilariously Spoofs Melania Trump's RNC Speech on 'The Late Show': 'In West Philadelphia, Born and Raised'

Watch the video below for more on the controversy surrounding Melania's speech.

Related Articles
BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday that it was normal for Britain to take some time to figure out its Brexit strategy but that a lengthy period of limbo was in no one's interests. "Nobody wants a long period of limbo - neither the British people nor European member states," Merkel told a news conference with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Berlin. "It is in everyone's interest that the preparations are conducted in a thorough manner, that the positions are clear, and I think it is absolutely understandable that Britain needs a certain amount of time for this." She added that there was no point in talking now about what Europe's response to Britain's Brexit demands might be. Merkel stressed that Britain and Germany would enjoy strong bilateral relations even after Brexit. (Reporting by Noah Barkin and Paul Carrel; Writing by Michelle Martin)
13737496_710297732441458_1181686443399542954_o

CLEVELAND  Conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos said that he plans to fight back against Twitter for permanently barring him from using the social-media platform.

Yiannopoulos, an openly-gay editor at the conservative news website Breitbart, was seemingly banned on Tuesday night for targeting "Ghostbusters" actor and "Saturday Night Live" cast member Leslie Jones earlier in the week. The tweets from Yiannopoulos and his followers ultimately convinced Jones to leave the social-media platform.

In an interview with Business Insider at his Republican National Convention party on Tuesday night, Yiannopoulos slammed Twitter cofounder and CEO Jack Dorsey.

Yiannopoulos said:

"He just sent a very clear message to the entire user base of Twitter, which is if you believe in mischief and dissidence and fun and free speech, you're not welcome on Twitter.

"If you're going to make jokes about the wrong people, you're not welcome on Twitter. If you're a columnist with the wrong politics, even a gay conservative who decides he doesn't like a movie and makes a few jokes, you're not welcome on Twitter."

When asked whether he would fight the ban, Yiannopoulos said that he had a plan.

"I'm going to make their lives hell," he said. "I'm going to make them wish they'd never started a company. Because they deserve it."

Yiannopoulos called the ban a "critical mistake" on behalf of the platform.

He said:

"There is always a moment in the history of social networks, one thing, one critical mistake that on its own doesn't look huge but embodies every one of the mistakes that company has been making and ultimately comes to be seen as sort of the turning point. Twitter just did it."

Twitter has faced accusations that it doesn't do enough to prevent abuse on its site. The company now appears to be cracking down on what it views as the use of its platform to incite abuse against others.

It said in a statement provided to Business Insider:

Story continues

"People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter. But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, and our rules prohibit inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others.

"Over the past 48 hours in particular, we've seen an uptick in the number of accounts violating these policies and have taken enforcement actions against these accounts, ranging from warnings that also require the deletion of Tweets violating our policies to permanent suspension."

Twitter said that it was "in the process of reviewing our hateful conduct policy to prohibit additional types of abusive behavior" and would provide more details soon.

BuzzFeed posted screenshots of a couple of Yiannopoulos' tweets targeting Jones, which insulted her work and intelligence.

"If at first you don't succeed (because your work is terrible), play the victim," he tweeted on July 18, including a link to one of Jones' tweets. "EVERYONE GETS HATE MAIL FFS."

He said in another tweet, responding to a tweet from Jones that included a typo, "Barely literate. America needs better schools!"

NOW WATCH: 'He must have hired a foreign worker to do his own tweets  watch Rubio troll Trump on his Twitter tirade





More From Business Insider


GettyImages 577292626

A Trump Organization staffer who helped Melania Trump craft her primetime speech before the Republican National Convention offered an apology Wednesday after the prepared remarks were found to contain plagiarism.

"This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama," Trump staff writer Meredith McIver said in a note. "No harm was meant."

"I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused," she added.

The comments came two days after Melania Trump delivered her speech at the RNC in which she directly lifted passages from first lady Michelle Obamas 2008 Democratic National Convention address.

McIver said that while working with Melania Trump the two "discussed many people who inspired her."

"A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama," McIver said. "Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obama's speech as examples. I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech. I did not check Mrs. Obama's speeches."

Meredith McIver, an in-house staff writer from the Trump Organization, releases statement on Melania speech pic.twitter.com/mWuPKmjsbn  Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) July 20, 2016

McIver said that she offered her resignation, but that it was rejected.

"Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences," she said.

As a result, McIver said she insisted on making a statement because she "did not like seeing the way this was distracting from Mr. Trump's historic campaign for president and Melania's beautiful message and presentation."

McIver added that she was "honored to work for such a great family" and admired the way the Trumps "handled this situation."

Story continues

Trump aides and surrogates had previously denied the speech contained plagiarism, despite clear evidence to the contrary.

Before she delivered her prepared remarks, Melania told NBC News that she personally wrote her speech "with as little help as possible." A Tuesday report in The New York Times indicated that the Trump campaign had commissioned two speechwriters to draft Melania's speech, but that the draft was significantly changed by the time she delivered it.

Donald Trump commented on it for the first time Wednesday morning, saying that Melania's speech "got more publicity than any in the history of politics." He implied that, as a result, the scandal was a blessing in disguise "if you believe that all press is good press."

NOW WATCH: 'My Little Pony': How Republicans are disputing claims that Melania Trump's RNC speech was plagiarized





More From Business Insider


CLEVELAND  Not long ago, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Donald Trump doesnt know much about the issues. The Kentucky lawmaker also pressed the brash entrepreneur to stop his attacks on various ethnic groups in the country. And McConnell said Trump should refrain from outrageous and inappropriate attacks on a federal judge, calling into question his Mexican heritage.

On Tuesday, shortly after Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination, McConnell publicly banished all doubts about the New Yorkers readiness for the White House and trained all of his fire on Hillary Clinton. He portrayed the former reality star as the champion of long-thwarted conservative hopes, and Clinton as an untrustworthy vessel of the status quo. At one point, McConnell even compared the former secretary of state to the notoriously unreliable spokesman of the Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

Friends, not since Baghdad Bob has there been a public figure with such a tortured relationship with the truth, McConnell said told the assembled party delegates in Cleveland.

Americans feel government has betrayed them, and if Hillary Clinton is our president, nothing will change, he said.

If he is elected, Trump would sign Republican bills to repeal Obamacare, build the Keystone XL pipeline and strip Planned Parenthood of federal money, McConnell promised.

With Donald Trump in the White House, Senate Republicans will build on the work weve done and pass more bills into law than any Senate in years, he said.

McConnell, whose appearance on the stage at Quicken Loans Arena was met with scattered but unmistakable boos, emphasized that Trump would also fill the Supreme Court seat held by the late conservative Justice Antonin Scalia  as a result of McConnells unprecedented blockade of President Obamas nominee, Merrick Garland, nominated 125 days ago.

Lets put justices on the Supreme Court who cherish our Constitution, the senator said.

Story continues

McConnell, arguably his partys best political tactician, took pains to attack Clintons honesty, at a time when polls show that many Americans consider her untrustworthy. He also played up the prospect that new controversies will follow her if she is elected, like those that dogged her husband, President Bill Clinton, throughout the 1990s  which he referred to as the scandals that follow the Clintons like flies.

There is a clear choice before us, he said. And it is not Hillary.

_____

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The paparazzi doesnt leave a chance to capture the mommy-to-be Kareena Kapoor Khan. After the big announcement, she was spotted outside Karan Johars home, airport with husband Saif Ali Khan and later outside a salon. The beautiful actress has completed her first trimester and is seen sporting a baby bump.

Recommended Read: Stop making My Pregnancy a National Casualty: Kareena Lashes Out

She will start shooting for Veere De Wedding next month with Sonam Kapoor before going on maternity leave. The producer Rhea Kapoor and director Shashanka Ghosh are making it sure that Bebo has a pleasant experience while shooting for the film.

A source close to Kareena revealed to a popular daily that Rhea and Shashanka travelled to the Pataudi Palace in Haryana to meet her. As per reports they discussed the films schedule with her and finalised the dates for the shoot. The sources further added, Kareena is excited to start working on the film. Rhea and Shashanka want to ensure she has a great time while shooting. They will start filming in the first week of August in Bangkok and later in Delhi. The makers have chosen the locations according to Kareenas convenience. They want her to relax while shooting. They dont want her to stress about anything."

When they tried contacting Kareena she was unavailable for a comment.
(Reuters) - Oreo cookie maker Mondelez International Inc (MDLZ.O) is in talks to buy the license to make Cadbury biscuits from UK-based biscuit maker Burton's Biscuits Co, Sky News reported.

U.S.-based Mondelez has offered to pay about 200 million pounds for the license, the news website reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter. (http://bit.ly/29LJ666)

The talks are at an early stage and may not result in a deal, the people said.

Burton's, owned by Canada's Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, makes biscuits such as Cadbury Fingers under license from Cadbury UK.

The report comes weeks after Mondelez made a bid for Hershey Co (HSY.N), which makes Kisses chocolates, for $23 billion (17.4 billion). Hershey rejected the offer.

Mondelez already owns chocolate maker Cadbury Ltd, which it bought for about $19 billion in 2010.

Mondelez was not immediately available for comment.

A Burton's spokeswoman said the company did not comment on speculation.

(Reporting by Gayathree Ganesan and Subrat Patnaik in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti Pandey)
By Olivia Oran

July 20 (Reuters) - Morgan Stanley Chief Executive James Gorman said on Wednesday he has "no clue" how the bank should allocate employees in Europe following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

Speaking on CNBC following Morgan Stanley's second-quarter earnings, Gorman said there remains a great deal of uncertainty on the impact of Brexit, and the bank is "not having a knee-jerk reaction."

Gorman said he told employees in London earlier this week "everybody cool your jets, just settle down ... nothing precipitous is about to happen."

Gorman said he expects the aftermath of Brexit to unfold over five to ten years.

Morgan Stanley and other banks may need to have a European headquarters in a major city outside London, Gorman said, but the UK will still remain "a critical part of our global footprint."

Having a headquarters in the European Union is important to banks and financial companies as it allows firms in one EU country to provide services to clients elsewhere in the trading bloc, under a system known as "passporting."

It is unclear if Britain will keep its passporting rights if it leaves the European Union.

Morgan Stanley reported lower second-quarter profit on Wednesday but beat analysts' expectations through strong bond trading revenue and by cutting expenses.

(Reporting by Olivia Oran in new York; Editing by Bill Rigby)
By Olivia Oran

(Reuters) - Morgan Stanley Chief Executive James Gorman said on Wednesday he has "no clue" how the bank should allocate employees in Europe following Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

Speaking on CNBC following Morgan Stanley's second-quarter earnings, Gorman said there remains a great deal of uncertainty on the impact of Brexit, and the bank is "not having a knee-jerk reaction."

Gorman said he told employees in London earlier this week "everybody cool your jets, just settle down ... nothing precipitous is about to happen." Gorman said he expects the aftermath of Brexit to unfold over five to ten years.

Morgan Stanley and other banks may need to have a European headquarters in a major city outside London, Gorman said, but the UK will still remain "a critical part of our global footprint."

Having a headquarters in the European Union is important to banks and financial companies as it allows firms in one EU country to provide services to clients elsewhere in the trading bloc, under a system known as "passporting."

It is unclear if Britain will keep its passporting rights if it leaves the European Union.

Morgan Stanley reported lower second-quarter profit on Wednesday but beat analysts' expectations through strong bond trading revenue and by cutting expenses.

(Reporting by Olivia Oran in new York; Editing by Bill Rigby)
By Olivia Oran and Sudarshan Varadhan

(Reuters) - Morgan Stanley (MS.N), which has struggled for years to improve its bond-trading business, may finally be turning the corner.

The Wall Street bank reported a lower second-quarter profit on Wednesday, but beat expectations by delivering relatively strong bond-trading revenue and cutting expenses.

Chief Executive James Gorman has faced tough questions from analysts about the state of its fixed income, currency and commodities trading unit since taking the helm of the bank in 2010. Morgan Stanley scaled back the business in an effort to make it more profitable, but its choppy revenue led some to wonder whether the bank was on the right course.

But so far this year, the business is hitting a revenue target Gorman laid out, and many analysts attributed Morgan Stanley's earnings beat to the bond trading unit. In discussing results, Gorman sounded triumphant, defending his decision to maintain the business on a smaller scale.

"(It's) the topic of the day, the year and the century, it would appear," he said when asked whether the results were sustainable. "Listen, my view was that there was a general overreaction to the underperformance."

In both quarters this year, Morgan Stanley produced more than the $1 billion per quarter in revenue from fixed income, currency and commodities (FICC) trading that Gorman recently set out. As part of the restructuring effort, the bank has reduced headcount there by 25 percent, slashed risky assets and focussed on transactions that require little capital under new regulations.

Gorman advised analysts to expect quarterly fluctuations, but said the target was achievable over the long term.

"At the time it almost sounded like an aspirational goal, but clearly they did well," said Oppenheimer analyst Chris Kotowski. "Maybe ... we are closing in on a sustainable and predictable level."

Morgan Stanley's shares rose 2 percent to close at $28.78.

Morgan Stanley is also in the midst of a cost-cutting programme, targeting $1 billion by 2017. As part of this effort, the bank cut nonessential travel by half this year, Chief Financial Officer Jon Pruzan said. It is also closing data centres and shifting employees to lower-cost hubs.

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Second-quarter operating expenses fell 8.4 percent to $6.43 billion. Compensation costs, its biggest expense, fell 8.9 percent to $4.02 billion.

Following the results, Evercore ISI analyst Glenn Schorr issued a report cheekily titled "Morgan Stanley Beats on FICC (not a typo) & Cost Control."

Although it exceeded expectations, Morgan Stanley is still falling short when it comes to a key measure of how well it's using shareholder money to produce profits.

Its return on equity of 8.3 percent during the second quarter is less than the 10 percent minimum that many investors expect, and less than Gorman's stated target of 9 to 11 percent by the end of 2017.

Overall, the Wall Street bank's net income attributable to common shareholders was $1.43 billion, or 75 cents per share, in the quarter ended June 30, compared with an adjusted $1.69 billion, or 79 cents per share, a year earlier.

Analysts on average had expected earnings of 59 cents per share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

After adopting a new accounting method, Morgan Stanley's earnings no longer reflect changes in the value of its own debt. Adjustments for the year-ago period make the figures comparable.

Equities sales and trading, typically a bright spot for the bank, fell 6 percent to $2.1 billion compared to the year before. Competitors including JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N), Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N), Citigroup Inc (C.N) and Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) also reported strong bond trading and weak equity trading revenue.

Morgan Stanley's wealth management division, which the firm has sought to bulk up over the last few years as a more stable business than trading, saw net revenue fall 2 percent to $3.8 billion. Loans and lending commitments to wealth clients rose 5 percent over the prior quarter, to $61.3 billion.

Up to Tuesday's close, Morgan Stanley shares had fallen 11.4 percent since the start of the year.

Bank stocks have moved higher over the past week on better-than-expected earnings. The S&P 500 Financials Index (.SPSY) is up 1 percent since the sector began reporting results on July 14 and up more than 10 percent from last month's lows reached after Britain voted to leave the European Union.

(Reporting By Olivia Oran in New York and Sudarshan Varadhan in Bengaluru; Writing by Lauren Tara LaCapra; Editing by Ted Kerr and Nick Zieminski)
By Stephen Kalin and Phil Stewart BAGHDAD (Reuters) - When Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi pledged in December that Iraq would retake Islamic State's de facto capital Mosul by the end of 2016, the target was greeted with scepticism by Western allies and officials within his own government. Less than seven months on, the Iraqi military has recaptured most major militant positions in western Anbar province and advanced toward Mosul, the largest city still under the ultra-hardline group's control across its self-proclaimed caliphate. Last month's recapture of Falluja, followed swiftly by Qayara airbase 60 km (40 miles) south of Mosul and the announcement of a fresh deployment of U.S. forces, lent momentum to the campaign, which the administration of President Barack Obama would like to finish before January. "Progress against Daesh (IS) has now put liberation of Mosul strongly on the agenda," the top United Nations official in Iraq said last week. Abadi, backed by a U.S.-led military coalition, now wants to move on Mosul by October, a senior Baghdad-based diplomat and a Western official said, both declining to be identified. Asked about the October date, Abadi's spokesman reiterated the year-end timeframe but said the timing of specific actions were up to military commanders and would not be made public. Despite growing confidence in Iraq's military two years after it collapsed in the face of Islamic State's advance, much remains to be done to prepare for Mosul and critics say Abadi's year-end deadline is still too ambitious. Mosul and Tel Afar, another IS stronghold 65 km to the west, have been ringed by Kurdish peshmerga forces from the east, north and west for months, but jihadists are operating in a vast desert area to the south spanning 14,000 square km (5,400 square miles) between the Tigris river and the Syrian border. War planners say the campaign needs 20,000-30,000 troops. Forces must advance from Qayara, where 5,000 army forces and a division from the counter-terrorism service (CTS) are stationed. Other army and CTS units will also be mobilized. A few thousand police and 15,000 local fighters are being organized to hold land after the assault. "IMPORTANT MILESTONE" "While Qayara is an important milestone for the Iraqis, they still have a long way to go to reach the outskirts of Mosul, and then the bigger challenge is to cordon off south of Mosul," said a source in the Kurdistan regional security council. "Qayara is just one point in that wide corridor." U.S. forces, which peaked at around 170,000 military personnel after the 2003 invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, failed to secure the area southwest of Mosul completely when they fought al Qaeda, Islamic State's predecessor. And Western officials say retaking Mosul without a plan to restore security, basic services and governance, along with money and personnel to implement it immediately, risks repeating the mistake the Bush administration made in 2003, by toppling the government without plans for a new one. U.S. and Iraqi authorities are confident troops will be ready for the assault on Mosul. Given its recent success, they will likely use a "starburst" attack, a U.S. military official said, thrusting to the center with air strikes and then attacking IS defenses from behind. "You don't necessarily have to fight the whole city at once. You maybe only have to fight pieces and parts of the city." Spokesman Sabah al-Numan said CTS would strike from multiple directions with intense air support he described as "shock and awe". He declined to comment on when any assault might take place. FLIGHT OR FIGHT Yet much depends on how IS responds. Mosul still houses one million civilians and has strong symbolism as the place where the caliphate was declared in June 2014. The Kurdish security source, echoing Iraqi officials, expects the jihadists "to fight to die, till the last bullet". The source said up to 10,000 jihadists are in the city, though a coalition spokesman said that was high and likely to fall ahead of the assault. An alternative scenario envisions an outflow of fighters resigned to lose Mosul but live to fight another day, which IS media may already be preparing its supporters for. The caliphate cannot "be eliminated by destroying some city or besieging another", al-Nabaa newspaper said last month. Coalition head Lieutenant General Sean MacFarland expects senior leaders and foreign fighters could flee "just as they tried to do in Falluja  unsuccessfully". Jihadists may use desert paths to enter Syria, where an array of forces affords them better cover, said Bill Roggio, a counter-terrorism expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "They've seen this movie before, in 2007 to 2009," he said, referring to the U.S. troop surge which incapacitated al Qaeda. "They know when they fight to the death it's going to not end up well for them." The presence of IS "war minister" Abu Omar al-Shishani, reportedly killed near Qayara last week, suggests IS may dig in at least initially. "That's an indicator that was where they were really focused," MacFarland said of an air strike targeting Shishani. RISK OF CONFRONTATION If IS fails to mount significant resistance, analysts say the force Baghdad has prepared will be enough to achieve victory. Otherwise, it may need peshmerga and Iranian-backed Shi'ite militias to move in from other positions, risking confrontation with Mosul's diverse ethnic and sectarian communities wary of those factions, which have been accused of abuses. The Kurdish security source said the peshmerga, literally "those who confront death", could take more villages near Mosul but without entering the city. The Kurds have pushed back IS in northern Iraq, thus expanding their region's territory. Prime Minister Abadi, who risks broad criticism if pro-government units overstep in Mosul, will try to contain the Shi'ite militias as he did with mixed success in Falluja, but he may be unable to withstand political pressure from rivals and their Iranian supporters, the senior diplomat said. Baghdad could also seek more coalition ground support. General Joseph Votel, who oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East, has said the Pentagon would likely request even more troops for Iraq, without specifying when or what type. U.S. soldiers have provided close artillery support to Iraqis and conducted raids against IS, both of which could expedite the Mosul offensive. Engineering units could also be key if IS blows up bridges over the river running through Mosul. "Every time we take a city back from the enemy, we learn a little bit," said MacFarland. "The enemy also gets a little bit weaker, so we find that we're able to use different types of tactics." (Additional reporting by Ahmed Rasheed and Jonathan Landay; Writing by Stephen Kalin, editing by Peter Millership)
By Warren Strobel, Jonathan Landay and Stephen Kalin WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Dozens of defense and foreign ministers will meet in Washington on Wednesday and Thursday to take stock of the fight against Islamic State, their focus increasingly on a major prize: the militant group's bastion in Mosul, Iraq. The battle for Mosul is expected to be difficult, but the aftermath could be tougher, Iraqi, United Nations and U.S. officials say. Plans are still being finalized to provide urgent humanitarian aid and restore basic services and security for residents and as many as 2.4 million displaced people. Defense ministers of the anti-Islamic State coalition will meet at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington on Wednesday, followed by a joint session of foreign and defense chiefs on Thursday. The United Nations is preparing for what it says will be the largest humanitarian relief operation so far this year as terrified people stream out of the path of the advancing Iraqi military and flee from the city itself. They will need shelter, food and water, and sanitation for three to 12 months, depending on the extent of the city's destruction. "There is a logic in moving as quickly as possible, but there is a danger that if the humanitarian response is not as prepared ... then we could have a humanitarian catastrophe and possible problems with political management of Mosul after its liberation," said a senior diplomat based in Baghdad, speaking on condition of anonymity. The vast majority of the expected refugees will be Sunni Muslims, many of whom feel disenfranchised by Iraq's Shi'ite-led government in Baghdad, and that presents what could be an even bigger problem. "Unless underpinning an offensive on Mosul are real political settlements between the Sunnis and the Shia, we think its only a matter of time before it unravels again," said a source in the Kurdish regional security council. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi plans to install a military governor for Mosul after Islamic State is expelled, several sources said. A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned whether Iraq's military can retake the city without "prolonged and substantial help" from Kurdish security forces and Shiite militias. That sectarian mix could further complicate attempts at post-conflict reconciliation. "ISIL will lose regardless of who goes in," the Kurdish security source said, using a common acronym for Islamic State. "What's important isnt a military defeat; whats important is the Iraqi governments ability to embrace post-ISIL management issues, one of which is the Sunni grievances in and around Mosul. Theyve got to address that before the offensive." COMBUSTIBLE MIXTURE Mosul, which Islamic State seized from a collapsing Iraqi army in June 2014, is Iraq's second biggest city and home to a combustible mixture of Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen and others. Although Iraqi and U.S. officials have not announced a timetable for moving on the city, a senior Baghdad-based diplomat said Abadi wants to advance the start of the Mosul campaign to October after the seizure of the city of Falluja from Islamic State last month. This month, Iraqi forces backed by U.S. air power retook Qayara air base south of Mosul, which will be turned into a logistics hub for the main assault on the city. "We're looking ahead to Mosul, which will be the most significant challenge yet," Brett McGurk, U.S. President Barack Obama's special envoy in the fight against Islamic State, said on Tuesday. McGurk said he met recently with Iraqi officials in Erbil to discuss the "disposition of forces" for the battle. Troops will include Kurdish peshmerga fighters, the Iraqi military and 15,000 local fighters from Nineveh province, he said. McGurk described three other challenges this week's meetings will address in detail: plans for immediate humanitarian relief; short-term stabilization of Mosul; and local governance. When asked whether he thought Islamic State would put up a strong fight in Mosul, Iraqi foreign minister Ibrahim al-Jaafar said he expected them to behave as they did in Falluja "In Falluja they threatened and vowed to fight until the last breath ... issues ended differently; some were killed, some were defeated early and some disguised as women to flee," Jaafari told journalists in Washington. The U.S. defense official said there are differences within the American military over the timetable. "It makes sense, as (commanding U.S. Lieutenant General Sean) MacFarland is arguing, to capitalize on ISIS's recent setbacks by moving on Mosul and Raqqa this fall," said the official. Raqqa is the group's Syrian capital. "The trouble is, Then what?, and its complicated by the fact that if you envelop the city, that leaves ISIS no way to retreat as they did from Falluja, and it could make for an even longer, nastier and more destructive fight if a lot of them decide to martyr themselves there," he said. Lise Grande, the deputy U.N. representative in Iraq, said in a telephone interview: "We understand that there could be accelerated plans for Mosul, and we don't know what those plans are, but we have to be ready for them." The United Nations says it needs an immediate $280 million to begin pre-positioning supplies - tens of thousands of tents and hundreds of mobile health clinics, for example - for the expected flood of refugees. An Iraq donor meeting of 24 countries in Washington on Wednesday is expected to raise more than $2 billion, a senior State Department official told reporters on Monday. "We hope it's more than this, but $2 billion now and maybe in the future other things can be added to this, that's what we seek," Jaafari said. The U.N. estimates that under a worst-case scenario, more than 1 million people could be displaced from Mosul and another 830,000 from a populated corridor south of the city, adding to the burden of caring for the 3.5 million Iraqis displaced by Islamic States 2014 onslaught and U.S.-backed Iraqi counter-offensives. (Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy and John Walcott in Washington; Editing by James Dalgleish and Andrew Hay)
Omkar Thakur

The new McLaren will have three seats with the driver at the centre of the front row and two passengers in the back. It will be designed as a GT car, like the McLaren F1, to go across continents effortlessly and also power around a racetrack like no road-going car can think of. McLaren Special Operations (MSO) has plans to build 64 examples of the alleged successor to the F1 and if that is true, they will have been sold out by now.

The McLaren F1 was radical for its time with the three-seat setup and its unique approach to performance blended with luxury. With MSO heading this operation, we can expect something as radical as the F1 for its successor from the British marque. While it would be quite difficult to reclaim the top speed record, the one that the F1 held for almost a decade, the F1 successor would certainly set a new benchmark for performance motoring.

We hope the McLaren F1 successor retains the naturally aspirated V12 for its pure response and the soulful exhaust note. While keeping in mind the exhaust regulations, having a 25-year-old engine may not be possible, but, then if it gets the turbocharged V8 from the 650 or the 675, it would not stand out as it should. With McLarens success with hybrid powertrains, we can expect the F1 successor to run electric wizardry.

Touted to be priced at about 2 million GBP (about Rs 18 crore), the F1 successor will have a state-of-art carbon fibre reinforced chassis, a carbon-fibre body shella and the signature dihedral doors. Designed to be a grand tourer, the F1 successor is expected by 2018, 30 years after the last McLaren F1 rolled out.

For more news,reviews,videos and information about cars, visit CarWale.com.

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Murray Energy CEO Robert Murray weighed in on the increasing amount of regulations on the coal industry, President Obama and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clintons support of green energies.

According to Murray, the Clinton Foundation and Hillary Clintons campaign are benefiting financially from her support of solar and wind energy.

Why she is supporting the elimination of coal is shes getting millions and millions of dollars from the manufacturers of windmills and solar panels. That electricity costs 26 cents a kilowatt hour, coal-fired electricity costs four cents. It gets four cents a kilowatt hour, the wind and solar, from the government, the taxpayer. So she is getting a lot of kickback into her campaign and into the Clinton Foundation from the makers of windmills and solar panels  its called crony capitalism.

Murray then responded to claims that the coal industry is bad for the environment.

You could close down every coal-fired plant in the United States and it wouldnt affect global temperatures by 0.16%, unmeasurable. So it has nothing to do with the environment.

Murray explained that it has been difficult keeping up with all the new regulations under the Obama Administration.

The regulations are coming out faster from the Obama Administration than we can read them. In the last five years, the U.S. EPA alone [has published] 38 times the words in our Holy Bible.

Murray says the war on coal has been catastrophic for the industry.

The coal industry is virtually destroyed. There are 52 bankrupt coal companies, there are only four of us that are not  140,000 [miners have been let go]. We had 200,000 miners before Obama, we now have 60,000.

On whether a Donald Trump Administration could reverse some of the job losses in the coal industry, Murray responded, I dont think those jobs can come back, but we can stop the destruction.

Murray took issue with Hillary Clintons plans to continue the Obama Administrations push toward clean energy and how it would impact coal miners.

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If two coal miners lose their jobs, the only thing they own is their home and theyve got nobody to sell it to. They cant be trained for anything and they cant leave the area. Thats what Hillary Clinton doesnt get.

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By Andrew R.C. Marshall and Wa Lone MONG YAW, Myanmar (Reuters) - The first and second bodies pulled from the shallow grave in northern Myanmar didn't belong to Aik Chin's missing son. Nor, he prayed, did the third, whose face was unrecognizable from a severe beating. But then Aik Chin checked the corpse's fingertips - his 17-year-old son had lost one in a childhood accident - and his legs began to buckle. "When I realized it was my little boy, I collapsed and blacked out," he said. "I don't remember anything after that." Soldiers entered the village of Mong Yaw on June 25 and rounded up dozens of men, witnesses told Reuters. Aik Chin's son and four others were led away, never to be seen alive again. Two other men - brothers - were shot while trying to escape on a motorbike and their bodies found in a ditch, villagers said. Myanmar's armed forces have often been accused of abuses by human rights groups and Western governments during decades of conflict with ethnic armed separatists in its wild border zones. What is unusual in this case is that the military high command has been taking the allegations seriously. Major Thein Zaw of the army's Northeast Command said a court martial had begun, although he could not say how many soldiers were on trial or what charges they faced, and local government officials said several soldiers had been arrested. Villagers say a senior army officer has promised them a full investigation. However, multiple requests by Reuters for comment from the army in the northern city Lashio and the capital Naypyitaw were declined or went unanswered. The military said it would address the issue at a news conference on Wednesday. Ringed by misty hills, Mong Yaw lies in a remote corner of northern Shan State, a region ravaged by war and poverty. Thousands of people have been displaced by decades of fighting between the military and ethnic insurgents. Last year the military lost hundreds of men in a bid to re-take a rebel-held region bordering China. Fuelling the conflict is Myanmar's lucrative narcotics trade, which is centered in lawless Shan state. SENSITIVE IMAGE It is extremely rare in Myanmar for soldiers to be held accountable for alleged abuses, or for such allegations to be investigated transparently, rights groups such as Amnesty International say. The military's response this time suggests a heightened sensitivity about its image as it tries to present itself as a responsible partner in Myanmar's democratic transition and seeks closer ties with its Western counterparts. Myanmar was a military dictatorship for nearly half a century until a quasi-civilian government of former generals replaced the junta in 2011 and launched a series of political and economic reforms. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was swept into office in April after winning a landslide election last year, but the military still holds immense power. Police and local officials told villagers in Mong Yaw in the days after the late June killings that they couldn't investigate because the military was already doing so. Then, on July 3, the region's vice-commander, Major General Kyaw Kyaw Soe, visited Mong Yaw and promised a full probe, said villagers. He also gave each bereaved family 300,000 kyat ($250) as a gesture of sympathy, local people said. General Kyaw Kyaw Soe said some soldiers had been arrested, but gave no further details. This surprised local activists, who say they have spent decades documenting similar incidents by ill-disciplined troops amid a culture of impunity. "The military has never done anything like this," said Sai Han, an ethnic Shan leader of the Tai Youth Organization, based in Lashio. He called what happened at Mong Yaw a "war crime" committed by soldiers against civilians. News of the killings had spread fast, aided by cellphones that have only recently become ubiquitous in Myanmar and by testimony from a population emboldened in an era of reform, Sai Han said, suggesting that the publicity had made it impossible for the military to brush aside the allegations. "DRUNK AND ANGRY" Sai Mong Tan, 22, was weeding a cornfield with his 17-year-old brother, Sai Shwe Lu, when the soldiers arrived. "They seemed drunk," he told Reuters. "I could smell alcohol on them. They were very angry." The military later said they had come under attack from rebels in the area, although Sai Han and other local activists said there had been no insurgent activity. The brothers were marched to a nearby road, where dozens more soldiers had detained about a hundred people, and were forced to squat with their hands behind their heads. The soldiers beat and interrogated the men, demanding to know if anyone had spotted insurgents in the area, said Sai Mong Tan. He then watched as soldiers tied up his younger brother and the four other victims and led them away. Reuters could not independently confirm this account, although it matched the version of events described by other villagers and local officials and rights activists. Sai Mong Tan believes his brother was singled out because he didn't speak Burmese and couldn't answer the soldiers' questions. Most people in Mong Yaw are from the Shan or Palaung ethnic minorities. Soldiers mostly hail from the majority Bamar ethnic group, and often accuse villagers of harboring insurgents. Aik Sai, 23, was also among the five men led away. By nightfall, his fretful wife Aye Lu, 18, was hiding at home with their newborn child. "The soldiers came to the village and told us to stay inside," she said. "I didn't dare go out." Only three days later, when the soldiers had left, did the villagers start looking for the missing men. A blood-spattered path above a cornfield led them to patches of recently turned soil. (Reporting by Andrew R.C. Marshall and Wa Lone; Editing by Alex Richardson)
BRUSSELS, July 20 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators said on Wednesday they had cleared generic drugmaker Mylan's planned cash-and-stock purchase of Sweden's Meda subject to it selling certain assets.

The approval is conditional on the divestment of a number of businesses in Austria, Belgium, Estonia, France, Luxembourg, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain and the UK.

Reuters last week reported that Mylan was set to get the green light after offering concessions.

The Commission said it had identified 15 markets where it had competition concerns, because of the strong position of the two companies and the lack of sufficient alternatives.

The deal, worth some $7.2 billion, was made in February and is the third attempt by the U.S. company to buy Meda, which makes branded, over-the-counter and generic drugs.

The acquisition will give Mylan entry into a number of emerging markets where it does not have a presence, including China, Southeast Asia, Russia and the Middle East.

(Reporting By Philip Blenkinsop)
By Idrees Ali and Yeganeh Torbati

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The purge of thousands in the Turkish military in the aftermath of an attempted coup has not weakened the country's military, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday.

"Turkey has a large armed force, professional armed forces and ... I am certain they will continue as a committed and strong NATO ally," Stoltenberg told Reuters in an interview on the sidelines of a meeting of defense officials from more than 30 countries involved in the coalition against Islamic State.

Some 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended or detained since the military coup attempt, increasing tension across the country of 80 million that borders Syria's chaos and is a Western ally against Islamic State.

About a third of Turkey's roughly 360 serving generals have been detained since the failed coup on July 15.

The armed forces last used force to stage a successful coup in Turkey more than 30 years ago.

On Wednesday, Dutch, German and Canadian foreign ministers expressed concern about the scale of the crackdown by Turkish authorities and called on Turkey to respect the rule of law.

Stoltenberg said he expected Turkey's reaction to the coup attempt to be proportionate and in line with the values of NATO, adding that there were no talks to reconsider Turkey's membership in the military alliance.

"It is important for all of us that Turkey continue to be a strong NATO ally because Turkey is on the border of all the instability, all the violence we have seen in Iraq and Syria," Stoltenberg said.

Speaking with reporters after the defense ministers meeting at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the meeting focused on what happens after the defeat of Islamic State in terms of stabilization and reconstruction.

Stoltenberg said there was a greater need to share intelligence in general within NATO and specifically in respect to the fight against the militant group Islamic State.

"Partly we need ... to collect more intelligence and partly we need to have better routines, better mechanisms for sharing intelligence as soon as possible," Stoltenberg said.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali and Yeganeh Torbati; Editing by Toni Reinhold)
By Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani ABUJA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Women's rights activists urged the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday to take action after a male senator was reported by local media to have threatened to assault and impregnate a female colleague. Senator Dino Melaye told his female colleague Senator Oluremi Tinubu that he would assault and impregnate her after a dispute during a closed session of the Senate last week, according to a coalition of 46 Nigerian civil society groups. "I will beat you up, impregnate you and nothing will happen," Melaye was quoted as saying by Nigerian media. In a public statement last week, Melaye said he had been provoked by Tinubu, who he claims called him "dog" and "thug", but denied using abusive or degrading language against her. "It is fallacious, malicious and a lie that I said I will impregnate Remi Tinubu. Biologically it is even impossible to impregnate her because she has arrived at menopause," he said. Senate officials were not immediately available for comment. The incident comes just months after the Senate threw out a gender and equality law that pledged to eliminate discrimination in politics, education and employment, protect women's rights and tackle violence against women. The rejected bill also called for women to be able to participate in politics without any restrictions or barriers - in a country where only seven of the 109 senators are women. The Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women (LACVAW) said it would protest outside the National Assembly and deliver a petition demanding a response from Nigeria's Senate. "(Melaye's language) empowers abusive men outside the Assembly to believe that violent and threatening behavior towards women can continue unabated," the coalition said. "Melaye's assertion that 'nothing will happen' after his abuse of Tinubu is a blatant manifestation of the general impunity pervading violence in Nigeria, especially against women," the LACVAW said in a statement before it delivered its petition. The coalition said Melaye's language and threats broke an anti-violence law passed last year, and other campaigners said the government's duty to protect women and girls in Nigeria included dealing with the senator's behavior in parliament. "Our future and that our children depend on the actions we take now, and we must put an end to this recurring act of violence, abuse and threats," the Lagos branch of the Bring Back Our Girls activist group said in a statement. In a separate incident in April, the head of Nigeria's prisons service was summoned before parliament after his security guards allegedly slapped a female lawmaker, Joan Onyemaechi Mrakpor, according to Nigerian media. (Reporting by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, Writing By Kieran Guilbert, Editing by xxxxx; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org)
By Matt Siegel SYDNEY (Reuters) - United States Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday assured key ally Australia there would be no retreat from Washington's pivot to the Asia-Pacific region regardless of who wins November's presidential election. Biden dismissed concerns that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would abandon President Barack Obama's strategy for the Asia-Pacific if he were to defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. "Don't worry about our election. The better angels in America will prevail," Biden said in a speech in Sydney. "The United States is all in. We've made good on that promise and continue to make good on that promise. We have shown our commitment to lead the region over and over again." Tensions between the United States and China have been rising in recent months over the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion in trade passes every year. Biden's visit to the region follows last week's court ruling in The Hague that China has no historic title over the disputed waters. Beijing has dismissed the case, brought by the Philippines, as a farce and accused Washington of fuelling tensions. Neither Trump nor Clinton have been vocal supporters of Obama's Asia-Pacific pivot in their campaigning, leading some to question Washington's support for the strategy. Biden insisted that the U.S. military would continue to underpin freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, regardless of which party controls the White House from 2017. "The United States has kept and will keep a laser focus on the future in the Asia-Pacific," he said. "America is the linchpin and we want to ensure the sea lanes are secure, the skies remain open. That is how to maintain the free flow of commerce, that is the life-blood of this region." China claims most of the South China Sea, which is rich in energy and fishing resources. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims. (This version of the story has been corrected to fix typo in paragraph 11) (Reporting by Matt Siegel; Editing by Michael Perry)
Phase II surface and Sub-surface Samples taken on the Zeus Claim Group Returned Lithium Values Ranging from 206 ppm to a High of 1,670 ppm with an Average Value of 750 ppm Lithium

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2016 / Noram Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: NRM and Frankfurt: N7R) ("Noram" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of Phase II sampling on the Zeus claim group portion of its Clayton Valley Lithium Project (see Figure 1). The Zeus claim group is located within two kilometers of Albemarle's Silver Peak Lithium Mine that has been in production since 1966 and is the only lithium brine production operation in North America.

The results shown below (see table 1) reinforce the initial sample results from the Zeus claim group (see table 2 and news release of June 9th, 2016) that indicate a lithium enriched evaporite rock sequence. The samples show an average of approximately 750 ppm lithium from all samples taken over the 1,200 metre long by 800 metre wide area with values as high as 1,670 ppm Li in the claystones. This large area of strong lithium mineralization as identified in the central Zeus claims is contained within a broad low profiled valley that lies at marginally higher elevation than the immediately adjacent (valley bottom) properties, where lithium brine production and exploration is ongoing by other parties.

Noram's independent technical consultant, Bradley C. Peek, MSc and Certified Professional Geologist said:

"The results from the Phase II sampling continue to indicate that Noram's Zeus claims are extremely favorable, both for the lithium brine potential and for the potential of the Tertiary Esmeralda Formation. The brine potential is established by professional geologic reports and by the proximity of the Zeus claims to the only lithium brine production in North America."

It is important to note that these Phase II samples are primarily vertical chip samples. Of the 15 samples reported below, 13 are vertical chips and only two are grab samples. The vertical chips range from two feet to 10 feet in length and most are "stacked", in that the samples were taken stratigraphically above or below the previous sample. With this type of sampling the variability in sample values between beds can be ascertained.

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The results above indicate the potential for a large mass of lithium mineralized claystones commencing at surface and extending to yet unknown depths.

Subsurface exploration in the form of shallow drilling core holes will be required to determine a preliminary resource estimate of the lithium and potassium contained within the near surface area central to the Zeus claims.

Continuity of mineralization is suggested by the results of two sets of closely spaced sample pairs taken during the second round of sampling reported above (see sample pair ZS-2-17, ZS-2-18, ZS-S-20, ZS-2-20 and ZS-2-21 & ZS-2-22 in table 1).

Bradley C. Peek, MSc and Certified Professional Geologist supervised the collection of the samples. Samples from the property where submitted to ALS Minerals in Reno, Nev., for analysis. The samples were crushed, split, a portion was pulverized and a one-gram aliquot analyzed by ALS Chemex method ME-MS61 (48 elements, including lithium, four-acid ICP-MS).

Additional surface and sub-surface samples are still being assayed and these results will be released in the next few weeks, this includes the balance of samples from the Zeus claim group as well as samples taken from the Hades and Spartan claim groups (see Figure 1).

Mark Ireton, President of Noram, said, "The analytical results from this next sampling program will assist us in identifying potential target areas for core drilling during our Phase 1I exploration program."

Noram is amassing one of the largest land packages in Nevada's Clayton Valley. Its non-contiguous North and South Blocks now total 888 claims covering 17,738 acres and are positioned both north and south of Albemarle's Silver Peak mine, North America's only lithium producer.

Michael Collins, P.Geo., and independent Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release on behalf of the Company.

About Noram Ventures Inc.:

Noram Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: NRM Frankfurt: N7R) is a Canadian based junior exploration company, with a goal of becoming a force in the Green Energy Revolution through the development of lithium and graphite deposits and becoming a low-cost supplier for the burgeoning lithium battery industry. The Company's primary business focus since formation has been the exploration of mineral projects that include the lithium projects in Clayton Valley in Nevada and the Jumbo graphite property in southeastern British Columbia. Noram's long term strategy is to build a multi-national lithium-graphite dominant industrial minerals company to produce and sell lithium and graphite into the markets of Europe, North America and Asia.

Please visit our web site for further information: www.noramventures.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

/s/ "Mark R. Ireton"

President & Director

This news release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. The following are important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements; the uncertainty of future profitability; and the uncertainty of access to additional capital. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information. Actual results and future events could differ materially from anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressed qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstance or management's estimates or opinions change.

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

SOURCE: Noram Ventures Inc.
By Sebastien Malo NEW YORK (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - North American forests will not fight climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide at levels once hoped for because the trees may not grow big enough, a study said on Wednesday. The new research challenges previous studies that said trees could grow larger due to higher temperatures brought on by global warming, said the authors of the study published in the journal Ecology Letters. Typically, up to a tharizird of carbon-dioxide emissions from human activity, such as automobile driving or steel production, is absorbed by forests, the study's authors said. Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. But if temperatures get too high, tree growth is inhibited and the absorption rate diminishes, said senior author Margaret Evans, a professor at the University of Arizona in Tucson. "There is a tipping point," she said. "A warmer climate becomes a bad thing instead of a good thing." Looking ahead at warmer temperatures likely in the coming decades, trees in the U.S. southwest north to the Rocky Mountains, Canada and Alaska could grow as much as 75 percent slower than normal by 2075, the researchers said. By 2075, the average temperature in North America could be about 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 degrees Celsius) higher than it was in 1925, under a worst case scenario, the researchers said, using data from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Some increases in tree growth are still likely in the Pacific Northwest, parts of Florida, the northeastern part of Quebec in Canada and its maritime provinces, they said. The researchers from U.S., Swiss and Polish institutions combined climate projections with tree rings collected between 1900 and 1950 at nearly 1,500 sites. Tree rings, the layers grown each year, provide a record of how trees are affected by changes in temperature and rainfall patterns, they said. Similar research could be done on northern forests in Europe and Asia, Evans said. The study is the first to account for how trees respond to climate change, lead author Noah Charney, a researcher at the University of Arizona in Tucson, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. (Reporting by Sebastien Malo, Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights and climate change. Visit http://news.trust.org)
From Popular Mechanics

A North Korean short wave radio station abruptly returned to the airwaves last Friday after a sixteen year absence. The mysterious broadcast has South Korean intelligence agents scrambling to figure out what its message means-and whom the message was intended for.

The transmission, which began at approximately 12:45 on Friday, was made by an unnamed female announcer and began with, "From now on, I will give review work for the subject of mathematics under the curriculum of a remote education university for exploration agents of the 27th bureau."

The announcer went on to say, "On page 459, question number 35, on page 913, question number 55, on page 135, question number 86, on page 257, question number 2"

The string of phrases and numbers continued for another twelve minutes.

North Korea has long used so-called numbers stations-shortwave radio stations that broadcast coded messages to communicate with agents abroad. The messages typically consist of a string of numbers or phrases, nonsensical to anyone but the intended recipient. Spy agencies around the world have used numbers stations for decades, but the advent of the internet has generally made the system obsolete. North Korea ceased transmitting the messages in 2000.

That's why the reactivation of North Korea's system is so puzzling. There are literally a billion places to hide a secret message in plain sight on the internet-everywhere from want ads on Craigslist to messages in ancient forums. "Number stations" are also less than ideal because the mere act of transmitting tells the entire world that you're up to something.

The message obviously means something, but what? Pyongyang recently called for terrorist-style attacks against South Korean targets, including subways, shopping malls, and power plants. It is also very unhappy with the announcement to place American THAAD ballistic missile interceptors in South Korea. The THAAD deployment is meant to counter North Korea's nuclear missile program, something Kim Jong Un has spent a lot of time on.

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Finally, whom is the message meant for? North Korea is thought to have sleeper agents stationed in the South and possibly as far away as Japan, all awaiting activation for any number of tasks, from espionage to sabotage.

Whatever the case, the message means something to someone, and we may all know soon enough what that meaning is.

H/T: Alert5
Novartis AG NVS reported second-quarter 2016 core earnings of $1.23 per share. On an adjusted basis, earnings were $1.22 per share beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.18.

Revenues also declined 2% to $12.5 billion but were above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $12.1 billion.

All growth rates mentioned below are on a year-over-year basis and at constant exchange rates.

The Quarter in Detail

Novartis operates under three divisions: Innovative Medicines (Pharmaceuticals), Alcon and Generics (Sandoz).

The Innovative Medicines (pharmaceuticals) division recorded sales of $8.4 billion, down 1%. Generic competition for Gleevec and pricing negatively impacted sales. Growth Products (Gilenya, Tasigna, Tafinlar + Mekinist, Jakavi and Promacta/Revolade) increased 23% to $3.8 billion, and comprised 45% of net division sales.

The Alcon division recorded sales of $1.5 billion, down 1%. Surgical sales were down as the strong performance of cataract consumables was more than offset by weak sales of intraocular lenses (IOLs). Vision care sales were flat as growth in contact lenses offset the decline in contact lens care.

In a bid to revamp its beleaguered Alcon business, Novartis has moved its ophthalmic pharmaceuticals business to the pharmaceuticals division.

Sales at the Sandoz division, Novartis generic arm, were $2.6 billion, as volume growth was offset by price erosion. Sales of Biopharmaceuticals surged 11% to $249 million.

2016 Outlook Reiterated

Novartis expects net sales to be broadly in line with the 2015 levels. Growth products are expected to offset the impact of generic competition (primarily Gleevec). In a bid to boost Entresto sales, Novartis decided to significantly increase spending in the second half of 2016 to create a primary care field force in the U.S. and improve medical support for the drug. Consequently, additional spending on Entresto and generic erosion of Gleevec will lead to a decline in operating income. Moreover, unfavorable currency movement will hurt sales by 3% in 2016. For the third quarter, sales and earnings will be down 1% and 2%, respectively, due to foreign exchange fluctuations.

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Pipeline Update

Novartis pipeline progress in the reported quarter was encouraging. Afinitor was approved in the EU for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic, well-differentiated nonfunctional neuroendocrine tumors of gastrointestinal or lung origin in adults with progressive disease. The FDA approved an expanded label for Xolair to include children aged 6 to 11 years with moderate-to-severely persistent asthma.

Additionally, Entresto obtained a strong Class I recommendation in both the U.S. and the EU as per the heart failure treatment guidelines. These guidelines establish Entresto as the standard of care for symptomatic patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Novartis has also entered into collaboration and licensing agreement with Xencor, Inc. XNCR to add bispecific antibodies to its growing immuno-oncology portfolio.

Moreover, an independent Data Monitoring Committee recommended stopping the phase III trial on LEE011 early as a pre-planned interim analysis showed that the candidate was able to meet the primary endpoint in postmenopausal women who had received no prior therapy for their HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer. Novartis also presented encouraging data on Cosentyx, while the three-year follow-up results of a phase III study on the Tafinlar+Mekinist combination showed a survival benefit in patients with BRAF V600E/K+ advanced melanoma on combination therapy versus Tafinlar monotherapy.

On the other hand, the ENESTfreedom trial on Tasigna for the treatment of Ph+CML patients did not meet the primary endpoint.

Meanwhile, Sandoz continues to strengthen its biosimilars portfolio and pipeline. The biosimilar versions of Enbrel and MabThera showed pharmacokinetic bioequivalence to their reference products. The FDA advisory committee has recommended the approval of biosimilar of Enbrel for five indications of the reference product. However, Sandoz received a complete response letter from the FDA for Neulasta biosimilar and the company is working with the agency to resolve the issues. The company is planning to file for two more biosimilars in 2016.

NOVARTIS AG-ADR Price and EPS Surprise

NOVARTIS AG-ADR Price and EPS Surprise | NOVARTIS AG-ADR Quote

Our Take

Novartis second-quarter 2016 results were encouraging with the company beating both top- and bottom-line estimates. Novartis has been facing challenging conditions for the past few quarters. Nevertheless, uptake of newly launched products (Cosentyx) should be able to offset the impact of entry of generics for Gleevec as well as weakness in Alcon. Moreover, the company is working to boost Entresto sales. We are also impressed by the companys efforts to strengthen its biosimilars portfolio.

Novartis currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the health care sector may consider Johnson & Johnson JNJ and Gilead Sciences GILD. Both the stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).



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BEIRUT (Reuters) - Al Qaeda's Syrian offshoot, the Nusra Front, said it had executed around a dozen pro-Syrian government captives on Wednesday in retaliation for a government advance near Damascus. A video distributed by the group showed at least 12 men who gave their names before kneeling down in a line and being shot simultaneously in the back of the head. Nusra Front said in a statement the executions were a punishment for a government advance into Harira village in the Wadi Barada area northwest of the Syrian capital Damascus and near the Lebanese border. Wadi Barada is a mountainous valley held by rebels, but the Syrian government controls much of the surrounding territory. It contains a water spring which supplies much of Damascus. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said air strikes and pro-Syrian government ground troops attacked Harira and other areas in the Wadi Barada area on Wednesday. The Observatory said it had seen a video purporting to show a group of soldiers captured by Nusra a few days ago. One of the captive soldiers said there were 14 captives and pleaded in the video for Syrian government forces not to enter Harira and another village nearby because if they did, Nusra Front would kill the detainees. (Reporting by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
A Cincinnati mom will spend at least 51 years in prison after she was sentenced this week for sexually trafficking her daughter  11 at the time  for heroin, PEOPLE has confirmed.

I can honestly say that, in three and a half years on the bench, this is by far the worst thing that has come before this court, Judge Leslie Ghiz of Ohios Hamilton County Pleas Court said Tuesday at April Corcorans sentencing, according to the Washington Post.

Corcoran, 32, was sentenced to prison for 51 years to life, following her guilty plea in June, prosecutors tell PEOPLE. She admitted she let her drug dealer perform sexual acts on her preteen child, in exchange for drugs, prosecutors say.

Corcoran also admitted to forcing the girl to take heroin, prosecutors say, after which the girl reportedly would vomit.

Corcoran pleaded guilty to four counts of trafficking in persons, four counts of complicity (rape), one count of endangering children and one count of corrupting another with drugs, prosecutors say.

According to the Post, the drug dealer allegedly raped the preteen, sodomized her and forced her to perform oral sex, sometimes recording the acts on video, over four separate occasions. The incidents occurred between February and June 2014, according to the Cincinnati Inquirer.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter.

I made selfish, horrible choices that will affect [my daughter] for the rest of her life, Corcoran said in a statement to the court Tuesday, according to the Inquirer".

I am consumed by guilt and shame every day, she said.

However, Ghiz said to Corcoran, You showed no kind of mercy  and never apologized to her daughter.

PEOPLE could not immediately reach Corcorans attorney for comment. The accused drug dealer is her case, Shandell Willingham, 42, is awaiting trail in August, according to the Inquirer.

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Willingham faces the same charges as Corcoran; and, in an unrelated Indiana case, he was previously convicted on drug charges and child pornography charges, according to the Inquirer.

It was not immediately clear if he had entered a plea in this case.

Corcorans daughter, now 13, is living with her father, stepmother and two siblings, according to reports.

WKRC reports she has suicidal thoughts and is on medication, according to the judges paperwork.

RELATED VIDEO:
A Texas man has been listed in serious condition at a local hospital after a wet and wild ride that saw him getting thrown off a water slide and nearly killed when he fell into a rocky cliff below.

David Salmon posted slow motion video of the incident on his Facebook page to let friends and family know of the painful encounter, all of which occurred near Austin.

Read: Woman Hiking Grand Canyon Posts Breathtaking Photo, Falls To Her Death Hours Later

"Too dang old to be going down water slides. Fell off this one that is over a rocky cliff," he said.

The footage shows the moments before the accident, as Salmon joyfully slides down the water ride before hitting a curve and getting thrown over the side.

It is still unknown how far Salmon fell, but his injuries were serious enough to land him in a local hospital in Round Rock.

Broke my arm (humerus) and fractured ribs. Multiple lacerations on my back, arms and side, Salmon said in his Facebook post.

Despite his injuries, Salmon reported the good news that he wont need surgery, and will head home to Dallas soon.

Read: iPhone Nearly Becomes Snack For Hungry Alligator: 'No! Don't Eat It!'

At the end of the day, however, Salmon seems to be in good spirits, and ended his post with five humorous hashtags.

#waterslide #fail #failvideo #brokenarm #notdead, Salmon wrote.

Watch: Why These Daredevil Newlyweds Took Extreme Wedding Photos on Cliff Edge

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By Kathryn Doyle (Reuters Health)  Being sedentary, at least in moderation, is unlikely to cause heart disease, according to a new review of past research. Based on their analysis, researchers conclude that only very high levels of sedentary time - more than 10 hours per day - are linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke or heart disease-related death. Compared to sitting for less than three of ones waking hours each day, more than 10 hours of sedentary time was tied to an 8 percent increase in risk for developing heart disease. Our findings suggest that sedentary time is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of other potential risk factors such as body mass index and physical activity, only at very high levels, said lead author Dr. Ambarish Pandey of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. It hadnt been clear exactly how much sedentary time should be avoided to lower cardiovascular disease risk, Pandey told Reuters Health by email. The researchers analyzed data from nine long-term studies that had followed more than 700,000 adults and calculated the association between their inactive time and their incidence of events like heart attack and stroke. Sedentary time included any low-activity periods, like sitting, watching TV or driving. Half of the studies followed people for more than 11 years. In total there were 25,769 unique cardiovascular events. People who were the most sedentary, about 12 hours per day, were 14 percent more likely than those who were sedentary only 2.5 hours per day to develop cardiovascular disease. But more moderate sedentary times were not tied to increased risk. Risk only started to increase after more than 10 hours of sedentary time per day, according to the results in JAMA Cardiology. The types of relationship between sedentary time and cardiovascular disease (CVD) events will provide different kind of recommendations for the restriction of sedentary time to prevent CVD events in the future, said Yeonju Kim, a research specialist at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center in Honolulu, who was not part of the new study. But well need more studies in addition to this review before implementing a guideline, like limiting sedentary time to less than 10 hours per day, Kim told Reuters Health by email. There is previous literature to suggest that lower sedentary time is associated with higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels, which may underlie some of the observed association, Pandey said. Staying active and getting regular exercise can help lower cardiovascular disease risk, he said. Increasing physical activity, avoiding prolonged sitting time, workplace interventions such as sit-stand work stations and activity-permissive desks may be useful to lower sedentary time, he added. SOURCE: http://bit.ly/29JyZNp JAMA Cardiology, online July 13, 2016.
Orange ORAN could be a stock to avoid from a technical perspective, as the firm is seeing unfavorable trends on the moving average crossover front. Recently, the 50 Day Moving Average for ORAN broke out below the 200 Day Simple Moving Average, suggesting short-term bearishness.

This has already started to take place, as the stock has moved lower by 3.7% in the past four weeks. And with the recent moving average crossover, investors have to think that more unfavorable trading is ahead for ORAN stock.

If that wasnt enough Orange isnt looking too great from an earnings estimate revision perspective either. It appears as though many analysts have been reducing their earnings expectations for the stock lately, which is usually not a good sign of things to come.

Consider that in the last 30 days, 2 estimates have been reduced, while none have moved higher. Add this in to a similar move lower in the consensus estimate, and there is plenty of reason to be bearish here.

That is why we currently have a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell) on this stock and are looking for it to underperform in the weeks ahead. So either avoid this stock or consider jumping ship until the estimates and technical factors turn around for ORAN.

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David Slack, creator of Foxs upcoming police drama A.P.B., has signed an overall deal with CBS Television Studios. Under the two-year agreement, Slack will serve as co-executive producer on CBS MacGyver reboot with an eye toward developing his own projects.

Slack, a veteran of Person of Interest  where he was co-executive producer and worked for most of the shows run  and Law & Order, wrote the pilot for A.P.B., inspired by the New York Times Magazine feature Who Runs the Streets of New Orleans? The drama follows an eccentric billionaire who purchases a city police precinct and introduces new high-tech crime-fighting measures. Slack executive produced the pilot with Len Wiseman of Sleepy Hollow, but departed the series in March over creative differences. Studio 20th Century Fox Television then brought in Burn Notice creator Matt Nix to take over as showrunner and writer. Insiders told Variety at the time that the split was amicable and mutual.

MacGyver is a high priority for CBS, with the potential to do especially well with networks core audience and internationally. A pilot for the reboot was picked up in October, but CBS discarded it when going to series  ordering a new version of the show with Peter Lenkov joining as executive producer and showrunner. The Conjuring filmmaker James Wan, also an executive producer on the show, signed on to direct the new premiere episode.

The original MacGyver aired on CBS from 1985 to 1992. The reboot stars Lucas Till with George Eads, Justin Hires and Sandrine Holt.

Slack is represented by UTA and and attorney Bruce Gelman.

Related stories

Arnold Schwarzenegger's Body-Building Drama 'Pump' Lands at CBS TV Studios

Bryan Seabury Named CBS Television Studios Head of Drama Development

'Burn Notice' Creator Matt Nix to Overhaul Fox Pilot 'A.P.B.' After Production Shut Down
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A Palestinian boy was killed on Tuesday during a clash with Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank on the outskirts of Arab East Jerusalem, the Palestinian health ministry said. Muhey al-Tabakhi, 12, died in a Palestinian hospital of a wound inflicted by a projectile that struck his chest and caused heart failure, a ministry spokesman said. An Israeli police spokeswoman said paramilitary Border Police officers used only tear gas and stun grenades in the clash at al-Ram after a petrol bomb was thrown at forces and that initial details at hand suggested there had been no firing. Earlier, a Palestinian assailant who stabbed two Israeli soldiers and wounded them lightly in an incident near the occupied West Bank town of Hebron on Monday, died of wounds in an Israeli hospital, officials said. Since October, Palestinian street attacks have killed at least 33 Israelis and two visiting Americans. Israel has killed at least 204 Palestinians, 138 of whom it said were assailants. Others were killed during clashes and protests. Palestinian stabbings, shootings, rock throwing and car rammings against Israelis that began late last year and included almost daily incidents have tapered off significantly and attacks have become less frequent. Palestinian leaders say assailants have acted out of desperation over the collapse of peace talks in 2014 and Israeli settlement expansion in occupied territory that Palestinians seek for an independent state. Most countries view the settlements as illegal. Israel disputes this. Israel says incitement in the Palestinian media and personal problems at home have been important factors that have spurred assailants, often teenagers, to launch attacks. Tensions over Jewish access to a contested Jerusalem holy site, revered by Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and Jews as Temple Mount, have also fueled the violence. (Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, writing by Ori Lewis, editing by Larry King)
Panama City (AFP) - The government of Panama on Wednesday launched an independent commission to identify people killed or missing in the 1989 US invasion of the country that brought down dictator Manuel Noriega.

"There can be no reconciliation if the truth is not known," Panama's vice president and foreign minister, Isabel De Saint Malo, said.

"Panama is seeking to heal its wounds," she added, speaking to a gathering of officials, religious leaders, some who lost kin or property in the invasion, and the UN representative to Panama.

There have been insistent calls in Panama for compensation from the US for the deaths and damage wrought in the invasion.

While the Panamanian government has not officially backed those demands, it has for the past two years pressed for a "reconciliation" effort.

President Juan Carlos Varela signed the decree on Tuesday creating the new independent panel, which is to be made up of five members with backgrounds in human rights.

Its formal name is the "Commission of December 20, 1989."

That is the date the United States sent 27,000 soldiers to Panama, resulting in the capture of Noriega, a former CIA collaborator who was wanted in the US on drug trafficking charges.

The former dictator spent time behind bars in America and in France, and is currently imprisoned in Panama for ordering the disappearance of dissidents during his 1983-1989 rule.

Many Panamanians welcomed the end of Noriega's reign, but believe the United States should make up for the other consequences of its military incursion.

Officially, the US Defense Department recorded some 500 deaths in the invasion. But other organizations put the toll at a several thousand.

Thousands of people lost their homes and many businesses were destroyed.

The US ambassador to Panama, John Feely, in February said his country was willing to participate in the reconciliation process and look at providing any help requested by the Panamanian government.
"Christopher, you had a very serious accident. You'll be on a ventilator the rest of your life and never move again."

These were the words from my orthopedic surgeon as he quickly exited the hospital room. One tear rolled down my cheek, and for some reason those words never really sunk in -- yet I'll never forget them. I was stationed in Hawaii during my time in the Air Force, and I had broken my neck while doing front flips into the ocean. I landed on my head instead of my feet, and broke my fourth cervical vertebrae -- which bent my spinal cord almost 90 degrees. Fortunately, I floated face up, but my friends couldn't hear me yelling until the waves washed me closer to shore. I laid on the beach for an hour and a half, in and out of shock, before the ambulance arrived. Next thing I remember was waking up to my parents looking down on me. Tears of joy came over me; I had never been so happy to see them in my entire life. They had received a call at midnight, and my mom was told: "Hurry, we're not sure he'll make it by the time you get here." With the help of my sister, they made a 14-hour trip within 24 hours of getting the call about my injury.

So there I was, bed-bound, intubated and paralyzed from the shoulders down. "Why me?" I never took life for granted, I was thankful for my abilities and appreciative of what God had given me in 22 short years of life. It's hard to come to terms with such a life-changing event. I lost 100 percent of my independence and bodily functions in a split second. But the sooner you learn to accept it, the sooner you can move on to a path of some sort of recovery. So, this is my journey.

Before surgery could take place, doctors had to realign my spine. This was accomplished using a halo (a medical device that screws into the skull at four different locations), which had 40 pounds of weight attached to it. After three tortuous days of halo adjustments straightened my spine, I was ready for surgery. Bone was taken from my hip to reconstruct the fourth cervical vertebrae. Then, wire was wrapped around the fourth and fifth vertebrae to fuse them together. I sported a hard, plastic cervical collar as my "bling" for the next six weeks to limit my head movement and enable the two vertebrae to calcify. I hated that thing -- I would get so itchy. I couldn't scratch myself, and the difficulties I had communicating drove me absolutely nuts. Surgery was a success but I was still in critical condition. Having ingested so much saltwater caused pneumonia and kept the medical staff from attempting to wean me off the ventilator. After 11 days at Tripler Army Medical Center, a decision was made to transfer me to Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Besides being 30 minutes from my hometown, the Cleveland VA is known for its spinal cord injury unit.

[See: 8 Health Technologies to Watch For.]

After departing Hawaii, my next destination was an overnight stay at Travis Air Force Base in California. I was supposed to arrive in Cleveland the next day. Well, four stops later I found myself spending the night at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. I was in critical condition, traveling with a doctor and respiratory therapist, and it should have been a one-day trip. My mom had such a bad ear infection that doctors tried to keep her from flying with me. Finally, two days after leaving Hawaii, I arrived in Cleveland. I was immediately placed in the intensive care unit, and respiratory therapists began the process of weaning me off the ventilator. Hands-down this was the hardest thing I've ever experienced in my life. Every second of every minute of every hour, I felt as if I were suffocating. As long as my oxygen saturation stayed 90 percent or above, respiratory therapy would continue to decrease the breaths per minute I received from the ventilator. It took nearly one month, but I was finally able to breathe on my own, something the doctor in Hawaii said would never happen.

Finally stabilized, I was transferred to the spinal cord injury unit for rehabilitation. Setbacks were plentiful, beginning with uncontrollable fevers caused by damage to the central nervous system. It was common for me to have a temperatures of 103 degrees Fahrenheit, and a chilling blanket was used to control my temperature. Fevers of that magnitude had always given me chills, and I've never been so cold as I was on that blanket. Then there's pressure sores. I had just started getting up in a wheelchair and was hopeful to start therapy, but a wound on my sacrum (the area right above the butt crack commonly referred to as the tailbone) opened up, putting me in bed for six weeks. It was during that time when movement slowly returned to me. I was first able to supinate my left arm (in other words, rotate the hand to a palms-up position), and then did the same with the right arm. Bicep function and wrist extension came next. As the swelling in my spinal cord decreased, these movements returned and got stronger. By the time my wound healed, I had enough strength in my right arm to operate a power wheelchair. During the week, much of my time was spent working with weights, often twice a day. In just four short months after my injury, I had enough strength in my arms to push a manual chair (which is slightly faster than a turtle's pace and was a great accomplishment for me).

[See: 8 Cool Uses for 3-D Printers in Health Care.]

I spent a total of 10 months at the VA Medical Center before being discharged. During that time, I met the most wonderful, knowledgeable occupational therapist. She offered me an opportunity to participate in a study that involved the implantation of electrodes to restore hand function, which is referred to as functional electrical stimulation or FES. In January 1995, I had surgery to implant a small device under my left pectoral muscle. Branching off this are wires with electrodes attached at the ends. Routed under the armpit and down the arm, electrodes stimulate different nerves and muscles that control the hand. I was the 10th in the state of Ohio and the 23rd in the world to receive this technology; without it, I'm unable to grip anything on my own. It's hard to explain how restoring this little bit of function has made such a huge difference in my life. Freedom from reliance on prosthetic devices has given me a sense of normalcy and leaves me less reliant on others. Additionally, I've met an abundance of people whom I consider to be the brightest, most caring individuals in the medical field. They have been instrumental in my recovery and have given me opportunities that have increased my quality of life in so many ways. I'm forever grateful.

After discharge from the VA, I moved in with my parents. Being back at home was a constant reminder of my pre-injury life and all the memories of my upbringing. That was just one of many things that made it difficult adjusting to my injury. Gone were the days of spontaneity; now every day begins with a routine. Wake up in the morning, take pills, empty my bladder (a medical procedure known as intermittent catheterization, which needs to be done every 4 to 6 hours), do range of motion on my legs (a series of stretches to prevent muscle contractures and reduce spasticity), then get washed up, dressed and in my chair. As a result of damage to the spinal cord, bowel function is also compromised. Every other day, a bowel routine is performed. This entails the insertion of a rectal suppository that stimulates the colon, which in turn evacuates stool. As you can probably imagine, this routine, along with the inability to do all the things that I once enjoyed, is a hard pill to swallow. Lucky for me, I've got a great support system and a twisted sense of humor, both of which were necessary for me to keep moving forward.

In 1995, I built a house utilizing resources that were available to me from the Veterans Administration. My sister, brother-in-law and niece moved in with me when it was completed. My sister was my primary caregiver until I set up services with a home health care agency. Life was coming together. I started taking some college classes, though I had no career goal in mind. It was good for me to get out and be around other people, though I was still very self-conscious about being in a wheelchair. I liked to get out but was uncomfortable with myself and being around people who didn't understand my injury.

In 1996, I met my sister's girlfriend's sister. We hit it off immediately and had a lot in common, and she enjoyed wheelchair rides. In August 1997, we tied the knot. I was blown away when several of my friends from Hawaii flew in to attend the ceremony -- it was the best wedding gift ever. As time passed, I continued to reach new milestones. I took drivers training classes, got my license and started driving. Three years into marriage, my wife and I decided to have a child. We needed to use in vitro fertilization because of my injury, and three embryos were implanted. In August 2001, we had a 9 lbs. 1 oz. baby boy. The highlight of that whole day, besides the delivery of a healthy baby, was the fact that I, husband and now father, had the privilege and ability to drive my wife to the hospital to deliver.

[See: In Vitro Fertilization Grows Up.]

Unfortunately, complications developed in the marriage, and we divorced shortly before my son's second birthday. Because of circumstances surrounding the divorce, I was named the residential parent. With the help of my mom (who moved in with me Monday through Friday) and dad, I was blessed with the opportunity to raise my son. Because I didn't work, all my time was able to be spent with him. Initially I had reservations about parenting from a wheelchair. I thought of all the things I wouldn't be able to do with him as a father -- but it turned out I could do a whole lot more than I thought. Because I had to explain everything, he takes verbal instruction very well and has become very self-reliant because I couldn't do everything for him. Above all, I wanted him to be a hard-working, caring, compassionate individual.

When my son started school, I was offered an opportunity to participate in a VA study. It involved returning people with spinal cord injuries back to work. I had an idea to open up a spinal cord rehab facility and gym. With the help of some very special people, I wrote up a business plan that required approval on state and federal levels. It took four years from start to finish, but in September 2011, Buckeye Wellness Center opened its doors. The only facility of its kind in Ohio, it offers people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities a second chance to reach their therapy goals when insurance stops paying. There's also accessible gym equipment so people who want to stay in shape can exercise. (It's worth noting that I remarried in 2004 to my wonderful wife, Susan, and she's been instrumental in raising my son. Buckeye Wellness Center wouldn't exist without her, either.)

It's been over 23 years since that tragic day on the beach. I often wonder what I would've done with my life had I not broken my neck. The doctor in Hawaii who did my surgery told my mom I would curse the day he saved my life. I'd actually like to thank him. I've been blessed in so many ways since that day -- my life would not have been nearly as fulfilling had it not happened.

Christopher Wynn, a native Clevelander, decided on an Air Force career two years out of school. Trained as a fuels specialist, he graduated at the top of his class and was rewarded Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii as his first duty station. Wynn's initiative, selflessness, exceptional knowledge and unparalleled dedication earned him The Air Force Commendation Medal. On January 23, 1993, a day at the beach turned tragic when Chris broke his neck while diving into the ocean. Fracturing the fourth cervical vertebrae left Wynn a quadriplegic, unable to move anything but his shoulders. Prior to his injury, Wynn was an avid exercise enthusiast, spending much free time at the gym. It was no surprise to his family that just four short months after the accident, he had enough function and strength to push a manual wheelchair. Two months later, he participated in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games where he medaled in four of five events.



Chris maintains an active lifestyle. In September of 2011, he and his wife Susan opened the Buckeye Wellness Center, a spinal cord recovery facility that offers aggressive, exercise based recovery programs and gym memberships. He serves on the board of directors of Getting Back Up, a nonprofit foundation that improves the quality of life for individuals living with spinal cord injury. Wynn also speaks on behalf of the Cleveland FES (functional electrical stimulation) Center. He's able to drive a modified vehicle, has built a house, gotten married and has a son. He shares these experiences by volunteering at the Louis Stokes VA Medical Center as a peer counselor.
By Laila Kearney

July 20 (Reuters) - The parents of a two-year-old boy drowned by an alligator at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida last month "are broken" but will not sue over the incident, the couple said in a statement on Wednesday.

Lane Graves was playing at the edge of the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Walt Disney World's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa on June 14 when he was snatched by an alligator and dragged into the water. His parents rushed to save their child but failed to pry him free from the predator's grip, as a second alligator attacked during the rescue attempt.

Graves, whose family was vacationing from Nebraska, was found by divers a day later at the bottom of the manmade lake.

"Melissa and I are broken. We will forever struggle to comprehend why this happened to our sweet baby, Lane," parents Matt and Melissa Graves said in the statement. "As each day passes, the pain gets worse."

Despite their grief, the couple said they would focus on the development of a charitable foundation named after their son and would not file a lawsuit.

"In addition to the foundation, we will solely be focused on the future health of our family and will not be pursuing a lawsuit against Disney," the parents said.

Walt Disney Co has had more than 240 "nuisance" alligators captured and killed over the last 10 years at its theme park property in Orange County, Florida.

At the time of the attack on Graves, the resort had "No Swimming" signs that did not mention alligators. Disney has since installed signs by the lagoon warning guests of alligators and snakes.

"Danger! Alligators and snakes in area," read the new signs, which feature diagrams of the two animals. "Stay away from the water. Do not feed the wildlife." (Editing by Colleen Jenkins; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
CLEVELAND  House Speaker Paul Ryan got his biggest cheers in his speech to the Republican National Convention when he called for party unity, but he largely focused on policy ideas hes championing in Congress rather than presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way, he said, as he warned against electing Hillary Clinton.

Ryan even set his sights on retaining Congress, without mentioning the White House. Ryan said that this year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way  when America elects a conservative governing majority.

He spent part of his speech devoted to eradicating poverty, and describing Democratic ideas as a failure.

Real social progress is always a widening of the circle of concern and protection, he said. Its respect and empathy overtaking blindness and indifference.

He also mentioned that standing on the stage had a familiar feel.

Students of trivia will recall that last time around I was your nominee for vice president, he said. It was a great honor, even if things didnt work out quite according to plan. He did not name the man who picked him as his running mate, Mitt Romney.

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CLEVELAND  Paul Ryan did his best to disguise it, but his remarks at the Republican convention Tuesday night made it clear that he was less than happy to have declared Donald Trump the partys nominee for president.

Ryan, the Republican speaker of the House, said if Trump is elected president, the country has a chance at having better results than if presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton wins.

Ryan, who is from Wisconsin, mentioned Trumps name only twice in his remarks to the hall. Most of his speech was devoted to doing two things: drawing a contrast between conservative and liberal ideas, and attempting to box Trump into Ryans vision of what it means to be a conservative.

There was an air of resignation in his acceptance of Trumps nomination.

Democracy is a series of choices. We Republicans have made ours, Ryan said.

He admitted that the GOP had had arguments this year, but called them signs of life, at a time when men and women in both parties so clearly, so undeniably, want a big change in direction for America, a clean break from a failed system.

Ryan blamed President Obama and liberal progressive ideas for a malaise in the country, a situation in which the whole economy feels stuck. Ryan called Obama the most liberal president weve had so far.

But then, as Ryan launched into a recitation of criticisms of Obamas presidency, half the things he listed were issues or concerns that have been voiced about Trump, sometimes by Ryan himself.

Ryan said Obama had made discarded promises, empty gestures, phony straw-man arguments, and that constitutional limits had been brushed off as nothing.

One of the core reasons Ryan did not endorse Trump immediately after the primary effectively ended in early May was because the speaker said he was not certain that Trump understood or appreciated the constitutional limits on the power of the president.

Ryan also criticized Obama and the Democrats for a constant dividing up of people, always playing one group against the other, as if group identity were everything.

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In America, arent we all supposed to see beyond class or ethnicity or all those other lines drawn to set us apart and lock us in groups? Ryan said.

And here again, it was both an explicit knock on Obama and an implicit critique of Trump, who has used inflammatory rhetoric to describe Hispanics, has cast all Muslims as dangerous, and has been slow or even reluctant to distance himself from extremist elements of the white-power movement.

Ryan himself said in June that Trumps attacks on a federal judge, questioning his impartiality because of his Mexican heritage, were the textbook definition of a racist comment.

Ryans final play to corral Trump was to cast the election as a contest of ideas.

And he portrayed the Republican Party, whose nominee has never read a book about any president, as one that offers a better way for our country, based on fundamentals that go back to the founding generation.

Republicans, he said, were committed to following the Constitution, and venturing not one inch beyond the consent of the governed.

It may be impossible to either restrain Trump or prod him, but Ryan has attempted to do it all year, and will probably keep it up until the election.

_____

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On the ground at the RNC Convention  A photo report >>>

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Convention floor erupts when no roll call taken to change rules to unbind delegates >>>

Demonstrators protest outside the RNC >>>

Donald Trumps America >>>


Speaker of the House Paul Ryan has had a very rocky relationship with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, and he addressed that schism head on in a speech to the Republican National Convention on Tuesday evening.

Democracy is a series of choices, he said. We Republicans have made our choice. Have we had our arguments this year? Sure we have. You know what I call those arguments? Signs of life.

Other than that, though, and saying that hed be onstage with Trump and vice presidential nominee Mike Pence at the next State of the Union, Ryan mostly ignored talking about his partys nominee. Instead, he focused on presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, saying that in a time when many voters have indicated a desire to reject establishment politics, the Democrats are offering a third Obama term brought to you by another Clinton, and youre supposed to be excited about that.

When Ryan stopped talking about Clinton, it wasnt to praise Trump, but to discuss the Republican Party at large.

The Republican Party stands as the great enduring alternative party, he said. We offer a better way for America, with reforms that actually work.

Ryan has emerged as a vanguard for more traditional Republican values in the face of Trumps candidacy. He tried to play to that perception on Tuesday, while at least giving lip service to Trump.

See original article on Fortune.com

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Banging the gavel is an art form, one that takes coordination, grace and the ability to distinguish "top" from "bottom."

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan struggled with the convention gavel on Tuesday night. After Alaska contested the delegate count, Ryan brought the convention back to order by banging the ceremonial gavel. But the noise seemed to confuse the Wisconsin representative, and he struggled to determine its source.

SEE ALSO: Confident Nevada delegate gets his own state capital wrong at the RNC

Watch as Ryan slowly inspects the gavel, looking for an error in its design. After trying and failing to get the sound he desired, Ryan makes a desperate move and hits the gavel sideways.

Out of options, Ryan has no choice but to "shush" the crowd, a traditional classroom management technique.

Here's video with sound:

Other speakers had similar problems:

Will the gavel survive tonight's convention? America waits and watches.
MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2016 / Peak Positioning Technologies Inc. (PKK.V) (OTC Pink: PKKFF) ("Peak" or the "Company") today announced that its Chinese subsidiary, Asia Synergy Technologies Ltd. ("AST"), has received approval for the Internet domain name of its Gold River Fintech platform and has submitted the application for its Internet Content Provider (ICP) license.

The ICP license is a registration number issued by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that allows organizations to host a website on a Chinese server. All companies must first submit an application and obtain a valid ICP number if they wish to have an online presence in China.

"We've been navigating through the process of getting the Gold River platform online ever since the completion of the registration of the company (AST)", commented Mr. Liang Qiu, CEO of AST. "We've managed to obtain an IP address for the platform, which has now allowed us to finalize the ICP license application process. This may not seem all that important for our stakeholders in North America, but it's actually a pretty significant step for us. We're very pleased with how well the process has gone so far, and are very excited with the prospect of shortly having the platform online to process its first transactions," concluded Mr. Qiu.

Warrants, Debenture and Stock Options

Peak also announced the following transactions related to the Company's securities:

On July 8, 2016, Peak issue 10,500,000 options to purchase common shares of the Company at a price of $0.085 per share to officers and directors of the Company. The options will expire in July 2021 and will vest over a 2-year period with 25% vesting in March 2017, 35% in November 2017 and the remaining 40% vesting in July 2018.

On July 12, 2016, Peak issued 188,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share and 225,000 common shares at a price of $0.025 as a result of the exercise of common share purchase warrants.

Story continues

On July 15, 2016, Peak issued 2,000,000 common shares at a price of $0.05 per share as a result of the exercise of the conversion feature of secured convertible debentures, removing $100,000's worth of short-term debt from the Company's books.

About Peak Positioning Technologies Inc.:

Peak Positioning Technologies Inc. is an IT portfolio management company whose mission is to assemble, finance and manage a portfolio of high-growth-potential companies and assets in some of the fastest growing tech sectors in China, including Fintech, e-commerce and cloud-computing. Peak provides its shareholders with exceptional growth potential by giving them access to the fastest growing sectors of the world's fastest growing economy. For more information: http://www.peakpositioning.com.

Contact information:

Cathy Hume

CEO

CHF Investor Relations

Phone: 416-868-1079 ext.: 231

Email: cathy@chfir.com

Or

Carl Desjardins

Managing Partner

Paradox Public Relations Inc.

Phone: 514-341-0408

Email: carldesjardins@paradox-pr.ca

Or

Johnson Joseph

President and CEO

Peak Positioning Technologies Inc.

Phone: 514-340-7775 ext.: 501

Email: investors@peakpositioning.com

SOURCE: Peak Positioning Technologies Inc.
The birthplace of the constitution, a bedrock of American political history and home to the countrys longest standing cheesesteak rivalry, Philadelphia has remained a pillar of modern day democracy ever since the founding fathers dipped their indelible quill into ink to sign the Declaration of Independence.

From July 25-July 28, patriotismalong with lots of city-wide partying and a fair amount of trafficwill reign supreme as the Democratic National Convention rolls into town to nominate a Democratic candidate for president and vice president of the United States. The main event is being held at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philly, and more than 50,000 visitors, including delegates, journalists and protesters, are expected to descend upon the city.

Any visitor to Philly during the DNC should, at the very least, get to Historic Philadelphia, the National Constitution Center and the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Meryl Levitz, President & CEO of Visit Philadelphia told Travel + Leisure. Philadelphia was chosen, in part, to connect today's political process back to its roots. Lines may be long at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (a World Heritage Site), but you can get inspired even seeing them from the outside. Read the historic markers and pavement engravings; or join the I'm With Her or Feel the Bern historic tours.

Politics, much like cheesesteak is a deeply personal choice. While the dems are expected to nominate Hillary Clinton as the Presidential nominee, in an election year as unpredictable as this one anything is possible.

From Constitution Center to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, to the chance of catching Pokmon on Love Statue, theres a lot going on in the city of brotherly love over DNC week. So get ready to don some good ol fashion red, white and blue and read on for some tips and tricks for getting around town.

Before you go, dont forget to check out T+Ls Philadelphia travel guide complete with intel on the best things to eat, see and do.

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Arriving

Located around seven-miles from Center City, Philadelphia International Airport serves as a hub for recently merged American Airlines and US Airways as well as 30 other carriers. Before you go, make sure you stay up to date about possible airline strikes happening during DNC week. An estimated 1,000 employees are expected to walk off the job during DNC week due to wage disputes.

With trains running along the northeast corridor from Boston, New York, Baltimore and Washington, DC, Amtraks 30th Street Station is a major hub for Amtrak, Megabus and Boltbus. Located in downtown Philly, the station is only a few minutes walk from Center City.

Staying

According to VisitPhilly.com, there are more than 11,000 hotel rooms in Philadelphias Center City, 8,000 rooms are within a 15-minute walk of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and City Hall and 4,500 rooms near the Philadelphia International Airport. For a complete list of some of the best hotels in town, check out T+Ls comprehensive Philadelphia Travel Guide.

Playing

There will be a lot of political hoopla over DNC week. Check out VisitPhilly.com for a complete list of where and how you can get your DNC on and read on for some of T+Ls top picks below.

What: DMC Pop Up Tour

Where: Old City & Historic Philadelphia

When: Daily, July 17- 31

Deets: Im With Her: Hillary Clinton and Phillys Founding Women tour and the Feel the Bern: Bernie Sanders and Phillys Revolutionaries tour individually developed by Philadelphia Urban Adventures for Philly Tour Hub.

What: Philly Feast: United We Eat

Where: Third and Arch streets in Old City from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

When: July 25

Deets: A daytime food truck festival featuring some of the best local eats in town.

What: Donkeys Around Town

Where: City-wide

When: Now through September 5

Deets: Donkeys Around Town is a citywide public installation of 57 fiberglass donkeys representing the 50 states, five United States territories, Washington, D.C., and Democrats Abroad. It is also the perfect opportunity to take 57 selfies around town.

What: PoliticalFest

Where: 7 Locations around the city

When: July 22 and 27.

Deets: Celebrating all things American history, US government and the road to the White House, PoliticalFest is a non-partisan display that combines multimedia and interactive displays, historical objects and special events to entertain and engage both residents and convention attendees. A bus loop courtesy of the Philly PHLASH will circulate to all seven locations during operation hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in addition to the regularly scheduled downtown loop.

Michelle Gross is a Digital Producer and Contributing Writer at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @mtothegnyc.

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New Zealand is most known for its host of natural wonders, but not everyone of us has been lucky enough to witness them for ourselves. Until now.

These photographs are from the production of a BBC television mini-series called New Zealand: Earth's Mythical Islands, which premiered in the UK on Tuesday.

SEE ALSO: This may be the world's most beautiful bike path

Narrated by actor Sam Neill, you'll catch glimpses of Snares Islands penguins waddling along a coast, sheep assembling along the country's lush greenery and serene mountains that "the land of the long white cloud" seems to be abounded with.

Just take us there already, please.

penguin

Image: bbc/mark macewan

penguin

Image: bbc/mark mcewan

penguin

Image: BBC/Mark MacEwen

penguin

Image: BBC/Mark MacEwen

bug

Image: BBC/Nick Easton

fishing

Image: BBC/Nick Easton

sheep

Image: BBC/Nick Easton

sheep

Image: BBC/Nick Easton

champagne

Image: BBC/Nick Easton

kea

Image: BBC/Tom Walker

glow worms

Image: BBC/Alex Hasskerl

snails

Image: BBC/James Reardon

Fantail

Image: BBC/Tom Walker

bbc

Image: BBC/Claire Thomspon

tuatura

Image: BBC/Christina Karliczek
Mee rebus, a dish featuring egg noodles with thick spicy-sweet sauce Mee rebus, a dish featuring egg noodles with thick spicy-sweet sauce

SilkAir, the full-service regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has just released a new All-Time Favourites menu for their Business Class customers.

Featuring 20 dishes drawn from Muslim, Indian, Chinese and Western cuisines, the menu features typical Singaporean favourites such as mee rebus, nasi lemak, chicken rice and fried carrot cake.

The dishes we have curated for the All-Time Favourites menu is a reflection of SilkAirs multi-cultural Singaporean heritage and also pays tribute to the 49 diverse destinations that we fly to, said SilkAirs chief executive Foo Chai Woo.



Travellers flying Business Class on SilkAir can choose one dish of their choice up to 24 hours in advance before their flight via the SilkAir or Singapore Airlines websites, through their respective reservations offices, or through travel agents.

The menu will be available for all meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Travellers who do not indicate their choice before departure will still be able to choose from two standard meal options that will be available on each flight.
From Cosmopolitan

Newly engaged Pippa Middleton had a public appearance yesterday and spent the whole time awkwardly hiding her left hand, reportedly because she had gotten engaged to James Matthews, her super-wealthy hedge fund manager boyfriend.

Today, it's officially official. "Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr. James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday, July 17 and plan to marry next year," they said in a statement released today, according to People, and now Pippa is ready to show off that all-important ring. Let your left hand shine, Pippa! Shall we have a look-see?

Here she is leaving her house today in London this morning with her ring finger positioned right toward the cameras:

(In case you're wondering, she's wearing a white lace dress from Whistles, also a favorite brand of her sister's.)

The ring, according to the Daily Mail, is a "flawless Asscher diamond set in an octagonal halo ring" estimated to be worth more than $250,000. 

Pippa and James are said to have gotten engaged while they were visiting England's picturesque Lake District, when James got down on one knee and proposed.

As she was leaving her house, she said that she "couldn't be happier," which seems to be the all-around sentiment. "They make a wonderful couple and we wish them every happiness together," her dad Michael Middleton said in a statement, while big sister Kate said this through a spokesperson at Kensington Palace: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are absolutely delighted with the news." I, for one, am delighted that Kate will be serving as matron of honor in the wedding next year (she has to be, right?)

Congrats to the happy couple!

Follow Helin on Instagram.
Pippa Middleton has only been engaged for a matter of days, and already she's going to have to start thinking about her wedding party.

The British socialite's upcoming nuptials to fiance James Matthews will include quite the high-profile guest list, with royalty on her side of the family -- and a reality star on his.

WATCH: Pippa Middleton is Engaged to James Matthews!

Pippa's fiance is in fact the older brother of former British Bachelor Spencer Matthews.

Spencer has made his way around the reality show circuit, first as an original cast member of Made in Chelsea in 2011. A year later, he starred on the U.K. version of The Bachelor, before returning to Made in Chelsea after failing to find lasting love.

CHANNEL 5

Spencer remained on the show until 2015, briefly participating in I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! that same year, before nabbing himself a hosting gig on the talk show Loose Women in 2016.

While Spencer is sure to attract attention with his participation in the wedding party, attention is exactly what Middleton's sister, Kate, is hoping to avoid.

In fact, some have speculated that the Duchess of Cambridge might not be in the bridal party as matron of honor, even though Pippa was Kate's maid of honor in her 2011 wedding to Prince William.

Getty Images

"I think Kate is going to be very aware of her status," royals expert Katie Nicholl told ET. "As future queen, I don't think she's going to be matron of honor, [but] of course we'll have to wait and see."

"I think she'll have a really important role behind the scenes and of course on the big day she will be there," she added.

Instead, Kate might just participate in Pippa's big day by doing a reading, like their brother James did at her wedding, although her children, Prince George, 2, and Princess Charlotte, 1, might have their own roles in the ceremony.

"If anyone is going to upstage anyone on Pippa's wedding day, it's going to be the Prince and Princess," Nicholl said. "There's a rumor [Prince George] will be asked to be a page boy, possibly if its late summer, [and] Princess Charlotte will be old enough to be a flower girl."

Story continues

ETONLINE

WATCH: Pippa Middleton Continues Her Reign as Wimbledon's Fashion Queen in Chic Retro Dress

While Pippa definitely has a lot of planning to do, for now, she appears to be enjoying her engagement -- and that gorgeous ring!

See more in the video below.

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We shouldn't have to say this, but don't play Pokemon Go and drive.

The Baltimore Police Department released body cam footage, which captured a man crashing his vehicle into a parked police cruiser.

In the clip, which occurred on Monday at approximately 3:30 a.m., officers can be seen standing on the sidewalk next to a parked police car on the corner of an intersection. In the distance Toyota Rav4 can be seen traveling through the intersection, and striking the police car before continuing down the block. Fortunately, the police car was empty.

SEE ALSO: 'Pokemon Go'-starved student in Singapore draws her own game on Snapchat

When the driver exited the vehicle, he admitted that he was distracted playing Pokemon Go.

"That's what I get for playing this dumbass game," the driver said with his phone in hand.

Thankfully, the driver and passengers were uninjured in the crash.

Of course this isn't the first time the augmented reality video game distracted gamers from the real world around them.

Last week, two young men were rescued after falling off of a cliff in California and a man crashed into a tree in Auburn, New York, while playing. Both incidents occurred because the people involved were distracted.
By Hasmik Mkrtchyan YEREVAN (Reuters) - Police on Wednesday clashed with hundreds of demonstrators who had gathered in a show of support for gunmen holding several hostages in a police station in the Armenian capital Yerevan. The police fired tear gas and detonated smoke grenades after protesters began throwing stones at them. A crowd of several hundred had earlier gathered outside the station to express support for the group, which has been holding the hostages since Sunday. The hostage-takers' main demand is for the release of Jirair Sefilian, an opposition leader whom authorities in the ex-Soviet republic have accused of plotting civil unrest. Sefilian was jailed in June over allegations of illegally possessing weapons. Wednesday's violence began when demonstrators tried to force their way into the building after the police refused to take in food brought by the demonstrators for the hostage-takers. The police told Reuters that several policemen had been injured. A Reuters witness also saw a number of injured demonstrators. Shots were also heard during the clashes, although it was unclear who had fired them or whether anyone had been hit. The situation appeared to be calming down towards late evening as demonstrators dispersed. One police officer had been killed and two wounded when the armed men seized the police station on Sunday. [nL8N1A306D] Sefilian, a former military commander, has accused President Serzh Sarksyan of mishandling a long-running conflict between pro-Armenian separatists and the breakaway Azeri region of Nagorno-Karabakh. A Moscow-brokered ceasefire halted four days of violence in the South Caucasus region on April 5, the worst flare-up in years, but sporadic shooting persists at night and some deaths have been reported. (Reporting By Hasmik Mrktchyan, writing by Jason Bush)
By Anuradha Nagaraj CHENNAI, India (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Over the last two years, G Prakash Raj, a charity worker from India's Tamil Nadu state, has received hundreds of yellow postcards. Each reads the same. Sent by a migrant child, the postcard informs Raj that the child is safely back home, and more importantly, back in school. The postcard program was launched in Tamil Nadu in 2014 as a way of tracking the education of some of the more than 10 million children who are estimated to migrate with their families to different parts of India every year. "When they are at work sites with their parents, we try and ensure they get basic access to education," said Raj, who works for Aide et Action, a non-governmental group which is collaborating with the education department to keep migrant children in school. "When they head back to their villages six months later, they need to go back to school. Tracking that has been a big challenge," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Under the Indian Right to Education Act, every child between the age of four and 16 should be enrolled in school, but government data shows up to six million children aged between six and 13 are out of school in India. Under the postcard program, the first to track the education of migrant children across state borders, migrant families working in Tamil Nadu are given a postcard when they head home. They are required to get it signed and stamped by the principal of the village school and send it back to Aide et Action. "In the postcard, the principal writes back to us saying that the child has been enrolled back in school. It's just a note but we are able to track a child's academics through it," said an official at education department, requesting anonymity. Last year, 547 postcards were sent back with migrant families from areas around Chennai and 495 came back saying that the children had been successfully enrolled in school. To ensure the children are back in school, volunteers working with the education department travel to the home states and cross check enrollment. Families who do not send back a postcard are traced back to their villages and counseled to enroll their children in school. In Tamil Nadu, most migrants tracked are from the eastern Indian state of Odisha. The success of the postcard program has prompted similar initiatives in other migration hubs across India, including in the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh. Although India's law allows children to go to any school in the country, an education department official said that a language barrier kept many migrant children out of school. India, a country of 1.2 billion people, has 22 official languages and dozens more that are spoken across its 29 states. "We are fixing that slowly," said the official, who declined to be named. "We are bringing people and books from home states to help the children in a language they are familiar with." (Reporting by Anuradha Nagaraj, Editing by Katie Nguyen.; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking and climate change. Visit www.trust.org)
barack obama sweating getty

President Obama warned Americans today that the US is going to get astonishingly hot this weekend.

In eastern Missouri and southern Illinois, an area that includes St. Louis, the National Weather Service (NWS) predicts a high of 97 degrees Fahrenheit Thursday, 100 degrees Friday, and 97 degrees Saturday. The government has issued an excessive heat warning for the area because the heat index, which factors in humidity (and gives a better idea of how hot it will actually feel), is expected to rise to 111 degrees.

That's knock-you-on-your-butt weather, but it's not even the worst the NWS says people should expect.

In Phoenix, Arizona the agency predicts highs of 111 degrees Thursday, 112 degrees Friday, and 111 degrees Saturday. And that's raw temperature  not heat index. An excessive heat watch has been issued for that period, but it's not like things are going to get much better once its over: On Sunday, residents of the city can expect a high of 108.

Phoenix weekend weather

And across the US, things are going to be pretty uncomfortable. Temperatures in New York City should rise into the low 90s this weekend, according to the NWS  though Weather.com predicts a high of 97 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday. In either case, the heat index could hover around 100 degrees.

Similar weather will hold across much of the Midwest, South, East Coast, Texas, and the Southwest. (Now's a great time to live in Seattle, people.) A few more areas, like the region around the Georgia-South Carolina border threaten Heat Indices around or over 110 degrees.

Here's President Obama's Tweet warning Americans about the heat situation:

This map says it all. Stay safe as it heats up: Drink water, stay out of the sun, and check on your neighbors. pic.twitter.com/c1qFTmq2IV  President Obama (@POTUS) July 20, 2016

The President's warning falls in line with advice from the NWS for dealing with heat: Stay indoors, drink lots of water, find local cooling centers if you don't have access, and don't leave children, the elderly, pets, or anyone else with limited mobility alone in a car.

Story continues

We shouldn't be surprised to see news like this in 2016. This year has already been so hot that, as Sarah Kramer reported for Tech Insider, NASA's taken the unusual step of announcing midway through the year that there's a "99% chance" we're living through the hottest year on record.

Thankfully, 2017 should offer some respite with the arrival of La Nina. But that should be just a temporary break from a string of hottest years as the planet continues to warm, with devastating consequences.

NOW WATCH: Scientists predict that summers in New York City could claim thousands of lives in the future





More From Business Insider


July 20 (Reuters) - The following are the top stories on the New York Times business pages. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

- Twitter barred Milo Yiannopoulos, one of the most egregious and consistent offenders of its terms of service, in an attempt to show that it is cracking down on abuse. http://nyti.ms/29TrQqz

- After a lawsuit was filed against high-speed train start-up Hyperloop One, accusing some of its top figures of harassment and mismanagement, the company sued the plaintiffs in the original case accusing the four men - one of whom is a company co-founder - of trying to start a competing venture and to poach employees to do so. http://nyti.ms/29U6SJa

- A Brazilian judge in a state criminal court in Rio de Janeiro, ordered a nationwide shutdown of WhatsApp after the messaging service, owned by Facebook, did not turn over user data requested by authorities as part of a criminal investigation. Brazil's Supreme Court overturned the order in a few hours. http://nyti.ms/2asNvYH

- Microsoft, in its quarterly earnings, offered strong signs that its cloud business was growing quickly. Revenue from Azure, a business Microsoft started to compete in cloud computing with Amazon, the market leader, rose more than 100 percent in the quarter. http://nyti.ms/29SNuSa (Compiled by Sangameswaran S in Bengaluru)
From ELLE DECOR

Update 07/19/16: Paisley Park wasn't the only Minnesota property Prince owned.

Last year, we reported that the Chanhassen home where Prince's character and his family lived in the 1984 film "Purple Rain" was for sale. Now, public records list the late musician as the buyer, according to Curbed. Turns out, Prince loved his hometown even more than we thought. In fact, The Current reports that Prince owned several other properties in the Twin Cities area, in addition to his homes in Turks & Caicos, Spain, and Los Angeles.

According to The Current, the house  which needs some TLC  is officially owned by one of Prince's companies, NPG Music Publishing, and is now being managed by Bremer Trust.

If you're hoping to get a look as to how the star really lived, hold tight: Prince's Paisley Park home is set to be converted into a Graceland-like attraction soon.

h/t: Curbed

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Previously 06/27/15: If ruffly shirts and platform shoes aren't your thing, there's another way to live out your secret Prince fantasies. A small fixer-upper in Minneapolis, where Prince's character and parents lived in the 1984 film "Purple Rain," just went on the market for a song. (See what we did there?)

The two-bedroom home is being sold for just $110,000 and "needs to be rehabbed," according to the Coldwell Banker listing. The 1,348-square-foot building has anunfinished basement as well as a kitchen and bathroom in serious need of updating. But its charming exterior and significance in pop culture may be worth the extra work.

Earlier this year, Prince's real-life Beverly Hills home sold for $5.5 million - 50 times the asking price for this house. The Los Angeles Times described the pop star as a "perpetual renter," saying Prince sold the Beverly Hills house in 1997 and it was the only Los Angeles-area place he ever owned.

Story continues

Prince records his music and shoots many of his videos inhis hometown of Chanhassen, Minnesota at his massive recording complex, PaisleyPark Studios. The Purple Rain home is just a half-hour drive away.

Take a closer look at the property in the photos below.

h/t Curbed

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The beleaguered estate of Prince could face further problems, this time from Italy. As previously reported, an Italian court ruled that Prince's 1994 hit, "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" was plagiarized from a 1983 song by two Italian writers, Bruno Bergonzi and Michele Vicino.

That sentence has since been confirmed by Italy's notoriously slow-moving judiciary and, now that Prince is no longer with us, the composers are keen for the matter to be resolved.

Bruno Bergonzi tells Billboard that the song that he co-wrote with Michele Vicino was called "Takin' Me to Paradise" and was published by Warner Chappell Italy. Bergonzi says: "The recording artist was 'Raynard. J, which was the pseudonym of Jay Rolandi, a session vocalist who also sang with the Italian disco group Firefly. The song wasn't a big hit, but it did appear on a number of compilations that were distributed internationally. It continues to re-appear in DJ remixes."

Prince Rebuffed In Italian Plagiarism Case

Bergonzi and Vicino first took Prince to court in 1995. Italian court rulings have three rounds of verdicts and cases often drag on for more than 20 years. The first ruling, made by the Rome court in 2003, actually went against Bergonzi and Vicino, but they won on appeal in 2007. The third and final sentence was handed down by the "court of cassation" in May 2015 (when Prince was still alive).

Under the latest ruling, Prince's estate is barred from distributing "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" in Italy. The sentence must be published, at Prince's expense, in two Italian national dailies and two specialist music magazines. Bergonzi says that, "This has yet to happen." Bergonzi and Vicino's publishers, Warner Chappell Italy, are also required to notify Prince, although this Bergonzi says that "as far as we know, this has likewise yet to happen." He adds: "The American legal authorities did, we believe, make various attempts to deliver the verdict to Prince's Paisley Park residence but couldn't find anyone home!"

Story continues

How Prince's Death Was Covered by Newspapers Around the Globe

One aspect of the sentence that has been respected is that Italian collecting society SIAE now recognizes Bergonzi and Vicino as the authors of "The Most Most Beautiful Girl in the World" and Bergonzi says that "we have begun to receive some royalty payments." He adds: "The court has also ruled that we should receive compensation for 'moral rights,' although under the Italian legal system that doesn't amount to a large amount of money."

Spokespeople for Warner Chappell Publishing Italy could not be reached for comment.
By Natalia Zinets and Margaryta Chornokondratenko KIEV (Reuters) - An award-winning journalist working for the online investigative website Ukrayinska Pravda was killed by a car bomb in central Kiev early on Wednesday morning, in what President Petro Poroshenko said was an attempt to destabilise Ukraine. Pavel Sheremet, a Belarussian known for his criticism of his home country's leadership and his friendship with the slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, was driving to work in the car of the website's owner when it was blown up. The killing was a throwback to the days of violence against journalists that Ukraine, under a pro-Western leadership since the 2014 Maidan protests, hoped to have shed. "It seems to me this was done with one aim in mind - to destabilise the situation in the country, possibly ahead of further events," Poroshenko said in televised comments. He has asked experts from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to join the murder investigation in the interests of "maximum transparency." In a statement, the U.S. State Department expressed shock at the killing and said the FBI had begun to assist Ukrainian authorities in their investigations. Earlier, senior Interior Ministry officials said they could not rule out Russian involvement in the murder. CONCERN IN THE KREMLIN In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The murder of a Russian citizen and journalist in Ukraine is a very serious cause for concern in the Kremlin." Sheremet, who was given Russian citizenship after fleeing political persecution in Belarus, had told Reuters in October that he no longer felt comfortable visiting Moscow, where he worked for twelve years as a TV journalist. "I'm threatened often and given hints. Every time I go to Moscow, it's like I'm in a minefield," he said in an interview. He also said Ukraine needed strong, independent media to counter the influence of outlets controlled by the country's powerful business tycoons. "Now the problem of freedom of speech and objective journalism is becoming again a serious issue," he said. "As far as internal politics is concerned, I can see oligarchic games again, black PR, the use of media to settle scores and solve political problems." Sevgil Musayeva-Borovyk, the editor-in-chief of Ukrayinska Pravda, which has made its name exposing corruption, called him "very brave". It was not clear whether the bomb had been set off by remote control or a timer. NEMTSOV'S FUNERAL Sheremet's friend Nemtsov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, had been working on a report examining the Russian military's role in the Ukraine crisis when he was shot dead in central Moscow last year. Sheremet led tributes at his memorial service. "The last time we met was at the funeral of Boris Nemtsov, and of course I couldn't have known that a similar thing would happen to Pavel," Anatoly Lebedko, leader of the Belarussian opposition party United Civil Party, told Reuters. In 2002, Sheremet won a journalism prize from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for his reporting on human rights violations in Belarus, including the disappearances of opposition politicians and journalists. The OSCE called on Wednesday for action to address the safety of journalists in Ukraine. The founder of Ukrayinska Pravda, Georgiy Gongadze, was an investigative journalist who was murdered 16 years ago, his decapitated body discovered in a forest outside Kiev. The incident helped to precipitate the Orange Revolution of 2004/05, which resulted in an election re-run and the victory of an opposition presidential candidate. (Reporting by Natalia Zinets, Sergei Karazy, Alessandra Prentice and Margaryta Chornokondratenko in Kiev, Jack Stubbs and Maria Tsvetkova in Moscow, Andrei Makhovsky in Minsk, and Mohammad Zargham in Washington; Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by John Stonestreet and Diane Craft)
By Natalia Zinets and Margaryta Chornokondratenko KIEV (Reuters) - An award-winning journalist working for the online investigative website Ukrayinska Pravda was killed by a car bomb in central Kiev early on Wednesday morning, in what President Petro Poroshenko said was an attempt to destabilize Ukraine. Pavel Sheremet, a Belarussian known for his criticism of his home country's leadership and his friendship with the slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, was driving to work in the car of the website's owner when it was blown up. The killing was a throwback to the days of violence against journalists that Ukraine, under a pro-Western leadership since the 2014 Maidan protests, hoped to have shed. "It seems to me this was done with one aim in mind - to destabilize the situation in the country, possibly ahead of further events," Poroshenko said in televised comments. He has asked experts from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to join the murder investigation in the interests of "maximum transparency." In a statement, the U.S. State Department expressed shock at the killing and said the FBI had begun to assist Ukrainian authorities in their investigations. Earlier, senior Interior Ministry officials said they could not rule out Russian involvement in the murder. CONCERN IN THE KREMLIN In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The murder of a Russian citizen and journalist in Ukraine is a very serious cause for concern in the Kremlin." Sheremet, who was given Russian citizenship after fleeing political persecution in Belarus, had told Reuters in October that he no longer felt comfortable visiting Moscow, where he worked for twelve years as a TV journalist. "I'm threatened often and given hints. Every time I go to Moscow, it's like I'm in a minefield," he said in an interview. He also said Ukraine needed strong, independent media to counter the influence of outlets controlled by the country's powerful business tycoons. "Now the problem of freedom of speech and objective journalism is becoming again a serious issue," he said. "As far as internal politics is concerned, I can see oligarchic games again, black PR, the use of media to settle scores and solve political problems." Sevgil Musayeva-Borovyk, the editor-in-chief of Ukrayinska Pravda, which has made its name exposing corruption, called him "very brave". It was not clear whether the bomb had been set off by remote control or a timer. NEMTSOV'S FUNERAL Sheremet's friend Nemtsov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, had been working on a report examining the Russian military's role in the Ukraine crisis when he was shot dead in central Moscow last year. Sheremet led tributes at his memorial service. "The last time we met was at the funeral of Boris Nemtsov, and of course I couldn't have known that a similar thing would happen to Pavel," Anatoly Lebedko, leader of the Belarussian opposition party United Civil Party, told Reuters. In 2002, Sheremet won a journalism prize from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) for his reporting on human rights violations in Belarus, including the disappearances of opposition politicians and journalists. The OSCE called on Wednesday for action to address the safety of journalists in Ukraine. The founder of Ukrayinska Pravda, Georgiy Gongadze, was an investigative journalist who was murdered 16 years ago, his decapitated body discovered in a forest outside Kiev. The incident helped to precipitate the Orange Revolution of 2004/05, which resulted in an election re-run and the victory of an opposition presidential candidate. (Reporting by Natalia Zinets, Sergei Karazy, Alessandra Prentice and Margaryta Chornokondratenko in Kiev, Jack Stubbs and Maria Tsvetkova in Moscow, Andrei Makhovsky in Minsk, and Mohammad Zargham in Washington; Writing by Matthias Williams; Editing by John Stonestreet and Diane Craft)
PARIS (Reuters) - Armed protesters fired at police, lightly wounding five, during overnight confrontations in an area north of Paris over the death of a young man in police custody, local officials said on Wednesday. Officials made no link to last week's militant attack in the coastal city of Nice, in which nearly 90 people were killed by a speeding truck, but France and its security forces remain on tenterhooks. The protests in the Val d'Oise area were sparked when a 24-year-old died after being arrested, deputy prosecutor Francois Capin-Dulhoste told Reuters. Capin-Dulhoste said the man had suffered a heart problem during transportation to the police station, but that the cause of death was being investigated. Family members said police hit the man as they detained him for trying to prevent the arrest of his brother on suspicion of violence and extortion. "About a hundred individuals ... came looking for the law enforcement forces after a person died at the premises of the gendarmerie in Beaumont (town)," Jean-Simon Merandat, director of the Val d'Oise prefect's office, told France Info radio. "Things are calm now and we have about 130 gendarmes and other police on the spot," he said. Capin-Dulhoste said five police sustained gunshot wounds from firearms, and a sixth was wounded in physical violence from a protester. Merandat said the firearms used by the protesters were probably hunting weapons. It was not clear if protesters were wounded in the standoff, but one arrest was made, the police said. Weeks of rioting erupted in Paris's often grim suburbs in 2005 after the death of youths electrocuted when they hid from police in a power hub. (Reporting By Brian Love and Chine Labbe; Editing by John Irish and Raissa Kasolowsky)
By Rupam Jain NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Protesters from India's low-caste community blocked roads and attacked government buses in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state on Wednesday in a third day of demonstrations over the flogging of four men accused of skinning a cow. The four members of the Dalit community were last week tied to a car in Gujarat state, stripped and flogged with sticks by self-styled hardline Hindu cow protectors who then published a video of the attack as a "warning" to others. The beatings sparked the most serious protests by Dalits in years in Gujarat, with seven youths trying to kill themselves in protest by taking pesticide in different parts of the state, an act that further inflamed tempers. A police officer was killed on Tuesday during clashes in Una, 340 km (210 miles) from Gujarat's main city, Ahmedabad, where the tannery workers were attacked. Cows are revered in Hinduism and their slaughter is banned in most Indian states including Gujarat, where Modi ruled as chief minister for a decade and spearheaded a 2011 ban. Dalits in the state, however, said they earn their livelihood from skinning cows that die naturally, buffalos and other animals, and vowed to fight anyone trying to stop them from doing so. "We are the poorest but we are not cowards," Mayur Dabhia, a leader of the Dalit campaign group in Ahmedabad. Police are investigating whether the flogged men killed the cow or whether it was already dead. Dalits are at the bottom of India's ages-old social hierarchy, making them vulnerable to attacks perpetrated by self-styled cow-protecting vigilantes. The vigilantes chase trucks transporting cattle and raid slaughter houses. Several people accused of eating beef have also been attacked, including a Muslim man who was last year beaten to death by a mob in a town near New Delhi. Opposition lawmakers disrupted parliament on Wednesday to protest against the floggings in Gujarat and demanded Modi apologize to the victims. "The recent shocking incident in Gujarat where four Dalit youths were savagely beaten and humiliated publicly is just one example of the social terror this government condones," Sonia Gandhi, president of the opposition Congress party told supporters, Indian media reported. Critics say Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party's Hindu nationalist agenda empowers hardline activists to believe they can take matters into their hands and target minority groups like Dalits and Muslims involved in the cattle trade. Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the attack in Gujarat and said Modi was committed to the protection of low-caste people. (additional reporting by Amit Dave in AHMEDABAD and Tommy Wilkes in NEW DELHI; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani, Robert Birsel)
By James Pearson SEOUL (Reuters) - "Now we'll begin a mathematics review assignment for members of the 27th expeditionary unit of the distance learning university," the woman's voice crackled over the radio. "Turn to page 459, question 35; 913, question 55; 135, question 86." Isolated North Korea has restarted coded radio broadcasts, presumed to be targeted at its spies, for the first time in 16 years this month, South Korea said on Wednesday. The messages, a recording of which was broadcast by South Korean TV channel KBS, were disguised as a mathematics lesson for distance learners and reappeared on North Korean radio station Voice of Korea in the early hours of Friday. North and South Korea are still technically at war after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in a truce, not a peace treaty, and tensions are running high. North Korea, which has carried out a string of rocket and nuclear weapons tests in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions, said on Wednesday it had conducted a ballistic missile test that simulates strikes against South Korean ports and airfields used by the U.S. military, apparently referring to three missile launches on Tuesday. Those missile launches were seen as a show of force a week after South Korea and the United States chose a site in the South to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system to counter threats from the North. FOR YOUR SPIES ONLY The radio messages, also known as numbers stations, work by broadcasting strings of seemingly random numbers over shortwave signals to an agent in the field. The technique, a method of sending one-way secret messages, dates to the French Resistance in World War Two and is still in use by some governments today. South Korea jams most North Korean radio frequencies but Pyongyang-based Voice of Korea broadcasts on shortwave signals which can be picked up far beyond the Korean peninsula, and are difficult to jam. The receiving agent, armed with a radio and a pen, uses an easily concealed pad with corresponding letters on it to listen to and decrypt the secret message. "(North Korean) numbers broadcasts have been on hold for quite some time but have recently resumed, something we think is very regrettable," Jeong Joon-hee, a spokesman for South Korea's unification ministry, told a media briefing on Wednesday. It was not clear whether the signals were meant to deceive or deliver genuine instructions. "I can't speak to their intentions, but we hope that the North will refrain from an old practice like this and behave in a manner that's conducive to improving South-North ties," Jeong said. Seoul has also operated a numbers station, former agents told Reuters in 2013. Officials at the National Intelligence Service were not immediately able to confirm their use. South Korea's station is known as "V-24" to amateur radio enthusiasts who have tracked the source of the signal to a location somewhere south of the Demilitarized Zone separating the two Koreas, and has been known to begin with a scratchy rendition of Beethoven's Piano Sonata No 8. (Additional reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Raf Simons sent shockwaves rippling through the fashion industry when he announced his resignation as Creative Director of Dior last October. But rumors are rife that he could be about to make a major comeback at the helm of Calvin Klein.

The Belgian designer left Dior last fall after three years of overseeing the womenswear creations for the prestigious French fashion house, citing the need to redress his work-life balance. "It's a decision founded on one hand by my desire to concentrate on other centers of interest in my life, notably my own label, as well as the passions that motivate me beyond my professional activities," he said at the time. His gaping absence at the house was finally remedied last week, when the house revealed that Valentino Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri will be stepping into his shoes.

Calvin Klein, meanwhile, has been undergoing a tumultuous period of its own. The all-American classic brand has apparently been sitting on the news of a new star designer since April, following the revelation that it was parting ways with Francisco Costa and Italo Zucchelli, the respective heads of its womenswear and menswear departments. This move, however, was precipitated by the brand as part of its new strategy to unify the two entities. A statement from Calvin Klein at the time read: "A new brand direction will ultimately follow one creative vision across all categories of the business."

Could Simons be the man taking on that role? The industry certainly suspects so, pointing out the ease with which his modern and elegant approach could be used to revive the iconic US label. Klein himself fanned the flames during a radio interview on Sirius XM when, as reported, he said of the brand: "They won't announce [who it is] publicly because it's under contract. But the whole industry knows." WWD reports that an official announcement is widely excepted this August at the latest, and with the Spring / Summer 2017 shows starting up in September, the race is on.
RB Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams

There is so much you can say about Todd Gurley, and lots of news to support it. Its also all very good. The latest example is the Rams all everything running back offering some advice to Georgia player Nick Chubb, who is currently rehabbing an injured knee.

When asked what he would say to Chubb about a knee injury, Gurley said:

Just think about all that hard work you did. Dont worry about the knee, trust it and work hard,

In an interview, courtesy of Seth Emerson at the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Rams running back was promoting the new Gatorade product, Beat the Heat as a new endorser for the beverage company.

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Todd Gurley, who also had a knee injury while at Georgia, had a much easier rehab as his was a clean ACL tear. Nick Chubbs was labeled as a significant tear, involving multiple ligaments.

Chubb, who has healed as scheduled, will be able to participate when Georgia opens camp with no limitations. If there are any, it may be more of the mental kind, than the actual physical. Something Gurley found to be no big deal.

The Rams running back also offered this as advice for Chubb and his rehab:

Thats why you went through the whole process, to make sure the knee is stable, Gurley said. So its not going to mess up. Just trust in your work that you did for rehab and your training. And Im sure he will be fine.

Great advice from a guy who can say, been there, done that.

The post Rams Todd Gurley offers advice to Georgia RB appeared first on Cover32.
The reason why emojis are being used to teach sex ed

The reason why emojis are being used to teach sex ed

When it comes to communicating, weve come to knowand loveeverything to do with emojis, all day, every day. Theyre kind of our second language, if emojis counted in school instead of French or Spanish.

Or, more to the point, why say it with words when you can say it with a pineapple, or a ghost? Or a pizza?

via GIPHY

But now, emojis are being used for a very different reason, and its kind of awesome. The New York Times reports that NYCs Health and Hospitals department is now using emojis to talk about sex ed with teens.

Peaches, monkeys, and eggplants, oh my!

You probably already knew that there was no way to avoid the infamous eggplant. And starting this week, any number of emojisthe peach and the eggplant includedwill pop up in Facebook and Instagram feeds across the city, targeting kids age 12-21 who might need access to sound advice for sexual health questions, STD testing, or pregnancy prevention.

Once they click on the site, theyll get directions to youth health services across the city that give them free access to healthcare. And, most of the time, they dont need their parents permission. Its confidential, its safe, its totally necessary.

Richard Zapata, the outreach and education manager for population health, told the Times that parents are avoiding awkward conversations at home, sometimes because of a religious or cultural reason, meaning that teens just dont get the information they need.

Its hard to talk to someone about pregnancy testing, Zapata said. Those conversations arent really happening that much at home.

But with this new initiative, doctors and other healthcare workers hope to get as many teens as possible tested and armed with information.

Were taking away all of the excuses for adolescents not to enroll in health care, Dr. Warren Seigel, the director of adolescent medicine at Coney Island Hospital, told the Times.

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And so far, its working. Teens that Zapta has talked to love it. They were like, This is it, he said. This is the way were talking.

We think its awesome that sex is being talked about in such an open, inclusionary way and hope this models used around the country to let teens know about the birds, the bees, and the emojis.

The post The reason why emojis are being used to teach sex ed appeared first on HelloGiggles.
As expected, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has gone ahead with the filing of lawsuits in an attempt to freeze assets connected to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal.

The FBI says that some $3.5 billion has been misappropriated from the Malaysian government backed fund. Money or assets that passed through the U.S. or the U.S. banking system would be subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

The suits were filed in Los Angeles and seek to seize properties involved in and traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money misappropriated from 1MDB, Reuters reported.

Named in the suits as a relevant individual is Riza Aziz, step son of the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak. Aziz was a financier and producer of 2013 Martin Scorsese film The Wolf of Wall Street, which was produced by Red Granite Pictures. The suits also name Jho Low, a financier of the movie, who received a special mention in the credits.

Razak is not directly named in the suits. The appearance of some $700 million, which many believe to have come from 1MDB, in his personal bank accounts has been the cause of huge political ructions in Malaysia.

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Washington Redskins logo

The Washington Redskins filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking a return of several trademarks on the teams name.

The appeal is expected to be heard in a federal court in Richmond, Virginia later this fall.

The team will site a poll published in the Washington Post this past May that found 9 in 10 Native Americans found little or no offense in the team name, Redskins. In that poll, the Post commissioned an extensive, and probably the most comprehensive study on the name issue to date. In what some thought would be a slam dunk for those in opposition of the name, the final result instead served as a vindication for Redskins owner Daniel Snyder.

Thats no easy task.

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At some point, despite the overwhelming minority opinion, this is an issue that deserves to be put to rest. The assumption had been that Native Americans had a resentment to the team name. A failed argument long advocated for by small groups, a majority of a liberal media, and some in the federal government, especially in the current administration.

The Washington Post poll provided a loud and definitive rebuke provided by 90% of Native Americans and their overwhelming opinion.

In the days after, several in the media, including ESPN, Peter King of MMQB, the ESPN supported publication The Undefeated, and others continued to voice opposition to the very group they were desperate to advocate for.

Problem was, the name simply doesnt offend Native Americans. Especially in a world that they cited as having bigger issues of greater concern for them, like substance abuse and unemployment.

The Washington Redskins have every right to their trademarks. In my view, this is an issue between an owner and his fan base, and the fan base has spoken.

So have Native Americans.

The post Redskins have every right to their trademarks appeared first on Cover32.
Thanks to the thaw in relations with the U.S., Cuba since January has become a Hollywood destination, attracting shoots like Furious 8, House of Lies, and the latest Transformers.

But European productions never stopped shooting in Cuba, and theyre increasingly converging there, eager to capture the countrys end-of-an-era charm before that unique look vanishes forever.

For the Italian production No Country for Young Men, a dramedy about young Italians forced by their economic woes to hustle opportunities abroad, director Giovanni Veronesi scouted off-the-radar locations such as old Havana courtyards used for illegal cockfighting and terraces atop modern high-rises where Cuban youths set up private bars and, as he describes, isolate themselves from

reality.

Parts of Havana look like bombed-out Sarajevo, Veronesi says. But then you turn around and it looks like Portofino. The production also shot on the Playas del Este beaches, just outside Havana, and on the small resort island of Cayo Largo, one hundred miles to the south.

Veronesi and producer Arturo Paglia, co-chief of Rome-based production company Paco Cinematografica, say the six-week Cuba shoot was rough, citing red tape, spotty internet connectivity, bad cellphone reception, expensive hotels, and a creative blip that soured the possibility of a co-production (despite Italy and Cuba having a co-production treaty). Paglia also recalls how President Obamas visit caused Havanas airport to shut down entirely, so that for five days, we couldnt leave or bring equipment in.

Still, he relents: In hindsight, Id advise shooting there.

For No Country, budgeted at $2.2 million, Paco enlisted the production services of Havana-based Island Film Cuba, which is also helping Showtimes House of Lies.

What the Americans are doing now, the Europeans have been doing for more than 20 years, says Renzo Trivellini, Island Films Italian co-founder.

The Yanks, he adds, are working at a much higher budget level. But that doesnt mean there wont continue to be space for smaller-scale productions from all over the world, and especially from Europe.

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Island Film also handled a smooth one-week Cuba shoot for Italian director Gabriele Muccinos upcoming road movie Summertime. We thought there would be snags, but there were none, says line producer Ferdinando Bonifazi.

Trivellini is particularly proud of the work he and his Cuban partner, Nelson Navarro, did on Irish director Paddy Breathnachs Viva, set in Havanas drag-queen scene. The Ireland/Cuba co-production made the 2016 Oscar shortlist for foreign-language film.

Havana-based lawyer and producer Lia Rodriguez underscores that Cuba has co-production treaties with many European countries, which, she says, can be a great advantage.

She and her partner, Antonio Lopez, co-produced Spanish director Felix Viscarrets TV miniseries Four Seasons in Havana, based on the crime novels of best-selling Cuban author Leonardo Padura. The production, made in tandem with Spains Tornasol Films and Germanys Nadcon, represents the first show distributed globally by the new Paris-based Wild Bunch TV unit.

Rodriguez says that though Europeans come to Cuba mainly for the locations, Cuban film institute ICAIC has a big studio facility with complementary services, which she expects international productions will be using once they start planning entire shoots in the country. Universal worked with ICAIC on Fast 8.

Italians, she notes, are spearheading the renewed European effort to forge closer cinematic ties with the island nation. Pope Francis visit to Cuba last September served as a conduit of sorts to reestablish relations, according to Rome Lazio Film Commission president Luciano Sovena. A month later Sovena hosted a Cuban delegation at Romes new MIA film and TV content mart.

Sovena had hoped that Veronesis No Country would be the icebreaker on the never-used 20-year-old co-production treaty between the two countries. But that didnt happen because Cuban authorities objected to a purported reference in the film to legalized prostitution, then did not relent even after Veronesi changed the screenplay.

The bureaucracy is a killer, Veronesi admits. But for what I got on the screen, Id say its worth it.

His advice to international indies: Get to Cuba fast. Havana is being transformed by construction, he warns. In 10 years, old Havana probably wont be there anymore.

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Kiev (AFP) - A car bomb in Kiev on Wednesday killed a pro-Western reporter from a news site whose founder was beheaded 16 years ago after probing the alleged crimes of Ukrainian leaders.

The killing of 44-year-old Pavel Sheremet added a new degree of uncertainty and fear to a former Soviet republic that is struggling with a 26-month pro-Russian eastern insurgency and going through a prolonged stretch of economic woes.

It also underscores the dangers Ukrainian reporters face despite the former Soviet republic's alliance with the West and historic break with Moscow in a 2014 pro-EU revolt.

Sheremet, a Russian national, died when his bomb-rigged car exploded while he was driving.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko immediately demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice for this "terrible tragedy".

"I am shocked -- there are no other words for it," the president wrote on Facebook.

Sheremet "was my personal friend. I sympathise with his relatives and friends."

The charred remains of Sheremet's vehicle, with all the doors open and the windshield shattered, stood on a cobbled street in central Kiev behind a police cordon as investigators worked at the scene while sirens wailed.

A taxi driver who gave his name only as Petro told AFP that the blast was so fierce that "the flames from the windscreen went up to the second floor."

"We rushed to the car and opened the door, he was lying on the floor and groaning. He was in shock from pain and his legs seemed to be broken," the driver said.

He said that witnesses called for an ambulance and started dragging Sheremet out of the burning car.

The journalist was unable to speak but was moaning from pain. He was still alive when the ambulance came.

- 'Brazen murder' -

The interior ministry called Sheremet's killing a "brazen murder" aimed at destabilising the country.

Russian national Sheremet was originally from Belarus. He was kicked out of his native country after criticising its authoritarian President Alexenader Lukashenko.

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He wrote opinion pieces and conducted interviews with senior Ukrainian officials in which he often demanded answers for the slow pace of Kiev's efforts to stamp out embedded corruption and achieve sustainable growth.

Sheremet had worked for several years at Ukrainska Pravda. Its founder Georgiy Gongadze was murdered in 2000 after opposing then-president Leonid Kuchma -- a close ally of Russia at the time.

Gongadze's killing was a national scandal that dragged on through the courts for years and at one point appeared to implicate Kuchma himself.

But Kuchma escaped conviction and no one has yet been charged with ordering Gongadze's death.

Ukrainska Pravda editor Sevgil Musaieva-Borovyk told AFP she thought Sheremet was killed because of his "professional activity".

"Why do they kill journalists in Ukraine? Someone wants to destabilise the situation in the country by doing this," the editor said.

- Russia voices 'serious concern' -

The Belarus-born Sheremet was founder of the popular Belarussky Partizan opposition news website.

He then worked for Russia's ORT television network and at one point was anchor on the country's most watched news show Vremya (Time).

He later joined Russia's state Obshestvennoye Televideniye (Public Television) before resigning after less than a year in protest against Russia's stance toward Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said "the murder of a Russian citizen and a journalist in Ukraine is cause for very serious concern in the Kremlin."

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Freedom of the Media representative Dunja Mijatovic said in a statement that "we have lost a prominent and dedicated journalist".

The killing comes as Ukraine continues to battle pro-Russian separatists in its east and is still struggling to reach stability amid political infighting and an economic collapse.

The conflict that Kiev and its allies accuse Russia of plotting and backing has claimed nearly 9,500 lives and devastated Moscow's ties with the West at time when the two are trying to find a joint solution to the Syrian war.
Chinese state-backed media has claimed that 300 Chinese Muslims are fighting with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, and authorities have blamed the violence emanating from its restive northwest on radical Islamist ideology and residents ties to foreign terrorist networks. U.S.-based experts and human rights groups have disputed both claims, arguing that Chinas repressive political and religious policies have caused the tensions and that, at any rate, the number of Uighur Islamic State fighters is negligible. But new documents, leaked by an Islamic State defector in early 2016, suggest that Beijing is likely correct about the scale of Uighur involvement with the militant movement  if not about the underlying cause.

A July 20 report from New America, a think tank in Washington, DC, examined more than 4,000 registration records of fighters who joined the Islamic State between mid-2013 and mid-2014. These rudimentary questionnaires asked basic questions of each fighter, including origin, travel history, level of education, former employment, and previous jihad experience. Analysis of the records revealed that at least 114 Chinese Uighurs, a predominantly Muslim Turkic-speaking ethnic group concentrated in the northwestern Chinese autonomous region of Xinjiang, entered Islamic State territory during that time period. Nate Rosenblatt, the author of the report and an independent Middle East/North Africa researcher, obtained the data from contacts made during his previous research in Syria.

The report indicates that Uighur Islamic State fighters were poor, unskilled, and uneducated  precisely none reported having attended college. On average, the Uighurs had the skill level of construction workers. Seventy-three percent of Uighur fighters in the sample joined the Islamic State after its conquest of the key Iraqi city of Mosul in June 2014, an event which greatly strengthened the military organization and its image as a viable state. And Uighurs in the sample had the widest age range among all the groups represented, with the youngest registered fighter aged 10 and the oldest aged 80. This likely indicates that Uighurs were more likely than other groups to have brought their families along with them. These people are extremely poor, said Rosenblatt in a phone interview with Foreign Policy. They dont have jobs. They dont have good education. They hardly travel. Because the cost of traveling  financially and psychologically  are likely very high, it appears they are moving to the Islamic State on a more permanent basis.

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The Uighurs in the sample were entirely new to jihad. When asked if they had any previous experience with jihad, 110 of the Uighurs replied that they had not; the other four left the question blank. Seventy percent of respondents indicated they had never left China before embarking for the Islamic State. Rosenblatt said this suggests the fighters are not part of traditional Islamic separatist movements that have existed in China for some time, such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a Uighur separatist organization that China and the United States have labeled a terrorist organization. Beijing often blames Xinjiang unrest on the ETIM, while maintaining that Uighurs enjoy unprecedented religious freedom in China.

The lack of previous experience with jihad and the implied lack of contact with ETIM suggests that it may not be that these fighters are as religiously motivated as some fighters with origins elsewhere, said Rosenblatt, but rather that the they are looking perhaps for a sense of belonging that they dont get in China. The Islamic State has targeted Uighurs with slick propaganda videos showcasing orderly classrooms full of children studying the Quran. That is exactly what a lot of these fighters are looking for, said Rosenblatt.

Chinese control hasnt always sat well with the Uighurs, who have resided in Xinjiang for more than 1,000 years; after the collapse of two short-lived Soviet-backed republics in the 1930s and 1940s, small uprisings against Chinese rule have occasionally broken out in the region. Since the 1990s, pockets of Uighur society have increasingly turned to Islam as way to strengthen their resolve against state administrative control and Chinese cultural encroachment.

The security situation swiftly deteriorated after 2009, when ethnic riots in Xinjiangs regional capital of Urumqi broke out between Uighurs and Han, Chinas majority ethnic group. Almost 200 perished. Regional authorities shut off internet access for months after the riots and have heavily restricted foreign journalists access to much of the region. Chinese authorities have vocally blamed religious extremism for the unrest, while outside human rights groups have decried repressive religious and political policies and preferential economic practices that have benefited Han Chinese while marginalizing Uighurs in their own homeland. Authorities have implemented policies in Xinjiang which curtail common religious practices such as fasting, praying, wearing veils, and holding informal religious study groups.

The rise of the Islamic State has roughly coincided with increased violence that has spread from Xinjiang to the rest of China. In October 2013, five died when a car crashed into a group of pedestrians near Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The al Qaeda-affiliated Turkistan Islamic Party claimed responsibility for the attack in a video, with the groups leader proclaiming on camera, O Chinese unbelievers, know that you have been fooling East Turkistan for the last sixty years, but now they have awakened, using a Uighur separatist term for Xinjiang. In February 2014, a band of knife-wielding masked attackers, later identified as Uighurs, attacked civilians at a train station in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming, killing around 30. The terrorist attack shook the nation. In October 2015, foreign-based news agencies reported that 50 people had been killed in an attack on a coal mine, apparently perpetrated by knife-wielding Uighurs against the primarily Han facility.

But despite Chinese claims of radical Islamist and ETIM involvement, its been difficult to verify what is truly transpiring on the ground, due mostly to strict information control and online censorship. Unconfirmed rumors of police massacres of civilians have swirled among Uighur expat groups.

Its also been extremely difficult to verify how many Uighurs have left China to join the Islamic State. In December 2014, citing unnamed sources, state-run Global Times reported in that 300 Chinese Uighurs were fighting alongside the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. U.S.-based experts have previously disputed that number as implausibly high.

Uighurs within China are subject to travel restrictions, with local authorities confiscating passports and refusing to issue new passports. Even so, Uighurs seem to have left China in large numbers over the past two years as Chinese authorities have cracked down in Xinjiang. Since 2014, thousands of Uighurs have arrived in Turkey, many through human smuggling networks in Southeast Asia. In a 2015 interview in Istanbul with FP, Seyit Tumturk, the vice president of World Uighur Congress, a foreign-based Uighur organization that opposes Chinese rule in Xinjiang, said that some Uighurs in Xinjiang are desperate to flee, and that sometimes the only help they can find comes from extremist organizations.

They dont allow us to live as Muslims, one Uighur refugee in Turkey told Reuters in 2015, referring to Chinese authorities. You cant pray. You cant keep more than one Koran at home. You cant teach Islam to your children. You cant fast and you cant go to Hajj. When youre deprived of your whole identity, whats the point?

PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images
From LennyLetter

The musician Mia Matsumiya has documented a lot of the online harassment she's suffered on Instagram at @perv_magnet. Her bio expresses her mission succinctly: "4'9" violinist & perv magnet. I've archived 1,000+ messages from creeps, weirdos & fetishists over the past 10 years. I've decided to post them all." An alarming amount of the abuse comes through Facebook messages, invisible to anyone but her. "Anyone ever tell you how sexy you are and how bad they wanna let you face fuck them," begins one unsolicited message from a random person that ends with a smiley face. She also posts submissions from others, one of which reads: "Hey asian whore want to get raped? I know where you live."

Matsumiya has reported her harassment to the police, but it's unclear whether she's reported the repeated abuse to the social networks themselves (as of press time, she hadn't responded to requests for comment). But Facebook knew its structure was to blame: last fall, the company changed its messaging features to remove the dreaded "Other" folder, where any user could contact you. Now, users must send requests to contact someone before they can message them, Facebook tells us, though there's still a "filtered requests" tab buried two levels deep on the desktop version of Facebook that provides a home for potentially hateful noise. Though extreme, what Matsumiya is experiencing isn't rare - a full quarter of women ages 18 to 24 report being sexually harassed online, and 26 percent report being stalked.

If you're experiencing abuse in this or one of its many, many other forms, this article's for you: it is a practical guide to understanding how to report harassment and abuse online, and what to expect from various social networks when you do.

They, unfairly, expect you to do a lot, and it sucks that so much of the burden of protecting yourself falls on you, the person being harassed. Per Matsumiya's account above, sometimes the very structure of the app you're using unnecessarily enables abuse. But many social-media services have started beefing up their trust-and-safety teams and expanding their understanding of all the ways a person can be harassed on their platforms.

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Throughout this piece, we cite examples of the abusive behaviors that drive people away from using social media, many of which were reported but turned down for action. This is not to say that these examples are necessarily against any service's terms of use, but rather to illustrate how much can fall in the gap between these different definitions of acceptable behavior.

The way you'll have to deal with harassment will vary across different platforms, but there are a few best practices that can help keep your case strong.

IN GENERAL

Screenshot, screenshot, screenshot. A lot of attacks online come from burner accounts that may be reported and suspended before you can report them yourself, and attacks may also take the form of content that is posted and then deleted, such that it may show up in an alert very briefly and then disappear once the damage is done. Keeping your own record of what is happening not only helps quantify things and keep them straight but also may help you or the platforms establish patterns across accounts or services.

Report accounts, not just content, where applicable. If a user is being relentless or conducting an attack against you, it's often appropriate to report both the content they're posting as well as the account they're using.

Escalate to law enforcement if you're in danger. Unfortunately, most platforms can't respond substantively to harassment that quickly; sometimes they may only take a few hours, but most don't guarantee a response time. If your situation is urgent, know that it's within the purview of law enforcement to respond to a direct threat (unfortunately, many of them may not understand what's going on; you may not be able to count on them to know what Twitter is, but you should at least try to get a report filed). Online harassers don't often substantiate their threats, but it's not worth the risk to assume they won't, or that since it's "just online" it should not be taken seriously.

THE SPECIFICSTwitter

The basics: Twitter's reporting forms are here. Under "Report a violation," there are different options depending on whether you wish to report harassment, impersonation, or privacy violations.

The details: Twitter has been a flash point for discussions about abuse, for good reason. Twitter "makes harassment so visible," said Anita Sarkeesian, the founder of Feminist Frequency. "The same metric we use to judge expression is the same one we use to judge harassment." That is, someone harassing you about a tweet you made is as visible to you as your own tweet.

On the back end, reports get routed to different teams depending on the content - for instance, child porn goes to a different place than someone directing violent threats at you. You can report both accounts and individual tweets, but if an account is repeatedly tweeting at you, it will be simpler to report the account rather than each individual tweet. Twitter used to notify the person you were reporting when you did so. It no longer does this.

When you report someone, Twitter will generate an email to you that becomes a thread with the support team. When Twitter decides whether what you've reported is or is not harassment, it will email you and tell you so. Twitter initially turning down even fairly obvious cases is not unusual, but that doesn't mean that's the end of the exchange. The platform allows users to reply to the support email chain with to challenge decisions and provide additional evidence if possible. Twitter is also unusual in that it allows users to report harassment happening to someone else and communicates just as actively to the person who files those reports.

An annoying thing about this process (which will hopefully change any minute) is that Twitter does not identify what you reported in the emails it generates, which can make things very confusing if you are reporting many people or tweets at once. This makes it difficult to follow up with relevant information.

Anecdote time: Last spring, I tweeted a screenshot of a rude DM sent to me by a random account. The user saw it and immediately marshaled about a dozen sock puppets to tweet repeatedly at me that I deserved to die. As I recall, Twitter found one of the sock-puppet accounts to be in violation and suspended it, but it didn't get the rest and didn't understand how to go after the account running the attack. At the time, Twitter's reporting structure couldn't accommodate this type of attack; now it can.

Facebook

The basics: For violations where you cannot report content on Facebook in context, here is the form you can use. For violations where there is context, steps are below.

The details: Facebook's real-name policy is meant to curtail certain kinds of abuse, like truly psychotic hate speech or direct threats, by making it harder to maintain an anonymous identity. However, this underestimates the crazy stuff people don't mind having attached to their real names (see below). The fact that victims' profiles must be tied to their real names also leaves them vulnerable.

Reporting content on Facebook varies slightly depending on whether the item is a posted status, a link, a photo, or something else, though pop-up menus offered through reporting and flagging buttons make it relatively easy; all the community violations options are under "This [content] doesn't belong on Facebook." Once something is reported, it's routed to your own personal "support inbox" on the service, which is useful for keeping track of what you reported and when you reported it, and lets Facebook thread replies into individual reported items.

However, if Facebook turns your request down, there's no opportunity for you to follow up; Facebook only provides shortcut buttons to deal with the problem on your own by, for instance, blocking the user.

Facebook's support terms give people a lot of leeway - the satire/humor/social commentary clause in its community standards is interpreted pretty broadly - and it can be hard to get the company to affirm violations and remove them. The company recently made statements about cracking down harder on hate speech, expanding beyond the direct-threat threshold.

Anecdote time: Facebook came under scrutiny in Germany this March for not adequately policing xenophobic and racist hate speech, a type of content condemned by the community standards, but the problem persists at home, too. Even a publicly posted NBC News story gets vicious public comments on Facebook. A March 18 post titled "Latino, Immigrant Advocates to Protest All Trump Arizona Events" received a comment from one user, Paul: "Let's keep all of the Central American immigrants, and deport Donald Trump and his racist doofus supporters." Another user, Pamela Thomas Jones, responded, "Paul lets LOCK all of them up in a cage and send them to a jungle. They are animals that belong I a cage." As a user, I had to first "hide" this comment (from only myself) in order to go through the motions of reporting it as hate speech. By the time I saw it, the comment had been up for four days. Facebook responded a couple of days later saying it did not violate the community standards.

Instagram

The basics: For a long time, Instagram did not have a form for reporting content directly to the staff; if you couldn't see the content you wanted to report (because of blocking) or couldn't describe it through built-in forms, you were out of luck. But now there is one buried deep, with There is a separate online form for reporting harassment or bullying.

The details: Instagram's format leaves some of its users particularly vulnerable to harassment and bullying, in part because the bully's tactics are highly visible, but only to the user they are attacking. A harasser might tag the victim in a disgusting photo or leave an offensive comment on an old photo, for instance - so the victim can see the harassment, but it's mostly invisible to other users. Because there's not an easy way for others to see this behavior, community enforcing doesn't help here. The fact that users must be logged in to view otherwise-public content means if they're blocked by an account harassing them, they are not even able to access the usual tools for reporting, and Instagram has limited web functionality.

Additionally, Instagram has one of the woolier reporting mechanisms. The dialog that pops up when you select a photo or account to report is quick and straightforward, but there is no room for elaboration. While Instagram is owned by Facebook, its harassment-reporting dialog structure is different. "This photo shouldn't be on Instagram" leads to the hate-speech or graphic-violence reporting options, but if you need to report harassment or bullying, you must select "This photo puts people at risk."

When you file a report with Instagram, it does not generate any feedback or confirmation beyond the "Thanks for your report" dialog: no emails, no messages. Likewise, Instagram does not generate follow-up emails to let you know what decision it's made, and there's no way to appeal a decision. Generally, Instagram decides whether to take action within 24 to 72 hours.

Anecdote time: Reports of bullying among teens are extremely common on Instagram; in one case a couple of years ago, parents sued a few boys running an account that allegedly targeted their daughter with nude photos and gave space for others to leave harassing comments. The page no longer exists, at least not in the form it did (deleting old Instagram accounts and setting up new ones is an extremely common practice). In another case, a user's ex-boyfriend used Instagram to mock her for having cancer and tell her to "kill [her]self." The parents in question did not respond to queries, and Instagram would not comment on these specific cases, but a representative stated that "Instagram has zero tolerance for threats of violence, bullying, and harassment to our community, and when instances are reported, we move swiftly to take down violating content."

Youtube

The basics: The general reporting form for YouTube is here, though you may not be able to get all the way through, depending on whether you can use its auto-generated fill-ins, which don't capture harassment happening in, for instance, a third-party video's comments.

The details: Poor YouTubers. The video service has one of the worst frameworks for reporting harassment. A lot of it is automated, but in a regimented way that burdens the reporting user, and a lot of the infrastructure makes harassers uniquely visible.

Any individual comment can be reported on a page, but reporting an individual user is three clicks deep (their profile > about > the flag icon > report user). After you work your way through the dialogs, YouTube gives you an auto-generated form that pulls the users' videos and comments on your own channel or videos and asks you to identify which of them you're complaining about. Notably, this does not allow you to systematically report a user if, say, they are leaving comments about you strewed across others' videos.

Reporting an individual comment on someone else's YouTube video generates vague feedback that sounds like nothing is being done, but the company tells us the complaint does get submitted. Per a support page, YouTube uses a "strike" system invisible to other users that will sometimes result in account termination.

The only feedback users receive indicating that their reports have done anything is if the offending video or comment is removed; reports do not generate any paper trail, and there is no dedicated interface for managing reports. YouTube does not specify how long it takes to act on reports but notes only that a staff of specialists monitors them 24/7.

Anecdote time: Again, what constitutes a threat relies on YouTube's interpretation. For instance, footage of someone playing a game called "Beat Up Anita Sarkeesian" remains posted. One commenter on the video writes, "can't you just kill the bitch instead." Despite reports, both the video and comment remain posted.

Sarkeesian also pointed out another unique form of harassment: the majority of videos that appear in the "recommended" sidebar next to her own are made and circulated by abusers. "If you watch one of my videos, you will then be recommended all of these anti-feminist videos," she said. "The related-channels function gets defaulted onto everyone's YouTube page and is populated by [YouTube's] algorithms. On my channel, it's all harassers." Sarkeesian must opt out of the recommended networks entirely, meaning her videos cannot appear in a recommended sidebar, ever, if she wants to stop this from happening, denying her a big source of traffic to her content.

Tumblr

The basics: Tumblr's page for reporting harassment or abuse.

The details: Tumblr is an extremely popular platform for anonymous users, and it has its share of problems, including cultural pockets of self-harm obsession, like pro-ana blogs. It can be a target for "raids" by subfactions of users on Reddit or 4chan, where they launch abusive attacks against users they find distasteful. The abuse policy states Tumblr will remove "overtly malicious" material or, in the case of self-harm, "active promotion or glorification."

Tumblr allows users to enter a report form from within their main dashboard, by selecting "flag post" from the three-dot menu. A short and simple set of menu options allows users to frame a report, and there's a text box at the end for contextualizing problems with the post. However, on a post's web page, there is no reporting button. In that case, users can use the abuse form directly, which has no menu options, just a text box (meaning it will be an extra step for Tumblr to sort it appropriately).

According to Tumblr, the company tries to field most complaints within 24 hours, and the ending dialog to filing a complaint says it can take "a day or two." After that period, Tumblr will follow up with an email letting you know it's looking at your complaint, though it will not follow up again to let you know what its decision was.

Anecdote time: Per usual, the lines around abuse involve a lot of interpretation on Tumblr's end. I ran across a post discussing the terms transtrender and genderspecial that a user had reblogged, telling the original poster to "run five miles into traffic in the middle of the freeway." Tumblr's abuse-and-harassment team said the team didn't find it bad enough to be taken down, though Tumblr would not explain its reasoning any further.

Casey Johnston is an editor at the Wirecutter and a freelance journalist.
donald trump john kasich

John Kasich isn't on the best terms with Donald Trump, but that apparently didn't stop Trump from making his former rival an unusual offer.

Kasich, who dropped out of the presidential race in early May after winning only his home state of Ohio, has declared that he won't endorse Trump or consider serving as his vice president, calling the entire process "painful."

While he was still in the race, he argued that Trump was "not prepared to be president of the United States," and even coordinated with Ted Cruz in a last-ditch effort to stop Trump.

Even now, Kasich won't attend the Republican National Convention, which is being held in the state he governs.

But according to an unnamed Kasich adviser who spoke with The New York Times, Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. reached out to him with an enticing proposal for the Ohio governor.

Did Kasich want to serve as vice president? More specifically, as characterized by The Times, the "most powerful vice president ever"?

Trump Jr. reportedly explained that his father's vice president would be put in charge of foreign and domestic policy. The Kasich adviser then asked what Trump himself would be in charge of if that were the case.

His reply?

"Making America great again," according to The Times.

This isn't the first time someone in Trump's inner circle has suggested that Trump isn't interested in the day-to-day work of the American presidency. In a May Huffington Post interview, Paul Manafort, now the Trump campaign manager, explained what Trump was looking for in a running mate.

"He needs an experienced person to do the part of the job he doesn't want to do," Manafort said. "He seems himself more as the chairman of the board than even the CEO, let alone the COO."

And Trump himself indicated to The New York Times a few weeks ago that he wasn't sure he'd accept the presidency if he won.

"I'll let you know how I feel about it after it happens," he said.

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NOW WATCH: 'My Little Pony': How Republicans are disputing claims that Melania Trump's RNC speech was plagiarized





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Eileen Collins, a retired astronaut who was the first female commander of a NASA space shuttle mission, will address the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.

The day is rich with symbolism, given that it is the 47th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.

Her choice to speak at the convention is a controversial decision that some spaceflight and policy experts have already decried.

But now, we know what Collins is going to talk about, and according to her, it isn't "political" in nature.

SEE ALSO: SpaceX lands another rocket in Florida after launching mission to space

"My message is meant to NOT be political," Collins said in a statement provided to Mashable.

However, her critics argue that the setting for the speech inherently makes the address political, regardless of its content.

According to Collins, her speech will focus on how the Apollo era "inspired Americans to rally behind a cause" and how the U.S. space program has slipped in recent years.

Collins said that other countries have invested more in spaceflight as U.S. funding for such ventures has remained stagnant in recent years.

"This is a chance I could not pass up: We can raise awareness of how the U.S. human space program has slowed over the years," Collins told Mashable.

"...So I tie in a message that strong countries explore, invent, and discover."

Collins plans to focus on "how we have slowed our investment in human spaceflight, while others countries are stepping up," she said.

These comments indicate that her speech will fit in well with the theme for day three of the convention, which is "Make America First Again."

Controversy within astronaut community

While Collins may not intend for her speech to be a political statement, that is exactly how some in the space community are perceiving it.

"I cant see how you can show up on a convention floor and not at least imply support of a partys candidate," John Logsdon, professor emeritus of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, told Mashable.

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Such implicit support of Donald Trump, the party's nominee for president, has many spaceflight fans and experts upset.

Former NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver, currently the head of the Airline Pilots Association, International bluntly voiced her concerns about Collins' speech in no uncertain terms on Twitter.

"Shocked Eileen is supporting this anti-science misogynist," Garver wrote in a since-deleted tweet. "Sorry her legacy is now co-opted by self-interested men."

Image: Twitter/mashable

Garver walked back her tweet a bit after the fact, saying that she may not have "displayed common sense" by tweeting.

Logsdon also mentioned that at least one Apollo-era astronaut turned down an invitation from the GOP to address the convention.

Other astronauts and space fans also voiced concerns and admiration for Collins via social media.

It's no secret that many former astronauts have been unhappy with the direction that NASA has taken under the Obama administration, given the current absence of American-launched human spaceflight missions.

"I am excited to hear that Commander Eileen Collins will be speaking at the GOP Convention in Cleveland," former astronaut Clayton Anderson said on Facebook.

"I am a HUGE Eileen Collins fan and supporter; she has brains, compassion, courage, and vision. I respect her as a person, a mother, a spouse, a Christian, and an astronaut. In addition, I agree with her thoughts on what NASA should be doing."

Unlike active astronauts, retired NASA astronauts aren't barred from taking political stances or speaking out about partisan issues.

And Collins isn't even the first astronaut to speak in front of a political convention crowd.

"Collins participation is not without precedent," Robert Pearlman, space historian and editor of collectSPACE.com, told Mashable.

John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, spoke before the Democratic National Convention in 1976, Pearlman said, adding that Glenn's speech was non-partisan in nature. Glenn, who was the first American to orbit the Earth, served as a Democratic senator from Ohio.

Collins' 3-minute speech  which should start at 8:40 p.m. ET in Cleveland  may also help to underscore the way the GOP thinks about spaceflight and space policy more generally.

A Republican platform for space

Wednesday night's speeches are all along the same theme: "Make America first again," and Collins appears to play into that angle by emphasizing how America has fallen behind in space.

In 2010, the Obama administration cancelled NASA's Constellation program  a Bush-era plan  aimed at building a new spacecraft to bring astronauts back to the moon. The U.S. had already spent about $9 billion before the program was cut, which was a move that angered many former astronauts.

Collins didn't agree with this decision, a position she made clear in testimony before the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology in February.

"I believe program cancellation decisions that are made by bureaucracies, behind closed doors, and without input by the people, are divisive, damaging, cowardly, and many times more expensive in the long run," Collins said.

Since the end of the space shuttle program NASA has relied on Russian spacecraft to fly astronauts to and from the International Space Station. That reliance is expected to end by next year, when SpaceX and Boeing are scheduled to start flying astronauts to the Space Station for the space agency, assuming Congressional funding holds.

Image: NaSA

Trump's space policy agenda

Trump has a less-than-stellar reputation in the spaceflight community. While campaigning, Trump suggested that spaceflight should be a low priority for the administration, opting instead to focus on repairing infrastructure on Earth.

Collins' speech might be a signal that a Trump administration could commit to an ambitious space exploration agenda.

The Republican Party platform this year doesn't lend much specificity to the party's position on space exploration in general.

Image: NASA

The platform does laud the public-private partnerships between NASA and private spaceflight companies and mention the need to launch more missions to maintain America's edge in space.

The platform states:

Wednesday's convention lineup includes two other speakers with close space ties. Newt Gingrich, who proposed a moon base mission during his bid for the presidency in 2012, and Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who chairs a Senate committee that oversees NASA, are both expected to speak.

A Gingrich representative indicated to Mashable that the former House speaker would not discuss space during his speech, but it's still possible that Cruz might mention space and space policy in his. Judging by Cruz's recent tweets, it's definitely possible he'll bring up American spaceflight on this anniversary.

However, judging by the lineup of discordant speeches at the convention on Monday and Tuesday, it's quite possible that Collins, Cruz and Gingrich will deliver three very different takes on the evening's theme.
The second night of the Republican National Convention gave us a television spectacle that was a schizophrenic affair, veering wildly back and forth between sweet sentimentality and vicious fear-mongering  and Im not just talking about The OReilly Factor.



The convention stage was occupied chiefly by two of Donald Trumps children, Tiffany Trump and Donald Jr., who praised their father in the generous terms youd expect from any child in this situation. While Tiffany hewed closely to autobiographical remembrances, Donald Jr. followed his own daddy praise with a crisply delivered venture into Hillary Clinton criticism, using a big chunk of his time to excoriate the Democratic candidate as someone who would be the first president who couldnt pass a basic background check  its incredible! Both sides of the cable news aisle  MSNBC and Fox News  as well as CNN praised Donald Jr.s performance extravagantly, with various channels commentators saying he crushed it, gave an amazing, impressive performance, and that on a scale of 1 to 10, this was an 11.



Related: The Unconventional Diaries: Trump seals the deal at the RNC



Preceding the Trump children was Chris Christie, whose manner could not have been more different from either of the Trumps  more scary uncle than warm comforter. He delivered one, maybe two, introductory sentences about my friend, Donald Trump, but then he went into a speech that doubled as an act: a mock trial of Clinton, her performance, and her character. He asked the audience in the hall and at home to be a jury of her peers: Im gonna present the facts in the case against Hillary Clinton  so that you can render your verdict on the basis of the facts. Before he even presented his case, conventioneers began chanting, Lock her up! Lock her up! as Christie looked on approvingly, smiling and nodding, at one point literally licking his chops. He said with a grin, Gimme a few more minutes and well get there  there being, presumably, locking up Clinton and throwing away the key.

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The New Jersey governor named seven countries in which he asserted Clinton, as secretary of state, had acted against the best interests of America, and concluded his indictment with that ever-popular villain, Hillarys email server, which violated our national security. With each country named, Christie asked, Is she guilty or not guilty? and the crowd bellowed, Guilty! again and again. The lynch-mob energy Christie stoked was striking.



Before Christie, there was Paul Ryan, who put on his future goggles and told us that the upcoming Democratic convention would be a four-day celebration of politically correct moralizing. After Christie, Ben Carson appeared to close out the night with a brief homily about the evil of one of Hillary Clintons mentors, community organizer Saul Alinsky. I must say, I was impressed at the volume of booing the mention of Alinskys name provoked, since the 1960s radical is an obscure figure to most of America these days. But I guess if Carson puts mentor after Hillary at a convention, he could have followed it with Mother Teresa and the doughty old gal would have been jeered lustily.



As usual, the broadcast networks came on for only an hour, at 10 p.m., and were left to poorly describing or badly editing the remarks Christie had made. In primetime cable, Bill OReilly commenced his Factor with a Talking Points Memo about how Trump could win the election but was soon straying into oddly old territory, condemning N.W.A. (!) for releasing the song F*** tha Police in 1988 (!). You never know when Bill is going to get some bit of pop culture stuck in his craw, and he takes it out on us until he shakes it out. At least he gave his usual pop music punching bag, Beyonce, a rest this night.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  As Donald Trump formally secured the Republican nomination for president, the size of the protests outside the arena began to grow in volume and number of people.

Most of the large demonstrations have been held in Clevelands Public Square, far removed from the Quicken Loans Arena where the convention is unfolding. Earlier in the day, shoving matches ensued among competing protesters at Public Square. Racial epithets were yelled and protesters also turned their ire on the enormous police presence throughout the city, according to local media reports.

On Tuesday evening, dozens of demonstrators made their way to downtown Clevelands Euclid Avenue. A few dozen staged a sit-in on the street near a busy intersection, although the street was already blocked off to most traffic by law enforcement.

Police on foot and on bikes dispersed the sitting demonstrators after just a few minutes. But crowds of protesters from disparate orgs  some representing the Black Lives Matter movement, some protesting war and the 1%  gathered on the sidewalk with bullhorns and anti-Trump signs. Some vociferous Trump supporters waded into the crowd with signs and bullhorns of their own.

Convention-goers heading into the arena stopped to take photos of the demonstrators. There was also a sizable contingent of self-styled social justice observers on hand from Amnesty International and the National Lawyers Guild. Volunteer medics were also rolling around on bikes.

As the crowd spelled back into the intersection of 9th Street and Euclid Avenue, a few dozen police officers turned their bikes sideways, walked slowly toward the crowd and shouted in unison move back, move back. Most did.

More law enforcement on foot came to surround the crowd, prompting complaints about unconstitutional corralling of demonstrators. But it didnt take too long for the crowd to thin out on its own.

Hanif Phelps, a martial arts teacher from Cleveland, stood on the edge of the crowd holding a sign declaring All Lives Matter  Except Muslims, Mexicans, Natives, Veterans, Refugees, Homeless, Black Folks and the Unborn. Another woman dressed in judicial robes carried a sign proclaiming Justice Ginsburg Was Right.

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Phelps said he was motivated by what he feels are dangerous views on minorities and civil liberties expressed by the Trump campaign to date.

George Carlin once said  were all Americans. We all speak English. Lets just agree on the language, he said.

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Two speakers from Arkansas took digs at Hillary Clinton during the Republican convention Tuesday.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson argued that the presumptive Democratic nominee would be a continuation of President Obamas tenure.

If you liked the last eight years, then Hillary would give you double for your trouble, he said.

Hutchinson has crossed paths with the Clintons before. In the 1980s, he sent Bill Clintons half-brother, Roger, to jail on cocaine charges. After only a year in Congress, he served as an impeachment manager against Bill Clinton.

Early in the Republican primary, however, he said the scandal had no place in the 2016 election.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge also spoke Tuesday. She began by noting that she serves in the same office that launched Bill Clintons career, arguing the couple is corrupt.

Hillary is a lawyer, but she acts like the law doesnt apply to her, she told the convention.

U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, a rising star out of Arkansas, spoke on Monday night, though he did not take the opportunity to discuss the Clintons.
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for years only half-jokingly insisted that global warming was a hoax invented by the Chinese aimed at weakening the U.S. economy through tough anti-pollution rules on utilities and manufacturers.

Trump has voiced serious doubts about the threats of global warming throughout the campaign and has threatened to eliminate or significantly downgrade the Environmental Protection Agency if he becomes president.

Related: The Climate Change Crisis Trump Refuses to Acknowledge

While stopping short of fully embracing Trumps skepticism of climate change science, the new platform approved by the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this week would go far towards dismantling the Obama administrations historic initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while opening the door to expanded oil, gas and coal production on federally protected land.

The 66-page document approved by delegates on a voice vote Monday night makes the startling claim that coal is a clean fuel, when in fact coal and other fossil fuels are the chief contributors to climate change and public health problems including asthma and heart problems.

The Democratic Party does not understand that coal is an abundant, clean, affordable, reliable domestic energy resource, the platform states. Those who mine it and their families should be protected from the Democratic Partys radical anti-coal agenda.

The platform, which has received scant attention in the early days of the convention, contains a cornucopia of energy industry-inspired provisions that would shred much of what Obama has achieved over the past seven years in trying to slow the rate of growth of carbon emissions. The platform, for example, vows to somehow reverse a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that expanded the EPAs power to regulate carbon dioxide emissions under the federal Clean Air Act.

At the same time it hailed the high courts recent action to hold in abeyance Obamas Clean Power Plan, which aims to sharply reduce power plant emissions, pending the outcome of a lower court challenge. It strongly opposes a proposed carbon tax to discourage the production of coal, oil and other fossil fuels, saying such a tax would invariably lead to higher utility costs, to the detriment of lower-income families.

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Related: Is This the Last Generation That Can Stop Climate Change?

And the platform would torpedo the latest international effort to control climate change by demanding an immediate halt to funding U.S. participation in a United Nations-sanctioned global climate change agreement, a document negotiated last December in Paris and ratified in April by President Obama and 170 other world leaders. The sweeping agreement commits most countries to slowing global warming in the coming decades and assisting poorer nations most seriously affected by climate change.

We firmly believe environmental problems are best solved by giving incentives for human ingenuity and the development of new technologies, not through top-down, command-and-control regulations that stifle economic growth and cost thousands of jobs, the GOP platform document states.

The Republican platform devotes just four pages of the overall document to global warming and energy production issues. But those few pages bring into sharp focus the huge stakes for Republicans and Democrats alike in the outcome of the presidential contest in November.

Obama has declared climate change one of the most pressing national security threats of our time, and has expended huge amounts of his political capital in forging a domestic and global strategy for slowing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and heavily promoting alternative sources of energy, including solar and wind power. Even after Congress rejected a cap and trade program for encouraging industry to reduce carbon emissions early in his first term, Obama has made alternative energy efforts a capstone of his presidency.

Related: Obama Warns of Costly Public Health Crisis Spurred by Climate Change

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton has embraced many of the presidents initiatives, at times to her political disadvantage. She suffered serious political setbacks in Kentucky, West Virginia and other coal-producing states during the primary season by vowing to accelerate the closing of coal mines and encouraging the development of cleaner alternative sources of energy.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and other Republicans denounced Clinton for moving to put more hard-pressed coal miners out of work, and her main Democratic rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, beat her in coal-country primaries.

Obama is counting on Clintons victory over Trump to preserve key elements of his agenda, including many of his global warming and clean air provisions that are currently under assault by the Republicans in the courts and along the campaign trail.

Trump and GOP party leaders, meanwhile, are highly dismissive of Obamas energy and global warming strategies, arguing that they are a major drag on the economy and have produced a nightmare of government regulations that discourage industry from expanding and creating new jobs.

Should Trump and the GOP succeed in reclaiming control of the White House and retaining majorities in the Senate and House this fall, that would likely lead to a disastrous setback for the environmental movement.

Related: Obama and Critics Battle Over Climate Change Costs

If this extremist platform were ever actually implemented, it would imperil clean air and clean water for all Americans, Khalid Pitts, political director of the Sierra Club, said in a statement. Donald Trump has vowed to eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency, and now the Republican Party has codified a radical and dangerous path to enable Trump and his anti-environmental ideology.

The Republican platform substantially reflects the views of the coal, oil, gas and nuclear power industries, and calls for substantial deregulation. Republicans insist that advances in technology and equipment  including devices to capture and store carbon dioxide emission-- are far better than tough new environmental rules.

We assert that private ownership has been the best guarantee of conscientious stewardship, while some of the worst instances of degradation have occurred under government control, the document states.

The oil and gas industry is a major player within the party and regularly pours the vast majority of its campaign contributions into Republican coffers, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Some of the biggest donors during 2015 and 2016 include Koch Industries ($4.6 million), Chevron ($3.9 million) and Stewart & Stevenson ($3.1 million).

Related: Cities Face Costly Projects to Cope with Climate Change

The GOP authors of the platform were highly dismissive of Obamas warning that climate change poses the gravest threats to U.S. national security and public health, something that Trump once called one of the dumbest statements Ive ever heard in politics.

The GOP platform made it clear that with Republicans back in control, fossil fuel development will be part of this countrys energy mix for years to come. The document said that responsibility for environmental regulations would be largely transferred to the states, which typically have far fewer financial resources to aggressively regulate pollution.

As the party platform states, We support the development of all forms of energy that are marketable in a free economy without subsidies, including coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and hydropower.

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
From Cosmopolitan

Melania Trump owes Michelle Obama an apology. On Monday, Trump plagiarized several lines of Obama's 2008 Democratic National Convention speech. Not only did Melania Trump claim that she wrote the speech, "with as little help as possible," but the Donald Trump campaign has doubled down in support of her, suggesting that the lines she borrowed included "common words and phrases," and therefore represent nothing particularly unique or remarkable about Obama's own words. I guess this is what Melania Trump, and generations of white women, mean by "help." It seems to mean that they rely upon black women's labor to help them look good, sound good, and gain influence, while treating that labor as wholly expendable.

Obama had a lot riding on her 2008 convention speech. Early in her husband's campaign, she had been roundly disparaged and condemned by the public as being angry, untrustworthy, and unpatriotic. After Barack Obama won the Iowa primary, Michelle Obama told an audience that for the first time in her life, she was proud of her country. Right-wing critics feigned outrage at her supposedly unpatriotic remarks, and suggested that her willingness to reference even indirectly America's history of racial discrimination and injustice was divisive.

When Obama stepped to the podium in 2008, her speech was not only a referendum on her husband's fitness for the presidency, but on her fitness for the position of first lady. Trump labored under no such pressure Monday night. Yes, the wives of powerful men are always under extreme scrutiny about their dress, comportment, intelligence, and performance of femininity. Trump is no exception. She has and will face sexism. But even the brouhaha over exposure of her nude photo shoot in British GQ has fallen out of the news cycle. Trump did not have to prove the worthiness of white women to be granted the status of ladyhood, in the same way that Obama had to do as a representative black woman in 2008.

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Melania Trump has kept a low profile for most of Donald Trump's campaign, so her speech was in many respects an introduction to the American public, and in particular to Trump's constituency. Reportedly, she was understandably nervous. For a party that still retains deep skepticism about its top man, her speech was an opportunity to unify the GOP and offer a clear visual of Donald Trump as traditional family man.

Instead, Melania Trump or her speechwriters chose to plagiarize several lines of text from Obama's 2008 speech. After a journalist exposed the plagiarism on Twitter, the Trump campaign vehemently denied that use of direct quotations from Obama's speech constitutes plagiarism.

Words mean things. And plagiarism means using the ideas or words of another person without proper attribution. Rather than acknowledge this, Paul Manafort, the head of the Trump campaign, argued that this is all an elaborate ruse by the Clinton campaign. "This is once again an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, how she seeks out to demean her and take her down," Manafort claimed.

Clinton has nothing to do with Trump's choice to steal Obama's words. And it is an insult to every thinking American to suggest otherwise. I am a college professor. I have had students plagiarize material. And those students have received severe consequences for plagiarizing far fewer words than Trump has done.

Beyond the clear ethical violations here, there is a larger principle at play in the way that a Republican vision of the world relies on both the manual and intellectual labor of black women, while hating black women in practice. The GOP is the party of strident dog-whistle politics. It is known for using buzzwords like "welfare" and "food stamps," words that conjure visions of poor black women with too many children, to appeal to the biases of their base. The GOP's stances against Planned Parenthood, the Affordable Care Act, regulation of big banks and corporations, and the social safety net have disproportionately bad impacts on the lives of black women. For instance, the failure of the Republican Party to rein in big banks means African American women became disproportionate victims of the subprime lending and subsequent foreclosure crisis after 2008. Moreover, poor women of color rely on the reproductive care services provided by Planned Parenthood; the GOP platform even calls for the defunding of the organization.

Now the wife of the Republican nominee boldly steals the thinking and words of the current first lady. And now pundits and commentators on the right and the left suggested on morning news programs that we should feel sympathy for Trump. I believe that Trump's speech suggests at some level that she identifies with and admires Obama, but I have no sympathy for white women who appropriate and steal the intellectual labor of black women. The idea that white women are always sympathetic, even when they have lied, cheated, or stolen, is morally repugnant and offensive to black women who are often viewed as untrustworthy even when we are at the top of our respective games. Taylor Swift has also profited from this vulnerable white femininity narrative by trafficking in ideas that she was being picked on by Kanye West, even when he clearly obtained consent to make reference to her in his music. In black feminist circles, we refer to this never-ending procession of sympathy for white women in the face of clear offense as "white lady tears." Black women are afforded no such kindnesses.

Ask Michelle Obama.

In 2008, she retreated into the safe and acceptable role of "mom-in-chief" after her earlier comments on the campaign trail caused Americans of all stripes to characterize her as angry and divisive. A July 2008 cover of the New Yorker unwittingly reinforced the narrative of her as untrustworthy, when it attempted to satirize the outsize public reactions to her by representing her as an afro-wearing, gun-toting, Black Power revolutionary, who shared a threatening fist bump with her Muslim husband.

Her femininity has been challenged on multiple occasions, as congressmen have referred to her "large posterior" and bristled at her audacity in taking an official portrait with her arms showing. Trump's femininity will not be adjudicated in such severe terms. Already, she is the beneficiary of white female privilege in the way this conversation is being constructed. For instance, the plagiarism in her speech is absolutely elementary - changing or removing a word every so often - in ways that a professional speechwriter would never do. The plagiarism was brazen and intentional. Still, the current political conversation is about how Donald Trump and the campaign should protect her, and a speechwriter should be identified and fired. Thus Melania Trump emerges as the victim rather than the perpetrator of what is clearly an ethical violation, and she can do so because she is a white woman.

When Michelle Obama spoke the truth about America's past and present history of racial atrocity, she became a threat to her husband's chances. Melania Trump's actions may hurt Donald Trump, but ultimately this will probably have little bearing on whether he wins the presidency.

This is the essence of white privilege - even clear fuckups get explained away and come with little consequence. Meanwhile, if you're black, telling the truth can cost you everything. And after all that, you can be subjected to eight years of disrespect and then have your very words stolen, while the same people who have cast aspersions upon you claim their actions are justified. Moreover, you get to watch people profit from your labor, while telling you that labor is unremarkable and meaningless.

Melania Trump is currently being cast as the damsel in distress who at worst committed a mistake of the "Legally Blonde airhead" variety. Michelle Obama, however, in many respects, had the weight of her husband's campaign riding on her speech. She had to both humanize herself and him, in a way that won American hearts and minds. And she did it. She rose to the occasion, as black women overachievers have to do each and every day.

Follow Brittney on Twitter.
TASS Russian News Agency recently reported that Russias Advanced Research Foundation, or ARF, has started testing of a "smart bullet, two years after Pentagon scientists launched a similar effort.

"The work in this direction continues. The stages of the products design and experimental development in an unguided regime have been completed, and the guided flight tests have started, ARF deputy director General Vitaly Davydov told TASS in an interview.

ARF plans to test a smart bullet that is designed to hit targets at a distance of up to 10 kilometers, TASS reported.

Meanwhile, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, or DARPA, proved in a winter test in 2015 that its guided small-caliber bullet could hit a moving target with accuracy.

Dubbed the Extreme Accuracy Tasked Ordnance program or EXACTO, DARPA engineers plan to revolutionize rifle accuracy and range by developing the first ever guided small-caliber bullet. Program officials want the 50-caliber round and optical sighting technology to extend the day and nighttime range over current state-of-the-art sniper systems, DARPA officials maintain.

The program has entered Phase II of development, which includes design, integration and demonstration of aero-actuation controls, power sources, optical guidance systems, and sensors, according to DARPA.

Agency officials released video in July 2014 of its first round of successful testing that shows the bullet adapting course after its fired from a sniper rifle.
Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry told CNBC on Wednesday he's on Team Trump because the 2016 election is a choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton .

"If you want to let personalities get in your way of reality, you may. But I don't think that's wise," he said on " Squawk Box " in an interview from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

"This is about the future of America. I am an American. I am a Republican. And I'm on the team," the former Texas governor said despite his sharp criticisms of Trump on the campaign trail.

Perry said he's concerned about the economy, the shrinking military, border security and nominations to the Supreme Court. He said Trump is the best candidate to address those issues and put America on the right path.

"I'm a competitor. But I understand what 'team' means. And we all have to pull together and be part of the team. That's what made this pretty easy for me," Perry said, in reaction to the Bushes and Ohio Gov. John Kasich not supporting Trump.

"I'm never going to find the perfect candidate," Perry continued. "Trump was not my first choice. I was my first choice."

As for the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket, he said Mike Pence was a "brilliant" choice as Trump's vice presidential running mate because the Indiana governor spent years on Capitol Hill and knows how to get legislation passed.

Pence is scheduled to speak at the convention Wednesday evening, and so is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz , whose candidacy was also unable to stop Trump.

After Perry dropped out of the race last year, becoming the first Republican hopeful to so so, he had supported Cruz. But Perry told CNBC he's all in for Trump now to prevent Clinton from winning.

Perry echoed remarks made Tuesday night by House Speaker Paul Ryan, who at times has been an uneasy ally of Trump.

Ryan said from the convention podium that Republicans need to come together and the GOP ticket offers a "better way" forward for the U.S. than Clinton. Ryan, the 2012 vice presidential nominee, is also the chairman of the GOP convention.

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The Republican National Convention entered its second day in Cleveland, Tuesday (July 19). After Donald Trump was formally nominated as the GOP nominee, a wide range of speakers took the floor -- among them former presidential challengers Chris Christie and Ben Carson, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, and Trump's children Tiffany Trump and Donald Trump Jr.

RNC: Melania Trump Channels Rick Astley (And Possibly Michelle Obama) Plus More From Day 1

Following last night's slogan "Make America Safe Again," tonight's theme was "Make America Work Again." While the convention's second night was largely free of the rancor and controversy of its first, there were still some notable music happenings.

1. Alaska vote total challenge spurs Earth, Wind & Fire dance party

After Alaska's delegation disputed the allocation of all 28 of its votes to Donald Trump, the house band launched into a lukewarm rendition of the seminal Chicago act's classic "September." The number was especially popular among the older attendees, who hoisted "Make America Great Again" signs in time with the beat.

2. Queen blasts Trump for using "We Are the Champions"

The British rock band said Trump's "unauthorized use" of the song was "against our wishes."

An unauthorised use at the Republican Convention against our wishes - Queen

- Queen (@QueenWillRock) July 19, 2016

Queen's publishing company, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, also issued an official statement on the matter:

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has never been asked by Mr. Trump, the Trump campaign or the Trump Organization for permission to use "We are the Champions" by Queen. On behalf of the band, we are frustrated by the repeated unauthorized use of the song after a previous request to desist, which has obviously been ignored by Mr. Trump and his campaign.

Queen does not want its music associated with any mainstream or political debate in any country. Nor does Queen want "We are the Champions" to be used as an endorsement of Mr. Trump and the political views of the Republican Party. We trust, hope and expect that Mr. Trump and his campaign will respect these wishes moving forward.

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29 Artists Who Have Spoken Out Against Donald Trump (So Far)

3. David Bowie's drug references

In one of the oddest sights on the convention's crazy first day, the house band playing David Bowie's drug-tinged single, "Station to Station.

"It's not the side-effects of the cocaine/ I'm thinking that it must be love/ It's too late to be grateful," the house band's vocalist crowed while blissfully unaware attendees grooved along.

4. Another Van Morrison song gets poached by the GOP

One day after Rudy Giuliani departed the stage to "Brown Eyed Girl," the house band treated attendees to "Domino."
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., and wife Heidi wave from the podium during a sound check before the third day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

CLEVELAND  For the first time in 36 years, there was a vote on the floor of a partys nominating convention this past Monday that actually held an element of suspense.

In the hour or so ahead of a vote in which insurgents were attempting to reset the convention rules, Republican National Committee operatives circulated the floor and the back halls of Quicken Loans Arena, buttonholing delegates to argue why they should retract support for the motion, and getting them to sign their names to withdrawal forms. Trump aides, by contrast, bullied delegates with vague and ineffective threats.

In one corner of the arena floor, near CNNs broadcast booth, delegates from the District of Columbia listened to appeals from high-ranking RNC officials.

The RNCs argument to the D.C. delegates boiled down to this: A vote for the rules reset would open the door to Ted Cruz becoming the GOPs nominee four years from now.

Cruz is already laying the groundwork for another run for president in 2020, but a top RNC official told Yahoo News that they expect him to run even if Donald Trump becomes president this fall. That would represent the first major challenge of an incumbent president from inside his own party since Teddy Kennedy ran against President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

If Trump wins, you better bet your ass Cruz is going to primary him, the RNC official told Yahoo News.

And so the RNC officials told D.C. delegates that a rules reset would open the door to an effort by a key Cruz ally, former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, to close primary contests in several states to independent and Democratic voters. Cuccinelli and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, pushed for the closed primary in the convention rules committee meeting last week.

Closed primaries would exclude independents and limit the nomination process to registered Republicans, a more conservative voting group overall, which would favor Cruz.

The RNC official told D.C. delegates that they had signed on to a movement by Mike Lee and Ken Cuccinelli and Ted Cruz to further close the primary system, as it relates to 2020.

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Two out of 11 D.C. delegates who were in favor of resetting the rules on Monday eventually withdrew their support for the measure, and that was enough to move the 19-member delegations support for the measure. The RNC accomplished this in three other states as well, and took the overall number of states in favor below the threshold of seven required to force the floor vote.

Its not clear how much the argument against Cruz swayed the two D.C. delegates  there were other elements at play as well  but the fact that such an argument about Cruz was even made shows the odd circumstances that surround Cruzs appearance on the convention stage Wednesday night to give a primetime speech.

Trump has gained the nomination, but even some of his strongest backers within the party concede they are not sure how he would govern as president. Cruz is attempting to establish himself as the leader for traditional conservatives, lying in wait no matter how things play out in November.

Donald Trump applauds as he steps to the podium to introduce his wife Melania during the opening day of the Republican National Convention. (Photo: J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Cruz has not even endorsed Trump, though he is now under pressure from allies and supporters to support the GOP nominee. Even Cuccinelli told Politico hes going to vote for Trump now. And two other 2016 candidates speaking Wednesday night  Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who will be there in person, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., wholl appear via video link  have offered support for Trump, though it is weak. It is the ultimate example on Trumps part of holding your friends close and your enemies closer.

Cruz would not be alone in withholding an endorsement. Among other 2016 Republican candidates, Ohio Gov. John Kasich has not endorsed, nor has former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

However, many of the older religious conservatives who are politically active  the kind who were with Cruz over Rubio in the primary  have swallowed their distaste for Trump and jumped on board.

Cruzs decision earlier this month to speak here at the convention was his own attempt to make the most of a bad situation. Trump savaged Cruz in the most personal terms in the later stages of their primary fight, repeatedly calling him Lyin Ted, retweeting a person who ridiculed the physical appearance of Cruzs wife, and alleging a wild and irresponsible conspiracy theory that Cruzs father helped Harvey Lee Oswald, who assassinated President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

But by accepting a speaking slot, Cruz put himself in position to be in Cleveland and in possession of credentials to get into the arena in case a delegate revolt succeeded. And his camp was involved, according to multiple sources, in a discussion about having Cruz propose that Walker run as an alternative against Trump ahead of the rules committee vote last week, which would have set off chaos. Cruzs adviser Jeff Roe vetoed the idea, according to one source. A Cruz adviser did not respond to a request for comment.

Cruzs speech will be one of the most closely watched of this convention, precisely because of all the intrigue. He is a Trump enemy, speaking at Trumps coronation.

There have been some signs of an uneasy detente. Trump adviser Paul Manafort has hired former Cruz lieutenant Jason Miller, whose presence in the Trump campaign has facilitated better communications between the two worlds and could be a way to ease tensions over time.

But not all that much. Cruz received 475 delegate votes on the floor Tuesday night, as Trump clinched the nomination with 1,725 delegate votes. And as Eliana Johnson wrote in National Review, Cruz will likely be seeking in his speech to persuade the delegates, as Ronald Reagan did in 1976 when speaking at the GOP convention after narrowly losing to President Gerald Ford, that the party had chosen the wrong man.

Cruz is betting that he will have a better chance in 2020 of becoming the nominee by appearing as a sanctioned speaker here than he would have if he had gambled on galvanizing anti-Trump sentiment this year and making a run at a convention coup. It may be wise, but it also may be the same mistake New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie made in 2012, when he passed on his best shot at the presidency, thinking 2016 would be set up even better for him.

Circumstances change. Other figures rise. And as Roe himself told Bloomberg News, Leaders dont pick movements, movements pick leaders.

_____

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Rockers led by Tom Morello on Wednesday announced a tour around the United States to derail the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a proposed trade deal that would span Asia and the Americas.

President Barack Obama has made ratification of the pact, which would cover 40 percent of global GDP and include economic powerhouses such as Japan, a key priority in his final months in office.

But the Trans-Pacific Partnership faces strong political opposition, with both major candidates to succeed Obama criticizing the deal as it now stands.

The "Rock Against the TPP" tour will kick off Saturday in Denver and feature Morello, best known as the guitarist for leftist rockers Rage Against the Machine, as well as rapper Talib Kweli.

"People are already sick and tired of the stranglehold that corporations and the politicians who serve them have on our democracy," said Justin Sane, frontman of the activist punk band Anti-Flag which is also taking part in the tour.

"If it is approved, the TPP would hand them even more power to control and exploit us," he told reporters on a conference call.

The concert tour, which will also include outside protests and petitions to members of Congress, will later head to San Diego, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, with more shows in the works.

Critics including environmental groups say that the trade pact would scuttle hard-fought safety and privacy protections by giving corporations the power to use the courts to bulldoze past national laws.

Obama has insisted that the pact will offer strict labor and environmental guidelines and help shape the emerging order in Asia where China -- not a TPP nation -- has been flexing its muscle.

The trade deal had been a rare point of common ground between Obama and many of his rivals in the Republican Party but Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell, the Republicans who lead the House of Representatives and Senate respectively, have both cast doubt on its passage this year.

Morello has also launched a new band called Prophets of Rage with Chuck D of hip-hop legends Public Enemy that has been protesting outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
CLEVELAND  News of the imminent departure of Roger Ailes from Fox News was almost as hot a topic as Donald Trump among the hundreds of journalists attending the Republican National Convention this week.

Many noted the irony of the timing, coming in the midst of the GOP gathering in the city where the one-time media advisor to Republican presidents got his start as a producer on The Mike Douglas Show. Ailes grew up in Warren, Ohio, a mid-sized city about 60 miles east of Cleveland.

Current and former Fox News employees expressed a mix of sadness, surprise and dismay at Ailes swift fall from his perch as chairman-CEO of the hugely profitable 21st Century Fox division that he built from scratch over the past 20 years.

Ailes position is said to have became untenable after he was sued for sexual harassment by former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson earlier this month. That led to other women coming forward with accounts of alleged harassment from Ailes, most dating back decades. Fox initiated an internal review following Carlsons lawsuit. As of Wednesday, Ailes was believed to be negotiating an exit deal with 21st Century Fox.

One current Fox News employee said the whole affair had been a whirlwind and incredibly sad. The source described Ailes as a colorful, dynamic, engaging personality whose interests and instincts helped drive the cultural conversation for decades. His influence on contemporary media and TV news cannot be overstated.

He has had an enormous impact on cable television as a whole, not just what he has done at Fox, which is defining the genre, (but) defining how the news is presented and packaged, said Michael Steele, former chairman of the Republican National Committee. That legacy will remain intact.

A Fox News alum noted the heavy symbolism of Ailes fall from power starting in earnest during the convention crowning Trump as the GOPs contender for the White House.

Trump is the next-generation candidate who is adept at using all the social media tools at his disposal  hes not as reliant on the mainstream media to get his message out. And the Trump campaign defied the orthodoxy of the past 20 years that GOP candidates were friendly to the conservative-leaning hosts and commentators on Fox News and vice versa. Trump famously waged a battle with Fox News and its most high-profile anchor, Megyn Kelly, for months until the two came to terms last May.

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Another coincidence that struck longtime Ailes watchers was the fact that the Trump campaign in the past few weeks has adopted the law and order candidate sloganeering that helped Richard Nixon win the White House in 1968. Ailes was a big part of that campaign, having steered the TV strategy for Nixon after meeting him during an appearance on Mike Douglas. Ailes mastery of TV advertising to sell Nixon to a country nervous about urban unrest and the counterculture movement among Baby Boomers is detailed in Joe McGinniss classic book on the 1968 race, The Selling of the President.

Ailes is routinely described by friends and colleagues as a media visionary. Hes revered for his lack of pretense, his willingness to speak his mind and his competitive zeal. He is the best, most entertaining dinner date you can ask for, even if you disagree with him on everything, said a former Fox News exec.

Fox News insiders acknowledged a degree of shock in the idea of the company running without Ailes at the helm. Hes such a ubiquitous and patriarchal figure that many cant imagine anyone else in charge.

Theres been speculation about an exodus of talent after Ailes departs. Bill OReilly, host of Fox News top-rated The OReilly Factor, has hinted that he may be stepping down when his contract expires next year. Kelly is in the midst of contract negotiations.

Kelly refused to comment on Ailes as she fought her way through a crowd of selfie-seeking fans after she left the Fox News broadcast booth Tuesday night at the Quicken Loans Arena. The four-day GOP fete will conclude on Thursday when Trump accepts the nomination.

Bret Baier and Tucker Carlson were among the Fox News talent at the convention who declined to comment Wednesday when asked about Ailes.

Other news personalities were also reluctant to comment in detail given that there has been no official confirmation about Ailes status at Fox.

I dont know whats true, what is good information, what is bad information, said MSNBCs Joe Scarborough. (The news) breaking this week is crazy  again, if it is true.

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20 Jul - "I can't remember anything." That was the response given by Ruffa Gutierrez, when asked about an episode she experienced that made her mother, Annabelle Rama, so emotional at the recent press conference of their reality show, "It Takes Gutz To Be a Gutierrez".



The actress reportedly was rushed to the hospital last week because of a strange incident. Rama explained to the media that her daughter died for five minutes before she woke up again, according to Coconuts Manila.



Gutierrez stated that she is as clueless as everybody else about her condition.



"I was doing things that I didn't know. I was acting in a strange way," she said.



The actress also revealed that the incident occurred many times while she was sleeping, and that even the doctors couldn't find what's wrong with her.



Rama, on the other hand, stated that she will take her daughter abroad to have her checked.



GUtioerrez also added that she is considering getting in touch with a clairvoyant about her condition.



(Photo source: instagram.com/iloveruffag)
As Turkey's leader, President Tayyip Erdogan, continues to rout out his political enemies following the weekend's failed military coup, experts highlight that the recent round of arrests and suspensions are the latest attempts to weaken the rule of law and democracy in the country.

Since the coup, around 50,000 civil servants, including judges, soldiers and teachers, have been either arrested or suspended from work.



Both the rule of law and freedom of expression are now at risk, warns Kristin Hausler, Dorset senior research fellow at the British Institute of International and Comparative Law.



"The arrest of close to 3,000 judges and prosecutors, following the removal of more than a 1,000 of them as a consequence of the inquiry into bribery and corruption which started in 2013, further undermines the rule of law in Turkey," she said in a briefing note.



"The Anti-Terror Law and the Penal Code have both been used to prosecute journalists, writers, editors, publishers, translators, civil/political rights activists, lawyers, elected officials and students for exercising their right to freedom of expression."

Democracy in Turkey is hanging by a thread, warned Anthony Skinner, director and head of political strategy at risk analysts Verisk Maplecroft.



"The primary pillars of what constitutes a democracy are still there, but when it comes to civil society being able to express itself freely and when it comes to checks and balances, those elements have been sacrificed over the years and at an accelerated rate today," he told CNBC in a phone interview.



"We are witnessing an aggressive crackdown against institutions and individuals who have either demonstrated some form of dissent against Erdogan or are not proven supporters of his government."



Erdogan is expected to propose constitutional reforms which may include reinstating the death penalty and creating an executive-style presidency with greater decision-making and legislative powers.



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However, it would not be an easy process for Erdogan to change the constitution, according to Skinner.

One method would be to hold a referendum, but Erdogan's AK party does not have the sufficient number of seats in the country's national assembly -- it currently occupies 317 out of 550 -- to call for a vote.



"He needs 330 seats in order to hold a referendum, and polls prior to the coup showed that Turkish civil society is incredibly divided. Roughly speaking, 50 percent of the electorate support Erdogan and 50 percent do not," he said.



"It's not guaranteed that Erdogan would be able to achieve a full-fledged and formal executive presidency by holding a referendum. Holding new elections may be a better bet."



Turkey's economy is also under pressure. Its currency has fallen and its stock market has experienced significant volatility.



"The volatility continued to shadow the equity market and consumer confidence. The Turkish Lira is drowning for now and remains under constant pressure," said Naeem Aslam, chief market analyst at Think Forex, in a note.



"Traders will focus on the consumer confidence index data and a fall in this number may make the situation direr."

Follow CNBC International on Twitter and Facebook.





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By Katya Golubkova, Vladimir Soldatkin and Oksana Kobzeva

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said in an interview he has ruled out possible coordination with OPEC group on oil output after a failed attempt to jointly maintain production levels earlier this year.

"We do not discuss the issues of coordination of actions between Russia and OPEC... We can't agree on production cuts as we don't have such tools and mechanisms," Novak told Reuters in interview cleared for publication on Wednesday.

The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other big oil producers, including Russia, were not able to reach a deal in Doha in April on freezing oil production in order to support falling oil prices.

Global crude oil prices reached a 13-year low of $27 per barrel in January due to oversupply, but have recovered since then to around $50.

The weak price for oil, Moscow's chief export commodity, hit the Russian economy, which shrank by 3.7 percent last year.

In the interview with Reuters, Novak said Russia sees its cooperation with OPEC focussing on the exchange of information and analysis on the global oil market, rather than on coordinating production.

Russian companies have been increasing oil production this year. Novak said he expects domestic oil output at 542-544 million tonnes this year after it hit 534 million tonnes (10.73 million barrels per day), a 30-year high, in 2015.

SAUDI-RUSSIA MEETING

Novak said he will likely meet new Saudi energy minister Khalid al-Falih at a conference in Algeria at the end of September. It will be their first meeting since Falih was appointed in May, taking over from veteran minister Ali al-Naimi.

"Obviously, we will discuss the situation on the (global) oil market," he said, adding that they will also look into the possibility of joint energy projects in Russia, Saudi Arabia and third countries.

Last week, Falih said that the oil industry needs a price above $50 per barrel to sustain investments, adding that downward pressure on prices would prevail because of a huge stocks overhang.

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Novak said Russia is sticking to its forecast that the oil price will average between $40 and $50 this year. He said though there are risks that it could be lower due to seasonal decline in demand.

Trading houses across the globe are betting on oil markets remaining oversupplied for at least two more years even as crude prices stage a recovery driven by early signs of falling production.

The Russian minister said he expected global oil markets would balance out by mid- or end-2017, with a lot depending on Saudi Arabia's policy. He said he saw demand rising by at least 0.8-1 percent per year, or by 0.7-1.0 million barrels per day.

Novak added that global oil stockpiles have reached 3 billion barrels, of which 500 million barrels he called "excessive" and warned that it will take a long time before they leave the market.

"In general, this is almost 1.5 million bpd, meaning that if nothing in addition will be produced (globally) and output is maintained at current levels, this overhang will still cover for the annual increase in demand," Novak said.

(Reporting by Vladimir Soldatkin, Katya Golubkova, Oksana Kobzeva, Denis Pinchuk, Alexander Ershov, Natalia Chumakova, Darya Korsunskaya and Anastasiya Lyrchikova)
LONDON (Reuters) - SABMiller has not ruled out asking Anheuser-Busch InBev to revamp its proposed $100 billion-plus takeover offer before formally recommending the bid, a source close to the London-listed brewer told Reuters, amid rising shareholder disquiet about the terms. SABMiller's board is meeting on Wednesday, a day before its annual shareholder meeting, to discuss how to quell unease about the disparity between ABI's 44-pounds per share cash offer and a stock-and-cash alternative designed for SAB's biggest investors, cigarette maker Altria and Colombia's Santo Domingo family, the source said. When the original deal was announced in November, that partial share alternative -- which avoids triggering large tax bills -- was worth about 39 pounds. But the recent fall in the pound and rise in ABI's shares have increased its value to about 51 pounds, representing a premium of around 15 percent to the cash offer. All investors have the option to take the stock and cash offer but under current terms the stock cannot be traded for five years, rendering the option highly unattractive for most fund managers. "At this stage the board will reassure investors and tell them their concerns will only be addressed after the deal gets regulatory clearance," the first source close to SAB said. "After the pre-conditions are satisfied, (the board) will need to decide whether to refresh its recommendation for the ABI bid or ask for improved terms," the source added. SABMiller declined to comment. A second source close to SABMiller described the long-planned meeting as "routine" prior to an AGM and said it was unconnected to recent stakebuilding by activist investors The Children's Investment Fund Management (TCI) and Elliott Advisors. Those investments have raised the prospects of a late opportunistic push for more cash from ABI, which counts Budweiser and Stella Artois among its top brands. APPROVALS ABI's proposed takeover has already been approved by European and South African regulators but U.S. and Chinese antitrust authorities have yet to sanction the union. Until then, the deal terms remain flexible and subject to revision, the first source said. "Regulatory approval is expected very soon. It could come any time now and this is why agitators are building stakes," the source said. Minority investors meanwhile are waiting nervously to see if any last-minute jostling could secure them more cash or derail the merger altogether. "They (Elliott) have previous form here in trying to extract value close to decision day ... but the deal feels done so it may be too little too late," said one SABMiller investor, who said he would back a campaign for fresh terms as it was in his clients' interests. "The fall in sterling makes the cash offer less attractive to general shareholders. The 'insiders' got a better deal here than the other shareholders," he said. Besides increasing the cash offer to minority investors, sources have suggested that ABI could also address the disparity by increasing the cash component offered to Altria and the Santo Domingos or reducing the lock-up period on the shares. Currently structured as a 'scheme of arrangement', the deal needs approval by 75 percent of shareholders but sources also said ABI could switch to a straight takeover offer, which only needs a majority. (Reporting By Pamela Barbaglia, Sinead Cruise and Martinne Geller, writing by Sinead Cruise; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)
Samsung says it has fixed a manufacturing problem that caused some Galaxy S7 Active phones to fail in underwater conditions the phone was designed to withstand. The company says it launched an investigation after two phones failed a Consumer Reports dunk test, and that the manufacturing problems were corrected approximately one week after our results were published on July 8.

The Galaxy S7 Active works exclusively on the AT&T cellular network, and is sold for $800 and up. According to Samsung marketing materials, the phone should survive immersion in up to 5 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Samsung would not reveal the total number of Galaxy S7 Active phones sold since the model was introduced in mid-June, or how many had been returned with water damage. However, Phil Berne, a public relations manager for the company, said compared to the total number of devices sold, it was tiny.

According to Berne, all Galaxy S7 Active phones are manufactured in the same facility in Asia. We found a problem in the production line that we were able to correct, he said. He declined to provide details. Phones now being shipped should be problem-free, according to Berne. However, to his knowledge, Galaxy S7 Active devices already in stores were not being removed from inventory.

Samsung phones carry a one-year limited warranty. According to Berne, consumers whose Galaxy S7 Active phones sustain water damage can return them to the retailer where they were purchased, or directly to Samsung, for a replacement. The company is not offering to replace phones that have not suffered damage. Consumer Reports asked whether consumers could check serial numbers or use other methods to determine whether their phones were affected, but Samsung declined to provide those details. The company believes that water damage will affect a very, very small number of devices, Berne said. We dont want people to think theres the necessity of returning their phone.

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In response, Consumer Reports has asked Samsung to consider offering a lifetime warranty and/or a method for consumers to determine whether they have an affected product, along with an option for replacing it.

After Consumer Reports published our test results, CNET followed up and found that some phones it submerged failed to meet its expectations for water-resistance. Additionally, a small number of problems have been reported on community forums at the Samsung and AT&T sites, and in the comments section of the initial Consumer Reports article.



The Active is one of three versions of the Samsung Galaxy S7, and it was the only one to fail our water-immersion test. The standard Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge claim the same level of water-resistance, and both of those models passed. Those two phones currently top our smartphone Ratings, with Excellent scores for their displays, battery life, cameras, and other attributes.





More from Consumer Reports:

Top pick tires for 2016

Best used cars for $25,000 and less

7 best mattresses for couples





Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright  2006-2016 Consumers Union of U.S.
(Reuters) - With just five months until Christmas, Santas from around the world are gathering in Copenhagen for a mid-season break at the annual World Santa Claus Congress. The annual conference gives them a chance to network, meet the public and get into shape for the busy days in December. This year 140 Santas from 12 countries gathered in the Danish capital for the three-day event. Santa Cherry from Canada, who is taking part for the fifth time, said there was much more to being a Santa than just the clothes. "A successful Santa is not just about the costumes and the clothes. You have to have Christmas in your heart. You have to have the love of children and caring and giving in your hear to be a really successful Santa and it's not something you can make up. It has to be in you and people know, they can see it," she said. The World Santa Claus Congress has taken place at the Bakken amusement park near Copenhagen since 1957 and always in the summer which is Santa's off season. "I think the congress was started as a way of bringing Santas from all over the world together and sharing ideas and sharing our love of Christmas and being Santa and it's just joyous. It's great to be here," said Santa Ian from London in the United Kingdom. During the congress they have the opportunity to discuss important issues concerning their trade, such as presents and weight regulations for Santa Clauses. One of the most hotly contested topics is the date for Christmas Eve. For Santa Allan from Denmark, there is only one correct date. "I think the main question will be when is it Christmas Eve. Because everyone is talking about have you decided when that Christmas Eve will be or are you disagreeing like you used to? But the Danish guild is saying we have to have Christmas Eve on December 24th," he said. The most important part of the meeting is for the professional Santas to meet the public. Apart from parades there is also some sightseeing, a foot bath in the sea, Christmas cake baking and storytelling for the children. On Wednesday (July 20), Santas had to complete an obstacle course.
By Harro Ten Wolde

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Unexpectedly strong growth in high-margin packaged software licenses fueled quarterly earnings of Europe's largest software company SAP (SAPG.DE), which confirmed its full-year outlook.

Second-quarter operating profit, excluding special items, rose 9 percent to 1.52 billion euros ($1.67 billion), beating average analysts' expectations of 1.45 billion euros in a Reuters poll.

SAP, whose customers include many of the world's biggest multinational corporations, specializes in business applications ranging from accounting to human resources to supply-chain management.

It and its established rivals such as Oracle (ORCL.N) and IBM (IBM.N) are racing to fend off pure cloud software rivals like Salesforce.com (CRM.N) and Workday Inc (WDAY.N) in the market for running complex business operations.

Cloud software, which is delivered via the Internet, has lower profit margins than packaged products, of which SAP sold more in the second quarter.

Software licenses rose by 10 percent to 1.04 billion euros, excluding the effect of foreign exchange rates. Analysts were expecting a rise by only 1.8 percent to 997 million euros.

Oracle, IBM and Microsoft (MSFT.O) also recently reported better-than-expected results, saying their cloud strategies were paying off.

SAP's non-IFRS operating margin rose to 28.9 percent in the second quarter compared with 23.4 percent in the first quarter of 2016 and 28 percent in the second quarter of last year.

SAP shares were indicated to open 4.2 percent higher, outperforming the German blue chip index (.GDAXI) which was indicated 0.2 percent higher.

"SAP reported a second quarter with very strong operating profit and margin way above expectations," said a Frankfurt-based trader.

"Revenues were in line as cloud revenues hit estimates while licenses surprised positively."

SAP's stock has lost 2.8 percent so far this year, broadly in line with the STOXX Europe 600 Technology index (.SX8P) which is down 3.8 percent as the global economy and a slowdown in business spending weigh on the sector's sentiment.

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SAP said it still expected full-year operating profit to come to between 6.4 billion and 6.7 billion euros.

Analysts polled by Reuters forecast a 2016 profit of 6.61 billion euros, with individual estimates of 18 analysts ranging from 6.42 billion to 7.05 billion euros.

SAP's Chief Executive Bill McDermott told journalists that SAP did not experience a negative impact from Britain's decision to leave the European Union.

Some analysts had expected a negative effect following the June 23 Brexit vote. Software companies traditionally generate 50 to 60 percent of their quarterly license business in the last two weeks of the quarter.

(Editing by Maria Sheahan and Richard Pullin)
From LennyLetter

Before talking to Tiffani Bell, most of what I knew about the Detroit of the 21st century was blinkered by my location and class: It revolved around the city's bankruptcy, the Obama-approved auto bailout, and the occasional conversation with friends wondering whether moving there would be the most financially responsible decision that we could make. After all, Detroit is "the new Brooklyn," and, according to one headline, "a millennial paradise."

That's not the Detroit that Tiffani turned her focus to when she started the Detroit Water Project -now known as The Human Utility - in July 2014.

Tiffani found out that thousands of the city's residents were going to lose their access to one of the most basic human rights and necessities: water. While recent college grads were moving in and taking advantage of the city's comparatively low cost of living, thousands of the city's native residents were unable to pay their water utility bill. And if the city didn't get its money, it was simply going to turn the water off.

As a passionate student of computer science and former Code for America fellow in Atlanta, working with the city's traffic courts, Tiffani knew what local government bureaucracy could look like and how slowly the cogs of resolution could turn. After finding out about the impending human-rights crisis, she decided to take direct action and cut out the government middleman.

The Human Utility is similar to other social-economy startups like Kickstarter and Patreon, but different in that it focuses on one singular goal: letting people around the world pay water bills for the citizens of Detroit (and now Baltimore). It's also a nonprofit tech startup run by a black woman. So, as we talked on the phone for over an hour, I asked her how her identity has colored her experiences in STEM.

What followed was a conversation that opened my eyes to a municipal water crisis in Detroit - one very different from the crisis in Flint - and the consequences for the city's population.

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Kendra James: Let's start before the Water Project. How did you become passionate about computer science?

Tiffani Bell: I started programming when I was six, but I really wanted to be a cartoonist, so computer science wasn't my career choice. It was pure accident. My mom bought me this thing called a PreComputer 1000 back when I was in the first grade, and I got tired of playing the built-in games. I always played Hangman, and I started getting the same words over and over again. So I was flipping through the user manual for the computer one - I'm not sure what six-year-old reads user manuals, but I did. It had a tutorial in the background about reprogramming the computer.

I was able to read everything in the tutorial, start making my own stuff, and go in from there. My parents were both in the military, and at that time we were stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. My mom just happened to get the computer for me, but I didn't have anybody in my family who was into computers, so I had no concept of what I was doing or that that could be a career choice.

Somewhere between like fourth and sixth grade, I found all these computer books at the library. At the library I learned stuff like HTML, JavaScript, and C++ and just read about computer stuff. I learned how to put together a web page, and my goal was to build a web page to show off some of the comics that I was drawing.

My dad was still in the Army, and Fort Knox had an online correspondence programming class. So I signed up for it and I ended up getting the highest grade in the class. At the same time, I had turned fifteen, and I had an uncle who did a bunch of signals and communications work for the Army, and he had computers he had brought home just lying around his house. While my brothers and my cousins were out playing, I'd be in the house on the computer doing stuff.

KJ: Ghostbusters came out this weekend, featuring three women scientists, all white, and one non-scientist who is black. There been a lot of talk lately about how there is little representation of women in STEM, and specifically black women in STEM in pop culture. Did you find that to be difficult when you were younger?

TB: I saw that trailer and I was just like, "Why does the black woman have to be the one that doesn't know science?"

I didn't have any role models as far as people that looked like me that did coding work specifically. I didn't have a black female computer-science professor until my sophomore or junior year of college, even though I went to an HBCU.

When I got an internship at Hewlett-Packard there was a black woman there who used to be a developer before becoming a manager. She was the first black woman that I met in the industry, basically. I've only had two significant experiences with black women in the industry.

KJ: In your entire career, even up until now?

TB: If you don't count folks that are my age. Some people need to see role models that look like them, but luckily I didn't. I was just like, "Oh, that's Bill Gates, I can do computer stuff too," and followed his lead. But it never dawned on me that he didn't look like me until later in life.

KJ: What inspired you to create the Detroit Water Project?

TB: I saw an article in the Atlantic about how 100,000 people in Detroit were going to get their water shut off. I was actually supposed to go to the office that day at Code for America, but I ended up just working from home, so I spent the rest of the day reading about what people were doing. Some of them couldn't flush the toilet, so they started to use the bathroom in their backyard; people were catching water in rain bins and going to neighbors' houses to bathe, all because they couldn't afford the bill.

That's pretty shitty, considering 85 percent of the water companies in the United States are city-run municipal water companies. This is a city turning their customers off for nonpayment. I think the stat is like 25 percent of the folks in Detroit are unemployed. When you consider numbers like that you can't be like, "We're going to shut all these people off and hope they come up with the money some kind of way." You obviously have a huge problem on your hands.

At that time, 50 percent of the Detroit Water and Sewer customers were behind enough on their bills to be eligible for shutoff. That's a combination of commercial and residential customers, but the bulk of that was just residential. There are cities that are pretty much enabling their own citizens to be preyed upon like this. There's all these things that stem from not paying their water bills. You can actually lose your kids.

KJ: Lose your kids?

TB: Yeah. You're going to lose your kids over not having water in your house, because they think of your house as being unfit for habitation. We have to be careful about sharing information about the people coming to us for help with payments, because we don't want to put them in a situation where through ex-partners or someone else, they can say they don't have water in their house and all their kids are taken.

KJ: When you decided that you were going to start assisting with water bills, how did that work?

TB: I asked the question "Does anybody know somebody that is in this situation in Detroit, and what are they doing?" Nobody was really able to respond with what they were doing. My co-founder, Kristy Tillman, replied on Twitter and said, "I'd pay a bill for somebody if we are able to pay the bill directly for them." So I went and found a public 400-page PDF on the water utility's website that was a list of bills they supposedly couldn't collect.

KJ: Posted publicly?

TB: Right? It was just crazy. They published this huge list and it had addresses in it, and how much they owed; the only thing that wasn't there was names. So they had account numbers, addresses, etcetera. I took one of these account numbers from that PDF, and I just plugged it into the utility company's website to see if it would pop up. It turned out pretty much everything was there: a person's payment history, in some cases their name, what their billing history was, whether they were delinquent or not, whether they were about to get shut off or not.

There was a make-a-payment button, and I thought, What if we collected the PDF full of account numbers? What if we built a website to find people who were having problems paying their bills and we get their account numbers and we say we'll log into their account and just pay some bills for them? That's pretty much how we've paid the bulk of the first early bills.

I think we launched on a Thursday, and we had the first person to actually pay a bill on the following Monday. In the meantime, people were flamboyantly giving money. The original site was set to have a list of people who needed help paying bills on the front page, but we didn't have enough people coming forward publicly for help. So we ended up really quickly repurposing the site so that donators could provide their email addresses and how much money they wanted to pledge. Then we'd email them a person's account number and direct them on how to pay it and everything. It was imbalanced at that point; more people wanted to pledge than actually had signed up for support, so we had to do something.

KJ: What was the outreach to the people of Detroit? How did you let them know that you guys existed? It's hard to keep up with Twitter when you're working your third job because you can't pay your water bill.

TB: Exactly. Some [detractors] were like, "They need to go to work, they're just sitting around waiting for a hand out." And I'm like, "These people probably work harder than you do."

The United Way in Southeastern Michigan reached out to see if they could list us as a resource as a place to get bills paid. We also had a bunch of postcards printed out to be distributed in the community.

KJ: What's the average amount of money that people are donating?

TB: Right now, it's about $55 to $75.

KJ: What's the average unpaid water bill?

TB: It's usually a combination of a bunch of months so it's at least like $500 to $600 that people owe. I actually get excited about seeing all the water bills now - it's easier to compare numbers and data now. But it actually pisses me off a little bit, because who was the one person at the utility that let these bills get to this point? I mean, I have the odd person on the site where the bill is like $12,000 because it's from their elderly parents' house that had a leak or something, or they just let the bills pile up because they were just older and both of them had died and the son inherited the house and couldn't pay the bill himself either because he was low-income.

But I ask all the time, "Who in the water company let this pile up?" Did anyone go to check on these customers? I'm sure there were notices that were sent, but at what point should someone have gotten in the car and driven over to ask, "What's going on with this customer?"

KJ: You've extended the project since, into Baltimore, and you're getting requests for assistance from other states. Are there plans to expand?

TB: Yeah. Philadelphia is interested in working with us, but we need more funding. I've been using volunteers here and there, but we need reliable, committed folks doing this stuff full-time. I'm based in the Bay Area, and this is my full-time job.

KJ: You're managing to run a startup nonprofit working out of the most expensive area in the country.

TB: It's been a challenge, because I have a housemate here and it would be great to live alone, but I can't really afford it. I pay myself minimum wage, and that's so I can pay my water bill.

KJ: You're really doing this all yourself, remotely, with one paid assistant. When you start to discuss diversity in any field you'll often hear: "Create your own diverse companies," or "You have to tell your own stories," or "You have to write your own things." That's what you did. You run this project as a black woman in STEM. What do you think about diversifying Silicon Valley as a whole? Is it going to be more of a "create-your-own process," or does it need to be a top-down directive from existing companies?

TB: As a founder, my interest is mostly in creating my own thing. There's this other side where in order just to build something like Facebook or Dropbox or Airbnb, you need venture capitalism. Who gets venture-capital funding? It's mostly young white guys. It's a catch-22 in that you can go and found your own company, but you have this problem of "Will I get funding to grow to levels where I can begin hiring people and building a more diverse company?"

The other angle is if I or another POC wants to be an engineer, will I have to worry about "culture fit" at different tech companies? I figure that's a term that's used to just keep people out at this point. "Oh, you're not a culture fit," where the culture-fit definition is "bearded white guy that wears flannel shirts," is a problem.

This is an entire ecosystem thing. The lowly person that works at one of these tech companies that gets hired, and then there are the founders of that company, and then there are the venture capitalists that fund that company, and after the venture capitalists there are limited partners that give the venture capitalists money to invest. There needs to be diversity at all those levels.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

Kendra James is a writer and blogger based in New York City.
Los Angeles (AFP) - A small Hollywood studio behind Martin Scorcese's stinging movie about greed on Wall Street has been swept up in a multibillion-dollar financial scandal tied to the prime minister of Malaysia.

Red Granite Pictures, which produced "The Wolf of Wall Street," starring Leonardo DiCaprio, was named on Wednesday in a federal complaint that alleges the studio was implicated in a money laundering scheme by an investment and development company called 1MDB.

The investment fund is owned by the government of Malaysia, whose prime minister Najib Razak has been targeted by the massive scandal.

Razak is the step-father of Riza Aziz, the co-founder of Red Granite Pictures, which came up with the more than $100 million needed to finance the film.

The production house hit back at the allegations on Thursday insisting that it was not aware of any illicit funds being funnelled through the company

"To Red Granite's knowledge, none of the funding it received four years ago was in any way illegitimate and there is nothing in today's civil lawsuit claiming that Red Granite knew otherwise," the company said in a statement.

"Red Granite continues to cooperate fully with all inquiries and is confident that when the facts come out, it will be clear that Riza Aziz and Red Granite did nothing wrong."

According to the 136-page civil complaint filed by the US Justice Department, between June 2012 and November 2012, an investment firm tied to 1MDB sent 238 million dollars to an account controlled by Aziz.

About $100 million of these funds were subsequently sent to a bank account linked to the production house and used to fund its operations, including "The Wolf of Wall Street."

- Las Vegas gambling -

Some of the money was also used for extravagant trips to Las Vegas where hundreds of thousands of dollars where spent gambling at The Venetian casino, according to the complaint.

Among those who were invited to take part in a July 2012 gambling jaunt was "a lead actor in The Wolf of Wall Street" who won a Golden Globe for the movie, according to the complaint.

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Although the court document does not name the actor, it is clearly referring to DiCaprio.

The actor won a Golden Globe in 2014 for his portrayal in the film of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, who fleeced investors of millions of dollars before ending up in prison.

Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell told reporters on Wednesday that all assets and rights to the movie would be seized as they stem from laundered money.

According to comScore, the movie made $392 million. It was nominated for five Academy Awards.

"Neither 1MDB or the Malaysian people saw a penny of profit from that film or the other assets purchased with funds syphoned from 1MDB," Caldwell said. "Instead, that money went to relatives and associates of the corrupt officials of 1MDB and others."

Red Granite said the complaint should not affect its ongoing operations.

"Red Granite does not expect the lawsuit -- which is limited to future proceeds generated by a single film, and which was not filed against Red Granite or any of its employees -- to impact its day-to-day operations, and the company continues to move forward with exciting new projects."

Apart from "The Wolf of Wall Street," the company has produced several other movies including "Dumb and Dumber To," "Horns" and "Friends With Kids."


CLEVELAND  Actor and director Scott Baio is concerned about the state of the country and whether President Obama may have a covert Muslim agenda.

Baio discussed his criticism of Obama and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in an extensive Tuesday interview with Yahoo News at the Facebook Live lounge at the Republican National Convention. The conversation also included a sing-along and recitation of the famous theme song from his television show Charles in Charge.

On Monday, Baio delivered a primetime RNC speech in which he praised Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and expressed the need to make America America again. Yahoo News asked Baio to explain why he thinks the country is not itself.

I think weve lost our way. I think weve given up on being tough in the world. The world is ruled by the aggressive use of force, and thats just the way its been since its been started, Baio said, adding, Economically were weak. I dont think the country understands  what individualism is. We are not a socialist country. Were a capitalist country, and I think a lot of kids are being taught that socialism is the way to go.

Baio also said the country has become divided, which he attributed in part to Obama and Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee.

The America that I knew was  united. And I think this president is so divisive and I think Hillary Clinton is so divisive. They compartmentalize people, the black community, the Hispanic community, Baio said.

Baio suggested that the Democratic strategy toward minorities is to give them just enough to  get their vote.

Welfare is out of control, Baio said. Lets just give these people a cellphone and theyll vote for us. I mean, people have lost their incentive.

After his RNC speech on Monday, Baio was widely mocked as a D-lister who lacks the star power of celebrities who typically participate at conventions. He dismissed this critique as schoolyard stuff.

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Im sure Hillary Clinton will have big guns there who probably dont know her. But she just wants the star power, Baio said. Mr. Trump is a loyal man, and he knows that I was out there plugging away for him.  Theres other big celebrities out there, much bigger than me, that Im sure would have spoken, but hes a loyal man.

Baio added that hes not concerned about where people rank him in the Hollywood firmament.

You want to say that Im a D, B, C, A  whatever lister I am  I dont care. I dont, said Baio.

While stumping for Trump, Baio has also come under fire for jabs he has made at Clinton and Obama. One of his more controversial moments was a tweet he sent earlier this month that included an image calling Clinton a c***. Baio proclaimed in his tweet that the picture could be the best meme out there. In his conversation with Yahoo, Baio said he could care less about people who were upset by the tweet. He also pointed out that Republicans are regularly insulted by Democrats.

I just put it out.  Listen, that was sent to me. I sent it out. I thought it was funny.  People can make what they want of it, said Baio. Republicans have been so beat up and so afraid to fight back. And, I mean, they called Mr. Trump Hitler and other things. And when somebody fights back with something on the other side  all of a sudden, youre branded a racist, a homophobe, a bigot, whatever, he added.

Baio also raised eyebrows with an appearance on Fox Business Network last month in which he said Obamas decision not to use the phrase radical Islamic terrorism means hes dumb, hes Muslim or hes a Muslim sympathizer. In his conversation with Yahoo, Baio doubled down on the assertion Obama, a Christian, is hiding a secret Islamic identity.

I think hes either a Muslim or a Muslim sympathizer, Baio said of the president. There are people killing us, beheading us, drowning, burning women, killing people in a gay bar in Florida, San Bernardino, saying that theyre Muslims, saying Allah Akbar. I dont know what other proof this man needs that its radical Islam.

Baio said he would approach terrorism completely different if he were president.

Id call it what it is and Id go after everybody, he explained.

Baio went on to express a desire to kill all of the radical Muslims that are looking to kill us. Yahoo News asked whether a President Baio might consider deploying nuclear weapons against them.

If they were all centered in one place that we could nuke? Yeah, Baio said.

With his outspoken political views, Baio sounds like someone who is considering a political career. But when asked if he might eventually run for office, Baio took a long pause before ultimately laughing off the possibility.

My wife wouldnt let me run for office, and I dont blame her. Youre away a lot, he said. I probably wouldnt enjoy the lifestyle.

Baios conversation with Yahoo also included multiple interpretations of the Charles In Charge theme, including one that reimagined it as a song about Trump.

Hes there just to take good care of me, Baio said of Trump. Like hes one of the family.

Watch the full interview here.

_____

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Ghostbusters screenwriter Katie Dippold (Getty Images)



I was super-psyched, and also terrified. That was Katie Dippolds reaction to a lunch meeting she had with Paul Feig two years ago at San Diego Comic-Con, where the writer-director asked her to co-pen his yet-to-be-announced, all-female Ghostbusters.

Dippold already had the pedigree. She wrote The Heat, the Sandra Bullock-Melissa McCarthy action comedy directed by Feig that became a box-office smash in 2013 and gave the young scribe what they would call in Hollywood, well, heat. She was also on the writing staff of NBCs beloved comedy Parks and Recreation and Foxs MADtv.

But this was a whole other beast. It was a Marshmallow Man-sized responsibility, and the project instantly faced scrutiny for treading on the hallowed ground once occupied by Venkman, Stantz, and company in the 1984 fan favorite. In the end, though, it was all from love, Dippold told Yahoo Movies. It was a love letter to the original. And like any major studio blockbuster produced, there were countless tweaks between Feig and Dippolds first draft and the films arrival in theaters this past weekend. Dippold, who is currently on the Hawaii set of the still-untitled comedy she wrote for Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn, broke down a bunch of those changes in our recent interview.

Warning: Ghostbusters spoilers ahead

I imagine a lot of the earliest conversations you and Paul had revolved around defining the films tone. Where did you start, and what ultimately did you strive for?

It was first to have new characters and a new story. At first he wanted it to be really scary. And so I actually think the first draft of the script is actually a lot scarier than it came out. Which is intentional, we wanted people younger to see it and for it to be fun for everyone. So I think thats one thing that changed over time.

And we both love horror comedy, and for me the ones that work  its so rare that it works  I love Shaun of the Dead and American Werewolf in London and Cabin in the Woods. But I think for me the thing that works is when the characters are all real people, really grounded people, who happen to be funny in dealing with really intense, scary situations. And thats something I loved about the original. Those are four completely real people. So that was another thing that we thought about a lot.

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Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, and Leslie Jones in Ghostbusters (Sony)

Why did you guys decide to create a new universe for these Ghostbusters, instead of, say, having them inherit the business from Venkman and crew?

That was all [Paul], thats how it was first presented to me. I think for him, he loves an origin story. He didnt want it to feel like these people were getting passed the equipment And also doing a movie where this city had survived two ghost attacks, I think he just felt would feel tired or something. And theres something fun about seeing something come together.

As a fan, I, too, would have loved to see a sequel. I would go crazy to see Venkman be Venkman again But I dont want anyone other than the original team to touch those characters. To me this felt like a more respectful way to do it, honestly.

Speaking of Venkman, do you have any good Bill Murray stories?

When he came on set, everyone [makes gasping noise] gasped. It was just this amazing presence coming on. And he was just lovely and delightful and joking around with the crew, and he was just really nice. I couldnt completely enjoy it, because for the past year I had been wondering if Bill Murray would do a cameo in this movie, and I didnt know until a couple days before, for sure, if he was going to do it.

You never know if Bill Murray is going to do anything until he shows up.

Yeah. So when he did show up, I was like, I cant relax until the film is brought somewhere, like a safe. I was so scared something was going to stop this from happening. I was just kind of in frozen panic, just watching.

Related: How the Ghostbusters Team Landed All Those Cameos From the Original Cast Members

Did it take a lot back and forth with him to finalize his character, given how he was the most hesitant of the original cast to do another movie?

No, not really. We just sent him the script and just waited to hear. And then one day he was like, OK, Ill go. So it was just waiting.

So his role never changed at all. Did any of the other cameos?

With Dan Aykroyd  we originally had a scene in the script where there was this spiritual adviser named Rick Gale that we were hoping he would do. But then we ended up cutting the scene because it was kind of slowing down the story. Pauls thing was he didnt want it to feel like things were jammed in there So he tried as much as possible to put [them] in [roles] that were already in the script.

Originally in the script the taxicab wont pick her up, but then when he drives off without her, a ghost gets in the cab and kind of attacks him. But then we realized, I dont know that we want to see Dan Aykroyd attacked [laughs]. That seemed terrible.

Dan Aykroyd at the premiere of Ghostbusters (Getty)

Sigourney was probably the one that was most written for someone. And that one was the hardest one to figure out God, I pitched on so many different versions of that cameo. One I wanted to do, but it was real hit or miss, when no one was believing them, as theyre driving in the city, and then this woman walks up, Sigourney Weaver, and shes just like, Hey, you know what? I dont care what anyone says, I think what you guys are doing is great, and I absolutely believe everything youre saying. And then theyre like, Oh my God, thank you so much. And there theres a couple options. One is she just walks away and then just lays down on the ground like a crazy person. Another one was she says that same thing to someone else on the street. Because shes just a crazy person who just says this to everyone.

The film faced a lot of backlash from angry fans. Did you have to deal with any of that personally?

Not really. In the beginning there were some tweets directed at me. I feel like for some reason I havent gotten a lot of it in my direction. Every now and then Ill see something and its alarming. And I clutch my pearls and gasp.

I tried the best I possibly could to make the funnest movie I could, or to write the script in the funnest way I thought possible. At the end of the day theres nothing to really argue with. People will see the movie, I really hope they like it. If they dont, that makes me sad. And if they do, great. But it just feels pointless to argue about beforehand, you know?

Are you able to step away from it and appreciate that its almost become bigger than the movie itself, in terms of the cultural debate its helping spark about sexism and gender roles in movies?

Yeah, I appreciate it in the sense that I appreciate the pressure that its added. I think people are looking at this to help push a movement, and I really hope it does. Its nervewracking, but I wish it wasnt even an issue.

But it did make for a couple great lines  and those got some of the biggest laughs at the screening I attended. Like Kristen Wiigs line about aint no bitch gonna be busting no ghost.

Yeah, in the script I think the line was a little less I hate you but also a little less family-friendly. In the script it was, I wanna slap them with dis d**k. Thats what was in the script [laughs]. Then on the day, it was changed.

Related: How 'Ghostbusters Takes on Its Haters  And Why Its Become More Than Just a Movie

So that was clearly your intent, though, to respond to them?

I honestly dont even know if we were looking to do it, but it was so in our brain, do you know what I mean? Because it really was our beginning to the story, them putting up these videos and being shut down, but then when that stuff was happening at the same time, I think it just made its way through.

I read that you guys tweaked some of the actual Ghostbuster roles as well  like Leslie was going to be a scientist and Melissa was going to be the subway attendant?

Paul was thinking about all sorts of people and having a tough time nailing it down, so he said, Lets just write it and then look at the characters and the dynamics. So we set up four distinct characters and let their dynamics play and then looked at it and cast it. So in my mind, I just kept picturing Melissa as the MTA worker, and I had no idea who else the cast would be. But one, Im just used to writing for Melissa now, with The Heat and The Heat sequel, which isnt happening now, but I also just think Melissa frustrated is really funny to me, her flustered. So the idea of her going from an MTA worker to suddenly being chased by ghosts I thought would be hilarious. And also I think shes really funny dealing with any kind of elitism at all. So in The Heat when she was up against Sandra Bullock being this pretentious FBI agent, her dealing with some smarty-pants scientists, even though theyre the underdogs, I just think she wouldve been really funny doing that. But that was not anything official.

But then I do think Paul said, Well, but weve seen her play that before, like in The Heat. And then he thought Leslie is such a powerhouse he just wanted to put her in there.

Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy in The Heat (Fox)

Why isnt The Heat sequel happening anymore?

We cant get Sandra Bullock to do it. She said she doesnt want to do any more sequels. Im still hopeful shell change her mind because I really, really, really think shes great. And I really loved this sequel. In the first one its revealed that she put the wrong man away, the Red Falls Killer, so the sequel starts with the guy she put away coming out of jail and shes trying to right this wrong and go after the real Red Falls Killer. So its them kind of in The Silence of the Lambs world. It was really fun doing that.

But its more of a blanket deal, Sandra Bullock just doesnt want to do sequels at all?

I dont even know if shes read it. She just said pretty early on that she didnt want to do a sequel. I actually read the headline, I remember I was like three-quarters into the script and I remember I saw on a headline on like Huffington Post or something it said, Sandra Bullock Has No Interest in Doing a Sequel. I was like, Oh! Well. Hit save on this, take a break.

Would you guys consider doing it with someone else?

I dont know. To me its so about those two characters. I cant imagine  not that Im comparing it to Lethal Weapon  but any of my favorite buddy cop movies, the idea of one of them changing would just bum me out.

Chris Hemsworths Kevin character is hilarious in this movie, and Im not just saying that as a Kevin, but I did appreciate it. Did you always intend for him to be (a) male, and (b) the hunky male?

We always thought male. At least in the script, the hunky part wasnt super-important. And actually even Kristen having a crush on him, she just kind of improvised and started doing it. That was something that happened during production.

Kevin probably changed the most because originally his character was this apathetic [guy] I thought about what would have to be the most frustrating thing for them to deal with in an assistant? Cause these people are trying so hard to do this thing and theyre really passionate trying to prove something. So I thought theyd have this guy who was super-apathetic But then in hindsight, I dont think apathy is the funnest thing to play. And also because we changed it so hes rescued in the third act. Melissa had a point like, We need to care about getting this person back. So we started playing around with it and Chris started improvising a lot, and it kind of became this lovable dummy.

Related: Chris Hemsworths Funniest Pre-'Ghostbusters Moments

My favorite parts of him are when hes just really strange and youre like, What is this dudes deal? And there was so much stuff he improvised that didnt go in. Even in the interview scene theres a take where theyre watching him and hes looking at a fire capacity [sign] and it says, 24, and he looks at it and then counts the three of them, just to make sure theyre under capacity. Hes a really great improviser.

Have you guys talked sequel yet?

I am being real careful. There are directions that I think would be really fun to go in, but I cant even allow myself to think like that I just cant let myself think that far ahead. I just hope people can enjoy this. Just stop there and then see.
Second-quarter earnings season has kicked into high gear this week as more than 90 S&P 500 companies release their results. With the Dow at an all-time high, all eyes are on corporate earnings and whether or not results will help the market continue its upward momentum.

Profits at S&P 500 companies are now expected to drop by 4.3%, less than the 4.5% fall previously estimated by Thomson Reuters.

Thomson Reuters senior research analyst Sri Raman told Yahoo Finances Seana Smith in the video above that this could be the fourth consecutive quarter where earnings have shrunk.

Raman has a proven track record with picking specific stocks that beat earnings estimates and those that miss. His team was right on 80% of their picks during the first quarter. How does he do it? Each quarter, Raman and his StarMine team use the Eikon Screener to determine companies that will beat and those that will miss. Their findings are based on SmartEstimate and Predicted Surprise data. Raman shared two negative surprise earnings picks and two positive surprise earnings picks with Yahoo Finance.

Ramans two negative surprise earnings picks:

Tesla (TSLA)  Tesla is in the middle of a negative news cycle, said Raman. Its autopilot has come under scrutiny One of their biggest issues right now is production. Theyre not able to produce as much as theyd like to and thats because they havent had the experience in the auto industry.

Viacom (VIAB)  Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was not as big of a hit as they were expecting. To a broader point, look at Comedy Central. Just a year ago, it had Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Theyre big stars. They both left and now Comedy Central is left with not as many younger viewers watching. Weve seen ad revenues go down sequentially.

Ramans two positive surprise earnings picks:

Amazon (AMZN)  Revenues have increased by more than 20% year-over-year in the last three quarters. Were seeing so many people go online to make their purchases. Its Prime Day was a huge hit. It was a glorified clearance sale, but they positioned it in such a way that so many people were getting Amazon Prime to get those deals Another thing to look at is Amazon Prime video, which is starting to pick up steam.

Boeing (BA)  We expect Boeing to beat analyst estimates because were seeing revenue growth, said Raman. During the Farnborough air show, we noticed that they raised their expectations for the next 20 years by 4%. Look at all the turmoil around the world with the Middle East and what happened in Turkey. It wouldnt be surprising to see defense budgets go up in those areas. This would benefit Boeing.
An MBA can lead to a lucrative career in high-demand fields. Graduates of top-tier business schools usually earn higher starting salaries than their peers who went to lower-ranked schools -- but often leave with more debt, according to U.S. News data.

Prospective students who want to attend a top school without taking on more debt than they can pay off can compare the average annual base salary for students who find employment soon after graduation with the average debt of graduates who borrowed for business school.

Many business school graduates earn bonuses and other forms of guaranteed compensation -- which can help lighten the student debt load -- but the charts below are limited to annual base salary.

[Learn about the business schools where most students get jobs after graduation.]

Fourteen of the top 20 ranked business schools submitted salary and debt information for graduates of full-time programs to U.S. News in an annual survey. Graduates who were employed three months after graduation at those 14 schools earned an average of more than $100,000.

The University of Texas' McCombs School of Business, tied at No. 16 in the rankings, is the best bang for the buck. McCombs' grads had the largest gap between how much students made after graduation and how much they owed in 2015. Students who were employed within three months after graduation in 2015 had an average annual starting salary of $113,787, and those who borrowed had an average debt of $62,525. Fifty-nine percent of McCombs 2015 graduates have student debt.

Students who borrowed to attend Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, tied at No. 12 in the rankings, and Cornell University's Johnson School of Business, No. 14, left school with nearly as much debt as they earned in a starting salary. The average starting salary for Duke graduates was $119,056 and the average debt $114,498. The average starting salary for Cornell graduates was $119,051 and the average debt $115,058. Sixty-one percent of Fuqua 2015 graduates borrowed for business school. Cornell did not provide that data to U.S. News.

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[Plan ahead to get financially ready for business school.]

The chart below includes the average debt, annual base salary listed as the mean base salary, and salary-to-debt ratio for the 14 top-ranked schools that provided both salary and debt data to U.S. News for the 2017 Best Graduate Schools rankings. A higher salary-to-debt ratio is indicative of a better deal. Schools that didn't submit the average debt of 2015 graduates who borrowed to U.S. News in an annual survey were excluded from the chart. The salary and debt data in this chart are correct as of July 20, 2016.

Searching for a business school? Access our complete rankings of Best Business Schools.

Briana Boyington is an education Web producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at bboyington@usnews.com.
On Wednesday morning (July 20), more than two dozen works from David Bowie's private art collection went on preview at Sotheby's on George Street in London -- the first stop in a world tour that will travel on to Los Angeles, New York and Hong Kong before returning to the British capital for a full 10-day public exhibition on Nov. 1. The previews will culminate in a three-part auction to be held on Nov. 10-11.

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Fischer, Meine Richtige Mutter in Jungen Jahren (1985)Courtesy Photo

On those two days, more than 400 items will go on sale, including over 200 works from Bowie's impressive collection of modern and contemporary British art from such prized names as Frank Auerbach, Damien Hirst, Henry Moore and Graham Sutherland. Objects spanning outsider art (including figurative works from psychiatric patients in Vienna), surrealism, contemporary African art, as well as furniture from Ettore Sottsass, will also be represented. Among the more notable offerings is the American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1984 painting "Air Power," which is expected to fetch between 2.5 million to 3.5 million (about $3.3 million to $4.6 million) in the sale.

[[{"fid":"621292","view_mode":"media_original","type":"media","attributes":{"height":1347,"width":1240,"alt":"Basquiat, Air Power (1984)","class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]

Basquiat, Air Power (1984)Courtesy Photo

David Bowie's Art Collection to be Displayed, Then Sold

Rarely is an auction given such special treatment, said Simon Hucker, senior specialist in modern and post-war British art at Sotheby's. "It's quite unusual for us to do this with a 20th century art collection," he said. "The main exhibit will be on for 10 days, instead of the usual three. Bowie had a huge fan base, and we wanted to make sure as many people can see this as possible."

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Bowie, who died on Jan. 10 at age 69 after a battle with cancer, was an avid, though somewhat private collector, occasionally penning interviews and art criticism for the British magazine Modern Painters, on whose editorial board he sat. He often attended auctions -- including those at Sotheby's -- though he attracted so much attention he later sought more private means. "No one really knew to what extent he collected," Hucker said, adding that he was impressed by Bowie's collection of less famous, but well-respected, artists like Moore. "It's a really good collection that happens to be owned by the coolest man of the 20th century."

Many of the works directly inspired Bowie's music. As he said of an Auerbach painting in a 1998 interview with The New York Times: "The work can magnify the kind of depression I'm going through. It will give spiritual weight to my angst. Some mornings I'll look at it and go 'My God, yeah! I want to sound how that looks!'

"Art was, seriously, the only thing I'd ever wanted to own," he added. "It has always been for me a stable nourishment. I use it. It can change the way I feel in the mornings. The same work can change me in different ways, depending on what I'm going through."

The preview runs in London until Aug. 9.[[{"fid":"621285","view_mode":"media_original","type":"media","attributes":{"height":930,"width":1240,"alt":"Bomberg, Sunrise in the mountains, picos de asturias (1935)","class":"media-element file-media-original"}}]]

Bomberg, Sunrise in the mountains, picos de asturias (1935)Courtesy Photo
The 350km journey would take only 90 minutes.

Singaporeans would soon be able to get to Malaysias capital in as quick as an hour and a half as Singapore transport minister Khaw Boon Wan signs a memorandum of understanding on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project.

According to a press release by the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, the signing was witnessed by Malaysias Prime Minister Dato Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Singapores Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, signifying the two countrys firmest commitment yet to the iconic project.

The LTA says the memorandum leads the way for a bilateral agreement to be signed by both governments towards the end of this year.

Both Governments agreed that each will take responsibility for developing, constructing and maintaining the civil infrastructure and stations within their own countries, which will be undertaken by MyHSR Corporation and LTA (as InfraCos) in Malaysia and Singapore respectively, the release noted.

The LTA added that the HSR would have eight stations, the termini in Bandar Malaysia and Singapore, and six intermediate stations in Putrajaya, Seremban, Ayer Keroh, Muar, Batu Pahat and Iskandar Puteri.

All stations will be designed to integrate with the local public transport systems to ensure seamless connectivity. The trains will run at a top speed of more than 300km/h. To facilitate swift and seamless travel, both Governments agreed to co-locate CIQ facilities at three locations  Singapore, Iskandar Puteri and Kuala Lumpur  so that international-bound passengers will need to undergo CIQ clearance by both Malaysia and Singapore authorities only at the point of departure, the press release added.

Additionally, a joint project team comprising of representatives from MyHSR Corporation and LTA will be formed to coordinate joint aspects of planning and development works prior to the commencement of operations, the LTA added.





More From Singapore Business Review


Singapores Media Development Authority has relaxed its rules to allow R21 rated TV series such as Game of Thrones and movies such as Pulp Fiction or Fifty Shades of Grey to be shown on online streaming services.

Such content must, however, be kept behind parental locks that are accessible only with a PIN code. And users must prove their age.

The new rules were quietly uploaded to the MDAs website earlier this month under the heading Information Circular in respect of MDAs Required Baseline Safeguards for Over-The-Top Content Services Offering R21 Content.

Before the rule change shows such as Game of Game of Thrones had to be cut to fit M18 ratings requirements on OTT services. In 2012 the online video stores operated in Singapore by Apple and Google were found to be streaming R21 content, and were required to take it down.

The new rules are intended to bring OTT platforms in line with the streaming video services provided by pay-TV providers via cable and home Internet connections. They are also an acknowledgement that Singapores Internet users frequently navigated onto pirate or overseas sites in order to skirt around the countrys content restrictions.

Local OTT providers had lobbied for such a change and had complained that Netflix, which launched in January in Singapore, was able to screen uncut R21-rated shows including Orange Is The New Black, and Marco Polo with a PIN code.

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NATO on Turkey. In his first interview since Fridays failed military coup in Turkey, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called for a swift return to calm and full respect for the rule of law and democratic institutions, in the country.

Speaking exclusively with Foreign Policy Tuesday evening, Stoltenberg said that he spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, and expressed my support and welcomed the courage of the Turkish people, going into the streets to protect their democratic institutions in the face of helicopters, tanks, and hundreds of armed soldiers over the weekend.

NATO allies have been troubled by the massive government crackdown in the wake of the violence however, which has seen 50,000 people either arrested or fired from their positions. That includes the arrest of 6,000 military personnel  among their ranks over 100 generals and admirals  hundreds of police, and thousands of judges and academics. While events are moving quickly, Stoltenberg said that Turkish military officers working directly with NATO are safe and secure, and that the confusion has not hampered our operations.

FPs Dan De Luce also flags President Barack Obamas call with Erdogan Tuesday where he delivered a similar message, appealing to Turkey to uphold the rule of law as it investigates suspected plotters.

When it comes to the military, Erdogan looks to be taking control. A Turkish government official told the Washington Post that an outline of a new military restructuring plan could be floated as early as Wednesday. Speaking on a conference call on Tuesday, the Council on Foreign Relations Steven Cook said that in the wake of the crackdown, the military is now Erdogan, it is now in chaos and subject to the control of President Erdogan.

Anti-ISIS meeting. The NATO chief landed in Washington Tuesday for two days of meetings with representatives from over 30 countries to discuss the counter-ISIS fight. Wednesday includes a full slate of meetings at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, followed by a Thursday session at the State Department. Turkey is sending an official to act as an observer to the proceedings but Turkish Defense Minister Minister Fikri Isk will not attend the summit. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and head of U.S. Central Command Gen. Joseph Votel will brief reporters Wednesday afternoon. FP will be there, so look for more later. The presser will be livestreamed here at 1:45 p.m.

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Iraq ops. Looming on the horizon is the fight for Mosul, Iraqs second-largest city which has been held by ISIS since 2014. Earlier this month, Iraqi forces backed by U.S. air strikes retook the Qayyarah Air Base south of the city  also known as Q-West during the U.S. occupation  which will serve as a main logistics hub in the coming push. The base will also likely house many of the 560 new U.S. soldiers currently being sent to Iraq.

Were looking ahead to Mosul, which will be the most significant challenge yet, Brett McGurk, U.S. President Barack Obamas special envoy in the fight against Islamic State, said on a conference call with reporters Tuesday. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said he wants to move on Mosul by the end of the year, with some defense officials hinting that the operation could kick off by October. McGurk said that troops in the Mosul operation will include Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, the Iraqi military, and up to 15,000 local Sunni fighters.

French soldiers killed in Libya. French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday that three French soldiers were killed in a helicopter accident in Libya during an intelligence gathering mission. At this moment we are carrying out dangerous intelligence operations in Libya, he said, during which three of our soldiers, who were involved in these operations, have been killed. Earlier, the Defending Benghazi Brigade, a militia based in Benghazi, claimed it shot down the helicopter.

When asked about the incident, NATOs Stoltenberg told FP that the alliance is not looking into combat operations in Libya. This is more about institution building and support. He also revealed that in early fall, he expects a Libyan team of experts to visit NATO headquarters to begin working through some of these issues.

More on Turkey. The Washington Posts Souad Mekhennet and Thomas Gibbons-Neff sat down with Turkeys minister of foreign affairs, Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday at his offices in Ankara, where the leader defended the widespread crackdown over the past several days, claiming that while the plotters are a very closed circle of people who are not that easy to identify, so many have been sacked and arrested because we knew they had affiliations or belonged to this group. Therefore, we have to take these actions.

Hey there! Good morning and as always, if you have any thoughts, announcements, tips, or national security-related events to share, please pass them along to SitRep HQ. Best way is to send them to: paul.mcleary@foreignpolicy.com or on Twitter: @paulmcleary or @arawnsley

North Korea

Oh, that missile test the other day? Practice. Thats the explanation North Korea is offering for firing three missiles  two short range Scuds and one medium range No Dong  off its east coast on Monday. The state-run Korean Central News Agency said the tests were a dress rehearsal for a preemptive nuclear strike on ports and airfields in the operational theater in South Korea. So nothing to worry about there. North Korean military officials also released a statement saying that U.S. forces would be targeted first in the event of a strike, followed by their South Korean allies.

Russia

Two of Russias security agencies are at loggerheads after one raided the other and arrested three of its employees. The New York Times reports that officials from Russias Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the Soviet-era K.G.B., raided Moscows Investigative Committee and arrested three of its prosecutors. The two agencies had previously cooperated in cracking down on Russian dissidents but it appears that the cordial relationship is over, as local media report that the FSB suspects an Investigative Committee official of being bribed by the Russian mafia.

The Islamic State

A new tranche of Islamic State documents on foreign fighters is helping German intelligence identify returning members of the jihadist group. Der Spiegel has obtained exit paperwork smuggled out of Syria and passed to German authorities detailing 400 Islamic State fighters who left the caliphate. Most of those leaving Islamic State territory listed family and medical reasons for their departure. Around 20 of those identified in the documents are German but prosecutors face numerous legal obstacles in prosecuting them based on the smuggled information alone.

Bombs away

The State Department just greenlit the sale of $785 million worth of bombs to the United Arab Emirates. Reuters reports that the sale includes bombs and munition guidance kits. Americas supply of munitions has been running low lately as the U.S. campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and transfers to Gulf allies for use in their war against the Houthi movement in Yemen have cut down on global inventories.

Business of defense

The Justice Department says defense contractor DynCorp defrauded the State Department when a subcontractor it hired inflated charges on a contract to train Iraqi police, the Guardian reports. The department didnt specify how much the alleged fraud amounted to but the contract in question ran from 2004 through 2008 and led to $135 million for the defense contractor. According to the complaint, DynCorp allegedly billed the State Department for vacant hotel rooms and inflated labor rights for its subcontractors services. DynCorp denies the charges and says the U.S. government recommended it do business with the company.

Oops

Another senior Pentagon official has been caught behaving badly in public. The Hill reports that Navy deputy assistant secretary Karnig Ohannessian has been charged after video surfaced of him aiming a gun at two people leaving a party near his Virginia home. In the video, Ohannessian complains that the party is loud and that he is thus legally entitled to shoot and kill the departing partygoers. Fairfax County authorities disagreed and on Tuesday charged him brandishing a firearm, a misdemeanor charge. Ohannessian is currently on paid administrative leave. The charges follow another bizarre incident involving a senior Pentagon official in which spokesman Bryan Whitman was charged with stealing a neighbors nannys license plates after a parking dispute.

Photo Credit: KAYHAN OZER/AFP/Getty Images
Professional Business Accountants' Society of British Columbia releases new article titled "Professional Business Accountants' Society of BC Celebrates Major BC Supreme Court Victory", which may upset the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of BC. More information can be found at http://www.pba-canada.org

SURREY, BC / ACCESSWIRE / July 20, 2016 / Professional Business Accountants' Society of British Columbia has released an article "Professional Business Accountants' Society of BC Celebrates Major BC Supreme Court Victory", bringing to light the attempt by the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants' of British Columbia to prevent the Professional Business Accountants Society from using the word "professional" in their designation.

The 445 press release highlights the results of Justice Kelleher's ruling, in the BC Supreme Court on the case of the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants' of British Columbia v. Nordine. The CPABC had sought to prevent the use of the respondents Professional Business Accountant  PBA designations. The petition relied on an expansive and monopolistic interpretation of the new CPA Act that was not consistent with the CA, CGA, CMA merger public consultation process nor the position of the Ministry of Advanced Education, which was responsible for introducing the new legislation.

This is a great victory for the "little guy" and shows that the CPA Act was not intended to give Chartered Accountants a monopoly on the provision of accounting services and thus ensures that there remains ample choice for professional accountants by small and local businesses in British Columbia and Yukon.

The official press release can be found here: http://www.pba-canada.org/

"We are pleased that the Court saw the merger legislation of the CA's, CGA's and CMA's the same way as the government and the PBABC. This will allow us to continue to develop our brand of professional accounting to the benefit of our clients, without further threats by the CPA's organization to limit our access to the public." said Solomon Nordine, President of the PBABC and owner of Complete Accounting Solutions, based in Surrey, BC.

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Nordine continues; "The aim of our battle in court was first and foremost to ensure that in a competitive free market the public should have the right to choose what type of designated accountant they believe is the right fit for their career or business."

While the court victory might unsettle the Organization of Chartered Professional Accountants' of British Columbia it is important for the public to know that the PBABC protects its clients by regulating PBA members through education, exam, entrance, ethics, experience, continuing professional education, errors and omissions insurance, and practice review requirements.

Professional Business Accountants' Society of Canada (formerly known has the Registered Professional Accountants' Association of Canada (RPAC) has been responsible for accrediting professional accountants for over 30 years.

Professional Business Accountants' Society of British Columbia has stated the future aims for the website are is to provide accounting related education for small, local and professional businesses in British Columbia and Yukon.. So Professional Business Accountants' Society of British Columbia hopes any controversy will pass quickly and re-emphasizes no offence is or was intended.

The Professional Business Accountants' Society of British Columbia's complete press release can be found at: http://www.completeaccounting.ca/blog/

For more information, please visit http://www.pba-canada.org

Contact Info:

Name: Solomon Nordine

Organization: The Professional Business Accountants' Society of British Columbia

Address: #100  17619  96th Avenue Surrey BC, V4N 4A9

Phone: 855-259-5828

SOURCE: The Professional Business Accountants' Society of British Columbia
By Huw Jones

LONDON (Reuters) - Leaving the European Union could allow Britain to tailor financial rules for smaller banks to encourage competition to serve households and small businesses, a senior MP said on Wednesday.

Andrew Tyrie, chairman of parliament's Treasury Select Committee, said EU rules could be placing smaller banks at a disadvantage with their "one size fits all" approach to capital and other requirements.

"The Bank of England and the government both now need to consider whether the opportunity afforded by Brexit could enable the development of a regulatory regime less prejudicial to small and challenger banks," Tyrie said in a statement.

A group of smaller lenders, including Metro, Aldermore and Charter Savings Bank, wrote to Tyrie after Britain voted last month to leave the EU.

The bulk of rules UK banks must comply with, such as how much capital to hold, were approved at the EU level.

The government wants more competition in banking, a sector where a handful of big lenders like HSBC, Barclays, Lloyds, RBS and Santander control about 80 percent of high street accounts.

The group of smaller banks said Britain's competition review of high street banking failed to tackle the root causes of poor competition, such as the "asphyxiation effect" created by capital requirements and taxation.

"Without a far reaching holistic approach, smaller banks will remain restricted to a narrow part of the market which is underserved by the larger banks," the group said.

"For the avoidance of doubt, we seek neither favours not any special treatment. All we ask for is a level competitive playing field."

Tyrie also published a letter dated Feb. 26 from Andrew Bailey, who then headed the BoE's banking supervision arm but now heads the Financial Conduct Authority.

Britain, jointly with Germany, appealed to the EU in January for a more "proportionate" approach to capital requirements for smaller lenders, and the bloc's executive European Commission is reviewing this.

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Bailey's successor, Sam Woods, told the Treasury Select Committee on Tuesday he would keep the issue of challenger banks high on his agenda.

Tinkering with bank capital rules could be tricky without parallel EU changes, however.

Britain is expected to seek continued access to the bloc's single market for financial services after it leaves the bloc, but success may hinge on agreeing that its lenders apply rules similar to those in the EU.

(Editing by Ruth Pitchford)
July (Reuters) - A pet python called 'Bread' was confiscated by New South Wales Police on Wednesday after the snake's owner started showing him off on a train. Bread, a one-metre (3 feet) diamond python, was pulled out of a backpack by a 20-year-old man on a northbound Central Coast train, with worried passengers calling the police concerned for the snake's safety. Police met the man at Woy Woy train station, 80 km (50 miles) north of Sydney, at 1 a.m (1500 GMT) and took the yellow and black snake when the owner said he didn't have a permit for it. "If I could give one piece of advice, don't get your snake out on a train," Brisbane Waters Police Commander Superintendent Danny Sullivan said. The man was expected to be arrested for possessing and displaying protected fauna which carries a penalty of A$300 ($225), police said. Bread was taken to the Australian Reptile Park in Somersby, 50 km (30 miles) north of Sydney, and was in good health, Sullivan added.
By Kim Jae-won





Jeffrey Mountevans

London's lord mayor said Wednesday that the city will continue to play its role as the world's leading financial center thanks to its excellent skills and workforce in international finance even after Britain's decision to leave the European Union (EU).

Jeffrey Mountevans said that he is optimistic that the city will maintain its leading status in global financial markets because it is unbeatable compared to other European cities in terms of its pool of professionals and efficiency of regulations.

"The depth and width of the offer of London is unequal to anywhere else in the world. London is the leading international financial center," said Mountevans in a speech at a breakfast meeting hosted by the Seoul Financial Forum, a group of financial leaders in the country.

He said London is the largest foreign exchange market in the world where more U.S. dollars are traded than in New York. The mayor also was boastful of its some 400,000 professionals who offer a wide range of financial services, such as foreign exchange, banking and insurance.

"For centuries, we've been doing this internationally. London is a great place to do business. Everybody likes London, though they sometimes complain that it is too expensive."

His comments come as the United Kingdom prepares to exit the EU after its June 23 referendum in which voters decided to leave the 28-nation bloc by 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent. The U.K.'s new Prime Minister Theresa May plans to push for the process step by step, having sufficient time before triggering the EU treaty's Article 50 which starts a two-year countdown to exit.

The mayor said that the U.K. is the number one country for foreign direct investment into Europe, and the government will do all it can to ensure that the country maintains its position.

He also noted the importance of green finance, a term describing financial investments in sustainable and environmental projects and infrastructure. He encouraged banks and other financial firms to get involved in the business more actively so that they can contribute to society as well as make profits.

"Green finance can help answer the tenacious public question of what a bank is actually for," said Mountevans in the speech. "It can allow banks and other financial services institutions to claim, legitimately, that they are helping to combat climate change and add value to society, helping solve big problems."

The meeting was part of his four-day visit to Korea. The aim of the visit was to sell the City of London and the U.K. as the regional partner of choice in financial and professional services and strengthen the two countries' relations in these sectors, according to the British Embassy in Seoul.

The lord mayor is the head of the Square Mile's City of London authority for one year and the position is unpaid and apolitical. The mayor addresses some 10,000 people face-to-face each month abroad, making around 800 speeches a year, the embassy said.
(Repeats story first published on July 19 with no changes)

By Maiya Keidan

LONDON, July 19 (Reuters) - A Dallas hedge fund was among investors betting on a fall in the price of ARM Holdings when SoftBank Group's surprise $32 billion bid sent shares in the British chip designer surging nearly 50 percent.

The set-back for such hedge funds, who position themselves to profit from swings in stock prices, comes at a difficult time for the industry as many peers have seen their performance slide and some investors have even demanded their money back.

Data from Britain's regulator, the Financial Conduct Authority, shows that Maverick Capital had a substantial outstanding short position in ARM of roughly 1.2 percent of its shares when the SoftBank bid was announced on Monday.

The data shows that Maverick had a short position of 0.67 percent as of Jan. 6 and increased that to 1.2 percent on May 3.

Maverick declined to comment.

Investors use short selling strategies to bet that a stock price will fall. They borrow shares and sell them in the hope the price will fall and they can buy them back later for less, and return them to the original owner for a profit.

But if the price rises, the bet backfires as the short-seller still has to buy the shares to return them at some point.

SoftBank swooped on Britain's most valuable technology company in a bid to lead the next wave of digital innovation with a chip designer that powers the mobile phone industry.

Maverick was not alone in betting on gloomier prospects for ARM. The amount of ARM stock out on loan to short-sellers stood at 5.6 percent on Friday ahead of the takeover bid, up from 2 percent in January.

Earlier this year, Maverick also nearly doubled its stake in drugmaker Allergan before a planned $150 billion deal with Pfizer unravelled and Allergan's stock dropped.

Hedge funds who buy and borrow stock have had a particularly tough time in volatile markets this year.

Their returns fell 0.96 percent in the first six months of 2016 while investors demanded the return of $2 billion, according to industry data from Eurekahedge.

Greenlight Capital and QVT Financial both held short positions of greater than 0.5 percent of ARM during 2013 and 2014 but they fell below the disclosure threshold in 2015.

(Editing by John O'Donnell and David Clarke)
Nearly half of American families have no retirement savings at all, the Economic Policy Institute reported in March.

As the share of Americans aged 65 or over is expected to double by 2060, the country faces a potential retirement crisis, one thats been driven in large part by the shift from traditional pensions to 401(k)s.

Americas retirement system clearly has room to improve, and that widespread sentiment is backed up by the 2015 Mercer Pension Index, a rating of 25 pension systems around the world. Mercer, a global human resources consulting firm, ranked the U.S. pension system 14th of the 25 countries on the list, with a C grade. Mercer rates countries annually based on how adequate the benefits provided are, how likely the benefits will be provided into the future and how well the pension programs are run.

Related: The Retirement Revolution That Failed: Why the 401(k) Isnt Working

For the U.S., Mercer suggested that making retirement plans mandatory could be one way to strengthen the pension system. Last week, Rep. Joe Crowley (D-NY), vice chair of the Democratic Caucus, introduced legislation meant to address this issue by providing a universal retirement account for every American.

Retirement

Source: Mercer

The bill would require employers with a staff of more than 10 who dont currently have a retirement plan to establish a retirement account for every employee, to which they would contribute 50 cents for every hour worked. Three percent of an employees pre-tax income would go toward the retirement fund automatically, unless the worker decides to opt out. Smaller employers would be eligible for a tax credit worth the value of contributions to 10 employee accounts.

Crowleys proposed legislation comes alongside Sen. Jeff Merkleys American Savings Account Act that would set up a new universal savings account. But if Merkleys bill is any indication (it hasnt yet moved since January), the chances of passing the Crowley bill are slim. Still, some states, including Illinois and Oregon, have passed pension auto-enrollment laws.

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Related: The Retirement Cost That 80% of Americans Arent Ready For

Below are a few other ideas from countries that made Mercers top 10 best pension systems. The key question, as always, is how to pay for such programs, though its possible that employers could play a bigger role in helping Americans grow their retirement nest eggs, especially if the corporate tax rate is lowered.

1. Denmark: Employers Must Pay Two-Thirds of Employee Pension Plans

(Mercer rank: #1)

In addition to the means-tested Danish state pension (the folkepension), for employees aged 16 to 67, Danish employers must contribute to the occupational pension plan called the ATP, in which the employer pays two-thirds of the pension plan contribution, while the employee is responsible for one-third of the contribution. In addition to the ATP, some employers associations participate in voluntary pension programs. (Denmarks nominal corporate tax rate is 22 percent; the U.S. is 35 percent, not including state taxes.)

Related: 6 Brexit Lessons for Your Retirement Nest Egg

2. Australia: Mandatory Contributions from Employers Increase as Population Ages

(Mercer rank: #3)

Australians have been entitled to a state pension since 1992, and employer contributions have been compulsory for employees aged 17 to 70 making more than $450 Australian dollars ($342) per month. Currently, on top of salary and benefits, employers must contribute 9.5 percent of an employees income to pension funds each year, an amount that will increase to 12 percent by 2025. (Australias corporate tax rate is 28.5-30 percent.)

3. Singapores Central Provident Fund

(Mercer rank: #10)

Singapore has long been recognized as a leader among Asian countries for pensions and social security. The countrys Central Provident Fund, established during British colonial rule in 1955, is responsible for Singaporeans retirement funds. The fund has separate accounts for basic needs, health care, housing and insurance programs. The contribution formula depends on the age of the employee. Private sector employees under 55 contribute 17 percent of their wages to the CPF, while employers set aside 20 percent. For employees aged 55 to 60, both employers and employees contribute 13 percent. (Singapores corporate tax rate is 17 percent.)

Top Reads from The Fiscal Times:
Billionaire financier George Soros has detailed a seven-point plan to alleviate Europe's refugee crisis which he believes could help the continent avoid a catastrophe.



"If significant progress could be made on the refugee issue, it would make the other issues  from the continuing Greek debt crisis to the fallout from Brexit to the challenge posed by Russia  easier to tackle," he said in an opinion piece on Tuesday for the Foreign Policy publication.



"All the pieces need to fit together, and the chances of success remain slim. But as long as there is a strategy that might succeed, all the people who want the European Union to survive should rally behind it."

In 2015, over 1 million migrants and asylum seekers reached the EU via the Mediterranean , according to advocacy group Human Rights Watch. Soros argues that the EU's current stance is not fit for purpose and points out that an influx of refugees and economic migrants to Germany last year has stoked anti-immigration sentiment. He said that this current approach of individual countries applying piecemeal solutions is failing and has suggested seven goals for Europe's policymakers.



Firstly, he believes that the EU should make a commitment to admit at least 300,000 refugees each year from front-line countries. He also believes that the EU should regain control of its borders - avoiding shambolic scenes witnessed on global TV networks - and provide Greece and Italy with sufficient funds to care for asylum seekers.

Thirdly, he believes that the EU should loosen its purse strings and relax budgetary rules. He sees at least 30 billion euros ($33 billion) a year as being needed for the EU to carry out a comprehensive asylum plan.

"These funds are needed both inside the union  to build effective border and asylum agencies and ensure dignified reception conditions, fair asylum procedures, and opportunities for integration  as well as outside its borders  to support refugee-hosting countries and spur job creation throughout Africa and the Middle East," he states in the article.



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He also suggests that the refugee crisis must be used to build common European mechanisms for "protecting borders, determining asylum claims, and relocating refugees." Once these refugees have been recognized, he says that there needs to be a mechanism for relocating them within Europe in an agreed way.

His sixth recommendation is that the European Union, along with the international community, must support foreign refugee-hosting countries far more generously than it currently does. His last proposal is that, given its aging population, Europe must eventually create an environment in which economic migrants are welcome.



"The benefits brought by migration far outweigh the costs of integrating immigrants. Skilled economic immigrants improve productivity, generate growth, and raise the absorptive capacity of the recipient country," he said.



Soros underlines that the very existence of the European Union is currently at stake, adding that it would be the "height of irresponsibility and a dereliction of duty" to allow the EU to disintegrate without utilizing all its financial resources.

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NASA Shuttle Carrier

A star investor at a $3 billion hedge fund is going it alone with the backing of his former employer.

Joe Cornell, a managing director at Chilton Investment Co., has left to launch an equity fund making long and short bets, according to three people familiar with the matter. The fund will use a generalist, fundamental strategy.

Richard Chilton and his firm are backing the New York-based startup, which is set to be called "Bluegrass Capital Partners."

"I have a lot of confidence in Joe's abilities," Chilton told Business Insider in an email.

Chilton launched his Stamford, Connecticut-based firm in 1992 with a focus on fundamental equity research. The firm manages about $2.9 billion without leverage, or borrowed money that can juice bets.

Cornell worked at Chilton from 2011 up until this spring, and was promoted to managing director in January 2014, one of the people said. Before that, he was an investment analyst at Shumway Capital Partners from 2010 to 2011.

Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs are set to be prime brokers on the launch. Prime brokerage is a bank service that helps facilitate trades for hedge funds.

Cornell joins other hedge fund alums that are prepping new stock funds, including Seth Wunder of Contour Asset Management and Samantha Greenberg of Paulson & Co.

NOW WATCH: TONY ROBBINS: Heres the secret to investing like hedge fund billionaire Paul Tudor Jones





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BERLIN (Reuters) - Britain's new leadership has signaled that it plans to implement a June 23 referendum vote to leave the European Union, and is likely to act quickly to end uncertainty caused by the process, Germany's foreign minister said on Wednesday. "I think we can expect that Britons will act as quickly as possible to end this period of uncertainty in Britain and in Europe," Frank-Walter Steinmeier told Reuters in an interview. Aside from the Brexit discussions, Steinmeier said all partners were needed to solve or at least reduce conflicts surrounding the European Union. "Despite Brexit, we need the cooperation with Britain in our international relations, particularly in these times of crisis," he said, in an apparent reference to the influx of millions of refugees from Syria and other countries, and a spate of recent extremist attacks in Europe. Steinmeier heads to Washington on Wednesday for meetings on the U.S.-led fight against Islamic State as Britain's new prime minister, Theresa May, travels to Germany and France for her first foreign trips as UK leader. May, appointed a week ago after her predecessor, David Cameron, resigned over the result of the EU vote, will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, determined to "make a success of leaving the European Union." [nL8N1A52XY] Steinmeier last week said May's decision to appoint Boris Johnson - a leading spokesman of the campaign to exit the EU - as foreign secretary showed she was committed to leading Britain out of the European Union. "Those personalities that campaign for Brexit are now obligated and responsible to make the decision a reality," Steinmeier told Reuters. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Studiocanal and The Picture Company has picked up the rights to The Paris Architect, a World War two thriller by Charles Belfoure, setting Chris Salmanpour to adapt the script.

Andrew Rona and Alex Heineman, currently in production on the Liam Neeson action thriller The Commuter, will produce.

Architect centers on an ambitious French architect named Lucien, living in German-occupied Paris during the height of the Nazi regime. When he accepts a secret job to build a hiding place for a once prominent Jewish figure, his life becomes a series of life-and-death twist and turns as be becomes caught between the French Resistance, an ambitious Gestapo officer and even his own friends and family.

The book, released in 2014, was the debut novel from Belfoure, also an architect by trade.

Salmanpour was selected for this assignment in accordance with the partnership formed between Studiocanal, the Black List and The Picture Company to find a new voice among EU writers via a blind script deal.

In addition to making Commuter, Studiocanal and The Picture Company prepping to shoot The Tracking of a Russian Spy with Drake Doremus attached to direct later his year.

Salmanpour is repped by Verve and Curtis Brown in the UK. Belfoure is repped by APA and Susan Ginsburg.
From Delish

We already know that drinking can alleviate stress, soften socially awkward situations, and might even help you lose weight. But now researchers are claiming it can make your marriage happier, healthier, and longer-lasting.

In a study published in the Journals of Gerontology: Psychology Sciences, couples who sipped together stayed together longer. Reuters reports that after surveying nearly 3,000 couples that had been married for an average of 33 years, researchers found that couples who drank together were better off than those marriages where only one partner drank. So basically your goal is to be as drunk in love as Bey and Jay.

What's more, couples where one person does all the drinking were much more prone to marital problems-especially if the woman was the one boozing while her husband sat by, sober. However, it's worth noting that couples also fared well and maintained healthy relationships if both parties abstained from drinking.

"We're not sure why this is happening," study author Dr. Kira Birditt of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor told Reuters Health, "but it could be that couples that do more leisure time activities together have better marital quality."

So start poppin' bottles, love birds.

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A new study says that Work hard, play hard is actually really bad for you

A new study says that Work hard, play hard is actually really bad for you

Bury yourself in your work is a common suggestion for those of us who fight depression. But a new study by scientists and economists at Purdue University and the University of Copenhagen suggests that the opposite is the case.

According to them, work hard, play hard, is an impossible oxymoron.

workhard

The study, which looked at the health of Danish manufacturing workers between 1996 and 2006, found that:

Women at companies that experienced an export boom were significantly more likely to be treated afterwards for severe depression, or take medication to protect against heart attacks or strokes.

fightclub

Yikes. The rate of serious work injuries also increased among both men and women.

They also found that workers took fewer sick days when the company first got busy, but when things became extremely busy, they suddenly started taking more.

alexis

Companies experiencing one of the top 25% biggest booms had 14% more sick days among men, and 24% among women. All this goes to show that people get worn out more quickly the harder they work.

pam

Meanwhile, an Australian study in February found that working more than 25 hours a week may even lower the IQ of people over 40. So overworking not only wears you out emotionally, it can literally make you dumber.

officesp

All this goes to show that you shouldnt feel bad about taking mini-breaks at work and, you know, taking time to peruse your friends Facebook posts or read some sweet social media. Or you could always pull a Jim Halpert and do some good ol fashion office pranks:

office

Take care of yourself, ladies. All the money in the world cant buy back your health.

The post A new study says that Work hard, play hard is actually really bad for you appeared first on HelloGiggles.
ZURICH (Reuters) - Swiss prosecutors on Wednesday said they were helping their counterparts in the United States in an investigation into cash allegedly stolen from the Malaysian state investment fund 1MDB.

The Swiss Office of the Attorney General (OAG) gave the update after the U.S. Department of Justice said it had filed civil lawsuits to seize assets worth more than $1 billion, allegedly stolen from the fund, which was overseen by Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The Swiss OAG on Wednesday said it took note of the announcement by U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch earlier on Wednesday about an "international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from 1MDB."

"The OAG confirms that a U.S. mutual legal assistance request is being currently executed," the OAG said in a statement.

"In the frame of its current criminal proceeding, the OAG has also sent mutual legal assistance requests to different countries, including the USA," it added.

The Swiss opened their own criminal proceedings in August 2015 against two formal officials of the fund on a string of corruption charges. Their investigation has since been extended to other officials and the BSI bank.

(Reporting by John Revill, editing by Larry King)
Syfy is launching new interactive content at San Diego Comic-Con with a social lounge and after show.

The social initiative is part of their three-night Syfy Presents Live from Comic-Con broadcast that will bring celebrity interviews and exclusive Comic-Con content to fans from July 21 through July 23 starting at 8 p.m. ET.

In a partnership with Fullscreen Media, Andre Meadows of Black Nerd Comedy and Katie Wilson Kingdom Geek will host the Live from Comic-Con social lounge, featuring celebrity guests and content for Syfys social media handles.

Also on the roster, YouTube and cosplay influencer, Sssniperwolf, will bring social content from San Diego, to her 6.2 million followers, and create custom content for Syfys social channels.

FoxTales has created an app that allows viewers to watch an exclusive live stream of the after show from the social lounge on both Facebook Live and YouTube Live, during which fans will be able to interact with Meadows and Wilson.

Syfy has also partnered with Giphy to expand the live shows social content and create exclusive content for fans. Giphy will debut a live gif-ing experience, the Giphy Frame, which allows the shows guests and panelists to create their own gif sets.

San Diego Comic-Con runs from July 21  24.

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'Hunters' Cancelled by Syfy After One Season
Beirut (AFP) - Syria's opposition appealed Wednesday to the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group to halt its air strikes after dozens of civilians were killed in raids near an IS-held town.

In a letter to the alliance's foreign ministers, National Coalition president Anas al-Abdah demanded "an immediate suspension of the military operations of the international (anti-IS) coalition in Syria to allow for a thorough investigation of these incidents".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Tuesday said that children were among at least 56 civilians killed in strikes by the coalition as they fled Al-Tukhar in Aleppo province, near the key IS stronghold of Manbij.

"We believe that such incidents indicate a major loophole in the current operational rules followed by the international coalition in conducting strikes in populated areas," said the letter.

"It is essential that such investigation not only result in revised rules of procedure for future operations, but also inform accountability for those responsible for such major violations," it added.

Al-Abdah strongly condemned the "massacre" and held the international coalition totally responsible for what he called "the crimes that took place in Manbij".

"The Syrian people, as you are aware, have been murdered, maimed and tortured for over five years now at the hands of (President Bashar al-)Assad's murderous regime, Russia, Iran and allied militias in addition to ISIS and terrorist groups."

Al-Abdah warned the killing of Syrians now at the hands of the international coalition "will only push them further into a spiral of despair and, more importantly, will prove to be a recruitment tool for terrorist organisations.
BEIRUT/AMMAN (Reuters) - Syrian rebels and a monitoring group said two explosions that struck a Syrian town near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday were caused by an Israeli air strike but Lebanon's Hezbollah blamed rocket fire by al Qaeda-linked militants. At least one blast struck near the governorate building in Baath City, capital of the southern province of Quneitra which borders the Golan region. The town is held by pro-Syrian government forces, including the army and Hezbollah fighters. The Nusra Front, Western-backed rebels, and groups which have pledged allegiance to Islamic State also operate in the region. A Syrian military source said two rockets had hit the town but their origin was unknown. "There is information that there was a rocket which fell on one of a government headquarters in Quneitra in the area of the town of Baath," he said. Two Syrian rebels said an Israeli jet had been seen circling the area and carried out an air strike on a military position. "Our information is that the attack targeted a Hezbollah outpost," said Maher al Ali, a spokesman for the Syrian Revolutionaries Front, a Western-backed rebel group. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said an Israeli jet fired a rocket near the governorate building. It said it had no information on casualties. Hezbollah said Nusra Front fired two rockets loaded with high explosives towards Baath City, causing civilian deaths. "The Israeli enemy was monitoring the launchpoint of the rockets next to the Nusra positions. There is no truth to (reports of) any raids by the Israeli enemy," it said. An Israeli military spokeswoman said: "We do not respond to reports of this kind." Though formally neutral on the civil war, Israel has targeted Hezbollah officials and arms convoys inside Syria several times during the conflict. In January last year it carried out a helicopter attack in Quneitra province that killed a top Iranian Revolutionary Guard general and several Hezbollah members including a son of the group's late military commander, Jihad Mughniyeh. Wednesday's incident took place three days after Israel said it fired missiles towards an unmanned drone that briefly entered Israeli-controlled airspace from Syria. The Golan Heights is a strategic plateau that Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war, and annexed in a move that has not won international recognition. (Reporting by Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman, Laila Bassam and Lisa Barrington in Beirut; Editing by Catherine Evans)
LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghan security forces backed by U.S. air strikes have beaten back Taliban attacks on a vulnerable southern district, government officials said on Wednesday, after a relative lull in fighting over the month of Ramadan. In recent days, Taliban forces launched attacks on the Sangin district center, an outpost in Helmand province repeatedly threatened by militants over the past year. "Taliban insurgents attacked our security outposts on Sunday but faced fierce resistance from Afghan forces and were pushed back," said Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Dozens of militants were killed in the fighting, including the Taliban's shadow district governor in Sangin, Mawlawi Agha, Zwak said. A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmad, said his fighters had captured the district center but Afghan and U.S. military officials rejected that. U.S. warplanes had conducted at least two air strikes in the 24 hours up to Wednesday afternoon in support of Afghan troops, but officials declined to provide additional details on the fighting. U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on a visit to Afghanistan last week that U.S. forces would have greater freedom to strike at the Taliban under broad new powers approved last month by President Barack Obama. Sangin is in a strategic area for the lucrative opium trade, which provides funding for the Taliban, as well as other strongmen. The district center is a small, government-controlled enclave in an area otherwise largely dominated by the Taliban, who have increased their stranglehold on the district over the past year. Fighting intensified in Afghanistan after the Taliban announced the start of their annual warm-season offensive in April, but it tailed off during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ended early this month. (Reporting by Mohammed Stanekzai; Writing by Josh Smith; Editing by Robert Birsel)
By Fumbuka Ng'wanakilala DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania has secured a $7.6 billion loan from China's Export-Import Bank (Exim) to build a railway line that will link it to its neighbours, President John Magufuli's office said on Wednesday. Tanzania wants to profit from its long coastline and upgrade its rickety railways and roads to serve growing economies in the landlocked heart of Africa. Magufuli's office said in a statement Exim had agreed to provide the concessional loan to finance construction of a major standard gauge railway line, which will start in this financial year. The announcement follows talks between Magufuli and Exim Bank President Liu Liange in Tanzania's administrative capital Dodoma on Wednesday. The planned standard gauge railway line will improve regional trade links and help to boost the economies of Tanzania and its landlocked neighbours including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the statement said. Natural gas discoveries in Tanzania and oil finds in Kenya and Uganda have turned East Africa into an exploration hotspot for oil firms but transport infrastructure in those countries has suffered from decades of neglect and under-investment. Tanzania said last year it had awarded contracts to Chinese firms to build new railway lines, expanding Beijings presence in East Africa's second-biggest economy. In 2014 it signed an agreement with China Merchant Holding International to build a mega port and economic zone at Bagamoyo that is expected to cost at least $10 billion. Exim Bank is also financing a $1.2 billion, 532 km (330 mile) natural gas pipeline in Tanzania. Tanzanias finance and planning ministry said in a separate statement on Wednesday the country had secured a $200 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance transport infrastructure projects. (Reporting by Fumbuka Ng'wanakialala; Editing by George Obulutsa and Susan Thomas)
By Promit Mukherjee

MUMBAI (Reuters) - India's Tata Steel Ltd (TISC.NS) plans to double the productivty of its workforce in its domestic operations in the next five years as it seeks to be more competitive, a senior company official said.

This will be achieved in various ways including a reduction in the size of the workforce through a voluntary retirement scheme which the steelmaker has put in place and a lower annual recruitment plan, said the official, who asked not to be named as details of the plan have not yet been made public.

Tata Steel did not respond to a request for comment on the plan. In its annual report published this week though, Tata did acknowledge that "employee productivity continues to be a focus area."

Tata will also focus on further automation and restructuring at its flagship 10 million tonnes a year plant at Jamshedpur, which will help bring down its costs, the official said.

At the same time the company is having to tackle the problems faced by its business in Europe, where it has halted the sale of its Port Talbot plant in Wales following the UK vote to leave the European Union.

Tata banked heavily on global growth in the second half of the last decade with acquisitions in Europe and South East Asia. The moves pushed it deep into debt however, and as steel demand overseas shrunk it has been Tata's Indian operations which have continued to cushion the steelmaker's financial performance.

Moreover, India is one of the few bright spots in the global steel market. Indian steel consumption increased by over 4 percent in 2015 and is expected to grow further this year while global steel demand dropped 3 percent last year and is expected to continue to shrink this year.

However, Indian steel producers are still faced with overcapacity due to rising imports, causing companies to find ways to stay competitive.

"We have to cut a lot of flab to come level with rivals in India," the official said.

In the financial year 2015-16, employee productivity rose to 701 tonnes of crude steel per full time employee (FTE), up from 623 tonnes of crude steel per FTE during the previous year, according to Tata's annual report.

The company official said Tata now aims to more than double employee productivity from these levels by 2020-21.

(Reporting by Promit Mukherjee; Editing by Greg Mahlich)
Imagine approaching the counter at a Toronto train station, requesting tickets to Vancouver. The agent tells you, sure, he can do that, but with a few caveats. One, while the staff is terrific, often working double or triple shifts, they sometimes make very grievous mistakes. Two, while the equipment is up to date, some of the cars occasionally break down. Three, one in 13 passengers will experience some kind of critical incident and will be significantly injured. Oh, and one last thing: One out of 100 of you will be dead before you reach Vancouver. Now, how many tickets would you like?

Dr. Robert Robson, emergency physician, healthcare mediator, assistant professor at the University of Manitobas Faculty of Medicine, and principal at the Healthcare System Safety and Accountability Advisors (HSSA), loves to tell that story during his mediation sessions. While amusing on the surface, underneath its a deadly serious parable. They dont have that conversation with you at the train station, do they? he asks. Hospitals dont have that conversation with you, either. But the truth is that one out of 13 adults admitted to a general hospital in Canada will encounter injury or death, either through a botched surgery, medication mix-up, or equipment malfunction.

Robson refers to the 2004 Baker-Norton study that revealed approximately 185,000 Canadians a year suffer serious injury under hospital care, and between 9,000 and 23,000 die. Add in psychiatric and obstetric patients, nursing homes and chronic care facilities, and the figures climb closer to 35,000 deaths a year. In the ensuing 12 years since that study, Robson suspects those numbers have only increased. They certainly have in other areas. That study was repeated in 2012 for pediatric adverse events in Canada, and the figure is actually higher. So in 10 years, things did not improve.

And while there are no hard numbers to support whats known as The July Effect  when critical incidents spike because newly graduated medical students are entering the hospital to complete their hands-on training  its recognized anecdotally as a fact. But Robson refuses to pin any increase in incidents on interns, since these newbies are not exactly flying solo. They might be overseen by a resident, or other senior staff, he says, to head off medical errors. Hopefully, at some point, the staff physician will be involved. In good clinical teaching units, there will be lots of supervision and feedback.

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Also, ideally, the student will be incorporated into the care team and made to feel confident and valued enough to offer input and even alternate diagnostic possibilities. But too often, stifled in a doctor-is-god cultural hierarchy, the student is reluctant to speak up. So while it may be accurate to say theres an increase in mortality in the first few weeks of July, just as its accurate to say theres an increase in mortality on weekends, one needs to wonder if thats not more a reflection of the kind of supervisory structure in teaching hospitals, says Robson.

I dont mean to paint all medical staff with a black brush, he continues. There are lots of excellent ones. And there are also many who may be overworked or cant be bothered to take the time to review the students record. Teaching hospitals have to allow people, namely students, interns, junior residents, enough space to potentially make mistakes but have enough supervision to pick up those potential mistakes before they actually harm somebody.

Kathleen Finlay experienced those mistakes first hand when her mother was on the receiving end of a staggering 4,000 of them. It is a record in the literature on patient safety, says Finlay, who, in response, went on to found The Center For Patient Protection. And those mistakes were not committed by medical students or interns.

I can honestly say, that among all the complaints I receive each day, none has involved errors on the part of interns. The concerns generally focus on the actions of more senior doctors, nurses and hospital administrators.

And, as far as The July Effect, Finlay says, The real nightmares for patients and families often happen at night, on weekends and during vacation periods like Christmas.

Dr. Chaim Bell, physician and scientist at Torontos Mt. Sinai Hospital and professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, agrees. Ive done a lot of research on the weekend/weekday differences, he says. People always worry about The July Effect, but July only happens once a year, the weekend happens every five days.

As for medical errors made by interns or students, which he says are more accurately referred to as post-graduate year ones, or PGY1, he says, Only 20 per cent of the care, at least in Ontario, is provided in academic institutions. So 80 per cent of the care is provided in institutions and areas that really have nothing to do with the new intern phenomenon, so to speak.

Yet, he says, Its so well recognized that there might be even more attention to make sure that we build in greater redundancies, support and oversight during that time frame. Where we might double-check in March, we will double- and triple-check in July because were more attuned to the possibilities.

He points to other factors that might contribute to a July effect, namely that many senior staff take vacations during that month, and some residents have become full-fledged physicians and moved on to practice elsewhere. He believes the problem could be mitigated, in academic institutions at least, by allowing fewer vacations by senior staff in July, ensuring more available personnel, and lessening teaching responsibilities.

Robson, the former Chief Patient Safety Officer of the Winnipeg Health Authority, where he remains as a researcher and investigator, says, All of the large studies have indicated that critical incidents in teaching hospitals occur at the same frequency, or sometimes at a slightly higher frequency, than in community hospitals or even small rural hospitals. So isnt it surprising that we have apparently the absolute cream of the crop, the most senior professors and physicians who are at least nominally providing the care within those hospitals and yet theyre doing at least as bad as other hospitals. Its very strange. We need to stand back and ask why that may be the case.

Certainly staff, resources, equipment and budgets are stretched or cut, making optimal care a challenge. There are also communication breakdowns, especially during hand-offs, when patients are transferred from one department or shift to another. But the way in which teaching hospitals are structured, and the way in which health services are organized, also play a part, says Robson. In addition, he maintains (and the numbers support it), there is a dramatic under-reporting of critical incidents, and its not any different in a teaching hospital than it is in a community or rural hospital. Every province has legislation that says you must report these things and yet in most cases, less than five per cent are reported. Theyre not covering up, theyre not bad hospitals or nasty managers or CEOs. But they do have to run their businesses, if I can use that term, in a way that they continue to get funding. Generally speaking, people think, Gee, if I tell everybody that one out of 13 people coming into my hospital is going to be injured unintentionally, that doesnt look good.

But isnt not injuring or killing somebody better than looking bad? Isnt reporting, investigating and studying these incidents, remaining open and transparent about them, a good thing? They think, None of the other hospitals are copping to these problems, so we must be worse than them. The fact is, youre not worse than them. Everybody is like that. But would you rather take your kid to a hospital where nobody looks for problems and fixes them, or to a hospital that says, Weve discovered these problems and heres what weve done to fix them. Lets be honest about this.

Finlay could have used a little of that honesty when her mother was deteriorating. When my mother was hospitalized, I had no idea what a medical error was, she says. I just assumed hospitals were like NASA programs, where all kinds of safeguards and redundancies were built in to ensure safety. How wrong I was. In fact, so many errors were inflicted on my mother that, by the end of her six-month hospitalization, we were told her demise was imminent. We brought her home to die. But getting her out of the hospital was what saved her life. And almost six years later, she is living at home and, with my assistance, is enjoying life every day.

Even Robson says, When are hospitals going to be required to have a sign over the entry doors that says, Entering here for care is more dangerous than smoking cigarettes?

But, he emphasizes, does not believe medical personnel get up in the morning thinking, How many people can I kill today? He says most are hard-working, dedicated, caring individuals who do the best they can within the structure, budget and resources in which they work. I have never met a physician or a nurse or a pharmacist or an x-ray technician who says, Im going to see who I can bump off today. So why is it happening? I think the answer is fairly straightforward  how to fix it is not fairly straightforward  but the answer is that the way in which we provide care is now so complex, and there are so many things interacting that it is virtually inevitable that there will be breakdowns in communication or teamwork. Sometimes its as simple as a piece of equipment thats malfunctioning and nobody knows how to fix it. There are ways of solving it but you have to study them. If you dont get these things reported and you dont review them, then you never learn what happened. And if you never learn, its just going to repeat itself.

Finlay believes our lawmakers need to be more aware of whats happening in the halls of our hospitals, and they need to act. She says research proves that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and Canada, claiming more lives every year than strokes, Alzheimers disease, breast cancer, kidney disease and car accidents combined. The result is a needless infliction of pain and death on patients that, for the most part, is avoidable. Its a huge added cost on our healthcare budgets and a tremendous cause of emotional trauma for families.

Dr. Gordon Wallace, managing director of the Safe Medical Care Program at the Canadian Medical Protective Association, says doctors and other medical staff understand the situation and are working to improve it. Weve got an issue with the quality and safety of care and I dont think theres a hospital in Canada that isnt trying to address this, he says. Ive been in practice for nearly 40 years. We were always interested in quality, but weve very much accelerated that interest in the last decade, developing a lot of tools and approaches to improve quality.

Most of those tools are detailed on the Associations website, and would be of interest, he says, to everyone from patients to students to professors and senior medical staff. And while he says he has heard about the July Effect anecdotally, he hasnt recognized it as a trend. We as staff physicians are very alert to the fact that residents are one day a medical student and the next day a practicing resident doctor, he says. So wed be much more diligent in our supervision in those times as theyre gaining experience. I think that keeps a lot of residents early on out of trouble.

Wallace also agrees that its important to create and maintain a welcoming culture, where not only new staff are encouraged to have a voice, but the patients themselves should be actively engaged with their health care team. I think the best physicians encourage patients to speak up.

Robson also believes the public holds the key to reducing medical errors, either by interns or anyone else, no matter their position. Patients are the ones who, once they have the proper information, will do something about it. The best quality control agents are patients. Some of the best ideas, the most compassion, have come from people weve injured unintentionally or who had a loss.

He also believes the methods and approach used to head off those injuries or loss need to change. Most hospitals in Canada are still using techniques called root cause analysis, he says. Theyre very effective when youre trying to figure out what went wrong in a car assembly plant, but theyre not effective most of the time to figure out whats going wrong in a hospital. You need a totally different approach, and theres resistance to that approach because part of that approach requires honesty and transparency.

Meantime, he recommends we as potential patients need to be aware of the risks when we walk through those double doors, not just in July, but in every month, every week, every day. We should know our rights, ask questions, be fully involved in our own care, and know how to respond when something goes wrong. And take a loved one with us to ensure we get out alive.

Injuries and mortalities are occurring and its not as simple as those bloody interns, he says. There are many reasons, and we need to have that conversation. Lets be honest with the patient, apologize and figure out how to fix it. But before we can do that we need to learn about the cases, investigate them in a way that reflects the complexity of the situation in which it occurred. Everybody whos affected by this needs to be part of searching for the solution.
By Kylie MacLellan and William James LONDON (Reuters) - Taunting the opposition over women's rights and a bitter leadership battle, new British premier Theresa May delighted her party at her first session of Prime Minister's Questions with an assured performance that drew comparisons with Margaret Thatcher. Taking to the floor on Wednesday for the 30-minute grilling by lawmakers that is the closely watched centrepiece of the British political week, May won loud cheers from the Conservative Party benches behind her. May was appointed to Britain's top job a week ago after David Cameron resigned following the country's vote to quit the European Union, leaving her the difficult task of uniting her party and negotiating an exit from the bloc. May, who styles herself as a serious, down-to-earth and unflashy leader, kicked off her remarks by welcoming a drop in unemployment and setting out plans to visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande. Then she laid into the opposition Labour Party, whose leader Jeremy Corbyn is locked in a bitter power struggle in which the only female candidate dropped out on Tuesday. May pointed out that her party had made her Britain's second female prime minister after Thatcher. "In my years here in this house I've long heard the Labour Party asking what the Conservative Party does for women, well it just keeps making us prime minister!," she said, as her husband Philip looked on from the public gallery. "The Labour Party may be about to spend several months fighting and tearing itself apart. The Conservative Party will be spending those months bringing this country back together." Often the only taste of parliamentary business that members of the public regularly get, the box-office drama known colloquially as PMQs is seen as a barometer of how well party leaders are doing and they spend hours preparing for it. When Corbyn, who has refused to resign despite an overwhelming vote of no confidence by his own lawmakers, asked about unscrupulous bosses, May gave a flavour of her sense of humour. "I suspect there are many members on the opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss. A boss who doesn't listen to his workers, a boss who requires some of his workers to double their work load, and maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career," she said. Leaning forward on one elbow, she asked Corbyn: "Remind him of anybody?" before Conservative lawmakers erupted with shouts of "More" as they waved their parliamentary papers. Observers said that line was delivered in a style uncannily reminiscent of Thatcher, who governed from 1979 until 1990. NERVE-WRACKING While some questions from the leader's own lawmakers are planted, the prime minister generally does not know what is coming. The opposition leader gets six questions and other lawmakers are picked from a ballot. "It is a time when, every week, the prime minister has to know absolutely everything that is going on in Whitehall. Often you find out things that you want to stop pretty quickly before 12 o'clock on a Wednesday," Cameron said during his final PMQs. May, who after six years as interior minister is no stranger to tough questions in parliament, occasionally referred to a file of notes as she was grilled on topics ranging from education to the Nice attacks. "It is the single most nerve-wracking thing you'll ever do in your life," former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith told ITV. "It is like driving a car down a narrow road at 100-miles-an-hour whilst having to look in your rear-view mirror to see what the hell is going on behind you, and if anybody is there trying to smash your car up from behind. It is just impossible." Having navigated the session with no major stumbles, May's final question was from an old political rival. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, whose party spent five years in coalition with the Conservatives before losing almost all its lawmakers at last year's election, recalled running against May for a parliamentary seat in 1992. "She has come a long way since we were on the hustings together in north west Durham," he said. May responded: "Little did the voters of north west Durham know that the two unsuccessful candidates in that election would become leaders of two of this countrys political parties." "Although I would point out ... my party is a little bit bigger than his." (Editing by Giles Elgood)
Massachusetts-based medical instruments manufacturer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. TMO is scheduled to report its second-quarter 2016 results before the opening bell on Jul 28. Last quarter, the company had posted a positive earnings surprise of 3.45%. The four-quarter trailing average beat is pegged at 1.96%. Lets see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement.

Factors at Play

After a solid start, Thermo Fisher is looking forward to continue this momentum for the rest of 2016 as well. However, while it is encouraging to note that the company still expects 4% organic growth for the full-year 2016, we are apprehensive as the tough organic growth comp expected in the second quarter may drag the overall result down.

However, in bioproduction and biosciences businesses, we anticipate a strong and consistent growth even in the second-quarter 2016. Strong productivity and incremental cost synergies are projected to further improve operational efficiencies down the line.

We currently await the integration and expected synergy of Affimetrix, the recently completed mega acquisition by Thermo Fisher, which is expected to enhance its offering in the fast-growing flow cytometry market through an advanced antibody portfolio. This should be evident from the second quarter itself.

With respect to Life Technologies synergy, per the company, it is on track to deliver revenue and cost synergy targets. By the end of 2015, the company realized $130 million of incremental cost synergies, in line with its full-year target. Revenue synergies at 2015 end were $90 million, much faster than anticipated. This puts Thermo Fisher in a comfortable position to achieve its full-year 2016 targeted synergy of delivering $150 million in revenue.

Apart from the Life Technologies integration, we are also focusing on the companys growth strategies in emerging markets. The company expects to garner 25% of total revenue from the high-growth Asia-Pacific and emerging markets by 2016 from 19% in 2011 (10% in 2006). Thermo Fishers expanding presence in emerging markets will continue to be an key catalyst for growth in the second quarter.

Story continues

Earnings Whispers

Our proven model does not conclusively show that Thermo Fisher is likely to beat earnings this quarter. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below.

Zacks ESP: Thermo Fishers Earnings ESP is 0.00%, since both the Most Accurate estimate and the Zacks Consensus Estimate stand at $2.00.

Zacks Rank: Thermo Fisher has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which increases the predictive power of ESP. However, a breakeven ESP makes surprise prediction difficult.

Note that we caution against stocks with a Zacks Rank #4 or 5 (Sell-rated stocks) going into the earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.

THERMO FISHER Price and EPS Surprise

THERMO FISHER Price and EPS Surprise | THERMO FISHER Quote

Stocks to Consider

Here are three companies you may want to consider as our proven model shows they have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter:

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company BMY has an Earnings ESP of +3.03% and a Zacks Rank #1.

Teligent Inc. TLGT has an Earnings ESP of +100% and a Zacks Rank #2.

GW Pharmaceuticals plc GWPH has an Earnings ESP of +6.36% and a Zacks Rank #2.

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Zacks Investment Research
Judging only from a few of the keynote speeches at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night, youd be forgiven for thinking that unemployment was skyrocketing, job growth was moribund and the American economy was in ruins.

If opportunity seems like its been slipping away, thats because it has, Speaker Paul Ryan told a restless crowd. Wages never seem to go up, the whole economy feels stuck, and for millions of Americans, middle-class security is now just a memory.

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who took the podium a few minutes later, struck a similar note. For eight years we have had a President who promised us so much but delivered so little, he said. The lies we were told about Obamacare, the destruction of jobs and entire industries.

But on the floor of the Quicken Arena in Cleveland, Republican delegates were markedly more optimistic about their economic prospects.

Michigans a comeback state actually, said Nancy Jenkins, a representative in the Michigan state legislature, who is also serving as a delegate to the convention. Weve created 200,000 jobs and reformed our tax structures. Weve started to see a real difference.

Jerry Murphy, a retiree and a delegate from Wisconsin, also reported strong economic growth in his state. Wisconsins doing really goodwe have low unemployment and a high labor participation rate, he said.

Zan Bunn, a training consultant from Raleigh, North Carolina, described her state as Comeback Carolina. The economy has greatly improved since 2012, she said, attributing it to Republican Gov. Pat McCrorys focus on spending on core missions of the state.

Of course, the delegates, who earlier in the day bragged about their states beef production or being the home of Prince, are prone to some parochial boosterism.

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In nearly every case, the delegates drew a distinction between their own states economic recoveries, which they credited to their governors or state legislatures, and what they saw as broader economic decline on the national level.

I dont want to call it malaise, Jenkins said, but its hard out there. I dont think people are doing well.

But thats the thing. Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina arent outliers. In the eight years since the worst financial crisis in a generation, the U.S. economy has grown significantly, hitting nearly every major benchmark of economic growth.

Unemployment is now less than 5 percent, the U.S. Gross Domestic Product is 10 percent higher than its peak during the George W. Bush administration, and if you control for demographic changesBaby Boomers retiring, an influx of young Millennial workers, etc.real wages have been increasing for years.

While the recovery has been inarguably slow and painstaking, the U.S. economy is healthier than most of its counterparts in the developed world, including almost all economies in Western Europe.

Some of this cognitive dissonance is simply a problem with statistics.

For example, on Monday night, Sen. Jeff Sessions lamented the state of median household incomes in America. Fellow Republicans, we must understand that the incomes of middle-class Americans today are $4,186 per year less than in 1999, he said. This is an economic disaster. We are on the wrong track and the people know it. Other speakers noted the declining labor force participation rate, which hit 62.4% last fall, its lowest point in 38 years.

Both bleak statistics are correct. But economists on both ends of the ideological spectrum point out those arent necessarily good measures of a healthy economy, because they fail to take into account how radically the American workforce has changed in the last twenty years.

As families have had fewer children, and as its become more common to live alone, American households have shrunk by roughly 3.4% since the late 90s. So when Sessions notes that household income is declining, hes rightbut hes comparing apples and oranges. A four-person household earning the equivalent of $50,000 in 1996 is not necessarily better off than a two-person household earning $40,000 twenty years later.

The declining labor participation rate, meanwhile, can be explained largely by the fact that a huge swath of the Baby Boom generation has retired in recent yearsand is therefore out of the workforcewhile a large portion of the Millennial generation, the next biggest demographic bubble to push through the economy, is still in schooland therefore out of the workforce, too.

A better measure of the economic health of the U.S. economy is the real incomes of Americans on an individual basisand on that, the experience of real Americans, like the delegates on the floor of the Quicken Arena in Cleveland, has been improving.

According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, most individual Americans real income grew 1.9% from February to December 2013. In 2014, they grew another 3% and in 2015, they jumped another 4%. The average American today makes 13% more than in 1989, and that number has been climbing steadily since the end of the Great Recession.

Thats not to say the Republicans doom-and-gloom economic rhetoric is necessarily bad politics. With sluggish GDP growth, productivity falling and the markets skating on thin ice, betting on a lack of economic confidence among Americansparticularly those who rely on the oil, gas, or coal industriesmay be wise. A daily Gallup poll shows a solid 50% report feeling that the economy is getting worse.

Its a point that McCarthy seems to have internalized.

In our Republican agenda, our enemies will fear us, our taxes will be fairer, people can afford the health care they want, the peoples voice will be heard, government will help those who truly need it and allow everyone an opportunity to rise, he said Tuesday night. So to all those left behind by economic forces out of your control, we hear you.

The crowd cheered.
The following timeline charts the origin and spread of the Zika virus from its discovery nearly 70 years ago: 1947: Scientists researching yellow fever in Uganda's Zika Forest identify the virus in a rhesus monkey 1948: Virus recovered from Aedes africanus mosquito in Zika Forest 1952: First human cases detected in Uganda and Tanzania 1954: Virus found in Nigeria 1960s-80s: Zika detected in mosquitoes and monkeys across equatorial Africa 196983: Zika found in equatorial Asia, including India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Pakistan 2007: Zika spreads from Africa and Asia, first large outbreak on Pacific island of Yap 2012: Researchers identify two distinct lineages of the virus, African and Asian 201314: Zika outbreaks in French Polynesia, Easter Island, the Cook Islands and New Caledonia. Retrospective analysis shows possible link to birth defects and severe neurological complications in babies in French Polynesia March 2, 2015: Brazil reports illness characterized by skin rash in northeastern states July 17: Brazil reports detection of neurological disorders in newborns associated with history of infection Oct. 5: Cape Verde has cases of illness with skin rash Oct. 22: Colombia confirms cases of Zika Oct. 30: Brazil reports increase in microcephaly, abnormally small heads, among newborns Nov. 11: Brazil declares public health emergency November 2015-January 2016: Cases reported in Suriname, Panama, El Salvador, Mexico, Guatemala, Paraguay, Venezuela, French Guiana, Martinique, Puerto Rico, Guyana, Ecuador, Barbados, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Curacao, Jamaica Feb. 1: World Health Organization (WHO) declares public health emergency of international concern Feb. 2: First case of Zika transmission in United States; local health officials say likely contracted through sex, not mosquito bite Feb. 5: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says virus being actively transmitted in 30 countries, mostly in the Americas Feb. 8: U.S. President Barack Obama requests $1.8 billion to fight Zika Feb. 12: Brazil investigating potential link between Zika infections and 4,314 suspected cases of microcephaly. Of those, 462 confirmed as microcephaly and 41 determined to be linked to virus Feb. 17: Brazil investigating potential link between Zika and 4,443 suspected cases of microcephaly. Of those, 508 confirmed as microcephaly and most of those cases are linked to the virus. WHO seeks $56 million to fight Zika. Feb. 18: CDC adds Aruba and Bonaire to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 32. Feb. 23: CDC investigating 14 cases of possible sexual transmission of Zika. CDC also adds Trinidad and Tobago and Marshall Islands to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 34. Feb. 25: Brazil says confirmed microcephaly cases number more than 580 and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating an additional 4,100 suspected cases of microcephaly. Feb. 27: France detects first sexually transmitted case of Zika. Feb. 29: CDC adds St. Maarten, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 36. March 1: Brazil says confirmed microcephaly cases rose to 641 and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating an additional 4,222 suspected cases of microcephaly. March 8: WHO advises pregnant women to avoid areas with Zika outbreak and said sexual transmission of the virus is "relatively common." March 9: CDC adds New Caledonia to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 37. March 15: Cuba reports first case of Zika contracted in the country. March 16: Cape Verde identifies first case of microcephaly. March 18: CDC says during Jan. 1, 2015 to Feb. 26, 2016, 116 residents of the United States had evidence of recent Zika virus infection based on laboratory testing. Brazil says confirmed microcephaly cases rose to 863 and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating an additional 4,268 suspected cases of microcephaly. March 19: CDC adds Cuba to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 38. March 21: South Korea confirms first case of Zika. March 22: CDC adds Dominica to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 39. Bangladesh confirms first case of Zika virus. Brazil says confirmed microcephaly cases rose to 907 and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil is investigating an additional 4,293 suspected cases of microcephaly. March 29: Brazil says confirmed microcephaly cases rose to 944 and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. Brazil said the number of suspected cases of microcephaly dropped slightly to 4,291. March 31: According to the World Health Organization, there is a strong scientific consensus that Zika can cause the birth defect microcephaly as well as Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can result in paralysis, though conclusive proof may take months or years. April 1: CDC adds Kosrae, Federated States of Micronesia to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 40. April 4: CDC adds Fiji to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 41. April 5: Vietnam reports first Zika infections. April 6: Brazil says confirmed microcephaly cases rose to 1,046 and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. The number of suspected cases of microcephaly dropped to 4,046. April 7: St. Lucia confirms first two cases of Zika, contracted locally. April 12: Brazil says confirmed microcephaly cases rose to 1,113 and considers most of them to be related to Zika infections in the mothers. The number of suspected cases of microcephaly dropped to 3,836. It was the second week in a row that the overall total figure fell. April 13: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that infection with the Zika virus in pregnant women is a cause of the birth defect microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities in babies. The CDC said now that the causal relationship has been established, several important questions must still be answered with studies that could take years. CDC adds St. Lucia to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 42. April 14: Colombia confirms two microcephaly cases linked to Zika. April 18: Peru reports first case of sexually transmitted Zika virus. CDC adds Belize to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 43. April 19: Chilean authorities find Zika mosquito for first time in decades. April 25: Canada confirms first sexually transmitted Zika case. April 26: Brazil says the number of confirmed cases of microcephaly climbed to 1,198 from 1,168 in the week through April 23, but suspected ones under investigation continued to decline to 3,710 from 3,741 a week ago. Brazil registered 91,387 likely cases of the Zika virus from February until April 2, the health ministry said, in its first national report on the epidemic. April 29: Puerto Rico reports first death related to Zika, according to the CDC. The country also confirmed 683 Zika cases, including 65 pregnant women, and five suspected cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome from Zika, the CDC reported. May 4: Panama confirms four microcephaly cases tied to Zika. May 6: Spain gets first case of Zika-related brain defect in a fetus. May 9: CDC adds Papua New Guinea, Saint Barthelemy and Peru to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 46. Honduras suspects first case of microcephaly in Zika patient. May 11: Brazil says the number of confirmed cases of microcephaly dropped to 1,326 in the week through May 7 as doctors and Brazilian health officials find that some suspected cases of microcephaly are not the disorder. Suspected ones under investigation continued to decline to 3,433. May 12: CDC adds Grenada to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 47. May 13: Puerto Rico reports first case of Zika-related microcephaly. May 20: WHO says an outbreak of Zika virus on the African island chain of Cape Verde is of the same strain as the one blamed for birth abnormalities in Brazil. May 24: Brazil reports the number of confirmed cases of microcephaly at 1,434 for the latest week to May 21. Suspected ones under investigation declined to 3,257. May 26: CDC adds Argentina to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 48. June 9: WHO issues updated guidelines on prevention of sexual transmission of the Zika virus, including advising women living in areas where the virus is being transmitted to delay getting pregnant. June 14: El Salvador confirms first case of microcephaly linked to Zika. June 23: CDC reports seven babies in the United States with microcephaly or other Zika-related birth defects such as serious brain abnormalities, and five lost pregnancies from either miscarriage, stillbirth or termination. June 28: First baby with Zika-related birth defect microcephaly born in Florida. June 30: CDC adds Anguilla to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 49. Guinea-Bissau confirms three cases of Zika, government says. Spain records first case of sexually transmitted Zika virus, health authorities said. July 8: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that a Utah resident's death last month is the first Zika-related death in the continental United States. July 14: CDC adds Saint Eustatius to countries and territories with active outbreaks, bringing total to 50. July 18: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that caregiver of Utah man who died of Zika tested positive for virus. July 19: Florida health officials are investigating a case of Zika virus infection that does not appear to have stemmed from travel to another region with an outbreak. SOURCES: World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Reuters (Reporting by Ben Hirschler; Editing by the Americas Desk)
Okinotorishima island

It seems that building artificial islands is considered chic these days.

Qatar and Dubai are in the process of making their own. China is as well; albeit to the dismay of their neighbors throughout the South China Sea.

But theres another country involved in building islands in Asia that could make everything significantly more complicated.

At nine square meters, Japans southernmost island of Okinotori has in the past drawn little attention. However, given the recent ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague, it may come under scrutiny by other nations, namely China.

According to Forbes contributor Ralph Jennings, Japan has thus far spent $600 million on reinforcing the island with cement and steel breakwaters  even going so far as to grow coral around the area. Located 1,700 kilometers south of Tokyo, it contains several key elements for Japans naval activity, such as a three-level observatory thats able to scan for ships.

If in fact Japans claim of its sovereign 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from Okinotori remains uncontested, Japan would be able to oversee all shipping activity within that radius.

Earlier this year, Japan and Taiwan had a dispute over the detainment of a Taiwanese vessel that allegedly fell within the bounds of its EEZ. Although talks between the two nations are underway and the conflict seems to be put at rest for now, China has continued to dispute Japans authority in the area.

Taiwan may side with China in this argument  citing the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), China has asserted that Okinotori was not eligible to draw an EEZ around itself.

Okinotori island

Story continues

As prescribed in the UNCLOS, rocks like Okinotori which cannot sustain human habitation or economic life of their own shall have no exclusive economic zone nor continental shelf, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said in an article from The Diplomat.

The official continued, Japan has violated the UNCLOS by categorizing Okinotori as island for the purpose of claiming for EEZ and continental shelf based on that. China does not recognize the illegal assertion by Japan.

According to another quote from NBC News, former Taiwan deputy defense minister Chong-Ping Lin sheds light on the incident, "The irony is that Japan is doing exactly what it is accusing China of doing in the South China Sea."

NOW WATCH: The US and 25 other nations are working together in the worlds largest maritime exercise





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Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 36F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies this evening will become overcast overnight. Low 36F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Apollo 11

On July 20, 1969, a spacecraft planted itself on lunar soil, carrying with it the first men who would ever step foot on the surface of the moon.

Forty-seven years later, we're still trying to learn things about our dusty lunar satellite like where the heck it came from and what's inside of it.

And yet it's been 44 years since a human stomped around the cratered face of the moon.

Choked by fiscal restraints and changing national priorities, NASA shifted its focus to low Earth orbit, where the International Space Station (ISS) currently resides.

And recently, it seems that NASA has set its sights on missions to asteroids in deep space and, of course, Mars, leaving missions to the moon essentially in the dust.

In 2010, the Obama administration canceled the Constellation Program, which planned to bring us back to the moon no later than 2020.

And in 2013, NASA administrator Charles Bolden went on the record, saying NASA is not going to the moon with a human as a primary project probably in my lifetime.

Since the moon has taken a backseat in the American agenda for space exploration, other nations such as China, Japan, and Russia, as well as the European Space Agency, have taken the reign in the race to get back to the moon.

But according to Inverse, without the U.S. leading the charge, it's possible that none of these nations will follow through on sending astronauts back to the moon anytime in the next 15 years.

"The best way to get us back to the moon is for the U.S. to get back in the race," Inverse reports. "Since thats not likely to occur, we can probably expect another two decades or so before Earths only natural satellite has visitors once again."

NOW WATCH: The first phone call made to astronauts on the Moon will be the most inspirational speech you hear all day





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Gisele Bundchen is a very lucky birthday girl.



The model turned 36 on Wednesday, and her husband Tom Brady, 38, shared a sweet message to celebrate the occasion.



"Happy Birthday to the love of my life," he captioned a photo of Bundchen riding a horse with one of their children on a beach. "May this year be your best and brightest and most fulfilling. We love you!"















Related Video: Gisele Is Giving Us Workout Goals with Her Newest Insta





The couple wed in a small, private ceremony in Santa Monica, California, in 2009. They share two children, Benjamin Rein, 6, and Vivian Lake, 3.



The Brady bunch spends time together as often as they can, whether they're playing in the sand or simply reading bedtime stories.



"When I am doing activities with Tom or the kids, surfing, riding horses, kayaking or playing ball, I try to really be present and enjoy it," Bundchen previously told PEOPLE. "The quality of time I get to spend with my family is very important. That way I feel I am experiencing all the different aspects of my life without guilt."
Between election-themed condoms being hawked to delegates and third-party candidates pushing their own runs at presidency from the sidelines, the GOPs quadrennial gathering represents the best, brightest and, yes, strangest that American politics has to offer.

But this years Republican National Convention presents an opportunity to recast a party still trying to define itself in the wake of its flaxen-haired hurricane. The partys next big names will be elevated here, and, in four or eight years, perhaps paraded as a presidential or vice presidential nominee themselves. Here are just a few of the surprises shaping and shifting the party as it looks to November  and future conventions.

The Republican Partys Rising JV Team

The RNC usually serves as a coming-out fete for the partys all-star team, though many elite conservative talents have opted out of attending this years event. Notable absences from the main stage so far have included New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, Nebraska Sen. Ben Sasse and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley. Does the GOP risk hiding its depth by not highlighting, on a national platform, the best it has to offer until the next election cycle?

Gettyimages 577704458

The presumptive nominee pushes a lot of buttons.

Source: Jeff Swensen / Getty

Or, could this ultimately prove to be a successful move? After all, its hard to ignore the feeling that the national stage is being held  and even elevated  by its junior varsity squad. Some true up-and-comers include Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton, whose measured tone and familys history of military service stirred the patriotic crowd, as well as Colorado Senate candidate Darryl Glenn, a rising Black Republican who boisterously proclaimed, Frankly, somebody with a nice tan needs to say this  all lives matter. Cue the raucous applause.

Further Complications of Color

Multiple speakers this week, including Paul Ryan, have argued that Democrats are the ones splitting America into divisive groups, whereas Republicans are trying to bring them together. I think a lot of political leaders need to stop fanning the flames of racial tension, Cotton said at a talk hosted by The Atlantic. Theyve also tried to showcase a more diverse group of speakers, including Harmeet Dhillon, a lawyer and vice chair of the California Republican Party, who delivered an invocation in Punjabi and English  with a Sikh prayer.

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Yet some of the party faithful have been skeptical that its fulfilling its mission as an inclusive big tent. That group includes delegate Victor Ashe, the former mayor of Knoxville, Tennessee, and ambassador to Poland under George W. Bush: Just look around at our party, he told OZY. Others believe Donald Trump can solve Americas racial divide, most crucially by creating jobs  especially in the inner cities, Charlie Strickland Jr., a Black delegate from Minnesota, told OZY. Hes the only one who can turn it around.

Trumps Growing Global Appeal?

While Trumps nativist rhetoric hurts the nations reputation abroad, he still attracts quite the crowd of conservatives from around the world. Foreign accents rang across the crowded convention floors, including that of Steve Hilton, the man behind David Camerons election as the U.K.s prime minister, before his recent resignation. And though its true the world always watches when the U.S. elects its next leaders, this election has warranted special interest from international Trump-like figures. Geert Wilders, the founder of the anti-immigrant Dutch Party for Freedom, attended the convention as a guest of a Tennessee state senator. Its not about optics: The interest suggests that even while Trump preaches U.S. isolationism, the rest of the globe will still look to America with bated breath.
(Adds Bombardier comment)

TORONTO, July 20 (Reuters) - Metrolinx, the provincial agency in charge of transportation in and around Toronto, said on Wednesday that it had filed a notice of default against Bombardier Inc for delayed delivery of a fleet of light-rail vehicles.

The notice was served on July 12 and gave a short deadline for Bombardier to provide an updated schedule for delivery of the vehicles, none of which have yet been delivered.

"Metrolinx has exercised an option in our contract," a spokeswoman said in an emailed statement. "Serving notice is the right thing to do from a business perspective."

A Bombardier spokesman said the company expects to complete two pilot vehicles in August and begin nine months of testing in September.

It plans to begin manufacturing the rest of the fleet in the second quarter of 2018 in order to meet Metrolinx's delivery schedule.

The Montreal-based plane and train maker in 2010 won a roughly C$770 million ($591 million) contract to deliver 182 vehicles between 2013 and 2020.

The light-rail vehicles are to be used in a new transit project crossing Toronto due to open in 2021, after Metrolinx pushed back its planned launch by a year.

Toronto's municipal transit authority has also complained of delayed delivery from Bombardier after receiving only a handful of streetcars it ordered in 2009.

News of the Metrolinx notice of default was first reported by the Toronto Star newspaper.

($1 = 1.3038 Canadian dollars) (Reporting by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Chris Reese)
By Sonali Paul

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Total SA (TOTF.PA) is unlikely to challenge ExxonMobil (XOM.N) in a bidding war for explorer InterOil Corp (IOC.N), the French firm's partner in a gas field in Papua New Guinea, analysts said on Wednesday.ExxonMobil this week topped an offer from Oil Search which was backed by Total.

Oil Search is due to declare on Thursday whether or not it will match ExxonMobil's $2.2 billion bid.

Total said in a statement that it was analyzing ExxonMobil's competing offer.

ExxonMobil and Total both want to simplify the ownership of the Elk-Antelope gas field by taking out InterOil's 36.5 percent stake. This would clear the way for the majors to tie together their rival gas export projects, PNG LNG and Papua LNG.

Total said it was the operator of Petroleum Retention Licence 15 (PRL 15), the joint venture developing the Elk-Antelope gas field in Papua New Guinea.

It said it would remain the largest shareholder with 31.1 percent interest while InterOil and Oil Search hold 28.3 percent and 17.7 percent, respectively.

"Total considers that the initial offer by Oil Search for InterOil represented a fair value," the company said in statement.

Analysts said it made more sense for Total to let ExxonMobil take over InterOil.

Using Elk-Antelope to feed an expansion of ExxonMobil's existing PNG LNG plant could generate double the return compared to building Total's proposed $10 billion Papua LNG plant, they said.

"While it is possible that they go it alone, it would certainly make more economic sense if it was to be combined," said Saul Kavonic, an analyst at consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

The oil majors are targeting Papua New Guinea for growth as the quality of its gas, low costs and proximity to Asia's big liquefied natural gas (LNG) consumers make it one of the world's most attractive places for gas projects.

Total entered Papua New Guinea in 2014, by buying a 40.1 percent stake in Elk-Antelope for $401 million up front plus future payments that could range between $594 million and $2.48 billion, based on reserves between 7.1 trillion cubic feet and 9.9 tcf, according to InterOil.

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Total will have to make those payments to ExxonMobil if the U.S. firm succeeds in taking over InterOil.

"Total would need to believe in material upside to want to counter-bid at this stage," Bernstein analyst Neil Beveridge said in a note.

ExxonMobil offered $45 worth of its own shares plus $7.07 per share for each trillion cubic feet equivalent (tcfe) above 6.2 tcfe up to a maximum of 10 tcfe.

Oil Search offered 8.05 of its own shares for every Oil Search share plus $6.05 per share for each tcf above 6.2 tcfe.

Oil Search said last week that two experts had concluded that Elk-Antelope most likely held 6.43 tcf of recoverable gas, with potential for a further 1-2 tcf of gas, yet to be certified.

(Additional reporting by Bate Felix in Paris; editing by Ed Davies and Jason Neely)
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Total SA (TOTF.PA) is unlikely to take on ExxonMobil (XOM.N) in a bidding war for explorer InterOil Corp (IOC.N), the French giant's partner in a rich gas field in Papua New Guinea, analysts said on Wednesday.ExxonMobil this week trumped an offer from Oil Search, which was backed by Total. Oil Search is due to declare on Thursday whether or not it will match ExxonMobil's $2.2 billion bid.

ExxonMobil and Total both want to simplify the ownership of the Elk-Antelope gas field by taking out InterOil's 36.5 percent stake. This would clear the way for the majors to tie together their rival gas export projects, PNG LNG and Papua LNG.

Analysts said it made more sense for Total to let ExxonMobil take over InterOil. Using Elk-Antelope to feed an expansion of ExxonMobil's existing PNG LNG plant could generate double the return compared to building Total's proposed $10 billion Papua LNG plant, they said.

"While it is possible that they go it alone, it would certainly make more economic sense if it was to be combined," said Saul Kavonic, an analyst at consultant Wood Mackenzie.

The oil majors are targeting PNG for growth as the quality of its gas, low costs and proximity to Asia's big liquefied natural gas (LNG) consumers make it one of the world's most attractive places for gas projects.

Total entered PNG in 2014, by buying a 40.1 percent stake in Elk-Antelope for $401 million up front plus future payments that could range between $594 million and $2.48 billion, based on reserves between 7.1 trillion cubic feet and 9.9 tcf, according to InterOil. Total will have to make those payments to ExxonMobil if the U.S. giant succeeds in taking over InterOil.

"Total would need to believe in material upside to want to counter-bid at this stage," Bernstein analyst Neil Beveridge said in a note.

ExxonMobil offered $45 worth of its own shares plus $7.07 per share for each trillion cubic feet equivalent above 6.2 tcfe up to a maximum of 10 tcf, while Oil Search offered 8.05 of its own shares plus $6.05 per share for each tcf above 6.2 tcfe.

Story continues

Oil Search said last week two experts had concluded that Elk-Antelope most likely holds 6.43 tcf of recoverable gas, with potential for a further 1-2 tcf of gas, yet to be certified.

Total declined to comment on the bidding battle.

(Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Ed Davies)
Turn the key to ACC. Click the immobilizer button on fob. Press up on the toggle below start. Briefly contemplate how it is that you came to be at the wheel of such a damn fine machine. Thats the typical routine that comes with driving a Superformance Shelby Daytona CoupeI cant imagine it would ever get old.

Objectively approaching a car like the Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe is impossible. A momentary glimpse of its gorgeous body, or a brief bit of its audio reaching your ears is all it takes banish any semblance of objectivity from your mind. This is a car that demands affection, admiration, and attention. Unlike its contemporary counterparts, its justified in its pursuit of making people swoon, and all it takes is some time behind the wheel of one to understand why.

RELATED: See More of the Superformance Daytona Coupe

Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupes are not kit cars, so you can go ahead and get that term right out of your head. This is a turn key vehicle, no assembly required, and it can be had for $165,000, which is an absolute whale of a deal considering what it would cost to buy an original Shelby Daytona Coupe.

Superformance builds these cars with the blessing of Shelby, and theyre all given CSX 9000 series numbers, meaning they are officially part of the Shelby registry. The Daytona Coupe I drove was built in 2010, had 2,540 miles on it, and was given the designation CSX-9134, which is how Ill refer to it from here on out in hopes of retaining whats left of my sanity.

It weighs 2,600 pounds dry, has the venerable 5-speed Tremec T-56 Magnum gearbox, and wears sticky Nitto NT-555 rubber that keeps the car mostly in lineunless you try really hard to change that. Not saying I didbut not saying I didnt either.

The fun began as soon as I dropped into the surprisingly plush drivers seat, and heard a satisfying thud when I shut the door. Eager as I was to get on with the driving experience, I had to take a moment to admire the cockpit, and to find a place to put the removable center console armrest extension.

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An array of gauges and switches dominate the center stack, enough to make you feel like youre just an FIA-approved roll cage and a fire suit away from taking on LeMans. That feeling is a big part of what Superformance counts on in order to sell these cars, but much to my surprise, its not the part that I found most compelling.

RELATED: See Photos of the 2016 Ford Mustang Shelby Terlingua

Once there was a long enough stretch of open road, I had a chance to open the car up. The true performance brilliance what Superformance has done immediately became apparent. Theyve taken a legendary vehicle with a singular purpose, and turned it into a car that Im confident just about anyone would feel comfortable driving on a daily basis.

Of course, the sound emanating from the side pipes was intoxicating, and the feeling achieved from third gear pulls was addictive, but when you jump in the drivers seat, you dont really expect to drive something as refined as it is.

Forget that under the hood theres a 351 Windsor V8, thats been bored and stroked out to a 427 by Roush Racing. Ignore the 525 horsepower and 532 lb-ft of torque thats on tap. Consider the lack of wind noise in the cabin, the ice-cold air being pumped in your face, and the ample cargo space behind the seats.

Enjoy the shockingly smooth ride courtesy of adjustable Bilstein coil-overs and independent rear suspension. Take comfort in knowing that because Superformance added power-steering, a tight brake pedal paired with Wilwoods at all four corners, and a light clutch, their take on the Shelby Daytona Coupe is well suited for the mundane as it is the extraordinary.

RELATED: See Photos of the Original 1964 Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe

While that might not sound exciting, its of critical importance. By being civilized enough for daily use, a Superformance Shelby Daytona Coupe brings a whole hell of a-lot of value to the table, which is crucial given the price bracket it falls into. If a loud exhaust note and classic look was all there was to these cars, I dont think there would be much of an argument for choosing one over a new 911, AMG GT-S, or used McLaren.

Instead, theres just enough new car mixed with old to make this a very attractive option for the kind of money youre spending, especially if youre the kind of person that prefers Stewart Warner gauges to the latest infotainment systems.

Driving CSX 9134 down deserted California roads just before sundown will stick with me for the rest of my life. The action of the angled shifter, the way my thumb fit into the cupped knob, the directness of the steeringthese things are now core memories.

The view out over hood of the damn thing; its right up there with a sunset in the northern Sonoran Desert or a cloudless day on the top of Mammoth Mountain. Curves drenched in Monza Red and Dark Silver twin stripes lead the way down to a massive hood vent before falling away onto the road. Its a car thats enjoyable at any hour, but in the soft light of the fading California sun, its really something to behold.

RELATED: This is What Its Like to Drive Vintage Shelby Race Cars

SPDC Rear

A GT car in the truest sense isnt exactly what Peter Brock and Bob Negstad had in mind when they designed the original Shelby Daytona Coupe back in the early 60s. But thats what their vision ultimately led to. Cars like this will continue to generate interest in the first golden age of automotive design and motorsports long after the people who lived it have passed on.

Lance Stander and the rest of the folks at Superformance are keeping that history alive for a new generation, honoring legacies left behind by Carroll Shelby, Dan Gurney, Pete Brock, and making new ones in the process.

Photo Credit: Raz Krog & Visual Vocab for BoldRide




The Daily Show on Tuesday began its Cleveland-based coverage of the Republicans Unbelievably Classy and Tremendous and Huge and Good National Convention by taking a closer look at Melania Trumps controversial  and potentially plagiarized  speech.

VIDEOSDonald Trump Named Republican Presidential Nominee  Watch Video

Trevor Noah wasnt so much worried about whether or not our next potential First Lady stole from Michelle Obamas 2008 Democratic National Convention address, but more concerned with what the Trump campaigns decision to dismiss plagiarism claims indicates about a possible Trump administration.

It would have been so easy for [the campaign] to just own up and say Hey, this happened, especially when this is a lie that not a single person in America believes, Noah explained. And guys, this isnt even a policy thing. What it is, though, is a preview, because this group of people given actual power will put us in some deep st.

RELATEDFully Clothed Antonio Sabato Jr. Draws Raucous Cheers With RNC Speech

Noah then aired what he claimed was official footage from Kim Kardashians Snapchat account that showed a conversation between Kanye West and Mrs. Trump, in which she said that she was borrowing words from the current FLOTUS speech as part of a remix. (The doctored video, of course, was parodying Kardashians recent Snapchat that featured a conversation between West and Taylor Swift that was published without Swifts consent.)

What did you think of Noahs opinion on the Trump speech scandal? Thoughts on Night 1 of his RNC coverage overall? Sound off below.

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A day after Melania Trumps speech to the Republican National Convention, which included passages apparently lifted from a speech Michelle Obama delivered at the 2008 Democratic convention, Donald Trumps campaign tried to turn the page on the controversy, which dominated the news cycle.

Meanwhile, initial reports were that Donald Trump Jr. appeared to have done something similar in his speech on Tuesday night. But F.H. Buckley, the younger Trumps speechwriter, dismissed this criticism, arguing that he had also written the earlier text.

At least two lines of Trump Jr.s primetime address appeared to have been borrowed from an essay recently published by Buckley in the American Spectator.

Our schools used to be an elevator to the middle class, Trump Jr. told the crowd at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Now theyre stalled on the ground floor. Theyre like Soviet-era department stores that are run for the benefit of the clerks, and not the customers.

Trump Jr.s remarks were strikingly similar to a passage in Buckleys May 2 column, Trump vs. the New Class.

What should be an elevator to the upper class is stalled on the ground floor, Buckley writes. Part of the fault for this may be laid at the feet of the systems entrenched interests: the teachers unions and the higher-education professoriate. Our schools and universities are like the old Soviet department stores whose mission was to serve the interests of the sales clerks and not the customers.

The Daily Show Twitter account was among the first to notice the similarities.

Buckley, though, worked quickly to dismiss the fresh allegations of plagiarism.

Except it wasnt stealing  Frank Buckley (@fbuckley) July 20, 2016

I was a speechwriter for this speech, Buckley told Business Insider. So Im afraid theres no issue here.

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F.H. Buckley tells @businessinsider: I was a speechwriter for this speech. So Im afraid theres no issue here.  Brett LoGiurato (@BrettLoGiurato) July 20, 2016

The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request seeking further comment. But questions surrounding alleged plagiarism in Melania Trumps speech raised early Tuesday were dismissed by Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort as absurd.

There is no cribbing of Michelle Obamas speech. These were common words and values, Paul Manafort said in an interview with CNN early Tuesday. To think that she would be cribbing Michelle Obamas words is crazy. This is once again an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, she seeks out to demean her and take her down. Its not going to work.

In her headline speech Monday in Cleveland, Melania Trump spoke about the values that her parents instilled in her.

From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, she said, that your word is your bond, and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect.

The address, which the would-be first lady delivered after a brief introduction by her husband, was well received by the GOP delegation.

But viewers noticed strong similarities between Melania Trumps speech and the one Michelle Obama delivered to the Democratic National Convention in 2008.

In a statement, Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller did not address the plagiarism allegations, instead appearing to blame to campaign aides who helped draft the speech.

In writing her beautiful speech, Melanias team of writers took notes on her lifes inspirations, and in some instances, included fragments that reflected her own thinking, Miller said. Melanias immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success.

Manafort also flatly denied the charges of plagiarism.

Certainly, there is no feeling on her part that she did it, he said. What she did is use words that are common words. To expect her  to think that she would do something like that, knowing how scrutinized her speech was going to be last night, is just really absurd.

Donald Trump Jr. agreed.

I dont think there was anything in there that was that novel in terms of those particular lines, he told ABC News. I saw some pretty common words in there. Honestly, you know, there was no novel thought in that.  What I was more concerned about  and what I was more proud of her about  was: She was able to get on that stage, having never done this before.  That she was able to do that for my father is amazing.

_____

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Donald Trumps America >>>
Cleveland (AFP) - Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, who flew to America as a guest of the Republican National Convention, admitted Wednesday that its nominee for president, Donald Trump, makes him wince.

The man who resigned as leader of the UK Independence Party after Britain's shock vote to quit the European Union drew parallels between support for the US billionaire and last month's referendum.

At a forum hosted by McClatchy, Farage said he "understood" that the Republican nominee was trying to reach frustrated and even "scared" voters but said "just occasionally the style of it, that makes even me wince a little bit."

The British politician, known for his own populist style, described some of Trump's comments as "pretty out there" and singled out his proposed ban on Muslims entering America as "difficult to enforce."

Farage said he came to Cleveland following an invitation, and while it would be as a "big mistake" to tell Americans how to vote, he claimed he would not vote for Hillary Clinton "if you paid me."

"What Trump gets right, it seems to me, is he's prepared to talk about some of the issues that perhaps others find a bit awkward, a bit uncomfortable," he said.

He complained about Clinton's "sense of entitlement" and called Barack Obama America's "most anti-Britain" president who felt "resentment" to a country that traditionally considers itself America's closest ally.

Obama visited Britain shortly before the referendum and warned Britons they would be "at the back of the queue" of a post-Brexit trade deal.

"He was rude to us. He told us what we should do," Farage said.

Neither was he the only right-wing European politician in attendance at the Republican convention. Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, who also wants to leave the EU, attended on Tuesday.
CLEVELAND (Reuters) - A staff writer of the Trump Organization, the company owned by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, has claimed responsibility for inserting passages in a speech given at the Republican National Convention by Trump's wife Melania that resembled parts of a 2008 speech by first lady Michelle Obama. The woman, Meredith McIver, released a statement on Wednesday apologizing for using the language, which she said Melania Trump recited to her in a phone call, without checking to see how closely it matched Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention eight years ago. (Reporting By Emily Flitter)
Cleveland (AFP) - Ted Cruz was addressing a crowd on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday when he was upstaged by Donald Trump yet again.

Thanking his supporters more than two months after he withdrew from the primaries -- his White House bid felled by Trump -- the Texas senator was speaking in an open-air restaurant on Lake Erie a few miles (kilometers) from the site where Republicans are meeting to crown Trump the party's candidate for president.

"Of 17 talented, dynamic candidates, we beat 15 of those candidates," he said. "We just didn't beat 16."

"Our party now has a nominee, and I don't know..." he added before booing from the crowd interrupted him, accompanied by fingers pointing upward.

Looking up, Cruz saw why: Trump's Boeing 757, unmistakable thanks to its dark blue paintjob and giant TRUMP logo, was passing overhead.

"That was pretty well orchestrated!" Cruz said, laughing and turning to his campaign manager, Jeff Roe. "Jeff, did you email them to fly the plane right when I said that?"

The ultra-conservative lawyer came closest to threatening Trump during the primaries, and has built a base of loyal supporters who appear ready to stand by their man.

Cruz has yet to formally endorse Trump for the November election, and it is not clear whether he will.

But he made a surprise decision to agree to speak during the convention Wednesday night even though other Republican leaders put off by the billionaire's divisive campaign have boycotted the event.

"I don't know what the future is going to hold," Cruz told his supporters on Wednesday. "What I do know is that everyone of us has an obligation to follow our conscience."

"There's a lot of talk about unity," he concluded. "I want to see unity, and the way of unity is for us to unite behind shared principles, us to unite to defend liberty."

His supporters in the crowd, many from Texas and Oklahoma, needed no explanation, interrupting him with chants of "2020, 2020!"
BERLIN (Reuters) - Donald Trump, having clinched the Republican Party's nomination for the Nov. 8 presidential election, threatens U.S. and world security with his "politics of fear and isolation," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Wednesday. Steinmeier told Reuters in a written interview that he was concerned about what he called Trump's ambiguous vows to "make America strong again," while simultaneously reducing its engagement overseas. "That is contradictory and it makes me concerned," Steinmeier said as he headed to Washington for meetings with other foreign and defense ministers to assess the U.S.-led effort to defeat the Islamic State extremist group. "A politics of fear and isolation will bring less security, not more, and would be dangerous not only for the United States, but for Europe and the rest of the world as well." Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, has blasted Trump for months for his "America First" speech, while praising Democrat Hillary Clinton as an experienced foreign policy expert. Trump on Tuesday secured the party's 2016 nomination for the White House after vanquishing 16 party rivals, warring with much of his party's establishment and already provoking controversy at the convention. Steinmeier said the current crisis-charged world situation tempted people to look for easy answers. However the challenge was to find solutions that worked and did not rely on simple slogans or the erection of new barriers, he said. The German politician was among the vocal critics of Trump's first major foreign policy address in April, in which he repeatedly promoted an "America First" agenda, rejected last year's nuclear deal with Iran, called for more investment in missile defense in Europe, and accused the Obama administration of tepid support for Israel. Trump's comments during the campaign - including calls to ban Muslims from the United States - have raised alarm in allied countries unnerved by the phrase "America First", used in the 1930s by isolationists who sought to keep the United States out of World War Two. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, editing by G Crosse)
By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump threatens U.S. and world security with his "politics of fear and isolation," German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Wednesday. Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, told Reuters in a written interview that he was concerned about what he called Trump's ambiguous vows to "make America strong again" while simultaneously reducing its engagement overseas. "A politics of fear and isolation will bring less security, not more, and would be dangerous not only for the United States, but for Europe and the rest of the world as well," he said before departing for Washington for meetings about the U.S.-led effort to defeat the Islamic State militant group. Trump secured his party's 2016 presidential nomination on Tuesday, having overwhelmed his rivals in the state nominating contests and rolled over skeptical members of the Republican establishment. Upon his arrival in Washington, Steinmeier told reporters that Europeans were anxiously awaiting Trump's acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday for clues as to what his policies would be toward Europe. "We Europeans expect a speech from the Republican candidate which contains more than just promises to make America stronger. We are interested in what that means with a view of the world and the relationship with Europe," Steinmeier said. Steinmeier has blasted Trump for months for his "America First" speech, while praising Democrat Hillary Clinton as an experienced foreign policy expert. The German politician said the current crisis-charged world situation tempted people to look for easy answers. However, the challenge is to find solutions that work and do not rely on simple slogans or the erection of new barriers, he said. Steinmeier was among the vocal critics of Trump's first major foreign policy address in April, in which the real estate tycoon repeatedly promoted an "America First" agenda, rejected last year's nuclear deal with Iran, called for more investment in missile defense in Europe, and accused the Obama administration of tepid support for Israel. Trump's comments during the campaign - including calls to ban Muslims from the United States - have raised alarm among U.S. allies unnerved by the phrase "America First," which was used in the 1930s by isolationists who sought to keep the United States out of World War Two. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by G Crosse and Paul Simao)
TUNIS (Reuters) - Tunisian authorities dismantled a cell linked to the Islamic State militant group that was planning attacks against sites in the coastal town of Sousse, the interior ministry said on Wednesday. Tunisian security forces are on high alert after attacks in Tunis and Sousse last year, and an attempt by militants to take control of a town near the Libyan border in March. On Tuesday the government extended a nationwide state of emergency that gives authorities additional powers for two more months. The interior ministry statement said the cell had been dismantled on Tuesday in the Kalaa Kbira area, and that it "planned to carry out terrorist acts in Sousse against key sites in the city". It said a number of the cell's members had received combat training and watched videos on how to make explosives. It did not say how many people had been arrested or give further details. Tunisia has faced a growing challenge from Islamist militants since its 2011 revolution and transition to democracy. Officials estimate that several thousand Tunisians left to fight with Islamic State and other groups in Iraq, Syria and Libya. In the attack in Sousse last June, a gunman trained in Libya killed 38 foreigners, mostly Britons, at a beach hotel. (Reporting by Tarek Amara, Editing by Aidan Lewis and Angus MacSwan)
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey has blocked access to the WikiLeaks website, the telecoms watchdog said on Wednesday, hours after it leaked thousands of ruling party emails just as Ankara grapples with the aftermath of a failed military coup.

Around 50,000 soldiers, police, judges and teachers have been suspended or detained since the attempted coup on the weekend, and Turkey's Western allies have expressed concern over the crackdown's reach.

WikiLeaks on Tuesday released nearly 300,000 emails from the AK Party dating from 2010 to July 6 this year. Obtained before the attempted coup, the date of their publication was brought forward "in response to the government's post-coup purges", WikiLeaks said on its website.

The source of the emails was not connected to the coup plotters or to a rival political party or state, WikiLeaks said.

Founded by Julian Assange, WikiLeaks publishes leaked material, mostly from governments. In 2010, the organization published classified U.S. military and diplomatic documents in one of the largest information leaks in U.S. history.

Turkey's Telecommunications Communications Board said on Wednesday that an "administrative measure" had been taken against the website - the term it commonly uses when blocking access to sites.

Turkey routinely uses Internet shutdowns in response to political events, which critics and human rights advocates see as part of a broader attack on the media and freedom of expression.

(Reporting by Can Sezer; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey has blocked access to the WikiLeaks website, the telecoms watchdog said on Wednesday, hours after it leaked thousands of ruling party emails just as Ankara grapples with the aftermath of a failed military coup. Around 50,000 soldiers, police, judges and teachers have been suspended or detained since the attempted coup on the weekend, and Turkey's Western allies have expressed concern over the crackdown's reach. WikiLeaks on Tuesday released nearly 300,000 emails from the AK Party dating from 2010 to July 6 this year. Obtained before the attempted coup, the date of their publication was brought forward "in response to the government's post-coup purges", WikiLeaks said on its website. The source of the emails was not connected to the coup plotters or to a rival political party or state, WikiLeaks said. Founded by Julian Assange, WikiLeaks publishes leaked material, mostly from governments. In 2010, the organization published classified U.S. military and diplomatic documents in one of the largest information leaks in U.S. history. Turkey's Telecommunications Communications Board said on Wednesday that an "administrative measure" had been taken against the website - the term it commonly uses when blocking access to sites. Turkey routinely uses Internet shutdowns in response to political events, which critics and human rights advocates see as part of a broader attack on the media and freedom of expression. (Reporting by Can Sezer; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
When Turkish military officers set in motion an attempted coup detat on the night of July 15, lawmakers in the capital, Ankara, rushed to the parliament building. As explosions rocked the capital and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was nowhere to be seen, it appeared the MPs might be making their last stand in defense of Turkeys democracy. As he headed to the government headquarters, opposition lawmaker Mahmut Tanal brought a copy of the Turkish constitution. Another, Orhan Atalay from Erdogans ruling AKP party, grabbed his gun.

Some 30 lawmakers soon assembled in parliament, with both government and opposition supporters declaring their opposition to the attempted putsch even as a helicopter gunship opened fire on the building. It was a rare moment of unity in a country that had become bitterly divided in the runup to the attempted coup. Leaders of rival political camps took shelter together, united in defiance of the coupand fear for their lives.

Although the coup seemed an amateur affair in some initial reports, Turkish and U.S. officials now believe the attempted coup was a serious and well-armed bid for power that came within a hairs breadth of succeeding. The coup plotters commanded tanks, helicopters and F-16s. They opened fire on crowds, invaded television studios and shelled the main parliament building. By his own account, Erdogan narrowly avoided capture and possibly execution, fleeing minutes before troops raided his hotel in the Turkish seaside town of Marmaris, where he had been on vacation. It wasnt until the next morning, after Erdogan had rallied his supporters to the streets, that it became clear the attempt had failed. Some 280 people were killed, according to the President, including more than 100 coup participants.

At the heart of the insurrection was the attack on Turkeys parliament, the Grand National Assembly. Three lawmakers who were in the building described to TIME a night of terror and confusion as MPs struggled to make sense of the chaos and the building came under attack from the aira striking symbol of the coups assault not just on Erdogans government but on the core institutions of Turkish democracy.

Read More: How John Kerry Handled Turkeys Coup

On the night of the coup attempt, parliament member Mahmut Tanal was at a Bar Association office in Ankara when he heard fighter jets flying low over the capital. He checked social media, and saw that soldiers had blocked bridges in Istanbul. He soon heard of an attack on the intelligence headquarters in Ankara and other violence around the country. As a member of the secular opposition Republican Peoples Party, Tanal feared arrest should the military seize power. A student of Turkeys history with military coups, which includes four changes of government since 1960, Tanal had a dark notion of what was coming. Rather than go home, he figured he stood a better chance of avoiding arrest in the fortified parliament complex where other MPs were gathering.

The 55-year-old stopped at his house to pack a bag of items he might need in prison, including a change of clothes, and a copy of the constitution, which he imagined hed read over and over in prison. Im a lawyer and a member of the human rights committee in parliament. Because of this, I know whats needed in jail, he says in an interview in office in the parliament compound, five days after the failed coup.

In a different part of the city another lawmaker, Orhan Atalay, of Erdogans ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), was at home when he heard the sound of an explosion. After making some calls, he learned that a coup attempt was underway. He took his gun and as he got in his car, heard yet another explosion, this time at a nearby police headquarters. I saw the flames with my own eyes, he says.

Atalay, who is 50 and lean with a bristling black mustache, says he was the second MP to arrive at the building, at around 9 p.m. Lawmakers from three major parties soon gathered in the main parliament hall. Selahattin Demirtas, the co-leader of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party, sent a message saying the partys deputies were outside the capital and unable to reach the parliament, but that they rejected the coup and expressed solidarity with the besieged lawmakers. Speaker Ismail Kahraman delivered a defiant address, declaring the parliament still in session.

Read More: This Is What Istanbul Was Like As Turkeys Attempted Coup Played Out

Even as he spoke, the lawmakers heard the sound of an explosion, an apparent bombing nearby. Ten minutes later, there was a second blast, this time a direct attack on the parliament building, prompting shouting and chaos inside the chamber. Footage posted online showed posted shows a speaker interrupted by a crashing sound that shakes the room, triggering shouting among the MPs.

The blasts continued as the night drew on. After midnight, the lawmakers abandoned the Plenary Hall for an underground shelter in the basement of the building. They then separated into small groups, following different passages in the labyrinthine basement of the parliament. The idea was to make it harder for anyone to capture all of the deputies at once. The small groups included members of parties usually opposed to each other. Weeks earlier, rival MPs had wrestled each other in a physical brawl over legislation to strip lawmakers of legal immunity, which later passed. Now, facing arrest or death, party distinctions melted away. There was no separation of groups, we were just human beings trying to survive, says Tanal.

Tanal spoke to TIME as he surveyed the damage at the main parliament building on July 19, five days after the failed coup attempt. Shelling shattered a tall glass atrium, leaving shards of glass crunching underfoot. One shell blew a massive hole in an upper floor of the building, chunks of concrete and rebar dangling in the open air. In the prime ministers office, the windows had been blown out. Heaps of office furniture, broken computer equipment and other debris remained, the result of a haphazard cleanup.

As the MPs were evacuating the main parliament chamber, Erdogan made his first public statement since the launch of the coup attempt. He appeared not in a TV studio or a government office but via video chat on a newscasters phone, in a moment that suggested a tenuous grasp on power at best. He nevertheless struck a defiant tone, urging the Turkish public to take to the streets in rejection of the coup. I am also on my way, he said. Crowds of protesters soon responded to the presidents call, taking to the streets of both Istanbul and Ankara, where demonstrators faced tanks in the plaza outside parliament.

Read More: After Failed Coup a Vengeful Erdogan Has Turkeys Future in His Hands

Both Atalay and Tanal said that for a long stretch of the evening they did not know whether the coup would succeed or fail. According to both lawmakers, the turning point came when Umit Dundar, the commander of Turkeys first field army, which is headquartered in Erdogans power base of Istanbul, announced he was backing the government, saying that section of the army had been decisive in past coups. Until the explanation of the commander of the first army, we were really not sure, whether it would succeed or not, says Atalay. When the commander of the first army supported the government, we said they would fail.

As the sun rose on July 16, silence fell over Ankara and the sheltering MPs began to gingerly peer out of the parliament headquarters. Everywhere in the compound there were security men, including some the lawmakers recognized, and others they didnt. There were also some more cops who were brought from the central headquarters because of the state of emergency. But everybody was scared of each other. There was a situation of distrust, says Tanal. Some police he had previously known walked him to his car. To his surprise, his car was intact, unscathed by the shelling. In the early morning sun, he drove home.
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday only a minority of the armed forces were involved in last Friday's failed military coup but he said it was not clear exactly how many people had taken part. "It is clear it was a minority (of the armed forces). The terrorist organization was trying to make the minority dominate the majority," Erdogan told the Al Jazeera channel in an interview translated into English. Erdogan has accused U.S.-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen of masterminding the failed coup. He regularly refers to Gulen and his supporters in Turkey and abroad as a "terrorist organization". (Reporting by Istanbul bureau; Writing by Gareth Jones; Editing by David Dolan)
ISTANBUL, July 20 (Reuters) - Turkey's decision to ban academics from travelling abroad is a temporary measure prompted by the flight risk of alleged coup plotters in universities, a government official said on Wednesday.

The official added that certain individuals at universities were believed to be in contact with cells within the military, without giving further details.

Turkey's High Board of Education has banned all academics from travelling abroad, state-run broadcaster TRT reported earlier, after a failed military coup over the weekend which has triggered a wide-ranging purge of state institutions.

TRT also reported that Istanbul University had removed 95 academics from their posts.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Elizabeth Hurleys son Damian Hurley will be joining E!s The Royals, the CW has added Chris Wood to the Supergirl lineup and more in todays TV News Roundup.

CASTING

E! has announced that Elizabeth Hurleys son, Damian Hurley, will be joining season 3 of The Royals. He will be appearing in an episode of as Hansel, the Crown Prince of Lichtenstein. Season 3 picks up two weeks after the execution of King Simons murderer. The Royals is set to return in December on E!

The CWs Supergirl will be adding CW veteran Chris Wood to its roster for season 2. Although his character remains unknown, according to TV Line which first reported the news, Wood will be playing a surprise DC Comics character in an appear early on in season 2. The new season of Supergirl premieres Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. on the CW.

CBS has announced that Alexandra Grey, Camryn Manheim and Eric Roberts will be guest-starring on the upcoming episode of Code Black titled Life and Limb. Grey will be playing a transgender woman who is forced to confront her past when she ends up in the ER, Manheim will play the wife of a truck driver who is injured in an accident and Roberts will play Marios opportunistic father. Season 2 of Code Black will premiere on Sept. 28 at 10 p.m. on CBS.

Hulu, RocketJump and Lionsgate have announced that Lorenza Izzo, Daniel Zovatto and Tom Noonan have joined the growing cast Hulus upcoming Dimension 404. Izzo will play an upstart in the world of competitive video gaming, Zovatto will play a heartthrob and Noonan will play an NSA secret agent in various episodes of the six-episode sci-fi and fantasy anthology series.

DATES

Miramax and El Rey Network have announced the premiere date for season 3 of From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. The new season will follow the Gecko brothers and their unlikely allies into the culebra underworld. From Dusk Till Dawn season 3 premieres on Sept. 6 at 9 p.m. on El Rey Network.

Related stories

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Stephen Colbert Revives Comedy Central Character To Gain Votes For 'Late Show'

Hulu Hires Microsoft Xbox One Exec Richard Irving

Netflix to Be Exclusive International Home to New 'Star Trek' Series
Melania Trump proved to be a tough act to follow, but the RNC waged on in Cleveland on Tuesday night - with speeches from Donald Trump Jr., House speaker Paul Ryan and New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

The second night of the first political convention of the 2016 presidential campaign, which followed a solid ratings debut across both broadcast and cable news networks, brought another Big Four win for NBC News. The outlet led the widely-covered 10 o'clock primetime hour with an average 5.3 million viewers, a solid boost from the night before, though the other two broadcast nets were down. ABC News came in No. 2 with 2.5 million viewers, followed by CBS News with 2.3 million viewers for a gross broadcast audience of 10.1 million viewers.

All told, Monday's broadcast coverage pulled 10.2 million viewers. With cable and a handful of other networks, Nielsen estimates that the night brought a total 23 million viewers to primetime coverage of the RNC. Fox News Channel and CNN led the pack, overall, besting all three of the broadcast networks in total viewers.

Once all of Tuesday's numbers are in, there will be a little more clarity about how the 2016 RCN is pacing compared to the previous two outings. In 2008, the second night of the GOP convention brought 23.4 million viewers during the primetime hour. 2012 was only down a shade from that with 22.3 million viewers. The first night of both 2008 and 2012 were sidelined by hurricanes, however, so the second nights also served as something of delayed kickoff.

Flat may be the new up where the rest of television is concerned, but news outlets went into the 2016 conventions hoping for a significant lift from years past. Strong showings from the debate cycle, largely credited to Donald Trump and his colorful performances, halted the recent trend of broadcasters pulling back on coverage of the extended affairs. It now looks like if there's a significant boost from years past, it won't come until Trump takes the stage on Thursday night.

In terms of counter-programming, America's Got Talent outperformed all three networks' convention coverage with 10.8 million viewers on NBC. The show, barely down in the key demo from last week, also led with a 2.2 rating among adults 18-49.
(Editor's note: please be advised that paragraph 8 contains language that may offend some readers; adds reaction to suspensions, #FreeMilo hashtag movement, bylines)

By Yasmeen Abutaleb and Dustin Volz

SAN FRANCISCO, July 20 (Reuters) - Twitter Inc late on Tuesday permanently suspended a number of user accounts for harassment, vowing to redouble its efforts to quickly thwart abusive behavior and block repeat offenders from the social media site.

The move appeared to be a response to abuse and harassment that Ghostbusters actor Leslie Jones, who is black, said on Monday had become so severe that she was quitting the service.

Among those banned was Breitbart tech editor Milo Yiannopoulos, a conservative who has been a provocative figure on Twitter for years and was accused by Jones and other Twitter users of feeding the abuse.

After Jones blocked him on Twitter, Yiannopoulos tweeted a screenshot of her page and wrote, "rejected by yet another black dude." He also was accused of sharing racist tweets from an account purported to belong to Jones, according to screenshots in news articles.

His tweets have since been deleted from Twitter.

Yiannopoulos did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

In a CNBC interview on Wednesday, he denied sending sexist or racist tweets to Jones, and said the only "proof" was that he teased the actress on Twitter because he didn't like her movie. He added that he was not responsible for other people's tweets.

Jones retweeted and shared several tweets disparaging her race and gender that she received on Monday before telling her 250,000 followers, "I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart. All this cause I did a movie. You can hate the movie but the shit I got today ... wrong."

RIGHT BALANCE

Twitter, long criticized for not doing enough to police abusive behavior on the often-freewheeling messaging service, has struggled to find the right balance between free expression and blocking violent or hateful speech.

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Mary Anne Franks, a law professor at the University of Miami who helps run the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, said the new suspensions were "a sign that Twitter is trying to get a handle on what has clearly been a problem on the platform for the last few years."

Other celebrities have taken issue with what they view as abuse on the site, including writer and actress Lena Dunham, who said in September that she had hired someone to tweet on her behalf because it was no longer a "safe space" for her.

Twitter said in a statement on Tuesday that it had seen an "uptick" in the number of accounts violating its abuse and harassment policies over the past 48 hours, and had enforced its policies by issuing warnings or permanently suspending users.

"We know many people believe we have not done enough to curb this type of behavior on Twitter. We agree," Twitter said in the statement. "We are continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to better allow us to identify and take faster action on abuse as it's happening and prevent repeat offenders."

Twitter did not elaborate on what those efforts entailed.

Tuesday's account suspensions prompted scores of users to accuse the company of doling out suspensions inconsistently, with a bias against conservatives, including Yiannopoulos. The hashtag #FreeMilo was trending on Twitter on Wednesday.

"According to Twitter Milo is bad, Ayatollah Khamenei, who regularly calls for another Holocaust, less bad. #FreeMilo" tweeted political talk show host Dave Rubin, referencing Iran's Supreme Leader.

Jones, who is a regular cast member on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," tweeted that she understood that Twitter needed to accommodate free speech but added that there needed to be some guidelines.

Some of the tweets targeting Jones compared her to an ape. User YellowArmedImposter wrote, "Your Ghostbusters isn't the first to have an ape in it," which Jones shared with the comment: "I just don't understand."

"I used to wonder why some celebs don't have Twitter accts now I know," she wrote in another tweet.

(Reporting by Yasmeen Abutaleb in San Francisco and Dustin Volz in Washington; Editing by Jonathan Weber, Nick Macfie and Paul Simao)
Apparently, you can be too annoying for Twitter.

Tuesday night, that social network permanently banned writer Milo Yiannopoulos for suggesting to his roughly 400,000 followers that actress Leslie Jones deserved some hate mail  an invitation that resulted in a torrent of racist insults that led Jones to swear off Twitter.

Yiannopouloss initial tweet was not racist, just insulting. The conservative website Breitbart News mocked Jones for voicing her irritation at complaints about her performance in the female-led remake of the movie Ghostbusters: If at first you dont succeed (because your work is terrible), play the victim. EVERYONE GETS HATE MAIL FFS.

The ensuing hate mail compared Jones to a gorilla and included racist tweets from fake accounts impersonating her, among other hateful messages the Saturday Night Live cast member began retweeting to publicize the problem.

After days of onlookers demanding that Twitter Do Something About This, the service sent Yiannopoulos a form e-mail  reproduced in a Breitbart post  informing him that his @Nero account had been suspended permanently for violating our rules prohibiting participating in or inciting targeted abuse of individuals.

Who is this guy, anyway?

The polite way to describe Yiannopoulos is provocateur, but professional jerk might be a more accurate label. He has a long history of insulting the character of opponents while complaining that the real problem is the politically-correct oppression of men.

His sneering dismissal of complaints about inadequate female representation at tech conferences three years ago ran under the headline Put A Sock In It, You Dless Wonders.

His take on Gamergate  a scandal involving sexism in video-game culture  in a Breitbart story: an army of sociopathic feminist programmers and campaigners who were lying, bullying and manipulating their way around the internet for profit and attention.

(Yiannopoulos did allow that the deluges of death threats received by feminist critics of gamer culture were admittedly feverish and ungallant.)

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Yiannopouloss Twitter presence did not depart from that pattern of trolling, as I saw in my occasional checks of his profile. But being a jerk doesnt break Twitters terms of service.

Twitter took the novel step of removing Yiannopouloss verification badge in January without quite explaining why, then suspended him briefly in June for a series of anti-Islamic tweets following the Orlando shooting.

Now Twitter (TWTR) is done with him  but its not clear what made this offense capital.

What are the rules here?

Twitters rules dont document what warrants excommunication, and there are few other obvious cases  terrorist supporters excluded  beyond last Mays lifetime ban of right-wing troll Chuck Johnson.

In that post at Breitbart, Yiannopoulos denounced the the cowardly suspension of my account as an act of the totalitarian regressive left that left Twitter a safe space for Muslim terrorists and Black Lives Matter extremists.

In an e-mail, Yiannopoulos ruled out returning to Twitter under another name (I want my account back) and accepted Twitters right to police its own property. Twitters not the government, so hes not going to complain about his First Amendment rights being violated.

Theyre entitled to make terrible decisions, he wrote.

But he decried being blamed for things other people said. I am not responsible for the actions of millions of other people on social media, he said. Its ridiculous to suggest I should police the language of other people.

Did Twitter boot all the people who took to their keyboards to tweet racist bile at Jones? Thats unclear, too.

Policy versus product

Three critics of Twitters approach to harassment had no use for Yiannopoulos but agreed that the rules are unevenly enforced.

Caroline Sinders, a user-experience researcher, said Yiannopouloss expulsion was deserved if the actual offense was that he and his followers spread fake tweets impersonating Jones; Twitter hasnt confirmed that. She called out opaqueness in the rules about harassment in general.

Michelle Ferrier, an associate dean at Ohio Universitys Scripps College of Communication and founder of the anti-harassment project TrollBusters, wrote in an e-mail: We see this type of hate happening all the time on Twitter, yet Twitter only responds swiftly when its a public figure who is in harms way.

A Twitter publicist sent a statement noting the company would prohibit additional types of abusive behavior and allow more types of reporting, with the goal of reducing the burden on the person being targeted.

Soraya Chemaly, director of the Womens Media Center, said Yiannopouloss ban wouldnt help.

Its not a systemic fix, its not a product fix, its an interpretation of policy that is not itself clear to people, she said.

As Chemaly and others said during SXSWs Online Harassment Summit in March, the underlying issue is a design that empowers random people to dog-pile on a stranger for whatever reason. (See also, Bernie Bros mobbing Hillary Clinton supporters for their supposed ideological impurity.) Sinders made a similar point in a talk at the Collision conference in April about settings changes to make Twitter less abuse-friendly, such as blocking replies from people who dont follow you.

A social-network design that continues to enable anti-social behavior is a gun that can point at anybody, not just the celebrities that Twitter needs to keep growing its audience.

Email Rob at rob@robpegoraro.com; follow him on Twitter at @robpegoraro.
Milo Yiannopoulos

Twitter permanently barred conservative provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos from its service Tuesday night, prompting immediate accusations that the social-media giant was suppressing free speech.

"The account you are trying to view has been suspended," a message read when users attempted to access the Breitbart editor's account.

The ban was first reported by BuzzFeed, which said Yiannopoulos had "gone too far" this week with tweets targeting "Ghostbusters" actor Leslie Jones. The tweets from Yiannopoulos and his followers ultimately caused Jones to leave the social-media platform.

"People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter," Twitter said in a statement provided to Business Insider. "But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, and our rules prohibit inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others."

The company added: "Over the past 48 hours in particular, we've seen an uptick in the number of accounts violating these policies and have taken enforcement actions against these accounts, ranging from warnings that also require the deletion of tweets violating our policies to permanent suspension."

Twitter said it was "reviewing our hateful conduct policy to prohibit additional types of abusive behavior" and would provide more details soon.

A copy of the email Twitter sent to him was posted to Breitbart:

slack_for_ios_upload

In a comment to Breitbart, Yiannopoulos blasted Twitter for what he called the "cowardly suspension" of his account.

"Twitter is holding me responsible for the actions of fans and trolls using the special pretzel logic of the left," he said. "Where are the Twitter police when Justin Bieber's fans cut themselves on his behalf?"



"Like all acts of the totalitarian regressive left, this will blow up in their faces, netting me more adoring fans," the Breitbart editor added. "We're winning the culture war, and Twitter just shot themselves in the foot."



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Yiannopoulos further predicted that his suspension would be "the end for Twitter."

"Anyone who cares about free speech has been sent a clear message: you're not welcome on Twitter," he said.



Following the suspension, users started to tweet with the "#FreeMilo" hashtag.

The ban came one month after Twitter briefly suspended Yiannopoulos with no explanation.

Earlier this year, the social-media giant ignited a firestorm of controversy when it removed his blue verified badge. Yiannopoulos said it was due to a satirical comment he made on feminism. Twitter declined to explain the move.

Chuck Johnson, a controversial conservative blogger who was also permanently barred from Twitter, told Business Insider that he predicted Twitter would bar Yiannopoulos.

"I told Milo that he would be next," he said. "And now he is."

Gavin McInnes, a friend of Yiannopoulos and cofounder of Vice Media, also blasted Twitter's decision in a short statement to Business Insider.

"This has nothing to do with Milo and everything to do with PC fascism," said McInnes, who left Vice in 2006.

NOW WATCH: 'My Little Pony': How Republicans are disputing claims that Melania Trump's RNC speech was plagiarized





More From Business Insider


ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Two members of Turkey's constitutional court were arrested on Wednesday, private broadcaster NTV reported, as purges in the judiciary, military, civil service and education widen in the aftermath of a failed coup. About 60,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers have been suspended, detained or are under investigation since Friday's attempted coup staged by a faction within the armed forces. The two constitutional court members were among a group of 113 officials from the judiciary formally arrested on Wednesday, NTV said. Formal charges were also brought against President Tayyip Erdogan's chief aide-de-camp, it said. The failed putsch and the ensuing purges have seriously unsettled Turkey, a country of nearly 80 million which borders Syria and is a Western ally against Islamic State. (Reporting by Seda Sezer and Ece Toksabay; Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Gareth Jones)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two New York City police officers who were first said to have been shot at while on foot patrol were not targeted in the shooting, police said on Wednesday.

The uniformed officers were patrolling in the Ditmas Park section in the borough of Brooklyn just before 11 p.m. EDT on Tuesday when multiple shots were fired near them by individuals who drove past in a sedan, a police department spokesman said.

Neither of the officers was injured.

Shortly after the shooting, the Sergeants Benevolent Association said on the union's Facebook page that the shooters approached the officers in the vehicle and made a statement "about getting them" before shots were fired.

The statement was issued prematurely, the NYPD spokesman said, and further investigation indicated that the officers were not targeted in the shooting. The shots were likely aimed at nearby rivals, he said.

It was not immediately known if there were any arrests.

The incident came two days after three police officers were gunned down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and less than two weeks after five Dallas police officers were killed by a gunman. Both shootings are believed to have been racially motivated attacks by black men aimed at white officers.

(Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and Laila Kearney in New York; Editing by Michael Perry and Jeffrey Benkoe)
By Yeganeh Torbati WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Wednesday blacklisted three members of al Qaeda living in Iran, saying they had helped the Islamist militant group on the battlefield, with finance and logistics, and in mediating with Iranian authorities. Iran has held several al Qaeda high-ranking members and lower-level militants since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, though U.S. officials say the precise conditions of their confinement are unclear. Faisal Jassim Mohammed al-Amri al-Khalidi, a 31-year-old Saudi national, led an al Qaeda brigade and was serving as the group's military commission chief in May 2015, Treasury said, describing him as "part of a new generation" of al Qaeda operatives. As of 2011, Khalidi liaised between al Qaeda associates, central council members, and leaders within the Pakistani Taliban. Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi, 48 and an Egyptian national, mediated with Iranian authorities as of early 2015, Treasury said, and helped al Qaeda members living in Iran. Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn, 35, had control of the group's financing and organization inside Iran as of 2015, Treasury said. Ghumayn, an Algerian, was previously based in Pakistan. Al Qaeda and Iran's government have a complex and sometimes tense relationship, according to documents seized from Osama bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan and made public. At times Iranian authorities promised to release and may have actually released al Qaeda figures, but one of bin Laden's sons who had been held in Iran, Saad, reportedly was killed in 2009. Iran's Shi'ite Muslim rulers deny cooperating with al Qaeda, a Sunni group. Iranian officials call al Qaeda a terrorist group, and Iranian security forces periodically report the arrest of al Qaeda members. An analysis by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point published in 2012 concluded that while it was obvious the al Qaeda-Iran relationship was antagonistic, the rationale behind Iran's detention of al Qaeda militants for years "without due process" was unclear. Treasury's statement did not make clear what conditions the men were living under in Iran. Bayumi has been in Iran since 2014, Treasury said, but it did not say how long the other two men had lived there. Bayumi had been able to secure funds from Syria for al Qaeda members and facilitate al Qaeda funds transfers in 2015, Treasury said, suggesting he had some freedom to operate since moving to Iran. Wednesday's measure freezes any property of the three men in the United States, and bars U.S. citizens from dealing with them. (Editing by James Dalgleish)
By Matt Spetalnick

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Mauritanian prisoner who wrote a best-selling memoir about his long ordeal at the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo has been cleared for release, his lawyers and a U.S. official said on Wednesday.

A parole-style review opened the way for Mohamedou Ould Slahi, author of Guantanamo Diary, to be moved out of the detention center at the U.S. naval base in Cuba. But he cannot leave until U.S. authorities make arrangements for him to be repatriated to his West African homeland or to send him to another country.

Slahi, 45, who arrived in Guantanamo in August 2002 and has been held without charge or trial, appeared before a Periodic Review Board  a multi-agency government panel  on June 2.

His hearing was part of President Barack Obama's stepped-up effort to whittle down the Guantanamo inmate population to meet his promise to close the prison by the end of his tenure in January, a prospect that looks increasingly doubtful due to U.S. congressional opposition. The latest decision means that 30 of the 76 detainees are now cleared for release.

Slahi became one of Guantanamo's most prominent inmates with the 2015 publication of his prison memoir in which he described his years of detention and interrogation, including being subjected to harsh techniques widely considered torture. U.S. censors heavily redacted the 466-page manuscript he gave to his lawyers.

Slahi was first detained by authorities in Mauritania and was then sent to Jordan and Afghanistan and finally to the Guantanamo prison, which was opened under President George W. Bush to hold terrorism suspects rounded up overseas following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The facility became a symbol of the excesses of Bushs war on terror.

Slahi was originally suspected of being a senior recruiter for al Qaeda. But his lawyers contended that his links to militants had been limited to the early 1990s when he fought in Afghanistan with the mujahideen anti-communist insurgents.

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The review board determined that Slahi "poses no significant threat to the United States," the American Civil Liberties Union said. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Slahi was cleared for release and the ruling would soon be officially released.

We will now work toward his quick release and return to the waiting arms of his loving family," said Nancy Hollander, one of Slahis attorneys, in a statement issued by the ACLU.

The timing of Slahis departure could depend on whether he can return to Mauritania. Many cleared prisoners have been held for years while the U.S. government seeks a country to accept them.

(Reporting By Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Chris Reese)
(Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Justice filed lawsuits on Wednesday seeking to seize dozens of properties tied to Malaysian state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), saying that over $3.5 billion was misappropriated from the institution.

The lawsuits, filed in Los Angeles, seek to seize assets "involved in and traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money misappropriated from 1MDB".

The lawsuits said the alleged offences were committed over a four-year period and involved multiple individuals, including Malaysian officials and their associates, who conspired to fraudulently divert billions of dollars from 1MDB.

None of the lawsuits named Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

But they named Riza Aziz, his step-son, as a "relevant individual" in the case. They also named Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, and Abu Dhabi government officials Khadem al-Qubaisi and Mohamed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.

The U.S. lawsuits said funds misappropriated from 1MDB were transferred to the co-founder of Petrosaudi, a company that had a joint venture with 1MDB, and thereafter to a high-ranking official in the Malaysian government it identified only as "Malaysian Official One".

The assets involved in the case include penthouses, mansions, artwork and even a private jet.

"That misappropriation occurred in multiple phases over the course of several years," the lawsuits said.

"The misappropriated funds were then used to purchase the Defendant Asset, as well as to fund the co-conspirators' lavish lifestyles, including purchases of artwork and jewelry, the acquisition of luxury real estate, the payment of gambling expenses, and the hiring of musicians and celebrities to attend parties," it added.

(Reporting by Nate Raymond, A. Ananthalakshmi and Joseph Sipalan; writing by Praveen Menon; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department said on Wednesday it had agreed to a settlement with Anheuser-Busch InBev SA <ABI.BR> that will permit ABI to proceed with its acquisition of SABMiller Plc <SAB.L>.

"The settlement requires ABI to divest SABMillers entire U.S. business  including SABMillers ownership interest in MillerCoors, the right to brew and sell certain SABMiller beers in the United States and the worldwide Miller beer brand rights. This settlement will prevent any increase in concentration in the U.S. beer industry," the Department said in a statement.

(Reporting by Mohammad Zargham)
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged world powers on Wednesday to ensure a historic nuclear deal with Iran delivers "tangible benefits to the Iranian people" after Tehran complained it was not fully benefiting from sanctions relief. On the first anniversary of a U.N. Security Council resolution endorsing the deal between Iran and six world powers, Ban urged all the parties to uphold their commitments to implement the agreement to curb Tehran's atomic work. "It is of the utmost importance that the JCPOA (Iran deal) works for all its participants, including by delivering tangible benefits to the Iranian people," Ban said in a statement. Most U.N. sanctions on Iran were lifted in January when the U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Tehran fulfilled commitments under its nuclear deal. But Iran is still subject to a U.N. arms embargo and other restrictions. In Ban's first bi-annual report to the U.N. Security Council on the implementation of those remaining sanctions and restrictions, he said Iran believes it has yet to benefit from the lifting of sanctions. Ban cited Iran's complaints over U.S. visa restrictions and the confiscation of Iranian Central Bank assets under a U.S. court order. The United States complained on Monday that Ban overstepped his mandate by referring to Iran's complaints in the report. Iran has also urged the United States to do more to clarify the sanctions relief and to encourage commercial deals. European banks, some of which have been punished for breaking sanctions imposed on Iran, have shown reluctance to resume trade ties until they get concrete reassurance that they will not be hit again. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said banks have nothing to fear from resuming business with Iran as long as they make proper checks on trade partners. (Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)
By Stephanie Kelly NEW YORK (Reuters) - Even before the July 6 police shooting in St. Paul, Minnesota of a black man during a traffic stop, the city's police union said there was difficulty with recruitment and retention of officers. One day after the shooting, a black man ambushed and killed five Dallas policemen in a racially motivated attack aimed at white officers. Then last Sunday, a similarly-motivated gunman shot dead three officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Now, the St. Paul union will be discussing higher compensation in this year's contract negotiations, in part because of the heightened climate of risk and nationwide spotlight on the profession. "If you want a very intelligent professional, a capable professional in that uniform, you're going to have to pay competitive wages because our job has become so less desirable for candidates," said David Titus, president of the Saint Paul Police Federation. A Reuters analysis found that nearly half of the unions in about 30 of the largest municipalities in the United States have expired contracts or contracts expiring in the next year. Out of 13 unions reached, three were negotiating. The attacks added to the anguish and fear felt across America over a series of police shootings of mostly black men in the past two years that have led to street protests, racial tension and the emergence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Other police unions, in St. Louis, Missouri; Minneapolis, Minnesota and New York - and the International Union of Police Associations umbrella group - cited declining recruitment and the shootings as reasons they might seek higher overall compensation. Some police departments such as New York, the largest in the United States with 34,581 employees as of 2014, and St. Paul, disputed the assertion that recruitment was an issue. Before this month's attacks on officers, NYPD spokesman Stephen Davis said the department was completing an increase in the base force by 1,300 and cited a waiting list to enter the police academy. St. Paul, the 64th largest municipality in the country, saw its officer force rise to 627 in 2014 from 542 in 2000, a 15.7 percent increase, Federal Bureau of Investigation data showed. CHANGING POSITIONS, CHANGING TACTICS Police unions in San Antonio, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee and Las Vegas, Nevada, said the increased danger for officers would not be a main negotiating point in their contract talks. In the week following the Dallas shootings, Bob Kroll, president of the Police Officers Federation of Minneapolis, said the union would not use increased levels of danger as a "bargaining position." A day after the Baton Rouge ambush, however, Kroll said that the shootings would indeed have an impact on talks. Kevin Boyle, general counsel for the International Union of Police Associations, said officers need to be paid adequately. "How do you put a price on the fact that an officer might not come home at the end of the day?" said Boyle. Some police officers are barely paid minimum wage. According to 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics data, police and sheriff's patrol officers in the bottom tenth percentile in Mississippi earned $9.89 per hour (meaning 10 percent of employees earned $9.89 or less per hour). By comparison, in California the bottom tenth percentile earned $28.53 per hour. "These officers risk their lives for $40,000 a year. $40,000 a year," lamented Dallas Police Chief David Brown in a CNN interview on July 10. "And this is not sustainable, not to support these people." Municipal budgets typically spend 50 percent on public safety and police departments alone account for 30-35 percent of that figure, said Darrel Stephens, the former police chief of Charlotte, North Carolina, who is executive director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. To increase safety, Baton Rouge police have doubled up on patrols since Sunday, instead of one officer riding alone in a police car, a police spokesman said. "I don't think these steps so far will have a tremendous impact on the budget unless the doubling up is being done on an overtime basis," Stephens said. President Barack Obama, in an open letter to law enforcement dated July 18, said he recognized the courage and service of police officers and touched on what they needed in return. "We should give you the resources you need to do your job, including our full-throated support," Obama wrote. "We must give you the tools you need to build and strengthen the bonds of trust with those you serve, and our best efforts to address the underlying challenges that contribute to crime and unrest." The New York Patrolmens Benevolent Association has been calling for increased wages in negotiations since its previous contract expired in 2012. A spokesman said the shootings of officers "provide a more compelling case to properly compensate the employees." A 1 percent wage increase for members, in line with the pattern other uniformed groups with non-expired contracts receive, would cost New York City about $38 million on top of the $2.87 billion budgeted for uniformed police salaries, said Freddi Goldstein, a spokeswoman for Mayor Bill de Blasio. The NYPD's fiscal 2017 budget of $5.15 billion is down from the $5.52 billion in fiscal 2016. The figures do not include money from federal and state authorities. The wage demands of unions contrast with calls by Black Lives Matter for less funding of police departments, which activists and other law enforcement observers said have become increasingly militarized. If compensation for police officers were increased, training and education and community policing would most likely be the first items to be cut, said Thomas Wieczorek, director at the Center for Public Safety Management. "When you begin cutting back you're increasing the risk both to the officer and the population," he said. "You may save a dollar today only to spend it on liability in the future." (Reporting by Stephanie Kelly in New York, additional reporting by Edward Krudy in New York and Andy Sullivan in Baton Rouge; Editing by Daniel Bases and Grant McCool)
From Popular Mechanics

American and Russian engineers are getting closer to a new plan for cooperating in space, one that would go beyond low Earth orbit and preserve the multinational alliance forged at the dawn of the International Space Station program in 1993. Organizations on both sides are quietly toying with the idea of going back to the moon together. That is, if politics don't get in the way.

With the ISS scheduled to make a controlled plunge into the ocean in 2024, the partners have been preparing to go their own ways. NASA, while funding companies like SpaceX to go to orbit, is developing the Orion spacecraft and the super-heavy rocket called Space Launch System (SLS) for manned missions into deep space and potentially as far as Mars. The European Space Agency (ESA) jumped on NASA's bandwagon few years ago, agreeing to contribute the service and propulsion module for the Orion. But the second-largest ISS contributor, Russia, has so far remained uncommitted to any joint venture beyond the station.

"Don't think of it as a space station around the Moon. Think of it as the beginning of the Mars transit system."

A recent economic crisis in Russia has put a dumper on the nation's space activities. But a bigger problem for cooperation in space may be the souring relationship between Moscow and Washington back on Earth. While NASA and the Russian space agency Roskosmos try to navigate the political minefield, industry engineers on both sides formed their own alliances to look into the matter from the technical prospective.

American aerospace companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, as well as Russia's key manned space contractors RKK Energia and GKNPTs Khrunichev, pitched in on a new plan to work together. Several mission strategies have recently surfaced that focus on a multinational habitat in the vicinity of the Moon, known as cislunar space. It could serve as a platform for the exploration of our natural satellite and a springboard for missions to asteroids and even to Mars.

Story continues

The two sides seem to understand why they need each other, and how the pieces fit together. For their part, the Russians have mastered the development and operation of space modules that can house crews and provide propulsion for years at a time. Turns out, that's exactly what the U.S. could use. Such a habitat would expand the livable volume for the Orion crews beyond the cramped one-room compartment of the ship's command module, extending the possibilities for missions.

In consultations with their American colleagues, Russians offered a selection of off-the-shelf or soon-to-be-available hardware for constructing the joint deep-space habitat. For example, a small docking compartment built by RKK Energia for the ISS could be easily replicated and converted into a 10-ton add-on for the hypothetical near-lunar habitat, with its own life-support system, sleeping quarters and cargo space. Each piece of an ever-growing base could be launched over a period of several years as cargo that piggybacks on SLS rocket launches. Russian engineers drafted a mini-train of such modules, which would be lined up one by one behind an unmanned space locomotive, providing propulsion and 150 kilowatts of electric power.

Alternatively, Russia could supply an all-in-one module for the new base that would have power, propulsion, and large living quarters for the crew. It is based on the most advanced Russian module, which is being developed as a potential cornerstone of the future Russian space station in the Earth's orbit. The drawback? A nearly 24-ton spacecraft will require a dedicated SLS rocket to boost it toward the Moon, leaving no room for the Orion or its crew on that launch.

Russia would get plenty out of the deal, too. Without American cooperation, has no chance of getting a rocket comparable to SLS until 2030, even under the best circumstances. Just to get to the moon, Russia devised a cumbersome scheme involving four launches of the yet-to-be-built Angara-5V rockets. If SLS works as planned, then the Americans could provide Roskosmos an easy ride to the vicinity of the Moon a decade earlier.

Why build a new base near the moon? Joint US-Russian teams could use remote control to drive robotic geology rovers on the surface of the Moon. The habitat could be used to study an asteroid brought into the vicinity of the Moon. Potentially, a piloted lander could be added to the mix, opening door to the human lunar landing. According to one proposal, astronauts and cosmonauts together could attempt a nearly 400-day mission on the surface of the Moon in the late 2020s to simulate a Martian expedition.

Yet these are only big ideas for now. The newest proposals for American and Russian cooperation were just presented at an ISS research and development conference in San Diego last week (July 12-14). Exactly where the base would go an who would take what responsibility is still up for grabs. In the aftermath of the event, William Gerstenmaier, NASA's Associate Administrator for Human Exploration and Operations, told Popular Mechanics that the agency welcomes the industry efforts, but warned that they had not been commissioned or endorsed at NASA.

"Until we look at them, I can't pass judgment whether they are viable or not," Gerstenmaier said. But, "it is encouraging that the industry is doing it on its own and it is consistent with what we are thinking about, including going to cis-lunar space.  So when we, the government, decide something to do, the industry has (already) done its homework." Gerstenmaier also emphasized the potential provided by near-lunar missions for venturing much further into space, rather than exploring the Moon itself: "Don't think of it as a space station around the Moon. Think of it as the beginning of the Mars transit system."

When beefed up to a right level of power, life-support and propulsion, the international vehicle could leave the lunar vicinity and head to asteroids or Mars. "These modules are fairly versatile: you put power, you put right thermal system on them and you can use them in a wide variety of applications," Gerstenmaier explained. (According to the current US policy, NASA sees no need to return to the surface of the Moon, however the agency is open to cooperation if its partners, such as Roskosmos or ESA, take a lead in the lunar landing.)

NASA will have to make a decision on the possible architecture and design of the future deep-space habitat within a year or two, in order to build all the necessary hardware by the time the Orion spacecraft comes out of flight testing in the first half of the 2020s.

Anatoly Zak is the publisher of RussianSpaceWeb.com and the author of Russia in Space: the Past Explained, the Future Explored.
BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. military forces will continue to operate in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson said on Wednesday during a visit to a Chinese naval base. China has refused to recognize a ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated its vast territorial claims in the South China Sea and did not take part in the proceedings brought by the Philippines. China has repeatedly blamed the United States for stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. China, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have rival claims, of which China's is the largest. The United States has conducted freedom of navigation patrols close to Chinese-held islands, to Beijing's anger, while China has been bolstering its military presence there. Meeting Yuan Yubai, commander of the Chinese North Sea Fleet, Richardson "underscored the importance of lawful and safe operations in the South China and elsewhere professional navies operate", the U.S. Navy said. U.S. forces would keep sailing, flying and operating wherever international law allows, Richardson added. "The U.S. Navy will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all. This will not change." Freedom of navigation patrols carried out by foreign navies in the South China Sea could end "in disaster", a senior Chinese admiral said over the weekend. State news agency Xinhua said on Wednesday that countries outside the region should stay out of the South China Sea issue lest they cause unwanted problems. "Western countries have a long history of failing to establish orderly rule over parts of the world. The Middle East is a classic example," it said. Richardson said he was supportive of the deepening of relations between the U.S. and Chinese navies. "But I will be continuously reassessing my support conditioned on continued safe and professional interactions at sea. In this area we must judge each other by our deeds and actions, not just by our words," he added. The United States has complained that Chinese aircraft and ships have performed "unsafe" maneuvers while shadowing U.S. ships and planes, particularly in the South China Sea. Speaking in Sydney on Wednesday, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden assured key ally Australia there would be no retreat from Washington's pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, regardless of who wins November's presidential election. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Nick Macfie)
(Adds details, background)

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department said in a statement on Wednesday it had determined that large residential washers from China had been dumped in the United States.

U.S. appliance maker Whirlpool Corp had urged the government in December to impose duties on washers manufactured in China by Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and LG Electronics.

Whirlpool had alleged that the washers were being sold in the United States at prices below production costs.

Samsung and LG will be required to pay cash deposits on washers imported from their production facilities in China following the ruling, Whirlpool said in a statement.

The cash deposit rate for Samsung is 111.09 percent, and the rate for LG is 49.88 percent.

In 2014, imports of large residential washers from China were valued at an estimated $899.4 million, according to the Commerce Department.

The United States slapped duties in 2012 on Samsung and LG washers made in South Korea and Mexico after finding the products were sold too cheaply in the United States or benefited from unfair levels of government support.

Whirlpool had said the duties were being circumvented by shifting production to Chinese factories.

(Reporting by Arathy S Nair in Bengaluru and Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Eric Beech and Saumyadeb Chakrabarty)
By Julia Edwards

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors sued on Wednesday to seize more than $1 billion in assets they said were tied to money stolen from the Malaysian state development fund, which was overseen by the prime minister, and used to finance "The Wolf of Wall Street" film and to buy property and works of art.

Civil lawsuits filed in federal court did not name Malaysian premier Najib Razak, referring instead to "Malaysian Official 1." Some of the allegations against this official are the same as those in a Malaysian investigation over a $681 million transfer to his personal bank account.

The U.S. Department of Justice said $681 million from a 2013 bond sale by sovereign wealth fund 1MDB was transferred to the account of "Malaysian Official 1." He is described in court papers as "a high-ranking official in the Malaysian government who also held a position of authority with 1MDB."

A source familiar with the investigation confirmed that "Malaysian Official 1" is Najib.

A spokesman for the prime minister said in a statement that 1MDB has been the subject of multiple inquiries in Malaysia.

"The Attorney General found that no crime was committed. 1MDB is still the subject of an investigation by the Royal Malaysia Police," the statement said.

The Malaysian government will cooperate fully with any lawful investigations, it said. Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The investigation is the largest set of cases brought by the U.S. Department of Justice's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which seeks the forfeiture of the proceeds of foreign corruption. The previous largest case in February sought to seize $850 million.

1MDB, which Najib founded in 2009 shortly after he came to office, is being investigated for money laundering in at least six countries, including the United States, Singapore and Switzerland.

1MDB said in a statement that "it is not a party to the civil suit, does not have any assets in the United States of America, nor has it benefited from the various transactions described in the civil suit."

Story continues

The fund said it has not been contacted by the Justice Department or any other foreign agency on the matter.

HIGH-END PROPERTY, LUXURY GOODS

Money was stolen from the fund, moved through shell companies and hidden in the United States in purchases of high-end property and luxury items, U.S. prosecutors said.

The people and institutions named in the complaint have not been charged with crimes, but the government wants to seize assets, among them luxury properties in New York and California, Monet and Van Gogh paintings and a Bombardier jet.

The Justice Department said it will seek to return recovered funds to Malaysia. "The Malaysian people were defrauded on an enormous scale ..." FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said at the briefing in Washington.

Malaysia's attorney general said in January that the money in Najib's bank account was a political donation from the Saudi royal family. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said in April funds wired into Najib's personal bank account were a "genuine" donation originating from Saudi Arabia.

A spokesman for the Saudi embassy in Washington declined to comment on Wednesday.

The U.S. lawsuits seek to seize assets "involved in and traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money misappropriated from 1MDB" over a four-year period.

GOLDMAN SACHS ARRANGED TRANSACTION

One transaction targeted by prosecutors was a $3-billion bond offering in early 2013 that was "arranged by Goldman Sachs International," said U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker at the briefing. She is the chief prosecutor in central California.

More than a third of that money was misappropriated by corrupt officials, she said.

"Approximately $137 million of the pilfered money was spent to purchase works of art, including a $35 million work by Claude Monet," Decker said. She said funds diverted from one bond offering were also traced to the purchase of an interest in the Park Lane Hotel in New York. Prosecutors want forfeiture of about $250,000 invested in the hotel.

Goldman Sachs has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

"We helped raise money for a sovereign wealth fund that was designed to invest in Malaysia. We had no visibility into whether some of those funds may have been subsequently diverted to other purposes," a Goldman Sachs spokesman said.

The lawsuits name Najibs stepson Riza Aziz as a relevant individual." Riza is the founder of Red Granite Pictures, which produced the Oscar-nominated 2013 movie The Wolf of Wall Street directed by Martin Scorsese. Tens of millions of dollars diverted from 1MDB were used to produce it, prosecutors said.

The movie made $400 million at the box office worldwide.

Red Granite said on Wednesday that none of the funding it received four years ago was illegitimate and nothing the company or Riza did was wrong.

Paramount Pictures, actor and producer Leonardo DiCaprio and Scorsese could not immediately be reached for comment.

Leslie Caldwell, assistant U.S. attorney general, said money was diverted from 1MDB bond offerings through a Swiss bank account and shell companies around the world to Red Granite.

"Of course, neither 1MDB nor the Malaysian people ever saw a penny of profit from that film," Caldwell told the briefing.

The lawsuits also named Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as "Jho Low", and Abu Dhabi government officials Khadem Abdulla Al-Qubaisi and Mohammed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.

Al Qubaisi and Al-Husseiny are former officials at a sovereign fund in Abu Dhabi that participated in deals with 1MDB.

Jho Low did not respond to requests for comment sent to his Hong Kong-based company, Jynwel Capital. Al Qubaisi and Al-Husseiny could not be reached for comment.

Some of the misappropriated 1MDB funds are directly traceable to a $700 million wire transfer and $330 million wire transfer unlawfully diverted from 1MDB to the Good Star Account, owned by Jho Low, one of the lawsuits said.

Other misappropriated funds from 1MDB were transferred to the co-founder of PetroSaudi, a company that had a joint venture deal with 1MDB, and thereafter to the high-ranking official identified only as "Malaysian Official 1".

Diplomatic and trade relations between the United States and Malaysia have grown closer during the administration of President Barack Obama, who has visited the southeast Asia country twice in the last two years.

Asked for a response to the allegations, a top White House official distanced Obama from the Justice Department's litigation.

"The simple answer is we do not have any control over Justice Department actions," Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser said.

In Malaysia, however, the inquiries have put Najib under political pressure with critics led by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed calling for him to step down.

Najib has sacked critics of the scandal within his ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and consolidated his position in the party.

He also secured big electoral victories in state and parliamentary by-elections this year, as local issues took prominence over the 1MDB scandal.

(Additional reporting by Praveen Menon, A. Ananthalakshmi, Joseph Sipalan; Doina Chiacu, David Alexander and Joel Schectman in Washington, Jonathan Stempel and Olivia Oran in New York; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Grant McCool)
* Money stolen from 1MDB fund and laundered -prosecutors

* Civil lawsuits seek forfeiture of luxury assets

* 'Wolf of Wall Street' film, paintings, property cited

* Prosecutors trace money to Malaysian officials, relatives (Adds source on 'Malaysian Official 1', statements from 1MDB, Malaysian government)

By Julia Edwards

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors sued on Wednesday to seize more than $1 billion in assets they said were tied to money stolen from the Malaysian state development fund, which was overseen by the prime minister, and used to finance "The Wolf of Wall Street" film and to buy property and works of art.

Civil lawsuits filed in federal court did not name Malaysian premier Najib Razak, referring instead to "Malaysian Official 1." Some of the allegations against this official are the same as those in a Malaysian investigation over a $681 million transfer to his personal bank account.

The U.S. Department of Justice said $681 million from a 2013 bond sale by sovereign wealth fund 1MDB was transferred to the account of "Malaysian Official 1." He is described in court papers as "a high-ranking official in the Malaysian government who also held a position of authority with 1MDB."

A source familiar with the investigation confirmed that "Malaysian Official 1" is Najib.

A spokesman for the prime minister said in a statement that 1MDB has been the subject of multiple inquiries in Malaysia.

"The Attorney General found that no crime was committed. 1MDB is still the subject of an investigation by the Royal Malaysia Police," the statement said.

The Malaysian government will cooperate fully with any lawful investigations, it said. Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

The investigation is the largest set of cases brought by the U.S. Department of Justice's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which seeks the forfeiture of the proceeds of foreign corruption. The previous largest case in February sought to seize $850 million.

Story continues

1MDB, which Najib founded in 2009 shortly after he came to office, is being investigated for money laundering in at least six countries, including the United States, Singapore and Switzerland.

1MDB said in a statement that "it is not a party to the civil suit, does not have any assets in the United States of America, nor has it benefited from the various transactions described in the civil suit."

The fund said it has not been contacted by the Justice Department or any other foreign agency on the matter.

HIGH-END PROPERTY, LUXURY GOODS

Money was stolen from the fund, moved through shell companies and hidden in the United States in purchases of high-end property and luxury items, U.S. prosecutors said.

The people and institutions named in the complaint have not been charged with crimes, but the government wants to seize assets, among them luxury properties in New York and California, Monet and Van Gogh paintings and a Bombardier jet.

The Justice Department said it will seek to return recovered funds to Malaysia. "The Malaysian people were defrauded on an enormous scale ..." FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said at the briefing in Washington.

Malaysia's attorney general said in January that the money in Najib's bank account was a political donation from the Saudi royal family. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir said in April funds wired into Najib's personal bank account were a "genuine" donation originating from Saudi Arabia.

A spokesman for the Saudi embassy in Washington declined to comment on Wednesday.

The U.S. lawsuits seek to seize assets "involved in and traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money misappropriated from 1MDB" over a four-year period.

GOLDMAN SACHS ARRANGED TRANSACTION

One transaction targeted by prosecutors was a $3-billion bond offering in early 2013 that was "arranged by Goldman Sachs International," said U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker at the briefing. She is the chief prosecutor in central California.

More than a third of that money was misappropriated by corrupt officials, she said.

"Approximately $137 million of the pilfered money was spent to purchase works of art, including a $35 million work by Claude Monet," Decker said. She said funds diverted from one bond offering were also traced to the purchase of an interest in the Park Lane Hotel in New York. Prosecutors want forfeiture of about $250,000 invested in the hotel.

Goldman Sachs has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

"We helped raise money for a sovereign wealth fund that was designed to invest in Malaysia. We had no visibility into whether some of those funds may have been subsequently diverted to other purposes," a Goldman Sachs spokesman said.

The lawsuits name Najib's stepson Riza Aziz as a "relevant individual." Riza is the founder of Red Granite Pictures, which produced the Oscar-nominated 2013 movie "The Wolf of Wall Street" directed by Martin Scorsese. Tens of millions of dollars diverted from 1MDB were used to produce it, prosecutors said.

The movie made $400 million at the box office worldwide.

Red Granite said on Wednesday that none of the funding it received four years ago was illegitimate and nothing the company or Riza did was wrong.

Paramount Pictures, actor and producer Leonardo DiCaprio and Scorsese could not immediately be reached for comment.

Leslie Caldwell, assistant U.S. attorney general, said money was diverted from 1MDB bond offerings through a Swiss bank account and shell companies around the world to Red Granite.

"Of course, neither 1MDB nor the Malaysian people ever saw a penny of profit from that film," Caldwell told the briefing.

The lawsuits also named Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, better known as "Jho Low", and Abu Dhabi government officials Khadem Abdulla Al-Qubaisi and Mohammed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.

Al Qubaisi and Al-Husseiny are former officials at a sovereign fund in Abu Dhabi that participated in deals with 1MDB.

Jho Low did not respond to requests for comment sent to his Hong Kong-based company, Jynwel Capital. Al Qubaisi and Al-Husseiny could not be reached for comment.

Some of the misappropriated 1MDB funds "are directly traceable to a $700 million wire transfer and $330 million wire transfer unlawfully diverted from 1MDB to the Good Star Account," owned by Jho Low, one of the lawsuits said.

Other misappropriated funds from 1MDB were transferred to the co-founder of PetroSaudi, a company that had a joint venture deal with 1MDB, and thereafter to the high-ranking official identified only as "Malaysian Official 1".

Diplomatic and trade relations between the United States and Malaysia have grown closer during the administration of President Barack Obama, who has visited the southeast Asia country twice in the last two years.

Asked for a response to the allegations, a top White House official distanced Obama from the Justice Department's litigation.

"The simple answer is we do not have any control over Justice Department actions," Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser said.

In Malaysia, however, the inquiries have put Najib under political pressure with critics led by former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed calling for him to step down.

Najib has sacked critics of the scandal within his ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and consolidated his position in the party.

He also secured big electoral victories in state and parliamentary by-elections this year, as local issues took prominence over the 1MDB scandal.

(Additional reporting by Praveen Menon, A. Ananthalakshmi, Joseph Sipalan; Doina Chiacu, David Alexander and Joel Schectman in Washington, Jonathan Stempel and Olivia Oran in New York; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Grant McCool)
By Tom Miles

GENEVA (Reuters) - The United States is worried that China is retreating from pledges to open its economy to market forces as it tries to cope with a slowdown in growth, U.S. trade diplomat Chris Wilson told the World Trade Organization on Tuesday.

China is undergoing a regular two-yearly review of its trade policies at the WTO this week, in which the body's other 162 members get to quiz its officials and critique its policies.

Wilson, the deputy chief of the U.S. mission to the WTO, said China's leaders had endorsed a number of far-reaching reform pronouncements, including that the market would be "decisive" in allocating resources, and it was clear that serious efforts were being made.

"Over the past year, however, as growth in Chinas economy has slowed, the United States has sensed an increasing reluctance among Chinas economic planners to pursue further reforms," he said, according to a published transcript.

"In addition, more and more U.S. enterprises have been expressing concern about a less welcoming business and regulatory environment for foreign enterprises."

The United States hoped the developments were temporary and China would aim for a more transparent, predictable and welcoming regulatory environment, but that this would be impossible as long as the state supported and favoured domestic industries, Wilson said.

China's support for its bloated steel and aluminium industries clearly showed that state intervention would never be as efficient as the market, he said.

Other U.S. concerns included quotas and duties on China's raw material exports, manipulated value-added tax rebates on exports, thin agricultural imports despite strong demand, and prohibitions on foreign investment in Chinas movie market, the world's second-biggest.

Wilson was speaking less than a week after the United States launched a WTO complaint to challenge China's export duties on key metals and minerals.

That complaint was expanded on Monday when the European Union joined the legal action against China.

Story continues

Washington and Brussels have also clashed with Beijing over China's demand to be treated as a market economy at the WTO, which would make it harder to challenge China's cheap exports.

Another concern cited by Wilson was the "Made in China 2025" initiative, which aims to ensure Chinese-made components and materials account for 70 percent of China's manufacturing inputs by 2025.

So-called "local content requirements" have become a hot issue at the WTO, where they are closely scrutinised in case they are used to illegally promote domestic firms at the expense of foreign suppliers.

(Reporting by Tom Miles; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky)
By Elias Biryabarema KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda could face "debt distress" in as little as two years if a start to oil production is delayed further, after ramping up its foreign borrowing in recent years, a top central bank official told Reuters on Wednesday. Adam Mugume, executive director for research at Bank of Uganda, told Reuters the debt load could become problematic if Uganda does not begin exporting crude soon. He pointed to the slump in commodity prices and the weak performance of Uganda's hard-currency-earning exports. "We have pushed oil very far, every now and then we're not ready," Mugume, a member of the central bank's monetary policy committee, said in an interview. "We should start now getting worried about debt distress." Uganda found big oil reserves a decade ago but a date for large-scale pumping has been pushed back several times. The government now says it will start after 2020, when a pipeline through East African neighbour Tanzania is due to be completed. Asked when Uganda was likely to start struggling with debt repayments, Mugume said that without oil revenues, "we'll be having (a) serious challenge" in two to three years. The country has ramped up external borrowing, mostly from China, to fund infrastructure projects including highways, a railway, hydro power dams and an airport. Total external debt stood at $10.3 billion in May, including disbursed funds and credit yet to be released but on which agreements have been concluded, the central bank said. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija told Reuters earlier this month there were no concerns over debt levels. Mugume said the fact that most of the projects for which Uganda is borrowing will take years before they start earning any money, while debt repayments start almost as soon as the loan is secured, posed additional risks. Crude reserves estimated by government geologists at 3.5 billion barrels were discovered in the Albertine rift basin along Uganda's border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2006 but production has repeatedly been pushed back. Spats over taxation, disagreements over field development strategies and delays in erecting infrastructure like the export pipeline agreed with Tanzania in April have all been blamed. The jointly developed pipeline will carry Ugandan crude to Tanzania's Indian Ocean port of Tanga for export. Britain's Tullow Oil and France's Total, two of the three firms that own fields in the country, have been awaiting production licenses for years, although China's CNOOC has been granted one. (Editing by Catherine Evans)
The starling is a chunky little bird with a body about the size of a robins. A starling would never be mistaken for a robin, however.

Its a different color  black. Its tail is shorter, and its wings are of a different shape  triangular, broad at its sides and pointed at the tips.

The combination of a chunky body, short tail and triangular wings make it unmistakable, on the ground, perched in a tree or on a wire or in flight.

Starlings arent really black. Their color is variable and depends on the time of year and the condition of the light. Now, when they are nesting, raising their broods, a starling in the sunlight has a greenish iridescent sheen and a bright yellow bill. At other times of the year, a starling is more dull and spotted with white and its bill is black.

Like the house sparrow, which was once called English sparrow, the starling is a native bird of Europe and was introduced to the United States.

Unlike the house sparrow, there are few records of the introduction of the starling, but there is one account of 120 being released in New York Citys Central Park in 1890 and 40 more being released in the park the next year.

These birds were observed constantly and nested successfully. They multiplied rapidly and spread into the surrounding country.

In Birds of America, published in 1917, only 27 years after their introduction into New York, the starling had increased its numbers and range and was described as one of the most adaptable of birds. Today, the range of the starling in North America is from the Atlantic to the Pacific, south into Florida and across the southern states, north and west across Canada and even into Alaska.

Starlings eat insects which would seem to make them popular birds. In Europe, there are reports of starlings gathering in flocks of thousands when there was an insect outbreak and actually curbing the outbreak.

The same is said of starlings and land snails when the snails became numerous enough to deplete crops.

Starlings eat other things besides insects and snails, however. In Europe and America, they eat fruit, particularly berries and grapes. When a flock of starlings lands in a cherry tree, the pits fall like rain and a large flock of starlings in a vineyard can wipe out an entire crop.

It is said they are not particularly damaging to apples, but I have watched a starling peck and damage several apples in a tree, one after another.

Starlings also eat corn, tearing open the husks and taking the kernels off the cob. They have been accused of pulling up sprouting corn and eating the kernels.

Starlings are not popular birds, in Europe or in America.

The thing for which they are most unpopular is their aggressiveness. They chase many other birds away from birdfeeders.

Cavity nesters, unable to make their own nest holes, like bluebirds and chickadees, nuthatches and house wrens, they watch and wait while a hairy, red-bellied or red-headed woodpecker or a flicker chisels out a hole. Then one starling moves in when the nest builder goes out.

If the nest builder is able to drive the intruder out when it returns, its mate enters the hole. Alternating occupancy, usually a pair of starlings manages to take over a nest hole from the builder or from a pair of bluebirds, chickadees, nuthatches or wrens.

I have known people who claimed they took care of starlings that came to feeders they stocked or tried to occupy nest boxes they put up, and they were acting legally.

Starlings, house sparrows and other introduced species are exempt from protections under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, but eliminating a few starlings wont make any difference.

Starlings are in America to stay.

 Neil Case may be reached at neilcase1931@gmail.com
* Brexit is new concern for global finance chiefs

* G20 partners to seek clarity on British plans

* New government still in process of forming strategy

By William Schomberg

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Britain's new finance minister Philip Hammond will this week face calls from anxious peers around the world to explain how his country can pull off a smooth exit from the European Union and minimise the damage to the fragile global economy.

A month after the Brexit shock hammered markets and added to the prospect of more stimulus from major central banks, Hammond will attend a July 23-24 meeting of finance chiefs from the Group of 20 leading economies in the Chinese city of Chengdu.

There, the former foreign minister is likely to come under pressure to provide clarity on Britain's strategy for leaving the EU and negotiating a new trade deal. The process is likely to take years and could put fresh strains on Europe's economy, which has barely recovered from the euro zone debt crisis.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew visited Britain twice last week, as the country changed prime ministers as well as finance ministers, to say a deal that tightly bound Britain and the EU was "in the best interests of Europe, of the United States and the global economy."

A Canadian finance ministry official said Brexit and its implications for public support for international trade would dominate the G20 gathering.

The shock "Leave" victory in Britain's June 23 EU membership referendum has underscored the deep dissatisfaction among many voters in rich countries with the globalised economy.

That is something that the anti-free trade U.S. Republican candidate Donald Trump hopes will boost his chances in November's presidential election.

It also adds to the challenge for the G20 finance ministers and central bank governors to steer the world economy out of a slow-growth rut that has lasted since the financial crisis.

Hammond said on Tuesday the Bank of England would take the first steps to help steer the economy through its Brexit shock, and possible budget measures would not come until later this year.

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FORCES OF DIVISION

The International Monetary Fund said on Tuesday it had been planning to raise its forecasts for global growth until Brexit threw "a spanner in the works" and prompted the Fund to trim its forecasts. It said the outlook would be a lot worse if Britain failed to strike a friendly deal with the EU.

"Brexit is symptomatic of a broader threat to the global economy," Lena Komileva, managing director of G+ Economics, a consultancy. "The forces of division are threatening the forces of cohesion and that makes coordinating growth policies harder."

George Magnus, a senior economic adviser to UBS, said Hammond - who supported Britain staying in the EU - would be pressed to provide some of the missing detail behind new Prime Minster Theresa May's promise that "Brexit means Brexit."

"There will be a strong interest on the part of the Europeans and with varying degrees the U.S., China and India and other important countries, who will want an idea of the dynamic implications that Brexit might have for the EU itself," he said.

However, with even the start date for Britain's exit process unclear, Hammond will probably be unable to provide much detail to his peers, Magnus said.

Although he is little known to many other finance ministers, Hammond is no stranger to international gatherings, having served as Britain's defence and transport minister as well as its foreign minister for the last two years.

He has suggested that Britain, which now faces the risk of a recession, will take more time to fix its public finances than under his predecessor George Osborne, whose focus on bringing down the budget deficit brought him into conflict with the IMF in 2013.

That change in stance is likely to be applauded by the United States, which has long urged other G20 members to do more to boost growth by increasing public spending. However, Hammond has limited room because Britain's budget deficit of 4 percent of economic output is one of the highest among rich economies.

Before attending the G20 meeting in Chengdu on Saturday and Sunday, Hammond is due to meet Chinese government officials in Beijing on Friday. Osborne prioritised Chinese investment, and Hammond is likely to stress that Britain is "open for business." (Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
By William James and Kylie MacLellan LONDON (Reuters) - Britain will give up its planned presidency of the European Council, due to start in July 2017, to focus on negotiating the country's exit from the European Union a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday. The decision, reached in a phone call between May and EU Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday evening, reflects the scale of the task facing Britain as it seeks to negotiate a new relationship with the EU after a June 23 public vote to leave. "The Prime Minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating Presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union," the spokeswoman said. "The Prime Minister explained that we will need to carefully prepare for the negotiations to leave the EU before triggering Article 50," she said, referring to the formal legal process for leaving the bloc. "Donald Tusk reassured the Prime Minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible." A spokesman for Tusk said there had been no decision yet on who would take up the vacant slot, and that discussions on the issue would begin immediately between ambassadors. The presidency is currently held by Slovakia and is due to be handed over to Malta for the first half of 2017. Estonia was due to follow the British presidency. Possible solutions could be to extend Malta and Estonia's terms by three months to cover the gap or for Belgium to step in for the six months. (Additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May said she would meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin later on Wednesday to discuss Britain's vote to leave the European Union and other issues.

"This afternoon I will travel to Berlin to meet Chancellor Merkel, to discuss how we implement the decision the British people took in the referendum, and I expect we will also cover a number of other pressing international issues," May told parliament.

She was speaking during her first Prime Minister's Questions session since becoming leader of the ruling Conservatives earlier this month.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, writing by Jemima Kelly; editing by Stephen Addison)
LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday the government's position on the possible expansion of London's Heathrow airport had not changed, and that it would be making a decision "in due course".

"On Heathrow, the position has not changed," May told parliament.

"Obviously the Howard Davies review work was done, some further work is being done in relation to the question of air quality around the various proposals that were put forward, and the cabinet and government will be taking a decision on this in the proper way in due course."

May was speaking during her first Prime Minister's Questions session since becoming leader of the ruling Conservatives earlier this month.

(Reporting by Jemima Kelly)
By Brian Goldsmith

Former Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole told Yahoo News Global Anchor Katie Couric that this years GOP nominee, Donald Trump, is a strong leader but should tone down his rhetoric and become an inclusive Republican.

He lamented that Trump has not apologized to Sen. John McCain for saying, one year ago, that McCain is not a war hero because he was captured. Dole said he was kept in a little cage, he had arms broken.  Hes a war hero if there ever was one. Dole added that McCain is not bitter and will vote for Trump.

Dole also said that he wants Trump to go to New Mexico to apologize to Republican Gov. Susanna Martinez, because Republicans need Latinos in the party  we need more women in the party. Dole said he raised these concerns with Trump on the phone.

Speaking from the Republican convention in Cleveland, Dole said that Trump should reach out to more people, Reagan Democrats or independents, and unify our party. The former Senate majority leader, who has been to every Republican convention since 1964, initially endorsed Jeb Bush, who, he said, just never caught fire, and then supported Marco Rubio, who worked for his 1996 presidential campaign.

As for the institution where Dole spent four decades (from 1961 to 1996), Dole said he thinks Trump can work with Congress. I believe hell be bipartisan, not some rigid extreme conservative. One thing he believes voters should understand: Presidential candidates are not going to get much done unless their plans can pass through Congress.

Dole said he believes that People are angry.  Some may not ever know what theyre angry about and that while he does not blame Obama for all of it, he does believe We have a mess in the world and that Trump is a strong leader.

Dole, who turns 93 on Friday, said that he still is working as a lawyer and misses politics every day. Sporting an I still like Ike button, he is mounting an effort to build an Eisenhower memorial in Washington, D.C.




Unilever plc (ADR) (NYSE: UL), a major U.K.-based conglomerate that oversees approximately 400 brands across the world, paid $1 billion to acquire Dollar Shave Club, a direct-to-consumer seller of shaving razors and other healthcare products.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Unilever bought more than just a razor and healthcare company, it bought a trove of consumer data and information that can give it a strong foothold in the lucrative American market.

Related Link: Remember Dollar Shave Club? Unilever Just Bought It For Billion

In fact, Unilever CEO Paul Polman has been positioning the company away from the slower growing food segment and into the home and personal-care category. Dollar Shave Club has been stealing market share away from Procter & Gamble Co (NYSE: PG)'s Gillette brand, and the trend could accelerate given Unilever's deeper pockets and greater focus on collecting and analyzing consumer data.

"We're increasingly capturing huge amounts of information about what really matters to our consumers and feeding these insights virtually and real time to our global and local marketing teams," the Wall Street Journal quoted Unilever's president of personal care as saying at an industry conference in June.

As part of the acquisition of Dollar Shave Club, Unilever will gain access to its 3.2 million members, including their spending habits. The Wall Street Journal quoted Unilever's North America president, Kees Kruythoff, as saying that this represents "unique consumer and data insights."

Did you like this article? Could it have been improved? Please email feedback@benzinga.com with the story link to let us know!

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 2016 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
July 20, 2016: This story has been corrected.

A left-leaning veterans organization made its first ad buy of this election cycle last week, telling voters that Donald Trump is too dangerous for America.

VoteVets, the super PAC that sponsored the ad, claims more than 400,000 supporters on its website and states its mission is to use public issue campaigns to give a voice to veterans on matters of national security, veterans' care and every day issues affecting veterans.

Its new ad received production assistance from Priorities USA Action, a super PAC thats raised millions to support Hillary Clinton. The group was behind a well-known anti-Trump ad earlier this year that featured women lip-synching Trump quotes criticizing women.

Whos behind it?

Leading VoteVets is Chairman Jon Soltz, a founder of the group and two-tour Iraq veteran. Soltz blogs for the Huffington Post and is a frequent media commentator, appearing on shows like "Countdown with Keith Olbermann" on MSNBC.

Last week, Soltz criticized Trump as not having the right temperament for commander-in-chief, stating that emotion-based judgement will not Make America Safe Again, in a blog post, penned with Paul Eaton, another VoteVets advisory board member. Eaton is also senior adviser to the progressive think tank National Security Network.

The VoteVets board of advisors is made up mostly of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, one of whom also served three terms as a Democratic member of the Ohio House of Representatives. Others include the former chief of staff to former Secretary of State Colin Powell and the executive director of the Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO.

Formed in 2006, the group is also backed by a number of individual donors and trade unions.

This story is part of Source Check. Click here to read more stories in this series.

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The ad

VoteVets Eaton, a retired U.S. Army major general, starts off the ad from behind a desk, clad in a suit and tie, saying, I know the sacrifices our military makes.

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The ad cuts to an old photo of an Air Force pilot as Eaton speaks about his fathers service as a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War. He points to his own 30 years of service, saying Ive been responsible for the lives of our sons and daughters.

Its because of those sons and daughters and the rest of the country that he cannot support Donald Trump for president, he says.

Donald Trump doesnt have the temperament or judgment to be our commander-in-chief, he says as the ad comes to a close. Thats why Im speaking out, for America.

Money in

The group has collected about $255,000 so far this election cycle, the majority of which came from individual donors. Among the donors were engineers at Raytheon and Shell Oil, a program integrator at the Department of Defense and a number of retirees.

About $50,000 in donations to VoteVets came from trade unions, including $10,000 each from the American Federation of Government Employees PAC and the Sheet Metal Workers International Association PAC.

Related: "For America"

Other union donors included the Ironworkers Political Education Fund, Engineers Political Education Committee and the United Mine Workers of America Coal Miners PAC.

Money out

The new ad blitz cost VoteVets nearly $668,000, about $17,000 of which it paid to Priorities USA Action for advertising production costs.

VoteVets has aired more than 900 ads since July 12, according to data provided to the Center for Public Integrity by ad tracking firm Kantar Media/CMAG, which monitors ads on broadcast television and national  but not local  cable.

The groups TV ad blitz has been focused on viewers in the potential battleground states of Virginia, Colorado and Tennessee.

Why to watch this group

The group is a late-comer to what is shaping up to be the most expensive election on record. Its anti-Trump ad began airing less than a week before the Republican National Convention kicked off in Cleveland on Monday.

Correction, July 20, 2016, 11:05 a.m.: An earlier version of this article misidentified Paul Eaton's rank. He is a retired U.S. Army major general.

This story is part of Source Check. Click here to read more stories in this series.

Copyright 2016 The Center for Public Integrity. This story was published by The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative news organization in Washington, D.C.
New York (AFP) - US antitrust officials approved beer giant AB InBev's $108 billion takeover of rival SABMiller Wednesday after requiring the divestiture of SABMiller's entire US business.

Conditions include the already-planned sale of SABMiller's 58 percent stake in MillerCoors in the US to Molson Coors. AB InBev is also required to divest worldwide Miller beer brand rights, the Justice Department said.

"The remedy we secured will help preserve and promote competition in the multi-billion dollar US beer industry," said Sonia Pfaffenroth, assistant attorney general in department's antitrust division.

AB InBev and MillerCoors account for about 70 percent of beer sold in the US and have share above 90 percent in some markets.

US acceptance of the deal follows the European Union antitrust regulator's approval on condition that AB InBev sells most of SABMiller's European business.

AB InBev -- which makes Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois -- agreed in November to buy SABMiller whose brands include Foster's, Grolsch and Peroni.

The deal is expected to boost world-leader AB InBev's prospects in developing markets in Africa and China, where a SABMiller joint venture produces Snow -- the world's best selling beer by volume.
Washington (AFP) - The US Treasury announced Wednesday sanctions on three Iran-based senior Al-Qaeda officials allegedly involved in moving funds and weapons around the Middle East for the group.

The Treasury said Faisal Jassim Mohammed al-Amri al-Khalidi, Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi and Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn have important logistics roles in Al-Qaeda, which is officially designated by the United States and the United Nations as a global terrorist organization.

The Treasury said Khalidi, a 31-year-old Kuwait-born Saudi national, was "part of a new generation" of Qaeda operatives who in May 2015 participated in a senior leadership meeting as the military commission chief.

Egyptian Bayumi, 48, is a Qaeda veteran involved recently in raising and deploying funds for the group.

Ghumayn, a 35-year-old Algerian, took control of the financing and organization of Iran-based Qaeda members last year.

The sanctions seize any assets located in US jurisdictions of those named, and ban Americans and US-based companies from doing business with them  effectively closing off their access to much of the global financial system.

"Treasury remains committed to targeting Al-Qaeda's terrorist activity and denying Al-Qaeda and its critical support networks access to the international financial system," Adam Szubin, acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.
Montreal (AFP) - Vancouver's city council launched Wednesday a review of the municipal regulations on short-term rentals like Airbnb, a platform accused of driving up real estate prices.

"We're working to better understand the economic benefits of short-term rentals, as well as the potential impact of short-term tourist rentals on the supply and price of long term rental housing for Vancouver residents," said the council in a statement.

Vancouver is experiencing a housing crisis and soaring prices  often driven up by speculation  with a rental vacancy of just 0.6 percent, estimates the city council.

Since 2013 Airbnb rental listings have doubled in number each year, reaching 4,400 entire units in 2015, according to the platform's data.

Except in the case of hotels or bed and breakfasts, Vancouver bylaws prohibit rentals for less than 30 days.

The possibility that short-term rentals could be eating into the housing stock available to permanent residents adds another element to housing challenges facing the Canadian government, which promised to pass measures designed to curb soaring prices by fall.

Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson announced in June a new tax on vacant homes in the city, whose number has climbed to 11,000.

Robertson would also like to discourage unit owners from renting to tourists in the city for just a few days.

The city found that more than 5,000 units are rented out short-term, 85 percent of them on Airbnb.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in June that an influx of capital from Asia is partly to blame for double-digit housing price increases year after year in Toronto and Vancouver, but provided no supporting data to back up the remarks.

A Simon Fraser University study noted that homes in Vancouver valued at more than Can$1 million rose from 19 percent in 2006 to 91 percent this year.
CLEVELAND  Elliott Adams came by way of Vietnam, Japan, and Korea: a U.S. Army infantryman turned small-town upstate New York mayor and, now, a protester with Veterans for Peace.

Ivan Vargas came by way of Nezahualcoyotl, Mexico, when he was 8 years old, accompanied only by his 10-year-old sister and a coyote, or human smuggler. Twenty years later he took a 12-hour bus ride from Atlanta to Ohio to protest with the Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights.

On Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio, the two men came together to Wall Off Trump, building their own human wall as an answer to newly minted GOP nominee Donald Trumps oft-trumpeted pledges to build a literal one on the border between the United States and Mexico.

Veterans provided ad hoc security and joined a diverse group of about 200 protesters who wore white canvas ponchos painted to depict parts of a wall. Expressing their opposition to Trumps strident anti-immigrant rhetoric, they stood together on the streets outside the convention hall forming a human barrier.

In one of the first sizable protests of the four-day GOP coronation, the unlikely coalition stood in stark contrast to pro-Trump veterans rallying for their candidate and a speaker lineup at the convention that has relied heavily on former and current members of the U.S. military.

Themed Make America Safe Again, many of the speakers used their military credentials to hit at Trump rival and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, inspiring chants that have become a favorite of delegates on the convention floor: Lock her up!

Al Baldasaro, a veteran and advisor to the Trump campaign, went so far as to tell the Daily Beast that Clinton should be shot because she committed treason.

Adams, the upstate mayor, compared the tactics of Trump and his aides to the notorious Nazi military commander Hermann Goring.

He said if you want to take any nation to war all you have to do is tell them they are under attack, and anybody that objects, call them traitors, Adams told Foreign Policy. Its the same damn thing.

Story continues

Adams was particularly incensed that the New York businessman has been wrapping his nativist rhetoric in the uniform of the U.S. military.

Make America Safe Again is hogwash, he said. Trump doesnt know anything about that, and you dont do that by having lots and lots of soldiers. Wars dont make the nation safe.

The alliance between veterans and Latino activists against Trump was only natural, he said.

I am protesting against the politics of hate and fear, he explained, calling Trumps brand cheap politics.

Vargas emphasized the protest was intended to be peaceful to contrast with some pro-Trump supporters threats, not to mention insinuations by the candidate himself.

We refuse to fight hate with violence or oppressive remarks, we would rather do something beautiful, he said, holding the canvas with part of the painted wall crumpled in his arms as he made his way back to the bus.

Still, he criticized the immigration policies of both parties. The number of unaccompanied minors arriving at the border, as Vargas did, has spiked. That caught the Obama administration by surprise, and rights advocates have criticized the subsequent deportations.

Adams expressed dismay at the policies that are coming out of Washington  this is more than Donald Trump, this is more than Hillary Clinton.

Several Amnesty International workers in bright yellow shirts looked on nearby. With threats of violence, the organization known for observing contentious elections abroad decided for the first time to send human rights monitors to the conventions in Cleveland and Philadelphia. A dozen representatives, with experience in places like Nepal, Turkey, and Egypt, will observe both party conventions this summer.

Of course its significant that we see a need to be here, Amnestys Eric Ferraro said.

Photo credit: Spencer Platt /Getty Images
By Andreas Cremer and Irene Preisinger

MUNICH (Reuters) - Volkswagen is ready to make an acquisition for its trucks business in North America if the right opportunity comes along, despite the rising cost of its "dieselgate" emissions cheating scandal, the head of the trucks division told Reuters.

Andreas Renschler said his main focus remained on deepening cooperation between Volkswagen's (VW) truck brands - MAN and Scania - a process started last year and aimed at saving up to 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) a year by 2025 from joint procurement and development of gearboxes, axles and engines.

But he said VW's absence from the lucrative North American trucks market was something he wanted to address over the longer term, as he seeks to build a global business to challenge rivals Daimler and Volvo.

And he said VW management's support for such a move was as strong as before the company was engulfed in a damaging and costly scandal over cheating emissions tests last September.

"The question is whether you try to find solutions or hide away in the corner," he said. "We are looking ahead."

VW said on Wednesday it was taking another 2.2 billion euro ($2.4 billion) one-off hit in its first half results - on top of the 16.2 billion euros it has already set aside to cover the costs of its emissions test cheating, including fixing vehicles and a settlement with U.S. authorities.

Some analysts had speculated VW might sell or spin off its trucks business to help raise funds, but it made clear in a strategy overhaul in June it had no plans for major asset sales.

First-half earnings figures on Wednesday also signalled the company's recovery may be gaining momentum.

Renschler said in an interview that VW was under no pressure to do a trucks deal in the United States, adding it was important "to pick the right moment to take the right step".

He also declined to discuss potential deals. Analysts have suggested Navistar International Corp or Paccar Inc as possible acquisition targets or partners.

Story continues

Renschler said a public listing for VW's trucks business was not a top priority at the moment, though all options were being kept open to that end, he added, without being more specific.

The trucks business made 24.4 billion euros of sales in 2015, out of a VW group total of 213.3 billion.

TRUCK FAIR

June's strategy announcement was the start of a transformation at VW that could last 5-10 years, and in which the trucks business would play its part, Renschler said.

He said VW would use the Hanover truck fair on Sept. 21-22 to unveil a new platform to expand digital services for truck drivers and logistics operators.

The company may also announce new financial targets for MAN, whose profits have been hammered by a downturn in its key Brazilian market, and the higher-margin Swedish unit Scania, Renschler said, declining to elaborate.

VW is seeking to expand cooperation with Chinese partner Sinotruk Hong Kong and is open to talks about joint projects with other peers, he added.

A former Daimler executive who joined VW in February 2015, Renschler indicated he may not seek a second term when his contract expires in 2020.

"It always depends on how I feel and whether or not I want to work operationally," the 58-year-old said. "I have a five-year contract, I have promised to fulfil it."

($1 = 0.9079 euros)

(Editing by Mark Potter)
Frankfurt (AFP) - Embattled German auto giant Volkswagen said Wednesday it booked another huge charge related to the engine-rigging scandal on its first-half accounts, but insisted that profits came in better than expected overall and it would stick to its full-year targets.

"The operating result for the Volkswagen group before special items is significantly higher than market expectations for the first half of 2016," VW said in a statement, sending its shares zooming ahead by more than seven percent on the Frankfurt stock exchange.

For the first six months, group operating profit before special items stood at 7.5 billion euros, the statement said.

But the carmaker also booked a charge of 2.2 billion euros "mainly related to further legal risks predominately arising in North America."

That meant that operating result after special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros for the period from January to June, the carmaker said.

According to the group's half-year report for 2015, the corresponding year-earlier figure stood at 6.82 billion euros.

- Troubles not over -

VW had already set aside 16.2 billion euros in provisions last year to cover the costs of the scandal, pushing it into its first year-end loss in more than 20 years.

The announcement of the additional 2.2-billion-euro charge comes just a day after New York and Massachusetts filed lawsuits suggesting that VW senior executives were aware early on of efforts to hide high emissions levels in the company's diesel cars.

VW was plunged into its deepest-ever scandal last September when it emerged it had installed so-called "defeat devices" -- or sophisticated software that intentionally skews emissions data -- into 11 million diesel engines worldwide.

Last month, VW agreed to a record $14.7-billion payout to settle civil claims in the United States, but it is still a long way from drawing a line under the scandal.

On Tuesday, the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts claimed that VW's inability to comply with US emissions standards had allegedly "reached the attention" of Matthias Mueller, the current Volkswagen CEO, and his predecessor Martin Winterkorn as early as July 2006.

Story continues

And California regulators recently rejected a plan by VW to fix some 16,000 3-litre diesel cars not included in the June settlement.

In a slew of other lawsuits worldwide, Spain recently charged VW with fraud and damage to the environment.

And the group, once a flagship of German industry, is also facing regulatory probes and lawsuits filed by car owners who feel they have been duped and investors who are seeking compensation for the massive drop in the value of their shares.

- VW stands by targets -

Analysts suggest the final cost of the affair could rise to 20-30 billion euros.

Financially, VW is on a solid footing, with annual sales of around 200 billion euros and a workforce of 600,000.

It has a huge cash mountain and credit lines that would enable it to spend up to 50 billion euros without having to divest any operations, analysts say.

Looking ahead to the whole of 2016, VW said it was sticking to its earlier forecasts for a drop of as much as five percent in sales, "depending on the economic conditions -- particularly in South America and Russia -- and the exchange rate development."

On top of the diesel scandal, "the highly competitive environment as well as interest and exchange rate volatility and fluctuations in raw materials prices all pose challenges," VW said, adding that it was forecasting an operating return on sales of 5.0-6.0 percent for 2016.

Full half-year results were scheduled to be published on July 28.

But the better-than-expected operating profit figure sent VW shares up by 7.3 percent to an intraday high of 124.90 euros in Frankfurt.

"We are surprised by the strong operational performance in the second quarter. Despite 'Dieselgate', VW reported the best quarterly operating profit ever," said DZ Bank analyst Michael Punzet.

Nevertheless, "with regard to the remaining uncertainties we stick to our sceptical view on VW," he added.
From Road & Track

In the weeks before Volkswagen's $14.7 billion settlement with the U.S. government over its emissions-cheating diesels was finalized, there was some doubt that the cars would ever be fully fixed. The recall fix has still yet to be approved, but increasingly, it looks like the cars affected will never meet U.S emissions standards.

The California Air Resources Board estimates that VW's fix will reduce emissions in cars equipped with 2.0-liter TDI engines between 80 and 90 percent, according to a Bloomberg report. While this does represent a significant reduction in Nitrogen Oxide emissions, it isn't enough to meet the standards VW originally intended to evade. As part of its settlement, VW will contribute $2.7 billion to fund pollution reduction efforts, and an additional $2 billion towards clean energy programs in an attempt to offset its excess pollution.

Fully fixing the cheating cars would likely involve adding a urea tank to each car affected, which was deemed far too expensive and complex to be done. That's why VW and U.S. regulators agreed on a settlement involving extensive buybacks, a partial fix, and pollution mitigation efforts. Additionally, the EPA wanted to arrive at a solution that prioritized reducing emissions and compensating owners as quickly as possible, rather than waiting for a full fix.

The fix is mainly intended for customers who decide to forgo the option of a buyback or a lease cancellation. For those who bought one of these diesel Volkswagens for environmental reasons, news of a non-emissions-compliant fix makes a buyback a much more appealing proposition.

News of this comes a week after the California Air Resources Board rejected VW's proposed fix for various VW, Audi, and Porsche models equipped with emissions-cheating 3.0-liter V6 diesels. If the company can't work out a satisfactory fix for those cars, it'll potentially face more costly buybacks.

via Automotive News
Donald Trump is one step closer to the White House.

Political research analysts at Citigroup say the possibility of a Donald J. Trump presidency cannot be ruled out.

In fact, theyre cranking up the probability of a Trump win though theyre still predicting a Hillary Clinton presidency as the most likely outcome of the 2016 election.

Our base case scenario continues to be that Hillary Clinton is most likely to be the next US president. However, we have increased our probability of a Trump victory to 35%. While Trumps standing in the polls has remained largely stable over the last six months, Clinton has lost momentum among voters, the note says.

Citi Research

On Tuesday evening, Trump officially secured the Republican nomination at the RNC in Cleveland while lacking support within the Republican Party establishment. The DNC is next week and its likely to be uneventful with Hillary Clinton likely to secure the Democratic presidential nomination.

The Citi analysts are focusing on key swing states  Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania where Trump appears to be gaining ground. They add that they would increase the 35% probability if theres a fairly significant post-Convention bounce for Trump, 2-4% points, sustained beyond the first few days.

Other developments that could change the trend in either direction include scandals (while emailgate appears to have wounded Hillary, it did not result in an indictment) or terrorist attacks, likely to benefit Trump, the note says.

Elsewhere, analysts at Fundstrat Global Advisors say that Trumps acceptance speech on Thursday night will be an important moment for his candidacy. If it goes well, he could get a boost allowing him to break the 40% ceiling where hes been stuck in the national polls against Clinton.

It is likely to be the largest audience he has had watching him as a candidate. Recently, in order to stay on message, he has used the hated teleprompter. While it has helped him sound more cogent, it diminishes his gut appeal  his informal, honest connection with the voters. One of his biggest challenges this week, and going forward, will be finding the right balance between the style that enabled him to clear a seventeen candidate Republican field, and the sobriety that is expected of the leader of the free world, the Fundstrat note says.

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At the point, Wall Street isnt ruling out the possibility of a Trump victory.

Just last month, Nomuras chief US economist and former Treasury Department official Lewis Alexander wrote a note for clients about the real possibility of a Trump presidency and what that could mean for the US and global economy.



Julia La Roche is a finance reporter at Yahoo Finance.

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FORT WAYNE - Kenton F. Buesching, 79, a resident of rural Fort Wayne and widely acquainted Lake Township farmer and businessman, passed away at 2:46 a.m. on Sunday, July 17, 2016, at Lutheran Life Villages at Pine Valley following an extended illness.

Mr. Buesching was born on May 28, 1937, in Fort Wayne, a son of Frederick G. and Olga (Paschka) Buesching, and spent his formative years in Lake Township. He graduated from Arcola High School in 1955 and was a lifelong resident of Allen County.

As a young man, he served with the U.S. Air Force National Guard, and was married in Churubusco on October 19, 1962, to Janne K. Johnson.

He was engaged in farming in Lake Township all of his adult life, he began working at Bueschings Peat Moss & Mulch, Inc., in 1947 with his father, he took over ownership in 1969, he never officially retired  he just did what he loved.

For much of his life he had taken an active part in St. Johns Lutheran Church-Lake Twp., and in his leisure time enjoyed farming and spending the winter months with his wife in Bradenton, Florida, during his retirement years. Most especially he loved and cherished his family, and was a friend to all who knew him.

The surviving relatives include his wife Janne, to whom he was married for more than 53 years; his sons Robert F. Buesching and Daniel K. (Ginger) Buesching, both of Fort Wayne; two sisters Bonnie (Al) Gore of Arizona, and Marlene Augenstein of Fort Wayne; his brother Dr. Don (Colleen) Buesching of Noblesville; and his three grandchildren Callie, Megan, and Cole Buesching.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Nancy (Robert) Tucker.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Johns Lutheran Church-Lake Twp., 7914 W. Cook Rd., with Pastor Ralph Easterhaus officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 2- 8 p.m., or one hour prior to the service Friday morning.

Interment will be in the Eel River Cemetery, Allen County.

For those who wish, memorials may be directed to St. Johns Lutheran Church-Lake Twp. or Turnstone Parkinson Group (support group).

Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family in Mr. Bueschings memory, log on to sheetsandchilds.net or Facebook.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, everyone. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

Thank you. All right. Dont eat up my time. Thank you.

(LAUGHTER)

I want to thank you all for that very warm welcome. I have to start out by saying one very important thing. I am not politically correct.

(CHEERING)

And I hate political correctness because it is antithetical to the founding principles of this country, and the secular progressives use it to make people sit down and shut up while they change everything . Its time for us to stand up and shout out about what we believe in.

(APPLAUSE)

You know, I devoted my career to studying and operating on the human brain. This remarkable organ defines our humanity. It gives us the ability to not only feel and observe, but to reason.

When we elect a president we need to use that power of reasoning to look at their history, their character, what kind of people they really all. It makes all the difference in the world for us. And, it is going to be so critical right now. We must resist the temptation to take the easy way out, and to passively accept what is fed to us by the politically elite and the media because they dont know what theyre talking about. They have an agenda.

(CHEERING)

Now, we must also be weary of the narrative thats being advanced by some in our party. The notion that a Hillary Clinton administration wouldnt be that bad, the effects would only be temporary. You know?

(CHEERING)

That it would only last for four, and at most, eight years. Theyre not using their God-given brain to think about what theyre saying because it wont be for eight years because she will be appointing people who will have an affect on us for generations, and America may never recover from that.

Thats what we have to be thinking about.

You know, interestingly enough, we have to start thinking about what would Hillary Clinton do if she was, in fact, the President.

She would appoint Supreme Court Justices, she would appoint federal judges, and that would have a deleterious effect on what happens for generations to come. Not only that, but she would continue with a system that denigrates the education of our young people, puts them in a place where theyre never going to be able to get a job, where theyre always going to be dependent, and where they can, therefore, be cultivated for their votes.

This is not what America is all about, this kind of deception. And, this is what we, the people, have the necessary obligation to fight.

(CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE)

Now, one of the things that I have learned about Hillary Clinton is that one of her heroes, her mentors was Saul Alinsky. And, her senior thesis was about Saul Alinsky. This was someone that she greatly admired and that affected all of her philosophies subsequently.

Not, interestingly enough, let me tell you something about Saul Alinsky. He wrote a book called, Rules for Radicals. On the dedication page it acknowledges Lucifer, the original radical who gained his own kingdom.

Now, think about that, this is a nation where our founding document, the Declaration of Independence talked about certain in alienable rights that come from our creator. This is a nation where our Pledge of Allegiance says we are one nation under God.

(CHEERING)

This is a nation.

(APPLAUSE)

This is a nation where every coin in our pocket, and every bill in our wallet says, In God We Trust. So, are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer? Think about that.

The secular progressive agenda is antithetical to the principals of the founding of this nation, and if we continue to allow them to take God out of our lives, God will remove himself from us, we will not be blessed, and our nation will go down the tubes. And, we will be responsible for that. We dont want that to happen.

Now, Donald Trump, he understands this very well. He understands that the blessings of this nation come with the responsibility to ensure that they are available to all, not just a privileged few. This is exemplified by his willingness to take on the establishment against all odds. It is evident in his passion for the American work. It is found in his desire to put his considerable skills to work on behalf of American interests, not his self interests.

Im proud to support Donald Trump, an extraordinary business man. The right leader for a time such as this.

(CHEERING)

But, you know what? It is not about Donald Trump. It is not about me, it is about we the people, and Thomas Jefferson said that we would reach this point because we the people would not be paying attention, and it would allow the government to grow, to expand, and to metastasize and try to rule us.

But, he said that before we turn into something else we the people would recognize what was going on. What we were about to lose, and we would rise up, and we would take control of our nation, and I say now is the time for us to rise up and take America back.

(CHEERING) (APPLAUSE)
Ladies and gentleman. You know, Ive been around a while and Ive been around the Clintons more than anybody should ever have to be. A couple of years ago, Bill and Hillary camped out in my state, telling anyone whod listen, why they ought to vote against me. Tonight, Im here to return the favor.

(CHEERING)

Im a patient man. As a young child in the South I was struck with polio and forced to stay off my feet for two years. That experience taught me an abiding gratitude for my parents. And, it also taught me how to wait, which comes in handy when youre the leader of the U.S. Senate.

More than anything though my job has taught me the value of trust. How to distinguish between people who are in this to serve others, and people who are in it for themselves.

Im here to tell you Hillary Clinton will say anything, do anything, and be anything to get elected president, and we cannot allow it.

(CHEERING)

The American people are tired of hearing about the bounty of government while the cost of caring for a family, or meeting daily expenses grows out of reach. Over the past few years theyve seen government abuse their office and get rewarded for it. Theyve seen the middle class actually shrink. And, in the midst of this, theyve raised a very simply complaint.

Whos looking out for us? Its not Hillary. Ive had my difference with Barack Obama, but Ill give him credit for this. At least he was upfront about his plans to move America to the far left. To the far left.

Not Hillary. She lied about her emails. She lied about her server. She lied about Benghazi. She even lied about sniper fire. Why, even she lied about why her parents named her Hillary.

So, I ask you a simple question, at a moment when so many feel betrayed by their government, why in the world would Democrats put forward such a candidate. Hillary has changed her positions so many times its impossible to tell where the conviction ends and the the ambition begins.

In 2010 she said Iran could enrich uranium. In 2014 she said shed always argued against it. Once a backer of the Keystone Pipeline, last year she opposed it. She used to be against sanctuary cities, then she claims she was for them. Now, were not sure where she is.

Friends, not since Baghdad Bob has there been a public figure with such a tortured relationship with the truth.

(CHEERING)

Fortunately theres a clear choice before us, and its not Hillary. You know what the next four years will look like with Hillary, and you know if Hillary is president well continue to slide, distracted by the scandals that follow the Clintons like flies.

Two years ago voters delivered a clear verdict on the Obama years by sending a freshman class of rock-star Republicans to the Senate, and delivering us a majority that I promise to make you proud of. We never hesitate to confront the President, but we also do the hard work of tackling urgent problems head on. And, we delivered on that promise.

We put Obamacare repeal on the Presidents desk, he vetoed it. Donald Trump would sign it.

(CHEERING)

We passed a bill to finally build a Keystone Pipeline, Obama vetoed it. Donald Trump would sign it.

(CHEERING)

We passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood, Obama vetoed it. Donald Trump would sign it.

(CHEERING)

And, on that sad day when we lost Justice Scalia, I made another pledge that Obama would not fill his seat. That honor will go to Donald Trump next year.

(CHEERING) (APPLAUSE)

So, with Donald Trump in the White House Senate Republicans will build on the work weve done and pass more bills into law than any Senate in years. Weve already passed the first major education reform in more than a decade, and ended Common Core. We made the first significant reforms to Social Security in three decades. We passed a crucial cybersecurity bill, we imposed sanctions on North Korea, we passed the first major highway bill in more than a decade, we passed a bill to combat the scourge of human trafficking, and just last week we passed the first major law aimed at confronting the heart breaking explosion of heroin and opioid abuse.

(CHEERING)

So, my friends, keep the Senate in Republican hands and well continue this work and the remarkable public servants that Im proud to lead in the Senate will not let you down. But, put Hillary Clinton in the White House and I promise you this, she will double down on the cynical approach that Senate Democrats seem to revel in these days.

Heres what I mean. As we sit here tonight, a terrifying mosquito born illness threatens expectant mothers and their babies along our southern coast. And, just last week, just last week, Clinton Democrats in the Senate blocked a bill aimed at eradicating that virus before it can spread. And, they werent finished. They blocked the Defense Funding bill, a bill that would support the brave men and women who are right now defending us overseas.

What in the world do these people think public service is about? I dont know, but I know this, if Hillary Clinton is our president nothing will change.

So, tonight I ask you to continue  let us continue our work. Let us put justices on the Supreme Court who cherish our Constitution.

(CHEERING)

Lets keep the Senate.

(CHEERING)

And, lets elect a president and a vice president who really believe America is exceptional.

(CHEERING)

Thank you, my friends, and God bless America.
RYAN: Hey, everybody! Hey, thank you all very, very much.

On, Wisconsin! Hey, delegates, friends, fellow citizens, I cant tell you how much I appreciate the privilege of addressing this 41st convention of the party of Lincoln. And as part of my chairman duties, let me thank all of the people of this beautiful city for looking after us this week.

(APPLAUSE)

RYAN: And above all, above all, I want to thank the men and women who are here from law enforcement, for your service.

(APPLAUSE)

You know, standing up here again, it all hits kind of a familiar feel. Students of trivia will recall that last time around I was your nominee for vice president. It was a great honor. It was a great honor, even if things didnt work out quite according to the plan.

Hey, Im a positive guy. Ive found some other things to keep me busy.

And I like to look at it this way. The next time that theres a State of the Union address, I dont know where Joe Biden or Barack Obama are going to be, but youll find me right there on the rostrum with Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump.

(APPLAUSE)

Democracy is a series of choices. We Republicans have made our choice. Have we had our arguments this year? Sure, we have. You know what I call those? Signs of life, signs of a party thats not just going through the motions, not just mouthing new words for the same, old stuff.

Meanwhile, what choice has the other party made in this incredible year filled with so many surprises? Here we are at a time when men and women in both parties so clearly, so undeniably want a big change in direction for America, a clean break from a failed system.

And what does the Democratic Party establishment offer? What is their idea of a clean break? They are offering a third Obama term brought to you by another Clinton.

(AUDIENCE JEERS)

And youre supposed to be excited about that.

For a country so ready for change, it feels like weve been cleared for takeoff and then somebody announced were all going back to the gate. Its like weve been on hold forever, waiting and waiting to finally talk to a real person, and somehow weve been sent back to the main menu.

Watch the Democratic Party convention next week, that four-day infomercial of politically correct moralizing, and let it be a reminder of all that is at stake in this election.

You can get through four days of it with a little help from the mute button, but four more years of it? Not a chance. Not a chance.

(AUDIENCE JEERS)

Look, the Obama years are almost over. The Clinton years are way over. 2016 is the year America moves on!

(APPLAUSE)

From now to November, we will hear how many different ways progressive elitists can find to talk down to the rest of America, to tell the voters that the Obama years have been good for you, that you should be grateful and, well, now, its Hillarys turn.

(AUDIENCE JEERS)

The problem is really simple. The problem here is very simple. There is a reason people in our country are disappointed and restless. If opportunity seems like its been slipping away, thats because it has. And liberal progressive ideas have done exactly nothing to help. Wages never seem to go up, the whole economy feels stuck, and millions of Americans  millions of Americans  middle-class security is now just a memory.

Progressives like to talk, like our president, like to talk forever about poverty in America. And if high-sounding talk did any good, wed have overcome those deep problems long ago. This explains why under the most liberal president we have had so far poverty in America is worse, especially for our fellow citizens who were promised better and who need it most.

The result is a record of discarded promises, empty gestures, phony straw-man arguments, reforms put off forever, shady power plays like the one that gave us Obamacare, constitutional limits brushed off as nothing, and all the while dangers in the world downplayed, even as the threats go bolder and come closer.

Its the last chapter of an old story. Progressives deliver everything except progress.

(APPLAUSE)

Yet, we know better than most. We know better than to think that Republicans can win only on the failures of Democrats. It still comes down to a contest of ideas, which is really good news, ladies and gentlemen, because when its about ideas that advantage goes to us.

Against their dreary backdrop of arrogant bureaucracies, pointless mandates, reckless borrowing, willful retreat from the world and all that progressives have in store for us, the Republican Party stands as the great enduring alternative party.

We believe in making government as Ronald Reagan said, not the distributor of gifts and privilege, but once again the protector of our liberties.

(APPLAUSE)

Let the other party go on making its case for more government control over every aspect of our lives, more taxes to pay, more debt to carry, more rules to follow, more judges who just make it up as they go along. We in this party, we are committed to a federal government that acts again as a servant accountable to the people, following the Constitution, and venturing not one inch beyond the consent of the governed.

We, we in this party, offer a better way for our country based on fundamentals that go back to the founding generation. We believe in a free society where aspiration and effort can make the difference in every life, where your starting point is not your destiny and where your first chance is not your only chance.

We offer a better way for America with ideas that actually work, a reformed tax code that rewards free enterprise instead of just enterprising lobbyists, a reformed health care system that operates by free choice instead of by force and doesnt leave you answering to cold, clueless bureaucrats, a commitment to a renewed commitment to building a 21st century military and giving our veterans the care that they were promised and the care that they earned.

(APPLAUSE)

And we offer a better way for dealing with persistent poverty in this country, a way that shows poor Americans the world beyond liberal warehousing and check-writing, into the life everyone can find with opportunity and independence, the happiness of using your gifts and the dignity of having a job.

And you know what? None of this will happen under Hillary Clinton. Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way.

(APPLAUSE)

And last, last point, let the other party go on and on with its constant dividing up of people, always playing one group against the other as if group identity were everything. In America, arent we all supposed to be and see beyond class, see beyond ethnicity or all these other lines drawn to set us apart and lock us into groups?

Real social progress is always a widening of the circle of concern and protection. Its respect and empathy overtaking blindness and indifference. Its understanding that by the true measure we are all neighbors and countrymen, called, each one of us, to know what is right and kind and just and to go and do likewise.

Everyone  everyone  is equal, everyone has a place. No one is written off because there is worth and goodness in every life.

Straight from the Declaration of Independence, that is the Republican ideal. And if we wont defend it, who will?

(APPLAUSE)

So much  so much  that you and I care about, so many things that we stand for, in the balance in this coming election. Whatever we lack going into this campaign, we should not lack for motivation. In the plainest terms I know, it is all on the line.

So lets act that way. Lets act that way. Lets use the edge we have because it is still what earns the trust and the votes.

This year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way when America elects a conservative governing majority. We can do this. We can earn that mandate if we dont hold anything back, if we never lose sight of the stakes, if we never lose sight of whats on the table.

Our candidates will be giving their all. Theyll be giving their utmost. And every one of us has got to go and do the same.

(APPLAUSE)

So what do you say? What do you say? What do you say that we unify this party? What do you say that we unify this party at this crucial moment when unity is everything?

(APPLAUSE)

Lets take our fight to our opponents, with better ideas! Lets get on the offensive and lets stay there! Lets compete in every part of America and turn out at the polls like every last vote matters because it will!

Fellow Republicans, what we have begun here, lets see this thing through. Lets win this thing! Lets show America our best and nothing less!

Thank you. Thank you and God bless!
Its often said that with enough effort and determination, you can do whatever you put your mind to, but saying those words and living them are different things, and my father has lived them.

(APPLAUSE)

Its one of his defining qualities, and Ive seen it in action all my life. Whatever he does, he gives his all and does it well. His desire for excellence is contagious. He possesses a unique skill in bringing that trait out in others. Hes always helped me be the best version of myself by encouragement and example. He motivates me to work my hardest and to always stay true to who I am and what I believe. Thats what he does. He draws out that talent and drive in people so that they can achieve their full potential. Thats a great quality to have in a father, and better yet, in the president of the United States.

(APPLAUSE)

As a recent college graduate, many of my accomplishments are still to come, but my dad takes such pride in all that Ive done so far, no matter how big or how small. I still keep all of my report cards, some dating back to kindergarten, because I like to look back and see the sweet notes he wrote on each and every one of them.

Contrary to what you might expect from someone who places an emphasis on results, my dads comments referred often to the sentiments expressed by my teachers about how I acted in and out of the classroom. Just not even focusing on the letter grades themselves. Donald Trump has never done anything halfway, least of all as a parent. My father always asked about my family in Georgia, to make sure that they are healthy and safe. My uncle served in Vietnam, and my 97-year-old great grandfather served in World War II.

(APPLAUSE)

I believe the measure of a person is revealed in their darkest times. For me, the measure of a parent is based on how they support and bolster you when youre down. A few years ago, someone very dear to me passed away, and the first call I got, as I knew I would, came from my father.

Without his unwavering support and care for me during such a challenging time, I dont know how I would have made it through. As far too many know, it is the small, loving acts that help an enormous amount in times of grief.

My father is good with advice, as you might guess, but he keeps it short and the takeaway is usually the same, to help us find our own way and our own gifts. If you do what you love, hold nothing back, and never let fear of failure get in the way, then youve pretty much figured out the Trump formula.

(APPLAUSE)

My dad is a natural-born encourager, the last person who will ever tell you to lower your sights up give up your dreams. I always looked forward to introducing him to my friends, especially the ones with preconceived notions, because they meet a man with natural charm and no facade. In person, my father is so friendly, so considerate, so funny and so real. My friends walked away with a glimpse of all that he is, and all that he means to me, of the strong, protective, kind, endearing man I am so proud to call my father.

(APPLAUSE)

I never pictured myself saying all of this to a packed arena, but Im grateful and fortunate for the chance. I have admired my father all my life and I love him with all my heart. God bless you and thank you.

(APPLAUSE)
Please join us on Saturday, July 23, in New York Citys Central Park to hear Kazuhiro Tsuji  in person  along with other intellectuals, artists and trend-makers who love good conversation, a rich mix of food and great music. Welcome to OZY FUSION FEST.

Study Abraham Lincolns face the way Kazuhiro Tsuji has and you may see, as the Japanese artist does, dignity, sadness and strength. Its a great face, because it has everything, says the 47-year-old.

Take a gander yourself, at OZY Fusion Fest in New Yorks Central Park on Saturday, where youll have the chance to gaze at Abe in a way you probably never have before and hear the artist speak about his work. Tsujis bust of the 16th U.S. president, to be displayed at the festivals Good Sh*t Bazaar, is twice life-size to make everyone feel childlike while viewing it. I wanted to create a scale thats larger than life, he says.

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Kazuhiro Tsuji has sculpted a few busts of Andy Warhol.

Source: Courtesy of Kazuhiro Tsuji

Sculpting faces any larger than that leads to technical quirks, Tsuji notes, as it becomes tricky to find the right length and texture of hair while also producing realistic-looking facial details. Most of Tsujis portraits  which have included Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol, and have been praised for being among the most talked-about pieces in the room (Miami New Times on a Scope art show) and stunningly realistic (the U.K.s Daily Mail)  are made of silicone skin, fiberglass resin and, yes, human hair. His Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, if you read between the wrinkled lines on Abes long mug, is meant to elicit the depressive moods the leader suffered, something that Tsuji says he became all too familiar with before he left a successful career behind the big screen as a special-effects makeup artist to fulfill a different kind of artistic passion.

As a kid, Tsuji was introverted, disengaged in school and too busy sketching designs in notebooks to worry about grades. Star Wars inspired an interest in special effects, and in high school, he started thinking about a career in special-effects makeup. A book depicting how actor Hal Holbrook transformed into Lincoln for the 1985 TV miniseries North and South spurred Tsuji to create a 3-D mold of his own face along with his own special-effects makeup. The soft-spoken artist eventually made his way from his hometown of Kyoto to Tokyo and then on to Hollywood, where he spent 25 years working on movies such as Planet of the Apes, Men in Black and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button while sharing a couple of Oscar nods for best achievement in makeup along the way.

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It took several years, but his first post-Hollywood portrait became that of Lincoln.

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Tsujis Abraham Lincoln sculpture.

Source: Courtesy of Kazuhiro Tsuji

Yet, Tsuji says, I never really liked to work in the film industry; I didnt like the superficial things about it. The idea to switch tracks arrived in 2002, when he unveiled a bust of his friend and mentor, legendary makeup artist Richard Emerson Dick Smith, at Smiths 80th birthday party. Guests reacted with such emotional vigor to Tsujis creation that he vowed to transition out of the Hollywood hullabaloo.

It took several years, but the hyperrealist sculptors first post-Hollywood portrait became that of Lincoln. The initial one was purchased by an art collector, while a second sold to a theater. His third edition will be on-site at OZY Fusion Fest. When I create a portrait, I like to create from the inside out, rather than what someone looks like from the surface, says Tsuji.

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The life and death of Gaurav Tiwari.

A woman in her early 20s lies upside down on the couch, her eyes rolling, a guttural, incongruous cackle echoing from her throat. Interspersed with these menacing sounds: gleeful bursts of ab main yahaan se nahi jaaongi!.

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The clip looked real. Gaurav Tiwari  Indias most famous paranormal investigator  showed it to me on his phone. That was in January 2016. I didnt know it then, but it would be the last time wed ever meet.

I knew Gaurav for about six years. My initially assessment of him was less than flattering  I grouped him with healers, psychics, and mediums. Fakers.

At the time, I was working as a producer for a leading youth channel. We were developing a horror reality show, which put me into contact with the aforementioned parade of paranormal gatekeepers.

Out of the many we auditioned, Gaurav and G.R.I.P (Ghost Research and Investigation of the Paranormal) stood out. He and two others from his team seemed credible to us  a team of certified paranormal investigators who could scientifically document the existence of paranormal energies in haunted locations, thereby scaring the crap out of our hot contestants.

But I thanked every God I know the first night I saw Gaurav in action: well past midnight in a haunted Rajasthani village called Kuldhara. While the rest of us melted in fear, Gaurav took control of the possible demonic possession.

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Gaurav leading a paranormal investigation. Image credit: Gaurav Tiwari/Facebook



Gaurav, I discovered, began his career as a non-believer from a family of non-believers. His faith in the paranormal was borne from an incident with an American poltergeist  but that was just the beginning. His journey through occultism brought him into contact with other poltergeists, turned him into a UFO hunter, and eventually led him to the title of Indias most famous paranormal investigator.

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Unfortunately, Gaurav gained a reputation, especially in the scientific community, that was less than credible. Any of you whove seen his television appearances will have seen him get ripped apart by a panel of scientists and godmen on a popular Hindi news channel.

Let me tell you about the Gaurav I knew. I dont think he was a faker. On the show we filmed together, he had many opportunities to fake it  we were all nerves anyway. But he always tried to find logical explanations for perceived paranormal occurrences. A weird heaviness would be explained as fluctuating electromagnetic fields, while demonic whispers were due to faulty and defunct pipes.

Gaurav would never consider a place haunted just because the locals said it was. Bhandgarh is known as Indias most haunted place to the public. But to Gaurav, it was a joke: the best night picnic spot hed ever been to. What did he have to gain with such a claim?

Gaurav was a calming influence. There was one incident when one of the contestants on the show was so terrified that she lost her voice. Obviously, that made us uncomfortable, because as producers, we were ultimately responsible for her health and safety. What if her voice never came back?

But Gaurav sat her down and told her that ghosts are just like people  except that they have transcended the physical. They are just confused as us. He had even given a TedX talk on it  it gives me goosebumps to think about the example he used  if I see my body lying on the floor, Id be confused. Id surely reach out to my family and friendsbut if they got scared of me, that would make me mad and frustrated. Anyway, his words brought her voice back.

I know what youre thinking: they were both fakes. But honestly, it wasnt a big enough production to go to such extremes. The possessed woman you met at the top of the article  well, Gaurav soon exorcised the demon that possessed her. It was a demon that feared the forced marriage the poor girls parents were pushing her into. It was entirely human; perhaps even psychosomatic. Gaurav could have milked the exorcism for all the terrified parents were worth, but he didnt. What a conman.

When I heard about his death, I visited his Facebook page, where nothing was out of place (his latest post was him on the cover of Youth Incorporated; the irony). I really did think it was a hoax. But later in the day, the news trickling into my social media feeds confirmed the worst.

July 7, 2016 was a busy day for me. But between meetings and phone calls, I couldnt stop my fingers from wandering to the last message I received from Gaurav.

More From 101 India: Diary Of Horror #1: A Night Of Possession



His last text to me had been on June 16. At the time, wed been in talks about creating a new show for 101 India, but talks just werent progressing quickly enough. I was upset with the stagnation. But instead of venting his frustration (if he felt any), Gaurav simply said: its just a phaselets see if we could make it real J. Now it will never be.

Most didnt know anything about him till he was found dead in his bathroom about a week ago. And now thats all people can talk about  from MMA fighters to chartered accountants  everyone wants to take bets on what did him in was it an old ghost with a vendetta, or a new ghost with a grudge or a human who made him a ghost. Well, I much preferred the 5 minutes that I thought his death was a hoax  Id rather have him be a faker who set up a gimmick to promote a show than be gone.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are independent views solely of the author(s) expressed in their private capacity and do not in any way represent or reflect the views of 101India.com.

By Rachna Mahadevan

For more visit www.101india.com


A demonstrator faces a police officer during protests outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday. (Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters)

Protesters are in the streets. Violence  by and against police  is shockingly common, and televised. Chaos is gripping the GOPs national convention. And Republicans have nominated a chip-on-his-shoulder, knife-fighting white man who promises to uphold law and order and to voice the grievances of the long-suffering silent majority.

The surface similarities to the election that brought Richard Nixon to power in 1968 have resonated with commentators and even Donald Trumps own campaign manager.If you go back and read Nixons 1968 convention address, Paul Manafort told reporters two days ago, that speech is pretty much on line with a lot of the issues that are going on today.

Its not hard to see why Manafort would be drawn to a historical analogy about a moment of vast division in the United States. In his 1968 speech accepting his partys nod for president, Nixon painted a picture of a society on the verge of social collapse, a portrait that echoes some of Trumps own analysis about Americas state of decline. As we look at America, we see cities enveloped in smoke and flame, Nixon declared 48 years ago. We hear sirens in the night. We see Americans dying on distant battlefields abroad. We see Americans hating each other, fighting each other, killing each other at home.

The media is also abuzz with comparisons of this election season to the political divisions of an earlier 60s-era civil war. This Election Is 1968 All Over Again, and Thats Not a Good Thing, blared one Huffington Post headline. The 2016 Election Is Looking a Lot Like 1968, for a Lot of Reasons Not So Great, echoed Forbes.

But as day three of the Republican National Convention begins in Cleveland, lets put a persistent meme to bed once and for all: 2016 isnt 1968. The comparisons are overblown, even absurd. Donald Trump is hardly the second coming of Richard Nixon. And the issue of law and order is far from the overriding preoccupation it was 48 years ago. If nothing else, the Republican convention has illustrated why the 1968-all-over-again narrative is so flawed.

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In 1968, its true, Nixon ran a law-and-order campaign against a Democratic establishment candidate, Hubert Humphrey, and Nixons racially coded, populist appeal helped him eke out a victory in November. Still, the gap separating the America of 1968 and 2016 yawns as wide as a chasm. For starters, while crime rates today are roughly comparable to what they were in 1968, the surge [in crime] since 1964 made many Americans more fearful back then, says historian Michael Flamm, author of the forthcoming In the Heat of the Summer: The New York Riots of 1964 and the War on Crime. In recent years, by contrast, street crime rates have been fluctuating  and are sharply down in some cities, including New York  but there has been nothing like the unprecedented spike that sowed mass fear in the 1960s.

As for social unrest, the relatively calm streets of Cleveland during this weeks GOP convention demonstrate that it is at a level far below 1968s. Following riots in Harlem (1964), Watts (1965) and Detroit (1967), the 1968 riots rocked virtually every major American city. Scores died. Entire neighborhoods burned. There is nothing like that going on in either Cleveland, Philadelphia, Dallas, or Baton Rouge, La., today.

The overall fear of political violence isnt equivalent, either. In 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated by a white supremacist. Democratic presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy was gunned down by a Palestinian militant, five years after Lee Harvey Oswald murdered President John Kennedy. In 1968, with the draft underway, hundreds of thousands of antiwar demonstrators were marching in the streets and jeering at the White House. Chicagos police rioted at the Democratic convention, beating young protesters with batons. That kind of bloodshed and social turmoil is unthinkable to Americans watching the relatively calm Cleveland proceedings.

And in spite of his apparent efforts to don Nixons mantle, Trump should not actually be seen as Nixon 2.0. Nixon was a far more capable and accomplished politician. By 1968, Nixon had established his bona fides as one of his partys leading anticommunists, with a reputation for foreign policy know-how, and had spent more than two decades in Washington as a congressman, senator and vice president. Nixons racial appeals, though vicious, were often more coded than Trumps blatant, public nativism and anti-Muslim sentiments.

Richard Nixon, right, and his running mate, Spiro Agnew, wave to supporters at the Republican National Convention in Miami in 1968. (Photo: AP)

Trump is no second coming of Nixon, who was  a far more astute politician with a much more professional campaign staff, argues Flamm, who also authored a book about the politics of law and order in the 1960s.

The country has moved beyond the social divisions of 1968. The Stonewall riots, which touched off the gay-rights movement, were still a year away, and it was just one year earlier that the Supreme Court had struck down a Virginia law that had banned interracial marriage. Today, same-sex marriage is the law in all 50 states, and the nations first African-American president is nearing the end of his second White House term  signs of expanding notions of social equality that were hard for the vast majority of Americans to imagine 48 years ago.

Finally, the economic conditions of 2016 are vastly different than those that helped to fuel Nixons ascent. Todays economic climate  defined by modest job growth, income inequality and a decades-long decline in manufacturing  is nothing like that of 1968. White voters incensed at the stalemate in the Vietnam War, civil rights, urban riots, street protests and the counterculture fueled Nixons election victory. Trumps rise has been propelled by white voters motivated by a different set of hot-button issues: unchecked immigration, terrorism, economic stagnation, an ever more racially and ethnically diverse society, and a government in a state of seemingly constant partisan paralysis.

While the analogy  Nixon won, after all  may offer hope to Trumps team, the America of 1968 was fractured in ways that make todays divisions look comparatively mild. In Cleveland tonight, in contrast to the media and political hype, that truth will be hard to miss.

Matthew Dallek, an associate professor at George Washington Universitys Graduate School of Political Management, is author of Defenseless Under the Night: The Roosevelt Years and the Origins of Homeland Security.

_____

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Back in the fall of 1989, as the Iron Curtain was crumbling country by country, some friends and I had an idea for a new college history course. It would be called Europe Since Last Wednesday.

There are moments in history when time itself seems compressed, when so many shocking and important events crowd together that it becomes almost impossible to keep track of them. Lenin supposedly said there are decades where nothing happens, and weeks where decades happen. (The remark, alas, is probably apocryphal.) Long before him, the French writer Chateaubriand quipped that during the quarter-century of the French Revolution and Napoleonic regime, many centuries elapsed. In late 1989, a single three-month period saw the end of communist power in Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania and the fall of the Berlin Wall, as well as the U.S. invasion of Panama, and the Malta summit meeting between Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President George H.W. Bush where the two leaders essentially announced that the Cold War had come to an end: many years worth of change crammed into a single season.

Are we now living in one of these periods of temporal acceleration? The past few weeks have certainly been vertigo-inducing. On June 23, the British shocked world opinion (and themselves) by voting to leave the European Union. On July 7, five police officers were shot dead in Dallas, prompting fears of widespread unrest in the United States. A week later the Islamic State took credit for the latest massacre to strike the West, a terrorist attack on Frances Bastille Day that killed scores in Nice, and before that event had even started to fade from the media, there was an attempted coup detat in Turkey. Then came the police shootings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. All this took place, moreover, against the background of a horrific sectarian war with no end in Syria, heightened tensions between NATO and Russia, and the greatest political upheaval in recent American history, as a populist candidate with no experience in government completed his successful insurrection against the Republican establishment and became the partys 2016 presidential nominee. Populist authoritarianism is on the rise in many other countries around the world. To recall the famous Chinese curse (as apocryphal as Lenins remark), we seem to be living in interesting times.

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To be sure, nothing in 2016 yet compares to the most truly interesting moments in world history. In 1940, in a span of less than three months, Nazi Germany conquered Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, while the Soviet Union occupied Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. A year later, another three-month period saw the invading Nazis drive hundreds of miles into the USSR, concurrently beginning the systematic mass murder of Jews and other undesirables. During a single two-week period in August of 1945 there took place the end of the Allies Potsdam Conference, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Soviet declaration of war on Japan, and the Japanese surrender that brought World War II to an end. So far, 2016 has been less interesting than 1989, and, for that matter, than 1991. That year witnessed the Gulf War, the attempted coup against Mikhail Gorbachev, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. And then there was 2001, an altogether excessively interesting year for reasons that do not need repeating.

But 2016 is barely half-done, and it is entirely possible that the cascade of events we have been witnessing could accelerate, with unforeseeable consequences. It is worth remembering that disruptive events can trigger others in a variety of ways, even at a great distance. Sometimes the connections are clear; sometimes much less so.

Most obviously, a disruptive event can spark direct imitation. In 1848, after liberal revolutions took place in Sicily and France, a wave of uprisings at least partially inspired by them spread to Denmark, the Austrian Empire, Belgium, and several German and Italian states. In 1968, student rebellions moved across the Western world in open imitation of and cooperation with each other, with the climax reached in Paris in May, when an apparent collapse of order led French President Charles de Gaulle briefly to flee to a military base in Germany. In the late 1980s, cracks in the power structure in one part of the Soviet bloc repeatedly led reformers and dissidents in other parts to attempt the same, or to go further. In the fall of 1989, the satellite regimes fell like the proverbial dominoes, one after the other. More recently, similar patterns have been seen with the color revolutions in the former Soviet Union, and with the Arab Spring. And today, with each terrorist attack, groups like the Islamic State do their best to publicize what happened, glorify the perpetrators, and urge others to emulate these martyrs.

But disruption can also multiply because of the opportunities it creates. For instance, military aggression can seem particularly tempting when potential critics or adversaries are distracted by troubles elsewhere. It was hardly a coincidence that Stalin chose to start occupying the Baltic states on June 15, 1940, just one day after the German army had entered Paris. In August 1968, the fact that the United States was reeling from the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy, while mired in a frustrating war in Vietnam, encouraged the Soviet Union to end the Prague Spring by force with its invasion of Czechoslovakia. We still do not know the full story of this years attempted coup in Turkey, but it is at least conceivable that the plotters were emboldened to act because of the violent events taking place elsewhere in the world. Given the recent string of terrorist attacks, it would certainly have been more difficult than in previous years for the United States and its allies to take serious political action against a Turkish military government that pledged to oppose the Islamic State and to reverse President Erdogans Islamist reforms.

Conversely, anxieties about decline can lead to cascading disruption as well, driving groups or whole nations to take aggressive action in response to a violent event, for fear they will lose the chance to take any effective action at all if they wait much longer. Many historians believe that in 1914, Germany behaved aggressively following the assassination of Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand, driving the outbreak of a general war, due to the belief among German elites that they were losing an arms race to Britain and France. Worse, such anxieties often have very little basis in fact. It is frequently forgotten that in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the Soviet Union was already on life-support, a substantial portion of the American public believed that it was actually an unstoppable behemoth that would soon crush a weak, decadent West. With this diagnosis supposedly confirmed by exaggerated CIA estimates of Soviet capacities, even before Ronald Reagans election the U.S. began a large-scale military buildup. Today, although the American economy is in decent shape, and its military budget exceeds that of the next eight countries combined, fears of decline have returned with a vengeance, as exemplified by Donald Trumps insistence that virtually every other country is supposedly taking advantage of us. It is all too easy to see how such largely spurious fears could, in the wrong circumstances, lead an American administration to take dangerously disruptive actions against supposedly ever-more-threatening adversaries.

Finally, widespread disruption, with the wild anxieties and hopes that it generates, can lead to a sense that ordinary rules of behavior are suspended, and that extreme measures must be taken. In the history of the Western world such patterns are linked to the most powerful of all Jewish and Christian prophecies: the coming of the Messiah; the Second Coming of Christ; Judgment Day. Since the beginning of the Christian era, hardly a year has gone by without some significant group of Christians insisting that the End Times have arrived. If such a conviction leads to aggressive action against supposed heretics or infidels, the resulting violence can lead others in turn to believe in Judgment Days nearness, in what amounts to a positive feedback loop of enormous destructive power. Some historians think that something of this sort happened during the Reformation, when Martin Luthers break with Rome triggered widespread belief in the imminence of the Apocalypse, triggering violent conflict, triggering further apocalyptic belief, and so on. The result was years of bloody religious warfare that decimated much of Europe. Today, the fanatics of the Islamic State believe they are engaged in an apocalyptic battle between Muslims and non-Muslims for the future of the world, and with every atrocity they convince more people in the West that, on this point, they are right.

The pattern is not necessarily religious, however. There are also secular versions of the Apocalypse story. As the Marxist hymn The Internationale succinctly declared: Tis the final conflict. A belief that a world-defining struggle has arrived can lead to a suspension of the ordinary rules just as surely as a belief that Christ has returned, and produce just as great a cascade of violent disruption from a single event. The 9/11 attacks arguably had such an effect in the United States, with the Bush administration coming to believe that it needed to provoke a major war against a state that did not attack us in order to remove what it saw as an existential threat to the world order.

It is not at all clear whether the volatile and anxious summer of 2016 will produce anything like the cascading upheavals seen in years like 2001 or 1989, and whether the current sense of accelerating time will persist. With luck, the current flood tide of bad news will in fact subside, and rest of this year will be remembered for placid dullness rather than bloody interest. We can hope that the year 2016 will not appear in the titles of the college history courses of the future. But as these historical examples suggest, there are all too many ways that the flames of violence and disruption can suddenly spread, and even whip up into a firestorm.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Foreign Policy illustration
The martyr video identified the knifeman as Muhammad Riyad, the ISIS soldier who went berserk on Monday aboard a train in Bavaria, hacking and slashing at several passengers in the first ISIS attack Germany has ever seen. But that isnt the name he gave to German authorities when he arrived last summer via Austria. His application for asylum bore the name Riaz Khan Ahmadzai, and nearly three days after German police cut short his rampage by shooting the attacker dead, his real identity remains a mystery.

During a press conference on Wednesday in Berlin, Germanys top police official conceded that investigators are not sure about his real name, his age or even his nationality. Without providing any verifiable information about himself, the attacker was not just able to enter the country last summer  he was also granted temporary asylum status, housing, welfare benefits and, in the two weeks before the attack, he was assigned to a German foster family, said Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere. Only after he was shot and killed by police did investigators begin checking on his identity in earnest.

Authorities have discovered that he could be from Afghanistan or Pakistan, and that the information he provided to officials in Germany could be partly or entirely false. Naturally it is often the case that the authorities have to rely on the information provided by the person concerned, especially when there is no passport available, said de Maiziere.

When it comes to refugees, that information is often impossible to check. Last year, more than a million asylum seekers came to Germany from across the Middle East and North Africa, and more than three-quarters of them crossed the border with no passports or other forms of identification, according to government statistics. Mondays attack, which left five people gravely injured in the Bavarian town of Wurzburg, has shown how little Germany really knows about the refugees it is sheltering. In many cases, the government appears to have simply given them the benefit of the doubt  a policy that has long worried conservative German politicians and security experts.

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You have to know who is in your country, the center-right lawmaker Hans-Peter Friedrich, who preceded de Maiziere as Interior Minister, told TIME last fall, soon after asylum seekers were implicated in the November terrorist attacks in Paris. At the moment you have the opposite situation, he said at the time. You do not know anything. You do not know whos coming.

In the last few months, Chancellor Angela Merkel and other European leaders have moved to regulate the influx. The open borders that migrants used last year to reach Western Europe have been closed and, under a deal agreed with Turkey in March, the European Union has started sending back migrants who arrive from the Turkish coast. These measures appear to be working. Last month, only about 1,500 asylum seekers reached the E.U. by boat from Turkey, compared to more than 31,000 arrivals in June of last year, according to the latest U.N. data.

By easing the pressure on the German asylum system, this decline should help the government process the roughly 440,000 asylum applications it received last year, mostly from refugees fleeing the war zones in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. But it will not necessarily help the authorities verify the newcomers identities. As de Maiziere noted on Wednesday, Afghanistan does not even keep records on its citizens that Germany could use to check against the information they provide. There is no reference data from the Afghan registration bureau or anything like that, he said.

Complicating matters further is the fact that at least 60,000 of Germanys asylum seekers are minors who arrived with no parents or guardians. The Wurzburg attacker was initially thought to be one of them, as he claimed to be 17 years old in his application for asylum. German authorities are now working to establish whether that information was accurate.

But so far, they have not announced any additional identity checks for migrants who arrived without passports. At Wednesdays press conference, de Maiziere urged the countrys social workers and volunteer groups to continue helping refugees from the Muslim world feel welcome in German society. That approach has so far helped Germany avoid the devastating Islamist attacks that have struck in neighboring France and Belgium over the past year. As the minister put it, Good integration policy is good security policy. Even when the state isnt sure whom exactly it is integrating.
From Town & Country

Each time terrorists strike somewhere on foreign soil (most recently in Nice, Dakha, Istanbul, Paris, Brussels...), I can practically see the thought bubbles above people's heads: Why does she still do this-why does she travel?

I travel because for me travel is always exciting, instructive, intoxicating-no matter what. I love the alertness and clarity of perception I feel in unfamiliar places. I notice dress, food, manners, art, architecture, everything, the way I just don't in the echo chamber of my "tribe" at home. I feel the sweeping away of the dulling cobwebs of daily routines almost viscerally when I arrive someplace new. I find connections to something "other" thrilling.

And yet increasingly in our world, to travel abroad, some might argue, is to court danger. Consider the July 14 attack in Nice. An alleged "soldier" of Isis mowed down men, women, and children of various nationalities and faiths who were celebrating Bastille Day on a summer evening on the seaside Promenade des Anglais, making a mockery of the idyll of the good life that the French Riviera has historically stood for. With its elegant palm trees and vivifying sunshine and Gallic charm, it is the veritable sweet spot that in the years after World War II launched tourism as we know it-offering balm after battlefield brutalities.

Now, at least for the time being, that little fantasy is over. Anything horrible can happen to you anywhere: That is the subliminal message of these calamities for those receptive to it. Which is why hotels in Paris, for one, are already operating at their lowest occupancy rates in memory, and it appears, anecdotally at least, that summer and fall reservations are now being cancelled across Europe's other desirable destinations. Or just not being made at all: The general manager of Johannesburg's Four Seasons Westcliff told me when I was there briefly last April that he had just gotten a big booking from a group of wealthy Chinese traveler-they were opting for South Africa because they were nervous about going to Europe this summer.

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To refuse or reject the adventure of travel, I feel, is to succumb to the tyranny of provincialism, to be complicit in the closing of one's mind.

But I would go to Paris in a heartbeat. And to Nice, too. It's not that I have a higher tolerance for risk. Or that I am congenitally fearless. I won't walk my dog alone in the country on moonless nights in my own neighborhood (who knows what's out there in the dark?). When I was 16, after seeing a high school production of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians," I refused for an entire year to set foot in the basement of my parents' house in Connecticut (there was an axe down there).

But nothing about traveling abroad, within the bounds of reason, of course, frightens me. To refuse or reject the adventure of travel, I feel, is to succumb to the tyranny of provincialism, to be complicit in the closing of one's mind. And bad things, we know, can and do happen right here at home, most recently in, of all places, San Bernardino and Orlando -and who knows where else next.

Two and a half years ago, in the turbulent aftermath of the Arab Spring, I traveled with a girlfriend to Egypt. No one else seemed to be going. On a gorgeous March morning, we were the only tourists, except for a handful of locals, at the great pyramids of Giza. One afternoon, emboldened by another friend, an expat who lived in Cairo, we decided on the spur of the moment to forgo the cocoon of her car and driver and take the Cairo subway to where we were headed.

We boarded the women-only car, which women unaccompanied by men can choose to ride with their children if they wish. (Signs on the platform indicate where the car will stop.) We felt as if we'd stepped, Alice-in-Wonderland-like, into a most unlikely of slumber parties. Variously hijabed and covered girls and women of all ages were talking, laughing, taking care of toddlers, comparing their purchases, passing around sweets. Vendors of hair products, razors, little packs of tissues, would jump aboard at various stops, rush around the car, then disembark-they were men, and clearly on some strict internal meter insofar as the ladies' car was concerned.

Travel fosters eccentricity, in the truest sense of the word. It can decenter our values, judgments, tastes, and prejudices, compelling us to see our own lives anew.

The women welcomed us warmly, offering seats, pointing proudly to their children, indicating on their fingers how many they had in total, wanting to know about us. They were as delighted and intrigued to have us three Americans (two of us tall and blond, all unveiled) in their midst as we were to have this small window on their world. Only our lack of Arabic and their limited English, I felt, prevented us from really getting into things-marriages, boyfriends, politics. It was an experience as memorable and surprising-being enfolded naturally into a sort of global community of women-as was experiencing the magnificence of ancient Egyptian monuments in splendid, tourist-free solitude.

I felt blessed. Travel fosters eccentricity, in the truest sense of the word. It can decenter our values, judgments, tastes, and prejudices, compelling us to see our own lives anew. I don't want to imagine a world in which increasingly encounters such as mine in Egypt, and the connective tissue between disparate worlds they help create, are simply not to be had.
On back of challenging operating conditions.

The agribusiness firm is about to take a huge hit due to headwinds in its oilseeds and grains manufacturing and its sugar business segment.

According to OCBC Research, untimely purchases of soybeans in the highly volatile and disruptive market resulted in the group recording significant losses; adds that the unexpected flooding in Argentina also affected soybean harvest.

In its sugar segment, OCBC Research said the expected 2Q losses are likely to be larger than usual, given the delay in harvesting due to rain and accounting mark-to-market losses on hedges; further warns of lower volume of cane crushed in FY16 due to the dry weather in Australia.

Nevertheless, OCBC Research notes Wilmar expects to be profitable for the first half of 2016 albeit earnings will be significantly lower from a year ago; this as it posted a reported net profit of US$239.4m in 1Q16.

To its credit, management did highlight that it would be facing challenging operating conditions in the second quarter during its 1Q16 analyst briefing, citing higher feedstock prices, weaker crush margins and continued volatility in sugar prices, OCBC Research said.

It also mentioned that it will continue to see healthy growth in its Consumer Products business. Coupled with the expected seasonal turnaround in 2H for its sugar business, WIL expects the operating environment to normalize in 2H16, the report added.





More From Singapore Business Review


By Sharon Bernstein

(Reuters) - Wisconsin voters who do not have photo identification will be able to vote in November's presidential election, a judge ruled on Tuesday, the latest development in a long fight over a state law Democrats say is aimed at keeping minorities from the polls.

The ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Adelman temporarily eases the impact of a 2011 Wisconsin law requiring voters to show photo identification before being allowed to cast a ballot.

"Although most voters in Wisconsin either possess qualifying ID or can easily obtain one, a safety net is needed for those voters who cannot obtain qualifying ID with reasonable effort," Adelman said in his order.

Wisconsin is one of several Republican-led states that have passed such laws in recent years amid fear of fraudulent voting by illegal immigrants and others. The nine states with the strictest laws - insisting on state-issued photo identification for voters - include Texas, Virginia, Indiana and Georgia.

Republicans say voter ID laws are needed to prevent voter fraud. But Democrats say the laws are really intended to make it more difficult for poor African-Americans and Latinos - who skew Democratic in their politics - to vote.

Under Adelman's temporary injunction, people without ID can vote if they sign an affidavit at the polls declaring that they could not reasonably obtain photo identification and explaining why.

Allowable reasons include lack of a birth certificate or other documents required to obtain a photo ID, lack of transportation, disability and a tight work schedule.

Wisconsin Attorney General Brad Schimel, who had opposed allowing affidavits, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit filed against the state in 2011 by the American Civil Liberties Union and others on behalf of voters who said they were disenfranchised.

An earlier ruling by Adelman on the same lawsuit would have overturned the voter ID law entirely, but that was overruled by a federal appeals court, and last year the U.S. Supreme Court let the appeals ruling stand.

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The case is now back with Adelman, who must decide whether to require the state to make the affidavit system permanent.

Richard Hasen, a law and political science professor at the University of California, Irvine, said that if the temporary injunction becomes permanent, it would soften Wisconsin's law.

"If it stands, it potentially blows open a big hole in the law," he said.

(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento, California; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
London (AFP) - Hungarian budget airline Wizz Air on Wednesday cut back its British expansion plans, blaming Brexit and the subsequent slump in sterling.

The group announced it was "halving" its plans for second-half growth in Britain "as a direct result of Brexit and the weaker British pound".

The news, contained in Wizz Air's quarterly results statement, came after the pound tumbled following Britain's shock EU exit referendum.

"The UK's decision to leave the European Union has led to a notable weakness in fares -- in euro terms -- on routes to/from the UK, mainly due to the much weaker British pound," a company spokesman told AFP.

"Wizz Air has already started re-adjusting its network due to this weakness and halving its intended second half growth to the UK and re-deploying this capacity to other non-UK routes."

The budget carrier had previously intended to increase its capacity to/from Britain by 30 percent, but this will be trimmed to 15 percent.

Plans for new routes would still go ahead but the frequency of flights will not be increased for the time being, according to the group.

After the June 23 referendum, Irish no-frills carrier Ryanair said it will put the brakes on new UK connections for the coming months given the uncertainty caused by Brexit.
The Justice Department moved on Wednesday to seize more than $1 billion allegedly stolen from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, as part of a sprawling kleptocracy investigation that spanned three continents.

At the center of the case is Riza Aziz, the CEO of Red Granite Pictures and the stepson of Najib Razak, the prime minister of Malaysia. The asset forfeiture action alleges that Aziz diverted government funds to finance the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and to buy luxury real estate and pay gambling expenses. The complaint alleges that Aziz used diverted funds to gamble in Las Vegas with financier Jho Low and Hollywood Actor 1  easily identifiable as DiCaprio.

In total, the government allegedly that some $3.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB, the Malaysian fund, through a complex web of shell companies and real estate transactions. The case is the largest kleptocracy case ever filed by the U.S. government.

We will not allow the United States to become a playground for the corrupt, said Eileen Decker, the U.S. Attorney for Los Angeles, at a press conference announcing the action in Washington, D.C.

Red Granite referred questions to a publicist, who did not have an immediate comment. In the past, the company has said that it received investment from Mohamed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny, an Abu Dhabi businessman, and denied allegations that it had taken money from 1MDB. Over the last year, investigators in the U.S., Switzerland and Singapore have worked to trace assets back to 1MDB  a job that investigators said was too complex for any single agency to handle on its own.

We will be relentless in our efforts to deny them the proceeds from their crimes, said Attorney General Loretta Lynch.

Lynch said that the government is seeking to seize future revenues from The Wolf of Wall Street that would go to Red Granite. Much of the money from the scheme has been dissipated, she said.

Related stories

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Red Granite's Riza Aziz Named in FBI's 1MDB Lawsuits

FBI to Seize Assets of 'Wolf of Wall Street' Producer Red Granite (Report)

Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation Commits $15.6 Million to Fight Environmental Issues
Red Granite, the embattled production company behind The Wolf of Wall Street, is expected to be named as part of one of the largest asset seizures in history when the Department of Justice launches civil lawsuits on Wednesday, multiple sources confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. The Wall Street Journal was first to report the news.

The banner is alleged to have become embroiled in a major corruption scandal stemming from Malaysia, understood to involve in excess of $7 billion dollars that was diverted from a sovereign wealth fund called 1MDB into lavish purchases around the world between 2009 and 2015. As much as $238 million is alleged to have been funneled into Red Granite since it launched with a splash in 2011, of which approximately $100 million went to produce The Wolf of Wall Street.

No details of what assets will be seized are available, but the WSJ reports, citing people familiar with the matter, that the value will exceed the record-breaking $850 million seized by the DoJ's Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative in 2015 involving three telecom companies in an unrelated case.

The seizures could include the assets of Riza Aziz, the CEO and co-founder of Red Granite (and stepson of Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak, at the center of the scandal) and Jho Low, a Malaysian financier and close associate of Aziz and prime minister Razak and believed to be among the chief architects of the 1MDB fund, which was ostensibly set up to drive investment into Malaysia.

Aziz reportedly owns a 11,000-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills, bought for more than $17.5 million, and a $33.5 million duplex in New York's Park Laurel tower overlooking Central Park. Both of these properties were already under investigation by the FBI, which was looking into whether they were acquired using misappropriated 1MDB funds, and were both initially acquired by Low (before being sold to Aziz via a shell company).

Even more valuable, however, are the assets of Low, who after announcing himself on the scene in the U.S. at the turn of the decade with a series of notorious celebrity and champagne-soaked million-dollar parties, is now believed to be living between Taiwan and Shanghai, avoiding extradition to either the U.S. or Malaysia.

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The flamboyant businessman owns a penthouse apartment in Manhattan's Time Warner Center, formerly home to Jay-Z and Beyonce, which he bought for $31 million in cash in 2011. He also reportedly paid $39 million for the famed final home of Ricardo Montalban in the exclusive Bird Streets neighborhood of the Hollywood Hills, near Leonardo DiCaprio.

Read More: Cannes: Red Granite Arrives as Money Scandal Heats Up

Reportedly Low introduced DiCaprio to Aziz and his Red Granite co-founder Joey McFarland, with the budding filmmakers establishing the company to finance and produce his passion project The Wolf of Wall Street. The film - which would earn almost $400 million globally - was in turnaround at Warner Bros in 2010. While it was previously believed that no other studio was willing to take the risk on such an expensive, R-rated movie, THR has learned that there were actually several interested parties. Eventually, upstart Red Granite was chosen, with sources saying this was due to Low and DiCaprio's close relationship. DiCaprio would be paid $25 million to appear in the film, and is thought to have earned much more as a producer.

Aside from property, Low is also the man behind some of the world's most extravagant art purchases in recent years.

In his collection is a rare original poster for the 1927 classic Metropolis, which cost $1 million and is now believed to be hanging in Red Granite's offices on Sunset Boulevard (in the same building as DiCaprio's Appian Way). Another iconic item is Marlon Brando's best actor Oscar statuette for On the Waterfront, bought for a reported $600,000 and given as a birthday present to DiCaprio.

DiCaprio was also the recipient of a Roy Lichtenstein sculpture, which Low donated to his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and was auctioned off at the actor's annual St. Tropez gala last year, a glitzy event that raised some $40 million for the charity. It is unknown whether Low has donated any items to the foundation's 2016 fundraiser, due to take place on the French Riviera Wednesday evening.

But even splashier were purchases of some of the finest modern artworks of the 20th century, including Jean-Michel Basquiat's 1982 painting "Dustheads," bought for a then record-breaking $48.8 million in 2013. Other buys - including works by Picasso, Monet and Gerhard Richter - saw him named one of ARTnews magazine's 'Top 200 Collectors'.

Through his Hong Kong-based Jynwel Capital fund, Low also owns stakes in several international companies, most notably EMI Asia, in which he serves as a non-executive chairman. Jynwel was reported to be the majority backer of an investment consortium that purchased New York's Helmsley Park Lane Hotel for $660 million in 2013. However, it is thought to have sold its stake earlier this year.

In Hollywood, however, eyes will no doubt be looking to the future for Red Granite's upcoming slate following Wednesday's filing.

The company was actively selling its latest projects from a yacht in Cannes this year, most notably Papillon, the Charlie Hunnam-starring big-budget remake of the 1973 classic. THR has learned that the project is about to start shooting in Serbia, Montenegro and Thailand. There's also The General, the long-gestating George Washington biopic, which sources said was being pitched to buyers in Cannes as another DiCaprio vehicle (although Red Granite denied the reports).

Papillon producers Roger Corbi and Yan Fischer-Romanovsky, who took their project to Red Granite before The Wolf of Wall Street, previously told THR that they had been assured by the company's lawyers that the film wouldn't be affected.

A Red Granite spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read More: Will 'Wolf of Wall Street' Producers' Next Film Be Derailed by Embezzlement Scandal?
Pornography has always existed in a place well beyond irony in American life. Which is why the Swedes first sold their porn to American audiences of the 70s as educational. Americans were like teenagers: Theyd heard a lot about sex and took a teenagers far-from-blase delight in it. Simultaneously, despite all of the naughty, transgressive fun they were having, they felt sort of dishonestly prudish about screwing.

Something that got blown straight out of the freakin water in 1972 when 20-year-old, Connecticut-raised Marilyn Ann Briggs decided to do on film for pay what most of us do in private for free. Behind the Green Door wasnt the worlds greatest movie or even the worlds greatest porn, says Judge Roy Bean, former editor for porn review site SkullGame. But what it was, was the perfect vehicle for getting to a place where its lead, now Marilyn Chambers, had been trying to get to for years: famous.

You take an actress with real-world bona fides like a credited movie with Barbra Streisand and the famous Ivory Snow soap box, says Bean, and Americas dirty little secrets were now not secret at all. Absent were any oily tales of Chambers being drunk, duped or otherwise deceived into doing it. The now-infamous  and deceased  San Franciscobased Mitchell brothers Jim and Artie sold the role to her on the grounds of the one thing they could deliver outside of the giant salary and then-unheard-of 10 points on the films final gross she demanded: that fame thing.

Why is Chambers on the trapeze? Why the psychedelic flying semen?

Which after grossing more than $50 million on a budget of $60,000 in the same year that saw its East Coast counterpart Deep Throat usher in porn chic, Behind the Green Door delivered in spades for Chambers. Based like it was on an anonymous short story that existed only on copied sheets of paper, Behind the Green Door told the tale of a woman abducted, taken to a sex club and promised that shell be loved like shes never been loved before. A statement that subsequently sees her having sex with groups of women and men. Maybe more notably, the movie also features the first professionally filmed interracial sex scene (Chambers and boxer Johnny Keyes).

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Gettyimages 649891573

She got her fame.

Source: Getty

Beyond that, the movie is, well, just sort of nuts. It really is a terrible movie, says industry insider Michael Voss. Why is Chambers on the trapeze? Why the psychedelic flying semen? Why seven minutes of psychedelic flying semen? And speaking of semen, why the multicolored, slo-mo semen shot? Why does Chambers have no lines? And why does the films narrator break the fourth wall and run out of the club with her at the end?

Doesnt matter. The mainstream press loved Chambers, people at Cannes loved her, the public couldnt get enough of her even if Ivory Soap dumped her and the courts tried their damnedest to kill the movie. Chambers, whose face appeared on every poster and whose name appeared above the title, had arrived, and our collective what-if sex fantasies were spread over screens worldwide on the strength of her ebullience and sheer good-looking American normalcy. In short order, Chambers had notoriety, fame, a memoir, runs in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, bad marriages, divorces, jail time, drug addiction and, in 2009, after an aneurysm and a cerebral hemorrhage, death.

What was most significant about Marilyn, Bean says, is that she put such a pretty and wholesome face on all of our most degenerate fantasies. For which we imagine shed be glad to take all of the credit/blame even if in the end she derided porn as empty and pointless. Yeah, Bean says, but at the very least she gave us license to have those fantasies.

Related Articles
zara

Zara is the world's leading retailer.

Analysts have said that the Spanish fast-fashion brand has the "best business model in apparel."

After all, it has a speedy supply chain that churns out runway-inspired designs at wallet-friendly prices, making it a critical destination for frugal but fashionable millennial shoppers.

But does the magic stop there?

The company has recently come under fire for allegedly ripping off designs from an independent designer, Tuesday Bassen  and it's not the first time that it's happened.

Bassen tweeted the following on Tuesday, highlighting the problem:

You know what? Sometimes it sucks to be an artist because companies like @zara consistently rip you off and deny it. pic.twitter.com/fs9Cn482XU  Tuesday Bassen (@tuesdaybassen) July 19, 2016

All of this is reportedly without consulting with Bassen first  or even paying her, she wrote on Twitter:

.@Zara consistently uses my work against my wishes and without any compensation. pic.twitter.com/EOvi7wlp5i  Tuesday Bassen (@tuesdaybassen) July 19, 2016

She said that Zara claims that her work is "simple," but she wants to be paid if the company is going to be using her work:

.@Zara says my designs are "too simple" and a "common design" but they clearly LOVE MY WORK, so PAY ME. pic.twitter.com/mXJGKD124l  Tuesday Bassen (@tuesdaybassen) July 19, 2016

Companies like @zara make it a business plan to steal designs from indie artists & condescend when you want payment. pic.twitter.com/YKG3RxShCD  Tuesday Bassen (@tuesdaybassen) July 19, 2016

Bassen wrote that Zara's lawyers claimed that, since she was an independent artist and the retailer is a huge company, her argument was essentially lost:

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.@Zara's lawyers are literally saying I have no base because I'm an indie artist and they're a major corporation. pic.twitter.com/vZNAV2l1vN  Tuesday Bassen (@tuesdaybassen) July 19, 2016

She wrote that she plans to press charges, but that fighting Zara has already been costly:

I plan to further press charges, but even to have a lawyer get this LETTER has cost me $2k so far. pic.twitter.com/khCRWvHHzc  Tuesday Bassen (@tuesdaybassen) July 20, 2016

Bassen, however, pointed out that this is something that can happen to a lot of artists  but often, they don't have the funds to defend themselves and their work:

I want to point out that most artists don't even get this far. Tthe "luxury" of spending $2k for a lawyer to write a letter (1/2)  Tuesday Bassen (@tuesdaybassen) July 20, 2016

is something most artists cannot afford. This is for me and this is for every single artist that can't do anything. (2/2)  Tuesday Bassen (@tuesdaybassen) July 20, 2016

Many people have come to Bassen's defense, with thousands retweeting her complaints against the company, and some even making timely statements about stealing others' work:

Zara over here stealing like Melania. https://t.co/fQAnqfqtTs  Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) July 20, 2016

In 2012, the company came under fire for reportedly ripping off New York street designer Patrick Waldo, The Huffington Post reported. And in 2014, Sibling called out the brand for stealing from its designs, too, Dazed reported.

Earlier this year, many people blatantly called out the company for its Yeezy-esque line. But Bassen's plight demonstrates that taking cues from an independent designer can be a different ballpark from impersonating the work of a high-end, wealthy designer.

Of course, in the fast-fashion world, there's a fine line between taking inspiration from a designer and blatantly stealing. After all, the central defining factor of fast-fashion companies like Zara is that they take cues from the runway, but "cues" may be the operative word here.

The problem isn't singular to Zara, either. Forever 21 has also come under fire for similarly shady practices.

Zara didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

NOW WATCH: The one reason Zara is dominating the fashion industry right now





More From Business Insider


By John Geddie

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Euro zone bond yields fell on Wednesday ahead of the clearest measure yet of how Britain's shock vote to leave EU is likely to spill over into the bloc's economy at large.

The initial reading of euro zone consumer confidence for July is due at 1400 GMT after a survey on Tuesday indicated the mood among investors in the bloc's biggest economy, Germany, had plunged this month due to post-Brexit uncertainty.

Further signs that the outlook for the euro zone economy is dimming will only raise expectations that the European Central Bank, which meets on Thursday, will be gearing up another round of monetary easing.

"It remains unclear how large a hit the European economies will be taking following the Brexit vote -- and that uncertainty is likely to linger," said RBC's chief European macro strategist, Peter Schaffrik.

The German 10-year bond yield -- the bloc's benchmark -- fell 1 basis point to minus 0.10 percent, while all other euro zone equivalents fell by a similar amount.

Economists polled by Reuters expect a slight deterioration in the EU commission's consumer confidence indicator to minus 8 from minus 7.3 in June.

Yet the dire reading from Germany's ZEW sentiment index on Tuesday suggests even this may be optimistic. The ZEW fell from plus 19.2 to minus 6.8, the lowest since 2012 and far worse that any one of 40 economists polls by Reuters had foreseen.

Markit's June euro zone purchasing managers' index, released on July 5, indicated that business growth was holding steady -- but it was largely conducted before Britain's vote on June 23.

There was also a survey published in early July by the private Frankfurt-based research group Sentix, which showed a steep fall in euro zone sentiment, although that survey is heavily skewed towards German investors.

Citing uncertainty over Britain's looming exit from the EU, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) cut its global growth forecasts for the next two years on Tuesday. It lifted its euro zone forecast slightly for 2016, but cut its 2017 outlook by 0.2 percentage point to 1.4 percent.

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"The UK referendum outcome has significantly changed the near-term outlook for Europe," Barclays said in a note after marking down its 2017 euro zone growth forecast sharply to just 0.6 percent.

Also on Wednesday, Germany sells a new five-year bond, which could set a new record low yield in the wake of a debt rally since the Brexit vote.

For Reuters new Live Markets blog on European and UK stock markets see reuters://realtime/verb=Open/url=http://emea1.apps.cp.extranet.thomsonreuters.biz/cms/?pageId=livemarkets (Editing by Kevin Liffey)
(Writes through )

By Dhara Ranasinghe and John Geddie

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Euro zone bond yields rose on Wednesday, giving up early falls as upbeat company earnings boosted U.S. and European stock markets at the expense of safe-haven bonds.

The European Commission said consumer confidence in the euro zone and European Union fell sharply in July, a new sign of weaker morale after last month's shock British vote to leave the European Union.

But the data was broadly in line with analysts' expectations, removing an incentive to hold euro zone bonds, which came under selling pressure as U.S. trade got under way.

Better-than-expected earnings from Microsoft and Morgan Stanley helped pushed the Dow Jones and Standard & Poor's stock indices to record highs.

And as sentiment towards risky assets improved, investors reduced their holdings of safe-haven bonds.

Germany's 10-year Bund yield rose 2 basis points to minus 0.074 percent, having reversed earlier falls.

Most other euro zone bond yields also rose 1-2 basis points, while 10-year U.S. Treasury yields climbed 3 bps to 1.59 percent .

Peripheral bonds, which often benefit from a pick-up in risk appetite, were the exception, with Spanish and Portuguese yields falling 2-3 bps each.

That helped narrow the gap between Spanish and German 10-year bond yields to about 122 bps, its tightest in four months.

"U.S. stocks are higher and earnings are better than expected, so that's having some impact on bonds this afternoon," said Patrick Jacq, European rate strategist at BNP Paribas. "The risk-on environment is especially favouring the likes of Spain."

Germany sold new five-year bonds at a record low yield of minus 0.51 percent, although there were fewer bids than the amount on offer.

POST-BREXIT DATA CLUES

The European Commission said its monthly indicator of euro zone consumer morale decreased to -7.9 in July from an upwardly revised -7.2 in June.

Economists polled by Reuters had estimated a slightly higher drop, forecasting a fall to -8.0 in July.

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Further signs that a tepid euro zone recovery is waning could raise expectations that the European Central Bank, which meets on Thursday, is gearing up for another round of monetary easing.

"It remains unclear how large a hit the European economies will be taking following the Brexit vote -- and that uncertainty is likely to linger," said RBC's chief European macro strategist, Peter Schaffrik.

Friday sees the release of Markit's "flash" PMI for the euro zone, providing an early steer on how companies have fared since the Brexit vote. Markit will also publish a one-off flash PMI reading for Britain on the same day.

Citing uncertainty over Britain's looming exit from the EU, the International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecasts for the next two years on Tuesday. It lifted its euro zone forecast slightly for 2016, but cut its 2017 outlook by 0.2 percentage points to 1.4 percent.

For Reuters new Live Markets blog on European and UK stock markets see reuters://realtime/verb=Open/url=http://emea1.apps.cp.extranet.thomsonreuters.biz/cms/?pageId=livemarkets (Editing by Catherine Evans)
From Redbook

The constant updates about Zika virus can be terrifying, as the infections continue to infiltrate the United States - and no one knows how to stop it. So far, though, the general recommendation has been that if you're pregnant, or would like to be in the next three years, you should stay away from Mexico, the Caribbean, or South America (and use condoms with a partner who has traveled there recently).

A new case of Zika of Utah is confusing and alarming health officials, though. They know that Zika is transmitted via mosquito bite, sexual contact, and from mother to fetus in the womb. But with this Utah infection, an elderly man with the virus seems to have passed it on to his caretaker simply via close contact.

Yes, it looks like Zika may now be airborne.

"The new case is the eighth Utah resident to be diagnosed with Zika," said the Utah Department of Health in a statement. "Based on what is known now, the person has not recently traveled to an area with Zika and has not had sex with someone who is infected with Zika or who has traveled to an area with Zika. In addition, there is no evidence at this time that mosquitoes that commonly spread Zika (aedes species) virus are in Utah."

The CDC has confirmed Zika virus in both the now-deceased man and his caretaker. The government agency now has a lab team on site in Utah to further examine this case.

There have been 1,306 cases of the disease in the United States to date, all but one of which have been acquired through travel, according to the CDC. Check out their website for the latest info on how to keep yourself safe.

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On July 12th, an international tribunal in Hague decided that Chinas claim to sovereignty in the South China Sea had no legal basis. China refused to take part in any of the proceedings in the tribunal, and has stated their lack of intent to accept the decision that it has reached.

Although the tribunal case was initiated by the Philippines, the countrys strong ties to the U.S. coupled with the U.S.s call for China to respect the ruling appears to have angered both the Chinese state media as well as its consumers.

In response the ruling, protests have sprung up in cities across the country. According to Sohu News, a Chinese online news outlet, Yum! Brands YUM owned KFC restaurants were the target of protests and boycotts in about a dozen cities.

It seems KFC is not the only target; pictures and videos of Chinese protestors smashing their Apple AAPL iPhones have appeared all over Sina Corp. SINA social media website Weibo as well.

An extended boycott against KFC has the potential to pose danger for Yum. As highlighted in our recent earnings report, a higher than expected same-store sales growth of 3% helped drive their earnings beat. Yum has gone four consecutive quarters with positive same-store sales growth in China, where it opened 72 restaurants in Q2 and has an overall larger presence than in the U.S.

This is not Chinas first consumer boycott, with consumers having previously protested against Japanese and French products in recent history as a response to various ideological conflicts.

There is currently an 83% agreement amongst analysts in upward earnings estimate revisions for Q3 following their beat, with current estimates standing at $1.10 in earnings per share, up from $1.07 just 7 days ago. Estimates on the year are up as well, currently at $3.69 compared to $3.67 7 days ago and $3.64 60 days ago.

In May, it was reported that Yum was in talks with private equity firms on spinning off some of its China operations after a difficult few years; however, that too could change with time. Although these boycotts are generally short-lived, they are worth keeping an eye on in the near future.

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Yum! Brands currently sits at a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

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Zacks Investment Research
For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  July 20, 2016  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include American Airlines (AAL),Southwest Airlines (LUV),Hawaiian Holdings (HA) and Alaska Air Group (ALK).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Tuesdays Analyst Blog:

Airline Stocks in Focus for Q2 Earnings Season

e take a look at five of the countrys most important airlines in order to get a better handle on how they might perform this earnings season. This will be especially important following Deltas (DAL) beat last week, as the company surpassed expectations though it gave some warning signals too.

Additionally, the airline industry has a horrific industry rank right now, putting it into the bottom 10% of all the ones we cover. And with terrorism and Zika concerns in the background, things might not change anytime soon for this space.

Still, no two airline stocks are the same and many have vastly different outlooks heading into earnings season. Lets take a quick look at some reporting this week:

American Airlines (AAL)

Another legacy carrier that has seen some issues in recent trading is American. Shares here are well off of their 2016 highs, though they have fought back in July. Still, with a Zacks Rank #5 (strong sell) it is hard to like this stock even with its strong VGM score of B and its incredible history of beats in earnings season.

AMER AIRLINES Price and EPS Surprise | AMER AIRLINES Quote

Southwest Airlines (LUV)

Unlike its legacy counterparts, Southwest Airlines has done a bit better leading into this report. However, it hasnt made much of a difference to analysts, as shares still have a Zacks Rank #5 (strong sell). The stock does at least have a positive Earnings ESP and an A VGM score though. So while the company isnt looking to great heading into earnings, it still has strong fundamentals.

Story continues

SOUTHWEST AIR Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | SOUTHWEST AIR Quote

Hawaiian Holdings (HA)

HA shares have fought back nicely in recent trading and are on the upswing. Part of the reason for this shift is their relative insulation from Zika concerns, and arguably lower terrorism related issues to worry about too. Perhaps that is why the stock is the only one of the five to have a Zacks Rank #3 (hold) in addition to an A VGM score, and could be among the best of the bunch this earnings season.

HAWAIIAN HLDGS Price and Consensus | HAWAIIAN HLDGS Quote

Alaska Air Group (ALK)

ALK is kind of a mixed bag these days as the company has a Zacks Rank #5 (strong sell) though it has a positive Earnings ESP and a VGM score of B. Additionally, any further commentary regarding the merger between ALK and Virgin America is likely to be the main focus, potentially stealing the spotlight from the coming report.

ALASKA AIR GRP Price and Consensus | ALASKA AIR GRP Quote

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Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Zacks Investment Research does not engage in investment banking, market making or asset management activities of any securities. These returns are from hypothetical portfolios consisting of stocks with Zacks Rank = 1 that were rebalanced monthly with zero transaction costs. These are not the returns of actual portfolios of stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index. Visit https://www.zacks.com/performance for information about the performance numbers displayed in this press release.





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For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL  July 20, 2016  Zacks.com announces the list of stocks featured in the Analyst Blog. Every day the Zacks Equity Research analysts discuss the latest news and events impacting stocks and the financial markets. Stocks recently featured in the blog include Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU),Fidelity MSCI Utilities ETF (FUTY),Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU),Vanguard Telecommunication Services ETF (VOX) and iShares US Telecommunications ETF (IYZ).

Today, Zacks is promoting its ''Buy'' stock recommendations. Get #1Stock of the Day pick for free.

Here are highlights from Tuesdays Analyst Blog:

Are Boring ETFs Your Best Bet This Season?

Billionaire investor George Soros had once said, If investing is entertaining, if you're having fun, you're probably not making any money. Good investing is boring. The same cant hold truer in the current market scenario, thanks to global growth slowdown, geopolitical turmoil and high broad-based volatility in the markets ever since the start of the year.



The latest driver to volatility came in from Britains decision to leave the EU, which has had a knock-on effect, driving yields on government bonds to record lows. While rates were already low on a global scale, earlier this month, 10-year note yields dropped to its lowest level in the last three years. Meanwhile, the 10-year UK gilt also touched a record low on challenging outlook and lackluster service sector data. Germany, France, Switzerland and Australia have all seen new lows in yields for their 10-year benchmarks this month. Japan too is in the negative zone (read: Global Treasury Yields Dive: Play These Sector ETFs ).



This, in turn, makes high-dividend paying instruments and other investments offering yield look attractive. Apart from yield, investors are also looking for a safer option to guard against volatility. Relatively higher immunity against market peaks and troughs makes some sectors like utility and telecom less volatile than others (read: Utilities ETFs Hit Highs as U.K. Falls Hard ).

.

Also, market sentiment has been improving recently with encouraging data flowing in from the U.S. and other countries such as China. Currently the SPDR S&P 500 ETF is up almost 7% (as of July 15, 2016).



But, volatility is expected to make a comeback with the U.S. elections lined up this year. So lets look at some utility and telecom sector ETFs which are likely to be in focus for at least the rest of the year (read: Market Fears Brexit: Volatility ETFs Take Full Advantage ).



Utility ETFs in Focus (see all Utilities/Infrastructure ETFs here)



Vanguard Utilities ETF (VPU)  Up 22.4% YTD (as of July 15, 2016); yields 2.91%



Fidelity MSCI Utilities ETF (FUTY)  Up 22.1% YTD; yields 2.96%



Utilities Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLU)  Up 22.0% YTD; yields 3.13%



Telecom ETFs in Focus



Vanguard Telecommunication Services ETF (VOX)  Up 22.6% YTD; yields 4.01%



iShares US Telecommunications ETF (IYZ)  Up 21.6% YTD; yields 1.50%

Story continues

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Zacks Equity Research provides the best of quantitative and qualitative analysis to help investors know what stocks to buy and which to sell for the long-term.

Continuous coverage is provided for a universe of 1,150 publicly traded stocks. Our analysts are organized by industry which gives them keen insights to developments that affect company profits and stock performance. Recommendations and target prices are six-month time horizons.

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LUSAKA (Reuters) - Zambian police arrested 28 opposition supporters on Wednesday on suspicion of rioting and making petrol bombs, the latest sign of political tensions ahead of elections on Aug. 11, a senior officer said. The arrests come shortly after the election commission lifted a 10-day ban on campaigning imposed on some parts of the southern African country to prevent violence Police confronted supporters of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) as they destroyed ruling party campaign posters in Kasama, 850 km (500 miles) north of Lusaka, Northern province police chief Bonnie Kapeso said. Other opposition supporters who had camped at UPND vice-president Geoffrey Mwamba's home then started throwing stones at police, damaging one vehicle. "We were left with no option but to follow them after they retreated and hid inside the house. We broke the door and fished out the ring leaders," Kapeso said. "We had to use tear gas." Police found seven petrol bombs, she added. However, the UPND said in a statement they were only empty bottles. President Edgar Lungu has been in power for just over a year after winning a ballot triggered by the death of his predecessor, Michael Sata. Lungu faces a strong challenge from UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema. (Reporting by Chris Mfula; Editing by Ed Cropley)
Florida is investigating a case of Zika virus that may have been transmitted locally, the states health department has announced.

The Florida Department of Health says its looking into a non-travel associated case of the virus in the Miami-Dade County region. The health department, which is collaborating with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), did not provide details about the person infected.

The agency says it will be distributing Zika prevention kits and repellant intended for pregnant women. A Zika infection is riskier for pregnant women because the virus can cause severe birth defects in fetuses and infants. (See what women need to know about the Zika virus). The department says it has been doing mosquito control and prevention in the area.

Elsewhere, in Utah, health officials are also investigating a unique Zika infection. A person who cared for a family contact who died with especially high amounts of Zika became infected, despite not traveling to an affected country. Currently, Zika is only known to be transmitted by mosquito bites or sex with an infected person.

The White House requested $1.9 billion in funding in February for Zika; the Senate failed to pass emergency Zika funding before going on a recess until September.
This week on CBS Zoo, Jamies arrival in Caraquet was full of surprises bad and good, while the rest of the team reeled from a loss  and a new discovery.



RELATEDZoo Season 2, Episode 4 Recap: Stopping for Gas

In fact, there is no Caraquet. At least not anymore, seeing as it is consumed by flames when Jamie and Logan arrive on the outskirts. From there, they are chased by a growling something, yet saved by a mysterious band of people in masks. But worry not, theyre just the kindly members of a group of survivors hunkered down inside a well-fortified school! All is good!

But its not. Not at all. Because as we all know, a sought-after postapocalyptic haven is never a haven. No, Jamie and Logan get word from a young girl named Maddie that they would be well advised to run. Alas, community leader Gwen susses out Maddies snitching and confirms for the noobs that its time to vote on the next feeding  as in the human they will sacrifice to the beasts outside.

When the vote targets tattletale Maddie, Jamie volunteers to go with the girl. But before she does, she slips Logan a spray paint canister to lob inside one of the burning barrels by the fence. When he does, the explosion creates a commotion  as well as a breach in the perimeter, through which the pack of polar bears that were about to feast on Jamie and Maddie instead stroll through. Jamie, Logan and Maddie make a beeline for a broken-down school bus, but decline to let Gwen join in their refuge. When the bears surround the bus after mauling Gwen, Jamie braces herself to go mano a bearo, but before she can mix up it, the beats are tranqd  by Dariela, who has just arrived with, much more importantly to Jamie, Mitch!

Leading up to the teams riding to Jamies rescue

Chloe was

Zoo Recap Chloe Dies

rescued from the gas-filled corridor, and while she had a few gasps left in her on the jet, her fate was sealed. Before expiring, she confirmed Jamies location as well as uttered the wordsThe Courier to Jackson. Afterward, Jackson grills Dariela about not having two seconds to let Chloe through the door, and then in private he pumps out a few tears. Of the black, oily kind!?

Story continues

Later, the jet is commandeered, setting the stage for the dramatic introduction of its owner, Deputy Secretary of Defense Allison Shaw aka Mitchs stepmom, to whom he hasnt spoken in 12 years. Allison reveals that her familys orchard on the West Coast has somehow been crippled by the animals, and they cant let General Davies know that the food supply is now at risk. In trade for helping her investigate the matter, Allison promises to give the team her jet, no questions asked, as well as everything she knows about

The Courier. Arriving at the orchard, it is eventually surmised that snakes are poisoning the water supply, potentially affecting the entire Pacific Northwest. Mitch whips up a serum that will shut down the slitherers brains, but ingests (for hasty human testing) his first/only dose, just as a snake escapes on the plane. Jackson volunteers to capture the snake, and sure enough, his infected state makes him immune to the creature  and paves the way for him to fess up to the others.

Mitch explains to the team that they need Jackson around, in that he is the key to the cure, possessing as he does some of the lonnnnng-dormant, non-functional genetic instructions as some of the other animals. If the team can find and study three more types of key animals, Mitch can crack the code and make a cure that eliminates the third DNA helix. Afterward, Jackson invites Dariela to stay with the team  to put a bullet in him if his mutation gets out of hand, she realizes in private.

What did you think of Chloes confirmed fate, Jamie and Mitchs reunion, and the rest of The Moon and the Star?

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Suicide Squad hits theaters in just two weeks, on August 5th. Weve seen plenty of trailers that introduced some of the bad guys that are going to do some good for humanity in this strange anti-superhero movie, and the final trailer for the film shows us who the puppet masters are.

DONT MISS: Is this proof that the iPhone 7s biggest problem is real?

There would not be a suicide squad to begin with without the puppet masters who work for the US government on this unusual mission. And we need to know more details about those puppet masters, given that previous trailers focused solely on the incredibly deranged anti-heroes the government will hire to work for the greater good.

Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) is a cutthroat government agent whos the squads top puppet master. She calls the shots while Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) executes the mission, and makes sure everyone is kept in check. Hes a natural born leader and a tactical expert. Hes also sort of afraid of Waller.

Oh, and Queen is back to supply the music for this new trailer.

Suicide Squad has an amazing cast, and we can only hope itll be the great DC Comics movie weve been waiting for all year long. Suicide Squad hits theaters on August 5th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npleqfy_8Zs

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By Julia Fioretti BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The French data protection authority on Wednesday ordered Microsoft Corp to stop collecting excessive data on users of its Windows 10 operating system and serving them personalised ads without their consent. The CNIL said the U.S. company had three months to stop tracking browsing by users so that Windows apps and third-party apps can offer them targeted advertising without their consent, failing which it could initiate a sanctions procedure. A number of EU data protection authorities created a contact group to investigate Microsoft's Windows 10 operating system following its launch in July 2015, the French privacy watchdog said. The action against Microsoft mirrors that taken by the CNIL against Facebook , which was ordered in February to stop collecting users' information then used for advertising without their consent. Microsoft processes information on all the apps downloaded and installed on Windows by a user and the time spent on each one to identify problems and improve its products. However the CNIL said it considered this to be excessive since the data "are not necessary for the operation of the service". The French watchdog also said that Microsoft puts advertising cookies on users' terminals without properly informing them beforehand or giving them a chance to opt out. "It has been decided to make the formal notice public due to, among other reasons, the seriousness of the breaches and the number of individuals concerned (more than ten million Windows users on French territory)," the CNIL said in a statement. "The purpose of the notice is not to prohibit any advertising on the companys services but, rather, to enable users to make their choice freely, having been properly informed of their rights." While the fines that can currently be levied by European data protection authorities are paltry compared to the revenues of big U.S. tech companies, a new European Union data protection law set to enter into force in two years provides for fines of up to 4 percent of a company's annual global turnover. David Heiner, vice president and deputy general counsel for Microsoft, said the company would work closely with the CNIL over the next few months to understand its concerns fully and "to work toward solutions that it will find acceptable." The CNIL also said Microsoft was still illegally transferring data to the United States using the Safe Harbour framework, which was struck down by the top EU court in October on concerns about mass U.S. surveillance practices. Companies have had to rely on alternative legal structures such as "standard contractual clauses" to move data across the Atlantic in line with tough EU data transferral rules. Heiner said Microsoft relied on a variety of legal mechanisms for transferring data from Europe to the United States, including standard contractual clauses. A new EU-U.S. data transfer pact will be open to companies as of Aug. 1 and Microsoft has said it will sign up to it. (Additional reporting by Alissa de Carbonnel; editing by Adrian Croft and Alan Crosby)
The big challenge in getting started with drones is to figure out what kind of drone you need. Whether you want to capture video, race against other pilots or just fly around a local park will play a big role in determining what kind of drone you wind up getting  unless someone were to build a multipurpose drone capable of handling whatever task you wanted.



That's the thinking behind Teal, a new $1,299 drone that's now available for pre-order. Scheduled to land before Christmas, the Teal drone doesn't limit itself to just one use. Rather, it plans to rely on apps that will allow the drone to handle whatever task you want to throw at it. That means the Teal, which can reach top speeds of 70 mph, is designed to be as appropriate for pilots who feel the need for speed as it is for beginners.

MORE: Drone Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The Teal looked anything like a novice-friendly drone as it zipped around San Francisco's Dolores Park on a sunny afternoon, entertaining onlookers with the occasional flip. But then again, George Matus was at the controls, and the 18-year-old Teal CEO is anything but a novice pilot. He started flying drones seven years ago, building his first device when he was 14, which is the same time he made the discovery that would lead him to create Teal.





"When I started flying, I was able to fly all the products out there," Matus recalled in between Teal flights. "I built a wish list of what I wanted [in a drone], and it required a different drone for each thing I wanted to do."



Teal hopes to solve that with apps that can make the drone a multipurpose monster. At launch, the drone will feature three built-in apps, with the most significant one being a command and control app. The basic control application will feature different modes, including one aimed at beginners that will allow them to get comfortable controlling the drone without fear of launching it toward the ground and sending it speeding off into the distance. As their piloting skills develop, they can try the app's other modes.



"One of the goals was to give [the drone] that speed, but to tame it down as needed for different consumers," Matus said.



Other apps available at launch will include a follow-me mode, which will use image recognition to have the Teal follow after a specific user, and a racing application that lets Teal users challenge each other to races along specific flight paths. In addition, Teal plans to release an SDK to app makers this fall so that they can create products that will add to what the drone can do.



You'll be able to control the Teal drone up to 300 feet from your iOS or Android phone. A Wi-Fi extender from Teal will boost that to 2,500 feet. The drone also works with RC transmitters giving you 2 miles of range.



Software only tells a part of the Teal drone's story. Inside, an Nvidia TX1 powers the drone, taking care of tasks like autonomous flight and image recognition. Teal's drone uses an inertial navigation system for GPS that combines an accelerometer, magnetometer, GPS receiver, barometer and gyroscope, which should lead to accurate and stable flights. What Teal doesn't offer at this point is any built-in obstacle avoidance features, though the company hopes to add those features in a future update.



The 13-megapixel camera on the Teal can record 4K video, either to the 16GB of built-in storage or to a microSD card. Because Teal designed its drone to be extensible, Matus tells me that drone racing enthusiasts will be able to swap in replacement tops that add an FPV camera.



You'll get 10 minutes of flight time from the standard battery; the drone will ship with two batteries, which promise fast charging. Teal will also offer a High-Endurance package with a battery that keeps the drone in the air for 20 minutes.



Teal makes a fairly compact drone  it's 9.8 inches from motor to motor and weighs in at 1.6 pounds. (That means you'd have to register the Teal drone with the FAA.) It was easy enough for Matus to tote it on a block-long walk from a cafe where we talked about the drone to a free space in Dolores Park where we could take it on a test drive.



All told, it's a pretty solid-looking package that will include the drone, two batteries, a charger, two sets of propellers and expansion cables. Much of Teal's promise depends on the apps that will support the drone, whether they come from the company itself or from third-party app makers. We look forward to seeing what's ready to test when the Teal drone arrives by year's end.

Copyright 2016 Toms Guides , a Purch company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Since Apple is about to roll down its much awaited, iconic iPhone 7 Samsung too has fully geared up to launch the 7th diamond in its much anticipated and praised note series i.e Galaxy Note 7. Though Samsungs flagship models S7 and S7 Edge are performing well in the race Samsung is tightening their grip by announcing the launch of Note 7. There are many rumours and speculations about the possible features and the functionality. Lets try to throw some light on presumptive unique features of Samsung Galaxy Note 7.

Unique Iris sensor

This feature has been in demand since long and many mobile companies have actually tried to bring them in their devices but nobody succeeded in giving popularity to this feature just like the fingerprint sensor. But with the upcoming galaxy Note 7, we can expect premium features and functionalities from the Iris sensor and great usability too. However, Samsung hasnt confirmed features which are supported by this sensor but most likely it is going to be the best till now from a premium brand and South Korean giant Samsung.

Humongous memory

Have you heard someone saying HUGE regularly? Well, its not just going to be Donald Trump but soon you will also join the club when you will hear Note 7s massive 256GB internal storage. Although it is going to be available in 64GB and 128GB variant too but the 256 GB memory feature is definitely going to be the USP of the upcoming note sibling. With higher storage Phone-lagging is also a concern but guess what? Samsungs new beast is going to house similar monstrous RAM of 8GB which would help you to do multitasking with ease. Though some sources are predicting 6GB RAM the real picture will be clear only when the phone will get officially launched.

High Power camera

Samsung Galaxy note series is often praised for its improved and efficient camera abilities. With Note3 people used to capture moments like Pro. And now with the latest Galaxy Note 7, this ability will get strengthened even further with an astonishing 32MP rear camera and 9MP front. This device will now allow you to capture not only HD but 4k HD videos and that too flawlessly. The unique feature of 3D imaging is also expected to be accompanied by the above segment-leading features. If you are more into mobile photography then Note 7 will definitely lure you.

Story continues

Unique USB port

Samsung is expected to include the new type C USB port in the upcoming Note 7. It will increase the speed of data transferring as well battery charging will get a boost. Along with this wireless charging, the feature is also going to be there to match the latest fierce competition.

Along with all the above features Note, 7 is also going to get a regular S-pen update and a huge battery life to meet all the requirements of a beast cum smartphone. This device is going to have a screen which is expected to be of quad HD resolution with a size of 5.7 to 6.1 inch which makes it more like a phablet. This latest offering will be available in the silver, black and blue colour and the expected price will be around $900.

You can also check out this leaked video making rounds on the internet of a working Galaxy Note 7.

Have any other speculations to add to this story? Feel free to comment in the section below!
Washington (AFP) - Twitter was embroiled in controversy Wednesday after banning an editor at the conservative Breitbart website for fueling a stream of abuse that drove "Ghostbusters" star Leslie Jones to quit the social network.

The ban on Milo Yiannopoulos, the website's tech editor known for provocative posts, sparked protests from his supporters but praise from others, while triggering debate over free speech on social media.

A hashtag war erupted between Yiannopoulos supporters united by the banner #FreeMilo and his critics -- who rallied under #LoveForLeslieJ.

Yiannopoulos hit back at the ban saying "Twitter has confirmed itself as a safe space for Muslim terrorists and Black Lives Matter extremists, but a no-go zone for conservatives."

The suspension came a day after Jones, who is African American, said she was leaving Twitter after being bombarded by Internet trolls likening her to an ape among other racist slurs.

"I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart. All this cause I did a movie. You can hate the movie but the shit I got today... wrong," the "Saturday Night Live" comedian and actress said late Monday.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey responded with a tweet to Jones saying he was "following" and asking her to contact him directly.

Yiannopoulos's Twitter account, which had more than 338,000 followers, was later blocked.

"People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter," the company said in a statement.

"But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online."

- Free speech, hate speech -

Critics of Yiannopoulos said he incited his followers to bombard the actress with racial comments, while his supporters claimed he was targeted for his views.

Commenting on a tweet in which Jones said she had been called an ape, and "received a pic with semen on my face," Yiannopoulos responded:

"If at first you don't succeed (because your work is terrible", play the victim. EVERYONE GETS HATE MAIL FFS."

Story continues

His tweet reportedly triggered a torrent of abuse towards the 48-year-old "Ghostbusters" star who responded by taking screenshots and retweeting the slurs, saying they had made her "numb."

After being subjected to hours of harassment from Yiannopoulos's supporters, Jones called him out: "@Nero you can say what you want about my work but when you support hate, that's not right. Wonder do your readers know you support hate!!"

Twitter's actions were set to further intensify a simmering debate on how social media platforms regulate offensive or inappropriate conduct.

One Twitter user, Sara Levine, welcomed the ban on Yiannopoulos, tweeting, "Racists shouldn't be allowed to silence others."

But Twitter user John Nolte responded, "Basically, the corporate fascists at @Twitter silenced someone for criticizing and mocking a rich and powerful movie star."

Both Twitter and Facebook have banned thousands of suspected jihadists for seeking to incite or celebrate violence, and have targeted users for harassment and insults.

But the platforms have been navigating a fine line, staying open to controversial views while keeping out violent or abusive content.

Matthew Ingram, a Fortune magazine writer who blogs for the Nieman Journalism Lab, suggested that this time, Twitter may have gone too far.

"I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion, but I don't think Milo said anything to Leslie Jones that deserves a permanent ban," Ingram tweeted.

- A 'learning moment' -

Some analysts argue that social media platforms need to develop a code that mirrors constitutional free speech rights.

"Corporate platforms have, in many ways, taken on the role of the town square, or public sphere," said a blog post this year from Jillian York, a writer and activist who works with the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

"It is impossible to ignore the effect corporate limitations on speech can have on societies."

Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center, which seeks to combat racism, maintained that social media firms have a right to set their own standards.

"These aren't First Amendment (constitutional) questions at all. Twitter and others are private corporations that have no obligation to allow these kinds of speech," Potok told AFP.

Potok said the lack of any policy led to chaos at the online service Reddit, which he said "turned into a hellhole for anyone who wasn't a hater" before it implemented guidelines.

"If these organizations say they have a no-hate policy, they ought to enforce it," he said.

Jennifer Lambe, a University of Delaware professor of communications specializing in free speech issues, said there is no easy answer for social networks.

"They can do whatever they want, but there could be a backlash if they start censoring things right and left," she said.

Danielle Citron, a University of Maryland law professor and author of a book "Hate Crimes in Cyberspace," called the incident "a learning moment."

"I applaud Twitter for its approach in this area," Citron said. "If you chase people offline with racist and intimidating speech, that's too much. Twitter and other platforms are contributing to social norms on free expression."
Fort McCoy spent $263.3 million on payroll, operating costs and other expenditures in 2015, according to the garrisons Plans, Analysis and Integration Office.

Using a gross multiplier index of 3.2 to represent the number of times a dollar turns over within a region, thats an economic impact of more than $842 million.

More than 2,000 people worked at Fort McCoy during the fiscal year from October 2014 through September 2015  1,326 civilians, 391 military and 319 contract employees.

That total economic impact represented a decline of 10.8 percent from the $944.7 million economic impact reported for the previous year. Fort McCoy officials cited the winding down of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act spending and the decrease in demand for the staging of troops on their way to overseas deployments as the key factors in a decline in the garrisons economic impact that began after a peak of $1.38 billion in fiscal year 2010.

While spending might have been down, Fort McCoy set a record by supporting the training of 155,237 personnel. Thats a 6.9 increase over FY 2014 and a 39.4 percent increase since 2010.

Fort McCoy hosts training for reserve- and active-duty personnel from throughout the military.

About three-quarters of Fort McCoys workforce lives in Monroe County, and the FY 2015 payroll for civilian and military personnel totaled $131.5 million.

Fort McCoy spent $115.2 million on utilities, physical plant maintenance, repair and improvements, new construction projects, and purchases of supplies and services, as well as salaries for civilian contract personnel working at Fort McCoy.

The installation made more than $1 million in payments to local governments for such things as land permit agreements and school district impact aid in 2015, and the Fort McCoy Plans, Analysis and Integration Office estimated soldiers who trained at the garrison spent $15.5 million in area communities.

Founded in 1909, the garrison is the only U.S. Army installation in Wisconsin.
Philip J. Abbott, 69, Merrillan, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Stacy L. Abbott, 43, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

John A. Ahlert, 33, Holmen, was fined $225.70 for speeding in 55-mph zone (20-24 mph) and $200.50 for operating a motor vehicle w/o insurance.

Dado Alic, 24, Bowling Green, Ky., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Haven W. Allard, 46, Fairchild, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Dalton L. Anders, 20, Sheldon, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Charles Anzaldi, 52, Kenosha, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Vicki J. Ausen, 65, Fairchild, was fined $10 for vehicle passenger fail to wear seat belt.

Gary A. Ausen, 66, Fairchild, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Mirza S. Baig, 23, Park Ridge, Ill., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Alexander W. Bapp, 19, Darwin, Minn., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Dakarai A. Barclay, 20, Chicago, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Steven W. Barrick, 67, Caledonia, Ill., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Manuel B. Barrios, 63, Minneapolis, was fined $200 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Janelle M. Beaman, 41, Taylor, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Damian L. Benedict, 25, Merrillan, was fined $213.10 for driving too fast for conditions and $213.10 for unreasonable and imprudent speed.

Melissa S. Bergerson, 41, Hixton, was fined $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Sherwin F. Bever, 35, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Alyssa J. Beyer, 25, Madison, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Austin J. Bly, 26, Mound, Minn., was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Jeremy J. Boehm, 22, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Dallas H. Bond, 19, Fillmore, Ind., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Natasha L. Boron, 20, Tomah, was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Lane E. E. Brown, 24, Minneapolis, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Wayne R. Brown, 67, Black River Falls, was fined $175.30 for non-registration of vehicle-auto less than 10,000 pounds.

Victor R. Byrns, 84, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

John R. Calkins, 54, Fairchild, was fined $250.90 for speeding on city highway (25-29 mph).

Felicia Carter-Ries, 41, Sauk Village, Ill., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Donovan C. Chandler, 32, Taylor, was fined $200.50 for operating while suspended, $175.30 for non-registration of vehicle-auto less than 10,000 pounds, $213.10 for operating left of center line, $213.10 for failure to keep vehicle under control and $200.50 for operating a motor vehicle w/o insurance.

Carlie C. J. Chandler, 25, Black River Falls, was fined $200.50 for operating while suspended and $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Maggie L. Chase, 26, Sparta, was fined $200.50 for operating a motor vehicle w/o insurance and $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Cheng C. Chiu, 27, Chicago, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Thomas P. Christoffel, 20, Chicago, was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Randall J. Claremboux, 52, Bayfield, was fined $175.30 for speeding on city highway (11-15 mph).

Jeremy A. Clark, 28, Black River Falls, was fined $200.50 for operating a motor vehicle w/o insurance.

Elizabeth A. Clauson, 37, Waukegan, Ill., was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

David W. Cline, 81, Minneapolis, was fined $200 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Kevin M. Conant, 44, Black River Falls, was fined $484.50 for operating while revoked.

Miguel A. Conde Zaragoza, 19, Minneapolis, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Cory J. Coughlin, 41, Bloomington, Minn., was fined $213.10 for driving too fast for conditions.

Levi J. Crawford, 20, Black River Falls, was fined $175.30 for exceeding speed zones, etc. (1-10 mph).

Jovona L. Crooks, 37, Ramsey, Minn., was fined $200.50 for operate w/o valid license (1st).

Erich A. Dahl, 35, La Crosse, was fined $10 for operator fail/have passenger/seat belted and $200.50 for operating while suspended.

Kyle N. E. Davis, 19, Minnetrista, Minn., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Eugene Delfiacco, 50, Mukwonago, was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Nancy J. Denn, 51, Schaumburg, Ill., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (1-10 mph).

Gary D. Denyes, 55, La Salle, Ill., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Michael L. Deschler, 46, Waterford, was fined $276.10 for speeding on freeway (20-24 mph).

Jeffrey A. Dick, 42, Loyal, was fined $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Anthony V. Dimuzio, 22, Cincinnati, Ohio, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (1-10 mph).

Jasmine M. Domenget, 28, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt and $150.10 for violation of child safety restraint requirements-child 4 years of age but less than 8 years of age.

Dennis P. Duggan, 69, Mauston, was fined $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance and $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Christina M. Dunigan, 32, Melrose, was fined $10 for vehicle passenger fail to wear seat belt.

Aaron L. Dunigan, 30, Melrose, was fined $150.10 for violation of child safety restraint requirements-child 4 years of age but less than 8 years of age.

Erick D. Duran, 20, Palatine, Ill., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph), $200.50 for operate w/o valid license (1st) and $200.50 for operate w/o valid license (1st).

Catherine G. Dustrude, 19, Minneapolis, was fined $200 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Fred Eaton, 50, Chicago, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Arthur J. Ellenbecker, 75, Ettrick, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Roger D. Elsner, 64, Monona, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Michael V. Englund, 53, Brainerd, Minn., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Antonio L. Espinoza, 48, Rochester, Minn., was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Theodore W. Evenson, 36, Sparta, was fined $175.30 for exceeding speed zones, etc. (11-15 mph).

Randall D. Everson, 56, Blair, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Samson V. Falcon, 38, Warrens, was fined $175.30 for non-registration of vehicle-auto less than 10,000 pounds.

Mitchell R. Ferris, 47, Carol Stream, Ill., was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Cheri E. Fisher, 67, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Mary E. Fitzpatrick, 68, Onalaska, was fined $175.30 for exceeding speed zones, etc. (11-15 mph).

John G. Fletcher, 59, La Salle, Ill., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Ronald E. Flick, 75, Fairchild, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Alexander L. Fude, 26, Neenah, was fined $213.10 for failure to keep vehicle under control.

Amy L. Furchtenicht, 30, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Madeleine R. E. Gaiman, 21, Menomonie, was fined $276.10 for speeding on freeway (20-24 mph).

Carmen O. Galarz Ortiz, 40, Minneapolis, was fined $276.10 for speeding on freeway (20-24 mph).

Rhonald T. Gant, 26, Minneapolis, was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Carlos Garcia, 43, Berwyn, Ill., was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Mary L. Gaul, 51, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle passenger fail to wear seat belt.

Karen P. Geiger, 40, Carol Stream, Ill., was fined $250 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Matthew R. Gilbertson, 32, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Jon P. Gilbertson, 42, Black River Falls, was fined $937.50 for OWI (1st).

Michael T. Gjerseth, 48, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Ethan K. Golinghorst, 24, Mountain Lake, Minn., was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Jeremy B. Golla, 38, Milladore, was fined $175.30 for exceeding speed zones, etc. (11-15 mph).

Steven M. Goodman, 20, Stillwater, Minn., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Jacob H. Graham, 23, Ettrick, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Melissa L. Greyhair, 40, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle passenger fail to wear seat belt.

Alexis B. Grigsby, 22, Clinton, Miss., was fined $276.10 for speeding on freeway (20-24 mph).

Robert W. Guza, 25, Merrillan, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Kristine K. Halverson, 42, Strum, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Nicole M. Halvorson, 38, Waukesha, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Jerome F. Harrison, 29, Mequon, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Isaiah M. Hart, 27, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Shawn D. Hasburgh, 36, Wisconsin Rapids, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Gary E. Haskins, 58, Osseo, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Jennifer L. Haumschild, 32, Fort Atkinson, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Thomas A. Hauser, 37, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt and $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Richard W. Hentsch, 48, Hixton, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Timothy J. Herried, 27, Hixton, was fined $150.10 for violation of child safety restraint requirements-child 4 years of age but less than 8 years of age and $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Jason B. Hesse, 27, Middleton, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Joshua H. Hoffman, 34, Black River Falls, was fined $579 for operating while revoked.

Michael L. Hoier, 31, Waupaca, was fined $200.50 for license restriction violation-class D or M vehicle and $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Dana L. Houghton, 29, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Katherine E. Hovde, 32, Minneapolis, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Matthew J. Hulett, 28, Osseo, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Alexandru V. Iordachi, 24, St. Louis Park, Minn., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Ivan Y. Ivanov, 32, Schaumburg, Ill., was fined $213.10 for unreasonable and imprudent speed.

Cody A. Johnson, 35, Black River Falls, was fined $175.30 for speeding on city highway (11-15 mph).

Marvin J. Joles, 30, Lone Rock, was fined $175.30 for exceeding speed zones, etc. (11-15 mph).

Sherri L. Jordan, 42, Milwaukee, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (1-10 mph).

Kali M. Junk, 22, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., was fined $326.50 for fail/yield to stop for emergency vehicle.

Brilynn N. Junk, 20, Black River Falls, was fined $175.30 for speeding in 55-mph zone (11-15 mph).

Jeremy R. Justice, 25, Black River Falls, was fined $200.50 for operating a motor vehicle w/o insurance.

Ashley A. Kanuscak, 33, Alma Center, was fined $200.50 for operating while suspended.

Yongtae O. Kim, 46, Naperville, Ill., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Jason A. Klabis, 34, Ettrick, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Timothy A. Knight, 38, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt and $175.30 for non-registration of vehicle-auto less than 10,000 pounds.

Kevin C. Koch, 26, Elmhurst, Ill., was fined $250.90 for speeding on freeway (16-19 mph).

Janet M. Koronkiewicz, 49, Plainfield, Ill., was fined $276.10 for speeding on freeway (20-24 mph).

Nolan L. Krajco, 30, Pleasant Prairie, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Kris J. Krumenauer, 37, Somerset, was fined $175.30 for failure to obey traffic officer/signal and $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Jacob E. Lamb, 22, Anoka, Minn., was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Joseph D. Lane, 43, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Lauren S. Leighton, 54, Winona, Minn., was fined $175.30 for exceeding speed zones, etc. (11-15 mph).

Paul J. Lenz, 59, Eau Claire, was fined $200 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).

Brett D. Leque, 22, Whitehall, was fined $213.10 for unreasonable and imprudent speed.

Alex M. Lexa, 25, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for operator fail/have passenger/seat belted.

Destinee R. Link, 28, Black River Falls, was fined $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance and $10 vehicle operator fail/wear seat belt.

Andrea J. Littlewolf, 38, Merrillan, was fined $10 for operating motor vehicle w/o proof of insurance.

Prescilla M. Lopez, 29, Black River Falls, was fined $175.30 for speeding on city highway (11-15 mph) and $200.50 for operating a motor vehicle w/o insurance.

Anette M. Ludvigsen, 42, Glen Flora, was fined $175.30 for exceeding speed zones, etc. (11-15 mph).

Keith H. Lundin, 54, Oconomowoc, was fined $200.50 for speeding on freeway (11-15 mph).
Four members of the Black River Falls FFA chapter attended the 87th state FFA Convention June 13-16.

The state FFA Convention was held in Madison at the Alliant Energy Center. The FFA members took advantage of opportunities to develop essential leadership and communication skills, gain valuable career and agricultural knowledge, gather new ideas from fellow FFA members and make friends and memories.

Members attended convention sessions, leadership workshops, talent stage, Hall of Stars, a dance and a career expo. Over 3,000 Wisconsin FFA members, advisors, parents, alumni, sponsors and guests attended this grand event, with the theme of Be FFA.

On June 13 the members participated in the annual Wisconsin FFA Day of Service. At this service-learning event Black River Falls FFA members donated four hours of their day to the city of Madison Parks, mulching and removing invasive species.

Jacob Markhardt competed in the State FFA Discussion Meet contest since he won the sectional competition. This contest tests the abilities of FFA members in cooperatively discussing agricultural issues, exchanging ideas and information and finding solutions to issues or problems.

Amanda Marecek and Markhardt were the chapters official delegates. They participated in business sessions that direct the work of the Wisconsin FFA Association. They also participated in special committee meetings on Alumni Partnership Development and state FFA officer election process.

Ciara Koboski and Marecek received the golden charm of the State FFA Degree. The State FFA Degree is the highest degree a state association can bestow upon its members. To be considered for this honor the FFA members must meet the following minimum qualifications: have productively earned and invested $1,000 or worked 1,500 hours; been an FFA member for at least two years and had 360 hours of agricultural classroom instruction; given two agricultural speeches, each a minimum of five minutes in length; been involved in at least five FFA activities above the local level and participated in at least two community service activities.

Benett Bucek, Koboski, Marecek and Markhardt entered the State FFA Agriscience Fair competition. Participants must plan and implement a scientific experiment to prove a hypothesis. From the results of the experiment the participants must summarize their findings in a research paper and put together a display. Koboski and Marecek received a bronze award for their team project on flavored cheese, and Bucek and Markhardt received a gold award for their team project on the ability of silo plastics to prevent oxygen entry. Bucek and Markhardt will now be considered for National Agriscience Fair competition.

The Wisconsin Association of FFA is a leading student organization due to the efforts of more than 20,000 students across the state. With a focus on premier leadership, personal growth and career success, students FFA activities compliment agricultural classroom instruction by giving them an opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge while gaining real-world experience.

The Black River Falls FFA is part of the more than 250-chapter Wisconsin FFA Association. Go to www.wisconsinffa.org for more convention highlights.
Despite a slump in the U.S. oil industry, Wisconsin frac sand producers are planning to spend millions of dollars on new plants and loading facilities as they seek to increase efficiency and sell their product in new markets.

At least half a dozen companies have hatched plans to build mines or loading terminals along rail lines that provide an economical link to drilling operations in Texas, where the demand for silica sand used in a process called hydraulic fracturing remains strong, as well as other regions, according to documents filed with state officials.

We feel that from a longer-term prospective its still a good time to make some investments, said Jack Mitchell, president of Wisconsin Proppants, which is planning a $23.5 million rail loading facility for its mine in Jackson County.

Over the past decade, demand for silica sand soared as new technology allowed drillers to reach previously untapped oil, much of which was found in the Bakken formation of North Dakota, with a process called hydraulic fracturing. The fine-grained sand, prevalent and easily accessible across Western Wisconsin, is used as proppant to hold open fissures in underground rock formations.

The number of permitted industrial sand mines and processors ballooned to nearly 130, but oil prices began falling in 2015, making North Dakota crude less competitive. As drills went idle, so did Wisconsins sand mines, which have laid off hundreds of workers in the past two years.

But even as producers have shuttered some mines, others are making big investments  or even preparing to open new mines  to meet the demands of a changing energy marketplace:

Meteor Timber, a Georgia investment company that has explored the possibility of mining in Jackson Countys public forests, has plans to build a $65 million sand mining operation in Jackson and Monroe counties.

Terracor Resources is proposing a combined mine, processing and loading facility between Black River Falls and Alma Center that could produce about 3 million tons of sand a year.

Hi-Crush Proppants is seeking to add three rail sidings at its 857-acre mine, processing and loading facility in Wyeville. Hi-Crush says it has idled a facility in Eau Claire County and is focusing on maximizing production and efficiency at the Monroe County site.

Smart Sand Inc. plans to build a rail terminal near Tomah to handle sand from the Texas companys existing 1,118-acre mine in Oakdale, which is about four miles away and already has a loading facility on the Canadian Pacific railroad.

All of those operations, which would allow the loading and storage of multiple trains, are situated on the Union Pacific rail line. A fourth project, since shelved because of market prices, would have been sited on the Wisconsin Northern rail line in Chippewa County, which connects to Union Pacifics track.

Theyre all trying to get on the UP, said Brad Johnson, who reviews mining-related water permit applications for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Unlike the Canadian Pacific and BNSF, two major U.S. rail lines that link Wisconsin to the Bakken basin, Union Pacific lines offer a direct route to Texas.

With low production costs, abundant reserves and a good supply of workers, the Permian basin in west Texas has steadily increased production even as drillers in the Bakken range have cut back. The Permian basin puts out about twice as much crude than the Bakken and has more than five times as many active rigs, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Two of the regions major producers have announced plans to increase production in the region.

The Permian is still a real hot area right now and its because of their cost structure, Mitchell said.

Whats more, its easier to transport the crude to Houston refineries thanks to a network of pipelines and terminals, said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for Oil Price Information Service.

Its considerably more expensive to use pipelines or rail to get crude from the Bakken to the real refining clusters, Kloza said.

Seeking efficiency

Since the beginning of the sand boom, industry experts have said rail proximity is key to profitability, though when prices were at $70 per ton, mines were being opened in places where sand had to be hauled by truck to the nearest rail terminal. But with todays tighter market, producers are expected to deliver sand at half those prices, which means they must shave costs wherever possible, and transportation is the single-biggest cost.

Under the new model, producers need to have their own rail terminals where they can load unit trains that are less expensive and arrive at their destinations sooner than a few cars of sand mixed in with other freight on a manifest train.

Sand producers also have to minimize costly and time-consuming switches, said Joel Schneyer, a minerals industry analyst with the investment banking firm Headwaters MB, so they are trying to locate on railways that offer direct access to shale basins.

Even as analysts and producers are optimistic about the prospects for growth in the Permian basin, Schneyer said Wisconsin sand producers will have to compete with producers much closer to the oil fields.

While one can get to the both Permian and Eagle Ford on the UP, it is pretty damn far, he said.

Ultimately it may come down to grain size, Schneyer said. If oil drillers can use finer sand, it would be cheaper to get northern white sand from Arkansas or Missouri, or use local Brady Brown sand native to Texas.

Smart Sand says in addition to providing access to new regions, its second loading facility will save the company $7.5 million a year in shipping costs to existing customers.

In its application to build three additional rail sidings at its Wyeville facility, Hi-Crush says its investments were spurred in part by the market downturn, which is forcing sand suppliers to become more efficient.

Tyler Deines, a geologist and land-use specialist for the Texas-based company, said the addition will allow it to simultaneously load two-unit trains, which has become the industry standard.

Its cheaper if you can do it that way, and its quicker to market, Deines said. Especially in a down market, just any efficiency you can gain, people are looking for.

Hi-Crush also notes that the industry downturn has created a surplus of rail cars that the company has to store.

Terracor Resources says it would ship sand from its proposed Alma mine to the companys own terminals in the Bakken as well as the Eagle Ford basin in southern Texas. Terracor says with its existing loading facilities it could hold 80 percent of its fleet, avoiding potential storage fees from the railroad.

The status of that project is unclear since the Canadian company filed for bankruptcy in April. Attempts to reach a company representative were unsuccessful.

Wisconsin Proppants, has proposed building a rail loading facility on the Canadian National line, about 2 miles from its 670-acre Hixton mine. The Green Bay company currently trucks its sand 19 miles to a Union Pacific loading site and says the new facility will save more than $4 million a year.

Mitchell said the project will both open new markets and eliminate inefficiency.

Canadian National serves oil fields in western Canada and can deliver to the Utica basin of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The railroad also has a reputation for cooperating with other carriers, which Mitchell said could make delivery viable in other markets as well.

While he doesnt expect the price of oil to rebound any time soon, Mitchell said hes optimistic prices will stabilize again in the next two years.

I have a longer term outlook on things, he said. Its like anything else: Things always go back to the mean.
The second batch of Jackson Countys elk herd was released into the wild last week.

State wildlife officials released 50 animals from their holding pen east of Black River Falls, capping a two-year project to re-establish a herd in the area.

We feel great about it, said Kevin Wallenfang, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources big game ecologist. Were very happy, and weve wrapped up now in Jackson County, and were moving on to the northern forest.

Officials brought back 39 elk that were trapped in Kentucky to Jackson County earlier this year  the second round of trapping and transportation for the project. Eleven more calves were born in the pen and help bring the overall total on the landscape to 64 animals.

Fifty is more than we thought wed be letting go, said Scott Roepke, a DNR wildlife biologist, who works out of Black River Falls. We were certainly pleased and happy to see all the elk made it through in really good shape.

Were very excited to have 50 elk, and theyll certainly be a great boost and a great founding herd for Jackson County here.

The elk from Kentucky underwent additional monitoring and testing before being released last week from the acclimation pen, and officials quietly opened the fences to make a calm transition to the landscape.

Officials from both states trapped 28 elk in Kentucky last year and brought 26 to Jackson County where some died and others were born to bring the current total of the first batch to 14. Wallenfang said its a reality of working with wildlife.

Those things are going to happen, he said. If you dont think theyre going to, youre fooling yourself.

The three-year agreement with Kentucky now turns to help bolster the existing herd near Clam Lake, which had animals reintroduced to the area more than 20 years ago. Before that reintroduction project, elk had last been seen in Wisconsin in the mid-20th century.

That population has continued to grow over time, Wallenfang said. Were just trying to give that Clam Lake herd another boost.

Project partners thanked the public for their support, and area residents and drivers are asked to continue to avoid the general vicinity of their release and remain observant while driving in the area.

Its been a great effort getting them here, and now we want to do everything in our power to ensure the herds success, Kurt Flack, regional director of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, said in a statement. We ask for these first several weeks that folks give them their space until they settle in.

The work in Jackson County isnt all complete, despite last weeks release. Most of the elk are equipped with tracking technology, which allows staff like Roepke to keep track of their location, movements and other data. Staff also does regular checking on the animals in the early weeks after release.

Were certainly excited to see this new batch of elk out there. Its a great boost, Roepke said. Well stay busy keeping track of them, monitoring survival and habitats and movements and interactions with humans and everything else.

At this point, were just gathering as much information as possible and learning as we go.
Area youth of all ages and their families are invited to take part in two activities highlighting ultrasound in the livestock industry.

The first event  a reproductive ultrasound demonstration  will be held on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sampson Farm at N3147 Selmer Rd., Melrose. The featured speaker, Dr. Gina Zastoupil, will lead a demonstration in which participants will learn how ultrasound technology is used to determine the reproductive health of livestock on the farm.

The second event  a carcass ultrasound demonstration  will be held on Friday, August 5 at 1 p.m. or after the beef show at the Jackson County fairgrounds. Dr. Gary Onan will demonstrate principles of carcass ultrasound technology and equipment used, how measurements are collected with ultrasound technology and how this information is used in addition to live ultrasound scanning.

There is no fee to participate in either of these events and all supplies will be provided. No RSVP is necessary. The community is welcome and invited to join in and learn about how technology is assisting the livestock industry to produce high quality products.

This event is part of the fifth annual Summer of Science series offered by Jackson County 4-H and the UW-Extension office with financial support from the Black River Falls Area Foundation.
People expect their elected leaders to be accessible. Whether it is through formal or informal avenues, giving constituents the chance to ask questions, be heard, as well as providing them with the opportunity to hear from elected officials, is necessary for healthy politics and good government.

One way for elected officials to reach out and connect with taxpayers is by hosting town hall meetings or other listening sessions. Almost always, these events are open to the public, just like the three I hosted last week in Jackson County. Unfortunately, this wasnt the case when the governor was in Buffalo County last week.

When my office was first informed of the governors town hall meeting, the first thing I did was ask if it was open to the public. I was informed that it would be an invite-only event and I was told I could help provide names of people who should be invited. While this sounds reasonable on the surface, it actually raises some eyebrows and questions upon further review.

My office was asked to provide names of people in the community who are moms and dads, small business owners, teachers, retired folks, farmers, pastors, welders, insurance agents, realtors, etc. While providing names and contact information is standard practice, the governors office also asked for peoples occupation and place of employment to be included. I felt this was an unusual request for an event such as this one so I did not provide that information, especially because this information is usually only necessary when people donate a certain amount of money to a political campaign.

It seemed to me that this town hall was being carefully planned out since people were being screened and the governors office was controlling the audience through invitations. Although I preferred to see the event be open to the public, I decided to attend so I could hear what attendees and the governor had to say.

At times I felt as though I was in a discussion series or brainstorming session. The governor had a whiteboard and a marker and wrote down what people said when they were asked what things they like about Wisconsin. Naturally, beer, cheese and the Packers were some of the first things mentioned, which probably helped break the ice for the various business owners, local elected officials and others in attendance. But, it didnt take long for people to mention other things that make our community and state the place we cherish and enjoy.

People also mentioned the UW, recreation, hunting, rural schools and our infrastructure, as well as the things that make our communities great places to live, work and raise a family like pools, libraries, clean water and a healthy environment. These are things that transcend party lines and should be treated as such by our elected leaders when crafting policy in Madison.

For the past few years, the state of Wisconsin has been one of the most divided states in the nation. Policy decisions have led to serious political tensions in Madison and fractures in communities across the state. The results too often feel like short-term political gains at the expense of long-term solutions and collaboration that would help us move forward. This isnt healthy for our economy, community and state, or the things we value like quality public education, a reliable infrastructure, unique recreation opportunities, a world-renowned university system and our proud tradition of putting differences aside and working together for the common good.

I hope future events are open to the public to increase turnout and dialogue in a way that makes sure many thoughts and opinions can be expressed. As divided as we are at times as a state and nation, it is clear there are more things that unite us than divide us. The things I heard that day from people at the listening session were things Ive heard consistently since I was elected in 2008. People want, and expect, good local schools, a well-maintained rural infrastructure and services, as well as a clean and safe environment. Lets find common ground so we can work together to provide the things for the shared good that transcend political ideology.
FOUNTAIN CITY  Joseph L. Wantoch Sr., 73, of Fountain City passed away peacefully Sunday, July 17, 2016, at Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, surrounded by his loving family, following a short illness.

Joe was born Nov. 5, 1942, in Arcadia, to Theodore and Olivia (Pronschinske) Wantoch Sr. He was a graduate of Cochrane-Fountain City High School, and was proud to be the first graduating class from the new high school building. In 1967, Joe was united in marriage with LaVae Walker, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona.

He was raised on the family farm, and farming was Joes heart and soul. He served as a member of the board of directors for Buffalo County Farm Bureau for many years, and he also served on Buffalo County Board of Adjustments. In recognition of lifelong dedication to farming, Joe and his family were recently recognized as the Buffalo County Farm Bureau Farm Family of the Year.

He was a member of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona, where he served as an usher for over 40 years. Joe and LaVae enjoyed square dancing, and were members of Park Rec Squares, Winona, and later danced with Happy Twirlers, La Crosse. He never missed an opportunity to support the Red Cross through blood donations, and was proud of reaching his 16 gallon milestone. Joe was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa who will be deeply missed by all those who loved him.

Joe is lovingly survived by his wife, LaVae of Fountain City; children, Valerie (Eric) Campbell of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Joe Tiger Wantoch Jr. of Fountain City, and Jason (Nikki) Wantoch of Fountain City; his granddaughters who were the apple of his eye, Avery and Eden Campbell; brothers and sisters, Mary Drury of Winona, Patricia Anderson of Waite Park, Minn., Pauline (Wulf) Krause of Winona, Ted Wantoch Jr. of Onalaska, and George Wantoch of Modovi; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by son, Jerome; his parents; and infant sister, Elaine.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 22, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona. The Reverend Monsignor Richard M. Colletti will officiate. Joe will be laid to rest in St. Marys Cemetery.

Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and will begin 3:45 p.m. with the recitation of the Most Holy Rosary. Visitation will also be 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass, Friday, July 22, at the cathedral.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorials in Joes name be directed to Gundersen Medical Foundation Cancer Fund, 1836 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Joes family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.
Dr. Paster: Thank you for your discussion of end-of-life care for an Alzheimers patient. It reinforced how inappropriate so much end-of-life care is for anyone with dementia. That fact that your moms doctor didnt stop torturing your mom until you uttered the S word (sue) is amazing. Youre a doctor so you would think that they would respect your wishes. Gosh and golly.

Im a lawyer. Simply telling the doctor to stop does not absolve them of their responsibility to treat the patient. And some juries may just find that not doing everything possible to prolong life is malpractice. Remember the Death Panels, that cockamamie idea that to discuss end-of-life care in your doctors office meant that some committee would allow you to live or die.

The legal profession seems to be perpetuating an environment that demands physicians employ aggressive, defensive medical intervention as the standard of care.

I had such an experience years ago with one of my parents. It made me livid. Blessedly my spouse of 40 years who suffered from dementia in her last few years was allowed to pass in peace. She was not denied the palliative care that should be all of our right.

Good job doc in bringing up this important topic.  KG

Dear KG: You are right. Absolutely right. The default in legal suits is you havent done enough to save Mom rather than you really helped Mom die a peaceful death. Who wants to die with tubes in every orifice? Not me.

While people think that everyone who stops drinking should have IV fluids, thats just not true. Think about it. IVs are uncomfortable and if a patient moves around then they might need to be restrained to keep the IV from coming out. There is good research showing that end-of-life patients grimace more and appear to be in more distress when they have an IV.

The problem here is twofold  doctor and patient. Doctors often do too much thinking that they will save a patient when they should be thinking about comfort. And families often think too much that they want to save their loved one when they should also be concentrating on comfort.

The problem is an education and training issue on both parts. More than three decades ago when I went to medical school there were no classes on palliative care. Today there are classes but theyre meager. With few exceptions, US medical students learn more about snake bites and tropical diseases than they do about how to comfort a patient in their final days. Whos in charge of this curriculum anyway? I suspect that when patients and families demand better end-of-life care that the schools will start providing more of it. Until that time its technology that rules the roost, not comfort.

But back to how you can protect yourself, its called a power of attorney for health care. Every state has one. You dont need a lawyer. Just ask your doctor for one or better yet Google it yourself (search POA health care and then the name of the state. For example  POA Health Care Wisconsin gets you the one for my state.)

Then fill it out and have it witnessed by two people who are not mentioned in your will. Two neighbors or friends will do just nicely. No need to have it notarized. No need to pay a lawyer either. Then bring it to your doctor to have it scanned into your electronic medical record, our homegrown one Epic has a dandy file that it scans into. Then its there forever  no need to search that safety deposit box should the need arise.

Next step  have a good conversation with the person youve designated to make your decisions. If you have kids include all of them, and I mean ALL of them, in that heartfelt conversation. There is so much that goes on at these critical junctures that you want all hands on deck.

Tell them if you want drugs for pain, even though they may knock you out. Tell them if you want a feeding tube, something I suggest you never ever have for someone suffering from dementia. They just prolong misery.

Tell them in no uncertain words if you want everything done or not.

My spin: The advantage of the POA is that it keeps the lawyers away by designating whos captain of the ship when youre not. Is it ironclad? Of course not. Only death and taxes are ironclad.
The Tri-County Chapter 1386 of the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees will meet in Tomah this Thursday.

The meeting will be held at Pizones Restaurant at 202 Superior Ave. at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. The chapter's meeting will follow at noon.

The guest speaker will be Duane Olson, who will describe his trip to Washington, D.C., on a Freedom Honor Flight.

All members, their guests and interested active and retired federal employees are welcome to attend.
I fear we may be living in a world imagined by seventh-grade boys.

I remember us, huddled around a junior high lunch table or convened in Jimmy Wielands basement, conspiratorially comparing notes on neat tortures and swell ways to kill lots and lots of people  talking about sawing some guys head off with an old butcher knife, or driving a semi, foot to the floor, right through the crowd at the Dairy Days parade.

They were macabre, testosterone-poisoned, pre-adolescent fantasies that would soon enough be shoved aside by far more lubricious fantasies featuring the junior varsity cheerleading squad and the flute section of the junior high band.

Yeah, wed spend hours speculating how many people one guy in a crowded theater with an unlimited supply of ammo could kill, but with no more sense of foreboding than speculating on the odds of survival in an encounter with a 500-pound arachnid or the best ways of grappling with a multi-tentacled Venusian warlark.

But for all that, it was so much kid talk, doing Hinders comic book collection one better or adding a couple more acts to the latest Twilight Zone  hatching scenarios that if overheard today would permanently put us all on an international no-fly terrorist watch list with a probable trip to federal district court.

We were seventh-grade boys, doing what seventh-grade boys do ... or did.

We imagined things that could never come true ... until they did.

It has happened before. Plenty of times. Theres a pattern to it plain as Victorian wallpaper and just as ugly.

Monkey see; monkey do. We tell it to little kids, then forget we never grow out of it.

Truth is, in a sense weve all been seventh-grade boys, and to an extent still are. Is there a one of us who in the nights dark silence doesnt replay a litany of slights and offenses and silently scheme bitterly creative retaliation? I doubt it. Theres a dark fascination in things we instinctively know to be evil, an attraction held in check in most of us, most of the time.

But not always. Monkey see; monkey do. If he gets away with it, why wont you?

And so it starts. Little by little, word by word, act by act.

Once the unimaginable is done it becomes the doable. And if it can be done, why not?

So it begins.

Gay men tossed from rooftops in Ramadi.

Black men set afire in Mississippi. Hung from lamp posts in Duluth.

Trains roll toward Belzec. To Treblinka.

Grown people do things no seventh-grader could imagine.

We know that, and we know just how fragile the restraints that hold us back from doing the unimaginable really are.

Theres a contagion to evil. It spreads like the plague from rat-like carriers to healthy folk who, once infected, pass it on and on. If he can do it, why cant I?

If there isnt an instinctive answer to that question, were in deep trouble. Once human decency is no longer the default setting, all hell breaks loose.

Call it political correctness; call it the Golden Rule; call it what you will  its that set of mind that confines a multitude of horrors to the adolescent imagination, off the streets and out of our politics.

Its the boundary separating the civil from the savage, and we cross it at our peril.

Call it political correctness; call it the Golden Rule; call it what you will  its that set of mind that confines a multitude of horrors to the adolescent imagination, off the streets and out of our politics.
MADISON  A Minnesota man who extorted $5,500 last year from a Whitehall man by threatening to harm him and his family was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to five years and three months in prison.

District Judge James Peterson said Gregory P. Kolk, 34, of Oakdale warranted a sentence at the top of the advisory guidelines for his destructive influence on his co-defendant, Cassandra Doerr, 22, of Apple Valley, Minn.

You made her a felon. You took advantage of her, Peterson told Kolk.

Doerr became acquainted through social media with the 24-year-old Whitehall man identified only by initials B.S. He learned that Doerr is a young, single mother in need of financial help and gave her a $75,000 promissory note, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Anderson said.

Doerr did not attempt to collect on it until she met Kolk, who has a lengthy criminal record and is under investigation in Minnesota for two other extortion plots, said Anderson.

Posing as an attorney attempting to collect a debt, Kolk called the Whitehall victim and threatened to report him to police and sue him for fraud.

The victim wired Doerr $500 but became suspicious and learned there was no law firm trying to collect on his promissory note.

When B.S. confronted Kolk with the information, Kolk threatened to send a member of the Hells Angels motorcycle gang to harm him and his family unless he paid more money, Anderson said. The victim met Doerr and Kolk in Baldwin and gave them $5,000, according to court documents.

Kolks threats continued, but the victim contacted local authorities, who contact the FBI. The victim agreed to meet Kolk and Doerr on Dec. 1 at a McDonalds restaurant in Oseeo and bring them $7,500. Authorities arrested the pair when they showed up, Anderson said.

Anderson said the note was not valid because Doerr offered nothing in exchange for the money.

I dont know if there was a romantic relationship there. I know he is a young man and made an unwise decision, Anderson said after court.

Each defendant pleaded guilty to extortion. Peterson last week placed Doerr on three years supervised release and made her jointly responsible with Kolk to repay $5,500 to the victim.

Peterson told Kolk he considered imposing a longer sentence for making Doerr a felon.

Your explanation that there was an untoward relationship between Doerr and the victim just isnt proven, he said.

Peterson advised Kolk to get substance abuse counseling and ordered him to undergo a mental health evaluation in hopes he can get his gambling addiction under control.

Peterson also placed Kolk on three years supervised release to follow his prison term.
MADISON  Wisconsin residents who cant obtain photo identification will still be able to vote in Novembers general election, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, carving out an exception to state law that requires all voters to show photo IDs at the polls.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman in Milwaukee issued a preliminary injunction that allows people who havent been able to obtain IDs to vote in the Nov. 8 election if they sign an affidavit explaining why they couldnt get identification. But the judge declined to make that option available for the Aug. 9 primary, saying state election officials dont have enough time to prepare for it.

Although most voters in Wisconsin either possess qualifying ID or can easily obtain one, a safety net is needed for those voters who cant obtain qualifying ID with reasonable effort, Adelman wrote. The ... affidavit option is a sensible approach that will both prevent the disenfranchisement of some voters during the pendency of this litigation and preserve Wisconsins interests in protecting the integrity of its elections.

Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel, whose state Justice Department is defending the photo ID mandate, said in a statement that the agency was disappointed with the injunction. He didnt commit to asking for the ruling to be put on hold, however, saying he would decide what to do next after agency attorneys analyze the decision.

The injunction marks another chapter in a long-running fight over Wisconsins voter photo ID law. Republican lawmakers put the mandate in place in 2011, contending it would combat voter fraud, even though nothing suggests widespread voter fraud exists in the state. Democrats decried the requirement as an attempt to disenfranchise liberal-leaning voters such as minorities who are more likely to lack IDs.

The American Civil Liberties Union and the National Law Center for Homeless and Poverty filed a federal lawsuit that same year challenging the mandate as an unconstitutional burden on poor and minority voters. Adelman agreed with the groups, but a federal appeals court last year upheld the requirement and the mandate was in place for Wisconsins presidential primary in April.

The groups have continued to argue, however, that voters who face high hurdles in obtaining a photo ID should be allowed to vote by affidavit. They maintain those voters include people who cant get IDs because of name mismatches or other errors in birth certificates or other supporting documents they have to produce to get an ID. They also say some people may need a credential from another agency but cant get it without an ID, putting them in an unresolvable situation, and that others might need a document that no longer exists.

Adelman wrote Tuesday in response to the groups June request for an injunction that state attorneys havent produced any evidence showing that the affidavit option would undermine the integrity of Wisconsin elections. He also said any signer of the affidavit must swear to his or her identity and check off reasons for not obtaining an ID, ranging from a lack of transportation to family responsibilities.

The judge said theres no way to identify every person in the state who faces such hurdles to getting an ID, but he noted the state Division of Motor Vehicles has already denied IDs to more than 50 applicants. Sean Young, a senior staff attorney with the ACLUs Voting Rights Project, told The Associated Press that the group has evidence showing at least 1,000 voters fell into one of the affidavit categories.

Were pleased with the result, Young said. The injunction means that there will be a fail-safe this November for vulnerable voters who have difficulty obtaining IDs.
These acclaimed artists and entertainers all claim ties to La Crosse. Follow the links to short biographies compiled by former UW-L English professor Richard Boudreau.

Ford Sterling, actor | 1883-1939

The son of a city councilman, George Stitch ran away from home at age 12 to join the circus. While maybe not the traditional career path, it led the La Crosse native to Hollywood, where he made his name  as Sterling Ford  in the Keystone Kop movies. Though he never achieved their fame, Ford starred alongside Fatty Arbuckle and Charlie Chaplin and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Most famous for his trilogy on American history  the first volume, O Strange New World won the 1965 Pulitzer prize for nonfiction  Jones was a product of La Crosses public schools, graduating from Central High in 1910 and then spending two years at the Normal School before moving on. He spent most of his career teaching at Harvard and authored more than 30 books, including a 1979 autobiography that referenced his early years in La Crosse.

Joseph Losey III, film director | 1909-1984

Though his grandfather, an early settler of La Crosse, had a major street named for him, Joseph Losey III made a bigger name for himself in Hollywood, where he directed a series of films noir  including M and The Big Night  before being blacklisted when he refused to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Losey, who died in 1984 at age 75, lived the rest of his life abroad but returned to film; Time Without Pity and Modesty Blaise are among the 35 films to his credit.

Robert Moevs, composer | 1920-2007

After serving with the Army during World War II, this La Crosse native stayed in Europe, where he married a Rumanian princess and studied music in Paris. A composer of contemporary classical music, he taught at Rutgers University.

Percy Bentley, architect | 1885-1968

Though he never completed his formal education in Chicago, Bentley picked up enough of the Prairie School architecture popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright to put his mark all over his hometown in the 1910s and 20s. Bentley designed numerous Prairie style homes  with strong horizontal lines and jutting eaves  that account for much of the Cass-King historic district. Bentley later expanded his territory to include the Upper Midwest before moving to Oregon after the death of his partner in 1935.

While not originally from La Crosse, this husband-wife team settled between the bluffs in the 1920s and used La Crosse as a base for their traveling vaudeville act. The Beaches brought plenty of flash, with Elodas monogrammed Cadillac and the lively parties they hosted at their Spanish revival home at 205 N. Losey Boulevard. Both moved away after their 1931 divorce (she claimed cruel and inhuman treatment), though Guy returned for a few years before ending his career in Hollywood.

Toland, who won the 1971 Pulitzer Prize for his book The Rising Sun, didnt stay long in his hometown. His family moved to Connecticut when he was just 6, but he later said his interest in history sprang from watching D.W. Griffiths film Intolerance at the Casino Theater at Third and Main streets.

Alonzo Hauser, sculptor | 1909-1988

Born in La Crosse in 1909, Hauser graduated from Central High School and spent a year at the Normal School before moving to New York at age 21, where he honed his skill as a stone carver. He later settled in the Twin Cities, founding the art department at Macalester College. Though much of his work is in Minnesota, Hauser sculpted several limestone panels for Trinity Lutheran Church in La Crosse.

Nicholas Ray, director | 1911-1979

Born Raymond Kienzle in Galesville, Ray attended La Crosses Central High School before heading off to study at the University of Chicago and later under architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Ray worked in a New York theater with Elia Kazan before heading to Hollywood, where he made his biggest mark directing James Dean in the 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause.

John Solie, illustrator | 1937-

Primarily a painter, some of Solies best known works are his Hollywood movie posters  more than 200 of them, including many of the blaxploitation classics of the 1970s. Solies work has also appeared on magazine covers, record albums and book jackets. His portrait of the seven astronauts who died in the 1988 space shuttle explosion may be his most widely reproduced work.

The daughter of a physician and granddaughter of a slave, Thea Bowman grew up in Mississippi, but her attraction to the La Crosse-based Franciscan sisters persuaded her to convert, at age 9, to Catholicism. Bowman came to La Crosse when she was 15 and joined the order in 1956. A Faulkner scholar, she later taught English at Viterbo University. Bowman, who died in 1990, was honored by President Ronald Reagan with the American Cancer Societys Courage Award.

Elmer Petersen, sculptor | 1928-

Unlike most of the artists profiled here, Petersen wasnt born in La Crosse but settled here (Onalaska actually) as an adult. The sculptor, whose works can be seen throughout the area  perhaps most notably the eagle in Riverside Park  first made his mark in 1959 with a 60-ton steel and concrete buffalo that towers 26 feet over Jamestown, N.D. Petersen also crafted the statue of King Gambrinus for the old Heileman brewery and the life-size sculpture of Indians in a game of lacrosse that sits next to the Radisson (a replica marks the Rose Street entrance to the city).

Weekley and Arganbright, musicians | 1933-, 1936-

Though not natives, Dallas Weekley and Nancy Arganbright joined the UW-L music department in 1964 with the intention of teaching for a year. It was nearly three decades until the couple, known for their four-handed piano concerts, left for warmer climates and to focus on performing and publishing.

Walter Ristow, cartographer | 1908-2006

Though his brothers were perhaps better known around La Crosse (Harold was postmaster; Fred was comptroller for the Tribune), Walter Ristow rose to the top of his profession during a 31-year career at the Library of Congress, where he began working after World War II and retired as chief of the geography and map division.

Egid Hackner, sculptor | 1856-1952

Born in Bavaria, Hackner followed his brother, a priest, to La Crosse, where he began working as a wood carver and established an altar workshop that supplied churches across the country. Hackners work can be seen in the Maria Angelorum Chapel in La Crosse.

Arthur Kreutz, composer | 1906-1991

This La Crosse native won the Prix de Rome for one composition and composed a ballet for Martha Graham.

Sandor Landeau, painter | c. 1864-1924

This Hungarian-born painter made his home in La Crosse for several years in the late 19th century, painting and sleeping in a studio in what is now the State Bank building at Fourth and Main streets.

John Judson, writer | 1930-

Judson, who taught at UW-L from 1965 to 1991, wrote poetry and fiction and published the work of other poets through his imprint, Juniper Books.

Charles Dierkop, actor | 1936-

Best known as a mustachioed and flat-nosed bad guy from numerous 1970s and 1980s television shows, this character actor, who dropped out of Aquinas to join the Marines, also had star turns in big screen classics including The Hustler, The Sting and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Don Herbert, television personality | 1917-2007

Born Donald Kemske, this Central High School graduate is best known as Mr. Wizard, host of the popular shows that introduced kids to science with common household items.

Minnie Dupree, actress | 1873-1947

While evidence is scarce, this Broadway actress claimedLa Crosseas her birthplace.

A New York native, Peck came to La Crosse to run the La Crosse Democrat, one of several early daily papers. He went on to bigger things, though, serving two terms as governor of Wisconsin.

This snake oil salesman and La Crosse mayor put his name on dozens of dime novels though his actual authorship is doubtful.

Poetry ran in the blood of two 19th century La Crosse women whose daughters also became poets.
ST. PAUL, Minn.  The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis publicly admitted wrongdoing Wednesday for the way it handled sexual abuse allegations against a former priest, while prosecutors dropped criminal charges that alleged the archdiocese turned a blind eye to his repeated misconduct.

The admission was part of an agreement in a lawsuit that calls for Archbishop Bernard Hebda to personally participate in at least three and likely more restorative justice sessions with abuse victims. The archbishop took the unusual step of attending the Wednesday hearing where the agreement was announced.

Ramsey County prosecutors filed civil and criminal charges against the archdiocese last year. The six gross misdemeanor child endangerment charges against the archdiocese involved Curtis Wehmeyer, who is serving prison time for molesting two boys in Minnesota and a third in Wisconsin. He was ultimately removed from the priesthood.

Also Wednesday, a prominent attorney for abuse victims, Jeffrey Anderson, accused the Vatican of interfering in a law firms investigation into alleged misconduct by Hebdas predecessor, Archbishop John Niendstedt.

The civil case was settled in December under a plan that allowed for more oversight of the church. But attorneys for both sides used Wednesdays hearing on progress in the civil case to announce new steps aimed at reinforcing that agreement.

The Archdiocese admits that it failed to adequately respond and prevent the sexual abuse of the three victims, the archdiocese said in papers filed Wednesday. The Archdiocese failed to keep the safety and wellbeing of these three children ahead of protecting the interests of Curtis Wehmeyer and the Archdiocese. The actions and omissions of the Archdiocese failed to prevent the abuse that resulted in the need for protection and services for these three children.

Nienstedt resigned from his post 10 days after the criminal charges were filed in June 2015. Hebda, who took over about a year ago, apologized for the archdioceses failures at a news conference later Wednesday.

Those children, their parents, their family, their parish and others were harmed. We are sorry. I am sorry, Hebda said.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi said the victims family appreciated the admission of wrongdoing, supported the measures to strengthen the settlement and backed his decision to drop the criminal charges.

They were moved and satisfied that justice had been done, the prosecutor said.

Choi also defended his decision not to file criminal charges against Nienstedt or other senior church officials in the Wehmeyer case, saying there wasnt enough evidence against any individual for a conviction, though there was against the archdiocese. He also said the protections under the settlement are stronger than anything the court could have ordered.

Other changes announced Wednesday extend the courts oversight until February 2020. And the archdiocese named nationally recognized child welfare advocate Patty Wetterling to its Ministerial Review Board, which examines abuse claims involving priests.

Anderson leveled new accusations against top church officials for their handling of Nienstedt, who agreed in January 2014 to let outside attorneys examine his conduct at a time the archdiocese was being heavily criticized.

He cited a newly released 2014 memo from the Rev. Daniel Griffith, one of the archdioceses key leaders for ensuring the safety of children, in which Griffith raised concerns that Nienstedts social relationship with Wehmeyer had clouded his judgment.

Griffith accuses the apostolic nuncio  the Vaticans delegate in Washington  of ordering Minnesota church leaders to wrap up the Nienstedt investigation without pursuing all leads. Griffith also accused the delegate at the time, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, of ordering two auxiliary bishops under Nienstedt to destroy a letter in which they disagreed with Vigano.

What has unfolded in the face of compelling evidence amounts to a good old fashioned cover-up to preserve power and avoid scandal and accountability, Griffith wrote.

A secretary at the nuncios office said there was no one available to comment; the nuncio did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment. Griffith also didnt immediately return messages.
More than 200 people from 14 pacesetter companies skipped their day jobs Wednesday to shoulder a variety of volunteer endeavors during Great Rivers United Ways annual Day of Caring in the Coulee Region.

The volunteers fanned out for three-hour assignments, including such tasks as cleaning and painting at the Boys and Girls Clubs and Camp Decorah of the Gateway Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America; office and organizing work at the Family and Childrens Center; deck staining and door hanging at Independent Living Resources and RAVE Recovery Avenue, data entry for La Crosse Promise, and chores at about 15 other United Way partner agencies.

Pacesetter employees ate lunch before or after their volunteer duties, with welcoming and thank-you messages from campaign co-chairmen Steve Christiansen of Merchants Bank and Dave Ring of Kwik Trip.

During the next several weeks, United Way collections at the companies will aim to set the pace for the community-wide campaign, which will begin Sept. 7 with the announcement of the 2016-2017 goal.
Book publishers are an endangered species. Amazon.com may be the most immediate worry for anyone in the book publishing business, where fear of the internet retail giants power over content and distribution is pervasive. As a former publisher, I understand the economic challenges of todays marketplace.

Global publishing industry fears, however, go beyond the mere concern surrounding profit margins and shelf placement. In Hong Kong, publishers and booksellers have a deeper, more immediate worry. They get kidnapped.

The Mighty Current book publishers in Hong Kong put out juicy books that likely provoked mainland Chinas leadership. Kidnapping the messenger has become an effective way to stop the presses and kill the message. Such brazen actions are a clear warning to regime critics  the Chinese states long arm can easily reach across borders.

In the Mighty Current case, five Chinese nationals disappeared last year from Hong Kong and Thailand right around the planned release of a critical book on Chinas leader, Xi Jinping. The result? No publishers, no book.

One of the booksellers, Lam Wing-kee, was recently released, one awaits Chinese sentencing on unrelated charges this fall, and all of them got the message. The book remains in limbo.

While bookseller rendition is the latest form of literary censorship, it is by no means the only form of book banning in a world where societies and political leaders increasingly want to dictate what is good or bad speech.

Salman Rushdie wrote The Satanic Verses and had a global fatwa declared on him during Ayatollah Khomeinis reign. In Florida, Pastor Terry Jones barbecued up Korans in a book burning that singed Americans First Amendment sensibilities and challenged their understanding of protected speech. Is book burning a free speech right?

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor put it best by saying, the hallmark of the protection of free speech is to allow free trade in ideas  even ideas that the overwhelming majority of people might find distasteful or discomforting.

Good speech seldom needs protection; not so edgy literature or writing that challenges authority. Trickiest of all are books that delve in societal taboo. Bad speech is what often gets challenged.

Books are banned and writers condemned for the ideas inside them. They deliver condensed knowledge that incite us and make our thoughts burn with visions of places and circumstances never before seen or experienced. New concepts are created out of thin air.

They can take us to the outer reaches of the universe or down the gutter. And the ideas stick. You can never unlearn something once exposed to it. The only remedy for the mental itch is to scratch it.

Ideas can be revolutionary or reactive. They have no mass, but are far from weightless. The only way to contain ideas is to kill them in the crib, before they spread their truth, myth or lie. Ideas are a threat like no other and can reveal that any emperor has no clothes.

The Nazis burned books. Romans and Christians destroyed the greatest library in the ancient world. The Taliban are students of nothing other than the Koran. Nigerias Boko Haram are just plain opposed to new knowledge and ideas. Boko hates books. It burns them  and children, too.

In liberal democratic societies, we mostly celebrate the book for its role as a repository of ideas. We revere the book  whether a physical paper product or on a digital device. That is why one of the greatest democratic salutations given is: Read any good books lately?

Books are a greater threat to illiberal systems. China may sense that it is losing its confidence or party control and that kidnapping booksellers is an effective way to maintain national security and stability. Such indirect book banning, however, is a desperate act unworthy of any great nation.

In the meantime, the unpublished Xi Jinping biography will not be on Amazons website.

You can never unlearn something once exposed to it. The only remedy for the mental itch is to scratch it.
CLEVELAND  If Donald Trump is elected president in November, Paul Ryan will be watching over his shoulder.

Thats the image the Janesville native, who reluctantly ascended to House Speaker last year, painted in his speech to the Republican National Convention on Tuesday.

Next time theres a State of the Union address, I dont know where Joe Biden and Barack Obama will be, but youll find me right there on the rostrum with Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump, Ryan said.

Ryan made two references to Trump in his speech after not mentioning the Republican nominee by name when he addressed the Wisconsin delegations breakfast event Monday morning.

The other reference came after Ryan presented the Republican House agenda as a contrast with what he deemed the failed policies of the Obama administration. The agenda calls for lower taxes, streamlined business regulation to spur job growth and a change in strategy for addressing poverty, among other things.

None of this will happen under Hillary Clinton, Ryan said. Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way.

Ryan, known for his wonky affinity for crafting conservative policy, has been hesitant to fully embrace the bombastic Trump, even rebuking some of his statements as racist and anti-Semitic. But he said Republicans have no choice at this point other than embracing their nominee.

Democracy is a series of choices, Ryan said. We Republicans have made ours.

Ryan, who at the last GOP convention was the vice presidential nominee, focused much of his speech knocking Clinton and the Obama administration, calling their policies the latest chapter of an old story: progressives deliver everything except progress.

This year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way  when America elects a conservative governing majority, Ryan said. We can earn that mandate, if we dont hold anything back, if we never lose sight of the stakes. Our candidates will be giving their all, their utmost, and every one of us has got to do the same.

So what do you say we unite this party, at this crucial moment when unity is everything.

Gillian Drummond, a spokeswoman for Clinton in Wisconsin, sent out a statement after the speech.
CLEVELAND  Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker will explicitly endorse GOP nominee Donald Trump in his speech to the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, he told reporters hours before he was set to give his remarks.

Just a few weeks ago, the governor and former presidential candidate's name was being floated as a potential "white horse" challenger to Trump on the convention floor. For a few weeks, Walker distanced himself from Trump after the candidate made controversial comments about a judge's ethnicity.

But by the beginning of July, Walker had agreed to speak at the convention, signaling his intentions to fully back Trump as the nominee.

"I firmly believe, looking at all thats at stake, that a vote for anyone but Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary, and I just find that to be fundamentally unacceptable," Walker said Wednesday morning.

Walker argued Trump should be the one to fill the Supreme Court seat vacated by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia  not Clinton, who he said would appoint an "activist" judge.

He plans to talk about that in his Wednesday night speech, he said, along with the issue of trust. He plans to focus in part on Clinton's handling of classified information via email, quipping he wouldn't even trust the former Secretary of State with "the password to my iPhone."

Walker applauded Trump's selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate  a popular choice among Wisconsin's Republican delegation.

However, he said, while Pence is also scheduled to speak tonight, for voters who still haven't embraced the Trump ticket, the most important speech will be the candidate's nomination acceptance speech on Thursday.

"People want to hear from Donald Trump. I told him a few weeks ago that I thought he should focus his time and attention largely on Hillary Clinton and the difference between him and Hillary, and how his plans would make life better for everyday Americans," Walker said. "Mike Pence can reinforce that."

Pence would be a "tremendous ally" to Trump in working with Congress, Walker said.

Walker ended his own presidential bid in September 2015, at the time calling for other candidates to join him in clearing the way for a positive alternative to Trump. But he pledged last year to support the Republican nominee regardless of who was chosen, and said Wednesday he stands by his promise.

The governor has visited with several other states' delegations this week including Iowa, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Connecticut.

"I jokingly point out, 'Donald Trump wasnt my first pick. I was my first pick,'" Walker said. "Obviously he wasnt my first pick in the Wisconsin primary. But I stood here last August in Cleveland and said any of the Republicans running would be a better president than Hillary Clinton. I said it then, and I meant it, and I mean it today as well."

Trump also wasn't the first choice for former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who backed Ohio Gov. John Kasich in Wisconsin's primary. Kasich has stayed away from the convention taking place in his state. Thompson said he has been "trying to convince (Kasich)  it's over."

Thompson told reporters Wednesday the party is "moving in the right direction" toward unifying after a "very fractured primary."

Trump's status as a political outsider was bound to result in some turmoil and angst within the party, Thompson said.

"I'm absolutely confident by the end of Thursday night, if Donald Trump  if he performs, and I think he will  will be able to unify a good portion of the party," Thompson said.
UW-Madisons medical school became a victim of its own popularity this year, officials say.

More students accepted admission offers to this falls class in the School of Medicine and Public Health than the program has room for, leading the school to pay for scholarships  worth about $500,000 over the next four years  to reward future physicians who reorganized their courses or delayed enrollment to shrink the class back to a manageable size.

The medical school has room for 176 students in each year and typically receives well over 5,000 applications.

This year, the school sent acceptance letters to 282 applicants, expecting about 40 percent to decline the offer, said Elizabeth Petty, senior associate dean for academic affairs.

Instead, 196 students, nearly 70 percent, opted to enroll.

We were very surprised, Petty said. It speaks to, I think, the caliber and the reputation of our school (that) continues to grow.

The program relies on small group learning and one-on-one clinical teaching, so it couldnt just expand its classes to add 20 more students, Petty said.

So UW offered students scholarships to delay their first year of medical school, either by deferring their enrollment to a future year, or enrolling this fall in a one-year public health program that some of them would need to take before graduating anyway. (Along with their four years of medical school, UW students can also take a year of courses to receive a masters degree in public health.)

Seventeen students decided to enroll in the masters program now. They will have their tuition for this year covered and will receive a $5,000 award toward the rest of their education.

Three students who deferred enrollment will receive a $25,000 scholarship for their medical school education.

A spokeswoman for the school compared the scholarships to the way airlines compensate travelers who take a later flight when one is over-booked.

Private scholarship funds, not tax dollars or state funding, will cover the cost of the awards.

The new crop of medical school students will start their courses in August.

Petty said she believes more students accepted UW-Madisons enrollment offers this year because the schools national reputation is growing, and because its education focuses on topics such as public and community health that applicants are increasingly interested in, among other reasons.

Our school is more popular, she said.

The medical school extends more enrollment offers than it has room for each year because students admitted to UW-Madison might also be applying to top schools such as Harvard or Johns Hopkins, and choose to go elsewhere. The number of acceptance offers for this years class was down slightly from the year before, when 296 students were admitted.

Given the high enrollment rate this year, Petty said, the medical school will continue to monitor and adjust its admissions offers in future years carefully as it decides how many students to accept.

She also noted UW will have fewer spots to offer in next years class because it will have to make room for the 20 students who pushed back their medical school courses this year.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,600 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the spring semester of the 2015-2016 academic year.

Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74.
I hope everyone is having a lovely summer and enjoying the weather.

Later this week the temperatures are supposed to get incredibly warm. Make sure to pay special attention to young children, pets and elderly friends and neighbors.

Business Updates

United Country Oakwood Realty has moved from their location on Main Street to East Decker/Washington Street where they are renting space in the Y-TRI building. Stop by and visit Dan Kiedinger and staff in their new home.

Simply Country and Buzzys are now sharing space at 214 S. Main St. and Bluedog Cycles will be moving into the former Simply Country space on the first floor, Sept. 1. Michael Corr owns the top half of the building and will be rehabbing it to create rental space there.

Saturday Farmers Market,

July 23

This Saturdays market is sponsored by Vernon Communications.

The market at the Vernon County Fairgrounds is open from 8 a.m.-noon.

Join us and feast your eyes on the stunning rainbow of fresh goods. Prime time for plants, produce, handmade items, meat and baked goods. Karen Ehle-Traastad will be joining us at the market to test home canner lids and share educational resources about canning and preserving food. This is a fantastic educational opportunity and not to be missed! Karen will be at the grounds from 8 a.m.-noon.

For questions about the market, please email: farmersmarket@viroqua-wisconsin.com

Wisconsin Roots Music Cooperative,July 24

Join Driftless Books and Music and a large number of local and out of town bands as they come together to support the newly founded Music Co-op.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the studio going in above the book store. Music is from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Performers to include Natty Nation, Matt Monsor, Shawn Neary, Erin Ford and Neil Knutson, Anima, Ted and Catherine Parrish, Kady Fox and Sandler Waggoner.

For complete list of performers visit the Facebook page. For other information regarding the event or for ways to donate, contact Eddy Nix at 638-2665.

Wednesday Market, July 27 The Wednesday market this week is sponsored by the Driftless Cafe and has a large variety of vendors offering produce, baked goods, meat, eggs, plants and crafts. The market is open 3:30-7 p.m. in the Bluedog Cycles parking lot.

Visa/Mastercard and SNAP benefits are accepted. For more information about the market, please email farmersmarket@viroqua-wisconsin.com

Bethel Home Burgers in the Park,

July 28

Join Bethel Home and Services in Westby for Burgers in the Park at Davidson Park in Westby on July 28 from 5-7 p.m.

There will be a free outdoor concert by the DisChords. All proceeds to benefit the Bethel Butikk Food Pantry. Silent auction items, great food and community. For more information, contact 637-6358.
Despite a slump in the U.S. oil industry, Wisconsin frac sand producers are planning to spend millions of dollars on new plants and loading facilities as they seek to increase efficiency and sell their product in new markets.

At least half a dozen companies have hatched plans to build mines or loading terminals along rail lines that provide an economical link to drilling operations in Texas, where the demand for silica sand used in a process called hydraulic fracturing remains strong, as well as other regions, according to documents filed with state officials.

We feel that from a longer-term prospective its still a good time to make some investments, said Jack Mitchell, president of Wisconsin Proppants, which is planning a $23.5 million rail loading facility for its mine in Jackson County.

Over the past decade, demand for silica sand soared as new technology allowed drillers to reach previously untapped oil, much of which was found in the Bakken formation of North Dakota, with a process called hydraulic fracturing. The fine-grained sand, prevalent and easily accessible across Western Wisconsin, is used as proppant to hold open fissures in underground rock formations.

The number of permitted industrial sand mines and processors ballooned to nearly 130, but oil prices began falling in 2015, making North Dakota crude less competitive. As drills went idle, so did Wisconsins sand mines, which have laid off hundreds of workers in the past two years.

But even as producers have shuttered some mines, others are making big investments  or even preparing to open new mines  to meet the demands of a changing energy marketplace:

Meteor Timber, a Georgia investment company that has explored the possibility of mining in Jackson Countys public forests, has plans to build a $65 million sand mining operation in Jackson and Monroe counties.

Terracor Resources is proposing a combined mine, processing and loading facility between Black River Falls and Alma Center that could produce about 3 million tons of sand a year.

Hi-Crush Proppants is seeking to add three rail sidings at its 857-acre mine, processing and loading facility in Wyeville. Hi-Crush says it has idled a facility in Eau Claire County and is focusing on maximizing production and efficiency at the Monroe County site.

Smart Sand Inc. plans to build a rail terminal near Tomah to handle sand from the Texas companys existing 1,118-acre mine in Oakdale, which is about four miles away and already has a loading facility on the Canadian Pacific railroad.

All of those operations, which would allow the loading and storage of multiple trains, are situated on the Union Pacific rail line. A fourth project, since shelved because of market prices, would have been sited on the Wisconsin Northern rail line in Chippewa County, which connects to Union Pacifics track.

Theyre all trying to get on the UP, said Brad Johnson, who reviews mining-related water permit applications for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Unlike the Canadian Pacific and BNSF, two major U.S. rail lines that link Wisconsin to the Bakken basin, Union Pacific lines offer a direct route to Texas.

With low production costs, abundant reserves and a good supply of workers, the Permian basin in west Texas has steadily increased production even as drillers in the Bakken range have cut back. The Permian basin puts out about twice as much crude than the Bakken and has more than five times as many active rigs, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Two of the regions major producers have announced plans to increase production in the region.

"The Permian is still a real hot area right now and its because of their cost structure," Mitchell said.

Whats more, its easier to transport the crude to Houston refineries thanks to a network of pipelines and terminals, said Tom Kloza, global head of energy analysis for Oil Price Information Service.

Its considerably more expensive to use pipelines or rail to get crude from the Bakken to the real refining clusters, Kloza said.

Since the beginning of the sand boom, industry experts have said rail proximity is key to profitability, though when prices were at $70 per ton, mines were being opened in places where sand had to be hauled by truck to the nearest rail terminal. But with todays tighter market, producers are expected to deliver sand at half those prices, which means they must shave costs wherever possible, and transportation is the single-biggest cost.

Under the new model, producers need to have their own rail terminals where they can load "unit trains" that are less expensive and arrive at their destinations sooner than a few cars of sand mixed in with other freight on a manifest train.

Sand producers also have to minimize costly and time-consuming switches, said Joel Schneyer, a minerals industry analyst with the investment banking firm Headwaters MB, so they are trying to locate on railways that offer direct access to shale basins.

Even as analysts and producers are optimistic about the prospects for growth in the Permian basin, Schneyer said Wisconsin sand producers will have to compete with producers much closer to the oil fields.

While one can get to the both Permian and Eagle Ford on the UP, it is pretty damn far, he said.

Ultimately it may come down to grain size, Schneyer said. If oil drillers can use finer sand, it would be cheaper to get northern white sand from Arkansas or Missouri, or use local Brady 'Brown sand native to Texas.

Smart Sand says in addition to providing access to new regions, its second loading facility will save the company $7.5 million a year in shipping costs to existing customers.

In its application to build three additional rail sidings at its Wyeville facility, Hi-Crush says its investments were spurred in part by the market downturn, which is forcing sand suppliers to become more efficient.

Tyler Deines, a geologist and land-use specialist for the Texas-based company, said the addition will allow it to simultaneously load two-unit trains, which has become the industry standard.

Its cheaper if you can do it that way, and its quicker to market, Deines said. Especially in a down market, just any efficiency you can gain, people are looking for.

Hi-Crush also notes that the industry downturn has created a surplus of rail cars that the company has to store.

Terracor Resources says it would ship sand from its proposed Alma mine to the companys own terminals in the Bakken as well as the Eagle Ford basin in southern Texas. Terracor says with its existing loading facilities it could hold 80 percent of its fleet, avoiding potential storage fees from the railroad.

The status of that project is unclear since the Canadian company filed for bankruptcy in April. Attempts to reach a company representative were unsuccessful.

Wisconsin Proppants, has proposed building a rail loading facility on the Canadian National line, about 2 miles from its 670-acre Hixton mine. The Green Bay company currently trucks its sand 19 miles to a Union Pacific loading site and says the new facility will save more than $4 million a year.

Mitchell said the project will both open new markets and eliminate inefficiency.

Canadian National serves oil fields in western Canada and can deliver to the Utica basin of Ohio and Pennsylvania. The railroad also has a reputation for cooperating with other carriers, which Mitchell said could make delivery viable in other markets as well.

While he doesnt expect the price of oil to rebound any time soon, Mitchell said hes optimistic prices will stabilize again in the next two years.

I have a longer term outlook on things, he said. Its like anything else: Things always go back to the mean.
Working as a church secretary and in a community action program couldnt fully satisfy Yvonne Kiefer Marshalls drive to help people with their Christian faith, so she became an ordained Lutheran minister.

Marshall is the new full-time pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Viroqua.

Good Shepherd has been without a full-time head pastor since 2013.

Marshall said in the last three years the congregation, which was served by a part-time pastor until October of 2014 and an interim pastor until October of 2015, has learned to take on many church leadership tasks itself.

She said shes meeting the congregation, exploring the area and learning the church history. From there she will learn the needs of the area and the needs of the people, she said.

Her path into the ministry came about specifically from listening to the needs of the people.

I wanted to help people, Marshall, who is married and has a daughter, said. I was hearing too many people say they felt they were being punished by God for situations of poverty or forgotten about by God. I wanted so much to share with them that God loved them and wept with them in their hardships. And I couldnt as a quasi-government employee.

My not being able to share my faith drew me to be ordained to share the faith, Marshall continued.

Marshall had worked in Portage, where she had been confirmed. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from UW-Green Bay. She eventually graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary of Dubuque, Iowa, earning masters degrees in divinity and sacred theology. She was ordained in 2001 and served as pastor of Argyle and Adams Lutheran Parish of Argyle; Christ & Trinity Lutheran of Sedalia, Mo.; Our Saviors Lutheran of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and most recently Our Saviors Lutheran and United in Faith Parish of Whitehall.

In Whitehall, she had been working to bring two congregations into a shared partnership agreement, which would form a new church entity. In completing that process, Marshall had to fill out new paperwork, because serving in the new partnership would have been a new call.

That paperwork became available to the greater church and thats how Good Shepherd heard about me, she said. They invited me to look at Good Shepherd. How did I get here? My image of God is one of the master quilter that takes pieces and sometimes re-purposes us. Sometimes theyre new pieces. And theyre sewn into a fabric of community and Gods work.

In some sense its how God has chosen to use me, she continued.

She said she has understood Good Shepherd has become known as the big church on Main Street in Viroqua. She sees her role as inviting, empowering and equipping people to use their God-given talents and abilities to help others in Christs name.

Not just socially, its in Christs name, she said.

She said she takes the most joy as a pastor in accompanying people in all phases of their faith journey from baptism to eternal life. Shes aware this covers a lot of ground.

You are with them in the highs and lows of life, Marshall said. ...Offer them the assurance that God is with them.

At one point in her career she was considering further schooling to work with hospice groups and her husband talked to her about that.

Steve said, Youre going to miss the babies, Youre going to miss teaching confirmation  are you really ready to do that? And I said, I guess not, Marshall said with a laugh.

Marshall said shes looking forward to Good Shepherds upcoming Vacation Bible School in August and then getting ready for the Sunday School and confirmation classes when the school year starts.

She said as the church prepares for the new year of education, it will be doing a lot of blessings, from blessing the people, to items such as school backpacks for kids.

Well be helping people to understand that God is working in them, through them in their everyday life, Marshall said. ...The church is outside the four walls.
Long before Alicia Leinberger decided to run for Wisconsin State Assembly on the Democratic ticket this fall, she had a conversation with her family about doing so.

Leinberger, who operates Ethos Renewable Energy, in Viroqua, also talked to her employees.

Leinberger is a graduate of UW-Madison and started Ethos in 2013 after being involved in the renewable energy business for more than a decade. She has a busy life. She has two tweenage daughters. Running for Assembly was going to further complicate it.

But she received blessings and made plans. Both of her parents, retired public school teachers, are in Viroqua to help with her children.

She said her employees at Ethos supported her decision to run for office.

And now she finds herself on the ticket for the 96th Assembly District facing 12-year incumbent Lee Nerison (R-Westby).

During the election cycle, and previously, when Leinberger, 47, announced her candidacy, her political motivation and differences with Nerison were publicized. People will learn more during the campaign if they choose to read or participate.

Leinberger isnt going to make up the difference between Nerisons lifelong presence in the area or his incumbency in one fell swoop. She knows this and to help make up some of the ground, shes been touring the district, including a stop at the Broadcaster office, Friday.

When asked if theres one thing that people should know about her before they vote, she said, Im a fierce defender of children.

The thing thats motivating me to do all of this is children, Leinberger said. I think that all mothers, not discounting fathers..., but all mothers, women naturally think about the children first. And thats how I am. My children come before me. I believe strongly that for mothers, and for women, and for many men, that when you put your children first, thats how the world becomes more peaceful and you have happiness.

Leinberger said her strategy is simple.

We need to get out the vote, Leinberger said. I think in the 96th theres a big group of people in the middle who are independent voters and we need to get those people to the polls on election day.

Our challenge is to get those folks in the middle to understand whats at stake and get them comfortable enough with me to know Im a champion of the public domain over private interests, Leinberger continued. Being a business owner has helped me understand the dynamic where I think I can work with the public interest and the private interest and find a really good balance in the middle.

Her experience in getting out the vote goes to her impetus to run for office  her involvement in the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign earlier this year. Leinberger has said her interest in Sanders as a candidate helped influence her to run for office.

The push is to find folks who havent voted and communicate with them. Then to let them know that by voting for the first time that their voices are being heard, Leinberger said. Thats a big part of what we need to do.

Shed like to take a week of her campaign and focus solely on womens issues.

We have one of the highest poverty rates in the whole state, Leinberger said. And poverty leads to womens issues  domestic abuse, addiction, malnourished children. Folks in the mental health centers and in the hospitals see malnutrition. Here. I see malnutrition when I go to the parades and I walk down the streets. I see kids who are malnourished. Certainly people whose health is compromised and women, who I can tell are suffering, immensely  and this doesnt get talked about enough.

Leinberger hasnt hung her hopes on raising money and winning through advertising or any other means than campaigning face-to-face with voters.

Were not focused on raising tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions, Leinberger said. Were interested in having thousands and thousands of little conversations. And so hopefully those conversations will infiltrate into peoples homes. And as people talk about their values and what they care about theyll say, Yeah, its a good thing to get out and vote in November.
There has been a lot of talk around the country about how the Trans-Pacific Partnership is good for our agricultural economy. Im not buying it.

Over the last several decades, the story of trade agreements ratified by Congress has been one of broken promises. Backers of trade agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Korea Free Trade Agreement, promised U.S. farmers increases in farm income and more rural economic activity. These promises largely remain unfulfilled. In fact, agricultural imports have surged while exports have lagged behind under recent free trade agreements, hurting U.S. farmers.

Wisconsin Farmers Union believes that the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a global trade agreement among 11 Pacific Rim countries, poses a serious threat to dairy farmers. Among other concerns, the agreement could lead to greater imports of milk protein concentrates, which displace demand for milk produced on U.S. farms. New Zealand, the leading exporter of concentrates, is a member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Exchange rates are especially important when it comes to trade in agricultural commodities. When the value of the U.S. dollar is high, U.S. commodities are relatively more expensive to international traders, and traders will opt to buy commodities from other countries instead. Since U.S. negotiators failed to secure binding prohibitions on currency manipulation in the agreement, all of the supposed gains to agricultural exports under the deal easily could be wiped out by currency manipulation.

Another possible detriment to the agreement is that Canadas milk quota system is supposed to be phased out over the next decade. Will it still have the ability to protect its farm structure? And how will that impact our fragile U.S. dairy market?

Meanwhile, the U.S. trade deficit continues to rise. Without some safeguards in place and a provision to address currency manipulation, the Trans-Pacific Partnership is not going to be good for American agriculture.

Under the agreement, dairy prices will struggle; the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that imports will rise by close to 5 billion pounds by 2025. This is in comparison to less than 4 billion under current trade agreements.

But think of the exports, they say!

Were told exports will save us, but look at what has happened over the last 18 months  exports have fallen by nearly 13 percent in volume and 33 percent in value. That means there is less money returning to the local economy and more money leaving the U.S. to buy imports.

Additionally, dairy farm numbers in the U.S. have been declining for several decades now. In 1970, there were around 648,000 farms. In 2006, there were 75,000. We have fewer than 58,000 dairy farms across the country today. Wisconsin is losing one farm a day on average and California is losing up to two per week as a result of low milk prices.

With falling exports and rising imports, there will be pressure for prices to remain below farmers production costs. We cant risk another economic downturn like those weve experienced under previous trade deals. Wisconsin Farmers Union opposes the Trans-Pacific Partnership and has urged our representatives to reject the agreement.

Where do our candidates and elected officials stand? President Barack Obama supports the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In contrast, presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have voiced opposition to it. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson says that he is undecided, even though the proposal was released in November of last year. Johnson did vote to authorize the president to fast-track the agreement. Johnsons Democratic challenger, Russ Feingold, opposes the deal.

While many in our agricultural community would have you believe that the Trans-Pacific Partnership is all sunshine and roses, past trade deals should give us serious pause. Dont believe the hype. Standing up for Wisconsin farmers means standing against the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Photos: ADM volleyball hosts Boone in Class 4A regional semifinal

The ADM volleyball team took on Boone in the regional semifinals. The Tigers faced the Toreadors on Oct. 20, winning in three sets. ADM took the first set 25-10 before winning a closer set two 26-24. The Tigers closed the match with a 25-20 set three victory.
Just about any cruise I have been on that travels to the Bahamas or the Caribbean makes a stop in Nassau. I have been a few times and prefer to stay on board and enjoy my own version of a day at sea.

I love watching as the ship pulls into port. I know for sure I am in Nassau when I see Senor Frogs bar!

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This is Whats Trending Today

Melania Trump is the wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. On Monday night, she gave a speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

It is a tradition for the partner of party nominees to speak at the convention. Her 14-minute speech earned loud cheers. She talked about her experience as a Slovenian immigrant in America, and praised her husband, calling him intensely loyal.

Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Monday night, It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible. Very proud!

But, not long after Melania Trumps speech ended, an unemployed journalist named Jarrett Hill noticed similarities between her speech and the one given by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Her husband, Barack Obama, officially became the Democratic presidential nominee at that convention.

Hill wrote on Twitter: Melania stole a whole graph from Michelle's speech

A one-minute part of Melania Trumps speech included words and phrases that almost exactly mirrored Michelle Obamas speech.

In 2008, Michelle Obama said:

Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say youre going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you dont know them, and even if you dont agree with them. And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children  and all children in this nation  to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.

On Monday, Melania Trump said:

From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily lives. That is a lesson that I continue to pass along to our son. And we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.

People on social media quickly accused Melania Trump and the Trump campaign of plagiarizing Michelle Obamas earlier speech. Plagiarism is the act of using another persons words or ideas without giving credit to that person.

In the United States, plagiarism is a serious offense for writers, students and, yes, politicians. It can damage a political campaign.

In 1988, for example, current Vice President Joe Biden dropped out of the Democratic presidential race after he was accused of plagiarism in his speeches. Some of Bidens speeches closely resembled the words of former British Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock.

But, the Trump campaign said Tuesday the issues with Melanias speech are being totally blown out of proportion.

The campaigns chairman, Paul Manafort, told the Associated Press that There were a few words on it, but theyre not unique words. He also said of Melanias speech 99 percent of the speech talked about her being an immigrant and love of country

It is likely that Melania Trump herself did not write most of the speech. Some political observers say that Trumps speechwriter -- or speechwriters -- should be fired.

But, CNN reported Tuesday that the Trump campaign does not plan to fire anyone involved in the speech-writing process.

And thats Whats Trending Today.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

presumptive - adj. based on probability 

demeanor - n. a person's appearance and behavior : the way someone seems to be to other people

mirror - v. to be very similar to (something)

plagiarize - v. to use the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own words or ideas

resemble - v. to look or be like (someone or something)

blow out of proportion expression. to make something seem more important or serious than it actually is

unique - adj. very special or unusual

fire - v. to dismiss (someone) from a job
Editors Note: Taiping is actually to the southwest of the Island of Taiwan.

Five fishing boats sailed Wednesday from southern Taiwan heading for an area in the South China Sea.

The trip is meant to dispute a ruling by an international court that calls a land formation in the Spratly island chain a rock rather than an island.

The boats left from Pingtung County for a 10-day trip. Fifteen people are operating the boats. Their goal is to reach the land formation known as Taiping or Itu Aba.

Taiping is controlled by Taiwan.

Luo Chiang-fei is a spokesman for the fishing boat operators. He said the fishermen will show that Taiping is an island and that it belongs to Taiwan.

The spokesman said Taiwans coast guard will observe the fishing boats but will not follow them to the land formation. Taiping is about 2000 kilometers southeast of Taiwan.

Once the boats reach it, they will be safe because of the coast guard presence there.

Taiwan is involved in a dispute with China and five other countries over islands, rocks and reefs in the South China Sea. Other nations include Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. China claims most of the South China Sea as its territory.

On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague made a decision on Chinas claims to the waterway. That ruling rejected the historical basis for Chinas claim to almost all of the South China Sea.

However, the court also said many small land formations, including Taiping, do not qualify as islands. This means that they also do not qualify for wide economic zones in surrounding waters.

Taiping is 1,400 meters long and 400 meters wide.

Both China and Taiwan denounced the ruling, which is based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Taiwan and China and other countries now may look to discussions to ease tensions over territorial claims in the waterway.

Taiwan has built up Taiping with an airstrip, pier, a solar energy project and a humanitarian rescue center.

The South China Sea is valued for its natural resources including fishing areas, oil, and natural gas. It also has important shipping lanes for international trade.

Im Mario Ritter.

Ralph Jennings wrote this story for VOA News. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

fishermen  n. people who catch fish

zones  n. sections in an area that are used for a particular purpose

airstrip  n. an area of land that is used as a runway for airplanes to take off and land

pier  n. a structure that goes out from a shore into the water

shipping lanes  n. official routes that ships must follow when they sail from one place to another


Ralph Alvarado became the first Hispanic elected to state office in Kentucky when he won his state Senate race in 2014.

On Wednesday night, Alvarado, a medical doctor, will give a speech to the Republican National Convention.

His convention speech is important for Donald Trump. Trump is struggling to win Hispanic support. According to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, Trump has the support of only 14 percent of Hispanics.

Alvarado and Adryana Boyne, a Texas delegate to the Republican convention, were angry over Trumps statements about Mexicans and his call to remove 11 million illegal immigrants. Both backed other candidates for the Republican nomination.

But both Alvarado and Boyne told VOA they believe Trump will make a better president than the likely Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton.

Alvarado said conservative policies supported by Trump and Republicans are better for Hispanics and other Americans than liberal programs backed by Clinton and Democrats.

Many Hispanics have been here for several generations and they came here, like my own parents, after waiting in line and doing it legally, Alvarado said. What is lost in this debate is that Donald Trump knows the power of immigration. His wife is one.

Alvarado is one of two Hispanics scheduled to speak at the four-day Republican convention. Also speaking is Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who lost to Trump for the Republican nomination. At the 2012 Republican convention, there were nine Hispanic speakers, according to news reports.

Hector Barreto is chairman of The Latino Coalition. He said Hispanic voters want details about Trumps plans for the economy and national security. And they also want to see more respect from Trump, Barreto said.

We dont feel hes been talking to our community with the kind of respect you expect from a candidate who is asking for their vote, Barreto said.

Boyne, the Texas Republican delegate, said Trump has taken steps to make her feel better about his campaign. For example, Boyne credits Trump with selecting a good person with a good record as his vice presidential candidate.

Last week, Trump named Mike Pence, the conservative Republican governor of Indiana, as his running mate.

But Boyne wants Trump to do more. She hopes Trump will apologize for a statement he made when he first announced he was running for president -- 13 months ago.

At the time, he said, Mexican immigrants are bringing drugs, theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.

Maybe, he thinks apologizing will make him look weak, said Boyne, host of a Spanish-language radio show. But I think it would make him look stronger.

The Hispanic vote is important. Hispanics now make up 17 percent of the population.

The Asian-American votes

On Monday, the first day of the Republican convention in Cleveland, Ohio, delegates heard a speech from Kimberly Yee. She is the first Asian-American elected to the Arizona State Legislature.

In her speech, she spoke about how her great grandparents came to the United States from China at the start of the 20th century. Like so many immigrants, they hoped for a better life, Yee said.

Her parents, she said, taught me that I could achieve anything I wanted in this great country.

On Monday, she told delegates she supports Donald Trump for president.

It is time for us to get back to our conservative Republican values that make our nation great, Yee said. We cannot endure the next four years like weve had for the past eight. And it is because of these principles that I support Donald J. Trump for president.

But, as is the case with Hispanic voters, the Trump campaign faces problems with getting Asian-American votes.

A May poll by Asian Americans Advancing Justice said 62 percent of Asian-American voters have a favorable view of Hillary Clinton, compared to only 19 percent for Trump.

Asian-Americans now represent six percent of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Bruce Alpert reported this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

Hispanic -- n. a person of Latin American descent living in the United States

schedule -- v. a plan of things that will be done and the times when they will be done

respect -- n. a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way

credit -- v. praise or special attention that is given to someone for doing something or for making something happen

select -- v. to choose

statement -- n. something that you say or write in a formal or official way

achieve -- v. to get or reach a goal by working hard
Sherlock Holmes may be the most famous private investigator of them all.

Holmes is also one bookstore owners first choice when a new English reader asks him to recommend a mystery novel.

Otto Penzler owns the Mysterious Bookshop in New York City. He also works as an editor, preparing mysteries for publication.

Penzler has spent his career reading, writing, editing and selling mystery novels. In such books, a character might have been murdered. Or someone stole a valuable possession. A private detective or investigator tries to solve the case.

Penzler serves as the editor of a book that comes out each year. It is called The Best American Mystery Stories. The book is a collection of short stories.

Penzler is an expert on mystery writing. When asked, he has often urged visitors to his bookstore to read Arthur Conan Doyles series about Sherlock Holmes. Penzler says English learners also might enjoy reading about Agatha Christies detective, Hercule Poirot.

Because Agatha Christie is a world-wide known name. Somebody whos sold believe it or not more than two billion books. And appeals to a wide range of people both young, old, male, female, it doesnt matter. So I would be safe by recommending Agatha Christie and I also always recommend Sherlock Holmes.

While both Christie and Conan Doyle lived a long time ago, Penzler says theyre the most self-evident recommendations we can make in the store, and we do. For one reason, their writing is clear and simple.

[The characters] dont speak in long paragraphs, they dont get into areas that are speculative beyond the crime. Theyre not controversial. They dont start making political speeches. They are directed to the solution of the crime. And they dont do it long paragraphs. They do it in short paragraphs. And not long sentences. They do it in brief, clear sentences. So its easy for anyone to follow.

Some English teachers are using mysteries as a way to get students involved. Penzler thinks that is a great idea.

Mastering English really requires you to want to read. You have to want to read the book. And mysteries are more readable than many other kinds of books. Particularly in contemporary literature where many times the writing can be absolutely beautiful, but nothing happens.

If you want to learn about American life, you probably need to read stories from many different authors.

Penzler says there is no one mystery author who paints a picture of the United States. But as a whole, writers provide detailed images of what it is like to live in a particular city or state.

Most mystery writers spend their time writing about one character and one city. For example, Michael Connelly writes about a Los Angeles police detective named Harry Bosch.

Bosch loves jazz music. He often eats pancakes at a diner at the Los Angeles Farmers Market when he is investigating a case. Many of Connellys stories deal with police and politics in Los Angeles.

John Sandford writes about detectives in the northern state of Minnesota. Sandford once worked as a writer at a Minneapolis newspaper. So his stories present clear details of what life is like in Minnesota.

Robert B. Parker was famous for writing about a private investigator who went by only one name: Spenser. Spenser lived in Boston and so did Parker. Parker wrote about the people and places around Boston: from costly cocktails in fancy hotels to doughnut shops in working-class neighborhoods.

Penzler likes to suggest Lee Child for readers who are more experienced with English. Child writes about a retired Army policeman named Jack Reacher. Reacher travels by bus and train and often gets into difficult situations. But he always comes out safe in the end.

The Jack Reacher series is appealing to both men and women, both young and old. Again, one of the things thats important about this is the clarity of the style. And Lee Child writes in short, declarative sentences. Theres no ambiguity. Theres no trying to figure out what does he really mean? Because what he says is exactly what he means.

The best thing about mystery novels, Penzler says, is that many of the books are part of a continuing series. There are more than 20 books about Harry Bosch, for example.

Series characters are one of the great attractions. You like a character. You like a [Harry] Bosch or you like a [Jack] Reacher and you cant wait to see what happens next in their lives, as well as the mystery. And its hard to pull off in a single book.

Im Dan Friedell.

Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Will you look for a mystery book in English now? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

contemporary  adj. modern

ambiguity  n. something that does not have a single clear meaning

fancy  adj. costly and usually very popular

pancake  n. a thin, flat, round cake that is made by cooking batter on both sides in a frying pan or on a hot surface (called a griddle)

contemporary  adj. happening or beginning now or in recent times

speculative  adj. based on guesses or ideas about what might happen or be true rather than on facts

controversial  adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument : likely to produce controversy

character  n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show

novel  n. a book of fiction
The scene is very troubling.

White lines mark the place on the floor where a person has fallen -- dead. There is blood covering the floor. There is blood on the walls.

Police officers and a detective examine evidence in the apartment: a broken window, a bloody glove and knife, dozens of photographs thrown onto the floor.

If you had to guess what this scene is, you might say it is a terrible crime scene.

But actually, it could be a lesson in an English class.

Some English teachers around the world are using nontraditional materials  such as murder mysteries  to keep their students interested. And its not just teachers. Organizations like the British Council are also using murder mysteries to teach English.

As a lesson plan, a murder mystery offers basic questions for students to answer: Who is the victim? Who is the suspect? How did the murderer kill the person and with what weapon? Where did the murder happen: What is the setting? Why did the murder happen: What is the motive?

Murder mysteries also give a chance for role-playing, a technique long used in the language learning classroom. Students can take turns playing the detective, the witnesses and the suspects.

Teachers who use murder mysteries in the classroom have another reason  they are fun. There is something appealing about mysteries and solving a crime.

Students may agree. The book company Scholastic recently asked children what kinds of books they like to read most. Mysteries were at the top of the list.

This is hardly a surprise.

Many children in the U.S. grow up reading mysteries of Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. The murder mystery board game Clue -- where players need to find who killed whom, with what weapon and where -- has been popular in the U.S. since the 1950s.

And the character Sherlock Holmes created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle has been popular in its many versions for decades.

So, many people like mysteries. And teachers are using that to help them in the classroom.

Recently, The Atlantic magazine published a story on a teacher using murder mysteries to teach her class.

Jeni Peake teaches English for the Cambridge School in Lisbon, Portugal. She began using murder mysteries to make teaching and learning grammar more fun.

Jeni Peake says her students use the murder mystery to interview each other. They are looking for answers to those important questions we talked about earlier: who, what, where, when, why and how. They also must use different verb tenses to describe the events to the detective. And when describing the weapon, setting and motive, students must find the right vocabulary.

In The Atlantic article, one of Peakes students says role-playing and having a clear goal of finding the murderer keeps the students focused.

But is using murder to teach appropriate? Some critics say no.

Janet Isserlis is an expert of teaching English as a Second Language at the Rhode Island Adult Education Professional Development Center. For several decades, she has taught refugees from many countries around the world.

Isserlis says that for many people -- but particularly many English language learners -- the idea or notion of making fun of murder may be distressing.

Particularly with English language learners (ELL), so many ELLs come from countries where people have experienced violence caused by political upheaval and war. And so, the notion making fun and enjoying a murder mystery may not be enjoyable for those people.

Isserlis says that language and language learning is innately, or naturally, a social process. People come together and often share personal details. She says she learned early in her career to avoid questions that brought up painful memories. Instead, she focused on the present and asked questions that were in the students comfort zones.

I think, until you get to know who the learners are, you want to avoid questions about home life, about family, certainly about war and about violence. Language is innately a social process and language learning is certainly social. As people come together and know about each other, they will start to share what theyre comfortable sharing...

Teacher Jeni Peake says that murder mysteries offer great chances for role-playing as well as question-and-answer activities. Isserlis says murder mysteries may provide rich details and complicated scenarios. But she adds, there are other, less violent, choices available. Everyday life, she says, can provide enough material for teachers to use.

Some of those murder mysteries provide very detailed and rich and complicated scenarios. But I think there are other ways to look at complicated and rich things that happen every day either through people watching, talking about who you see on the bus, or any number of things such as that.

Janet Isserlis adds that even if a student is an adult and has not experienced war or violence, they may find the topic of murder upsetting. Jeni Peake says her students enjoy using murder mysteries in the classroom.

What do you think? Should murder mysteries be used to teach English in a classroom?

Let us know in the Comments Section or join our conversation about this topic on Facebook.

Im Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.

______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

setting  n. the place and conditions in which something happens or exists

motive  n. a reason for doing something

role-playing  n. an activity in which people do and say things while pretending to be someone else or while pretending to be in a particular situation

detective  n. a police officer whose job is to find information about crimes that have occurred and to catch criminals

appropriate  adj. right or suited for some purpose or situation

notion  n. an idea or opinion

innately  adj. existing from the time a person or animal is born

comfort zone  n. a place, situation, or level where someone feels confident and comfortable

comfortable  adj. not causing any physically unpleasant feelings : producing physical comfort

complicated  adj. having many parts or steps

scenario  n. a description of what could possibly happen
Google is tightening security in Android 7.0. The next version of Android launches this summer, and when it does Google will require that devices that ship with Android 7.0 pre-installed use strict enforcement of the companys verified boot software.

In a nutshell, that means if your device has malware or corrupt data in the boot image or a verified partition, the phone, tablet, or TV box wont boot.

That sounds scary, but its actually a way of protecting you from potential security threats: if your phone contains malware that alters the boot image, youll know.

This could also make it harder to root or install custom ROMs on some devices.

You can unlock the bootloader on many devices to disable verified boot features, allowing you to replace or modify the operating system on your phone or tablet. But if you have a device with a bootloader that cannot be unlocked, the new verified boot requirements might make it harder to sidestep that constraint.

Generally speaking if you plan to install custom firmware on your new phone, you should probably opt for one with an unlockable bootloader.

Google notes that some data corruption can be detected and corrected, allowing Android 7.0 devices to boot in some situations even if problems are detected.

via Engadget and /r/android
NVIDIAs chips may not be as popular with smartphone and tablet makers as they were a few years ago, but if you use a Tegra processor in a device where power consumption isnt as constrained, it can offer pretty impressive performance. The Tegra X1 chip powers the companys NVIDIA Shield Android TV console, and NVIDIA has been positioning its processors as solutions for smart cars for a few years.

Now the company is getting ready to launch its next-gen Tegra chip, and NVIDIAs Andi Skende will be talking about the Tegra-Next System-on-a-Chip at the Hot Chips conference in California on August 22nd.

Thats about all we know for certain at this point but its interesting to note that Kende will be on a panel to discuss mobile chips, along with representatives from MediaTek and Samsung, who will be talking about the MediaTek Helio X20 deca-core processor and Samsungs Exynos-M1 custom CPU cores that are used in the Exynos 8890 processor that powers some Galaxy S7 smartphone models.

So its possible that NVIDIA will be making a play for the mobile phone and tablet space again or maybe the next-gen Tegra chips just have more in common with those other processors than tey do with anything else that will be discussed at the Hot Chips conference.

As PC World notes, NVIDIA did provide an early look at a new car computer called the Drive PX 2 earlier this year, claiming that it would be powered by a next-gen Tegra chip code-named Parker.

If thats the processor NVIDIA will be talking about in August, its expected to have a 6-core CPU with NVIDIA Pascal graphics (based on the same technology as the companys latest high-end PC graphics cards, including the GeForce GTX 1080). The CPU is said to feature four ARM Cortex-A57 processor cores and two custom cores based on NVIDIAs Denver2 architecture.
On a recent visit to Italy, I was reminded of the first time I traveled there. It was the summer of 1956.

I was a rabbinical student then, and traveling with me were nine of my fellow students. The Rebbe had sent us on a mission to bring moral support to the Jews of Israel, specifically to those living in Kfar Chabad, near Tel Aviv. Earlier that spring, fedayeen terrorists stole into a vocational school in the fledgling rural Chabad village and murdered five students and their teacher during their afternoon prayers.

The residents of Kfar Chabad were nearly all Holocaust survivors who were hoping to build their lives anew. This tragedy was too much for them to bear, and many thought of leaving for different places where they hoped they would be safer. But the Rebbe encouraged the residents to remain and continue building Kfar Chabad. In that process, he wrote to them, you will find consolation. And he sent us, ten senior rabbinic students from the central Chabad yeshiva in New York to spend four weeks with the residents, to live with them, to encourage and console them. It would prove to be a successful mission, for not one person left Kfar Chabad.

Our whirlwind itinerary called for a two-week detour, a visit to five countriesEngland, Belgium, France, Switzerland and Italyon our way to Israel. At every stop we visited Jewish centers and leaders of major communities.

In Italy we visited the Jewish communities of Milan and Rome. Today, sixty years later, there are Chabad institutions in both cities, as well as in Florence, Venice, Trieste and Turin. The first shluchim appointed by the Rebbe to Italy were Rabbi and Rebbetzin Gershon Mendel and Basia Garelik. They settled in Milan in 1958. Later, in 1976, the Rebbe appointed Rabbi and Rebbetzin Yitzchak and Sarah Hazan to Rome.

In both cases these shluchim were newlyweds. As their families grew and more shluchim were recruited to Italy, the Jewish landscape matured. Local Jewish leaders I met with now confided that originally they were skeptical, if not resistant to Chabad, unsure that its services were needed in Italy. Today, they are enamored of the Rebbes shluchim, respectful and grateful for what theyve done and continue to do to enrich and enhance Jewish life in their respective cities and communities.

This past June I visited the Ghetto area in Rome on Sunday morning. It was teeming with Jewish tourists. Near the crowded kosher restaurants and the magnificent Great Synagogue of Rome, men were waiting in line for their turn to bind tefillin with Chabad students. Rabbi Shalom Hazan gave us a tour of the local Jewish school where he is on the faculty. It counts more than 1,000 Jewish students. So much has changed for the better in Jewish Italy since my visit there sixty years ago.

In 1973, I received a call from the family of my personal friends, the world famous sculptor Jacques Lipchitz and his wife Yulla. They wanted to gift their villa, located in Camaiore, a small town in Tuscany, to Lubavitch. The property was dedicated for a summer camp: one month for girls and one month for boys, and for use during the year as needed.

Despite several visits to Italy in the intervening years, this would be my first opportunity to visit the site in Camaiore. The villa sits perched on a mountain top overlooking verdant rolling hills with vineyards and olive trees. Camp was in session with about 100 Jewishmostly Italiangirls. I spoke to them briefly, telling them (through a translator) how fortunate they were to spend their summer enjoying an immersive experience of yiddishkeit in this magnificent setting.

As I spoke to them, I thought about the Rebbes lifelong investment in the education of Jewish children and the joy he would have if he could join us in Camaiore and see their happy faces. I told them that the Rebbe would surely encourage them to take what theyve learned at camp and share it back home with their families and neighbors. He would speak to them of the womens mitzvah of lighting Shabbat candles and its blessings of light and warmth. He would tell them that our future, the future of our people, depends on them.

Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky is Chairman of Merkos LInyonei Chinuch and Machne Israel, the educational and social services arms of the Lubavitch movement
Hungarian-born Jewish children may not appreciate the rich background to their summer camp experience. An old synagogue in Mad that has stood empty and dilapidated for over seven decades will, come next week, serve as their camp base. Mad is a picturesque town 130 miles east of Budapest.

In 1944, hundreds of local Jews were locked up in that synagogue without bread or water for three days by German soldiers and local militiamen. The towns community of 800 Jews, constituting nearly 30% of its total population, was wiped out. Its men, women and children were deported to Auschwitz.

Built in the 1770s, the Baroque style synagogue is one of the oldest surviving synagogues in the country, and one of the finest surviving examples of the unique Hungarian synagogue architecture. Attached to the synagogue is a three-story complex that once housed the rabbis home and yeshiva in Mad, where for over 150 years, hundreds of prominent Torah scholars pursued their studies in peace. The Nazi Holocaust eliminated two-thirds of the nearly 1 million Jews who lived in Hungary on the eve of World War II. Today, there are fewer than 100,000 Jews among Hungarys 10 million people. With 90% of the Jewish residents of Mad having perished in the war, the synagogue, the rabbis house and the land were appropriated by the state in 1952. While the synagogue building was left to deteriorate, the rabbis house was converted into apartments, which housed residents until the early 1990s.

Unused for 25 years, the synagogue was finally restored in 2004, and transformed into a cultural center showcasing Jewish life before the war. This year, through the efforts of Lubavitch of Hungary, the adjacent rabbis residence and yeshiva were finally renovated as well, reviving their role as a center of Jewish learning.

The remodeled building pays homage to its long history of vibrant Jewish life within this synagogue while serving the needs of a new generation of Jews seeking to connect. The building also includes a commercial kosher kitchen, guest rooms, lounge areas and a dining hall.

Beginning July 26, dozens of Hungarian-born Jewish children will once again run through the historic hallways of the former yeshiva. They will attend Shabbat service in a synagogue with a plaque commemorating its local Holocaust victims and sing songs of Jewish pride that the Nazis hoped to silence.

Devorah Hurwitz, Chabad emissary to Hungary and the Director of the Alef Kids camp, says that hosting a Jewish camp on the historic campus is particularly important.

Openly identifying as Jewish is crucial for Jewish continuity, especially in Hungary where so many families hid their identity for so long, Hurwitz explains. In the decades after the war many Jewish families destroyed their paperwork, and she has met dozens of Jews who first discover their Jewish identity in their 20s or even older.

Hurwitz looks forward to relocating the camppreviously on the shores of Lake Balatonto what she calls a holy place. The camp, now in its fourth year, will be welcoming more than 60 campers.

With our identity as Jews remaining such an important subject, its important for us to be able to go back to a place that was a vital part of the Jewish-Hungarian legacy.

Giving the children the chance to connect to a place where Judaism was once so strong, will be very meaningful for our campers.
The family of an elderly man who went missing from a Tampa assisted-living facility over the weekend confirm a body found Tuesday evening is that of their "beloved" Maynell Scott.

Maynell Scott's body found in pond Tuesday night

He left an assisted-living facility Friday night, prompting search

Mr. Scott, 81, left Belvedere Commons of Tampa off Fletcher Avenue at about 7 p.m. Saturday. He suffered from dementia.

We called to tell them we were on the way to visit him, that we were on the way, said Mr. Scotts daughter, Yvonne Willis. They started crying and said, 'I'm sorry, we can't find him right now.'"

In a statement the family wrote;

Our family has just received word that the body found yesterday evening is in fact our beloved Maynell Scott. Our family is heartbroken over this confirmation. We appreciate your continued prayers, support, and privacy as we mourn the loss of our loved one. Again, we would like to send our sincere gratitude to everyone involved in the search - Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, our family, friends, and the community who joined in our desperate efforts.

Mr. Scotts body was found Tuesday night in a pond off Armenia near Fletcher, two miles away from where he went missing.

Theresa Deibert, Regional Director of Belvedere Commons, released the following statement Wednesday;

Everyone at Belvedere Commons of Tampa is deeply saddened and is mourning the loss of Mr. Maynell Scott. We want to express heartfelt sympathy to his entire family.

Mr. Scott left Belvedere Commons of Tampa on Saturday, July 16th at approximately 7 p.m. EST. All exit doors in our community are alarmed; however, due to enforced fire code, all exits doors have a delayed egress function and are not locked from the inside. Onsite staff responded quickly to the alarm but did not see any person in the immediate vicinity. Our staff followed our Missing Resident Procedures.

Police were notified immediately and arrived to the community shortly after the emergency call was placed. Police began their extensive search after arriving at our community.

Again, we express our condolences to Mr. Scotts family and ask that everyone be respectful of their privacy as they mourn the loss of their loved one and of our community for the loss of our Resident.

Belevedere Commons, like all assisted living facilities in Florida is governed by the Agency for Health Care Administration in Tallahassee. They oversee the licensing, inspections and any complaints on these facilities. From 2009 to January of this year, Belvedere has been cited for keeping incomplete records, deficiencies in resident care and not documenting investigations of staff accused of abuse or neglect.
Meeting with a small group of Orange Avenue business owners, Sen. Marco Rubio said Tuesday that a portion of the One Orlando fund be given to the small shops affected by the Pulse shooting.

Rubio had private meetings with Orange Avenue business owners



Shops lost money during weeks after Pulse attack due to road closures

Rubio met with the small group, which was impacted by road closures and detours along the roadway while it was shut down during the investigation.

He thinks part of the more than $17 million in the city's fund set up to help victims, survivors and their families should also go to businesses near Pulse, because he says they are secondary victims.

My hope is that once we ensure that all of the direct victims are fully compensated that there are funds available, there would be a method by which businesses who faced closure and economic losses may also be a part of it, Rubio said.



Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and several other high profile conservatives made it known they would not be in attendance at the Republican Convention this year. Rubio, who stopped by Orlando on Tuesday, will be a part of the festivities though.

Meanwhile, some small shop owners dont feel comfortable taking on any new debt to make ends meet, either. Kenneth Feinberg, who is overseeing the One Orlando fund, thinks that's a sensible idea if enough funds are available.

The junior senator will be delivering a video address to the delegates at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night.
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence has formally accepted the Republican nomination for vice president.

Pence was self-deprecating in his remarks, joking that the charismatic Donald Trump must have been looking for balance when he chose Pence as his running mate.

Pence told the crowd that Republicans were being honest with Americans about the stakes in the election, and Hillary Clinton will never serve as president.

He also emphasized the importance of a Republican picking the next Supreme Court of the U.S. justices, especially with regards to the Second Amendment and "the sanctity of life"  abortion.

The next president will fill, at the very least, one vacant seat. However, he may pick more.

Whoever wins the election could end up re-shaping the Supreme Court for the next few decades.



Florida is well-represented on the primetime speaker list for Day 3 of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Gov. Rick Scott started off the night, and Attorney General Pam Bondi followed a few speakers after. Sen. Marco Rubio also spoke via video from here in Florida, where he is campaigning for re-election.

The theme of the third night is "Make America First Again." Scott's speech emphasized the problems that the Republicans say are evident in today's America.

Today, America is in terrible, world-record-high debt. Our economy is not growing. Our jobs are going overseas. We have allowed our military to decay, and we project weakness on the international stage. Washington grows while the rest of America struggles. The Democrats have not led us to a crossroads, they have led us to a cliff, Scott said.

Scott was one of the first Republican leaders to endorse Trump, and some spoke of him as a possible running mate.

One of the most highly anticipated speeches of the night came from Sen. Ted Cruz, perhaps Trump's fiercest rival and the runner-up in the primary. Cruz stopped short of endorsing Trump, telling voters to vote for conscience. Boos welled up from the audience as Cruz left.

Trump's surrogates say Cruz lied, should have endorsed Trump, and behaved disgracefully in his speech.

Cruz's campaign, however, insists they told the Trump campaign there would be no endorsement.

The Associated Press reports Cruz informed Trump himself during a phone conversation two days ago. That's according to Cruz strategist Jason Johnson.



Another former presidential candidate, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, told the crowd that a vote for a third party, or staying at home, was a vote for Hillary Clinton.

Watch Mike Pence's acceptance speech and scroll down for more news.

&amp;amp;nbsp;

The Latest

All updates from the Associated Press in EDT:

11:25 p.m.

It came as no surprise to Donald Trump's campaign when rival Ted Cruz refused to endorse the GOP presidential nominee at the party's convention Wednesday night.

Cruz informed Trump of his plans during a telephone conversation they had two days ago. That's according to Cruz strategist Jason Johnson.

Inside the convention arena, Cruz heard lots of boos when he finished his speech without explicitly endorsing Trump.

Cruz called on Republicans to vote their conscience and support GOP candidate on the ballot who support the Constitution.

---

11:10 p.m.

Donald Trump has given running mate Mike Pence an air kiss at the conclusion of the Indiana governor's speech at the GOP convention.

Trump came onstage as Pence finished speaking. Pence's teleprompter displayed the stage direction "embrace" just after his final words.

After the momentary affection, Trump and Pence shook hands and stood together briefly onstage before Trump exited.

Pence took a moment onstage with his family to smile at the audience before exiting.

___

11:05 p.m.

Mike Pence is framing the November presidential race as crucial to defining the makeup of the Supreme Court for the next 40 years.

The GOP vice presidential nominee says voters must ensure that it's Donald Trump picking the next high court justices.

The Indiana governor says Democrat Hillary Clinton would choose justices who would take unconstitutional actions.

He says it's crucial to elect Trump to protect the Second Amendment, "the sanctity of life" and other liberties.

___

11 p.m.

The Republican vice presidential nominee is calling Hillary Clinton the "secretary of the status quo."

Mike Pence once swore off negative campaigning. But the Indiana governor is really going after Clinton in his GOP convention speech Wednesday night.

Pence says Democrats are going with a stale agenda and the most predictable candidate.

Pence is playing on one of Trump's most well-known catchphrase. He says that under Trump, change in the country will be "huge."

___

Trump back in Cleveland

Donald Trump arrived at the GOP Convention via helicopter, landing mid-afternoon Wednesday in Cleveland. He was greeted by Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, his choice to be vice president.

Amid the attempts to show Trump as a strong leader, the GOP is also turning the real estate giant into a family man.

Trump's wife, Melania and two of his children made speeches so far this week. Eric Trump will continue that tonight.

His 22-year-old daughter Tiffany Trump called her father a natural-born encourager Tuesday while Donald Trump Jr. spoke about how he tackles problems.

And in Melania Trumps speech, she talked about her husbands love for America and how he wants to make a great and lasting difference.

Trump's 32-year-old son Eric called his father his hero, and said his father was the one candidate for president who did not need the job.

Demonstration leads to 17 arrests, 2 officers hurt



A demonstration led to altercations which briefly shut down security at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Police tried to disperse a demonstration outside the event Wednesday that included a flag-burning. Two officers suffered minor injuries.

Police said after the protester lit the flag on fire, he lit himself on fire and others caught fire. Firefighters extinguished the flames.



Cleveland police say 17 protesters were arrested on charges ranging from felonious assault on a police officer to resisting arrest. A total of 22 people have been arrested throughout the entire convention.

Police say the massive media presence is making it difficult for officers to police demonstrations.



Protestors along Prospect Ave in the back of a @CLEpolice van, banging on sides and chanting 'Revolution!' #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/ReqauKPQ89  Julie Gargotta (@juliegargotta) July 20, 2016
PARIS, France - Orange has announced that, together with its Senegal-based partner Sonatel, it has completed the acquisition of 100% of the mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone.

Image by 123RF

Since the signature of an agreement with Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) in January 2016, Orange has obtained all the official approbations necessary to complete this transaction.

Airtel is the leading mobile operator in Sierra Leone with over 1.3 million customers (on the basis of active customers within a 30-day period) for a total population of 6.3 million people. With a mobile penetration of around 50% of the population, Sierra Leone offers considerable growth potential, particularly at a time when significant investments are underway to extend the operators 3G network.

This network, which already offers good coverage in Freetown and other major towns in Sierra Leone, is set to provide internet access to customers living outside major urban areas.

The investments planned in the coming years will enable customers in Sierra Leone to benefit from the support of the Sonatel group and take advantage of the Orange groups expertise and momentum in terms of innovation and development of the digital ecosystem. Following the recent launch of operations in Liberia and Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone becomes the 21st country in Africa and the Middle East to join the Orange group.

Bruno Mettling, deputy chief executive officer of the Orange group and chairman and CEO of Orange MEA (Middle East and Africa), stated: We are pleased to announce that the acquisition of the mobile operator Airtel in Sierra Leone has been finalised. This new acquisition, which will be consolidated by Sonatel, will further strengthen Oranges strategic position on the African continent.
Pretty Woman director Garry Marshall died on Tuesday at the age of 81, and Hollywood was quick to pay its respects and offer condolences.

Henry Winkler, or 'Fonz' from Happy Days as he is best known, was one of the first celebrities to take to Twitter and pay homage to the director.

GARRY MARSHALL Rest In Peace .. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty , friendship and generosity .  Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) July 20, 2016

Richard Gere, who shot to international fame after starring in Marshall's Pretty Woman, also made a statement to the press. "Besides being the pulse and life force of Pretty Woman, a steady helmsman on a ship that could have easily capsised, he was a super fine and decent man, husband and father who brought real joy and love and infectious good spirits to everything and everyone he crossed paths with. Everyone loved Garry. He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry."

Anson Williams, who co-starred with Henry Winkler on Marshall's Happy Days said, "Garry Marshall gave me the opportunity of many lifetimes and, more importantly, genuine love and friendship; a love that transcended far beyond show business. Garry's selfless nurturing of talent will be (passed) on to future generations along with all that he has created."

American Horror Story actress Sarah Paulson felt "indebted" to Marshall, who directed her in The Other Sister and New Year's Eve.

Garry Marshall, I am forever indebted to you. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I love you. On the wings on Angels, rest now.  Sarah Paulson (@MsSarahPaulson) July 20, 2016

Co-star to her in New Year's Eve, Lea Michele also posted a tribute to the director with this picture:

So sad to hear about the passing of the incredible Garry Marshall.. You will be missed.. pic.twitter.com/jOBXevwMFy  Lea Michele (@msleamichele) July 20, 2016

Ashton Kutcher, who featured in Marshall's movie Valentine's Day, said he "lost a friend and mentor."

I lost a friend & mentor. We lost a beautiful man & masterful story teller. Gary Marshall I love you. I hope I get to go where you are.  ashton kutcher (@aplusk) July 20, 2016

Stand-up comic Richard Lewis also mourned Garry Marshall's death.

RIP Garry Marshall. What a devotion to the art of comedy. "Happy Days" have come and gone. pic.twitter.com/ojyL6FMeER  Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) July 20, 2016

Jason Alexander, who co-stared with Richard Gere in Pretty Woman paid a tribute to the director:

Garry Marshall gave me one of the best experiences I ever had in my career. Thanks pal. RIP  jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) July 20, 2016

Topher Grace posted a photo of himself with the director:

Oh man, this is a tough one. Honored I spent time with this kind man. My love to his wife and family. #garrymarshall pic.twitter.com/COetJYtqMz  Topher Grace (@TopherGrace) July 20, 2016

King of comedy Patton Oswalt, who starred in King of Queens also took to Twitter to express his grief: I hope Garry Marshall does a "Squiggy" entrance when he enters the afterlife. #HELlo #RIPGarryMarshall  Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) July 20, 2016

Full House star Bob Saget, Piers Morgan and Seth Meyers also shared anecdotes about the director on Twitter:

Once asked Garry Marshall to name his greatest movie star. 'Julie Andrews, she could act, she could sing, she curses with perfect diction.'  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 20, 2016

The world has lost a great man, a comedy icon and a wonderful friend. Rest in peace Garry Marshall.  bob saget (@bobsaget) July 20, 2016
Mumbai: Despite all the ills it is facing on the on-time performance and staff discipline, the national carrier Air India tops when it comes to brand reputation, followed by low-cost carrier SpiceJet and Jet Airways.

Among the international carriers, it is Singapore Airlines that leads the ranking, followed by Etihad and Emirates, says TRA (Trust Research Advisory) Research-BlueBytes in the 'Most reputed aviation brands 2016' report.

Others in the list include Indigo, and GoAir, while other international airlines include Lufthansa, British Airways and Qatar Airways.

The ranking is based on a brand's reputation with a two-pronged approach of media analysis and a survey of consumer influencers and was conducted among the 21 airline brands that have measurable media coverage and 2,500 consumers.
Is the Delhi state government stepping into the Centre's jurisdiction? The question surfaced after some traders in the city expressed discontent over the Delhi government's decision to levy advance Value Added Tax (VAT) on goods imported into the capital, claiming it to be a subject under the jurisdiction of the central government.

Bimal Jain, chairman of the Indirect Tax Committee, part of the Punjab, Haryana and Delhi Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said the state government's decision is not Constitutional. "Article 286 of the Constitution clearly states that no state government of India shall levy tax on imports and exports. Only the central government can do that," he said.

He added that the Delhi government has purportedly imposed this law to check unauthorised sale of imported goods. "But the way it is done this is clearly against the law," he said.

The Delhi government amended the VAT Act recently, creating a provision to impose Value Added Tax on goods imported from foreign countries into Delhi. "The importer will have to pay VAT in advance, on the basis of the imported price," said a tax official from the department of Trade and Taxes of the Delhi government, while interpreting the new provision.

"The intention of imposing VAT at point of entry is to make reporting of business of imported items mandatory," said tax expert Sanjib Duggal. However, he has pointed out that this provision might have a very short life span of only a year or so. "The entire focus is now on the Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is likely to be a reality by next year. The tax on import of goods will become irrelevant as soon as the GST regime comes in," he explained.

Another official from the Department of Trade and Taxes of Delhi also agreed that the advanced VAT on imported goods will be subsumed in the GST, whenever the latter is imposed.

Duggal also pointed out that since the new provision mandates the importer to pay tax at the inception of business, some small traders may see it as blockage of working capital. But tax officials said hazards of this type are common to businesses that traders have to consider in advance.

When asked if imposition of advanced VAT is legal, Duggal said that any tax law that is passed after observing the due process of law making, is seen as legal. "But yes, such laws are challengeable in a court of law," he added.

Tax guru Bimal Jain said that though till nobody has filed a petition in the Delhi high court demanding this provision be lifted, many have taken their grievances to the commissioner of taxes. Jain added that the provision is likely to be struck down if an aggrieved party moves court.
New Delhi: Banking on support from regional parties for passage of the GST Bill, Government today expressed hope that the Rajya Sabha will clear the indirect tax reform in the first week of August.

Minister of State for Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Congress' demand for capping the GST rate in Constitution is "not very practical", but the government is making a lot of effort to build consensus on the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

"Government is making a lot of effort to build consensus on GST Bill. There are many Chief Minister - UP, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar - they all want GST to come fast... We hope that Rajya Sabha will be able to pass the GST Bill in the third week of (monsoon session of) Parliament," Meghwal said on the sidelines of an Assocham event.

The current Monsoon Session of Parliament began on July 18 and ends on August 12.

Meghwal said when Congress drafted the GST Bill, it did not cap the GST rate in Constitutional amendment bill and their demand now is only an after thought. "We think we will reach a solution soon".

The Congress, which originally mooted the GST in 2009 to replace all indirect taxes, has been demanding that the overall rate be capped at 18 per cent and scrapping of an additional 1 per cent tax designed to compensate manufacturing states that fear losing revenue.

GST Bill, which intends to convert 29 states into a single market through a new indirect tax regime, was earlier planned to be introduced from April 1 this year, but the deadline was missed as the Bill to roll it out remains in a limbo in the Opposition-dominated Rajya Sabha.

Information & Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the government is continuously engaging with different parties to build consensus on GST.

"At the end of the day we want to get the GST passage through consensus. Although we feel as of now the adequate numbers are there very much, we would like to see the House approves it unanimously," he said.

Naidu said the biggest beneficiaries of GST will be the states, and the chief ministers want it to be passed at the earliest.

"The signals I am getting from all sides is positive. I hope the GST Bill will be passed during this session itself," he added.

The government has agreed to a five-hour debate on the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha in the current session. Regional party JDU has already expressed support for the legislation. The Bill, which will help create a single national sales tax to replace several state and central levies, has already been approved by the Lok Sabha and is pending in the Upper House.
New Delhi: BJP on Wednesday lined up its Dalit leaders to mount a strong defence of the party and its government in Gujarat after the Opposition accused it of being anti-Dalit following the attack on some community members in that state over skinning of a dead cow.

Union minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot hit out at Congress and BSP for their attempts to draw "political mileage" from the incident and insisted that the Gujarat government had acted promptly.

The crime followed by the attempts of some Dalits to end their lives in protests has seen BSP and Congress launching sharp attack on BJP.

The community's votes are crucial in many states, especially Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, both of which are going to the polls next year. BJP has been trying to woo them vigorously since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014. Referring to the Modi government's project to develop five places associated with Dalit icon BR Ambedkar, Gehlot said that its attempts showed that no party was more beneficial to the community than BJP.

With the Opposition targeting the party's ideological fountainhead RSS over the matter, Gehlot, who has had a long stint in various RSS affiliates, said it had nothing to do with the matter and the criminals involved in it will be punished.

He asked Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and BSP chief Mayawati not to visit the state due to the prevailing tense situation there and said any such trip will prove that they were interested in politicising it.

Flanked by other Dalit ministers, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Krishna Raj, Gehlot said the Gujarat Police had arrested 17 people and a senior CID official was probing the case. "In two months, charge sheet will be filed. Strong action will be taken.

Senior state ministers have met the victims. We will give all assistance, including financial, to them," he said. Asked about some Muslims being attacked in parts of the country over the similar charges, Gehlot insisted that his party believed in harmony in society and did not discriminate along caste or religious lines.
New Delhi: A court on Wednesday granted three-day interim bail to arrested senior official of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, BK Bansal, for performing the last rites of his wife and daughter who committed suicide on Tuesday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Gurdeep Singh granted interim bail to Bansal till 22 July.

The court asked him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of like amount.

Upset over two CBI raids at their residence within three days, Bansal's wife Satyabala Bansal, 57, and daughter Neha Bansal, 27, allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday noon here.

Both were found hanging from ceiling fans in different rooms of their first floor flat in Neelkanth Apartments in east Delhi's Madhu Vihar area, police said.

The CBI had raided their flat on Saturday and Monday morning.

Bansal was arrested on bribery charges on Saturday and remanded to two-day's custody by a special court on Sunday. He was accused of receiving Rs 9 lakh from Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals.

The CBI had also booked the company's chief operating officer Anuj Saxena.

During investigation, the CBI is said to have found that the senior officer owned 20 properties in Haryana's Sirsa, Gurgaon and Faridabad as well as Delhi.

All the properties were bought in the last two years and most were in the names of Bansal, his wife and son.
New Delhi: The government on Wednesday warned Pakistan that it is pursuing a self destructive and "suicidal" policy over Kashmir and said its attempts to push terrorism will harm Islamabad.

"If Pakistan feels that it will keep playing with terrorism and use it as a tool against India, then we can tackle the challenge. But they won't be able to tackle it. You (Pakistan) are committing suicide," Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar said in the Lok Sabha making a brief intervention during the debate on the situation in the Kashmir valley.

"When children were killed in Peshawar terror attack, India had unequivocally condemned it. But Burhan Wani (Hizb-ul Mujahideen leader) was killed, Pakistan is observing 'black day'," Akbar said, adding that it was "unfortunate".

Akbar stressed that while the house debates such a sensitive issue the members should rise above party affiliations and speak in one voice.

Stressing on the importance of a comprehensive policy to resolve the Kashmir problem, the minister said, "Even I have Kashmiri connection as my mother was from that state. So all young people in Kashmir are like our own children."

He said "some of these youngsters have been either spoiled or misguided", adding that the challenge before the nation is to ensure that "we are able to take these young people along with us".

Akbar sought to compare the existing situation in the state as "mausumi hawa (temporary)", but also cautioned "ki yeh toofan bhi ho sakta hae (This may turn into a storm)".

However, he said the challenge can be met by the "Kashmiriyat and insaniyat (humanity) of Kashmir" as there is inherent virtues of basic humanity in the philosophy of Kashmir.

Earlier initiating the discussion, Jyotiraditya Scindia of the Congress criticised the government's Kashmir policy and claimed that the good work done by the previous UPA government between 2004 and 2014 has been done away with.

"This government is being irresponsible towards Kashmir while during the UPA regime peace, harmony and developmental works were established," he said.

Scindia lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying when Kashmir was on the boil the prime minister was beating drums abroad and "failed to utter even a single word" to condemn the violence.

The Congress member said the Pakistan policy of the Modi government has turned into a "tamasha (spectacle)".

"The foreign policy has totally failed. Earlier BJP leaders used to talk about hard steps towards Pakistan. Now when they are in power, they are using soft words like 'dismayed' on Islamabad's stand justifying the violence in Kashmir," he said.

Anurag Thakur of the BJP cautioned that while Pakistan is trying to play with fire, "we should be careful that domestic politics is not responsible to add fuel to it".

He urged the Union Home Minister to answer specifically as to who really was "behind the present unrest" in the Valley.

"If Pakistan is doing all this, we should also know what is the government going to do about it," Thakur said.

Among others, Muzaffar Hussain Baig of the PDP, Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party, Kalyan Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress and Jaiprakash Narain Yadav of the RJD participated in the debate.

Baig's remarks on the history of Kashmir and the role of towering personalities like Sheikh Abdullah provoked strong reactions from the opposition members.

When the opposition members wanted to stop Baig from speaking, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs S.S. Ahluwalia said: "The representative from Kashmir should be allowed to speak his mind in the tallest temple of democracy."

Baig said the central government should immediately chalk out a roadmap for Kashmir "which will have balance, patience, positive approach and dialogue".
Srinagar: Curfew imposed by the authorities and a protest shutdown called by separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day on Wednesday.

Police said curfew will continue in most parts of the Valley as precautionary measure to maintain law and order.

"No major clash occurred anywhere in the Valley on Tuesday and the situation remained generally calm," a senior police officer told IANS in summer capital Srinagar.

After the state government conveyed to the editors of local newspapers through Amitabh Mattoo, Advisor to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, that there was no ban on publication, the editors on Tuesday sought written assurance from the government to resume publication.

The Valley went without any newspaper for the 5th day running Tuesday.

Farooq Ahmad Lone, District Magistrate Srinagar, told IANS there was no ban order by him on newspaper publication.

The editors have said they will meet again in the afternoon to decide future course of action.

Internet connectivity on all mobile phones remained suspended for the ninth day in the Valley on Wednesday.

Calling facility on mobile phones has also remained suspended during this period except for limited calling facility on post-paid mobile phones provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

After remaining closed because of the killings of three civilians in army firing during protest in Qazigund area, the Jammu-Sringar National Highway was restored for limited traffic during the night.

Trucks carrying supplies of essential goods and vehicles carrying Amarnath yatris, who had been stranded on the highway, were cleared during the night.

Three civilian protesters, including two women, were killed on Monday in army firing when mob attacked an army patrol party.

The army has regretted the incident and ordered a probe to ascertain whether the standard operating procedure (SOP) was violated by the soldiers, so that the responsibility is fixed and the guilty are punished.

Meanwhile, train services between Baramulla town in the Valley and Banihal in Jammu region also remained suspended for the 13th day on Wednesdy.

All normal activities of life have been paralysed by the ongoing cycle of violence that has claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen.

Marriages scheduled during this period have been cancelled causing inconvenience to hundreds of families.

The violence started on 9 July, a day after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces along with two of his associates in Kokernag area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district.
New Delhi: Efforts are being made to secure release of priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil who has been abducted in war-torn Yemen but such attempts take time, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, while asking members to "keep faith" in the government.

Swaraj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established in Yemen where India does not have an Embassy of its own.

The issue was raised by members from Kerala who said disturbing pictures of Fr Uzhunnalil were appearing in the social media.

Father Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was abducted in March by terror group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden. At least 15 people at the old-age home were killed in the attack.

Swaraj said it takes more time to secure release of the people who are held captive and asked the members to keep "faith" in government's efforts to trace the abducted priest.

"Abduction of Father Tom Uzhunnalil is a matter of grave concern for us. Yemen is a war-torn country. We do not have Embassy there but we are looking for ways to reach him. Not only me, but the Prime Minister during his overseas visits has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established with Yemen," the minister said.

She said the government is also trying to ascertain the authenticity of the images of Fr Uzhunnalil which have appeared in social media.

"It is taking time, but keep faith on us... We bring back stranded people fast, but it takes time to bring back those who are held captive. We will bring back Fr Tom Uzhunnalil," Swaraj said.
The widespread protests in Gujarat against the brutal assault and public shaming of four young Dalit men, following allegations of cow killing, signals ominous developments in the state  that caste wars are back to haunt Gujarat and its political establishment.

The state government had barely managed to control the reservation agitation by the powerful Patidars  headed by community leader and youth icon Hardik Patel  and with the Assembly elections a year-and-a-half away, it is now faced with the challenge of keeping the Dalits pacified.

Following the brutal assault on the Dalit youngsters  for skinning a cow in Una in the Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat  members of the community staged protests in the state, even as it snowballed across Saurashtra on Tuesday.

While some call it a rebellion against the conservative federal Hinduism that is prevalent in the state, others point out that it is the lack of caste-wise social empowerment among the youth, which is leading to such incidents.

Violence sparked off in various parts of the state following the protests from youths in the community over the delayed action by the state government. The situation in the state worsened when five Dalit youths in Gondal and two in Jamkandorna in Rajkot district attempted suicide in protest of the assault on their fellow community members.

On Monday, some 300 Dalits from the adjoining district of Surendranagar, dumped five vehicles filled with cattle carcasses outside the district collector's office, to protest the treatment meted out to the Dalits in Una  when they were tied to an SUV and beaten up by members of the 'cow protection committee'. The members supposedly wanted to teach a lesson to the 'culprits', who were tanners by profession and pleaded that they were transporting the skin of an already dead cow.

"Caste politics is not new to Gujarat. Elections have been fought on the basis of caste and tickets have also been distributed to candidates on the basis of caste down to the local levels. So, I am not surprised that such issues are not dealt with an iron hand," said Hemant Shah, political analyst and renowned economist.

"The Congress did it a bit more blatantly in the name of KHAM (Kshatriya, Harijan, Adivasi and Muslim), the BJP has been more clandestine about it," Shah said.

Though appeasement of the Dalits in Gujarat might not reap any local benefits  as a meagre seven percent of the states population comprises SC tribes, according to Navsarjan, a grassroots Dalit organisation  but atrocities on a community like the Dalits has a national impact, something that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not like to hear now, especially from his home state.

Social Scientist Vidyut Joshi, pointed out, "Such agitations come as a reaction of the anti-incumbency of the government and leads to unrest among the youth."

"The Patidar agitation, followed by the rally of the OBCs last year were a result of the unrest in the mind of the youth. Ad hoc appeasement at the time of appeasement only backfires," Joshi said.

Citing the example of the announcement of EBC (Economically Backward Class) quota during the Patidar agitation, he pointed out that it only backfired and the agitation went on to garner even more support from the youth.

"All this is a result of the bursting of the bubble created called, the 'Gujarat Model'," pointed out Shah. He said that statistics have revealed that industrialisation has been on a rise for the last one decade.

"But where are the jobs?" he questioned. He pointed out that such agitations were being given a caste colour, but in reality it just reflected the unrest among the dissatisfied youth in Gujarat, with the present political system.

Analysts point out that the entire issue might have taken a political turn with the opposition, Congress party, having jumped on the fray and demanding an inquiry. They also decided to take out a rally in Ahmedabad, protesting against the attacks on the Dalit men and the non-action against people who claim affiliation to the Vishva Hindu Parishad and the cow protection committee.

"Giving it a political colour is the easiest thing to do. With elections a year-and-a-half away, sustaining without such issues is a difficult thing, especially for the Congress, which lacks in its organisational skill specifically in Gujarat," Joshi added.

Gaurang Jani, who is advisor to the state's OBC commission, said, "Such incidents are a reflection of the conservative federal Hinduism." Jani said that the caste system in Gujarat was prevalent and the lack of social engineering and empowerment was leading to such incidents.

"On one hand, you have initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, but then the sections doing its tasks are neglected," pointed out Jani. Caste clashes of Patidars against Chaudhary, Thakor, Rabari or Koli communities are often seen at the village or micro level, and sometimes in cities, like the serious clashes between the Patels and Rabaris .

Jani pointed out that the pertinent question was why such clashes were becoming more rampant. He pointed out that the social engineering in government programmes have been missing, especially for the Dalits, Chamars and Valmikis. He also warned that such clashes would be on a rise in the coming few months, and political ambitions would only stoke the emotions further, meaning that it would not just be restricted to the grassroots but could also spread to urban areas, as was seen during the Patidar agitation.

Gujarat government's figures reveal that at least 1,000 Dalits become victims of serious offences like murder, rape, mob lynching and boycott each year. Though the Anandiben Patel led government has handed over the inquiry to the CID, such steps are not enough to pacify the agitators; the protests won't settle down until the state government comes out with a concrete plan, temporary solutions and announcements won't do.
Lucknow: Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, passed away in Ayodhya on Wednesday morning, after prolonged illness.

Ansari has been fighting the case in favour of the Babri mosque since 1949. He was suffering from serious health conditions from many years.

Babri case litigant Hashim Ansari passed away at his residence in Ayodhya (UP) this morning pic.twitter.com/d6XjcddcbR  ANI (@ANI_news) July 20, 2016

Ansari opposed to the bringing down of the disputed structure by 'Hindu Kar Sevaks' on December 6, 1992, and his house was also gutted in the riots that followed the demolition.

His friendship with other Hindu litigants in the case - Ram Keval Das and Ram Chandra Paramhans of the Digambar Akhada, was very strong despite sharp difference of opinions.

He had recently slammed Uttar Pradesh Minority Affairs Minister Azam Khan, accusing him of cheating Muslims.

With inputs from IANS
New Delhi: Asserting that China had created "procedural hurdles" for India in getting membership of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), government said on Wednesday that it was engaging with its neighbour to iron out differences while expressing hope that the issues would be resolved.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also said India will not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, adding that New Delhi had managed to get waiver in 2008 without signing the treaty.

Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, she said China had questioned how a non-signatory to NPT could become a member of the NSG.

"But we are engaging with it. If someone says 'No' for once, it does not mean he won't agree at all ... like GST...almost all parties have agreed to it but Congress has not. That does not mean it it will never agree (to the GST bill)," Swaraj said amidst Opposition protests over attacks against Dalits in Gujarat, including sloganeering from the Well.

The minister rejected suggestions that India had created a lot of "hype" ahead of the NSG meet in Seoul. "We have been taught to make serious efforts to achieve things...no hype was created when we submitted our application for the membership of NSG on 12 May. We did it with low fanfare," she said.

Swaraj also scoffed at suggestions by Supriya Sule (NCP) that the denial of NSG membership to India was a 'huge diplomatic snub' as it came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mexico and Switzerland.

The Minister said Mexico supported India's bid and when the decision did not go in New Delhi's favour, Mexico asked the group to decide again on the issue.

Asserting that Indian diplomacy has made its mark, she said earlier people used to ask whether India can make it to the NSG. "Now when India will become a member is the question being asked," she said in the presence of the Prime Minister.

Responding to a question on the benefits of getting NSG membership, Swaraj said India will then become part of "rule making" from its current position of being a "rule taker".

"Waiver is like being allowed in the verandah. Membership is like being in the room...being part of rule making," Swaraj said.

She said though India has not signed the NPT, it is following the commitments made when it got the waiver in 2008.

Swaraj also credited the previous UPA government for getting the waiver and said while the UPA government followed the commitments, the present government is following the same since it came to power in 2014.

She said membership of the NSG would enable India to have enhanced and uninterrupted access to nuclear technology, fuel and material required for expanding its civil nuclear programme.

"It would create a predictable environment for large investments required for setting up nuclear power plants in India, inter alia, to meet India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) pledge of 40 per cent of its power capacity coming from non-fossil sources by 2030," she said.
In the early hours of 13 June, 1999, when the Kargil War was at its peak, the Indian Air Force was on verge of launching a full-scale air strike deep into Pakistan, reports NDTV.

Plans had been laid out, targets had been assigned, routes finalised and the pilots debriefed about the bombing mission.

This mission, if had seen the light of the day would have spiraled the Kargil conflict into a full-blown war between the neighbours.

According to the NDTV report, this attack was planned in response to the failed dialogue between the then foreign minister Jaswant Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz.

In order to end the war, a set of guidelines had been given to Aziz  to give up the demand for redrawing the Line Of Control in Kashmir and to punish those who tortured six Indian soldiers.

As the talks fell through, New Delhi decided that it had had enough.

What followed was extensive planning of a mission, where the Indian Air Force was to launch its first attack on Pakistan since the 1970 war. After the failed dialogue, all pilots were called and were given Command Air Tasking Orders for a pre-emptive strike at dawn on 13 June, as recorded in the Squadron diary of the Air Force's 17 Squadron, the "Golden Arrows".

The diary further elaborated that the air force was supposed to carry out a four-aircraft bombing mission in PoK and Bomb Damage Asessment of Chakala (a major Pakistani Air Force airbase in Rawalpindi), reports NDTV.

The pilots were then asked to prepare for the mission, calculate routes, load bullets into revolvers and collect Pakistani currency. But on the morning of 13 June, even as the pilots reported to the squadron, execution orders had not yet been received, and after a few hours, the mission was abandoned.

The "Golden Arrows" were not the only squadron on the verge of flying into Pakistan in June 1999. A former MiG pilot, deployed in the region, in an interview to NDTV, confirmed receiving orders to fly across the Line Of Control.

Four MiG-21s were to be a part of an attack mission,along with four MiG-29s air superiority fighters, which were to act as cover for an Indian "strike package" that had been ordered to carry out attacks at the Chaklala airbase.

16 fighter jets in all were to be deployed across the border in this massive attack,one of the first in a wave of missions. This mission too however was called off at about 12 am. The pilots at the squadron, received `No Go' orders at 3 am.

The mission in retrospect was seen as fraught with danger, as not only could Pakistan's premier F-16 fighters, intercept any Indian strike mission, but Pakistan, armed with surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), with a range of 10 kilometres, could destroy incoming Indian aircraft within seconds.

The only advantage that the Indian Air Force had was a larger strength of fighter jets than Pakistan and many more long-range air-to-air missiles.

While this could be one of the reasons why the government almost carried out air strikes in Pakistan, the rationale for the last-minute shelving of the operation same still remains a secret.
Srinagar: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh on Wednesday reviewed the security situation in Kashmir and appealed to the people to maintain peace while calling for strict vigil along the Line of Control (LoC).

The army chief also complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation besides appreciating the synergy being shown among all security agencies that has resulted in successful counter-terrorist operations, an Army spokesman said.

"The Chief of Army Staff today reviewed the security situation in Kashmir during his visit to the Srinagar based 15 Corps," the spokesman said.

He said the Army Chief was briefed by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua on the situation along the LoC and the hinterland including the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all security and other government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley.

The Army Chief, accompanied by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders, also visited the Kupwara Division in north Kashmir and Awantipur based 'Victor Force' where he was briefed on the operational preparedness as also the initiatives taken by Army in collaboration with civil administration to alleviate hardships being faced by the populace due to the prevailing unrest, the spokesman said.

He said the Army Chief also met the Director General of state Police K Rajendra Kumar and was reassured about the excellent synergy between Army, Police and intelligence agencies.

In his interaction with officers and troops, the army chief commended their operational preparedness and commitment to the cause of national security.

He exhorted everyone to ensure strict vigil along the Line of Control, the spokesman said.

Appreciating the synergy being shown among all security agencies that has resulted in successful counter terrorist operations, the spokesman said Gen Singh also complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation.

He expressed his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians and security forces during the protests while making an earnest appeal to the 'Awaam' (people) to maintain peace and help the security forces serve them better.

The army chief also impressed upon everyone to continue their positive engagement with the 'Awaam' and lend them all possible assistance in close coordination with the other stakeholders.
New Delhi: The Delhi government on Wednesday ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged suicide of Aam Aadmi Party woman activist in Narela area of Outer Delhi.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has asked North Delhi's district magistrate to investigate the matter.

The family members of the woman claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester, a party colleague, was released on bail.

"Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry (sic)," Sisodia tweeted.

Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry.  Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) July 20, 2016

Police said the woman consumed poisonous substance at her home in Narela in the afternoon and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital.

The woman had filed a complaint against party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested, said a senior police officer.

Family members of the woman told police that she went into depression after bail was granted to the accused who, she had alleged, was being protected by the local MLA.

Delhi BJP had alleged that AAP leaders had ignored her "harassment" complaint. "It may be recalled this girl had been raising issue of her harassment for months but AAP leaders ignored. This incident has established anti-woman character of AAP," Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay yesterday said in a statement.

"Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and local MLA Sharad Chauhan are responsible for her death," he had alleged. AAP refuted the allegations and accused BJP of playing politics over her death.

"There is no mention of the MLA's name in any of the complainants. Whosoever is alleged to have harassed the girl has no connection with the party. The BJP should not stoop this low and play politics over the death of a poor girl. We also want action against the culprit," AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai had said.
New Delhi: Taking suo motu cognisance, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Haryana government, seeking a report over the rape a girl in Rohtak last week by five men, who had sexually assaulted her three years ago too.

The Commission has observed that the contents of media reports on the matter, if true, paint a worrisome picture and reflects poorly on the law-and-order situation in Haryana.

"It also points to the failure of law enforcement machinery to provide adequate security to people in general and women in particular," NHRC said in a statement.

The NHRC accordingly has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Haryana calling for a factual report in the incident within four weeks, it said.

"Two of them (accused) were out on bail in the earlier case and pressurising the family of the victim for an out of court settlement of the case.

"Allegedly the victim and her family did not get any security. Reportedly, the victim is the daughter of a poor charpoy-maker," NHRC deputy director (media and communication) Jaimini Kumar Srivastava said.

"After sexual assault on her in 2013 in Bhiwani (Haryana), two of the five accused were arrested but recently came out on bail.

"The victim's family had filed a case in the court for the arrest of the remaining three and re-arrest of the two released on bail," Srivastava said.

"They (victim's family) had been getting threats from the accused pressuring them for an out of court settlement, forcing them to shift to Rohtak," he said.

"They (accused) abducted the 21-year old (victim) from near her college, where she is pursing master's degree, dragged her to a nearby place and sexually assaulted her.

"She was left to die in an unconscious state in some bushes when she was seen by a passerby and taken to a hospital," the release added.
The king has abdicated his throne and has gone missing.

And over 100 people are hard at work in trying to locate him.

Seven-year-old Jai, the beloved monarch who has ruled Nagpur's Umred Karhandla wildlife sanctuary ever since he arrived there in 2013, is nowhere to be found. Rescuers, wildlife experts and volunteers are all scouring the forest, trying to locate the 250-kilogram giant tiger, who was last seen in April, over three months ago. And though he has gone missing in the past too, such a long a sustained period without any sighting of a tiger that was radio-collared is distressing news.

The rescuers have expanded their search to include about 350 villages, reported The Indian Express, from Bor in Wardha district to Chandrapur's Brahmapuri to the New Nagzira Navegaon Tiger Reserve (NNTR), from where Jai had come to Umred in 2013. "We are mapping the whole area. We will form teams of two volunteers each that will take a local with them during the search. We plan to begin the search in two days," Roheet Karoo, honorary wildlife warden of Nagpur district, said.

Jai is the undisputed king of the Umred Karhandla forest, having mated with virtually all the females there and fathered several cubs in the entire trail leading upto Brahmapuri. However, age is no more on his side and younger tigers, aged between two and three years of age, might have pushed him away. Indeed, the Umred Karhandla sanctuary has around seven fully grown male tigers, meaning a seven-year-old Jai might have to explore newer areas.

"There is every possibility that Jai may have moved in search of new territory. It must have become logical for Jai not to challenge the younger males. This may be one of the reasons for his absence," Bilal Habib, a scientist from the Wildlife Institute of India, who had collared Jai, told The Times of India.

Jai's last sighting was on 18 April. Since then, his radio collar has not been functioning as its circuit has become defunct. The Times of India article added that Jai moved to Umred Karhandla in June 2013. He was collared by Habib in September 2015, but the link failed within a few months. His last sighting was on 8 May, 2016, when on a cattle kill in Brahmapuri.

While it's a common enough occurrence for a tiger to move from one forest area into another, especially in the summer months when the big cats may move longer distances in search of water or a mate, to go three months without a sighting is worrying the officials. Karoo added that there also haven't been any news of cattle being killed, which would have suggested Jai is safe.

"A cattle kill would have suggested he is around. Of course, we have about 10,000 square kilometres of unprotected forests adjoining the protected ones in the area. It is possible he might have gone to a place like Gadchiroli," Karoo told The Indian Express, adding that the search will continue till they find the big cat.
Thiruvananthapuram: After being kept away from the prized post of CM and lying low since the new LDF government was formed two months ago, V.S. Achuthanandan on Wednesday indirectly targeted Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by picking on a decision to remove a government counsel dealing with cases against land usurpers.

"Yes, I have written a letter to the Chief Minister as government counsel Susheela Bhatt was removed from the post where she was doing a good job for long for the state government," Achuthanandan told reporters here.

Bhatt's removal has come for heavy criticism from several quarters as she was fighting cases for the state government against big estate owners who have been identified as usurping government land.

In another development, senior advocate M.K. Damodaran who on Tuesday said he will not take up the post of advisor to the Chief Minister, on Wednesday expressed his displeasure over a "conspiracy" regarding his appointment.

"Even media, both print and TV, was also unfair to me, hence I will not speak a word," Damodaran told media persons when asked why he did not take up the advisor's post.

Reacting to this, Achuthanandan, who does not enjoy the best of relations with Damodaran, said there is no reason to blame anyone. "I dismiss his statements with utmost contempt," Achuthanandan told reporters.

The clash between Vijayan and Achuthanandan is more than a decade old and there were times when it caused huge embarrassment to the party, and on one occasion both were booted out of the politburo. After a while, Vijayan was reinstated, but not Achuthanandan.

In the recent assembly polls, Achuthanandan turned out to be the most popular campaigner and was instrumental in the CPI-M's stunning victory. But he was left high and dry when it came to forming the government. Uncharacteristic of his style, Achuthanandan had so far been keeping mum and on Wednesday it was the first time that he opened up.

His statements come at a time when the assembly on Tuesday amended a 1951 rule so as to enable him to take the post of chairman of the Administrative Reforms Committee, which the party and state cabinet have cleared, but he is yet to make up his mind about taking up the assignment.
One day after Firstpost published a report that highlighted large-scale irregularities regarding the transfers and promotions of 220 excise department officers in the first week of July, the Maharashtra state government has announced the formation of a committee to probe these allegations.

Responding to remarks made by senior Congress leader Narayan Rane, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said the committee will be headed by the Maharashtra chief secretary Swadhin Kshatriya. It will investigate the accusations and submit its report.

Speaking at the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday, Rane said 220 people have been transferred in the first two weeks of July. Responding to this, principal secretary Rajesh Kumar Meena told Firstpost that this is not the case. "All transfers were done by the rule book. There are no irregularities," he said.

CM Fadnavis said that the chief secretary will investigate the issue. "If there are any irregularities, it will come out once he submits his report. There are only executive posts in the excise department, no non-executive ones. As for the issue of transferring allegedly tainted officers, we have gone by a Supreme Court order that said an employee who is caught by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) would become eligible for working after serving out a one-year suspension," he said.

Firstpost had earlier written about the excise department, then headed by Fadnavis himself, transferring a deceased officer from Kolhapur to Nashik. Fadnavis himself had approved the order approving excise inspector Sandip Sabale's transfer. The report forced the state government to act, and a government clerk was suspended while a notice was also sent to the department's Kolhapur superintendent over the gaffe.

The letter transferring Sabale to Nashik, which mentioned that failure to assume his duties with immediate effect would invite disciplinary action.

Letter transferring SM Sabale to Nashik

Following our publication of the earlier report, Rane made further accusations against Fadnavis' government, saying that while rules state only 30 per cent of officials can be transferred every year, the BJP government in Maharashtra transferred all 180 police sub-inspectors, even those who were not due for a transfer. "Besides, there are another dozen chargesheeted officers, some even facing molestation or rape charges. But instead of taking action against them, they got plum postings," Rane had alleged.
New Delhi: In a bid to effectively prohibit benami transactions, the Centre on Wednesday approved a proposal to introduce amendments to the Benami Transactions (Prohibition)

(Amendment) Bill, 2015 in Parliament.

"The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its approval for introducing amendments to the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) (Amendment) Bill, 2015 in Parliament," a statement said.

According to the statement, the amendments aim to strengthen the Bill in terms of legal and administrative procedure so as to overcome the practical difficulties which may arise in the implementation of its provisions when it becomes an Act.

The legislation is also intended to effectively prohibit benami transactions and consequently prevent circumvention of law through unfair practices.

"It empowers the government to confiscate benami property by following due procedure. It therefore promotes equity across all citizens," it said.

However, the statement further said that those declaring their benami properties under income declaration scheme will get immunity under the Benami Act.
Bihar Chief Minister and Janata Dal (United) chief Nitish Kumar met Union finance minister Arun Jaitley On Tuesday to pledge his support for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.

There is nothing surprising about Kumars promised support for GST really since JDU has been among the regional parties, which have hailed the big-ticket tax reform from the very beginning, even during the UPA governments time.

JDU has maintained that GST is critical for the welfare of states and crucial to make India as a single market freeing from the current mess of several complex levies. But what one shouldnt miss about the meeting is Kumar vehemently opposing the constitutional capping of 18 percent GST rate.

"I do not support capping of the rate of tax, said Kumar. This part is crucial since writing the GST rate in the constitution has been the sole major reason for the Congress, JDUs ally in Bihar, for blocking the GST in the Upper House.

With JDU too pitching strongly against this demand, the Congress stands isolated and more vulnerable on the issue in the House. The Narendra Modi government has tasted the blood and will consult with more regional satraps in the approaching days to gain sufficient support.

In all probability, the decade-long GST puzzle is nearing a solution. To press the time value attached to the early passage of GST, Firstpost has been running a series of articles under the #SupportGST campaign in the recent weeks. In the series, most experts (economists, industrialists and academics have strongly argued why the passage of the Bill now is critical to make sure it gets rolled out from April, 2017.

This is because even after the Centre passes the amendment, state assemblies have to pass it separately and prepare the ground for its actual implementation. The reason the Congress party highlights to blackball the Bill ie the BJP opposed it when it was in the opposition shouldnt be the reason to do the same now since much time has passed victimising the important reform to political bargaining.

If opposition parties keep dragging GST only to change their opinion when comes to power (which is what the BJP did too), the tax reform will never see light of the day. This will be detrimental to the larger interests of the economy. At the same time, the BJP shouldnt delay making a formal proposal to the Congress on how to address the demand that GST rate doesnt shoot through the roof by proposing firm rules.

Probably, a provision can be made to empower the GST council to fix the revenue neutral rate. This will be acceptable to all since the council has representation from all states and Centre. The Congress has been fighting a losing battle from Day One on the issue of inclusion of the GST rate in the Bill. This is because if the rate (say 18 percent) is included in the Bill, in case of revenue loss in future, the government would find it difficult to adjust the rate. It needs to go through parliament and state assemblies. But, it is important to make sure the agreed GST rate is not too high, which will severely hurt the consumers.

In fact, the Arvind Subramanian panel had suggested a three-rate structure for GST implementation. A concessional rate of 12 percent for public goods that concerns the deprived or weaker sections, a standard rate of 17-18 percent that would concern majority of items and a rate of 40 percent for luxury items and tobacco, aerated drinks and pan masala etc.

This structure, if used, can balance the concerns of most segments. The reality is that GST is the only big reform that can happen at the current stage. The Land Acquisition Bill, another key reform, is off the table for some time as it has been diluted and has been left to the state governments to decide.

Thus state governments, including the Congress-ruled states, can never pass the blame to the Centre as far as land acquisition is concerned.

What is encouraging now is that the most powerful regional parties such as Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress have acknowledged the importance of the GST and have been urging both the BJP and Congress to work out a way looking at the issue beyond political bargaining.

When the BJP was in the Opposition, they were stalling the GST. Now, the Congress is in the Opposition and they are stalling it. And all of us, the middle parties, except the Left, want the GST, TMC leader Derek OBrien said early this week.

"I urge the government and the Congress to get their acts together and pass GST in this Parliament Session. They are both to blame for this delay, OBrien said.

Its not just the TMC, most other regional parties except perhaps Jayalaithaas All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, have made up their minds in favour of GST. Jayalalithaa isnt decided which side to swing, but is likely to offer support after hard bargaining for the state.

Similarly, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo, Mayawati too has voiced her support for the Bill in the Rajya Sabha but with some conditions.

Our party will give some suggestions when this bill will come up. Our party will support the bill with some suggestions," Maywati told reporters early this week.

The Samajwadi Party too have a favourable stand on GST. That leaves only the Congress and left parties out.

In the 245 member Upper House, the NDA needs two-third majority to pass the constitutional amendment. If it gains support of all regional parties (a difficult possibility) including the AIDMK and independent members, it might just win the number game, but that is a distant possibility. But, the Congress support is needed to pass the legislation in a meaningful manner.

Nitish Kumars googly shows grouping of powerful regional satraps in favour of the GST that will further mount pressure on the Congress to fall in line.
IAS officer Shah Faesal has been scathing in his criticism of Indian national media and the way the Kashmir unrest is being beamed into our drawing rooms. Amid a cacophony of voices, we need to sit up and listen to him because unlike most anchors of TV channels based in New Delhi, the 2009 IAS topper is a Kashmiri, who lives with his family in the conflict zone and is directly affected by the violence.

It is precisely for this reason that we must see his articles  one carried by The Indian Express on Tuesday and the other a recent Facebook post  for what they are. An impassioned, frenetic plea by an Indian civil servant who would rather distance himself from New Delhi than be held up as a progressive Kashmiri icon and risk his own and his family's safety at the hands of "enraged Kashmiri youth".

Bear in mind that 14 years ago, Faesal's father Ghulam Rasool Shah was killed by militants because he refused to shelter them.

The wounds are understandably still fresh as Faesal reveals in a few heart-wrenching lines:

"On the afternoon of 13 July, my one-year-old child was finding it difficult to sleep because the adjacent curfewed street had been rattling with a sinister medley of azadi slogans and tear-gas explosions since daybreak Three decades ago, I was in a similar moment with my father stroking me to sleep while mortar shells were pounding the hills in our backyard."

So unsettled was Faesal by the electronic media's campaign that pitted him against slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani that he threatened to even resign last Friday than being part of a "sadistic propaganda machine" indulging in "conventional savagery that cashes on falsehoods, divides people and creates more hatred" at a time when Kashmir was "mourning its dead".

These are strong words.

A man who has suffered deep personal loss from violence does not want the cycle to be repeated. Beyond this justifiable and legitimate context, however, Shah Faesal's articles are immensely problematic.

Instead of addressing the unrest, Faesal reinforces the alienation of Kashmiris. He criticises the role of the government while being a part of it as a public servant. And most importantly, in going after the Indian media and accusing it of spreading venom against Kashmiris, he ends up demonising the "enraged Kashmiri youth" more damningly than any jingoistic channel could.

Before I explain, let's consider a simple question: Why did Indian media highlight the Faesal story at every crucial stage of his life?

The story of Faesal being the first Kashmiri to top the IAS exam was widely covered in 2009. Even by those jingoistic channels that he despises. His recent articles  though bitingly critical of the media, public perception around Kashmir and government's role in it  have found wide, viral coverage in both mainstream and social media.

This has been possible because in Faesal, Indians see a hero. An unbending will who despite the circumstances that he was thrown into, overcame his irreparable personal loss to achieve a goal that eludes many. This is an inspirational story that needs to be repeated many times over.

Some may disagree with his sweeping generaliastions, but Indians by and large reserve the greatest respect for Faesal. They attach huge importance to his voice, not just because he serves as the guiding star for many aspirational youths across India, but also because of his unique position as a Kashmiri who, like Burhan Wani, had a grievance but unlike Wani, refused to use it as an excuse for picking up the gun. It was expressed most succinctly by Faesal himself in the past.

"Obviously, being a Kashmiri, it does feel different because we have certain perceptions and stereotypes about Kashmiri youth. I think my selection is to some extent a punch on all those stereotypical notions that Kashmir can only produce terrorists."

This statement, issued by him in 2011, touches the very crux of the debate about why TV channels were glorifying his image vis-a-vis Wani's during the present unrest. His story needed to be glorified not because Indians get a sadistic pleasure by humiliating Kashimris, as he so alleges. No. But because a message needs to be sent across to angry, disgruntled youths that a richer, more fulfilling future is possible if they, like Faesal, choose to pick up the book instead of gun or stones.

There is nothing more challenging to uproot than another person's worldview.

This is not, however, to endorse the 'vigilante journalism' or 'campaign journalism' that callously and criminally calls for "dead militants to be burnt along with garbage instead of being buried in Indias land".

That is a misrepresentation of my argument. Misinformation, disinformation, bad data, selective outrage, cherry picking of facts and even outright lies to reinforce a dominant narrative are issues Indian media at large must deal with and introspect about.

But it is a bit rich when Faesal accuses Indian media of "sheer insensitivity and shallowness" for juxtaposing his picture with that of the militant commanders. His unflattering indictment that media "markets TRPs as national interest and does business over the dead bodies of young men" is exposed more as a concern for his personal safety than any grand, balanced commentary on the state of media coverage.

"Next day, I left for my office, incognito, wearing a kurta-pyjama and a farmers cap, hopping across check posts like a thief, knowing well that if a group of enraged youngsters recognised me, I might be in trouble, and rightly so, for falling on the wrong side of the Kashmiri vs Indian binary at such a critical juncture. Abusive comments on my Facebook wall had the same refrain."

These words reveal the insecurity that he faces from his own people which forces him to even preemptively justify the violence should he be subjected to it. For what? Being touted as an icon in Indian TV channels? Who is stereotyping the Kashmiris here and reinforcing the alienation? The jingoistic TV channels? Or Faesal himself?

Some of the coverage is doubtlessly odious, loud and nauseating. But this has been the scourge of media for a very long time. Faesal correctly says, "the biggest challenge for India, this time, is how to reclaim the custody of national interest from its national media, and restore communication with its neighbours and people." There can be no doubt about the perils of jingoism and hyper-nationalist sentiments that does away with all nuances. He is also correct to ask the media to "tone down the jingoistic rhetoric".

But if news channels in India are washing away nuances in favour of a black and white debate, so too, unfortunately, is Faesal.

He conflates several issues, omits crucial data and makes a strange claim that "India has been communicating to Kashmiris through rigged elections, dismissal of elected governments, through encounters and corruption." And goes on to say that Kashmiri youths see India as "synonymous with a military bunker or a police vehicle or a ranting panelist on prime time television" and that this cannot "win Kashmiri hearts".

In one fell swoop, Faesal completely disregards Pakistan's role in fuelling the Kashmir dispute or the increasing threat of Islamist radicalism in violence and unequivocally lays everything at India's door.

In an article titled 'Disown jihadist 'freedom fighters' in Kashmir' in Pakistan-based newspaper The Nation, columnist Kunwar Khuldune Shahid writes: "Burhan Wani was the offspring of the global jihadist movement that emerged in the last quarter of the previous century, hammering Muslim-majority freedom movements into Islamist struggles wherever the occupying force was non-Muslim including Palestine, Kashmir and East Turkestan Wani, like countless other youngsters, unfortunately fell prey to jihadism in a land becoming increasingly fertile for radical Islam."

While talking about "winning of hearts", there is not a single line anywhere in Faesal's posts on Kashmiri Pandits, 99 percent of whom were forced to leave the valley by 1990. His comments are equally shorn of any mention of the causes of military presence in Kashmir, where Pakistan has been busy waging a proxy war by training militants and funding separatist groups.

We should, however, take note of and respect Faesal's concerns.

Let's not thrust heroism on an unwilling idol.
Rahul Gandhi's act of dozing off in Parliament  amid heated exchanges between the treasury benches and the Opposition Congress  during the all important debate on the atrocities faced by Dalits in Gujarat's Una has armed BJP president Amit Shah with strong talking points ahead of his upcoming rally in Agra  where he will share the dais with 87-year-old Buddhist monk Dhamma Viriyo, to mobilise Dalits and other most backward castes in the BJP's favour.

The advantage given by Rahul Gandhi to the BJP, however, was lost shortly due to a loose and condemnable statement made by BJP Uttar Pradesh state unit vice-president Dayashankar Singh on Mayawati. It has been proven in the past that such loose remarks hurt the very party which makes them, and ultimately helps the person and the party who is cursed with such detestable words. Results of the Bihar Assembly election is one such example.

Amit Shah is well aware of the backlash that the BJP could face, and how it could send the party's sustained Dalit outreach program for a toss. Dayashankar has surely invited the wrath of the party leadership. Finance Minister and Leader of Lok Sabha in Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley, indicated that the party would take a tough stand against him.

Given the sensitivity around the issue, Dayashankar was taken to task by BJP's state unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya and national party in-charge for state OP Mathur. Though he has since apologised, how much that can salvage or how it pans out will be seen in due course. Mayawati quickly seized the opportunity and led the charge in Rajya Sabha. Her emotional outbursts clearly indicated how she was going to raise the issue in the run up to Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2017. The BJP needs to watch out for that.

The Congress, along with the BSP members, continued to create ruckus in the Rajya Sabha  first on the Una issue and then on the Mayawati insult issue. Dayashankar's "prostitute" remark on Mayawati, helped the Congress acquire an aggressive posture against the BJP in Rajya Sabha, conveniently covering the embarrassment caused by Rahul Gandhi's nap during the Dalit protest issue discussion in the Lok Sabha.

Rahul's act has also taken the steam out of his scheduled visit to Una on Thursday. The BJP is sure to raise the issue when he lands in Gujarat.

The act of public thrashing of some Dalits by a vigilante cow protection group in Una is highly deplorable, and the consequent violent backlash  including suicide attempts by some protestors  has put the Anandiben Patel government in the dock. The heat on the Modi Government because of the issue was more than visible in both houses of Parliament.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh gave a longish reply on the issue, saying that it was reflective of a social malice which had to be countered, and that all concerned needed to rise above the political lines. He went at length citing figures of early nineties in Gujarat, to suggest that the situation was much worse during the Congress rule in the state, and also during the 10-year period of UPA rule at the Centre. His response, though, was far from satisfactory.

Rahul Gandhi's disinterest or boredom, as manifested by his dozing off, saved the day for the government, both in the Parliament and outside, also giving BJP a political brownie point over Congress on the politically and socially critical issue.

The Congress is finding it increasingly difficult to defend its party boss. Even BSP chief Mayawati, whose party members had trooped in the well in Rajya Sabha along with Congress members, was quick to blast the Congress vice-president.

The Dalit issue would continue to raise political fire in next 24 hours. While Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal would visit Una, the Rajya Sabha will continue to have heated discussions on the issue. Following that, a few days later, BJP President Amit Shah  along with Buddhist monks  will lead the charge to woo Dalits and attempt to make direct inroads into Mayawati's social constituency.

The unfolding events in Shah's home state of Gujarat and Daya Shankar's Mayawati insult, though, have made his task slightly difficult.

He and the BJP had, after prolonged deliberations, crafted a multi-pronged strategy to woo the Dalits. PM Modi, Shah and the BJP have been working on it for two years.

Take for instance, the Buddhist monks campaign for BJP in UP. A group of 70-80 Buddhist monks, led by an octogenarian Dhamma Viriyo, will crisscross the length and breadth of UP, while lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to reach out to Dalits and of restoring due honour to the greatest Dalit icon, BR Ambedkar. This has evoked a lot of curiosity among people.

Though there is no precise data on how many Dalits, Chamars or Jatavas (Mayawati is a Jatav) have turned to Buddhism, there are some other interesting facets. The monks' Dhamma Chetna Yatra, besides focusing on Buddhist Dalits, will also target the OBCs and MBCs, telling the castes and communities concerned that more than anyone else, Mayawati in particular, it is actually Narendra Modi who has given due glory and fame to Ambedkar, and also followed his principles, as laid down by the Dalit icon.

It is interesting to note that while in Maharashtra, Dalits other than caste Mahar, to which Ambedkar belonged, hardly turn to Buddhism; but in UP, particularly in Western UP, a section of Jatavas and others castes in the Dalit community have converted to Buddhism. The Jatavas, who constitute over half the population of Dalits in UP, have so far solidly stood behind Mayawati.

Viriyo's six month long yatra was flagged off by Rajnath Singh at Sarnath in Varanasi on 24 April and is likely to conclude in Lucknow in mid-October, where Modi will hold a public rally.

The yatra and its coordination has had strong RSS inputs. RSS leader Indresh has been working on the Hindu-Buddhist samrasta samanvay (coordination and co-option). He is one of the prime movers behind this yatra, though he has largely remained in the background. The RSS' other concern is the Dalit conversion to Christianity. Shah's Agra rally on 31 July would be keenly watched by his political rivals.
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"I will not accept that this problem is just one created by Pakistan or separatists," he said.

"You cannot escape the issue by just blaming Pakistan for the problems in Kashmir," he said. "Just because of good tourism in one season in Kashmir, you cannot think you solved the problem. If you do not pay attention to this problem, it will turn into a law and order problem."

"There must be a conspiracy being hatched by Pakistan. But you have to look at the measures you are taking to counter it," Yechury told the government in Rajya Sabha.

In response, a beleaguered Arun Jaitley said that BJP will take strict action against Dayashankar Singh. "I should tell Mayawati ji that the party shares her grief over this issue, I will look into this matter, we stand with her...I am personally hurt that a BJP party person used such derogatory words against Mayawati," he said.

"This is not only a woman's issue. This is a man's issue," said TMC MP Derek O'Brien.

Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury stressed on the fact that the man making such remarks was none other than the vice president of the UP unit of BJP and demanded that he be arrested. "A man speaks with such language on the day both houses are discussing issues on violence on Dalits?" she said.

"The nation will not forgive BJP for this, especially with what is going in Gujarat," ANI quoted Mayawati as saying. "There are wars of thoughts and ideas in the House, but never have I used derogatory words against anyone ever," she said.

"The insulting words used against me are against all of womankind," said Mayawati. "Dayashankar Singh should be arrested. Otherwise, if in response to this people get violent, it will not be on my conscience," she added.

UP BJP vice president Dayashankar Singh's cheap remark against BSP chief Mayawati created uproar in the Parliament as Opposition leaders attacked the Modi government over the issue.

In response, a beleaguered Arun Jaitley said that BJP will take strict action against Dayashankar Singh. "I should tell Mayawati ji that the party shares her grief over this issue, I will look into this matter, we stand with her...I am personally hurt that a BJP party person used such derogatory words against Mayawati," he said.

"This is not only a woman's issue. This is a man's issue," said TMC MP Derek O'Brien.

Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury stressed on the fact that the man making such remarks was none other than the vice president of the UP unit of BJP and demanded that he be arrested. "A man speaks with such language on the day both houses are discussing issues on violence on Dalits?" she said.

"The nation will not forgive BJP for this, especially with what is going in Gujarat," ANI quoted Mayawati as saying. "There are wars of thoughts and ideas in the House, but never have I used derogatory words against anyone ever," she said.

"The insulting words used against me are against all of womankind," said Mayawati. "Dayashankar Singh should be arrested. Otherwise, if in response to this people get violent, it will not be on my conscience," she added.

UP BJP vice president Dayashankar Singh's cheap remark against BSP chief Mayawati created uproar in the Parliament as Opposition leaders attacked the Modi government over the issue.

"On one hand, BJP did a lot of things to celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti and assured Dalits that they will do a lot to celebrate it. On the other hand, Dalits still do not have reservation rights in the private sector," she added.

"The legal rights which Ambedkar created for the backward sections of the society will only reach the society when honest work is done for providing those rights to them," she said.

"Even after the country got independence, whether it is Congress rule or BJP rule, the sad truth is that the Dalits are still suffering," Mayawati said in the Rajya Sabha.

"There is an urgent need to change the mindset of the major political parties of the country towards Dalits," she said. "I have to tell the Union government that this is a serious matter. I ask the government to give justice to the Dalit victims in Gujarat. It is not enough to just send the Gujarat CM to meet them. Action needs to be taken against authorities which were negligent. They should be arrested," she said.

"In the name of protection of cows, a lot of unfair things are being done. Injustice against Dalits is being done in the name of protection of cows," said Mayawati in the Rajya Sabha.

Crimes against Dalits being done in the name of cow protection, says Mayawati

"Instead of making Dalits a political weapon, Congress, BJP and other parties should be reminded that they should rise above petty politics and work for the development of backward sections," she said.

"The victims often do not get justice in case of a CID probe," said Mayawati in the Rajya Sabha. "Gujarat government did not act quickly enough. It was only when the media picked up this issue that some action was taken."

"This Una incident case should run in a fast track court. We also demand that one of the judges should be a Dalit," Mayawati said. "Forget about Dalits getting justice, even their FIR is not filed many times and the latest example is the Una (Gujrat) incident," she also said.

Deputy Chariman PJ Kurien denies that the House is taking the subject lightly. Rajya Sabha is currently debating Aam Aadmi Party lawmaker Bhagwant Mann's video of him entering Parliament by crossing several security layers. Mann then posted it on social media, inviting attack from MPs across party line, who termed his act as a security breach.

In the video, which went viral, Mann was seen showing entry gate through which MPs enter Parliament House and saying how strong is the security. "The car is registered with the Lok Sabha. It has a censor, which has the vehicle details. As soon as so you come near the gate, the censor identifies the car and announces the name and number of the car," Mann says in the video with him crossing several layers of the security.

On the fifth day of the Monsoon Session (Friday), Aam Aadmi Party MLA Bhagwant Mann's filmed a video entering Parliament by crossing several security layers, which eventually caused uproar in both the Houses. Mann, who posted it on social media, invited attack from MPs across party line, who termed his act as a security breach.

As soon as the House assembled, she informed it about the action being taken on the issue which had led to the adjournment of Lok Sabha proceedings on July 22. "The inquiry committee shall inquire into the serious security implications and related aspects.... (and) suggest suitable remedial measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future and recommend appropriate action in the matter," the Speaker said.

The member is "advised not to attend the sittings of the House" until a decision is taken in the matter, Mahajan said. Mann was not present in the House.

The panel has also been asked to "suggest remedial measures" so that such episodes are not repeated.

Mahajan has formed the nine member panel headed by BJP MP Kirit Somaiya which includes Anandrao Adsul (Shiv Sena), Meenakshi Lekhi, Satya Pal Singh (both BJP), B Mahtab (Biju Janata Dal), Ratna De Nag (Trinamool) and K. C. Venugopal (Congress) and other members.

Therefore, the "act of the member" has put the security of the Parliament in peril, she said. Mahajan said she had consulted leaders of all political parties and everyone supported her actions on this issue.

Describing Parliament as "sanctum sanctorum" of democracy, Mahajan recalled that on 13 December, 2001, security personnel had sacrificed their lives protecting the parliament and after that entire security system was reviewed and overhauled.

It put "security of the parliament in peril", Mahajan added. Mann has been asked to appear before the panel by 10.30 am tomorrow and make his submission.

Addressing the Lok Sabha as soon as it reassembled after the weekend break, Mahajan said taking audio video footage of security zones in the parliament by Punjab's Sangrur MP Mann on July 21 and putting them on social networking site was improper.

"The act of the member of audio-visual recording of the Parliament and posting it on the social media puts the security of Parliament in peril," the Speaker said, adding that several members had expressed concern over the issue on Friday last.

The panel, chaired by BJP member Kirit Somaiya, has been asked to submit its report by August 3, while Mann has time till tomorrow morning to submit his explanation to the committee.

Acting tough, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan today said AAP MP Bhagwant Mann's videography of the Parliament House complex had put its security "in peril" and asked him not to attend the House till a decision is taken on the matter while setting up a nine-member panel to probe the issue.

The Lok Sabha is likely to discuss The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill today. Apart from this, the Lower House is also slated to discuss The Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Bill.

Sasikala Pushpa began crying in the House over the issue of attacks on women in the country. She has alleged that she was harassed and was being forced to quit her post.

"So what if we disagreed with you? This is not the country we are used to living in," O'Brien said. "The Prime Minister needs to come in the House and say that we can live in the India we know, the India of unity and diversity."

"For Rs 15, they (Dalits) are being killed because they are Dalits. I am a gau sevak. But in the name of gau sevaks, don't cross the line. This is a sitaution which has gone beyond the border of this country. Since they are taking these decisions, they must listen to what the UN had to say about this country," he said.

"The curb on religious fundamentalism, this is a dangerous situation. If it happens and happens and happens, it is a decision. This is a decision of this government. Otherwise, the Defence Minister would not have said what he said yesterday," TMC MP Derek O'Brien said, referring to Parrikar's remarks that Aamir Khan needs to be taught a "lesson" because of his remarks on intolerance.

An angry Parrikar responded by saying that he did not take the name of any person in the video.

"Since the BJP government came to power, they targeted Muslims first. Now, they are committing atrocities against the Dalits. The Prime Minister should come to the Parliament and clarify on what is happening," Mayawati said.

CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury responded to Parrikar and said, "What he said is objectionable. That cannot be acceptable. Tomorrow, are you going to threaten me? If he is raksha mantri, kiska raksha ho raha hai?"

Defence Minister Parrikar responded to the uproar in the Rajya Sabha over his remarks against Aamir Khan and said, "Let them see the video themselves and make up their minds."

"We should think about the respect for women. In Bareilly, a teacher was abducted during daytime. This is not right. The government should speak. Why is the government silent?" she said.

"There are rapes taking place against Dalit women everywhere in the country. The government should take this matter seriously," Mayawati said.

Naqvi agreed with her and said the government was ready for a discussion.

"I am really embarrassed for standing here and talking about the same issue once again, even after the Nirbhaya gangrape...I want a discussion on women's protection. I do not care which place. I do not want politicising of this issue," Jaya Bachchan said in the Rajya Sabha.

An emotional Jaya Bachchan got up in the Rajya Sabha and demanded a discussion on the issue of safety of women.

"In view of seriousness of matter, Bhagwant Mann is further advised not to attend the sessions of Parliament for further two weeks," she said.

"The chairperson (of the committee) has sought extension of time for further two weeks. I have accepted the request for extension," Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said.

On the issue of AAP MP Bhagwant Mann being barred from the Parliament for making a video of the Parliament House complex, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said that the committee probing this issue had asked for more time.

"This legislation will only be passed after a serious discussion. I hope the Finance Minister passes the Bill not on the strength of his numbers, but on the basis of logic," Chidambaram said.

"Government tried to pass the GST Bill without the support of the principal Opposition and I am happy they failed," he said.

"Many issues are still outstanding issues and still need to be resolved. We had earlier tried to pass the GST Bill with the support of the Opposition and we failed," he said.

"I welcome the friendly tone of the Finance Minister's speech. I think the tone and approach has changed over the last few weeks," Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram said.

"People of India expect low indirect taxes. There are many voices in the government which speak for the corporate, but someone must speak for the people. I am doing that," Chidambaram said in the Rajya Sabha.

"When this Bill is passed today, we will prepare for the next stage of the debate, which is the Central GST Bill. I want an assurance from the Finance Minister....This is a very important legislation. I want an assurance that when that Bill is brought, that will be brought as a Financial Bill and not as a Money Bill," Chidambaram said.

"Persuade all parties and sections of the people that a standard of 18 percent is the most appropriate," he added.

"The worry that we have is creeping taxation. But that is what Parliament is for. Taxation is the exclusive power of the Parliament. It is ultimately Parliament which calls the shots in taxes," he said.

"I, on behalf of my party, loudly and clearly demand that the GST rate should not exceed 18 percent," Chidambaram said in the Rajya Sabha.

Bill in next stage of GST debate should be brought as a Financial Bill: Chidambaram

Chidambaram warns that a rate too high, something like 23 percent, will be inflationary. He insists that the Bill needs to be passed as a finance Bill. The critical point we shouldnt be miss here is that the Congress is pitching for 18 percent standard GST rate and isnt ready to give up on this point in any case.

This comment is crucial since the NDA government has not yet arrived on a single rate. Chidambaram attacks the Narendra Modi government, saying it does not care about the problems of the common people. Chidambaram stresses on the point that the rate should be changed only with the permission of Parliament, and thus makes Congress compromise formula that the GST rate should be included in the GST Bill, though his party is willing to compromise on the earlier demand that the rate should be included in the constitution.

According to Firstpost Financial Editor Dinesh Unnikrishnan, P Chidambaram has hit the core point in his speech  the final GST rate. Chidambaram positions Congress as the voice of poor and emphasises on the fact that standard GST rate should not exceed 18 percent on the lines of what governments chief economic advisor, Arvind Subrmanian, suggested.

"It (GST) violates states' autonomy. It results in permanent revenue loss to the state of Tamil Nadu. We strongly oppose this Bill," AIADMK MP A Navaneethakrishnan said in the Rajya Sabha.

"We have moved an amendment that the compensation should be for at least 5 years," he added.

"Tamil Nadu will lose Rs 9270 crore because of GST. This is not a small amount," he said.

"Till date, the revenue-neutral rate has not been fixed by the government," he said, adding that this was a problem in the GST Bill.

"Petroleum and petroleum products must be kept outside GST permanently. We can save our people only then," he said. "It is a well-known fact that Tamil Nadu is a manufacturing state. It is also known that this method of taxation is destination-based. We strongly oppose that," he said.

He then went on to elaborate on the changes which AIADMK wanted in the GST Bill.

"The composition of the GST Council is not fair. The weightage of each state's vote should be in proportion to their representation in the country," said the AIADMK MP in the Rajya Sabha.

"Now let me tell you about the ping pong match," O'Brien said

"I'm feeling like a teenager in the presence of these senior lawyers," O'Brien said. "There is the politics of the Bill. GST can also be interpreted as the Girgit Samjhauta Tax," TMC MP Derek O'Brien said in the Rajya Sabha.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien has always been dramatic in his speeches, and his speech during the GST Bill is a perfect example.

The money has to first come from Centre to states and then from states to local bodies. If the availability of funds to local bodies gets delayed, that can seriously hamper functioning of local bodies, Patel cites. In a larger context, this problem is not for MCGB alone. It would apply to all big and small local bodies across the country in the GST regime. Patels remarks suggest the magnitude of challenge the Modi government has while implementing the revolutionary tax regime.

Patel raises the challenge of GST implementation. Under the GST regime, when various indirect taxes including sales tax, VAT and Octroi get consolidated in one uniform tax rate, will large local bodies such as MCGB get funds on time for its daily functioning? Patel asks.

Firstpost Financial Editor Dinesh Unnikrishnan says that NCP Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel raises an interesting case of states within the states, citing the example of Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGB), which under Octroi alone garners about Rs 8000 crore to Rs 9000 crore per annum.

"The Prime Minister should come to the House apologise to the nation. If he cannot come, we will be happy even if Finance Minister Jaitley apologises," Budania said. "It was Congress which forced you to follow the right path of this Bill."

"At that time, the then Gujarat CM had said that this Bill is against the welfare of the nation. Today, the same man who is now PM, said that this Bill is benefitial for the nation," he said.

"When the Congress had brought this Bill to the Parliament, then BJP had protested against it," said Narendra Budania, Congress MP from Rajasthan.

PM Modi should apologise to the nation for his U-turn on GST Bill: Congress in Rajya Sabha

"We have given this notice for discussion to wake up the government. It is unfortunate that the Taj of Hindustan is burning but the central government cannot feel the heat. Which kind of heat will wake up the Kashmir government?" Azad said.

"Today, it has been 30 days since curfew was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir. I do not think that any state in India has seen curfew for 30 days since Independence," Congress leader Azad said.

"Please call for an all-party meeting and send a delegation to Kashmir," he said.

"This cannot be solved through law and order machinery," he said. "The silence of the Prime Minister is more eloquent than words. He is sending the message that the government does not care about the situation in Kashmir."

"This is one of the most grave situations I have risen in to speak. I have not seen continuous curfew for 30 days in my life. How can we remain silent? More than 1000 incidents of firing have been reported in a month. More than 8000 have been injured. 60 are dead. It is inhuman and criminal. Why are we using pellet guns? I am told that even Israel does not use pellet guns against Palestinians," CPI(M)'s Sitaram Yechury said.

"If you (BJP) were not opposing this Bill at that time, this Bill would have been passed two years ago. So, you are actually responsible for delaying the Parliament passing this Bill, but we are taking the blame," he said.

"Why was it that in 2011, some ministers who are sitting on that side were opposing this Bill?" Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge said in the Lok Sabha.

"Today, the Parliament is going to take a big step for the freedom from tax terrorism," he said. "Some people will know the condition of taxation in our country," he added.

"Today is 8 August. On this day many years ago, Mahatma Gandhi had moved the nation with 'Bharat choro' slogan," PM Narendra Modi said in the Lok Sabha.

"Therefore, who won and who lost is not a matter of debate," the Prime Minister further said.

"But the credit for this Bill does not belong to one party. It belongs to the culture of Indian democracy," Modi said.

"It is true that someone created this Bill while someone else nurtured it," he said. "Just as someone gave birth to Krishna and someone else raised him," he said.

"The most important requirement was the creation of trust between Centre and the states. The most important thing was to not decide this on the basis of sheer numbers. That is why I have earlier said that democracy is not just about numbers," he said.

"We were successful in taking care of a lot of flaws with the GST Bill. 'Ek manch, ek manth, ek marg, ek manzil' is the mantra behind GST which all of us have experienced," the PM said.

"Sometimes, there were doubts about the GST. When I was the CM, even I had doubts about GST. And today, because of seeing GST continuously as a CM, my viewpoint changed when I viewed it as Prime Minister," Modi said.

"All Centre and states need to unite to create a mechanism for Ek Bharat," PM Modi said in the Lok Sabha.

I had different view of GST because I looked at it earlier from the point of view of a CM: PM Modi in Lok Sabha

"A message will go to the people through GST that the consumer is the king," Modi said. "GST gives a guarantee of security to small traders and businessmen. It will result in economic growth."

"Despite our differences, we made efforts to take GST forward," he said. "A uniformity in the processing of taxation will come through GST."

"In the entire discussion of GST, none of us used it as a platform for politics. We rose above politics for the welfare of the nation," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in the Lok Sabha.

GST will send the message that the consumer is the king: PM Modi in LS

"Even during the all-party meeting, I had said that the credit for the GST Bill goes to all political parties," the Prime Minister said.

"It is a matter of great strength for Indian democracy that all of us are making efforts to take this forward together," he said.

"It is also true that we need to have IT-preparedness and legal preparedness. In the world, even the countries which are praised for their democracy find it tough to deal with Bills," he said.

"Because of GST, the taxpayer will realise that he will benefit from honesty. Therefore, we will succeed in bringing down the generation of black money," Modi said.

"There will be data integration. Because of a strong cross-checking mechanism, a seamless method which will help in catching any wrongdoing will be created," the PM said.

"GST will help in curbing corruption and black money," Modi said. "Corruption will move towards zero because of GST," he said.

"When something happens in Africa, the Prime Minister tweets about it. But when the Taj of India is burning, the heat is not reaching the central government," he added.

"We were told that he spoke on Kashmir issue in Madhya Pradesh because the CM told him to do so. This shows that the Parliament means nothing to the PM and he would not have spoken on the Kashmir issue if the Chief Minister had not asked him to do so," he said.

"This is the fourth time we are asking the Prime Minister to provide a statement in the House," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the Rajya Sabha.

PM spoke on Kashmir in Madhya Pradesh just because the CM told him to do so: Azad in RS

"When you truly feel pain from the heart, it will reach Kashmir," he said.

"When you say Kashmir is an integral part of India, it should not only be on paper. There should be integration of hearts and minds. What about the integration between federal and state government?" said Azad.

"Law and order in Kashmir in not just in the hands of Jammu and Kashmir police, but also in the hands of paramilitary forces," Azad further said. "If someone says that Mehbooba Mufti should alone solve the problem in Kashmir, that is not possible for her," he added.

"Kashmir is secular. The destruction of Kashmiriyat and insaniyat is not happening because of democracy but because of the pellet guns," he said.

"There is a difference between communalism and separatism. Militants are also targeting Muslims. Militancy has no religion," Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said in the Rajya Sabha.

"You can only keep Kashmir in India when you treat Kashmiris as equals," he said. "Shoot the people but do not use pellet guns. Pellet Guns are worse than live bullets. It is worse than killing people," he further said.

"The Prime Minister said that the people of the country love Kashmir. But the people of Kashmir should also love the country," JD(U)'s Sharad Yadav said.

"Merely repeating what Atal Bihari Vajpayee said is not going to create that trust. Create that trust by stopping the communal polarisation that is taking place in the country," he said.

"If everyday you talk about abrogating Article 370, you talk about love jihad, ghar wapsi, are you creating trust?" said Yechury.

"Unless you address the central question of the promises made to the people of Kashmir at the time of independence, this problem will not be solved," he said. "The problem today can only be solved if you initiate a political dialogue. I have urging this government that this can only come through with an atmosphere of trust.

"The trust deficit exists (in Kashmir) because of the string of betrayals of the promises made," said the CPI(M) leader.

He also took a dig at the government's foreign policy and said, "When you want to wish Happy Birthday, you go to Pakistan."

"If other governments have engaged in dialogue in the past, what is preventing this government from initiating the political dialogue?" Yechury said.

"The threat we face today is not a mere question of autonomy. There is also an orchestrated terrorist threat in Kashmir," he said.

"Today, there is an attempt to create dual power in Kashmir," Dasgupta further said. "Let us remember that dialogue cannot be done if we are going to tie the hands of the executive."

"While I agree with Sitaram Yechury that we need a form of political approach, the form and time of that approach should be different," he said.

"We have been talking about development and healing hearts and unfortunately, we have come across a rather big emotional divide. At an earlier time, it was thought that Article 370 would facilitate the process of integration. But we may have actually hardened the emotional divide," he said.

"A lot of the people who have taken to the streets may be spontaneous. But there is also a large degree of pre-meditation in the protests," he said.

"That was the death of Burhan Wani. The death of any Indian should be a source of anguish. But Burhan Wani never considered himself an Indian. And what do you say about a person who glamourises terrorism?" Dasgupta said.

"The problem we face in Kashmir today is somewhat different from the problems we have faced earlier," he said. "Three months ago, Kashmir was peaceful. We had a unique political experiment. It was an alliance between the Valley and Jammu, something which was unique and encouraging. And then something broke loose," he added.

"While we try to evolve a consensus on this issue, we should sometimes be brutally frank about what we are dealing with," Swapan Dasgupta, nominated MP, said in the Rajya Sabha.

"I wish people in this Parliament talked about sending a delegation to AIIMS, where a girl injured by pellet guns is admitted," he said.

"Why do we only remember Kashmir when it is burning? Guns will not solve any problem," he said. "The people of this country should understand what the problem in Jammu and Kashmir is."

"Why wasn't there any problem in Kashmir until 1987?" said a dramatic PDP MP Nazir Ahmad Laway in the Rajya Sabha.

Why do we remember Kashmir only when it is burning? asks PDP MP in Rajya Sabha

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia: When we are talking about Swachh Bharat, we should first clean our minds. Fringe elements have now turned into the Centre today. Why the Home Minister didn't visit Rohith Vemula?

PM made a strong statement: Shoot me, not the Dalits. But why he didn't include Muslims? Muslims can never be part of Hindu nationalism but they are a part of Indian nationalism.

Sexual violence against Dalit women has increased. About eight lakh Dalits are dependent on selling skins, bones of dead cows, what will they do now?

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi: No democracy in the world has prioritise animal life over human life. But the Indian democracy has. Why do gua rakshaks have come to power? The credit goes to the idealogy of ruling party. What right do so-called gau rakshaks have to look at what I eat?

NK Premchandran, RSP MP from Kollam: The attrocities against the Dalits is politics. Educational, economical and social upliftment is the need of the poor.

We all should work together and committ ourselves in taking action in order to stop the atrocities on Dalit. Also, I would appeal all the state governments to take strictest action against anti-social elements who try to disrupt the harmony of secular fabric of the country.

It is pointless to blame the other government. Why did we celebrate Ambedkar's 125th anniversary with such genuinty? Respecting Ambedkar is like respecting India.

Seva Bharati, an RSS organisation, is one of the organisations which has been majorly active at the grassroots for the upliftment of Dalits.

Dalit community has contributed a lot towards Indian heritage. When India was under the British Rule, no matter how atrocities were inflicted on them, still they stood by India. They never demanded a separate country. We in the government emphathise with the Dalits.

On PM Modi's silence, Singh said, "Has any PM spoken during all discussions in Parliament? When PM spoke on the atrocities, and gau rakshaks, I issued an advisory that strict action should be taken against such gau rakshaks.

Our biggest challenge is to counter the twisted mentality of the perpetrators. What happened in Una was extremely condemnable.

"This is rumour that after BJP came to power that the atrocities on Dalit have increased. Just ask yourselves if this is true. Show me the data records. I don't want to point fingers at any political party. But following figures would explain: In 2013, 39,346 cases were registered against atrocities, 40,300 and 35,564 were registered respectively," Singh said.

"We can make India world's best country if we consider humanity above all. There are many articles in our Indian constitution for Dalits. But there is a need for effective laws to act on these articles. Our government is working at socio-economic development of the Dalits."

"It is painful that even after 70 years of independence we are still discussing atrocities on Dalits. We cannot deny that there are people from several castes and religion. We should not politicise the atrocities on Dalits," Singh said.

On Friday, 12 August, 2016 the bills for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha are Mental Health care Bill,2016 and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the government should not be hypocritical. He said, "When administrators have high salary, MLAs have a good rise, why don't we get the same treatment?"

Ram Gopal Yadav, SP, Uttar Pradesh raised the issue of the low wages of the members of Parliament. He said, "The pay of the MP's is only a fraction of ministers in Telangana Assembly or Delhi Legislative Assembly. We are asked to reduce our expenditure but we cannot do that when we have to entertain people of our constituency. The rising inflation also makes it difficult for us to sustain ourselves."

In the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha Congress leader Shashi Tharoor raised the issue of failing start-ups in India. He said, "The government has given tax incentives to the start-ups but everyone knows that they don't make any money in the first few years. Hence the tax incentives should be given to the angel investors."

After GST this is the second resolution which has been adopted unanimously.

She added, "This house earnestly appeals to all sections of society in India to work for the early restoration of normalcy and harmony. This is to restore confidence in people and youth in general. The resolution is adopted unanimously."

Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan announced that the resolutions proposed on the Kashmir issue has been passed. She said,"This house expresses serious concern over the violence in Kashmir Valley. Everyone here conveys loss of life caused by the deteriorating situation. The house is of the firm view that there cannot be a compromise on security."

Dubbing passage of the GST Constitution Amendment Bill as historic, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said that manufacturing taxes and VAT will come down with the new national sales tax but the same for services tax will be decided by states and Centre. The Goods and Services Tax (GST), which will subsume over a dozen central and state levies including excise duty, service tax and VAT, is "perhaps the most important" tax reform, he said soon after Rajya Sabha overwhelmingly voted for the legislation.

"Today is a historic day for the reason that Rajya Sabha has passed the GST bill which have been held up for a very long time. All members present at the time of voting, voted in favour of the bill," Jaitley told reporters in Parliament House.

Thanking Congress and other opposition parties for supporting the legislation, he said proceedings in the Upper House demonstrated to the world that this is a great day for Indian democracy and Indian federalism. "In fact Indian democracy and Indian federalism are at there very best in as much as all national political parties and regional parties, state governments have come together to usher a major taxation reform.. The government wanted to build a larger consensus, which we succeeded in doing," he said.

Asked if the implementation of the GST would mean rise in cost of air travel, mobile bills and eating out because of incidence of service tax going up in the new regime, he said that tax rate would be decided by the GST Council, comprising of the Centre and the states.

"Manufacturing taxes will certainly will come down, VAT will come down. What level services taxes are to be kept is a discretion of GST Council. It will depend on what states along with Centre will decide," he later told Times Now. On Congress demand for not converting the supporting GST legislation as Money Bill, Finance Minister said he has not pre-decided on bringing the Bills as Money or Finance Bills.

"Once the GST is implemented, it will bring basic changes as far as the Indian tax structure is concerned, it will converge India into one unified market, with one unified tax in the country, it will improve the base of taxation, it will make evasion extremely difficult.

"The central and state governments have to work together to make this a great success. Overall, I think we had an excellent debate," he told reporters.

He said although every state government is on board in order to implement one of the most important taxation reform in India, the fact is that it has been passed unanimously all regional and national parties have actively supported it.

Congress hoped that subsequent legislations for its implementation like CGST and IGST bills would be brought in the Winter Session as financial and not money bills. Former Finance Minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said he was only half satisfied with the Finance Minister's promise made in the Upper House in this regard.

"It's a half promise. Therefore, I am half satisfied," he told reporters after the passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill. Chidambaram said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has assured that he will hold discussions with the Congress party before bringing the bills. Senior Congress leader and former Law Minister Kapil Sibal cited the example of Aadhaar Bill to claim the new legislations could be converted into Money Bills to block voting.

"We have seen the Aadhar Bill was converted into a money bill and we were not given the right to vote on it. We have doubt that this GST bill will also be turned into a money bill whereby a discussion on it will take place in Rajya Sabha but members will not be allowed to vote on it. We are concerned over it," he said. "We hope that it will be a financial bill and there will be a discussion on it and we will be given the right to vote on it," he said.

Another Congress member Renuka Chowdhury said, "They have considered many of our aspects. Have to wait and see what happens in the winter session." NCP leader Praful Patel said it is very good that the Constitution amendment bill to bring GST was passed with general consensus.

"It is good for the country and states will also benefit, especially those which considered themselves as backward as they will get more revenue.

"We hope that the Bill to be brought by government in November will also be passed with general consensus. Finance Minister has given an assurance that whatever bill will be brought, it will be honoured," he said. Earlier in the day, Congress had made it clear to the government that firm assurances for keeping the GST rate capped at 18 per cent and bringing subsequent legislations needed for its rollout as financial bills alone could ensure its support to the long-pending Constitution Amendment bill.

"We also demanded an assurance that the CGST and IGST should not be moved as money bill. The Central GST and Integrated GST are bills which will apply on taxpayers, on common man. They must be debated and voted upon by both Houses of Parliament. We hope to get assurance from the Finance Minister. If these assurances are forthcoming, we will be able to support," Chidambaram told reporters.

The GST Bill will finally be taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha.

India Inc had said it is looking forward to introduction of the much-awaited Goods & Services Tax (GST), saying it would be a very significant step in the field of indirect tax reforms in India.

The government has circulated official amendments to the GST bill to drop 1 percent additional tax and include a definite provision in the statute for compensating states for revenue loss for 5 years as it gears up to discuss the long-pending bill in Rajya Sabha.

The eleventh day of Parliament's Monsoon Session on Monday began with AIADMK Rajya Sabha member Sasikala Pushpa's statement where she said that she was facing a "life threat" and was being "compelled to resign".

Sasikala, who hit the headlines for slapping DMK leader Tiruchi Siva at the airport on Saturday, said: "I am receiving an unconditional apology from Tiruchi Siva. Something was spoken against my party leader and I behaved like that."

The parliamentary proceedings over the day saw the passage of the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2016, that provide for putting the NEET in place for admission to medical and dental courses across the country from next year; and National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research (Amendment) Bill, 2016 in Rajya Sabha.

The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws Amendment Bill 2016 was moved in the Lok Sabha for consideration and passing.

Key proceedings/issues discussed in Lok Sabha:

 Supplementary demands over additional spending

The government sought parliament's nod for additional spending of Rs 1.03 lakh crore, though the cash outgo will only be Rs 20,948.26 crore.

Presenting the Supplementary Demands for Grants for 2016-17 in the Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley sought parliament's approval for a transfer of Rs 5,000 crore towards National Employment Guarantee Fund and Rs 1,000 crore for providing funds to Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves for Sovereign Strategic Crude Oil Reserve at Vizag, Mangalore, and Pudur.

 Bill for speedier recovery of bad loans passed

The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debts Laws Amendment Bill 2016 was moved in the Lok Sabha for consideration and passing.

Piloted by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, the bill seeks to amend four laws  the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002; the Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993; the Indian Stamp Act, 1899; and the Depositories Act, 1996.

 Special status: TDP MPs protest in Parliament

Unhappy over the Centre's stand on special status to Andhra Pradesh, TDP, a partner in NDA government, staged protests both inside and outside Parliament. Seeking immediate announcement for special status, the MPs of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) tried to disrupt the proceedings in the Lower House.

Holding placards and raising slogans in support of their demands, the TDP members in the Lok Sabha began the protest as soon as the house met for the day. They rushed to the speaker's podium, demanding that the government fulfill its commitments under Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan repeatedly appealed to members to return to their seats but they continued the protest. The Speaker conducted the proceedings amid the uproar before adjourning the proceedings till 2 pm.

 Attack on Dalits and Muslims

Opposition members expressed concern over growing attacks on Dalits and minorities and called for stern action against cow vigilante groups which have been targeting them.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay underlined the need for action against those targeting the Dalits and Muslims to uphold secularism and communal harmony.

Key proceedings/issues discussed in Rajya Sabha:

 GST Bill listed for Wednesday

The government has listed the GST bill for discussion in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, hoping it will be passed through consensus, but the opposition Congress said that consultation is still on over the issue and an agreement is not yet finalised.

In view of the development, the BJP has issued whip for all its Rajya Sabha members to be present in the house for the next three days.

"The GST bill is listed for Wednesday. We hope it will be passed through consensus," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said.

 Bills to put in place NEET passed

The Rajya Sabha passed by voice vote the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Bill, 2016, and the Dentists (Amendment) Bill, 2016, that provide for putting the NEET in place for admission to medical and dental courses across the country from next year.

The bills provide for a Constitutional status to the 'National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and seek to amend the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, and the Dentists Act, 1948.

Responding to a debate on the bills in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda said the whole exercise was aimed to stop multiplicity of examinations, to bring transparency to curb corruption and to stop exploitation of students.

 Uproar over Manohar Parrikar's comments on Aamir Khan

Rajya Sabha witnessed a brief uproar by opposition members over alleged remarks by Manohar Parrikar against actor Aamir Khan even as the Defence Minister denied having said what was been quoted to him.

During the Zero Hour, Derek O'Brien (TMC) raised the issue of "dangerous" rise in religious fundamentalism in the country, saying the government, ministers and people associated with the ruling party were "shooting their mouths off every day".

"The Prime Minister needs to come and say these are in fact mistakes, this is not thinking of the government. Prime Minister come here and assure us that we can live in the India we know  Unity in Diversity".

As soon as he finished his Zero Hour mention, Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad quoted a report which said 'Parrikar takes a swipe at actor Aamir; those who speak like this must be taught a lesson'.

"So may I ask him (Parrikar who was sitting in the House) what lesson he is going to teach us...The entire nation should be told what type of action and lesson he is going to teach the minorities of this conuntry," Azad said.

To this, Parrikar said: "I would only say one thing. Let the members see the video...and make up their mind". However, this did not pacify the agitated opposition.
The issue of Dalit protests in Gujarat and Kashmir unrest rocked the Parliament's Monsoon Session as it entered its third day on Wednesday.

Both houses saw protests from opposition parties, even as the Modi government made statements in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha stressing that the Gujarat government took appropriate action to tackle the situation. While Rajya Sabha lost the entire day to protests and adjournments, Lok Sabha witnessed an uproar with the Kashmir issue but it did not lead to adjournments.

As it happened in Rajya Sabha Session:

Dalit unrest in Gujarat

The Rajya Sabha faced numerous disruptions on Wednesday as opposition members demanded a debate on atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat's Una town, where protests have continued with one Dalit committing suicide.

The Upper House faced several adjournments through the day, even as Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot gave clarifications, and later Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tried to pacify the opposition by stating that a debate on the issue would be taken up on Thursday.

Amid sloganeering and protests from opposition, Gehlot said: "An FIR has been registered and action has also been taken under the act for atrocities against Dalits. Government is also providing financial assistance to the Dalit families."

However, the debate over the issue led to the frequent adjournments of the session.

Derogatory remark against BSP chief Mayawati

BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit vice-president Dayashankar Singh's remark against Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati that equated her with a sex worker caused major uproar in Rajya Sabha causing adjournment of the house for the day.

Dayashankar Singh accused Mayawati of selling her party's election tickets to the highest bidder. "Mayawati has deviated from the principles that were outlined by Kanshi Ram," he was seen as saying in a video clip.

He then said her decision-making on ticket distribution was akin to that of a sex worker.

"She sells BSP seats to the highest-bidder. In the morning, Mayawati may give a BSP ticket to someone for Rs 1 crore. After two hours, she may sell the same ticket for Rs 2 crore. In the evening, she may even hand over the same seat to another person for Rs 3 crore," said Singh.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley condemned and expressed regret.

The opposition wanted passage of an unanimous resolution condemning the remarks. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha PJ Kurien said the entire house unanimously condemns the remark and asked the government to ensure that strictest action is taken against the person who made the statement as per the law.

As it happened in Lok Sabha Session:

Rahul caught 'napping' in Lok Sabha, Congress says he was 'resting eyes'

A video clip showing Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi apparently dozing off momentarily in Lok Sabha on Wednesday when the party was heatedly raising the anti-Dalit violence in Gujarat had the party on the defensive.

Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury sought to give a clarification on the party vice-president's alleged nap, saying he was just "resting his eyes".

"(He) wasn't sleeping. Can anyone sleep through that ruckus? We (MPs) just close our eyes for relief," Chowdhury said.

Kharge defending Rahul Gandhi said: "He was not sleeping. It is very immature to say this. They are purposely spreading rumours to tarnish his image. This is a lie. We were all present there, were discussing issues."

Dalit protests in Gujarat

In the Lower House, members, including Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge, tried to raise the issue more than once. However, as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called for taking up the question hour, opposition members rushed to the well of the house.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, making a statement during zero hour, termed as "unfortunate" the attack on Dalits at Una on 11 July.

Condemning the attacks, he said Gujarat Police had acted swiftly and nine people have been arrested so far.

Lauding the role of the BJP government after the incident, he said the state government is also trying to set up a special court for speedy trial of the case. "But the state needs to take the permission from the high court in this connection," Singh said.

India's Nuclear Suppliers Group membership

Answering supplementaries during the question hour, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj asserted that India's inability at Seoul to get membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) was not a "failure" and that the country is continuing to engage with China to enlist its support for the same.

"China did create procedural hurdles. I am stating this again. They said NSG membership could not be given to non-Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) countries. But our engagement with China is continuing," Swaraj informed the house.

"Just because China has said no once, we cannot leave it at that. In this parliament also, Congress is opposing Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill which all other parties have agreed. We will continue to try to persuade them. Similarly, we will try with China also," Swaraj said.

The minister denied that the government had created a "hype" over India's attempts for NSG membership this year.

Discussion over Kashmir unrest

As the lower house took up a discussion on the ongoing trouble in Kashmir, various parties demanded sending an all-party delegation to the Valley even as Anurag Thakur, speaking on behalf of the ruling BJP, said every political party should come together and help in dealing with such situations.

Initiating the debate over the unrest in Kashmir Valley, Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia said over the last two years, since the BJP government came to power at the Centre, the situation in the Valley has "deteriorated" and has become "disappointing".

Alleging failure on part of the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government, he said, "The work done by our government in the last 10 years was undone by this government. They see everything from the rear mirror. BJP-PDP has shunned all principles...we have to heal the wounds with humanity."

PDP, the ruling party of Jammu and Kashmir, rejected the contention that the unrest in the state is because of its alliance with BJP and blamed the actions by Congress and National Conference since 1948 for the loss of trust in democracy among the people of the valley.

In a strong and emotional speech, senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig said the government of India should use its moral authority to resolve the problems of the state rather than using military authority.

Slamming Pakistan for its interference in Kashmir, he said people of the valley are being "misguided" and expressed faith in the Modi government, saying "if you can't do it (resolve the problems), who can do it?"

He wondered whether Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani, whose killing in an encounter with security forces has triggered the unrest, could have been arrested instead of being gunned down.

In this context, the former Minister of Jammu and Kashmir cited examples of how some militants had earlier given up the gun and contested elections to join the mainstream.

Rejecting allegations by critics like Congress that the current unrest is due to PDP joining hands with BJP to form government, Baig said, "Nobody can accuse them (BJP) of being traitors."

In a convincing and much-appreciated speech, Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar said that Pakistan on suicidal path on Kashmir.

"If Pakistan feels that it will keep playing with terrorism and use it as a tool against India, then we can tackle the challenge. But they won't be able to tackle it. You (Pakistan) are committing suicide," Akbar said in the Lok Sabha making a brief intervention during the debate on the situation in the Kashmir valley.

"When children were killed in Peshawar terror attack, India had unequivocally condemned it. But Burhan Wani (Hizb-ul Mujahideen leader) was killed, Pakistan is observing 'black day'," Akbar said, adding that it was "unfortunate".

Akbar stressed that while the house debates such a sensitive issue the members should rise above party affiliations and speak in one voice.

The discussion over Kashmir issue however remained unconcluded adjourning the Lower House till 21 July.

Legislations approved / cleared by the Cabinet

- Introduction of Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill approved.

- First tranche of money for Election Commission to new EVMs cleared.

- Proposal for introducing amendments to Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Bill, 2015 cleared.

- Incorporation of Sagarmala Development Company under Companies Act with Rs 1,000-crore initial authorised share capital approved.

- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal for Ambuja Cements Ltd foracquisition of 24 per cent shares in its holding company Holcim (India) Pvt Ltdfrom Holderind Investment Ltd.

-With inputs from agencies
Itanagar: The four-day-old Pema Khandu government in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday passed the floor test in the Assembly with 46 MLAs voting in favour of the Chief Minister and 11 members from opposition BJP voting against it.

Governor Tathagata Roy hurriedly summoned the day-long session of the Assembly late last night asking Khandu to prove his majority on the floor of the House. When the House assembled in the morning with Deputy Speaker Tenzing Norbu Thongdok in the chair, Chief Minister Pema Khandu moved the motion 'This house expresses its confidence in the council of ministers' which was seconded by former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki.

Forty-four Congress MLAs and two Independent members voted in favour of the government. Later addressing the members, Khandu appreciated them for reposing faith in his leadership and also thanked senior party leaders, including Tuki and Kalikho Pul.

He said his prime duty was to bring equal development for all the communities of the state which was largest in the north-east region with 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes.

Asserting that he would work across party lines, Khandu said all members of the House would be given enough financial power so that they can concentrate on their respective constituencies for development to percolate.

The Chief Minister, while appealing to members not to rake up issues of the past, said he would fix responsibilities on every minister of his Cabinet and those who fail to perform, would face action.

"I will take all the MLAs together as 'Team Arunachal' to fulfil the aspirations of the people," he announced, adding that his priority would be to complete all important schemes.

Khandu was sworn in as the ninth Chief Minister on 17 July after months of political turmoil in the state. In a dramatic turnaround in this land-locked state on 16 July, Congress replaced Tuki by choosing Khandu as the new CLP leader, who staked claim to power on the basis of support of 45 party MLAs along with two Independents.

In fast-changing developments, Khaliko Pul, rebel-turned chief minister, who was unseated by the Supreme Court, returned to the party fold with 30 dissident MLAs.

Hours ahead of a scheduled floor test in the Assembly, which Tuki was directed by the governor to take, the Congress Legislature Party met and elected Pema, son of late chief minister Dorjee Khandu, as its new leader.

Tuki proposed the name of Khandu while Chowna Mein, sworn in as Deputy Chief Minister, seconded it, which was unanimously accepted by 44 MLAs who were present.

In the 60-member House with an effective strength of 58, Congress now claims the support of 47 MLAs, including two Independents, while opposition BJP has 11 members.
New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi appeared to have dozed off in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during a discussion on attack on dalits in Gujarat, inviting barbs from BJP and BSP while Congress defended its vice president and suggested that he was checking his mobile.

Congress also showed a photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha from November last year to claim that it shows he was also sleeping in the House. Gandhi was caught on the Lok Sabha TV with his eyes closed and appeared to be catching forty winks when Home Minister Rajnath Singh was replying to a short discussion on the issue of attack by vigilantes on dalit youths who were skinning a dead cow in Una in Gir-Somnath district.

Attacking the Congress leader, BJP said he was only interested in doing politics on dalit victims and not in their getting justice. "It shows that his heart is not on providing justice to dalit victims. He just wants to do politics. If he was really interested in ensuring justice, then he would not be sleeping," Union Minister Thaavar Chand Gehlot said.

Taking a dig, BSP chief Mayawati said it showed how serious Gandhi was about dalits. "This publicity is going on that the Congress vice president will go to the spot (in Gujarat) but he was sleeping when the issue was being debated in the House.It shows how serious he is about it," she said.

Putting up a strong defence, Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said it was an attempt to trivialise and debase an important issue with a "false" story. "It is completely false and is condemnably false story that somebody is sleeping in the House.The last I heard was that checking one's cell phone is neither a crime nor negligence."

He said, "What I am castigating in the strongest possible words this attempt, be it by the media or any other quarters, to trivialise, debase and devalue a most important issue. We are discussing dalit issue and your focus on this great story that you are running which is false."

The party also showed a photograph of Modi in the Lok Sabha on 26 November, 2015 in which, it claimed, he appears to be sleeping. Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury said, "He (Gandhi) was not sleeping. How can someone sleep amidst so much noise? It is so hot outside and we close our eyes inside the House to relax and get relief from the burning sensation caused after standing in sun for long outside.

"The atmosphere inside is cool and we rest our eyes to retain moisture. Media makes up things...."

Asked about BJP dubbing the Congress leader as being "non serious", Singhvi said, "With the greatest respect I must castigate such an attempt."

Singhvi said the "poor dalits" deserve greater attention from you than "such peripheral debased and devalued stories". He said, "We don't believe in such trivialisation and such superficiality" and showed a similar picture of Narendra Modi clearly showing him "sleepy" but said Congress party does not want to make public.

"The picture is of Mr Modi feeling slightly sleepy on 26 November, 2015. I have never raised this issue and I do not intend to raise this even today," he said, adding that he does not believe that even if Mr Modi is feeling slightly sleepy and tired for a few minutes, it is something on which he would make an issue in the press.

Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said it showed how serious he was for dalits and that Congress never considered the community more than a vote bank.

"Rahul Gandhi and company visits those places from where they can draw political benefits. He did not go to Kerala when a dalit girl was brutally raped and murdered. It would be unreasonable to expect mature and constructive politics from him.

"To do politics to grab power and show fake concern for the poor and dalits is his politics," he said claiming that the Modi government had done a lot for them while Congress only exploited them.
New Delhi: Even as the opposition parties trained their guns at the BJP for the anti-Dalit violence in Gujarat, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday complimented the state government for acting swiftly.

Responding to the Congress members during the zero hour, Rajnath Singh said, "Gujarat government deserves all appreciation for the speedy and effective manner it acted after the incident." He added that nine persons have been arrested in this connection.

"Of these, seven persons are in the judicial custody while two others are in the police custody. Moreover, the state government has suspended four police personnel, including an inspector, and also initiated disciplinary action for negligence of duty," Singh said amid repeated protests from opposition members, including Congress floor leader Malikkarjun Kharge and Bhagwant Mann of the Aam Aadmi Party.

"Judging by the gravity of the crime, the state government has already ordered a probe by CID Crime Branch," Rajnath Singh said.

He said the incident happened after a group of people attacked members of a Dalit family who were skinning a "dead cow".

The Home Minister said the state government is also trying to set up a special court for speedy trial of the case. "But the state needs to take the permission from the High Court in this connection," he said.

Rajnath Singh said a special public prosecutor has been appointed and the state government intends to prepare a chargesheet against the wrongdoers within 60 days.

The Home Minister said crimes against the Dalits are "unfortunate" and reflect a "social evil". He appealed to the leaders of all opposition parties to accept it as a "challenge and unite" against such menace.

The Home Minister said soon after returning from foreign trip on 12 July , Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him to his residence and wanted to know details of the incident.

"The Prime Minister condemned the incident in strongest terms and I also found him in deep pain over the incident," Rajnath Singh said.

He said there were hundreds of such attacks on the Dalits between 1991 and 1999, during the Congress rule. But the numbers "came down significantly after 2001 and the state government (under the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi) deserves to be complimented".

The Congress members were not satisfied with the Home Minister's reply and staged a walkout.

Amid noisy scenes, Congress leader Kharge wanted to know whether the government is ready to set up a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to probe the matter. Since there was no response from the government, the Congress members walked out.

Kharge said, "Whenever we raise any issue, the union ministers start talking about 60 years of Indian history".

Earlier, raising the matter, Kodikunnil Suresh of the Congress held the BJP government in Gujarat squarely responsible for the incident.

He alleged that atrocities against the Dalits have increased in BJP-ruled states, and added "RSS is trying to make a Dalit-free India". Suresh also demanded a JPC to probe into the Gujarat incident.

The Trinamool Congress members also walked out of the house.
New Delhi: Under attack on the issue of assault on dalit youths in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow,

the Centre on Wednesday said the state government had taken "swift and effective" action against the culprits and announced a compensation of Rs five lakh for the victims.

Strongly condemning the incident, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "very sad and hurt" after he came to know of the incident and hit back at Congress citing the data on incidents of atrocities under its rule.

The government was ready to debate in both the Houses of Parliament, he said and accused the Congress of not being serious in addressing the issue of atrocities on dalits.

He cited figures to claim that cases of atrocities against dalits have declined in the state after 2001 when Narendra Modi took over as chief minister, and commended the state government for its "swift and effective" action.

He was speaking after the issue was raised in both houses of the Parliament by many opposition parties including BSP and Congress, which staged a walkout along with TMC in Lok Sabha.

"It is an unfortunate incident. No words are enough to condemn it but it is not the first time that such atrocities have been committed.

"There is no place for such actions in a society which supports justice and equality... to target the most deprived and exploited sections. In fact we need to protect them in every possible way," Singh later said outside Parliament.

Asked about walkout by Congress, Singh said it showed that Congress was not serious about the issue.

The state government, the Minister said, was planning to have a special court for the trial in the case.

"I congratulate the state government for its swift and effective action."

Social Justice Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said that state authorities have arrested 17 people so far in this incident.

"The state government was very fast in taking all the necessary action in this case. And so far 17 people have been arrested. Cases have also been registered against them. As far as my ministry is concerned, we will provide Rs 5 lakh compensation to the affected dalit families," Gehlot told reporters here.

On 11 July, a few dalit youths were allegedly assaulted in Una in Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat for skinning a dead cow.

In aftermath of this attack, the state has witnessed violent protests in which a head constable was killed and state transport buses attacked. Some members of the dalit community also allegedly attempted suicide.

Speaking on the issue, Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the state government has been taking all necessary steps in this case and alleged that "Congress is shedding crocodile tears on this issue and haven't done anything for dalits so far".

Talking to reporters, BSP Chief Mayawati said "Only BSP is concerned about dalits. While parties like Congress alongwith BJP try to suppress such issues."

The opposition alleged that the attack was "sponsored" by BJP and RSS to polarise communities ahead of next year's assembly polls but the Home Minister rejected the charge.

"No government in India has done so much for the poor and dalits as the Modi government has," Rajnath Singh claimed as he spoke about schemes like Jan Dhan and Start-up India aimed at their financial inclusion.

"I am not talking about atrocities against dalits in Haryana. I have all details. You seemed to have made up your mind to walk out," he said before reeling out figures of such cases during the UPA government to make his point.

Citing National Crime Records Bureau figures, he said they were over 32,000 incidents in 2004, 38,000 in 2008 and 37,000 in 2009 as he rejected the Congress claim that BJP was behind such incidents.

"I request all political parties to commit themselves to eradication of such atrocities," the Home Minister said.

It was an irony that such incidents targeting the weaker section were happening so many years after the country's independence. "This is a social problem. It is a social evil," Singh said.
Washington: President Barack Obama says the nation will get through the recent killings of police officers with the "love and empathy of public servants" like the ones who were targeted in recent days.

In an open letter to the nation's law enforcement officers, Obama said overcoming will also require resilience, the grace of loved ones and the good will of activists. The White House released the letter on Wednesday.

It was dated yesterday, the day after two police officers and a sheriff's deputy were killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after being ambushed by a lone gunman.

Baton Rouge is where police on 5 July fatally shot Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man outside a convenience store. Sterling's death sparked nationwide protests.

Sunday's law enforcement deaths followed the 7 July sniper killings of five Dallas police officers as they guarded a peaceful protest.

Obama has said nothing justifies attacks on law enforcement, a sentiment he reiterated in the two-page letter. The Fraternal Order of Police posted the president's letter on its social media sites.

"Any attack on police is an unjustified attack on all of us," the president wrote.

The letter comes as Obama remains under intense criticism from some police officials and others who accuse him of fostering a climate that has led to the intentional killing of law enforcement officers.

The White House has also been resisting pressure to illuminate the building in blue light in a show of support for law enforcement. Spokesman Josh Earnest has said such a step was unlikely while noting the president's steady outreach to and support for police and other law enforcement over the past couple of weeks.

Obama telephoned the families of the Baton Rouge officers to offer his and the first lady's condolences. Last week, he paid tribute to the Dallas officers at a memorial service there. He also met a couple of times with law enforcement officials and others, and fielded questions during a televised town hall on race in America.

He was to be briefed by Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. Obama is interested in additional steps that can be taken to protect law enforcement officers, Earnest said today.

In the letter, Obama said "we will get through this difficult time together."
Beijing: Tough religious restrictions on Muslim minorities in China's far west may have driven more than 100 to join the Islamic State group, a US think tank said Wednesday.

Beijing has long claimed that IS is recruiting Uighurs from the mainly Muslim region of Xinjiang, and blamed outside forces for fomenting deadly acts of violence there and elsewhere in China that have claimed hundreds of lives.

At the same time, authorities have banned or strictly controlled the observance of certain Muslim practices, such as growing beards and fasting during Ramadan, saying they are symbols of "Islamic extremism".

Those policies "could be a push factor driving people to leave the country and look elsewhere for a sense of 'belonging'", the Washington, DC-based New America Foundation wrote in a study of leaked registration documents for IS fighters.

The findings were based on data from more than 3,500 foreign recruits provided by a defector from the jihadist organisation.

Of those, 114 came from Xinjiang, the study says, making it the fifth highest contributor of fighters among the provinces and regions named in the data  after three areas in Saudi Arabia and one in Tunisia.

Overall, recruits were more likely to come from "regions with restive histories and tense local-federal relationships", the report said.

The nominally autonomous Chinese area offered IS rich recruitment potential due to "significant economic disparities between the ethnic majority Han Chinese and the local Uighur Muslim population" and "substantial state repression", it said.

Beijing regularly accuses what it says are exiled separatist groups such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) of being behind attacks in Xinjiang, which has seen a wave of deadly unrest.

Britain's upper house passed an order last week adding the group to a list of terror organisations.

But many independent experts doubt the strength of overseas Uighur groups and their links to global terrorism, with some saying China exaggerates the threat to justify tough security measures in the resource-rich region.

'China's '9/11'

All the Xinjiang recruits named in the IS documents listed their place of origin as Turkestan or East Turkestan, the name for the region often used by separatists.

Even so, the study found that the recruits had no prior experience with jihad, presumably including ETIM, raising questions about China's official narrative of radicalisation in Xinjiang.

On average, the fighters from Xinjiang were less educated, less well travelled, and more likely to be married than others who sought to join IS. They also claimed only a low level of religious training.

The data included a number of registration forms for children, including one as young as 10, the paper said, and "several of the forms for these children explicitly stated they joined ISIS with their families".

In March 2014, 31 people were knifed to death at a train station in Kunming, in southwestern China, with four attackers killed, with Xinjiang separatists blamed and state media dubbing it "China's 9/11".

Two months later a bomb rocked the main train station in the Xinjiang regional capital Urumqi as President Xi Jinping was wrapping up a visit, and authorities launched a "strike hard" campaign in the area.

Later that year 39 people were killed in a bloody market attack in Urumqi.

The crackdown has seen mass trials and multiple executions.
Beijing: A seaplane making its inaugural flight crashed into a highway bridge outside Shanghai on Wednesday, killing five people on board, local authorities and state media said.

The Cessna 208B, operated by Joy Air General Air, was carrying two crew members and eight invited guests, mostly government workers and local journalists, according to local media.

The five survivors  who included the pilot  were sent to a hospital for treatment, the Jinshan district government said on its official microblog.

A woman who answered the phone at Joy Air's offices declined to provide any information, saying all company executives were at the crash site. Joy Air, China's largest seaplane operator, did not release an official statement. The Jinshan government said the cause of the crash was under investigation.

The seaplane took off from Jinshan in suburban Shanghai and was bound for the Zhoushan islands, about 75 kilometers (47 miles) to the south.

The route is designed for tourists and sightseers who want to escape to the islands from sprawling Shanghai. Local journalists were invited to tour the seaplane before its takeoff, and some of them boarded the aircraft for the subsequent flight along with local officials. Wednesday's flight appeared to have been a media tour to help promote the airline's new coastal service.

Speaking from his hospital bed, one of the passengers, local television cameraman Wu Liangliang, told local media that the seaplane circled several times, then made an abrupt left turn before crashing into the bridge.

"It was like something out of a dream," Wu said.

Another survivor, propaganda official Song Wanjun, told local media that he and three other passengers were in the rear cabin and survived by escaping through the rear emergency exit.

"I was the last one to crawl out, but those in the front rows could not," Song told the Xinmin Evening News, a local newspaper. "I was calling on everyone not to panic, but to wait for rescue."
Cleveland: United for a night, Republicans nominated Donald Trump on Tuesday as their presidential standard-bearer, capping the billionaire businessman's stunning takeover of the GOP and propelling him into a November faceoff with Democrat Hillary Clinton.

"This is a movement, but we have to go all the way," Trump said in videotaped remarks beamed into the convention hall.

Trump's campaign hoped the formal nomination would both end the discord surging through the Republican Party and overshadow the convention's chaotic kickoff, including a plagiarism charge involving Melania Trump's address on opening night.

There were flurries of dissent on the convention floor as states that Trump did not win recorded their votes, but he far outdistanced his primary rivals. His vice presidential pick, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, was also formally nominated.

Trump was put over the top by his home state of New York. Four of his children joined the state's delegation on the convention floor for the historic moment and appeared overwhelmed with emotion.

"Congratulations, Dad, we love you," declared Donald Trump Jr.

Some delegates emphasised a need for a televised display of unity after the deeply divisive GOP primary. "United we stand, divided we fall," said Johnny McMahan, a Trump delegate from Arkansas.

But Colorado's Kendal Unruh, a leader of the anti-Trump forces, called the convention a "sham" and warned party leaders that their efforts to silence opposition would keep some Republicans on the sidelines in the fall campaign against Clinton.

This week's four-day convention is Trump's highest-profile opportunity to convince voters that he's better suited for the presidency than Clinton, who will be nominated at next week's Democratic gathering. A parade of Trump's campaign rivals and Republican leaders lukewarm about his nomination were taking the stage Tuesday night to vouch for the real estate mogul, including House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"I am here to tell you Hillary Clinton will say anything, do anything and be anything to get elected president," said McConnell, who was greeted by a smattering of boos as he took the stage.

The plagiarism controversy and other unforced errors by the campaign cast a shadow over the convention and raised fresh questions about Trump's oversight of his campaign, which gives voters a window into how a candidate might handle the pressures of the presidency.

The plagiarism accusations follow Monday night's speech by Trump's wife. Two passages from her address  each 30 words or longer  matched a 2008 Democratic convention address by Michelle Obama nearly word-for-word.

Trump's campaign failed to quell the controversy on Day Two of the convention by insisting there was no evidence of plagiarism, while offering no explanation for how the strikingly similar passages wound up in Melania's address. The matter consumed news coverage from Cleveland until the evening vote, obscuring Melania's broader effort to show her husband's softer side.

Clinton pounced on the tumult, saying the Republican gathering had so far been "surreal," comparing it to the classic fantasy film Wizard of Oz.

"When you pull back the curtain, it was just Donald Trump with nothing to offer to the American people," Clinton said during a speech in Las Vegas.

Top Trump adviser Paul Manafort said the matter had been "totally blown out of proportion."

"They're not even sentences. They're literally phrases," Manafort told AP.

Conventions are massive organisational undertakings, with thousands of attendees to manage and dozens of speakers to oversee. But the weeklong gathering pales in comparison to the scope of a president's responsibilities as head of the US government.

It was unclear whether there would be much if any effect on how voters view Trump. The businessman has survived numerous politically perilous moments that might have doomed other candidates.

Manafort, a longtime Republican operative, has been a central figure in Trump's Cleveland operations. He led efforts to successfully tamp down a rebellion on the convention floor Monday, though the campaign still had to contend with angry outbursts from anti-Trump delegates.

The campaign chairman also upended Republicans' unity message by slamming Ohio governor John Kasich in his home state. He called Kasich "petulant" and "embarrassing" for not endorsing Trump or attending the convention, drawing quick condemnation from other GOP leaders worried about angering the popular governor of one of the most important election states.

Trump's campaign hoped the convention would also highlight a kinder, gentler side of the brash candidate. Melania was the first in a series of family members and friends who were taking the stage to vouch for the man they know.

Melania was widely praised for her success in doing just that, despite the plagiarism charges. She spoke of her husband's "simple goodness" and his loyalty and love of family  while noting the "drama" that comes with Trump in politics.

Tiffany Trump, the candidate's 22-year-old daughter from his marriage to Marla Maples, and Donald Jr, his eldest son and an executive vice president at The Trump Organisation, spoke about their father on Tuesday night.
Cleveland: Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, who flew to America as a guest of the Republican National Convention, admitted Wednesday that its nominee for president, Donald Trump, makes him wince.

The man who resigned as leader of the UK Independence Party after Britain's shock vote to quit the European Union drew parallels between support for the US billionaire and last month's referendum.

At a forum hosted by McClatchy, Farage said he "understood" that the Republican nominee was trying to reach frustrated and even "scared" voters but said "just occasionally the style of it, that makes even me wince a little bit."

The British politician, known for his own populist style, described some of Trump's comments as "pretty out there" and singled out his proposed ban on Muslims entering America as "difficult to enforce."

Farage said he came to Cleveland following an invitation, and while it would be as a "big mistake" to tell Americans how to vote, he claimed he would not vote for Hillary Clinton "if you paid me."

"What Trump gets right, it seems to me, is he's prepared to talk about some of the issues that perhaps others find a bit awkward, a bit uncomfortable," he said.

He complained about Clinton's "sense of entitlement" and called Barack Obama America's "most anti-Britain" president who felt "resentment" to a country that traditionally considers itself America's closest ally.

Obama visited Britain shortly before the referendum and warned Britons they would be "at the back of the queue" of a post-Brexit trade deal.

"He was rude to us. He told us what we should do," Farage said.

Neither was he the only right-wing European politician in attendance at the Republican convention. Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, who also wants to leave the EU, attended on Tuesday.
Berlin: A teenager who carried out a knife-and-axe attack on a German commuter train was a lone wolf who was "goaded" by Islamic State propaganda, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said Wednesday amid confusion about the attacker's identity and motive.

A video circulated by Islamic State supporters on Tuesday shows the 17-year-old refugee waving a knife and vowing to commit an attack in Germany, but there is no evidence that he received direct instructions from the extremist group, de Maiziere said.

The Interior Ministry has confirmed the authenticity of the video and says multiple witnesses have confirmed the footage was filmed in Germany.

"It is perhaps a case that occupies a grey area between a crazed rampage and a terrorist act," de Maiziere said at a press conference held two days after the teen injured five people by attacking them with a knife and an axe on a commuter train headed for Wuerzburg in southern Germany.

German media reported Wednesday that the perpetrator, registered in Bavaria as an Afghan asylum seeker, was in fact from Pakistan and may have faked his identity in order to improve his chances of gaining a residence permit.

Documents found in the adolescent's room showed that he had Pakistani citizenship, German public broadcaster ZDF reported citing security sources.

A hand-painted Islamic State flag and Pashto-language writings - including a goodbye note to his father and a text calling on Muslims to arm themselves - were also found in his room with a German foster family. Pashto is spoken in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

De Maiziere said that the influx of underage refugees from conflict zones was dangerous because young people are more prone to traumatization and because their arrival creates a "vacuum" that will lead to a large inflow of family members.

Germany welcomed 1.1 million migrants in 2015, mostly from conflict zones including Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Nearly 15,000 of them were children who travelled to Europe without legal guardians.

The minister said that efforts to reduce the influx - which included a crackdown on people smugglers and the closure of the Western Balkan route - had been proven right, because a smaller refugee population would allow greater control over those susceptible to radicalization.

He also spoke about counter-terrorism measures put in place by the German government in recent months, adding that 11 terrorist attacks - including 10 on German soil - had been thwarted by security forces.

Two Chinese tourists remain in a critical condition following Monday's attack. Three other people were injured, with police eventually shooting the attacker dead.
New Delhi: India on Tuesday said it is engaging with China to iron out differences after Beijing created "procedural hurdles" for its entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) but made it clear that government will never ink Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said China had raised questions over how a non-NPT could become a member of the NSG.

"But we are engaging with it. We have not stopped efforts. If someone says 'No' for once, it does not mean he won't agree at all...like GST...Congress friends are not allowing the GST to be passed. Four sessions have passed, all parties have agreed to it, it is being held up due to them (Congress). That does not mean it will never agree (to the GST bill). It is possible that the bill is passed in this session," she said.

Asserting that India has a "clear cut" policy on NPT, she said government will "never sign NPT" but will continue to fulfil its commitments made when it got the waiver in 2008.

Her reply was made amid protests by the Opposition over attacks against Dalits in Gujarat, including sloganeering from the Well.

The minister rejected suggestions that India had created a lot of "hype" ahead of the NSG meet in Seoul. "We have been taught to make serious efforts to achieve things...no hype was created when we submitted our application for the membership of NSG on 12 May. We did it with low fanfare," she said.

Swaraj also scoffed at suggestions by Supriya Sule (NCP) that the denial of NSG membership to India was a 'huge diplomatic snub' as it came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mexico and Switzerland.

The Minister said Mexico supported India's bid and when the decision did not go in New Delhi's favour, Mexico demanded an extraordinary meeting to make the plenary decide again on the issue.

Asserting that Indian diplomacy has made its mark, she said earlier people used to ask whether India can make it to the NSG. "Now when India will become a member is the question being asked," she said in the presence of the Prime Minister.

On the benefits of getting NSG membership, Swaraj said India will then become part of rule making. "We are rule takers not rule makers," she said recalling a 2011 decision of NSG not to transfer sensitive enrichment and reprocessing technology to non-NPT states.

"The decision was against us. Had we been inside (member), we would not have let this happen," she said.

She said waiver is like being allowed in the verandah. "Membership is like being in the room...being part of rule making," Swaraj said.

She also credited the previous UPA government for getting the waiver and said while the UPA government made

the commitments, the present government is following the same since it came to power in 2014.

She said membership of the NSG would enable India to have enhanced and uninterrupted access to nuclear technology, fuel and material required for expanding its civil nuclear programme.

In a clear setback to its efforts to join the 48-nation grouping, the NSG plenary held in South Korea last month decided against accepting India's membership application after China and some other countries opposed entry of a non-NPT signatory into NSG.
Islamabad: A Pakistani Senator on Wednesday said Islamabad was being gradually isolated on an international level.

Farhatullah Babar was addressing a full house committee session of the Senate where he said new guidelines should be formulated for smoother relations between the civil and military leaderships, Geo TV reported.

If the institutions arent on the same page then how would you implement guidelines for relations with other countries, he wondered.

Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, expressing concern over strained US-Pakistan ties, said that in recent times the demand to "do more" has amplified. He also pointed towards the difficulty that Pakistan recently faced while negotiating over the purchase of F-16 fighter jets from Washington.

He said the statements given by the US Congressmen have been against the countrys sovereignty, national security, and national interest.

A few days ago, some US lawmakers had sought additional measures against Pakistan alleging that the country has failed to take action against terrorist groups.

A four-member, bipartisan US Senate delegation, led by US senator John McCain, visited Pakistan earlier this month in a bid to normalise relations between the two countries.
MILAN The bodies of four Italian victims of last week's truck attack in the French resort of Nice were flown to an airport in the northern city of Milan in a military plane on Wednesday.

Five Italians were among 84 people who died when a Tunisian man drove a truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day last Thursday in an attack that was claimed by Islamic State.

Italian authorities did not say which of the victims were brought back on Wednesday to Milan's Malpensa airport, where President Sergio Mattarella met their relatives.

The four coffins, wrapped in Italy's tricolour flag, were blessed by a priest and placed in hearses before being taken for separate funeral services, video footage released by the president's office showed.

Italian newspaper La Repubblica said the fifth victim's body was still in Nice where her husband was looking after their daughter, who was injured in the attack.

(Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by Janet Lawrence)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
WASHINGTON The momentum in the fight against Islamic State has shifted and the militant group has been driven out of almost half the territory it once occupied in Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday.

"The momentum has shifted," Kerry told the opening of an Iraq donor conference, saying he hoped the meeting would raise at least $2 billion for the war-torn country. "We are making progress with significant portions of Iraq reclaimed, significant portions of Syria now being reclaimed," he added.





(Reporting by Lesley Wroughton and Andrea Shalal; Editing by James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
The first and second bodies pulled from the shallow grave in northern Myanmar didn't belong to Aik Chin's missing son. Nor, he prayed, did the third, whose face was unrecognisable from a severe beating.

But then Aik Chin checked the corpse's fingertips - his 17-year-old son had lost one in a childhood accident - and his legs began to buckle.

"When I realized it was my little boy, I collapsed and blacked out," he said. "I don't remember anything after that."

Soldiers entered the village of Mong Yaw on 25 June and rounded up dozens of men, witnesses told Reuters. Aik Chin's son and four others were led away, never to be seen alive again. Two other men - brothers - were shot while trying to escape on a motorbike and their bodies found in a ditch, villagers said.

Myanmar's armed forces have often been accused of abuses by human rights groups and Western governments during decades of conflict with ethnic armed separatists in its wild border zones. What is unusual in this case is that the military high command has been taking the allegations seriously.

Major Thein Zaw of the army's Northeast Command said a court martial had begun, although he could not say how many soldiers were on trial or what charges they faced, and local government officials said several soldiers had been arrested.

Villagers say a senior army officer has promised them a full investigation.

However, multiple requests by Reuters for comment from the army in the northern city Lashio and the capital Naypyitaw were declined or went unanswered. The military said it would address the issue at a news conference on Wednesday.

Ringed by misty hills, Mong Yaw lies in a remote corner of northern Shan State, a region ravaged by war and poverty. Thousands of people have been displaced by decades of fighting between the military and ethnic insurgents.

Last year the military lost hundreds of men in a bid to re-take a rebel-held region bordering China. Fuelling the conflict is Myanmar's lucrative narcotics trade, which is centred in lawless Shan state.

SENSITIVE IMAGE

It is extremely rare in Myanmar for soldiers to be held accountable for alleged abuses, or for such allegations to be investigated transparently, rights groups such as Amnesty International say.

The military's response this time suggests a heightened sensitivity about its image as it tries to present itself as a responsible partner in Myanmar's democratic transition and seeks closer ties with its Western counterparts.

Myanmar was a military dictatorship for nearly half a century until a quasi-civilian government of former generals replaced the junta in 2011 and launched a series of political and economic reforms.

Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was swept into office in April after winning a landslide election last year, but the military still holds immense power.

Police and local officials told villagers in Mong Yaw in the days after the late June killings that they couldn't investigate because the military was already doing so.

Then, on 3 July, the region's vice-commander, Major General Kyaw Kyaw Soe, visited Mong Yaw and promised a full probe, said villagers. He also gave each bereaved family 300,000 kyat ($250) as a gesture of sympathy, local people said.

General Kyaw Kyaw Soe said some soldiers had been arrested, but gave no further details.

This surprised local activists, who say they have spent decades documenting similar incidents by ill-disciplined troops amid a culture of impunity.

"The military has never done anything like this," said Sai Han, an ethnic Shan leader of the Tai Youth Organization, based in Lashio. He called what happened at Mong Yaw a "war crime" committed by soldiers against civilians.

News of the killings had spread fast, aided by cellphones that have only recently become ubiquitous in Myanmar and by testimony from a population emboldened in an era of reform, Sai Han said, suggesting that the publicity had made it impossible for the military to brush aside the allegations.

"DRUNK AND ANGRY"

Sai Mong Tan, 22, was weeding a cornfield with his 17-year-old brother, Sai Shwe Lu, when the soldiers arrived. "They seemed drunk," he told Reuters. "I could smell alcohol on them. They were very angry."

The military later said they had come under attack from rebels in the area, although Sai Han and other local activists said there had been no insurgent activity.

The brothers were marched to a nearby road, where dozens more soldiers had detained about a hundred people, and were forced to squat with their hands behind their heads.

The soldiers beat and interrogated the men, demanding to know if anyone had spotted insurgents in the area, said Sai Mong Tan.

He then watched as soldiers tied up his younger brother and the four other victims and led them away.

Reuters could not independently confirm this account, although it matched the version of events described by other villagers and local officials and rights activists.

Sai Mong Tan believes his brother was singled out because he didn't speak Burmese and couldn't answer the soldiers' questions.

Most people in Mong Yaw are from the Shan or Palaung ethnic minorities. Soldiers mostly hail from the majority Bamar ethnic group, and often accuse villagers of harbouring insurgents.

Aik Sai, 23, was also among the five men led away. By nightfall, his fretful wife Aye Lu, 18, was hiding at home with their newborn child.

"The soldiers came to the village and told us to stay inside," she said. "I didn't dare go out."

Only three days later, when the soldiers had left, did the villagers start looking for the missing men. A blood-spattered path above a cornfield led them to patches of recently turned soil.
Kansas City (US): An officer with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department died after he was shot in his car as he approached people matching the description of suspects in an earlier shooting.

Capt Robert Melton was brought to the University of Kansas Hospital just before 2:30 pm, but resuscitation efforts did not work, trauma surgeon James Howard said at a news conference on Tuesday.

"There's a lot of pain and brokenness in our community and our nation right now, and we just want to ask everyone to be prayerful and thoughtful right now," Mayor Mark Holland of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said.

Melton had responded to a report of person being shot at by several people in a vehicle, the police department said in a news release. When he and other officers arrived on the scene, the three or four occupants of the car jumped out and ran away.

About a half-hour after the initial call, Melton saw people who matched the suspects' descriptions about 20 blocks from the original scene and pulled up to them, police spokesman Tom Tomasic said. Before he could get out of his car, he was shot multiple times.

Melton's car was in the middle of the street with "glass and blood all around it," police spokesman Cameron Morgan said.

A second suspect was taken into custody later and police were looking for at least one more person. Authorities did not provide more details about the shooting or the possible motive.

It's the second time a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has been shot and killed this year; in early May, a detective was fatally shot near the Kansas Speedway.

Authorities said another news conference in the Melton shooting is planned for this morning.
Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif on 15 July declared slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani as a "martyr" and announced that 19 July would be solemnised as black day to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Pakistani government later changed the date to 20 July, in view of the fact that 19 July is observed every year in renewal of the historical resolution of Kashmir's accession to Pakistan. Addressing a special cabinet meeting in Lahore on 15 July (Friday) to discuss the situation in Kashmir, Sharif termed the "movement of Kashmiris as a movement of freedom".

"Pakistan would continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support for Kashmiris in their just struggle for right to self-determination," PM Sharif said. "The Prime Minister termed Burhan Wani as martyr of the independence movement," Radio Pakistan reported.

Sharif's comments that dwelt on how Indian "brutalities" would give impetus to the freedom struggle and "Kashmiri people will get their right to self-determination for which the whole Pakistani nation is standing behind them", drew sharp criticism from the Indian leadership.

"Completely and unequivocally" rejecting the Pakistan cabinet's decision, New Delhi in a statement said, "We hope that Pakistan will desist from further interfering in India's internal affairs and destabilising the situation in South Asia through support to terrorism and other subversive acts."

Burhan's killing was protested by thousands of Kashmiris, many of whom died after clashing with security forces. The violence in Kashmir, which claimed over 40 lives, was one of the worst seen in years. The BJP-PDP government in Jammu and Kashmir and the BJP government at the Centre came under immense criticism for "ineffeciently" handling the situation and for using excessive force on "innocent" civilians.

Despite all this, the Pakistan prime minister's "martyr" comments and him criticising brutalities by the Indian government are unconvincing and borderline hypocritical. Because PM Sharif should shoot a quick glance in his own backyard before coming to the aide of "innocent" Kashmiris. And if according to Sharif, Burhan is a martyr, then the Taliban militia, that has been the cause of chaos and disruption in northwestern Pakistan should win accolades for their fight of azadi too.

The Taliban emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s in northern Pakistan after the Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan. Pakistan has repeatedly denied that it was the architects of the enterprise, however, there is very little doubt that many Afghans who initially joined the Taliban were educated in madrassas based in Pakistan.

Taliban and its breakaway faction Pakistan Taliban have perpetrated vicious attacks on Pakistani soil. Starting from the Peshawar school attack, which claimed lives of 132 schoolchildren till the very recent attack in a Lahore park March this year, which claimed almost 74 lives. What was perhaps the most criticised of all Pakistani Taliban attacks was when schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai was attacked on her way home in the town of Mingora in October 2012.

Even though Pakistan in recent years has adopted a less-tolerant line against Taliban militants, Sharif, after being elected as Pakistan's PM in May 2013, said that talking to Taliban militants is one of his government's priorities. Facts prove otherwise though. Pakistan was one of only three nations, after Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which recognised the Taliban when they were in power in Afghanistan from the mid-1990s till 2001. It was also the last country to break diplomatic ties with the Taliban, reported AP.

Moreover, Sharif calling a man who has been dubbed the "most-wanted terrorist" in the Kashmir Valley a 'martyr' has raised a few eyebrows when the same prime minister is unable to control the terror that Taliban unleashes on Pakistan soil.

Twenty-two-year old Burhan, who was gunned down by armed forces, was credited with reviving and "legitimising" new age insurgency in South Kashmir. He was the most-wanted terrorist in the Kashmir Valley. Army veterans have agreed that with Burhan's inspiration, militancy travelled to North Kashmir. "His Robin Hood image inspired a new phenomenon: The attempted protection of terrorists by local mobs at encounter sites and large-scale eulogising of even neutralised Pakistani terrorists at their funerals."

An exiled Kashmiri leader and spokesperson of the United Kashmir People's National Party (UKPNP) Nasir Aziz Khan even alleged that Burhan was part of the proxy war that Pakistan waged in Kashmir since 1998. "Kashmiris are pro-peace and peace loving people and they believe in peace and harmony. If we look into history, 4,000-6,000 years ago, Kashmiris whether they were Hindus and Muslims, they were living with peace and harmony. But unfortunately since 1998, Pakistan has started a proxy war in Kashmir, are using the religious sentiment of the Kashmiri people and Burhan Wani was also part of that movement  I mean the proxy war of Pakistan," Khan told ANI.

An article in The Indian Express quoted a Kashmiri police officer as saying: "There are so many stories woven around Wani that he has become a legend across this region. For almost 15 years, Kashmiri youngsters refrained from joining the militant ranks. Burhan brought the militant movement back to youngsters here Earlier, local recruits would be sent across the border for arms training. After Burhan became known, we have witnessed a new situation. There are more than 60 local militants active in south Kashmir who have trained locally."

Add to this the fact that the top leadership in Islamabad is portraying the Hizbul commander as a "martyr" and is calling for a plebiscite in the Valley due to "India's human rights violations".

This op-ed piece by Raj Daluja published in the State Times summarises it well:

"Terror had taken the very vitals of its own mentor... On the one side, Pakistan, as a nation, had failed to respond to the situation and on the other hand it did launch a military campaign against terrorists responsible for the dastardly act. They were the same lunatics, which Pakistan has been using against India by sending them as Mujahids to Kashmir, not only to kill but also to train and indoctrinate terror monsters like Burhan, who was charged with the responsibility of glamourising terror to woo young people of the Valley."

Pakistan is well within its rights to observe a black day in honour of Burhan Wani, but Sharif should not grudge other nations when they take Islamabad's terror-fighting claims with a pinch of salt.

Apart from giving the message that Pakistan sides with homegrown militants, Islamabad, by openly aligning themselves with "terrorists," sends out the message that it has the willingness to tolerate the terror diktat of insurgents religiously. This is highly problematic.
Islamabad: Kashmir is not an internal matter of India, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday and asked it to hold a plebiscite to respect the rights of Kashmiris as Pakistan observed a 'Black Day' to express solidarity with the people of the Valley.

In his message, Sharif said, "Today we are observing Black Day to express solidarity with Kashmiris and are giving a strong message to the world that Pakistanis are with them (Kashmiris) for their struggle to get their rights."

"India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris through force as they will eventually get freedom. The United Nations has declared Kashmir a disputed territory and India should hold plebiscite to respect the rights of Kashmiris. Terming Kashmir issue internal matter of India is not justifiable," he said.

Sharif said India was committing human rights violation in the occupied territory which is a matter of great concern for the world community.

The Prime Minister has earlier directed all relevant departments to highlight the Kashmir issue at international fora.

To observe the Black Day, rallies and events are being held across the country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to draw attention of the world towards the Kashmir issue.

All officials of federal and provincial governments were wearing black band on duty to express "political, moral and diplomatic support" to Kashmiris.

Special prayers will be held for those killed in Kashmir after the death of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

On the government's order, Pakistani missions abroad will hold ceremonies there to draw world's attention towards Kashmir.

Mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack, Hafiz Saeed-led Jammaat-ud-Dawah's 'Kashmir Caravan', which on Tuesday left for Islamabad from Lahore, will hold a "large" public meeting here.

Saeed on Tuesday vowed to march towards Jammu and Kashmir "till Kashmiris get freedom".

Over 40 people have been killed in Kashmir in the clashes since Wani's killing on 8 July.
Islamabad: A female Pakistani police officer has been assigned to probe the murder of model Qandeel Baloch, officials said on Wednesday.

Qandeel, a social media celebrity, was strangled to death on 16 July, allegedly by her brother in the name of family honour, in Multan, Punjab province, Dawn online reported.

Central Police Officer (CPO) Azhar Akram deployed woman Inspector Attiya Jaffari following the suspension of two former investigating officers for showing negligence in the probe.

Meanwhile, Qandeel's alleged killer, her younger brother Waseem, was sent on a 14-day judicial remand on Tuesday. The police could not take him to a forensic lab in Lahore for DNA and polygraph tests to complete the investigation.

The police later filed an appeal in the court to get physical remand of Waseem, which would be decided later on Wednesday, Dawn online noted.

According to a police official, the course of investigation requires DNA and polygraph tests to verify, establish and evaluate the truthfulness of statements of a suspect.

CPO Akram said the new woman Investigation Officer had issued notices to various persons, including Mufti Abdul Qavi and the slain models former husband Ashiq Hussain, in the light of the statement of Qandeels mother.

The police had obtained Qandeel's mobile phone data and detained her brother.

We are preparing the case in a way that its trial is concluded within three months, Akram said, adding that a letter had been dispatched to the Karachi corps commander for recording the statement of Aslam Shaheen, the elder brother of Qandeel, who is serving in the army.

The CPO disclosed that suspect Waseem had made calls to some people soon after the murder.

Meanwhile, talking to Dawn, Qandeels father Mohammad Azam and mother Anwar Bibi said the name of Aslam Shaheen was included in the FIR by them mistakenly and they would request the court to exclude his name from the case.
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia on Wednesday carried out the 99th execution of the year in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom, putting a man to death for murder.

Hassan bin Mubarak al-Amri was convicted of stabbing to death fellow Saudi Jahran al-Issa following a dispute, the

Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by the SPA state news agency. He was executed in the southwestern coastal city of Qunfudah, it said.

Saudi Arabia imposes the death penalty for offences including murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy.

Most people executed are beheaded with a sword. There were no beheadings during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began in the kingdom on 6 June.

However, executions resumed on Sunday when authorities put a Saudi murderer to death. Human rights group Amnesty International says the kingdom carried out at least 158 death sentences last year, making it the third most prolific executioner after Iran and Pakistan.

Amnesty's figures do not include secretive China. The London-based watchdog says the Saudi rate of executions this year is "higher than at the same point last year".

Murder and drug trafficking cases account for the majority of Saudi executions, although 47 people were put to death for

"terrorism" offences on a single day in January.

They included prominent Shiite cleric, whose execution prompted Iranian protesters to torch Saudi diplomatic missions, leading Riyadh to sever relations.
DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A surge in violence in northern Mali and a spike in attacks on aid workers are hindering the delivery of food, water and healthcare to millions of people, aid agencies said on Wednesday.

Violent protests last week in the northern city of Gao raised fears that a peace deal signed last year between rival ethnic groups and the Malian government risks unravelling, threatening to plunge the nation into chaos.

There has been a resurgence of violence against aid agencies in recent months, with 10 attacks recorded in April and May after just three in the first three months of this year, according to data from the United Nations.

While most attacks involve the hijacking of vehicles, which is common in northern Mali, increased violence against aid workers is particularly concerning, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said.

"Aid agencies are not necessarily being targeted, but criminality prevails in some areas where they are acting," Anouk Desgroseilliers, public information officer for OCHA, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone from the capital Bamako.

"This is restricting access and having an impact on the delivery of humanitarian assistance in the region," she added.

Around three million people in Mali do not have enough to eat, and some 500,000 in conflict-hit areas in the north need urgent food aid, according to aid agencies in the region.

Nearly 635,000 people lack access to clean water in northern and central regions hit by the violence, OCHA said.

Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said it was worried about a lack of health care in northern Mali, where few health centres are functioning and an outbreak of malaria has led to one in two people being infected in some villages.

Conflict in Mali erupted in 2012, when a loose coalition of separatist rebels and Islamist militants swept across the north of the country before a French-led military intervention in 2013 drove them from the main towns they had been occupying.

Islamist militants have since regrouped, targeting U.N. peacekeepers and French military forces stationed in the north, and launching high-profile attacks such as one on a Bamako hotel in November in which 20 people were killed.

The needs of local populations are acute, although the country's north is showing signs of recovery, MSF said.

"Economic activities are picking up, shops are reopening as people come back, but this is a post-emergency transition period so humanitarian needs are still very present," Sarah Chateau, MSF's head of mission in Mali, said in an interview.

The number of people uprooted within Mali has dropped by two-thirds to 37,500 since May 2015, but 135,000 refugees remain outside the country, mainly in Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger, fearful of returning home amid the violence, OCHA said.

(Reporting By Kieran Guilbert, Editing by Alex Whiting; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news.trust.org)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
ZURICH Switzerland's Attorney General has filed charges against 13 people accused of raising millions of dollars to buy weapons for the Tamil Tigers fighters during the civil war in Sri Lanka.

The indictment alleges that the people collected around 15 million Swiss francs ($15.2 million) during the late 1990s and early 2000s to support the organisation, which has the formal title the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

The accused, who have not been identified, come from Switzerland, Germany and Sri Lanka. They have been indicted with supporting or being members of a criminal organisation, fraud, false certification, and money laundering, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) said on Wednesday.

In 2009, the Sri Lankan government ended its 26-year conflict with the Tamil Tigers, who had been fighting for an independent Tamil state in the north and east of the Indian Ocean island.

The OAG did not disclose the names of the accused.

It said money was raised from members of the Sri Lankan community in Switzerland through micro-credit loans from a bank in Zurich and channelled through an offshoot known as the World Tamil Coordinating Committee.

Tamil Tiger leaders in Switzerland "devised and implemented a systematic and rapid method for obtaining money from the Tamil diaspora in Switzerland," the OAG said in a statement on Wednesday.

"As the investigations carried out by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland with the support of the federal police show, substantial sums of money were obtained from the diaspora community using couriers and loans," it said.

The funding system stopped in 2009 following the end of the civil war, the OAG said.

The matter will now be considered by the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, although no date was given for a hearing.

($1 = 0.9875 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Revill)

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Aleppo: Syrian residents and the opposition expressed outrage on Wednesday at the brutal beheading of a child by a rebel group in Aleppo city, branding it a "heinous act".

The horrific murder, captured in footage circulated on social media Tuesday, was carried out by Islamist rebels who accused the boy of fighting alongside government forces.

"How could they slaughter a child like this?" asked 25-year-old Bassel Zein, a barber in the opposition-held Al-Kalasseh neighbourhood of Aleppo.

"He should have been tried in a fair way and maybe swapped with the regime for rebel detainees instead of this heinous act," he said.

Other residents said the beheading tarnished the name of the opposition, and at an Aleppo mosque on Tuesday night, Imam Mohamed Badawi railed against the killing.

"This is the work of criminals, and is forbidden in Islam," he told the congregation gathered for sunset prayers.

The boy was decapitated by members of the Nureddin al-Zenki rebel group on the back of a pick-up truck on a public road in Aleppo's opposition-controlled Al-Mashhad neighbourhood.

In the grisly footage, rebels accused the boy of fighting with a pro-regime Palestinian faction known as the Al-Quds Brigade and said he was captured during fighting north of Aleppo city.

But the Al-Quds Brigade issued a statement denying the boy was a member, and describing him as an ordinary 12-year-old Palestinian refugee.

'Individual mistake'

The Nureddin al-Zenki group condemned the act as a "violation" in a statement on Tuesday, describing it as an "individual mistake that does not represent the general policy of the group".

The organisation said it had detained those involved in the murder and set up a judicial committee to investigate the incident and issue a verdict as soon as possible.

The killing was also condemned by the opposition Syrian National Coalition, which expressed "shock at the horrific scenes" and urged the faction to follow through on its pledge to investigate and punish the perpetrators.

"The National Coalition... does not condone any behaviour that is contrary to the principles of the revolution and the aspirations of the Syrian people who came out to demand freedom, dignity and justice," the coalition added in a statement.

Nureddin al-Zenki is an Islamist rebel group largely based in Aleppo province that at one point received US-made anti-tank missiles, though that support appears to have dried up in 2015.

The faction had already been accused of abuses, with Amnesty International earlier this month saying it was among several rebel factions committing war crimes and other violations of international law.

In Washington, the State Department said it was aware of reports of the "appalling" incident and that involvement with the group could be reviewed.

"We're seeking more information," spokesman Mark Toner said at Tuesday's daily briefing.

"We'll look at, frankly, any affiliation or cooperation with this group we may have going forward, if these allegations are proven true."

'Depths of depravity'

Amnesty International said Wednesday that the beheading was the latest "abhorrent" sign that some opposition groups are carrying out serious abuses with impunity.

"This horrific video... suggests some members of armed groups have truly plumbed the depths of depravity," said Philip Luther, head of Amnestys Middle East and North Africa programme

"It is yet another gruesome example of the summary killing of captives, which amounts to a war crime," he said in a statement.

In eastern parts of Aleppo, now under siege after being encircled by government forces, residents accused the rebels involved of besmirching the opposition's name.

"This is a big error and will harm all the Free Syrian Army rebel factions," said Mohamed Mansour, a resident of Al-Mashhad where the execution occurred.

"There is nothing in Islam that allows the slaughter of prisoners. Islam requires captives to be well-treated, fed and cared for."

Rights groups say war crimes have been committed by all sides in Syria's conflict, which began in March 2011 and has killed more than 280,000 people.

The government is accused of widespread torture, as well as indiscriminate fire on civilian populations.

And the Islamic State jihadist group has regularly carried out gruesome executions of its opponents.
London: Conservative lawmakers cheered British Prime Minister Theresa May as she repeatedly mocked the opposition while dodging key questions on Brexit on Wednesday, making a confident Parliamentary question time debut.

The weekly ritual of Prime Minister's Questions is seen as a key leadership test and May, Britain's second female Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher, passed with ease.

May relentlessly mocked opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, a veteran socialist who is facing a leadership challenge backed by dozens of his own MPs, using his own questions against him.

"I am interested that he refers to the situation of some workers who might have some job insecurity and potentially unscrupulous bosses," she told Corbyn. "A boss who doesn't listen to his workers? A boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload? And maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career. Remind him of anybody?"

Corbyn has been forced to give supporters multiple portfolios as he cannot find enough willing MPs to fill his shadow cabinet. "You refer to me as the second woman prime minister. In my years in the House, I've long heard the Labour party asking what the Conservative Party does for women  well, (it) just keeps making us prime minister."

She also mocked Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats, a minority partner in a coalition government with the Conservatives between 2010 and 2015. "My party's a little bit bigger than his," she said.

May has been in government ever since Cameron won his first election in 2010 and several commentators said her experience showed in a commanding performance.

The Independent said May's style was "eerily reminiscent" of Thatcher, well known for her caustic rhetoric, and the Daily Mail's deputy political editor Jason Groves also said on Twitter that she appeared to be "channelling Thatcher".

But The Guardian said that while May had sounded "confident and assured and prime ministerial", her emulation of the so-called Iron Lady was "a little too contrived".

May only became Prime Minister last week after David Cameron stepped down in the wake of Britain's referendum vote to leave the European Union.

She dodged questions about whether Britain aimed to remain in the EU's Single Market and what restrictions should be placed on EU immigrants, a key issue during the referendum campaign.
CLEVELAND A speechwriter on Wednesday took responsibility for parts of a speech Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's wife Melania gave at the Republican convention this week that drew accusations of plagiarism.

Meredith McIver, a staff writer for the Trump Organization, said she had inserted passages into Melania Trump's speech that resembled parts of a 2008 speech by first lady Michelle Obama.

I did not check Mrs. Obamas speeches. This was my mistake and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant, McIver said in a statement.

She said Melania Trump had read passages from Michelle Obamas speech to the 2008 Democratic National Convention over the phone to her as examples. McIver then wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in a draft that became Melania Trump's speech on Monday night.

In a potentially embarrassing admission for the Trump campaign, McIver said the first lady is a person that Melania Trump "has always liked.

A small section of Melania Trump's roughly 15-minute speech, a highlight of the opening day of the convention in Cleveland, was similar to Michelle Obamas speech in support of Barack Obama, then a U.S. senator campaigning for president.

Accusations of plagiarism plagued the Trump campaign from the moment news of the similarities emerged.

Under pressure to explain what had happened and who was to blame, Trump's people offered different versions of events on Monday and Tuesday.

Hours before giving the speech on Monday, Melania Trump told NBC's "Today" that she wrote it with as little help as possible. But her husband's campaign manager, Paul Manafort, told CBS' "This Morning" on Tuesday that it was a collaboration with speechwriters.

Democrats said the affair and the explanations showed Trump's team was not ready for prime time, all the more embarrassing because Trump has accused the presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton of being untrustworthy.

The Trump Organization is owned Donald Trump.

(Writing by Alistair Bell; Editing by Frances Kerry and Howard Goller)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Istanbul: The Turkish armed forces have carried out their first air strikes against Kurdish militants

in northern Iraq since last week's coup attempt, killing 20 fighters, state media reported on Wednesday.

F-16 fighter jets late Tuesday hit targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, said the state-run Anadolu news agency, quoting security sources.

Former Turkish air force chief General Akin Ozturk, 25 other ex-generals and many soldiers have been arrested, suspected of planning last Friday's coup, in which rebel troops used jets and tanks to try to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the resumption of fighting between Turkish security forces and the PKK after a largely successful two-and-a-half year truce.

The ceasefire had sparked hopes of a final peace deal to end Turkey's three-decade conflict with the PKK.

Instead, the PKK has returned to routine attacks on security forces, who have hit back with relentless operations in Turkish urban centres and air raids in the mountains of southeast Turkey and PKK bases in northern Iraq.
Cambodia: A Turkish official in Cambodia Wednesday called for the closure of schools it says are linked to the cleric accused of orchestrating a failed coup in Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed bitter foe Fethullah Gulen for last week's bloody failed putsch and has vowed to root out his network of alleged supporters.

His government has so far arrested more than 9,000 people and suspended 15,200 state education employees in Turkey over alleged links to the Islamic preacher, while demanding Gulen's extradition from the United States.

Gulen, who denies involvement in the attempted power grab, is the spiritual leader of the Hizmet movement which operates schools around the world and is also linked to media organisations, businesses and think-tanks.

"We know that Fethullah Gulen is behind the coup attempt and we know Zaman schools are affiliated with this person," an official from the Turkish embassy in Cambodia told AFP Wednesday, referring to the Zaman International School in Phnom Penh.

"That's why our government expects these schools to be closed," he said, requesting anonymity.

In a video posted on the embassy's Facebook page on Monday, Turkish ambassador Ilhan Kemal Tug labelled Gulen's movement a "terrorist organisation".

"We have been in close contact with the Cambodian government... regarding the Zaman schools in Cambodia, and we have requested all kinds of support to be halted," the ambassador said.

The director of the schools, which serve more than 2,000 students in Cambodia from kindergarten to university level, denied formal ties with the preacher.

"The founders of Zaman International School started with the spiritual motivation of Mr Fethullah Gulen; however, Mr Gulen has never had any official link, ownership or involvement in the school administration," Ejder Kilic, chairman of Zaman Co Ltd, said in a statement emailed to AFP.

Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told AFP it has not received a formal request to shut down the schools.

The schools were founded in 1997 by a former journalist with the newspaper Zaman, an outlet seen as aligned with Gulen until its takeover in March by the Turkish government.

Gulen, 75, has lived in the US since 1999.

On Tuesday he urged Washington to reject Turkey's efforts to extradite him, calling the accusations he was behind the coup "ridiculous".
Ankara, Turkey: Turkey's state-run news agency says Turkish jets have carried out cross-border strikes against Kurdish rebel positions in northern Iraq, killing 20 alleged militants.

Wednesday's strikes come as Turkey's military is reeling from a failed coup by a faction within the armed forces and appear to be an attempt to show that the forces are on top of security matters.

Authorities have rounded up close to 9,000 people  including 115 generals, 350 officers and some 4,800 other military personnel for alleged involvement in the takeover.

Officials on Wednesday raised the death toll from the attempted coup to 240 government supporters. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

The government says a U.S.-based Muslim cleric was the mastermind behind the failed take-over and has demanded his extradition.
WASHINGTON The United States on Wednesday blacklisted three members of al Qaeda living in Iran, saying they had helped the Islamist militant group on the battlefield, with finance and logistics, and in mediating with Iranian authorities.

Iran has held several al Qaeda high-ranking members and lower-level militants since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on New York and Washington, though U.S. officials say the precise conditions of their confinement are unclear.

Faisal Jassim Mohammed al-Amri al-Khalidi, a 31-year-old Saudi national, led an al Qaeda brigade and was serving as the group's military commission chief in May 2015, Treasury said, describing him as "part of a new generation" of al Qaeda operatives. As of 2011, Khalidi liaised between al Qaeda associates, central council members, and leaders within the Pakistani Taliban.

Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi, 48 and an Egyptian national, mediated with Iranian authorities as of early 2015, Treasury said, and helped al Qaeda members living in Iran.

Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn, 35, had control of the group's financing and organisation inside Iran as of 2015, Treasury said. Ghumayn, an Algerian, was previously based in Pakistan.

Al Qaeda and Iran's government have a complex and sometimes tense relationship, according to documents seized from Osama bin Laden's hideout in Pakistan and made public. At times Iranian authorities promised to release and may have actually released al Qaeda figures, but one of bin Laden's sons who had been held in Iran, Saad, reportedly was killed in 2009.

Iran's Shi'ite Muslim rulers deny cooperating with al Qaeda, a Sunni group. Iranian officials call al Qaeda a terrorist group, and Iranian security forces periodically report the arrest of al Qaeda members.

An analysis by the U.S. Military Academy at West Point published in 2012 concluded that while it was obvious the al Qaeda-Iran relationship was antagonistic, the rationale behind Iran's detention of al Qaeda militants for years "without due process" was unclear.

Treasury's statement did not make clear what conditions the men were living under in Iran. Bayumi has been in Iran since 2014, Treasury said, but it did not say how long the other two men had lived there. Bayumi had been able to secure funds from Syria for al Qaeda members and facilitate al Qaeda funds transfers in 2015, Treasury said, suggesting he had some freedom to operate since moving to Iran.

Wednesday's measure freezes any property of the three men in the United States, and bars U.S. citizens from dealing with them.

(Editing by James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
London: Prime Minister Theresa May took the first step towards Brexit on Wednesday by relinquishing Britain's presidency of the European Council, ahead of her first meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Britain will no longer assume the six-month rotating presidency next July as planned, choosing instead to prioritise negotiations on implementing June's shock referendum vote to leave the European Union.

The decision was announced just hours before May, who took office one week ago, makes her first foreign trip with a visit to Berlin for a meeting and working dinner with Merkel.

She will then go to Paris on Thursday for talks with French President Francois Hollande, in a bid to forge a personal relationship with two leaders who will play a key role in developing Britain's new relationship with the EU.

Officials said May will repeat her call for patience as her new government works out what it hopes to achieve after ending its 43-year-old membership with the bloc.

"I am determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the European Union and that's why I have decided to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after taking office," May said in a statement.

"I do not underestimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the EU and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation.

"I also want to deliver a very clear message about the importance we attach to our bilateral relationship with our European partners, not just now but also when we have left the EU."

Key sticking points in the Brexit negotiations could be freedom of movement and the timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which starts the two-year countdown to Britain's formal departure.

'Build bridges'

May spoke to European Council president Donald Tusk on Tuesday, where she informed him of her decision to give up the rotating presidency.

Belgium was quick to put itself forward as a replacement, and EU ambassadors were due to meet later in Brussels to discuss the issue.

Britain's new foreign minister, the leading Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson, held his first talks with his EU peers this week in which he urged the bloc to leave the doors open to the UK and promised the country would continue to play a "leading role" in Europe.

May is likely to have an easier ride with Merkel than with France's Socialist leader, although both have their own domestic election cycles to think about.

"May has to build bridges with her fellow leaders," Professor Iain Begg, from the European Institute at the London School of Economics university, told AFP.

"It will be getting to know each other combined with trying to put positions on the table.

"May has this reputation as a tough negotiator who says what she wants and wants what she says. She will be anxious to convey that she's not a soft touch."

'Take a deep breath'

Commentators have drawn comparisons between Merkel and May: both pastors' daughters with low-profile husbands, no children and a love of Alpine hiking, who rose to become leaders of centre-right parties.

While some EU countries want Britain out of the bloc as soon as possible, the German leader has called for patience.

However, she has also warned that Britain cannot have continued access to the single market while restricting the freedom of EU citizens to emigrate to Britain  the key issue in the 23 June referendum.

"In politics, it is always better to take a deep breath and only then begin dialogue with others," German President Joachim Gauck said in an interview with the Bild newspaper published on Wednesday.

He said punishing Britain in the negotiations "would not be the right path to follow for future generations".

But Hollande has a presidential election looming in April and is coming under pressure from the far-right National Front, which wants France to leave the EU too.

"For Hollande there is manifestly a concern about Brexit contagion to France," said Begg.

"He will want to impress upon May that she cannot string this along indefinitely or expect great gifts from France because Hollande has domestic politics to think about and he will want to avoid 'encourager les autres' (encouraging others)."
The United States depicted at the Republican National Convention is a scary place. It is wrenched by economic uncertainty, social upheaval, political dysfunction, runaway immigration, violent streets and existential threats from abroad. Republicans want voters to see the need for drastic change. The nation's only choice, they say, is Donald Trump.

Why Republicans would paint such a bleak portrait and whether things really are as they say:

What's the problem?

GOP Chairman Reince Priebus opened the convention acknowledging "troubling times". Others used less measured terms. Americans live in fear, they said. The country is disrespected by the world, its military is gutted, its police are shamed. Borders are porous. Terrorism is a constant threat.

Alabama Sen Jeff Sessions said the US suffers from "an economic disaster ... and the American people know it". Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst said "our allies see us shrinking from our place as a leader in the world".

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani pointed to "the terrorists who are killing us and our allies". He concluded: "There is no next election. There's no more time for us left to revive our great country".

What's the reality?

The United States has seen some tough times, but it is in better shape than most of the world.

Americans are still much less likely to become victims of domestic or international terrorism than most Europeans and citizens of Middle East nations. Violent crime in the United States has dropped steadily since 1992, according to FBI statistics.

In May, unemployment dipped to its lowest rate since November 2007, a year before President Barack Obama's election. The economy has grown for much of Obama's tenure. But the middle class has taken a hit. Average household incomes are rising, but that's largely due to higher pay for the richest 10 percent of American households.

Still, the United States is outperforming most of the world's advanced economies. Last year, the US economy grew 2.4 percent, compared to 0.5 percent in Japan, 2.2 percent in Britain and 1.7 percent in the 19 countries that share the euro currency. China, which Trump often says has out-maneuvered the US on economic matters, is growing faster than the United States. But the US is far richer: Economic output per person last year was $56,000 in the U.S. and $7,900 in China.

How do Americans see it?

It's a mixed answer. Though Obama's job approval ratings have been positive for much of 2016, Americans are anxious. A recent Associated Press GfK-Poll found almost 4 out of 5 American voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. And there's a seemingly never-ending cycle of bad news: a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida; assassinations of police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Dallas; and high-profile killings of black men by police.

The politics

Tapping into Americans' anxiety  and deepening it  may be a logical strategy for Trump to win over moderate Democratic and independent voters. He entered the convention trailing presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in most polls. His favorability ratings are extremely low, even worse than Clinton's dismal numbers.

Conventions normally offer candidates an opportunity to introduce themselves to Americans who don't follow politics too closely. Trump is already extremely well-known and will have a hard time changing voters' opinions about him. However, no one can deny that Trump is the candidate of change. Clinton has been running as the candidate who will build on Obama's legacy. If voters agree that things are truly awful and the country needs a dramatic change, the only candidate who fits the bill is the brash, tough-talking billionaire developer and reality star.

There's a history

A party out of the White House for two terms tends to frame the current leadership as a failure. Accepting his nomination in 2008, Obama declared: "We are here because we love this country too much to let the next four years look just like the last eight." Ronald Reagan ousted Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1980 amid economic and international turmoil. Yet Reagan and Obama wove an intrinsic optimism into their arguments. Obama's slogan was "Hope and Change." Reagan summoned biblical imagery to describe the United States as a "shining city on a hill."

Trump's pitch is perhaps most comparable to Richard Nixon's law-and-order campaign in 1968, another turbulent year at home and abroad. Nixon told Republicans in his acceptance speech that "America is trouble today," mired in war "with no end in sight" and unable "to manage its own economy." Trump insists his motto  "Make America Great Again"  is optimistic. But the subtext is his indictment of a nation that "never wins anymore." He suggests stability and greatness will re-emerge because of his touch, rather than something inherent in the American people.
Panaji: Why do Russians rarely smile or why lighting agarbattis (incense sticks) is not welcome in hotel rooms in Moscow or St Petersburg?

Keen on upping tourists footfalls to Russia, a specially published do's and dont's handbook has attempted to decode such socio-cultural mysteries for Indians travelling to Russia.

"Smiling to strangers is not a part of Russian culture. Russians are polite and professional, and they do smile wholeheartedly after they come to know you -- which often takes time," says the booklet which was released last week by the Mumbai-based Russian Information Centre, based on the inputs of the Consulate General of Russian Federation.

"Please do not light up your favourite agarbatti in the hotel room. This is an absolute no-no because of the other International tourists who complain about the fragrances or have allergies to strong fragrances. Do pray, but hold the agarbatti for a few days," the handbook says.

Speaking to IANS, the Centre's head Ekaterina Belyakova said that the list of do's and don'ts were evolved, based on cultural misunderstandings which were logged with the organisation over the last couple of years.

"We've tried to address these in this handbook. We felt warning people about some cultural traditions, social norms and customs, sentiments, even tastes, especially when it comes to food, is very important," Belyakova said.

The handbook also delves deep into the Russian psyche, while it accounts for why Russians overtly dig in their heels and defend beliefs related to Russian history and culture.

"Revolution and two world wars, dramatic political changes of the past century have a clear bearing on every Russian's mind. Hence, Russian people think very deep while they generally look forward to a secure and prosperous future. For the same reasons, Russians can be protective about their culture, language and the country -- sometimes to the point of fiercely defending their beliefs," the advisory says.

Food habits account for a biggish chunk of the handbook. While Russians and Indians love their 'chai' (Russians like it without milk, it says), the handbook advises Indian tourists to keep their spices handy and fret less about availability of Indian food in major Russian cities like Moscow and St Petersburg.

"Russian food contains almost no tropical spices and is generally prepared with less salt... If you are an Indian spice lover, do carry the needful quantity of Indian pepper or garam masala or whatever that fancies your taste buds. These spices are not easily available (and) can be very costly," it says.

"Junk food is available everywhere though options like McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Subway, Dominoes, etc. However, the may not have vegetarian options available in India. Also, McDonalds will not give a free tomato sauce - you will have to buy it as a menu item," says the handbook.

"Many dishes like borsch are quite like Indian soups and can be had with or without meat; other dishes common are cutlets, puffs... Cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg have adequate number of good quality, pure Indian restaurants, with vegetarian food being normally served," the handbook further advises.

The advisory also draws parallels between Russia and other Western European countries vis-a-vis the culture of tipping and pricing of water, which is often more expensive than beer.

"Drinking water is not free anywhere, like in other parts of Europe. You will have to buy small quantities which is expensive or stock up five-litre cans available in product shops or hyper markets," it says, adding that while Russia has a liberal drinking regime, boozing on the country's streets is banned.

The do's and don'ts exercise also advises on how best to deal with Russian immigration officials, most of whom are not well versed in English, a handicap which sometimes leads to unsavoury episodes at immigration check-points.

"They may ask you to wait by using sign language. There is no reason for panicking or having an ego about it... Please do not raise your voice or argue unduly or take any pictures as they are strictly prohibited," the advisory states.

Out of 18 million Indian outbound tourists, nearly 30,000 visit Russia annually and with our outbound tourism growing faster than China, the South Asian giant is an obvious target for Russian tourism promoters, says Paresh Navani, managing partner of the Russian Information Centre.

"Russia has a lot to offer for Indian tourists, and it is not only beautiful nature or cultural heritage, but the warmth of Russian 'chai' and Russian people too," Navani assures.
Whistle-blowing website Wikileaks on Tuesday night released 294,548 emails from the internal server of Turkey's ruling party Justice and Development Party (AKP) in response to the Turkish government's purges after the recent failed coup.

"Part one of the series covers 762 mail boxes beginning with 'A' through to 'I' containing 294,548 email bodies together with many thousands of attached files. The emails come from 'akparti.org.tr', the AKP's primary domain. The most recent was sent on July 6, 2016. The oldest dates back to 2010," the website said in its release.

Wikileaks had also announced earlier that it would be releasing the list of documents.

Last week, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government had accused Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating a failed military takeover on Friday in which at least 232 people were killed, and had called in speeches for his extradition from the United States.

Gulen had denied any involvement in the coup bid, suggesting Erdogan staged it as an excuse for a crackdown.

Around 1,400 people had also been wounded as soldiers commandeered tanks, attack helicopters and warplanes in their bid to seize power, strafing parliament and the intelligence headquarters and trying to seize the main airport and bridges in Istanbul.

Wikileaks in its release also said that the emails were obtained by it a week before the coup. "However, WikiLeaks has moved forward its publication schedule in response to the government's post-coup purges. We have verified the material and the source, who is not connected, in any way, to the elements behind the attempted coup, or to a rival political party or state," the website further said.

Turkish authorities had suspended or detained close to 20,000 soldiers, police, judges and civil servants after the coup. The dismissals included 257 people from the prime minister's office, 492 from the Religious Affairs Directorate and 100 intelligence officials.

More than 6,000 soldiers and around 1,500 others had been detained since the abortive coup. Some 8,000 police officers, including in the capital Ankara and the biggest city Istanbul, had been removed on suspicion of links to the plot.

After the release, Wikileaks was blocked in Turkey.

WikiLeaks ordered to be blocked nationwide in #Turkey after releasing 300 thousand emails from #Erdogan's party AKP pic.twitter.com/Q5vWWimklY  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 20, 2016

The website has also been facing a series of cyber attacks since it released the list of emails.

We are unsure of the true origin of the attack. The timing suggests a Turkish state power faction or its allies. We will prevail & publish.  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 18, 2016

Yes, we are under more cyber attacks, which we are winning, on and off.  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 19, 2016

With inputs from Reuters
While powerful sections of the political class in the Indian Union and powerful mass media are trying to whip up the demand for taking stern action against Islamic televangelist Zakir Naik, the government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh has gone ahead and banned Peace TV Bangla, the Bangla language channel in Zakir Naik's Peace TV stable.

Zakir Naik came into focus in the aftermath of the Dhaka killings when it was alleged by numerous reports that some of the killers were inspire by his preachings. With Zakir Naik's often offensive preachings and his Peace TV transmissions emerging as a one-stop explanation for Islamic radicalisation among innocent folks, it was rather rich to see even ex-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi using the opportunity to refer to other human beings as preachers of hate and violence at a time when more than 30 Kashmiri protesters have been gunned down by Indian armed forces in a matter of days.

While calls for the defence of freedom of expression have been curiously muted in the context of Zakir Naik and the pre-existing ban on his Peace TV in the Indian Union, the ban in Bangladesh has been relatively easy, in the context of the recent murderous Islamist attacks in Dhaka. Freedom of all kinds, including freedom of expression is best curtailed in times of emergency. But in Dhaka too, the nature of the by-now-significantly-loud murmurs that have opposed the ban on Peace TV provide an interesting insight into the subcontinental politics of attacking supposed enemies by proxy.

This ban has led to discontent in a section of Bangladeshi society, which has argued either along the lines of freedom of expression or a positive warmth for the kind of religious preaching that Indian citizen Zakir Naik has been indulging in or both from largely studios and venues in the Indian Union. What is relevant to note here that opposition to what is perceived as an invading Indian culture in the form of TV channels with content from India (largely in the form of Hindi films and Bangla serials and shows produced in West Bengal), is extremely high, precisely among this very sector of society.

Emanul Haque Khan says, Those who used to badmouth India a couple of days ago and were ready to launch jihad in Facebook to boycott Indian products and Indian channels, I am seeing them sitting angrily with red-flared nostrils in support of a solid Indian product like Zakir Naik (quote translated from Bangla). It is relevant to mention the technical point that although Peace TV is actually broadcast to the world from Dubai, most of its video productions happen out of a rather shabby building in the Dongri area of South Mumbai.

Notwithstanding Khan's broad generalisations, this goes to the heart of a certain tension  the question of what can be deemed own even if Indian and more importantly, what is actually meant by Indian. When the Indian content boycott comes with an Islamic exception clause, that shows that it is non-Muslim Indian content deemed as a threat.

In the context of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, non-Muslim is largely a code-word for Hindu, just like in the Indian Union, the term minority is a code for Muslim. Thus, in this world-view, things Islamic can be deemed acceptable even if Indian, while the Indian content that needs to be boycotted is deemed essentially Hindu in character and content. This distinction between Zakir Naik and Indian also privileges Muslimness as being less foreign to this sector of Bangladesh. Indeed, this understanding of Bangladesh of being a Muslim land that is incidentally Bengali or South Asian forms one of the important competing narratives of what is the meaning of a sovereign Bangladesh and its raison d'etre.

Such dog-whistle messaging that conflates Indian and Hindu becomes a particular predicament for those patriotic Bangladeshis whose opposition to things Indian to the extent of calls for boycott are not predicated on religious prejudice and communalism. And there are many reasons of discontent for a Bangladeshi vis-a-vis the Indian Union, the giant neighbouring hegemonic super-state. This includes regular border killings by India's Border Security Force, ruthless Indian corporate expansionism including those in ecologically-fragile areas of Bangladesh in the face of fierce local opposition, unilateral intervention into riverine lifelines (like building the Farakka Barrage), mistreatment of visa applicants, alleged shadowy intervention into People's Republic of Bangladesh's domestic political scene, the nasty portrayal of Bangladeshi citizens in mainstream Indian political and media narrative (with few notable exceptions) as criminal, communal, fast-breeding, illegal immigrants, etc.

The Peace TV ban episode in Dhaka is part of the vicious subcontinental political game around religion-based codewords. Just like in the Indian Union, Pakistani is a code word  to some its means Pakistan, to some it means Muslim, to some it is a way to say Muslim without ever publicly acknowledging to have meant so. It is not accidental or without reason that then Narendra Modi, during some of his earlier election campaigns, talked repeatedly about and often even addressing directly Pakistanis and Mia Musharraf in elections where not a single Pakistani citizen was eligible to vote. Illegal Bangladeshior even just Bangladeshi is a similar term. While the biologist Theodeore Donzhansky said, Nothing in Biology makes sense except in light of evolution, one might as well say, many things in South Asian economic and political life makes sense in light of the communal Partition of 1947 and its afterlife.

In the context of oppressive media-corporate hegemony and a milieu of communalism, Zee Bangla and Star Jalsha, the two West Bengal channels very popular in Bangladesh become in that very private mindspace of a significant number of individuals, where all politics and yearnings collide, what Ashis Nandy has called in a different context, the intimate enemy.

The hard nationalists of the Indian Union have a certain pride in its so-called soft power. This pride is unfounded since such dominance is highly unlikely to exist in the absence of a hugely asymmetric economic and political relationship. And all deep money powered cultural exports are basically political autonomy and cultural identity demolition machines. While the largely West Bengali and also some Hindustani or Bollywood-centric channels channels dominate a significant part of the Bangladeshi television viewership, Bangla channels from Bangladesh are not available in West Bengal, where about 40 percent of Bengalis of the world live. It is a sector that Bangladeshi channels would want to enter but due to certain Indian Union rules and fee structures, that has not happened. Its West Bengal's loss really. Deprived of the amazing talent of Mosharraf Karim, arguably the most talented Bengali television actor of the present time.
The economy designer brand is thinking big with the opening of not just one but two new hotels in Budapest! This is a new country for the brand and a new opportunity to once again convey the distinctive personality and character of ibis Styles. To mark the occasion, the teams from AccorHotels Hungary have organised a custom inauguration event bringing together partners, clients and members of the local communities.

Opened on 24 May 2016, the ibis Styles Budapest Center and ibis Styles Budapest City, both former Mercure establishments, convey the "Happy Mood" feel of the ibis family. During the launch event, inspired by a storytelling concept for the two establishments, Gilles Clavie, President and CEO of Orbis SA/AccorHotels Eastern Europe, explained that: "the opening of the first ibis Styles hotels in Hungary is a major step for our Group in the region, as well as for the brand. With the arrival of ibis Styles to Hungary we are bringing innovation and a new hotel experience for the guests, offering unique design and atmosphere, a friendly service and welcome, where guest can feel the conviviality and unique storytelling created around the hotels".

The talented Polish design agency Tremend created the interior decor for both establishments, which feature fun and distinctive living areas. Including bright and refreshing colours, modern materials, amusing geometric patterns and brightly-lit interiors, all aspects of the brand's distinctive style contribute to a well-established and hard-hitting storytelling concept.

The goal of the ibis Styles Budapest Center is to take its guests back to their happy childhood days with a "play" theme! With brightly coloured fitted carpets and video game illustrations featured on the walls of the bedrooms, game boards in the public areas and humorous signage, everything has been carefully designed to ensure that our guests have a fun and happy stay here.

For its part, the ibis Styles Budapest City offers guests a "bicycle ride" experience. This includes chair backs in the shape of handlebars, wheels for chandeliers, hanging bicycles or cycle lanes marked out on the ground. All cycle-related imagery inviting the guest to embark on a special journey!

"It was quite a gamble, but it paid off!" explained Armand Bikart, Design Director Eastern Europe at AccorHotels. "The challenge lay in totally redesigning the interior of two former Mercure hotels which were looking a little tired and even obsolete, with the aim of creating something completely different. And achieving all of this on a very tight budget. This is one of the brand's first openings in the country and so we had to get it right. In my view, today we can all be very proud of the results! These two hotels are a showcase for modernity, with a very clear and unashamed designer feel to them".

About Accor, a world-leading hospitality group

Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of 5,300 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industry's most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor's unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality  one of the fastest growing categories in the industry  is led by Ennismore, a joint venture, which Accor holds a majority shareholding. Ennismore is a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and more than 230,000 team members worldwide. Members benefit from the company's comprehensive loyalty program  ALL  Accor Live Limitless  a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its global sustainability commitments (such as achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050, global elimination of single use plastics in its hotels' guest experience, etc.), Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticket: ACCYY) in the United States. For more information visit group.accor.com or follow Accor on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Police in Brussels cordoned off a central square where they surrounded a man wearing a heavy coat with wires hanging out, which they later called a false alarm.

Police closed off the area near Place de la Monnaie and evacuated surrounding buildings Wednesday while a bomb squad investigated the suspicious device.

Belgium has been under high alert since twin suicide attacks struck the capital city's airport and subway.

The March 22 bombings killed 32 people and left dozens more injured.

The Islamic State group said it was behind the attacks.
Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States will help ensure a strong alliance between the U.S., Britain and the European Union after Britain leaves the 28 nation organization.

The United States "depends on a strong United Kingdom," Kerry said during a joint news conference Tuesday in London with his British counterpart, newly appointed Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

"America is rooting for and will do all we can to try to encourage and assist in the development of the smoothest possible transition and a highly integrated and collaborative UK-EU relationship," Kerry added.

During his trip to London, Kerry and Johnson will meet with European representatives to discuss Syria's five-year-old conflict, which helped inspire the rise of the Islamic State and has contributed to the world's worst refugee crisis.

"We seek those with influence over the Assad regime, including Russia and Iran, to ensure humanitarian access to the besieged areas in line with U.N. Security Council resolutions and commitments made as members of the International Syria Support Group," Johnson said in reference to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Kerry and Johnson will also meet with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the conflict in Yemen.

Kerry's primary reason for visiting London, his first since Britain voted last month to exit the European Union, is to discuss U.S.-British relations with Johnson, who was appointed Britain's foreign minister last week by new Prime Minister Theresa May. Johnson led the Brexit effort.
An aide to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump says she made a mistake in writing his wife Melania's tribute to him this week by including identical phrases from a speech Michelle Obama gave supporting her husband Barack Obama's 2008 run for the U.S. presidency.

For two days, the Trump campaign belittled complaints that Melania Trump had plagiarized portions of Michelle Obama's address in her Monday night speech to the Republican National Convention about her husband of 11 years.

But on Wednesday, Trump aide Meredith McIver, a one-time ballet dancer who helped write some of his books, said she offered to resign over the controversy that has consumed some of the news coverage of this week's convention in Cleveland, Ohio. But she said the presidential contender rejected her offer.

McIver said that as she set out to write Melania Trump's speech, the would-be first lady read her some passages from Michelle Obama's speech to her over the phone. McIver said she took notes and later included some of the phrasing in the final draft.

But McIver said she did not check Michelle Obama's 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention ahead of the first of her husband's two successful presidential campaigns.

"That was my mistake," McIver said, "and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant."

McIver said that "Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences."



WATCH: Video comparison of Melania Trump, Michelle Obama speeches
A Ugandan-led rebel group operating in Central Africa abducted 498 civilians and killed 17 others in the first half of this year, a watchdog organization said Wednesday, suggesting a resurgence of the group whose leader is the target of an international manhunt.

The attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army happened mostly in the eastern part of Central African Republic and in northern Congo, according to the LRA Crisis Tracker, which monitors the activities of the rebel group.

Members of the LRA, including leader Joseph Kony, are the subject of an international manhunt that includes U.S. troops. Kony is wanted by the International Criminal Court.

The LRA is notorious for abducting children who then become fighters or sex slaves.

In the new report, the LRA Crisis Tracker says an order by Kony led to dozens of new child abductions and that a poaching group has returned to Congo's Garamba National Park. Another watchdog, the Enough Project, reported last year that the LRA is slaughtering elephants for their ivory, which the group trades for supplies in Sudanese-controlled territory.

The increase in LRA violence comes as Uganda considers withdrawing troops deployed in Central African Republic from an African Union force, saying the rebels no longer pose a threat to Uganda.

Among the LRA abductees in eastern Central African Republic this year were 65 children, 39 of whom remain in captivity or are otherwise unaccounted for, it said.

The LRA, which originated in Uganda in the 1980s, had been in decline over the years amid defections of senior commanders and the killings of others. One commander, Dominic Ongwen, was captured last year in Central African Republic and handed over to the ICC.
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. slumped the most in three weeks after Asias biggest international carrier said first-half performance was below expectations and yields were under intense pressure.

Shares snapped six days of gains after the Hong Kong-based airline said in a statement to the stock exchange on Monday that combined passenger load factor for Cathay Pacific and unit Dragonair fell by 1.7 percentage points to 85.5 percent in the period. While the capacity increased 4.2 percent, the growth in passenger traffic was 2.7 percent, it said.

Passenger revenue has been adversely affected by the reduced load factor and intense pressure on yield, Chief Executive Officer Ivan Chu said in the statement issued after trading hours. Cargo tonnage has stabilized but yield continues to decline.

Cathay is joining Singapore Airlines Ltd. in raising concerns about yields as the expansion of Middle Eastern airlines to Asia, the emergence of mainland Chinese airlines and regional budget carriers squeeze the luxury operators, prompting them to offer discounts to fill more seats. After reporting the lowest yield from passengers in six years in the 12 months through March, Singapore Airs CEO Goh Choon Phong said in May that yields are under pressure across the industry.

Cathays stock slid 2.9 percent to HKD12.20 in Hong Kong, the biggest decline since June 27. It has dropped 7.2 percent this year, compared with a 1.1 percent loss in the Hang Seng Index.

Cathay has become less attractive as Chinese carriers offer more direct flights, said Shukor Yusof, founder of consulting firm Endau Analytics in Malaysia. The attractiveness of Hong Kong as a travel destination may not be as before. Like Singapore Airlines, Cathay is also affected by the budget carriers.

Net income at Cathay Pacific is due to decline 14 percent to HKD5.13 billion (USD661 million) this year, according to the mean estimate in a Bloomberg survey of 17 analyst estimates. The airline is due to report first-half numbers in August.

Singapore Airs net income is forecast to rise 10 percent to SGD888 million ($658 million) in the fiscal year ending in March, according to the mean estimate in a Bloomberg survey of 18 analysts. Chu also said foreign currency movements have been adverse, while he didnt elaborate on yields.

The major risk, which is not shown in the figures, is the yield, said Kelvin Lau, an analyst at Daiwa Capital Markets Hong Kong Ltd. So far, the comments from the last few months have been consistently talking about pressure on yield, both front- and back-end, he said, adding the passenger load of 85.5 percent isnt too bad.

In May, Singapore Air said its yields, or the revenue earned from a passenger flying a kilometer, was 10.6 Singapore cents in the year through March, dropping from 11.2 cents a year earlier. That damped full-year net income, which fell short of estimates.

We see some weakness going forward, CEO Goh said at the time. Oil price is volatile and competition continues. Crystal Tse, Kyunghee Park, Bloomberg
The Chief Executive (CE), Chui Sai On, will lead an official delegation to Beijing from today until Friday for the advancement of the Beijing-Macau partnership and for discussions on the regions first Five-Year Development Plan.

According to the Government Information Bureau, the three-day visit to Chinas capital city will include Chuis meeting with the Secretary of the Communist Party of China Beijing Municipal Committee, Guo Jinlong.

The CE will also have a meeting with officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, to discuss the regions Five-Year Development Plan, which outlines proposals for the territorys social and economic development for the period 2016 to 2020.

Earlier this week, Chui attended the reception of the Visit of High-Level Officials for Judicial and Law Enforcement Cooperation from Neighboring Countries in Macau.

The visit was co-organized by the local government and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the MSAR. According to the CE, the visit was an excellent opportunity for us to share practices and experiences of our judicial system.

Chui claimed that the region is benefiting from protection under the Basic Law, as well as the advantages of the implementation of the One Country, two systems policy.
In the first half of 2016 there were less requests for residency in the territory from Portuguese citizens, according to data released by the Public Security Police Force (PSP).

The number of requests decreased by 17.3 percent (amounting to 13 fewer requests) with an even bigger decrease in the number of approvals of these requests, falling from 77.3 percent (58 requests) of total requests in 2015 to only 45.2 percent (28 requests) in 2016.

Taking into account the fact that the authorities claimed not to have rejected any of the requests during the period, this means that 54.8 percent of requests (34) are pending.

The analysis shows what Maria Amelia Antonio, the president of Casa de Portugal (House of Portugal  CPM) deems a trend in the last couple of years. The processing of the requests to completion can take several months.

They [the PSP] didnt refuse any request but they only approved 28. I cant believe that all these requests [have] just [come in] within the timeframe [of the last] one or two months. People didnt come running to do all the requests at the same time for sure, the CPM president said.

If a company needs a worker, [they] cannot be waiting for months, moreover they are not going to request that people come to Macau to stay here waiting. The same happens in the cases where people come to Macau on their own initiative. Also, it is not reasonable for them to be waiting after having found an employer; they are forced to give up, Amelia Antonio said. In the event that these people do not have support from either family or friends, who sponsor them to stay and wait, it is impossible to survive, she added.

The House of Portugal head knows several cases of identification request delays that lead to the withdrawal of those requests affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) as well as in specialized fields such as Information Technologies (IT) amongst many others, including people who intended to work for the Portuguese association.

This [the system] creates many troubles especially for SMEs and I often get confused by the information [from the government] that aims to protect these kinds of companies, Amelia Antonio stated. We also suffer from the same problem as there are fields of interest in which I intend to hire people to teach but I cant have them here for such a long time waiting. That lead us to finding solutions that are cumbersome  to bring people for very short periods of time to teach in workshop-based classes that consequently cant be included in the programs of continuing education from the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau (DSEJ) and so on it creates a snowball effect that is bad for everyone, the president of CPM told the Times.

This situation, as well as the uncertain governmental requirements at the time of renewal of the IDs creates instability. People arent able focus on working and contributing to society because they are always afraid that something might happen to them and this creates a lack of security for people which doesnt come from a lack of jobs but rather is due to the system, she added.

The association head also commented on the number of Portuguese nationals who are now working in the territory and hold work permits as non-resident workers (or holders of what is commonly known as a blue card): Its another push [from the government]. As they say it is supposedly faster to process they tell this to people. There are two other important aspects: first the company needs to request or have a quota for this kind of worker; second, even when this happens, these workers become totally dependent on the company and this is a bit horrifying for me to know that a person that can have [by law] a better situation will be forced in to the blue card system that blocks them from other options and from developing and contributing more.
A Chinese state oil company moved some staff from South Sudan, where fighting flared almost two weeks ago, as the African nations military said its trying to disperse an armed group thats threatening to march on the capital.

China National Petroleum Corp. has evacuated 191 employees, leaving 77 people to help keep South Sudans oilfields running, the company said yesterday in a statement on its website. The country, which has sub-Saharan Africas third-biggest crude reserves, is producing as little as 120,000 barrels a day because of a civil war that erupted in December 2013 and claimed tens of thousands of lives.

The evacuations follow clashes in South Sudans capital, Juba, between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, that erupted July 7 and continued sporadically for about five days, leaving at least 272 people dead. Two Chinese peacekeepers serving with the United Nations were among those killed.

An uneasy calm has held in Juba since the two leaders announced a cease-fire on July 12 after Machars fighters were forced from the capital. The UN and East African nations have discussed deploying more troops.

Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said yesterday that the military is communicating with an armed group of about 3,000 people who have mobilized in central Jonglei state and threatened to attack Juba.

We are communicating with them to stop this and disperse, Koang said by phone from the capital. If they insist to fight, we will attack them with our air force. This is the warning we are giving them.

South Sudanese Petroleum Minister Dak Duop Bischoks phone was switched off when Bloomberg called seeking comment. The countrys crude, which is also pumped by Malaysias Petroliam Nasional Bhd and Indias Oil & Natural Gas Corp., is exported via a pipeline through its northern neighbor, Sudan. Upper Nile is the only South Sudanese state still producing oil after Unity state halted output shortly after the civil war began. Okech Francis, Aibing Guo, Bloomberg
Indonesias most wanted Islamic militant was killed in a gunbattle with security forces, a top minister said yesterday, in a victory for the governments counterterrorism campaign that further tightens the vise on a dwindling band of extremists in the jungles of Sulawesi island.

Abu Wardah Santoso was one of two militants killed in the shootout Monday, Coordinating Minister for Security, Political and Legal Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan told reporters. The other was an extremist known as Mochtar, not Santosos deputy Basri, as police had initially thought.

Santoso, who headed the East Indonesia Mujahideen militant group that in 2014 claimed allegiance to the Islamic State group, had eluded capture for more than five years.

About 2,500 security personnel, including elite army troops, intensified operations this year in Poso, a mountainous district of Central Sulawesi province considered an extremist hotbed, to capture Santoso and his followers.

We will increase our forces to pressure the rest of the members, said Pandjaitan.

He said the group still has some 19 members. More than 20 were captured or killed in the past year. The governments focus on hunting down Santoso was questioned by experts as activity by Islamic State sympathizers increased in Java and other parts of Indonesia. In January, four IS supporters carried out a suicide bombing and shooting in the capital Jakarta in which eight people died, including the attackers.

Santoso was wanted for running a radical training camp in Poso, where a Muslim-Christian conflict killed at least 1,000 people from 1998 to 2002. He has been linked to a number of deadly attacks against police officers and Christians.

Like many other Indonesian extremists, his top enemy became the police following the break-up of a jihadist training camp in a remote part of Aceh in 2010 by the police anti-terrorism squad Detachment 88. MDT/AP
Vietnam criticized as untruthful Chinese state media reports that Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc respected his Communist neighbors position on last weeks landmark South China Sea ruling and was interested in advancing two-way talks on the disputed waterway.

Phuc told Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Mongolia last week that he didnt endorse Chinas stance on the international tribunals ruling, the Vietnamese government said in a statement late Monday. Phuc reiterated Vietnams welcoming of the courts decision, which found no legal basis for Chinas claim to historic rights to resources in the area.

Vietnam declares it refutes untruthful coverage by Chinese media regarding the East Sea issue from the meeting between Phuc and Li, the government said, using Vietnams preferred term for the South China Sea.

The Vietnam rebuke comes as China touts what it says are dozens of international backers for its stance on the South China Sea, as it seeks to show at home it has widespread support after the ruling went against it. It highlights the difficulty for China in walking a line between President Xi Jinpings neighborhood diplomacy and in continuing its assertions to sovereignty  and its military buildup  in the waterway. The risk now is China receives further public rebuttals.

Chinas official Xinhua News Agency last week cited Phuc as saying Vietnam respects Chinas stance on the arbitration and that Vietnam stands ready to push forward the mechanism of bilateral maritime negotiations and properly manage differences with China, so as to contribute to regional peace and stability.

While the ruling resulted from a Philippines challenge, Vietnam has been a critic of Chinas overlapping claims to more than four-fifths of the South China Sea. The Vietnamese statement follows remarks by other governments criticizing official Chinese sources for misrepresenting their remarks over the South China Sea case.

Chinas Foreign Ministry said July 9 that Sri Lanka understands and applauds Chinas stance on the waterway, citing a meeting between the countries foreign ministers in Colombo. But Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said in an interview in Singapore on Sunday that use of applaud was not correct. We understood, I think they just corrected to say we understood.

Fiji issued a statement in April rejecting another Chinese ministry release asserting support from the tiny South Pacific nation. Cambodia, Poland and Slovenia have also denied Chinese claims of backing, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, a unit of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

India, whose support China also claimed, published a statement on the day of the ruling urging all parties to show utmost respect for the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The diplomatic dust-ups over language are among several repercussions as the region digests the ruling, which China has rejected as unfair and motivated by U.S. efforts to rally allies against the rising power. China has welcomed Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes offer for two-way talks on their sea disputes.

Still, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay rejected Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yis position that any bilateral negotiations must disregard the tribunals ruling. That was not consistent with our constitution and our national interest, Yasay told the ABS-CBN News Channel.

Zhao Qizheng, former chairman of the foreign affairs committee of Chinas top political advisory body, said some countries might be in a pickle and under huge pressure after Chinas Foreign Ministry identified their support by name.

Its understandable, Zhao said at a briefing yesterday in Singapore. But I hope countries can to be sincere with each other.

Indonesia, which is not a claimant in the South China Sea but whose navy is coming into closer proximity with Chinas fishing boats and coast guard in the Natuna Island area, plans to blow up 71 fishing boats to mark its independence day on August 17, including three from China, the Jakarta Post reported. Indonesia has accused China of treating its fishing waters as its own.

For now China has said it has no plans to tone down its actions. Its air force recently conducted a combat air patrol in the South China Sea, an exercise that will become a regular practice in the future, Xinhua reported Monday. China will also conduct military drills off its island of Hainan.

Chheang Vannarith, Phnom Penh-based chairman of the Cambodian Institute for Strategic Studies and a former government adviser, said Cambodia would probably remain sympathetic to Chinas position on the sea disputes, but must also take into account the views of the other nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Cambodia in the past has been accused by other nations of responding to lobbying by China to veto the prospect of unified Asean statements being issued on the matter. Asean operates on a consensus basis.

China must acknowledge this is a disputed area, he said. We need all to accept this is a disputed area. Its not China, but all of the other claimants have their own unilateral map. John Boudreau, Diep Ngoc Pham and David Tweed, Bloomberg
CHINA Nationalists are protesting at KFC outlets and calling for a boycott, spurred by government accusations that Washington encouraged Manila to oppose Beijings claims to vast tracts of ocean. Photos circulated online show young Chinese wearing scarves with patriotic slogans smashing Apple iPhones in protest.

VIETNAM The Communist Party-dominated National Assembly opened its first session following May elections to elect the countrys top leaders. Speaking at the opening of the event, Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong called for greater efforts for the countrys development. More on p12

NORTH KOREA said yesterday it test-fired ballistic rockets as part of a simulated pre-emptive attack on ports and airfields in South Korea, in a likely reference to the three missile launches that Seoul says the North carried out a day earlier. Leader Kim Jong Un guided the launches and expressed his satisfaction with them, the Norths state media reported.



IRAQ The upcoming military campaign to wrest control of the Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State group could affect as many as 1.5 million civilians, making it one of the worlds largest humanitarian crises, a United Nations official said yesterday.

UAE The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority says it is committed to a long-term investment strategy despite a slump in oil prices and concerns about slower economic growth worldwide. ADIA is based in the capital of OPEC member United Arab Emirates and is one of the worlds largest sovereign wealth funds.

TURKEY Asserting that all the evidence points to a U.S.-based Muslim cleric as the mastermind of last weeks failed coup, Turkeys government on Tuesday fired tens of thousands of teachers, university deans and others accused of ties to the plot and demanded the clerics extradition.

UKRAINE A prominent journalist was killed in a car bombing in Ukraines capital, Kiev, yesterday, sending shockwaves through the Ukrainian journalist community that was shaped by the gruesome killing of the publications founder 16 years ago. The countrys top online news website Ukrainska Pravda said its journalist Pavel Sheremet died in an explosion yesterday as he got into his car to drive to work to anchor a talk show on a local radio station.

UGANDA A Ugandan-led rebel group operating in Central Africa abducted 498 civilians and killed 17 others in the first half of this year, a watchdog organization said yesterday, suggesting a resurgence of the group whose leader is the target of an international manhunt.
A visiting professor at the Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) has been invited to chair a panel session at the 24th World Congress of Political Science, titled China at the crossroads of nationalism and regionalism, in which he will discuss, with other participants, the influence of China, Russia and India in Central Asia and the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) policy.

Arnaldo Goncalves, who will chair the panel on China, nationalism and regionalism, is a member of the International Political Science Association (ISPA), the chairman of the Lisbon-based Luso-Asian Forum and also a visiting professor at MPI. The panel will be made up of scholars from China, India and Russia.

The conference has been organized by ISPA and is being held in Poznan, Poland between July 23 and 28. Organized every few years, the 2016 conference is themed Politics in a World of Inequality, and has around 3,000 participants enrolled to attend its many sessions.

Goncalves will discuss how China, Russia and India are competing for influence in the Central Asia region, and how Chinas OBOR initiative is being seen as an infringement by Russia on an area that has traditionally been part of the Russian sphere of influence, or directly controlled by the former Soviet Union.

In order to examine this, he explained to the Times, it is necessary to understand what OBOR really means. It is basically the Silk Road reincarnated, connecting Asia with Europe, he said. China is looking to reinstall that connection in order to increase the speed of communication and trade between their [Chinas] ports and Europe and the Middle East.

This is important to China, rationalized Goncalves, because it will reduce the dependency on the South China Sea, through which most of the trade traffic in the region traverses.

The worsening of the conflict there is providing a reason for China to build an alternative terrestrial [land-based] pathway, he told the Times, alluding to the recent Philippines arbitration case that found Chinas historical claims to almost the entire South China Sea invalid. Goncalves said he prefers not to comment specifically on this issue, as the dust is yet to settle.

In order to establish a land route, [President] Xi Jinping needs to build infrastructure [in Central Asia], said Goncalves.

However, the scholar highlighted that such financing overtures would necessarily be taken as an infringement on a traditionally pro-Russia region, and Russia would be sure to understand such encroachment as a threat.

Xi seems confident that he can convince the Central Asian Republics to join the initiative even if traditionally they have been part of the Russian sphere of influence.

[But] Xi is underestimating the influence of Russia in the region and of Putin. Putin will be watching this [policy] closely. In Russia, they have a historical relationship [with the countries of Central Asia]. The wealthy in Russia  the oil magnates and so on  are afraid that China is trying to take their place in the region.

Meanwhile, India is eyeing these developments and, being generally suspicious of China, is trying to balance Chinese influence in its northern neighbors.

In terms of foreign relations, India has been known to have a relatively small diplomatic service for a country of its geographic and economic clout. Nevertheless, as of this year, India now has more foreign embassies and high commissions than all but nine other countries, indicating a change in the countrys approach to influencing its neighbors and those further afield.

Goncalves says that India is looking to position itself in the Central Asian relationships because [India] controls the Indian Ocean, and worries about Chinese investment in ports in Pakistan and Myanmar.

The OBOR initiative is a development strategy proposed by Xi that seeks to improve connectivity and cooperation between areas that were historically part of the Silk Road. The strategy emphasizes Chinas shift towards taking a larger role in global affairs, as well as securing access to markets with sufficient demand to satisfy the countrys production output.

ISPA was founded as an international scholarly association in 1949 under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Every few years the organization holds conferences to discuss important global issues.

Macau not much use in OBOR

Asked about the usefulness of the two Special Administrative Regions of China to the countrys connectivity strategy, Goncalves said, Hong Kong is experienced [as an international hub of connections] and can be useful to China as part of its OBOR initiative. Macau will not be much use as it is still very backwards and still very dependent on just one industry  we dont really have alternatives. I am very pessimistic about this. On the other hand, Goncalves notes, OBOR can be useful to Macau in the sense that one of the termini of the [Maritime] Silk Road is Guangzhou, close to Macau, which might help exports to Europe and other parts of the world.
A video recently uploaded of a conversation with the U.S. Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau questioned the role todays youth may play in the future of U.S.-China relations in the two SARs.

Vivian Lau, president of JA Asia Pacific, a non-profit organization inspiring young people and preparing them for careers, and Consul General Clifford Hart discussed the issue in a video uploaded on the Facebook page of the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau.

Hong Kong and Macau already have mature relationships with the United States, said Hart. We have had thousands of students go to the U.S. over the years from both places; we have tens of thousands of business people [from the territories in the U.S.]; and lots of family relationships so its not as though were exploring new territory.

He said that young people in the two SARs can continue to play an important role in people-to-people diplomacy.

For young people looking to promote this relationship, Id encourage them to think very broadly about what diplomacy means [] The most important dimension of dialogue  diplomacy writ large  is people-to-people, he said.

Hart, who assumed office in July 2013, will step down from the post shortly to be succeeded next month by Kurt Tong, the current principal deputy assistant secretary of the Department of State.
Its called the Miracle Mile.

In a one-mile radius around Onsen Farms south of Hagerman, many properties with an abundance of spring water and geothermal wells grow a variety of produce such as citrus, wheat, rye and pinto beans.

Onsen Farms owner James Reeds unique water resources allow him to heat his 10,000-square-foot greenhouses and grow produce during the winter. Reed typically sells food from November to June, but he plans to switch to a year-round growing season this fall and collaborate with neighboring farmers.

Reed sells his produce through community supported agriculture memberships or through Idahos Bounty, a cooperative food hub he helped create. In the CSA model, which Reed has used for the past three years, consumers pledge support to a farm operation, and both growers and consumers share the risks and benefits of food production.

In September, Reed plans to expand his CSA membership to 100 members. Neighboring farms in the Miracle Mile are joining Onsens CSA to provide members an assortment of foods.

That means that a family will purchase one of these shares from us, Reed said. They pay at the front end at our farm in September. It gives farmers money upfront to grow their food. Its everybody in there together fighting for it. Its a way for the eaters to help.

He recently dug a tilapia pond and will dig one for trout. These ponds will be the first at Onsen Farms to be managed for protein.

We are not competing with the other guys, he said. We will be having events for our CSA members. They might come and fish for dinner, or fish might go out to CSA members.

Reed intends to market especially to the Twin Falls area; he also plans a home delivery option.

Twin Falls has less options for people looking for fresh, quality food, Reed said. We will have phenomenal offerings of food including dry beans, potatoes, onions and winter squash. As we grow, we will have a complete offering of lamb, cheese and dairy.

Tetona Dunlap
TWIN FALLS  Rescue crews rappelled the south wall of the Snake River Canyon to help a hiker stranded under the Perrine Bridge on Tuesday afternoon.

A 21-year-old woman was hiking with her brother up the trail BASE jumpers use to climb back to the canyon rim when she had an unknown medical emergency. The call came in at 3:07 p.m.

Lori Stewart, Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office spokeswoman, said the Twin Falls Fire Department is taking the lead on the rescue. Magic Valley Paramedics Special Operations Reach and Treat team and Twin Falls County Search and Rescue also responded to the call.

We have people with them right now, Stewart said about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday. They are taking her down to the landing zone where the BASE jumpers land and a boat will take her back from there.

Rescuers took the woman to the docks at Centennial Waterfront Park by 6:30 p.m. and then she was taken to St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center, Stewart said. Her condition was unknown and it was unclear Tuesday night what had happened to her.
Investigators at the Stanford University School of Medicine have learned the signal that tumor cells display on their surfaces to protect themselves from being devoured by the immune system also plays a role in enabling atherosclerosis, the process underlying heart attacks and strokes.

A biological drug capable of blocking this so-called dont eat me signal is now being tested in clinical trials in cancer patients. The same agent, the investigators found, was able to prevent the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque in several mouse models of cardiovascular disease. If this success is borne out in human studies, the drug could be used to combat cardiovascular disease  the worlds No. 1 killer  and do so by targeting not mere risk factors such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, but the actual lesions bearing direct responsibility for cardiovascular disease: atherosclerotic plaques.

It seems that heart disease may be driven by our immune systems inability to take out the trash, said Nicholas Leeper, MD, associate professor of vascular surgery and of cardiovascular medicine.

A study describing the researchers findings was published online July 20 in Nature. Leeper is the senior author.

Atherosclerosis is caused by the deposition of fatty substances along arterial walls. Over the years, these substances form plaques. Its now known that numerous dead and dying cells accumulate in atherosclerotic plaques, which inflammation renders brittle and vulnerable to rupture, the ultimate cause of heart attack and stroke.

Immune cell malfeasance

Contributing to the pathology is malfeasance on the part of a class of immune cells that first arrive at the site with presumably benign intentions, said Leeper.

Even a perfectly healthy body turns over more than 100 billion cells a day, every day, he said. One of the several jobs performed by immune cells called macrophages  from the Greek words for big eater is to come and gobble up those dead and dying cells, which might otherwise begin releasing substances that can foster inflammation.

Many cells in the human body feature a dont eat me signal on their surface: a protein called CD47. The protein tells the immune system that a cell is alive, still going strong and part of a persons healthy tissue.

Normally, as a cell approaches death, its CD47 surface proteins start disappearing, exposing the cell to macrophages garbage-disposal service. But atherosclerotic plaques are filled with dead and dying cells that should have been cleared by macrophages, yet werent. In fact, many of the cells piling up in these lesions are dead macrophages and other vascular cells that should have been cleared long ago.

The fact that there are so many dying cells in an atherosclerotic plaque, although those sick cells are supposed to be cleared promptly by macrophages, got us thinking, said Yoko Kojima, MD, PhD, a basic life science research associate who is the studys lead author.
The United Nations Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Monday disclosed that despite successes chalked in the fight against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), a lot more needed to be done particularly in the African continent.

According to UNICEF, an average of 29 adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 are infected with HIV every hour.

After all of the saved and improved lives thanks to prevention, treatment and care; after all of the battles won against prejudice and ignorance about this disease; after all of the wonderful milestones achieved, AIDS is still the number two cause of death for those aged 10-19 globally  and number one in Africa, UNICEFs Executive Director, Anthony Lake stressed.

In 2015 alone, 2.1 million new infections were reported  two-thirds of which occurred in sub-Saharan Africa.

The fight against the disease was far from over and required a focused and concerted effort to better the current situation, Lake said.

The undeniable progress we have made in the last three decades does not mean that our struggle is over, Lake said.

The battle against AIDS will not be over until we redouble prevention and treatment efforts; until we reach those young lives still being denied the progress that millions before them have enjoyed; and until we end the stigma and fear that prevent so many young people from getting tested, he concluded.
Wildlife experts in Malawi will relocate up to 500 elephants to a sanctuary that they hope could eventually serve as a reservoir to restore some elephant, Reuters reported on Tuesday.

The 500 surplus elephants will be relocated from two national parks to Nkhotakota, where the threatened species have been wiped out by poachers for their valuable ivory.

The massive relocation, slated for completion next year, will involve darting the elephants from a helicopter, hoisting the slumbering animals by crane and loading them in crates onto trucks for a ride of about 185 miles to Malawis Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.

Malawi elephants are in particular peril from human encroachment, while poachers have slaughtered them in the tens of thousands to meet demand for ivory, mostly in Asia.

Nkhotakota currently has fewer than 100 elephants; Malawi has up to 1,500 elephants in total. Africa has about 470,000 elephants, down from as many as 3 million to 5 million in the early 20th century, according to the WWF conservation group.

The elephants in Malawi will be moved in small groups in a first phase in July and August, and again in a similar period next year.

The relocation of the herd is being led by African Parks, a non-profit conservation organization.
The newly elected President of Sao Tome, Evaristo Carvalho, on Tuesday celebrated his victory with thousands of his supporters, AFP reported.

Evaristo Carvalho, the ruling partys candidate has defeated the incumbent Manuel Pinto da Costa in Sao Tome and Principes presidential election taking 50.1% of the vote.

Mr da Costa, who won the last election in 2011 as an independent, was the countrys first president after independence from Portugal in 1975. His first period in office ended in 1991.

Carvalho was a minister in the late 1970s and has twice served as Prime Minister since 1991.

The small island nation of Sao Tome and Principe, a former Portuguese plantation colony located in the Gulf of Guinea has suffered harsh economic conditions with 90% dependency on international aid.

The government and the next president will face the challenge of development in the country, which has 195,000 inhabitants of which two thirds are under the poverty line.

Poverty will decrease with quality education, with employment, (and) with improved care. I am confident that the level of poverty will be lower, said the newly elected president Evaristo Carvalho.

The former Portuguese colony has a semi-presidential system where the president assumes the functions of head of state and a prime minister serves as head of government.
CC by 2.0 photo/Flickr user Abby Bischoff

Many couples find that their sexual desire has dwindled over time. It's not unusual for partners who could not keep their hands off each to gradually lose interest. But new research indicates that there are ways that couples can sustainor relighttheir passion.

"Our research shows that partners who are responsive to each other outside the bedroom are able to maintain their sexual desire," says Gurit Birnbaum, psychology professor at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya, Israel. Birnbaum and her coauthors also found that women's desire is more strongly affected by their partner's responsiveness than men's desirealthough men report a boost, as well.

"Responsivenesswhich is a type of intimacyis so important in a relationship because it signals that one is really concerned with the welfare of the other, but in a way that is truly open and informed about what the other cares about and wants," says Birnbaum. Responsive partners are willing to invest resources in the relationship, and show understanding at a deep level. They make the relationship feel specialthat their relationship is uniquewhich is, at least in Western societies, what people seek from their romantic relationships.

Resolving the intimacy-desire paradox

In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Birnbaum and coauthor Harry Reis, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, report that their new study was, in part, prompted by a concept psychologists know as the "intimacy-desire paradox."

The core of the paradox lies in the contradiction between intimate and familiar relationships that many people strive for, and the limitations of such bonds for facilitating desire. Some scholars have argued that long-term intimacy may actually inhibit rather than increase sexual desire. For example, the need for security may clash with the sense of novelty and uncertainty that can often fuel desire.

But previous research has not provided conclusive evidence for whether increased sense of intimacy actually promotes or undermines sexual desire.

And Birnbaum and Reis's new study suggests that, under certain circumstances, there may not be a paradox.

Valued and desirable

What determines whether intimacy prompts or inhibits desire is not its mere existence, but its meaning in the larger context of a relationship, they argue. Responsiveness is most likely to encourage desire. That's because it conveys the impression that the partner is worth pursuing and thus engaging in sex with such a desirable partner is likely to promote an already valuable relationship.

As part of the study, the researchers conducted three experiments, one of which consisted of 100 couples who kept a diary for six weeks. Both partners reported on their own level of sexual desire each day as well as their perceptions of their partner's responsiveness. They also reported their own levels of feeling special and perceptions of their partner's mate value.

The results indicated that when men and women perceive their partners as responsive, they feel special and think of their partner as a valuable mate, which boosted sexual desirability.

Birnbaum notes that partner responsiveness had a significantly stronger effect on women's perceptions of themselves and others, suggesting that women experienced higher levels of desire for their responsive partner because they were more likely than men to feel special and value their partner as a result of the partner's responsiveness.

"'Being nice' and things like that are not necessarily based on who the partner is and what the partner really wants," Birnbaum says. "When a mate is truly responsive, the relationship feels special and unique and he or she is perceived as valued and desirable.

"Sexual desire thrives on increasing intimacy and being responsive is one of the best ways to instill this elusive sensation over time; better than any pyrotechnic sex," Birnbaum says.

Explore further Why do men prefer nice women?

More information: Gurit E. Birnbaum et al, Intimately Connected: The Importance of Partner Responsiveness for Experiencing Sexual Desire., Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2016). Journal information: Journal of Personality and Social Psychology Gurit E. Birnbaum et al, Intimately Connected: The Importance of Partner Responsiveness for Experiencing Sexual Desire.,(2016). DOI: 10.1037/pspi0000069
Study shows that cancer stem cells may hide in fatty tissue, even transforming this tissue to help them resist chemotherapy. Credit: University of Colorado Cancer Center

Across many cancer types, obese patients fare worse than leaner patients. Now a University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell offers a compelling hypothesis why: researchers found that leukemia stem cells "hide" in fatty tissue, even transforming this tissue in ways that support their survival when challenged with chemotherapy. It is as if leukemia stem cells not only use fatty tissue as a robbers' cave to hide from therapy, but actively adapt this cave to their liking.

"It's been increasingly appreciated that cancer can originate in stem cells and that failing to kill cancer stem cells can lead to relapse. Researchers have also come to appreciate the importance of surrounding tissues - the 'niche' or tumor microenvironmentin supporting cancer stem cells. In leukemia, the obvious niche is the bone marrow, but little attention has been paid to other sites in the body. This study is one of the first to evaluate adipose tissue, fat, as a possible tumor-supporting niche," says Craig Jordan, PhD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and Nancy Carroll Allen Professor of Hematology in the CU Department of Medicine.

Jordan describes how the "very original and insightful" line of reasoning of first author, Haobin Ye, PhD, was essential for the study. First, obese leukemia patients have poorer outcomes. Second, stem cells drive growth, resist therapy and can create relapse in leukemia. Third, the tumor microenvironment is important to cancer stem cells. At the intersection of obesity, stem cells and tumor microenvironment is adipose tissue - could stem cells in fatty tissue cause poorer prognosis in obese patients?

The group started by examining cancer cells found in the adipose tissue of a mouse model of leukemia. Rather than the expected mix of regular cancer cells with cancer stem cells, the group found that this fatty tissue was enriched for cancer stem cells. No lowly sneak-thieves were these - it was the master thieves of cancer stem cells that exploited the robbers' cave of fatty tissue. Not only was there a disproportionately high ratio of stem cells in adipose tissue, but these stem cells used a different energy source than stem cells in the bone marrow microenvironment - appropriately, these stem cells in fatty tissue powered their survival and growth with fatty acids, manufacturing energy by the process of fatty acid oxidization. In fact, these adipose tissue stem cells actively signal fat to undergo a process called lipolysis which releases fatty acids into the microenvironment.

"The basic biology was fascinating: the tumor adapted the local environment to suit itself," Jordan says.

Finally, when the group challenged these cells with chemotherapy they discovered that stem cells in fatty tissue that had switched their energy source to fatty acids were more resistant than stem cells outside this tissue. When Ye, Jordan and colleagues examined samples of human leukemia, they found characteristics similar to the mouse models - cells specialized to use fatty acids as their energy source were more resistant to chemotherapy.

"Perhaps in the context of chemotherapy treatment, these stem cells in adipose tissue might be harder to kill than stem cells in the bone marrow," Ye says.

If further work bears out this hypothesis, it could help to explain the fact of poorer outcomes in obese patients. The group plans to continue studies with mouse models of varying obesity, potentially shedding light on whether more adipose tissue provides either more energy or a larger robbers' cave for cancer stem cells evading treatment.

Explore further Adipose analysis on microfluidic chips

More information: Haobin Ye et al, Leukemic Stem Cells Evade Chemotherapy by Metabolic Adaptation to an Adipose Tissue Niche, Cell Stem Cell (2016). Journal information: Cell Stem Cell Haobin Ye et al, Leukemic Stem Cells Evade Chemotherapy by Metabolic Adaptation to an Adipose Tissue Niche,(2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.06.001
The stigma attached to mental illness creates a barrier for many seeking treatment, but it has a particularly negative impact on the help-seeking behaviors of black Americans, a small in-depth qualitative study by researchers at the University of Georgia suggests.

Rosalyn Denise Campbell, an assistant professor in the UGA School of Social Work, advocates for removing that stigma and fostering intervention that increases mental health service use and overall wellness.

In a study published in the Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, her recent research focuses on African-Americans with depressionsome self-diagnosed, others clinicallyand how they experience mental illness and navigate the mental health system.

Campbell's research comprises individual participant interviews that focus on each person's history and battle with depression. She then connects themes to apply the stories to the wider context of service-use patterns and the impact on the black American community.

One of the major themes emerging from her research is the necessity for black Americans experiencing depression to challenge the stigma throughout their disclosure and recovery journey, as they reconcile a new identity.

"I can't tell you how many times in these interviews people have said, 'I don't talk about this,'" Campbell said. "Some of them actually felt like participating in the study was pushing back against the stigma. By admitting, 'I identify as a person who has experienced depression, and I'm going to share my story for this study,' they felt like by adding another voice, that that was pushing back against the stigma."

The socio-cultural barriers to seeking mental health services, which Campbell said are often rooted in the history and identity of being black in America, is another emerging theme in her research. She mandates the importance of contextualizing each person's background as a part of their help-seeking patterns, especially populations that come from a history being shut out of services.

"Because African-Americans are already marginalized, there is no rush to adopt another marginalized, stigmatizing identity," she said. "There is a lot to lose with accepting a mental health diagnosis."

Her research suggests that black Americans are often thwarted from seeking depression treatment before they even enter the system, due to fears of being stigmatized by their friends and family as "less than African-American," and hesitancy to trust in treatment, Campbell said.

A pervasive misunderstanding of mental illness also contributes to the power of the stigma, she said, often due to a lack of education regarding what depression is and is not. Her research suggests depression is often seen as a weakness or a temporary condition, rather than the illness it is.

"We're all aware of historically what African-Americans have gone through in this countrythrough slavery, the civil rights movement, discrimination," Campbell said, and overcoming those obstacles created a sense of strength and perseverance within the community. "So, anything that pushes against that seems antithetical to what it means to be black."

Campbell's research derives deeply from community and identity contextualization, which she said affects both individual and group health outcomes.

"That goes for how we are evaluating people, how we are treating people, how we are interveningwe cannot remove that context, because if we are not addressing that and that's what a person embodies, you're not reaching them," she said. "It's not just you in present day in 2016it's you and your ancestors from 1816, and their experience that's helped shaped your identity and who you are."

As part of that contextualization, Campbell makes a point to discuss her own experiences with mental illness, and said it's a key component of her mission to de-stigmatize it.

"The only way to combat stigma is to take its power away, and you take its power away by talking about it and disclosing it," she said.

Explore further Psychiatric diagnostic tools may not be valid for African Americans

More information: Rosalyn Denise Campbell et al. The Stigma of Depression: Black American Experiences, Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work (2016). Rosalyn Denise Campbell et al. The Stigma of Depression: Black American Experiences,(2016). DOI: 10.1080/15313204.2016.1187101
Adolescence is a critical period for emotional maturation and is a time when significant symptoms of anxiety and depression can increase, particularly in females. Prior work by a team of Penn Medicine researchers found that sex-specific changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF) begin at puberty. The team's newest research shows that higher blood flow in emotional brain regions such as the amygdala is associated with higher levels of anxiety and mood symptoms in females. These findings, which are published online in Biological Psychiatry, provide further insight into the developmental biology of sex differences in mood and anxiety disorders.

"Women have approximately two times the risk of anxiety and mood symptoms as men, but we still don't know why," said the study's senior author Theodore D. Satterthwaite, MD, MA, an assistant professor of Psychiatry in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. "This study gets us one step closer to understanding this phenomenon and it may ultimately aid in early identification of youth at risk for mood and anxiety symptoms as well as help with the development of new treatments."

The study evaluated the hypothesis that sex differences in blood flow to brain regions involved in emotion processing during adolescence could be linked to sex differences in anxiety and mood symptoms. "We predicted that greater levels of anxiety would be associated with greater blood flow in emotional brain regions such as the amygdala. Following our prior work, we also predicted that females would have higher perfusion (blood flow) as adolescence progresses. And, finally we examined whether higher blood flow in emotional brain regions explained higher levels of anxiety and mood symptoms in females," said the lead author, Antonia Kaczkurkin, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Penn's Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA).

The Penn team imaged the brains of 875 children, adolescents and young adults (ages 12  23), using arterial spin labeled (ASL) MRI. Participants were all members of the Philadelphia Neurodevelopmental Cohort, a National Institute of Health-funded collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania Brain Behavior Laboratory and the Center for Applied Genomics at the Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania. Prior to imaging, each participant self-reported their level of anxiety and mood symptoms.

Results showed how the development of brain perfusion may relate to sex differences in anxiety during adolescence. Data revealed that anxiety and mood symptoms were associated with greater blood flow in a network of brain regions including the amygdala, anterior insula and fusiform cortex in both males and females. These regions also showed substantial developmental sex differences, with females demonstrating higher blood flow than males in post-pubertal period. It was also noted that the relationship between anxiety symptoms and blood flow in these regions increased in strength with age and puberty, and higher levels of symptoms present in post-pubertal females was in part explained by elevated blood flow to the left amygdala - a region known to be important for emotional processing. Taken together, these results suggest a new mechanism for understanding sex differences in anxiety and mood symptoms, which the authors say may be used to direct future research regarding targeted treatments.

More information: Antonia N. Kaczkurkin et al. Elevated Amygdala Perfusion Mediates Developmental Sex Differences in Trait Anxiety, Biological Psychiatry (2016). Journal information: Biological Psychiatry Antonia N. Kaczkurkin et al. Elevated Amygdala Perfusion Mediates Developmental Sex Differences in Trait Anxiety,(2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.04.021
The international guidelines for the management of type 2 diabetes consider such factors such as age, social environment, the duration of the illness and associated health complaints. But gender is not included. This is becoming a significant issue because men and women have different risks and develop different types of diabetes; thus, the treatment should become more gender-specific and personalised.

This is the most important realisation of a review regarding the status of gender-specific differences tailored to this holistic extent, to which MedUni Vienna researchers Alexandra Kautzky-Willer and Jurgen Harreiter contributed. The review was published in Endocrine Reviews.

Genetic disposition and biomarkers in women and men

The facts clearly speak for a gender-specific consideration and treatment of type 2 diabetes, which affects approximately 600,000 Austrians. From a biological perspective, men are principally at a higher risk of developing diabetes mellitus; women are "protected" for a while due to the increased levels of oestrogen until menopause causes a hormonal change and reduces this protection. In most cases, the risk for men is increased because they have a greater amount of stomach fat and more liver fat and a lower sensitivity to insulin, even if they are not overweight. The lack of testosterone in men is a risk factor, although women with higher levels of male sexual hormones are principally at a higher risk.

"In contrast, it was shown that the thigh fat, which is more frequent in women due to genetics and oestrogen, can even have a protective effect. On the other hand, the stomach circumference in women has a better diabetes predictive power than in men," says Kautzky-Willer, diabetes expert and Austria's first professor for gender medicine. "In women, psychosocial stress, stress on the job and lack of decision-making competency at high performance pressure or lack of sleep more frequently lead to diabetes than in men. This is often also intensified due to weight gain." On the other hand, men are more at risk of developing diabetes at a later point in life if their mothers suffered malnutrition during pregnancy.

There are also gender-specific differences in the biomarkers, which can aid in the early detection of diabetes risk. There are promising biomarkers for women, but not men, including the protein fetuin-A, produced by the liver; copeptin, a prohormone formed in the hypothalamus; and proneurotensin,a neurotransmitter. Here, the hormone leptin, which sends chemical messages to cease eating and to harvest energy from the reservoirs, such as fat depots, is a strong biomarker.

Environmental impacts as risk factors for diabetes

"Endocrine disruptors, meaning hormone-active substances, become increasingly important," says Jurgen Harreiter. Studies show that synthetically manufactured substances such as bisphenol A or phatalate (a softening agent), which are contained in many plastic items, are considered risk factors for diabetes. Depending on age, these have different effects in men and women.

There are also regional differences: More and more women in Oceania, South and Central Asia as well as the Middle East are developing diabetes, whereas the illness affects more men in affluent areas of the Pacific-Asia region as well as Central Europe. In the future, the gender-specific factors of diabetes are to be incorporated in the praxis.

Explore further Both limited and excess sleep may raise diabetes risk in men

More information: Alexandra Kautzky-Willer et al. Sex and Gender Differences in Risk, Pathophysiology and Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Endocrine Reviews (2016). Alexandra Kautzky-Willer et al. Sex and Gender Differences in Risk, Pathophysiology and Complications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus,(2016). DOI: 10.1210/er.2015-1137
New findings from the University of Birmingham challenge the 'transient' nature of mini-strokes and provide insight into the long term impact of an under-recognised condition. TIA patients in the study consulted their GPs more frequently than similarly aged patients for fatigue, cognitive impairment and anxiety or depression.

Primary care follow ups with TIA patients found that they had a 43% increased risk of fatigue, 26% increased risk of psychological impairment, such as anxiety or depression, and a 45% increased risk of cognitive impairment.

The research, published in the European Journal of Neurology, recommends that clinical guidelines for TIA need to be revised to acknowledge the likelihood of residual impairments and support rehabilitation for patients that can improve their quality of life.

TIAs occur when blood flow to the brain is disrupted and can cause sudden symptoms similar to those of a stroke, such as speech and visual disturbance, and numbness or weakness in the face, arms and legs which usually resolve within a few minutes to 24 hours.

Approximately 46,000 people experience a first TIA each year and there are 510,000 people living in the UK with a history of TIA. Incidence has increased in the past two decades, and patients are known to have an increased risk of having a full stroke.

Guidelines for TIA are centred around rapid evaluation of people with suspected TIA and focus on diagnosis. Follow-up for TIA patients is focused on management of stroke risk factors through medical, surgical and lifestyle interventions. Though clinical guidelines recognise that stroke patients may experience ongoing impairments which require rehabilitation; these guidelines do no extend to TIA.

The long-term impact of TIA has been unclear for some time, and the UK's leading stroke charity, Stroke Association, recommended this as a research priority in their TIA campaign report in 2014.

The Birmingham study, funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) School for Primary Care Research (SPCR), used anonymised electronic primary care records from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database, which covers approximately 6% of the UK population.

The team designed a retrospective matched cohort study of 9,419 TIA patients, and 46,511 controls were included. The median age of those in the study was 74, and 48% were male.

When compared to the control group, which were the same age and sex, TIA patients reported an increased risk of consulting for fatigue (43%), psychological impairment (26%) and cognitive impairment (45%).

Dr Grace Turner, from the University of Birmingham, explained "There have been a number of small studies which suggest long term impacts of TIA, but nothing on this scale, and nothing that included a control group for comparison. It's further evidence of how we can use electronic patient records to further our knowledge and improve patient care."

The study design addressed limitations of previous studies by not only including the control group, but also excluding patients with previous impairments from the analysis and controlling for other confounding variables.

Dr Turner added, "These findings present an urgent need to revisit clinical guidelines for TIA. They can no longer be considered 'transient' or 'temporary', there is a potential long term impact which could affect quality of life. In some cases people may not be able to return to work, or participate in social activities, and there is a very real impact on their quality of life."

"Future research should focus on improving care for TIA patients presenting signs of fatigue, anxiety, depression, or other impairments."

The team acknowledge that there is a possibility of misdiagnosis or underreporting of symptoms in follow ups, either by the patient or GP, but note that it is more likely that risk levels are higher than reported in the study.

Explore further Stroke in younger Danish adults spiked over the past two decades

More information: G. M. Turner et al. Ongoing impairments following transient ischaemic attack: retrospective cohort study, European Journal of Neurology (2016). G. M. Turner et al. Ongoing impairments following transient ischaemic attack: retrospective cohort study,(2016). DOI: 10.1111/ene.13088
Georgian airports serve 21% more passengers in January-June

Georgian airports are becoming busier as the number of passengers served at three airports in Georgia is on the rise, according to the latest statistics.During the first six months of 2016 the number of passengers at Georgian airports increased by 21.33 percent year-on-year (y/y), said Georgian Civil Aviation Agency.Statistics showed between January-June this year 1,082,828 passengers took regular or charter flights from Georgias three airports. During the same period of 2015, Georgian airports served only 892,468 passengers.In particular, Tbilisi's Shota Rustaveli International Airport served 893,222 passengers between January-June 2016, which was a 19.22 percent increase y/y.As for Batumi International Airport, 92,682 passengers utilised the service in January-June 2016  a 47.14 percent increase.And at Kutaisi International Airport, 78, 859 passengers were transported on regular or charter flights in the first six months of 2016  a 21 percent increase to the same period of the previous year.Meanwhile, the statistics showed the number of passengers increased significantly for the following routes:Israel and Georgia  65,759 passengers (87 percent increase);The United Arab Emirates and Georgia  82,107 passengers (78 percent increase);Russia and Georgia  202,000 passengers  (56 percent increase);Greece and Georgia  16,084 passengers (155 percent increase)Ukraine and Georgia  135,511passengers (28 percent increase).Meanwhile, a record number of tourists have visited Georgia in the first five months of 2016, said head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration Giorgi Chogovadze.Between January and May Georgia hosted 2,119,275 international visitors (tourists, transit, other), which was a 15 percent increase y/y.Of the 2,119,275 international visitors so far this year, 782,814 were tourists. This was an increase of 19 percent y/y.
NATO Buildup in Eastern Europe

By Messenger Staff

NATO leaders decision to boost their military presence in Eastern Europe will dominate Wednesdays NATO-Russia Council (NRC), the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said Tuesday, the Tass news agency reports.Leaders of the 28 NATO nations agreed last week to deploy four multinational battalions to the countries bordering Russia on a rotational basis. Russia warned this would undermine security in the region."The decision of the blocs July 8-9 summit in Warsaw to increase military presence on the eastern flank and its consequences for European security will be the main topic on the agenda," Maria Zakharova said in a statement.Russia is also going to discuss a Finnish plan on enhancing air security in Baltic airspace, as well as assess risks that the US missile shield poses to strategic stability in Europe, she added. The peace process in Ukraine, Afghanistan and regional terror threats will also be raised.Russia is firmly against NATO boosting its presence in the countries bordering the Russian Federation, a stance which is entirely predictable.Russia has always stated it was against of NATO enlargement, especially in the areas which once belonged to the Soviet Union.Russia still believes that post-Soviet countries are in the zone of its influence.When NATO refused to increase its presence in Baltic areas, in Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova Russia tried to expand its control on the lands of independent countries.Russia triggered confrontations in Ukraine and Georgia, invaded the lands of the two countries and threatened the Baltic nations.If NATO takes aggressive steps towards nations that Russia still believes are in their zone of influence, it is possible that Moscow will decrease its military size and reduce or cease its violations of international law rather than risk open confrontation with the West.
@PatriciaMazzei @jayhweaver

Federal prosecutors on Friday accused former Miami Democratic Rep. Joe Garcias ex-chief of staff of secretly financing a ringer tea-party candidate in 2010 to draw votes away from a Republican rival  an illegal scheme that inspired a more serious copycat case two years later.

Jeffrey Garcia was charged with conspiracy to give a campaign contribution of less than $25,000, a misdemeanor offense. Prosecutors say Garcia, no relation to the former congressman, put up the $10,440 qualifying fee for the shadow candidate, Jose Rolando Roly Arrojo, to pose as another challenger to David Rivera.

Arrojo was also charged Friday with the same misdemeanor.

Rivera is suspected of following a similar playbook in 2012 to prop up a Democratic candidate against Joe Garcia. Rivera has not been charged, although two others in that case  the straw candidate and Riveras ex-girlfriend  were convicted.

Jeffrey Garcia himself confessed his actions to prosecutors three years after the fact, his attorney said. The charge, filed in U.S. District Court, paves the way for Garcia, 44, to surrender to authorities next week and then plead guilty in the hope of receiving a light sentence. The same outcome is likely for Arrojo, 41.

More here.
@alextdaugherty

The Democratic primary in U.S. House District 26 is getting testy, as evidenced by a candidate forum Tuesday night in which Annette Taddeo continued her offensive against former Rep. Joe Garcia.

Taddeo defended her campaign's recent use of negative advertising against Garcia, and said the newly redrawn district that extends from Westchester to Key West doesn't need any more political shenanigans.

Taddeo was referring to Garcia's former chief of staff, who secretly financed a ringer tea-party candidate in 2010.

"My level of disappointment to find out that the exact same thing that David Rivera had done was done by the person I supported was very high," Taddeo told the Kendall Federation of Homeowner Associations. "I think that we have had enough of playing with voters, playing with elections and doing things that are just not right."

She insinuated that her negative attacks will pale in comparison to what Republicans will do if Garcia wins the Aug. 30 primary.

"Believe me, when the Koch brothers and the Republicans get a hold of the attack ads, it will be 10 times worse," Taddeo said.

Garcia, who leads in the polls, said he won't go negative.

"I don't think we have to do that," he said. "I think what we have to do is speak about the issues and speak about my record. Whether it's taking on FPL (Florida Power and Light), whether it's making sure the environment is clean...all these things are tremendously important."

On the issues, both candidates agreed on many of the topics brought forth by voters, such as agriculture policy, the Iran nuclear deal, climate change and fracking.

One issue where Taddeo attacked Garcia was on his Obamacare record.

"There is a record of votes," Taddeo said. "Eight times my opponent voted against Obamacare with the Republicans. Those votes had only three or four Democrats that voted with the Republicans and he was one of them. Let's check the record with Obamacare."

Garcia defended his Obamacare support and said his votes were about the well-publicized implementation failures Obamacare had during the first few months of its release.

"I don't go to Washington to represent the president, I go to represent the people of this district," Garcia said. "You saw the implementation problems Obamacare had. I was on the floor of the House of Representatives. Unlike her, I actually have a record. I was sitting there voting for them. What we did was make it easier for people to subscribe to and expand Obamacare."


@PatriciaMazzei

CLEVELAND -- Donald Trump formally won the Republican Partys nomination to the White House on Tuesday, with support from a majority of GOP delegates who relished, at last, sharing a moment of unity ahead of the November election.

As is tradition, the nominees home state, New York, put Trump over the top. In a Trumpian touch, it was his eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who cast the states 89 ballots.

Congratulations, Dad! he said, surrounded by three of his siblings, Eric, Ivanka and Tiffany. We love you!

The floor of the Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland roared. New York, New York blasted over the speakers. Over the top, read the Jumbotron.

Though the vote took place Tuesday, Trump wont address the Republican National Convention until Thursday. He made a brief but memorable appearance Monday, with lights dimmed and nightclub-style stage smoke, to introduce his wife, Melania.

Her speech cribbed lines from Michelle Obamas speech at the 2008 Democratic convention  a controversy that dominated the presidential conversation Tuesday. But there was no dwelling on that from the convention floor  much less from the stage.

Instead, Alabamas Jeff Sessions, the first U.S. senator to endorse Trump, kicked off the nomination.

More here.

Photo credit: Matt Rourke, Associated Press
@PatriciaMazzei

CLEVELAND -- New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took the Republican National Convention stage pledging to prosecute a case against Hillary Clinton on foreign policy. And in what he called his "evidence," Christie talked about Cuba -- the first time the island's been mentioned at the presidential nominating convention.

Now we go to Cuba. Hillary Clinton supported concessions to the Castro brothers and got almost nothing in return for ending the embargo. She supported a deal that didnt even require this murderous regime to return a cop killer, JoAnne Chesimard, to face justice. See, I know about this personally: Chesimard murdered a New Jersey State Trooper in cold blood, fled to Cuba and lives there to this very day.

I want to ask you: How can someone live with your own conscience when you reward a domestic terrorist with continued safety and betray the family of fallen police officer waiting for decades for justice for his murder? So let's ask the question: Hillary Clinton, as coddler of the brutal Castro brothers and betrayer of the family of fallen Trooper Werner Foerster and his family, is she guilty or not guilty?

The crowd responded with a resounding, "Guilty!"
The big story of course concerns Melania Trump, the Slovenian-born former model, who gave a prime-time speech in which she endorsed Ted Cruz.

No, seriously, Mrs. Trump declared her support for her husband, Donald Trump. Initially Mrs. Trumps speech was well-received by media analysts, because these analysts are mostly males and she is hot. But within minutes some disturbing facts came to light:

 A passage in Mrs. Trumps speech was suspiciously similar to one from a speech delivered by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver, specifically the part where Mrs. Trump said, quote, It is so nice to be here in Denver in 2008.

 Mrs. Trumps legal name is actually Betty.

 It turns out that there is no such place as Slovenia.

Asked to explain these apparent inconsistencies, the Trump campaign issued the following statement: We are going to have such an unbelievably great explanation, that we can tell you.

More here.
She will be in Orlando and Tampa on Friday and at the FIU arena, 11200 SW 8th St., Saturday. The public can sign up to attend the event -- doors open at 10 a.m. and the rally starts at noon.

The Florida Democratic Party called members of the public who signed up for the event Tuesday night to tell them about the location and time at FIU.

Clintons decision to visit Florida immediately following the Republican National Convention and before her own convention highlights the importance of one of the biggest battleground swing states in the nation. Clinton is expected to announce her vice presidential pick while in Florida.

This will be Clintons first public event in South Florida since she won the primary although she spoke to a small group at the Trayvon Martin Foundation in Fort Lauderdale in May.

Clinton has some work to do here to boost her numbers.

Donald Trump led Clinton 42-39 in the Quinnipiac poll done in Florida June 30-July 11. In a poll last month, she led by eight points but that evaporated after FBI Director James Comey criticized the former Secretary of State over her use of private email while in government.

The FBI recommended no charges, and the Justice Department agreed, closing the investigation into Clinton. But it hurt her politically.

Florida poll respondents said Trump was more honest and trustworthy than Clinton, 50-37 percent.

Clinton and Trump are statistically tied in Florida, said Peter Brown, the polls assistant director. She needs to maximize her support among Hispanic voters. Trump has turned off many Hispanic voters with his comments about a judge of Mexican descent and with his plans to build a wall.

She has a big advantage in Florida because Florida has very large hispanic population that is disproportionately Democratic, not completely because of the Cuban community, Brown said. The demographics in Florida are very good for Mrs. Clinton compared to other swing states.

The Clinton campaign has taken the typical steps of wooing South Floridas Democratic power structure by opening up offices, holding unity events with former Bernie Sanders supporters and cultivating a long list of surrogates who represent various minority groups and demographics across the state.

Clintons campaign opened an office for the primary in Pompano Beach and opened a Miami office in an artsy warehouse in Wynwood earlier this month. The campaign plans to open other South Florida offices soon.

Object preview
Such has been the life of Miami-Dade County delegate Jessica Fernandez since she arrived in Cleveland on Monday. On Tuesday, she cast her ballot to nominate Donald Trump for the White House. He wasnt her preferred candidate  which was one of the reasons so many reporters found her interesting.

I checked all those magical unicorn boxes: Female. Republican. Hispanic. Under 40, she said.

Shed just finished lunch outside the Quicken Loans Arena, trying a pierogi for the first time (Its like a dumpling with mashed potatoes inside.) Sipping a Blue Moon, she showed off her convention selfies: with actor Billy Baldwin (she wasnt sure which Baldwin he was), with Texas Gov. Rick Perry (she ran into him in an elevator), with NBC News and Telemundo anchor Jose Diaz-Balart (she posed after he interviewed her).

I am taking regular pictures, too, guys, but I just think its funny to get selfies, she clarified.

This is why Fernandez, 31, makes for a compelling voice of Miamis Young Republicans, the organization she leads.

More here.

Photo credit: Natalie Fertig, McClatchy
@PatriciaMazzei

The White House said Wednesday President Barack Obama had spoken by phone to Florida Gov. Rick Scott about a suspected case of locally transmitted Zika virus in Miami-Dade County.

Scott has criticized the Obama administration over its Zika response.

Here's what the White House said about the call:

The President spoke by phone today with Governor Rick Scott of Florida regarding the suspected case of mosquito transmission of Zika announced by the Florida Department of Health. This case would be the first documented Zika infection caused by a mosquito in the Continental United States. The President recognized Florida's strong record of responding aggressively to local outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses like Zika, and offered Federal support and technical assistance for Florida's ongoing case investigation and mosquito control efforts. He acknowledged Florida's close coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC for Zika preparedness. The President also noted during the call that in addition to the $2 million that CDC has provided to Florida for Zika preparedness, CDC is anticipating it will award Florida $5.6 million in Zika funding through a CDC grant to be awarded this week.
@doug_hanks

Traffic certainly qualifies as a top gripe in Miami-Dade County, so it's no surprise to see it emerge as a top campaign issue in the mayoral campaign, too.

Mayor Carlos Gimenez's first official television ad centers around his recent reset of the county's long-suffering rail ambitions. Known as the "SMART" plan, it calls for spending $31 million for new studies of major transit corridors across the county -- to determine whether they're suited for rail or less-expensive bus options.

"My vision for the future of transit is the SMART Plan," Gimenez says in the ad, filmed in a county Metrorail car. "Six new transit corridors all throughout Miami-Dade."

The idea behind the SMART plan is to jump-start a rail plan county leaders promised voters in 2002 in exchange for a half-percent sales tax dedicated to transit. That was almost a decade before Gimenez took office in 2011.

The tax funds fell well short of ambitions, and almost none of the promised rail came to be. Five of Gimenez's six potential rail routes in the SMART plan overlap with the ones promised in 2002: an east-west line; the so-called Baylink route to South Beach; rail for Kendall; and lines going north and south. A sixth, a "Coastal Link" using existing cargo tracks that parallel the Miami waterfront, is also under consideration.

Once the studies are completed, elected officials will have new ridership and cost projections to begin the hard work of deciding which routes might justify costly light-rail and which might be better off with something cheaper, such as high-tech buses running in dedicated lanes.

At a candidate's forum on Tuesday night, Gimenez challenger Raquel Regalado ridiculed Gimenez's SMART plan as cover for his administration not delivering a major rail expansion beyond a two-mile extension to Miami International Airport.

"It's more of the same," said Regalado, a two-term school board member. "If Carlos Gimenez didn't do it in five years, why would another four years make a difference?
A former prisoner who helped smuggle drugs into Montana State Prison last year pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one of his charges as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors.

In return for Cordero Metzkers guilty plea to a charge of conspiracy in U.S. District Court in Missoula, three of his four original charges were dropped. Those charges included possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and Suboxone, a drug used to treat narcotic addiction, and two counts of distribution, according to court documents.

Metzker will face a minimum of five years in prison with no chance of parole for the conspiracy charge, with a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million when he is sentenced Oct. 27.

Metzker is also on probation from drug convictions in Missoula and Gallatin counties

In May, federal prosecutors charged Metzker and four other people with the drug conspiracy. Prisoner Ian Barclay allegedly convinced an employee of the prison, Erin Bernhardt, to help smuggle drugs into the prison between April and August of 2015, where Barclay would then distribute the meth and Suboxone to other prisoners, according to court documents.

Metzker, who has allegedly known Barclay for more than eight years, helped arrange for the drugs to be mailed to Bernhardts home in Deer Lodge by Rachel Ross and Lauren Hoskins of Tennessee, according to court documents.

Ross and Bernhardt are scheduled to change their pleas in the case during a hearing Aug. 17 after signing plea agreements with federal prosecutors. Barclay and Hoskins have a criminal trial slated to begin Sept. 19.

In May, Martin Reap, a Montana State Prison guard, was also charged in a separate drug case. An indictment against Reap said he smuggled methamphetamine and marijuana to unidentified prisoners in exchange for payment between February 2015 and April 2016.

In mid-June, Reap pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for prosecutors dropping charges of drug conspiracy, possession and distribution originally leveled against him. He will be sentenced Oct. 18.
A woman reported missing from Texas has been located in Missoula.

Missoula Police Department public information officer Sgt. Travis Welsh said that MPD received a tip late Tuesday afternoon that Silvia Olson was working at a Missoula business.

"An officer went to that business after the tip came in and verified that she was there of her own free will," Welsh said.

He said she and her family have made contact, "and all is fine and well."

Olsons belongings, including her identification, were found in a barn near Stevensville on July 2. Her family contacted MPD about her possible disappearance on July 16, saying they were concerned for her safety.

Chelsea Davis, Missoulian
Last month, two anti-public lands bills came up for vote in the House Natural Resources Committee in Washington, D.C. One of these bills, Rep. Don Youngs State National Forest Management Act of 2015, would allow states to acquire up to 2 million acres of national forest lands for the primary purpose of being logged and mined. The second bill, Rep. Raul Labradors Self-Sufficient Community Lands Act, would transfer control of up to 2 million acres of national forest lands in Montana to a state-appointed advisory committee, also for the purpose of being logged and mined without having to adhere to bedrock environmental laws.

Both of these lands transfer bills passed the committee. U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke voted against the Young bill. Unfortunately, he voted for the Labrador bill.

The passage of these bills in the House Natural Resources Committee is the latest eruption in what has been a tumultuous year for public lands, a year that started with armed, anti-government zealots seizing Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon and demanding that the refuge and surrounding public lands be handed over to private local interests.

After Malheur and the latest votes in the House Natural Resources Committee, its become abundantly clear that Montana needs a pro-public lands agenda that can counter the well-funded and virulent anti-public lands movement happening in Washington and within our own state.

Last month, Gov. Steve Bullock unveiled the agenda Montana needs.

This agenda recognizes and bolsters the crucial role public lands play not just in our culture, but in our economy as well. It includes:

Opposing the lands transfer agenda in Montana at every turn.

Unfreezing and fully restoring Habitat Montana, the states premier big game management resource, paid for by out-of-state fishing and hunting license fees.

Creating a state position that will help ensure that Montanans enjoy all the stream and public lands access they're legally entitled to.

Launching a Montana Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Outdoor recreation on public lands generates $6 billion annually, accounts for $403 million in tax revenue, and sustains 64,000 jobs. The Office of Outdoor Recreation would help boost those numbers and augment the economies of Libby, Lincoln, Ekalaka and other small towns across the state to help them take advantage of their proximity to the world-class fishing, hunting, hiking and other types of recreation that draws visitors to Montana from around the globe.

Earlier this year, Utah voted to set aside millions of taxpayer dollars in its legal quest to seize ownership of American public lands. Behind that vote and all other efforts to seize public lands in Utah is the American Lands Council. This Utah-based group is now led by a Montana legislator  Sen. Jennifer Fielder. Its fair to assume that she and her cohorts will again launch a legislative attack on our public lands and outdoor way of life at next years legislative session, as they have the last two sessions.

American public lands provide an outdoor way of life that defines us as Montanans. Thats what makes these threats to public lands so insidious. If these threats to our public lands come to fruition, life in Montana as we know and love it would cease to exist, at least for the majority of us who wouldnt be able to afford access to the lands that were once public but now belong to only the elite rich.

Thats why were supporting Bullocks public lands agenda. It offers Montana the assurance we need that our states outdoor legacy will live on.

Please visit mtgreatoutdoors.org for more about Governor Bullocks plan and to offer him thanks and suggestions.
It has been just over six years since President Obama signed his sweeping health care legislation into law, subjecting every American to federal mandates. How is it working out? Are your insurance premiums lower? Are your deductibles lower? Is it easier to get an appointment to see a physician? Were you able to keep your same physician?

The legislation was passed in such a fashion as to strain the boundaries of the Constitution so severely that the Supreme Court had to decide if several of its components were legal, including whether the costs to implement the legislation were considered taxes or just fees.

Call them whatever you want, the American people and the people of Montana have been paying dramatically more for health insurance ever since the passage of Obamacare. The Montana auditors office (review online at CSIMT.gov) released the new rate requests from insurance companies, and rates are increasing yet again. The proposed rate increases range from a whopping 20 percent to an unbelievably high 108 percent. In simple terms, that means your already-high insurance premium could be twice as high next year.

While the auditors office does not set rates, they do set policy; that policy affects price. The current auditors office has been a staunch advocate of President Obamas nationalized health care agenda, which has been a disaster for the people of Montana. The auditors office has refused to support options such as primary care provider agreements, health care sharing ministries, and increased competition across state lines for insurance. I have worked tirelessly in an attempt to pass many of these reforms while serving as majority leader in the Montana Senate. I believe that providing options  not mandates  is the best way to reduce costs and improve the quality of our health care.

Meanwhile, insurance companies are guaranteed a profit and their executives are receiving huge bonuses. Who is really looking out for you?

Montana will not see any meaningful change in the cost and delivery of health care as long as the same people continue to play musical chairs in the offices that are charged with watching over it.
President Barack Obama is a lawyer, not a statistician, and it shows.

After the controversial officer-involved shootings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Falcon Heights, Minnesota, Obama unloosed a series of statistics in his remarks in Warsaw, Poland, to show "racial disparities that exist in our criminal justice system"  in other words, racial bias by police, prosecutors and judges.

Obama related numbers about disparate rates of police shootings, arrests and searches, among other things, without mentioning the single most important factor to put such figures in context, which is that blacks commit criminal offenses at higher rates than whites.

No one likes to point this out, and so it usually is left out of our perpetual "national conversations" about race, even though it is highly relevant information. It opens up whoever says it to charges of racism, or at least callousness in the aftermath of questionable police shootings.

If anyone should be free to speak the truth, though, it should be President Obama, who imagines himself a coolly analytical figure on a historic mission to bind the nation's racial wounds. Instead, he routinely gives a fundamentally distorted picture of the American criminal justice system  and police shootings  by eliding truths apparently too uncomfortable for him to say and his supporters to hear.

"African-Americans," Obama said in Warsaw, "are arrested at twice the rate of whites." But African-Americans commit about 24 percent of violent crimes, even though they are 13 percent of the population. Of course they are going to be arrested at disproportionate rates. About half of murderers are black, and over 40 percent of killings of police officers are committed by blacks.

This doesn't mean that there aren't bad cops or that there isn't bias in policing, but the picture painted by Black Lives Matter of pervasive police predation, and an open season on blacks, is a politicized lie.

A new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found racial disparities in lower-level use of police force  e.g., police placing hands on civilians or pushing them into walls. But it concluded that "on the most extreme use of force  officer-involved shootings  we are unable to detect any racial differences in either the raw data or accounting for controls."

How is that possible, given the outsize role of allegedly racist police shootings in our politics? It just might be that Black Lives Matter and the media take a few instances of police-involved shootings and dramatize and obsess over them to create a sense that cops are itching to shoot black people. Some of these cases involve genuine crimes by the police; others harrowingly mistaken judgments; and still others completely justifiable acts that are lied about by Black Lives Matters, most notably the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

If President Obama really wanted to try to cool passions on this issue, he would go even further in saying common-sensical things unwelcome to an inflamed Left.

He might routinely mention that the best way to try to avoid a police confrontation that might go tragically wrong is to comply with police orders and pursue a complaint or lawsuit later, outside the heat of the moment. He might note that just because an incident looks bad on an initial video, it doesn't mean the police did anything wrong, and no one should assume as much. He might gently remind Black Lives Matter that its initial understanding of what happened in Ferguson was entirely erroneous and that the case should remain a cautionary tale about drawing large conclusions on the basis of fragmentary (or dishonest) evidence.

He could do all of this and still speak to his belief, and that of so many other blacks, that they have been targeted and treated unfairly by police. That he won't is an indictment of his political courage and intellectual honesty on an issue where he should be uniquely suited to lead.
DEER LODGE  The city of Deer Lodge is asking for an injunction to put the brakes on the states decision to move the Title and Registration Bureau  and 37 jobs  to Helena.

Council members voted Monday to give the city attorney Jeffrey Hindoien the OK to file the request, which he did shortly thereafter in Deer Lodge district court.

The suit contends the decision to close the office violates the public participation requirements of the Montana Constitution.

Plaintiffs in addition to the city are Mayor Zane Cozby, Councilman Terry Jennings and Gerald Bender, a small business owner in the town.

The injunction is intended to stop the state from implementing the decision until a judge can fully adjudicate the matter.

Sarah Garcia, administrator of the Motor Vehicle Division, announced in Deer Lodge on June 17 that the state had decided to relocate the bureau and all employees to Helena. The division falls under the administrative umbrella of the Department of Justice and attorney general.

The decision has sent a shock wave through Deer Lodge. Residents packed a recent meeting to discuss the impact the decision will have on the 37 employees  who have been offered their jobs in Helena  and community.

Hindoien said Montana law guarantees the public the right to expect governmental agencies  cities, counties, school boards and others, including the Department of Justice, to give residents a reasonable opportunity to comment before such a decision is made.

The Montana Constitution requires all agencies, and the attorney general and Department of Justice, to have administrative rules implementing that statutory framework, Hindoien told the city council.

The complaint contends the closure decision was made in violation of these statutory and administrative requirements.

The plaintiffs want the court to order the agencies to allow the required public participation in that decision-making process prior to reaching any new and subsequent decision. They also want the court to forbid the defendants from implementing any action on the decision already reached until the matter is fully adjudicated.

Also, Powell County commissioners unanimously approved a resolution in support of the citys lawsuit to overturn the decision, saying the bureau offers good state jobs and benefits that are important to the countys economy.

The bureau has been located in Deer Lodge for over 100 years.

Garcia told bureau employees on June 17 that the bureau will close in November.
The best way to predict the future is to create it.

 Peter Drucker

***

WEST GLACIER  With a 17-year-old general management plan in place and work continuing to address traffic issues on Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier National Park appears to at least partially escape the wrath of a conservation groups complaints about most of America's national parks.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility maintains that most U.S. national parks are ignoring federal laws requiring management plans and the setting of limits on how many people parks can handle at one time.

The recently released reports come as the National Park Service promotes its 100th anniversary, and many parks are braced for record crowds.

PEER says its review of 108 of the 411 units the NPS administers  including all 59 of Americas national parks  reveals that just seven have established visitor limits, called carrying capacities, and six of those only cover certain areas or facilities.

PEER says the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978 requires visitor carrying capacities for all areas of all national parks.

The safeguards Congress enacted to prevent national parks from being loved to death have become dead letters, Jeff Ruch, the executive director of PEER, says.

Ruch maintains the park service has pushed to increase visitation with a Find Your Park campaign at a time when several national parks, including Yellowstone, are grappling with long lines at entrance stations, traffic jams once visitors get in, and overcrowding.

Last year was an invitation  we invited the American people to find their park, Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk said jokingly earlier this year to a gathering of business people. This year, were asking people to find another park.

Says Ruch, Instead of Find Your Park, this summer the challenge should be called, Find a Place to Park. 

***

PEERs study, which included the 59 national parks, 19 national preserves, two national reserves, 18 national recreation areas and 10 national seashores, found that less than half  51  had general management plans in place despite a nearly 40-year-old statutory requirement that every unit of the National Park System have a current one.

The management plans, which have life spans of up to 20 years, are supposed to spell out measures for the preservation of the areas resources, steps for addressing challenges posed by transportation and infrastructure needs, as well as means for maximizing visitor enjoyment, PEER says.

Instead, the organization says several prominent parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite and Grand Canyon, either have no plans or plans that are more than two decades old.

Twenty years is a long time for large parks to drift without any game plan, Ruch says.

In a world of fast-changing technology and climate, such 20-year general management plans are of increasingly less use, Jeffrey Olson, a spokesman for the National Park Service, says.

Were moving away from management plans, Olson says. They take a long, long time, and are very expensive to do. Were changing to shorten the time frame, which has a lot to do with what a changing climate is doing to parks. We want planning that can be more responsive and pro-active.

We also administer 28 different kinds of parks, which is another reason to move away from the one-size-fits-all mode.

As far as limiting the number of visitors goes, Olson says it hasnt been an issue til the centennial years  it just hasnt been a topic that has crossed my desk in 10 years.

Every national park is not overcrowded, he goes on. Even at their busiest, if people get out of the visitor centers and out on trails, theyre likely to have a piece of the park to themselves. In Glacier, the parking lot at Logan Pass may be full, but that doesnt mean there isnt plenty of room for people to take pictures of Wild Goose Island at St. Mary Lake.

Some units administered by the National Park Service have the equivalent of carrying capacities built in, Olson noted.

The Washington Monument can only fit so many people in the elevator during a day, he says. Theres a cap on how many people can ride to the top, but that doesnt mean visitors cant enjoy the Washington Monument or the National Mall. The same holds true for the Statue of Liberty.

***

Those 411 units administered by the National Park Service range from the 13.2-million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska, to the David Berger National Memorial in Ohio, which covers just a few square yards (its a sculpture). The extremes in visitation run the gamut from the Blue Ridge Parkway, which had more than 15 million visitors last year, to the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River, which welcomed all of 120 people in 2015.

Applying the same 38-year-old management plan and carrying capacity requirements to those, and all that fall in between, just doesnt make sense, Olson suggests.

But PEER says that three of the 10 most visited national parks in America  Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Grand Teton  have no general management plan, and four more have plans that are between 21 and 34 years old.

Of the top 10, only Olympic, Zion and Glacier national parks have management plans that are less than 20 years old. Glaciers went into play in 1999.

Yosemite is the only national park that has carrying capacities for its wilderness zones, according to PEER. Caps set in 1995 on visitors to specified areas of Grand Canyon National Park have lapsed and not been replaced, it says, and preliminary carrying capacities set in Zion National Park in 2001 have never been finalized in the ensuing 15 years.

While not all parks are the same, the ability of a handful of parks to do thoughtful planning while most others do none suggests that it is not a priority in todays Park Service, Ruch says. Contrary to the clear dictates of law and official policy, the Park Service appears to be evolving to the position that there can never be too many visitors  a position with which many visitors in long lines would disagree.

***

Perhaps because its management plan is less than 20 years old, PEERs commentary on Glacier is, by far, the shortest of what it had to say on the 10 most visited parks in the U.S.

The organization notes that, with 2,366,056 recreational visits in 2015, Glacier was the 10th most visited national park in America. Glaciers 1999 general management plan did not set a carrying capacity but committed to creating specific plans for each major area of the park that would address it, PEER writes.

It concludes by quoting from the plan: A future implementation strategy will outline resource and social indicators and quantitative standards for various management areas and zones to determine acceptable levels of use.

Compare that with Yellowstone, which also set a record last year with almost 4.1 million visitors.

A National Parks Traveler article cited Yellowstone management as indicating they will not be revising their GMP but instead will be focusing on specific park issues, PEERs report reads.

National Parks Traveler noted that last summer, it took some visitors up to three hours to get through the entrance at West Yellowstone, and then another hour to drive 14 miles to Madison Junction.

Wenk, the superintendent, explained the challenge such a crush of visitors represents to the writer of the article, Kurt Repenshek.

If you speed up the entrance station, theres no place to go, as four entrance lanes go down to one lane of traffic, he said. And then theres a bison three miles down the road. What do you do? Because if its the first bison these people have seen, everybody thinks its the last bison theyre going to see. They all stop to take a picture.

***

Although it is running a year behind schedule, Glacier Park is in the midst of preparing a draft environmental impact statement for its Going-to-the-Sun Road Corridor Management Plan.

Going-to-the-Sun is the parks most popular feature, and traffic congestion on the narrow, cliff-hugging highway that crosses the Continental Divide becomes an issue during peak times of use in July and August, the busiest times of the year.

The draft EIS, originally schedule to be out last fall, is now anticipated to be released later this fall. The options expected to be considered include traditional ones that could require reservations, or timed entries, to get on Going-to-the-Sun during periods when high traffic is anticipated.

But the final option is more in line with the more responsive and pro-active methods Olson spoke of.

Called an adaptive response to alternative futures, it would rely on triggers such as number of people inside the park or number of vehicles on Going-to-the-Sun that would prompt park managers to take action.

The least restrictive actions would be implemented first.

***

"Its not as simple as a number in a planning document, Glacier Superintendent Jeff Mow says of PEERs calls for establishing carrying capacities for parks.

Park administrators need to be able to adapt to changing conditions that can vary from day to day and year to year, he says.

Its not just a matter of the number of visitors or vehicles either, Glacier spokeswoman Margie Steigerwald notes.

Last year we nearly ran out of water at the Logan Pass Visitor Center because it was such a dry year, she says. In years of low precipitation, water could be what limits how many people Glacier Park can handle.

PEERs report also complained that the park service has invested in new or expanded visitor centers while a near-$12 billion backlog of necessary maintenance grows, using funds that could have been used to reduce their maintenance backlogs but instead only adds to them.

It also says that by moving away from general management plans to ones that are program-specific, the parks service is removing the public from the planning process. General management plans are subject to public review and comment while not all more specific ones undergo National Environmental Policy Act reviews.

The Going-to-the-Sun Corridor Plan, it should be noted, will not only undergo that process, but park officials asked for public input even before it was required.

PEER says thats not always the case elsewhere.

The American public is increasingly being shut out of any meaningful role in national park planning, Ruch maintains. Amid its centennial self-celebration, the park service appears to accept booster-ism as a substitute for strategy and record-high visitation as a replacement for planning.
BILLINGS - A treasure hunter from Virginia has been rescued for the third time in three years from the same place in Wyoming by the Park County Sheriff's Search and Rescue.

Madilina Taylor, 41, of Lynchburg, Virg., was found safe Monday after prompting a helicopter search of the Jim Mountain trails west of Cody, said the Park County Sheriffs Office.

At about 12:40 p.m. Monday, Park County Sheriffs SAR was activated in response to a report of an overdue hiker at Jim Mountain trail head. A nearby resident reported seeing a woman exit a 2001 Dodge SUV and hike up the trail on Friday, the release said.

The witness said the woman appeared to be poorly equipped for the back country. She carried a small bag and was wearing sweat pants and a light jacket. He said the Dodge was still at the trail head and he believed it had not moved for three days. A search of a national database determined Taylor owned the Dodge SUV.

On June 26, 2013, Taylor was rescued with her boyfriend Frank Eugene Rose Jr., after the pair spent four days lost in the forest. They were found in the Big Creek area of the Star Hill Ranch. The couple were suffering from exposure and high waters prevented them from crossing Big Creek.

On June 14, 2015 Taylor fell and broke her ankle in the same area. She had to be airlifted to receive medical attention. After this incident, Rose and Taylor told emergency personnel they were in the area both times looking for treasure hidden by art dealer and author Forrest Fenn. Fenn claimed to hide treasure worth millions of dollars somewhere in the Rocky Mountains and wrote two books with clues to its location, the release said.

The couple was warned after the second rescue not to return to the area without training in wilderness survival and told they faced arrest if found on private property in the future.

After the incident on Monday, SAR crews performed an aerial search of the areas Taylor and Rose were previously found and the Jim Mountain trails. The search was called off after two hour because there was no way to tell which direction Taylor traveled or whether she was still in the back country, the release said.

At about 10 p.m., Taylor emerged uninjured from the wilderness near the Grizzly Ranch. She said she saw the search plane but didnt think she was lost so she didnt signal it. She reported seeing grizzly bears on three separate occasions during her time in the wilderness and had had enough. Ranchers gave Taylor a ride back to her vehicle. She said she intended to drive back to the East and had no intentions of returning.

The release said Rose is suspected to have accompanied her on the recent trip but was not seen during the incident.

Lance Mathess, public information officer and head of SAR for Park County Sheriff's Office, said the monetary cost of rescue operations isn't very high because SAR members are volunteers who donate time and risk their own safety to help others. The two seat single engine Aviat Husky aircraft is relatively cheap to fly as well with fuel expenses running about $50 per hour. The woman will not be charged for the response and the sheriff's office cannot prevent the treasure hunters from returning to the public land in the area.

"The only thing the sheriffs office can do is arrest them for trespassing on private property, if they go on private property," Mathess said. "For the most part theyre on national forest land."

He said all three times the couple have entered and exited the back country in the same locations. They exit the forest on private land and the woman would likely have been cited if a deputy was called when she emerged.

Mathess said he hasn't read Fenn's books but knows the author has ties to the Cody area and is familiar with surrounding environment. He thinks the couple saw specific landmarks they believe correspond with clues from the books and are returning to a precise location to search. Their strong conviction will likely draw them back to the area but Mathess hopes they add back country survival guides to their reading list.

He said the treasure hunting mindset makes it unlikely the couple will tell anyone exactly where they're hiking but they should at least leave a note on their vehicle detailing how long they expect to be in the forest.

"People from the big cities and metropolitan areas are so used to help is just a phone call away," Mathess said. "I just think they have financial blinders on or economic blinders on. They cant see anything but the treasure."
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Controversy already swirls around new information coming out on contamination issues within the Butte Hill Superfund site expected to be announced at a public meeting Thursday.

The Butte Natural Resource Damage Council meets from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Butte Archives, 17 W. Quartz Street.

At the meeting state officials with the Natural Resource Damage Program will present on separate issues: new evidence of contamination in Blacktail Creek and Silver Bow Creek and changes to the Parrot tailings' excavation plan.

Parrot tailings' removal

The Parrot tailings contamination, located underneath the ballfield and Butte-Silver Bows vehicle and maintenance shops behind the Civic Center  and the contaminations potential cleanup  has dogged the Butte Hill Superfund cleanup for years.

The proposed changes to the states plan could add to the controversy. (See related story today concerning county shops.) The BNRC released its agenda for Thursdays meeting Monday evening. By Tuesday morning citizen group Restore Our Creek, which seeks a restored upper Silver Bow Creek from Texas Avenue to George Street, questioned the proposed change to move the county shops.

Restore Our Creek spokesperson Northey Tretheway said the group is concerned that the plan is moving too quickly without enough public input.

Weve been two decades working on this thing. Now it needs to be expeditiously done in two days? Tretheway asked.

NRD environmental science specialist Pat Cunneen said the states goal is still to break ground on the Parrot tailings removal by the end of summer. When Gov. Steve Bullock OKd the plan last year, he said shovels should be moving by summer 2016.

But the latest controversy over moving the county shops could throw a wrench in that plan.

Previous options  moving the county shops to the Montana Pole Plant site south of Interstate 15-90 and west of South Montana Street  as well as purchasing property on Centennial Avenue have both fallen through.

Butte-Silver Bow Superfund coordinator Jon Sesso will present the states new proposed plan for the county shops at Wednesday nights commission meeting.

Cunneen pointed out that no action item exists on the BNRCs agenda, which means that the BNRC will not vote at Thursdays meeting. Cunneen and others will give presentations only. The state is waiting for the county to OK the proposed plan.

A second change to the Parrot removal plan expected to be discussed Thursday is where the Parrot contamination will go. Previously, the state had planned to bury the dirty dirt on Montana Resources property close to the Berkeley Pit.

Creek contamination

Another potentially controversial aspect of the meeting will be the states sampling results from Silver Bow Creek and Blacktail Creek.

Cunneen told The Standard that the state sampled the stream bed and stream bank, and water within the stream bed, in both creeks this past spring. The sampling took place from Lexington Avenue overpass to the end of Slag Wall Canyon west of South Montana Street.

Lab results of that sampling came in this month.

The purpose of the states sampling is to enable the NRD to plan a $4 million restoration project through that area.

Cunneen said the state took the samples due to a lack of data. The Environmental Protection Agency has monitoring wells in Blacktail Creek and Silver Bow Creek but those wells sample the stream, not whats in the bed and bank, Cunneen said.

EPAs community engagement coordinator Robert Molar confirmed that EPAs monitoring wells sample creek water, not bed and bank sediment.

Cunneen said the states primary focus is on Blacktail Creek.
Montana Tech materials science doctoral candidate Richard LaDouceur is the recipient of a $60,000 fellowship, Tech reported Tuesday.

LaDouceur is developing advanced models for the separation of rare earth minerals by froth flotation working under Courtney Young, Ph.D., head of Tech's metallurgical and materials engineering department.

The fellowship money comes from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration and the SME Foundation.

The program focuses on rebuilding the U.S. mining school faculty pipeline at universities offering degrees in mining engineering, mineral processing or extractive metallurgy.

LaDouceur graduated with a B.S. in General Engineering  Mechanical Option from Tech in 2014 and started pursuing his doctorate that summer in Materials Science.

He will give a presentation on his research at the International Mineral Processing Congress 2016 conference in Quebec City, Quebec, in September. As part of the fellowship requirements, LaDouceur will also present at the SME annual meetings in late February of every year until he completes his degree.

Young said LaDouceur works hard and is dedicated.

"This opportunity would not happen without the Materials Science Ph.D program as well as the support of the Army Research Lab funding that we are getting through CAMP. It also shows that we can be and are competitive with the larger research campuses.

David Kanagy, SME executive director, pointed to several challenges associated with faculty scarcity.

They "extend from the ability of students with industry experience to successfully complete a Ph.D degree, to newly employed faculty who are facing the difficult process of achieving tenure.

"To address these challenges, SME and the SME Foundation are proud to award Ph.D. Fellowship and Career Development Grants to ensure the future viability of U.S. mining schools.

Other recipients of the 2016 mining academic grants are:

$100,000 Freeport-McMoRan Career Development Grants:

Andrea Brickey, Ph.D, associate professor, Mining Engineering and Management, South Dakota School of Mines

Charles Kocsis, Ph.D, associate professor, Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, University of Nevada-Reno

$60,000 Robert S. Shoemaker Ph.D. Fellowship Grant:

Gail Heath, mining engineering, University of Arizona

$60,000 Ph.D. Fellowship Grants funded from other sources:

Penny Padgett, mining engineering, University of Kentucky

For more information on the SME mining academic grant programs, visit www.smenet.org/students/grants-scholarships.
WASHINGTON -- Neither the unanimous decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, nor China's rejection of it, was surprising. The timing of it was, however, as serendipitous as China's rejection is ominous. Coming as Republican delegates convene on Lake Erie's shore, the tribunal's opinion about the South China Sea underscores the current frivolousness of American politics, which is fixated on a fictitious wall that will never exist but silent about realities on and above the waters that now are the world's most dangerous cockpit of national rivalries.

China's "nine-dash line" aggression -- asserting sovereignty over the South China Sea -- is being steadily implemented by the manufacture and militarization of artificial "islands" far from China's mainland, and by increasingly reckless air and naval actions in the region. China is attempting to intimidate the six nations (the Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia) whose claims conflict with China's. China has threatened these nations', and others', freedom on the seas, fishing rights, oil exploration and more.

In 2013, the Philippines took its case to the Court of Arbitration, whose jurisdiction China pre-emptively rejected. The Philippines has now won most of its claims but has achieved nothing unless the United States leads regional powers in enforcing this decision. The Hague has no navy.

International law fulfills important functions but often is most successful when least important: It arbitrates disputes about rights and duties among likeminded nations that acknowledge its underlying norms. When, however, a rising nation's interests and aspirations conflict with those norms, trying to restrain this nation with those norms is like lassoing a locomotive with a cobweb.

So, although it was prudent for the Philippines to bring this case, and although the court conscientiously measured China's claims and behavior next to the pertinent precedents, the court's correct legal decision makes the world more dangerous: China now knows that only force can achieve its ends. We are, as Secretary of Defense Ash Carter has said with notable understatement, in a "long-term competitive situation."

The projection of U.S. power to the far side of the Pacific depends on alliances and cooperation -- including access to bases -- with Australia, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and others. China's aim of dominance in the region can only be achieved by weakening the U.S. allies' confidence -- particularly that of the Philippines, which seems susceptible to China's promises of development projects -- in U.S. resolve. And confidence in U.S. skill at calibrating the pressure requisite for countering China's ambitions without provoking a Chinese miscalculation in a region where U.S. military assets, especially naval, still dominate.

Two U.S. carrier groups have visited the region this year. China is developing and deploying a modern nuclear submarine fleet, land-based aircraft and anti-ship ballistic missiles, and other means of pushing back the U.S. presence. Chinese military aircraft have made dangerous approaches to U.S. military aircraft. A Taiwanese naval vessel accidentally sank, with an anti-ship missile, a Taiwanese shrimp boat. Accidents happen. And intentional acts can have unintended consequences. A single assassination loosed the cascade of events that produced the war that was devouring Europe 100 years ago.

At the start of the turn of the 20th century, the world's most formidable challenge was to integrate into the international system a rising, restless, assertive Germany. This did not go well. Early in the 21st century, China poses a comparable challenge. If this does not go well, the differences might be arbitrated by weapons undreamt of a century ago.

This week, the Republican Party will formalize its judgment that the Navy, the nuclear launch codes and other important things should be placed in the hands of someone not known for nuance, patience or interest in allies and collective security. Americans, dismayed by two consecutive commanders in chief -- the recklessness of one and the inconstancy of his successor -- must now decide whether, and if so how and by whom, they want U.S. power to be projected.

In the South China Sea, says Secretary Carter, America must steel itself for "a long campaign of firmness, and gentle but strong pushback." This will require freedom of navigation assertions, involving naval and air operations that challenge, among other things, China's expansive claims to sovereignty over islands and waters far from its mainland.

If the next president does not conduct such operations with steady, measured skill, the result could be the collapse of America's position in the world's most populous, dynamic and perhaps dangerous region, or war. Is any of this on anyone's mind in Cleveland?

George Will's email address is georgewill@washpost.com.

(c) 2016, Washington Post Writers Group
Before leaving Washington for a seven-week vacation, Congress agreed that prescription drug abuse is a serious problem for the nation. With only two senators and five House members dissenting, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act is on its way to the presidents desk.

This point of bipartisan solidarity is a bright spot in an otherwise dismal record for this Congress, which recessed with most of its annual work undone. In fact, work on the addiction recovery act isnt finished. Although CARA authorizes $181 million in emergency spending to help U.S. communities curb the opioid abuse epidemic, the money still must be appropriated. Otherwise, the CARA is mostly empty or delayed promises.

On Wednesday, the same day the Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of CARA, more than three dozen Democratic Senators, including Montanas Jon Tester, sent a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell asking him to act on funding for prevention and treatment of opioid addiction. The Democrats also cautioned against cutting other public health programs to fund the opioid initiative.

We owe all Americans a strong response to the opioid crisis that shows we can work together and eschew extreme partisan goals or political games, the Democrats said. That means providing real dollars immediately, strengthening other public health priorities, and staying away from poison pill riders.

Fortunately, both Tester and Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., recognized that opioid painkiller misuse is a sourge in Montana.

This bill provides needed resources for our health care providers, emergency responders and treatment courts to help treat and stop this epidemic, Daines said in a news release after voting for CARA.

In a Kaiser Family Foundation poll conducted this month, 43 percent of Americans said they know someone who has been addicted to prescription painkillers, including 19 percent who say they have a family member who has been addicted.

In Montana, health care and law enforcement leaders have united to reduce misuse. The Montana Medical Association promotes physician education on best prescribing practices and alternatives to opioids. The Montana Prescription Drug Registry was established to help pharmacists and prescribers avoid overprescribing narcotics.

Attorney General Tim Fox has several initiatives to raise public awareness about being cautious with opioids. Many Montana law enforcement agencies, including the Billings Police Department, provide prescription drug disposal receptacles that encourage people to get rid of old or unneeded medicines before they fall into the wrong hands.

Between 2011 and 2013 prescription drug overdoses caused at least 369 deaths and more than 7,200 hospital inpatient admissions and emergency department encounters in our state, according to the Montana Department of Health and Human Services.

Prescription drugs are commonly abused by men and women on parole and probation, and figure prominently among the substances abused by treatment court participants in Billings and Yellowstone County. Along with meth, opioids are abused by many Montana parents whose neglect of their children has increased the numbers in foster care.

The CARA is a good plan. But without money, the plan is like an inflatable raft without air. As Tester said, Congress should put their money where their mouth is so we can better combat addiction and keep our families and communities safe.

-- The Billings Gazette
With the Butte-Silver Bow County Fair just three weeks away, I want to thank all the volunteers of Butte-Silver Bow 4-H for their hard work and to praise the youth of all ages for their dedication to their fair projects. Montana State University Extension is adding extra resources to make this years fair a successful one.

Our attention is firmly focused on one thing: making sure the young people in 4-H have a great experience. I hope you will join us in that effort. I believe we are all united in wanting the best for our kids.

For our many 4-H participants the fair is the culmination of a years worth of work in raising livestock from goats to pigs, and cattle to sheep. These young people have put in countless hours feeding, watering, cleaning pens and studying about their animals. They learn everything from the economics of buying feed to how to keep an animal healthy. Most of all, they learn initiative, responsibility and the value of hard work  skills they can carry with them for a lifetime. Come down to the fair and ask them about their projects! Theyve worked hard and will appreciate your interest.

In addition to livestock, 4-H members work on many other projects that will be on display at the fair such as photography, shooting sports, foods and nutrition, leadership, and clothing and textiles.

For more than 100 years, Montana 4-H has provided high-quality educational programs that develop leadership, communication and life skills in our young people. As the times change, so does 4-H, which in addition to traditional projects now offers programs in robotics, finances, aerospace, environmental sciences, healthy living and bioscience, just to name a few.

Annually in Montana, over 20,000 youth are in 4-H with the guidance of over 4,000 caring adult volunteers. MSU Extension is committed to helping Montanas you! ng people grow through 4-H club meetings, camps, special interest activities and fairs. Through these efforts, youth gain transferable skills that last a lifetime.

All of us in MSU Extension are grateful to the many youth and adults that are engaged in the 4-H Youth Development Program. Their dedication and commitment is truly appreciated. I hope you will join us at the fair Aug. 4-t at the Butte Civic Center. See you there.

-- Jeff Bader, Bozeman, director, MSU Extension
Backers of cash-strapped MSE and its Mike Mansfield Technology Center will get another chance to pitch their sprawling site south of Butte as a new home for the countys vehicle and maintenance shops.

They still maintain the site would save money and offer other advantages. But theyre not the only ones weighing in now that a location near the Metro Sewer plant has fallen through because the owner won't sell the land.

The Restore Our Creek Coalition seeking to make Silver Bow Creek a public stream through the heart of Butte wants more public input gathered before another decision on the shops is made. The shops will be moved at state expense because they sit atop a portion of polluted Parrot mine tailings set for removal.

Chief Executive Matt Vincent and Planning Director Jon Sesso have asked the Council of Commissioners to act Wednesday night on their request to move the shops from next to the Civic Center to an old ball field and open area just across the street to the north.

Vincent said Tuesday the location makes sense and his team will explain its rationale before council, as well as review the public process to date. Sesso laid out a case for the site in a letter to commissioners Friday that cited central location and cost savings as advantages, among others.

Still, Vincent said he will meet with MSE backers earlier Wednesday afternoon, before the council convenes at 7:30 p.m. at the courthouse. He also said if commissioners feel they need more time to consider the shop move, he is open to deferring a decision until next weeks council meeting.

But he said time is of the essence because officials want removal of the tailings to at least begin this construction season, which generally ends in October. Those officials include Gov. Steve Bullock.

We are willing to have another discussion on this with MSE backers, Vincent said, but all potential sites have been studied and considered at length.

We are trying to do this in a cost-effective and time-efficient method, he said, adding that we are comfortable with the recommendation before council.

Personnel with Pioneer Technical of Butte, working on behalf of the state and county, initially analyzed six potential sites as new locations for the shops. They considered numerous factors, including moving and construction costs as well as long-term and ongoing operational expenses. The county will be paying the tab for the latter.

County officials first recommended the site of the old Montana Pole Plant off of Montana Street south of Interstates 15-90, but commissioners balked at that Feb. 3. The area has its own environmental problems, they said, and it made no sense to move the shops from one polluted site to another.

Commissioners settled on a site county officials considered a close second  an area owned by Gilman Construction off of Centennial Avenue near the Metro Sewer plant. But Sesso informed commissioners last week that the owner, Jim Gilman, decided not to sell the land.

The next-best location, Sesso said, was just north of the current shops. It is centrally located between Uptown and the Flat, the county owns the land and a move there could save money, he said.

But Helen Joyce, chief executive officer at MSE, said she and her board want the county to give a closer look to their site. The industrial and high-tech complex, once thriving with government contracts, has struggled financially in recent years, propped up in part by a $5.6 million loan.

County officials, citing the Pioneer analysis, say that site is the most expensive of the initial six options, in part because MSE wanted $50,000 for each of 22 acres. They also say its location south of town makes little logistical sense because it would add major miles and gasoline costs for county vehicles.

But Joyce has said the financial analysis was lacking. The county could use several existing buildings at MSE instead of having to build new ones, saving big money on that alone, she said.

The county could move some of its operations right away, she said, and there would be no delay in removing the Parrot tailings. County officials acknowledge that moving the shops just north would stretch removal from a two-year endeavor to three years.

Joyce also said it makes sense to move an industrial facility to another industrial area, not to another spot in central Butte next to neighborhoods.

There is no need to put the county shops in the middle of our community in an area we are just going to be cleaning up, next to the Civic Center, where visitors will see it all the time, she said.

She said she is pleased county officials agreed to sit down with MSE backers Wednesday.

We deserve another look at this, she said. That is all we are asking for.

County officials say the buildings at MSE are not readily conducive to shop operations.

The Restore Our Creek Coalition, meanwhile, mostly wants more time for public input on where the shops will go and every other major decision regarding cleanup.

The public needs to be involved in every aspect of this because this is something that is going to last with Butte forever, said Northey Tretheway, a spokesman for the group. We need to make sure everyone has their say about the best solutions.

It has taken decades to get to this point, he said, and it makes no sense to rush everything now.

I want the final decision to be based on public involvement and what is best for the community, he said. I dont know that next week is enough time to look at all the options available.
WEST LIBERTY, Iowa  Ryno Olson stood inside the Midwest One Fine Arts Center building, helping set up displays for the Muscatine County Fair that begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

The fair runs through Sunday, July 24 at the fairgrounds in West Liberty.

There were carnival and fair crews, volunteers and vendors busy setting up tents, carnival rides and more on the fairgrounds Tuesday afternoon.

For 27 years, Olson has been helping the photography club that exhibits at the fair.

He talked about the remodeled building, saying how glad he was to see the work completed and how everything was really, really nice.

Last year there were some leaks when it rained, Olson said. It ruined some of prints so its really nice to see the building fixed up.

While Olson was helping set up in the art center, JoAnn and Harry Christofferson were helping set up floral arrangements.

Harry said hes been coming to the fair since he was a youngster.

Ive been coming to the fairs since I was six, seven-years-old and I have showed some cattle here. Its a great time, he said.

Others, such as Tood Woodburn, are coming to the fair as first timers. Woodburn has just moved to West Liberty and he is looking forward to introducing himself and his new business, a window splash painting service, to the community.

Its nice to move into a town and be able to introduce ourselves in an outstanding way, Woodburn said.

Woodburn will be switching gears from detailing car windows to painting a smaller canvas: a child's face. He will have a new face painting tent at that fair. Children can choose from designs including Captain America, the Joker and a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

Face paint prices range from $8-12 and Woodburn said hed have $5 paintings available as well. He will also be offering airbrush and henna tattoos.

Carnival crews were finishing the set up of the Ferris wheel. One of the workers, John Kelley, said the carnival crews arrived Sunday night and began setting up most of the rides on Monday morning.

All we have left to set up today is the Ferris wheel, the Slide and the Tilt-a-Whirl, Kelley said.

For more information about the fair schedule, check the fairs website at http://muscatinecountyfair.com/index.html
WAPELLO, Iowa  Conservation boards make a strong impact on local economies and Louisa County Conservation Board, Katie Hammond told the Louisa County Board of Supervisors Tuesday a planned Aug. 25 meeting would show that.

Hammond told the supervisors the meeting would be conducted by Iowa Association of County Conservation Boards CEO Tom Hazelton at noon at the Louisa County Complex northeast of Wapello.

It will be specific to Louisa County, Hammond told the supervisors, adding Hazelton had provided similar reports to other counties.

She said information provided during the meeting would include a comparison of conservation board programming and areas to other conservation agencies, such as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Its a really good presentation, Hammond explained, adding she might also invite representatives of the Tri-Rivers Conservation Foundation, which regularly supports LCCB and other area environmental/conservation activities.

It will be a public meeting, she reminded the board.

Hammond also updated the supervisors on other activities in her department.

She said the maintenance crew was busy in the parks and camping areas with mowing, but had been unable to get around to the county boat accesses. Cappy Russell had been especially hard hit by high water on the Iowa River, which caused accumulations of mud and other debris.

The LCCB would be placing rock at Cappy Russell and other boat accesses as the river allowed, she said.

Hammond also reported that conservation technician Dustin Doty had recently attended a heavy equipment certification class conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The class will allow Doty to use heavy equipment, such as backhoes, the federal agency will loan to the conservation board for temporary projects.

The LCCB environmental education staff is also staying busy, with summer recreation, camps and other activities throughout the county. Hammond said the naturalists are also gearing up for the county fair later this month.

Supervisor Chair Paula Buckman asked Hammond if the LCCB had good usage figures for its areas, explaining she understood Chinkapin Bluffs near Columbus Junction was not busy.

Hammond acknowledged she did not have complete figures for some county areas, such as Cairo Woods and Indian Slough, but said shelter reservations, camp fees and staff reports while on higher maintenance areas, such as Chinkapin Bluffs showed that area was heavily used.

It is very popular, she said, adding the Chinkapin Bluffs Shelter House had more reservation requests than shelters at Virginia Grove near Morning Sun.

Hammond said she would talk with officials at the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission about obtaining traffic count meters for some areas to get a better idea on usage.

In other action, the supervisors approved the one-lot L&W Subdivision west of Columbus City.

Louisa County Sheriff Brad Turner also introduced new Louisa County Deputy Sheriff Kary Borders, Mediapolis, who started working Monday. Turner had earlier reported that Borders would only be the second female deputy sheriff ever hired in the county. The last female hired was in the mid-1980s and only worked a short time, Turner had recalled.
The headline says Branstad defends ban on voting rights for felons. (Story published Tuesday, July 12.) He goes on to say Restoring voting rights to Iowans who have committed felonies.. He also says To automatically restore the right to vote. Yet goes on to call voting a privilege. that only he can restore or withhold.

Women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries didnt fight for the privilege to vote, they fought for the right to vote. In the 1960s we didnt have marches and demonstrations for civil privileges, they were for civil rights, including the right to vote. We didnt pass the voting privilege act, it was the Voting Rights Act.

Giving our governor the exclusive power to decide who has the right to vote is anathema to democracy. Everyone should have the right to influence how their government interacts with them.

We should go back to having the right to vote restored immediately and automatically when a person is released from prison or better yet dont deny the right at all.

Marlyn Schepers

Muscatine
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 []
Research ICT Africa has released its second policy brief for 2016, comparing the market share and strategic positioning of South Africas major mobile operators.

It found that as of the end of 2015, Vodacom held 37.7% of the market, followed by MTN at 35.9% and Cell C at 23%.

Telkom Mobile is the smallest mobile network operator, with 2.6% of the market.

This places it in a position as the latest entrant to undercut the larger operators and win subscribers, said Research ICT Africa.

Market share

The table below summarises the market share of Vodacom, MTN, Cell, and Telkom, as at the end of 2015  based on a BusinessTech article.

Mobile operator market share Operator Number of subscribers Market share Vodacom 32.12 million 37.7% MTN SA 30.55 million 35.9% Cell C 19.6 million 23.0% Telkom 2.19 million 2.6% MVNOs 650,000 0.8% MTNs financial year end is 31 December, therefore its market share is overestimated.

Competitor strategic positioning

Research ICT Africa found that Vodacom offers users a high-quality premium-cost business model, charging higher prices for quality of service  where it is the market leader.

Cell C has embraced over-the-top services like WhatsApp, choosing to use it to create products that stimulate demand.

It has also priced itself competitively and appeals to cost-sensitive consumers  offering the highest value.

Telkom Mobile is taking charge of the postpaid segment.

Through month-to-month contracts and high contract value, Telkom boasts a faster postpaid growth rate than any other operator.

It also offers the lowest data prices in the country, but is not winning subscribers in the prepaid market.

MTN, which the report said has been complacent for the past few years, is turning the corner.

It has innovated in some parts of its prepaid segment.

While MTNs prepaid subscriber numbers grew at a faster rate than Vodacoms, it lost 200,000 postpaid customers in the past year.

Its large investment outlay is a sign of its commitment to improved service and technology, but an inspection shows it has played catch-up with Vodacom.

The table below details the operators strategies.

Competitor Strategy Analysis Operator Criteria Vodacom MTN Cell C Telkom Response to OTT Weak Weak Industry leader Moderate Zero-rated service offerings Fair Innovative Innovative Moderate Pricing Fair Fair Industry leader Innovative Proritising Customer Experience Management Industry leader Moderate Moderate Moderate Service personalisation Industry leader Fair Moderate Fair Network quality of service Industry leader Moderate Weak Moderate

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Nuclear as an energy resource can be useful for its low cost, low emissions and for countries to develop a self-reliant and independent energy supply.

This is according to nuclear energy experts, speaking during a panel discussion about nuclear energy at the PowerGen and DistribuTECH Africa 2016 conference, held in Sandton on Tuesday 19 July 2016.

Nuclear is the cheapest and most environmentally friendly option for Africa, said Viktor Polikarpov, vice president of the sub-Saharan Africa region of Russian nuclear firm Rosatom. African countries are facing a trilemma when it comes to energy generation. This includes the security of supply, and the impact on the environment and the economy, he explained. The cost of electricity generated by nuclear is cheapest compared to coal, he added.

Nuclear power has the potential to bring about sustainable development across industries and have a positive socio-economic impact by creating job opportunities and developing skills in communities, he said. Nuclear power generation also adds benefits in other fields such as medicine, isotopes, radiation and water desalination.

By 2050, the total capacity of nuclear power plants will double, said Polikarpov. A lot of countries are expressing an interest in nuclear programmes, added Oliver Bard, nuclear project director of EDF South Africa.

This is because power is imperative for macro-economic development. There can be no human development without efficient access to power, he said. Nuclear energy sources can provide power 20 years and beyond. It is also one of the solutions to diversify a countrys energy mix. Countries are also looking to nuclear energy as an independent solution for supply, making them more self-reliant and less dependent on other countries for energy, he explained.

Opportunities in Africa

Africa is not new to nuclear and nuclear is not new to Africa, said Polikarpov. There are currently eight countries building nuclear energy infrastructure and South Africa already has a nuclear power generating plant at the Koeberg Power Station in the Western Cape. Nuclear, should be an efficient way to tap base load needs, for the growing energy demands of Africas growing population, and economic growth, he said.

South Africa has a strong situation to lead development of nuclear in Africa, said Bard. The country has the infrastructure, industry and skills. Building a nuclear programme will give momentum for the process across the continent, said Bard.

The Koeberg Power Station has been operating for 32 years, added David Nicholls, Chief Nuclear Officer at Eskom. The cost of operating the station for a year comes to 20c/KWH. This is as much as Eskom pays for coal, to make coal-fired power, he said. The problem with existing coal-fired power stations is that as they get older they become more costly to maintain, and they yield poorer performance.

The case against nuclear

Hartmut Winkler, Physics Professor at the University of Johannesburg said that it was important to reconsider nuclear energy as a source for power generation. Among his reasons was safety and he listed the disasters in Chernobyl and Fukushima. We cant guarantee it will happen, but we cant guarantee that it wont, he said. The disposal of nuclear waste was also questionable. Waste is currently buried in Vaalputs in the Northern Cape. This should be reviewed, especially considering transportation to these sites, he said.

Winkler made a case for other sources of renewable energy such as solar and wind instead. There has been a rapid cost decrease in renewable energy technology, especially photovoltaics. Solar energy is no longer expensive, he said. The construction of these renewable energy power stations also happened quickly and they operate efficiently, he added.

The cost of building infrastructure for a nuclear power plant should also be considered. This is linked to the cost of the loans and interest repayments for funding the plant as well as possible deconstruction costs, said Winkler. The cost to provide 9600MW of nuclear energy comes to an estimated R1tr, this is equal to governments annual expenditure. No project of this magnitude is affordable, he said.

Projects of this scale require the support of the population, he explained. More transparency is needed for citizens to trust that the best nuclear deal is chosen. Public trust has already been eroded by the Shiva uranium deal, he said.

Among the issues impacting public support were earlier reports that suggested Rosatom was selected as a preferred supplier. Rosatom, the State Atomic Energy Corporation of Russia, has been involved in the industry for 70 years. It has more than 160 enterprises, 155 000 employees and a global presence in 40 countries. The company has 44 backlogged power plants, worth more than $110bn.

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Police carry body bags, one of which is believed to contain the remains of Santoso, the country's most-wanted militant, killed in a clash with security forces, from an ambulance at a hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia July 19, 2016. [PhotoAgencies]

JAKARTA - Indonesia orders all militants hiding in forests in Poso of Central Sulawesi province to surrender to the security forces after their leader, the most-wanted Santoso, was shot dead.

National Police chief General Tito Karnavian on Tuesday asked them to come out from their hideouts and terminate their terrorist acts.

"They (must) leave their hideouts and undergo legal process," the general said at the State Palace.

The police has reported around 19 members of the militant group, the Mujahidin Indonesia Timur, led by Santoso, remain in the jungle of Poso.

The figure has significantly decreased since the Indonesian police and armed forces launched a military operation, starting earlier this year.

Santoso was shot dead by Indonesian soldiers in the forest on Monday, Indonesian Security Chief Minister Luhut Pandjaitan confirmed.

The militant group has links with the IS group and has involved in scores of terrorist strikes in Indonesia, including the suicide bombings in the country's capital of Jakarta on Jan. 24 that killed 8 people and injured nearly 30 others.
Three words have come to describe the biggest impacts of new development projects in American Canyon: Significant and unavoidable.

The latest project to have significant and unavoidable impacts on traffic and air quality is the Napa Airport Corporate Center, according to its environmental impact report issued on July 1.

The Napa Airport Corporate Center would be located in American Canyon off Highway 29 and South Kelly Road and, contrary to its name, would be nowhere near Napa County Airport. It would involve building four to five warehouses for wine and other storage.

Its EIR was released on the same day as the EIR for Watson Ranch, which would build 1,250 homes and a new commercial town center on the east side of town.

Napa Airport Corporate Center shares something else with Watson Ranch: both projects possess multiple impacts on traffic and air pollution deemed significant and unavoidable by separate consultants who reviewed the plans.

The EIR for Napa Airport Corporate Center was crafted by FirstCarbon Solutions of Walnut Creek, while Watson Ranchs EIR was produced by Environmental Science Associates of San Francisco.

The probable environmental effects of Watson Ranch include significant and unavoidable impacts with respect to: air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and transportation and traffic, according to a city document accompanying the projects EIR.

Napa Airport Corporate Centers EIR reached similar conclusions, citing significant and unavoidable impacts on regional air quality management planning, greenhouse gas emissions, and traffic congestion.

Significant and unavoidable impacts were also determined for a third American Canyon project, Napa Logistics Park, which is being built next door to Napa Airport Corporate Center.

The City Council last December had to adopt a resolution that included Findings of Overriding Consideration in order to certify the Napa Logistics Parks EIR.

Napa Logistics Park involves constructing five massive buildings that would provide a total of nearly 3 million square feet of warehousing and manufacturing space.

The Findings of Overriding Consideration pertained largely to the volume of car and truck traffic that Napa Logistics Park would generate  traffic that will use the same roads as the vehicles generated by neighboring Napa Airport Corporate Center.

The traffic study for Napa Logistics Park concluded it would generate 1,310 vehicles during peak morning commute time and 1,243 vehicles during the afternoon peak.

Meanwhile, Napa Airport Corporate Centers EIR says it could produce 562 morning peakhour trips and 536 afternoon peakhour trips. The reports traffic analysis included this caveat: More than 60 percent of these vehicle trips would be generated by an optional gas station/fast food/car wash for Napa Airport Corporate Center.

If the project does not include the gas station, the trip generation would drop to 215 during the morning commute and 182 in the afternoon commute.

Napa Airport Corporate Center would offer more than 500,000 square feet of warehouse space.

At least 50 percent of the square footage would be for wine warehousing and up to 50 percent may be for general warehousing, according to the projects EIR.

The American Canyon Planning Commission is scheduled to discuss the EIRs for Watson Ranch and Napa Airport Corporate Center at its meeting on July 28.

Those interested in submitting comments pertaining to either EIR can send them to City of American Canyon, Community Development Department, 4381 Broadway St,. Suite 201, American Canyon, CA 94503.
American Canyon will participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 5-8 p.m. National Night Out is an annual event that encourages community-police partnerships, crime prevention and neighborhood camaraderie. Last year, more than 20 neighborhoods in American Canyon hosted block parties involving 500 residents. To schedule a block party for this years event, contact Officer Cecil Brown at 551-0600 or cecil.brown@countyofnapa.org.
A San Francisco-based summer program for low-income kids has come to Napa for the first time, bringing with it academics and fun activities, as well as the opportunity for young people to explore serious personal issues.

Aim High has been running a five-week summer school at Silverado Middle School for 80 middle-school students from Napa and American Canyon, all at no cost to their families.

The free program, which began June 27, was made possible by grants from the Napa Valley Vintners, S. H. Cowell Foundation and others.

Having established summer opportunities for students throughout the Bay Area and beyond over the past 30 years, Aim Highs leaders decided to set up in Napa this summer for sixth and seventh graders.

Theres just a big need here, said Alec Lee, Aim Highs executive director. The summer in California is a pretty barren landscape [for summer school] so we thought wed be able to do good work [here].

The Napa Valley Unified School District stopped offering traditional summer school last decade as a result of budget cuts. That decision has left many parents struggling to find ways to keep their kids active and learning from June to August.

Aim High, which was founded in 1986 at Lick Wilmerding High School in San Francisco and now has 17 summer campuses stretching from Oakland to Marin to even Lake Tahoe, is geared towards students from families that cant afford the thousands of dollars required for summer programs.

Were a tuition-free program, said Lee, who added, It costs about $2,000 a kid to go through Aim High, all of which is covered through philanthropy.

In addition to parents income criteria, Lee said Aim High looks for middle-school kids who show the potential to be the first in their families to attend two- and four-year colleges.

The inaugural effort in Napa has about 90 percent Hispanic kids, many of whom are English learners.

Many parents expressed satisfaction with the program last Wednesday night, when Aim High held an open house event at Silverado Middle School.

Its a great program that Napa needed, said Fabiola Rodriguez, a mother of two boys, one of whom is attending Aim High. We need more like this since we havent had summer school in a very, very long time.

The summer is two months out of the school year, a long time to be without the refreshing of what theyve learned, said Rodriguez. Its definitely a time where if we dont have this kind of program, the kids can definitely lose that knowledge.

She also expressed appreciation for Aim High being a free program.

I cant afford a regular camp, she said. Its very expensive.

Rodriguez and other parents said they like Aim Highs balance between academics and fun for their children.

The Monday through Friday program consists of 45-minute courses in the morning, followed by afternoon activities that range from cooking to martial arts to Zumba and more.

They also take weekly field trips, some of which have been to Skyline Park and San Franciscos Exploratorium.

During the academic section, students rotate among four classes that cover math, science, humanities and something called Issues and Choices.

Thats a cool, really important part of what we do at Aim High, Lee said of Issues and Choices.

Claire Monfort of American Canyon, who teaches the class, called Issues and Choices one of the rare classes they will ever have in their lives.

The class addresses everyday issues for students that include bullying, sexual identity, substance and alcohol abuse, and other tough subjects.

In Issues and Choices we present these to them and say, How do you start to identify? Maybe you find yourself attracted to another boy and youre a boy. Maybe you find yourself attracted to a girl and youre a girl. Maybe youve been in the wrong body all these years and you dont know what to do, said Monfort, who works as a counselor and substitute teacher for NVUSD during the school year.

Monfort said she asks open-ended questions in Issues and Choices, and the students reveal very powerful stuff.

She also acknowledged that students or parents sometimes are not comfortable with the subject matter.

I am very conscious about religious backgrounds so I preface every subject before I teach it, said Monfort, who tells her class: If you are uncomfortable at any point with it, I fully respect your feelings and you are allowed to leave the classroom.

I am not here to embarrass or humiliate or make someone uncomfortable, she added. What I am trying to get here is, You will feel empowered. That you will start asking questions, questions that you may not feel comfortable asking mom and dad or whomever you live with.

What she strives for, according to Monfort, is to give students tools to make good choices.

Parent Michelle Montgomery of Napa said she likes the curriculum her daughter is getting at Aim High.

They let them think for themselves, said Montgomery. Its more mature and its more advanced, I believe.

She said she has no problem with the topics being covered in Issues and Choices, or in Humanities, where the kids have tackled stereotypes.

Its better theyre prepared for what life has to bring, said Montgomery.

Humanities teacher Theresa Montgomery (no relation) said the theme of the summer has been identity and focusing on the complexity of what that means and all the stereotypes that go into it.

One of the stereotypes theyve focused on her in class, which is comprised largely of Hispanic kids, is what it means to be from Napa, based on common assumptions.

When you think of Napa you think of wine and tourism and people coming in, she said. You often dont think of, for lack of a better word, the people who pick the grapes.

The instructor said her aim is validating their experiences, and saying you can have a voice in the community.

Michelle Montgomerys daughter, Kennedy, said shes enjoyed all aspects of the summer program.

We learn about all different kinds of things, and its not like normal school, said Kennedy, who will attend 7th grade in the fall at Silverado. We have fun, and then we get really serious. Its a really good balance. I like it.

Aim High plans to return to Napa next summer and for years to come.

That would be good news to parent Pellie Smith of American Canyon. Her son, Tristan, is attending this years program. Some of Smiths older children attended Aim High programs in San Francisco when they lived in the city.

It was a good program back then, said Smith. When I found out about this [in Napa], of course I jumped in.

They teach them to be positive, to be respectful and teach them to look forward to their future, Smith added. Im looking forward to coming back next year.
One sip of this soup is like getting wrapped in your warmest, coziest sweater. Between the thick chunks of vegetables, tender cubes of potato, juicy shreds of chicken (take your pick of boneless breasts or thighs), and thick, creamy broth, it truly doesnt get more comforting than chicken potato soup.

As the temps begin to dip, this is a family-friendly soup to keep on repeat all through fall and winter.
A new curriculum adopted on last week for K-12 public schools by the California State Board of Education has been taught for the past four years to Napa Valley College students studying to become teachers.

The new curriculum complies with the Fair and Inclusive Education Act that was signed into law in 2012 but was not implemented due to attempts to overturn it, budget cuts and competing educational priorities.

Napa Valley College, however, launched an accredited LGBT Studies Program in 2012 with the intent to prepare teachers with the knowledge necessary to deliver instruction required by the new law.

NVCs 18-unit certificate program not only supports teachers, but other professionals working in health care, criminal justice, social services and hospitality industries. The core courses are approved for transfer to Californias CSU and UC systems and meet the social studies requirement of both systems. They also meet NVCs multi-cultural and gender studies requirement for students earning a two-year degree.

The new curriculum requires public schools to educate students about diverse families, the gay rights movement, the evolution of gender roles, and the contributions of prominent gay Americans such as Harvey Milk and LGBT rights milestones. The curriculum will be included in history classes starting in the second grade. High school students will learn about the LGBT civil rights movement, including landmark court decisions such as the same-sex marriage case of 2015.

Call Greg Miraglia at 256-7710 for more information.
POPE VALLEY  Pulling up to the Pope Valley Farm Center on Saturday night was like pulling up to the set of a country music video  people sat gathered around tables wearing cowboy hats, cowboy boots, talking and eating watermelon, corn on the cob and barbecued meats. American flags decorated the scene along with red, white and blue flowers in tin cans painted red.

This is the annual Pope Valley Volunteer Fire BBQ and Dance. Although its not advertised as a reunion, the residents who go every year feel like it is.

Everyones tight-knit, said Kacy Shackleford, 24. My moms talking to people the entire night because shes grown up with them, so its cool.

Being around so many familiar faces is nice, she said. Thats her favorite thing about the barbecue. But the band, atmosphere and nice weather help make it a great night, too.

Fire Chief Mark Amador was barbecuing some chicken trying to get the food out as fast as people could eat it. Amador, who is from Pope Valley, said that the fire department has been sponsoring the event for at least 50 years.

Its for the community to come and see what we do, Amador said. It gives everyone a chance to come together and have a good time, he added.

Its certainly not a fundraiser, said volunteer firefighter Paul Kimsey. Although any proceeds earned go to the department, most of it just covers cost, he said. The department sponsors the barbecue, but its a community event, he said.

Kimsey said that people have come to expect the same thing from year to year. If any major changes were made, hes not sure people would like it, he said. Its been very consistent.

Its the highlight of the year because you get to see everybody who lives here, said Thomas Wargovich, who has lived in Pope Valley with his wife, Victoria, for the last 11 years. Residents are busy the rest of the year, he said, many of them taking care of their farms or ranches.

Thomas and Victoria have come to the barbecue every year since moving to Pope Valley and even volunteer at the bar, which was serving up a variety of drinks.

I would suggest that you go get some margaritas  and go have some fun, said David Etue of St. Helena. Asked if he would be dancing, Etue said, Ill be like a drunken ballerina, Ill tell you what.

With him was Jesslyn Herdell of St. Helena who said that she was most excited about the live band, Way Out West, because they sounded like they were playing mostly country music. I love country, she said.

Thats the thing about our community, she said. Were all a bunch of country people.

Even those who dont typically dress country got into the spirit during the barbecue. Ella Craig, 21, of St. Helena said that dressing up in a cowboy hat and in cowboy boots is her favorite thing about the event because its not something that she does every day. I love it, she said.

Beyond the food and drinks, the biggest attraction seemed to be the dancing, especially for the children.

Before the barbecue, Kristina Buchanan of St. Helena said she told her 3-year-old daughter, Taylor, that there was going to be a band. And I can dance? Taylor asked her.

That night, the mother and daughter duo could be seen spinning around the dance floor, big smiles on their faces along with the rest of their family.

Theyve been coming to the event for years and they enjoy seeing people theyve grown up with, Buchanan said. Its home.
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YEREVAN.  National Assembly (NA) President Galust Sahakyan on Wednesday received Jim Costa, a State of California member of the House of Representatives of the US Congress.

The NA informed Armenian News-NEWS.am that Sahakyan stressed that the US is an important partner of Armenia, and has a key role in the politics and economy of the country.

Speaking about parliamentary diplomacy, Galust Sahakyan underlined that it is an important platform for the development of the state relations and in this context, noted that Armenia attaches great importance to the development of Armenian-American parliamentary ties.

The Speaker of the National Assembly highly assessed the effective activities of the US Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, the members of which always promoted the intensification of relations between Armenia and the US.

Touching upon the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) conflict, Galust Sahakyan emphasized the US continuous efforts, as an OSCE Minsk Group co-chair country, aimed at the peaceful settlement of this conflict, the provision of peace and stability in the region.

Talking about the international recognition of Armenian Genocide, the Speaker of the National Assembly thanked the US congressmen, who had made all efforts through many years on voicing the necessity of the international recognition of Armenian Genocide, and expressed a conviction that these efforts will certainly end with success.

Jim Costa, for his part, noted that visiting Armenia had been his dream.

Regarding the issue of the recognition of Armenian Genocide, he said: I, as member of the US Congress Group on Armenian Issues, shall take measures and efforts that the Armenian Genocide be recognized, and genocides will not be repeated anymore. The guest expressed the hope that the US Congress will recognize Armenian Genocide.

Referring to the regional matters, Jim Costa expressed the hope that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict will be settled at a diplomatic level, and highlighted the need for Artsakhs participation in the respective talks.

The interlocutors expressed the hope that similar visits will be continuous, and aimed at further expansion and intensification of parliamentary ties.

At the end of the meeting, NA Speaker Galust Sahakyan awarded Jim Costa with the Republic of Armenia National Assembly Medal of Honor for his pro-Armenian activities.
McCarthy Award winner Justin Hamman is congratulated by Michele Mouttapa, interim director of the Health Professions Advising Office and associate professor of health science.

Cal State Fullerton graduate Justin Hamman has begun his training to become a physician at Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix  moving closer to fulfilling his dream of helping to better peoples lives and serving those in need.

Im pursuing a career to serve humanity because I have found that I am not anywhere as passionate and excited as when I work in areas that are steeped in authentic human experiences and compassionate action, he said.

Hamman is a 2016 recipient of the Miles D. McCarthy Health Professions Award, a University award recognizing high academic achievement, integrity and a commitment to serve humanity. It is named for the founding faculty member of the Biological Science Department who started the health professions advising program more than 50 years ago.

During his undergraduate experience, Hamman credits his science professors for helping him achieve his academic accomplishments. He recalled that his general chemistry class with Richard Deming, professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry, helped define and guide his scholarly pursuits.

Dr. Demings class seriously challenged me and taught me the academic responsibility that I needed to succeed in even more challenging courses, said Hamman 15 (B.S. in biological science-cell and developmental biology).

His experience of working in the lab of Marcelo Tolmasky, professor of biological science, who studies antibiotic resistance to bacteria, influenced the way Hamman learned about and approached research. Dr. Tolmasky encouraged me to analyze my own data and be creative with solutions or project ideas. I will be doing a research thesis in medical school and look forward to putting the skills he taught me into practice.

To ready him for the rigors of medical school, Hamman participated in the clinical care volunteer program at Riverside Community Hospital.

This place opened my eyes to the very real health issues that face communities around us, increased my knowledge of the field and improved my capacity to relate and interact with those who were sick, Hamman explained. This helped me further my academic goals as it gave me a visualization of what my future could be like if I continued to work hard in my academics.

Since graduation, Hamman prepared for and applied to medical schools. He also sought assistance from faculty advisers through the Health Professions Advising Office who helped him polish his applications and prepare for competitive interviews.

Applying to professional school requires more than success. The process can be quite confusing and the Health Professions Office was always available to walk me through it, he said.

The future physician, who began his medical studies in June, looked forward to spending his time learning all about medicine.

Its something I have so much passion for, and it is such an honor and blessing to finally begin my training as a doctor.
08:05

A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices A R Dave and L Nageswara Rao is likely to hear today the plea of an alleged rape victim challenging provisions of abortion law which prohibits termination of pregnancy after 20 weeks even if there was a fatal risk to the mother and the foetus.





The similar plea on the issue is being heard by a bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra.





Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves and Satya Mitra mentioned the matter for urgent hearing, saying that in the present case, the life of the woman is in grave danger.





The fresh petition filed by a woman, who alleged that she was raped by her ex-fiance on the false promise of marriage and became pregnant, sought a direction to quash section 3 (2)(b) of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971 to the extent that it puts a ceiling of 20 weeks for an abortion as it is ultra vires to Article 14 and 21 of the Constitution.





The petition contended that the ceiling is unreasonable, arbitrary, harsh, discriminatory and violative of the right to life and equality.





It also sought an order for the Centre to provide necessary directions to hospitals for setting up an expert panel of doctors to assess the pregnancy and offer medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) at least to those women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence and have passed the period of 20 weeks.





The woman, who is in 24th week of pregnancy, said she belonged to poor background and her physical and mental health have been put to risk due to the 20 weeks limit for abortion as her fetus suffers from anencephaly (a serious birth defect in which a baby is born without parts of the brain and skull) and doctors have refused to abort it.
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A female Pakistani police officer has been assigned to probe the murder of model Qandeel Baloch, officials said on Wednesday. Qandeel, a social media celebrity, was strangled to death on July 16, allegedly by her brother in the name of family honour, in Multan, Punjab province, Dawn online reported. Central Police Officer (CPO) Azhar Akram deployed woman Inspector Attiya Jaffari following the suspension of two former investigating officers for showing negligence in the probe. Meanwhile, Qandeel's alleged killer, her younger brother Waseem, was sent on a 14-day judicial remand on Tuesday, the police could not take him to a forensic lab in Lahore for DNA and polygraph tests to complete the investigation. The police later filed an appeal in the court to get physical remand of Waseem, which would be decided later on Wednesday, Dawn online noted. According to a police official, the course of investigation requires DNA and polygraph tests to verify, establish and evaluate the truthfulness of statements of a suspect. CPO Akram said the new woman Investigation Officer had issued notices to various persons, including Mufti Abdul Qavi and the slain models former husband Ashiq Hussain, in the light of the statement of Qandeels mother. The police had obtained Qandeel's mobile phone data and detained her brother. We are preparing the case in a way that its trial is concluded within three months, Akram said, adding that a letter had been dispatched to the Karachi corps commander for recording the statement of Aslam Shaheen, the elder brother of Qandeel, who is serving in the army. The CPO disclosed that suspect Waseem had made calls to some people soon after the murder. Meanwhile, talking to Dawn, Qandeels father Mohammad Azam and mother Anwar Bibi said the name of Aslam Shaheen was included in the FIR by them mistakenly and they would request the court to exclude his name from the case. --IANS ask/ksk/vt ( 327 Words) 2016-07-20-13:58:01 (IANS)
An additional metropolitan magistrate court indicted the Ansarullah Bangla Team militants and fixed August 4 for depositions by witnesses, bdnews24 reported.

Three of the suspects were presented in the court for the hearing, an official said.

The remaining two are absconding and will be tried in absentia, the official added.

On the morning of March 30, 2015, machete-wielding religious fundamentalists hacked Oyasiqur to death near his home in Dhakas Tejgaon area.

Oyasiqur's attackers targeted his neck and head, similar to previous attacks on bloggers, Ahmed Rajib Haider and Avijit Roy.

According to bdnews24, one of the arrested is a madrassa student from Hathazari area of Chittagong and the other attends a madrassa situated in Dhakas Mirpur area.

Locals managed to nab two of the attackers and handed them over to law enforcers while the third suspect was arrested by police later.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, Oyasiqur worked as a travel agency executive and had over 2,600 friends on Facebook. The blogger wrote under pseudonyms on popular blogs.

On his Facebook account, Oyasiqur wrote several notes opposing irrational religious beliefs, superstitions and radical Islamists.

He was also an admirer of Avijit Roy, a US-based Bangladeshi -- founder of Mukto Mona, a web forum for South Asian rationalists -- who was hacked to death on February 26, 2015.

Oyasiqur wrote against Jamaat-e-Islami and radical Islamist groups. He was also vocal against human rights violations on the religious minorities and indigenous people of the country.

Oyasiqur was member of eight Facebook group pages including Atheist Bangladesh.

--IANS ask/rn/dg

( 299 Words)

2016-07-20-16:14:02 (IANS)
The wider 51-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) edged up by 21.15 points or 0.25 per cent to 8,549.70 points.

The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 27,775.70 points, traded at 27,855.70 points (at 1.45 p.m.) -- up 68.08 points or 0.25 per cent from the previous close at 27,787.62 points.

It touched a high of 27,910.63 points and a low of 27,759.71 points so far during the intra-day trade.

The BSE market breadth was tilted in favour of the bulls -- with 1,512 advances and 977 declines. Healthy buying was witnessed in healthcare and oil and gas stocks.

On Tuesday, the benchmark indices closed on a flat-to-positive note, even as profit booking, disappointing quarterly results and negative global cues kept the equity markets subdued throughout the day's trade.

The barometer index was up 40.96 points or 0.15 per cent, while the Nifty inched up by 19.85 points, or 0.23 per cent.

Initially on Wednesday, the benchmark indices opened on a flat note, in sync with their Asian peers.

The markets showed some positive momentum on the back of the government's decision to infuse capital into public sector banks. In a statement, the Ministry of Finance announced a capital infusion of Rs 22,915 crore towards the recapitalisation of 13 public sector banks during 2016-17.

However, some caution prevailed in the markets ahead of further announcements of quarterly results.

In addition, reduced chances of further monetary policy easing by the European Central Bank (ECB) in its upcoming monetary policy review and weak global crude oil prices also dampened investors' sentiments.

--IANS ppg/ag/vt

( 301 Words)

2016-07-20-14:00:01 (IANS)
The 26-year-old rapper shared a photograph of her and her doctor on Instagram and praised him for the work he has done on her breasts.

"Caught up with Dr Ghavami today! Incase you were curious... 1. he is hilarious 2. He is my Greek yogurt soul mate 3. He is the reason I have Fabulously perky b**bs...

"Also, he does PRP skin treatments now, which happens to be why I stopped by. Summer is here and you Cant Fake Good Skin, Dr Ghavami (sic)," Azalea captioned the image.

The raptress has been open about having surgery on her nose and breasts and insisted it is nothing to be ashamed of.

--IANS dc/rb/vm

( 137 Words)

2016-07-20-12:06:21 (IANS)
Claiming that the police had attempted to kill P.Ramkumar (24) by slashing his throat while apprehending him from the house at Meenakshipuram village in this district on the midnight of July one on charges of murdering woman Techie S.Swathi, his father Paramasivan had demanded to register an "attempt to murder" case against the police personnel allegedly involved in the incident. Paramasivan lodged a complaint with Shencottah police station last evening in which he stated that when a police team, led by Tenkasi Police Inspector Balamurugan came to his house, they held Ramkumar and slit his throat in a bid to kill him. The police might have attempted to kill my son by slashing his throat to prevent him from speaking the truth in the murder case. He also denied the allegations that were levelled against Ramkumar. He demanded the Shencottah police to register an attempt to murder case against Mr Balamurugan and other police men who accompanied him on that day. Though the Shencottah police issued a receipt acknowledging the complaint, they did not register a case on the complaint. The police had earlier claimed that Ramkumar had attempted to commit suicide by slashing his throat using a blade, when a police team went to his house to arrest him in Swathi murder case. On a complaint from the Police Inspector Balamurugan, the Shencottah police had registered a case against Ramkumar for attempting to commit suicide. Infosys techie S.Swathi (24) was hacked to death by a man in full public view at Nungambakkam railway station at Chennai on June 24, last sending shock waves across the country. After a detailed investigation based on scientific methods, police nabbed Ramkumar for killing her. Police said Ramkumar murdered Swathi after she made insulting remarks about his personal appearance, when he proposed to her. Leaders of political parties like DMK and VCK expressed apprehension over the arrest of Ramkumar. DMK President M.Karunanidhi said the police should come forward and clarify if they are framing innocents in a bid to nab the culprits at the earliest and to maintain their pride.UNI GSM CS 1030 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-845443.Xml
The Chinese central bank guided the yuan stronger on Wednesday with a fixing that appeared to deviate from its recent formula, causing traders to question the regulatory commitment to making the currency more responsive to market forces.The People's Bank of China set the midpoint rate at 6.6946 per dollar prior to the market open, 0.04 percentfirmer than the previous fix of 6.6971.That was much firmer than traders' models had suggested, with forecasts predicting a midpoint between 6.70 and 6.71.The yuan fell through the psychologically important 6.7 level on Monday for the first time since late 2010."The market was totally lost. We have no idea where the rate will go once there are no rules anymore," said the trader at a Chinese commercial bank in Shanghai.Spot yuan opened at 6.6925 per dollar and was changing hands at 6.6875 at midday, firming 0.14 percent fromthe previous close.Traders said state-owned banks pushed prices up right after the market opened, but seemed to have moved to the sidelines later on even as client dollar demand emerged."The central bank obviously does not want to see the yuan weaken below 6.7 per dollar," said a trader at another Chinese commercial bank in Shanghai. "So my estimate is the yuan will be stable between 6.68 and 6.7 for now."The move also comes just days before China hosts G20 finance ministers and central bank governors, who in April reaffirmed a pledge to not set exchange rates for competitive purposes.Beijing has been suspected of engineering brief rallies in the yuan in the run-up to major diplomatic events in the past to deflect criticism that it is deliberately suppressing the rate.The yuan's sharp decline to 5-1/2 year lows has aggravated investors already rattled by slow global growth and potential fallout from Britain's decision to leave the European Union.Many market watchers expect the central bank will allow the yuan to weaken even further in coming months if the economy continues to struggle, though some believe it may allow a more gradual decline after a sharp 3 percent fall so far this year. The global dollar index tracking the greenback against a basket of major currencies hit four-month highs onWednesday, trading at 97.157 around midday in Asian trade, after having risen 0.5 percent on Tuesday. The offshore yuan was trading 0.14 percent softer than the onshore spot at 6.6972 per dollar. The Thomson Reuters/HKEX Global CNH index, which tracks the offshore yuan against a basket of currencies on a daily basis, stood at 95.72, firmer than the previous day's 95.38. REUTERS RSD RAI1008 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-845422.Xml
Demise of the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit case, Hashim Ansari, early this morning signifies the end of an era of litigants, who were the fore-fathers of over six-decade old dispute. Ansari (96) passed away at his residence in Ayodhya, as he was suffering from heart ailments for a long time. He also underwent heart surgery, last year. Iqbal Ansari, son of Hashim Ansari told UNI here today that the nonagenarian's last rites would be held this evening. "Father took his last breath at 0530 hrs this morning. However, he did not complain of any health problem. He was sitting in his room after taking tea and collapsed soon after," Mr Iqbal said. Ansari, a tailor by profession was the witness when idols of 'Ram Lalla' appeared at the Babri Masjid site at the night of December 22 in 1949. He was first to file the suit in the court of civil judge of Faizabad against the 'illegal encroachment of Masjid by Hindu Mahasabha'. In 1961, Ansari became plaintiff along with five others with Sunni Central Waqf Board of Uttar Pradesh after the Board moved court filing the tittle suit for the Mosque. Among other original plaintiffs were Mohammad Farooq, Shahabuddin, Maulana Nisaar, Mahmood Sahab and Hashim Ansari. All have died earlier. With Ansari's death, an era in Ayodhya dispute has come to an end. He was a witness to 'placing of Idols in Babri Masjid in 1949', unlocking of the disputed structure for Puja of Ram Lalla as per a court's order in 1987, demolition of the Masjid in 1992 and division of the disputed land into three parts by Lucknow high court in 2010. He also became the first plaintiff in Supreme Court in 2011. In 1954, he was sentenced to two years jail by Faizabad court for giving 'Azaan' (call for Namaz) in the Babri Masjid. Ansari's residence in Ayodhya is located at the 'Janmabhoomi Sampark Marg', nearly 400 metres from the disputed site. Ansari had faced financial problems in the early years of filing the case in court while claiming that there should be a mosque at the disputed site. Ansari's friendship with first chairman of Ramjanmabhoomi Nyas, Paramhans Ramchandra Das Maharaj was well known and both used to go in one rickshaw to the court for the case, though both represented opposite sides. Paramhans also helped Hashim financially during the time of need and thus their friendship continued even during the demolition of the disputed structure in 1992, until the death of Ramchandra Das in 2003. "Ansari had maintained cordial relations with all. His death is unfortunate. I condole on his demise," said Sharad Sharma, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) spokesperson in Ayodhya. In December 2014, Ansari had announced that he was withdrawing from the case. Later, he claimed that he has given the power of attorney to his son Iqbal to contest the case. Ansari was also a petitioner in the title suit case, pending in the Supreme Court. For the past few years, Ansari had spoken about an out-of-court settlement of the dispute. In February 2015, he had met Mahant Gyan Das of Hanuman Garhi in Ayodhya and had expressed his desire for same. Ansari, a few days back had met Mahant Gyan Das in Ayodhya and both had said that the issue should be resolved without any violence. In December last year, when two trucks laden with 35 tonnes of pink sandstone had arrived at Ayodhya for carving structures for proposed design of Ram temple, Ansari, had called it a 'political stunt' of the VHP to help the BJP in the Assembly polls, next year. "The move of the Nyas and VHP to collect stones was a politically motivated stunt ahead of the UP assembly elections (due in 2017). They are doing this drama to misguide people. The matter is sub-judice, the court will take a decision," Ansari had then said. Meanwhile, several people, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party (SP) president Mulayam Singh Yadav and Babri Masjid Action Committee (BAMC) convenor Zafarayeb Jilani have condoled Ansari's death.UNI MB PR SV 1200 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0105-845532.Xml
Puducherry Education Secretary G Ragesh Chandra passed away due to a heart attack in New Delhi today. He was 58 and survived by his wife and two children. Mr.Chandra was also the Secretary to Chief Minister V Narayansamy. According to sources, Mr Chandra hailing from Kerala accompanied Mr Narayanasamy to the National Capital yesterday. After meeting several Union Ministers along with Chief Minister and Chief Secretary Manoj Parida, Mr.Chandra slept in his room in Pondicherry Guest House in New Delhi last night. Since, he failed to open his room this morning, staff broke open the door and found Mr.Chandra dead. On Information, Delhi police seized the body and sent it for post-mortem. Mr.Chandra was a heart patient and had suffered a massive cardiac arrest about four years back. However,he had survived then.UNI PAB CS 1107 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-845464.Xml
Madras High Court today treated as closed, the petition filed by Nalini, the life convict in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, seeking her premature release from jail. When the petition came up for hearing, Mr Justice M Sathyanarayanansaid since the matter was pending in the Supreme Court, he was treatingNalini's plea as closed. The Judge however, asked the Tamil Nadu government to consider her request for release based on the outcome of the Supreme Court verdict. Nalini, who had been in Vellore Central Prison for more than 25 years, had on December last year filed a petition seeking a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to release her under the provisions of Article 161 of the Constitution. She also sought her release on the ground that she had completedmore than 20 years in prison. The State government in its submission last month sought dismissal of the plea, stating that it had written to the Centre seeking its views on the release of all the seven convicts in the case. The Centre was yet to reply and has moved the Supreme Court against the release of all seven convicts in the case. Since the matter was pending before the Supreme court, Nalini's plea should be dismissed, the state government contended.MORE UNI GV CS 1158 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-845554.Xml
In line with her announcement of a new insurance scheme for 10.22 lakh government employees for the next four years for the period July one, 2016 to June 30, 2020,Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today formally handed over Identity cards to five beneficiaries. At a function held at the State Secretariat, the Chief Ministerhanded over ID cards to avail the insurance cover to five government employees. The insurance scheme for government employees, which was being implemented since 2012 through United India Insurance, expired on June 30 this year. Following this, the Chief Minister ordered to put in place an insurance scheme for the next four years with additional benefits to government employees. ''After following the open tender process and inviting applications from public sector insurance companies, United India Insurance has been selected for the scheme'', an official statement here said and added that the scheme was approved by the Chief Minister. Highlighting the benefits of the new scheme, it said the insurance cover has been fixed at Rs four lakh for four years for the family of government employees, while the amount sanctioned to certain treatments like cancer and organ transplant, had been increased to Rs 7.50 lakh. The release said dependents of government employees with 40 per cent disability would be benefited by the scheme without any age ceiling. ''During mishaps, if the victim is admitted to a hospital which is not covered by the scheme, still he/she can avail the benefits'',the statement said. The scheme would cover government employees, public sector employees, staff members of boards, university employees and their family members for the next four years, it added. A total of 10.22 lakh government employees and their families would be benefitted by the scheme. While each employee has to pay Rs 180 per year as premium, the government would pay its share of Rs 17.90 crore to the insurance company.UNI GV CS 1227 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-845590.Xml
Police said the students, identified as Martin (17), Hariharan (17) and Prabanjan (17) studying Class 12 were going to the school this morning, when the car hit their motorcycle.

The students were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital at Theni for treatment.

Further investigation is on. UNI GSM CS 1307

-- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-845676.Xml
The Delhi government today ordered an inquiry into the alleged suicide by an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) female activist. Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia in a tweet said, "Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the needful inquiry". Yesterday, an (AAP) female worker had allegedly committed suicide in the national capital by consuming poison, the police said. Soni, a resident of Narela, had earlier accused a party worker Ramesh Bhardwaj of harassing her mentally by demanding sexual favours and mentioned in her police complaint filed in June, that she had gone into depression due to his constant torture.UNI RBE PR SV 1324 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0427-845606.Xml
Day after Gujarat bandh called by Dalit organisations against the recent lynching of four Dalit youths in Una, witnessed widespread incidents of stone-pelting, arson and vandalism. Even as the state government grappled with the bandh, the issue of increasing atrocities on Dalits assumed political overtones with Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi visiting Una tomorrow followed by a visit by Aam Aadmi Party president and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal the next day. Today's bandh was nearly complete in all the major towns of the Saurashtra region, while it evoked partial response from rest of the state. Over 200 supporters of the bandh were arrested for indulging in violence and enforcing closure of markets. Over a dozen state transport and private passenger buses were damaged and torched following traffic jams and diversion of public transport on several violence-affected routes, particularly in Saurashtra.Protestors set a private bus ablaze near airport road in Porbandar after heavy stone pelting. A goods train and a passenger train were also stopped by protestors in Surendranagar and Botad districts. Bandh supporters who went on rampage in the main market of Porbandar also attacked the office of Deputy Superintendent of Police (Rural) and damaged some police vehicles there. Police detained over 70 protesters in Kosamba town under Mangrol taluka of Surat district while around 75 bandh supporters were detained in Sarangpur area of Ahmedabad. The predominantly Dalit areas like Kalapinagar, Asarwa, Saijpur, Majurgam, Amraivadi, Saraspur, Memco-Naroda crossing in the eastern part of the city witnessed complete bandh. Police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse stone-throwing mobs which targeted city buses and police vehicles. Protesters in large numbers were out on roads in Juna Vadaj, Bhimjipura, Chandlodiya and Ranip in the western part of the city to enforce the bandh. City buses came under a barrage of stone-pelting near Shardaben hospital area following which their routes were diverted. Around 1500 sweepers of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation went on a flash strike today in response to the bandh call. The bandh supporters also closed shops and other establishments in Sanand town.Over a dozen members of Dalit community were detained in Mochi Nagar close to civil hospital in Rajkot when they were trying to put a dead animal at a public place during bandh. Shops and establishments in Ranavav in Porbandar remained closed while some shops were targeted by the bandh supporters in Bora Bazar and some other areas of Bhavnagar. The municipality building in Mahesana was attacked by a stone-throwing mob. Dalits took out protest rallies at various places including Padra in Vadodara and Palanpur in Banaskantha district, Morbi and Bhavnagar. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation has stopped the operations of its buses on many routes in Saurashtra and North Gujarat region. There were reports of road blockades at several places including in Junagadh, Surendranagar, Rajkot and Patan, Kheda and Chota Udepur.Four more incidents of suicide attempts by youth against Una incident have been reported from Dhoraji and Botad. While in Dhoraji, two youth consumed poison, two others attempted self immolation in Botad. All four were hospitalised. UNI ND SDR PY 1718 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-846225.Xml
Reacting to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Raman Singh has said Chhattisgarh is committed to judicious sharing of the Mahanadi water, adding that inter-state water sharing is a sensitive issue and should not be used for political gains. He, however, added that his state contributes more than 86 percent of the water into Mahanadi up to Hirakud Dam, whereas it is utilising only 25 percent of the water. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Patnaik had expressed concern over seven pick-up weirs and proposed irrigation projects on Mahanadi tributaries. Addressing Patnaik's concern, Singh said his state abided the Inter-state River water sharing norms, said a statement issued by the Chhattisgarh government. He said Chhattisgarh was using "limited" Mahanadi water without hurting Odisha's interest. He added that the Odisha Chief Minister had not raised the issue with him. "If he would have expressed his concern before me, I would have clarified the situation to him," said Singh. Divulging details of the present situation, the Chhattisgarh chief minister said, "About 55 percent of the total geographical area of Chhattisgarh is drained by the Mahanadi River, which is lifeline of Chhattisgarh, and the Rice Bowl of India. "River Mahanadi and its tributaries have a total drainage area of 53.90 percent from Chhattisgarh, 45.73 percent from Odisha and 0.35 percent from other states, while the catchment area of Mahanadi up to Hirakud Dam is 82,432 sq km, of which 71,424 sq km lies in Chhattisgarh, which is 86 percent of the total catchment. "Average inflow of Mahanadi at Hirakud Dam is 40,773 MCM, of which 35,308 MCM is contributed by Chhattisgarh. Present utilisation of water by Chhattisgarh is nearly 9,000 MCM, which is only 25 percent of the available water in the Mahanadi up to Hirakud Dam." Singh further said, "The barrages under construction on Mahanadi are essentially for industrial use and the proposed irrigation area from all these barrages put together is only 3,100 hectares. All these projects are having less than 2,000 hectares potential and fall under the category of Minor Irrigation Projects, which does not need any clearance from the Central Water Commission (CWC). "Ambaguda, Salka, Lachchhanpur, Khongsara diversion schemes are also minor irrigation projects, irrigating less than 2,000 hectares each. Kelo is the only major project, which has already been duly approved by the CWC. As per the agreement between the erstwhile undivided state of Madhya Pradesh and the State of Odisha dated 28.04.1983 between the then CM of Madhya Pradesh Arjun Singh and the then CM of Odisha J.B. Patnaik, a joint control board was to be constituted to resolve the issues between the two states relating to survey, investigation, execution or any other issues. This board has not been constituted so far." In view of the above, said the Chhattisgarh chief minister, the it is very clear that Chhattisgarh contributes more than 86 percent of the water into the Mahanadi up to Hirakud Dam, whereas it is utilising only 25 percent of the water. Hence, it is pertinent to note that Chhattisgarh is presently using much less than its legitimate share of water of the Mahanadi basin without in any way adversely affecting the water share of Odisha, including that of Hirakud Dam, he added. "I would further like to state that Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha has never raised these issues with Chhattisgarh or else I could have given suitable clarification to him," said Singh, alleging: "Clearly, the concerns of the Odisha Chief Minister are politically motivated and not based on facts and figures." "I am sure you will agree that inter-state sharing of water is a sensitive issue and should not be used for political gains. Chhattisgarh has full respect for all provisions governing inter-state rivers and has utilised the potential of the Mahanadi river only in a limited way without in any way depriving Odisha of its benefit. We are committed to only utilise the legitimate share of Mahanadi river in our state," Singh added. In his letter on July 4, Patnaik urged Prime Minister Modi to advice Chhattisgarh to stop unilateral construction of major structures across the river, which is 'lifeline of Odisha' as the life of the state's 65 percent population is dependent on it. Patnaik said from time immemorial the people of Odisha have an emotional, cultural and organic relationship with the holy river. Soon after Patnaik's letter was circulated by the Chief Minister's Office on July 6, the BJD said it would launch a State-wide agitation if the Centre did not intervene immediately. (ANI)
Government of Andhra Pradesh and entities in Malaysia were set to sign several MoUs in the ASEAN-India Business Council Leaders' Summit, organised by AIBC Secretariat at Menara Miti in Kuala Lumpur, begining from tomorrow. Sources here today said that the state Vision Management Unit of Planning Department and PEMANDU of PMO, Malaysia were coordinating the event as part of Sunrise Andhra Pradesh Vision 2029. The collaboration between partners will bring investments in Andhra Pradesh in a time bound manner in seven sectors like Renewal Energy, Biodiesel, Food and Beverage Industry, Retail, Water and Sewerage, Water Treatment Plan, Biotechnology and Vector control. The event would focus on four themes--- SMEs, Health Services, Logistics and e-commerce. AIBC is partnering with the Malaysian Ministry of International Trade & Industry (MITI) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) for the event with FICCI as the Indian partner. The Indian High Commission is supporting the event. The event is likely to see participation of around 500 business leaders from ASEAN and India. A Delegation of Andhra Pradesh, comprising K Atchannaidu Minister for Labour and Entrepreneurship, K Valaven, P.S, MA&UD Dept, and J Krishna Kishore, CEO, EDB would participate at the event.UNI DP CS 1945 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0275-846483.Xml
Asserting that snapping of Internet services in Jammu province has resulted in huge business losses, the Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI), Jammu today urged state Finance Minister Haseeb A Drabu to extend the date for filing of VAT returns and depositing of VAT tax at least by three months, in the wake of turmoil in valley. The members of trader organisation demanded extension in the date for filing of VAT returns and also extension in the date for depositing of VAT tax at least by three months as all the money has been blocked due to the prevailing situation in Kashmir Valley. ''It was also conveyed that in this situation, business houses in the state of J&K shall not be in a position either to file VAT returns or deposit VAT tax,'' observed the meeting, held to review the quantum of business losses so far, because of the turmoil in Kashmir Valley. The members also condemned the snapping of Internet services in Jammu province. Chamber President Rakesh Gupta urged the administration to immediately restore Internet services in Jammu province, which has resulted in huge business losses. "Moreover, the members observed that Jammu province was fully cooperating with the administration and the government and so far, is totally peaceful. "Hence, the Internet services should be restored without any further delay, otherwise the Chamber shall be forced to take appropriate action,'' resolved the members in the meeting.UNI VBH SDR RJ 1928 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-846653.Xml
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for the establishment of new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), an official statement said. The cost of the project for establishment of the new AIIMS in Gorakhpur shall be Rs 1011 crore. The above cost estimate does not include recurring costs (wages & salaries and operation & maintenance expenses). This recurring expenditure will be met by the respective new AIIMS from their annual budgets through Grant-in-Aid to them from Plan Budget Head of PMSSY of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The institution shall have a hospital with capacity of 750 beds, which will include Emergency/Trauma Beds, AYUSH Beds, Private Beds and ICU Speciality and Super Speciality beds, said a meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In addition, there will be an Administration Block, AYUSH Block, Auditorium, Night Shelter, Hostels and residential facilities. The establishment of new AIIMS will serve the dual purpose of providing super specialty health care to the population while creating a large pool of doctors and other health workers in this region that can be available for primary and secondary level institutions/facilities being created under National Health Mission (NHM). This institute will also conduct research on prevalent regional diseases and other health issues and provide for better control and cure of such diseases. The population of entire region of eastern UP, which comprises four Commissionerate of UP (Goarakhpur, Azamgarh, Basti and Devi Patan) comprising 14 districts of the state and also 5 districts of Western Bihar (West-Champaran, East-Champaran, Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj) will be benefited by this AIIMS will be benefitted by the establishment of new AIIMS. The setting up of AIIMS under PMSSY aims correcting the regional imbalances in availability of affordable/reliable tertiary level healthcare in the country in general, and to augment facilities for quality medical education in under-served or backward States, in particular. Under this scheme, AIIMS have been established in Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur, Rishikesh and Patna while work of AIIMS Rae Bareli is in progress. Also, three AIIMS in Nagpur (Maharashtra), Kalyani(West) and Mangalagiri in Guntur (AP) have been sanctioned in 2015.UNI AR CJ RJ 2048 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-846882.Xml
Mr Sankeeth, who was working with a private company in the US was stabbed to death by his room mate on July 18.

The Minister also expressed his deep condolences to the bereaved family members of Sankeerth.UNI VV CS 2000

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Recently, the government released results of medical examination conducted through EAMCET-2 and the process of counseling is on to fill up some 3000 seats at various colleges of Government and in the private sector.

But with allegations of paper leakage rising, students led by its organizations observed protest in front of the EAMCET convenor office this afternoon.

Taking a serious note of alleged irregularities and allegations of EAMCET-2 paper leakage, convener NV Raman Rao requested the DGP for enquiry over the leakage row. Of the 50,961 students appeared for the exam held for admission into MBBS and BDS course in Telangana state, 47,644 of them have qualified.UNI KNR CS 2012

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The BJP-led NDA government has refused to dilute the special reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, (BBAU) a Central varsity in Lucknow. Students from Other Backward Classes have also demanded implementation of 27 per cent for the OBC students in the University.The organisation, led by a lecturer of the University, have set up `Pichhda Varg Jan Kalyan Samiti and filed a writ petition in Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court. The samiti has also challenged 50 per cent reservation in admission for Dalits and tribals, offered by the Central varsity. The Samiti has moved Allahabad High Court to seek 27 per cent reservation for OBCs.Students from the schedule caste community have geared up to fight for protecting their interests. A dalit organisation `Aarakshan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti' has also come forward and offered financial assistance to the Dalit student's federation, an organisation of SC students in Ambedkar University.Shreyat Bouddh heading the students federation said here today that the OBCs students are being instigated by a lecturer of the university and the move is inspired by petty politics and to vitiate the academic atmosphere of the university. He said the BBAU was established in 1996 as an institution to promote education of the SCs and STs. The BBAU Act said the university would be free to decide its quota for Dalits and tribal's. He added that a parliamentary standing committee has also ruled that the BBAU's special quota for Dalits and tribals is justified. In its petition, the Pichhada Varg kalian Samiti has cited the OBC Reservation Act, which requires centrally funded higher education institutions to offer a 27 per cent reservation in admission for the OBC. The law, in force since 2008, exempts universities in the Northeast where the OBC population is small, minority institutions and certain other specialised institutions. Since BBAU is not on the exempted list, the Samiti is insisting that it implement the OBC quota. The university sources said the Union HRD ministry, which is a party to the case, is not ready to dilute the existing reservation for SCs and STs and the ministry is in constant touch with the university on this issue. Meanwhile, Avadesh Verma of the Aarakshan Bachao Samiti said they have extended the financial to the dalit student's federation as per the mission of Dr Ambedkar ``Pay back to society''. He said the Samiti has offered token help to the dalit student's federation and will extend all possible assistance to the students to fight their case in Allahabad high court. He said the Samiti has also appealed the BBAU administration for the effective perusal of the case in the High Court.UNI MB SDR RJ 2009 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-846638.Xml
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today accused the Opposition of vitiating the atmosphere in Gujarat over the incident of atrocity on Dalits in Una town of Gujarat, and asserted that the government lost no time in taking immediate action against the culprits. The party sought to defend itself after the morning's uproar in Parliament over the issue, fielding three Union Ministers- Thawar Chnad Gehlot, Arjun Meghwal, Krishna Raj and Spokesperson Dr Vijay Sonkar Shastri, to present its view. Mr Gehlot said he was inconstant touch with the Gujarat Government and he had been told that the police started action within two hours of the incident and had registered FIR under section 307, 323 of IPC and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He also said the CID probe led by a high-level officers had also been set up for inquiring into the incident and it will give its report within two months. Strict action against the culprits would be taken based on the findings of the report. So far 17 people had been arrested in the matter, and Chief Minister Anandiben had visited the place and met the victims who were being given all possible help. The Chief Minister had also ordered an inquiry into the related incident of suicide by five people. Instead of appreciating the action taken by the state Government, the Opposition was trying to politicise the whole issue. They exploited a Dalit-related incident before the Bihar elections, and now they were doing the same in the case of the Gujarat incident with an eye on the coming elections in UP. Attacking BSP Chief Mayawati, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress President Rahul Gandhi, Mr Gehlot said they did not stir up, when a Dalit woman was raped in Kerala and a Dalit police officer committed suicide in Karnataka, but they are now ready to go to Una in Gujarat.UNI NAZ PY RJ 1958 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0431-846648.Xml
The Union Cabinet was today apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and Tunisia on June 2, 2016 for strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital Economy, an official statement said.The MoU intends to foster active cooperation and exchange between private entities, Governments, institutions involved in enhancing capacity building and other public and private organisations of the two countries in the field of ICT and Digital Economy, said a Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. UNI AR RJ 2120 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-846910.Xml
Parliament witnessed stormy scenes today as Opposition parties attacked the government over the beating of four Dalit youth in Una, which witnessed widespread incidents of stone-pelting, arson and vandalism. Opposition parties raised the issued in both Houses of Parliament, while Dalit organisations called for protests in Gujarat. Saurashtra region, where Una is located, were rocked by protests for the past two days, after a video showing four Dalit youth being thrashed had gone viral.Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh told Lok Sabha that nine people have been arrested in this connection and four police personnel have been suspended. He also announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each for the youth who were thrashed and said the Centre would bear the medical expenses of those injured during the protests. Any atrocity against Dalit, irrespective of whether it is in a BJP-ruled state or in a state ruled by any other party, is unfortunate. Such incidents are a social evil that needs to be rooted out of our country, Mr Singh said.The four Dalit youth had been beaten over allegations that they had killed a cow and skinned it. However, the youth have claimed that the cow had died of natural causes.Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the incident, the Home Minisyter said.Congress chief Sonia Gandhi also condemned atrocities against Dalits and minorities, by a cow vigilante group. A statement issued by the Congress after their parliamentary party meeting today quoted Mrs Gandhi as saying that brutal atrocities against SC, ST and minorities are continuing with impunity. While Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi will visit Una tomorrow, Aam Aadmi Party president and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is scheduled to reach there the next day. UNI TEAM SHK 2137 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0430-846923.Xml
President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday received a report on 'State of Indian Universities in the Global Academic Rankings' from O.P. Jindal Global University and the Indian Centre for Academic Rankings and Excellence (ICARE) at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Speaking on the occasion, the President recalled that while assuming the Office of President of India four years back, he had described education as the alchemy that can bring India its next golden age in his acceptance speech. The President said in the last four years along with protecting, preserving and defending the Constitution, he has pursued improving the quality of higher education as a constant theme. As a former teacher, he was convinced that if India is to have a place on the high table of international community, it must achieve the highest possible position in the field of education. "The physical infrastructure for higher education in India has increased considerably. However, the importance given to research in our universities is still inadequate," he said. The President said many universities were earlier doing well but not enough data was being provided to ranking agencies. "This situation is now changing. Indian universities lag behind in exchange of faculty and students with foreign universities," he said. The President pointed out that he has taken with him delegations of Vice Chancellors on almost all State visits. The academic interaction these Vice Chancellors have had with their counterparts was the most productive part of his visits. The President concluded expressing happiness over the work being done to raise the standards of Indian universities. He said he was confident many Indian institutions and agencies engaged in scientific research and development will soon reach the top position in the world. He was looking forward to the day leaders of other countries watch with envy how India has reached the top in this regard. The highlights of the report include-Indian Institutions have performed exceedingly well amongst the top 350 Universities from across 17 countries in the QS University Rankings Asia 2016. India has five institutions in the top 50 and 9 in the top 100. For the first time in the history of these rankings, all top 10 institutions from India have displayed a positive growth. Nine of these institutions are led by the President as visitor with the tenth, the University of Calcutta being his Alma Mater. In the BRICS Rankings 2016, India continues to hold its position in the top 10 with IISC at Rank number six. India has eight institutions in the top 50 which is the same as Russia and one more than Brazil. From 31 institutions in the rankings last year, India today has 44 institutions in the top 250 of the QS BRICS Rankings 2016. The University of Delhi has taken a lead by rising from 46 last year to 41 this year. India is in the Top 10 Research Producing Nations Globally. In a decade and a half, India has produced over 1.4 million Research Papers attracting a massive 8.5 million Citations (7.4 citations per paper). During the same period, the Indian Scientific Community filed 4.6 Lakh Patent Applications. A total of 1,29,481 scientific papers were published by Indian authors in 2015. (ANI)
Senior leader of Samajwadi Party and Rajya Sabha member Amar Singh today alleged that despite BJP's coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir, the former has failed in dealing with situations in Kashmir.Mr Singh said that Kashmir Chief Minister Mahbooba Mufti has soft corner for Pakistan, so the situations in Kashmir are getting more and more awful. Pointing out at Kairana issue, Mr Singh said that BJP only spreads rumors. He said there was not any case of Hindu exodus in Kairana but BJP made it national issue. He said that SP is settling 100 Hindu families of Kashmir in UP with jobs to their families.Mr Singh claims that SP is going to form government in UP again with full majority. He said that no other party stands in front of SP, in the upcoming elections of UP.Mr Singh was here at Vindhyavasini temple to worship in the temple with Dimple Kapadia and Jaya Prada.UNI XC-JDM MB CJ RJ 2222 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-847010.Xml
At least seven people were killed and 22 others injured in three separate road accidents in districts of Patna, Purnea and Gaya today. While five people were killed in Patna district, two people lost their lives in Purnea district in road accidents. Police said here that three people were killed and as many injured when their auto rickshaw was hit by a speeding truck near Kolhachak village under Dhanarua police station area in the district today. The auto rickshaw was on way to Dhanarua from Masaurhi when the vehicle was hit by the truck killing its three occupants on the spot. Three other passengers who were injured in the accident had been admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital, police added. Bodies have been sent for the post mortem examination. In another road accident, driver and cleaner of two separate trucks were killed when a speeding truck ran over them on National Highway 31 under Bakhtiyarpur police station area in Patna district today. Police said here that the truck driver and the cleaner were checking tyres of their vehicles when the speeding truck ran over them. The truck driver managed to escape after the accident. Bodies have been sent for the post mortem examination. According to a report from Purnea, two businessmen were killed and four others seriously injured when their car overturned near Balu Chowk under Tagarwa police station area in the district today. Police said that the car driver lost control over his vehicle due to high speed, leading to the accident. The car was coming from Siligudi in West Bengal when the accident took place. The deceased were identified as Anand Aggarwal and Sheo Aggarwal. The injured had been admitted to Purnea Sadar Hospital. Bodies have been sent for the post mortem examination, police added. In another road accident, altogether 15 passengers were injured, seven of them critically when their bus turned turtle near Hichua village under Wazirganj police station area in Gaya district today. Police said here that the bus overturned and fell into a road side ditch when the driver lost control over his vehicle due to high speed, leaving 15 passengers injured. While seven critically injured passengers have been rushed to Magadh Medical College here for their proper treatment, eight other passengers are undergoing treatment at a local hospital. UNI DH RD CJ RJ RK2220 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-847012.Xml
To combat an Istanbul-like terrorist attack, security arrangements at all Indian airports have been beefed up. Special gadgets have been installed by security forces, adding to the existing ones, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir told the Rajya Sabha, in a written reply today. The security at Indian airports has been reviewed in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Nodal Ministry for civil aviation security. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has also issued an advisory last month to all the State Governments, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Airport Operators, Airline Operators to adopt enhanced security measures at all the airports.In addition to this, a Special Airport Security Committee (APSC) meeting was held at all airports under CISF security cover, which includes all departments related to airports like State Police, CISF, Airport Operator, Airline Operators, Customs, Immigration, Ground Handing Agencies and Concessionaires. All these stake holders were sensitised to be vigilant and beef up security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident, replied the Minister.Mr Hansraj said that in many of the airports in the country which were under CISF security cover, latest gadgets and security equipment, including Hydraulic Bollards, Liquid Explosive Detectors and many more have been installed, based on the need and threat perception, in respect of the airports.UNI XC RJ 2312 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0400-847035.Xml
Manhattan real estate mogul Donald Trump officially became the Republican Party's presidential nominee on Tuesday after a roll call vote overshadowed by dissent and apathy, media reports said. Trump sailed to the 1,237-delegate threshold, with his home state of New York putting him over the top, Politico reported. The results were declared on the second day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) here after Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., announced the 89 delegates that formally clinched the nomination. "It is my honour to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight with 89 delegates," Donald Jr. said, surrounded by three of Trump's other children -- Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany. "Congratulations Dad, we love you." Donald Trump himself tweeted that it was a "great honour" and vowed not to let the country down, Politico added. "Such a great honour to be the Republican Nominee for President of the US," he said. "I will work hard and never let you down." The business magnate's official nomination is a new apex in the political outsider's campaign to shake up Washington. His White House bid began last June with a widely panned, rambling speech in which he blasted Mexicans as "rapists" and pledged to build a wall on the southern border that Mexico will pay for, Politico noted. Donald Trump's campaign has seemingly endured strife almost daily since its inception. Republican leaders were slow to back his campaign and have continued to condemn his controversial rhetoric and actions. But his message has resonated with an overwhelming number of voters who have propelled him atop the Party. Indiana Governor Mike Pence was also formally nominated on Tuesday night as the Republican Party's choice for Vice President. Particularly outraged with the result was the Washington, D.C., delegation, which held its convention in March and attempted to award 10 votes to former hopefuls Marco Rubio and nine to John Kasich. But convention officials announced the rules merit Trump be award all 19 delegates from the nation's capital, NBC News reported. "This is an outrage, and this is a reason the Republican Party is turning off a lot of voters," a Kasich delegate from Washington D.C. told MSNBC. After Trump had clinched the nomination, the Alaskan delegation contested how its vote total was recorded. They originally requested 12 votes go to Ted Cruz, 11 to Trump and five to Rubio, but the RNC recorded all 28 votes to Trump. However, the appeal was unsuccessful because, RNC Chair Reince Priebus said, all the votes went to Trump because Rubio and Cruz suspended their campaigns. Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions put Trump's name up for the nomination shortly before 6 p.m. The nomination was seconded by New York Representative Chris Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse him, NBC News added. The former reality TV star was declared the "presumptive nominee" by RNC Chair Priebus on May 3 following his decisive victory in Indiana, which ultimately vanquished Cruz and Kasich from the primary and he entered the convention with 1,543 delegates. The official nomination followed a rocky first day start of the RNC, the biggest backlash being Donald Trump's wife Melania speech being compared to the one Michelle Obama gave during the 2008 Democratic Convention. Donald Trump is expected to formally accept the nomination during his prime-time speech on Thursday. --IANS ksk ( 568 Words) 2016-07-20-09:30:00 (IANS)
German Foreign Minster Frank-Walter Steinmeier today called for greater cooperation between police and intelligence agencies in Europe as well as sustained international efforts to fight Islamic State after recent extremist attacks."The attacks of the past have shown us there is no absolute security," Steinmeier told Reuters in a written interview. "Terror strikes randomly and can hit each of us individually.""The fact is we urgently need even closer cooperation between police and intelligence agencies in Europe, and better information sharing," he said. It was also critical to continue battling Islamic State and help improve the outlook for people in areas freed from the extremist group's influence.Steinmeier's comments came a day after a 17-year-old Afghan refugee injured five people in southern Germany before being shot dead by police, the latest in a string of attacks for which Islamic State has claimed responsibility.The German foreign minister said the only long-term way to combat extremism was to create conditions that allowed different religious and societal groups to live together peacefully, both in the West and in conflicted regions of the Middle East.Steinmeier, who heads to Washington today for meetings with other foreign and defence ministers to take stock of the fight against Islamic State, said the cooperation of Muslim communities was vital, citing their own interest in preventing young people from joining extremist groups.He said the Iraqi military, backed by a US-led coalition, was making gains week after week, including its recapture of Falluja, an Islamic State stronghold just west of Baghdad, last month, but it was critical that people in those areas could return to their cities and villages as quickly as possible.Germany, already providing more humanitarian and stabilization aid than any other country according to Steinmeier, would offer another 10 million euros to prepare deal with the immense challenges facing Iraq after its forces retake Mosul, he said.The Islamist militants have been broadly retreating since December, when the Iraqi army recaptured Ramadi, the largest city in the western region.But US and European officials say the military gains are not enough, and more must be done to support Iraq. Iraq is plagued by political infighting, corruption, and a growing fiscal crisis, as well as the Shi'ite Muslim-led government's efforts to reconcile with aggrieved minority Sunnis, who provide the bedrock of support for Islamic State."When the city of Mosul is freed from Islamic State, we will face enormous humanitarian, societal and political challenges, just as we saw when Falluja was liberated," Steinmeier told Reuters."We cannot lose the momentum of our efforts to stabilise Iraq now," he said, underscoring Germany's determination to dedicate more humanitarian funding to Iraq.He said Germany, one of the co-hosts of an Iraqi donor conference aimed at raising 2 billion dollars, would press hard to ensure sufficient funding to make the effort a full success.REUTERS DS0441 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0177-845325.Xml
Cambodia's military is investigating a suspected coup plot against Prime Minister Hun Sen, a defence ministry official said today, amid rising political tension in the Southeast Asian country.The army investigation centres on a man who announced plans to topple Hun Sen in Facebook and YouTube videos and called on others to join his cause, said Defence Ministry spokesman Chhum Sucheat."The authorities are investigating and looking for him," Chhum Sucheat told Reuters. He identified the man as Vichea Som but declined to give further details.News of the plot comes a day after a senior US official responsible for human rights urged Cambodia's political rivals to return to negotiations amid a "deteriorating situation".In the video, the man the ministry identified as Vichea Som is dressed in a business suit and tie with a camouflage background visible in the footage.He did not identify himself but accused Hun Sen's government and his ruling Cambodian People's Party of being behind big land grabs in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries. He also accused the government of high-profile killings and human rights abuses."In the near future, please all forces be ready against the dictatorial regime," the man said.He did not specifically call for a coup or threaten to organise a coup in the video clip.It was not clear where he was speaking from but he said he belonged to a "unit" based in southwestern Cambodia.The Facebook page bearing the name Vichea Som showed the same man. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook.Hun Sen has ruled with an iron fist for more than 30 years, defeating all challenges to his authority, but he faces a young electorate which appears increasingly hungry for change.In recent moths, tension has been rising between Hun Sen and an opposition hoping to challenge his grip in local elections next year and a general election in 2018.Several members of the opposition and activists have been jailed as part of what they say is a government crackdown to silence critics ahead of the elections.On July 10, Kem Ley, a prominent activist and frequent critic of Hun Sen, was murdered in the capital Phnom Penh.A suspect has been arrested and police said they believed Kem Ley was killed because of a debt. Activists believe his murder was political.The United States has called for a credible investigation. The European Union and United Nations have expressed concern about the political tension.REUTERS RSD VP1255 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-845637.Xml
A Czech court today sentenced US citizen Kevin Dahlgren to life in prison for the 2013 murder of a family of four relatives with whom he had been staying.The court convicted Dahlgren, 24, of stabbing to death the mother, father and two sons.Dahlgren had fled to the United States but was extradited back to the Czech Republic. REUTERS RSD VP1257 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-845655.Xml
Turkey's High Board of Education has banned all academics from travelling abroad until further notice, state-run broadcaster TRT reported today, after an abortive military coup prompted a wide-ranging purge of state institutions.The report, which provided no details about the ban, came a day after the board ordered the resignation of 1,577 deans at all universities across Turkey. In a separate move yesterday the education ministry also revoked the licences of 21,000 teachers working in private institutions.The government has accused a US-based Muslim cleric of masterminding the attempted coup, in which more than 230 people were killed. The cleric, Fethullah Gulen, denies the accusation. REUTERS RSD VN1329 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0435-845707.Xml
Thousands of people have fled conflict-hit South Sudan to Uganda following a recent clash between the rival armies in capital Juba, a media report said on Wednesday citing the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. At least 2,900 persons had crossed into the neighbouring Uganda since Friday in which more than 90 per cent were women and children, Xinhua news agency reported. "The number of people seeking shelter and safety in Uganda from South Sudan has risen significantly in the past few days and we believe the influx will keep growing in the days ahead as tensions remain high across the border," UNHCR said in a statement. As the restrictions have been eased and the 200 km Juba-Nimule road has been cleared of the checkpoints, more persons were expected to flee to the East African country. "As a result, more people are now coming by truck, and this explains the rising numbers of arrivals. Many are also bringing belongings," said UNHCR. The security situation remains volatile and fighting could return at any time while refugees talk of an increase in looting. Over 6,000 South Sudanese were staying in the Pagiarinya refugee settlement in Uganda. The recent evaluation reveals the settlement has capacity for another 6,500 persons, the UNHCR said. "An inter-agency site assessment mission, including officials from the Government of Uganda Office of the Prime Minister and UNHCR, are currently visiting sites to identify areas suitable for establishing new settlement areas," said a statement by the UNHCR. At least 300 persons were killed and over 10,000 fled their homes after a clash between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal Vice President Riek Machar in the capital. "The fresh displacement will put a further strain on UNHCR's resources for the South Sudan operation and our ability to provide timely and life-saving assistance, especially with access to Juba difficult," it said. On July 15, UNHCR presented a revised appeal for its South Sudanese refugee operations, seeking $701 million though the earlier appeal for $608 million was only 17 per cent funded. --IANS sm/ask/dg ( 354 Words) 2016-07-20-19:28:00 (IANS)
Representatives of the two parties are signing the MoU. [Photo by Liu Hongjie/chinadaily.com.cn]

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Kenya China Economic and Trade Association (KCETA) and British Chamber of Commerce Kenya(BCCK) was signed Tuesday afternoon in Nairobi, capital of Kenya.

It was signed by Zhang Haifeng, Chairman of KCETA, and Graham Shaw, Chairman of BCCK, and witnessed by Liu Xianfa, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya, and Nic Hailey, British High Commissioner to Kenya.

"The MoU will be a new start and set a good example for systematic tripartite cooperation, by providing a platform for the UK-China companies to explore and share trade and investment opportunities and expand areas of collaboration in Kenya," said Ambassador Liu at the signing ceremony.

He said the MoU provided a framework for cooperative relationship between companies of China and UK in Kenya and beyond, in many aspects, including information sharing, capacity building, project partnership, export promotion and enhancement of the friendship between the two countries.

"I hope that the two chambers could concentrate more strength from member companies by requesting them fulfill social responsibility, help local community, protect environment, and transfer technical skills so as to contribute more to the development of Kenya," Liu said.

In his speech, High Commissioner Nic Hailey said he had been constantly asked the questions: Are the UK and China competing in Kenya? And, are we trying to push China away or resist Chinese rising in Kenya?
Dutch, German and Canadian foreign ministers today expressed concern about the scale of the crackdown by Turkish authorities in the aftermath of the country's failed coup attempt and called on Turkey to respect the rule of law."We have serious concerns about the situation in Turkey," Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders told a news conference in Washington. "We want to send a strong signal on the need to ... respect the rule of law."German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said his government viewed with concern reports of thousands of people arrested in Turkey and some prevented from leaving the country."We are looking with concern at news ... that thousands of people have been dismissed and suspended, including soldiers and judges, and that university professors are now being prevented from leaving the country, and that broadcast stations are being closed, and having their licenses withdrawn," Steinmeier said."We understand, of course, that there must be a political and judicial processing of this attempted coup, but it must occur in accordance with criteria established by the rule of law," he said.The foreign ministers spoke at a news conference on the sidelines of an Iraq donor conference.European leaders have also been united in their rejection of any plans by Turkey to reinstate the death penalty in response to the coup attempt, saying that such a move would be a dealbreaker for Turkey's bid to join the European Union.US Secretary of State John Kerry was more cautious in his remarks, repeating that Washington supported the Turkish authorities' efforts to "put down" the coup and condemned any effort to overthrow a democratically-elected government.Asked whether the Turkish government's initial reaction to the coup was excessive, Kerry said: "There is no way for us to know because we don't know what the evidence is.""We are clear about our desire to see democracy sustained and flourish in Turkey," Kerry said, adding that at the same time the US wanted to ensure that the response to the coup fully respected democratic principles.Kerry said Turkey had submitted material to the US government on Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric whom Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accuses of orchestrating the coup and wants the US government to extradite.Gulen, a former ally-turned critic of Erdogan, has denied any role in the putsch and condemned it."They have apparently submitted something and we know that is on its way to us. I haven't seen it yet," Kerry said, referring to material Turkey submitted electronically to the United States government on Gulen.He said he had emphasized to Turkey that it should not submit allegations against Gulen and instead should provide evidence of his apparent involvement in the attempted coup."We need to have evidence with which we can make a judgment about," Kerry said.US officials have said that the State Department and Justice Department were currently reviewing whether the material sent by Turkey amounted to an official extradition request.Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion echoed concerns voiced by his Dutch and German counterparts, and said his country had also received requests from Turkey before and after the coup about supporters of Gulen."We have asked for evidence because otherwise the Canadian justice system cannot press an issue on the basis of allegations," Dion said. REUTERS DS0033 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0177-847092.Xml
BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- China's duty and quota requirements on the export of 11 raw materials conform to WTO rules, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said in a statement Tuesday.

The export controls on graphite, cobalt, copper, lead, chromium, magnesium, talcum, tantalum, tin, antimony and indium are imposed to protect resources and the environment, said the statement.

The European Union accused China of violating WTO rules and has launched a legal challenge.

The MOC said China will properly handle the case in accordance with WTO dispute settlement procedures.
Photo taken on July 2, 2016, shows a view of Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan. Gwadar Port is a warm-water, deep-sea port situated on the Arabian Sea in Balochistan province of Pakistan. China and Pakistan agreed to build China-Pakistan Economic Corridor(CPEC), a major and pilot project under the Belt and Road Initiative, to connect the Pakistani Gwadar port with Kashgar city in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

UNITED NATIONS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior UN official in charge of development policy analysis told Xinhua that China's Belt and Road Initiative is conducive to promoting the global efforts to carry out the 2030 Agenda, approved by world leaders in September last year to serve as the blueprint for the world development efforts for the next 15 years.

Hong Pingfan, director of the Development Policy and Analysis Division in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said in a recent interview with Xinhua that "the essential spirit of the Belt and Road Initiative is to promote win-win cooperation, common development and prosperity, peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness and mutual understanding and trust, and this is to a large extent in line with that of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development."

SHARED VISION AND PRINCIPLES

"While the Belt and Road Initiative and the 2030 Agenda are different in their nature and scope, they share in many respects a similar vision and some basic principles," he said.

The 2030 Agenda declares that the Agenda is guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, he noted, adding that meanwhile, as the Vision and Action on the Belt and Road Initiative states, the initiative is in conformity with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

"The 2030 Agenda resolves to create conditions for sustainable, inclusive and sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and decent work for all, taking into account different levels of national development and capacities," he said.

"The Belt and Road Initiative stressed the need to be harmonious and inclusive, advocating tolerance among civilizations, respects the paths and modes of development chosen by different countries," he said. "It supports dialogues among different civilizations on the principles of seeking common ground while shelving differences and drawing on each other's strengths, so that all countries can coexist in peace for common prosperity."

"The 2030 Agenda reaffirms that every state has, and shall freely exercise, full permanent sovereignty over all its wealth, natural resources and economic activity," he said. "It also reaffirms the commitment to international law and emphasizes that the Agenda is to be implemented in a manner that is consistent with the rights and obligations of states under international law."

"In comparison, the Belt and Road Initiative upholds the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence: mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual nonaggression, mutual noninterference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence," he said.

China launched in late 2013 the initiative of jointly building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, collectively known as the Belt and Road Initiative. The Belt and Road run through the continents of Asia, Europe and Africa, connecting the vibrant East Asia economic circle at one end and developed European economic circle at the other, and encompassing countries with huge potential for economic development.

Some 60 countries are along the Belt and Road, accounting for 60 percent of the world population, 30 percent of the world gross product, 40 percent of the world trade, and more than 50 percent of the population under the extreme poverty line.

The Belt and Road Initiative is set to promote win-win cooperation for shared development and prosperity, peace and friendship, through enhancing mutual understanding, trust, and exchanges. The initiative advocates peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and mutual benefit. It promotes cooperation in all fields, and works to build a community of shared interests, destiny and responsibility featuring mutual political trust, economic integration and cultural inclusiveness.

On the other hand, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was endorsed and launched at the UN Summit for Sustainable Development in 2015, has charted a sustainable development path for the world in the next 15 years.

The 2030 Agenda includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, which are integrated along the three dimensions of sustainable development, namely, economic, social and environmental. It is an unprecedentedly ambitious, universal, and overarching Agenda.

"At the core of the Agenda is the determination by all the member states to eradicate poverty and hunger in all their forms, which is within the reach of this generation for the first time in human history," Hong said.

Photo taken on July 2, 2016, shows view of the city near Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan. Gwadar Port is a warm-water, deep-sea port situated on the Arabian Sea in Balochistan province of Pakistan. China and Pakistan agreed to build China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major and pilot project under the Belt and Road Initiative, to connect the Pakistani Gwadar port with Kashgar city in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal)

PRIORITY AREAS

The 2030 Agenda has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with 169 targets, and also includes, as its integral part, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, he said.

In contrast, the Belt and Road Initiative has identified five priority areas -- policy coordination including building a multilevel intergovernmental macro policy exchange and communication mechanism, coordinating economic development strategies and policies, working out plans and measures for regional cooperation and providing joint policy support for the implementation of practical cooperation and large-scale projects, he said.

At the same time, the UN agenda and the Chinese initiative also share the similar vision in improving infrastructure, fight against poverty and prevention of diseases such as AIDS.

The other priorities of the Chinese initiative also include unimpeded trade, the financial integration and people-to-people bond, he said.

Unimpeded trade includes improving investment and trade facilitation, removing investment and trade barriers and ensuring the implementation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement; expanding mutual investment in such areas as agriculture, both conventional and renewable energy, information technology, biotechnology, new materials and other emerging industries, he said.

Financial integration includes building a currency stability system, investment and financing system and credit information system in Asia, he said.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and BRICS New Development Bank, which were under the Belt and Road Initiative, are already in operation, he said. "This priority area also includes strengthening financial regulation cooperation and coordination, improving mechanism of addressing cross-border risks and crisis, and encouraging commercial equity investment funds and private funds to participate in the construction of key projects under the Belt and Road Initiative."

People-to-people bond includes promoting cultural and academic exchanges, personnel exchanges, media cooperation, youth and women exchanges and volunteer services; expanding tourism; sharing epidemic information and exchanging of prevention and treatment technologies; increasing cooperation in science and technology by establishing joint labs, international technology transfer centers; and advancing cooperation on youth employment, entrepreneurship training, vocational skill development, social security management, public administration and management, he said.

"Each of the Belt and Road Initiative's five priority areas can find its direct or indirect link to the achievement of the 17 SDGs," he said.

"The scale and ambition of this Agenda requires a revitalized Global Partnership to ensure its implementation," he said. "This Partnership will work in a spirit of global solidarity."

"It will facilitate an intensive global engagement in support of implementation of all the Goals and targets, bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society, the United Nations system and other actors and mobilizing all available resources," he said.
by Osama Radi, Emad Drimly

GAZA/RAMALLAH, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians have launched preparations for holding first local elections in 11 years, unfolding internal and external challenges ahead of national elections, say observers.

The Palestinian government decided in June to hold the local elections on Oct. 8 to choose domestic governing bodies like municipalities and village councils.

The Islamic Hamas movement running the Gaza Strip since 2007 said last week it will take part in the elections, after having requested special conditions.

The movement said it "will work to facilitate the elections" as long as it is based on integrity, equal opportunity and its results are honored.

The last time Hamas participated in local elections in Gaza Strip and West Bank was in 2004 and 2005.

The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) held local elections in October, 2012, but Hamas did not participate in it, saying the internal division should be ended before holding elections.

Second deputy head of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Hassan Khreishah stressed the importance of holding the elections in both Gaza and the West Bank after over 10 years of waiting for this overdue process, especially in Gaza.

Khreishah told Xinhua that elections is a "constitutional obligation and a right for citizens in Gaza Strip and the West Bank and must be held periodically, especially that it is for local services bodies and not completely political."

He hoped that holding this election would contribute to resolving "the complex Palestinian internal crisis," as it is likely to pave the way towards working seriously to hold legislative and presidential elections, "away from slogans and futile internal meetings," he said.

While all relevant parties stress the importance of fulfilling this constitutional obligation, the local elections remain threatened by the external reaction to its results, particularly by Israel and the donor community.

Khreishah said that following the winning of Hamas movement in last elections in 2006, Palestinians faced challenges from international reactions, then "Palestinians went through a tough experience when a financial siege and political isolation were imposed after Hamas won the 2006 elections," he said.

However, Khreishah said he believes the international and regional circumstances are now "more mature in dealing with the outcomes of Palestinian democracy," stressing that it is important to hold on to whatever results are and not to fear the international reaction, because "the world will have to deal with the reality."

Khreishah said he does not expect that a specific party will make a sweeping victory. He said "it is very important to accept the voting results and to deal with the rotation of power on the basis of partnership."

Minister of Local Governance Hussein Al-Araj said the government promised to commit to whatever results the ballots will bring whether in Gaza or West Bank.

He said the government will continue to deal with the local councils under all circumstances.

Gaza-based political analyst Hani Habib said the holding of local elections in October is "a timely and constitutional obligation that falls under the Basic Laws, according to which, elections must be held every four years."

Habib said holding those elections is important to pump fresh blood into the local governing bodies and renew its legitimacy to fulfill the increasing obligations towards the society.

"The previous elections in 2012 did not witness youth participation who have not previously exercised the meaning or value of electoral obligation until now," said Habib.

Habib agrees that holding the local elections should represent an opportunity to help rebuild confidence between Hamas and Fatah, the dominant faction of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).

The last legislative elections were held in January 2006. Hamas movement won a great majority in the parliament.

The presidential elections were held a year before in which Fatah party's Mahmoud Abbas was elected as president.

Following the Hamas take-over of the Gaza Strip and the internal division, elections were constantly brought up in bilateral reconciliation talks between both parties, but without tangible results.

Political researcher Aqel Abu Qare' said that the coming elections would be considered as a kind of test for future national elections.

Abu Qare' told Xinhua that the elections would reflect the "Palestinian general approval of the current political trends and expectations in the future."

He said the importance of the local elections is that it resembles a minimized government, where the local governing bodies are expected to meet the services and basic needs of the population. Enditem
NAIROBI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- African trade ministers urged the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) on Tuesday to support governments' efforts to access funds for trade and the negotiations toward the creation of an African Continental Free Trade Agreement Area (CFTA).

South African Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said African countries needed the involvement of international financial organizations, notably the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and other regional banks, to invest in funding manufacturing ventures to enable Africa to produce more for export.

Insisting the engagement of African countries in the world trade depended mostly on the ability of the continent to trade in manufactured products, Davies called for steps to be taken to ensure that countries improve on their local produce, moving away from exporting raw materials alone.

"Which African country is the most integrated in the global economy? It is the country which sells value added products. We need to industrialize and diversify our economies," Davies told a ministerial debate on transforming economies for sustainable and inclusive growth in Nairobi Tuesday.

African Union (AU) Summit called for the creation of a CFTA by 2017 to enable African countries double their cross-border trade and investment as a first step toward enhancing regional integration.

The plan toward the creation of the CFTA was to unify all regional economic blocs and negotiate toward a continental trade body with 54 states and a Gross Domestic Product of 3.4 trillion U.S. dollars.

Davies said providing affordable sources of finance for manufacturing and other industrial undertakings were critical for the survival of African industries in a globalized trade environment.

"We need to create large continental markets to support industrial markets and support our own industrialization," Davies said, referring to the need for the creation of the CFTA.

The South African minister said the role of the development finance banks was important to the participation of the African countries in the global economy.

To support the plan, the South African minister called on countries to consider a new code of conduct for all the multinational firms operating in their countries.

The proposal includes the negotiation of a Multilateral Investment Agreement, which would include binding commitments by the multinational firms operating in Africa and other poor countries, to commit to a number of practices, including non-tax avoidance and provision of local support local farmers.

Nigerian Trade Minister Okechukwu Enelamah, said African countries required policies to engineer domestic economic growth, a key requirement for the growth and reduction of poverty locally.

"We must carry out structural reforms. Growth is engineered through programs. We need to move towards the implementation of these agreements," the Nigerian minister said, calling on the UNCTAD to support the implementation of deals agreed at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

African countries are more passionate about the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) agreed with the other members of the WTO during the last WTO ministerial conference in Nairobi. Enditem
Policemen escort Turkish military officers, who fled to Greece in a military helicopter on Saturday after the failed coup in Turkey, out of a court in Alexandroupolis, Greece, on July 18, 2016. The eight Turkish military officers who landed a Turkish military helicopter in Alexandroupolis in northern Greece on Saturday requested political asylum in Greece. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

ATHENS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A potential rejection of the extradition request of the eight Turkish military officers who landed in northern Greece last Saturday will not help bilateral ties, Turkish Ambassador to Greece Kerim Uras warned on Tuesday, according to Greek national broadcaster ERT.

The Turkish official made the statement a few hours after the eight officers who seek asylum in Greece appeared before the asylum agency to formally file their claim at the city of Alexandroupolis, where they landed in a Turkish military helicopter after the failed military coup in Turkey.

Uras said that Turkey has submitted a request for their extradition and has given Greek authorities all necessary evidence showing the officers' involvement in the coup attempt.

The ambassador added that the Greek authorities should not have allowed the landing, and reassured that they will face a fair trial in Turkey.

The Greek side has not verified yet whether a formal request has been made.

The eight men through their Greek lawyers insisted that they had no idea about the coup and fled to Greece fearing for their lives when their helicopter came under fire by Turkish police on Friday night and their families told them about the coup.

They landed in Greece after issuing a distress call and now face charges of illegal entry, while the helicopter was returned to Turkey.

Two of their lawyers have told Xinhua that the officers fear for their safety in Turkey.
JUBA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- As South Sudan searches for solution to its nascent fragile peace that suffered a setback in recent fighting in July, the underlying problems in the oil-rich impoverished country go beyond President Salva Kiir and his erstwhile rival first Vice President Riek Machar.

Analysts interviewed by Xinhua said the problems that threaten to make the country ungovernable emanates from as far as during its struggle for independence from Sudan, and the failure to undertake reforms in the aftermath of signing the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) in 2005.

This they say has given birth to militia groups, unconstitutionalism and impunity as the then guerrilla Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) disavowed dissent within its ranks, leading to splits that took on ethnic tendencies.

Ideological disagreements within the SPLM/A led to incidents like the 1991 Bor massacre, after Machar and Lam Akol now minister of agriculture in the transitional unity government broke away from the late John Garang and formed the SPLA/ Nasir.

Its failure to build consensus that is an eye opener into the inner workings of the political establishment and recent violence within the more than two years since independence in 2011 from Sudan.

One scholar that captured the underlying fault lines in South Sudan is Professor Mahmood Mamdani, who was part of the African Union five-member investigations panel led by former Nigerian leader Olusegun Obasanjo.

The panel investigated the causes of conflict and human rights violations in the aftermath of the fighting in 2013, between forces loyal to President Kiir and Machar.

Despite the two parties inking the now shaky August peace deal to end more than two years of civil conflict, fresh fighting in July has opened up the complexities pertaining the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD)-brokered peace agreement.

But the question is how can the war-torn country get back to order?

"South Sudan needs a second transition, instead of giving political power to those with the gun, this transition will seek to forge a political compact both at the level of society and that of the political class. It will seek to combine political justice with political reform," Mamdani wrote in an Opinion in the East African Weekly.

He added that the transition that was the CPA failed and that it fed the worst anti-reform tendencies in the SPLA and turned into a breeding ground for the violence that erupted in December 2013.

"The obvious dilemma with this agreement is that those likely to be tried are the same as those who hold power," he added.

Edmund Yakani, the director of Community Empowerment for Progress organization, a civil society organization, said the country's problems is divided into three layers that include leadership, structural and identity crisis.

"There is absence of proper governance will among the liberation leaders. So the nation of South Sudan is absent. The ruling party assumes that they liberated the people and the country, and it's only them to define what the state of this country looks like," Yakani said.

"Without strong institutional, legislative reforms, forget about South Sudan improving," he added.

Yakani also explained the need to build a strong army with national character that cuts across the more than 60 ethnic groups in the country.

Economist, Lual Deng of the Ebony Center for Strategic Studies, said the army is predominantly made up of the two largest ethnic groups of Dinka and Nuer which needs to change as requested in the peace agreement.

"South Sudan has more than 60 tribes and yet the army is dominated by Nuer and Dinka. If you want to reform the army and get it out of the ethnic and political maneuvering, co-opt other ethnic groups," Deng told Xinhua.

He said the signed peace agreement that must first be implemented calls for security, economic and political reforms.

"There is no peace agreement where trust and confidence building is undermined like the South Sudan peace agreement is suffering," Yakani said on the need to build trust between the two protagonists to the agreement.

Meanwhile, Augustino Ting Mayai of the Juba-based Sudd Institute told Xinhua, that the recent fighting proved IGAD and other peace monitors wrong because it's very difficult for two rival armies to co-exist within an already tense capital Juba.

"The previous conflict was generated by political disagreement within the party which was mismanaged. What about now having two belligerent armies within one city," Augustino wondered.

He called for the revisiting of some clauses of the agreement especially on the security sector.

Augustino related the sporadic fighting in Yei and Torit areas as reaction from the July 8 and 10 fighting between the Sudan People's Liberation Army-in opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan army (SPLA) which left about 300 people killed.

"There cases of violence taking place in Torit, Yei due to what happened in Juba. They are basically interlinked," he observed.

He disclosed that in case the two parties refused to adhere to the peace agreement, the government would be starved of badly needed finances from the international community.

The transitional unity government is faced with financial difficulty and it has not even elected its speaker and parliamentarians needed to undertake reforms enshrined in the peace agreement.

"Without streamlining the security sector due to its hugeness, we won't have a national army and there is need to strengthen accountability and justice sector," he noted. Enditem
LUSAKA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has signed five legal instruments with the African Union (AU) signifying the country's effectiveness in the organization, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.

The southern African nation signed the legal instruments on the sidelines on the AU Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Among the instruments signed include the Road Safety Charter and the Statute of the African Minerals Development.

Others are the Protocol on the African Charter on Human and People's Rights on the Rights of Older Persons, the Protocol on the Establishment of the African Monetary Fund and the African Union Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation under the Niamey Convention.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Kalaba, who signed on behalf of the country, said the signing of the instruments made Zambia work closely with other member states to ensure the signed instruments contributed to Africa's development, according to the statement.

Meanwhile, the Zambian government has hailed the introduction of the first-ever African e-Passport.

He said the introduction of the e-Passport would help liberate Africa from artificial boundaries, while promoting trade and free movement of Africans in their quest to raise income.

The launch of the e-Passport was announced by AU Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

The first group of beneficiaries of the e-Passport will include AU heads of State and Government, Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and permanent representatives of AU member states based at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Enditem
HARARE, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday trashed the leader of anti-government protests that rocked the country two weeks ago as people expressed dissatisfaction with deteriorating economic conditions and perceived corruption.

The 39-year-old pastor, Evan Mawarire, used social media to spread his message across the country and even beyond the borders under the banner of a loose movement called #ThisFlag to lead the biggest protests since 2005.

Zimbabweans in South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom also demonstrated at Zimbabwean missions in those countries.

Addressing mourners at the burial of former Secretary to the President and Cabinet Charles Utete at National Heroes Acre, Mugabe did not have kind words for Mawarire and warned the people against following "fake" men of the cloth who were bent on instigating violence.

Utete collapsed and died at home last Friday.

Mugabe alleged that Mawarire and his colleagues were being used by external forces.

"They are not part of us. They are not part of our thinking; they are not part of us as we try to live together. You can't urge people to adopt violence, violent demonstrations as a way of solving grievances, no. We will say no, forever no," he thundered.

He said he would have hoped that Mawarire would preach peace instead, and not involve people in violence.

"So beware these men of cloth, not all of them are preachers of the bible," he said.

However, despite the few incidents of violence that took place during the job action, Mawarire had called for the people to maintain peace during the demonstration, in fact urging them to stay at home.

He was arrested last Tuesday on charges of inciting violence and disturbing the peace, but the state later sought to alter the charges to subversion.

The court ruled, however, that the state could not lay the new charges in court as it was unconstitutional and ordered his release.

Mawarire is currently in South Africa and has promised to return soon, quelling rumours that he has fled the country. Enditem
LONDON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Researcher mobility between Britain and European Union (EU) member States is "key to our future excellence and should be reinforced" after the EU referendum, according to a joint statement released Tuesday by seven British academies.

The seven academies include: the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Irish Academy and the Learned Society of Wales. They represent the best researchers in their fields in Britain.

Currently 15 percent of all academic staff at British universities are from other EU countries, according to the statement.

"We believe it is vital that UK-based researchers and staff from other EU countries are given assurances that they and their dependents will be able to continue to live and work here. Similarly, opportunities need to be safeguarded for UK researchers to gain experience in other EU countries, " it says.

In a historic referendum last month, Britain voted to leave the EU by 52 percent to 48 percent. The outcome has been seen as a worrying sign by many in the academia.

EU research programs have been a significant and growing contributor to Britain's research. In Framework Program seven from 2007-13 Britain received 6.9 billion euros (7.60 billion U.S. dollars) and is a net beneficiary from EU research programs, according to the statement.

Urgent discussions are needed on how to address any funding gap in both the short and medium term, it says.

The statement also urges the British government to safeguard Britain's assets in research, scholarship and innovation by seeking the closest achievable association with the EU research programs; ensuring that talented researchers from other EU countries have certainty about the opportunities to work in Britain and likewise for British researchers to work in other EU countries; and providing funding that will continue to promote international collaboration. Enditem
JERUSALEM, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli authorities on Tuesday evening denied having knowledge of a 12-year-old Palestinian reported dead in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces north of Jerusalem.

The clashes broke out at the Palestinian village of A-Ram in northern Jerusalem on Tuesday evening, when Israeli security forces returned the body of a local resident who carried an attack against Israelis last week, police spokeswoman Luba Samri said in a statement.

Palestinian media reported that a 12-year-old Palestinian died in the clashes, after he suffered a rubber bullet hit to the chest, based on an announcement by a Ramallah hospital.

Samri said that border police guards dispersed the riot with tear gas and stun grenades "only", and there is no knowledge of the reported death.

Shai Hakimi, a spokesperson for the paramilitary border police, denied any knowledge of it in a conversation with Xinhua as well. A military source said the military will "look into" the report.

The incident is the latest in a wave of violence which started in last October and has claimed the lives of 34 Israelis and 218 Palestinians. Enditem
LAGOS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Nigerian Senate on Tuesday said it was optimistic that Nigeria would get out of the recession, which it was currently experiencing.

Deputy Senate Spokesperson, Ben Bruce, said this while briefing newsmen shortly after a two-hour close-door session between the senators and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Bruce said Emefiele's appearance was in line with Section 8 of CBN Act, 2007, which required that he should provide periodic updates to the National Assembly on activities of the bank and performance of the economy.

He said the apex bank governor presented a comprehensive account of the performance of the Nigerian economy in the last one year.

According to him, Emefiele's presentation began with current global economic conditions, which has been characterized by external shocks, including sharp decline in commodity prices among other things.

He said Emefiele disclosed that the current challenge in the country was due partly to over 70 percent decline in oil prices from about 116 U.S. dollars per barrel in June, 2014 to about 30 dollars per barrel earlier in 2016.

The CBN governor and finance minister were on May 25, asked to appear at the senate to brief it on the monetary and fiscal policies for salvaging the economy. Enditem
LUSAKA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Zambians marched along the streets of Lusaka, the country's capital, to denounce violence that has marred the run-up to next month's general elections and to promote peaceful campaigns.

The march, organized by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), an association of lawyers, saw people from different walks of life gather at the Peace Embassy, a burial place for the country's presidents and then march to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

The march, held under the theme "Peace and Unity in Diversity" was characterized by songs denouncing violence and promoting peace with the marchers clad in black and white, with black symbolizing people who have been victims of violence and white symbolizing peace.

Linda Kasonde, the association's president said the association was concerned over the continued use of the police as a tool of political oppression and stifling of divergent views.

She told the marchers that the country was experiencing levels of political intolerance and violence which threatens the existence of the country's record as a beacon of peace on the continent and in the world.

"Violence has no place in our society. The violence must end and it must end now," she said.

Eddie Mwitwa, the association's vice-president told Xinhua in an interview that the association decided to organize the march in order to send a strong message to political leaders to ensure that they uphold peace.

Violence has marred campaigns ahead of the August 11 polls. On July 9, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) imposed a 10-day suspension of campaigns in Lusaka and Namwala district south of the country due to violence. Enditem
TORONTO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Canada's main stock market in Toronto slipped slightly Tuesday as resources stocks pulled back with underlying commodity price uncertainty while the smaller technology sector made some gains.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index lost 7.79 point, or 0.05 percent, to close at 14,524.61 points. Five of the TSX index's eight main sub-sectors were lower.

Oil prices ended lower Tuesday as investors awaited the U.S. Energy Information Administration's inventory data scheduled for release Wednesday.

U.S. WTI light sweet crude for August delivery dropped 0.59 U.S. dollar to settle at 44.65 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for September delivery fell 0.30 dollar to close at 46.66 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

On TSX index, the most influential weights included Suncor Energy, which fell 1.08 percent to 35.80 Canadian dollars (27.48 U.S. dollars), and Brookfield Asset Management Inc., which declined 0.20 percent to 45.63 Canadian dollars.

First Quantum Minerals fell 4.13 percent to 9.98 Canadian dollars, and Teck Resources tumbled 6.02 percent to 17.47 Canadian dollars. Fertilizer company Agrium Inc. fell 1.99 percent to 122.50 Canadian dollars.

On the positive side, Open Text Corporation rose 3.19 percent to 80.19 Canadian dollars after two analysts raised their price targets for the software company.

BlackBerry Ltd. shed 0.34 percent to 8.68 Canadian dollars as the Canadian smartphone maker said Tuesday it had signed a five-year, multi-million-dollar deal to run emergency notifications for the U.S. Senate, among a handful of small deals the company unveiled as it shifts its focus to software from smartphones.

Barrick Gold Corp. added 0.43 percent to 28.09 Canadian dollars and TransCanada rose 0.33 percent to 60.58 Canadian dollars.

The International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecasts for the next two years on Tuesday, citing uncertainty over Britain's looming exit from the European Union.

The outlook for Canada's economy is little changed either this year or next, with a 0.1 percent downward revision this year and a 0.2 percent upward revision for 2017.

The Canadian dollar traded lower at 0.7676 U.S. dollar, compared with Monday's closing rate of 0.7730 U.S. dollar. Enditem
JERUSALEM, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Israel thwarted an attempt to smuggle weapons from Jordan into its turf on Tuesday, the Israeli army said.

"Earlier tonight, following intelligence and operational efforts, security forces thwarted a weapons smuggling attempt on the Israel-Jordan border," the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday night.

The spokesperson added the forces recovered five M-16 rifles and 20 handguns, and that two suspects were arrested in the affair. No further details were delivered on their identity or that of their dispatchers.

Israel signed a peace treaty with Jordan in 1994. The border between the countries is 309 kilometers long. Jordan shares a 71-km-long border with the West Bank territories.

The Ha'aretz daily reported last week that Israel is planning to build a separation fence along the northern part of its border with Jordan, near the Israeli-held Golan Heights, in order to prevent global jihadists from infiltrating its territory.

Last year, the Israeli government approved the construction of a separate barrier along the southern part of the border near southern Israel's Arava desert. Enditem
LISBON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Europe needs to beef up measures against terrorism, French President Francois Hollande warned here during an official visit to Lisbon on Tuesday.

"In the framework of this new impulse we intend to give to the European construction, the first priority is protection, defense and security of our borders," he said in a joint press conference with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa at the presidential palace in Belem.

Hollande said he intended to extend France's state of emergency to six months, as France beefs up its defense against terrorism amid widespread criticism regarding the Socialist Party's response to a string of deadly attacks. The emergency rule was imposed after the November 13 attacks in Paris which killed 130 people.

Hollande's visit came just several days after a man drove through a crowd of people celebrating France's National Day in Nice, killing 84 people.

While he cancelled trips to Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic as part of a European tour to discuss Brexit, Hollande did not withdraw his plan to visit Portugal and Ireland.

Hollande said on Tuesday both Portugal and France shared the same values of freedom and a similar vision of Europe.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa thanked Hollande for visiting Portugal after the tragic event that took place on July 14.

"I want to thank Holland for having come to Portugal, fulfilling a commitment during such a complex and difficult situation," he said.

Rebelo de Sousa added that Portugal shared France's pain following the "barbaric" attack.

Rebelo de Sousa also condemned Turkey's plans to reintroduce the death penalty following a failed military coup on July 15.

Hollande pointed out that the death penalty would be incompatible if Turkey wished to join the European Union in future. Enditem
WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Tuesday strongly condemned last week's coup attempt in Turkey to violently remove the civilian government.

Speaking by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Obama also expressed his support for Turkish democracy and lauded the Turkish people's resolve against the violent intervention and their commitment to democracy, the White House said in a statement.

More than 290 people, includes at least 190 civilians and 100 coup plotters, were killed in the coup attempt that swept Turkey on Friday night but was foiled by Saturday morning.

Obama urged that the investigations and prosecution of the coup's perpetrators be conducted in ways that "reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law."

According to news reports, the Turkish government has launched a widespread crackdown in the wake of the coup attempt, detaining more than 6,000 people and discharging almost 50,000 civil servants in a bid to strengthen control over all institutions.

In the telephone talk, Obama also made clear that the United States is "willing to provide appropriate assistance" to Turkish authorities investigating the attempted coup, the statement said.

The Turkish government claimed the failed coup was organized by followers of Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric and said an official request has been sent to the U.S. government for his extradition.

At Tuesday's regular press briefing, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that the status of Gulen was discussed on the call between Obama and Erdogan.

He said that the Turkish government has filed materials in electronic form about Gulen with the U.S. government, but the U.S. is still reviewing the materials to determine whether they qualify as a formal extradition request.

The spokesman added that the U.S. will review the materials consistent with the requirements of the extradition treaty between the two countries.

"There also is due process to which people who live in the United States are entitled to," Earnest said. "We will make sure that that due process is followed as well." Enditem
by Raimundo Urrechaga

HAVANA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- One year after re-establishing diplomatic relations, Cuba and the U.S. still face many challenges, especially as ongoing mistrust between both governments has led to limited results in the last 12 months.

Out in the streets of Havana, Cubans have remained very cautiously optimistic, after both nations formally reestablished diplomatic ties on July 20, 2015, after five decades of enmity.

The U.S. economic embargo on the island country remains in place and constitutes a major obstacle for the normalization of ties, something the majority of Cubans demand as a necessary step for normalized links with Washington.

"I think there should be a faster approach to discuss economic and financial restrictive policies that the U.S. has imposed against Cuba as well as other issues like the return of the Guantanamo Naval Base," Jesus Gancedo, a Cuban private worker, told Xinhua.

Although U.S. President Barack Obama has issued several executive measures loosening up parts of the blockade, many of them have not yet been adopted while Havana claims the blockade makes it impossible to normalize economic ties.

Despite these executive measures, Obama has failed to persuade U.S. Congress controlled by his Republican opponents to lift it.

"If these topics are not discussed in greater depth and responsibility, this rapprochement will not mean much for our country," added Gancedo, who runs a private cell phone repair shop in western Havana.

However, many Cubans still believe ties with the U.S. will bring economic benefits to the island, including much needed investment and tourism, albeit slowly.

In return, Havana is also demanding that emblematic goods such as rum, cigars, pharmaceutical and biotechnological products be allowed to enter the U.S. market.

"So far, everything is the same but I guess something will change. If both countries decided to normalize relations, something has to happen. After many years without links, something new must materialize between Cuba and the U.S.," Paloma Palmes, a 20 year-old college student, told Xinhua.

Over the last year, Washington has allowed certain companies to do business with the Cuban government in areas like tourism, agriculture and telecommunications. However the vast majority of them are still awaiting the end of the embargo to be totally lifted in order to engage deeper.

Carnival cruise ships now sail from Miami to Havana, travelers can stay at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Havana, and regular commercial flights between the two countries are due to begin in the fall.

"Relations are going slowly but we can see certain steps have been taken to establish a broader and productive relationship for both countries," Francisco Grass, a retired worker, told Xinhua.

"I think there has been progress between both nations. However, many laws and measures that dictate the actual relation must be suppressed or eliminated in order to have more communication and understanding," said Jose Cardenas, a Cuban state employee..

Young Cubans believe this new era with Washington could bring more development, particularly with greater Internet access which is limited throughout the island.

"We have been separated for a long time. But now, with this relationship we should be able to buy more goods and have greater Internet access, we cannot be isolated from the rest of the world," said Daniel Bermudez, a young Cuban worker. Enditem
DAMASCUS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged the United Nations (UN) to condemn French airstrikes, which targeted a town in northern Syria, killing 120 civilians, according to state news agency SANA.

The ministry said the French warplanes, part of the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition, struck the village of Tukhan al-Kubra in the northern countryside of the town of Manbej in Aleppo province on Tuesday morning, committing a "bloody massacre" against civilians there.

Entire families were wiped out as a result of the "intense" shelling by the French air forces, said the ministry in statements sent to the UN and affiliated organizations.

"The French aggression has killed 120 civilians, most of whom were kids, women and elderly people," said the statement, adding that the fate of tens of other civilians is still unknown.

Earlier on Tuesday, reports of airstrikes targeting Manbej were first released by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The watchdog group said the U.S.-led coalition struck Manbej, as part of ongoing military showdown there between the Islamic State (IS) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed Syrian rebel group, which unleashed an offensive under U.S. air cover last May for the control of the town.

The Syrian ministry said the U.S. warplanes carried out airstrikes against Manbej on Monday, killing 20 civilians.

Meanwhile, the ministry repeated its line that the U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria are "illegal."

It accused the coalition of pointing its weapons against the "innocent civilians and infrastructure, instead of pointing them to the terrorist groups."

"Syria stresses that whoever wants to battle the terrorists, must coordinate with the Syrian government," said the statement.

It said the Western claims of a moderate opposition in Syria has become "a shame and unacceptable."

"The United States, Qatar, France, Saudi Arabia and Britain continue supporting the terrorist groups in Syria, which is a clear sign of the involvement of these countries with the terrorist groups," said the ministry.

The ministry continued that such crimes will not dissuade the Syrian army from carrying out its duty in fighting the terror groups.

The U.S.-led anti-terror coalition has been backing the SDF to capture the town since last May, so far laying a siege on the IS fighters and some 100,000 civilians in the town.

Manbej has a strategic importance to the U.S.-backed rebels due to its location near Turkey. Capturing Manbej would deprive the IS from a key stronghold near Turkey. Enditem
WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Tuesday expanded its challenge at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to China's export restraints on key raw materials.

It requested consultation with China on the country's export duties on chromium, as well as China's export quotas on antimony, indium, magnesia, talc and tin, said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR).

USTR claimed that China's export restraints on these materials, including duties and quotas, provide an unfair competitive advantage to China at the expense of American workers and manufacturers.

On Tuesday, the European Union also launched a legal challenge at the WTO to China's duty and quota requirements on the export of 11 raw materials, including graphite, cobalt, copper, lead, chromium, magnesium, talcum, tantalum, tin, antimony and indium.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said in a statement Tuesday that the duty and quota requirements on the export of 11 raw materials conform to WTO rules,

The export controls on graphite, cobalt, copper, lead, chromium, magnesium, talcum, tantalum, tin, antimony and indium are imposed to protect the country's resources and the environment, said the statement.

The MOC said China will properly handle the case in accordance with WTO dispute settlement procedures.

The U.S. challenges over China's export restraints on raw materials came at a time of increasing anti-trade rhetoric in the current U.S. presidential campaign.

The Obama administration wants to demonstrate a tough stance on enforcing trade agreements, in a bid to draw lawmakers support to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, a top legislative priority for President Obama this year.

Last week, the United States also requested consultation with China at the WTO over its export duties on nine different raw materials including antimony, cobalt, copper, graphite, lead, magnesia, talc, tantalum and tin.

Consultations are the first step in the WTO dispute settlement process. If the United States and China are not able to reach a mutually agreed solution through consultations, the United States may request that the WTO establish a dispute settlement panel to examine the matter. Enditem
LIMA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Peru's president-elect, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, categorically denied on Tuesday that he was set to pardon former president Alberto Fujimori, who is currently carrying out a 25-year prison sentence for crimes against humanity.

Kuczynski's declaration came in response to a request by Julio Gago, a congressman with Popular Force, a party headed by Fujimori's daughter, Keiko. On Monday, Gago asked Kuczynski to pardon the former president at his investiture on July 28.

"There is no base to be saying this," said Kuczynski in a statement. The eventual pardon of Fujimori has been a controversial topic in Peru for years, where many still admire the former president. Kuczynski and other candidates have warned that Keiko Fujimori might forgive her father if she won the presidency.

On Monday, Gago said that Kuczynski's first official act should be to issue the pardon in order to show a desire to work with the majority Popular Force bloc in Congress, which represents 73 out of 130 legislators.

Fujimori was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2009 for the massacres of Barrios Altos (1991) and Cantuta (1992), where 25 people were killed by soldiers, at the orders of the former president. Enditem
JERUSALEM, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli parliament adopted on late Tuesday night a controversial law allowing lawmakers to suspend their colleagues with a special majority.

Lawmakers voted in favor of the contentious "suspension bill" with 62 parliament members voting for it, and 47 lawmakers against it.

The law proposal states that a majority of 90 Israeli parliament members (out of an overall 120) can suspend a fellow member for "inciting to racism" and "supporting an armed struggle against Israel."

Out of the 90 parliament members needed for the suspension, 10 must be from the opposition, the proposal states. It would come into effect in two weeks' time, to allow lawmakers and organizations to appeal the law to the Supreme Court.

The legislation was advanced by Nissan Slomiansky from the nationalistic Jewish Home party, and is thought to be aimed against Arab Israeli parliament members.

The bill was promoted following a visit paid by three Arab Israeli lawmakers to the families of Palestinian attackers from east Jerusalem, amid the families' attempt to retrieve the bodies of their sons, withheld at the time by the Israeli authorities.

Arab Israelis are Palestinians who stayed in Israel after the 1948 war and are citizens of the state. They constitute 20 percent of the population.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his support of the bill in recent months. On the other hand, President Reuven Rivlin slammed it in February, saying the proposal shows a "problematic understanding of parliamentary democracy."

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said in a statement on Tuesday that the bill "harms the very building blocks" of democracy, and mainly threatens Arab lawmakers, "whose actions and remarks do not favor with the political majority."

"This is one of the most serious legislative proposal in recent years, harming the right to freedom of expression, the right to vote and be elected and the right to representation," Attorney Debbie Gild-Hayo said in a statement by the ACRI.

This bill is the latest in a slew of measures promoted by the Israeli right-wing government in parliament deemed "anti-democratic" by critics from the Israeli left-wing and the international community.

Last week, for instance, the parliament authorized what came to be known as the "NGOs law." The law appears to target left-wing organizations, as it goes after groups that receive more than half of their funding from overseas governments or bodies, like the European Union.

It requires organizations to state they received foreign funding at their annual financial reports, all official publications, letters and communications with lawmakers and civil servants.

While the left-wing non-governmental organizations rely heavily on financial aid from foreign bodies, right-wing groups mostly rely on local donations.

These controversial bills are passed while Israel is becoming increasingly pressured by the international community to end its decades-long conflict with the Palestinians, following nine months of violence which claimed the lives of 34 Israelis and 218 Palestinians. Enditem
NEW DELHI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Two patrol boats belonging to Indian Navy Tuesday sank in sea waters after catching fire at naval dockyard in Mumbai city, official said.

No loss of life was reported in the incident.

The fire broke out early Tuesday in one of the security boats and spread to another boat adjacent to it.

"Soon after the fire, the duty staff took immediate steps to contain blaze and prevent it from spreading. However, during the firefighting operation, two boats suffered damage and submerged in shallow waters at the naval harbor."

According to officials, the boats were meant for patrolling in high sea.

India's state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) quoting Defense spokesman said efforts were in progress to salvage the boats.

Reports said it took several hours for firefighters to douse the flames. Naval authorities meanwhile have ordered an inquiry into the incident. Enditem
NICE, July 16, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Flags fly at half-mast near the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, July 16, 2016. The Islamic State (IS)-linked news agency Amaq claimed responsibility for the attack in Nice on Thursday that killed 84 people, reported French media. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

PARIS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Questions over the ruling Socialists' capacity to ensure public security in France have resurfaced after a 31-year-old man killed 84 people celebrating French national day in Nice.

Critics asked how it was possible for a truck at high speed to career 2 km through the crowd before being stopped by police units, when a package of reinforced security measures were in place to secure events during holidays and a high-level terror alert had already been issued.

Defending their records on foiling attacks, the ruling Socialists rejected accusations of security failure in Nice.

"Zero risk does not exist. To say otherwise is lying to the French people," Prime Minister Manuel Valls said.

"I've always said the truth regarding terrorism: there is an ongoing war, there will be more attacks. It's difficult to say this, but more lives will be lost," he told the weekly Le Journal de Dimanche.

In the wake of Nice attack, French President Francois Hollande announced that the state of emergency, which was expected to expire on July 26, would be extended by three months.

"Everything will be done to protect the French with the respect of law, the Republic's value and democracy," he pledged at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking after a security meeting on Monday, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve pledged to beef up security by sending another 3,000 police to patrol beaches and summer festival sites.

He also called on "all French patriots" to join the operational reserves to help weary police units and reinforce troops to better deal with terrorist operations.

"France had never before faced a terrorist threat of such a high level," he warned.

Being the main target of terrorist cells, Paris bolstered security after last year's attacks and deployed 10,000 gendarmes and police units to protect public places and sensitive sites.

However, what the government plans to do and has already done to ensure public security is unlikely to appease fears and calm public anger.

"I know there's no zero risk... But I want to say, because it's the truth, that everything that should have been done over the last 18 months ... wasn't done," former French president Nicolas Sarkozy told TF1 television.

To Alain Juppe, the former French prime minister, the ruling camp should "do more and do better" to ensure the country's security.

"Today, that's life or death. It calls for drastic measures," Juppe added, proposing to reinforce intelligence services to detect strange behavior and ensure better supervision in jails which he labelled as "a breeding ground for jihadists."

An ifop survey for Le Figaro newspaper on Monday showed confidence in the Socialist leader to win the battle against terrorism tumbled to 33 percent, down 19 percentage points from the figure reported after Paris attacks which happened in November last year.

Related:

French gov't seek to extend state of emergency after Nice attack

PARIS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The French government on Tuesday proposed to extend the period of the state of emergency by three months in the wake of Nice attack.

In a press release issued after a cabinet meeting, the government, dogged by rising critics over security failure, asked for an three-month extension of emergency rules "following Nice attack on July 14 and the extremely high level of terrorist threat in France." Full story

French forces launch more strikes on IS targets after Nice carnage: minister

PARIS, July 18 (Xinhua) -- French forces overnight destroyed several targets of the Islamic State (IS), also known as Daesh, a few days after a presumed follower of the terrorist cell killed at least 84 revellers celebrating Bastille Day in the southern city of Nice.

"We must continue to move forward in the relentless battle that we lead both outside and at home against Daesh. Our forces continue to strike and did so overnight and a day before," Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Monday after a security meeting in the wake of the Nice attack. Full story

Spotlight: France scrambles to boost security in wake of Nice attack

PARIS, July 17 (Xinhua) -- France has called on young people to join a reservist force in helping boost the country's security after the truck attack in Nice.
SEOUL, April 23, 2016 (Xinhua) -- People watch a screen displaying news of the test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), at a railway station in Seoul, capital of South Korea, on April 23, 2016. DPRK on Saturday test-fired a SLBM in eastern waters, ahead of its army founding day anniversary next week, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JSC) said. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

PYONGYANG, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un has guided a test firing of a ballistic rocket of the Hwasong artillery units of the strategic force of the military, the official news agency KCNA reported Wednesday.

The test-firing was conducted under simulated conditions of launching preemptive strikes at the ports and airfields in South Korea where the U.S. nuclear hardware is to be mobilized, the KCNA said.

The test also "examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area," it added.

Kim was satisfied with the test result and instructed to ensure the speed and security of the operation of nuclear attack system and develop diversified ballistic rockets.

The date and place of the test-firing was not given by the state media.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday that the DPRK fired off three ballistic missiles, which are believed to have been a Scud-C type, from the western region of Hwangju in North Hwanghae province between 5:45 a.m. and 6:05 a.m. Seoul time.

The missiles traveled about 500 to 600 km, making them able to hit the entire South Korean region, said the JCS.

The test-launch came six days after Seoul and Washington agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in Seongju county, some 250 km southeast of Seoul, by the end of next year.

The DPRK's military threatened to take "physical measures" against THAAD when the deployment site is determined in response to the THAAD deployment decision.

Meanwhile, Seoul's unification ministry said Monday that Pyongyang appeared to have been in a state of preparing another nuclear test given increased activity in its main Punggye-ri nuclear test site where the country carried out four underground nuclear tests since 2006.
WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Due to rising security concerns and costs, the Wright State University in Ohio on Tuesday quitted as the host of the first U.S. presidential debate, which will be hosted by the Hofstra University in New York instead.

"This is a very difficult decision," announced Wright State University President David Hopkins, citing the growing concern about the safety and security of the campus and local community as well as the daunting expense for hosting the Sept. 26 debate.

"The current national environment has made security even more critical," Hopkins said.

He was referring to the recent two police killing incidents in the U.S. states of Louisiana and Texas, in which two black gunmen killed a total of eight police officers and wounded a dozen others in the past two weeks.

The killings were preceded by two cases involving police killing of two black men in the states of Louisiana and Minnesota, which sparked angry black protests nationwide.

Unlike private universities, the Wright State University is a public university which cannot limit public access to the campus, which adds to worries about security.

At the same time, the costs of hosting the presidential debate is also rising due to the increased security needs.

The university originally expected to spend between 3 million and 5 million U.S. dollars to host the debate, but the cost of additional security could raise the total expenses to as much as 8 million dollars.

The Commission on Presidential Debates immediately announced Tuesday that the first presidential debate will be shifted to the Hofstra University in New York, the alternate site that has already hosted presidential debates in 2008 and 2012.

Another two presidential debates will be held respectively at the Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri on Oct. 9 and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas on Oct. 19.
CANBERRA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The production of magnesium - a key metal in the manufacture of lightweight and efficient motor vehicles - could be made using up to 80 percent less energy and up to 60 percent less carbon dioxide thanks to a "supersonic nozzle" developed by Australian scientists.

The supersonic nozzle, called MagSonic, was developed by researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), and Dr Mark Cooksey said on Wednesday the development could energize Australia's metal production industry, as the breakthrough would result in cleaner, faster and cheaper magnesium production.

According to Cooksey, MagSonic uses carbothermal reduction and a supersonic nozzle to efficiently produce high quality magnesium by heating the raw magnesia with carbon.

The products of the carbothermal reduction, the carbon monoxide and vapor, are then passed through the nozzle at more than four times the speed of sound to cool the gases in just milliseconds, condensing and solidifying the magnesium vapor to magnesium metal immediately.

"The growth of magnesium use has been limited because it's been too expensive and labor-intensive to produce the metal from ore using traditional processes," Cooksey said in a statement released on Wednesday.

"Our MagSonic technology offers an economically-viable solution to overcome these issues and make clean magnesium more available and affordable to manufacturers."

The CSIRO will work closely with Australian company Enirgi Group to further develop the technology, which could revolutionize magnesium production not only in Australia, but across the world.

"We're delighted to be working with Enirgi Group as our technology and commercial partners, with their experience in developing new processes to disrupt and change industry dynamics."
MELBOURNE, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The wealth gap in Australia between young and old is gradually widening, as household ownership rates in the country continue to plummet, a new Melbourne-based survey has revealed.

In the "Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia" (HILDA) report released on Wednesday, findings revealed that fewer than half of all Australians could be homeowners by 2017, as the divide between high and low income earners continues to grow.

HILDA author and University of Melbourne Professor Roger Wilkins, said older generations had benefited from large increases in house value, while the high cost of real estate was putting pressure on the younger generations.

"Between 2001 and 2014, owner occupied houses have declined by 3.5 percentage points. That translates to 700,000 Australian homes," Wilkins said in a University of Melbourne media release on Wednesday.

"It is likely that in the next few years less than half of Australia's adults will be home-owners."

The findings revealed that elderly couples over 65 comprise the wealthiest households in Australia, having experienced a real increase in median net wealth of almost 70 per cent since 2002.

Australia's longest-running household survey, which is based at the University of Melbourne, interviews approximately 17,000 Australians each year, as it aims to form a national report on topics including household finances, employment, family life and health.

"The HILDA Survey helps to paint a picture of contemporary Australia. It's a crucial tool for policy making and to understand the social and economic direction of the nation," Wilkins said on Wednesday.

"The data exposes some painful realities in many of the nation's households. We're seeing high poverty rates for single parent families. Almost 20 percent of single parent families are lacking basic essentials.

"Nearly 70 percent of all Australians households have received some form of welfare benefits between 2001 and 2014."

The report also provided data on Australia's small businesses, and their tendency to employ fewer people.

Small businesses are more likely to employ men, older people and trade workers, while these jobs tend to be lower wage, part time or casual.
HAVANA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior Vietnamese defense official on Tuesday visited a Cuban military academy and other military facilities,the Prensa Latina news agency reported.

In a speech on Monday, Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh stressed the traditional friendship between his country and Cuba while recalling a 1973 trip to Vietnam by former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.

The two countries have been close political allies since the 1960s.Vietnam is currently Cuba's second-largest trading partner in Asia. Bilateral cooperation covers rice and coffee production, oil refinery, telecommunications and tourism.
BRUSSELS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini on Tuesday called on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to comply with its international obligations and show restraint in its actions.

Mogherini made the remarks in a statement when commenting on reports saying that the DPRK launched three ballistic missiles Tuesday morning, following the launch of two last month.

"This latest act by the DPRK will heighten tensions on the Korean Peninsula and undermine the peace and security of the wider region," Mogherini said.

"The only road to peace and stability in the region is through the DPRK abandoning its ballistic missile, nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner," said the EU official.

"We call once more on the DPRK to refrain from any further actions that increase regional tensions and to engage in a credible and meaningful dialogue with the international community, in particular in the framework of the six-party talks," she said.

The statement said that the EU side was in close contact with all partners and would work with them to address this latest action.

The launch came six days after Seoul and Washington agreed to deploy a THAAD battery in Seongju county, some 250 km southeast of Seoul, by the end of next year.

The DPRK military has threatened to take "physical measures" once the deployment site is determined.

THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is an advanced U.S. missile defense system designed to shoot down missiles at a relatively high altitude of 40-150 km using a hit-to-kill technology. The DPRK's short-range missiles are known to fly at a lower altitude of about 20 km incapable of being intercepted by THAAD missiles.

Meanwhile, the South Korean Unification Ministry said Monday that Pyongyang appeared to have been in a state of preparing another nuclear test given increased activity in its main Punggye-ri nuclear test site where the country has carried out four underground nuclear tests since 2006.
LIMA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The violence European countries suffer is a monster created by their own political errors made in the Middle East, well-known Colombian writer Piedad Bonnett has said at the Lima International Book Fair.

Thursday's terrorist attack in Nice, France, which killed more than 80 people, portrays this monster that haunts the 21st century, Bonnett told Xinhua.

"I believe each age has its monsters and this monster is terrible and difficult to fight," said Bonnett.

"It is making all suffer greatly, not only the victims, as we all see the horror of innocents dying."

The Colombian poet, playwright and novelist called on all societies to fight violence while criticizing European countries for having spoken "a language of hatred."

"Europe should find a language that allows for reconciliation, as violence cannot be fought with violence."

Europe has long been regarded as an example of peace by Latin American countries, but this perception has faded in recent years, she noted.

In her opinion, wrongdoings of Western countries worsened at the start of the 21st century with their outcomes being felt in a "devastating" manner.

The political and social ways of life in Europe have led to this crisis seemingly knowing no end, she said.

"There is too much laziness. We have lost the concept of solidarity. A discriminatory world is now taking its revenge," she warned.

"History may be showing us that the paths chosen by Western civilization are not the right ones. These must be rethought to find what wrong decisions could have caused such violence," said Bonnett.

Bonnett, who has written works such as Of Circle and Ash (1989) and It Was Always Winter (2007), is leading a delegation of 30 Colombian writers to the 21st Lima International Book Fair, which opened here on July 15 and runs through July 31.
WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik has promised that his country remains "a determined and committed partner" of the United States in the fight against terrorism, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

Isik made the gesture in a telephone conversation with U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter, according to the Pentagon.

Carter reiterated U.S. support for Turkey's democratically elected civilian government and the rule of law, Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement.

Isik appreciated Carter's phone call and assured the United States that Turkey remains "a determined and committed partner and ally" in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) and terrorism of all kinds, Cook said.

Specifically, the two defense chiefs discussed the importance of the operations at Incirlik air base for the counter-IS campaign, he added, without giving further details.

The phone conversation was held after a failed military coup attempt in Turkey last week that left more than 290 people dead and 1,440 others injured.

Turkey and the United States are both members of NATO. Recent signs have indicated that the coup attempt has strained Ankara's ties with Washington, as Turkish leaders blamed U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen for plotting the coup and demanded his extradition.

At Tuesday's press briefing, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that the status of Gulen had been discussed over a phone call between U.S. President Barack Obama and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Earnest said Washington is reviewing the materials sent by Turkey to determine whether they qualify as a formal extradition request or if they meet requirements of the extradition treaty between the two countries.

After the coup attempt, Turkey temporarily closed the airspace of the Incirlik air base, which the United States has used to launch airstrikes against IS targets. Though the airspace over the base was re-opened for air operations on Sunday, commercial power supply has yet to be resumed.

In the phone conversation with Carter, Isik also expressed regret over his inability to attend the counter-IS defense ministerial meeting that Carter is to host in Washington on Wednesday.

Isik assured Carter that the Turkish ambassador to the United States will attend the meeting and will be fully empowered to speak for the Turkish government.
by Xinhua writer Hu Tao

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Global logistics companies are battling in China's skies, alongside the booming air express industries.

And as the demand for speedier delivery grows, it is driving development across China to its smaller and more far-flung towns and cities.

READY TO TAKE OFF

China's civil aviation authority has approved the plans of an industry leader to build an airport in Ezhou city, central China' s Hubei province.

S. F. Express, established 23 years ago by Shun Feng Airlines, is planning the airport as the world' s fourth international air logistics hub and the first in Asia.

The firm, which had set up a strong air cargo transport network by 2009, has 30 aircraft, including China's first wide-body Boeing 767 imported last year.

And it has set to expand its fleet as it aims to become a global logistics enterprise.

Both S.F. Express and Yuan Tong, the second Chinese private express firm to acquire an aircraft fleet are also facing competition from global giants such as the U.S.-based FedEx.

According to the China Express Association, business volume last year hit 20.6 billion deliveries and total revenue was 276 billion yuan - year-on-year growth of 48 percent and 35 percent respectively.

Air freight has increased rapidly and now accounts for more than half the total volume - and sometimes up to 70 percent of the total.

"The pursuit of speed is the mission of the express industry. So its development is tied to the development of air transport," says Zhang Yuzhou, director of industry development at the association.

GEARING UP FOR CHINESE MARKET

International giants, domestic enterprises, e-businesses, aviation companies and investors are targeting the China logistics market.

Since 2011, the express sector has grown at an average annual rate of more than 50 percent.

But China' s vast territory requires the industry to build air transport infrastructure to serve the more remote areas of the market.

The government has issued the guidelines on promoting the development of general aviation, which aim to enable the market to guide development.

The guidelines outline how China will build more than 500 airports by 2020 to ensure that all major and prefecture-level cities have general purpose air transport.

"China's central and western regions and considerable second and third-tier cities are a rising market for short and medium-distance air express," says Bill Schultz, senior vice president, business development China, for New York-listed aircraft maker Textron Aviation.

"Small and medium-sized general aircraft, especially multipurpose aircraft, are better for transporting cargo to these cities."

SUCCESSFUL PATH OF INT'L EXPRESS GIANT

The development of FedEx in the United States is often cited as an example for China, as both countries have vast territories.

Zhong Guoyi, vice-president of international express of FedEx China agrees, saying the logistics giant has a 24-hour North American air transport network with a well-serviced fleet of major aircraft and small and medium-sized cargo planes.

"We have fleets of aircraft and cooperate with independent operators to service different markets," says Zhong.

FedEx has shown that success in logistics depends on an airport network among different regions, including different-sized airports for general aviation, says Professor Jeffery Towson, of the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University.

"The one who builds networks of airports and various aircraft matching runways will take the initiative," says Towson.

"As a result, express will drive economic development with the improvement of air transport." (Xinhua intern Jin Yuanjia contributed to the story)
ZHENGZHOU, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The bodies buried at Yinxu, or the Ruins of Yin, one of China's oldest archaeological sites, were captives from ethnic minority groups, rather than slaves, said an archaeologist in central China's Henan province.

The finding may help change the notion that the Shang Dynasty (16-11 cent. BC), China's first recorded dynasty, was a slave society, according to Tang Jigen, head of the Anyang research branch of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Named after the last capital of Shang, which was in Anyang, Henan, the Ruins of Yin were famous for the discovery of oracle bones and script.

Characters on the oracle bones stated that more than 10,000 people were killed and buried with the dead aristocrats as sacrificial offerings. Tang had always wondered about the identities of those people.

"In the burial pits we found the number of skeletons in each one numbered 10, 30 and 50," he said. This reminded him of records on the oracle bones.

"In the records of emperors' ancestor worship we always see expressions like '10 Qiang people,' '30 Qiang people' and '50 Qiang people,'"he said. The Qiang were an ancient ethnic minority group in western China.

A bold idea came to Tang: could those buried as sacrificial offerings be from ethnic minority groups?

Through strontium isotope analysis, they found that the newly excavated bones in the Ruins of Yin and those from Qiang settlements were quite similar.

They also unearthed 22 skulls from the tomb passage where the world's heaviest ancient bronze item, the Houmuwu ding, was discovered, and they found that they belonged to the Qiang people as well.

"In ancient times, the Qiang population was large, and they were neighbors of the Shang empire," Tang said. When the Shang grew stronger, it drove the Qiang people further to the northwest.

The Qiang people herded sheep for a living. Tang now thinks that when the Shang people caught sheep, they captured the Qiang herdsmen as well. The sheep were eaten, and the herdsmen were buried as sacrificial offerings, according to Tang.

"The number of the strontium isotope varies from one place to another," he said. "So from it we can see that the captives were killed immediately. Otherwise, if they had worked as slaves for a few years before being killed, the number would have been different."

Among the 55 ethnic minorities in China today, there is also one called the Qiang in the western part of the country. They have a population of about 300,000, and more than 10,000 people from the group were killed in the 2008 earthquake that jolted China's Sichuan province.

"We need further study to know whether those buried in the Ruins of Yin were ancestors of the Qiang people today," Tang said.

He noted that the findings help people understand more about the Shang Dynasty, which some people believe was a slave society.

"In slave societies, slaves were killed and buried as sacrificial offerings," he said. "But those in the Ruins of Yin were not slaves, but captives."

The Ruins of Yin, where excavation officially started in 1928, were the site of the discovery of the earliest Chinese characters written on bone and tortoise shell.

July marks the 10th anniversary since the Yin Ruins were added to the World Heritage List in 2006 by the United Nations Environmental, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), when new findings were announced, including the discovery of the remains of a complete canal system.
LONDON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government's two recent statements and a white paper regarding the South China Sea provide "authoritative, comprehensive and clear-cut elaborations on China's position," Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in London, Liu said the Chinese government immediately reaffirmed its solemn position that China does not accept nor recognize the award, after the so-called tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines announced its award last week.

"To further elaborate on China's position, the Chinese government issued two statements and a white paper, and interpretations of these documents by senior officials have also been released," he told journalists.

After the tribunal released its so-called award, the Chinese government issued the Statement on China's Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the award.

China's State Council Information Office published a white paper entitled "China Adheres to the Position of Settling Through Negotiation the Relevant Disputes Between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea".

"The statements and the white paper provide authoritative, comprehensive and clear-cut elaborations on China's position," Liu said.

"In-depth readings of these documents have been provided by State Councilor Yang Jiechi in an interview, by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his remarks and by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin in a press briefing on the white paper," he noted.

The statement by the Chinese government, the ambassador said, reaffirms China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

"The Statement underscores the facts that China is the first to have discovered, named, and explored and exploited Nanhai Zhudao, or South China Sea islands, and relevant waters. China is the first to have exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively," he explained.

"The Statement explicitly points out that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea include its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao," he stressed.

He noted that China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned.

"China is ready to work with them to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and to ensure the safety of and the unimpeded access to the international shipping lanes in the South China Sea," said the diplomat.

The Statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry points out that the subject-matter raised by the Philippines for arbitration is beyond the jurisdiction of UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), Liu said.

"The arbitration infringes on China's right as a UNCLOS state party, namely the right to choose the procedures and means for dispute settlement on its own will," he further argued.

"The tribunal has in essence expanded its power, exceeded its authority and abused arbitration proceedings. Its ruling is therefore null and void and has no binding force," he added.

According to Liu, the white paper by the State Council Information Office "offers an overall elaboration on how China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao was established in the course of history, and what China has been doing to uphold its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

"The white paper sheds light on the origin and development of the disputes between China and the Philippines. It aims to get to the root of the issue and set the record straight," the ambassador continued.

At the same time, Liu noted, the white paper reiterates China's "unchanged commitment to negotiation and consultation as the right way to settle disputes."

"China believes only a negotiated result can gain understanding and support from people of countries concerned," he concluded, adding, "only a negotiated result can be effectively implemented and only a negotiated result can be enduring."

Related:

Spotlight: South China Sea arbitration decided by biased arbitrators

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The arbitration over the South China Sea dispute unilaterally initiated by the former Philippine government is in fact a celebration among rogue arbitrators, who have hidden their selfish motives under the guise of the rule of law.

In 2013, the Aquino III administration brought an arbitration case over its South China Sea dispute with China, prompting a five-member ad hoc arbitral tribunal. Full story

Commentary: China not alone in South China Sea issue

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- As the Chinese government and people's stance on the South China Sea issue wins increasing support worldwide despite the so-called arbitration initiated by the Philippines, the expectation of isolating China has proved unrealistic.

Domestically, China's legislature, non-government organizations, citizens and media outlets have overwhelmingly backed the government's rejection of the arbitration award and call for negotiation and consultation between the states directly concerned to resolve disputes. Full story

Chinese vice president appreciates Laos' support on South China Sea

BEIJING, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao on Tuesday met with Lao Defense Minister Chansamone Chanyalath, expressing China's appreciation for Laos' support on the South China Sea issue.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (2nd R) and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (2nd L) attend the signing ceremony in Putrajaya, Malaysia, July 19, 2016. (Xinhua Photo by Zhang Wenzong)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) Tuesday on the long-anticipated high-speed rail linking the two countries.

The signing was witnessed by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong, a significant milestone since the project was first announced in 2013.

"The signing of MoU signifies Malaysia and Singapore's firmest commitment to this iconic project," said Najib during a joint press conference with Lee.

The MoU captures key points of agreement between the two countries on the project such as the details on technical parameter, commercial model as well as custom, immigration, quarantine (CIQ) clearance, safety and security matters, regulatory framework and project management, he said.

The two governments are committed to sign a bilateral agreement that will contain details relating to the project by the end of this year, targeting the commencement of operations by 2026, he added.

For his part, Lee said one or two issues and some details still need to be worked out, "but the main picture is there."

He urged the two countries to work closely together on the many joint decisions and many difficult implementation issues that may arise.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (R) shakes hands with Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during the signing ceremony in Putrajaya, Malaysia, July 19, 2016. (Xinhua Photo by Zhang Wenzong)

A joint project team would be set up by Malaysia's high-speed rail corporation and Land Transport Authority of Singapore to jointly implement and address integration project, among others. Following the signing of bilateral agreement, it will work on the preparation of a tender for the project, which is expected to be issued next year.

The high-speed rail is expected to enhance people-to-people ties and improve business linkages between the two countries, and both prime ministers said it would change the lifestyles of the people of the two countries.

The proposed high-speed rail is expected to cut the traveling time between the Malaysian capital and the city state to 90 minutes.

Railway companies from China, Japan and Europe have long expressed interests in this project. Singaporean and Malaysian transport authorities said the joint project team will call an international tender in August to appoint a joint development partner to provide technical support.
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A state-owned high-speed rail operator between Beijing and Shanghai reported net profits of 6.58 billion yuan (982 million U.S. dollars) for 2015, a shareholder document showed.

Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway Co. has never disclosed its earnings before. Its 2015 figures were made public after a shareholder released a document on Monday, revealing the firm's profit data.

A bond prospectus released by Tianjin Railway Construction Co., a shareholder of Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Railway Co., showed that the total assets of the company amounted 181.54 billion yuan at the end of last year, with the total liabilities standing at 50.37 billion yuan.

In 2015, the gross revenue of the company was 23.42 billion yuan, and its total operating costs hit 16.74 billion yuan.

Known as the "the world's most profitable high-speed rail," the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway covers more than 1,300 km within five hours.

It transported 130 million passengers in 2015, with the profit per customer coming to around 50 yuan.

Although the railway authority has said that the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway was the only profitable high-speed rail in China in the past five years, some believe that other lines in densely-populated and developed regions will likely become profitable soon.

High-speed train services are popular in China thanks to convenience and punctuality. More lines are being constructed as the government tries to bolster the economy with infrastructure investment and make travel more convenient.
by May Oo/Feng Yingqiu

YANGON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar government leaders and high ranking officials were commemorating fallen national independence heroes including General Aung San and eight others who were assassinated in 1947 during their struggle to regain the country's independence from the British colonial rule on Tuesday, a sunny morning.

In Nay Pyi Taw, President U Htin Kyaw and the country's First Lady Daw Su Su Lwin present offertories to Senior Monks at a donation ceremony in memory of the martyr leaders.

In the former capital of Yangon, it was a state ceremony annually held at the Martyrs' Mausoleum and this year's event marked the 69th.

With Myanmar's national flag flown at half-mast across the country, people from different walks of life crowded at the Mausoleum to pay their tributes for the country's nine heroes who sacrificed their lives for the country's independence.

The previous Prime Ministers' Office (then called Secretariat) in downtown Yangon, where General Aung San and eight others were assassinated, was also open on the day to the public for memorial visit for the first time in over two decades.

A siren was sounded by Myanmar Radio and Television at 10:37 a.m.local time to observe the time of assassination of the martyred leaders although such memorial activities were absent in the past over two decades.

In spite of being held every year, Tuesday's Martyrs' Day ceremony was marked as historically significant this year for it took place after Aung San Suu Kyi-led National League for Democracy (NLD) government took office.

General Aung San, who is father of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, was also founder of Myanmar's armed forces.

The state-sponsored Martyrs' Day ceremony was featured by the attendance of such high-profile figures as State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi laying wreathes at the martyrs' tombs as also status of the bereaved family members of the martyrs, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing paying tribute to the martyrs.

Such tribute-paying to the country's fallen martyrs by a military leader was never seen before during the previous military government and the first civilian government after 2011.

Other participants include Speaker of the Parliament and House of Nationalities U Mann Win Khaing Than, Speaker of the House of Representatives U Win Myint and Attorney General U Tun Tun Oo.

Min Aung Hlaing's appearance as a military leader was also highlighted by his presence at the Waso (seasonal month) robe offering ceremony on the day to Buddhist monks held at State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's home.

Min Aung Hlaing has been defense chief since the previous U Thein Sein's government took office in 2011 and later promoted to the rank of senior general in March 2013.

He is expected to bridge better relations between the civilian government and the military.

People wondered and welcomed the appearance of civil-military gathering through the state function.

Shwe Yamin U, who is a final year university student, said that as a citizen of Myanmar, she does not know what change will continue to take place but she is sure to welcome all transformation which lead to a better future of the country and the people.
HAVANA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Cuba and South Africa on Tuesday held a business forum aimed at boosting economic relations.

The forum in Havana brought together representatives from 10 major South African companies from various sectors and their local counterparts.

Celia Labora Rodriguez, director of international relations of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, stressed the need to strengthen bilateral economic collaboration between the two nations.

She noted that economic collaboration will be bolstered by the economic changes in her country and the new investment law that seeks to attract foreign capital.

Paul Pieterse, deputy director of the South African Chamber of Commerce, said the forum represented an ideal platform to identify new business opportunities to increase South Africa-Cuba cooperation.

Cuba and South Africa established formal relations in 1994 after the fall of the apartheid regime in the African country.

In 2008, Pretoria wrote off 117 million U.S. dollars of Cuban debt.

The two countries have cooperation in mining, tourism, construction and manufacturing, with a trade flow of 8.6 million dollars in 2014, Cuban official figures show.
WELLINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The honesty of government is a bigger impact on tourist numbers in New Zealand than natural disasters or economic crises, according to a study out Wednesday.

And New Zealand's fall in an international corruption index could put the country's status as a tourism destination at risk, according to the New Zealand and Omani researchers.

The study looked at data outside the usual standard determinants, such as per capita incomes, relative prices, exchange rates and transport costs, from New Zealand's 24 main visitor origin countries.

While events such as the Global Financial Crisis or the Christchurch earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 were statistically insignificant on visitor numbers, good governance had a positive effect, Lincoln University marketing researcher Michael Clemes said in a statement.

Governance was the capacity of a government to effectively formulate and implement sound policies as well as the respect of citizens and the state for the institutions that governed economic and social interactions, such as law and order, and property rights.

It also covered how they achieve it whether it was with low corruption and cronyism, and civic responsibility.

The findings suggested the New Zealand government should continuously support its institutions involved in upholding the rule of law, law enforcement, suppressing corruption and continuously improving governance.

New Zealand fell from second to fourth place out of 168 nations and territories in the 2015 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), the second consecutive drop in a survey it had previously topped seven times.

"This deterioration in one of the core dimensions that contributes to good governance may send the wrong signals to international visitors and may deter their visits," said Clemes.

Tourism overtook the dairy sector as New Zealand's biggest export earner last year.




HUANGMEI, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Repair of a dike breach on the Kaotian River is completed in Huangmei County, central China's Hubei Province, July 20, 2016. The 81-meter-wide breach has been filled up on July 20 morning since it occurred on July 17. The subsequent flooding destroyed 15,000 mu (1,000 hectares) of crops and fish ponds, causing direct economic losses of about 100 million yuan (about 15 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Fan Zengquan)

WUHAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Repairs were completed Wednesday morning on a dike, three days after it breached in central China's Hubei Province.

The 80-meter long breach occurred in Kaotian River in Huangmei County on Sunday morning, forcing 15,836 residents to be evacuated. The river water inundated seven villages, 1,000 hectares of farmland, and two fishery ponds, while threatening the safe passage across several highways and railways.

The police's hydropower engineering troop dispatched 678 soldiers and 210 sets of equipment, which worked round-the-clock to close the breach.

The troop and the county government sent workers to five quarries and three stone material transfer stations to distribute and allocate 50,000 cubic meters of stone to fill the breach.

Further work will be done to consolidate the dike and prevent infiltration, according to the troop.
HANOI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Two million Vietnamese, including 1 million women and 520,000 children, are experiencing insecure access to water, said the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) on Wednesday.

According to a press release by UN Women Vietnam, as a result of El Nino, Vietnam's central, Central Highlands and Mekong Delta provinces have been undergoing severe drought since the beginning of 2016.

Due to the drought and saltwater intrusion, women spend an additional two to three hours collecting water for their families than normal. Lack of access to clean water and sanitation has increased health risks, particularly to women, said the press release.

In response to the situation, the UN Women has received 400,000 U.S. dollars from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund and 300,000 U.S. dollars from South Korea to improve the hygiene and sanitation conditions of women and girls in Vietnam's drought-affected provinces.

In March 2016, Vietnamese government called for assistance as 18 out of its 63 provinces suffered from the most severe drought in the past few decades. The Mekong Delta, South Central and Central Highland regions are the most affected by salt intrusion and water scarcity.
WELLINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government on Wednesday announced a major initiative to attract world-leading "entrepreneurial researchers" to strengthen the country's universities and broaden its innovation environment.

The government would invest 35 million NZ dollars (24.7 million U.S. dollars) over four years to entice researchers and their labs to base themselves in New Zealand, Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Minister Steven Joyce said in a statement.

"We are especially wanting to recruit people with an established record in innovation and entrepreneurship in the top 'maker' disciplines, to help grow the pipeline of excellent innovative start-up companies in New Zealand, and train the next generation of scientific entrepreneurs," said Joyce.

The Entrepreneurial Universities program will see the government entering into a 50-50 partnership with individual universities to attract and support named researchers and their teams to work in the university for an initial period of three to five years.

"We will invite all the universities to bid for the opportunity, and expect up to 15 to 20 world-leading researchers and their teams to be brought to New Zealand over a three-year period."

The program would be modelled on other similar programs around the world including those in the United States and the United Kingdom.

New Zealand's universities already had a very good reputation for excellence with all eight universities ranked in the top 3 percent in the world, he said.

"However, it's a very competitive world out there. We need to keep challenging ourselves and keep adding to our high-tech sector," said Joyce.

Experts and scientists welcomed the move, saying it would bring valuable intellectual property and research capacity.

"I think there are particular opportunities across health and medical technologies, 'big data' technologies and analytics, in areas core to the New Zealand economy such as agritech, wine and the wider horticulture domain, and tourism," Professor John Raine, pro vice chancellor research and innovation at Auckland's AUT University, said in a statement.
CANBERRA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's bid to become secretary-general of the United Nations (UN) has been boosted after former senior Australian diplomat Richard Woolcott threw support behind his countryman.

On Wednesday, Woolcott urged government to formally nominate Rudd for the position, following Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's confirmation the former Labor PM had approached the government for endorsement.

Woolcott told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the government should support an Australian endeavor, regardless of which side of politics he sat.

"If an Australian decides to stand I think the Australian government should support that Australian," Woolcott said on Wednesday.

The former ambassador to the UN said Rudd has a strong relationship with China, while he would also fare well when dealing with other, Western nations.

However Rudd's Labor background, whereas Abbott is a Liberal MP, would work in his favor with Russia, Woolcott said.

Thirteen candidates have been formally endorsed thus far, including former New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark, whom many government MPs would prefer to see as UN secretary general in place of Rudd.

Senior political commentators, too, have criticized Rudd's nomination, with former New South Wales Premier and writer Kristina Keneally describing Rudd as a "psychopathic narcissist".

"I can think of 12 Australians off the top of my head who would be a better secretary-general and one of them is my Labrador so let's be blunt here, she has a lot more empathy than Kevin Rudd," Keneally said earlier this week.

The government is yet to decide if Rudd will be nominated but a decision is expected either this or next week.

Incumbent UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon will step down from the position on Dec. 31.
COLOMBO, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU) have had talks on the progress with regards to moves to repeal anti-terror laws, Sri Lanka's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

The Foreign Ministry said that Sri Lanka and the EU discussed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the release or prosecution of detainees held under the PTA, and the establishment of the transitional mechanisms for truth, reconciliation, justice and reparations were also discussed. Sri Lanka provided updates on the process of drawing up the new Constitution.

The Foreign Ministry said that the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the state of implementation of a UN Human Rights Council resolution last year, which was co-sponsored by a number of UN Member States and Sri Lanka. The parties noted the progress made and indicated that further measures would be pursued and progress would continue for the implementation of the resolution.

The matters were discussed at the 20th meeting of the EU - Sri Lanka Joint Commission which took place in Brussels, the Foreign Ministry said.

"The parties welcomed the recent lifting of the EU ban on export of fish from Sri Lanka. This was achieved due to the extensive improvements made by the government of Sri Lanka in fisheries management and control, consistent with its international obligations. It was agreed that the close relationship established on fisheries between the two parties will continue," the Foreign Ministry added.

The Joint Commission also welcomed Sri Lanka's application for access to the trade concessions under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) as a sign of Sri Lanka's renewed commitment to meeting its wider international obligations.
KABUL, July 20 (Xinhua) -- One militant was killed and 12 others detained during a special operation in Afghanistan's eastern province of Parwan overnight, the Afghan Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"The personnel of Afghan army's 201 Selaab Corps conducted a night operation in Qalacha locality of Parwan province last night. As a result one armed militant was killed and 12 others detained," the ministry said in a statement.

The security force also seized weapons and ammunition after the raid, the statement said, adding that no member of the security force or civilian was hurt during the operation.

The Taliban-led attacks and violence has declined over the recent weeks as Afghan security forces have beefed up security operations and NATO-led forces increased drone strikes against militants across the country. Enditem
WASHINGTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. police officer was fatally shot Tuesday in the Kansas City while responding to a drive-by shooting, local media reported.

Police Captain Robert David Melton, 46, was hit multiple times in his patrol car by a suspect who jumped out of a car and opened fire at the officer, the report said.

The shooting took place while Melton, who later died in a local hospital, was pulling up to a man matching the description of the suspect in a previous drive-by shooting.

The suspect's identity and motive remained unknown despite investigation at a nearby police custody.

This is the third shooting incident in the United States within the past two weeks that has involved killing of police officers and fueled racial tensions between blacks and police.

A black gunman ambushed and killed five police officers and wounded nine others on July 7, in Dallas, Texas.

Another black gunman on Sunday killed three police officers while wounding three others in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The police killings had been preceded by two widely reported fatal shootings of black men by police officers, on July 5 and July 6 in Baton Rouge, and St. Paul, Minnesota, respectively.

The incidents have sparked angry protests by African Americans across the nation against police brutality and racial discrimination against blacks in the country.
Screen capture of the Daily Mail's website. (Xinhua)

LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry bumped his head on the door of the official residence of new Prime Minister Theresa May at the start of his visit on Tuesday, giving tabloid newspapers opportunities for sensationalism.

Daily Mail says "Bumpy start to U.S. visit as John Kerry bangs head on door of Number 10." Kerry, visiting the new prime minister in Downing Street, posed for a photo op before turning to enter the famous black door -- unaware that it had been partially shut behind him, the article explained.

Screen capture of the Mirror's website. (Xinhua)

The Mirror carried the news with the title "John Kerry performs epic faceplant on 10 Downing Street front door on visit to Theresa May."

"Barack Obama's international spokesman is in the country to meet with the Prime Minister and foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. But those expecting the bumbling blonde Brexit backer to be the source of slapstick hilarity today got it wrong," the Mirror quipped.

Screen capture of the Sun's website. (Xinhua)

The Sun also used the word "bumpy" in its report.

Screen capture of the Guardian's Twitter account. (Xinhua)

Mainstream British media could not resist the comic news, either. The Guardian posted a video of the scene on its official website and its social media account.

Screen capture of the Guardian's website. (Xinhua)

Screen capture of BBC's website. (Xinhua)

The BBC was subtler on the issue. Though it also published a video, it merely headlined "John Kerry walks into door at No. 10 Downing Street."

Screen capture of the Telegraph's website. (Xinhua)

The Telegraph gave more details of the incident.

"Arriving at Downing Street for his bilateral meeting with new Prime Minister Theresa May, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry took a bit of a knock. After waving at photographers in front of No. 10, Mr. Kerry turned and walked straight into the door, knocking his head," it said.

"The door had been opened for the U.S. Secretary of State as he had approached, but Mr. Kerry failed to realize that it had been closed again for his impromptu photo call," it added.

Screen capture of Barry Mullen's Twitter account. (Xinhua)

However, some social media fans were not happy with the distraction.

Twitter account Interimspace asked The Guardian: "Did our poodle press grill Kerry about the deeply discredited TTIP (the Transatlantic trade and investment partnership)?"

Barry Mullen said: "I assume our journalists will give Kerry a hard time about gun control, indiscriminate shootings and fair treatment for blacks."
MANILA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will meet in Malacanang, the presidential palace, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who is set to visit the country next week, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the PCO said the meeting of Duterte and Kerry would be "in a bid to strengthen ties" between the two countries.

Kerry will be in Manila on July 26 and 27.

He is also set to meet with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) lawmakers should grant China market economy status (MES) as the excuses put forward to choose otherwise are untenable.

The European Commission is set to debate its stance on China's market economy status on Wednesday, the latest move after a non-binding vote in May rejected the loosening of trade defenses.

The EU Parliament said in a resolution in May that China's excess production capacity and cheap exports are hurting EU employment, urging that China not be granted MES.

Facts speak louder than words, however, and, taking the much debated steel industry as an example, China's steel exports to the EU are small compared with other countries and its low value-added steel products are complementary to the EU's steel market portfolio.

Trade with China is by no means a zero-sum game. Without exports from China, the EU would still have to import similar products from other countries. That will not stem job losses in the EU.

Instead, China created 12,000 local jobs in Europe in 2014 as its investment projects in the region rose 40 percent year on year to 210 in total, according to a survey made by Ernst & Young in 2015, noting that it did not include mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in its survey.

Trade with China is key to helping the embattled EU recover from the financial crisis and a debt crisis, especially as the EU has problems enough of its own making. Excessive regulation has stifled any enthusiasm for European innovation and investment.

China is the EU's second-largest trading partner, with daily bilateral trade exceeding 1 billion euros (1.13 billion U.S. dollars).

Cooperation benefits both sides, while contradiction hurts. Clearly, MES for China would help the EU attract investment and find new business as China's industrial landscape transforms.

Besides, according to the international rule, the protocols for China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 dictate that China will automatically switch over to market economy status when the Surrogate Country approach expires on Dec. 11, 2016. By then, the legal foundation for treating China as a non-market economy is gone.

When the Surrogate Country approach is in effect, a third country or region's prices can be used to assess if a certain country is exporting below market value or dumping.

Failing to grant China the MES may facilitate the EU to arbitrarily impose anti-dumping measures, given the bloc already has a track record of turning to protectionist measures against Chinese products. Among 73 anti-dumping measures that the EU is currently employing, 56 apply to imports from China.

But EU policy makers should understand that China neither caused nor can solve the problem of declining EU competitiveness. European lawmakers' bias is nothing more than the heavy hand of trade protectionism squeezing the world economy.

China's exports to the European Union dropped 4.4 percent year on year in the first six months, Vice Commerce Minister Gao Yan said at a news conference on Tuesday.

China advocates free, fair and open trade and has done a lot to free up the market at home. The rise of the world's second-largest economy benefits from its support for fair competition and reduction of administrative barriers.

A case in point is that the Chinese government has decided to further ease investment rules in four free trade zones, temporarily allowing foreign investors to found wholly-owned enterprises in a number of fields,including iron and steel production and gas station operations, a central government statement said on Tuesday.

Either by law or by facts, it should not be difficult for EU policymakers to make the right decision -- to grant China the MES.
ANKARA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkish F-16 war jets struck the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets in northern Iraq on Tuesday, the Turkish Armed Forces said Wednesday.

Some 20 PKK militants were killed in the operation that targeted PKK positions in Hakurk region in northern Iraq, the written statement said.

The move was the first military operation after the July 15 coup attempt, which elements of Turkish Air Forces played a major role with F-16 jets bombing state institutions in capital Ankara including the parliament.
Photo taken on April 5, 2016 shows the lighthouse on Zhubi Reef of Nansha Islands in the South China Sea, south China. (Xinhua file photo)

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Coastal countries bordering the South China Sea have long established rules and principles regarding how to manage their disputes, which should not be overturned by outsiders with private interests and hegemonic pursuits.

Throughout history, the South China Sea, described as "the Asian Mediterranean" by a French expert on China, Francois Gipouloux, has been a central point of trade between Europe and Asia.

According to Gipouloux, before Western colonialism began its domination over Southeast Asia, three features were present in the South China Sea. First, regional trade was carried out by Chinese ocean-going ships. Second, all officials and crew members aboard these ships were Chinese people. Third, China guided the order of trade.

Though freedom of navigation and safety were jeopardized under Western intervention in the 1600s, Chinese merchant ships regularly sailed to countries in the region to carry out trade. Chinese traders were described by their counterparts as just, fair and civilized.

Navigational rules in the South China Sea were formed long ago. It was the Chinese who taught their neighbors how to build and steer ships, leading to an increase in ship-going activity in the South China Sea.

It was the rules of equality and sharing and setting up a joint defence against looting and plundering written by Chinese traders that helped maintain long-term peace and prosperity in the South China Sea, which remains to this day.

Furthermore, the rules governing the South China Sea are open to change. China and the countries of the region continue to alter rules and regulations in the Sea in accordance with the changing times.

In 2002, China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which is a modern example of how China and Southeast Asia have come together to establish the region's rules of order.

In a word, there's no need for countries outside the region to forcibly dictate how affairs should be managed in the South China Sea. That should be left to the countries of East and Southeast Asia.

Western countries have a long history of failing to establish orderly rule over parts of the world. The Middle East is a classic example. Their intervention has led to chaos in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

The Asia-Pacific has become a rising global economic power because of decades of regional peace and stability. Should Western countries intervene in the South China Sea and its surroundings, that stability would quickly come to an end. The Asia-Pacific would likely become another Middle East.
CHANGCHUN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The political and legal affairs body of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said a thorough review of past erroneous judgments would help improve China's legal system.

During a meeting on legal system reform from Monday to Tuesday, which was attended by legal representatives from all over the country, the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs (CPLA) of the CPC Central Committee said more can be done to avoid wrongful convictions.

During the meeting the CPLA said the current legal accountability system was undergoing major changes, which would improve the quality of judgments and raise the credibility of the country's judicial organs.

Judicial staff involved in convictions involving confessions gained by torture or found to have bent the law for personal gain will be punished, it was agreed.

China said the people must feel equity and justice in every case.

The move follows a number of high-profile wrongful convictions.

One of such cases, in 1996 in Inner Mongolia, involved a teenager named Huugjilt, who was executed for the rape and murder of a woman the same year.

However, a serial rapist and killer later admitted to the crime while in police custody in 2005.

In December 2014, Huugjilt's conviction was officially quashed by Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Higher People's Court.

In June this year, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) said it will rehear a two-decades-old rape and murder case, in which a man was found guilty and executed, over concerns that the evidence presented was insufficient.

Nie Shubin, from Hebei Province, was convicted and executed in 1995 for the rape and murder of a woman. In 2005, another man confessed to the crime.
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Zhong Jianhua, the Chinese government's Special Representative on African Affairs, will visit Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya from Wednesday to discuss the situation in South Sudan, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Zhong will meet with "relevant parties" and discuss how to continue to support the mediation efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an eight-nation East African bloc, and urge the conflicting parties in South Sudan to implement the peace agreement, Lu Kang said.

Recently, China and other mediators have been in close contact to explore ways for the conflicting parties in South Sudan to end the fighting and restart dialogue, according to Lu.

"China has always been an active participant and staunch promoter of the peace process in South Sudan," Lu said.

He said the situation in South Sudan is complicated, calling for the international community to focus on it and help put a stop to the violence there.
Photo taken on April 5, 2016 shows the lighthouse on Zhubi Reef of Nansha Islands in the South China Sea, south China. (Xinhua file photo)

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- For more than a decade, China and ASEAN have endeavored to address issues concerning the South China Sea through their own mechanisms, and progress has been made.

Thus, the recent tribunal "award" should not -- and will not -- stand in the way of continued achievements.

In 2002, China and ASEAN member states signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), which serves as the common basis for relevant parties to explore the peaceful resolution of disputes.

For years, China and members of ASEAN have maintained close and effective communication and reached many consensuses. They are pushing forward consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) under the framework of the DOC.

This suggests that China and ASEAN are more than capable of handling their differences in a mature manner, with the support of necessary channels and mechanisms.

On the day the award was announced, members of ASEAN including Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia issued statements stressing the full and effective implementation of the DOC, early conclusion of the COC, respect for international law, and healthy dialogues, negotiations and consultation.

Cambodia, on the same day, reiterated its position of not supporting the arbitration award.

Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said days later that Laos supports China's stance over the South China Sea issue, and stands ready to work with China to maintain peace and stability in the region.

It is the shared aspiration of China and ASEAN to make the South China Sea a region of peace, stability and development, and they have the ability and means to achieve this goal.

The commitment of China and ASEAN to the DOC and to resolving disputes through friendly consultations and negotiations by countries directly concerned should be respected. There is absolutely no need for any third party to intervene.

In 1991, China and ASEAN established dialogue relations. Fast forward 25 years, and the two have fostered a most robust and vibrant relationship, with across-the-board cooperation -- bringing practical benefits to a combined population of around 2 billion.

China is now ASEAN's largest trading partner and ASEAN is China's third-largest trading partner. Their trade volume surged from nearly 8 billion U.S. dollars in 1991 to 472 billion dollars last year.

It is cooperation and mutual benefit, rather than disputes, that characterize the China-ASEAN relationship.

Peace, security and stability serve both side's needs and interests, while a volatile South China Sea will do nobody any good.

China and ASEAN should work to tap into their great cooperation potential and not let, what is actually a non-legally binding, award effect the future growth of ties.
by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is expected to voice support for police during this week's Republican National Convention (RNC), at a time of growing anti-police sentiment amid rising racial tensions.

"The police are obviously very concerned, because they don't feel that anyone has their back," Ralph Winnie, an alternate delegate for the state of Hawaii, told Xinhua in a phone interview from the RNC held in Cleveland, Ohio.

"So they are very wary about taking the risks that are necessary to go after and combat violent crime," Winnie said.

The RNC was overshadowed by rising racial tensions and violence in the past two weeks, which witnessed two incidents in which eight police officers were killed and a dozen others wounded by two black gunmen in the states of Louisiana and Texas.

The two police killing incidents were preceded by two shootings in which two black men were killed by police in Louisiana and Minnesota.

The killings sparked angry black protests nationwide, calling for justice for the African Americans in the country.

Winnie noted the RNC opened with a moment of silence for the officers who were ambushed and slain in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"Trump has been very vocal in saying he's going to stand with the police officers, and not stand with groups like Black Lives Matter as well as some of the radical groups that are really creating havoc," Winnie said.

The black rights advocate group, Black Lives Matter, has staged anti-police protests in multiple U.S. cities in a bid to demonstrate against the recent killings of black men by police officers, who are usually white.

"And so it's very important that Trump sends the message that his administration stands behind law enforcement," Winnie said.

When asked what specifically Trump plans to do to combat anti-police violence, Winnie said a Trump White House would make sure police have the money and resources to be able to combat violent crime at a dangerous time.

Moreover, the Justice Department would also support officers, at a time when the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has been blasted for what critics call "not standing behind the police."

Critics say Obama and the Justice Department are quick to wade in anytime a black man is killed by police, even before all the facts are straight.

For example, an unarmed black man, Michael Brown, was shot dead in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 after he attacked a police officer.

Riots erupted in Brown's hometown, though later the Justice Department cleared the officer of any wrongdoing.

Both Obama and former Justice Department chief Eric Holder were accused by many of jumping to conclusions before all the facts were straight.

Obama was slammed when he sent some of his aides to Brown's funeral. Nearly a year later, Howard Safir, former New York City police commissioner, said Holder "had a war on police."

"Under a Trump presidency, the Justice Department would certainly be willing to back up the police officers," Winnie said.

Critics of U.S. law enforcement, however, believe that young black men are often the victims of police bias due to racial profiling. Stories abound of innocent blacks being pulled over or questioned by officers for no apparent reason.

A Gallup poll released last week showed that American blacks are split on whether they believe the police act unfairly toward them. [ It found that half of blacks believe police in their local areas treat blacks and other racial minorities fairly, while 48 percent said they treat blacks unfairly.

While Trump has on numerous occasions expressed support for the police, critics say the bombastic businessman often makes grandiose statements without providing details on how to turn his ideas into reality.

However, Trump's message of supporting police could further alienate African American voters among whom he is already suffering from a bad image problem.

A recent poll found that Trump has nearly zero support among black voters in the crucial states of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
CARACAS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela does not need humanitarian aid, said a UN official Tuesday.

Marcelo Resende, Venezuela's representative for the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told a food supply meeting that the south American country "is not in a position for humanitarian aid."

Freddy Bernal from the Local Committees for Supply and Production (CLAP) shared Resende's perspective through his Twitter account that Venezuela doesn't need humanitarian aid, opposing what leaders of the local right-wing opposition said.

In April 2015, the FAO acknowledged Venezuela's fight against hunger, the eradication of poverty and guaranteeing food sovereignty.

Venezuela was recognized for reaching the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations. It was also recognized by the United Nations Development Program and the FAO.

The Millennium Development Goals include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education, promoting gender equality and empowering women and reducing child mortality.

In March, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro asked the FAO for help to strengthen the new agricultural production schemes in the country.
DAMASCUS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Foreign Ministry renewed on Wednesday the Syrian government's support to China regarding the South China Sea issue.

In a statement carried by state news agency SANA, the ministry said Syria support China's sovereignty over the South China Sea territories in tandem with the international law.

"Emanating from its commitment to the international charters and keenness to stand by the side of its friends, Syria stresses its backing to China in supporting its sovereignty in the South China Sea," the ministry said.

It added that resolving the disputes in that region should be considered through negotiations and consultations among the concerned countries to reach a solution accepted by all parties.

Earlier this month, an arbitration tribunal in The Hague rejected China's claims to economic rights across large swathes of the South China Sea, ruling in favor of the Philippines in that maritime dispute.

China rejected the ruling, branding it as null, void and a farce.

China has recently stressed that the only way out of the dispute is through bilateral talks and friendly dialogue, warning the Philippines that it does not accept or recognize any decision by the tribunal.
SHANGHAI, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on July 20, 2016 shows the wreckage of an amphibian plane being salvaged from the water by a crane in Shanghai, east China. Five people were killed when an amphibian plane hit a bridge in Shanghai on Wednesday, a local hospital said. (Xinhua/Pei Xin)

SHANGHAI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed when an amphibian plane hit a bridge in Shanghai on Wednesday, a local hospital said.

The B-10FW plane, carrying 10 people, was on its maiden flight from Shanghai's Jinshan District to Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, when it hit the bridge around midday.

The five fatalities died in hospital, one person with serious injuries is undergoing surgery, and four others sustained injuries, which were not life threatening, according to a doctor with Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University.

Rescuers are retrieve the wreckage from the water.

According to Shanghai municipal government information office, the plane is owned by AVIC Joy General Aviation Co. Ltd., an affiliate of the Aviation Industry Corp. of China.

It is the first amphibian plane operator approved to carry passengers in east China. Its business scope includes medical rescue, aviation exploration, air tours, private and commercial pilot training, aviation photography, air advertising and charter flights.
KABUL, July 20 (Xinhua) -- More than 300 Taliban fighters have quit the armed outfit and handed over their weapons to local authorities in the northern Samangan and western Badghis provinces.

In a move widely welcomed by the Afghan government and people, a total of 260 Taliban militants gave up fighting and handed over their weapons to local authorities in Dara-e-Suf district of the northern Samangan province on Tuesday and vowed to defend the government against insurgents.

The former militants led by Raes Ibrahim, Mullah Almas and Mullah Faisal, after years of fighting against government in parts of Samangan province, gave up fighting and surrendered to authorities in a ceremony attended by civil and military officials on Tuesday.

Speaking to the audience, Raes Ibrahim said foreign nationals' dominant role in the local outfit and their barbaric acts against locals was a stigma for him and he therefore decided to surrender to the government.

Assuring his support to the government, the former Taliban commander vowed to defend the establishment against foreign insurgent fighters.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim called upon the government to build roads, clinics and schools, and provide job opportunities to the local people, which he said would make it harder for the Taliban outfit to recruit fighters.

"To be frank we are fed up with the presence of foreign nationals dominating the local Taliban group," another former Taliban commander, Mullah Almas told Xinhua.

He also said that militants from "foreign countries are in command of Taliban fighters and committing atrocities against locals."

On the same day, 11 Taliban groups comprising 80 fighters laid down their arms and joined the government-backed peace process in Jawand district of the western Badghis province.

More than 10,000 armed militants have renounced the violence and joined the government-initiated reconciliation process across the country over the last six years, according to Afghan High Peace Council officials.
SUVA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) has congratulated Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on his re-election and re-appointment, the forum's Suva-based secretariat announced Wednesday.

"Your appointment comes at a crucial time for our region as we face a multitude and complex set of challenges best addressed by collective regional action," the PIF Secretariat's Secretary General Meg Taylor told Turnbull in a congratulatory message, underlining that Australia is a "key member" of the forum.

"We understand that the weeks ahead will be extremely demanding of your time and look forward to continuing working with you and the government of Australia across the broad range of issues and challenges facing the Pacific. I look forward to meeting you at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in the Federated States of Micronesia in September," said Taylor.

Turnbull and his ministerial team were sworn in Tuesday by the Australian Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
DURBAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- South Africa on Wednesday continued to get accolades from global development partners for funding most of its anti-HIV programs from its own coffers.

South Africa currently has the biggest number of people on antiretroviral treatment despite the reduction of funding by international donors like the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund, said Dr Robert Hecht, managing director of Results for Development Institute (R4D), a non-profit organization which assists low and middle income countries with developmental issues.

Addressing delegates at the 21rst International Aids conference in Durban, he said, "South Africa has made enormous progress in various sectors. The country started late but has overtaken many countries."

South Africa is covering 80-85 percent of the required funding from its public budget. The country has also made improvement in reducing mother to child transmission and rolled out male circumcision.

But Dr Hecht said the country should lower the drugs procurement costs and enhance workforce efficiency.

South Africa is one of the country with high labour cost in the world.

Dr Hecht said the country should also consider introducing HIV tax like other countries to cover its anti-HIV programs.

South African Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsaoledi said the country has managed to achieve a milestone in the department by efficiently running the department and reducing costs.

He said they reduced the procurement and costs of HIV drugs so that they can cater for more people who had to be put on antiretroviral treatment.

Dr Motsoaledi said, "We have to use the economies of scale and we managed to reduce the cost of ARVs by 53 percent. We also ensure that the work to be done by a person of a higher grade is done by that of a lower one thus cutting costs but not compromising on quality."

Nurses prescribe medication for resistant tuberculosis and HIV after they are trained. Initially it was done by doctors.

Motsoaledi said they always make their presentation to the National Treasury which, in most cases, understands their problem.

He attributed the success to the use of community workers who are doing a great job in the programs.

Instead of waiting for people to get sick and be treated, community workers are making sure that prevention come first, the minister said.

Dr. Mark Blecher, SA National Treasury's Chief Director for Health and Social Development, said they support the initiatives by the Ministry of Health because they prioritize HIV/Aids.

He said they emphasize on efficiency and work on a tight fiscal rope and therefore understand the investment case by the Health Department.

It was mentioned that waiting to get funding in future would have been expensive than doing it earlier.

Dr. Mark Dybul, the Executive Director of Global Fund, said they have faith in the country to meet its goals.

He said the intervention made by the country like supporting sex workers will have a major impact in the country's healthcare system.

On reducing funding for South Africa, he said, "We look at various issues. We look at macro-epidemics like who is at risk and who is getting help and why? There are lots of issues we look at."

Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Michel Sidibe, said South Africa is the second in the world in terms of volume in its response to the epidemic.

"Many lives were saved. They reduced the viral load and price of drugs and we recommend that it is the biggest domestic spender on health in Africa,"he said.
CARACAS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan and Colombian authorities announced Tuesday that the pedestrian border crossing between the two South American countries will remain closed over the next few weeks.

For two consecutive weekends, at least 130,000 Venezuelans crossed the border, mainly from the towns of Urena and San Antonio de Tachirafor, since Venezuela authorized the pedestrian border crossing with Colombia to be opened at the Simon Bolivar Bridge, according to the Colombian government.

The decision taken by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government to reopen the pedestrian crossing this month came about after a group of at least 500 women tried to break a military cordon in order to cross to the Colombian city of Cucuta on July 5.

Due to the current phenomenon of hoarding and profiteering among a certain sector of the Venezuelan public coupled with shortages, most people crossed to Colombia to buy the products that are scarce in Venezuela.

Venezuela first temporarily closed its border with Colombia in August of 2015 after three members of the armed forces were shot and injured while patrolling the area against smugglers.

During Tuesday's meeting, Victor Bautista, adviser to Colombia's foreign ministry for border issues, and Juan Carlos Dugarte, Venezuela's national director for the Identification, Migration and Foreigners Administrative Service, agreed to hold upcoming meetings with migration agents from both countries with aim of achieving a modern border.

Moreover, it is predicted that Colombian and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin and Delcy Rodriguez are to meet and discuss the reopening of the border on Aug. 4.
KAMPALA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Tuesday said thousands of people from the conflict-hit South Sudan have fled to Uganda following a recent fighting between rival army factions in the capital, Juba.

In a statement issued here, the agency said a total of 1,326 people crossed into the neighboring Uganda between Friday and Saturday, with 1,633 more arriving on Sunday.

Prior to Friday, the average daily rate was 233. The new arrivals bring the total number of refugees who have fled to Uganda since the latest violence in South Sudan began on July 7 to 5,015; more than 90 per cent of the new arrivals were women and children under the age of 18 years.

"The number of people seeking shelter and safety in Uganda from South Sudan has risen significantly in the past few days and we believe the influx will keep growing in the days ahead as tensions remain high across the border," said UNHCR in a statement.

UNHCR said it expects more people to flee to the East African country, especially now that the 200-kilometre Juba-Nimule road, linking the South Sudan capital to Uganda, has been cleared of checkpoints. The border was previously closed on the South Sudan side, but restrictions have been eased.

"As a result, more people are now coming by truck, and this explains the rising numbers of arrivals. Many are also bringing belongings," said UNHCR.

The agency noted that thousands of people have entered into Uganda's northern region via the border crossing points at Moyo, Kuluba, Lamwo, Yumbe and Elegu, while some are heading directly to Kiryandongo refugee settlement in the mid-west of the country.

The new arrivals are mostly fleeing from Eastern Equatoria state, with a smaller number arriving from Juba. They report that the security situation remains volatile and fighting could return at any time and refugees talk of an increase in looting.

Inside Uganda, more than 6,000 South Sudanese are staying in the Pagiarinya refugee settlement in northwestern district of Adjumani, while others are waiting at collection points to be transferred to the settlement.

UNHCR said that the a recent evaluation found that Pagiarinya settlement has capacity for another 6,500 people, meaning it is likely to be full within a few days.

"An inter-agency site assessment mission, including officials from the Government of Uganda Office of the Prime Minister and UNHCR, are currently visiting sites to identify areas suitable for establishing new settlement areas," said the statement.

The people reportedly arriving in Uganda are tired, hungry and others are suffering from malnutrition after walking without food for days while carrying belongings.

The UN has said that at least 300 people were killed and over 10,000 fled their homes after the recent fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in Juba.

Several countries and organizations have evacuated their nationals. UNHCR, as part of the overall humanitarian response, is undertaking assessments and providing assistance in displacement sites.

Although a fragile ceasefire has held since last Monday, UN has warned of the possibility of fresh fighting in the capital, Juba.

In western Ethiopia's Gambella region, the number of new arrivals has not risen significantly since June 11, but the fresh fighting has dampened hopes of returning home soon, according to the refugee agency.

The Kenya-South Sudan border has also been relatively quiet. To date UNHCR has transferred 169 new arrivals from the Nadapal border to Kakuma camp.

"The fresh displacement will put a further strain on UNHCR's resources for the South Sudan operation and our ability to provide timely and life-saving assistance, especially with access to Juba difficult," it said.

Last Friday in Nairobi, UNHCR presented a revised appeal for its South Sudanese refugees operations, seeking 701 million U.S.dollars. The earlier appeal for 638 million U.S.dollars was only 17 percent funded.
ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese government on Tuesday airlifted 25 of its citizens it evacuated over the weekend from the conflict-hit South Sudan back to Beijing for security and safety reasons.

The citizens who were evacuated last Saturday from the capital, Juba to neighboring Uganda aboard a Special chartered plane sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Maj. Gen. Su Guanghui, acting director of the Peacekeeping Affairs Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who had flown to Juba to handle the aftermath of the attack and killings of the peacekeepers evacuated the citizens.

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhao Yali oversaw the send off of its country citizens back to Beijing at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometers, south of the capital, Kampala.

The evacuation is part of the emergency measures the Chinese government is taking to protect its citizens in the recent fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in Juba.

A number of other countries and organizations, including the UN have evacuated some of their staff from the world's newest nation as part of security and safety measures following last week's fighting.

Although a fragile ceasefire has held since last Monday, the UN has warned of the possibility of fresh fighting in Juba.

The remains of two Chinese UN peacekeepers, Corporal Li Lei, 22 and Master Sergeant Yang Shupeng, 33 who were killed after a mortal shell hit the armored vehicle they were moving around the UN compound were lifted back on Tuesday.

The UN estimates that at least 300 people were killed and over 10,000 fled their homes after the violence in Juba.
ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government Tuesday airlifted the remains of its two UN peacekeepers killed in the recent fighting in the conflict-hit South Sudan back home for burial.

The bodies of deceased Corporal Li Lei, 22 and Master Sergeant Yang Shupeng, 33 who were killed in the fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in the capital Juba were flown back home in a special chartered plane sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping last week.

Maj. Gen. Su Guanghui, acting director of the Peacekeeping Affairs Office at the Chinese Defense Ministry who led the delegation for the evacuation of bodies of fallen officers and other military officers mounted a parade and saluted as the bodies were being lifted to be loaded onto the waiting plane for Beijing.

The 737 Boeing plane carrying the caskets of the departed peacekeepers wrapped in the Chinese National flag was seen off at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometers south of the capital, Kampala by the Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhao Yali and some Chinese nationals living in Uganda in a somber mood.

"The special chartered plane is going to take off with the remains of our two soldiers. They sacrificed their lives in the peacekeeping mission in Juba. We feel very very sorry for that," said Yali.

"I should say that, all together with all peace loving nations of the world, we should try together, work together to safeguard the peace and stability in the world. We will remember them forever," he said.

The two Chinese peacekeepers were killed and four others injured after a mortal shell hit the armored vehicle the group were moving around the UN compound as the fighting between government and anti-government forces continued in Juba.

The bodies of the fallen soldiers were last Friday airlifted to Uganda and persevered at Mulago National Referral Hospital Mortuary, Kampala, awaiting their final journey back home.

The two injured peacekeepers Wu Le and Yao Daoxiang who have been recovering at Nakasero Hospital, a UN Level Three Hospital in Kampala, accompanied and escorted their departed comrades back home.

Chen Ying and Huo Yahui who were seriously injured in the attack were last Saturday afternoon airlifted to Beijing aboard a specialist medical rescue plane sent by the Chinese military for urgent treatment and operations.

The UN has said that at least 300 people were killed and over 10,000 fled their homes after the violence broke out in Juba.

Although a fragile ceasefire has held since last Monday, the UN has warned of the possibility of fresh fighting in Juba.
PARIS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Three French soldiers have been killed in Libya where the country has special forces operating, the French Defence Ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

In a statement, the ministry said three non-commissioned officers who were on mission in Libya were killed, without giving further details.

According to local reports, two soldiers were killed on Sunday in Libyan eastern city of Benghazi after a militia shot down their helicopter.

Earlier on Wednesday, the government's spokesman Stephane Le Foll said French special units have been operating in Libya, confirming reports on secret military action against the Islamic State group in the north African country.

"Special forces are there, of course, to help and to make sure France is present everywhere in the struggle against terrorists," he said.
ROME, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Sober commemoration took place in Italy on Tuesday to mark the 24th anniversary of the murder of Paolo Borsellino, a top anti-mafia judge killed by mobsters in 1992.

Major events were held in Palermo, the regional capital of Sicily, where the prosecutor had been born and was killed.

Citizens and public officials gathered for a long-day ceremony in the very street where Borsellino was blown up by a car bomb. Five police officers of his escort lost their life with him.

On Tuesday evening, a traditional torchlight procession followed in the same place.

Italy's police chief Franco Gabrielli led another commemoration at a major barrack where Italy's police escort group is based, along with other public officials and the son of the murdered judge, now a police officer himself.

Other events were held by anti-mafia and civil society groups in several Italian cities.

Indeed, the anniversary of the killing of Paolo Borsellino is a meaningful occasion, and quite deeply felt, across the country.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella stressed in a statement that his murder, and that of the women and men of his escort, "is a severe wound for the Italian democracy."

"Honouring Borsellino means keep fighting his battle. The state and the (Italian) society possess the antibodies to hit and crush all the mafias," Mattarella said.

The legacy of the anti-mafia prosecutor was also praised by Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

"Borsellino. His competence. And his police escorts ... Italy is not forgetting," Renzi wrote on his social media account.

The murder of 52-year-old Borsellino in 1992 occurred 57 days after his colleague and fellow anti-mafia judge, Giovanni Falcone, was killed in a similar way on a motorway in Sicily.

The two attacks at the hands of Sicilian "Cosa Nostra" were the most brutal against Italian judiciary, and shocked the country. Their deaths marked a very dark moment in Italy's recent history.

The two judges had introduced new methods in investigating the mafia, and reached crucial results against the Sicilian mob, which was the strongest among Italy's three crime syndicates at the time.

The anti-mafia struggle in the country has made progress since then, and the Italian society seems to have developed a much stronger awareness as well, especially among young generations.

Yet, the mafia's ability to infiltrate legal economy and institutions, and to diversify its businesses, has also strengthened.

Furthermore, the whole truth about instigators and deep reasons behind Borsellino's murder is yet to be reached, both his family and anti-mafia analysts stressed on Tuesday.

"The truth regarding several details of this massacre is still elusive," major anti-mafia reporter Lirio Abbate wrote on L'Espresso weekly magazine.

Three trials have been held so far, and some 47 people were convicted in connection with Borsellino's murder.

The case was reopened, and a fourth trial began in 2009, after fresh revelations of a mafia member.
Turkish F-16 war jets struck the PKK targest in northern Iraq onJuly 20, killing 20 PKK militants. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

ANKARA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkish F-16 war jets struck the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets in northern Iraq on Tuesday, the Turkish Armed Forces said Wednesday.

Some 20 PKK militants were killed in the operation that targeted PKK positions in Hakurk region in northern Iraq, the written statement said.
KUALA LUMPUR, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The South China Sea arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines was a political anti-China farce in the disguise of law, manipulated by the United States, and acted by the former Philippine government, a Chinese envoy said here Wednesday.

In an article published on the local Oriental Daily and the Star newspaper, Huang Huikang, Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, said the political farce eventually came to an awful end when the ad hoc arbitral tribunal rendered its so-called award on July 12.

The United States attempted to smear and "isolate" China with the arbitration, but unexpectedly received little response, said Huang, pointing out that China's position of non-acceptance of and non-participation in the arbitration has won more and more support. Even the Philippine people realized that the arbitration is a total conspiracy of the United States for its own agenda.

This proves again the old saying, "a just cause enjoys abundant support while an unjust cause finds little support," said the ambassador.

The mainstream of the present world lies in peace, development and win-win cooperation, and it is widely accepted that fair, lawful and peaceful solutions are the best way in solving international disputes, Huang said.

In the South China Sea arbitration, the United States, the former Philippine government under president Benigno Aquino III, and the ad hoc arbitral tribunal were against these principles and norms, he said.

For the United States, it had insisted on its "imperialist mindset" and pursuit of hegemony. It is obvious that during the whole process of the arbitration unilaterally initiated and pushed by the Aquino III administration, the United States was deeply involved in every step. Although alleging "neutrality and non-involvement," the country manipulated behind the scene, and tried to forge a "coalition" to hype up the issue, resulting in rise of tension in the South China Sea.

For the former government of the Philippines, it had breached previous commitment and caused a lot of trouble in the shelter of a super power. It deliberately provoked the Huangyan Island incident, unilaterally initiated and pushed the arbitration, and tried to hijack other members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to smear China and benefit from the unlawful arbitration award. Its intention is vicious, and its action illegal.

For the ad hoc arbitral tribunal, its composition was a result of political manipulation. It had abused the power for its own interest, and the professional ethics of the arbitrators are widely criticized, said Huang.

The ambassador, who is also a member of the International Law Commission of the United Nations, pointed out that the conduct of the arbitral tribunal and its award seriously contravene the general practice of international arbitration, completely deviate from the object and purpose of United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to promote peaceful settlement of disputes, substantially impair the integrity and authority of UNCLOS, gravely infringe upon China's legitimate rights as a sovereign state and state party to UNCLOS, and are unjust and unlawful. It has set an extremely dangerous precedent in the history of international law.

"Facts speak louder than words," he concluded, "The unilateral arbitration initiated by Aquino III administration violates international law. The tribunal has no jurisdiction over this case. The award of the tribunal is null and void. China's position is justified and lawful."

Huang said it's time to put an end to the arbitration on the South China Sea, adding that consultation is the right way to settle disputes between states.

He said China would continue to work together with ASEAN countries to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) comprehensively and effectively, promote the consultation on a code of conduct in the South China Sea, manage and control relevant disputes properly and explore maritime cooperation, in order to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.
LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May has told European Council President Donald Tusk that Britain will not take over the presidency next year, Downing Street confirmed Wednesday.

Britain was scheduled to hold the seat in the second half of next year, but May has decided Britain should miss its turn after the recent referendum vote to leave the European Union (EU).

May gave her decision to Tusk in a telephone call on Tuesday between the pair, Downing Street confirmed Wednesday.

The presidency rotates between the 28 EU member states on a six-monthly basis, giving each the opportunity to shape the agenda.

A Downing Street spokesman said that May told Tusk that giving up the presidency was "the right thing to do given we will be very busy with negotiations to leave the EU".

May also told Tusk she felt it was right to give other EU member nations time to make arrangements for a different country to be appointed to hold the presidency during that period.

In the statement Number 10 said Tusk welcomed the fact that May had come to a swift decision on the issue.

The telephone call was May's first conversation with the European Council president since she became prime minister last week.

May was on Wednesday set to hold her first Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons before heading to Europe for a series of meetings. She is due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and on Thursday she meets French President Francois Hollande.




TAIPEI, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Liu Kezhi (Front), secretary-general of the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, arrives in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan, July 20, 2016. A group of four mainland officials arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon to assist families of victims of a serious tour bus accident. (Xinhua)

TAIPEI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A group of four mainland officials arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon to assist families of victims of a serious tour bus accident.

They are from various departments including the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits. Liu Kezhi,secretary-general of the association, told press at Taoyuan Airport that the mainland group would immediately begin discussions with Taiwan authorities, including the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association, on the handling of the accident.

"My heart is very heavy at the moment," he said, adding the other task of the group was to mourn those compatriots who died in the accident and send condolences to their family members.

Twenty-six people, including 23 tourists and a tour guide from the Chinese mainland and two local people -- a driver and a tour guide -- were killed when a tour bus crashed into a highway barrier and caught fire near Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan on Tuesday.

Taiwan authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

Related:

Mainland prepared to handle Taiwan bus accident aftermath

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office Wednesday issued a statement saying relevant mainland authorities will do their utmost to handle the aftermath of a serious bus accident in Taiwan.

According to the statement, Premier Li Keqiang has ordered relevant authorities to follow the situation and handle the aftermath properly. Full story

24 mainland tourists killed as coach catches fire in Taiwan

TAIPEI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-six people have died after a fire on a tour bus on a highway near Taoyuan Airport on Tuesday.

Twenty-four of the victims were tourists from the northeastern province of Liaoning on the Chinese mainland and the other two fatalities were the driver and the tour guide, who were both from Taiwan, according to Taiwan authorities.
SANAA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi forces said Wednesday they fired a ballistic missile on a Saudi border guards base in retaliation for airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition, Houthi-run state Saba news agency reported.

It said the missile was fired late on Tuesday and hit the Saudi border guards base in Najran, a city in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen.

"The missile came in response to breaches to the ceasefire and continuing airstrikes by the Saudi aggression," Saba quoted a military source of Houthi group as saying.

The Saudi government has yet to comment on the attack, but it's war planes appeared to response to the attack with several air raids on Wednesday morning, targeting Houthi military bases around the capital Sanaa, according to residents.

Houthis who control most northern parts of Yemen have launched ballistic missiles at Saudi Arabia several times since Saudi-led coalition forces engaged in Yemen's civil war more than a year ago.

Saudi forces have since shot down many rockets by patriot missiles suppled by the United States.

Saudi Arabia led a coalition from mostly Arab countries intervened in Yemen's conflict in 2015 to restore power to internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after Houthis backed by allied forces stormed the capital Sanaa and forced Hadi with his government into exile in 2014.
ADEN, Yemen, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Four pro-government Yemeni soldiers were killed and seven others injured when a suicide bomber struck a military checkpoint in the southern port city of Aden Wednesday, a security official told Xinhua.

"An attacker wearing an explosive belt detonated himself among a group of soldiers at a military checkpoint in Aden's neighborhood of Mansourah, leaving four soldiers killed and seven others injured," the Yemeni source said on condition of anonymity.

The security source said that the suicide attack occurred when the soldiers gathered to have lunch together near the checkpoint.

Another source of Aden's Police Command said that "a young man approached the soldiers as they were gathering for lunch and briefly joined them leaving behind a sack with explosives that caused a huge blast."

Medical sources at Buraihi hospital confirmed to Xinhua saying that some of the soldiers were critically injured during the blast.

Dozens of newly-trained soldiers backed by armored vehicles arrived at the bombing site, according to witnesses.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest suicide bombing that struck Aden province, where the Saudi-backed government has temporarily based itself.

However, the Yemen-based al-Qaida offshoot and the Islamic State group used to launch similar suicide bombings against Yemeni army and security forces in the past weeks.

Last month, the Yemen-based affiliate of the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a series of suicide bombing attacks that struck military posts and an intelligence compound in Hadramout, leaving more than 48 killed.

Yemen, an impoverished Arab country, has been gripped by one of the most active regional al-Qaida insurgencies in the Middle East and the affiliate of the Islamic State.

The fragile security situation in the country has deteriorated since March 2015 when war broke out between the Shiite Houthi group, supported by former President Ali Abdullash Saleh, and the government backed by a Saudi-led Arab coalition.

More than 6,400 people have been killed in ground battles and air strikes since then, half of them civilians.
VIENNA, July 20 (Xinhua)-- The performing arts festival, Bregenz Festival, began its 70th anniversary on Wednesday at Lake Constance in the border triangle between Germany, Switzerland and Austria, a spokesman of the festival told Xinhua in an interview.

The Bregenz Festival was founded in 1946 in order to distract from the drab postwar period in Austria.

Press spokesman Axel Renner explained the three phases the festival had gone through: "It started with orchestra concerts and stage plays. Then, in the 60s and 70s, operetta performances in the gravel bed of Lake Constance came in the focus of the festival. In the late 70s, there was a festival crisis in Austria. The Bregenz Festival reacted and started in 1985 to stage grand operas of an incredible quality."

Today, about 200,000 people visit the 80 performances each year. Most visitors come from German-speaking countries.

"More than 90 percent come from Germany, Austria and Switzerland," Renner said. "However, we have visitors and artists from all five continents."

Renner is especially proud of the premieres that are presented as part of the festival.

"The first performances are unique in the world," he said. "To give living artists a stage should be the function of a festival."

However, the major attraction remains the world's largest lake stage, with stands providing seats for almost 7,000 people.

Every two years a new production of a grand classical opera is presented. This year, Puccini's opera "Turandot" is being performed.

Stage director Marco Arturo Marelli has placed a wall symbolizing the Great Wall that measures 72 meters wide by 27 meters high, Renner said about the set. In addition, more than 200 copies of the terracotta warriors provide the perfect setting to tell the story of the Chinese princess Turandot.

Not only opera stars have appeared on the floating stage. In 2008, a part of the James Bond film "Quantum of Solace" was filmed on the platform.

"The British direction team of the former production of the opera Tosca captured the attention of the James Bond film crew," Renner said.

The stage's appearance in the Bond film built up the international reputation of the Bregenz Festival.

"The James Bond films are shown in cinemas worldwide. A few weeks after the film release, we got ticket requests even from New Zealand," Renner told.

Currently, festival organizers are already busy with plans for the coming years. In 2017 and 2018, Georges Bizet's "Carmen" will be performed on the floating stage and in 2019 Verdi's "Rigoletto" will be showcased.
Syria's Foreign Ministry renewed on July 20 the Syrian government's support toChina regarding the South China Sea issue. (Xinhua Photo)

DAMASCUS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Syria's Foreign Ministry renewed on Wednesday the Syrian government's support to China regarding the South China Sea issue.

In a statement carried by state news agency SANA, the ministry said Syria support China's sovereignty over the South China Sea territories in tandem with the international law.

"Emanating from its commitment to the international charters and keenness to stand by the side of its friends, Syria stresses its backing to China in supporting its sovereignty in the South China Sea," the ministry said.

It added that resolving the disputes in that region should be considered through negotiations and consultations among the concerned countries to reach a solution accepted by all parties.

Earlier this month, an arbitration tribunal in The Hague rejected China's claims to economic rights across large swathes of the South China Sea, ruling in favor of the Philippines in that maritime dispute.

China rejected the ruling, branding it as null, void and a farce.
BERLIN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The axe attack on a German train on Monday evening was carried out by an individual perpetrator who "felt goaded" by the propaganda of the Islamic State (IS), said German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere on Wednesday.

A video, which was released by the IS on the Internet claiming responsibility for the axe attack, does not contain any evidence of an arrangement with the IS, according to de Maiziere.

The 17-year-old refugee Riaz Khan Ahmadzai injured five people near Wuerzburg in the southern German state of Bavaria with a knife and an axe. Most of the victims were Chinese tourists, among whom two were critically wounded.

"It is perhaps a case which lies on the border between rampage and terror," De Maiziere said in Berlin.

He condemned the act as a "brutal act of indiscriminate violence," saying that "the background of the act must be further clarified."

Meanwhile, he also called for more video surveillance, more police, and better protection of police officers.

German media Spiegel Online reported police had found a "hand-painted IS flag" in the room of the 17-year-old Afghan.
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The newspapers published from Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, still could not hit the stands Wednesday, officials and locals said.

Printing of local newspaper has been suspended for the fifth straight day although a local government spokesman Tuesday evening issued a statement saying there was no restriction on printing and publication of newspapers.

"The state government today made it clear that there are no restrictions on printing and publishing of newspapers," the official release said.

Earlier during the day, Indian-government said there was no ban on newspapers in the region.

The Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's political adviser, Amitabh Mattoo told a New Delhi based television channel NDTV the decision to temporarily ban newspaper publication was made without the knowledge of Mufti.

"Sometimes decisions taken at a local level is not something the highest authority approves of. There was some miscommunication," Mattoo said. "We need to know who took the decision on the ban. We will take action once the crisis is over."

The editors condemned the government's flip flop on the issue.

However, publishers and editors based in Srinagar have delayed print runs, saying the government should "own the ban" and issue a statement guaranteeing that media operations will not be hampered.

"Since the government has not changed its press emergency, the editors and the owners of the newspapers regret that it may not be possible to resume the publication of newspapers," reads a statement issued by the owners and editors of Srinagar-based newspapers.

Authorities on early Saturday imposed a gag on media by seizing newspaper copies and asking owners of printing presses to suspend operations.

More than 40 people were killed and around 2,000 civilians were injured with most of them hit either by pellet guns or with bullets during clashes with government forces.

Protests broke out in the region after Indian troops killed a top militant commander of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) Burhan Muzaffar Wani along with two associates on July 8.

Wani's killing saw people taking to roads and opening a cycle of deadly violence. The 22-year-old Wani was the poster boy of HM, the region's indigenous militant outfit.

Muslim majority areas of Indian-controlled Kashmir are reeling under strict curfew for the twelfth consecutive day.

Hundreds of Indian police and paramilitary personnel remain deployed in the curfew-bound areas in full riot-gears carrying automatic rifles to enforce restrictions.

Residents say they were facing a dearth of eatables, essentials and medicines in wake of the curfew.

Cellphone and internet services also remains suspended since July 8 in a bid to prevent people from mobilizing.

The local government has placed key separatist leaders under house arrest fearing their participation in demonstrations would intensify anti-India protests and mobilize people in large numbers.

Prior to this, in 2010, a similar wave of violence hit the region and claimed over 100 lives during clashes that continued for months together.

A separatist movement and guerrilla war challenging New Delhi's rule is going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
RABAT, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Mediterranean countries urged late on Tuesday in the Moroccan city of Tangier to the implementation of a strategy for adaptation to climate change, based on coordinated and ambitious action plans that reflect a balance between adaptation and mitigation.

They stressed in final statement of MedCop Climate Tangier, for collective mobilization to mitigate the effects of climate change, according to the principle of shared but differentiated responsibility.

Presidents of regions and local authorities of the major territories of the Mediterranean called for implementing concrete action programs, adapted to the specificities of our territories in the Mediterranean.

The statement said the countries will pay close attention to developing countries which are the most vulnerable to climate change, and provide access to financing methods that suit best the territories and the economy.

It added that this Mediterranean conference will build and carry a unified voice among the States that will gather in Marrakesh at the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 22).

Organized by the Moroccan Region of Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, this Mediterranean multi-actor climate conference brought together representatives from Mediterranean countries, private sector, civil society, as well as regional and international organizations.

The two-day event was be the opportunity to discuss the implementation of the Paris Agreement adopted in December 2015, to highlight the existing initiatives related to the climate action in the region and to formulate innovative ideas.

This conference was an important milestone for the Mediterranean countries and for the upcoming COP22 which will take place on November 7-18 in the Moroccan city of Marrakech.
CHANGCHUN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- China has repatriated 141 fugitives suspected of official misconduct or dereliction of duty since October 2015, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) revealed on Wednesday.

These suspects include Li Huabo, a former local finance official accused of embezzling 94 million yuan (about 14 million U.S. dollars), and Dai Xuemin, former manager of a trust and investment company, who is suspected of embezzling 11 million yuan.

The "important achievement" is a great deterrent to other fugitives, the SPP said.

It asked authorities to come up with more means of uncovering corruption and official misconduct and to take more measures to prevent suspects escaping. It also vowed to strengthen international judicial cooperation in this area.
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Amid today's increasingly severe counterterrorism situation, Britain has made the right decision recently, though a bit late, by listing the Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), a group of East Turkistan terrorist forces, as an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization.

Britain's action shows that the western community has been increasingly aware that the East Turkistan terrorist forces not only jeopardize the safety and stability of China, but also endanger the whole world.

As we all know, the East Turkistan terrorist forces, led by the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), have been haunting China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region for almost a century. The forces first instigated violent terrorist attacks in China, causing a large number of innocent civilians dead or injured, sabotaging China's national security.

After the Cold War, the ETIM started to connect with international terrorist groups in other countries and regions in a bid to expand its influence. In as early as 2002, the United Nations Security Council as well as the United States inscribed the ETIM on their lists of terrorist organizations.

Afterwards, different separatist groups of the East Turkistan terrorist forces, including the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), have disguised themselves as non-violent, human rights or religious groups, in a bid to duck anti-terrorism strikes.

Regrettably, some western countries not only fail to recognize these East Turkistan terrorist groups as illegal, but also secretly aid them, using them as a chess piece to contain China.

Due to their own interests and geopolitics, these countries fight against certain terrorist groups while covertly assisting others, eventually drawing fire against themselves. From Paris to Brussels, from Nice to Bavaria, Europe has fallen victim to terrorism.

Terrorism is cancer to human civilization. No country can stand alone in facing its threat. Countries around the world should all join hands to fight terrorism; only then can the international community win this war.

In that sense, some western countries should rethink their double standards on the issue of anti-terrorism. No matter the TIP, or the WUC, they are the different faces of violence and terrorism. The West should abandon its discriminate treatment of terrorist organizations such as the East Turkistan terrorist forces, and work with China to fight against terrorism, the common enemy of humankind.
MANILA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will increase its infrastructure spending for the next six years, which will be the "golden age" of construction, a senior government official said Wednesday.

Department of Budget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno said infrastructure spending will be raised to 7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte from current 5 percent.

"The next six years will be 'The Golden Age of Philippine construction' both public and private," he said in a speech at the general membership meeting of the Financial Executives of the Philippines.

For the next year, he said the government plans to spend close to 900 billion Pesos (19.11 billion U.S. dollars) for public infrastructure.

The Duterte administration will specifically pursue small, medium and large-scale projects that will be done in all regions, "both highly developed and lagging - simultaneously, not sequentially,"

The budget chief noted that for too long, public infrastructure has been neglected.

"As a result, the Philippine economy is deficient in all types of infrastructure - roads and bridges, ports and airports, railways and urban transit systems, irrigation systems and water systems. To address this, we will hike infrastructure spending from a low five percent to a high of seven percent of GDP," he said.
MEXICO CITY, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto has made an usual apology in the so-called White House scandal in which his wife bought a luxury villa from a government contractor.

He voiced the apology on Monday at the National Palace in Mexico City while debuting a new package of anti-corruption laws.

Admitting he "made a mistake" in the deal exposed by media reports in late 2014, Pena Nieto said "this error affected my family, hurt the presidential office and hurt confidence in the government."

"For this reason, with all humility I ask your forgiveness," he said.

The president's wife Angelica Rivera, a former TV star, purchased a white-colored luxury villa worth seven million U.S. dollars from a government contractor Grupo Higa, a company owned by Juan Armando Hinojosa, who is reportedly Pena Nieto's personal friend.

At the occasion to unveil the Latin American country's strongest measure fighting corruption at all levels of government, Pena Nieto expressed a "profound and sincere apology for the offense and indignation" the scandal caused.

The first-lady Rivera explained in a YouTube video that she bought the villa with all earnings from her career as an actress.

Her explanation failed to quell public anger. The president ordered a government-sponsored investigation into the purchase.

The investigation later found no conflict of interest in the purchase but some reports questioned the appointee of the head to lead the probe, saying he was personally chosen by Pena Nieto.

The official leading the probe, Virgilio Andrade, resigned on Monday because of the new body anti-corruption laws, which puts oversight in the hands of a citizens committee.

The package of seven laws signed by the president on Monday demands that public servants declare their tax-paying information, their wealth and any potential conflicts of interest.

Pena Nieto's mandate is due to end in 2018.
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Ye Guangfu made his first public appearance on Wednesday, just after completing an underground training mission deep in an Italian cave.

Taikonaut -- the Chinese equivalent of astronaut or cosmonaut -- Ye, 36, is the first of China's five male second-generation astronauts to meet the press.

Ye and five other prospective astronauts from Japan, Russia, Spain and the United States spent six nights in Sardinian caves from July 1 to 7, simulating a mission to another planet, during the European Space Agency (ESA) underground training course CAVES (Cooperative Adventure for Valuing and Exercising human behavior and performance Skills.)

The mission focused on multi-cultural approaches to leadership, following orders, teamwork and decision-making, according to the ESA.

"The cave is isolated from the outside world and is dark, damp and cold. We six were responsible for completing daily tasks such as climbing, exploration and surveying; really arduous but worthwhile training," Ye said as he addressed the media in Beijing.

The team went further than previous CAVES course, mapping their progress and taking samples of the environment and life they found. They also tested new techniques for making accurate 3D models of objects and the environment using standard cameras - a technique that could be used in exploring other planets.

Ye was selected to join the second batch of Chinese astronauts in 2010. The second batch include five men and two women, Liu Yang and Wang Yaping. Liu was China's first woman in space when she flew on the Shenzhou-9 spacecraft in 2012, followed by Wang, who gave a lecture to students on Earth from space in 2013 on the Shenzhou-10 mission.

China's first batch of astronauts had 14 members including Yang Liwei, China's first man in space in 2003.
RAMALLAH, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians on Wednesday accused Jewish settlers of a new arson attack in Duma village, near Nablus in the north of the West Bank.

The torched house owner Mohamad Dawabsha told Xinhua that settlers threw scorchers toward their home while they are asleep in the early hours of the morning, leading to partial burns and suffocation of the house owner.

Dawabsha said that the scorchers were accompanied by a large explosion inside the house, pointing that only settlers are capable of doing such a thing, as they have done it twice before to houses of members of the same family.

Last March, the house of Ibrahim Dawabsha was torched and he accused settlers of the attack. Ibrahim Dawabsha was a key witness in the case of the 2015 Duma arson attack in which three members of Sa'ad Dawabsha were killed, including a 18-month-old toddler, Ali Dawabsha.

Governor of Nablus, Akram Al-Rjoub, condemned the attack, accusing Israeli settlers of it.

Al-Rjoub who visited the house told Xinhua that the partial destruction in the house shows that the substances used have not been used before, pointing that "only extremist settlers are torching homes of Palestinians, as they've done with the same family last year."

He called for international protection of the Palestinian people, who are subject to "daily attacks by Israelis."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah party describes in a press statement the attack as state run terrorism, lead by settlers who are protected by the Israeli army.

The statement said "this crime would not have happened if it weren't for the restless Israeli efforts to continue settlement activity and protect settlers," and that the international community is "standing ahead of a real test, where it will either show its alignment with justice or with terrorism and silence over those crimes, stopping at mere linguistic condemnations."

Israeli public radio reported that Israeli police immediately started an investigation into the incident, hinting that it is possible that the attack is a result of an internal conflict within the village.

In response, Al-Rjoub said that the evidence is clear and it points toward settlers.

A group of Jewish settlers set the house of Sa'ad Dawabsha on fire in Duma village on July 31, 2015 near Nablus, killing parents and 18-month-old toddler, while only four-year old sibling, Ahmed Dawabsha, survived after a long rehabilitation at Israeli hospitals.

The 2015 Duma arson was condemned internationally and by the Israeli government which sid it has "Zero-tolerance to such attacks by settlers and approved measures to halt the trend and has brought settlers to trial.

Jewish ultra-nationalists have for years vandalised or torched Palestinian properties and Islamic and Christian holy sites and cemeteries, under so called "price-tag" attacks that seek retribution for Israeli moves that settlers perceive as favouring Palestinians.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (Xinhua file photo/Li Jizhi)

MOSCOW, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the government to consider measures needed to strengthen the national currency, the ruble, the president's official website said Wednesday.

During a meeting Tuesday with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Putin said there was a definite strengthening of the currency recently.

"The ruble has strengthened despite the price volatility in commodity markets," he said. "In this regard, we certainly need to think about how and what we will be doing in the near future in connection with these factors," he added.

The authorities have taken a series of measures this year to support the real sector of the economy, including small- and medium-sized businesses and non-oil exports.

The ruble strengthened to around 63.40 against the U.S. dollar in June, the best rate since November.




TAIPEI, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Liu Kezhi (Front), secretary-general of the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, arrives in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan, July 20, 2016. A group of four mainland officials arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon to assist families of victims of a serious tour bus accident. (Xinhua)

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office Wednesday issued a statement saying relevant mainland authorities will do their utmost to handle the aftermath of a serious bus accident in Taiwan.

According to the statement, Premier Li Keqiang has ordered relevant authorities to follow the situation and handle the aftermath properly.

The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, National Tourism Administration and provincial government of Liaoning, where the majority of victims are from, initiated an emergency response and contacted the families of victims.

They also kept contacts with Taiwan authorities through emergency liaison channels and started preparations to send a working team to Taiwan, according to the statement.

Mainland officials from various departments, including the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, left for Taiwan from Beijing Wednesday noon to assist families of victims.

A work team dispatched by the Liaoning provincial government is scheduled to arrive in Taiwan Wednesday evening.

The statement also said relevant Taiwan authorities should find the cause of the accident and determine accountability as soon as possible to defend the rights and interests of victims. They should also effectively boost safety management, eliminate safety hazards and guarantee the safety of tourists.

Chen Deming, president of the Chinese mainland-based Association for Relations across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS), said he was "shocked" and saddened by the bus accident.

Chen said ARATS will do its utmost to handle the aftermath.

Twenty-six people were killed when a tour bus caught fire on a highway near Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan on Tuesday. They included 23 tourists and a tour guide from the Chinese mainland, a local tour guide, and a local driver.

Related:

Mainland officials arrive in Taiwan for bus accident aftermath

TAIPEI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A group of four mainland officials arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday afternoon to assist families of victims of a serious tour bus accident.

They are from various departments including the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits. Liu Kezhi,secretary-general of the association, told press at Taoyuan Airport that the mainland group would immediately begin discussions with Taiwan authorities, including the Taiwan Strait Tourism Association, on the handling of the accident. Full story

24 mainland tourists killed as coach catches fire in Taiwan

TAIPEI, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-six people have died after a fire on a tour bus on a highway near Taoyuan Airport on Tuesday.

Twenty-four of the victims were tourists from the northeastern province of Liaoning on the Chinese mainland and the other two fatalities were the driver and the tour guide, who were both from Taiwan, according to Taiwan authorities.
YANGON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's military on Wednesday voiced no objection to the ethnic summit planned for later this month, Lt. Gen. Mya Tun Oo from the office of commander-in-chief (Army) told the press in Yangon Wednesday.

The summit is to be held in Maijayan, northernmost Kachin state, controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), although the road leading to Maijayan is in government-controlled area.

The military will allow traffic for the summit and security will be provided for the participants, said Mya Tun Oo, pledging cooperation for the holding of the government-sponsored 21st Century Panglong Conference slated for late August in Nay Pyi Taw.

The four-day ethnic summit is planned for July 26-29, which will involve 55 ethnic armed groups, including both signatories and non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA).
President of the Republic of Chad and rotating African Union chairperson Idriss Deby (3rd L), President of Rwanda Paul Kagame (2nd R) and Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (1st L) attend a press conference after the closing ceremony of the 27th ordinary session of the AU Heads of States, in Kigali, Rwanda, on July 18, 2016. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

KIGALI, July, 20 (Xinhua) -- China's economic engagement in Africa has created significant benefits for African economies which is a catalyst for the continent to realize agenda 2063, said top officials at the African Union (AU) in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.

Rwanda hosts the summit from July 10th to 18th under the theme: "2016: African Year of Human Rights, with particular focus on the Rights of Women."

In an interview with Xinhua on Monday, David Bahati, Uganda state minister of finance and planning said that China is playing a crucial role in enabling the continent address the challenges of infrastructure development especially in the areas of roads, railways, ICT and energy.

"In recent years, we have seen China's foreign aid to Africa increase which has boosted social and economic transformation of the African economies. For instance China is supporting Uganda to have renewable energy sources through the construction of hydro-electricity dams which will enable our country achieve sustainable development goals," he added.

Bahati pointed out that Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE has promoted Africa's digital transformation.

"African countries need more support from China especially in the areas of technology and skill transfer which can boost skills development among young labour force in Africa," he noted.

According to Claver Gatete, Rwanda minister of Finance and Economic Planning, China has greatly increased its foreign aid to African countries in the recent years, a major step towards promoting bilateral relations with recipient countries to enhance economic and trade cooperation.

"China's support to Africa has created millions of jobs to Africans especially in sectors of petroleum, agriculture, ICT, manufacturing and energy among others which has significantly addressed unemployment among youth on the continent," he said.

Elham Mahmood Ibrahim, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, speaks during a press conference in Kigali, capital of Rwanda, on July 15, 2016. China is playing a key role in enabling Africa to realize its full potential in energy and infrastructure across the continent, says Elham Mahmood Ibrahim, the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy. (Xinhua/Pan Siwei)

Gatete stated that China and Africa bilateral relationship is growing strong as the continent looks to achieve Agenda 2063.

Agenda 2063 is the African continent approach to effectively learn from the lessons of the past, build on the progress and strategically exploit all possible opportunities available in the immediate to ensure positive socio-economic transformation within the next 50 years.

Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister stated that China never considers foreign aid simply as a donation, but an important form of cooperation to advance the mutual benefit, win-win and common development of China and African nations.

"China's foreign aid prioritizes poverty reduction and economic development of the African countries. China's contributions to Africa's growth is visible and has expanded economic activity, job creation for local workers, and infrastructural development," he added.

In December last year, China offered a whopping 60 billion U.S. dollars loan and aid package to Africa, top boost the continent's economic transformation and industrialization and technological development.

The Chinese government announced that it will roll out 10 cooperation plans that will strengthen cooperation with Africa within the next three years.

The joint venture programs cover the areas of agricultural modernization, infrastructure, industrialization, financial services, trade and investment facilitation, green development, peace and security, poverty reduction and public welfare, public health and people-to-people exchanges.
SHENYANG, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Families of victims of a deadly tour bus accident that occurred Tuesday in Taiwan are ready to fly to the island from Liaoning Province.

Required documents for 55 relatives were processed overnight and issued Wednesday afternoon, the provincial public security department said.

A chartered Air Bus A320, operated by China Southern Airlines, is confirmed to depart at 1:15 p.m. Thursday from Dalian to Taipei.

The provincial government sent a working group to assist handling of the aftermath. The first batch of five officials is expected to land in Taipei at 6 p.m. A second group is being organized.

Another four mainland officials from various departments, including the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, already arrived in Taiwan in the afternoon.

Twenty-six people were killed when a tour bus crashed into a highway barrier and caught fire near Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan. They included 23 tourists and a tour guide from the Chinese mainland, a local driver and a local tour guide.
by Luan Xiang

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Costa Rican diplomat Christiana Figueres believes that her temperament of being positive, along with her skills through more than 30 years in high-level national and international negotiations, makes her a good pick for the top job of the United Nations.

"I am chronically an optimist," said Figueres, the Costa Rican candidate to become the next Secretary-General of the United Nations, in a recent interview with Xinhua in Beijing.

That is exactly what the world needs -- optimism and faith in a better future yet to come -- according to Figueres, who used to served as executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Under Figueres' coordination as executive secretary, a historic Paris agreement on climate change was adopted on Dec. 12, 2015 by the 196 Parties to the UNFCCC during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP21) hosted by France, which marks the first step in a joint long-term effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Figueres finished her obligations as UN climate change chief by July 6 before announcing her bid to enter the campaign to compete for the UN's top job the following day. She campaigned before the UN General Assembly Thursday to succeed UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, who will retire on Jan. 1, 2017,joining 11 other announced candidates to be interviewed by members of UN General Assembly.

IMPARTIAL YET NOT INDIFFERENT

Though she is an optimist by nature, Figueres clarifies that her positive perspective is not naivete.

"The world we live in is not ideal, and an ideal world may never happen," said the Latin American diplomat, adding that it is important to be aware of the tough challenges ahead, including poverty, terrorism, food security, the refugee crisis, regional unrest, social injustice and inequality.

These problems need to be tackled, with an impartial, fair attitude, because they won't go away with just a wave of a magic wand, nor will they disappear overnight, she said.

"I was born impatient," said the San Jose native, "and it makes me feel impatient to see that there are still injustice and suffering in this world."

But in her career as a diplomat, climate negotiator and UN official, Figueres has learned to be patient, listen and collaborate through tactful negotiation.

"The best decisions usually come from the collective wisdom, as the most adequate solutions are usually found in a well-informed, impartial team," said Figueres.

But being impartial does not imply indifference, noted Figueres. "In a voting hall where important decisions are being made, we must keep in mind that those most vulnerable groups amongst us are oftentimes absent."

"And someone must be their voice there, to defend their interests and represent their rights," the 59-year-old diplomat emphasized.

Figueres said she cares deeply for the young people, who are the world's future, and said she hopes to work to strengthen their access to better education, healthcare, livelihood and greater social participation.

"The development of our world is never static, but a process of constant changes," she said, dismissing pessimistic prophecies about the world closing doors and building barriers after the recent Brexit decision and attack in Nice, France.

"I think we should not generalize individual occurrences as a tendency in general of where the world is headed," she said.

"There are other tendencies more notably indicating that we have grown closer and more interconnected by each day, thanks to the new technologies and the efforts we have made in building bridges and paving paths among different nations, cultures and systems," said Figueres.

Figueres believes the world will become more interdependent and interconnected in the long run, but in order to get there, all the players need to be patient and take prudent actions and solid steps towards the goals ahead.

"CHINA IS A GOOD EXAMPLE"

Developing countries have had growing influence in the world economy and politics, which sends a positive message, said Figueres.

"Let's take China for instance," she said. "In the past few decades, China has lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty: It is an admirable and marvelous achievement!"

"China has set a good example for the world in reducing poverty," as well as fulfilling the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals and the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda, said Figueres, who also praised China's Belt and Road Initiative as a positive model of regional integration and said working together for common prosperity is the spirit the UN promotes. Enditem
ISLAMABAD, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A "jirga" or assembly kicked off here Wednesday to discuss the fate of millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Visiting Afghan Minister of Refugees and Repatriation Sayed Hossein Alimi Balkhi is attending the meeting to explain government policies on the repatriation of the refugees.

Pakistan is hosting nearly three million Afghan refugees, including about one million unregistered.

As a sigh of relief for the refugees, Pakistan has extended for six more months the duration of the Proof of Registration or PoR cards that allow them to stay legally in the country.

Pakistan's Ministry of States and Frontier Region, which also deals with the Afghan refugees, had proposed the "Jirga," facilitating the refugees to get to know relevant polices, according to an official.

Representatives of the refugees have been invited to take part in the event.

"The refugees will also have the opportunity to share their problems in Pakistan with the minister," an Afghan Embassy official said.

The Afghan minister is in Pakistan to represent the country in a tripartite meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan and the UNHCR.

At the meeting, the three sides underlined their commitment to empower Afghan refugees in Pakistan and to pro-actively work towards their voluntary repatriation and sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan.
Indonesian National Police spokesman Major General Boy Rafli Amar speaks to the media during a press conference at the National Police headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, July 19, 2016. (Xinhua Photo by Zulkarnain)

JAKARTA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia on Tuesday confirmed the death of the country's most-wanted terrorist who was killed in a gunfight with officers in the vast jungles of Central Sulawesi on early Monday evening.

"Yes, (Santoso's death) has (been confirmed)," Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan told reporters at his office in Jakarta.

He also said that the other body belonged to one of Santoso's followers, who was identified as Mukhtar.

Previously, it was reported that the body was of Santoso's deputy named Basri, who apparently managed to escape into the forest during the shootout.

Luhut added that troops involved in Operation Tinombala -- the kill-or-capture mission against Santoso's group -- would continue going after the rest of them.

Santoso was arrested in 2005, but broke free from jail five years later.

More than 3,000 officers from the Indonesian military and the police have been deployed to take him and his followers down over the past few years.

President Joko Widodo, who took office in October 2014, vowed to make capturing Santoso a top priority.
JUBA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of South Sudanese held peaceful demonstrations in the streets of Juba on Wednesday to protest against the Africa Union (AU)-endorsed regional force.

The protesters marched to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) premises and handed over their petition, protesting against a proposal by the AU for the deployment of regional peace keeping troops to the war-torn country.

The protests which was organized by a civil society and backed by the government opposed the planned deployment, proposed targeted sanctions on the country's leaders and to sent a call for the review of the mandate of UNMISS.

"We members of the civil society organizations, women leagues, student unions, youth and faith-based organizations and representatives of chiefs in South Sudan are presenting this petition during this peaceful demonstration to reject the military intervention and unjustified intended sanctions against South Sudan," said Akouch Ajang, head of South Sudan's Civil Society Alliance.

Ajang said the civil society organizations in South Sudan are not in favor of any intervention by foreign forces.

"We reject the increment of UN troops to South Sudan," he said. Ajang also said the South Sudan civil society instead wants the international community to support the peace agreement which was inked in August last year.

The AU on Monday approved deployment of additional peacekeeping force to back a contingent of 12,000-strong UN blue helmets already in South Sudan after the recent violence in Juba between rival army factions which left at least 300 dead and thousands displaced.

President Salva Kiir said last week that he would not accept even a single more foreign soldier on South Sudanese soil.

Bol Makueng Yol, spokesperson of Kiir's faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) said the move would be considered a declaration of war.

According to the AU plan, regional troops will be comprised of forces from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda.

The recent fighting put a peace deal signed in August 2015 in the balance since Vice President Riek Machar moved out of the capital Juba following fighting between his force and those loyal to President Salva kiir.

"As a South Sudan citizen, I don't see a reason for the AU and UN to put military intervention as a solution to our problem. I regard this as an inversion and abuse of our sovereignty. They should have given us a chance to talk," said Valentino Akol, a University student who joined the protest.

The heavy fighting in Juba last week was widely criticized by the international community which suggested an arms embargo be imposed on South Sudan as well as lobbied African nations to send more troops to reinforce UNMISS.
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX's uncrewed Dragon cargo ship arrived at the International Space Station on Wednesday, carrying a crucial docking port for future American commercial spacecraft and a DNA sequencing device.

NASA astronauts Jeff Williams and Kate Rubins reached out with the station's robotic arm and grappled the spacecraft at 6:56 a.m. EDT (1056 GMT), as the orbital laboratory flew 252 miles (about 406 kilometers) over the Great Lakes, U.S. space agency NASA said.

Dragon carried almost 5,000 pounds (2,268 kilograms) of cargo for its ninth commercial resupply mission for NASA, including the first of two international docking adapters, which NASA said will set up the station for "a new era of human spaceflight."

The hardware is a ring weighing more than 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) that will provide a standardized connection point for future crewed spacecraft to automatically dock with the station.

Its first users are expected to be the Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew Dragon, both now in development in partnership with NASA's Commercial Crew Program.

The station's robotic arm will retrieve the docking port from Dragon's unpressurized trunk and spacewalkers will complete the installation in August, said NASA.

The rest of the cargo included a miniaturized device that will allow DNA sequencing in space for the first time. The samples in this first test will be a mix of a common virus, a bacteria and mouse cells, in a bid to see how well the machine operates in microgravity.

Another interesting science experiment aboard this flight is an investigation that will study how microgravity changes the human heart, and how those changes vary from one individual to another.

Dragon was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket early Monday and will remain docked with the station until Aug. 29.
PHNOM PENH, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Garment Manufacturers Association (GMAC) Wednesday slammed the opposition leader for calling on the European Union to reduce imports from Cambodia.

GMAC represents all exporting garment factories in the country.

"GMAC would like to express its disagreement with and regret over a recent appeal by opposition leader Sam Rainsy for the European Union to reduce the imports of garment and footwear products from Cambodia," it said in a statement.

Sam Rainsy made the appeal at the European Parliament in Brussels last week, claiming that he would not believe the move would affect workers in Cambodia.

GMAC Secretary-General Ken Loo, however, said, "EU has been the biggest export market for Cambodia's garments, and any move by the Union to slow down imports from Cambodia would mean smashing rice pots of the workers."

The country's 6-billion-U.S.-dollar garment industry is comprised of some 1,007 factories, employing around 750,000 workers.

Garment industry accounts for about 20 percent of Cambodia's GDP. Any slowdown in the exports would adversely affect the country's economic growth.
A woman waters flowers offered to the victims of the terrorist attack of Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France, July 16, 2016. The Islamic State (IS)-linked news agency Amaq claimed responsibility for the attack in Nice on Thursday that killed 84 people, reported French media. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan)

HELSINKI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A Finnish researcher has claimed that the anti-terrorism measures in Europe are lagging behind nowadays, leaving more room for terror activities than years ago.

Leena Malkki, a researcher at the University of Helsinki, has told Finland's national broadcaster Yle lately that the preparedness of security organizations to tackle terrorist operations is not so good as it used to be.

After the 2005 attacks in London, there was a lengthy period when nothing major happened, said Malkki. She said the calm did not mean there were no attempts or plots of terrorism. "On the contrary, plans for major attacks were prevented in those years," she said.

Malkki said that the seemingly calm situation contributed to an impression that no major operations were feasible in Europe, not at least in a very organized way.

"But now there seems to be a situation that there is more room for terrorism in Europe", she said. "Now and then we have these moments when security measures cannot keep abreast with the way terrorism develops."

However, she believed the current gap in Europe will be mended if the security personnel can acclimatize their operations to the new situation and increase the capability of collecting information.

European countries have suffered major terrorist attacts in the past two years, including the series of attacks in Brussels, Belgium on March 22 with over 30 dead and in the Paris area, France, last November with 132 killed.

Talking about the latest truck attack in Nice, southern France, Malkki said that it did not necessarily present a new phenomenon, but it remained to be seen what the essence of the incident was.

"The attack did not need major planning like the attacks in Paris. But even if connections with ISIS are not found, the alarming vision remains that the message of ISIS can inspire individuals or small groups," she said.

The question remained what kind of conclusions should be drawn from the fact that "the person was not known to security services in advance and that there is so far no information about any jihadist attitudes," Malkki noted.

"Basically, the profile of the suspect involved in ordinary criminality and with problems in life is not essentially different from those militants involved in organized attacks," she said.

In the past, the fighters went to the Middle East and came back, and it was the individual acts that were considered the biggest threat in Europe. but now terrorism is a bigger problem in Europe. "The problem is partially related to ISIS, but has also European roots," Malkki said.
YINCHUAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the implementation of the nation's new development concepts of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared growth, while urging improved environmental protection during a trip to northwestern China.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while visiting Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from Monday through Wednesday.

China's economy made progress while remaining stable in general terms in the first half of the year, Xi said.

The country should work to tackle deep-rooted problems that constrain its economic growth, and seek solid economic foundations and longer-term benefits in order to improve the quality, efficiency and competitiveness of its economy, said Xi.

He said the new development concepts -- proposed in the country's roadmap for social and economic development for 2016-2020 -- shall be integrated throughout the entire process of China's social and economic development and its efforts to build a "moderately prosperous society" in an all-round way.

In China's supply-side structural reform, less developed regions should seek new achievements just as developed regions do, Xi said.

Authorities should properly handle relations between supply and demand and between the government and the market, and make sure that the market is allowed to play a decisive role in allocating resources while the government plays a better role.

Less developed regions could benefit from the innovation-driven development strategy and seek to improve their strength in scientific innovation through interaction with, or help from, China's eastern and more developed areas, Xi said.

The Chinese President meanwhile noted that Ningxia is an important ecological security barrier in northwestern China, and said construction of "green barriers" should be strengthened.

Protection of water resources should be reinforced, especially at headstreams and significant lakes and wetlands, to prevent water pollution, he said.

Xi also called for the protection of the Yellow River, saying pollution of the river, known as China's "Mother River," must be eliminated.
NEW DELHI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Life remained affected in India's western state of Gujarat due to shutdown and clashes Wednesday over an assault on members of lower caste - Dalit community.

The situation worsened following reports that seven men from Dalit community attempted suicide to protest the attack on fellow community members.

The clashes were triggered last week after four Dalit men were assaulted by "cow protectors" while they were trying to skin a dead cow in Una town of Gir Somnath district, about 359 km southwest of Gandhinagar city, the capital of Gujarat.

The four, believed to be tannery workers, were stripped, tied to a vehicle and flogged with iron rods while being paraded.

During the past two days, protestors clashed with police, set ablaze buses and blocked transport.

A policeman who was injured in the clashes succumbed to his injures in hospital on Tuesday.

During the shutdown, Dalit community members staged demonstrations demanding punishment to the attackers.

"In Gujarat, many parts of Saurashtra observed shutdown today in protest against the atrocities on Dalit youths in Una," an official said.

Authorities fearing clashes cancelled the state transport services in Amreli and Junagadh districts following stone pelting and attacks on public transport by mobs on Tuesday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the attack on Dalits.

Cow slaughtering is a sensitive issue in India and sometimes flares up communal passions.

Last year, a 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was beaten to death and his son injured at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh over rumours that the family was eating beef.

Meanwhile, India's opposition parties Wednesday created uproar in the parliament over the attack on Dalits in Gujarat.

The members shouted slogans against the government and accused it of failing to protect Dalits, following which the House was adjourned.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh said nine people accused in the attack were arrested and four police officers suspended.

Singh said the matter was being investigated and local government in Gujarat would set up a special court for speedy trial of the case.
LHASA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The New Palace of Panchen Lama in Tibet's Xigaze is ready for the Kalachakra teachings, scheduled to begin on Thursday, the first to be delivered by the 11th Panchen Lama Bainqen Erdini Qoigyijabu.

A throne of several meters high and covered in yellow silk was placed on a new 200-square-meter platform in the south side of the palace.

A traditional Tibetan ribbon has been put up on both sides of the throne, each measuring a dozen meters long and two meters wide, to symbolize good fortune.

The 11th Panchen Lama will ascend to the seat on Thursday and deliver instructions to Buddhists for four days. They will include a series of tantric teachings and initiations, known as Kalachakra, which means the "wheel of time," to help them through the cycle of life.

A mandala made of colored sand was completed by 20 senior monks from the Tantric Institute of nearby Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, the home temple for Panchen Lamas.

Tens of thousands of people have signed up for the event. No such service has been performed in Tibet for the past 50 years.

Hong Song, a Tibetan from Zhidoi County of Yushu Prefecture in Qinghai Province, left four days in advance with his family. They flew from Yushu to Lhasa first, and then took a train to Xigaze.

He carried three kilograms of fried highland barley for breakfast and quick bites to eat in case there was no time for meals. Hong, 56, called the upcoming teachings "very very precious."

"I hope I can see Panchen Rinpoche in person and I wish all sentient beings could be relieved from the pain of the cycle of life," he said.

His niece, Ghasong Lhamo, 14, also looks forward to the teachings. Ghasong Lhamo said her dream is to "become a nun to teach Buddhism and help people."

"But right now, I hope I can enter a good senior high school," she said. This summer, like many others her age, she sat an entrance exam for senior high school.

Outside the front gate of the Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery, Ghasong Lhamo and Hong Song joined thousands of Tibetans to celebrate the lamasery's annual festival to unveil a 32-meter-tall Buddha Thangka to the public on Wednesday.x "Worshiping the Buddha Thangka is an auspicious prelude to attending the upcoming Kalachakra teachings," said Hong Song.

Ghasong Lhamo said she hopes she will excel in her studies and increase her wisdom and compassion.

Wei Bin, a Han Chinese from Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, was among the crowd of pilgrims outside Zhaxi Lhunbo Lamasery. He said he was stunned by the devoutness of Tibetan Buddhists, who turned their prayer wheels in hand when walking.

"When the Buddha Thangka was unveiled, many of them (Tibetans) immediately prostrated. I am curious to know what the Buddha has said and why they are so pious," said Wei.

Wei came to Xigaze on business and is staying in the city for a few weeks. He said he often takes walks at Zhaxi Lhunbo Square.

"These days, the square has become increasingly crowded. I guess it's because of the Kalachakra ritual. You can feel the excitement in the air," he said. "I wish I could be in the New Palace to witness the event."
SHIJIAZHUANG, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Cars drive on a waterlogged road in Shijiazhuang, capital city of north China's Hebei Province, July 20, 2016. A heavy rain hit the middle and southern areas of Hebei Province in last three days. Precipitation in many cities including Handan, Xingtai and Shijiazhuang reached 630 mm. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

SHIJIAZHUANG, July 20 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were confirmed dead and 34 others remain missing after heavy rain hit north China starting Monday.

Three fatalities were confirmed in Shanxi Province, two in Henan Province, and another in neighboring Hebei Province. The missing were all reported in Hebei Province, local authorities said Wednesday.

Hebei Provincial Meteorological Bureau on Wednesday morning issued a red alert for rainstorms, forecasting heavy rain to continue throughout the coming hours.

Red is the most serious alert in China's four-tier color-coded system for severe weather.

The provincial water resources department said rain has caused disasters in 19 counties. The cities of Handan, Xingtai and Shijiazhuang all saw up to 630 millimeters of rain.

Rain has caused the major rivers in the province to breach their banks, damaging 11 dams, two hydropower stations, 112 telecom base stations, and inundating 4,000 hectares of farmland.

The civil affairs department relocated 67,158 people over safety concerns, as the provincial land resources bureau warned of flooding, landslides and mountain torrents.

In the provincial capital of Shijiazhuang, 13 road underpasses were also waterlogged.

In Shanxi, rainstorms since Monday have affected 39 counties, with more than 14,000 residents temporarily relocated as of noon Wednesday. More than 600 houses were toppled and another 1,700 damaged, according to figures released by the Shanxi provincial civil affairs department.

Provincial land resources and weather authorities have issued two alerts for geological disasters in the next 24 hours.

Nearly 50 train trips were suspended, according to the railway bureau of Taiyuan, the provincial capital. An expressway in Pingyang County was also closed after a massive road collapse caused by rain-triggered floods.

In Henan Province, which borders Shanxi, nearly 100,000 residents were temporarily relocated in the city of Anyang as water levels of three major local reservoirs exceeded warning levels.

Direct economic losses reached 300 million yuan as more than 130 houses were toppled and over 6,000 hectares of crops were damaged.

The rainstorm has also disrupted road traffic and cut off telecommunications, and reports of casualties and damage are expected to rise.

Late on Tuesday, the city discharged 2,500 cubic meters of floodwater to the Cuijiaqiao flood basin, causing a dike to breach. More than 3,000 people are rushing to close the breach.

The national meteorological authority on Wednesday maintained its orange alert, the second highest level, for rainstorms across the country.
Cuba's President Raul Castro (R) and U.S. President Barack Obama (L) attend a press conference at the Revolution Palace in Havana, capital of Cuba, on March 21, 2016. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

by Xinhua writer Ma Guihua

MEXICO CITY, July 19 (Xinhua) -- For Cuba and the United States, two Cold War foes for over half a century, a belated rapprochement presents exciting possibilities. Cuba is hot now, with tourism, culture and small businesses starting to blossom.

But the thaw in U.S.-Cuba relations could be like watching ice slowly melt.

Yes, there was the initial fanfare in Havana and Washington marking the restoration of U.S.-Cuban diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015. In March of this year, President Barack Obama made an historic trip to Cuba, accompanied by a high-profile business entourage eager to be part of the Cuba boom.

The run-up to Obama's Cuba visit, the first by a sitting president in 88 years, was marked by a loosening of restrictions, allowing U.S. individuals to have people-to-people educational travel to Cuba without government permission while lifting restrictions on the use of American dollars in transactions with the Caribbean island.

Also in March, hotel chain Starwood signed a deal with Cuba to manage three hotels in Havana, and Marriott and Airbnb announced new opportunities in the island country. Cuba, in turn, removed the 10 percent tax on U.S. dollar.

In May, about 700 U.S. passengers boarded the first cruise in almost 40 years to travel from Miami to Havana. A month later, U.S. Department of Transport approved six airlines to establish regular flights to nine destinations in Cuba.

Tourism, a key foreign currency earner for the Caribbean island, is the first to benefit from the U.S.-Cuba thaw, with a record 3.5 million inbound visitors in 2015. The number of American tourists increased 77 percent in 2015 from the previous year. Estimates suggest that Cuba is now bracing for as many as 10 million U.S. tourists per year.

A Cuban takes pictures of American tourists in a street of Havana, on September 18, 2015. (Xinhua/AFP)

Yet despite Obama's efforts to chip away through executive orders the over five-decade U.S. embargo on Cuba, really normalizing relations will not be easy, or quick.

"Charting this new course for the Cuban government means starting the clock on an economy that has been stuck in time over the past several decades," said Stefan Selig, Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce.

But he was concerned that "if the embargo is not lifted in the near term, the excitement will begin to wane."

The commercial, economic, and financial embargo the United States has imposed on Cuba since 1962 can only be lifted by the Congress under the conditions that Cuba, in its view, has a democratically elected government and an improved human rights record.

The embargo, or "blockade" as Cubans see it, since it also blocks third countries from doing business with the Caribbean island, has cost it nearly 834 billion U.S. dollars, Cuba claims.

Andres van Hoole, a Cuban-American businessman born in Cuba, sees Cuba now as going through "an evolution of the revolution", but he couldn't help asking: "Is the embargo not an embargo on U.S. businesses and companies and U.S. individuals from visiting Cuba like you can elsewhere in the world?"

Indeed. Estimates from U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Cuba Policy Foundation place the cost of the Cuban embargo to the U.S. economy at between 1.2 billion and 4.84 billion dollars annually. A study by Texas A&M University calculated that 6,000 American jobs could be created by lifting the embargo.

For 24 years in a row, the United Nations General Assembly has adopted resolutions calling for an end to the U.S. embargo against Cuba, but to no avail.

Two months after the two neighbors resumed diplomatic ties, Cuban President Raul Castro urged the U.S. to lift the embargo, return the land it occupied as military base in Guantanamo Bay, and stop anti-government radio and television broadcasts as well as "subversive and destabilizing" programs.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told the UN General Assembly that "Any attempt to condition the lifting or modification of the blockade to the introduction of internal changes in Cuba will be in no way acceptable nor productive."

A vintage car passes the Hotel Four Points by Sheraton in Havana, capital of Cuba, on June 29, 2016. (Xinhua/Raimundo Urrechaga)

In April, during the opening of the Seventh Congress of Cuba's Communist Party (PCC), President Castro said all Cubans should know Washington's intention toward the government in Havana remain the same -- regime change.

"We must be more vigilant than ever, since the U.S. has changed its strategy, but not its objective," said Castro, warning "the methods used will be more difficult to counteract."

Ted Piccone, senior fellow with the Latin America Initiative at the Brookings Institution, highlighted the "longstanding feuds" between U.S. and Cuba, noting "it will take longer than a year or two to unwind the accumulated distrust and build support for this new normalcy."

Obama's Cuba visit is intended to make the normalization of U.S.-Cuban ties irreversible. Toward that goal, the two governments have also been having bilateral commission meetings on telecommunications, U.S. property claims, environmental protection and cooperation, human trafficking, human rights, migration, law enforcement, civil aviation, and direct mail.

However, this month, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to approve new restrictive measures against Cuba, on travel to Cuba for certain educational exchanges, importation of property confiscated by the Cuban government, and financial transactions with the Cuban military. What's more, restrictions on agricultural exports and travel to Cuba, which have been widely expected to be lifted, remain in place.

Archibald Ritter, research professor with Carleton University, believes there is a correlation between U.S. embargo and reforms in Cuba.

"If the embargo were to end quickly, that would encourage a much more rapid process of reform in Cuba," he said.

For Cuba, a country which has learned the dangers of relying heavily on a single country, be it the United States in the pre-revolutionary years, or Soviet Union, or Venezuela, as some analysts say, now that it's determined to update its economic model, it will take its time to diversify its economy and trading partners.

"Cuba still has to decide how much it wants to open up its market in specific areas, and how much it wants to privatize that market," said Jay Brickman, vice-president of government services and Cuba service at Crowley Maritime.

Amid all the hustle and bustle from the in-streaming Americans trying to see the pristine island "frozen in time" before the big commercial chain stores spoil it, changes are coming. But this time, it's at Cuba's own pace.
Britain's new Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a speech after arriving at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain on July 13, 2016. (Xinhua/Han Yan)

LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May has told European Council President Donald Tusk that Britain will not take over the presidency next year, Downing Street confirmed Wednesday.

Britain was scheduled to hold the seat in the second half of next year, but May has decided Britain should miss its turn after the recent referendum vote to leave the European Union (EU).

May gave her decision to Tusk in a telephone call on Tuesday between the pair, Downing Street confirmed Wednesday.

The presidency rotates between the 28 EU member states on a six-monthly basis, giving each the opportunity to shape the agenda.

A Downing Street spokesman said that May told Tusk that giving up the presidency was "the right thing to do given we will be very busy with negotiations to leave the EU".

May also told Tusk she felt it was right to give other EU member nations time to make arrangements for a different country to be appointed to hold the presidency during that period.

In the statement Number 10 said Tusk welcomed the fact that May had come to a swift decision on the issue.

The telephone call was May's first conversation with the European Council president since she became prime minister last week.

May was on Wednesday set to hold her first Prime Minister's Question Time in the House of Commons before heading to Europe for a series of meetings. She is due to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and on Thursday she meets French President Francois Hollande.
KIEV, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The murder of a well-known Ukrainian journalist is most likely work-related, a senior Ukrainian Interior Ministry official said Wednesday.

Pavel Sheremet, who wrote for the online investigative media outlet Ukrainska Pravda, was killed Wednesday morning in Kiev on his way to work when an explosive device planted inside his vehicle went off at about 7:45 a.m. local time (GMT 0445).

According to the Interior Ministry, the device, equivalent to 400-600 grams of TNT, was planted near the driver's seat.

"The major version of Sheremet's murder is his professional activities as a journalist," said Zoryan Shkiryak, an adviser to Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.

"Personal enmity" is being examined as another possible motive behind Sheremet's death, Shkiryak added.

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yury Lutsenko said that the murder of the journalist could be aimed at "destabilization of the situation in Kiev."

Nadiya Maksymets, spokesperson for the Kiev prosecutor's office, confirmed that the car belonged to Alyona Pritula, the co-founder, owner and editor-in-chief of the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper. She was not in the vehicle at the time of the blast.

While speaking with the local 112 TV-channel, Maksymets said that Kiev criminal experts considered the possibility that the attack was targeted at Pritula.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the country's law enforcement agencies to promptly investigate the death of Sheremet and provide protection to Pritula.

The 44-year-old Sheremet was a Minsk-born journalist and political analyst who had worked in Belarus and Russia before moving to Ukraine five years ago.

Besides his work at Ukrainska Pravda, Sheremet was also an anchor for the morning show at Radio Vesti.

A number of international organizations, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, have condemned the murder and urged immediate actions from the Ukrainian government to investigate the incident.
People watch flag-raising ceremony at the U.S. embassy in Havana, Cuba, Aug. 14, 2015. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

by Raimundo Urrechaga

HAVANA, July 19 (Xinhua) -- One year after re-establishing diplomatic relations, Cuba and the U.S. still face many challenges, especially as ongoing mistrust between both governments has led to limited results in the last 12 months.

Out in the streets of Havana, Cubans have remained very cautiously optimistic, after both nations formally reestablished diplomatic ties on July 20, 2015, after five decades of enmity.

The U.S. economic embargo on the island country remains in place and constitutes a major obstacle for the normalization of ties, something the majority of Cubans demand as a necessary step for normalized links with Washington.

"I think there should be a faster approach to discuss economic and financial restrictive policies that the U.S. has imposed against Cuba as well as other issues like the return of the Guantanamo Naval Base," Jesus Gancedo, a Cuban private worker, told Xinhua.

Although U.S. President Barack Obama has issued several executive measures loosening up parts of the blockade, many of them have not yet been adopted while Havana claims the blockade makes it impossible to normalize economic ties.

Despite these executive measures, Obama has failed to persuade U.S. Congress controlled by his Republican opponents to lift it.

"If these topics are not discussed in greater depth and responsibility, this rapprochement will not mean much for our country," added Gancedo, who runs a private cell phone repair shop in western Havana.

However, many Cubans still believe ties with the U.S. will bring economic benefits to the island, including much needed investment and tourism, albeit slowly.

In return, Havana is also demanding that emblematic goods such as rum, cigars, pharmaceutical and biotechnological products be allowed to enter the U.S. market.

People gather for the arrival of the United States cruise "Adonia", in Havana, capital of Cuba, on May 2, 2016. (Xinhua/Joaquin Hernandez)

"So far, everything is the same but I guess something will change. If both countries decided to normalize relations, something has to happen. After many years without links, something new must materialize between Cuba and the U.S.," Paloma Palmes, a 20 year-old college student, told Xinhua.

Over the last year, Washington has allowed certain companies to do business with the Cuban government in areas like tourism, agriculture and telecommunications. However the vast majority of them are still awaiting the end of the embargo to be totally lifted in order to engage deeper.

Carnival cruise ships now sail from Miami to Havana, travelers can stay at the Four Points by Sheraton hotel in Havana, and regular commercial flights between the two countries are due to begin in the fall.

"Relations are going slowly but we can see certain steps have been taken to establish a broader and productive relationship for both countries," Francisco Grass, a retired worker, told Xinhua.

"I think there has been progress between both nations. However, many laws and measures that dictate the actual relation must be suppressed or eliminated in order to have more communication and understanding," said Jose Cardenas, a Cuban state employee.

Young Cubans believe this new era with Washington could bring more development, particularly with greater Internet access which is limited throughout the island.

"We have been separated for a long time. But now, with this relationship we should be able to buy more goods and have greater Internet access, we cannot be isolated from the rest of the world," said Daniel Bermudez, a young Cuban worker.
SKOPJE, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Macedonian police and the public prosecutor launched the major operation "Coyote" early morning on Wednesday against an organized group of suspected migrant smugglers.

A total of 24 people are under investigation for organizing the illegal transit of migrants through Macedonian territory, robbery, abuse of official position, and drug trafficking. Five of the arrested are police officers.

Three of the alleged organizers -- one of them a police offer -- were from the central Macedonian town of Veles. The group is believed to have been operating since the beginning of 2015.

"The police officers were engaged in criminal acts while performing their duty," Macedonian Interior Minister Mitko Chavkov explained at a press conference here where he presented the video material from the raids.

The prosecution suspects the group organized the illegal transport of at least 559 migrants from the border with Greece to the Serbian border. The sums charged for single transport varied between 500 and 1,000 euros (550 and 1,100 U.S. dollars).

The arrested police officers are suspected of helping the group with information and logistics, even lending their police uniforms to perform the criminal acts.

Aside from migrant smuggling, the group is charged with bank robbery, drug trafficking and drug dealing, misuse of position, and forgery of official documents.

During the raids in the homes of the arrested, the police found automatic and non-automatic weapons, ammunition and a hand grenade, so they are also facing charges for illegal arms possession, the prosecutor reported.

Chavkov confirmed the police had information about other criminal groups similarly engaged in migrant smuggling and was investigating.

After the closing of the so-called Balkan route popular amongst migrants transiting towards western Europe, the criminals are again charging high sums for organizing the illegal transport of migrants through Macedonian territory.

"This was to be expected. Once the legal registration process is no longer available, it is logical to expect that the black migrant routes will return. The countries in the region will have to increase the efforts to control the illegal transits," security analyst Blagoja Markovski told Xinhua.

An average of 60 migrants try to enter Macedonia illegally from Greece every day, Macedonian security forces assess. On the Serbian side, dozens of migrants per day try to cross illegally so as to continue their journey further north. Enditem
BEIJING, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- A plane is seen at the apron of the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, capital of China, July 20, 2016. A total of 212 flights have been canceled at Beijing Capital International Airport due to the continuous rainfall. (Xinhua/Fu Qi)

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Gao Yu planned to take the train from Beijing to Tangshan in north China's Hebei Province on Wednesday morning. But when she arrived at Beijing West Railway Station, she found her train was among many that had been delayed due to heavy rain.

"We were told to wait until further notice," she said. As people gathered in the station waiting room, rain leaking in through its roof, more trains were canceled.

Beijing was hit by heavy rainfall rarely seen in years on Wednesday, with traffic on the rails, roads and in the skies disrupted.

The capital raised its storm alert to orange, the second-highest of China's four-tier warning system, as the city's meteorological station forecast that the rain would continue until Wednesday night.

As of 4 p.m., the average precipitation in the capital reached 154.9 mm, with the maximum precipitation of 392.4 mm recorded in the suburban district of Fangshan, according to the meteorological station.

After a quick lunch, Gao returned to find station information screens largely lit up red, indicating changes to train services. A member of staff told her that the train was likely to be delayed till the evening.

While Gao waited, Wang Hui was checking for tickets for tomorrow. His train to Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi Province, was canceled. In fact, all high-speed trains to Taiyuan, which has been deluged with rain for two days, were stopped on Wednesday.

At first, Beijing West Railway Station broadcasted that passengers could return their tickets at the station and get a refund. However, due to the large number of stranded passengers, this service was temporarily stopped, and people were advised to apply for refunds later.

According to the Beijing Railway Bureau, at least 60 trains from the city have been canceled since 6 p.m. on Tuesday due to the rain and wind, while at least 13 more trains have had to return to their point of departure.

The air travel service has also been disrupted. By 8 p.m., 237 flights had been canceled at Beijing Capital International Airport due to the rain.

As of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, 13 waterlogged road sections in downtown Beijing had been temporarily closed to traffic. Beijing Drainage Group Co., the company responsible for managing the city's drains, said 3,102 workers have been dispatched to get the water away.

A total of 164 bus routes had been affected by the storm as of 2:30 p.m., with services suspended or canceled on 14 of them, according to the Beijing Public Transportation Group.

The Beijing Municipal Flood Control Office issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon, urging people to limit their travel, take public transport, and stagger their commutes after work.

To inform the public of more detailed traffic conditions during the flood season, Beijing Traffic Management Bureau cooperated with digital map and navigation firm Autonavi and the map service of Baidu for the first time this year. If the city issued orange alert or more serious level for storm, Beijingers can notice the waterlogged places on the navigation maps provided by the two map services.

Although the storm hampered the traffic, it boosted the city's online to offline (O2O) catering industry. The popular catering service offered by Baidu has seen an increase of over 40 percent orders than ordinary days on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The National Meteorological Center on Wednesday also maintained its orange alert for rainstorms across the country.

Three fatalities were confirmed in Shanxi Province, two in Henan Province, and another in neighboring Hebei Province after heavy rain hit north China starting Monday.

Tianjin Municipality, which neighbors Beijing, was also battered by torrential rain on Wednesday. Road traffic, air travel and public transport in Tianjin have been affected, according to the municipal government.

On Wednesday, the rain had caused the cancellation of 189 flights at Tianjin airport by 4 p.m.

From 7 a.m. Tuesday to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, average precipitation in the downtown area of Tianjin reached 218.5 mm with a maximum of 359.1 mm in Hexi District.

Besides Beijing, Hebei and Tianjin, torrential rain has also been forecast for parts of Liaoning, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan and Yunnan from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon, with rainfall of up to 240 mm in some places.

The National Meteorological Center advised people living in the affected areas to prepare for possible floods, landslides and mud and rock flows, and those that live in mountainous areas to move to safe places.

The governments of Shenyang City and Dalian City in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Wednesday ordered all schools and kindergartens to stay closed on Thursday due to the storms.

China has a four-tier color-coded system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
LUSAKA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Police on Wednesday raided the home of a running mate to Zambia's leading opposition presidential candidate, throwing tear gas and arresting a number of his supporters.

The police raided the home of Geoffrey Mwamba, who is a running mate of main opposition presidential challenger Hakainde Hichilema of the United Party for National Development (UPND) in next month's general elections.

The opposition leader was not at home when the incident happened as he is in the Copperbelt Province campaigning but his wife and other family members were in the house.

He said the police raided his home situated in northern Zambia's Kasama district in the early hours of Wednesday, breaking down doors and throwing tear gas.

"Dear friends, I am yet to establish the main reason for this barbaric act carried out by the police," he said on his Facebook page.

He said supporters of incumbent President Edgar Lungu had planned to attack his home after a rally held by the Zambian leader but that the opposition party's youth wing got wind of the plan and stayed overnight to keep vigil.

"However, early this morning at 5 hours my home was surrounded and raided, the UPND youth team has been rounded up and arrested, the police then broke down the doors of my home and threw tear gas in the house," he added.

Meanwhile, Hichilema has expressed concern over the raid and described it as another case of political persecution and the use of the police to serve partisan purposes.

"It is a great shame as we have been campaigning in the area peacefully and successfully for many weeks now. We await a proper response and account from the authorities," he said.

Pictures posted on social media show the extent of the raid with doors broken while tear gas canisters lay in some rooms.

The main opposition party has accused the ruling party of trying to stifle its campaigns ahead of next month's general elections through the use of the police.

Recently, the police raided the party's mobilization center in Lusaka, the country's capital and obtained some documents. Enditem
LUSAKA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The police in Zambia on Wednesday justified a raid on the house of an opposition leader, saying they were pursing party supporters who had hid into the house.

Geoffrey Mwamba, a running mate of main opposition presidential challenger Hakainde Hichilema in next month's general elections said he did not understand why the police raided his house in Kasama district north of the country where they even threw tear gas.

He said his grandchildren were injured in the process.

But Northern Province Police Commissioner Bonnie Kapeso said the police raided the house in pursuit of some party youth who were allegedly pulling down campaign posters belonging to the ruling party.

The police chief said the suspects refused to stop when the police confronted them and run into the opposition leader's house.

The police had to use tear gas in order to get the people they wanted out of the house after they refused to hand themselves peacefully.

According to him, 28 people have since been arrested and that dangerous weapons, including petrol bombs, machetes and spears have been confiscated.

The motive of the large group and the offensive weapons they were carrying was being investigated, he added.

"When the ring leaders decided to lock themselves in the bedroom and the law provides that if you are pursuing a suspect who goes into a building or a structure, you don't need a search warrant. We had to fish them out but others remained locked up," he said.

Zambian President Edgar Lungu is currently in the district conducting rallies ahead of next month's general elections. Enditem
YINCHUAN, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with local muslims at Xincheng Mosque in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 19, 2016. Xi made a three-day inspection tour in Ningxia.(Xinhua/Ju Peng)

YINCHUAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- No region or ethnic group should be left behind in China's drive to build a moderately prosperous society by 2020, President Xi Jinping said during a tour of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region that ended on Wednesday.

Xi spent three days in Ningxia, a less developed area with a high concentration of ethnic minorities in northwest China.

He called on local officials to implement the central authorities' policies and national development strategies to achieve economic prosperity and unity among ethnic groups.

Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, went to Guyuan City and Yinchuan City in Ningxia, home to many Chinese Muslims and people from the Hui ethnic minority group.

Xi visited villages, enterprises, a mosque, and a revolutionary education base, studying the implementation of economic and social development and poverty relief work.

On Monday morning, Xi arrived in Jiangtaipu in Xiji County, Guyuan City, to visit the memorial site commemorating the joining together of forces in the Long March. He laid a wreath at the monument, and called for carrying forward the spirit of old revolutionaries.

Xi then visited villages in Guyuan, checking poverty relief work there, talking with villagers about their livelihood, and urging Party members to take the lead to alleviate poverty among villagers.

Poverty relief is a priority for China in the next few years. As the country aims to build a "moderately prosperous society in an all-round way" by 2020, over 55 million people should be lifted out of poverty.

Xi attaches great importance to poverty relief. For the fourth year in a row, Xi Jinping's new year inspection tours have taken him to the frontlines of China's war against poverty.

During the 2016 Spring Festival, he visited Jiangxi Province. Xi visited Gansu Province and Beijing in 2013, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2014 and northwest China's Shaanxi Province in 2015.

In Ningxia, he also visited Yuanlong Migrant Village in Minning Township, Yongning County, Yinchuan City. The village was built 20 years ago with Xi's suggestion when he worked in Fujian Province. Its population has since expanded from 8,000 people to over 60,000.

After visiting the village and villagers' houses, Xi called for promoting poverty relief practices among them.

Xi inspected an incubator park established with cooperation between Ningxia and Zhejiang Province, encouraging more enterprises to join poverty relief efforts in western China.

In the Ningdong energy-chemical industry base, Xi inspected the world's biggest coal-to-oil project.
ATHENS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Michalis Sallas, one of the most prominent Greek bankers over the past two decades, stepped down on Wednesday from the post of chairman of Piraeus Bank, the country's largest lender by assets.

According to an announcement issued after a board of directors' meeting, Sallas decided it was time for a new generation of managers to take over following the recapitalization of the Greek banking sector in late 2015.

Sallas was declared honorary chairman while board member Harikleia Apalagaki was appointed interim chairman.

Sallas took the helm of Piraeus Bank in 1991 and turned a small lender with 200 employees, which had 0.1 percent share in the Greek market, into the leading lender today with some 20,000 employees and 30 percent market share.

Sallas expressed confidence in Piraeus Bank's future standing in the new environment created after the six-year Greek debt crisis.

Following the third recapitalization in three years, Greece's bank rescue fund, the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund (HFSF), controls a 26 percent stake in Piraeus bank and has a stronger say in the lender's corporate governance.

Under the terms of the third bailout deal with Greece's international creditors last summer, Greek banks have been supported with bailout financing.

In early 2016, HFSF launched an evaluation of board members of all four major banks in which it has stakes. Sallas' departure is the first major change in the reshuffle which is expected to finish by the end of this year, according to local financial analysts.

In February, Piraeus Bank appointed an interim CEO after the resignation of Anthimos Thomopoulos from the post. According to local media reports, Thomopoulos resigned under the pressure of the HFSF due to disgruntlement over his handling of the recapitalization process. Enditem
A picture taken on July 19, 2016 shows the statue of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, through a hole in a window at the damaged Ankara police headquarters after it was bombed during the failed July 15 coup attempt. (AFP/Xinhua)

ANKARA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday it has launched investigation on all military judges and prosecutors, suspending 262 of them.

Two people, respectively in the Central Anatolian province of Karaman and the Black Sea province of Zonguldak, were arrested for praising the July 15 failed coup attempt and insulting President Erdogan on social media, Hurriyet Daily News reported on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar's aide, Infantry Lt. Col. Levent Turkkan, have confessed allegiance to the suspected group behind the coup, Turkish media reported, citing Turkkan's testimony.
TEHRAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's intelligence forces dismantled and arrested a team of saboteurs in the southeastern border city of Khash in Sistan and Baluchestan province, the provincial police chief announced on Wednesday.

Members of the group, which had intended to sabotage and planned bomb attacks in public places of the city, were identified and arrested by the security forces, Hossein Rahimi was quoted as saying by Tasnm news agency.

The governor of Khash country, Mohammad Akbar Chaker Zehi, also told official IRNA news agency that in the operation, 10 members of the "terrorist" group was arrested.

They had planned to target two major military and security bases of the Islamic republic in the province, Chaker Zehi was quoted as saying.

The reports did not identify the political and ethnic affiliation of the arrested people.

In June, Iranian security forces killed five Jaish-ul-Adl, Arabic translation of the Army of Justice, members in Sistan and Baluchestan and confiscated substantial amounts of ammunition from them.

The Pakistani-based Jaish al-Adl is the Sunni rebel group attempting to fight for the rights of Sunni Muslims in the Iranian provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan, and is responsible for numerous attacks against Iran's border posts. Enditem
BANGKOK, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Thai Charter Draft Committee (CDC) Wednesday declined to join the public debate on the draft constitution staged by the Election Commission (EC) ahead of a referendum on August 7.

CDC Chairman Meechai Ruchupan said people would be more interested in contents of the charter than rhetoric on it, addressing that CDC is not in a role to argue with anyone about the charter, but to explain it to the public.

Meechai saw the information dissemination as the top priority before the referendum, noting that if there are distortions or misunderstanding about any parts of the draft, the CDC would try to make the clarifications.

The EC has planned ten debates from July 25 to August 5 which are to be broadcast by Thai PBS from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. free of charges.

As an act to encourage public participation in a fair debate, both supporters and opponents of the charter draft are allowed to join it.

Thailand is to hold the referendum on the draft constitution on August 7 to replace the current interim constitution adopted in July 2014. Enditem
YINCHUAN, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping talks with local muslims at Xincheng Mosque in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 19, 2016. Xi made a three-day inspection tour in Ningxia.(Xinhua/Ju Peng)

YINCHUAN, July 20 (Xinhua) -- No region or ethnic group should be left behind in China's drive to build a moderately prosperous society by 2020, President Xi Jinping said during a tour of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region that ended on Wednesday.

Xi spent three days in Ningxia, a less developed area with a high concentration of ethnic minorities in northwest China.

He called on local officials to implement the central authorities' policies and national development strategies to achieve economic prosperity and unity among ethnic groups.

Xi, who is also General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, went to Guyuan City and Yinchuan City in Ningxia, home to many Chinese Muslims and people from the Hui ethnic minority group.

Xi visited villages, enterprises, a mosque, and a revolutionary education base, studying the implementation of economic and social development and poverty relief work.

POVERTY ALLEVIATION

During his trip, Xi visited villages in Guyuan City, checking poverty relief work there, talking with villagers about their livelihood, and urging Party members to take the lead to alleviate poverty among villagers.

Poverty relief is a priority for China in the next few years. As the country aims to build a "moderately prosperous society in an all-round way" by 2020, over 55 million people should be lifted out of poverty.

Xi attaches great importance to poverty relief. For the fourth year in a row, Xi Jinping's new year inspection tours have taken him to the frontlines of China's war against poverty.

During the 2016 Spring Festival, he visited Jiangxi Province. Xi visited Gansu Province and Beijing in 2013, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2014 and northwest China's Shaanxi Province in 2015.

In Ningxia, he also visited Yuanlong Migrant Village in Minning Township, Yongning County, Yinchuan City. The village was built 20 years ago with Xi's suggestion when he worked in Fujian Province. Its population has since expanded from 8,000 people to over 60,000.

After visiting the village and villagers' houses, Xi called for promoting poverty relief practices among them.

Xi inspected an incubator park established with cooperation between Ningxia and Zhejiang Province, encouraging more enterprises to join poverty relief efforts in western China.

RELIGIOUS HARMONY

During his tour, Xi visited Xincheng Mosque in Yinchuan. Xi has called for efforts to promote religious and social harmony while guarding against illegal infiltration via religious means.

"No matter whether local or imported, our country's religions have been deeply imprinted into the Chinese civilization, with a history of more than 5,000 years, and have been deeply integrated into our social life," Xi said.

The president called on authorities to stick to the CPC's religious policies, carry out religion-related work in a law-based manner, and guide religions to adapt better to socialist society.

More efforts should be made to "direct religious figures and believers to respect and abide by the law, resolutely guard against illegal infiltration via religious means, and promote religious and social harmony," he said.

Education on national unity and progress should be enhanced to strengthen the idea that the Han ethnic group and various ethnic minority groups are inseparable from one another, Xi said.

Economic and social development should be accelerated in regions mainly inhabited by ethnic minority groups so as to promote unity and cohesion, the president added.

Xi also called on religious circles to interpret Islamic doctrine well, publicize latest achievements in interpretation, foster religious personnel, especially among the middle-aged and the young, and better serve and guide believers.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Chinese president underscored the implementation of the nation's new development concepts of innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared growth, while urging improved environmental protection during his trip.

Xi noted that Ningxia is an important ecological security barrier in northwestern China, and said construction of "green barriers" should be strengthened.

Protection of water resources should be reinforced, especially at headstreams and significant lakes and wetlands, to prevent water pollution, he said.

The president also called for the protection of the Yellow River, saying pollution of the river, known as China's "Mother River," must be eliminated.

China's economy made progress while remaining stable in general terms in the first half of the year, Xi said.

The country should work to tackle deep-rooted problems that constrain its economic growth, and seek solid economic foundations and longer-term benefits in order to improve the quality, efficiency and competitiveness of its economy, said Xi.

He said the new development concepts -- proposed in the country's roadmap for social and economic development for 2016-2020 -- shall be integrated throughout the entire process of China's social and economic development and its efforts to build a "moderately prosperous society" in an all-round way.

In China's supply-side structural reform, less developed regions should seek new achievements just as developed regions do, Xi said.

Authorities should properly handle relations between supply and demand and between the government and the market, and make sure that the market is allowed to play a decisive role in allocating resources while the government plays a better role.

Less developed regions could benefit from the innovation-driven development strategy and seek to improve their strength in scientific innovation through interaction with, or help from, China's eastern and more developed areas, Xi said.

During his tour in Ningxia, Xi arrived in Jiangtaipu in Xiji County, Guyuan City, to visit the memorial site commemorating the joining together of forces in the Long March. He laid a wreath at the monument, and called for carrying forward the spirit of old revolutionaries.

In the Ningdong energy-chemical industry base, Xi inspected the world's biggest coal-to-oil project.
UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A key advisor for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday called for an immediate action to protect girls and women across the world from sexual violence, saying that "we need action now to end this brutality that has become routine."

In a statement issued here in response to the recent case of sexual violence in India, Anju Malhotra, the UNICEF principal gender advisor, said that "the reported gang rape of a young Dalit woman in India by the same five men who had raped her three years ago underlines the heinous culture of impunity that surrounds violence against girls and women."

The incident took place last week in Haryana's Rohtak district, about 70 km northwest of the Indian capital of New Delhi. The young woman was allegedly raped by five men for the second time after three years in India and left to die in bushes, reports said.

"Approximately 120 million girls worldwide -- 1 in every 10 -- will experience sexual violence," the statement said. "The majority of these girls are violated for the first time between the ages of 15 and 19."

"But outrage is not enough," the statement said. "We need action now to end this brutality that has become routine and to give the victims of violence the justice and protection they deserve." Enditem
Turkish lawyers shout slogans during a pro-government demonstration in Istanbul, Turkey, July 20, 2016. (Reuters photo)

ISTANBUL, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held on Wednesday at the heart of Istanbul to commemorate the 242 people who lost their lives during last week's failed military coup.

The chiefs or representatives of foreign missions and leaders of religious groups joined citizens in paying their tribute to the victims at Taksim Square, where a panel was set up to list the names of the killed.

The participants read a joint "democracy declaration," in which they condemned the coup attempt that was staged by a faction in the military on Friday night and early Saturday morning.

"Sovereignty belongs to the people!" a quotation from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey, was inscribed on the panel.

"Turkey owes its today and its future to its martyrs and to its heroic people," read a verse on the panel.

Adem Yavuz, a Turk aged 50, still could not believe what he saw on Friday night.

"Was it our army, our soldiers or our enemies who opened fire on its own citizens?" he remarked.

"No enemy, no tank, no weapon can stand in front of the strength of these people," added another man named Yilmaz Demir.

Thousands of Turks have been gathering in Taksim Square each night since last Friday to show "We are at the squares watching democracy."
NAIROBI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A delegation of European Union (EU) parliamentarians has embarked on a series of meetings with Kenyan officials on alternatives to an outstanding dispute over the signing of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), allowing barrier-free trade, the lawmakers said Wednesday.

The members of the delegation held talks with Kenyan trade and foreign affairs ministry officials and prepared to meet with members of the civil society to gather concerns about the EPA, a free trade deal which is being prepared for signature after more than 10 years of talks with the EU in Brussels.

Bernd Lange, Chairman of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade, said the EU was prepared to discuss new alternatives to the agreement ahead of the Oct. 1 deadline for signing it.

Kenya, a country classified as a developing nation, risks losing a big market for the flowers, fruits and vegetables unless an agreement is reached on duty-free access to the EU after the deadline.

Trade talks between the East African Community (EAC) member states, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, on the EPA have dragged on since they kicked off in 2004.

Tanzania, a member of the EAC, declined to sign the trade deal until certain issues of concern, mostly those dealing with export regulations, are fully settled, according to officials.

The EU lawmakers, including Helmut Scholz, Marie Arena, Arne Lietz and Lange, said an arrangement to enable Kenyan farmers and exporters continue to access the EU market could be agreed, but only if the Kenyan authorities make an official request for consideration by the EU bodies.

"We have a big problem with Burundi. The EU rules of procedure do not allow us to vote on an agreement with countries under EU sanctions," Arena told reporters at a news conference at the venue of the UN Conference on Trade and Development's (UNCTAD) 14th session holding in Nairobi.

Kenyan foreign affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed has been playing down the potential of Kenyan exporters failing to get access to the European market due to the failure to have the trade agreement with the EU.

The EU lawmakers said a meeting with the Kenyan officials due to be held next month, would determine the decisions required to guarantee Kenya's access to the European market.

The EU lawmakers said it would be possible for Kenya to gain access to the EU once a request is made for consideration under the EU's General Scheme of Preferences (GSP).The agreement allows developing countries to access the EU market by paying minimal duty or no duty at all.

"We are keen on having more development aspects on the trade negotiations," Arena told reporters in Nairobi. "We have problems from the EU side and the problems from the region," Arena said.

The EU has declined granting Burundi access to its markets because of sanctions against President Pierre Nkurunziza, whose controversial re-election for a disputed third term, led to the EU sanctions.

The EU lawmakers said measures to protect the Kenyan economy would be required urgently, including consideration of requests for approval allowing Kenya to trade under the GSP classification.

The Kenyan government has embarked on shuttle diplomacy to have Burundi and the other EAC states sign the EPA to save the country from losing the key export markets.

Kenya's deputy President William Ruto visited Burundi on July 13 for talks with the authorities on the signing of the trade agreement. Enditem
ISLAMABAD, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Top American commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, met Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday and they discussed security issues, the military said.

Gen Nicholson, Commander Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan, is visiting Pakistan days after President Barack Obama announced he will keep 8,400 American troops in Afghanistan when he finishes his term in early 2017. He had earlier planned to slash the troop levels from 9,800 to 5,500 troops by the end of 2016.

In June, the U.S. President had also expanded the role of the American troops to accompany the Afghan troops in targeting the Taliban.

"During the meeting, regional security issues and matters of mutual interest including border management mechanism along Pak-Afghanistan border and way forward for lasting peace in Afghanistan were discussed," the Pakistan's army information wing said.

The meeting was held at a time when efforts for the peace talks face a deadlock as both the Taliban and the Afghan government have put a stop on the process.

Taliban had refused to join the talks under a quartet of Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the U.S. in early March. Kabul also changed the mood after the Taliban deadliest attack in Kabul in late April that had killed nearly 60 people and injured over 300.

"The visiting dignitary lauded the role of Pakistan Armed Forces in breaking the nexus of terrorists and efforts for bringing peace in the region," the army's statement further said. Enditem
LAGOS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's northern Kaduna State has the highest number of malnourished children with over 1.6 million, the United Nation Children's Fund (UNICEF) said Wednesday.

UNICEF's Nutrition Specialist, Florence Oni, disclosed this while presenting nutrition intervention score card in the last six months in the state during a two-day 2016 mid-year review meeting in northern city of Kaduna.

These children are suffering from one form of malnutrition or the other which is responsible for the death of 50 percent of children under five years in the state, she added.

She told her audience that over 900,000 children, representing 57 percent children in the state are stunted; meaning six out of every 10 children less than five years in the state are stunted due to malnutrition.

Over 750,000 children are wasted, which implies that 47 percent of the children are suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) and are 10 times more likely to die, Oni said.

According to her, the state government was already doing something about it, adding that much needed to be done if the epidemic would be address.

She added that UNICEF in collaboration with the state government has rolled out Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) in March this year as part of efforts to address the problem.

She said 507 children from six to 59 months old with severe acute malnutrition were admitted into CMAM between March and May.

She added that so far, 138 have been treated and discharged, while two defaulted and five died.

She also said 60 health workers and 160 community volunteers had been trained and acquired necessary skills and capacity for the management of SAM.

The nutrition expert equally said that Community Infant and Young Child Feeding (CIYF) were also rolled out in the state to educate mothers on proper feeding of children. Enditem
VILNIUS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Lithuanian diplomats residing abroad should leave their offices and actively seek contacts with foreign politicians, society, businesses and media in order to represent Lithuania well, Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said Wednesday.

She was speaking during Lithuania's annual ambassadors' meeting which started Wednesday and will last three days.

"Diplomats must be close to Lithuanian people, to hear and understand their problems and expectations and defend the state's interests in all possible areas," the head of state was quoted in a statement released by the presidency.

All Lithuanian nationals who happen to be abroad during a crisis situation must receive high-quality, swift and timely diplomatic assistance, Grybauskaite said.

In a separate comment to ELTA news agency, she suggested that Lithuania's diplomatic missions should take adequate consular actions in cases of quickly escalating crises.

"For example, during the attempted coup in Turkey, it was very hard to reach our diplomatic representations by phone," Grybauskaite said.

Grybauskaite said special focus should be placed on protecting Lithuania's interests in the process of forging future relations in European Union.

Maintaining strong relations with Baltic and Nordic countries, the United States and Germany is also on top of Lithuania's foreign policy agenda, the presidency noted.

Lithuania's Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, during a separate meeting with Lithuanian ambassadors, pointed to fast-changing foreign policies all over the world, multiple shocks and the threat of terrorism.

"We cannot ignore the spread of terror in Europe and neighboring countries," Butkevicius said. Enditem
DAMASCUS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A U.S.-backed Syrian rebel group beheaded a 12-year-old boy in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, amid condemnation from the Syrian government.

Militants with the Nour Addien Zinki group, which is located and largely fight in Aleppo province, executed Abdullah Issa, a Palestinian child from the Handarat camp for Palestinian refugees in Aleppo.

A video clip showing members of the group beheading the boy went viral.

The boy, which was said to had been sick, was apparently trying to dissuade his captors from killing him, but in vain.

One of the captors pushed the boy face down, grabbed a knife, cutting his head while shouting in exhilaration.

According to the group, the boy was accused of being a fighter with a pro-Syrian government Palestinian militia in Aleppo, an allegation totally denied by the Palestinian militia, known as Liwa al-Quds, and the Syrian government as well.

The execution of Issa drew a big wave of condemnation by Syrians online and also by news outlets, particularly that the Nour Addien Zinki group is categorized by the United States as a "moderate" rebel group that is backed by the West.

Local media headlined "U.S. moderate rebels kill a boy in Aleppo," scoffing at the U.S. claims that "moderate rebels" could actually exist in Syria.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry vehemently condemned the beheading, which is said to have happened a day earlier, saying "the terrorist group of Nour Addien Zinki, which is categorized by some countries as moderate, had carried out a cold-blooded crime by beheading a Palestinian kid, who didn't complete his 12 years of age."

"The Syrian government condemns this inhuman crime by Nour Addien Zinki movement which is backed and financed by the regimes of hate and extremism," it said, urging the international community to condemn the killing as well.
HANOI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A Vietnamese official met with Lan Tianli, vice chairman of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region here on Wednesday, during which the two sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in various areas.

President of Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan said at the meeting that Vietnamese government and people attach great importance to strengthening friendship and relations with the Chinese government and people. Vietnamese leaders always support and pay attention to exchanges and win-win cooperation between localities of the two countries, especially those sharing borderlines.

China's Guangxi stays close to Vietnam geographically and has close cooperation with Vietnam in many fields. Vietnam is the biggest trade partner of Guangxi. The two sides should further promote trade relations and cultural and tourism exchanges, Vietnam's state-run news agency quoted Nhan as saying.

Lan Tianli, for his part, said that Guangxi hopes to further enhance cooperation with Vietnamese border provinces in areas of economy and education, among others, for the mutual benefit of the two peoples.

According to Lan, currently, over 40 universities and colleges in Guangxi have set up cooperation with some 60 universities and colleges in Vietnam. Guangxi hopes that education will serve as a push for cooperation between Guangxi and Vietnam, thus contributing to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Vietnam. Enditem
A picture taken on July 3, 2016 from the UNESCO-listed citadel shows the partially collapsed building of the famed Carlton Citadel Hotel (L), in the government-controlled side of the divided northern Syrian city of Aleppo. (AFP/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A U.S.-backed Syrian rebel group beheaded a 12-year-old boy in Syria's northern province of Aleppo, amid condemnation from the Syrian government.

Militants with the Nour Addien Zinki group, which is located and largely fight in Aleppo province, executed Abdullah Issa, a Palestinian child from the Handarat camp for Palestinian refugees in Aleppo.

A video clip showing members of the group beheading the boy went viral.

The boy, which was said to had been sick, was apparently trying to dissuade his captors from killing him, but in vain.

One of the captors pushed the boy face down, grabbed a knife, cutting his head while shouting in exhilaration.

According to the group, the boy was accused of being a fighter with a pro-Syrian government Palestinian militia in Aleppo, an allegation totally denied by the Palestinian militia, known as Liwa al-Quds, and the Syrian government as well.

The execution of Issa drew a big wave of condemnation by Syrians online and also by news outlets, particularly that the Nour Addien Zinki group is categorized by the United States as a "moderate" rebel group that is backed by the West.

Local media headlined "U.S. moderate rebels kill a boy in Aleppo," scoffing at the U.S. claims that "moderate rebels" could actually exist in Syria.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry vehemently condemned the beheading, which is said to have happened a day earlier, saying "the terrorist group of Nour Addien Zinki, which is categorized by some countries as moderate, had carried out a cold-blooded crime by beheading a Palestinian kid, who didn't complete his 12 years of age."

"The Syrian government condemns this inhuman crime by Nour Addien Zinki movement which is backed and financed by the regimes of hate and extremism," it said, urging the international community to condemn the killing as well.
DAMASCUS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A Syrian monitor group said an Israeli airstrike targeted Syria's southern province of Qunaitera on Wednesday, as a military source denied the report.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an Israeli warplane was seen in the sky of the Qunaitera province, hitting with a missile an unknown target in al-Baath city in that province, bordering the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

The Observatory, which relies on a network of activists on ground, said the target was unknown, stopping short of giving details on other losses.

Meanwhile, a military source familiar with the situation denied the report of a possible Israeli strike, saying the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front targeted the al-Baath city with two rockets filled with highly-explosive materials.

Speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, the source said the Nusra militants fired the missiles from an area just 300 meters from the fence separating the Israeli-controlled Golan from Qunaitera.

He charged the launching spot is supervised by the Israelis, denying, however, that the Israelis were the ones firing the missiles.

He added that civilian casualties were caused, stopping short of giving details about the exact target of the rocket fire. Enditem
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The United States announced Wednesday it has filed a civil lawsuit to forfeit and recover more than 1 billion U.S. dollars in assets purchased with money stolen from Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said that these assets are associated with "international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from the Malaysian fund," namely 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).

The filing of civil forfeiture complaints, which were filed in Los Angeles, "represent the largest single action ever brought under the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative," Lynch said.

According to the complaints, from 2009 through 2015, more than 3.5 billion dollars in funds belonging to 1MDB was allegedly misappropriated by corrupt high-level Malaysian officials of 1MDB and their associates.

Those officials used fraudulent documents and representations to launder the funds through a series of complex transactions and fraudulent shell companies with bank accounts located in the Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the United States, the Justice Department said.

These assets that the U.S. seeks to forfeit and recover include high-end real estate and hotel properties in New York and Los Angeles, a 35-million-dollar jet aircraft, works of art by world famous painters Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet, an interest in the music publishing rights of EMI Music, and the production of the 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street.

1MDB was created by the government of Malaysia to promote economic development in Malaysia through global partnerships and foreign direct investment.

"The Department of Justice will not allow the American financial system to be used as a conduit for corruption," said Lynch.

"Corrupt officials around the world should make no mistake that we will be relentless in our efforts to deny them the proceeds of their crimes," she added. Enditem
KHARTOUM, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Sudan reiterated its support for China's position regarding the South China Sea issue on Wednesday, saying its support is based on the strategic relations between the two countries.

"Sudan has taken the initiative by issuing a clear statement in affirmation to its stance and friendship with China and in support of China via rejecting the intervention in its affairs," Awad Ahmed al-Jaz, Sudanese official in charge of maintaining Sudan-China relations, told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

"We maintain historic and deeply-rooted ties with China, and these ties necessitate us to defend and support one another. We have to work together, and just as China stands with Sudan and defends it, we promise that Sudan will remain a defender of China and its issues," he noted.

Al-Jaz further reiterated Sudan's willingness to enhance its relations with China to develop strategic bilateral ties in various fields.

"Based on the success of the experience of the joint cooperation between Sudan and China, a higher committee for developing bilateral ties has been established, chaired by (Sudanese) President Omar al-Bashir," he noted.

He went on saying that "the committee has prepared around 171 cooperation projects between Sudan and China, including economic, commercial, educational, health, mining, cultural, tourist and artistic fields, and we hope this plan will find acceptance by the other party."

Al-Jaz revealed that he would visit Beijing on July 27, to deliver a written message from President al-Bashir to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, in regard to enhancing the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries.

In the meantime, al-Jaz deems the Sino-Sudanese Relations' Week, to be organized by Khartoum on Thursday, as a message confirming the strong ties, saying "the week will reflect the standing historical bonds between the two countries' peoples."

The Sudanese official reiterated Sudan's concern for China's two initiatives, the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road , launched by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

"The Chinese president wants to renew an ancient history of the land and sea ties. It is one of the main cross roads, whereas Sudan was one of the main cross points on the Red Sea coast," explained al-Jaz.

"Sudan, with a strategic location and joint relations with the Arab and African worlds as well as its previous experiences with China, good relations with the neighboring countries and its location on the Red Sea, is ready to be a strategic point on this vital Road," he added.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives aim to bring closer the Asian, European and African countries via land and maritime networks of roads to boost infrastructures, financial cooperation and cultural exchange in these regions.

In February, the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir appointed al-Jaz Presidential Assistant in charge of managing Sudan-China affairs.

Al-Jaz assumed a number of official posts in Sudan, including Minister of the Council of Ministers, Minister of Energy and Mining, Minister of Industry and Minister of Oil.

After assuming the energy and mining portfolio, he has made great efforts to cement the longstanding partnership between Sudan and China, particularly in oil industry.

China recently honored al-Jaz one of the 10 international personalities who have made great contributions to economic and international relations with China. Enditem
by Raimundo Urrechaga

HAVANA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- A year after re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba, the United States believes its "engagement approach" with its former Cold War era enemy is working although many challenges remain for both sides, said U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Havana, Jeffrey DeLaurentis.

"The U.S. and Cuba have made significant progress in different areas that will improve the lives of citizens of both countries," said DeLaurentis, in a joint interview with foreign correspondents.

The top U.S. diplomat in the island said the "complex and long" normalization process between the two countries is underway and many topics have been discussed in the past year.

"Additional progress and tough conversations on challenging issues like human rights and claims are ahead. We remain committed to the dialogue and the relationship we're building with Cuba in the interests of both the United States and the Cuban people," he said.

DeLaurentis said U.S. President Barack Obama has signed four sets of regulatory measures to loosen up the restrictions imposed by the U.S. blockade on the island which can be only lifted by Congress.

"These changes try to stimulate commercial interaction in addition to expanding people-to-people travel. The whole notion of engagement and commercial contact is an important part of our relation but obviously within the confines of the law," he added.

Over the last year, Washington has allowed certain companies to do business with the Cuban government in areas like tourism, agriculture and telecommunications, however, the vast majority of them still await for the embargo to be totally lifted in order to engage deeper.

Starwood hotels recently inaugurated its first joint hotel in Havana while last May cruise ship Carnival docked in the Cuban capital, making it the first ever U.S. leisure ship to do so in over 50 years.

The White House has also authorized U.S. banks to establish correspondent accounts in Cuba, but only one bank has done so, while Cuban financial institutions are still banned from doing the same in the U.S.

Perhaps the biggest economic announcement came days before Obama visited Havana in March as he allowed Cuba to use the U.S. dollar in its international financial transactions, not only with Washington but with the rest of the world.

Three months later, Havana hasn't been able to do a single transaction in that currency.

The U.S. diplomat said last week banking officials of both countries participated in a seminar to address some of these specific issues and ensure the regulatory changes are implemented appropriately.

"We're trying to engage with the banks to ensure they too can avail themselves of the possibilities that are now essentially on the table," he said.

Both countries, said DeLaurentis, have tried to cover a number of different areas in the last year and several agreements have been signed.

"We've reestablished direct mail service, signed a memorandum of understanding in the health field particularly dealing with Zika and best practices on cancer and we're expanding our cooperation in law enforcement, money laundering, human smuggling, cybercrime, among others," he noted.

The diplomat also welcomed the start of air service to nine cities in Cuba and later on to Havana in the fall as part of an agreement signed between the U.S. Department of Transportation and Cuba's government.

Regarding the importance the Obama administration has given to engaging with the emerging Cuban private sector, DeLaurentis said Washington will continue to encourage the growth of small and medium private businesses on the island.

"The private sector is an important engine for economic growth and we would like to see as much economic growth here as possible. It's encouraging to see the extraordinary innovation, creativity that a number of small business owners have been exhibiting over the last few years and we would like to be as helpful to them as we can," he said.

The senior U.S. diplomat said both countries are focused on "moving forward" in all areas and make as much progress in the remaining months of the Obama administration.

"We have a new course in U.S.-Cuba relations ... and we're trying to make as much progress as possible so the policy is viewed as in the best interests of the U.S. and irreversible," he added.

The results of the U.S. elections in November could alter Washington's Cuba policy if Republican nominee Donald Trump gets to the White House. Hillary Clinton has said she would continue Obama's policy and promote ties with the Cuban people if she is elected. Enditem
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The United States on Wednesday announced sanctions on three senior al-Qaida members in Iran, in a move to disrupt the terror group's operations and support networks.

The three members include Faisal Jassim Mohammed Al-Amri Al-Khalidi, Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi, and Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

They were accused of being "responsible for moving money and weapons across the Middle East," it said.

"Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury took action to disrupt the operations, fundraising, and support networks that help al-Qaida move money and operatives from South Asia and across the Middle East by imposing sanctions on three al-Qaida senior members located in Iran," the statement said.

Al-Khalidi is a senior al-Qaida official and part of a new generation of al-Qaida operatives, who participated in the annual al-Qaida Council meeting in May 2015 as al-Qaida Military Commission Chief.

Bayumi, a veteran al-Qaida member since at least 2006, was reportedly involved in freeing al-Qaida members in Iran, while serving as a mediator with Iranian authorities.

Ghumayn is also a senior al-Qaida leader who controls the financing and organization of al-Qaida members located in Iran.

The Treasury Department remains committed to targeting al-Qaida's terrorist activity and denying its critical support networks access to the international financial system, said Adam Szubin, acting under secretary of treasury for terrorism and financial intelligence.
JERUSALEM, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Israel and the Republic of Guinea renewed their diplomatic contacts after 49 years of disconnect on Wednesday, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.

Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry Dore Gold signed an agreement to renew ties with Ibrahim Khalil Kaba, the chief of staff for the Guinean President Alpha Conde, in Paris on Wednesday, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry.

Gold said the renewal of contacts is an "important closing of a circle," and talked of Israel's desire to establish more ties in the African continent.

He added the renewal of the diplomatic ties was partly made possible due to Israel's assistance to Guinea during the outbreak of the Ebola virus in the country two years ago.

The West Africa state cut ties with Israel in 1967, amid the Mideast War Israel had fought against Arab states in the region, which culminated with the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, east Jerusalem, Golan Heights and Gaza Strip territories.

Eighty-five percent of Guinea's 10.5 million population are Muslim.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarked on a historic visit to Africa at the beginning of the month, in an apparent bid to find new trade partners and political allies.

During his visit, which spread across Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia, Netanyahu expressed his desire to establish diplomatic ties with as many African states as possible.

He told the parliament of Ethiopia that "Israel is coming back to Africa in a big way", and pledged to the Kenyan president that "Africa has no better ally than Israel."

The Israeli quest to make new allies in Africa comes as it is facing increasing international pressure from Western countries to resume peace talks with the Palestinians, especially after a 10-month wave of violence that claimed the lives of 34 Israelis and 218 Palestinians.
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday announced its preliminary affirmative determination in the antidumping duty (AD) investigation against imports of large residential washing machines from China, signaling that it may pose punitive duties on the products.

The department said that such products from China had been sold in the United States at dumping margins of 49.88 percent to 111.09 percent.

As a result of the preliminary affirmative determinations, Commerce will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to require cash deposits based on these preliminary rates.

The Commerce launched AD investigations against imports of such products from China in January 2016, in response to a request from Whirlpool Corporation based in the state of Michigan, the department said in a statement. The department is scheduled to make its final determinations in December this year, unless the statutory deadline is extended.

Punitive duties would be imposed after both the Commerce Department and the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) make affirmative final rulings. The USITC is scheduled to make its final determination in January 2017.

Imports of these products from China were estimated at about 899.4 million U.S. dollars in 2014, according to U.S. official data.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has kept urging Washington to abide by its commitment against protectionism and help maintain a free, open and just international trade environment. Enditem
MOSCOW, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said that his country is working with the United States to push forward the peace process in Syria.

"We are working to make our bilateral cooperation more efficient in all aspects of the Syrian conflict settlement process," said the ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

"(The settlement) must be aligned in such a way that would make the work more dynamic and efficient, so that the peace process could move ahead instead of stalling," Zakharova told reporters.

According to the spokeswoman, contacts would be intensified among specialists on both military and political spheres under the framework of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG).

But Zakharova refused to speak of a possible date for next ISSG meeting.

Earlier in the day, a Russian diplomatic source was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency saying that intensive military and political experts' work will begin in the coming days in Geneva of Switzerland.

The discussions would be held on the basis of the developments made during the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to Moscow on July 15, the source added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov after meeting with Kerry Friday said that they discussed in detail steps that the two sides could take to beef up the efficiency of their joint work in supporting the peace process in Syria.

The intra-Syrian talks brokered by U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura was paused with still no date set for resumption, while Mistura said on June 23 that the talks could restart in July.

Mistura then urged the ISSG, particularly its two co-chairs the U.S. and Russia, to enhance efforts seeking to provide tangible results for peaceful settlement in Syria. Enditem
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a news conference following the National Security Council and cabinet meetings at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, July 20, 2016. (Reuters photo)

ANKARA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Turkish president on Wednesday stressed solidarity with the United States in dealing with the extradition of Gulen, who was accused by Ankara of plotting the failed military coup.

Erdogan made the remarks during an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera on Wednesday night in Ankara.

"The process with the U.S. for Gulen's extradition has started, we will wait for court verdict and hope they will act fast," he said.

Erdogan believed the bilateral relation is not based on emotion, as Turkey and the U.S., an important strategic partner, have many common interests and should strengthen solidarity with each other.

The president also admitted that there was a weakness in Turkey's intelligence sector and coup attempts may not end.

Since the coup failed on last Saturday, over 9,000 people have been arrested facing court decisions, according to the president.
ZAGREB, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The campaign for early election set for Sept. 11, would start on August 16, the Office of the Croatian President said on Wednesday.

The president's decision for early election would enter into force on July 30, the office said, adding after two-week deadline for the submission of candidate slates to the State Election Commission and two-day for verification, the official campaign would start.

However, the parties were negotiating to form a coalition in the coming election, due to no party was confident to win an outright majority, according to local media.

The parties gather around the main opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP) has formed People's Coalition, consisting of the Croatian People's Party (HNS), the Croatian Pensioners' Party (HSU) and the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS), the report said.

The biggest party in the outing government,the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) elected Andrej Plenkovic as its new president on Sunday, expected to stay in power, it added.

HDZ formed a coalition government with the junior party Most following the last election in 2015. The government stepped down following a no-confidence vote last month after it was in power only five months. Enditem
A gun rights activist stands in front of police lines during a rally outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 19, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS

by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is expected to voice support for police during this week's Republican National Convention (RNC), at a time of growing anti-police sentiment amid rising racial tensions.

"The police are obviously very concerned, because they don't feel that anyone has their back," Ralph Winnie, an alternate delegate for the state of Hawaii, told Xinhua in a phone interview from the RNC held in Cleveland, Ohio.

"So they are very wary about taking the risks that are necessary to go after and combat violent crime," Winnie said.

The RNC was overshadowed by rising racial tensions and violence in the past two weeks, which witnessed two incidents in which eight police officers were killed and a dozen others wounded by two black gunmen in the states of Louisiana and Texas.

The two police killing incidents were preceded by two shootings in which two black men were killed by police in Louisiana and Minnesota.

The killings sparked angry black protests nationwide, calling for justice for the African Americans in the country.

Winnie noted the RNC opened with a moment of silence for the officers who were ambushed and slain in Dallas, Texas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

"Trump has been very vocal in saying he's going to stand with the police officers, and not stand with groups like Black Lives Matter as well as some of the radical groups that are really creating havoc," Winnie said.

The black rights advocate group, Black Lives Matter, has staged anti-police protests in multiple U.S. cities in a bid to demonstrate against the recent killings of black men by police officers, who are usually white.

"And so it's very important that Trump sends the message that his administration stands behind law enforcement," Winnie said.

When asked what specifically Trump plans to do to combat anti-police violence, Winnie said a Trump White House would make sure police have the money and resources to be able to combat violent crime at a dangerous time.

Moreover, the Justice Department would also support officers, at a time when the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama has been blasted for what critics call "not standing behind the police."

Critics say Obama and the Justice Department are quick to wade in anytime a black man is killed by police, even before all the facts are straight.

For example, an unarmed black man, Michael Brown, was shot dead in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014 after he attacked a police officer.

Riots erupted in Brown's hometown, though later the Justice Department cleared the officer of any wrongdoing.

Both Obama and former Justice Department chief Eric Holder were accused by many of jumping to conclusions before all the facts were straight.

Obama was slammed when he sent some of his aides to Brown's funeral. Nearly a year later, Howard Safir, former New York City police commissioner, said Holder "had a war on police."

"Under a Trump presidency, the Justice Department would certainly be willing to back up the police officers," Winnie said.

Critics of U.S. law enforcement, however, believe that young black men are often the victims of police bias due to racial profiling. Stories abound of innocent blacks being pulled over or questioned by officers for no apparent reason.

A Gallup poll released last week showed that American blacks are split on whether they believe the police act unfairly toward them. [ It found that half of blacks believe police in their local areas treat blacks and other racial minorities fairly, while 48 percent said they treat blacks unfairly.

While Trump has on numerous occasions expressed support for the police, critics say the bombastic businessman often makes grandiose statements without providing details on how to turn his ideas into reality.

However, Trump's message of supporting police could further alienate African American voters among whom he is already suffering from a bad image problem.

A recent poll found that Trump has nearly zero support among black voters in the crucial states of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. health officials are investigating a possible case of Zika virus spread by local mosquitoes, rather than travelers, the Florida Department of Health said Wednesday.

The department did not reveal too much information about the patient, only identifying the new case as a "possible non-travel related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade County."

But it was the first hint that Zika may have finally spread to mosquitoes in the continental United States, since no such a case has been reported previously.

According to the department's statement, the investigation "is ongoing and the department will share more details as they become available."

Separately, the Utah Department of Health said early this week it's investigating a "unique" Zika case who has not recently traveled to an area with Zika and has not had sex with another patient or someone who has traveled to an area with Zika.

The Utah case was reportedly the son of a man who became the first person in the continental U.S. to die after being infected with the Zika virus and may have acquired the virus after caring for his infected father.

Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito and it can also be spread sexually. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes).

As of July 13, 1,306 cases of Zika have been reported in the continental United States and Hawaii, and none of these have been the result of local spread by mosquitoes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

These cases include 14 believed to be the result of sexual transmission and one that was the result of a laboratory exposure, the CDC said.
DAR ES SALAAM, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The African Development Bank (AfDB) on Wednesday advised African countries to increase funding in water projects in the face of water crisis facing the continent.

Mohamed El Azizi, AfDB Director for Water and Sanitation Department, said for Africa to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals there must be political commitment, prioritization of water and sanitation issues, as well as more budget allocation to the water and sanitation sector.

El Azizi told a news conference in the east African nation's business capital Dar es Salaam that the AfDB has financed a number of water and sanitation projects in Africa, including Tanzania.

He was speaking at the ongoing 6th Africa Water Week which started on July 18 through July 22 whose theme was achieving the Sustainable Development Goals on Water Security and Sanitation.

"At the African Development Bank we are already supporting large scale water and sanitation projects like the Arusha Sustainable Urban Water and Sanitation Project in Tanzania which will cost over 200 U.S. dollars million," he said.

He said the AfDB was satisfied with Tanzania's commitment to the implementation of water and sanitation projects.

Since 2001 the AfDB has approved a total of nine water and sanitation projects in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar at a total cost of 700 million U.S. dollars.

On Monday, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) special envoy for Water in Africa, former Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, said Africa was facing serious clean water crisis.

Speaking at the opening of the 6th Africa Water Week conference, Kibaki said: "The water situation in the continent was not in good shape and urgent measures were needed to be taken to redress the situation."

Kibaki said the time for action was now and while each country was responsible to formulate its own strategies and through the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) forum general continental goals could be set and reviewed.

"The immediate challenge that we must confront is the scarcity of clean water. The shortage of clean water directly affects the productivity of our people," said the former Kenyan leader.

However, the UNESCO water envoy said African governments alone could not solve all the challenges facing the water sector and "we need development partners and investors to play their part in pulling this through."

The AMCOW Executive Secretary, Bai-Mass Taal, said to solve water woes the continent needed an investment of 11 billion dollars per year, and currently only 4 billion dollars has been made available by the African governments annually.

"There's no country in our continent where water budget is among the top five, yet the situation is dire, as we finish this conference, about 60 children in the continent will die for drinking unclean water," he said.

Tanzania Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa said African countries have common challenges of financial and technological resources to tap water resources and link it with the people.

Majaliwa suggested the need for African countries to establish trans-border water bodies that would initiate and regulate the common development of shared water resources between neighbouring African countries. Enditem
Iranians shop in Tehran's ancient Grand Bazaar on July 11, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / ATTA KENARE

UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for comprehensive implementation of the agreement between Iran and major world powers on Iranian nuclear issues one year after the Security Council endorsed the deal.

On July 20 last year, the Security Council adopted a resolution to endorse the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), clinched between Iran and P5+1 -- Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States plus Germany.

According to the resolution, the council will terminate its sanctions on Iran upon receiving a report from the International Atomic Energy Agency that verifies Iran's fulfillment of its nuclear-related commitments under the JCPOA.

Sanctions termination date will be 10 years from the adoption of the resolution. And the council can reverse the sanctions lifting if Iran violates the agreement.

"Combined with a robust verification regime, the agreement ended one of the Security Council's strictest sanctions regimes, and provided Iran with the opportunity for greater engagement with the international community," said Ban in a statement.

Hailing the steps taken by Iran, the European Union and the United States under the JCPOA, Ban urged participants and UN member states to support the "full and effective" implementation of the deal, including delivering tangible benefits to the Iranian people.

"The JCPOA was a triumph of diplomacy for the resolution and prevention of conflict and which also strengthened global non-proliferation norms," said Ban.

"One year on, I remain certain that the JCPOA is the best way to ensure the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program and to realize the great aspirations of the Iranian people," he added. Enditem
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a news conference following the National Security Council and cabinet meetings at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, Turkey, July 20, 2016. (Reuters photo)

ANKARA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that other countries might be involved in July 15 coup attempt.

"There might be other countries involved in the coup attempt. Judicial process will reveal it," Erdogan said in an interview with Al Jazeera in Ankara.

Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric based in the U.S., and his people are behind the coup attempt, Erdogan said.

The Turkish president said he was informed about the coup attempt first by his brother-in-law and his initial reaction was disbelief.

He admitted that there was intelligence weakness for the incident. "If there were accurate intelligence they could prevent the coup attempt," Erdogan said.

They had a list of suspects of possible Gulen movement members, but they could not act due to restrictions of law, but their connections are revealed during interrogations, he said.

Elaborating on a huge number of detentions and purge in state institutions, he said every step is taken within the law.

Erdogan said the government has sent request to the U.S. administration for extradition of Fethullah Gulen. "I hope they will take a step as soon as possible," he added.

"We have collected many documents. Many are detained. But we are yet to finish. I don't think vanquishing this coup attempt has reached an end. They might have different plans for the next period," the president said.

The Turkish president also said there could be a link between Gulen movement and the pilots who shot down Russian jet last November.

During the interview, Erdogan said he would approve if the parliament passes the death penalty law.

"The world is not only with the EU, and countries like the United States, Russia and China all have death penalty... It is the Turkish people's call and the parliament's right to decide whether to pass the law of death penalty," Erdogan said.

Since the coup failed on last Saturday, over 9,000 people have been arrested facing court decisions, according to the president.
LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday unveiled details of a privately funded expansion costing almost 20 billion U.S. dollars to accommodate a third runway.

Heathrow and its London rival, Gatwick, are both bidding to be chosen to create extra capacity in the London area for air transport.

A report for the government by the Airports Commission has already favoured Heathrow as the preferred choice for a new runway.

The government has already put off any decision until October at the earliest, with Theresa May rejecting a call during her first Prime Minister's Question Time Wednesday to name a date when a choice will be made as quickly as possible.

Bosses at Heathrow said Wednesday that internationally renowned British architects Grimshaw have been chosen to devise the concept for the airport.

"Grimshaw brings their experience of working on major transport projects across the world and were recognised as the stand out practice to help Heathrow deliver a world-class sustainable airport that will deliver innovation in passenger service whilst showcasing the best of British design," said a spokesman at Heathrow.

Head of Design at Heathrow, Barry Weekes, said: "With the concept architect and program client partners now in place, we are now ready to begin the process of expansion once the government makes the right choice for the whole of Britain."

At a time of uncertainty following the result of Britain's referendum on its European Union membership, the government can send the strongest possible signal that Britain is open for business and confident in its future by expanding Heathrow, experts say.

The 16 billion pounds(21.11 billion U.S. dollars) privately funded infrastructure investment would be a much needed boost for the economy, creating jobs and growth across Britain.

Plans for the expansion of air services in the southeast around the main London hubs have been under discussion for some years, but are regarded as a political hot potato, mainly because of strong opposition to a third runway being built at Heathrow. Enditem
by Larry Neild

LONDON, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Theresa May on Wednesday likened the Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn to "unscrupulous boss" as she made her debut at the British Parliament to answer questions as prime minister.

As she faced Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the official opposition, May had a clever reference to the current civil war engulfing the Labour Party.

Corbyn is estranged from virtually all of his Labour MPs who recently passed a vote of no confidence in their left-wing leader.

Firing questions at May, mainly centered on her first speech as prime minister a week earlier, Corbyn sought reassurances from the prime minister.

At one stage May retorted: "I am interested that the right hon. Gentleman (Corbyn) referred to the situation of some workers who might have job insecurity and potentially unscrupulous bosses. I suspect that many Members on the Opposition Benches might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss - a boss who does not listen to his workers, a boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload and maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career. Remind him of anybody?"

It was a clear reference to the rift between Corbyn and his own MPs, including many of his own front bench team who resigned, virtually en-bloc.

The new prime minister fired more criticism at Labour, at one point saying the opposition would spend the summer "tearing itself apart" with a leadership contest while her Conservative government would be "bringing this country back together".

After her 30 minutes' debut, political commentators praised her performance, some saying it was a barnstorming session by a self-assured and confident politician, who exactly a week earlier stepped into the shoes of outgoing prime minister David Cameron.

Her performance has shades of Margaret Thatcher, who in 1979 became Britain's first ever female prime minister, said one commentator.

"This was Maggie May. No wonder the Conservative MPs were delighted at this competent debut and the Labour ones despondent," said the tabloid Daily Mirror, traditional supporters of the Labour Party.

Meanwhile the Labour Party's deadline for new supporter-applications Wednesday evening showed that almost 184,000 people had signed up in just a two-day window, paying a fee of 25 pounds(33.09 U.S. dollars). It guarantees them a vote in the leadership election which sees Corbyn facing MP Owen Smith for the top job.

A spokesman in the Corbyn camp said it was reasonable to assume most of the new supporters were backers of the current leader.

The 172 MPs who backed the no-confidence vote are hoping that Smith, an MP representing one of the constituencies in the Welsh valleys, will win, ending Corbyn's year as the party leader.

If Corbyn is announced the winner on September 24 at Labour's annual conference in Liverpool, it could threaten the very future of the whole party, say some academic and political experts.

"This is the biggest crisis ever for Labour. Corbyn is likely to win and the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) will then have to swallow it until he leads them to electoral catastrophe in 2020," Professor Jon Tonge from the Department of Politics at the University of Liverpool told Xinhua Wednesday. Enditem
BRASILIA, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The new president of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia, announced Wednesday that he will dock a day's salary each time a lawmaker misses a plenary vote in the chamber, to ensure a quorum for all votes ahead of October's local elections.

Maia, from the Democrats party, was elected to the role last week after his predecessor Eduardo Cunha resigned due to mounting corruption allegations.

"When a vote is called, each deputy must be present. It is like that in any job. If a date is marked for all the deputies to be here to vote, is is important that all should vote," Maia told the Chamber.

The leader added that he will bring this rule into effect three days a week in August, on top of all the commitments might have in their hometowns ahead of the elections.

A quorum is the minimum number of members needed to be present for votes to be valid.

The election campaign officially will begin on Aug. 16, which will be likely to affect the Chamber's legislative agenda.

"I believe that, in August, it will be possible to do this three times a week. In September, so close to the election, this will be more difficult," explained Maia.

On Tuesday, Maia dined with interim President Michel Temer and Senate President Renan Calheiros in a gesture of unity between the powers. Enditem
TORONTO, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Canada's main stock market in Toronto closed mildly higher after touching a fresh 11-month high Wednesday as financial and energy stocks advanced with higher crude oil prices.

The Toronto Stock Exchange's benchmark Standard & Poor's/TSX Composite Index added 8.96 point, or 0.06 percent, to close at 14,533.57 points. Seven of the TSX index's eight main sub-sectors were higher.

Oil prices rallied Wednesday as official data showed that U.S. crude inventories declined for a ninth straight week.

U.S. WTI light sweet crude for August delivery climbed 0.29 U.S. dollar to settle at 44.94 dollars a barrel, while Brent crude for September delivery added 0.51 dollar to close at 47.17 dollars a barrel.

TSX energy went up 0.80 percent as a group, as Encana Corporation rose 3.37 percent to 10.43 Canadian dollars (7.99 U.S. dollars) while Suncor Energy Inc. added 0.70 percent to 36.05 Canadian dollars.

Financials rose 0.70 percent, powered up by a 0.98 percent gain for Royal Bank of Canada to 80.72 Canadian dollars.

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. rose 0.79 percent to 45.99 Canadian dollars. The company plans to invest about 1 billion Canadian dollars in Indian distressed assets through a joint venture with the largest lender in the South Asian nation.

Industrials advanced 1.87 percent, led by railroad stocks. Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. reported lower second-quarter earnings as volumes dropped, and it said its chief executive officer would step down next July while remaining as an adviser. Still, CP's shares surged 5.52 percent to 196.26 Canadian dollars.

Enbridge Inc. fell 1.89 percent to 53.55 Canadian dollars. The U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency will fine the company 62 million U.S. dollars for a 2010 oil spill that released crude into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan, a TV station in the state reported on Wednesday.

Barrick Gold Corp. dropped 7.44 percent to 26.00 Canadian dollars as gold fell to a three-week low, and Goldcorp declined 5.52 percent to 23.46 Canadian dollars.

The Canadian dollar traded lower at 0.7666 U.S. dollar, compared with Tuesday's closing rate of 0.7676 U.S. dollar. Enditem
It started as a dream. A dream born of a chance meeting in 1999, between a Navy girl from Kansas and a guy from Seattle at a party on Pinetamare Beach in Naples, Italy. Gabriel Amador and Kimberly Corriston fell in love, married and started a family. Their path together took them from Italy to Albuquerque, but the magic of Naples followed them.

Kimberly and I realized, recalls Gabriel, that the romance and passion of Naples had to play a part in our dream of building something together as a family.

Their dream came true on July 2, 2013, when Amore Neapolitan Pizzeria opened its doors. Amore is New Mexicos only handmade, hand-thrown Neapolitan pizzeria.

Amore Neapolitan Pizzeria is a combination of many things we love, says Gabriel. A made-from-scratch, healthier style of pizza, fresh food, Naples, family and our pride in all things local.

Since that grand opening, Amore Neapolitan Pizzeria has expanded from its original Nob Hill location to Green Jeans Farmery (Amore Neapolitan Pizzeria & Delicatessen), on the corner of I-40 and Carlisle NE.

It has opened a second, more upscale location (Amore Neapolitan Pizzeria & Vino) in the new Country Club Plaza, at 1700 Central NW (between San Pasquale SW and Laguna SW).

While rewarding, the dream took a lot of work. Committed to excellence and authenticity, the Amadors were trained, certified and mentored by Assciazione Pizzaiuoli Napoletani (APN) President, Roberto Caporuscio. An APN certication is the highest certication for Neapolitan pizza chefs and can only be obtained in Naples, Italy and New York City.

Gabriel and Kimberly traveled to NYC to study under the incomparable star chef and owner of the award-winning restaurants Keste Pizza & Vino and Don Antonio by Starita, rated number one and two best NYC pizzerias by Zagat.

Roberto has traveled to Albuquerque twice now, for each of Amores openings. He stands shoulder to shoulder with Gabriel, demonstrating traditional pizza making techniques and flavors, sampling homemade mozzarella and supporting the business with pride. Gabriel and Kimberly mean more to the APN president than students. They have proven that the art and sophistication of great Neapolitan pizza can be aligned with strong business management and successfully be shared outside of big urban centers. Amores success is making Albuquerque look good.

True to the dream, family stands front and center at Amore. You will find Rhonda Amador, Gabriels mother, working carefully on the Italian wine selection, taking orders and helping with business administration. Kimberly had a big hand in the design elements that have made the restaurant locations so unique and she still plays a big role in cooking and prep.

Gabriel and Kimberlys two boys, when theyre not in school, both help with tasks around the restaurants. Gabriels sister has also been known to pitch in on an evening or two, and his father has smoked their house-made mozzarella for specials. Gabriel can be found at the ovens or helping customers from both sides of the counter.

Amores quick rise to the top of the culinary mountain in Albuquerque is powered by the familys commitment to fresh, locally sourced, handmade dishes. Amore uses the highest quality local and organic ingredients for their food. Their attention to detail inspires every dish. All of the dough, sauces, bread and mozzarella at both locations are made fresh, daily and on-site.

The traditional pizza ovens were custom made for Amore; handcrafted with mud, ash and clay from Mount Vesuvius, then shipped from Naples, Italy to Albuquerque. The ovens, (lovingly named Gina and Claudia) fire genuine Neapolitan dough, hand-formed and cooked in 60-90 seconds at 485 C (905 F).

To be APN certified, Amore must import their flour and tomatoes from Italy. Some of their delicatessen meats and cheeses, as well as their wines, are also imported. All else, when possible, is brought to the table from local farms.

Amores localism mission goes beyond the kitchen. A year-round 10 percent discount is extended to all active military; students (with ID); educators (with ID); law enforcement and firefighters.

As Amore enters a new phase with two locations, the dream lives on. The family, and all involved with the restaurants, work hard, play hard and stick together as they grow the business  its Amore.
Caribbean gets ready for tax storm

Hosted by the BCCC in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Group of Professional Associations, the event runs from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm at the Courtyard by Marriott, Port-of-Spain.

The implementation phase of the United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) and the implications of Brexit; Britains exit from the European Union, are among the tax compliance issues to be discussed.

BCCC said, In the face of grave challenges affecting governments worldwide in their plight to ensure tax compliance, the global tax landscape is set to change drastically.

The changes have come from all corners including the implementation phase of FATCA, (Brexit) and the UK Diverted Profits Tax, among others.

In the face of the raft of considerable changes to the international tax landscape, how should local and regional businesses prepare themselves for further legal and compliance requirements? BCCC answered its own question by saying the July 22 seminar, which is specifically targeted at Caribbean businesses and legal and accounting tax practitioners.
Man,66, charged with rape of mentally challenged girl, 15

The man appeared before Senior Magistrate Nanette Forde- John who read the two charges to him. Richards, a port worker, was not called upon to plead to the charges, they having been laid indictably. The charges arose from investigations into the rape of the girl who gave birth to a child who is now 18 months old.

The charges allege that the man committed the acts on the girl between 2013 and 2105. PC Marissa Singh from the Central Division Task Force laid the charges. He was arrested on July 11 on Duncan Street, Port of Spain.

The man was asked if he had an attorney to represent him.

The magistrate granted him bail in the sum of $75,000 to be approved by the Clerk of the Peace and he was ordered to report to the Besson Street Police Station on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The girls mother was present in court for the hearing.

The matter was postponed to August 16.
Magistrate revokes Vicky Boodrams $2M bail

A magistrate yesterday told Boodram, 36, that she needed to find a new bailor after granting an application filed by bailor Robin Basdeo Jattan, to be relieved of the $2 million he had put up for her.

Boodram, of Siparia, who once operated Boodrams Travels & Ship Ahoy Services, is incarcerated at the Womens Prison at Golden Grove, having been denied bail upon her re-arrest earlier this year on 39 new charges.

Boodram was sent to the St Anns Hospital for psychiatric evaluation and, on two subsequent occasions, was sent back upon request that more time was needed to complete the exercise.

Two weeks ago senior magistrate Nanette Forde-John acceded to the report from the hospital and whilst its contents were not revealed, the magistrate ordered Boodram be sent back to the Womens Prison in respect of the fresh charges that were proffered against her involving money amounting to $600,000. Deputy Chief Magistrate Mark Wellington, now retired, had denied bail to Boodram on the ground that that the offences were allegedly committed whilst out on $2 million bail on the 109 fraud charges.

It was Jattan, who is not a professional bailor, who had stood bail for Boodram on those charges which involve the sales of cruise ship tickets for a north-Atlantic cruise, but which never sailed.

Some of the charges involved money laundering and the alleged purchase of a property in Palmiste and a Mercedes Benz.

Jattans application to withdraw as Boodrams bailor had been pending and the matter came up before Forde-John yesterday.

Jattan testified, through his attorney Subhas Panday, that he stood bail for Boodram, but he recently went abroad to have surgery done which had cost him US$60,000.

He needed the money to pay his medical bills. Jattan went on to say that was not a professional bailor and he did not charge Boodram a fee.

Forde-John asked Boodram, who was unrepresented, if she needed to ask Jattan any questions but she declined.

She then told Jattan that he is relieved of his responsibility as Boodrams bailor.
Second armed robbery in 6 months

The owner and his employee were made to lie on the floor as the bandits stole approximately $12,000 from the business after which they escaped in a vehicle parked nearby. It was back on January 14, police said, when this business was held up in a similar fashion. At that time three employees, one male and two females, were in the shop when two masked men, one with a gun came in and demanded money.

Since there was no employee at the cash register during the hold-up, one of the bandits went behind the counter and took the money from the register. He also emptied a box underneath the counter with sales from the morning shift. The two robbers took two cell phones, a necklace and ID bracelet from the female staff. One of the employees hid in the bathroom soon after the robbers had entered.

Aboud, told Newsday in January that in the 14 years of his business, he had never had an incident of such nature at his business. The shop is equipped with its own close circuit television.

No arrest was made in the first incident and the police are continuing investigations into the latest robbery.
Making cocoa a success

If we, as small local artisans, are competing with each other it just doesnt make sense. Were too small of an island and population, but by working together we gain more traction, she said at the Fours Roads Tamana Cocoa Festival on July 10.

Even though the number of locally-owned companies producing cocoa products is growing, Fitzjames said that there are no local chocolates in grocery stores, which is a market that needs to be opened up. So we still need to tap into those bigger markets and it will behoove all of us to start branching out into other products. Theres also savoury aspects that you can do with cocoa. There are other food aspects besides chocolates but also baked goods, and ice cream. The Government, through the recently appointed Cocoa Development Company of TT Limited, and other entities, should make this one of their main focuses, she added. The biggest things theyre going to need to do is marketing and expansion.

We really need the ministries and corporations to focus on buying local products for their events whether its chocolate or soaps or other locally-made products for their events.

Another primary focus of government intervention should be to ensure that the regulartory body for testing and grading is operational.

Locally one of the challenges is the national FDA (Food and Drug Administration) hasnt been functioning for years so you would have to go to Cariri and pay thousands of dollars to do the proper testing for food safety.

Fitzjames added that promoting cocoa and locally-processed products was not only about cocoa, but a holistic approach to local food sustainability.

The thing about cocoa is it doesnt grow in an orchard like other crops, you have all this other produce, dasheen and yams and roucou.

You have this whole other wealth of produce that you need to tap into, she said.

At the Brasso Seco Chocolate Company booth at the festival there was chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa nibs and even soap made from cocoa butter on sale. Other vendors at the festival had cocoa sticks, cocoa tea, cocoa chow and even participated in a cooking competition where cocoa was required a main ingredient.

This is the fourth year the Four Roads Tamana Village Council has hosted this event. This year it was in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and The Arts Community Development Day. The festival included cocoa dancing demonstrations, live performances, food and various products on sale.

Cocoa is a way of life for us in this area and we wanted to be known for that. What we found too is that the life of cocoa estates is dying so we want to keep this festival annually to show the young people all we know about cocoa and to get them involved, said Monica de Four, president of the Four Roads Tamana Village Council.

While Fitzjames applauded the new Cocoa Development Company for its openness to ideas, another cocoa farmer from Four Roads Tamana, Calvin David, said not enough is being done to support local cocoa farmers. They need to come into the area and work more with the farmers who produce the cocoa rather than make us go to them or make decisions without knowing about the farming communities. David added that cocoa farmers had two major problems: lack of proper access roads to their estates and getting reliable workers to assist with harvesting. He also said that more needed to be done to get young people interested in the industry.
Govt gets $2B loan from Latin bank

The bank yesterday announced the grant of a US$300 million loan to be disbursed to the Ministry of Finance for use in a special programme covering the period 2015-2020.

The ministrys programme, called simply the Support Programme for the Medium-Term Fiscal Consolidation Strategy, is designed to bolster tax revenue and to cushion reductions of subsidies. According to a media release from CAF, it will represent an important input in strengthening tax revenue in the non-energy sector, increasing efficiency in public spending, promoting the optimisation of State assets, and progressively reducing subsidies for fuel and private transportation. CAF said the measure will complement the efforts made by the Government to increase efficiency in public spending and prompt economic diversification.

This loan is part of CAFs countercyclical role and it seeks to maintain stability and increase microeconomic efficiency while at the same time strengthening the countrys institutions for greater efficiency in public administration, said Enrique Garc?a, executive president of CAF. With this loan, we are contributing to the consolidation of the conditions necessary to achieve sustainable growth in Trinidad and Tobago, CAF said the programme tackles the negative impact that falling energy prices and other changes in the global and regional economy have had on the fiscal balance, and it considers the supply of freely available resources for the 2016-2017 tax year.

Minister of Finance Colm Imbert yesterday confirmed the loan but could not provide details on specific areas of expenditure.

A CAF spokesman said terms of the loan will be provided further ahead. Word of this loan from the Latin American bank comes on the eve of Imberts planned US road show to raise funding. The minister is due to begin his trip on July 25 in Los Angeles. He will then visit New York (July 26-27). Another team will visit London and Boston simultaneously.

CAF was created in 1970. It is made up of 19 countries, 17 Latin American and Caribbean, together with Spain and Portugal, as well as 14 private banks.

TT is listed as being among the banks shareholders, as well as Barbados, Jamaica, and Venezuela.

Other shareholders include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay.

TTs shareholding dates back to 1994. The bank provided support for the Secretariat of the Fifth Summit of the Americas in 2009, held talks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2010 and in 2012 then Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar signed an agreement for TT to become a special member country. During 2014, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received CAF support.

CAF states its aim is to promote sustainable development and regional integration by means of financing projects in the public and private sectors, providing technical cooperation, and other specialised services.
OPDM says test your readiness

Test your preparedness as an individual / homeowners, businesses, institutions, ministries or community based groups and get involved, said the ODPM.

Not only will you be showcased as an agent in building the nations resilience, you will formally be recognised in all reporting documents required. The statement asked members of the public to visit the ODPM website to get more details and to register online. The website itself says participants will self-evaluate their respective entities, using an evaluation booklet provided
TTs music fit for any occasion

The lunchtime concert took place outside the National Library of Trinidad and Tobago (NALIS).

Arrayed in red t-shirts and black pants, the Philharmonic Orchestra treated the medium sized audience to music by Aldwyn Lord Kitchener Roberts, Ella Andall, Winsford De Vignes and more.

Henry urged the audience to sing along, and they wasted no time in accepting his invitation.

At one point, Henry stopped and took the opportunity to express his love for the countrys music and his belief that TTs music is suited for any occasion. Im an advocate for the music of Trinidad and Tobago; it can be played in any context. Whether you play it fast or slow, for breakfast, lunch or dinner, it is fitting, he said.

Last week, the National Steel Symphony Orchestra performed at NALIS with performances on both Tuesday and Thursday.

This week, the Philharmonic Orchestra performed on Tuesday and will perform again at noon tomorrow.

On Thursday and Friday next week, the NALIS will feature the National Theatre Arts Company.
Gopeesingh slams GATE Task Force recommendations

He said the proposal by the Government-appointed task force that GATE students could be made to pay, in part, for their tuition was an onerous and atrocious measures of the Peoples National Movement (PNM).

In a statement yesterday, Gopeesingh said the planned summary cutback on the progressive and successful programme followed the abandonment of several proven, performance- driven and visionary initiatives. He claimed that in less than one year, the PNM Government and Education Minister Anthony Garcia have dismantled much of the gains in the education sector and has taken Trinidad and Tobago back by about 20 years.

The ruling regime has undone essential modern and creative programmes and policies designed to make Trinidad and Tobago a learning society and one of human development, change and transformation, Gopeesingh said.

The former minister said the PNM has reversed advances into the digital age by refusing to grant laptops to secondary school students.

He added that the scrapping of the Continuous Assessment Component (CAC), refusal to deliver textbooks, shutting down of homework centres and cancellation of the construction of schools and Early Childhood and Care Centres (ECCE) were retrograde steps.

The cumulative effect of these retrograde steps has undone the calculated progress of TTs society in meeting the challenges of the contemporary innovation-driven world.

Gopeesingh said Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley must seriously consider appointing another Education Minister who would appreciate the dynamics, advancement and urgent essentials of the modern education sector.

On Monday, Minister Garcia assured the student population that the recommendations made by the task force are not final and still had to be considered by Cabinet.
Terry Rondon re-enters local government ring

Initially, it was reported that Rondon was bowing out of active politics. But he confirmed to Newsday yesterday that he would seek to be re-elected.

Rondon has been the areas councillor for 21 years. He was made chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation in 2013.

In a telephone interview with Newsday yesterday, Rondon said that his reasons for seeking re-election was because of the announcement of a proposed highway between Valencia and Toco as well as wanting to give back to his community of Matelot through the church.

When Dr [Keith] Rowley announced that the highway between Valencia and Toco will be connected, I decided that I wanted to be part and parcel of that development. When asked, however, if his seeking re-election had anything to do with Anderson Zoe also seeking to become the areas councillor, Rondon responded by saying, I dont think Anderson Zoe is ready to fill my shoes and take that responsibility. Rondon said being a councillor required great commitment.

He said there were stark differences between being an MP and being a councillor.

A councillor, he said, was a first responder.

Asked if had been endorsed by the MP of the area, Glenda Jennings- Smith, Rondon said Jennings-Smith did not get to the stage of endorsing him as the areas councillor.

But whether she does or not, he believes he would be the areas next councillor. Zoe, in response to Rondons comments, said it was not a matter of filling shoes but rather a matter of being able to deliver new ideas and vision for the district. He added, We must continue to grow with the times and vibrant youthful population.

Its like a relay and Mr Rondon is merely passing the baton. Zoe said becoming councillor would be a continuation of work done by him for the past ten years. The people have asked for Zoe. I was invited by all the party groups in the area to discuss with them the needs of the people in the area. After which they all utter the same sentiments Zoe it must be you. Zoe said he believes Rondon did a tremendous job over the years and the PNM was better and stronger for it. He added that he is willing to work with Rondon to for the betterment of the area and the party.
What you need to know about the Octagon Art Festival on Sunday in Ames

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Afghan migrant shot dead after hatchet attack on German train

BERLINA 17-year-old Afghan migrant wielding a hatchet and a knife injured four people on a train in Wurzburg, Germany, Monday evening before being shot dead by police, the authorities said.

(Article by Anton Troianovski)

Police were investigating a witness report that the attacker made an Islamist exclamation, Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said on German television. If confirmed, the incident would represent the most significant Islamist attack in Germany since a Kosovar gunman killed two American servicemen in 2011.

Three of the victims were seriously injured, officials said.

The attacker was believed to be a 17-year-old man from Afghanistan who came to Germany as a refugee, Mr. Herrmann said in television interviews.

I am appalled about this, Mr. Herrmann said. He injured a number of people, slashing around himself with a hatchet and a knife.

Mr. Herrmann said that one witness reported hearing the attacker shout Allahu akbar, or God is great. However, other passengers on the train, he said, didnt recognize any particular Islamist motive to the attack.

Unlike France and Belgium, Germany has avoided deadly Islamic State-inspired attacks even as authorities have warned that the stream of refugees and other migrants that have poured into the country presented a security risk. Roughly a million people arrived in Germany last year to request asylum, many of them from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

The attack is likely to add fuel to an intense debate across Europe on immigration, Islam and how to respond to the wave of people from the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere seeking refuge on the continent. While Germany initially welcomed hundreds of thousands of people last fall, Chancellor Angela Merkel has since scrambled to limit the flow.

Critics and political opponents said she underplayed the risks of taking in so many refugees, including the possibility that terrorist groups could smuggle in attackers amid the flow of people. Other officials counter that radicalized European Union citizens present the much greater terrorism risk.

While many of the people behind recent terrorist acts in Europe have been EU citizens, two of the attackers in Novembers Paris attacks arrived within the stream of refugees coming to Europe, according to the authorities.

Anti-immigrant populist parties in France, Austria, the Netherlands and elsewhere have seized on the migrant influx to argue that their countries mainstream politicians are out of touch with peoples fears.

In Germany, the upstart Alternative for Germany party has posted a string of regional election victories in the past year, seizing on the sexual assaults by migrants in Cologne on New Years Eve as proof that Ms. Merkels policy was endangering the country. The Cologne assaults, in which authorities said at least 2,000 mostly foreign men assaulted more than 1,200 women, raised fears among Germans about taking in more migrants.

Mondays attack occurred on an evening regional train traveling along the Main River from the town of Ochsenfurt to Wurzburg. After the attack began, a passenger pulled the trains emergency brake, and the suspect fled, Mr. Herrmann said.

A tactical police commando unit that happened to be in the area was called to the scene and intercepted the suspect, Mr. Herrmann said. The man then attacked the police, prompting officers to open fire, killing him, Mr. Herrmann said.

The suspected attacker came to Germany as an unaccompanied minor and had been living in the Wurzburg area for some time, Mr. Herrmann said, and moved two weeks ago from a shelter in Ochsenfurt to a foster home.

Read more at: www.wsj.com

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N. Korea threatens retaliation if the U.S. deploys anti-missile defense system in S. Korea

(NationalSecurity.news) The North Korean government issued a warning this week that it may retaliate in some manner if the Pentagon follows through with a plan to deploy an advanced missile defense system in South Korea.

As reported by Stars & Stripes, Pyongyang threatened to take a physical counter-action if the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense System, or THAAD, was set up in the South as a bulwark against North Korean missile barrages.

Currently, North Korea is working to develop advanced, longer-range ballistic missiles, some experts say as part of Pyongyangs nuclear weapons program. While the North has engaged in underground detonations of nuclear devices, thus far it has been unable to develop a means of mounting a nuclear weapon atop a missile.

North Korea vowed to take a physical counter-action to thoroughly control THAAD, aggression means of the U.S. for world domination, from the moment its location and place have been confirmed in South Korea, according to the state-run Korean Central News Agency.

The report cited the Artillery Bureau of the General Staff for the Korean Peoples Army.

The U.S. had better understand that the more massively it introduces war weapons to South Korea and its vicinity, the closer they will come into the firing range of the KPA and the more miserable end the U.S. will meet without even a moment to make a shrill cry, said the report.

KCNA also lambasted South Korea for permitting the U.S. to deploy the system on its soil. Technically, the two countries are still at war following the 1950-53 conflict that ended only in an armistice, not a peace treaty.

Currently, the U.S. keeps 28,500 troops in South Korea.

We once again warn the enemies that it is the steadfast will of the KPA to make merciless retaliatory strikes to reduce South Korea to a sea in flames, debris once an order is issued, the report said.

The Ministry of Defense in South Korea was unfazed and said that the nation was ready to respond to any North Korean aggression.

North Korea needs to clearly see who is responsible for putting the Korean peninsulas peace and security at risk before criticizing the THAAD deployment decision, ministry spokesman Moon Sang-gyun said in a press briefing.

If North Korea continues its groundless claims and rash actions in defiance of our warnings, it will have to face our militarys stringent retaliation, he added.

In addition, China has also objected to the deployment of THAAD in South Korea, fearing that the systems radar could be used to track Chinese military movements.

THAAD will not target any country other than North Korea and will not encroach upon the security interests of any third country. We have no reason to do so, South Korean President Park Geun-hye said earlier this week. She insisted that THAAD is purely a defensive measure.

That said, deployment of the system comes at a time when China is rattling sabers following a ruling by an international tribunal that its outsized claims of territory in the South China Sea, well beyond the traditional 200-mile economic exclusion zone off its coastline, are illegitimate.

The tribunal, located in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that China aggravated a growing dispute of territorial claims with its extensive construction of manmade atolls and islands that destroyed coral reefs and infringed on the Philippines exclusive economic zone, The Associated Press reported.

The ruling does not come with any force behind it, but it gives credence to countries in the region with competing claims on sections of the South China Sea.

The Philippines strongly affirms its respect for this milestone decision as an important contribution to ongoing efforts in addressing disputes in the South China Sea, Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said in Manila, calling on all those concerned to exercise restraint and sobriety.

An editorial in state-run Chinese press said the ruling was part of a U.S.-led conspiracy and that Beijing would move to defend its sovereignty.

The U.S. motives are apparent to the world, especially to the Chinese people. The current China is nothing like the country it was one hundred years ago. Any act that tries to violate Chinas territorial sovereignty will fail, the editorial said.

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The connectivity of all things is going to provide new levels of efficiency in cities around the world as they become smarter. With tens of billions of devices slated to be part of the Internet of Things (IoT) public and private organizations are deploying projects to ensure the technology will deliver as promised. The Array of Things (AoT) is one of those projects, which has been designed to monitor the environment in an urban setting with nodes that support multiple environmental and air quality sensors.





As part of the project's hundreds of nodes will be deployed in Chicago, the AoT project has selected AT&T (News - Alert) for its network connectivity to transmit the data collected to a central database server at the Argonne National Laboratory.

This is one of a kind public sensor utility which will have an open and freely available source of urban sensor measurements. The data it generates will support research, development, education, prototyping and demonstration. The project was tested with 12 nodes that measured temperature, light, sound, humidity, air quality and more mounted on private facilities at the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, and DePaul University.

After the successful test, the project has been expanded to 500 nodes in Chicago, with installations on street signal light poles and external building walls. The goal of the project is to gather the type of data that will help large urban areas more livable and efficient. This includes energy efficiency, traffic safety, urban flooding, air pollution and other factors that greatly impact city living.

The role AT&T will play in this project is to install the nodes and provide the technology needed to deliver all of this data in a manner that is secure over its wireless network.

Mike Zeto, General Manager and Executive Director, AT&T Smart Cities, said, "Were excited that Chicago and other cities with Array of Things sensors will be able to use this data to gain deeper insights into the needs of their city and citizens so they can ultimately make more informed decisions, drive efficiencies and deliver a higher quality living experience to their citizens."

When the nodes are fully operational they will transmit sensor values at regular intervals to a database managed by the program operators. Any published data from the project will be open and free of charge to ensure public and private entities will have the necessary information to develop projects that take into consideration the impact it will have based on the data.

The challenge for cities around the world is maximizing resource efficiency as more people relocate to urban areas. As the number of megalopolises continue to increase with tens of millions of people, the AoT project and others like it will need to be deployed to improve the sustainability, resilience, efficient operation, and livability of cities.

Edited by Peter Bernstein
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Just because a company is a multinational organization with thousands of employees and billions of dollars in resources, it doesn't mean it will continue to develop innovative products and services in isolation. The corporate graveyard is littered with businesses that were once on top of their game to prove that very point. With the Internet of Things (IoT) projected to be worth trillions of dollars, the Nokia Open Innovation Challenge 2016 is in search of the next innovator in the segment, no matter where they come from.





The business opportunities of the IoT will span virtually every industry in our society, eventually bringing Everything together. According to Nokia (News - Alert), its vision of the IoT is to improve society as a whole where billions of people, things, sensors and devices are connected in a programmable world of automated connected experiences designed for everyone.

The Nokia Open Innovation Challenge 2016 wants to find the innovators who will create new products and services by taking the massive amounts of data that will be generated from all of these connected devices and turning them into unimagined possibilities.

The company said it is specifically looking for innovations in connected

Automotive

Public safety

Security

Industry 4.0

Digital health

Utilities

Smart cities

Finalists will have a chance to be part of the Nokia Innovation Accelerator Program. They will work with experts from Nokia to create business models in collaboration with the company, along with access to its products, services and resources.

The top three teams will also share a 100,000 or around $110,000 incubation prize, access to Nokias global market with the opportunity to form partnerships, and investment opportunities from Nokia Growth Partners (NGP) and other VC firms. The field is open to any innovator, startup or academia from around the world, and they can enter the competition by submitting their proposals in Nokia's campaign until August 15, 2016.

Nokia has an extensive portfolio of IoT products and services designed with device agnostic and multitenant platforms with the flexibility, security and scalability operators and enterprises need to quickly develop and introduce new application and business models in the marketplace.

The Connectivity Management feature of the platform gives operators the necessary tools to effectively manage the millions of connection from sensors and devices in any given location. In conjunction with the Application Platforms, they will be able to create apps customized for quick IoT deployment services while saving costs.

The Device Management solution gives Nokia's customers the support they need with rapid, remote deployment of any device, sensor, meter, or module with all the standards of today's IoT device management.

All of these technologies and the resources behind them will be available to the innovators that participate in the Nokia Open Innovation Challenge 2016 and make the final cut.

Those interested can submit proposals here. Nokia notes that in order to be considered you proposals will need to include a working proof of concept (PoC).

Edited by Peter Bernstein
The EPA, California Air Resources Board and National Highway Traffic Safety Admin have a 1217 report on Midterm Evaluation of Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards and Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards for Model Years 2022-2025

Under the National Program, consumers continue to have a full range of vehicle choices that meet their needs, and, through coordination with the California standards, automakers can build a single fleet of vehicles across the U.S. that satisfies all GHG/CAFE requirements. In the agencies 2012 final rules establishing the MY2017-2025 standards for EPA and 2017-2021 final and 2022-2025 augural standards for NHTSA, the National Program standards were projected by MY2025 to double fuel economy and cut GHG emissions in half, save 6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution and 12 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of MY2012-2025 vehicles, and deliver significant savings for consumers at the gas pump.

In this Draft TAR, EPA provides its initial technical assessment of the technologies available to meet the MY2022-2025 GHG standards and one reasonable compliance pathway, and NHTSA provides its initial assessment of technologies available to meet the augural MY2022-2025 CAFE standards and a different reasonable compliance pathway. Given that there are multiple possible ways that new technologies can be added to the fleet, examining two compliance pathways provides valuable additional information about how compliance may occur. NHTSA and EPA also performed multiple sensitivity analyses which show additional possible compliance pathways. The agencies independent analyses complement one another and reach similar conclusions:

 A wider range of technologies exist for manufacturers to use to meet the MY2022-2025 standards, and at costs that are similar or lower, than those projected in the 2012 rule;  Advanced gasoline vehicle technologies will continue to be the predominant technologies, with modest levels of strong hybridization and very low levels of full electrification (plugin vehicles) needed to meet the standards;

 The car/truck mix reflects updated consumer trends that are informed by a range of factors including economic growth, gasoline prices, and other macro-economic trends. However, as the standards were designed to yield improvements across the light duty vehicle fleet, irrespective of consumer choice, updated trends are fully accommodated by the footprint based standards.

Additionally, while the Draft TAR analysis focuses on the MY2022-2025 standards, the agencies note that the auto industry, on average, is over-complying with the first several years of the National Program. This has occurred concurrently with a period during which the automotive industry successfully rebounded after a period of economic distress. The industry has now seen six consecutive years of increases and a new all-time sales record in 2015, reflecting positive consumer response to vehicles complying with the standards.

Technologies considered in this Draft TAR include more efficient engines and transmissions, aerodynamics, light-weighting, improved accessories, low rolling resistance tires, improved air conditioning systems, and others. Beyond the technologies the agencies considered in the 2012 final rule, manufacturers are now employing several technologies, such as higher compression ratio, naturally aspirated gasoline engines, and greater penetration of continuously variable transmissions (CVTs); other new technologies are under active development and are expected to be in the fleet well before MY2025, such as 48-volt mild hybrid systems.

In this Draft TAR, the EPA GHG and NHTSA CAFE assessments both show that the MY2022-2025 standards can be achieved largely through the use of advanced gasoline vehicle technologies with modest penetrations of lower cost electrification (like 48 volt mild hybrids which include stop/start) and low penetrations of higher cost electrification (like strong hybrids, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and all electric vehicles). Given the rapid pace of automotive industry innovation, the agencies may consider effectiveness and cost of additional technologies as new information, including comments on this Draft TAR, becomes available for further steps of the Midterm Evaluation.

Based on various assumptions including the Annual Energy Outlook 2015 (AEO 2015) reference case projections of the car/truck mix out to 2025, the footprint-based GHG standards curves for MY2022-2025 are projected to achieve an industry-wide fleet average CO2 target of 175 grams/mile (g/mi) in MY2025, and the augural CAFE standards are projected to result in average CAFE requirements increasing from 38.3 mpg in MY2021 to 46.3 mpg in MY2025. The projected fleet average CO2 target represents a GHG emissions level equivalent to 50.8 mpg (if all reductions were achieved exclusively through fuel economy improvements).

EPAs analysis indicates that, compared to the MY2021 standards, the MY2025 standards will result in a net lifetime consumer savings of $1,460  $1,620 and a payback of about 5 to 5  years. NHTSAs primary analysis indicates that net lifetime consumer savings could average $680 per vehicle, such that increased vehicle purchase costs are paid back within about 6  years, and $800 with payback within about 6 years in a sensitivity case analysis using ICMs.
Nebraska is facing one of the worst droughts in years. We see the effects of this drought in our everyday lives. When driving down the highway, we see our once verdant landscape replaced with yellowing and desiccated crops and plant life. This dryness provokes hardships for the economy and a
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The Daily News publishes death notices and obituaries on a daily basis for Norfolkans, area residents and former residents.

Death notices, which include information about when and where a person died, funeral services, burial and visitation for the deceased and memorial information, are published free of charge.

If families of the deceased desire to have an obituary printed, there is a fee charged for doing so. Because of that, families of the deceased can decide what information they want included in the obituary, as well as if they desire to have a photograph of the deceased published along with it. The Daily News reserves the right to edit.

Norfolk and area funeral homes have detailed information about placing an obituary in the Daily News. If individuals want to submit obituary information themselves, it can be emailed to funerals@norfolkdailynews.com or faxed to (402) 644-2080.

People needing additional information about death notices and obituaries can call the Daily News at 371-1020 or (877) 371-1020 and ask for the newsroom.
The African Sea Lion military drills between the US Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), the US Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Moroccos Royal Navy drew to a close on July 14 after four days of exercises centering on mutual training and interoperability.

More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines from the ARG and the 22nd MEU departed from Norfolk and Little Creek, Virginia, and Camp Lejeune, North Carolina on June 25, the US Navy said on its website (navy.mil).

The deployment is part of a regular rotation of forces to support maritime security operations, provide crisis response capability and increase theater security cooperation while providing a forward naval presence in the US Navys 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operation.

Other aspects of the exercise included division tactics operations with the Royal Moroccan Naval vessel RMS Allal Ben Abdellah, aerial and surface amphibious debarkation practice, air defense, and bilateral diver training.

Forty-two Royal Moroccan Navy and Royal Moroccan Naval Infantry personnel came aboard the USS Wasp (LHD 1) where they participated in mutual training briefs and worked with operations planners to help carry out the mission.

African Sea Lion is the first bilateral exercise the Wasp ARG has taken part in since their departure from Naval Station Norfolk.

The Wasp ARG is comprised of Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) Six, the 22nd MEU, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), both homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), homeported at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia.

The ARG also includes detachments from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Fleet Surgical Team 2, and Assault Craft Unit 4.
Morocco will participate in the first joint ministerial meeting of the international coalition against ISIL convened in Washington on Thursday July 21, under the co-chairmanship of US Secretary of State John Kerry and US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

The North African country is represented in the meeting, at both the security and the diplomatic levels, by Abdellatif Loudiyi, Minister of National Defense Administration, and Mbarka Bouaida, Junior Foreign Minister, reported local e-journal Le360, quoting informed sources.

Moroccos participation in the Washington meeting translates its unwavering commitment to support all initiatives aimed at enhancing cooperation and capabilities against terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations, the sources told Le360.

Morocco co-chairs with the Netherlands the Global Forum for Combating Terrorism (GCTF.)

GCTF, an international forum of 29 countries and the European Union, was established in September 2011 with an overarching mission of reducing the vulnerability of people worldwide to terrorism by preventing, combating, and prosecuting terrorist acts and countering incitement and recruitment to terrorism.

The first joint ministerial meeting of the Counter ISIL Coalition to gather in Washington more than 40 members of the Coalition will review the campaign to date, and strategize how to accelerate further ISILs demise, said the State Department in a press release.

Participants will hold a detailed discussion of priorities for the Coalitions multiple lines of effort, including its working groups on political-military coordination, combatting foreign terrorist fighters, counterterrorist financing, counter-messaging, and stabilization of liberated areas, to increase the momentum of the campaign.

With the recent liberation of Fallujah and other parts of Anbar Province in Iraq, as well as the advances around Manbij in Syria, this is a key moment to continue to set core ISIL on a lasting, and irreversible, path to defeat, the State Department said.

The Coalitions Small Group regularly meets to synchronize and enhance combined efforts to counter ISIL. The last meeting of Coalition foreign ministers took place in Rome, Italy, on February 2, 2016, and the last meeting of defense ministers took place in Brussels, Belgium, on February 11, 2016.

So this will be the first time that defense ministers and foreign ministers are coming together to take stock of the overall campaign against ISIL.
When the first press reports emerged saying Morocco is considering to retake its seat at the African Union after 32 years of absence, most readers and particularly Moroccos foes thought it was just hot air or a far-fetched story.

They forgot that in the world of politics nothing is impossible. They misread the North African Kingdoms goodwill intentions and miscalculated the extent to which it might go to defend its African interests. Perhaps, they got used to see Morocco expanding its economic and political influence in Africa but outside their African organization dome.

But when King Mohammed VI formally announced his countrys bid to rejoin the African organization in a message addressed to the 27th AU summit in Rwanda, 28 African countries out of 54 cheered while Moroccos enemies were stunned, foreseeing an end of their free-reign game and show.

According to some analysts, Moroccos decision to regain its place at the AU is not whimsical but a strategic and smart political move, which will allow the Kingdom to better defend its interests and put an end to the hegemony of Algiers-Pretoria-Abuja axis.

Certainly the best defense is a good offensive. It is clear that Morocco is supported by the majority of AU members as shown by the motion tabled by 28 African member countries. They welcomed the return of the North African Kingdom and demanded the immediate suspension of the membership of the so-called RASD which was illegally admitted in 1984 through the illegitimate use of threats, deceit, coercion and dirty petrodollar money.

Though Morocco, one of the founding members of the Organization of African Union, quitted the regional bloc in anger and protest, it never turned its back to brethren African countries and continued championing African causes in regional and international fora.

Moroccans have never denied their identity and were always proud of their African roots. Since his enthronement in July 1999, King Mohammed VI has put Africa at the top of his priorities, providing assistance to disaster-stricken African countries, supporting peace and stability in the continent.

The Sovereign also paid numerous visits to African countries where he launched joint projects giving a new momentum to inter-African cooperation and contributing to the improvement of the lives of African people through partnership projects in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, vocational training, health, water, solar energy, electricity

Morocco is currently the 2nd major investor in Africa and ambitions to top the ranking while Moroccan private companies are present in several African countries operating in banking, telecommunication, construction, insurance, housing, electricity, fertilizers, air transportsrevving up social and economic development of Africa.

After having invested heavily in Africa for many years, Morocco deserves to reap the fruits of its longstanding engagements with Africans. So, it seems that time has come for this country to regain its place within its institutional family as requested by many Africans.

Our friends have long been asking us to return among them so that Morocco may take its natural place within its institutional family. That time has now come , said the Moroccan King in his message to African summiteers.

Morocco is now in a stronger position and its regional enemies must feel the heat. By giving Morocco back its seat, the African Union club will gain much more power, stability and leverage to counter security and development challenges.

It is time for unity and for political pragmatism to make up for the lost opportunities. It is now up to the other half of the AU to stop playing politics, to show wisdom, restore legality, correct past mistakes and shoulder its historic responsibility.
Swing voter. Photo: John MacDougall/AFP/Getty Images

Typically, a presidential nominees running mate is supposed to be the campaigns staunchest partisan  the one willing to throw the thickest mud at the other side, while championing his or her boss in the strongest possible terms. Thats why leading veepstakes contenders often audition by playing attack dog at one of the nominees rallies. But according to the New York Times, Hillary Clintons VP short list includes a registered independent who refuses to do so much as publicly endorse her.

On Tuesday, the paper reported that Clinton is seeking national-security experience in her running mate and, thus, had put Virginia senator Tim Kaine and retired four-star Navy admiral James Stavridis on her short list. That same day, Stravridis declined to say whether Clinton represents his political views better than Donald Trump does.

I am a registered independent, which is something I encourage all military folks to do, Stavridis said on Brian Kilmeades show on Fox News Radio. Over the years, I have voted both Republican and Democrat. I try to judge each election on the candidates in front of me and make an informed decision as a citizen, and thats what I would expect everyone to do.

Stravridis did say that he was leaning toward Secretary Clinton from everything I have seen so far, but insisted, I am very comfortable with making that decision in the privacy of my own home.

The fact that Clinton was even vetting Stavridis came as somewhat of a surprise. The retired admiral has no experience in civilian government, his domestic-policy views are largely mysterious, and on foreign policy hes been a harsh critic of President Obamas nuclear agreement with Iran  perhaps the single most significant achievement of the Democratic presidents second term.

That Stavridis has made it to the short list while refusing to say unequivocally that he prefers Clinton to a pseudo-fascist insult comic is confounding. Especially when leading Republicans within the national-security Establishment have deemed it their patriotic duty to voice public opposition to Trump.

Perhaps Clinton hopes that by loudly considering Stavridis, a moderate like Kaine will become less disappointing to her partys left by comparison  Sure, I picked the boring white guy whos hot for the TPP and lukewarm on abortion rights, but thats better than an Iran-deal-hating admiral whose political ideology is completely unknown, right?

The Washington Posts latest veepstakes dispatch adds credence to the idea that Stravidiss name is being floated purely for the sake of optics. The paper writes that Kaine and Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor and the current Agriculture secretary, are alone at the top of Clintons list. While Stavridis remains under consideration, per the Post, several Clinton advisers say choosing a running mate who has never held elective office would be an unnecessary risk that Mrs. Clinton, a cautious candidate by nature, is unlikely to take.

Clinton is expected to announce her pick at a campaign rally in Florida this Saturday.
Brimming with patriotism. Photo: Jeff Swensen/2016 Getty Images

Good morning and welcome to Fresh Intelligence, our roundup of the stories, ideas, and memes youll be talking about today. In this edition, the Republican convention staggers on, Donald Trump is running for president, and Roger Ailes might do something. Heres the rundown for Wednesday, July 20.

WEATHER

A heat wave and humidity wave  is that a thing?  continue in the middle of the country today, while the weather should be beautiful on the West Coast, in New England, and in the Northeast. New York City will see crystal-clear skies and temperatures in the middle 80s. [USA Today]

FRONT PAGE

Republican Convention Continues Despite Obvious Insanity

For day two of the Republican National Convention, Trumps children took the stage; Chris Christie led delegates in a rousing round of our favorite high-school drinking game Guilty or Not Guilty (the consensus seems to be that Hillary Clinton is guilty); Ben Carson, an actual neurosurgeon, said that Clinton voters were not using their God-given brains; and Paul Ryan tried valiantly to hide his mounting discomfort. The emotional peak of the evening came when Trump officially received the Republican Partys nomination. Oddly, Trump was not there to accept it, preferring instead to teleconference in from New York. His obvious discomfort in Cleveland might just be the most authentically New York thing about him. [NYT]

EARLY AND OFTEN

Aint No Party Like a John Boehner Party Because a John Boehner Party Sounds  Okay

We know all about the politics at this years Republican convention, but what about the parties? According to the New York Times, the usually raucous convention satellite events have been unusually tame this year  even the rager thrown every year by notorious party animal John Boehner. Boehner, who smokes cigarettes  like a real bad ass  and who according to the Times has a a well-documented taste for merlot, failed to get his event to pop off despite having all the hallmarks of a proper shit show: a VIP area, fog machines, and an oldies band. Crowds did eventually fill the dance floor, but only after John Banger Boehner had gone home. [NYT]

Florida Governor Acknowledges Reality, Makes News

Going against everything the Republican Party stands for, Florida governor Rick Scott briefly acknowledged reality when he admitted yesterday that the Supreme Court has already ruled that same-sex marriages are legal. When asked if he approved of the section in the Republican Party platform that was critical of same-sex marriages Scott said, totally reasonably, that he hadnt seen that because he was too busy being focused on jobs. Party platforms are like terms and conditions: They only get really scary after you actually read them. [Politico]

Obama Meets With Law-Enforcement Aides As Another Police Shooting Is Reported in Kansas City

President Obama met with his top law-enforcement officials in the White House yesterday to discuss the crisis of policing in America. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and White House Counsel Neil Eggleston were each on hand to discuss better methods of policing in light of widespread minority outrage and the recent shooting deaths of multiple officers and citizens. As the meeting came to a close, the shooting of another officer, this time in Kansas City, came to light. Republicans have been critical of the president for what they see as his insufficiently vocal support of law enforcement. [Politico]

THE STREET, THE VALLEY

Microsoft Triumphant As Cloud Computing Puts It Over Wall Street Estimates

Thanks to its successful cloud-computing business, Microsoft managed to beat analyst expectations when it released its quarterly earnings yesterday. Shares in the company rose more than 4 percent on the news. [Reuters]

Wait, Is Pokemon Go Not a Thing Anymore? Then Who Are All These People on Our Lawn?

Just when we were starting to figure out what Pokemon Go is (actually, we still have no idea  love the memes though!), it looks like Nintendos moment in the sun may be passing. After more than doubling its value in just over a week, shares in the company fell off by a full 10 percent yesterday. Still, all things considered, a great time to be a Nintendo executive. [Reuters]

It Is Now Impossible for Rudy Giuliani to Get More Out of Touch

Just in case you still thought Rudy Giuliani had his finger on the pulse even a little bit, the one-time mayor of New York gave an impassioned speech yesterday extolling the virtues of Blackberry, and claiming the defunct cell-phone companys software can make the world safe from terrorists. [Bloomberg]

Twitter Verification Now Even More Meaningless Than It Was

Well it looks like this is another life goal well never achieve  or rather, we will easily achieve, but so can everyone else, so it doesnt really count. Twitter has announced that anyone can now get their account verified, meaning that the coveted little blue check is now mostly meaningless. More accurately, it now means what it was always supposed to mean: that you are who you say you are. [The Verge]

MEDIA BUBBLE

Roger Ailes Will Either Leave or Remain at Fox News

Fallout continues to grow over a recent sexual-harassment suit filed against Ailes. A day after New York reported that Fox News CEO Roger Ailess ousting is imminent, the Drudge Report has released the first page of his separation agreement. Still, the powers that be at Fox deny the news  kind of  claiming that Roger is still at work and all decisions regarding his employment will wait until a proper review is finished. [Gawker]

Now Its Personal: Hogan Court Victory May Force Nick Denton Into Bankruptcy

Gawker founder Nick Dentons latest worst nightmare appears to have come true yesterday as a judge ruled that a bankruptcy filed by Gawker does not protect Denton personally. So, Denton can now expect Hogan to come for his personal wealth, and will most likely file for bankruptcy himself.

Legal Battle Between Fox News and Charter Communications Continues

Fox News has filed suit against Charter Communications accusing the cable company of breach of contract and fraud, claiming the company is illegally trying to apply the old Time Warner Cable channel-carriage rates to carry Fox News and Fox Business News. Charter acquired Time Warner in May and this is the second suit brought against it by Fox since the takeover. [Politico]

PHOTO OP

The Protest Patriot

Republican delegates covered a Code Pink activist with a flag when she tried to protest on the floor of the convention.

Silenced. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/2016 Getty Images

MORNING MEME

Republican Strategist Takes Twilight Sparkles Name in Vain

Just watch this. Really, words fail to do it justice.

OTHER LOCAL NEWS

Chicagoans Bathe in Sewage, As Is Their Wont

Recent visitors to Baltimore have been garnering a lot of attention after a YouTube video surfaced showing them swimming in the citys notoriously disgusting Inner Harbor. Many onlookers can be seen acting visibly grossed out in the video. One bystander explained: Theyre from Chicago. They dont know no better. [Baltimore Sun]

Snuggle Mugging: Adorable Lemur Terrorizes Florida Woman

Seriously Florida, what is going on? A Miami woman heard scratches at her front door, and opened it to find an adorable lemur on her doorstep. This being Florida, the lemur immediately attacked the woman, terrorizing her and her sister and chasing them around the house so they couldnt even call 911. The lemur eventually did enough damage to land the woman in the hospital. [ABC]

HAPPENING TODAY

World Awaits Important Decisions in Turkey

Turkeys prime minister has said that the nation will announce important decisions today following the recent failed coup. According to those who follow Turkish politics, these decisions will almost certainly be some sort of crackdown and consolidation of power for Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and may even see him reinstate the death penalty. [Reuters]

Wait, We Just Assumed Japan Already Had Pokemon Go for Like a Decade

Pokemon Go launches in Japan today. How this game based on a Japanese cartoon, from a Japanese company, with totally Japanese sensibilities was not available there before is a mystery. The launch will also be the first time that the app partners with a corporate partner: McDonalds across Japan will now also be Pokemon gyms. The future is now and its totally odd. [Tech Crunch]

Boris to Visit D.C. in Last-Ditch Effort to Make U.S. Seem Less Embarrassing

Britains flaxen-haired answer to Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, is coming to Washington today for the third day of meetings with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The visit would be awkward  Boris famously said that because Obama was half-Kenyan, he was resentful of the British Empire  if Johnson were capable of feeling awkwardness. [NYT]
Steven Mnuchin. Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

On Monday, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort suggested that Wall Street donors exert undue influence over Hillary Clinton. Announcing that the GOP platform would call for breaking up the big banks, Manafort told reporters, We believe that the Obama-Clinton years have passed legislation that has been favorable to the big banks, which is one of the reason why you see all of the Wall Street money going to her. We are supporting the small banks and Main Street. 

Bernie Sanders endorsing Crooked Hillary Clinton is like Occupy Wall Street endorsing Goldman Sachs.  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 12, 2016

This line of attack has some potential appeal. Americans dont hold Wall Street in high esteem these days, and Clinton really does have deep political and personal ties to the finance industry. She really did make hundreds of thousands of dollars giving speeches to Goldman Sachs, which she now refuses to make public. And while her legislative agenda isnt particularly friendly to the banking industry (far less friendly than Trumps, in fact), her coziness with Wall Street could affect areas of policy the public pays less attention to.

For example, the secretary of the Treasury has a lot of power to influence the strength of the U.S. dollar. And while much of the American working class would benefit from a weaker dollar  which would make U.S. exports more competitive, thereby stimulating domestic employment  the finance industry tends to prefer a strong one (as do upper-middle-class professionals who vacation overseas). Cabinet appointees matter. Trump could point this out, while reminding his supporters that his personal wealth insulates him from such special interests, a point that was central to his appeal with primary voters.

Or he could publicly advertise his intention to appoint one of Hillary Clintons Wall Street donors to the Treasury Department. According to Fortune, the mogul is taking door two. The magazine reports that Trump recently assured prospective donors that he would nominate former Goldman Sachs banker Steve Mnuchin for U.S. Treasury secretary. In addition to being a former Clinton donor, Mnuchin has also worked with investment groups affiliated with liberal fundraiser and right-wing boogeyman George Soros. Mnuchin became the Trump campaigns finance chairman earlier this year.

If true, Fortunes report leads to a pair of shocking conclusions:

1. Donald Trumps economic populism may not be sincere.

2. Donald Trump may not actually have enough personal wealth to insulate him from donor influence.
Presidency by Trump. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

There were a lot of reasons why pundits refused to believe that Donald Trump could become the Republican nominee. Most of these had to do with naive misconceptions about the nature of the modern GOP, or naive faith in the predictive capacities of political science. But one source of skepticism has remained difficult to dismiss, even after the mogul clinched his partys bid: Why would Donald Trump want to be president?

After all, Trump really seems to enjoy being an eccentric pseudo-billionaire who spends his days cutting ribbons and watching cable news. And he has been utterly unwilling to perform the workaday duties of a presidential candidate, let alone those of an actual president. He refuses to make fundraising calls, or assemble a campaign staff large enough to achieve basic competence, or even to spend more than a dozen nights of the campaign away from one of his homes.

This is a man who has shown no real interest in civics or governance at any point in his adult life  while showing immense interest in publicity stunts. So when the former communications director of the Make America Great Again super-pac claimed that Trumps goal from the beginning was to come in second back in March, it was taken as gospel.

The idea that Trump didnt actually want to win waned for a few days after he secured the nomination. But when the mogul chose to spend the first few weeks of his general-election campaign litigating the Mexican heritage of a federal judge, the notion gained renewed currency  especially after Vanity Fair reported that Trump was already discussing plans to channel his political following into a cable-news empire.

According to Robert Draper of The New York Times Magazine, that is, in fact, how the moguls campaign described his endgame to John Kasich, when trying to convince the Ohio governor to become Trumps running mate: >

One day this past May, Donald Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., reached out to a senior adviser to Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, who left the presidential race just a few weeks before. As a candidate, Kasich declared in March that Trump was really not prepared to be president of the United States, and the following month he took the highly unusual step of coordinating with his rival Senator Ted Cruz in an effort to deny Trump the nomination. But according to the Kasich adviser (who spoke only under the condition that he not be named), Donald Jr. wanted to make him an offer nonetheless: Did he have any interest in being the most powerful vice president in history? When Kasichs adviser asked how this would be the case, Donald Jr. explained that his fathers vice president would be in charge of domestic and foreign policy. Then what, the adviser asked, would Trump be in charge of? Making America great again was the casual reply.

As with so many of his ventures, Trump would like to brand his administration  but not actually run it.

Kasich did not take Donald Jr. up on that offer. And the rejection was so stinging, Trump removed Brian Sandoval  a swing-state governor with charisma and Latino heritage  from consideration solely because of his endorsement of Kasich during the primary, Draper reports.

Its entirely possible that the Trump campaign was lying to Kasich about the amount of power he would wield in a Trump White House. The moguls campaign is not known for its honesty. But considering everything else we know about Trump, it seems possible that Mike Pence really would be the brains behind the Trump administration. Which might not be a comforting thought  the Indiana governor isnt exactly as swift as the coursing river.
Dont ask him for gifts and privilege. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

To hear it at the beginning of Tuesday night  the night the Republican National Convention devoted to the economy, the night dubbed Make America Work Again  the United States is in great shape.

During the delegate count, representatives bigged up and bragged about their home states as they pushed Donald J. Trump to victory. There was, as always, plenty of boastful local errata: Maryland, home to the oldest state capitol in continuous use, and so on. But above all, they boasted about their thriving, strong, local economies  thanks, naturally, to Grand Old Party governors and legislators and voters. Utah proclaimed itself the number one state for economic growth. Tennessee boasted that it was top five in jobs growth and number one in auto manufacturing. Texas announced itself the greatest job-creating state in the country and the 12th largest economy on the planet. North Carolina staked itself out as one of the fastest-growing state economies. And Florida? Florida is a paradise, its party chair beamed.

Yet, when talk turned to the whole country  and thus to the national economy  Republicans were mostly mum. Chris Christie, for instance, spent his long, animated speech running a mock trial of Hillary Clinton as the crowd cheered, Guilty! and Lock her up! And, when Republican leaders did talk about the economy, they implied that somehow all these strong, growing states added up to a hellscape scarcely removed from the recession and hobbled by idiotic tax-and-spend Democrats.

I dont see the American dream like I did when I was starting out, said Andy Wist of Standard Waterproofing, a small business and Trump supporter. All I see is too many people out of work, too many jobs shifted overseas, and too many politicians who dont care. Its a mess. Heres how Speaker of the House Paul Ryan put it: There is a reason people in our country are disappointed and restless, he said. If opportunity seems like its been slipping away, thats because it has. And liberal progressive ideas have done exactly nothing to help.

In short: State economies are great! The national economy is not worth talking about right now! It is also terrible!

I suppose that I should, by this late date, expect such contradictory nonsense and cognitive dissonance from Republicans. This is the party that has nominated someone promising to, for instance, slash taxes and not slash tax revenue, all while paying off of the national debt in a mere decade or so.

Still, there does seem to be some sense to pulling out of the economic nonsense on display on Tuesday night. First off, Republicans are clearly exaggerating their case about the state of the national economy because  of course  the recovery does feel so precarious to so many families. (Its a point Hillary Clinton herself makes all the time!) Last month, payrolls increased by a healthy 287,000 positions and the unemployment rate remained below 5 percent. But wages have been disappointing, and the rebound from the recession was slow.

Second, and more importantly, throughout this election and on Tuesday night, the Trump campaigns portrayal of national economic decline serves as an imperfect-yet-potent synonym for the racial and cultural anxiety that has so motivated Trump voters.

A large tide of foreign workers are suppressing American wages, Trump Jr. warned on Tuesday night. And our schools, which are supposed to be engines of mobility? Theyre like Soviet-era department stores, and we need the free market and parental choice to fix them. Ryan, in describing how to solve our putative economic quagmire, invoked the ghost of Saint Reagan: With Trump, the governor would be not the distributor of gifts and privilege  read: a way to take from you and give to less deserving others  but the protector of our liberties.

Republican leaders thought their base wanted limited government and balanced budgets. They thought they might want Rubio or Bush. This convention shows  so, so clearly  that what those voters wanted this time around was nativism, racism, and nationalism. What they wanted was Trump.
Dr. Ben Carson begging Americans to think about Hillary Clintons connection to Satan. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

One of the central story lines of this Republican National Convention is the accommodation of various conservative factions as they get behind a presidential nominee very few of them supported initially and most laughed at or disparaged. In most cases, this pivot has been accomplished via a focus on the awful alternative of a Hillary Clinton presidency.

But one of the first conservatives to endorse Trump, his former rival Dr. Ben Carson, did not have to find some convoluted rationale for joining the moguls camp. For as he made clear during the nomination contest (though it was often missed by uncomprehending media folk), he represents conservatives who quite literally believe that Hillary Clinton is the spear point of a very old conspiracy by secular socialists to impose a tyranny on the United States. In this view (which Carson borrowed to a significant extent from that great purveyor of weird ideas about American history, Glenn Beck), that conspiracy and its deceptive strategies were best formulated by a Chicago-based community organizer (can you think of anyone else who was one of those?) who has been dead for 44 years, Saul Alinsky. Conveniently, Hillary Clinton wrote an undergraduate thesis on Alinsky, ultimately disagreeing with him on his fundamental advocacy of achieving social change from outside the system instead of pursuing conventional politics. In Carsons mind, it all adds up, and in his strange speech to the Republican National Convention Tuesday night, he warned of the quite literally hellish consequences of electing Clinton as president:

One of the things that I have learned about Hillary Clinton is that one of her heroes, her mentors, was Saul Alinsky. [Crowd boos.] Her senior thesis was about Saul Alinsky. This was someone that she greatly admired and that affected all of her philosophies subsequently. Now, interestingly enough, let me tell you something about Saul Alinsky. He wrote a book called Rules for Radicals. On the dedication page, it acknowledges Lucifer, the original radical who gained his own kingdom. Now, think about that. This is a nation where our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, talks about certain inalienable rights that come from our creator. This is a nation where our Pledge of Allegiance says we are one nation, under God. This is a nation where every coin in our pocket and every bill in our wallet says In God We Trust. So are we willing to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer? Think about that.

Clearly Carson has thought about that nearly every moment of this campaign cycle. He went on to cast Donald Trump in the unlikely role of the Christian soldier fighting to prevent a takeover of the country by Lucifers infernal hosts:

The secular progressive agenda is antithetical to the principles of the founding of this nation. If we continue to allow them to take God out of our lives, God will remove himself from us, we will not be blessed and our nation will go down the tubes, and we will be responsible for that  It is not about Donald Trump. It is not about me. It is about we, the people, and Thomas Jefferson said that we would reach this point because we the people would not be paying attention and it would allow the government to grow, to expand, and to metastasize and to try to rule us.

Crazy as this entire formulation may seem to secular folk, progressive or not, its pretty widely shared in Christian-right circles, though many subscribing to it do not have Carsons additional background of belonging to a pre-millennialist faith community, the Seventh-day Adventists, who tend to view this world as on the cusp of the Last Days. While some Christian conservatives look at Donald Trump and see the antithesis of everything they value, others force themselves to stare at the hated alternative and become convinced they have a religious obligation to fight Lucifer with this sinful man being used by God. To doubt Trump because of his crudeness and lack of principles, in fact, is to bend to the nefarious temptation of political correctness, the devils great weapon, which Carson has denounced with every other breath throughout his candidacy and beyond.

And so, even as other Republicans at this convention shriek at Hillary Clinton with lurid claims that she willingly let Americans be slaughtered at Benghazi or she wantonly violates the law and wants to abolish the very rule of law, heres the quiet, sometimes charming Ben Carson reaching a similar conclusion from a perspective so outlandish that those hearing it quite literally cant believe their ears.
Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images

And just like that, the Reign of Milo Yiannopoulos on Twitter  a constant dumpster-fire drama of abuse and racism and shiny, blue check marks being both granted and taken away  appears to have come to an end. Yiannopoulos, the many-intern-having Breitbart tech editor-cum-provocateur, a.k.a. @Nero, has been banned permanently from Twitter.

It started Monday night, when Leslie Jones, one of the co-stars of Ghostbusters, was tweeting about some of the racist abuse she had received of late, and responding angrily to the harassers themselves. Yiannopoulos jumped in, accusing her of playing the victim to make up for the fact that the film has been poorly reviewed. Things quickly escalated, and soon Yiannopoulos went Full Milo, spreading fake screenshots of Jones saying terrible things, and calling her barely literate, a hammy 80s black caricature, and a man (thanks to Colby Klaus for archiving all this). Because Yiannopoulos has so many followers who post racist things  some of them claiming to do it for the lulz, but plenty of others actual, hardened Nazis and white nationalists, if their profiles are any indication  the results of his tweeting about her repeatedly were inevitable and depressing: The wave of racist and sexist harassment shed been dealing with only intensified.

Soon, Jones, after having publicly pleaded with Twitter to do something, announced that she was leaving the site altogether. That same evening, a number of celebrities stepped in to express their support for her and their desire for Twitter to intervene, and CEO Jack Dorsey promised he would:

Twitter I understand you got free speech I get it. But there has to be some guidelines when you let spread like that. You can see on the  Leslie Jones  (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016

THIS WAS NOT ME!! OK TWITTER IM DONE!! IF YALL CAN LET THIS SHIT HAPPEN I DONT WANT TO BE HERE. I DID NOT POST THIS pic.twitter.com/CDGbuOHJN4  Leslie Jones  (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016

I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart.All this cause I did a movie.You can hate the movie but the shit I got today...wrong  Leslie Jones  (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016

Hi Leslie, following, please DM me when you have a moment  jack (@jack) July 19, 2016

Dorsey followed through  last night, shortly before Yiannopoulos was set to host a Gays for Trump event at the Republican National Convention, he was informed Twitter had banned him permanently. People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter, a Twitter spokesperson told BuzzFeeds Charlie Warzel in a statement. But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, and our rules prohibit inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others.

The response on Twitter was immediate, and seemed to overtake the Republican National Convention as the social networks chief discussion topic. And if youre familiar with the battle lines over online harassment and free speech (or with Yiannopoulos himself), it wasnt surprising: Over the last 12 hours, conservatives have been caterwauling that this is an unfair infringement on free speech and a clear sign of Twitters liberal bias, launching the hashtag #FreeMilo; progressives have mostly cheered the move (#NeroBannedParty), viewing the move as a hopeful sign that Twitter will start to take its harassment problem more seriously.

Both sides are wrong  Yiannopoulos is no free-speech martyr, and cheerleaders of the ban are likely fooling themselves if they interpret this as any sort of sign of evolving Twitter policy rather than a specific instance of damage control thats unlikely to lead to wider reforms.

Twitter has had an eye on Yiannopoulos for a long time. During a period in which the conversation about online harassment and hate speech has ratcheted up, Yiannopoulos has, relative to the size of his following, become one of the most controversial figures on the platform. In January of this year, he lost his verified badge for reasons Twitter never revealed, and last month, around the time he was trying to exploit the Orlando shootings at Pulse for self-aggrandizement purposes, he was briefly banned and then reinstated. He regularly posts racist, misogynistic, and abusive content, and, truth be told, has been doing so for years  he has long used his large and ever-growing base of followers and devotees as a cudgel against his perceived enemies and others he hoped to ridicule, many of them with a fraction of the fame and following that Jones has. More recently, as he has grown cozier and cozier with alt-right racists and anti-Semites, hes exhibited less of an internal censor: He even put George Soross name in Jew parentheses.

In other words, Twitter has long had ample reason to permanently ban Milo. So why was this the incident that crossed the line? Since Twitter offers up so little info about why it bans or suspends users, any attempt to interpret one of its decisions involves a bit of tea-leaf reading. In this case, though, the answer is likely the faked screenshots that made it look like Jones was saying highly offensive stuff, including using the word kike. Yiannopoulos knew exactly what he was doing in blasting out those screenshots  just as he knew what he was doing other times he directed his rabid followers toward specific targets  and the only conceivable goal was to rile people up about Jones and amplify the hate. So whatever you think about Yiannopoulos calling Jones a man or a caricature or whatever else, it just isnt hard to imagine Twitter viewing the faked screenshots as a step too far, especially given the authors past misbehavior and subsequent warnings, and especially given the inciting wording of Twitters statement to Warzel.

But its likely more than just Yiannopoulos violating some specific rule. Twitter also stepped in because Jones, after tweeting about what she was experiencing the other night, gained enough support and publicity that the site felt like it had to step in  hence Dorsey reaching out to Jones directly. Twitter is a corporation, after all, and it is terrible PR for one of the stars of a movie that has already ignited several rounds of gender-and-culture wars to be dealing with a torrent of racist and sexist garbage at the hands of Yiannopoulos and his supporters. Its not an accident that Yiannopoulos has repeatedly gotten away with equivalent behavior directed at much smaller names.

Either way, the claim that Twitter is engaging in a jihad against right-wing voices, that Twitter is now a no-go zone for conservatives, as Yiannopoulos put it to Breitbart, is laughable. Anyone who dips even a pinky toe into Twitters political waters knows that there is no shortage of conservative opinion on the platform, and that conservatives arent getting punished for expressing opinions  Black Lives Matter consists of violent anti-police radicals, Muslims are terrorists, etc.  that progressives find extremely offensive. Yiannopouloss suspension is far from unprecedented: The site booted Chuck C. Johnson for doxxing people  in one memorable instance, outing someone as Jackie from the University of Virginia Rolling Stone rape case who wasnt, in fact, Jackie  and suspended Azealia Banks for what the Guardian described as directing a number of both homophobic and racial slurs at Zayn Malik, formerly of One Direction. In none of these three cases was the person in question suspended or banned for expressing controversial, unpopular political opinions; in all of them, they found themselves in Twitters crosshairs because they targeted individuals in specific, malicious ways that undeniably make the platform a worse and more toxic place.

But even if Yiannopouloss banning isnt strictly unprecedented, its still a near-unique occurrence, involving as it did a bunch of famous onlookers, and not necessarily a sign of anything when it comes to Twitters future plans regarding harassment.

From Twitters perspective, theres a certain corporate logic to remaining as vague as possible about which offenses are and arent ban-worthy. As soon as Twitter lays down more specific rules, after all, it actually has to enforce them, and said enforcement comes with various costs, both in terms of enforcement resources and users leaving or becoming less active on the platform. From a coldly corporate perspective, theres a case to be made that its in Twitters best interest to allow as much discourse as possible, including much that is offensive  for liberals and conservatives alike to feel free to push at the boundaries of acceptable conversation without the risk of punishment. And that is, in fact, the site as it currently exists, the hysterics of Yiannopoulos and his fanboys notwithstanding.

Yes, some people are getting so turned off by Twitters deserted-park-with-a-bat-and-pervert-problem issues that they are leaving or disengaging, and I can personally attest to the companys slowness in responding to complaints about tweets that are screamingly, obviously abusive. Plus, Twitter has been very slow to implement the sorts of technical tweaks that would make it easier to at least temporarily render a wave of abuse invisible  tweaks that wouldnt involve a Twitter employee having to decide, on a tweet-by-tweet basis, what is and isnt offensive enough to warrant action.

Overall, though, it seems clear that Twitter has made a calculated determination that if it instituted much stricter, much more tightly enforced speech guidelines tomorrow, it would likely lose far more users than it currently is to harassment. Today, it takes a special kind of asshole to actually get banned from Twitter.
Sad! Photo: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

It seems like only yesterday that Taylor Swift was frolicking on a beach in Rhode Island with a British man whose name I cant remember at the present time, but so much has happened since those happier days. Taylor was exposed by the Kardashian-West family for lying, she posted a note response to Instagram, the name of Nicole Brown Simpson was invoked, etc. etc. You know the story.

And now a graffiti artist who goes by the name Lushsux has paid tribute to the great 2016 ethering of Taylor Swift in a touching memorial on a wall in an alley in Melbourne. In loving memory of  Taylor Smith, the work reads, 19892016. Out of respect for the dead, Lushsux asks other artists to not tag the wall, and while the work features an ever-so-slight typo, the artist told Daily Mail Australia that it was an unintentional mistake. To us, it is a good joke.

May Taylor Smith live on in our hearts, our memories, and our dreams. We promise to never forget her.


Fox News host Megyn Kelly. Photo: Bloomberg/Getty Images

As a chorus of prominent Fox News women have gone public defending Roger Ailes against the wave of sexual-harassment allegations sparked by former Fox News host Gretchen Carlsons lawsuit, the networks biggest star, Megyn Kelly, has been conspicuously silent. Kellys refusal to join in Ailess orchestrated defense has led to speculation about why.

Now we have the answer. According to two sources briefed on parent company 21st Century Foxs outside probe of the Fox News executive, led by New Yorkbased law firm Paul, Weiss, Kelly has told investigators that Ailes made unwanted sexual advances toward her about ten years ago when she was a young correspondent at Fox. Kelly, according to the sources, has described her harassment by Ailes in detail.

Kellys comments to investigators might explain why the Murdochs are moving so quickly to oust Ailes. As New York reported yesterday, Rupert and sons James and Lachlan, the three top executives at 21st Century Fox, have, according to multiple sources, decided that Ailes needs to be removed. Kelly, who has become something of a feminist icon thanks to her tangles with GOP nominee Donald Trump, is seen by many inside Fox as the future of the network. Shes currently in contract negotiations, and given that Bill OReilly has said hes considering retirement, Fox cant afford to lose her.

According to two sources, Monday afternoon lawyers for 21st Century Fox gave Ailes a deadline of August 1 to resign or face being fired for cause. Ailess legal team  which now includes Susan Estrich, former campaign manager for Michael Dukakis  has yet to respond to the offer. Ailes has also received advice on strategy from Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani, sources say.

Ailess strategy so far has included attacking Kelly in the press. According to sources, Ailes spokesperson Irena Briganti has been criticizing Kelly to reporters, saying she is selfish to not stand up for the man who gave her career opportunities. Roughly a dozen Fox women have praised Ailes since Carlson filed her suit. According to a Fox source, the pro-Ailes campaign has been led by Fox anchor Kimberly Guilfoyle, who has filled in hosting Carlsons former 2 p.m. time slot.

Briganti did not respond to a request for comment.

Back in the mid-2000s, when Ailes allegedly harassed her, Kelly, a former corporate attorney, was a legal correspondent in Foxs Washington bureau. Soon she was appearing regularly on Bill OReillys show and hosting her own legal segments. In 2010, Ailes gave her a two-hour daytime show, and in 2013, he moved her into prime time to replace Sean Hannity at 9 p.m.

Kellys agent Matthew DelPiano at CAA did not respond to requests for comment. 21st Century Fox did not comment.

Meanwhile, the Paul, Weiss lawyers are attempting to interview former Fox employees who have stories of harassment but havent spoken because they signed settlements with Ailess Fox attorney, Dianne Brandi. 21st Century Fox is now waiving the NDAs to allow women to speak.
MTE

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actual perfect first comment

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ROTFL So perfect!

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love thissss

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LMAOOOOOOOOO!!!!! MTEEEEEEE

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LMAO shit

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Lmao, kimye right now.. perf first comment.

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lol mfte

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lollll

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lmao perfect

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lmao

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/post



LMAO

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Should be the on,y comment on here 

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lmao

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This is delicious.

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I hate that I'm addicted to this shit.



slowly trying to catch up on what I missed during work today ...

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That's a HUGE forehead, omg.

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It's totally more like a eighthead.

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Lmao byeeee taylor

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YASSSSSSS! now the only thing that will save her from this PR nightmare is pregnancy and an engagement o pls god let this happen



even better if she doesnt know if the father is calvin or loki praying rn

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Both, please.



I mean not the fathers but yeah lol.



Edited at 2016-07-19 01:26 pm (UTC)

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It's so weird how anxious you people are for her to get pregnant. And even weirder that some of you hope for her to get pregnant AND get dumped by the father. I mean I live for drama, but y'all are really salivating for this. It's in every thread now.

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eh people just want drama. I would hope people don't REALLY want a kid brought into this actual mess.

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misreading my comment, an ONTD pastime!



nowhere did i say i hope that she gets dumped, carry on

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who says they want her to get pregnant and dumped?

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ia

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You're always so quick to defend somebody as long as they're a white woman.

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Edited at 2016-07-19 01:08 pm (UTC) Lmao I fought with my bf before sleeping yesterday cause all he said about this was "but he didn't say he would call her a bitch!" and I was like

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lol omg this was me and my mom.

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Lmao exactly.

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c+alt+s for future use <3

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This was my taylor swift obsessed cousin. I nearly freaked out.

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idk I feel like that is the whole point?

ONTD had settled on the fact that the truth was what they were both were saying: they had a phone call, Taylor was supportive (from Kimye) but that Taylor hadn't heard the latter half of the lyric and never approved it (Taylor's camp)

that's why I don't see the big deal of the videos....it confirms what all literate people would have gotten out of this whole time.

Taylor didn't die, neither did Kimye. Taylor carefully worded a statement so that she would not have to lie. If you're a Taylor fan and can't see how Taylor loves playing the victim, you're a bad fan who has never seen her for who she obviously is.

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Nah, her Grammy speech is most definitely nagl given that she was very supportive of him saying he made her famous

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She did lie tho. Her statement to billboard said kanye never called to ask for her approval, just to ask if she'd promote it on twitter. Clearly the video showed he valued her approval and she gave it. And like the other user said, her grammy speech. Sis lied and downplayed that convo. She's clinging to that bitch prob partly cause it's all she hasn't been exposed about

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hahaha

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I cant stop watching.

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I miss colors on them

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me too. kim is sooo pretty here

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Kim always looked gorgeous in jewel tones. I also miss her gray/black skinny jeans with heels, a tank and a blazer look. Extremely flattering for her height and she always looked put together.

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Kylie still dresses in orange etc and she looks beautiful. They should try it too

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now i want french fries but it's 9 in the morning :*(



Edited at 2016-07-19 01:37 pm (UTC)

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queen tbh

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Fuck, I want fries so bad right now.

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baby hairs are needed

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This is such an overkill. I'm hoping she just disappears for a while like a year or two. I've never been so sick of reading someone's name in my life lol

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She's worried the world will forget about her if she disappears, because she'll be replaced with another skinny, white girl with a guitar.

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Tori Kelly is praying rn

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Right. I'm sure others are waiting.

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If she keeps annoying people that will certainly happen. She needs to disappear for real.

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well taylor, sucks to suck.

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aaw your icon, the memories

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ia...I miss the -good days-

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ugh, i know. Jessica was always my fav.

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best thing she can do is move the hell on

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lmao this gif <3

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This is me rn at work

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lmao same

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Is her lashes falling off????

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this is an accurate representation of my face during this entire saga

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Literally me for the past, like, 26 hours.

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LMAOOOOOOOO!

This gif is even better when it's multiplied.

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I love this gif of Angie so much.

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only thing about this i doubt was that she cheated with finn whitrock

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If she did she downgraded

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If she did I wanna see who it was.

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Well, I looked up Brittany Sackett,.. seems like he has a taste for frumpy white girls,..

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I really hope the blind item is not true. Especially since Finn & his wife seem to really be in love..

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I thought about that to

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mte



They got married not long ago, I hope he didn't fuck her over as soon as he hit it big..

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That Finn guy is ugly as fuck.

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did people base finn wittrock on anything or was it just ~sources

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married costar, so she has options but they worked together pretty closely, no?

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i guess, i just wondered if it was based on anything other than them working on ahs

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What a way to find out someone cheated on you

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I would rageeeeeeeeee

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The same thing happened to me with an ex. It was almost 7yrs ago but he called me in the middle of the night and I kept saying "hello? are you okay?" because it was out of nowhere. There was background noise and I listened for awhile and heard the bed creaking and loud breathing. Just wowwww. I can laugh about it now but I was really stunned and not sure if I was hearing it right or not.

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This made me laugh. Sorry that happened to you.

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omg i gasped

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What happened after that? How did you confront him about it?

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regardless of what happened this makes me really sad. She talked a lot about feeling unlovable because she is a survivor and i really relate to that. He seemed to be really supportive and they seemed great together, it gave me lots of hope. </3

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Sending out good vibes, hunny <3

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are people gonna say cheating is fine like they did in that jenny slate post?

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lol that post and the hiddleswift posts are like night and day

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lmao Jenny is truly ONTD's self-insert. They trashed Minka Kelly when she was with Chris Evans for no apparent reason but if he broke up Jenny Slate's marriage that's ~just love~ and it's justified because she's so quirky~

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lol they did? I had no idea about Minka and Chris?

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lol I said the same thing in the very first post about them. Some of em love to pretend otherwise but lbr many are intimidated and jealous af of beautiful women.

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they were saying it was fine because "some people just move on" or "what? you're not supposed to leave if you find someone better?". lol

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Because it is fine. LOL Why should you stay in a marriage with someone if you have feelings for someone else.



Why are we assuming someone cheated? Maybe her and her husband were separated?



Some of you people need to grow up. And realize what being a mature adult means

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Every post about Minka: "HERPES! She has HERPES! She gave him HERPES!"

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depends, how does ONTD feel about gaga right now?

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welp it's gaga afterall so i'm sure she'll be dragged to the pits over a rumor that might not even be true

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cheating is never 'fine' wtf? cheaters deserve to walk on shoes made of legos



/ruthless

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we dont know she cheated tho? lol

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lmao way to paraphrase out of context.



people saying that marriages fall apart, it happens, people fall in love with other people, etc. it sucks but it happens. that doesnt = "cheating is okay". the Jenny Slate post was mostly speculation since nobody knows, and people were saying "it happens" on the speculation that she began an emotional affair when they were already going south and that made her want to leave for good.



thats not exactly the same thing as an engaged couple and one half of them carries on a full-on affair behind the others back with no intention of telling their SO and then marrying them without ever telling them either.

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That post was the worst. People go at other married cheaters all the time here but people were falling over themselves to excuse Jenny and Chris. You can see the Marvel stans from a mile away. Embarrassing.

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way to take that out of context.



but also way to assume that everyone in a relationship is monogamous

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Or that if you're knowingly the other person it's fine because you don't owe the bf/gf or spouse anything since you aren't the one who made the commitment?

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That post was the perfect display of ONTD hypocrisy because somehow a married woman cheating is better than Terror Swift.

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I just assume everybody on every film set is sleeping with someone. It's seems like a high-energy summer camp scenario, outside of the real world.

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This Benadyrl Slumbernap x Jim Scarey realness

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BENADRYL

SLUMBERNAP LMFAOOOOO

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omfg I see it.

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what the fuck

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Her hairline looks fried.

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He looks like Ruby Rose.

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Taylor is hotter tbh

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his ex was kind of crazy tho, no?

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True. Sucks to be cheated on, but in his case reap what you sow.

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he's a cheater too? well, fuck him.

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whenever I see him I think of his sex scene in shameless

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Until someone's team confirms this i'm not believing this

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do teams ever confirm cheating? lol

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Lol i guess not but id assume gaga would put a statement out if this rumor got any bigger



Edited at 2016-07-20 12:56 am (UTC)

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Who ever heard of someone called Taylor who wasn't innocent?

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prada candy is my fave

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Just the name and that picture, I already know I won't be able to tolerate this scent. Looks cloyingly sweet from the presentation so I can imagine how it smells. Headache city.



I'm loving Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit for the hot weather. I tend to want something clean or fresh smelling / citrusy for summer.



Edited at 2016-07-20 07:52 pm (UTC)

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it does look like a bottled sinus headache doesn't it

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Her other perfume is awful too. You summed it up, perfectly.

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Most celeb perfumes tend to be cloying. Although I liked Kim Kardashian's perfume back in 2007 because it smelled like gardenia, jasmine, and tuberose and I love those. White florals? Here for it! Except I'm not very fond of Kardashian, so....bleh.

Hesperides is really good, I tried it at Sephora the other day and I couldn't stop smelling myself.

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kind of a tie between emporio armani and armani code

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I looooooooooooooove Armani Code and it was my perfume in the winter of 2006/2007. It's more formal and for months with an R in them, IMO.

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I am wearing La Vie Et Belle by Lancome during the day and Givenchy Dahlia at night/special occasions.

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Same, it's my favorite! It smells kinda similar to YSL's Black Opium, but I prefer La Vie Est Belle.

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she looks good here!!

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cackling

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My favorite!

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Tom Ford velvet orchid, YSL manifesto, and YSL l'homme

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I recently tried YSL Manifesto and I thought it was just ok but it clung around on my shirt for like 2 days and when I put it back on I was like "DAMN what smells so good?!" That shit lasts for hours and really smells amazing after it settles for a few hours.

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Manifesto is sooooo good

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Chanel's Chance Eau Fraiche is my fav but I am wearing Marc Jacobs Oh Lola today.

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i swear by vs body mists i probably have about 20 of them on top of my dresser i like different smells based on my mood

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'love spell' is my everything!

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the body one of the one just labeled the body mist is great.

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ari

honestly



you're the only pop star I have left

please

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I've been wearing Tom Ford's Orchid Soleil. I want to get Byredo's Rose Of No Man's Land

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rose of no man's land is great. I am usually not a fan of rose perfumes but that's one of two I really really like

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Are any of the mens tom ford fragrances nice? I've only smelled Black orchid and it was a bit heavy

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noir is heavy, but i really like it.

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Im liking Armani Si a lot

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I tried that yesterday. It's very sweet but not heavy.

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i've been obsessed with this one lately

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I recently went back to Dior Addict (the original) and idk why I ever stopped. It's so damn good, nothing comes close. It's more of a fall/winter perfume though



I also loooove See by Chloe, but it's also more of a cold weather scent. I've been wearing Tocca Giulietta for summer.



I tried Replica perfumes and was totally underwhelmed lol. They all smell blah to me *shrug*

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Dior Addict goes bad in a pretty dramatic way (exposure to light and heat). I used to love it but then I thought I just got sick of it, but in reality the perfume wasn't the same anymore. I smelled a fresh one and was really surprised by how major the shift is.

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I like the flower market, tea, and lipstick scents, but none of those are available in travel size :(

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Dior Addict is so sinfully delicious. Gonna buy it this winter for sure.

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I feel like this will be a Sofia Coppola wet dream.

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I was just thinking she's going to direct it similiar to those sofia movies

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mte, it'll be interesting to see

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mte she should be producing or something

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But how else could a Sylvia Plath adaption be adapted?!?! I don't even know sis.

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this gif is so silly, especially considering that wouldn't even doing anything to the baby. like, he'd legit walk right out unscathed.

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twilight lol

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this is one of my favourite books of all time so idk about this

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same :|

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same. the only person i could see being esther is maggie gyllenhaal but i think that's just bc she did the audiobook and was amazing at it.

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maggie gyllenhaal is everything

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same here. I'm like no ty about this

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this is one of my fave books but i'm pretty stoked! i've had a crush on kirsten dunst for as long as i can remember tho XD

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I feel the same way.

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Mte

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This is going to be interesting for various reasons.





I started the book ages ago but didn't finish it. Maybe I'll pick it up again.

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idk how I feel about this I feel like it'll just lead to more ppl using it as 'thinspo' and fetishizing images from it IDK

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I love this book but I don't understand everyone's obsession with it, especially since Sylvia Plath's life was awful.

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ITA

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People love quoting passages from the book but they probably have no idea what they actually mean in retrospect to Plath's life. She was miserable, and the book definitely reflected a lot of her struggles with mental health as a young woman.

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i think people attempt to ~romanticise plath's depression/suicide, so the book's cult status is tied to that.

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it's a beautiful book if you've ever experienced crippling depression, but it's not uplifting or encouraging and if anyone reads it like that, they probably misunderstood it

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sadly i think people romanticize it. i read it while going through a really serious depression and it resonated with me so much as a result - but i wasn't feeling butterflies about it. it was mostly just nice to read prose that details exactly how you're feeling.



Edited at 2016-07-20 09:04 pm (UTC)

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because as someone who suffered with bipolar disorder and the aftermath of rape/sexual abuse, the book was extremely cathartic and easy for me to take comfort in.



ppl are 'obsessed' with the book because it resonates with them on a personal level.



tbh it surprises me how many ppl miss the fact that esther actually kinda does have a happy life years later. she says it in one easy to miss statement, but it's there, and it's like one tiny breath of fresh air in the story.

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mte

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To me, the book really speaks to my feelings as a young woman torn between professional and personal ambitions. Her life had a lot of tragedy in it, but that's not all she was. She wrote a very honest and surprisingly funny account of her first mental breakdown in a way that is very relatable.

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this is the oddest statement i have ever seen about liking a book

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I wasn't really into the book, but then again all I remember was her fighting over avocado and crab cakes and then freaking out about being expected to have babies

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that book means a lot to me

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me too

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Yes definitely

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Aw, I remember when Julia was trying to get this off the ground. Good luck to her Mona Lisa Smile co-star, heh



Remember when Dakota was considered the superior Fanning?



Yeah, and I'm relieved those days are over because most of her movies were crap, lol

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This is kinda OT but about Kiki, I was watching a film with her and Jim Sturgess but it was dubbed in Portuguese and I couldn't figure out the name in English does anyone know? They were in this weird concept world where she was upside down or something, k never got to finish it.

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Upside Down

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Wow, that was definitely not even close to what it was named in Portuguese. Thanks bb!

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lmao all you gotta do is google both of their names

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That movie had so much potential. The special effects were really cool but that's about all that movie had going for it.

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Dakota is still the BI queen tho!!!

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um, thats a bold move on source material for a first time director.

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mte it seems pretty difficult to adapt

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mte

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was thinking the same, but i hope it does well for both of them tbh

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lol I was just wondering what happened to Dakota the other day

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Oh damn. Hmmm. I'll reserve judgement for when I see it.

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It made me feel like I was going crazy and was depressed along with the character.

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In my opinion, yes and no. It feels nice to relate to someone and see yourself in her words but you could also easily slip further into your depression. When I first read the book I remember being in a massively depressive episode myself and I had to put it down often, especially at certain parts. Similar pain can be cathartic but it can also be detrimental so proceed w caution, maybe?

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tbh probably yes, it's not an easy book to get through

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yes and no. i read it after a breakdown and suicide attempt and cried with relief/felt better that someone understood (as weird as that sounds), which made me feel better. but you might wanna wait til the episode passes, bb.

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I read it during my deepest depression in the winter of my freshman year in college.

It wasn't a good time for me then but I really enjoyed the book mostly bc our stories seemed parallel and also because it was nice seeing how I basically felt put in a succinct narrative.

In a way, it just let me know I wasn't alone.

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I read it but didn't feel much, I guess I like stories with a strong plot that keeps you on your toes and the story was just kind of aimlessly drifting. It wasn't a coming of age story, wasn't a mystery, didn't have an adventure, it just felt directionless. I read it about 8 years ago and it is pretty obvious from my response that I read it as an English assignment lol

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Miranda is pathetic in so many ways

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deets

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I don't actively follow her career or anything, just things that have been posted here like when she cheated on her husband with Justin Bieber? And she Photoshops the hell out of her pictures to make herself skinnier when she's already tiny with a great body. But the nasty thing about that was she made the models next to her bigger that is so shady lmaoooo. She's always reeked of desperation imo. When I used to post on the fashion spot I remember someone saying she had literally no friends at VS because she was a bitch but idk

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Go read the kerrazy lies blog at some point if it still exists, it's a wild ride

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Agreed, she's an obvious social climber, you can only date her if you're a billionaire $$$$



Plus she looks like a cabbage patch doll.

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She's such a social climbing snake

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silicon valley ceos are always so ugly, hopefully he doesn't get her a prenup

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I'm sure they are both just prizes

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I only use snapchat for the filters tbh.

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is he the douche who invented it or did he buy it

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douche who invented it lol

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yuck, good luck i guess

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This guy is worth 2 billion and is only 26.. that's insane. I love Snapchat tho it's like the perfect amount of social media for me.

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how does miranda contribute to a 'power' couple? i mean she is a successful model but O_o;

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her Korra Organics line? idk

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she seems to be pretty popular in asia

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I was so taken aback by how popular she is in Korea

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Exactly. That's all I see when looking her



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I don't get this comment. She's a successful supermodel. I doubt she needs any financial help ??

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I mean, congrats.



Is Miranda the one that had those two very "unique" looking Australians fight about her in the street? I think one of the two in the fight is now engaged to Mariah Carey.



And didn't Justin Beiber and Orlando Bloom also get into it as well?



ONTD when is the last time someone fought for you and your honor?

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how can you forget the amazing fight where bloom tried to fight bieber while leo dicaprio was cheering orlando on

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oop at me.

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in that moment we were all Leo

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That post was so great!

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OMG I LOVE LEO MORE RN.

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dead @ "unique looking Australians"

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i love snapchat. i mostly take pics of my cats, food, purchases, etc.

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How Evan Spiegel won over Miranda Kerr



I don't think it took much convincing...

I don't think it took much convincing...

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mte

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and he's only 26...damn

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jesus christ why didnt i invent that stupid fucking app

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he ain't that bad looking for $2.1 billion. get money sis.

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yeah he's very basic

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at least she didn't have to get hitched to a cheeto asshole like melania tho - a basic billionare is one of the best things you can hope for.

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Clearly you need to look up more photos of this man.



He is very facially challenged.

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Crude oil prices hit a 10-week low on Tuesday, but one piece of data from Saudi Arabia could provide a glimmer of hope for those longing for an oil price rally.

Saudi Arabia is burning through some of its oil inventories as exports combined with scorching domestic demand exceed its total production. In 2015, Saudi Arabia built up crude storage levels to a record high, as the kingdom stepped up production in the face of a global supply surplus. As other producers have cut back on production, there is more room for Saudi and OPEC to export. At the same time, domestic demand is rising quickly in Saudi Arabia.

In order to meet that demand and also pursue greater market share, Saudi Arabia has had to draw on its oil sitting in storage. That led the sharp monthly gains in inventories to flip into a deficit late last year. From October 2015 to May 2016, Saudi crude inventories dropped 12 percent to 289 million barrels, according to The Wall Street Journal, the longest period of decline in 15 years.

But part of the reason that domestic demand is so strong is seasonal. Saudi Arabias oil consumption spikes in the summer because it uses a substantial volume of crude for electricity, and with all the air conditioners running full blast in the hot summer months, more oil is needed. In 2015, the country used 25 percent of its oil production domestically.

The Wall Street Journal says that Saudi Arabia is reluctant to simply ramp up production further in order to plug the deficit for fear of spooking the markets. An increase in output beyond 10.5 million barrels per day  a record set in June 2015  could spark a sell off if oil traders interpreted the move as an attempt to flood the market. Moreover, although the country says it has a production capacity of 12.5 million barrels per day, it also values holding onto spare capacity in the case of a supply disruption. That means that it is already near its practical limit in terms of how far it is willing to ratchet up production. Related: Did Oil Kill The Dinosaurs?

An even less desirable option would be to simply reduce oil exports. Maintaining market share is one of the top priorities for the Saudi government, all the more so now that Iran has returned to the international market following the removal of sanctions earlier this year.



That leaves Saudi Arabia with the only option of using up some of its oil stockpiles.

A reduction of Saudi crude inventories is one piece of bullish news in what seems to have been an ocean of negative sentiment recently. Oil prices have retreated from $50 per barrel since June as fears have grown over tremendously high levels of refined products sitting in storage. And while oil bulls can find some solace in declining Saudi inventories, at the same time the drawdowns may only be seasonal. As the summer months come to an end, domestic demand will likely fall back again, easing pressure on its strategic stockpiles.

Actually, the same could be said about the refined product surplus, to some degree. Gasoline demand in the U.S. typically spikes in the summer months as people take to the roads. But with summer nearly half over, the U.S. is also adding to the market worries about too much supply. Related: Why Oil Prices Might Not Rebound Until 2019

U.S. Gasoline stocks spiked to a record in February of this year, crushing crude oil prices. Inventories began to fall but the drawdowns slowed in March and have stagnated since. For the week ending on July 8, gasoline stocks even rose by 1.2 million barrels to 240.1 million barrels, only to rise again this week in the latest release by 0.9 million barrels.

(Click to enlarge)

And just as Saudi crude demand could wane as summer moves into autumn, so too could demand cool in the United States. Gasoline demand could fall because people will be driving less, but also because refineries often take the opportunity at the end of summer to conduct maintenance and to prepare for a switchover to winter fuel blends. With some refineries temporarily idled, crude demand could fall as refiners purchase less oil.

The timing, in other words, is not favorable for oil prices. Saudi Arabia is moving out of its peak seasonal demand for crude oil right when global refining margins are under strong pressure, and that is not a good combination, Olivier Jakob of Petromatrix told CNBC.



By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
With the Republican National Convention set to wrap up on Thursday, and the Democratic National Convention getting ready to kick off in Philadelphia next week, one prominent oil executive is noting that the industry has fared better under Democrats than Republicans.

Scott Sheffield, CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, says that he has noticed the trend during his 42 years in the business.

That may sound strange considering the two parties diverse platforms when it comes to energy. The Republican party is touting deregulation and has said that it does not support the Paris Climate Accords. Going a few steps further, the party has plans to defund renewable energy, and open public lands and the outer continental shelf to drilling. Additionally, the party also wants to leave the regulation of fracking and drilling to the states, and increase oil and gas exports.

Conversely, the Democrats are calling for an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and oppose the expansion of oil and gas production. They also want to phase down energy production on public lands. The party supports the inquiries into the alleged climate change cover-up by Exxon Mobil, and wants to see the nation using only renewable energy by the middle of the century. Related: Trump vs Clinton: How Will Energy Fare?

Comparing the two platforms, the GOP clearly appears to be the ally of the oil and gas industry. However, Sheffield says that under President Obama, Pioneer became the fifth largest company in the S&P in 2014. The company has since lost that slot due to the drop in oil prices.

During a visit to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Sheffield said that one should not assume that the industry would automatically throw its support behind Donald Trump, who was officially named the GOP candidate for president Tuesday evening.

When asked, Sheffield said that he would support a carbon tax, if it were applied globally, adding that such a tax, if only levied on U.S. producers, would cause them to shift their business overseas. He added that the industry would work with the new president to educate him or her on the domestic oil industry.

By Lincoln Brown for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The Republican National Convention is underway and the Democrats will host their version next week.

While countless articles have been written about the differences between the two candidates, the Republican and Democratic Parties just released their official platforms, which details their dream agenda if they were to gain control of the White House and Congress. It should come as no surprise that they are far apart on energy issues.

The Republican platform offers standard industry-friendly fare, calling for deregulation and promising no action on climate change. It rejects the Paris climate change agreement, rejects a carbon price, and pledges to defund renewable energy programs. The platform also downplays the significance of climate change as a national security threat (even though the Pentagon would disagree).

At its core, the platform simply calls for more fossil fuel development. The party supports opening of public lands and the outer continental shelf to exploration and responsible production, even if these resources will not be immediately developed. It criticizes Democrats for wanting to keep it in the ground, a popular rallying cry among the environmental movement. And in another nod to the industry, Republicans want to leave regulation of fracking, methane emissions, and horizontal drilling to states and not the federal government. Finally it calls for fully liberalizing energy trade, allowing for greater oil and gas exports.

In short, oil and gas companies will probably be pretty pleased with President Trump  although there is quite a bit of uncertainty regarding whether or not he is in line with his partys articles of faith. Drillers would likely see fewer regulatory roadblocks and weaker support for competing technologies. Related: Why Lithium Will See Another Price Spike This Fall

The Democratic platform is much more complicated for the industry.

Democrats call for an 80 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and lambast Republicans for denying climate change science. They support a Department of Justice inquiry into the role that oil companies played in misleading the public on climate change, a statement that all but mentions ExxonMobil. They also want to end fossil fuel subsidies and tax breaks while expanding public support for renewable energy and mass transit.

Unlike the Republicans, the Democrats do not clearly support an expansion of oil and gas production. They oppose drilling in the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, and support a phase down of fossil fuel development on public lands.

But what should frighten oil and gas producers the most is the Democrats vision for the future. For example, one statement says America must be running entirely on clean energy by mid-century. On the way to that future the Democrats issued an interim goal of 50 percent clean electricity within a decade. There are massive questions marks around the Democrats ability and willingness to pursue such a strategy, but it presents an existential threat to both the production of oil and gas, and the long-term demand for those resources.

Still while the platform sounds like a nightmare for the oil and gas industry, there are some questions that remain. The surprisingly successful campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders, and his reluctance to quickly exit the race, has added new threats for the industry as the Democratic platform took a slight turn to the left. The opposition to Arctic drilling, for instance, is widely thought to come because of pressure put on by Sanders and the Left. As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton once supported Arctic drilling. The same can be said of her newfound opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline.

But the influence of Sanders fell short on one overarching issue. The lieutenants of Secretary Clinton that helped form the platform resisted a call put forward by Sanders and his supporters for an outright nationwide ban on fracking. Related: Energy Is The Reason Europe Is Still Backing Erdogan

In fact, Hillary Clinton has not been an enemy of oil and gas drilling per se. As Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton tried to help spread fracking techniques and technology to other countries, most notably in China and Eastern Europe. Her opposition to a fracking ban suggests she would not put dramatic hurdles in the industrys way in the short run. While she wont be as friendly as her Republican opponent, she wont slam on the breaks for drilling either.

The most likely outcome if she were to become President would be an extension of the Obama administration, which is to say, some regulatory hurdles on drilling plus some public support for alternatives to oil and gas. President Obama may not be a fan favorite in the oil industry, but he didnt put a halt to the shale drilling boom, which came under his watch.

Under the Obama administration, the U.S. has made significant strides in the electric power sector, with renewable energy scaling up at the expense of coal and nuclear power. The transportation sector has also made progress on efficiency. But the Obama-Clinton approach to energy it is a far cry from the revolutionary ideas of Senator Sanders. In other words, oil companies will much prefer President Trump, but they can probably live with President Clinton.

That is not to suggest that the fossil fuel industry doesnt face long-term questions over its survival, but a wholesale move off of fossil fuels wont happen overnight under President Clinton.

By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Its a safe bet that investors are getting increasingly tired of all the conflicting forecasts about oil and gas prices. Some argue that oil is heading back to $20 thanks to the continuing excess supply. Others claim that the excess is overestimated and crude is well on its way to reach $80 or more by the end of the year. The likely truth, as usual, is somewhere in the middle, at least for the time being.

But according to energy consultants Douglas-Westwood, prices will remain where they are now until about 2019, when offshore oil production will finally peak. The companys analysts list 15 large-scale offshore projects that are to blame, including Irans South Pars field, Brazils Lula in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin, and Mexicos Tsimin-Xux. These three alone are projected to yield a combined 1.617 million barrels per day in 2017.

To put this in perspective, global crude oil consumption next year is seen by the EIA to rise by 1.5 million bpd, to 96.78 million bpd, versus estimated total production of 96.79 million bpd.

Gas production is set for accelerated growth as well, thanks to projects such as Gorgon and Wheatstone off the Australian coast as well as supply expansion in the Middle East, most notably in Iran and Qatar, and a host of LNG projects springing up in the U.S and elsewhere. LNG in particular could lead to a prolonged price depression for the commodity, as virtually every country that has any gas reserves will be pushing for a piece of the pie.

At the same time, however, Douglas-Westwood analysts note that a lot of offshore projects have been canceled. Its just that the effects of these cancellations on overall production will not be felt before 2019. After that, E&Ps will have another problem to deal with: ramping up falling production after axing more than 350,000 jobs and cutting investments to the core.

Add to this the production equipment thats been idled for years, and the oil and gas industry may well be facing another crisis. Related: Algeria Plans To Boost Oil Output By 30%

There seems to be no way out of this vicious circle. E&Ps are currently prioritizing dividends and cash flow, which means they cannot afford to shelve too many projects, especially since they had already invested so much in them prior to the price downturn. As of March this year, Big Oil had already cancelled as much as $270 billion in projects, data from Rystad Energy shows.

Whats more, E&Ps need their offshore existing projects for two reasons: reserve replacement rates and new offshore drilling regulations. Thanks to the price downturn, the ratio of reserve replacement for the worlds biggest oil companies has fallen to multi-year lows. In fact, new oil discoveries last year were the lowest since 1952. This is a potentially big problem because oil and gas are, after all, non-renewable energy sources.

New regulations from the U.S. government, on the other hand, have made new offshore exploration more expensive. The new regulations, first released in April and supplemented recently with a set of specific rules concerning Arctic drilling, aim to reduce the environmental risks associated with offshore hydrocarbon exploration.

So, oil and gas producers are facing higher production costs for offshore drilling as well as a workforce shortage in a few years. In such a situation, their only reasonable course of action is getting the most out of what they have. The prolonged glut is an unavoidable side effect of this course of action.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Governments in resource-rich nations worldwide are still scrambling to adjust to lower commodities prices. With officials in a number of countries making significant moves this week to fix their finances  one way or another.

The trend toward government sales of resource assets continued. With Russia publishing guidelines for a planned sale of a 19.5% stake in state-owned oil and gas firm Rosneft.

But not all governments have assets to sell to raise cash. And some countries are looking to fill their coffers by raising royalties on mining projects.

One of those is Indonesia. Which announced Sunday that it is going ahead with an across-the-board rise in royalty rates for all metals produced in the country.

A spokesman for Indonesias Energy Ministry told reporters that royalties on gold will rise most significantly  jumping to 3.75%, from a former 1%. Silver will rise to 3.25%, from 1%, and nickel will jump to 2%, from a former 0.9%.

The good news for miners is that royalties on copper  one of Indonesias key mining products  are only rising slightly. To 4%, from a former 3.75%.

At the same time, officials in the Philippines are looking to use a similar strategy to boost revenue. With that countrys senate introducing a bill Monday to raise mining royalties to 10% of gross revenues.

The measure would reportedly apply to all types of mines. With the bill also specifying that the government could take a 55% share of adjusted revenues  if such an amount was greater than the 10% off-the-top royalty. Related: Trump vs Clinton: How Will Energy Fare?

These rates look significantly more onerous than the Philippines current fiscal regime. Where the government receives 50% of mining profits, after expenses are deducted.

The news wasnt completely bad for miners on the royalty front this week however. With the government of Saskatchewan, Canada saying it is slowing a review of potential royalty hikes for the potash sector.

The review had been announced last year as part of the provincial budget. With the aim of increasing the governments take from the potash sector.

But officials acknowledged that with fertilizer prices falling (just this week it emerged that international suppliers are signing deals at 10-year low prices), this is a bad time to raise rates. With Economy Minister Bill Boyd saying, We dont think that any changes in the royalty structure would be a good idea given where were at in the marketplace.

Thats a refreshing recognition of realities in the sector by officials. Watch to see which way other resource-intensive nations go for royalties and other taxes up or down  as they try to fix their finances.

Heres to the royal treatment.

By Dave Forest

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
According to a new study by the UN's Conference on Trade and Development, some commodity dependent developing countries "are losing as much as 67 percent of their exports worth billions of dollars to trade misinvoicing".

Trade misinvoicing  when export and import data between two countries do not align  is thought to be "one of the largest drivers of illicit financial flows from developing countries, so that the countries lose precious foreign exchange earnings, tax, and income that might otherwise be spent on development," according to the report.

UNCTAD's study uses data from up to two decades, covering exports of commodities such as cocoa, copper, gold, and oil from Chile, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia.

Trade misinvoicing is thought to be one of the largest drivers of illicit financial flows from developing countries

"This research provides new detail on the magnitude of this issue, made even worse by the fact that some developing countries depend on just a handful of commodities for their health and education budgets," UNCTAD's Secretary-General, Mukhisa Kituyi, said:

"Importing countries and companies, which want to protect their reputations, should get ahead of the transparency game and partner with us to further research these issues."

The analysis shows patterns of trade misinvoicing on exports to China, Germany, Hong Kong (China), India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK and the U.S.:

 Between 2000 and 2014, underinvoicing of gold exports from South Africa amounted to $78.2 billion, or 67 percent of total gold exports. Trade with the leading partners exhibited the highest amounts: India ($40 billion), Germany ($18.4 billion), Italy ($15.5 billion), and the UK ($13.7 billion).

 Between 1996 and 2014, underinvoicing of oil exports from Nigeria to the United States was worth $69.8 billion, or 24.9 percent of all oil exports to the U.S.

 Between 1995 and 2014, Zambia recorded $28.9 billion of copper exports to Switzerland, more than half of all its copper exports, but these exports did not show up in Switzerland's books.

 Between 1990 and 2014, Chile recorded $16.0 billion of copper exports to the Netherlands, but these exports did not show up in the Netherlands' books.

 Between 2000 and 2014, underinvoicing of iron ore exports from South Africa to China was worth $3 billion. Related: Did Oil Kill The Dinosaurs?

This is another explanation of the Chile/Netherlands puzzle too as Holland is a center of LME warehouses

According to the report, gold exports from South Africa "is peculiar in that there is a perfect correlation between gold export underinvoicing and the volume of exports as reported by the countrys trading partners:"

"This suggests that export underinvoicing is not due to underreporting of the true value of gold exports, but rather to pure smuggling of gold out of the country. In other words, virtually all gold exported by South Africa leaves the country unreported."

Source: UNCTAD computation using UN Comtrade data

The headline numbers may be startling, but there are explanations for the discrepancies that do not relate to nefarious trade practices or tax dodging. Related: Why Oil Prices Might Not Rebound Until 2019

The FT quotes Christine Clough, of the U.S.-based group Global Financial Integrity, as saying the "suspicious results involving trading hubs such as Switzerland, particularly with regard to Zambian copper, were often because the commodities never went there":

On paper most of the copper goes to Switzerland, but in reality the majority of it goes straight to buyers in other countries, she said.

Writing in Forbes, Tim Worstall also point to the fact that the numbers  particularly in Zambia  may be skewed by the fact that commodity traders like Glencore, based in Switzerland, would deliver Zambia copper from its mines directly into London Metal Exchange warehouses around the world:

"Some of it will end up in storage at least for a time. But the storage will be in bonded, LME approved, warehouses. And bonded here means that it doesnt turn up on the import statistics of a country. Because it hasnt, in the legal sense, entered a country. This is another explanation of the Chile/Netherlands puzzle too as Holland is a center of LME warehouses."

By Frik Els via Mining.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Theres another micro-brewery coming to Milwaukee. But this one is settling in at Southridge Mall in Greendale. And despite its potentially unexpected location in the mall, its a doozy.

The Explorium Brewpub, which is set to open before the end of 2016, will occupy nearly 6,000 square feet of space in the former home of Ruby Tuesday on the southwest side of the mall, next to Buca di Beppo.

"I would never envision putting my brewpub in Southridge," notes co-owner Mike Doble, who will operate the brewpub with his wife Joan. "But when I got a call from a friend who has a location in the food court and he said there was a great restaurant spot that I should look at, I decided to check it out."

After eyeing up the space, Doble says he was impressed.

"The layout fit what we needed exactly in terms of the kitchen." he says. "And with the addition of an adjacent tenant unit, weve been able to design just the sort of dining area we envisioned."

Pair that with a built-in audience and plenty of parking, and Doble says he was sold.

"Maybe its not as sexy and cool as an old historic building," he notes. "But its practical and it works. And Im excited about the potential."

The plans

Explorium will feature both a full-service restaurant and an onsite brewery, along with a 2,000-square foot patio. And it will, notes Doble, be a place he hopes folks will gather to "explore, taste and discover" the joys of craft beer.

The inside entrance to the brewpub will feature a brand new masonry exterior, while the interior will sport natural materials including brick columns, chalkboards and recycled barn board paneling.

Both the bar and dining area will offer a variety of seating options, including a collection of communal tables, one of which can seat up to 18.

Few televisions will be visible on a regular basis, although Doble says hell have screens that will be visible throughout the restaurant to televise Packers games.

"We really want to create a space where people can really meet other people, talk to one another," says Doble. "Our view is beer is community, and if we can create a space to build on that, its what we want."

The dining area will offer a view of the brewhouse, which will be equipped with a 10-barrel brewing system that can produce about 800 barrels a year. Access to the brewing area will be available during special events thanks to a sliding wooden barn door that can be opened and closed at will.

Meanwhile, the patio will feature outdoor seating surrounded by tall trellises supporting trails of hops. An outdoor bar will sport an overhang with infrared heaters and a nearby fire pit, elements which will create an outdoor area that can be used three seasons out of the year.

The menu

The Explorium menu will feature a variety of appetizers and snacks, including wings, brewhouse pretzels and a charcuterie and cheese board, along with salads, soups and burgers  many of which will be infused with flavor from Explorium brews.

For example, salads will feature dressings made from beer. There will also be a gas-fired pizza oven that will be used to bake a variety of pizzas and calzones, both of which will be made with beer-infused dough.

Entrees will include comfort food staples like bacon-wrapped meatloaf and shepherds pie infused with house-made stout, along with a Friday night fish fry featuring beer-battered Rushing Waters trout.

The entire menu, notes Doble, will have an emphasis on supporting local purveyors.

"Were all about high quality products," he says. "Its great to get to know the people. Plus, you get a better, more fresh, higher quality product. And we love to support other small businesses like ourselves."

The beer

Although Doble is an engineer by trade, he comes by the beer business honestly  both through his love for craft beer and through family ties to the industry. One of his brothers is an owner of Aviator Brewing Co. in North Carolina; meanwhile, his parents and brother David founded Tampa Bay Brewing Company, one of the first of three brewing operations to spring up in Tampa, Florida, which is now home to more than 65 breweries.

Three years ago when his family decided to expand their brewery business by building a new production brewery and restaurant, Doble and his wife, who is originally from Muskego, moved to Tampa to assist with the design of the new spaces.

The project turned out to be an inspiring endeavor. And when he moved back to Wisconsin last October, he brought back eight of Davids recipes for Tampa Bay Brewing Co. brews, as well as his familys blessing to embark on his own endeavor.

Doble began by devising the Explorium Brewpub brand, a concept that aims to capitalize on the momentum of the Tampa Bay Brewing Company concept while developing its own distinct identity.

A converted barn on his farmstead property in Vernon, in Waukesha County, was built out into a pilot brewery, where Dobe has been developing a series of recipes that will be featured at the brewery, along with eight "legacy beers"  including golden ale, hefeweizen, lager, Scotch ale, IPA and porter  based on his brother Davids recipes.

"Well also have a number of taps dedicated to beer from other local breweries, both to showcase those breweries as well as to fill out our selection." Doble notes. "Well also have tap wines and four taps for nonalcoholic options like craft soda, kombucha and cold brew coffee."

The Dobles hope they can have The Explorium Brewpub up and running before Thanksgiving weekend.
Whenever I see crews digging, I wonder if they've found anything interesting.

In the basement of the UWM Panther Arena, recent excavation unearthed cream city bricks, presumably from buildings that once stood on the site on North 5th Street.

A while back, I saw photos on Facebook of some antique bottles found when the old Faust Music building was demolished last year on South Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View.

I'm always hoping something turns up. Except, that is, when excavation began in June for a new addition to Maryland Avenue Montessori School on the East Side, where I am a member of the School Governance Council and also served on the building addition team.

In that case, I hoped nothing would turn up.

Actually, I did hope some interesting things would be turned over with the soil  just not bones. That would slow the project and disturb the dead.

For years, kids  and some adults  have suspected that the school, built in 1887, is haunted. I don't buy that, really, but when I learned that the school sits atop an old alms and pest house cemetery, I admit I shuddered a bit.

In the 1840s, the land above North Avenue wasnt yet part of Milwaukee. In 1846, the old Town of Milwaukee purchased the land where the school is from Scottish immigrant James Murray and his wife Margaret, whose surname is memorialized in the neighborhoods Murray Avenue.

Murray was also a charitable man who donated some of his land  including, perhaps, this tract  for the construction of orphanages and old-age homes.

That tract ran from North Avenue to Bradford, Maryland over to Lake Drive. In its earlier years, the land included a reservoir  beneath what is now the Catholic Home  as well as a couple streets that no longer exist, including Sheridan Avenue, Hydraulic Avenue and two sections of Summit Avenue.

The land has also been home to the Girls Industrial School, the Milwaukee Orphan Asylum and St. Roses Catholic Orphan Asylum.

And by the end of 1840s  the City of Milwaukee got the land from the Town in 1847 (later, merchant John W. Pixley appears to have owned it, selling it back to the City in 1862, though it's unclear how Pixley, a land speculator and a dealer in tax titles, acquired it)  there was what has been called the alms (poor) house and the alms house farm on at least part of the land. There was also St. Marys Hill Hospital across Lake Drive. Up on Oakland Avenue, somewhere near present-day UW-Milwaukee, was the pest house, an isolation hospital for the contagious.

In 1849 and 50, Milwaukee was ravaged by a cholera epidemic that began in July with a victim that lived on East Clybourn Street. In the first month, 104 Milwaukeeans died of the disease.

According to the 1881 "History of Milwaukee," published by The Western Historical Company, "Men, women and children were dying all around  falling in the streets; breathing their last agony in houses, only to be deserted by family and friends; sinking down on the piers before putting foot into the city; dying on the boats."

After subsiding, the disease returned the following year and, in the end, more than 300 died of cholera here.

And many of them were buried in shallow mass graves in a cemetery on the alms house farm.

"Corpses were piled onto rough carts and hauled to the poorhouse burying grounds, where they were buried in ditches for lack of time to dig separate graves," according to a 1946 newspaper article. "Undertaker Fred Zander was the busiest man in town, and the sound of hammer and saw could be heard coming from his house at all hours. He built all the coffins for his business."

Another news article points to that Western Historical Co. "History of Milwaukee," that noted, "for two months in 1849 the poorhouse burying ground was pressed to suffocation with burials. The rough carts, sometimes containing four or five corpses at once, rumbled through the streets, while the remains of many in better circumstances were borne along to other resting places more gently in appropriate vehicles."

Within just a few decades, Milwaukee had managed to forget about the cartloads of the dead rolling slowly, solemnly through the streets. So, it was a newsworthy event when, in March of 1887, as workers were excavating to build a beautiful new cream city brick First Ward Branch School building  designed by no less than Henry C. Koch, architect of City Hall, The Pfister, Gesu Church and Turner Hall  that the old alms house cemetery was rediscovered.

"The new First ward branch school house between Farwell and Prospect avenues, south of Bradford street, is being erected at the grave-yard of the old pest-house," reported the Milwaukee Sentinel.

"The excavations for the basement and foundations have brought to light a large number of human bones and skulls, nearly all in an excellent state of preservation. The city pest-house was located near the site in 1850. ... Old residents may well remember the cemetery, as in those years many of the graves were fenced in by low railings."

The bones were reportedly removed to another cemetery and that was that.

Or was it?

In 1950, the Maryland Avenue School was to get a new gym/cafeteria addition to the north of the oldest part of the school, the part where the bones had been found.

"A power shovel, excavating for a new addition to the Maryland Avenue school some weeks ago, turned up human bones and an almost forgotten chapter of Milwaukee history," wrote the Milwaukee Journal.

"Milwaukee Public Museum scientists and historians who examined the bones and started research into old maps, newspaper files and other historical data, found that the burial spot was once part of the Milwaukee almshouse farm. There, they believe, the dead were hastily buried in the great cholera plague which swept the community in 1849 and 1850. The recently found bones and bone fragments were only 18 inches below the surface, buried haphazardly in ditchlike depressions."

So you can imagine, when MPS installed a couple temporary classrooms just east of the gym addition a few years ago, my first question to a friend in the districts facilities department was, "Did you find any bones?"

There was no excavation, though, for that project, since those rooms  which will be removed next summer when the new classroom addition is complete  just sit on some footings, rather than on a permanent foundation.

But this time around, the digging  to the north and east of the gym  would go deeper. At least four feet was the plan  and in some spots, they went down closer to 10 feet to find suitably firm soil.

On day one of the digging  to re-route a sewer line  I went over, and I gazed upon a pile of dirt and down into the trench (pictured above). Nothing but fragments of an old clay drain tile. As work progressed, I asked the workers on site and others are involved in the project, "Find anything?"

In the end  excavation is now complete  no bones were found. So perhaps whatever remains were at the site have now long since been moved or will rest in peace until some future digging on another part of the site reminds Milwaukee again of this dark chapter in the citys history.

And no, I still dont believe the school is haunted.
BOOK REVIEW

China Rising: Capitalist Roads, Socialist Destinations[Print Replica] Kindle Edition

by Jeff J. Brown (Author) / 719 pp / Punto Press Publishing

Reviewed by Moti Nissani, Professor Emeritus, Wayne State University

For a long time, I have been trying to satisfy my curiosity about China. I read as much as I could--in English and Spanish. I attended a scientific conference in Beijing, and although my Chinese colleagues were happy enough to talk about science, they were disinclined to talk about politics. I read Chinese literature in translation and worked in a small town in central China for a few months. I learned, for instance, that some ordinary Chinese are capable of remarkable acts of disinterested kindness. My lungs suffered the consequences of Chinese pollution. However, I never got close enough to a proper understanding of China--let alone to be able to write about that country or its future contributions to the world.

Jeff Brown's book, China Rising: Capitalist Roads, Socialist Destinations, helped me close that gap.

For one thing, Brown is fluent in Mandarin and was thus able to rely on both external and internal perspectives to construct his narrative. Brown has also lived and worked, in "the belly of the beast" for 13 years. As well, Brown travelled extensively in China, an experience recounted in his 2013 book, 44 Days Backpacking in China. He is at home in China, America, France, and North Africa, and is thus poised to give a multicultural inside look into Chinese society, politics, and culture.

Brown writes passionately, from the heart, and does not hesitate to unmask powerful scoundrels. He obviously finds many things to admire about China, and feels that it, along with Russia, provides our best hope for a better world and for escaping the hypocritical tyranny of the Western Princes of Power (his name for the Controllers of the Invisible Government). And yet his reporting is objective, often balancing the pluses and minuses of Baba Beijing (Father Beijing--Brown's nickname for the benevolently-authoritarian Chinese government).

China Rising consists of three interwoven parts, each complementing and reinforcing the other: The USA and the West, Chinese politics and culture, and the joys and frustrations of living in China.

Brown rightly insists that to understand China, we must understand the West and, in particular, Brown's home country, the USA. He forcefully reminds us of America's rigged elections, corrupt political culture, and sunshine bribery. The real controllers of the USA, he rightly observes, are not its titular leaders but the Princes of Power. These Princes do not shy away from assassinations, from viciously and needlessly impoverishing and enslaving their own people, from scandalously contaminating our information sources, and from risking all of our lives with their reckless nuclear brinkmanship.

One of the most touching parts of the book is Brown's own gradual awakening to the Machiavellian realities of American policies at home and abroad. Here is one passionate description of one landmark in his painful journey:

"Then I read articles about how the United States duped Saddam Hussein into seizing Kuwait, as a pretext to invade his country. The entire text of Saddam's meeting with US Ambassador to Iraq, April Gillespie, has since been released . For all intents and purposes, Ms. Gillespie gave Mr. Hussein the green light to invade Kuwait. It's a diplomatic version of Paul Newman's and Robert Redford's film, The Sting. Again, there was this angst in my soul, a terrible cognitive dissonance between all the perfection and self-sacrifice that Uncle Sam has supposedly nobly committed himself to, and upon which I was nurtured, versus this glaring evidence to the contrary."

Brown recalls a few more snippets of information that Western teachers, textbooks, movies, and media conveniently forget. World War I, Brown observes, was "essentially an extremely deadly slaughter between feuding colonial powers, who were out to control as much of the world's dark-skinned peoples and their natural resources."

"All the American soldiers in Latin America, from Smedley Butler on down, were taxpayer-funded thugs for Wall Street, pure and simple. Not protecting the home front, not maintaining Americans' freedoms, and not making the world a safer place for democracy." (As most DK readers know, Smedley Darlington Butler redeemed himself 100%, however. He was a United States Marine Corps major general, the highest rank authorized at that time, and at the time of his death the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. After decades of service, Butler realized what he had done--"served as muscle for the Wall Street boys"--and became outspoken in his denunciations of imperialism. His integrity remains a moral example for others to follow.)

"France lost 5% of its population during World War I, a pointless slaughter between greedy, Western colonialists. Ireland lost 15% of its people during the British-legislated Great Potato Famine Genocide 1845-1853. French colonialists in Vietnam, in a terrible drought, forced two million to starve to death in 1945, which was 9% of the local population. The United States massacred 7% of the Filipinos, starting in 1898, when it colonized that island country. More recently, the United States killed 3.3 million Iraqis, 1990-2012, including 750,000 children, the total which represents almost 19% of the population."

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Reprinted from To The Point Analyses

For one thing, it suggests that there are a wide array of community-related projects that are underfunded or simply not funded at all by public monies. These include various forms of medical research; local arts, including orchestras, theaters, and museums; parks and wildlife causes; animal shelters and rescue services; various sorts of poor-relief organizations such as the Salvation Army and Good Will; civil and human rights groups; women's shelters; and volunteer fire companies. The list seems endless.

In the U.S. this process of charitable solicitation has become a big business. There is an article in the 14 July 2016 New York Review of Books entitled "The Undermining of American Charity." According to the article, the "second most popular charity" in the U.S., in terms of donated dollars, is Fidelity Charitable, a branch of Fidelity Investments that acts as a "middleman" between "individual client accounts" and the charities they wish to support. Fidelity holds the money and, of course, "manages" it for profit until the clients instruct the firm how to distribute the funds.

Fidelity can also help the donor save on taxes by timing out donations. The charges and fees for all this make these "donor advised funds" money makers for "big finance." The authors of the NYRB essay don't like this turn of events. They feel that too much of the charitable funds are being "hoarded" by such institutions as Fidelity in order to maximize profits. Charities end up with less.

This conclusion is based on a commonsense social democratic point of view -- one that assumes that the collective (working through government) has a responsibility to support activities that reflect important community interests. This is, ultimately, one of the purposes of government. Most of the charities soliciting funds through the U.S. Mail would fit into this category of activities.

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Reprinted from Palestine Chronicle



ISIS is but a name that can be rebranded without notice into something entirely different.

(Image by File photo) Details DMCA



I visited Iraq in 1999. At the time, there were no so-called "jihadis" espousing the principles of "jihadism," whatever the interpretation may be. On the outskirts of Baghdad was a military training camp, not for "al-Qaeda," but for "Mojahedin-e-Khalq," an Iranian militant exile group that worked, with foreign funding and arms, to overthrow the Iranian Republic.

At the time, the late Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, used the exiled organization to settle scores with his rivals in Tehran, just as they, too, espoused anti-Iraqi government militias to achieve the exact same purpose.

Iraq was hardly peaceful then. But most of the bombs that exploded in that country were American. In fact, when Iraqis spoke of "terrorism," they only referred to "Al-Irhab al-Amriki" -- American terrorism.

Suicide bombings were hardly a daily occurrence; in fact, never an occurrence at all, anywhere in Iraq. As soon as the US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 followed by Iraq in 2003, all hell broke loose.

The 25 years prior to 2008 witnessed 1,840 suicide attacks, according to data compiled by US government experts and cited in the "Washington Post." Of all these attacks, 86 percent occurred post-US invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact, between 2001 and the publishing of the data in 2008, 920 suicide bombings took place in Iraq and 260 in Afghanistan.

A fuller picture emerged in 2010, with the publishing of more commanding and detailed research conducted by the University of Chicago's Project on Security and Terrorism.

"More than 95 percent of all suicide attacks are in response to foreign occupation," it emerged.

"As the United States has occupied Afghanistan and Iraq ... total suicide attacks worldwide have risen dramatically -- from about 300 from 1980 to 2003, to 1,800 from 2004 to 2009," wrote Robert Pape in Foreign Policy.

Tellingly, it was also concluded that "over 90 percent of suicide attacks worldwide are now anti-American. The vast majority of suicide terrorists hail from the local region threatened by foreign troops, which is why 90 percent of suicide attackers in Afghanistan are Afghans."

When I visited Iraq in 1999, "al-Qaeda" was merely a name on the Iraqi TV news, referring to a group of militants that operated mostly in Afghanistan. It was first established to unite Arab fighters against the Soviet presence in that country, and they were largely overlooked as a global security threat at the time.

It was years after the Soviets left Afghanistan in 1988, that "al-Qaeda" became a global phenomenon. After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the US' misguided responses -- invading and destroying countries -- created the very haven that have espoused today's militancy and terror.

In no time, following the US invasion of Iraq, "al-Qaeda" extended its dark shadows over a country that was already overwhelmed with a death toll that surpassed hundreds of thousands.

It is hardly difficult to follow the thread of ISIS' formation, the deadliest of all such groups that mostly originated from "al-Qaeda" in Iraq, itself wrought by the US invasion.

It was born from the unity of various militants groups in October 2006, when "al-Qaeda" in Mesopotamia joined ranks with "Mujahedeen Shura Council in Iraq," "Jund al-Sahhaba" and the "Islamic State of Iraq" (ISI).

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Reprinted from Counterpunch

A failed coup in Turkey has changed the geopolitical landscape overnight realigning Ankara with Moscow while shattering Washington's plan to redraw the map of the Middle East. Whether Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan staged the coup or not is of little importance in the bigger scheme of things. The fact is, the incident has consolidated his power domestically while derailing Washington's plan to control critical resources and pipeline corridors from Qatar to Europe.

The Obama administration's disregard for the national security interests of its allies, has pushed the Turkish president into Moscow's camp, removing the crucial land-bridge between Europe and Asia that Washington needs to maintain its global hegemony into the new century. Washington's plan to pivot to Asia, surround and break up Russia, control China's growth and maintain its iron grip on global power is now in a shambles. The events of the last few days have changed everything.

This is from the Daily Sahbah:

"Turkey's changing rhetoric toward Russia is also a direct consequence of Ankara's unmet expectations regarding the Syria conflict. Turkey's disappointment with the United States' policy in Syria has increased with time, especially considering Washington's continued support for the Kurdish fighters of the People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria. Ankara sees this group as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization (Daily Sabah, 12 June).

(A Change in Turkish-Russian Relations: What Sort of Rapprochement? The Jamestown Foundation)

Obama can only blame himself for the debacle that is now unfolding. Erdogan was completely clear about Turkey's red lines, the most important of which is preventing the Kurdish militias from moving west of the Euphrates and creating a contiguous state along the Syrian side of Turkeys southern border. Here's Erdogan commenting on developments a few months ago:

"Right now, there is a serious project, plan being implemented in northern Syria. And on this project and plan lay the insidious aims of those who appear as 'friends.' This is very clear, so I need to make clear statements."

Instead of addressing Erdogan's security concerns, Obama brushed him aside in order to pursue the US goal of establishing bases and seizing territory in East Syria that will eventually be used as pipeline routes from Qatar to the EU. Naturally, Erdogan responded in kind, forming alliances with former enemies (Russia, Syria, Israel) in order to reset Turkish foreign policy and address the growing threat of an emerging Kurdish state on his southern flank.

Keep in mind, Turkey believes that America's new proxies in Syria -- the Kurdish YPG -- are linked to the PKK, which is listed as a terror organization by the U.S. and EU. Had Obama committed US troops to the fight, (instead of using the YPG) Erdogan would not have reacted at all. But the fact that Obama was deliberately strengthening Turkey's traditional rivals in their westward move, was more than Erdogan could bear.

Erdogan Apologizes

At the end of June, Erdogan apologized to President Vladimir Putin for the death of a Russian pilot who was killed when Turkey downed a bomber flying over Syrian territory last November. The shoot-down prompted Putin to break off relations with Ankara, ending all communication between the two countries. Then, in the last week of June, Erdogan sent a letter to Putin "expressing his deep sympathy and condolences to the relatives of the deceased Russian pilot." He added that Russia was "a friend and a strategic partner" with whom the Turkish authorities would not want to spoil relations." (The Turkish pilots who shot down the Russian Su-24 have since been arrested and charged as members of the Gulenist coup.)

The White House inexplicably never commented on this thawing of relations which posed obvious risks to US ambitions in the region.

Why?

Then, just two weeks ago, reports began to emerge that Erdogan was making an effort to normalize relations with Syrian President Bashar al Assad. The news wasn't reported in most of the western media, but the Guardian ran an article titled "Syrian rebels stunned as Turkey signals normalization of Damascus relations." Here's an excerpt:

"More than five years into Syria's civil war, Turkey, the country that has most helped the rebellion against the rule of Bashar al-Assad, has hinted it may move to normalize relations with Damascus.

The suggestion made by the Turkish prime minister, Binali Yldrm, on Wednesday, stunned the Syrian opposition leadership, which Ankara hosts, as well as regional leaders, who had allied with Turkey in their push to oust Assad over a long, unforgiving war.

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Is it really necessary for me to explain to you why it's acceptable, necessary, and admirable for the United States and its minor allies to be blowing up houses, families, men, women, and children in Syria?

This latest story of blowing up 85 civilians in their homes has some people confused and concerned. Let me help you out.

1. Somebody mistook them for ISIS fighters, determined that each of them was a continuing and imminent threat to the United States, verified a near zero possibility of any civilians being hurt in the process, and determined that some more bombing was just the way to advance a cease-fire in Syria. So this was not only an accident, but a series of unfortunate events, mistakes, and miscalculations of such proportions that they're unlikely ever to all align again for at least a few days to come.

2. This isn't actually news. That the United States is blowing up civilians by the hundreds in Syria has been endlessly reported and is really of no news value, which is why you don't hear anybody at presidential conventions or on TV talking about it, and why you shouldn't talk aboiut it either if you know what's good for you.

3. Quite a lot of families actually got away without being blown up and are now refugees, which is truly the ideal thing to be in Syria, which is the most totally prepared place for more refugees in the history of the earth, or would be if liberal internationalist do-gooders would provide some aid and stop whining about all the bombs falling.

4. Who gets labeled a "civilian" is pretty arbitrary. The United States has killed thousands of people who clearly were not civilians, and who likely had no loved ones or anyone who would become enraged by their deaths. So why lump particular groups of families into the category of "civilian," and why just assume that every 3-year-old is a civilian, and then turn around and complain with a straight face when the government labels every 18-year-old male a combatant?

5. Houses do not actually have feelings. Why be so bothered that people are blown up in their houses? I'll let you in on a little secret: The word "battlefield" hasn't meant anything that looks like a field for decades. They don't even have fields in some of these countries that don't know any better than to get themselves bombed over and over again. These wars are always in houses. Do you want the houses bombed or do you want the doors kicked in? Because when the Marines start kicking in doors and hauling people off to torture camps you whine about that too.

6. People who live in an ISIS territory are responsible for ISIS. Even those who didn't vote in the most recent ISIS election have a responsibility to get themselves burned alive, and if not then they are responsible for the evil of ISIS and ought to be burned alive by Raytheon missiles which at least make somebody some money in the process for godsake. And if ISIS won't let people flee its territory, but won't burn them alive, then it's time for the international community to step in with efficient burning-alive systems that meet international standards.

7. Donald Trump has sworn he would start killing families. If the U.S. government does not continue its centuries-old practice of killing families, Trump might gain support and endanger us all by creating the new policy of killing families.

8. When airplanes take off from Turkey to commit mass murder in Syria, it helps to bring Turkey back into the community of the rule of law and international respect for human rights, following the recent coup attempt. Keeping U.S. nuclear weapons in Turkey serves a similar purpose.

9. Sometimes when you blow people up in their houses, their heads can remain on their bodies. When U.S.-armed moderates behead children, they're doing it for the goal of moderating the moderation of moderate allies and allied moderates. But when the United States kills directly, it is important that there be a chance of some heads remaining on bodies.

10. Unlike every other country on earth, the United States is not a party to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, so, in the words of the great Thomas Friedman, suck on this.
Its easy for a candidate to boast about their principles, but it is their past words and actions that determine if they have the courage to live up to those principals. Celebrity and reality star Donald Trump has failed to live up to the principles he boasts of possessing.

During the primary campaign Trump appeared at the Family Leadership Summit, a gathering of 3,000 social conservatives. At the time of his appearance Trump slammed Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a decorated Vietnam War veteran. Trump said sarcastically, "He's not a war hero."

John McCain was a Naval Aviator, who was shot down during the Vietnam War, held prisoner in Hanoi for 5 years and refused to leave his fellow prisoners and accept an early release for himself. Trump is wrong, John McCain's service to his country is the textbook definition of a war hero and we should not be surprised Trump does not respect someone that is willing to sacrifice for his country.

At the peak of the Vietnam War in 1968, Trump was actively avoiding the Vietnam Draft obtaining 4 student deferments and eventual medical deferment for an unknown health problem. Exactly how does Trump's unwillingness to serve qualify him to claim John McCann is NOT a war hero?

While McCain was being held prisoner by the North Vietnamese in Hanoi, Trump was beginning his real estate career with what Trump referred to as a "small" million dollar loan from my father.

Today Trump likes to boast about how tough he will be by sending our son's and daughters in uniform back to war torn nations in the Middle East. Trump wants to send our military back to an unending police action, with no clear military objective, to be the target for more road side bombs, snipers, and ambushes. Trump seems to be eager to send our soldiers into harms way, but where was he during the Vietnam War?
Who do you think are the main and real perpetrators of plotting attempted coup in Turkey?



The fallout from the July 15 failed coup continues. As many as 260 people were killed and 1,400 people wounded. Arrested and suspended include:

* a third of Turkey's 360 generals

* 257 officials at the prime minister's office, including Erdogan's aide de camp

* 50,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers

* 500 people at the Religious Affairs Directorate,

Academics were banned from travelling abroad to prevent the risk of alleged coup plotters in universities from fleeing.



The sense of disappointment, dissatisfaction, distrust of Erdogan has continued to grow since his decision to involve Turkey in the uprising in Syria in 2012, breeding and opening the doors to terrorists and refugees. The mass arrests and firings attest to the broad dissatisfaction.



Erdogan's foreign-policy mistakes are at the heart of the crisis. He burned one bridge after another--Israel, Syria, Russia, the Kurds, the West. Just before the coup, he was finally realizing the failure of his moves, the need to staunch the flow of blood, refugees and hard feelings all around, but too little, too late. The coup was a disaster waiting to happen, despite Erdogan's crack-down on the military over the past decade.



The coup's fuse was lit by a small group of the General Staff -- followers of the influential preacher Fethullah Gulen. They gambled on other officers fed up with Erdogan joining in, and didn't expect the hundreds of thousands who turned out in the streets within minutes in support of the beleaguered president. The coup collapsed, but not before 260 deaths.



Erdogan has done much house-cleaning since coming to power in 2003, working to make Turkey immune to its Ataturk tradition of military rule. He purged the officer class following a mass trial of alleged conspirators in what was dubbed the Ergenekon terrorist organization, a spin-off of the CIA's Operation Gladio. He relied on Gulenists in the judiciary, not a wise move.



Over 500 people were arrested by 2011, most since acquitted, with many judicial documents exposed as fake, though Ergenekon and Gladio are not. The dubious Ergenekon investigation, and corruption investigations, also spearheaded by Gulenists, targeting Erdogan's son Bilal, led to a crackdown against the Gulenist in 2013. The gloves were off, and Gulenists in the government had good cause to join with others disaffected with Erdogan.







The journals Soylu was referring to are the American Enterprise Institute website, where "Could there be a coup in Turkey?" by Michael Rubin, appeared in March comparing Erdogan's fate to that of the overthrown Egyptian President Morsi. The other is the Washington Post, where an oped in March by former US ambassador to Turkey Eric Edelman called for Erdogan to "reform or resign."



Could the likes of Rubin and Edelman even be inciting allies-of-convenience ISIL to perpetrate terrorist bombings in Istanbul and Ankara, to give the restive military a convenient pretext to carry out a coup? Is the coup a neocon use of "soft power" to install a more amenable leader in Turkey?



What do you think is the reason for early suppression of the coup? Why was the coup repelled immediately?



Fortunately for Erdogan, unlike in Egypt, the army was no longer the monolith it was in Kemalist days, headed by a ruthless general eager to crush the fledgling democracy. And social media played a decisive role in mobilizing the broad public within minutes, to get people to the streets. "There is no power higher than the power of the people," exhorted the president on national TV, as his followers fought the mutineers at the barricades. Turkey's version of the social media fueled its very own "Arab Spring".



What consequences, positive or negative, does the losing coup have for the future of Turkey, Erdogan's government and the Army itself?



The future of Turkey still lies in Erdogan's hands after 15 years in control, but it's not a happy future. Looking back, the turning point in an already chaotic international order is 2011 -- the original Arab Spring. The charismatic Erdogan, up to that point, looked like the new face of the Muslim world, smart, savvy, bristling against the empire (both US and Israeli), trying to make peace with Turkey's bugaboo, the Kurds and their party, the PKK.



But, whether through hubris or bungling, these gestures collapsed. His "Zero Problems" policy with neighbours became anything but, leaving Turkey surrounded not by 'friends' but by enemies.



He abandoned first Muamar Gaddafi in Libya in 2011, and then his 'friend' Bashar Assad in 2012. Libya became a failed state, a haven for terrorists. Assad was pushed to use all his military strength against a motley gang of al-Qaeda clones and naive westernizers, to prevent a similar fate for Syria.



But Erdogan bet on the wrong horse. Assad had refused to take his 'friend' Erdogan's advice to dismantle the Syrian state and hand over power to the opposition, dominated increasingly by al-Qaeda groups, now led by something that calls itself ISIL (Islamic State in the Levant), but is neither Islamic nor a state. Assad refused to trust the West, which had held him in their sights from the start.



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Eric writes for Al-Ahram Weekly and PressTV. He specializes in Russian and Eurasian affairs. His "Postmodern Imperialism: Geopolitics and the Great Games", "From Postmodernism to Postsecularism: Re-emerging Islamic Civilization" and "Canada (more...)



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Friday brought news that highlighted how our long-time counterterrorism strategies have created alliances and outcomes destroying world order and peace. First came the release of the 29 pages from a joint congressional inquiry on Saudi Arabian involvement in 9-11. Completed in December 2002, it preceded the Iraq War by less than three months. It became available to the public with some redactions on Friday: even as other competing news included the upcoming Republican Convention, Congress' seven-week recess, and an attempted Turkish coup. Hillary Clinton redirected attention away from foreign policy also by saying she will introduce an amendment to overturn Citizens United. But though neither party wants to examine the report and the Turkish situation, critical questions (numbered below) should be asked of all aspiring presidents to avoid continuing our record of foreign-policy disasters.

SAUDI SUPPORT FOR 9-11

The 29 pages are a fascinating read that seem to provide incontrovertible evidence of significant ties. They tie Saudi government officers (and others at high levels of government) to the 9-11 hijackers, who had minimal English skills and exposure to the US. It calls the gap in US intelligence coverage "unacceptable." The oil-rich kingdom's support for terrorism was ignored, it says, because the Saudi Arabia was considered America's "ally."

The report ties the highest levels of the Saudi government to major money laundering and financing, and government representatives to ground help for driver's licenses, housing, and flight-school access. The US has responded by quoting the September 11 Commission Report published a year and half later, saying they found no evidence the "Saudi government as an institution, or senior Saudi officials individually funded" Al Qaeda -- an opening so big one could fly an airliner through it. Even so, that commission was under extreme pressure that they say prevented them from fully investigating the Saudi role. Additionally, Staff Director Philip Zelikow fired an investigator into the Saudi role. Finally, the US faced major obstruction by the Saudis, as cited in the Inquiry report.



1. Is Saudi Arabia or has it been a State Sponsor of Terrorism? 2. Should we not have a line-by-line rebuttal of each link made within the report?



Drifting - M.A.J photography

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THE IRAQ WAR AND RESULTING GLOBAL CHAOS

3. Would publishing this information on Saudi Arabia -- from whom 15 of the 19 hijackers originated -- have stopped the Iraq invasion?

This is a critical -- if unanswerable -- question. The American-championed and -led invasion -- with a smattering of outside help -- has led to millions of deaths, destabilized the Middle East, led to millions of refugees across Europe and the Middle East, contributed to the rise of European right-wing parties across Europe, to major terror attacks, and to Britain's vote to exit the European Union. That's heavy lifting for one unjustified invasion, especially one in which "Mission Accomplished" was declared by President George W. Bush after just two months.

A quick review: Almost 1000 false statements -- notably claiming Iraq had links to al Qaeda or was trying to get "weapons of mass destruction" -- were made by President George W. Bush and seven other top administration officials to sell the Iraq War in the two years following 9-11. Those deceptive actions led to 72 percent of Americans supporting the war, and redirected blame from the nation most responsible (and most highlighted in the congressional inquiry).

The costs have been enormous. An estimated 100,000 Iraqi civilians lost their lives in the first 18 months of the Iraq invasion due to airstrikes. The Iraqi death toll was estimated as 650,000 in October 2006, with an almost 4 million of the 25 million citizens becoming either internally displaced or refugees. The US equivalent -- scaled for population -- would be 8 million Americans dying and 30 million fleeing their homes. Syria was destabilized by the flow of extremists and arms provided by the United States: an estimated $25 billion was spent arming and training the Iraqi security forces and army, with hundreds of thousands of rifles and pistols unaccounted for, as well as Humvees, pickup trucks, tanks and other equipment. Reportedly then arms were smuggled to Syrian rebels through Libya in a CIA operation to arm Syrian rebels, with subsequent arming of extremist groups al Nusra and al Qaeda becoming "unavoidable." Syria has been massively devastated (the visuals are shattering), along with Iraq and other nations. About 10 million Syrians alone have been displaced, with half fleeing their country in what has driven the largest refugee crisis since World War II. The world has failed to come anywhere close to full funding of their humanitarian needs and providing for their resettlement. The refugee crisis has overwhelmed neighboring and accessible nations, promoting the rise of the right-wing across Europe and contributing to Brexit.

4. How could a hankering for access to oil and hegemonic power have led to such chaos and suffering? (This is not fully rhetorical as we've never come to terms with it.) 5. How will we investigate our role and provide accountability, which even recently released British Chilcot Report falls short of, although it does far more than mimic our focus on "intelligence failures?"

ACCOUNTABILITY AND ARMS FOR THE SAUDIS

Of course, a recent move toward accountability has taken a crazy course as the US and Saudi governments seek to protect the poor Saudis from the families of 9-11 victims(!). Recently a bill passed the US Senate unanimously (unheard of for something so substantive) to make it easier for families of the 9-11 victims to sue the Saudi government. Yet President Obama is threatening to veto it and working with Republican House leaders to prevent its passage. The Saudis, in turn, are threatening to dump US assets, should it pass. If the Saudis have no involvement, as both nations claim, then why these extraordinary measures?

Or for would-be presidents: 6. Is the threat of selling off US treasuries terrorism? 7. What is your position on the bill? 8. Will you press for a vote on it, and when and how?

This comes also after the largest-ever US arms deal with Saudi Arabia, even as the Saudis export Wahhabism abroad, spending far more than the Russians ever did. The leading Democratic nominee once recognized this: Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wrote "donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide." She went on: "More needs to be done since Saudi Arabia remains a critical financial support base for al-Qaeda, the Taliban, LeT and other terrorist groups."



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Armenias marvel at Israeli chutzpah

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considered the remarkable similarities between Armenians and Jews. They both were socialist, then capitalist, adapting as the need arose. Both suffered genocides and achieved independence as fallouts from the upheavals of the 20th century.

Teflon imperialists

Which brings us to their remarkable 'achievement': to (almost) single-handedly occupy their neighbour's territory, against all odds--and hold on to it--against international opinion, Armenia for close to 25 yrs, Israel close to 70 years. Armenia taking 20% of Azerbaijan, Israel 100% of Palestine. They both insist history bequeathed them those lands, and their tragic 'holocausts' justify their violation of international law to ensure their safety.

Both countries have lived this occupier lifestyle on a war footing ever since, and yet prosper even as their nemeses wallow in poverty and suffering.

The world mostly admires these plucky aggressors and has little time for either the Azerbaijanis or the Palestinians. It seems there is little solidarity in the Muslim world, or at least little effective solidarity.

True, there is a Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel, but, so far, it is more just an irritating buzzword than anything with real bite. Trade with Arab neighbours is minimal, but not with other Muslim countries.

This is sad, as Israel's founders argued Jewish settlers could live peacefully with the Muslim inhabitants, and would bring western high tech investment and education, providing a win-win situation for Arabs and Jews.

The Armenians made no such empty promises. But the result in both cases has been very much win-lose. The prospects for peace in both conflicts without a radical rethink is zero.

Israeli crocodile tears

Israel and Armenia have minimal diplomatic and economic relations, despite the fact that Armenians have almost as much claim to Jerusalem as Jews, dating their heritage in Jerusalem back a thousand years. Devout Armenian Christian Israelis will be there until the second coming.

During her visit to Armenia in 2012, the Israeli Minister of Agriculture Orit Noked stated, "We are like each other with our history, character, with our small number of population and having communities abroad." But no mention of the main similarities: their common genocidal histories and their common bizarre way to make sure they are not repeated.

Israeli interests have meant cozying up not to their Armenian brothers, but to Armenia's Palestinians. Although Azerbaijan has not opened an embassy in Israel, Azerbaijan is one of the few Muslim countries besides Turkey, Egypt, and Jordan to develop bilateral strategic and economic relations with Israel.

Economics trumps religion. Along with Russia, Israel is Azerbaijan's main source of military hardware, supplying Azerbaijan with battlefield aviation, artillery, anti-tank, anti-infantry weaponry, and military training. In 2016, current Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman supported the position of Azerbaijan in the 2016 Armenian--Azerbaijani clashes by calling it "absolutely justified".

Only Israelis and Turks can come to Azerbaijan visa-free. According to a 2009 US diplomatic memo made public through Wikileaks, Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev once compared his country's relationship with Israel to an iceberg: "Nine-tenths of it is below the surface."

Economic secret: no oil

With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia's GDP fell nearly 60%. Most major enterprises -- chemicals, electronics, machinery, processed food, synthetic rubber, and textile -- were bankrupted. To make matters worse, the 1988 Spitak earthquake killed more than 25,000 people and made 500,000 homeless.

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Moore is back. Absolutely brilliant exploration of everything Europe is doing right, and America is doing wrong. Mike, America's premiere video provocateur, has discovered that elusive missing ingredient that defines America today: the lack of common sense.

Workers have power, elsewhere that is. They lead happier more secure lives, are unstressed about money, and are instead concerned with community, educating their children, and maintaining a just society.

Not so much here. Although guns are on sale, I hear.

Everyone should see this film and truly think about these big issues that Moore broaches. From labor to food, drugs to prisons, to true democracy versus our embarrassing sham, he has done a great service once again.

Where to Invade Next is a serious exploration of Democratic Socialism, why and where it works, and why we are now left facing the likes of Trump v. Hillary Clinton.

Right-wing fundamentalism has hobbled America. The war has been by the rich and against the working classes, shipping jobs off shore and destroying unions. The effect has been to gut the middle class, depress wages, and to make the streets chaotic and unsafe.

It doesn't have to be this way. The solutions are not difficult to comprehend. They're doing it better.

We're not. Waving a flag around is no substitute for intelligence.

America today has become so corrupt that even mainstream news (in Britain) openly calls us an "Oligarchy."

Our government is out of touch with the common people, whose concerns and goals have absolutely nothing to do with maintaining a global military empire. The rulers in Washington are a sick lot of double-dealers, saying one thing and doing another. They abuse power, in this case the power abroad over the rest of the planet, and appease their constituents in piecemeal fashion in order to remain in charge. The result is a bastard monstrosity, far from that "shining city on a hill" they like to wax poetic over. Real American cities do not shine.

VIDEO TRAILER

www.joegiambrone.us/

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By John A. Charles, Jr.

Portland school superintendent Carole Smith announced her resignation this week after nine years on the job.

The next steps are predictable: The school board will conduct a national search for a successor and eventually sign someone to an expensive contract. After a short honeymoon, the new leader will sink into the bureaucratic quagmire and leave after a short and forgettable tenure.

Management experts know that if system results are disappointing, you need to change the system, not the people. The single most important change Portland could make would be to redesign how the money flows.

Right now, tax dollars go to school bureaucracies, regardless of results. Students are assigned to schools like widgets in a factory, and few families have a Plan B if they are unhappy.

A better option would be to enact Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs). This would allow every family to have their share of per-student revenue diverted from the bureaucracy to the students ESA, where alternative services could be purchased. Families would instantly have dozens of exciting options.

Equally important, ESAs would incentivize school administrators to make each school perform at a high level, thereby benefiting all students, including those not using ESAs.

Carole Smith made her share of mistakes, but the Portland school district needs institutional change more than it needs a charismatic new leader.

John A. Charles, Jr. is President and CEO of Cascade Policy Institute, Oregons free market public policy research organization.
Last Saturday elements of the Turkish military, intent on removing President Recep Erdogan from power, staged an attempted coup. It failed primarily because, for the first time in a long list of Turkish coups, the military failed to act as a unified body.

President Barack Obama called upon people to resist the attempted coup and to support the democratically elected government of Mr. Erdogan. Mr. Obamas decision will continue an unbroken line of mistakes and missteps on both the foreign and domestic fronts.

First, lets understand that Turkey is far from a model democratic government. Mr. Erdogan is just the latest in a long line of democratically installed Turkish governments that almost immediately engage in corruption and repression until the military stages a coup and throws them out. While it appears that Mr. Erdogan enjoys popular support in Turkey so did now deceased President Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. It did not prevent Mr. Chavez from engaging in a systematic repression of dissent  including imprisonment and execution of his opponents  and it has not prevented Mr. Erdogan from doing likewise.

Mr. Erdogan is an Islamist and a supporter of the Muslim Brotherhood. He was previously stripped of his office and sentenced to prison for, among other things, promoting religious intolerance  he demanded an Islamic government. Since his return to power in 2003 Mr. Erdogan, like former Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, has engaged in a consolidation of power in the executive. Both used the same methods of purging the military of career officers and arresting and prosecuting members of the courts. Mr. Erdogan allied himself with Mr. Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood and condemned the Egyptian military for ousting Mr. Morsi and banning the Muslim Brotherhood. Mr. Obama likewise condemned the Egyptian military coup despite the fact that Egypts military force under both Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak had resisted Islamic tyranny and provided stability in the Middle East  particularly in relationship to our historic ally Israel.

The ill-fated coup has now given Mr. Erdogan a license to increase the repression and basically emasculate and silence the last secular institution in Turkey  the military  and conclude the conversion of Turkey to an Islamist government. Already the recriminations are under way. Some 6,000 police and civilians have already been detained, nearly 8,000 members of the military are under arrest and most believe that this is just the start and that it will grow to include members of the judiciary and political opponents in the national assembly and local governments. Executions will commence soon.

In response to Mr. Obamas condemnation of the coup and his demand that people support the Turkish government, Mr. Erdogan has harshly criticized the United States government and demanded that Mr. Obama turn over Fethullah Gulen, a Turkish cleric, who has been in self-imposed exile in America since 1999. It is widely assumed that Mr. Gulen will be executed if he is returned to Turkey under Mr. Erdogans regime. And Mr. Obama is likely to do so as he seeks to appease yet another Islamist oppressor.

This will end poorly.

On an international basis Mr. Obama (along with Secretary Hillary Clinton) has failed in the reset with Russia  even after his elitist dismissal of Gov. Mitt Romneys statement that Russia was a chief geopolitical threat. He (along with Ms. Clinton) failed in drawing a red line against Syrias use of chemical weapons. He (along with Ms. Clinton) failed in the withdrawal of troops from Iraq resulting in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. He (along with Ms. Clinton) failed in supporting the ouster of Libyas Muammar Gaddafi turning Libya into a hell hole of violence resulting in the attack by Islamic terrorists on our Benghazi embassy and the loss of four American lives. His vaunted nuclear deal with Iran has resulted in one continuous violation by Iran after another including evidence that Iran is still seeking equipment with which to produce weapons grade nuclear material. He has interfered in Israels Knesset election in a failed attempt to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He supported Egypts Islamist Mohammed Morsi and denounced his successor Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

As a result our friends no longer trust us. At any given moment, Mr. Obama may renege on a commitment, engage an enemy at the expense of a friend, and insult an ally. Conversely, our enemies no longer fear or respect us. Every despot in the world from the marginally insane Kim Jong Un of North Korea to the hate-filled Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran feels free to thumb their noses at Mr. Obama and the United States secure in the knowledge that nothing will happen with the exception of yet another concession by an administration desperate to claim a success  any success. Even at the price of further endangering peace and stability.

Mr. Obama is just another rigid ideologue. He has let ideology trump intelligence and critical thinking. His reaction to every crisis is formulaic: America is too powerful, white people repress people of color; the rich prey on the poor, government is the answer to every problem, government failure is caused by inadequate funding, and guns rather than criminals are responsible for violent crime. Every action and reaction is predictable  not just by us, but by the rest of the world. And while leaders of other nations adopt somber faces when Mr. Obama speaks, privately they laugh aloud behind his back.

Turkey will be yet another failed policy and, unfortunately with six months left in his term, it wont be his last.
Artist's view of planets transiting a red dwarf star in the TRAPPIST-1 system. Credit: NASA, ESA, and STScI

On May 2, scientists from MIT, the University of Liege, and elsewhere announced they had discovered a planetary system, a mere 40 light years from Earth, that hosts three potentially habitable, Earth-sized worlds. Judging from the size and temperature of the planets, the researchers determined that regions of each planet may be suitable for life.

Now, in a paper published today in Nature, that same group reports that the two innermost planets in the system are primarily rocky, unlike gas giants such as Jupiter. The findings further strengthen the case that these planets may indeed be habitable. The researchers also determined that the atmospheres of both planets are likely not large and diffuse, like that of the Jupiter, but instead compact, similar to the atmospheres of Earth, Venus, and Mars.

The scientists, led by first author Julien de Wit, a postdoc in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, came to their conclusion after making a preliminary screening of the planets' atmospheres, just days after announcing the discovery of the planetary system.

On May 4, the team commandeered NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and pointed it at the system's star, TRAPPIST-1, to catch a rare event: a double transit, the moment when two planets almost simultaneously pass in front of their star. The researchers realized the planets would transit just two weeks before the event, thanks to refined estimates of the planets' orbital configuration, made by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope, which had already started to observe the TRAPPIST-1 system.

"We thought, maybe we could see if people at Hubble would give us time to do this observation, so we wrote the proposal in less than 24 hours, sent it out, and it was reviewed immediately," de Wit recalls. "Now for the first time we have spectroscopic observations of a double transit, which allows us to get insight on the atmosphere of both planets at the same time."

Using Hubble, the team recorded a combined transmission spectrum of TRAPPIST-1b and c, meaning that as first one planet then the other crossed in front of the star, they were able to measure the changes in wavelength as the amount of starlight dipped with each transit.

"The data turned out to be pristine, absolutely perfect, and the observations were the best that we could have expected," de Wit says. "The force was certainly with us."

A rocky sign

The dips in starlight were observed over a narrow range of wavelengths that turned out not to vary much over that range. If the dips had varied significantly, de Wit says, such a signal would have demonstrated the planets have light, large, and puffy atmospheres, similar to that of the gas giant Jupiter.

But that's not the case. Instead, the data suggest that both transiting planets have more compact atmospheres, similar to those of rocky planets such as Earth, Venus, and Mars.

"Now we can say that these planets are rocky. Now the question is, what kind of atmosphere do they have?" de Wit says. "The plausible scenarios include something like Venus, where the atmosphere is dominated by carbon dioxide, or an Earth-like atmosphere with heavy clouds, or even something like Mars with a depleted atmosphere. The next step is to try to disentangle all these possible scenarios that exist for these terrestrial planets."

More eyes on the sky

The scientists are now working to establish more telescopes on the ground to probe this planetary system further, as well as to discover other similar systems. The planetary system's star, TRAPPIST-1, is known as an ultracool dwarf star, a type of star that is typically much cooler than the sun, emitting radiation in the infrared rather than the visible spectrum.

De Wit's colleagues from the University of Liege came up with the idea to look for planets around such stars, as they are much fainter than typical stars and their starlight would not overpower the signal from planets themselves.

The researchers discovered the TRAPPIST-1 planetary system using TRAPPIST (TRAnsiting Planets and PlanetesImals Small Telescope), a new kind of ground telescope designed to survey the sky in infrared. TRAPPIST was built as a 60-centimeter prototype to monitor the 70 brightest dwarf stars in the southern sky. Now, the researchers have formed a consortium, called SPECULOOS (Search for habitable Planets Eclipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars), and are building four larger versions of the telescope in Chile, to focus on the brightest ultracool dwarf stars in the skies over the southern hemisphere. The researchers are also trying to raise money to build telescopes in the northern sky.

"Each telescope is about $400,000about the price of an apartment in Cambridge," de Wit says.

If the scientists can train more TRAPPIST-like telescopes on the skies, de Wit says, the telescopes may serve as relatively affordable "prescreening tools." That is, scientists may use them to identify candidate planets that just might be habitable, then follow up with more detailed observations using powerful telescopes such as Hubble and NASA's James Webb Telescope, which is scheduled to launch in October 2018.

"With more observations using Hubble, and further down the road with James Webb, we can know not only what kind of atmosphere planets like TRAPPIST-1 have, but also what is within these atmospheres," de Wit says. "And that's very exciting."

Explore further Just 40 light years from Earth, three planets might host life forms adapted to infrared worlds

More information: A combined transmission spectrum of the Earth-sized exoplanets TRAPPIST-1 b and c, Nature, nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nature18641 Journal information: Nature A combined transmission spectrum of the Earth-sized exoplanets TRAPPIST-1 b and c,
A campaign to ferret out discrimination at Airbnb came after a host in North Carolina fired off hateful, race-based messages to a black woman while canceling a stay she had booked at his home

Airbnb said Wednesday it had hired former US attorney general Eric Holder for its review aimed at rooting out discrimination at the home-sharing service.

The review, announced in June, "highlighted the importance of fighting both explicit racism and the implicit biases that can lead to discrimination," according to a statement by Airbnb.

Holder "has agreed to join our team to help craft a world-class anti-discrimination policy," the statement from Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky said.

"While we have a policy that prohibits discrimination, we want this policy to be stronger. And we will require everyone who uses our platform to read and certify that they will follow this policy."

Airbnb has already enlisted former American Civil Liberties Union head Laura Murphy to lead its discrimination-fighting efforts.

The high-profile campaign to ferret out discrimination at the popular home-sharing service came after an Airbnb host in the US state of North Carolina fired off hateful, race-based messages to a black woman while canceling a stay she had booked at his home.

The San Francisco-based startup said the recent spate of shootings involving police and black citizens underscore a need to do more to fight discrimination.

"It's not enough to just offer our sympathies," Chesky said.

"We aren't so naive to think that one company can solve these problems, but we understand that we have an obligation to be honest about our own shortcomings, and do more to get our house in order. That's why we've been talking more openly about discrimination and bias on our platform, and are currently engaged in a process to prevent it."

Holder, 65, was the first black attorney general in US history, and served in the Obama administration from 2009 until last year, when he was replaced by Loretta Lynch.

Explore further Airbnb vows to root out home-sharing discrimination

 2016 AFP
A Turnstone at a snow patch edge. Credit: University of Queensland

Climate change could make much of the Arctic unsuitable for millions of migratory birds that travel north to breed each year, according to a new international study published today in Global Change Biology.

The University of Queensland School of Biological Sciences' researcher Hannah Wauchope said that suitable breeding conditions for Arctic shorebirds could collapse by 2070.

"This means that countries throughout the world will have fewer migratory birds reaching their shores," Ms Wauchope said.

Arctic breeding shorebirds undertake some of the longest known migratory journeys in the animal kingdom, with many travelling more than 20,000 kilometres per year to escape the northern winter.

The bar-tailed godwit flies from Alaska to New Zealand in a single flight of 12,000 kilometres without landing.

The study predicts that, in a warming world, migratory birds will become increasingly restricted to small islands in the Arctic Ocean as they retreat north.

This could cause declines in hard-hit regions and some birds could even completely change migratory pathways to migrate closer to suitable habitat.

"Climate change is also opening up the Arctic to threats such as mining and tourism, and we must make sure we protect key places for all Arctic species, including these amazing migratory birds," Ms Wauchope said.

UQ's Associate Professor Richard Fuller from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions (CEED) said most migratory populations followed well-defined migratory routes.

"This makes shorebirds an excellent group to investigate how climate change might impact breeding grounds and conservation actions that could address these impacts," Associate Professor Fuller said.

The research modelled the suitable climate breeding conditions of 24 Arctic shorebirds and projected them to 2070.

The researchers also examined the impact on Arctic birds of the world's last major warming event about 6000 to 8000 years ago.

"Climatically suitable breeding conditions could shift and contract over the next 70 years, with up to 83 per cent of Arctic bird species losing most of their currently suitable area," Ms Wauchope said.

"This far exceeds the effects of the last major warming event on Earth, but genetic evidence suggests that even then the birds struggled to deal with the warming."

She said that suitable climatic conditions are predicted to decline fastest in the areas with most species (western Alaska and eastern Russia), where Arctic birds are already becoming vulnerable to the "shrubification" of the tundra, and predators such as red foxes moving north.

Explore further Alaska's shorebirds exposed to mercury

More information: Hannah S. Wauchope et al. Rapid climate-driven loss of breeding habitat for Arctic migratory birds, Global Change Biology (2016). Journal information: Global Change Biology Hannah S. Wauchope et al. Rapid climate-driven loss of breeding habitat for Arctic migratory birds,(2016). DOI: 10.1111/gcb.13404
When a Tunisian-born man drove a 19-ton rented truck into a crowd of revelers celebrating France's national holiday in the Mediterranean town of Nice last week, killing 84 people and injuring hundreds more, it was a deadly new example of an old terrorist tactic of turning vehicles into weapons, according to Stanford experts.

French authorities identified the man behind the wheel as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, an immigrant from Tunisia who had lived in France since around 2005 and had worked as a delivery driver. Police shot him dead on the scene.

Martha Crenshaw, a senior fellow at Stanford's Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC), said the fact that Bouhlel already had a commercial driver's license gave him easy access to his weapon of choice.

"It was just unfortunate that he was somebody who already drove big trucks," said Crenshaw. "He did not have to go do something special, like train for a pilot's license in the way that the 9/11 hijackers did, in order to acquire the means to kill people."

Crenshaw said there had been around 30 incidents worldwide since 1994 where terrorists used vehicles as their primary weapon in attacks on civilians (not including car and truck bombs where explosives were used). Crenshaw noted that not all those vehicle attacks caused casualties.

If you include assaults on police and military targets, there have been more than 155 attacks where a vehicle has been used as a weapon in the way the truck was used in Nice, with over 75 of those attacks occurring in the last three years alone, according to data from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START).

However, the exceptionally high number of casualties puts the attack in Nice in a league of its own. Most of the vehicle attacks on police and military result in one or two casualties at a checkpoint or other hard target.

Stanford terrorism expert and former U.S. Special Forces Colonel Joe Felter said he was concerned that the attack in Nice "lowered the threshold" for aspiring terrorists who would be motivated to carry out copycat attacks.

"This was a disturbingly effective attack," said Felter, a senior research scholar at CISAC.

"The message for would-be terrorists is that you don't have to become a bomb maker to successfully execute a mass casualty attack. With a driver's license and a credit card you can weaponize a rental truck."

French prosecutors said that Bouhlel carried out surveillance of the Promenade des Anglais prior to his attack there, and that he conducted online research into the mass shootings in Orlando and Dallas.

It is still unclear what motivated Bouhlel. He had a history of domestic violence, psychological problems and money troubles, according to media reports. Acquaintances said the divorced father of three was not an outwardly religious Muslim. He reportedly drank alcohol, used drugs, ate pork and had sexual encounters with other men, all of which are forbidden under strict interpretations of Islam.

However, French authorities have suggested that he may have undergone a rapid conversion to radical Islam. And a website affiliated with the terror group ISIS has claimed Bouhlel as "a soldier of the Islamic State."

"It's plausible that the message of ISIS resonated with him as a Muslim immigrant living on the fringes of society, which would be consistent with my research team's finding that people who feel 'culturally homeless' experience a lack of purpose in their lives, which, in turn, is associated with stronger support for fundamentalist groups and causes," said Sarah Lyons-Padilla, a Stanford researcher in the Department of Psychology's Center for Social Psychological Answers to Real-World Questions who is studying the marginalization of Muslim immigrants at risk for radicalization.

The apocalyptic ideology of jihadist groups like the Islamic State (also known as "Daesh") could be particularly appealing to "petty criminals, psychologically deranged or otherwise lost souls" such as Bouhlel, said David Laitin, the James T. Watkins IV and Elise V. Watkins Professor of Political Science.

"Spurred by Salafist propaganda (an ultra-conservative form of Islam), these recruits can work privately, away from any institutional connection with Daesh, to cause horror," Laitin said.

"And many police forces are out of touch with vulnerable populations and are slow to identify potential recruits."

Regardless of Bouhlel's motivations, his attack will likely bolster the anti-immigrant agenda of France's far-right political parties such as the National Front, which advocate policies such as closing the borders, exiting the European Union and deporting bi-nationals with links to Islamist groups, said Cecile Alduy, associate professor of French and an affiliated faculty member with the Europe Center at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

"The attacks will only strengthen the feeling that the political elites in power failed, and that the National Front "told us so" and are the only ones left to trust," Alduy said.

Patrick Calvar, the head of France's counterterrorism intelligence agency, General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), warned earlier this year that the recent series of terror attacks on French soil could trigger "inter-ethnic clashes" between far-right vigilante groups and Muslims living in France.

"One or two more terrorist attacks" and "the confrontation [between the two sides] is unavoidable," said Calvar.

Alduy said she feared the shift in French public opinion could make Calvar's prediction more likely.

"An opinion pollin March 2015 put "sadness" as the primary feeling that respondents identified with following the Charlie Hebdo attacks," Alduy said.

"After the November attacks, it was 'anger,' with "hatred" following closely for over 60 percent of them. Now what will it be?"

Explore further The murky role of mental illness in extremism, terror
Germany and Luxembourg must cut emissions by 40 percent over 2005 levels under new targets set by the EU

The European Union on Wednesday unveiled national targets for cutting greenhouse gases by 2030, placing the burden on richer northern countries to help meet the bloc's UN goal.

The plans for the 28 EU member states put the onus on Sweden, Luxembourg, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Britain, France and Austria as the bloc seeks to meet its commitment to cut emissions by 40 percent over 1990 levels.

The EU set the 2030 target as its overall pledge in the UN's climate agreement, reached in Paris last December. Its members must now agree on how this burden is shared out.

"The national binding targets we are proposing are fair, flexible and realistic," EU Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said in a statement.

"They set the right incentives to unleash investments in sectors like transport, agriculture, buildings and waste management."

Under the targets, which are based on economic growth, powerhouse Germany and tiny Luxembourg must cut emissions by 40 percent over 2005 levels, while Finland and Denmark must cut emissions by 39 percent.

Britainwhich has voted to leave the EUand France are asked to cut emissions by 37 percent while Netherlands and Austria should cut by 36 percent, according to the numbers released by the European Commission, the EU executive.

But the system allows for flexibility. Member states can reduce emissions jointly across a range of sectors and over time.

Explore further EU hails Obama clean power plan as 'genuine' effort to cut emissions

 2016 AFP
Luis Castillo, standing before ceramic pots depicting women on display at the Peabody Museum, discusses his research on high-status burials featuring female priestesses in ancient Peru and female power in the Andean culture. Credit: Kriss Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer

When archaeologists unearthed a large chamber tomb in San Jose de Moro, a ceremonial center of pre-Columbian Moche civilization on the northern coast of Peru, they found the remains of a woman who had been laid to rest with lavish offerings, befitting a priestess or a queen or both.

Excavated in 2013, the burial featured a richly decorated coffin covered with copper plaques, and inside it a skeleton, buried 1,200 years ago, along with precious pottery vessels, a ceremonial knife, and a silver goblet, all telling signs of the power the woman had wielded in life.

The discovery of the splendid burial shattered archaeologists' notions about the Moche, which until recently had been perceived as a society ruled by male warriors, said Peruvian archaeologist Luis Castillo, the 2016 Robert F. Kennedy Visiting Professor in Latin American Studies Lecture.

"When I started as a young student, 25, 30 years ago, we thought the Moche was a culture led by powerful kings, warriors, or priests," Castillo said at the Harvard Peabody Museum, where he taught a course on the rise and the fall of the Moche.

The royal tomb, the eighth found in 25 years, was discovered by the San Jose de Moro Archaeological Program, which is shepherded by Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and headed by Castillo. All eight tombs showcased women wearing rich headdresses and beaded necklaces, and surrounded by sacrifice victims and exquisite relics including silver goblets.

Called the priestesses of San Jose de Moro, they highlight the prominent role of women in Moche society.

"These women were among the most important individuals in their society," said Castillo. "Their elaborate burials are narratives of their lives, and the ornaments they were buried with are indicators of their high status."

Archaeologists believe that the women were priestesses because of their resemblance to figures depicted in rituals scenes found on Moche art. The Moche had no written language but left thousands of ceramic vessels with intricate drawings portraying their daily lives and their cosmological beliefs. In those depicting human sacrifice, a priestess wears a headdress and holds a silver goblet filled with victims' blood.

This royal tomb, the eighth discovered in 25 years, is believed to have belonged to a Moche priestess buried 1,200 years ago. The great quantity of artifacts and the complexity of the burial reveal the power and influence this woman wielded in life. Credit: Luis Castillo

Regarded as the first state-level civilization in the Americas, the Moche flourished and ruled the northern coast of Peru before the Incas, between the first and eighth centuries, at the same time the Mayas thrived in Mexico and Central America. They dominated the desert through a complex irrigation system, built adobe pyramids, and, like many ancient cultures, used religion to unify society.

The finding of the priestesses of San Jose de Moro has taken place amid a backdrop of other excavations that have made the Moche an electrifying subject of archaeological research.

In 1987, Peruvian archaeologists found the regal tomb of the Senor de Sipan, which has been compared to King Tutankhamen's tomb in Egypt. And in 2006, they discovered a well-preserved mummy buried with magnificent objects and two ceremonial war clubs in Cao, a town on the northern coast of Peru. A warrior queen, the Senora de Cao, is considered the first female ruler of pre-Hispanic Peru and is believed to have reigned 1,700 years ago.

In the wake of the recent discoveries, archaeologists are also dropping a widely held belief that the Moche in northern Peru were a unified empire led by a single ruler.

"They were multiple polities, small chiefdoms that never achieved a political unification," said Castillo, Peru's former vice minister of culture. "Some communities may have been led by women and others by men."

Studies of the remains of Moche priestesses show they were physically strong and well-fed, another clue to their status and nobility, which may have influenced their positions of power in society.

Many pieces of Moche art are on display in museums around the world, including a permanent exhibit of Moche ceramics at the Peabody Museum, but with the growing interest in that culture, the mystery around the Moche elite women persists.

"They were not the sisters, the mothers, or the wives of somebody powerful," Castillo said. "In all the burials, the women had a status associated with Moche priests. They were priestesses, but they could have also been rulers. In ancient cultures, political and religious power were blended, and the rulers were often the priests."

Explore further Tomb find confirms powerful women ruled Peru long ago

This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu.
It was a Thursday morning in mid-July when I sat inside one of two white Suburbans with government license plates and admired the desert landscape, while the SUVs crunched along a bumpy gravel path through a dry mountainside. Ponderosa pines and fir trees tickled the roof as we wound higher in elevation. I was in the passenger seat of the first vehicle, clutching my old notebook and new information packet, eagerly anticipating our final destination: The Magdalena Ridge Observatory.

Dave Lepre

The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology is more than classrooms full of bright scientists, and Magdalena Ridgealso referred to as South Baldyis home to more than ideal camping spots and hiking trails. Nestled at the top of the gorgeous desert peak is some of New Mexico Techs finest engineering and astronomy equipment, and I was lucky enough to be included on a grand tour of the fascinating machinery.

I panted my way up the observatory staircase at 10,630 feet in elevation and craned my neck to see the 2.4-meter telescope that Dr. Eileen Ryan had spoken about in the control room a few flights below. Even with Dr. Ryans introduction and my high expectations, to say I was impressed would be a gross understatement. Inside of the shiny metal dome, members of various media organizations along with NM Tech staff looked positively tiny compared to the massive and powerful machine. One reason it felt so powerful was because it was a mystery to me. I knew that it could magnify objects more than 2.5 million (yeah, million) times better than the human eye, and that it could move at a rate of 10 degrees per second, but those calculated abilities were absolutely foreign and out of my reach. I was an amateur climber in the midst of Mount Everest. The telescope was an omniscient being, alive almost.

NM Tech uses the 2.4-meter telescope for astronomy, national security and educational purposes. They work to understand the objects that enter Earths atmosphere, and based on careful calculations and observations they determine whether or not these objects might be threats to the planet.

I panted my way up the observatory staircase at 10,630 feet in elevation and craned my neck to see the 2.4-meter telescope that Dr. Eileen Ryan had spoken about in the control room a few flights below. Even with Dr. Ryans introduction and my high expectations, to say I was impressed would be a gross understatement.

In the observatory, we all looked up towards the ceiling as we moved around the telescope in a long, slow circle. Smack dab in the middle of the giant contraption was an enormous mirrorone of two spares from the Hubble telescope. At first glance the mirror looked like a gaping hole going clear through to the other side of the circular room, but it was actually a reflective surface used for absorbing light from fantastically large distances away.

I have always interpreted light similarly to the way I interpret space and timeas something abstractso when I learned that you could collect light, transport it and analyze it, I was both confused and intrigued. Moving an intangible object sounded impossible, and analyzing light that bounced off an asteroid to determine the asteroids characteristics sounded even more impossible. Spoiler alert: Its not. Using light to learn about foreign objects is very possible and the dedicated, passionate scientists at New Mexico Tech devote their time and energy to doing exactly that, using the 2.4 telescope as a means for their discoveries.

I left the observatory in a haze of knowledge and awe before remembering that it was only a portion of the tour. In a large building called The Balloon Hangar, I was greeted by a 32-foot long balloon suspended from the ceiling. The Balloon Hangar, which is part of the Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research, is where scientists study lightning and atmospheric qualities that exist in thunderstorms. They launch balloons, rockets and aircrafts into storms to measure properties like electric fields and to learn about the nature of lightning (which is largely unknown). Though lightning cant be simulated, it can be triggered. The group was introduced to one of the rockets used to trigger lightning, which, simply put, was two silver poles with neon green and orange duct tape on one end. We also saw stunning and colorful 3-D images of rocket-triggered lightning flashes.

Dave Lepre

Program Director Ifan Payne then briefly explained how telescopes work, using simplified examples and computer graphics. Inside yet another building Principal Investigator Van Romero gave a tour through enormous rooms with pipelines dedicated to delaying the path of light so that it matches the path of a different telescope, and explained equipment like the interferometer, used for looking into deep space to help us understand how galaxies and stars form and evolve.

This is all just the tip of the Magdalena Ridge Observatory iceberg. I could hardly grasp the concepts that were touched upon during my time atop the mountain, but what I really took away was the incredible practice of constantly seeking information, even if that search takes place in overwhelmingly giant, dark places like outer space. The friendly crew of thinkers showing me around their turf presented science as accessible and actually quite simple. One scientist pulled a handful of marbles out of her pocket to demonstrate how asteroids are formed, and used a soda bottle to model their behavior in space. I was reminded that science is most definitely fantastic, beautiful and mysterious, but it doesnt necessarily take a genius to explore the unknown. Curiosity and determination enables anyone to be a scientist, and questioning the world around us and beyond us is just the first step to collecting light.
GAITHERSBURG, Md., July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/  Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life Services, has introduced the BITE mobile app to its dining guests, thus allowing them to use their phones to plan ahead for healthy eating and so much more. Developed by Sodexos Culinary Solutions team, the app is an industry-leading use of technology to give consumers a convenient one-stop shop for nutritional information, menus, promotions, wellness tracking and loyalty rewards.

The BITE app, which can be downloaded free on both iTunes and Google Play, provides site-specific information about Sodexo-run dining locations, including current menus and nutritional information. Additionally, BITEs Features tab allows users to see current cafe promotions and mark them as Favorites. The BITE app also integrates with wearable wellness technology. The app can be linked directly to Fitbit to give guests the ability to easily track nutrition as part of a comprehensive wellness overview.

BITE further enhances engagement through the Bonus Bites loyalty program, which is currently being piloted in select Sodexo-served locations. Coupons are distributed and redeemed through the app, rewarding loyalty members for their purchases, and surprising them with special offers and perks.

The great benefit of BITE for our customers is that now we have an engaging digital platform to keep them abreast of news on where their food comes from, the stories of the farmers, the chefs whove lovingly grown and created the dishes  and of course, with the new Bonus Bites program, special offers, deals and added benefits of being a Sodexo customer, said Tim Ripley, vice president of development, Culinary Solutions, Sodexo.

BITE users can look forward to the upcoming launch of Digital wallet  a mobile payment feature that includes integrated loyalty programs and mobile ordering.

BITE is available to Sodexo customers in more than 1,100 Corporate, Healthcare, Government and University locations. Since it was formally launched, Sodexo customers have viewed almost 1,000,000 times and these numbers increase daily.

In the short time BITE has been available, weve rolled it out across the majority of our accounts, and customer reaction has been exceptional, said Ripley. Daily were learning of great stories of how our customers love being able to instantly see and review the menu and get full and transparent nutritional details. Were loving getting real time pulse on every dish served or seeing how customers are rating their experiences with us, its feeding directly back into our Culinary and Retail teams to make sure we continue to stay on trend, and provide exactly what our customers are looking for.

Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.

Learn more at the companys corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.



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U.S. Rep. Elise Stefaniks legislation to streamline employment changes for military spouses relocating due to military transfer is gaining bipartisan momentum.

The legislation which Stefanik, R-Willsboro, introduced July 7  HR 5683 -- had 21 co-sponsors from 14 states, as of Tuesday  13 Republicans and eight Democrats, according to the Library of Congress government information website.

The legislation would:

Require the Department of Defense to reimburse military spouses up to $500 for the cost of acquiring new professional licenses when the military member is transferred out of state;

Streamline the process of transfering a professional license from one state to another;

Require the Department of Defense to conduct a study of ways to reduce unemployment among military spouses.

The legislation dovetails with state legislation New York enacted several years ago.

Stefanik said she worked closely with state Sen. Elizabeth Little, R-Queensbury, sponsor of the state legislation.

We need to do more at the federal level to streamline this, Stefanik said, in a recent telephone interview.

I commend Congresswoman Stefanik for recognizing more can and should be done, Little said. This additional financial benefit she is seeking will ease the transition of those having to move to a different state due to their military spouse being relocated.

Stefanik said she is discussions about a Senate companion bill sponsor.

We are working with two different Senate offices right now, she said.

Retired Army Col. Mike Plummer of Watertown praised Stefanik for introducing the legislation.

A lot of people (spouses) wont come to Fort Drum because there are no jobs. Theyll stay in Washington or stay in Seattle and raise their kids and a soldier comes up here by himself, he said in a recent telephone interview, discussing his endorsement of Stefanik for re-election.

Stefanik is running for re-election in the 21st Congressional District against Democrat Mike Derrick, a retired Army colonel, and Green Party candidate Matt Funiciello, a bread company owner and political activist from Hudson Falls.
QUEENSBURY  One of the two men charged with murder in the death of a Glens Falls man earlier this month told police the victim was attacked and choked to death after he sexually propositioned the men who had gone to the mans home to steal from him.

The two suspects in the July 6 death of Kevin J. Jenks pleaded not guilty to a 19-count indictment Wednesday in Warren County Court, and written statements given to State Police by one of them were filed in court during arraignment.

Defendant Kevin S. Chapman told investigators a neighbor he knew as Devine and Black Rob convinced him to go to the Glens Falls area to beat up and steal some stuff from a man he knew. Devine is the street name used by co-defendant Robert M. Henry, who was a friend of Jenks.

Chapman told police that Henry arranged the trip to go to see and to rob Jenks, who Chapman did not know but was at his home when they arrived. After a few minutes of conversation and before he realized their intentions were criminal, Jenks asked them if they were interested in having a sexual encounter, Chapman told police.

I then became very angry at that point and I tackled the guy on the bed, Chapman is quoted as telling State Police Investigator D.J. Mosher. After I tackled him I was so angry I just saw red. I was holding the man down and Devine grabbed the guy by the neck and started to choke him. I continued to hold the man down until he stopped breathing.

Police said Jenks was found dead in the bedroom of his Dix Avenue home, but there was no evidence corroborating Chapmans claim that Jenks sexually propositioned the alleged killers.

Chapman signed the typewritten statement, one of two he gave to police late July 9 and early July 10. In the first, he told investigators he left the home after he was propositioned, and that when he came back the owner of the home was dead and the man he knew as Devine was telling him to grab valuables such as the victims wallet, laptop computer and television set, before they fled. In his second statement, he acknowledged parts of the first one were false.

Keys to Jenks Cadillac sedan were found in Chapmans motel room in Ilion by police, court records show. The car was found in a nearby Wal-Mart store parking lot.

Henrys questioning by police was videotaped, and a copy of that video was filed in Warren County Court. But Judge John Hall has a policy of not allowing the media to view those discs, even though they are public information like written statements given by defendants and other witnesses.

Police said Henry blamed Chapman for choking Jenks to death.

Chapman was initially questioned at a State Police station in central New York that did not have video recording equipment. But he later gave a video statement at the Glens Falls Police station. That video was not released Wednesday.

Both Chapman and Henry pleaded not guilty Wednesday in Warren County Court to indictments that include counts of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary and lesser felony charges stemming from the theft and use of credit cards that belonged to Jenks.

The indictment charges Chapman with two counts of murder under different theories of law, and Henry with one. Both men face murder counts that allege they caused the death of another person during a felony, but only Chapman faces a murder count that alleges he intentionally killed Jenks.

Chapman, 45, and Henry, 49, were sent to Warren County Jail without bail. They face up to 25-years-to-life in state prison if convicted of second-degree murder.

Henrys lawyer, Tucker Stanclift, said it appeared the truth will only likely be revealed at trial.

That said, I remain hopeful that Mr. Henry will be in a position to help everyone discover the truth, Stanclift said.

Chapmans lawyer, Greg Teresi, scheduled a conference with Hall and Warren County District Attorney Kate Hogan for Aug. 9.

Teresi said he was reviewing evidence in the case that had definite twists and turns that need to be fully vetted.

My heart goes out to the family, but I have a job to do, to zealously protect the rights of my client, he said.

Jenks, 58, was well-known in the Glens Falls area, working at C.R. Bard Co. in recent years, and working as a bartender at a number of local watering holes for decades before taking that job.
QUEENSBURY  Two Queensbury teens face driving while intoxicated charges in separate crashes in recent days, according to the Warren County Sheriff's Office.

Hunter M. Wildey, 19, was charged with misdemeanor DWI after a crash at 11:22 p.m. Thursday on Luzerne Road, police said.

The Sheriff's Office said Wildey drove off the road and hit a tree and was taken to Glens Falls Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. A blood sample was taken and he was charged based on police observations of his condition. He was issued court appearance tickets for Queensbury Town Court after the investigation by sheriff's patrol officers Kevin Yandon and Jesse Pound.

The second crash happened hours later just blocks away.

Chad Jarvis, 20, was charged with aggravated DWI, a misdemeanor, after police were called about an accident on Main Street at about 5 a.m. Friday, police said. Officers said a car hit a street sign and left the scene, and Jarvis was found passed out behind the wheel of a vehicle parked in a nearby driveway.

He was found to have a blood alcohol content of 0.23 percent, nearly triple the 0.08 percent threshold for DWI, and released pending prosecution in Queensbury Town Court. Yandon made the arrest.
GLENS FALLS  Glens Falls Farmers Market will celebrate its 40th anniversary this weekend.

Free cake, face-painting for children, a free photo booth and music will be part of the festivities from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at South Street Community Pavilion on South Street in downtown Glens Falls.

Pat Tatich, Dave Linehan, Chris Scoville, Doc Joseph and Mary Ann Starbuck established the market in 1976, with a goal of attracting people to downtown during a troublesome era for commerce.

Linehan, a community planner, came back from a trip to Europe and suggested Glens Falls replicate the open air markets there.

Arthur P. Irving, publisher emeritus of The Post-Star at the time, assisted behind the scenes.

The market started with 12 vendors and now has nearly 40.

Giffords Farm in Gansevoort and Butternut Ridge Farm in Argyle, two original vendors, still participate.

The market initially was located at Exchange Street Plaza, the walkway between what is now Davidson Brothers brewery and 190 Grille and Cinema.

It later moved to Elm Street parking lot, and then to its current location on South Street.

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets, Glens Falls Community Development Office and Glens Falls Industrial Development Agency provided funding in 2002 to build the pavilion where the market is held weekly through late fall.
Co-organizer Ejay Stokes of Lake Luzerne said the event will occur outside the main gate at the fairgrounds in Milton, starting at 9 a.m. and running until noon or so. He said attendees from as far away as Pennsylvania are planning to attend.
SCHUYLERVILLE  In three weeks, carpenters and novices who want to work with wood will converge on Schuylerville to build the new regional tourism center by hand.

The Champlain Canal Region Gateway Visitors Center, to be built at 30 Ferry St., will be made of hand-cut timbers and will be raised by hand.

The building was designed to incorporate elements of the Dutch barns built in this region. The Timber Framers Guild, which will organize the community build, helped design it with architects from Saratoga Associates.

The operation will begin Aug. 8, with the lower floor completed on Aug. 12. Then, volunteers will complete the second half of the building in 10 days, beginning Sept. 5.

On Sept. 14 and Sept. 15, an old-fashioned community barn-raising will be held to complete the job.

The group has enough volunteers signed up for the August session, but could always use more help, said Project Manager Neil Godden.

We dont have a ton of people, he said, but he added that people often sign up at the last moment.

Members of the community are welcome, he said.

Those who want to join in must first become members of the Timber Framers Guild, which usually costs $132. Occasionally, the group offers discounted temporary memberships to those who live near a work project and want to help with it, but prospective members must contact the guild to get the special rate for the Schuylerville project. Guild officials ask residents to email them at info@tfguild.org to ask about the special rate.

The group trains novices, so no experience is required. But every member who joins a work project must bring common tools that are used so often that sharing would be difficult. Those include a timber framing chisel, wooden mallet, framing square and hand saw.

Godden is excited about the project, which will be finished the day before the guilds annual conference begins in Saratoga Springs.

I love timber-framing, he said. Im excited because this is going to be a hand-raising.

The visitors center will serve as the starting point for people wishing to visit the historic sites of the upper Hudson Valley. But it will also serve those who want to visit other tourist attractions.

Its going to be able to inform people not only about the historic sites, but it will be able to send people over to Washington County or apple-picking or festivals, said Saratoga Battlefield Superintendent Amy Bracewell.

Shes hoping bike clubs and other groups will use the building as a meeting spot and then go explore the community.

The location, in Fort Hardy Park, is ideal, she added.

I think its going to be a really convenient stop for visitors, she said. Were all very excited.
Inventory needs to be managed and managed well, or you are going to get in recurring trouble, and lose your credibility and hard-earned conversions, whether 

Read more
To transform agriculture, we must recognise the critical role women play in agriculture in Africa. We must invest in measures that target the needs of women farmers including access to land, improving market access, increasing access labour-saving tools, and providing improved seeds and quality fertilisers, Adesina said.

He made the call at a high-level meeting of Heads of States and Governments and partners for the implementation of Empowering Women in Agriculture (EWA) and the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA) initiatives, held on the sidelines of the 27th African Union Summit in Kigali, Rwanda.

Adesina also emphasised the importance of financing women and de-risking the financial system to make advancing loans to women comfortable.

"Women pay back loans. They are bankable, but the banking system does not lend to them, he said.We want to change this; we want to de-risk the financial system and allow institutions to give loans to women.

[Empowering women] has the potential to lift millions out of poverty especially through agriculture.
Issahaku said: "The UKs vote to leave the EU has dominated global developments since the last MPC meeting, and the implications were immediately felt across global currency, commodities and equity markets. Although the sharp depreciation of the pound sterling against major trading currencies has somewhat reversed, the current uncertainties and volatilities in global financial markets may persist until the post-Brexit negotiations commence with the EU."

He continued: "Based on Ghanas strong relations with both the EU and the UK, the impact of Brexit is likely to transmit through the trade sector, foreign direct investments, budgetary support and the domestic currency market. It is too early to determine the full implications but initial assessments indicate that the local currency appreciated sharply by about 5.7 percent month-on-month against the pound sterling in June 2016, compared with 1.3 per cent depreciation in May, reflecting theBrexit effect. Going forward, the potential fallouts from post-Brexit negotiations will be closely monitored to take the necessary policy actions to dampen any adverse effects on the domestic economy."
Nana Addo said this in an address to the business community in the Ashanti region as part of his arise for change campaign tour in the region over the weekend.One of the first things we want to do to stimulate industrial production in Ghana is to remove import duties on industrial raw materials, we are going to do, because we have to put Ghanaian enterprises exactly where we are talking about to make them competitive, these are the things government does, so manufacturing equipment will be zero rated. So Ghanaian enterprises can successfully compete with Chinese, Korean, Malaysians, Taiwanese, because that is what we should be looking at etc that is why am calling you all to come on board, he said.He also bemoaned government expenditure of 6% of Ghanas GDP on servicing loans secured from foreign partners whiles capital investment in the country for the past 5years remains 4% of the countrys GDP.
Ghanas textile industry that was buoyant in the 1980s, has been crippled by the high influx of inferior pirated textiles from China.

Dangote Cement is planning on establishing a factory in Takoradi, meaning the company would not have to import its products from a parent company in Nigeria.

Head of Communications for Dangote Cement Ghana, Etornam Komla

As we speak now all the cement manufacturing companies that we have in Ghana such as Dangote, Diamond, GHACEM and the rest, all have the capacity to meet the local demand, and we dont need any importation from China, he said.

READ MORE:Energy Crisis Pozzolana Cement to lay off workers

Etornam Komla further cautioned against allowing the cheap Chinese alternatives just on the basis of price, charging the government to enforce the Ghana Standard Authoritys quality criteria when allowing the importation of cement from China.
Mr Adoboli was jailed for seven years over Britains biggest banking fraud after being convicted of two counts of fraud for abuse of position including one count relating to the unauthorised $2.3bn of losses. A jury at Southwark Crown Court acquitted him of four counts relating to false accounting after his 10-week trial in 2012.

Mr Adoboli, born in Ghana, was released last year after serving half his sentence. Since then, in addition to being banned by the Financial Conduct Authority, the financial regulator, from working in the financial sector, Mr Adoboli has been unable to work at all due to Home Office deportation rules.

He has been fighting possible deportation to Ghana and his supporters have now turned to crowdfunding to help fund legal fees after he lost a court ruling in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber). Home Office rules mean the government automatically seeks the expulsion of any overseas citizen awarded a sentence of four years or more.

Mr Adoboli was served with a Home Office deportation order last year and has unsuccessfully challenged it at the upper immigration tribunal. His advisers anticipate that there may be further multiple appeal stages ahead and that at least 75,000 is needed to fund his appeal against deportation.

His supporters have launched an appeal on Fundrazr.com, a crowdfunding platform, and the website has raised 9,805  about 13 per cent of the target  despite the appeal having only gone live on Monday.

Mr Adoboli said he wanted desperately to stay in the UK, not just for his friends and family but also to carry on his voluntary work talking to traders about his experience and the perils of the banking culture. He has spoken at various regulatory conferences about what happened to him which he could not do if he was sent to Ghana.

I really, really want to focus on my work  its part of the rehabilitation process and turning something really awful into something positive and good, he said.

The last five years have been such a struggle and I want to turn that into something positive, he said. It feels wasteful  no one benefits from me being deported. I can be honest because Im a person who has been through this and paid the price and I have nothing to lose by saying what I did.

Now aged 36, Mr Adoboli has lived in the UK since the age of 12 but never applied for British citizenship. He attended a Quaker boarding school in Yorkshire where he was head boy after which he attended Nottingham University, studying computer science. He later worked in the City.

Mr Adobolis arrest in 2011 shocked the City and prosecutors said the loss was so large that it could have destabilised UBS. He was portrayed by prosecutors during his 2012 trial as a reckless gambler and master fraudster. They claimed he regularly exceeded his risk limits and booked fictitious hedging trades exposing the bank to larger losses. In his defence, Mr Adoboli argued that he only wanted to make money for the bank, while others in the lenders management turned a blind eye to his tactics.

In using Fundrazr his supporters have chosen the same platform as Tom Hayes, the convicted Libor banker, who is also seeking crowdfunding to launch an appeal against his conviction based on new evidence. Hayes has so far raised 26,700  about 18 per cent of the 150,000 he is seeking for legal funds. Hayes was the first person convicted by a jury in the Libor rigging scandal  receiving a 14-year jail term which was reduced to 11 years on appeal.
Nana Ampadu made this statement during an interview with DJ Murphy Lee on Storm FM last Saturday. According to him, fans hated him for joining NDC and refused to patronise his music amidst condemning his personality.

He disclosed "My fans hated me for joining NDC, refused my music and condemned my personality. After some years, I declared my support for the NPP and yet my fans neglected me.

I have the belief that, as Ghanaians, we all have equal rights to choose and belong to any party. We should also know that Ghana is for us all," he added.

He also commended the efforts of MUSIGA and GAMRO for the payment of royalties to musicians.
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Ogbanago whose salary is N30, 000, earned praises from Nigerians and an award of excellence by the Chairman of UBA, Tony Elumelu, and said it never crossed his mind to keep the money that was misplaced by the customer so as to play his part in repairing the battered image of the country and to tell the outside world that there are still honest people in Nigeria.

Speaking to Sahara TV, Ogbanago narrated what made him decide to return such a huge amount of money in these hard times:

"It was at the bank's premises, after parking a car at the car park. So on my way coming back, I now saw the money, $10, 000 close to the security gate.

I was the only one, so when I picked the money, I went to the office and sat down for about three minutes thinking about what to do.

As I was thinking, I had different thoughts; in fact, 10 different thought came to me and eight of them told me to return the money, while two of them said; 'this is money, a whole lot of money. Why don't you take this money?'

But in the end, the eight superseded the other two, so I had to return the money to my Branch Operations Manager (BOM). Later on, the customer who misplaced the money came and claimed his money.

Many people have asked me if there was a camera in the security post which would have captured me if I had not returned the money.

I will say that there was no camera there and it was my conscience that made me return the money because it was not my own.

When our Chairman sent for me, he was very happy with me and confessed that he has never seen such a honest staff before. I was also happy meeting the Chairman for the first time and his words really encouraged me."

"Sometime ago when I heard David Cameron, former Britain Prime Minister saying that Nigeria is fantastically corrupt, I decided to put him to shame that it is not all Nigerians that are corrupt.

Though there are some Nigerians who may be corrupt, there are some who are not corrupt.
Offei-Palm dismissal letter was circulated just two weeks after he was interdicted for flouting the hospitals regulations.

A letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Gilbert Buckle read: "following your interdiction and non-appearance for disciplinary hearing, the Disciplinary Committee has proceeded in your absence and found you guilty of the offences leveled against you as per your interdiction letter. Upon the recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee, your appointment with the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital is terminated with effect from 6th April, 2016.

His interdiction follows a media interview he granted in which he allegedly accused the management and board of running down the facility.

Offei-Palm has already filed a suit challenging his interdiction, questioning the justification of the dismissal letter because of the pending court suit over his interdiction.

In a contempt suit filed at the Human Rights Court on Tuesday, Offei Palm argued that the hospital erred in law by first interdicting him and subsequently dismissing him.
South Indian businesses have declared Friday, July 22, 2016, a holiday for their employees. The holiday declaration is to allow their staff attend screenings of a new film starring Tamil cinema superstar Rajinikanth.

Read also: Vin Diesel is back in 1st trailer for sequel

Business owners explained that they declared a holiday to prevent their employees from turning off their phones, calling in sick or just failing to report for work. A company based in Bangalore said it had declared a holiday to "avoid sick leaves; mobile switch offs and mass bunks". Another company said it did same to "avoid piled up leave requests to the HR department".

A lot of South Indians are excited as the day for the screening draws nearer. Kabali, the latest movie is to be released on about 12,000 screens. Even before the premiere, the film has yielded about $30 million in film rights sales.
It is not immediately known what caused the faecal matter to leak from one of the cesspit chambers at the side of the car park which led to the private entrance for lawyers. This caused people using the premises to hold their breath for a few minutes as they entered the building.

According to 3news, most lawyers suspected that a plumbing defect had caused the leakage. Later in the day authorities at the court complex ordered for the place to be flushed with some water and detergent. Even though this reduced the stench, the leakage is yet to be solved.

Speaking to 3news a private legal practitioner, Joe Debrah who experienced the situation said something must be done about the leakage and stench immediately. He said it was terrible it was very bad, because the building is not up to a year old.

President John Mahama inaugurated the court complex in October last year. The president asked the judiciary, and other users of the court maintain the facility in a good shape.

The complex has a banking facilities, cafeteria, a 300-seater auditorium, a library, business and media centre, executive office for the Attorney General and Police Prosecutor and a data centre among other facilities.
He was reacting to 2015 IEA survey report which indicated that unemployment, erratic power supply (Dumsor) and poverty are the three core issues of great importance to Ghanaians ahead of the 2016 elections.

Speaking on Accra-based Class FM Okudzeto said the country is full of very brilliant, intelligent people [but] we have sidelined them, we have pushed all of them to the side and then you have individuals who know next to nothing wielding power, showing power, and the rest of us are suffering. I think its about time that Ghanaians sit up.

He questioned why a greater number of people would not be concerned about unemployment and poverty when public officials cruise in V8 SUV also fuelled with the taxpayers money.

Part of the problem that we are suffering from in this country now is because of the parties. They come into power; many of them you see are riding in V8 in Accra. Where are they going in V8 cars? Do you know the amount of petrol these cars consume? You will be shocked that that can provide a school block for a small village, and that is one person using it for a month. The petrol one person uses for the month can provide a school block for a community, he stated.

Sam Okudzeto blamed the weak governance system on the centralisation of authority and called for the full implementation of the decentralisation policy.

Excessive power that has been centralised, whereby one person virtually has power to dismiss everybody and appoint everybody, and we kept repeating it that it was a wrong approach to governance, but even if it is the constitution, you can still go behind it and say, Lets sit down and discuss the issue because this is national. What solutions can we provide for it?, and then we can all put our heads together.
READ MORE:Kwabena Agyepong leaves Afoko hanging in court

Mac Manu was the second NPP witness to be cross-examined in the case. Rev. Samuel Asante-Yeboah, the party's Disciplinary Committee Chairman was the first to be cross-examined.

Afoko is challenging his suspension from the NPP in 2015 in court.

He headed to court last year after the National Council of the NPP upheld the decision of the party's disciplinary committee of the party to suspend him.

The party's General Secretary, Kwabena Agyepong, and Sammy Crabbe, first vice chair, were also suspended.
The plaintiff in the case, Mr Berrick was disqualified by the party as a result of his alleged association with the National Democratic Party (NDP).

He later filed an injunction to prevent the party from going ahead with the primary. The injunction application was granted. However, on Wednesday, the Tamale Court upheld the earlier decision of the party to disqualify him. Two others were also disqualified.
The accusations come days after the NPP, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) clashed in the Walewale constituency, leaving scores injured.

But the regional minister has dismissed the allegations, saying the NPP chairman is only fabricating lies.

These are allegations that are unfounded; they are baseless and I consider them as deliberately fabricated lies to tarnish the image of a candidate the NPP is very afraid of, he told Accra-based TV3.

The Minister added that This is a matter that any well-meaning Ghanaian, a responsible citizen of Ghana should dismiss with the contempt it deserves because I believe strongly that any person who seeks to rule this country and any person who is a Chairman of the party that seeks to rule this country should have behaved differently if these allegations were true.

Abubakar Abdallah believed that the NPP regional chairman should have alerted the security agencies about the allegations rather than resort to the media.
As tradition demands, Ivor Kobina Greenstreet paid a courtesy call on the Kokofuhene, Barima Offe Akwasi Okogyeasuo II to officially inform him about his visit.

According to Greenstreet, the region is very important to the development of the country as its people possessed essential skills and abilities and stressed the CPPs key policies for the country if it wins the November polls. He praised the regions people for their entrepreneurial spirit.

CPP policies

The party of Ghanas first president has historically campaigned about the enormous opportunities agriculture presents to the countrys economy. Previous nominees such as Abu Sakara (for the 2012 elections); a renowned agronomist, have preached food reliance for the country and this message continues ahead of this years general elections.

He talked about the potential of fruits such as almonds; which he says could revolutionise the country and that the region was best fit for this.

With the seeming agronomic conditions necessary for the green gold of almond tree and the legendary entrepreneurial spirit of Asanteman, I see another cocoa revolution coming," he said.

The partys other main policies include a push for the election of local government officials and jobs for the youth.

World Bank region
Eric Williams Photography

This story is about tortillas. Not your usual, I-bought-them-at ghetto-Smiths-for-$1.49-because-we needed-something-besides-multi-grain-sangwich-loaf-to put-the--on-type tortillas either.

No, in this case the discourse will begin with the fresh tortillas touted by a dancing, bling-wearing cherub of a man whose enchilada-laden image lures eaters on a daily basis to a place called Garcias Kitchen.

...in this case the discourse will begin with the fresh tortillas touted by a dancing, bling-wearing cherub of a man whose enchilada-laden image lures eaters on a daily basis to a place called Garcias Kitchen.

Heres the precis to that diatribe: The tortillas are so good at the aforementioned Nuevo Mexicano restaurant that some diners purposefully eschew the more grandiose selections on the menu, ordering lightly so that they can fill their panzons with the tortillas that come from Andys cocina.

That isnt to say the rest of the choices are insufficient, are bereft of culinary value or lack the requisite comida para la alma taste and presentation that defines the basis for these reviews. In fact, the eating at Garcias Kitchenfounded in the dim past by one Andrew Garcia, food aficionado, businessman and all-around jovial dudeis some of the best chow in town.

But back to the tortillas. In a market where success is defined by the flaky goodness and deep-fried deliciousness of the sopapilla, Garcias Kitchen is one of the places where you dont even have to think about that particular conceit. Sure, the puffed pastry pillows are available for consumption, but they are a recent addition. Tortillas bear the weight of the meal, literally and metaphorically, at this joint.

If I were still a structuralist, Id say tortillas are potent cultural signifiers. Rather than try to explain that abstractly, heres an anecdote that speaks to their ultimate relevance in Nuevo Mexicano cooking.

My father identified as Chicano. He was a Tejano whose family settled in the middle Rio Grande Valley in the early 20th century. Like me, he totally dug tortillas, although he would have phrased that declaration of his affection somewhat differently.

When he shipped out with the Navy to the north Atlantic he found the lack of tortillas heartbreaking and wrote home frequently to lament their maritime absence. So his parents sent him canned tortillas, a common 1950s New Mexico and West Texas grocery store item. Though they werent fresh (like their descendants at Garcias) they did the job and he carried on, fighting communism valiantly, one supposes.

Always a card, he once brought his can of tortillas to the officers mess, where a delegation of French captainswho had come aboard for diplomatic purposes were dining with the old mans cadre. Special preparations had been made for their visit, especially in the cutlery department. The ships stewards had laid out a fancy meal complete with the many forks, spoons and knives common to continental culture.

As the guests sat to eat, my dad produced a tortilla from the can, cut it up into pieces and told the gustatory gathering that much like the French, New Mexicans also had traditional eating implements galore. Except he noted, instead of a different fork for each course, Burquenos had a different tool for each bite. He then dug into the chipped beef and mashed potatoes on his plate, fork in one hand and tortilla-bit in the other.

So yeah, of course I was thinking of all of that when I stepped into Garcias Kitchen on Central last week for lunch with two Texan journalist friends of mine. I ordered the refried speciala compact plate of refritos, home-style potatoes and red chile with a fried egg on topand three tortillas.

My mates ordered, respectively, the enchilada plate and the flautas plate. As the waitress retreated into the scullery to see to our order, I humbly hoped out loud for their tortillas as well.

The pre-meal chips and salsa were fresh, tangy and plentiful. An attentive server saw to their replenishment, as well as to the refilling of our icy-cold soft drinks with an enthusiasm buoyed by friendly conversation and suggestions for further indulgence.

After chatting at length about the state of print media in the Southwestern United States our meals arrived. While one of the writers fiddled with their guacamole, the other sampled Garcias green chile sauce, which she had ordered on the side, somewhat fearful, but mostly respectful of its presumed heat and digestive persistence.

Meanwhile, I divided my first tortilla into eighths, put aside the butter that came with and proceeded to employ my fathers methodology. Using a fork to scoop a bit of refritos, a healthy heap of home fries and plenty of red sauce onto that fine piece of non-leavened, freshly grilled flatbread, I brought the egg yolk drenched construction to my mouth.

Visions of my ancestors and the millions of tortillas they had eaten over the past 500 years filled by head as I took bite after bite and my pile of tortillas grew smaller and smaller. Somewhere far away, the North Sea roiled, somewhere nearby the desert blossomed in the heat of summer.

Though the refried beans were a bit thin to me, being mostly liquefied, they are awesomely engaging when combined with salty, soft-inside but crispy-outside pan fries and the pleasingly, bitterly smooth taste of Garcias red chile sauce. An egg on top adds another layer of naturally nuanced flavor to the ritual.

My friend from Austin said her flautas were delicious; tightly rolled, deeply fried and filled with slow-cooked tender-textured white bird meat. The guacamole traditionally served with this southern New Mexican dish was chunky, but not overwhelmed by spices and tomatoes, allowing the avocado flavor to rise up in tasty waves.

My other friend, the journo from Huntsville, said she likes her enchiladas plain, said she dips them into a ramekin of green chile to better appreciate the smoky, hot summer vegetable flavor that exudes from the sauce. The corn tasted like new corn, right from the fields and the cheese was lightly spread across them, to her liking, she said between grateful mouthfuls.

Near the end of the meal, one of them asked me about the habit of using tortillas as an aid to consumption. Before I could answer, the other interjected, telling how she was gonna say something about it too, but when she observed most of the folks at most of the tables doing the same thing, she realized it must be some sort of tradition and let it go at that.

As they wandered outside, I lingered at the pay counter, waiting for news from our server about the availability of tortillas to go and watching a roomful of eaters intent on following my father's fancy.
According to the PPP leader, he is the best person for the job if Ghanaians want the unemployment canker to go away.

Speaking at the campaign launch of the PPPs Gomoa West parliamentary candidate, Charles Kofi Yawson, he intimated that a PPP government will solve Ghana's unemployment problem.

As I stand here today Ghanaians say their main problem in this years election is jobs. If it is jobs you want why vote for a lawyer, if it is jobs you need why vote for a communicator who cant provide you jobs but promises?

He added that he would not make promises he cannot fulfil but rather allow his track record to speak for him. I am not going to stand here to promise factory in every district because I have businesses already in each district throughout Ghana. I am also not going to promise one million jobs, but you standing here know I am already employing Ghanaians with my own money, imagine what I can do with the states finances, when I have all of the states resources backing me? he quizzed.

The partys parliamentary nominee for the Gomoa West constituency Charles Kofi Yawson called on the electorates of the area to vote massively for him and Nduom during the general elections. He promised that he would help establish poultry farms to reduce unemployment in the area, if he is elected Member of Parliament.

Meanwhile the Tufuhene of Gomoa Eshiem, Nana Asam entreated the residents in the area to support Dr Nduom and Charles Kofi Yawson. He said he was hopeful they would bring development to the people of Ghana.
I am asking you all to make a change this year, a change from [NDC] to the NPP, Mrs Akuf-Addo said at a forum in Accra. [I] give you the assurance that my husband Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will come and make things better for Ghana."

We are all feeling the pinch at the moment, its a fact, and we should accept it, we need a good leader, a better manager of this country and I can assure you that he [Nana Akufo-Addo] is the better manager for Ghana, who will move us forward so that we can have employment for our children, who finish school, who are sitting at home without jobs. We can have a better economy.I can also assure you that the combination of Nana Addo and Dr Bawumia will be a great team for Ghana, so Im pleading with you [to] give Nana a chance this year and he will not disappoint you, she said.
"Regarding the constituency, although I believe that when someone dies, no evil is spoken against them, I am using NPP as a case, because he represented that party, what achievement did he bring to Abuakwa North? Nothing!, Mr Smith told Accra FM.

The primary became necessary following the resignation of party's parliamentary candidate, Anthony Osei Gyimah.

No reason was giving for his resignation, but media reports claim he struck a deal with Mr Smith, who has shown extreme interest in the constituency, to bow out.

Mr Smith first contested the Abuakwa North seat in 2012 and lost to JB Adu by 6,000 votes.

He said the people of Abukwa North deserve some respect. The people of Abuakwa North, too, deserve some respect. It is not about attending funerals and parting with GHS5 to the constituents to buy food and then you will not see him again for some time."

"We want sustainable progress for the people; we want to give them opportunities to also make life, to have family, to look after their families.

"A man will be ashamed for the rest of his life if he is unable to cater for his family and it doesnt work like that for me, and I believe for my party.
The IGP has recently reiterated he still stands by his earlier intentions to ban social media during the election if need be.

Social media is used to churn out untruths and half-baked truths and finally lies...we as the Police will not sit down for this to happen, we shall recommend that the Social Media is banned for the seven or eight hours that the election will take place after all it is nothing but Ghana first and I still stand by that, the IGP said.

John Kudalor maintained, this when done will help maintain the security of the nation.

Read also:Social media ban

Meanwhile the IGPs decision has been greeted with many backlashes from a section of the public with the latest being David Asante who took to his Facebook page Wednesday July 20, 2016 to condemn the IGPs plan.

He stated, the decision will be resisted because it will not help the nation.

Below is David Asantes Facebook message
Mr Okudzetos assertions are "extremely condescending," Felix said. "Mind you, Mr Okudzeto himself is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), so there is a certain partisan slant to what he says. What he said is extremely condescending. "

Lawyer Okudzeto on Tuesday said the country was suffering because brilliant people have been sidelined, attributing it to partisanship.

In an unusual swipe at the former president of the Ghana Bar Association, Ofosu Kwakye told Class FM: This sweeping, blanket condescension that some have for others who are in power must stop."

When the NPP was in power, there were persons, who did not have formal education and yet were occupying positions. That may even not be a necessary requirement because if the person can show that he will be able to deliver, he needs to be given the opportunity to serve his country.
According to him, the NDC is conniving with the electoral body to manipulate the system.

The exercise has however recorded low turnout throughout the country. Sam Pyne believes the EC should be blamed for the low turnout.

I am not impressed at all the attendance is very low, and one I can attribute it to lack of awareness by the electoral commission and those who are supposed to make the information available to the public, making publications in the newspapers was simply not enough, how many people have been reading the papers, am also not happy with the process that they are going through, he told Kumasi-based Ultimate FM.

READ ALSO: Low turnout at exhibition centers

Historically, the data of the EC suggests that whenever they there is any exhibition till 1992 till date, the percentage of people who patronize is just too abysmal, less than 40% always so why would you want to use this as a process in cleaning the register, because you have the history that people have not been patronizing such exercises then again there have been instances where peoples names have been deleted because they said they used NHIS cards in registering when its not so.

I can give you examples about three is my constituency officers have suffered this fate, when they know they used the old voters cards to register, these are some of the things they should look at, the NPP Regional Chairman added.
Welcome to the Ultimate Nairobi Experience, which leaves you asking for more after you have spent six days and five nights touring the culturally diversified City of Nairobi.

On your first day, you have the opportunity of seeing the elephants of the Daphne Sheldricks Elephant Orphanage.

The center is a haven for endangered animals such as the elephant and the black rhino, who are going extinct due to the activities of poachers in the vast Kenyan wildlife.

The Giraffe Centre and National Museums of Kenya also shed more light on Kenyas revered wildlife and history.

You are not left alone after the interaction with nature and history, and you get to wind it down at the various clubs and pubs that have made Nairobi the city which does not sleep.

A thrilling nightlife experience will make the trip to the town complete.

The experience also gives you an exclusive taste of safari at the Masai Mara game reserve or tour the Nairobi National Park.

The reserve derives its name from the Masai tribe that live around the scenery. The Masai Mara is famous among tourist and travelers for the animal population, the vast expanse of savannah grassland and the clouds that litter the sky beautifully. If you are not keen on the Masai Mara, the trip allows you the option of touring the Nairobi National Park which is located in the middle of the bustling city

The Ultimate Kenya Experience takes place from 1st January 2017 - 31st March 2017 for USD1,295 for each person. The package covers airfare, airport transfers, hotel accommodation, excursion, transportation and breakfast only.

Visa is on arrival for Ghanaians. All interested participants are to click on the link below to register.

Register here http://goo.gl/forms/IO40bU2Wv7. Participants must be 18+ years and must have a valid passport.
The actor is reported to have opened his car door with out the proper measures, causing a biker to slam into it, suffering a chest injury.

The accident reportedly occurred on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at The Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles.

Law enforcement sources have reportedly disclosed to TMZ that Piven, who was parked close to the curb, opening the door of his 2015 CTS Cadillac, as the 35-year-old victim rode into it.

The victim is reported to have been rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance, where he got some stitches.

The 'Entourage' actor did not get a ticket as the police had not seen the accident happen although Piven is said to have been extremely cooperative following the accident.

ALSO READ: Actress shaves head as her Cancer battle continues
Just as his mother was running up to catch up with him, as he tried to cross the street, the young boy was hit and killed by an oncoming vehicle.

A rescue team which had been called to the scene of the tragic accident, upon their arrival, confirmed him dead.

Photos from the scene show the mother of the young boy weeping as his father clutches him in his arms.
Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected!
It was gathered that the girl, a Senior Secondary School student of Community Secondary School, Iyadiong, in the local government, was accosted by a police team on her way from an evening church programme, with the Inspector who was the leader of the team, threatening to shoot her if she resisted the arrest.

Narrating her ordeal to family members later, the victim said that the Inspector allegedly led her away from other members of the team and took her to a dark spot along the road where he began fondling her breasts.

"He started by fondling my breasts, saying; 'na small you, possess this type of breasts!' After that, he forced me to remove my clothes, and he ordered me to lie down and open my legs and then.

As he was raping me, he warned me not to cry and threatened to shoot me if I opened my mouth. Blood was oozing from my private parts, but the policemen dragged me into their vehicle and drove to the station, where he detained me from Thursday till Saturday.

It was my uncle, Dr Ime Stephen, that came from Abuja and bailed me with N10,000.

The said uncle, who said the culprit was also a police prosecutor, added that he could not believe his eyes when the girl pointed at the cop as the one who raped her from among the policemen who were on duty that time.

We call for his dismissal from the force so that he can be prosecuted accordingly, Stephen urged the police authorities.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Murtala Mani, confirmed knowledge of the incident, saying the police had already commenced investigations, adding that all the policemen that were on patrol from the station at the time of the incident, were in detention at the police headquarters in Uyo.
According to the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ali Okechukwu, revealed that the suspects who were said to be very notorious and have been terrorising the state and other parts of the south-east, engaged the police in a fierce gun battle when operatives were trailing them following a tip off from an arrested robbery kingpin.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Hosea-Hassan Karma, revealed that the operation lasted all through Monday night till the early hours of Tuesday before the police overpowered the criminals and fell to the superior fire power of his men, while some of them still escaped.

"The deceased female suspect was the commander of the gang while their area of specialization included car snatching, armed robbery and kidnapping," Okechukwu said.

According to the PPRO, a young girl from Akwa Ibom State who had gone to visit a man she had been dating on Facebook for three months without knowing he was one of the armed robbers, was also hit by bullets during the gun duel but was taken to the hospital for treatment.
It was gathered that the deceased, Habibu Maude, an indigene of Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, and a father of four, had been operating his Suya spot at White House Street, for many years and was very friendly with the residents of the area including those living in the Bogobiri area, a quarter populated by the Hausa community in the state.

Reports have it that Maude was at his Suya spot when the attackers visited him and asked him to hand over all the money in his possession, which he did without any argument but after robbing him, they shot him at point blank range and he died before help could come his way.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Irene Ugbo, has confirmed the incident, saying the force has begun investigations with a view to bringing the culprits to book.
Read his letter here:

"My name is Benedict, a 46-year-old man working and living in Abuja while my family is based in Lagos. The reason we got separated was because I got a well paying job in a multi-national conglomerate and I was posted to the Federal Capital Territory to run the northern operations of the company.

My wife, Stella, who works in an insurance company, had to stay back in Lagos with our three kids while I shuttled between the two places, most times visiting two weekends in a month. I did not also want to disrupt my children's education by changing schools for them, coupled with the fact that I was living in a hotel for close to one year before I got an apartment.

Even my physical absence did not tell that much because I was always on the phone with my wife and children. I held morning devotions with them by phone and followed up on their progress.

They lacked nothing I could provide within my powers and I thought I had a perfect wife who would hold the home front together while I was away, but I have realised that if a woman wants to cheat on her husband, you can do all you can but she would still play the field.

Even when Tony, my best friend whom I urged to always visit my family and make them comfortable, told me several times how he met my wife's absence on several occasions leaving the children with the housemaid most times he visited, I argued that it could be the strain and pressure of her job.

Sincerely, I never believed Stella could be unfaithful. But the stark reality hit me in face when I discovered that she was actually committing adultery with several men.

That day, I had retired to my hotel apartment after a very hectic day at work and found it difficult to sleep. After tossing about on the bed for many hours, I switched on my Facebook account to try and catch up with my contacts.

While surfing the net, I stumbled on new pictures posted by my wife and some of the pictures were quite explicit and unbecoming of a married mother. Out of curiosity, I plowed into her private accounts and there, I met the most shocking scenario of my life. There was my wife chatting with different men and the chats showed that they were not just friends but lovers.

She posted photos of them at different places like the beach and hotels where they were naked, kissing and on the bed. I thought it was another person that just resembled my wife but I decided to further investigate.

The next time I came into Lagos, I stealthily took her phone when she was not in the bedroom and checked her Whatsapp account and what I saw almost sent me into a psychiatric home.

My wife had been sending nude photos to other men, telling them how much she enjoyed sex with them and what she would do to them the next time they met.

When she came to bed that night, I confronted her with what I saw and naturally, she denied that she ever cheated on me but when I showed her all I had found out, she broke down and confessed, saying it was loneliness that made her do what she did.

After I left for Abuja, I sent my elder sister to go and take my children to stay with her till I come up with a plan. Though I have refused to tell our family and friends what she did so as not to disgrace her, I have refused listen to any explanation from her.

I want to send her out of my life but being from a broken home myself, I fear what that would do to my children but at the same time, I don't think I can ever live with such an adulterous woman again.

I am confused.

Benedict."

The teaser for the day was:

How Nigeria voted:

I will divorce him/her immediately - 52%

I will forgive him/her if he/she apologises - 47%

I will also cheat on him/her - 4%
This is contained in a statement signed by Ranti Obafunmiso and Mathew Ogunkunle, the state Chairman and Secretary, respectively.

According to them, the apology is on behalf of principals, teachers and students of schools across the state.

Obafunmiso and Ogunkunle said that the association dissociated its members from any group or association that might have instigated the students to embark on the ugly incident.

``ANCOPPS wishes to tender its unreserved apology to Oyo State Government on behalf of all principals, teachers and students of all public secondary schools in the state on the violent incident that happened on June 6.

``The incident threatened the peace and security of the state and endangered the lives of the students, who participated in the breach of peace and affront on constituted authority, they said.

They said the association condemned the act and reiterated their stance as ambassadors and advocate of moral uprightness and good conduct.

The chairman and secretary pledged the associations support and cooperation to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi-led administration, urging him to accept its apology.

NAN reports that some secondary school students in the state had on June 6 took to the street to protest against governments planned public/private participatory management of schools in the state.
Citing a source at the EFCC, The Nation reports that the anti-graft agency has received requests to refund 'stolen funds' from former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh, ex-Chiefs of Air Staff Air Marshals Adeshola Amosu and Mohammed Umar.

Metuh is on trial for collecting N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki - the cash believed to be part of the diverted $2.1 billion meant to procure arms for the military.

Umar was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption of about N9.7 billion.

While Amosu was arraigned at a Federal High Court in Lagos alongside Air Vice marshal (AVM) Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga, on a 26-count of siphoning about N50 billion.

We have formally received letters of plea bargain from three accused persons  Metuh, Umar and Amosu we are studying their terms," the source told the newspaper on Tuesday, July 20.

We may enter into a plea bargain with the accused persons if it will serve the public interest. The interest is getting back the stolen funds. If they can fulfill this condition (public interest), we may accept their offers.

The details of the request was, however, not revealed, as the source stressed that the EFCC is still studying them.

It was also gathered that the Commission has stepped up security around its key witnesses against suspects on trial for the $2.1 billion arms deals scandal following threats to life from unknown persons.

The witnesses being threatened are those against a former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, ex-Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, and ex-Chiefs of Air Staff Amosu and Umar, including Metuh's.
In a statement issued by Femi Adesina, his senior special assistant on media and publicity, President Buhari appealed to discerning Nigerians to ignore what he described as "orchestrated attempts" to sully the integrity of those in his cabinet without any concrete evidence.

The president was reacting to reports, particularly by online media, that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, is being investigated over crude oil swap deals and gas liftings during his tenure as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

He called for decent and civilized comments, particularly when it has to do with the integrity of those who are serving the country.

Terrible and unfounded comments about other peoples integrity are not good. We are not going to spare anybody who soils his hands, but people should please wait till such individuals are indicted, the president was quoted as saying.
Buratai has been under heavy criticism in the past weeks when the news of some properties, worth $1.5 million, he owns in Dubai was made public, with critics accusing him of purchasing the assets with stolen funds.

In his defense, the Army had in a statement claimed that Buratai acquired the properties with his personal savings, which deepened the suspicion - as many queried how he could save such sums of money with his legitimate earnings.

In a statement issued by his (Buratai) lawyer, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, advised critics to respect the Army chiefs rights to private family life as guaranteed in Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

According to a document Punch obtained from the CCB, Buratai was said to have indicated in his asset declaration form, which was submitted on August 21, 2015, that the properties in Dubai belong to his wife.

He said: We view the further attempt by some select few to still dwell on this same Dubai properties and criticise the COAS as a veiled attempt to divert his attention from the current war he is waging to secure the country in various troubled spots in Nigeria.

Critics are therefore advised to respect the Generals right to private family life as guaranteed under Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended) and construct their views within the ambit of the rule of law having been duly cleared by the CCB.

The COAS complied with Section 15(1) of the Act and included his spouses assets in his declarations. That is what the law requires of him and he did not disappoint. The COAS acted lawfully and has not breached any law.

The lawyer further said his firm, in a letter dated June 29, 2016, requested the CCB to clear the air over the said Dubai properties.

According to him, in CCB's reply letter, signed by Mrs. Ijeanuli Arinze Ofor, on behalf of the CCBs chairman, Mr. Sam Saba, it confirmed that Buratai declared the Dubai assets after his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff.

Without much delay, the CCB responded in its letter dated July 11, 2016, and stated clearly from the asset declaration filed by General Buratai that the said property was duly filed by the Army General and in the spouses name," Osuagwu added.

Having so declared the property as required of him by law, the Chief of Army Staff has discharged the duty placed on him by the 5th Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the CCB and Tribunal Act.

However, prominent individuals and groups alike, including human rights lawyer, Femi Falana have called for the resignation of the army chief and pressured President Muhammadu Buhari tosack him if he fails to quit voluntariy.

-----------------------------------------
He allegedly benefited from the N23bn ($115m) disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election.

Ezeani was detained having failed to explain why he collected the N20 million, report said.

The REC was on Tuesday interrogated by operatives of the EFCC in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, in connection with an alleged N20million electoral scam," Punch quoted an EFCC operative to have said.

While serving in Cross River State, he was alleged to have collected the sum of N20m out of the entire N241,000,000 which was released to Cross River State from the controversial $115million lodged with Fidelity Bank Plc, by Diezani. Ezeani, who has now been redeployed in Abia State, was quizzed over his involvement in the scam. He is still in custody.

Pulse recalls that the anti-graft Commission had made multiple arrests in connection to the Diezani largesse, including an Executive Director in charge of Public Affairs at the First Bank of Nigeria, Dauda Lawal.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fayose, who made the plea in Ado Ekiti while declaring open the 2016 Ekiti Agriculture Summit, said doing so would boost governments commitment to the diversification of the economy.

The governor said the step was also imperative in view of the dwindling revenue from the oil sector, adding that the Federal Government should devote more funds to the sector.

 The Federal Government should declare emergency in the agriculture sector, even there must be a bailout fund for the agriculture sector.

`` What Nigerians need is food on their tables.

It is sad that the state governments cant diversify again because they are financially incapacitated, so the Federal Government must come to our aid, they must bail the sector out.

If emergency is declared in the sector and people are attracted to farming, they can use the gains to run around and better their lives, he said.

Fayose also urged the Federal Government to do more in boosting electricity generation in the country as well as provide storage facilities to add value to agricultural products.

Some of the farm products cannot be processed into finished goods because of epileptic power supply and our farmers are losing a chunk of their resources because of lack of storage facilities.

`` The Federal government must please address this, the governor said.

Fayose, however, reiterated that no teacher should engage students in private farming acting activities, noting that those caught in the past had been pardoned.

Also speaking at the summit, the Minister of Agriculture, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who was represented by the Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Ekiti, Dr Ladipo Kolade, said the sector was now being taken seriously as in the past.

During these years, we could boast of good investment in groundnut, cocoa and palm oil.

`` They were resources of our foreign earnings, there was pride and economic boom until things changed for the bad.

But President Muhammadu Buharis government is supporting the farmers through the CBN agricultural loan scheme.

`` No fewer than 94,972 farmers are to benefit under the loan scheme in the 2016 budget alone.

`` We want to improve agric business in Nigeria for us to move forward as a nation, he said.

Legal icon, Chief Afe Babalola, on his part, called for 50 percent reduction in agriculture-related courses in Nigerian universities to encourage youths in acquiring professional skills in agricultural production.

He said Afe Babalola University, which he founded, had began encouraging young people to venture into agriculture by slashing tuition fee for students offering agriculture.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Acting General Manager Public Relations in NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, gave the advice on Wednesday in Lagos.

NAN learnt that aviation fuel was currently being bought at exorbitant prices ranging from N160 to N200 per litre by the airlines due to scarcity of the product.

``Our directive earlier when this situation arose is that airlines should cut down their operations to services they are able to procure fuel for.

``Where they have sold tickets, then they contact the passengers ahead of time to avoid their coming to the airport and be stranded, he added.

However, Arik Air in a statement by its Communications Manager, Mr Ola Adebanji, said marketers had assured the airlines that the situation would improve this week as they were expecting delivery of additional stock.

The statement identified supply and infrastructural challenges of the marketers as some of the key factors responsible for the epileptic supply of aviation fuel.

``At the root of the fuel supply crisis is low stock due to the inability of marketers to source for the foreign exchange to import more Jet A1 fuel.

``There is also distribution challenge as the discharging of vessels bringing Jet A1 and other petroleum products are done in the samejetty and loading various trucks for distribution to cities like Kano or Abuja takes considerable effort and time.

``The situation in the north is even more difficult since the product takes longer to be delivered due to the trucking distance.
This is contained in a statement signed by its Director of Information, Commodore Christian Ezekobe, and made available to newsmen in Abuja.

According to Ezekobe, the suspect who was picked up on July 11 at about 11 a.m., is believed to be a major logistics supplier to the group which had claimed responsibility for attacks on NNPC and Chevron pipelines in the region.

"The arrest was made following a confessional statement obtained from an earlier arrested suspect who gave details of the involvement of other collaborators in the attacks.
For today, July 20 2016:

THE GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER

Nigeria loses N127b to cybercrime yearly

Nigerias loss to cyber crimes is now about N127 billion yearly and this has become a source of worry to the Federal Government. READ MORE

Nigerias economy to shrink on Brexit, says IMF

From the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has come the not-so-cheery news that Britains exit from the European Union (EU) would have negative impact on some nations including Nigeria. READ MORE

Why Idris, Arase are bickering

The war of attrition between immediate past Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Ehigiator Arase, and his successor, Ibrahim Idris, has roots in a query the former gave to the latter just before he retired.

THE VANGUARD NEWSPAPER

Nigerias economy in bad shape  CBN

ABUJA THE Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, yesterday, painted a gloomy picture of the economy during a closed-door meeting with senators.

Dino Melaye is not a coward?

WHEN last week I was writing on the recent preoccupation of the Senate under Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, namely the determination of the so-called Like Minds senators, all supporters of the troubled duo, to hobble the Muhammadu Buhari presidency for what they consider its hostile attitude to the legislative arm of government.

A country where nothing makes sense: When bad behaviour becomes goodWatching the UK Conservative Partys change of leadership which resulted in Theresa May succeeding David Cameron as the countrys Prime Minister, I was struck by the many parallels between good and bad behaviour in the UK and Nigeria.

THE NATION NEWSPAPER

Metuh, Amosu, Umar beg EFCC: lets refund our loot

Three of those on trial for alleged corruption are eager to return their loot for freedom. They want to refund cash and surrender property to avoid going to jail, The Nation learnt yesterday. READ MORE

How Melaye threatened to assault me, by Sen. Tinubu

Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday told Senate President Bukola Saraki and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Oyegun that Senator Dino Melaye threatened to assault her during the Senates July 12 Executive Session. READ MORE

NLC: scrap security vote, immunity

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for the abolition of security vote for the president and governors. NLC President Ayuba Wabba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Abuja that security vote had become an avenue for siphoning public funds. READ MORE

THE PUNCH NEWSPAPER

EFCC detains Abia REC over Diezani poll bribe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has detained the Resident Electoral Commissioner of Abia State, Mr. Sylvester Ezeani, for his alleged role in the N23bn ($115m) that was disbursed by a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, during the build-up to the 2015 presidential election. READ MORE

Nigeria must be restructured, says Ekweremadu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said on Tuesday that Nigeria must embrace restructuring as the surest solutions to its current economic challenges.

Teenagers attack school, beat principal, steal N1.5m

Pandemonium broke out at the Lagooz Schools on Omotoye Estate in the Orile Agege area of Lagos State after some hoodlums invaded the school premises.

BUSINESS DAY NEWSPAPER

Economy may contract by 1.8% in 2016 says IMF

The international Monetory Fund (IMF) said on Tuesday that Nigeria's economy would contract in 2016, "lower than eralier growth projections as the country battles through foreign currency shortage as a result of lower oil receipts, low power generation, and weak investor confidence".

Foreign airlines see prospect in Nigeria despite downturn

Foreign airlines in Nigeria are seeing prospects in the aviation sector despite economic downturn currently facing the country.

Customers face credit drought as MFBs NPL rise to 23.13%
In separate petitions on Tuesday, July 19, to Bukola Saraki, the Senate President, and John Oyegun, the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Tinubu said Melaye bragged that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal threats.

She warned that Melaye remains a threat to her and the Senate.

The totality of that misconduct amounted to an assault against my person, as a Senator, as a female and a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria," she said.

I take the cautionary step of submitting this letter in order to seek proper recourse that will protect me against criminal assault on the floor of the Senate (or elsewhere), that I and other lawmakers may exercise our rights as Senators to represent our constituencies in the manner and with the decorum befitting this hallowed chamber.

I write that such misconduct as that exhibited by Senator Melaye shall never be repeated against me or any other Senator and so that reputation and the vital functions of the Senate as a respectful deliberative body shall not be undermined."

Tinubu expressed concern that the it has been one week since the incident and the Senate leadership remains silent on the matter, adding that, so that this serious transgression is not allowed to pass, I formally submit for the record that I object to the reckless misconduct of Senator Melaye.

What he did was completely unjustifiable and contrary to the established customs and norms that govern the behaviour of members of this body.

For merely voicing my opinion on the floor of the Senate, which is the fundamental right and duty of every lawmaker, I was verbally abused and threatened by Senator Dino Melaye.

She said Melaye used blatantly sexist and misogynistic language offensive to every woman in Nigeria and offensive to every person who truly believes that gender discrimination has no place in the Nigeria we are trying to build for ourselves and all future generations.

Insisting on a disciplinary action against the Kogi senator, Tinubu said: Unless Sen. Melaye is appropriately disciplined, he remains a danger to me and to the Senate at large. He has promised twice within one week to attack me.

She urged the Senate leadership to recognise the gravity of the situation and take appropriate action.

In the letter to Oyegun, Senator Tinubu said "What took place at that session was nothing short of a threat of physical assault and abuse against me by Senator Melaye.

I would like to place on record for the party this formal complaint in the hope that the party will act to appropriately sanction Senator Melaye for his malign behaviour.

In this way, the party will affirm its policy of zero tolerance for gender discrimination and restore its reputation as a vehicle for positive change and not an arm of regression and intolerance towards women.

Narrating how the incident happened, Tinubu said: I was duly recognised by the Senate President after Senator Melaye had spoken and berated some Senate colleagues over their perceived roles in the judicial case involving the Senate leadership.

Although I remained silent and attempted no interjection during his statement, Senator Melaye tried to abridge my rights as a Senator by hectoring at me and interrupting my contribution.

She said had, at a point, cautioned Melaye that other Senators there had the same right as he and represented their constituents.

Continuing, she said: In a burst of apparent rage, Senator Melaye charged at me in what can only be seen as an effort to physically attack me. The attack was only prevented by some respectful Senators who moved to impede his path or otherwise block him from approaching closer to me. I thank those Senators for their personal courage and sense of decorum.

Senator Melaye hurled foul and vulgar language at me. What he said should never be heard in any public institution let alone the floor of the Senate. Denigrating me as a woman, Senator Melaye threatened to beat me on the floor of the Senate simply because I dared to express an opinion different from his.

She added: I am both a ranking Senator and a woman. But Senator Melaye took neither into consideration as he issued threats of rape and assault, while boasting that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal threats.

Compounding the damage inflicted by Sen. Melaye is the fact that we are both of the APC. Thus, I am compelled to report this incident. It also gives me great concern that the Senate leadership has heretofore been silent on this matter as if condoning the errant behaviour of the Senator.

She urged the party to investigate this matter in order to restore the public image and moral standing of the party and of APC members in the Senate.

In this manner, we show that we reject the misconduct that has wronged our nation and people for so long. Only if we act against such excesses will the people truly believe we are committed to the reforms we have promised them. We must start by ensuring that our own members know how to behave, according to the decorum befitting their elect."
"Hey there. I hear you are here for a 1.45 tour, and I had a little time on my hands," she said as she got into the car.

During their ride, she revealed that her ride is the second time in seven and a half years that she has been able to sit in the front seat of a car and listen to music.

ALSO READ: undefined

Towards the end of the trailer, the duo are seen singing and dancing to Beyonce's 'Single Ladies.'

Carpool Karaoke with Michelle Obama will broadcast full today, Wednesday, July 20, 2016.
Dressed in customized shirts, the protesters who sang solidarity songs were also seen carrying placards.

Chairperson, Board of Trustees of the 46-member group, Dr Charmaine Pereira, said Senator Melaye's action against Mrs Tinubu presented him as an "undeserving elected representative" of his people with a "severe incapacity for sound judgment."

"Senator Melaye's behaviour reflects an obvious inability to engage in productive debate and the acceptance or negotiation of dissent that is to be expected of a responsibility legislator.

"Senator Melaye's conduct jeopardises the possibility that men and women can contribute to the development of Nigeria in a manner that expects freedom from violence and discrimination.

"For the Senate to remain silent on Senator Melaye's conduct on the basis that it took place during a closed-door session, would not only be ethically inadequate but would also indicate complicity with the prevailing impunity against gender base violence and discrimination," she said.

The group demanded for a "strong" statement from the Senate President condemning Senator Melaye's behaviour and "compelling" him to retract his abusive comments on Mrs Tinubu.
Speaking on Tuesday, July 19, during a courtesy visit to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, stressed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) inherited an "emptied" federal treasury from the same set people who are seeking control of Edo state in September.

Apparently referring to members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Governor said the politicians confessed to the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have diverted funds meant to protect the lives of Nigerians from the Boko Haram insurgents.

Oshiomhole said: I know there are a lot of people who dont quite understand what is going on. Our party inherited a federal treasury that was completely bastardised, emptied, emptied from the vaults to soak away pits, to farm houses, and even in Edo here, the people who are asking for Edo peoples votes are those who have already made statements to the EFCC that they collected N500m, N700m.

That is already N1.2bn and their leader confessed in his own right that he collected N300m from the money meant to secure Nigerians against terrorist group called Boko Haram. It is people who diverted such money, who collected it, and they have owned up to it in black and white in their handwriting, that are asking Edo people to surrender the state.

He pitched the APC to the Edo people as the only party who has their interest at heart, saying the choice is between "a bunch of people whose philosophy is share the state money and those who believe that the state money belongs to the people, and the task is for the governor to manage it in a way that will deliver prosperity to the people."

Commending Ambode, he said: Under your leadership, I have no doubt we couldnt have had a better campaign organisation. So, I thank you for that. We have a credible messenger that you are going to help us to market and we also have a compelling message to put across to Edo State. We believe the election will be won on the basis of the pedigree of the political parties, the pedigree of the individual and what the two parties have to show to the people.
In a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in Ado Ekiti, the party claims it can prove that the N22 million spent to charter aircraft that conveyed Fayose's lawyer, Mike Ozekhome from Lagos to Akure airport was allegedly taken from the states treasury.

Fayose had taken the EFCC to court, claiming the Commission's move to freeze his bank accounts over his alleged role in the diverted arms cash is illegal.

However, the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, swiftly dismissed the allegation, challenging the party to come forward with its evidence.

That kind of allegation can only come from the dirty minds of APC members in Ekiti. There is nothing like that and if they have strong evidence, the EFCC which has become a department of the APC is there for them to do their bidding," Adelusi said.

The APC should stop disturbing sensibility of Nigerians and face squarely the myriads of problems confronting the people.

Fayose is being investigated by the EFCC for alleged fraudulent diversion of arms cash from the office of the former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, to finance his election.

In light of this, the anti-graft Commission weeks ago froze his Zenith bank accounts after about N1.21 billion of the cash was traced to them.

Several billions of naira was also traced to bank accounts of his associate, Abiodun Agbele, who is currently in EFCC custody.

Fayose has since denied events of any financial dealings between him and Dasuki, claiming Zenith bank funded his election, but the bank denied his claim.
The allegation was made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state which said that Fayose spent N22 million to charter an aircraft to convey Fayose's lawyer, Mike Ozekhome from Lagos to Akure.

Fayoses denial was contained in a statement released by his media aide, Lere Olayinka.

It reads:

The allegation is a continuation of the APCs life of disparaging eminent Nigerians that are not dancing to the destructive tunes of the party.

The APC beer parlour jesters in Ekiti must have taken their lamentation over their loss of power to a psychotic level that anything will make meaning to them no matter unreasonable.

Ekiti State government did not, and will not spend any N22 million on Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) because the government is not being run like the APC government of Dr Kayode Fayemi that plunged the State into debt.

The reality is that, those evil men in the APC that wont even mind to malign God are seeing Chief Ozekhome as an uncompromising lawyer, who will not blow hot and cold at the same time. They see Chief Ozekhome as a lawyer that will not join them to defend their regime of impunity and for that they have opted to malign him as they have done to others.

ALSO READ: Fayose denies ownership of petrol station seized by EFCC
Anenih disclosed this in a four page letter dated July 15, 2016 and addressed to the party's National Caretaker Committee chairman, Ahmed Makarfi.

The letter titled The PDP Caucus in the National Assembly and the threat to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari reads:

I am constrained to write this letter by my love for our great country and my long years of involvement in the pursuit of peace, co-existence and national development.

I am concerned about the noises coming out of the National Assembly to the effect that some of our distinguished Senators and Honourable Members are contemplating a move to impeach the President.

I feel even more disturbed that the PDP Caucus is being rumoured to be actively involved in this plan to go for the jugular of the Executive. The rumoured role of the PDP Caucus is, indeed, the main reason I have chosen to write this letter to you.

I wish to appeal to you to use your noble office as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of our great party to dissuade our party members, in the National Assembly, from embarking on or participating in this ill-advised adventure. I am persuaded, Sir, that the time is neither right nor the reasons compelling enough to contemplate the impeachment of the President.

I do not doubt that the National Assembly may have its grouse against the President, but I am sure that the options of consultation, dialogue and negotiation have not yet been exhausted. We should all assist in persuading our members to persevere in the pursuit of these options.

I do not believe an attempt at impeachment, at this time, is in the best interests of the party, or the country. Such a move will create tension, instability and even crisis in our body-politic. It will unleash all those fissiparous forces which, in the last few months, have begun to gain momentum.

Fundamentally, as the main opposition party, I believe the PDP should concern itself with an inward review of why Nigerians lost faith in us and in our partys vision for Nigeria; our focus should therefore be on trying to figure out how we can once again regain this trust.

As a party in opposition, what I expect is constructive criticism of the ruling party when it goes wrong. Playing an active role in the internal power struggles between factions of the ruling party is an unnecessary distraction, and an exercise that appears to promote personal agenda rather than the National Interest.

I am not unaware that the times are hard; that Nigerians are groaning under the weight of unpaid salaries and astronomical increases in the cost of living, that ballooning security problems are increasingly threatening to rip apart the fabric of our national existence, and that Nigerians feel more divided today than they have ever felt, but it would be unfair to blame this President or this Government for all of these problems. Instructively, none of these problems was floated as justification for the threat of impeachment by the National Assembly.

On the economy, it is a well known fact that all oil-producing countries are suffering from an economic down-turn because of the radical drop in the price of crude oil. As a mono-product economy, dependent on crude oil, there is no magic bubble that could have insulated us completely from the systemic shocks caused by the attendant loss of revenue.

Rather than seek scapegoats, the situation demands that all our institutions, political parties and leaders should set aside all partisan interests, and work together to wade through these difficult times.

It is, therefore, my wish and prayer that you, personally, lead the process of consultation with our members in the National Assembly, with a view to getting them to play a patriotic, rather than partisan role, at this time of national economic and social uncertainty.

May God continue to bless you with the wisdom to lead our party to its manifest destiny.
Report says the Adamawa State chapter of the APC begged Ribadu to return to the party - the move former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and the State Governor Jibrilla Bindow have rejected.

The party, notwithstanding, is getting ready to readmit Ribadu alongside a former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, Marcus Gundiri, with their supporters, it was leant.

It was gathered that Atiku, Bindow and two others had protested Ribadu's return to the National Chairman of the party, John Odigie-Oyegun, who replied them that it is not against any law once a state chapter of the party is receptive to anyones membership.

The APC leadership said that the constitution allows an individual to join a party of his choice, and in this case, there is a limit to what the National Headquarters can do.

Ribadu was said to have accepted to return to the party following overtures from its leaders at the national level, ex-Governor Murtala Nyako, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal, the state and local government chapters of the party.

In the letter dated June 22, 2016, the Adamawa State chapter of the APC, signed by the Acting State Secretary, Alh. Saidu Naira said Ribadu was invited back to the party given his "track records and progressive nature," adding that "we strongly believe APC is where you belong to."

We are also mindful of the efforts and contributions you made during the merger without which the merger would have been difficult.

To this end, we reaffirm our request for you to come home to APC and assist and contribute to the success of the APC government both at the state and national levels, the letter read in part.

According to a party source, Ribadu was frustrated out of the APC by some PDP members who defected to the party during the merger and countdown to 2015 elections.

Ribadu did so much for APC in Adamawa State but the setback which made him to go to PDP was frustration following a disagreement with some of our leaders, like ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on the impeachment of ex-Governor Murtala Nyako. Ribadu worked tirelessly to save Nyako from impeachment but our leaders paid lip service and stoked the fire which made ex-Speaker Umar Fintiri to remove the former governor," the source said.

The insincerity of APC leaders in the state made Ribadu to defect to PDP against his own volition. So, he left APC as a result of local politics. It was a state affair but today things have changed.

When Ribadu was pushed to the wall, he had no choice than to pitch tent with the PDP which needed a credible candidate. Ribadu was frustrated out of APC for being a true party man to save Nyako.

And the PDP elements, who joined APC, were uncomfortable with the anti-corruption stance of Ribadu and his acceptance in the party. So, it was convenient to hatch a plot to kick him out of the party.

Today Nyako is vindicated and Umar Fintiri is under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC).

We are now out to correct the past by asking him to return to APC because Nyako has been vindicated. The court said his removal was wrong. Ribadu has also been justified because he insisted that Nyako was a victim of political vendetta and abuse of power. Nyako is back.

We have realised that we have all wronged Ribadu. We want him back.

Atiku and others, it was learnt, had argued that Ribadu's return will spell doom for the party and trivialise its disciplinary stance, given that the ex-EFCC boss contested against Bindow on PDP platform
The PDP also promised to only focus on the issues facing the country from henceforth.

The opposition party made the statements via its official Twitter handle. It said:

We have noticed, with a growing sense of dismay, the level of toxicity that pervades the political space with respect to discussions on national issues.

This toxicity, some of which finds expression in discussions across social media platforms, has reached the level where bridges are being burnt, personal relationships are being strained & an unnecessary tension fills what should ordinarily be patriotic enlightening conversations on how to move the nation forward.

We are dismayed that this tension has reached the level where the finer points of our national conversation are drowned out in shouts & screams across the political divide

We accept responsibility and apologise for whatever role we have played in reaching this level of toxicity.
In a recent tweet, where the political party apologised to Nigerians over its role it in the nation's deplorable state, PDP promised to proffer solutions that will turn the negative tide in the country around.

ALSO READ: Embattled PDP chairman, Makarfi still at war

We accept responsibility and apologise for whatever role we have played in reaching this level of toxicity, the party tweeted.

Continuing, the party disclosed that Henceforth, we commit to focusing only on the issues and proffering cogent and competent solutions to the issues facing the nation.

We urge our supporters and the believers in the ability of our party to provide these solutions to henceforth show more restraint and maturity as we point out the many obvious flaws of this administration and proffer solutions and alternatives to their many failures, PDP revealed.
President of the union, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, who made this declaration on Monday, July 18, also said that many states have failed to fully implement the 2009 agreement in which they participated.

State governments have been neglecting universities that they established and some state governors are going ahead to establish new ones while those brought to life by their predecessors in office are neglected to rot and die, Ogunyemi said.

Ogunyemi also mentioned such examples as Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Niger Delta University and the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso that yet to receive subventions for nine months.

ALSO READ: Union accuses FG of being the cause of educational backwardness in Nigeria

Why will a state governor say they cannot pay salaries when they have money to travel around, he quipped.

The question Nigerians should be asking them is what happened to their security vote?

Some state governors said they do not have money to pay salaries but they abandoned some universities to establish another one in the same state.

Governors of Ondo and Edo States are clear examples. They abandoned the ones they met instead of maintaining them.
According to him, polytechnics and universities were established for different purposes, and hence government must find ways to maximise the potentials of both.

Have the polytechnics achieved the objective for which they were primarily set up to produce middle-level manpower? Where have we heard that those who needed middle level manpower have got them and because the polytechnics have achieved that aim, they want to advance a step forward and have a university?" Robert Ajene asked on Radio Ghana.

He argued that employers have failed to offer jobs for many of the polytechnic graduates because they lack the skills needed. Such a situation, he believes government must address before thinking of converting the various polytechnics.

Some educationists have already rejected the presidents decision to convert some polytechnics into technical universities.

Two polytechnics - Takoradi polytechnic and Sunyani polytechnic - have so far been converted into technical universities.

Four other polytechnics have been selected for conversion across the country.

They include Accra, Kumasi, Koforidua, and Ho polytechnics.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has suggested that heads of the various yet-to-be-approved technical universities should be called rectors to differentiate them from heads of traditional universities.
The lower court's decision to ban WhatsApp is the third time the Facebook-owned instant messaging app has been banned, and the new decision to allow it is also the third time the app will be allowed after being banned in Brazil.

WhatsApp has been in conflict with Brazilian law enforcement and courts over access to customer data. The instant messaging service uses end-to-end encryption which makes it difficult, if not impossible, for WhatsApp to access data sent through the app.

"In his decision, the chief justice stressed how people from across Brazil, including members of the judiciary, rely on WhatsApp to communicate with others every day, and that they bear the greatest burden when a service is blocked," the company said in a statement according to Fast Company. "We hope that this puts an end to blocks that have punished millions of Brazilians and that people can continue using services like WhatsApp to stay in touch with those who matter to them."
"That is contradictory and it makes me concerned," Steinmeier said as he headed to Washington for meetings with other foreign and defence ministers to assess the U.S.-led effort to defeat the Islamic State extremist group.

Steinmeier, a Social Democrat, has blasted Trump for months for his "America First" speech, while praising Democrat Hillary Clinton as an experienced foreign policy expert.

Trump on Tuesday secured the party's 2016 nomination for the White House after vanquishing 16 party rivals, warring with much of his party's establishment and already provoking controversy at the convention.

Steinmeier said the current crisis-charged world situation tempted people to look for easy answers. However the challenge was to find solutions that worked and did not rely on simple slogans or the erection of new barriers, he said.

The German politician was among the vocal critics of Trump's first major foreign policy address in April, in which he repeatedly promoted an "America First" agenda, rejected last year's nuclear deal with Iran, called for more investment in missile defence in Europe, and accused the Obama administration of tepid support for Israel.

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The court handed Dahlgren, 24, from Palo Alto, California, the maximum penalty for murdering his Czech aunt, uncle and two male cousins aged 23 and 17 in the city of Brno, then attempting to burn their bodies.

"He maliciously attacked four members of the family who had been kind to him, who had given him shelter, who had helped him, who had done him no wrong ... and murdered all four of them in a very brutal way," Judge Michal Zamecnik said in his sentencing. "He wiped out a whole family."

Dahlgren fled to the United States after the murders but was detained at Prague's request and found to have shorts in his luggage with traces of blood matching that of the victims.

He was sent back in 2015 in the first-ever extradition of an American to the Czech Republic.

Prosecutors said Dahlgren, whose parents attended the court hearings, had stabbed or cut three of his victims between 17 and 29 times.

He then used a stone as well as a knife to kill the younger cousin, who returned home from school as Dahlgren was attempting to clean up after the first three murders.
The minister also said Germany would pledge a further 160 million euros ($176 million) to help stabilise Iraq at a donor conference of 24 countries in Washington.

"The attacks of the past have shown us there is no absolute security," Steinmeier told Reuters in a written interview. "Terror strikes randomly and can hit each of us individually."

"The fact is, we urgently need even closer cooperation between police and intelligence agencies in Europe, and better information sharing."

On Monday, a 17-year-old Afghan refugee injured five people in southern Germany before being shot dead by police, the latest in a string of attacks claimed by Islamic State.

Steinmeier said the only long-term way to combat extremism was to create conditions that allowed different religious and social groups to live together peacefully, both in the West and in the Middle East.

Steinmeier headed to Washington on Wednesday for the conference, and for meetings on Thursday with foreign and defence ministers to take stock of the fight against Islamic State.

He said Germany was already providing more humanitarian and stabilization aid than any other country and would give another 160 million euros for 2016 and 2017, bringing the total amount of German civilian assistance to more than 473 million euros.

"Week by week, IS is pushed further back. The joint actions of the international community against IS are working. But military success will only have a long-term effect if the Iraqi state has the confidence of the people in the liberated areas," said Steinmeier.

The contributions will help ensure the safe return of Iraqi people to liberated areas, and mine clearance. Some 10 million euros are earmarked for humanitarian aid for Mosul, Iraq's second city, captured by Islamic State two years ago.

"When the city of Mosul is freed from Islamic State, we will face enormous humanitarian, societal and political challenges, just as we saw when Falluja was liberated," Steinmeier said.

Germany is a co-host of the donor conference, which aims to raise $2 billion, and has also offered the Iraqi government a subsidised 500 million euro loan to help stabilise liberated areas.

The Islamist militants, who also control large parts of Syria, have been broadly retreating since December, when the Iraqi army recaptured the city of Ramadi.
Kenya launched a crackdown on jihadist groups last year after Islamist militants, including the Somalia-based al Shabaab, stepped up attacks in the East African country. In one of the worst, gunmen killed 148 people at a university in the north eastern town of Garissa.

New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report late on Tuesday that it had documented 34 cases in which people suspected of having ties to al Shabaab went missing after their homes were raided and they were detained by security forces.

"Months, and in some cases over a year, later, suspects have not been charged with any crimes and families cannot locate them," HRW said in a statement.

There were also at least 11 cases in the past two years in which the bodies of people previously arrested by state agents had turned up, sometimes far away from the location of their arrest, HRW said.

Mwenda Njoka, the spokesman for Kenya's interior ministry rejected the allegations and said the report should be forwarded to the country's Independent Policing Oversight Authority for investigation to determine any culpability.

"These are just claims," he told Reuters on phone.
"We will make sure that this coordinated terrorist attack ... is met with an appropriate response," he said, adding that the army controls the town and is hunting the militants.

Army spokesman Souleymane Maiga told Reuters the raiders briefly took control of the base in Nampala, which is set in semi-desert scrubland close to the Mauritanian border. He said Malian troops retreated to nearby Diabaly to regroup.

Maiga said three groups staged the raid: Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb attacked from the north, the Macina Liberation Front linked to Ansar Dine waited outside the town to ambush military reinforcements and an ethnic Peul group attacked from the southeast.

His comments tie in with a claim of responsibility by Ansar Dine, which said its Macina Battalion staged the raid. A Malian intelligence source told Reuters the militants took seized weapons and vehicles to a forest.

Mali is awash with guns and is home to rival armed groups nursing local grievances. The country has seen a surge in violence since a 2015 peace agreement, which has failed to prevent violence between different ethnic factions.

French forces intervened in 2013 to drive back Islamist fighters who had hijacked a Tuareg uprising in 2012 to take over the desert north. Despite 11,000 U.N. peacekeepers deployed since, militants launch attacks across Mali and its neighbours.

Militants also killed 20 people last November in a high-profile attack on a hotel in the capital.

ALSO READ: Islamic State flag found in room of Germany axe attacker

Earlier, a donor-funded national radio station, Studio Tamani, said it had received a phone call from a new militia defending the ethnic Peul.

The station said the call came from The National Alliance for the Safeguarding of Peul Identity and the Restoration of Justice (ANSIPRJ), headed by Oumar Aldjana.
Pavel Sheremet was driving to work in the car of the newspaper's owner when it was blown up, an adviser to Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko said.

Two eyewitnesses told Reuters television they had heard a loud blast and seen an explosion from underneath the car, which lay charred in the middle of the street.

"I'm in shock, I don't know what to say, it is a matter of honour for the police to investigate the case," the head of the national police force, Khatia Dekanoidze, told reporters. "I will personally take charge of the case."

Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman posted a message on Facebook saying: "The day has begun with terrible news. The prominent Ukrainian journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed this morning."
"(French Defence Minister) Jean Yves Le Drian is in Washington. He is preparing with the Americans a coordinated attack on Mosul," le Foll said on France Info radio.

Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault spoke about a Washington meeting of the anti-Islamic State coalition in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

Le Foll said he could not confirm a report in Le Parisien newspaper, citing an Associated Press report, which said two French special forces soldiers had been killed in Libya on Sunday.

However, he confirmed that French special forces were present in the country.
Veteran diplomat Zhong Jianhua would visit Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, the ministry said.

Zhong would meet "relevant parties" and discuss how to continue to support African mediation efforts and urge the factions in South Sudan to implement the peace agreement, it added.

"China has always been an active participant and staunch promoter of the peace process in South Sudan," the ministry said.

China and other mediators had been in close contact to find ways for the waring parties to end the fighting and restart talks, it added, saying the situation in South Sudan was complicated and that international community should put more focus on it.

China has energy interests in South Sudan.

Many foreigners have been evacuated from South Sudan, the world's newest nation, which is still recovering from a two-year civil war that started in 2013, killing tens of thousands of people and driving more than 2.5 million from their homes.
"We expect a huge humanitarian crisis. Even before the current crisis, the health system in South Sudan was facing a crisis due to near economic collapse," World Health Organization spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said.

Cholera is a type of acute watery diarrhoea which kills fewer than 1 percent of sufferers if there is proper treatment with oral rehydration salts, according to the World Health Organisation.

But conditions in Juba, where fighting erupted on July 7 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to his deputy, Riek Machar, are far from ideal, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.

Other parts of the country have subsequently reported clashes, and the U.N. has recommended aid agencies reduce staff in hotspot locations.

Over 5,000 people fled to Uganda, almost all women and children who had walked for days, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said.

The violence in Juba prompted many traders and markets to shut down, and insecurity along supply routes meant food supplies were likely to dwindle further, the U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP) said.

South Sudan has 4.8 million people who are severely short of food, and about 1.6 million people who have been displaced since a civil war broke out in December 2013. A further 743,000 have fled the country, a number the U.N. expects to reach 1 million in the coming months.

WFP lost 4,500 tonnes of commodities as well as vehicles, fuel, office and IT equipment when its warehouse was looted. The losses included specialised foods aimed at reducing "unprecedented" rates of malnutrition.

Two U.N. aircraft were also damaged in the fighting.

WFP is now considering moving food stocks to safe locations and airdropping food to some areas outside Juba, but the government is restricting its helicopter movements.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization also said seeds and tools had been looted from its warehouse, just weeks before harvesting of the main maize and sorghum crop and a second planting season.

IOM, which is mapping potential disease hotspots and setting up oral reydration stations, has a health care clinic at Tong Ping, where one suspected cholera case was identified on July 16. IOM teams are building additional latrines.

"As more people continue to arrive at the site, concerns are increasing over the impact of the rainy season and the spread of other waterborne diseases. Without proper drainage, the rainy season can lead to flooding and extremely muddy conditions for IDPs (internally displaced persons)," an IOM statement said.
Lighting the way to McAfee Pass a waning moon led 21 locals the 10.7 miles that climb almost 3,000 feet to the top of the Silver Peak Range on their way from Fish Lake Valley to the Old School Saloon terminus 34 miles away in Silver Peak for the 22nd annual Silver Peak or Bust hike.
The Quad-City International Airport could see potential growth in capacity, but passenger numbers are expected to be flat in the new fiscal year, a consultant told the airport's governing board Tuesday.

In an update to the Rock Island County Metropolitan Airport Authority, Mike Bown of Trillion Aviation predicted a stable year for the Quad-City airport. "Traffic growth will be limited. I think it will be roughly flat," he said.

After meeting with the airlines, Bown said the strongest chances for growth would be Delta Airlines increasing capacity on its existing flights and possibly new routes with American Airlines. "They are our No. 1 target," he said, adding that American has been continuing to "connect dots" in its service areas.

But the Moline airport could be passed up because, he said, American has a stronger presence in Cedar Rapids and Peoria. Delta, however, is the Moline airport's No. 1 airline with almost 34 percent of the market share.

The airport could see a new destination with Allegiant, which has been adding service to Destin, Florida. ''They told us it could be the best growth opportunity for them," he said.

But while local service to Punta Gorda, Florida, still will be available seasonally, he said the Quad-Cities will not have service there this fall. "Financially speaking, it's not the strong performer (in Moline)."

"We felt Vegas was at risk of being cut, but right now that route is safe," he said of the Allegiant service.

Meanwhile, airport officials are continuing to work with other airlines on options to restore the short-lived service to Washington, D.C. "We're developing a presentation to be targeted at airlines that can fly to D.C.," he said after the meeting.

He added that landing the service, which would be less than daily, "is going to require a lot of money again."

United Airlines ended the startup Q-C-to-D.C. air service on June 9, after announcing in March that it was discontinuing the new direct service due to low ridership.

Bown said the Quad-City airport continues to lag behind Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. "When Moline had AirTran, you were above the trend. Since losing AirTran, we're back to equilibrium with Cedar Rapids," he said. Based on economic activity of the two regions, he added "We're where we should be."

Leakage of travelers to Chicago remains an issue, he said.
A roundup of news items from the 2016 Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland:

GINGRICH'S PREFERRED JOB

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who was on GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump's short list of possible running mates, told Iowans Wednesday he would like to be chief planner in the Trump administration to dramatically revamp the federal government.

The Georgia Republican said he would even do the job without being paid.

"What I'd like to do is I'd like to take the entire federal government and methodically focus department by department on how we totally overhaul the entire system," Gingrich told Iowa delegates attending the 2016 Republican national convention in Cleveland. He said he envisions Trump giving him the power to review any federal agency and report back to the president how to make dramatic changes.

Gingrich made the comments abroad an excursion boat before the Iowans took in a cruise on Lake Erie before making their way to Quicken Loans Arena where Gingrich was one of the speakers who addressed delegates during a Wednesday evening session that also featured Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who got the nod over Gingrich as Trump's vice presidential pick.

Gingrich said Pence was a good choice to "be very effective I pulling the party back together." He said he was a point in his life where he is "a free agent" and he didn't think it would be a good idea to have "a two-pirate ticket" that would have been the Trump-Gingrich team.

The former House speaker said Republicans are poised to have "an extraordinary year" with Democrats "on the verge of nominating the most corrupt person ever to be nominated for president by either party." On the flip side, he said, Republicans "have nominated somebody who is totally outside any plausible prediction."

He said it was critical that Republicans carry Iowa in the general election, telling GOP delegates "do not assume there is a single precinct you can ignore. You're in a time of enormous change. People are very unhappy. Don't assume anybody's automatically going to vote for Hillary Clinton."

DEMOCRATIC VIEW

U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, a Democrat and black woman from Ohio, participated in a teleconference with Iowa reporters Wednesday regarding comments made by U.S. Rep. Steve King this week at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Beatty also discussed the possibility that former Iowa governor and current U.S. agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack could be named Hillary Clinton's running mate, and whether she is bothered by a 2010 incident in which Vilsack asked a black woman who worked for the USDA to resign  only to later apologize and offer the woman her job back.

Vilsack had asked the woman to resign after a video surfaced showing her saying she did not do everything she could to help a white farmer. When it became apparent the woman's comments were taken out of context, Vilsack apologized and offered her the opportunity to return to her job. She declined.

Beatty, when asked about the incident on Wednesday's conference call, said she will be able to support Vilsack, if he is selected as Clinton's running mate.

"He apologized. That goes a long way with me," Beatty said. "He's visited my district this past year. I had an opportunity to sit down with him in a diverse group of individuals talking about how we could help communities with different agricultural food programs in minority districts. She's moved on, she's done an incredible job, and certainly I support her. ... "I have heard (Vilsack's) name tossed around. ... I'll be supportive of any of the names I've been hearing."

Beatty was not so forgiving of King, who during a television interview this week said white people and Western civilization have made more contributions to the world than "any other subgroup of people," a designation King declined to clarify.

"Steve King insinuated that white people have contributed more to the history of America," Beatty said on the conference call. "I say back to him, maybe I need to give him a history lesson."

SANTORUM PITCH

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum  winner of the 2012 Iowa caucuses and 2016 presidential also-ran  got a hero's welcome but delivered a stern warning as well to Iowa's delegates to the GOP national convention to get united behind Donald Trump.

Santorum, who endorsed Trump after dropping out of the 2016 race, said Iowa will be in play as a swing state this November, and conservatives have to consider the potential U.S. Supreme Court spots that will be at stake and other Republican priorities in the matchup between Trump and Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.

"If you're looking for the perfect candidate, go home, read Bible and practice your faith and wait for the second coming because it isn't going to happen until then. Pray but work," Santorum told the 30 Iowa delegates and alternates.

"Iowa, as it always does, matters. You're a swing state, and Donald Trump can win this state, but he's going to need everybody on a laboring oar," he added, "and that's what I'm asking you guys to do. I know you can do it. I know you folks. I know that Iowa can go for Trump, but he's going to need the Republican Party united, and it's not."

Santorum told the delegation members that primarily supported Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's candidacy to accept the fact that the primary/caucus season is over based upon Tuesday night's action to nominate Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, it now it's time to "step up and kick in" for the GOP team in a "binary choice" that will decide whether conservatives can "save this republic."

Santorum, who is a paid consultant for Growth Energy, a group representing ethanol industry interests, said he does not plan to seek elective office in the future or "doing anything political again." His mission now is to inform conservatives about the benefits of ethanol and renewable fuels who reside outside of grain states and have misconceptions about the fuel.

VILSACK BUZZ

Joni Ernst isn't the only Iowa creating a buzz at this year's Republican national convention.

Iowa's GOP delegates also are watching the Democratic rivals from afar to see whether former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack is Hillary Clinton's choice for running mate. Media reports indicate the current U.S. agriculture secretary and Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine are leading candidates for an announcement Clinton is expected to make on Friday  the day after GOP proceedings wrap up in Cleveland. Democrats are slated to have their national convention in Philadelphia next week.

Gov. Terry Branstad declined to comment on the prospects of Iowa Republicans having to contend with a favorite son in the No. 2 spot on the Democratic ticket in a general election matchup with the GOP team of Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

"I don't think that I should speculate," Branstad told reporters. "They should be able to choose whoever they want, and we'll deal with it. People don't vote for the vice presidential candidate, necessarily."

Branstad said he has a good relationship with the agriculture secretary, who attended the National Governors Association meeting in Des Moines last week to discuss food and farm issues and has worked with him on water quality and ag policy matters. At the same, Branstad said Pence, the governor of Indiana, also brings a strong Midwestern conservative track record.

Andy McGuire, chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said she has heard from a lot of Iowans who would like to see a Clinton-Vilsack ticket.

"He's beloved here in Iowa. We know from the job he did in Iowa and the job he did as Secretary of Agriculture. He would be a wonderful, wonderful one," McGuire added. "He's our favorite son; there's no doubt."

ROLL CALL MOMENT

Former Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz confided Wednesday that he had some butterflies when he stepped up to the microphone on the floor at Quicken Loans Arena to deliver Iowa's 30 delegate votes for Donald Trump's presidential nomination during the televised roll-call vote.

"Pursuant to the rules, the state of Iowa proudly casts its 30 votes for the next president of the United States of America: Donald J. Trump," Schultz declared during Tuesday's roll-call proceedings as chairman of Iowa delegation to the 2016 Republican National Convention.

Schultz, who backed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz during the Feb. 1 precinct caucuses, also used the spotlight to honor Iowa's U.S. Sens. Charles Grassley and Joni Ernst and Gov. Terry Branstad  calling him "the longest-serving governor in U.S. history."

Schultz, a University of Iowa alumnus who began his 30-second speech by declaring "Let me just start by saying: 'Go Hawks!" said he has been getting some push back from Cyclone fans. "I had a few posts on Twitter, but it's all in good fun," he said.

The delegation leader said the only "marching orders" he got concerning his roll-call announcement was to wrap it up in 30 seconds or shorter.

"I'm a rule-follower. I think I'm the only one that followed the rules, but that's OK," he said.

"It was a lot of fun. There was a lot of energy on the floor. I was a little nervous," he added.

 Times Bureau staff
Rodricco R. Parks Jr. says he is grateful to be alive after being shot by Davenport police late Monday and claims he was unarmed.

The Davenport Police Department placed two officers on administrative leave and turned the investigation over to the Scott County Sheriffs Office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, which is department protocol. Details about the officers, including their names, ages and years on the force, were not released Tuesday.

Parks, 19, of Silvis, spoke with the Quad-City Times on Tuesday after being treated at University Hospitals, Iowa City, for gunshot wounds. He was released from the hospital and was staying with a relative Tuesday evening.

It really shocked me when they started shooting at me, Parks said. I was very, very scared.

Police have not confirmed the name of the suspect they say rammed his car into a marked squad car on Rockingham Road.

Sheriff Dennis Conard said once the officer-involved shooting investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Scott County Attorneys Office, which will determine any possible charges.

The Times requested dash cam video. Conard referred the request to the county attorneys office, saying it likely will not be released until after the investigation.

Conard declined further comment.

A Davenport Police Department news release earlier on Tuesday offered some details. The release stated:

 Police were called to 1300 Ripley St. at 11:40 p.m. Monday in reference to a shots-fired call.

 A witness shared information on a possible suspect vehicle that officers observed speeding from the area.

 Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in a parking lot at 1600 Rockingham Road, when the vehicle rammed a marked squad car.

 Two officers fired their weapons. The suspect vehicle then drove over a curb and fled westbound on Rockingham.

 The empty vehicle was later recovered in the 500 block of Pine Street.

 At 12:39 a.m. Tuesday, officers responded to Genesis Medical Center in reference to an adult male with a gunshot wound. He had been taken to the hospital by private vehicle.

 The man was identified as the driver of the vehicle from Rockingham.

Parks claims the officers shot him six times in the parking lot at Super Saver Tobacco and Liquor, 1610 Rockingham.

In his interview with the Times, Parks said that at about midnight he drove three friends in his 2011 Chevrolet Impala to the parking lot to meet up with other friends. Police arrived minutes later. Two officers emerged from a car.

One officer pulled a gun and aimed it at Parks, saying nothing to him, while the other officer ordered everyone else in the parking lot to get on the ground, Parks said.

Rather than stand still, Parks said he got back in his car and put it in reverse.

I see what goes on in the news, he said. You think Im going to stand there with a gun in my face. I was scared.

It wasn't until he backed up and was "fidgeting" with the gear shift, attempting to put it in forward, that the officers fired at his car, he said. He then drove out of the parking lot, and in the process, he said, he unintentionally side-swiped a police car.

Parks collided with the police car after the officers were already shooting at him, he said.

Police did not pursue him as he left the parking lot, he said.

Parks knew he was injured, but he did not know the extent. He ended up in an alley and called his best friend, Seqouya Whitfield, to come get him.

Whitfield, who lives in Silvis, said she got Parks call between midnight and 12:30 a.m. She found him walking in an alley that, she said, was about a block from the shooting scene.

He was very bloody, she told the Times.

Whitfield counted six wounds  one in the back, one in the right side, two in the right arm, one in the right shoulder blade and one in the right wrist.

At first Parks was too afraid to go to the hospital, worried he would be taken into custody, Whitfield said.

When she was able to convince him to seek medical attention, she wrapped his wounds in a bed sheet she got at her fathers house and took him to Genesis Medical Center-West Central Park, Davenport.

Parks was later transferred by ambulance to Genesis Medical Center-East Rusholme Street and then to Iowa City.

Parks says he never possessed a gun Monday night.

Responding to a question about the earlier incident on Ripley, he said his ex-girlfriend shot at his car but told police he was the one with a gun.

I dont look like the type to have a gun, he said. I dont even know how to work a gun.

Parks has had a couple of run-ins with the law, including pleading guilty May 19 in Scott County to assault while displaying a dangerous weapon. A judge sentenced him to two years of supervised probation for the aggravated misdemeanor.

Regarding the May 19 conviction, Parks said he struck an ex-boyfriends car with his car.

The Davenport Central High School dropout said he was working to improve his life when Mondays officer-involved shooting came out of nowhere.

I know Im not wrong, Parks said. I dont think they should have done what they did.
The Scott County Sheriffs Office has identified two Davenport police officers who were involved in a shooting Monday night.

Officers Shawn Sullivan and Andrew Weingart have been placed on administrative leave, per the police departments policy.

Sullivan has been with the department since Aug. 8, 2008, while Weingart has been with the department since Dec. 28, according to a media release by Scott County Sheriffs Lt. Bryce Schmidt.

Schmidt said Sullivan, a field training officer, was training Weingart at the time of the incident.

The shooting remains under investigation by the sheriffs office and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations.

About 11:40 p.m. Monday, police responded to the 1300 block of Ripley Street for a report of shots fired.

A witness provided information on a possible suspect vehicle, which officers saw leaving the area at a high rate of speed, according to police.

Officers attempted to stop the vehicle in a parking lot in the 1600 block of Rockingham Road. The vehicle rammed a marked squad car, and the two officers discharged their service weapons, according to police.

The vehicle drove over the curb and fled westbound on Rockingham Road. It was later recovered in the 500 block of Pine Street, according to police.

At 12:39 a.m., officers were called to a local hospital for a report of a man, identified by the sheriff's office as Rodricco Radell Parks Jr., with a gunshot wound. He had been transported to the hospital by private vehicle, according to police.

Parks, 19, of Davenport, was identified as the driver of the vehicle that rammed the squad car, according to police.

No other information was released Wednesday.

Scott County Sheriff Dennis Conard said Tuesday that once the officer-involved shooting investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Scott County Attorneys Office, which will determine any possible charges.
CLEVELAND  Gov. Terry Branstad expressed surprise and disappointment Wednesday over the sexual harassment allegations being leveled against embattled Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes, saying he saw no problems when Ailes served as his media consultant during his re-election bids in 1986 and 1990.

Ailes, 76, has denied allegations contained in a lawsuit brought by a former employee that are under review by 21st Century Fox officials, but there were media reports Wednesday that the news executive may be in talks with the cable networks parent company to sever the relationship.

It kind of surprises me. Im not going to try to judge on that, said Branstad, who credited Ailes with improving his skills as a political candidate and producing effective campaign advertisements for him  like the Junk Bond Junkins spots Ailes came up with to help Branstad defeat Democrat Lowell Junkins in 1986.

I have the greatest respect for Roger Ailes. He did a phenomenal job for me, Branstad told reporters Wednesday at a GOP National Convention delegate breakfast meeting. He had a great sense of humor. He was a very creative guy. He knew how to communicate with the common people very effectively.

Branstad recalled going to Ailes New York studio where the media consultant would conduct a pepper drill when he would put Branstad at a podium in a news conference or debate setting and fire a barrage of all kinds of mean questions at you. Afterwards, he would play back a videotape to show the governor weaknesses in his body language and facial expressions and give him advice on how to project positive images and responses.

Im just saying that certainly the experience we had with him was very positive and he was very helpful and I learned a lot just working with him, said Branstad, currently serving his sixth term as Iowas governor. I think its made me a better communicator.

Branstad, who paid Ailes a monthly fee and a bonus for winning a campaign, said he never encountered any situation of harassment of any kind by Ailes during the time he and his staff worked with the media consultant.

We had a great relationship and we had no problem, he said.

Branstad said he was disappointed by the allegations but told Iowa reporters Im not going to judge. Im not going to place any judgment on this, but I just know that hes a very talented man who has done a lot certainly for the conservative movement and building Fox News. Fox News has become a real force to be reckoned with in terms of media in this country.
A roundup of news items from the 2016 Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland:

SENATOR DELAYED

Iowa's convention delegates were dismayed Monday night as they watched retired U.S. Army Lt. General Michael Flynn run out the clock on Sen. Joni Ernst's prime-time TV debut.

"I was mad. I was ready to go take that general off the stage. He repeated himself, and he went on way too long," a visibly miffed Gov. Terry Branstad told reporters Tuesday morning. "I was disappointed that Joni Ernst's speech got pushed back off of prime time."

Ernst was scheduled to speak at 9:36 p.m. Iowa time, but it was halfway into many television stations' local news reports when Iowa's junior senator took the stage to talk about national security due to a behind-schedule program exacerbated by Flynn's remarks.

"I was really proud of her, but I have to say I also was disappointed," added Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. "I was watching the clock and, I don't want to be disrespectful of any of the speakers, but she was told that she was going to have prime time, and we watched the time just tick away."

Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, shared Branstad's disappointment but was surprised with the governor's impatience in Quicken Loans Arena waiting for Ernst's turn.

"He was up, and he was pacing back and forth," Kaufmann said.

For her part, Ernst called the opportunity "a great moment" and praised her Iowa colleagues for hanging with her to the end after about two-thirds of the delegates had exited by the time she reached the microphone. She laughed when a reporter told her the governor almost charged the stage with impatience: "I know, God bless, Governor Branstad. He's wonderful," she said.

"The Iowa delegation stayed with me. They stood the whole speech," Ernst added. "I enjoyed giving the speech. I was glad to have the national stage."

U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, shared his frustration over the delay as he waited with other Iowa delegates, calling it "a significant disappointment" that Ernst's remarks were not carried to a wider TV audience, but he noted the speech is available for viewing on the internet.

"Gen. Flynn took a stab at elevating his national posture last night. He probably didn't help himself in Iowa a lot," King said. "I thought the governor was going to walk up on stage and give him the hook."

KING DEFENDS COMMENTS

U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, on Tuesday defended controversial remarks at the Republican National Convention that were taken to dismiss the contributions of minority groups to civilization.

In an interview with Iowa reporters early Tuesday, King said liberals are constantly denigrating "old white people," and there was a need for him to respond.

"That comes out of the mouths of liberals on a daily basis around this country. They're disparaging a group of people. And it's about time somebody stood up for that group of people," King said.

King caused an uproar in a television appearance on Monday, when he responded to Charlie Pierce, an Esquire writer, who'd said an optimistic view would be that "old white people" would no longer be commanding the Republican Party's attention.

King then jumped in. "This 'old white people' business does get a little tired, Charlie. I mean, I'd ask you to go back through history and figure out, where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that you're talking about, where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilization?"

The comment drew widespread condemnation. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Andy McGuire called the comments "blatantly racist."

Gov. Terry Branstad also told reporters Tuesday: "I just think they were inappropriate. I think I'll just leave it there, that it was inappropriate.

Asked Tuesday what he meant by "subgroup," King said: "You can divide that any way you want, but I brought that back to western civilization itself, the very foundation of western civilization. And there's no culture, no civilization in the history of the world that's contributed more in the area of math, or science or technology or medicine or literature. That's just a clear fact. And it runs directly contrary to their theory of multiculturalism, which is every culture is equal. They're not. They're not equal in their contribution. And we ought to be selecting the best we can from what each culture has to offer."

As for Branstad's criticism, King said he should live by the Reagan-esque dictum that Republicans shouldn't criticize one another. "Did he listen to the tape? The answer is no," King said. "My response is there is an 11th commandment. At least go listen to the tape."

ERNST JUST HELPING A FRIEND: So, what to make of Sen. Joni Ernst's visit Tuesday morning to the New Hampshire delegation to the Republican National Convention?

Don't make anything out of it at all, said Ernst, Iowa's first-term senator and a rising star in Republican Party politics.

Ernst, R-Iowa, laughed off the idea that she might be testing the waters for a future presidential bid by checking in with the state with the nation's first presidential primary.

"Just helping a friend," she told reporters at a downtown brewery where she, Sen. Chuck Grassley and other Republicans were joined by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas for a forum on the economy.

Ernst said she is friends with U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte, R-New Hampshire, and that she visited with Granite Staters to talk about national security, not national politics. "What you should read into is I'm very, very good friends with Kelly Ayotte," she said.

Still, when a national figure visits one of the early nominating states  Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina  it's hard to escape the idea they may have an eye on a future election.

Cotton, too, is thought to be a future presidential candidate. He is reportedly visiting three early states at this convention.

However, Ernst told reporters any speculation on a presidential election other than the one in November isn't appropriate. "I don't think we should be focusing on 2020. I think that we focus on this election," she said.

MELANIA SPEECH-GATE

Iowa's GOP delegates were willing to cut Melania Trump some slack Tuesday in the glare of media reports the presumptive presidential nominee's wife allegedly plagiarized portions of her speech to the 2016 Republican National Convention from remarks delivered by Michelle Obama in 2008.

Gov. Terry Branstad called the post-speech brouhaha "much to-do about nothing" over remarks by Mrs. Trump that he said overall were "very well done" but may have had a few lines "that were very similar" to Mrs. Obama's comments.

Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann and delegate Randy Feenstra of Hull  both adjunct community college instructors  took a dim view of lifting passages from other speeches without proper attribution, but said they would have to compare the speeches to make a judgment call on plagiarism.

Feenstra said students who take his courses in public administration and U.S. political history likely would get "a zero" if they were caught plagiarizing, but he noted that Mrs. Trump's speech was "probably rewritten" by others and the situation was more of a "sideline issue" compared to more important matters facing the nation.

Kaufmann said he saw the media reports but noted as a teacher of both speech and English he would "never make any kind of a judgment" until he had a chance to compare copies of both speeches that included themes and phrases that "are out there in the public domain."

"I didn't see anything there that just screamed it was lifted," said Kaufmann, adding "this smells a little bit like the Clinton campaign folks or the pro-Clinton folks  much ado about nothing, trying to derail things."

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who also spoke to convention delegates Monday night, told reporters she thought Mrs. Trump's address was "beautiful" but declined to get caught up in the controversy. "I don't know whether it was lifted or not. I don't want to go there. I think she delivered a very heart-felt message. She loves her husband. She's glad to stand beside him, and I think that's the take away."

Ernst said she wrote her own speech and was given "plenty of leeway" with "some minor edits" by party and Trump campaign officials.

"I was just really proud to take the stage last night," she said.

 Compiled by Ed Tibbetts and Rod Boshart
CLEVELAND  Its official. The Donald is The Nominee.

Cheering, reveling delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention  including 30 from Iowa  did something Tuesday night that many did not envision when Iowa kicked off the presidential selection process six months ago  nominating New York billionaire Donald Trump to be this years GOP standard-bearer and putting to rest the dump Trump rumblings.

Iowans who once shook their heads at the prospect of a Trump candidacy  many preferring to see Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at the top of the 2016 ticket  found themselves giving the nod to a candidate who ran one of the most non-traditional campaigns in modern history and defied odds to land a majority of delegates at Quicken Loans Arena.

If you had told me a year ago that Donald Trump was going to be our nominee, I would have said, no, I dont think thats going to happen at all, said Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. The bottom line is we listen to the people. The people decided.

Iowa GOP convention delegation chairman Matt Schultz cast all of Iowas 30 votes for Trump during Tuesdays roll call in which the New York candidate topped the 1,237 delegates needed to seal the partys 2016 presidential nomination. Delegates also ratified Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as Trumps running mate.

During the campaign, Trump bested a field of 17 Republicans who came to Iowa months ago in search of supporters, but one by one they dropped out as the New York outsider attracted a large following of Americans fed up with the dysfunction of Washington and intrigued by a new unvarnished voice of the people.

Convention delegate Randy Feenstra of Hull backed Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and switched to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz when Walker dropped out of the race. On Tuesday, he was among the 30 Iowans who cast votes for Trumps nomination on the arena floor.

The process worked, he said. It came that Trump got the most, so he has to be our nominee.

Feenstra said he believes Trump would bring the best business pedigree to the White House of any president weve ever seen and will be a new face to that office who will surround himself with good, qualified people like his choice of Pence.

U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Kiron Republican who brought Trump to Iowa in October 2014 for a fundraiser and again in January 2015 for the Iowa Freedom Summit but backed Cruz in the 2016 Iowa caucuses, said Tuesday hes still not ready to endorse Trump but noted Im closer.

The selection of Mike Pence for v.p. brings it quite a long ways, said King, who served in the U.S. House with the Indiana Republican.

He is a fiscal hawk. Hes a committed full-spectrum constitutional conservative and a wholesome man with a wholesome family. I think its a terrific addition to the Trump ticket, King noted. This is getting better. Well see how it unfolds.

There are a lot of people who Donald Trump wasnt their first choice. He wasnt my first choice. But he has exceeded all expectations, Gov. Terry Branstad said Tuesday.

At the Iowa State Fair last year, I said, well, this isnt going to last. Well, it has. Hes attracted a lot of new people, said the six-term governor who noted a record 187,000 Iowans flocked to the GOP caucuses last February. That tells me that Donald Trump has attracted new people. Just as it has in the primaries, I think in the general election he could surprise some people.

I know you cant just win with your base, Branstad noted. Youve got to be able to attract independents and others that might not have been involved and that is what I think Trump is capable of doing that some of the other candidates couldnt do.

Kaufmann said Republicans leaving Cleveland later this week are planning to assemble the largest ground game in Iowa history that will include a focus on absentee ballots and get-out-the-vote efforts in conjunction with the Republican National Committee to erase a traditional edge held by Iowa Democrats.

I will say this: We took a page right out of Obamas 2008 play book. Youve got to get the feet out there, and when you get people with an absentee ballot in their hands, youve got to bug them, Kaufmann told GOP conservatives last week. The key is not how many absentee ballots get distributed  its how many get returned, he noted.

Eric Branstad, the governors oldest son who this week was officially named state director for Trumps Iowa campaign, said work already is underway to assemble a very strong, world class team.

The lion is about to be unleashed, the younger Branstad said, with an expectation that both Trump and Pence will make campaign stops in Iowa in the months leading up to the November general election.

Were going to put an organization together thats going to win Iowa. Were going to put the resources, the manpower, everything in which to do that, he added.

State Sen. Brad Zaun, an Urbandale Republican who got on board with Trump early, said he believes the New York outsider as a very, very good chance to win Iowa as well as a lot of other states that are traditionally not favorable to Republicans.
CLEVELAND  Preaching unity at a political convention isnt exactly a new thing. But there may be nobody out there whos selling it more at the Republican National Convention here than Iowa GOP chief Jeff Kaufmann.

If theres a reporter within earshot of the former legislator from Wilton, the words unity, unite, unification, or some variant thereof is likely to be passing from his lips.

Consider the daily media call on Wednesday, the third day of the convention, which Kaufmann opened with the words, time flies when were having fun and when were unifying."

The chairmans job isnt a simple one. Iowa saw 17 Republican presidential candidates in the run up to the 2016 caucuses, and most of the delegates to this convention supported Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.

Still, with the prospect of a difficult fight for Iowas electoral votes on the horizon, the party leadership is wasting hardly any time pushing for unity  and trying to convince reporters that its happening.

Kaufmann got some help from one of those 17 candidates today.

Rick Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, practically demanded that the states Republicans get behind Donald Trump. Santorum acknowledged the divisions in the party and in Iowa, but he stressed the primary campaign is now over.

It's over, he said. "Its now understanding whats at stake. Its a binary choice. It is time to save this Republic.

There are just two days left in the convention, and much of the attention is on what Trump will say to delegates and the nation on Thursday to unify them behind his campaign.

Kaufmann seems to have an answer about Iowa. At the close of Wednesdays conference call, he told reporters: Make no bones about it, we are unified."
The GOP's unification strategy this week in Cleveland is clear: Hammer on Democrat Hillary Clinton and stoke conservative fears about a leftist U.S. Supreme Court.

A Clinton appointee could be on the high court for 25 to 30 years, enough time to "destroy the rule of law," Former Sen. Rick Santorum told Iowa delegates Wednesday morning.

Santorum, a conservative firebrand who won Iowa's 2012 GOP caucus, echoed party agents that, throughout convention week, have looked to bring Donald Trump's skeptics on board.

"If Hillary Clinton is elected, we will not be a constitutional republic within your lifetime," he said. "If you're looking for a perfect candidate, go home, read your bible and wait for the second coming."

The next president could appoint up to four Supreme Court justices, as three members hover around octogenarian status and the late Antonin Scalia's seat remains vacant.

The GOP's highest elected officials -- Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell -- spent Tuesday night dressing down Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State. Both men piled on the criticism of Clinton. But praise of Trump was considerably rarer.

It's in hotel lobbies and breakfast buffets that delegates are hearing Trump's upside. He's released a list of would-be justices, they note. And it's composed of hardcore strict constructionists.

"There are two words that say why someone should vote Republican this year: Supreme Court," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has repeated every time he grabs a mic.

Republicans and conservatives have enjoyed three decades of huge sway over the nation's highest court. President Ronald Reagan's three appointments -- justices Sandra Day O'Conner, Antonin Scalia and Anthony Kennedy -- were stalwart members well into the 21st century. Only Kennedy remains and, as the nation has become more polarized, Kennedy is the court's centrist voice, now. That's why the death of Scalia, a titan of conservative legal thought, was such a blow to the GOP, particularly hardline conservatives.

Grassley and McConnell have blocked President Barack Obama's nominee for the post left vacant by Scalia's death.
The Quad-City Times recently ran an article in which Joe Enriquez Henry, national vice president for the Midwest region of the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa , was upset with Iowa voter registration materials that are printed in English only. Maybe he should look at voting materials in Mexico and other Spanish-speaking countries.

Mexico is one big step above the United State of America; they require voter identification. He should note that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote, any others are breaking the law. To be a naturalized citizen, you must live in the U.S. legally for five years. You must be able to write and read English. Also, you must take the oath of allegiance to the United States. Also, congratulations to all our new citizens who became citizens over the Fourth of July weekend.
Last week, the world celebrates the anniversary of the historic deal on Iran's nuclear program. Much of the world, including eastern Iowa and western Illinois, feel safer. What is surprising about this deal is that it was achieved through diplomacy, not war. I now look to Sen. Joni Ernst and Sen. Chuck Grassley to support this agreement.

Since the deal, Iran has dramatically shrunk its nuclear program and submitted to the most comprehensive inspection regime ever negotiated. If the country makes a move to cheat on its commitments, we will know about it.

In our current climate, some members of Congress are urging the passing of new sanctions and legislation which will sabotage the deal and reverse progress. We have accomplished peace, but we still need to support this peace. I hope our Iowan congresspeople will realize the gains and oppose any efforts to undermine the deal.

Mackenzie Carlson

Davenport, Iowa
Some people are experts at cooking competitions. That's not me.

I'm too haphazard at cooking and baking to impress cooking judges.

I entered some baked goods at the Central States Fair many moons ago and still have my white ribbons somewhere to prove it.

In researching this column, here's what I found out about those judging baked goods.

They look for:

 Appearance: color, shape, and size. They are told to lift the product for lightness and texture.

 Touch: softness and lightness. They check for a velvety, moist surface.

 Smell: a pleasant, characteristic odor.

 Taste: sour or acidic, salty, bitter, or sweet. The flavor of a food is a combination of its taste and aroma. They also check the mouth feel of foods.

There's a joke in our family that although sometimes a dish or baked good doesn't look real good, we're sure it "has a good flavor."

The phrase stems from when Jim's sister was taking a high school home economics class. She did a lot of experimental cooking and shared it with the family. She confesses that the results were usually somewhat less than spectacular, both visually and taste-wise.

But Jim was always very diplomatic. He would muster a smile when faced with the prospect of her latest experiment, taste it, and say something noble like, "Well, at least it has a good flavor."

So, with country fairs just around the corner and the state fair on the horizon, I found some interesting fair entry recipes to share.

Last year at the South Dakota State Fair there was a Family Heirloom Recipe Competition sponsored by Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance. The winner was Tammie DeWald, of Milbank who entered her family's Knoephla (pronounced nip-fla) Soup.

She said the knoephla soup recipe that she received from her in-laws, Jim and Joyce DeWald, was passed down to them from great-grandma and grandpa  the Alvin DeWalds.

Knoephla is a type of dumpling, commonly used in soups. The word is related to the modern German dialect word Kropfle, meaning little knoblbutton. It is particularly common in Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota, where there was a significant settlement of German immigrants from the Russian Empire.

Knoephla soup is a German-Russian soul food. DeWald said it seemed that everybody made a dough dish for a meal over the last few generations. Germans who immigrated to the area from Russia were poor and they had to make do with what they had. DeWald said it was true of her family and others. Almost all had eggs and flour, the two absolute necessities for dough, but therein lies the appeal of Knoephla soup.

The other heirloom recipe winners were Yvonne Simons Ohlrogge, of Huron, who entered the family's Pickled Pigs Feet recipe, and Sheryl Kloss, of Tulare, who entered her family's recipe for Hamburger and Beans.

You have a chance to enter two more competitions at the South Dakota State Fair this year one is a chili cookoff sponsored by Jack's Campers and the other is the Pork Butt Battle sponsored by SD Pork Producers and Advanced Bio Energy.

The DeWald's Knoephla Soup

Tammie DeWald, Milbank

Broth:

7 cups homemade chicken broth

3/4 cup diced celery

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups sliced red potatoes

1 cup sliced carrots

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Dough:

2 cups white flour

1 egg

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

Finishing addition:

2-1/2 cups half-and-half cream

Simmer the vegetables and salt/pepper in the chicken broth until tender. Mix together flour, egg, salt, and milk to make a stiff dough. Roll into a 1/2 inch rope. Cut into 1/4 inch pieces and place directly into the soup. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until all Knoephla float to the top and dough is cooked through. Add 2-1/2 cups of half and half cream for the finishing addition. Serves 10.

Pickled Pigs Feet

Yvonne Simons Ohlrogge, Huron

4 ham hocks

2 bay leaves

3 tablespoons pickling spice

3 teaspoons salt

1 dried chili pepper

1 large onion, sliced

Water to cover

Place hocks in large pot with onion, spices, and chili pepper. Cover with cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until meat is tender and falls from the bone. Remove from heat to cool. Remove pork from the liquid, remove skin and most of the fat. Separate the meat from the bone. Discard the bone, fat, and skin. Strain the liquid, place back in the pot and reduce by 1/3. Add vinegar to taste (I like about 1 cup). Add meat and 3 tablespoons pickling spice in cheesecloth and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add another sliced onion if desired. Pour into bowl and refrigerate for 3-5 days to set.

Hamburger and Beans

Sheryl Kloss, Tulare, South Dakota

2 pounds hamburger

28-ounce can original Bush's Baked Beans

16-ounce can Baby Butter Beans

16-ounce can Great Northern Beans

1 cup ketchup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup onion

8 slices of bacon

Brown hamburger in a dutch oven size pan, cut your bacon and onion into small pieces and fry until done. Mix in all cans of beans. I drain the butter and northern beans but you can use liquid if you wish. Add beans, ketchup, brown sugar bacon, and onion to the cooked hamburger. Let it simmer until thoroughly heated and serve.
The 127th Annual Meeting of the Society of Black Hills Pioneers will be Saturday, July 23, at the Homestake Adams Research and Cultural Center at 150 Sherman Street, Deadwood.

The Society began because the early Black Hills area prospectors felt an exclusive bond and wanted the world to remember they were the first.

The organization was formed in 1889. Membership qualifications are that you must have had a direct descendant, who was in the Black Hills prior to or at the time of the first federal census taken in June, 1880.

The Black Hills area includes the counties of Lawrence, Meade, Butte, Pennington, Custer and Fall River in Dakota Territory and Crook or Weston counties in Wyoming Territory.

For the July 23 meeting, a social hour begins at 12 noon with the banquet at 1 p.m.

The 1:30 program is open to the public without charge.

Clint Jolley of Rapid City, will present the program on The Fate of the Nolin Monument.

The Nolin Monument, located on Junction Ave. in Sturgis, was erected by the Society in 1932. Charles Nolin was a mail carrier who was killed in 1876.

The monument will be restored when the nearby hospital is expanded. Jolley serves as the Society representative on the preservation committee. The program will review the history of the monument as well as the plans for the restoration.

Four scholarships will be presented to area students with winners of the Society's scholarship presented by Sandi Jolley and the Wong scholarships by Clint Jolley. The Kinghorn Memorial Scholarship will be presented by the Kinghorn family.

All winners have written an essay about the area or family history. A silent auction will be held with the proceeds going to the Society scholarship fund.

The Society works to preserve area cemeteries and other historical sites, presents scholarships, publishes an annual history book and has a float in the Days of 76 parade in addition to the annual meeting held each July.

For more information, contact Chris Maupin, secretary of the Society of Black Hills Pioneers, Box 252, Hulett, WY 82720 or call 307-467-5260.
WASHINGTON (AFNS) | Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and other Iraqi leaders in Baghdad on July 11. He commended them for the recent progress in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, including the capture of a strategic airfield near the town of Qayyarah that will aid operations to free Mosul.

"With the retaking of Qayyarah West airfield, the Iraqi security forces have once again demonstrated a serious will to fight," Carter said. "I congratulate them on their recent successes and reaffirm that the United States, along with our coalition partners, will continue to do all we can to support Iraq's effort to serve ISIL a lasting defeat."

In his meetings with Iraqi leaders, coalition commanders and U.S. troops, Carter also discussed the next steps in the military campaign. In light of Iraqi security forces recent advances, Carter announced that the United States, in close coordination with the Iraqi government, will deploy an additional 560 troops to Iraq to build on that momentum.

The additional troops will provide a range of support for Iraqi security forces, including infrastructure and logistical capabilities at the airfield near Qayyarah. As the campaign shifts toward Mosul, more than 250 miles from the Iraqi capital, the airfield will become a vital springboard for the ISF offensive into Mosul. Coalition forces will also continue to provide enabler support to Kurdish Peshmerga as they converge on Mosul from Iraq's north.

President Obama approved the additional forces on Carter's recommendation after consulting with Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman; Army Gen. Joseph Votel, the U.S. Central Command commander; and Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, the commander of Operation Inherent Resolve.

"At every step in this campaign, we have generated and seized additional opportunities to hasten ISIL's lasting defeat," Carter said. "These additional U.S. forces will bring unique capabilities to the campaign and provide critical enabler support to Iraqi forces at a key moment in the fight."

In his meeting with the prime minister, Carter also expressed his condolences for the recent tragic bombing in Baghdad. He said the United States is prepared to bolster its support for Iraqi government efforts to protect Iraqi civilians from ISIL terror attacks. U.S. forces already share intelligence and with their Iraqi counterparts. Carter said he is directing the Joint Improvised-Threat Defeat Agency, which leads the department's efforts to counter improvised explosive devices, to provide additional assistance that could enhance security in Baghdad.

Carter's visit comes as the international coalition has intensified pressure on ISIL in both Iraq and Syria. In addition to the capture of the air base at Qayyarah, Iraqi forces backed by coalition airpower and other support recently freed the city of Fallujah from ISIL's control after previous gains in Ramadi, Hit and Rutbah. In Syria, local forces backed by the coalition have surrounded the city of Manbij, a hub for the flow of ISIL foreign fighters. Carter said the U.S. is also prepared to step up its efforts to help vetted Syrian forces willing to take on ISIL.

To ensure ISIL's defeat is truly lasting, the secretary stressed throughout the visit the need for economic aid and reconstruction efforts to keep pace with progress in the military campaign. He closed his trip to Iraq, his fourth as secretary of defense, by thanking U.S. troops for their dedication, sacrifice and willingness to keep the U.S. safe.
Each week the Senate is in session, I travel back and forth from my home in Sioux Falls to Washington, D.C., for hearings, votes, and other meetings. While I love representing South Dakotans in Washington, its no secret that Im happiest when Im home in South Dakota, hearing directly from you. So, as I head back to spend several weeks traveling the state and connecting with you, I wanted to share some of the big things weve accomplished in the Senate over the last 18 months and look forward to hearing what you think.

Our top priority has been to focus on policies that boost Americas economic security and strengthen our national security. We passed the first significant education reform bill since 2002, the first major trade promotion authority bill since 2002, the first significant reforms to Social Security since 1983, and the first major environmental law reauthorization since the 1990s. We worked hard to pass legislation that prevents states from imposing unworkable mandates on the food supply and protected the homeland by passing the National Defense Authorization Act, key cybersecurity reforms, and sanctions against the North Korean regime.

I knew serving as chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee would give South Dakotas interests the national attention they deserve, and the results speak for themselves.

Congress passed and the president signed my bipartisan bill that makes landmark reforms to the Surface Transportation Board, the federal agency that oversees our nations rail system. These reforms will make the agency more accountable to the people who depend on rail transportation, like our agriculture producers. The president also signed the first multi-year highway bill since 2005  the longest since 1998. And all Americans will benefit from the aviation security reforms I authored as well as the consumer protection provisions included in the bipartisan aviation bill that I helped get to the presidents desk. All of that is good news for states like South Dakota where a safe, reliable, and effective transportation system is critical.

While a lot was accomplished, theres a lot more we tried to do. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats and President Obama have made it difficult to approve must-pass bills like the Department of Defense appropriations bill, which would fund our troops, and the Military Construction/Veterans Affairs appropriations bill, which would fund key infrastructure programs and support our veterans. Despite bipartisan attempts to reach an agreement, Democrats opposed a $1.1 billion funding bill that would have helped tackle the nationwide Zika threat. Im most disappointed, though, that amid all of the threats we face from terrorist groups like ISIS, President Obama has yet to lay out a concrete and comprehensive plan to defeat the group and its radical ideology. These are important issues, and they deserve to rise above politics.

If our paths cross this summer, please stop and say hello. I cant do my job without knowing whats important to you, and your feedback on what Im working on in the Senate is invaluable. If we dont catch up in person, you can always call my office, write me a letter, or send me an email. Either way, I look forward to hearing from you this summer.
Pennington County Commissioners initially approved the provisional 2017 budget on Tuesday, but said changes will be made before the final budget is adopted.

Commissioner Ron Buskerud said his vote Tuesday was purely to move the process forward and not approval of the budget as is.

He said commissioners and county department heads have two months to work on next year's spending plan.

Commissioner George Ferebee was the lone "no" vote and stated that he cannot approve the 13.5 new full-time employees called for in the budget.

Deb Hadcock chastised Ferebee for what she called just voting "no" without having any solutions to problems.

Changes can be made to the budget until the deadline and public hearing on September 6.

The total provisional budget for 2017 is $88,373,242, according to numbers from county Auditor Julie Pearson. Miscellaneous revenues sit at $42,978,764, tax revenues are $41,028,150, cash reserves applied are $7,626,758 and five percent uncollected taxes are $3,260,430. That leaves a cash reserve of 20.58 percent.

In 2016, the budget total was $84,712,601 with $40,696,415 in miscellaneous revenues, $38,080,485 from tax revenues, $9,084,278 cash reserves applies, $3,148,577 from five percent uncollected taxes and a cash reserve of 20.18 percent.

An audit of the county's finances for 2015 found only one small item to report, according to Bruce Hintz, auditor-in-charge for the South Dakota Department of Legislative Audit. The organization provides independent audits and assistance in an attempt to improve public accountability, reporting capability and operational controls of state and local government.

Hintz said they noted they had to make a couple of adjustments to classified pay. He said crude wages were reported as accounts payable, but it was, "Nothing that affected your bottom line."

"We recommend the County strengthen internal accounting controls over financial reporting," the report stated.

The commissioners also heard concerns from a citizen who owns property on Mystic Road. Kenneth Hargens complained the county is not maintaining the road and asked that dust kicked up by passing vehicles be reduced.

The county's dust abatement policy says that any resident can request the Pennington County Highway Department to apply a dust suppressant in front their home. However, the property owner must pay for materials and labor before the county will schedule the application of the dust suppressant.

Commissioners also authorized the Pennington County Sheriff's Department to purchase a new rescue vehicle, which will mostly be paid by an anonymous $90,000 donation.

Sheriff Kevin Thom said the search and rescue vehicle will cost about $165,000 and used primarily to remove people from crashed vehicles. It can also help in getting people out of trenches or building collapses and it provides emergency lighting for crime scenes.
STURGIS | A former senior care worker will spend nearly 10 months in the state penitentiary after pleading guilty to three counts of elder abuse and neglect of a patient at Sturgis Regional Senior Care.

Donald R. Brown, 62, was a nurse assistant at the nursing home when he allegedly hit and manhandled 66-year-old Barbara Boyd.

Boyd is wheelchair bound and has limited mobility and communication skills. She suffered a brain aneurysm at age 39 and then a massive stroke while on the operating table. She was in the courtroom for a short time Monday.

Sturgis Police were alerted to the abuse when Boyd's daughter, Brittany Boyd, and her aunt, Vicki Hullinger, decided to place a hidden camera in their mother's room at the senior care facility. The videos were streamed live online using a commercial "nest" cam and archived so that police could view them.

The alleged abuse happened in the fall of 2015. Brittany Boyd said the camera caught Donald Brown hitting and suffocating her mom on numerous occasions.

"I just felt terrified at what I was seeing," Boyd said.

An indictment in the case was handed down in January.

Meade County State's Attorney Kevin Krull characterized the case as "disgusting."

"We played the video for the grand jury when we first indicted this case and some of them were crying," he said.

This is the first elder abuse case Krull has brought before the court.

"I have been presented with one or two other ones that we ended up not charging and that was years ago when I worked down in Rapid City," he said.

Originally there were six counts of abuse or neglect of an elder with a disability, but in a plea agreement, Brown pleaded guilty to three felony Class 6 counts on April 25.

Brittany Boyd spoke at the sentencing hearing Monday before Judge Jerome Eckrich saying the incident is a "surreal nightmare."

"The situation overall has impacted me and my family greatly," she said. "It's been traumatizing."

Boyd said she and her aunt had suspicion of abuse and wanted to know for sure how Barbara Boyd was being treated. She said there was nothing Donald Brown said or did that prompted them to put in the camera. Their mother did have some curious injuries such as a broken arm in 2010.

"The camera was the only way we would have ever known that he was doing anything to my mother," she said.

Boyd said the surveillance laws in South Dakota prohibit putting cameras in private facilities where it could invade patient's privacy.

"I wasn't charged with anything," Boyd said. "I didn't know what I could do with the video evidence or who I could go to with it if was illegal."

Only three states in the United States have laws allowing hidden cameras in nursing homes. They are Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Although not legal in South Dakota, the video evidence was allowed in the case. It's the first of its kind to come through Meade County under Krull.

"I don't know what the nursing home rules are about that, and frankly, don't really care," he said. "This is one of those cases you know that this type of thing happens, but you just fear it."

At the hearing Monday, Brown apologized to both Boyd's family and to Judge Eckrich.

He said he loved and cared for Barbara, but because of medical issues and what he termed "illnesses" in his life, he just suffered a "meltdown."

He told of how he had purchased some musical CDs for Boyd at Christmas a few years back, then spent time listening to them with her while eating ice cream.

Eckrich sentenced Brown to two years prison time on each of the counts, but suspended that. He also said Brown, who now lives at Bismarck, N.D., would need to forfeit his Certified Nursing Assistant license and spend four years on probation.

Brown was taken into custody immediately. As he was handcuffed, his daughter wept openly in the courtroom and left before he was led out the door by a deputy.
PIERRE | State governments two panels that regulate legal gambling in South Dakota have new members coming aboard.

Gov. Dennis Daugaard recently appointed Michael Wordeman of Rapid City and Karen Wagner of Belle Fourche to the South Dakota Commission on Gaming.

The commission sets rules and policies and handles discipline and licensing disputes related to Deadwood gambling and betting on horse and dog races in the state.

Wordeman was the founder of Sodak Gaming, a pioneer in Native American casino gambling.

Wagner, who is from a Harding County ranch family, is a retired educator and former Belle Fourche City Council member.

They replace Ralph Chip Kemnitz of Philip and Dennis Duncan of Parker, who werent eligible for appointments to third consecutive terms.

Kemnitz played a long role as a gambling regulator. He served a term on the South Dakota Lottery Commission starting in 1999 under then-Gov. Bill Janklow and was appointed by Janklow to the gaming commission in 2002.

Kemnitz was reappointed to the gaming commission in 2004 and 2007 by then-Gov. Mike Rounds.

Duncan succeeded Kemnitz on the gaming commission on July 6, 2010, when Rounds appointed Duncan. Kemnitz returned to the commission a short time later when Rounds appointed him again on Aug. 30, 2010.

Daugaard reappointed Duncan and Kemnitz on March 8, 2013. Their latest terms expired April 14 of this year.

The South Dakota Lottery Commissions two new members are former Rep. Bob Faehn, R-Watertown, and former Rounds press secretary and Daugaard aide Joe Kafka of Valley Springs.

Daugaard appointed them effective June 30. Faehns term runs until Jan. 1, 2018. Kafkas term continues until Jan. 1, 2017.

They replace two Lottery Commission members who resigned in the past month.

Roger Novotny of Fort Pierre stepped aside after five years on the commission. He previously was director for the state Division of Banking.

Hopefully, I have given some perspectives to help operate the Lottery in a business-like fashion, Novotny wrote in his June 17 resignation letter.

Doyle Estes of Hill City resigned from the commission on June 6 but did not provide a reason to the governor.

I have appreciated the opportunity to serve on this commission. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve in this capacity, Estes wrote.

He replaced Doug Sharp of Watertown on the commission Sept. 27, 2011. Daugaard reappointed Estes on Jan. 30, 2014.

Estes said Tuesday he resigned because state lottery officials considered it a conflict for him to rent property to a video lottery business.

He said he disagreed but the state attorney generals office agreed with the lotterys position.

Making the situation potentially worse from a legal standpoint is the new conflicts law for more than 20 state boards and commissions that took effect July 1.

The law has a one-year look-back feature. Estes said he decided he needed to leave the Lottery Commission before July 1.

He said hes also involved in ownership of some storage units with several business people who are involved in video lottery.

Estes said he didnt see a conflict because of the Lottery Commissions limited roles. We dont look at applicants for licensing. We dont look at locations, he said.

He said Novotny, whom he considers a friend and has known since their earliest college days and later in state government during the 1970s, left the commission because Novotny is on a banks board of directors. The bank makes loans to people and businesses in video lottery.

Estes knew video lottery well from the insiders perspective. Before he sold his interests and joined the lottery commission, he was a partner in a video lottery route that placed and services the machines at businesses, and he was a partner in a business that owned its own machines and locations.

Estes served on the state Banking Commission. When Daugaard decided to replace him, Daugaard offered Estes a seat on the Lottery Commission, according to Estes.

Estes doesnt like the new law. He said one result will be boards and commissions filled with people who are not involved in their communities.

He is married to Kathryn Johnson, a scientist who serves on the state Board of Regents that oversees South Dakotas public universities and special schools. The regents are covered by the new conflicts law too.

I think this law is going to be a problem for a lot of people, Estes said.
Rapid City Mayor Steve Allender says it's a "baby step" toward more open government, so starting now you can see certain emails he sends to the city council.

"It's a small step and I dont intend to undermine South Dakotas privacy laws," Allender said in an interview Tuesday. "I like them. I think we have the best privacy laws, but that is because I've never used them for corruption and secret deals or whatever."

For now, he is only releasing official letters of correspondence written on city letterhead and sent to the entire city council. Those letters are scanned into a computer and emailed to council members. They are also sent through U.S. postal mail.

Individual emails to council members and their responses are not included in the mayor's new open reading policy.

He does not write that many official letters to the council. He said there were 10 last year and 15 letters to the council so far this year. None of those messages are open for public scrutiny, just his correspondence from now on.

"Those are action items that I'm bringing forward," he said. "Baby steps."

Initially Allender offered a review of the previous correspondence on his secretary's computer, but that was denied after the Journal requested a copy of the correspondence.

Allender said he will not release past emails. He will only send letters to news agencies that opt-in since July 6 and into the future.

"The Mayor consulted with the Council prior to making this decision in June," wrote city spokesman Darrell Shoemaker in an emailed response to the Journal's request. "The mayor's office is comfortable providing correspondence after the time in which the Council was alerted to the new procedure but not prior to June 2016."

David Bordewyk, executive director of the South Dakota Newspaper Association, applauded the mayor's effort but noted the action points out the weakness in state law about what is an open pubic record.

"While I applaud the mayor for taking this step, doing so voluntarily only demonstrates the subjective and selective nature by which his correspondence is made public," Bordewyk said Tuesday. "We need a law that makes correspondence of public officials public, period."

The open-record rule would not apply to letters from the public. State law does not want to discourage involvement by citizens, he said.

Otherwise, Bordewyk noted that South Dakota is far behind other states on open record laws.

"In the scheme of things, in many states across the country, this would be a no-brainer," he said. "When you talk particularly about correspondence between public officials, that would be an open record all day long and here in South Dakota were writing about it. So that tells you where we're at in terms of public access to government."

Allender said he sat on his idea for months, but decided that none of his emails to council members would be, "unfit for the public to read," he said.

"Because I'm not talking about personal employee issues or things of that nature when I write the letters," Allender said. "I suspect theyre going to get leaked anyway, so there is nothing secret going on."

He said the idea is to help the public understand what is going on at city hall.

"I think sometimes so few people pay attention to what is going on in city council meetings," Allender said. "So few people go through the agendas and look at all the attachments and that sort of thing and I think the public is missing out on whats really going on at city hall."

He said his desire to open up his emails is actually "self serving."

"I want the public to know better what's going on," he said. "That helps me as the mayor, and I think it helps the city council because those are the people they are representing."

But the limited scope of Allender's emails doesn't really shine a light on the daily processes of how city government officials work, Bordewyk said.

"You could say it's one thing for a citizen (to write a government official) and it's quite another when it's public official to public official. Should we deem that at least public record because it's part of their duties and their work? How can we justify keeping that confidential?"
WHITE RIVER | Sundays traffic accident that killed five was the final straw for some Mellette County officials who will be asking state transportation officials to improve the Highway 44-63 intersection west of Cedar Butte.

Over the years, its been bad, Sheriff Mike Blom said Tuesday in telephone interview from his White River office. Everybody in this county knows someone who has been hurt or killed at that intersection.

A baby and four adults died Sunday in a car-pickup collision around 5:30 p.m.

Three women in a pickup from Wisconsin were headed west on Highway 44 when their truck crashed with a vehicle carrying seven people heading north on Highway 63.

The women were taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital. Two have been released, while the third remained hospitalized there Tuesday, Blom said.

Seven people were in the northbound car and five died. Of the two survivors, a child is recovering from surgery on broken leg and jaw bones at the Sanford hospital in Sioux Falls, the sheriff said.

A Rosebud Sioux Tribe Police spokesman said the FBI in Pierre is in charge of the investigation. An agency spokesman in Minneapolis said additional details on the accident were not been yet available Tuesday.

Earlier in the day, mental health counselors from Winner met with accident emergency workers and others upset by the accident. Blom also met with county commissioners and contacted state Sen. Troy Heinert to discuss working with the state highway department about the locally notorious intersection.

Theyre going to write to the DOT to see if anything can done to improve that area. In the past theres been several fatal accidents and injury accidents, and theres been pedestrians struck there.
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A 41-year-old Hamilton man faces a series of felony charges after prosecutors say he was involved in a forgery scheme in May, then ran from law enforcement when they attempted to arrest him on Saturday.

James Stanley Patterson, 41, made his initial appearance in Ravalli County Justice Court on Monday. He faces charges in two cases, one for felony accountability for forgery and theft, and the other for attempted escape, evidence tampering and drug possession.

In the first case, Ravalli County prosecutors say Patterson helped another man obtain and cash fraudulent coin counting receipts.

According to a court affidavit, a Hamilton police detective was dispatched to the Super One Foods grocery store in late May after a manager reported that a man had cashed a Coin Star counting machine receipt for more than $550. The receipt was later found to have been fraudulent.

That same day, Stevensville police were sent to a grocery store after a manager said a similar transaction was currently taking place, with a receipt for the exact same amount. That man, Nicholas Wilson, was taken into custody. Law enforcement reviewed surveillance footage and determined that Wilson was the same man who had cashed the receipt in Hamilton.

Stevensville police made contact with Patterson during the arrest of Wilson, but did not take him into custody.

The Hamilton detective who reviewed security footage of the Stevensville store found that a man, identified as Patterson, had been at the grocery store two days before police were called there. He allegedly went up to the Coin Star machine and pressed some buttons, receiving a receipt without depositing any money.

A criminal case against Patterson for felony accountability for forgery and felony theft was filed in late June, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On July 16, a warden with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks received a complaint that Patterson was taking too long in a restroom at Kiwanis Park in Hamilton. Given the active arrest warrant, a deputy was dispatched to the scene to assist the warden.

When they made contact with Patterson and started to place him in handcuffs, Patterson allegedly broke free and ran away. According to his court affidavit, Patterson made it a short distance before he stumbled while trying to cross a ditch and was assisted to the ground by the warden and deputy.

They found a glass pipe, as well as methamphetamine and marijuana, in a small pouch Patterson had thrown down while running. He has been charged with felony attempted escape, felony evidence tampering, felony and misdemeanor counts of drug possession and a misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ravalli County Deputy County Attorney Thorin Geist said this was not the first time Patterson had run from law enforcement. In March of 2014, deputies had gone to a home he was staying at after hearing that Patterson, who was a wanted fugitive at the time, was in Ravalli County. When they arrived, Patterson attempted to run before being arrested. He later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstructing a peace officer.

Geist said Patterson has an extensive criminal history that includes 11 felony convictions and 12 violations of probation and parole.

In Ravalli County Justice Court on Monday, Justice of the Peace Jennifer Ray set Pattersons bail at $85,000 across both cases.
West Fork Projects and work on Magruder Road will affect forest travel beginning July 20. The road construction projects affect Beaver Creek Road, Selway River Road and the Magruder Road Corridor from Darby to Elk City, Idaho.

A West Fork Ranger District project will close a section of Beaver Creek Road, No. 91, from July 20 to Aug. 5. Crews are installing a new bridge over Johnson Creek to replace two undersized culverts that washed out several years ago. The new bridge will increase the flow of the stream and help fish and other aquatic organisms. The project is nearly two miles from the Beaver Creek Road and Woods Creek Road intersection and seven miles south of Alta Campground. To reach Horse Creek Hot Springs take Woods Creek Road over Woods Creek Pass. Read the signs about the closure and detour.

The Selway River Road, No. 6223, to Paradise will be closed Aug. 1-15 as crews replace an undersized culvert at Sheep Creek and replace it with a larger, fish-passable culvert. The project clears the way for fish to move upstream. Sheep Creek is located half way between Indian Creek and Paradise Campground.

The Magruder Road Corridor to Elk City will open to travelers Aug. 1. Crews have rebuilt and stabilized the area between Kim Creek Saddle and Magruder Crossing. The primitive one-lane road, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, remains rough, steep and has few turnouts for passing. The road between the Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church  River of No Return Wilderness offers a beautiful drive but no services for 120 miles.

For more information, contact the West Fork Ranger District at 406-821-3269. For more information visit www.facebook.com/DiscoverBitterrootNF and keep updated on travel and forest information at www.twitter.com/BitterrootNF.
For the second time this year, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a professional misconduct complaint against Hamilton attorney Rob Myers, who seeks to unseat Judge Jeffrey Langton.

The complaint filed with the Montana Supreme Court on Friday accuses Myers of breaking ethics rules by making false statements about Langton in a radio ad that aired in Missoula and Ravalli counties, according to the filing. Dan Cox, a child custody client of Myers, says in the ad that Langton committed fraud on the court.

He was secretly communicating with attorneys for the other party. He denied me a chance to respond and prevented me from fully representing my case, Cox said, according to a transcript of the ad included in the complaint. Robert Myers was the only attorney who helped me stand up to this corruption.

Myers had previously said he stopped using the advertisement after learning of the ethics investigation.

The April complaint against Myers also involves Coxs custody case and has not yet been settled. Myers has denied the ethics violations.

The new complaint against Myers says that by airing the ad he made statements he knew to be false, or with reckless disregard for the truth, concerning the integrity of a judge and furthermore did so during the course of a judicial campaign, both of which are violations of state rules for attorneys.

The complaint notes that Myers had previously been fined $10,000 in that child custody case for making false statements about several people, including Langton, and that the Montana Supreme Court found no misconduct by the judge.

Having learned about the investigation into his radio ads, Myers filed a federal lawsuit in June against Shaun R. Thompson, the states chief disciplinary counsel, arguing that the state was trying to intimidate him for criticizing a seated judge in violation of his rights to free speech and equal protection. The suit seeks to strike portions of the states codes of judicial and professional conduct on the basis they are unconstitutional, in addition to damages and costs of litigation.

In the lawsuit, Myers claims the state ODC forced him to refrain from using a radio advertisement critical of his opponent.

The lawsuit asks the federal court to declare portions of the states codes of judicial and professional conduct unconstitutional. It also asks for damages and costs of litigation.

Myers also had filed for a preliminary injunction with the U.S. District Court, which would have blocked the investigation, but the request was refused by Judge Donald Molloy.
Dateline: Mexico

In a fit of irony a 117-year-old woman died a few hours after receiving her birth certificate. El Sol de Mexico newspaper reports that 117-year-old Trinidad Alvarez Lira had been waiting years for proof she had been born in 1898. Because she lacked the proper documentation, Lira had been denied government old age benefits. But the city Department of Social Development announced late last month they had finally granted the woman an official birth certificate. Alvarez reportedly died of a heart attack, heart disease and hypertension shortly after posing for pictures with her new birth certificate on June 29. Unfortunately, she did not live long enough to cash any government checks. According to the newspaper, Mexico Citys oldest woman had no husband, no children and was devoted to household chores.

Dateline: Germany

The Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reports that an elderly woman used a ballpoint pen to fill out empty spaces in a crossword-themed work of art at Nuremberg's Neues Museum. The defacement took place during an organized visit by local senior citizens. The woman is being investigated for damage to property, although there is no suggestion that the 91-year-old did it maliciously. The artwork in question, avant garde artist Arthur Kopckes 1965 painting  Reading- work- piece,  was on loan to the museum from a private collection. According to the BBC it is is insured for 80,000 Euros ($89,000). The unnamed woman allegedly told the museum that her actions should not have come as a surprise as the institution had not put up a notice instructing visitors not to write on the art. Museum officials say they believe the work can be restored.

Dateline: Tennessee

Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at an apartment in North Knoxville and found that the resident had torched her bathroom trying to cook a brisket in the bathtub. Knoxville Fire Department Capt. D.J. Corcoran told the Knoxville News Sentinel the incident was a first in our books. On the evening of Monday, July 11, fire crews responded to a call to the 4000 block of Scheel Road where they found a middle-aged woman fanning smoke from her apartment. Inside the residence they discovered she had lit a small, wood-burning grill inside the bathtub with the meat draped over a wire rack set across the tubs rim. The heat from the fire evidently melted the fiberglass tub. The tub and the brisket were a total loss, Corcoran said. The apartment below also suffered minor water damage. No one was injured. Capt. Corcoran told the newspaper that more than 50 percent of all residential fires are, in fact, cooking-related. With that said, he added, most all of those documented fires are in the kitchen.

Dateline: Florida

The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office reported on its Facebook page that a 28-year-old Fort Walton Beach motorist was cited for driving into a house with her eyes closed while praying. The woman was allegedly traveling eastbound on Marcia Drive just after 10pm on the night of July 7 when she failed to stop at a stop sign, traveled through an intersection and into a front yard where her vehicle struck a residence. Investigators said she tried to back out but became stuck in sand. She told the deputy she was praying at the time and had her eyes closed. She was issued a citation for reckless driving with property damage.

Dateline: Missouri

Sheriffs deputies in Jasper County arrested a couple for allegedly riding naked on what proved to be a stolen lawn mower. The Joplin Globe reports deputies responded to a call at 8:42am on the morning of July 12. They contacted a 55-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman at a house with a riding mower parked in the front yard. Detective Tim Williams told the newspaper the couple admitted to riding the mower home naked after their clothes were stolen while they were skinny dipping in a nearby creek. Further investigation led the detective to conclude the lawn mower did not belong to the naturalists. They were arrested on suspicion of stealing.

Dateline: Colorado

Investigators say an off-duty sheriffs deputy in Arapahoe Country managed a one in a billion shot, firing a bullet directly down the barrel of a suspects gun. The shooting happened in January when Deputy Jose Marquez shot at an attempted-robbery suspect, but the detail recently came to light when prosecutors wrote a letter announcing that the deputy was justified in discharging his weapon. The Aurora Sentinel in suburban Denver reports that Marquez was visiting his girlfriends apartment when two suspects approached him in the parking lot with guns drawn. The off duty officer said the suspects fired first, hitting him in the shoulder and abdomen. Marquez shot back, striking Jhalil Meshesha in the leg and sending a .45 caliber bullet down the barrel of Mesheshas .40 caliber handgun, jamming the weapon.
Guwahati, July 18 : Assam's former Chief Minister Tarun Googi was spent over Rs 8.97 crore from the state exchequer as his helicopter tour expenditure in his last tenure.

BJP-led Assam government on Monday said on the floor of Assam Assembly during the Budget session that a total of Rs 8,97,76,880 was spent for the helicopter tour of former CM Tarun Gogoi during his last tenure between the financial year 2011-12 to 2015-16.

Replying a question of Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) MLA Utpal Dutta, Assam's Forest minister Pramila Rani Brahma said on behalf of Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal that for the former CM's helicopter tour Rs 1,63,86,154 was spent in 2011-12, Rs 2,08,76,575 in 2012-13, Rs 73,49,680 in 2013-14, Rs

2,47,91,954 in 2014-15 and Rs 2,03,72,517 in 2015-16.

The minister said that apart from helicopter expenditure, Rs 1,20,57,702 was also spent for his air tour from 2001 to 2016.

The former CM travelled 19 times foreign trips and during his foreign trips Rs 46,37,005 was spent from the state exchequer,' the minister said.

The Assam minister also said that, a total of Rs 1,81,30,858 was spent as TA, DA expenditure of the former CM during the period.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)
Pokhara, Nepal: at least three persons killed and about two dozen injured in two separate road accidents in Tanahun district on Wednesday.

Deu Bahadur Thapa, 45, who was the bus driver of the ill-fated passenger bus, died while receiving treatment at Bharatpur based hospital.

The accident had occurred when a bus collided head-on with the truck with registration number Na 1 Kha 7984 at Kamalbari of Ghansikuwa-3 of the district. Thapa, who was the bus driver of the illfated bus, originally hails from of Arjun Chaupari in Syangja district.

Similarly, another accident occurred when a car with registration number Ga 1 Jha 2307, which was heading to Pokhara from Damauli collided with a vegetable-laden jeep with registration number Ga 1 Jha 4325 at Gudadi in Jamune VDC-3 in the district.

In the accident, car driver Deepak Nahaki, 27, of Dhuwakot in Gorkha district and passenger Mana Thapa 53 of Byas Municipality-5 in Tanahun district in the accident.
If Dajuan Harris Jr. is underrated, its not by those at Kansas
It was all the way back in 2011 that we first came across the South African filmmaking duo of director Michael Matthews and writer / producer Sean Drummond. The occassion was their fabulous retro scifi short film Sweetheart - you can check that original post, including the trailer, here - which at the time was a trigger point in convincing me that, hey, maybe there's more going on in South Africa than just District 9 and Tsotsi, an opinion I have become only more convinced of in the years since.

Already in 2011 Matthews and Drummond had big plans for their debut feature - a contemporary, township set western - and how they wanted to forge a new path for South African films. And while they've had false starts along the way and had to struggle uphill to convince people that there was a different way of doing things than they were used to in the local industry but the pair refused to give up and are now in their first week of principal photography on their debut feature, Five Fingers For Marseille.

Twenty years ago, the young Five Fingers fought for the rural town of Marseilles, against brutal police oppression. Now, after fleeing in disgrace, freedom-fighter-turned-outlaw Tau returns to Marseilles, seeking only a peaceful pastoral life. When he finds the town under new threat, he must reluctantly fight to free it. Will the Five Fingers ride again?

Shooting entirely on location in a small community on the Eastern Cape and in local languages, Five Fingers nonetheless has a definite eye cast on international audiences with US based producers Asger Hussain (Precious) and Yaron Schwartzman of Game 7 Films involved from the early days as well and XYZ Films [where, yes, I am also involved so file away under 'conflict of interest conspiracies' should you choose to do so] involved to help bring the film to market.

But enough talk, I promised pictures - and pretty ones, even - and you can find those below along with a further selection on the film's official Facebook page.
Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 66F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
 Notable new follow-ups to recent ugly executions in Arizona and Ohio | Main | Senator Whitehouse defends risk-assessment tools for some sentencing determinations 

August 19, 2014

Is an end to the modern drug war the only real way to prevent future Fergusons?

The question in the title of this post is prompted by this provocative new commentary by John McWhorter in The New Republic. The piece is headlined "There Is Only One Real Way to Prevent Future Fergusons: End the War on Drugs," and here are excerpts:

At times like this, with the raging protest in Ferguson, an implication hangs in the air that these events are leading somewhere, that things are about change. The saddest thing, however, is that this is, indeed, a time like this  one of many, before and certainly to come. It is impossible not to conclude that what happened to Michael Brown in Ferguson is now status quo, not a teaching lesson to move us forward.... We dont know the details yet, but its apparent that, in spite of all we went through with [Trayvon] Martin so recently, in a clinch  the mean, messy place where these things always happen  the Ferguson cop Darren Wilson assumed that a big black guy was trouble, serious trouble, and shot him dead. Its what happens in that clinch that matters, and we can now see that no amount of articulate protest can cut through such visceral human tendencies as bias and fear.... So, what will really make a difference? Really, only a continued pullback on the War on Drugs. Much of what creates the poisonous, vicious-cycle relationship between young black men and the police is that the War on Drugs brings cops into black neighborhoods to patrol for drug possession and sale. Without that policy  which would include that no one could make a living selling drugs  the entire structure supporting the notion of young black men as criminals would fall apart. White men with guns would encounter young black men much less often, and meanwhile society would offer young black men less opportunity to drift into embodying the stereotype in the first place. But thats the long game. In the here and now, we are stuck. Michael Brown was not it. The journalists assiduously documenting the events in Ferguson can serve as historians, but not as agents of change.

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Maybe a scaled-back "war on drugs" would be part of it. The main part, though, is public trust and confidence. Perceptions matter. What public servants do matters. We were talking about this in court administration about 2 decades ago. When the public (or any segment thereof) does not appreciate the public institution, rightly or wrongly, no good can come from it. Good communication, respect, fairness, transparency, outreach, positive perceptions -- these are all important. Without them, a situation will end in crisis every time. How do you get there? It takes a lot of time, people need to meet one another and develop trust. Everybody needs to work on it together.

Posted by: Anne | Aug 19, 2014 11:50:07 AM

If you're not reading Ta-Nehisi Coates and considering his challenge, you are willfully ignoring what it means to be an American, and specifically a black American.

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2014/08/Reparations-For-Ferguson/376098/

Posted by: anonymous | Aug 19, 2014 11:58:08 AM

http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/Ferguson??src=rss

Posted by: anonymous | Aug 19, 2014 12:10:28 PM

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 More effective Slate coverage of extremes of (and problems with) sex offender registries | Main | "Restructuring Clemency: The Cost of Ignoring Clemency and a Plan for Renewal" 

August 15, 2014

Senator Rand Paul blames ugliness of Ferguson on the ugliness of big CJ government

Senator Rand Paul, who has made notable efforts to push notable reforms of the federal criminal justice system, has penned this provocative Time op-ed about the sad and ugly situation that has unfolded in Ferguson, Missouri in the aftermath of the police shooting of teenager Michael Brown. Here are excerpts:

If I had been told to get out of the street as a teenager, there would have been a distinct possibility that I might have smarted off. But, I wouldnt have expected to be shot. The outrage in Ferguson is understandable  though there is never an excuse for rioting or looting. There is a legitimate role for the police to keep the peace, but there should be a difference between a police response and a military response. The images and scenes we continue to see in Ferguson resemble war more than traditional police action.... Most police officers are good cops and good people. It is an unquestionably difficult job, especially in the current circumstances. There is a systemic problem with todays law enforcement. Not surprisingly, big government has been at the heart of the problem. Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies  where police departments compete to acquire military gear that goes far beyond what most of Americans think of as law enforcement. This is usually done in the name of fighting the war on drugs or terrorism. The Heritage Foundations Evan Bernick wrote in 2013 that, the Department of Homeland Security has handed out anti-terrorism grants to cities and towns across the country, enabling them to buy armored vehicles, guns, armor, aircraft, and other equipment.... When you couple this militarization of law enforcement with an erosion of civil liberties and due process that allows the police to become judge and jury  national security letters, no-knock searches, broad general warrants, pre-conviction forfeiture  we begin to have a very serious problem on our hands. Given these developments, it is almost impossible for many Americans not to feel like their government is targeting them. Given the racial disparities in our criminal justice system, it is impossible for African-Americans not to feel like their government is particularly targeting them. This is part of the anguish we are seeing in the tragic events outside of St. Louis, Missouri. It is what the citizens of Ferguson feel when there is an unfortunate and heartbreaking shooting like the incident with Michael Brown. Anyone who thinks that race does not still, even if inadvertently, skew the application of criminal justice in this country is just not paying close enough attention. Our prisons are full of black and brown men and women who are serving inappropriately long and harsh sentences for non-violent mistakes in their youth. The militarization of our law enforcement is due to an unprecedented expansion of government power in this realm. It is one thing for federal officials to work in conjunction with local authorities to reduce or solve crime. It is quite another for them to subsidize it. Americans must never sacrifice their liberty for an illusive and dangerous, or false, security. This has been a cause I have championed for years, and one that is at a near-crisis point in our country.

August 15, 2014 at 11:45 AM | Permalink

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"The militarization of our law enforcement is due to an unprecedented expansion of government power"

I think the big defense contractors had something to do with it, along with a Republican lead War on Crime.

Posted by: Paul | Aug 15, 2014 3:34:33 PM

Rand Paul is correct on the militarization of the police as an infringement on the Constitution. In fact, the military equipment should go to the National Guard, NOT local law enforcement. If specialized equipment is needed for properly vetted domestic operations, then it should be vetted through a local judge.

One problem with Rand's generalization, though, is that the investigation into the incident has not been completed. In fact, the "boy" being investigated was an 18-year old man who is actually bigger than the cop, and had been approached because he was a suspect in a VIOLENT FELONY ROBBERY that occurred shortly before the altercation that involved the injury of a store clerk from an assault allegedly committed by the man who was shot by the cop.

In short, we have three different issues: A robbery, a cop who may or may not have overreacted, and finally, a racial problem that will NEVER go away in this country if we are led by people who don't adhere to the constitution, whether through ignorance through indifference, or abuse.

Posted by: Eric Knight | Aug 15, 2014 8:13:56 PM

Rand Paul is making the case for why the death penalty is not and cannot be administered fairly. Racial consciousness plays too large a role.

The comment of a potential juror in a capital case I tried remains seared in my brain. During selection, the juror said he didn't think it would be appropriate for him to be selected because "The defendant is black, I'm white and I am prejudiced."

bruce

Posted by: bruce cunningham | Aug 16, 2014 6:41:09 AM

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November 26, 2014

Senator Rand Paul links Ferguson tragedy to harms of the modern drug war

Regular readers know I am always interested in Senator Rand Paul's distinctive perspective on criminal justice issues. This new Time op-ed, headlined "The Politicians Are To Blame in Ferguson," has Senator Paul touching on broader themes as he connects recent events in Ferguson with his belief in the need for systemic reforms to the US criminal justice system. Here are excerpts:

We are witnessing a tragedy in Ferguson. This city in Missouri has become a focal point for so much. The President and the late Michael Browns family have called for peace. I join their calls for peaceful protest, but also reiterate their call to action  channel your frustration in ways that will make a positive change. In the search for culpability for the tragedy in Ferguson, I mostly blame politicians. Michael Browns death and the suffocation of Eric Garner in New York for selling untaxed cigarettes indicate something is wrong with criminal justice in America. The War on Drugs has created a culture of violence and put police in a nearly impossible situation. In Ferguson, the precipitating crime was not drugs, but theft. But the War on Drugs has created a tension in some communities that too often results in tragedy. One need only witness the baby in Georgia, who had a concussive grenade explode in her face during a late-night, no-knock drug raid (in which no drugs were found) to understand the feelings of many minorities  the feeling that they are being unfairly targeted. Three out of four people in jail for drugs are people of color. In the African American community, folks rightly ask why are our sons disproportionately incarcerated, killed, and maimed? African Americans perceive as true that their kids are more likely to be killed. ProPublica examined 33 years of FBI data on police shootings, accounted for the racial make-up of the country, and determined that: Young black males in recent years were at a far greater risk of being shot dead by police than their white counterparts  21 times greater. Can some of the disparity be blamed on a higher rate of crime in the black community? Yes, but there is a gnawing feeling that simply being black in a high-crime area increases your risk for a deadly altercation with police. Does bad behavior account for some of the interactions with law enforcement? Yes, but surely there must be ways that we can work to prevent the violence from escalating.... Reforming criminal justice to make it racially blind is imperative, but that wont lift up these young men from poverty. In fact, I dont believe any law will. For too long, weve attached some mythic notion to government solutions and yet, 40 years after we began the War on Poverty, poverty still abounds.,,, This message is not a racial one. The link between poverty, lack of education, and children outside of marriage is staggering and cuts across all racial groups. Statistics uniformly show that waiting to have children in marriage and obtaining an education are an invaluable part of escaping poverty.... I will continue to fight to end the racial disparities in drug sentencing. I will continue to fight lengthy, mandatory sentences that prevent judges from using discretion. I will continue to fight to restore voting rights for non-violent felons whove served their sentences. But my hope is that out of tragedy, a preacher or teacher will arise  one who motivates and inspires all of us to discover traits, ambitions, and moral codes that have slowly eroded and left us empty with despair. I will continue the fight to reform our nations criminal justice system, but in the meantime, the call should go out for a charismatic leader, not a politician, to preach a gospel of hope and prosperity. I have said often America is in need of a revival. Part of that is spiritual. Part of that is in civics, in our leaders, in our institutions. We must look at policies, ideas, and attitudes that have failed us and we must demand better.

November 26, 2014 at 09:34 PM | Permalink

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"For too long, weve attached some mythic notion to government solutions and yet, 40 years after we began the War on Poverty, poverty still abounds."

And this is where he loses all credibility.

http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/welfare_spending

As one can see from the chart in the entire 20th century the total welfare payment per GDP has never exceeded 5% and in most times periods has been at 3% or below. This can be compared to Europe where welfare payments range from 30% to 84%. So how can any honest person claim that the war on poverty has failed when in fact the war on poverty never got off the ground?

One can debate the merits and demerits of the European welfare state. One can debate whether such a model is good for America. But it is plain old fashioned lying to claim that the model has failed here when it was never tried.

Posted by: Daniel | Nov 27, 2014 12:55:55 AM

Surprised Rand Paul is part of the "promote marriage" crowd, as a libertarian wouldn't he work to end special privileges for married couples, why should a person who's single pay more in taxes then an unmarried couple? Similarly, married couples should not pay more.

If the government discriminates against folks who decide not to legally marry, then we could argue the government is responsible for that, of course correlation is not causation, wealthy singles or divorced folks may not have those issues. Yes, the war on poverty is a conservative myth, since welfare in the US is not the same as Europe and other countries, in fact it can be a success, because poverty rates could be likely higher.

Education? What is an education, women's studies, black studies, etc. Stem fields are great, but like the free market says, too much supply v. demand means stem grads can be without jobs, is it then there fault if they can't get jobs?

Of course, it is a good start to examine the police state of affairs, and here's the ironic thing, is what happened in Ferguson, MO "washington's fault", I mean isn't it a state and local issue? If so Rand Paul has no right to intervene in a hands off policy.

Posted by: Morgan | Nov 27, 2014 8:36:25 AM

Daniel has a point as to "never tried" on some level, but limited as compared to some nations it might be, the social safety net has greatly expanded in the last seventy-five years. This resulted in real reduction of poverty (particularly for the elderly) and at the very least some degree of a safety net that helps many people, including children. It is no panacea and more clearly can and should be done, but let's not ignore what was.

Posted by: Joe | Nov 27, 2014 11:37:28 AM

But so many blacks in prison due to the drug war, has absolutely zero to do with racial bias.

They simply led that kind if a life. Therefore they end up in prison. The Crack Epidemic was a violent turbolent time.

Gangs, crack babies that cried continuous, drive bys. Turf wars. Etc. women with 5 kids, everyone of them with a different man.

This is what brought them tonthe slammer.

But, but, 100 to 1 was racial injustice. Exactly the same that psuedo us 5 times higher conversion to mary jane equiv than meth is. Go figure on that one. Im not hearing anyone crying racial injustice for the whites.

Anyone care to comment on this piece of info.





Posted by: 187Midwest Guy | Nov 27, 2014 4:55:14 PM

Daniel,

You forget that the US GDP is much, much more than those of Europe:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29

Posted by: Missy | Nov 27, 2014 8:51:45 PM

There is no poverty, with obesity being the nutrition problem. The real value of welfare benefits puts the poor in the world's middle class. So, the War on Poverty has been won. Anyone who cannot pay for the necessities has wasted the benefits on pleasures. Even the homeless go the bathroom indoors in winter in Chicago.

Nor does crime have to do with race. Much darker skinned African and Caribbean immigrants have lower crime rates than whites. They value striving and education. They still have family values. They get married to have children. This is true even if they come from high pollution, high lead level exposure cities.

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Nov 28, 2014 10:24:20 AM

@Missy

The absolute GDP is not a relevant measure because Europe also has more people than the USA. The right comparative measure would be welfare payments per capita. However, I did not link to such data because AFAIK there is none that is directly linkable. However, the data I have read indicates that even on a per capita basis the USA lags well behind Europe.

Posted by: Daniel | Nov 28, 2014 3:54:01 PM

@SC

You're an idiot. We treat our farm animals better than we treat our homeless. Farm animals get free medical care, free housing, and free food, and free transportation. And as you well know obesity is caused by the low quality of food that most of the poor can afford to eat. The obesity argument in particular galls me. If the poor eat healthy everyone has a snit fit about them having tuna and lobster on the government dime and they cut benefits. On the other hand if the poor eat cheap, trashy food with lots of calories and thus get obese then everyone claims this is a sign the program is working. Gah! Obesity is a sign that welfare is failing because the poor cannot afford to eat healthy food on four dollars a day.

Posted by: Daniel | Nov 28, 2014 4:01:48 PM

Daniel: Here is a study of the total value of welfare benefits. Please, remember that these amounts are tax free.

This report also rebuts the distribution of income claim of the left. They are not using these numbers, or else, this nation would have among the smallest disparities in income in the world. The homeless person in New York may go to the Sloan Kettering Institute and get the same $250000 cancer treatment and doctors as the Princes of Saudi Arabia, at no cost, no deductibles, no co-pays. Try to beat that anywhere. In Europe and Canada, he would die on a waiting list.

http://www.cato.org/publications/white-paper/work-versus-welfare-trade

Posted by: Supremacy Claus | Nov 28, 2014 6:47:03 PM

@SC

I've read that study before and it's all spin. First, it fails because it is an internal comparison within America and does not compare America with other countries. What we define as "poor" in America would be considered a national embarrassment in the EU. Second, the Cato study conglomerates lots of different government programs in order to raise the apparent wages that welfare represents. This is how they get ludicrous figure that the values of welfare in my state, for example, is 33K. It is the functional equivalent of saying that a tax refund is a government handout--well, technically a tax refund is a government handout because the government had the money and gave it to you. But it's nonsense because its not what anybody else defines as welfare. Welfare has a specific definition and it is not the one that Cato uses. Third, the Cato study takes the welfare benefits that are given to the parent on behalf of children and imputes those to the parent. That's the other way that they inflate the value of the welfare. It may well be that the benefits given to a mother of five children living in public housing on Obamacare runs into the tens of thousands of dollars. But if the mother were to go off welfare it wouldn't be like all of a sudden the kids would be working too. So in effect welfare is paying her to be a mother, something that no private employer is going to do. So by comparing the "welfare wage" with the private sector wage Cato is ignoring that the state and the private sector are paying her for two different kinds of work and thus they are comparing apples and oranges.

Finally, there is one other major issue with the Cato study. It only looks at people who are getting welfare. But many people are not getting welfare because it isn't available. For example, in my state the waiting lists are over a year long in some location in order to receive public housing. In fact, an honest analysis would include these people in the study with a benefit of zero and thereby dropping the average welfare "wage" considerably. Many states have kept within budget by keeping the actual welfare payments high but narrowing the eligibility criteria so that fewer people are on welfare. This is how my state is able to rank near the top in welfare benefits according to Cato and yet rank near the bottom in total welfare expenditures in the link I provided above.

Posted by: Daniel | Nov 28, 2014 8:48:20 PM

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As reported in this lengthy Los Angeles Times piece, headlined "Judge throws out ex-L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca's plea deal, saying six months in prison not enough," a federal judge decided that a high-profile federal defendant had cut too sweet a plea deal to resolve charges of obstruction of justice. Here are the interesting details concerning a rare (but not unprecedented) district court decision:

A federal judge on Monday threw out a plea agreement that would have given former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca a maximum of six months in prison, saying the sentence was too lenient considering Bacas role in obstructing an FBI investigation into the county jails. Addressing a downtown courtroom packed with Bacas supporters, U.S. District Court Judge Percy Anderson said the deal would trivialize the seriousness of the offenses  the need for a just punishment [and] the need to deter others.

Baca, 74, had pleaded guilty in February to a single charge of lying to federal investigators. But the former sheriffs involvement in trying to derail the investigation reached further than that, Anderson said. At stake was what the investigators were trying to expose, Anderson said: an us-versus-them culture in which deputies covered up for one another and responded to inmates with enough violence to send them to the hospital.

Six months in prison for the man who ran the Sheriffs Department would not address the gross abuse of the publics trust  including the need to restore the publics trust in law enforcement and the criminal justice system, Anderson said.

The judge said he would allow Baca to withdraw his guilty plea, setting a new hearing date for Aug. 1. The maximum sentence for the false statement charge is five years -- the same amount of time that Bacas former No. 2, Paul Tanaka, received last month after going to trial in a related obstruction-of-justice case. Seven lower-ranking sheriffs officials who have been convicted and sentenced in the obstruction case received a year and a half to more than three years in prison.

Bacas plea agreement had called for a sentence ranging from probation to six months in prison. Prosecutors have said they agreed to the deal in part because of Bacas willingness to plead guilty. Bacas attorney, Michael Zweiback, argued that the former sheriff should not serve any prison time because he is in the early stages of Alzheimers disease.

Baca must now choose among several unappealing options. He could go ahead with the sentencing and accept whatever punishment Anderson has in mind. He could withdraw his guilty plea and go to trial, taking his chances with whatever charges the government might decide to bring. He could negotiate a new deal with federal prosecutors for a longer sentence that the judge would find more acceptable.

After Mondays hearing, Zweiback said he was disappointed with the judges decision but hoped to resume talks with prosecutors. He said that if he cannot reach an agreement that includes a specific sentence, rather than an open-ended guilty plea, he will not leave his clients fate in Anderson's hands. At that point, we might as well take our chances at trial, Zweiback said.

Bacas Alzheimers could be a factor if the case heads to trial and his ability to understand the proceedings deteriorates. The trial could be put on hold if he is declared mentally incompetent. If the government believes its two years in ... getting to trial and sentencing him, that could leave Mr. Baca in very bad shape, Zweiback said....

Legal experts said Anderson's move was unusual but not unexpected, considering his law-and-order reputation and comments he has made during sentencing in the related cases. We already knew the defendant was facing a federal judge who believed these kinds of acts were as serious as they come, said Miriam Krinsky, a former federal prosecutor who was the executive director of a county commission that investigated brutality by jail deputies and who served as a top aide to Bacas successor, Jim McDonnell, during his first year in office....

Laurie Levenson, a Loyola Law School professor and former federal prosecutor, said Anderson was not likely to be swayed by sympathy or the emotional aspects of the case. She said he was likely to be especially unforgiving of law enforcement officials who did not fulfill their duties. He views this type of abuse of trust more seriously, notwithstanding Bacas health concerns, Levenson said.

Federal sentencing law provides that people who are higher up in an organization -- mob bosses, for example  are more culpable than lower-level members, said Joseph Akrotirianakis, another former federal prosecutor now in private practice. Todays events are not entirely surprising in light of the sentence that Mr. Tanaka received, Akrotirianakis said. That was not a fact known to the government at the time that Baca entered into his plea....

Brian Moriguchi, head of the union that represents Sheriffs Department supervisors, said Baca is responsible for the actions of his subordinates, especially Tanaka, and should receive more than six months considering the sentences the others will serve.

Many sheriff's deputies have been closely watching the criminal prosecutions to see if the punishments for former bosses would approach those of lower-ranking employees following their orders. Its not only widespread in the department, its widespread in society  the feeling that those who have power seem to be exempt from the same rules as everyone else, Moriguchi said.
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July 19, 2016

Has the drug war really "made policing more violent"?

The question in the title of this post is prompted by this new Democracy commentary authored by Jonathan Blanks that carries this full headline: "The War on Drugs Has Made Policing More Violent: What can be done to curb the excessive and, sometimes, predatory policing that has emerged from the Drug War?". Here are excerpts from the piece:

American policing today has become increasingly aggressive and, at times, even predatory. Policies and tactics have evolved to make police contact more confrontational. In so doing, they have increased the chances of violence and fatal uses of force. This has been particularly true of efforts aimed at fighting the Drug War. Police are incentivized to initiate unnecessary contact with pedestrians and motorists, and they do so most often against ethnic and racial minorities. Such over-policing engenders resentment among minority communities and jeopardizes public safety. Some of the Drug Wars most disturbing images involve police officers in SWAT gear, kicking down doors, ransacking homes and endangering the lives of everyone inside during pre-dawn raids. Officers rummaging through a car for drug contraband while the driver sits helplessly on the sidewalk as onlookers drive by may be less violent, but is just as invasive and degrading. This experience can be humiliating under any circumstance, and any perception of race as playing a role in the stop piles resentment on top of humiliation. The pretextual or investigatory stop is a common police tactic to investigate potential criminal activity  particularly drug possession and trafficking  in situations where there is no legal reason to suspect a crime is occurring. There is not a large amount of data on how often these stops produce contraband seizures, but what data there is suggests that the overwhelming majority of people who are stopped are guilty of no crime. Much like the pedestrian stops during the heyday of New York Citys Stop and Frisk program, most of the motorists stopped for investigatory purposes are black or Hispanic. Those who are stopped are often pressured to give consent to a search the officer has no legal right to demand. There is evidence that some police departments, particularly state police and drug task forces in the American interior, target motorists with out-of-state plates in the hopes of finding drug proceeds and other unexplained cash. Cash-driven interdiction is the result of asset forfeiture laws that allow police departments to keep the proceeds of assets seized in connection with suspected crimes. This policing for profit puts budgetary concerns above public safety. Officers are also trained to prepare for the possibility of violence in every encounter. Anti-police attacks such as the recent tragedies in Dallas and Baton Rouge heighten the fear and trepidation some officers feel in the field. While fewer police officers are feloniously killed in the line of duty per year than at almost any time in American history, officers who find themselves in stressful situations may be more likely to resort to the use of force, including deadly force, in order to maintain their sense of control during such encounters. In short, the laws and tactics employed to fight the Drug War have transformed police officers from those who protect and serve to a force that, too often, actively searches the innocent and seizes for profit. Aggressive and antagonistic policing also increases the likelihood of disagreement, thereby increasing the possibility of escalation and the use of force that could lead to the injury or death of an innocent person. But the effects of aggressive policing extend beyond the outcome of any given police stop. Although a majority of Americans express a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the police, the same is not true across all racial and ethnic lines. Less than one-third of black respondents to a Gallup poll expressed a large amount of confidence in the police. And while a majority of Hispanics still have a lot of confidence in the police, just over 40 percent of other nonwhites do. Research by Charles Epp and others at the University of Kansas shows that support for police declines when individuals and the people they know have negative police experiences, particularly through investigatory stops. This lack of confidence in the police can endanger communities. As Jill Leovy documented in her book Ghettoside, the poor relationships officers have with black Los Angelenos hinders homicide clearance rates and prosecutions. At the same time, the broken windows policing strategy that focuses on heavy enforcement of petty crimes has been shown to have no effect on the felony crime rate, the premise on which the strategy is based. Together, these create a tragic contradiction in which black communities are over-policed for drugs and petty crimes, but under-policed for homicides and other violent crimes.

I would generally agree with the suggestion that the drug war has contributed to the over-policing of many communities, particularly poorer communities, and I also fear that the drug war has contributed to strained relationships between police forces and certain communities. But I am not sure I would assert that the drug war has itself "made policing more violent": rather, based in part on experiences during alcohol Prohibition a century ago, I would be more inclined to assert that efforts to treat drug use and abuse through blanket prohibitions and criminal justice interventions creates the conditions for a society that has less respect for criminal laws and for police efforts to enforce order, and that in turn makes everyone involved in this part of the criminal justice system more prone to look to violence rather than to law as a means for securing order.

Some prior related posts:

July 19, 2016 at 04:42 PM | Permalink

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Radley Balko would disagree with you Doug.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 19, 2016 5:07:59 PM

Grew up in Texas when driving with slightly long hair was a capital offense, summarily imposed by police and featured at least once or twice a month on the local news. Compared to then, what is happening today is relatively minor. What has changed is smart phones and the 24-hour news cycle makes isolated incidents across the nation seem like a pattern.

Posted by: tmm | Jul 19, 2016 5:12:32 PM

Think how bad it would be if they outlawed tobacco.

Posted by: Liberty1st | Jul 19, 2016 5:23:46 PM

...or alcohol for that matter.

Posted by: Ed | Jul 19, 2016 7:57:56 PM

Hi Doug,

longtime fan. Thanks for sharing the piece.

As with most posts on outlets, I didn't write the headline. The thrust of my post was an attempt to show that the seemingly banal ways in which we enforce the Drug War and the incentives that we've created are more violent than they appear at first blush. Indeed, policing has generally been a violent business since day 1, in its various forms, so I don't mean to imply the police writ large are necessarily more violent than they were in, say, 1968. In many ways, policing is more professional than it has ever been. But instead of finishing the headline with an implied "than it was before," it could be finished "than it has to be/should be".

However, I don't fully buy that this violence is a result of less respect for the law. Indeed, if blacks and whites use drugs at similar rates, as most polling indicates, you have--on net--much more disrespect for the blanket prohibition among whites due to their majority status, but you less often see the disrespect for the law enforcers in the situations that end in violence. Yet, these laws are not implemented as harshly or as stringently in predominantly white communities so the "society" isn't less tolerant of drug enforcement; it's the policies that ensnare and humiliate law-abiding citizens in communities that contribute to the resentment and disrespect of the enforcers, not the laws themselves. To that end, I recently published a law review article on the effects of pretextual stops on police legitimacy in a Case Western Reserve symposium on Whren v. US. I'd be happy to send it along if you're interested.

But again, thank you for your comments and for sharing the piece. Been a longtime fan of your work.

Respectfully,

Jonathan



Posted by: Jonathan Blanks | Jul 20, 2016 2:51:56 PM

Thanks for chiming in, Jonathan, and I had an inkling the headline was not yours, especially because the text did not really make the point that the headline flags.

On substance, your points about difference views by racial cohort to the drug war actually plays into my sense of why poorer and minority communities are inclined to have more violent police-citizen encounters. Communities that are over-policed realize that other communities are involved in drug/illegal behaviors and yet are not subject to as much attention/scrutiny, and that breeds an extra layers of resentment. Having misguided laws over-enforced in your community is bad enough, having them over-enforced ONLY in your community makes matters even worse.

Thanks for the nice comments and thoughtful engagement and for all your work.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jul 21, 2016 10:32:54 AM

Oh good grief Doug/Jonathan.

Jonathan: "Indeed, if blacks and whites use drugs at similar rates, as most polling indicates, you have--on net--much more disrespect for the blanket prohibition among whites due to their majority status, but you less often see the disrespect for the law enforcers in the situations that end in violence. Yet, these laws are not implemented as harshly or as stringently in predominantly white communities so the "society" isn't less tolerant of drug enforcement; it's the policies that ensnare and humiliate law-abiding citizens in communities that contribute to the resentment and disrespect of the enforcers, not the laws themselves."

Could people get their stories straight--isn't it the standard left-lib pablum that drug use is a public health issue? So now, when it suits liberal worldview, drug usage is now indicative of a disrespect for law? And then we leap into the "oh, the cops are tougher in the 'hood line, which, of course, breeds resentment"--have either of you ever lived in a predominantly black neighborhood? (The off-campus apartment doesn't count.) Have either of you ridden a city bus to school every day where every single person on that bus was black, except you? I have, when crime was far higher than it is today. Newsflash, there is going to be a different policing strategy in 1980s Bed-Stuy than 1980s Whitestone--and another newsflash, not all drug crimes are the same---the heroin addict isn't the heroin dealer, and if we're going to get all racial about things--can't it be argued that the flooding of drugs into Maine is an example of whites being exploited by largely minority criminals? I get it, aggressive police activity visited on the law-abiding IS going to cause resentment, but tendentiously ignoring the reality that policing needs to be different in different places is intellectually dishonest.

Doug, "over-policed"--you do realize that cops keep a lid on a ton of violence in the inner city. And you can bet your sweet bippie that that suburban kids dealing heroin in suburban schools are going to get a ton of response from the cops. Suburban parents don't have a sense of humor about that nonsense and most don't care that it's Johnny who swims at the club pool that is peddling it.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 21, 2016 12:51:01 PM

I think the story coming from the left is pretty consistent, federalist: drug use/abuse should be treated as a public health issue, and it is, practically speaking, treated this way in by suburban parent in suburban schools. I live in, and my kids go to, the high school in my suburban neighborhood that has a well-known reputation as the "rich kids" druggie school. And I am unaware of any parent who is actively urging the federal/state/local police to be a bigger presence in the school. And I certainly have not seen any media reports of any suburban kids doing any perp walks (or heard them complaining about being regularly pulled over for no apparent reason when they are in the "high-crime" area of the high school).

I do not at all disagree that policing "needs to be differnet in different places," or even that having more police precence in the inner city may reduce violence in some ways. But, again drawing on the history of alcohol prohibition, I think that strict drug prohibition and enforcement efforts makes black markets more violent, which in turn becomes a jusification for still more enforcement efforts along the lines you wish to justify.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jul 21, 2016 1:30:12 PM

Doug, it's, of course ok to have the view that drug laws are dumb etc. But that's not the majority view, and (we've had this debate before) it's not fair to blame the cops for enforcing the law.

But once again, you employ your non-defense defense of my charges:

1) The story from the left is that it's a public health issue. But here's it's used to make some weird point that disrespect for the law is the same in white populations. You failed to address.

2) I pointed out that LE policies are going to be different in different places because Mr. Blanks DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, and in my opinion tendentiously so. It detracts from his argument.

3) Re: Suburbs. Once again, tendentious--no one thinks that aggressive policing is necessary in most suburban public schools because the crimes people typically associate with "high-crime areas" don't happen there. Drug use is behind closed doors and, given the Fourth Amendment, pretty hard to root out. However, my guess is that there would be little mercy shown to some white kid plying heroin to his schoolmates in those schools. Nothing you have said undermines that point.

4) Of course, you'll never address the point I make about Maine.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 21, 2016 1:49:58 PM

federalist:

1. It IS now indisputably the majority view that blanket marijuana prohibition laws are dumb, and the fact that other drug prohibition criminal laws are not aggressively enforced among the privileged elite --- and here I think class matters much more than race --- in large part explains (1) why there is not stronger maroritarian opposition to these laws, and(2) why I said, in response to Jonathan in my 10:32am remark, that I do not think white disrespect is at the same level as black disrespect. (Indeed, critical race theories like Michele Alexander would be quick to make the point that majority white populations support and have respect for existing drugs laws precisely because they serve now as a means to create a "New Jim Crow").

2. You seem unable to understand or see the import of the fact that LE policies are going "to be different in different places" not only because of different crime patterns but also because elites/majorities/monied interests are going to support different types of enforcement. Consider college campuses, where there are certainly more drug, underage drinking offenses per capita than any other neighborhood. But I unaware of a single college campus (let alone the more elite ones) in which there is a police presence that is anything comparable to what we see in most inner cities. By making this point, I am not complaining about this reality, nor am I saying police should pull out of the inner city (which many think is functionally going on after Feguson), nor am I seeking to "blame the cops" for enforcing (or not enforcing) the laws. Rather, I am trying to help you better see how facile it is to fault anyone for failing to talk in a short piece about the reality that LE policies are different in different places.

3. Your facile statement about the suburbs also shows your inability to think "critically" about these realities. What you say are "crimes people typically associate with high-crime areas" is itself a statement full of cultural and social assumptions and implication. Again, I would assert on many grounds --- including my personal experiences as a student and now living in a college community --- that many campuses are, statistically speaking, "high-crime areas." But various elite cultural and social norms lead us not to worry too much about the kinds of crimes that take place in those areas and thus few urge a greater police presence in those area. (Notably, all the talk/concern about campus rape may be changing some elite cultural and social norms here, but it remains telling that nobody said boo about the fact that Brock Turner was engaged in illegal underage drinking before he committed his sexual assault. Again we see how criminal laws like those prohibiting underage drinking are regularly ignored by elites and may not be the subject of disrespect because ignoring those laws do not prompted serious criminal justice consequences.) And your assertion that a white kid plying heroin would get little mercy is comical and ignorant, as this headline from just a few weeks ago highlights: "Teen gets probation in Elkton heroin case" http://us.geosnews.com/p/us/md/cecil-county/elkton/teen-gets-probation-in-elkton-heroin-case_5541126 (Lead: "A [white] teen caught behind the wheel of a vehicle containing more than 3,000 baggies of heroin during an Elkton traffic stop in December received a suspended five-year sentence")

4. I am not sure I understand all the racial implications of your point about Maine. Are you saying that (white) people in Maine who are willingly buying drugs are being victimized/explointed by minority drug dealers? I did not address the point because it seems so ladden with racial stereotypes that I am surprised a bright person would make it.

Posted by: Doug B. | Jul 21, 2016 3:46:07 PM

1.---seriously, Doug? The post I was responding to the weird "disrespect" nonsense. Obviously, that's not defensible, so we pivot and pivot until the subject is unrecognizable.

2. Doug,this is what I was responding to: "Yet, these laws are not implemented as harshly or as stringently in predominantly white communities so the "society" isn't less tolerant of drug enforcement; it's the policies that ensnare and humiliate law-abiding citizens in communities that contribute to the resentment and disrespect of the enforcers, not the laws themselves." Tendentious as all get-out. That leaves an ugly change out there with no temperance or moderation. It's weak. But you seem to have failed to read my last sentence that section--the one about the law-abiding having to suffer the aggressive tactics sometimes--but hey, why not caricaturize what I have to say.

3. Yup, an anecdote---hmmm, ok, minority criminals are given lenient sentences all day every day in places like DC, Chicago and NYC. The point, of course, is that a lot of people get off lighter than they should, but that's an entrenched problem in many urban areas. And I am not even going to get into your faux concern about underage drinking on campus.

4. It's not stereotyping; it's a reality. Largely-minority controlled criminal enterprises are profiting off immense suffering in Maine. I don't particularly care--as I want the criminals simply to be locked up, so the race is pretty much irrelevant, but for those who see race in everything, it would be refreshing to see some discussion of the reality.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 21, 2016 7:01:40 PM

Ha ha. I see the pivoting has to stop somewhere.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 25, 2016 11:53:55 AM

This thread demonstrates why debating anything with Doug is so annoying. I made a few simple points. The first was to criticize the bizarre-world idea about "disrespect for the law" by bringing up "drug use" across races--as if drug use is a proxy for "needs police involvement." Of course, I was completely right about that silliness. But Doug couldn't leave it at that and had to pivot to the "drug laws cause violence" (a path we've been down before). Never can pin Doug down on a position because it shifts.

Posted by: federalist | Jul 26, 2016 9:58:00 AM

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Crater de Kaali (Estonia)

Que habria pasado si los ancestros prehistoricos del ser humano hubieran visto la explosion de una bomba atomica? Seguramente algo parecido a lo que ocurrio en la isla Saaremaa, en la actual Estonia, hace unos 750.000 anos.

De repente, la tranquilidad fue interrumpida por fuerzas superiores al hombre. Un trueno ensordecedor rasgo el aire al mismo tiempo en que se producia un destello de luz increible. Un asteroide estallo en la atmosfera y se partio en varios pedazos Como si los dioses hubieran decidido castigar a los hombres con su furia, un asteroide estallo estallo y se despedazo en cuando un asteroide,

About 7,500 hundred years ago, a meteor entered the Earths atmosphere and broke apart into nine pieces over present-day Saaremaa Island in Estonia. Our pre-historic ancestors must have gone into a wild panic watching these giant rocks fall from the skywhen the pieces hit the ground, they caused a combined impact comparable to an atomic bomb. Given the densely populated area where the meteorites fell, the causalties were likely severe.

All nine impact sites, now called the Kaali Meteorite Crater Field, can still be visited today, and come complete with a museum, gift shop and hotel. Several are relatively small (one measures 36 feet across and just over three feet deep), but the largest is over 360 feet and now filled with water. Archeologists believe this crater may have been the site for ancient cult activities, including animal sacrifices.

arly in the morning of October 6, 2008, astronomers at the University of Arizona detected an asteroid on a collision course with Earth. When other sightings cropped up across the world, the astronomers suspicions were confirmedthe asteroid was going to hit our planet. It was the first time in history an asteroid had been observed before impact. Within hours, the asteroid entered the Earths atmosphere (and thus became a meteor) and broke up into tiny pieces. These fragmentsknown as meteoriteslanded in a remote location in northern Sudan.

Luckily for Earth, this meteor wasnt the big one that NASA scientists are warning could one day crash into our planet (and that Bruce Willis once blew up in a movie). But throughout history, meteorites have left their beautifulif destructivescars upon the globe. Here are some of the best places to see meteorite impact sites this summer:

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/big-boom-best-places-see-meteorite-impact-craters-180955460/#Q5F6vvs7lID3aSQd.99

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Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/big-boom-best-places-see-meteorite-impact-craters-180955460/#Q5F6vvs7lID3aSQd.99

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Next year, monthly premium rates in California will go up by 13.2 percent on average, the result of two insurers who have requested steep rate increases. As CBS5 and the AP report, officials at Covered California, the state's insurance exchange, announced the hikes would be much higher than the four percent increases of the last two years. The Business Times notes that here in San Francisco, rates will be even greater than the state average at 14.8 percent.

Covered California provides health insurance through 11 insurers who compete for 1.4 million enrollees, those who don't receive coverage through government funded Medicare and Medi-Cal or from an employer. And this year, Anthem Blue Cross and blue Shield asked for increases: Blue cross one of 16 percent and Blue Shield one of 19 percent. Factoring in other insurers who asked for lower rate increases, the average increase is just above 13 percent.

Why ask for the increases? More people were expected to use the exchange than actually did. However, Covered California points out that the rate of uninsured Californians is half what it was just before the Affordable Care Act went into effect.

"Shopping is going to be more important this year than ever," said Covered California Executive Director Peter Lee. "We have a competitive marketplace... Health plans that raise their rates do so at their peril.




If nothing else, the weather this week is going to be really consistent  probable fog early on, burning off later but never warming up much, with the wind threatening to knock you down starting around 4 p.m. daily, as the fog returns. So if you need to break up that monotony with some novel activities, here are some ideas  a number of them outdoors and therefore requiring layers.



TUESDAY, JULY 19

KNIFE SKILLS CLASS: You ever watch Chopped or Top Chef and wish you had some of the contestants' knife skills? Well, you need to start with some basics, and that's what they're teaching at this regular offering at 18 Reasons. You'll learn how to maintain a sharp blade and the best ways to cut vegetables and herbs. 3674 18th Street, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $55

INSANE HORROR MOVIE SCREENING: It's another Terror Tuesday at Alamo Drafthouse and this week's feature is 80's cult film From Beyond. Described as a "the most incredible sex-horror grotesquerie of 1986," the movie brings together Re-Animator director Stuart Gordon with actors Barbara Crampton and Jeffrey Combs for "an overdose of hallucinogenic insanity [that's] grimmer... more hateful... [and] even more hyperactive than its berserker predecessor." Alamo Drafthouse at the New Mission, 2550 Mission Street, 10:55 p.m. $5



WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

OPERA HOUSE RIBBON CUTTING: Join the SF Arts Commission along with the mayor and Supervisor Malia Cohen to celebrate the newly renovated and reopen Bayview Opera House Ruth Williams Memorial Theater. The place has been refurbished, along with the grounds, by local landscape architect and artist Walter Hood in partnership with TEF Architects/Knapp, and this event is a community preview ahead of the big grand reopening. There will be refreshments and live music, and a chance to tour the space. 4705 Third Street, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., free

THURSDAY, JULY 21

DATING TALK: Moira Weigel, the author of Labor of Love: The Invention of Dating, will be featured at this Inforum event at the Commonwealth Club discussing the foibles of modern dating and a look back at the history of the whole concept, in conversation with Amanda Bradford, CEO of The League. 555 Post Street, 6 p.m., $10-$60

LARGE-SCALE OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW: Eight local photographers will be exhibiting their work outdoors with the Adolph Gasser gallery, with images blown up to up to 20 feet and applied to walls with wheat paste. Photographers featureed: Maury Edelstein, Dave Glass, Michael Jang, Kappy, Vladimir Panasenko, Ted Pushinksy, David Root, and occasional SFist contributor Troy Holden. 181 Second Street, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., free

COOL SOUND-BASED INSTALLATIONS & PARTY: The seventh biennial Soundwave festival is happening this summer, and this week there's a cool event at the Academy of Sciences featuring performances and installations interpreting the city through sound. There'll be a new electronic music piece in the piazza, a virtual rendering of the city that you can play as an instrument, and artist Jason Marsh will use VR headsets to take people "through data architectures built by inhabitants of the city and into a new realm." 55 Music Concourse Drive, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., $15

FRIDAY, JULY 22

LIVE ARCHAEOLOGY DIG: Want to witness the discovery of SF history up close? The Presidio Trust hosts these weekly events where you can see local archaeologists at work, now through October on Friday and Saturdays, as they excavate El Presidio de San Francisco, the Spanish-colonial site buried just below the ground in front of the Presidio Officers' Club. If you can't make it over Friday around lunch, you can try Saturday, or next week. Presidio Officers' Club, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free.

SATURDAY, JULY 23

DAY-DRUNK WINE PARTY: The folks at Tank 18 will be doing one of their popular BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) events, where you bring washed-out empty wine bottles and they fill them, this time with Sonoma County rose, for $7.99 a pop. For $2 more, they provide the bottles. And people tend to hang out all afternoon and this week you'll be treated to wood-fired pizza from the Del Popolo truck in the alley. Tank 18, 1345 Howard Street, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

BURNING MAN PARTY IN GOLDEN GATE PARK: As part of the 25th anniversary of the AIDS Memorial Grove in the park, gay Burning Man camp Comfort and Joy are hosting Playa in the Park, a day party featuring interactive art, Tarot card readings, and music from DJs Bus Station John and Trever Pearson. Also, it's a potluck, so you're encouraged to bring a casserole or covered dish. Nancy Pelosi Drive, Golden Gate Park, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OUTDOOR MOVIE: Wanting to see Finding Dory but needing to rewatch the original? Bundle up and head to Union Square to see Finding Nemo, for free, as part of the Film Night In the Park Series that also comes to Dolores Park. Union Square, movie starts after dark

ONE 'WOMAN' SHOW: Talented local drag star Miss Rahni will be doing a one-woman show titled My Book, Vol. 2 this weekend at The Stud, with some proceeds going to help the threatened venue. Also, it's Rahni's birthday, and she says, "With all this crazy stuff that's been going on we all just need to come together and just BE!" Spinning this night also will be DJ Sergio Fedasz of Go Bang! The Stud, Harrison and 9th, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., $15, advance tickets here.

SUNDAY, JULY 24

FREE SYMPHONY CONCERT: The San Francisco Symphony is doing their second annual free concert on the water this weekend, at Pier 27 (by the new cruise ship terminal), conducted by SFS Director of Summer Concerts Edwin Outwater. The program features Shostakovich's Festive Overture, Prokofiev's Third Piano Concerto, and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Picnics encouraged, but there will be food trucks. Pier 27, noon to 2 p.m. free
One of the nation's most esteemed dining critics, Pete Wells of the New York Times, is lavishing praise on chef Corey Lee's month-old restaurant (or is it an exhibition?) inside SFMOMA, called In Situ. "By avoiding originality, In Situ is the most original new restaurant in the country," he writes.

As was revealed last fall, the three-Michelin-starred Lee's ambitious concept is focused on recreating dishes from participating chefs rather than concocting new ones. After all, with two other projects (Benu, Monsieur Benjamin) to his name, Lee has space to experiment with his own ideas. But at In Situ, as the chef said in an interview at the outset, "No matter what time of year you visit [In Situ] youll get a cross section of whats going on around the world both geographically and stylistically.

"Two points about this lunch struck me," Wells observed of his recent visit. "First, everything was delicious. Second, the flavors veered wildly different from dish to dish  they were, so to speak, all over the map  and it didnt matter." Surely Lee is reading that remark very happily somewhere: He's said in the past that he doesn't mind if a dining experience doesn't flow completely at In Situ. "Were not trying to offer it as a restaurant experience," Lee said, "Were hoping its a fun and engaging cultural experience in the SFMOMA."

Wells thinks that Lee can pull this all off because, "There are more famous chefs in the United States, but few whose technical mastery is as deeply respected in the business." Chefs are down to let Lee canonize their menu items, such as a shrimp and grits dish that Wells started his meal with. Every item gets a credit, in that case like this: (Wylie Dufresne; WD-50; New York City; 2014). For another example, the critic concluded his lunch with Wood Sorrel & Sheeps Milk Yogurt (Rene Redzepi; Noma; Copenhagen; 2005).

"My mix-and-match lunch was more like listening to a playlist, in fact, than walking through a museum," writes wells. "A new dish would come to the table, and Id get into it, and then it would end and something new would start. Being unconnected to one another didnt seem to hurt the dishes; if anything, they gained something from the surprise of each new segue."

Wells does wonder if there are many "customers who care about restaurants in Lima and Copenhagen enough to have seen some of these dishes in cookbooks or at least in the Instagram accounts of the chefs in question" to support the restaurant. But his takeaway is that In Situ has cleverly pulled up a seat for fine dining at the modern art table. As he puts it, "One thing In Situ proves, just by existing, is that certain chefs are now cultural figures in a sense that once applied only to practitioners of what used to be called high culture: literature, concert music, avant-garde painting. A Redzepi dish can be visited in an art museum in 2016, and nobody finds this very strange."

Previously: In Situ, Corey Lee's Food-As-Art Reproduction Restaurant, Opens At SFMOMA Next Week

3-Michelin-Star Chef Corey Lee's SFMOMA Restaurant To Serve Copies Of Famous Dishes
An Outer Sunset man was taken into custody Tuesday, after police say he was responsible for a tweet calling for the beheading of acting San Francisco Police department Chief Toney Chaplin.

It was just this past Saturday when SFPD "became aware of criminal threats" made against Chaplin on Twitter, police spokesperson Officer Carlos Manfredi says. The threat, as previously reported, was a tweet that read "let Us behead this black man please!" and contained a photo of Chaplin beside a photo of a guillotine and a photo of a sign reading White Trade Only.

An SFPD investigation revealed that the man allegedly behind the Twitter account is 60-year-old San Francisco resident Donald Eric Hoganson, a resident of the 2600 block of Ortega Street (which is between 33rd and 34th Avenues in the Outer Sunset), Manfredi says.

Following his identification, Hoganson was taken into custody, and "a search warrant was approved by a judge and served at the location."

This isn't Hoganson's first brush with the law, according to the Chron, as "In 2002, Hoganson was indicted for allegedly threatening to kill an FBI agent outside the Sacramento office." The Chron reports that Hoganson, who reportedly suffers from schizophrenia, "was determined not competent to stand trial, and his prosecution was deferred...The indictment against him was eventually dismissed."

Hoganson's alleged Twitter account, @BethesdaSavior, remains online as of Wednesday morning. It's full of, as you might expect, swastikas, photos of lynchings, racist rhetoric and other things that would cause those who can see your screen distress and is not safe for work. Here's a link to it if you must go look.

He also appears to have a wordpress.com blog, the most recent entry of which was posted on July 18 and reads in part that "I wish that We could find a very fast way to eliminate most of the human race; I far as I am concerned; they are just useless undesirables! We, Isalam, Bethesda & Mizpah, dont need these insane zombies alive."



Multiple news organizations report that the windows of Hoganson's home are covered in racist messages, including (as you can see above) one that reads "The Outer Sunset Stinks!"

"The neighbor next door...needs a little help," area resident Michael Foley told KTVU, saying that the suspect has been known to scream racial slurs from the street corner. Helen, a resident in Hoganson's building, told KRON 4 that a week and a half ago, Hoganson had left a note for her and others in the building that asked "Are the Chinese naked savages like the niggers?"

"If you don't like Chinese people, why do you live in a Chinese house?" Helen asked. The "community has a lot of Chinese people. He don't like it!"

As of Tuesday evening, Hoganson had yet to be booked, and Manfredi said that "We are still gathering evidence and conducting interviews in preparation of presenting the case to the District Attorney's Office."

According to KTVU, Hoganson is expected to eventually face hate crime charges, as well as charges related to the threats he made to Chaplin. And if he does, this this wouldn't be the first time social media posts threatening police led to an arrest: Just last week, it was reported that arrests have been made in Detroit, Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey following social media posts that appeared to pose a threat to officers.

"The KKK has been passing out fliers in SF, we've had assassinations of officers [in Dallas and Baton Rouge]," Chaplin told NBC Bay Area.

"Any threat of officers I'm going to take seriously, even if it's me."

Previously: SFPD Investigating Death Threat Against Acting Police Chief

Criticizing Police On Social Media Leads To Arrests Following Dallas Shooting

KKK Confirms That Those SF Recruitment Fliers Are For Real
No one can be surprised anymore by the sheer contempt Sheriff David Clarke publicly expresses toward the human beings under his supervision housed in the Milwaukee County Jail.

But it should gravely concern citizens and other public officials to learn inmates may have died in that jail from a form of life-threatening punishment comparable to torture banned at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib.

The latest case involves Terrill Thomas, who had the drinking water to his cell shut off for days as punishment for erratic behavior that appeared to be symptoms of mental illness.

Two other inmates in separate cells nearby told a reporter they heard Thomas begging for water. They also said he refused to eat Nutraloaf, the unpalatable, dog food-like mixture Clarke serves as punishment to inmates who act out.

Thomas, 38, died April 24 after six days in his cell and his death has been under investigation ever since by the Sheriffs Department, Medical Examiners Office and Milwaukee Police Department.

Seriously, does it take months to determine why someone in psychiatric crisis who wasnt eating and had his drinking water cut off might have died in Clarkes cruel gulag?

Investigators could simply have checked out the death of Antonio Cowser in January 2011, in Clarkes jail under almost identical conditions.

Cowser, also suffering from psychiatric problems, was found unresponsive in his cell after refusing to eat for five days and having his drinking water shut off. Cowser had been jailed on a traffic violation.

Thomas was facing more serious charges, indicating a more serious psychiatric condition.

Thomas, whod been admitted three times previously to the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex, shot and wounded a man he believed had taken his car. Then around 3:30 a.m. the next day he went into the Potawatomi Casino with his gun, fired two rounds in the high-stakes poker room, ordered gamblers out and began stuffing poker chips into his pockets.

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After Thomas was arrested and confined to Clarkes segregation unit, he rarely slept. He stuffed toilet paper in his mouth and spit it, tore apart Styrofoam food trays and threw pieces around his cell, pounded on the walls and shouted nonsensical phrases about his father and the coming of God.

A judge had ordered a psychiatric examination to determine if Thomas was mentally competent to stand trial, but he didnt live long enough for it to happen.

That is why vulnerable, mentally ill individuals should never be housed in a facility with policies and practices intentionally designed by a swaggering, cartoon tough guy to inflict harsh punishment rather than provide humane treatment for anyone suffering from a serious illness.

Clarkes Throwback Jail Policies

Clarke shouldnt have any responsibility for mental health treatment or any modern corrections facility either, for that matter. Hes at the Republican National Convention this week to support a presidential candidate who vows to murder the innocent families of terrorists and bring back waterboarding and a hell of a lot worse.

A recent report on the Bush administrations development of waterboarding and other forms of prison torture revealed the CIA used the euphemism applied research for its torture techniques.

Here are the results of Clarkes applied research in the Milwaukee County Jail: If you shut off access to water and provide inedible food to inmates whose psychological states make it difficult for them to rationally communicate, they can die.

Punishing the mentally ill for their affliction fell out of fashion after the classic 1948 film The Snake Pit, starring Olivia de Havilland, exposed the abuses of so-called insane asylums across the country. Wisconsin was one of 26 states that passed legislation reforming mental health treatment nearly 70 years ago.

Clarkes vicious throwback policies are not just dangerous and wrong for the mentally ill. Corrections professionals believe theyre just as outmoded and counter-productive in changing criminal behavior, reducing recidivism and increasing community safety.

Thats why in 2013 the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and the county executive removed administration of the House of Correction from Clarke after he eliminated nearly every education, treatment and job-training program aimed at returning offenders to the community more employable.

Superintendent Michael Hafemann has successfully restored and expanded a vast array of programs that provide desperately needed drug and alcohol treatment, educational opportunities and job training.

Unfortunately, local government doesnt have the authority to remove Clarkes control over the jail. Only elections can achieve that.

Thats too bad because Im pretty sure theres something in the Geneva Conventions that prohibits withholding food and water from prisoners.

Ive occasionally been invited by extremely progressive and courageous educators to speak to National Honor Societies and even a couple of commencements. I always tell the kids not to commit any war crimes or atrocities.

It gets a laugh. I never imagined anyone might reach a position of leadership in the community and actually be allowed to do such things to other human beings.
 Expand Photo by Christina Bodznick

Journalist and dogsledder Blair Braverman was raised on the West Coast, but her heart has always been in the North. Despite a childhood spent in sunny California, Blair Braverman took her first opportunity after high school to move to Norway to learn dogsledding. With no previous mushing experience, Braverman arrived in the Arctic only to come face to face with her very real fears of possible polar bear attacks, physical exhaustion and whiteout conditionsnot to mention anything about her ability to control her dogs and navigate her own sled. Later, she spent time as an Alaskan tour guide dog musher. Her revelatory new memoir, Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube: Chasing Fear and Finding Home in the Great White North, recounts her intrepid adventures coming of age on the icy frontier.

With grace and lyrical prose, Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube is at once an adventurous travelogue and an intimately personal narrative. Throughout this tender and honest memoir, Braverman, a graduate of the Iowas Writers Workshop, brilliantly captures the stark landscapes of the North and her repeated attempts to thrive in their extremely harsh conditions. This young MacDowell Fellow manages to be both tough and tender as she muses on everything from feminism and independence to dogsledding and the natural environment. Bravermans previous writings have appeared in publications including BuzzFeed, Waging Nonviolence and The Best Womens Travel Writing, as well as on This American Life.

Braverman currently makes her home in Mountain, Wis., where she runs Mountain Dog Racing and spends time training for the Iditarod. She will share her extraordinary experiences at Boswell Book Co., 2559 N. Downer Ave., at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 21.

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Book Happening:

Julie Barton

Friday, July 22, 7 p.m.

Boswell Book Co.

2559 N. Downer Ave.

Numerous studies have proven the positive effects that canine companionship can have on humans, and Julie Bartons gripping new narrative shows just how powerfuland lifesavingthat connection can be. After struggling with severe depression and debilitating negative self-talk for years, Bartons mental health reached a breaking point just when she discovered the life-changing, healing power of her relationship with her dog, Bunker. Barton writes gracefully and honestly about the painful topics of mental illness and family violence, making Dog Medicine: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself a wise book filled with forgiveness and hope.
Dressed in suit and tie, clean-shaven and neatly combed, a young Frank Zappa made his television debut in 1963 on the Steve Allen show. The footage, included in Eat that Question: Frank Zappa in his Own Words, shows him already seeking out the fringes of modernist classical music: Zappa played a bicycle that triggered electronic effects and cues for Allens orchestra that turned them into something like free jazz.

Director Thorsten Schutte assembled Eat that Question from Zappas TV appearances in the U.S. and abroad. Some journalists have commented on Zappas contempt for journalists, but watching the interviews unearthed by Schutte shows that the Mother Superior of Invention was contemptuous only of the vacuous and the stupid. When confronted by reporters who behaved like poorly programmed robots, Zappas dark eyes glowered with sardonic contempt. Engaged with intelligent interviewers, even those with whom he disagreed, Zappa turned into the waggish professor determined to entertain as well as inform. As a guest star on a Hollywood game show, Zappa beamed with gracious good humor.

Several themes emerge from the mass of interviews collected for Eat that Question, the most important being Zappas self-identification as a composer and conductor. He cites as influences Edgar Varese, Igor Stravinsky and Anton Webern, not Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry or Jerry Lee Lewis. While his music was usually presented in a rock band format, often a big rock band, even a cursory listen reveals other influences beating in the heart of his music. During the 1960s and 70s, lacking any context for Zappas compositions, most fans simply embraced them for their weirdness. Detractors were usually left scratching their beards.

Zappa was convinced that, as a whole, American society despised musicians unless they did work they deemed as useful, such as penning jingles for Coke commercials. They dont make it easy, he told an interviewer asking about earning a living in music. In the United States especially, musicians are regarded as useless adjuncts to society. According to Zappa, society is duped, trapped in a sticky web of advertising and hype; the spiders of corporate interests devour flies in the form of people who dont trouble themselves to think clearly.

In the 60s Zappas sardonic lyrics and denunciatory statements linked him in the public mind with hippies and student radicals. But he was an uncomfortable hippie bedfellow with his contempt for naive idealism and opposition to drugs. As for student radicals, Zappa recounted on German television his confrontation with a Communist youth brigade in West Berlin that tried to enlist him in their scheme to burn down the Allied high command. After telling them no, they attempted to seize the concert hall where he performed that night, waving red flags and chanting Ho Chi Minh. Zappa turned up the volume to wall-shattering decibels and sent them fleeing, holding their ears in pain.

Zappas disdain for political ideologues, religious fanatics and professional busybodies was a hallmark of his lyrics and interviews. And while his music was a vehicle for his sharply pointed perspective, the music came first. Much of it, he explained, was structured so that improvisation could occur. In this he nodded toward jazz. I dont like to get on stage and slop around, he said. He was a conductor with an electric guitar in place of a baton. I have survived, he told an interviewer with evident pleasure. I have the best job in the world.

Eat that Question: Frank Zappa in his Own Words

Directed by Thorsten Schutte

Rated R
State Sen. Nikiya Harris-Dodd announced in February she wouldnt seek re-election, leaving a rare open Senate seat for hopeful Milwaukee candidates. Three Democrats will appear on the Aug. 9 primary ballotMichael Bonds, Thomas Harris and state Rep. LaTonya Johnson, who received Harris-Dodds endorsement. No Republicans have filed for this campaign, so the winning Democrat in August will become the districts new senator in January. All three candidates spoke to the Shepherd about why theyre running for Senate.

Michael Bonds

Michael Bonds is department chair for the Educational Policy and Community Studies Department at UW-Milwaukee and a member of the Milwaukee Public Schools Board of Directors, where he served as president for seven of his nine years on the board. He said that if he is elected to the Senate he would step down from the MPS board and reduce his workload at UWM.

Bonds said he has had his eye on this district as far back as the 1980s, and said he would be a moderate, practical voice for the district in the Capitol.

Im not going to rule anything out because of ideology or partisan politics, Bonds said.

Topping Bonds list of priorities is education policy, from K-3 to college. Bonds said that there is a role for the three systems of schoolspublic, charter and voucherbut that all of them needed to be held to the same performance standards. He said he supported the Abele/Means plan to take over one MPS school for the Opportunity Schools and Partnership Program (OSPP), saying that it would minimize the damage that could be done to the district. He predicted that legislative Republicans and Gov. Scott Walker would respond with more punitive measures in the next session.

Youve got to be practical in this political climate, Bonds said. I would rather give Abele and Means one school than lose the whole district.

He said he would reach across the aisle to create policies that have a real impact on student achievement, such as funding K-3 and wraparound services for students and aligning teacher education programs with the needs in the schools.

Bonds would also like to address the criminal justice system by developing a juvenile detention center in Milwaukee for youth offenders, improving sentencing practices so that African Americans arent treated unfairly and providing incentives to police and fire departments that promote diversity, now that Republicans and the state Supreme Court have struck down residency requirements for municipal employees.

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He would also like to create packages to make Milwaukee more attractive to business and would especially focus on small businesses.

He said he is not seeking endorsements or donations from special interest groups because he doesnt want to commit to anyone elses agenda. He does not have an online campaign presence.

Thomas Harris

Thomas Harris has almost 10 years of government experience, having worked in the administrations of Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and state Sen. Lena Taylor. Harris just left his position in government relations at Michael Best Strategies to run for Senate. Harris grew up in the Sherman Park neighborhood and currently lives with his wife outside of the district.

Harris decried the infighting that has plagued local and state politics.

There is a toxic environment right now with all of the infighting and personal vendettas among the legislators pushing agendas, Harris said. Thats preventing constituents from being the top priority.

Harris top concern is reforming the criminal justice system and ending the school-to-prison pipeline. He would like to repeal the mandatory minimum sentencing provisions in state law, saying that locking up people is not the answer to crime. He would also like to reinstate the waiting period for obtaining a firearm and supports other gun control measures such as background checks.

Harris would like to improve access to health care, especially mental health care.

There is a lot of trauma in our community that is undiagnosed and leads to other problems, Harris said.

Harris said he would leverage his relationships with legislative and business leaders to be a good representative of Milwaukee in the Legislature.

I have relationships with both sides and I can hit the ground running and get things done for the City of Milwaukee and the Sixth District, Harris said.

Harris said he opposes expansion of the voucher and charter programs and wants to hold them accountable for their student performance. He said MPS should have accepted the Abele/Means offer for OSPP, saying, they should have worked together and predicted that Republicans would come back with something new in the next legislative session.

To learn more about Thomas Harris, go to electthomasharris.com.

LaTonya Johnson

State Rep. LaTonya Johnsons Assembly District 17 makes up a third of Senate District 6. Johnson grew up in a very small town in Tennessee and moved to Milwaukee when she was 12, when she had running water for the first time in her life. Prior to her election to the Assembly in 2012, Johnson owned a childcare center. Despite being in the minority party in the Assembly, nine of her co-authored bills passed and became law. They include making the distribution of revenge porn a crime, requiring the state Department of Children and Families to investigate cases of minors who are victims of human trafficking, and tightening up the monitoring of adopted children who are subsequently placed in new homes.

When I pass legislation for children I am not just affecting that child, Johnson said. I see that legislation as affecting future generations. If I can change the trajectory for that child now I not only change their lives but I am changing the trajectory for their childrens lives as well.

Johnson also co-authored the only piece of gun legislation to pass in the last session, a bill adding penalty enhancers for individuals who have been convicted of certain violent felonies and are later caught possessing a gun.

If elected to the state Senate, Johnson said she would address economic development, since much of the district has not yet recovered from the Great Recession, in combination with improving public safety. She said that businesses wont invest in neighborhoods with high crime and that residents should have opportunities to walk to work. She said just a small minority of bad actors are making the streets unsafe and harming the citys viability.

Johnson said early childhood services and education would also be a priority so that children are ready to learn in school.

Children in Milwaukee are dealing with a lot, Johnson said. If their home environment is not up to par, their success in school will be minimal.

To learn more about LaTonya Johnson, go to voteforlatonya.com
There are just a few dozen Milwaukeeans who are true leaders in their fields. Count among this group Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm, who in the past 10 years has transformed his office from one that responded to crime to one that is actively working to reduce criminal behavior by addressing its root causes. As a result of Chisholms hard work, Milwaukee Countys district attorneys office is viewed as a national model to many people on both sides of the political aisle who want to see meaningful reform.

Chisholm, who will be on the Aug. 9 Democratic primary ballot along with attorney Verona Swanigan, has worked with criminal justice reformers across the country to develop these new models and learn from others experiences. As a result, hes using data to determine the most effective strategies to address those accused of committing crimes; placed prosecutors throughout the community so they have a better understanding of neighborhood residents and dynamics; is providing low-level offenders with opportunities for treatment instead of sending them to jail; launched a witness protection program; is a strong supporter of the Sojourner Family Peace Center for families coping with domestic violence; and helped to secure a $2 million John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation grant to create programs that keep those with mental illnesses out of jail and provide them with the supports they need.

In addition to these reforms, Chisholms prosecutors are busy in the courtroom with the cases involving the most serious, violent offenders. During his tenure, the DAs office has a 95% conviction rate in homicide cases, and he also said hes especially proud of the work his domestic violence prosecutors are doing to achieve justice for these victims.

At the same time hes combatting crime in Milwaukee County, Chisholm is one of three state prosecutors who are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review last summers Wisconsin Supreme Court decision shutting down the John Doe investigation into Gov. Scott Walkers ties to allegedly independent special-interest groups. The high court will decide in September if they will take on the case, which raises critical issues about campaign finance and the right to a fair trial. Theres no doubt that the individuals and the special interest groups on the other side of the John Doe suit will work to defeat Chisholm in his bid for re-election in August.

Chisholm, with his 18-year-old son Ted in tow, sat down with the Shepherd last week to discuss his reforms, how we can reduce the tension between the police and the community, and why the John Doe case is so important. Heres an excerpt of our interview.

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Shepherd: Why are you seeking another term?

Chisholm: I think this is an absolutely critical time in the criminal justice system, not just at the local level, but at the national level. The experience that I bring to it is critically needed at this juncture and in this community. Quite frankly, I think this is a historical moment. It reminds me greatly of the interest and attention and energy that existed in the late 60s around the criminal justice system. You could also argue that some of the decisions that were made back in the late 60s really shaped the direction of law enforcement for decades to come. Some of those were very unfortunate. Some of it was positive, but some of it was very unfortunate.

One of the unfortunate aspects of it was that it really created a perception in the public that all of societys problems could be handled by the criminal justice system acting alone and that the primary method of dealing with societal issues was to lock people up and have a punitive response to everything.

Weve come a long way since then. Ive been trying to lead the efforts in criminal justice reform locally but also at the national level. I think there is a growing understanding and, quite frankly, a desperate need now that I think both sides are recognizing. You look at the events of the last week [police shootings in Baton Rouge, La., and St. Paul, Minn., and the sniper shooting of police officers in Dallas] and it really crystalizes the issue. The issue is, how does a society maximize freedom and yet still enforce the social compact? And prosecutors play a huge role in doing that. We have to make sure that we treat the people we serve with dignity and respect and yet at the same time keep them safe.

The dynamic thats unfolding across the country right now is that oftentimes people that need that relationship with law enforcement and the criminal justice system, because of the conditions theyre living in, they distrust the system the most. Thats the fundamental issue that has to be addressed and thats why I so fundamentally believe in community-based policing and prosecution that actually puts prosecutors right into the communities that are experiencing the most concentrated disadvantage and therefore disproportionately have needs that oftentimes end up in the criminal justice system, whether they should or they shouldnt. That includes drug addiction, mental illness, alcohol addiction, people behaving immaturely, making immature decisions, particularly our young people, that result in contact with the system.

So one of the commitments Ive made in the past 10 years is to develop a system that does a much more effective job of identifying people that really need to be in the system versus those who can be safely accounted for using other community resources, whether thats public health resources or mental health resources, treatment opportunities, opportunities to avoid criminal convictions so that they can seek and maintain employment. Those are absolutely critical to reducing a very real issue, which is disparities, racial disparities, in the system, as well as the long-term consequences of criminal justice involvement.

At the same time, I believe strongly that it frees up resources that you need to put into dangerous offenders. Obviously, one of my core responsibilities is to address people who are hurting other people. Again, that can be done through traditional prosecution means and needs to be done that way at times for violent gun offenders, sexual offenders, but even in that realm I believe strongly that its not good enough to say our job is just to be the emergency room. I feel strongly, particularly with the issue of violence, that its a learned behavior and we have to think in terms of addressing issues like family violence and the environmental conditions that young kids are exposed to that create the thinking that leads to violent behavior or becoming victims of violence.

Shepherd: Were meeting after a very deadly week, one in which were having a national conversation about policing strategies, racial disparities and guns. How do you, as a prosecutor, make sure that our law enforcement officers are treating people fairly but are also able to protect the community as well?

Chisholm: This is the unique obligation of every elected prosecutor and everybody that a prosecutor hires. It has to start with a firm guiding principle that we are here to do two things: Keep people safe but do so in a way that respects their constitutional liberties and, beyond that, respects them as fellow citizens.

We are operating under this system that structures things to believe that you can solve all of these problems with more police officers and prosecutors and courts and corrections. But what has happened is that I think we have diminished the concept of citizenshipparticularly, for those who have become involved in the criminal justice system. Thats the first thing I can do, is to set a culture within my office that respects victims and defendants equally and respects all people that come into the system.

Secondly, I can try to redefine what the role of a prosecutor is. Thats actually based on an ethical obligation now. The case-processing model is really what dominates the American criminal justice system. Its almost an assembly line. The police arrest, we determine whether we can prove, and then youre off and running. So my belief has always been that prosecutors have to be problem-solvers. Now thats actually been adopted by the American Bar Association, which says that elected prosecutors cannot simply be case processors, that they have an obligation to work with the community to help solve problems.

That means that you have to start thinking in terms of root causes. When you start doing that, that starts changing the relationship you have with the community. Thats what drives me to support things like the Sojourner Family Peace Center. Its what drove me to advocate and take leadership over the issue of reducing the number of people who were in our jails and prisons from Milwaukee by focusing on early interventions and deferred prosecutions and full-blown drug treatment for the clinically addicted. Under my leadership and my advocacy, we were able to go from having nothing in 2006 to by 2009 having all parts of that in place.

When you look at the data statewide and local data since that time weve seen dramatic reductions in admissions to jail and admissions from Milwaukee, particularly among the African American population, particularly for drug-related offenses and public order offenses and things like that. And it happened at the same time that we saw some of our historically low rates of violent crime.

Shepherd: What are the biggest challenges youre facing right now?

Chisholm: The single largest challenge I face is trying to continue to advocate to fellow criminal justice system partners and the community that we have an obligation to continue on this path of doing a much better job of who should stay in the system and who should be allowed to get help in the community. That argument becomes really difficult when you have upticks in violent crime like we experienced last year and to a certain extent are still experiencing. But, were down about 30% in homicides to date this year so thats a good sign. Weve seen a downtick in nonfatal shootings. But theyre still way too high.

The ultimate challenge, and this plays into what were seeing nationally as well, is that we just have to acknowledge in major cities that have major populations that have lived now for three or four generations in concentrated disadvantage that law enforcement has become the default primary responder to all of those issues that arise out of there. Deep poverty, limited educational opportunities, environmental issues like exposure to lead and certainly to violence, lack of economic opportunities and the lack of real investment in specific neighborhoods breed the conditions that lead to calling the police a lot. And when you call the police a lot and you couple that with a population that is heavily, heavily armedthats just the realityin my opinion its gotten worse with the passage of the recent laws, not just at the state level but nationally, and then you have police officers trying to respond to it, you have fear on both sides and thats what needs to be changed. Thats the challenge locally and nationallyto have meaningful, tough discussions about how we change that sense of fear that exists on both sides. Were not going to do it by retrenching and rehashing the same old arguments weve had for years.

Shepherd: Right now Milwaukee is experiencing a spate of car-jackings, particularly by teens, some of whom are repeat offenders. What is your office doing to ensure that kids dont keep repeating this bad behavior?

Chisholm: Its a small number of kids who create a disproportionate part of the harm. The danger of that is of course everyone wants to go back to OK, thats it, every single kid who commits a crime should be locked up. But the reality is that we know that the vast majority of kids do respond to interventions very effectively, its just that you dont hear about them again. The concern of the police department, the community and my office is that the individuals that have had multiple contacts with the system seem to have the ability to continue doing what they are doing.

What I strongly endorse and believe that we have to doand this is going to require a major investment from the stateis that we have to go to what is referred to as the Missouri model, which says that you should have more options, more secure options, for juvenile offenders in the community. They generally have no more than 10 kids per facility and at least three to four staff members. They have found that to be extraordinarily effective. They always place them in the community, so judges are much less reluctant to send them there.

Now you have an all-or-nothing type of option. You can send them to Lincoln Hills, but thats melting down. Theyre going to be abused and become worse while theyre there. Youve got a 60-70% recidivism rate for kids coming out of Lincoln Hills. What we really need to do is commit to identifying the hard-core most dangerous group and then having more secure options right in the community and then well get better results.

Shepherd: I know that youre not able to talk much about this, but what do you want people to know about why youre appealing the Wisconsin Supreme Courts decision on the John Doe investigation to the U.S. Supreme Court?

Chisholm: I want people to know that this is a fundamentally important issue, which has to be addressed by a truly fair and impartial court. What is driving it is a very simple question, and that is when people substantially aid a candidate for election, should the public know where those resources came from? If there is not true independence, then the public should know where those resources are coming from. The second issue is that every litigant in our system should have a fair shake, that you should not be in front of judges that have predisposition or bias against you before you even start. Those are really the two issues that were taken up.

I try to tell people that right now in federal courts there are some fundamentally important cases that are going to shape the future of Wisconsin, and maybe the country. Certainly the redistricting lawsuit could fundamentally change things. That is a huge one. Its very important. The voters rights litigation is extremely important. But this John Doe investigation is right up there with them.
Photo by City of Milwaukee, Flickr CC

As with any change in leadership of a legislative body, after Ald. Ashanti Hamilton became the new president of the Milwaukee Common Council this spring, members began to jockey for position in a variety of ways. The horse-trading continues among the council members. We are concerned that during this repositioning and politicking that good programs and good people could be lost to the city by a vote or two because of personal infighting.

Specifically, Department of City Development (DCD) Commissioner Rocky Marcoux, who has done a very good job for Milwaukees citizens and who is poised to continue to do an excellent job in the future, could get caught in the crossfire of competing personalities of the council members. Marcoux is scheduled for a confirmation in about a week and if the vote were held today it would be a very close vote. It shouldnt be close. It should be a very solid vote for confirmation, considering his accomplishments.

When Marcoux was first selected for the position as head of DCD, the Shepherd had some serious reservations. He had come out of the housing development world, which is very different than economic development. Economic development is far more complicated and difficult. Over the years we did about a 180-degree about-face after seeing Marcoux put together a series of successes for the Milwaukee economy including, for example, the three new companies in the city-owned Menomonee Valley Industrial Center. Then, replicating the successes of the Menomonee Valley, DCD cleared and environmentally cleaned up the land at Century City, where businesses are now beginning to locate.

DCD had also been successful with numerous Downtown and Third Ward development deals using strategic investments to leverage huge private sector investments. This has created tens of thousands of jobs and added billions of dollars of taxable property. DCD has also worked with companies on the outskirts of the Milwaukee area and convinced them to move into the city. When suburban companies start moving into the city, development in the city is being done right.

Now there are those who feel that too much development has been focused on Downtown and not enough in the neighborhoods. There is certainly some validity to that argument, but only some, because it is always difficult to measure what is balanced economic growth. Downtown projects are large and usually involve mature companies and when a mature company moves Downtown, it creates a significant number of jobs and a visible boost to the tax base. That makes the news.

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Neighborhood development, on the other hand, is often the result of new businesses being created or hundreds of existing small businesses adding two or three new jobs. It is a different kind of development and more complicated development. That said, under Marcouxs watch, often partnering with such excellent economic development organizations as the Wisconsin Womens Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), neighborhoods like South 27th, Lindsay Heights, Layton Boulevard West and Bronzeville, to name just a few, have seen some local economic development. Obviously, we would still like to see much more development in the neighborhoods.

We could go on and on, but economic development is difficult, and it is difficult to find someone for the DCD position who has actually made some real, impressive accomplishments. A lot of people talk about economic development but few really know how to actually do it. Rocky Marcoux understands economic development. We do not want to see our citys economic development get thrown off track because of politics at the city council level.

Common Council members, we ask you to please do what is right for Milwaukee and confirm Rocky Marcoux for another four-year term.
SIOUX CITY | Ian Wilke may very well be a future contestant in the making for Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The 7-year-old was chowing down on two hot dogs at a Sioux City food truck Friday morning, and he was contemplating going back for more.

"Yesterday, I had three hot dogs and I was still hungry," Ian said as he tackled his second dog.

Ian's wienie mania didn't faze dad Matt Wilke, who is also fond of a food traditionally stuffed inside a slightly-toasted bun.

"Hot dogs are the perfect street food," Wilke said "It wouldn't seem like summer without a hot dog."

He's right. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans will eat 7 billion hot dogs. That's about 818 red hots consumed every second.

In addition, the entire month of July has been declared National Hot Dog Month, according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council.

Sioux City food historian Marcia Poole said variations of the modern hot dog can be traced back some 3,500 years, when humans began processing meat into sausages.

Yet she credits Anton Feuchtwanger, a Bavarian-born concession stand owner, for introducing the hot dog (or as he called it "dachshunds") to the 1904 St. Louis Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

"The resourceful Feuchtwanger also enlisted the help of his baker brother-in-law to create the first hot dog bun," Poole said.

Following in Feuchtwanger's footsteps is Dave Schrock, co-owner of Dog Eat Dog, a food truck specializing in gourmet franks.

Dog Eat Dog is a regular during Food Truck Fridays held from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Seventh Street, between Douglas and Pearl streets. Schrock and wife Maria Schrock can also be seen dishing out creative dogs Friday and Saturday nights at The Firehouse Bar, 1211 Fifth St.

"Hot dogs are just an all-American food," Schrock said. "Plus they lend themselves to reinvention."

That's certainly true for Schrock's Buckaroo Dog, which features an all-beef frank, bacon, green peppers, onions, chili and jalapenos.

But if you ask Sioux City resident Jeff Jerome, he prefers his sausages simple.

"I like a grilled bratwurst with plenty of mustard," he said. "I'm not a fanatic about it but ketchup has no place on a hot dog."

Just don't tell that to Ian Wilke, who douses his dog with the sweet, red sauce.

"It tastes better that way," he said nonchalantly.

Poole said half the fun of eating a hot dog is customizing it to your own taste.

"You can dress it up and you can dress it down," she said. "It's still good."

Plus it gives a hot dogger like Schrock a creative canvas.

"In my experience, the only thing that doesn't work inside a hot dog is pizza sauce," he said. "My most unrated hot dog was called 'The King' and that used chocolate, peanut butter and bacon."

But Schrock said his favorite all-time hot dog creation was the "Porky Pig."

"That one has an all-beef frank, barbecue pulled pork and cole slaw," he said. "That only goes to show you can do a lot with a dog."
WINNEBAGO, Neb. | A federal grand jury has returned an 11-count indictment against nine former members of the Winnebago Tribal Council for alleged corruption and theft of tribal funds.

Former tribal chairman John Blackhawk, 61, and former tribal Council members Darwin Snyder, 49, Thomas Snowball, Jr., 55, Louis Houghton, 69, Lawrence Payer, 70, Travis Mallory, 38, Charles Aldrich, 48, Morgan Earth, 70, and Ramona Wolfe, 76, were each charged with conspiracy, theft and misapplication of funds belonging to an Indian gaming establishment, and wire fraud.

As a result of the defendants' actions, the loss to the tribe's WinnaVegas Casino Resort totaled $327,500, according to a news release Wednesday from Deborah Gilg, U.S. Attorney for Nebraska.

An arraignment date for each of the defendants in U.S. District Court is anticipated to be in early August, according to the news release.

The case, which was investigated by the FBI, stemmed from a tribal investigative report early last year that showed the nine council members had given themselves large raises and bonuses.

These individuals used their elected official positions to enrich themselves and in the process betrayed the trust of their peers and those they were elected to serve," FBI supervisory agent in charge Randy Thysse said in a statement. "The FBI Omaha division will remain steadfast in aggressively investigating those responsible for perpetrating schemes like this and will continue to pursue all allegations of public corruption.

According to the indictment, each defendant received a salary in excess of $80,000 in 2013, and a salary in excess of $87,000 in 2014. The tribal council had raised their salaries by approximately 35 percent in February 2013, retroactive to Oct. 1, 2012. Because of the retroactive nature of the increase, on Feb. 22, 2013, lump sum distributions were given to the defendants in the following amounts: general members of the tribal council $8,288.56; vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer $9,945.74 each; and chairman $11,602.92.

Additionally, each of the defendants received five separate bonuses totaling $5,955.62 in 2013, and six separate bonuses totaling $11,019.23 in 2014. The defendants also received additional paychecks for unused vacation time.

Aldrich, Blackhawk, Houghton, Payer, and Snyder also received longevity pay for continuous employment ranging from $3,200 to $5,000 per person per year, according to the indictment.

Despite the fact that the defendants had received such large salary and bonus payments, the indictment alleges the defendants "devised, executed, and aided and abetted" the execution of a plan to receive additional funds directly from WinnaVegas without accounting for same through the payroll department of the tribe and without approving the distribution of such funds at a regular Tribal Council meeting. The indictment further alleges these distributions were contrary to policies of the tribe and casino and that the disbursements were not approved by the Winnebago Gaming Commission, which oversees WinnaVegas, located on tribal land west of Sloan, Iowa.

"This has been a devastating event to our community, our focus has been on improving communications and transparency within our government, as well as implementing internal policies to ensure that questionable activity does not occur again. Our membership expects and deserves nothing less," Winnebago Tribe Chairwoman Darla LaPointe said in a statement shortly after the indictments were announced.

Distributions to the defendants were in the form of gift certificates issued by the casino and multiple loads to pre-paid debit cards paid for by the casino, according to the indictment. No monies were paid for the issuance of the gift certificates, but the defendants were able to cash them at the casino or otherwise redeem them for merchandise. Gift certificates issued to the defendants in 2013 and 2014 totaled $87,000. The total amount loaded to the debit cards of the defendants in 2013 and 2014 was $240,500. These distributions were recorded on the books of the casino as miscellaneous administrative expenses, according to the indictment.

After the bonuses and gifts became known to members of the tribe, the defendants attempted to justify the distribution by claiming the funds paid were additional salary or stipends to compensate Tribal Council members for additional oversight duties they were allegedly required to perform regarding the operation of the casino in 2014. The indictment, however, alleges:

-- Oversight of the casino was already a part of the duties of all the Tribal Council members for which they received a salary from the tribe

-- Not all defendants performed additional duties relating to the business of the casino

-- Stipends paid to Tribal Council members for work performed relating to sitting on boards of directors of other economic entities of the tribe were considerably lower and were typically just $200 per meeting

-- Tribal Council members were not licensed vendors authorized to receive payments directly from the casino

-- Winnebago Gaming Commission had not approved such disbursements to the defendants

-- Disbursement of such funds was contrary to the bylaws of the tribe because the description of the alleged work to be performed, the justification for same and the amount of compensation therefore were not approved by the tribal Council at any regular meeting nor was the disbursement of said funds over and above the tribal budget for fiscal years 2013 and 2014 approved at any regular meeting of the Tribal Council.

In the wake of last year's tribal investigative report, the nine former Tribal Council members resigned or were ousted from office by newly elected council members. A group of tribal residents called on federal law enforcement authorities to indict the former members for theft and corruption.

A conspiracy conviction is punishable by up to five years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. A conviction for theft or misapplication of funds belonging to an Indian gaming establishment is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. A wire fraud conviction is punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000.
SIOUX CITY | An iconic Italian restaurant in Sioux City's Historic Fourth District has changed hands.

Since opening its doors more than 20 years ago, Luciano's has been owned and operated by Ray Hoffmann and his wife, Kathleen. In 2009, the restaurant got a makeover, which included a remodel and the introduction of a wine shop, Uncorked, and martini bar, Badda Bing.

"Eventually it just grew," Ray Hoffmann said Tuesday. "The restaurant is twice the size it was, and we've been very successful all those years."

The eatery at 1019 Fourth St. has been sold to business partners Dan Myers and Vernon Meyer.

The Hoffmanns will continue to own and operate Luciano's North, which opened a few years back in Sioux Falls.

"I want to slow down a little bit and enjoy my life and family, and on the other hand, it's just one of those things - I really wanted to stay," Ray Hoffmann said. "But you gotta smell the roses."

Management of Luciano's changed hands on Tuesday. Myers and Meyer are waiting for the state to finalize a liquor license approved recently by the City Council.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed. Talks began months ago, when Hoffmann expressed interest in a sale and Myers' Realtor heard the news.

"We always thought Luciano's was a great location, a great restaurant, and just really wanted to do something to have a lot of fun with - to combine wine and food," Myers said Tuesday.

Myers was formerly in the nursing home business. He's also owned a restaurant for four years called Ragazzi's Pizza in Omaha.

Myers and Meyer are passionate about the juxtaposition of wine and food, and Myers said they "absolutely" plan on keeping the wine shop at Luciano's.

"(Vernon's) always had a dream of being in the wine business," Myers said.

Aside from admitting they're in talks of opening up for lunch, the business partners said they want to keep other future plans for the restaurant, martini bar and wine shop under wraps.

"It's a secret," Myers said.

Over the years, Hoffmann, a former Iowa Republican Party chairman, helped bring a number of presidential candidates and other politicians to Luciano's.

Hoffmann said he will miss many things about the downtown Sioux City restaurant, especially the regular downtown customers.

"I will come down there every so often and join the guys that have been going down years and years and years," he said. "You can't beat that kind of loyalty."
SPENCER, Iowa | Early morning rains Tuesday did little to dampen enthusiasm for a heavy equipment simulator that began a four-day stop here.

By midday, more than 50 people had tried their hand aboard the Hawkeye Community College simulator van, Iowa Workforce Development organizer Bob Becker said

Seven simulators are here to encourage women especially to go into the construction trades and welding industries -- higher paying jobs than retail, for instance, Becker said. The skilled trades pay better than many jobs in a rural community.

Becker said the computerized devices simulate experiences on bulldozers, backhoes, road graders, excavators and welders.

A user can push dirt with a simulated bulldozer and is rated on the amount of work done against any damage," Becker said. "If the users set the blade too low, theyre going to dig a hole. Too high, it doesnt push enough dirt.

Youre scored for quantity, with a deduction for any destroyed property or equipment. Theres a time element, too. You have to keep going, but be accurate and safe at the same time, he added.

Eric Sebasta, who just relocated to Spencer from Holland, Michigan, said has worked in everything from web design and commercial fishing to construction -- which he is doing now as a part of Spencer Municipal Utilities fiber optics expansion. Sebasta said he felt he did well with the backhoe simulator.

Spencer High School student Isaac Brichta, 16, was one of the first to try his hands on the welding simulator.

Im not looking for a job this week," Brichta said. "But I want to try things out -- get an idea what reality work would be like. I did pretty good on the heavy equipment simulators. I didnt destroy anything. But Im interested in welding.

Recent Spencer graduate Anthony Stewart says he is looking for a job, and tried the bulldozer, excavator and grader simulators. With the excavator I kinda got it, he said.

Several area employers and Northwest Iowa and Iowa Lakes Community Colleges were represented in a Workforce Development job fair where participants could learn more about individual opportunities for employment and job training.

Teresa Ball, a pathwway navigator at Iowa Lakes Community College, was stressing the importance of short-term skills programs, with classes for welders, certified drivers licenses, and certified nurses (CNAs). Those three areas are almost continuous and full all the time, she said. Longer bookkeeping courses can last from four to 10 months, she said, depending on the level of involvement.

Some programs are tuition-free, depending on income, Ball added. And Iowa Lakes also tries to offer assistance with things like child care and even transportation if needed.

Brandon DeClercq, an admissions representative for Northwest Iowa Community College, says the Sheldon school has a two-year construction technology program that starts in the classroom and moves to job sites in the area, including the construction of a 1,700 sq. ft. home each year.

Northwest Iowa Community College dean of technical programs Steve Waldstein added that theres also a two-year heavy equipment program that does classroom time, then gives experience in the field working in places like Rock Valleys industrial park and Rivers Bend Campground. Before community colleges were involved in technical training, employers were doing on-the-job training. But in recent years more employers are asking for training before a person is hired, he said.

Like Molly Bartolo, of Algona-based Redings Gravel & Excavating, Chris Beck, of Beck Excavating in Spirit Lake, is looking for drivers with a CDL and those who know how to operate heavy equipment.

Im just excited to educate people that were in need of skilled employees," Beck said. "The community colleges can do some of that training. Otherwise you have to start at the bottom and work your way up.

While reservations for the simulators are accepted, Becker said he expects most of the traffic will be walk-in on a space-available basis. The simulations and job fair are taking place at the Iowa Workforce Development offices, 217 West 5th St. in Spencer, located just north of the Clay County Courthouse. Reservations can be made by calling 712-262-1971.
SIOUX CITY | An excessive heat warning issued by the National Weather Service has expanded to include all Siouxland counties.

The expanded warning, which currently includes the majority of Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota and Missouri, will begin 1 p.m. today and continue through 7 p.m. Friday.

The NWS predicts heat index values in the warning area will rise to between 100 and 110 degrees Wednesday and Friday, with heat index values peaking on Thursday as high as 115 degrees. Evening lows will be in the upper 70s.

According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, today's high will be 94 degrees in Sioux City, with heat index values expected to reach 107 degrees. Today will be partly sunny, with a south wind of 10 to 15 mph, gusting as high as 25 mph.

Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 76 degrees.

Thursday will be mostly sunny, with a high near 97 in Sioux City. Heat index values are expected to hit 110 in the area.

Thursday night will be partly cloudy, with a low of 75 degrees.

Friday will be partly sunny with a high of 92 degrees. A 40 percent chance of precipitation will move in Friday evening, with a low of 73.

Saturday's high will be 93 degrees, with a low around 67.

Temperatures will then drop to around 85 degrees Sunday through Tuesday.

The NWS encourages Siouxlanders to drink plenty of fluids, remain in air-conditioning if possible, stay out of the sun during peak heat times and check up on relatives and neighbors.

For those needing to cool down, Mercy Medical Center - Sioux City, 801 Fifth Street, will be offering free heat relief in its cafeteria between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on days the temperature exceeds 90 degrees.
CLEVELAND | Cheering, reveling delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention  including 30 from Iowa  did something Tuesday night that many did not envision when Iowa kicked off the presidential selection process six months ago  nominating New York billionaire Donald Trump to be this years GOP standard bearer and putting to rest the dump Trump rumblings.

Iowans, many preferring to see Texas Sen. Ted Cruz at the top of the 2016 ticket, found themselves giving the nod to Trump at Quicken Loans Arena.

If you had told me a year ago that Donald Trump was going to be our nominee, I would have said, no, I dont think thats going to happen at all, said Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa. The bottom line is we listen to the people. The people decided.

Iowa GOP convention delegation chairman Matt Schultz cast all of Iowas 30 votes for Trump during Tuesdays roll call in which the New York candidate topped the 1,237 delegates needed to seal the partys 2016 presidential nomination. Delegates also ratified Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as Trumps running mate.

Convention delegate Randy Feenstra of Hull, Iowa, backed Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and switched to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz when Walker dropped out of the race. On Tuesday, he cast his vote for Trumps nomination on the arena floor.

The process worked, he said. It came that Trump got the most, so he has to be our nominee.

Feenstra said he believes Trump would bring the best business pedigree to the White House of any president weve ever seen and will be a new face to that office who will surround himself with good, qualified people like his choice of Pence.

U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Kiron Republican who brought Trump to Iowa in October 2014 for a fundraiser and again in January 2015 for the Iowa Freedom Summit but backed Cruz in the 2016 Iowa caucuses, said Tuesday hes still not ready to endorse Trump but noted, Im closer.

The selection of Mike Pence for VP brings it quite a long ways, said King, who served in the U.S. House with the Indiana Republican.

He is a fiscal hawk. Hes a committed full-spectrum constitutional conservative and a wholesome man with a wholesome family. I think its a terrific addition to the Trump ticket, King noted. This is getting better. Well see how it unfolds.

There are a lot of people who Donald Trump wasnt their first choice. He wasnt my first choice. But he has exceeded all expectations, Gov. Terry Branstad said Tuesday.

Kaufmann said Republicans leaving Cleveland later this week are planning to assemble the largest ground game in Iowa history that will include a focus on absentee ballots and get-out-the-vote efforts in conjunction with the Republican National Committee to erase a traditional edge held by Iowa Democrats.

Eric Branstad, the governors oldest son who this week was officially named state director for Trumps Iowa campaign, said work already is under way to assemble a very strong, world class team.

The lion is about to be unleashed, is the way Eric Branstad described it, with an expectation that both Trump and Pence will make campaign stops in Iowa in the months leading up to the November general election.

Were going to put an organization together thats going to win Iowa. Were going to put the resources, the manpower, everything in which to do that, he added.
PRINT | EMAIL | PERMALINK Newscity APD Officers Cleared of Charges in 2013 Shooting Robert Maestas Three Albuquerque police officers have been cleared of all charges in the 2013 non-fatal shooting of Shaine Sherrill. According to Second Judicial District Attorney Kari Brandenburg's report, the officers were called to the 2000 block of Wyoming NE by Sherrill's girlfriend after a confrontation with him on December 1, 2013. Sherrill, who had previously told officers that he wanted to be shot by police and threatened to commit suicide by cop, allegedly reached into his waistband, pulled out an object that the officers say appeared to be a firearm, and raised his arms to eye-level as though aiming a weapon. The officers then opened fire on Sherrillfiring about 26 shots, three of which hit him. The object in question was revealed afterward to be a long-handled black knife that Sherrill was pointing at officers in shooter's stance to simulate a gun, according to forensics, witness testimony and lapel video. Last Friday, July 15, the DA's office found no probable cause to charge the three officers, and said that the officers actions were proper for the situation.

N.M. Delegates Support Trump at Convention The New Mexico Republican Party sent 24 delegates to the Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Monday. Debbie Maestas, chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, told the Albuquerque Journal that although some members of the delegation are not supporters of Donald Trumpthe presumptive GOP presidential nomineemost are, and the delegation as a whole is unified in its stand behind the Republican forerunner. This follows a marked increase in Trump's popularity nationally as supported by recent polls. Senate Democrats met last Thursday with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in the US Capitol, where Trump's rising popularity was discussed. Many Republican figureheads including former President George W. Bush and former presidential nominee Mitt Romneywill not be attending the convention because of their differences with Trump. Governor Susana Martinez will be attending, but will not be speaking as she did in 2012.
CHICAGO -- There is near-universal agreement that Silicon Valley needs more diversity.

Attaining it is usually thought of as a numbers game in which organizations try to get the percentage of their non-white staff to reflect that of the U.S. population. The reason usually cited for the need to diversify is the "business case." The thinking goes that diverse backgrounds make for better products, services and innovations.

In a recent Harvard Business Review post, "We're Making the Wrong Case for Diversity in Silicon Valley," diversity consultant Todd L. Pittinsky challenges this assumption.

"Does that case have any relevance in Silicon Valley? Here we have one of the least diverse sectors of the U.S. economy. According to data obtained from the Labor Department and reported by Mother Jones, the top Silicon Valley tech firms lag well behind the general population in diversity. And the problem is most pronounced in the very belly of the beast: the technical jobs. The Valley's tech workers are overwhelmingly men (83 percent) who are white or Asian (94 percent)," wrote Pittinsky.

"Yet Silicon Valley is also by far one of the most innovative collections of people not only in the U.S. today but perhaps anywhere, ever. This might explain why the creativity and innovation arguments for workplace diversity, while seemingly compelling at first blush, haven't had the expected impact on business investment in diversity."

Still, even for high-tech companies that are already commercially successful, there are other compelling arguments.

Daisy Auger-Dominguez, one of Google's highest-ranking Hispanics, tells this story about the indefinable impact she sees.

"I've been in diversity and inclusion for 10 years and I'm keenly aware of being the Latina in the room advocating for Latinos and women and not apologizing for it," Auger-Dominguez told me. "But it's not the same situation as being a young, new Latina hire. That became clear to me one day when I met with a younger Latina on staff. I've been in my career long enough that I don't have to worry about what other people think, so when we were introduced, I greeted her with a hug, a kiss on the cheek, I spoke in Spanish and we had a nice talk. I later found out -- because she blogged about it, a very Google-y thing to do -- that when we broke off she went into the elevator to cry because she had never in her career seen herself reflected in a leader that looked like her mother or her aunt. I was really struck by that, it reminded me of the phrase, 'You can't be what you can't see.'"

Auger-Dominguez, who is of Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage, joined Google as global head of diversity staffing a year ago to help bring up its diversity numbers. The tech giant recently released its latest statistics and though the company is committed to boosting its ranks of women, Hispanics and blacks, it remains a work in progress.

As of January of this year, only 31 percent of their staff was female, and a scant 2 percent black. Hispanics represented 3 percent of the workforce compared with 32 percent Asians and 59 percent whites.

Auger-Dominguez says that Google is putting in a wide variety of long-term programs aimed at cultivating potential Google candidates starting in kindergarten with K-12 school curriculum. From there, the focus is on university programs that develop a steady stream of graduates who are ready to join Google after. The company is also changing internal hiring processes to eliminate interviewer and hiring bias.

Her task goes beyond the operational, however. "Internally and externally, my role is to create narrative images, profiles and stories to help others outside of Google see themselves at Google and to help those who are already here feel they are at home and can aspire to be anywhere in the organization."

Pittinsky suggests that we need to think larger than the "business case" reasoning. "We should embrace diversity because it provides a foundation for a healthy society. If we can become more disciplined and precise in learning how to create and maintain it in the right ways, this will make for a more prosperous and productive economy in the future."

In other words, channeling people from the most disadvantaged populations toward excellent career opportunities is good for us all.
The Sioux City Journal editorial board has called on our congressman, Steve King, to remove the Confederate flag from his desk in his congressional office in Washington, D.C.

Agreed. But why does the editorial board fall far short in describing what that flag symbolizes? "A dark chapter in our nation's history," it says. "Beyond the ugliness" of the Confederacy, it notes.

Nowhere in its June 14 editorial does the editorial board mention one of the key underpinnings of the Civil War: to end slavery, to free black people from their bondage in the South.

That's a glaring omission. As glaring as our congressman's frequent insensitivity to matters of race.

He is entitled to his opinion, of course, and Mr. King has said as much. Just as we are entitled to send the congressman and his Confederate flag home to Kiron someday. - State Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan
As usual, Linda Holub's column (The Regulars, July 17) elevates demagogy over legal reasoning.

The evidence required to legitimately charge and convict someone of a crime entails an onerous burden, as it well should. Holub's result-oriented criticism of FBI Director James Comey's decision not to charge Hillary Clinton with a crime over her e-mail debacle is without merit.

As much as Holub and her ilk would probably enjoy the specter of a political show trial against Clinton, there would be no basis in the law to support such a frivolous expense to taxpayers. - John Polifka, Mapleton, Iowa
The Republican Party came to life as the bastion of "Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men." It was a reformist party dedicated to stopping the spread of slavery and to fighting a "Slave Power" its founders saw as undermining free institutions.

The new political organization grew out of the old Whigs and reflected the faith that Henry Clay and his admirer Abraham Lincoln had in the federal government's ability to invest in fostering economic growth and expanding educational opportunity. Its partisans embodied what John C. Calhoun, slavery's chief ideological defender, described disdainfully as "the national impulse." It was, in fact, a good impulse.

But the Republicans who held their first national convention 160 years ago were more than just northern Whigs. Their ranks also included many former Democrats who shared a fervor for the anti-slavery cause and helped take some of the Whiggish, elitist edge off this ingathering of idealists and practical politicians.

"The admixture of Whig and Democratic politics inside the Republican Party," writes the historian Sean Wilentz in "The Politicians & The Egalitarians," his recently published book, "created a forthright democratic nationalism, emboldening the federal government, for a time, at once to stimulate economic development and broaden its benefits."

The Republicans descending on Cleveland would thus have every right to insist that all Americans owe a large debt to the GOP. We are a better, freer and more prosperous nation because their party was born.

Of course it would be historically naive to pretend that time has stood still since 1856. To do so would mean ignoring that the South, which hated the original Republicans, is now the dominant force in the party. It would involve being blind to the way in which our two great political parties have switched sides in how they view the capacity of our federal government to promote a more inclusive prosperity.

It would be equally untrue to history to claim that the nativism of Donald Trump is alien to the party. On the contrary, the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic Know-Nothings were an important force in early Republicanism, and the party embraced opposition to newcomers at various points in subsequent eras.

Nonetheless, Republicans who are not in the least progressive have reason to mourn what is likely to come to pass this week: the transformation of the Party of Lincoln and Dwight Eisenhower into the Party of Trump. Some are bravely resisting this outcome to the end -- and good luck to them. A fair number of leading Republicans have stated flatly that they will never vote for Trump. Their devotion to principle and integrity will be remembered.

But so many others in the party have found ways of rationalizing support for a man who plainly does not take governing, policy or even what he says from one day to the next seriously. It is comical but also embarrassing to watch politicians and consultants fall all over themselves to declare that Trump is "maturing" because every once in a while, he reads partisan talking points off a teleprompter. This is seen as a great advance over the normal Trump whose free association rants refer to his opponents as "lyin'," "crooked," "sad," "weak," "low energy" and -- in the very special case of Sen. Elizabeth Warren -- "Pocahontas."

Liberals have long complained about conservatives "dog whistling" appeals to racial animosity. But hypocrisy really is the tribute vice pays to virtue and so it does mark a decline in simple decency that Trump has shouted out his prejudices openly: falsely claiming that Barack Obama, our first African-American president, was not born in the United States; railing against Mexican immigrants as "rapists"; and calling for "a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States."

And a party that helped build popular support for internationalism after World War II is about to turn to a man whose foreign policy pronouncements defy coherence. He's not even consistent in supporting noninterventionism or protectionism, both of which are part of a historically legitimate Republican tradition. He substitutes bullying for choosing, bluster for strength.

Many Republicans oppose Trump because they see him as the one candidate most likely to lose to Hillary Clinton. But others fear something worse: a Trump victory. They know that his presidency would represent a grave danger to the republic, a repudiation of the most noble Republican aspirations, and the end of their party as a serious vehicle for governance. The GOP can survive a Trump defeat. It will never get over being permanently defined by his politics of flippant brutality.
CLEVELAND | U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, on Tuesday defended controversial remarks at the Republican National Convention that dismissed the contributions of minority groups to civilization.

In an interview with Iowa reporters early Tuesday, King said liberals are constantly denigrating "old white people" and there was a need for him to respond.

"That comes out of the mouths of liberals on a daily basis around this country. They're disparaging a group of people. And it's about time somebody stood up for that group of people," King said.

King caused an uproar in a television appearance on Monday, when he responded to Charlie Pierce, an Esquire writer, who'd said an optimistic view would be that "old white people" would no longer be commanding the Republican Party's attention.

King then jumped in. "This 'old white people' business does get a little tired, Charlie. I mean, I'd ask you to go back through history and figure out, where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that you're talking about, where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilization?"

The comment drew widespread condemnation. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Andy McGuire called the comments "blatantly racist."

Gov. Terry Branstad also told reporters Tuesday: "I just think they were inappropriate. I think I'll just leave it there, that it was inappropriate.

Asked Tuesday what he meant by "sub-group," King said: "You can divide that any way you want, but I brought that back to western civilization itself, the very foundation of western civilization. And there's no culture, no civilization in the history of the world that's contributed more in the area of math, or science or technology or medicine or literature. That's just a clear fact. And it runs directly contrary to their theory of multiculturalism, which is every culture is equal. They're not. They're not equal in their contribution. And we ought to be selecting the best we can from what each culture has to offer."

As for Branstad's criticism, King said he should live by the Reagan-esque dictum that Republicans shouldn't criticize one another. "Did he listen to the tape? The answer is no," King said. "My response is there is an 11th commandment. At least go listen to the tape."
Theres no sugarcoating it: addressing substance abuse in the workplace is one of the biggest challenges a supervisor can face. Realizing that an employee is struggling with addiction can be an incredibly difficult experience. Its natural to feel a whole host of emotions ranging from feelings of betrayal and shock to anger and sadness. For many of us, our co-workers are our second families, so its natural to want to offer support any way you can. Unfortunately, due to workplace policies and privacy restrictions, youll need to take some different factors into consideration beyond simply staging an intervention.

Ive written before about the challenges of supporting a co-worker who is returning to the workplace after completing a treatment program. But before you can support your co-workers recovery, many of us face the challenge of helping our colleagues recognize that they are struggling with addiction in the first place. Remember, even though you may feel a strong moral obligation to reach out to your employee, if you do not respect their privacy or violate a company policy, you could land yourself in legal hot water. Before talking to an employee, keep the following in mind:

Addressing Substance Abuse in the Workplace

1. Know the warning signs of addiction in the workplace.

Sure, you may not be out partying at night with your employee and witnessing excessive drug or alcohol consumption, but the after effects of this ongoing substance abuse are still evident in the workplace. Warning signs of addiction include:

Absenteeism and tardiness

Constant excuses for turning in work late, missing meetings, etc. that become increasingly unbelievable

Unexplained physical changes, such as sudden weight gain or loss, bloodshot eyes, a change in personal grooming

Sudden mood swings and irritability

Decreased productivity or an inability to complete simple tasks

2. Document specific changes.

If you are participating in an intervention on behalf of an employee, prepare in advance by jotting down specific changes. While saying, John comes in with a hangover a lot or Kellys performance has declined may be accurate, these are also pretty general statements. In their drug intervention guide, the addiction specialists at Ridgefield Recovery recommend citing specific evidence of change or sharing anecdotes during an intervention. Maybe John had such a bad hangover one morning that he ended up sleeping through a major meeting at his desk. Or maybe Kelly missed two big client deadlines and turned in a report filled with typos and data mistakes. Jotting down the date and a few notes about what happened will also create a timeline with clear data you can refer to should HR have questions about your employees performance.

3. Know your workplace policies and your employees rights.

Employers have a right to drug test their employees and fire them if the employee fails the test and violates company policy. However, if an employee chooses to enter a treatment program, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will protect the employee from being fired for past errors or poor job performance. ADA does not protect employees who continue to use drugs or alcohol in violation of company policy. Not all employees understand that they are protected from being fired if they choose to enter rehab. When talking to your employee, remind them that you are here to help and reassure them that they will not lose their job. Additionally, for employees who are worried about taking an extended leave of absence from work, remind them that the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees to take an unpaid leave of absence for up to 12 weeks within a 12-month period, which can include a substance abuse treatment program.

Bottom Line

Substance abuse in the workplace is a serious issue, with alcohol abuse alone contributing to 500 million lost workdays each year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. That said, you cannot force an employee into a substance abuse treatment program. If you believe an employee needs help, consult with your HR department to avoid violating the employees privacy and your workplace guidelines. If you do participate in an intervention, refer to your notes about how the employees addiction has affected their workplace performance. Remind your employee you are on their side and here to help.
Economy  July 20, 2016  Benjamin Selwyn

Reorienting value generated within global poverty chains is essential to improve the lives of an impoverished world labour force.

Contemporary global capitalism is characterized by extreme wealth concentration and a rapidly expanding and largely impoverished global labour force. Mainstream institutions such as the World Bank and International Labour Organization encourage integration into global value chains as a development strategy that, they claim, will reduce poverty. In reality, employment within these chains generates new forms of worker poverty and contributes to global wealth concentration. That is why they should be labelled global poverty chains.

Global inequality has never been greater. For example, the wealth of the worlds richest 62 people, who between them have more wealth than half of the worlds population, rose by 44 per cent between 2010 and 2015. Over the same period the wealth of the bottom 50 per cent of humanity fell by approximately 38 per cent.

Very large numbers, perhaps the majority, of the worlds labour force is poor. In 2010 there were approximately 942 million working poor (almost 1 in 3 workers globally living on under $2 [U.S.] a day). However, these figures are a significant underestimate.

Measuring Poverty

The International Labour Organization calculates poverty using the World Banks purchasing power parity (PPP) international poverty lines of $1 and $2 [U.S.] a day  where $1 a day represents extreme poverty and $2 a day simply poverty.

People who live above these poverty lines are held to be not poor. These poverty lines reflect the international equivalent of what $1 or $2 could have purchased in 1985 in the United States. Whilst the poverty lines have been updated since then, their purchasing powers hover around these symbolic figures. A moments reflection suggests that $1 or $2 a day in the U.S. in 1985 could buy hardly anything. Quite obviously higher poverty lines are necessary. The problem for the World Bank is that depending on where they are set, they would show that much greater numbers of the worlds population live in poverty. And that reality contradicts the neoliberal celebration of global capitalism.

The World Banks poverty lines are uni-dimensional: they are only concerned with the costs of consumption (the meaning of purchasing power parity). They take no account of other, multidimensional, forms of poverty, such as back-breaking labour and unsafe living conditions. While hundreds of millions of workers across the global south earn more than $1, $2 or $5 PPP a day, these wages do not cover their subsistence costs. In order to survive they have to work many additional hours, with negative consequences for their health. But according to the World Bank these workers are not poor.

So where do global value chains, or what more accurately should be called global poverty chains, enter this equation?

North-South Logic

Since the 1980s, increasing numbers of corporations have trans-nationalized  by operating across borders. They are often headquartered in the global north while components are produced, assembled and sourced from across the global south. Northern corporations preside over systems of production and exchange based upon increasingly intense intra-supplier competition. In this way labour costs are reduced in at least three ways: 1) through outsourcing production from relatively expensive northern labour markets to relatively cheap southern labour markets, 2) by exerting downward cost pressures throughout the chain  where supplier firms are pushed to undercut each other in order to receive or keep their contracts, and 3) by using these pressures to intimidate northern workers to accept pay cuts, or lose their jobs off-shore. Supplier firms respond to these overbearing pressures rationally  by slashing wage costs.

Under these conditions of intense intra-supplier competition and worker exploitation, trans-national corporations are able to capture the lions share of the value created within these chains It is not surprising, then, that employment for supplier firms in global supply chains is often predicated upon, and contributes to, the reproduction of mass poverty.

A well-known example of this dynamic  of corporate value-capture and worker impoverishment  is Apples supply chain. Its profit for the iPhone in 2010 constituted over 58 per cent of the devices final sale price, while Chinese workers share was only 1.8 per cent. In 2010, Foxconn, one of Apples principal Asian suppliers, employed around 500,000 workers in its factories in Shenzhen and Chengdu. It rose to infamy that year following reports of 18 attempted suicides by workers, 14 of which were fatal. Foxconn employs a military-style labour-regime. At the start of the day managers ask workers How are you? and staff must reply Good! Very good! Very, very good! After that they must work in silence, monitored by managers and with strict limits on toilet breaks. Pay is very low, and overtime is often the only way that workers can earn enough to live on.

A similar dynamic operates in the global garment industry where approximately 30 million workers are employed. There are regular media reports about abusive working conditions in these industries, ranging from extremely low pay, to child labour and forced labour. Most horrifically, in Bangladesh in April 2013 1,113 garment workers were killed and 2,500 injured following the collapse of Rana Plaza, an 8 story building in which textile factories operated. In his overview of the apparel sector across 17 countries John Pickles documents how, from the mid-2000s onwards, wage levels were driven below subsistence costs. In India, Bangladesh and Cambodia, for example, basic wages as a percentage of living wages are 26%, 19% and 21% respectively.

In Cambodias garment industry conditions are so harsh that workers regularly faint at work as a consequence of the intensity of the labour required of them. Overtime is a necessity as regular wages are insufficient to meet their daily needs. While the government limits overtime to 2 hours per day, this is not legally enforced and the economic pressures upon workers to exceed these hours are intense. Most workers in the large Cambodian textile factories work between 3 and 5 hours overtime a day.

The choice facing workers in many of these burgeoning industries is to engage in very high volumes of health-damaging work in order to earn a subsistence, or live in very deep poverty.

Lead firms capture the lions share of value generated within global poverty chains because workers in these chains are ruthlessly exploited. Wealth concentration and mass poverty are two sides of the same coin of global capitalist development. A more equitable share of the value generated throughout these chains could contribute significantly to the genuine amelioration of these workers conditions and a reduction in the number of the worlds working poor. But it would also threaten, and potentially undermine lead firm power and reduce profits. This is the trade-off that global policymakers and business must address if we are to rethink the global labour market and new ways of sharing prosperity more equitably are to be found. 

This article first published by Sheffield Political Economy Research Institute (SPERI).
Ben Carson speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., where he announced the end to his presidential campaign in March. (Capital News Service photo)

CLEVELAND

(July 20, 2016)It was the job he wanted: president of the United States. But Tuesday night, Dr. Ben Carson took the stage at Quicken Loans Arena in support of his one-time competitor, Donald Trump, as he became the Republican nominee for that very job.The message from the retired neurosurgeon was startlingby electing presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, the United States would be choosing a person "who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer."Carson apparently was referring to Saul Alinsky, an activist who is considered the founder of community organizing. In his book "Rules for Radicals," Alinsky writes of "the very first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdomLucifer.""Now," Carson told the delegates, "we must also be wary of the narrative that's being advanced by some in our own party, the notion that a Hillary Clinton administration wouldn't be that bad, the effects would only be temporary, you know, that it would only last for four and at most eight years."Carson added America "may never recover" from the policy decisions and appointments Clinton would make in office.Carson then offered his support to Trump, whom he called an "extraordinary businessman" and "the right leader for a time such as this."Donald Trump "understands that the blessings of this nation come with the responsibility to ensure that they are available to all, not just the privileged few," Carson said. He applauded Trump's willingness to "take on the establishment."Tuesday's convention festivities tied into the theme "Make America Work Again." Carson's personal story fit the evening's theme, as he came from humble beginnings, which eventually led to him becoming a world-renowned surgeon at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore."Ben Carson grew up in a poor single-parent household in Detroit, Michigan," according to the convention speaker introductions prepared by the GOP. "Between his degrees, Carson worked as an X-ray technician, a bank teller, a school bus driver, a supervisor for highway cleanup crews, and a crane operator in a steel factory."Carson, 64, served as director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins from 1984 until his retirement in 2013. His award-winning excellence as a surgeon gave him a voice that catapulted him into the public eye, first as a speaker and an author and later as a presidential candidate.That same voice grabbed the attention of many people across the country, including Marylanders."He's just a role model, not only for me but for millions of people," Maryland at-large delegate Kory Boone, from Upper Marlboro, said. "He's definitely an honorable man that I look up to."Boone, who initially supported Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said that, although Marylanders may have supported other candidates throughout the election, he felt that there is a general respect for Carson in the state."People in Maryland definitely respect him, even just for his work that he was doing," Boone said. "I'm not sure about politically, but he definitely has success in Maryland."Carson's campaign advocated for the removal of federal education standards, the promotion of "fiscal responsibility," the elimination of the Internal Revenue Service, and creation of a guest worker program for undocumented individuals in the United States. Carson has also said he disagreed with same-sex marriage, but accepted it as law.Despite some early debate successes and promising poll results, Carson suspended his presidential campaign in early March, after his poor Super Tuesday showing proved it would be mathematically impossible for the retired surgeon to secure the nomination.Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball, a political analysis website at the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, said he does not think Carson will be a presidential candidate in the future, "or at least a credible candidate."Kondik argued that was because Carson was "a political novice who wasn't really ready for primetime this year."Several days after Carson suspended his campaign, he officially offered his endorsement of Trump. The foe-turned-friend relationship between Carson and the business mogul continued to develop as Carson briefly headed a committee to help Trump create a shortlist of vice presidential picks."Trump said some very nasty things about Carson, but they seemingly reconciled," Kondik said of the interesting relationship between the two. "Notably, it seemed like Carson might play a big role in this campaign, but Trump moved away from him as an adviser."
ANNAPOLIS (July 19, 2016)The District Court of Maryland has named St. Mary's County District Judge K. Christy Holt Chesser as the new administrative judge for District 4, which includes Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties.



District Court of Maryland Chief Judge John P. Morrissey, in consultation with Maryland Court of Appeals Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera, appointed Judge Chesser to the position of administrative judge, effective August 16.



Judge Chesser succeeds Judge Robert B. Riddle, who is retiring on August 16. He has been District 4 administrative judge since March 1, 2008 and has served on the Calvert County District Court since December 2005.



"I am deeply honored to have been given this new opportunity for service," Judge Chesser said. "With thanks to Judge Riddle, I intend to build on his fine example to provide efficient and effective justice for our citizens. I look forward to the opportunity to work collaboratively with the clerks, commissioners, and judges in District 4 as well as with members of the Judiciary from other Districts."



Judge Chesser has served on the St. Mary's County District Court since June 30, 2010. Before being appointed to the bench, she had been the county attorney for St. Mary's County since 2006. She was assistant state's attorney from 1989 to 1991 and deputy state's attorney for St. Mary's County from 1991 to 1998. She was in private practice from 1999 to 2006.



"I am very grateful to Judge Riddle for his service and excellent leadership, and I have every confidence that Judge Chesser will continue to improve the operations of the courts in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary's counties," Chief Judge Morrissey said. "Her leadership skills and management experience will be valuable assets as we move forward to provide better services for the people in these communities and throughout Maryland."



"Skilled leaders like Judge Chesser are vital to helping us improve the Judiciary and meet the goal of providing fair, efficient, and effective justice for all," Chief Judge Barbera said. "I am glad she is taking on this new responsibility, and I look forward to working with her."
GREENBELT, Md.

(July 20, 2016)U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm sentenced Edward Dewy Viens, age 30, of North Beach, Maryland, today to 108 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Judge Grimm also ordered Viens to forfeit $1,302, seized during the investigation.The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Assistant Special Agent in Charge Don A. Hibbert of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore District Office; Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans; Calvert County State's Attorney Laura Martin; and Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Wes Adams."More than 50 Marylanders die every month from heroin, which may be poisoned with deadly additives, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene," said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. "If you know someone who uses heroin, get them help today before they become the next statistic."According to his plea agreement, from October to December 30, 2014, Viens obtained heroin and fentanyl from a supplier in Annapolis, and redistributed those drugs to users in Prince George's, Calvert and Anne Arundel Counties.On November 30, 2014, a Calvert County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) patrol officer attempted to pull over a vehicle in Owings, Maryland for a traffic violation. When the officer activated his lights, the vehicle turned abruptly into a driveway and stopped. Viens got out of the vehicle and threw approximately 13 grams of heroin to the ground as he ran away, eluding arrest.On December 21, 2014, Viens met one of his regular customers at a gas station in Calvert County and sold a gram of mixture containing heroin and/or fentanyl for $120. Afterwards, the customer and an acquaintance drove to a secluded area where the customer ingested the drugs. Almost immediately, the customer lost consciousness. The acquaintance called emergency personnel who performed CPR on the victim and administered Naloxone Hydrochloride (Narcan). The victim was subsequently admitted to a hospital and diagnosed with a heroin overdose.A few days later on December 27, Viens met another customer in Calvert County and sold 1.5 grams of a mixture containing heroin and/or fentanyl for $210. Veins warned the customer to "be careful, people have been falling out over this. It's fire, so just please be careful." The customer drove to a nearby parking lot and ingested a small amount of the drugs. The customer then dropped off an acquaintance and drove to a second parking lot, ingesting more of the drugs. The customer drove a short distance from the parking lot, lost consciousness and struck a telephone pole. CCSO officers found the victim unconscious and unresponsive. They administered Narcan, and the victim was taken to a hospital and diagnosed with a heroin overdose.On December 30, 2014, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Viens' hotel room in Annapolis. They detained Viens, who was attempting to flush drugs and drug paraphernalia down the toilet. They seized a digital scale with heroin residue, material used to package drugs, a bag containing alprazolam and oxycodone pills, syringes and a residue from a table that contained fentanyl, caffeine and quinine. Law enforcement also recovered $302 from Viens' wallet, and $1,000 from Viens' front pants pocket, or that had spilled out of his pocket.United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the DEA, Calvert County Sheriff's Office, and the Calvert County and Anne Arundel County State Attorney's Offices for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas M. Sullivan and Daniel C. Gardner, who prosecuted the case.
Trump Picks Pence As VP

Rob Bullock: I lived in Indiana. He is a homophobic, anti-women's rights, slashed money from 4-year state colleges and ignored the states failing roads and infra-structure while bragging about building a $2 billion surplus. He and his cronies gave millions in tax-credits to companies for jobs that never materialized and have done everything than can to hide this fact.

Barry Davis: Well Pence had to do something. He certainly wouldn't get reelected in IN...he's only got a 39% approval rating. Trump & Pence...now the race is twice as creepy!

James Smith: TP for your bunghole 2016!

GOP Platform Most Anti-LGBT Ever

Warren A. Baxter: Lincoln would never be a republican today. At least not this corrupt Republican Party.

Joe Lagana: they are no longer the party of Lincoln. They haven't been for a while now.

Steve Johnson: nothing new here.

Letter Writer Takes Issue With Progress Bar Towing Cars

Tommy Peek: I would almost agree with the letter...EXCEPT... The parking lot is clearly marked and as per the letter, already known that they will tow. So, bottom line.. The rules DO apply to you. As you obviously discovered. Sucks to get towed, but I'd bet you won't let it happen again. Sometimes life lessons can be quite expensive.

Joel S. Slotnick: It stinks beyond stink. But in general days of the bars working in tandem are long gone. It has become so cut-throat. Everyone tows, there are meters everywhere. And from what I understand, one of the lots that is free during the day and charges you to park at night will be having meters or a pay machine installed in the not too distant future. Wilton Drive is going to put itself 6 ft under and wonder why..........The friendly is slowly going away. Sad.........

Tz Terri: Rudest bar on the drive and I'm not referring about the towing issuer.

Steven William Talbert: I've only been to Progress Bar twice. Both times it became obvious that their servers ignore patrons over the age of 40.

Steven AlanAlan: Sad, crying, and memorizing does not justify parking in a private lot without consequences.
The Americans with Disabilities Act doesnt require a pool lift be installed at Wilton Station, but David Ferebee thinks principle should have compelled the condo association to provide one.

Ferebee, who is wheelchair-bound and recently moved into Wilton Station with his partner, Bill Cooke, wants the association to pay for the installation of the pool lift and a new battery.

I dont think its an unreasonable request.

What Ferebee does find unreasonable is the expectation, by the association, that he should have to wheel the 300-pound lift 166 feet from a storage closet to the pool every time he wants to go swimming.

Related: Wilton Station Condo Threatens SFGN With Legal Action

Darrin Gursky, the Miami attorney representing the association, said Ferebee wouldnt utilize the pool alone. He would always be with somebody. Its on wheels and it slides. But Ferebee said his partner is in no shape to help move the lift either. Dr. Jarod Friedman, Ferebees physician, echoed Cooke, and wrote in a letter that its not reasonable to expect Ferebee to move the lift by himself.

Ferebee and Cooke say the lift situation is an unfortunate episode for Wilton Station, which was designed to be very accommodating to individuals with disabilities. Its actually well-designed for him, ironically. The pool is one of the best things for his condition. Its just sad now that for two months now hes not been able to use the pool, said Cooke.

Ferebee estimates it would only cost about $500 to buy the battery and install the lift, which could also be used by two other handicapped Wilton Station residents. A few dollars out of our almost $3 million budget to cover the maintenance of a piece of equipment we already own is definitely the right thing to do for all the right reasons, wrote Ferebee in an email. Why do they want to fight me on something, in money terms, is such small potatoes? he asked.

He added that the money spent on attorney fees, by both sides, have already exceeded the cost of installing the lift. Ferebee hopes to avoid more costs, which also includes the fees hes paid to the association, and have the issue settled without the need to go to court.

Asked why he didnt spend his own money to install the lift, Ferebee said hes worried he could be held liable if someone is hurt using the lift and decides to sue him. Gursky said the association also has the same concerns over liability and fairness. He said his client is also worried that other residents will start making demands if the association pays for the pool lift.

Part of the problem with suggesting to do the right thing is theres 300 unit owners there and theres a community component. When is enough enough and when does the association have to be practical? We have a common goal with all the expenses. The association is just trying to comport with the law. The association made no promises to Mr. Ferebee as to the use of the pool.

We will comply with whatever the FHA [Fair Housing Act] requirements are, said Gursky.

Bob Boutwell, one of the other two handicapped Wilton Station residents supporting Ferebee, said the pool lift is no different than any other item the association would pay to fix. I think that Davids request is perfectly reasonable. Its a piece of equipment owned by the condo association. If a gutter over one unit was leaking they wouldnt ask an owner to pay for that. It would be paid by the entire condo association.

According to the FHA, One type of disability discrimination prohibited is the refusal to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices, or services when such accommodations may be necessary to afford a person with a disability the equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

Jason Weiss, of Weiss Law Group in Coral Springs, who is representing Ferebee, said the association needs to be reasonable and allow Ferebee to gain access to the pool like any other able-bodied resident.

But if Ferebee takes Wilton Station to court, a judge or jury might find the condo association has already acted reasonably.

According to Joseph Adams of the Fort Lauderdale law firm Becker & Poliakoff, The federal Fair Housing Act permits disabled individuals, at their own expense, to make reasonable modifications to the common property of an association when such modifications are necessary to permit that individual to use the property for the purpose intended.

Becker & Poliakoff is a well-known law firm that represents and lobbies for condos statewide.
(WB) Transgender personality and former Olympic decathlete Caitlyn Jenner denounced anti-trans state bathroom measures on Wednesday during an event seeking to promote a big tent within the GOP.

Jenner made the remarks at an event hosted by the pro-LGBT American Unity Fund, which took place in a literal big tent just outside the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Margaret Hoover, president of the American Unity Fund, held a Q&A with Jenner before an estimated 500 attendees.

In the aftermath of North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signing a bill prohibiting transgender people from using restrooms consistent with their gender identity, Jenner said the law compounds the bullying transgender youth already face.

Now, youre telling me that the state of North Carolina is going to come in and bully you, too, to say you cant live your authentic life and you have to go in this other bathroom, Jenner said. It just doesnt work.

Related: Carson compares being transgender to changing ethnicities

Many state legislatures this year considered proposals seeking to bar transgender people, especially students, from using the restroom consistent with their gender identity.

Youre creating laws for a non-issue, Jenner said. We dont have a problem. Their thing is we want to protect the kids. When you call a trans person a man in a dress, youre totally misgendering them. They are not men in dresses. They are trans people, and so thats an important point.

Jenner attributed the high rate of suicide among transgender youth to anti-LGBT bullying, saying she has friends working at suicide hotlines who said calls from transgender people have skyrocketed amid the bathroom controversy.

The internet, Jenner said, is a double-edged sword for transgender youth because it helps them be self-aware, but also subjects them to hostility.

Related: Rachel Hoff Wont Leave GOP Over Anti-LGBT Platform

Online bullying is overtaking the impact of actually personally at school being bullied, Jenner said. Now theyre being bullied internationally.

Recalling incidents of former Sen. Larry Craig and others being arrested for lewd behavior at public restrooms, Jenner jokingly said they are in fact the problem and maybe what we should do is to ban Republican representatives at a state level.

More seriously, Jenner noted more than 30 states lack non-discrimination laws for transgender people and said we have a lot of work to do to ensure those states enact laws prohibiting that.

Jenner also touted her GOP credentials during the event as she delivered her message, shouting to applause from the audience, Hello! My fellow Republicans! as she took the stage.

Explaining her membership in the Republican Party, Jenner reflected on the memory of her late father, a World War II veteran who fought at Omaha Beach.

I think if my dad knew what was going on for this country for which he fought so hard, and so many died around him, if he had seen whats happening with this country, I think hed be very disappointed, Jenner said. So, because of that, I feel like our best hope to get back to a constitutional government with 18 enumerated powers is the Republican Party.

Related: Gays for Trump Denounce Radical Islam

Jenner acknowledged the Obama administration has advanced transgender rights. Pointing out the Pentagons decision to allow open transgender service in the U.S. military, Jenner called the move a very good step forward for our community, for equal rights.

Jamie Ensley, a gay Atlanta resident and member of Georgia Log Cabin Republicans, was present at the brunch and told the Washington Blade Jenner is an inspiration.

The most courageous and brave thing she ever did in her life was to come out as trans, Ensley said. I admire her for that. Im glad shes a Republican, too.

Also speaking at the event was Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, who spoke about the ratification of a 2016 party platform considered the most anti-LGBT in the partys history.

As a Republican, I confess to my deep disappointment in a party platform that looks backwards, rather than moving us toward the future, or, frankly, even catching up to the present, Coffman said.

Montel Williams, a conservative activist and talk show personality, compared the struggles of LGBT people to the struggles black Americans faced during the civil rights era.

For all of those out there who are straight and trying to figure out how to say what we want to say, our LGBT friends dont care if we get the phrase right, they just want to make sure that you understand that you are an ally, you stand up proudly and say youre an ally, and you help defend them, Williams said. Thats what they want.
(WB) Rallying attendees before posters of scantily clad young men in Make America Great Again hats, speakers at a Gays for Trump party on Tuesday night urged LGBT people to combat radical Islamic extremism.

The featured speaker at the event, which was called Wake Up and took place at Wolstein Center Ballroom at Cleveland State University, was Milo Yiannopoulos, a provocative gay conservative activist and journalist.

Wearing a white tank top with the image of a gun in rainbow colors and the words We Shoot Back, Yiannopoulos said the time has come for the LGBT community to separate itself from the progressive movement to take on Islamic extremism.

In the aftermath of a shooting in Orlando at a gay nightclub by a follower of Islamic extremism, Yiannopoulos said while the left once supported gay people, thats no longer the case.

Growing up gay wasnt that fucking bad, lets be honest, Yiannopoulos said. But I still dont see the reason why the left-wing press mollycoddles and panders to an ideology that wants me dead.

Related: Trump and Cruz Kissing On Billboard Near RNC

Yiannopoulos announced at the event he would travel to Sweden next week to lead a Pride parade in what he called a Muslim ghetto in Stockholm. Yiannopoulos said he draws no distinction between Islam as a whole and Islamic extremism, although he acknowledged some in the audience may disagree with him.

Known as a provocateur, Yiannopoulos has made comments on social media saying it should be legal to hunt any man with over 20 percent body fat, compared feminism to cancer and set up a scholarship with funds available only to white males. A Trump supporter, Yiannopoulos said during the event Trump is the most pro-gay candidate in American electoral history.

Yiannopoulos spoke just minutes before he was reportedly banned permanently from Twitter for a series of tweets against Ghostbusters star Leslie Jones that were deemed abusive. As a result, Yiannopoulos said he intends to make the lives of people working for the media a hell.

You have done nothing for gays, Yiannopoulos said. While you were busy hectoring and bullying and nannying us about transgender pronouns, you completely forgot that politicians in this country, Democrat[ic] politicians who are welcoming in a religion that wants us dead. They were welcoming in movements and belief systems that are completely incompatible with the Western way of life, with modern, Western, capitalist, liberal democracies, the only systems under which gay people are happy and successful and have rights.

The estimated 500 attendees at the event, billed as the most fab party at the RNC, were predominately young white men, many of whom were wearing Make America Great Again hats in support of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. A line of attendees seeking to take photos with Yiannopoulos spanned a room adjoining the ballroom where the event took place.

Related: At GOP Convention, Speakers Undertake LGBT Attacks, Outreach

David Griffin, a gay 24-year-old Georgia resident, came to the event wearing a Trump campaign hat and three buttons in support of the presidential candidate.

I like Trump because hes going to secure our borders, hes going to put America first and, more importantly, hes the most pro-gay candidate in the race, Griffin said. Hillary Clinton wants to bring people in from cultures that are very hostile to gays. The countries that she wants to bring people in from are countries that throw gays off buildings, stone them. It is not very good. I want people who believe in our values to come here.

Some Syrian refugees coming to the United States are fleeing anti-LGBT persecution at the hands of the Islamic State. The White House has said LGBT refugees would be one of the priority groups of refugees seeking asylum in the United States.

Devin Conway, a 21-year-old student at Georgia Southern University, said he came because he wanted to surround himself with like-minded people and to celebrate not only Trump winning the nomination, but hopefully winning the presidency.

There are people from all walks of life here, gay, straight, reporters, non-reporters, Conway said. I think its beautiful that we can all come together for one cause, and think thats what Trumps message is really all about, and I really hope that we can spread it to the rest of the country.

Other speakers at the event warned against the dangers of Islamic extremism and urged LGBT people to pay heed to the threat.

Chris Barron, a gay political consultant and former board chair of the now-defunct gay conservative group GOProud, said Trump is making the Republican Party more accepting for LGBT people all across this country.

Related: GOP Delegates Ratify Anti-LGBT Platform

The left wants us to believe that this is an election thats going to be about bathrooms or whos going to pay for our wedding cakes, but LGBT people and our allies know that this is a question of life or death, Barron said. We saw what happened in Orlando. We have a radical Islamic ideology out there that is dedicated to exterminating LGBT people all across this globe.

Also speaking at the event was Pamela Geller, an anti-Islamic conservative activist who came to the event wearing a rainbow-colored shirt with the message Love Will Win.

The Republican Party is the party of individual rights and equality for all before the law, all, Geller said. No special rights or special classes. Democrats exploit the gay cause for their own ends. Were the real deal. We oppose jihad terror. What greater threat to the gay community is there than Islamic law?

Geert Wilders, a leader of the conservative Dutch Party for Freedom, warned against allowing Muslim immigration to the United States, saying that the practice has led Europe down a dismal path and violence on the continent.

There is only one Islam, and that Islam has no place in a free society because it goes against freedom, Wilders said. So we should close our borders for immigrants from Islamic countries. We should not let any jihadists returning to our free countries. We should expel criminals with a double-nationality after we have stripped them of the nationality of our country. We should stop the Islamizaton, as a matter of fact, we should de-Islamize our societies.

To a smattering of applause among attendees, Wilders said he doesnt want any more mosques in the Netherlands or Islamic schools for young children that we want to integrate into society who learn hate and violence.

Outside the event, a dozen protesters carried a banner reading, Queers Against Racism. Although no individual among the protesters was willing to speak with the Washington Blade, they handed the press a slip of paper explaining their views.

Theres nothing fabulous about racism, the paper says. Our grief is not a catalyst for xenophobia. We will not be opportunistically used to promote Trumps rhetoric of hate. What happened in Orlando is a result of a homegrown culture of homophobia promoted by Trump, Pence and conservatives for decades.
Health - Black AIDS Institute Founder to Get Spirit of Justice Award (AP) The founder and president of the Black AIDS Institute will receive the GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders' 2016 Spirit of Justice Award. Phill Wilson was an early voice on HIV in the black community. His activism began when he and his partner were diagnosed with HIV in the early 1980s. He became the AIDS coordinator for the city of Los Angeles. Wilson has also been involved in national and international research efforts, coordinating the International Community Treatment and Science Workshop at five International AIDS Conferences. Wilson will accept the award at the 17th Annual Spirit of Justice Award Dinner at the Boston Marriott Copley Place on Oct. 28. The Black AIDS Institute, based in Los Angeles, is the only national HIV and AIDS think tank focused exclusively on black people.

Religion - Methodists Elect 1st Openly Gay Bishop In Defiance of Ban (AP) The Western district of the Methodist church has elected an openly gay bishop despite the denomination's ban on same-sex relationships. The Rev. Karen Oliveto was elected late Friday night at a meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, of the church's Western Jurisdiction. Oliveto is pastor of Glide Memorial United Methodist Church in San Francisco. She is the first openly gay bishop in the 12.7 million-member denomination. The United Methodist Church is deeply divided over LGBT rights. Church law says same-gender relationships are "incompatible with Christian teaching." But several regional districts are openly defying the prohibition by appointing gay clergy and allowing same-sex weddings in churches. Some instances have led to trials under the church legal system. Oliveto's election could draw complaints that will prompt a review under church law.

Politics - NCLR Launches Campaign Urging RNC to Reject Support for Conversion Therapy in 2016 Platform (EDGE) The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) calls on the LGBT community and the general public to urge delegates to the 2016 Republican National Convention to reject the party's proposed platform and work to end the dangerous and discredited practice of LGBT conversion therapy. Delegates to the convention, which is set to begin Monday, will vote on a platform that includes, among other extreme anti-LGBT provisions, a resolution approving the use of so-called "therapies" that attempt to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. Such practices have been condemned by every major medical and mental health organization across the country because they are known to lead to extreme depression, substance abuse, and suicide. "Conversion therapy is fraudulent, dangerous, and anti-family," said NCLR Legal Director Shannon Minter. "It is tragic that the RNC would consider endorsing this deadly practice, which has caused so much harm to young people and their families. Parents need accurate, reliable information about how to love and support an LGBT child. This proposal does just the opposite, encouraging families to reject their children and, in so doing, put their lives at risk. These practices destroy families and cause harms that may never be fully healed." NCLR is at the forefront of efforts to protect youth and their families from conversion therapy. In 2014, it launched its #BornPerfect campaign to stop the dangerous practice across the country by 2019 by working to pass laws, fighting in courtrooms and raising awareness. As part of this effort, NCLR has launched a Twitter campaign to urge delegates to help end conversion and reject it as a platform. Learn more about the campaign at www.NCLRights.org/StopHate.

Politics - Full Document View New Jersey GOP group protests party's stance on LGBT community (AP) New Jersey Republican leaders want the Republican National Committee to remove language from its national platform they say discriminates against the LGBT community. The Record reports the Republican State Chairmen's Association made the call this week. The group unanimously urged the RNC and its platform committee to adopt more neutral'' language that neither supports nor condemns gay marriage. They say the party must show it's inclusive if it hopes to win in New Jersey. The vote was prompted by John Traier, chairman of the Passaic County Regular Republican Organization, who has married his same-sex partner. The group's resolution notes the Republican Party has supported LGBT candidates and the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage. GOP platform committee members last week approved language that opposed same-sex marriage and transgender rights.

Community  Summer Campers Devise Way to Help Orlando Gay Club Victims (AP) The deadly nightclub shooting in Florida has inspired Broadway stars to sing in concerts, record songs and perform a few blocks from the massacre. Now there's an online philanthropic campaign modeled on the ice bucket challenge. Staff and campers at Stagedoor Manor, the powerhouse performing arts summer camp, have made a video of themselves singing the benefit version of "What the World Needs Now is Love" and will donate $10 to the LGBT Center of Greater Orlando each time their original post is shared on Instagram or Twitter until they reach $5,000. "It's more than the money. It's the message of fighting for tolerance and the love," said Cindy Samuelson, who runs the Catskills Mountains camp. "Right now, with everything going on in the world, it's needed more than ever. People need to be tolerant of each other." The camp's 290 kids joined by staffers recorded the song Thursday and hope to challenge some of their famous alumni to do their own recordings. So far, they've tapped actor Erich Bergen of TV's "Madam Secretary," Beanie Feldstein of the film "Neighbors 2" and Samantha Massell from Broadway's "Fiddler on the Roof." "I love that these young theater kids are learning it's not just about 'Put on a good show!' but about how art can help and connect," said Seth Rudetsky, the SiriusXM radio host whose arrangement of "What the World Needs Now is Love" was used by the campers. The effort is part of a push by Broadway performers to reach out to victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting, including Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jennifer Lopez combining for the benefit single "Love Make the World Go Round."

National  Happy and Healthy: New Options for LGBT Senior Living (EDGE) Earlier this month, the New York chapter of SAGE -- Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders -- announced the development of New York City's first senior housing, with services designed specifically for the LGBT community. Their Ingersoll Senior Residences and Crotona Senior Residences will together provide nearly 230 units of housing, as well as comprehensive, culturally competent services to older LGBT adults. It's all part of a movement that's sweeping the nation. "LGBT older people face a housing crisis. These groundbreaking developments are an important step toward combating that crisis in New York City by providing not only affordable and welcoming housing, but also on-site services pioneered through SAGE's network of LGBT senior centers," said Michael Adams, Chief Executive Officer of SAGE. The Ingersoll complex, located in Ft. Greene, Brooklyn, will feature 145 units, making it the nation's largest LGBT-welcoming elder housing development in the nation. But it's far from the only one. The NYC units were built on precedents of LGBT-inclusive senior housing in California, Philadelphia and Chicago. These residences are made possible through partnerships with local government and developmental partners. SAGE launched a National LGBT Elder Housing Initiative in 2015, in response to evidence of widespread discrimination against LGBT people in senior housing. When paired with services, these residences keep LGBTs from being forced back into the closet as they age.

Health - Antibiotic Resistance Threatens Gonorrhea Treatment (EDGE) CDC currently recommends a combination gonorrhea treatment with two antibiotics -- an oral dose of azithromycin and single shot of ceftriaxone. Findings released from CDC's surveillance system for monitoring the threat of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea show that the percentage of gonorrhea isolates with decreased susceptibility to azithromycin, an indicator of emerging resistance, increased more than 400 percent between 2013 and 2014 (from 0.6 percent to 2.5 percent of gonorrhea isolates). This is a distressing sign that the future of current treatment options may be in jeopardy and underscores the importance of the federal government's Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria (CARB) Action Plan. "The confluence of emerging drug resistance and very limited alternative options for treatment creates a perfect storm for future gonorrhea treatment failure in the U.S.," said Jonathan Mermin, M.D., director of the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention. "History shows us that bacteria will find a way to outlast the antibiotics we're using to treat it. We are running just one step ahead in order to preserve the remaining treatment option for as long as possible." The combination therapy currently recommended by CDC still works. To date, no treatment failures have been reported in the United States. But signs of emerging resistance to azithromycin suggests that this drug will be next in the long line of antibiotics to which gonorrhea bacteria have become resistant -- a list that includes penicillin, tetracycline, and fluoroquinolones. Because of gonorrhea's ability to outsmart the antibiotics used to treat it, CDC has been closely monitoring early warning signs of resistance not only to azithromycin but also to cephalosporins, the class of antibiotics that includes ceftriaxone.

Education - LGBT History Lessons Heading for California Classrooms (AP) In second grade, California students will learn about families with two moms or two dads. Two years later, while studying how immigrants have shaped the Golden State, they will hear how New York native Harvey Milk became a pioneering gay politician in San Francisco. The State Board of Education unanimously approved those changes in classroom instruction Thursday to comply with the nation's first law requiring public schools to include prominent gay Americans and LGBT rights milestones in history classes. The updates are part of a broader overhaul of California's history and social science curriculum. During four hours of public testimony, dozens of speakers criticized the way the framework discusses Muslims, Hindus, Jews and Japan's use of "comfort women" during World War II, but no one objected to the inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. Allyson Chiu, who just finished 11th grade at Cupertino High School, said the revisions would make LGBT students more comfortable. She and seven others spoke in favor of how the guidelines address gay issues. "My classmates can solve quadratic equations or cite the elements on the periodic table. They can't tell you who Harvey Milk was or the significance of the Stonewall Riots," Chiu said. The changes satisfy legislation passed five years ago that added LGBT Americans and people with disabilities to the list of social and ethnic groups whose contributions schools are supposed to teach and must appear in K-8 textbooks. The law also prohibited classroom materials that reflect adversely on gays or particular religions. Conservative opponents argued that it should be up to parents to decide how and at what age to broach sexual orientation with their children and made two unsuccessful efforts to repeal the law.
Despite more than 80 organizations across the state and a few from around the country asking Florida politicians to increase gun control, the governor isnt listening.

Eight days after the Pulse shootings in Orlando, The League of Women Voters of Florida (LWVF) requested Florida Governor Rick Scott, Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli to hold a special session on banning assault weapons and increasing background checks. The state government is currently in recess until November.

LWVF hand-delivered the letter to Gov. Scott and others on June 20 and the deadline to call for the special session, July 4, passed without any comment from Tallahassee. Meanwhile, more groups across the state are signing the letter every week, including LGBT organizations The Pride Center at Equality Park, Gay Key West/Key West Business Guild and Equality Florida. As of press time, there are more than 80 organizations who signed the letter asking for more gun control legislation.

Patti Brigham, the first VP of LWVF and the state-wide gun safety chair of the League, says they started the letter two days after the Pulse shootings in Orlando.

The idea was to bring many groups and organizations together to work on this issue, Brigham said. Something has to be done about gun violence.

The Florida Coalition to End Gun Violence  formed within LWVF in the wake of the Pulse shootings  originally had 40 organizations sign the letter that was delivered to Tallahassee. Now just a few weeks later, the partnerships have doubled.

Were continually adding to the list, from Florida Council of Churches to Doctors for America, she said. We even have groups like Florida Parent/Teacher Association.

LWVF Pamela Goodman said its time for the state to do more for the residents.

In the wake of the worst mass shooting in recent U.S. history, Floridians are asking for more than prayers and vigils from our elected representatives, Goodman said on the LWVF website. Other states have helped to protect their citizens by enacting reasonable gun legislation. Dont pass the buck to federal government.

The letter states that due to their immense destructible power, semiautomatic assault rifles should not be widely available to regular citizens.

There is simply no reason for private citizens to have access to weapons like the MCX Carbine [rifle] used to murder the 49 people in Pulse Nightclub in Orlando on June 12, 2016, the letter reads. Florida should follow the lead of the seven states  California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey and New York  that already prohibit large capacity ammunition feeding devices that hold over 10 rounds.

This isnt the first time LWVF has fought bad gun bills. Earlier this year, the group won the fight against campus carry laws. But when the Pulse shootings happened, Brigham said it was time to be proactive.

When Pulse happened here in our own backyard, we felt it was time to widen our reach and begin to go after proactive gun legislation instead of fighting bad gun laws, she said. Its important we fight those bad gun bills, but at the same time we are making it a mission to focus on background check expansion and a ban on assault weapons.

To see the full list of organizations that have signed on in support or to add your group to the list, visit TheFloridaVoter.org.
British tycoon Bernie Ecclestone and his young Brazilian wife Fabiana Flosi Ecclestone have transformed coffee along the Formula One circuit. For a long time, Ecclestone has been a strong force behind this popular sport. His new coffee brand, Celebrity Coffee, is produced at a farm he owns with his wife in the municipality of Amparo, about 90 miles from Sao Paulo city, in southeast Brazil. Their coffees are currently being served around the world on the Grand Prixs backstage. Its a meaningful move for Brazil, which has long had a strong Formula One culture and has turned out legendary drivers such as three-time champions Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna.

I have allowed myself to accept Ecclestone as an honorary citizen, in the end, after his long years of friendship with our champions and a marriage with a Brazilian girl. To seal the deal, the Ecclestones bought a coffee farm in Sao Paulo in 2012. Ive been in Brazil along 45 years and Ive made a lot of friends. Ive had really happy times around here, says big boss Ecclestone, who guaranteed me he is a heavy coffee drinker despite having been born in an English generation that far preferred tea. Even as a beginner in this business, the Ecclestones have drawn attention to the Amparo region, famous for producing coffee since the end of the 19th century in the Sao Paulo state. The farm was an old and abandoned plantation, and the two hired experts to help them recuperate the arable land.

Recently, more producers from the Amparo region have gained visibility in Sao Paulos high-end roaster and coffee shop scene, which means that some of them are striving for reaching the specialty level. Besides coffee, Amparo is famous for artisanal cachacas and perhaps most of all for being a world-renowned noble horse breeding hub. After going through a couple of tough decades, Amparo is living up to its coffee calling, with more than 1,000 producers and a new focus on quality. Fabiana Ecclestone says their coffee will not only be available on the F1 circuit but also beyond.

We wish to have our Celebrity Coffee used in the best hotels and restaurants worldwide and also available for sales in prestige outlets, she said. We are in search of high quality, not quantity for now. Despite a name evoking a high-class life appeal, Fabiana Ecclestone says her coffee is for everyone: The difference is our care during all the steps of a labor-intense production pays off; our coffee won the title of best quality coffee in the Amparo production area two times in three years. We are very proud of our coffee, she says.

Formula 1 is not the only racing circuit being invaded by coffee brands. The Formula E, a class of auto racing organized by FIA (Federation Internationale de lAutomobile) which allows only electric-powered cars counts La Marzocco among its sponsors. The Italian espresso machine manufacturer affirms sharing the same values with Formula E such as sustainability, innovation, and engagement. Both are moved by the inspiration of fostering and spreading the concepts of awareness, high-end technology, and community life in an entertaining way.

Finally, we must ask if the drivers, the stars of the circus who have adrenaline flowing through their veins, might just operate on great coffee themselves? Connection with prestige brands of food, alcohol, and now coffee, is sure to provide these racers with just that extra bit of magic fuel for the home stretch.

Paulo Pedroso is a regular contributor to Brazilian newspapers Folha de Sao Paulo and Valor Economico, as well as Revista Espresso, a Brazilian specialty coffee magazine. Read more Paulo Pedroso on Sprudge.

Photographs courtesy of Bernie and Fabiana Ecclestone, with photos by Steve D. / SDF1.
"At the same time, he was considered the proponent of the pro-Algerian line in the SADR's leadership; Algiers has not yet recovered from a victorious but devastating war with the Islamists, and does not want another destabilizing conflict in the region (especially given that Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika is now seriously ill, and the new pluralist multiparty system in the country has not completely established itself)."

"To make matters worse," the journalist noted, "officials in France have threatened that Algeria may become the next country to face an 'Arab Spring'. In this situation, Algiers is opposed to a military option in the Sahara issue, but its influence, while significant, cannot be decisive, given that in Algeria itself there are different perspectives on how to view the problem of the SADR."

The partially recognized state has three main factions  the 'political faction', the 'youth faction', and the 'military faction'. The key issue separating them, according to Gafurov, is their position on the resumption of war. Moreover, "a 'peace faction' does not formally exist within the Polisario Front."

"Out of the hundreds of delegates to the previous congress speaking to Russian observers, only the head of the Saharawi Women's Federation opposed the resumption of war, and even then, with great reservations." Subsequently, Gafurov warned, "the question effectively boils down to the terms and conditions of the conflict's resumption."

"The 'youth faction' insists on the immediate resumption of war. Its more moderate part is in agreement to wait for the results of the negotiations with Morocco on the referendum, but for no more than one-and-a-half to two years, and with the unconditional beginning of combat operations in the event of the negotiations' failure."

"The 'political faction' is closely linked to the management of the refugee camps, and is engaged in the distribution of international aid, and its position is strongly influenced by the opinion of the international community. In principle, it is not opposed to the idea of a war of liberation in the event of the failure of talks, but the resumption of hostilities is considered the worst possible option. At the same time, the faction insists on the 'de-ideologization' of SADR; The Polisario Front, in its view, must stop being a left-oriented movement in order to facilitate the receipt of aid from the EU, and to receive political support from the United States," which it presently lacks.
CLEVELAND (Sputnik)  He added that much of the division between citizens and law enforcement, that has turned violent in recent weeks, "is inspired out of the White House itself."

"I think that Donald Trumps posture on this will be far, far better than President Obamas, but Im not sure you can put all the pieces back together," King said of the growing racial and social divisions in the United States, typified by recent police shootings.

In the past two weeks, five police officers in Dallas, Texas and three in Baton Rouge, Louisiana have been shot and killed by gunmen. The incidents followed tense protests around the country in the wake of police officers killing unarmed African-Americans.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogans turn to the Islamic world, Wilkerson noted, makes for a fine mess given the political and military complexities of the fight against Daesh in Syria and Iraq.

"Turkey is a very dicey character right now and has no business being part of NATO," Wilkerson said on Tuesday. "Rather than be a part of Europe, it wants to be part of the Islamic world that we are having trouble with right now."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  On Tuesday, US State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner rejected media allegations that the United States had any involvement in Fridays military coup in Turkey that resulted in 300 deaths and more than 1,400 wounded.

"No doubt in my mind that John Brennan and others knew what was going down in Turkey [and] damn straight we had something to do with it," Wilkerson stated on Tuesday. "Either we were on the inside advising against it, which happens from time to time, or we were on the inside very, very forcibly influencing it, or somewhere in between."

The United States, Wilkerson noted, has long since institutionalized coups as a standard political and military tool to remove problem governments inimical to US interests.
LA Times editorial writer James Kirchick took his distaste for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump to a new rhetorical limit, by calling for an armed insurrection against the real-estate-mogul-turned-candidate, should he succeed in his election bid.

Kirchick calls Trump a "brazenly authoritarian figure," accusing the former reality television producer of being unfit for office because his campaign manager, Paul Manafort, worked with "former Ukrainian president and Vladimir Putin-ally Viktor Yanukovich."

Increasingly, establishment political circles have called for renewed and friendly relations with Moscow. Trump has said that, "if Russia wants to get ISIS, let them get ISIS," and has referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as his "stablemate" in the latters calls for the US to direct military assets to battle "radical Islamic terrorism" rather than chasing a myth of Russian aggression.
At a conference conducted by the Nobel Institute in 1995 , a high-level group of former US and Soviet officials faced off over the question: Why did the Soviets invade Afghanistan? Former National Security Council staff member Dr. Gary Sick established that the US had assigned Afghanistan to the Soviet sphere of influence years before the invasion. So why did the US choose an ideologically-biased position when there were any number of verifiable fact-based explanations for why the Soviets invaded? To former CIA Director Stansfield Turner, responsibility could only be located in the personality of one specific individual. "Brzezinski's name comes up here every five minutes; but nobody has as yet mentioned that he is a Pole." Turner said. "[T]he fact that Brzezinski is a Pole, it seems to me was terribly important." What Turner was suggesting in 1995 was that Brzezinski's well-known Russophobia led him to take unjustifiable advantage of a Soviet miscalculation.

The conference revealed that "self-fulfilling prophecies," "a dubious deductive apparatus," and "decisions that provoked as often as they deterred" provided the operating system for more than a decade of Cold War policy under Presidents Carter and Reagan. Numerous scholars pondered Brzezinski's decision-making process before, during and after the Soviet invasion. Dr. Carol Saivetz of Harvard University testified, "Whether or not Zbig was from Poland or from someplace else, he had a world view, and he tended to interpret events as they unfolded in light of it. To some extent, his fears became self-fulfilling prophecies Nobody looked at Afghanistan and what was happening there all by itself."

But it wasn't until the 1998 Nouvel Observateur interview that Brzezinski boasted that he had provoked the invasion, by getting Carter to authorize a presidential finding to intentionally suck the Soviets in, six months before Moscow considered invading. Yet, despite Brzezinski's admission, Washington's entire political spectrum continued to embrace his original false narrative, that the Soviets were embarked on world conquest.

Brzezinski's Russophobia is still the basis of U.S. foreign policy towards Russia

For Brzezinski, getting the Soviets to invade Afghanistan was an opportunity to shift Washington toward an unrelenting hard line against the Soviet Union. By using deceit combined with covert action, he created the conditions needed to provoke a Soviet defensive response, which he then used as evidence of Soviet expansion. However, after Brzezinski's exaggerations and outright lies about Soviet intentions became accepted, they found a home in America's imagination and never left. US foreign policy, since that time, has operated in a delusion of triumphalism, provoking international incidents and then capitalizing on the chaos.
In late June, a group of FSB Academy students decided to celebrate their graduation with pomp by cruising around Moscow riding 30 Mercedez-Benz G-Class luxury SUVs. The young people were honking their horns, snapping pictures of each other and leaning out of car windows  a behavior not uncommon among fresh graduates but hardly appropriate for security service agents, especially considering the fact that the participants even posted the footage of their exploits online.

As expected, this event, quickly dubbed the 'Gelandewagen parade' by Russian netizens, quickly drew a barrage of criticism from ordinary citizens and from FSB personnel, both acting and retired. The high-ranking officials at the security agency quickly made it clear that this act would not go unpunished, but the exact nature of the consequences they promised have only recently become clear.

The participants of this Gelandewagen 'rally' were offered a simple choice: either accept a post in the most remote regions of Russia or resign from service. Most of them chose the former, ending up assigned to distant Chukotka and Kamchatka in Russias extreme northeast, a source told LifeNews.
According to holistic practitioners, drinking "gomutra," a Hindu word for cow urine, can reap health benefits. The findings of researchers studying the urine of the Gir cattle show that belief to have some substance. A liter of cow urine currently sells for about $1.50, and can be purchased online.

A coordinator at an Indian cow research group says there are multiple ways to prepare the "golden elixir," and that over two dozen remedies can be concocted from the substance. One cow-business owner says that one of the more difficult aspects to collecting a specimen is knowing when the animal is ready to relieve itself. "The attendants take clues from the animals movements and try to identify patterns in urination," he said.
The men stalked the girl and attacked her again, leaving the victim to die in the street. The girl was taken to hospital, while her family turned to police to get the attackers, who are currently free, re-arrested.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Pushpa Khatari, "police are conducting raids to nab the accused."

"We are waiting for a forensic report before proceeding further," he added.

Some connect the attacks to the girl's social position: according to reports, she is a Dalit, the member of the lowest, "untouchable," caste, while the attackers were reportedly from upper castes.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  On Tuesday, North Korea fired three ballistic missiles from North Hwanghae province in the southern part of the country.

"He, together with General Kim Rak Gyom, commander of the Strategic Force, and other commanding officers, went round the firing sites to learn about the preparations for ballistic rocket firing. After hearing about its plan, he ordered to kick off the drill," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
Mobile telephony and mobile internet services remained switched off, while the local press failed to print newspapers for the fourth day.

The administration is gearing up for Wednesday, which will be observed as a 'black day' by Pakistan as a protest against the series of killings in the valley. In a joint statement, Kashmiri separatist leaders have also called on supporters to observe the 'black day'.

The clashes in the turbulent Kashmir valley began soon after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8.

India has alleged that Pakistan is behind the Kashmir unrest and Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in an address to the Indian Parliament that Pakistan should desist from anti-Indian activities in the Kashmir valley.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  An inquest into the details of the siege is ongoing in Australia since Monday. The siege commander, who cannot be named, was asked by the coroner about his decision not to enter the cafe until someone had died inside because the hostage-taker may have had a bomb in his backpack.

"Three people lost their lives because of me, my decision, I can't change that," the commander told an inquest into the details of the siege, admitting that he had to balance the safety of the people inside the cafe against the risks to police and the general public.

On December 15, people were taken hostage in a Sydney cafe by a gunman who was later identified by police as Man Haron Monis, a self-proclaimed Iranian sheikh. Police stormed the building after a 17-hour siege. Three people, including the gunman, were killed in the incident.
Beijing has offered to hold bilateral talks with Manila and other parties to the dispute, "outside of and in disregard" of the tribunal ruling.

Behind Closed Doors

While the offer was publicly rejected by the Philippines, Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay told the TV network ABS-CBN that the country is open to some form of negotiation.

"I sense there is room to talk very quietly, using backdoor channeling," Yasay said.

Chinese officials in Beijing dismissed any suggestion that trade between the Philippines and China, worth US$22.3 billion in the first six months of 2016, would be affected by the dispute.

"In recent years, the development of China's trade relations with the Philippines overall has been smooth and stable. China is willing to develop mutually beneficial and diverse trade relations with the Philippines," Straits Times cited China's Vice-Minister of Commerce Gao Yan as saying.

Pivot in the Philippines

In May Rodrigo Duterte was elected Philippine president, and his election also raised uncertainty about future Philippine policy toward China and its longtime ally the United States.

On July 9, Duterte made a televised speech in which he condemned the US for its role in the rise of terrorism in the Middle East, as well as Western foreign policy in general.

"Thats what happened in the Middle East. It is not that the Middle East is exporting terrorism; America imported terrorism to the Middle East," Duterte asserted.

"Look at Iraq now. Look what happened to Libya. Look what happened to Syria," he said.
NEW DELHI (Sputnik)  Allahabad Court has served notice to Google for listing Modi among the top ten criminals in the world list in a search result. The court has issued a notice to Google CEO Sunder Pichai and India Head Rajan Anandan and also ordered the registration of a criminal complaint case against Google and its top officials.

The Allahabad accusation came due to a petition filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Mishra, who claimed that despite him writing using Google, the search engine giant refused to correct the mistake. The mistake was first noticed in 2015.

Google at that time, in its defense, had said that these results were due to its search algorithm.
NEW DELHI (Sputnik)- "If someone does not agree to something once, it doesn't mean that he will never agree to it forever. We are continuing in our efforts to engage China on this issue," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Parliament.

Sushma Swaraj was speaking in the Lower House of Parliament, Lok Sabha, in response to queries from opposition party members on the status of India's bid for membership of the 48-member Nuclear Suppliers Group.

The External Affairs Minister refuted the accusation of the opposition parties that India mishandled its bid for membership in the the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
But on Wednesday, US Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson maintained that the US will continue to operate in the region.

Describing a meeting between Richardson and Yuan Yubai, commander of the Chinese North Sea Fleet, the US Navy stated that the former "underscored the importance of lawful and safe operations in the South China and elsewhere professional navies operate."

"The US Navy will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all," Richardson said, adding, "This will not change."
"The vast flat valleys along the mountain ranges allow for armored movement; besides, there has been an increase in the force levels across the border," an unnamed military official told NDTV.

The tanks have undergone significant upgrades to be better outfitted for the regions climate.
"The special forces are there, of course, to help ensure that France is present everywhere in the fight against terrorists," government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said in an interview with the radio station France Info.

France has left its trace across Africa and the Middle East. French military personnel participate in peacekeeping mission in Mali, and French air forces conduct airstrikes in Syria and Iraq.
Police are now maintaining a reinforced control near the police station, having lined up in a row. Commander of the Internal Troops Levon Yeranosyan is also present at the scene.

Some tens of Armenians gathered at a certain distance of the police officers in a bid to prevent them from carrying out a special operation against the armed group.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  France has been on high alert since deadly Paris attacks in November 2015. The state of emergency was due to expire on July 26. Frances main opposition party, the Republicans, proposed in a communique on Monday extending the state of emergency by a minimum of six months.

"489 lawmakers voted for [extension of the state of emergency], 26 voted against, 4 abstained," the statement reads.
"In the square of Gogol, Zenkov, Makatayev, Abdullin Streets an operation is being carried out," the statement reads.

On Monday, in result of shooting in Almaty, described by the Kazakh president as a terrorist act, six people died.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy said earlier that Britain's national security priorities would not change under the government of Theresa May, who was appointed as prime minister on July 13.

"I dont see the British interest in these missions diminishing. Of course we wont be members of the European Union, we wont be participating in the same way, but we will certainly have a national interest in the success of those missions, because if they are not successful, our trade and our security and our immigration will be affected," Fallon said as quoted by The Telegraph newspaper Tuesday.

On June 23, the United Kingdom held a referendum to determine whether or not the country should leave the European Union. According to the final results, 51.9 percent of voters, or 17.4 million people, decided to support Brexit. The results of the voting prompted David Cameron to sign off as the country's prime minister.
To paint comic books as childish and illiterate is lazy. A lot of comic books are very literate  unlike most films.

Alan Moore  Jose Leite (@JosLeite65) March 30, 2016

"There are two reasons comics and graphic novels are often overlooked by the world of academia," Dr Dominic Davies, academic and British Academy postdoctoral Fellow told Sputnik.

"Firstly, comics are predominantly made up of images, which need to be analyzed as art or visuals. Scholars also need to have skills to deconstruct text, as comics have a strong narrative and sequential element to them. So they tend to fall into the gaps between traditional disciplinary departments."

.@HanishaOnTV was joined on the sofa by Dominic Davies to discuss Comics and Graphic Novels https://t.co/tZcr2zXHiN  That's Oxfordshire (@ThatsOxon) July 18, 2016

"Secondly, comics are often thought of as a low cultural form, and not really as having much of a literary quality to them.

"Whilst literary greats and canonized figures like Dickens and Conrad are deemed worthy of academic study, comics have been overlooked," Dr Davies said.

Watchmen as Literature: A Critical Study of the Graphic Novel by Sara J. Van Nes https://t.co/X5AFicJo3P pic.twitter.com/Eh1AICQT65  Whitney Binney (@BinneyWhitney) May 3, 2016

However, Davies doesn't solely blame some academics for overlooking comics and their influence on culture and society; he suggests that the very nature of comics and graphic novels mean they inhabit an underground scene  and often choose to remain there.

"Comics also derive from a subversive, anti-establishment tradition, so there is perhaps some resistance from comic artists to being assimilated into mainstream culture and being recognized by the world of academia," Dr Davies told Sputnik.

The new research network on comics and graphic novels has been set up by The Oxford Centre for Research in the Humanities (TORCH). Comics and Graphic Novels: The Politics of Form network, will examine why comics are not deemed "academic" and whether traditional approaches to literature can be applied to comics.

"There has definitely been a notable increase in the study of comics and graphic novels in a more academic context in the last five years or so," Dr Davies said.

"But it's important to acknowledge the ongoing work in the US and France, and of course critics in the UK, who have been writing about comics and graphic novels for a long time already.

"Writers such as Alan Moore have received critical attention for some time now  but this does tend to remain within research articles and monographs that don't filter down to undergraduate syllabuses. It's often the side interest of scholars working in departments such as media studies or English literature."

Dr Davies is also keen to point out that comic books often don't just base themselves in alternate universes, Marvel, DC or otherwise.

Comics, teaching people how to get along since before i was born#Marvel pic.twitter.com/RO85QTytHn  Comic Book Nostalgia (@CBNostalgia) July 20, 2016

"Comics, as a form are incredibly versatile and allow us to think and perceive in new ways. They're valuable as cultural artifacts that need to be studied. They engage with historical issues, including the Holocaust and Palestine, the Green revolution in Iran and so on, and global issues."
According to a recent report published by the International Monetary Fund, Italy Selected Issues, Italian banks have about 360 billion ($525 bln) in nonperforming or bad loans on their balance sheets. This sum is equal to about 25 percent of Italy's GDP.

It includes almost 200 billion ($290 bln) worth of bad debts and 124 billion ($136 bln) in likely defaults as well as other assorted non-performing loans.

Another way of looking at it is that around 17 percent of Italy's bank loans are bad.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the Irish broadcaster RTE, May had a phone conversation with European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday, during which she informed him about the decision.

Skipping the United Kingdom's turn for the presidency would be "the right thing to do given we will be very busy with negotiations to leave the EU," May told Tusk, as cited by the broadcaster.

The United Kingdom was due to take up the six-month presidency of the European Council in the second half of 2017.
PARIS (Sputnik)  French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday said he ordered the mobilization of 10,000 operational reserve personnel to boost the country's security.

"I gave the order to mobilize the second-level operational reserve that consists of former military personnel and police officers," Hollande said in an address to the French National Gendarmerie Training Center.

France has been on high alert since the deadly Paris attacks in November 2015. The state of emergency was due to expire on July 26. Earlier on Wednesday, the French National Assembly voted to extend the state of emergency for six months in the wake of the July 14 attack in Nice that resulted in the deaths of 84 people.
Any delay in invoking Article 50 of the Treaty of Lisbon will not be acceptable to Berlin, which will want to see that happen within months.

Immigration

Both May and Merkel have immigration on their agendas, but for totally differing reasons. The Brexit referendum was fought largely on the grounds that the UK wanted to control the level of immigration in Britain and that remains high on the public agenda. However, Merkel  despite the current failure to agree a common EU immigration policy  will fight for the freedom of movement of people  a fundamental tenet of the EU.

Ahead of her meeting with Merkel, May said:

"I do not underestimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the European Union and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation."
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Russia is shocked by the cynical murder in central Kiev of its citizen, journalist Pavel Sheremet, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

"We are shocked by the cynical murder of Russian citizen Pavel Sheremet in central Kiev. He was known and respected in Russia as a journalist and a high-caliber professional," the ministry said in extending its deepest condolences to his friends, relatives, and the journalistic community.
"Sheremet has become the latest victim of a system that has developed nowadays in this country. The acting Ukrainian government, with support of its Euro-Atlantic patrons for alleged progress in democratic reforms, has failed to ensure his safety," the ministry said.

It dismissed a so-called Russian trace as one of three main proposed investigation leads, as proposed by the interior ministry adviser earlier in the day.

Another journalist killed in #Ukraine. Pavel Sheremet. pic.twitter.com/RAQLsPkbdF  Alex Bukovsky (@BungeeWedgie) 20 July 2016

"As often happens in the realities of modern Ukraine, there are immediately those who in their minds poisoned with Russophobia calculated a Russian trace in this brutal massacre," the ministry said.

Russia urges the international community and rights activists to exert their influence on Ukraine to ensure that journalists are safe there.

"Russia has repeatedly brought to the worlds attention Ukraines systematic violation of its commitments in the field of freedom of expression and protecting human rights. We call on the specialized international institutions and human rights organizations to use all their influence on official Kiev to ensure that Ukraine observes the fundamental principles of international law to ensure the safety of journalists," the ministry said.

Earlier in the day, Sheremet died when a car he was driving blew up in downtown Kiev. According to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, the explosion was probably caused by a remote-controlled explosive device.
In 2015 the European Union experienced a massive number of casualties caused by terrorist attacks. In this context, Europol made use of its unique capabilities to focus on supporting operational investigations to prevent terrorist attacks and identify and disrupt terrorists. The increased cooperation resulted in a much richer strategic intelligence picture, strengthening the 2016 TE-SAT report and Europols ability to advise political leaders and legislators and inform national authorities in the setting of threat levels, Europol Director Rob Wainwright said in a foreword to the report.

The data in the report showed that 1,077 people were arrested for terrorism-related offenses in 2016, 424 of whom were arrested in France.

Two trends influencing the security situation in Europe were identified in the report: the rise in nationalist, racist and anti-Semitic sentiment across the European Union and the increasing number of terrorist fighters returning to EU countries.

The report found, however, that there was no evidence of terrorists systematically exploiting the ongoing influx of refugees and migrants to reach Europe.
Wood suggests that the insight into the past offers up a pretty grim prediction of what the future holds for planet Earth.

"These effects, plus overfishing and tourism means their sum is greater than its parts as such, this mass extinction 252 million years ago is a pretty good analogue of what might be happening today that is going some way in creating something quite catastrophic."

The Permian-Triassic Boundary extinction wiped out more than 90 percent of marine life with the Earth's oceans starved of oxygen  a condition known as anoxia. A team of scientists, led by the University of Edinburgh, analyzed rocks discovered in Oman that were formed in an ancient ocean around the time of the extinction.

Data extracted from six shallow water sites and deeper ocean regions reveals that even though the water lacked oxygen, it was rich in iron, suggesting the lack of oxygen coupled with high iron levels delayed the recovery of marine life following the mass extinction.

Ocean acidification impacts phytoplankton; microscopic algae produce much of worlds oxygen https://t.co/UrQlQYI41C pic.twitter.com/6Ky1HsWKcG  The Antarctic Report (@AntarcticReport) July 19, 2016

"This study shows that when oxygen was available, sea life went furious, but it was sniffed out by anoxic waters, which is why it took so long," Professor Wood told Sputnik.

However, researchers remain unclear over the precise cause of the long recovery period  but suggest that the low oxygen levels in the water could be caused by the runoff from eroded rocks due to high global temperatures.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier, media reports said a police operation was underway in the Belgian capital. There have recently been a number of police raids and arrests in connection with possible terrorist threats.

Security operation #Brussels, suspect wearing jacket with wires near #Muntplein, man held at gunpoint by police pic.twitter.com/6KyWrLMaqT  Roeland Roovers (@r0eland) 20 July 2016

Brussels police spokeswoman Ilse Van de Keere told Belgiums Le Soir newspaper that a "suspicious situation" had unfolded at Place de la Monnaie, prompting police to intervene.

A security officer reportedly alerted police after spotting a suspicious man in a long coat with protruding wires visible underneath. The suspect has not been arrested but police reportedly have the situation under control.
In the US, the Department of Homeland Security was established to coordinate intelligence between all the various agencies. However, the fact remains, Geddes, says, that there are still rivalries.

Following the November 13 attacks in Paris, there were calls for Europol to beef up its intelligence capacity and in January 2016, it opened the new European Counter Terrorism Center to act as an enhanced central information hub by which the Member States can increase information sharing and operational coordination.

However, Geddes told Sputnik: "The language differences presents a whole other level of complication and that, in itself is going to be one of the key blockages that can be faced. As to whether Europol can effectively achieve and succeed where [the US Department of Homeland Security] hasn't, is only going to be down to the willingness of various agencies vectoring in. It's got to have buy-in at every single level.

"By the very nature of intelligence gathering, there are trade craft which are being employed in various jurisdictions which couldn't be necessarily shared or disseminated because of the legal frameworks that are that are binding those agencies in carrying out certain intelligence gathering  or in terms of viewing information that they are potentially legally not entitled to do," Geddes told Sputnik.
ATHENS (Sputnik)  The foreign minister added that Greece is seeking a comprehensive solution to the Cyprian problem based on UN resolutions.

"Greece does not accept and will never accept the consequences of the Turkish invasion. It gave a clear signal to all parties that removing an anachronistic system of guarantees and withdrawal of all Turkish occupation troops that, as the latest events in Turkey confirmed once again, disrupt the constitutional order and democracy instead of ensuring them, are an inherent part of solving the Cyprian problem," he said in a statement sent to RIA Novosti.
VIENNA (Sputnik)  Commenting on media reports criticizing this method of deportation, which is expensive, the ministry said that Hercules flight hours to deport migrants were included into the annual quota of flight hours for these aircraft, which are financed out of the state budget.

"The first C-130 Hercules aircraft with eleven illegal migrants on board landed in Bulgaria today. There were six crew members, a doctor, paramedics, interpreters and human rights employees on board," the ministry said.
Observers from HRW spoke to 11 children, who had been detained for as long as two months. Despite being unable to examine the cells, the children described filthy, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions to the observers.

Babrak K, a 16-year-old boy from Afghanistan, told HRW that before being transferred to a station in northwest Greece, he spent five days in a police station in a windowless, rat-infested basement cell, into which food was thrown through a small slot in the door.

Unaccompanied kids deserve real care and protection--not detention. #Greece shld transfer them out of police cells. https://t.co/9qE34SZUtk  Bassam Khawaja (@Bassam_Khawaja) July 20, 2016

"Police cells are no place for children who have fled their countries, endured perilous journeys, and are all alone in Greece," said Rebecca Riddell, Europe fellow at HRW.

"Locking vulnerable children in cramped and dirty cells for weeks or months is never an acceptable alternative for kids who need and deserve care and protection."

Greece is struggling to cope with around 50,000 refugees on its soil  and while refugee movement between countries remains restricted, attention has turned to the living conditions for the refugees inside the camp.

However, it seems that it's not just HRW observers unable to view cells for themselves, Index on Censorship claims Greek and international press has faced "major difficulties in covering the crisis.

"It's clear that the government does not want the press to be present when a policeman assaults migrants," Marios Lolos, press photographer and head of the Union of Press Photographers of Greece told Index on Censorship.

"When the police are forced to suppress a revolt of the migrants, they don't want us to be there and take pictures."

European political interest may be waning, but interest from Greek and international press appears to be deliberately hampered, suggesting there could be another reason why the crisis keeps missing from the front pages.
The analyst suggests that countries in the Balkans and elsewhere set up teams to fight the radicalization of youths, led by members of the Muslim community. Trifunovic said that this would help to prevent terrorist attacks, and suggested that Serbia's Chief Mufti Muamer Zukorlic play a part.

"If an anti-radicalization team is formed, I think Mr. Zukorlic should be in it, according to the British model. They have made one of their most radical imams, Asim Hafis, one of the main figures in the fight against radicalism. We need to get our leaders involved," Trifunovic proposed.

"Serbia has a great advantage. We have indigenous Muslims from our country who were born here, they are our flesh and blood, they just have a different religion. They should be our country's first line of defense."

Mufti Muhamed Jusufspahic, President of Serbia's General Assembly of the Islamic Community, was appointed Serbia's ambassador to Saudi Arabia last year. Trifunovic said that diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia are crucial because of the kingdom's influence on radical Islam.

"That contact is very important because Saudi Arabia is the main generator of terrorism," said the analyst, and referred to revelations about Saudi involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

"In Serbia, they are financing the construction of unnecessary religious institutions. If our citizens acted reciprocally and tried to build churches in Saudi Arabia, they would get the death penalty. There, you are not allowed to build any religious building apart from Islamic ones, and here they are allowed to do whatever they want across Serbia," Trifunovic complained.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands may be next in line to leave the European Union after Britain, former UKIP party leader and pro-Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage said Wednesday.

"I think there will be big pressure for a referendum in Denmark, so we could get Dexit. I think there is chance of a referendum in the Netherlands, so we could get Nexit. And, who knows, if we go for Sweden there could be Sexit," Farage said at McClatchys America Conventions show.

Farage, who was a leading voice of UKs Leave campaign in the run-up to the June 23 referendum and currently represents Britain in the European parliament, said an EU exit was the only way of taking back control from Brussels.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Embattled UK Labour party head Jeremy Corbyn is likely to win the partys leadership election but without the support of his fellow members of parliament, Brendan Chilton, general secretary of Labour Leave campaign group and a local party leader, told Sputnik on Wednesday.

In June, Corbyn faced a motion of no confidence and saw half of the shadow cabinet resign in protest at what they claimed was his inability to lead the main opposition party after Brexit. Corbyn refused to resign and said he would take part in the party leadership election due to take place on August 22.

"We [Labour] are in a really difficult position now. In this leadership election Corbyn is very likely to win comfortably. But at the same time he will not have the support of his members of parliament. If this happens, then Labour MPs will have to accept the outcome of this leadership election, get behind him and campaign to win in 2020," Chilton said.
Europe's opponents to the deal have long complained about its secrecy, with much of the information about the content of the negotiations coming from leaked documents and Freedom of Information requests.

The content of the deal has been severely criticized; among the major concerns is that multinational companies could use the Investor-State Dispute Settlements (ISDS) proposed by TTIP to sue national governments if their policies cause them to lose profit.

The clause can be exploited by multinationals to claim compensation from governments, even if the legislation in question protected public health.

For example, when the German government phased out nuclear power in the wake of Japan's Fukushima disaster in 2011, Swedish nuclear plant operator Vattenfall sued Germany for 3.7 billion ($4.7 billion), under the ISDS clause of a treaty on energy investments.

TIIP also proposes changing European law regarding privacy, health and safety and employment; US regulation offers less protection in these areas. Despite their legitimate concern, opponents to TTIP's institution in the EU have found it hard to transmit these issues to the general public.
The Gulen movement is led by religious and political figure Fethullah Gulen, currently living in exile in Pennsylvania. The Turkish government has accused him of being behind the failed coup attempt and filed a formal extradition request with the US government. Turkey is awaiting a decision.

While Ankara seeks to detain Gulen, Erdogan suggested that there is "another superior mind" above the Gulen movement leader.

As the Turkish government cracks down on those suspected of being involved in last week's events, Erdogan has suggested that he will approve the death penalty for mutineers if parliament approves. He also stressed that the European Union must respect Turkey's wishes if capital punishment is reinstated.

"I believe that this decision is up to the people. If the people say this must be done, any country that believes in democracy must respect this decision," Erdogan said. "We have been knocking on the EU door for the past 53 years. They have made us wait for 53 years. Many countries who came after us are already in."

On press liberties, Erdogan said he has never been anti-media, but does not believe freedom of expression should be used as a weapon.

On Monday, a Turkish official speaking on condition of anonymity told Bloomberg News that the pilots responsible for shooting down the Russian jet had been arrested.

Speaking to Sputnik on Wednesday, Dursun Cicek of Turkey's Republican People's Party warned against drawing a connection between the the downing of the Su-24 and last week's coup, since the pilots could not have acted without higher orders.
Statistics Denmark claimed that, by the time the package reached them, it had already been opened. The Data Protection Agency wrote, "The CDs contained information on personal [ID] numbers and health information, but not names or addresses. The CDs were not encrypted." Datatilsynet also criticized SSI for releasing sensitive information in an unencrypted format.

SSI responded saying, "We are talking about sensitive personal data of a very extensive character and it cannot be ruled out that it could have had concrete consequences for the affected individuals if the information had actually reached unauthorized individuals." They claim they are under the "perception" that the data "neither reached other people nor was seen by other people."
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With power comes money, but while for many crime rings in the US the main sources of income are gambling, drug trafficking and extortion, it appears that some of them also have their eyes on government money.

According to the American Association of Colleges, federal student aid has become an attractive target for criminals because there is no need for a credit check, and there are few restrictions on how the money can be spent.

Besides the notorious Bloods, Crips and other gangs, the battle for the hearts and minds of troubled youth is often being won by jihadist terrorist groups. And there you can often see Uncle Sams funds as well. In February, 2015, two college-aged Muslims from Minnesota  21-year-old Hamza Ahmed and 19-year-old Mustafe Musse, obtained $1,000 in federal aid money to buy plane tickets so they could travel to Syria and join ISIS.

The case of the Minnesotan jihadists is not unique. US Senator Jeff Flake wrote in his 2015 report on wasteful government spending that in a single year more than 34,000 participants in crime rings improperly received federal student aid.

The design of Flakes report, which is called The Farce Awakens revolves around an idea from the opening scene of Star Wars  Return Of Jedi, where Darth Vader is inspecting the construction site of the Death Star and finds out that his master's diabolical project is behind schedule. Heres Flake himself, presenting his report before the Senate:

The commander in charge first claimed there was no delay. Then he said to Darth Vader that it would be impossible to meet the schedule without resources. And Darth Vader warned the commander that the Emperor was much displeased with the apparent lack of progress, noting that the Emperor is not as forgiving as I am. Now government projects being over budget, behind schedule, or out of this world are not just a problem for the Emperor in that galaxy far-far away. They are a problem right here on Earth.

In his recent interview with CBS, Flake said that in recent years the number of cases of crazy government spending has been decreasing.

However, a fresh example shows that the madness is far from over. In 2015, the US Agency for International Development, or USAID, spent $2 million on the promotion of Lebanon as a tourism destination, while the US State Department was actively urging US citizens to stay out of the country because of terrorist threats and suicide bombings.

So whether US taxpayers will be able to strike back, putting an end to such outrageous government spending  remains to be seen.
We are receiving requests, letters and telephone calls from Russian citizens, their families and friends, who are asking us to help those who have been stranded in Turkey, including those who landed in Turkey for a connecting flight and those who were staying there for some time. We are working on this around the clock. Our embassy, consulate and the central staff are working on this jointly with the ministrys offices outside Russia.

As for NATO, I would like you to bear in mind that these events in Turkey took place a week after the alliances summit.

Turkey is a NATO member, and a very large and active one. So where was NATO a week before the tragic events, while it was holding the summit?

This major military and political organization, which has all the means at its disposal to ensure security, did not say a word about the potential security threat to Turkey or the region.

Had the attempted coup to overthrow the legitimate Turkish government succeeded, this would have been a tragedy for Turkey and would have further destabilized the region.

Where was NATO looking? It was looking at the mythical Russian threat. The alliance refused to look anywhere else, focusing instead on the alleged Russian threat, which they invented in the first place and are now busy rallying themselves to resist.

This is a classic example of NATOs misguided policy regarding threats.

I would like to add that a terrorist attack was carried out in Nice, France, between the NATO summit in Warsaw and the attempted coup in Turkey. This happened after the leaders of the NATO member states met in Poland to discuss the alleged hybrid threat coming from Russia. This is the total extent of NATOs role in the Turkish tragedy.

2. What impact can the deterioration of the situation in Turkey, combined with the threat of terrorism, have on international and regional stability? How will the recent events affect Turkeys standing as one of the most influential countries in the region?

We believe that the situation in Turkey should not be allowed to further destabilize the explosive situation in the region. This situation is fraught with major problems, not only for the region but also for the rest of the world. We see that events in the Middle East and North Africa, the Greater Middle East with all the adjacent countries, affect lives in other parts of the world, for example Europe. I am referring to the issue of migrants and refugees, and terrorism, as well as their direct and indirect influence on the internal political situation in many European countries.

Had the events in Turkey taken a more negative turn, this would have further destabilized the region, something that must be prevented.

3. How will recent events in Turkey affect efforts to resume tourist flows and charter flights to Turkish resorts?

Even before these events occurred in Turkey, we said that Russias decision to remove political barriers, including with regard to travel, is based on two fundamental requirements. First, Turkey is expected to ensure the safety of Russian citizens. There is also an understanding that it is a personal responsibility of every individual to assess the situation before deciding to visit a country where the threat of terrorist acts and attacks by extremists is present.

The latest developments in Turkey have confirmed that our analysis of the situation is correct. We must be more persistent in raising awareness regarding this issue among Russians.

Turkey is facing instability. We can see that the situation there is still far from calm. Russians who decide to travel to Turkey must be aware of the risks they face.

For the past few days, we have been constantly monitoring the situation with Russian citizens who are in Turkey.

Airlines that cancelled flights had to do so because airports were closed. Even after airports reopened, it took some time to restore security, flight schedules, etc. Given the busy schedule of arrivals and departures at international airports, even an hour-long suspension can have catastrophic consequences for the whole transportation network.

4. Have there been any reports so far on Russian victims of the attempted government coup?

As of July 19, there are no Russians among the victims of the attempted government coup in Turkey. However, we are maintaining close contact with Turkey on this issue.

5. Following his talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia and the United States have agreed that there shall be no leniency for terrorist groups. Does the Foreign Ministry now expect broader coordination on Syria and counterterrorism with the United States, which the Americans had earlier rejected, following these latest talks?

These are not so much expectations as simply the proposals that we have been making for some time now. Our view is that the actions and steps the US Secretary of State is taking show us that healthy forces in Washington have indeed realized the need for collective action. However, we see too that there is another camp in Washington that has not yet fully realized this need or thinks that cooperation with Russia is not a priority.

We are sure that the proposals we continue to make and the level of cooperation we have demonstrated in the recent past, with respect to the demilitarization of Syrias chemical weapons, for example, as well as instances of counterterrorist cooperation in Syria, give reason to think that we and the Americans can work together effectively.

All of our proposals remain in force and we continue to work on them. We think that this would be a promising and productive contribution towards stabilizing the situation in Syria.

6. Could you shed light on the details of talks with John Kerry? The statements made following the conference suggested that conditions for a political transition in Syria had been discussed, but it was decided not to make them public yet. We were told that Moscow and Washington still have much homework to do on agreements on Syria. Have there been any changes in the United States principles and positions on a settlement, or new approaches on their part?

Our position is that the approaches taken must be based on the international legal framework set out in the Geneva communique, the UN Security Councils resolutions, and the International Syria Support Groups decisions. Naturally, we need to integrate these approaches in such a way as to make for more dynamic and effective work.

We need to make sure the process does not stall but keeps moving forward smoothly.

- What is the homework required?

We are working on making our bilateral cooperation in all aspects concerning the Syrian conflicts resolution more effective.

7. When will the next round of intra-Syrian talks take place? When will the International Syria Support Group hold its next meeting?

At this point, I can say only that the experts in both areas, military and political, will intensify their contacts over these coming days.

It is still too early to say when the ISSG meeting will take place.

8. A NATO summit was held in Warsaw less than two weeks ago, followed by a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council at the ambassadorial level. Ms. Zakharova, you said at a weekly briefing that Moscow did not hear any new proposals from NATO at that meeting and added that Russia is open to further equitable dialogue with the alliance. Is Moscow ready to initiate more frequent consultations with the alliance, including at a higher level?

We have been working on our relations with NATO and developing the necessary mechanisms without slackening the pace of rapprochement. However, NATO adopted a unilateral decision to suspend our contacts. Later, it decided to resume these contacts. As soon as the decision was taken and a consensus was reached within NATO on the resumption of dialogue with Russia, we announced that we see no obstacles to our cooperation with NATO because we have not hindered it in any way. The only condition on which we insist is that our dialogue be equitable and based on mutual respect. We see no other obstacles.

Despite the biased and inappropriate  as we see it  position of the NATO leadership and the leaders, military and diplomats of the NATO member states, we expressed the opinion that all our differences should be settled through dialogue.

For the past two years, we have been saying that the suspension of our contacts is a mistake. We said the same after the 2008 [Georgia-Russia war  ed.], when our cooperation at the Russia-NATO Council was suspended for the first time.

The alliance again put our contacts on ice after the regime change in Ukraine. We consider that decision unwise, because the mechanisms of our interaction were designed to be effective not so much for peacetime when everything is fine, but rather for crisis situations when everything looks grim.

What did we create these mechanisms for? Why did we establish direct contacts between our militaries and set up hotlines? We have created all of this for times of crisis, when one of the parties does not understand the other partys actions and is alarmed. But they did not hear our arguments and froze our relations.

Had they not talked about the Russian threat all the while, we could have understood the logic of their decisions, but that is not what happened. On the one hand, they suspended all forms of interaction with Russia. On the other hand, hundreds of accusations were made publicly against Russia every day.

What could we do in this situation to more effectively develop cooperation with the alliance? Ask them, not us.

9. Regarding "signals," do you feel that relations with the alliance have warmed, and that the other party is ready for more active contacts?

These are not signals. The alliance has asked us to resume interaction and dialogue on this issue. We have heeded their request and have reacted accordingly.

As I said, the key or priority condition for the resumption of our contacts is that they be equitable. The alliance has no authority to scold Russia, reprimand it or advance conditions for dialogue.

We believe that a dialogue, which is the initial form of these mechanisms, can only be [established if it is] equitable. Only in this case will we be able to exchange opinions as equal partners, talk about our concerns and hope that our partners will hear us. This is how we think we should work. As we see it, the principles of equality and mutual respect are set out in all international documents.

10. During the Warsaw summit, Moldovan Defense Minister Anatol Salaru requested NATOs help in forcing Russia to withdraw its military units from Transnistria. He also proposed holding NATO war games in Moldova in 2019. What do you think about this? What is Russias position on the alliances show of rapprochement with such countries as Georgia, for example, which was on the agenda of the summits second day along with Afghanistan? And what do you think about the nearly full-scale participation of the partner countries, Sweden and Finland, in the summit?

We believe that NATOs expansion towards the Russian border is very dangerous for European stability. We dont need to look for nice-sounding phrases that would camouflage or smooth out the bumps or present concrete NATO actions in a more favorable way.

We believe its time to call it as we see it. And what we see is that NATO is advancing its infrastructure towards the Russian border. In my opinion, this is what NATO has been openly doing for the past year. They have invented a Russian threat and claim that they are expanding to contain it. However, we have not heard about any examples of the alleged Russian threat or about concrete and realistic NATO goals in resisting this threat. In fact, nobody has heard about them. What we see are the very real threats of international terrorism, organized crime, and natural disasters, on which we should and really can work together on the international stage.

We used to cooperate with NATO very closely, constructively and in a promising manner when we were fighting the threat coming from Afghanistan. This was very important for us. I mean, not only for Russia but for the entire region. Everyone knows about the destabilizing role the events in Afghanistan are having on its neighboring countries. We considered it extremely important to coordinate our actions with NATO, and we were working towards this. But our efforts in this area were unilaterally blocked by the alliance, the same as in all other areas.

Unfortunately, we see that NATO is not acting constructively on issues that call for an immediate response, and at the same time we see that NATO is expanding its infrastructure and trying to surround Russia under contrived pretexts.

The alliance has taken the wrong path. We dont like it, but this path is above all dangerous for the NATO member countries. While taking their cue from those who are talking about the alleged Russian threat and the danger of Russian aggression, they do not see the real threat facing the region.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Tuesdays announcement came on the eve of a pledging conference in Washington, DC that is co-hosted by Canada and includes Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and the United States.

"With this pledging conference, the international community has rallied to demonstrate its continued support for Iraq and its commitment to meeting the ongoing needs of the Iraqi people, especially women and youth," the release explained.

Canadas latest pledge is part of a $1.6 billion commitment to Iraq and the region that was first announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in February, the release noted.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The ministry also noted that low-income families in Latakia Province of Syria had received two metric tons of humanitarian cargos, including flour, rice, canned meat and fish.

"Aircraft of the Abakan Air, Russian aviation company, has dropped 15 tons of UN humanitarian cargos (food products and grains) on Deir ez-Zor, which had been besieged by ISIS terrorists," the ministry said in a daily bulletin posted on its website.

The ceasefire in Syria brokered by Russia and the United States, took effect on February 27 to facilitate humanitarian access to all besieged areas in the country, among other purposes.
"Commanders cannot justify themselves by making statements that they had no specific reasons. We did not see a genuine drive to fight the Gulen movement. We have talked about the Gulen group developing within the army for years, but no one listened to us," he said.

While suggesting that all those involved in last week's military coup were members of the Gulen organization, Yavuz at the same time warned against jumping to conclusions.

"The hope is that the right to a fair trial will not be violated. We are not talking about the junior officers, but they are unlikely to stage a new coup. The ruling party made the right decision by cracking down on the Gulen organization," he pointed out.

According to him, the supporters of Gulen managed to succeed due to events that have taken in the Turkish army over the past 10 years.

"The Turkish armed forces have been exhausted by false accusations of espionage and coup plans. As for the Gulen organization, it increased its clout due to limited military intelligence capabilities," Yavuz said, calling for the purge of the army and the trial of those involved in the failed coup.

Earlier this week, the Turkish government formally submitted paperwork calling for the extradition of Fetullah Gulen.
Several members of the city Mejlis (city council) have already joined the Constituent Assembly of the Federation. Many Arabs, Turkmens and Kurds from Manbij are already members of our Mejlis. It is for the people of Manbij to decide when to join the Federation. The city Mejlis will apply to join the Federal System based on the decision of the people of Manbij, she added.

Hediye Yusuf also noted that the fighting is getting more and more intense as troops advance to the center of the city. She added that with this operation, 90% of the Daesh presence in Rojava-Northern Syria will end and peoples of different faiths and ethnicities will find comfort in the Rojava-Northern Syria Federation.
ANKARA (Sputnik)  The ban is imposed both on personal and official trips, according to the NTV broadcaster.

Turkish authorities earlier banned all civil servants from foreign travel as part of a large-scale crackdown on alleged coup plotters.

Late on Friday, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. The coup attempt was suppressed by early Saturday. Turkish authorities have already sacked thousands of people across the country, including members of the armed forces, governors, military advisers, prosecutors, intelligence officers and judges. The Turkish government has accused US-based Muslim cleric Muhammed Fethullah Gulen of having played a key role in the coup.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to the media outlet, the convoy was fired at by an alleged gendarmerie vehicle in the Kastamonu province, when Yildirim was on his way to Ankara, from where he intended to control the emergency situation caused by the coup attempt.

"Coup attempters targeted Prime Minister Binali Yldrms car as well," Interior Minister Efkan Ala said, as quoted by the Hurriyet Daily News.

Late on Friday, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. The coup attempt was suppressed by early Saturday, with Yildirim stating that all coup supporters had been identified and would be apprehended as the country was returning to normal life.
BEIRUT (Sputnik)  The Syrian Arab Air Force killed more than 100 militants of the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group in a series of airstrikes conducted in the central country's province of Hama, local media reported Wednesday.

Syria's aircraft destroyed a convoy of vehicles armed with machine guns near the city of Salamiyah and killed about a hundred of militants, SANA news agency reported.
"Through a colossal campaign of ethnic cleansing (which saw the deportation of 2 million Greeks, and the expulsion of the Armenians, Bulgarians, and in part, the Kurds), Ataturk managed to create a state where Muslim Turks comprised a little more than half the population. Everyone else was listed as 'Turks'  the remaining Armenians, Greeks, Bosnians, Circassians, Crimean Tatars, and even the Kurds, who came to be called 'Mountain Turks'."

"However," the journalist recalled, "many of these national groups nonetheless managed to preserve their ethnic identity, first and foremost the Kurds, who are estimated to account for 20-25% of Turkey's population (or 16-20 million people). Even higher estimates exist, but Turkish authorities have worked to conceal the statistics."

"Even this percentage is enough to blow up the country from the inside. Turkey's leaders, starting with Ataturk, refused to recognize the Kurds' rights even to cultural autonomy. The conflict, whether concealed or in an open armed phase, has been waged for over 90 years."

In this situation, Dobrov explained, the fact that President Erdogan has attempted to create a unitary government comprised of 'Muslim Turks', has led to a smoldering conflict among different layers of Turkish society.

Finally, "the demographic factor too has played a special role in exacerbating existing problems. Over the last 25 years, Turkey's population has increased from 50 million to nearly 80 million people. The source of high birth rates is the internal regions of Anatolia, where the population adheres to the traditional lifestyle professed by conservative Islam; such families have many children. It is these people, with their rural ways of thinking, who form the basis of the electorate voting for Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party. But in Istanbul, Izmir, the tourist cities and industrial centers, not to mention Turkish Kurdistan, Erdogan's nationalist rhetoric does not find the sought-after support."
Territory ISIL holds continues to shrink as they're squeezed on multiple fronts by indigenous anti-ISIL forces and Coalition airpower.  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 15, 2016

Civilian Cost

The latest strikes in al-Tukhar has once again raised concerns about the civilian cost of the international campaign in Syria, with reports that more than 100 civilians have been killed near the city of Manbij since the beginning of June.

With much information about the number of civilian casualties still unknown, there have been calls for an independent investigation to be established.

Bad PR day for US in #Syria

 Formerly US-supported rebels behead child soldier

 Coalition airstrike kills 60-160 civilians near #Manbij  M. Cruickshank CN (@MJ_Cruickshank) July 19, 2016

"The bombing of al-Tukhar may have resulted in the largest loss of civilian life by coalition operations in Syria," said Magdalena Mughrabi, Amnesty International's deputy director for the Middle East.

"There must be a prompt, independent and transparent investigation to determine what happened, who was responsible, and how to avoid further needless loss of civilian life."

The US has come under fire in the past after refusing to allow an independent investigation to be carried out in the wake of a 2015 US airstrike on a MSF medical facility in Kunduz, Afghanistan.

The bombing of al-Tukhar may have resulted in the largest loss of civilian life by coalition operations in Syria." https://t.co/zG7YaaYIB1  Samah Hadid  (@samahhadid) July 20, 2016

"International humanitarian law requires all parties to a conflict to prevent the needless loss of civilian life," Mughrabi said.

"Even if the coalition forces believed that fighters from the armed group calling itself Islamic State were present around al-Tukhar, they should have taken the necessary precaution to identify who else was present to avoid or at least minimize civilian casualties."
'Turkey now is much closer to a civil war than ever before'

The journalist and academician also commented on the recently vocal rhetoric regarding arming Turkish civilians against the threat of future coups.

In such a country as Turkey, where the level of polarization of the society is very high and where there are lots of social problems, the idea of arming the population against the threat of a future coup might have very negative consequences, he warned.

Turkey now is much closer to a civil war than ever before, and the latest events only prove it, he said.

Fatih Yasl explained that it is not only about the coup attempt, but rather about its aftermath, when the crowds of people took to the streets. Violence in largely Alevi-populated neighborhoods, arsons and fights in the Syrian-populated neighborhoods, the abuse of the captured servicemen  all of this serves as a very disturbing signal.

Under the pretext of expression of the public will and the defense of democracy, a hefty destructive power, one of the most radical elements of political Islam, has been released into the streets. All of this signals at the growth of social instability in the Turkish society.
In an interview with Sputnik, Siyanek Dibo, member of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) denied allegations that several soldiers who took part in the attempted military coup in Turkey last week have fled to northern Syria.

He pointed the finger at Ankara, which he said intentionally endorses such claims so as to tarnish the Kurdish autonomous region Rojava's image.

Some Turkish and Kurdish media outlets claim that the Turkish Air Force pilots who bombed the parliament building in Ankara during the failed coup are now allegedly based in safe havens in northern Syria that are controlled by the Kurds.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Four people died and six were injured in an explosion in the Mansoura region in Yemen's city of Aden, media reported Wednesday.

According to Sky News Arabia, an explosive device was detonated near a police checkpoint. A suicide bomber reportedly detonated the explosive.

No terrorist groups have claimed responsibility for the blast so far. Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and Daesh, banned in Russia and numerous other countries, are currently operating in the country.
However, Kirisci writes that Turkish democracy now faces another test  whether President Erdogan can reconcile the divisions in Turkish society which enabled the coup attempt.

"Once again, the nation managed to break this pattern of ten-year coups. This offers the country a matchless opportunity for reconciliation," Kirisci wrote in The National Interest.

President Erdogan "is correct in calling 'for their (the plotters) punishment under the full force of the law of the land,'" Kirisci wrote, but it will "now be critical that he ensure that the rule of law is upheld and rises to the challenge of winning hearts and minds across a deeply polarized nation."

Kirisci believes that Erdogan must "rise above a majoritarian understanding of democracy" to fulfil the aspirations of the Turkish public, which heeded his call to protect the government from the coup by taking to the streets in protest.

On Friday President Erdogan used FaceTime to call for Turks to take to the streets in support of the government, which was followed by several nights of demonstrations by thousands of supporters.

Midnight in Istanbul, and thousands of anti-coup demonstrators still on central Taksim Square pic.twitter.com/4oVrmJYjom  Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) 17  2016 .

The Turkish Foreign Ministry stated on Saturday that the coup was carried out by a minority "clique" in the army, and stressed that the government enjoys popular support.

"The Turkish Armed Forces were not involved in the coup attempt in their entirety. It was conducted by a clique within the armed forces and received a well-deserved response from our nation," the Foreign Ministry said.
BEIRUT (Sputnik)  The Nusra Front terrorist group targeted the Syrian city of Al-Baath in Quneitra province in the Golan Heights with high explosive yield missiles, resulting in the death of civilians, an informed source told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"Jabhat al-Nusra [Nusra Front] has launched two missiles with a substance that provides a high explosive power. Several civilians were killed in the assault on the town of Al-Baath," the source said.
Another harrowing video shows a knife-wielding fighter beheading the child, who has been laid down on the trunk with his hand cuffed behind his back.

While shouting 'Allahu Akbar', the executioner holds up the childs head then put it down on his back.

So excited about the promising democracy @SenJohnMcCain's rebels will establish in #Syria after they behead the kids pic.twitter.com/SuBQa5ipKA  Partisangirl (@Partisangirl) 20  2016 .

On Tuesday, the reports emerged that the US cut aid to the Syrian rebel group after becoming aware of the video.

The US State Department promised consequences if the gruesome video turns out to be genuine.

If we can prove indeed what happened and that this group [al-Zinki] was involved in it, it would give us pause about any assistance or frankly any further involvement, US State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at a press briefing today.

I cant take what these consequences would be, but this certainly would give a pause and well look at any affiliation or cooperation with this group, he reiterated.

The killing was condemned by a number of Syrian residents.

"This is the work of criminals, and is forbidden in Islam," Imam Mohamed Badawi railed against the killing at an Aleppo mosque.

The killing was also condemned by the opposition Syrian National Coalition, which expressed "shock at the horrific scenes" and urged the faction to follow through on its pledge to investigate and punish the perpetrators.

I find no words for this, no excuse, no description. Purported to be #US-backed #Zinki Brigade behead a pow child. https://t.co/EI7oU3zyoN  Riam Dalati (@Dalatrm) 19  2016 .

"The National Coalition does not condone any behaviour that is contrary to the principles of the revolution and the aspirations of the Syrian people who came out to demand freedom, dignity and justice," the statement added.

Mohamed Mansour, a resident of Al-Mashhad where the execution occurred has also condemned the killing.

"This is a big error and will harm all the Free Syrian Army rebel factions," he said.

"There is nothing in Islam that allows the slaughter of prisoners. Islam requires captives to be well-treated, fed and cared for."

The sickening beheading also caused outrage in Twitter with many users wondering whether the 'beheading of kids is part of the US fight for freedom and democracy."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Bonds issued by six Turkish banks have been placed on review to be potentially downgraded in the wake of the attempted military coup, Moodys credit rating agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

Moody's Investors Service has today placed on review for downgrade the ratings of the covered bonds issued by six Turkish banks, the statement said.
Ron Reiring via Wikipedia / CC BY 2.0

By the year 2040 the mid-central area of New Mexico, where we Burquenos call home, will add just under a half a million people to its neighborhoods. In order to keep up and address the anticipated growth, city folks are in the midst of a two-year update to the citys top land use planning document.

The Albuquerque/ Bernalillo County Comprehensive Plan was first drafted in 1988. The plan has had some updates and amendments done to it over the years but has not kept up with growth and trends. Once approved the large document will help guide zoning, development and even public investment planning into the future. The ABC Comp Plan outlines how we want to grow as a community over the next 25 years. This update is a great opportunity for the public to add their voice to shape the document that decision-makers will use to change zoning laws and prioritize investment to [make our communities] more walkable, sustainable [and] vibrant ... over time, City Planner Mikaela Renz-Whitmore told Weekly Alibi.

Who Is Us?

This greater mid-region area encompasses Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, Valencia and southern Santa Fe counties. This area currently has more than 900,000 people. By 2040 it is estimated the area will add 311,000 people to Bernalillo County alone and another 149,000 to the outlying counties, according to statistics from the Mid-Region Council of Governments. Currently the plan shows that Millennials and Gen X-ers make up over 50 percent of the current population. Gen Z, or the 14 and under set, come in at 20 percent with baby boomers and older at about 30 percent. As Gen X-ers and baby boomers age, the number of people 65 and older will double by 2040.

Re-Up the Plan

City planners say the update is needed to simplify and integrate the citys zoning regulations, to streamline the citys development review and approval procedures in order to improve economic development and job creation.

To accommodate all the new folks who will be enjoying our sunshine, the plan envisions a web of communal activity centers connected by transportation corridors, which could be for cars, buses or other modes. One of the top goals is to protect the many established and unique neighborhoods dotted across the city from intense development. Directing intense development into the designated areas will help protect the citys unique and sometimes rural neighborhoods.

The new plan looks at creating sustainable and resilient community by addressing critical water issues and climate change. Creating more walkable neighborhoods and urban centers lessens the need for cars. The plan also tries to respond to future water challenges saying water scarcity is the predominant environmental challenge facing our high desert home. The proposed plan encourages the use of renewable energy in all housing and business developments to minimize the human contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. It also says the city needs to plan ahead on how to handle the local effects of climate changewater shortage, extreme drought, heat and more intense wild land fires.

What We Want

Public participants in focus groups, public meetings and surveys said they wanted vibrant, safe, active neighborhood centers with the options to walk or bike to work and to do errands. They said they wanted the neighborhood centers connected to employment areas through multiple modes of transportation. Young families say they want housing options to include traditional homes and a growing number say they want cottage homes, urban homes or to live in like-minded housing clusters.

They also want to see the city attract a wide range of jobs and other business activity into existing employment centers such as Downtown, Journal Center and Uptown to provide economic vitality and security. Protecting the many natural and cultural resources ranked high on the list of what is important to residents as well.

What is Next?

The city is serious about getting the word out about the proposed plan. The project has the catchy name of ABC to Z, along with an informative website, a YouTube video and a Facebook page. City planners encourage residents to check the proposed plan out, especially the chapters on community vision, sustainability and identity to see if they match their own vision of how Burque should look in future. The ABC-Z Project will help shape the future of Albuquerque, so its important for people of all ages to provide their input. We want to ensure that the Albuquerque we have in 25 years is exactly what our current and future residents need and want in a city that they call their home, said Melissa Perez, from the city planning department.

The citys Environmental Planning Commission must first approve the draft plan before it comes to the Council table. The EPC is scheduled to have its second study session at 3pm July 28, in the Plaza del Sol Building 600 Second Street NW. The public is invited to attend but there will be no public comment taken. The EPC will hold public comment hearings from 1 to 8pm Aug. 4 and on Aug. 25 in the City Council Chambers in the basement of City Hall.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  A failed coup attempt in Turkey highlights the deep divisions among the countrys elites that are intertwined with the international competition in the Middle East and North Africa, Greek member of the European Parliament from the Communist party Konstantinos Papadakis told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"The coup attempt in Turkey highlights the sharpening of the internal contradictions of the bourgeois class, the differences among the various power centers in the country, which are intertwined with the overall international competition in the region of Syria, Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, Northern Africa with the direct intervention and contradictions of powerful capitalist States," Papadakis said.

Last Friday, an attempt of a military coup took place in Turkey with tanks seen on the streets of the capital of Ankara and the largest city of Istanbul, as the military tried to take control of the country. By early Saturday the coup had been suppressed.
In the aftermath of the coup, many Western analysts believe that the Erdogan administration will now be able to tighten its grip within the Turkish civil service, purging domestic opposition and dissent of any nature, whether tied to the coup or not. Erdogan appeared to affirm the supposition, calling the coup a "gift from Allah."

French President Francois Hollande said, less than 24 hours after the attempted coup, that he expected "repression" during the aftermath of the coup.

Yet many are now wondering whether Erdogan has overplayed his hand. Based on apparent illusions of grandeur, he is directly accusing the United States of participating in the coup plot, while his Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, warns that Turkey will go to war with any country that supports Fethullah Gulen, the imam Erdogan blames for all his political troubles.
The state of emergency was needed "in order to remove this threat as soon as possible," Erdogan said.

The Turkish president added that Europeans have no right to criticize Ankara's decision.

The coup attempt left nearly 300 people dead and over 1,000 injured, and has been blamed on the movement of exiled religious and political leader Fethullah Gulen. Ankara has requested Gulen's extradition from the US.
"To many this looks like the French retaliation for Nice. 84 civilians die, so they ramp up strikes so that they can let their citizens know that they are protecting them, said the analyst. Then they go and kill 120 or 140 civilians, but the media doesnt cover it."

"The Intercept is a fine publication, but it is not the New York Times. Who is covering it? And they wont cover it, because to cover it would be to question the policy. They wont cover it because the US has been propagandized that they must hit [Daesh] everywhere or they arent safe in their beds. It is a big propaganda lie," argued McAdams.

"They are creating a big danger by going over there and bombing in the Middle East and that is the danger of blowback which we are seeing more and more."

Assuming the airstrike was an accident, why do these types of accidents keep happening?

"The US is not only at war with [Daesh] in Syria, they are also at war with the Assad government and this entire airstrike has been to the benefit of the US-backed opposition which would be able to take this territory if they are able to run [Daesh] out of it," said McAdams.

"It would be occupied by groups of rebels who are involved with and not all that different than [Daesh] so there is no way to adequately protect these people because the US is at war with the government that could give them the intelligence to stop killing so many people there."
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Electricity to the air base used by the US-led coalition has been disconnected since Saturday, when it was cut off during a coup attempt against the Turkish government by elements of the Turkish Armed Forces.

"I dont believe so," Toner stated when asked if the Turkish government deliberately decided not to fully restore power to the Incirlik airbase. "I dont have a determination one way or the other."
"The second problem with the cessation of hostilities we have frankly is the growing capacity of Jabhat al-Nusra which is al-Qaedas formal affiliate in Syria, the largest al-Qaeda affiliate now in the world," McGurk stated. "It is growing in capacity as a military force and it of course is not bound by the cessation of hostilities."

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with a number of opposition Islamic factions, including extremist groups, fighting the Syrian Army in an attempt to topple the legitimate government of President Bashar Assad.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The contract combines purchases for the US Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, foreign military sales customers and international partners under the Foreign Military Sales program, the Defense Department noted.

"Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company [of] Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $241.7 million contract for procurement of diminishing manufacturing sources electronic components for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft," the announcement said on Tuesday.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics received a similar US Navy contract to supply another $93.8 million of electronic components for the F-35 earlier this month.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The tiltrotor Osprey can travel at airplane speeds and hover like a helicopter for vertical landings on a carrier decks.

"Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $544.6 million contract for themanufacture and delivery of four MV-22 tilt rotor aircraft [for] of the government of Japan," the announcement said on Tuesday.
The Podsolnukh ('Sunflower') OTH radar, which is significantly more expensive, has similar capabilities.

Ultimately, Tuchkov explained, there are serious advantages to the use of airships. "Airships are cheaper to use than airplanes and helicopters, not least because they are unpiloted, and use less fuel. There are even advantages compared to drones. Firstly, an airship has a greater lifting capacity, and therefore can take more equipment up with it. Secondly, the threat of accidents due to technical problems is virtually eliminated. Of course, this does not apply to aerostats equipped with hydrogen, but their use was abandoned a long time ago."

"Airships have another significant advantage: they are difficult to detect on radar due, since they contain virtually no metal parts. The Dolgoprudnenskoe Scientific Production Plant has advanced their projects' qualities in this area even further, through the use of shell materials virtually invisible to radar waves."

And the Dolgoprudnenskoe Plant is not the only player engaged in the development of aerostats for military applications. The Vladimir Region-based Augur-RosAeroSystems also has a number of interesting proposals.

One particularly impressive project is Augur's Puma blimp, which has the capability to lift a 2.2 ton payload to an altitude of 4.4 km, a flight time of up to 30 days, and a power capacity of up to 40 kW. The aerial vehicle can be equipped with a variety of equipment, including radio-electronic warfare equipment.

"Augur has also made considerable efforts in the creation of manned airships. In 2018, the company plans to test the Atlanta, set to have a 60 ton lift capacity, and a 2,000 km flight range. The company expects this project to find interest in the Ministry of Defense. Naturally, commercial exploitation is also possible."

Still, Tuchkov noted, the creation of airships for use by the military is a risky venture. In the late 2010s, the US firm Worldwide Aeros began the creation of a heavy transport airship dubbed the Aeroscraft. The Pentagon soon showed its interest, becoming the co-financer of the project, which promised to cheaply transfer heavy equipment and personnel (up to a battalion-worth) across long distances.
According to a letter of explanation written by a mortar battery commander cited by the Ukrainian Military Portal, six M-120-15 Molot (Hammer) that were supplied to his unit on June 21 exhibited a number of defects, like the repeated jamming of the weapons' elevation mechanisms, during recent tactical exercises.

Furthermore, it also became apparent that due to the quality of metal from which these weapons were made, the mortars, which are worth approximately $19,500 each, rust pretty quickly, and the paint starts coming off when they are exposed to direct sunlight.

It should be noted that this is hardly the first case where the Ukrainian military has been supplied with faulty equipment by local subcontractors.
Effectively, Evseev noted that "based on available funds, we could carry out exercises and make an attempt to intercept a ballistic target over Russian territory using joint calculations and, later on, eventually strive for the creation of collective missile defense."

"Such a move would serve as an effective response to US plans to deploy elements of missile defense in space. It is space-based ABM specifically which threatens to provide guaranteed interception  during the active phase of the missile's flight. And at this stage it is not necessary to make choices about the real targets within a cloud of decoys, as is the case when interception is carried out during the passive phase," nearer to the ground.

Ultimately, the analyst warned, if the US continues to develop its space-based missile defense components, "the only effective means against such a system would be the use of anti-satellite weapons. We know that China has tested with such systems, and we have similar designs, even if they are not widely advertised. In my view, we can only respond to Washington through the combination of military and diplomatic efforts. Diplomacy alone will not stop the construction of the US missile defense system."

For his part, Vasily Kashin, a senior researcher at the Institute of Far Eastern Studies, noted that Russian-Chinese cooperation in the field of missile defense is possibile, although a full-scale joint shield is unlikely.

At the same time, Kashin indicated, "creating a collective missile defense system in the framework of the SCO is not possible by definition, given the specifics of the organization and the policies of its members. For example, a country like Uzbekistan may have its own dissenting opinion on the issue, not to mention the positions of India and Pakistan," set to join the SCO in 2017.

"As for collective missile defense between Russia and China, it is an unlikely scenario, but possible, given that cooperation in this field already exists. China is now in the process of creating an early warning system, and is developing a strategy for missile defense, including theater missile defense."

In this sense, Kashin suggested, "Beijing is naturally interested in our experience and, possibly, in an automated system of data exchange. As we know, missiles, if they begin their flight from the continental United States, will fly to Russia and China over the North Pole. In principle, the exchange of data in the event of such a global strike may be of interest to our countries. Something of the kind has already been implemented by the US: The Americans receive real-time data from the early warning radar they sold to Taiwan, [and] the same thing seems likely with South Korea."

Still, according to the analyst, a genuine joint Russian-Chinese system of missile defense will most likely remain on the drawing board.
"However, there are parts for LRIP 10 jets being built as long-lead items in the supply chain," Rein told Flight Global.

He added that Lockheed does not foresee the coup attempt impacting the order.

While Lockheed Martin may not be concerned, Turkeys military partners in NATO are. On Monday, US Secretary of State John Kerry hinted that Ankara could be booted from the military alliance if it continues what the West sees as an unlawful crackdown on suspected plotters.

"NATO also has a requirement with respect to democracy. Obviously a lot of people have been arrested, and arrested very quickly. The level of vigilance and scrutiny is obviously going to be significant in the days ahead," he said.
The Syrian National Coalition has called on the US to immediately suspend all anti-Daesh airstrikes following a spate of failed airstrikes by the NATO coalition that have left over 140 civilians dead. The first airstrike, conducted by the United States in Manbij occurred on Monday and led to the deaths of at least 20 civilians. On Tuesday, French warplanes killed more than 120 civilians near the Turkish-Syrian border in the village of Toukhan Al-Kubra.

On Wednesday, the Syrian Foreign Ministry sent letters to the UN secretary general and to the president of the UN Security Council, which at present is Japan, demanding immediate action be taken against the NATO mission in Syria.

Damascus called on the UN to look into the atrocities committed by France and the United States in both Toukhan Al-Kubra and Manbij as part of the US-led international coalition.
Kiriakou predicted that Erdogan would use his democratic credentials in a bid to retain credibility and standing with the US government and other countries as he moved to consolidate and increase his power.

"I believe that Erdogan, after purging the military and the police  something he has wanted to do for years  will celebrate the triumph of democracy, knowing the Turkish people took to the streets to stop the military."

Kiriakou also suggested that the failed coup last Friday and Erdogans moves to purge the military leadership since then had to be understood in the context of Turkeys uneasy recent history.

"Military coups are nothing new in modern Turkey. They happen every so often."

Kiriakou gained international recognition as the only person the US government sent to prison for exposing the George W. Bush administration's torture program.
CAIRO (Sputnik)  According to the Al Arabiya broadcaster, Egyptian Prime Minister Sherif Ismail made corresponding statement at the nomination ceremony that took place in the country's National Museum.

The media noted that Khattab served as Egypts ambassador to South Africa, Czech Republic, Slovakia.

The election for the position of the UNESCO Director-General to take place in 2017. Current head of the organization Irina Bokova is a candidate for a post of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Political and military experts will meet in Geneva in the coming days to step up work on resolving the Syrian crisis, a Russian Foreign Ministry source said Wednesday.

"We proceed from the assumption that intensive military and political expert work will begin in the coming days in Geneva, in development of [US State Secretary John] Kerrys visit to Moscow," the source said.

Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told reporters last Friday they had agreed, but were not yet ready to make public, concrete steps to enforce a cessation of hostilities and create the conditions for political transition in Syria.
MOSCOW(Sputnik)  Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet in a Russian city in the first 10 days of August, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

"Indeed, a meeting of Putin and Erdogan is currently being prepared and elaborated via diplomatic channels. We agreed that this meeting would take place in the first 10 days of August, it will take place in Russia, the city and the exact date are still being clarified," Peskov told reporters.

The official denied the reports that this meeting would take place in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Coughlin called attention to the fact that Turkey has become especially unpopular with European NATO members due to its controversial role in the EU refugee crisis. He pointed out that Washington itself has come under heavy criticism from Ankara, being accused of supporting the attempted coup's plotters.

"Then Washington faced a major security alert after the Turks cut the electricity supply to the Incirlik base, a potentially disastrous development given the sensitivity of the munitions that are stored there," he underscored, in reference to the 50 B61 hydrogen bombs stockpiled at the base.

The question arises whether NATO is really serious about sacking its "difficult, but valuable, ally" if Erdogan's actions will contradict the bloc's membership's requirements.

In his interview with Sputnik, Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief-of-staff to US Secretary of State Colin Powell, noted that Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's turn to the Islamic world spell trouble for NATO.

"Turkey is a very dicey character right now and has no business being part of NATO. Rather than be a part of Europe, it wants to be part of the Islamic world that we are having trouble with right now," Wilkerson told Sputnik.

However, there are voices claiming that the fuss about Turkey's NATO membership is just "much ado about nothing."

Commenting on Kerry's remarks, Akbar Shahid Ahmed of the Huffington Post writes:

"This was tough talk. It made headlines and news alerts almost immediately. But it's important to remember that there's little chance of anything beyond talk on the NATO membership question."

"At most, the US and other NATO partners will use the alliance's stated rules as yardsticks  noting that every so often, after a fresh Erdogan excess, that he's coming perilously close to crossing the line and violating commitments his country has signed," the journalist emphasizes.

Ahmed referred to NATO's history with Turkey, stressing that there were plenty of coups in Turkey's past which led to "multiple periods of repressive military dictatorship." However, what was constant amid the change in leaders was Ankara's NATO membership, he underscores, dubbing it "a pragmatic product of the West's Cold War priorities."
Following the attempted coup, Ankara urged Washington to extradite cleric Fethullah Gulen , believed to be the mastermind behind the coup attempt. Gulen has been living in Pennsylvania since 1999.

Furthermore, Turkish Labor Minister Suleyman Soylu assumed that the US could have had a hand in the failed coup attempt, after Washington requested evidence to confirm Gulen's role in the uprising.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stated Monday that "Turkey may question its friendship with the US" should Ankara's demands to extradite the cleric not be met.

"We will be a little bit disappointed if our friends say 'show us the evidence' while there are members of this organization which is trying to destroy a state and a person who instructs it," Yildirim said, as quoted by Hurriyet Daily News.

Meanwhile, in response to a series of arrests targeting Turkish military and civil service personnel, Kerry and his European counterparts called upon Recep Tayyip Erdogan to respect the rule of law and democratic principles. They warned Ankara that its actions may contradict EU and NATO membership requirements.

"Any erosion of democracy in Turkey, a key US ally in the fight against the Islamic State (Daesh) and a North Atlantic Treaty Organization member, complicates some of the most critical tests facing President Barack Obama in his final months in office and his successor thereafter. Turkey's strategic location and Western ties have made it a cornerstone of US strategy against the Islamic State as well as efforts to resolve the Syrian conflict and stem the flow of migrants to Europe," Carol E. Lee of the Wall Street Journal wrote Sunday.
On this episode of "By Any Means Necessary" host Eugene Puryear is joined by Jennifer Bryant, journalist and organizer with Cooperation DC; Kymone Freeman, Co-Founder of We Act Radio; and Dr. Kelechi Egwim, Executive Director, Appeal Incorporated reflect on the opening days of the RNC convention and their efforts to "Make America Safe Again." The group also discussed the power of black banking, co-op economics, and what it all means for the Black Lives Matter movement.

In a special third part Eugene Puryear is joined by Dr. Jared Ball of Morgan State University and IMixWhatILike.org to talk about the myth of black buying power.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, a car bomb claimed Sheremet's life in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev. The Ukrainian general prosecutor confirmed Sheremet's death, classifying it as murder.

"A vehicle with Pavel Sheremet was blown up in Kiev. [He was] a professional journalist, who was not afraid of telling the authorities what he thinks about them  to different authorities and at different periods of time. And he was respected for this. Ukraine (not the country, but the system) is turning into mass grave for journalists and journalism," Zakharova wrote on her Facebook page.

President Petro Poroshenko ordered investigators to ensure the perpetrators of the attack are brought to justice.
A state-of-the-art sonar system to protect Russia's territorial waters in the Arctic is already under development, the newspaper Izvestia quoted a Russian Defense Ministry source familiar with the situation as saying.

The system will be equipped with sophisticated sonar buoys and underwater sensors that will track the acoustic signals of underwater and surface objects and transmit the information to a ground control center via satellites.

The source said that "the project is due to be finalized in 2017 and after it is approved by the Russian Defense Ministry, the new sonar system will enter service." According to the source, the fully deployed system can cover an area spanning hundreds of square kilometers.
KHANTY-MANSIYSK (Sputnik)  The forum was held in the region on June 8-9 and involved BRICS and SCO countries. Forum participants included experts, IT representatives and officials from 48 countries.

The document was signed by representatives of 46 countries, including China, Brazil, India, South Africa and Russia. The text, approved by all parties, was submitted to the Yugra Government as the forum host, the Yugra representative said.

He said that the authors of the declaration called for listing the development of standards for media information literacy among the priority objectives of the national policy.
"The Chinese are more interested in how to develop their own browser, even on the basis of Opera, so as to promote it further and then inject money in the project. Slowing down China's drive in this direction could be one of the tasks the Americans are trying to accomplish by blocking the deal," Yushchyuk said.

Referring to Opera, he added that it is only natural that China is willing to buy what he said is already a ready-to-use product.

"By doing so, China will be able to receive the necessary basic functional element. The Chinese want to create their own browser that will foray into a global soft market. This will mean direct competition with American companies, because it is US browsers that currently dominate the market," he pointed out.

In a written interview with Sputnik, expert Zhang Fei of the Foreign Investment Research Center with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, for his part, said that it was irrelevant to talk of the regulators taking sides on the matter and that the consensus will hopefully be reached at the end of the day.

"Both parties to this deal are able to arrive at a consensus, and each party is highly interested in it," Zhang said, referring to the each-according- to-his-needs principle.
Offered considerations to religious prohibitions on pork, Rus said that developing a kosher version of the robot would not be a problem.

The robot would be controlled by magnetic forces, and have embedded inside a neodymium magnet resembling a small metal cube. Magnetic fields are changed by joysticks operated by researchers, allowing the robot to move through the stomach directly to the object it seeks to expel, or the area to be dressed or medicated.

Steven Guitron, an MIT graduate student in mechanical engineering, states that it will likely not hurt to swallow the robot. He said, "I'm sure if you swallowed an ice cube accidently, it's very similar."

The MIT group exhibited their research at a Swedish robotics conference this summer, and they currently have a patent pending for the technology. Medical companies have already expressed interest, according to Rus, but this would mean the requisite testing on humans and animals.
According to reports, the police officer, whose name was not disclosed, ordered a sandwich at a restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. When he bit onto his lunch, he heard a crunching sound and felt a "grisly texture." His mouth was bleeding, as, it turned out, he had just bitten down on shards of broken glass.

The officer was taken to a hospital, and the restaurant has been closed by local police. It is unknown whether the food contained glass by accident or on purpose. Columbus Public Health officials will visit the restaurant on Tuesday to investigate possible violations.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  According to the Star Tribune, hundreds of people staged a sitdown protest near US Bank headquarters in Minneapolis. Police warned them that they needed to get off the street, however, some people refused. In result, 21 protesters were arrested.

VIDEO UPDATE: protestors being arrested in protest in Minneapolis,MN on interstate 35. @abc7newsbayarea pic.twitter.com/WkepNcXP0n  Jessica Castro (@JessicaABC7) July 13, 2016

Large crowd marches toward Minneapolis conv ctr in protest over police shooting of #PhilandoCastile  @ByLizSawyer pic.twitter.com/g7bwlszqzn  JKH / Gay Leftist (@jaycamikenGL) July 20, 2016

The media noted that many teachers joined the protest.

Black lives matter protest at AFT Convention center Minneapolis #philandocastile pic.twitter.com/MG97Bbiuu4  Annie Tan (@AngryTeachr) July 19, 2016

The shootings of African-American Alton Sterling by two policemen in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 5 and another African-American man, Philando Castile, who was killed by police in the state of Minnesota the following day, have provoked public outrage across the country. A Black Lives Matter demonstration against police brutality toward African Americans took place in Dallas, Texas, during which five police officers were killed in a sniper attack on July 7.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  Democratic candidate Clinton has long backed proposals to naturalize illegal immigrants in contrast to Trumps call for deporting illegal immigrants.

"Perhaps not surprisingly, given the greater support for a path to citizenship than deportation or building a wall on the US-Mexico border, Americans are more likely to say Hillary Clinton's immigration policies and proposals, rather than Trump's, come closer to their own," a press release accompanying the poll explained.

Overall, 84 percent of likely US voters surveyed support the path to citizenship, the release explained.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  The United States has reached a $177 million settlement with the oil company Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership over oil spills in the US states of Michigan and Illinois, the Department of Justice said in a press release on Wednesday.

"The Department of Justice and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a settlement with Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership to resolve claims stemming from its 2010 oil spills in Marshall, Michigan, and Romeoville, Illinois," the release stated.
Last month, it was reported that Trump's campaign had only $1.3 million in campaign funds on hand, with presumed Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton raising a whopping $42 million. Asked where Trump expects to find the money for the general election, Porter said that he wasn't that concerned.

"This is a question brought up by all the delegates at the convention. Clinton has a lot of money and we are thinking about whether we need to have just as much. Trump won the primaries with a small amount of money; such a thing had never happened before."

"We've calculated that Trump has spent 34 cents (on advertising and campaign costs) for each vote in the primaries, while Clinton has spent $43 dollars per vote," the delegate added.

Ultimately, Porter noted, "Clinton has said that Trump cannot win, because he doesn't have enough money. That's a corrupt way of thinking. For many Americans, Hillary Clinton is the epitome of corruption."
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  The spokesman refused, however, to confirm the reported deaths of two French soldiers by militia who shot down their helicopter outside Benghazi on Sunday.

"The special forces are there, of course, and to help ensure that France is present everywhere in the fight against terrorists," Le Foll said in an interview with the France Info radio station.

Le Foll additionally said French Defense Minister Jean Yves Le Drian was in the United States to coordinate a Daesh attack on the Iraqi city of Mosul.
PARIS (Sputnik)  It was previously reported that militia downed a French helicopter outside Benghazi on Sunday, killing two French soldiers.

"The Minister of Defense, Jean-Yves Le Drian, laments the loss of three French non-commissioned officers [NCOs] who died on duty in Libya," the ministry said.

French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll, in an interview with national radio earlier in the day, confirmed the presence of French forces in the conflict-torn North African state but refused to confirm the deaths.
Washington imposed economic, trade and financial restrictions on Khartoum in 1997 on accusations of state support for terrorism, destabilizing neighboring states and violating human rights. The US extended the sanctions regime a decade leader over the Darfur conflict.

Such an agreement would contribute in defusing relations. We have agreed that we will together solve our problems in the common interest of stability, Hamid said.
KIEV (Sputnik)  He tols the reporters earlier Poroshenko assigned security to Sheremet's common-law wife and owner of the Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper, Alena Pritula, in the wake of the car bomb attack.

The president instructed to bring to the investigation specialists of the US FBI and EU experts, Svyatoslav Tsegolko wrote on his Twitter page.

Earlier in the day, Sheremet, who also worked for Radio Vesti broadcaster, died when a car he was inside blew up in the center of Kiev. According to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, the explosion was probably caused by a remote-controlled explosive device.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  As the sweeping crackdown in Turkey following a failed coup continues, Amnesty International fears that purges are being extended to censor media houses and journalists, including those critical of government policy, the watchdog said on its website.

The organization said the crackdown on the media in Turkey was currently of "exceptional proportions."

"While it is understandable, and legitimate, that the government wishes to investigate and punish those responsible for this bloody coup attempt, they must abide by the rule of law and respect freedom of expression," Andrew Gardner, Amnesty Internationals Turkey researcher, was quoted as saying by the watchdog.
MOSCOW (Sputnik)  Earlier in the day, Sheremet was killed when the car he was traveling in blew up in the Ukrainian capital. According to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry, the explosion was caused by a remote-controlled explosive device.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered investigators to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

"This is a contemptible murder. The authorities must now act swiftly and efficiently to bring the killers to justice. There can be no more impunity for the killing of journalists. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Pavel and to all journalists in the region," IFJ President Philippe Leruth said in a statement on the EFJ website.
In a written interview with Sputnik Italia, Italian journalist Alessandro Bertoldi slammed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for continuing to crack down on those involved in last week's failed coup; Bertoldi claimed that a full-fledged coup is now under way in Turkey and it is Erdogan who bears responsibility.

The interview came after Turkish authorities said late last week that an attempted military coup had taken place in the country, which they blamed on a group led by Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who currently lives in self-imposed exile in the United States.

"Purges are continuing in Turkey amid Western media speculations that Ankara is bolstering ties with Moscow so as to be covered by Russia. Moscow keeps silent as it watches the situation, and it is right by doing so. The Turkish diplomatic problem remains a knot that must be untied by the EU and NATO," he said.
Cicek, for his part, said that the decision to shoot down the plane and the subsequent actions depended entirely on pre-defined procedures, and that trying to find a link between the failed coup and the November incident makes no sense.

According to him, "such decisions are made according to established procedures, and the pilot could not shoot down the plane without getting a corresponding order, which is fulfilled in accordance with certain procedures in the army."

"Therefore the pilot could not shoot without obtaining the relevant permission. Could the pilot decide all by himself? Yes, he could, but in any case, the shot was fired in line with within the established legal norms. I think that is not right to link this incident with the coup attempt," Cicek said.

He also said that "if they [the pilots] are really members of the Gulen group, one will artificially proceed from the assumption that they used the initiative [the November incident] in favor of the organization."

"But these are two different incidents, and drawing parallels between them is a mistake," he pointed out.

Meanwhile, the mayor of the Turkish capital Ankara Ibrahim Melih Gokcek said that those who were involved in the killing of the Russian pilot over Syria last year had participated in the attempted coup in Turkey.

The uprising took place late last Friday as soldiers and tanks were deployed on the streets of Ankara and Istanbul, and around strategic locations, including the parliament building. Shortly afterwards, Edrogan urged Turkish people to come out into the streets to stand up against the rebels.
SHANGHAI (Sputnik)  The G20 finance ministers and central bankers are likely to focus on the possible impact of Brexit on global economic growth when they meet in southwest Chinas Chengdu on July 24-25, the deputy finance minister of Russia said Wednesday.

"It's hard to say what will be at the top of the meeting's agenda. Probably, the effects of the British [EU] referendum on economic development. At least, there is a pronounced need to correctly assess the risks associated with this [Brexit]," Sergei Storchak told reporters at a press briefing in Shanghai.
WASHINGTON (Sputnik)  A wave of attacks in just over a month has helped the Daesh terror group set new records for plots, attacks and the number of people injured, already surpassing the carnage of 2015, according to a US House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee report titled Terror Gone Viral released on Wednesday.

"ISIS [Islamic State] terrorists have reached an alarming and horrific milestone, continuing their unprecedented pace of global terror," Committee Chairman Michael McCaul said in a press release accompanying the report. "Our communities have now become the battleground, and our enemies are hiding in plain sight."

The report cited 34 Daesh plots thus far in 2016, compared with 48 attempts in all of 2015, and 875 people killed or injured as of July, compared with 750 casualties in all of last year.
Russian technologists are known to be deft at operating and developing space modules designed to sustain propulsion, as well as creating house crews, exactly the expertise the US needs. That sort of module would increase the Orion crew's living capacity beyond the small one-room compartments currently in use.

When consulting with their American counterparts, the Russians showcased hardware that will soon be available for building deep-space living quarters. For instance, ISSs small docking compartment, built by RKK Energia, could be adapted as a 10-ton addition to the habitat, and would include cargo space, sleeping quarters and a discrete life-support system.

Every part of the base, which could grow over time, could launch in a few years' time, by receiving cargo from SLS rockets. Russia could also supply an all-encompassing module that would include large living quarters, propulsion and power for the crew.

America wouldn't be the only side to benefit from this collaboration. Without assistance from the US, Russia would not be able to develop anything close to the SLS until at least the year 2030.
Twenty-one freshman trotting fillies trucked to Mohawk Racetrack for OSS Gold Series action Tuesday evening, and it turned out to be another big night for daughters of Kadabra.

On A Sunny Day took home the hardware for the second time in as many tries for driver Sylvain Filion and trainer/breeder Luc Blais by capturing the first division. The daughter of Muscle Mass-Dicent No shot to the lead from Post 7 and laid down fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:28.1 before using a :29.1 closing quarter to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Literally. Tropicana AS was third.

Determination of Montreal, QC owns the talented youngster, who was a 1:59 winner in her debut versus OSS Gold Series foes on July 5. The filly has banked $70,000 to date.

Winter Sweet Frost won the second division to remain undefeated for trainer Paul Reid. Doug McNair sat a pocket trip to the quarter pole with the homebred before taking command in the backstretch. Once on the lead the daughter of Kadabra-American Frost laid down middle splits of :59.1 and 1:29 before storming home in :29.2 to win by 2-1/2 lengths over Gravitator. Taking home third prize was Expose Yourself to complete the Kadabra-sired Triactor.

A 1:59.3 winner in an OSS Gold Series division to kick start her career on July 5, Winter Sweet Frost bumped her bankroll to $70,000 with the win for owner/breeder Robert Key of Leechburg, PA. Shes a half-sister to Frost Bites K (1:54 - $440,804).

Magic Presto fired home in :27.3 to post a 5-1 upset in the final division for trainer Richard Nifty Norman, a man who knows a thing or two about talented trotters. The daughter of Kadabra-In The Mean Time got away fourth for driver Trevor Henry, who treated her to a ground-saving journey through panels of :28.3, :59.4 and 1:29.2 Race favourite Sweet Of My Heart laid down those fractions, but couldnt fend off Magic Presto in the closing strides. Magic Presto won by a length over Sweet Of My Heart in 1:57.2. Lady Justice completed the top three finishers.

Mel Hartman, Herb Liverman, David Mc Duffee and Little E LLC share ownership on the full-sister to Could It Be Magic (1:56.4 - $213,156). The freshman was purchased for $160,000 from last years Harrisburg Yearling Sale.

To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results  Mohawk Racetrack.
The trainer of downunder standout Have Faith In Me is adamant his horse is "just as good" as the current top older pacing horses and could competitively race with the likes of Always B Miki, Freaky Feet Pete and Wiggle It Jiggleit.

In February, the four-year-old son of Bettors Delight, Have Faith In Me rewrote the Australasian harness racing record books with a 1:47.5 mile in the $750,000 Group I Miracle Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle. At the time, trainer Mark Purdon and co-trainer/driver Natalie Rasmussen stated the horse's best was yet to come.

Purdon and Rasmussen recently concluded a trip to North America, spent some time in some of the sport's top barns, and observed the older pacing class up close and in person. Upon returning home, Purdon agreed with local racing scribes that if his horse was fully integrated with the North American style of racing and used the faster style of racebike used here, his horse would be able to break the 1:47 barrier.

"I am sure he would be but I don't think there is any great desire to race him up there," Purdon told The New Zealand Herald.

Unfortunately for harness racing fans, that matchup is unlikely to take place. The world's trotting ranks have faced off against each other for years in races on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, but given seasons and distance that's less plausible on the pacing side. Plus, the possibility of dominating the downunder ranks makes staying home that much more lucrative to the horse's connections.

"If he is the best down here this season, which we hope he will be, then he can win more money than he could up there because up there he would be one of three or four with similar ability," noted Purdon.
It is well documented that horses  sometimes retired racehorses  are very effective in helping special-needs individuals, those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, and prison inmates. It has been reported that a prison inmate recently took some liberties with a steed and enjoyed a short time on the outside because of it.

According to an article by the Muskogee Phoenix, a prisoner was recaptured last week after he had broken out of jail on horseback roughly two weeks earlier.

The piece does not offer many details regarding the situation, but it does state that 39-year-old Cody ODell Humphers broke out of the Howard McLeod Correctional Center in Atoka, Oklahoma on horseback on June 28.

The article states that the horse was found soon after the escape and was returned to the correctional centre.

Humphers was in the midst of serving a 20-year sentence for knowingly concealing stolen property.

(With files from the Muskogee Phoenix)
A pair of MLAs  one from Prince Edward Island and the other from Nova Scotia  have voiced concerns about how delays with ferry services are negatively affecting horsepeople that are involved in the harness racing industry.

An article by The Guardian explains that P.E.I. MLA Darlene Compton and Nova Scotia MLA Karla MacFarlane voiced their concerns on Tuesday (July 19).

MacFarlane was cited as saying that the ferry service is subsidized by the federal government, and shes not hearing solutions from them. One of the ferries, the MV Holiday Island, has been docked all summer due to repairs, and the ferry service has been negatively affected due to it.

I have also heard from truckers and how much it is affecting their livelihood. If youre sitting on the wharf from eight in the morning until 4:30 p.m. youre not making any money, Compton was quoted as saying. (Its hurting) the harness racing industry (in terms of) going to stake races. Its a huge impact for them, too.

Weve looked at various scenarios in terms of a replacement (boat). None have panned out to date, Northumberland Ferries Ltd. VP of Operations Don Cormier was quoted as saying. Transport Canada and ourselves continue exploring that. We arent putting a definitive date on the return of the Holiday Island because its still a dynamic situation.

(With files from The Guardian)
It was a round trip to victory lane for Platoon Seelster and driver Ryan Holliday in Tuesdays $11,000 Preferred 2 Trot at Georgian Downs.

The OSS graduate, who stormed to a 1:55 in the class two weeks ago, skipped last week before posting a one-length triumph in Tuesdays featured race.

Holliday got away third with Platoon Seelster, but he put him in motion shortly past the quarter pole. He brushed to the top without much of a tussle, and once he got there he posted middle splits of :57.1 and 1:27.3. He fired home in :28.4 to win by a length over Big Rich in 1:56.2. Delcrest Massy was third.

David Holliday trains the four-year-old son of Federal Flex-Personal Hanover for owners Caroline Holliday of Mount Forest and Dennis Hannath of Harriston, Ont. The eight-time winner has racked up five of those wins this season. Hes already potted in excess of $50,000 this season and more than $294,000 to date.

Severus Hanover pulled off a 10-1 upset thanks to his comfortable score in the $7,500 Preferred 3 Trot. Bob McClure treated him to a ground-saving trip for the first half before asking the gelding to go first-over on the way to the three-quarter pole. The trotter than scooted home in :29.3 to post the win by 1-3/4 lengths over the dead-heating tandem of Covert Operative and Utopia in 1:56.4.

David Frey trains the five-year-old son of Explosive Matter-Sorbet Hanover for 373818 Ontario Ltd of Maple, Ont. It was the first win of the 2016 campaign for the nine-time winner who upped his earnings to $82,491 with the victory.

To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results  Georgian Downs.
Ten $40,000 divisions of Ohio Sires Stakes for freshman trotting and pacing fillies were contested Tuesday afternoon at Scioto Downs. Of those ten divisions, four fillies were first time winners in the four-leg series, while six have now swept both of the first two legs.

One filly who won OSS leg one on July 3 at Northfield Park in 1:56.1 and then returned to lower her career record to 1:54.2 at Scioto on Tuesday is Bye Bye Felicia, who Brian Brown conditioned to those front stepping victories for driver Chris Page.

This robust filly is by Ohio sire Woodstock, a foal of 2007 who earned $173,176 and took a three-year-old record of Q1:50.3m. He is a son of World Champion Rocknroll Hanover, out of the Abercrombie mare Gothic Lady. Bye Bye Felicias breeder, Joe McLead, is a big fan of Woodstocks pedigree and said keeping alert for a well-bred broodmare is a high priority for any breeder.

Breeding is what we do for a living, so the serious breeder is always looking for the right pedigree to bring into their broodmare band, Joe stressed. I study every broodmares bloodline in every sale. Its just good business.

As many in racing know, good business, coupled with a few sprinkles of luck, often yield big rewards for breeders and owners alike. Such is the case with Bye Bye Felicia. When Joe studied the February 2013 Blooded Horse Sale catalogue, he spied an unraced daughter out of the Matts Scooter mare Armbro Tea, p, 3, 1:53.2s ($91,457), named Tea Time.

Tea Time is a Camluck half-sister to Dali, a son of Real Artist, Joe noted. Dali took a mark of 1:48.2f at three and earned nearly $1.5 million. Woodstock is a good outcross to the Cam Fella line, as his dam is a half-sister to Artsplace.

It just so happened that Tea Time was a supplemental entry in the catalogue and was selling at the end of the sale, on the final day of the four-day mixed auction.

When I got there that afternoon, it was practically deserted, Joe recalled. I was the only bidder on Tea Time, and my bid was $250.

The result of the Woodstock-Tea Time coupling produced Bye Bye Felicia, who Joe says was a standout as a foal.

This fillys confirmation was spot-on perfect, he said. And she always had a bit of an attitude.

Bye Bye Felicia sold for $7,000 at the 2015 Ohio Selected Yearling Sale and has earned $40,975 for owners Jennifer Brown, Dean Davis, Joyce McClelland and Steve Mullet.

It just shows what you can do in this business if you buy into the right bloodlines, Joe confirmed.

Of the four OSS trotting contests held on Tuesday, three of the winning fillies were by Dejarmbro, while one was represented by Break The Bank K. In the six pacing divisions, Art Official had two winning freshmen, while Woodstock, The Panderosa, Arts Chip and Foreclosure N each had one winning filly.

Fillies who were winning an OSS leg for the first time included the Bobby Brower-trained Lets Get Started, who established a new track record of 1:56.3 for two-year-old trotting fillies. She was driven by Josh Sutton for breeders/owners Dick and Joyce McClelland.

Classy But Sassy was another first time OSS winner, clocked in 1:55 for trainer/owner/breeder Charles Neff and driver Sandy Beatty.

Da Vinci Artist prevailed in her first OSS triumph in 1:56.1 with trainer Kurt Sugg driving for owner Robert Corbin and breeder Spring Haven Farm and Doug Millard.

Nikki Bella was another first time OSS winner for owner Don Tiger, trainer Tim Twaddle and breeder Velocity Standardbreds. Mike Wilder was in the sulky for the fillys 1:55.1 clocking.

Besides Bye Bye Felicia, those fillies notching their second OSS score after winning leg one on July 3 at Northfield Park included Madeira AS, who won in 1:59 at Northfield and captured leg two at Scioto in 1:58.2 for owners/breeder ACL Stuteri AB, and Kjell Johansson. Anette Lorentzon trains the daughter of Dejarmbro.

Purple Sona won leg one at Northfield in 2:00.4 and scored in 1:58.2 in leg two at Scioto for driver Kurt Sugg, trainer Miles Wollam and owners Acadia Farm, Dale Sweet and G&B Racing. Double Spring Farm bred the Dejarmbro filly.

Amuses prevailed strongly in 2:00 in leg two at Scioto after winning leg one at Northfield in 2:01.1 for driver Tony Hall, trainer Richard Gillock and breeder/owner Robert Key.

The Ron Burke-trained filly Rosemary Rose stopped the clock in 1:54.4 for Mike Wilder in leg two at Scioto, after having won in 1:56.4 by ten lengths at Northfield in leg one of the OSS series. Burke Racing, JV Mellito and Weaver Bruscemi own the daughter of Foreclosure N.

Finally, Type A Grey won her second straight in OSS competition, lowering her record of 1:57.2 taken at Northfield in leg one to 1:54.4 in leg two at Scioto for the Emerald Highlands Farm. Brian Brown harnessed the Art Official lass for driver Chris Page.

(OSDF)
Officials with Post Time with Mike and Mike have sent out a preview of the upcoming edition of the show.

Trainer Ron Adams will be on the show to talk about Lady Shadow and her impressive performance this past Saturday night at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

The shows continuing Riding Under Saddle series will continue with Maria Buchanan, who was part of the event this past Sunday at Ocean Downs.

Saratoga Casino Hotel Race Secretary Pete Iovino will join the show to talk about the upcoming Joe Gerrity Memorial. The field will include 2015 Horse of the Year Wiggle It Jiggleit.

Amanda Jackson will join to talk about the progress at the Shenandoah County Fair (Shenandoah Downs). She will also talk about the upcoming meet there along with the recent happenings of racing in Virginia.

The shows ongoing series with Running Aces Casino and Racetrack will continue, as track announcer Darin Gagne will sits down with driver Jim Marino. The upcoming week at the Minnesota oval will also be previewed.

The next edition of the show is scheduled for this Thursday (July 21) at 7 p.m. (EDT).

The show can be heard each Thursday at 7 p.m. on posttimewithmikeandmike.com.

(With files from Post Time)
By Women, for Women: Taking on the Sex Trade, One Job at a Time

Contact: Barbara Hubbard, Freegrance Products LLC , 434-401-1267LYNCHBURG, Va., July 20, 2016 / Standard Newswire / -- On July 25, 2016, Lynchburg residents Patrick and Barbara Hubbard will launch a brand-new company that will extend a helping hand to women trapped in the sex trafficking industry. The company, Freegrance Products LLC, will sell products like soaps and earrings - handmade by women affected by the sex trade - to consumers in the United States through its website, freegrance.com . In addition, Freegrance will invest 40% of its profits into job creation for at-risk women around the world.Freegrance, Barbara Hubbard says, is an ultimate "win-win.""With Freegrance," she says, "consumers can buy quality products that are useful [to them] and [at the same time] help women change their lives."While the Hubbards agree that human trafficking earns its share of media coverage, they still believe the key issue - poverty - is being grossly overlooked. According to Barbara, women in the sex trafficking industry are not always forced to sell their bodies.For many women living in abject poverty, a brothel is their only choice for survival."They can no longer stand to hear their children cry themselves to sleep from hunger," Barbara says.In response, Freegrance reaches out to women in countries like Brazil, Thailand, and Cambodia and offers more than a charitable handout. Instead, the company engages these women on a more impactful level through product development and job creation, enabling both the victims and their families to support themselves apart from the ravages of the sex trade."By empowering women through job creation," Barbara says, "we are equipping them to care for themselves, their families, and their communities."For more information about Freegrance's mission to empower women through job creation, please call 434-401-1267, email sales@freegrance.com , or visit them online at freegrance.com
It's Election season and our editor's mailbox is overflowing. Who do your neighbors support? Read about it here.
Editors note: Today, we continue to profile the five candidates for Cowlitz County Commissioner District 1. Profiles for challengers Marilee McCall and Arne Mortensen appear today. The profiles for challengers Curtis Hart, Jim Hill and incumbent Mike Karnofski appeared Tuesday.

The Cowlitz County commissioner races are highly contested this year, with five candidates running for District 1 and four for District 2.

Ballots were mailed out Friday for the primary election on Aug. 2, which will eliminate all but the top two candidates for every race. Residents will only be able to vote for commissioner candidates in their respective districts.

The five candidates running for Cowlitz County commissioner District 1 are: Curtis Hart, Jim Hill, Mike Karnofski, Marilee McCall and Arne Mortensen.

District 1 is comprised of Kelso, east of the Cowlitz River, and the southern part of the county.

Marilee McCall

Woodland City Councilwoman Marilee McCall said she knows what its like to struggle.

Divorced in 1997, she transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to a single mom working full-time. For nearly two years, she worked two jobs to make ends meet while raising her sons and commuted to Beaverton, Ore., in the evenings.

I know what its like to just be a working person trying to own a house and feed your family, and try to have a little bit left over so you can go camping, she said. I think I can relate really well to just about any level of person who lives here, somebody whos a local.

McCall supports the Northwest Innovations methanol plant in Kalama. She said her first move to improve economic development, her main priority, would be to better promote the county as a whole, instead of fragmented parts. To do this, she would organize meetings that include representatives from each city.

McCall said though she is not excited about coal, she doesnt see a good reason to say no to the project. However, she said she would want to negotiate with Millennium to reduce the length of the trains to avoid cutting off valuable industrial land in Woodland. She said she supports holding one Board of Commissioners meeting a month in the evening to discuss hot-button issues that people have an interest in.

McCall said the Love Overwhelming shelter is at an inappropriate location but said its the countys responsibility to take care of the homeless.

You cant just throw money at something and expect it to run well, she said.

She said there are people who are a paycheck away from being homeless and they are people first  people who are homeless, not homeless people.

The Castle Rock native has spent almost all of her life in the county and has lived in Longview, Kalama, Castle Rock and Woodland. She has worked years in both the private sectors  as an employee at Weyerhaeuser, Steelscape and Longview Fibre  and public sectors.

Her strength, she said, is having a larger viewpoint, which lets her see the whole picture in the county.

Im familiar with and Im invested in the whole county, McCall said. I look at things from a 40,000-foot view. ... I dont have a siloed vision.

Arne Mortensen

Arne Mortensen wants to focus on one thing as county commissioner  eliminating regulations and helping people navigate the bureaucracy.

The best thing government can do is get out of the way, he said.

The Cowlitz County Republican Party chairman grew up in Venezuela until the age of 11, when his family moved to the U.S. After he spent his last two years of high school in Spain, he tried to enlist in the Navy. But he wasnt accepted because of his stutter.

I have no recollection of ever being a clear speaker, he said. Hes been to psychologists, psychiatrists, and over the years it has improved. He said the struggles, and the way he was treated by some, had a big impact on him. I could let them define me, or I could define myself.

Mortensen said if it wasnt for his stutter, he would have been more successful in the private sector.

Mortensen supports the Millennium coal terminal and the Northwest Innovations methanol plant in Kalama. He said the government needs to prove the proposal is flawed, rather than force businesses to justify moving forward with their plans.

The idea that any person or business needs government permission to develop their property is backwards, Mortensen wrote in an email. Millennium already has spent around $12 million to develop an EIS and there is still opposition by parties who cannot accept a conclusion contrary to their wishes.

He doesnt share the same environmental concerns as some opponents to the coal facility and said he doesnt believe in climate change caused by humans.

Mortensen also said hes cheap, especially with other peoples money.

If you were to say, Arne, let me buy you lunch, I would look at the menu and order the cheapest thing, he said. Its just a matter of respect. I respect the wage earners of the county, and I know theres no such thing as a free lunch out there.

He said he would be careful not to spend it just because the county has the funds, like with the Love Overwhelming shelter.

The housing first model is flawed, he said, and instead would have brought the right people together to come to an agreement on better models that exist like that of Community House on Broadway.

But Mortensen said his opinions are irrelevant, that his role would be to help people accomplish what they want. He said he discourages endorsements. He said the race shouldnt be about the people he knows but about the issues themselves.

Thats one of my beefs about politics. We make it personal, and it should not be personal, he said. Im not trying to sell Arne to the county. Im trying to sell a principle to the county. Im trying to sell a process.
A new species of snake has been discovered by an international group of scientists. Talamancan Palm-Pitviper is a striking green-and-black snake living in some of the most remote regions of Costa Rica. It is very similar to the Black-Speckled Palm-Pitviper, so much so that for these many years, they were thought to be the same, and thus Talamacan Palm-Pitiviper went unrecognised.

It was a case of cryptic speciation, where two species look almost identical, but are genetically different, as explained by a scientist.

The findings were published in an online academic journal Zootaxa on July 15. Though the parts of Costa Rica are well explored by Scientists and researchers and the nation invests in documenting its diversity, new species are being continuously found in that region.

Christopher Parkinson, professor at the University of Central Florida, who led the team that made the discovery said, It shows some of the complexities we deal with when cataloging biodiversity and underscores the importance of maintaining natural-history collections. Specimens housed in natural-history museums were worked upon for this discovery and it wouldnt have been possible to discover a species without them due to the complexities during cataloging biodiversity.

Snake venoms have proven to be a great source for protein discovery and drug development. While little is known above the venom of the Talamancan Palm-Pitviper, the Black-Speckled Palm-Pitviper was recently shown to possess an important toxin that poses an interesting evolutionary question. The toxin, called nigroviriditoxin, is similar to a neurotoxin found in some rattlesnakes and hasnt been seen in a non-rattlesnake before. The question arose from the observation that whether they had same ancestors.

During the past 15 years, the team also amassed tissue samples from additional specimens to compare the DNA of the potentially new snake species to the DNA from other snakes in Central America.

The discovery of this new cryptic species shows the advantages of using modern molecular techniques and phylogenetic reconstructions in the catalog of the planets biodiversity, said co-author of the paper.
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The chief justice of Brazil's Supreme Court quickly struck down a lower court decision that had blocked the WhatsApp messaging service nationwide for several hours, affecting almost 100 million users. Chief Justice Ricardo Lewandowski ruled on a motion filed by a political party yesterday seeking to have the Rio de Janeiro judge's order thrown out.

Early in the day, Judge Daniela Barbosa ordered the suspension because Facebook, WhatsApp's parent company, would not help a police investigation. The app was suspended at 2 PM local time. Lewandowski ruled after the service had been blacked out almost four hours. Telecom operators said they were waiting to be notified formally so they could put the messaging system online in Brazil. In her decision, Barbosa said Facebook showed "total disrespect for Brazilian laws." She argued that the company was repeatedly asked to intercept messages sent through the service to help in a criminal investigation in the city of Caxias, outside Rio.

WhatsApp CEO Jan Koum had said the company was working to get the app running again. "It's shocking that less than two months after Brazilian people and lawmakers loudly rejected

blocks of services like WhatsApp, history is repeating itself," Koum said on his Facebook page. Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes also said he wanted a solution that would prevent decisions like Barbosa's. It was at least the third such ruling against WhatsApp this year in Brazil. A judge in the northeastern state of Alagoas blocked the app over a separate investigation in February, and WhatsApp was blocked in Sao Paulo for 12 hours in December by a judge in that region.

After Barbosa's ruling took effect, the website of the court where she sits went offline. The activist group Anonymous Brasil claimed it knocked out the site as a "protest against WhatsApp being blocked."

AP
tech2 News Staff

A district court has issued a notices to global search giant Google, its CEO and its India head for portraying Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a search query. The query which became topic of discussion back in June 2015, listed an images of PM Modi (among others) when a search query for 'top 10 criminals in the world' was executed on the search engine.

Additional District Judge (ADJ) Mahtab Ahmed issued a notice to Google's CEO and its India head, who had initially filed an approach for the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) according to The Hindustan Times.

The complaint was filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Mishra and the hearing for the same will be held on 31 August.

Mishra had reportedly written to Google asking the search giant to remove the listing, but seemed to have got no response. The advocate even went to the police, who also did not register the case, post which he moved an application before the CJM.

Back then, Google had put out an apology as a spokesperson from Google commented, "Sometimes, the way images are described on the internet can yield surprising results to specific queries. We apologise for any confusion or misunderstanding this has caused. Were continually working to improve our algorithms to prevent unexpected results like this,.

CNET reported back then the anomaly was caused by a British newspaper posting an image of Modi with confusing alternative context.

This was the first (and in all probability not the last) incident where Google's search has misunderstood things. In a similar incident back in May 2015, Google search pointed to the White House when users typed in "nigger house" and "nigger king".

Google's outsourcing methods for Maps using its Map Maker service came to a screeching halt in the same month. Users had discovered a picture of the Android robot urinating on the Apple Logo outside Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The service resumed in August with stricter moderation with 'Regional Leads' in place to monitor the same.
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European powers are looking to Israeli-developed technology to develop better means for spotting "lone-wolf" militants based on their online activity, a senior EU security official said on Tuesday. Last week's truck rampage in France and Monday's axe attack aboard a train in Germany have raised concern about self-radicalised assailants who have little or no communication with militant groups that could be intercepted by spy agencies. "How do you capture some signs of someone who has no contact with any organisation, is just inspired and started expressing some kind of allegiance? I don't know. It's a challenge," EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove told Reuters on the sidelines of a intelligence conference in Tel Aviv.

Internet companies have begged off when asked to monitor their own platforms' content for material that might flag militants, De Kerchove said. He said they had argued that the information was too massive to sift through and put into context, unlike child pornography, for which there were automatic detectors. "So maybe a human's intervention is needed. So you cannot just let the machine do it," De Kerchove said. But he said he hoped "we will soon find ways to be much more automated" in sifting through social networks.

"That is why I am here," he said of his visit to Israel. "We know Israel has developed a lot of capability in cyber." Israeli security agencies once focused on "meta data", or information regarding suspects' communications patterns. Now, beset by Palestinian street attacks, often by young assailants using rudimentary weapons and without links to armed factions, they have refocused on social media as a complementary means of gaining advance warnings from private posts.

An Israeli military official who administers these methods said human intervention is required to set parametres such as age, religiosity, socio-economic background or links to known militants for the population being monitored. With the pool of potential suspects thus narrowed, the system can flag social media messages that may spell an imminent attack. "We reassess our database daily, based on the changing security needs and what we have learned from terrorist attacks that took place or from captured terrorists," said the official, who monitors Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the technologies.

The Israeli system distills the population being scrutinised through three stages, the official said. All are labelled "black" initially; those who match enough of the parametres to warrant extra attention are "gray"; and, of those, the ones whose conduct is deemed suspicious enough to trigger individual surveillance or a police arrest and interrogation are "white". "If the 'black' group were to number one million, I would anticipate the 'grays' numbering 20,000 and the 'whites' between 10 and 15," the official said, giving hypothetical figures to convey the scale of the Israeli system's data filtration.

As De Kerchove was at pains to make clear to the conference, European standards of civil rights, such as privacy, make the introduction of intrusive intelligence-gathering technologies in the public sphere and aggressive police follow-ups difficult. Israel's emergency laws give security services more leeway, but its intelligence minister, Yisrael Katz, called for cooperation with Internet providers rather than state crackdowns. He cited, for example, the encryption provided by messaging platform WhatsApp which, he said, could be a new way for militants to communicate and evade detection. "We will not block these services," Katz told the conference. "What is needed is an international organisation, preferably headed by the United States, where shared (security) concerns need to be defined, characterised."

Reuters
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Gawker Media LLC founder Nick Denton faces personal bankruptcy after a U.S. judge refused on Tuesday to extend protections shielding him from liabilities resulting from a lawsuit over the invasion of privacy of former professional wrestler Hulk Hogan. The decision represents a victory for Hogan as well billionaire investor Peter Thiel, an early backer and board member of Facebook Inc who helped fund Hogan's lawsuit following the publication of an article by Gawker about Thiel's homosexuality.

"This story will conclude with Gawker Media's popular brands sheltered under new ownership and the importance of a free and critical press reaffirmed by the courts. In the end, the Facebook board member will have nothing to show for his petty grudge other than legal expenses and a reputation for thin skin," Denton said in a statement. Thiel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Gawker, a U.S. internet publisher, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June after Hogan won a $140 million judgment against the company over the publication of excerpts from a sex tape, $125 million of which Denton is liable for, according to court filings. Attorneys for Gawker had asked the court for the same protections for its founder, including a shield from lawsuits. The court had only agreed to give Denton temporary protections.

Stuart Bernstein, U.S. bankruptcy court judge for the Southern District of New York, declined on Tuesday to extend the shield. Attorneys for Gawker argued that without the shield, Denton would be distracted by his own personal bankruptcy process. Gawker's business and its plan to sell itself in bankruptcy would suffer, they said. Gawker and its investment bankers are now soliciting acquisition offers for the company. When Gawker filed for bankruptcy, it had an agreement from online publisher Ziff Davis LLC to buy the company for $90 million, but this was only meant to be a stalking horse bid setting the floor price in an auction process that is now underway.

Prior to the ruling, Denton said a personal bankruptcy process would be major distraction to him helping navigate Gawker through its auction, arguing that he would be playing a crucial role. "I know they are going to want to speak to me, Denton said in court Tuesday of other potential bidders for Gawker. "Im the founder of the company. I know where all the bodies are buried. Hogan's attorneys argued that Denton's personal bankruptcy would not weigh on Gawker because the company already had in place an executive team and outside professionals who would be able to execute the sale.

Denton said that Gawker had loaned him money to pay for his personal bankruptcy attorney, and that he had met with the attorney twice. In court papers, Hogans attorney stated that the loan was for $200,000. Denton said in court that he has two assets, his equity in his apartment and his stock in Gawker. Denton owns about 30 percent of Gawker. The value of the equity of his apartment was not referenced in court.

Reuters
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The United States can join a landmark case on the legality of cross-border data transfers, an Irish court ruled on Tuesday in a move that gives U.S. authorities a platform to defend their surveillance laws before the European Union's top court. The U.S. authorities had asked the Irish High Court to be a party to the case taken by Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems against Facebook, which has its European headquarters in Dublin, over data transfers from the EU to the United States.

The case, which aims to determine whether personal privacy is properly protected from U.S. government surveillance, is expected to be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) following a request by Irish data protection authorities in May. "The United States has a significant and bona fide interest in the outcome of these proceedings," Justice Brian McGovern said.

"The imposition of restrictions on the transfer of such data would have potentially considerable adverse effects on EU-U.S. commerce and could affect U.S. companies significantly." The ruling means that U.S. authorities can potentially offer legal opinion or testimony in the case. Revelations three years ago from former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden of mass U.S. surveillance caused political outrage in Europe and stoked mistrust of big U.S. technology companies such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft.

Schrems launched a legal challenge to the Safe Harbour commercial data pact in 2013, ultimately resulting in it being replaced by a new framework that came into force this month. "The fact that the U.S. government intervenes in this lawsuit, shows that we hit them from a relevant angle," Schrems said in a statement. "The U.S. can largely ignore the political critique on US mass surveillance, but it cannot ignore the economic relevance of EU-U.S. data flows."

Reuters
Lenovo has unveiled its latest consumer laptop from the ideapad family, Lenovo ideapad 110. Custom-made for first-time PC buyers, the ideapad 110 delivers supreme functionality and durability at a great price. At a starting price of INR 20,490/-, Lenovo is also offering the Accident Damage Protection (ADP) Cover to protect laptops from unexpected damages, thereby reducing the total cost of ownership.

Equipped with Intels latest Celeron Dual Core and Pentium Quad Core Processors, the new ideapad 110 comes with an improved hinge design that is robust and allows for a smooth 180-degree action into a flat position. Lenovos ADP policy protects investment on laptops in case of damage due to accidental drops, spills, electrical surges or failure of the integrated screen.

Theres no need to purchase an external drive as this model comes with a DVD/CD-RW drive that makes it easy to load programs, listen to CDs, or watch movies offline. The 802.11 a/c Wi-Fi connectivity delivers up to 3 times the connection speed compared to 802.11 b/g/n, making it perfect for blazing-fast browsing, streaming, and downloading. Thanks to these in-built features, ideapad 110 is perfect for those who plan to make a debut into the realm of gadgets and technologies.

Commenting on the launch, Bhaskar Choudhuri Director, Marketing Lenovo India said, ideapad 110 is a value laptop with features users need, but without a high price tag. Its dependable processing power, good memory, ample storage, attractive display, and integrated graphics makes it one of the best entry-level laptops for the college goers and young working professionals.

Offers for College Students

Under Lenovos recently launched Back To College initiative, young college students can avail pocket-friendly and attractive EMI schemes on the purchase of select models of ideapad 110. The offer will be applicable in all cities until July 31, 2016. Additionally, they are entitled to get up to 3 years of warranty worth INR 4499/- along with 1 Year of ADP cover at just an additional payment of INR 599/-.

Ideapad 110 Specifications:

Processor CPU Upto Pentium Quad Core Processors Operating System Up to Windows 10 Body Dimensions (mm) : 37 x 265 x 22.9mm Weight <2.2kg with battery Color Ebony Black Display Pixels 15.6 HD (1366 x 768) Webcam Webcam with Microphone Battery Duration 3 Cells  24WHr; Up to 4 Hours Video Playback Memory & storage Memory 4 GB DDR3  Max Capacity of 8GB SSD Up to 1 TB HDD Communication Bluetooth Bluetooth 4.1 Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 802.11 ac Connectors USB 3.0 & HDMI

Availability: Lenovo ideapad 110 is available in Ebony Black color in all retail stores across India

Lenovo ideapad 110: Starting from INR 20,490/- up to INR 24,990/-

@Technuter.com News Service
High school football playoff pairings announced

Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, 7:20 p.m. -- AREAWIDE -- The high school football playoff pairings are being announced as you read this posting. In Div. 1, Reg. 2, Lapeer will play at Clarkston and Grand...

Volleyball results from Thursday

Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, 8:34 a.m. -- LAPEER COUNTY -- The Almont varsity volleyball team beat Madison Heights Lamphere and New Lothrop in a triple header at Almont Thursday. Dryden beat Bay City All Saints...

Golf and tennis regional results

Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022, 5:41 p.m. -- LAPEER COUNTY -- Boys' high school tennis regionals and girls' golf regionals took place yesterday. Lapeer girls' golf placed 11th at the Div. 1 regional hosted by Oxford...

Friday night football scores

Friday, September 30, 2022 10:15 p.m.  LAPEER COUNTY  Lapeer beat Grand Blanc 39-17 at Lapeer to remain undefeated at 6-0. Almont upset Croswell-Lexington 37-26 North Branch routed Richmond 62-10 Imlay City/Dryden fell to Yale...
France National Assembly votes to extend state of emergency

All 84 killed in Nice truck attack are identified

Relatives of 4 year old Kylan Mejri who was killed in Thursday\'s truck attack, cry at the ar-Rahma mosque in the eastern Nice suburb of Ariane on Tuesday.

AFP , Paris :

France's National Assembly voted in the early hours of Wednesday to extend the country's state of emergency for six months following last week's massacre in Nice.

The state of emergency has been in place since the Paris attacks in November, and the extension would see the emergency security measures -- which give the police extra powers to carry out searches and place people under house arrest -- remain in place until the end of January 2017.

It is the fourth time that parliament has proposed prolonging the state of emergency, and the move now needs to be approved by the Senate.

President Francois Hollande had last Thursday announced a plan to lift the emergency measures, but he changed tack hours later after a truck driver ploughed through a crowd leaving a July 14 fireworks display in Nice, killing 84 people in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Hollande's Socialist government has been under heavy criticism for its response to a slew of extremist attacks.

Meanwhile, all 84 people killed in the Nice truck attack have now been formally identified, according to a top French official Wednesday, who said the death toll for the Bastille Day carnage has not increased despite several remaining in critical condition.

Prosecutor's office spokeswoman Agnes Thibault-Lecuivre said some of the 84 French and foreign nationals who lost their lives after last Thursday's massacre died subsequently in the hospital. Authorities have not released an official list naming the dead from the July 14 Bastille Day rampage in the southern French city.

In a speech to army reserves on Wednesday, French President Francois Hollande said 15 people wounded in the Nice attack are still in the hospital "between life and death." He praised the French emergency and security services' work during and after the attack in which Mohamed Lahouaiyej Bouhlel, a troubled 31-year-old Tunisian, drove a truck down a seaside boulevard full of people who had watched a fireworks show.
UK gives up planned presidency of EU to focus on Brexit

Britain\'s Prime Minister Theresa May addressing a party workers meeting in London.

Reuters, London :

Prime Minister Theresa May will try to reassure allies over Britain's vote to leave the European Union when she meets German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday and then heads to France in her first foreign trips as leader.

May, appointed a week ago after David Cameron resigned over the result of the EU vote, will make clear she will not be rushed into triggering Britain's divorce because she needs time to put together a negotiating stance.

But by heading to Germany and France, soon after visiting Scotland and Wales to underline her desire to keep Britain united, May will sound out two of the EU's most powerful leaders, Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, as she prepares to launch the complex negotiation for Britain's exit.

May can expect tough talks with Merkel and Hollande, who have shown no sign that they will make things easy for post-Brexit Britain.

May said she was heading to Germany and France so soon after taking office because she was determined Britain would "make a success of leaving the European Union".

"These visits will be an opportunity to forge a strong working relationship that we can build upon and which I hope to develop with more leaders across the European Union in the weeks and months ahead," she said in a statement.

"I do not underestimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the European Union and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation."

May's spokeswoman characterized the visits as "a first conversation" and said the prime minister would not get into detailed discussions on Brexit.

The British leader also spoke to European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday, telling him Britain needed to carefully prepare for Brexit negotiations before it invokes Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty to trigger the formal exit procedure.
Creeks at CHT can help increase fish production at Kaptai Lake

Rangamati Correspondent :

Fish culture in the Kaptai Lake as well as in other water bodies of the hill districts has good prospects. Of those, creeks (locally known as ghonas) can play a vital role in increasing the fish production at the lake.

There are many creeks which are the arms of the lake. Three sides of the arms of a creek are surrounded by hilly land while the rest remain directly or indirectly linked with the main body of the lake.

There are total 4,727 creeks covering 4,297 hectare areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), and of those, 1,200 are adjacent to the Kaptai Lake. The fish production capacity at these creeks is 2,100 kg per hectare, while at Kaptai Lake, it is only 131 kg per ha, which is eight to nine times more than the Kaptai Lake's.

Meanwhile, the current fish production at the Kaptai Lake is going downwards, and requires serious management effort through creek aquaculture in order to fully utilise the lake's fishery potential.

The Department of Fisheries is trying to modernise the creek aquaculture activities in CHT and has undertaken programmes for improving the existing creeks while some steps have been taken to create new creeks for fish culture.

A five-year long project of the government to increase the creek-based fish cultivation at CHT areas at a cost of Tk 68 crore is being implemented, but the project has failed to achieve the target due to some technical and management faults, complained some beneficiaries of the creek-based fish cultivation.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) is trying to implement the creek-based fish culture technique and carrying out different research projects to improve fish production at the creeks. But, the scarcity of quality fish fingerlings in the hilly areas is a great disadvantage for fish culture. There is a government hatchery at Kawkhali upazila of Rangamati district which is the only source of the fingerlings. Senior Scientific Officer of BFRI's Riverine Substation in Rangamati M A Bashar told The Daily Observer that the fish cultivators collect most of the fingerlings from outside the district at a high cost, and the quality of the fingerlings is also not good.

As a result, the cultivators are not getting expected output, he added.

In this connection, the BFRI has developed a method for rearing carp fry in the Kaptai Lake creeks. As per the method, five-day old Indian Major Carp fries are stocked and reared to achieve the size of fingerling in 60 days.

Findings from these studies might have important implications for enhancing fish production and in designing economically viable IMC fry production in the Kaptai Lake.




Strong response needed to safeguard BD's future, its economic progress: US

US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat on Wednesday said a strong response will clearly be necessary to safeguard Bangladesh's future and its economic progress mentioning that the country is now part of an international crime scene.

"There needs to be a clear recognition that the security environment is changing and will require additional tools and measures to address it," she said appreciating Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's unflagging commitment to fight terror. The US Ambassador said Bangladesh also needs to conduct a rigorous, open and thorough investigation into all attacks that coordinates closely with the international partners.

"And there needs to be an openness to accept the findings of the investigations wherever - and to whomever - they lead. Only this level of commitment will counter the threat in Bangladesh-and globally," she said.

Bernicat was addressing the regular luncheon meeting of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city. The US diplomat said they are "deeply saddened, angry and frustrated" in the aftermath of the July 1 attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan. That attack, and the bombing at Sholakia which so closely followed the Holey attack, has only added to their pain, she added. "This is not the Bangladesh I have come to know, and I know this is not the Bangladesh you have built, and yet we have seen approximately 70 such attacks since January 2015," Bernicat said.

For many, the most recent attacks obliterated their sense of security and any expectation that this violence somehow could not touch them or change their lives.

"But we will not be afraid. The security environment is changing, and we all must act. We must respond, and we can respond," the US envoy said. Mentioning that she has a sticker that she keeps by her schedule that says silence is consent, she said if they do not speak out, if they do not counter this, then they are silently consenting to what is going on.

"The Bangladesh and United States governments have been acting jointly to counter the threat, and I assure you that we are stepping up our efforts," she added. Bernicat thinks evidence found and evaluated here will help others find the perpetrators of attacks in their countries.

"No doubt the combined action of the Bangladeshi government and likeminded governments to protect the public safety will diminish the threat, but to win this struggle, we need the assistance of the business community, civil society, religious leaders, teachers and youth leaders."

To that end, she said, the American Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) can play a vital role in engaging the Bangladesh government to restore confidence among foreign investors and the broader public. Bernicat said the more organised and comprehensive Bangladesh's efforts are to counter both terrorism and the rise of violent extremism, the less the environment here will be seen as permissive by those who seek to terrorize this country and destroy its way of life. The US diplomat said US investors and the broader international business community are gravely concerned about these attacks. Immediate past President of AmCham Bangladesh Aftab ul Islam moderated a panel discussion after US Ambassador's speech. Leaders of the AmCham Bangladesh were present at the luncheon meeting.
Verdict on Gazipur court bomb blast case July 28

Staff Reporter :

The High Court (HC) Division of the Supreme Court fixed July 28 to deliver the verdict in a case filed for suicide bomb blast at the Gazipur Court that killed nine people.

A HC bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice JBM Hassan announced the date after concluding the hearing on

the appeal. On June 20, 2013, a trial court sentenced 10 members of Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) for carrying the attack in 2005.

The convicts are Enayet Ullah alias Walid, Arifur Rahman, Moshidul Islam alias Masud, Saidur Munshi, Abdullah Al Sohaien, Nizam Uddin Reza, Talibur Rahman alias Hassan Ashraful Islam, Md Shafiullah alias Tareq and Adnan Sami alias Jahangir. All are now behind the bar.

The State claimed that the allegations brought against the convicts were proven beyond any reasonable doubt and sought capital punishment for them. While the defence prayed for reducing punishment to life term as they were all repented for their offences.

On November 29, 2005, Md Nazir Hossain alias Shariat Ullah from Gaibandha walked into the ground floor of the Bhawal Rajbari court complex and detonated the bomb strapped with his body. Nine people died and several others were injured.
Google responds to BD request

Staff Reporter :

Google, the internet-based search engine service, has responded to a request of Bangladesh government to provide information of its users related with anti-social campaign.

Google had responded the request on 'emergency discloser request' and 'legal request', the transparency report of Google said on Wednesday.

According to the report, the Bangladesh government has requested the largest Internet search engine provider to share the information of its users, which the Google has responded positively. Bangladesh asked for information about four accounts in three requests at first phase, which the Google did not respond positively on privacy reason. But, it responded positively to the second call where information about nine accounts was asked in four requests.

Google is receiving this sort of request more frequently than before. It received more than 46, 000 requests in the last half of the year in 2015 where information about 81,000 accounts were sought. The United State has asked for the highest number of accounts followed by Germany, France and the UK.

Meanwhile, Facebook and Microsofts also responded to requests. Facebook's half-yearly 'Government Request Report' in April showed that it had responded the request from Bangladesh for the first time.

Between July and December last year, the government had sought information of 31 Facebook users. The report said it had responded 16.67 percent of the requests.


Youth kills girl friend at launch cabin

Staff Reporter :

A girl was slaughtered to death by her lover in a cabin of a three-storied launch in the Buriganga river near Sadargaht on Wednesday afternoon.

The victim has been identified as Parul Akter, 16, inhabitant of Aganagar, South Karaniganj in Dhaka district. Police also detained killer Al Mamun, 21, a third year student of Accounting Department of Government Kazi Nazrul College, police said.

Kotwali Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Parvez Islam said that Mamun killed Parul in the cabin of Eggale-3 on Dhaka-Patuakhali river route around 5:00pm.

Mamun confessed in police custody that he had killed Parul with a sharp weapon over a dispute of love affair issue between them, the police official said.

The body has been sent to the Mitford Hospital for autopsy, the OC said. A case has been filed in this connection, he said. Apart from it, bodies of a boy and a girl were recovered from the River Buriganga near Keraniganj yesterday.

Police could not identify the deceased instantly.


Tracking down attackers matter of time: PM



Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said it is a matter of time to track down the culprits, who were involved in the cowardice attacks on a Gulshan cafe in the capital city and near the Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoreganj district.

"As we have got support from the international community and also we are united to jointly clampdown terrorism and militancy, it won't be very difficult to haunt down the elements involved in the dastardly attacks ... it's a matter of time," she said.

She added: "I believe that we must arrest the culprits and give them proper punishment, Insha Allah."

Her assertion came while replying to a supplementary raised by treasury bench member Gazi Golam Dastagir (Narayanganj-1) during her question hour in the House.

The premier said some of the terrorists who were involved in the July 1 massacre at Holey Atrisan Bakery and the July 7 attacks near Sholakia Eidgah were killed on those days.

Besides, she said, the law enforcers have been able to identify and nab some of the terrorists involved in the attacks.

Sheikh Hasina said a number of television channels and social media published the photos of several elements and some of them were already identified. "I would like to call upon the people, who will be able to identify other terrorists and give information about them to the law enforcement agencies," she said.

The leader of the House said those who worked behind the scene and those who supplied money and arms and gave training to the culprits would be found out. "It's the responsibility to track down the culprits whoever might be and whether they are locals or foreigners," she said.

The Prime Minister said it's beyond the imagination that such inhuman attacks would take place in Bangladesh.

She said, those who perpetrated such heinous attacks do not want development and progress of the country. "It's my belief that those launched such attacks don't believe in Bangladesh independence which was achieved through the War of Liberation," she said.

Denouncing again the brutal attacks, the premier said some investors who made investment in Bangladesh were killed in the Gulshan cafe attack on July 1. An Italian female investor, working in Bangladesh over 35 years, was killed in that attack, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said, the Japanese nationals, working as consultants in the Metro Rail Project, were killed. "In the same way, some important persons were killed, which is very painful and regretful," she said.

Pointing out the foreign minister's Tuesday speech in the House, the Premier said the foreign countries strongly condemned the attacks, assuring that they would remain beside Bangladesh and extend cooperation to combat terrorism and militancy.

She, however, said such incidents are taking place across the globe--it's a reality.
Defending human rights in development



Development banks should respect human rights in their investments around the world and ensure their activities are not putting human rights defenders at risk, the Coalition on Human Rights in Development said today in a joint petition signed by 154 development, human rights, and environment groups. Major development banks have long touted the importance of public participation for effective development, the organizations said. But a growing number of governments have been shrinking the space for safe and effective participation in development processes through criminalizing activities by land, environment, and human rights activists and adopting restrictions on nongovernmental groups.

"I hope that civil society will have the opportunity to contribute towards sustainable development," said "Abhijeet," an Indigenous community member in Nepal who does not want his identity disclosed for security reasons. "Unfortunately, the fundamental human rights of many peoples are being systemically violated as a result of development projects. And when we help communities defend their rights we are met with threats and violent attacks."

The petition is directed to international financial institutions (IFIs), including the World Bank, African, Asian, European, and Inter-American Development Bank, as well as the newest institutions, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and BRICS New Development Bank. In March 2016, Berta Caceres, a renowned indigenous land rights and environmental defender in Honduras, was killed in the middle of the night as she slept in her bed. Two of those facing charges for Caceres's murder were employees of a company involved in the construction of the Agua Zarca dam, a project that Caceres and her organization, Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), have long opposed and campaigned against. The murder sparked a high-profile movement to demand accountability of the Dutch, Finnish, and Central American banks financing Agua Zarca for failure to ensure their investments weren't fueling human rights abuses.

"In Uzbekistan, the World Bank is pouring money into projects that benefit the government's abusive cotton sector, marred primarily by systemic forced labor," said Dmitry Tikhonov, an Uzbek human rights defender who is in exile following government reprisals. "The World Bank has not taken any meaningful measures to ensure that independent human rights defenders like me can monitor for abuses linked to the projects they fund. Nor have Bank staff spoken out against the government's attacks on my colleagues and me."

Human Rights Watch has recently documented numerous abuses against individuals and communities impacted by projects financed by the World Bank and its arm for corporate loans, the International Finance Corporation.

"Those who try to engage in development processes have suffered threats, harassment, physical assault, or worse," said Jessica Evans, senior international financial institutions advocate at Human Rights Watch. "Development banks have a responsibility to ensure that their investments don't interfere with human rights, and that people can participate in or express their opinions about development projects without fearing for their safety."

The joint petition - International Financial Institutions' responsibility to ensure Meaningful and Effective Participation in their Investments - details ways in which the institutions should "ensure that the activities they finance respect human rights and that there are spaces for people to participate in the development of IFI projects and hold IFIs to account without risking their security." The organizations call on the financial institutions "to actively support the realization of rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association, and related human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights in all their activities."

"Development banks and their member states can't hope to achieve sustainable development or eliminate poverty if their investments are contributing to human rights violations or if those who are meant to benefit from development find themselves subjected to abuse," said Adam Shapiro, head of communications and visibility for Front Line Defenders. "The banks should take responsibility for the outcomes of their investments and take meaningful action to safeguard human rights defenders on the ground."



(The Coalition for Human Rights in Development is a global coalition of social movements, civil society organizations, and community groups working to ensure that all development finance institutions respect, protect, and fulfill human rights).

-Internet
Conditions for radicalisation lie outside universities

The government is clamping restrictions on activities, which could even remotely lead to a rise in militancy. Some of these activities strike us as rather harsh, or severe and could, potentially, lead to a greater alienation of youths not at all connected with extremism of any kind.Asking the university authorities to keep an eye on activities of students means asking the university authorities to suspect every students and spy on them. This amounts to treating university students generally as irresponsible to be terrorists. When the source of terrorism is not the universities but conditions exist outside the universities.Students do not go to universities to learn how to be terrorists but how to make a career honourable and worthwhile. Terrorism is not fun even for those who become so. They die while killing others. So they are influenced by motivation not connected with university education. Subjecting the university students to easy way of police questioning may not be the right thing for fighting terrorism. Such police methods may make the university students angry. We have to be reasonable.Take for example the fact that universities now have to report on all students who will miss one semester. If the police were to question all students who will miss one or more semesters it could lead to a hatred of authority by the students. Finding out the cause of absence for all students would lead to an investment of time and energy which would perhaps lead to no results - as the vast majority of students have innocent reasons for missing a semester or more. For those students who find it difficult to study due to heavy pressure of course load a semester gap is a welcome relief - but imagine if these students are suspected as potential terrorists. The innocent students will feel harassed.Similarly the request by the authorities to landlords asking them not to rent out flats to bachelors in Bashundhara residential area in Dhaka, is also likely to lead to a greater resentment among the young ones.This is far more important to figure out and understand - how and why young ones get radicalized. The Bastille Day terrorist Bouhlel never prayed. He smoked, drank, and picked up women and men on dating sites, and yet he was radicalized very quickly. He even sent his family in Tunis the equivalent of over Tk 87 lakhs illegally. It is clear that he gave his life for the reason of frustration for his inability to maintain his wife and children. The big amount he got will save his family from miseries of poverty. The truth is that these international terrorist groups rose in serious unstable countries and they have huge funds to attract frustrated young ones.The unemployment among young ones is a serious problem. The police harassment must be carefully scrutinised.The countries where extremism has grown like Iraq, Syria or Afghanistan are extremely unstable and chaotic countries. Younger generation has every reason to feel revolted. When they are offered money and jobs the frustrated ones become vulnerable. Blaming religion is certainly not the right way because they are clearly acting against Islam. They use Islam only to hide their true intention. They take advantage of the unstable situation in oppressive countries for their recruitment of young ones.The problem is resentment and frustration. This crisis cannot be met by police action. Though we do not agree with the methods being used by the government, we wish the government success to give our people safety and security.
First patent enhances the offshore cargo transfer between deeper draft vessels and smaller vessels and second patent supplements coastal protection measures in areas with low-density soils.

Lafayette-based Truston Technologies was awarded two patents by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

The first patent is technology to enhance the offshore cargo transfer, or lightering, between deeper draft vessels and smaller lightering vessels.

This is a game changer," Erick Knezek, Trustons managing partner, said in a June 21 press release, noting that the offshore mooring patent will put Truston on a different playing level when performing offshore cargo transfers worldwide.

"Vessels are only getting deeper, and the Panama Canal [expansion project] opened [in June] with a new Panamax depth of 50 feet, Knezek said in the release. Our invention will allow for offshore mooring fields to efficiently offload these vessels, saving shipping companies millions. This also opens up ports that traditionally would not be able to receive deeper draft vessels.

Knezek went on to explain that when vessels have too deep a draft to transit navigable channels safely, they can be offloaded offshore. "The efficiency of offshore cargo transfer is governed by the relative motion of each vessel," he said. "We analyze the environmental forces along with the vessel motion in real time to optimize the vessel heading, [which] makes offloading operations more efficient.

The second patent supplements coastal protection measures in areas with low-density soils, such as Louisianas unconsolidated marshlands.

One of the unique problems facing coastal Louisiana is the relative low density of our marsh, Knezek noted. The state and Army Corps have implemented scores of projects to install stone riprap and heavy aggregates, only to see the project sink and vanish before their eyes.

Knezek explained that traditional stone and concrete are simply too heavy, and that's where Truston's technology came into play. Weve engineered a solution that sits in the sweet spot. It is heavier than water but lighter than our mud. It is a hardening solution that simply sinks in water and floats on our mud, he continued.

The official patent USP 9346520, System and Method for Offshore Loading of Cargo Vessels, was awarded to Knezek and his Truston Technologies partner, Matthew Marcy, along with William Stewart of Stewart Technologies Associates. The official patent USP 9347194, Lightweight Concrete Composition for Soil Stabilization, Especially in Shoreline and Waterbottom Areas, was awarded to Knezek and Marcy.

Both Truston Technologies and Stewart Technology Associates are ocean engineering firms.

Truston, which ranked No. 42 on ABizs list of the Top 50 Private Companies in the region this year, also specializes in providing engineering, fabrication and installation services to the U.S. Navy and energy customers worldwide.
State Sen. Gerald Boudreaux

District 24 state Sen. Gerald Boudreaux has been invited by the White House to participate in a discussion on gun violence prevention, education, economic opportunities for women and criminal justice reform. The briefing, scheduled for Thursday, July 21, is organized by the Federal Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.

Boudreaux, who is also Lafayette Consolidated Governments director of Parks and Recreation, noted that the timing of the briefing is particularly appropriate with the recent shootings in Baton Rouge. We are eager to sit at the table and discuss issues that communities all over our country are experiencing, he said in a press release. Our intent is to connect with key resources that can assist us in proactively addressing concerns and work toward solutions that will provide a level of confidence to our families and friends.

The state senator says he hopes to glean insight into creating safe and united communities to build trust and begin the healing process for communities dealing with violence.

Boudreaux will join other Louisiana legislators to discuss the presidents domestic policy priorities and exchange ideas on making progress at the state level.
U.S. Reps. Charles Boustany qualifies to run for Senate Wednesday at the secretary of states office in Baton Rouge. Facebook

Two of the states GOP congressmen, Charles Boustany of the 3rd District and John Fleming of the 4th District, arent running for re-election, but are running for an open U.S. Senate seat. Both qualified Wednesday.

Most of Louisianas incumbent congressmen who intend to run for re-election have also signed up for their races.

U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise, Ralph Abraham and Garret Graves qualified for the Nov. 8 ballot Wednesday. All three men are Republicans.

Scalise, the third-ranking member of the House, registered to run again for his 1st District seat representing southeast Louisiana. Abraham, a doctor from Rayville, is seeking to hold onto his 5th District seat representing northeast and central Louisiana. Graves, the states former coastal chief, signed up for the race for the 6th District seat he holds representing the Baton Rouge area.

The mayor of Baton Rouge, whose city is embroiled in the aftermath of shootings and protests, also signed up to run for a congressional seat.

Kip Holden, a Democrat who is term-limited as mayor, qualified Wednesday for the 2nd District race, challenging Democratic incumbent Cedric Richmond. The district is Louisianas only majority black district, representing New Orleans up the Mississippi River to part of Baton Rouge.

Candidates have until Friday to register for the November ballot.
Paris, TX (75460)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 51F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 51F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
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.

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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.

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SPRINGFIELD  A proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would change the way legislative districts are drawn has once again been blocked by a Cook County judge.

Circuit Judge Diane Larsen ruled Wednesday that the ballot measure from the group Independent Maps goes beyond the scope allowed for a voter-driven initiative. Such initiatives are limited to making structural and procedural changes involving the General Assembly.

Another Cook County judge made a similar ruling in 2014 on a previous attempt to change the once-a-decade redistricting process, which critics say puts too much power in the hands of the party that controls the Legislature.

The proposed amendment would take the power to draw legislative district boundaries away from legislators and put in in the hands of an independent commission. But Larsen ruled it unconstitutional because it also would assign new duties to the state auditor general and the courts and take powers away from the Illinois attorney general.

Supporters of the amendment gathered more than 560,000 signatures to get the question on the Nov. 8 ballot, but a group called The Peoples Map challenged its constitutionality. That group is represented by Chicago attorney Michael Kasper, who has close ties to House Speaker Michael Madigan and other prominent Illinois Democrats. Kasper did not respond to a request for comment.

The Peoples Map has argued that the proposed amendment would limit the influence of minority voters, but that wasnt at issue in the court case.

John Hooker, chairman of The Peoples Map, hailed the ruling in a statement to The Associated Press.

This unconstitutional amendment would put a tremendous amount of authority in the hands of unelected middlemen unaccountable to the taxpayers, said Hooker, whos also chairman of the Chicago Housing Authority Board. Any effort to weaken minority rights harms us all and should be seen as nothing more than a major setback in what has been accomplished for minority rights in Illinois.

Meanwhile, Independent Maps Chairman Dennis FitzSimons issued a statement vowing to take the legal battle to the state Supreme Court.

A great deal of care went into crafting an amendment that follows constitutional guidelines while also creating a system that is independent, fair, transparent, and protects the ability of minority communities to elect candidates of their choosing, said FitzSimons, the former CEO of the Tribune Co. Redistricting reform was specifically addressed by the framers of our constitution as a critical area for citizen petition initiatives. We believe that the Illinois Supreme Court will side with Illinois voters and not deny citizens the opportunity to vote on this amendment

The Illinois Republican Party also pounced on the ruling, accusing Madigan of opposing the will of the voters.

Instead of supporting the chance to vote for fair maps, Mike Madigans allies sued to stop voters from having the opportunity to vote for reform, state GOP spokesman Steven Yaffe said in a prepared statement. Its sad to see that Mike Madigans Democratic Party would rather deny voters their voice than face fair, competitive elections.

Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, whos made redistricting reform a key component of his turnaround agenda, said the ruling is a definitely a setback for the people of Illinois.

If this decision remains in place, it will prove that we need to put political reform at the top of our legislative agenda, Rauner said in a prepared statement. We need to fix our broken political system to ensure taxpayers win instead of the insiders.

Steve Brown, a spokesman for Madigan and the Illinois Democratic Party, deferred comment to the parties involved in the case.

The ruling comes a day after an Associated Press report raised questions about who is funding The Peoples Map and paying its legal fees. The group hasnt reported any donations or expenses since registering with the Illinois State Board of Elections last summer, the AP reported.

Independent Maps, meanwhile, reported raising $1.3 million from April through June alone and ended the quarter with more than $1 million remaining in its campaign fund, according to its most recent filing with the elections board. Major contributors include Northbrook-based Allstate Insurance Co., which has given $500,000, and Rauner allies Ken Griffin, CEO of investment firm Citadel, and Sam Zell, the former Tribune Co. owner, whove each given $100,000.

The groups proposal also has the backing of good-government groups and newspaper editorial boards across the state, and its board features some well-known Democrats, including Bill Daley, the former chief of staff to President Barack Obama, and former Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, whos running for state Senate in Southern Illinois.
CARBONDALE  Since 2013, Carbondale Main Street has hosted Progressive Patio tours to remind people of the city's history while introducing them to diverse cuisines and patios in the downtown area.

Rebecca Dull, assistant director for Carbondale Main Street, said participants can enjoy a guided tour of the historical downtown area, while en route to popular and diverse restaurants on and near The Strip.

(Responses to the tours) are usually 'I havent been to this restaurant in a long time and Im really glad to be here again, or, Ive never been here and Im really excited about it, Dull said.

The tours, held twice every year, also invite a steady flow of business to the downtown district as students depart for the summer.

We like to do (the tours) in the summer because we know thats when the students are gone, and its a challenging time for the restaurants," Dull said. "So we want to help get people in the habit of getting downtown, and provide them with an opportunity to get to know other locals in the community.

Featured tastes for the July 28 Patio Tour include Mexican food from Tres Hombres, Indian cuisine from Reemas, classic American grub offered at Underground Barrel Room and Grill, and a diversity of flavors offered during the after-party at Global Gourmet, Dull said.

We go to three places that have a patio, and build a patio at one of the locations (this summer, a patio will be built at Reema's), so it gives people an idea of Hey there could be a patio here, or We could have a sidewalk cafe, or whatever, here, and just kind of get their wheels turning on different things, she said.

From 6 to 10 p.m.  at a rate of $20  people can relax and enjoy the scenes as they are transported to the three featured restaurants, and offered free samples of the different cuisine that each location offers.

Reflecting on a time when she first took the tour in August, Dull said her experience started off daunting but was worthwhile once she relaxed.

We went to Town Square Market and set up the patio and then we went to Underground and then from Underground we went to Italian Village and from there we had the after-party at Sidetracks. You know, just like any event its nerve-wracking at the beginning, but once I (saw that) people were having fun I was able to relax and really enjoy myself, she said.
Were neighbors.

Were friends.

Our kids play ball together. They go to school together. They dont seem to be bothered by skin color or cultural differences.

The question seems so simple, Why cant we just get along?

But, as H.L. Mencken tells us, "For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong."

Actually, when it comes to the race issue, Menckens words might have been wrong. There seem to be a lot of wrong answers. And, were still searching for one definitive solution.

The Southern Illinoisan participated in a couple of forums addressing race in the past week. The common denominator from those discussions is that it is important to talk openly to one another about race.

We couldnt agree more. But, at some point, talk isnt enough. We also have to be willing to listen. The willingness to listen is crucial for community organizers, police and those moved to participate in demonstrations.

Perhaps the ability to listen is even more important for the silent majority on the periphery.

So far, Southern Illinois has escaped the violence that has erupted in other parts of the nation. Is this a special, magical place where race is ignored? Hardly.

Racial tension is undeniably simmering just below the surface.

Online comments attached to stories about last weeks demonstrations in Carbondale are chilling. The comments illustrate the depth of the divide community leaders and police are facing.

Could violence erupt here? As much as wed like to think thats not possible, there is no reason to believe we are exempt. No one can predict the spark that would ignite spontaneous violence.

Adding tinder to the fire are the recent assassinations of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge. Its inconceivable that any officer could start a shift without thinking about the violence that has been committed against his or her colleagues.

Conversely, the conduct displayed by most of those involved in last weeks demonstration is heartening.

The Carbondale Police Department handled the demonstrations deftly, displaying both a presence and restraint. The police allowed protesters the space needed to make their point, intervening only when a brief physical altercation ensued.

Stan Reno, deputy chief of operations for the Carbondale Police, said when police gained control of the moment, they backed off in an effort to de-escalate the situation. Thats a win-win approach that should have gained the oft-maligned department some political capital within all segments of the community.

Did the police take this action as the result of evolving theories of policing, or because of outside pressure applied by community groups? Its likely both were contributing factors. The community needs to continue applying pressure for common sense policing, and local police forces should continue to listen to those they are tasked to protect and serve.

Carbondale and Marion police departments regularly host police academies in which citizens are exposed to the issues, dilemmas and dangers police face on a regular basis. Any opportunity for citizens and police to interact in non-confrontational situations should be encouraged.

The underlying tensions that resulted in the demonstrations havent disappeared. The community cannot afford complacency. There is more work to be done. Hopefully, all sides of this debate will continue to talk, and to listen.
An Arkansas wood chip company is planning to invest $32.6 million in Holly Hill.

Carolina Chips Inc., a subsidiary of Price Companies Inc., plans to create a minimum of 15 new jobs over the next five years, according to a release from the S.C. Department of Commerce.

"This validates the importance of our strategic location in South Carolinas Global Logistics Triangle and our close proximity to Charleston," said Sen. John W. Matthews Jr., D-Bowman. Orangeburg County markets the areas near U.S. 301, Interstate 26 and Interstate 95 as the Global Logistics Triangle.

"We welcome Carolina Chips to Holly Hill with open arms and are committed to a partnership of success, Matthews said.

The company plans to construct and operate a new chip processing mill. It will process wood chips to be used by KapStone Paper's North Charleston plant.

"We are very happy about becoming a member of the Holly Hill and Orangeburg County community," Price Companies President and CEO Dick Carmical said.

"We are also very proud and excited to be developing a long-term relationship with a solid, progressive and customer-driven company like KapStone, he said.

About $8 million of the investment will be for land and buildings, with the remaining $25 million going toward machinery and equipment.

The chip mill and wood storage yard are scheduled for completion and start-up in the first half of 2017.

Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson described the company as fantastic.

This is a significant industry and cluster for ag-related businesses in South Carolina, Robinson said.

The company will be located on about 170 acres off of S.C. Highway 453 near Holly Hill across from Don's Car Crushing.

The processing mill will be the largest off-site chipping facility in the state.

Pay will be at or above the average Orangeburg County wage of $14.50. Timber-related, machinery maintenance, truck driving, supervisory and management-level jobs will be available.

The company decided to locate in Holly Hill because of its close proximity to Charleston, Robinson said.

Orangeburg County Council on Monday gave unanimous third reading approval to incentives for the company.

The company received a fee-in-lieu of taxes incentive. The incentive allows companies to pay a fee instead of property taxes based on a 6 percent assessment ratio rather than the standard 10.5 percent.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded the county a $100,000 grant to assist with the cost of road improvements.

The new wood chip processing mill will be the companys second facility located in South Carolina.

The Town of Holly Hill is proud to have Carolina Chips locate in our area," Holly Hill Mayor William R. Johnson said. "Our community will be a better place to live and raise our families with the jobs and capital investment that they will bring to our area."

Orangeburg County Council Chairman Johnnie Wright Sr. said, "We are always excited when companies confirm Orangeburg County as an excellent location to do business. We appreciate Carolina Chips creating new job opportunities and for their confidence in our community."

Location, location, location!" Orangeburg County Development Commission Chairman Kenneth Middleton said. "Prepare properly and they will come! Orangeburg County and the surrounding area welcome Carolina Chips and wish them phenomenal success."

Gov. Nikki Haley said the company's announcement is another big win for rural South Carolina.

"We're excited to welcome Carolina Chips to the South Carolina family, and we look forward to watching it succeed and grow here for many years to come," Haley said.

Price currently processes over 14 million tons of wood per year at 20 facilities in the Southeast and Maine.
More than 20 elementary, middle and high school guidance counselors got an in-depth look at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College and the employment needs of the local community during the third annual Guidance Counselor Leadership Institute.

Guidance counselors really serve as the gatekeeper for a lot of students, in terms of what happens to them as they plan their future, OCtech President Dr. Walt Tobin said. The point of this institute is to give counselors an idea of what we do at OCtech and why we do it.

During the first week, counselors attended information sessions about the colleges student services, admissions process and marketing efforts. They also toured the campus and gained insight into each of the schools academic program areas. Officials from local industries and other agencies stopped by to discuss career opportunities and employment trends in their fields.

Guidance counselors also visited the Starbucks roasting facility in Sandy Run to see a modern manufacturing plant in operation.

We want to expose guidance counselors to whats going on at OCtech so that when theyre advising students, they can let them know about our programs, said Xennie Weeks, early childhood education instructor at the college and institute coordinator.

Guidance counselors are paid for their time at the institute and receive recertification hours.

OCtech has grown so much over the years, said Thomasena Adams of Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School.

Not everybody is going to go to a traditional four-year college, she said. Some students are going to need two years before they decide what they want to do, or they may want to learn a trade. This would be the ideal place to do that.

It was Yolanda Johnsons second time at the institute.

Its different when you get a brochure and youre reading it, but to come here and actually see it gives you more knowledge to pass along to your students, the Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School guidance counselor said.

Rodger Benson, partner resources manager at Starbucks Sandy Run Roasting Plant, and Bryan Hamrick, human resources director at Zeus Industrial Products, offered some advice for the counselors to share with their students during the industry panel discussion on July 12.

Coming out of school, we know theres not going to be a lot of technical experience, Hamrick said. Were pretty good at teaching skills on our equipment. Where we struggle is interpersonal skills and attendance. A supervisor really wants someone who will help the organization grow.

Benson agreed, saying good manners, good communication skills and being able to work in a team are all traits Starbucks looks for when hiring.

Tell your students to strive to do their very best in everything, he said. Start them diversifying what they do early on and have them continue that throughout school. Take advantage of summer jobs. Theyll gain skill sets and competencies to build upon.

The focus shifted to healthcare for the panel discussion on July 13. Jimmy Walker, regulatory and workforce senior vice president at the South Carolina Hospital Association, and Mickey Whisenhunt, interim vice president of patient and family services and chief nursing officer at the Regional Medical Center, talked about the growing need for healthcare providers.

There is a shortage of total healthcare providers, from physicians on down the line, Walker said. As more of the workforce retires, theres going to be unprecedented vacancies for your students, and its more than doctors and nurses. Hospitals are like little cities. They need security, food service, plumbers, engineers, HVAC technicians, IT personnel  there are a lot of opportunities to work in our organization.

On July 14, counselors heard from several colleges that have transfer agreements with OCtech and those involved in the criminal justice field, including Chief Mike Adams, director of the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety, and local attorney Virgin Johnson.
Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell has announced that two individuals have been charged with murder in connection with a Eutawville shooting.

Ravenell said that in addition to the two men taken into custody, a third is being sought for the shooting that left a Eutawville woman dead.

The extensive search for these individuals was lengthy and went late into the night and early morning hours of Wednesday, he said. Following the heinous actions of these individuals, we conducted a massive search that covered much of the eastern portion of Orangeburg County.

Zaquan Taste, 18, and Treshawn Jenkins, 22, were both taken into custody during the search and on Wednesday charged with murder.

A third suspect, Matt Brown, a 20-year-old from Holly Hill, is still at large. A warrant for murder has also been obtained for Brown.

More charges are expected.

Around 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, the sheriffs office received notice that a shooting had taken place on a Craig Street property near Eutawville.

Investigators arrived to find one woman deceased and learned a male had been transported to a hospital to receive treatment for what was said to be a gunshot wound.

Jackqueline Wright, 46, of Craig Street, Eutawville, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to Orangeburg County Chief Deputy Coroner Sean Fogle. An autopsy is planned for Thursday.

Witnesses said several males in a black vehicle drove up and spoke with a man in a group of people at the scene. As the vehicle began to leave, occupants in the vehicle began firing multiple weapons at the group, killing the woman and injuring the man.

Incoming investigators spotted a vehicle believed to have fled the shooting location. During a brief but intense chase, the suspects vehicle went into a ditch near a wooded area east of Holly Hill.

From that point, a perimeter was set up to conduct a search over a large area of the county. Units from Berkeley County, Eutawville, Holly Hill, St. George and the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division joined the search.

Wed like to thank the many agencies for their response that came without hesitation, he said. These agencies immediately responded with not only deputies but resources as well.

If anyone has any information of Browns location, they are asked to call the OCSO at 1-803-534-3550 or Crimestoppers at 1-888-CRIME-SC. Callers can remain anonymous.
Melania Trump should personally fire the person who inserted words being attributed to first lady Michelle Obama from 2008 into her Republican National Convention speech on Monday night.

Cast aside all the criticism of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trumps wife for plagiarism. No one can truly believe she is personally responsible for using passages that are nearly identical to Mrs. Obamas speech to the Democratic National Convention.

In Mrs. Trump's speech in Cleveland, she said: "From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life."

As much as the words are nearly the same as Mrs. Obamas, they belong to neither. One commenter on the Public Broadcasting System website put it this way: The truth is, they both plagiarized from my speech to my children, grandchildren and everyone else I have given the same speech to my entire adult life.

Yet the use of words so similar to Mrs. Obamas was undoubtedly a mistake by someone with the Trump campaign and will be viewed as such.

And the damage is done. Just when Donald Trump was in need of the proverbial home run to make Americans believe he is the person to lead the country, his campaign makes such a blunder.

Nearly all of Mrs. Trumps speech was different from Mrs. Obamas, but for the Trump campaign to be caught in controversy surrounding use of words is incredible irony. With all the criticism Trump has leveled at President Barack Obama and his eight years in office  including fostering the idea that the president was not born in the United States  there is no way the campaign can adequately explain how words attributed to Mrs. Obama ended up in Mrs. Trumps speech.

For Trump, the matter is another campaign mistake that fosters doubt about his and his teams ability to lead.

Making matters worse, the response from Trump and his backers is again to go on the attack  even when they should just admit a mistake and move forward.

"I mean, this is, once again, an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, how she seeks out to demean her and take her down," Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort said Tuesday. "It's not going to work."

Others, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, countered by citing Vice President Joe Bidens previous problems with plagiarism and saying the president himself uses material from others speeches.

None of that excuses the mistake made by the Trump campaign in putting his wife before the nation with memorable words of her own that will now be lost in her use of a few passages that rightly or wrongly will be seen as Mrs. Obamas.

As for a response, the White House is wise not to comment on similarities between the two speeches. Enough has been said.
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OSCE is expected to monitor the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops July 21, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said July 20.

It is planned to hold the monitoring under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative on the contact line to the west of the Terter town, the ministry said.

On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be held by the field assistants of OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Jiri Aberle and Peter Svedverg.

On the opposite side, the monitoring will be carried out by the field assistants of OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Hristo Hristov and Simon Tiller.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Armenian armed forces have nine times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact of the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, said Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry July 20.

Armenian armed forces, stationed in the village of Barekamavan of Armenias Noyemberyan district, Aygepar village of Berd district opened fire at Azerbaijani positions located in the village of Bala Jafarli of the Qazakh district and the village of Alibayli of the Tovuz district.

Moreover, Azerbaijani positions underwent fire from the positions located near Qarakhanbayli village of the Fizuli district and nameless heights of the Goranboy district.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Georgia and Turkey agreed to support extending of the strategic partnership during the first meeting of the Strategic Cooperation Council between the two countries in Ankara, the Georgian government press office said Tuesday, Sputnik News reported.

On Tuesday, the one-day High Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Georgia and Turkey kicked off with the participation of Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and his Turkish counterpart Binali Yildirim, as well as the two countries' cabinet members.

"At the end of the meeting the parties expressed readiness to support extending of the strategic partnership between the countries," the press service said in a statement.

According to the statement, the strategic partnership was agreed to be increased in the field of trade and economy, as well as transportation and energy, with numerous bilateral agreements signed in those areas.

The decision to establish the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council between Georgia and Turkey was announced in December 2014, when Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu paid an official visit to his Georgian counterpart Tamar Beruchashvili.
/By Azernews/

By Gunay Camal

Turkey is tuned to root out allies of eloped cleric Fetullah Gulen, accused of masterminding the July 15 coup attempt, widening a purge of the army, police and judiciary to universities, ministries, the intelligence agency and religious authorities.

Thousands of public employees have been suspended from their duties amid a nationwide move against those suspected of having links to the failed coup attempt.



A total of 15,200 Education Ministry personnel were suspended due to their alleged links to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which the government blames for the attempted coup. The licenses of 21,000 teachers working in private institutions were also canceled, Hurriyet reported.

Some 100 people from the National Intelligence Organization (M?T) were also suspended. The suspended personnel were on passive duty due to a supervision decision against them and didnt have access to intelligence, Anadolu Agency reported.



Turkeys Prime Ministry suspended a total of 257 personnel, including 230 judicial clerks, 19 specialists, six advisers and two legal advisers. The IDs of the suspended personnel were also seized.



Meanwhile, Turkeys Higher Education Board has demanded the resignation of all deans on duty at all private and state universities throughout the country. The resignation of 1,557 deans was demanded by the Board.



In addition, a total of 492 people were suspended from Turkeys Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) on July 18. A total of 393 personnel were also suspended from the Family and Social Policies Ministry and 16 were suspended from the Development Ministry.

Over 8,000 people have been arrested in Turkey in relation to a failed coup, with more detentions expected.

News of the arrests came after the Turkish authorities accused Gulen of orchestrating the violence and demanded the U.S. extradite him.

Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m said on July 19 that his government had sent four files to the United States.

We have sent four dossiers to the United States for the extradition of the terrorist chief. We will present them with even more evidence than they want, Y?ld?r?m said, further calling on Washington to stop protecting that traitor.



Ankara has also applied to the U.S. Justice Ministry for the arrest of Gulen before his extradition, private broadcaster CNNTurk reported.

U.S. President Barack Obama discussed the status of Gulen in a telephone call with Erdogan on July 19, the White House said, urging Ankara to show restraint as it pursues those responsible for the coup attempt.

Also, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his Turkish counterpart discussed the importance of Turkey's Incirlik Air Base in the campaign against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon said.

The base, which is used by Turkish and U.S. forces in the air campaign against Islamic State, has been without power in the days since the failed coup.

All military equipment, including aircrafts, ships and helicopters, are under the control of the Turkish Armed Forces, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmush said in an interview with local TV channel on July 19.

The information that the Turkish Armed Forces' equipment remained under the control of the putsches is misinformation, he said.

Furthermore, the Turkish parliament will launch a comprehensive probe over the failed coup attempt next week.

A total of 240 people, of whom 62 were police officers, 173 were civilians and five were soldiers, were killed during the failed coup attempt and 1,535 people were wounded, Anadolu Agency reported. A total of 24 coup plotters were also killed and 50 coup plotters were wounded.
/By Azernews/

By Gunay Camal

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet in Russia in early August.

The presidents agreed that the meeting will take place in the Russian Federation in early August, but the city and the exact date are being specified," Russian Presidents spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS on July 20.

The presidential press secretary said "indeed, a meeting between Putin and Erdogan is currently being prepared and worked out through diplomatic channels".

President Putin had a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart on July 17.

While commenting on the coup attempt in Turkey, President Putin stressed that Moscows fundamental position on the inadmissibility of the anti-constitutional actions and violence in the country and expressed his condolences over the casualties.

In his turn, President Erdogan told his Russian counterpart that all measures will be taken to ensure security of Russian tourists in the Turkish resorts.

Erdogan earlier stated that his country is prepared to commence the restoration of peace and political relations with Russia and Iran.

The Turkish president highlighted the importance of the stability in the region during a telephone conversation with Irans President Hassan Rouhani.

Today, we are determined more than ever before to contribute to the solution of regional problems hand in hand with Iran and Russia and in cooperation with them," Erdogan said.

The conversation of the two presidents followed the military coup attempt of last Friday. President Rouhani also gave his praises for the Turkish population that showed unwavering support for the ruling authorities.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on Wednesday in Malaysia that his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif will visit Ankara next week in order to further negotiate regional issues including Syria, Yemen, ISIS and PKK.

Ankara and Tehran, along with Moscow, are known for their policy differences on Syria since Turkey defends Assad regimes removal from power while Iran and Russia backs the regime.

Before the failed coup attempt of July 15, Turkey, a country that has most helped the rebellion against the rule of Bashar al-Assad, has hinted it may move to normalize relations with Damascus.

I am sure that we will return [our] ties with Syria to normal, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m on July 13. We need it. We normalized our relations with Israel and Russia. Im sure we will go back to normal relations with Syria as well.

In recent weeks, Turkey has normalized ties with Israel, which were ruptured over an Israeli commando raid on a Turkish aid boat eight years ago, and with Russia, which had imposed sanctions against Turkey after the latter downed its fighter jet in late 2015.
Kuwait-based Gulf Bank, a leading financial services provider, said it was honoured with two awards by International Finance Magazine.



London-based International Finance Magazine is a leading source of information, analysis and insights for the global finance community.



Gulf Bank won the 'Best Retail Bank' award and the 'Best Retail Customer Service Bank' award, said a statement from bank.



Commenting on the win, Cesar Gonzalez-Bueno, chief executive officer, Gulf Bank, said: We are very proud to receive these two prestigious awards.



This is the third year that we have won the 'Best Retail Bank in Kuwait' award from International Finance Magazine, and the second consecutive year we have received the 'Best Retail Customer Service Bank in Kuwait' award, he said.



To have won these awards for consecutive years demonstrates our banks commitment to providing its customers with outstanding customer service combined with innovative and easy to use products, he added.



Gonzalez-Bueno stated that he would like to thank International Finance Magazine and its panel of distinguished international judges and also extend his gratitude to all the staff of the bank for their hard work and dedication in providing customers with the most efficient and best services.



Gulf Bank was established in 1960 and has since progressed to becoming an industry-leading financial services provider complemented by a large network of 56 branches strategically positioned in key locations in Kuwait, it stated.-TradeArabia News Service


Al Khalij Commercial Bank (al khaliji) has reported a net profit of QR320.3 million ($87.8 million) for the first six months (H1) of 2016, marking an increase of 6 per cent over its financial results for the same period of last year.



Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Bin Thani Al Thani, chairman and managing director said: The H1 results reflect our determination to continue achieving growth. During this period, we have successfully completed the issuance of the first tranche of Tier 1 Capital instruments.



We have also seen al khaliji recognition globally increasing whereas the bank has remarkably succeeded to tap international markets to diversify its funding source. We will continue implementing our new mid-term strategy 2016-2018 which focuses on delivering excellence in services, respond to business needs of both private and public sectors, promote branding of al khaliji to the best interest of our esteemed shareholders and other stakeholders.



Fahad Al Khalifa, al khalijis group chief executive officer, said: Despite markets conditions, al khaliji is achieving growth in various banking activities, where the first half net profit recorded QR320 million.



This is an evidence of our solid position and our determination to stress on growth. The bank has succeeded in the first half in positioning its strategy by diversifying source of funding through mid-long term private placements and commercial papers from international markets, and raising adequate capital for the growth of the business. The capital adequacy ratio of the bank was at a comfortable level of 15.8 per cent at the end of June 2016.



We continue in our prudent cost management which reflected a significant improvement in cost to income ratio, which stood at 32 per cent as at June 2016, compared to 35.6 per cent in the same period of the previous year. We will continue our efforts to increase our market share and profitability through enhanced customers base and improved presence abroad, he added.  TradeArabia News Service
Dubai, UAE has a huge opportunity to boost growing real estate investment from Chinese investors in the wake of Britains decision to leave the EU, according to Chinas top international property website.



Uncertainty in Europe following the Brexit vote could attract a new wave of Chinese investment in Dubai based on the Emirates offer of quality new homes with potential for price growth, said Bernie Morris, president of the UK, Europe and the Middle East for Juwai.com.



Developers and marketers already gearing up for the influential Cityscape Global exhibition and Conference in Dubai in September should use the UAEs world-class universities to attract Chinese parents who are prepared to buy homes for their children to study overseas, he noted.



Chinese property investors may react to the Brexit uncertainty with a flight to quality. This will only enhance the UAEs prominence within the Middle East as the premier destination, one with a similar investment profile to parts of Europe. With its high-quality new residential construction, the UAE has the perfect product for those Chinese investors who prefer to invest in off-plan or new build property, said Morris.



Dubai has a great growth story to share with potential investors. It has planned theme parks, infrastructure projects and new housing, so Chinese investors can easily see that there will be economic activity to support future price gains.



For many Chinese buyers, Dubai serves as a combined vacation and investment destination. They may buy a unit that can be rented out and managed for them, and expect to visit once or twice per year, he added.



Morris will be one of the expert panelists appearing at the Cityscape Conference taking place at the Conrad Hotel, Dubai on 5 September, before the three-day Cityscape Global exhibition opens the following day.



He will tell Cityscape conference delegates that the great missed opportunity in UAE property is a failure to capitalise on its potential as an overseas education destination.



With its offering of world-class universities, the UAE should be able to increase the number of Chinese students it attracts, said Morris. International students add $18 billion to the economy of Australia, which is only about twice the size of the UAE. This could become the Emirates largest non-resources export to Asia.



Property marketers need to make the case that the UAE is the perfect place to study overseas. If they do, we would expect to see a growing number of transactions by families purchasing homes for their children to live in while studying.



Morris said enquiries on UAE property via the website for the first half of this year are 40 per cent up on the previous six months, and 85.3 per cent higher over the last 12 months than the previous year.



Under the theme: Discovering the future of real estate, the one-day conference will offer a keynote presentation on The Disruptive Futures Reshaping the Property Sector from leading futurist Rohit Talwar, CEO of Fast Future.



The conferences will also host exclusive talks on The World of Alternate Investments and Catering to Millennials, delivered by Craig Plumb, Head of Research at JLL MENA and Ann Boothello, Product Marketing Manager at dubizzle, respectively.



The 15th edition of Cityscape Global, which is expected to span 41,000 sq m of exhibition space as developers showcase hundreds of project launches, is supported by the Dubai Land Department and Conference Platinum Sponsors: MBT LLC & MetalboxTechnology FZE; Conference Silver Sponsors: Kohler Co and Yardi; and Research Partner YouGov.  TradeArabia News Service
The latest in smart cities and transportation technologies will be showcased at a major exhibition in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in October.



Natrans Expo 2016 will be held on October 25 and 26 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) under the patronage of Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuami, Minister of Infrastructure Development and chairman of the Federal Transport Authority  Land and Maritime, UAE.



The two-day event will feature the most advanced technologies across a wide range of applications in todays smart cities -- road and traffic, smart parking solutions, automatic incident and real time traffic telemetry, signals, nationwide interoperable ETC systems, metro and rail infrastructure projects, maritime and ports, security solutions to green city buses and autonomous vehicles.



Industry leaders such as Honeywell, Mitsubishi, Hyperloop, Fybr, Lean Park, Omnix International and many more will showcase their latest innovations and solutions at the event that aims to offer the right combination of inter-industry collaboration and public and private sector investment that will drive growth and ultimately improve access and quality of the regions infrastructure, said a statement.



At Honeywell, we believe that smart buildings and smart transport systems are the foundations of smart cities. With the advent of new technologies, we have the experience to transform buildings and transport infrastructure to make it more green, safe and productive for its occupants and users. Honeywell has the tools, the technology and the expertise to reduce energy costs and environmental footprint, making the regions cities more sustainable and resilient for years to come, said Peter Costa, vice president, Honeywell Automation and Control Solutions in the Middle East.



Costa added: Honeywell is a global technology leader with more than 60 years experience in the Middle East delivering innovative solutions to assist the growth of the regions industries. Sharing our expertise and technology at Natrans enables the Middle Eastern transport industry to be more green, safe, and productive in line with the regions smart city visions.



Omnix International will be showcasing its autonomous vehicle EZ10 which was jointly built with Easy Mile.



Mamoun Arsan, general manager of Omnix International, said: EZ10 is a battery-powered electric vehicle that moves in both directions because it has no specific front or rear, and can run up to four hours with AC on a single charge, while without AC it can run for up to 10 hours. We believe that Natrans Expo is the perfect venue for showcasing EZ10 and our other solutions for smart transportation and smart cities".



Two technical conferences will be running parallel to the event. One conference will discuss sustainable transportation and the other will be dedicated to IoT in transportation. The conferences aim to be the industrys meeting point for all top transport professionals. It will deliver a diverse line up of industry experts, academics and market leaders with more than 75 speakers from 30 countries and over 300 delegates.



Both conferences will discuss the very latest in the future of transportation systems. Key topics include: Smart Infrastructure, Future of Parking, Smart Ports and Planes, Hyperloop, walkability, IoT implementation and the 2030 vision, to name a few.



Natrans Expo is organised by Fleming with the support of the Federal Transport Authority Land and Maritime. - TradeArabia News Service
Hill International, a global leader in managing construction risk, said it has won a contract from Health Assurance Hospitals Company (Dhaman) to manage the construction of two new hospitals in Kuwait.

Dhaman was established as a public-private partnership as part of Kuwait's National Healthcare Expansion Plan.



In response to a projected population growth of two million people by 2026, Dhaman plans to build secondary care hospitals and primary health clinics in various locations across the country.

The three-year project and construction management services contract has an estimated value of KD3.9 million ($13.1 million), said a statement from the US-based company.



These projects entail the construction of 300-bed secondary care hospitals in Al Ahmadi and Al Jahra areas of Kuwait besides staff accommodation buildings and parking facilities.



On the contract win, Mohammed Al Rais, the regional president (Middle East) for Hill's project management group, said: "We look forward to helping Dhaman deliver these important hospital projects."



"We understand the importance of timely delivery for these types of healthcare facilities and we are confident that our team will meet or exceed all expectations," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
The potential for saving energy, reducing maintenance and saving costs by adopting modern lighting technologies will be highlighted at the the Middle East Smart Lighting and Energy Summit to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in September.



Organised by global conference producers Expotrade, the fifth edition of the summit will run on September 26 and 27 at Jumeirah at Etihad Towers.



Innovative lighting technologies have drastically changed the future of the lighting industry. The influence of new trends such as smart lighting and connected lighting have reshaped various lighting categories  architectural, indoor, outdoor, residential and street lighting, to name a few. Furthermore, industry reports indicate that the residential market is the largest market sector for LEDs and the global LED market share is expected to reach about 70 percent by the year 2020, a statement said.



The two-day summit will feature a series of speaker sessions, panel discussions and case study presentations that will highlight topics pertaining to Abu Dhabi City Municipalitys sustainable lighting strategy, energy-efficient lighting solutions creating smart living spaces, technologies and real projects of open smart streetlight solutions, LED as the preferred choice for large scale projects, IoT combining with lighting for digital lighting era, natural light architecture, light pollution and the impact of street light on natural environment, building future cities of UAE with best quality of street lighting and the use of solar power in lighting.



Offering diverse perspectives on the lighting industry and the developments driving this change are renowned international and regional experts Martin Valentine of Abu Dhabi City Municipality; Stephane Le Gentil of Etihad ESCO; Paul Nulty of Nulty Lighting; Lee Barker-Field of AECOM; Paul Miles of LightTouch PLD; Dr Simon Hugh Miller of Abu Dhabi Quality & Conformity Council and Gerald Strickland of Middle East Lighting Association (MELA). They will emphasise upon different energy-saving models and the developments in the lighting industry in the Middle East region.



In the UAE, the Abu Dhabi government has taken substantial measures in moving from conventional lighting systems to the installation of energy-efficient LED street lights across its city. With the shift to innovative lighting solutions, Abu Dhabi has led the way in implementing energy conserving initiatives. This move is expected to save nearly Dh3 billion ($816 million) over the next two decades, said the statement. - TradeArabia News Service
UAE-based Al Sharqi Shipping, a leading logistics service provider in the region, said it has been recognised yet again by Frances leading global shipping group CMA CGM as its top customer for 2015.



This recognition marked Al Sharqi third consecutive win with CMA CGM line, said a statement from the company.



The award was presented by Santosh Devasper, CMA CGMs commercial manager and Manoj Kumar, CMA CGMs export trade manager to Al Sharqi Shipping officials at their head office.



Asif Rafiq, the pricing specialist at Al Sharqi Shipping, said: "To be considered among the top supporters of a leading multinational ocean liner is a great honour."



CMA CGM is crucial to our service-level agreement with customers and we look forward to keep working together to deliver quality services, he added.-TradeArabia News Service


A consortium from Poland is planning on establishing an industrial area at the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone) in Egypt, said a report.



The representatives of the consortium will be choosing between Ain Sokhna and East Port Said for the best suited location for the establishment of an industrial area, added the Daily News Egypt report.



Poland is particularly interested in investing in the SCZone and a Polish government delegation will visit the region before the end of this month, a source at the General Authority of the Economic Zone of Suez Canal, it said.



The source added that the authority will meet with a delegation of Polish investors to explore investment opportunities in the region.


US seed company Monsanto Co turned down a sweetened $64 billion acquisition offer from Bayer AG, but said it was open to further talks with the German healthcare and chemicals group as well as other parties.



The widely expected rejection puts pressure on Bayer to sweeten its offer once again, at least enough to get access to Monsanto's books. The two companies have been in negotiations about a potential confidentiality agreement, Reuters reported on Monday.



Monsanto said on Tuesday its board unanimously viewed Bayer's latest bid as "financially inadequate and insufficient to ensure deal certainty."



"Monsanto remains open to continued and constructive conversations with Bayer and other parties to assess whether a transaction that the board believes is in the best interest of Monsanto share owners can be realized," the company said.



Bayer said it was disappointed with Monsanto's decision to reject its latest offer but was looking forward to continued dialogue with Monsanto under an appropriate confidentiality agreement that would allow access to additional information.



Access to confidential information has been a major sticking point in Bayer's negotiations with Monsanto ever since the German company offered to acquire Monsanto in May.



Bayer disclosed Thursday that it had increased its bid by $3 per share. Its latest $125-per-share offer is the largest all-cash bid on record. Bayer also offered a $1.5 billion reverse antitrust breakup fee, equivalent to about 2.3 percent of the deal's value.



By comparison, the breakup fee ChemChina offered to acquire Swiss peer Syngenta should the deal not go through is $3 billion, representing 7 per cent of the $43 billion transaction value.



Monsanto would like Bayer to sweeten its offer further, including increasing the breakup fee, before providing Bayer access to financial information, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private discussions.



Monsanto's shares were up 0.35 per cent to $106.81, while Bayer shares were down 1.2 per cent at 91.87 ($101).



Bayer argued last week that it had comprehensively addressed Monsanto's questions about financing and regulatory matters and said it was prepared to make certain commitments to regulators, if required, to complete a deal.



INVESTOR CONCERNS BAYER MAY OVERPAY



Henderson Global Investors, an investor in Bayer, has called for a vote on the proposed takeover of Monsanto, which it said threatened the long-term strength of the German company. Some other Bayer investors have also expressed concerns the company may overpay to secure a deal.



Monsanto chief executive Hugh Grant said last month that his company was in talks with Bayer and other companies in its sector about "alternative strategic options." He did not name the other companies, but Reuters has previously reported that Monsanto had discussed a business combination with BASF SE.



The seeds and agrochemicals industry has been jolted by several large deals in the past year as low crop prices and belt-tightening by farmers pressured earnings.



Syngenta AG, which Monsanto tried to buy last year, agreed in February to be acquired by ChemChina for $43 billion. Dow Chemical Co and DuPont struck a $130 billion mega-merger late last year.



Monsanto said last month net income tumbled more than 37 per cent to $717 million in the quarter ended on May 31. It cited a global glut of generic glyphosate, the active ingredient in its Roundup herbicide, and delays in securing European Union import approval for its next-generation biotech soybeans. - Reuters
A top level Omani business delegation led by Ithraa, the sultanates inward investment and export promotion agency, has kicked-off trade and investment meetings in Singapore.



Estimated at $103 million, non-oil Omani exports to Singapore jumped 10.5 per cent in 2015, said a statement from Ithraa.



Top exports from the sultanate included methanol, fish, marble and fragrances, it added.



Under the patronage of Sheikh Zakariya Al Saadi, Omans consular general to Singapore, Ithraa will hold business-to-business (B2B) meetings on Wednesday at the Marina Mandarin Hotel to showcase Omans manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food processing, marble and stone, chemicals, plastics, and agriculture and fisheries sectors, it said.



Nasima Yahya Al Balushi, director general for export development, Ithraa, said: We have identified over 50 Oman-made products that have the potential to succeed in Singapore.



In this regard, weve brought 33 leading Omani exporters with us on this important trade delegation. Exporters that are globally ambitious and eager to make a commercial impact in Singapore and surrounding markets, she said.



We are here to discuss ways in which we can capitalise on the GCC and Singapore free trade agreement and get more Omani exports into Singapore. Our objective is straightforward, we would like see more Oman-made products not just on the shelves in Singapore but also in the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) markets, she added. - TradeArabia News Service


Fast-growing specialist oil and gas and marine services firm OEM Group has secured a two-year contract worth up to 1 million ($1.30 million) with international energy services company Go Marine to deliver engine support services to its fleet of vessels operating across the world for the oil and gas industry.

Under the global technical support and services agreement, OEM Group will solely carry out the procurement of engine spare parts, electrical componants and systems, as well as providing personnel, project management and maintainence to support work across the different vessel types and regions Go Marine operates in around the world, the company said in a statement.

The maritime companys assets include ROV and dive support vessels, barges, offshore firefighting craft as well as a floatel, and operates in regions such as AsiaPac, West Africa, Gulf of Mexico, and the North Sea.

This latest contract win comes as OEM Group continues to drive forward its ambitious target of generating a four-fold increase in turnover by 2018 whilst driving efficiency and value for its customers.

As part of its strategy to become a global market leader, the company recently restructured joining together its three businesses  OEM Engine Services, OEM Fuel Services and OEM Diesel Pty Ltd  to form OEM Group. The company has 30 employees based in offices in the UK, Australia and the UAE.

OEM Group founder and managing director Barry Park said: The company has been an existing supplier to Go Marine over the past 12 months. During this period, weve developed a close working relationship through our teams hard work and determination to respond quickly to their specific multi-discipline equipment needs with high quality support and cost effective services I believe to be unrivalled in the sector.

At a time when the market conditions are extremely tough and reliance is paramount, being awarded this contract demonstrates the confidence Go Marine has in OEM Group to ensure their vessels engines remain operational all over the world.

We look forward to taking this next step and delivering further value to Go Marine as well as continuing with our own global growth and expansion plans.

Park was recently awarded Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at the Elevator Awards 2016.

GO Marine Group founder and CEO Garrick Stanley said: Having OEM Group on board as our engineering service provider for our vessels has streamlined the planned maintenance systems on our vessels maximizing uptime and service delivery to our clients whilst reducing overall servicing costs.

In an extremely challenging market, companies like OEM can make all the difference to a vessel owners success or failure. Having a relatively small fleet spread globally, OEM has the ability to react and deliver to not only meeting our servicing requirements but get us back up and running in the shortest timeframe possible in the event of unforeseen failure globally.

OEM Group is an international group of businesses offering a range of engine services, spare part procurement and fuel conditioning to safety-critical sectors. Established in 2012 with OEM Diesel Products Limited, the Group provides a single point of contact for specialist services to ensure the successful worldwide operation of its customers assets. --TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC), the largest utility firm in the Gulf region, has reported a 27.7 per cent decline in the second-quarter net profit over the same period last year.



The company, which the government is aiming to restructure to improve efficiency, made a net profit of SR1.43 billion ($381.3 million) in the three months to June 30, according to a bourse statement.



This compares with a profit of SR1.97 billion in the same period a year earlier.



The company cited the higher cost of fuel and depreciation of assets for the weaker performance without elaborating.



Saudi companies issue brief earnings statements early in the reporting period before publishing more detailed results later.



The Saudi government decided late last year to raise electricity, water and fuel prices to alleviate the burden of subsidies on its budget, although SEC said previously the price changes would roughly balance out in its earnings, as the rise in costs associated with higher fuel prices would offset increased revenues from electricity sales.



SEC's results are acutely seasonal because of the big swing between power demand in winter and summer, when high temperatures lead most homes and businesses to use more air conditioning.



The authorities had also planned to break up SEC into four parts by the end of the year, as part of a drive to improve the firm's efficiency, although this process is being reviewed, sources aware of the matter told Reuters in May.-Reuters
A high-level delegation from China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC)  Middle East visited Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) offices in Dubai today.



The delegation was received by Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dewa. It included Wang Baoji, vice president of CNPC Middle East, and Zhang Lei, manager of the presidents office at CNPC Middle East.

The visit is one of a series of meetings Dewa is holding with international companies, said a Dewa statement.



Al Tayer welcomed the delegation, stressing the importance of cooperation between Dewa, the Chinese government, and other private Chinese companies, to establish long-term partnerships in energy, while developing these partnerships to achieve mutual benefits.



Al Tayer highlighted Dewas most important projects and strategic initiatives. The delegation commended Dewa on its efforts and expressed interest in cooperating with Dewa, and exchanging experiences, information, and the latest technologies, to contribute to the sustainable development of Dubai, added the statement. - TradeArabia News Service




Xiaomi has announced that its newest smartphone device, the Mi 5 powered by Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with a layer of MIUI 7, will be available exclusively with Etisalat, UAE's leading telecom services operator.



Mi 5 is already receiving rave reviews after its global launch for its technology breakthroughs in several areas to make your daily life faster, easier and more efficient. The Mi 5 is the first of its kind to use the latest generation flagship processor from Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 820, a Quad-core processor with 3GB LPDDR4 RAM.



With this launch in the UAE, the consumer finally has the opportunity to buy the Mi 5, which has received accolades for its innovative design and seamless blend of style and technology.



The most eye-catching feature of the Mi 5 is its refreshing design. Mi 5 has a gorgeous premium 3D glass (or ceramic) body, curved at the edges to blend smoothly into a metal frame. Toughened with Gorilla Glass 4 for durability and strength. Mi 5 is unbelievable lightweight at 129g and fits comfortably in your hand. The 5.15-inch display has a screen resolution of 1080p that produces stunning images when viewed indoors, in sunlight or at night.



With a powerful 1.8GHz Snapdragon 820 Quad-core processor on board, using the latest Adreno 530 graphics processor which is 40 per cent faster than the previous-gen Adreno GPUs, the Mi 5 delivers smoother loading, faster responses, and more realistic graphics rendering even for the most graphics-intensive games such as Modern NOVA 3, Combat 5 & FIFA 16. Powered by a large 3000mAh battery the Mi 5 lets you watch up to seven movies in a full charge. This is made possible by incorporating the latest battery technology that increases battery energy density. The result is a thinner, lighter battery with long lasting power.



From lens to sensor, the Mi 5 camera is filled with technology breakthroughs that will help you capture that perfect shot. Sapphire glass protects the lens against scratches and knocks. Mi 5 also has deep trench isolation (DTI) image enhancement, 4-axis Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and a flagship image processor. Each of these create stunning images with purer colours, sharper focus and clearer details.



Khaled Elkhouly, chief consumer officer Etisalat, said: Etisalat was the first to introduce Mi smart devices in the country and today's exclusive regional launch gives our customers an opportunity to experience the latest technology on the new smartphone. This is in line with Etisalats long term commitment to bring global technology companies to the region enabling our subscribers to enjoy best-in-class performance and speeds through our 4G mobile network.



"This is truly an exciting day for Mi in the Middle East," Ravi Matthew, general manager at Task FZCO said, We could not be more pleased to offer this innovative device to our consumers in the region. Smartphone technology is more than just a trend its a movement in how technology can further blend into a persons everyday life. The Mi 5 focuses on what consumers asked for in mobile technology and incorporated it in a clean and stylish package. We believe our consumers all over the Middle East will revel in the beauty of the Mi 5 and how user friendly it is right out the box.



Redmi Note3 (Rise to Power)! Mi

The elegant sheen of metal on the Redmi Note 3 not only looks beautiful, but also feels sturdy and resilient. Different sections of the back cover connect seamlessly and naturally, thanks to an improved assembly process. We've preserved the authentic texture of anodized, sandblasted metal. No additional treatments, coats or paint were used. This level of craftsmanship is one you can appreciate; the moment you hold the Redmi Note 3 in your hand.



The Redmi Note 3 is really fast. The high-performance Snapdragon 650 processor uses ARM's flagship Cortex-A72 cores to launch apps in a split-second. Its next-gen Adreno 510 graphics processor delivers a fluid gaming experience. The hexa-core processor delivers up to 1.8GHz clock speed, supports dual-channel memory and eMMC 5.0 flash. Combined with MIUI 7's system-level speed optimizations, Redmi Note 3 responds to every touch in a snap.



It takes only a glance at the display to know that it's amazing. It comes with a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1080p FHD and 403 PPI for utmost clarity packed with a massive 4050mAh battery that gives you peace of mind knowing that you get a full day of use.



Faster than you can say focus, Redmi Note 3 shoots with a high 16MP rear camera producing professional quality images with 0.1s Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) and powerful dual image signal processor.

Redmi 3 Pro



Hard to believe that the Redmi 3 Pro features a 5-inch HD 720p display and packs an Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 processor. It has a 13-megapixel rear camera, and also supports 1080p Full-HD video recording. Combined with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. the Redmi 3 Pro also packs a 4100mAh non-removable battery.



All of the Smartphones are 4G devices and come equipped with Dual SIM-card support.



The products will be available from Dh1,349 ($367) for the Mi 5, Dh619 ($168.4) for the Redmi Note 3, and Dh549 ($149.4) for the Redmi 3 Pro. - TradeArabia News Service
A judge has allowed Peabody Energy to pay nearly $30 million in property taxes in four states while the coal company goes through bankruptcy reorganization.

The decision Wednesday in federal court in St. Louis should end uncertainty for a Colorado school district that began when Peabody missed a property tax payment in June. The state of Colorado has fronted the South Routt School District some $1 million in state funding because of the crisis.

The property tax payments should help Wyoming schools as well, though indirectly.

In Campbell County, Peabody has three open-pit mines and owes about $1.8 million in property and land taxes for 2015. About 54 percent of that goes to the Campbell County School District.

However, the district makes more money annually through local property taxes than is deemed necessary by the state of Wyoming to run its schools. Every year, that extra income goes to the Wyoming Department of Education and is passed on to poorer districts.

The states energy downturn, which led to Peabodys bankruptcy and tax delinquency, is constraining the total pot of money Wyoming has to pay its school districts.

The Campbell County district expects to pass $37 million to the state education agency in 2017 largely from industry taxes. That amount is about half of what it paid the state in the previous year, because local tax dollars have plummeted during the bust.

St. Louis-based Peabody filed for bankruptcy in April. It is one of three large coal companies that operate in Wyoming to file for Chapter 11 protection since last year. Arch Coal and Alpha Natural Resources also filed for bankruptcy. Alpha owes Campbell County about 1.7 million in delinquent taxes, half of which would go to the school district.
CHEYENNE  A year after two men were found dead in a rare-coin shop in Cheyenne, police have made no arrests and the investigation remains active.

In the year since 67-year-old Dwight Brockman and 76-year-old George Manley were shot and killed on July 20, 2015, local police have conducted 130 interviews, executed 19 search warrants and followed up on more than 150 tips related to the case.

According to the police department, more than 3,000 man-hours have gone into investigating the killings, and more than 230 pieces of evidence have been collected.

Cheyenne Police Chief Brian Kozak said he can't discuss specifics about the case but he says there are people of interest to police among those interviewed.
The nomination of Donald Trump as the GOPs presidential candidate was bittersweet for Wyoming delegates in Cleveland, they said, since most supported U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

Wyomingites walked against the national Republican tide of support for the real estate mogul. Most of the states 29 delegates arrived at the Republican National Convention pledged to other candidates. In the end, only three delegates voted for Trump on Tuesday. One voted for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, two for Gov. John Kasich and 23 for Cruz.

However, Wyoming delegates said they will vote for Trump in November  if not because they support him, then because they believe presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton would be terrible for the state and country  as emotion is running high at the convention.

The event features loud speakers pumping music, speeches from party leaders who are almost celebrities and lots of aspirational talk about the future that has been frequently interrupted with energetic cheering and applause.

Its bittersweet any time you put a lot of effort into a campaign, said Ed Buchanan of Torrington, who was the Wyoming chairman for Cruzs campaign. And clearly Ted Cruz had the overwhelming support of the Wyoming citizens. Its just one of those things where you fall a little bit short.

Late Wednesday, Cruz refused to endorse Trump as he addressed the GOP convention. He encouraged Americans to vote your conscience at the general election in November. Delegates spoke to the Star-Tribune before Cruz took the stage.

Many Wyoming delegates attended a rally for Cruz on Wednesday, during which the U.S. senator from Texas thanked them for their support. Buchanan said he was also meeting Cruz at a smaller affair for people more involved in his campaign.

I am optimistic in my vote for Donald Trump, said Buchanan, former speaker of the Wyoming House. I hope he can deliver on his campaign promises. And if he does, then I think well all be pleased with a Trump presidency. But I think time will tell.

Buchanan said hes most interested in Trumps promises to improve U.S. trade policy to return manufacturing jobs to the U.S. Buchanan also wants a better immigration policy in which immigrants who have committed felonies are deported.

State party chairman Matt Micheli of Cheyenne was one of a few unpledged delegates. He voted for Cruz because he wanted his vote to reflect the wishes of a majority of the states Republicans, he said.

However, now the Republican Party has chosen its nominee, Micheli said. We know how dangerous Hillary Clinton is for our state, and we need to do everything we can to make sure Hillary Clinton is never back in the White House.

Micheli believes Trump will win Wyoming. The GOP is the majority party in Wyoming. But the New Yorker needs to show how he understands the issues affecting the Cowboy State, Micheli said.

Frankly, I think Trump has some work to do to demonstrate that to all of us, he said. But I think hes made some steps. Hes saying the right things about coal and energy development. Hes still got to campaign. I think hes going to get good people around him who understand the West and our issues.

Trump received over 1,500 votes Tuesday night. He needed 1,237 to win the nomination.

Wyoming was one of last to inform the convention which presidential candidates its 29 delegates supported. Wyoming announced after almost all of the other states, territories and Washington, D.C.  as the convention voting was in generally alphabetical order.

As time went on, it became obvious to delegate Ogden Driskill of Devils Tower that Trump was sweeping the majority of the vote. Driskill, a state senator who arrived in Cleveland uncommitted, decided to support him.

At around 7:30 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Buchanan, the Cruz chairman for Wyoming, announced to the convention the Wyoming delegates choices.

From the great state of Wyoming: Home of Reagan conservatives, rugged individualism, from the majestic Tetons and Cheyenne Frontier Days, a leading producer of low-sulfur coal, we are an energy titan, he said to a cheering convention. A super red state, a Republican governor, all five statewide electeds Republicans, a Republican majority in our state Legislature.  We have a balanced budget. We have a $1.6 billion surplus and we have no corporate and individual income tax.

We support states rights, religious liberty, the Second Amendment and law enforcement officers across this great nation. Wyoming proudly casts its votes as follows: One vote for Sen. Marco Rubio, two votes for Gov. John Kasich and for an individual that weve come to know and love as one of our own, 23 votes for the senator from the great state of Texas, Ted Cruz.

The audience erupted in cheers.

And now for someone weve come to know and have come to support, and we will throw our support behind  against Hillary Clinton  the next president of the United States, three votes for Mr. Donald Trump.

Driskill had wanted a bloc of Wyoming delegates to have been uncommitted, an effort that failed at the state convention in May. He believes a large number of up-for-grabs delegates could have brought more attention to Wyoming from the campaigns, and the state could have influenced the election.

Driskill is now concerned about Wyomings low support for Trump. He believes it will hurt the state if Trump becomes president.

Trump is obviously a guy who operates on loyalty, Driskill said. Youre good to him, hes good to you. Obviously Wyoming wasnt very loyal. But we need the Trump administration to support Wyoming.
Editor:

Im getting ready to start my trek home to Wyoming to attend the Natrona County Class of 1971 reunion. Ive attended every reunion and have always had to travel to get there. I wasnt one of the ones fortunate enough to be able to stay in my hometown; circumstances or jobs took me elsewhere.

Im always disappointed that some local classmates make the decision not to attend the reunion. Ive read through the years that some people choose not to attend their reunions because high school wasnt a good time for them. It was not always a good time for me, either. BUT through those years, people touched my life, whether it was 4-H, Jr. Follies or even grade school; we made memories together. Many of our classmates dont have the choice to attend  some of them didnt even get to make it to the first reunion 10 years after graduating. And there will many more of us who might not be able to come to the next reunion.

I was always amazed that our class was so large (I think about 600). It always felt like a small class, one where I felt I knew most of the members. If youre reading this and havent registered to attend, I urge you to rethink your decision. There is someone who would love to reconnect with you. Facebook has really helped us to reconnect, but there is nothing like the personal, face-to-face interactions that we can have with each other. Please sign up to attend at least one event! I guarantee there will be people who want to know how you are, not what group you were included in during your high school years, not what profession youre in or retired from, and not how fiscally successful you are. It will be just that you're here and still able to attend. We (and I) want to see you!
Indonesia Pokemon Frenzy

In this Monday, July 18, 2016 photo, an Indonesian man shows his smartphone as he plays "Pokemon Go" in Jakarta, Indonesia. The hugely popular game has sparked a frenzy among Indonesian players despite the application is not officially available in the country. "Pokemon Go," which uses Google Maps and a smartphone to overlay reality with Pokemon creatures, has been a blockbuster hit in the U.S. and other countries where it is available. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
Anniversary of first walk on the moon

A footprint left by one of the astronauts of the Apollo 11 mission shows in the soft, powder surface of the moon on July 20, 1969. Commander Neil A. Armstrong and Air Force Col. Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin Jr. became the first men to walk on the moon after blastoff from Cape Kennedy, Fla., on July 16, 1969. They headed back home from the lunar surface on July 21, 1969. The end of man's first voyage to another planet ended with a splashdown 950 miles southwest of Hawaii, thus achieving President John F.Kennedy's challenge to land men on the moon before the end of the 1960s. (AP Photo/NASA)
Lured into Palace of Sweets By Dusty Siren Deacon Harris Trapped

Woman Phones for Police Who Arrest Church Pillar for Stealing Jewelry

Wont you all treat me to some ice cream, is what Mrs. Annie Williams, who resides at 635 North Ninth street, said to Deacon Charles L. Harris, of the African Methodist church, when she met him at the corner of Stone and Congress yesterday evening.

Shuah, ah will, Missus Williams, Harris replied, and he made good his word by piloting her into the Palace of Sweets, where they ordered some of the cold stuff.

Mrs. Williams didnt seem much interested in the ice cream but instead went to the telephone and called up a number. Pretty soon Desk Sergeant ODonnell arrived on the scene and took Deacon Harris into custody on suspicion that he had stolen jewelry from Mrs. Williams. He was taken to the city jail and kept there all evening.

Harris strenuously denies the charge that he took any jewelry from Mrs. Williams. He says it is all framed up. The woman, however, insists that Harris is the guilty party and the matter will be thoroughly investigated by the police today.
PHOENIX (AP)  The Latest on Arizona's delegation to the Republican National Convention (all times local):

3:30 p.m.

All 58 of Arizona's Republican National Convention votes have been cast for Donald Trump.

The vote tally announced by state party Chairman Robert Graham came despite vows by some anti-Trump delegates to force a formal count of the delegates or to walk out of the convention hall in Cleveland.

The announcement came during Tuesday's formal roll call vote of the states.

Graham's announcement was delivered in classic convention form:

"From the hottest state in the country for job growth, Arizona delivers 58 bound votes to the nominee, Donald J. Trump, the next president of the United States of America!" Graham announced to cheers.

Arizona delegate Jarrod White had said he and some other delegates were considering not voting, refusing to vote or trying to challenge the delegation vote tally.

2 p.m.

Arizona delegates to the Republican National Convention who don't want to vote for Donald Trump are considering last-minute efforts to avoid casting a ballot for the presumptive nominee.

Arizona delegate Jarrod White says delegates are considering not voting, refusing to vote or trying to challenge the delegation vote tally at Tuesday night's session. That's when the convention officially nominates Trump as the GOP candidate.

Arizona Republican Party Chairman Robert Graham said there's a chance opponents may rise to contest his vote tally Tuesday night. But he says it won't help because state law and party rules bind all delegates to the state primary winner. And he notes the vast majority of the state delegation backs Trump.
Families may apply for KidsCare on their own on or after July 26 at www.healthearizonaplus.gov , the HEAplus website.

Any family unsure about whether their children qualify is encouraged to get free in-person help applying, either by visiting CoverAZ.org or by calling 1-800-377-3536.

Medical grants for Arizona children

The UnitedHealthcare Childrens Foundation wants Arizona families to know the non-profit organization has grants to help pay for childrens medical expenses.

The grants are for families with commercial insurance who have expenses that are not covered, or not fully covered, by their health insurance plan. Families may apply for grants at www.UHCCF.org and there is no application deadline.

Foundation officials say qualifying families can receive up to $5,000 per grant with a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per child to help pay for medical services and equipment such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, counseling services, surgeries, prescriptions, wheelchairs, orthotics, eyeglasses and hearing aids.

To be eligible, children must be 16 years of age or younger.

Families must meet economic guidelines, reside in the U.S. and have a commercial health insurance plan.

Grants are available for medical expenses families have incurred 60 days prior to the date of application as well as for ongoing and future medical needs. Families do not need to have insurance through UnitedHealthcare to be eligible.

Since 2007, UHCCF has awarded over 10,000 grants valued at more than $29 million to children and their families across the United States for treatments associated with medical conditions such as cancer, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, hearing loss, autism, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, ADHD and cerebral palsy.

Excluded from applying are families whose children are covered by any government insurance program, including Medicaid (AHCCCS, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System), Medicare, KidsCare, or other state or federally subsidized health insurance programs given to those without insurance or with low incomes.

In Arizona, foundation officials say they have awarded more than two hundred grants worth over $500,000 since 2011.
Blowing dust on Interstate 10, near Interstate 8 in Pinal County caused a three vehicle crash Tuesday night.

Bart Graves, an Arizona Department of Public Safety spokesman, said a preliminary investigation shows that two semi-trucks and a pickup truck were involved in the crash.

The crash was blocking I-8 westbound, near Murphy-Russell Road, said Graves shortly after 7 p.m.

Injuries were not known.

No further information was immediately available.
Border Patrol agents rescued 15 illegal immigrants who were trapped in an open pit mine south of Tucson, officials said.

On Tuesday, Tucson Sector agents were tracking a group of illegal immigrant on the Duval Mining Co. property in Green Valley when the group entered the mine.

Agents climbed down to the group to make sure no one was hurt but then realized the loose soil lining the mine's edge would make it too dangerous to exit safely, according to a news release from Customs and Border Protection.

Search-and-rescue agents, know as BORSTAR, were called in to help rescue the immigrants using ropes.

The illegal immigrants were adult males from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.

No injuries were reported.
A group that organizes white allies for the Black Lives Matter movement will hold a rally Thursday evening in response to recent police shootings of black men.

Becky Renfrow, a volunteer organizer with Showing Up for Racial Justice, or SURJ, said she is privileged that as a white person she doesnt worry every day about police violence toward her or her family.

I was in tears when I realized that we were updating the list of people of color who have been killed by police in recent times, said Renfrow, a 33-year-old somatic therapist.

Racism is more than just saying the wrong thing, SURJ organizers said at a meeting Monday evening at Southside Presbyterian Church. Instead, it is embedded in institutions and culture.

Rather than feel white guilt, the group urges more white people to help end racism by attending their organizing meetings, protesting racist attacks and donating to social movements led by people of color.

The Tucson SURJ chapter is part of a national network that has accountability relationships with several movements and organizations led by people of color, SURJ organizers said. Black Lives Matter national leaders, for example, requested SURJ hold events Thursday as part of a national day of action.

People of color also participate in SURJ, but the organization is modeled after times in history when black-led movements asked white people to organize themselves, as the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee did during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

In 2008, black-led organizations asked that SURJ form when a rise in white-supremacy groups followed the election of President Obama. The goal was for white people to organize other white people against white supremacy. Then more chapters joined, especially after the shooting death by a police officer of Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.

The purpose of Thursdays rally is to amplify the demands of the movement for black lives, to end police violence against black people, said Leah Jo Carnine, a 32-year-old volunteer SURJ organizer and physicians assistant.

The rally begins at 5 p.m. at the Evo A. DeConcini Federal Courthouse on the corner of West Congress Street and South Granada Avenue downtown. Afterward, the group will walk to Mercado San Agustin to do outreach about racism at the Thursday farmers market.

Learn more details at SURJs Facebook event: Rally and Outreach in Solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives.
APTOPIX GOP 2016 Cleveland

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, left, arrives with his wife Karen at the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
California and Nevada won't be able to take any of the water that Arizona has been storing in Lake Mead at least through the end of this year, a top U.S. Interior Department official said this week.

In a letter to U.S. Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, Deputy Interior Secretary Mike Connor wrote the department won't release any water that one of the three states in the Colorado River's Lower Basin has left unused in the lake "without the consensus of all three Lower Basin States. . ."

Flake had been pushing for such a commitment for some time, and trying to get it inserted into legislation. The Interior Department and the other two Lower Basin states had opposed putting it in legislation. But Connor agreed to commit administratively to keeping the water stored in Mead. His letter was sent to Flake on Tuesday.

By the end of this year, Arizona, Nevada and California will have left more than 400,000 acre feet of water since 2014 in the declining Lake Mead that they have the right to use but have decided not to. They have jointly agreed to do that to try to slow the rate of decline at the lake. It has dropped steadily since the ongoing, regional drought began in about 2000.

Arizona can now rest assured that no other state will gets its hands on the water we have saved in Lake Mead, Flake said in a news release.

This is a big win for Arizona in the combined effort to combat the drought, prevent a water shortage, and ensure continued access to our share of the Colorado River.

The Interior Department can't commit to keeping the unused water in Mead beyond 2016 because a new administration and new Interior Secretary will take office next January.

But Connor wrote in his letter to Flake that the department hopes that its current commitment will help clear the way for a multi-year agreement among the Lower Basin states to come up with solutions for the lake's declining levels.

Through such agreements, "issues such as this can be 'locked in' across multiple years and across executive branch administrations," Connor wrote.

Such an agreement would require the three states to take large enough cuts in river water to prevent the lake from falling far enough and fast enough to require much more severe cutbacks. The three states are currently negotiating a draft agreement in which Arizona would cut its CAP use by up to 600,000 acre-feet, or 40 percent of the project's total supply, when the lake drops to 1,025 feet below sea level. The other states and the reclamation agency would take smaller cuts.

In his letter to Flake, however, Connor repeated his past warning that if an agreement isn't reached, "it appears clear

that additional actions, including potentially by the Secretary of the Interior, will be required to protect the basin from the adverse consequences of worsening drought and declining reservoir storage."
PHOENIX  A judge will hear arguments Aug. 12 over whether Arizonans will be allowed to vote on whether they want to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

At a hearing Tuesday, Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Jo Lynn Gentry gave backers of the initiative two weeks to respond to charges by foes that the wording of the measure is legally flawed and cannot be placed on the November ballot. Attorney Brett Johnson who represents challengers contends the proposal is basically a fraud on voters.

Gentry has set aside three hours to give lawyers from both sides to make their case.

She does not expect to have the last word in the case. Gentry figures that Aug. 12 hearing  and a decision either that day or shortly thereafter  will give whoever loses the chance to seek review by the Arizona Supreme Court.

And that is virtually certain to happen.

The outcome is likely to turn on whether the justices believe initiative promoters misled those who already signed the petition and would be misleading voters in November with their claim that the measure, if approved, would regulate marijuana like alcohol.

Hanging in the balance is whether Arizona will follow the lead of states such as Colorado and Washington that have allowed anyone 21 and older to purchase and use marijuana products.

Now, marijuana is legally available only to those with certain medical conditions who have a doctors recommendation and a state-issued card. The most recent figures from the Arizona Department of Health Services show 97,938 qualifying patients, with another 853 certified as caregivers who can grow or obtain marijuana for someone else.

By contrast, there are about 4.8 million Arizonans who would qualify if the measure, tentatively given the designation of Proposition 125, is approved.

All that, however, presumes voters do get a chance to make that choice.

With backers having submitted petitions with 258,699 signatures, the legal burden now is on Johnson, representing challengers, to keep that the issue from getting that far.

Johnson is not arguing Arizonans have no right to vote on recreational marijuana. And he said it might even be legal had supporters actually crafted what they claim is their goal: to treat marijuana like alcohol, with the same kind of state regulation.

But Johnson is arguing to Gentry that the measure does not do that, saying there are multiple differences between how Arizona law treats those who use alcohol legally and those who would be able to smoke, eat or otherwise use marijuana.

For example, he pointed to language that says an employer who wants to fire a worker who is impaired by marijuana would have to show a workers was performing any task while impaired by marijuana or a marijuana product that would constitute negligence or professional malpractice.

That is not like alcohol, Johnson said.

And he singled out a provision that pretty much guarantees the nearly 100 owners of existing medical marijuana dispensaries will get one of only about 150 state licenses initially available to sell recreational marijuana.

There is no such protection under alcohol laws, though state law does limit the number of places where hard liquor can be sold.

And I think the judge is going to appreciate that, Johnson said, saying that putting the measure on the November ballot would be basically a fraud on the electorate.

But Kory Langhofer, who is representing initiative backers, said there is nothing wrong  and definitely nothing fraudulent  about selling the initiative to voters as setting up a system of regulation of marijuana that parallels what already exists for alcohol. He said the similarities are far greater than any differences.

Its legal with licenses and taxes and restrictions on where and when you can sell it, how you use it, he said. And Langhofer said thats far more understandable  and informative  to voters than simply saying the proposal would legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

And what of the differences that Johnson cites, like in employment law and the provision on who gets the first marijuana licenses?

Immaterial, Langhofer responded.

Johnson also is contending the measure does not pass legal muster because the description put on the initiative petitions, legally limited to 100 words, does not adequately describe what the measure does. And he argued that what it does say is misleading.

Langhofer said what Johnson contends is necessary would be impossible, given the actual changes in law that the petition proposes are 30 pages long.

You literally cant write a 30-page law in 100 words, he said. And Langhofer said that what is said in the summary  and what is not said  does not give a court a reason to deny giving voters the last word.

If youre defrauding people, like if youre intentionally tricking them, then youre definitely going to throw the signatures out, Langhofer said. There is no way (Johnson) can convince the court that this initiative intentionally misled people.
Help India!

By TCN News

Ahmadabad: The Gujarat high court refused to ban the sale of the book on Prime Minister Narendra Modi  Fekuji Have Dilli Ma (Feku is in Delhi now) which mocks and criticises him for the tall promises and claims he made during his campaigning in the parliamentary polls 2014. The book refers to PM Modi as Feku meaning a boastful person.

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Justice S H Vora on Tuesday rejected the writ petition filed by Modi supporter Narsinhbhai Solanki at the stage of admission itself, saying the court did not agree with the reasons cited by the petitioner for imposing a ban.

Solanki had earlier filed a civil suit in a lower court seeking ban over publication and distribution of the book which was rejected on June 25 saying the book does not cause any damage to the reputation of the plaintiff, and Shah had the right to publish a book under Article 19 of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech and expression.

Aggrieved with the lower court order, Solanki then challenged the ruling before the HC on the ground that the freedom of speech and expression comes with reasonable restrictions. However, High Court too on Tuesday not accepted Solankis arguments and dismissed the petition.

Author Jayesh Shah is now planning to publish the book in six other languages  English, Hindi and four south Indian languages.

Shah published this 25-page book in Gujarati language questioning whether achhe din will ever come. He mentioned in the book that it is the common man who is bearing the brunt of all the false promises made by Modi to win votes.

Shah told ToI that he has got the book translated in English and Hindi, which will soon be published in Delhi. A publication house from Chennai  Silabu Publications  has expressed intent to buy rights of the book. It wants to translate the book in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu for publication in south India. I am going to sign the contract they have offered to me, Shah said.
Help India!

By Raqib Hameed Naik, TwoCircles.net

Srinagar: Ten days after a youth Shabir Ahmad Mir was shot dead by security forces in Tengpora area of Srinagar, the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar has directed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar to register an FIR against a Deputy Superintendent rank police officer.

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CJM Masrat Shaeen asked the SSP to investigate the killing of the youth who according to his family was killed in cold blood by the same DySP after he barged into their house in Batamaloo area of Srinagar.

In the light of application and affidavit sworn by the applicant, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar is directed to register an FIR against the said official and investigate the matter. The SSP concerned is further directed to get case investigated by some police officer not below the rank of DySP, directed the Srinagar court.

An application was moved by an applicant namely Abdul Rehman Mir, a resident of Tengpora Batamaloo Srinagar to direct Batamaloo Police Station for registration of an FIR against the police officer and other police personnel.

The applicant who is father of the deceased had submitted in his application that on July 10 at 6:45 pm when they were watching television, a police party headed by DySP of J&K police (name withheld) barged into their house and started smashing windowpanes and doors of the house.

The wife of the applicant tried to stop the said police officer, however he physically assaulted her. The son (deceased Shabir Ahmed Mir) could not tolerate the thrashing of his mother and tried to rescue her from the clutches of the police officer. The Police officer took out his pistol and fired two shots at him resulting in his on spot death, reads the court order.

The applicant has further submitted that,  the said DySP took law in his own hands and killed his son in cold blood without any reason and rhyme. The applicant has submitted that he filed an application with the SHO Batamaloo who refused to lodge an FIR against the said DySP.

The locals had also alleged that were no protests going on in the area and that police and paramilitary forces barged into his house, dragged him out and had shot him dead.
Help India!

By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net

Malappuram: There is a good chance that you may not have heard of Dammaj, a small town in the Sadah Governorate of North-western Yemen. However, this town has been brought to attention by the recent news from Kerala, where 15 youths have gone missing and are said to have fled to Dammaj, although many media houses used this to claim that these youths had joined ISIS.

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Over the last one decade, Dammaj and the Salafi centre Dar Al-Hadith in the town have turned home to many young Salafis from the state.

Being attracted by the spiritual teachings taught there, some of the youngsters have been fleeing to Dammaj, where they lead a spiritual life abstaining from the modernity. The trend dates back to 2004, says Shabeel TN, a functionary of Mujahid Students Movement (MSM), the students outfit of Kerala Nadwathul Mujahideen (KNM). The persons, according to Shabeel, have broken all organization links with moderate Salafi groups in Kerala.

The story of these Salafis was unveiled when 43-year-old Nalakath Salman, a native of Methalangadi in Areekode in Malappuram district, was caught as captive by Houthi rebels when they attacked Dammaj in 2014. Salman was, however, saved by Yemen army following the intervention of Indian Embassy. Instead of coming home, Salman managed to flee to Saudi Arabia.

Two years later, Noufal Kurikkal, along with Abdulla, Abdul Rahman and Basim Ali are reported to have gone missing from Malappuram and Eranakulam and media reports, quoting Intelligence sources, said that the trio had left for Dammaj.

These cases denote the merging of a new trend which lays stress on the life of Prophet. Denying modernity and all kind of reforms, these Salafis believe that true Islam and Sunnah (path of Prophet) is followed only when a believer allows his beard to remain uncut and breed goats as Prophet did to earn his livelihood, says P A Rasheed, former additional director of Kerala Public Relations Department and Calicut University Syndicate member. They term other Muslim groups Bidaees, which literally means those who make in Islam changes in opposition to Quran.

Rational and modern thoughts have nothing to do with this group. This group represents the hard-line way of Islam, Rasheed adds.

Salmans kin deny any terror link of this group. He has left home in search for Islamic knowledge and he is not involved in any kind of terror activities, says Nalakath Bashar, brother of Salman.

Citing a host of facts, Rasheed says that the 15 members group might have gone to Dammaj to join the spiritual heaven of Salafis.

Intelligence officers have also confirmed that the missing persons from Kasargod were interested in farming, despite their experience as professionals.

Replica of Dammaj in Kerala

Interestingly, a commune on the lines of Dammaj is functioning at Athikkad in Nilambur of Malappuram district, far away from the public. Salafi preacher Zubair Mankada formed the commune, with 18 families, in 2007. The commune offers the families a puritan life akin to Prophets with an atmosphere of a 7th century Arab Bedouin village, with cattle and meadows.

However, the fleeing of the youths and alleged links with ISIS has brought the commune under police scanner. Six of the 18 families have left the group and the madrasa has stopped functioning, leaving the students of these families going to nearby schools.

The six families left the commune due to an internal split among the members, residing here. These include Zubair Mankad, a Salafi leader, who established the commune here. Zubair was forced to leave the group after other members questioned him for violating his own teachings. In this commune, mixed education is not followed. He teaching in an institution, where girls and boys were taught together, said one of the commune members Mujeeb Rahman.

According to Mujeeb, the commune came under police scanner when Yasir Amani, who left the commune, issued a complaint at Nilambur police station alleging that mysterious activities were taking place. Yasir, according to Mujeeb, left Athikkad due to personal opinion differences.

To add to this, one of the members Siddique took his son Adil to Sri Lanka to give him Islamic education in one of the Salafi centres, functioning there. This along with the missing of the youths aggravated the doubt of the local police and intelligence.

Though commune members deny any link with the missing youths, local reporters say that some of the persons, who went missing from Kasargod, used to visit the commune and police have confirmed that they were traveling between Tirur and Kasargod. Tirur is the nearest major railway station to reach the commune. Besides, intelligence has confirmed after holding talks with the relatives that some persons had visited the missing persons houses in Kasargod to teach them farming.

Muslim organizations disapprove trend

However, Muslim leaders in Kerala disapprove the new trend, saying such actions are a motive for extremists.

They are misguided. This group has put the entire community under various allegations, says Nizar

Olavanna of Ithihadu Shubbanil Mujahideen (ISM).

Salafism, which heralded reformation, has turned to be the advocate of conservatism and religious rigidity, says Dr. Zubair Hudawi of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

They are to some extent, killing our faith and culture by holding attempts to go back to the infancy of the religion. The community should go forward in line with the changes of modernity and should have a sense of rational other than strictly attaching to conservatism, Rasheed says.
Supporters of the Islamic State took tosocial mediato celebrate the latest terrorist attack that killed 84 people including two Americans and injured 100 on July 14, during the BastilleDay celebration in Nice, France. French authorities identified the assailantas, 31-year-oldMohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, a "career criminal" of Tunisian decent. Investigators have not found any link to known terrorist groups, however, they believe he was inspired by a September 2014 speech given by an Islamic State spokesman, who called for supporters to "run enemies of Islam over with your car."

Jihad with a car

The Islamic State's Attack Minister,Abu Mohammed al-Adnaniinstructed followers of the terrorist organization to kill the infidel.

He said; "If you can not detonate a bomb or fire a bullet, arrange to meet alone with a French or an American infidel and bash his skull with a rock, slaughter him with a knife,run him over with your car, throw him off a cliff, strangle him, or inject him with poison."

Al-Qaeda encouraged truck attacks

This is not the first time a terrorist organization instructed their followers to use a vehicle as a weapon. In a 2010Inspire magazinearticle entitled "The Ultimate Mowing Machine", al-Qaeda encouraged their followers to use pickup trucks as a "mowing machine against theenemies of Allah."

Palestinian terroristhavealso used "mowing or car ramming" to target Israeli citizens. according to the Times of Israel, "over 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean, and a Sudanese were killed by car ramming" in 2015.

Revenge killing

U.S. Intelligence officials believe that the Nice terror attack may be inretaliationfor the death of Abu Omar al-Shishani, the Islamic States "Minister of War," who was killed earlier this year while fighting against coalition forces in Iraq. al-Shishani's name was mentioned several times by ISIS supporters on social media.

Supporters also created ahashtagclaiming the attack was revenge for his death.

One tweet read, "Oh France, you and the rest of Europe willnever be safeuntil we live safely in every inch of land Khilafah" Twitter has since taken the tweet down and suspended the account.

America's response

President Barack ObamapledgedU.S. support following the terror attacks.

In as statement on Friday, he called the attack "appallingand a threat to all of us." He said that he spoke with President Francois Hollande earlier and told him, " The United States pledged its support to help defeatextremist ideologiesand that America "would stand with our French friends."

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trumpsaid, these terrorist groups are "out of control." He believes that the world is in a "world war against people without uniforms." Mr. Trump postponed his scheduled news conference where he was to announce his vice president pick. He later tweeted that he has chosen first term Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate. Democratic presidential nomineeHillary Clintonsaid in a statement that she stands in support of France.
IMF inches up China forecast Updated: 2016-07-20 10:32 By Chen Weihua in New York(chinadaily.com.cn)

A foreigner takes photos of the Lujiazui Financial District with the Oriental Pearl TV Tower, left, the topped-out Shanghai Tower under construction, tallest, the Shanghai World Financial Center, third tallest, Jinmao Tower, forth tallest, and other skyscrapers and high-rise buildings in Pudong, Shanghai. [Photo/IC]

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has slightly revised upwards its 2016 forecast for China, while cutting its forecast for global economic growth this year and next year, partly as a result of the unexpected UK vote to leave the European Union.

The IMF cut its global forecast for 2016 and 2017 by 0.1 percentage point each to 3.1 percent and 3.4 percent respectively, compared with the forecast made in April.

It said the Brexit causes "substantial" increase in economic, political and institutional uncertainty. "If not for Brexit, global forecast would have been slightly higher," said the IMF World Economic Outlook Update released on Tuesday.

It forecast the UK economy to grow 1.7 percent this year, 0.2 percentage point less than the forecast made in April. Next year, the nation's growth will slow to 1.3 percent, down 0.9 point from the April estimate and the biggest reduction among advanced economies.

For the euro area, the fund raised its forecast by 0.1 point this year, to 1.6 percent, and lowered it by 0.2 point for 2017 to 1.4 percent.

China's growth forecast for 2016 is up 0.1 percentage point to 6.6 percent, and remains unchanged for 2017 at 6.2 percent.

Brexit fallout is likely to be muted for China, the world's second-largest economy, because of its limited trade and financial links with the UK.

"However, should growth in the European Union be affected significantly, the adverse effect on China could be material," the IMF said.

The IMF said the near-term outlook in China has improved due to recent policy support. Benchmark lending rates were cut five times in 2015, fiscal policy turned expansionary in the second half of the year, infrastructure spending picked up and credit growth accelerated.

The fund also described the indicators of real activity as "somewhat stronger than expected" in China, reflecting policy stimulus.

"While global industrial activity and trade have been lackluster amid China's rebalancing and generally weak investment in commodity exporters, recent months have seen some pick-up due to stronger infrastructure investment in China and higher oil prices," the IMF said.

Maurice Obstfeld, IMF's economic counsellor and director of research department, said the IMF upgraded forecast for China in the view of the support that the Chinese authority has been providing for the economy.

He admitted that China and EU are important mutual trade partners and the anticipated slowdown in Europe and in the baseline will affect China slightly, possibly by 0.1 percentage points in 2016 and 2017.

"So the effect is there. It's offsetting the lift coming from policy the authority has taken to hit their growth target," he told a press briefing on Tuesday.

Obstfeld expressed concern about some imbalances in the Chinese economy, such as impaired assets in the banking system and the slow progress in shifting the economy from state-owned enterprise system to be more privately owned system.

He described it as countering to the trends IMF thinks Chinese economy is going and the trends the Chinese authority wants the economy to go. "So that leads us to leave our 2017 number unchanged," he said.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Monday called for more private and semi-public businesses to invest in the key projects to be launched during China's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20). He said the interests and legitimate rights of investors should be protected.

"The fact that, despite the uncertainties caused by Brexit, the IMF's growth short-term forecast for China remains largely unchanged suggests that the immediate domestic and external threats to China's growth have abated. However, there remain longer-term challenges to sustaining this growth without creating further risks in the financial system," said Eswar Prasad, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a professor at Cornell University.

Prasad, a former IMF official and once its head in China, said the updated IMF forecast helps repudiate the excessively pessimistic views about China's economy that were rampant in financial markets earlier this year, although there is still plenty of ammunition for pessimists to maintain their negative outlook.

The IMF report also said Brexit's fallout is likely to be felt in Japan, where a stronger yen will limit growth. The IMF cut Japan's 2016 growth forecast by 0.2 percentage point, to 0.3 percent. Next year, Japan's economy, the world's third-largest, is expected to expand 0.1 percent, 0.2 percentage point more than predicted in April, due to a postponement of the consumption tax increase.

In the US, weaker-than-expected growth in the first quarter prompted the IMF to reduce its 2016 forecast to a gain of 2.2 percent, 0.2 percentage point less than the April outlook. The IMF left its 2017 forecast for US growth unchanged at 2.5 percent.
'Magnetic'travel push in China Updated: 2016-07-20 11:26 By Chen Yingqun and Ren Jie(China Daily)

A NASA Space Act company, which has developed a magnetic levitation track for personal transportation, believes that China will be its most important market.

SkyTran is headquartered at the NASA Ames Research Center near Mountain View, California. On its website, skyTrain describes its product as a "patented, high-speed, low-cost, elevated Personal Rapid Transportation (PRT) system. The skyTran network of computer-controlled, two-person 'jet-like' vehicles employs unique, state-of-the-art, SkyTran Magnetic Levitation technology. SkyTran moves passengers in a fast, safe, green, and economical manner".

The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Space Act Agreements "enable NASA to enter into partnerships with organizations that give the agency access to a wider range of technologies and capabilities that are not part of NASA's core competency. These partnerships expand NASA's ability to meet the difficult technical challenge faced in space exploration, often at virtually no cost to the taxpayer", skyTran's website said.

Jerry Sanders, chairman and CEO of skyTran Inc, based in Mountain View, California, was in Beijing recently looking for potential partners to bring the company's transportation systems to China.

"We believe China will be skyTran's most important market; we also believe that China needs skyTran, because China is losing 10 or 15 percent of its growth of national products every year ... because its most productive people are stuck in traffic," he said, adding that skyTran's capability to move people 250 kilometers an hour will be an important solution to congestion.

He said that skyTran has completed technological demonstration systems, which were built in Israel, and everything worked well, so it is now working on commercializing the systems.

"We have many, many requests for this system all over the world, and we are working in those places where we believe we can build this system as fast as possible with the government's support," Sanders said.

"So one such place is in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, and I believe we will be building a system there probably starting by the end of this year or beginning of next year," he said, adding that is there also a system in the works at a large European airport, and a number of systems progressing in India.

He said that the ideal place for a skyTran system is a new city, and China is building many new cities, or new areas, where the systems can be integrated into urban planning.

Other good locations are smaller cities, rather than major ones such as Beijing and Shanghai, that would probably be located further west or north in China, where demonstration systems can be built, Sanders said.

SkyTran is looking for Chinese companies with financial strength and knowledge of the transportation sector, or a desire and commitment to enter to the sector.

Sanders said that skyTran could be commercial in two years, and the challenges are not technological but political, and whether politicians are willing and able to commit to a new mode of transportation.

Yu Zhanfu, a principal of Roland Berger, was more conservative in his outlook for the company.

"Without being used on a large scale, whether the technology is mature or not is a question," he said. "And there are no successful cases in other countries that can prove the performance of skyTran."

chenyingqun@chinadaily.com.cn
China offers Philippines chance to discuss ruling, spokesman says Updated: 2016-07-20 12:49 By Li Xiaokun and Wang Qingyun(chinadaily.com.cn)

Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Philippine counterpart during the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Ulaanbaatar that China is willing to talk in an "unofficial engagement", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang confirmed on Tuesday.

"Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on China's principled position on the current situation, saying that China would like to work in unison with the Philippines if the new Philippine government is willing to resume dialogue and consultation, manage disputes and improve bilateral relations together with China," Lu said.

Wang "underscored that it is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people to move China-Philippines relations back to the track of dialogue and consultation," Lu said.

The remarks came after Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Tuesday direct talks with China over maritime disputes were unlikely to start anytime soon due to Beijing's refusal to accept the tribunal ruling on the South China Sea.

"At this point in time, I am not sure whether negotiations can be pursued," Yasay said in an interview with the ABS-CBN network.

Beijing has said it was the first to have discovered, named and exploited the sea and has refused to take part in the tribunal ruling process.

Last week Beijing rejected the ruling on the arbitration case unilaterally brought by the Philippines and said the tribunal ruling cannot be the basis of any discussions.

Yasay said he discussed possibilities of bilateral talks with Wang on the sidelines of last weekend's Asia-Europe meeting in Mongolia but made no progress.

"Let the dust settle some more and let's see how we can open up the road for this kind of negotiation."

Yasay said he was still hopeful both countries could find a way to resolve disputes.

President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines said last week that he would send former president Fidel Ramos to China to start talks on the ruling.

But it remains unknown if Ramos would accept or when, if he did, he would be dispatched.

Xu Liping, a senior research fellow with the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Manila still needs time to calm nationalist sentiment stirred up by the ruling before starting negotiations on the territorial dispute.

After the arbitration case, the new Filipino government has to seek balance among the opposition, pressure from the US and Japan and the public view," Xu said.

"Personally, based on Duterte's recent remarks, I'm cautiously confident about the future of bilateral talks," Xu said.

He said the start of talks, regardless of the progress, will send a strong signal of stability to the global community.

Despite the "nationalist sentiments" in the Philippines, as Xu noted, there are also voices in Manila revealing the background behind the ruling.

Francisco Tatad wrote in a column carried by The Manila Times on July 17 that he "doesn't believe the Aquino government (the previous government before Duterte assumed office in June) was candid enough about everything the public needed to know about the arbitration process".

"For one, contrary to what the public has been led to believe, the Permanent Court of Arbitration is not a real court but a mere provider of dispute resolution services to the international community; an intergovernmental organization which began in 1899, but it is not an organ or institution of the United Nations, which was founded only in 1945," he wrote.

He noted "the government also never told the public how much the arbitration would cost Philippine taxpayers".

On lawyer's fees alone, the Philippine government has spent $30 million.
Marketing Western masters Updated: 2016-07-20 08:03 By Lin Qi(China Daily)

People visit the ongoing exhibition Meet Renoir Under Olive Trees in the 798 Art Zone in Beijing. Photos provided to China Daily

Baijia Lake Art Center Beijing is holding an exhibition of Renoir's works. The event is one among many which is feeding a thirst for Western art. Lin Qi reports.

Yan Lugen, who is in the real estate business, is known as an avid collector of Western art.

He is believed to have amassed hundreds of works of Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin and Auguste Rodin, among others, over the past decade.

The self-made billionaire is passionate about turning his interest in art into a business. So, two years ago he founded the Baijia Lake International Culture Investment Group, which organizes cultural projects, and the company's core product, as he tells China Daily, is to stage shows of "international art masters" at home.

On July 1, Yan inaugurated his Baijia Lake Art Center Beijing, in the 798 Art Zone, with an exhibition called Meet Renoir Under Olive Trees. It has 45 high-resolution reproductions of the French impressionist artist's works.

The original works were painted in the last 20 years of the artist's life, which were spent at Les Collettes, a farm full of olive trees.

The paintings are now scattered among some 20 museums worldwide, according to Teit Ritzau, the CEO of UEG ADM, a Danish company which specializes in traveling exhibits, and which is helping run the ongoing Renoir exhibition.

The one-off copies were made more than a decade ago for a film about Renoir's life by his great-grandson Jacques Renoir, a film director and photographer.

The great-grandson, who attended the exhibition opening, tells China Daily that the Renoir family were authorized by related museums to make these copies of the original paintings.

Jacques Renoir's black-and-white photos of Les Collettes are also on show.
Nanjing event seeks solutions to global problems from artists' perspective Updated: 2016-07-20 07:49 By Deng Zhangyu(China Daily)

Visitors attend last year's Nanjing International Art Festival with the theme A Beautiful New World that discussed globalization. Photo provided to China Daily

The privately funded Nanjing International Art Festival is calling for works from artists across the globe for its third edition to be held from November to February, aiming to find and cultivate artists in and outside China.

It plans to showcase 800 pieces submitted by 400 artists from all over the world, covering paintings, sculpture, installations, videos and photos.

After the show, some of the works will begin a world tour in cities like Tokyo, Paris and New York.

Artists can visit www.njiaf.com to submit their works by Aug 1.

Started in 2014, the annual art festival in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province - a one-hour trip by high-speed train from Shanghai - is funded by collector Yan Lugen and his Nanjing-based real estate company, the Lekyuen Group.

From this year, the art festival will turn biennial, says Yan.

Aiming to make it "China's Venice Biennial", Yan said in 2014 when the art festival was initiated he would invest 3 billion yuan in six years in the art festival.

Yan, who started his own collecting in the 1990s, has a large number of masters' works both from the East and the West.

In 2014 and 2015, the Nanjing International Art Festival had a section called Homage to Masters to display Yan's collection to the public.

The works included pieces by Picasso, Rodin, Monet, Renoir and Gaugin, which helped attract a lot of interest in the exhibition.

The theme of this year's art festival is Scarcity and Supply.

Lu Peng from Central Academy of Fine Arts and Letizia Ragaglia from Italy will jointly curate the show.

A committee of seven international art critics will help the curators select works for the show.

Speaking on the theme, Lu says the art festival tries to present artists' positions, attitudes and opinions on today's world. The theme is also about focusing on the problems facing the globe and to seek solutions from an artist's perspective.

In 2015, the art festival's theme was A Beautiful New World to discuss globalization. It received works from 8,000 artists from about 40 nations and regions.

Speaking of what he hopes to achieve with the event, Yan says: "Through the Nanjing International Art Festival, I hope to build an influential brand to fuel the development of China's art. I know it won't be easy and I have a long road to go."
Lesson in UK's math move Updated: 2016-07-20 07:48 (China Daily USA)

According to media reports, the Chinese way of "math teaching" is set to be introduced in the United Kingdom's primary schools.

According to the program, children as young as 5 in more than 8,000 primary schools in England will be required to practise sums and exercises, and they must master each concept before moving on to the next.

The move has its origins in the results of the mathematical ability tests in the Program for International Student Assessment in 2012, in which students from Shanghai ranked top while students from Britain ranked 26th. Since then, England has welcomed over 120 teachers from Shanghai to share the secrets of their success.

Given that China's "spoon-feeding" educational model has long been controversial at home and abroad, the latest plan to imitate Chinese math teaching in English primary schools may ignite a sense of pride among some Chinese.

However, any jingoism over the move reflects a lack of self-confidence in our education system. If our own teaching methods are believed by ourselves to be perfect, why do we subconsciously care so much about how others look upon them?

In fact, there is no need for us to feel proud of the top scores Chinese students achieve in the international tests aimed at assessing the math ability of students from around the world.

Such tests are not based on the assessment of all qualities of contestants and to rank first does not necessarily mean students from that country have better prospects than students from others.

Real self-confidence usually comes along with modesty and a sense of self-confidence can be developed only after one looks up to his or her shortcomings and cultivates his or her ability to continuously learn from others.

The UK's swift action to adopt Chinese math teaching methods is something we can learn from.

(China Daily USA 07/20/2016 page11)
China key to boosting Australian visitor economy Updated: 2016-07-20 07:49 By Xinhua In Canberra(China Daily)

Australia's visitor economy is on track to generate A$127 billion ($97 billion) by 2020, backed by a surging Chinese visitor market, Tourism Research Australia said last week.

The latest forecasts released by TRA has seen upward revisions in domestic and international visitor numbers and expenditure over the 10-year forecast period.

TRA expects the international visitor growth rate to be 6.7 percent in 2016-17 and 5.9 percent in 2017-18. It is within the target range of $88 billion to $107 billion in overnight visitor expenditure set by the government's Tourism 2020 Strategy. By 2024-25, about 12.3 million international visitors are expected to travel to Australia each year.

According to the TRA forecast, China is expected to overtake New Zealand as Australia's largest visitor source market by 2017-18, two years earlier than previously forecast.

Of Australia's total international visitors, Chinese visitors are estimated to increase from 13 percent in 2014-15 to 26 percent by 2024-25.

"The report should be a catalyst to spur the Federal Government into action to move the visitor economy to the heart of its economic plan for the nation. Tourism is a serious economic driver, delivering jobs for Australians and wealth for the country," Tourism & Transport Forum Australia CEO Margy Osmond says.

By 2024-25, one in every four international visitors traveling to Australia will likely be from China. But with more than 200 million Chinese travelers expected to be heading overseas by 2020, Australia will still be capturing less than 1 percent of this lucrative market.

"We shouldn't be willing to settle for this result. We can do much better than this if the Federal Government is willing to back our successful industry with an economic strategy that allows the sector to reach its full potential," she says.

Chinese visitors take pictures of themselves as they pose in front of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney. Australia is witnessing a surging Chinese visitor market, according to Tourism Research Australia. Reuters

(China Daily 07/20/2016 page19)
Indonesia calls militants to surrender after death of most wanted-terrorist Updated: 2016-07-20 09:30 (Xinhua)

Police carry body bags, one of which is believed to contain the remains of Santoso, the country's most-wanted militant, killed in a clash with security forces, from an ambulance at a hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia July 19, 2016. [PhotoAgencies]

JAKARTA - Indonesia orders all militants hiding in forests in Poso of Central Sulawesi province to surrender to the security forces after their leader, the most-wanted Santoso, was shot dead.

National Police chief General Tito Karnavian on Tuesday asked them to come out from their hideouts and terminate their terrorist acts.

"They (must) leave their hideouts and undergo legal process," the general said at the State Palace.

The police has reported around 19 members of the militant group, the Mujahidin Indonesia Timur, led by Santoso, remain in the jungle of Poso.

The figure has significantly decreased since the Indonesian police and armed forces launched a military operation, starting earlier this year.

Santoso was shot dead by Indonesian soldiers in the forest on Monday, Indonesian Security Chief Minister Luhut Pandjaitan confirmed.

The militant group has links with the IS group and has involved in scores of terrorist strikes in Indonesia, including the suicide bombings in the country's capital of Jakarta on Jan. 24 that killed 8 people and injured nearly 30 others.
Turkey's failed coup to further consolidate Erdogan's power Updated: 2016-07-20 09:35 (Xinhua)

A supporter of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan takes a selfie in front of a giant Turkish national flag during a pro-government demonstration at Taksim square in central Istanbul, Turkey, July 19, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

ANKARA - A failed coup in Turkey will further consolidate the power of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and strengthen his determination for executive presidency, analysts say.

Members of the Gulen movement, a Muslim sect headed by the US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was an ally of President Erdogan before falling out with him in 2013, are accused by the Turkish government of plotting the coup attempt.

Having vanquished the coup attempt, which has cost at least 290 lives, the Turkish government is launching a widespread crackdown with more than 6,000 detained and almost 50,000 civil servants discharged in a bid to strengthen control over all institutions.

Turkey has long been polarized between Erdogan's supporters and his critics over his Islamist and autocratic tendencies, but on the night of July 15, he was able to turn tens of thousands of supporters into the streets, making a call through TV channels against the coup attempt.

Political parties at the parliament declared support for the elected government and denounced the coup attempt. The incident unified many segments of the country which has seen four governments ousted by its military in four decades.

"Eliminating a coup attempt by a faction within the army has become a very important symbol with regards to reinforcing Erdogan's power and political leadership in Turkey," Serkan Demirtas, columnist of local Hurriyet Daily News, told Xinhua.

"Erdogan had challenges throughout his political life, but July 15 coup attempt was the severest," he said.

"Suppressing this attempt made him more powerful, also gave him legitimation for the next political steps in the country," according to Demirtas.

"He initiated to discharge allegedly members of Gulen movement in state institutions, including opponents to him unquestioningly, so that he dissolves dissents," he noted.

Both political figures and media showed a united stance after the incident, Demirtas said, adding that Erdogan has achieved solidarity which was not seen for a long time in the country.

As the ramification of the coup attempt on the Turkish politics, Erdogan moves to a more suitable environment for achieving his ambition to turn the system of Turkey into executive presidency with extended powers, he said.

Nebi Mis, political expert from Foundation for Political, Economical and Social Research (SETA), regarded the coup attempt as a risk posed to the country similar to the Independence War which led to the foundation of Republic of Turkey.

"In the upcoming days, politics in Turkey will focus on cleaning the state from members of the Gulen movement," Mis said.

Since being elected president in 2014, Erdogan has been pushing for a switch to the presidential system for him to emerge as the sole figure calling the shots in the government and in his ruling party.

The current constitution requires a president to be impartial and cut off all his ties with the party he was affiliated with before election.

Erdogan, however, has kept meddling into affairs of the ruling Justice and Development Party, as being one of the founders and leader of the party till 2014.
AsiaTown, on east side of Cleveland, is cohesive, thriving Updated: 2016-07-20 11:26 By Paul Welitzkin and Wang Linyan in Cleveland(China Daily USA)

Lisa Wong and Johnny Wu, both proud to call Cleveland home, pose with a rabbit that was used in a previous celebration for the Year of the Rabbit. NANCY KONG / CHINA DAILY

The Asian community of Cleveland and Northeast Ohio is building an enclave to showcase its growing economic and social footprint.

Located in a roughly 20-block section on Cleveland's east side, AsiaTown has elements that represent virtually all of the ethnically diverse cultures found in the area's Asian community.

"We want AsiaTown to become as well known as the Tremont and Ohio City neighborhoods," said Johnny Wu, who heads his own video production and branding company called Media Design Imaging in AsiaTown.

"We are diverse, and the area has businesses and organizations that include the Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean and even some Hispanic folks," he added.

Lisa Wong, president of the Organization of Chinese Americans Greater Cleveland, said the Republican National Convention will give the city a chance to reintroduce itself this week.

"I believe (the convention) puts us in the limelight and will allow us to reach some who may have old or outdated images of Cleveland," she said.

Wong, a third-generation Chinese American, has lived her entire life in the area. "I am very proud to be from Cleveland," she said. "We want AsiaTown to be a place where immigrants can find a job and a place to live before they learn English. They can speak in the same dialect that my grandparents used in South China."

Wu said the 2010 Census put the Asian community population at about 32,000 in Cuyahoga County, which includes Cleveland. The Chinese have been in Cleveland for well over 100 years.

Wu was born in Cleveland but raised in Central America, as his father was a diplomat. "I came back in the late 1980s to get away from my parents," he said with a smile.

Wu and Wong said they believe the area is welcoming to the Chinese and all Asians. "Cleveland has been good with diversity, and it is a welcoming city," Wu said.

Many of the Chinese and other Asians in the community are employed as educators, said Wong, noting that Case Western Reserve, Cleveland State and John Carroll are among the universities and colleges in the area.

Cleveland is also becoming known as a nationally recognized city for health care. "We also have many Asians and Chinese employed at the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals," she added.

For seven years, the Cleveland Asian Festival, founded in part by Wu, has grown to become a go-to event for the community.

"We had almost 50,000 attend this year's festival (a two-day event) last May," Wu said. "We want to recognize our community's culture, diversity and people."

Wong and WU believe that one of Cleveland's best attributes is its size. The city has a population of about 388,000, according to a Census Bureau estimate in 2015.

"It's just the right size - not too big and not too small," Wong said.

Contact the writers at paulwelitzkin@chinadailyusa.com, wanglinyan@chinadailyusa.com
Brussels center closed off as police detain suspicious man; bomb squad called Updated: 2016-07-20 23:32 By Fu Jing in Brussels(chinadaily.com.cn)

A cyclist rides past the Royal Palace in Brussels as workers set up platforms for the traditional military parade of Belgium's National Day, July 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Police and bomb squad specialists sealed off streets around the Place del La Monnaie in central Brussels on Wednesday after a man was spotted wearing a heavy winter coat with wires protruding from it, despite high 30 degree Celsius summer temperatures.

Eyewitnesses said the man had been forced to kneel with his hands up as police held him at gunpoint. Bomb squad specialists were checking him.

Shops were evacuated and streets closed as police said the man was "under control" but had not yet been arrested.

The incident comes only hours before the country celebrates its National Day, with a series of events that entailed closing streets and redirecting traffic in the city center.

The events include a grand ball, concerts, religious services, military parades and street stalls selling food and drink.

There will be a huge firework display tomorrow evening, exactly a week after similar celebrations in neighboring France to celebrate Bastille Day were marred by a terror attack on a crowd watching a late night firework show in Nice.

The attacker drove a truck at high speed into a crowd, killing 84 and injuring 202 before dying in a shootout with police. Officers found automatic rifles, assault weapons and a dummy grenade in the cab.

In March three suicide bombers killed 32 people and injured more than 300 in attacks in the center of Brussels and the airport. The three bombers died.

To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com.cn
Beijing has urged Manila to "walk out of its wrong path" after the top Philippine diplomat refused China's proposal to put aside the recent ruling in an arbitration case concerning the South China Sea.

Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay told Philippine television ABS-CBN on Tuesday that when he met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Mongolia last week, he declined China's proposal to reopen bilateral negotiations by disregarding the arbitral ruling announced on July 12.

In response, the Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Office told China Daily in a written reply on Wednesday that "there is still time if timely remedy is made" by Manila.

"China expects the Philippines to walk out of its wrong path at an early date, chart a new course, meet China halfway and once again return to the consensus on resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation," the office said.

As the unilateral initiator of the arbitration case, Manila has "paid huge amounts of money" from taxpayers to the Arbitral Tribunal at The Hague as well as to the lawyers from the West, the office said.

Chen Qinghong, a researcher on Philippine studies with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said that if the administration of new Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte persists in a hardline stance toward China and tries to use the ruling for bargaining, this may trigger countermeasures by Beijing.

"Still, shelving the arbitration is the best option, as it offers considerable space for navigating the relationship out of deadlock," Chen said.

Also on Wednesday, US Vice-President Joe Biden assured key ally Australia that there would be no retreat from Washington's so-called pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, regardless of who wins November's presidential election.

Biden said in Sydney that the US military would continue to underpin freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Reuters reported.

Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the PLA Naval Military Studies Research Institute, said the US military's presence in the South China Sea only worsens the situation in the region.

US "freedom of navigation" actions  approaching or even intruding on territorial waters  and military drills led by the United States and its allies are "drastically provocative, and such actions should stop immediately", Zhang said.

Recently, Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for strengthened combat readiness and well-organized naval and air patrols to "resolutely and properly tackle various emergencies" and safeguard border security.

Fan made the call during a recent inspection of the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, PLA Daily reported on Wednesday.

zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn
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Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front row taxi ridesymbolic of the shows content as a fun ride that takes audiences from point A to point B. Gabina VOAs main goal is Enlightening young people, introducing them to cutting-edge technological innovations, exposing them to new processes and ideas so they can be productive, informed and self-governing citizens.
The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the HCM Stock Exchange (HOSE) yesterday committed to support the Vietnamese business community in developing sustainability that would help the economys international integration.  Photo enternews.vn

HA NOI  The Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the HCM Stock Exchange (HOSE) yesterday committed to support the Vietnamese business community in developing sustainability that would help the economys international integration.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two sides yesterday, VCCI and HOSE would co-operate in research, discussing and sharing experiences and good practices of sustainable development; improving companies awareness of sustainable development; and developing green financial products for the Vietnamese financial market.

VCCI General Secretary Pham Thi Thu Hang said the chamber would help encourage companies to list on the HOSE through communication campaigns.

Chairman of the HOSEs Board of Directors, Tran ac Sinh, expressed his appreciation of the co-operation agreement, saying it marked progress of the Vietnamese stock market, in general, and HOSE in particular on the path of development.

Sinh said the Ministry of Finance had assigned the exchange to be a pioneer in developing new concepts of sustainability in the stock sector and promoting a green capital market.

The exchange will therefore build a sustainable development index of listed companies, scheduled to be launched at the beginning of 2017.

HOSE was also conducting research and developing green corporate bonds, aimed at supporting enterprises in calling for investments in sustainable development projects, Sinh added.

The exchanges leader also confirmed that HOSE would join VCCI in efforts to help enterprises raise their competitiveness and management capacity.

This year, in the framework of the Viet Nam climate finance capacity building programme sponsored by the Korea International Co-operation Agency, HOSE has co-operated with Koreas Yonsei University to open training courses on climate finance.  VNS




HA NOI  The French government has decided to bestow the Legion of Honour on Vietnamese-French professor Le Kim Ngoc, a biologist, for her contributions to Frances scientific development and her charitable activities for Vietnamese orphans.

The Legion of Honour, or the National Order of the Legion of Honour, is the highest French honour for military and civil merits, established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Ngoc was born in the southern province of Vinh Long. In 1956, she graduated from the Natural Science Faculty of Sorbonne University in France. Later, she studied for a PhD at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) also in France. Following the completion of her study programme, she was appointed as the director of CNRS.

Ngoc became well-known across the world after she introduced the concept of a thin cell layer in the 70s.

In the book Thin Cell Layer, published by Kluwer Academic, Canadian Prof Gamborg from Calgary University praised her work as a new method that had revolutionized flora biology technology.

Since 1970, along with her husband Prof Tran Thanh Van, she has run an association in France to raise funds for Vietnamese children, which became a member of the International Federation of SOS Childrens Villages in 1972.

The couple funded the construction of the a Lat SOS Childrens Village in 1974 and the ong Hoi SOS Childrens Village in 2005. They also provided funds to support children at the a Lat and Hue SOS Childrens Villages in 1990 and 2000, respectively.

Prof Van also received the Legion of Honour from the French government, in 1999, for his contributions to Frances scientific development.

The couple, now in their 80s, visit Viet Nams central Binh inh Provinces Quy Nhon City, where they are organising the programme Meeting Viet Nam, which is being held for the 12th time. First launched in 1993 by Van, the meeting series created opportunities for Vietnamese scientists to access advanced science and meet with famous scientists from around the world and encouraging young Vietnamese scholars scientific studies and initiatives.

The couple were also honoured for their contributions to child care and protection, as well as to the countrys science and education sectors for the past 40 years.

Since 2001, they have had the support of Prof Odon Vallet of Frances Sorbonne University in sponsoring the Vallet Scholarship for Vietnamese students, providing approximately 25,000 scholarships, worth VN120 billion (US$5.5 million), to students nationwide.  VNS
A NANG  More than 110 Overseas Vietnamese youths from countries worldwide began a four-day tour of Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and a Nang as part of Viet Nam Summer Camp 2016 on July 19-23.

The summer camp, which has been organised by the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2004 will take youths on a tour around the UNESCO-recognised world heritages including Hue Monuments Complex, My Son Sanctuary, Hoi An ancient town and the Son My Vestige site in Quang Ngai Province before visiting destinations in a Nang city.

This years camp, which was given the title Oversea Vietnamese youths with National Cultural Heritages, features a tour around world heritages in central Viet Nam.

The Overseas Vietnamese youth delegation will also join a series of activities in a Nang including re-planting trees for the protection of beach areas, donating books for street childrens centres and an exchange with a Nang citys youths union.

Its the second time that the camp has taken place in the central region and a Nang city.

In 2014, 170 overseas Vietnamese youths living in 30 countries worldwide also took part in a five-day tour of Ha Noi, a Nang and HCM City.  VNS
The 14th National Assembly will convene its first session in Ha Noi from July 20 to 29, Vice Secretary General of the NA, Le Minh Thong, told a press conference in the capital yesterday.  Photo chinhphu.vn

HA NOI  The 14th National Assembly will convene its first session in Ha Noi from July 20 to 29, Vice Secretary General of the NA, Le Minh Thong, told a press conference in the capital yesterday. The opening and closing sessions will be televised nationwide.

Legislators will spend six days discussing and deciding on the appointments to the States top posts.

The NA will elect its Chairperson and Vice Chairs, members of the NA Standing Committee, the Chair of the NA Ethnic Council, the heads of the NA committees, and the NA Secretary General. Lawmakers will also elect the State President and Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Peoples Court and the State Auditor General.

They will also approve the appointment of Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and other government members, Vice Chairs and members of the National Defence and Security Council.

The NA will also hear the National Election Councils report on the outcome of the election of deputies to the 14th NA and the Peoples Councils at all levels for 2016-2021.

The remaining two days will be spent on key issues, including the governments report on socio-economic development and State budget for the first half of this year, the socio-economic development and State budget for the second half of this year, approval of the State budget estimate and the NAs resolutions on laws and ordinances, the NAs supervision programme for 2017 and the establishment of specialised inspection groups.

Clarifying the recent disapproval of Trinh Xuan Thanh, Vice Chairman of the Peoples Committee of southern Hau Giang province, and of Nguyen Thi Nguyet Huong, NA Secretary General Nguyen Hanh Phuc said all members of the National Election Council cast ballots disapproving of Thanhs position over his violations of the law.

Huong, who was a deputy in the 12th and 13th NA and a member of the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front, was found to have violated the Law on Vietnamese Nationality.

Regarding the delayed enforcement of the Criminal Code, Phuc said the legislature was willing to take responsibility for the issue.

In the foreseeable future, the NA would consider the responsibility of relevant agencies and individuals for the issue, he said.

Phuc also answered reporters queries regarding the rituals of being sworn-in to the top posts and law-making, among others.  VNS
Vice President ang Thi Ngoc Thinh addressed a high-level segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on Monday (local time), emphasising the need for a paradigm shift in development thinking.  VNA/VNS Photo

HA NOI  Vice President ang Thi Ngoc Thinh addressed a high-level segment of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on Monday (local time), emphasising the need for a paradigm shift in development thinking.

In her speech, she affirmed that the three dimensions of sustainable development  economic, social and environmental  were interlinked and interdependent, and that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) would only be achieved in an environment of peace and security on the basis of respect for international law.

I believe that the SDGs must be aligned with and integrated into the development strategies and policies of all nations, she said.

She hailed the theme No one left behind, saying it reflected the resolve of the international community in turning global commitments into actions to achieve concrete outcomes. It was an ethical imperative of the 2030 Agenda and called for the community to support the disadvantaged and less fortunate and institute justice in life and in society, the Vice President added.

As a war-devastated country that was faced with the risk of being left behind, Viet Nam had done its utmost to find a way to move forward, she said.

In the formulation and implementation of policies, we always place our people at the centre and consider the people the driving force for development, she said, adding that special attention was paid to the most vulnerable.

She said Viet Nam would actively contribute to the work of ECOSOC, first and foremost, by implementing the 2030 Agenda with its highest political commitment.

The same day, Thinh, together with the Norwegian Prime Minister, the President of the UN General Assembly, the UN Vice General Secretary and New York authorities, attended an exhibition on the environment.

On the sidelines of the meeting, she met with officials of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia Pacific, during which they discussed building a roadmap to implement the 2030 Agenda within the ESCAP framework.  VNS
HCM CITY  Deputy PM Vuong inh Hue has promised help from the Government for the tourism sector in the central provinces hit hard by the Formosa environmental disaster.

Hue spoke at a conference held last Friday at the Government Office in Ha Noi about sustainable development of the tourism industry, particularly in the wake of the Formosa incident.

Tourism was hit hardest in the central province of Quang Binh among the four provinces affected by the toxic aftermath caused by the illegal discharge of untreated waste water from the Formosa Plastics Group plant in the central province of Ha Tinh.

The number of tourists in Quang Binh in recent months fell 20 per cent to 1.3 million, compared to the same period last year, according to the Tran Tien Dung, vice chairman of Quang Binh Provinces Peoples Committee.

Construction on several new hotels and restaurants in the province has been temporarily shelved, Dung said. Investors are waiting for the situation to improve to resume their work.

Travel companies and hotels in Quang Binh have had to reduce staff to cut costs due to fewer tourists, while measures taken by the provincial government and local companies have failed to reverse the decline in tourist arrivals.

Besides beautiful beaches, Quang Binh Province is the site of Son Doong, the worlds largest cave, and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, named a World Heritage site in 2003.

In the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, the Formosa disaster has had less of an impact.

Nguyen Dung, vice chairman of the provinces peoples committee, said the number of tourists to Hue rose by 8 per cent in April, the peak time of the Formosa incident.

Dung attributed the increase to the provinces tourism cooperation with a Nang City and Hoi An in the central province of Quang Nam.

The province has also combined cultural and religious tourism, along with festival tourism, in a bid to lure more local and foreign visitors.

Govt action

Deputy PM Hue said the Government would cooperate with localities to resolve the Formosa incident but he also noted that the provincial governments must be proactive and creative. He urged them to learn from Thua Thien-Hue Provinces tourism initiatives.

He said that provinces still lacked linkages with other areas and that the public needed to be more aware about the importance of tourism.

The Government would continue to fund tourism activities but with more careful consideration, Hue said, adding that provinces and cities must begin to take the initiative. Capital is not enough, he said.

ang Viet Dung, vice chairman of a Nangs Peoples Committee, said a lack of linkages among localities and effective tourism promotions were part of the problem.

He also pointed out that more Vietnamese were choosing to travel abroad instead of locally on their holidays.

Nguyen Xuan Binh, vice chairman of the northern port city of Hai Phongs Peoples Committee, said the tourism industry still faced challenges in competitiveness and sustainable growth, including a shortage of skilled workers and lack of high-quality services.

The negative images of street vendors and overcharging for services, for example, had damaged the tourism industry.

Experts have said that Viet Nam should develop solutions to better balance conservation and economic growth and benefits for communities, businesses and government agencies.

In early April, large quantities of fish washed up near the Vung Ang Economic Zone in the central province of Ha Tinh.

The disaster stretched 200 kilometres along the central Vietnamese coast, as far south as Thua Thien-Hue, resulting in the mass death of more than 70 tonnes of fish and 35 tonnes of farm-raised fish.

The hardest hit were Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Quang Binh and Thua Thien-Hue provinces where thousands of fishermen lost customers or were forced to sell fish at a loss.

In late June, Formosa Ha Tinh Steel acknowledged that its $10.6 billion steel plant had been responsible for the massive fish deaths, pledging to pay $500 million to compensate for damages.

The central government has assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop a blueprint that earmarks tourism as a key economic industry of the country.  VNS
President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan delivers speesch at the 5th Congress of the Viet Nam Co-operative Alliance (VCA) in Ha Noi yesterday.  VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Dan

HA NOI  It is necessary to reorganise the co-operative sector through gathering individual producers in cooperatives and cooperative groups in the time ahead, said President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan.

At the 5th Congress of the Viet Nam Co-operative Alliance (VCA) in Ha Noi yesterday, the VFF leader stressed the need to roll out measures to make Viet Nams co-operative economy develop in line with the general global trend.

He asked the VCA to arrange more campaigns nationwide to spread information on the 2012 Law on Co-operatives and the role played by new-style co-operatives towards improving the efficiency of individual production and business units and seeking markets for co-operatives members.

Outstanding models of new-style co-operatives in agriculture, transport and handicrafts should be introduced to farmers, so they are active in forming new-style co-operatives and co-operative groups owned by themselves, he stressed.

Additionally, special attention must be paid to training people who are or will be leaders of co-operatives in the future, he said, adding that it was necessary to solve difficulties concerning goods consumption, technology development and land facing co-operatives now.

According to VCA Vice Chairman Nguyen ac Thang, a total of 5,000 co-operatives and 150,000 co-operative groups were set up over the last five years, contributing about 5 per cent to the national GDP. The sector recorded a 3 per cent growth between 2012-2014.

Some new-style co-operative models, which have a connection to goods value chains have been taking shape in the period; while many co-operatives have expanded production and business, promoted technological application and enhanced links with other economic sectors.

However, he also pointed out limitations in enforcing the 2012 Law on Co-operatives, saying that the issuance of documents guiding the enforcement of the law and the States support policies for co-operatives remained slow and unsystematic.

The state management for the co-operative economy from central to local levels was not consistent, he noted, adding that the role and position played by the VCA has yet to meet requirements, in the context of fostering integration.

VCA Chairman Vo Kim Cu stated that the alliance would focus on developing new-style co-operatives in connection with building value chains of goods and prioritising the development of public service co-operatives and those specialising in producing materials, preserving, processing and selling products for their members.

It is set to increase the number of co-operative groups to 250,000 by 2020, with 5 per cent of the total being developed into full co-operatives. The average income of co-operative members and labourers was expected to double the 2015 figure, he said.

The congress elected a 142-strong executive board for the 2016-2020 tenure, led by Cu.  VNS
The Government should bar certain industries from exploiting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) lest they damage public health, health activists warned yesterday.  Photo tamnhin.net

HA NOI  The Government should bar certain industries from exploiting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) lest they damage public health, health activists warned yesterday.

The historic free trade agreement is set to create a freer flow of commerce and win-win trade among its members by establishing a level playing field for all parties and investors. Yet it might challenge the Government to implement measures to protect the public health when some industries, like tobacco and alcohol, take advantage of the TPP to expand their businesses, said Mary Sunta, a senior policy consultant of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance.

She addressed the issue at a workshop on the impacts of TPP on public health held in Ha Noi yesterday.

As far as I am concerned, there are seven chapters in the TPP vulnerable to any challengers of the tobacco industry, Sunta said.

Those chapters include provisions regarding tariff removal, which could result in lower cigarette prices and a cigarette package without pictorial warnings.

As a matter of fact, applying a higher tariff/tax on cigarettes and its selling prices is proven to be the most effective strategy to reduce the tobacco demand in the short-term, Sunta said.

Statistics of the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that Viet Nam is ranked 15th in the world in terms of the number of smokers - about 40 per cent of men smoke. About 72,800 people died of tobacco-caused diseases, equal to a loss of roughly US$78 million every year, according to the Tobacco Atlas.

TPPs provisions are likely to cause a similar headache for the Government in another health-affected industry in Viet Nam that has shown remarkable growth in the last decade: the alcohol industry.

Member parties of the TPP committed to bring the tariffs of alcoholic beverages, from beer to wine and whiskies, down to zero over a 12-year span.

The TPP enactment is expected to open wide the door for foreign alcoholic beverage manufacturers, especially from the US, into the Vietnamese market, which has already been seeing a strong growth of demand averaging 10 per cent a year.

Efforts to force higher price tags on the beverages to reduce the alcohol consumption are deemed difficult for the Vietnamese Government due to the tariff removal commitment in the TPP, while criticism from other states and alcohol manufacturers might hurt Viet Nam in implementing other measures, like limiting advertisement and stamping health warnings on the products. Those measures are likely to be categorised as technical barriers to trade.

Dispute settlement

The TPP includes a legal mechanism to settle disputes between foreign investors and their host country, called the ISDS (Investor-State Dispute Settlement). Under the IDSD, foreign investors can legally challenge host state regulations outside that countrys courts.

The ISDS has been used several times since its introduction in international trade agreements, most notably by the tobacco industry.

Many countries like Thailand, Australia, Uruguay and Sri Lanka were sued by tobacco companies when they tried to pass a law on the cigarette packaging to raise public awareness of the dangers of smoking.

The ISDS is also available to claims by alcohol or asbestos producers.

Asbestos was found to cause cancers since 2001. Any companies that import, distribute and use asbestos should be exempted from the IDSD provision, said Tran Tuan from the Advocacy Network on Banning Asbestos Use in Viet Nam (VN-BAN).

Viet Nam is among the top 10 countries in the world using asbestos  a carcinogenic substance as categorised by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The historic TPP was signed on February 4, 2016 in Auckland by 12 states including Viet Nam, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Chile, Peru, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and the United States, after seven years of negotiations. The trade agreement is awaiting ratification by each of its member countries before entering into force. Viet Nam expects to ratify the agreement late this year.  VNS
HA NOI  A US$300,000 agreement has been signed for improving the hygiene and sanitary conditions of 15,000 women and girls in 7,500 poor and near-poor households in Viet Nam.

The project will be implemented in six drought-stricken districts in Central Highlands and Mekong Delta provinces.

Under the agreement signed by the government of the Republic of Korea and UN Women, the funds will be used to prevent the spread of diarrhoea, dysentery, hand, foot and mouth diseases, and dengue, besides skin diseases by donating supplies and raising awareness about the importance of sanitation and good nutrition for women. The grant will also support income-generating activities.

Shoko Ishikawa, UN Women country representative in Viet Nam, said, This grant helps us deliver essential items such as soap and sanitary products to women in the drought-affected areas to maintain their hygiene and of their families. These supplies will prevent diseases and help women and their families stay healthy.

South Korean ambassador to Viet Nam, Lee Hyuk, said, "In line with the governments initiative for Better Life for Girls, we hope the support will have a meaningful impact in improving the sanitary conditions and hygiene of women and girls in the drought-affected areas and in reducing the risk of secondary effects such as disease outbreaks.

South Korea would continue to support efforts to address climate change in Viet Nam, such as by sharing experiences and knowledge on sustainable environment and climate policies, he said.

As a result of the El Nino weather phenomenon, provinces in the central and the Central Highlands regions of the country have been experiencing severe drought since the beginning of 2016.

Two million people, including one million women and 520,000 children, face hardship in accessing water, lack sanitation and hygiene and require urgent humanitarian assistance, according to UN Women.

Lack of access to clean water and sanitation has increased health risks, particularly for women. Due to the impact of drought and saltwater intrusion, women spend an additional two to three hours collecting water for their families.

In addition to the Korean grant, UN Women also received US$400,000 from the Central Emergency Response Fund to support 20,000 women and girls in the drought-affected provinces.

In March this year, the government of Viet Nam asked for assistance as 18 of its 63 provinces suffered from the worst drought in more than 60 years. The Mekong Delta, south-central and Central Highlands regions are the areas worst-affected by salt intrusion and water scarcity.

The government of Viet Nam, the United Nations and partners have appealed to the international community to support a US$48.5-million emergency plan to respond to the humanitarian situation.  VNS
A NANG  A team comprising the citys tourism inspection and immigration police force found five Chinese nationals illegally operating tourist and accounting services in Son Tra Districts Nature Love Company Ltd.

During an inspection on Monday, the team found that the five Chinese, who had entered Viet Nam as tourists, had violated immigration, residency and labour regulations in the city.

The Chinese persons did not declare to the local administration their intention to reside, and started working in the country without permission, 15 days after entering Viet Nam.

Deputy Director of the citys tourism department Tran Chi Cuong said the department in co-operation with the public security force, had completed a report on the case before proposing a strict fine for the violations committed by the Chinese nationals.

He said the Chinese had worked as tourist guides and had done accounting jobs for the company, which handled Chinese tour groups visiting destinations in the city and the central region.

Its the second such case in which the citys police and tourism inspection team have found Chinese nationals illegally operating tourist services and violating residency laws.

On July 6, the city fined six Chinese nationals VN125 million (about US$5,500) for illegally operating tourist services and violating residency laws.

According to the citys tourism department, at least 60 Chinese guides were working illegally in the city, and most of the Chinese travel agencies handling Chinese tour groups disguised operations with a Vietnamese licence, as directed by Chinese managers.

Local Vietnamese guides had made a video clip and taken a photo of a Chinese guide Xue Chun Zhe, who had presented a distorted view of Vietnamese history and culture during a tour of the Linh Ung Pagoda and My Khe Beach.

Last month, the citys tourism department revoked the business licence of a local travel agency for nine months, after one of its Chinese tourists burnt Vietnamese money in a downtown bar in the city.

a Nangs tourism department distributed 5,000 leaflets in Chinese last week, promoting a code of conduct for Chinese tourists at airports, stations, destinations and hotels, besides resorts and public areas.

The central city hosted 600,000 Chinese tourists in the first half this year, an 83 per cent increase in comparison with last year. Chinese tourists comprised a quarter of all tourists visiting the city.

The citys Party Secretary Nguyen Xuan Anh said the city did not discriminate Chinese tourists from other foreign tourists, but the city would fine visitors who violated the law or committed any wrongdoing.

The city plans to establish a tourism police force as a pilot project to boost security for tourists and the tourism sector in the 2016-2020 period.  VNS
HA NOI  Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien yesterday said that any healthcare provider would be rejected from their work if they broke the code of ethnics and damaged the image of Vietnamese doctors.

The healthcare sector is determined to improve service delivery quality and attitude to patients in order to better satisfy patients and service users. From the middle of last year, the Health Ministry launched a programme on improving healthcare providers manners and attitude to better serve patients.

Minister Tien spoke via an online meeting yesterday with health officials across the country, commenting that patients satisfaction of healthcare services was a top goal for the healthcare sector.

According to reports released at the meeting yesterday, five healthcare providers were fired, seven people were dismissed from their duties, 50 people were assigned to other positions and more than 15,800 people were disciplined as they were found to have committed wrongdoings against patients.

The Health Ministrys hotline  19009095  received over 4,000 calls in the last six months, about 40 per cent of which were patient complaints on hospital infrastructure and poor facilities, 28 per cent related to professional procedures and 14 per cent related to healthcare providers attitude and performance.

Hospitals and healthcare centres must pay attention to both medical services and non-medical services like parking, security, canteens and transportation in hospitals, Tien said.

She asked hospital managers to review the operation of such services, particularly those provided by companies which are not under the management of hospitals.

Hospitals must ensure transparent biddings to select providers of such hospital logistic services, she said.  VNS
CLEVELAND - Republicans formally chose Donald Trump as the partys presidential nominee yesterday, a landmark moment in American politics and a stunning victory for a man whose White House ambitions were once openly mocked.

After a roller-coaster campaign that saw Trump defeat 16 rivals and steamroller stubborn party opposition, the tycoon said it was time to "go all the way" and beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in November.

"This is a movement," he told the delegates via video link.

On the convention floor, states from Alabama to West Virginia took it in turns to pledge their delegates.

It turned to Trumps home state of New York, represented by a coterie of Trumps adult children, to hand him the majority-plus-one needed to clinch the nomination.

"Its my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegation count tonight," Donald Trump Jr said to cheers and applause.

When the bombastic mogul came down the escalators of Trump Towers in New York 13 months ago to announce his candidacy, few experts gave him even the faintest chance.

His campaign has defied political norms -- embracing racially inflammatory policies, offending key voting blocks, eschewing big-spending advertising campaigns and relying on saturated media coverage above campaign structure.

"Its unbelievable. Its surreal. Im so proud of my father," said Trumps eldest daughter and businesswoman Ivanka Trump, often described as his secret weapon.

"Hes the ultimate outsider and he did it. We are so proud of him."

Closing ranks

Trump became the presumptive nominee nearly two months ago. But relentless controversy over his campaign rhetoric and a simmering movement by anti-Trump delegates to deny him the nomination made it less than a foregone conclusion.

Around the convention floor, Trumps victory was far from universally welcomed.

Many delegates clapped politely after his victory, a few angrily walked out or voiced their unease.

Several states refused to honour party convention and pledge their delegates to a frontrunner who was by then unopposed.

"Im disappointed said Utah Senator Mike Lee. "But it is what it is."

Washington delegate Teri Galvez said baldly: "We do not support Donald Trump."

The main enemy

But as the last vestiges of Republican resistance were quashed, there fresh signs that the party establishment had thrown its lot in with Trump in a bid to beat Clinton.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie led delegates in declaring Clinton "guilty" and encouraged visceral chants of "lock her up".

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan declared "the Obama years are almost over. The Clinton years are way over. Two-thousand sixteen is the year America moves on."

The Trump campaign will hope that distain for Clinton will unite the party and make a series of missteps irrelevant.

"The party is unified, were all here, I will bet you, if you polled this place, there is not one vote for Hillary Clinton in this building," key Trump lieutenant Corey Lewandowski said.

"People are ready for a fundamental and unequivocal change in Washington and the person who is going to bring that is Donald Trump."

Before Trump emerged victorious, it had been a brutal week for the candidate.

His glamorous wife Melania Trump brought some pizzazz to the proceedings on the opening night.

But an embarrassing plagiarism scandal tarnished her prime-time speech -- and brought her husbands presidential campaign under withering scrutiny.

While the controversy burned and social media erupted with mocking commentary, the Trump team appeared in chaos -- with denials of wrongdoing, followed by tacit admissions, followed by attempts to insulate Melania.

Earlier delegates exchanged jeers and heckles as anti-Trump forces tried in vain to thwart his nomination.

Clinton wasted no time seeking to capitalise on Trumps party victory.

"Donald Trump just became the Republican nominee. Chip in now to make sure he never steps foot in the Oval Office," she said in a fundraising tweet.  AFP
PARIS - Frances National Assembly voted in the early hours of today to extend the countrys state of emergency for six months following last weeks massacre in Nice.

The state of emergency has been in place since the Paris attacks in November, and the extension would see the measures -- which give the police extra powers to carry out searches and place people under house arrest -- remain in place until the end of January 2017.

It is the fourth time that parliament has proposed prolonging the state of emergency, and the move now needs to be approved by the Senate.

President Francois Hollande had last Thursday announced a plan to lift the emergency secuirty measures, but changed tack hours later after a truck driver ploughed through a crowd at Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, killing 84 people in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Hollandes Socialist government has been under heavy criticism from the right for its response to the slew of extremist attacks.

The fact the president was open to the six-month extension was seen as a concession to opposition Republicans who have demanded that the state of emergency be maintained through to the end of the year.

With elections due next year, the political unity seen after last years attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has evaporated.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve has defended the government, saying it has bolstered security notably by sending thousands of troops into the streets.

Live with the threat

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned yesterday that the country must be prepared for more deadly attacks and will have to "learn to live with the threat".

But the Socialists have also said they will draw the line at some of the oppositions more controversial demands.

Republican leader and former president Nicolas Sarkozy, eyeing another run for the top job next year, has called for anyone showing signs of being radicalised to be forced to wear an electronic tag, placed under house arrest or kept in a detention centre.

While some on the right think the six-month extension is not sufficient, there are also critics on the left concerned about civil liberties who say even with the state of emergency in place an attack occurred.

"We cant lock people up on the basis of mere suspicion, or suspicion of suspicion," minister for parliamentary relations Jean-Marie Le Guen said yesterday.

Valls hit out at the Republicans number two, Laurent Wauquiez, after this mornings National Assembly vote.

"While this government is in place in France, there will be no detention of suspects for an indeterminate duration," he said.

Investigators say that 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, who used a 19-tonne truck to mow down revellers enjoying Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, had shown "recent interest" in jihadist activity.

Authorities found "very violent" photos on his computer, including of corpses, fighters posing with the IS flag and photos of Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.

However, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said there was no direct evidence of the Tunisians links to the Islamic State group (IS) -- which has claimed him as one of their "fighters."  AFP
BAMAKO - Seventeen soldiers were killed and 35 wounded in central Mali yesterday in an assault on their base that authorities called a "coordinated terrorist attack".

"The toll has increased: we have lost 17 men and 35 are wounded," Malis defence minister Tieman Hubert Coulibaly said. Authorities had earlier announced that 12 soldiers were killed.

Coulibaly called the assault a "coordinated terrorist attack on our positions," but did not say who was responsible.

In the hours after the assaults two groups -- one jihadist, the other ethnic -- both claimed to have carried out the raid on the military camp in Nampala.

Islamist group Ansar Dine said in a message that it carried out a "huge attack" that had killed "dozens of soldiers and wound(ed) large numbers," according to the US-based group SITE that monitors jihadist communications.

Ansar Dine, which is one of several active jihadist groups roaming Malis north, also claimed to have taken control of the army barracks and carried off a large quantity of "spoils".

Yesterday, a group from the ethnic Peul community, calling themselves the National Alliance for the Protection of Peul Identity and Restoration of Justice (ANSIPRJ), said they had killed eight troops in the attack.

We are being careful

"It was self-defence", said Sidy Cisse, a senior ANSIPRJ commander, adding three of his men were hurt.

The group also claimed to have wounded 11 soldiers, as well as making off with two trucks and five pick-up trucks.

Senior figures within ANSIPRJ are also members of a Peul association that decried the murder of what it said were several Peuls falsely accused of supporting jihadists active in the area.

Several security sources in the region said that they doubted the veracity of the claim of responsibility from ANSIPRJ as the group was only founded last month following inter-communal clashes in the area and lacked the means to mount an attack.

Coulibaly said the government was aware "a group had issued a claim. We are being careful."

"One thing is sure, this was a terrorist action that targeted a military objective. So an appropriate military response is forthcoming," he added.

The Malian government said the attackers would be hunted down and punished, and that the military had control of Nampala.

Northern Mali 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.

But attacks are now becoming more frequent in the countrys centre, close to its borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, both from criminal and jihadist elements.

Although Islamists were largely ousted by an ongoing French-led military operation launched in January 2013, sporadic attacks from desert hideouts are common.  AFP
The existing Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan was signed on 29th July 2006 for a period of ten years. Discussions were held between both countries at New Delhi on 05-06 July 2016, to finalise the text of the draft new Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit.

The visiting Bhutanese delegation was led by Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.

After deliberations, it was agreed that the new Agreement may be signed at the earliest, after obtaining the internal approvals by both the sides, and it would be made effective from a mutually agreed date. Both sides agreed that, in the interim, to prevent disruption of trade, the existing Agreement may be extended for a period of one year or till the date of coming into force of the new Agreement, whichever is earlier.

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Wipros Chief Financial Officer Jatin Dalal tells Apurva Venkat and Bibhu Ranjan Mishra why the company is optimistic about future prospects getting brighter because of investments the company is making now. Edited excerpts:


00:28 Medibank risks multi-million dollar loss Analysts have predicted health insurer Medibank could pay up to $150 million as the company exposes itself to potential class actions.

Big part of Liberal history has been to clean up Labor messes: Dutton 16:12 Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says he expects he'll have to "clean up a big mess" left by the Labor party in three years' time.

Dutton: Coalition determined to win in 2025 16:12 Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says his team is united and determined to win the election in 2025.

Worst budget reply in my time: PM slams Peter Duttons speech The Prime Minister said Peter Dutton's budget reply fell flat in bringing forth any new policies and failed to outline a clear plan for Australia's future.
CEDAR RAPIDS -- A Charles City area farmer pleaded guilty Monday to selling more than 90,000 bushels of corn that was pledged as collateral on federal Farm Service Agency loans for more than $196,000.

Leroy Jones, 59, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one count of conversion of property pledged to Farm Service Agency, which is under the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Jones admitted during the hearing to removing or converting 90,581 bushels of corn that he used to mortgage a loan for $196,327.

Jones also admitted to selling the corn for $332,804 with the intent to defraud the loan agency from Dec. 1, 2014, through Sept. 30, 2015.

Court documents show on Oct. 7, 2015, the Osage Coop Elevator contacted the loan agency and indicated that Jones was selling corn to the elevator. The agency then obtained documents showing Jones had been selling to the elevator since September 2014. When a spot check of the grain bins was conducted of the pledged corn, the agency found them empty, documents show. Jones admitted to a USDA investigator that he owed some money when questioned about the missing corn and outstanding loans, according to court documents. Jones said he would discuss it with the loan agency but he never did.

U.S. Chief Magistrate Jon Scoles told Jones he faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine twice the gross gain of the crime or twice the loss to the agency, or $250,000, whichever is greater. He also will be ordered to pay $196,327 in victim restitution. Jones remains on release pending sentencing.
WATERLOO  A home that was searched Monday as part of a murder investigation was struck by gunfire again Tuesday night.

Police were called to 520 Elm St. shortly after 11 p.m. for a report of shots fired. Investigators found the home was struck at least eight times by bullets.

The call came a couple hours after police executed another warrant to search 134 Warneka St. Both searches are part of the ongoing murder investigation.

Otavious Brown, 21, was shot and killed Sunday while with a group of people in the 800 block of Logan Avenue. Two others were wounded in the shooting.

Police confirm the warrants executed at both addresses Monday and Tuesday were related to the investigation of the shooting.

No one has been arrested in the Sunday fatal shooting and no suspects have been publicly identified.

We do have some indications who the suspects are, said Capt. Dave Mohlis, of the Waterloo Police Department. Were following up on several leads and the information we have.

Mohlis said there is no indication whether the shots fired at 520 Elm St. Tuesday night are related to the Sunday shooting.

Witnesses to the Sunday shooting say the shots came from a green Chevrolet Tahoe that was heading north on Logan Avenue.

The house at 520 Elm St. has been a frequent target of gunfire. The incident there Tuesday comes one week since the last time police were called to the address for shots fired.

A bystander was grazed by a bullet in an incident there in April.

A resident of the home was riding in a van that was riddled with gunfire as it drove down the block in February.

Police found two handguns inside the home during an April search and a third handgun days later when it was discarded by a person who had been loitering in front of the house and ran from officers.

The home was hit by gunfire again in January, early December last year and people standing outside the house came under fire in late December.

In 2014, 17-year-old Jazzmine Rembert was accidentally shot and killed by Quaderious Spates at the home. Spates plead guilty in 2015 to involuntary manslaughter and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
OSAGE  The Mitchell County Sheriffs Office is requesting the publics help in a solving a June 2012 drive-by shooting in St. Ansgar.

Sheriff Greg Beaver said via the offices Facebook page that the department is seeking information on the case that occurred June 10, 2012, at 4279 Jersey Ave., St. Ansgar.

The suspect or suspects used a .22-caliber weapon to fire numerous rounds at the house at the listed address, according to evidence collected at the scene.

Theres nothing new to the case and thats the problem, Beaver said. I wanted to bring it to the forefront and maybe someones in a different position now than four years ago and could come talk to us.

Anyone with information on the case can contact the sheriff at (641) 732-4740.
WAUKON -- A Waukon woman was arrested early Wednesday on drug charges.

Early Wednesday, the Clayton County Sheriffs Office, the Monona Police Department, the Allamakee County Sheriffs Office and the Waukon Police Department (all members of the Northeast Iowa Task Force) conducted a search warrant at 10 West St. SW in Waukon.

As a result of the search, Justine R. Fahey, 26, of Waukon, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (a Class D felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia. The drug found was not identified.

A passenger in Fahey's vehicle, Kendra J. Mahr, no age given, was also booked for an arrest warrant through Minnesota. Both were booked into the Allamakee County Jail.
CEDAR FALLS  Four firms have applied to help in the search for a new University of Northern Iowa president, and the Board of Regents expects to pick one by the end of next week.

The board moved the application deadline from Friday to Monday after one firm requested an extension for undisclosed reasons, board spokesman Josh Lehman said.

The change shouldnt affect the boards ability to award a contract by the end of next week but, Lehman said, that date is tentative.

Additionally, I would note that the (request for qualifications) reserves the right to accept proposals after the deadline, he said.

The board made the same appeal last year for qualifications from search firms before its hunt for a University of Iowa president.

Parker Executive Search, which the board used for all three of its last presidential searches, was the highest bidder for last years UI job, at a flat fee of $200,000 plus expenses and advertising costs.

This summers appeal for firms interested in the UNI search also includes a new public records section that advises applicants to familiarize themselves with Iowa Code before submitting materials. The board in its request warns applicants that it will treat all submitted materials as public information and advises firms to conspicuously identify information it considers confidential.

A firms designation of information as confidential is for informational purposes and is not necessarily binding on the board, according to the section.

Last year, consulting firms competing to aid the regents in an efficiency review sued the board after it released to The Cedar Rapids Gazette application materials it assumed were confidential and contained trade secrets. The case later was dropped.

Lehman said the modified language doesnt necessarily reflect a change.

Its just cleaner and clearer language, he said.

Names of the firms that applied for the UNI search, along with application materials, will be made public after the board chooses, Lehman said. That decision will move the board closer to officially launching a search to replace former UNI President Bill Ruud., who took over July 3 as president of the small, private Marietta College in Ohio.
CEDAR FALLS  Some City Council members are frustrated at a lack of firm cost figures on proposed Cedar River recreational improvements.

City Council members heard consultants presentation Monday on river improvement alternatives, which were presented at a public meeting a month ago. Council members were asked for their preferred alternatives, though no firm dollar figures were given. However, they voted to proceed to the next phase of planning lest the city miss deadlines for applying for grants with the state of Iowa and the Black Hawk County Gaming Association. An additional design contract will have to come back to the council for approval.

Consultants presented alternatives for improvements to the Center Street dam, Gateway Park dam and bank improvements. Consultants include AECOM of Waterloo and McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group of Denver, Colo., assisted by HBK Engineering of Chicago.

Larry Wiele of AECOM said a recommended option for Gateway Park that included a white-water feature near the park and reconstruction of an existing dam on the south side of the river might cost about $2 million to $4 million. A recommended option for the Center Street dam was about $1 million to $2 million. Neither included riverbank improvements and other details.

I need a few more degrees of detail before I feel comfortable making a recommendation, council member Nick Taiber said.

I thought we set out to come up with some kind of master plan, council member Mark Miller said, questioning what the consultants were hired for. I feel like for us to make a recommendation, personally, I cant make it without dollar signs.

At the June meeting, consultants said they were told the city was looking at something in the range of $500,000 to $700,000. Staff said additional sources of revenue might include the state of Iowas Resource Enhancement and Protection Program, or REAP, as well as the Black Hawk County Gaming Association, possibly a joint application with the city of Waterloo, as well as private grants.

Council member John Runchey acknowledged costs were fuzzy but moved to direct consultants and staff to proceed just to get the ball rolling, he said, noting the Center Street dam safety improvements were important.

Im still a little fuzzy, but I guess its going to be fuzzy for a long time, Taiber said.

Im not happy with them at all, Miller said after the meeting of AECOM, McLauglin and HBK. Theyve been two steps behind since we started. But I dont want to lose out on any funding. To me, we should have more detail on what the potentials were at Gateway. And weve got to have numbers to have even half an idea as to what were going to do. Gateway, from what I understand, has some of the most unique features anywhere along this river. I dont want us to miss an opportunity as well. And I understand therell be private fundraising for some of this money.

In a December meeting, Miller favored retaining Recreation Engineering and Planning of Boulder Colo., the same firm working with local white-water enthusiast Ty Graham and the nonprofit Waterloo Development Corp. and Waterloo city officials on a project in downtown Waterloo.
WATERLOO  City leaders are being asked to install a system of public cameras to help cut crime.

Resident Steve Murphy asked Waterloo City Council members Monday to consider the measure which has been employed in Dubuque for several years.

With what happened on Logan Avenue Sunday and whats been happening on our trails, I think this certainly brings it to the forefront, said Murphy, referencing a shooting death and several recent trail assaults.

While Murphy typically lobbies city leaders to cut spending, he said the cameras should take precedence over projects like the Cedar Valley SportsPlex or proposed white-water course.

If you have money for those wants than Im going to say this is a need, he said. Its no different than a water line, a sewer line or the road in front of the building. This is the infrastructure you need to protect the citizens.

Murphy suggested the cameras would solve and prevent crimes, which would improve the citys image and property values, increasing tax revenue over time.

Councilmen Tom Lind, who serves on the councils public safety committee, and Bruce Jacobs said they supported looking into the cameras.

I would like to take the lead on this camera business, Lind said. The public safety committee would like to get very involved and drive this issue forward.

Safety Services Director Dan Trelka said he has looked into the Dubuque system in the past and, with Mayor Quentin Harts blessing, would be giving it further review.

Dubuque has more than 850 video cameras in the community which are tied into the citys 911 call center and are utilized by law enforcement. More than 400 of the cameras were installed to monitor traffic at signalized intersections in the business districts and along arterial streets, while others are in parking ramps.

But Dubuque Police Chief Mark Dalsing said the city has been expanding camera installations into residential and mixed-used neighborhoods based on call volumes, in city parks and around city buildings and construction projects.

The police department is using the cameras several times a week if not daily, Dalsing said. They are use for everything from accident investigations  who had the red light  to major crimes.

Waterloo Traffic Operations Superintendent Sandie Greco said 22 of the citys 200 signalized intersections have cameras that were installed to monitor traffic conditions and can hold video for 30 days.

Police have utilized the footage in the past, mostly for traffic investigations.

Murphy acknowledged it would take money and time to install more of the traffic cameras and additional cameras throughout the community. He suggested the city could use its 27-cent emergency property tax levy to pay for the cameras.

However, the city is already using the emergency levy to cover general fund expenses, with the lions share covering police and fire staffing costs. Shifting the levy to buy cameras would require the City Council to make cuts in general fund department budgets.
WAVERLY  U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley has written the U.S. labor secretary urging prompt help for some 175 Terex Cranes workers in Waverly laid off when the plant there closed Tuesday after 75 years in business in the city.

This closure will hit this community of 10,000 particularly hard, Grassley wrote U.S. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez. Its my understanding the state economic development office is working to help the displaced employees find new opportunities. If the state requests federal assistance, it is my hope that the Department of Labor would take quick action to assist the displaced workers and aid the efforts of the state, regional and local organizations and economic development leaders in response to this closure.

Grassley also asked that the Labor Department quickly consider any additional requests for assistance, including any potential request for a National Dislocated Worker Grant to help workers and provide assistance to those affected by the Terex closure.

The services and employment training facilitated by the Department of Labor would be critical in helping the affected workers get back on their feet and find suitable employment as quickly as possible, Grassley wrote.

Terex announced Tuesday it is moving Waverly crane production to a company facility in Oklahoma City. Some 100 unionized manufacturing workers, affiliated with United Auto Workers Local 411, were idled immediately, city and company officials said, and another 75 nonproduction, nonunion personnel, including commercial office, design-engineering and purchasing team members will be phased out gradually. The companys 100-employee global accounting center in Waverly will remain open.

Waverly City Administrator James Bronner, who was informed of the plant closing by the company, said state economic development officials have been notified and the community will do all that is necessary to help the displaced workers. UAW officials also said they will do all that is necessary to assist displaced union members obtain everything they are contractually entitled to and with unemployment assistance.

Christi Mason, workforce development director for Cedar Valley IowaWorks in Waterloo, said informational meetings on services and assistance available to the displaced workers will be conducted at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. July 28 at the Waverly Civic Center. She also said her office has already received inquiries from prospective employers wanting to hire the displaced Terex workers.

Their skills are very much in demand, Mason said.

In 1999, Grassley similarly intervened on behalf of unions representing to-be-displaced workers at the now-closed Sara Lee plant in New Hampton. The senator, while serving in the Iowa Legislature, worked at Waterloo Register Co. in Cedar Falls as a member of the International Association of Machinists from 1961 to 1971, when that facility closed during a labor dispute.
WAVERLY  On the heels of Terexs announcement, a second Waverly business has announced its closing its doors.

Mauer Eye Center in Waverly announced it will close its location at 124 Second St. NE on Aug. 10.

In a letter to patients dated July 13 and sent to The Courier, Dr. Richard Mauer said all operations will move to the Waterloo location.

After 18 years of delivering eye care services to the Waverly practice, it is with regret that I am announcing the closing of the Waverly Office, the letter read.

Mauer adds in a statement sent to the press, as well as in the letter sent to patients, that the Waterloo office is better suited for diagnostic services and minor surgical care.

We are simply focusing our energy and resources to our Waterloo office, Michael Lieb, marketing/events coordinator with Mauer Eye Center, wrote in an email. With its offering of the latest equipment, which Waverly could not provide, we assure the best care for our patients.

Patients with scheduled appointments would be contacted personally, Mauer said in the letter, and new patients would be routed to Waterloo.

The Waterloo location is at 2515 Cyclone Drive.
WATERLOO -- Quota International of Waterloo will meet July 26 in the party room of the 63 Diner in Waterloo. Social time begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Meals will be ordered from the regular menu.

To attend as a guest, contact Pat at 233-4635 for a reservation. Dinner will be provided for guests.

This will be a time to meet the members; there is no scheduled program.

Quota is a non-profit service organization serving disadvantaged women and children and deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
The announcement by Donald Trump of Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate had not yet been made official last Thursday, but that didnt stop the hard left from hauling out its familiar and overused rhetoric.

Ilya Sheyman, executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action, released a statement that said, If Trump picks extreme right-wing Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, he will be doubling down on his divisive and hate-filled approach to politics. Funny how turning people against each other is, for the left, a one-way street. When the left wants to obliterate history, tradition, biblical teachings and even common sense it never sees itself as divisive. Conservatives are supposed to accept their agenda without complaint.

Pence has the government experience Trump lacks. He spent a decade in the House of Representatives and has been governor for the last four years. Yes, he was blindsided by the business communitys reaction to his signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have allowed businesses to deny service to the LGBT community on the basis of religious beliefs. And yes, it could be argued  and was  he looked weak as he backtracked in face of heavy opposition and signed an amended bill passed by the Republican majority legislature allowing local governments to add protections for LGBT people.

Pence has the temperament critics say Trump lacks. He is an evangelical Christian, which should appeal to that base whose members have been troubled by Trumps marital history, his rhetoric about women and his unfamiliarity with scripture.

Pences record as governor is a profile in conservatism: a 5 percent reduction in the state income tax; a reduction in the state corporation tax from 6.5 percent to 4.9 percent (that must have appealed to Trump who wants to cut corporate taxes to return jobs to the U.S.) and an increase in the state labor force which according to the governors office, by the end of 2014, had grown by more than 51,000 over that year. That was five times the national growth rate.

Heres what he told me in a December 2014 interview in his Indianapolis office: The Republican Party has become just the other party to Washington solutions. We have to get back to advancing state-based solutions and reforms. We must be relentlessly optimistic. Channeling power from Washington back to the states is another announced Trump priority.

There is something else that will appeal to Trump and a lot of poorer Americans with children trapped in failing schools because Democrats wont let them escape due to pressure and donations from the teachers unions. As governor, Pence set a goal of getting 100,000 more Indiana students in high-quality schools by 2020. The objective, he told me, is to fix traditional schools, as well as expand the states educational voucher program, the largest in the country.

Pence said he believed 2016 will be the first foreign policy election since 1980. He was right.

During our interview Pence refused to describe President Obamas time in office as a failure, saying it has only been disappointing. Dont look for him to be as judicious during the campaign because he has many reasons not to, including the administrations poor record on fighting terrorism.

In what could turn out to be one of his best stump speech lines as he pursues the vice presidency, Pence said: Theres a lot wrong with our national government, but weve got to stop confusing our national government with our nation.

Modest, self-effacing and a man of deep faith in God and America, Pence will be salt to Trumps pepper.
ISIS is on the run on battlefields, desperately trying to embellish its reputation by taking responsibility for the mass murders of civilians, whether it is its handiwork or not.

According to the Washington Post, ISIS has acknowledged the coming collapse of its caliphate after losing 12 percent of its territory this year with more setbacks imminent.

But it was eager to take credit for the loss of at least 84 lives last week during a Bastille Day celebration in Nice, calling the perpetrator, who drove a 19-ton refrigeration truck through the crowd while firing an automatic pistol, a soldier of the Islamic State.

His family disputed the characterization, citing a history of nervous breakdowns and violent outbursts, maintaining he never stepped inside a mosque.

French officials claimed he was a petty criminal, not on their radar as a possible terrorist, although he may have been inspired by ISIS as were mass murderers in San Bernardino and Orlando.

Four other deadly attacks this month were attributed to ISIS  222 killed in a Baghdad, Iraq, shopping center; 44 at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, Turkey; 20 at a Dhaka, Bangladesh, restaurant popular with Westerners and four at a mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia. ISIS also has terrorized Nigeria, Afghanistan, Libya, Tunisia, Egypt and Kuwait.

But on the battlefields, it continues to suffer setbacks.

Iraqi forces liberated Ramadi, the capital of the Anbar province, in February, and Fallujah fell late last month.

More U.S. and British troops are being sent to train and advise Iraqi forces to retake ISISs capital of Mosul, the nations second largest city.

ISISs Syrian capital of Raqqa in Syria is facing advances by Syrian troops supported by Russia and Kurdish forces advised by the U.S.

ISIS now only claims fours miles of Libyan coastline after once controlling 150 miles. Libyan tribes  assisted by U.S. and Britain advisers  have ISIS surrounded in Surt, their remaining enclave.

ISISs weekly Arabic newsletter broached the possibility in an editorial last month that its forces could lose all its territory, but its movement would adapt.

The crusaders and their apostate clients are under the illusion that ... they will be able to eliminate all of the Islamic States provinces at once, such that it will be completely wiped out and no trace of it will be left, it stated, adding its adversaries will not be able to eliminate it by destroying one of its cities or besieging another of them, or by killing a soldier, an emir or an imam.

In an audio internet interview, an ISIS operative told the Post the terrorists are shifting their focus.

While we see our core structure in Iraq and Syria under attack, we have been able to expand and have shifted some of our command, media and wealth structure to different countries. We do have, every day, people reaching out and telling us they want to come to the caliphate. But we tell them to stay in their countries and rather wait to do something there.

Yet its new strategy finally may galvanize divided foes.

In Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan  obsessed with its independent-minded Kurdish minority  had been wary of being aligned with Syrian Kurds fighting ISIS.

But after the airport bombing, Erdogan, an Islamic fundamentalist, stated the Islamic State is a dagger stabbed into the chest of Muslims.

His newfound resolve may be tested following the attempted military coup last week. He blamed it on Fethullah Gulen, a moderate Muslim cleric living in exile in Pennsylvania, heightening U.S.-Turkey tensions.

ISIS had gained considerable traction because of contentious splits in the Muslim world  Shiites (Iran and Syria) versus Sunnis (almost all others); and moderate Sunnis versus the ultraconservative Wahhabism, the Saudi sect embraced by both ISIS and al-Qaeda.

After the Medina mosque bombing, a thaw seemed possible, albeit remote.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted, There are no more red lines left for terrorists to cross. Sunnis, Shiites will both remain victims unless we stand united as one.

ISIS has been a formidable military foe led by former officers of Saddam Husseins Baath Party left jobless after the U.S. invasion. Although the Baath Party was originally secular  co-founded by a Christian  Saddam had reoriented it as a fundamentalist Sunni entity. The plight of the exiled military was exacerbated by persecution of Sunnis by the new majority Shiite government.

As ISIS goes underground with the aim of causing chaos and death, it will take an organized global intelligence operation to thwart it. Nations, religious ideologues and warring Arab tribes will have to set aside differences in a concerted effort to confront the challenge if there is any hope of minimizing the calamities it hopes to wreak.
Q: Whatever happened to Rose Mary Woods, who served as secretary to President Nixon, in her later years?

A: Woods, who had been with Nixon since 1951, went to California and worked with him for a time after his resignation. She then spent some time as a secretary for a Republican member of Congress before moving back to her home state of Ohio. She died in 2005.

Q: Some weeks ago there was an Associated Press story about Clintons use of a private email server that stated the only previous Secretary of State to do that was Colin Powell. What was the source of that statement? If true, was there an investigation at that time of Powells private email use?

A: Powell used a personal email address for government business, which has been widely reported, however he did not use a private server kept at his home, as Clinton did. Many politicians use private addresses, but private servers like the one Clinton used are rarely seen, said John Wonderlich, a policy director at the Sunlight Foundation, a nonpartisan group focused on government transparency, for a PolitiFact story.

Q: I read that in 1970 the Japanese average wage was two-thirds of the United States. What is it today? Have they caught up to the U.S.?

A: No. According to figures on the global financial analytics site Trading Economics, in May the average annual wage in Japan was $30,709. The average annual wage in the United States was $44,700. However, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the average household net-adjusted disposable income per capita in Japan is $27,323 a year, compared with $29,016 a year in the U.S.

Q: Concerning the Sunnyside South/San Marnan fiasco: If the housing deal falls through will they be required to put San Marnan back the way it was before this whole thing started?

A: There is no way to answer this question until the litigation is complete.

Q: Who would I contact about getting a yield or stop sign at the corner of Edgemont and Cataract behind Jim Linds station?

A: Installing traffic control devices requires an ordinance approved by the City Council. In Waterloo, those requests are vetted by the Traffic Operations Department, 291-4440.

Q: I donated to Tom Powers campaign and at the victory celebration I asked if the money that was raised could be donated to the city to help pay for the election. I was told this was illegal and the money had to be used for future elections. Is there a way we can change this law?

A: Campaign finance laws in Iowa are established by the Iowa Legislature. You could contact your local legislators to discuss changes. You also could choose to donate money to the city yourself to cover elections or any other service you support.
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By West Kentucky Star Staff

Jul. 20, 2016 | PADUCAH, KY

By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 20, 2016 | 11:40 AM | PADUCAH, KY

At the Tuesday meeting of the Paducah City Commission, Grants Administrator Sheryl Chino updated the commission about the citys effort to gather information from citizens to be used in a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application.



The grant would be for Pump Station #2 at 1416 North 6th Street. At last weeks meeting, the board approved a municipal order to submit the grant with a request for $1 million. But in order to complete the application and show that the area qualifies for the grant, based on the percentage of low-to-moderate income residents, the city had to generate a random sampling of 350 homes in the area served by pump station. City employees have been going door-to-door getting household income information that is required for the application.



At this time, the city still is waiting for 68 surveys to be completed by next week; otherwise, the city would have to wait until April 2017 for the next chance to submit the grant application. Chino said the survey information is good for two years, but encouraged those 68 households that have not completed the survey to please submit the information. Anyone who has a survey can direct questions to Chino at 270-444-8690. The information is confidential and only will be used to complete the grant application.



The total pump station project is estimated to be more than $5.1 million which includes construction and engineering costs. The rehabilitation would include replacement of discharge pipes, the rehabilitation of various mechanical components of all seven pumps and motors, and the replacement of the sluice gate.
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By John Stanton

Law enforcement officers ambushed and killed in Baton Rouge and Dallas by those using guerilla warfare style tactics. Is this any different that the Sunni terrorists who killed U.S. soldiers in Iraq?

How about the Nice, France truck bomber? Was he any different than Timothy McVeigh who parked a truck bomb outside the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City killing 168 and wounding scores more?

Nearly 16000 Americans murdered each year. Are not murderers terrorists?

And a country at war with itself, politically polarized and rigidly classed to the point that lyrics in the 1960s songs like Steppenwolfs America and the Temptations Ball of Confusion speak directly to the developing catastrophe to come.

Whats the Matter?

First Peoples, Latino, Black, Jewish, Asian, White, Transgender, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Catholic, Wiccan, Protestant, Muslim, Heterosexual, Arab, Amish, Persian, lives matter and so do many non-human lives. But there are so many lives-that-matte r interest groups, whose members work in every profession in Americalegal and notwith so many divergent and cultural agendas, that it is impossible for anyone in any leadership position from gang leader to political leader to placate them all.

And with each passing day they fear the other groups that matter. Blacks fear cops, cops fear for their lives from all the matter groups. Muslims deride the Christian and Jewish of The Book as infidels.

Some matter groups want punitive damages paid to them for sins committed by slavery and racial exclusion for nearly 200 years. Others seek to exterminate Western European and US infidels by beheadings and acts of terror and restore the world as it was 500 years ago. Some orthodox matter groups normally called cults, seek isolation from the general population, discourage interaction with it, yet reap the rewards that a relatively stable and secure country provide.

Still others, those gilded stovepipe denizens, who claim to breath air more purifiedtherefo re leading to clearer thinkingbelieve the remainder, say 90 percent of the populace, to be knuckle dragging humans who need to be collared and led to a promised land. They see themselves as a sort of Moses who is the only one allowed to talk to God and lead the tribe.

And there are the religions that matter who seek to maintain their churches and cathedrals by coercing the followers to go to those buildings to worship as necessary when scripture maintains it is not.

I apologize here concerning Moses because I dont know what type of matter Moses was besides that he led the Jewish people out of Egypt. Perhaps he was one of the letters of this acronym: LGBT. Maybe he was a feminist aupporter. Maybe he was black.

And I also apologize to Allah and Krishna and to the Christian God and Satan because I dont really know who is in charge.

I must do penance too because I am white and Im writing on the white background on MS Word and all the letters and numbers are white too. The clouds floating in the sky are white and the pages of the Bible, Koran, Bhagavad Gita, and Maurice Blanchots, The Infinite Conversation, that sit atop my nightstand, are all white too. Of course I am male too and that means I carry inherent bias against women too and anyone else but my demographic.

Scattered Matter

With American society exploding like the Big Bang and spreading apart like the galaxies in universe, there is no centralizing force to bring them closer. So what now?

Cant we get along? No. Our hands must be forced if the madness is to stop.

What happens when the standing Army, military forces, become more progressive than civilian society? All the matter groups are represented in the US national security machineryeven the closet terroristyet they are forced; indeed, agree when they become military personnel, to obey orders, get along, or get out. Its a radical change for the institution and serves as a model on forcing people together with authority.

There is even a Wikkan worship site at the USAF academy. In one form or another, all the matter groups are celebrated openly at the Pentagon in Washington, D C, most recently the T in LGBT. Muslims are honored. First Peoples, women, Latino and blacks are praised openly.

Humans are, in the end, a nasty species. We kill each other because we think we matter more than the Other. We deceive at every turn in the interests of ourselves, family, friends or belief. We even destroy fellow non-human creatures with impunity. We are undisciplined, disinclined to political discourse and favor the mind-numbing delights of television. Here in America we are armchair citizens active on the World Wide Web, not in communities or the streets.

And we actually do not find it a guilty pleasure any longer to watch the killings, beheadings, and suffering on the television. Its a pleasure, now with the thinking something like this: I cant wait to kick back in my chair with IPhone, laptop and TV on so I can watch cop shooting whites, blacks, Latinos, Asians, Arabs; the latest terrorist acts around the globe; video footage of drone strikes; expert blatherskites hawking their banalities on the news networks; and then, of course, the latest episode of Naked and Alone.

John Stanton can be reached at jstantonaechange l@gmail.com
Just off a remote stretch of road here, near wineries, horse stables and farms, Amazon is secretly growing something, but its not what Jeff Bezos, Amazons chief executive, calls the tiny seeds that could become the companys next big businesses.



No, Amazon is growing actual plants, more than 3,000 species of them spread around a one-acre greenhouse a half-hours drive from Amazons headquarters in Seattle. There are carnivorous pitcher plants, exotic philodendrons and orchids from Ecuador that resemble the menacing flora from Little Shop of Horrors''.........Continue Reading

Top image  NBBJ

> via mobile.nytimes.com/international/
Zadie Smith in the New York Review of Books:

Back in the old neighborhood in North West London after a long absence, I went past the local primary school and noticed a change. Many of my oldest friends were once students here, and recentlywhen a family illness returned us to England for a yearI enrolled my daughter. Its a very pretty redbrick Victorian building, and was for a long time in special measures, a judgment of the school inspection authority called Ofsted, and the lowest grade a state school can receive. Many parents, upon reading such a judgment, will naturally panic and place their children elsewhere; others, seeing with their own eyes what Ofstedbecause it runs primarily on datacannot humanly see, will doubt the wisdom of Ofsted and stay put. Still others may not read well in English, or are not online in their homes, or have never heard of Ofsted, much less ever considered obsessively checking its website.

In my case I had the advantage of local history: for years my brother taught here, in an after-school club for migrant children, and I knew perfectly well how good the school is, has always been, and how welcoming to its diverse population, many of whom are recently arrived in the country. Now, a year later, Ofsted has judged it officially Good, and if I know the neighborhood, this will mean that more middle-class, usually white, parents will take what they consider to be a risk, move into the environs of the school, and send their kids here.

If this process moves anything like it does in New York, the white middle-class population will increase, keeping pace with the general gentrification of the neighborhood, and the boundaries of the catchment area for the school will shrink, until it becomes, over a number of years, almost entirely homogeneous, with dashes of diversity, at which point the regulatory body will award its highest rating at last.

More here.
David Sloan Wilson and Joseph Henrich in Evonomics:

Paleontologists tell us that numerous Homo species once roamed the earth, although only Homo sapiens remains. Several Homo species still inhabit economic world, however  the world as described by traditional economics. The most common is Homo economicus, whose preferences and abilities were described by neoclassical economists a long time ago. More recently, behavioral economists described a new species called Homo anomalous, because it departs from H. economicus in so many ways. Now a brand new species has been discovered by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists. Ill call itHomo bioculturus and it might well become the one that inherits the world of economics.

Joseph Henrich is one member of the team that discovered H. bioculturus and his new book, The Secret of Success: How Culture is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter, is arguably the best way for the economic profession to learn about it. Henrich is an intellectual Indiana Jones, equally at home slashing through the Jungle or conducting lab experiments. He spearheaded the famous 15 Societies Study that played experimental economics games in traditional societies around the world. He recently moved from the University of British Columbia, where he was jointly appointed in the Departments of Psychology and the Vancouver School of Economics, to Harvard Universitys Department of Human Evolutionary Biology.

DSW: Greetings, Joe, and welcome to Evonomics.com.

JH: Hello David! Its great to be with you.

DSW: First, let me congratulate you on writing such a terrific book. Without attempting to flatter you, it is a tour de forcegreat fun to read in addition to brimming with ideasmy current favorite book for recommending to others. Second, let me ask you to provide a synopsis for an economically oriented audience.

More here.
Jacqueline Howard in the Huffington Post:

If a team of scientists in Philadelphia and New York have their way, using race to categorize groups of people in biological and genetic research will be forever discontinued.

The concept of race in such research is problematic at best and harmful at worst, the researchers argued in a new paper published in the journal Science on Friday.

However, they also said that social scientists should continue to study race as a social construct to better understand the impact of racism on health.

So what does all this mean? HuffPost Science recently posed that question and others to the papers co-author, Michael Yudell, who is associate professor and chair of community health and prevention at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Why is it problematic to view race as a biological concept?

For more than a century, natural and social scientists have been arguing about whether race is a useful classificatory tool in the biological sciences  can it elucidate the relationship between humans and their evolutionary history, between humans and their health. In the wake of the U.S. Human Genome Project, the answer seemed to be a pretty resounding no.

More here.


Zipt Selected by Samsung as a Marquee App for Tizen

Perth, July 20, 2016 AEST (ABN Newswire) - ZipTel Ltd ( ASX:ZIP ) ("ZipTel" or "the Company") is pleased to advise that it has been selected and invited to feature as a marquee application on Samsung's Tizen Platform. In this regard, ZipTel has entered into an arrangement with leading Tizen Developers under the direction of Samsung to develop and roll out a Tizen version of Zipt to coincide with the global launch of the latest Samsung Tizen mobile in August 2016.



Highlights:



- Zipt has been approached and subsequently selected by Samsung (KRX:005930) to feature on the Tizen Platform.



- Tizen is Samsung's new operating system which will underpin new Samsung mobile devices and is being rolled out in selected markets.



- Tizen developers will deliver a Tizen version of Zipt in time for Samsung's planned launch events in August 2016.



- Zipt will be showcased at this launch and going forward will be featured as a marquee application on the Tizen Application Store (one of 40 Apps).



- Zipt and WhatsApp will be the only two featured communication apps on the Tizen Application Store.



- Tizen currently has 5 million+ users, with this number expected to grow to 15-20 million by the end of 2016 with new mobile handset launches.



- Development of the Tizen version of Zipt will be completed by world class developers at no cost to ZipTel.



Under the arrangement, Zipt will benefit from the expertise of leading Tizen developers who will prepare a Tizen version of Zipt for the new operating system under direction from Samsung. This fully 3rd party funded process will ultimately give Zipt access to a premium customer base and potential new revenue stream at no cost to the Company.



Zipt was approached and ultimately chosen to be featured on the Tizen store due to its low bandwidth technology, operational track record and key market exposure. As 1 of only 2 communication applications in the current 12 month Tizen application pipeline, Zipt will operate with minimal competition and a clear point of difference to the only other featured communications app on the platform, WhatsApp.



Tizen



Tizen is Samsung's own smartphone operating system to rival Android and iOS. Tizen is increasingly in use in wearables and cameras and is becoming the standard operating system on a range of other products from smart TVs to refrigerators.



Tizen is currently operating on more than 5 million mobile handsets since its major launch 9 months ago. With upcoming handset launches, Tizen forecast this figure to increase to 15-20 million by the end of 2016.



Zipt & Tizen



There are currently a limited number of applications available in the Tizen Application store with the focus being on high quality. Application retention rates on Tizen are much higher than other platforms, in part due to quality controls.



Enterprise endorsement from Samsung will benefit Zipt in areas such as significant brand exposure and marketing opportunities from the upcoming global Samsung Tizen handset launch events. In the longer term, the product spotlight opportunity positions Zipt alongside WhatsApp as a low-bandwidth premium alternative offering low cost calling, messaging and video functionality.



In terms of geography, Tizen handsets will be focused on the Asia-Pacific region (where 61% of the world's population or 4.2 billion people are situated) which is not covered by Samsung's agreement with Google for Android.



Samsung Tizen handsets retail for USD$200-$250 which places them as a mid-tier handsets. In India, this constitutes 65% of the total smart phone market and demographics to date show strength in the 18-25 year old range. Zipt will benefit from the higher retention rates seen on the Tizen platform and the higher value handsets being launched will drive higher revenue conversions in the Company's monetisation model.



The selection of Zipt to be a marquee app on Tizen is a strong endorsement of ZipTel's technology from a globally recognised leader in the telecommunications technology space. It will assist the Company's consumer acquisition strategy to achieve a significant number of user installs and uptake in the Subcontinent and South East Asia. Zipt's clear competitive advantage in low bandwidth areas has resulted in the huge uptake in these regions and as a result, this opportunity with Samsung.



Bert Mondello, Chief Executive Officer, Ziptel Limited commented:



"Our overall user acquisition strategy focussed on building Zipt in emerging markets such as the Subcontinent has resulted in this outstanding opportunity for Ziptel. Our presence in these markets meant that we were chosen ahead of the many other communications applications.



Being initially approached and subsequently selected to port to Tizen is another strong third party endorsement of Zipt by a mobile market leader in Samsung. Tizen handsets could not be more perfect for Zipt in terms of geography, mid-tier price point and user demographics. This is no doubt part of the reason why Zipt was chosen. The customer retention and monetisation opportunity of the new Tizen ecosystem is compelling.



As a first mover, we will have a genuine opportunity to contribute to and grow with Samsung's Tizen operating system."



SpeedTalk Update



Since identifying the unique network conditions present under SpeedCast's ( ASX:SDA ) satellite environment, ZipTel's development and quality assurance teams have been actively working to further enhance compatibility and capability in this environment. Testing of satellite optimised version of the Company's revolutionary low-bandwidth call technology has yielded significantly improved call quality whilst further reducing bandwidth usage.



ZipTel is now working closely with SpeedCast to confirm the testing results and schedule the pilot program and subsequent public release of the application. This marks a significant achievement for the Company in terms of the market potential the satellite optimised technology delivers and also the successful completion of its first white-labelled enterprise solution.



About Zipt



Zipt is a mobile-based international communication App that enables consumers to send SMSs and make international calls for free between users. The App can also call any landline or mobile at some of the world's lowest call rates. Zipt delivers crystal clear sound quality in lower bandwidth data environments and allows consumers to retain their existing phone number, service provider and SIM card, with no lock-in contracts. Zipt does not require a SIM card and can be installed on any smartphone or tablet on compatible platforms. Zipt uses less data than similar products already available on the market, and can be used over Wi-Fi or any mobile network. For more information visit www.zipt.com.



About ZipTel Ltd





ZipTel (ASX:ZIP) is an Australian owned and operated telecommunications business focused on providing international roaming and calling solutions to the consumer, using state of the art technologies developed and wholly owned by ZipTel Limited. ZipTel listed on the ASX in July 2014 with its core focus the Zipt mobile based communications application.
SANTA FE  NuclearWatch New Mexico is asking a federal judge to invalidate a new agreement between New Mexico and the federal government over how and when to clean up decades' worth of hazardous waste left over from nuclear weapons work at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

In an expanded version of a lawsuit Nuke Watch filed in May, the advocacy group maintains that the June consent order agreement between the New Mexico Environment Department and the federal Department of Energy was executed without a required, formal public hearing.

Environment Department officials did present ideas for the new LANL cleanup agreement, which superseded an original consent order from 2005, at a couple of public meetings earlier this year.

But Nuke Watch maintains that both the state Hazardous Waste Act and the original consent order, in provisions for modifying the 2005 deal, required a much more formal hearing for accepting comment and information during which oral arguments could be presented and witnesses cross-examined.

Scott Kovac, Nuke Watch's research director, said in statement, We will not let the public's right for cleanup at the Los Alamos Lab be papered over by DOE and NMED. Both agencies agreed to all parts of the 2005 Consent Order, which included rigorous public participation requirements and a detailed the cleanup schedule, including a final compliance date. We will continue to push for the public to have a true voice in these important matters.

The new consent order does away with set deadlines for LANL cleanup. Instead, it calls for a series of campaigns to achieve specific goals, such as remediating a chromium plume in the aquifer below Los Alamos. The agreement says it establishes an effective structure for accomplishing work on a priority basis through cleanup campaigns with achievable milestones and targets.

NMED, in a statement Tuesday, said: This is a frivolous lawsuit that will only serve to delay cleanup at Los Alamos and jeopardize funding for the National Laboratory. Nuke Watch and the Environmental Law Center's overarching goal seems to be driving the national laboratories out of New Mexico. The law center is assisting Nuke Watch with the litigation.

The 2005 agreement, which ended a court fight between New Mexico and the feds, was supposed to have required cleanup of the lab's entire 40-square-mile site by last year. The work didn't come close to completion as DOE failed to receive sufficient federal appropriations.

Nuke Watch's amended suit still includes allegations from the May court filing alleging that the DOE and the private contractor that runs LANL owe hundreds of millions of dollars in fines for missing deadlines established in the 2005 document. NMED intervened in the suit last month.
The announcement by Donald Trump of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate had not yet been made official last Thursday, but that didnt stop the hard left from hauling out its familiar and overused rhetoric.

Ilya Sheyman, executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action, released a statement which said, If Trump picks extreme right-wing Governor Mike Pence as his running mate, he will be doubling down on his divisive and hate-filled approach to politics.

Funny how turning people against each other is, for the left, a one-way street.

When the left wants to obliterate history, tradition, biblical teachings and even common sense, it never sees itself as divisive. Conservatives are supposed to accept their agenda without complaint.

Pence has the government experience Trump lacks. He spent a decade in the House of Representatives and has been governor for the past four years.

Yes, he was blindsided by the business communitys reaction to his signing the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would have allowed businesses to deny service to the LGBT community on the basis of religious beliefs. And, yes, it could be argued  and was  that he looked weak as he backtracked in the face of heavy opposition and signed an amended bill passed by the Republican majority legislature allowing local governments to add protections for LGBT people.

Pence has the temperament critics say Trump lacks. He is an evangelical Christian, which should appeal to that base whose members have been troubled by Trumps marital history, his rhetoric about women and his unfamiliarity with scripture.

Pences record as governor is a profile in conservatism: a 5 percent reduction in the state income tax; a reduction in the state corporation tax from 6.5 percent to 4.9 percent (that must have appealed to Trump, who wants to cut corporate taxes to return jobs to the U.S.) and an increase in the state labor force, which, according to the governors office, by the end of 2014, had grown by more than 51,000 over that year.

That was five times the national growth rate.

Heres what he told me in a December 2014 interview in his Indianapolis office: The Republican Party has become just the other party to Washington solutions. We have to get back to advancing state-based solutions and reforms. We must be relentlessly optimistic.

Channeling power from Washington back to the states is another announced Trump priority.

There is something else that will appeal to Trump and a lot of poorer Americans with children trapped in failing schools because Democrats wont let them escape due to pressure and donations from the teachers unions. As governor, Pence set a goal of getting 100,000 more Indiana students in high-quality schools by 2020.

The objective, he told me, is to fix traditional schools, as well as expand the states educational voucher program, the largest in the country.

Pence said he believed 2016 will be the first foreign policy election since 1980. He was right.

During our interview Pence refused to describe President Obamas time in office as a failure, saying it has only been disappointing. Dont look for him to be as judicious during the campaign because he has many reasons not to, including the administrations poor record on fighting terrorism.

In what could turn out to be one of his best stump speech lines as he pursues the vice presidency, Pence said: Theres a lot wrong with our national government, but weve got to stop confusing our national government with our nation.

Modest, self-effacing, and a man of deep faith in God and America, Pence will be salt to Trumps pepper.

E-mail: tmseditors@tribune.com; copyright, Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CLEVELAND  What a difference four years makes.

In the summer of 2012, New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez was the belle of the ball at the Republican National Convention; a favorite surrogate of then-GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and one of the marquee speakers during the conventions prime-time television lineup.

To say things are different in 2016  the year of Donald Trump  is an understatement.

Martinez is at the convention in Cleveland this year in her role as chairwoman of the Republican Governors Association and as chair of New Mexicos delegation. But she has no speaking role and does not seem to be high (or anywhere, actually) on Trumps list of favored Republican surrogates.

I dont have any ill will at all, Martinez told me Tuesday in Cleveland. Last time I was here, I was preparing constantly for my speech. This year, as the chairwoman of the RGA, thats where Im focused: making sure Im meeting with people and letting them know how important the gubernatorial races are, and that people cannot stay home.

Martinez, who is of Mexican descent, excoriated Trump late last year after he described Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers. She also skipped Trumps raucous rally in Albuquerque two months ago, saying she had other business. In return, Trump harshly criticized the governors job performance during his speech.

The rocky relationship hasnt improved much since. Martinez hasnt backtracked from her criticism of Trump, even though he is on the verge of accepting the GOP presidential nomination Thursday night.

If she did embrace Trumps campaign  even grudgingly as House Speaker Paul Ryan has  shed be back in the limelight faster than you can say voter outreach. Martinez is still viewed as a crucial link to Americas Hispanic community within the national Republican Party, but she isnt ready to endorse her partys nominee.

On Tuesday, Martinez officially introduced the New Mexico delegation to the convention and praised the state, then ceded the microphone to Samuel LeDoux, a delegate from Santa Fe, to announce that all 24 of New Mexicos nominating votes would go for Trump.

At the end of the day, its not about me, Martinez told me when I pressed her on her opinion of Trump. Its about what his intentions are in reference to New Mexico. We have a huge military presence, the national labs and a large population of Hispanics. I just want New Mexicans to hear what his intentions are.

So does Martinez think Trump needs to actively mend fences with Hispanics, some of whom are offended by his disparaging remarks about their ethnic group?

Sure, I do, the governor said. I think he needs to reach out and speak to Hispanics just like he would any other voter about issues that are important to them: being able to work, having a good education, and what is it that he is going to do to be helpful for us to work together? I really think that is something I can talk to him about, and  I want voters to hear him and his message without that shrill kind of rhetoric. I think he can do that.

Martinez, who told me she has met Trump only once, hedged when I asked her if there was any scenario in which she could envision publicly supporting his campaign.

Im absolutely not going to vote for Hillary Clinton, Martinez said. She is a flawed candidate, and I dont have any faith shell lead this country in the right direction.
State Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto has proposed a moratorium on new charter schools in response to state funding formulas that provide more per pupil to the charters than traditional public schools.

The Albuquerque Democrat discussed the idea during a Legislative Education Study Committee at Los Alamos High, which included a presentation on school funding last week.

LESC worked with the Legislative Finance Committee to prepare the report showing that charters collect an average of $8,728 per-student statewide versus $7,639 per-student at school districts. Charters and rural districts use a small-school funding formula that provides them with more money because they dont benefit from economies of scale.

Ivey-Soto argues that, as a result, New Mexico simply cant afford any more charters.

It is a budgetary fact, he told the Journal . We cannot support the level of charter schools and the increases of new charter schools.

State revenues are down, money is tight, and Ivey-Soto thinks something has gotta give. He backs school choice for families, but considers it a luxury.

The states 89 school districts and the New Mexico Public Education Commission all have the power to grant charters, but none of them are paying enough attention to the bottom line, according to the senator.

We have these 90 different authorities with authorization power to start new public bodies because every charter school is a brand new public body, he said. They do this without any contemplation of the budgetary impacts of this action. At the end of the day, it has a huge budgetary impact.

Ivey-Soto told the Journal that he will introduce a charter school moratorium bill during Januarys legislative session if another lawmaker doesnt take on th e issue. However, he hopes the LESC ultimately recommends the halt to new charters.

I am a team player, Ivey-Soto said. I want to see what we end up with at the LESC.  Whoever the committee decides should carry it, whether it is me or someone else, I will be supporting it.

Kelly Callahan, co-executive director of the New Mexico Coalition for Charter Schools, agreed that charter school funding formulas should be examined, but doesnt think a moratorium is the best solution.

I would hate to quell innovation, she said. I am sure there are very excited people who want to try to do new things.

Callahan also noted that school finances are complex and include more funding sources than the per-pupil money from the state.

For instance, districts can sell general obligation bonds to pay for things like new buildings, renovations and technology upgrades. Albuquerque Public Schools won a $575 million bond and mill levy election in February that will support dozens of projects.

There are funds that school districts get access to that charter schools dont, Callahan said, who is working with the LESC and the LFC to review school funding formulas. There needs to be a way to look at this equitably. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done.

In addition, the number of schools applying for charters has gone down naturally because the state budget is tight, creating a kind of self-imposed moratorium, according to Callahan.

This fall, APS chartered its first school in seven years, Siembra Leadership High School, which focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation. The state has only granted two charters during the past year. All together, New Mexico has roughly 100 charter schools.
SANTA FE  A long-running court saga over pay-to-play New Mexico investment deals took a new twist Tuesday, with a whistle-blower asking the state Supreme Court to disqualify an East Coast law firm thats been representing the state for having undisclosed conflicts of interest.

Specifically, former state pension fund officer turned whistle-blower Frank Foy cited new testimony from two State Investment Council members  state Treasurer Tim Eichenberg and former state Sen. Tim Jennings  in arguing the Day Pitney law firm did not divulge it has clients that have been implicated in a lawsuit.

However, a State Investment Council spokesman said a district judge already rejected similar arguments in a 2014 order that upheld several proposed settlement agreements.

The conflict allegations are nothing new, SIC spokesman Charles Wollmann said.

Attorney Generals Office spokesman James Hallinan had a similar response, calling the allegations frivolous and unfounded attacks.

The litigation over politically influenced investment deals has been marked by court sparring between Foys attorney, Victor Marshall, and attorneys with the State Investment Council and the AGs Office.

The AGs Office is seeking to have two Fraud Against Taxpayers Act lawsuits filed by Foy dismissed, arguing the state is better-positioned to recover money lost in the pay-to-play investment deals.

But Marshall has opposed some of the states proposed settlements, describing them as sweetheart deals.

In his 31-page Tuesday filing with the Supreme Court, he argued the Connecticut-based Day Pitney has failed to properly disclose its representation of Merrill Lynch, Deutsche Bank and other financial firms named as defendants in Foys pay-to-play lawsuit.

The petition also claims Day Pitney has a financial incentive to have the Foy lawsuits tossed out, because it is not involved in those suits and would presumably not receive attorney fees on any approved settlements.

To back up the claim, Marshall cited testimony from Eichenberg and Jennings, who both said they had not been informed about Day Pitneys potential conflicts of interest.

The SIC filed its own lawsuit against more than a dozen individuals in 2011, before either Eichenberg or Jennings was a member of the investment body, claiming the state lost hundreds of millions of dollars through pay-to-play and politically motivated investments made during the administration of Gov. Bill Richardson.

That suit, which is still pending, alleges financial firms paid Marc Correra, the son of former Richardson insider Anthony Correra, and other placement agents millions of dollars in marketing fees to help them get state investment business.
OMAHA, Neb.  Canadian Pacific has finalized its plan to replace Chief Executive Hunter Harrison when he retires from the railroad next summer.

The Calgary, Alberta, railroad said Wednesday that it had reached agreements to promote President and Chief Operating Officer Keith Creel to CEO and retain Harrison as a consultant for three years after he retires.

Harrison and Creel led Canadian Pacifics unsuccessful effort over the past year to acquire Norfolk Southern railroad. Canadian Pacific abandoned its roughly $30 billion bid for Norfolk Southern after encountering opposition from the railroad, politicians and some customers.

The 71-year-old Harrison came out of retirement to lead Canadian Pacific in 2012 after activist investor Bill Ackman took a large stake in the railroad and forced management changes. Harrison had previously led Canadian National and Illinois Central railroads.

Ive demonstrated my trouble with retiring in the past, so being available to the Board and the organization after my official retirement is exciting, Harrison said. In four years we have gone from an industry laggard to an industry leader.

Creel worked with Harrison at Canadian National. The 47-year-old joined Canadian Pacific in 2013. He has helped lead the railroads turnaround, and he served as interim CEO for several periods when Harrison was out because of health issues in recent years.

Keith is a tremendous railroader who is more than ready to take the helm as our next CEO, board Chairman Andrew F. Reardon said.

Since 2011, the average speed of Canadian Pacifics trains improved 40 percent to 21.4 mph, and its earnings per share more than doubled from 2012 to 2015 to $10.10 in Canadian dollars.

The railroad also cut more than 6,000 positions and reduced the size of its locomotive fleet 40 percent by running trains on schedule.
TSE BONITO  The New Mexico Legislatures Indian Affairs Committee listened to a presentation today that called for state action to protect ceremonial dances by Native American tribes.

The issue was brought to the committee by Shawn Price, co-founder of Sacred Preservation, who spoke about concerns surrounding non-Native Americans performing dances used by the Navajo, Apache and pueblo tribes.

Price told the committee some individuals travel to New Mexico in order to watch tribal dances, then they copy the actions and charge for performances.

Another issue is many of those groups travel internationally, and when audience members see the groups performance, they think it is an accurate representation of Native Americans, he said.

Price, who is Navajo, asked the state lawmakers to send a message that such action will not be tolerated by adopting measures to protect native dances.

Its sad to say that at this point, our dances are not protected. Our objects, even our arts and crafts are protected by federal law, Price said, adding the dances carry meaning and significance.

As part of his presentation, Price showed video of the Kwahadi Dancers of Amarillo, Texas, performing the Zuni Olla Maidens pottery dance, the Navajo ribbon dance and a dance from the YeiBiChei ceremony.

He added the fee to attend the performance in Texas was $15 each night.

These groups know that they are doing something wrong, but they continue to do because they are not being challenged on a legal basis. They dont get that its offensive. These dances were divinely given to us, he said.

Sen. William Soules, D-Dona Ana County, vaguely remembered performing such dances when he was in the Boy Scouts of America.

Your presentation made it clear to me that what we are talking about is cultural theft. These groups are stealing the culture, Soules said.

Earlier in the meeting, Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-McKinley and San Juan counties, asked Navajo Nation President Russell Begaye about the tribes ongoing response to the Gold King Mine spill and development of an Amber Alert system.

Begaye said in response to the mine spill that the tribe will file a lawsuit soon because we do have great concerns, in terms of what happened to our nation. The tribe will continue holding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accountable for the Aug. 5 spill and will continue advocating for compensation, he said.

As for the Amber Alert, the president said the tribe issued its first notification under the system in June when two boys were taken from Wheatfields, Ariz.

Many cellphone users on the Navajo Nation received the notice, but Cellular One customers did not, Begaye said. Since then, he said, the company has implemented a notification system.

Meanwhile, criteria have been developed for the tribe to issue Amber Alerts, the president said.

Noel Lyn Smith covers the Navajo Nation for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4636.



2016 The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.)

Visit The Daily Times (Farmington, N.M.) at www.daily-times.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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RUIDOSO  New Mexicos top judge hopes voters notice a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot that offers them a better chance to strike a blow for liberty and justice than any other vote they may cast.

The amendment would let criminal court judges order dangerous defendants held without bond before trial, and make it less likely that low-risk defendants are forced to wait in jail for their trials only because theyre too poor to bond out.

There is nothing Ive done or will do on the court that is going to be a more important improvement of justice than getting this amendment passed, said New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles W. Daniels in an interview here Saturday.

Daniels said he is speaking to as many groups as he can around the state to urge support for the amendment. He plans a major address on the subject next month to the New Mexico Bar Association. He spoke to the News while relaxing Saturday at his second home here.

The unthinking reaction that putting a pricetag on getting out of jail protects somebody is wrong, Daniels said. Its wrong in theory, and its wrong in reality.

The New Mexico Constitution currently requires that nearly every non-capital defendant be granted bail, even those who pose a known threat to witnesses, family members or potential victims of fresh crimes.

Daniels said many judges facing a clearly dangerous defendant but forbidden to deny bail outright will set extremely high bail in hopes the defendant wont be able to post it. But some do scrape up the fee, Daniels said, and in any event the same constitution that requires that bail be set also requires that it not be excessive.

So judges either protect the community or they follow the law, Daniels said. They should never have to make that choice.

The other side of the issue, Daniels said, is that courts have been setting high bail amounts based on the severity of the crime charged, even when the defendant isnt dangerous and poses little risk of failing to show up for trial.

Neither the Constitution nor our rules of criminal procedure permit a judge to base a pretrial release decision solely on the severity of the charged offense, Daniels wrote in a 2014 court opinion. Bail is not pretrial punishment and is not to be set solely on the basis of an accusation of a serious crime

That case, New Mexico v. Brown, was what first drew Danielss attention to the need for bail reform in state courts, a national movement which has been gathering momentum for more than half a century.

It was a murder case in which lawyers for the defendant were appealing a $250,000 bond that the district court had refused to reduce, even though the judge accepted the convincing evidence that the defendant posed no threat or flight risk.

The state Supreme Court ordered the district court to set appropriate nonmonetary conditions of release, and Daniels took the opportunity in his 21-page opinion to trace the origins of New Mexicos constitutional bail provisions and point out their drawbacks.

The proposed amendment would allow a judge to deny bail to a felony defendant on clear and convincing evidence that no release conditions will reasonably protect the safety of any other person or the community.

It would also require that a defendant who is neither dangerous nor a flight risk shall not be detained solely because of financial inability to post a money or property bond.

Daniels said the amendment hasnt drawn much vocal opposition yet, but he expects there will be some from the bail bond industry, which has fought bail reform in other states and tried to bottle up the New Mexico ballot proposal in the legislature earlier this year.

The new president of Professional Bail Agents of the United States, former reality television star Beth Chapman of Dog and Beth: On the Hunt, recently declared war on bail reform.

Any reform in any of the states is a threat to them nationally, Daniels said.



2016 the Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.)

Visit the Ruidoso News (Ruidoso, N.M.) at www.ruidosonews.com

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PITTSBURGH  Banks were the first to teach us that we couldnt live without passwords. Now theyre showing us that we can.

Big banks increasingly are offering customers the option of using fingerprints, voices, retina scans and other biometric technologies to access their accounts instead of passwords.

Convenience for customers and better security in a time of rampant data breaches are fueling the switch.

Biometric authentication is difficult to mimic and easy for people to use, said Tom Trebilcock, senior vice president of digital at Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank, where customers with Apple iPhones equipped with Touch ID have the option of ditching passwords for fingerprints.

Looking out years from now, I expect the days for passwords are numbered, he said.

PNC has been offering fingerprint access to mobile banking customers through its virtual wallet mobile app since September, and to its other iPhone-equipped customers since June.

Citizens Bank, based in Rhode Island, offers a similar service, while First National Bank of Pennsylvania, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is set to launch its iPhone-based verification service later this year.

Its been pretty popular, PNCs Trebilcock said of fingerprint access, declining to disclose the number of customers using it. For now, only customers with iPhones can use the service, but the bank is exploring the addition of Android-based phones.

In part, passwords have been done in by their ubiquity. With so many passwords to remember, many people resort to using simple letter or number sequences  such as 123456, qwerty (the first six letters on a keyboard) or password. That makes passwords easy to remember, but also makes it easy for cybercriminals armed with valid email addresses to crack accounts by guessing.

Using biometrics is clearly a higher level of security, said Doug Johnson, senior vice president of risk management for the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C.

At PNC, customers using Touch ID to sign in to their accounts can check balances and perform most other mobile banking transactions, but they must use passwords when transferring money out of their accounts, such as when paying bills.

Columbus, Ohio-based Huntington Bank is planning to roll out Touch ID log-ins using thumbprints by this fall, according to payments and channels director Mark Sheehan. Customers will have full access to Huntingtons mobile banking services, including bill pay, he said.

We had a lot of feedback from customers that this is something they would like to see, he said.

The bank also is experimenting with voice recognition technology that could be used to verify customers when they call customer service. The company currently is conducting a test pilot with employees.

For now, the use of fingerprint IDs and the like arent for everyone. Some consumers are reluctant to embrace the technology because of concerns that thieves will devise ways to steal and use biometric data, too.

The American Bankers Associations Johnson pointed out that no actual fingerprints or eye patterns are being stored. Instead, a digital code is created using a series of 1s and zeros used to match each unique finger or retina pattern.

The ones and zeros dont access the account. Its pressing the finger to the phone, he said.

In addition, experts noted that extra safeguards are in place behind the scenes for added security.

For example, some banks employ geolocation tracking. If an account holders phone is out of its normal range, a password is needed to access the account.

Eye scan systems often require the person to blink to prevent thieves from using a photograph for authentication, while voice recognition systems may use certain prompts to ensure a live person is on the line instead of a recording.

As biometric verification becomes more common, some people are pushing for federal standards to clarify the rights that citizens have in protecting the use of that data.

The premise is that passwords and Social Security numbers can be changed if theyre stolen, while fingerprints, retinas and other biometric markers cant. In the forefront of that movement are a handful of lawsuits filed recently by consumers challenging facial recognition software used by Facebook and others for online photo tagging.

In Johnsons view, biometrics will continue to gain momentum. And the day will come when passwords will be as passe as old rotary telephones.

He said biometric data, along with dynamic authentication using numbers that change with each transaction represent the future.

Static numbers are what get us into trouble, he said.



2016 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Visit the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette at www.post-gazette.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Mayor Richard Berry said Wednesday that construction crews will begin reviving two historic motels along the old Route 66 later this year under agreements approved by the city.

The projects  at the De Anza Motor Lodge and El Vado Motel  represent about $20 million in new investment along Central Avenue, the longest urban stretch of Route 66 still intact.

The city will contribute about $3.4 million in public money to help spur revitalization of the motels, which have been vacant for years. The city owns each property.

This is an absolutely fantastic day for historic Route 66, Berry said during a news conference at De Anza, near Washington and Central, east of the Nob Hill core.

City executives signed agreements with separate developers, requiring construction to begin by January, though it may happen sooner. The projects must be done about 18 months after work starts.

The company Anthea at Nob Hill plans to redevelop De Anza into upscale extended-stay units for business travelers and tourists. The historic signs and buildings along Central Avenue will be preserved, but other structures will be torn down and replaced.

The city and developer are in talks with Zuni Pueblo about how best to preserve rare murals in a basement conference room at the site, painted by a Zuni artist, city officials said.

As for El Vado, the developer Palindrome plans a botique motel, tap room, pool, amphitheater, mixed-income housing and an event center for the motel and an adjoining site called Casa Grande. The motel lies across from the BioPark, near Old Town.

Berry and the developers credited the planned Albuquerque Rapid Transit project with helping spur redevelopment along Central.

The 80-year-old motels sprouted up along Route 66  the Mother Road that once connected Chicago and Santa Monica, Calif., starting in the 1920s. Its one of the most famous roads in America, carrying travelers along what is now Central Avenue in Albuquerque.

Its been replaced, of course, by the interstate highway system.

Heres a closer look at the projects:

 The city bought the De Anza in 2003 for $891,000. The motel was built in the 1930s.

Plans call for a botique motel, a restaurant, retail space and a pool.

Redevelopment is expected to cost about $8.1 million. The city is providing a $490,000 grant for the project and leasing the property to the Anthea for about $28,000 a year.

Bill Smith of Anthea said he aims to build something Albuquerque will be proud of.

 The city acquired El Vado in 2010 for about $1.4 million. The motel opened in 1936 and closed in 2005.

Redevelopment is expected to cost about $12.2 million. The citys metropolitan redevelopment agency will provide about $1 million and the citys Family and Community Services Department will provide about $1.9 million in federal housing money, city officials say.

Chad Rennaker of Palindrome said the project couldnt have happened without public support of some kind, and the city, in turn, couldnt afford to do it without private help.
CINCINNATI  In a story July 20 about the NAACP convention in Cincinnati, The Associated Press incorrectly referred to the groups president in several instances. He is Cornell William Brooks.

A corrected version of the story is below:

NAACP: Trump, Clinton need black support to win presidency

Civil rights activists frustrated by police slayings of blacks across the nation are looking to flex their voting power to push for reforms

By DAN SEWELL

Associated Press

CINCINNATI  Civil rights activists frustrated by police slayings of blacks across the nation are looking to flex their voting power to push for reforms.

The continued alarm over how police treat black men has been a major focus of the five-day NAACP national convention that was wrapping up Wednesday for thousands of participants in Cincinnati. Members of the group that dates to 1909 compared the issue to the 1960s violence against civil rights demonstrators and mob hangings of blacks in earlier eras.

Cornell William Brooks, the NAACPs president, pledged in a fiery speech Monday to end lynching in the 21st century  practiced not with sheets and ropes but with defiled uniforms, defiled badges and defiled oaths.

The conventions theme of Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count underscored goals of defending black voting rights and getting out the vote in the first presidential election since black turnout helped Barack Obama twice win the presidency. Black voters cast some 13 percent of presidential ballots in 2012, according to exit polling, and are particularly pivotal in Ohio, Florida and other swing states.

Directing his remarks to Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, Brooks said, Dont think youre going to measure the (White House) drapes without us.

He called on the next president, whether Trump or Clinton, to commit to taking actions as president such as cutting off federal funding to any law enforcement agencies found to have a pattern of discrimination and increasing federal investigative powers into police agencies.

Stephan Stevens, 22, of the St. Louis area near Ferguson, Missouri, where protests broke out two years ago over the death of a black 18-year-old in a confrontation with police, urged young blacks to channel their passion politically.

When we all come together and actually say what we feel and what we want to happen, and then we vote, then things can start to change, he said. We have to start there, and then we can start making a change as far as police brutality.

Clinton spoke to the convention Monday and proposed national guidelines on the use of force by police, new investments in anti-bias training, funding for body cameras and legislation to end racial profiling. Trump passed on an NAACP speaking invitation to focus on the Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland, but his GOP rival in the presidential primaries, Gov. John Kasich, talked to the gathering Sunday evening about his own Ohio initiative on police reforms. It includes a statewide collaborative effort on police-community relations and work on policy for use of deadly force and improving data collection.

Both Clinton and Kasich condemned the slayings of police officers during the new wave of violence this month that has claimed eight officers and two civilians.

Brooks opened his speech by quoting from the blog post of black Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson, who advised against letting hate infect your heart just days before he was killed in Louisiana. Brooks said the Baltimore-based NAACP stands with, behind, and beside lawful law enforcement as they bring about public safety.

Ed Rollerson, of Omaha, Nebraska, said the slayings of officers might bring increased attention by all Americans to police-community relations issues.

Now its a different ballgame, Rollerson said. But its sad. Any time you have someone murdered, its sad.

___

Follow Dan Sewell at http://www.twitter.com/dansewell

For some of his other recent stories: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/dan-sewell
It was a late Tuesday night for this reporter.

Thats because country superstar Toby Keith played a Republican National Convention afterparty and a friend of mine from back home in DC had an extra ticket, so I tagged along. Keith put on a rowdy, entertaining late-night set that included lots of his biggest hits, including I Love this Bar, Whiskey for my Men (Beer for my Horses), and How do ya Like me Now?

Of course, a Toby Keith show always includes his most famous  and controversial  song: Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue. You know the one; where he vows to put a boot in your ass if you mess with the good ol USA. Like him or loathe him (as some liberals do), Keith plays country music that still sounds like country music, and I very much appreciate that.

Keith also been terrific friend to US military stationed overseas, having played a couple of hundred USO shows over the past 15 years.

http://youtu.be/OLLSxc8aWr4

Heres some (admittedly not awesome quality) video of the burly Oklahoma native pouring tequila shots for some new Republican friends on the front row while his band rocks a cover of Ted Nugents Stranglehold.

A lot of people dont know this, but Keith has long claimed  or at least he used to claim  that he is a Democrat. I wrote about that here back in 2009.

Meanwhile, please check out my column today on Gov. Susana Martinezs diminished role at this years convention. The New Mexico delegation went to the Cleveland Zoo today, and Im taking a moment to catch up on some writing and social media posting.

For what its worth, Im the only New Mexico reporter in Cleveland this week. Ill have more from the convention floor tonight.
NEW YORK  There were dire warnings for the Boy Scouts of America a year ago when the groups leaders, under intense pressure, voted to end a long-standing blanket ban on participation by openly gay adults. Several of the biggest sponsors of Scout units, including the Roman Catholic, Mormon and Southern Baptist churches, were openly dismayed, raising the prospect of mass defections.

Remarkably, nearly 12 months after the BSA National Executive Boards decision, the Boy Scouts seem more robust than they have in many years. Youth membership is on the verge of stabilizing after a prolonged decline, corporations which halted donations because of the ban have resumed their support, and the vast majority of units affiliated with conservative religious denominations have remained in the fold  still free to exclude gay adults if thats in accordance with their religious doctrine.

Catholic Bishop Robert Guglielmone of Charleston, South Carolina, whose duties include liaising with the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, says he knows of no instances where a Catholic unit  there are more than 7,500  has taken on an openly gay adult leader since the policy change. Gay sex and same-sex marriage are considered violations of church teaching.

The Boy Scouts national leadership has been wonderfully supportive, Guglielmone said.

Leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., were unhappy with the BSAs easing of the ban on gay adults, but did not call on individual churches to disaffiliate with troops that they sponsored.

A year later, the number of Southern Baptist churches that did cut ties with Scouting is in the double digits, far outnumbered by those who continued their sponsorships, according to Ted S. Spangenberg Jr., president of the executive board of the Association of Baptists for Scouting.

A few of the churches that left are starting to trickle back as the knee-jerk reaction is over, Spangenberg said. We kind of like the way it looks  if youre faith-based, its within your right to select the adult leaders who are going to uphold the tenets of your faith.

Spangenberg spoke by phone from a Boy Scout camp in Defuniak Springs, Florida, where he was serving as chaplain and all-terrain vehicle instructor.

Another leader pleased with the developments is Richard Mason, president of the BSAs Greater New York Councils, which serves nearly 50,000 youths in the New York City area.

In April 2015, the NY Councils played a key role in the BSA policy change, defying the ban by announcing the hiring of an 18-year-old gay Eagle Scout to work at one of its summer camps. Soon afterward, New York Attorney General Eric Schneidermans office opened an inquiry into the BSAs membership policies and influence over local councils hiring decisions.

Mason said the aftermath of the policy change has been overwhelmingly positive in New York. Some corporations and liberal religious groups that cut ties with the Scouts because of the ban have restored them, he said, while the Catholic archdiocese  initially wary of the change  has remained fully active with scouting.

The changes in BSA policy toward gay youths and adult leaders were handled as professionally as I have seen any contentious issue handled during my career, said Mason, a lawyer experienced with complex bankruptcy proceedings.

Until last year, the Boy Scouts had explicitly adhered to a ban on gay adults for more than three decades, even taking a case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000, when it won a 5-4 decision upholding its right to have exclusionary membership policies.

That ruling fueled protests against the BSA by gay-rights supporters. Some local governments barred the Scouts from using public schools or other municipal property. The 2012 ouster of a lesbian serving as a Cub Scout den mother in Ohio sparked a national petition campaign assailing the ban.

After vigorous internal debate, the BSA leadership decided in 2013 to allow participation by openly gay youth. However, the organization faced continued pressure to ease its ban on gay adults serving as paid staff or volunteers.

Some major Scout councils made clear they would defy the ban, and BSA headquarters became increasingly worried that it could face lawsuits from states that prohibit workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.

At the urging of Robert Gates, the former defense secretary who was BSA president at the time, the Scouts National Executive Board voted on July 27, 2015, to end the blanket ban on gay adult leaders while allowing church-sponsored units to maintain the exclusion for religious reasons.

About 73 percent of all Scout units are sponsored by churches, some of them open to participation by gay adults.

The plaintiff in the Supreme Court case, James Dale, had been expelled from his position as an assistant Scoutmaster in New Jersey because he was gay. The New Jersey Supreme Court said his firing violated the states nondiscrimination law, but the Boy Scouts prevailed in their appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dale, now 45, is pleased that the BSA eased the ban but disapproves of the provision allowing church-sponsored troops to continue excluding gays.

With the Boy Scouts, I want to be optimistic, Dale said. What theyve done is more than a half measure, but its not where it needs to be.

Like several other major youth organizations, the Boy Scouts have experienced a membership decline in recent decades. Current youth participation, according to the BSA, is about 2.35 million, down from 2.6 million in 2013 and more than 4 million in peak years of the past.

However, Gates, in a speech in May before stepping down as BSA president, said there were encouraging trends, with the overall rate of decline slowing and an increase in the number of boys joining Cub Scouts.

We are on the threshold of a significant historical event  a return to positive national growth for the first time in decades, Gates said.

There are no official statistics on how many gay adults have been accepted as BSA leaders.

We do not inquire about the sexual orientation of our youth members, adult volunteers or employees, said Boy Scouts national spokeswoman Effie Delimarkos.

Since the policy change, there have been few news reports of gay adults being rebuffed after trying to become BSA volunteers. One of the few such cases to receive coverage involved Greg Bourke of Louisville, Kentucky.

Bourke had served as an assistant scoutmaster for a troop sponsored by a Catholic church but resigned under pressure in 2012 because of the ban. After it was lifted, he applied for reinstatement, but was rejected at a face-to-face meeting with Archbishop Joseph Kurtz.

Bourke and his husband, Michael DeLeon, were plaintiffs in the case that resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down state bans on same-sex marriage. The Louisville archdiocese indicated it was Bourkes marital status, as well as his activism, that led to the rebuff of his application.

Boy Scout troops are ministries of the parishes in which they reside, the archdiocese said. All pastoral leaders in these ministries should be able to provide a credible and integrated witness in their lives to the teachings of the Catholic Church, including its teachings on marriage.

Though the policy change did not trigger the massive defections that some critics predicted, there were some emphatic departures.

The Catholic bishop of Bismarck, North Dakota, David Kagan, announced within a week of the BSA decision that his diocese would end its affiliation. In addition, about 20 individual Catholic parishes around the country dropped their sponsorship of Scout troops, according to Guglielmone.

He said the number of youths participating in Catholic units had dropped slightly over the past year, but predicted the numbers would rise as more Catholics saw that the Scouts policy change had not caused disruptions.

In Appleton, Wisconsin, Faith Lutheran Church severed its ties with Boy Scout and Cub Scout units it had sponsored for 60 years. Pastor Dan Thews said he could not accept the idea of gay adults having influence over boys in the unit.

However, Delimarkos said new sponsors will assume oversight of both units. In several cases elsewhere, she said, organizations such as the United Methodist Church and the American Legion took over units which lost their sponsors.

We are very encouraged by what looks like a minimal negative effect the policy change has had, Delimarkos said in an email.

In Utah, where most troops are sponsored by Mormon churches, the change appears to have had modest impact.

The Mormon Church sponsors more Scout units that any other organization in the U.S. and has used Scouting programs as a rite of passage for boys. Initially, the church said it was deeply troubled by the policy change but later committed to sticking with the Boy Scouts.

That period of indecision may have contributed to a drop in fundraising for the largest Boy Scout council in the country, the Utah National Parks Council, which had to lay off several staff members.

The council president, Stan Lockhart, said there has been little conversation about the policy change among parents and troops in the council, which has more than 83,000 youth participating.

The change opened the door for Scott K. Fausett to return to the organization he loved.

He grew up in Boy Scouts as a Mormon and was a troop leader until he came out as gay in 2008 and had to leave. Hes now the leader of an all-inclusive troop sponsored by the Presbyterian Church in Salt Lake City.

We dont care about somebodys religious beliefs, their ability, their disability, their sexuality, said Fausett, 46. All we care about is that they live the Scout principles.

A Utah LGBT-rights group, Restore Our Humanity, has filed an application to organize a new Boy Scout troop with a fully inclusive policy.

One of the groups that campaigned against the BSAs bans on gay youths and adults  Scouts for Equality  is trying to build a national network of Scout units that publicly identify as welcoming gays. Zach Wahls, a co-founder of Scouts for Equality, said this program is now active in 31 states, with participation by more than 4,800 youths and 2,300 adults.

We still have a ways to go, said Wahls, 24, an Eagle Scout who was raised by lesbian mothers in Iowa.

One issue likely to confront the BSA in the future, Wahls said, is how to handle efforts by transgender boys to join Scout units.

A Girl Scout troop in Colorado accepted a transgender girl in 2011, but for now the Boy Scouts are not ready to follow suit.

Delimarkos said transgender youths would be welcome in coed programs, such as Venturing, but not in boys-only Cub Scout and Boy Scout units.

___

McCombs reported from Salt Lake City.
PHOENIX  A Tucson man charged with plotting a terrorist attack on a motor vehicle office in metro Phoenix will remain jailed until his trial because he poses a danger to the community, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers said no conditions could be imposed on releasing Mahin Khan from jail that could ensure the public is protected.

Authorities say Khan wanted to attack a motor vehicle office in Mesa and instructed an undercover FBI employee to start building homemade grenades.

They say Khan wanted to inspire an insurgency in the United States to carry out the sort of attacks that had occurred in Paris and Brussels and had online exchanges with a person believed to be a member of the Islamic State terrorist group.

According to authorities, Khan had expressed a desire to attack a Jewish community center in Tucson. Authorities also said they found a document in a search of his home that showed he wanted to attack a military recruiting center and an LA Fitness location.

Khan has pleaded not guilty to state charges of with terrorism, conspiracy to commit terrorism and conspiracy to commit misconduct involving weapons.

Outside of the courtroom, Khans attorneys and two family members declined comment Wednesday on the allegations.

Khan was denied bail after his July 1 arrest because he was accused of terrorism, but he was still entitled to another hearing to examine whether theres proof to back up the charges before bond can be denied.

Prosecutor Blaine Gadow said the FBI and Khans parents had taken steps in the past to steer him away from his radical viewpoint, but he kept making statements about wanting to attack targets.

Authorities say the FBI first approached Khan when he was 15 years old and that he later underwent 45 days of mental health treatment for a condition that wasnt specified in court.

An FBI agent had also testified that Khan, who was arrested just days after his 18th birthday, had expressed frustrations earlier about not being able to buy a gun until he was an adult. He is 18 and capable of simply refusing his parents guidance and assistance in getting away from this way of thinking, Gadow said.

Defense attorney John Andrew Champagne argued that Khan should be released from jail and electronically monitored to ensure the publics safety.

Champagne said no weapons were found inside Khans home during a search by investigators. He also pointed out the FBIs lead investigator couldnt say which state Motor Vehicle Division location in Mesa that Khan is accused of wanting to attack.

Authorities said Khan also had written emails to a suspected member of the Pakistan Taliban seeking weapons and instructions for a homemade explosive. Its not clear if Khan was corresponding with an actual member of the group, but court records show that the FBI examined the emails.

In the emails, Khan said he backed the Islamic State and was looking to carry out an attack. Court records show the person responded that he would have to pay for two rifles and a pistol he requested, so Khan said he wanted instructions for a bomb itself.

The FBI began investigating Khan after someone reported him for suspicious activity and agents were tracking him as he asked someone else on April 16 about targeting Mission Bay, California, and an Air Force recruitment center in Tucson, according to the probable cause statement filed into court records.

_______

Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/jacques-billeaud.
SANTA FE  Former New Mexico state Sen. Phil Griego has waived his right to a court hearing that had been set for this week, opting instead to re-enter a not guilty plea from afar to a bevy of public corruption charges.

After Griego waived his arraignment hearing, District Judge Brett Loveless allowed Griego to remain free on his own recognizance.

However, Loveless ordered the former lawmaker  the latest New Mexico legislator accused of breaking corruption laws  to stay away from all witnesses in the case and not to use alcohol or drugs. He also stipulated that Griego cannot leave New Mexico without court permission.

Griego, who resigned from the Senate in March 2015, is accused of using his position as a legislator to pocket a $50,000 brokers fee in the 2014 sale of a historic state-owned building in downtown Santa Fe.

Specifically, he faces nine criminal charges, which include bribery, perjury and violating his oath of public office.

Judge Loveless ruled earlier this month that there was enough evidence to merit Griegos standing trial on the charges, though he tossed out a 10th charge that had been filed by Attorney General Hector Balderas office.

The Democratic attorney general has described the case as an example of holding the powerful accountable, but Griegos attorney, Tom Clark, has blasted the charges filed by the AGs Office as overreaching and based on circumstantial evidence.

The case has also triggered renewed debate over the states system for handing ethics complaints against legislators, with some political onlookers saying it shows the flaws of the current system, in which such complaints are largely kept from public view.

If convicted of all counts he is facing, Griego, a San Jose Democrat, could receive up to 21 years in prison and $38,000 in fines.

The trial date has not been set. The arraignment hearing had been scheduled for Friday.
Police have identified the man found dead in an alley near Louisiana and Trumbull SE Monday evening as 27-year-old Daniel Lovato Jr. of Albuquerque.

Officer Tanner Tixier said Lovatos death is being investigated as a homicide but he did not say how Lovato died.

Detectives do not have any suspects in the case.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about Lovatos death to call 242-COPS or Crime Stoppers, Tixier said.
Blazes in the U.S. West have blocked a major route to Yellowstone National Park during tourist season and tore through a mobile home park in Utah, leaving residences destroyed and people displaced.

Heres a look at some of the fires:

___

UTAH

High winds pushed a northern Utah brush fire out of a field and into a neighborhood, destroying at least 10 homes in trailer park.

Authorities were investigating Wednesday whether the 30-acre fire in the city of Tooele was intentionally set because they said it appeared suspicious.

The fire that ignited Tuesday has been contained but has displaced several dozen people. Eight other homes and a handful of cars were damaged.

Three firefighters and one resident were treated for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported.

Resident Javier Cortez, who has a family of six, told Salt Lake City news station KUTV that he smelled smoke and ran outside.

His family tried to use a hose to wet grass around their home but they were forced to run from the flames, Cortez said. Their home of four months was destroyed.

___

WYOMING

Crews are battling a blaze blocking a route to Yellowstone National Park and the region of Jackson Hole as summertime visitors flock to the popular northwest Wyoming areas.

The wildfire has burned about 12 square miles in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and closed a 40-mile section of U.S. 191/189, a highway heavily used by travelers heading across Interstate 80 to the park and Jackson Hole.

That stretch of highway is used by an average of 2,600 vehicles a day during July. The region includes the resort town of Jackson, Grand Teton National Park and other outdoor recreation.

But alternate routes are available, including I-25 through Casper. The fire is burning about 5 miles north of the community of Bondurant.

New fires also broke out in remote areas of national forests in the western part of the state.

___

IDAHO

Authorities took aim at a fast-moving wildfire in southwest Idaho and slowed the flames Wednesday.

Officials called in retardant bombers and additional firefighters to strengthen containment lines around the blaze burning in grass and sagebrush 15 miles east of Boise.

The human-caused fire that started Tuesday has ballooned to about 7 square miles, destroying a barn and two smaller structures, but no homes are threatened, fire spokesman Brandon Hampton said.

___

ALASKA

A wildfire threatening homes just south of Alaskas largest city was likely caused by people, fire officials said.

The fire came within a mile of two separate Anchorage subdivisions, fire incident commander Tom Kurth told reporters Wednesday. There are no immediate plans for evacuations, but he said residents in affected areas would be wise to be ready to go if necessary.

More than 20 homes are threatened and the area about 10 miles south of Anchorage that is heavily used for recreation, officials said.

Kurth said fire managers are anticipating a change in the hot, dry weather, with Thursdays forecast calling for up to a half inch of rain for the area.
BATON ROUGE, La.  After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Kip Holdens absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation.

But with the shooting deaths of three law enforcement officers on Sunday, the 63-year-old Democrat has become more visible, standing up for his police force and accepting condolences from mayors across the country, including the leaders of Orlando and Dallas, and from President Barack Obama.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Holden vowed Wednesday to unify Baton Rouge after two weeks of violence and anguish.

The day the officers were killed was one of the worst days in the history of Baton Rouge and in his 12 years as mayor, Holden said.

He said he was confident that the city would endure.

Its been trying, but I have not shed any tears because I know we will win out, he said from his downtown office.

Citing the Bible, as he does often, Holden quoted Job: Yet though you slay me, I will rise again, he said. Yet though those officers have been slain, Baton Rouge will rise again.

The mayor was getting ready to go to church Sunday when he got a call from his sister about ambulances on Airline Highway, a busy thoroughfare.

At the hospital, grief poured out. The mother of a sheriffs deputy killed in the shootout held a child in her arms and said she didnt know how she could go forward. The deputys young daughter couldnt believe her father wasnt coming home.

Dads not dead, he recalled the girl saying, and hes coming home this afternoon.

The mayor described the experience as like having your insides ripped out.

The slayings came only days after five officers were killed in an ambush in Dallas and just over a month since a gunman opened fire in an Orlando nightclub, killing 49 people.

Its like Groundhog Day, he said. We cant be reliving this stuff over and over again. But yes we were.

The police force is on high alert, and law enforcement officers from surrounding parishes have poured in to help. Funerals for the officers are pending.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is investigating the killing of Alton Sterling, who was selling CDs in a black neighborhood when he died at the hands of two white officers. His shooting death, caught on graphic cellphone video, sparked days of protests that reverberated around the nation.

Protesters have promised to resume their demands for police reform, and Holden said the city was prepared for any scenario.

Its a delicate time for Holden, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits. Voters will pick a new mayor in November. On Wednesday, he registered to run for a congressional seat.

Albert Samuels, a political scientist at Southern University, said discontent with Holden within Baton Rouges black community began brewing before Sterlings death. For years, Holden enjoyed broad support among African-American voters who backed him in campaigns for the Metro Council, the state Legislature and eventually for mayor-president.

But more recently, critics in the black community have grown louder, complaining that the mayor has neglected north Baton Rouge, the predominantly black area where Sterling was shot. The feeling is that south of Florida Boulevard  the dividing line  there are thriving businesses, better streets and more development.

Many African-Americans have essentially concluded that Mayor Holden has sold the black community out, Samuels said.

Discontent started bubbling up publicly during a candidate forum last year, when Holden was running for lieutenant governor and was asked pointedly about the lack of economic development for north Baton Rouge, Samuels said.

The mayor has also repeatedly backed the police department, insisting there is no systemic bias in their policing, Samuels said. For many in the African-American community, news that Holden had not reached out to the Sterling family after the shooting was a bridge too far.

Animosity toward Holden was common among protesters. At one demonstration outside the convenience store where Sterling was shot, a Nation of Islam speaker said the mayor had white intestines and would not be welcome in poor African-American neighborhoods.

Holden said he could not go against his officers.

Think about it. Im the boss of that officer, he said, referring to the officer who shot Sterling. Police were responding to a 911 call alleging Sterling had threatened someone with a gun.

What it would look like for me  to go and march with the people wanting to kill police officers? he said. That would be absolutely insane. Thats stupid. And I would not take that step in any circumstance whatsoever.

As for officers who may harbor racist attitudes, he said there are few of them.

Im not going to say it doesnt happen, he said. But that number would be very, very small.

___

Associated Press Writer Rebecca Santana in New Orleans contributed to this report.
ACAs library of educational tools help members improve their business practices. ACA also holds the most popular industry conferences and offers credentialing for collectors, attorneys, and more. ACAs Training Zone subscription gives agencies access to almost all of our education for one low cost.
Becker Professional Education announced on Wednesday that 68 of the 75 Elijah Watt Sells Award recipients for 2015 were students of Beckers CPA Exam Review course. Becker further claims that more than 90 percent of Elijah Watt winners since 2005 have prepared for the exam using their review course.

The Elijah Watt Sells Award is given to candidates who earn a cumulative average score above 95.50 across all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam, as well as successfully passing all four sections on their first attempt. Of the approximately 90,000 candidates who sat for the exam in 2015, 75 were recognized with the award.

It is truly extraordinary that Becker has helped more than 90 percent of Watt Sells Award winners receive this prestigious award throughout the past decade, said John Roselli, president of Becker Professional Education, per a statement. We believe it is a testament to the hard work of our candidates, but also a reflection of the quality of Beckers course, our instructors and the dedication of our entire organization.

Because of Beckers intimate knowledge of the CPA Exam, I spent most of my time planning ahead, staying organized and making the most of my limited time by focusing on the topics most likely to be on the exam, stated Jason Ackerman, a senior associate at Wagner, Ferber, Fine & Ackerman and a 2015 Sells Award winner. It was an invaluable resource led by the best instructors who kept me engaged and motivated.

For a full list of Becker students honored with the 2015 Elijah Watt Sells Award, head to Becker's site here.
The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA)donated $10,000 to the National September 11 Memorial and Museum during its annual International Conference in Manhattan. Josh Cherwin, director of Institutional Advancement for the Memorial and Museum, accepted the donation from IA International Conference co-chairs Nick DiMola and Paul Flora.

The senseless attacks of 9/11 have indelibly marked New York City in the hearts of most Americans," said IIA president and CEO Richard Chambers, at the conference. "Its response to those horrific events has strengthened its image as a city that stands as a beacon of freedom and opportunity. Our donation honors the memory of those who were lost, and supports New Yorks resilience in the face of tragedy.

The IIA is currently holding its annual International Conference in Manhattan from July 17-20. This year marks the Conference's 75th anniversary, with the first occurring in 1941.

For more on the IIA, head to theirsite here.To follow this year's conference on Twitter,follow #IIAIC.
The Internal Revenue Service has released new guidance on how foreign financial institutions can enter into a Qualified Intermediary agreement with the U.S. under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA.

Notice 2016-42, released earlier this month, outlines the proposed QI agreement, which revises and updates the current agreement in Rev. Proc. 2014-39, released by the IRS in July 2014. The revised agreement details the procedures for how qualified intermediaries can meet their compliance review obligations. The notice also describes the terms and requirements for qualified intermediaries that want to act as qualified derivatives dealers, or QDDs, with respect to transactions subject to Section 871(m) of the Tax Code, which governs dividend equivalent payments. The proposed QI agreement, when its finalized, would be effective beginning Jan. 1, 2017, and the IRS is asking for comments by Aug. 31, 2016 on the proposal.

FATCA was included as part of the HIRE Act of 2010 and requires foreign financial institutions such as banks and hedge funds to provide the IRS with information on their U.S. taxpayers or else face stiff withholding penalties of up to 30 percent on their income from U.S. sources. The controversial law has prompted the Treasury Department to sign a series of intergovernmental agreements with other countries, most of them allowing their banks to provide the information first to their own local tax authority, which then passes the tax information along to the IRS.

Denise Hintzke, global FATCA leader with Deloitte Tax, predicts the guidance will be finalized later this year. Existing QI agreements will need to be renewed through the FATCA registration website before March 1, 2017. Most QIs will also need to undergo a compliance review in 2017 under the new rules, and the new Qualified Derivative Dealer regime will become part of the QI agreement going forward.

This document actually does two things, said Hintzke. One, it provides the new proposed QI agreement. That QI agreement is supposed to go into effect on January 1, so I would expect they will be finalizing it at some point within the next couple of months because generally the renewal period for existing QIs will start in the last quarter of the year.

The new revenue procedure covers the due diligence procedures for QIs and includes some new tweaks to the old rules. The two key changes are theyve provided a lot more detail and guidance around what the compliance program and the periodic reviews need to look like, said Hintzke. Theyve made it clear now that when the responsible officer for the qualified intermediary is going to have to do a periodic certification as to compliance that they can rely on a review that has been done by an external party. That party can be a law firm, an accounting firm, or any other type of organization that is capable of doing such a review. The responsible officer can then rely on that review for purposes of certifying back to the IRS that theyre in compliance.

Another key change in the IRSs new QI agreement allows banks to claim treaty benefits. Its in line with the changes that theyve made to the new W-8 forms, where going forward anybody thats going to claim a treaty benefit is going to need to provide a more detailed explanation of what limitations of benefits clause they are relying on within the particular treaty, said Hintzke. They also made it clear that the financial institutionsthe QI in this particular situationwill have some responsibility for making sure that claim is reasonable. There will be certain cases where they actually are held to whats called a reason to know standard, meaning that unless a reasonable person would have knowledge based on the facts they have that this could not be correct that they would have to act on it. Then in some situations theres an actual knowledge standard, meaning they actually know the person would not be entitled.

Another important piece of the new QI agreement is the Qualified Derivative Dealer rules. It allows certain types of entities that are QIsgenerally regulated things like broker-dealersto become a qualified derivative dealer, said Hintzke. This is a new status that allows them to avoid withholding under those 871(m) regulations that had to do with derivative transactions and substitute payments. It allows them, when theyre acting on a proprietary basis, to receive such payments without a withholding. Once they determine the actual taxation that is potentially required with respect to the dividend equivalent payment, they file a tax return with the IRS and they pay that directly.

The QDD rules are supposed to address a situation known as cascading withholding, in which banks might be subject more than the 30 percent withholding penalty on their U.S. source income.

If you had financial institutions that were entering into these derivative transactions that had equities underlying themso the payments they made were being treated as if they were dividend equivalentswithout these rules every single time a payment was made from one party to another along a chain, the 30 percent withholding would apply, said Hintzke. This allows entities within the chain, if theyre acting on a proprietary basis, to receive that payment free of withholding, and then finally at the end of the chain determine the appropriate taxes due to the U.S. government.

In general, the new guidance should provide more clarity to foreign financial institutions so they can comply with FATCA, although it also introduces some added complexity.

When you look at the QI agreement itself, I think we needed some more clarification around what this certification and review was going to be like, so thats actually a good thing, said Hintzke. It gives more guidance. It gives a lot of flexibility to the financial institutions as to how they want to structure their compliance program and how they want to do the certifications to the IRS.

However, she sees the part about the treaty benefits as a new complication. Its going to be more difficult for organizations to deal with providing treaty benefits, but thats in line with what theyre doing outside of the QI as well, said Hintzke. All theyre doing there is amending the QI to make sure its consistent with what all withholding agents are going to need to do. The QDD is a pretty complicated regime, but in the absence of being able to be a QDD, these derivative dealers that are acting on a proprietary basis would not be able to do business with U.S. securities because theres no other way to get out of the withholding. Theyre getting rid of what they call the credit forward rules and the QSL [Qualified Securities Lenders] rules, which means that if youre not a QDD you would be subject to withholding. That again would lead to this cascading withholding, and these transactions would not become workable. They just would not be good investments anymore. I think its a complicated regime, but very necessary for financial institutions that are eligible to sign onto it.

The new rules promise to help the IRS with its goal of pressuring foreign banks to turn over more information on potential tax evaders.

Both of these rules are meant to get more information into the hands of the IRS and give the IRS a better view into things, said Hintzke. With the qualified intermediary agreement in general, the institution is signing an agreement with the IRS to provide certain information and due diligence and undergo these reviews, which of course gives the IRS more insight into whats going on. The same thing with these new what they call the 871 rules, the derivative rules. They are all focused on trying to get not only more information into the hands of the government but also make sure that they receive the appropriate tax. The concept of the QDD and QI is another way for the IRS to try to get that information in a more simplified manner. If theyre dealing with somebody thats a QI, and this person has signed a contractual agreement with them to be governed by these QDD rules, then theyve subjected themselves to review and providing certifications as to their compliance. This is a method of trying to ensure that theyre getting the information they should have.
By Mike Maharrey

Recently, I reported on the unconstitutional Republican fix for unconstitutional Obamacare. Now it seems Obama himself has an unconstitutional fix for his unconstitutional Obamacare.

While the so-called affordable care act has increased the level of insurance coverage in the country, it has utterly failed in one of Obamas primary promises  that competition introduced through the state exchanges would lead to lower premiums. This was supposed to put the affordable in the affordable care act.

In fact, premiums have skyrocketed and many insurance companies have simply abandoned the state exchanges, unable to turn a profit.

Peter Suderman explained the extent of the problem in a recent Reason.com Hit & Run Blog post.

What this means is that in many rural areas, Obamacares exchanges will be served by one and only one insurer. A recent report by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that some 650 counties in states like Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arizona, and Oklahoma were likely to have just one carrier next year. In Wyoming, Alaska, and Alabamayes, the same state that Obama highlighted in his 2009 speechthe exchanges will feature no competition anywhere in the state. In places like these, Obamacare has not solved the problem of too little competition in the health insurance market; it has allowed it to continue, and perhaps even contributed to it.

Of course, the solution for every federal government failure is more federal government.

In this case, the solution Obama floated involves creating a public option insurance plan to operate alongside private insurers. Private option is government-peak for government health insurance.

Essentially, Obamas plan would bring the U.S. a step closer to the single-payer government run system progressives have aimed for all along. In fact, many government health care opponents speculated this was the end-game of Obamacare from the git-go. They knew it would never work, and the ultimate solution would boil down to a full-blown national health care system.

The fate of the co-ops that were funded through Obamacare serve as an interesting crystal ball.

The administration pitched the co-ops as essentially interchangeable with the public option. You could theoretically design a co-op plan that had the same attributes as a public plan, then-Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told Bloomberg News in 2009. Around the same time, President Obama told Time, I think in theory you can imagine a cooperative meeting that definition of a public option. Obamacare resulted in the creation of 23 co-ops across the nation, some of which served hundreds of thousands of customers. As of this month, however, only 10 remain fully operational. The other 13 have either shut down, or announced that they plan to by the end of the year. The reason for every closing has been the same: Premiums were set too low to cover the cost of medical expenses. The losses mounted. The co-ops couldnt make the finances work. With each closing, taxpayers have had to swallow losses for the loans that funded their operations.

The so-called public option would likely endure the same shortfalls that doomed the co-ops  the difference being the federal government can simply print more money to keep its floundering system afloat. Suderman nails it.

There is little reason to believe that a full-fledged public option, entirely run by the government, would fare any better. It would, however, be much harder to shut down, and much more likely to be propped up by additional federal funding if it failed to completely cover its expenses on its ownleaving an ongoing cost to taxpayers rather than the one-time hit incurred by the failures of the co-ops.

One should also note that the private insurance companies forced to compete with this public option wont have the luxury of printing money or taxing Americans to stay afloat. They will likely be forced out of the system, leaving us with Uncle Sam as Americans only insurance option.

Just what the progressives wanted all along.

This whole saga  from the Republican fix that actually keeps many features of the ACA to the proposed Obama fix  illustrates an ugly truth. Once these federal programs take root, they dont go away. They dont shrink. They only grow and become more invasive. Americans need to get this through their heads: politicians in D.C. will never get rid of Obamacare. Ever. Unless they do it to implement something bigger and more awful. State and local action provides the only hope of undermining and tearing down the system. If you keep looking toward Congress, or a new president, or federal judges to save you from national health care, you will be sorely disappointed.
How often have you said to yourself  I wish someone could take care of the kitchen slog work leaving me free to add my special touch to the dishes I serve Fingerlix does exactly that! Fingerlix, a food start-up, brings fresh, ready-to-cook solutions with its wide range of products like batters, mixes, curries, dals, parathas and fully-ready accompaniments to go with them. Want to create the perfect Dal Makhani? Get fresh Fingerlix Dal Makhani heat it add cream and butter to taste and youre done! Want Aloo Paratha but dont want to go through the chores involved? Simple  order Aamchoori Aloo Paratha from Fingerlix, heat on the Tavaa for a couple of minutes add ghee or butter to taste and youre ready to serve. And its Fresh with absolutely No Preservatives! Now, plan a scrumptious menu for breakfast, lunch, snacking and dinner and infuse ease and variety in your daily meals with Fingerlix food solutions.

Targeted at todays progressive homemakers, Fingerlix serves freshly cooked and chilled food prepared in a state-of-the-art hygienic kitchen. Not only do you get rid of the hard work, you can customise each dish and add your magic to excite your familys unique taste buds. With their attractive packaging, Fingerlix ready-to-cook delights are now available at various retail outlets and supermarkets across Mumbai. These include Haiko (Hiranandani, Powai), Reliance Retail (includes Reliance + Sahakari Bhandar) and Hypercity. Fingerlix is also available at its user-friendly website (https://www.fingerlix.com), mobile app (Android & iOS) and call centre services with home delivery.

Fingerlix is the brainchild of a top team of experienced professionals  Shripad Nadkarni (Director), Shree Bharambe (CEO), Varun Khanna (VP-Sales & Operations) and Abhijit Berde (Product Development & Executive Chef). The founders of the company bring with them extensive experience with world-renowned companies like Coca-Cola, J&J and Colgate besides deep consulting experience (MarketGate Consulting) with most of Indias top food companies. Shripad, Shree and Varun, have applied their prowess in market strategies and business leadership to design the growth roadmap for Fingerlix and envision making it a household name in India, while Abhijit Berde is leading the food team creating recipes, maintaining impeccable standards and training young chefs. Abhijit Berde has been an Executive Chef for over a decade now and has had extensive experience with ITC Hotels, Oberoi and Gate Gourmet.

Commenting on the launch, Shree Bharambe, CEO, Fingerlix, said, Fingerlix was created to help homemakers prepare customised-to-their-taste food at home every day without the slog. Since all the ingredients we use are absolutely fresh and the products are free of preservatives, Fingerlix food is ideal for daily consumption. It doesnt just take away from the hassles of cooking but also adds fun to home food with its exciting array of dishes. Our endeavour is to be the constant partner of those who love their tasty traditional meals at home but dont always have enough time at hand to spend long hours preparing it.

As all Fingerlix products are preservative-free, they come with a shelf life of five days. They are meant to be enjoyed just like home-cooked food - within a day or two of preparation.

With a mission to ease the process of cooking and helping consumers explore new product ranges with freshness guaranteed, Fingerlix aims to be a part of the daily essentials in every urban Indian household  Milk, Bread, Eggs and Fingerlix!
Lenovo India has assigned its full range of digital media duties to Performics. Resultrix, the performance marketing arm of Zenith, part of Publicis Media. Lenovo has re-invented and invigorated the personal computer category and has changed the way consumers perceive computing devices. In the past decade, the company has transformed exponentially from a pure play PC brand to a global leader offering a diverse range of innovative consumer, commercial, and enterprise technology products.

Commenting on the win, Mayoori Kango, Managing Director, Performics. Resultrix, said, We are pleased to partner with a highly reputed technology firm such as Lenovo. Performance marketing can help bridge the gap between offline and online sales. We will tailor for them the right mix of content, communication, media channels and audience insights. Conversion rate optimization is a trademark process of Performics globally and we will leverage our strength in this area. We will amplify the Lenovo brand across platforms.

Bhaskar Choudhuri, Director - Marketing, Lenovo India, added here, We are a customer-centric technology brand and were on the lookout for a partner to enhance our performance marketing practice and keep us ahead of the digital curve. We believe that this is critical today to engage potential customers who buy online or research online but purchase offline. Performics has great credentials and provides cutting edge solutions in media analytics, media technology and programmatic buying, which further cemented our decision to form this partnership.



Performics has consistently enhanced its digital offerings  be it the set-up of mobile marketing unit Performics Mobile, the set-up of a media technology division in Bangalore or the Centre Of Excellence teams in Delhi and Mumbai. The group has seen significant increase in billings and revenues through new clients such as Airtel, Olx, and Zopper, to name a few. It has also set up a Communications Planning Team, which uses data to map the consumer journey from awareness to buying.
Praful Akali, Founder & MD, Medulla Communications, and Amit Akali, Chief Creative Officer, Medulla Communications and Managing Partner, WYP Brand Solutions, speak to AdGully on the agencys spectacular performance at Cannes Lions 2016, some untold stories, the state of health communication in India, future plans, and more. Excerpts:

Your spectacular show at Cannes Lions this year has been extensively covered. What are the untold stories that still remain?

During the Awards Show, there may have been just four people from Medulla but there was a huge Indian ad agency contingent that was cheering loudly each time Medulla won an award. After the ceremony got over,team Medulla took over an hour to get out of the venue since the jury members and others were congratulating us and all this while other Indian agency folks were waiting for us and already celebrating the Indian win on the steps of the Cannes Palais where the awards show happens.

Together we headed jingoistically to the famous Cannes gutter bar,where the entire ad industry hangs out whether they lose or win. And we literally carried this heavy 10 kg of awards with us, which then graced the table. Other Indian agency folks were literally talking to the waiters in Hindi and English saying, India jeet gaya hai, can you please get us this table?

What changes do you envisage from now on in healthcare advertising in India post your Cannes wins?

Healthcare advertising is changing and so is the perception changing significantly, which is very important because earlier healthcare advertising was considered boring. Whats happening is not just because of the awards, but because of the work which has won the awards. The awards give recognition to the work. And when people are looking at our work, they are saying this is not boring. So why cant I do that kind of work in healthcare. Thats the one thing that I think is really changing. People have been accepting boring work and doing it in healthcare; now it is a clear question as to why do you need to do that.

So we think that alone will raise the bar significantly as far as healthcare in India and across the world is concerned. In fact, we believe the country will become a big hub in the coming years for healthcare work across the world. In fact, that is already happening and people have been noticing our work and the biggest international brands want to work with us now.

How do you create a balance between the regulatory requirements and creative freedom while conceptualising a campaign for a pharma client?

You normally have to deeply understand the regulatory requirements completely. And you have to work like thaton any work that you do across any industry. You have to understand that the regulations are critical but within that you can find good work and when you understand the creative process deeply, then you can work well. However, if your understanding is superficial, then you start to view them as constraints even though they are not actually like that.

According to you, what is the most challenging part in sustaining yourself in a niche sector like healthcare?

Essentially, what happens is that specifically in India, the ad agency model is still at a very nascent stage. Therefore, clients dont work with ad agencies as much they should. And to be honest, this is an issue from both sides. Clients dont appreciate the value the agency brings. And vice versa, the agencies dont necessarily understand what the client needs in healthcare, because their need is a very specialised one and as a result, even when clients have been able and willing, agencies have not been delivering enough value in the past. Therefore, it is a vicious cycle: clients are not satisfied with the agencies; agencies are not satisfied with the clients. To break this vicious cycle and to break the perceptions at the core requires work that is different. Anyone who does different work is swimming against the tide and you are not necessarily getting paid sufficiently for that. So, to break the vicious cycle is the biggest challenge and thankfully, the Cannes wins are already helping us to break that.

From a third place at the inaugural edition of the Healthcare Agency of the Year awards in 2014 to winning the title this year  what were the major developments at Medulla in the intervening period?

While the journey from No. 3 last year to No. 1 this year is very exciting, I think its important to understand that the journey actually started even before we got to No.3.

Eight years back when Medulla was founded, we felt that advertising agencies were not getting healthcare and healthcare agencies were not getting advertising. So we felt that if we could do planning and creative at a level of the best mainline agencies and also add on medical at the level of best healthcare agencies and integrate the functions, then we could do very good work.

But like all self-funded agencies, Medulla was built step-by- step. We started off as a medical and planning agency. Two years later we built a design team and another two years later we hired our Creative Director and that helped in setting up a creative team. Still when we were looking at healthcare creative work in India, the benchmarks were very low. Then my brother Amit joined us and he comes with 20 years of mainline advertising experience. He has set up his own agency, but he is also the Chief Creative Officer at Medulla and I support him in the business strategy of his agency. With Amit coming on board, we realised that we could really up the level of creativity. We conducted a lot of workshops, we hired new people, we decided on new creative structures, etc. We then realised that we were doing a great deal of creative work differently and saw almost magic happening out there, and so we started entering for awards. We first entered for the Rx Club Show New York, 2014  which is a big pharma awards show across the world  where we actually won more awardsin our first outing than any other agency from India has ever won in a single year. Next were the Abbys/ Goafest and we were probably the first healthcare agency to have won there. We entered in three categories and won two awards against the best mainline advertising work in India. Thats how we decided to enter the Cannes Lions Health in 2015 where we ended up unexpectedly winning the Third Healthcare Agency of the Year.

So, having already achieved all of that, we owed it to ourselves to get to No.1. We readied ourselves by studying who were the agencies that had got to No.1, who were the Agency of the Year, who was the Network Agency of the Year, what were the entries that they had done, how many entries had they sent out, how many entries got shortlisted, what was the quality of the entries, what was working and not working and then we did an introspection of how that was in line with our own philosophy ofcreativity and advertising. We realised that we were very much in line with their philosophy in terms of wanting to not just sell the brand, but hopefully impacting the customer in some way. Starting with regular briefs and generating award winning ideas coming from there, getting clients to invest in the work, in the idea and then taking it forwardand implementing it, finally ending with packaging the ideas for awards  it was a year-long process.

When it comes to healthcare advertising, how clear are clients in their creative briefs as well as their expectations from the agency?

There is definitely scope for improvement on that front. What to say and how to say it are two separate requirements but sometimes they get merged. The role of the client and the agency should be very clear.Second challenge is that the briefs are either very superficial or they are very informative but still lacking a single-minded proposition. It is important for the agency to geta lot of information from the client and understand the market. We immerse ourselves as much as the client does in the project. But at the same time we have a single-minded proposition to work on vis-a-vis getting too many pegs to handle as an agency.

How open are the clients to acceptingradically creative ideas?

We believe the question is being unfair to clients. A lot of agency folks often look at our ideas only from a creative standpoint and not from the customer standpoint and hence, we look at selling radical ideas that add to our resume, but do not necessarily add to the brand. When we present effective work to the client, even if it is unexpected or radical, clients do appreciate that work.

But the challenge is to do work that is effective yet radical, you need a lot of support from the client even before you are in a position to sell the work  in terms of timeline, briefs, putting in efforts and investments even when you dont know where the efforts will lead.

What kind of growth have you witnessed in healthcare ad spends by the clients in last 2-3 years?

First of all, there is consumer healthcare and then there is pharma. Consumer healthcare includes the hospitals and clinics. What we are seeing currently is the healthification of everything. There are many products and services that sell health. The consumer healthcare market has been growing by leaps and bounds over the last few years. Clients have been investing a lot in what officially qualifies as healthcare advertising. The challenge has been whether our healthcare ad agencies are giving them a specific solution for that healthcare advertising and therefore, clients tend to use more of the mainline advertising agencies. But I think that clients are slowly realising the work that we are doing; even while you are doing television advertising, the insights need to be far deeper and the creative needs to touch concepts at very different levels in healthcare advertising. Above the line communication has a clear role to play, but there are a lot of other 360 degree elements that completely change for healthcare advertising. Thus, consumer education, digital media, influencer or healthcare professional communication all become a key part of the communication mix in healthcare advertising.

With all of this, consumer healthcare advertising has been growing at incredible rates in the last several years. However, pharma advertising or advertising on pharma brands is still a few years behind in the country and the exponential growth period for pharma advertising is still to come.

Being a self-funded agency, what are the advantages and challenges that you have faced?

The main advantage, of course, is that we could follow our vision and believe in it completely. We had a clear vision, we saw value in that vision and we could invest in it, scaling up as and when we believed that we were on the right path.

At the same time, being self-funded means that you have to be extremely lean, you have to make very, very focussed choices as well. Which was why last year when we realised that we have to focus on Lions Health, we only focused there and we did not enter for Goafest this year, neither did we enter the Rx Club Show New York. Similarly, when we are working with clients, we have to be very particular about what kind of clients we are approaching at a particular time and why, and only pitch for businesses that have value for both us and the client.

Whats next after Agency of the Year at Cannes Lions?

I think the idea is to convert the dream run into a much longer dream run. Essentially what that means is that we now have an opportunity with international credentials to further build on our international business. We have got a lot of pharmaceutical clients and consumer healthcare brands that are interested internationally to do work with us and we have to make sure that we pitch for some of the biggest businesses across the world.
Its time to trigger your adventure appetite as your favourite channel Zee Studio presents the Most Iconic Adventure franchise of all time Indiana Jones. Featuring the legendary triumvirate of Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford and George Lucas, Zee Studio will present Indy Trails showcasing three movies, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Kingdom of the crystal skull back to back on 23rd July, 6:30 PM onwards.

In the South American wilds, Indiana Jones begins his search for the Golden Statue. It leads him to a sacred artifact called The Ark of the Covenant, which holds the key to humanly existence. But before he could start, Indiana is caught in a deadly trap. Watch Raiders of the lost Ark at 6:30 PM to know about his intriguing escapade.

Next comes Indiana Jones and Last Crusader at 9 PM. Upon the sudden disappearance of Dr. Henry Jones, young Indiana takes on his fathers unfinished task. With a diary of clues and a nameless map, he begins his hunt for the Holy Grail against the might of the Nazis.

Finally follows the last installment at 11:40 PM Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull. Here Indy comes back to reveal the secrets of the mysterious Crystall Skull. If he delivers the skull to its rightful place, all will be well but on his way Indiana has to fight Irina Spalko, the leader of the Soviets.

To connect to the younger audience, Zee Studio undertook an innovative promotional strategy and composed a rap song for the premiere. Laden with peppy lyrics and catchy tunes, the song aptly fits in the theme of Indiana Jones and is a perfect ode to the iconic on-screen character - https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=l_h7ckMOfVI.

The channel also initiated an intensive digital campaign across mediums to grab eyeballs. Indiana Jones fans are in for a treat as Zee Studio has created an Indiana Jones game on Facebook along with special filters that lets you customize your pictures. Thats not all, they have developed an interesting treasure hunt on Instagram and cryptic clue based games on Twitter. In their effort to garner more viewership from the Southern markets, the channel also created an Indiana Jones POV video in collaboration with The Rascalas, a popular digital influencers group.

If action complements your life, if grit drives your passion and if adventure makes you go crazy, Zee Studio is the place to be this July. Indulge in the most thrilling binge of the month and revive the best moments from the renowned franchise with Indy trails on 23rd July, 6:30 PM onwards.
One of the few common threads interwoven between the twenty-six nations and more than 200 aircraft participating in Rim of the Pacific 2016 is the need for fuel; a lot of it.

This is where Citizen Airmen from 507th Air Refueling Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, come in to play.

When it comes to the air piece of RIMPAC, we are here to ensure aircraft have the fuel they need to complete their mission, said U.S. Air Force Reserve Maj. Jeff Milburn, detachment commander for the 465th Air Refueling Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base.

The crews of the 465th ARS fly and operate the KC-135R Stratotanker. The KC-135 is not only capable of conducting aerial refueling; it can also carry cargo, personnel and equipment. For mid-air refueling it can carry more than 150,000 pounds of transfer fuel.

The sights, sounds and sheer scale of RIMPAC are unlike any military exercise in the world, said Milburn. Outside of the old-style operational readiness exercises, RIMPAC is one of the few opportunities we have to deploy operations, maintainers and support staff simultaneously.

RIMPAC is held from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. It is the world's largest international maritime exercise. Participating 507th ARW personnel are working out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Unlike the ORE, RIMPAC provides our Airmen the chance to work with other branches, aircraft and nations, Milburn added.

The 507th ARW mission just isnt all about flying. The bulk of work actually happens on the ground.

The various systems in the aircraft are designed to be very efficient, but they have been in operation for a while and eventually things break or malfunction, said Staff Sgt. Kurt Weisel, an aircraft electrician with 507th Maintenance Squadron. Being an aircraft electrician is very interesting, because it gives me a chance to be involved in all the systems and solutions.

The Stratotanker has been in use by the U.S. Air Force for more than 50 years, and the airframe is a military version of the civilian Boeing 707 passenger jet.

Weisel said he takes pride in being part of the refueling mission and keeping the jets in operation.

Getting to come to RIMPAC is a privilege, and I think the fact the 507th ARW keeps getting invited back to provide the Navy air boss the logistical support they need speaks to how well we integrate with active duty and other branches, said Weisel. Its nice to be appreciated.

RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971.
A-10s deploy to Slovakia for cross-border training

The 122nd Fighter Wing has deployed eight A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and about 140 Airmen here for a month-long combined training event in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve.



The Airmen will conduct training and familiarization events alongside Slovak Armed Forces, a NATO ally. In addition, they will also participate in cross-border training with other deployed U.S. Air Force and NATO aircraft in the region. As part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, this deployment continues to demonstrate Americas commitment to its allies and deterrence efforts against Russia.



The 163rd Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, part of the 122nd FW, will fly with the Slovak Air Force to demonstrate close air support capabilities and conduct familiarization classroom events to further integrate the two air forces. The classroom events include safety procedures, further air combat maneuver discussions and air surveillance techniques. The unit will also participate in cross-border flights with deployed U.S. Air Force total force partners flying F-16 Fighting Falcons, KC-135 Stratotankers, C-130 Hercules and other aircraft from allied nations.



This is the first deployment of the 163rd EFS to Sliac Air Base. However, Indiana, where the 122nd FW is stationed, has held a robust state partnership with Slovakia since 1993. The State Partnership Program (SPP) has been successfully building relationships for over 20 years that includes 70 unique security partnerships involving 76 nations around the globe. SPP links a unique component of the Defense Department , a state's National Guard, with the armed forces or equivalent of a partner country in a cooperative, mutually beneficial relationship.



These rotation forces are the cornerstone for increasing U.S. military combat capabilities, which are essential to fulfilling the nations European security obligations. These deployments reinforce the U.S. commitment to NATO during an unpredictable and uncertain time.



The deployed Airmen have been through extensive preparation, ranging from cultural awareness to weapons qualification and medical training. These Airmen will carry out the same job overseas that theyve been trained on each month as 122nd FW guardsmen.
A woman activist of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, who had accused her party colleague of sexually harassing her, committed suicide on Tuesday.



Her family claims she had been depressed since the man she had complained against was released on bail. AAP has disowned the accused man but the state government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the case. Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry, tweeted Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia.

The woman allegedly took poison at her home in Narela in north-west Delhi. She died in hospital.

The woman had filed a complaint against party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for allegedly touching her inappropriately. A case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested, a senior police officer said.

The womans family says she suspected that Mr Wadhwa was being protected by an AAP lawmaker.

Delhis opposition BJP has seized the case and accused AAP of ignoring its activists complaint.

This girl had been raising the issue of her harassment for months but AAP leaders ignored it. This incident has established anti-woman character of AAP, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said in a statement that even targeted Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

AAP has rejected the allegations and accused the BJP of playing politics over the womans death.

There is no mention of any lawmakers name in any of the complaints. Whosoever is alleged to have harassed the girl has no connection with the party. The BJP should not stoop this low and play politics over the death of a poor girl. We also want action against the culprit, AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said.
Bangladesh police are trying to determine the whereabouts of at least 260 young men who have been missing for a year or more, a security officer said on Wednesday, as part of an effort to track militants after a deadly attack this month.



Five young men killed 22 people, most of them foreigners, in an attack on an upmarket Dhaka cafe on July 1 claimed by Islamic State. Three of the attackers were from affluent Dhaka homes who had broken off contact with their families months ago.

Authorities have blamed the attack on a domestic militant group, but security experts say the scale and sophistication of the assault suggested links to a trans-national network.

In the days after the attack, the government appealed to families to contact authorities if their sons had disappeared.

A senior officer with the police-led Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which is involved in the counter-terrorism effort, said a list of 260 missing young men had been compiled from reports from families and intelligence tip-offs.

Some of the missing youngsters are sons of retired or serving army officials, bureaucrats and businessmen, said Mufti Mahmud Khan, chief of the RABs legal and media wing chief.

He said information was still being gathered and the number of missing was expected to grow.

On the list, which the RAB posted on its Facebook page, was a 16-year-old, a doctor whose father was in the army and a man who was arrested in 2013 with explosives but who went to Malaysia while on bail.

Mostly Muslim Bangladesh has faced a series of attacks on liberal bloggers, university teachers and members of religious minorities over the past year.

Islamic State has warned that the violence would continue until Islamic law was established worldwide, saying in a video the Dhaka cafe attack was just a hint of what was to come.

Three young Bangladeshi men who appeared in that video posing as fighters also appeared on the list of missing.
BSP chief Mayawati on Wednesday demanded that BJP leader Dayashankar Singh should be immediately arrested for his derogatory remarks against her even as Arun Jaitley regretted the party leaders slur.

These kind of derogatory statements show that BJP is frustrated with the growing public support for BSP, Mayawati said outside Parliament. Singh had passed a shocking remark while trying to highlight the rampant corruption in the allocation of tickets in the BSP.

I have been the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh for four times. I have been a Lok Sabha member also. But, I have never used derogatory words against anyone, Mayawati said in the Rajya Sabha.

Dayashankar has not abused me. He has abused his mother, sister and all women of the country, she said. Mayawati demanded immediate expulsion of Dayashankar from the BJP.

Mayawati does not have any standing in UP. She has shattered the dreams of Kanshi Ram. Look at the way Mayawati is selling tickets, even a prostitute keeps her commitment. But look at a leader like Mayawati who sells a ticket for Rs. 1 crore, then after some time if another is willing to pay Rs. 2 crore, she will give the ticket to him. Mayawati has become worse than a prostitute, he said in Mhow. The leader later apologised for his comments.

Dayashankar Singhs remarks are unacceptable, we decided to remove him from all party posts with an immediate effect, BJP chief in Uttar Pradesh, Keshav Prasad Maurya, said.

The remarks drew severe flak from members in the Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson PJ Kurien saying that the House wants the government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his unforgivable comments.

There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMKs Kanimozhi, Congress Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of the Left, and Satish Chandra Mishra of the BSP.

A visiblyagitated Mayawati herself tore through the BJP in her speech in the Rajya Sabha. His (Singhs) remarks apply for his sister and daughter and not for me. The whole country will not forgive BJPThe people will come on the streets, she said.
Jiske ghar kanch ke hote hai, woh Dusron ke gharon pe patthar nahi pheka karte.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave a befitting reply to the comments made by Congress leader Nara-yan Rane that criminals were joining BJP whose character has changed over the years. Fadnavis said that people will review the performance of his government. He mentioned that those who reside in glass houses should refrain from throwing stones at others. CM appreciated the work done by police department and said that they had speeded up the investigation process. Fadnavis took a jibe at Congress by saying that several tainted ministers exist in Ranes party. He said that a picture of one of the accused shown by him during a media briefing had already been published in newspapers.

Reacting to allegations made by Rane, Fadnavis said in the Upper House, Rane had said there are three CMs governing the state. I want to tell him that I am the only CM and I am capable enough. Common people will judge my work.

Look who is saying BJP is a party of goons. If I list out the number of cases filed against you (Rane) in Sindhudurg, it will be proved which is the party of goons. I am well aware of the laws of the land and abide by it.

Earlier Rane had claimed in the Maharashtra Legislative Council that he was recently informed by a woman officer that a senior Cabinet Minister engaged in immoral behaviour towards her. He however concealed the identity of the minister and which party he belongs. Fadnavis said that if any minister is involved in indecent activities then strict action will be taken against him. CM added that no minister will be asked to quit merely on the basis of allegations being made against them and investigations will be conducted.

It was expected of you to immediately give me the details of what transpired. By speaking about it here, do you intend to play politics over the issue today ministers are asking one another if they were involved. Shoot and scoot policy is being played out by the opposition here, he said.

Fadnavis further said that the POCSO court hearing the Kopardi gangrape and murder of the minor girl will be fast tracked and that the government possesses concrete evidence against the accused.

Listing out the IPC sections under which cases have been filed against Rane, Fadnavis said, I dont want to threaten anyone. It is not in my nature. I am a calm natured person. Not in my nature to put on revengeful inquiries against anyone. Ranesaheb, you are extremely cultured and wise. Why are you afraid of any inquiry?

He said that Rane had in the past spoken about Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi, Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan, Manikrao Thakre as well.

Everything that Rane says should thus not be taken seriously. He has a different view about the same person after a few months, he said.
Europe is at major risk of so-called lone wolf terror attacks, its policing agency said Wednesday, with the latest incidents showing how difficult it is to detect and disrupt suspects.



Recent incidents including Mondays attack on a German train and last weeks carnage in Nice which left 84 people dead remain a favoured tactic by the Islamic State group and al Qaeda, Europol said in a statement.

Both groups have repeatedly called on Muslims living in western countries to perpetrate lone actor attacks in their countries of residence, it said.

In the latest incident, the Islamic State group Tuesday released a video purportedly featuring a 17-year-old migrant who went on an axe rampage on a train at Wuerzburg in southern Germany, injuring five people, two critically.

Although IS has claimed responsibility for the latest attacks, none seem to have been planned, logistically supported or executed directly by IS, Europol said,

Despite the attackers pledges of allegiance to the IS group, their actual involvement cannot be established, Europol said.

The Hague-based policing organisation also released its 2015 EU Terrorism and Trend Report saying 151 people died and more than 350 others were injured in terror attacks last year in the 28-member bloc.

The 55-page report only looked at 2015 and did not take into account the Nice attack or the attacks on the Brussels airport and metro stations in March in which 32 people died.

In 2015 the EU experienced a massive number of casualties caused by terrorist attacks, Europol chief Rob Wainwright said.

The carefully planned attacks demonstrate the elevated threat to the EU from a fanatical minority based in the Middle East, combined with a network of people born and raised in the EU, he said.
The undeniable facts are that autism continues to affect more and more children in California and there is no reasonable explanation. Six months ago there were 90,000 students in California schools with an autism diagnosis. Now there are 97,000. What will Phillip Reese be telling us in another six months?

In both pieces he cites the AAP as the source for no link between vaccines and autism.

Six months ago Reese included "environmental factors," but in the latest report he alleges that it might be because "more children [are] born with autism."

Here are two Sacramento Bee stories, six months apart. It's really proof that no matter how bad the numbers, no matter how lame that explanation, nothing will ever change: autism is never a crisis, and vaccine don't cause the disorder. Reporter Phillip Reese wrote both of these stories. Reese's theories for where all the autism is coming from are the usual, better diagnosing, broader definition.

By Phillip Reese

More than 97,000 California public school students have been diagnosed as autistic, a number that has risen seven-fold since 2001, according to the latest special education data from the California Department of Education.

The figure represent a jump of about 6,500, or 7 percent, from 2014-15 to 2015-16.

The increase was especially sharp among kindergartners, where autism cases grew by 17 percent last year. More than one of every 65 kindergartners in California public schools is classified as autistic.

Since 2006, the number of autistic students statewide has risen by between 5,000 and 7,000 every year, state figures show.

In the four-county Sacramento region, the number of autistic students rose by about 660, or 12 percent, to roughly 6,400 from 2014-15 to 2015-16.

Theories for the rise, which has been seen nationwide, include improved autism screening, broader definitions of the condition and more children born with autism.

Fears that modern vaccines cause autism have led some parents to forego vaccinating their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says no evidence exists linking autism to vaccines. A new state law eliminates "personal belief exemptions" allowing parents to opt their children out of vaccinations before starting school. ...

Jan 21, 2016, Sac Bee: Number of California students classified as autistic jumps for 14th consecutive year

By Phillip Reese

Number of California students classified as autistic jumps for 14th consecutive year

More than one of every 75 kindergartners in California public schools is classified as autistic.

More than 90,000 California public school students are autistic, a number that has risen more than six-fold since 2001, according to the latest data from the California Department of Education.

The figure represent a jump of about 6,000, or 7 percent, from 2013-14 to 2014-15. More than one of every 75 kindergartners in California public schools is classified as autistic.

The number of autistic students statewide has risen by between 5,000 and 7,000 every year for a decade. In 2001, there were about 14,000 autistic students in the state.

Each year since at least 2001, the number of autistic students has risen by 7 percent or more, state figures show.

In Sacramento County, the number of autistic students rose by about 340, or 11 percent, to roughly 3,400 from 2013-14 to 2014-15. The number of autistic children also rose in El Dorado, Placer and Yolo County.

Theories for the rise, which is a nationwide phenomenon, include improved autism screening, broader definitions of the condition and a genuine increase in autism cases.

A University of California study concluded that changes in diagnoses patterns alone cannot explain the rise in the disease. Instead, the study postulated that environmental factors were partially to blame and called for more study of the effects of viruses, pesticides, chemicals and other substances on the development of autism.

Fears that modern vaccines cause autism have led some parents to forego vaccinating their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics says no evidence exists linking autism to vaccines. A new state law that will take full effect in July will eliminate "personal belief exemptions" allowing parents to opt their children out of vaccinations.



Anne Dachel is Media Editor for Age of Autism.










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A report published by Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) on 10 July, 2016 tells us that NORAD dispatched two CF-18 fighter jets to the skies over Ottawa after a drone was spotted flying near the airport of the nation's capital last month. This incident took place on 25 May, 2016 at 5:45 pm.

The report tells us that the CF-18s were dispatched from Canadian Forces Base Bagotville in Quebec.It also tells us why these fighter jets were dispatched.

The CF-18s were scrambled from Canadian Forces Base Bagotville in Quebec at about 5:45 p.m. ET on May 25, after commercial airline operators raised concerns about a suspicious unmanned aerial vehicle seen near the Ottawa airport, according to a Department of National Defence spokesperson.

It tells us about the people who spotted the UFO.

The drone was spotted by the pilots of WestJet Flight 366, from Toronto to Ottawa, as well as Air Canada Flight 458, also from Toronto to Ottawa.

The report further tells us that the pilots flew past the UFO.

The WestJet pilots flew past the drone as the Boeing 737 plane was descending into the Ottawa airport at about 4:45 p.m. ET.

It then tells us that call to the airport's air traffic controller was recorded by a website.

The pilot's call to the airport's air traffic controller was recorded by the website liveATC.net, which monitors air traffic control communications across the globe.

The report was submitted to MUFON by Dave Palachik, Chief Investigator Canada on behalf of the Canadian Media reports.

The above quotes were edited for clarity.

UFOs and alien flying saucers have been sighted by pilots around the globe. Such sightings often trigger a panic reaction and hence the air force gets involve as these UFOs may pose a threat to the security of a county.








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Cleveland, United States: Donald Trump was formally nominated for the presidency by Republican delegates here on Tuesday night, a landmark moment in American political history that capped the business mogul's surprising conquest of the GOP.

Trump easily earned the 1,237 delegates needed to capture the nomination. But sporadic boos could be heard as some states attempted to award delegates to Trump's Republican primary competitors.

Trump's home delegation of New York put him over the top, announced on the convention floor with Trump's children standing nearby.

"Congratulations Dad, we love you," Donald Trump Jr. yelled while declaring that the state would award 89 votes to his father.

"It is my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight, his son said

Particularly outraged was the Washington, D.C., delegation, which held its convention in March and attempted to award 10 votes to Marco Rubio and nine to John Kasich. But convention officials announced the rules merit Trump be award all 19 delegates from the nation's capital.

"This is an outrage, and this is a reason the Republican Party is turning off a lot of voters," a Kasich delegate from D.C. said on MSNBC.

After Trump had clinched the nomination, the Alaskan delegation contested how its vote total was recorded. They originally requested 12 votes go to Ted Cruz, 11 to Trump and 5 to Rubio, but the RNC recorded all 28 votes to Trump. However, the appeal was unsuccessful because, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus said, all the votes went to Trump because Rubio and Cruz suspended their campaigns.

But it was a remarkable moment. A little more than a year before, Trump had seemed like an afterthought: a reality-TV star with no political experience, facing a deep field that included more than 10 current and former Republican officeholders.

But Trump had a message that defied GOP tradition on trade, and defied the party's own advice to make inroads with Hispanics: He called for ripping up U.S. trade deals, building a wall on the border with Mexico, and deporting undocumented immigrants en masse. There was only one Trump in the race. And now, there is only Trump.

Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions put Trump's name up for the nomination shortly before 6 p.m. ET. The nomination was seconded by New York Rep. Chris Collins, the first member of Congress to endorse him.

"Donald Trump is the singular leader that can get this country back on track," Sessions said while nominating Trump.

The official nomination came on the second day of what has been a rocky start to the convention. An effort Monday to protest Trump's candidacy on the convention floor fell short, but not before images of chaos unseen in recent conventions played out on live television.

That preceded prime-time speeches headlined by Melania Trump, who is accused of plagiarizing lines from Michelle Obama's 2008 speech at the Democratic National Convention.

The Trump campaign has struggled to explain the similarities between the two speeches. Top aide Paul Manafort eventually blamed presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"It's just another example, as far as we're concerned, that when Hillary Clinton is threatened by a female, the first thing she does is try to destroy the person," Manafort said.
July 19, 2016

Tension between Italy and Egypt has escalated in the months since an Italian graduate student who disappeared from Cairo was tortured and killed, with both sides taking part in a series of retaliations. This week, however, the Egyptian House of Representatives decided to switch gears and take a less disruptive approach to resolving the controversy.

A special committee that was formed to follow up on the murder of Giulio Regeni  comprising members of parliament's defense, human rights and foreign relations committees  recommended July 18 that any future measures taken should employ calm parliamentary diplomacy instead of confrontational diplomacy.

Late last month, the Italian parliament passed Regenis Amendment, which accuses Egypt of failing to cooperate in the case, and voted not to provide Egypt with spare parts for its F-16 warplanes. In its first official reaction to the decision, Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement July 6 expressing regret that Italy had passed the bill. The ministry said, This escalation is not consistent with the current level of cooperation between the investigation authorities of the two countries since the accident was discovered. It also contradicts the mutual goal of countering terrorism, as it [the decision] will have a negative impact on Egyptian capabilities.

The July 6 statement also indicated that the last few months witnessed mutual visits between the Egyptian and Italian investigation authorities, as Italy received hundreds of documents and dozens of files related to the outcomes of the investigations, which the Egyptian authorities carried out with full transparency and cooperation.

However, it appeared that Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs tried to exploit the death in Italy of Egyptian citizen Mohamed Baher as a response to the Italian position, expressing frustration that Italian authorities have not achieved any progress in that case. Baher's body was found May 3.

Based on successive statements issued by the ministry, it is also evident that Egypt has been attempting to use its international relations to pressure Rome.

The last statement included a threat regarding the issue of illegal immigration, on which both Cairo and Rome have cooperated. The statement indicated Cairo might cut back its efforts to curtail illegal immigration across the Mediterranean Sea to Italy.

The crisis of illegal immigrants  which has increased recently because of the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East  became an explicit threat to European countries. Italy has always been the door illegal immigrants have used to enter Europe. Egypt is using that issue as leverage.

Italian Senate Vice President Maurizio Gasparri had warned earlier that Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi has made irresponsible decisions with regard to countering terrorism. This indicates that Italy is fearful of the consequences that will follow if Egypt abandons the issue of illegal immigration, which is closely linked to the security of the entire European Union.

In an attempt to document its efforts in countering illegal immigration, Egypts Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) issued a statement July 14 confirming that the number of illegal Egyptian immigrants in 2015 dropped 19% compared with 2014. The statement indicates the number of Egyptians who immigrated and acquired immigrant status was 409 last year, compared with 505 in 2014.

Italy ranks No. 1 in the number of Egyptian immigrants it receives, with 37.9% of Egypt's total.

Ambassador Naila Jabr, the head of the National Coordinating Committee on Preventing and Combating Illegal Migration, told Al-Monitor, Egypt  in coordination with Rome, the International Organization for Migration and other countries  has been making considerable efforts in countering illegal immigration across the Mediterranean Sea in the last few years.

Jabr said, During the last four months, the border guards have managed to stop 5,076 illegal immigrants.

Every day, a voyage of [dozens] of illegal immigrants is aborted on the seashores of Alexandria, Kafr el-Sheikh or Mersa Matruh, she added.

Moreover, Egypt is relying on another factor to pressure Italy that involves the number of Egyptians living in Italy. The Egyptian government strongly urges the estimated 90,000 Egyptians living in Italy to transfer their savings to Egypt instead of investing them in Italy. This, in turn, might directly improve the Egyptian economy; however, it would certainly not be in Italy's interest.

Within days of Egypts threat against Italy, Nabila Makram, the minister of immigration and Egyptian expatriate affairs, returned to Cairo after a long visit to Italy where she met with the Egyptian community and promoted the purchase of dollar certificates.

Egypts threat against Italy also indicated that the Egyptian government might stop cooperating with Italy on curtailing immigration from Libya. Egypts Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "The cooperation with Italy on the exacerbating situation in Libya might witness a considerable decline.

Abdul Sattar Hetieta, an Egyptian journalist specializing in Libyan affairs, highlighted another factor Egypt might use to pressure Italy. He told Al-Monitor, Egypt is the [country] most connected to the Libyan crisis and the most influential party inside Libya, surpassing even Algeria and Tunisia.

Hetieta said, Egypt has intelligence cooperation with all the European countries, especially Italy, with regard to the Libyan affairs.

He added, Egypt has a favorable position inside Libya. Therefore, it has exploited its strong and special relations, especially in eastern Libya, with chieftains and military leaders to put pressure on Italy. However, it is the first time this has been publicly announced."

The Libyan expert emphasized that many European countries, especially Italy, rely on Egypt with regard to Libya given that Libya is considered a source of energy for some of these countries, as it provides them with natural gas through the Mellitah port in eastern Libya.
July 20, 2016

When Egypts Ministry of Religious Endowments launched a campaign last week to introduce a unified written Friday sermon, it sparked a lot of controversy. Some questioned whether having a single text read from the pulpits across the country could effectively achieve the ministrys stated goals, namely preventing those who harbor extremist views from influencing worshippers through the weekly sermon and correctly explaining Islamic concepts through an academic, enlightened and restrained prism.

To push the other imams and preachers to comply with the written sermon, Minister of Religious Endowments Mokhtar Gomaa gave a sermon July 15 at Cairos Amr Bin al-As Mosque based on a written text that had previously been posted to the ministrys website.

However, he stressed in a statement given to the official Egyptian News Agency after the sermon that the preachers in mosques would be free to choose between the written text or a chosen theme.

During a tour of mosques affiliated with the Ministry of Religious Endowments in the governorate of al-Giza, one of the governorates of Greater Cairo, Al-Monitor saw that preachers held to the prescribed topic of "forbidden money" but did not keep to the text released by the ministry. A preacher in one of these mosques, who spoke to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, said he had been adhering to the ministrys chosen topic for the sermon since that guideline was first promulgated in 2014, despite the fact that adhering to a previously decided topic is constricting and prevents him from addressing issues that more directly affect the locals in his neighborhood. He added that while he intends to adhere to the written text or theme in accordance with the ministrys instructions, he is opposed to this style of preaching.

Ibrahim Abd al-Fattah, a coordinator of the Free Imams Movement, described the unified written speech as a step in the direction of freezing religious discourse in its place and not allowing for renewal. He stressed that the text of the ministrys sermon would create a barrier separating the preacher from the worshipper and would prevent the latter from receiving the message. The variety of academic and intellectual levels among worshippers will make it impossible for a single text to succeed in convincing all of them, and will turn the sermon into something more like a news broadcast, he said.

Abd al-Fattah stressed that while the ministry seeks to exert total control over the mosques, he expects it to fail in controlling ideas being directed at peoples minds. He ascribed that failure to the diverse array of preachers in Egypt, which is replete with those who subscribe to various ideologies, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, the Salafi Call, Ansar al-Sunnah and al-Tabligh wa al-Dawah. According to him, these groups, whose preaching has been severely restricted since 2013, will head off to small prayer spaces and gain new disciples because they will offer a brand of discourse more suited to the audience. This, in his view, will render them stronger and more persuasive among their congregants.

Nuh al-Isawi, the general director of Dawa Research in the Ministry of Religious Endowments, said in a July 13 interview that after the decision to standardize the subject of the Friday sermon in January 2014, some preachers have not adhered to the weekly topics and have turned in their sermons in directions that reflect their partisan and political affiliations.

Although Isawi conceded that the written sermons were having a negative impact on preachers work, he nevertheless attributed the ministrys desire to apply this standardization as soon as possible to Egyptian societys need for what he described as control of religious discourse, support for mechanisms delivering a correct understanding of Islam and a repudiation of violence and extremism.

Isawi said that the Gulf states are all adopting a standardized written sermon and there are Egyptian imams who work in those states who are seemingly untroubled by this approach. He also noted that the preachers in Islams two holiest mosques in Mecca and Medina adhere to a general written sermon for the sake of public interest.

Still, Abd al-Fattah said preaching activity in Egypt cannot be compared to what is taking place in the Gulf, and particularly in Saudi Arabia. He stressed that Egyptian society is characterized by a great deal of pluralism, which portends the failure of this approach, regardless of whether it proves successful in the Gulf.

Yet Gabir Tayyi, the head of the Religious Section of the Ministry of Religious Endowments, told Al-Monitor, You cannot renew religious discourse before first restraining it. In his view, the written sermon will help to restrain what is said from the pulpit and prevent a poor understanding of religious matters, as well as confront religious rulings from being employed outside their proper contexts.

Tayyi defended the written sermon against criticisms directed against it that a standard written text would not be suitable for a pluralistic society such as Egypt, whose residents live in urban, rural and Bedouin societies, each of which has a unique culture. The sermon will be written in an Arabic that everyone understands, and the selection of sermon topics will be conducted to find common denominators between all societys individuals, he said.

Tayyi rejected the view of the written sermon as a means to tighten the noose around preachers who do not belong to Al-Azhars circles or prevent them from rising to the pulpit. He stressed that the ministry already prevents any non-Azhari preachers from giving a Friday sermon.

He admitted that some imams within the ministry harbor fears about this decision, noting these imams are worried that congregants will take a dim view of them when they read from a paper and are even more afraid of security directives contained in the written text. We seek to ease these doubts. The Ministry of the Religious Endowments sermon last Friday was written [and distributed] and we did not look askance at it. We always reiterate that imams have no relationship to the security forces concerning the written sermon. On the contrary, these sermons are written by the elite of Islamic religious scholars.

Nasir Radwan, a leader in the Salafi Dawa in the governorate of al-Beheira in the Egyptian Delta, said that the prescribed written Friday sermon would not touch on all of societys important issues. He stressed that the preacher and the worshippers in the same mosque are united by shared geographic location and, moreover, both are preoccupied with the same issues. However, in his words, the unified speech would negate any positive influence of shared location and circumstance that otherwise connects the preacher to the worshippers.

"The mosque completes the educational role begun by the family and educational institutions, according to Radwan. He said that when the preacher deals with issues faced by his society, it positively affects his ability to discharge the educational role through the Friday sermon. He also warned that worshippers might simply depart the mosque before listening to a written sermon that they can easily obtain from the Ministry of Religious Endowments website.

Radwan also warned that a written text of the sermon could curb the desire of preachers to research and develop their own sources of knowledge. Radwan said the Friday sermon acts as a sort of weekly training for the preacher in cultivating his own tools and techniques for reaching and swaying worshippers.

Radwan stressed that this step reveals the desire of the ministry to create a single generic type for all preachers, and it constitutes a form of constriction not only on non-Azhari preachers but even on the Azharis themselves. He stressed that generic sermons would deprive religious discourse of its force, its respect for difference and its acceptance of the other, which Islam imbues in its followers.
July 20, 2016

BAGHDAD  Thousands of supporters of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and the civil movement in Baghdad returned to the streets recently to protest delays in reforming a government they say is corrupt and unable to protect its people.

All political channels for reform seem to have reached a dead end in light of the continuing division among political blocs in parliament. During the massive protest July 15 in Tahrir (Liberation) Square in the Iraqi capital, Sadr urged demonstrators to keep protesting until their demands are met.

He called for dismissing all corrupt state officials and those with special privileges, warning that this also applies to the president, prime minister and parliament speaker if they breach their duties and fail to meet reform demands. This is also the objective sought by the parliamentary opposition bloc, the Reform Front.

The corrupt must be subject to fair trial as soon as possible; otherwise, the people will prosecute them, Sadr said.

He called for ending ethnic, sectarian and partisan quotas for government positions and forming an independent government of technocrats, insisting that members of the Supreme Electoral Commission resign so they can be replaced by competent, honest and professional members without using the political quota system.

Sadr said parliament must vote on serious reforms demanded by the public, provided the voting sessions are open and broadcast directly by the media to the Iraqi people. He also urged the Iraqi judiciary not to be influenced by political pressure and to work with total impartiality and independence.

Majid al-Ghraoui, a member of the Sadr-affiliated Al-Ahrar parliament bloc, told Al-Monitor, The Sadrist movement protests will force the parliament to implement reforms, most notably the formation of a technocrat government. We are not relying merely on political work within the parliament.

After a two-month break, Iraq's parliament sessions resumed July 12 in the presence of only 180 of 328 members. Ghraoui, referring to the Al-Ahrar blocs boycott of the sessions, said, Al-Ahrar bloc will only attend the sessions held for the ratification of important laws related to reforms or the questioning of corrupt [officials].

On the relationship between the Al-Ahrar bloc and the Reform Front, Ghraoui said, There are contacts with a number of Reform Front [parliamentarians], and we are working with them to form a parliamentary opposition bloc if the situation remains unchanged and if the reform demands are not met.

He added, however, We refuse to ally with some members of parliament from the State of Law Coalition led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ... since they seek to bring Maliki back to power.

In a BBC interview July 3, Maliki expressed his desire to head the government again if there is a political consensus on his nomination by whichever coalition forms the majority in parliament. In a July 18 interview with NRT, Maliki said that he considers the Sadrists July 15 protest a failure and that any threat posed by Sadr to the states stability has passed.

Al-Ghad Press, which is close to Maliki, quoted him July 15 as saying, The protests have lost momentum, as the Sadrist movement supporters have realized the seriousness of the situation in the country. A conspiracy is being woven by Baathists and Wahhabist malevolent parties trying to exploit the protests.

Maliki's dismissal of the movement and his allegation of a conspiracy raised the ire of the Sadrist and civilian organizers of the protests. Jassem Hilfi, a member of the Baghdad protest coordinating committee, told Al-Monitor, Protests are a right guaranteed by the constitution and we will not back down until we achieve the reforms. He added, Attempts to undermine the protests by using security means or claiming that foreign conspiracies are behind these protests are unacceptable and will only give the protests more momentum. The majority of the political class is trying to keep things as they are; this is why it fears popular protests.

On July 14, a day before the protest, the Iraqi army organized a military parade in Tahrir Square, the same place the Sadrist protests are held. The army had never before held a military parade outside Celebration Square in the Green Zone, so this one might be interpreted as a show of force by the government to intimidate Sadr and his supporters.

Sadr's followers had previously broken into the Green Zone, which houses the government, parliament, and Arab and other foreign embassies, most notably that of the United States. Those incursions took place April 30, when Sadrist protesters stormed the parliament building, and May 20, when they stormed the Council of Ministers building.

Despite Maliki's predictions, it appears the Sadrist movements protests are not likely to stop until its reform demands are met. Some worry this could herald armed confrontations that might lead to the intervention of the military wing of the Sadrist movement, the Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades). In the worst-case scenario, the brigades could clash with the security forces and perhaps Popular Mobilization Units factions loyal to Maliki.

Inside the parliament, the large opposition bloc that Sadr seeks to form is not likely to include members of Maliki's State of Law Coalition, who are also seeking to form an opposition bloc. However, if they don't work together, parliamentary divisions could be exacerbated, preventing the formation of a majority capable of achieving political change and reform.
July 20, 2016

Despite the Israelis' initial claims that their efforts have partially succeeded in shelving a pro-Palestinian vote at UNESCO, the story that is emerging now is quite different. Palestinian and Arab officials say the delay in the vote that had been planned for July 20 in Istanbul was postponed due to the failed coup attempt in Turkey.

Omar Awadallah, the director of UN activities at the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told Al-Monitor that UNESCO had postponed voting on all resolutions, not just the one on extending the declaration that Jerusalems Old City meets UNESCO's criteria for being endangered. Due to the security uncertainty connected to the failed coup in Turkey, UNESCOs World Heritage Committee decided to postpone all decisions until it meets again in Paris in October, said Awadallah.

Kuwaits permanent delegate to UNESCO, Meshal Hayat, echoed this position in a press release issued by the Arab Group at UNESCO, saying the suspension was due to the current tensions in Turkey. In the July 17 press release appropriately titled Israels false allegation, the Arab Group paints a picture that contradicts the Israeli story, quoting the Palestinian ambassador to UNESCO. It read, Ambassador Mounir Anastas explained that what happened at the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO in Istanbul today is exactly the opposite of the Israeli claims, clarifying that the consultations that have been conducted in Istanbul within the World Heritage Committee showed that there was a consensus among all the committee members, including the EU members, to adopt the decision by consensus and without a vote. This is despite [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahus outrageous campaign against the decision, and the Israeli strong opposition and diplomatic efforts to thwart it.

Palestinian officials say that the Jordanian-Palestinian resolution to extend the inclusion of Jerusalems Old City on the List of World Heritage in Danger had a clear majority in the World Heritage Committee leading up to the postponed July 20 vote. All resolutions were postponed until October in Paris, and not just the Jerusalem one, Awadallah insisted.

Palestine, which has been a full member of UNESCO since 2011, had succeeded in including Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity and pilgrimage route as well as the village of Batir on the list of world heritage sites in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Jerusalem has been considered an endangered world heritage property since 1982, according to Awadallah. Back then, the Jordanian delegation had requested and succeeded in listing Jerusalem and its walls as being in danger, Awadallah said.

Awadallah noted that the joint Palestine-Jordan request detailed the reasons Jerusalems Old City should stay on the List of World Heritage in Danger. We provided proof of this danger by documenting the ongoing dangerous Israeli digs, the Israeli incursions to Haram al-Sharif/Al-Aqsa Mosque and the settlers violence that continues unchecked by the Israeli occupiers, he added.

In the press release, the Arab Group explained some of the issues that justified UNESCOs move to delay the voting session along with the need to maintain the Old City of Jerusalem on the list of endangered sites. The group also addressed Al-Aqsa Mosque, calling upon Israel to respect the status quo, which defines Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif as a Muslim holy site of worship" and "to stop soldiers and extremist Israelis from storming the site, as these incursions desecrate the sanctity and character of Al-Aqsa Mosque/Al-Haram Al-Sharif.

Since April, Netanyahu has been speaking out very forcefully against the UNESCO resolution that refers to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by only its Arabic name, identifying the area that contains Islams third-holiest mosque, Al-Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalems Old City, as Haram al-Sharif.

For their part, Israelis and Jews call the area the Temple Mount, in reference to their claims that the mosque lies atop the remnants of the Jewish temple destroyed in the year 70. Awadallah denounced Israeli attempts to Judaize the Islamic site. We dont want a religious war. These are occupied territories and the entire world recognized East Jerusalem as part of Palestinian lands occupied by Israel in 1967, he argued.

Israel may have won a short-term public relations victory by taking credit for the delay on a decision that now appears to have had nothing to do with the Israeli pressure on UNESCOs World Heritage committee, whose 21 member states are mostly in support of the Arab request regarding Jerusalem.

Though such false claims are often quickly exposed, they often have a chilling effect on those who oppose Israel.
When UAB got involved with the controversial sign on the Birmingham skyline, officials were told the company had all the permissions it needed, the University said in a statement.

84 Outdoor, a Pennsylvania advertising company, appealed a March decision made by the Birmingham Design Review Committee last week. The DRC did not approve a request to put up a UAB vinyl sign over the former electronic message board on top of the 17-story Two North Twentieth building, and the Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals upheld that decision.

"Prior to the Design Review Committee's decision, UAB had been assured that all necessary permits, approvals and permissions had been obtained. We regret that was not the case," UAB said in a statement. "Our intention with this project was to utilize a high-visibility location to celebrate a shared pride in Birmingham and UAB's participation in its momentum. We are disappointed that this has not been accomplished."

UAB announced it would be taking over the sign in March. That same week, the city sent a cease and desist order to 84 Outdoor, saying it needed Design Review Committee approval.

84 Outdoor representatives have said that it did not need a permit to change the vinyl on the sign. Attempts to reach 84 Outdoor for comment were unsuccessful.

Harbert Realty put up the original Pepsi sign in 2014 without approval from the DRC after multiple submissions the committee ultimately rejected. Usually, the city does not give permits for projects until they get DRC approval.

At the time, Harbert said it didn't need a permit for a vinyl covering because the dimensions of the sign did not change. At least one leader in the Department of Planning, Engineering and Permitting disagreed, saying that a permit was not required but DRC approval is.

The sign has not had a vinyl covering since March.
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Sweet Home Alabama, the state's official travel website, set up this display today in New York City. (Courtesy/Sweet Home Alabama's Instagram)

We all know that the Alabama Gulf Coast is home to some absolutely gorgeous beaches. And Wednesday, plenty of people in New York City found out the same thing.

The Alabama Tourism Department traveled to the Big Apple to show off Alabama's beauty to a new audience. They set up an exhibit on Herald Square that allows passers-by to enjoy the state's sandy view and relax a bit. (And yes, that's sand from the Alabama coast.)

But that's not all -- the tourism department was also at Chelsea Triangle on Thursday to promote the state by giving away free Belle Chevre cheesecake. Yum! (Read more about the Elkmont goat cheese company here.)

Read more about Alabama tourism opportunities here, or watch this video of today's exhibit:

Story was updated at 11:28 a.m. July 21st to include Thursday's activities.
From the late 1800s until the 1950s, Gurley was a thriving whistle-stop town in eastern Madison County. Today, the little town of about 800 souls lies in the shadow of the Appalachian Mountains and the nearby metropolis of Huntsville. Its tiny downtown includes only a handful of buildings, dilapidated shells that once held a drug store, markets and a bank.

Gurley's simple-but-historic City Hall, the town's centerpiece, was part of a restoration plan before it was nearly destroyed in 2015 by heavy winds. The ruins have been shored up in hopes of rebuilding. On a recent Sunday afternoon, there were also signs that residents were working on the empty downtown buildings but for now, the little town flanking the tracks of the old Memphis & Charleston Railroad looks more ghostly than gainful.

That doesn't mean Gurley doesn't have personality. From picturesque Victorians to more primitive structures dating to the 1880s, interesting homes line the narrow streets that all lead back to the railroad tracks. The abandoned Hall Hotel building is among the loveliest - if spooky - structures in the town. It dates to 1895 and residents hope to restore it.

Gurley's Tank

Gurley is named for the pioneer family that first settled there in 1817 but for a time was called "Gurley's Tank" when it became a water and coal stop along the railroad in 1857. According to TownofGurleyAL.com, "When the Memphis and Charleston Railroad laid track through Gurley in 1857, John Gurley built a large cedar water tank near the railroad. Water was piped to this tank from a spring on Keel Mountain, which overlooks the town on its southern border. Settlers who built their homes near the water tank tapped into the lines and Gurley became the first town in Madison County to have its own water works system."

A post office opened in 1866 but the town wasn't incorporated until 1891, when it had about 250 residents. At its height, Gurley was home to a cedar basket manufacturer and the Eagle Pencil Mill. Today, it still has police and fire departments, an independent sewer system and Madison County Elementary School, a K-8 school.

A historic district listed to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 is bounded by Section Line Street, Railroad Street, Maple Boulevard, and Church Street between Gurley Pike and Jackson Street.

"Scenes from ..." is a photo feature of small towns throughout Alabama. To suggest a town to be featured, email Kelly Kazek at kkazek@al.com. Follow her Scenes from Alabama Towns on Pinterest.
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Reginald Mott, left, is charged with murder in the July 1,m 2016 stabbing death of his stepfather, 49-year-old Tyrone Taylor.

(Birmingham Police/AL.com)

The stepson of a man stabbed to death outside the family's Birmingham home has been charged in the slaying which he initially blamed on two robbers.

Reginald Mott, 32, is charged with murder. He is being held in the Jefferson County Jail with bond set at $120,000 in the death of 49-year-old Tyrone Taylor, a 30-year employee at Alabama Power.

Taylor was found stabbed to death outside his East Lake home just before 6 a.m. on July 1. Police said they responded to the home in the 8100 block of Rugby Avenue on a report of a person stabbed. When they arrived on the scene, they found Taylor on the ground suffering from a stab wound to the upper body and pronounced him dead on the scene at 6:07 a.m.

Mott initially told investigators he heard a struggle and went outside to find his father in a physical altercation, said homicide Sgt. John Tanks. The son joined in the struggle and a fight ensued. Tanks said the son saw his father lying on the ground and went inside to get his phone to call 911. The two suspects fled on Rugby Avenue. When the son went back outside, his father was unresponsive.

Upon further investigation, however, Birmingham police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards said evidence suggests that a struggle took place between Taylor and his son and the story told by the son was fabricated. "It is a sad day when father and son have to result to this level of violence,'' Edwards said that day of Taylor's death.
A 23-year-old man is charged with capital murder in the slaying of another man found shot multiple times on a Birmingham roadway.

Quintarius Walker is charged in the July 2 death of 40-year-old Flores Jose Castaneda. The victim's body was discovered about 4 a.m. Saturday in the 100 block of Oporto-Madrid Boulevard. Birmingham police spokesman Lt. Sean Edwards said Castaneda had been shot several times in the head and body.

Investigators said Walker and Castaneda were acquaintances and had been at an adult bookstore together earlier that night. There was some kind of disagreement between the two, and Castaneda left the business with another man.

A short time later, the two men were walking along Oporto-Madrid when police say Walker spotted them and shot Castaneda. He also took money from Castaneda, which resulted in the capital murder charge. The man with Castaneda went to a nearby service station to report the shooting, but left before officers arrived.

Authorities have said Castaneda was a transient who had family in Kansas and San Francisco. Edwards said they were able to identify Walker as a suspect thanks to witnesses who came forward.

Walker was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 9:30 a.m. today and is being held without bond.
The division between Birmingham's political leaders and local activists could be seen during a community meeting in downtown Ensley on Tuesday.

City Council members advertised the meeting, held at 19th Street and Avenue F, as a platform for residents to express their feelings concerning law enforcement. A panel comprised of Council President Pro-tempore Steven Hoyt, Council President Johnathan Austin and a few community activists listened to the comments in an effort find solutions.

The dialogue stems from recent national events involving the deaths of both police officers and two young black men who were killed by police officers. Hoyt kicked off the conversation mentioning the five officers who died in Dallas during a shooting on July 7. The meeting also took place the same day a Kansas City, Kansas police officer died while investigating a drive-by shooting. During his message, Hoyt said the slogan, "All lives matter."

Hoyt said the council can create solutions by listening to the people's concerns.

"It all starts with conversation," Hoyt said. "Violence, whether perpetrated by citizens or by our sworn police officers, is too much. We have to stop this."

A few citizens came up to the microphone to discuss situations with law enforcement. Fitzgerald Mosley came to the microphone to clarify that the Black Lives Matter movement isn't built on the idea that other lives don't matter.

"It's about justice for those fallen African American men," Mosley said. "Officers are found not guilty. They have not been punished at all for taking a man's life."

The Rev. Herman Henderson of Believers' Temple Church, said officers need to become more involved in their communities instead of putting more people in jail.

"Good policing was when they (officers) sat on your porch, they ate with your family, they got to know your children," Henderson said. "Get to know your people. Get to know your neighbor. Get to know your surroundings and that will stop all the problems. The police will become part of the Ensley family."

Citizens talks to Birmingham officials about law enforcement in their communities Posted by Starr Civil Dunigan on Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Emotions ran high when the microphone was taken away from a man who used foul language to express his anger towards recent events. He was also upset about Hoyt saying all lives matter instead of black lives matter.

When Hoyt told the man to calm down, the man said, "We are hurting.....Stop policing my pain."

The meeting soon morphed into community activists expressing their rage against politicians. One resident said the group came in the spirit of Nat Turner, a slave who led a rebellion in Virginia in 1831.

The resident accused council members of not addressing solutions that were given to them by a group of individuals two years ago.

Austin said the council will look over the solutions the resident addressed.

The outrage against the council members gave the panel less time to address the issues brought up during the meeting. One panelist, Myeisha Hutchinson, of Woodlawn, said emotions were still too raw to have a successful conversation.

"There's so much pain," Hutchinson said. "There needs to be a high level of reconciliation between the government leaders and the organizers."

Mosley thought the meeting allowed people on both sides to expose their feelings.

"Sometimes our elected officials need to see that the people in the streets are in pain," Mosley said. "Sometimes the streets need to see that our elected officials aren't out of touch. They are not the enemy."
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Sen. Jeff Sessions announces the Alabama delegation's vote Tuesday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Courtesy Rep. Tim Wadsworth)

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A Ted Cruz delegate from Alabama said today she won't attend another Republican National Convention because of what she described as a heavy-handed push to get behind Donald Trump even before last night's vote made Trump's nomination official.

"It has been one tough ride," Cruz delegate Ann Eubank of Hoover said.

Andrew Sorrell, an alternate Cruz delegate from Florence, agreed and said Trump delegates from Alabama have not been the problem.

"The Alabama delegation is getting along great," Sorrell said.

Sorrell said delegates from some other states have been hostile to Cruz supporters.

"They haven't been gracious winners and they haven't reached out to the Cruz people at all," Sorrell said. "They've said 'Get in line,' rather than 'We would appreciate your support.' "

Eubank is one of 13 Cruz delegates from Alabama. Trump, who won Alabama's GOP primary in March, had 36 delegates from Alabama, while Florida Sen. Marco Rubio had one.

"This is my first convention," Eubank said. "It will be my last, because there is no respect for anyone else's opinion except the one they want presented."

Cruz, the conservative Texas senator who finished second to Trump in the race for the nomination, will be speak tonight at the convention.

Eubank said she's not concerned about whether Cruz endorses Trump. She said conservatives need to rally to block Hillary Clinton's bid for the White House.

Eubank said she hopes to hear Cruz urge support for what she called the strongest platform in Republican history.

"It's mega-conservative," she said.

In particular, she praised the inclusion of anti-Common Core language in the platform. Eubank has been an outspoken opponent of Alabama's use of the multi-state learning standards.

Sorrell, who owns a college book store and a pawn shop, was campaign manager for Cruz in Alabama's 5th Congressional District. He said he was pleased with the platform after some concerns that it would not be conservative enough because of the influence of the Trump campaign.

Sorrell said he hopes Cruz talks tonight about why it's important to keep Hillary Clinton out of the White House.

"I don't expect he'll lavish praise on Trump," Sorrell said.

Asked if a Cruz endorsement of Trump was needed for party unity, Sorrell said it's up to Trump, as the nominee, to reach out and build unity.

"I do plan to vote for Donald Trump," Sorrell said. "It's more of a vote against Hillary Clinton."

Cruz spoke to his delegates, alternate delegates and others at an event in Cleveland today.

Rep. Mike Holmes, R-Wetumpka, a Cruz delegate, said the Texas senator was conciliatory and emphasized the need to defeat Clinton.

Holmes said Cruz do not indicate whether he would endorse Trump during his speech tonight.

"I think we're all going to have to find out together," Holmes said.

Updated at 2:50 p.m. to add last four paragraphs.
State Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham plans to sponsor a bill to make it a hate crime to target law enforcement officers in a crime, according to FOX 6, WBRC.

A gunman killed five officers in Dallas and another killed three in Baton Rouge this month in what authorities said were ambushes aimed at law enforcement.

Alabama has had a hate crime law on the books since 1994.

That law, Section 13A-5-6, enhances the penalty for crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity or mental or physical disability.

Rogers said crimes targeting police are hate crimes because they are also aimed at a certain class of people.

Rogers said he plans to introduce his bill during the next legislative session.

The next regular session is in February, although lawmakers could meet in a special session later this year.

Louisiana is the only state to increase penalties for attacks against police officers under a hate crime law, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Many states, however, impose enhanced penalties for crimes against police under other laws, like "assault on a police officer," according to the NCSL.

Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colorado, introduced a bill in Congress to expand federal hate crime law to cover crimes that target law enforcement.

Updated at 6:28 p.m. to add last three paragraphs.
Just one night after his stepmother Melania delivered a speech that borrowed heavily from a 2008 address from First Lady Michelle Obama, Donald Trump Jr. is facing his own charges of plagiarism.

In this case, however, the author of the speech given at Tuesday night's Republican National Convention in Cleveland is speaking out to clear up any controversy.

Trump Jr. delivered the address to the 5,000 delegates and alternates gathered at the Quicken Loans Arena to officially nominate his father, Donald Trump, as the Republican candidate for the presidency.

Shortly after the address, people pointed out the similarities in Trump's address and a May article in American Conservative.

The Daily Show tweeted out a comparison of the two:

There's a reason the two are similar, though - they have the same author.

Author and George Mason University law professor F. H. Buckley was the speechwriter for Trump Jr., he told Vox. The lines he used in Trump's speech were his own and written for the American Conservative.

The clarification is likely welcome news for the Trump campaign which spent much of the day answering questions about Melania Trump's use of words from Mrs. Obama's earlier address.

The campaign denied Melania's speech was plagiarized, issuing a statement saying "in writing her beautiful speech, Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking. Melania's immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success."
A senior citizen couple died Wednesday morning in an apparent murder-suicide in Elmore County.

The couple was preparing to leave for a doctor's appointment in Birmingham when the husband, identified as Martin Sharron, 65, fatally shot his wife, Connie, 62, in the head with a .45-caliber handgun, Elmore County Sheriff Bill Franklin said.

Martin Sharron then fatally shot himself, he said.

The incident occurred at around 7 a.m. in the couple's bedroom in a residence in the 7000 block of Upper River Road near Tallassee, Franklin said.

Connie Sharron's sister and another person, who also live in the residence, were in the garage waiting on the couple and heard the gunshots, he said.

Martin Sharron had a scheduled doctor's appointment on Wednesday, but authorities don't yet know if he was ill or what medications he was taking.

Franklin said that evidence is still being gathered.
The parents of a toddler who was killed by an alligator at Disney World last month announced today that they will not sue the company, The Washington Post reported.

Lane Graves, 2, was killed when he was attacked by a gator while playing on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Grand Floridian Resort in the Disney complex on June 14. While Lane's father Matt tried to save him, the gator dragged the little boy into the water.

His body was found the next day.

"The family is really focused on just moving forward and healing," Sara Brady, the family's spokesperson, said.

Matt and wife Melissa said they are "broken" after their son's death, and will be focusing on their family rather than taking legal action against the company, the Post reported.

"We will forever struggle to comprehend why this happened to our sweet baby, Lane... As each day passes, the pain gets worse, but we truly appreciate the outpouring of sympathy and warm sentiments we have received from around the world."

The park captured five alligators from the park and are in the process of installing signs and barriers throughout the park beaches to eliminate the risk of alligator attacks.

Disney World president George Kalogridis said that Disney is providing support for the family, but did not elaborate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Gov. Robert Bentley said he would work with the Legislature to try to find a solution to Medicaid funding problems. (Julie Bennett/jbennett@al.com)

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Gov. Robert Bentley said today he's made no definite decision about whether he will call a special session.

The governor said he would work with the Legislature to try to find a solution to the state's General Fund problems, especially Medicaid.

"I've offered a lot of solutions in the last three years and the Legislature decided that they didn't necessarily want to do those," Bentley said. "But we'll continue to work with them and we'll come up with, again, another solution to try to solve the problems, because we're here to try to solve problems."

Earlier this year, the Legislature passed a budget over Bentley's veto that appropriated $700 million from the General Fund to the Alabama Medicaid. Bentley had requested $785 million for Medicaid.

Medicaid recently announced it would cut payments to doctors effective Aug. 1, a move that would make up about $15 million of the shortfall.

Bentley was asked this morning what sources of money for Medicaid or the General Fund would be on the table for a special session. He declined to name specifics. He did say proposals he's made before could be reconsidered.

"It's the same as it's always been," Bentley said. "There are a number of things that we've looked at in the past. There are a number of things that I've put in the call. There are only limited amounts of things that you can do."

In 2015, Bentley proposed a package of $541 million in tax increases as a long-term fix for the persistent General Fund problems.

The plan stalled in the Legislature, although lawmakers did eventually vote to raise the tax on cigarettes by 25 cents a pack, to 67.5 cents, to help fund Medicaid. That was projected to generate about $66 million a year.

The Legislature also changed distribution of the use tax last year, moving about $80 million a year from the Education Trust Fund to the General Fund.

Earlier this year, Bentley proposed moving another $180 million in tax revenue from the ETF to the General Fund.

Lawmakers did not approve that.

A plan to provide a one-year boost in Medicaid funding from a BP oil spill settlement failed in the Legislature earlier this year.

Bentley was asked if a lottery might be on the table for a special session.

"Always has been," Bentley said. "But I'm not making any decision on any of those things yet. Taxes have always been in there. Tax breaks. All these things have been looked at in the past, and all these things will have to be looked at again."

The Legislature would have to approve a lottery referendum no later than Aug. 24 to have it on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election.

House General Fund budget chairman Steve Clouse and Senate chairman Trip Pittman said Tuesday the governor had not talked to them about a special session.

House and Senate leaders plan to meet Thursday, they said.
A Pennsylvania man used a stolen brain he kept hidden in a Wal-Mart bag and tucked under the front porch of a trailer to get high, police say.

Joshua Long, 26 of Carlisle was arrested last week and charged with abuse of a corpse, Fox 43 reported.

Pennsylvania state police confirmed the brain belonged to an adult human and was most likely a teaching specimen.

"At this point now we're just trying to figure out where it came from," Trooper Robert Hicks told the news station. "We're hoping that if anyone is missing a human specimen brain to bring it to our attention and maybe we can return it to its rightful owner."

According to the report, Long would infuse marijuana in the brain, which was already soaked with formaldehyde, while visiting the couple who lived in the trailer, Robby Zoller and Angela Micklo.

Troopers say smoking the brain caused an "intense, hallucinating, and dangerous high."

The trailer is now vacant and Zoller and Micklo are wanted on multiple burglaries.

Micklo's sister found the brain on June 21 and called police.
Melania Trump

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves at supporters as he leaves the stage with his wife Melania after a news conference at the Trump National Golf Club Westchester, Tuesday, June 7, 2016, in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

A staff writer at Donald Trump's company said in a statement Wednesday she included "phrasing" from Michelle Obama's 2008 convention speech into Melania Trump's 2016 convention speech and offered to resign from her post but Trump did not accept it, saying "people make innocent mistakes."

Meredith McIver, an in-house staff writer at the Trump Organization and a "longtime friend and admirer of the Trump family," said she added the sections of the speech after Melania Trump said she admired the first lady.

"In working with Melania Trump on her first lady speech, we discussed many people who inspired her and messages she wanted to share with the American people. A person she has always liked was Michelle Obama," McIver said. "Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obama's speech as examples. I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech. I did not check Mrs. Obama's speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant."

McIver said she offered her resignation to Trump and his family on Tuesday, when allegations surfaced that Melania Trump plagiarized portions of Michelle Obama's speech, "but they rejected it."

"Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences."

McIver suggested her statement did not come at the urging of Trump.

"I asked to put out this statement because I did not like seeing the way this was distracting from Mr. Trump's historic campaign for president and Melania's beautiful message and presentation," she said. "I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused. Today, more than ever, I am honored to work for such a great family. I personally admire the way Mr. Trump has handled the situation and I am grateful for his understanding."

Read the full statement below:
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will make his official debut as Donald Trump's vice presidential running mate tonight when he addresses delegates gathered in Cleveland for the Republican National Convention.

If elected, Pence, 57, would become the first vice president from Indiana since Dan Quayle ran with George H.W. Bush in 1989.

"The American people are tired," Pence said when introduced by Trump. "We're tired of being told that this is as good as it gets. We're tired of having politicians in both parties in Washington, D.C., telling us we'll get to those problems tomorrow."

Pence, 57, served in the U.S. House from 2001 to 2013 before being elected Indiana governor. His name was mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2008 and 2012 and was tapped by Trump after reportedly meeting with Trump's children - Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner - and campaign manager Paul Manfort, earlier this month.

The governor, a former radio talk show host, is a friend of Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and is seen a low-key partner for the flamboyant Trump. His term as governor has included championing tax cuts, school choice and business recruitment.

Pence had earlier offered his endorsement for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's presidential bid but later switched his backing to Trump.

Pence and his wife, Karen, a former school teacher, have been married since 1985. They have three adult children, Michael, Charlotte and Audrey.

Mike Pence quotes

"I'm a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order."

"I believe in servant leadership, and the servant always asks, 'Where am I needed most?'"

"The American economy has been built and sustained by risk-taking entrepreneurs whose pioneering ideas and hard work gave birth to flourishing businesses."

"Years ago on my radio show, I used to say, 'I'm a conservative, but I'm not in a bad mood about it.' I've always believed that civility in heavy doses is essential in self-government."

"The presidency is the most visible thread that runs through the tapestry of the American government. More often than not, for good or for ill, it sets the tone for the other branches and spurs the expectations of the people."

"And my Christianity, first and foremost, governed the way that I tried to deal with people."

"As a conservative who believes in limited government, I believe that the only check on government power in real time is a free and independent press."
Those who watched the drama of "Making a Murderer" can prepare for a second season, Netflix announced Tuesday.

The documentary follows Steven Avery and his nephew Brendan Dassey who were both convicted of murder in Wisconsin. Avery had already served 18 years in prison after he was wrongfully convicted of rape. He was exonerated in 2003. Two year later, Avery was convicted of murder.

The series, created by Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, dives into this question: Did Avery and Dassey commit the murder of Teresa Halbach?

Both were sentenced to life in prison. According to Variety, the second season will follow Avery, Dassey, their families and legal teams through the post-conviction process.

Netflix didn't state when the season will start.
Tuesday at the 2016 RNC

Donald Trump Jr. is interviewed about his evening address on Tuesday July 19, 2016. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)

(Aristide Economopoulos )

Ted Cruz won't endorse Trump in speech

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the GOP candidate who stood strongest against Donald Trump in the primary, is scheduled to speak at the convention on Wednesday night.

But he won't be announcing his support for the Republican nominee.

CNN reported early Wednesday morning that Cruz won't be giving Trump an endorsement, citing an anonymous source. That comes after Cruz has repeatedly waved away calls to give his support to Trump.

Instead, Cruz plans to discuss improvements the country needs in accordance with his vision, according to an interview he gave Monday to Politico.

More speech plagiarism?

There were rumblings of plagiarism associated with the speech delivered Tuesday night by Donald Trump Jr. That comes on the heels of plagiarism accusations against Melania Trump for her Monday speech.

The Daily Show tweeted there were similarities between the speech delivered by Trump's oldest son and an article from May in the The American Conservative.

But the writer of the article, F.H. Buckley, told The Associated Press that he was the speechwriter who helped Donald Jr. with his speech. Therefore, Buckley said, there is no plagiarism.

No firings over Melania speech

The Trump campaign does not plan to fire anyone in the aftermath of the apparent plagiarism in Melania Trump's speech on Monday.

CNN reported that the Trump campaign plans to move forward without further addressing the speech.

Trump's speech included passages that closely resembled parts of Michelle Obama's speech in 2008.

That's a wrap

The parade of speakers has ended for Tuesday at 10 p.m. but we'll continue to update this post as news develops.

Ben Carson spoke...

Former presidential candidate Ben Carson took the stage following a rousing speech by Trump's oldest son Donald Jr.

Exactly what his message was, though, was somewhat unclear. He spent much of his speech talking about how Hillary Clinton admires Saul Alinsky, a community organizer and author.

Carson talked about how Alinsky hailed "Lucifer" and made the comparison that Clinton, because of her admiration for Alinsky, would push God out of the country.

Trump, meanwhile, "understands the blessings of this nation (from God) come with the responsibility that they area available to all, not just a few."

CNN political analyst S.E. Cupp, a Republican supporter, even struggled to grasp Carson's speech.

This is the only analysis I can summon for Ben Carson: pic.twitter.com/sJVOT75ePe  S.E. Cupp (@secupp) July 20, 2016

Tiffany and Donald Jr. speak

The Donald Trump makeover continued as two of his children, Tiffany and Donald Jr., addressed the convention.

Their speeches were filled with anecdotes that painted a different picture of their father than what is the popular perception.

Donald Jr. repeatedly talked about how he and his siblings were hands-on at work sites along with their father to learn the value of hard work.

"My father did not hide out in some executive suite," Donald Jr. said, telling about how his father helped pour concrete and hang sheet rock at job sites.

He also talked about how his father helped his granddaughter learn how to swing a golf club.

Tiffany repeatedly talked about how her father was a nice guy.

"I always look forward to introducing him to my friends," she said. "They have their preconceived ideas about him but he has a natural charm and no facade. My father is so kind and considerate and funny."

'Lock her up! Lock her up!'

As New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie savaged Hillary Clinton's tenure as U.S. Secretary of State, the crowd repeatedly chanted, "Lock her up! Lock her up!"

Christie, a former federal prosecutor, put Clinton "on trial" in his speech and allowed the audience to be the jury.

Christie cited Clinton involvement in Libya, Nigeria, China, Syria and Russia and her private email server as failings.

On the email issue, Christie said, "She cared more about protecting her own secrets than she did about protecting America's secrets. And then she lied about it over and over and over again."

Paul Ryan hammers Clinton

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who was the vice presidential candidate at the last GOP convention in 2012, sidestepped his lukewarm support of Donald Trump by speaking in larger party tones.

And hammering Hillary Clinton.

"Both parties so clearly, so undeniably want a big change, a clean break," Ryan said. "(Democrats) are offering a third Obama term brought to you by another Clinton. And you're supposed to be excited about that.

"For a country so ready for change, it seems like we've been cleared for take off and then we have to go back to the gate."

He also advised Republicans to watch the Democratic National Convention next week.

"You can get through four days of it with the help of the mute button," Ryan said. "But four more years of it? Not a chance?"

Live...on video, it's Donald Trump

Donald Trump made a brief appearance, by video, at the convention on Tuesday night. Trump spoke from Trump Tower in New York.

"We are going to bring real change and leadership back to Washington," Trump said.

Later, he added, "I am so proud to be your nominee for president of the United States," Trump said.

Despite the celebratory tone, Trump reminded the GOP that much work remains to be done and described his campaign as a "movement." Trump will make his acceptance speech on Thursday.

Trump also made no mention of the controversy surrounding wife Melania's speech on Monday night.

Trump campaign: Speechwriter added to Melania speech

The Trump campaign has pointed to hired speechwriter Matthew Scully as the possible source of passages of Melania Trump's speech that closely resembled passages of Michelle Obama's 2008 convention speech.

NBC reported that Melania's draft of her speech was submitted to Scully without any of the now-controversial passages.

Home not so sweet for Clinton

While Bill and Hillary Clinton burst onto the national scene in 1992 when Bill won the presidency, their home state of Arkansas is not necessarily sorry to see them gone.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson addressed delegates Tuesday and came out firing at Hillary Clinton.

"We know from personal experience we don't need Hillary Clinton in the White House," he said.

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge followed by saying, "Hillary may not know where she's from but Arkansans know exactly who she is."

She also described the Clintons' departure from Arkansas when they "launched their careers of corruption."

Donald "Day" Trump?

Yes, apparently you heard it correctly. When Speaker of the House Paul Ryan made the official announcement that Trump had won the nomination, it sounded as if he referred to Donald Day Trump.

Trump's middle initial, of course, is J.

The ears of Twitter certainly heard Ryan say "Day."

I'm 99.9% sure Paul Ryan just named "Donald Day Trump" the Republican nominee. #RNCinCLE  Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) July 20, 2016

Congrats to Donald Day Trump.  Philip Bump (@pbump) July 20, 2016

Trump to speak at 8 p.m.

Donald Trump's speech to formally accept the Republican nomination is scheduled for Thursday night but reports say Trump he will address the convention Tuesday night.

Trump is scheduled to speak at 8 p.m. Will he address the controversy over wife Melania's speech she gave Monday night?

Trump officially nominated

It's official.

Donald J. Trump is now officially the Republican nominee for president.

Such a great honor to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. I will work hard and never let you down! AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2016

The roll call of states casting their votes began about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, preceded by Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions making the motion to the delegates to nominate Trump.

Per tradition, the nominee's home state cast the votes that put the candidate over the top with 1,237 votes. On Tuesday, that role belonged to New York - where Trump's son Donald Trump Jr. made the announcement while surrounded by his siblings.

Trump's daughter, Ben Carson to speak

The theme for Tuesday's speakers in Cleveland is "Make America Work Again" and the focus will be on revitalizing the American economy, according to the RNC.

Among the speakers on the schedule for Tuesday night are Trump's daughter Tiffany and Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon who was one of 16 GOP presidential hopefuls defeated by Trump.
Mike Pence

Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana speaks during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/John Locher)

(John Locher)

Update 10:14 p.m.: As Pence wraps up his speech, Trump joins him on stage with both of their families.

But Pence's address was upstaged by Cruz's controversial speech, which you can read here.

Update 10:07 p.m.: Referencing Benghazi, Pence elicits another round of "Lock Her Up" chants.

Update 9:56 p.m.: Pence characterizes the election as "change versus the status quo," saying if the Republican ticket is elected "the change will be huge."

Update 9:56 p.m.: Pence says the private Trump is different than his public persona, citing his "utter lack of pretense, his respect for the people that work for him and his devotion to his family."

Update 9:52 p.m.: The convention crowd chants "We Like Mike."

Delegates are getting fired up by Pence's speech #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/nEstec62KN  Samantha-Jo Roth (@SamanthaJoRoth) July 21, 2016

Update 9:44 p.m.: Mike Pence accept the nomination for vice president and introduces himself to America "for those of you who don't know me, like most of you."

Meanwhile, ABC is reporting that Ted Cruz's wife, Heidi Cruz, was escorted out of the convention after delegates got rowdy over her husband's speech.

#heidicruz escorted out of #RNCinCLE after her husband #tedcruz was booed off the stage  Linsey Davis (@LinseyDavis) July 21, 2016

Update 9:22 p.m.: Newt Gingrich, who was a finalist for Trump's vice president, ad libs about Ted Cruz before getting into his speech.

"Ted Cruz said you could vote your conscience for anyone who will uphold the Constitution," Gingrich said. "To paraphrase Ted Cruz, if you want to protect the Constitution of the United States, the only possible candidate this fall is the Trump-Pence Republican ticket."

Update 9:14 p.m.: Trump's son, Eric Trump, is now addressing the convention. Says his father years ago said he would run for president "only if it got so bad" that he didn't have a choice.

Eric Trump: "I see in his eyes a man who truly loves his country - and who wants his country to be great again." https://t.co/dCXpjKAz26  ABC News (@ABC) July 21, 2016

Update 8:59 p.m.: Trump appeared on the convention floor at the tail end of Cruz's speech, apparently to distract from the speech. Hear the resounding boos:

CRUZ gets lots of boos on convention floor after refusing to endorse Trump. Woman gives thumbs down #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/zVkvB6Yreg  Scott Wong (@scottwongDC) July 21, 2016

Update 8:55 p.m.: Cruz is now getting booed as delegates chant "Trump."

Update 8:49 p.m.: Albeit indirectly, Cruz gives his first nod to Trump since congratulating him on winning the nomination earlier in his speech.

"We deserve an immigration system that puts America first and yes, builds a wall to keep America safe," he said.

Update 8:48 p.m.: Cruz's speech sounds a lot like he's the nominee.

Update 8:40 p.m.: Ted Cruz congratulates Trump on winning the nomination but doesn't offer an endorsement.

His speech was preceded by a videotaped address by Marco Rubio, who also didn't heap praise on Trump.

Update 8:15 p.m.: Walker with a rhetorically strong speech, saying "America deserves better."

Adds a pretty good zinger about Hillary Clinton.

"If she were any more on the inside, she'd be in prison," he said.

Update 8:12 p.m.: Scott Walker on the stage.

Update 8:05 p.m.: The Rev. Darrell Scott, an Ohio preacher who met Trump six years ago, is bringing the convention floor to its feet. Showing the audience watching on television that Trump is making an effort at a diverse convention.

Update 7:56 p.m.: Kentucky state Sen. Ralph Alvarado doing some Hispanic outreach during his speech, delivering a part of it in Spanish.

Update 7:47 p.m.: Michelle Van Etten, head of Women in Business for Trump, says she runs a "multi-faceted international business," that she claims is in jeopardy because of eight years of liberal policies.

Here's more about that business, which has come under scrutiny:

Michelle Van Etten works for a shady multilevel marketer that peddles useless supplements https://t.co/1pdVbw3Ncj  Vox (@voxdotcom) July 20, 2016

Update 7:31 p.m.: Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi now up. Said she loves the chants of "Lock Her Up." Some background:

Update 7:21 p.m.: Ingraham getting rousing applause while tearing into the media, saying Trump won the GOP nomination because he exposed corruption that the press didn't.

Update 7:17 p.m.: Cruz is being nudged to back Trump in his speech, but it's not in his prepared remarks:

Source: @tedcruz does not have @realDonaldTrump endorsement in prepared text. That could change. Texas delegates tell me they want him to  Dana Bash (@DanaBashCNN) July 21, 2016

Update 7:16 p.m.: Ingraham with a not-so-subtle reference to Cruz, saying all the "boys with bruised egos" should honor their pledge to support the eventual Republican nominee.

Update 7:13 p.m.: The aggressiveness in attacking Hillary Clinton is continuing on Day 3 with conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham addressing the convention.

.@IngrahamAngle says Clinton believes in gov't solutions to "every problem": "No Hillary, you're the problem." https://t.co/IMPJzYdUuq  ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 21, 2016

Update 7:07 p.m.: CNN's Dana Bash is reporting that Cruz will not be endorsing Trump during his speech tonight. Cruz and Trump were engaged in a bitter primary battle, including Trump suggesting Cruz's father may have been with John F. Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald in New Orleans shortly before the assassination.

Update 7:03 p.m.: First up is Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who is referencing Trump's outsider status.

"This year, we get to fire the politicians and who better to let the politicians know you're fired than Donald Trump," he said. "We need a president who is politically incorrect and will tell it like it is."

Update 6:33 p.m.: The convention is about to be called to order. Here's a live look:

Original story:

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence will address the American people for the first time as the Republican nominee for vice president when he accepts his party's nomination tonight on Day 3 of the 2016 Republican national convention. Be sure to refresh this page, as AL.com will be bringing you live updates throughout the night, which gets underway at 6:20 p.m. CST.

The night's speakers will also feature three Republican hopefuls who lost to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in the primaries: Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Trump used the second night of the convention to let two of his children - Donald Trump, Jr. and Tiffany Trump - offer a personal perspective of the Republican nominee. Another of Trump's children, Eric Trump, will be addressing the convention tonight.

Pence was rolled out as Trump's vice presidential nominee last week, with the ticket giving an exclusive interview to "60 Minutes" that received disastrous reviews by critics.

The theme of Day 3 is "Make America First Again," focusing on American exceptionalism.

"America has always been an exceptional nation. Unfortunately, years of bad policies and poor leadership have weakened our position abroad and limited our opportunities here at home," the RNC said in an email. "In a Trump administration, America will reclaim its historic role in the world, and Americans' best interests will be the touchstone for any executive decision about domestic or foreign policy."
holdencropped.jpg

Mark V. Holden, senior vice president and general counsel of Koch Industries, was in Birmingham Wednesday, July 20, 2016, where he was the keynote speaker at a conference to discuss ways to help former prisoners find jobs and reconnect to their families and communities.

(Charles J. Dean/cdean@al.com)

The American criminal justice system is just another failed big government program that is wasting money, destroying lives and destroying communities.

And it must be reformed.

The assessment of an American Civil Liberty Union lawyer you're thinking?

No.

It is the judgement of Mark V. Holden, senior vice president and general counsel of Koch Industries, the second largest privately held company in the United States with over 100,000 workers across the world - 60,000 of them in America - including 2,600 in Alabama.

More to the point, Holden works for Charles and David Koch, owners of Koch Industries and two billionaires who have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into conservative and libertarian causes and the nation's political system.

Holden was in Birmingham Wednesday where he was the keynote speaker at a conference to discuss ways to help former prisoners find jobs and reconnect to their families and communities when their time in prison ends.

It has long been known that finding and keeping a job is critical to helping keep ex-prisoners from turning to crime to make ends meet, an action that endangers society and leads back to jail.

Wednesday's conference brought together Alabama business leaders, advocates for prison reforms and government leaders. The conference was the idea of U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama Joyce White Vance.

Vance told the audience of about 200 that as a career prosecutor she is "deeply committed to accountability, to the idea that those who commit crimes should be held accountable by our legal system..."

But Vance added "none of us should be judged for the rest of our lives by the worse decision that we ever made. And when people complete service of a sentence, when people who paid their debt to society, they should be free to come out and rejoin their community. They shouldn't continue to serve a sentence for far longer than the time that a judge imposes. That's what's happening far too often today," added Vance.

Holden talked for over a half hour and he used the first part of his remarks to strongly criticize the justice system and a political system that beginning three decades ago decided to criminalize a public health crisis, namely drug use, and throw into jails men and women - overwhelmingly poor and poorly educated - instead of turning to the nation's health and education system to deal with the issues.

"I don't necessarily think the system is completely broken but it needs to be fixed top to bottom," said Holden of the nation's criminal justice system.

Holden said beginning in the early 1980s the number of laws dealing with "illegal drug" use exploded from about 3,000 laws to an estimated 4,500 to 6,000 today.

And as a result more than two million Americans are behind bars, more than any nation in the industrialized world.

"The reality is that 98 percent of the people in prison are coming out," said Holden. "It's in all our interest that they come out better than they went in. And it's in all our interest that they have something meaningful to go back to."

Holden said small but steady progress is being made in some states and even in Congress regarding the need to reform the system. It will take time to reverse a situation that right now is seeing the nation spend $80 billion a year on imprisoning people, four times what it spends on educating children.

In the meantime, Holden said it is vital that those who are getting out of prisons find jobs if they are going to have any chance of staying out of the system.

Holden said there are any number of real criminals that need to be in jail but that the vast majority of those in prisons today are there because they made a bad decision, many a bad decision as a result of drug dependency, poverty and lack of opportunity and an education.

"Many of these people can make it but they need a chance and with a job comes that chance," Holden said looking around the room. "A job is a chance," said Holden. "We can talk about the many other needs people have coming out of prisons but it really starts with us in our businesses, in our communities to try to help these people get a second chance and that second chance is a job."
Ray Weinshenker in Mobile, Ala., on July 19, 2016

Ray Weinshenker poses at Bel Air Mall in Mobile, Ala., on Tuesday July 19, 2016. (Sharon Steinmann/ssteinmann@al.com)

Ray Weinshenker, a gay man and lifelong Democrat who voted twice for President Barack Obama, is worried about the future.

And that's why the Mobile marketing consultant is supporting Donald Trump for president over former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"I have issues like everyone has issues. I have things I want righted in this country ... but those things are secondary and tertiary to the immediate issue of remaining the United States of America," Weinshenker said in an interview with AL.com. "Maybe I'll lose my rights; I'm afraid of that. But I'm damn sure I'll have no rights if I get blown up."

Weinshenker, 47, who runs the Mobile-based consulting business The Man About Town, said he believes Trump will be stronger than presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton on national security and immigration. He said the former secretary of state is unfit for office over what he viewed as her incompetence over the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi and her mishandling of classified information by using a private server and email account to conduct government business.

"The most important thing is to save our country and at this time, I believe that the misspoken word from a potential leader is far less important an issue to hang on than the killing of innocent men in Benghazi and the cover-up that the judicial system has created with their meeting with Bill Clinton on a plane for 30 minutes," he said, referring to the chat between U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Bill Clinton a week before the Justice Department decided not to pursue criminal charges against Hillary Clinton. "I can't with clear and good conscience put my favor into the hands of a woman that really has proven herself to be lackluster at best. I'd much rather put my life in the hands [of someone] that has a business record and acumen worldwide that has made him the sensation that he is. We need a manager. I feel safer with Donald Trump."

The decision to publicly declare his support for Trump hasn't been an easy one for Weinshenker, who said he received threats on social media for sharing pro-Trump messages.

"If I'm going to lose a friend over my political views, they're not really friends," he said. "I've got plenty of friends. I've got people that love me."

But Weinshenker said those same views won't have a negative impact on his livelihood.

"My concern would be if I did lose business than that would be sad for them but I also think speaking out may give me business," he said. "Because I think people with a strong business acumen, it will endear me to them and there will be some respect given."

Trump's success in the business world factored into Weinshenker's decision to back The Donald. He said Trump's use of bankruptcy laws was "brilliant" because it showed Trump had the foresight to recognize economic troubles ahead.

"His business acumen is on point, he's written several books and is brilliant," Weinshenker said. "He has the support of very powerful people in our country -- generals, people in legal profession -- that are strong."

He also agrees on Trump's immigration platform.

"Illegal immigrants by the very word is against the law and we've made it where it's a common phrase," Weinshenker said. "We've said it so many times that I do believe we have shifted paradigms for what the meaning of illegal is.

While Weinshenker said he doesn't think Trump or Clinton are likeable candidates, he believed Trump's presidential decisions wouldn't be influenced by outside forces.

"He doesn't have a hand up his ass. He's not a puppet and there's not a puppetmaster. He's not being driven by the money," he said. "He has no special interest and if he does, his special interest would be to make America great again."
Moorefamily.JPG

Family and supporters of Michael Moore speak to the local media on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at Government Plaza in Mobile, Ala. From left to right: activist Timothy Hollis, Kenneth Glasgow, Moore's mother Shundra Daugherty, and Moore's cousin D.J. Larry. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Supporters of Michael Moore's family are calling for criminal charges to be filed against the Mobile police officer who shot and killed the 19-year-old last month. They also want Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson to remove himself from the process of selecting members to a police citizens advisory council.

The family spoke to the local media outside the Mobile City Council chambers Tuesday. They were hoping to speak before the council, but were unable to do so.

"I have never known the mayor or the (police) chief to pick the people who go on it," said pastor Kenneth Glasgow, executive director of The Ordinary People's Society based in Dothan with an office in Mobile. "They are not letting the community pick it and that is the problem."

In addition, Moore's mother - Shunta Daugherty - continued questioning the whereabouts of a weapon that Mobile police say her son was brandishing on June 13, when he was shot and killed during a traffic stop by Officer Harold Hurst.

It was Daugherty's first public comments since the shooting occurred.

"I just challenge everyone to question if there was a gun, where was it?" she said. "Where was it when he laid there and didn't move?"

She declined further comment.

Glasgow's comments come one day after Stimpson and Police Chief James Barber, while meeting with the local media, said they support the formation of an advisory council if seven members were selected by the mayor. An additional seven members would be selected by council members.

The City Council's Public Safety Committee will consider the formation of the citizens' council during a meeting on July 28.

Stimpson and Barber's comments elicited immediate praise from the council's three black members. In recent weeks, they were upset over what they said was a lack of support for forming the group by the mayor's administration.

But when on Tuesday whether he would support the inclusion of mayoral appointments to the advisory council, Richardson said: "This is a council generated item. The council will make the decision. I don't know what it will be but the council will guide the process through. It will pass."

In addition, family spokesman D.J. Larry said the family will ask that the advisory council be given subpoena powers.

"It is well known that police departments sensor themselves very well," said Larry, a cousin to Michael Moore. "There have been too many complaints and issues that citizens feel have not been addressed appropriately. The establishment of a (citizens council) with the appropriate power will improve both community trust and the ability for law enforcement to become more community friendly."

Glasgow, meanwhile, is requesting that charges of negligent homicide or manslaughter be filed against Hurst. "Any other charge would be fictitious in its nature," he said.

Barber said on Monday that there is "a lot" of information that needs to be analyzed before the investigation comes to a conclusion.

Glasgow said that the recent decision by Barber to return Hurst to active duty in an administrative capacity - and not on regular patrol assignment - represented "a real slap in the face to the family and the whole city of Mobile."

Mobile police confirmed last week that Hurst was returned to administrative leave amid threats the officer received.

"They put this man back to work before he went to the grand jury or before it was fully investigated," Glasgow said. "There was no consideration for the family, the community."

Multiple agencies are investigating the shooting. Moore, a black man, was shot twice by Hurst, who is white. Among those investigating are the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI.

The shooting occurred during a traffic stop after which Moore was reportedly driving a stolen vehicle and possessed a gun. But questions about the encounter have swirled ever since, especially after Moore's handgun was not recovered at the scene. Instead, according to police, it stayed in Moore's waistband as he was transported to a nearby hospital where investigators recovered it.

Glasgow said that while the family is demanding justice, they are not advocating any violence in Mobile similar to outbreaks of social unrest and killings of police officers that have occurred in Baton Rouge and Dallas in recent weeks.

"We regret all of these police involved shootings across the country," Glasgow said. "But what we have to look at is when the justice system fails the people, this is the result with revolutions and those type of actions."

Two City Council members pushing for the formation of the advisory council also stated their support for police during Tuesday's council meeting.

"I have never seen or heard anything from my colleagues other than admiration or support for them," said Councilman C.J. Small. "We do support the police chief. I certainly hope we don't hear any rhetoric again questioning that."

Small's comments come a little more than a week after Barber, during a news conference, questioned Councilman Levon Manzie's Facebook affiliation with a man who posted anti-police statements on social media. Manzie has since disavowed those statements and questioned why Barber didn't seek him out first to discuss the matter before holding a news conference.

Said Richardson: "I support our men in blue 1,000 percent. In my 20 years on this council, I've never voted against an initiative pertaining to public safety."
On Tuesday (July 19) afternoon the Mobile Police Department arrested a man who they believe has made several terrorist threats against police officers on Facebook.

At approximately 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday officers located and arrested 33-year-old, Quinten Russell on outstanding warrants. Russell had two local warrants for criminal mischief second degree and harassment, also had a felony warrant for manufacturing marijuana out of Newnan, Georgia. He is awaiting extradition to Georgia.





According to the Mobile Police, Russell is known for advocating the killing of police officers. One Facebook comment under a photo of MPD officer Harold Hurst's photo read: "If this pig pull you over shoot first."

Hurst is involved in the shooting and killing of 19 year-old Michael Moore during a traffic stop back in June. Russell also used the social media platform to praise Micah Xavier, the shooter in the Dallas police shootings a few weeks ago calling the sniper a 'hero'.

The Mobile Police Department Intelligence Unit is working closely with the District Attorney's Office in reference to the terrorist threats Russell made against law enforcement on social media.
The Melting Pot in Mobile

The Melting Pot at 840 Montlimar Drive in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Brantley/Press-Register file photo)

(Mike Brantley)

The Melting Pot is not done: Starting Monday, Mobile can once again stick a fork in it.

On Monday, the company reopens its store at 840 Montlimar Drive, a free-standing location at the Festival Center. That means The Melting Pot's unique upscale dining experience, built around the social experience of fondue cooking, will be back on the Mobile menu after a seven-month hiatus.

Fondue favorites will once again be on offer, with some refinements to the dining experience and some new flavors on the menu, courtesy of a limited-time "Fondue Across America" program. The new selections include flavors such as Chicago deep-dish pizza and New York cheesecake; company president Mike Lester describes them as "familiar flavors done in a unique way."

"We're just having some fun. We're being playful," he said. "Everyone's familiar with cheesecake, but they never had a cheesecake flavored fondue ... We encourage people to play with their food."

Lester was upbeat about the restaurant's future in Mobile, despite the shutdown.

For years, The Melting Pot was known in Mobile mainly as a somewhat exotic experience that one had to travel to Pensacola to enjoy. (The chain is no novelty, however: It's been around since 1975, and operates more than 125 stores.) In August 2013, the company officially announced a Mobile location, which opened more than a year later, at the end of October 2014.

The store shut down suddenly in late December 2015. At the time, the company posted that it was looking for a new franchise partner. However, the branch is reopening as a company-owned location.

"We want to look ahead," said Lester. "No one was more disappointed in the sudden closing that we were." The company worked "fast and furious" to reopen the store, he said.

"We were welcomed wholeheartedly" in Mobile, he said. "We believe that's going to happen again."

They're not taking that for granted, however. He said the company has "invested a lot of new technology" in the new restaurant and made other changes aimed at speeding up some elements of the experience.

A table loaded with food and wine is pictured at The Melting Pot in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Brantley/Press-Register file photo)

The fondue pots at the heart of the Melting Pot experience certainly have their strong points - they make dining a highly interactive, social experience, from dipping appetizers in cheese sauce, to finishing up with fruit dipped in chocolate. The piece-by-piece, course-by-course approach takes time, however. Lester said the company has been working on ways for diners to expedite the process somewhat when they want. A new ordering system helps, as does the fact that the initial cheese course will be prepped in the kitchen and then finished at the table, rather than being built from scratch at the table.

"We recognize when people come in, they're hungry and they're ready to eat," Lester said.

He acknowledged the restaurant has to walk a fine line, because it can't speed things up in ways that make it less distinctive. So the changes are more about offering some flexibility. "We'll never rush anybody," he said.

The Melting Pot describes itself as a "polished casual dining" restaurant. Lester said that puts the chain in a class with alternatives such as P.F. Chang's, Cheesecake Factory and Bonefish Grill, a step up from casual without the full formality of fine dining.

"No fine dining restaurant would ask their guests to cook their own food," Lester said.

What people are looking for, he said, is "an experience they can count on ... with great service and real hospitality."

As for Mobile, he said, the Port City "has a lot of the characteristics of markets where we're successful," he said. It's a midsize city, with diners who are curious about new options. And he said he sees the city as a growing market, with a culinary scene that's got the potential to explode.

According to information provided by The Melting Pot, the new store will create 65 new jobs, with Brian Walsh serving as general manager. For more information on the Mobile store, including menus, hours and pricing, visit www.meltingpot.com or call 251-341-7395.
Banking Superintendent Mike Hill

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, right, delivers the oath of office to Mike Hill, superintendent of the Alabama Banking Department in the Old House Chamber at the state Capitol in Montgomery, Tuesday, July 6, 2016, in Montgomery. Superintendent Hill's wife Carol holds the Bible.

((Governor's Office, Sydney A. Foster))

Campaigning can be expensive.

Just ask Rep. Mike Hill, R-Columbiana, who Gov. Robert Bentley just named Alabama's new superintendent of banks. Between Jan. 1, 2011 and Dec. 31, 2015, Rep. Mike Hill spent more than $126,000 out of his campaign account.

Depending on the district, that can be a lot of money for a competitive campaign for the Alabama Legislature.

But here's the thing. Hill, a Republican from Columbiana, didn't have an opponent in the 2014 election, and most of that campaign money he spent on things don't have much to do with, you know, actual campaigning.

So what did Hill spend the money on?

Let's start with the car.

About a quarter of that money, $34,060.13 to be exact, paid for Hill's car and related car expenses. Those expenses included:

$2,403.25 at tire stores,

$1,123.03 at Express Oil Change,

$1,139.43 at the Shelby County License Office,

$1,192.94 at the Highway 280 Paint & Body Shop.

When I asked Hill about it, he said that he charges his campaign account for about two thirds of the costs of his car, which he leases. The other third he pays out of his pocket, he said.

Hill didn't pay for gas out of his campaign account, but he did charge the state mileage while the Legislature was in session, ostensibly including costs for wear and tear on a car he doesn't own.

And then there's the phones and Internet.

During those four years, which do not include any costs he might have charged his campaign this year, Hill paid $3,273.92 to his Sprint bill, which is his cell phone.

Also, he paid $3,540.20 to AT&T for U-verse Internet in his house.

Maybe the most frustrating thing, though, are Hill's non-itemized expenditures, which total $35,623.72.

Alabama law requires candidates only to itemize expenditures greater than $100, so as long as you keep the tab below one Benjamin, you don't have to tell anybody what you spent it on.

And in the interest of full disclosure, he paid $806.20 for subscriptions to the Birmingham News. Uhm. Thanks?

In June, Mike Hill accepted an all-expenses-paid trip to the Alabama Lenders Association convention in Asheville, N.C., then as his first act as banking superintendent, he appointed the organization's director to a governor's task force on predatory lending.

Ugly as it is, all this might be legal

To be clear, all of this might be legal, which seems to be a theme lately. You don't have to break the law when you're one of the ones who makes the law. At the very least, the Alabama Attorney General's Office has said that lawmakers can charge their campaign accounts for mileage incurred on their personal vehicles.

In 1995, the Alabama Ethics Commission wrote that the onus is on the lawmaker to document such expenses

"The Commission would suggest that the public official set out to determine what percentage of the time the vehicle is used for personal business, and what percentage of the time the vehicle is used in the scope of his elected duties," the Commission wrote. "Expenses being paid using campaign funds should be pro-rated accordingly."

By Hill's math, he uses his car two-thirds of the time for his part-time job as a state lawmaker and one third of the time for his full-time job as the vice president of a bank and regular citizen.

Banking Superintendent Mike Hill wasn't the first to spend campaign money on questionable costs. Gov. Robert Bentley spent leftover campaign cash to pay the woman he liked to talk dirty to.

Hill isn't the first to spend campaign money on himself

To be fair, Hill is far from the only one doing this sort of thing. We've seen in the last year how Gov. Robert Bentley used leftover campaign funds to pay the woman he liked to talk dirty to. Before he knew he might be in a competitive primary race, Sen. Richard Shelby regularly spent his campaign money dining at some of Washington's highest of the high-end steakhouses and sleeping in $1,000-per-night hotels in states he doesn't represent.

In comparison to guys like that, $126,000 in a campaign cycle with no opponents might seem like chump change.

But here's why it matters. It means one of two things ...

Either, Hill took campaign donations from donors who meant for him to spend that money on an actual campaign, in which case they didn't get what they paid for.

Or, those donors gave Hill that money not caring whether he spent it on a campaign or a nice car to drive. In which case, maybe they did get what they paid for -- the access and influence that comes with paying money into the system.

As a lawmaker, Hill was a pet candidate of predatory lenders, receiving more than $14,000 from them in the last election cycle. Thanks to Gov. Robert Bentley, he's now their top state regulator.

Hill was a pet lawmaker for the lending industry. Now he's their top state regulator.

Which brings us to why I was spending all this time looking at Hill in the first place. I ran across all these expenses while combing through Hill's campaign contributions.

In 2003, Hill sponsored a bill that legalized payday lending in Alabama. Since then, he has been a favorite candidate for payday, title and installment lenders. In the last election cycle, the lending industry donated at least $14,250 to Hill's no-opposition campaign.

Since then, they've been nice to him in other ways, too. Just last month, the Alabama Lenders Association hosted Hill among 14 other lawmakers at their conference at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., which has a spa Travel & Leisure magazine called the 13-th best in the world.

Not long after Hill returned from that trip, Gov. Bentley named Hill -- the father of payday lending in Alabama -- to be the state's new banking superintendent at the Alabama Banking Department.

And as one of this first official acts as banking superintendent, Hill got to name four members to the governor's newly created Alabama Consumer Credit Taskforce, which Bentley created to shape Alabama's statutory regulations regarding payday and title lending.

Two of Hill's appointments were to be from within the Banking Department and two from outside.

Of his outside appointments, one was Michael Kerr, of Enova International, a Chicago-based online payday lender.

The other was Maury Shevin, the director of the Alabama Lenders Association -- the same organization that just paid for Hill to spend a weekend with them in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Again, a trip that the Alabama Ethics Commission said was also perfectly legal.

Regardless, you need to know, because legal or not, this is how our system works.

In the end, perhaps Gov. Bentley couldn't have picked a better banking superintendent. Hill is very good with money.

Especially when it isn't his.
"This team is solid and the number is growing firmly and strong, the Don added, sounding confident that the likes of Sir Michael Somare and Sir Julius Chan has given the oppositions insurgency the boost it needs.

He was speaking at the oppositions camp at Port Moresbys Laguna Hotel far away from ONeills squadrons in far away Alotau.

"WE BELIEVE in dreams, said opposition leader Don Polye yesterday as he called upon Peter ONeills coalition allies [right] to abscond and join his Fathers of the Nation group. These dreams will be provided by this team.

We wont tell you the numbers, but our numbers are growing and youll see it on Friday as we form the new government."

Quite a pitch.



Meanwhile Ben Micah, who threw in his ministerial job to join the opposition in its bid to oust Peter ONeill, complained about not receiving from the prime minister the funds he expected to develop his New Ireland Province [more below].

Former justice minister Kerenga Kua, now also batting for the opposition, went further to say Peter ONeill was a serial law breaker and that enticing government MPs to Alotau was a criminal offence and an act of bribery.

And Transparency International PNG chairman Lawrence Stephens called on politicians to pay particular attention to anti-bribery laws as upcoming vote of no-confidence drove a desperate scramble for votes.

Matters of honour and dishonour featured in the lexicon of the day as Papua New Guinea moved closer to the crucial no confidence vote that will determine the immediate future of prime minister Peter O'Neill and his government.

Mr Stephens quoted the Criminal Code Act which frowns severely on fraud, threats or intimidation of any kind to influence a member of the Parliament in his vote.

We encourage any MP who feels that she or he is being coerced to read Section 97c of the Criminal Code Act and at the earliest opportunity report the matter to a commissioned police officer, Stephens added hopefully.

At the same time he reminded politicians of a 2015 Transparency survey that revealed four of every five Papua New Guineans regard MPs as the main causative agents of corruption and that more than half of the respondents said they had personally paid a bribe.

There are rumours of massive cash movements in political circles at present, Stephens said. Hopefully there is no truth in the rumours, but nevertheless it is a good time for each of us to reflect on the law and the reason for the law.

As Papua New Guineans, we deserve leaders who will abide by the laws that they make, he said.

Meanwhile Ben Micah was also reflecting on similar questions, especially in relation to the provincial support and district services improvement programs, largesse provided to favoured MPs to distribute as they see fit.

We only received K1 or K2 million but not the promised K10-15 million, Micah said. We have gone past the halfway mark for this year and there is no DSIP. This illusion about DSIP is only a dream that the prime minister, treasurer Pruaitch and finance minister Marape promised me and MPs. This has not happened.

I am not a tool to be manipulated. Im calling on the MPs in Alotau not to be manipulated by someone to be used to destroy this nation.

And Kerenga Kua was laying on the alleged illegalities with a trowel. "You know the balus ticket [to Alotau] is a bribe, the pocket allowance is a bribe, the food they are eating down there is a bribe, the hotel rooms they are sleeping in is a bribe, those are enticements, those are acts of bribery, they are all criminal offences, they are undue influences, they are both crimes and they are both misconduct of public office.

But, in the ultimate consideration, it seems it will be the winners who decide what is a bribe and what is a legitimate expense of representing the will of the people.

But in the laying-it-on-thick department, it was ONeill supporter and minister for fun Justin Tkatchenko who won gold with his criticism of defector Micah.

"I think Ben Micah was the one that caused the issue with the [protesting] students, said Tkatchenko. He was the one right behind it. He was the one that manipulated the situation.

And in the midst of all this finger-pointing, opposition stalwarts Belden Namah and Sam Basil took an opportunity to point fingers at themselves when they apologised to Sir Michael Somare for overthrowing his government in 2011.

"Today I take this time to say sorry for what happened, said Namah. While Basil said he was still ashamed of calling Sir Michael Somare "a stranger in the chamber" in 2011 when Somare was pushed into the chamber in a wheelchair after a long hospitalisation in Singapore.

In the wide mountain valley where sits Goroka in the PNG highlands, sometime political candidate and poet Jeffrey Mane Febi introduced us to the term, Mauspas Politics, which, said Jeffrey, refers to the perpetual silence of our elected MPs over issues of national importance and their constant reluctance to participate meaningfully in parliamentary debates.

Since some overwhelmingly illiterate electorates in Eastern Highlands Province are known for electing intellectually challenged MPs, the obvious reason would be ignorance.

And this political ignorance overwhelms and defeats genuine attempts at alleviating it. How long this continues is anyone's guess.

I think I can vouchsafe that in these short paragraphs Jeffrey has nailed one of the critical problems in PNG politics.

And let me finish todays wrap with the always formidable words of Governor Gary Juffa (seen at left with friend in yesterday's pic of the day); with the words directed at his fellow parliamentarians:
Enthusiasm for Trump presidency is low among some young Republicans at national convention.

Theres plenty of free organic coffee, wildberry ice cream and smoothies at the social media event site at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where young Republicans in suits mingle with hipsters from YouTube, Google and Yahoo!

Among the crowd is Xander Almeida, 31, sporting a handlebar mustache and wearing a top hat. If you saw Almeida on the street, you would assume he was a supporter of the left-leaning Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, who made a run for the presidential nomination of the Democratic Party.

But, hes not.

A dyed-in-the-wool Republican, Almeida backed Ohio Governor John Kasich who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican Party presidential nomination. Now Almeida is coming to grips with the fact that businessman Donald Trump is poised to officially accept the Republican nomination in Cleveland on Thursday.

When you look at the bulk of his proposals overall, theyre either impractical, unachievable or unconstitutional, Almeida says of Trump.

Trumps not winning Almeida over. What about other young Republicans?

Obviously, the mans capable of a lot of things, Almeida says.

But I dont see him trying to do that.

POLL: Donald Trumps world view make the world less safe

Young voters were the backbone of the campaign of US President Barack Obama in his historic run for the White House in 2008. The Obama campaign used the ever-growing social media phenomenon to attract young volunteers who enthusiastically spread his hope and change message to relatives and friends.

According to the Pew Research Center, 66 percent of voters aged 18-29 voted for Obama in 2008, the largest percentage of the youth vote in the previous 20 years.

Republicans have paid for it ever since.

A recent national poll found that 61 percent of young voters backed Democratic Party hopeful Hillary Clinton for president, with just 25 percent backing Trump.

At this convention, the first real national platform for the Republicans as they enter the election race, enthusiasm for Trump among young voters is tepid, at best.

Sean Harrington, 23, a student at North Carolina State University, admits hes not excited about Trump. He backed Kentucky Senator Rand Paul for president. Now hes ready to get behind Trump, as a loyal Republican, once its time to campaign for the partys nominee.

And when he does, Harrington will echo the theme at this weeks convention: Trump is the right choice simply because hes not Clinton, who is expected to accept her partys nomination next week in Philadelphia.

Young people may not show up in droves for Trump, Harrington says, but they wont for Clinton, either.

Bernie Sanders, he was the one who gained most of the youth support, he says.





What I saw constantly when I campaigned with people, they [young people] said they would either vote for Bernie or vote for Trump.

Those young people were anti-establishment and will choose an outsider in the election, he adds. That outsider would be Trump, says Harrington, who says hes sick and tired of, the same politicians setting the bar so low I can barely look at it.

With Hillary, theres a big distrust there.

Reginald Grant is ready to back Trump, too, even if he wasnt his first choice. Wearing a black cowboy hat, the 29-year-old former US Marine was a supporter of Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who battled Trump until dropping out of the race in May.

I have a lot of friends on both the Democratic and Republican side who told me theyre supporting Trump, Grant says.

He seems like a guy who says what he feels and he stands by it.

Like many Trump supporters, Grant likes Trumps plan to build a wall along the US-Mexico border to keep illegal immigrants from entering the country.

Carl Miller, from Illinois, turns 18 on Friday and backed Cruz for president. Now he believes Trump will get young people on board.

Democrats try to pigeonhole issues, he says. This is a young persons issue, this is an issue for women, this is an African-American issue. Conservatism benefits all Americans, not just young people.

OPINION: Donald Trump and electing Islamophobia

Cassie Unruh vehemently disagrees and her mom, a Colorado resident and longtime Republican, led a revolt against Trump at the convention this week. Kendal Unruh tried to change the way the party voted on the first day of the convention. The goal was to free delegates from their obligation to vote for Trump.

It was a last stand by Republicans who want to dump Trump, but it ultimately failed. Trump received enough votes on Tuesday to officially accept the nomination on Thursday.

Im so proud to be your nominee, Trump told the Cleveland convention-goers on Tuesday via video message from New York. He has vowed to unite the party in spite of the dissent this week.

Like her mom, Cassie, 17, was disappointed by the partys efforts to prevent delegates from voting freely. She turns 18 next month, so this will be her first chance to cast a vote in a presidential election.

As Christians, were supposed to have our conscience and I dont believe that right can be taken away, she says, echoing her moms words on the efforts to force delegates to back Trump.

I believe that Trump doesnt represent us and hes not a true conservative.

Theres no way shell back Trump in November, she says.

I might vote independent. At least my conscience will be clear when I do.
Doctors Without Borders works round the clock to get refugees at the mercy of the Mediterranean to safety.

As I groped in the dark to dress this morning (a necessity, when sharing a ship cabin the size of a walk-in closet, with three others), there was a knock on the door.

The field coordinator of the Doctors Without Borders, or MSF, Kim Clausen said, everyone needed to report immediately for a meeting downstairs in the Officer Day Room.

When I arrived, it was clear by Clausens demeanor, there was an intense day ahead. An urgent fax had been sent from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre or MRCC. Clausen told us this was unprecedented in his experience.

All ships in the vicinity were instructed to report to 20 nautical miles off the coast of Libya to assist what was expected to be a large number of refugee boats, in distress.

Storms that stretched over the course of a week, had likely caused a backup and smugglers were waiting for the first night to send their boats into calmer waves on the Mediterranean Sea.

The collective adrenaline on the boat from the MSF team to the Ukrainian Crew, was surging.

Within 40 minutes, our ship would be in area. The ship is called the Bourbon Argos. It is 68 metres long and is outfitted with an emergency room. The deck can hold up 1,000 refugees if need be.

The Communications Officer Sara Creta told me, after rescues, it is so cramped, the refugees form a kind of human carpet on the deck.

You have likely seen the images as I have, on television, countless times. But when I first saw the boats packed with people, bobbing up and down in the waves, at the mercy of the Mediterranean, I was hit by a series of emotions that come with bearing witness to peoples suffering.

Whether these people are fleeing war and persecution or economic hardship, no one embarks on such a treacherous journey without a history of misery or misfortune rooted In their homelands.

Four ships come into view. People are packed elbow to elbow.

The MSF team sends a small boat to distribute life jackets, communicate with the refugees and let them know they will now be safe.

The first priority is to rescue boats that are ankle deep in water and are beginning to sink. Over the course of the day, MSF rescued more than 628 people, including 13 kids and 98 women.

There are people from Bangladesh, Egypt, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Nigeria.

I meet an Ethiopian man named Mohamed. At 73, is the oldest refugee anyone on board can recall rescuing.

He is a patrician man who says he suffers from diabetes and a skin disease and is hoping he can get healthy again and continue working.

I meet a chubby 7-month-old boy who seems oblivious to everything but his mother and the bottle shes giving him.

A man named Wisdom City, tells me he left Sierra Leone two years ago after his father was killed as a result of the fighting in the country.

He is a college graduate with a marketing degree and a vision of continuing his studies in Europe so he can provide for his family. When I tell him he must miss his family incredibly, he says he misses his father, his everything.

Less than a half hour after our interview is finished, Wisdom approaches me to ask if I could give him a phone to call his family. He is the first of several people to make the same request and of course, I wish I could accommodate them all.

After the commotion of the rescues dissipates, I stand back and watch as the men, women and children get blue backpacks of food and clothing and line up to take showers.

I study their faces. They convey the full spectrum of emotions  exhaustion, fear, elation, wariness and anger.

There is another palpable emotion  relief.

It explains why after such arduous journeys, people want to pick up the phone and share their news. They want to tell their loved ones, they are finally safe and they are en route to Italy.
Cleveland, Ohio  Thousands of people descended upon Cleveland to voice their support and opposition to presidential nominee Donald Trump as the Republican National Convention took place.

But three sets of people, each with their own interests, used innovative methods to shed light on the issues that matter most to them: immigration, wealth distribution and inequality, and derogatory rhetoric. Here are their stories:

The 360-mile-long walk

It took 27 days for Father Jose Landaverde, a 45-year-old priest and immigrant rights activist from Illinois, to walk from Chicago to Cleveland. Despite the scorching heat, which left another member of his group hospitalised, Landaverde walked the 360 miles to deliver an important message.

We want to raise awareness in small towns and communities about the hate and racist speech of Donald Trump, he said, speaking at a rally organised by a bloc of groups opposed to the anti-immigrant sentiments of the presidential nominee, as the Republican National Convention was under way.

Accompanied by four people, and regularly joined by others along the way, the pastor with the Faith, Life, and Hope Mission in Chicago walked as much as 25 miles a day, sometimes less when they ran into obstacles. Some of the Chicago-based Syrian refugees who walked with him turned back when they were intercepted by hate groups.

They stopped us in Angola, Indiana, he said. They tried to beat us, told us Mexicans go back home, and some had signs outside their homes reading, We are all Donald Trump.

The priest is pushing for immigration reform and is hoping to appeal to Republican delegates who are in Cleveland for the week to formally nominate the celebrity tycoon. Trump has called for a wall to be built on the US border with Mexico to stop immigrants from entering the country.





We have to stop the deportations and ask for immigration reform here at the convention, the pastor said. We want to open a dialogue with people who dont know us, as immigrants. We want to tell them: we are here, we are your brothers. We can live together.

The Trump Hut

Advertising partners Tommy Noonan and Douglas Cameron were fed up with Donald Trumps rhetoric, campaign and his vision for the country. So they began to mull ways, using ads as a tool, to shed light on the issue of income inequality, which they believe will only grow if hes elected.

Their idea to build something that would stand out and get people talking, amid a sea of anti-Trump protesters, came to life with a Trump Hut, a structure moulded into the shape of the presumptive nominees hair.

We wanted to take a well-known image in the media and a symbol associated with Trump and turn it against itself, Noonan said. Trumps hair is an interesting notion, a funny one, its been talked about in a lot of different ways, and we want to use it to get people talking about the great wealth divide in the country.

They set up the Trump Hut in the vicinity of the Republican National Convention venue in downtown Cleveland as well as outside a local arts centre. They are also offering people a chance to be shareholders, and are launching a crowdfunding campaign, so they can build more structures and strategically place them outside various Trump-owned properties and at the US border with Mexico.

Im scared Donald Trump could get into office, said Cameron, a founding partner of DCX Growth Accelerator, a New York City-based ad agency. There is a push for me to keep him the hell out of the White House. Shedding some light on it by living in his hair is one way of coping with it.

READ MORE: Cleveland: Protesters gather to denounce Trump at RNC

The hut, crafted by a Mexico-born artist out of raffia hula skirts, features a luxury rug, a set of lights, champagne buckets and stools. Inspired by Situationist International, a Paris-based group of radical avant-garde artists that sought to effect social change, the two refer to their work as admocracy, the idea that you can use media pranks to shed light on social issues.

We tired to visualise what a Trump slum would look like as the Brazilification of America continues, added Noonan, executive creative director at DCX Growth Accelerator, referring to a term that describes the shrinking middle class.

We wanted people to start talking about what Trump will do for them. If America is going to win, who in America is going to win? Is that going to be one percent of the country or is that going to be working people with the type of trade deals that he negotiates?

The Trump Museum

At a loft a stones throw away from where Republican supporters gathered to buy various RNC memorabilia, a make-shift museum showcased exhibits that criticised Donald Trump for his rhetoric towards immigrants and women, as well as some of his failed business ventures.

Put together by the US Super PAC American Bridge 21st Century, the museum features 30,000 audio clips by Trump curated into playlists, Trump-branded paraphernalia, a blow-up doll of the presumptive GOP nominee, and several reading materials from Trump educational organisations.

The items aim to highlight Trump as a divisive figure who advocates a dangerous agenda and is unfit to be the president of the US, said Jessica Mackler, president of American Brigade, a group funded largely by business magnate George Soros, and dedicated to tracking Republicans and doing opposition research.

The exhibits here are a reflection of [a] years worth of our research into Trumps career and background, she said.

In addition to an audio-visual exhibit that highlights his speeches over the years, there is a reading room with material from Trump University and Trump Institute, which have been accused of using plagiarised material, and are being sued by former students for defrauding and misleading them.

The museum also displays suits from the Donald Trump collection, which are made in Mexico, with the aim of highlighting his inconsistency in condemning corporate off-shoring.

Trump spends a long time on the campaign trail bashing outsourcing, Mackler said, but the truth is that he makes a lot of his money doing so.

Follow Dalia Hatuqa on Twitter: @daliahatuqa
Assemblyman Gary Finch released a statement Wednesday expressing disapproval of a proposed vehicle tax by the Cayuga County Legislature.

The tax, which legislators have discussed in committee meetings throughout the month of June, would charge county residents $10 every other year for passenger vehicles during registration, and $20 every other year for commercial vehicles. The revenue generated is expected to bring in approximately $425,000.

"Asking working families to swallow another tax during a time when so many folks are struggling to get by and pay their bills is just wrong," Finch said in a release. "It is bad enough when New York City politicians work to increase taxes and spending across the state. It's worse when it's coming from your local government."

Finch said the proposed law was coming from the county's Democratic legislators. He said the state currently pays some of the highest fuel taxes in the nation, and said Gov. Andrew Cuomo has wasted millions of dollars on a failed jobs program.

"There is a culture of spend now and tax later on the other side, and working families are left footing the bill every time," he said. "If all else fails, what is wrong with cutting our spending instead of raising taxes?"

Chairman of the county Legislature Keith Batman said it is not surprising Finch would be against the tax during an election year. He also said he would remind Finch that he and his colleagues failed to provide any state mandate relief in the last legislative session. Some of those state mandates that have added to the county's expenses include an increase in those eligible for publicly funded defense, an expansion of those eligible for the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and an approximately $30,000 salary increase for the county's district attorney.

"As far as I'm convinced, he's actively part of the problem," Batman said about Finch. "He's sitting back and criticizing without a single new idea. If he has a better idea, I would love to hear it. He could start with fighting harder to relieve us of the mandates that his legislation has imposed upon us."

Finch had participated in a discussion with legislators back in April about the state mandates eating up the county's budget. Finch had told legislators to continue to pass resolutions and meet with representatives to have their voices heard.

"We know you have a problem," Finch had said in April. "You have a tax cap. We're going to push everything we can."

Batman also said the proposed law was not a Democratic initiative, but a bipartisan effort.

"This is a bipartisan attempt to find a solution, and it's not approved yet," Batman said. "We're sending it forward for discussion. The support to send it forward from discussion comes from both parties, so for him to paint it as a partisan attempt is distasteful."

A public hearing on the proposed tax will be held prior to the full county Legislature meeting Tuesday, July 26.
Ahmad Shah Massoud and the young Arab prisoners of the war between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan.

Egyptian war correspondent Yehia Ghanem continues his series of stories on the wars he has covered and the people he has met along the way with his account of meeting young Arab fighters captured while fighting in Afghanistan. Read the rest of his series, Caged, here.

Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan  Autumn 1997

In the autumn of 1997, it was unusually cold in Afghanistans Panjshir Valley, 150km north of the capital, Kabul. It felt as though the nearby Hindu Kush mountains were willing gusts of bitter wind upon us.

I was on a small island in the middle of the Panjshir River, to which Id been taken by the legendary leader of the Northern Alliance, Ahmad Shah Massoud, talking to young Arab prisoners of war who had been captured while fighting for the Taliban.

I wanted to know how they had come to be in Afghanistan  both in terms of who had recruited them and how they had got here.

Some of the prisoners spoke freely; others refused to talk at all.

But among those who did speak, there was a recurring theme: they had imagined that they were pursuing a quest for freedom in Afghanistan  something they had been denied in their own countries  only to discover that it was a mirage. What they had thought of as some kind of holy mission had seen them become pawns in a larger game of partisan issues that were entirely foreign to them.

The traditional route used by Arab fighters heading to Afghanistan during the 1980s typically began either in Saudi Arabia, Egypt or Algeria and then continued through Peshawar in Pakistan. But as I talked to these young Arab prisoners, I was shocked to learn that Turkey had become a hub through which these Arab fighters passed. It came as a surprise because the country was, at the time, controlled by the staunchly secularist military.

Money and paradise  an irresistible offer

Life has become so difficult in Egypt; my family could hardly provide the basics for me and this resulted in me having to drop out of high school, a 19-year-old Egyptian prisoner explained. Finding work that would let me support myself was very difficult, let alone having to find enough work to support my parents.

One day someone approached me through a friend and started talking to me about gaining both this life and the one after, meaning getting some money for a better life on earth, and in the event of me dying while fighting, I would be guaranteed to inherit paradise, he continued. [It was] an irresistible offer and so I ended up as a fighter and, soon after, as a prisoner.

There were many like him. Their main motivation to fight in a foreign land had been the socioeconomic disenfranchisement they had encountered in their own. But the offers made to them had been wrapped in religious terms  the promise of paradise.

There were others, however, whose motivation was purely political.

We came into this life to see our parents being insulted, repressed and oppressed all the way and all the time, said one of the prisoners, Abdel Rahman, as others gathered round him, signalling their agreement. We also learned that their parents and grandparents had suffered no less.

We decided that we should not be silenced. When we raised our voices we were repressed harshly, humiliated, insulted and some of us served sentences though still legally children, he continued.

Therefore, we decided to fight our way to freedom away from our home countries ruled by ruthless tyrants. Regardless of captivity, if we ever have to do it again, we will, he concluded, punching the air.

Ismails plea: Do not forget me

I spent the whole day moving from one group to another  sitting with some young Arab prisoners who would not utter a word and others who seemed unable to stop talking. Many cried like children  most, in fact, were.

They wanted to go home, some said, but were afraid of being returned to prisons in their own countries. Some told stories of the torture they had already endured in those places.

They had come here to fight for justice and to regain their freedom and dignity, some told me.

As I was about to take the boat back to the mainland, Ismail, the 17-year-old Egyptian I had first spoken to on the island ran up to me. Holding my arm, he begged me not to forget about him and pleaded with me to ask Massoud for his freedom.

To leave him behind felt unbearable, but all I could do was promise him that I would try not only to secure his freedom but the freedom of all those on the island with him.

Our many cages

Massoud had invited me to dinner that evening and it was 8pm when I arrived at his home.

We ate together and then began the conversation that I had been waiting for since the night before, when I had first questioned him about the Iranian prisoners of the Taliban Id encountered while reporting from that side of the conflict.

I guess now you know why I didnt answer your questions last night about those Iranian Revolutionary Guards who fell into captivity with the Taliban, he said.

After meeting your own fellow Arab fighters in captivity, you should know that we, in the Northern Alliance, are not the only party getting outside help, he continued.

Sir, those Arabs are not much in the way of fighters, I responded. Legally, they are children and should be treated as such.

Whoever carries arms is a fighter, regardless of their age. But because of their young age we are being very considerate to them, he replied, his tone both firm and compassionate.

Sir, would you allow me to plead for the freedom of those children? Keeping those children in captivity will not serve any purpose and I dont believe that the Taliban will show any interest in releasing any of your POWs in return for the release of those Arab children, I implored him.

How can I release them when their own governments dont want them back? he asked. If I keep them I do so out of mercy because these children, if sent back to their homes, would be sent to their doom. At least you can rest assured that I wont harm them here.

I had seen for myself how those we term terrorists are not born, but bred  in these cases by the dictators who ruled their countries.

I thought of these young prisoners often as I sat in my own cage in a Cairo courtroom, and I think of them still, as I sit here in exile. Their stories remind me that we shall all remain caged until freedom is universal.

Chronicle of a Caged Journalist is a series of excerpts from a forthcoming book.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
It has been a year since the US and Cuba restored full diplomatic ties after more than five decades of frosty relations rooted in the Cold War.

The US broke off ties with Cuban following the 1959 Communist revolution led by former Cuban President Fidel Castro.

Successive US governments tried to oust the Cuban leadership, most notably during the CIA-backed Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961.

The US imposed a trade embargo on Havana in 1962 and in the same year the movement of nuclear missiles from the Soviet Union to Cuba brought the countries close to nuclear war.

Since the restoration of diplomatic relations, the states have signed telecommunication deals and put into place airline services but obstacles remain.

On March 20, 2016, US President Barack Obama was welcomed by cheering crowds in Havana at the start of a historic visit to Cuba that opened a new chapter in US engagement with the islands government.
The lessons for Egypt are numerous and they will certainly affect the future of democratisation in that country.

Omar Ashour is Senior Lecturer in Security Studies at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies in University of Exeter.

The Turkish Army Topples Erdogan, said the red headline of Al-Ahrams front page, the leading state-owned Egyptian newspaper on July, 16.

It reflected the wishful thinking of the ruling regime in Egypt, which came to power after plotting a brutal coup against the first democratically elected Egyptian president three years ago.

According to some reports, the representative of the regime in the United Nations Security Council attempted to block a statement to respect the democratically elected government of Turkey. There were no surprises there.

Egypts putschists

Both Egypt and Turkey have suffered from many coups and serious coup attempts since the establishment of their republics.

In Egypt, a 1952 coup ended the constitutional monarchy and a 1954 one ended a fragile transitional period and established an officers republic (PDF).

In 1971, a coup by Nasserist generals was foiled by President Anwar Sadat loyalists. But the last three military interventions in Egypt were quite successful.

A 2011 coup by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) ended Hosni Mubaraks dictatorship and cleared the path for a transitional period following an 18-day popular uprising.

OPINION: The lessons to be learned from Turkeys failed coup

The SCAF maintained the special prerogatives of the military, including their veto in high politics, their independent, off-budget military-economic complex, and their legal immunity from civilian courts.

In 2012, a less recognised coup was received with neither local resistance nor international condemnation. The SCAF dissolved the parliament and announced a constitutional declaration to further empower its mandate.

But the 2013 coup was the bloodiest. It revoked the two main gains of the transitional period: unprecedented basic freedoms and unprecedented free and fair elections. It certainly divided the country, perhaps permanently.

Turkeys dark past

Turkeys trajectory was quite different. A 1960 coup ended Turkeys first democratic alternation of power with a resounding tragedy: the execution of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes and two others.

The junta of 1960 purged 235 generals, more than 3,000 officers, 500 judges and hundreds of university professors.

A 1971 was a gentler coup; by a memorandum rather than murder and purges.

Almost every component of the Turkish nation successfully resisted the 2016 coup attempt, including the military, the police, the intelligence, the political class, the media and the citizenry. by

But perhaps the 1980 coup was the bloodiest of all successful ones: 50 executions and more than 500,000 arrests.

Like 1971, the 1997 coup was also by memorandum. Both politicians and public complied.

But the trend started collapsing as of 2007. A coup attempt in the disguise of an e-memorandum published by the military was averted by a combination of early elections and threats to raise the coup costs.

Turkey was certainly changing. And this did not register with the 2016 putschists.

Why did it fail in Turkey?

So, why were the last coups successful in Egypt and utter failures in Turkey? There are about six solid differences.

On a macro-level, Turkey is usually in the second quarter of the Human Development Index. Egypt is usually in the third or the bottom quarter (XLS). The level of social and institutional development mattered.

History also had its impact. The 1980 coup left deep scars on Turkish society. Only the 2013 coup in Egypt had a similar  but quite recent  effect.

On a meso-level, the Turkish political class showed much higher levels of maturity and vision than their Egyptian counterparts.

OPINION: Turkey-US  Whats the problem?

Generally, most of electoral losers in nascent democracies would opportunistically side with the putschists  a pattern established in Egypt in 1952 and 2013, in most of South American coups of the 1970s, and elsewhere (PDF). In 2016, Turkey was an exception.

The quality of leadership also mattered. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirims charisma, tenacity and clarity has been inspirational.

This is in comparison with Mohamed Morsis tendency to call the military commanders men made of gold and the police as the heart of the January Revolution, while they were plotting against the presidency with clear signs as early as March 2013.

The balance of hard power was a fifth critical factor. The Turkish military, security forces and intelligence directorate were instrumental in countering the putschists from the first hour.

We will fight till the last bullet was an unusual statement from the National Intelligence Organization (MIT). It did fire up national resistance sentiments, not just among the ranks of the security and military forces, but also among the general population.

The quick anti-coup strategies and tactics employed by the First Army commander, the security special forces, and the MIT were overall quite effective.

OPINION: People defeated the coup in Turkey

None of that occurred in the Egyptian case. Government loyalists and pro-democracy officers could not coordinate a counter-coup strategy, mainly owing to their limited numbers and resources.

But also, in 1954, their forefathers had both numbers and resources. They still failed to counter the coup against Egypts first president, Muhammad Naguib.

Civil resistance

On the micro-level, the solid civil resistance by Turkish citizens was impressive in 2016 as it was in the Egyptian case of 2011 and 2013.

It was perhaps the first time in the history of civil resistance to coups when civilian cars have attempted to block fighter-jets runways to prevent them from bombing an elected parliament.

It is also one of the rare times when civilians just duck  not run  under bullets, before they stand up and chant again, once the shooting stops.

The quick mobilisation on the streets of Istanbul and Ankara were critical, but  as shown from Argentina to Indonesia  this is never a decisive factor on its own.

Egypt had probably one of the longest and most resilient sit-ins in its modern history in Rabaa and Nahda squares.

They did end up in a bloodbath committed by the military, owing to the lack of the aforementioned factors.

Almost every component of the Turkish nation successfully resisted the 2016 coup attempt, including the military, the police, the intelligence, the political class, the media and the citizenry.

To the bitter dismay of Egypts putschists, the coup was unsuccessful. But the lessons learned for Egypt are numerous and they will certainly affect the future of democratisation in that country.

Omar Ashour is Senior Lecturer in Security Studies at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies at the University of Exeter and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
We need to remember that thinking, writing, and debating are significantly different from violence.

Recently Hamid Dabashi published an article on the consequences of Brexit for Europe from a post-colonial point of view.

While I agree with much of what he says, one paragraph caught my attention. It seems particularly inappropriate to put European philosophers, scientists, and politicians in the same basket as a mass murderer such as Anders Breivik.

OPINION: Europe is the creation of the Third World

It reads like this: Yes, there are nervous European philosophers (as they continue to insist in designating themselves) like Slavoj Zizek, or even more zealous Zionists like Bernard-Henri Levy and Alain Finkielkraut, or mass murderers like Anders Breivik, or politicians like Marine Le Pen, or Islamophobe atheists like Richard Dawkins, who fume and fumble at the sight of new Muslim immigrants. But there are also other defiant voices like Alain Badious, who catch these retrogrades red-handed and whose visions are far more embracing of the newcomers.

Along with Badiou there are many other European philosophers (Edgar Morin and Gianni Vattimo among them) troubled by Levy and Finkielkrauts brand of Zionism, but that does not justify juxtaposing them intentionally with a right-wing terrorist  who in one day killed 69 young centre-left political activists and set off a car bomb in Oslo that killed eight more people.

The same goes for Zizek and Dawkins. Their views on new Muslim immigrants, which are not alike as Dabashi seems to suggest, are not sufficient reason to place them alongside a mass murderer who wrote in his manifesto that multiculturalism, Islam and cultural Marxism are the enemy.

Also, as much as reasonable people are appalled by French right-wing politician Marine Le Pens Islamophobia and her other racist views, she did suspend a member of the party for describing Breivik as a resistance leader, an icon  fighting against the Muslim invasion.

The West and the rest duality

But why would Dabashi link these European writers with a Nazi terrorist and a far-right politician?

Following one of Frantz Fanons most iconic phrases, Europe is literally the creation of the Third World, Dabashi accuses the Dalai Lama of being a retrograde cartographer for recently saying in an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that Germany cannot become an Arab country.

According to Dabashi this statement is founded in an unexamined metaphor of Europe beyond all reality and geography that His Holiness shares with millions of others who are also incapable of imagining a Europe that is tinted with the presence of non-Europeans, Arab or otherwise.

The problem for Dabashi rests not only in this outdated image of Europe but most of all in a normative entrapment that Europeans can never decode.

Europe may be the creation of the Third World, but it also might offer the interpretive tools to reveal that Europe and its Other are the same, part of the same world; a world existentially threatened - as long as it is defined - by the capitalist and imperialist idea of globalisation. by

Thus, Dabashi considers the recent wave of refugees an opportunity to awaken Europe to its central paradox: both its racist foregrounding and its liberal illusions.

I agree that the refugees provide an opportunity for Europe to overcome this paradox. The way we confront the humanitarian crisis they are caught in will determine our future not only as a union but also as an idea, a vision, and a value system.

And here lies the problem: Dabashi, contrary to other postcolonial theorists for whom there is no strict separation between the coloniser and the colonised, suggests that these millions of people are still framed within a Eurocentric notion of Europe and the Other, that is, the West and the Third World.

Presumably, this is what drove the Dalai Lama to state that Germany cannot become an Arab country, and that from a moral point of view  the refugees should only be admitted temporarily and the goal should be that they return and help rebuild their countries.

Part of the same world

Although the Dalai Lama does not need philosophers to defend him, it must be pointed out that in this same interview he also states, Die Liebe ist bei jeder Religion die Kernbotschaft, auch im Islam, that is, love is the core message of all religions, also Islam.

Perhaps His Holiness, like so many others, is not really dismissive, derisive even, nervously sardonic of even the idea of Germany becoming an Arab country.

Nor does making it a goal to help refugees return to their homes qualify as dismissive, derisive. Doesnt the Dalai Lama, like so many other refugees, wish to return to his country? Who is really disoriented and dizzy here?

I do not wish to deny that many citizens of the European Union are still incapable of accepting the idea that Europe has been exhausting its enabling emotive universe, as Dabashi says, but this does not mean that emergency alarms must go off at any mention of Muslim integration in Europe or that there is any reason to fear all Western cultural values in general.

OPINION: A philosophical approach to the refugee crisis

It is worth asking whether it makes sense at this moment to follow Dabashis call to resist these Western, European values or, as Zizek recently suggested, whether they should now be critically reinterpreted, [because] many of them  egalitarianism, fundamental human rights, the welfare state, to name a few  can serve as a weapon against capitalist globalisation, which is the root cause of the refugee crisis and the imperial wars that have unleashed it.

Europe may be the creation of the Third World, but it also might offer the interpretive tools to reveal that Europe and its Other are the same, part of the same world; a world existentially threatened  as long as it is defined  by the capitalist and imperialist idea of globalisation.

As we can see, the problem with the alarm that Dabashi is sounding is that it can deafen him and others to the differences between scare-quoted European philosophers and politicians and a mass murderer when the only common element is that they all had something to say about new Muslim immigrants.

In the weeks when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) coordinated attacks in Istanbul, Baghdad, and Medina, perhaps what we need is to remember that thinking, writing, and debating are starkly different from blind violence.

Rhetorical tricks that elide this difference merely propagate outmoded ideas of difference and keep us  all of us  from uniting around a common good and against a common enemy, whether that enemy strikes within the political borders of Europe or without.

Santiago Zabala is ICREA research professor of philosophy at the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona.

The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy.
US officials allege fund was used as personal bank account to buy assets, including property, a jet and paintings.

The US Justice Department has said it wants to seize more than $1bn in assets linked to Malaysias 1MDB state investment fund.

The department said on Wednesday the assets were associated with an international conspiracy to launder funds misappropriated from 1MDB.

In court papers filed in California, federal prosecutors listed some 20 assets, including lavish real estate from Beverly Hills to a penthouse in New Yorks Time Warner Center.

Also included were artworks by the painters Monet and Van Gogh, as well as a Bombardier Global 5000 business jet.

In a press conference in Washington DC, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said officials used the sovereign fund as a personal bank account.

Swiss say $4bn may be missing from Malaysia state fund

Lynch said the move was part of an efffort to combat global corruption and ensure that the US would not serve as a safe haven to those who illegally use public funds for private gain.

The fund is owned by the Malaysian government, but none of the lawsuits named Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

However, the case named Riza Aziz, his stepson, as a relevant individual in the case.

The lawsuits also named Najibs friend, Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, or Jho Low, and Abu Dhabi government officials Khadem al-Qubaisi and Mohamed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.

Money-laundering scheme

The complaint, filed in Los Angeles, alleges a complex money-laundering scheme that the Justice Department said was intended to enrich top-level officials of 1MDB.

The fund was created in 2009 by the Malaysian government with the goal of promoting economic development projects in the Asian nation.





Instead, officials at the fund diverted more than $3.5bn over the next four years through a web of shell companies and bank accounts in Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the US, according to the complaint.

Federal officials said more than $1bn was laundered into the US for the personal benefit of 1MDB officials and their associates.

The funds were used to pay for luxury real estate in the US and Europe; gambling expenses in Las Vegas casinos; a London interior designer; more than $200m of artwork by artists including Van Gogh and Monet; and for the production of films, including the 2013 Oscar-nominated movie The Wolf of Wall Street.

The complaint said that among those who profited from the scheme was the prime ministers stepson Aziz, who co-founded Red Granite Pictures, a movie production studio whose films include The Wolf of Wall Street.

According to the complaint, 11 wire transfers totaling $64m were used to fund the studios operations, including the production of the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

A phone message at the movie studio on Wednesday morning was not immediately returned.

Malaysian government officials had no comment on Wednesday in response to queries about reports of the US justice departments action.
Seventeen soldiers have been killed and 35 wounded in central Mali in an assault on their military base that authorities called a coordinated terrorist attack.

The raid on Tuesday is the biggest in months on the army in Mali, a country that faces a growing threat from armed groups based in the desert north.

The toll has increased: we have lost 17 men and 35 are wounded, Malis defence minister Tieman Hubert Coulibaly said. Authorities had earlier announced 12 soldiers were killed.

Army spokesman Souleymane Maiga told Reuters news agency the raiders briefly took control of the base in Nampala, which is set in semi-desert scrubland close to the Mauritanian border. He said Malian troops retreated to nearby Diabaly to regroup.

Maiga said three groups staged the raid: Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb attacked from the north, the Macina Liberation Front linked to Ansar Dine waited outside the town to ambush military reinforcements, and an ethnic Peul group attacked from the southeast.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, the Turkish president says the countrys democracy is not under threat.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has insisted Turkish democracy is not under threat, but said there could be more arrests in the wake of last weeks failed coup attempt, in a wide-ranging interview with Al Jazeera.

We will remain inside a democratic parliamentary system, we will never step back from it, he told Al Jazeeras Jamal Elshayyal, speaking through a translator, from inside the presidential palace in Ankara.

However, whatever is necessary for the nations peace and stability will be done, Erdogan said, expressing doubts that the coup attempt was entirely over.





I dont think we have come to the end of it yet.

Erdogans comments came moments ahead of announcing a three-month state of emergency in response to the failed coup.

I would like to underline that the declaration of the state of emergency has the sole purpose of taking the necessary measures, in the face of the terrorist threat that our country is facing, he said in a televised address, vowing that the virus in the military will be cleansed.

Crime against Turkish state

In his interview with Al Jazeera, Erdogan described the attempted coup as a crime against the Turkish state, adding that the government was making sure every step is taken within the law.

The Turkish governments purge of state institutions following Friday nights failed coup has already cleared out about 60,000 people.

READ MORE: Thousands of police suspended after Turkey failed coup

This has led rights organisations and Turkeys allies to voice some concern about the direction the country is taking after the coup attempt, with some claiming that the president was using the weekends events to legitimise the crackdown on any kind of opposition.





Erdogan responded to criticisms about the high number of arrests that followed the coup attempt by giving examples from other countries that faced security threats in the recent past, claiming the Turkish governments reaction was no different.

For example, in the face of terrorist acts, France took numerous steps and certain stands, he told Al Jazeera.

Did they not detain people en masse? Did they not arrest people in very high numbers? We cannot deny those situations.

Three months ago they had an emergency state. Initially it was three months, then it was prolonged.

The Turkish president also repeated his claim that US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen and his movement was behind the coup attempt and said it would be a big mistake if the US decided not to extradite him. Gulen, who lives in exile in the US state of Pennsylvania, has denied any involvement.

But, Erdogan also emphasised that he did not want to strain Turkeys relations with the US as a result of the extradition request.

We need to be more sensitive, he said. Relations between our countries are based on interests, not feelings. We are strategic partners.

READ MORE: Thousands on the streets to show support for Erdogan

The Turkish president said he believed foreign countries might have been involved in the failed coup attempt, though he declined to name any.

Erdogan also reiterated Turkey would consider reinstating the death penalty after the failed attempt to overthrow his government.

I will approve capital punishment if its passed by parliament, he said.

Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 under reforms aimed at obtaining European Union membership.

Reinstatement would create further issues between the EU and Ankara in the already stalled membership talks.

INSIDE STORY: Turkey  Witch-hunt or precautionary measures?

But, Erdogan insisted that Turkeys decision on capital punishment should not affect its relations with the EU.

If the EU respects democracy it will accept peoples will, he said. The world is not simply the European Union. Do you have capital punishment in the US, Russia, China and in many other countries? Yes.

Highlighted excerpts from Erdogans interview below:

On how he found out about the coup attempt: It was my brother-in-law who gave me first the news. Initially my reaction was disbelief  I had a conversation with the head of the national intelligence agency, I was already with the minister of energy on site and we decided to take a number of steps. One of the first steps involved my family and me taking a helicopter from where we were to Dalaman, and from Dalaman to come to Istanbul by plane.

On arriving in Istanbul: When we arrived in Istanbul, of course there were some difficult moments there as well  We had F-16 jets flying in low altitude, faster than the speed of sound; that was, of course, an effort to instill fear in the hearts of tens of thousands of people who were assembled there, and then we sat down with a number of colleagues in positions of authority and we planned the aftermath, what was going to follow.

On potential foreign involvement in the failed coup: There might be other countries involved as well; the Gulenist terror organisation also has another superior mind, if you will, and a time will come when those connections will be deciphered. We have to be patient  But I dont think it will take long. The judiciary is acting and I think all of those connections will come to the light of day.

On critics accusing him of a media crackdown: I have never been against media; there have been numerous insults and libels against me and my family and those outlets are still broadcasting. But in this incident even they said they were on the side of the president, because [a pro-coup] direction would doom them and be the end of them.

On reinstating the death penalty: If parliament makes that decision, then the duty of the authorities in power is to pave the way for this punishment to be reintroduced. The people have voiced this demand. They took to the streets and kept saying capital punishment, capital punishment, capital punishment.'
Taliban attack police checkpoints in Afghanistans northern Kunduz province in an effort to take control of district.

Hundreds of Taliban fighters have largely taken over a district in Afghanistans northern Kunduz province as intense fighting with the Afghan security forces continues.

After three days of clashes, Taliban fighters took over up to 65-70 percent of the Qala-e-Zal district, Afghan officials said on Wednesday, as part of an intensifying wave of attacks across the country.

Parts of the district have fallen into the hands of the Taliban, but our security forces are fighting them back, Mahmoud Danish, a spokesman for the provincial governor, told Al Jazeera.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, the Taliban claimed the entire district had fallen into their hands.

Nabi Ghichi, the local police commander, told Al Jazeera that the Taliban attack began in the early hours of Monday, warning that he had little logistical support to push back the armed groups fighters.

District governor Mahbubullah Saeedi told the DPA news agency that 15 Taliban fighters, one Afghan security force member and one civilian had so far been killed in the fighting. Another 23 Taliban fighters and seven security force members had been wounded.

Scores of families have fled the district after the fight erupted.

Most of the houses are empty as many fled the ongoing conflict in the district, Ajmal, a local journalist based in Kunduz, told Al Jazeera.

It looks like the fight will continue for the next few days.

Kunduz is one of the most volatile provinces in the countrys north. The capital of the province fell to the Taliban briefly last year, before being recaptured by government forces, and most districts have a heavy Taliban presence.

Kunduz was threatened again in April, when the attacks were repelled by Afghan troops working with US forces.

US President Barack Obama announced earlier this month that he planned to leave 8,400 American troops in Afghanistan at the end of his term  an increase from his previous plan, reflecting the difficulty of drawing down the US presence in the country.

In response to Obamas announcement, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Al Jazeera: Whether the US decides to keep [its] troops in Afghanistan or not, whether the numbers are more or less, we will continue to fight them.

The Afghan Taliban on Tuesday rejected claims that the movement had been weakened after its leadership transition, saying the recent lull in operations was due to the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

With reporting by Shereena Qazi. Follow her on Twitter
French President Francois Hollande confirms three officers killed while on an intelligence mission in Libya.

Three French soldiers have been killed in Libya, officials have said, also confirming for the first time that members of Frances special forces are engaged in operations in the North African country.

French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday the three soldiers had been killed in a helicopter crash during an intelligence-gathering operation.

At this moment we are carrying out dangerous intelligence operations [in Libya], Hollande said in a speech.

Frances Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in a statement that he regretted the loss of three French officers who died while on mission in Libya  but gave no further information as to where or how the troops were killed.





Earlier on Wednesday, government spokesman Stephane Le Foll provided the first official confirmation that members of the French special forces were operating in Libya, which has been in turmoil since 2011 following the uprising that led to the removal and killing of Muammar Gaddafi.

Special forces are there, of course, to help and to make sure France is present everywhere in the struggle against terrorists, Le Foll said.

French special forces, in conjunction with Britain and the US, have been advising forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, which have been battling opponents in Benghazi for more than two years, the Reuters news agency reported.

Libyan military officials would not comment on a report that the French nationals were in a helicopter that crashed near Benghazi on Sunday. Officials said at the time that four people had died in the crash, all of them Libyan.

A group called the Benghazi Defence Brigades claimed to have shot down the aircraft.

France and Britain led the push in 2011 for the NATO-led air campaign that helped topple Gaddafis regime. Both countries were later accused of not doing enough to support Libya after its military intervention.

Libya has been split between rival governments and parliaments based in the western and eastern regions, each backed by different militias and tribes.

Western powers have been backing Libyas UN-brokered government, hoping, among other things, that it will seek foreign support to confront fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS).

ISIL on the retreat

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a new report released on Wednesday that ISIL fighters in Libya were facing the distinct possibility of defeat in their last stronghold in Sirte.

ISIL took advantage of Libyas political turmoil to establish a presence in several of the countrys towns and cities from 2014. However, the group struggled to maintain territory and has one remaining stronghold in the city of Sirte  its most significant base outside Iraq and Syria.

Ban said in the report to the UN Security Council that estimates of ISIL fighters in Sirte  hailing from Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Mali, Morocco and Mauritania  range in number from 2,000 to 7,000.

However, a recent offensive against ISIL by forces aligned with the UN-backed government meant the the current number of those in Sirte is now likely well under 1,000, Ban said.

The UN chief expressed concern at the likelihood that ISIL fighters relocating from Sirte would regroup in smaller and geographically dispersed cells throughout Libya and in neighbouring countries with the intention to conduct attacks.
Security agencies in Kenya have killed or abducted dozens of men suspected of links to al-Shabab, a rights group has said, as Kenyan officials challenged them to provide evidence to an independent body.

In a report late on Tuesday, Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented 34 enforced disappearances and 11 suspected extrajudicial killings over two years as part of counterterrorism operations in the capital, Nairobi, as well as in the countrys north-east .

People in northeastern Kenya deserve protection from al-Shabab attacks, not further abuse from the authorities, Ken Roth, HRW executive director, said.

Roth described the cases documented in the report as just the tip of the iceberg.

READ MORE: Al-Shabab raids Kenyan police, taking bullets and guns

The report details people taken from their homes by masked, armed men who did not identify themselves, or being beaten in the streets and driven away in government vehicles.

Some of the disappeared were last seen in police or military custody, the report said. No one has been charged with any crime, nor are their families able to trace them.

Rounding people up and refusing to disclose their whereabouts is a serious crime and only compounds fears and mistrust in the security forces, Roth said.

HRW said they spent more than eight months investigating the abuses in Nairobi and in the northeastern counties of Garissa, Wajir, and Mandera.

The group interviewed 117 people, including victims and witnesses of counterterrorism operations, Imams, government officials, journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, police and military officers, and local community leaders for the report.





Kenyas Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) is regularly accused of intimidating or killing suspects.

Both human rights and academic researchers have repeatedly warned that the heavy-handed approach alienates and angers communities.

Those warnings have been ignored, HRW said, with a range of security agencies employing the same tactics in north-east Kenya under the legal authority of Kenyas National Security Council, headed by the president and other senior officials.

Mwenda Njoka, the spokesman for Kenyas interior ministry rejected the allegations and said the report should be forwarded to the countrys Independent Policing Oversight Authority for investigation to determine any culpability.

These are just claims, he told the Reuters news agency on phone.

Police spokesman Charles Owino said the allegations raised by Human Rights Watch are very serious and challenged HRW to provide all the evidence they have  to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, the Witness Protection Unit and the Director of Public Prosecutions for a thorough investigation so that action can be taken.

I know they will not trust us to investigate ourselves and that is why we are saying they give all the information to IPOA which is an independent body charging with investigating police excesses, he told the Associated Press news agency.

READ MORE: Al-Shabab confirms death of Garissa attack leader

There is a host of security agencies deployed in Kenyas north-east, including national police and reservists, the army and even the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

All are said to be implicated in the alleged murders and abductions of mostly ethnic Somali men in their 20s-40s.

This is multi-agency abuse, with a sophisticated operational structure that reaches to the highest levels of government, Roth said.

The report also pointed the finger at Kenyas new National Counter Terrorism Centre, which was established to coordinate the counterterrorism operations.

Since sending troops into Somalia in 2011, Kenya has suffered numerous attacks by the al-Qaeda affiliated al-Shabab group, including an assault on Nairobis Westgate shopping mall in 2013 and a massacre of students at a university in Garissa in 2015.
AUBURN  Cayuga Community College announced a new certificate program Wednesday for students interested in entry-level careers in the tourism industry.

According to a press release, students can now enroll in the new one-year tourism management program, in which students will take five classes each semester over two consecutive semesters. Courses include Marketing for Hospitality and Tourism, Introduction to Tourism, Business Communications, Personal Selling and Event Planning, and an internship is incorporated to provide hands-on learning.

"This certificate program has been developed to address a demand the college has seen for jobs in the tourism industry," the release said. "According to the Finger Lakes Regional office of Empire State Development for New York State, destination tourism is one of the top 10 industries in the area."

The program is available fully online and will start in the fall semester, which begins Aug. 29. For more information, visit the certificate programs' website or contact Amy Valente at amy.valente@cayuga-cc.edu.
Peoples tribunal says government must compensate victims and survivors of mass killings some five decades ago.

A final report on war crimes committed in Indonesia decades ago has called on the government to investigate and prosecute all those involved in the deaths of at least 400,000 of its own citizens.

The international peoples tribunal formed at the Hague said on Wednesday the Indonesian state was responsible for the genocide against members and supporters of the countrys Communist party and followers of President Soekarno during the 1965-66 killings.





Zak Yacoob, chief justice of the civil society tribunal, said the government of Indonesia needed to act urgently and without qualification to address the injustices committed in the deadly purge.

In an interview with Al Jazeera, Yacoob also said that aside from prosecuting those involved in the killings, the government must also apologise to all victims or their survivors, as well ensure appropriate compensation and reparation.

Starting on October 2, 1965, Indonesias General Suharto launched a campaign to wipe out Communist party officials and sympathisers, following a failed coup which resulted in the death of six generals.

The report also detailed 10 gross human rights violations carried out against civilians, including imprisonment, torture and sexual violence.

The peoples tribunal was formed last year after efforts to bring the mass killers to justice had failed.

Al Jazeeras Step Vaessen, reporting from Java, where many of the deaths happened, said the outcome of the investigation provided moral support to the victims and their families.

Revisiting an Indonesian massacre 50 years on

Its a very important verdict for a case thats been haunting Indonesia for the past 51 years, she said. The question now is, whats the Indonesian government going to do with these findings?

So far, the government has completely rejected the existence of the peoples tribunal.

With no legal basis for its formation, the findings of the tribunal would also have no legal consequence, our correspondent reported.

Damien Kingsbury, an expert on Indonesia at Melbournes Deakin University in Australia, said that while the report had no pracitical effect it was very important from a symbolic point of view.

Kingsbury said that it could put pressure on the government to take more action on the issue.
Jerusalem  A number of recent laws passed by the Israeli Knesset  including one that criminalises those who encourage soldiers to desert  are infringing on freedom of expression for minority groups, human rights organisations say.

Last week, the Israeli parliament passed controversial legislation that sets a jail term of three to 15 years for people who seek to persuade a volunteer to quit the military, as well as for anyone who helps a volunteer to desert.

Israel also recently passed an expulsion law, which permits a majority of Knesset members to expel elected lawmakers, while the countrys Supreme Court last year upheld an anti-boycott law that allows for fines to be imposed on groups who call for a boycott of Israel or its settlements in the occupied territories.

Nadeem Shehadeh, a lawyer with Adalah, the legal centre for Arab minority rights in Israel, said the country was witnessing a clear attempt to marginalise Palestinian narratives and push them outside of the political consensus.

READ MORE: Israels anti-boycott law to muzzle Palestinians

Since Benjamin Netanyahu became prime minister, we have been introduced to new laws that are narrowing the space for freedom of expression, especially for Palestinian citizens of Israel, Shehadeh told Al Jazeera.

These laws, in part, are enacted to actually make you miss the Palestinian narrative. When youre talking about the Nakba law, where you are not allowed to commemorate Israels independence day as a day of mourning, then you are letting the Israeli narrative prevail, but you cannot tell the narrative of the other side.

Civil rights groups and opposition politicians have warned that the law concerning the military, which was passed last week after significant debate, created a situation where speaking out against volunteering in the Israeli military could result in jail terms for Palestinians.

It's one among many other laws that have an anti-democratic approach that is trying to oppress any democratic voice that is resisting governmental policy. by Aida Touma-Suleiman, member of the Arab Joint List

While the law applies to all volunteers who join the Israeli army, Likud MK Yaov Kish, who sponsored the legislation, said it was aimed at reducing pressure on Christian Arabs who join the military from within their communities.

While most Jewish Israeli citizens are conscripted into the army, Palestinian citizens of Israel who make up around 20 percent of an overall population of eight million are not obliged to join. The vast majority choose not to do so, often out of solidarity with Palestinians living under occupation in the West Bank, or in the besieged Gaza Strip. But a small number of Christian Palestinians volunteer for military service each year, often against the consensus in their community.

The legislation was eventually weakened from an initial bill that would have criminalised seeking to dissuade Christian Arabs from volunteering  although rights groups say there is still a risk that the courts could misinterpret the legislation to cast a wider net. While the final law relates only to those who had already volunteered for the military, opposition politicians say it threatens freedom of expression in a broader sense.

Its one among many other laws that have an anti-democratic approach that is trying to oppress any democratic voice that is resisting governmental policy, said Aida Touma-Suleiman, a member of the Arab Joint List.

The main goals of this law are on the one hand to create an illusion that those who are volunteering for the Israeli army are under real threat from their own community, and on the other hand, to criminalise those who are criticising and having a political debate with those people.

Supporters of the law argue that it is needed to protect Christian Arabs who want to enlist. Father Gabriel Nadaf, who in 2012 founded the Israel Christian Recruitment Forum, a group that works to boost the number of Christian Arabs who serve in the Israeli army, said in March that incitement against volunteers and their families had at times led to physical violence.

Taleb Abu Arar, who is also a member of the Arab Joint List, told Al Jazeera that the government has tried to encourage Christian Arabs to join the army in order to weaken the Arab national identity.

Its a policy of divide and rule. This plan has failed, because very few Christians become Israeli soldiers, he told Al Jazeera. I will continue to express my opinion against this law and against Arabs joining the army.

READ MORE: Israel continues to criminalise marking Nakba Day

Israeli civil rights group Social Guard, which monitors the Israeli parliament, warned the legislation could easily be misinterpreted in a way that criminalises speech by minorities.

Any felony that is related to freedom of expression is usually something that you can interpret in many ways, said Nirit Moskovich, the executive director of Social Guard. The fear in this meaningless legislation is in the interpretation that might be given by the police. Its the fear of misinterpretation and of harsh interpretation, which is a phenomenon that we know happens  especially when it comes to alleged felonies committed by Arab Israelis, who are often discriminated against by the police and the legal system.

The rightward shift in Israeli politics since Netanyahu was elected prime minister in 2009 has accelerated in recent years, and the current government is considered to be the most right-wing in Israels history.

These laws are coming fast and hard, and Israeli society should see that these kinds of practices and laws are hampering their democracy, Shehadeh said. People should start realising this and put an end to it.
Award-winning journalist Pavel Sheremet has been killed in a car bomb explosion in Ukraines capital, Kiev.

Sheremet, a Belarusian-born journalist with popular news website Ukrayinska Pravda, was killed on Wednesday morning while driving a car owned by his partner, Olena Prytula, who is the publications owner.

He was on his way to work to anchor a talk show on Vesti Radio when the bomb went off.

The 44-year-old was known for his outspoken criticism of the leadership of his home country, Belarus. He was also a close friend of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was shot dead close to the Kremlin last year.

Looking at all theories

Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko offered his condolences to Sheremets friends and family, adding that he had instructed law-enforcement agencies to conduct a speedy investigation into this crime.

An improvised explosive device was planted underneath the car, Zoryan Shkiryak, adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, said in a Facebook post.

It was unclear whether the device had been set off by a remote control or a timer, Shkiryak added.

The bomb is believed to have contained up to the equivalent of 600 grammes of TNT.

Interior Minister Khatiya Dekanoidze said in televised comments at the scene of the crime that she would monitor the investigation herself.

We are looking at all theories, she said, adding that solving the murder was very important as it was a matter of honour for the Kiev police.

Anton Gerashchenko, a member of parliament and adviser to the interior ministry, referred to the killing of Sheremet as a cynical murder, adding that it could be used to to destabilise the internal political situation in Ukraine.

In 2002, Sheremet won a journalism prize from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for his reports on human rights violations in Belarus, including the disappearances of opposition politicians and journalists.

In 2013, Sheremet began working for a new Russian broadcaster, Public TV and Radio (OTR), but quit in 2014 in protest at what he saw as the Kremlins propaganda in coverage of the Ukrainian crisis.

He openly accused Russia of illegally annexing Crimea and supporting pro-Moscow separatists battling government forces in Ukraines east.

Sheremet had told the Reuters news agency in October that he no longer felt comfortable visiting Moscow.

Im threatened often and given hints. Every time I go to Moscow, its like Im in a minefield, he said in an interview.

On Wednesday, the OSCE called for action to address the safety of journalists in Ukraine.
North Korea said Wednesday its latest ballistic missile tests were personally ordered and monitored by supreme leader Kim Jong-un and simulated nuclear strikes on US bases in South Korea.

The three missiles launched on Tuesday were a dry run for attacks on South Korean ports and airfields hosting US military hardware, the Norths official KCNA news agency said.

The tests examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area, it said.

North Korea threatens action against THAAD deployment

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles that flew between 500km and 600km into the sea off its east coast, South Koreas military said, the latest in a series of provocative moves by the isolated country.



War games: US and South Korea stage exercies

The US military said it believed two of the missiles were Scuds and the other a Rodong, a home-grown missile based on Soviet-era Scud technology.

North Korea is believed to be developing nuclear warheads and trying to miniaturise them to mount on ballistic missiles, but some experts say it may be a few years away from mastering the technology.

But Tuesdays missile launches were seen as a show of force rather than a test to improve missile capabilities, a week after South Korea and the United States chose a site in the South to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system to counter threats from the North.

China has objected to the decision saying it would destabilise the security balance in the region. North Korea has threatened a physical response to the move.

Chinas strategic play with nuclear North Korea

South Korea said it was again in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions that ban the Norths use of ballistic missile technology.

North Korea came under the latest UN Security Council resolution after conducting its fourth nuclear test in January, and launching a long-range rocket the next month.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday said the tests were deeply troubling and undermined efforts to reduce tension on the Korean peninsula.
Dozens of Pakistanis held by the US in Afghanistan were repatriated, but struggle to put their lives back together.

Hamidullah Khan was 14 when he was captured by Afghan forces and handed over to the US military, which put him in a cage and held him for more than five years at Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul.

Bagram was a hell for us and we could not forget what happen[ed] to us there, Khan, who now lives in Karachi, Pakistan, told Al Jazeera. Now I suffer.

Khan, born November 27, 1993, was picked up in 2008 when he was an eighth-grade student. He was traveling from Karachi to Waziristan to gather some family possessions when he vanished.

Exactly where the Afghan army picked him up and why it did remain unclear. They kept him for two days without food, and then handed him over to American forces.

The dark prisoners: Inside the CIAs torture programme

Khan is among the youngest war-on-terror prisoners held by the Americans in Bagram or Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Lieutenant-Colonel Valerie Henderson, a Defense Department spokeswoman, told Al Jazeera that we believe Khan was 18 when captured, and he was held as a law of war detainee.

While as a Bagram prisoner Khan had even fewer rights than his counterparts in Guantanamo, his transfer  and that of other Pakistanis like him  took place with little political pushback, something that has plagued US President Barack Obama who, with just months left in office, is still trying to get out of the detention business.



Afghan government releases Bagram inmates

By the end of 2014, 43 known Pakistani prisoners held by the US at Bagram were repatriated  all are reported to have been initially detained at still-undisclosed locations upon arrival in Pakistan, according to Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), which wants the US and Pakistani governments to provide assistance for their rehabilitation and reintegration.

Theyve so far received nothing despite years of detention without charge, JPP said.

At first, then 14-year-old Khan said he was isolated in a single cage in Bagram. Then he joined other inmates, somewhere between five and seven men, in bigger cages at the US detention centre  where American jailers killed at least two men  without access to counsel.

Khan said simply, yes, five years and a few months is a long time to be held. Sometimes, though, he could see distant mountain peaks covered with snow.

Then one day, Khan was sent home to Pakistan  released wearing white prison garb with his detention number 3718 written on his shirt. He got his cell phone back, but the US army burned his original clothes.

Bagram and action by Pakistan

As the US was readying to relinquish its control of Bagram prison, known now as Detention Facility in Parwan, to Afghan security forces in December 2014, Washington worked to rid itself of third-party nationals, the majority of whom were Pakistani.

Years earlier in October 2010, JPP, a non-profit human rights law firm, began litigation seeking the repatriation of Pakistani nationals held by the US by filing a petition in the Lahore High Court.

The Pakistani case progressed on October 20, 2011, when the court ordered the Pakistani government to visit the US prison and to find out more about the Pakistani citizens who were being held by the Americans.

Before this visit, the Pakistani government had been to Bagram only once before, according to JPP. Rather quickly, by January 20, 2012, Justice Khalid Mehmood Khan found there were no serious allegations against seven of the men and by May 28, he ordered the government to confirm the identities of all the men being held.

Some of the Pakistani men may have had links to al-Qaeda or like-minded Pakistani groups; others were wrongly accused or simply seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, none was ever charged with a crime.

The US Department of Defense maintains all detainees were treated humanely.

Kafkaesque



The US hands over control of Bagrams Parwan jail

Many of these Pakistani men have reported that while they were held by the US, a Bagram Detainee Review Board (DRB) found them innocent and told them they did not need to be imprisoned. But the US military and/or State Department did not approve or facilitate their transfers or releases, JPP said.

The Pakistani men, therefore, continued to have DRB hearings about every six months regardless of whether they were previously recommended for release or not.

The International Committee of the Red Cross facilitated phone calls between the prisoners and their families, but the detained men were never permitted to discuss the condition of their imprisonment or their cases.

In August 2012, two Pakistani prisoners were repatriated followed by six more men in November 2013. By the end of 2014, all 43 known prisoners were home. JPP said it never received documentation confirming the total number of Pakistani prisoners held in Bagram, nor confirmation that all nationals were repatriated.

The current Bagram population under Afghan control includes some 141 foreign nationals, most of them Pakistani, according to the Afghan defence ministry.

This is a grave cause for concern, especially given Afghanistans abysmal human rights record of treatment of prisoners, Wassam Waheed, JPP communications manager, told Al Jazeera via email.

JPP is also helping former prisoner 1432 Amanatullah Ali, a rice merchant who supported his five young children. He travelled for business to Iran in 2003 and then went to Iraq to visit religious shrines, but he never returned home. Ten months later his family found out he was in Bagram, via a letter from the ICRC.

Ali had been staying in a place for pilgrims in Iraq when the British started firing at us, he said in a video recorded by JPP. There were British badges on their shoulders.

It is still not clear who originally took Ali, but it was British forces in Iraq who handed him off to the Americans, who rendered him to Bagram, according to his account and that of a former lawyer of his.

The Americans did things to me that I cannot describe, Ali recounts in the JPP video about his introduction to Bagram, where he would spend some 10 years and seven months. Sometime during his detention, his shoulder was damaged when he said US soldiers dragged him. He hurt his back, too, in a fall, which prevented him from returning to work when he was released.

His brother died when he was in Bagram and the responsibility of his family also came on to my family. But Ali can do little now and said he was a burden on his family.

The stories of former prisoners 2096 Awal Noor, a goat herder, who disappeared in the summer of 2006 at age 16; and 3764 Shoiab Ahmed, a father of three, are similar. Their families told JPP the men just vanished one day only to resurface in Bagram.

Omar Khadr: The boy I witnessed becoming a man

The families of former detainees 2422 Umran Khan, one of 10 children, and 2421 Mohammad Riaz believe these men were sold by unknown individuals to US forces who threw them into Bagram.

Freedom for these former Bagram prisoners, however, has brought many of the Pakistani men little else, according to JPP. Most report being told they would be compensated upon repatriation  but this has not happened.

Upon the release of Khan, who spent his teenage years in US custody, American officials said: Were sorry, he recalled. We could not establish any link [between] you [and] bad guys.

Sami Yousafzai contributed to this report

Follow Jenifer Fenton on Twitter: @jeniferfenton
Officials downplay sensitivity of leaked emails, say website blocked to protect privacy and personal phone numbers.

Turkish officials have downplayed the release of hundreds of thousands of private emails belonging to members of the ruling party that were published on the WikiLeaks website.

The whistle-blower website was blocked on Wednesday by Turkeys Internet watchdog, TIB, shortly after the mass release of the emails, which included the current phone numbers of AK Party members of parliament.

The internet authority said an administrative measure had been taken against WikiLeaks, a generic term it often uses when blocking websites in Turkey.

Al Jazeera independently confirmed the authenticity of emails and phone numbers of at least 10 members of parliament released by WikiLeaks.

READ MORE: WikiLeaks to release Turkey power structure documents

WikiLeaks said more emails and attached files will be published soon.

Part one of the series covers 762 mail boxes beginning with A through to I containing 294,548 email bodies together with many thousands of attached files, the website said.

WikiLeaks ordered to be blocked nationwide in #Turkey after releasing 300 thousand emails from #Erdogan's party AKP pic.twitter.com/Q5vWWimklY  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 20, 2016

The emails come from akparti.org.tr, the AKPs primary domain  It should be noted that emails associated with the domain are mostly used for dealing with the world, as opposed to the most sensitive internal matters.

The leak of ruling party emails comes at a sensitive time for Turkey.

At least 290 people were killed after rebel soldiers attempted to overthrow the government on Friday, bombing state buildings and killing civilians and security forces. Thousands of civilian State employees and military personnel have been sacked or detained in the aftermath of the failed coup.

Since the attempted coup authorities have purged suspected backers of the plan to topple the government, and as of Monday night more than 8,000 people had been arrested over their alleged involvement.

April Fools jokes

A Turkish official, speaking to Al Jazeera on condition of anonymity, said the content of the leaked emails was not sensitive for the AK Party or Turkey.

The emails largely consist of spam, updates about various social activities, and April Fools Day jokes, the official said.

The official said that access to the WikiLeaks website was restricted due to the publication of personal information about MPs including phone numbers, he said.

There is a violation of privacy and publication of illegally obtained data, he added.

READ MORE: Turkish political parties unite against coup attempt

Ismail Aydin, an AK Party member of parliament, said it was illegal to publish the private communications of people, though he stressed that nothing would come out of the leaked emails that would harm the party or its officials.





It is not a very important development for us. Our electorate knows our phone numbers and emails, he told Al Jazeera.

Private communications are protected by law. Despite the fact that release of the emails is a breach of privacy, I dont believe anyone can find anything against us in those emails.

Within the country and abroad, there always will be circles trying to blackmail us. We dont seek anything, but to serve our citizens and thats all what we did for the last 15 years.

Releasing the emails was a shameful act and a breach of privacy, AK Party Member of Parliament Emrullah Isler told Al Jazeera.
Temporary ban on travel due to flight risk of alleged accomplices of coup plotters, Turkish official tells Al Jazeera.

Turkeys higher education council has banned academics from leaving the country for academic purposes and urged those overseas to quickly return home, according to state media and a Turkish official.

It is a temporary measure that we were compelled to take due to the flight risk of alleged accomplices of coup plotters in universities, a Turkish official, who asked to remain anonymous, told Al Jazeera on Wednesday.

Universities have always been crucial for military juntas in Turkey, and certain individuals are believed to be in contact with cells within the military, the official said.

The decision to restrict academics working for Turkish universities from travelling comes as the government engages in a widespread crackdown on bureaucrats suspected of being involved in last Fridays attempted coup. Thousands of people in the judiciary, police forces and military have been sacked or detained.

At least 290 people, including plotters, died after rebel soldiers attempted to overthrow the government on Friday night, bombing state buildings and killing civilians and security forces.

Sackings and suspensions

The travel ban on academics follows a day after the higher education council demanded the resignation of 1,577 deans at universities across the country.

In a separate move on Tuesday, the education ministry also revoked the licences of 21,000 teachers working in private institutions. The government also suspended 15,200 state education employees.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused exiled Turkish businessman and cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the attempted coup and is demanding that the US extradite him.

Gulen lives in Pennsylvania but retains vast interests in Turkey, ranging from media to finance to schools, and wields influence in various arms of the state, including the judiciary and police.

US Secretary of State John Kerry told his Turkish counterpart in a phone call that Turkey needs to respect due process as it investigates those it believes were involved in the coup plot.

At least one senior Turkish official has directly blamed the US for the attempt to topple Erdogan.

That prompted Kerry to tell Turkeys foreign minister that public insinuations about a US role are utterly false and harmful to US-Turkish relations.

Additional reporting by Umut Uras. Follow him @Um_Uras
First air strikes since failed coup kill at least 20 PKK fighters in northern Iraq, Turkish media reports.

Turkeys military has launched air strikes on Wednesday against members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, killing 20 fighters, according to Turkeys state-run news agency.

Turkey carries out frequent attacks against PKK targets in the Kurdish regions near the Turkish border, where the PKK leadership has camps.

Some of the worst violence in the three decades of the Kurdish rebellion was triggered after a ceasefire between the autonomy-seeking PKK and Turkey ended last year.

This recent cross-border attack comes as Turkeys military deals with the aftermath of an attempted coup, carried out by a faction within its armed forces.

READ MORE: Turkey says Kurdish fighters killed in raids

Wednesdays air strikes appear to be an attempt to show that forces are on top of security matters despite the failed takeover.

Turkish authorities have arrested close to 9,000 people for their alleged involvement in the coup.

Officials say that the death toll from the attempted takeover has risen to 240 government supporters as of Wednesday.

At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

The Turkish government blames US-based exiled opposition leader Fethullah Gulens movement and his supporters for planning and carrying out the failed coup, and has demanded the extradition of the cleric.

Turkey faces multiple security threats, including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) and the PKK.
A Palestinian cameraman records the 2014 Israeli assault on Shujayea, including the final moments of his own life.

On July 8, 2014, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge, aimed at stopping alleged rocket fire from Gaza into the occupied territories.

One of the most densely populated neighbourhoods in the Gaza Strip, Shujayea was claimed by Israel to be the site of Hamas terror tunnels.

We'll teach generations to come how to convey our message to the world. by Hamed al-Shobaky, cameraman

The attack started late on July 19, initiating 24 hours of sustained air bombardment and artillery fire.

An American military officer talking to Al Jazeera said 11 Israeli artillery battalions fired around 7,000 shells into Shujayea over that 24-hour period, in which at least 65 Palestinians were killed and 288 wounded.

One paramedic reported more than 200 calls for help at the peak of demand, one from virtually every house on targeted streets.

The emergency services responded to every callout with scant regard for their own safety.

In this film, cameraman Khaled Hamad joins local paramedics in Shujayea as they attend to the dead and wounded at the height of the raid. Risking his life, he documents the atrocities committed against civilians in the neighbourhood during Operation Protective Edge.

A number of journalists were killed. News photographer Rami Rayan died while shooting stills of a busy market where locals were shopping during a brief humanitarian truce.

Knowing the risks, Hamad continues to film until his camera dramatically captures the raid in which he and paramedic Fouad Jaber come under direct attack.

Paramedics, Hamads fellow journalists and family all maintain that Israel targeted journalists in order to try and minimise coverage of what the Palestinians described as a massacre.

Most of the footage in the film is Hamads, his camera never stops shooting even after he is struck, and continues rolling long after he has taken his final breath.
Turkeys leaders are under pressure to show restraint as thousands are arrested or fired following the failed coup.

It started with the police and military.

Now the Turkish government is having a major purge of civil servants too, following last weeks failed coup which threatened to topple President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Tens of thousands of Turks have been arrested, fired or suspended from their jobs.

The Turkish leadership said they are carrying out a legitimate security operation to safeguard the country.

And many of the detained have links to Fethullah Gulen. The US-based cleric is accused of orchestrating the coup bid.

Human rights groups are alarmed by the sheer number of Turks involved.

Is the crackdown justified? Could it backfire? And is Ankara going too far?

Presenter: Kamahl Santamaria

Guests:

Zeynep Jane Kandur  Journalist for the Daily Sabah and member of the AKP Istanbul Administration

Aaron Stein  Resident Senior Fellow at the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East at the Atlantic Council

Zeynep Kaya  Research Fellow at the Middle East Centre, London School of Economics
AUBURN  Despite failing to pass all committees except for Judicial and Public Safety, the Ways and Means Committee of the Cayuga County Legislature passed a resolution Tuesday evening to create a county vehicle tax in a 6-1 vote. Legislator Ryan Foley was against the resolution.

Legislators agreed to move it forward for next week's public hearing on the local law that would establish the tax of $10 every other year for passenger vehicles and $20 every other year for commercial vehicles.

The night was filled with numbers, looking at past years' fund balances, tax caps and what the next tax could contribute. The current projected fund balance for Dec. 31 is $18,688,429, but Committee Chairman Mark Farrell took legislators back further.

"Two years ago we exceeded the tax cap," Farrell said. "This vehicle fee would bring in roughly $425,000. In order to bring in $425,000 of property taxes, we would have to raise taxes 1.1 percent. If we had had this fee, and if we had had the mortgage expense, it would have given us another $500,000 of revenue going in to 2015, and in all likelihood, we wouldn't have had to exceed the tax cap."

Farrell continued that should the vehicle tax not be implemented and legislators go over the state tax cap by 1.1 percent, on a $100,000 home, taxes would increase about $90.

"But if they stayed within the tax cap, they would receive a rebate check back from the state," he said. "The comparison of $10 per two cars or $90 on a $100,000 home, and then you get money back from the state  the two options, one looks more favorable than the other."

County Administrator Suzanne Sinclair said the county's fund balance actually exceeds the state's recommended guidelines, but, she said, the county has been lucky in some of its revenue sources. For example, the fund balance increased in 2014 after the county closed its nursing home. That is an example of something that won't happen again, Sinclair said.

Not only that, but Sinclair said there are many infrastructure projects and updates to do across the county, but there isn't necessarily the funds to do it.

"If you have any plans to create a more modern facility for your employees to work in, and try to do their work efficiently, to take advantage of some of the technological advances, then you'll want some of the fund balance," she said.

Legislator Andrew Dennison said he'd like to make sure the Legislature has made every possible cut before adding new taxes, including employees, if necessary. He said people are moving out of the county because of taxes, and he could see the population continuing to dwindle.

"Let's not just look at today," Dennison said. "Let's look at tomorrow, the next five years."

Legislator Ryan Foley said he'd like to see the county's budget more finalized before starting a new tax.

"We have to show numbers and present them to the public," Foley said. "Let's present a reason for why we specifically need a vehicle tax. We have to make a better case than what we're doing now."

In other news:

 Legislators passed 6-1 a resolution to provide an Employee Assistance Program for county employees. Legislator Ben Vitale was against the resolution.

It's a service that Mike Russell, human resources administrator for the Cayuga County Civil Service Commission, has been working to get authorized for months.

"This is a resource for those people who are in jeopardy, having the situations that may impact their jobs," he told legislators. He also said the return on investment for having a program is about $3 to $10 for every $1 spent.










English News MrDoes China know Jihadi-Islam is now fourth party in Kashmir dispute?

Alwihda Info | Par Hem Raj Jain - 20 Juillet 2016



Bengaluru, India

Sub:- (i)- Chinas heightened interest understandable due to economic corridor through POK (ii)- If China too is in denial as India on Jihadi factor, no peaceful dialogue possible on Kashmir (iii)- Islam has laid down lives of ~ one hundred thousand Jihadis for Kashmir (iv)- No solution possible on Kashmir other than retrieve of POK by India (v)- Because in this age of global war against Jihad terrorism, the very existence of Jihadi infested Pakistan is under question (vi)- China should come down from high horse and discuss, with India, its interest in POK / Pakistan and help India in retrieving POK



------ About on-going violence in Kashmir the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang on Monday said in his remarks (which is different from Chinese traditional approach of indifference to Kashmir issue) that - [China has taken note of relevant reports. We are equally concerned about the casualties in the clash, and hope that relevant incident will be handled properly. The Kashmir issue is left over from history. China holds a consistent stance and hopes relevant parties will address the issue peacefully through dialogue].



Earlier India was prepared to accept only two parties in Kashmir dispute namely governments of India and Pakistan. Nowadays (mainly under the pressure of moderates in India) people of Kashmir (from both sides of LOC except separatists) are also willy-nilly accepted by India as third party in Kashmir dispute. But India has never accepted that Jihadi-Islam (which these Kashmiri separatists loosely represent) is also a fourth party in this dispute. India has also forgotten that theocratic Pakistan came in existence in 1947 on the basis of religion hence it simply cannot ignore the dictates of Islam.



As per media reports, Islam has laid down the lives of ~ one hundred thousand Jihadis for Kashmir which in any case is more than the lives laid down for Kashmir by the military of India and Pakistan combined. Therefore not taking Jihadi factor into reckoning by India is the main reason why Kashmir dispute is not solved so-far. If China is also committing the same mistake of over-looking Jihadi-Islam (which has been giving sleepless nights to China through its Xinjiang region) factor then it should forget about any peaceful solution to Kashmir problem through dialogue.



This Jihad factor has become all the more important due to Sunni Caliphate factor in view of rise of ISIS since 2014 which has NOT ONLY struck a deep emotional chord among Sunni Muslims (~ 87 % of global Muslim population) all over the world [because it promises to bring all the Sunni Muslim majority countries under one military power which will give much desired balancing military power to Sunni Muslims vis-a-vis three other major blocks which on the contrary are under one military power namely Christians (with NATO), Chinese and Hindus] BUT has also constrained all Jihadis of this region to adopt harder instance due to fear of ISIS, which otherwise will get a strong foothold in AF-PAK-Kashmir region.



There is no Kashmir solution without unification of J&K. Hence there is only one ethical, practical and effective solution to Kashmir problem which is the retrieve of POK by secular India. Because in this age of global war against Jihadi terrorism the very existence of Jihadi infested Pakistan is under question and India is under moral obligation to assimilate it back in India as two nation theory (basis of Indias partition) has already been demolished in 1971 due to separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan. Therefore by no stretch of imagination Jihadi infested Pakistan can be allowed to keep entire J&K (not even Muslim Kashmir valley & POK what to talk of Hindu majority Jammu & Ladakh) with it. If this retrieve of POK by secular India can happen through peaceful dialogue between all the four stack holders (with the help and assistance of China which nowadays has immense influence on Pakistan) then THE best.



But it is impossible as neither China nor India can think of Jihadis to participate in discussion on Kashmir issue. Therefore whether China likes it or not but in the given situation the retrieve of POK militarily by secular India is the only Kashmir solution (which is increasingly acquiring urgency because home grown alienation & terrorism is increasing in Kashmir valley in comparison to what it was in 90s when terrorism started in a big way).



Economic corridor (along with Gwadar port) through Pakistan is almost a question of life & death for China because it by-passes pacific and Indo/ Sri-Lanka region and many not-so-friendly countries of this region and brings China in direct contact to Middle East and African countries which all are very important for the economic and strategic interests of China. Hence this imminent retrieve of POK by India is the main worry of China for the simple reason that economic corridor not only passes through POK but will be all-along disturbed immensely by disturbances in rest of Pakistan as and when India will start retrieving POK militarily.



Therefore China should shed its false-pretenses and rather should come down from high horse and should sit with India to discuss in detail not only how Chinese interests of economic corridor will be protected when POK will inevitably be retrieved by India in very-near future but also how China will help India in retrieving POK



Regards



Hem Raj Jain



(Author of Betrayal of Americanism)



Bengaluru, India



Dans la meme rubrique : < > China brings new hopes to Tanzanian villagers through maize-corn intercropping program Chinese hybrid rice technologies contribute to Philippines' agricultural development CIIE makes huge Chinese market a big opportunity for world Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Webster Financial's investments in its Boston expansion program and HSA Bank subsidiary contributed to an 11% increase in noninterest expense. However, the spending spike was more than offset by 10% loan growth and record noninterest income at the Waterbury, Conn., company.

When all was said and done, the $25.1 billion-asset Webster produced net income of $48.4 million. The company earned $49.8 million in the same period last year, but that total included a $3.7 million tax benefit. Adjusting for one-time events, Webster's 2016 second-quarter profit rose 5% year over year.

"Loan originations in excess of $1 billion, coupled with exceptionally strong credit metrics, helped overcome margin pressure from today's historically low interest rate environment to produce another solid quarter," Chairman and Chief Executive James C. Smith said in a press release Wednesday.

Webster reported nonperforming loans of $132.9 million, down from $167.9 million on June 30, 2015. Of its current nonperformers, a total of $33.8 million are categorized as paying-nonperforming loans.

Webster's strong loan growth pushed net interest income to a record level of $176.9 million -- 8% more than the second quarter of 2015. Noninterest income rose 9.8%, totaling $65.1 million on June 30.

Period-ending loans totaled $16.3 billion; deposits were $18.8 billion, up 9% year over year.
After the Nice, France terror attack  where approximately 84 people were killed and hundreds injured  Western "mainstream media" is again in full damage control mode trying to rescue "the narrative"  namely, that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism.

Take one Reuters report by Tom Heneghan, titled "Foreign and domestic policies make France 'most threatened country.'" Its very first opening sentence cites terrorist propaganda:

After two militant attacks in Paris killed 17 people in January last year, Islamic State's French-language magazine Dar al-Islam appeared with the Eiffel Tower on the cover and the headline "May Allah curse France[.]"

Why Muslims would call on Allah's wrath against France is the theme of the entire report, and here Heneghan leaves no stone unturned  even managing to invoke the Crusades  in his attempt to portray France as "aggrieving" Muslims:

The reasons that make France a prime target for radical Islamist groups range from its present-day military operations all the way to  at least in Islamic State's propaganda  the Crusades from the 11th to 15th centuries when Christians battled Muslims in the Middle East.

Regarding France's foreign policies, Heneghan writes:

After the Paris attacks, Islamic State said France and other countries fighting alongside it would remain threatened as long as they pursued "their crusader campaign" in Syria and Iraq[.] ... "France is gripped by an irrational and deaf hatred against Islam and Muslims that pushed it to the head of the coalition against the caliphate," Dar al-Islam wrote last year, referring to the territory controlled by Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

Aside from the fact that Heneghan almost entirely relies on and spreads ISIS and Islamic propaganda, the purpose of all this is that Muslims are angry with France because France is warring against ISIS. Here we encounter the first conundrum: if, as we are repeatedly told by mainstream media, ISIS  that terrorist organization that beheads, enslaves, rapes, crucifies, and burns people alive  has "nothing to do with Islam," why are Muslims angry at France's efforts against ISIS to the point of launching terrorist attacks against its civilians?

The only way to accept that regular Muslims  such as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, the non-ISIS affiliated perpetrator of the Nice attack  are aggrieved at France's war on ISIS is by first accepting that such Muslims identity and support the worst human rights-abusing state of the 21st-century (as several polls indicate).

On France's domestic front, Heneghan finds a number of other factors and policies to aggrieve Muslims:

The country, which has Europe's largest Muslim minority, also has a steadfastly secular culture that sidelines religion in public life, typified by a ban on Islamic face veils in public and headscarves in state schools and the civil service. Supporters say this encourages a common French identity but critics say it alienates non-Christian minorities, who see many vestiges of France's traditional Catholicism  such as official holidays for Christmas and Easter  but little leeway for them.

This is a misrepresentation of facts. All religious symbols  not just Muslim ones like the hijab  are banned to the same extent in France. And although there are many more Christians than Muslims in France, they do not commit terrorist acts (perhaps because Christianity, unlike Islam, comports well with secular rule).

At any rate, by claiming that France "alienates non-Christian minorities"  when indigenous Christians face the same restrictions  Heneghan continues disseminating Islamic propaganda:

Some in the five-million-strong Muslim community, about 8 percent of the population, complain of discrimination and many Muslims live in poorer neighborhoods in the large cities. They feel France is unfairly tough on their religion[.]

The poor babies If it's so bad, why do they go there? Why do they stay there? Why don't they feel aggrieved at and hold responsible their own corrupt Muslim countries of origin  and terrorize them instead?

Whatever one makes of the claims of this report, the facts remain: "Terrorism ... is a threat that weighs heavily on France and will continue doing so for a long time," Prime Minister Manuel Valls said after the Nice attack. "Today, France is clearly the most threatened country," the head of the General Directorate for Internal Security also declared. "The question about the threat is not to know 'if' but 'when' and 'where.'"

The reasons for this have little to do with Western-sponsored Islamic propaganda and everything to do with Islam's presence in France, a non-Muslim "infidel" nation.

Consider: if Muslims are terrorizing France due to social and political "grievances," why are they also terrorizing and slaughtering other non-Muslim minorities who have no political power to "aggrieve" anyone? For example, a 2016 statistical report found that Muslims  not ISIS, just regular Muslims  are responsible for persecuting Christians in 41 of the 50 worst nations to be Christian in.

In these nations, Muslim governments openly discriminate against Christians  churches are banned from being built  while Muslim mobs openly persecute, abduct, extort, enslave, and rape them with impunity. And they all justify their persecution by citing Islamic doctrines that are unequivocally hostile to non-Muslims.

Yet here are Muslims who are allowed to build mosques and granted equality before the law complaining because "[t]hey feel France is unfairly tough on their religion," and they are upset because they "see many vestiges of France's traditional Catholicism  such as official holidays for Christmas and Easter," to quote Reuters.

Unlike the disparity between the indigenous Europeans and their Muslim guests, the Christians being persecuted by Muslims are often identical to their persecutors in race, ethnicity, national identity, culture, and language. There is no political dispute, no land dispute. Most significantly, these disempowered Christian minorities certainly have no political power  meaning there are no Muslim "grievances," either.

So why are they hated and hounded? Because they are Christians  infidels  and that's the ultimate reason the French are being terrorized.

The French and all Western people  indeed, all non-Islamic people  would do well to remember what James Lorimer, a theoretician of legal jurisprudence, wrote back in 1884 in his Institutes of the Law of Nations:

So long as Islam endures, the reconciliation of its adherents, even with Jews and Christians ["People of the Book"], and still more with the rest of mankind, must continue to be an insoluble problem[.] ... For an indefinite future, however reluctantly, we must confine our political recognition to the professors of those religions which ... preach the doctrine of "live and let live."

In this light, a much simpler factor explains why France has been repeatedly exposed to terrorist attacks  a factor casually alluded to in Reuter's otherwise pro-Islamic propaganda piece: "Europe's largest Muslim minority" resides in France; there is a "five-million-strong Muslim community, about 8 percent of the population."

In short, Islam's Rule of Numbers  which holds that the more Muslims grow in numbers, the more violence against non-Muslims grows with them  is the true reason France has become the "most threatened country."

Raymond Ibrahim, author of The Al Qaeda Reader and Crucified Again, holds fellowships at the David Horowitz Freedom Center and the Middle East Forum.
Two speeches at the opening night of the GOP Convention stood in stark contrast in both their content and their treatment by the lamestream media. The chattering class on the left focused on Melania Trumps alleged plagiarism of Michelle Obamas speech in 2008. They have largely ignored Patricia Smith, mother of Benghazi casualty Sean Smith, and her documentation of Hillarys lies to the parents of the Benghazi dead in front of their sons caskets.

Melania may have paraphrased too close to the edge, but borrowing cliches about hard work and family does not plagiarism make and, even so, plagiarism is not perjury, as serial liar Hillary Clinton arguably committed in testimony under oath before Congress, Neither did she show Hillarys callous disregard for the families of the Benghazi dead that Patricia Smith focused on in her riveting convention speech:

I know a few things couldve been done to prevent it. But nobodys admitting to anything. Right now, my understanding is Hillary didnt do a damn thing. And I wonder what she did as Secretary of State, because she disavows everything. She disavows the fact that she even got any call for security... If this is her Department, she certainly doesnt know how to run the Department. And she lied the whole time. She lied to me and called me a liar on TV, Smith continues. She told me it was the fault of the video And later when I mentioned that, she said she never said anything like that to me. How can a woman be this way! She said One of us is a liar, and it wasnt me, Smith recalls Hillary saying on air later. I am not a liar! I know what Hillary told me! In fact Ive spoken to quite a few different people  Hillary and Obama, Panetta, Susan Rice, and several others every one of them told me it was the fault of the video, including Obama  and he denies it! Please, tell the world. Tell the world what shes really like.

Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani became the latest to try to break through the media indifference to the fact that Hillary Clinton muffed her 3 AM phone call during the Benghazi terrorist attack and then lied about it later, including repeating the lie about an inflammatory video causing the attack:

Her dereliction of duty and failure to keep her people safe played a major role as you heard tonight in the horrific Islamic terrorist murders on September 11 and 12, 2012 in Benghazi which claimed the lives of four brave Americans: Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, U.S. Foreign Service Officer Sean Smith, and CIA agents Tyrone S. Woods, and Glen Doherty. May they rest in peace. And Clinton, and the Obama administration, for political reasons, lied about the purpose of the attacks including Hillary Clinton lying directly to the families of the people who were killed -- right to their face! Hillary Clintons answer to Congress about the death of these four brave Americans because of her gross failures as Secretary of State was, What difference at this point does it make? "What difference does it make?" Watch the video for yourself and see the arrogant disregard for American lives lost unnecessarily because of her. And then make up your own mind. Anyone who can say that it makes no difference how or why people serving America are killed, should not be entrusted with the awesome responsibility to protect them and us and should not be allowed to be our Commander-in-Chief.

In a stunning display of callous indifference to the casualties of her incompetent foreign policy as Secretary of State, the woman who claimed to have dodged sniper fire in Bosnia, in Wednesdays CNN debate in effect called Patricia Smith, mother of Benghazi casualty Sean Smith, a liar. As Breitbart News reported the exchange:

RAMOS: Secretary Clinton, on the night of the attacks in Benghazi, you sent an e-mail to your daughter Chelsea saying that Al Qaeda was responsible for the killing of the Americans, however some of the families claim you lied to them, the mother of the information officer. Listen. VIDEO: Hillary and Obama and Panetta and Biden and Susan Rice all told me it was a video when they knew it was not the video. They said they would call me and let me know what the outcome was. RAMOS: Secretary Clinton, did you lie to them? CLINTON: I feel a great deal of sympathy for the families of the four brave Americans that we lost at Benghazi, and I certainly cant even imagine the grief that she has for losing her son, but shes wrong. Shes absolutely wrong.

The woman who once claimed to be named after Sir Edmund Hillary three years before he climbed Mt. Everest has uttered this slanderous attack on the character of the grieving parents of Benghazi before. Shortly before the New Hampshire primary, Hilary called the grieving Benghazi parents liars. As the Daily Mail reported:

The Daily Sun, a newspaper in rural Conway, New Hampshire, hosted an editorial board meeting with Clinton on Wednesday. Columnist Tom McLaughlin recounted for her the claims of victims' family members who said she had told them a crude Internet video that mocked the Islamic faith was responsible for inciting the attackers who killed their loved ones. Clinton has denied making any such statement, despite the accounts of four people. One, the father of a slain CIA security contractor, took written notes of her words. 'Somebody is lying,' McLaughlin told her Wednesday. 'Who is it?' 'Not me, that's all I can tell you,' Clinton replied, casting blame on the families.

No, Hillary, it is you who is the liar, an active participant in the Benghazi video lie repeated on five Sunday talk shows by then U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, by President Obama six times before the United Nations, and by you and the president to the parents of the dead in front of their sons caskets.

The question of the day should not be about Melania Trumps journalistic ethics, but about the total lack of conscience that allowed Hillary Clinton to tell her the daughter the truth about Benghazi being a terrorist attack and then lying about a video to the American people and to the parents of the Benghazi dead. As Patricia Smith told the convention:

In an email to her daughter shortly after the attack, Hillary Clinton blamed it on terrorism. But when I saw Hillary Clinton at Seans coffin ceremony, just days later, she looked me squarely in the eye and told me a video was responsible, Smith said. Since then, I have repeatedly asked Hillary Clinton to explain to me the real reason why my son is dead. Im still waiting.

So are we. Hillarys extreme carelessness, as FBI Director Comey put it, both for classified information and the truth about Benghazi, should disqualify her for a job at the post office, not just the presidency. She lied to Patricia Smith to preserve President Obamas reelection bid and her bid to succeed him. Now back to the coverage of Melania Trumps speech

Daniel John Sobieski is a freelance writer whose pieces have appeared in Investors Business Daily, Human Events, Reason Magazine and the Chicago Sun-Times among other publications.
On Monday night at the Republican Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Sherriff David Clarke effectively juxtaposed the recent murder of three police officers in Baton Rouge by a militant black ex-Marine, with Baltimore Citys own militant and lawless prosecution of its own officers in the Freddie Gray case. Clarkes remarks were appropriate, poignant, and germane, but they may only encourage renegade Baltimore District Attorney Marilyn to press on with that citys unjust prosecutions of its own police. Although Lieutenant Brian Rice was acquitted of all charges, Clarke defined the purely political nature of the Mosbys actions, which have nothing to do with justice and everything to do with the Democrat racial pandering.

Rice was the fourth officer tried in the Gray cases, and the third fully acquitted. The acquitted officers are Edward Nero and Caesar Goodson. The trial of William Porter resulted in a hung jury. Porter is scheduled to be retried in September. Two other officers (Garrett Miller and Alicia White) are set to be tried in late July and October respectively.

After the acquittals of Nero and Goodson, there was considerable speculation that Mosby would drop the prosecutions of the remaining officers, having batted zero thus far. At the time I noted that such speculation was probably unwarranted, not on the basis of reasonable legal calculations, but because Mosby was acting in a purely political manner. Dropping the prosecutions at that time would have only further damaged her career and her reputation with the remaining constituency that supports her -- some elements of Baltimores black community, Democrat politicians there and elsewhere, and the national Black Lives Matter movement with its progeny -- to include the killers of Dallas and Baton Rouge. The prosecution of Rice was inevitable.

Pressing on with the prosecutions allows Mosby to claim she is vindicating the rights of Grey. David Jaros, a University of Maryland law professor quoted in the Washington Post justifies Mosbys continuing the prosecutions as sending a valuable message to the community as to the value of a poor black mans life That Grays family has already received a $6 million settlement from the city -- which represents not so much the value of Greys misspent life but a blackmail payment to stave off further rioting -- seems not to have entered the professors calculation.

Nevertheless, in the wake of Rices acquittal, Mosby will again be under pressure to drop the remaining cases. Although Rice was the highest ranking officer involved in the arrest and transport of Gray, his trial was even more of a fiasco for the prosecution than the earlier acquittals.

Rice, like Nero and Goodson, chose to be tried by Judge Barry Williams rather than before a jury. Ive been critical of Williams for some rulings in the these cases that favored the prosecution, such as refusing to change venue, ordering officers still facing trial to testify, and ruling that that evidence about Grays knife not be presented. But Williams has otherwise proved to be an honest and even brave jurist, who has bucked the political winds in Baltimore and been an unpleasant surprise for Mosby. Williams has not only acquitted all three officers who requested a bench trial, but in Rices case telegraphed as best he can just how baseless he believes these cases against the police to be.

Perhaps fearing Williams wrath, the prosecution dropped a misconduct charge relating directly to Grays arrest in Rices case, which was based on a theory that the officer supervised an improper Terry stop and could be held criminally liable for that. Williams acquitted Nero on similar charges, but seemed to leave to door open to the prosecution to pursue such charges against Rice or Garrett Miller. Maybe the prosecutors missed that, or feel they have a better shot with Miller (who actually physically arrested Gray) or they actually came to their senses and realized prosecuting police for improper Terry stops will mean that police will simply not make them, and that Baltimores already rampant crime will get much worse. The prosecution is so inept it is hard to tell.

Williams appears to be tiring of the ineptitude. In Rices case, Williams dismissed some of the charges on a defense motion at the close of the prosecutions case, and mentioned that he almost did the same for some others. This is quite rare, as at that stage of a trial the judge is to view all facts in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Williams also barred the prosecution from entering documentary evidence because they violated discovery orders. Williams has, short of pounding his gavel and just saying so, effectively told Mosby that her theories of the case are wanting, she lacks evidence for the charges shes brought, and not to bring another case before him.

Williams is a living, breathing example of putting the law and justice ahead of politics, but unfortunately that is not an idea that has much value to modern Democrats. From President Obamas almost countless inappropriate public pronouncements on any number of legal matters since he took office, to the Justice Departments refusal to prosecute Hillary Clinton or Lois Lerner (not to mention a dozen other matters) Democrat politicians see laws that dont suit them as hindrances to get around, not as expressions of republican government that must be honored.

Thus Sherriff Clarkes comments on the Baltimore cases at the Republican convention, however honest and necessary, also play right into Mosbys hands. In the zero sum game that national politics has become in the last few decades -- but especially under Obama -- that Republicans oppose the further prosecution of the Baltimore police, must mean that those prosecutions are justified as far as Democrats are concerned.

Indeed, it is hard to believe that Mosby was not thrilled to hear Clarkes condemnation of her actions. Not only because the publicity-hungry prosecutor probably likes hearing her name in any national context, but because it confirms the political nature of the prosecution, which while wrong, Mosby will now wear with greater partisan pride.

I doubt that there has ever been much chance of Mosby dropping these prosecutions, no matter how many times she loses. Williams rulings are clearly designed to push her in that direction, but Clarke reminds us that Mosby is unlikely to care.

Williams and Clarke are good men who ought to be listened to, particularly in this troubled time. Most likely Marilyn Mosby will not.
Many conservatives favored different candidates in the primaries but now feel it's in the best interest of the Republican Party and the country, to get behind Trump as their nominee. Planning to vote for Trump out of a sense of tradition or obligation is somewhat understandable. Coming into this election cycle, the goal was, above all, to keep Hillary Clinton out of the Oval Office. Beyond that, there were high hopes that a solid conservative, hopefully not an establishment puppet, would win the day.

Hillary, possibly the worst candidate in the DNC's history, solidified the feeling that this was the year conservatives would take back the White House and send the liberals packing. Republicans know what they'll get with Mrs. Clinton at the helm, and the country is already in terrible shape.

So why are the #NeverTrumps not falling in line behind the Republicans' presumptive nominee? Set Trump aside for a moment; there's important math to consider.

Michael Harrington has diligently pored over 24 years of election data. His study uncovered a clear pattern of Democrat intrusion into the Republican primaries, by "strategically" voting for the opposition.

In open primary states, participants don't have to change their registration to vote the other party, and they've been voting for the enemy in staggering numbers. In closed primary states, when their Democrat candidate of choice has a solid margin of victory, voters have nothing to lose by changing their registration to Republican  they have their cake and eat it, too. Complicit Democrats sabotage the opposition by voting for the weakest Republican candidates, setting up a decided advantage for the Democrat nominee in the general election, and causing rancor and division among Republican voters. What could be better?

It's often observed that Democrats will get behind even their most despicable politicians, while Republicans won't come out en masse for a candidate who doesn't specifically represent them, particularly on issues of religion, morality, and character. Conservatives are justifiably hung up on integrity and honesty, traits Democrats regularly overlook (thus their nominee, Hillary Clinton).

On the right, conservatives can't fathom how or why they continue to get seriously flawed candidates for president, cycle after cycle. "Strategic voting" is the type of dirty trick Republicans have come to expect from the DNC  lying, cheating, fraud-ridden, abhorrent behavior, the "win by any means and at any cost" mentality that conjured "super-delegates" to cement the win for their presumptive heir to the throne.

Mr. Harrington observed the "strategic voting" phenomenon in specific states in the '90s, and has since seen it balloon in scale to the national level. He estimates that 12 million Democrats sabotaged the Republican primaries this spring with the following result:

Using 2000 and 2008 as baselines, the conclusion was staggering. Trump only got about 3.3 million Republican Votes. The rest are Democrats, approximately 12 million of them[.] ... In any event our election was stolen. Trump would be in fourth, or worse, without Democrats; he would probably only have won New York, and considering he would be doing so badly when that election happened, it is unlikely even there. We have been tossed to the ground and electorally gang raped by Democrats.

His research explains a lot  how a lifelong Democrat, a donor and avid supporter of the Clintons, a corrupt crony capitalist with "New York values"  walked away the presumptive Republican nominee. This data underscores the reason why, historically, the Republican Party has, excepting only the 1976 convention, recognized a delegate's right to vote his conscience on the convention floor. Democrats, comparatively, bound their delegates for many years, in alignment with their Holy Grail  power.

Conservatives were set up. Democrats know that Republicans abhor the appearance of impropriety and planned the perfect strategy to confuse and confound. It's up to conservatives to use superior intellect, seek the truth, and uncover the facts.

Republicans don't have to betray their values, or "steal" the election, as Mr. Trump and the media say, to nullify the DNC strategy. There's been a lot of grumbling among Trump supporters about the RNC "pulling something" at the convention to oust Mr. Trump. Yes, the Rules Committee could change the rules as in the past, to favor one candidate over another. Revolting delegates consider that dirty pool.

Delegates' abstaining or voting their conscience has long been the rule in the Republican Party, excepting 1976. The delegates are voted on and elected at several levels prior to representing their state and constituents at the national convention. The primary results do not dictate the nominee, as most people think; the delegates vote, and thus elect, the nominee. If the primaries chose the nominee, there would be no need for delegates.

Historically, there weren't primaries held to determine the nomination. Nineteen-twelve was the first year candidates seeking office went through primary elections. The idea that the primary results dictate a nominee is largely the product of misinformation, propaganda, and malaise. The majority is understandably ignorant of election history and has been led to this conclusion by a willing and complacent media.

Those in the #NeverTrumpNeverHillary camp strongly believe that it their duty as Americans, to set the nation under the watchful eye of a constitutional conservative and, in doing so, foil the DNC's destructive long-term strategy.

Having witnessed the damage to the nation from a fifty-year plan by Alinsky-ite liberals, purposefully infiltrating public schools, academia, media, and the highest levels of government, how can conservatives choose to ignore the orange elephant in the room, pretending there were so many Christians and conservatives  in defiance of everything they believe  turning their backs on the highest principles, truth and integrity, to vote for an obvious liberal? Mitt Romney, by every measure, is ten times the man that Donald Trump is, and yet many didn't come out in support of him in the 2012 general election.

Logically, how can anyone possibly think Trump, a Republican imposter, has any chance of beating the Clinton machine?

Our elected delegates have the power and authority vested in them to vote as they choose. A delegate "revolt" is not underhanded; it's our Republic in action. Republicans don't choose a presidential nominee democratically, and when one considers Mr. Harrington's research, it's obvious that Trump is "the will of the Democrats," not "the will of the people." This is a legal and righteous movement to right the wrongs of this year's primaries, the "checks and balances" of election law.

Julie Custer lives in SE Georgia and has written for The Philadelphia Inquirer, TheBlaze, and American Thinker. Contact Julie at julie@southernwrites.com.
The United States runs its air operations against ISIS in Iraq from Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. The base, used by other NATO forces as well, is not American. It is Turkish, and the U.S. needs government permission to fly from there. Since the 15 July coup attempt in Ankara, U.S. forces at Incirlik are essentially hostages to the Turkish government. The Turkish base commander and his aides have been arrested; U.S. personnel are confined to base; outside power has been cut off; and while the U.S. has been permitted to resume operations over Iraq and Syria, it is working under adverse conditions, to say the least. Most worrisome, about 50 hydrogen bombs are stored by the U.S. at Incirlik, ostensibly on behalf of NATO. These bombs are "protected" by Turkish troops and to some degree their potential use is shared with the Turkish Air Force.

The deployment goes back more than 50 years, begun as an effort to counter the Soviet military buildup as an offset to quantitatively larger Soviet ground forces facing Europe. But by the mid-1980s the U.S. put more emphasis on "tactical" missiles, largely to counter the Soviet Union's deployment of SS-20's, a short to medium range missile with multiple, independently targeted warheads (MIRV) in the second and third versions of the SS-20. In 1987 the Intermediate and Short-range Missile Nuclear Treaty (INF) was signed and the Russians and the U.S. began removing their missiles. By 1991, all the missiles of concern on both sides were eliminated.

With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the expansion of NATO, one can ask why tactical nuclear weapons in NATO were retained as times and conditions have changed. The U.S. now finds itself escalating operations out of Incirlik as it increases the fight against ISIS, al Nusra, and al Qaeda. Turkey itself is increasingly authoritarian and increasingly involved in the wars in Syria and Iraq as well as fighting Kurdish separatists. But only late in 2015 did Incirlik see the beginning of security upgrades for its nuclear stockpile.

Why didn't we just take them out?

Incirlik nuclear weapons are unlikely to be used against Russia. The missiles need to be delivered by aircraft that can penetrate Russian air defenses -- which have been steadily improved. Newer Russian systems such as the S-300, S-400, and the soon to come S-500 raise a host of new challenges. As U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Mark Welch and LTG Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, Chief of the Air Combat Command, have testified, there are ten or more -- and there will be more -- "integrated air defense systems in the world that you would have a difficult time operating in or around in aircraft." They didn't specifically mention Russia, but it can be assumed they meant U.S. Air Force conventional bombers would have a hard time with Russia's air defenses and newest radars. In a real conflict, it can be assumed that more likely than a U.S. strike on Russian nuclear weapons depots is a Russian strike on nuclear storage depots like Incirlik.

Furthermore, the old Soviet threat scenario no longer exists. While Russia is aggressive, especially around its perimeter, today's problem is qualitatively different from that posed by an organized Soviet attack on the Fulda Gap. The Russian army and navy are no longer of the size or capability to launch a real challenge to NATO -- even in NATO's current less-than-optimal state. While it could technically pick off some weak sisters like Estonia or Lithuania, such aggression could precipitate painful Western countermeasures. NATO could challenge Russia's Baltic and Black Sea fleets; it could attack Crimea; it could launch cross-border attacks to take out Russian military threats to NATO members. NATO could do a number of things, or nothing, but this is not an environment in which nuclear weapons would be useful.

It should be noted that the weapons kept in Turkey are each about ten times more powerful than the atomic bombs that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They should not be considered "tactical" at all. These are WMD -- that is, weapons of mass destruction. Keeping them in harm's way is an act of political irresponsibility.

And then there is the problem of Turkey. Increasingly radicalized, if Turkey were to acquire the weapons for itself -- say by expelling U.S. and NATO forces from Incirlik -- it would not only have the weapons, but the means to deliver them. Turkey has F-16s and nuclear-capable F-4 Phantom jets. A nuclear Turkey would become a significant threat in the Middle East in a multitude of directions (i.e., against Greece/Cyprus, against Israel, against Russia, against Iran). It would absolutely cause Iran to mount nukes on missiles (which it could quickly acquire from North Korea if not locally produced). A nuclear Turkey is immense threat to involve NATO in a conflict with no clear or positive outcome.

Finally, there is always the possibility of terrorists getting nuclear bombs. Under current political conditions, with the Turkish general staff and military decimated, the time is ripe for an external attack on Incirlik. The acquisition of a potentially usable nuclear weapon by terrorists is the worst nightmare of all.

It would be optimal to ship the weapons out of Turkey, but if that is not possible, there is a lesson from history. After the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, the U.S. physically disabled the nuclear weapons under its control. In any case, a rescue team should be positioned in the area, ready to intervene if necessary. For the U.S. to continue operating in a business-as-usual mode, but under hostage-like conditions, is extraordinarily risky.
A familiar visitor has returned to the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign: her cough. It had been taking a time out from the campaign, but yesterday, at the AFSCME Convention in Las Vegas (the holist of holies for Democrats), coughs interrupted her speech:

The cynic in me wonders if the cough is a placeholder for sure loser Hillarys eventual withdrawal from the campaign, before  or more likely after  she is nominated next week by the Democrats.

Although it is forbidden to raise the topic, many Democrats are obviously uneasy over her unappealing manner and her string of lies over emails refuted by no less than the director of the FBI. They see Donald Trump pulling even with her in the polls and realize that he could well defeat her in November.

Democrats think almost any other Democrat than Hillary could defeat Trump. If the trajectory of the race does not change, I think it is very thinkable that an approach would be made to Hillary, telling her that she must withdraw from the ticket due to health concerns. Unless her polls are so dismal than even she can smell defeat, this would be a tough sale to close.

Unless, that is, the prospect of an indictment by Trump attorney general Chris Christie has her worried, and there is a promise to pardon her on the table from Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, or Bernie Sanders. Speaking on Morning Joe this morning, Christie said she ought to be prosecuted.

There are many advantages to springing a new candidate on the pubic in, say, September. There is little opportunity for opposition research to take a toll, and the fresh new candidate would hog a lot of attention.

Lets see if the cough remains a presence in the Hillary campaign.
My fellow Americans, it is outrageous that our president of the United States is leading the charge against America's cops by promoting the lie that cops murder blacks at will. Our evil, manipulative, smooth-tongued instigator-in-chief had the audacity to say the only way for cops to be safer is to admit they have a problem.

Folks, Obama's statement is a standard Democrat trick. First they create a false premise. Then, with help from their buddies in the mainstream media, Democrats brand everyone who does not embrace their false premise a hater, divisive, intolerant, bigoted, and mean-spirited.

If Obama can con cops into embracing his lie that cops are racist and murder blacks, it will further open the door for Obama to take over (federalize) our nation's police  another Democratic Party attack on states' rights. By the way, Obama's DOJ has already infiltrated 30 police departments nationwide.

Can you believe that Obama invited Black Lives Matter to our White House and praised the despicable thugs for their outstanding work?

Crooked Hillary addressed the NAACP and spread Obama's same evil murder-inspiring lie about our brave men and women in blue. These people (Obama and Hillary) are pure evil, folks.

Please view and spread this video in which I tell the truth about Black Lives Matter, a vile, evil hate group.

In the near future, I will host a Blue Lives Matter Rally to counter the hatred for cops coming from the White House and Black Lives Matter. Please help.

Lloyd Marcus, The Unhyphenated American

Chairman: The Conservative Campaign Committee
Reuters is reporting that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie told Trump donors in a closed door meeting that the nominee would seek to reform the Civil Service Act to make it easier to fire Obama political appointees.

Christie, who is governor of New Jersey and leads Trump's White House transition team, said the campaign was drawing up a list of federal government employees to fire if Trump defeats Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the Nov. 8 presidential election.

As you know from his other career, Donald likes to fire people, Christie told a closed-door meeting with dozens of donors at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, according to an audio recording obtained by Reuters and two participants in the meeting.

Christie was referring to Trump's starring role in the long-running television show "The Apprentice," where his catch-phrase was "You're fired!"

The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Trump's transition advisers fear that Obama may convert these appointees to civil servants, who have more job security than officials who have been politically appointed. This would allow officials to keep their jobs in a new, possibly Republican, administration, Christie said.

Its called burrowing," Christie said. "You take them from the political appointee side into the civil service side, in order to try to set up ... roadblocks for your successor, kind of like when all the Clinton people took all the Ws off the keyboard when George Bush was coming into the White House.

Christie was referring to pranks committed during the presidential transition from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush in 2001. During that period, some White House staffers removed the W key on computer keyboards and left derogatory signs and stickers in offices, according to a report by the General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress.

"One of the things I have suggested to Donald is that we have to immediately ask the Republican Congress to change the civil service laws. Because if they do, it will make it a lot easier to fire those people," Christie said.

He said firing civil servants was "cumbersome" and "time-consuming."

There was no immediate comment from the American Federation of Government Employees, which is the largest federal employee union in the United States.

Christie also told the gathering that changing the leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency, long a target of Republicans concerned about over regulation, would be a top priority for Trump should he win in November.
A new U.N. report condemns Iran for violating the "spirit" of the nuclear agreement by continuing to launch ballistic missiles and stoke tensions in the Middle East by sending arms and support to militias throughout the region.

Washington Free Beacon:

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calledon Iran to cease activities that would further stoke tensions in the region, carefully refraining from calling the missile launches direct violations of the deal or Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the nuclear accord.

While it is for the Security Council to interpret its own resolutions, I am concerned that those ballistic missile launches are not consistent with the constructive spirit demonstrated by the signing of the [nuclear agreement], Ban wrote in the 17-page report.

Ban also criticized Iran for shipping weapons to Yemen and Iraq. Though he criticized the nation for engaging in improper activity, he lauded Iran for keeping its nuclear commitments.

Irans foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, on Tuesday hailed a newly exposed nuclear deal provision that allows Tehran to expand its nuclear program after ten years, the Associated Pressreported.

Zarif called the formerly secret document, submitted by Tehran to the International Atomic Energy Agency, a matter of pride. It details plans to expand the nations uranium enrichment program after a decade, halving its breakout time to build a nuclear weapon.

A spokesman for Irans Foreign Ministry, Bahram Qassemi, said Monday that the U.N. report was unbalanced and biased.

Tehran denied accusations that it had shipped weapons to Yemen or Iraq, but defended long-range missile tests as a national security issue. Iran has conducted four ballistic missile tests since signing the nuclear accord with the U.S. and five other world powers last year.

The tests violate a U.N. resolution that bars Iran from conducting ballistic missile tests capable of carrying nuclear warheads for eight years.

U.S. and Russian leaders also criticized the U.N. over the report, charging that Ban had overstepped his authority.

The United States disagrees strongly with elements of this report, including that its content goes beyond the appropriate scope. We understand that Iran also disagrees strongly with parts of the report, U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power told the U.N. Security Council.
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Village Board continues HPC and zoning code hearings, passes local LWRP law The Village of Williamsville Board of Trustees adopted its Local Waterfront Revitalization Project at its Monday meeting. The LWRP then heads to the New York Secretary of State for approval,...

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In 2002, the European Central Bank introduced seven new bank notes to the union. Each note featured an artwork of a bridge on the back. According to ECB, the bridges were meant to illustrate the tight collaboration and communication between Europe and the rest of the world in general, but more importantly, amongst the European countries in particular. However, none of these seven bridges actually existed.

The decision to put fictional bridges on the bank notes was taken when it was realized that it was impossible to feature architectural landmarks from each of the 12 European Union member nations when there were only seven bank notes. Worried that excluding any member would leave them offended, the European Monetary Institute decided to feature imaginary bridges instead, that represents different styles and age of Europe.

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra

The Austrian designer Robert Kalina was commissioned to the task of creating seven different bridges representing different periods: baroque, classical, gothic, Romanesque, rococo, the modern 20th century, as well as an iron and glass architecture.

Robert Kalina did a fantastic job and everybody was happy, until 2011, when a Dutch town decided to bring the bridges to life, and in a single sweep claimed all of the Euro's imaginary bridges for the Netherlands.

It was designer Robin Stam who suggested the idea to the Rotterdam city council, who liked it immediately and began enthusiastically supporting the project. A town called Spijkenisse in the suburb of Rotterdam became the chosen site.

With the help of a small team of engineers and designers, Robin Stam recreated the bridges true to the images. He even painted them the same bright hues they were printed with on the notes. Stam admits that some have found the bridges ugly, but most people think the idea is funny including European Central Bank officials and Robert Kalina, the original Austrian designer behind the euro banknotes.

"It's a very humorous idea," Robert Kalina told Spiegel Online. "But I would have liked to have seen them built in the actual old style of the bridges they were modelled on instead of the kitschy facade."

The seven bank notes introduced in 2002.

Robin Stams plans for the bridges.

Matching the colors in the concrete with the bank notes.

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra

Photo credit: Klaas Boonstra
The paternoster is kind of elevator that consist of a chain of open compartments that move up and down continuously through the vertical shaft of a building in a loop and without stopping. Passengers step into the moving compartments in the direction they wish to go and then hop off when the elevator reaches the desired floor. There is no stopping in between the floors, and passengers must remain alert and get their timing right or else get severed. For people who avoid escalators for fear of getting their toes crushed, paternoster are a death trap. A small misstep and you could lose your arm or even your life.

The first paternoster was installed in 1884 in Dartford, England. Seven years prior, its patent was obtained by a British engineer named Peter Hart. The name paternoster comes from the Latin words Our Father, which are the first two words of The Lords Prayer. It doesnt mean you should say a small prayer each time you get into one, the reference comes from the devices resemblance to rosary beads that are used when reciting prayers.

A paternoster in Hamburg, Germany. Photo credit: Andreas Dantz/Flickr

Paternosters became very popular in Europe throughout the first half of the 20th century because they could carry more passengers than ordinary elevators. Although they move slower than elevators, because no queuing is required, they are generally able to move people faster from floor to floor.

Paternosters are largely extinct today. Because of risk of injury many countries have banned them altogether. There are a couple of working examples in the UK, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Hungary, Sweden, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Germany, with Germany having the largest number of operating paternosters some 230.

The German government has made at least two attempts in the past to shut down these deadly contraptions, but there is a strong resistance movement dedicated to keeping these nostalgic machines alive.

You can never really prevent danger, retorted a paternoster fanatic, when the government tried to impose a new ban in 2015. Because then youd have to ban cars, because theres of course the danger of an accident.  These elevators are a part of industrial history.

Once upon a time, paternosters were everywhere. Now they are mainly found in administrative buildings such as government ministries, town halls and police headquarters. Installation of new paternosters are still banned since 1974.

Animation of a paternoster. Photo credit: RokerHRO/Wikimedia

People riding a paternoster in Stuttgart, Germany. Photo credit: Lucas Weber/Flickr

A passenger gets off a paternoster in Munich. Photo credit: Nico Kaiser/Flickr

Paternoster at Stuttgart City Hall. Photo credit: Andrew Nash/Flickr

A paternoster at Sheffield University, Sheffield, England. Photo credit: david g Johnson/Panoramio

Sources: Wikipedia / The Guardian / Quartz
Google Photos is one of those apps which ever since its release, it has become an instant hit with Android device owners. Obviously, not to the level of Pokemon GO, but that is an app which seems to be quite the anomaly at the moment. By normal standards however, Google Photos is a popular app. Which is not that surprising really, as even when the app first landed, it was a photo and image-based app which offered a number of features you might not get with other similar apps and since then, Google Photos has been one of those apps which has increasingly and steadily improved over time with new updates regularly rolling out.

Speaking of which, the latest update does now seem to be on its way in the form of version 1.24. While the update is not anything too major in the grand scale of things and certainly does not include any headline features, it is one which looks to refine some aspects and most notably, the ability to crop images and photos. According to the details, the crop tool seems to be the biggest part of the update with the general design and layout of the crop feature improved. These improvements are mainly defined as a more detailed rotation slider, top-positioned buttons moved to the bottom (with the rest) and a new feature which allows for images to be cropped while maintaining aspect ratios.

While not active yet, it does seem that this update is also laying the groundwork for a feature which was reported on back in May. This is the ability to make use of a greater selection of sort options. Again according to the details, this update does seem to include the option to select a sort option, but does not list the full selection of sort options. Either way, the update is now said to be in the process of rolling out and should reach devices which already have the app installed in due course. If you would rather push the update to your device sooner, you can grab a copy of the updated APK through the link below.
Whenever theres a Samsung release on the horizon, its sure to be surrounded by excitement and a hell of a lot of leaks and rumors. Its inevitable really, that the Galaxy Note 7 should have leaked out so much already. After all, when youre a global corporation looking to launch a device worldwide, there are a lot of teams of people working on the same project at the same time, and there are always weak links in any chain. Weve heard about what the Galaxy Note 7 could be packing on the inside, weve seen the USB Type-C cable and weve seen case after case appear as well, and now were getting a look at a press render. One that shows off the device in a blue hue with its hallmark S-Pen stylus, which were now hearing may work underwater this time around.

This latest leak comes from @evleaks as well as through the usual Vietnamese channels and while theres little to see about what looks very much like a press render before the launch, its the underwater stylus that a lot of people will be interested in. Much like the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, the Galaxy Note 7 is pegged to be water-resistant, and survive underwater in shallow depths for around 30 minutes or so. While the image comes from @evleaks, another part of this story comes from Mai Nguyen, who runs some tech stores in Vietnam as well as a tech blog, who states that the S-Pen could very well work underwater. This might seem a little farfetched, but those Galaxy Note 7 models that passed through the FCC were made in Vietnam.

Should the S-Pen function underwater this time around, it could be a huge boon for Samsung. Water sends touchscreens crazy, and it makes a wet phone very difficult to use, but the S-Pen could combat all of this and make the Galaxy Note 7 a stylish phone that could, within reason, be used in any sort of environment. Imagine being able to dive to shallow depths and take excellent pictures with your phone, being able to change the settings with the stylus? It could be a real winner for Samsung, and bring even more people over to the Galaxy Note line of devices. Whether or not this is to be a final feature is something well have to wait on until the beginning of next month to find out.
U.S. tech giant Google has been embroiled in a slew of antitrust and tax evasion allegations in Europe, especially in the last couple of years, and the company hopes to invest handsomely in European start-ups, cultural landmarks and music concerts to engineer a much-needed image makeover that might change a few minds in the European parliament in the coming days. While Google hasnt given up on its political lobbying efforts, its refreshed investment decisions reflect its will to endear itself to the people on the streets. The company is currently spending as much as $450 million on new initiatives between 2015 and 2017 which might not sound much compared to the amount Google might have to pay up if found guilty of antitrust allegations, apart from the loss of face.

Googles soft power approach instead of an aggressive one includes an initiative to train as many as two million European youngsters on how to succeed in online marketing and e-commerce activities. While news publishers in Europe have been Googles most vocal critics, instead of taking them on directly, the company has issued a $167 million grant to such publishers to help them connect with online readers who are growing in numbers by the day. Other initiatives include a course in software coding for teachers in Dublin, the restoration of Bletchley Park, a hub for code-breakers during World War Two and a swanky new cultural institute in Paris to help premier art museums go digital. Of course, Google has its own agenda to show to Europes political powers that they arent bad guys. But this gives organizations like ours the chance to do these types of projects. It wouldnt have happened without Google, said Michael Peters, CEO of Euronews to The New York Times.

Despite Googles efforts, Margrethe Vestager, the European Unions Competition Commissioner, recently slapped Google with an official charge, accusing it of denying consumers a choice of apps and services by forcing OEMs to include Google services in their Android devices. Google claims that Android, being an open-source project, is good for customers and for competition but may find it hard to convince the EU given that such allegations were brought in by a number of directly-affected third parties. In a respite for Google, the EU last week extended the deadline for the company to respond to Android antitrust charges by another six weeks. While Google will not be able to keep requesting for extensions from the EU indefinitely, it will be interesting to see if the company will continue to invest on European culture, its start-ups and training activities if the EU rules against it in the near future.
PixelPhone Pro is a dialer app for Android from Dorado apps that wants to make it not only easier and more convenient for you to get quick and easy access to all of your contacts, but to make it more enjoyable, too. This is an app that features a fully-customizable interface, an easy-to-use and to launch dialer with QWERTY and T9 search. With call recording and Caller ID features as well, PixelPhone is an app thats only growing ever-larger. There are a wide variety of themes on offer here as well as quality contacts management, the option to group message people, support for multiple SIM cards and different contacts, and a whole lot more, PixelPhone seems like the dream phone app for Android. Lets take a closer look and see, shall we?

While PixelPhone was originally developed by a Russian team of developers, it was recently purchased by Felink. With a new and more professional team behind it, the app is now available for free, for a limited time only, to celebrate. Users can download PixelPhone from the Play Store. When users first open up the app, theyll be given a view of the main screen, which features the quick and speedy dialer front and center as well as a look at your call log.

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From here, users can of course choose to call someone that theyve spoken to recently, and they can also go ahead and take a look at their wider contacts. Here, users can scroll up and down quickly to get to a certain letter  where the letter will appear in the center of the screen to make navigating nice and simple. Users can also search through their contacts using PixelPhone, and the app is mature enough to enable searching via both T9 numbers as well as QWERTY arrangements for the names of their contacts. This will allow users to get to their contacts nice and quickly, and it speeds up the whole process of finding someone you havent spoken to in a long time.

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Contacts management is a key part of PixelPhone, and on top of the sophisticated search element, there is also quality groups management, such as your favorites and businesses or peer groups.

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Rather than just be a simple replacement for the dialer app you already have, PixelPhone decides to go further and introduce great features to make things altogether much easier. Such as the quick swipes feature. This allows users to customize how PixelPhone acts, enabling users to create custom gestures to do specific things that will speed things up for them. For instance, PixelPhone Pro would allow someone to create a custom gesture to swipe one way to call someone using a specific SIM card. This is the sort of feature that helps set PixelPhone apart from the rest.

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This, as well as a lot of other settings can be changed by long-pressing on the menu key found on the dialer. The settings menu is similarly easy to work with and provides quick and accessible options for a lot of common changes.

This is also where youll find options for the themes as well, of which there are a number included within the app, as well as more that you can download from the Play Store, too. I found it a little annoying when youd have to download something from the Play Store as there should be this functionality built right into the app in my opinion. Still, these themes are nice to have, and they do make a decent difference to the overall look and feel of the app.

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No matter how customizable and how easy it to use however, PixelPhone keeps one thing clear throughout, that this is an app that wants to make it easier to keep on top of your contacts and such. Thats why the app also consolidates numerous call long entries into one, to make it nice and neat.

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This sort of ease of use extends to the way that multiple SIM cards on phones that support them is handled. Its a lot easier to use a dual SIM phone with PixelPhone Pro for instance.

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If you were to have a dualSIM phone, you would see entries for both of your SIMs in the screenshot below, which makes it super-easy to have work and play on the same phone, without making things complicated.

A lot of phones these days, such as the new Samsung devices, come with built-in blacklists as well as info on potential spam callers. If your device doesnt have that, PixelPhone can help. It doesnt support a built-in database, but it does feature a blacklist, allowing users to control who and what can get hold of them.

This is a good feature for the privacy concious as well as businesses, and in a future version they will be able to record these calls, too.

After spending some time with PixelPhone Pro, I can see why a lot of users would be happy to use it on a daily basis. Especially those that either have a lot of contacts or happen to use a dual SIM device. The way that PixelPhone Pro handles contacts and such is a lot better than other dialers out there in the Play Store, and those with two or even three SIM cards in their device can separate these contacts by their respective SIM cards, making sure you never ring someone with the wrong number again. Speaking of making and taking phone calls, PixelPhone makes even this simple task a lot easier as well. With custom swipes and gestures available to people, this is an app that allows users to fully take control of the way they interact with their contacts on their device. Contacts, are similarly well-organized in PixelPhone, and with an intelligent search system, as well as the option to use a sophisticated favorites manager and groups feature, this is a great way of keeping everyone nice and organized.

Ratings

Speed (4/5)  Speed is one of the first things that people will notice about PixelPhone, its quick to make a phone call and the interface itself is nice and speedy as well.

Speed is one of the first things that people will notice about PixelPhone, its quick to make a phone call and the interface itself is nice and speedy as well. Theme (5/5)  The default Lollipop theme looks good, but with some excellent options included, such as the darker themes, as well as more in the Play Store, it would be hard to be disappointed with the overall look of this app.

The default Lollipop theme looks good, but with some excellent options included, such as the darker themes, as well as more in the Play Store, it would be hard to be disappointed with the overall look of this app. Features (4/5)  Aside from the blacklist feature and the excellent multiple SIM card features, PixelPhone offers features you can find in other apps all over the Play Store, but it does so in a quicker, speedier and altogether more sophisticated manner.

Aside from the blacklist feature and the excellent multiple SIM card features, PixelPhone offers features you can find in other apps all over the Play Store, but it does so in a quicker, speedier and altogether more sophisticated manner. Overall (4/5)  PixelPhone runs well, has a lot of features in store for those looking for a better way to organize their contacts and its infinitely customizable as well, not just in the way it looks but also in the way that it behaves, too.

Pros

Simple and easy-to-use interface, despite the complicated features underneath it.

Multiple SIM card users will have a lot to like about the features PixelPhone has on offer.

Gives users with cluttered phone logs a great way of organizing everything to make it neater and easier to understand.

Contacts management is excellent, with a myriad of options and features to keep everything neat and tidy including groups and of course favorites.

Cons

Doesnt feature a built-in whitelist or database of known spam callers as other dialers do.

Some themes need to be downloaded from the Play Store before they can be applied.

All-in-all, PixelPhone is a great dialer for Android, and one that has all the sort of features that most users will be looking for as well as some nice surprises, too. Of particular interest for users with multiple SIM cards or accounts, PixelPhone has some of the best contacts management features out there, and it will help tidy up your devices contacts for sure. A great app that feels professional, runs smoothly and doesnt get in the way of anything, PixelPhone is worth looking into.
PM Turnbull shuffles ministers, but Small Business demoted

After a close election win, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has appointed his new ministry.

While there were no major surprises, the new who, what and where to go is important information for food companies to know.

Minister for Small Business  Mr Michael McCormack  Nationals

One of the most significant changes is that the Minister for Small Business, previously held by Kelly ODwyer, is no longer a cabinet position.

This means that the small business interests will have less say in the day to day running of government.

Treasurer  Mr Scott Morrison  Liberal

Minister for Revenue and Financial Services  Ms Kelly ODwyer  Liberal

Both Ministers have retained their appointments. The role of Assistant Treasurer has been renamed to Minister for Revenue and Financial Services, however the change appears to be in form only.

The Treasury portfolio includes the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which is responsible for, among other things, enforcing Australias Federal competition and consumer laws.

Also included is the Australian Tax Office, which oversees tax and tax incentives for businesses, the Productivity Commission, which prepares reports for Parliament on economic issues, and the Australian Competition Tribunal, which is a first-instance venue for alleged breaches of competition law.

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources  Mr Barnaby Joyce  Nationals

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has remained as Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. This department is relevant to the interests of farmers and agribusiness, and also oversees Australias biosecurity policies.

Joyce is also a member of the Australia New Zealand Ministerial Forum for Food Regulation (Food Ministerial Forum), which is responsible for developing policy and guidelines for food regulations, and the creation of food standards by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). The Food Ministerial Forum also has the ability to alter or reject standards proposed by FSANZ, or request that they be reviewed.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment  Mr Steven Ciobo

The Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment is now Steven Ciobo. This department oversees Australias international trade agreement negotiations.

Its portfolio includes Austrade, which assists with the growth of Australian companies into international markets and encourages foreign investment in Australian industry.

Minister for Health and Aged Care  Ms Sussan Ley

Sussan Ley has remained as Minister for Health and Aged Care. The Department of Health is responsible for policy regarding health products and medicines, including where this interacts with food. The Department is also responsible for aged care policy and biosecurity, where this affects personal health.

Assistant Minister for Rural Health  Dr David Gillespie

There is no longer a Minister for Rural Health. The position was previously held by Senator Fiona Nash, who was Australias second Member of the Ministerial Forum. Nash is now Minister for Local Government and Territories, Minister for Regional Communications and Minister for Regional Development.

Membership at the Ministerial Forum is now held by Dr David Gillespie, who is the Assistant Minister for Rural Health.

Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science  Mr Greg Hunt

Greg Hunt has taken over the Position of Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science from Christopher Pyne. The department is responsible for business grants, as well as the Food and Agribusiness Industry Growth Centre, a government-funded company aiming to boost productivity in the sector.

The departments involvement with business matters could partially mitigate the fact that Small Business is no longer a cabinet Ministry.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia  Senator Matthew Canavan

Matthew Canavan was introduced as the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia.

Canavan is responsible for the Office of Northern Australia, which promotes trade and investment in Northern Australia. This could promote the Northern Territory food and agriculture industry.

Although Canavan has ministerial responsibility over the Office of Northern Australia, the Office is located in the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science.
The name, Unity Technologies, may not necessarily ring a bell for mainstream consumers, but most gamers are well aware of the Silicon Valley tech company, seeing it is responsible for one of the most popular licensed video game engines. The company has now released the Q2, 2016 edition of its quarterly Games by the Numbers report, which takes an in-depth look at the statistics regarding mobile game downloads around the world. The report, according to Unity, will allow game developers to get a better understanding of the global mobile gaming scenario, thereby helping them fine-tune their offerings according to the trends of the industry. The report is a rather exhaustive one, and highlights how the BRIC economies, comprising of Brazil, Russia, India and China, are at the forefront of the mobile gaming revolution.

According to the study, the four aforementioned BRIC nations accounted for 41% of the total game installs on mobile devices during the quarter. Also worth noting is that the four countries happen to be among the top five markets for global game installs alongside the U.S. Meanwhile, the largest smartphone vendor in the world, Samsung Electronics, also happens to be the leader in this particular case, with 35.1% of all game downloads happening on devices manufactured and marketed by the South Korean company. Meanwhile, with Xiaomi losing ground to a number of different vendors in its homeland, the much talked-about Chinese company has now given way to Huawei as the manufacturer whose devices account for the second-highest number of game installs globally after Samsung.

Another interesting fact to have come out of the report is the absolute dominance of Android as a platform when it comes to some of the most populous countries in the world. Unitys study indicates that during the quarter in question, 96% of all mobile game installations in Indonesia happened on Android, even though the platform only accounts for around 80% of the global mobile market. Meanwhile, the numbers in Brazil and South Korea are not that dissimilar either, with 92% of all game installs in both countries happening on Android. The report also indicates that more devices around the world are now running on Android (6.0) Marshmallow, as around 7.5% of all game downloads are happening on this particular version of Android.
Xiaomis upcoming unveiling event set to take place on July 27 might have more to offer than just a new smartphone. According to recent reports from China citing unnamed sources in Xiaomis supply chain, the Chinese manufacturer intends to launch its first notebooks on July 27, the same day when the Xiaomi Redmi Pro will also be introduced. The lineup will reportedly consist of two notebook models, each targeted at different market segments.

Xiaomis intentions to join the notebook PC market have been the subject of rumors for many months. Last year in September, Inventec confirmed that Xiaomi is in the process of manufacturing two laptops, which were initially expected to hit the market in the second quarter of 2016. However, in March 2016, a new rumor emerged revealing that Xiaomi has pushed back the launch of its notebooks to the second half of 2016. Fast forward until today and fresh rumors from China suggest that Xiaomi is closer than ever to launching its first laptops, which are now being referred to by the Mi Notebook moniker. The company will reportedly unveil its notebook lineup on July 27, which will consist of a 12.5-inch laptop, and a slightly larger 13-inch model said to be mass produced by Wistron in Taiwan. Sources say that the 12.5-inch model will be aimed at gamers, which means that it should be equipped with a decent GPU. Either way, sources say that the device will be released at a competitive price point in order for the company to break into the market. As for the larger 13-inch model, it will reportedly have an Intel Core-i7 6500U CPU concealed by a metal build, 8 GB of RAM, and will run on Windows 10.

Interestingly enough, aside from these alleged hardware specifications, the sources have also touched on Xiaomis expectations for the notebook PC market, and claim that the company expects to ship at least 1 million Mi Notebook units. Xiaomi is a fairly new company founded in 2010, which managed to break into the smartphone market by offering decently-equipped smartphones at competitive prices. By the sound of it, its likely that Xiaomi will attempt a similar strategy with its first laptops, but it should be noted that the PC market is already well established, whereas the smartphone segment was in its infancy at the time Xiaomi was building its foundation. In other words, only time will tell if Xiaomis alleged marketing strategy for shipping 1 million notebooks will succeed.
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CLEVELAND -- Arizona Republican delegates stood firmly behind Melania Trump Tuesday against charges that she lifted parts of a Monday speech from a similar speech in 2008 by first lady Michelle Obama.

With rock and roll playing in one room and Trumps speech blasting in another, delegates took time from an afternoon tour of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to defend the speech as not plagiarized but merely an incident of two speeches that contained common words and values.

I saw some of the comparison on TV and such, Arizona GOP Chairman Robert Graham said. Who knows where it originated from, I know she wrote a lot of the speech.

Most people have help, especially because English is her second language, Graham said of Trump, whose first language is Slovenian. In this particular case, I think its interesting that people are trying to demonize her.

Grahams comments were typical of Arizona delegates, who downplayed similarities between the two speeches and accused those of raising them of attacking Trump, as she praised her husband, Donald, in advance of his selection as the Republican nominee for president.

It was a speech by Mrs. Obama in advance of her husbands nomination by the 2008 Democratic National Convention that Mrs. Trump has been accused of plagiarizing.

In 2008, Mrs. Obama said of her husband: Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: That you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say youre going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you dont know them, and even if you dont agree with them.

Mrs. Trump raised eyebrows when she said Monday: From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise; that you treat people with respect.

Trumps campaign has denied the accusations and Mrs. Trump has stated previously that she wrote the majority of the speech herself.

Arizona alternate delegate Barbara Wyllie believed that the controversy was a media-driven effort.

I saw that on Twitter this morning and thought, Oh my gosh the media is really looking for something, Wyllie said. She (Trump) spoke from her heart. She might have picked up a couple of words that other first ladies have said in the past. But it was her speech.

Despite the similarities, several Arizona delegates applauded Mrs. Trumps emotional delivery and the influence her past had on the tone of the speech.

I loved her speech. I loved her accent. I felt that her speech was genuine and that it came from the heart, said Wyllie, a Sun City resident. I love the fact that she is an immigrant. She came over and became a citizen and assimilated. To put her in the White House as the first lady says a lot.
Neighbors to the old San Francisco de Asis School on Humphreys Street and Cherry Avenue will have to wait to find out who their new neighbors might be.

Flagstaff Planning Director Dan Folke confirmed Tuesday that VanTrust Real Estate has withdrawn its site plan for a 180-unit, mixed-use apartment complex at the site.

Students at the school will move to the new San Francisco de Asis parish and school on Ponderosa Parkway on McMillan Mesa by the end of the school year regardless. The Phoenix Diocese is in charge of selling the old school.

The proposed apartment complex would have taken up nearly an entire city block from Cherry Avenue to Dale Avenue and from Beaver Street to Humphreys Street. The property was already zoned for a multifamily complex, so VanTrust did not need a zoning change from the city. The Coconino County Assessors office valued the property at $1.03 million.

A number of residents expressed concern about the effect the new apartment complex would have had on traffic, historic sites and the appearance of the neighborhood at a public meeting in January.

One proposed use for the building now is a performing arts center.

But John Tannous, the executive director of Flagstaff Arts Council, said the Council has not considered the site because it was understood that the property was under contract to be sold. The Council is looking at plans to expand but theyre long-range plans, he said.
Transfer balls: Arsenal meets Mr and Mrs Incardi and Turan turns

Transfer Balls: Is Mauro Icardi heading to Arsenal? Maybe. The Sun has news that the Inter Milan stars sexy wife and AGENT  is in London to broker her husbands 43m move to the Gunners. She is JET WAGGED Wanda Nara.

Less anyone think it a bit sexist of the Sun to be astounded that a woman can be a mans agent, the paper features a picture of her backside. This picture:

The bigger shock than seeing an agent losing their shirt is news that on July 18 the Sun told us: MAGIC WANDA  Arsenal set to miss out on Mauro Icardi as agent reveals Juventus interest.

The Sun then added: His wife Wanda Nara, who bizarrely is also his agent.

Why is it bizarre that a husband and wife are in business together? If you are going to be shafted by anyone, might as well make it your beloved.

And its big money. The Guardian says Incardi would command a cool 5m in wages this season, should he sign for the Gunners.

In other Arsenal transfer news, the Indy says Arsenal tare in for Arda Turan for 20m. The paper says Barcelona are willing to sell the Turkish midfielder. They are? No. Arda Turan pledges Barcelona allegiance, says the Sun.

Such are the facts.

Anorak

Posted: 20th, July 2016 | In: Arsenal, Back pages, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
As a raucous Republican National Convention carried on in Cleveland on Tuesday, U.S. Sen. John McCain spent a quieter day campaigning in northern Arizona, where he aimed to distinguish himself as the candidate best poised to uphold and prioritize national security.

I really believe that I am in a position today with the world being what it is to help secure the state and the country, he said.

The senator joined more than a dozen of his Republican colleagues in skipping out on the trip to Ohio, offering up only a tangential explanation for why he instead decided to spend the week making campaign stops around Arizona.

First of all Im confident that Im going to be OK and we're running a very good campaign, but anybody who takes anything for granted in this environment is just foolish, he said.

McCain also spoke to local issues during a campaign event hosted by the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerces political action committee as well as a meeting with the Daily Sun editorial board on Tuesday. He put his support behind building a new biomass energy facility at Camp Navajo as a way to use the hundreds of thousands of tons of forest slash -- small trees, treetops and branches -- that are expected to come out of the regions forest restoration projects. He said he would support incentives for power generation from biomass, which right now is more expensive to produce than power from wind, solar, coal or natural gas.

McCain also said he has made progress on finding funding for Rio de Flag flood control work, saying legislation that makes the project eligible for federal infrastructure dollars has an excellent chance of passing next year.

As for the federal match funding needed to complete a state-run veterans home in Flagstaff, McCain said he is giving it his highest priority. The amount of growth the city has experienced will help him make the argument to move Flagstaffs application higher up the list, he said.

The movement to create a national monument encompassing 1.7 million acres adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park doesnt have McCains support. He said those lands should remain open to everything from recreation to grazing to uranium mining.

I think uranium mining back in the '40s and '50s, obviously there's still a hangover from that... it just didn't work and we didn't understand the impacts of it, but I also believe there is strong support for multiple use, he said.

At least one recent poll however, suggests the opposite. A December 2015 survey of Arizona voters showed 73 percent support the creation of a Grand Canyon National Monument.

At the mention of the regions Four Forest Restoration Initiative, McCain shook his head about the slow progress on the projects goal to mechanically thin high volumes of forest acreage.

Though he said he couldnt speak for the Forest Service, McCain said he thinks the largest contractor on the project is in jeopardy.

Ive heard a lot of complaints from the Forest Service, he said.

The senator distanced himself from many of the immigration policies promoted by Donald Trump, now officially the Republican Partys presidential nominee, and said he cant see himself ever campaigning on the policies Trump has so far promoted.

He called Trumps proposals to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border and deport 11 million undocumented immigrants from the country a wedge.

He is well aware that Hispanic voters are registering in large numbers and will be a powerful force this year.

Traditionally the Hispanic vote usually underperforms and we're not going to see that this time, McCain said.

For his part, the senator continues to stand behind core elements of an immigration plan put together by the Gang of 8 including e-verify for employers and what he called a tortured 10- to 12-year path to citizenship that includes paying fines, paying back taxes and learning English. He also supports the use of high resolution surveillance towers and drones along the border.

On the broader topic of national security, McCain faulted Obama for withdrawing troops too early from Iraq in 2011. In an interview last Friday, McCain said the reduction in troops and President Obamas policies toward the Islamic State, or ISIS, allowed the Bastille Day attack in Nice to happen. For the United States to defeat ISIS terrorists, it needs to attack the groups strongholds in the Middle East, McCain said. The U.S. needs to send 10,000 of its own troops supplemented by 90,000 troops from other Middle East countries to destroy ISIS strongholds, he said.

Right now the magnet is ISIS, he said. We have to kill them there or we will kill them here.

According to the director of the CIA and the director of national intelligence, there will be further attacks on the U.S., he said.

The senator vehemently opposes Trumps statements, which the Republican nominee later reversed, that if elected he would torture terrorism suspects and kill their families.

It does grieve me when he says that he wants to kill the families of people, thats just not what America is about, he said.
(ANSA) - Washington, DC, July 20 - Italy will continue doing its part in the battle against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti said Wednesday at a summit of a 40-member international coalition to fight the terrorist group at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland. "In the past few months we have scored significant military successes against ISIS," Pinotti said. "Now we must increase the effort and make our maximum contribution. Italy will continue doing its part".

Also on Wednesday, SITE terrorist monitoring website reported a manual for jihad during the summer Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro August 5-21 has surfaced on a phone app called Telegram.

The manual urges so-called lone wolves to travel to Rio and explains how to carry out attacks at airports and on public transport, how to stab and poison, how to take hostages and create false alarms.

Europol said earlier there is no evidence that ISIS planned the recent terrorist attacks in Magnaville, Nice, Orlando and Wurzburg even though the extremist Islamist group claimed responsibility for them. "None of the four attacks seem to have been planned, logistically supported, or executed directly by ISIS," the European police agency said. "The allegiance pledge by the perpetrators of the Orlando, Magnaville and Wurzburg attacks indicates they were ISIS supporters, but their actual involvement in the group cannot be established. Moreover, there is currently no evidence to suggest that the Nice attacker considered himself a member of ISIS... IS has endorsed the attacks but the perpetrators' affiliation with the group has not been clear". Europol also said that 'lone-wolf' attacks are often carried out by people suffering mental illness. "Recent academic research has shown that around 35% of the perpetrators of lone actor attacks that occurred between 2000 and 2015 suffered from some sort of mental health disorder," it said. "Europol's report on the Changes in the Modus Operandi of the ISIS also mentions that a significant portion of foreign fighters have been diagnosed with mental health problems prior to joining (the terror group)".


(ANSA) - Rome, July 20 - Former president Giorgio Napolitano told Il Foglio paper in an interview out Wednesday that he supports Premier Matteo Renzi's constitutional reform law, but said the premier should be open to revising his Italicum electoral reform.

Italy's parties are girding for battle over Renzi's constitutional reform, which would slash the Senate by two-thirds and reduce its lawmaking powers in a bid to end decades of political gridlock.

That reform has been passed into law, but must be approved by a popular referendum to be held in October.

Majority parties are therefore campaigning for a 'Yes' vote and opposition parties for a 'No' vote.

In the interview, Napolitano berated the "psychological terrorism being bandied about by some 'No' propaganda, on the specific flaws and alleged risks of the reform.

"Missing out on this opportunity to overcome the equality of the two houses of parliament (which has been blamed for decades of ineffective government) would be a catastrophe," Napolitano said. The former head of State added Renzi should consider revising his controversial new Italicum law, which introduces a two-round system of voting and a large majority bonus.

Napolitano said the law relies too heavily on the run-off vote "which in the present context, risks leaving the country in the hands of a political party that has not been legitimated with enough votes in the first round".

Renzi's center-left Democratic Party (PD) faces calls for changes to the Italicum from its conservative allies after its poor showing in June local elections.


Italy: police arrest 13 suspected human traffickers Probe uncovered 20 illegal trips in just one month

(ANSAmed) - MILAN, JULY 20 - Italian police on Wednesday executed arrest warrants for 13 people suspected of being involved in human-trafficking ring, sources said. The suspects were detained in the northern provinces of Monza, Milan, Brescia and Venice. The 'Transitus' probe that led to Wednesday's operation documented 20 trips in just one month for the illegal entry of around 100 migrants, the sources said.



Police were unable track down three of the 13 suspects in Italy, sources said.



The officers seized cars used for take the migrants from Italy to northern Europe.



Six members of the gang are Egyptian, three Albanian, two Romanian, one Syrian and one Brazilian and they are aged between 26 and 45 and had permits to reside in Italy. The probe was opened in 2014 thanks to evidence given by an Egyptian who had turned down an approach to work for the gang as a driver, sources said. (ANSAmed).




Migrants: 1,146 arriving in Palermo, one dead aboard dinghy

(ANSAmed) - PALERMO, JULY 20 - The Italian Navy's Borsini patrol vessel is expected to arrive in Palermo on Wednesday afternoon with 1,146 migrants onboard rescued in 19 separate missions in the Strait of Sicily, where a total of 2,500 people have been rescued over the past few days.



The body of a man who died during the crossing was also found on a dinghy.



The migrants - 684 men, 354 women, including 23 who are pregnant, along with 45 accompanied minors and 63 unaccompanied underage migrants - will be welcomed by a task force coordinated by the prefecture of Palermo.



Security officers from GICO, the investigative unit against organized crime, and tax police will also be at Palermo's port in order to try to identify the migrant smugglers.



The migrants hail from Somalia, Libya, Bangladesh, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Camerun, Egypt, Congo and Senegal. One of them has respiratory problems, two have broken bones and two others have burns. (ANSAmed).




Brescia concert for Israeli Philharmonic's 80th anniversary Inaugural concert was by Arturo Toscanini in 1936

(ANSAmed) - ROME, JUNE 20 - Brescia will be celebrating the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra, later renamed the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, with a concert on September 9 at 8 PM in Teatro Grande. The concert will be performed by the Franciacorta Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by the American James Feddeck.



The Israali Philharmonic Orchestra's inaugural performance was conducted by Arturo Toscanini in 1936.



The initiative was sponsored by the Israeli embassy in Italy and the Lombardy regional government, the Brescia provincial government and the City of Brecsia as well as the Israeli tourism ministry. The links between Toscanini and the Jewish population run deep, and in 1933 the orchestra conductor was the first signatory of a telegram to Hitler to protest against a ban on Jewish musicians in German orchestras. A few days after receiving the telegram, Hitler invited Toscanini to conduct once more the Festival of Bayreuth. The conductor refused. In 1936, Toscanini accepted an invitation to conduct one of the first concerts of the new Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra, which was renamed the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in 1948 after the founding of the Israeli state. The orchestra was made up exclusively of Jewish musicians that had been forced to leave Europe. Toscanini agreed to the offer but only if he paid his own expenses and was not given any compensation. The big-name conductor's presence was an exceptional launch for the new orchestra. In 1938, after racial laws were introduced in Italy, Toscanini returned to conducting the orchestra and for the first and last time the orchestra played Wagner's music. ''Toscanini and the 80 Years of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (1936-2016)'' will be presented on Thursday at a press conference in Brescia's Palazzo Broletto. Participants will include Avital Kotzer Adari, director of the Milan office of the Israeli National Tourism Bureau, and Emiliano Facchinetti, head of the Franciacorta Philharmonic Orchestra. (ANSAmed).




PALERMO - The Italian Navy's Borsini patrol vessel is expected to arrive in Palermo on Wednesday afternoon with 1,146 migrants onboard rescued in 19 separate missions in the Strait of Sicily, where a total of 2,500 people have been rescued over the past few days.



The body of a man who died during the crossing was also found on a dinghy.



The migrants - 684 men, 354 women, including 23 who are pregnant, along with 45 accompanied minors and 63 unaccompanied underage migrants - will be welcomed by a task force coordinated by the prefecture of Palermo.



Security officers from GICO, the investigative unit against organized crime, and tax police will also be at Palermo's port in order to try to identify the migrant smugglers.



The migrants hail from Somalia, Libya, Bangladesh, Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Camerun, Egypt, Congo and Senegal. One of them has respiratory problems, two have broken bones and two others have burns.
TUNIS - Nasser Hidouri, the imam of San Marcellino, a southern town near Caserta, has returned to Tunisia for a concrete initiative. The imam is known for his work to promote inter-religious dialogue and to show that Islam is a religion of peace.



Hidouri has been working for a year on the initiative in Sidi Bouzid, one of Tunisia's most problematic areas which made headlines after Mohamed Bouzazi in 2010 set himself on fire, sparking a reaction that led to the so-called Arab Spring.



He has bought building land to plan new homes to give the possibility to youth in the region, many of whom depart for the Italian island of Lampedusa, to live with concrete perspectives.



The imam told ANSAmed that the initiative has involved the whole village. ''We are now planning to create a farm for the cultivation of peas as the land is excellent for this type of product and we are looking for clients in Italy''.



This is aimed at making young people, many of whom are participating in the initiative, more involved with the rest of the world, in particular Italy which represents the stepping stone for relations of friendship and cooperation with the rest of Europe, continued Nasser.



Nasser said he needed the help of God, ''who talks through our Christian, Muslim, Jewish, secular and agnostic brothers'', as well as solidarity, publicity and funding for the initiative to succeed.



Nasser called on everyone, especially Italians, to help migrants give a reason not to leave their country in order to build their future, with a livable present as their starting point.
Three French soldiers killed in Libya Gov't admits to military presence for the first time

(ANSAmed) - CAIRO, JULY 20 - The French defense ministry on Wednesday said that three of its soldiers had died on a mission in Libya.



The announcement marks the first time the government has admitted to the presence of French soldiers in the country. The ministry did not provide further details on how or when the soldiers died. AP had on Tuesday reported the death of two soldiers, saying that they were from French Special Forces and had been on a helicopter shot down by Libyan militias near Benghazi on Sunday.



Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian expressed his condolences over the death of the three, praising the ''courage and dedication of these soldiers involved in active service for France, who every day carry out dangerous anti-terrorism missions''. The spokesperson did not confirm the presence of French soldiers on the helicopter shot down on Sunday. (ANSAmed).




Turkey 'flouts rule of law' after coup attempt, says Germany Another 95 academics suspended from Istanbul university

(ANSAmed) - BERLIN, JULY 20 - The German government has said that it is watching the latest moves by the Turkish government in reaction to a coup attempt with growing concern. ''Nearly every day we are seeing new measures that flout the rule of law and that disregard the principle of proportionality,'' government spokesman Steffen Seibert said on Wednesday. He added that Berlin had expressed its concerns directly to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call with Chancellor Angela Merkel as well as through other channels. Meanwhile, purges continue in the Turkish education sector. The Council for Higher Education (YOK) has suspended 95 of the academic staff of the Istanbul state university and the deans of four other universities for suspected links with the network of Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara has said was behind the coup attempt.



Two members of the military arrested after the failed coup in Turkey on Wednesday morning escaped from the Gulhane hospital in Ankara, where they were being treated, reported state-owned news agency Anadolu. The Turkish police have sent their photos to local units, warning that the soldiers - an infantry lieutenant and a captain - are probably armed. An operation to capture them has been launched. (ANSAmed).




ISTANBUL - The adviser to the Turkish chief of staff, lieutenant colonel Levent Turkkan, has confessed to being a member of the network of Fethullah Gulen, accused of organizing a failed coup in Turkey, CNN Turk reported Wednesday, showing excerpts of his statements to investigators. (ANSAmed).

Meanwhile the Council for higher education (Yok) in Turkey has imposed a ban preventing all Turkish university professors from leaving the country, State broadcaster Trt reported on Wednesday. Yok on Tuesday asked 1,577 professors at Turkish universities to step down.
Turkey: university professors banned from leaving country

(ANSAmed) - ISTANBUL, JULY 20 - The Council for higher education (Yok) in Turkey has imposed a ban preventing all Turkish university professors from leaving the country, State broadcaster Trt reported on Wednesday.



Yok on Tuesday asked 1,577 professors at Turkish universities to step down. (ANSAmed).




According to the Human Rights Campaign  the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group in the country  2016 has marked an uptick in the number of bills that target the LGBT community. The organization found, in the first two months of 2016, more than 175 anti-LGBT bills were filed in 32 states. For comparison sake, the organization tracked 125 anti-LGBT bills in total in 2015.

Of the 175 bills in 2016, the Human Rights Campaign counted 44 as specifically anti-transgender, with the majority of those targeting public bathroom use. Its worth noting that, because the report came out in February, those figures dont include data from the most recent four-plus months, or the North Carolina law.

The North Carolina bill became law on March 23. It came in response to an ordinance passed by the Charlotte City Council, which extended the citys non-discrimination language to include sexual orientation and gender identity. According to news reports, the General Assembly called for a special session  its first in 35 years  to address the Charlotte ordinance. One local newspaper noted the bill took a remarkably quick 11 hours and 10 minutes to become law, from when the bill was introduced in the House to when McCrory signed it.

But three of the states neighbors have rejected similar legislation this year. In early February, a Virginia House of Delegates committee voted down a bill related to bathroom and locker room use in public schools. In April, Republican state Rep. Susan Lynn proposed and withdrew a bathroom bill in Tennessee, but said she would bring it up again in 2017. And South Carolina saw a bathroom bill die in committee in late April.

According to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, Indiana, Mississippi and Louisiana also had bathroom bills that failed. Ten other states have such bills pending.

In South Dakota, Gov. Dennis Daugaard vetoed a bathroom bill in March that focused on public schools. At the time of his veto, Daugaard emphasized the role of local officials, saying, Local school districts can, and have, made necessary restroom and locker room accommodations that serve the best interests of all students, regardless of biological sex or gender identity.

The topic seems to be as divisive among voters as it is among lawmakers.

A CBS/New York Times poll from May found 46 percent of Americans think transgender people should use the bathroom of the gender they were born as. But a CNN poll, also from May, revealed that 57 percent of Americans oppose laws requiring transgender individuals to use facilities that do not match their gender identity. Although the polls address different aspects of the issue  the former asks about bathroom use itself, while the latter asks about laws on bathroom use  the results reflect a country closely divided.

A recent poll from Quinnipiac University shows the divide maintains in the swing states of Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
CLEVELAND  In a shocking development, an outbreak of actual news has broken out here. This almost never happens at political conventions. Usually theyre so boring that the TV networks employ men with cattle prods to periodically jolt the anchors awake.

The big story of course concerns Melania Trump, the Slovenian-born former model, who gave a prime-time speech in which she endorsed Ted Cruz.

No, seriously, Mrs. Trump declared her support for her husband, Donald Trump. Initially Melania Trumps speech was well-received by media analysts, because these analysts are mostly males and she is hot. But within minutes some disturbing facts came to light:

A passage in the speech was suspiciously similar to one from a speech delivered by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic convention in Denver, specifically the part where Melania Trump said, quote, It is so nice to be here in Denver in 2008.

 Melania Trumps legal name is actually Betty.

It turns out that there is no such place as Slovenia.

Asked to explain these apparent inconsistencies, the Trump campaign issued the following statement: We are going to have such an unbelievably great explanation, that we can tell you.

Melania Trump (or whoever she really is) was preceded on the podium by a series of people speaking on the theme Make America Safe Again, which the Republicans chose to contrast their party with the Democrats, whose convention theme is Lets Make America Even MORE Dangerous. Among the speakers on the topic of American safety were former teenager Scott Baio, former male underwear model Anthony Sabato Jr. and terminally hairy Duck Dynasty person Willie Robertson. But without question the highlight of the night was former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had the crowd on its feet and roaring when he delivered a fiery anti-terrorism speech and concluded it, dramatically, by strangling a live camel.

Meanwhile outside the security perimeter, Cleveland is swarming with media people, police, protesters and random loons. The epicenter of the action is Public Square, a big downtown plaza. I was walking through there when I passed a group of maybe 10 anarchists. The anarchists are the badasses of the protest community; theyre generally young people who dress dramatically in black and often cover their faces with scarves to protect their Secret Identities from the police, or maybe their parents.

So anyway, as I was walking past the group, one of them, a young man with everything but his eyes covered, asked the others, Has anybody seen Britney? This actually made me laugh out loud, because Britney just does not seem like an appropriately intimidating name for an anarchist. Its hard to picture an anarchist leader, in the heat of some anti-capitalist protest action, shouting, Put your face scarves up, everybody! We need to help Britney and Tiffany throw rocks at the Banana Republic!

This is assuming that anarchists have leaders.

Fortunately, so far (this may have changed by the time you read this) there has been little violence in the streets here, according to Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams, who held a press conference with the mayor of Cleveland, Frank Jackson. I attended it, and afterward I approached Mayor Jackson. After identifying myself as a columnist from Miami, I asked him a question that I am sure is on the minds of many, in these troubled times.

What can we give you to get LeBron James back? I asked.

Nothing, said Mayor Jackson.

To be honest, he didnt seem to take the question seriously. Its almost as if he felt he had more important things to think about. If you can imagine.
Qatar Airways has added and additional flight to between Doha and Muscat.

Richard Oliver, country manager UK & Ireland, said: Both Doha and Muscat are popular cities that offer business, cultural and leisure opportunities to travellers. The additional flight is a response to increased demand on this popular route, and offers our passengers more convenience thereby empowering travellers with the ability to choose flights that are best suited to their unique requirements.
Rudaw

Thousands have been arrested in the aftermath of the failed coup attempt. Photo: Tolga Adanali/AP

ERBIL, Kurdistan RegionCritics fear for the future of Turkey as the crackdown on accused putschists widens and looks increasingly undemocratic.



Human rights in Turkey are in peril, after the failed coup attempt, Amnesty International said in a statement issued on Monday.



A backslide on human rights is the last thing Turkey needs, said Amnestys Director for Europe and Central Asia, John Dalhuisen. It is more important than ever for the Turkish government to respect human rights and the rule of law in ways the coup plotters did not.



In the immediate wake of the failed coup, Turkey began purging its armed forces, and then its judiciary bodies, and as the days unfolded, the crackdown has widened to cover much of civil society, targeting alleged supporters of Fethullah Gulen, who Ankara claims orchestrated the attempted coup.



Some 9,000 people have been fired, including police and government officials. Another 7,500 have been detained, including top generals who are accused of being behind the failed coup.



The Education Ministry demanded the resignation of 1,577 university deans and suspended 15,200 state education employees, announced a ministry official on Tuesday. The interior ministry fired 8,777 people. And another 257 working in the prime ministers office and 492 from the religious affairs office were dismissed.



The sheer number of arrests and suspensions since Friday is alarming and we are monitoring the situation very closely. The coup attempt unleashed appalling violence and those responsible for unlawful killings and other human rights abuses must be brought to justice, said Dalhuisen, but cracking down on dissent and threatening to bring back the death penalty are not justice.



The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad al Hussein, echoed the caution. In the aftermath of such a traumatic experience, it is particularly crucial to ensure that human rights are not squandered in the name of security and in the rush to punish those perceived to be responsible, he said on Tuesday.



The media have also been targeted. The prime ministers office requested the High Council for Telecommunications to block over a dozen news websites on the charge of endangering national security or public order.



The move was condemned by media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders. The governments response to the abortive coup must stay within the limits of the Turkish constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression.



Despite the criticism, Ankara remains determined to respond to the attempted coup with a strong hand while claiming to be acting within the rules of law.



We need to give the necessary answer to the provocateurs immediately, said Prime Minister Binali Yildirim on Tuesday. A wrongdoing cannot be fixed with another wrongdoing. Things will be put back on track by staying in the framework of the law. Getting revenge in a state of law is unacceptable. From now on, legal action will be taken in the harshest way against the ones acting illegally while on duty.



President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said several times that he is open to reinstating the death penalty in order to deal with the coup plotters.



Leaders will have to get together and discuss it and if they accept to discuss it then I as president will approve any decision that comes out of the parliament, Erdogan said in an interview with CNNs Becky Anderson, adding the Turkish people have made it clear they want death for the terrorists who plotted the coup.



The people now have the idea, after so many terrorist incidents, that these terrorists should be killed. Thats where they are, they dont see any other outcome to it, he said.



Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 as a condition for membership in the European Union. Reinstating it . would end Turkeys chances of joining the EU.



Warning about Turkeys dire democratic situation, Figen Yuksekdag, co-chair of the Peoples Democratic Party (HDP), said, Experiencing this kind of coup situation in Turkey cannot be evaluated by looking at its outcomes. If we want to get into a forcefully and rooted faceoff with coups and coupism, we should faceoff with the conditions that created the coup. As the HDP we use this will to do what is undone.



A junta mechanism, a military coup mechanism has grown itself within a civil political coup mechanism, said Yuksekdag, speaking at a HDP parliamentary meeting. Tearing down the coup does not mean that democracy won. In this country, there had been four coups but never could a democracy have been constructed.



At the same time, Erdogan is perhaps stoking tensions by announcing he is still committed to redeveloping Gezi Park. "God willing, first we will build historically appropriate barracks at Taksim, whether they like it or not," he told a group of supporters outside of his home in Istanbul.



Last month he re-raised the idea of a construction project in the park. When the plan to build over one of the few green spaces in the Taksim neighbourhood of Istanbul was first floated in 2013, a small sit-in led by environmental activists quickly grew into mass protests against the government of then Prime Minister Erdogan as well as police brutality and violations of democratic rights.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. French Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church Archbishop Vahan Hovhannisyan delivered a mass in St. Philip Church of Nice in memory of the July 14 Nice terror victims, Nouvelles dArmenie reports.

The Armenian clerical representatives from different states, as well as representatives of the Armenian community of France took part in the mass.

10 year old boy miraculously saved during the Nice terror attack also participated in the mass. He is a member of the Church choir.

After the mass the participants led by Archbishop Hovhannisyan went to Promenade des Anglais where the terror attack occurred and prayed for the victims.

We came to pay our tribute to the victims and express our solidarity, to share the grief of the Nice residents. Remembering is a step of faith and resistance since by this we maintain the hope of life, Archbishop Vahan Hovhannisyan said.

84 people were killed in terror truck attack in Nice, France in the evening of July 14. Dozens of people were wounded. The driver opened fire on people in the crowd, according to local reports. Police fired back and the driver was eventually shot dead.
YEREVAN, JULY 19, ARMENPRESS. Several people have assaulted police officers with sticks and rocks in the Sari Tagh neighborhood of Yerevan. The officers were on duty.

Deputy Chief of Police Samvel Hovhannisyan told MP Nikol Pashinyan about the incident.

MP Pashinyan clarified the information with Police Chief of Yerevan Ashot Karapetyan, who confirmed it.

The MP exited the police perimeter, which he entered to review the situation, and briefed reporters and gathered citizens on the situation.

Several people have approached the police perimeter from Sari Tagh neighborhood and assaulted police officers with sticks and rocks. According to preliminary information, three or four officers were hospitalized.

The gunmen who have taken over the Police station on July 17 and are currently keeping hostages, opened celebratory fire in support of the people who assaulted the officers, thus escalating the situation on Khorenatsi Street as well.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. The Investigative Committee has received reports on July 20 about various police officers having sustained injuries.

Based on documents and materials, the Committee found out that around 20:00n July 19, several people assaulted police officers by throwing rocks and other blunt objects while they were on duty in the crossroad of Glinka and Vormadirner Streets. As a result of the violence, 6 officers were hospitalized.

Taking into account the incident includes elements of crime, which is  violence committed against authorities linked with their duties  a criminal case has been initiated. An investigative task force has been formed.

The 6 officers were questioned as victims. Available footages of the incident were studied, and law enforcement agencies were instructed to ID and locate the persons who are shown in the videos.

Investigation is underway to ensure comprehensive, full and objective examination of the incident.

Note  Suspect is innocent until proven guilty by the Court of Law.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. The National Security Service of Armenia issued an updated announcement on the hostage situation which resulted from gunmen ambushing a Police station in Yerevan. According to the announcement 5 hostages were released as a result of anti-terror operations conducted in the morning of July 17 till now.

The announcement reads:

Currently active operations are being conducted for releasing the hostages who are being held in the Police station, as well as finding a peaceful solution to the existing situation. Moreover, the negotiations continue with the gunmen.

The National Security Service once more states that the measures taken are specific and highly professional, thus, the persons organizing and conducting those measures do not need outside intervention and assistance.

Armenian law enforcement agencies are on standby, however, till now there are no necessary prerequisites for them to engage.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS. Another Armenian peacekeeping unit has left for Germany, from where the peacekeepers will be taken to Afghanistan following trainings.

As Armenpress was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of Armenia, Commander of the peacekeeping brigade General-major Artur Simonyan saluted the peacekeeping unit before the departure and urged the servicemen to carry out their mission with dignity and remain committed to the traditions of the Armenian Armed Forces.

Armenia has been participating in NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan since 2010 under the leadership of the German Armed Forces.
YEREVAN, JULY 20, ARMENPRESS: Clashes between riot police and the protesters occured on Khorentsi street of Yerevan amid protests for peaceful resolution of hostage crisis. The protesters have been throwing stones towards the police forces. "Armenpress" reports, Deputy Cheif of the Armenian Police Samvel Hovhannisyan told about several injured among the policemen.

Earlier today police called for more tolerance saying that the negotiations between the officials and armed group capturing the police station are underway.

Some of the protesters tried to break the riot police line which provoked a clash.

Eventually the situation has calmed down and the protest is underway.

In the morning of July 17 gunmen stormed a Police HQ in Yerevan and took hostages  demanding the release of Zhirayr Sefilyan, who was imprisoned a month ago, charged with illegal possession, transportation and acquirement of weapons and ammunition. Police Colonel Artur Vanoyan has been killed by the gunmen during the ambush. Colonel Aram Hovhannisyan, Lt.-Colonel Hrach Khosteghyan, Corporal Gagik Mkrtchyan received gunshot wounds.
On Monday, the Financial Times reported that Berry was heading to a top job at the Bolshoi, a place where senior positions usually go to Russians. But the Bolshois general director Vladimir Urin said in a statement: [The] Bolshoi does not intend to hire Mr Berry as one of the houses top managers.'
With a 10th annual Latin Jazz festival produced in the neighborhood Humboldt Park by the Jazz Institute of Chicago and dynamite downtown concerts with headliners such as Nigerian juju star King Sunny Ade and Afro-Cuban progressive Eddie Palmieri put on by DCASE, the citys Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicagos free summer music programs are well underway.

Add the Museum of Contemporary Arts weekly Tuesdays on the Terrace shows, conceded that Chicagos unparalleled Blues Fest is already over (as is Taste of Chicago, where bands including The Roots prevailed) but note that the classically-oriented Grant Park Music Festival continues while the very promising 38th annual Chicago Jazz Fest looms to cap it all by Labor Day (well also enjoy an early autumn Hyde Park Jazz Festival Sept 24th and 25th), and its hard to find a comparable wealth of beautiful sounds available to all comers, at least west of the Hudson River (NYCs Summerstage highlights jazz this season, with quite a worthy schedule).

Less the Chicago presentations simply seem like wannabe distractions from the local plague of gun violence, our failed mayorality and (gladly) lost opportunity to squander lakefront on a movie directors museum, I hasten to say the concerts are genuinely positive, citizenry-binding events.

While San Franciscan John Santos sextet, conguero Joe Rendon and Friends and Hector Silvieras orquestra entertained on a stage set up in an open-air boat house, the surrounding, formerly dodgy Humboldt Park was bustling with family picnics and pickup-team games.

Former (future?) mayoral candidate Chuy Garcia sat comfortably amid the crowd (also for Palmieris Salsa Orchestra at Millennium Park), listening as a recognized, respected and unhassled member of the community.

That community in all its glorious if too often uneasy diversity (approximately 1/3 African-American, 1/3 Hispanic background, 1/3 non-Hispanic white) has been well-represented at the Gehry bandshell of Pritzker Pavillion in Millennium Park.

There were perhaps 500 people at the Latin Jazz Fest at Humboldt on Saturday, July 16, but an estimated 10,000 (capacity crowd) attended the powerhouse Palmieri show on June 27  people of every demographic dancing to the uncompromisingly dense, percussive and melodically improvised roar alone, in couples and/or fluid groups.

Two weeks later, Ugochi and A.S.E  her Afro Soul Ensemble  opening for Sunny Ade and his Afro-Beats, aptly emboding Chicagos breadth of influences and depths of talent. Born in Nigeria, Ugochi was raised on the South Side, and her relaxed yet keening vocalizations were like a junction of blues wailer Mama Estella Yancey with Malian Oumou Sangare. Cellist Tomeka Reed, an emergent leader of the Chicago branch of the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) joined the A.S.E. for two or three songs, adding a subtle creative undercurrent to the bands mid-tempo renditions of their leaders original material. Her lyrics were topical and inclusive (she introduced one as three words my mother taught me that could save your life: Dont Mind Them'). Judging by the crowd reaction, she won a lot of new fans.

Although there is a percentage of attendees at Millennium Park who just come because its a nice place to throw down a blanket, break out some refreshments and stare at the skyline as night falls, DCASEs programming ensures aficionados also have a reason to come to these gigs. King Sunny Ade probably drew on the basis of the fantastic tours he did in the 1980s  I heard him live three times in New York City, and will always (I hope) remember his concert at Roseland, where I discovered my body knew dance moves Id never had tried before.

In Brooklyn three years ago Ade and company delivered an eagerly anticipated but somewhat disappointing show  the ensemble appeared aged, heavy and weary  but in Chicago July 18 all parties onstage felt regenerated and ebullient. Ade will be 70 in September, but retains the dimples, grace and infectious humor that recalls at moments Cary Grant, Charlie Chaplin, Cab Calloway, Louis Jordan and Chuck Berry. He sings rather complicated story-songs casually, usually with support from two sidemen who contribute pantomime to the narratives (incomprehensible unless one speaks a West African language). He strapped on his Fender guitar for only one song, adding an spicy wham! to his figures. He moved from his hips, his knees, his ankles, precisely but self-deprecatingly.

Meanwhile, the Afro-Beats tore it up, a terrific though un-announced electric guitarist reeling off skeins of single note lines that suggested he was familiar with Buddy Guy as well as Jerry Garcia and Jeff Beck, an electric keyboards player who didnt offer predictable runs when he could build surprising improvisations, and a traps drummer pounding rhythms that defined the tunes long themes and releases. The entirety was founded on urgent talking drum parts  those seated musicians started hot and never slowed down. Oh, there were two bodacious women dancers, too, shimmying in golden dresses.

In how many American cities does Sunny Ades audience, unbidden, sing along in Yoruba? How does an age-and-ethnicity-mixed mob of Chicagoans even know the material of a group that hasnt visited in decades, and gets scant-to-no radio play? We cant do much about intransigent Republican governor Rauner, hapless and unpopular Rahm Emanuel, hand-gun fueled gang wars taking a toll on innocent bystanders, but we can gather to hear music that brings everyone together and makes us happy.

Tomorrow (July 21): The Heritage Blues Orchestra, with my friend Junior Mack singing and playing guitar, and Toshi Reagon, free, starts at 6:30 pm. Thursday and Friday, July 22 and 23: Marin Alsop conducts the Grant Park Orchestra in Dvoraks New World Symphony, and violinist Regina Carter performs Duke Ellingtons orchestral works; next week (Tuesday, July 26), saxophonist Caroline Davis and pianist Rob Clearfieldss quartet at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 5:30 to 8 pm (free only to Illinois residents). More to come!

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But enough about the Met, for the time being at least. Lets let a little dust settle there. Can we talk about art for a day?

Specifically, I want to commend the Bowdoin College Museum of Art for its current exhibition, This Is a Portrait If I Say So: Identity in American Art, 1912 to Today, which Ive reviewed in tomorrows Wall Street Journal. It is billed as more than 60 abstract, symbolic, and conceptual portraits across a wide range of mediareexamining over a century of portraiture and inspiring new ways to see ourselves and others. The exhibition may be introduced with splashy red walls, but the labelsmany of those for individual works run to more than 200 wordsuse words like non-mimetic. This is not for low-brows.

Given the push for crowd-pleasing exhibitions these days, it was a gutsy show to present. True, college museums are in better position to resist the pressure to present dumbed-down shows, but they are not immune to trends.

It was also a bit risky because, as I write in my review, much of the art in the show is not visually attractive, though it may be interesting. The intellectual content of some works is high, while others are humorous and some are even (to me) pranks. They employ symbols, everyday objects, typography andlater in the showa lot of technology. Many, as Anne Goodyear, the co-curator who is also co-director of the Bowdoin Museum, told me, are friendly representations, or teasing onesdone in the spirit of fun and friendship.

The roster of artists in the show is impressive. They include Duchamp, Man Ray, Picabia. Eleanor Antin, OKeeffe, Dine, Yoko Ono, Ross Bleckner, Roni Hornthe list goes on.

Specifically, you can see Marden Hartleys Portrait of his German lover, Karl von Freyburg, and Antins Carolee Schneemann, which consists of jar of honey, a velvet-draped easel and a full-length mirror, and Rirkrit Tiravanijas Untitled 2008-2011 (the Map of the Land of Feeling I-III), a set of three mixed media scrolls that capture his movements around the world via his passport pages. Tom Friedmans Untitled looks like an abstract color field paintinghorizontal stripesbut is actually a rearrangement of the pixels in a digital portrait of himself. With nothing conventionally identifiable, the work mysteriously seems to be the opposite of a portrait. And is OKeeffes Green-Grey Abstraction (right) a portrait, and of whom?

There is a problem for the casual visitor: To assess the success of some works, you have to know something about them and art-world networks. Or you have to be willing to learn. To get the most of out this exhibition, you have to work a little. But you will learn.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Bowdoin College Museum of Art
by Melani Manel Perera

The Archdiocese of Colombo calls for broad partition in mass rally on 30 July. Drug abuse is rapidly increasing even among Catholic students. The island nation has about 45,000 heroin users as well as 200,000 cannabis users. It is a transit point for drug trafficking originating in India.

Colombo (AsiaNews)  Drug abuse among young people is becoming a major problem in Sri Lanka.

The local Catholic Church is planning a protest march for 30 July against drug use in the countrys schools. Even those run by the Catholic Church are not immune.

Card Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo, said that Catholics "must make their voices heard" and appealed to institutions, politicians, educators and religious leaders to fight drug abuse among young people.

According to the National Dangerous Drugs and Devices Control Board, there are about 45,000 heroin users and 200,000 cannabis users in the country. Between 1,000 and 2,000 people become drug addicts each year.

Anti-drug trafficking organisations also noted that Sri Lanka has become a transit point for drugs from India.

Last week four people, including three Sri Lankans, were arrested at Ramanathapuram railway station, near Rameswaram (in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu), with two kilograms of heroin.

Fr Neville Bernard, principal at the Vidayalaya Basilica school in Ragama, outside Colombo, said that he caught several pupils using heroin and marijuana at his school.

The headmaster explained that it is extremely "easy to peddle drugs at the school, even among girls. The traffickers use them to carry drugs into the classrooms, hidden in their shoes. School authorities must be ever more watchful.

Fifteen students were caught taking drugs and were sent to a rehabilitation programme. "Together with the police, we organised a campaign to raise awareness about drugs (and their bad effects), but the problem among students persists, the clergyman explained.

The archbishop of Colombo also noted that many students were caught with drugs from Kerala. For this reason, he invited all 39 parishes in his archdiocese to join the protest march.
by Mathias Hariyadi

The Islamic leader killed in shootout with police. Known by the nom de guerre of Abu Wardah, he was the leader of East Indonesian Mujahidin (MIT). He was the first Indonesian Mujahideen to swear allegiance to the Islamic State. Satisfaction among police, soldiers and press for success.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  The terrorist Santoso, better known as Abu Wardah, has been killed in a shootout with security forces in the Indonesian jungle of Central Sulawesi. He was the leader of East Indonesian Mujahidin (MIT), an extremist cell affiliated to the Islamic State ( IS). senior minister for political, legal and security affairs Gen. (ret.) Luhut B. Panjaitan after a hectic day of rumors about his death. "Yes, it's Santoso" said the minister yesterday during a press conference in Jakarta.

The Islamic extremist leader was killed in the operation Tinombala, according to police sources, which will continue until "every seed of extremism is eradicated " in Poso. Currently there are still 19 men and women at large. "Now - said the Minister Panjaitan  operations will focus on the capture of Basri and his gang."

DNA forensic tests have yet to be carried out for the identification of Indonesias most wanted man.

For the Indonesian security forces it is one of the biggest successes in the context of the anti-terrorism fight. During the press conference breaking the news policemen, soldiers and journalists have repeatedly greeted the death of the extremist, shouting "Praise be to God".

Santoso or known by his nom de guerre Abu Wardah was the chief of East Indonesia Mujahidin (MIT) and claimed to have direct contact with IS leaders. His name is related with series of bloodshed and violence that has claimed the lives of civilians, police officers and other public facilities.

His terror attacks frequently struck Poso following a peace agreement signed in 2002 to end a violent conflict between radical Muslims and radical Christians that left thousands of lives from both sides. He also struck in Solo (Central Java), Bogor and Depok (West Java) and Tambora in West Jakarta.

His name emerged for the first time in May 2011, as part of an assault on a bank in Palu, capital of Central Sulawesi, which killed several police officers. The following year the Islamic religious leader Yasin appointed him head of the local branch of Jamaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT), the Islamic extremist movement founded by Abu Bakar Baasyir. In 2014, he was the first of the Indonesian Mujahideen to swear allegiance to Daesh [Arabic acronym for the IS].

Now public attention has focused on the consequences of the military operation and if they are really effective in the fight against the spread of Islamic extremism in Indonesia. Rudy Sufahriad, head of the Central Sulawesi police, "the terrorist groups will continue their operations and spread their radical ideology." In this context, he adds, the campaign against Islamic fundamentalism must continue.

Doubts remain over the death of Basri, number two at MIT. If his death is confirmed, says the police officer, the leadership of the radical movement - which counts among its members also Chinese of Uyghur ethnicity - will go to Ali Kaliora, another leading member of radicalism in Indonesia.
by Shafique Khokhar

The play was performed by Ajoka actors, one of Pakistan's most famous companies. The social arm of the Church wants to effect a profound change in society and involve the various communities. The theater group fighting conservative mentality.

Lahore (AsiaNews) - Caritas Lahore has organized a play on peace and social change in partnership with the Ajoka actors, one of the most famous theater companies in the country. The show was staged on July 13 at the Renewal Centre of Youhanabad, and was applauded by hundreds of people, lay and religious, eager to spread a message of peace and harmony. The Archbishop of Lahore Msgr. Sebastian Shaw says: "We were sent to earth to spread the Gospel message of love and peace. We must accept this challenge in a historical moment in which hatred and extremism are driven by a negative mindset. Our sole mission is to continue to promote peace at all costs.

The Archbishop was overjoyed with the play and admits that "we must all learn to be together. It is time to forget our enmity and shake hands. " Caritas also hopes that the initiative will be repeated in the years to come.

The actors of the Ajoka theater represented scenes of love, peace, coexistence and social harmony. Sohail Waraich, of the theaters Executive Board, says that the company "is fighting to raise awareness of issues affecting the various communities. Every Pakistani should participate in similar events, because bringing people together is the only way to fight a conservative mentality. "

The initiative is even more significance in the light of last years attacks on the Christian quarter of Youhanabad, on the outskirts of Lahore, which targeted two churches, St. John (Catholic), and Christ Church (Protestant) .

Fr. Joseph Shahzad, Executive Secretary of Caritas Lahore, thanked all the participants. Amjad Gulzar, national director of Caritas Pakistan, said that the social arm of the Church "wants to effect a profound social change. We believe that Christ's message is a message of love and peace, and for this we fight against all forms of discrimination. We have already launched several initiatives in the past and I can assure that we will continue our efforts in bringing happiness and prosperity among the population. "(SK)
by Nina Achmatova

A few days before the anniversary of the Baptism of Rus, Moscow Patriarchate officials sound the alarm against paganism among athletes and soldiers. Going back on Christianity is a step towards self-destruction.

Moscow (AsiaNews)  As the anniversary of the Baptism of Rus approaches, Russian Orthodox Church officials warn against the growing popularity of neo-pagan groups, which they describe as a "direct challenge" to the Church.

At a recent press conference, Vakhtang Kipshidze, deputy chief of the Department for Church relations with society and the media of the Moscow Patriarchate, said that the people of Rus left pagan practice after the baptism. Unfortunately today there is a movement that shows interest in the pagan past, and some organisations are trying to reincarnate this quasi-religion.

"Baptism, for us, was a historic choice and an irrevocable fact, he stressed. Attempts to revise it, even citing pagan apologetic arguments, are based on an invention of the pagan representation of reality."

According to Kipshidze, to go back on the civilisational choice made by the baptiser of Rus "is a step towards self-destruction."

Russian Orthodox believers mark the anniversary of Christianitys adoption in Rus, also known as the Baptism of Rus, on the day that Grand Prince Vladimir was baptised  15 July according to the Julian calendar, and 28 July, according to the Gregorian calendar  in the year 988.

Last winter, Vladimir Legoyda, head of the Department for Church relations with society and the media, complained about the rising popularity of neo-paganism in Russia.

"We are witnessing the growth of neo-pagan sentiments among young people; first of all, among athletes, and then in the Armed Forces and the Special Forces, which is doubly unpleasant," Legoyda said.

For him, this is a "direct challenge" to the Church over the coming future.

What is more, "It seems to me that this problem will only get worse, he lamented, and that It should not be underestimated".

It is such a concern that led to the recent creation of the Patriarchal Commission for Physical Education and Sport.
Francis will arrive by tram, along with a group of disabled people. He will visit Auschwitz, in silence, and Father Kolbes cell. "There are no particular concerns regarding security" and "no groups have withdrawn over security concerns".

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  An estimated 1.5 to 1.8 million young people taking part in World Youth Day in Krakow, July 28 to 31. The young people will be accompanied by 800 bishops and 70 cardinals. These are just some of the data revealed by Father Federico Lombardi, Holy See Press Office director, in a briefing ahead of Pope Francis journey to Poland for the 31st World Youth Day.

In a video message released yesterday, the Pope said he hopes that the journey towards World Youth Day is "a pilgrimage of faith and brotherhood" and that the Day is "a mosaic of different faces, so many races, languages, peoples and cultures, but all united in the name of Jesus who is the face of Mercy".

The WYD in Poland, said Father Lombardi, will be the first trip of Jorge Mario Bergoglio to the homeland of John Paul II who, as Pope, he returned nine times to Poland, seven of which with stops in Krakow, while Benedict XVI visited the land of his "venerated" predecessor in 2006, and his visit to the concentration camp of Auschwitz, which Francis will also visit, that had a "special meaning" for the German Joseph Ratzinger.

Francis will travel to the concentration camp on July 29. "On that day exactly 75 years ago - said Father Lombardi - Father Maximilian Kolbe" was sentenced to death. The Pope will visit, the priests cell alone. It was the Pope himself who said on the return trip from the last flight, to Armenia: "I want go to that place of horror no speeches, no people, only the necessary few... But there will surely be journalists! But no greeting this person, this person ... No, no. alone, I come, I pray ... And may the Lord give me the grace to cry".

On leaving the cell of St. Maximilian Kolbe, Francis will sign the book of honor, "these will probably be the only words the Pope will say at Auschwitz", where he will meet ten survivors of the concentration camp. At 10.30, Francis will go to the nearby camp of Birkenau, three kilometers away, where, in the presence of a thousand guests, he will pass in front of the commemorative plaques in different languages, he will light a candle, "and will meet 25 Just among Nations" . Here a rabbi will sing Psalm 130 in Hebrew, the "De Profundis", which will then be read in Polish by a pastor of a town where a Catholic family lived, a family "that was exterminated, everyone, including children, for harboring Jews, and for whom a cause for beatification has been initiated ". The visit to the camp will last about two hours.

The visit to the concentration camp will be one of the events outside of the WYD trip to Poland, where Francis will arrive - in Krakow - on the afternoon of July 27. There will be meetings with President of the Republic, the authorities and the Polish bishops. Father Lombardi noted that this last meeting "will neither be broadcast, nor will any discourse be published. The meeting will take place behind closed doors "in dialogue and confidentiality", with "an atmosphere of familiarity, openness and ease to all participants: not that there are secrets to hide but to underline the total familiarity and informality of the meeting" .

The next day, in the morning, the Pope will travel to the shrine of Czestochowa, where he will celebrate Mass on the 105th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland.

Francis will arrive in the afternoon at 17.30 in Krakow's Blonie Park to greet" the young people. To get there, the Pope will wait for a tram with the mayor of Krakow, accompanied by a group of young people with disabilities.

Among the highlights the testimony of a young Syrian from Aleppo during the prayer vigil presided by the Pope on Saturday 30 July.

Currently there are 335 thousand people registered, but usually more turn up who have not been registered, explained the spokesman of the Polish Church, Father Pavel Rytel-Andrianik:" The organization expects 1.5 and 1.8 million young people to come to the meetings with the Holy Father". The largest numbers, in descending order, are from Poland, Italy, France, Spain, USA, Germany, France, Ukraine, Portugal. And for the first time since the Second Vatican Council 800 bishops and 70 cardinals will be gathered in the same place".

Responding to a question, Father Lombardi said that "there are particular concerns in Poland with regard to security. Poland, he added, "has recently hosted a NATO summit that took place in complete calm" and "no groups have withdrawn over security concerns." "There is an atmosphere of normality and tranquility".
Fearing that their island city is going to the dogs, close to half of Hong Kong residents interview in a recent survey are looking to move.

And Canada is their top pick to start a new a life.

Some 42 percent of Hong Kong residents want to leave, a survey by independent think tank Civic Exchange showed in June. This compares with 20 percent wanting to leave neighboring Singapore.

Seventy percent of 1,500 people surveyed said Hong Kong had become "worse" or "much worse" to live in, with the biggest concerns housing, the "quality of government" and education, the Thompson-Reuters Foundation reported.

The number of Hong Kong people emigrating to Canada almost doubled in the first quarter of this year compared with the same period last year, and the number moving permanently to Taiwan rose 36 percent over a similar time frame, data shows.

The most recent data from the United States is from 2014 and flat. Emigration to the UK has declined, but the minimum amount for those seeking to qualify for residency as investors there has also doubled to 2 million pounds ($2.64 million).

Australia doesn't provide data for Hong Kong but aggregate figures for emigrants from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau and Mongolia rose slightly last year.

The diminishing confidence in Hong Kong's future follows the "Occupy Central" protests in late 2014 demanding Beijing grant Hong Kong full democracy.

"After Occupy, (Hong Kong people) started to be nervous about the future," said Andrew Lo, a director of Anlex Services Limited, which handles Taiwan immigration cases, according to reports in Hong Kong.

Mary Chan, of immigration experts Rothe International Canada, said the immigration process typically takes one to two years. "Which is why the numbers are only increasing now," she said.

The disappearances of five Hong Kong booksellers who specialized in gossipy political books about Chinese leaders, some of whom were believed to have been abducted by Chinese agents, has also eroded broader confidence in the "one country, two systems" formula under which the former British colony returned to China in 1997.

One of the booksellers who returned to Hong Kong told media he may emigrate to Taiwan because he no longer feels safe in the city.

"Young people were more upset about the government two years ago but the sense of dissatisfaction actually cuts across ages now," said Professor Michael DeGolyer, who co-led the study.

The Mainland Affairs Council in Taiwan, a self-ruled island China considers a breakaway province, said it expected the increase in Hong Kong immigrants to continue.

"Taiwan is an open, pluralistic and liberal democracy. The people are very friendly. Housing prices and consumer prices are relatively cheap, while entrepreneurial opportunities and the similar cultures of Hong Kong and Taiwan are all factors for Hong Kong residents to consider coming to Taiwan," it said.

Hong Kong's immigration department declined to comment on the survey. The Security Bureau declined to answer questions about whether the Hong Kong government was concerned about emigration or believed it was due to political concerns.

It provided its own emigration estimates based on the number of requests it had received for certificates of no criminal conviction. Those figures showed a slight increase last year but were below where they were a decade ago.

When activists began setting fire to trash bins and hurling bricks at police during a February riot in Hong Kong, Chris Lee became more convinced his decision to leave his siblings and mother behind and move to Taiwan was the right one.

Hong Kong, long known as one of the safest and most law-abiding cities in Asia, has become increasingly polarized with occasional violent protests, fueled in part by tensions with Communist Party leaders in Beijing over the Chinese-ruled city's democratic future.

"It's not just the politics that are messed up," said Lee, who moved to Taiwan in March and opened a restaurant. "It is also the people who have become irrational and fickle that drove me to leave."

Independent public policy think tank Civic Exchange study also measured wellbeing in terms of how quality of life is perceived in three major Asian cities: Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. The survey interviewed over 1,500 people in each city. The report includes respondents reactions to issues such as the environment, housing, education, government and transportation. The study aims to gauge and compare wellbeing across Asian cities with a goal of identifying issues and policy gaps that will generate engagement with governments, academics, NGOs and the broader public in the quest to shape public policy.

Highlights of the findings include:

In general, Hong Kong respondents are significantly more dissatisfied than their counterparts in Shanghai and Singapore.

In terms of life-satisfaction level, Shanghai ranks first (score: 7.4 out of 10), Singapore ranks second (7.1) and Hong Kong is a distant third (5.8)

70% of Hong Kong respondents think Hong Kong has become worse since they started living there. This percentage gets higher with younger respondents.

66% of Hong Kong respondents think Hong Kong is not a good place for children to grow up in, vs. 16% and 13% in Shanghai and Singapore, respectively.

A lot more people worry about poverty in Hong Kong than they do in Singapore or Shanghai.

42% of Hong Kong respondents would move away from Hong Kong if they were free to choose, vs. 17% in Shanghai and 20% in Singapore.
By Victor Ing,

Special to The Post

I am often approached by people who wish to extend their stay in Canada as visitors, workers or students and have questions about their immigration status that are about to expire.

These temporary residents are generally aware that it is their responsibility to maintain their immigration status in Canada and they know that they must file an application to remain in Canada before the expiry of their current work or study permit or visitor status in order to do that.

Many people, however, are unclear about what happens next or what they are allowed to do after they have filed an application to extend their stay because they no longer have a valid immigration document that tells them what their status is in Canada and what their rights are.

Temporary residents who apply to extend their stay in Canada before the expiry of their respective visitor status or work and study permits have implied status in Canada.

Implied status simply means that the visitor, worker or student continues to maintain their legal immigration status in Canada until a decision is made on their application to extend their stay. This allows the applicant to legally reside in Canada even though his or her permit has expired, regardless of how long it takes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to process their application.

Implied status is granted by operation of Canadas immigration laws. This means that IRCC will not send you a document that confirms you have implied status, nor tell you what you can or cannot do while under implied status.

Generally, the only way to show you benefit from implied status in Canada is to keep a filed copy of your application, along with proof that it has been delivered to the appropriate immigration office.

This lack of documentation can be concerning for applicants as well as their Canadian employers or the academic institutions where they study. It is therefore important to understand exactly what you can or cannot do while under implied status.

Immigration savvy applicants will know that persons under implied status can continue to visit, work or study, as applicable, under the same conditions as their expired visitor record or permits until a decision is made on their application to extend their stay in Canada. However, it may not be common knowledge what happens if the same person leaves Canada while under implied status.

Implied status continues to exist even if the person benefiting from it departs Canada. Therefore, they continue to have legal immigration status when they re-enter Canada without having to make a new application to enter the country.

However, if a person departs Canada and later returns under implied status, they can no longer work or study under the same conditions of their expired work or study permits.

For this reason, unless absolutely necessary it is generally advisable to avoid travelling outside Canada while under implied status.

In cases where international travel is unavoidable, make sure that you have a multiple-entry visa to come back to Canada or confirm that you do not need a visa to re-enter Canada. You should also prepare in advance and take the necessary steps, if possible, to make a new application for a work or study permit at the Canadian port of entry. This is often the case, for example, for foreign workers in Canada whose job duties require them to attend business trips outside Canada from time to time but need the ability to resume work immediately for their Canadian employer at the end of the trip.

There is another developing concern for those who are relying on having implied status in Canada. Immigration applications, including those to extend temporary resident status in Canada, are routinely rejected for processing by IRCC because it was found to be incomplete  a form may not have been signed or the appropriate immigration application fees were not paid, just to name a few examples.

In this case, IRCC takes the position that an extension application was never made, which means that the applicant never benefited from implied status.

The result is that the applicants temporary resident status will have expired on the same day as their original visitor status or work or study permit validity date.

There have been conflicting decisions from Canadas Federal Court as to whether IRCCs position is correct, and this continues to be a live issue for debate.

With current processing times of three or more months for extension applications in Canada, many people are relying on having implied status in Canada as proof of their legal immigration status.

It is important that applicants make timely and complete applications to extend their stay in Canada before the expiry of their current visitor status and work or study permits, but it is equally important for these applicants to know what they are allowed to do while under implied status in Canada.

Victor Ing is a lawyer of Sas & Ing Immigration Law Centre. He provides a full range of immigration services.

For more information go to www.canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email victor@canadian-visa-lawyer.com.
Jasmine was almost 40 when she and her husband decided to try for a sibling for their five-year-old daughter Chan. She began to get concerned when, after a few months, nothing happened. She finally convinced her family physician to refer her to a fertility specialist. My doctor wanted me to wait but I felt this huge sense of urgency. At my age I knew time was of the essence.

Over the course of the next two years, Jasmine experienced two miscarriages and one failed in vitro fertilization or IVF. (IVF is a procedure in which egg and sperm are combined in the laboratory to form embryos. The resulting embryos are transferred back into the womans uterus).

The emotional toll this takes can be brutal, said Jasmine. One thing you desperately need during your fertility journey is a fertility doctor who really understands what you are going through and treats you as partner in the process.

With all the breakthroughs in fertility treatment, we can help most women achieve a pregnancy, depending on age, says Dr Gary Nakhuda, a reproductive specialist and medical director at Olive Fertility Centre. There are so many more tools in our tool kit for treating infertility especially with IVF.

Until recently fertility experts were only been able to judge the health of an embryo by its appearance. While were able to get good success rates with this approach, in some cases embryos that look normal dont result in a successful pregnancy. This can be because the embryo isnt chromosomally normal. explains Dr Nakhuda.

If an embryo has too few or too many chromosomes (a condition known as aneuploidy) the embryo will either never implant in the uterus, or result in a miscarriage or a baby with conditions such as Down syndrome.

A new test called Comprehensive Chromosomal Screening (CCS) is allowing fertility specialists to determine with much greater accuracy which embryos in IVF have the normal number of chromosomes and are the most likely to result in a successful pregnancy.

Studies have shown that IVF with CCS can achieve

 Pregnancy rates as high as 70%

 Miscarriage rate as low as 10%.

 A very low risk of chromosomal problems such as Down's syndrome (diagnostic accuracy of CCS is about 99%

Olive Fertility: Mitochondrial DNA Qualification

To further improve on the results of CCS, Olive Fertility is pioneering another technique for screening embryos with mitochondrial DNA quantification.

It appears that around a third of embryos with the correct number of chromosomes still fail to lead to a successful pregnancy. Recent studies have shown that embryos with a higher concentration of mitochondrial DNA have a reduced chance of implantation. Mitochondria are the energy producing engines within our cells, but surprisingly, an abundance of mitochondria appears to be associated with lower implantation potential.

A study from the University of Oxford, which was recently presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in Helsinki, suggested that screening embryos for their levels of mitochondrial DNA could help doctors select those that are most likely to result in a healthy pregnancy.

Olive Fertility Clinic, with offices in Vancouver and Surrey, has been using this screening technique, along with CCS, for a number of months and seeing success rates of over 70% per transfer.

We are very proud of our lab and our science and are totally committed to using any evidence based techniques that will increase the chances of a pregnancy and healthy baby, said Dr Nakhuda, a physician at Olive Fertility.

Jasmine had eight eggs retrieved and one of the healthy embryos was transferred into her uterus after fertilization (the other embryos can remain frozen for future pregnancies if desired.)

I found out shortly after that I was pregnant. At our ultrasound, we saw one sac and a little heartbeat. At our second ultrasound 2 weeks later, we saw the baby moving. Our miracle baby boy was born 8 months later!

The main advice that Jasmine would give women who are trying to start or add to their family is dont wait too long, as it gets more difficult with age.

And if you are having fertility issues, look around until you find a fertility specialist that you really feel comfortable with. Look for someone who is knowledgeable, empathetic, and focused on being part of your team. There are so many more options for treatment these days.

As more and more women are delaying starting a family until their thirties and even forties, the rate of infertility is rising. Many women dont realize that their fertility peaks in the mid-twenties and drops off sharply after 35: a healthy woman at age 30 has about a 20% chance per month of conceiving. By the time she reaches 40, her chances drop to about 5% per month.

Frequently women and even MDs dont know that a woman over 35 and her partner should have a full fertility workup if they havent conceived after six months of unprotected intercourse, said Dr. Nakhuda.

The biological clock starts ticking much more quickly at this age. So the sooner a problem is diagnosed, the more quickly the treatment can start.

Fertility evaluation and testing is covered by MSP in British Columbia with a referral from a family physician or a walk in clinic.

Olive Fertility Centre is of Canadas largest fertility clinics, offering an advanced IVF lab, personal care teams and innovative programs that include the EmbryoScope, comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS), egg freezing, and prenatal NIPT testing.

For more information go to www.olivefertility.com.

WHAT DOES CCS INVOLVE?

With CCS, an egg is fertilized in the laboratory and the embryo is grown for 5 days at which point 5-10 cells are taken from the part of the embryo that will form the placenta (thus leaving the cells that are destined to become the fetus untouched).

The embryo is then frozen and the biopsied cells are sent to a specialized laboratory for testing. The results usually return in 10-14 days identifying which embryos are chromosomally normal. A healthy embryo can be transferred in the next menstrual cycle.
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By Luke Smillie, Senior Lecturer in Psychology (Personality Psychology), University of Melbourne

Flickr/Elisa Banfi, CC BY-NC-ND

It is generally thought that science helps good ideas triumph over bad. The weight of evidence eventually pushes false claims aside.

But some ideas march onward despite the evidence against them. The discredited link between vaccines and autism continues to cause mischief and climate change sceptics continue to resurrect dead science.

Why, then, are some bad ideas so hard to kill?

A striking example of such a zombie theory comes from personality psychology. Personality psychologists study human individuality  how and why individuals differ in their patterns of behaviour and experience, and how those differences influence our lives.

For almost 50 years, an idea with a vexing immunity to evidence has needled this field. This idea is called situationism.

Is personality an illusion?

Introduced in the 1960s by American psychologist Walter Mischel, situationism is the idea is that human behaviour results only from the situation in which it occurs and not from the personality of the individual.

In his 1968 book Personality and Assessment, Mischel claimed that the whole concept of personality is untenable because people behave differently in different situations.

If there are no consistent patterns in our behaviour and we merely react, chameleon-like, to different contexts, then our sense of an enduring personality is illusory. With that bombshell, the person-situation debate erupted.

Situations versus personality

The notion that situations influence behaviour is patently true. Could we even imagine a world in which people did not adjust their behaviour to different contexts  from job interviews to romantic dinners?

Personality psychologists have shown time and again that the demands of situations shape and guide our behaviour. As one of the founders of personality psychology, Gordon Allport, observed in the 1930s:

We all know that individuals may be courteous, kind and generous in company or in business relations, and at the same time be rude, cruel and selfish at home.

But does this flexibility mean there is no consistency in behaviour, rendering the whole notion of personality untenable? Is there no tendency in some individuals to be consistently more courteous than others?

Here the empirical record disagrees. There is significant consistency of behavioural differences between people, both over time and across situations. These tendencies are well captured by measures of personality, as study after study has shown. This tells us that stable differences in personality are real and observable  they are not illusions.

As for the importance of personality, the evidence shows that personality traits are reliable predictors of many important life outcomes, from social behaviour to job performance, from educational achievement to health and well-being.

A case of consistency: the marshmallow study

Ironically, a particularly famous example of the stability and power of personality came from Mischels own research, which, as one report points out, drives him crazy.

In the marshmallow study, Mischel measured young childrens willpower by timing how long they could resist the temptation of a delicious treat. This simple test, it turns out, is a measure of the personality trait called conscientiousness. It also predicts the same outcomes later in life that conscientiousness does, including higher educational achievement and lower drug use. The facts that have emerged from this research are simply incompatible with situationism.





Laying situationism to rest

Even before it was disproven by the evidence, Mischels theory of situationism contained a logical non sequitur. Specifically, it assumed that a persons behaviour can only be 100% consistent or else inconsistent  in which case there is no such thing as personality.

But why should the observation of changeable behaviour imply the absence of personality? By this reasoning, we should dismiss the whole notion of climate because weather is changeable.

By the 1990s, most personality psychologists considered situationism a dead duck. A prominent review of the literature concluded that the debate had, at last, fizzled out. The field was moving on and looking forward.

But the theory didnt die.

Back from the dead

Time and again, the spectre of situationism has reappeared, causing a groaning sense of deja vu for personality psychologists.

The theory has even spread beyond psychology, with a prominent behavioural economist recently claiming that Mischels great contribution to psychology was to show that there is no such thing as a stable personality trait.

Despite being buried by decades of research, situationism keeps kicking. According to one commentator, it has morphed into something beyond the veracity of its arguments. It has become an ideology.

In June this year, Mischel wheeled out situationism once again, this time on an episode of the NPR Invisibilia podcast titled The Personality Myth. Once again, were told ultimately its the situation, not the person, that determines things.

This baseless message drew sharp criticism on social media by several eminent personality psychologists.

As one observed:

[] the contemporary research literature showing that personality traits exist, tend to be stable over time, and influence important life outcomes is never mentioned.

What gives life to bad ideas?

Why is situationism still being revived after decades of refutation? We suspect this can be explained by at least two factors.

The first is our all-too-human preference for lazy thinking. As Daniel Kahneman explains in Thinking Fast and Slow:

When faced with a difficult question, we often answer an easier one instead, usually without noticing the substitution.

In this case, the tricky question, can our patterns of behaviour be generally stable yet highly changeable?, is switched for a no-brainer, is our behaviour perfectly consistent, or not?

The second explanation may lie in the appeal of a surprising story. Some of the most alluring ideas in science  and to scientists  are those we find unexpected or counter-intuitive. And what could be more counter-intuitive than the thought that there may be nothing at all that makes you you?

The situationist idea that personality is an illusion is an arresting one, but it is false.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond the academic appointment above.

Originally published in The Conversation.
By about the second thread this person posted I knew that he was going to keep posting until he got an answer from DIBP directly saying 'hey man don't stress got your grant right here' or something

I hoped my answer in his last post of 'nobody can tell you the answer' would have been good enough but
You can work in any occupation. To apply for a 887 visa, you simply need to show that you've worked at least 35 hours for 52 weeks while holding your 489 visa (in a regional area).



Self employment is fine as long as you can satisfy DIBP that you met the working criteria. This would likely require you to provide invoices, etc. indicating the client, your work hours, fees, etc. If you're going to simply live off the proceeds of your personal currency trading, I doubt that would qualify but I'd speak with a migration agent.
Next-gen Q5 borrows styling cues from the Q7; expected to debut later this year.

Audi has imported the next-gen Q5 in India as the automaker continues to test its upcoming SUV prior to its global reveal later this year. India is a part of Audis international testing hubs and the automaker imports most of its cars to test in the country prior to revealing the model internationally.

The next-gen Q5 is based on Audis MLB platform that also underpins the Q7. The new lighter architecture means that the model will weigh less than its predecessor with sources saying that it could be lighter by up to 100kg depending on the variants.

Under the hood, the next-gen Q5 will borrow the four-cylinder and six-cylinder diesel and petrol motors from the new A4 paired to a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. Power will be channelled to the front and all-four wheels as per the variant in question. Audi also plans a hotter variant developed jointly with the Quattro division powered by a twin-turbo V6 petrol motor with over 500hp.

The spy pictures show that the SUV borrows much of its styling cues from the larger Q7 such as the prominent front grille and angular headlamps though the SUV here receives a new LED DRL detailing. Inside the cabin, the interiors are expected to draw heavily from the new A4 with common tech such as Audis Virtual Cockpit System and MMI system.

Audi will likely launch the new Q5 sometime next year following the models launch in international markets. The automaker also has plans to build the SUV in markets outside Germany with the Q5 to be the first model to be produced at the companys new plant in Mexico. The automaker also plans to build the models in China and India.
TDI

AWD

SUV

FWD

At the beginning of the video, the Kodiaq can be seen being escorted by a Skoda Octavia Combi . Just as the test vehicle makes a left turn onto the main road, we catch a few notes of the engine, which we're convinced is the 2.0From the briskness of the acceleration and the driver having both hands on top of the steering wheel, we'd say this is the 190 PS model matched with a DSG gearbox andEarlier this month, Skoda let people have a go at driving a testwith a new 2.0 TSI turbo engine making 180 PS. Some even interpreted it as being the flagship mill, but the Czech automaker just wants to let you know it's given up on the 1.8 TSI engine it currently uses, at least for this project.Other powertrains for this 4.7-meter off-roader will include the 1.4 TSI with 125 or 150 PS, plus the 2.0 TDI 150 PS. That one, withand a manual, could be the most popular choice with customers in Europe. But Skoda also has the Chinese to think about.The Kodiaq isn't only about being frugal or capable off-road. This is likely to become the most technologically advanced Skoda to date, though by the slimmest of margins. Android Auto, Car Play, MirrorLink and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot will ensure there are plenty of things to keep the kids busy on longer trips.In addition to the Simply Clever features we have grown accustomed to, the Kodiaq may also introduce the sliding rear seats from the new Volkswagen Tiguan . However, despite the Nurburgring testing sessions, there isn't going to be a hot version.
It would appear so. If you're going to steal cars, a little knowledge on the subject won't hurt. It's true that the chances of running into a modern car with a manual transmission in the US are extremely slim, but you can't rely only on your luck. Or, you can, but the results can be rather catastrophic.The young man's name is Ladell T. Cox, aged 23. He was loitering around the parking lot of Credit Union 1 when he spotted a man approaching his car. The owner was returning to the vehicle after making a payment on that very car to a dealership nearby. Ladell first asked for some money, but that turned out to be just a ruse.You'd think "smart kid." He's buying himself some time to assess the situation and plan his next move. He asked for the money just to have a better look at his target and evaluate his chances of success. Wrong. Had he done that, he would have spotted the big gear shifter in between the two seats and realized there was no way he could leave with that car.Instead, the Chicago Tribune says he pulled out a gun and demanded the car keys. When the owner handed them over, he realized the car had one extra pedal, one he had no idea what to do with. So he demanded the owner drove him to his destination. You know, just like Uber, only the payment is you don't get a bullet in the head. Which sure beats a few measly dollars.But what he did next is what made us call him not just "stupid," but "very stupid." He gave the owner the keys before he got into the car himself, so the man drove off with the car, leaving Ledell dumbfounded, looking as stupid as he actually was. In the meantime, some witness in a nearby building had already alerted the police, so our man was taken to jail. He was charged with aggravated attempted hijacking
FWD

TDI

There's an abundance of tech reviews out there. However, most are sugar-coating the fact that this luxury vehicle cuts a few corners. And it needs to, even though the development costs are spread throughout the Volkswagen Group.Getting back to the German market configurator , we find that the Q2 is only available with two engines right now. These are the ones Audi expects will be the most popular, of course. The gasoline unit is the familiar 1.4 TFSI that dates back to the launch of the A3 hatch.The major difference, at least in our view, is that Cylinder on Demand is now standard. This feature cuts two of the four cylinders under light loads and helps reduce CO emissions to as little as 119 grams in the case of acar with S tronic.The cheapest Q2 has a 6-speed manual and can be yours for 26,750. Honestly, that's not bad at all, considering what a SEAT Ateca fetches with its basic 1-liter turbo engine.The 1.4-liter of the Q2 is perfect if you want to do some overtaking (0 to 100 km/h takes 8.5 seconds) and aren't too worried about fuel consumption. However, the diesel option is what most folks will go for. The Q2's basic unit is a 1.6with a manual that can be yours for 27,700.But considering the official numbers suggest you'll only be saving a liter of fuel every 100 kilometers, we'd go for the 1.4 TFSI instead for reasons that have to do with our speed addiction.While the base price of the Audi Q2 is reasonable, the same cannot be said if you include some of the desirable options. Without a body kit, the crossover looks like a 30-year-old without makeup: almost good.We'd go for the Q2 design model, as it looks rough and ready, but the S line pack (1,660) is nifty as well.As for the colors, only black and white are standard. However, Vegas Yellow (shown in the gallery) is an excellent way to stand out for just 340.
Yes, we knew this was going to happen for a while, but that doesn't mean it's any easier to digest the fact that this nice-looking Bavarian sedan has front-wheel-drive. We've driven the 2 Series Active Tourer as well as every MINI out there and so we know that's not exactly the end of the world, but BMW was the only brand that still had something special in this segment, and now it's gone. Well, you can always order one with xDrive and it never happened.Luckily(?), we don't have to bother our heads with this as the BMW 1 Series Sedan is only available in China at the moment, so most of us still have the RWD hatchback to enjoy. However, the other two premium German manufacturers offering similar models in this segment have been using the front-wheel-drive architecture from the beginning: we're talking about Mercedes-Benz's CLA-Class and the Audi A3 Sedan.Following the somewhat recent partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Nissan, the latter's luxury division, Infiniti , used the former's MFA (modular front architecture) platform underpinning models such as the A-Class, the GLA-Class, the B-Class or the CLA-Class to build a compact range of its own. Right now, Infiniti only sells the Q30 hatchback and the QX30 crossover, but expanding the lineup with a sedan would make sense since that type of body is preferred to a hatchback in some markets.Anticipating this move, Theophilus Chin imagined what a vehicle like this would look like, and it seems like the answer is "very Mazda-ish." Indeed, this rendering makes the similarities between Infiniti and Mazda's design even more prominent. The Q30 Sedan looks like a more embellished Mazda3 Sedan, with extra creases, some more chrome, and a more aggressive grille. But even though the Mazda isn't a premium vehicle, this comparison should still be considered a compliment. See for yourself.
As of late, Arctic Trucks has worked is magic on the Isuzu D-Max . The company explains on its website that you don't need to be a polar explorer to own an Arctic Truck, our vehicles are just as at home in the wilds of the countryside or in the city.Thats exactly what the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is all about. Be it the countryside or a building site, the Isuzu D-Max is more capable, stronger, and more durable after Arctic Trucks bestowed its know-how upon it.In the United Kingdom, there are three specifications to choose from. The entry-level Extended Cab with the six-speed manual is 30,999. For the Double Cab, customers will pony up 33,499. The top-of-the-rage Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 Double Cab with a five-speed automatic is 34,499, which isnt a lot of money when you think about it. For example, the Toyota Hilux Invincible X Double Cab starts from 35,265 in the UK.Available at Isuzu dealers across the United Kingdom, the D-Max in Arctic Trucks AT35 form is the result of close technical collaboration between two respected off-road and pickup specialists and its been engineered to excel in the most arduous conditions. The 35-inch off-road tires alone make it a pretty good proposition for driving off the beaten path. More than that, the Arctic Trucks AT35 sits 55 mm higher than the standard Isuzu D-Max.But more importantly, the Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 comes as standard with all the bells and whistles you could wish for in such a proficient workhorse. Six speakers for the audio system, iPod, USB, and Bluetooth connectivity, heated and folding mirrors, leather on the steering wheel, full leather upholstery, automatic air conditioning, you name it, this thing has it. A 6.1-inch Pioneer infotainment system is available as an optional extra.Isuzu has teamed up with Mazda for the next-generation D-Max . And yes, that means the next-generation BT-50 will be based on the D-Max.
SUV

We've all gotten used to the "normal" footprint of the Wrangler, so the blue collar incarnation seen here appears to be a massive piece of machinery. In fact, this is what we'd call rightsizing, as the bed seems to be of respectable dimensions.With Jeep CEO Mike Manley having already confirmed this body type, the spyshots we have here only come to reassure us that the also-confirmed boxy styling is there - isn't the boxy game fun?The Grand Cherokee Trackhawk mention in the intro wasn't accidental - just like the factory-blown, this Wrangler derivative could end up challenging FCA's corporate emission targets. That's because, styling-wise, there's only so much that can be done to improve aerodynamics when you're dealing with such an iconic nameplate.Nevertheless, Jeep engineers have plenty of tricks up their sleeves, moves that will ensure the JL Wrangler, be it a pickup truck or not, doesn't become a gas guzzler.While the body-on-frame architecture will be retained, a respectable percentage of aluminum should keep the weight within reasonable limits.Then there are the powerplants. Aside from the Pentastar V6 norm, the next-gen Wrangler will get a turbocharged four-cylinder unit, while the rumor mill talks about diesel and hybrid incarnations of the vehicle.In the transmission department, the standard unit will be a six-speed manual. And if swapping cogs in such a machine seems like too much... work for you, an eight-speed auto that will be found on the list of optional extras should do the trick.Regardless, we'll have plenty of time to bring you fresh info on the matter - with the JL Wrangler expected to debut by mid-2017, the bed-gifted version could also be here next year, as a 2018 model.Offroading abilities? Just look at the wheel-tire combo on this prototype and you'll understand.
A report from Autocar puts it like this: Autocar understands the new F1 development team has been given the goal of making the fastest GT car yet built, as opposed to a super-sports car chasing outright performance.As per the Track22 business plan, McLaren plans to invest 1 billion into research & development through 2022 to launch 15 all-new models or derivates. McLaren Automotive CEO Mike Flewitt declared that a spider version of the 570S is in the works, as are a handful of LT models.Another aspect of the Track22 plan is electrification. According to the manufacturer, a fully electric system is already in the prototype stages for evaluation in a possible future-generation Ultimate Series car . By 2022, the Track22 plan says that at least 50 percent of McLaren cars will feature hybrid technology, following in the footsteps of the hybridized McLaren P1.If another rumor is to be believed, a replacement for the P1 is due in 2023. Then again, McLaren hasnt said anything official about the possibility of seeing a three-seat hyper grand tourer trickle down from the Track22 plan. Autocar may be on to something here, but Id take it all with a pinch of salt.An insider close to McLaren Automotive told Autocar that the result will be the most exquisitely crafted and luxurious road-going McLaren yet made [...] The power-to-weight goal is to eclipse any other car with three seats or more. But at the same time, this will be the most refined McLaren ever sold.Other than three seats and the grand touring character, the future model is expected to use the proven 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8. In this application, the engine could develop more than 700 bhp with no electrical assistance.No, the F1 won't get a successor. Mike Flewitt told Car & Driver : "We loved the F1, but were not going to make another one. So yes, it was a bluff.
AMG

The impact took quite a toll on the hypercar, which lost its left side rear wheel. While the panels on the side of the machine have been affected, most of the damage appears to be at the rear.Notice how the blue carbon that sets the Huayra Pearl apart has been ruined, while the mangled exhaust and hanging wires complete the horror story (lens tip to Instagram user infaustus_vid.da for the pics).The accident took place on Cours Albert 1er, close to the Embassy of the Republic of Congo. In fact, you can check out the map of the area below, with the struck Pagani coming to a stop just a few meters away from the embassy's entrance, which is protected with a gray street fence.It looks like the Pagani was hit from behind but at an angle (zoom in on the map and you'll notice the accident took place in a spot that sees two lanes merging).Back in May, when the velocity beast was introduced , the Italian automaker talked about a one-off built for lavish dealership Refine Marques, but, judging by the plate on the nose of the beast, it has been sold to an Arab customer meanwhile.The rumor mill talks about a drunk driver having hit the Huayra, but we can't confirm this, at least for now.As some of you might expect, the internet hasn't failed to deliver its fair share of ridiculous reactions, from an attempt to introduce the prayforHuayra tag (or something like that) to some keyboard hyena urging people to... save the turbos of the-supplied 6.0-liter V12 heart of the car.Well, while Pagani hasn't issued any official statement on the matter, we expect nothing less of a rebuild for the Huayra Pearl. And with the automaker having recently moved into a new, more generous facility, this should help the one-off return to the road sooner. New pictures of the accident, coming from our reader Steve Cairns, point towards a plot twist, as it seems the Huayra driver lost control of his machine, hitting a parked car. Oh, and let's not forget the cracked windshield questions.
for the two-seater roadster

SUV

As per a report which doesnt cite any official information whatsoever, the peeps at Autoline Daily are pretty certain that the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider will go out of production next year. Please observe the choice of words. Will, not could. However, the American publication fails to explain if this is the Italian automakers decision, their own imagination or something a lot more simple as in the cancellation of the 4C Spider for the U.S. market.Autoline Daily even gives us a number. Sales are very disappointing. So far this year, Alfa has only sold 309 4C Spiders for the American market. Thats only 11 more than the Dodge Viper, the publication tells. The truth of the matter is, the Italian manufacturer has sold 306 units of the 4C and 4C Spider in the U.S. from January 2016 to June 2016, so what are we talking about here? It seems to me that someone didnt read the sales chart properly.More than that, Autoline Daily is pretty confident that the next generation of the Alfa Romeo 4C has been canceled due to poor sales, adding that the productionfor the 4C will end in 2020. Dont know about you, but a could and a maybe wouldve been most appropriate when claiming such things without bringing any solid proof to the table. My rant is over, so lets focus on what the future holds for Alfa Romeo As per the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles 2014 Business Plan Update (published in January 2016; see PDF below), Alfa Romeo will launch a handful of new models through 2020 . The first will be a mid-size utility vehicle (the Stelvio).Then a sedan will follow (the Tipo 961), after which Alfa Romeo is set to debut two utility vehicle. One of those is a compact(Tipo 962). Then the Italian brand will launch the Tipo 963 in Spider and Coupe formats. A hatchback is also in the works, though it is not known if were dealing with a replacement for the compact Giulietta or for the subcompact MiTo.
TDI

Volkswagen is planning a repositioning on the market, and will focus on crossovers and all-wheel-drive instead. However, Hinrich Woebcken, the CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, stated that the German brand will still offer diesel engines if they make sense as a package to the car.It is worth noting that the Volkswagen representative specified that he and his colleagues had accepted the fact that the popularity ofengines in the United States of America will probably never come back to the levels it once reached.While Volkswagen has not submitted an application to the EPA for diesel engines in 2016 model year vehicles, required to sell them in the USA, the German automaker does intend to have diesel engines in its American portfolio in 2017.It is unclear whether Volkswagen will apply for the EPA s approval in 2016, or if it will wait until next year for this step, which will take longer than it normally would because of Volkswagens past actions. Nobody could blame the EPA for being extra careful when testing models from an automaker that has recognized employing a cheating scheme in the past.As Automotive News notes, Volkswagens U.S. range used to have diesel engines for six of its eight nameplates, and the oil burners accounted for over 20% of its sales. Instead of diesels, the German automaker will try to sell more all-wheel drive systems, as well as its newly introduced crossovers.More product launches are planned, and the brand will probably focus on its turbocharged gasoline engines instead of diesels, probably until they add more hybrids on the market. Volkswagen was also the leader of diesel sales in the USA, a situation that appeared in the context of other automakers not introducing diesels on the market because they could not meet the EPAs tough specifications.Now we know why others could not launch diesel engines in the USA, while the Volkswagen Group managed to pass its cars through homologation procedures with flying colors. It was the defeat device, says Captain Obvious.
Two weeks after 9/11, Gil Cygler recounts getting a call that one of his rental trucks was abandoned and had caught on fire on a bridge leading into Manhattan. We didnt know if the fire was caused to destroy evidence or if (the truck) was involved in a possible terrorist attack, says Cygler, a Dollar franchisee at the time. He got a hold of the FBI, who seemed to dismiss the event since the trucks owner had been identified. Luckily, the fire turned out to have been caused by an engine malfunction.



Times have changed  even more dramatically within the past year  as the threat of terrorism and the actual commission of terrorist acts have reached an unprecedented level of urgency in this country and around the world. Historically, rental vehicles have played roles in high-profile terrorist attacks, specifically the trucks used to deliver bombs that detonated in the World Trade Center in 1993 and in the federal building in Oklahoma City in 1995. They are used with regularity in terrorist attacks today.



We have recognized that terrorist activity is very frequently tied to someone renting a vehicle, says Bob Kolasky from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), either using the rental vehicle while committing the act of violence or in pre-attack plotting.



More recently, we saw the photos of the bullet-riddled rented Ford Expedition that the San Bernardino terrorists died in, the one they used to haul assault rifles, guns, and 1,400 rounds of ammunition. Omar Mateen, the Orlando nightclub mass murderer, rented a vehicle and drove it to Orlando to carry out that attack. A Belgian rental car was used in the attack on the Bataclan Concert Hall in Paris last year that killed 89 people. And last week in Nice, a rented truck was used as a weapon itself to murder 84 people.



Photo courtesy of San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Since Cyglers post-9/11 incident, there has been an evolution regarding the interaction between businesses, the general public, and law enforcement when it comes to understanding potential terrorist activity and reporting it. Indeed, attendees of this years International Car Rental Show will remember Kolaskys address on this subject in conjunction with the DHSs If You See Something, Say Something campaign to raise public awareness of suspicious activities that may suggest acts of terrorism.



The DHS has an action plan for car rental operators and businesses of all types, centered on Connect, Plan, Train, and Report.



In terms of promoting awareness of suspicious activity, the DHS does have resources for understanding the signs of bomb-making materials and behavioral indicators of a path to radicalization. However, the goal is not to tell car rental companies how to specifically identify suspicious behavior over the car rental counter, but rather give businesses and individuals the resources to connect, and allow them to be comfortable doing so.



Were constantly working on public-private partnerships on the security director level to talk through what were seeing overall, says Kolasky, and then let them (different businesses types) apply that to their own operational settings and their own levels of security.



The best connections for car rental operators are on a local level. The primary contact is local law enforcement. Make them aware of your business, if you havent already. You dont need the DHS to do that.



Another resource is the FBIs InfraGard program, in which special agents in field offices work with local businesses to proactively share information. The program is organized by chapters and local points of contact.



A third is the DHSs Protective Security Advisors program. With about 100 in the country and one in every state, this group of government liaisons will work with businesses to provide free security consulting and help implement and strengthen facility-level security programs. Once those relationships are established, those advisors are also conduits to report suspicious activity, Kolasky says.



In contrast to Cyglers experience, Kolasky says the DHS has implemented a feedback mechanism so that reporters of suspicious activity know their information was received and evaluated, even if the incident is ultimately cleared from suspicion. Nothing discourages people more than reporting things into a black hole, Kolasky says.



Regarding how to look for suspicious activity, signs of nervousness or a cash rental without a reservation can raise the red flags. Cygler, who subsequently created his own car rental brand (AllCar, which sold to Enterprise in 2015), says that asking a few extra questions is effective in identifying suspicious activity, especially regarding truck rentals.



Ask them what theyre carrying or using the truck for, he says, adding that a renter that doesnt ask questions might also raise suspicion. If the guy could care less about how the truck operates  if there is a lift gate or a ramp, or if the truck is at loading dock height  that could tell you something is off.



As terror attacks seem to occur weekly, its easy to allow ourselves to become numb to more bad news. It is disconcerting that you even have to start thinking about these things, Cygler says. Youre always on the lookout for credit card fraud and identity theft, and this (potential terrorist activity) just adds another layer.



Unlike 9/11, a new trend is attacks generated from perpetrators already on U.S. soil. Instead of dulling our resolve, this fact alone shows the importance for increased vigilance.



The way we stop terrorism is to increase the likelihood that (the potential terrorist) will get caught in one of the many steps along the way, Kolasky says. The moment of renting a car is often one of those steps. We want to increase the likelihood that someone will report on suspicious activity and cause us to take a second look.

Originally posted on Business Fleet
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has opened a location at Queenstown Airport through its franchisee Redspot Car Rentals. Photo courtesy of Enterprise Holdings.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has entered the New Zealand market with its first location at the Queenstown Airport.

Franchisee Redspot Car Rentals will operate the office as part of the Enterprise Holdings global network, which includes the Enterprise brand as well as National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car. As a result, the new Enterprise airport location also will be able to serve Redspot, National, and Alamo customers.

Redspot Car Rentals, a family-owned car rental business, has served the Australian car rental market for more than 20 years.

We look forward to providing New Zealands leisure and corporate customers with the highest level of service, said Dan Mekler, Redspots managing director. Opening our Queenstown Enterprise Rent-A-Car location is an exciting milestone, but its just the beginning of our planned growth in New Zealand.

Customers can choose from small to large sedans, SUVs, and 4WDs, according to Enterprise.

Our growth in Asia Pacific is a reflection of the global reputation and strength of our brands, said Peter A. Smith, vice president of global franchising at Enterprise Holdings.

Since Enterprise Rent-A-Car entered Australia in February, the brand now serves customers in 18 Australia locations. In addition, Enterprise will expand to additional airport locations in North and South New Zealand in the next year, according to the company.
20 July 2016 10:57 (UTC+04:00)

Armenian armed forces have nine times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact of the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry reported on July 20.

Armenian armed forces, stationed in the village of Barekamavan of Armenias Noyemberyan district, Aygepar village of Berd district opened fire at Azerbaijani positions located in the village of Bala Jafarli of the Qazakh district and the village of Alibayli of the Tovuz district.

Moreover, Azerbaijani positions underwent fire from the positions located near Qarakhanbayli village of the Fizuli district and nameless heights of the Goranboy district.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.

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20 July 2016 13:19 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

The situation in Yerevan gets worse in the background of the recent seizure of police building. The people detained on 18 July in Yerevans Freedom square were taken to a police station and severely beaten there.

On July 17, in the police military unit 1033, people were kept in conditions of concentration camp. Everybody was put in one room and kept as prisoners of war, Chairman of Union of Informed Citizens Daniel Ioannisyan told journalists. He also added that some detained were beaten and then brought back in the room.

Moreover, the Armenian police used strict torture with regard to some arrested persons. In particular, David Sanasaryan, member of "Hello, Yerevan" bloc, got a concussion while being carried to police station.

These actions aim to suppress civic engagement through the use of brutal force, and no legal assessment can be there, Chairman of the public organization "Protection of rights without borders" Haykuhi Harutyunyan said.

Four police officers were also injured during the clashes with protesters, opposition member of Parliament Nikol Pashinyan claimed. They were pelted with stones and taken to hospital then. The situation is so complicated and intense that it is impossible to say anything more specific, he said.

From the morning of July 17, a group of armed men seized the police station and took hostages demanding release of opposition activist Jirair Sefilyan, who was arrested nearly a month ago on charges of illegal possession of arms. The attackers also demand resignation of the Armenian president.

During the seizure, one Armenian police officer was killed and four were injured. Currently, four hostages are held in the building, including the deputy chief of Armenian police major-General Vardan Yeghiazaryan and the deputy chief of Yerevan police, Colonel Valeri Osipyan.

For the four days, several shots have been heard inside the building. Later, it turned out that they were fired into the air by the attackers as a protest to the police actions against the protesters. Both entry and exit of the police stations territory are blocked for vehicles.

In short, the situation is heating up, and bloodshed will be not long in coming, Yerevan citizens claim.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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20 July 2016 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Elizabeth Drew

Barack Obama was just beginning to enjoy himself. Hed been itching to throw himself into the 2016 presidential race and do what he could to ensure that Donald Trump wouldnt succeed him as President of the United States. It was evident throughout the campaign that he backed his former secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, but he had to wait to declare his support openly until it was certain that Senator Bernie Sanders couldnt beat her at the convention.

His entry into the campaign came at a time when 56% of Americans approve of his performance  the highest level in a long time. In 2014, his approval rating dipped to a low of 40%, owing to public discontent with the economy and the Islamic States gains in Iraq and Syria. Democrats running for re-election that year deliberately avoided joint appearances with him; now, they clamor for his attendance at their campaign events.

The first scheduled campaign appearance of Obama and Clinton together was postponed because of the massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando. It was rescheduled for July 5, the day, it turned out, that James Comey, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, unexpectedly held a morning press conference on the FBIs investigation into Clintons handling of State Department emails on her personal server. While Clinton had been extremely careless in handling classified material, Comey said, there wasnt enough evidence of criminal intent to indict her.

Though it takes days to set up a presidential appearance, conspiracy theorists  and Donald Trump, perhaps the conspiracy theorist in chief  had a field day. Obama, they concluded, was part of an elaborate plot  of which there is no convincing evidence  to let Clinton off the hook legally, and that the campaign appearance was orchestrated to distract peoples attention from Comeys harsh comments.

Campaigning with Clinton in Charlotte, North Carolina, Obama appeared to be a very happy man, loose and funny. And why not? Hes about to be liberated from the burden of the presidency. (That burden is apparent in how Obamas hair has turned almost entirely gray since 2008.) And now, as he prepares to leave office, his approval rating stands as a powerful rebuke to the Republicans, who have tried to block him at every turn for the last eight years.

Then, a week later, Obama had to make his 11th trip as president to a US city  this time Dallas  to comfort a community shaken by gun violence and the countrys racial divide. The murder of five policemen there occurred during a demonstration  one of many held across the country  to protest the recent deaths of two black men shot to death by police after they were detained for minor infractions.

Police violence against African Americans has been commonplace; but widespread use of smartphones, with their ability to record high-quality video, has suddenly made such episodes a frequent feature of the news cycle. As it happens, Dallas has a model police force, reformed after being one of the most out-of-control in the country, and the murders of the policemen, carried out by a lone former serviceman with apparent mental problems, took place as officers mingled easily with the demonstrators.

Obama has had to struggle with Americas racial divisions, and the killing of innocent African Americans, almost since the beginning of his presidency. Hes understood since his youth that he couldnt come across as an angry black, even to his white mother. Indeed, following the arrest in 2009 of Henry Louis Gates Jr., a well-known Harvard professor, as he was trying to enter his own house, Obamas criticism of the police backfired. Many also objected when he sympathized with the parents of Trayvon Martin, a teenager shot dead by a self-appointed neighborhood watchman in Florida.

As Obama has been forced over the course of his presidency to find his voice on racial tensions and mass murders, he has made some of the most moving speeches of his presidency. His anguish  whether for predominantly white schoolchildren gunned down in their Connecticut classroom by a disturbed white youth, or a group of African Americans murdered at their Charleston church by a white neo-Nazi  has clearly been genuine. And his frustration at his inability to move the US Congress to pass meaningful gun control measures  owing to implacable opposition from the powerful National Rifle Association and its mostly Republican allies  has been as palpable as it is understandable.

Growing appreciation of Obama nowadays may reflect the shortcomings of Clinton and Trump  the most disliked presidential candidates in US history. But its also true that Obama has conducted himself throughout his presidency with confidence, dignity, and a sure wit. He hasnt embarrassed the country. Indeed, there hasnt been a tone-deaf moment in his two terms in office.

As the presidential campaign approaches the November election, the Republicans will of course continue to attack Obama. But, barring some unforeseen development, its possible that he will remain the countrys most popular political figure until he leaves office. And then he will be missed.

Copyright: Project Syndicate: Obamas Last Hurrah

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20 July 2016 13:41 (UTC+04:00)

Turkey and Georgia are committed to resolution of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict within Azerbaijans territorial integrity, said Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Yildirim made the remark at a joint press conference with his Georgian counterpart Giorgi Kvirikashvili in Ankara, Georgia Online reported on July 20.

The Turkish prime minister expressed his concern in connection with the escalation of situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region in April 2016.

We expressed our commitment to solving the problem within the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, noted Yildirim.

Azerbaijan and Armenia for over two decades have been locked in conflict, which emerged over Armenian territorial claims. Since the 1990s war, Armenian armed forces have occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions. The UN Security Council has adopted four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal, but they have not been enforced to this day.

Yildirim also said that Ankara advocates a peaceful solution to the Abkhazian and South Ossetian conflicts within Georgias territorial integrity.

The minister further mentioned that the trilateral cooperation format Turkey-Azerbaijan  Georgia hugely contributes to the peace and development of the region, Sputnik reported.

The PM voiced hope that soon a meeting of the presidents of Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia will take place in Baku.

Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia have multi-vector cooperation and implemented a number of regional and international projects. The troika engaged in implementation of giant energy and transport projects, regularly hold meetings at the level of various ministries.

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20 July 2016 13:05 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Azerbaijan, which sees change of temperature in accordance with every season of the year, is experiencing the hottest period of summer.

At present, the air temperature is 1-2 degrees above the long-term average temperature for July. Heat has been established. If the average figure is higher, then it is considered a hot season, and if this temperature is observed over five days, that is prolonged heat, senior researcher of the Department of Environment and Agroclimate of the Geography Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS), doctor of philosophy on geography Maharram Hasanov told Trend on July 19.

Since July 18, the temperature has exceeded 40 degrees Celsius, and that will continue until July 22-23. Afterwards, the weather will be relatively cooler, but not for long -- after July 25 the heat will come back again, remaining until August 15, Hasanov believes.

He said that in some days of July the temperature will be between 39 and 41 degrees above zero in daylight. After 15:00, the temperature will gradually decline.

This weekend, the temperature in some places of the country can reach +43 C. Meteorologists warn that heat waves on the background of weak wind can fundamentally damage the well-being of most people. It is not recommended to stay in the open sun for a long time.

During hot days, the most vulnerable part of the population are elderly, children and the ones who suffer from chronic diseases. To feel more comfortable, people should drink more water and avoid alcohol, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less fatty meat. There are foods that help to cool the body down when the weather is hot, and Azerbaijan is rich in such fruits and vegetables. People should not miss this opportunity and consume more vitamins in summer.

It is also recommended to change clothing for the summer season and to prefer light outfit.

Of course, the best option during the heat is to go on vacation. People should not forget that working under direct sunbeams should be avoided.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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20 July 2016 17:18 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The high level development of bilateral political relations based on strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Romania was highlighted, as Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov has met outgoing Romanian Ambassador Daniel Cristian Ciobanu in Baku on July 20.

The sides noted the importance of high-level reciprocal visits in the development of relations between the two countries. They expressed satisfaction with increasing of trade turnover between the two countries during last years and mentioned the favorable opportunities for the various fields of economy, as well as development of cooperation in the fields of energy and transportation.

Touching upon the importance of regional energy and transportation infrastructure projects with Azerbaijans participation and initiative, Mammadyarov underlined that these projects will strongly contribute to the increasing of links between Caspian and Black Sea basin.

The minister also emphasized the role of Romania in the development of Azerbaijan-EU, Azerbaijan-NATO cooperation as the first EU country, which signed the Strategic Partnership Agreement.

The ambassador, in turn, stressed that his country always supports Azerbaijan's just position within international organizations.

Noting the cooperation in the field of energy between the two countries, the ambassador mentioned the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between SOCAR and Romanian Transgaz company.

Mammadyarov praised Romanias position on the settlement of Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict based on the territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan.

Ciobanu expressed his gratitude for the support rendered to fulfill successfully his diplomatic activities in Azerbaijan, while the minister expressed his gratitude to the ambassador for his contributions to the development of political dialogue and friendship based on the strategic partnership.

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20 July 2016 17:33 (UTC+04:00)

By Laman Ismayilova

The Embassy of Romania, which fulfills the mandate of NATO Contact Point Embassy in Azerbaijan for the fourth time in a row, hosted a roundtable on results of NATO Warsaw Summit on July 20.

The event was attended by ambassadors, defense attaches and senior diplomats from foreign embassies in Baku, Azerbaijani scholars and representatives of youth organizations.

Romanian Ambassador Daniel Cristian Ciobanu, opening the roundtable, underlined that the NATO summit has been a landmark event, as important decisions were taken at the Warsaw Summit to strengthen the North Atlantic Alliances deterrence and defense and to project stability in the wider neighborhood.

The NATO Warsaw Summit has been very successful and showed the strength of North Atlantic Alliance and its desire to develop interaction with partners, he said. In the Warsaw Summit Communique is mentioned that NATO will continue to support the right of all its partners to make independent and sovereign choices on foreign and security policy, free from external pressure and coercion.

Ciobanu highlighted that cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan has a strategic value, while Baku is a reliable NATO partner.

The members of North-Atlantic Alliance remain committed in their support to the territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, according to the ambassador.

Romania, which has been the second country in the world to recognize independence of Azerbaijan and concluded a strategic partnership with Baku in 2009, is a strong advocate of deepening the relations between Azerbaijan and North Atlantic Alliance.

Future NATO Fellow of the Atlantic Council Mr. Huseyn Panahov made an in-depth presentation of the discussions which took place in Warsaw and their impact on Azerbaijan.

Participants in the roundtable exchanged opinions on the main conclusions of the Warsaw Summit and the positive experience of NATO-Azerbaijan cooperation.

The North alliance and the South Caucasus country of Azerbaijan enjoy strong partnership ties.

Azerbaijan actively participates in the programs such as Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), Planning and Review Process (PARP) and Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) of NATO. The country also provides transit opportunities for NATO forces, as well as contributes for the International Security Assistance Force and Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan in order to support the international peace and security.

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20 July 2016 12:29 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Camal

Turkey is tuned to root out allies of eloped cleric Fetullah Gulen, accused of masterminding the July 15 coup attempt, widening a purge of the army, police and judiciary to universities, ministries, the intelligence agency and religious authorities.

Thousands of public employees have been suspended from their duties amid a nationwide move against those suspected of having links to the failed coup attempt.



A total of 15,200 Education Ministry personnel were suspended due to their alleged links to the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization, which the government blames for the attempted coup. The licenses of 21,000 teachers working in private institutions were also canceled, Hurriyet reported.

Some 100 people from the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) were also suspended. The suspended personnel were on passive duty due to a supervision decision against them and didnt have access to intelligence, Anadolu Agency reported.



Turkeys Prime Ministry suspended a total of 257 personnel, including 230 judicial clerks, 19 specialists, six advisers and two legal advisers. The IDs of the suspended personnel were also seized.



Meanwhile, Turkeys Higher Education Board has demanded the resignation of all deans on duty at all private and state universities throughout the country. The resignation of 1,557 deans was demanded by the Board.



In addition, a total of 492 people were suspended from Turkeys Religious Affairs Directorate (Diyanet) on July 18. A total of 393 personnel were also suspended from the Family and Social Policies Ministry and 16 were suspended from the Development Ministry.

Over 8,000 people have been arrested in Turkey in relation to a failed coup, with more detentions expected.

News of the arrests came after the Turkish authorities accused Gulen of orchestrating the violence and demanded the U.S. extradite him.

Prime Minister Binali Yldrm said on July 19 that his government had sent four files to the United States.

We have sent four dossiers to the United States for the extradition of the terrorist chief. We will present them with even more evidence than they want, Yldrm said, further calling on Washington to stop protecting that traitor.



Ankara has also applied to the U.S. Justice Ministry for the arrest of Gulen before his extradition, private broadcaster CNNTurk reported.

U.S. President Barack Obama discussed the status of Gulen in a telephone call with Erdogan on July 19, the White House said, urging Ankara to show restraint as it pursues those responsible for the coup attempt.

Also, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and his Turkish counterpart discussed the importance of Turkey's Incirlik Air Base in the campaign against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, the Pentagon said.

The base, which is used by Turkish and U.S. forces in the air campaign against Islamic State, has been without power in the days since the failed coup.

All military equipment, including aircrafts, ships and helicopters, are under the control of the Turkish Armed Forces, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmush said in an interview with local TV channel on July 19.

The information that the Turkish Armed Forces' equipment remained under the control of the putsches is misinformation, he said.

Furthermore, the Turkish parliament will launch a comprehensive probe over the failed coup attempt next week.

A total of 240 people, of whom 62 were police officers, 173 were civilians and five were soldiers, were killed during the failed coup attempt and 1,535 people were wounded, Anadolu Agency reported. A total of 24 coup plotters were also killed and 50 coup plotters were wounded.

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20 July 2016 13:26 (UTC+04:00)

By Nigar Abbasova

Normalcy is gradually resuming at Istanbul Ataturk International airport following a failed coup attempt in the country. Regular operation of flights has been resumed at the airport on July 17, CNN reported. Majority of flights were taking off and landing without delay, with a small number of cancellations and delays.

The turmoil in Turkey has resulted in diversion of a number of airplanes as well as cancellation of hundreds of flights as Ataturk airport is considered to be one the most busiest in the world and serves as a transportation hub. Most of the airlines offered free rebookings to those wanting to alter their travel plans.

All commercial and private flights between the U.S. and Turkey were suspended on July 16. The U.S. resumed flights to Turkey on July 18 following a restriction on air travel, Anadolu reported. Turkish Airlines, Turkey's national carrier, confirmed that the ban had been lifted.

Meanwhile, Russian Aeroflot has suspended the sale and reissue of tickets to Turkey following a temporary ban issued by the Russian Federal agency, Ria Novosti reported. The company has suspended the sale and reissue of tickets to Istanbul and Antalya while the sale of tickets is open for flights from Turkey.

British Airways canceled all flights to and from Turkey on July 16, and warned that flights on July 17 may be subject to some delays.

After the military coup attempt in Turkey, a number of Ukraines air carriers announced about cancellation and postponement of flights to Turkeys Istanbul on July 16. Air traffic between Ukraine and Turkey has been fully resumed, and flights are being carried out on a regular basis on July 19.

Istanbul Ataturk Airport which is considered to be one of the primary strategic objects of the country serves as one of the main transfer points on global routes.

Turkish authorities announced that coup attempt took place in the country on July 15. A group of servicemen announced about transition of power. The rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. Over 200 people have been killed in Turkey as a result of the coup attempt. The attempted coup followed a series of bombings that hit Turkey this year, including a suicide attack in June that killed 42 people.

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Nigar Abbasova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @nigyar_abbasova

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20 July 2016 14:32 (UTC+04:00)

By Rashid Shirinov

Georgia and Turkey have agreed on formation of a strategic high-level council, the administration of the Georgian government reported.

The relevant document was signed by Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili and Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim. The signing ceremony was held in Ankara during Giorgi Kvirikashvilis official visit to Turkey.

The document reads that the cooperation will deepen between the Georgian and Turkish governments in the field of investment promotion and protection.

The parties also signed several other agreements on cooperation, including in the field economy, transport, social protection and employment.

The cooperation between Turkey and Georgia has gathered momentum in recent years. Currently, the neighboring countries enjoy free trade relations between each other.

The goods exchange between the countries mostly consists of electricity, metals, fertilizers, clothing, fishery, cars, pharmaceutical goods, furniture, paper and cables supplies.

As a sign of high bilateral relations, the citizens of both countries enjoy a visa-free regime for touristic travels. In addition, Turkish and Georgian citizens travel to each others country without passport, using only their national identity documents.

The two nations also work together in international projects. Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia together cooperate in energy and transportation projects.

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Rashid Shirinov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @RashidShirinov

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20 July 2016 16:21 (UTC+04:00)

By Gunay Camal

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet in Russia in early August.

The presidents agreed that the meeting will take place in the Russian Federation in early August, but the city and the exact date are being specified," Russian Presidents spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS on July 20.

The presidential press secretary said "indeed, a meeting between Putin and Erdogan is currently being prepared and worked out through diplomatic channels".

President Putin had a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart on July 17.

While commenting on the coup attempt in Turkey, President Putin stressed that Moscows fundamental position on the inadmissibility of the anti-constitutional actions and violence in the country and expressed his condolences over the casualties.

In his turn, President Erdogan told his Russian counterpart that all measures will be taken to ensure security of Russian tourists in the Turkish resorts.

Erdogan earlier stated that his country is prepared to commence the restoration of peace and political relations with Russia and Iran.

The Turkish president highlighted the importance of the stability in the region during a telephone conversation with Irans President Hassan Rouhani.

Today, we are determined more than ever before to contribute to the solution of regional problems hand in hand with Iran and Russia and in cooperation with them," Erdogan said.

The conversation of the two presidents followed the military coup attempt of last Friday. President Rouhani also gave his praises for the Turkish population that showed unwavering support for the ruling authorities.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced on Wednesday in Malaysia that his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif will visit Ankara next week in order to further negotiate regional issues including Syria, Yemen, ISIS and PKK.

Ankara and Tehran, along with Moscow, are known for their policy differences on Syria since Turkey defends Assad regimes removal from power while Iran and Russia backs the regime.

Before the failed coup attempt of July 15, Turkey, a country that has most helped the rebellion against the rule of Bashar al-Assad, has hinted it may move to normalize relations with Damascus.

I am sure that we will return [our] ties with Syria to normal, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yldrm on July 13. We need it. We normalized our relations with Israel and Russia. Im sure we will go back to normal relations with Syria as well.

In recent weeks, Turkey has normalized ties with Israel, which were ruptured over an Israeli commando raid on a Turkish aid boat eight years ago, and with Russia, which had imposed sanctions against Turkey after the latter downed its fighter jet in late 2015.

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Chocolate and cocoa manufacturer Barry Callebaut has signed a strategic partnership with Amsterdam-based Tonys Chocolonely to produce chocolate from fully traceable sustainable cocoa.

The agreement will see Barry Callebaut install a dedicated cocoa butter tank in its factory in Wieze, Belgium to produce cocoa butter from sustainable beans sourced from Tony Chocolonelys partner cooperatives in the Cote dIvoire.

Using an industry scalable process, Tonys Chocolonely will work with Barry Callebaut to create traceable bean-to-bar offerings.

The two firms have already been working together since 2005, when Barry Callebaut started to produce its Fairtrade cocoa liquor. Under the new agreement both the cocoa liquor and cocoa butter in recipes will become fully traceable.

Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of Barry Callebaut, said: Having made sustainable cocoa one of the four pillars of our strategy, we champion the development of a fully sustainable chocolate value chain. This partnership with Tonys Chocolonely is a milestone in our efforts to provide fully sustainable products to our customers.

Barry Callebaut grew revenue and volumes in the nine months to 31 May.
A variety of Leicestershire-based baking companies are set to feature at Leicesters Business Festival, taking place from 24October  4 November.

The festival outlines some of the worlds most recognised food and drink companies and brands in the regional area, including Cornish pasty-maker Samworth Bros, Pukka Pies, Delifrance, Jacobs Bakery and Premier Foods.

Food and drink is the largest manufacturing sector in the UK and one of the most successful in the world.

Leicester Business Festival board member Alister De Ternant told British Baker: Leicestershire is home to some of the largest UKs bakery manufacturers and it is no wonder that the region makes up a significant proportion of the industrys economic worth.

The 2015 event was a success that featured 25 out of 80 events becoming sold out over a period of two weeks.

This year, the festival is aiming to see even more businesses involved, even more people in attendance and increase recognition both nationally and internationally.

In October last year, Leicestershire-based Vegan bakery, The Vegan Cakery, won a prestigious award at the Vegfest UK Festival.
Muntons, the Suffolk-based maltster and malted ingredients supplier, has won a top accolade at the AD and Biogas Industry Awards for its Stowmarket plant.

The company took the top spot for Best Food and Drink Industry AD Project in a highly contested category. Dr Nigel Davies, Muntons manufacturing and sustainability director, collected the award on behalf of the company, accompanied by members of the Muntons team who manage and run the companys AD plant.

Davies said: [Muntons AD plant] now generates 13% of the companys Stowmarket plant electricity and has enabled us to significantly reduce waste tanker movments and, more importantly, provides us with a biofertiliser which we can offer back to the farmer to enrich the soil on which our raw material, malting barley, is grown.

The awards were held at the Vox conference centre in Birmingham, with celebrity host Charlotte Smith, presenter of Radio 4s Farming Today programme.

Muntons recently opened its first plant outside the UK.
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The conditions of two North Carolina teenagers hurt after a lightning strike at Sand Key have improved.



Lightning strike happened Tuesday on Gulf Boulevard

2 teens hospitalized



1 of the victims will be released from hospital Thursday



Tampa General Hospital said Cameron Poimboeuf, 15, of Charlotte, N.C., was in fair condition Thursday morning and remained at the hospital. Jansen M. Tabor, 18, of Matthews, N.C., is in good condition and was scheduled to go home later Thursday.



The incident occurred about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 1200 block of Gulf Boulevard, in front of Lighthouse Towers.

Poimboeuf was visiting the area with his girlfriend's family, officials said. Tabor told police that the two were walking on the beach when the storm rolled in. As the rain began, they made a dash for shelter, he said.

The next thing that Tabor knew, he woke up on the sand after the lightning strike.



Cassandra Thomas, a 31-year-old pediatric nurse visiting the area from Pennsylvania, was staying at the Lighthouse Towers on the 16th floor.

"(I) heard the thunder and I saw the lightning strike," she said.



I saw one boy lying flat on his belly," she said. "Another kid is sitting there and Im yelling, 'Are you OK? Are you OK?' And the kids said, 'No, help.'

Thomas said one of the victims had a pulse and blood pressure, but the other victim couldn't move his legs.

"Ive never heard thunder like that, never," she said. "It just was pink lightning that just came down and crashed, and the whole ground lit up."

Witness Joe Hertzic said the two victims were "running like crazy as fast as they could" to escape the scene.



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More than 70 newly released Orlando Police Department documents detail how officers dragged victims from danger as they responded to the Pulse nightclub shooting.

Dozens of Orlando PD reports from Pulse attack released

Documents detailed officers' experiences with victims

Report did not include details about officers' interactions with shooter

The citys police were the lead in handling the June 12 shooting. Although they teamed with several other law enforcement agencies and first responders, their reports explain what it was like to be the first ones inside.

Shots were still ringing out at Pulse Nightclub when Officer R. Sayer says he "ran to the front doors of Pulse Nighclub" where his officers began "assisting many blood soaked victims from the scene."

While Sayer and dozens of other officers ran to the sound of gunfire, hundreds inside the club ran out.

Several officers filed for new shoes, reporting theirs were too soaked with blood after the night was through.

While victims panicked, the report details how officers picked up rifles, created a triage zone near the Einstein's bagel restaurant and set up a perimeter around a makeshift triage center near the bagel shop.

The reports also tell how OPD worked to keep the survivors, and wounded away from danger  many used their patrol cars and truck trailers to move the wounded into a safe area.

Later in the morning, more officers were allowed inside the nightclub.

At 6:47 a.m. Officer Gruler says he saw "an unknown man, lying on the floor, reach up for assistance." Gruler also wrote that he "grabbed both of his wrists and he grabbed mine." The officer dragged him out of the nightclub, alive, nearly five hours after the shooting began.

While the report might have summed up what dozens of officers with OPD did during, and shortly after, the shooting, the documents did not include reports from those officers who interacted with the shooter himself.

Open PDF in a new window
The Beatrice City Council approved agreements for providers of short term and long term electrical capacity at its meeting Monday.

The city is seeking electrical capacity after choosing not to renew its contract with Nebraska Public Power District when the agreement expires in 2021. The city located a new energy provider, but must also secure a separate source of electrical capacity.

Capacity is actually having some generator some place that can be turned on to meet our electric needs at any given time," City Administrator Tobias Tempelmeyer explained. "We dont have any capacity locally, so we have to go out and buy some.

Tempelmeyer said of the companies contacted by the city, Lincoln Electric System (LES) came with the best price has extra capacity to sell.

The council approved a contract with LES to acquire capacity for 2019, 2020, and 2021, the three-year period in which the city is allowed to begin transitioning away from NPPD's service.

The contract is only for three years because the city is in talks with Bluestem Energy Solutions, an Omaha company, to build a power generation facility in Beatrice and provide long-term capacity for the city.

We are still working with Bluestem, but they have a lot of steps to work through in order for that plan to come to fruition, Tempelmeyer told the council. If any one of those fails, the plant doesnt go through. This allows us to hedge on the short term and make sure that we have capacity the day we leave Nebraska Public Power District and still work with Bluestem on a long-term deal.

Representatives of Bluestem at a previous City Council meeting presented information about the company's planned power plant, which they said would come at no cost to the city.

Part of the planning process for the plant will require a large amount of studies and research, which the company expects to cost as much as $150,000, Tempelmeyer said.

They asked for a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that basically said we agree that we are going to work with them as our exclusive partner for the next three years while they incur those costs and go out and explore if this is going to be a feasible project, Tempelmeyer said. If the city decides not to proceed with them we will just write off the three year debt. If we want to get out sooner than that then we will pay them back whatever they have paid in developing cost plus 25 percent.

The city's Board of Public Works already reviewed the MOU and recommended it last week. The council also approved the MOU with a 6-0 vote.
Justice Department antitrust officials are likely to file lawsuits to stop the pending Anthem/Cigna and Aetna/Humana mega-mergers, according to sources familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reports.

Here are five highlights:

1. The Justice Department may file suits as early as this week out of concern the mergers will limit competition in the payer marketplaces, thereby drastically raising prices for consumers, according to the report. The Justice Department did not comment on the matter.

2. All the payers' shares fell since the news broke, with Humana suffering the biggest drop of 3.9 percent. Cigna shares fell 2.1 percent while Anthem shares deceased 2.2 percent. Aetna stock dropped 2.7 percent.

3. All four companies have said they would fight any government lawsuits in court, which would require months of litigation. A Leerink Partners analyst does say, however, Aetna and Humana are more likely than their Anthem and Cigna counterpart to fight a lawsuit in court. In recent months, Anthem and Cigna have faced more obstacles gaining state approval for their merger.

4. So far, Aetna and Humana have received 18 of the necessary 20 state-approvals for the deal, with New York's insurance regulator conditionally approving the Aetna-Humana merger earlier this month. Comparatively, Anthem and Cigna have received 10 of the 24 state approvals needed to move forward.

5. Last month, a Justice Department official told a group of antitrust lawyers the payer mergers would result in "substantial consolidation," and the lawyers therefore should put forth efforts to block the mergers.



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Here are four recent news updates on key gastroenterology and endoscopy companies.

Takeda Pharmaceutical, in partnership with the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, launched IBD Unmasked, a global awareness initiative.

Antibe Therapeutics named Yung Wu to its board of directors and completed enrollment for its phase 2 clinical trial.

SpectraScience signed a distribution agreement with Advanced Medical German in Kuwait.

JP Morgan initiated coverage on EndoChoice's stock.
Companies are adjusting board compensation to stay competitive and retain top directors, according to an analysis from advisory firm Willis Towers Watson.

Median direct pay hit $263,500 for directors of Fortune 500 companies in 2015, a modest increase over the prior year, according to the report. However, since 2014, median cash compensation grew 6 percent to more than $108,000 and stock compensation grew 3 percent to $150,000.

"Companies continue to adjust their director pay programs with an eye toward rewarding directors for their overall contributions rather than for how many meetings they attend," Robert Mustich, leader of Willis Towers Watson's Executive Compensation Consulting practice in the eastern U.S., said in a statement. "The fact that a third of the companies we analyzed changed one or more core elements of their pay program in the past year reflects an ongoing trend toward companies reviewing and adjusting their director pay packages on a regular basis to remain competitive."

Willis Towers Watson also noted fewer companies are using committee attendance fees  18 percent in 2015 compared to 22 percent in 2014  while more companies are using retainer-based pay for committee service  up to 27 percent from 25 percent. An increasing majority of companies also pay lead directors an additional fee (86 percent compared to 83 percent), and this bonus is growing. Lead directors earned $30,000 at the median in 2015, which marks a 20 percent increase over 2014.

However, recent court rulings have led to more limits on director-specific awards. Forty-two percent of companies have a cap on director-specific stock grants and half of these caps were added or changed in the past year, according to Willis Towers Watson.

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One construction worker has installed a life-size game of "Where is Waldo" at Memorial Hospital of South Bend (Ind.) to entertain pediatric patients, according to the South Bend Tribune.

Jason Haney, a labor foreman working for general contract J.J. White on the hospital's $50 million expansion, has been hiding an 8-foot-tall plywood cut-out of the cartoon character around the construction site within view of the hospital's southern windows since early spring. When the pediatric patients spot Waldo, the notify Mr. Haney and he moves the cut-out to a new location.

Mr. Haney said he thought of the idea after workers built a snowman on the construction site, much to the amusement of patients and staff.

"One of the electricians said he thought it would be funny if there was a Waldo," Mr. Haney told the South Bend Tribune. Mr. Haney cut the Waldo out of plywood and he and his daughter painted the character together.

Mr. Haney said he is happy to give the patients of Memorial Hospital and their families something to smile about, because he remembers when he was in their shoes. When his daughter Taylor was 3 years old, she suffered a stroke.

Physicians initially thought Taylor would not be able to learn past the third grade, but after graduating from high school last year, she plans to attend Muncie, Ind.-based Ball State University to study biology and zoology, according to the report.

Now, Waldo is a source of fun for many of the pediatric patients who frequent the hospital. "It gives us something to talk about," said Tracy Byler, coordinator of the Child Life Program at Memorial Children's Hospital, according to the report. "A big part of what we want to do is build relationships, so anything that gives us a chance to talk, like 'Where's Waldo,' is great."
Those opinions were wrongly reported as university policy and/or guidelines; they are not. . . UNC-Chapel Hill has no policy, formal or informal, about microaggressions. The Employee Forum has since decided to remove the post because it was misconstrued as University policy.

The day-long program is designed for participants to explore and understand the nature and impact of microaggressions in the higher education enterprise. Participants will explore language, behaviors, policies and practices that impact the classroom, workplace and educational experiences for students, faculty/staff at Carolina. The discussions and keynote should help them reflect on their own practices, understand the concepts and behaviors that perpetuate oppression of marginalized identities; and be part of facilitated conversations to develop capacity and skill to address the issue within their own units and departments.

- that's a fancy term many radical college students and administrators are using these days as a means to supposedly call out racism and protest unsafe and hostile environments for minorities. But what is it really all about?You say you've never heard of the term microaggression? Don't worry, you will. While combating racism and keeping a safe environment may be laudable goals, the problem is the process for identifying microaggression essentially shuts down free speech on campus and produces individuals who are easily offended and unable to navigate environments where people are different than they are.According to Professor Derald Wing Sue of Columbia University, one of the foremost experts on microaggression theory, microaggressions can be described as brief and commonplace verbal, behavioral and environmental indignities, whether intentional or not, that communicate hostile, derogatory or negative, racial, gender, sexual orientation and religious slights and insults to the target person or group.On a recent much-publicized post at a UNC-Chapel Hill employee web site forum (see here and here ), staff cautioned employees against "brief and commonplace" displays of "implicit bias." Such bias could include sex-specific dress codes, staff meetings at country clubs and religious vacations.The post identified several examples of microaggressions. These included sayingto a woman in a leadership position. Why is this offensive? Microaggression advocates say what you're really saying is: I notice how you look and dress more than I value your intellectual contributions. Having man/woman or male/female as options for gender on office forms is a form of microaggression because it is telling people they must fit into the gender binary among pre-selected categories.Having celebrations, calendars or vacations centered on major religious observances (i.e., Christmas or Easter) is also a microaggression because itAs you might expect, once the guidelines were made public, UNC was the recipient of a torrent of bad publicity. The post was removed and UNC-Chapel Hill officials appeared to back away from the controversy. Commenting on the blog post, Joel Curran, vice chancellor for communications and public affairs, issued a statement that said:Interestingly, UNC-Chapel Hill removed the post and password protected its microaggression guidelines after one site reported on the changes. Only UNC employees and students with a school ID and password can access the list. Of course, that makes you ask: why the need for secrecy?While it seems UNC-Chapel Hill administrators are trying to distance themselves from the controversy, it's interesting to note that in August the campus will be hosting a Diversity Thinkposium on Microaggression . According to the event's web site:The fact is UNC-Chapel Hill is using microaggression training as a tool. It may not be university policy, but UNC doesn't seem to mind that a major conference on the subject will be on campus. They are doing nothing to stop it.Some may be inclined to shake their heads and merely say, "Well, that's UNC-Chapel Hill." If only that were the case!, a conservative national online news site, recently reported on a microaggression tool touted by North Carolina State University faculty "ombuds" Roy Baroff. (Apparently the "man" part of ombudsman is a microaggression.) The tool informs the school's employees that phrases like "America is a land of opportunity" or "I believe the most qualified person should get the job" are microaggressions and should be eliminated.According to Baroff, the phrase "America is a land of opportunity" is a problem because it perpetuates a myth of a meritocracy, which says everyone can succeed in America if they merely work hard enough. According to the microaggression mindset, such thinking conveys the message that people of color are lazy and/or incompetent and need to work harder.Subscribing to the belief that the best person should get the job supposedly also furthers the myth of the meritocracy. It is a microaggression because it implies that people of color are given extra benefits because of their race.As you might expect, the story received considerable attention from the national press, most of it unflattering. Baroff did not respond to requests for comment from reporters.It's difficult to wrap yourself around a topic as broad and gauzy as microaggression. And that's part of the problem.People suffer racism and all sorts of indignities daily; some intended, some not. Of course we should do all we can to minimize or eliminate these problems. The question then becomes: what is the best way?Microaggression techniques are not the best tool to reach that goal. Those who advocate for microaggression use bias and racism in the name of eliminating bias and racism. Microagression falsely assumes racism and indignity is in every conversation and in every environment. Believing so is as bad as believing none exists.For those concerned about eliminating implicit bias, it's hard to ignore the reality that the arrow on microaggressions always goes only one way. Aggrieved parties are always minorities, whites are always the offenders and never a class worthy of protection.Eliminating microaggression allows advocates a platform to hammer home their real claim: the fundamental injustice of American society and the racism that permeates it at every level. But monitoring perceived transgressions on campuses and public places turns students into lifelong victims and requires an army of bureaucrats to control thought and behavior.Colleges are supposed to be the place where differing ideas are explored and people learn to relate to and contribute to the larger society. Microaggression theory stamps that surrounding society as toxic. It finds racism and injustice behind every interaction and swings the same heavy hammer at every injustice - real or perceived. Microaggression theory destroys free speech and weakens the free exchange of ideas. It's an idea at odds with the values of college campuses in North Carolina and elsewhere.And it's time we treat it as such.
CMS has updated California's 1115 waiver by upping its uncompensated care funding to public hospitals by $472 million annually for the next four years.

Under California's waiver, known as Medi-Cal 2020, the federal government originally approved $6.2 billion to be paid out over a five-year period to help California advance value-based reform initiatives, according to California Healthline.

The waiver, approved by CMS in January, initially designated $236 million for uncompensated care costs. CMS notified state officials on July 14 that it had upped that number to nearly $1.8 billion for the next four-year period.

The funding change is effective immediately.

CMS granted Tennessee a two-month temporary extension on its 1115 waiver June 30. Unlike California, Tennessee hasn't expanded its Medicaid program.
The following hospital and health system CEO moves were reported by Becker's Hospital Review in the last week. They are listed below, beginning with the most recent.

1. Nicki Will, CEO of Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West, Fla., resigned.

2. Friend (Neb.) Community Healthcare System selected Chad Thompson as CEO.

3. Trent Crable, CEO of Duke LifePoint's UP Health System - Marquette (Mich.), will resign, effective July 29.

4. John Solheim, CEO of Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, Minn., will resign, effective Oct. 14.

5. Dan Griess, CEO of Box Butte General Hospital in Alliance, Neb., will leave the organization at the end of July.

6. University Medical Center of El Paso (Texas), named Jacob Cintron president and CEO, effective July 25.
United Steelworkers Local 9460 has won its first union contract for workers at Lake Superior Community Health Center in Duluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis., according to a Labor World report.

Here are four things to know about the contract.

1. Workers covered by the contract include physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and behavioral health therapists.

2. The 11-member bargaining unit at the health center is the first such bargaining unit in Minnesota to include physicians and mid-level healthcare providers as union members, according to the report.

3. Emily Onello, MD, one of three physicians in the group, told Labor World physicians under this new contract ultimately want to have a seat at the table and a voice in the workplace.

4. The contract for the physicians and their colleagues runs through 2018.

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A federal jury convicted a registered nurse of participating in an $8 million Medicare fraud scheme involving false claims for home health services, according to the Department of Justice.

According to evidence presented at trial, Ann Anyanwu and others employed by Houston-based Medpsych Home Health Care submitted approximately $8 million in false and fraudulent claims for home health services to Medicare. Evidence exhibited at trial showed that the patients that were billed did not receive home health services and that many did not qualify them.

DOJ officials also said Ms. Anyanwu falsified medical records for nursing services she never provided.

Two others were charged for their roles in the scheme. Former owner, director of nursing and administrator Precious Deshield and owner and operator Ronald Johnson also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud.

Ms. Deshield and Mr. Johnson currently await sentencing. Ms. Anyanwu's sentencing is scheduled to take place in early September.

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Indianapolis-based Anthem footed $460,000 to election campaigns of governors and state attorneys general in hopes to sway approval for its $54 billion acquisition of Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna, International Business Times reported.

In the past three months, Anthem funneled $210,000 into the Republican Governors Association and $200,000 into the Democratic Governors Association, according to IBT's review of disclosed second quarter campaign finance filings. Anthem also gave $50,000 to political group "Unity Convention 2016," a Democratic affiliate, and $50,000 to the Democratic Attorneys General Association.

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy heads the DGA, which gained money from Anthem in the midst of a 30-day comment period initiated by the Connecticut Office of State Ethics as it considers a petition to investigate Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade's possible conflict of interest in the merger. Ms. Wade previously lobbied for Cigna and has familial ties to Cigna employees.

Anthem and Cigna allocated a combined $1.1 million to the DGA in 2015 throughout Gov. Malloy's process of nominating Ms. Wade, according to IBT.

Earlier this month Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen voiced concern about the deal, saying it could decrease competition and raise costs. However, Mr. Jepsen told IBT the donations are "both legal and entirely appropriate for DAGA to accept," though, "individual attorneys general should, when soliciting contributions, exercise appropriate discretion according to their own conscience."

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Out of 23 health insurance co-ops established under the Affordable Care Act, Brookfield, Wis.-based Common Ground Healthcare Cooperative is one of seven still afloat  at least for now, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

The co-op, which insures about 20,000, faces $84.8 million in losses since its start in 2012, a deficit amplified by $107.7 million it owes the federal government. Despite the challenges, Common Ground's CEO Cathy Mahaffey told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel she is confident the insurer will break even and exist through the end of the year.

Common Ground Healthcare is one of five companies to offer plans on the ACA exchanges in the Milwaukee area. The co-op started as the only health insurer to offer a provider broad network, which tended to attract those who were less healthy and incurred higher medical bills. One strategy the co-op used to survive was limiting its network to only Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care and Green Bay, Wis.-based Bellin Health Systems to obtain better pricing. Ms. Mahaffey also said Common Ground is eyeing possible partnerships.

The co-op is processing claims from 2015 and will better gauge its long-term viability over the next several months, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

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Two deals that could consolidate four of the nation's largest health insurers will likely be challenged by the U.S. government, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.

The Justice Department is expected to file lawsuits against Indianapolis-based Anthem and Hartford, Conn.-based Aetna this week or next. The challenges arrive after a yearlong review of the potential mergers.

Here are 10 things to know:

1. Upon news that the deals were in jeopardy with the DOJ, Anthem shares dipped 2.2 percent to $132.06 and Bloomfield, Conn.-based Cigna's fell 2.1 percent to $130.30. Aetna shares sank 2.7 percent to $115.15 and Louisville, Ky.-based Humana stocks slid 3.9 percent to $153.38, Bloomberg reported.

2. Aetna and Humana will most likely fight the challenge. Leerink Partners analyst Ana Gupte told Bloomberg there is a smaller possibility Anthem and Cigna will fight any lawsuit.

3. If the deals unwind, Anthem is required to pay a $1.85 billion breakup fee to Cigna per their agreement. Aetna will need to pay $1 billion to Humana per similar agreements, the New York Times reported.

4. Anthem announced its $54 billion acquisition of Cigna in July 2015, weeks after Aetna inked its $37 billion deal with Humana.

5. The deals would heavily concentrate the health insurance industry, folding five of the largest insurers into three. Annual revenue for the top three  Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth, Anthem and Aetna  would amount to more than $100 billion each, WSJ reported.

6. Approval of the Anthem-Cigna deal would establish the nation's largest insurer per enrollment, with more than 54 million policyholders, an annual revenue of $117 billion and national market share of about 29 percent.

7. Approval of the Aetna-Humana deal would result in the largest Medicare Advantage plan seller, with total revenue around $115 billion, WSJ reported. Humana claims 17 percent of the nation's Medicare Advantage plans, while Aetna has 7 percent. In states with the largest overlap, such as Missouri, that means the resulting insurer would control 50 percent of the Medicare Advantage market statewide, and 90 percent in some counties.

8. To assuage antitrust regulators, Aetna presented a plan to the DOJ to divest its Medicare Advantage assets earlier this month.

9. DOJ and state insurance regulator approval is required for both deals to go through. Aetna gained approval from 18 of 20 states where regulatory sign-off is required, and Anthem garnered approval in 10 of 24 states, according to Bloomberg.

10. If both deals are withdrawn, 2015 would no longer be the largest year ever for mergers and acquisitions globally, the New York Times reported.

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About a dozen staff members in the California delegation who are in attendance at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland have fallen ill with Norovirus, reports Washington Post.

As of Tuesday, at least 11 of the delegation's 36 staffers have shown signs of infection, according to Peter Schade, the Erie County health commissioner investigating the outbreak.

California GOP chairman Jim Brulte told Washington Post a staff member who arrived early to the convention was the first to exhibit symptoms consistent with Norovirus. The individual was reported ill July 14.

So far, no delegates or alternates from the delegation have shown symptoms, according to the article.

Norovirus can cause extreme vomiting and diarrhea and has been known to be exceedingly contagious, according to the CDC. The Ohio health department is running tests to confirm the infection is Norovirus, reports STAT News.

In the mean time, all persons exhibiting symptoms have been quarantined in their hotel rooms until health officials confirm their recovery.
Last month, Indonesian police unearthed a drug-counterfeiting ring that had been selling fake vaccines for more than a decade. Now, health facilities are beginning revaccination efforts as new information on the scandal comes to light, according to Reuters.

The illegal business relied on stolen vials and forged labels to mask fake vaccines as imported immunizations from Britain-based GlaxoSmithKline and Paris-based Sanofi.

The fake vaccines  disguised as hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis inoculations  contained the antibiotic gentamicin and a saline solution. Health officials reassured the public that the vaccines were not harmful and only accounted for about 1 percent of total vaccines in the country.

While investigators are still trying to determine how widely the vaccines were used, they've identified about 200 children who need to receive a new inoculation. The country started revaccination efforts this week.

Currently, 28 healthcare facilities are suspected of buying the fake vaccines. Police have arrested almost 25 people in regards to the scam, including drugmakers, pharmacists, physicians and nurses.

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This headband isn't for fashion it offers migraine relief
RALEIGH - In 2016 North Carolina features the country's most competitive election for governor, one of the country's most competitive elections for U.S. Senate, and (as of mid-July) the tightest state race in the country between Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump.This is one of those bad news/good news situations. I'll give you the bad news first: if you are already sick and tired of hearing about politics and you live in North Carolina, the next four months of your life are going to be unpleasant.On the flipside, if you are a political junkie, North Carolina is the place to be. For example, the race between Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and his Democratic challenger, Attorney General Roy Cooper, promises to be one of the most compelling electoral contests in the country.Both men are experienced, talented politicians. Both of their campaign teams are also experienced, talented, and likely to be well-financed (although Cooper has outraised McCrory so far this year, reflecting just how motivated North Carolina Democrats are to regain some power in what had until recently been a traditionally Democratic state). The gubernatorial race is also attracting thousands of volunteers and millions of dollars from independent groups, in-state and out-of-state, that have a strong interest in the outcome.Until both major parties conclude their national conventions, the dynamics of the Clinton-Trump race in North Carolina will remain uncertain. Generally speaking, if Trump is fighting to keep our state in the red column, that's good news for Clinton. She doesn't need North Carolina's 15 electoral votes to win. Trump does.Right now, Clinton enjoys a slight edge in the most recent polls of North Carolina voters, while Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr leads his Democratic opponent, former state Rep. Deborah Ross, by a wider margin. McCrory and Cooper are almost precisely tied.I wouldn't put a lot of stock in these early indicators, for several reasons. First, midsummer polls aren't all that predictive of the outcome of competitive races, if history is any guide. Intervening events can change the priorities that voters place on certain issues, or change their views of candidates - particularly those with whom they are not already greatly familiar. Cooper, Ross, and Burr all fit that latter category.Second, not all pollsters studying the North Carolina electorate are yet attempting to predict which voters will turn out this fall. Some surveys screen for "likely voters." Others just ask all registered voters to weigh in, regardless of how likely they are to cast ballots. This can make a big difference, although not always in the direction you might think. Right now, among the recent polls of registered North Carolina voters, both Cooper and Clinton have average leads of two percentage points in their respective races. But among polls of likely voters, McCrory actually leads Cooper by two points - while Clinton's lead over Trump widens to five points!Is that conceivable? Yes, actually. There are always some people whose partisan allegiances are split or who only care about a single race (usually the presidency). Their proclivities to turn out in the fall aren't necessarily uniform. It could be that the North Carolinians who say they'll split their tickets for McCrory and Clinton - or to vote only for Clinton and then leave - are more likely to turn out than those who are say they are potential Trump-only or Trump-Cooper voters.Most models that seek to predict the outcome of presidential, senatorial, or gubernatorial races don't just plug in polling averages and spit out an answer. They include lots of other variables in the equation such as incumbency status, voter ideology, and economic conditions. That's why some savvy analysts of North Carolina politics believe McCrory has at least a modest edge for reelection and that Trump will do better in the state than current polling would suggest.I have no firm prediction to make - other than third-party candidates, such as Libertarian Gary Johnson for president, will probably do better than they have in a long while. Restless people emigrate.
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The new Dyson store in London

Bagless vacuum cleaner giant Dyson could open a pop-up demonstration store in Belfast following the launch of a flagship outlet in London this month, it can be revealed.

It's understood the British manufacturer headed by inventor James Dyson is to open the new store at Victoria Square.

It comes after it revealed its two-floor 'Dyson demo' shop in the capital's Oxford Street.

Other locations across the UK are also being considered for Dyson outlets.

Victoria Square did not wish to comment.

The London shop copies some of the style and retail approach seen in Apple stores.

It doesn't have visible tills, instead opting for an almost art gallery format, with customers able to walk around and examine Dyson's creations.

It has other outlets in Tokyo, Paris and Moscow.

Earlier this year the company revealed it had invested almost 50m in its latest product, the Supersonic hair dryer, which retails for 300.

The move to offering sales in its own stores is a new one. Dyson traditionally retails its vacuum cleaners and other products online or through high street retailers such as Currys.

Independent retail analyst Donald McFetridge said Dyson's concept was "new and fresh and follows very much in the example of Apple".

"In spite of the fact that there are a limited number of Dyson outlets in the world, it appears that they could soon be making a high-profile entry to the Northern Ireland marketplace," he added.

"Their intention in pop-ups and physical stores is to engage more directly with customers by offering them the opportunity to test their products in a variety of home settings.

"Dyson has realised that consumers these days want more than physical products to look at when they enter retail spaces.

"Contemporary consumers want to experiment with products in real-life situations.

"For example, in the new-look, typical Dyson set-up, consumers are encouraged to test the high ticket price products in different areas of the average home: living room, kitchen, bedroom."

Mr McFetridge said it was a "clever move by Dyson, who are keen to open more physical stores in the future".

"If Belfast consumers sufficiently engage with the brand and its products, it is more than likely that - in time - a Dyson outlet could be located here in Northern Ireland.

"Dyson products are not cheap and, by encouraging consumers to test them in real-life situations, the company hopes to boost sales."
Bank of Ireland is shutting eight branches in Northern Ireland

Bank of Ireland is shutting eight branches across Northern Ireland with the potential loss of dozens of jobs.

It says it will shut eight locations "where the volume of business is insufficient to sustain them.

"These branches account for about 6% of the business conducted by the network in Northern Ireland," it said.

The branches scheduled for closure are Castlereagh, Draperstown, Antrim, Belleek, Castlederg, Newtownards, Maghera and Donegall Square South in Belfast.

It's understood around 50 staff will be affected.

Sean Sheehan, regional director of Bank of Ireland UK, said:

"The decision to close branches is not taken lightly, and we understand that it will be disappointing for those customers who use them.

"A key priority will be to ensure customers understand the alternative arrangements available, and to maintain continuity of customer service.

"We are responding to the continuing shift in customer behaviour towards increased use of digital and online channels, and the changes announced today will put us in the best position to continue to support our customers changing needs and grow our business in the future."

Bank of Ireland says the closures will happen on a "phased basis commencing late Autumn 2016".

"Staff affected by the branch closures will be able to transfer, redeploy or relocate to other roles within the Bank or apply for voluntary redundancy," it said.

Wilfred Mitchell, policy chairman of the FSB said it was a "significant blow to the local economy as it will reduce service and competition generally.

"This closure programme, which has a particularly unwelcome rural focus, follows earlier closures in 2013 that will do nothing to inspire business confidence."

And Larry Broderick of the Financial Services Union blasted the closures, and said it will mean towns like Belleek losing the last remaining bank in the area.

"The decision by Bank of Ireland to announce eight Branch closures and over 50 redundancies is not only regrettable, but irresponsible given the impact it will have on customers and staff," he said.

"Given that Bank of Ireland is expected to announce significant profits at the end of the month, this announcement is a kick in the teeth for both customers and staff in Northern Ireland who supported the bank during the financial crisis."
The Bank of Ireland is closing eight Northern Ireland offices due to 'insufficient business'

The Bank of Ireland is closing eight branches in Northern Ireland.

Branches in Castlereagh, Draperstown, Antrim, Belleek, Castlederg, Newtownards, Maghera and in Donegall Square South behind Belfast City Hall are to shut on a phased basis starting in the autumn.

The bank said the 54 staff who work in the impacted branches will be able to "transfer, redeploy or relocate to other roles" or apply for voluntary redundancy.

Explaining the restructuring decision, the bank said the volume of business passing through the eight branches was insufficient to sustain in the long term.

It added that the decision reflected the "evolving banking needs" of a growing number of customers who preferred digital banking.

Sean Sheehan, of Bank of Ireland UK, said: "The decision to close branches is not taken lightly, and we understand that it will be disappointing for those customers who use them.

"A key priority will be to ensure customers understand the alternative arrangements available, and to maintain continuity of customer service."

Mr Sheehan added: "We are responding to the continuing shift in customer behaviour towards increased use of digital and online channels, and the changes announced today will put us in the best position to continue to support our customers' changing needs and grow our business in the future."

The bank will continue to operate 28 branches in Northern Ireland.

The Belfast City Hall branch premises will become the bank's first Enterprise Lounge in Northern Ireland, offering entrepreneurs and business start-ups free facilities and services.

The bank said it would write to individual customers affected at least 60 days before their branch closes.

Wednesday's announcement does not impact the bank's branch network in the Republic of Ireland.

The Financial Services Union (FSU) criticised the decision.

FSU general secretary Larry Broderick said: "Given that Bank of Ireland is expected to announce significant profits at the end of the month, this announcement is a kick in the teeth for both customers and staff in Northern Ireland who supported the Bank during the financial crisis.

"At a time when the union is discussing with the bank the impact of existing workloads on both staff and customers, this announcement is a retrograde step which is more focussed on cost cutting and enhancing profits rather than customers and staff."

The FSU said it would commence negotiations with the bank on Thursday.

Mr Broderick said: "The FSU will be challenging the bank's plans and, although the bank has confirmed that all redundancies will be voluntary, the union calls on politicians to support its campaign to challenge this decision in the interest of all stakeholders and the wider Northern Ireland economy."
The new Business Secretary has met workers at a steel plant which still has doubts over its long-term future.

Steel giant Tata has halted plans to sell the huge site in South Wales and is working on keeping its UK business as part of a joint venture with German conglomerate ThyssenKrupp.

Greg Clark, the new Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, visited the Port Talbot works on Wednesday and met workers and union officials, including Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of Community.

Mr Rickhuss said: "I am encouraged that Greg Clark has met with steelworkers in his first week on the job. He will have left today in no doubt that Community will keep the pressure on this Government to keep their promises to protect the steel industry.

"The new Secretary of State clearly understands the scale of the challenge still facing the industry, but his words to steelworkers today must be followed by firm actions to help save their jobs. By visiting Port Talbot, he will have seen first-hand that the highly skilled workforce is the foundation on which any success for this industry will be built.

"Although today's meeting was in South Wales, the Secretary of State appreciates that steel is a UK-wide industry and that the current challenges affect all steel plants and all companies.

"We welcome the renewed desire to put industrial strategy at the heart of Government and I was pleased that Greg Clark today signalled his intention to involve trade unions in that important process."
Ulster Farmers' Union deputy president Victor Chestnutt said plans in the US to relax restrictions on sheep meat and live imports will be welcomed by producers in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland lamb producers could reap the rewards of relaxed US trade restrictions, it has been claimed.

Ulster Farmers' Union deputy president Victor Chestnutt said plans in the US to relax restrictions on sheep meat and live imports will be welcomed by producers in Northern Ireland.

While proposals are in consultation, it's hoped exports of meat could resume in 2017.

Mr Chestnutt said the proposal was a "positive step".

"The UK is perhaps in a unique position, given that it is expected we will soon begin a process to officially leave the EU.

"However, we would fully expect that, until such times that the UK has officially left the EU, that DEFRA and DAERA will work hard for local sheep producers, ensuring our industry can source export opportunities in the US and other markets.

"While lamb consumption in the US is relatively low in comparison to other meats, they are still only 47% self-sufficient, meaning they are heavily reliant on imports to meet demand. We believe we have a unique, high-quality product."
Jim Davidson has courted controversy with some of his remarks

Comedian Jim Davidson says he plans to "set the record straight" on his controversial 40-year career with an autobiographical new stage show.

Celebrating four decades in show business, 40 Years On will cover the 62-year-old's life from his breakthrough on talent show New Faces in 1976 through to winning Celebrity Big Brother in 2014.

Written by and starring Davidson, he has promised never-before-heard stories about the "highs, lows and controversies of a unique life spent in the public eye".

He said: "The piece is an honest and raw reflection of my life over the last 40 years, both in the spotlight and personally.

"Much of my life has been lived out with the nation watching, so what better way to set the record straight and hear the stories - but from my perspective and in my own words."

Five-times-married Davidson is best known to many for fronting prime-time family favourites The Generation Game and Big Break - but he has come under fire across his career for controversial jokes about women, rape, homosexuality and disability.

In 2003, he refused to go on stage at Plymouth Pavilions because he objected to wheelchair users in the front row. According to the venue's staff, he asked for the users to be moved to the sides as his act would include offensive jokes about disabled people.

In 2007, he was forced to deny he was homophobic after a row with gay contestant Brian Dowling on reality show Hell's Kitchen.

Nearly 200 viewers complained about Davidson's use of the words "shirt-lifters" and "poofs", but Ofcom concluded there was no breach of regulations.

A year before his time on Celebrity Big Brother, Davidson was arrested at Heathrow airport by officers working for Operation Yewtree on accusations of historic sex abuse, but charges were dropped.

He was awarded an OBE in 2001 for his services to charity and has founded the British Forces Foundation and Care After Combat - both of which help British service veterans and their families.

:: 40 Years On runs from October 27 to December 3. Tickets are on sale now.
The Community Channel has become the UK's first national TV station to be owned by the public after a successful fundraising campaign backed by Sir Lenny Henry.

The channel raised more than 390,000 through crowd-funding, exceeding the original 300,000 target, and will become the first community-owned channel.

The campaign received support from comedian and actor Sir Lenny, who tweeted: "Please get behind this people! They're doing good work and need your support."

It offered viewers, charities, film makers and media partners an opportunity to own a stake in the channel by investing in community shares, at a minimum cost of 50.

Some 300 individuals and organisations, including the Big Lottery Fund, Barrow Cadbury Trust and broadcaster Sky backed the campaign by buying shares or making donations.

Each shareholder will now have an equal vote on management issues, regardless of the number of shares purchased, and money from the shares will help cover costs while the channel develops new digital platforms, grows its audience and increases its revenue.

Caroline Diehl, CEO and founder of Media Trust - the charity that oversees Community Channel, said: "I'd like to personally thank all those who backed the channel in its hour of need.

"These supporters - from large organisations who pledged thousands of pounds, to individuals who gave what they could - are united in the belief that the Community Channel is too important an asset to disappear.

"Hitting our original 300,000 target and then an extra 90,000 demonstrates the confidence people have in the Community Channel as a force for good for society.

"We hope this massive vote of confidence will encourage further financial backing as we look to secure the long term future of the channel."
Miranda Kerr has got engaged to Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel.

The Australian supermodel posted a picture online showing a huge diamond ring on her hand.

The image also features a cartoon couple with the man down on one knee proposing and the words "Marry me!" across the bottom.

Kerr, 33, captioned the shot:: "I said yes!!!" She added a string of hearts.

The Victoria's Secret model started dating American entrepreneur Spiegel in 2015 after they first met at a dinner in New York in 2014.

Last month, she posted a message on Instagram to wish him a happy 26th birthday and wrote: "I feel so incredibly blessed to have you as my partner."

Kerr was married to British actor Orlando Bloom from 2010 to 2013, and the pair have a five-year-old son, Flynn.
In light of continued developments, primarily since 2008, there exists in these United States a Legal System which operates on a proved Two Tiered approach to justice rendered, which primarily benefits Democratic Elites and Woke Ideological Virtue Signalers, representing their co-dependent wards, to the expressed exclusion of normal hardworking American citizens: What is your suggestion in remedying this widespread injustice and, if not corrected, its existential outcome for our Constitutional Republic?

Complete overhaul of the Department of Justice and their enforcers - the FBI - to reflect a far more honest justice system to keep patriots remaining calm.

Disband the FBI, and request that congress investigate all unethical and non patriotic practices to partially right the wrongs of a distrusted and politically weaponized "Department of Justice."
More than 160 GPs have signed an open letter to Health Minister Michelle O'Neill calling for immediate action to be taken to address the crisis facing doctors.

The message highlights urgent issues including a struggling workforce, an increase in workload and a lack of investment in GP-led services.

At a meeting today, representatives for the Royal College of General Practitioners Northern Ireland (RCGPNI ) presented the minister with their demands and asked that they be considered as a matter of urgency.

It follows research by the Northern Ireland branch of the British Medical Association showing almost three-quarters of practices (74%) were struggling with increased workloads, and 10% were barely coping.

Concerns have also been raised about growing patient lists, the increasing use of locum doctors and a huge increase in the volume of paperwork.

RCGPNI chair Dr John O'Kelly said: "We have outlined 10 initial key actions that we believe would begin to address these issues, but we need to see a commitment to delivering on these as a matter of urgency.

"In the longer term, we must see the recommendations in out GP-led working group report implemented in full."

Dr O'Kelly spoke as the public was urged to sign a petition calling on the Assembly to act to resolve the crisis facing GPs.

The British Medical Association Northern Ireland petition, which was launched this week, is available to sign in surgeries.

It demands that 10% of the overall health budget be invested in building a "safe, sustainable GP service".

It also calls for the training of more GPs so practices at risk of closure can stay open.

The chair of the BMA's Northern Ireland General Practitioners Committee, Dr Tom Black, urged people to sign the petition.

"This is a matter of urgency to not only rescue general practice, but to ensure that patients in Northern Ireland have a responsive, safe and sustainable general practice service that they know will be there when they need it," he explained.
A republican mural off the Falls road area of Belfast on March 14, 2009

A loyalist mural in the Shankhill area of Belfast on March 14, 2009

A republican mural in the Ballymurphy estate in Belfast on March 14, 2009

Belfast murals. A mural off the Newtownards Road dedicated to 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' author C.S Lewis who was from the area. 2010.

A Thomas Devlin murder appeal poster beside a UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) mural in the Mount Vernon area of North Belfast opposite the flats where one of his killers had lived.

One of the mural, "Bernadette" in the Bogside. Supplied Picture

Born identity: The UDA mural in east Belfast where many young Protestants say pride in the British Army, and anger at flag protests, have reinforced their sense of Britishness

The mural by artist Ross Wilson celebrating King Williams 1690 battle with King James replaces a UFF mural on a gabel wall on Linfield Avenue Sandy Row.

A project recording experiences of key figures from the Troubles and the peace process has been launched

Going back: The absurd psychology of paramilitarism fixating on UVF gunmen and Bobby Sands instead of icons like George Best, shows their mawkish self-mythologising

Residents gathered to watch the unveiling of the new mural opposite the Catholic church in Harryville, Ballymena, County Antrim. The old loyalist paramilitary mural close to a Catholic church which was the scene of weekly protests in the 1990s was removed at the weekend. It was replaced by an Ulster Scots mural featuring symbols such as a shamrock and Red Hand of Ulster. 2/4/06

Going back: The absurd psychology of paramilitarism fixating on UVF gunmen and Bobby Sands instead of icons like George Best, shows their mawkish self-mythologising

The UVF mural painted over one of George Best at Inverwood Court in east Belfast

A new UVF mural is being painted in Willowfield

Republican mural depicting former north Belfast IRA leader Martin Meehan revealed in the Ardoyne area of Belfast

Murals down the years ... republican mural depicting former north Belfast IRA man Martin Meehan is revealed in the Ardoyne area of Belfast.

Murals down the years ... A huge UFF mural was beamed to the world as cyclists passed it during May's Giro d'Italia

Murals down the years ... The Shankill Star Flute Band in Belfast carries a Lambeg drum dedicated to the memory of Brian Robinson, a UVF terrorist who shot Paddy McKenna dead at Ardoyne in 1989

Murals down the years ... former IRA sniper and Sinn Fein politician Martin Meehan aiming a rifle

The sabotaged mural of former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers on the International Peace Wall in west Belfast

The new mural, honouring UDA gunman Stephen McKeag, in the lower Shankill area

An image of Theresa Villiers on the International Peace Wall in west Belfast was vandalised days after she quit as Secretary of State - by the artist who painted the original mural.

The words "good riddance" and "this woman wants to hide her head in shame" appeared next to the painting on the famous tourist attraction.

The artwork has since been painted over as part of an ongoing project to create images reflecting the 1916 Easter Rising.

Artist Danny Devenny explained that it would later be replaced with a painting of the Irish tricolour being erected on the GPO - the key site of the Easter Rising.

Criticising Ms Villiers, Mr Devenny said she had "no impact" on the peace process. "I knew from an interview last week that she was leaving and decided that as she has done nothing for this part of Ireland, it should be written on the wall, so we defaced our own mural," he added.

"But the whole thing is being changed now. The mural is one continuous narrative of the North's connections to the Easter Rising. Theresa Villiers was going to get painted over whether she left or not.

"We painted those words on Monday and kept it up for a day, but we painted over it yesterday, so it's gone now.

"There's a connection to Liverpool in that the tricolour was raised on top of the GPO by a man from Liverpool who came to help out in the Rising.

"I have a group of friends from Liverpool who are coming over next week to paint that image of that man putting the tricolour up."

Mr Devenny went on to accuse Ms Villiers of blocking an inquiry into the 10 people killed in Ballymurphy in August 1971.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close The new mural, honouring UDA gunman Stephen McKeag, in the lower Shankill area Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph The sabotaged mural of former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers on the International Peace Wall in west Belfast Murals down the years ... former IRA sniper and Sinn Fein politician Martin Meehan aiming a rifle Murals down the years ... The Shankill Star Flute Band in Belfast carries a Lambeg drum dedicated to the memory of Brian Robinson, a UVF terrorist who shot Paddy McKenna dead at Ardoyne in 1989 Murals down the years ... A huge UFF mural was beamed to the world as cyclists passed it during May's Giro d'Italia Murals down the years ... republican mural depicting former north Belfast IRA man Martin Meehan is revealed in the Ardoyne area of Belfast. Republican mural depicting former north Belfast IRA leader Martin Meehan revealed in the Ardoyne area of Belfast A new UVF mural is being painted in Willowfield The UVF mural painted over one of George Best at Inverwood Court in east Belfast Going back: The absurd psychology of paramilitarism fixating on UVF gunmen and Bobby Sands instead of icons like George Best, shows their mawkish self-mythologising A mural at Free Derry Corner depicting the events of Bloody Sunday. Residents gathered to watch the unveiling of the new mural opposite the Catholic church in Harryville, Ballymena, County Antrim. The old loyalist paramilitary mural close to a Catholic church which was the scene of weekly protests in the 1990s was removed at the weekend. It was replaced by an Ulster Scots mural featuring symbols such as a shamrock and Red Hand of Ulster. 2/4/06 Going back: The absurd psychology of paramilitarism fixating on UVF gunmen and Bobby Sands instead of icons like George Best, shows their mawkish self-mythologising Fading Memories. A mural of David Healy at Carnforth Street, east Belfast A project recording experiences of key figures from the Troubles and the peace process has been launched File photo dated 03/05/07 of a Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) wall mural in north Belfast. The mural by artist Ross Wilson celebrating King Williams 1690 battle with King James replaces a UFF mural on a gabel wall on Linfield Avenue Sandy Row. The Civil Rights mural in the Bogside. Parade commemorating Brian Robinson - Shankill Road, Belfast Born identity: The UDA mural in east Belfast where many young Protestants say pride in the British Army, and anger at flag protests, have reinforced their sense of Britishness One of the mural, "Bernadette" in the Bogside. Supplied Picture Alan Lewis A Loyalist mural on the Newtownards road in Belfast A Thomas Devlin murder appeal poster beside a UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) mural in the Mount Vernon area of North Belfast opposite the flats where one of his killers had lived. Alan Lewis Alan Lewis UDA wall mural in the Shankill Road area.8/9/09 Healy among the greats at Windsor Park Mandatory C - redit Darren Kidd/ Belfast murals. A mural off the Newtownards Road dedicated to 'The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe' author C.S Lewis who was from the area. 2010. Republican mural in West Belfast. 1998 A republican mural in the Ballymurphy estate in Belfast on March 14, 2009 Jeff J Mitchell A loyalist mural in the Shankhill area of Belfast on March 14, 2009 Jeff J Mitchell A republican mural off the Falls road area of Belfast on March 14, 2009 Jeff J Mitchell YCV paramilitary mural in the Village, Belfast / Facebook

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Whatsapp The new mural, honouring UDA gunman Stephen McKeag, in the lower Shankill area

"Theresa Villiers obstructed the relatives of those killed in Ballymurphy from finding out what actually took place, so she should hang her head in shame over that," he said.

"I don't think that she had much input into the politics over here, whether it was nationalist or unionist.

"All the locals loved the new mural, and one lady suggested that we should add in about hanging her head in shame.

"There are 12 different murals dealing with all different issues, but this year we are doing one continuous narrative for the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising."

The defaced mural of former Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers on the International Peace Wall on the Falls Road in west Belfast
Ulster Unionist MP Tom Elliott has has voiced concerns at plans to roll out online voter registration in Northern Ireland.

The service is already available to voters in Britain. However Mr Elliott said he was concerned at the potential for fraudulent activity and closure of regional offices.

Mr Elliott questioned the Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office, Kris Hopkins MP, about the proposals in the House of Commons on Wednesday.

The Fermanagh & South Tyrone MP said: "With regard to the proposed changes to electoral registration in Northern Ireland, there is great anxiety regarding the proposed closure of regional offices in Ballymena, Banbridge, Londonderry, Newtownabbey, Newtownards and Omagh, and the potential negative impact this will have on the those seeking to register to vote.

"The Electoral Office plans to move towards digitised registration, and although this is currently subject to consultation, it appears the Governments has all but decided to proceed with this change.

"While I support the principle of online registration, I do have some concerns with how it might work in practice in Northern Ireland. Today I took the opportunity to bring these concerns to the attention of Kris Hopkins MP.

"I believe there is a very real possibility that the proposed digital registration in Northern Ireland could be subject to fraud and manipulation by criminal and terrorist elements. On many occasions in our local history those involved in terrorism have attempted to subvert the democratic process.

"I therefore caution the Electoral Office and the Northern Ireland Office to think very carefully about the particular circumstances in Northern Ireland which do not exist in other parts of the United Kingdom, and which may require additional precautions to be put in place prior to its introduction.

"The Home Office will be acutely aware of the active terrorist and criminal groups within our society. We must ensure that any future changes to electoral registration do not provide an open goal for terrorism to subvert our electoral system."
Chip and pin payment technology may be compromised by hackers within a year, a US cyber security expert says

Chip and pin payment technology may be compromised by hackers within a year, a US cyber security expert and former White House chief said.

Theresa Payton warned institutions needed to be thinking about future ways of protecting card transactions after managing to break through security in a test laboratory.

As America continues to roll out chip and pin, people needed to be ready for card not present fraud to go "through the roof".

She added: "We found in the ethical hacker labs we have been able to spoof chip and pin at the sales terminals.

"If we can do it in the lab, it is usually within a year that the bad guys can do it on a commoditised, scalable rate - so be ready and be thinking about what is after chip and pin.

"You have got about 12 months."

Mrs Payton was the first woman to serve as US President George W Bush's White House chief information officer and oversaw IT operations in an environment where everything including a chicken fillet had its own barcode.

She is chief executive officer of fraud consulting firm Fortalice Solutions LLC and addressed a meeting of the World Credit Union annual conference in Belfast.

The cyber-crime expert said international cooperation on tackling online financial fraud had improved, but was not good enough.

Although there is near 100% international cooperation on tackling child pornography, on finances it is a lot harder.

She added: "It is frustrating because we are funding terrorism every single time they get away with it."

She said people ignored the security of the payments system at their peril, adding: "We need to do better at actually locking people up and shutting them down.

"It is getting better but it still has so far to go. I am angry every time one dollar ends up in a bad guy's pocket."
Verona and Alan Drennan Memorial bench for Alan Drennan unveiled at Lough shore park in Jordanstown on July 19 2016 ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Verona and Alan Drennan with Colin and Ethna Bell Memorial bench for Alan Drennan unveiled at Lough shore park in Jordanstown on July 19 2016 ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Verona and Alan Drennan Memorial bench for Alan Drennan unveiled at Lough shore park in Jordanstown on July 19 2016 ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Belfast Telegraph)

Alan Drennan fought back tears as he paid tribute to his "fun-loving" 21-year-old son at a special memorial event one year on from his death in Ibiza.

Dozens of family and friends of "young Alan", as his father affectionately calls him, gathered at the sun-drenched shore in Jordanstown yesterday where they marked the first anniversary of his passing.

A bench dedicated to the popular Newtownabbey man overlooking Belfast Lough was unveiled at the service.

It sits between two other benches erected for those who have lost a loved one and in memory of Kevin Bell, who died in New York in 2013, and whose name now fronts a family-run charity that helped repatriate Alan's body. Last night many more attended the shorefront, where they released lanterns in tribute to the mechanic who died in controversial circumstances while on holiday with a group of his close friends. Alan snr (56), mum Verona (53) and brothers Lee (24) and 16-year-old Karl were comforted by family members as Rev Nigel Kirkpatrick conducted a short prayer service for Alan.

His devastated father sobbed as he spoke proudly of his son and how the bench will keep his memory alive.

"I'm glad we got to do this today because he made an impact on so many lives. A lot of people have realised that life is too short, that this can happen, and his friends have also changed their ways," he said.

"This (memorial bench) will go on forever."

Two trees will be planted in the area this November in tribute to Alan, who was found dead in his hotel room in Ibiza less than 24 hours after arriving there for a holiday.

"We wanted to help the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust as they helped us bring young Alan home and I owe everything to that family for what they did," Alan snr added. "Alan used to come to this shore with his friends and have a bit of fun. All the kids got together and have started doing banners and stickers and raising money for the trust. So far they have raised about 13,000.

"This is how well Alan was thought of, he was a super lad and we just miss him so much.

"He made an impact on people's lives and it's nice to think that so many people have a piece of Alan in their heart and I'm so proud of what he did in his 21 years of life."

Many of his friends, including those who were in Ibiza, attended yesterday's events.

Stephen McKee, Stephen Bell, Adam McKee, James McKinney, Connor Kerr, Cameron Snow and Matthew West spoke about the impact of Alan's death on their close-knit group and how nights out "just aren't the same".

Stephen Bell said: "It's a weird feeling today because this day last year we were all sitting on the beach planning on meeting up with everyone else and a couple of hours later we found out what happened, and today we are all together again at these benches.

"It means we can come here in our own time and help each other through it."

He added: "This past year hasn't been the same without him, partying hasn't been the same, nothing really has been the same."
A decision by the Health Minister not to change the salary payment system for health workers has been welcomed as a victory by campaigners.

The Unison and Unite unions were jubilant after Michelle O'Neill said she would not introduce monthly payments to replace weekly and fortnightly ones.

The minister made the decision following an engagement hosted by West Belfast MP Paul Maskey with frontline healthcare workers and unions.

The unions have said they will suspend any strike ballot following the minister's move.

Patricia McKeown, Unison regional secretary, said the minister recognised that women workers, low paid and part-timers particularly, would have been adversely affected by the change.

"We note that the minister has 'halted' the move to single pay frequency rather than completely abandoning it," she said.

"Consequently, Unison will halt our strike ballot. Many changes need to be made to health service pay including the introduction of a Living Wage and the need to tackle the fact that health workers in Northern Ireland have fallen behind the pay levels of their counterparts in GB.

"The minister's decision now clears the way for meaningful negotiations on these key issues."

Unite lead officer Kevin McAdam said: "Proposals to enforce a move from weekly pay to monthly pay would have left large numbers of healthcare workers facing an unnecessary squeeze.

"This is a victory for common sense and will be a relief for the many low paid health workers who would have put their finances in turmoil by such a transition."

He continued: "We had informed the minister that we were initiating a ballot of our members on strike action over this issue. There was very widespread and deep opposition to this move being imposed from above.

"This is a victory for the hard work of reps in both unions who have taken their campaign to oppose this needless change to the streets and to the politicians."

Ms O'Neill said: "I have listened to the issues raised by those staff who would have been affected by the change in frequency of pay and decided to retain the current arrangements for weekly and fortnightly paid employees.

"The change in pay frequency would have impacted upon some 12,000 staff, particularly women on lower pay scales. I want to reassure those people that I appreciate their financial concerns and I do not want to add to their pressures."

Paul Maskey welcomed the decision, saying: "The simple reality is, some staff members cannot afford to manage their money on a monthly basis as they do not earn enough. I am delighted the minister has listened to the concerns of the workers and that she has agreed not to implement the change."
Scannell is to appear in court again next week.

A 39-year-old man was remanded into custody after appearing in court on a series of charges linked to the alleged rape of a 16-year old boy in west Belfast last weekend.

Gerard Scannell, from Ballymurphy Road, has been charged with three counts of rape as well as sexually assaulting the teenager.

The teenager was attacked in the Falls Park area of the city in the early hours of last Saturday, July 16th.

On Wednesday, after the four charges were put to Scannell at Belfast Magistrates' Court, a detective constable from the PSNI confirmed he believed he could connect the accused to the charges.

Defence barrister Mark Farrell told District Judge Fiona Bagnall that Scannell has "co-operated fully with the police investigation".

He also said Scannell had consistently denied the allegations.

Mr Farrell said that at this stage, the defence was "not in a position to launch a bail application" but asked that the case be listed again next week for the purpose of fixing a date for such an application.

A representative from the PPS said: "Any application for bail will be strongly objected to."
Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire effectively ruled out the chance of a referendum on Irish unity following the Brexit vote

The newly appointed Northern Ireland Secretary has moved to effectively rule out the possibility of a referendum on Irish unity.

James Brokenshire told MPs he does not believe that the conditions required to call a border poll have been met.

His comments, made during his House of Commons debut in his new role, came after Taoiseach Enda Kenny raised the prospect of a future vote on Irish unity in the wake of Brexit.

The Irish premier said EU/UK negotiations should factor in the possibility that a border poll could be held in years to come.

But his intervention prompted fury from Unionists.

Nigel Dodds, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, asked Mr Brokenshire during Northern Ireland questions: "Can you spell out for the benefit of the House once again what you have already said publicly in Northern Ireland, why there is no question of a border poll in Northern Ireland?"

Mr Brokenshire replied: "I have been quite straightforward in relation to the issue of the border poll.

"The conditions are set out very clearly in relation to the Belfast Agreement and I have been very clear that I do not think those conditions have been met."

Under the terms of the peace agreement the power to call a border poll rests with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

But the accord stipulates that such a vote can only be called if there is evidence of a clear shift of public opinion in favour of Irish unity in Northern Ireland.

The issue of a poll has been the subject of renewed debate after Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU in the face of the UK's decision to leave.

Mr Dodds said: "The reason, of course, that it hasn't been met is because the overwhelming majority of people in both communities in Northern Ireland want to remain part of the United Kingdom.

"Do you recognise the irony, the illogicality of those who are talking so much doom and gloom about Northern Ireland and the UK post-Brexit referendum when their main policy, their main raison d'etre, is actually to drag us out of the United Kingdom which would be the most financially catastrophic and politically demoralising thing that is possible to imagine?"

Mr Brokenshire praised the "very special bond that binds the peoples and nations of the United Kingdom together" as he called for people to "come together" to secure a "bright, positive future" for Northern Ireland within the UK.
Former LVF founder and leader Billy Wright who was killed inside the Maze Prison by the INLA in 1997

Police have defended allowing a banner of loyalist killer Billy Wright bragging over the UVF killing of four people to remain on display in a Co Tyrone town.

The Irish News reported the PSNI's response to a banner featuring the notorious LVF leader - known as 'King Rat' - hung on a lamppost in Dungannon.

The banner was placed in the town around two weeks ago. Under the title "In proud memory of brigadier Billy Wright" it features the quote: "I would look back and say Cappagh was probably our best."

The quote is in reference to the 1991 Cappagh killings of four men, including three IRA members, at a Boyle's Bar in the Co Tyrone village.

Wright was thought to have planned and led the attack.

PSNI inspector Keith Jamieson said: "There is no doubt that this sign will be perceived by some to be offensive, but not by others and while we are sensitive to the feelings of victims families, the PSNI must attempt to achieve a balance between the rights of one community over another, and of course must act within the law.

We are working with the community in an attempt to resolve this matter and we will continue to do so.

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SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone said he had reported it to police to look at the matter under incitement to hatred laws.

He described the PSNI's attitude over the matter as "disgraceful".

Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Billy Wright LVF leader Billy Wright Alan Lewis Loyalist paramilitary Billy Wright pictured in Portadown in August 1996. / Facebook

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Speaking on the BBC Stephen Nolan radio show, he said: "This was a leaders of a paramilitary organisation which inflicted terrible suffering on parts of Tyrone and Armagh. My initial reaction was to feel for the families of those murdered and indeed I have attended funerals of people murdered by Mr King Rat's gang.

"I feel that the police response that they have to balance the rights of one community over another - this is nothing to do with rights. This is either right or wrong.

"The police appear to becoming to this from a balance of wrong bowing to the lowest common demonimator.

"This is incitement, hate, wrong and particularly distressing to the families in fairly reasonable proximity to where the killings happened.

"To me those killed - irrespective if they were members of the IRA or not - were not armed, they were sitting in a pub, this was an attack on a bar. It was murder and was investigated by the police as murder.

"It is not the right of any community to put up poster bragging of an event of people killed in a mass murder.

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"To look at it as to spew out hatred as a right, then I think we are in a crazy society."

Police said they had nothing to add to their officer's statement in The Irish News.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident to contact them

The scene of a collision at the Springbank pond in the Colin Glen Forest park in which a woman has been struck by a motorbike. July 19 2016 ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye )

The scene of a collision at the Springbank pond in the Colin Glen Forest park in which a woman has been struck by a motorbike. July 19 2016 ( Photo by Kevin Scott / Presseye )

A 35-year-old woman is in a critical condition in hospital after being knocked down by a scrambler motorbike in a forest park.

Two men have been arrested after the collision in the Colin Glen Forest Park area of Dunmurry in greater Belfast around 6pm.

West Belfast Assembly member Jennifer McCann said the local community was in shock.

"Many people will have been out enjoying the sunshine in the park and it is shocking to think that something like this could happen," said the Sinn Fein representative.

"My thoughts are with the family and friends of this woman."

SDLP Belfast councillor Brian Heading described the incident as tragic.

"News of a collision involving a scrambler which has left a woman in a critical condition in hospital is absolutely shocking," he said.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the woman and her family at an incredibly difficult time."

Police have appealed for witnesses to come forward.
Press Release:

Contact: Jesse Hunt

Jesse Hunt jhunt@burrforsenate.com

This was another successful week for Senator Burr as the Senate, and later the House, passed key legislation he sponsored that will help North Carolina veterans as well as other veterans throughout the country. Senator Burr also helped move the conversation forward on providing the necessary resources to combat the Zika virus.For those keeping track, this week also marked the one-week anniversary of Deborah Ross' campaign appearance with Hillary Clinton in Charlotte that came on the heels of the FBI releasing the results of the investigation into Clinton's email scandal. Ross has inexplicably refused to comment on the matter despite appearing side by side with Clinton.On Monday, Senator Burr announced he had raised $1.57 million during the second quarter, a haul that leaves him with $6.95 million cash-on-hand. And according to a Associated Press report , Ross only has $1.9 million cash-on-hand--over $5 million less than Senator Burr. The Winston-Salem Journal also noted the significant cash-on-hand advantage for Senator Burr. Winston-Salem Journal: "But missing from the announcement was information about the Ross campaign's latest cash-on-hand total."On the cash-on-hand front, Burr has held a significant lead."Burr aides said the senator has $6.95 million on hand at the end of the second quarter. That numbers is higher than those he reported during the same period in 2010 and 2004, when he reported $6.26 million and $6.6 million, respectively."On Wednesday, the Senate officially passed the Department of Veterans Affairs Dental Insurance Reauthorization Act of 2016 , legislation Senator Burr sponsored to ensure all veterans continue to receive the care they deserve.Also on Wednesday, Senator Burr penned a joint op-ed with Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Bill Nelson (D-FL) that highlighted the need to address the serious threats posed by the Zika virus by passing the bipartisan SMASH Act, saying "let's not be penny wise and dollar foolish when it comes to public health preparedness and protecting Americans." A portion of the op-ed can be found below: The Hill: Why We Must SMASH Mosquitos To Stop ZikaBy Sens. Richard Burr, Angus King and Bill NelsonIn 2002-03, more than 14,000 people in the United States contracted West Nile virus. It returned again in 2012, infecting 6,000 more Americans. We all know the culprit: mosquitos.Mosquitos are more than just a summertime pest. They spread not only West Nile; they also spread malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, eastern equine encephalitis, chikungunya, and now, Zika-a virus that can cause serious birth defects in babies....More than ten years ago, during the peak of the 2003 West Nile outbreak, Congress quickly responded by passing the bipartisan Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (MASH) Act. Because most mosquito control occurs at the local level, MASH authorized spending $100 million to provide matching grants to local efforts to fight, control, and eliminate mosquitos - which in turn stops the transmission of the diseases they carry....That's why we have introduced bipartisan legislation - the Strengthening MASH (SMASH) Act - that would authorize $130 million every year for the next five years for mosquito control. We are facing a long-term problem-the question is not whether we will spend our tax dollars to address this problem but when. We think it's smarter that we make the investment both when it is cheaper and before people get sick.Let's not be penny wise and dollar foolish when it comes to public health preparedness and protecting Americans. Instead, let's learn from our history, take action now, and support the programs necessary to SMASH Zika and better prepare for the next mosquito-borne threat we may face.On Thursday night, the Senate passed two more pieces of legislation that were cosponsored by Senator Burr. One bill was the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act , which calls for the FBI and the Department of Justice to work together with community advocacy groups and other entities to investigate and prosecute, at the local level, any unsolved murders that may have been racially motivated. The other bill was Kevin and Avonte's Law that provides funding for programs that help families locate relatives who suffer from illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease that make them prone to wander off alone without any notice.
David Cameron's failure to plan for Brexit amounted to "gross negligence" and Theresa May must now significantly boost funding for the Foreign Office, an influential committee of MPs has said.

The previous government's lack of contingency planning has exacerbated uncertainty and made the task facing the new Prime Minister's administration "substantially more difficult", the Foreign Affairs Committee report said.

The cross-party committee said it was essential that Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Brexit Secretary David Davis and International Trade Secretary Liam Fox formed an "effective triumvirate" as soon as possible, with clear division of responsibilities.

The report was highly critical about the policy adopted under Mr Cameron's premiership of not fully preparing for the possibility of a victory for the Brexit campaign in the European Union referendum.

" Since the referendum, the extent of the G overnment's lack of preparation for a potential Leave vote has become more evident," the report said.

"In the light of the appointment of the new Prime Minister on 13 July, the previous g overnment's confidence that basic planning for the practicalities of implementing Brexit could be undertaken at a leisurely pace after the vote now appears at best naive and at worst negligent.

"The previous government's considered view not to instruct key d epartments including the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) to plan for the possibility that the electorate would vote to leave the EU amounted to gross negligence.

"It has exacerbated post-referendum uncertainty both within the UK and amongst key international partners, and made the task now facing the new government substantially more difficult.

"The lack of contingency planning inevitably means that the Government's plans are tentative and just emerging."

The committee urged Mrs May to commit to a sizeable boost to the funding of the FCO "commensurate with the enormity of the task it now faces" and warned against stripping senior officials away from the "already over-stretched" department to focus on Brexit without replacing them.

Committee chairman Crispin Blunt said: " We want to see the FCO working effectively with the new Department for International Trade and the Department for Exiting the European Union.

"Our security, prosperity, values and democracy will depend on the strength of these key departments and their working relationships.

"The Brexit challenge requires a fully staffed and resourced FCO.

"A commitment to scaling up resources and personnel would give a clear signal to allies of our priorities."

At her first Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May was challenged by Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron over reports that the new Brexit unit would be hiring lawyers at a cost of up to 5,000 a day each.

Mrs May said it was "absolutely right" to create the new Brexit department and it would need "the expertise that will enable it to undertake the negotiations".
A celebrity dog trainer has joined the fight to save a family pet seized from its home because it looks like a pit bull.

Victoria Stilwell said she was ready to fly into Belfast to help gentle giant Hank.

The dog was taken by police and officers from Belfast City Council animal control on suspicion of being a pit bull terrier - a banned breed.

The case has echoes of the 2010 Lennox saga, which saw a dog seized and put down after a huge legal battle.

Victoria, who is one of the world's most recognised and respected dog trainers, became involved with Lennox and has said she is ready to come over to Northern Ireland to save Hank from being destroyed.

She told the Belfast Telegraph: "I am so angry that this is happening again.

"Here we are, we're going to have another dog languishing inside the kennels and going through trauma because it is not with its family.

"I will come over there (to Northern Ireland) and do a behavioural evaluation on this dog.

"The world's top forensic dog bite investigator, Jim Crosby, who is a friend of mine and who helped in the Lennox case, is also ready to come to Belfast and do a behavioural evaluation. We're ready to come - we'll do it."

Leonard Collins and Joanne Meadows, who have had Hank since he was a puppy, have launched a campaign to save their pet, who faces death if officials rule he is a pit bull. The pair believe he is a Staffie-Labrador cross.

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Victoria, who starred in Animal Planet's hit TV series It's Me or the Dog, said she feared for Hank's life.

"I became involved with Lennox, and I saw how completely unfair it was right from the beginning," she explained.

"I truly believe that, at the moment Lennox was taken out of his home in 2010, he was a dead dog.

"There was nothing that any expert could say, and nothing that any of us could do, to change the minds of Belfast City Council.

"Lennox just did not stand a chance, and that is what really worries me right now about Hank."

Belfast City Council confirmed the dog was taken into its care, saying it had a "statutory duty" to enforce the Dogs (NI) Order 1983.

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It added that Hank was being assessed, that he was being well looked after and his needs were being met.

However, Victoria said separating the pet from his owners would cause him a severe amount of distress.

"If his real needs are being met, dogs need to be part of a family," the animal expert told the Belfast Telegraph.

"They are sociable animals. They don't do well in social isolation - they don't transition well from home to kennel, and kennel to home.

"That dog will be going through absolute emotional turmoil and trauma - I can guarantee you that 100%."

Victoria said studies have shown how the cognitive abilities of a dog are similar to a two-year-old child.

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She likened what Hank was going through to a child being separated from its parents.

The Lennox case made headlines around the world, including Australia and America.

And Victoria added: "The world will be watching Belfast.

"My social media reaches about two million people every week.

"People are very passionate about it."
Angela Merkel told Britain to "take a moment" over its plans to quit the European Union but warned against leaving the negotiations "up in the air" as she met Theresa May for talks.

EU leaders have made clear that they want Britain to swiftly begin its exit from the bloc.

But the German Chancellor said the UK should take its time to sort out its priorities, after meeting Mrs May in Berlin.

The Prime Minister confirmed she would not trigger the two-year Article 50 process of leaving the European Union before the end of the year.

During her first overseas trip since taking the keys to No 10, Mrs May insisted that Germany would "remain a vital partner and a special friend for us" after Brexit.

Mrs Merkel said Germany was "listening" to what Britain wants but underlined that negotiations will not begin until the UK sets out its stall.

She said Germany would "stand up for our interests just as Britain does it for its own citizens", although it would be "in a spirit of friendship and on a basis of many shared convictions".

Mrs Merkel said: "I think it is absolutely understandable that only a few days after the referendum, only a few days after a new government has formed in Britain, the government will have to take a moment first and try to seek to identify its interests."

She indicated that although there could not be "formal or informal" negotiations on a Brexit deal before Article 50 is triggered, there would be discussions about the situation.

"Irrespective of the decision that the people in the UK have taken to leave the EU, we are linked by very close bonds of friendship, of partnership," she said.

Mrs May said that negotiating Britain's successful exit from the EU "will take time, and it will require serious and detailed work".

She said: "I want to work with Chancellor Merkel and my colleagues around the European Council in a constructive spirit to make this a sensible and orderly departure.

"All of us will need time to prepare for these negotiations and the United Kingdom will not invoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear.

"That is why I have said already that this will not happen before the end of this year.

"I understand this timescale will not please everyone but I think it is important to provide clarity on that now.

"We should strive for a solution which respects the decision of British voters, but also respects the interests of our European partners."

Mrs Merkel said it was "absolutely understandable" that the UK would want to delay the opening of formal talks on its withdrawal from the EU to give itself time to work out its negotiating position.

"It is to our advantage to have the UK define its negotiating stance in great detail and clarity and clearly outline how it sees its future relationship with the EU," said the German Chancellor.

"These have to be parallel processes. You cannot completely cut off the bonds and then after a long, winding negotiating process come up with how one sees the future relationship, so a good negotiating process and a sensible and constructive one is in all of our interests.

"So we will wait for the moment when the UK invokes this and applies for this and then we will put our guidelines on the table as to how we see the future relationship."
Eurostar trains across the English Channel and trains to Brussels and Amsterdam all leave from the Gare du Nord in Paris

Vandals prompted a fire at the Gare du Nord train station in Paris that halted traffic to Britain and many other destinations, authorities have said.

The SNCF national rail service said the fire on Tuesday was caused by a "malicious incident", without elaborating.

A police official said the fire started in an electrical station and prompted an immediate cut-off of power to the rails.

The fire was quickly extinguished and presented no danger to passengers, the official said.

No one has yet been detained, but there is no sign of any terrorist intent, said the official.

The incident came amid nationwide jitters following a truck attack in Nice last week that killed 84 people and was claimed by the Islamic State group, the third major attack in France in 18 months.

SNCF told passengers that traffic would resume on commuter lines late on Tuesday night, but passengers on Eurostar trains across the English Channel were told they would have to wait until Wednesday to leave.

Trains to Brussels, Amsterdam and other international destinations also leave from the Gare du Nord.

Theresa Pietrangelo, of Toronto, who was trying to return to London with her daughter Emily, said: "This is a disaster. Nobody knows what's going on and they told us our train isn't leaving tonight.

"We have tickets to fly to Edinburgh tomorrow morning and now I don't know what to do."

They had spent a week in London and this was supposed to be their one fun day in Paris -Tuesday was Emily's 21st birthday.

AP
The seaplane was travelling from Shanghai's Jinshan district to the Zhoushan islands

A seaplane making its inaugural flight has crashed into a bridge outside Shanghai, killing five people on board.

The Cessna 208B operated by Joy Air was carrying two crew members and eight invited guests, according to the state-run news site The Paper.

The other five people on board at the time are being treated in hospital.

The seaplane took off from suburban Shanghai's Jinshan district and was bound for the Zhoushan islands, about 47 miles to the south.

The route is designed for tourists and sightseers who want to escape to the islands from the sprawling financial centre.

A spokeswoman for Joy Air, China's largest seaplane operator, said all company executives are at the crash site and she had no further details.

The Paper said the cause of the crash is under investigation.

Local media were invited to tour the seaplane before it took off as part of a publicity campaign to promote the airline's new coastal service.

Those on board the seaplane were government workers and local journalists.

Speaking from his hospital bed, one of the passengers, local television cameraman Wu Liangliang, said the seaplane circled several times and then made an abrupt left turn before crashing into the bridge.

"It was like something out of a dream," he said.

Another survivor, Song Wanjun, said he and three other passengers were in the rear cabin and survived by escaping through the rear emergency exit.

"I was the last one to crawl out, but those in the front rows could not," Mr Song told the Xinmin Evening News.

"I was calling on everyone not to panic, but to wait for rescue."
Police at the scene where an officer was shot dead in Kansas City (AP)

A Kansas police officer shot and killed while searching for a suspect was not targeted in a planned ambush, police officials have said.

Kansas City police chief Terry Zeigler said Captain Robert Melton was shot several times through his window while the suspect attempted to evade capture.

Capt Melton had driven up to someone who matched the description of a suspect being hunted for a drive-by shooting at 2pm local time on Tuesday, but was shot at before he could even get out of his vehicle. He died a short time later in hospital.

Mr Zeigler said the murder was not part of the recent string of shootings in the US, but he warned that "hate against police has got to stop".

He said: "The crime does not fit the national narrative of planned attacks against law enforcement officers, but it does fit the narrative fact that words matter. The anti-hate speech has got to stop because the consequences are real."

Authorities believe they have all suspects in custody, but no charges have been announced.

An emotional Mr Zeigler also thanked the community for their support.

Tributes have been paid to the 46-year-old officer, who was a 17-year veteran of the Kansas City Police Department.

Police have set up a table draped in blue cloth inside their headquarters in Kansas City where people can place cards and flowers.

Kathryn Courtney said Capt Melton had been "born to protect and serve".

As she left a bouquet of yellow daisies, she said she had known Capt Melton for nearly 20 years and he was "a wonderful man with a heart of gold".

Mayor Mark Holland, of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, said: "There's a lot of pain and brokenness in our community and our nation right now, and we just want to ask everyone to be prayerful and thoughtful right now."

According to his LinkedIn profile, Capt Melton had also served in the Kansas Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan from September 2010 to March 2012.
A banner denouncing a plan to deploy an advanced US missile defence system called Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD (AP)

North Korea said it test-fired ballistic rockets as part of a simulated pre-emptive attack on ports and airfields in South Korea.

Leader Kim Jong Un guided the launches and expressed his satisfaction with them, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported, without saying when the tests happened.

However on Tuesday South Korea said the North fired three ballistic missiles from inland that flew about 310 to 375 miles before crashing into the sea.

The KCNA said the launches "once again examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area".

Lee Chun-geun, a scientist at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute, said the North Korean missiles were believed to be carrying warheads, which contain trigger devices but not plutonium or uranium, to see whether those warheads could detonate properly.

The launches were the latest in a series of weapons tests North Korea has carried out since March.

Pyongyang said it conducted a test of a warhead-detonating device when it fired a submarine-launched missile in April.

North Korea is pushing to manufacture a warhead small enough to be placed on a long-range missile that can reach the continental US, but South Korean defence officials say the North does not yet have such a miniaturised warhead.

Some civilian experts, however, believe the North has the technology to put warheads on shorter-range missiles that can strike South Korea and Japan.

The three reported launches came as North Korea criticised the planned deployment of an advanced US missile defence system in South Korea.

AP
Donald Trump has been formally nominated as the Republican Party's candidate for president in this year's White House race (AP)

Donald Trump has officially won the Republican presidential nomination, making the businessman the party's standard-bearer in the race for the White House after a campaign which saw him vanquish 16 rivals.

The roll call vote of states on Tuesday night gave Mr Trump enough delegates at the Republican National Convention to win the nomination after months of speculation and dissent within the GOP ranks. There was little opposition on the floor as delegates cast votes for him state by state.

At the convention on Wednesday, vice-presidential nominee Mike Pence will deliver a prime-time address along with Ted Cruz, the primary runner-up who remains reluctant about endorsing Mr Trump despite calls for party unity.

So far, many of the speakers at the convention have devoted more time to denouncing presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. She was talked about more than Mr Trump himself on Tuesday night.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said Mrs Clinton represents a third term of Barack Obama's presidency instead of the "clean break from a failed system", while Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said Mrs Clinton has "a tortured relationship to the truth".

Mr Trump himself briefly appeared in a video-taped statement, saying: "This is a movement, but we have to go all the way."

And regardless of his future success, it seems he may not be the last Trump to run for the White House as son Donald Trump Jr said he would not rule out a future in politics.

The 38-year-old said that when his five children are older, he would consider running for office, adding he would "love to be able to do it, as a patriot".

Meanwhile, Mr Trump's top adviser said Mr Cruz will have a role in the general election campaign against Mrs Clinton.

Paul Manafort told CNN's New Day that the Texas senator will use his address to the convention to offer a message "consistent with what Mr Trump is talking about".

Asked whether Mr Cruz will endorse Mr Trump, Mr Manafort said Mr Cruz "will be part of the campaign going forward", but "in what capacity, I'm not sure".

He said his words will at least "suggest" that he is backing Mr Trump's candidacy for president.

Throughout the primaries, Mr Trump consistently called his rival "Lyin' Ted" and took jabs at the appearance of his wife, Goldman Sachs executive Heidi Cruz.

AP
RED LODGE  For George Kusera of Laurel, a self-described fan boy of the battery-powered Tesla car, a new charging station in Red Lodge will boost how often he drives his 2014 model to the gateway to Yellowstone National Park.

It changes your travel habits. People plan their routes based on their destinations, Kusera, a retired railroad engineer, said recently.

The city of Red Lodge installed in late June two Tesla destination chargers and two Clipper Creek universal chargers at its public restroom site at 305 N. Oakes Ave., opening up the region to drivers of electric vehicles.

The universal chargers can be used by any electric vehicle, such as the Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt.

City officials say they hope travelers will take the time used for charging, which can be three or more hours to reach full power, to shop in Red Lodge.

Theyre going to come in, cap off, eat something and go, said Katelynn Essig, the citys sustainability coordinator who helped bring the stations to town.

Additionally, the historic Yodeler Motel installed three Tesla chargers and one universal charger at its facility at 601 Broadway Ave. S.

Owner Mac Dean said the chargers, installed at cost by Palo Alto, Calif.-based Tesla Motors Inc., help set the Yodeler apart in the minds of travelers.

Good business practices save money and make money at the same time. This is just a part of being more sustainable, Dean said.

For the city of Red Lodge, installation of the four stations cost about $10,000, which will be reimbursed through Tesla Motors. Essig worked with the nonprofit Yellowstone Teton Clean Cities to obtain the grants.

Similar stations have been installed in Cody, east of Yellowstone. The park itself has two charging stations, park officials said.

The city is estimating costs of about $5 per car charged, Red Lodge City Councilman Bill Foisy said. Essig said she expects to get the first usage reports at the end of this month.

The city is planning to install donation boxes by the chargers to offset costs, Foisy said.

Red Lodge officials say they hope the stations will also give the city a brand of sustainability. Theyre unsure how much the stations will be used, particularly given the historically uneven market for electric vehicles.

The technology dates back to the 1880s, but electric cars were pushed to near extinction in the early 1900s by the gasoline engine. They saw a resurgence in the 1970s during gas shortages, and again at the beginning of this decade, when gas prices rose to more than $4 a gallon in most parts of the country.

In 2010, General Motors introduced the all-electric Chevy Volt, and Nissan countered with the Leaf. Sales of the Volt hit 100,000 nationwide at the end of 2015, but have slumped this year, according to AutoBlog.com, an industry trade site.

Sales of the Nissan Leaf also slumped at the end of last year, and company officials said demand was falling with gas prices, according to Hybridcars.com, another trade site.

A lack of charging stations has always been one of the biggest hurdles to growth for electric vehicles, but the infrastructure is improving. Enough stations are on Interstate 90 for a driver to likely travel the entire road from Seattle to Boston, according to PlugShare.com, which tracks stations.

In Montana, no two stations are more than 150 miles apart on the interstate, with the biggest gap between Billings and Miles City on Interstate 94.

Billings has at least five charging stations. One is a high-powered supercharger for Tesla vehicles at the Big Horn Resort. Two regular chargers are at Archie Cochrane Ford.

The remaining two chargers are at Good Earth Market downtown and at the Billings KOA campground.

Tesla, founded by tech mogul Elon Musk, is top-of-the-line in the electric vehicle market, starting at $70,000. Owners of the vehicles say theyll be more comfortable driving farther with stations like those in Red Lodge.

Tesla owner Mo Fowell spends half his time in Red Lodge and the other half in Northern California. A retired executive for the NFLs San Francisco 49ers, Fowell said the stations will help eliminate range anxiety for electric car owners who worry that their battery will die on the highway.

Last year, you couldnt get to Yellowstone Park. Now you can, Fowell said.
I read the statement, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones, or have been seriously injured in this vicious attack" and I thought this must be a statement taken from the archives about the attacks on the people of Northern Ireland by IRA murderers and I immediately thought of Teebane, Kingsmills, Claudy, Enniskillen and La Mon - to name just a few.

But who had his name subscribed to it? Why, none other than the self-acknowledged IRA leader from Londonderry, Martin McGuinness.

It is easy to issue platitudes from a distance; it would seem much more sincere if he visited the families of those viciously murdered by the IRA and apologised to them and disclosed the names of the perpetrators who not only carried out the vicious attacks, but also the informers who provided the IRA with information to carry out the attacks.

The vast majority in Northern Ireland acknowledge the horror of Nice, but it should not be forgotten that, compared to Northern Ireland, this was a minor tragedy.

This claim may seem somewhat unsympathetic, but it is not meant to be. In comparative terms, the position is that there are 66.6 million people in France. Northern Ireland has a population of just 1.8 million - a ratio of approximately 37:1.

If this attack was similar to Teebane, there would have been 296 slaughtered; Kingsmills would have been 370 - just to name two of the atrocities carried out by the organisation of which the Deputy First Minister still claims to be proud to have been a member.

When will Martin advise President Hollande that he must meet the leaders of the organisation which arranged this massacre and facilitate them becoming members of the government?

Pending all this happening, will they, like Martin, be given the telephone number of the French equivalent of the late Mo Mowlam so, if they are detained by the French security forces, they can call and be released?

LYLE CUBITT

Ballymena, Co Antrim
When I went on a mission trip to Honduras a few years ago, everyone in my group broke down at one point or another from the emotions they felt about the children and the conditions they were living in.

Everyone, except me.

I remember thinking something was wrong with me why wasnt I moved to tears like everyone else? Of course, I felt bad for them and was moved by their actions, like the fact that each held tightly to their shoebox filled with treasures and waited to look in it until they got home, instead of ripping into it the moment they got their hands on it (like most kids in America would).

And I had meaningful moments of my own with several children, despite the language barrier. There was the little girl that latched on to me the first day, who would go play and then come back and stand by my leg, over and over. Or the two little girls who played a game of bat the balloon with me for a good 30 minutes.

But when it came down to the raw emotion of it all, I just never was moved to tears.

That is until the day I broke down over the dogs. Yes, the dogs.

They were running around loose everywhere, with no real place to call home. Most of them were skin and bones and as if that wasnt sad enough, people would shew them away by kicking them or throwing stones at them. It was a far cry from the treatment of dogs that I was used to back in suburban U.S.A.

That afternoon, I had seen one dog seemingly give up and lay down in the middle of the field we were on. Even though there was all kinds of activity between us handing out shoeboxes and the kids running around playing, the dog just laid there, ever so still. One of the men in our group said something like he thought that dog was probably laying down to die and I lost it.

I walked behind one of our vans and just cried. My heart was literally ripping for them and I felt so helpless. When the man from our group came around the van and saw me crying, he asked if I was okay and gave me a big hug. But I remember thinking, they all probably think Im so weird. Breaking down over the dogs, but not the children.

Except that is who I am. That is how God wired me. I dont know why and I cant really do anything to change it.

Of course, I feel sympathy for people who are in peril, for young children, the elderly or those that are battling an illness. And Im not saying that I dont shed a tear for them too. I have and I do.

But I do have a ridiculously strong connection to animals and I know not everyone does.

It came up again recently when one of the dogs that I pet-sit for passed away. He had been battling cancer so it wasnt completely out of the blue, but it was rather sudden since I had just seen him the day before and he seemed okay.

After I got the news, I still had to go by the house to let their other dog out and once I was there and saw all his stuff  his blanket, his bowls, his toys I lost it.

I cried and cried while I was there, came home and cried some more and then slept for most of the day. My roommate was surprised at what a strong reaction I had, since after all, it wasnt even my dog. But for me, it felt like, how could I have any other response?

Again, thats because thats just how Im wired.

Ive come to learn that theres actually a term for it empathic ability. Which basically means, Im a big mushball when it comes to animals and I can pick up (and even take on) other peoples feelings and energy easily. Its why I also tend to have a stronger reaction than many to traumatic events like 9/11, the death of a celebrity or a shooting. My brain tends to process it over and over, trying to understand the feelings of those involved.

Its not always very fun, obviously.

But I have learned to accept it and realize that is just how God wired me. And in its own way, its a blessing. It might lead me to step into a situation and help where others may not. And the same is always true in reverse too.

Someone else may be wired with a bleeding heart for the elderly, or the handicapped or sex trafficking or recovering addicts or a million other things. But thats the beauty of us all being wired differently. If we were all wired the same, wed all be stepping on top of each other.

But our differences make us unique and help guide us to our own purpose in life. Not someone elses.

So some people might think its weird that I have to avert my eyes away from roadkill or a truck carrying chickens down the highway. But thats okay, because I know thats just how I was made.
We have a cookie cutter mold for what people are supposed to be like. In our society, you are supposed to be thin, attractive, professionally successful and popular. If you arent any of these things, then you need to fix whatever you are lacking. We have difficulty accepting people who dont fit the mold.

Now, of course, we do need to be certain things in order to be proper members of society. We need to be self-supporting. And we need to be kind  to other people, animals and our planet. But beyond that, there is a vast world of differences between us, and we need to learn to accept, and even embrace, those differences.

For instance, I find it funny when parents worry that their kid isnt popular. Why? It is important to have friends, but why is it necessary for your child to be the life of the party? We all arent built that way. Some of us are naturally introverted, and some of us are naturally extroverted. We all have different needs for socializing.

For example, I am an introvert. I can go to a party or social gathering for about 1  2 hours. Then Im done, and Im looking at my watch wondering when I can leave. Thanksgiving nearly breaks me every year. About two hours into Thanksgiving, I am counting the minutes until everyone leaves. Unfortunately, they arent leaving for days. Nothing is wrong with me, and nothing is wrong with everyone else. We all just have different levels of tolerance for interacting with other human beings.

We also have difficulty accepting different life choices. That is why so many people have a mid-life crisis at 40. Theyve made life choices based on what society expects of them. Theyve gotten married, when marriage doesnt suit them. Theyve had children, when parenting isnt part of their skillset. And theyve pursued traditional jobs, when they should have been working a desk job by day and pursuing their artistic careers by night. Then they hit midlife and are miserable. The older I get, the more I realize that getting married at 25, having two children and working in an office suits only a small percentage of people. Most people need to do something very different with their lives. And we need to stop looking at people who dont get married or who dont have children as if there is something wrong with them.

Globally, our inability to accept our differences is destroying our world. Religion is a good thing, until we insist that our religion is right and everyone elses is wrong. Political discourse is a good thing, until we stop talking about issues and just engage in school yard name calling. Our inability to accept different beliefs and points of view makes our world a very sad place indeed.

Accepting our differences is hard. We naturally are inclined to think that everyone experiences the world in the same way that we do, but that simply isnt the case. My husband always jokes that if I am cold, I assume that I and everyone else in the room should get a sweater. I think that everyone is experiencing the world in the same way that I do. But they dont.

It takes maturity to realize that if someone is different from you, that doesnt make them wrong. This week, consider your attitudes toward others, whether they be your spouse, your children, or your colleagues. Do you want them to change aspects of themselves that are different from you? Or do you accept them for who they are? Take some time to think about how you can accept others for who they are, differences and all.
MARTINSDALE  This summer, the Charles M. Bair Family Museum will display ledger drawings from MSU Billings Librarys Barstow Collection.

The collection consists of 66 drawings by members of the Crow (Apsaalooke) and Hidatsa (Gros Ventre of the River), who were together on the Crow Agency Reservation in the 1880s and 1890s.

Elizabeth Guheen, director and chief curator of the Bair Family Museum, said the ledger drawings in this summers exhibition speak to a specific time in the life of Native people in Montana and in the U.S. The artwork contains many different messages because they are communicating across time and history and through many generations.

The Indian schools on the reservations focused on the governments goal of 'Americanizing' the Indian population on the youngest members of the tribes. Students were required to cut their hair, speak only English, and wear American clothing," Guheen said.

Schools required that the children change their names to more American ones. A few of the drawings appear to be signed by the artist because they had been sent to school.

In answer to the implied question, Who are you? the scrawled signature written in pencil I am the Indian Boy is a defining metaphor for children taken from their parents and their way of life, Guheen said.

Major Charles Barstow was chief clerk for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Crow Agency from 1879 to 1897. He provided Indian warriors materials and encouraged them to paint and draw.

The ledger drawings mimic the function of traditional buffalo hide painting  narrative of social status, youthful adventure from capturing horses and counting coups to dancing and courtship. Barstows collection was rediscovered in 1930 in Roundup and came to MSU Billings through the efforts of Ruthann Wilbur Hines.

The Bair Family Museum in Martinsdale is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week through Labor Day. Visit www.bairfamilymuseum.org.
An attempt to reconcile a federal encumbrance on a Flathead Lake state park took another unusual turn on Wednesday when a state senator said he will request a performance audit.

I see kind of a turf battle going on here, Sen. Brad Hamlett, D-Cascade, told the Environmental Quality Council during its Wednesday meeting in Helena.  And this needs to end.

At issue is a portion of the 139-acre West Shore State Park on Flathead Lake. Seventy-three acres were purchased in the 1960s through a land exchange. The land that was exchanged in the Blackfoot River valley had an encumbrance because it was purchased with federal Pittman-Robertson funds. When the lands were traded, the encumbrance went to the Flathead Lake property.

The encumbrance requires that the land be managed to provide wildlife habitat. Instead, the park has become a popular recreation area. FWP had considered transferring the encumbrance to other wildlife management areas, but those lands have to be equal in value, and therein lies the rub.

FWP considered transferring the encumbrance to the Yellowstone, Marias and North Shore Flathead Lake wildlife management areas, but a ballpark estimate of their value was about $4 million.

A limited appraisal completed in June showed the value of West Shores 1,400 feet of lakefront ranged from about $6.5 million to $7.5 million.

Thats on the low range of whats being looked at, said Paul Sihler, FWP chief of staff.

FWP suggested to the state parks board that state parks pay for the property at a fair market price or that some type of lease, again at fair market value, could be worked out. The board balked at that idea during an April meeting.

In a sense were paying for the sins of 50 years ago, Mary Sexton, a member of the Montana State Parks and Recreation board, told the EQC.

The issue of federal encumbrances came to light late last year. An FWP review found that out of Montanas 55 state parks, 16 had encumbrances, meaning the land must meet specific requirements. The use of these funding sources requires that the lands remain under the direction of the director of the fish and wildlife agency and be utilized for their original purpose, according to FWP. The 15 other parks are OK as long as Montana State Parks stays under FWPs roof.

Sihler said FWPs staff has brainstormed how to proceed and plans another meeting in September to see which possibilities are feasible, but that plan now seems to be up in the air. The departments staff is worried that not addressing the issue could jeopardize millions in annual federal funding.

Hamlett said the intent of the law has been followed, no harm has been done and he questioned if every land deal going back to George Washington is now open to scrutiny. Instead, he sees the issue as a power struggle between Montana State Parks, which wants to break away from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, to become a separate entity, possibly under the umbrella of the Department of Commerce.

This is all about property ownership and control, Hamlett said. These lines on paper become virtual walls when you try to do anything.

He said a review of the issue by the Legislative Audit Division would show whether the current situation does indeed put the states federal funding for money like Pittman-Robertson at risk. EQC members Sen. Rick Ripley, R-Wolf Creek, and Rep. Kerry White, R-Bozeman, agreed. A majority of the council voted to send a letter of support for the performance audit.

Sen. Jim Keane, D-Butte, said he also sees the issue as a catfight within the agency.

We dont need that. Whos suing the agency about this land? he questioned.

There is no litigation going on related to this, Sihler said.
Theres an old song that goes: They call the wind Maria. Ive never heard anyone call the wind Maria, but there are a lot of cool names for different types of winds.

In Montana there are chinook winds, warm breezes that come in the winter and melt snow. There are also katabatic winds, an odd-sounding name that refers to winds that flow from mountains down to the plains. They are also called gravity and downslope winds.

We named our chocolate Labrador Zephyr  a great name, but it didnt describe her very well. She was pretty rowdy. Zephyr means a soft, gentle breeze. Our Zephyr was anything but gentle.

Have you ever created any fun words or phrases for weather? If not, think about doing it the next time youre on a trip. You could name a breeze the blessed wind that blew away the mosquitoes or a mosquito wind for short.

What made me start thinking about some of the unique names for wind was an email that said hurricane, typhoon and cyclone are just different names for big storms that form over oceans and create super strong winds.

Hurricane is used by weather folks in North America, the Caribbean, Hawaii and the northeastern Pacific Ocean, according to Bryan Garners Usage Tip of the Day.

Typhoon is an Asian word for similar storms that range from the northwestern Pacific to the China Sea, Garner wrote. Cyclone is most commonly used for storms in the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean.

Its no wonder that there are so many names to describe the many different types of wind. Keep your ears peeled for some new ones and share them with your family and friends.

 Brett French

Gazette Outdoors editor
Members of Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion stand guard as Shiite Muslims prepare to perform a ritual at a religious procession during the Ashura mourning period, in Dhaka, Oct. 2, 2015.

Authorities in Bangladesh said Wednesday that they are seeking the publics help in finding 261 missing citizens, including some who may have become radicalized.

The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite law enforcement unit, posted a list on Facebook detailing the names and addresses of the scores of people who have disappeared.

Bangladeshi authorities have stepped up efforts to find missing people after the official revelation that most of the five young men who carried out a terrorist attack which killed 20 hostages at a cafe in Dhakas diplomatic quarter on July 1 were members of the countrys privileged class. They had attended Bangladeshs top schools, but had been missing from their families for months, officials said.

The battalion released the list online following a directive issued by the government last week that called on schools and colleges nationwide to notify it about cases of students who have been absent for at least 10 consecutive days.

We are seeking information from the people as we do not know the whereabouts of the missing people. We are not sure whether they have joined the militant groups, but there are risks that some of them may be linked to militancy, RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told BenarNews.

RABs list of 261 people includes a family of five from Dhaka, headed by pediatrician Khandakar Rokonuddin. Police told BenarNews they were investigating whether the doctor, his wife, his two daughters and son-in-law may have joined Islamic State or a similar militant group in Syria after travelling there together  as feared by relatives.

Law enforcers and security experts suspect that some of the missing people have joined militant groups that were involved in the attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe or a spate of smaller-scale killings targeting secular writers, bloggers, publishers, intellectuals, foreigners and gay people since at least last year.

I think maybe a section of the missing people could have gone to Syria or Iraq, but not all. The incidence of missing people is not new in Bangladesh. After the Holey Artisan attack, people are thinking that the missing people could be linked to the militants, Syed Mahfujul Haque Marjan, a professor of criminology at Dhaka University, told BenarNews.

The people going to Syria or Iraq for so-called jihad  I mean terrorism  may cause trouble for us, he said.

Other suspects filmed on CCTV

Khan of the RAB said officials are investigating four people, including a woman, who were filmed by a security camera on a road near the bakery moments before the attack. The battalion posted a clip of closed-circuit TV footage on Facebook, saying it needed assistance in finding the four who are at-large and considered to be suspects.

In related news, Bangladeshi officials said Wednesday that they had collected fresh blood and tissue samples from the corpses of the slain men who carried out the cafe attack and were sending the samples to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation for lab testing.

The tests were needed to determine whether the men were drugged when they carried out the attack, in which they hacked to death their 20 hostages, officials said.

The militants hacked the [hostages] repeatedly. They needed a huge amount of energy to carry out such a massacre. We are not sure whether the militants were administered drugs before the attack, Sohel Mahmud, a forensic expert at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where the samples were removed from the corpses that are being kept there, told BenarNews.

Blogger murder trial opens

Meanwhile, the murder trial in the case of one of four secular bloggers killed last year by suspected Islamic extremists opened in Dhaka on Wednesday.

A Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrates court opened the proceedings by framing murder charges against five suspected members of the banned home-grown militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) in the March 30, 2015, slaying of blogger Washiqur Rahman, near his home in the Bangladeshi capital.

The five defendants might face the death penalty, if convicted, a prosecutor told BenarNews.

Two of the defendants  Juned (alias Junaid Ahmed alias Taher) and Akram Hossain (alias Hasib alias Abdullah)  were absconding and would be tried in absentia, but the three others  Saiful Islam (alias Mansur), Ariful Islam (alias Mushfique alias Erfan), and Zikrullah (alias Hasan) pleaded not guilty to the charges, Additional Public Prosecutor Salahuddin Hawlader said.

The charge framing or indictment is the first step of the judicial process, he told Benar. On Aug. 4, the court will allow the defense counsel to examine the witnesses.

Shahriar Sharif in Dhaka contributed to this report.
This screenshot shows the banner of the first edition of al-Fatihin, an e-newspaper published by Islamic States Southeast Asian wing.

Malaysian authorities have blocked a website that disseminated an electronic newspaper published by the Southeast Asian wing of the extremist group Islamic State (IS), Malaysias police chief told BenarNews on Tuesday.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which regulates internet inside the country, has blocked alfatihin.com, the website associated with the e-publication by the same name, Police Inspector-General Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed.

Yes, we did request the MCMC to block it and it has since not been accessible here. We will continue to monitor it, Khalid said.

Meanwhile, officials in neighboring Indonesia suggested that the creators of the IS-backed website may have been blocked it themselves. The site, seen by BenarNews earlier, is also inaccessible in Thailand, which has a large Muslim population concentrated in its insurgency-wracked Deep South region, and other countries including the United States.

In Malaysia last week, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak announced that the MCMC had blocked 11 websites and 22 URLs allegedly involved in propagating the ideology of IS in the Malay language  variations of which are spoken in Malaysia, Indonesia, southern Thailand, Brunei and the southern Philippines.

The commission also called on the public to report any websites that promote IS or help spread its propaganda, and has set up a hotline so people can tip off authorities to such sites.

It is hoped that continuous monitoring and action by MCMC and other agencies will contain the spread of the ideology by this terrorist organization through social media, state-run news agency Bernama quoted the minister as saying.

According to reports, the 20-page electronic newspaper version of Al Fatihin was published on June 20 by Katibah Nusantara, ISs Southeast Asian wing that has a combat unit in Syria and Iraq made up exclusively of Malaysian, Indonesians and other Malay-speaking fighters.

This is part of the IS strategy and propaganda to suggest to the world that they have a strong support in southeast Asia region, where there are significant populations of Muslims such as in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Zaini Othman, who directs the Center for Strategic and Security Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, told BenarNews.

The conquerors

In Indonesia, computer users can no longer access the Al Fatihin website, but users there and in other countries can access a PDF version of the newspaper via the Internet Archive website  through which BenarNews obtained a copy.

We didn't block the website. If it is inaccessible now, it could be that they [the owner] blocked it themselves, Ismail Cawidu, a spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, told BenarNews on Tuesday.

Al Fatihin is Arabic for The conquerors.

The Malay-language tagline beneath the banner (pictured) describes the publication as a newspaper for Malay speakers who have migrated to ISs self-proclaimed state in territory that the group controls in Syria and Iraq.

The first edition of the newspaper featured articles including a report praising the deaths of scores of Philippine soldiers who were killed during a military operation targeting an IS-linked group in the southern Philippines  a hotbed of Islamic militant activity  and a report about a battalion of the local Abu Sayyaf Group that pledged allegiance IS.

IS is losing ground: analyst

According to security experts in the region, Islamic State is trying to increase its reach in Southeast Asia through the dissemination of the newspaper and other propaganda materials, and is targeting Muslim readers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore and southern Thailand.

IS is losing ground and manpower [in the Middle East]. It needs more public attention for new recruits, and it needs to consolidate support from terrorist groups to conduct attacks in their name, which in turn drives their propaganda, Muhammad Haziq Jani, a research analyst with the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research in Singapore, who recently co-authored an academic paper on the publication of ISs first Malay-language newspaper, told BenarNews.

S. Sundramoorthy, an assistant professor in criminology at University Science of Malaysia, agreed that the newspaper was a new recruiting tool for IS, which has aggressively reached out to potential recruits in Southeast Asia via social media.

The goal remains the same  to recruit supporters in the region and  rural folks in Southeast Asia who lack [access to information technology], Sundramoorthy told BenarNews.

They have adopted strategies commonly used by business entities to promote their products or services through all possible tools, including the print media, to promote their ideology, he added.
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Explore Ancient Wyomings history of nearly every geologic time period at a free lecture and book signing on July 28 at 12:15 p.m. at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Combining paleontology, geology and artistry, authors Kirk Johnson and Will Clyde examine Wyoming as it is today and as it was in the past.

Johnson and Clydes book, "Ancient Wyoming: A Dozen Lost Worlds Based on the Geology of the Bighorn Basin," explores the intriguing details of the flora and fauna of the past 300 million years.

Johnson, a paleontologist and geologist, is also the Sant Director of the Smithsonians National Museum of Natural History. He oversees more than 128 million objects  the largest natural history collection in the world. Additionally, he is the host of the Making North America, a three-part series from public TV's "Nova" that discusses the shaping of North America. Johnson was a student at the Yellowstone Bighorn Research Association field station in Red Lodge in 1981.

Clyde is a professor of geology at the University of New Hampshire, and has been studying the geology and paleontology of the Bighorn Basin since 1991. He recently led the Bighorn Basin Coring Project, a scientific drilling project aimed at building a better understanding of past periods of global warming.

The lecture and book signing takes place in the Center of the Wests Coe Auditorium. For more information, contact Bonnie Smith at bonnies@centerofthewest.org or 307-578-4020.
A woman has been charged with embezzlement after her quadriplegic boyfriend accused her of stealing more than $20,000 from him.

Lynda Lund Anderson, 60, appeared Tuesday in Yellowstone County Justice Court on a charge of theft by embezzlement. Justice of the Peace David Carter ordered Anderson taken into custody in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

Anderson was accused by her boyfriend of stealing money from him while she lived with him from July 2015 to February 2016, according to charging documents.

The boyfriend suffered a catastrophic injury from a falling tree in 2014 that left him an incomplete quadriplegic, according to court documents. He had a stroke about a year later and needed significant assistance with his daily activities.

Anderson cared for the man and was in charge of his ATM card and checkbook.

The mans checking account had about $30,000 in it when Anderson took control of the account. That amount included proceeds from an individual retirement account, which Anderson cashed out without the mans permission.

About $8,500 of the money in the account was spent on medical care for the man. Court documents state Anderson used $22,000 for personal use.

When Anderson was confronted by her boyfriends sister, Anderson confessed to having a gambling problem and said she would pay him back with money from her retirement account.

According to School District 2 records, Anderson retired from her job as a teacher at Big Sky Elementary effective in February. She received about $35,000 from the district in retirement funds.

Video surveillance showed Anderson frequented multiple casinos in the Billings area.
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First up, Joe Biden is thinking about dropping tariffs against China. But theres a spy in prison this morning that helps us understand why he shouldnt. Ill explain.





Your second brief, If youre looking for a good paying job, you might consider being a CEO for a health insurance company. One executive made $142M dollars last year. Let's talk about that.





And as always, Im keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put this one on your radar. Mexican cartels are grooming American kids online and paying them cash to traffic illegals or run drugs across the border. Ill share details.





If you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief, remember to subscribe and listen daily at podfollow.com/pdb.

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True to their cars nameplate, members of the Chevrolet Nomad Association traveled across the United States and from as far away as New Zealand to attend the organizations 28th annual convention in Billings this week.

About 300 fans of the two-door wagon built between 1955 and 1957 drove thousands of miles to meet at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center for the weeklong convention. Hugh Dilbeck went one step further. Dilbeck loaded his 1957 model onto a ship in his hometown of Juneau, Alaska, and reunited with the Chevy in Seattle before driving to Billings.

He said he modified his Nomad for better highway cruising with four wheel disc brakes, a five-speed manual transmission, a rear-end out of a late model Chevy S-10 pickup and power steering. Even with some modernization, driving several hundred miles in a 60-year-old car doesnt always go to plan.

The Chevy had clutch issues as Dilbeck pulled into Missoula, but the rare automobile drew the interest of a local gearhead and the pair was able to do some parking lot repairs and get the Alaskan nomad back on the highway.

He just went out of his way, and I never saw him before in my life, Dilbeck said. Simply because I was driving an old car. If I was driving a BMW Id probably still be sitting there.

Gina Darcy, president of the Chevy Nomad Club, didnt get as lucky. Loose cylinder head bolts caused one of her 1957 Nomads pushrods to bend and cause more damage to the motors valve train. She had to leave the car in Bozeman and she hitched a ride in her dads 1955 Nomad.

It was a familiar scenario. Fred Edwards bought the Nomad in 1970 when he was just 19 and it carried Darcy home from the hospital two years later.

I came to my first Nomad convention 40 years ago. I was 3 years old, Darcy said. Im still coming, now as president.

She said her dad purchased the 57 she owns in 1979 with the intention of restoring it for Darcys mother. The car was in a million pieces and missing many others. Unfortunately, Edwards didnt get the build finished before his wife passed away.

I told him if he signed the title over to me I would fund it and wed build it in the memory of my mom, Darcy said. And we did.

Now she drives the solid red Nomad to the annual conventions and is raising two daughters of her own to love the old Chevrolets. Like Darcy, their first car ride was in her dads 55.

The Chevrolet Nomad Convention continues through Friday with bus trips to area attractions and tours of local garages. The cars can be seen driving around town throughout the week and parked at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.
There's an ongoing discussion about development in East Africa and a new narrative has emerged in recent years of a story of resilience, self-reliance and a passion for growth facilitated largely by technology.

One of Samsung's solar power internet schools

It is therefore encouraging to see trade investments being committed by South Korea and its East African counterparts, as it will allow more people to access technology and address the issues of skills and employment.

A case in point is the signing of a bilateral deal to set up a key science and technology institute in Kenya for a tune of 10 billion Kenyan Shillings which could prove to be an important accelerator of growth.

But the issue of education, skills and employment are not for the public sector alone. It is against this backdrop that Samsung Electronics Africa have adopted an attitude of innovation - introducing world-class technology where it previously hasn't existed.

In a press release, Samsung says its aim is to make sure that every African child have access to education no matter where they are - be it in a rural area lacking infrastructure or perhaps in an existing infrastructure but lacks educational resources - by providing access to technology.

Samsung sees education as the seed of innovation and we believe digital technology can completely transform the learning process, as well as the nature of teaching and learning, to create inclusive environments for everyone.

Our Solar Powered Internet Schools, Smart Schools and E-Learning Centres provide

solutions that deliver on this vision, and improve the quality of learning, enhance teaching effectiveness and allow administrators to run institutions more effectively. We work with educators around the world to improve learning experiences through the use of technology, facilitating a classroom environment that gives students access to a world of knowledge.

Through these initiatives, Samsung hopes to instill a love of learning in students so that they may have equal access to opportunities and go on to become active participants in the economy.

The Samsung Electronics Engineering Academy provides extensive, hands-on training to learners in the technical field; and the programme forms a core part of Samsung's vision to fast-track the entry of African youths into the electronics job market and to reduce the shortage of scarce skills in the IT industry.

We see our efforts - along with those of our government and NPO partners - as an ecosystem. Samsung's aim is to increase the number of learners accessing technology, an aspect vital to their education process. This in turn allows learners to learn apt skills which will prepare them for the workplace of the future and acquiring in-demand skills is a critical step not only for individual, but also for social and economic development and the upliftment of the continent.

Africa has a beautiful story to tell. And a responsible corporate citizen, Samsung is committed to help write this story through the innovation, expertise and technology we provide, Samsung stated.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA).
In response to the ongoing SABC crisis, the Right2Know Campaign will be hosting a public meeting on Wednesday 20 July at Isivivana Centre, 1 Julius Tsolo Street in Khayelitsha, Cape Town at 5pm and will march to the SABC Durban offices on Tuesday 26 July from 9am.

The organisation calls on unions, civil society, media workers and members of the public to join it in demanding an end to political interference in the public broadcaster.

Right2Know Campaign's demands:

1. We demand the reinstatement of all the journalists who have been fired for being brave citizens and refusing to undermine the credibility and integrity of our SABC 2. We demand that the SABCs illegally revised editorial policies be scrapped and all journalists suspended under SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoenengs edict be reinstated with immediate effect

3. We demand the immediate reversal of all downward editorial decisions premised on the unlawfully revised editorial policy

4. We demand that Motsoeneng is sacked from the SABC, in keeping with the Public Protectors recommendations and the Western Cape High Courts judgment which found his appointment to be irrational and, therefore, unlawful in the first place

5. We demand that the lame duck and inquorate SABC Board that has enabled Motsoenengs reign of terror and patronage to be reconstituted on an urgent basis 6. We demand that Communications Minister Faith Muthambi is sacked for her delinquency and collusion with Motsoeneng and the SABC Board in unlawfully revising the editorial policies and enabling the continued decay of the SABC.

It is not only the public broadcaster  the news staple for millions of households across the country  that is at stake, but also the very freeness and fairness of the hotly contested up-coming elections. If the SABCs mandate to inform the public is compromised, then doubt will be cast over the legitimacy of these elections. There can be no free and fair elections with a public broadcaster that is muzzled. The Zuma-Muthambi-Motsoeneng axis must be stopped. The SABC can expect further mass action until the organisations demands are met.

For updates, follow R2K on Twitter: @r2kcampaign.

Read about the interdict against SABC censorship here.

Read about the crowdsource campaign, 'Friends of the SABC journalists' here.
These days, it is no longer a question of if companies should execute a digital marketing strategy, but rather how to best execute a meaningful and engaging approach that generates results.

For many companies, digital marketing, especially on social media channels, is intimidating. Here are a few simple dos and donts of digital marketing to help ensure customers will get your message:

1. Find the right channels

You have a target market, and in order to reach them effectively, you need to identify the right channel where you can reach out to them with your content. The type of channel you select will depend on your targeted audiences. For example, visual-based marketing strategies may get good results using Pinterest or Instagram, while B2C (business to consumer) marketing will get better headway with Facebook and Pinterest.

2. Post original content

Stand out and be noticed by posting high-quality original content that targeted audiences will like and remember. To get the best outcome out of your content strategy, be sure to gear all content on your website, blog and social media for your customers. Valuable and relevant content is what will get your business ranked high on the first page of Google search. Make sure the content you produce answers a question, solves a problem or provides valuable insight.

3. Know your brand; know your competitors

Having an active and efficient branding strategy is what differentiates your business from your competitors. Before spending money on digital marketing, be sure to build a strong brand. Similarly, knowing what you are up against is the best way to stay ahead of your competition. Knowing what your competitors offer and how their products are better or worse than yours can help make your business stand out. You can use your competitors weaknesses and strengths to improve your marketing.

4. Engagement and personalisation are essential

Digital marketing is customised. You have to know your audience and what works. You can't be a bullhorn, but rather have to go for engagement  you want people to talk on your page; you want a smaller community that's engaged as opposed to a large audience that's not engaged.

5. Have your digital house in order

Have a website and send out a regular newsletter. Engage with your community to build social capital via your website, newsletters and social media channels.

6. Dont spam

The best type of digital marketing reaches its audience by consent. When you start clogging up inboxes and hitting social media feeds every few minutes, you quickly lose that. The line between consistent effort and spamming shouldnt be hard to draw, although some companies still struggle with it. For most firms, the digital marketing should be targeted to ramp up for specific eventsa sale promotion for exampleand slowed down to a consistent but mostly unobtrusive pace the rest of the time.

7. Dont put all your eggs in one basket

The results count when it comes to the long term for digital marketing, but they shouldnt dictate what you do. There are a lot of outlets for digital marketing, and some of them will suit your business better than others. Some people prefer to create monthly newsletters or write articles for partner sites, while others prefer the smaller but more regular activity of Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

However, if your company naturally takes to a type of digital marketing, it may well be worth continuing even if the results arent what youd like. Try out different marketing techniques to find out what the best way to market your business is. Instead of putting all your eggs in one digital marketing basket, take advantage of the various elements of marketing available.

8. Dont sell

People dont want hard sell any more. If you want to nurture a healthy interaction and engagement with your targeted audiences, then do not sell your product. Post about ideas, concepts, and answers to solutions  get their trust with your content first  and theyll be interested enough to want to know more about what it is you have to offer.
When it comes to retail service, every South African knows that sometimes this can leave a lot to be desired. There are few better ways to gauge just how serious a company is about engaging its customers on service-related issues than by checking out its social media accounts.

A recent report from Unmetric, a leading social media marketing analytics platform, shows some huge disparities between response rates, engagement and sentiments around South African retailers on Facebook during Q2 of 2016.

The report delves into a comprehensive range of businesses from supermarkets to pharmacies, clothing retailers and even touches on the travel industry. There are definite trends within each sector, probably the most remarkable being that supermarkets generate by far the most negative sentiment. The retailers with the highest negative engagement were South Africas four biggest FMCG chains: Shoprite, Checkers, Pick n Pay and Woolworths, each sitting with well over 20% of their customer engagement being negative in nature. Conversely the two biggest pharmacy chains, Clicks and Dischem were the most favourably received in South Africa, with over 40% of engagement containing positive sentiment; this along with the countrys largest online travel retailer, Travelstart.

A wise client of mine once said to me, Things go wrong, that is a fact of life, it is how you deal with things when they go wrong that counts. This couldnt be truer for Pick n Pay, which had the highest number of customer posts at just shy of 1,600, coupled with it being in a sector with such high negative sentiment, it is exceptional that it has managed to respond to over 72% of all fan posts on its page. Others in the sector, such as Woolworths, sit much closer to the 50% mark.

Vanity metrics

If you have been following social media trends over the past few years, you will have seen that vanity metrics such as fan numbers and likes have fallen from grace. Facebook will tell you, as a brand, to ditch focusing on these, especially in light of precipitous organic reach trends (the free reach your posts get when you publish them to Facebook). Page likes, otherwise known as fans, have very little purpose nowadays, other than creating some form of trust factor - if you see an advert or post from a page you have never heard of and 10 of your friends already like the page, you are more likely to trust the content.

This is why it is so surprising that some brands seem to be focussing on this metric. Truworths grew a mammoth 19% during the 3 months measured; compare that to an average of regularly below 3% organic growth month on month for most brands. It is possible there is a big rise in organic likes for it, but it seems far more likely that it is still advertising for likes, despite now having over 700,000 fans in South Africa. Pick n Pay similarly with almost 1.5 million fans saw almost 10% growth during that period.

Without access to advertising back ends, engagements are arguably the best public depiction of how successful a brand is on social media. Dischem blasted out a staggering 20% of all posts in the sample used for this report, about 5 posts a day but only managed to get just between 4 and 6% of all engagements. This is likely due to a tactic of not promoting its posts to reach the right audience and only relying on organic reach - which as I mentioned is now near non-existent for all brands.

Mr Price on the other hand seem to be doing an incredible job of mixing great content with some promotion as it stole 42% of reactions (what used to be called post likes) in the sample.

In the eyes of Facebook, engagements are seen as progressively more important, the deeper you go: comments trump likes, shares trump comments - something Unmetric notices also. The deeper the engagement, the stronger a signal it is to Facebook that your content is valuable to the audience and should be shown to more people at a lower cost. Obviously, it is easy to like a post, it takes a lot more thought to writing a comment and it takes putting your reputation on the line by sharing a post to all your friends. With this in mind, there is a clear winner in the engagement game and that is Pick n Pay, it was number two in likes, at 13% of the total, and a whopping 32% of comments and 22% of shares.

What did we learn?

While South African retail brands can often fall short of optimum social media marketing, there are three key areas they can focus on to improve. First, focus on getting customer service right, if your customers are happy they will be more likely to respond positively to your content. Then, post less often with higher quality content, quality over quantity is vital to success. Finally, keep boosting that content to appropriate audiences, paid promotion helps your content find the right eyes and deliver you maximum return on investment.

For more information, go to report from Unmetric.
State-owned airlines SAA and Mango flew their first commercial flights on Boeing 737-800s using blended biojet fuel, the culmination of a three-year trial of a nicotine-free tobacco crop, solaris.

Project Solaris is a partnership between SAA, Boeing, industrial research company Sunchem, sustainable fuels specialists SkyNRG and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials.

The crop is grown on 60ha near Marble Hall in Limpopo, but the ultimate objective is to expand growing through southern Africa and build up to sufficient volumes to justify building a refinery.

Until then, the oil extracted from solaris seeds is being exported to AltAir Fuels in the US, where it is refined and sent back to South Africa as blended biojet fuel.

SAA acting chief executive Musa Zwane said the target was for half of the airline's aircraft to use biojet fuel by 2023. SAA's environmental specialist, Ian Cruickshank, said about 97% of the airline's carbon emissions resulted from flying and only 3% from operations, so it had no alternative but to invest in more environmentally friendly fuel.

Project Solaris is targeting 20-million litres of biojet fuel by the end of next year and 500-million litres by 2023, which is half the annual fuel requirement of SAA's Johannesburg hub.

Cruickshank said the benefits of Project Solaris went beyond reducing SAA's carbon emissions.

It would also give the airline greater control over the supply and pricing of its jet fuel, as the supply chain would be rand-based and not dollar-based.

The project would later create thousands of local jobs in agriculture and downstream industries.

The first batch of biojet fuel was produced on a small scale, so it was more expensive than conventional jet fuel. As volumes grew, the cost would become more competitive, Cruickshank said.

Boeing International's director for sustainable aviation fuels, Darrin Morgan, said that in the US biojet fuel was at cost parity with conventional jet fuels and new processing technology was expected to bring costs down further.

Boeing International managing director for Africa Miguel Santos said the aircraft industry was focusing on reducing noise, improving fuel efficiency and lowering emissions.

Source: Herald
Tourist arrivals in South Africa are continuing on their growth trajectory, according to the latest release from Statistics SA. More than 760,000 tourists arrived in the country in May this year, 11% more than in May 2015.

This brings the total tourist arrivals for January to May 2016 to over 4.2 million, which is an increase of 15.7% compared to the same period last year - more than three times the average annual global growth rates experienced in international tourism.

The continuing growth in international tourist arrivals is wonderful news for the tourism sector, says Minister Derek Hanekom. It will have a multiplier effect on the many industries that support tourism, so its good news for the wider economy as well.

International market performance

The growth from overseas markets in the first five months of this year, compared to the same period last year, at 18.5%, shows that our enduring tourism assets and our diverse products and offerings are making South Africa a great value-for-money destination. All our major overseas markets are performing well. Amongst our traditional overseas markets, the US has grown impressively at 18% this year, while Germany is a top performer with 21% growth. The UK, our leading overseas market, has grown at a solid 13.7%.

The positive performance of non-traditional source markets like India and China has also been sustained in May, and these two countries are moving up the rankings as source markets for South Africa. The spectacular growth in tourist numbers from China continues, with a 50% year-on-year increase. This is in keeping with the overall growth trend this year from that market. Indian tourist numbers, at 14,237, showed a growth of 37% on last May, and India became the third biggest overseas source market to South Africa in May. May is traditionally the month in which we receive the most tourists from that country.

Also of note is that tourists from Saudi Arabia numbered more than 1,000 in May, an exciting new development. We will watch with interest to see if these numbers are sustained from this relatively small, but high-spending market.

I am delighted with the impressive growth in tourist numbers so far this year. Continued investment in creative and effective joint marketing, infrastructure, tourism experiences and human resources will allow the destination to both capitalise and continue with this trend, says Minister Hanekom.
Flying from Mthatha to Johannesburg will cost R799 from 1 October 2016 if you fly with new airline Fly Blue Crane

Fly Blue Crane will initially offer only two flights a day between Mthatha and Johannesburg. Routes will be added to connect the former Transkei capital to other cities.

Fly Blue Crane airport operations head Stompie Tshesane said that, unlike other low-cost operators, the airline will provide free meals and beverages.

"We will be operating an Andrea 145, a 50-seat jet," she said.

Source: The Times via I-Net Bridge
The Red Bull Academy Weekender comes to South Africa for the first time from 1 September to 4 September. The South African RBMA Weekender will host 60 local and international acts covering a range of genres from hip hop and reggae to electronica and house music.

The lineup will play across six music venues in and around downtown Johannesburg, including Bassline, 1 Fox, And Club, Kitcheners, Carfaxx, Great Dane and Zone 6. Each event, from day to night, will offer a mix of sounds and festival-goers can expect to be taken on different musical journeys over the four days.

It all begins on Thursday at the Bassline in Newtown, to many a home of the Johannesburg music scene. Bassline has been hosting incredible musicians for more than two decades, and on Thursday it will host the RBMA Weekenders reggae night, African Storm Sound System with Admiral and Jahseed and special guests.

Braamfontein and Newtowns cultural melting pot of music, fashion, culture and style is the perfect playground for Friday night as we move the party to And Club, Kitcheners, Carfaxx and Great Dane. The lineup will include Thebe, Felix Laband, Beat Sampras, Niskerone vs Hyphen, Kenzhero, G Force & Craig Placid, Sketchy Bongo and Aewon Wolf. All centrally located and close to each other, festival-goers can move easily between venues and stages for over eight hours of non-stop music.

Fat Freddys Drop arrive from NZ

The pinnacle of the RBMA Weekender programme takes place Saturday night, 3 September at 1 Fox in downtown Johannesburg, where New Zealand natives and global sensation Fat Freddys Drop will headline. Fat Freddys Drop are a seven-piece band from Wellington whose musical style has been characterised as any combination of dub, reggae, soul, jazz, rhythm and blues and techno. AKA, Nigerias Patoranking, Christian Tiger School and Jullian Gomes, will also perform until 2AM.

On 4 September, the RBMA Weekender moves to Zone 6 in Soweto. Kicking off at 3PM, audiences may look forward to live performances from Black Coffee, Culoe De Song, Riky Rick, Oskido, King Bruce, and Mafia Boyz.

Chopper Reeds, aka Scott Towers, of Fat Freddys Drop says he and the band are excited to be playing in South Africa for the first time. Fans can look forward to some of Fat Freddys Drop classics as this'll be the first time we've performed them in South Africa. And some box fresh vibes as we'll be fighting fit after a four-week European tour just prior to the RBMA Weekender, says Chopper Reeds.

While in the country, the band also plans to see the sights and hook up with some of the local heavyweights like Black Coffee.

To see the full RBMA Weekender lineup visit redbull.co.za/RBMAWeekenderJozi.

A full weekend programme will compliment and amplify the music experiences. These include a series of workshops, installations and collaborations between musicians and industry talent focusing on African music, culture and sounds.

Ticket info

Both day and full weekend passes are available, ensuring you can create the RBMA Weekender experience that suits you.

A limited number of Early Bird tickets have just been released at R400 for the full weekend. Thereafter weekend passes will be R500.

Day passes:

Thursday 1 September: R120

Friday 2 September: R120

Saturday 3 September: R400

Sunday 4 September: R120

Anyone who pre-registered will receive an SMS detailing how you can secure your tickets.

Visit redbull.co.za/RBMAWeekenderJozi to buy your tickets and sign up for news and updates.
The old James F. Battin federal courthouse in downtown Billings has sold to an Alaska company that intends to remove the asbestos and turn the large building into office space, said a Big Sky Economic Development official.

Melanie Schwarz, director of marketing and member investors for BSED, said the building at 316 N. 26th St., was purchased at a foreclosure sale on behalf of WC Commercial LLC, an Alaska limited liability company. The sale occurred within the past two weeks, she said.

The building was acquired for $3,254,747, the total indebtedness on the property, including items like principle on the original loan, interest, taxes, insurance, maintenance and advances on utility payments. The buyer was the only bidder.

The new owner, Schwarz said, plans to abate the asbestos and remodel the building into quality office space. The schedule depends on working with the city of Billings, Yellowstone County and the federal government to see whether there is any financial help for asbestos removal, she said.

If things go well, the project should be substantially complete in 12 months, she said in the news release.

Schwarz said Joe Holden, the managing member of WC Commercial LLC, has a background in commercial construction and ties to Yellowstone County.

Holden said in the news release that he has family in Yellowstone County and visits often. I look at the old Battin Courthouse as a tremendous investment, and we look forward to bringing it back to a safe and quality space in the thriving heart of downtown Billings, he said.

A Billings engineering and construction firm, EEC, has been chosen to do the renovations.

We are proud to be part of this project and look forward to bringing the former Battin building back to its full potential," said Quentin Eggart, owner of EEC. "This project is important to the community, and we are confident that we can deliver."

In an interview, Eggart said he hopes to begin work immediately. "Right now we're trying to finalize the asbestos abatement and formalize bids for the replacement of fireproofing," he said. So far, it's unknown how much it will cost to remove the asbestos.

Eggart said the building will be largely gutted inside as asbestos is removed. That will provide flexibility so that the space can be modified to suit clients that are interested in renting the space, he said.

The federal government sold the 213,615-square-foot, five-story building for $3.27 million at auction in 2013 to Colorado Tire Corp. of Tacoma, Wash. The government sold the building because of extensive asbestos concerns and built a new $80 million federal courthouse a few blocks away.

But the Battin building quickly went into tax delinquency and became mired in a bankruptcy intended to halt a foreclosure. The building has all but been abandoned since it was originally purchased.

In June, a Seattle bankruptcy judge found there was no equity in the property and that the bankruptcy was filed "in bad faith."

The new ownership apparently closes the chapter on Colorado Tire Corp.'s troubled three-year ownership of the building.

In a May 27 filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Western Washington, Holden said he is a managing member of a different company, BCH Investments LLC, which had acquired Colorado Tire's defaulted loan for the building. According to court records, BCH had paid $2.2 million for Colorado Tire's original property debt.

BCH also carried the costs of maintaining the building and paid $44,721 in taxes that were due on May 31, according to court documents.

The property was acquired by a "qualified exchange accommodation titleholder on behalf of WC Commercial as part of a 1031 exchange," BSED said in a statement.
NEW YORK: New York and Massachusetts filed lawsuits on Tuesday against Volkswagen that suggested that senior executives were aware early on of efforts to hide high emissions levels in the company's diesel cars.

Simon via Pixabay

As early as July 2006, the German automaker's inability to comply with US emissions standards allegedly reached the attention of Matthias Mueller, the current Volkswagen CEO, and his predecessor Martin Winterkorn, according to complaints lodged Tuesday by both states' attorneys general.

But the company nevertheless used 'defeat device' software designed to reduce nitrous oxide emissions during laboratory testing while allowing up to 40 times the legal limit during real driving conditions. Neither complaint explicitly states that either man knew or authorised the use of the deceptive software.

A Volkswagen spokesman said there was "no credible evidence" to support the allegations against Mueller and called into question whether New York and Massachusetts authorities had identified the right person. The allegations were "based on an ambiguous reference in an email to a certain H. Mueller and on which Matthias Mueller was not even copied," said Jeannine Ginivan. Contact information for Winterkorn to obtain comment on the allegations was not immediately available.

The two states' complaints cite testimony according to which the individual cited is indeed Matthias Mueller. Mueller was a project manager at Audi in 2006 when word allegedly reached him and Winterkorn - then CEO of Audi and later VW chief executive - that engineers were having difficulty meeting US emissions standards, according to the complaints. Mueller replaced Winterkorn as CEO when the latter resigned last year as a result of the scandal.

Late last month Volkswagen, which also owns the luxury automakers Audi and Porsche, settled civil charges over the use of the cheat devices on 2.0 litre engines with US and Californian authorities in a $14.7 billion agreement that will see car owners compensated.

At the same time, it reached a settlement on consumer protection issues worth $600 million with 44 other states. The company still needs to address the same issue on 3.0 litre engines with cheat devices in Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche models cars. And it also still faces a criminal investigation in the case.

New York attorney general Eric Schneiderman has also denounced the payment of 63 million euros (about $70 million) in compensation to Volkswagen executives including Winterkorn, saying this rewarded improper conduct.

Source: AFP
The KwaZulu-Natal branch of the South African Institute of Architects recently hosted a conference at Durban's City Hall with the objective of putting the radical transformation of SA cities, towns and villages at the top of the national agenda.

Michael Deighton, managing director of Tongaat Hulett Developments

In his keynote address, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan set the stage for debate, pointing out that the current urban sprawl, a legacy of the apartheid era, contributed towards low economic growth.

In a new regime of spatial planning, a pipeline of catalytic interventions was required as part of well-coordinated urban development. Treasury was looking to new funding models with public-private sector partnerships key to providing these and ultimately, leading to faster, more inclusive economic growth, Gordhan explained.

New approach needed

Malijeng Ngqaleni, deputy director general of the National Treasury, said that managing urbanisation correctly could turn around the growth trajectory of the country. She noted that, up until now, planning methods had not worked for the country but had actually deepened the apartheid spatial legacy. As a result, South African cities were unproductive, unequal and unsustainable.

She said that a new approach was needed where citizens were part of the process. Government needed to be consistent and provide coherent leadership. Although she cautioned that there could be no quick fix, she said that clear catalytic interventions were needed to create action.

Speakers from national government, prominent academics and private sector representatives all highlighted one of the biggest problems emanating from apartheid cities  the extensive commuting distances between far flung communities and places of work. These were a major constraint to economic growth and development and a burden for the poor.

Longest average commuter time

Referring to a 2011 OECD study entitled Hows Life, Michael Deighton, managing director of Tongaat Hulett Developments and immediate past president of the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), said that out of 22 countries analysed, South Africa had the longest average commuter time of 58 minutes daily, while urban designers speaking at the conference demonstrated how in South Africa, unlike international counterparts, poverty is situated at the fringes of cities rather than at the centre, exacerbating this challenge for poorer citizens.

Musa Mbhele, acting deputy city manager for economic development and planning, presented Durbans spatial concepts for the future, showing how these would address the historical imbalances in Durban characterised by rural and township areas with minimal economic opportunities, long commuting distances, urban sprawl and low density that is currently unable to support viable public transport and economic activity. Key principles included a compact city model, emphasis on accessibility and convenience in a compact urban area and along key growth corridors, supporting small and localised businesses, with intermodal hubs across the city, promoting optimal use of infrastructure capacity.

Reshaping a city

Felipe Leal, the past Minister of Urbanism for Mexico City shared his extensive experience in reshaping a city that in 1950 had 3,1-million inhabitants, less than Durban currently, while in 2016 accommodated some 21-million citizens. Using examples of how the improvement of public space through innovative and commercially robust mutually beneficial relationships between the public and private sectors delivered immediate and directly consequential economic activity, he showed how investment in public space triggered almost immediate small commercial activity.

Against this backdrop, Paul Wijgers, urban designer for the Durban Inner City Local Area Plan and Regeneration Strategy showed how 450,000 new residents could be physically accommodated within Durban's Inner City to radically boost broad-based economic growth, reduce poverty, close the wealth disparity gap and generate job opportunities.

Summing up a private sector perspective, Deighton told delegates that the national spatial revolution theme of the conference was critically important, timely and, most importantly, eminently achievable.

We need to create a vision and to move forward, he said, adding that he believed that South Africans were uniquely qualified to do this. We created and then dismantled apartheid, a political 'brand' meaning 'separateness' that was sustained for 50 years through spatial policies. I believe that we should create a new theme of 'togetherness' and proximity, the antithesis of separateness. As more people buy into it, we will see a reset to that system.
Government and Huawei have signed an agreement that will see 1,000 young South Africans trained in information and communications technology (ICT) in China over the next five years.

The cooperation on capacity building is aimed at sharing information, expertise, experience and technical assistance among the different structures operating in the field of telecommunications, Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele said.

Addressing the signing ceremony on Tuesday, 19 July 2016, in Johannesburg, Minister Cwele said the youth will be trained in areas including telecommunication network security and optimisation as well as telecommunication administration.

Other areas of training comprise new technology for satellite navigation, the next generation network construction, cloud computing and big data network construction.

This is expected to help enhance the departments strategies to implement our programmes, including the rollout of broadband and lowering the cost to communicate, he said.

Another programme that is expected to benefit from this cooperation is the departments e-Strategy, which will provide the framework for how South Africa will include youth, women, people with disabilities and small and medium sized business in the ICT sector.

Minister Cwele said the ICT talent training component of the agreement is expected to help the department promote ICT literacy and awareness in the country.

He urged the youth, who will be participating in the training in China, to use the opportunity wisely.

They must view it as a window into the future and must come back and develop ICT solutions that will answer some South African challenges, Minister Cwele said.

Innovation centre to create ICT jobs

The Minister also launched an innovation centre that will create 40 permanent jobs in addition to the 1,200 people already employed by Huawei in South Africa.

This innovation centre is a R72-million customer experience centre that boasts cutting edge technologies and infrastructure such as 4.5G and 5G wireless communication technologies.

It also brings to life the fourth industrial revolution by showcasing the Internet of Things with solutions for smart homes and safe cities, Minister Cwele said.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and network connectivity that enable these objects to collect and exchange data.

Minister Cwele said the Huawei centre provides an opportunity for governments on the continent to consider standards that can be set for gadgets that can be used on future mobile networks and for entrepreneurs to spot opportunities to develop gadgets and applications that will run over these networks.
The Department of Public Service and Administration has published regulations that will require all government departments and entities to put in place measures to prohibit employees and special advisers from "directly or indirectly" doing business with the state.

Government departments and entities will also have to develop and adopt policies that make it an obligation for employees to disclose any financial interest they may have in an entity that has an intention to do business with their department.

The regulations have been in the offing for some years since the Public Service Management Act was approved by Parliament and signed into law by President Jacob Zuma. The law was apparently not promulgated while the regulations were being drafted.

The regulations, published on Friday on the Department of Public Service and Administration's website, will also prohibit any employee or special adviser "from being a director of a public or private company conducting business with the state".

Departments and entities will also have to ensure that their supply chain management policies do not allow businesses to conduct business with an employee in the public administration. This includes doing business with a special adviser to a municipality.

They will also have to determine procedures for informing all employees of the names of entities doing business with the institution. They also require the Public Service Commission, the heads of departments and entities to keep a register of the financial interest of employees.

The employees are required to make full disclosure of all financial interests.

The executive director at Corruption Watch, David Lewis, confirmed the regulations had been in the offing, but said the provisions were "very much supported. It is a good move but it very much remains to be seen how effective they will be, because implementation is going to be difficult."

Lewis said while the regulations had taken some time to complete, it was better late than never. He said one of the problems was determining just who the owners of companies were, and suggested a stipulation that would compel companies upon registration to declare who their "beneficial owners were".

Any employee who fails to comply with the provisions of the regulations will have committed a serious disciplinary offence, and the matter must be reported either to the president, the appropriate provincial premier, or the police.

The declarations made by government officials are confidential and their contents may not be disclosed by those with access to them, unless ordered to do so by a court of law.

Source: Business Day via I-Net Bridge
Flying from Mthatha to Johannesburg will from October 1 cost R799 - that is if you take to the skies with new airline Fly Blue Crane.

This was announced at Mthatha Airport on Tuesday by Eastern Cape transport MEC Weziwe Tikana who described the new low-cost airline as a game-changer and a catalyst for the OR Tambo district municipality.

Tikana said the introduction of the new airline would also create a total of 24 jobs for OR Tambo residents.

The R799 flight charge is far below the current rate of more than R3,000 to Johannesburg.

While Fly Blue Crane will initially offer only two flights a day between Mthatha and Johannesburg other routes will be added to connect the former Transkei capital to other major cities.

The government also hopes that with the introduction of the new flight road accident fatalities will decrease as it will now be more affordable to fly.

Fly Blue Crane airport operations head Stompie Tshesane said the airline was in the final stages of preparing to service the Mthatha to Johannesburg route.

Tshesane said that unlike other low-cost airlines it will be providing free meals and beverages onboard.

"We will be operating an Andrea 145 which is a jet and is a 50-seater aircraft" she said.

Tikana called on all to "embrace" the new airline.

TMG Digital
The passports will first be given to AU heads of state and government, ministers of foreign affairs, and the permanent representatives of AU member states who are based at the headquarters of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.The Daily Vox looks at what exactly this African passport will mean for Africa.

Mirko Vitali via 123RF

For now it's for VVIPs only. The passport was presented by the outgoing chairperson of the African Union, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to the new chairperson, President Idriss Derby of Chad, as well as the Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The passport also has five languages on it: English, French, Arabic, Portuguese and Swahili.

What exactly is this passport going to do, though? The passport is said to give holders visa-free access to all 54 African Union states which will make travels for citizens from any of the African states very easy and hassle-free. Currently, Africans need a visa to travel to over 55% of African states.

Even though the passports are at first only being rolled out to important dignitaries, the AU hopes to distribute these passports to all African citizens by 2018. Several countries in Africa such as the Seychelles, Rwanda and Mauritius have instituted the open visa policy with remarkably good results. It is also hoped that this will be the first step towards greater integration in terms of perhaps a common currency as well.

Sounds cool, but will the thing actually work? Look, the African Passport falls under the banner of the Agenda 2063 plan of action which is a "call for action to all segments of African society to work together to build a prosperous and united Africa based on shared values and a common destiny." It is hoped that the passport will help to bring about greater integration as well as free movement which will therefore help an increase in trade and economic growth.

It sounds fantastic to us. But not everyone likes a border-free world (see Brexit). The establishment of the passport could however also be of greater benefit to heads of state instead of the man on the street, an immigration lawyer noted in an interview with Cape Talk early this month. So we'll wait to see if Sudanese President Omar-al-Bashir is getting one.

On the whole, the idea of an integrated Africa where Africans work together to improve their lives sounds like a very good idea and something that should be advocated for greatly, especially if means that Africa can finally throw off the shackles of being controlled by others and actually use the resources on the continent for its own benefit. It may be a tiny step in the right direction.
Fifty digital enthusiasts tucked themselves into a trendy venue in Durban to discuss 'Design Thinking' and 'User Experience' at our latest edition of Digital Swarm.

During the evening we discussed the importance of the digital journey. We found that the journey isnt about point A and point B  the bit between points A and B was where we needed to focus. Now, this isnt rocket science but it starts to get a lot more complicated when we acknowledge that if point B is our chosen end point for a customer, then there are many different Point As to consider. We also need to acknowledge that most businesses have multiple point Bs that will help them successfully reach their goals.

Marek Uliasz via 123RF

For example: Jon might travel blissfully from point A to B exactly the way you planned  he made the purchase and even shared that he bought your product with his community. However, Thandi clicks on Jons link and arrives at your site halfway between point A and B. She doesnt have all the information she needs, she is excited about the product, but doesnt know how to get the information she needs to execute her purchase.

As marketers we very often spend hours and hours planning for Jons journey and get excited when the stats show us we are getting many people joining Jons walk with your brand. However, we dont often consider Thandi, she becomes lost in the stats, telling us what went wrong, she joins our bounce rate clan and hides among our drop off rates. Instead of considering Thandis plight, we focus our energy on refining Jons journey.

There has to be a better way:

I think we need to acknowledge that customers dont reach us on a collection of straight highways. We need to accept that customers find us through a complex network of connections that dont follow process; they follow the emotional state, the patience, the heart and the desire of the consumer. If I dont feel like clicking your link tonight I wont, but if I see Jon clicked it three days later then I get very interested in what youre selling.

So I prefer to look at it like this: develop great brand touch-points, not journeys. Touch-points focus our attention on a single point that customers connect with. Customers arrive at the touch-point from various angles but are always given a choice of where they want to end up next. In other words, the touch-point encourages people to experience the brand and then make a decision about where they want to go next. Do they want to leave, buy, enquire, sell, share or simply stand in awe? Either way, the touch-point has a specific design that is not specific to a user journey, but rather focuses on delivering the best customer experience aimed at building brand ROI in the process. Then, the customer moves on to the next touch-point that they choose.

Designing touch-points are more difficult because it involves dissecting the customer journey in greater detail, but it goes a long way to helping Thandi and Jon both experience your brand as it should be experienced.

In short, customers change their own path to your door. Shouldnt you spend time thinking about what they might come across on their path, and decide how you would like to influence their world with that touch-point? Then move onto the next touch-point and the next one.
The advertising marketing in Africa has grown significantly in the past five years, due in part to investment from international advertising networks, as well as the digitisation of the industry.

Advertising in Africa report

Advertising in Africa - retaining broadcasts share of the pie (July 2016) is a new report published in July 2016 by Balancing Act, an independent consultancy and research company focused on ICT and media in Africa, that provides a health check of the advertising industry on the continent.

The report was produced to collect data about the industry on the continent and to highlight emerging trends.

The revenues of the advertising industry are crucial for a number of business sectors in Africa. The media in general and radio and television in particular thrive or contract on the money brands spend on them. Increasingly, mobile phones are becoming advertising channels and operators are getting revenues from this channel.

And as Africa is increasingly online, advertising money spent on digital banners and social media is growing in size and has become a key part of many online start-up business models.

For over a year, Balancing Act has studied market trends, innovations, weaknesses and opportunities, the impact of advertising in the media and in particular television advertising revenue.

The report includes spreadsheets providing: advertising revenue by country; TV advertising revenue by country; and projections of advertising revenue by 2020 for the continent. This report provides advertisers, agencies, content producers, media and other players in this ecosystem a part of quantitative, qualitative information and contact details they need to assess market conditions, identify trends, seize opportunities, make purchase and investment decisions, and assess training needs.

Among the things identified by the report, it notes a "rush of global advertising agencies to many countries across Africa over the past five years", also citing equity investments and acquisitions in African communications groups.

Advertising agencies come with major advertisers that are investing in Africa, which they see as markets with new opportunities.

The rush to buy companies has included several agencies that have purchased new digital agencies, allowing them to get into the newly emerging African online advertising and social media space.

Major trends

Three major trends have emerged:

Analysts confirm a significant improvement in the quality of advertising campaigns over the last three years, improvements stimulated by competition between existing and new agencies who are upping their game and existing advertisers who are sticking to local expectations. The 2010 FIFA World Cup was a catalyst that put the continent in the spotlight for multinationals. South Africa has been the main gateway of African advertising, but Nigeria, Kenya and the Ivory Coast are now among the other countries that are also serving as platforms to reach neighboring regional countries. Although there is considerable disagreement about the size of the emerging African middle class, there is no doubt it exists and it is the target of many marketing strategies. After mobile telephony, financial services, food and the transport sector, there are new brands in other sectors that need to communicate to keep or gain market share.

In the coming years, the liberalisation of many sectors, regulations to strengthen competition rules, the emergence of national brands, the need for diversification of economies and the transition from informal to formal economies, will provide further fuel for growth to brands and advertising agencies.

Furthermore, digitisation and media fragmentation will force many African brands to re-invent themselves, and to communicate differently.

*The report is available from Balancing Act here.
All too often in elections, voters are forced to choose the least-worst candidate. That isnt the case with the applicants for Yellowstone County Commission.

We are pleasantly surprised to see good candidates on the list released Tuesday by Yellowstone County Democrats. The five applicants who met all criteria for residency in the district and voter registration are: state Sen. Robyn Driscoll, former state Sen. Lynda Moss, former Billings Mayor Chuck Tooley, former Missoula state Sen. Dave Wanzenried, who moved to Billings two years ago; and Jennifer Merecki, who was active recently in the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign.

County party leaders have scheduled a public meeting for 5-8 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Billings Public Library to interview the applicants. Party precinct committeemen and women then will nominate applicants and vote on three names to send to the county commission.

The choice of a new commissioner is important. The appointee will serve through December 2018, filling the seat that Bill Kennedy has held for 24 years. Kennedys extensive knowledge of county and state government will leave with him. More than any other commissioner, Kennedy went to Helena to advocate for Yellowstone County  with governors and the Legislature. He has also been a staunch supporter of community mental health care. His resignation, effective Aug. 1, will create a void that must be filled with a smart, energetic person who already has outstanding skills in public service.

Whoever replaces Kennedy will be the newest commissioner for only five months. In January, Denis Pitman, winner of the June Republican primary, will succeed Reno.

By state law, the Democrats are required to send the names of three nominees to the remaining commissioners. Republicans John Ostlund and Jim Reno have the responsibility of appointing Kennedys successor.

Three applicants names rise to the top of the list. Moss, Driscoll and Tooley are long-time Yellowstone County residents. All three have been elected previously and repeatedly by Billings voters. Termed out after eight years in the Montana Senate, Moss leads a nonprofit organization that works collaboratively to support other community nonprofits. Driscoll, who is in her first Senate term after serving in the House, has proven effective in working with Republicans, helping to organize meetings of the county legislative delegation before the 2015 session. A popular mayor, Tooley served as an excellent ambassador and spokesman for Billings during his eight years in office.

It would have been even better if Kennedys replacement could have been appointed the day he resigns. But with summer travel and the Democratic National Convention coming up next week, the timeline will result in a two-member commission for a few days.

Reno and Ostlund probably are acquainted with some or all of the applicants. With such good options, the two commissioners ought to be able to select the third quickly. They may well want to interview the three nominees themselves. We suggest that they start their selection process by attending the Aug. 3 public meeting to hear what the applicants tell the Democrats.
Meeting place for hearings, workshops, discussions, training, workspace, events, presentations, demonstrations, brainstorming, strategic planning space based in Cape Town.

Seats 18 comfortably around three round tables of six each.

Room configuration is flexible

Can hire in additional chairs if required

Inclusive of:

Air-conditioning, flat screen monitor, data projector available to rent (extra), Wi-Fi, flipchart stands and rails, variable lighting, comfortable, modern, stylish seating, standard set-up: round tables; other options available, i.e. school rooms or board rooms.

Standard package - R20 per person

-Arrival - morning and afternoon refreshments - includes: water/tea/coffee/biscuits

Treat package - R40 to R50 per person

-Arrival - morning and afternoon refreshments - includes: water/tea/coffee/juice/biscuits/pastries/muffins/table sweets

Lunch package - R25 per person

-Standard package plus in-room lunch, including ordering take aways, cutlery, crockery and cleaning (actual take away food order cost not included)

Monday to Friday from 07.00 till 18.00

(not open on weekends or evenings)

Full day: R1,095. - eight hours

Half day: R765 - four hours
DURBAN, South Africa - Through the advent of Messenger and bots, messaging platforms have rapidly increased their impact in reaching users with life-changing content. Leading this technological evolution in low and middle income countries, the Praekelt Foundation, launched a new chatbot for Messenger integrated into the South African Department of Health's MomConnect, at the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban yesterday, 19 July 2016.

Connecting moms

The bot will provide mothers with a more affordable, engaging way to access the stage-based messages currently provided by the technologys SMS services.

Founded in 2007, Praekelt Foundation uses open source technologies to deliver essential information and inclusive services to millions of people in low income countries. With over 10 million South Africans now on Facebook, and over 75% using it on their mobile devices, Praekelt has chosen to expand MomConnect services through the introduction of the bot.

The newest innovation in messaging technology, bots unlock the ability to provide personalised, interactive communication akin to talking to a human customer service or sales rep, but at scale for much cheaper than call centres.

MomConnects new bot will be seamlessly integrated into the existing platform, offering Messenger as a more financially affordable method in which mothers, nurses, and child health workers can access additional content and services.

With 900 million users, Messenger is one of the most-used chat apps on the planet with more than 11,000 bots added since the platform launched in April. Messenger allows for larger character limits than SMS and none of the time-outs of USSD. Users send 60 billion messages per day using messenger - more than three times the global daily SMS volume.

We focus on providing innovative and scalable solutions for those in need of access to information in low income countries by keeping ahead of changing technology as well as the changing needs of the end user. We launched MomConnect in 2014, before the rise of Messenger. To be relevant with the latest technologies, we have created a bot to integrate into the platform, as they allow mothers and health care professionals a cheaper way to access vital maternal health and HIV information personalised to them directly on their mobile devices. Were proud to lead their integration into health systems Praekelt Foundation founder and CEO, Gustav Praekelt, noted.

Currently, MomConnect improves the supply of maternal health information in South Africa for over 850,000 subscribers. These subscribers will now have access to maternal health information through Messenger.

Allowing HIV + mothers and those with high-risk pregnancies to have an alternative platform for receiving stage-based messages, the bot gives them access to a resource of information around HIV, pregnancy, delivery and a babys first year, as well as a future helpdesk to offer mothers a platform where they can have their questions answered by live operators and escalated to health professional.

Simon de Haan, chief engineer at Praekelt Foundation, described the benefits of the bot: Starting with maternal health care, access to essential information delivered via Messenger poses a fundamental shift in how personal health services are delivered at national scale in emerging markets. Our maternal health services are made possible by our open-source Junebug integration for Messenger and we are excited about the potential this open-source release creates for the wider health and technology industry.

Over the course of the five day conference in Durban, participants will be able to experience the value of the bot first hand by signing up for messages and having them delivered in an accelerated schedule via the messenger set up for MomConnect.

Praekelt Foundation plans to roll out the technology to its existing suites in other African countries which have replicated the MomConnect model, including Hello Mama in Nigeria and Family Connect in Uganda.
Like other Montanans, I enjoy recreating on streams and public lands with my family. The abundance of recreational, hunting, and outdoor opportunities is part of what makes Montana the last best place. As a candidate for the Montana Supreme Court, I am frequently asked about my position on access to Montanas waterways. In my opinion, the law is settled. Law in Montana safeguards the publics right to use surface waters for recreational purposes while protecting the rights of riparian landowners. And only the Legislature (not the courts) can change the current laws.

Under early Montana law, the publics ability to use surface waters varied depending upon whether a waterway was navigable (capable, in its ordinary condition, for use as a highway for commerce) or non-navigable. Early law protected the publics right to navigate, fish, and hunt on navigable waterways, but did not recognize a public right to use the stream beds or banks of non-navigable waters without landowner permission.

Stream access history

In 1972, Montanans adopted a new constitution declaring that all waters within Montana are the "property of the state for the use of its people." Relying on this constitutional provision, the Montana Supreme Court in 1984 abandoned the long-standing distinction between navigable and non-navigable streams and ruled that the public has the right to recreate, hunt, and fish between the high water marks on all waters in Montana that are capable of recreational use  regardless of navigability. At the same time, the court emphasized that its ruling did not grant to the public a right or easement to cross private property to get into the streams.

The 1985 Legislature adopted the Montana Recreational Use of Streams Act, codifying the right of the public to recreate on rivers and streams. The act expressly does not grant any easement or right to the public to enter onto or cross private property in order to use those waters. Recreationists must remain between the high-water marks of a stream and must access the water via recognized public land or existing easements. The Act specifically allows landowners to construct fences across streams to manage property or livestock. If an artificial barrier exists, the public may portage around the barrier and enter private property above the high-water mark in the least intrusive manner possible.

There have been some important developments after the 1985 Act.

A 1987 court ruling clarified that the publics use of streambeds and banks is not unlimited; such use must be of minimal impact and must respect the property rights of riparian owners. For example, overnight camping or big-game hunting between the high water marks of a stream passing through private property is not allowed without landowner permission.

In 2009, legislation confirmed that public bridges may be used to access surface waters. This legislation also recognizes the right of landowners to fence up to a bridge to manage livestock and property, as long as a gate, stile, or other adequate passage is provided for public access to the water. The cost of materials, installation, and maintenance of these public passages is borne by the state.

In summary, Montana law clearly recognizes the right of the public to use natural waterways that are capable of recreation. To protect landowners, the law requires the public to remain within the high-water marks of the waterway, unless an artificial barrier requires a portage above the high-water mark. If a portage is necessary, it must be made with minimal impact.

The law is a good balance between landowners ability to protect their property and the publics right to use the waters by requiring recreationists to access a stream through public access sites, which include public bridge rights-of-way. Private landowners statewide work in concert with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to lease public access sites at locations that are both convenient to the public and best suited to meet the publics needs.

Under Montana trespass law, a trespass is not criminal unless the landowner has posted no-trespassing signs or has marked the property with fluorescent orange paint. To be able to seek the help of law enforcement authorities in preventing trespasses, a landowner should comply with these notice requirements. But even if a property is not posted, a landowner who finds a trespasser on his or her private property has the right to demand that the trespasser leave.

Yelling wolf

It is the responsibility of the judicial system to fairly, consistently, and impartially apply these settled laws to specific cases involving individualized facts. The courts will likely be called upon in the future to determine whether a particular bridge is public or private and the width of bridge right-of-ways, to locate the high-water marks on a stream, and to address whether there is a right of portage around natural barriers (the Act only addresses portages around artificial barriers).

The courts do not have the authority to make any significant changes to existing law  that authority is reserved to the Legislature under the Montana constitution. So dont be fooled by those who are yelling wolf that the publics right to use waterways for recreation is somehow in jeopardy  thats a distraction from the real issues surrounding the upcoming elections for the Montana Supreme Court.
A man accused of assaulting a person with intent to commit murder denied federal charges on Tuesday in Billings.

Devan Gregory Sanchez, 24 of Lame Deer, pleaded not guilty to a four-count indictment charging him with assault with intent to commit murder, assault resulting in serious injury, assault with a dangerous weapon and using a firearm during a crime of violence.

The indictment alleges the assault happened on March 19 in Lame Deer. Sanchez is accused of attacking a person with a .380 pistol.

If convicted Sanchez faces a maximum 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the assault with intent to commit murder count plus a consecutive mandatory minimum five years to life in prison on the firearms charge.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Carolyn Ostby ordered Sanchez to remain in custody. The case will be heard by U.S. District Judge Susan Watters.
HELENA  Gov. Steve Bullock is proposing a tax-relief program for businesses that includes waivers and credits that he will present to the 2017 Montana Legislature if he is re-elected.

The tax plan is meant to encourage companies to grow and to create higher-wage jobs in Montana, an issue that his Republican opponent, Greg Gianforte, has hammered on in his campaign to unseat the Democratic incumbent.

Bullock was in Billings to promote the plan Wednesday, after stopping at businesses in Great Falls and Bozeman on Tuesday.

The plan will "make it easier for businesses all across the state to grow and expand and create good-paying jobs, putting more hard-working Montanans to work and further strengthen an already strong economy," Bullock said.

Bullock's plan includes waiving 75 percent of the state business equipment tax for a new business or a business expansion for the first five years. Republicans have long targeted cutting or eliminating the tax on equipment purchased by businesses, and in 2013, Bullock signed a bill that reduced the tax rate and raised the minimum purchase amount that triggers the tax from $20,000 to $100,000.

Bullock also said his plan would give businesses a $1,000 tax credit for each employee offered on-the-job training and a $2,000 credit for every veteran hired.

Gianforte said in response to Bullock's announcement that Bullock had four years to deliver tax relief and failed to do so. Gianforte proposed his own tax plan in April that calls for eliminating the business equipment tax and setting the maximum income tax rate at 6 percent.

"This is a time for real leaders, not half measures," Gianforte said in a statement. "If the governor had actually done something these last 4 years, we probably wouldn't be in this position."

Gianforte noted that Bullock vetoed multiple Republican tax measures in the last legislative session.

The state Department of Revenue estimated that eliminating the business equipment tax would cost the state $81 million in lost revenue a year and capping the income tax rate at 6 percent would cost another $125 million annually.
MISSOULA  Joseph David Robertson carried a copy of the United States Constitution in his back pocket as he walked into U.S. District Court on Wednesday, a gift from a member of the Oath Keepers. About 50 members and sympathizers of the group formed to fight back against perceived government overreach showed up to support Robertson as he was sentenced in Missoula Wednesday for polluting federal waters.

The 77-year-old Basin man had run afoul of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers for discharging dredged and fill material when he was digging a series of ponds on land north of Basin.

Over the course of several years, officials had informed Robertson he was breaking the law and needed to stop digging the ponds, consult with experts and acquire a permit. Instead, Robertson continued to build, saying the ponds are used in part to water his horses, but primarily to fight wildfires in the area.

Why do we get punished for protecting our community? How did all our laws get turned around like this? he said.

U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy said after Robertson is released from custody, he will be under supervision with certain conditions for three more years, and must pay almost $130,000 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service to restore the damage caused by the ponds, several of which were on government property.

In the hours before the sentencing, a group of Oath Keepers and other supporters of Robertson, gathered in front of the federal courthouse in Missoula.

Alan Wright of Townsend said he didnt know anything about Robertsons case until he saw a story in the newspaper around a month ago. He said he felt he needed to come to Missoula on Wednesday to show his support.

I just thought about it and I said, "Wow, how can this guy be imprisoned?' he said. How many laws can we endure? Weve gone from people with rights to people with privileges.

Wright and other members of the Oath Keepers and their supporters said they hoped that the protest held outside the federal courthouse would draw attention to another example of what they view as government overreach, as well as convince the judge to take a second look at some of the claims made by Robertson.

While members of the Oath Keepers have been known to show up heavily armed at rallies or protests, none of the people who came to support Robertson on Wednesday were carrying firearms.

Steve Putnam and his wife Donna came to Missoula from their home in Pasco, Wash. to show support for Robertson.

Putnam said hes attended several Oath Keeper rallies in the past, including three in Portland, Ore. and several at a memorial on the highway outside Burns, Ore. where LaVoy Finicum was killed by law enforcement in a standoff following the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife refuge.

Were just standing up for peoples rights, Putnam said, holding a black flag with Finicums brand imprinted in white. (Robertson) should never have been brought to court.

Putnam said in the spring, an election was held in Oregon to recall a county judge, Steve Grasty, who had opposed the occupation of the refuge. The recall attempt failed.

Somebody should shoot that guy, his wife Donna said.

Jason Van Tatenhove, a Eureka-area man who serves as the national media director for the Oath Keepers, indicated he had doubts about the performance of Robertsons federal public defense attorney, Michael Donahoe, saying he had refused to push for certain issues in the case, including getting an independent assessment of the water system around the ponds, admitted into evidence.

It sure seems that hes taking orders from someone who doesn't have Joes best interests in mind, Van Tatenhove said. (The report) blows away the entire narrative that has been set up.

That report, written after the trial by former Corps of Engineers and EPA employee Ray Kagel, found no measurable or quantitative adverse impacts to the aquatic ecosystem.

While some of the Oath Keepers and other Robertson supporters stayed outside, around 30 filed into the courtroom for the sentencing hearing. Just before the judge entered, the group recited the Lords Prayer.

The trial in April where Robertson had been convicted was the second on his charges. His first trial, held in the fall, had ended in a hung jury.

Robertson, a Navy veteran with PTSD, said he was grateful for the show of support from the people who had turned up to watch his hearing.

I wish I knew we had brothers like this at the first trial, he said. They beat me up so bad I was back in the hospital.

Following the first trial, Robertson said he was ordered to go through a psychiatric evaluation to determine if he was fit to stand trial.

They wanted me to be deemed incompetent. They didnt want this, he said.

Robertson said that a week after that trial, he caught representatives from the EPA on his property draining one of the ponds.

Multiple times he was approached with plea agreement offers, but Robertson said he doesnt think he has done anything wrong and refused to accept them.

Donahoe said youre a veteran, Molloys a veteran, he will cut you a deal, Robertson said. You know where I told him to put that.

Bryan Whittaker, one of the federal prosecutors on the case, said the people who came to support Robertson had been brought there under false pretenses. While Robertson continues to claim, and is involved in ongoing litigation, that the private property some of his ponds were built on belongs to him, it was sold to another person at a sheriffs sale before he dug the pits.

Theyve been played like a piano, Whittaker said. Mr. Robertson will say whatever he wants to get whats best for him.

The comment evoked calls of liar from the audience. Molloy singled one member of the crowd who was particularly vocal, and after a back and forth, ordered that she be removed from the courtroom. Another member was later removed for scoffing at comments made by a prosecutor.

Whittaker said since his conviction, Robertson had made a comment in a radio interview that he wouldnt allow federal officials onto the land to reclaim the damage from the ponds. The prosecutor said he took the comment as a threat.

Robertson said all he had meant by the statement was that he intending to dig up the road with an excavator to prevent officials from approaching.

They can BS but the truth is I wouldnt hurt anyone, he said.

Donahoe, Robertsons federal public defender, acknowledged there had been some bumps in the road between him and his client, but asked that the judge be lenient.

I would ask that the court be generous, Donahoe said in his sentencing recommendation. Hes just a man who is a property owner. He just wants to enjoy his property in peace.

Just before sentencing him, Molloy said Robertson has repeatedly ignored court orders and convictions issued in other legal matters that have brought him before state and federal judges, as well as warnings from federal officials that he acquire a 404 permit from the Corps of Engineers, required for any activity that will result in discharge or placement of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S.

Molloy said given those facts, he did not believe a probation sentence was appropriate.

Mr. Robertson has repeatedly demonstrated that he has no respect for the law, Molloy said. It might be a different story if Mr. Robertson had heeded what he was told.

As part of his three-year supervised release after the 18 months incarceration, Molloy said Robertson must attend mental health and substance abuse treatment, and is barred from consuming alcohol or entering into bars. As a convicted felon, Robertson is also banned from owning firearms.

Molloy also imposed $129,933.50 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service Robertson will have to pay to restore the ecosystem damaged by his ponds.

Robertson said he intends to appeal the case.

During opening statements, Molloy said it is difficult to determine how the phrase waters of the United States in the Clean Water Act should be interpreted, saying the U.S. Supreme Court most recently offered a fractured decision with no majority agreeing on a definition or test. Without clear guidance, Molloy said the legal issue raised in cases like Robertsons was significant and perplexing.

In a concurring opinion written in that 2006 decision, Justice Anthony Kennedy had said no continuous surface connection was necessary to deem there to be an ecosystem nexus, splitting from the four-judge plurality that only continuous waters met the definition. It was under Kennedys assessment of a nexus that a jury convicted Robertson in April. During the trial, the EPA testified that the ponds were a significant nexus to navigable waters, running from a tributary into the nearby Cataract Creek, and ultimately into the Boulder and then Jefferson rivers.

Prosecutors asked for Robertson, who had been released until sentencing, to be taken into custody to begin serving his prison sentence immediately. After Donahoe did not object, Molloy ordered it done.

As she left the courtroom with Robertsons service dog, his wife Carri yelled at the prosecution.

I hope it was worth ruining my life, too.
NEWCASTLE, Wyo.  Authorities say a 27-year-old man was killed in a single-vehicle rollover crash west of Newcastle.

Sgt. David Wagener says George Thompson, of Newcastle, lost control of his pickup on U.S. Highway 16 on Saturday evening. Investigators say the truck's seat belt system had been completely removed before the crash.

Thompson died at the scene.

Wagener says alcohol and excessive speed might have played a role in the crash, which marked the 48th highway fatality in Wyoming this year. There were 74 fatalities during the same time period in 2015.
A treasure hunter from Virginia has been rescued for the third time in three years from the same rugged area in Wyoming by the Park County Sheriff's Search and Rescue.

Madilina Taylor, 41, of Lynchburg, Va., was found safe Monday after prompting a helicopter search of the Jim Mountain trails west of Cody, said the Park County Sheriffs Office.

At about 12:40 p.m. Monday, Park County rescuers responded to a report of an overdue hiker at Jim Mountain trailhead. A nearby resident reported seeing a woman get out of a 2001 Dodge SUV and hike up the trail on Friday.

The witness said the woman appeared to be poorly equipped for the backcountry. She carried a small bag and was wearing sweat pants and a light jacket. He said the Dodge was still at the trailhead and he believed it had not moved for three days. A search of a national database determined Taylor owned the Dodge SUV.

On June 26, 2013, Taylor was rescued with her boyfriend Frank Eugene Rose Jr., after the pair spent four days lost in the forest. They were found in the Big Creek area of the Star Hill Ranch. The couple were suffering from exposure, and high water had prevented them from crossing Big Creek.

On June 14, 2015, Taylor fell and broke her ankle in the same area. She had to be airlifted to receive medical attention. After this incident, Rose and Taylor told emergency personnel they were in the area both times looking for treasure hidden by art dealer and author Forrest Fenn. Fenn claimed to hide a treasure worth millions of dollars somewhere in the Rocky Mountains and wrote two books with clues to its location, the release said.

The couple was warned after the second rescue not to return to the area without training in wilderness survival and told they faced arrest if found on private property in the future.

After the report on Monday, search crews performed an aerial search of the areas Taylor and Rose were previously found and the Jim Mountain trails. The search was called off after two hours because there was no way to tell which direction Taylor traveled or whether she was still in the backcountry, the release said.

At about 10 p.m., Taylor emerged uninjured from the wilderness near the Grizzly Ranch. She said she saw the search plane but didnt think she was lost so she didnt signal. She reported seeing grizzly bears on three separate occasions during her time in the wilderness and had had enough. Ranchers gave Taylor a ride back to her vehicle. She said she intended to drive back to the East and had no intentions of returning.

The release said Rose is suspected of accompanying her on the recent trip but was not seen during the incident.

Lance Mathess, public information officer and head of search and rescue for the Park County Sheriff's Office, said the cost of rescue operations isn't very high because searchers are volunteers. The two-seat, single-engine Aviat Husky aircraft is relatively cheap to fly with fuel expenses running about $50 per hour. The woman will not be charged for the response, and the sheriff's office cannot prevent the treasure hunters from returning to the public land in the future.

"The only thing the sheriffs office can do is arrest them for trespassing on private property, if they go on private property," Mathess said. "For the most part theyre on national forest land."

He said all three times the couple have entered and exited the back country in the same locations.

Mathess said he hasn't read Fenn's books but knows the author has ties to the Cody and is familiar with the surrounding area. He thinks the couple saw specific landmarks they believe correspond with clues from the book and are returning to search a precise location. Their strong conviction will likely draw them back to the area again, but Mathess hopes they add backcountry survival guides to their reading list.

He said the treasure-hunting mindset makes it unlikely the couple will tell anyone exactly where they're hiking but they should at least leave a note on their vehicle detailing how long they expect to be in the forest.

"People from the big cities and metropolitan areas are so used to help being just a phone call away," Mathess said. "I just think they have financial blinders on or economic blinders on. They cant see anything but the treasure."

Taylor and Rose arent the only Fenn treasure seekers to require a search and rescue operation. Randy Bilyeu, of Broomfield, Colo., set out with a raft and his dog to look for the treasure in a section of the Rio Grande river near Santa Fe, N.M. The raft and dog were later found, but Bilyeu has not been located. Fenn even joined the search after the official effort was called off. He chartered a helicopter and spent nine hours over three days looking for Bilyeu.

The Travel Channel is airing an episode of "Expedition Unknown" on Wednesday featuring the search for Fenn's treasure.

On Wednesday, Fenn said one or two treasure hunters go missing while searching for his treasure every year. Most are found alive. A few years ago, a man was rescued by a helicopter from a snow-covered mountain after an unexpected night in the wilderness.

Its always a concern but what do you do about that? Fenn said. A man goes hunting in the woods and gets lost, who do you blame? The man? The game? The fish? Who?

Fenn is an 84-year-old retired United States Air Force Pilot who moved to Santa Fe in 1972 and started a career as an art dealer. He has also written 10 books. He said he hid the treasure about six years ago, before he finished writing his memoir "Thrill of the Chase."

Fenn adamantly maintains the treasure chest is not a hoax. He described the box as 10 inches by 10 inches and 5 inches deep. Hes never speculated on the total value or had the chests contents appraised. But he said he mostly filled it with gold because of its small size and high value.

Fenn said the box contains 20.2 troy pounds of gold including 265 coins and gold nuggets, some as large as a chickens egg. Theres also precious gems including rubies, emeralds and diamonds. He even threw in a couple pre-Columbian bracelets he said are more than 2,000 years old. The chest weighs 42 pounds loaded.

He said he decided to hide the treasure at the height of the Great Recession to give people hope. Anyone could go out and strike it rich while spending time with loved ones in nature.

I wanted a man and his wife to get their kids off the couch, out of the game room and out in the mountains looking for treasure, Fenn said.

Nine clues are included in a 24-line poem published in "Thrill of the Chase." Hes also said the treasure is hidden in the Rocky Mountains somewhere north of Santa Fe but south of the Canadian border. Most hunters are searching in New Mexico, according to Fenn.

He said he hid the box himself and hasnt confided the location to anyone. He plans to take the secret to his grave. But he did offer some personal history that could make southern Montana and northern Wyoming prime hunting grounds.

Fenn said he grew up in Temple, Texas, but his father was a school teacher and the family spent their summers in West Yellowstone where coincidentally he sold the Billings Gazette and Montana Standard in his early teen years.

He has spent a lot of time in Cody as a former member of the board of trustees and current emeritus at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Fenn is also a lifelong pilot. He enjoyed flying into the Billings Logan International Airport and frequently visited the site of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Though a judge reduced bond Monday for a man accused of shooting at a Bismarck home in early June, he may still be unable to bond out.

At a hearing, South Central District Judge Gail Hagerty lowered bond for Vernon Pook Jr., 19, from $200,000 to $60,000.

His attorney, Travis Finck, said Pook's family could only afford $10,000.

"It would be every asset they have," Finck said.

Authorities allege Pook fired the bullets in connection with a disagreement over drugs. He faces seven counts of reckless endangerment.

Finck said Pook lives in the area and previously worked at a Subway. He would look for a job in fast food, if released.

Burleigh County Assistant State's Attorney Justin Schwarz opposed lowering bond, citing the nature of the charges.

"It could have been even more than a reckless endangerment type of situation," he said.
Adobes analysis of more than 5,000 peoples online habits across Europe reveals that less than half believe that social media channels are improving the relevance of ads and content. Thirty-four percent are annoyed by adverts from brands they dont follow.

Only 7% of social media users said that ads are the top form of social media content they engage with, while 18% cited offers and deals.

However, there is an opportunity for brands on social, with 33% of social media users saying they do not mind being exposed to ads, even from brands they do not follow, as long as the ads are relevant.

By honing their advertising even more and creating exciting, more personalized content that users want to engage with and share regularly, brands can be assured of greater success, and really take their marketing to the next level, said managing analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, Becky Tasker.

UK brands were found to be the best at driving consumer to their websites via social media, with an average website traffic rate of 4.6% last year.
North Dakota's delegates to the Republican National Convention Tuesday cast 21 votes for Donald Trump, helping to officially seal the candidate's nomination.

Delegates also cast six votes for Ted Cruz and one vote for Ben Carson.

Because the state party did not hold a state primary or caucus, North Dakota's delegates are unbound, leaving them free to vote their "conscience," according to convention rules.

For 2020, North Dakota GOP Chairman Kelly Armstrong said the state party will take a look at its process, putting a group together to study its options over the next two or three years.

With Trump officially named the nominee, North Dakota's delgates are now turning their attention to convention speakers.

"There was a lot of energy in the stadium (Tuesday) night," said Shane Goettle.

Goettle was excited to hear from Trump's running mate, Mike Pence, and the North Dakota delegates were invited to a special meeting when the vice presidential nominee arrived.

Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio were other speakers of interest to the delegation.

Armstrong said he is particularly interested to hear what else the candidate and the chosen speakers have to say on North Dakota's two largest industries, energy and agriculture.
Another person in North Dakota has tested positive for the Zika virus.

On Tuesday, the North Dakota Department of Health reported a man who traveled to Costa Rica has tested positive for the virus. He was not hospitalized for his illness.

Two other North Dakota residents, both women, have tested positive for Zika. The first woman was pregnant and not showing any symptoms of the virus. She was infected after traveling to Puerto Rico, and her baby was born free of Zika and any birth defects.

The Health Department reported last week another woman was infected with Zika after traveling to Jamaica.

Both women weren't hospitalized and have since recovered.

Zika is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can be transmitted from both men and women to their sex partners and from a mother to her unborn child. The virus can cause microcephaly, a severe birth defect that causes a newborn's child to have a smaller than normal head and can cause brain damage.

Zika travel notices can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website.
Virtually everyone agrees that the United States needs modern, well-maintained infrastructure to ensure its future prosperity. Platforms produced for both major political parties at their conventions this month mention the issue, with Democrats pledging to "make the most ambitious investment in American infrastructure since President Eisenhower created the interstate highway system" and Republicans noting that "everyone agrees on the need for clean water and safe roads, rail, bridges, ports and airports."

Yet financing that infrastructure has become highly contentious. Lawmakers at all levels of government  have different ideas of how much to spend on infrastructure and where that money should come from, and a hesitancy to increase taxes or concerns over spending huge amounts of money on "luxury" upgrades has created political gridlock in many places.

Slideshow: Exploring a Dream U.S. Infrastructure Investment

But if the spending were less controversial and the political will were there, the U.S. could substantially transform its infrastructure. The new construction and upgrades could change how Americans travel, strengthen the country's economic engine, and make our communities safer and happier places to live. Texans might ride a futuristic bullet train to Atlanta, every child might attend a modern well-equipped school, and no city would have to worry about the safety and reliability of its drinking water.

As The Bond Buyer reaches 125 years of covering how America finances its infrastructure needs, we take a look at ten key areas of need and what could happen if money and politics weren't in the way. We examine what the project is, how it could benefit America, and, importantly, how it could be financed.

INTERSTATE 2.0

What it is:

A total modernization of the interstate highway system with upgrades such as dedicated truck lanes, redesigned interchanges to reduce bottlenecking, and express bus service

How it benefits the country or region:

The new interstate would improve commerce and the quality of life by reducing travel times and creating easier access to major population centers. The existing system was built more than half a century ago during the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower, and in many sections is inadequate for modern traffic needs or becoming aged and unreliable.

How much it costs:

Roughly $1 trillion

How it gets paid for:

All options on the table, but the most realistic is likely a combination of federal spending driven by user fees such as gas taxes and some local investment. Gas taxes have historically been the major means, but P3s are possible if allowed by the federal government.

AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

What it is:

A radically consolidated ATC system with current control towers replaced by ground-level or underground facilities using an array of airport sensors at large airports, along with expansions and modernizations.

How it benefits the country or region:

Creates a more efficient and safer air travel. Air travel facilitates the movement not only of passengers but also of goods, and is a crucial economic driver for many localities with large or hub airports.

How much it costs:

Billions, but exact cost depends on the extent of the upgrades. The Federal Aviation Administration is attempting to implement its NextGen technological upgrades program, but has said it is dependent on full federal funding for the next 3 years, a political uncertainty.

How it gets paid for:

Federal spending or existing avenues of airport finance, including bonds backed by airport fees. Passenger Facility Charges, fees levied at commercial airports controlled by public agencies, are capped at $4.50 per passenger and could be raised to produce more revenue.

BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

What it is:

A replacement of structurally deficient and obsolete bridges nationwide. The American Road and Transportation Builders Association estimates that there are 58,495 U.S. bridges in need of repair.

How it benefits the country or region:

Rebuilt bridges are safer and improve traffic flow because they can handle increased weight loads, whereas some older bridges now have had to limit traffic for safety concerns. Bridge replacement could also facilitate expansion of certain highway sections crucial to some local economies.

How much it costs:

Likely over $150 billion nationwide.

How it gets paid for:

A good P3 candidate because they can be tolled and backed with revenue bonds.

WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

What it is:

A replacement and expansion of Americas existing drinking water infrastructure, much of which is past or approaching its useful life

How it benefits the country or region:

Outdated water infrastructure can be unreliable or even unsafe, as in Flint, Michigan. Water main breaks can interrupt service and cause costly damage.

How much it costs:

The American Water Works Association has estimated it will cost about $1 trillion through 2035, assuming replacement of the entirety of Americas drinking water system over that time. Drinking water components typically have a 15-95 year useful lifespan.

How it gets paid for:

Local planning and financing is the way to go, as each localities needs are unique. Some communities would pay as they go, others would bond.

NATIONWIDE HIGH SPEED RAIL

What it is:

A nationwide network of trains capable of exceeding 200mph. Such trains are already common in Europe and Asia, but are essentially nonexistent in the U.S. Amtrak operates a high speed Acela service in the Northeast, but its average speeds along its route are considerably slower than other high speed rail services globally.

How it benefits the country or region:

These trains could provide a green, fast way to travel between major metropolitan areas. They could serve as an alternative to air travel for short to intermediate distance trips, such as between Seattle and San Francisco or Houston and New Orleans. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has touted the economic benefits high speed rail would have to cities served by it.

How much it costs:

$500 billion plus

How it gets paid for:

A combination of federal dollars and local borrowing via bonds. The federal government has shown an interest in helping local governments leverage federal money to build high speed rail infrastructure.

PORT MODERNIZATION

What it is:

A series of improvements to the largest U.S. ports to ensure their continued economic competitiveness. Includes deepening them, adding more land-side cargo infrastructure, inclusion of robotic technologies.

How it benefits the country or region:

Modernized U.S. ports will facilitate more efficient interstate and international commerce, and help prevent port-driven localities from being driven out of business by ports in Mexico or Canada.

How much it costs:

More than $1 trillion

How it gets paid for:

Port authorities would borrow via bonds backed by their revenues. Port Authorities are already often some of the largest most frequent issuers in the U.S., and many have high credit ratings allowing them to borrow at a low cost.

SCHOOL UPGRADES

What it is:

Getting U.S. K-12 education into good operating condition. Almost half of U.S. public school buildings were built for the baby boom generation born between 1950 and 1969, the American Society of Civil Engineers reports.

How it benefits the country or region:

U.S. schools serve as not only education centers, but also as community gathering places, shelters during disasters, and other important functions.

How much it costs:

$270 billion plus.

How it gets paid for:

State and local spending, including bonds that could be either general obligations or increasingly-popular property-tax bonds. The ASCE also recommends exploring alternative financing options and innovative ways to reduce costs. Warren County Kentuckys Richardsville Elementary School, for example, generated enough electricity via solar panels to sell energy back to the grid.

HAZARDOUS WASTE SITE CLEANUP AND REDEVELOPMENT

What it is:

Cleanup and redevelopment of more than 1,000 unsafe brownfield sites. The U.S. produces millions of tons of hazardous waste annually.

How it benefits the country or region:

These sites pose a potential health and safety risk and also cant be turned into useful public sites until they are cleaned up and made safe.

How much it costs:

Roughly an extra $500 million annually over what the Federal government currently spends. Possibly more than $200 billion over the next 30 years.

How it gets paid for:

Federal spending through the Environmental Protection Agencys Superfund is the traditional way, but the EPA can also force whoever is responsible to clean up the site in many cases. Localities could partner with the federal government or be incentivized to redevelop these sites locally.

LEVEE REPAIR

What it is:

Repair and replacement of American levees, which protect both farmland and developed areas from flooding. The U.S. has some 100,000 miles of levees in all 50 states and the District of Columbia

How it benefits the country or region:

Insufficient or outdated unreliable levees can fail, causing devastating losses to the communities affected.

How much it costs:

More than $100 billion.

How it gets paid for:

P3s are a possibility, if surrounding infrastructure or the waterway can be monetized. US Army Corps of Engineers needs additional federal funding, localities must increase investment on levees not the responsibility of the federal government.

NEW AGE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

What it is:

Modernizing and expanding an increasingly outdated and unreliable distribution and transmission network for U.S. power supplies.

How it benefits the country or region:

Outages are a huge blow to the communities affected, slowing business to a crawl and creating a dangerous situation.

How much it costs:

Experts believe there is an investment gap of roughly $100 billion over the next several years.

How it gets paid for:

Largely local and P3, but federal government can play a role, particularly in incentivizing or helping in the development of green energy infrastructure.
WASHINGTON  The Internal Revenue Service has closed audits and left the tax-exempt status unchanged for $311.28 million of community development district bonds in Florida that started a huge debate about political subdivisions and led the tax agency to propose controversial rules for such districts earlier this year.

More than $246 million of the bonds were issued by the Village Center CDD in 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004, but were redeemed in November 2014. Another $65 million of bonds were issued by the Sumter Landing CDD were issued in 2005 but were redeemed in October 2015.

In separate letters to each CDD, the IRS noted the bonds were redeemed and said, "We have concluded that closing this examination without further IRS action supports sound tax administration."

The IRS actions close the book on long standing audits that sparked a huge ongoing debate between the tax agencies and municipal market participants over how to define political subdivisions that can issue tax-exempt bonds. These two CDDs  commercial districts for a retirement community with more than 100,000 residents in two counties -- were organized as political subdivisions under Florida law. The IRS challenged their status in audits, but has now dropped the challenges and closed the audits.

Perry Israel, a lawyer with a private practice in Sacramento who is representing the Village Center CDD, and Richard Chirls, a lawyer with Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe in New York City who is representing the Sumter Landing CDD, each said they and their clients are pleased the examinations have been closed.

"They're absolutely right," said Israel. "It's a poor use of IRS resources to continue to go after these bonds when they've been paid off for almost two years."

The Village Center "did taxable refundings [of the bonds], but was still able to reduce its borrowing costs," he added.

Israel said that he believes the audit of the Village CDD, which began in January 2008 and took more than 8  years to complete, may have been the longest examination ever done in the muni market. Some of those same bonds had also been the subject of an earlier audit that was closed in January 2003 which would make the examination of them even longer.

The IRS was on a slower track with Sumter Landing, but Chirls said, "This is simply an examination that went on much too long. It was, in the end, a waste of resources, staff, administrative time, and actual dollars by the district and the IRS."

Some muni market participants said the IRS may have been willing to close the audits, realizing they were a drag on resources while the agency was up against a statute of limitations problem. Generally, the IRS can go after taxpayers for payment of taxes due to violations of tax laws or rules three years from the later of the date that taxes are due or the date that taxes are paid.

The Village Center bonds were redeemed in 2014 meaning the latest date a full year of interest would have been 2013, with tax returns to be filed in April 2014. Three years after that would be in April of next year. With this year more than half over, the IRS had still not declared the CDD's bonds taxable and, if it had, the CDD would have had an opportunity to appeal that finding and go through a lengthy appeals process.

It seems odd that the IRS closed the audits without accepting a payment for settlements. The two CDDs earlier this year told the IRS they would settle the tax dispute for $300,000, the amount they estimated would be the legal fees they would have to pay to continue fighting the IRS. The IRS, which had been pushing for a $1.5 million settlement, never took them up on the offer.

Also, the IRS letters sent to the CDDs are odd in two respects. Both letters said the CDDs were sent Forms 5701, Notices of Proposed Adjustments. But these forms, which notify taxpayers of increased tax liabilities, are not used in the municipal market, bond lawyers said. The CDDs actually received Forms 5701-TEB, or Notices of Proposed Issue that notified them the IRS had preliminarily determined the bonds were taxable.

In addition, the IRS letter to the Village Center CDD noted the agency found the CDD was not a "proper issuer of tax-exempt bonds" and the bonds were private-activity bonds that did not fall in any of the categories that qualify for tax-exemption. The one sent to the Sumter Landing CDD said only that the IRS found the bonds were taxable PABs.

The IRS may not have said that Sumter Landing CDD was not a proper issuer, because it was only the Village Center that received a technical advice memorandum from the IRS chief counsel's office in May 2013. That TAM said the CDD was not a proper issuer of tax-exempt bonds because its board was and would always be controlled by a developer rather than by residents or others responsible to a public electorate.

However, after an outcry from issuers and bond lawyers that the IRS was trying to change rules retroactively through enforcement actions, the IRS made the TAM prospectively effective. That means the TAM shouldn't apply to either the Village Center CDD or the Sumter Landing CDD.

The TAM led the Treasury Department and IRS to propose rules in February of this year that would dramatically change the definition of a political subdivision.

Historically, the determination of whether an entity was a political subdivision was based on whether it had the right to exercise a substantial amount of at least one of three sovereign powers: eminent domain, taxation, and policing.

Community development districts in Florida, metropolitan districts in Colorado, rural utility districts in California and districts in other states for years have been set up to issue tax-exempt bonds to finance public infrastructure such as roads, sewer and water systems for a variety of development projects. Initially the districts are controlled by developers, but as homes, business parks or shopping areas are built and irrigation systems are set up, the control of boards is passed onto to residents or users such as homeowners, businesses or farmers.

But IRS officials, through audits, found some developers had created political subdivisions and were in complete control of them of years or indefinitely, sometimes issuing tax-exempt bonds for their own benefit.

The proposed rules would add two new additional requirements, besides the sovereign powers one, to the definition. Political subdivisions would also have to serve a government purpose "with no more than an incidental private benefit" and would have to be governmentally controlled.

"The IRS is now properly addressing the perceived problems through a regulatory process that includes proposals, comments and a prospective effective date," said Chirls.

But the proposed rules have taken a beating from municipal market groups and individuals who have sent the IRS more than 130 comment letters slamming them.
The State Health Council, which is being sued for creating a radioactive waste program in North Dakota at an illegal public meeting last summer, now says it will hold a do-over meeting next month.

The councils secretary Londa Rodahl said the decision to conduct the meeting again Aug. 9 was made by members of the Health Council. She said the council  a citizens advisory board to the State Health Department  will consider ratifying" all the decisions it made in August 2015, when it approved new rules for disposing of radioactive oil field materials in North Dakota, along with other business items.

The call to meet comes a day after the Health Council was in South Central District Court, where two environmental watchdog groups asked the judge to enforce the states open meetings law by requiring the council to redo the meeting.

The attorney generals office had agreed with the Energy Industry Waste Coalition and the Dakota Resource Council that the Health Council had failed to provide adequate public notice of the 2015 meeting but, as a remedy, ordered the council to mail the meeting minutes to the complaining parties.

Sarah Vogel, the groups' attorney, said the council knows its going to lose the case and is holding a pre-emptive do-over to make the lawsuit unnecessary and possibly duck paying the other sides attorney fees.

Vogel said its unclear whether citizens will be able to comment at the upcoming meeting, though citizens in the western oil patch are impacted by the new rules. Her case is supported by affidavits from McKenzie County residents who say they would have commented on the proposed radioactive rules if theyd had enough notice to make the meeting.

Rodahl said there is no ban against public comment at council meetings, but said its up to the chairman whether to allow it.

The new rules to allow up to 50 picocuries of radioactive material to be disposed in North Dakota were effective as of January. Since then, two companies have told the Health Department theyre interested in a specialized permit. IHD Disposal recently put its permit request for a site near Alexander on indefinite hold in light of local protest and Secure Energy Services continues the process for a site north of Williston.
A former government official of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation accused of accepting bribes and kickbacks from a construction contractor has pleaded guilty to federal charges in North Dakota. Randall Phelan was an elected representative of the governing body of the Three Affiliated Tribes from the end of 2012 to the middle of 2020. Investigators say Phelan used his official position to help the contractors business by awarding contracts, fabricating bids and managing fraudulent invoices. His trial had been scheduled to begin Tuesday. Phelan and two others were originally charged with receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from the bribery scheme on the oil-rich Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The contractor has pleaded guilty to bribery.
A 300-megawatt wind farm application has been submitted to the Public Service Commission for Barnes County.

"This is the largest single application that has been filed," said Public Service Commissioner Brian Kalk on Wednesday.

Glacier Ridge Wind Farm LLC, a subsidiary of Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc., proposes to use 87 to 99 wind turbines to be located about 5 miles northeast of Valley City.

"We continue to see large wind farm applications at the Public Service Commission. There are a lot of wind farm projects being contemplated," Kalk said.

According to its application, Glacier Ridge aims to start construction in November. Work could take 14 months to complete. Testing of the wind farm system is expected to be done in November 2019, and commercial operation to begin the following December.

To receive the full tax credit break, construction of the project must start in 2016, the company noted in its application.

Throughout Wednesday's meeting, commissioners expressed condolences to the families of 65 workers at Great River Energy Stanton Station after it was announced the plant will close May 2017. A continued theme of discussion was the trend to convert energy power away from a coal base to wind and other alternatives.

Low gas prices are driving a trend from coal to other sources on the electrical grid, according to Commissioner Julie Fedorchak, noting that gas turbine energy generators are easier to fire up than a coal facility.

She noted the move can put customers at risk for higher electricity costs once gas prices rise again.

Commissioner Randy Christmann said the federal tax breaks for wind energy also are diverting the energy industry from coal-powered energy.

Kalk said that U.S. Congress has extended the wind energy tax credit through the end of the year.

Commissioners noted the electrical energy source decisions more often are being decided by regional transmission organizations or regional power markets than by local-based companies. These RTOs buy energy from various plants. Power companies bid to provide their energy source.

Fines

Four companies were fined for violations. R.J. Corman Derailment Services LLC, of Billings, Mont., was fined $500 for violating the North Dakota Century Code. In October 2014, Enbridge complained that R.J. Corman failed to give notice about excavation plans by contacting North Dakota One Call 48 hours in advance and a backhoe got stuck while digging near major pipelines. Enbridge stopped the work before damage could occur.

Kalk said R.J. Corman Derailment Services did not have a license to operate in North Dakota.

In addition, Kollman Construction was fined $1,000 for after it hit a water main in Zap.

Bulldog Concrete Inc. was fined $1,500 for damage caused to a natural gas service line.

Keller Paving and Landscaping was fined $1,000 for digging within 10 feet of a crude oil pipeline.

Reclamation honor

The PSC's Abandoned Mine Lands Program was honored with the the 2016 Small Project Award from the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. The award is used to recognize high-quality projects in the country that reclaim abandoned coal mines.

The AML program was awarded for its drilling and grouting at Halleck Mine, 5 miles north of Bowman. The underground coal mine operated from 1919 to 1944. The mine's coal seam was 30- to 40-feet thick and the top of the coal seam was 10 to 50 feet below the surface. Sinkholes were common in the area and exploratory drilling showed mine voids near public roads and a large 30-inch diameter, high-pressure natural gas pipeline.

In 2014, emergency repairs were completed due to several large sink holes that severed a fiber optic telecommunications cable within 90 feet of the pipeline.

The award will be presented in September at the National Association of Abandoned Mine Lands Program annual meeting in Bozeman, Mont.
The fuss raised by former North Dakota GOP chairman Gary Emineth on Monday at the Republican National Convention wasnt about unbinding delegates or stopping Donald Trump from becoming the partys presidential nominee, he said  he simply wanted a roll-call vote on the convention rules.

But Emineth and other petitioners didnt get it, and while he was still stewing about it Tuesday in Cleveland, he said it was time for delegates to move on and unite behind Trump.

I think a lot of people are saying, Lets learn how to live to fight another day,  he said.

Despite Mondays rocky start, the mood had turned positive by nighttime after speeches from Trumps wife and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, among others, North Dakota GOP chairman Kelly Armstrong said.

Convention fights are what they are. You have your convention fight and then you move on to the next business, he said.

Mondays conflict arose from delegates concerned that party leaders were pushing through RNC rules that consolidated too much power at the top, Emineth said.

In the mix were the never-Trump delegates  who planned to make a final stand Tuesday before Trump gets officially nominated, Politico reported  and delegates who believe they should be able to vote their conscience instead of being bound by their states caucus or primary results.

Those trying to force a state-by-state roll-call vote submitted petitions with a majority of delegates from nine states as required, but three of those states were later disqualified after delegates withdrew their signatures, various media outlets reported. Emineth accused party leaders of working behind the scenes to quash the effort, and he called for the resignation of RNC chairman Reince Priebus, with whom hed been exchanging text messages.

He was saying, You didnt get the signatures, and I was like, Its because you were strong-arming people,  Emineth said.

In protest, Emineth resigned his position as North Dakota co-chair of the joint Trump-RNC fundraising committee. He said those asking for the roll-call vote likely would have lost anyway but wanted the opportunity.

We thought wed send a strong message, he said. They create a problem for themselves by not allowing people to let some steam off.

Armstrong, a state senator from Dickinson, said that while it could have been handled better, he agreed with the outcome because the rules were followed and he was glad it was explained to delegates after the voice vote adopting the rules.

As somebody who has run a convention, I think they were running into danger without coming back out, he said.

Rep. Ben Koppelman of West Fargo, who supported Texas Sen. Ted Cruz for president until he dropped out of the race, said that while he wished more thought had gone into handling the issue, I believe the convention is very unified around Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, political website The Hill pushed an opinion piece Monday by Republican state Rep. Kathy Hawken of Fargo and Democratic state Sen. Dwight Bullard of Florida on why they wont vote for Trump. The lawmakers characterized the New York businessman as a threat to abortion rights and someone who thrives on bigotry, misogyny, discrimination, and hate.

We cannot have a president who espouses a worldview in which women are unequal to men. This means making sure Donald Trump  a vulgar bully who no one can be proud of  gets nowhere near the Oval Office, they wrote.

North Dakotas 28 national delegates are unbound because the state GOP didnt have a presidential preference caucus or primary, though Armstrong has said party leaders will consider changing that.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In a press release issued yesterday by the Southern Chiefs Organization, Grand Chief Terrance Nelson accused the Manitoba Progressive Conservative government of impeding a national inquiry for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls by making unnecessary demands of the federal government.

In particular, Nelson pointed to the Pallister governments push for the appointment of a Manitoba commissioner for the inquiry as part of the holdup, and stated his concern that the province had yet to sign an agreement to participate in the inquiry.

We cannot afford to postpone this inquiry any longer, Nelson said. I urge Premier Pallister, collaboratively with the federal and First Nations governments, to address this national tragedy.

Nelsons comments echo the sentiments of many First Nations chiefs across the country who have expressed a growing frustration with the federal government over its delay in launching the inquiry, which was a Liberal election campaign promise.

Last week, the CBC reported that the Manitoba government  along with one other province continue to negotiate with the federal government over the terms of reference that will determine the focus and scope of this national inquiry.

But Premier Brian Pallister told the CBC yesterday that, while the province is indeed pushing for a Manitoba-based commissioner for the inquiry, Manitobas involvement with the inquiry does not hinge on this particular issue. Rather, he said it would be a missed opportunity if the inquiry could not benefit from all the work that this province has conducted into Indigenous issues.

Millions of dollars of money have been invested on behalf of taxpayers here in Manitoba to address finding solutions to these issues; curative solutions, Pallister said. That kind of healing has to happen nationally. Why wouldnt we want to benefit the country from our work?

Pallister said it would be a waste of money for the inquiry to cover the same ground that the province has already investigated, such as the provinces child welfare system and its failure to protect the toddler Phoenix Sinclair, and the unnecessary death of Brian Sinclair, who waited 34 hours in a hospital emergency room only to die of a treatable bladder infection.

We happen to agree that the Trudeau Liberals have little to gain by retreading the same steps taken by the former Manitoba NDP government. Since Manitoba has the largest aboriginal population of the 10 provinces, surely the inquiry stands to benefit by studying the results of previous investigations.

We also can allow for the fact that the new Tory government has only recently taken over this file  it needs to be seen to be doing its due diligence when it comes to creating government policies, as well as participating in national inquiries.

But Tory support for a national inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women has been tepid in the past, as the Manitoba Tories seemed to be taking a page from the federal Conservative playbook several months ago. As of two years ago, the provincial Tories were still debating whether to support this public inquiry. Pallisters comments at the time somewhat mirror his thoughts now  that having another committee looking into these issues may not be the best course of action.

Pallisters PCs did eventually express support for the inquiry, and campaigned on the issue before last Aprils provincial election.

But this dragging of heels feels unnecessary. Federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Ann Bennett has publicly stated that this inquiry will come at no cost to the provinces, and that her government was determined to do this right for the survivors, families and loved ones of victims.

If the appointment of a Manitoba commissioner is not a deal breaker  as the premier has suggested  and officials in charge of the inquiry feel the need to retread previously investigated issues, as is their wont, perhaps its time to just move on.

The Manitoba government has already promised to support the inquiry. So lets get on with it.
Opinion

Hey there, time traveller!

This article was published 20/07/2016 (2290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BSD taxes being misused

I just received my municipal tax notice today and I am very unhappy. One-third of the bill consisted of municipal taxes and the other two-thirds of the bill was for school taxes. I do not have a problem paying municipal taxes, but I do however, have a huge problem paying so much money for school taxes. People, these school boards have to live within their means just like the rest of us. The students cant read, write or do simple math, but they are pushed ahead so their egos are not hurt. Meanwhile, we throw more and more money down the drain to graduate students who dont even know how to count change. We need value for our money, not more money for administration and wishy-washy, feel-good courses.

Question for Mr. Fefchak

Regarding the recent letter to the editor, Logic Has No Place In The Hog Industry by John Fefchak on July 13. Without modern, competitive industries generating some wealth like the local hog industry, how would we finance the Canadian military?

Good idea  but it doesnt work

Regarding the Sound Off Non-Toxic Weed Killer. The Sound Off suggestions that a solution made of benign household products can be an effective weedicide. I have been there and done that. Granted, the solution burns the leaves, making the plant(s) look pretty dead for about a week. Unfortunately, the plant is not dead, soon recovers and your effort has been for naught. Trust me.

Maybe we can take turns

Dear downtown neighbour: Almost every night this summer, youve had a fire in your backyard fireplace. While I certainly understand the appeal, I wonder if you could cut back. Id like to have my windows open to enjoy the cool evening air, but the smoke from your fire makes this impossible. Thanks for your consideration.

Support workers deserve better

Reading the recent Sound Off on the support worker asking for benefits similar to a teacher. Well, maybe if we had two months off every summer, every holiday off, at least one day (sometimes as many as three) a month for in-services and last but not least, a much better pension, you wouldnt hear complaints. And FYI, support workers (nurses and aides) do take courses. And in the nurses case, two to four years of university and still get the same benefits as housekeepers, laundry, aides, etc. We receive seven years for our pension no matter if you work seven years or 40 years  that is what you get in seven years. Our benefits do not cover much in terms of vision, dental, nor medications, especially if you happen to be a family of four or more. Maybe if you worked a day in our life, youd sing a different retort.
HSBC's head of global foreign exchange cash trading has been arrested and charged in the US for allegedly conspiring to commit wire fraud.

The US Department of Justice said Mark Johnson, 50, allegedly conspired to defraud an HSBC client through a "front running" scheme.

Stuart Scott, 43, HSBC's former head of foreign exchange cash trading for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, has also been charged.

They are accused of misusing information in 2011 "provided to them by a client that hired HSBC to execute a foreign exchange transaction related to a planned sale of one of the client's foreign subsidiaries."

The two men allegedly generated 8 million US dollars in profits from the transaction.

Robert Capers, US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said: "As alleged, the defendants placed personal and company profits ahead of their duties of trust and confidentiality owed to their client, and in doing so, defrauded their client of millions of dollars."

Mr Johnson was arrested at the JFK International Airport in Queens, New York, on Tuesday, the US Justice Department said.

He will face a court appearance on Wednesday before magistrate judge Lois Bloom of the Eastern District of New York.

Assistant attorney general Leslie Caldwell said: "The defendants allegedly betrayed their client's confidence, and corruptly manipulated the foreign exchange market to benefit themselves and their bank."

She added: "This case demonstrates the criminal division's commitment to hold corporate executives, including at the world's largest and most sophisticated institutions, responsible for their crimes."

HSBC declined to comment.
A delegate from South Dakota made his feelings quite clear last night as Republican representatives from his state pledged their votes for Donald Trump.

Trump is now officially the
Update July 22: Cian Cleary has been located safe and well.

Original report:

Gardai are seeking the public's help in tracing the whereabouts of a teenage boy missing from County Wicklow.

15-year-old Cian Cleary went mising from Bray on July 13 - he was last seen on that day getting on a bus headed for Dublin.

He was then seen in the Coolock area on July 18 at around 6pm.

Cian is 5 foot 9, of medium build with short brown hair and brown eyes.

When last seen Cian was wearing navy Adidas shorts with red stripes, and a grey coloured t-shirt.

Gardai are concerned for Cian's welfare and anyone with information is asked to contact them at Bray Garda Station.
The leader of Fianna Fail says he thinks Ireland will be given special treatment by Europe after the UK leaves the EU.

Micheal Martin's comments follow a warning by Angela Merkel that the Irish voice will be heard as much as every other voice.
The jailing of the kingpins of the Collopy drug gang for eight years could signal the collapse of their crime empire, writes David Raleigh.

Brothers Brian and Kieran Collopy were each "caught red handed" in the kitchen of a house, packing 37,000 worth of heroin, to be sold to wholesalers for distribution on the streets of Limerick.

The siblings had one previous conviction each for threatening to kill a man in Limerick.

Brian Collopy also had a prior conviction for simple possession of a small amount of drugs, for which he was previously fined 250.

In passing sentence, on one count of possessing heroin worth more than 13,000 for sale or supply, Judge Tom O'Donnell, presiding, said: "The State considers both accused man to be top of the criminal pyramid (in Limerick)."

The brothers were arrested following a covert Garda intelligence operation, led by Detective Sergeant Alan Cullen, head of the Limerick Divisional Drugs Squad.

Neither brother showed any reaction when they were led away to begin their lengthy jail terms.

The sentences were backdated to December 15, 2015, when both men were taken into custody after their arrest at St Mary's Park.

Kieran Collopy

Judge O'Donnell said both men had to "take responsibility for their own actions".

He said the two Collopy brothers were "not used as mules or couriers acting under any form of duress", but they were "active participants at the highest level".

The two brothers were effectively caught packing heroin in a drug factory, the court heard.

"It was strictly a commercial enterprise," the judge said.

Judge O'Donnell said the two siblings were "involved in peddling drugs which were both dangerous and devastating to society".

"The court must treat this as a cold, calculating commercial operation," he said.

Outlining the aggravating factors in the case, the judge noted: "Heroin is highly addictive and insidious and is an absolute scourge on society."

"It can cause havoc and can have a disastrous grip on the (drug) users, and it also has a devastating effect on their families , and on society as a whole."

He added: "Some may take the view that 37,000 worth of heroin is not significant, but it is the view of the court that it is significant, given the nature of the drug."

The judge also noted that Brian Collopy had been merely 11 months out of prison after serving a six-year sentence, later reduced by the Court of Criminal Appeal, for threatening to kill a man in Limerick.

Previously gardai told the court the two Collopy brothers were at the top of the pyramid in the Limerick heroin distribution scene.

After gardai stormed two adjoining and connected houses in St Marys Park, Limerick, last December, they found brothers, Kieran and Brian Collopy involved in packaging heroin.

As well as heroin found on the kitchen worktop, traces of the drug were found in a saucepan located in a bath upstairs.

Details of the Garda operation were previously outlined at Limerick Circuit Court where Kieran Collopy (aged 40), of St Itas St, St Marys Park, and Brian Collopy (aged 43) of Killonan, Ballysimon, Limerick, both pleaded guilty to having heroin worth more than 37,000 for sale or supply.

Det Sgt Alan Cullen told the court that during the months prior to the raid, Brian Collopy, who is unemployed and drawing social welfare, travelled to Spain on 11 occasions.

The two brothers were found packing heroin into 1oz packs, which they then sold on to wholesalers, who would break down the deals to 3gm amounts, before the drugs were sold on the streets

They were caught as they prepared the drugs between 34 and 36 St Ita's Steet, which were interconnected.

Armed officers forced their way into the properties and met one of the brothers coming from an upstairs bathroom while they encountered the other in a front upstairs bedroom.

In the kitchen, they found 10 plastic bags each containing 1oz of heroin; latex cloves; and weighing scales.

Officers also recovered traces of heroin on a stairway, inside a bathroom, and in a saucepan in a bath.

Det Sgt Cullen said the brothers "effectively ran themselves into a corner" as they attempted to get rid of the drugs in a panic.

"As the drugs scene in Limerick goes, this would be top of the pyramid. An operation was in progress as gardai attempted to effect entry to the house," Dtc Sgt Cullen told the court.
Dublin Bus drivers may decide to strike after a recommendation that they should get an 8 per cent pay rise.

Workers were looking for an extra 30%, to put them on the same level as Luas drivers.

However, the Labour Court decided on a lower increase of 8.25% out over the next three years.

The drivers' union will ask members to vote on the pay proposals, but they could decide to strike if the deal is rejected.

National Bus & Rail Union General Secretary Dermot O'Leary said: "Whilst acknowledging the difficulties the Labour Court was presented with in deciding on what level of pay was appropriate, given the eight-year hiatus since bus workers last pay increase and pay cuts that were foisted on staff in the intervening period, it is disappointing that the court has apparently decided not to follow its own guide in not awarding a similar increase of at least 3.8% per year which it awarded to others in the same transport sector as recently as last month in settling the Transdev dispute, we went on record in advance of the resolution of the Luas dispute indicating quite clearly that we would expect similar treatment with regards to Bus and Rail workers, we also said that we required the pay gap between Bus and Tram drivers to be addressed as a component of our members pay claim."

"The NBRU has the utmost respect for the State Institutions that are tasked with resolving industrial relations disputes, however our role in lending a voice to the frustrations of Bus Workers has to take precedence at this juncture, whilst it will ultimately be for our members to democratically decide whether the level of pay reward recommend is adequate, we cannot rule out the spectre of Industrial Action in the coming weeks and months should they reject this recommendation."

SIPTU members working in Dublin Bus are expected to ballot on the acceptance or rejection of a Labour Court recommendation on pay before the end of next week.

SIPTU organiser, John Murphy, said: SIPTU members across all grades within Dublin Bus will be meeting over the coming days to discuss this recommendation in detail.

The exact schedule for a ballot on its acceptance or rejection will then be decided.

The ballot process can be expected to conclude by the end of next week.

However, it is clear that these proposals fall well short of the pay claim made by our members. Due to this the rejection of the proposal is likely.

This will mean that if there is not an improved offer made by the employer there is a strong possibility of industrial action by our members in Dublin Bus in the near future.
Update July 22: Nicu Datcu has been located safe and well.

Original report:

A 40-year-old man has gone missing from his home in Dublin.

Gardai have asked for the public's help in finding Nicu Datcu, who is missing from his home at Foxhill Avenue, Coolock, Dublin since last Friday.

He is described as being five feet eight inches tall with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Coolock Garda Station on 01 666 4200.
A man has been taken to Beaumont Hospital after he was assaulted last night at Dollymount Strand in North Dublin.

Gardai investigating the incident which happened at around 8.30pm - have made a number of arrests.
The leader of the SDLP has followed the Taoiseach in suggesting a united Ireland must now be looked at in the wake of Brexit, Elaine Loughlin, Political Reporter in Glenties.

Colum Eastwood has said that the reunification of Ireland is the biggest and best idea around adding that it would be a natural way forward in the context of Britain leaving the EU.

His comments come after Enda Kenny this week opened up the possibility of a border poll in the context of Brexit negotiations.

Speaking at the MacGill Summer School earlier this week Mr Kenny said: If there is a clear evidence of a majority of people wishing to leave the United Kingdom and join the Republic that that should be catered for in the discussions that take place.

Mr Eastwood, who was speaking in Glenties this morning said: Much of the headline talk at MacGill this week has focused on the prospect of a further constitutional change through the calling of a border poll.

This is a natural and welcome development.

He told those attending the summer school that the events of the past few months have proven that political life can no longer afford to presume the permanence of anything.

The SDLP, as a party, continues to believe that the reunification of Ireland is the biggest and the best idea around.

However if the Brexit result and the demise of David Cameron has also taught us, it is that we should make sure to fight referenda that we are confident of winning.

He added: Scottish independence campaigners produced a 670-page document outlining the path to independent nationhood and how it would operate.

It was credible and detailed. Irish nationalism now needs to start on its page one.

Speaking about growth figures released last week which were described as leprechaun economics after they showed a 26.5% jump in projections Mr Eastwood said these figures made us realise that statistics do not always reflect reality.

I think the CSO did us all an inadvertent favour last week in releasing their revised growth rate of 26%.

The absurdity of those figures made us all sit up for a moment and realise that statistical facts do not necessarily correspond with reality. Sometimes ridicule manifests the most lasting realisations.

If we are to reignite the European project we must escape from the culture of a distant centralism which has ceaselessly enveloped modern political thinking.

A renewal of the European vision is therefore badly needed, Mr Eastwood said.
Update 12.37pm: The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has today welcomed the announcement of an agreement between IPHA, representing the pharmaceutical manufacturers, and the Government to reduce the price of medicines.

The group said that it is good news for patients and good news for taxpayers.

However, the IPU expressed serious concern at the short lead-in time, which will mean that pharmacists with existing stocks will be financially hit.

This is a good deal for patients and a good deal for the State, who will save 785m over the next four years, of which pharmacists will make a significant contribution, said Eoghan Hanly, chairman of the IPUs Pharmacy Contractors Committee.

The IPU is extremely concerned, however, at the short notice of the introduction of the changes, which are set to be implemented from August 1, 2016.

This means that the medicines, which pharmacists stock on their shelves for patients on behalf of the HSE, will now be paid for by the HSE at the new lower rates, despite having been purchased by pharmacists at the higher prices which were previously agreed between the HSE and the drug companies.

This is an intolerable situation, which further penalises pharmacists, who have already suffered successive rounds of pay reductions under the FEMPI (Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) legislation.

Earlier:

Big pharmaceutical firms have done a deal with the Government which will save 785m on the State's drugs bills.

The four-year agreement with 38 companies will set prices at an average of 14 European countries saving about 200m a year.

Last year the state spent about 1.7bn on high-value drugs and medicines from big pharma.

Dr Leisha Daly, president of the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA) who was involved in the negotiations, said the deal was the largest single savings package for drugs the state has ever secured.

"It is essential that patients have early access to life-saving and life-enhancing new medicines. This agreement is the best way to make that happen," she said.

"It offers a clear process and sustainable pricing so that new medicines can be made available quickly to patients in Ireland.

"With this agreement in place, patients and their doctors can rightly expect that priority will be given to funding innovative, new medicines in the health services."

Minister Harris says the savings will enable the State to fund the cost of some new drugs.

He said: "I was very fearful, as I think were the Department, that is we continued on the trajectory before this arrangement, with constant rising of prices and a pipeline of new drugs, where were we going to find the resources to provide it?

"So what this deal does it to provide that headroom as new drugs come on stream, we want our patients in this country to access new and innovative drugs. We've a very good record in that regard, that we have the headroom to do that."

The deal involves 38 pharmaceutical firms.

Prices of medicines will be based on the average cost of the same drugs in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK.
By Daniel McConnell, Political Editor

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has laid the blame at local authorities for the delay in building social houses in the Dail today.

During Leaders' Questions, Mr Kenny was fielding questions about the Government's new Housing Plan and insisted that county councils have been given the money and it is up to them to get on with it.

"They have the money," Mr Kenny said.

"It's about time now that county councils got back into the business of providing houses for their people.

"They've been given the money, the opportunites, the incentives to open up sites that are currently off limits and to get on with that job.

"And the challenge for everybody is this is a real priority for Government and we intend to see that it will work and be seen to work."

Mr Kenny was responding to questions from Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams who criticised the Government's plan as "wholly insufficient".

Mr Adams sought clarity as to why the Government had commended the Oireachtas Housing Committee while ignoring many of its key recommendations, most importantly in relation to putting a stop on repossessions.

It is the most commended committee of this new Dail, but why are you ignoring it, Mr Adams said.

In response, Mr Kenny confirmed that not all of the committee's recommendations, but that the committee, was commended for its efforts.

Mr Kenny was also challenged on the crisis in third-level funding by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who said Ireland is falling behind other countries.

He referred to persistent cuts to funding and called on Mr Kenny to commit to a recommendation from the Cassells report which called for an increase in funding of 125m per year for the next five years.

Mr Kenny stopped short of saying the Government accepted the recommendations of the Cassells report, and that the funding of the third-level sector is a matter for the Budget in October.

Independent TD Maureen O'Sullivan pressed the Taoiseach on the looming trade deal between the EU and the US, saying Ireland will be open to litigation from companies.

She called on the Government not to sign up to a similar trade deal with Canada, which she says will leave Ireland open to great risks from powerful corporations.
The Collopys first got involved in the illicit drug trade in the late 1990s just as the notorious Limerick gang feud began to explode, writes David Raleigh.

The family, from St Mary's Park, became involved with their criminal neighbours the Keanes, which at the time was headed up by brothers Christy and Kieran, who operated a lucrative drug gang.

"The story goes the Collopy gang found a consignment of drugs belonging to the Keanes, which they sold on," a security source explained.

"The Keanes were angry, but they realised the Collopy gang was adept at moving on product onto the streets quickly - so they enlisted the Collopy gang to work for them. That was in the late nineties."

Christy Keane - who served part of a 10-year jail sentence for possession of 250,000 worth of cannabis - survived a second attempted hit of his life last year when two gunmen fired several shots from close range, seriously injuring him.

Christy Keane.

His brother Kieran was not so lucky - he was kidnapped and tortured and shot in the head in January 2003.

At the height of the Limerick feud, the "Collopy gang stepped back from it", and let the Keanes fight out a turf war against the McCarthy's from Moyross and their cousins, the Dundons, who operated across the city in Ballinacurra Weston.

As the feud rumbled on, the Collopys concentrated solely on selling drugs to wholesalers who in turn fed it to street dealers for 25 a deal.

With Christy in jail and Kieran murdered, the Collopys took control of the drugs market in their St Mary's Park stronghold.

However, after years of evading prosecution they slipped up and were caught themselves packaging heroin during a planned Garda raid, and

Read More:

The source described the jailing of Brian and Kieran Collopy as "good news" for the people of Limerick, but they added, others will "step in" to fill the gap.

They explained there were up to four operators selling heroin in Limerick.

"There are about 15 to 20 key players. Some gangs are smaller than others...but jailing the Collopy brothers will make a difference alright - it sends out the right message," the source said.

Despite the Collopy godfathers been sent down for eight years, the source confirmed the gang "still have people working for them".

"It's business as usual," they said.

The source explained there are "three or four offshoots" of the drug gangs operating in Limerick, which include "five or six guys at the top of each gang".

They described the heroin epidemic in Limerick as a "scourge".

"You only have to walk the streets of Limerick to see there is a large problem. It's simple economics - the demand is there so there is supply."

They explained how Brian and Kieran Collopy operated from the top level of their drug gang.

"You have an ordinary joe soap on the street and he could be selling 10 or 15 deals in his pocket at 25 a piece - he is bottom of the ladder. He's buying around three or four grams of heroin from a wholesaler."

"The wholesaler would buy about an ounce from the Collopy gang. They got it from contacts in Dublin, before they bagged and sold it to the wholesaler."

In 2006 Brian and Kieran's other siblings, Vincent and Jonathan, were jailed for three years each after their arrest following an undercover Garda operation targeting the sale of heroin.

Operation "Clean Street" was put in place after gardai became concerned about the level of heroin dealing in Limerick city.
In a new piece written for Public Discourse, Samuel Gregg revisits crucial points made by Adam Smith in his classic Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations, in which Smith argues for an embrace of international trade. Unfortunately, many of Smiths ideas have today been cast aside for stronger cries for economic nationalism. Gregg combats some misconceptions of free, global trade by revealing the dangerous results which would occur if nations chose to only implement neo-mercantilism in the name of national interest.

Gregg organizes Smiths insights into three categories, first addressing how Smith proved that a countrys economy flowed from the development and extension of the division of labor within and between nationsthe wider and deeper the size of the market, the greater the division of labor and the subsequent gains in productivity and growth. Smiths understanding of the benefits of international trade has been undermined, however, by ideas encroaching on rights to property and labor. In the wake of growing restrictions, a retreat from free trade would not only worsen this situation. It would also raise the price of a good number of foreign-made products and services, thereby putting many such goods beyond the reach of lower-income Americans.

Second, limitations on the market would only serve to dampen healthy competition:

Of course, a nations common good cannot be reduced to economic dynamism or GDP growth. Smith himself never made such claims. Nor, however, should we forget something else underscored by Smith: that all forms of economic nationalism are premised on denying freedom to large segments of a countrys population. Many businesses regularly conflate their economic self-interest with the public good to justify particular favors from the state and government protection from foreign and domestic competitors.

The last facet of free trade studied by Smith grants free trade the inability to completely eradicate war but does explain how global trade aids in moving closer to understanding between nations:

One effect of free trade within and between countries is that it encourages us to look beyond local, regional, and national boundaries and even major political and religious differences. We realize that everyone has a propensity, as Smith wrote, to truck, barter, and exchange, something that is common to all men, and to be found in no other race of animals. This facilitates our interaction with, and awareness of, people whom we might not otherwise encounter.

Greggs article illumines the efficiency of free international trade which Smith supported and refutes rhetoric commonly used to tear it down. Read Greggs whole piece, Adam Smith, Economic Nationalism, and the Case for Free Trade.
Secretary of State John Kerry is calling on Turkey to provide hard evidence that a US-based cleric was behind a foiled coup attempt last weekend if it wants him extradited.

Mr Kerry said that he made clear in several phone calls with Turkey's foreign minister in recent days that mere allegations of wrongdoing against Fethullah Gulen would not meet US extradition requirements.

"With respect to Mr Gulen, we have consistently said to our friends in Turkey and allies in Turkey that we need evidence," Mr Kerry told reporters at the State Department.

"We have a very strict set of requirements that have to be met for an extradition to take place."

Turkey submitted a dossier of documents about Mr Gulen, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania, to the Justice Department on Tuesday.

Mr Kerry said he had not yet seen the documents and other US officials have not yet said whether they constitute a formal extradition request.

However, Mr Kerry said he had told Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavosoglu in several phone calls: "Please don't send us allegations, send us evidence. We need to have evidence which we can then make a judgment about."

Separately, Defence Secretary Ash Carter said his counterpart, Defence Minister Fikri Isik, assured him in a phone call on Tuesday that the coup and its aftermath would not affect Turkey's support for the fight against the Islamic State group.

In the days since the coup failed, Turkey has intensified a sweeping crackdown on the media, the military, the courts and the education system following an attempted coup, targeting tens of thousands of teachers and other state employees believed to have links with Gulen for dismissal.

The purge has raised concerns about basic freedoms and the effectiveness of key institutions.

Mr Kerry said the US was watching those developments with caution but reiterated Washington's support for the elected government.

"We support the democratic government, we support the duly elected officials," he said.

"We condemn this coup and we are clear about our desire to see democracy sustained and flourish in Turkey. We want to make certain that as the response to the coup is implemented that it fully respects the democracy that we are supporting."

On a related matter, Mr Carter said military operations at the air base in Incirlik, Turkey, should be back to normal shortly. And Mr Kerry said Turkish officials have told the US ambassador to Turkey that power to Incirlik would be restored in the next two days.

Turkish authorities have alleged that planes involved in the coup attempt were refuelled by Turkish planes housed at the base.
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As church attendance continues to decline across the West, many have lamented the spiritual and social side effects, namely a weakening of civil society and the fabric of community life. Whats less discussed, however, is the economic impact of such a decline.

In a new study published by Cardus, Dr. Michael Wood Daly of the University of Toronto explores this very thing, researching the economic value of ten Toronto congregations, and finding a cumulative estimated economic impact of approximately $45 million, based on a combined budget of only $10 million. The study refers to this as the halo effect, noting the churchs value to the community, whether through social capital, community services, or physical resources and infrastructure.

The research builds on an existing framework from a pilot study done in 2010 by Partners for Sacred Spaces and the University of Pennsylvania, which resulted in similar findings. Focusing on 12 congregations, the Pennsylvania study found an economic contribution of roughly $52 million, concluding that local congregations can now be viewed as critical economic catalysts. Both studies evaluated a range of variables in the seven key categories, including (1) open space, (2) direct spending, (3) education, (4) magnet effect, (5) individual impacts, (6) community development, and (7) social capital and care.

From the latest study:

With minor revisions, intended to reflect Canadian culture, society, and economy; as well as methodological changes suggested by the Philadelphia research team in light of their own initial findings, the project studied economic impact in the same seven broad areas. Data was collected through interviews and self-reporting made by senior clergy, lead administrators, and key lay leaders. When the modified value matrix was applied to the data, a cumulative estimated economic impact of approximately $45 million was revealed. The study concludes that, as in the United States, local congregations in the city of Toronto can be viewed as critical economic catalysts. They serve as economic engines that not only support local economies but also contribute to the common good of all. Results of this initial phase suggest that economic valuation of local congregations is possible within the Canadian context and that findings are comparable to those in the Philadelphia pilot study. Finally, subsequent study and further refinements in methodology are expected to offer further validation, and potentially lead to more streamlined means of helping congregations assess their own Halo Effect.

Notably, in the Toronto study, individual impact was the greatest value add, having a Halo Effect of over $22 million. The category that aims to measure a churchs impact on areas like suicide prevention, employment assistance, crime prevention, helping end substance abuse, counseling, education, immigration assimilation, and so on.

In any discussion of such effects, however, though the observable metrics are encouraging, its important to note that any results are bound to be limited. The balance sheet side of the economic value is one thing  and it surely gives us a hint  but the church also transforms the economic landscape through the deeper, longer-term spiritual development that runs before and beyond all of this. Its true that local churches are taking immediate and tangible economic burdens off business and municipal budgets. But they are also planting seeds for these communities to have the human capital and spiritual wherewithal to engage in the economic sphere.

As the researchers fully realize, the paper is limited in its scope, and the results show that we have much more to learn. This report outlines the need for such a quantitative tool in the Canadian context, methodology employed, values ascribed, limitations of the study, findings, and conclusions.

Read the full thing here.
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What is the biggest economic problem that the U.S. is currently facing? Depends who you ask. Some social justice warriors would tell you that capitalism is ruining our economy, yet many who have studied and understand economics would argue the opposite. Capitalism is not to blame, but rather cronyism and protectionist policies are the ones wreaking havoc on the economy.

In a previous post, I discussed how occupational licensing as a form of cronyism is trapping people in poverty. However, cronyism is a much bigger problem than just occupational licensing. The U.S. struggles with other forms of cronyism too, such as protectionism through quotas, tariffs, and corporate welfare.

Quotas and tariffs make it extremely difficult for international firms to sell their product in the U.S., thus protecting U.S. firms from international competitors. Corporate welfare is government support of a private business usually through direct money transfers (subsidies) or tax breaks, often protecting big firms from the competition of smaller firms.

This form of cronyism typically occurs for two reasons: First, in an attempt to create new domestic jobs or prevent jobs from being sent overseas and second, because politicians promise goodies to corporations and individuals that help them get elected.

Perhaps some people find it acceptable for politicians to return favors to corporations for funding their election, but it is probably a safe assumption to say that most people would have a problem with this.

Where many get caught is at the idea that the government should give money and tax breaks to private businesses in the name of protecting the loss of jobs to international competitors. On impulse, these kinds of policies sound good, especially to the average blue collar worker whose job could be lost to an international firm, but ultimately these policies hurt our economy.

Without protectionist policies, firms are forced to compete with each other on an international market in order to provide the best product for the best price. When government gives freebies and tax breaks to corporations, it prevents them from having to compete with other corporations and in the end it causes the consumer to pay a higher price for a lower quality good.

But perhaps there are people who are willing to make the trade-off of paying a higher price for some goods in order to prevent the jobs that produce those goods from being sent overseas. The problem is that while some jobs may be protected, these protectionist policies can force more jobs in other industries to be outsourced.

For example, the U.S. has policies that protect American sugar producers from international competition saving all kinds of jobs in the American sugar production industry. All of this comes at the cost of higher sugar prices, about $3 billion per year. These costs fall not only on sugar consumers but also on the producers of products that use sugar such as Life Savers, who moved a factory with 600 jobs from Holland, Michigan to Canada. The U.S. sugar program was designed to protect the U.S. sugar producer but in the end it has only sent jobs to foreign countries.

Protectionism has more consequences than driving up the price of goods and sending jobs overseas, it also stifles innovation. When a firm is relieved from competitive pressures with corporate welfare and government subsidies, it has no incentive to improve itself.

It seems pretty clear that corporate welfare and protectionist policies are harmful to our economy, so one might think that politicians from all across the spectrum would join together to fight it. But this simply is not the case.

Again, politicians are easily bought out by corporate interest. For example, Marco Rubio, the U.S. senator from Florida. He, a consistent vocal supporter of the sugar subsidy, also receives thousands of dollars from sugar companies.

While there are politicians who support cronyism because of corporate interest, there are others that support it simply because they dont understand its harmful effects. For example, in the Democratic debate in Flint, Michigan on March 6th, Vermont senator, Bernie Sanders made this statement: I was on a picket line in the early 1990s against NAFTA, because you didnt need a Ph.D. in economics to understand that American workers should not be forced to compete against people in Mexico making 25 cents an hour. I thought Senator Sanders was opposed to rigging the economy against the poor, but apparently his compassion for the poor only extends to Americans.

If free-market capitalism, and all of the benefits it brings to the economy, is going to be effective we need to oppose its biggest threat: cronyism. This starts by educating ourselves on basic economics. I recommend reading Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt. But more importantly, the biggest challenge to fighting cronyism requires that corporations eschew subsidies and special favors from government. Until this happens, cronyism may never go away.
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A solid case could be made that the most powerful natural law in the universe is the law of unintended consequences. Its definitely the dominant force when it comes to public policy.

For example, in 2007 Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which was designed to encourage young workers to seek government and nonprofit jobs that pay far less than what theyd get in the private sector. The program forgives the remaining balance on direct loans after a borrower has made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time (30 hours per week) for the government or a non-profit. The payments are capped at 10 percent of discretionary income, defined as a borrowers adjusted gross income minus 150 percent the federal poverty level. Any balance remaining after the 120 payments is forgiven, tax-free.

The intention was to encourage people to become schoolteachers or social workers. But theres another group that found a way to take advantage of this subsidy: doctors.



The program is applicable to anyone who works for the government or non-profit  and three-quarters of hospitals are either nonprofit or owned by the government. As the Wall Street Journal notes:

Doctors typically earn between $50,000 and $60,000 in the first three to eight years out of school as they complete training, known as residency. Thus, the amount they pay under income-based repayment will be low, at least through training. Their salaries skyrocket, to $180,000 and above, once out of training.

The WSJ calculates that the average doctor who participates in the program will earn roughly $131,000 forgiven, tax-free, in 2024. (The figures use a discount rate of 6 percent. Without the rate, the average forgiveness would be about $200,000 in 2024 dollars.) The Association of American Medical Colleges estimates that the doctors would, over the course of ten years (3 resident, 7 post-resident) pay about $100,000 toward their student loans.

In other words, individual doctors would pay about 44 percent of their student loan bill and the taxpayers would pay the other 56 percent.

If such loan-forgiveness programs should exist (which is debatable), then some doctors  such as those that exclusively serve the poor  ought to qualify too. But to make the subsidy available to all of them is unfair to the rest of us. The taxes of schoolteachers and social workers shouldnt be used to pay the medical school loans of well-compensated MDs.

Americans already pay a high cost in both medical care and higher education. We shouldnt also get stuck with the bill our physicians tuition.
 New York Times Clarifies on Gaza Settlements | Main | 'Who You Callin' a Human Shield?' 

July 20, 2016

UPDATED: Israelis Killed in "Alleged" Actual Attacks

Bahaa Alyan took part in the Oct. 13, 2015 terror attack on a Jerusalem bus, killing three Israelis (Photo: Israel Police)

In an article about new Israeli legislation to allow for the ouster of members of Knesset accused of racial incitement, Agence France Presse today pulls a Time Magazine stunt, reporting:

The legislation was put forward after three Arab-Israeli opposition lawmakers sparked controversy when they visited relatives of Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces after alleged attacks in Israel.

Alleged attacks? Haviv Haim, Alon Govberg and Richard Lakin were not killed in an "alleged" attack on Oct. 13 when Bahaa Alyan boarded their Egged bus in East Talpiot, indiscriminately shooting and stabbing passengers. Alyan's father was among the Palestinian relatives with whom MKs Basel Ghattas, Jamal Zahalka and Hanin Zuabi met last February.

Indeed, AFP's headline and article at the time of the MKs' visit to the terrorists' families got it exactly right: "Israeli leaders slam MPs who met attackers' families." AFP's Feb. 5 headline rightly refers to "attackers' families," not "alleged attackers' families."

In addition, the Feb. 5 AFP story opened with the straightforward sentence: "Three Israeli Arab lawmakers who met relatives of Palestinians killed after carrying out attacks on Israelis faced fierce criticism. . . ." Indeed, there is no doubt that Baha Alyan, whose family the MKs visited, was one of the killers on that Egged bus Oct. 13.

As AFP's Feb. 5 article correctly detailed later on:

Balad said [the relatives with whom the MKs met] included the father of Bahaa Alyan, who in October boarded a bus in Jerusalem with a friend, shooting and stabbing passengers and killing three people.

After a Facebook campaign launched by Israel's Government Press Office, Time Magazine corrected the identical error concerning Alyan. CAMERA has contacted AFP editors to ask them to likewise correct their copy. Stay tuned for an update.

UPDATE: AFP has amended the text of the article to read:

The legislation was put forward after three Arab-Israeli opposition lawmakers sparked controversy when they visited relatives of Palestinians killed by Israeli security forces while carrying out attacks. [emphasis added]

Posted by TS at July 20, 2016 06:39 AM

erroneous caption: "Oct. 13, 2016".

Was this actually last year?

Posted by: wsg at July 20, 2016 11:39 AM

FYI: The year in the date under the picture is listed as 2016, instead of 2015.

Posted by: Lee at July 20, 2016 12:19 PM

CAMERA: Thanks for the heads up. We fixed the typo. It now correctly reads: Oct. 13, 2015

Posted by: Anonymous at July 20, 2016 04:53 PM

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LONDON: Rishi Sunak looked set to become Britains next prime minister after his rival Boris Johnson quit the ...
 UPDATED: Israelis Killed in "Alleged" Actual Attacks | Main | At the United Nations, Saudi Money Trumps Rights Criticism 

July 20, 2016

'Who You Callin' a Human Shield?'

It should not go unnoticed that a major U.S. news organizationin this case The Washington Postused the term human shields? in its own voice when describing the practice of an Islamic terrorist movement embedding itself among civilians and holding them hostage.

In an article headlined Iraqi troops retake Fallujah; One of Last Havens of Islamic State; Humanitarian crisis grows as thousands flee? (June 18, 2016 in print, June 17 online), Post correspondents Loveday Morris and Mustafa Salim wrote, among other things:

There have been concerns about the plight of civilians stuck inside Fallujah. When the operation began in late May, as many as 90,000 people were believed trapped in the city, with the Islamic State holding them to use as human shields [emphasis added].?

The Post does not say who believed as many as 90,000 people were trapped in Fallujah or that the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria planned to use them as human shields. However, based on past actions by the group, the description no doubt seemed probable.

Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Hezbollah in Lebanon long have used the populations they claim to represent but daily intimidate as human shields in their resistance? to Israel. In reporting non-combatant casualties resulting from Israeli counter-attacks against Hamas and Hezbollah, news media sometimes note Israels charges that the two terrorist organizations were hiding behind human shields. They have been less likely to report, in their own words and accurately, that the two Islamic fundamentalist movements did just that.

Its worth noting Washington Post usage in this case, and keeping it mind the next time the press deals with civilian casualties among populations ruled by Hamas and Hezbollah as a result of Israeli responses to the groups aggressions. Whats good for ISIS ought to be good for them too.

Its also worth recalling that using human shields, and attacking other non-combatant population from among them, is a double violation of international law and ought to be reported as such.



Posted by ER at July 20, 2016 04:47 PM

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Bruce Grimes.jpg

Pascagoula business owner Bruce Grimes stands before the Pascagoula City Council to deliver ideas as to why proposed Market Street project should not go forward. (Tyler Carter/Gulflive.com)

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Conversation concerning Market Street continued Tuesday evening at the Pascagoula City Council meeting and the response from the community and business owners along Market Street has been the same: scrap the project and go back to the drawing board.

Bruce Grimes owns Brass Hangers Cleaners, which has been located on Market Street for 16 years. While he delivered his perspectives on the proposed revamping of Market Street in a lighthearted and comical fashion, Grimes words seemed to resonate with the surplus of community members and business owners at the meeting.

"I'm sorry to see myself here again tonight to discuss this project," Grimes said. "This is a beautiful set of drawings on this project and I'll tell you, if I was so inclined, I could sell this plan to anyone who came along on this project. But when you are a business owner and you are heavily involved with operational characteristics, this plan has many problems and if built, it will actually put businesses out of operation instead of adding businesses to the Market Street corridor."

Grimes had several points he wanted to make to the board which consisted on lack of input with the proposed project, turning the four lane intersection into two lanes with round-a-bouts, making the community more bicycle friendly, and the lack of respect in regards to the previous town hall meetings where hired consultants insulted the intelligence of business owners, according to Grimes.

As an example, Grimes used a scenario regarding the Chevron plant saying, "can you imagine the surplus of traffic that would flood to Market Street if there was an explosion at the plant? Changing that from four lanes to two is setting the city up for disaster."

When Grimes began to break down what was perceived to be a mistake by the council, laughter broke out from the audience.

"Your initial plan all parallel parking," Grimes said. "Of course everyone was outraged by that and because of that outrage, parallel parking became angle parking. Then when we sat down to meet with people, it was no longer angle parking, but reversed angle parking. 'Whoo', that's the scariest thing I could ever imagine in my life. We as business owners have put up problems, and the solutions have been more ludicrous than the initial problems."

City Planner Donovan Scruggs discussed the logistics associated with Market Street, specifically addressing the potential change from four lanes to two, based on the June 22 meeting with the community featuring consultants hired by the city to give feedback on proposed Market Street plans.

"The consultants provided us with a number of "tradeoffs" as they called them more or less indicating things you will get or lose if the city goes forward with certain plans primarily going from four lanes to two," Scruggs said.

"There is a problem Mr. Grimes alluded to with shared parking between public and private spots. It sounds good in theory, but there are numerous problems associated with doing that. If the city goes through and does improvements, it can do all of the improvements on public property on its own dime with tax dollars, however, at the line of demarcation spanning private to public property, the city cannot participate in any improvements beyond that point."

Scruggs continued saying those upgrades could be made by the property owner, but cited that just by the presentation of Market Street and Grimes presentation, private property owners along the corridor have not shown what he called a "real interest in making improvements to their property."

During public comments, opinions varied on either making the proposed upgrades to Market Street or not. Gautier resident Lyle Montgomery discussed that while she does not reside in Pascagoula, she is a frequenter to Pascagoula and thinks the project is good for the city.

"I come to Pascagoula often to do business here, buy goods from your shops, and go to your restaurants, and as a representative of the Heritage Trail Partnership of the Mississippi Gulf Coast which promotes outdoor activities such as developing walking and biking trails," Montgomery said.

"I am very supportive of this project and when I heard about it, I was excited because it sounds like the kind of development you see in other cities around the country where the streets have improved and accessibility for pedestrians have improved as well as quality of life," according to Montgomery.

While some in the room were in agreement with Montgomery, most residents and business owners' thoughts aligned with Grimes.

"I'm really disappointed in how things have gone," Grimes said. "We all vote here, we live here, we pay taxes here, and we elected you guys into office. We want you to do great things and I readily applaud you for trying to do something to reverse the decline of our community, but I request simply based on design that this project simply be discarded and let's go back to square one."
Taryn Brumfitt will be in Canberra next month to present and answer questions about her new documentary, Embrace, in which she travels the globe to try to find answers about society's obsession with body image.

Cooma-based online store, Birdsnest, is hosting two screenings of the doco at the Palace Electric Cinema in New Acton on August 18, one at 6pm and the other at 8.30pm. Taryn will conduct a Q and A session after each screening.

Taryn Brumfitt with the girls from Birdsnest.

Tickets cost $40 and include champagne and nibbles beforehand and a choc top and popcorn during the screening.

Taryn, a mum of three and founder of the Body Image Movement, cancelled planned plastic surgery meant to "improve" her post-baby body when she had an epiphany that she should love the body she had. Not least to set a good example to her daughter, Mikaela.
The local mountain biking club has warned members that using eBikes in the ACT's nature parks - such as Stromlo - could risk fines.

The government is currently reviewing its Canberra Nature Park Management Plan 1999, which made motorised vehicles illegal in ACT parks.

Mount Stromlo is a popular place for mountain biking but eBikes have recently damaged the volunteer-built trails. Credit:Katherine Griffiths

The reviewed plan will propose that motorised vehicles remain illegal, a move welcomed by the Canberra Off Road Cyclists, who have recently had reports of damage on its volunteer-built trails.

"Our major concern is the damage occurring to the trails, it is very similar to what a trail [motor] bike would do in terms of damage," president Brendon Mulloy said. "Our trails aren't built for that."
"It is vitally important that we have a way of offsetting the risk of drought," said Andrew Weidemann, a grain farmer in Victoria.

Farmers say the absence of such insurance undermines their capacity to invest in increasing production and meet the growing food demand from Asia's middle class.

Three years of drought across Australia's east coast have driven many farmers to the brink of bankruptcy. Credit:Justin McManus

Australia is one of the world's largest exporters of wheat, beef and sugar, despite farmers regularly battling droughts. But unlike nearly all its major agricultural competitors, Australia provides no subsidies for drought insurance.

A government-commissioned report on Tuesday rejected drought insurance for farmers as uneconomical, dashing landowner hopes of a change in government policy which could help boost output to meet Asia's fast-growing food market.

"There are an enormous number of farmers that are on a knife-edge with debt so they are forced into a position to look at some risk mitigation and the only thing available to them is these type of mediums and they are very expensive."

After nearly three years of drought across the east coast that drove many farmers to the brink of bankruptcy, the NSW state government commissioned the report to investigate the feasibility of following the likes of the United States which provides agricultural insurance subsidies.

The report was the first time local policymakers had considered a change in policy and spurred hope from insurers such as Allianz and Swiss Re, which see Australia as a new and lucrative agricultural market.

But the report rejected a change in policy, saying it was unlikely to displace current government assistance, such as concessional loans and farm household support payments during droughts.

It said it came to its conclusion because 80 per cent of government aid after a drought goes to livestock producers for whom there was no insurance product on the market and that insurers were unlikely to offer it if drought was expected.
Administrators are poring over the affairs of hipster health food chain Pressed Juices after a related company entered into administration last month owing almost $8 million to the tax office, employees and a company run by the founding director's relative.

The director of Pressed Juices Pty Ltd, Leo Pegoli placed the company into administration in June after being squeezed by multi-million dollar debts.

The Australian Taxation Office is also owed $1.8 million, according to Mr Wight's report.

Pressed Juices has 21 stores around Australia selling expensive cold-pressed juices to the hipster hoards.

The administration followed the transfer of Pressed Juices assets to a new company Pressed Juices Holdings in October 2014  an entity that counts Mr Pegoli as its sole director.
SAN FRANCISCO: Dollar Shave Club, a startup built on the idea of inexpensive razors, has sold itself for a rich price.

Unilever, the European consumer goods giant, said that it had reached an agreement to buy the 5-year-old company. While the terms were not disclosed, Unilever paid about $US1 billion ($1.34 billion) in an all-cash deal, according to people briefed on the matter.

A bit rich ... Michael Dubin, founder of the Dollar Shave Club. Credit:Louise Kennerley

The transaction is a high point for digital commerce startups like Dollar Shave Club, which have gained popularity for coming up with new ways to sell consumer goods, largely without the overhead of brick-and-mortar stores.

Dollar Shave Club  which currently operates in the United States, Canada and Australia  itself gained attention soon after it was established in 2011, after founder Michael Dubin's guerrilla YouTube marketing campaign went viral for its schlocky, slapstick brand of humour.
Tesla Motors Inc chief executive Elon Musk said on Wednesday (US time) he will roll out a new master plan for the electric luxury car maker this evening, after hints he intends to make Tesla a renewable energy enterprise offering products and services beyond vehicles.

Musk told more than 4 million Twitter followers that a "post should go live on Tesla website" around 5pm Pacific time (10am AEST). Earlier in the day, Musk had tweeted he was finishing work on a new plan for Tesla while listening to the soundtrack from the film version of the Great Gatsby.

Musk has said in tweets and public statements that an element of his strategy will involve linking Tesla's electric vehicles to solar power products and services offered by SolarCity Corp, a solar energy company he is chairman of.

On June 21, Musk proposed that Tesla buy SolarCity. He outlined a combined company that could provide consumers with the tools for a largely carbon-free lifestyle - electric cars recharged with electricity generated by SolarCity solar panel systems, or stored in the home using battery packs produced by Tesla's battery Gigafactory under construction near Reno, Nevada.
Helen Bailey, the author, who has died aged 51, was best known for her teen fiction about a girl called Electra Brown, a cheerful, mouthy 14-year old schoolgirl obsessed with make-up, snogging, spots and whether she should dye her hair. In recent years she won a very different audience with Planet Grief, a blog in which she described her struggle to cope with the sudden death of her first husband after he drowned during a holiday in 2011. She gained a large following of bereaved readers (her "tribe"), who found comfort in the way she expressed their own roller-coaster emotions. A book, When Bad Things Happen in Good Bikinis, was published last year. British children's book author Helen Bailey was last seen walking her miniature dachshund Boris on April 11. Credit:AP The daughter of a public health inspector, Helen Bailey was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on August 22 1964 and brought up in nearby Ponteland. It was her experience of teenage life at Ponteland High School that would inspire her best-known fictional creation: "Whilst at school I used to sit and stare out of the window, dreaming of anything but lessons, then go home and write pages and pages in my diary of who did what to whom and (usually) why wasn't I part of it." As a child she wanted to be "a pony-riding, story-writing forensic scientist who worked part-time as a vet". She studied physiology at Thames Polytechnic, but instead of pursuing a scientific career she became a secretary and in 1987 went to work for a licensing rights company, where she fell in love with the boss, John Sinfield. They married in 1996.

Her first Electra Brown book, Life at the Shallow End, was published in 2008. Four more would follow in quick succession and in 2010 she was nominated for a Queen of Teen award. Running in Heels (2011) featured a new character, Daisy Davenport, and she also wrote books for younger children. On Sunday, February 27, 2011, when she and her husband were on holiday in Barbados, he went for a morning swim in the sea, got caught in a riptide and drowned, turning her from a "wife at breakfast" to a "widow by lunch". Her memory was seared with the image of him walking into the "deceptively calm" blue water while she lay sunbathing in her bikini. As attempts to revive him failed, "I could just hear, either in my head or out loud, 'But I'm wearing a bikini. But I'm wearing a bikini'. It just seemed such a bizarre thing  to have your husband die while you're wearing a bikini and flip-flops." In When Bad Things Happen In Good Bikinis, she told how, seven months after his death, she met and fell in love with a widower, Ian Stewart, whose wife had died suddenly in 2010. In 2014 she sold her home in Highgate and bought a new house with Stewart on the outskirts of Royston, Hertfordshire. In her blog she described her new partner as "Gorgeous Grey Haired Widower" and they were said to be planning to marry. In April, Stewart reported her missing, claiming she had left a note saying she wanted some time to be on her own and was going to stay in Kent. Speculation that she might have gone into hiding was encouraged by mysterious entries in her blog, which suggested that all was not well in her new life. In an interview, Helen Bailey confessed that she still hankered after a career in forensic science: "I'm positive if they just let me near the crime scene dressed in a fetching white boiler suit and gloves, I'd soon work out whether it was Colonel Mustard with the dagger in the library, or Mrs Peacock with the rope in the ballroom."
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- A 26-year-old Pascagoula woman has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the sexual battery of a 13-year-old boy.

The Sun Herald reports Miranda Duke pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual battery Tuesday in Jackson County Circuit Court and received a prison term of 30 years.

Judge Kathy King suspended 18 years, ordering Duke to serve 12 years without early release and the remaining time on probation. King ordered five years of probation to involve routine reporting to a probation officer.

A grand jury indicted Duke in 2015, alleging she had illegal sexual contact with a boy three times in Pascagoula in 2013.

Assistant District Attorney Cherie Wade said Duke's willingness to plead guilty spared the boy and his family from the trauma of testifying in court.
Western politics is more divided and bitter than at just about any time in the past century  but in America at least it's united by one thing.

And that's the current and aspiring first ladies who boast the same values passed from their parents  to work hard, show dignity and respect and to teach their children that the only limit to achievement is the reach or strength of their dreams and their willingness to work for them.

Melania Trump parroted substantial passages of the speech Michelle Obama gave the Democrats when they endorsed her husband eight years ago. Credit:Carolyn Kaster

It seems beyond belief that Michelle Obama and Melania Trump could share the same values, given the rancour between their husbands and the personal assault Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has mounted on President Barack Obama.

But they do. We know. Because Melania Trump parroted substantial passages of the speech Michelle Obama gave the Democrats when they endorsed her husband eight years ago.
The Liberals may well be an election-winning machine, as Christopher Pyne famously described his party, but it is a machine with a remarkable inability to elect women to the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives now boasts just 13 women among the 76 Coalition members. The Coalition, dominated by the Liberals, is way behind Labor and falling further behind by this measure.

Such a disparity is now the largest non-policy difference between the major parties. It is also a huge intellectual puzzle, not easily solved. At a time when the social composition of the major parties in terms of professional background, religious denomination and other social characteristics is quite similar there is now a yawning gulf on gender. No one really knows why other than the fact that Labor uses quotas for women in its candidate preselection and the Liberals seem to rely on serendipity alone.

Liberal women such as the Defence Minister, Senator Marise Payne, are clearly embarrassed and angry about the situation, but I suspect that until there is some evidence this discrepancy makes a difference in the party's election performance the Liberal power-brokers will be happy to let the situation drift. Winning is just about all that matters in inter-party competition. The parliamentary benches will now look very different in gender composition but the Coalition will still be sitting on the government side of the chamber.

Adversarial politics may even be a contributing factor to the startlingly different performance of the two sides in this regard. There is such a pervasive culture in party politics that anything your opponents appear to be doing successfully can't be right and Labor's success with quotas can more easily be dismissed by the Liberals. Stubbornness is added to the intellectual argument that quotas are discriminatory tokenism contrary to liberal values.
Friends with Benefits (2011) screenwriters Keith Merryman and David A. Newman have signed on for the film.

The romantic comedy titled Worst Tinder Date Ever will revolve around two people who go on a catastrophically bad Tinder date but eventually fall in love.

Hollywood heavyweight studio Warner Bros have swiped right on a new film project based on dating app Tinder.

The dating app has completely revolutionised the way young people date and mate, enabling instant connection between users in a similar location.

Founders of Tinder Jonathan Badeen, left, and Sean Rad at their offices in West Hollywood, California. Credit:Kendrick Brinson/New York Times

Tinder launched in 2012 and by 2015 boasted approximately 1.2 billion swipes per day and 14 million matches per day.

The location-based dating app allows users to swipe either left or right on photos of potential mates. If there's a match (a swipe right), the mutually interested parties can then chat.

In July last year, Tinder was valued at $1.35 billion by Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Labor MP Michael Danby has declared victory in Melbourne Ports after what he described as "the most ugly campaign", but will not comment on any links between his office and four men arrested for alleged vandalism on the morning of the election.

The Greens are considering legal action against the Labor campaign for its conduct in the lead up to polling day, and Liberal candidate for the seat, Owen Guest, called on the incumbent to resign unless he distanced himself from the men, who were released without charge but are still being investigated.

Andrew Landeryou, David Asmar, George Droutsas and Dean Sherriff were arrested for allegedly vandalising Greens and Liberal material at multiple polling stations from Elwood to Port Melbourne.

It is alleged they drove at a volunteer who tried to stop them, and box cutters were found in their car.
Australia should hold a referendum in 2019 and adopt fixed four-year terms for the federal Parliament, Liberal MP David Coleman says.

In an opinion piece published in Fairfax Media on Thursday, Mr Coleman argues that a longer term with a fixed election date would give government more time to implement complex policy reforms, end the uncertainty around election timing that begins every two-and-a-half years or so and that it would be more transparent.

Under Mr Coleman's proposal, while lower house MPs would be elected for up to four-year terms, senators' terms would be stretched from six to eight years.

This is similar to the situation in the New South Wales Parliament but different to the Victorian Parliament, where all members of the lower and upper house serve four-year terms.
Australia has banned a budding young Indian engineer from accepting a prestigious scholarship to study in Melbourne over fears his research might help spread weapons of mass destruction.

The decision was described as "bizarre" in India, and has sparked angry demands for a diplomatic protest at the highest levels for treating the country as a "rogue nuclear state" less than a year after the Coalition government praised India's "impeccable record" of non-proliferation.

An Indian student has been denied an Australian visa over nuclear fears Credit:Glenn Campbell

Australia has ratified a deal to sell Australian uranium to the south Asian giant.

Ananth SM, a 29-year-old aerospace engineer from southern India, won a scholarship to the University of Melbourne almost a year ago to study a PhD in fluid mechanics.
Conservative Queensland MP George Christensen has warned he will defy the Coalition leadership and vote against aspects of the government's "Labor-style" superannuation reforms if they do not change.

Since the May budget and over the election campaign, internal anger over the changes has intensified, with conservatives arguing the policies hit their traditional base, drove away campaign volunteers and donors, and sent voters to minor parties and independents.

Now the outspoken Mr Christensen, who sits in the Nationals partyroom, said the proposals "need to change".

"In particular the proposed $500,000 non-concessional lifetime cap and its retrospectivity, along with the $1.6 million pension fund transfer balance cap," he wrote on Facebook.
Less than half of Australians want a plebiscite on same-sex marriage, a poll has found, with support for a national vote plummeting once voters are aware that the Turnbull Government's proposal will cost $160 million but not compel members of Parliament to respect the result.

Support for a plebiscite appears to have softened since it became a battleground issue during the election, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten mocking it as a "$160 million taxpayer-funded opinion poll".

A Galaxy poll of 1000 people taken from Thursday to Sunday this week found 48 per cent support holding a plebiscite to determine whether same-sex couples should be extended the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples.

That outweighs the 30 per cent who oppose a plebiscite but the result is significantly lower than a July 2 Fairfax-Ipsos poll of nearly 1400 voters that found 69 per cent of people backed a nationwide vote over a vote on the floor of Parliament.
PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- Singing River Health System Foundation chosen Laura Sessum as its new Executive Director.

Sessum began as a nurse at SRHS in 2005, where her work touched patients' lives in the Emergency Department and the Medical Intensive Care Unit, according to the release.

In 2009, Sessum switched roles and began addressing the health needs in Jackson County by collaborating with local community leaders through her role as coordinator and manager for SRHS's Community Benefit department.



According to SRHS, Sessum played a substantial role in their partnership with "Let's Go! Gulf Coast" as an inaugural board member. Through her leadership,SRHS is a designated work-site model for Let's Go! Gulf Coast with the implementation of healthier work-site policies, including the one mile walking paths located inside both Singing River and Ocean Springs Hospital.



Other accolades accumulated by Sessum includes being recognized in 2015 as one of the Top 10 Business Leaders Under 40 by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce.



Sessum earned both bachelor and master degrees in nursing from the University of South Alabama and is thought to be a huge asset to not only the hospital, but in the community as well.



"Laura is a great asset and a blessing to Singing River Health System and to this entire community," according to Lee Bond, Chief Operating Officer for Singing River Health System. "Her clinical background as a nurse coupled with her strong drive, extensive education and innate business acumen will help maximize the ability for the Foundation to help those patients and employees most in need."
3. Bomb scare in Brussels Dramatic scenes in the Belgian capital where police were called out to respond to a report of a man acting suspiciously. The man was wearing a heavy coat (the temperature is 30 degrees) and had wires hanging out the bottom. [BBC] This follows the triple bombings in Belgium earlier this year. When I was in Nice reporting on the attack there, I worked with two Belgian journalists who described to me the suburb of Molenbeek, the hotbed for jihadism in the European centre. "We get out of there after five minutes [interviewing people,]" they said. For some good reads on why Belgium is such a hotspot for terrorism, CNN here and in The Guardian on Molenbeek here. Meanwhile in Paris French lawmakers extended the state of emergency in the aftermath of the Nice attack. I interviewed Australia's Ambassador to France Stephen Brady who was hosting an "Aussie BBQ" on Bastille Day for 100 guests, including the Governor-General and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key. Also among the guests was the head of the French Intelligence Service who personally informed Mr Brady about the attack. [My report/Fairfax] 4. Iron Mayden impresses at first PMQs

Theresa May. Credit:AP I had the best night last night touring the Palace of Westminster with a political insider. I've been in the chamber before a few years ago but was again struck by how tiny the House of Commons is and how raucous and loud it must be when they are all packed in there going for it. Trivia - the Speakers chair was donated by Australia and the despatch boxes by the Kiwis. As we stood at the PM's box conversation naturally turned to Theresa May's first Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) and how she would perform. No doubt about it, it's a big and key test for a new PM. How did she do? Nailed it according to the commentators. Theo Bertram, a former advisor to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown said it was "the best PMQs debut by a PM," and said it was "better than Blair, Brown and Cameron." "Tezza blew Jezza away," declared The Sun's chief political correspondent. [Craig Woodhouse]

But the lacklustre opposition provided by Jeremy Corbyn gives May and the Tories a much easier ride then they should be enjoying given the meltdown post-Brexit. May made mince-meat of Corbyn. Granted, that's not hard. 5. Aus politics Some are beginning to muse about the hugely successful Liberal Premier in New South Wales, Mike Baird, running for Warringah. Yes, that's the federal electorate held by Tony Abbot who refused two dignified exits from Parliament after the leadership coup. [Niki Savva/The Australian] Treasurer Scott Morrison has issued a statement of the blinding obvious to his colleagues reminding them that while they might not like individual savings measures, like curbing superannuation concessions for the rich, they are being made to repair the budget, which you know, the Liberals were elected to fix way back in 2013. Winding back the government's budget measure on super could cost the Coalition half a billion in revenue, Morrison spells out. [James Massola/Fairfax] Liberal MP David Coleman is calling for four-year fixed terms. [Fairfax]
Thousands of NSW school students will have a greater focus on the environment, Asia, and the role of women and Aboriginal leaders in shaping modern Australian history under a suite of proposed electives to be introduced by the NSW Board of Studies on Thursday.

"We are not frightened to go to those issues just because they can be pigeonholed as 'lefty progressive issues'," Board of Studies president Tom Alegounarias said. "Just as we are not afraid to go to [for the first time] issues of the Enlightenment, and to what otherwise might be characterised as conservative views of how we developed."

The proposed new modern history electives will highlight the environment and women's movements between the 1960s and '70s, the survival of modern Tibet and focus on people who changed Australia with an emphasis on the work of Aboriginal activists Charles Perkins, Eddie Mabo and Faith Bandler.

"These are undeniably issues that kids have to deal with, we are not saying that kids are going to be taught of the positive impact of any of those movements but rather to understand their genesis and development," Mr Alegounarias said.
Former intelligence analyst Ron Shamir lost his job a year ago after a restructure left him working as a tax auditor, a role he said he was untrained for.

The Tax Office has won the right to sack a whistleblower who complained about what he said were unlawful "covert operations" against innocent taxpayers  because he refused to do his work.

But its full bench overturned that decision this week, saying there was "no justification for [Mr Shamir's] non-performance of duties".

Independent senator Nick Xenophon had championed the employee's case before the appeal, saying Mr Shamir was "a man who has always wanted to do the right thing".

"He's been involved in a Kafkaesque nightmare, a dispute that has been a legal nightmare for Ron, and the law lacks clarity and certainty for those who speak out in the public interest," Senator Xenophon told Fairfax Media last month.

However, the Australian Taxation Office said it sacked Mr Shamir because he failed to show up to work and did not perform his tasks, adding it had "made every effort over two years to accommodate his preferences and development needs".

Mr Shamir said he was dismissed after he told the tax watchdog that senior ATO staff had, without evidence, cancelled a large number of business activity statement refunds on the suspicion the taxpayers were cheats.
A Sydney council has decisively lost its legal challenge against the state government's plans to merge it forcibly with other councils, in a dispiriting sign for a string of other councils that have mounted challenges against the plans.

It took only minutes for Chief Judge Brian Preston of the Land and Environment Court to dismiss Woollahra Council's challenge to Baird government plans to merge it forcibly with Randwick and Waverley councils.

Costs were awarded against the council, in what is likely to be interpreted as a major victory for the government.

Judge Preston dismissed many of the fundamental points the council raised against the government's approach, which would decrease the number of councils in NSW by about 40.
Liquidators are refusing to hand over Clive Palmer's private jet unless he covers the costs Queensland Nickel spent on operating and maintaining it, court documents reveal.

In an application lodged to the Brisbane Supreme Court, liquidators claim QN spent more than $2 million on the Cessna Citation X, which was bought for $US5 million ($A6.6 million) in late 2011.

Clive Palmer boards his private jet on the campaign trail. Credit:Jay Cronan

Mr Palmer's legal team is fighting to get the plane back, arguing the original contract sale and a memorandum between him and the company prove he is the rightful owner.

However, the liquidators state they cannot rely exclusively on those documents as the company represented itself as the aircraft owner in correspondences.
Sunshine Coast teen aviator Lachlan Smart will get a bird's eye view as he flies over Niagara Falls on the next leg of his quest to become the youngest person to fly solo around the world.

He landed at Niagara Falls airport in upstate New York in the early hours of Wednesday (AEST).

Sunshine Coast pilot Lachlan Smart. Credit:wingsaroundtheworld.com.au

The 18-year-old enjoyed some downtime in Las Vegas during the week, taking in a number of shows including Blue Man Group and Jabbawockeez.

"It was pretty cool, obviously I'm underage here (United States) but it was great to get out and see some shows," he said.
Recent weather events and an increase in seal numbers in southern areas of New South Wales are being blamed for the increase in seal strandings on the Gold Coast.

Sea World Director of Marine Sciences, Tony Long, is concerned by the high numbers.

Sea World is currently caring for seven New Zealand fur seals that have been rescued this weaning season. Credit:Seaworld

"It's been in the last couple of months that this happened and I don't think it's over yetI think we're still going to see more animals coming in," he said.

Sea World is currently caring for seven New Zealand fur seals that have been rescued this weaning season.
Steeples and Steel minibus tours are returning this summer. Sponsored by the South Bethlehem Historical Society and the Steelworkers' Archives, the guided tours include visits to both the former Bethlehem Steel Corp. site and historic South Side churches.

The Steeples and Steel minibus tours are scheduled for four dates: July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 29. (Courtesy photo)

This will be the third year the two groups have jointly hosted the tours, which depart from St. John's Windish Lutheran Church, 617 E. Fourth St.

This year's tours are scheduled for July 30, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 29. The tours, funded by a grant from Northampton County, run two hours.

The first hour takes participants through the neighborhoods and churches of South Bethlehem while a representative from the South Bethlehem Historical Society relates the history of working class communities. The second hour is a tour of the site of the former Bethlehem Steel plant guided by a former Bethlehem steelworker.

There are 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. tour sessions except for Sept. 17 when only the 1 p.m. tour will be offered.

The cost is $15 a person, which includes a "steelworker's overtime" bag lunch and an open house at St. John's Windish.

For tickets, contact the Steelworkers' Archives at 610-861-0600; for information, visit steelworkersarchives.com.

South Side churches to be visited are:

July 30:

9:30 a.m. - Holy Infancy Roman Catholic Church

1 p.m. - Fritz Memorial United Methodist Church

Aug. 20:

9:30 a.m. - St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church

1 p.m. - Concordia Lutheran Church (founded as St. John the Baptist Slovak Evangelical Lutheran Church)

Sept. 17

1 p.m. - St. John's Windish Lutheran Church

Oct. 29:

9:30 a.m. - Cathedral Church of the Nativity

1 p.m. - St. John A.M.E. Zion Church
"Having owned and operated my own small business in Wagga Wagga for more than eight years, I understand first-hand the vital role small business plays in many local communities," the Riverina MP said.

Mr McCormack, a one-time editor of The Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga, is also a former businessman, having co-founded a small media and publishing business in the NSW town.

The prime minister announced his ministry for the new parliament on Monday, stripping Kelly O'Dwyer of the small business portfolio and making it a non-cabinet position in the hands of Nationals MP Michael McCormack.

"I am very excited to take on this role and cannot wait to meet with as many small businesses as I can, right across Australia, to hear of their successes and work with them in growing the sector into the future."

Labor frontbencher Brendan O'Connor, who was the first small business minister in cabinet under Labor, has told Sky News the government's excuse that it's every minister's job to defend small business is a cop-out.

The decision to remove the portfolio from cabinet has also been criticised by the Council of Small Business of Australia, who said it was a step back for small business.

"Mr McCormack has the confidence of the sector, however we are disappointed the portfolio has moved from cabinet and we will be seeking answers to why this has happened," said CEO Peter Strong.

"Small business is powerful, employing around five million Australians and driving the country's economy, so why has the portfolio moved? What's happened and what pressures have caused this  perhaps big businesses and unions are in play?"
It looked like we'd need to wait for the new series to arrive on our shores, perhaps in the hands of Foxtel or a free-to-air broadcaster. Alternatively we would have had to find a way to beat geo-blocking and bluff our way into CBS All Access as some Australians already do with the likes of Hulu, Amazon Instant Video and HBO Now. Or we might have just turned to the BitTorrent channel for our Star Trek fix.

American network CBS is producing the new series for its CBS All Access subscription video service, with the first episode to screen in January 2017, which initially sounded like bad news for Australians.

Americans will have to do battle with geo-blocking if they want to watch the new Star Trek on Netflix.

It's confirmed that we're getting a fourth Star Trek movie from JJ Abrams, but perhaps the more exciting news for Star Trek fans is that it's returning to television in 2017 after more than a decade in stasis.

Americans will need to pretend to be Australians for a change if they want to watch the new Star Trek television series on Netflix next year.

Netflix has come to the rescue, with plans to screen the new series globally  with each episode appearing only 24 hours after it debuts on CBS All Access. Netflix is also gaining access to the entire back catalogue of Star Trek movies and all 727 episodes of the various television series.

The only countries which miss out on the Netflix Star Trek deal are the US and Canada, where the streaming rights have been locked up by CBS All Access and Bell Media respectively.

I'd be lying if I said I didn't take some pleasure at the thought of US viewers being forced to resort to geo-dodging to watch something on Netflix that's openly available to the rest of the world.

The Netflix Star Trek deal comes as US subscribers also cry foul over a recent price rise which they were warned about years ago (it doesn't apply to Australia). If you've been paying Netflix in greenbacks then you might find that it's cheaper to switch to an Australian account, from my testing your geo-dodging service should still let you into the US library regardless of where you pay the bill (some services can still beat the Netflix blockade).

It's also a relief to know that Star Trek won't be handed over to an Australian free-to-air broadcaster like Nine who treated fans with contempt for years, burying the show in the graveyard time slot after The Footy Show and refusing to screen it on time. It's that kind of bastardry which drove many Australians to file-sharing in the first place. Watching Star Trek will never be quite the same unless Sam Newman comes around to my house and talks for 25 minutes before I can press play.
Brighton Grammar has expelled two senior students who set up an Instagram account that featured photos of young girls and invited people to vote for the "slut of the year".

The year 11 students were initially suspended, but on Wednesday, the school said they were no longer students at Brighton Grammar.

The mother of one of the vilified 12-year-old girls, who called herself "Jane", told ABC radio she did not blame the school for the incident, but held the boys' parents responsible.

Police are investigating the social media account, which was created on Friday and featured photos of girls as young as 11 without their knowledge.
A man charged over a fatal shooting in Melbourne's north suffered injuries during his arrest, a court has been told.

Kamil Yucel, of Dallas, appeared briefly in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday accused of murdering Dandenong man Rahat Khan.

The 20-year-old Mr Khan died of gunshot wounds in Dallas last week.

The court heard Mr Yucel had never been in custody before.
Cleveland, Ohio: If you were American and jobless, you might have watched the prime-time, live telecast of the GOP convention and asked yourself: "Where's the beef?"

Donald Trump insisted that the week's agenda be carved into distinctive daily segments  the theme for Tuesday was "Make America Work Again". That might reasonably have been interpreted as a focus on the economy and job creation, but the session had hardly begun before the convention jumped the rails to its favourite pastime  bashing Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee.

Despite the star power of Trump's reputed billions, the best job creators he could pull from a US economy worth about $US200 trillion were a New York roof repair man who said he employed 140 people; a The Bold and The Beautiful actress turned California avocado farmer; and in what seemed like a blatant infomercial, the manager of the Trump Winery. Not exactly inspiring.

Some serious business was transacted. The convention formally nominated Trump and his running mate Mike Pence to represent the Republican Party in the November election  the groan that could be heard as the votes were tallied was from the reptiles of the media, because a good number who had betted against Trump getting this far realised that now they would have to pay up.
Istanbul: Video footage from Turkey's failed coup shows a pro-government protester ducking down between the tracks of a speeding tank that passes over him. Remarkably, the man emerges unscathed and then the same thing happens with a second tank - except this time, he suffers an arm injury as the military vehicle roars above him.

Turkish media identified the protester as Sabri Unal, a civilian who is seen in closed-circuit TV footage trying to block tanks in Istanbul during the July 15 insurrection. When they don't stop, he dives down as they drive over him. After the second tank departs, people rush to help the injured man.

The scene bears some similarity to images of a man who blocked tanks during China's 1989 crackdown on protesters in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

AP
Ankara: Turkey's president has declared a three-month state of emergency following a failed coup.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that the measure was being taken to counter threats to Turkish democracy and wasn't intended to curb basic freedoms.

He spoke after a meeting with cabinet ministers and top security advisers.

"The aim is to rapidly and effectively take all steps needed to eliminate the threat against democracy, the rule of law and the people's rights and freedoms," Erdogan said.
Tiffany Trump has given a polarising speech in support of her father Donald Trump, who has been confirmed as the Republican nominee for President of the United States.

At the Republican National Convention in the US city of Cleveland on Tuesday night, where Mr Trump's presumed nomination was locked in, Tiffany took to the stage after a mock trial led by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.

Some commentators said the speech "killed it" and worked to humanise Trump, especially in light of Melania Trump's plagiarism scandal on Monday.

Others criticised the speech as being too impersonal, with one journalist saying it sounded "like a recommendation letter written for someone that you don't know very well".
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68th Precinct

Bay RidgeDyker Heights

That escalated quickly

A bunch of louts beat up a guy, robbed him, and tried to steal his car on 14th Avenue on July 11, according to police.

The victim was sitting in his car with his wife near 62nd Street around 4:20 am when a guy came up and asked for a cigarette. The victim refused, so the guy asked him for his car keys instead. He again refused and the rogue started to punch him in the face through the window.

The driver got out to defend himself, but two of the nogoodniks buddies jumped him from behind, the police report said. One of them grabbed his wallet  with $300 in it  in the chaos and the three of them split, cops said.

Mid-day heist

A burglar barged his way into a womans 72nd Street apartment on July 14 and ran off with her jewelry, police said.

She left her apartment near Fort Hamilton Parkway around 10:30 am and came back around 6 pm to find her once-locked bedroom door kicked in, cops said.

Her room was ransacked and she discovered her jewelry  including three diamond rings, a pearl ring, and pearl earrings  were nowhere to be found.

Not cool

A jewel thief also hit a Third Avenue apartment on July 16, according to police.

The homeowner left her place near 100th Street around 7:25 pm and returned a few hours later only to discover that someone had entered her bedroom by pushing in her air-conditioning unit and cutting her screen open. The good-for-nothing grabbed diamond jewelry, police said.

Cash grab

A housebreaker trashed and robbed a 93rd Street home on July 11, according to police.

The victim came home and saw the front door was unlocked and the apartment completely turned over, police said. The freebooter got away with $300.

Heavy haul

A looter broke into a guys work van parked on Marine Avenue and swiped more than two dozen tools and materials sometime overnight on July 15, law enforcement officials said.

The victim parked his car around 8 pm and returned at 10 am the next day and saw his stuff was missing. There were no visible signs of a break-in, police noted, but the thief managed to steal a voltage tester, hammer drill, and band saw.

The crook also took the guys Ray Ban sunglasses and reading glasses, police said.

 Dennis Lynch
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- For Joseph Rocco Plescia, filmmaking isn't his profession -- it's his passion.

Hooray for the Meiers Corners resident who earned the distinct privilege of having two films showcased recently at the 2016 Cannes International Film Festival.

"Slapdash Vendetta," an action/comedy film is the story of an aging, chauvinistic spy by the name of Seamus Flanagan, who's forced out of retirement and teams up with a young female agent to take down his old foe: White Russian.

The film screened at the 69th annual Cannes Film Festival's Court Metrage. And the film still on its festival run, will be screening at the 34th Annual Long Island Film Festival within the coming months.

Joseph also was the director of photography, co-producer and co-writer on "Concurrence," a second film that screened in the Cannes Court Metrage.

"Concurrence" follows six characters as they come to terms with their fate in the final moments before a weaponized projectile hits New York City. The film also won Best Drama at the Los Angeles Campus Moviefest Film Festival.

Interestingly, Joseph's working on yet another script to put into production for next year's festival and like any other young filmmaker, is seeking funding.



Born and raised on Staten Island, Joseph, 22, works as a shooter/cameraman at MTV in Manhattan. As far back as he can remember, though, he's has had a fascination with film.

"When I was a kid," said he, "my father rented all of the James Bond films for me when I was around 7 or 8 years old. And I fell in love with cinema immediately."

Joseph was given his first camera when I was just 9 years of age and began creating homemade movies on the weekends with friends. From there, he became more and more ambitious -- until it became his life.

"I started making Internet shorts in high school and then I finally went to Hofstra University to study video/television and film. I produced, wrote, edited and directed five shorts when I was there and served as the director of photography on another," Joseph recounts.

In fact, "Slapdash Vendetta" was his senior thesis film at Hofstra and it's still making rounds at festivals today -- something Joseph's immensely proud of, as he is of the support he's received from his professors while there.



"I graduated in May 2015 and I've been out of school for a little over a year. Since graduating, I've written a full length feature based on 'Slapdash Vendetta' that I shopped around at Cannes while the short was playing. I'm also in the process of producing another short that I've written called 'Bensonhurst '79.' I will be seeking funding on the project via Indiegogo," he adds.

Stay tuned! Looks like we'll be hearing lots more about the young, up-and-coming film maker over the coming months!

CELEBRATIONS: JULY 21

Happy birthday Thursday to Albert Papraniku, Debbie DiClerico, Marie Garcia, Joseph Falcone who turns 23, Kim Goins and Joseph Charlemagne.
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The owner of embattled Park Slope old folks home Prospect Park Residence failed to pay his elderly tenants $3.1 million he owes them as part of a lawsuit settlement.

Landlord Haysha Deistch in June agreed to pay a handful of seniors $3.35 million to leave the tony Grand Army Plaza building he has been trying to boot them out of for two years  but, as first reported by the Post, he didnt cough up the cash by his July 15 deadline, screwing residents who have already put down deposits on new places to live, according to their loved ones.

Its a bad situation, because what are we supposed to do? said Nancy Richardson, whose 93-year-old pal AnneMarie Mogil lives in the home. Youre counting on getting that money and all of sudden, as hes done before, he comes up with some reason why he cant do it.

Deitsch has been trying to empty the building and sell it to investment firm Sugar Hill Capital Partners since 2014, but the transaction was put on ice after a few nonagenarian residents refused to leave and sued to stay instead  kicking off a long and high-profile lawsuit that became mired in sideshow battles over accusations that he was trying to force the holdouts to leave by serving them moldy food, raising their rent, and cutting central air conditioning in summer.

Under the terms of the settlement, the oldsters were supposed to leave by Aug. 31, but only if Deitsch paid them the handsome sum so they could find somewhere appropriate to relocate. He met earlier payments totalling $250,000, but missed the big payout on Friday.

Deitsch was planning to cover the costs with part of a $7-million security deposit that Sugar Hill put down to secure the $76-million sale of the property once all the tenants were gone, according to his attorney Joel Drucker.

But about a week before the money was due, the company  which had no role or responsibility in the settlement  refused to let him use its cash to make the payment, Drucker said.

Now, he claims, his client is in a catch 22.

They want them all out before theyll close and we cant get them out until they let us use their money, said Drucker.

Sugar Hill said it does still want to buy the property, and it is working diligently towards finding a mutually agreeable solution for all parties, but would not expand on how or what that might look like.

Meanwhile, Deitsch has also defaulted on the $33.4 million mortgage he took out to buy the building in 2006, and is now facing foreclosure on the property, which he plans to contest in court.

But Deitsch, the son-in-law of high-profile developer Shaya Boymelgreen, owns other properties, including several he bought on Fourth Avenue for $10 million last year with the intention of erecting luxury apartments.

The residents attorneys may be able to place liens on that land to secure their clients cash, one of the residents attorneys told DNA Info. But one of their other lawyers said he is worried the landlord may be able to avoid paying by declaring bankruptcy.

Im not really confident about anything, this case has been such a cluster, said Fred Millet. Were going to do everything we can for our clients to get this money, but if Haysha decides to file bankruptcy, I dont know what we can do at that point.

Reach reporter Colin Mixson at cmixs on@cn gloca l.com or by calling (718) 260-4505.
Where are the Phillies' players from 2008 World Series title team?

The 2022 Phillies are back in the World Series against Houston but where are the members of the 2008 team?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Derek John de Solla Price (22 January 1922  3 September 1983) was a physicist , historian of science , and information scientist , credited as the father of scientometrics . [1] [2]

Biography [ edit ]

Price was born in Leyton , England , to Philip Price, a tailor , and Fanny de Solla, a singer. He began work in 1938 as an assistant in a physics laboratory at the South West Essex Technical College , before studying Physics and Mathematics at the University of London , where he received a Bachelor of Science in 1942. He obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in experimental physics from the University of London in 1946.

Price worked as a teacher of applied mathematics at Raffles College (which was to become part of the University of Singapore in 1948). It was there that he formulated his theory on the exponential growth of science, an idea that occurred to him when he noticed the characteristic log curve of the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society between 1665 and 1850, which he had stacked against his wall at home while Raffles College had its library built.

After three years, Price returned to England to work on a second Ph.D., in the history of science , this time at the University of Cambridge . During his Ph.D. studies, he accidentally discovered Equatorie of the Planetis, a manuscript written in Middle English , which he attributed to Geoffrey Chaucer .

Around 1950, Price adopted his mother's Sephardic name, "de Solla", as a middle name. He was a "British Atheist ... from a rather well-known Sephardic Jewish family", and although his Danish wife, Ellen, had been christened as a Lutheran , he did not, according to their son Mark , regard their marriage as "mixed", because they were both atheists. [3]

After obtaining his second doctorate, Price moved to the United States , where he served as a consultant to the Smithsonian Institution , and as a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton . His next post was at Yale University , where he worked until his death, serving as the Avalon Professor of the History of Science, and as chair of a new department that encompassed the histories of science, technology, and medicine.

In 1984, Price received, posthumously, the ASIS Research Award for outstanding contributions in the field of information science.

Scientific contributions [ edit ]

Price's major scientific contributions include:

Notable publications [ edit ]

See also [ edit ]
Lets do something fun, Chris Christie said at the Republican National Convention last night. The Governor of New Jersey had spent the past day in less expansive emotional statesdefending Melania Trumps plagiarized speech on the Today show, expressing his own disappointment that Mike Pence was the Republican Vice-Presidential pickand he seemed due for some pleasure. Christie told the delegates that he, a famously truculent former federal prosecutor, would present an indictment against Hillary Clinton, and they would get to judge whether she was guilty or innocent.

The crowd on the floor, gossipy and distracted when Paul Ryan spoke, a few minutes earlier, grew attentive. This was the case that Christie had been promising he would make against Clinton since early in his own Presidential campaign. As a flawed evaluator of dictators, Christie asked, suggesting that the former of Secretary of State had been too ready to reset relations with Russia, is Hillary Clinton guilty or not guilty? He asked for verdicts on Clintons competence (as an inept negotiator) and for being weak toward the Syrian regime (as an awful judge of the character of a dictator-butcher in the Middle East). The floor, following the California delegations lead, chanted, Lock her up! Christie said, Im getting there.

If Christie was pursuing Clinton last night, he was also being pursued. Earlier in the day, Christies mentor and appointee David Samson, who was once the chairman of the Port Authority, had pleaded guilty to shaking down United Airlines to keep them from cancelling a direct flight that he took to his vacation home. The case against Samson grew out of the investigation into the Christie administrations vindictive George Washington Bridge lane closures, which presses on. Even during his political ascent, Christie was a creature of grievance and emotion, an open wound, a human tumult machine. When he gave the keynote speech at the 2012 Republican Convention, Christie got three-quarters of the way through a talk about himself (eighty paragraphs into the written version) before he said the name of the candidate, Mitt Romney. This time, Christie had expected to be named Donald Trumps running mate and when he found out that he wouldnt be, the Governor turned livid, Trumps campaign manager, Paul Manafort, reportedly told friends.

Still, Christie appeared on the Today show yesterday, to insist, a little humiliatingly, that ninety-three per cent of Melania Trumps speech had not been plagiarized. He was also asked how he felt about being passed over by Trump. The Governor said that he didnt want to sugarcoat it, and that he was disappointed. If you compete for something like I did, youd like to be picked. I wasnt. So you take a deep breath, and you go to bed, and you wake up the next morning and get on with your day, he said. The general opinion was that Christie had debased himself and had gotten nothing for it. The more specific opinion, among the New Jersey delegation on the Convention floor, was that the emoting was all very Christie. I almost think when he does something like that, he makes himself vulnerable to the public, Maria DiGiovanni, the mayor of Hackettstown, said.

Christies defining characteristic as a politician is his relentlessness. He has conducted a hundred and thirty-five town halls across his state, promising help for local problems and haranguing public-school teachers. But he also has a special sensitivity to the complex character of his state: after Hurricane Sandy, Christie was the nostalgist of the boardwalks, but he also nominated the first Muslim judge to the New Jersey Superior Court, in 2011, and heatedly defended the mans patriotism and qualifications against an angry Islamophobic wave of resistance. Christies personathat Springsteen/Sopranos amalgamhas always seemed a touch on the nose, as if it he had sketched himself. On the Today show, yesterday, Christie dealt amiably with rumors that Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, had opposed putting Christie on the ticket. (In 2005, Christie, as the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, sent Kushners father to prison.) I understand thats a sort of Shakespearean thing that people want to write about, Christie said. And maybe it was.

New Jersey Republican officials are a prosperous and pragmatic clan, and by now they have generally made their peace with Donald Trump, as Christie has. If you want to be a delegate from New Jersey, you really need to be a Trump delegate, Henry Kuhl, who was attending his eleventh convention, pointed out. The main feeling among New Jerseys fifty-one delegates was that Christie and Trump shared certain attributes: plainspokenness, an executive talent, perhaps an allergy to ideology. Its not my particular style, but hes effective, a delegate named Mary OBrien said of Trump. Next to her, a delegate named John Traier said that he was disappointed that the national Republican platform was so starkly opposed to gay and lesbian rights, but added that he was pleased that the New Jersey delegation had supported equality. Baby steps, Traier said. On the broader matter of Trump he was serene. Every so often the Party goes through a metamorphosis, he said.

Up on the stage, Christie was completing one of his own. During his Presidential campaign, Christie had subdued his talk of American immigrant diversity in favor of a skepticism about Syrian refugees, and now he shed the sentiment and the lugubriousness, the parts of his character that least matched Trumps. Some act of interior whittling had taken place. On Monday, when the mood in the Convention was dark and nationalistic, Christie had been said to be polishing his speech; by Tuesday it was full of the prosecutors blacks and whites, the high moral tone of a man eyed by a grand jury himself. In Libya and Nigeriaguilty, Christie said of Clinton. In China and Syriaguilty. In Iran and Russia and Cubaguilty. Christie had maneuvered into place. Already Trump has said that Christie will lead his Presidential transition team. The talk among the New Jersey delegation was that hed also make a fine attorney general.
What you need to know to sign up for NJ Obamacare this year
I recently made a two-week trip to China visiting a variety of businesses and universities. This was my fourth trip to China but my first to the mainland in about 15 years. To say the least, the contrast was dramatic. Even in Shanghai, which appeared to be on steroids when I last visited, had exploded in the interimgigantic skyscrapers had sprouted from open fields and the infrastructure of elevated highways had become ubiquitous. It was clear that the amazement and praise that we hear about the Chinese economy is well deserved. I was excited to find opportunities to build partnerships that will send our logistics/supply chain students and faculty members to study at a university in Beijing and bring students from China to Massachusetts to study alongside our students and with our faculty members.

My observations, however, were not completely positive. We visited a Hyundai plant outside of Beijing. It was a marvel of automation and production. Thousands of cars rolled off a precise and pristine assembly line while we visited. This was not my first visit to an auto assembly plant. Ive visited plants in Japan, Germany, the Czech Republic and India as well as the Ford plant in Dearborn. All of these plants were every bit as automated and impressive as was this plant. And to paraphrase Henry Ford, you could have had any color Hyundai that you wanted as long as it was white. Actually, the notable difference was in the number of workers on the assembly linethe difference was huge. Activities that I have seen two or three workers performing in Dearborn or Eastern Europe were being performed by six or seven workers in Beijing. Just in time delivery of parts was clearly the driving force for production, but lean manufacturing did not appear to be present.

I quickly headed to the library on my return. I confirmed my questions about Chinese productivity. An excellent summary of what I discovered is in Schumpeters article in the June 25th Economist : (www.economist.com/news/business/21701151-china-inc-needs-better-management-become-more-productive-sleepy-giant) Schumpeter confirms the suspicions from my observations:

Half of Chinas 20 largest industries operate at a loss;

Chinese productivity is growing but gross productivity is just 15-30% of OECD averages; and

Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing do not dominate Chinese management.

Its not that different, in some respects, from what I saw 10 years ago in apparel productionquality control was happening at Long Beach because the Chinese manufacturers did not have middle managers with sufficient skills in quality control to execute the processes at the plants. Dramatic improvements in the sophistication of manufacturing have been made, but it is clear that Chinese manufacturing still has a long way to go.

Thus, the recent Chinese slowdown should not be surprising. And as Schumpeter suggests, a more important focus for Chinese corporate chiefs might be concentrating on the nuts and bolts of management as opposed to shifting to innovation and technology. On the other hand, how powerful will Chinese companies be when they get around to Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing? I suspect this emphasizes the need for Western corporate chiefs to concentrate even more on innovation and technology.
Cleveland

Although they had prime speaking slots at the Republican National Convention here Tuesday, neither New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie nor Speaker of the House Paul Ryan mentioned education in their speeches. Instead, it was Donald Trump Jr., the son of the GOP presidential nominee who devoted a part of his remarks to education, delivering a fiery denunciation of teacher tenure while giving a shout-out to school choice.

Trump Jr. blasted schools for failing American students and serving other interests.

Our schools used to be an elevator to the middle class. Now theyre stalled on the ground floor, he said of schools. Theyre like Soviet-era department stores that are run for the benefit of the clerks and not the customers.

Trump Jr., along with the Republican nominees other children, have also attended private schools .

And the nominees son said that the reason that other countries are besting the U.S. in education is that in other nations, They let parents choose where they send their own children to school. Its called competition. Its called the free market.

Plenty of states have various forms of school choice, however. There are 21 voucher programs in 18 states, along with 16 tax-credit scholarship programs, for example, according to voucher advocates . And states like Arizona, Florida, and Nevada recently approved different kinds of education savings account programs.

In a critique of Democratic policy, Trump Jr. said, Theyre more concerned about the jobs of tenured teachers than serving the students in desperate need of a good education.

The other notable education-mention of the night came from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. In a speech before Trump Jr.'s, he noted that Congress passed a major education bill recently and added, We ended common core.

But McConnell wasnt entirely accurate. Congress did pass the Every Student Succeeds Act last year, and the law returns more policy power to states and districts. But it does not end the Common Core State Standardsroughly 40 states still officially use the common core.

Its not clear, however, if Trump Jr.'s mentions of education gave any solace or illumination to RNC delegates who say theyre totally in the dark about what Trump stands for when it comes to K-12 policy.

Photo: Donald Trump, Jr., son of Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, speaks during the second day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 1. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
DISSENTING DIAGNOSIS

Arun Gadre and Abhay Shukla

Vintage Books

187 pages; Rs 399



At a time when dissent has come to connote disloyalty, even treason, instead of being understood as an opposing viewpoint necessary for evolution, two doctors introspect on the maladies afflicting their profession in a brave new book, Dissenting Diagnosis. The focus of the book is an elemental question: how has a critical, service-oriented profession been transformed into a market-driven commodity and a corporate-led profiteering industry? Why is the logic of rational and ethical medical practice being swept over by the imperative of profit? When asked from within the normally close-mouthed medical community, these questions have taken on a chilling significance not simply for the medical profession but for every member of society who is most vulnerable when s/he needs a doctor.
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Kunal Bahl, the 32-year-old co-founder and chief executive officer of Snapdeal, appears relaxed in a light blue shirt and dark trousers, as he settles down for an interview at the large conference room in the companys Gurgaon headquarters, but he clamps down on issues that he calls conjecture. Bahls firm has been in the middle of some firefighting over reports on how there are efforts to downsize, as cash is depleting and investors are not forthcoming. In conversation with Karan Choudhury & Nivedita Mookerji, Bahl says investors regularly chase Snapdeal and that the views of pink papers must be separated from those of consumers.
is unbundling its fares, to allow customers to opt for paying less in lieu of benefits such as lounge access or bonus miles. The product, Fare Choices, will be launched on August 17.
There is a silver lining amidst the litany of legal battles facing the oil and gas exploration major Cain India. The Rajasthan High Court, in a tax dispute between and the state government, has held that supply of crude oil from fields in the state to buyers in Gujarat and Karnataka amounts to inter-state sale.
Kolkata-based signed an agreement with the government of Jharkhand to set up a three million tonne annual capacity cement grinding unit, at an investment of Rs 600 crore. The company plans to complete the project in two years.
The rise and fall of Nikesh Arora at SoftBank, in some sense, symbolises how the investor sentiment has changed with Indian start-ups: moving from a period of exuberance to one of extreme caution within two years.
Cleveland

Are you mystified as to where Donald Trump stands on education policy?

So are some of the people attending the convention here, where Donald Trump officially received the GOP presidential nomination Tuesday.

I dont know what his views are on education, said Sue Sharkey, a member of the board of regents for the University of Colorado and a delegate from the Centennial State who supported Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in the Republican primary. I dont think hes really put a lot of thought into it. And I think his understanding of

educational issues is probably pretty shallow.

Jonathan Hayes, a 20-year-old alternate delegate from Pennsylvania, is on the same page.

The bombastic rhetoric of Donald Trump has overtaken any talk of education, said Hayes, who had been hoping that Florida Sen. Marco Rubio would get the GOP nomination. I dont think he has education listed as an issue on his website. So Im very disappointed in that.

Hayes, a history buff who wore a hat with a button celebrating every GOP

nominee from President Theodore Roosevelt to former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, the 2012 nominee, is a first-generation college student. He sees education as critical to advancement, which is why hes especially disappointed about the lack of specificity on the issue from Trump.

So far, the convention speeches havent helped matters, even though some of Tuesdays speakers, such as Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey and Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, the Speaker of the House, have long education records. In fact, the biggest K-12 moment of the night came from Donald Trump, Jr., who said his father would go big on school choice and attack teacher tenure.

Even some members of Congress here are in the dark.

Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill, said he didnt know where Trump stands on education, but quickly added that hes hopeful that a possible President Trump would embrace the local-control spirit of the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act, the law to replace No Child Left Behind that passed late last year.

Hes an unknown as a candidate, and there are positives with that, Davis said in an interview at a small reception hosted by the National Education Association for Republicans with whom it has a good working relationship. Hopefully hes going to listen to the folks who have worked in public policy before he got into politics.

Davis isnt the only lawmaker in wait-and-see mode. The two most important Republicans in Congress on K-12 issueseducation committee chairmen and ESSA architects Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.told me earlier this summer they didnt know where Trump stands on K-12 policy.

Alexander, though, sounded more optimistic in an interview in Cleveland this week . He told me he asked Trump about ESSA when the mogul met with Republican senators, and got an assurance that the presumptive nominee was very much for local control. (Kline, who will retire from Congress at the end of this session, didnt plan to be at the convention.)

Want the most comprehensive look at where Trump, and for that matter, presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton stand on K-12 policy? Weve got you covered in this interactive graphic .

Photo by Swikar Patel for Education Week.

Follow us on Twitter at @PoliticsK12 .
The bandh called in on Wednesday to protest the beating up of four Dalit youths in Una, for allegedly skinning a dead cow on July 11, received mixed response.



Incidents of stone-throwing and road blockade were reported at some places in the state. Saurashtra district was affected the most, and clashes between protesters and police turned violent at a rally in Amreli in the district. To keep things under control, state reserved police teams have been deployed in Rajkot, Jamnagar and other places in the region.



Schools, colleges and business establishments observed total bandh in Junagadh and Amreli. Around 50 protestors were detained in Rajkot. In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.



As a precautionary measure, authorities have decided to shut down several routes of state transport buses because of protests by Dalit Panthers and other outfits.



Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited Mota Samaliyala village in Una, where the incident took place, on Wednesday. The beating of Dalits will be disturbing to anyone who witnesses it. The beatingis not becoming of any civilised society. The state government has done everything possible, including arresting the accused, and (facilitating) hospitalisation of the injured, she said.
Efforts are being made to secure release of priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil who has been abducted in war-torn Yemen but such attempts take time, External Affairs Minister said in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, while asking members to "keep faith" in the government.

Swaraj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established in Yemen where India does not have an Embassy of its own.

The issue was raised by members from Kerala who said disturbing pictures of Father Uzhunnalil were appearing in the social media.

Father Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was abducted in March by terror group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden. At least 15 people at the old-age home were killed in the attack.

Swaraj said it takes more time to secure release of the people who are held captive and asked the members to keep "faith" in government's efforts to trace the abducted priest.

"Abduction of Father Tom Uzhunnalil is a matter of grave concern for us. Yemen is a war-torn country. We do not have Embassy there but we are looking for ways to reach him. Not only me, but the Prime Minister during his overseas visits has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established with Yemen," the minister said.

She said the government is also trying to ascertain the authencity of the images of Uzhunnalil which have appeared in social media.

"It is taking time, but keep faith on us... We bring back stranded people fast, but it takes time to bring back those who are held captive. We will bring back Tom Uzhunnalil," Swaraj said.
With the curfew in the Valley dragging into its 12th day on Wednesday, life in Jammu and Kashmir continued to be in a state of paralysis even though incidents of violence between locals and the security forces show no sign of cooling down and the death toll of civilians continues to rise.

Meanwhile, owners and editors of newspapers in the Valley have refused to publish dailies, in protest against the state government's failure to own the "ban order" that was issued three days ago.

On Tuesday, Mehbooba Mufti had clarified to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu that no ban has been imposed on the publication of newspapers in the troubled state.

Naidu spoke to Mufti on Monday night on the issue of ban on newspapers in the state.

Mufti's contradiction came days after government spokesman Nayeem Akhtar reportedly said that "the undesirable step was taken to ensure peace, to save lives and strengthen peace efforts"

According to reports, hawkers in the city's centre alleged that police did not allow them to distribute the newspapers and also seized their copies.

With Pakistan observing 'Black Day' on Wednesday over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, security measured have been stepped up as more police and paramilitary soldiers have been deployed across all towns and villages, including Srinagar to maintain law and order.

So far, at least 43 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and around 3000 remain injured.

Cellphone services and mobile internet remains blocked, also newspapers are refusing to publish.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the violent situation in the Valley spiraling out of control day-by-day, Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to take stock of the situation.

The death toll climbed to 42 after a woman who had sustained grievous injuries at Qazigund on Monday succumbed in hospital early morning on Tuesday.

However, the Indian Army yesterday expressed regret over the death of civilians in Qazigund and ordered a probe in the matter.

Expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, the Army appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments, thus creating situations where they are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.
Pakistan Prime Minister has cancelled his address to the nation on the Kashmir issue ', according to UNewsTV.

With an aim to cash in on the prevailing unrest in the Kashmir Valley after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani's killing, Pakistan is on Wednesday observing 'black day' to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

While addressing a cabinet meeting in Lahore on July 15, Prime Minister Sharif had announced to observe July 19 as a black day. However, as Pakistan celebrates July 19 as 'Accession to Pakistan' Day, the Black Day observance was shifted on July 20.

However, asserting that Pakistan has no locus standi to discuss India's internal issue, External Affairs Minister spokesperson Vikas Swarup said: "India completely and unequivocally rejects in the entirety the decisions adopted by the Pakistan cabinet on situation in Jammu and Kashmir."

"Pakistan has no locus standi in our internal matters. We hope Pakistan will desist from further interfering in India's internal affairs," Swarup added.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.

After Burhan's death, Kashmir is on boil and around 44 people have been killed and over 3,000 including 1,600 civilians injured in clashes between youth and security men during protests.
Seeking to put at rest certain controversies pertaining to reports that the central government has allowed "killing" of animals to protect agricultural farms, new Environment Minister on Tuesday said "no such orders" have been given by the union government.

"I want to make it clear that neither centre has given any such orders to kill animals nor the states have asked for it," Dave said replying to queries during question hour in the Lok Sabha.

However, he said wild boar, nilgai and monkeys have been placed in Schedule V of the Wildlife Protection Act that allows people to "drive them away" in specific areas.

Dave said Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh had requested to include "problematic wild animals" in schedule V in accordance with section 62 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Accordingly, nilgai has been placed in the category in 31 and wild boar in 10 districts of Bihar.

Wild boars have been placed in Schedule V in 13 districts of Uttarkhand for a year.

The order was issued in December 2015 for Bihar and in February 2016 for Uttarakhand, he said adding a similar order was issued for Shimla in March 2016 for six months where in a species of monkey (Rhesus Maccaque) was placed in the category. Karnataka has also made requests for wild boars, he said.

Raising supplementary questions, Bangalore Rural MP DK Suresh of Congress said: "Crop damage by wild boars is pushing farmers from bad to worst condition."

He said the "menace of wild boars" is very high in the country. "Almost all the states, including Karnataka, are facing this problem," he said.

Dave clarified that with certain animals brought under Schedule V of the Wildlife Act, the states now have the right "to drive the animal (away) with a stick".

Last month, in a rare public spat over the culling of wild animals, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi had accused the then Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar of showing a "lust for killing animals".

She also had charged that the Environment Ministry had allowed the slaughter of peacocks in Goa and elephants in West Bengal.

Javadekar, however, had said that the permissions to take action against animals were granted after requests from the states and were based on existing laws.
West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday condemned the thrashing of Dalit youths in Gujarat's Una and demanded the centre to ensure protection of Dalits.

"Incident in Una is organised crime against Dalits. This is unacceptable. I urge the Central government to treat Dalits with care and give them full protection," said Banerjee.

The Trinamool also raised the matter in parliament seeking a discussion on the matter.

Gujarat's Saurashtra has been on the boil since the last week's assault on a group of Dalits by a vigilante cow protection group in Una for allegedly killing a cow.
The Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Wednesday paved the way for Ambuja Cements to acquire a 24 per cent stake in its holding company, Holcim (India), a move which would lead to an outflow of Rs 3,500 crore from India and be a precursor to reverse merger through a share swap. The reverse merger was also given a go-ahead by the CCEA.
Kingfisher Airlines, Winsome Diamonds and Jewellery Ltd and Zoom Developers are some of the names among a list of 5,610 wilful defaulters that were made public on Wednesday by the All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA).
The Centre's Rs 23,000 crore recapitalisation plan for public sector could run afoul of regulations of the capital market regulator such as minimum public shareholding (MPS) norms and creeping acquisition norms under the takeover code.
There are few people with ties as deep to the nations battle for integrated public schools as Cheryl Brown Henderson.

Born and raised in Topeka, Kan., she is the youngest daughter of Oliver L. Brown, the named plaintiff in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case that led to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning racial segregation in public schools in 1954.

By the time Henderson was old enough to start her schooling, Topekas schools had been desegregated. But she grew up hearing about the experience of her two older sisters and parents who had attended segregated schools in the city. While her parents were committed to fighting for black children to have the same educational opportunities as white children, one of the consequences of school desegregation that made her schooling profoundly different than that of her older family members were the teachers who staffed the classrooms.

Im one of those people, kindergarten through graduate school, who never had a teacher of color, she said.

A former educator whose teaching career began in Topeka, Henderson founded the Brown Foundation for Educational Equity, Excellence and Research and serves as its president. She and the foundation remain deeply connected to the causes of equitable and quality schooling, civic engagement, and educating the public on the significance and impact of Brown v. Board and its ongoing relevance to public education and civil rights.

Now, Henderson sees a direct link between her familys fight for desegregation and equal opportunity and the new superintendent at the helm of Topekas public schools.

On July 1, Tiffany Anderson, an African-American woman, became the districts superintendent. For two years and counting, Education Week has closely tracked Anderson, whose leadership of the Jennings, Mo., school district near St. Louis brought her recognition as a 2015 Leader To Learn From. And expectations for Andersons performance in Topeka are already very high , as captured in this recent editorial from the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Education Week reached out to Henderson recently to talk about her familys roots in Topeka, the ongoing impact of the Brown decision, and what it means that the Topeka districtso closely linked to the nations struggle to educate children of all races and backgrounds in the same schoolshave a black woman at its helm for the first time.

Take a look and listen at what she has to say.
Describing the government's Rs 22,915 crore equity infusion in state-owned as positive, rating agencies ICRA and Fitch said the capital requirements are much higher as internal generation will be limited due to high credit costs.
S&P Global Ratings on Wednesday said HDFC Bank's bonds issued from its Bahrain branch were no longer under its CreditWatch, where the bonds were relegated in February with negative implications.
An Expert Committee has been constituted by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) under the chairmanship of Shri B. S. Baswan to comprehensively examine the various issues, raised from time to time regarding the Civil Service Examination, with respect to the eligibility, syllabus, scheme and pattern of the Examination vide notice dated 12.8.2015. The committee has been given extension of time till August 2016 to submit its report. .

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Imparting training to the officers is a continuous process. The course content of the training is modified regularly as per the requirement. .

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This was stated by the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in the Prime Ministers Office Dr. Jitendra Singh in a written reply to a question by Shri Ajay Nishad in the Lok Sabha today. .

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An Afghan teenager who attacked passengers on a German train with an axe, badly injuring four people, was out to avenge the death of his friend in Afghanistan, said prosecutors in Germany.

Bavarian regional prosecutor Erik Ohlenschlager said the 17-year-old Afghan was a devout Muslim and on learning about his friend's death he wanted to get revenge on "infidels" who killed him. The youngster even accepted that his own death was a possibility.

The teenager, during the attack on board the train on Monday evening in Wuerzburg, injured four people, two critically, BBC reported.

The young man, whose identity is protected by law, arrived in Germany a year ago as an unaccompanied refugee.

He was shot dead by police as he fled.

The Islamic State group (IS) released a video purporting to show the teenager making threats while brandishing an axe. He claimed to be an "IS soldier" preparing for a suicide mission.

German officials said they later found a hand-painted IS flag in his room.

Ohlenschlager said the attack was "definitely politically motivated".

However, Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said there was no indication that the teenager had direct contact with IS.

The teenager reportedly shouted the Islamic phrase "Alla-hu-akbar" ("God is great") as he mounted the attack.

A police official said on Tuesday that two of the five people injured were in a "life-threatening" condition.

Inside the carriage, a 62-year-old man, his 58-year-old wife, their daughter, 27, and her boyfriend, 27, were attacked, while their 17-year old son was not hurt. They were from Hong Kong.

The father and boyfriend had tried to protect the other members of the group.

Herrmann said there was no indication Chinese citizens had been specifically targeted.

Another woman was injured outside the train as the man fled and 14 people were treated for shock.

A news agency with links to IS said the boy had launched the attack "in answer to the calls to target the countries of the coalition fighting Islamic State".

Herrmann said those who had interacted with the teenager in recent months described him as calm and quiet and they could not understand his actions.

The teenager had gone to the mosque "on special occasions", he said, adding that no-one ever noticed any radical behaviour.

He had a placement in a bakery and was likely to secure paid employment soon.

The Afghan teenager was living with a foster family since moving from a refugee centre in the town two weeks ago.

The axe attack came days after a lorry ploughed into a crowd in Nice in France, killing 84 people. IS claimed that one of its "followers" had carried out the attack.
Thirteen months after launching an improbable bid for the White House, Donald Trump captured the 2016 Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday, having vanquished 16 party rivals, warred with much of its establishment and provoked controversy at every turn.
United Kingdom (UK) Prime Minister Theresa May will on Wednesday inform German Chancellor Angela Merkel that she needs time to prepare for Brexit, as the former heads to Berlin for private talks with the latter.

May will fly to Berlin after facing her first Prime Minister's questions against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, reports The Guardian.

Talks between Merkel and May is likely to be dominated by discussion of Britain leaving the EU, trading relationship between the two countries, the migration crisis and Islamist terrorism among others.

After Merkel on Thursday, May will hold talks in Paris on with the French president, Francois Hollande.

The duo will likely hold talks on Brexit, where May would warn that the UK needs time to consult with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as different industries, before triggering formal negotiations to leave the EU.

The government lawyers at the opening of the first legal challenge to the process of Brexit, yesterday confirmed that May will not push the button on article 50 of the Lisbon treaty, which initiates the UK's departure, before the end of this year.

Prime Minister May who campaigned to remain in the EU, before the trip, said she had chosen to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after assuming office because she was determined to make a success of .

On Tuesday, she revealed of personally taking charge of three new ministerial committees - on Brexit, the economy and social reform - to implement her priorities for government.

She told her first cabinet meeting that "politics is not a game" and they must get on with the job.
Philippines has turned down bilateral talks with Beijing over the dispute, after China's insisted that talks should be held against the landmark court ruling.

Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr said that that Chinese officials had asked Manila for talks, but only if it disregarded last week's ruling, which went overwhelmingly in The Philippines favour.

"They had asked us also to open ourselves for bilateral negotiations, but outside of and in disregard of the arbitration ruling," CNN quoted Yasay, as saying.

"I told him that this is something that was not consistent with our constitution and our national interest," he added.

Yasay met China's foreign minister Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe Meeting, in Mongolia that commenced on July 15.

He said that Chinese officials had said if the Philippines pressed their claims, both countries could be headed for trouble.

"They said that if you will insist on the ruling and discussing it along those lines, then we might be headed for a confrontation," he said.

Stating that he saw some room for backdoor negotiations, he hoped that China would rethink its stance.

Yasay said his country wanted some assurance that their fishermen will continue to have access to the disputed Scarborough Shoal to fish.

"The tribunal have really debunked in no unmistakable terms the position of China in so far as the nine-dash line is concerned," he said.

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed there had been an informal chat between the foreign ministers.

"Wang stated that if the new Philippines government was willing to resume dialogue and consultation with China, manage and control disparities and improve relations, China would like to meet it half way," Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The meeting comes a week after the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favour of the Philippines over China's territorial and maritime claims in the .

The court ruled that there was no legal basis for its historic claims to a large area in the .

The move has directly been ignored by Beijing.
The US Justice Department is seeking to seize more than $1 billion in assets, including real estate, art and proceeds from the Wolf of Wall Street movie that it says were illegally acquired with money diverted from the embattled Malaysian development fund known as 1MDB. Funds diverted from 1MDB were used for the personal benefit of public officials and their relatives and associates to purchase luxury real estate in the US, pay gambling expenses at Las Vegas casinos and acquire more than $200 million in artwork, the Justice Department said in a court filing Wednesday in federal court in ...
After hitting its recent low by the end of June, price turned around to record over 16 per cent jump in July following reports of crop damage in major plant growing regions including Uttar Pradesh.
Electronic auctions for tea, implemented countrywide by now, are yet to take off at Kochi due to boycott by buyers. As a result, an inventory of 3.7 million kg has piled up and prices, which otherwise should have gone up, have fallen by eight to 10 per cent.



Following the Board of Indias order, e-auction was made mandatory from June 23 at all auction centers. To end the problem at Kochi, the board is expected to meet the Buyers Association there during this week. This is a result of the Kerala high courts order directing it to do so.



It is 155 years since auctioning was introduced in India. Public tea auctions handle about 500 million kg annually.



On June 23, the new e-auction system was used across six centres  Kolkata, Siliguri, Guwahati, Kochi, Coimbatore and Coonoor. The system integrates the process, starting from creation of invoices till the delivery of tea from warehouses, enabling better control and avoiding duplication of work.




Guest Post By Evie Blad. Originally posted at Rules for Engagement.

Having a growth mindset may help buffer students from low-income families from the effects of poverty on academic achievement, researchers found in a large-scale, first-of-its kind study of 168,000 10th-grade students in Chile.

But poor students studied by researchers were also less likely to have a growth mindset than their higher income peers, researchers found.

Stanford Professor Carol Dweck who coauthored the study along with Stanford researcher Susana Claro and PERTS Lab founder David Pauneskupopularized the idea of growth mindset.

Students with a growth mindset believe that skill and academic strength can be developed through effort and practice. Thats contrasted with students with a fixed mindset, who believe their intelligence and skill sets are unchangeable, like eye color. Dwecks previous research has found that interventions that help students develop more of a growth mindset can have positive effects on their academic achievement.

This new study expands on those findings, showing them in nationwide data, and it explores how mindsets interact with family income to affect school achievement.

While students from low-income households typically score lower on standardized tests, researchers found that poorer Chilean students with higher levels of growth mindset had similar test scores to their fixed mindset peers from higher income families.

Strikingly, students from low-income families (the lowest 10%) who had a growth mindset showed comparable test scores with fixed mindset students whose families earned 13 times more (80th percentile), said the study, which was published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Researchers used test scores and student survey responses from an entire class of students enrolled in public schools in Chile during the 2012 academic year to reach their conclusions. They measured students mindsets by asking them to agree or disagree with statements like you can learn new things, but you cant change a persons intelligence.

Consistent with prior experimental studies, our results show that, for students with the same observable characteristics, those with a growth mindset achieved at higher levels than those with a fixed mindset, the study says. Furthermore, these results show for the first time, to our knowledge, that this relationship is comparably strong with that between family income and achievement and that it holds true systemicallyacross an entire nations socioeconomic spectrum and across virtually all of its schools.

Researchers also found that a growth mindset was a greater predictor of success for poor students than it was for their higher-income peers.

But what about reverse causation? Isnt it possible that doing well in schools leads to a growth mindset rather than the other way around? Dweck and her co-researchers asked. To try to answer this, they controlled their results using other survey questions.

They found that the relationship between a growth mindset and achievement remained significant even when controlling for factors like students perceptions of their own academic skills. Thus, they concluded, our effect is not because of the fact that students who see themselves as doing well simply observe their academic growth and come to the conclusion that intelligence can be developed.

Low-Income Students Are Less Likely to Have a Growth Mindset

As one might expect, students living in lower-income households were more likely to have a fixed mindsets than their wealthier peers. It makes sense that a child dealing with poverty and its associated factors may perceive that people have less control over their circumstancesand possibly even their ability to learn and develop skills.

At the extremes, students from the lowest-income families were twice as likely to endorse a fixed mindset as students from the top-income families and schools, the study says.

This touches on a common criticism of schools emphasizing concepts like growth mindset, grit, and persistence: Critics argue that such work can fail to take into account the systemic factors that contribute to poor achievement, putting the full responsibility for a students learning on the student. Some label this a bootstraps mentality.

Claro, Dweck, and Paunesku address these concerns head on:

To be clear, we are not suggesting that structural factors, like income inequality or disparities in school quality, are less important than psychological factors. Nor are we saying that teaching students a growth mindset is a substitute for systemic efforts to alleviate poverty and economic inequality. Such claims would stand at odds with decades of research and our own data. Rather, we are suggesting that structural inequalities can give rise to psychological inequalities and that those psychological inequalities can reinforce the impact of structural inequalities on achievement and future opportunity. As such, research on psychological factors can help illuminate one set of processes through which economic disadvantage leads to academic underachievement and reveal ways to more effectively support students who face additional challenges because of their socioeconomic circumstances."

Bonus reading: Dweck has worked recently to address these concerns and to clear up misconceptions about her research. That work includes this wildly popular Education Week commentary:  Carol Dweck Revisits the Growth Mindset 

What do you think? Do schools do enough to address the psychological effects of poverty? Do you agree with the researchers conclusions?

Related:
Afghanistan has sent a group of 46 aviation personnel to India to participate in technical and professional training.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority, Qasim Rahimi, confirmed the deployment of 46 aviation personnel for training to India, reports the Khaama Press.

Rahimi said the aviation personnel will resume their work in the airports of the country after they complete their training.

He pointed out that the Afghan government is looking to boost the capacity of the aviation personnel since taking over the responsibility of the Afghan air space from the U.S. forces six months ago.

India has played a key role in the capacity building of the Afghan government personnel, specifically the security personnel.

Reports suggest that hundreds of Afghan National Army (ANA) cadets have completed their studies in India besides the country has provided thousands of scholarships for the Afghan university students.
Demanding a through probe into the suicide of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) woman activist, who had accused her party colleague of sexually harassing her, the women activists on Wednesday said this episode is shameful on part of the Arvind Kejriwal-led party which came as an outfit with a difference.

Woman activist Kavita Srivastava wondered as to under what compulsions did the AAP member commit the suicide.

Srivastava said, "If the woman leaves behind a suicide note and if she names any party, institution or individual then proper investigation should be done with immediate effect as to what were the compulsions and under what pressure did she take such a step."

"May be she was being degraded and may be things were going against her desires, we need to see all this," Srivastava told ANI.

Srivastava further asserted that the Delhi Police should immediately investigate the matter.

"Be it the AAP or any party, it doesn't matter, it (Police) is an institution and to seek accountability is very important," she added.

Another woman activist Abha Singh on her part said that the AAP worker, who had allegedly molested her was out on bail which had left the woman depressed.

"The Aam Aadmi Party did not initiate any action and did not speak in favour of this woman and wanted to get rid of the situation," Singh added.

"I believe that a lawsuit of IPC 354 has been filed against the person, who molested her. But abetment to suicide should be registered against the party workers, who did not help her due to which she got frustrated and committed suicide," Singh said.

Singh further said that the Delhi Police should conduct a proper inquiry in this case and should record everyone's statement.

"This is a matter of shame that the Aam Aadmi Party, which came to power as a party with a difference, which wanted the youth to come along, they themselves could not respect women and could not give justice to women due to which their party worker committed suicide," Singh added.

The AAP activist allegedly committed suicide in Narela area of north-west Delhi earlier on Tuesday with her family members claiming that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester, a party colleague identified as Ramesh Bhardwaj, was released on bail.

The woman, who consumed poison at her residence, died during treatment at Delhi's LNJP Hospital.

The woman had filed a complaint against Bhardwaj for allegedly touching her inappropriately. A case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested and subsequently bailed.
Expressing his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians and security forces during the recent protests in Kashmir Valley, Chief of Army Staff General Dalbir Singh on Wednesday made an "earnest" appeal to the 'awaam' to maintain peace and help the men in inform serve them better and exhorted everyone to ensure strict vigil along the Line of Control (LoC).

The Army Chief, who was reviewing the security situation in Kashmir during his visit to the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, impressed upon everyone to continue their positive engagement with the 'awaam' and lend them all possible assistance in close coordination with the other stakeholders.

Appreciating the synergy being shown among all security agencies that has resulted in successful counter-terrorist operations, he also "complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation".

In his interaction with the officers and troops, the Army Chief commended their operational preparedness and commitment to the cause of security.

Earlier, the Army Chief was briefed by Northern Army Commander Lt. Gen. D.S. Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Satish Dua on the situation along the LoC and the hinterland, including the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all security and other government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley.

The Army Chief, accompanied by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders, also visited the Kupwara Division and Awantipur-based Victor Force, where he was briefed on the operational preparedness as also the initiatives taken by the army in collaboration with the civil administration to alleviate hardships being faced by people due to the prevailing unrest.

He also met with Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police K. Rajendra Kumar and was reassured about the excellent synergy between the army, police, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and intelligence agencies.
Nabam Rebia, who yesterday tendered his resignation as the speaker of Arunachal Pradesh assembly, on Wednesday moved the Supreme Court against the constitution bench's ruling against him.

Appearing for the speaker, Congress' Rajya Sabha MP and lawyer Kapil Sibal told the apex court that a review has been filed against the judgement in this matter.

The judgement is to be challenged on what it said about the role and powers of the speaker.

The judgement had said that speaker must prove his support on the floor of the house if a motion for removal of speaker and disqualification plea of MLAs is moved simultaneously

Justice Madan Bhimrao Lokur conceded that the point on the speaker's powers was not argued and highlighted the inconsistency in the judgment when it came to the role of speaker.

Rebia yesterday submitted his resignation to Deputy Speaker Tsering Norbu Thongdok to facilitate an impartial conduct of the floor test by Chief Minister Pema Khandu on the floor of the House.
US Vice-President said on Wednesday that Australia remains the key to the core of Washington's Asia-Pacific pivot.

Rounding off his four-day official visit to Australia with an address at event hosted by several think-tanks here, Biden recalled the century of linkages between the two nations.

"The partnership between Australia and America is at the core of our vision for the region's future," Biden told the audience which included three former Australian prime ministers Tony Abbott, John Howard and Bob Hawke.

"Here in the early years of what's truly going to be the Pacific century, it's critical America and Australia look to one another for mutual support... because together, I am absolutely confident we can write a better future for all our children, and for this whole region."

He said that the United States isn't backing away from its Pacific policy, confirming that more than 60% of the US fleet will be based in the Pacific by 2020.

"Today our partnership with our allies and other security partners in the Pacific are stronger than they have ever been, especially here in Australia," Biden said.

"Anyone who questions America's dedication and staying power in the Asia Pacific is simply not paying attention," Biden said.

Biden flies to New Zealand later on Wednesday where he will meet with Prime Minister John Key.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Australia remains the key to the core of Washington's Asia-Pacific pivot.

Rounding off his four-day official visit to Australia with an address at event hosted by several think-tanks here, Biden recalled the century of linkages between the two nations.

"The partnership between Australia and America is at the core of our vision for the region's future," Biden told the audience which included three former Australian prime ministers Tony Abbott, John Howard and Bob Hawke.

"Here in the early years of what's truly going to be the Pacific century, it's critical America and Australia look to one another for mutual support... because together, I am absolutely confident we can write a better future for all our children, and for this whole region."

He said that the United States isn't backing away from its Pacific policy, confirming that more than 60 percent of the U.S. fleet will be based in the Pacific by 2020.

"Today our partnership with our allies and other security partners in the Pacific are stronger than they have ever been, especially here in Australia," Biden said.

"Anyone who questions America's dedication and staying power in the Asia Pacific is simply not paying attention," Biden said.

Biden flies to New Zealand later on Wednesday where he will meet with Prime Minister John Key.
Hailing from Koyal village in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir, Syed Firdous Hussian, came to Bangalore in 1987 for higher studies.

After completing engineering, Firdous decided to stay in Bangalore for better career options. It was at this time that Firdous met Gayatri Nikkam and soon their friendship turned into a relationship.

Together, they started a wooden floor making business, which gradually established its foot in the market.

Hussain said, "In 1999, we started our business in a 50 square feet small room, and during this time, it cost me around 10,000 rupees for total office expenses. Everything was included in this, the rent of the office, one mobile phone, and one scooter. From here, we started our journey. We had done so much of hard work during that course of time because I am a positive thinker and if you think positive, you will get positive results. So, always think positive. Then after that, I got married, and I share a 50 per cent partnership with my wife. My wife has worked in big companies and she is an MBA in sales, and because of her experience only, we moved forward towards success.

After 16 years of marriage, Firdous and Gayatri continue to successfully run the Indiana International Corporation Flooring Pvt Ltd, one of the most prestigious companies in the country.

The business, which was started in a small room, has now offices in countries across the globe.

Hussain said, "We are one of the biggest importers in our products. We import products mostly from Europe and major countries are Germany, France, Poland, Austria and other small countries of Europe. Our products are distributed all over India, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, from Mumbai to North Eastern states and our products go beyond Bangladesh too. In most of the metros, we have our offices; our warehousing is in three places: Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.

Despite living in Bangalore, Firdous has stayed connected to his roots. Every year, he takes out time to visit his family in Bandipora in Kashmir.

Firdous says he never feels alienated or discriminated in Bangalore.

Hussain said, "I have never felt like an outsider here (in Bangalore) and whenever I go for a meeting people recognize my voice as a Kashmiri, they leave their work and ask about Kashmir's beauty, the places culture, and everything. It all depends upon a person's vision if you think well, then good will happen. If you do your work honestly then you will receive success undoubtedly. And we have run this business with honesty. Our priority is customer's satisfaction, and we do our work with determination. I have never cheated anyone in my entire life and this is what my success story is all about."

Hussian is one among the many Kashmiris in the country who have scripted their success stories with utter hard work and determination.
Noting that it is perhaps for the first time in the country the Centre has agreed to raise a battalion, which would be named after a region - 'Bastar Battalion', Chief Minister Raman Singh has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for the battalion that will enhance the security situation in the region.

Divulging details of the battalion, the Chief Minister said, "The battalion has two specialities - there is a relaxation as far as height is concerned, because in the paramilitary forces, height is among other important norms - and, the second is that the battalion will be raised by recruiting people from the Bastar district only, while other central paramilitary forces recruit personnel from across the nation."

"As many as 744 tribal youth will be inducted in the battalion from the Bastar region, including four districts - Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada and Narayanpur, who will help in strengthening the security of the state and the country at large," said Singh, while interacting with reporters after the conclusion of the Monsoon Session on Tuesday.

"Besides, the battalion will also give recognition to Chhattisgarh and Bastar districts at the level and will also provide an opportunity to the local youth for employment," he added.

Bastar district is known for its beautiful natural environment, rich tribal culture and precious minerals.

"Development is taking place very fast in the region with the help of the Central Government. We have established a medical college and university. Roads are also being built," he added.
Condemning the atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat's Una, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati on Wednesday accused the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of being hand-in-glove when it comes to matters concerning the suppression of the community.

Mayawati said the sad thing about this issue is that the Opposition parties reacted to this only after she raised the matter.

"All these parties be it the Congress or the BJP-led NDA, they want to curb matters relating to the conditions of Dalits. The Congress and the BJP are hand-in-glove when dealing with sensitive issues related to the Dalits. They initially try to shun matters related to Dalit atrocities, but when the BSP raises this matter then they begin to speak on the same for political gains," Mayawati said.

"The Dalit incident, which took place in Gujarat, is extremely painful, shameful and unfortunate. It has violated human rights. I strongly condemn it. I would like to say that the BSP never does drama, it fights for the causes. Our Gujarat state unit is in continuous touch with the victims' family and is helping them," she added.

A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests against last week's thrashing of four youth in Una town snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

The Dalit, who died during the day, was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.
Reacting to Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Raman Singh has said Chhattisgarh is committed to judicious sharing of the Mahanadi water, adding that inter-state water sharing is a sensitive issue and should not be used for political gains.

He, however, added that his state contributes more than 86 percent of the water into Mahanadi up to Hirakud Dam, whereas it is utilising only 25 percent of the water.

In his letter to the Prime Minister, Patnaik had expressed concern over seven pick-up weirs and proposed irrigation projects on Mahanadi tributaries. Addressing Patnaik's concern, Singh said his state abided the Inter-state River water sharing norms, said a statement issued by the Chhattisgarh government.

He said Chhattisgarh was using "limited" Mahanadi water without hurting Odisha's interest.

He added that the Odisha Chief Minister had not raised the issue with him. "If he would have expressed his concern before me, I would have clarified the situation to him," said Singh.

Divulging details of the present situation, the Chhattisgarh chief minister said, "About 55 percent of the total geographical area of Chhattisgarh is drained by the Mahanadi River, which is lifeline of Chhattisgarh, and the Rice Bowl of India.

"River Mahanadi and its tributaries have a total drainage area of 53.90 percent from Chhattisgarh, 45.73 percent from Odisha and 0.35 percent from other states, while the catchment area of Mahanadi up to Hirakud Dam is 82,432 sq km, of which 71,424 sq km lies in Chhattisgarh, which is 86 percent of the total catchment.

"Average inflow of Mahanadi at Hirakud Dam is 40,773 MCM, of which 35,308 MCM is contributed by Chhattisgarh. Present utilisation of water by Chhattisgarh is nearly 9,000 MCM, which is only 25 percent of the available water in the Mahanadi up to Hirakud Dam."

Singh further said, "The barrages under construction on Mahanadi are essentially for industrial use and the proposed irrigation area from all these barrages put together is only 3,100 hectares. All these projects are having less than 2,000 hectares potential and fall under the category of Minor Irrigation Projects, which does not need any clearance from the Central Water Commission (CWC).

"Ambaguda, Salka, Lachchhanpur, Khongsara diversion schemes are also minor irrigation projects, irrigating less than 2,000 hectares each. Kelo is the only major project, which has already been duly approved by the CWC. As per the agreement between the erstwhile undivided state of Madhya Pradesh and the State of Odisha dated 28.04.1983 between the then CM of Madhya Pradesh Arjun Singh and the then CM of Odisha J.B. Patnaik, a joint control board was to be constituted to resolve the issues between the two states relating to survey, investigation, execution or any other issues. This board has not been constituted so far."

In view of the above, said the Chhattisgarh chief minister, the it is very clear that Chhattisgarh contributes more than 86 percent of the water into the Mahanadi up to Hirakud Dam, whereas it is utilising only 25 percent of the water.

Hence, it is pertinent to note that Chhattisgarh is presently using much less than its legitimate share of water of the Mahanadi basin without in any way adversely affecting the water share of Odisha, including that of Hirakud Dam, he added.

"I would further like to state that Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha has never raised these issues with Chhattisgarh or else I could have given suitable clarification to him," said Singh, alleging: "Clearly, the concerns of the Odisha Chief Minister are politically motivated and not based on facts and figures."

"I am sure you will agree that inter-state sharing of water is a sensitive issue and should not be used for political gains. Chhattisgarh has full respect for all provisions governing inter-state rivers and has utilised the potential of the Mahanadi river only in a limited way without in any way depriving Odisha of its benefit. We are committed to only utilise the legitimate share of Mahanadi river in our state," Singh added.

In his letter on July 4, Patnaik urged Prime Minister Modi to advice Chhattisgarh to stop unilateral construction of major structures across the river, which is 'lifeline of Odisha' as the life of the state's 65 percent population is dependent on it.

Patnaik said from time immemorial the people of Odisha have an emotional, cultural and organic relationship with the holy river.

Soon after Patnaik's letter was circulated by the Chief Minister's Office on July 6, the BJD said it would launch a State-wide agitation if the Centre did not intervene immediately.
When Illinois state board of education voted to dump its high school PARCC test last week , board members said at the time they were responding to concerns from parents, administrators, and unions that the state administers too many tests.

But Chicago Tribune reporter Diane Rado may have found another reason to get rid of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. According to the Tribune, the U.S. Department of Education is on the state departments back for the way the state administered high school exams in 2015 and 2016. The state administered a variety of exams and, in some instances, didnt administer any test to students with limited English and with special needs.

In April, the Education Department placed Illinois eligibility for Title I funds on high-risk status for not, as the federal law requires, administering one exam at least once to its high school students in English and math.

Not complying with the law puts at risk millions of poverty-related federal dollars the state receives.

In response to a national testing opt-out movement, several state education departments have taken to trimming the amount of standardized testing their states administer. Arizona this year passed a law that allows districts to choose which test to take. Its not clear whether the department will allow for that states strategy.

Dont miss another State EdWatch post. Sign up here to get news alerts in your email inbox. And make sure to follow @StateEdWatch on Twitter for the latest news from state K-12 policy and politics.
Four Chinese officials left for Taiwan capital Taipei on Wednesday afternoon Taiwan to assist families of the 26 victims who had died in a major bus accident on Tuesday.

Twenty-six people, including 23 tourists and a tour guide from the Chinese mainland and two local people -- a driver and a tour guide -- were killed when a tour bus crashed into a barrier on a highway and caught fire near Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan on Tuesday.

According to Xinhua news agency, a majority of the tourists were from northeast China's Liaoning Province.
Several Human rights groups have said that a U.S- led coalition in Syria has killed more than 100 civilians and wounded dozens more in airstrikes in and around the ISIS-controlled city of Manbij, since June.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Manbij area is the last large tract of land along Syria's northern border with Turkey under ISIS control, reports CNN.

Manbij has become the site of intense fighting since a U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab militia entered the city in June and is considered a strategic supply point between Raqqa and Turkey.

Several human rights group said that airstrikes this week killed dozens of people, pushing the death toll past 100.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the United Kingdom, yesterday said that airstrikes killed 56 people, including 11 children, in the countryside north of Manbij.

The Amnesty International, citing accounts from local activists and documentary evidence said that airstrikes on nearby al-Tukhar village on Monday and Tuesday killed at least 60 people.

Meanwhile, the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces said that 95 people were killed in the strikes in Manbij and al-Tukhar.

The human rights groups condemned the attacks and asked the coalition forces to step up efforts to prevent civilian deaths.

"The bombing of al-Tukhar may have resulted in the largest loss of civilian life by coalition operations in Syria. There must be a prompt, independent and transparent investigation to determine what happened, who was responsible, and how to avoid further needless loss of civilian life," CNN quoted Magdalena Mughrabi, interim deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa Program at Amnesty International as saying.

Spokesman for the U.S. military program charged with fighting ISIS, Colonel Chris Garver, confirmed that airstrikes were conducted on Monday near Manbij and that the was aware of the allegations and reviewing information.

The U.S.-backed alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias known as the Syrian Democratic Forces aims to keep ISIS fighters from crossing into Turkey and ensure that foreign fighters cannot enter Syria.

It was launched in June this year.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday took a dig at Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for 'sleeping' when the case of atrocities against dalits in Gujarat was raised in the Parliament and said it exposes the double-face of the grand old party which is least concerned about the community.

"The Congress has a double face and it was never serious with regard to the Dalits. The Congress has till now been doing politics in the name of Dalits. The statistics of the Crime Bureau tell how the people of the SC/ST community were tortured during the Congress regime. The Congress doesn't want to listen to the truth," BJP leader Shrikant Sharma told ANI.

Escalating his attack on the Congress vice-president, Sharma said this was not the first time it has happened that Gandhi has been found sleeping in the Parliament.

"Earlier too whenever there was a serious discussion, he was found sleeping. We understand that his nights are long and he feels Parliament is the best place to sleep," he added.

He alleged that the Congress has a double face and it comes up with issues to cause hindrance in the way of the functioning of the Parliament.

"The Congress is anti-development, anti-Dalits.it decides on the propaganda on how to stop the government from working. The government is very much clear on Dalit atrocities. Anyone who commits any atrocity against Dalits should get strict punishment. The government is taking stringent action and taking strict steps," he added.

Echoing similar sentiments, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma said that it exposed the true face of the Congress and clearly indicates that they are least interested in the development of Dalits.

"They got 60 years to give respect and ensure the progress of the Dalits in which they failed miserably. The people have rejected them. If their leader is found sleeping when such an important issue is being discussed then the face of the Congress stands exposed," Sharma said.

"Wasting the time of the Parliament in itself exposes the face of the Congress. Neither the people nor has the Parliament ever taken the Congress, especially Rahul Gandhi, seriously. I think the nickname which he is being called at times has become the reality," he added.

As the Congress erupted in protest over Home Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks on the Una incident, television footage inescapably showed Gandhi sleeping with his forehead resting in his palm.

A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests against last week's thrashing of four youth in Una town snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

The Dalit, who died during the day, was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.
A Dhaka court on Wednesday framed charges against five members of the banned militant outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) in relation to the murder of blogger Oyasiqur Rahman.

The court also declared August 4 for the commencement of the trial, reports the Daily Star.

Judge S.M. Ziaur Rahman of the third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judges Court of Dhaka reading out the charges said three of the accused now in jail pleaded not guilty and demanded release.

Two others - Akram Hossain Hasib alias Abdullah and Junayed alias Taher who are absconding were charged in their absence.

According to the charge sheet Hasib, known as "Boro Bhai" among the ABT members, masterminded the killing.

On March 30 last year, Zikrullah, Ariful and Junayed enraged by Oyasiqur's write-ups on facebook and other social media platforms, participated in the killing.

Zikurullah and Ariful were chased down by locals as they were fleeing the site after hacking Oyasiqur to death at Begunbari in the capital's Tejgaon Industrial Area.

The detective branch of police pressed charges against the five for their alleged involvement with the killing on September 1, last year.
New Delhi, July 20 (ANI): A conference titled 'Made in Afghanistan' was recently held in Delhi to promote Afghan products and boost trade relations between both nations.

'Made in Afghanistan: Harnessing the Economic Potential' was the theme of two-day long event held to strengthen India-Afghan relations in terms of trade, commerce and investment opportunities.

An MoU was also signed between FICCI-FLO and Afghanistan women business federation during the event.

The delegates from Afghanistan also appreciated the way India helps Kabul in uncertain conditions.

"The exhibition here today is to promote the Afghan products. I was very impressed to see the exhibition. We are very grateful to India for facilitating the exhibition and it will go in a long way for enhancing trade relations between two countries," Afghan ambassador to India, Shaida Mohammad Abdali.

Afghanistan's Agriculture Minister Abdul Qadeer Jawad, who also attended the event, said this conference has been designed to enable his country's entrepreneurs to connect with their Indian counterparts, especially in agricultural sectors.

The traders from Afghanistan also exhibited their products in the exhibition sponsored by the Indian Government.

The traders were very positive in terms of trade relations between the two nations and hoped to get better promotion of their products in the Indian market as it will have a significant impact on their country's economy.

"If India hosts more conferences then it will be very helpful for the businessman and woman of both countries. If India can import more of our products and promote it in their markets then it will have a great effect on our economy. We hope that both countries will have stronger relations in the future because we have a long history of friendship and will get much more success in future." said Mehmood, a trader from Afghanistan.

India will also host a conference later this year and invite several countries for discussion on economic integration and cooperation.
Sri Lanka's former president Mahinda Rajapaksa's brother and former Economic Development Minister, Basil Rajapaksa arrested for financial misappropriation has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital (CNH).

A spokesperson of the National Hospital said Basil Rajapaksa was transferred from the Prison Hospital yesterday, reports the Colombo Page.

The former minister was arrested Monday by the Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID) when he appeared before the unit to record a statement after he was questioned by the officers.

The Kaduwela Magistrate's Court on Monday remanded the former minister and former Director of the Divi Neguma Department Kithsiri Ranawaka till August 01.

He was arrested on charges of misappropriating millions of rupees of the Divi Neguma funds which came under his ministry during the previous government.
New Delhi, July 20 (ANI): The huge ecological imbalance has plagued the Gilgit-Baltistan region. Frequent floods, landslides and other natural disasters are a now common sight.

But the dreary picture seems rosy to the Pakistani establishment, who clearly and intentionally ignore the susceptible ecological threats to the region due to over exploitation and poor handling of the situation.

The Gilgit-Baltistan region, where China is heavily investing in several projects, is losing its sheen as a hotspot for natural resources. The foreign investors have over-exploited the region for economic gains, leading to ecological imbalance.

But the much touted USD 46 billion China-Pakistan Economic corridor has hardly benefited the local population, which continues to face the apathy of the administration.

The locals here believe the frequency of natural disasters is gradually increasing, thereby putting their lives at risk.

"People's consensus is very necessary. They are one's who face natural calamity every now and then. In 2010, rains killed thousands of people and many were left homeless. In 2015, people again witnessed heavy rains and floods," said Brigadier (Retd.) V. Mahalingam.

"In the Himalayan mountain ranges, there are 5000 glaciers and out of that 52 are in serious danger and there is a possibility of these ranges getting burst. Therefore, the experts are worried how China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is seriously harming these glaciers," he added.

The people living in the region blame the Pakistani establishment for exploiting the ecologically sensitive region.

Several people in the region have witnessed the dreary picture of unemployment, lack of educational facilities and other such development activities.

The story of neglect doesn't stop here. Apart from poor infrastructure, the houses and the roads that were destroyed in the recent flash floods remain in shambles.

The people believe that the Pakistani establishment has sold the region to China for economic gains.

Brigadier (Retd.) Mahalingam further said Pakistan is totally dependent upon China, adding that is the reason why Islamabad is allowing China to do what so ever in Gilgit-Baltistan.

"For example the Nuclear Industrial Complex and the Nuclear Weapon program of Pakistan, all these programs are possible due to the technological support provided by China. The military industry complex in Pakistan which produces tanks and fighter aircrafts again is possible due to China's technical support. And most important is that Pakistan thinks that in the event of war with India, China will open a front in favour of it and provide international support and consensus," he added.

The Pakistani establishment has always denied any development model for the Gilgit-Baltistan.

The military rulers run the puppy government from Islamabad which hardly cares about the interests of the locals.

The military establishment is involved in various activities throughout the region for its own nefarious plans.

"The military's commercial interest lies in the CPEC project. Military establishment in Pakistan runs major commercial projects like the one dealing with works and other with the provision of transport. It hopes to get some contracts out of the CPEC projects. It is for this reason that the Pakistani Army has demanded that an organization exclusively to see the CPEC project must be set-up." said Brigadier (Retd.) Mahalingam.

In an effort to provide legal cover to the multi-billion dollar Chinese investments, the Pakistan Government is even considering elevating the constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan. However, the local population is completely against it.

Gilgit-Baltistan region was illegally acquired by Pakistan in 1947. Since then the beleaguered region has suffered badly as the administration has failed miserably to provide basic facilities to the local population.
In the wake of the violent situation in the Valley spiraling out of control day-by-day following the death of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, Indian Army Chief General Dalbir Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday to take stock of the situation.

Several civilians so far have lost their lives and several people sustained injuries after clashing with security forces in the state.

The death toll climbed to 42 after a woman who had sustained grievous injuries at Qazigund on Monday succumbed in hospital early morning yesterday.

However, the Indian Army yesterday expressed regret over the death of civilians in Qazigund and ordered a probe in the matter.

Expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, the Army appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments, thus creating situations where they are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence.

On Monday, a 10 day curfew was imposed by the state government and 20 additional troops of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed by the centre to maintain law and order in the state.

All mobile phone services, excluding BSNL, trains and internet services continue to remain suspended.

According to reports, several newspapers were banned from publishing for three days; however Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister Mehbooba mufti categorically denied the claim stating that no such decision was made.

Meanwhile owners and editors of newspapers in Kashmir on Tuesday reportedly decided not to publish as mark of protest against the Chief Minister for refusing to own the 'ban order'.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.
With Kashmir witnessing unrest following protests over the last few days post killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani, the separatists have extended shutdown in the valley up to July 25 even as the authorities have clamped curfew in certain regions.

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh earlier today visited and reviewed the security situation in Kashmir.

He expressed his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians and security forces during the protests and also appealed for peace.

The death toll climbed to 44 today as several civilians have lost their lives and several people sustained injuries after clashing with security forces in the state.

Expressing grief over the loss of life and injuries sustained by the protesters, the Army had earlier appealed to the people of the Valley to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments, thus creating situations where they are left with no option but to retaliate in self defence.

On Monday, a 10-day curfew was imposed by the state government and 20 additional troops of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed by the centre to maintain law and order in the state.

All mobile phone services, excluding BSNL, trains and internet services continue to remain suspended.

According to reports, several newspapers were banned from publishing for three days; however Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu and Chief Minister Mehbooba mufti categorically denied the claim stating that no such decision was made.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.
After the purported video of kidnapped Father Tom being tortured by the ISIS cropped up on social media, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday asserted that the Centre was doing everything in its power to bring the Malayalee priest back home safely.

Speaking in the Parliament today on the matter, Swaraj assured that the government was making same efforts for Father Tom as it did in the case of Father Alexis, who was brought back from Afghanistan.

"We are in touch with the countries which can assist us in locating him not only at my level, but the Prime Minister himself held discussions during his visits. We are making continuous efforts to locate Father Tom," she said.

However, Swaraj added that the authenticity of the video on Facebook would be verified first.

Earlier, a video clipping allegedly of Catholic priest from Kerala Father Tom Uzhunnalil, who was abducted by the Islamic State militants in Yemen, surfaced on Facebook.

Four months since his abduction, the video clipping shows the blind-folded priest getting thrashed by unidentified men in an unidentified location.

The video has reportedly been uploaded from a Twitter account belonging to Taji Non and carried a message: "I got a vid on WhatsApp for Fr Tom Uzhunnalil under torture."

Besides, a purported image of Father Tom shows him sporting a beard.

It also carries a header, "Fr Tom's entreaty will be uploaded soon ..! will also be uploaded on Facebook."

The person in the video footage bears an uncanny resemblance to Father Tom.
A Win for Nature: Fed Court Strikes Navy Sonar Program

Nature's lawyers won a victory for marine life last week. The Natural Resources Defense Counsel and other activists had challenged a U.S. Navy sonar detection program that places loudspeakers in the ocean, creating walls of sound that travel hundreds of miles and have been found to harm marine mammals.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the ocean's advocates, saying that the Navy did not do enough to protect marine life. The sonar blasts reportedly deafen mammals, drive them from breeding grounds, and impede their ability to navigate, communicate, and catch prey. The court found that the government must do more to protect the marine mammals, and not just in waters near the United States.

Wall of Sound

In 2012 the National Marine Fisheries Service approved a Navy plan to place 18 deepwater speakers in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, plus the Mediterranean Sea, over the course of five years. Sonar is used to detect submarines by generating slow-rolling sound waves which can travel very far and stay super loud throughout the journey.

The waves of noise reportedly travel hundreds of miles and can retain a deafening intensity hundreds of miles from their source. Scientific American has written, "These rolling walls of noise are no doubt too much for some marine wildlife. While little is known about any direct physiological effects of sonar waves on marine species, evidence shows that whales will swim hundreds of miles, rapidly change their depth (sometime leading to bleeding from the eyes and ears), and even beach themselves to get away from the sounds of sonar."

Challenging the Navy

Environmentalist groups challenged the sonar use in federal court in San Francisco, arguing that the level of sound emissions approved in the sonar program violates the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which defines marine mammals as sea otters, whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions and protects these creatures from "takings." The activists challenged the extent of protection that the mammals were receiving, as well as the tendency toward finding protected zones only in oceans close to home. The court found that to the extent that marine life was protected, these protected zones showed a "bias toward U.S. Waters."

Judge Ronald Gould, writing for a three-judge appellate panel, wrote, "The result is that a meaningful proportion of the world's marine mammal habitat is under-protected." The government was required to ensure that in peacetime the program could have "the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammals." The court found that mitigation measures were not given enough consideration and set out standards for future renewals of the program.

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With the Opposition joining hands to come down heavily on the Centre over the recent atrocities on Dalits across the nation, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his West Bengal counterpart Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday hit out at the government with the TMC boss calling on the ruling dispensation to give full protection to the community.

"Atrocities against dalits n minorities have increased sharply during BJP regime," Kejriwal said in a tweet.

Similarly taking to Twitter, Banerjee said, "incident in Una is organised crime against Dalits. I urge Central Govt to treat Dalits with care & give full protection. This is unacceptable."

The West Bengal Chief Minister's statement come in the wake of the Congress also hitting out at the Centre and asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has snatched away the rights of adivasis and Dalits.

"Brutal atrocities against SC, ST and minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all. The recent shocking incident in Gujarat where four Dalit youths were savagely beaten and humiliated publicly is just one example of the social terror this government condones," Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in the parliamentary party meet today.

A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests against last week's thrashing of four youth in Una town snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

The Dalit, who died during the day, was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.
Hitting out at Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for dozing off when the case of atrocities against Dalit youth in Gujarat was raised in the Parliament on Wednesday, BSP supremo asserted that it showed his lackadaisical attitude towards the sensitive matter.

"When the discussion was going on in the Lok Sabha on the matter, Rahul was sleeping, so you can understand his attitude towards the issue and see how serious he is towards atrocities on Dalits," told the media here outside the Parliament.

Further hitting out at the Congress for trying to gain political mileage by chiming in at the last minute over the Dalit issue, she further said that the grand old party had joined the party according to their own convenience.

"When I raised this issue two days ago in the Rajya Sabha the Congress paid no heed to it. My party charged right into the well. On Tuesday also in the Lok Sabha, the Congress party did not raise this issue. It's only when they thought that the matter was quickly gaining traction, then they kicked into action," said.

Asserting that the Gujarat Dalit case was a serious and highly sensitive one, she demanded the formation of a special court bench and also called for a proper hearing in the matter and said that a decision should be ruled out in a month.

Earlier on Wednesday, Congress President Sonia Gandhi asserted in her party's parliamentary party meet that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has snatched away the rights of adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act 2006 and was systematically weakening and subverting environmental rights.

Meanwhile, branding that the attack on Dalits is a 'social evil', Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the Una incident and urged political parties to unite over the issue.

The Lok Sabha, where the Home minister was speaking, witnessed an uproar when he tried to defend the Gujarat Government's action in the case.

"During the Congress rule in Gujarat, the number of cases of atrocities against the Dalits were high. There has been a sharp decline in it since the BJP came to power," Singh said.

"We strongly condemn the Una incident in Gujarat. The Prime Minister also took cognizance of the issue. The atrocities against Dalits is a social evil. We must take it up as a challenge. I urge all parties to come together to fight this," he added.

He said that nine people have been arrested so far in connection with the case, out of which seven were sent to judicial custody while two others were remanded in police custody.

"Nine people have been arrested so far. Four police officials suspended for negligence of duty," he said.

A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests against last week's thrashing of four youth in Una town snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

The Dalit, who died during the day, was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.
As the chair of BRICS for 2016, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) will be hosting the BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue in Bihar's Patna city on July 26.

The discussions shall take forward the policy planning talks initiated under the chairmanship of Russia in 2015 in line with this year's theme of Building Responsive, Inclusive and Collective Solutions.

This shall be the first time that the MEA would host an official foreign policy related engagement in Patna.

The BRICS Policy Planning Dialogue will provide an opportunity for exchanges on strategic assessments of international situation and the regional situation of each country and trends therein, going beyond immediate issues of quotidian diplomacy.

The role of BRICS in international governance, ongoing cooperation at BRICS Forum and identifying areas of convergence among BRICS would be a subject for reflection.

This dialogue will also seek to enhance sharing of best practices in foreign policy planning and assessment between the BRICS countries.

The respective Foreign Office delegations shall be led by Michel Arslanian Neto (Deputy Head of Policy Planning of Brazil), Oleg Stepanov (Head of Policy Planning of Russia), Santosh Jha (Joint Secretary Policy Planning of India), Wang Wenbin (Acting DG Policy Planning of China) and David Malcolmson (Chief Director Regional Organisations of South Africa).
The future of India's status and healthcare appears to be beyond bleak if one were to just glance at the human resource crunch and a seemingly ostensible indifference in addressing this crisis.

India has just about seven doctors per 10,000 persons, as against a Russia which has 43.1 doctors per 10,000; USA has 24.5 and Brazil 18.9 per 10,000.

At a very simplistic level, this indicates that India currently has a deficit of approximately 300,000 doctors, and when compared to the annual supply of only 44,300 MBBS graduates, it is a confounding comparison.

So, how does India plan to address this situation? What is it doing to ramp up the number of doctors? At present, it seems, not much. Till now, it appears to be long winded saga of recommendations, amendments, standing committees and now an unfortunate disapproval of plans is a succinct status of a beleaguered process that began even before Independence!

The Medical Council of India (MCI) was established in 1934 under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1933, as an elected body for maintaining the medical register and providing ethical oversight, with no specific role in medical education.

Over the decades, its performance has been short of optimal. In the face of rampant corruption observed especially over the last few years, the role of MCI was taken up by the Parliament.

In March 2016, the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the need to reform The Medical Council of India came as a glimmer of hope.

The committee observed that the Medical Council of India, when tested on the core reason of its existence, has been a under performer.

It said that the quality of medical education is at its lowest ebb; medical graduates lack competence in performing basic care tasks like conducting normal deliveries; instances of unethical practice continue to grow due to which respect for the profession has dwindled, and yet, the MCI has not been able to introduce any serious reforms in medical education to address these gaps.

It went on to add that it is of the view that there is too much power concentrated in a single body (i.e. the MCI), and it has failed to create a transparent system of licensing of medical colleges.

The committee, therefore, favoured a bifurcation of the functions of MCI and recommended that different structures be created for discharging different functions.

According to a KPMG report on the health manpower crunch, the situation is such that India needs to commission 550 medical colleges - 100 seats per college right away to meet the global average by 2030. A step such as this alone can help India cope with its burgeoning population, mounting disease burden and escalating economic burden on account of ill health of its populace.

Subsequent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee's report, in March 2016, the Supreme Court constituted a three-member committee headed by former Chief Justice of India R M Lodha to oversee the Medical Council of India.

The MCI protested against the establishment of the Lodha Committee and said that lobbies with ulterior motives and interests had done everything possible in their attempts to malign its reputation.

Alongside, a deep seated malaise of MCI raised its ugly head once again, one of unabated disapprovals of applications for medical colleges, addition of seats, renewals of permissions and recognitions.

In an unprecedented recent development, the MCI disapproved almost 94 percent applications that came in from the private sector to establish new medical college, i.e. 74 applications were disapproved as against the 79 applications that MCI had received in 2016-17. This translates into a loss of almost 8000 doctors for India.

Furthermore, almost 87 percent of the requests for new seats were disapproved. Strangely, even the applications that came in from the government were not spared, their applications for new colleges and new seats too were disapproved in a large percentage. The reasons for these disapprovals are unknown and possibly are trivial.

Thankfully, Justice Lodha gave amnesty to over 175 private medical colleges who were denied approval this year and also chance to re-submit their representations to the health.

This was an encouraging move, but it has been over 100 days since the Lodha Committee was commissioned and we are yet to hear of plans for the future of medical education in India.

A proposal to replace the MCI with a National Commission for Human Resources in Healthcare (NCHRH) has been on the horizon since 2009, but a bill on these lines was rejected by the parliamentary standing committee in 2012. Will the nation revisit the decision?

India now only looks towards the Lodha Committee to bring forth 'achhe din' for medical education and a healthier India.
The Conference has refused to participate in the all-party meeting called tomorrow by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and said that it would prove to be meaningless unless a credible, effective and humane leadership is re-established in the state.

Conference legislator Ali Muhammad Sagar in a statement said it was extremely unfortunate that although the Chief Minister saw it apt to call a meeting of the civil society in Srinagar within days of protests breaking out, it has taken almost two weeks to call a meeting of all political parties.

"It would have been better if the Chief Minister had responded to our party leadership's offer of support earlier instead of waiting for the suffering and misery of the people to reach this level. Successive statements from various high-level functionaries of the ruling coalition, especially the PDP, have not only added to the confusion but have significantly weakened the institution and office of the Chief Minister. Confusion about how much the Chief Minister knew regarding the Burhan encounter is one such example," he said.

Sagar said the assertion by one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Members of Parliament crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi with reducing excessive use of force further weakened the image of the Chief Minister, who is now seen as a mute spectator, immune to the bloodshed and suffering.

"To make matters worse the same MP has repeatedly asserted that Burhan Wani was unlawfully killed by sections of Jammu and Kashmir Police to discredit the state's Chief Minister. This leads one to conclude that Mufti Sahiba does not even command the loyalty of her police force, much less the loyalty of the people," he added.

Escalating his attack on the Mufti-led government in the state, the Conference legislator voiced his criticism for mishandling of the press by first enforcing a ban and raiding offices of the news papers.

"Until such time a credible, effective and humane leadership is re-established in the state this all-party meeting will prove to be a meaningless exercise. I regret that Jammu and Kashmir National Conference is unable to participate under the circumstances," he added.

Sagar further said that his party has already submitted a detailed memorandum to Governor N.N. Vohra wherein steps to ease the tension have been mentioned.

"My party has always played a positive role in maintaining peace and harmony in the state and we will continue to do so regardless," he added.

The development comes days after National Conference leader Omar Abdullah had raised questions on Jammu and Kashmir being 'unrepresented' at a high-level meeting convened by Prime Minister Modi to review the law and order situation of the state following the spate of violence.

Mehbooba had called the all-party meeting in the wake of the death of 44 people, including many civilian protesters and two policemen, in the violence that began after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani was killed along with two of his associates in a gunfight with the security forces earlier on July 8.

Opposition National Conference, Congress, Communist Party of India-Marxist and others have been invited to the meeting in Srinagar to discuss the prevailing law and order situation.

Meanwhile, the separatists have decided to extend their shutdown call up to July 25 even as the authorities have clamped curfew in certain regions.
British Prime Minister will on Wednesday inform German Chancellor Angela Merkel that she needs time to prepare for Brexit, as the former heads to Berlin for private talks with the latter.

May will fly to Berlin after facing her first Prime Minister's questions against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, reports the Guardian.

Talks between Merkel and May is likely to be dominated by discussion of Britain leaving the EU, trading relationship between the two countries, the migration crisis and Islamist terrorism among others.

After Merkel on Thursday, May will hold talks in Paris with the French President Francois Hollande.

The duo will likely hold talks on Brexit, where May would warn that the UK needs time to consult with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as different industries, before triggering formal negotiations to leave the EU.

The government lawyers at the opening of the first legal challenge to the process of Brexit, on Tuesday confirmed that May will not push the button on article 50 of the Lisbon treaty, which initiates the UK's departure, before the end of this year.

Prime Minister May who campaigned to remain in the EU, before the trip, said she had chosen to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after assuming office because she was determined to make a success of Brexit.

On Tuesday, she revealed of personally taking charge of three new ministerial committees on Brexit, the economy and social reform to implement her priorities for government.

She told her first cabinet meeting that "politics is not a game" and they must get on with the job.
Nepali Parliament Speaker Onsari Gharti has asked Communist Party of Nepal- Maoist Centre (CPN- Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal to create a conducive environment for political consensus in the country on Wednesday.

The meeting was held at Dahal's residence in Lazimpat, reports the Himalayan Times.

Dahal in response said that he was doing his best for the same.

The duo also discussed different ways to resolve the current political problems.

Speaker Gharti insisted that all the political parties should join hands to resolve the political problems.

She expressed hope that the problems would be resolved soon.

She will today also to meet President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
Fortis Escorts Kidney and Urology Institute and Fortis Memorial Research Institute conducted two intricate transplants recently on two patients out of four who received organ donations from the family of a road traffic accident victim.

The first surgery was an open kidney transplant conducted on Sanjeev Khera, a 48 year-old male from Delhi. Sanjeev had been suffering from stage five chronic kidney disease with a history of diabetes and hypertension over the past four years. The surgery for kidney transplants conducted by the team at Fortis Escorts Kidney & Urology Institute took just one hour.

Dr Feroz Amir Zafar, Consultant, Urology and Renal Transplant Surgery, Fortis Escorts Kidney & Urology Institute said, "In a regular open surgery for kidney transplant, we take the kidney from a live donor and the time taken to retrieve the kidney and conducting the transplant is very less. However, if the kidney is coming from a deceased donor, certain unavoidable risks and delays are involved. In this case, with a family history of diabetes no one in the family was able to donate the organ. We were also not very sure if his diabetic condition will allow the new organ to perform. But effective time management, helped us conduct the transplant in one hour and within 48 hours, he was shifted to the ward.

The patient, Sanjeev Khera, recipient of the kidney shared, "I had almost no hope of getting a new kidney as diabetes runs in my family. Doctors had told me that either I prepare myself for a long wait for a donor kidney or opt for regular dialysis. I am so grateful to the donor family and the doctors who gave me a new lease of life".

Alok Badola, the second patient, 47 years, underwent a liver transplant at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon. Badola, a resident of Dehradun, was suffering from liver cirrhosis after he contracted jaundice twice in the past six months. His wife had offered to donate a part of her liver but was deemed unfit due to a mismatch. Badola's deteriorating condition with each passing day was in urgent need of a transplant.

According to Dr Anupam Saha, Director, Liver Transplant and Hepato-Pancreato Biliary and GI Surgery at FMRI, Gurgaon, "When we shortlist a patient for transplant, it becomes important that the patient has been evaluated thoroughly. According to studies world-wide, the chances of survival for a liver transplant patient in 15 years post-transplant is as high as 60%. This is owing to the fact that a liver transplant patient requires minimum dosage of immunosuppressants as compared to other organ transplants. This is because liver as an (donated) organ has the inherent tendency to fight rejection even when in a foreign body."

Speaking about what could possibly go wrong during or immediately after a liver transplant, he added that the most common is a technical complication arising due to incorrect joining of blood vessels which could lead to the "death" of cells of the transplanted organ. The second could be excessive bleeding due to innumerable small and big blood vessels connected to the liver and the third, a condition where the donated organ is unfit as in the case of a fatty liver disease when a transplant could possibly fail," said Dr Saha.

An overwhelmed Alok said, "My parents and I wish to personally meet the donor's parents and family members to thank them for their generosity and benevolence. I too wish to pledge my organs for donation if I can save someone's life".
The Shiv Sena has unleashed a belligerent attack on Pakistan over the loss of innocent lives in the recent unrest in Kashmir valley and said Islamabad will have to observe a 'Black Day' throughout the year as the Indian Army is so strong that it will gun down a terrorist like Burhan Wani every day.

Asserting that India should not hold dialogue with Islamabad, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the only way to restore peace in the valley is by increasing interaction with the people.

"Pakistan celebrating 'Black Day' over the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani clears its intentions. I will say that our army men are doing a good job and like this they will be killing a Burhan Wani everyday that Pakistan will have to observe 'Black Day' throughout the year," said Raut.

"Our Prime Minister made many efforts, he went and met Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but nothing made a difference. Now, I believe we should directly talk to the people of Kashmir. We will have to visit Kashmir and build a contact with the people for their betterment and development," he added.

Last week, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had announced that his country would observe a black day in light of the worst outbreak of violence on the Indian side of Kashmir.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.

After Burhan's death, Kashmir is on boil and more than 40 people have been killed and over 3,000 including 1,600 civilians injured in clashes between youth and security men during protests.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has said that the special policing powers granted to the Rangers will be exclusive for Karachi and not apply to the entire province.

Speaking to the media after chairing a law and order meeting at the Commissioner Office at Larkana yesterday, Shah clarified that Rangers have been given special powers for Karachi alone, adding that no powers have been given to them to act in other parts of the province, reports the Express Tribune.

On his meeting with the Rangers director-general in Karachi recently, he said that the Rangers had demanded that Asad Kharal, a suspected criminal be handed over to them and not home minister Sohail Anwar Sial's younger brother, Tariq Sial.

Shah stressed that Rangers' personnel were given a mandate to work against four types of crimes in Karachi: terrorism, extortion, kidnapping and targeted killing.
Medical Malpractice for Doctor's Use of Outdated Medical Equipment

When you go to the doctor or hospital, you probably don't judge the equipment. Unless you work in a field that deals with your particular injury or illness, it is unlikely that you know about the latest innovations in medicine. As such, you may not realize when negligence has occurred.

Medical malpractice can happen for all kinds of reasons, including using old and outdated medical equipment. This kind of negligence is often particularly difficult to uncover because it requires a certain expertise in order to understand how things went wrong and what might have been expected. Given this, we should be aware of the possibility of medical malpractice connected to equipment.

Medical Negligence

Negligence in a medical setting occurs when a doctor or other healthcare worker, who owes a duty of care to a patient, breaches that duty in some way. Breach occurs when the doctor or institution falls below the standard of care required of a similar person or institution in same or similar circumstances.

When it comes to equipment maintenance and replacement, a doctor or hospital must keep up to date to avoid potential liability claims. But there are variations in expectations in different places. A doctor in a big city with many innovative hospitals on the cutting edge of medicine may have a greater obligation to keep up to date than one further removed, practicing in a remote, rural location where there are no other medical practitioners.

Regardless, if the plaintiff can show that their injury occurred due to the defendant's failure to maintain the standard of care, then the last element of medical malpractice to prove will be damages, calculating the cost of the harm. Sometimes damage from faulty equipment can be costly indeed.

Equipment Issues

Medical malpractice statutes very from state to state, so the details of your case and the place you are in will dictate your arguments. Some places, like Philadelphia, have extended the standard of care in medical malpractice law to explicitly include upkeep and replacement of hospital equipment.

For example, a few years ago, a jury awarded a plaintiff in that state $78 million after her baby's birth was delayed due to a faulty ultrasound machine. Doctors believed that the baby was dead and did not realize its heart was beating, thus delaying the child's birth and causing brain damage. The hospital had failed to take proper care of its ultrasound machine and for ten years had not had maintenance performed.

Obviously, use of appropriate tools is an important aspect of professional care. Do talk to a lawyer if you suspect faulty equipment contributed to your injury or illness.

Talk to a Lawyer

If you suspect medical malpractice of any kind caused you harm, speak to a lawyer. Many attorneys consult for free or a minimal fee and will be happy to assess your case.

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Asserting that Kashmir is a distant dream for Pakistan which will never get fulfilled, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said that Islamabad should forget about Kashmir as it is an integral part of India.

Naidu said Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is doing all these stunts to divert attention from real matters, adding that Islamabad should observe black day for all wrong happenings in their country.

"Pakistan should forget about Kashmir, Kashmir is an integral part of India. No matter what they do, their dream of Kashmir will never get fulfilled. Kashmir is India's and will always remain," said Naidu.

"In Kashmir here we have democracy, we have a government there. Pakistan just to divert attention from its internal problems is doing all this. What all is happening in Pakistan, Islamabad should observe a black day for that," he added.

Naidu further said that instead of expressing grief for the people of the valley, Sharif should try and cater to the problems of the people lining in PoK.

Addressing a Cabinet meeting in Lahore on July 15, Sharif had announced to observe 19th of July as a "Black Day". However, the "Black Day" observance was shifted on July 20 as Pakistan celebrates July 19 as 'Accession to Pakistan' Day.

As per reports, rallies will be organised to draw attention of the world community towards the Kashmir issue.

All officials of federal and provincial governments will wear black armband while on duty to express political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris, said reports, adding that special prayers will also be held after 'Zohar' prayers.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh will visit Jammu and Kashmir today to review the security situations in Kashmir valley as well as along the Line of Control.

General Singh's visit to the valley comes in the backdrop of violent protests in the wake of the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter earlier on July 8.

The Army Chief will be briefed about the situation in the valley and the counter infiltration operations along the LoC.

After Wani's death, Kashmir is on the boil and more than 40 people have been killed and over 3,000, including 1,600 civilians, injured in clashes between the youth and security forces during the protests.
A U.S. police officer was fatally shot Tuesday in the Kansas City while responding to a drive-by shooting.

Local media said Police Captain Robert David Melton, 46, was shot multiple times in his patrol car by a suspect who jumped out of his car.

Melton succumbed to his injuries in hospital.

The suspect's identity and motive remains unknown. An investigation is on.

Tuesday's shooting was the third shooting incident in the United States in the past two weeks that has involved the killing of police officers.

A black gunman ambushed and killed five police officers and wounded nine others on July 7, in Dallas, Texas. Another black gunman killed three police officers and wounded three others in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, last Sunday.

Police officers shot and killed two black men on July 5 and July 6 in Baton Rouge, and St. Paul, Minnesota, respectively. (ANI with inputs).
American filmmaker Garry Marshall, who created the hit 1970s series 'Happy Days' and directed rom-com 'Pretty Woman', has passed away at the age of 81.

In a statement his representative said, "Marshall suffered from "complications of pneumonia following a stroke at a hospital in Burbank, California," reports E! Online.

"The family requests no flowers. Donations in the name of Garry Marshall can be made to The Saban Community Clinic, formerly known as the Los Angeles Free Clinic, The Intensive Care Unit at Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center in Burbank, and Northwestern University Undergraduate Scholarship Fund," reads the statement.

The funeral services would be private and a memorial is being planned for his birthday on November 13.

Actor Henry Winkler took to Twitter to express his condolence and wrote, "Rest In Peace...Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty , friendship and generosity."

Marshall, who began his career as a joke writer for comedians such as 'Joey Bishop' and 'Phil Foster', is known for developing Neil Simon's 1965 play 'The Odd Couple' and directing 'Runaway Bride', 'Valentine's Day', 'New Year's Eve', 'Mother's Day', 'The Princess Diaries' and 'The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement'.

He is survived by his three children, Kathleen, Scott and Lori and wife Barbara Marshall.
Defending party vice-president Rahul Gandhi who was found taking a nap in the Parliament, the Congress on Wednesday said the former is very sensitive when it comes to issues concerning the Dalits, adivasis and minorities, adding the ruling BJP at the Centre must not highlight this episode for political gains.

Questioning the mindset of those politicizing the matter, Congress leader Madhusudhan Mistry said the opposition has no other work to do at this point of time.

"If I have just kept my eyes closed while I am sitting then it does not mean that I am sleeping. The people ponder over several things when they keep their eyes closed, but his mind is working and he listens to others," Mistry told ANI.

"This all is being done to politicize the matter. I question the mindset of such elements. Rahul ji is a very sensitive person and gives prominence to the issues concerning the Dalits, adivasis and minorities," he added.

The Congress leader further said those politicizing this matter don't have any other work to do.

Commenting on the Congress vice-president's upcoming visit to Una, Gujarat, Mistry condemned the ruling BJP for playing politics on such sensitive issues.

"There is nothing wrong in consoling the victims and assuring the society in this hour of crisis. The people actually realize as to who stands by them at this point of time. If Rahul Gandhi is visiting there then the entire nation is taking note of it," he added.

Attempting to corner the Gujarat Government, Mistry asserted that there have been several cases of atrocities against Dalits in the BJP-ruled state, adding nobody has been punished till date in this regard.

The Congress vice-president would be visiting Una town in Gujarat tomorrow where some Dalit youths were brutally thrashed last week for allegedly killing a cow.

The video of the incident went viral, sparking protests. A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide as protests escalated against last week's incident.
Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Wednesday criticised Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi for sleeping in Parliament when the sensitive issue of women safety was being discussed. She demanded that there should be deduction in the salaries of such lawmakers.

"I think it is extremely shameful that we see all over the television, Mr. Rahul Gandhi conveniently sleeping in the front row of the Parliament of the country when the issue of women safety is being discussed," Maliwal said.

"I think all politicians, who are either absent from the parliamentary session, or behave in an insensitive way, their salaries should be deducted," she added.

Responding to Uttar Pradesh BJP leader Dayashankar Singh's derogatory remark against Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, Maliwal said the politicians who cannot respect women don't deserve to be a part of any political party.

"It is very disgraceful statement and all such politicians across all parties who make such comments, which actually disrespect women, it is extremely important that they should be immediately thrown out of the parties," she added.

Meanwhile, the BJP has sacked Singh as the party's vice-president for Uttar Pradesh following his slur on Mayawati.
India's first and largest managed marketplace ShopClues launched the latest in its impressive string of seller initiatives today. Constantly looking at ways to help its merchants enhance their business, the marketplace has rolled out AdZone, a self-service solution that helps merchants promote products using native and custom ads on ShopClues.

The platform has been created in partnership with C1X, a leading online advertising technology firm. The seller-bidding platform to advertise, execute and manage product campaigns was unveiled by ShopClues.

AdZone is a dedicated sellers' platform where merchants looking to advertise their products on ShopClues can enter a bidding process to initiate their campaign. Minimum budget for a campaign is Rs. 1,000 while the minimum bids vary for different categories.

The product ads will be displayed in the category and sub-category pages, thus ensuring top slots and resulting in high orders. While the 'native' ads category makes a featured ad appear at the top of product listings, 'custom' ads will incorporate multi-banner ads displayed at the top of the website. The campaign created can be seen on desktop as well as on the mobile app/site.

"This platform will immensely boost the visibility of products and maximize product views, thereby helping vendors to increase their with us. The bidding system ensures transparency, while our differential bidding mechanism for products is essential for retailers advertising varied products. With AdZone, ShopClues further emboldens its commitment to assisting its large and growing merchant community at every step in their growth as our partners," said Co-founder and CBO ShopClues, Radhika Aggarwal.

"At ShopClues, we're driven by a passion for innovation. Keeping in mind our merchant-first approach, we have attempted to create a technology to help our ever-increasing merchant base sell efficiently. AdZone caters to their need for pushing the envelope of achievement with ShopClues and staying ahead in a highly competitive market. We anticipate a very positive response from our seller community to our latest initiative," said VP-Products ShopClues, Arun Goel.

With only an active ShopClues merchant account as a pre-requisite, it is extremely convenient to create a marketing campaign on AdZone.

Furthermore, performance of the ad campaign can be tracked and managed via the Store Manager on the AdZone dashboard. It displays the impressions, product clicks and sales on a seller's campaign, which is essential as the seller is charged on a cost-per-click model, wherein they can also use their ShopClues credits to make payments.

The money is automatically deducted from the seller's budget. As a launch promotion, ShopClues is providing sellers complimentary credits when they create their first campaign. Going forward, merchants will be able to bid for keyword searches on Shopclues as well as make their ads visible on other online platforms.

"We ran a pilot with about 300 merchants on the AdZone platform, and the results were extremely positive. We ran over 1000 ad campaigns over a 10 day period, and our merchants saw a healthy return on their investment," added Arun.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said the government is making a wholehearted effort to gain membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), adding it was still talking to China over the 'procedural hurdles' posed by Beijing for India's membership.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha here, Swaraj said the government does not want to hype up the NSG issue, adding that relentless efforts to convince China would go on.

"We are continuing our efforts. If someone doesn't agree once, doesn't mean they'll never agree. We are engaging with China," she said.

The major roadblock for India's membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) comes from China, which maintains that being a nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) signatory is a must for joining the NSG.

The minister also assured that India would never sign on the NPT.

China has maintained that more talks were needed to build a consensus on countries joining the 48-nation NSG following the United States' push to include India in the elite group.

The countries, who oppose India's membership, argue that its inclusion in the group would further undermine efforts to prevent proliferation and also infuriate New Delhi's rival Pakistan.
UNCTAD launches a database to list the non-tariff measures of 56 countries covering 80% of world trade

Developing countries lose an estimated $23 billion per year, equal to about 10% of their exports to the Group of 20 (G20) through failure to comply with G20 non-tariff measures, according to new data published by UNCTAD.

Non-tariff measures cover a broad range of legitimate and important policy instruments, including measures to protect the health of a country's citizens and its environments, too. For example, non-tariff measures may limit the use of pesticides in food.

But as tariffs have fallen to historic lows, non-tariff measures have replaced them as a key brake on faster global trade growth. And the expansion of the middle classes in many countries is expected to increase demand for safer, cleaner products. This, in turn, may require Governments to introduce more non-tariff measures.

These kinds of measures are becoming increasingly widespread, said UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Joakim Reiter. For example, measures on the cleanliness and pathogen-free status of food - known as sanitary and phytosanitary measures - cover more than 60% of agricultural trade.

Such regulatory measures disproportionately increase trade costs for small and medium-sized enterprises and developing countries, particularly the least developed. We estimate, for example, that the impact of the European Union's sanitary and phytosanitary measures comes to a loss of about $3 billion for low-income country exports. That's equal to 14% of their agricultural trade with the European Union.

But, UNCTAD Deputy Secretary-General Joakim Reiter added: We certainly don't expect G20 countries to drop all their non-tariff measures, which serve important policy objectives such as health and safety, but we do need to manage this issue better.

Non-tariff measures are the new frontier in our quest for greater global trade, he said, noting that better information would reduce the costs of non-tariff measures. It's all about transparency and harmonizing regulations.

Aiming to enhance transparency on non-tariff measures, UNCTAD also launched on 19 July 2016 a database to list the non-tariff measures of 56 countries, covering 80% of world trade. The database allows policymakers to search by country and product to find out quickly the relevant non-tariff requirements.

This database will improve countries' ability to understand the regulatory requirements, helping them to comply more easily and at less cost, said Guillermo Valles, Director of the Division on International Trade in Goods and Services, and Commodities.

Policymakers can use the database, for example, to harmonize their regulations and accelerate the growth of regional trade.

The African Union has already requested that UNCTAD support them with the Continental Free Trade Area by setting up a similar database. This database will provide the necessary information on non-tariff measures so that negotiators can harmonize their regulations, cutting the costs of trade.

Low-income countries tend to be disproportionately affected by non-tariff measures. Their companies are smaller and so the non-tariff measures, which have fixed costs, become disproportionately more expensive.

Non-tariff measures have a valuable contribution to make in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, by protecting health and the environment.

The use of non-tariff measures in the world will increase but this should be done in a smart way, for example by using international standards to a maximum extent, said Ralf Peters, Chief ad interim of the Trade Analysis Branch. Use non-tariff measures to protect your citizens, but don't let them compromise trade because that will block economic growth and job creation.

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Greenply Industries gained 1.7% to Rs 268.45 at 14:20 IST on BSE after the company said it incorporated a step-down wholly owned subsidiary, GREENPLY GABON SA in Gabon, West Africa on 14 July 2016.

The announcement was made during market hours today, 20 July 2016.

Meanwhile, the S&P BSE Sensex was up 104.17 points or 0.37% at 27,891.79.

On BSE, so far 12,543 shares were traded in the counter as against average daily volume of 12,049 shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of Rs 274.30 and a low of Rs 264.20 so far during the day. The stock had hit a record high of Rs 297.50 on 15 July 2016. The stock had hit a 52-week low of Rs 152 on 18 January 2016. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 19 July 2016, gaining 6.65% compared with Sensex's 4.36% rise. The scrip had also outperformed the market in past one quarter, gaining 36.41% as against Sensex's 7.64% rise.

The mid-cap company has equity capital of Rs 12.07 crore. Face value per share is Rs 1.

In May this year, Greenply Industries' board of directors had approved incorporation of step-down subsidiary in Gabon to manage and control the veneer, lumber and panel products manufacturing unit at Nkok SEZ, Gabon, West Africa. The board had also approved to set up the unit in Gabon on that day.

Greenply Industries' net profit fell 92.4% to Rs 1.08 crore on 5.7% growth in net sales to Rs 452.83 crore in Q4 March 2016 over Q4 March 2015.

Greenply Industries is into manufacturing and marketing of a wide range of interior infrastructure products.

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When to Sue a Business for Negligence

Businesses that open their doors to the public also open themselves up to lawsuits. The law places a great deal of responsibility on stores, shops, and small business owners to provide a safe environment, as well as safe products, to their customers, and when a business fails to meet that responsibility, it could be liable for any injuries that occur.

Here are three common types of business negligence, and when you can sue:

Bad Food

Liability for restaurants and other food vendors primarily centers on the food itself, and businesses in the food and beverage industry can be held responsible for food poisoning and food contamination. The difficulty with some food poisoning lawsuits is proving that you're sick due to food contamination and that it was a particular restaurant's food that made you sick. Therefore, suing a restaurant for negligence after food poisoning generally happens when many customers have been sickened.

Bad Floors

All businesses are also responsible for maintaining clean and safe space for customers. Slippery floors or bathrooms, unlit hallways, or crowded shopping areas can all be hazards to patrons, and the business owners can be liable for a slip and fall on their premises. Additionally, businesses may also be responsible for injuries outside of their stores as well. If the store owners or employees knew about a dangerous condition on the premises and failed to fix or clean it, they could be sued for negligence.

Bad Folks

All businesses are responsible for hiring, training, and supervising their employees, and can be held accountable for the negligent acts of their staff if they occur within the scope of employment. And some businesses could also be responsible for the acts of their customers. Bars, restaurants, and other businesses that serve alcohol can be liable if they over-serve patrons and it results in injuries.

The best way to know if you can file a negligence lawsuit against a business is to consult with an experienced consumer injury attorney. Many are happy to talk about your case for free.

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Held on 19 July 2016

Shreenath Industrial Investment Company announced that the meeting of Board of Directors of the Company was held on 19 July 2016 at 07:30 P.M., wherein the following decisions were taken:

1. Appointment of Harish Kanchan as Chairman and Managing Director of the Company.

2. To alter, subject to member's approval the main objects of the Company.

3. To shift, subject to member's approval registered office of the Company from Mumbai to Nashik.

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Ants belonging to a South American group switched from a hunter-gatherer lifestyle to subsistence farming of fungi that grew on decomposing, woody plant matter some 55 to 60 million years ago, shortly after the dinosaurs died out, new research has found.

By contrast, humans began subsistence farming around 10,000 years ago, progressing to industrialised agriculture only in the past century.

The genes of the ant farmers and their fungal crops revealed a surprisingly ancient history of mutual adaptations, said the study published in the journal Nature Communications.

This evolutionary give-and-take led to some species -- the leafcutter ants, for example -- developing industrial-scale farming that surpasses human agriculture in its efficiency, the researchers said.

Much of the research on fungus-farming ants came from scientists working in Panama through the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, headquartered in Panama City, during the past 25 years.

The key chapters of the history of ant agriculture were written into the genes of both the insects and their crop fungi.

"The ants lost many genes when they committed to farming fungi," said Jacobus Boomsma, Research Associate at Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

This tied the fate of the ants to their food -- with the insects depending on the fungi for nutrients, and the fungi increasing their likelihood of survival if they produced more nutritious crop.

"It led to an evolutionary cascade of changes, unmatched by any other animal lineage studied so far," Boomsma, who is also a biology professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark.

The researchers found that leafcutter ant species cut and sow their underground farms daily with fresh, green plant matter, cultivating a fully domesticated species of fungus on an industrial scale that can sustain colonies with up to millions of ants.

Put in human terms, Boomsma said, the leafcutter ants' success is akin to people figuring out how to grow a single, all-purpose, disease-, pest- and drought-resistant superfood at an industrial scale, "by the time of the ancient Greek civilisation."

--IANS

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Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's bid to become the next Secretary General of the UN has received endorsement from former senior Australian diplomat Richard Woolcott, a media report said on Wednesday.

Woolcott urged the Australian government to formally nominate Rudd for the position, following Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's confirmation that Rudd had approached the government for endorsement, Xinhua news agency reported.

Woolcott served as Australian Ambassador to the UN from 1982 to 1988, and President of the UN security council for Australia's term in November 1985, The Guardian reported.

Woolcott told the media that the government should support an Australian endeavour, regardless of which side of he sat.

"If an Australian decides to stand I think the Australian government should support that Australian," Woolcott said.

Rudd has a strong relationship with China, while he would also fare well when dealing with other, western nations, Woolcott added.

Woolcott said: "Rudd is well-respected and well-known by Xi Jinping, the Chinese Head of State. I think the same would probably apply to Britain, France and the US."

"His problem could be Russia because of the way the relationship with Russia deteriorated when Tony Abbott was Prime Minister when he was talking about shirt-fronting Vladimir Putin," The Guardian quoted Woolcott as saying.

Thirteen candidates have been formally endorsed, including former New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark, whom many government MPs would prefer to see as UN Secretary-General in place of Rudd.

The government is yet to decide if Rudd would be nominated but a decision is expected either on this or next week.

Woolcott dismissed concerns about Rudd's suitability, including from former Labour premier Kristina Keneally who said many in parliament would oppose Rudd and her labrador would be more suitable, The Guardian reported.

Incumbent UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will step down from the position on December 31.

--IANS

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The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) on Wednesday suspended Uttar Pradesh unit Vice-President Daya Shankar Singh for six years following his alleged obscene comments on Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati.

Earlier, he was sacked from all party posts.

The decision to suspend Singh was taken by BJP president Amit Shah, informed sources said.

Before coming to the decision to suspend Singh, Shah discussed the matter with state party leaders, including state party chief Keshav Prasad Maurya.

"BJP does not approve such remarks and we strongly condemn it. This was the reason we have removed Singh from all party posts with immediate effect," Maurya told the reporters.

Singh, at a press conference in the Mau district of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, had said that the BSP chief was giving party tickets based on the amount of money paid to her and that even a prostitute was better than her.

His comments caused an uproar in the Rajya Sabha with the BSP leaders leading a vociferous protest. Not happy with mere removal of Singh as party office bearer, the BSP leaders demanded his arrest.

Singh, a student leader who rose in the BJP ranks recently, had unsuccessfully contested the recent polls for the Legislative Council. Last week he was appointed the party's Vice-President in Uttar Pradesh.
Different regions of Gujarat observed sporadic protests and partial shutdowns on Wednesday to air anger over atrocities on Dalits as Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited the village of four Dalit youth beaten up in Una town on July 11 for skinning a dead cow.

No untoward incidents nor attempts at suicide by Dalits were reported from the state during the 'Gujarat bandh', the call for which was given by various Dalit organisations.

Many state transport buses were, however, cancelled or their routes diverted and many schools remained shut, especially in the Saurashtra region.

Shops and office establishments remained open for a while in the morning hours while demonstrations continued across the region.

In protest against last week's thrashing of the four Dalit youths in Una town of Saurashtra, 12 youngsters across the region had attempted suicide and one of them died on Tuesday.

A head constable in Amreli too succumbed on Tuesday evening to head injuries sustained during stone-pelting by a mob.

The Chief Minister landed at the Diu airport on Wednesday morning and drove to the Mota Samadhiyala village in Una taluka of Saurashtra region to meet the families of the four Dalit youths. They broke down on seeing Anandiben at their doorsteps.

After meeting them and holding discussions, Anandiben claimed all 25 Dalit families in the village were satisfied with the government's action in the assault case.

Besides aid, she said, the Gujarat government will provide financial help to these families for the construction of houses and toilets. A special camp will be held to ensure they get benefits of all government schemes. Dalit children studying in Class 5 and above will be enrolled in government model schools for free.

Anandiben said she had ordered the district administration to complete these tasks in a month's time and that she will revisit the place after two months to monitor the progress.

She said police protection has been ordered for families of the four youths. They had complained of threat calls. "Such calls are being recorded and whosoever is responsible will be arrested," Anandiben said.

Asked why the benefits of government schemes had not reached the Dalit families, the Chief Minister said it was the responsibility of the local legislators, village heads and other panchayat functionaries.

About the proposed visits of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and other political leaders in Gujarat, Anandiben said they should not give a political colour to the whole issue.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by Social Justice Minister Ramanlal Vora, Chief Secretary G.R. Aloria and minister Jashabhai Barad, among others. She also went to the Civil Hospital in Rajkot to ask after people injured in violence subsequent to the beating incident.

The Gujarat government has ordered a CID-Crime Branch inquiry, formation of a special designated court in consultation with the high court and filing of a chargesheet in 60 days in the case of assault on the four Dalits. So far, 16 persons have been arrested.

--IANS

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Congress President on Wednesday condemning the atrocities against Dalits and minorities said that the party will raise the Una issue in Parliament, where a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday.

Addressing the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting here, also said that recent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir were tragic and it required introspection as to what had driven scores of youth to such levels of anger, protest and violence.

"We will raise Una incident issue in Parliament. The government has snatched rights of Adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under Forest Rights Act and weakening environment rights," she said.

"Brutal atrocities against SC, ST and minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all," she added.

A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests against last week's thrashing of four youth in Una town snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat on Tuesday.

The Dalit who died during the day was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.

Speaking on the Kashmir issue, Gandhi said: "Recent events in valley are tragic and pose grave challenge to country. The militants must be dealt with firmly. Yet, we must introspect as to what has driven scores of youth to such levels of anger and protest,even violence."

Curfew imposed by the authorities and a protest shutdown called by separatists paralysed life in the Valley for 13th day on Wednesday.

All normal activities of life have been paralysed by the ongoing cycle of violence that has claimed 44 lives, including 42 civilians and two policemen.
A court here on Wednesday granted three-day interim bail to arrested senior official of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, B.K. Bansal, for performing the last rites of his wife and daughter who committed suicide on Tuesday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Gurdeep Singh granted interim bail to Bansal till July 22.

The court asked him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of like amount.

Upset over two CBI raids at their residence within three days, Bansal's wife Satyabala Bansal, 57, and daughter Neha Bansal, 27, allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday noon here.

Both were found hanging from ceiling fans in different rooms of their first floor flat in Neelkanth Apartments in east Delhi's Madhu Vihar area, police said.

The CBI had raided their flat on Saturday and Monday morning.

Bansal was arrested on bribery charges on Saturday and remanded to two-day's custody by a special court on Sunday. He was accused of receiving Rs 9 lakh from Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals.

The CBI had also booked the company's chief operating officer Anuj Saxena.

During investigation, the CBI is said to have found that the senior officer owned 20 properties in Haryana's Sirsa, Gurgaon and Faridabad as well as Delhi.

All the properties were bought in the last two years and most were in the names of Bansal, his wife and son.

--IANS

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The Crime Branch sleuths may arrest two or three more persons in the alleged call detail recordings (CDR) racket, which it busted after arresting four persons.

"Two to three persons may be arrested soon," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ravindra Yadav told IANS on Wednesday.

"During interrogation the accused have taken names of six to seven persons," a senior officer related to the probe requesting anonymity told IANS.

In a second major breakthrough within a fortnight, the Delhi Police had busted the pan-India snooping racket on Tuesday by arresting four persons, including two owners of detective agencies, one police official and one expert hacker, who used to work with the Jaipur police.

According to police, the accused had obtained over 2,000 CDRs in the last two years.

The four were identified as Aniket Prakash Dhamle, 25, a resident of Pune, and Abhinav Kumar, 35, a resident of Mumbai -- both ran detective agencies; Gajraj Singh, 23, a student and hacker, who had been assisting the Jaipur police's Cyber Crime Cell officers since 2013; and an officer of the Jaipur police cyber crime cell, Mukesh Kumar Meena, 38.

On July 10, the Delhi Police had cracked an inter-state gang involved in illegally getting CDRs and then selling these to various people, mainly detective agencies.

Five persons -- Uttar Pradesh police constable Narender; Jaiveer Singh Rathore, 46; Pankaj Tiwari, 26; Aditya Sharma, 32; and Sanjeev Chaudhary, 42 -- were arrested for illegally obtaining CDRs.

--IANS

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Late Marxist patriarch and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu's confidential assistant for three decades, Joy Krishna Ghosh, passed away at a city hospital on Wednesday.

Ghosh, 69, was battling lung cancer for the past five years.

A host of Marxist leaders paid their last respects to Ghosh at the hospital while Left Front Chairman Biman Bose and Communist Party of India-Marxist state secretary Surjya Kanta Mishra condoled his death.

Ghosh had been associated with Jyoti Basu since 1977, the year he became the Chief Minister, and remained his closest aide till the nonagenarian leader slipped into a coma in hospital where he died on January 17, 2010.

Basu had handpicked Ghosh as his confidential assistant. He exerted colossal clout in the corridors of power in West Bengal and finalised Basu's appointments. He communicated between the Chief Minister's Office and the CPI-M state headquarters at Alimuddin Street.

After Basu stepped down as the Chief Minister, Ghosh was officially designated his personal assistant for life.

--IANS

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The Indian government doesn't have the vision to give fashion the required importance, says Troy Costa, who famously dressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on one of his trips to the US. However, the designer feels Smriti Irani's appointment as Union Textiles Minister will bring changes to the lives of skilled labour in the country.

"India needs some help from the government with regards to creating bigger format of skilled labour, tailoring programme, pattern-making classes and schools.

"Like in every country, the government is very much involved in the industry of fashion, and sometimes fashion runs a city, for instance Paris and Milan. Unfortunately, the Indian government doesn't have the vision to give fashion that importance," Costa told IANS in a telephonic interview from Mumbai.

He said that to strengthen the country's offerings in the global fashion map, training skilled labour at every level is the need of the hour.

"They (government) need to build an all-India skilled programme," he added.

Talking of Irani's appointment as Textiles Minister, Costa said: "I think it's a positive step and it's an amazing idea that the responsibility is given to a woman. I think she will be able to take out time and figure out things that are lacking in the industry.

"Textile Ministers in the form of men have done little or nothing. They can show numbers but I can't see what has been done."

Irani, who was earlier managing the Human Resource Development portfolio, took over from Santosh Gangwar when Modi reshuffled his Council of Ministers.

"As a designer, I can say that we have to see at the grassroot level and not at the export level. Give Mrs. Irani some time, she will think at the grassroot level and help in creating cost-constructive goods," Costa said.

The designer, who has dressed the likes of Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan, among others, was one of the judges at the 2016/17 International Woolmark Prize India, Pakistan and Middle East regional final held in Mumbai.

Impressed with some of the works done by the young designers, he said: "I think the experience was fabulous. The talent was from various regions across Asia and each designer brings his own energy to products.

"Kudos to Woolmark for doing something like this on the world platform and for allowing Indian and Asian designers to compete wth designers in Europe."

However, Costa, who has eight years of experience in the industry, says that young designers want to achieve everything quickly without having to work hard.

"Technically, I feel that a rich person or rich student, who is stepping out of his BMW, doesn't know the taste of sweat. They are not going to give time to becoming pattern-makers.

"If they have to name ten designers, they are still naming the batch of 1988 like Rohit Bal, Tarun Tahiliani, JJ Valaya and a few others. What happened to designers after that?

"Every year, we have more than 100,000 designers graduating from the best colleges in the world but we don't have talent because they are too much in a hurry to become designers.

"You cannot become a designer before you are 35 or 37 years of age. I keep telling people that become an assistant for 10 years before you can think of designing," he said.

(Nivedita can be contacted at Nivedita.s@ians.in)

--IANS

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Is the Texas Voter ID Law Headed Back to the Supreme Court?

An en banc Fifth Circuit ruled against Texas's controversial voter ID law today, affirming a district court opinion that found the law, known as SB 14, to have a discriminatory effect on minority voting rights in violation of the Voting Rights Act. The ruling came just in time as well. In April, the Supreme Court declined to intervene in the voter ID dispute, giving the Fifth Circuit until July 20th to act on the issue -- a deadline the Fifth just barely made.

That does not mark the end of the debate, though. The Fifth sent the case back down to the district court with instructions to craft temporary relief before this November's elections but, should the parties appeal, the case could be headed to the Supreme Court instead.

The SB 14 Controversy

Texas's voter identification law, SB 14, is one of the strictest in the country, requiring that voters show government-issued photo ID before casting a ballot. But not just any ID will do. Driver's licenses count, as do concealed carry permits. Student IDs do not.

The law could prevent over 500,000 eligible from voting, solely for want of proper ID. Critics say SB 14's burdens fall hardest on African American and Latino voters, groups that are among the least likely to have the required identification or to be able to procure such ID easily.

In 2014, a federal district court agreed with those critics, ruling that the law was discriminatory in intent and in effect, in violation of the Voting Rights Act. Last August, the Fifth Circuit agreed in part, finding that the law had a discriminatory effect, while disagreeing with the analysis the district court used to analyze SB 14's intent.

The Fifth Circuit decided to hear the case en banc, but made no hurried moves to come to a decision. While the election crept ever closer, the Fifth remained silent.



An emergency petition to the Supreme Court was denied this spring, but the Court noted that, in recognition of the "time constraints the parties confront in light of the scheduled elections in November," the justices may agree to revisit the issue if the Fifth hasn't acted by July 20th.

Finally, an En Banc Ruling

Not one to complete an assignment early, the Fifth waited to the very last minute to issue its ruling -- one that was largely similar to the conclusions of the three-judge panel before it.

The Fifth agreed with the district court that, whatever the intent behind the law, SB 14 had a discriminatory impact, disproportionately disenfranchising minority voters. But it remanded the case for further investigation into the law's allegedly discriminatory intent.

While the district court had fully enjoined SB 14 (an injunction the Fifth overturned two years ago, in order to "avoid voter confusion"), such relief may not be appropriate in this case, if only discriminatory effects, and not discriminatory intents, are found. As such, the Fifth urged the district court to "first focus on fashioning interim relief for the discriminatory effect violation in the months leading up to the November 2016 general election."

Given that early voting in Texas begins on October 24th, that leaves the district court with barely over three months to put together an appropriate remedy and for Texas to implement it.

Voting Cases Could Come Before the Court Just in Time for Elections

An appeal from either Texas or voter's rights advocates could see the case going up to the Supreme Court, however, either before the election or after. The Supreme Court itself left that door open when it denied the law's challengers cert petition in April. In addition, the Fifth's opinion added to a growing circuit split over voter ID laws, increasing the likelihood of Supreme Court review.

The Fifth Circuit's decision was itself fractured, as well. The court's ruling was a plurality opinion with no majority and there were six dissenting opinions.

Any challenge to Texas's voter ID law that comes before the Supreme Court, either sooner or later, will probably not come alone. A host of voting rights disputes could be on their way to 1 First St. N.E. in the next term, just in time for the elections, as CNN noted yesterday. Those include challenges to North Carolina's HB 589, which created new voter ID requirements, restricted early voting, and ended same-day registration; Ohio's elimination of its "golden week," which allowed voters to register to vote and cast an early ballot at the same time; and Wisconsin's state assembly redistricting, which critics claim is partisan gerrymandering.

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From his "Pretty Woman" lead actor Richard Gere to "The Princess Diaries" actress Mandy Moore -- a host of celebrities from Hollywood mourned the death of director Garry Marshall, who passed away on Tuesday.

Marshall breathed his last after complications from pneumonia following a stroke at a hospital in Burbank, California. He was 81.

Taking to their social media accounts on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, celebrities who have in some way or the other worked with the late director of hit films like "Pretty Woman" and "Runaway Bride", shared their memories with Marshall, reports people.com.

Among those who honoured Marshall with condolences and prayers was Henry Winkler, whose role of Fonz in sitcom "Happy Days" launched his career and Gere, who starred in Marshall's "Pretty Woman" and "Runaway Bride".

Here is what the celebrities had to say:

Henry Winkler: Rest in peace. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity. Larger than life, funnier than most, wise and the definition of friend.

Richard Gere: Garry of course was one of those truly important people one is blessed to meet in one's lifetime. Besides being the pulse and life force of 'Pretty Woman', a steady helmsman on a ship that could have easily capsized.

"He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry."

Mandy Moore: What a gem of a man. He was just the kindest, the most patient, the most human and so, so wildly funny. He also did me me the favor of a lifetime and gave me my very first job (at 16) on 'The Princess Diaries'.

"Thank you for all the glorious means of laughing and crying and feeling whole and connected, Garry. Sending love to his family".

Wendell Pierce: My heart is broken. Comic genius, Garry Marshall has died. A cultural icon who was brilliant till the end. Always kind. Always funny! RIP

Sarah Paulson: Garry Marshall, I am forever indebted to you. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I love you. On the wings on angels, rest now.

Zelda Williams: RIP Garry Marshall. You forever changed my father's life, and thus, mine. Thank you for capturing so much joy on film, over and over.

Alyssa Milano: I was blessed to have worked with Garry Marshall. Not only was he a wonderful director, but also, he was a gentle, loving, kind man. RIP.

Bob Saget: The world has lost a great man, a comedy icon and a wonderful friend. Rest in peace Garry Marshall.

Ashton Kutcher: I lost a friend and mentor. We lost a beautiful man and masterful story teller. Gary Marshall I love you. I hope I get to go where you are.

Jessica Alba: I had the honor to work with the legendary. Thank you for your comedic genius! a true pioneer.

Anna Kendrick: I only met Garry Marshall once, when I was very young, but he was incredibly warm, encouraging, and generous with his time and energy.

Lea Michele: So sad to hear about the passing of the incredible Garry Marshall.. You will be missed.

Bryan Adams: R.I.P. Garry Marshall. It was a privilege to work with you. 'Pretty Woman'

--IANS

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At a roadshow in Calgary, Canada, to promote the auction of India's discovered small hydrocarbon fields the Indian government has assured eventual operators of fully facilitating the monetization of these fields, an official said on Wednesday.

"The Indian government delegation informed the participants that they look forward to foster harmonious collaborations with industry to help in taking the E&P (exploration and production) reform process forward by facilitating the bidders at every step towards monetization of these discovered small fields," a Petroleum Ministry statement here said.

The event was an interactive session at Calgary on Monday for the "Discovered Small Fields Bid Round 2016" under which India is offering for auction 67 discovered small hydrocarbon fields in the country.

Earlier, roadshows for this bid round have been held in Mumbai, Guwahati, and last week in Houston in the US, the statement added.

The Houston roadshow consisted of detailed presentations and one-on-one meetings with the companies.

The 67 Discovered Small Fields (DSF) being offered for international bidding are those of state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp and Oil India that could not be monetised during the previous years.

Bidding is open between July 15 and October 31.

The previous exploration licensing round ended in March 2012.

The auction will be under the new Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) approved in March, based on a revenue-sharing model as opposed to cost-and-output-based norms earlier.

The new model will replace the controversial production sharing contracts -- by which oil and gas blocks are awarded to firms which show they will do maximum work on a block -- that has governed the bidding under the earlier nine NELP rounds.

The government is offering bids for the 67 discovered small fields in 46 contract areas spread over nine sedimentary basins on land and in shallow and deep water areas. The offered fields hold 625 million barrels of oil and gas reserves.

Of the 46 small fields, 26 are on land, 18 offshore in shallow water and two in deep water.

While 28 discoveries are in the Mumbai offshore, 14 others are in the east coast's Krishna-Godavari basin.

Eventual operators will be issued a single licence for exploration of conventional and non-conventional hydrocarbons and will have the freedom to sell oil and gas at "arms length" market prices. There would be no cess on crude oil.

The production sharing contracts regime, which allows operators to recover all investments made from sale of oil and gas before profits are shared with the government, was criticised by India's official auditor, who said it encouraged companies to keep inflating costs -- "gold plating" -- so as to postpone giving higher share of profits.

The change in model is designed to help keep the government share in cases of windfall from both steep rise in prices as well as quantum jump in production.

--IANS

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British Prime Minister Theresa May on Wednesday attended the Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons -- her first since she assumed office last week.

During the PMQs, May received questions from lawmakers in the lower chamber as well as debated topics with opposition Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, Xinhua news agency reported.

Questions regarding the British exit from the European Union (EU) featured heavily throughout the proceedings, ahead of May's scheduled first overseas visit to Germany later on Wednesday, where she is due to hold discussions with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

When questioned about future British relations with Europe, May, who campaigned against leaving the EU in the run up to June's EU referendum, said Britain is not leaving Europe, just the EU.

Scottish National Party's (SNP) parliamentary spokesperson Angus Robertson asked if May would ensure that "remain means remain" for Scotland for which the PM replied "Brexit means Brexit".

In Scotland, only 38 per cent of the voting population opted to leave the EU, compared to 52 per cent across the Britain.

May was yet to confirm when Britain would invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, triggering a two-year negotiation period for the seceding country.

Corbyn, who faces a leadership contest within his own parliamentary group, pressed May on rising house prices.

"In 1998, more than half of working households of people aged between 16 to 34 were buying their own homes. Today, the figure is 25 per cent," Corbyn said.

May assumed power from David Cameron on last Wednesday, who announced his resignation in the wake of the "Brexit" victory in the Britain's referendum on its membership of the EU.

May is scheduled to hold talks in France with French President, Francois Hollande on Thursday.

The Prime Minister's office revealed that Britain had relinquished its 2017 European Council presidency in light of "Brexit."

--IANS

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While chatting with potential partners on dating websites, men become aggressive and women are self-conscious of their attractiveness, according to a research.

The findings show that males tend to be more focused on their own interests and are oblivious towards their attractiveness to potential dates.

"We found that males like to send a lot of messages to attractive female users, but they don't get much responses," said Shuangfei Zhai, doctoral candidate at Binghamton University in New York, US.

Conversely, females become more conscious of their own attractiveness to other users.

"For females, they are self-conscious because they tend to evaluate the likelihood of getting a response from the user they are sending messages to," Zhai added.

Also, women have much greater chances of getting responses from users whom they message, said the paper published in the journal Social Network Analysis and Mining.

For the study, the international team of researchers collected data from Baihe, one of the largest dating websites in China, to reveal behavioural differences between male and female users when it comes to contacting potential partners.

They also developed a reciprocal recommendation system that better matches users who are mutually interested in and likely to communicate with each other.

--IANS

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Those men who find it too embarrassing to visit a fertility clinic to test the health of their sperm have reasons to cheer, thanks to a new smartphone-based system that allows men to have a semen test at home to know about potential fertility problems.

Using a low-cost lens, Yoshitomo Kobori from Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital in Japan and his colleagues at the University of Illinois in Chicago created a smartphone microscope to analyse semen samples at home, with help from an app that is in development.

Clipped on to the camera of a smartphone, the lens magnifies an image by 555 times - perfect for looking at sperm cells, New Scientist reported.

"I thought a smartphone microscope could be an easy way to look at problems with male fertility," Kobori was quoted as saying.

To do a home test, a man would have to wait for around five minutes after ejaculation for the semen to liquefy, then apply a small amount to a plastic sheet and press it against the microscope for inspection.

The camera can take a short video clip of the sperm which can then be uploaded to a computer for further analysis to see if it meets the key indicators of male fertility.

This can be done without getting semen on to the phone, Kobori said.

The smartphone microscope is already commercially available in Japan, and Kobori hopes it will soon be on sale in other countries, the report said.

--IANS

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Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid case, passed away in Ayodhya on Wednesday morning, after prolonged illness.

Ansari has been fighting the case in favour of the Babri mosque since 1949. He was suffering from serious health conditions from many years.

Ansari opposed to the bringing down of the disputed structure by 'Hindu Kar Sevaks' on December 6, 1992, and his house was also gutted in the riots that followed the demolition.

His friendship with other Hindu litigants in the case - Ram Keval Das and Ram Chandra Paramhans of the Digambar Akhada, was very strong despite sharp difference of opinions.

He had recently slammed Uttar Pradesh Minority Affairs Minister Azam Khan, accusing him of cheating Muslims.

--IANS

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The Congress and other opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress, on Wednesday tried to corner the government over the ongoing violence against Dalits at Una in Gujarat.

Members, including Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge, tried to raise the issue more than once. However, as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called for taking up the question hour, opposition members rushed to the well of the house.

Among others, Congress members, including Sushmita Dev and Deepender Singh Hooda, and members also from Left parties raised slogans like "Pradhan mantri jawab do" (Prime Minister must answer)".

Among Trinamool Congress members, Kalyan Banerjee, Prasun Banerjee and Saugata Roy were seen raising slogans even as their party colleague Sugata Bose wanted to put supplementary questions to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) members, including floor leader B. Mahtab, were also up on their feet.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, making a statement during zero hour, termed as "unfortunate" the attack on Dalits at Una on July 11.

Condemning the attacks, he said Gujarat Police had acted swiftly and nine people have been arrested so far.

Lauding the role of the BJP government after the incident, he said the state government is also trying to set up a special court for speed trial of the case.

"But the state needs to take the permission from the high court in this connection," Rajnath added.

--IANS

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The issue of Dalit unrest in Gujarat rocked Parliament on Wednesday as opposition members accused the government of being anti-Dalit.

Both houses saw protests from opposition parties, even as the Modi government made statements in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha stressing that the Gujarat government took appropriate action to tackle the situation.

While the Rajya Sabha lost the entire day to protests and adjournments, the Lok Sabha witnessed an uproar but the issue did not lead to adjournments.

In the Lok Sabha, the highlight was a video clip that showed Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi dozing off when his party members were protesting against the Home Minister's response on the Dalit issue.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, addressing the Congress parliamentary party on Wednesday morning had announced that the party would take up the matter.

In the Rajya Sabha as soon as the house met for the day, opposition members demanded a debate on the issue. Even as Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien was scrutinising the notices, opposition members trooped near the Chairman's podium raising anti-government slogans.

Clarifications came from Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot who said the Gujarat government has taken action against the culprits.

The minister said an FIR has been registered and a probe was also underway. He also regretted the suicide by a Dalit, who was one of the five who consumed poison during protests in different parts of Gujarat.

The minister added that the issue should not be "politicised".

Later, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said a discussion on the issue will be taken up on Thursday.

The upper house was finally adjourned for the day around 3.40 pm amid protests.

In the lower house, members, including Congress floor leader Mallikarjun Kharge, tried to raise the issue more than once. However, as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan called for taking up the question hour, opposition members rushed to the well of the house.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, making a statement during zero hour, termed as "unfortunate" the attack on Dalits at Una on July 11.

Condemning the attacks, he said Gujarat Police had acted swiftly and nine people have been arrested so far.

Lauding the role of the BJP government after the incident, he said the state government is also trying to set up a special court for speedy trial of the case.

"But the state needs to take the permission from the high court in this connection," Singh added.

--IANS

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Sri Lanka and the European Union have held talks on steps to repeal anti-terror laws during a recent meet in Brussels, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The matters were discussed at the 20th meeting of the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission which took place in Brussels.

They discussed the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), the release or prosecution of detainees, and the establishment of the transitional mechanisms for truth, reconciliation, justice and reparations. Sri Lanka also provided updates on the process of drawing up the new Constitution, Xinhua news agency reported.

The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on the state of implementation of the UN Human Rights Council resolution last year, which was co-sponsored by UN Member States and Sri Lanka.

"The parties welcomed the recent lifting of the EU ban on export of fish from Sri Lanka. This was achieved due to the extensive improvements made by the government of Sri Lanka in fisheries management and control, consistent with its international obligations. It was agreed that the close relationship established on fisheries between the two parties will continue," the Foreign Ministry said.

The Joint Commission also welcomed Sri Lanka's application for access to the trade concessions under the EU's Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus as a sign of Sri Lanka's renewed commitment to meeting its wider international obligations.

--IANS

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A district court in Bangladesh on Wednesday rejected bail petitions of five persons who were suspected of being involved in the attack near the country's largest Eid congregation venue on July 7, a media report said.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate in Kishoreganj district also sent the suspects to jail after they were presented in court, Xinhua news agency reported.

The terror suspects were arrested from different areas of Kishoreganj town.

At least four persons were killed and 12 others injured when the assailants, numbering seven-to-eight men and armed with explosives, machetes and firearms, battled the police for more than an hour on July 7 at Sholakia Eid prayer venue in Kishoreganj district near Dhaka.

The attack came days after the July 1 Dhaka terror attack, in which at least 22 persons, including an Indian girl, were killed.

--IANS

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The Telangana police chief on Wednesday ordered a CID probe into alleged leakage of question paper of TS EAMCET-II, conducted for admissions to medical courses.

Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Sharma asked the Crime Investigation Department (CID) to conduct an inquiry into the allegations that large scale irregularities took place.

The police chief ordered the inquiry after EAMCET (Engineering, Agriculture and Medicine Common Entrance Test) convenor N.V. Ramana Rao, met him and made a request.

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), which conducted the exam, also ordered an internal probe.

The action came after parents and students' groups staged a protest. Activists of Students' Federation of India (SFI), All India Students' Federation (AISF) and other groups on Wednesday morning staged a sit-in at JNTU, demanding probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The students' groups and parents raised doubts after many meritorious students failed to get good rank while students who did not perform well in EAMCET-I secured top ranks.

Deputy Chief Minister K. Srihari, who holds the portfolio, and Minster for Medical and Health C. Laxma Reddy said a departmental inquiry had also been ordered following the complaints.

EAMCET II for admissions into MBBS and BDS courses in Telangana was conducted on July 9. Out of 50,961 students appeared for the exam, 47,644 were qualified.

Telangana had to hold EAMCET for the second time this year as the results of the exam held on May 15 were not taken into consideration for admission into medical courses in the wake of the Supreme Court order on National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).

The Centre issued an ordinance on May 24 allowing states to conduct their own entrance test for admissions into medical courses for the current academic year.

--IANS

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A councillor of West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress was on Wednesday arrested for abetting the suicide of a local businessman over debt in South 24 Parganas district, police said.

Ananta Roy, a member of the Rajpur-Sonarpur Municipality on the city's southern fringe, was arrested after a complaint against him that he repeatedly threatened Biswajit Roy.

Biswajit (38), who hanged himself on Tuesday, in his four-page suicide note named the Trinamool leader for driving him to take the extreme step.

"My husband owed some money to a businessman named Prasanta Panja. Ananta Roy repeatedly threatened my husband to repay. On Tuesday, he (Ananta) organised a meeting at a local club over the dues and forced Biswajit to sign a piece of paper stating that he will give money to Panja," said the victim's wife.

Ananta Roy's arrest comes eight days after Anindya Chatterjee, another Trinamool leader and councillor of the Bidhannagar municipality, was arrested on the charge of extortion.

Following Trinamool supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's cracking of the whip on illegal syndicates, the police has arrested extortionists and criminals across the state.

--IANS

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With tourism in Goa now a 365-day phenomenon, adequate security measures need to be taken and people need to be alert, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister was speaking at a function organised by Goa Police to induct a batch of 69 motorcycles and seven jeeps into the force.

"Goa should be alert on all 365 days because tourism season in Goa is now for all 12 months," Parsekar said.

On Monday, Parsekar had said that he raised the issue of enhanced security for Goa at the inter-state council meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.

Parsekar had said that Goa should not be looked at from the prism of a small state, because tourist arrivals every year are almost three times the state's resident population which is around 1.5 million.

Speaking at the function, Parsekar also underlined the need for thorough tenant verification process in order to establish the identity of the tenant, especially those living in Goa for a short duration.

Goa is one of the top beach tourism destinations in the country and attracts over four lakh tourists every year. However, in the recent past intelligence reports have suggested the state has been used as a soft destination. Several terror suspects, including Yasin Bhatkal and David Headley, used Goa as a place for lying low and conducting recce.

--IANS

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Manhattan real estate mogul Donald Trump was officially crowned as the 2016 Republican Presidential nominee at the party's convention on Tuesday after a roll call vote overshadowed by dissent and apathy.

Trump sailed to the 1,237-delegate threshold, with his home state of New York putting him over the top, Politico reported.

After winning the nomination, Trump tweeted: "Such a great honor to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. I will work hard and never let you down! AMERICA FIRST!"

A giant image of the nominee was beamed into the arena, live via satellite link from Trump Tower in New York City.

"Together we have received historic results, with the largest vote total in the history of the Republican party. This is a movement and we have to go all the way," Trump said.

In the three-minute address, Trump anticipated his big convention speech, rattling through a list of policies such as strengthening the border, "getting rid" of the Islamic State, and "restoring law and order".

"I'll be discussing all that on Thursday night," he said. "But together, most importantly, we're going to make America great again."

The results were declared on the second day of the Republican National Convention (RNC) here after Trump's son, Donald Trump Junior, announced the 89 delegates that formally clinched the nomination.

"It is my honour to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight with 89 delegates," Donald Junior said, surrounded by three of Trump's other children -- Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany.

Donald Junior was tearing up when he told CNN that putting his father over the top was "one of the more surreal moments of my life other perhaps than the birth of my children. To be able to do that is historic, its awesome."

Trump is scheduled to address the convention via remote from New York on Wednesday evening.

Indiana Governor Mike Pence was also formally nominated on Tuesday night as the Republican Party's choice for Vice President.

The effort to nominate Texas Senator Ted Cruz late on Tuesday afternoon had no chance of success since most of the delegates won by Trump in his Grand Old Party (GOP) nominating victory were bound to vote for him in the roll call under the rules of the Republican primary process.

Cruz's inner circle had adamantly opposed any attempt to involve him in last minute convention floor intrigue, a senior adviser to the Texas senator told CNN.

Trump's name was put into the nomination by Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, an early supporter of the businessman, and was seconded by fellow early supporters New York Representative Chris Collins and South Carolina Lt Governor Henry McMaster.

The business magnate's official nomination is a new apex in the political outsider's campaign to shake up Washington.

His White House bid began last June with a widely panned, rambling speech in which he blasted Mexicans as "rapists" and pledged to build a wall on the southern border that Mexico will pay for, Politico noted.

Trump's campaign has seemingly endured strife almost daily since its inception.

Republican leaders were slow to back his campaign and have continued to condemn his controversial rhetoric and actions. But his message has resonated with an overwhelming number of voters who have propelled him atop the Party.

Particularly outraged with the result was the Washington, D.C., delegation, which held its convention in March and attempted to award 10 votes to former hopefuls Marco Rubio and nine to John Kasich. But convention officials announced the rules merit Trump be award all 19 delegates from the nation's capital, NBC News reported.

"This is an outrage, and this is a reason the Republican Party is turning off a lot of voters," a Kasich delegate from Washington D.C. told MSNBC.

After Trump had clinched the nomination, the Alaskan delegation contested how its vote total was recorded. They originally requested 12 votes go to Ted Cruz, 11 to Trump and five to Rubio, but the RNC recorded all 28 votes to Trump.

However, the appeal was unsuccessful because, RNC Chair Reince Priebus said, all the votes went to Trump because Rubio and Cruz suspended their campaigns.

Trump was declared the "presumptive nominee" on May 3 following his decisive victory in Indiana, which ultimately vanquished Cruz and Kasich from the primary and he entered the convention with 1,543 delegates.

The official nomination followed a rocky first day start of the RNC, the biggest backlash being Trump's wife Melania speech being compared to the one Michelle Obama gave during the 2008 Democratic Convention.

Donald Trump is expected to formally accept the nomination during his prime-time speech on Thursday.

--IANS

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California-based colour cosmetics brand LASplash, which has a presence in 36 countries, has announced its official launch in India.

The company has a wide range of cosmetic products including Duo Brush, Nail Splash, Lid Splash, Lip Gloss, Spotlight Mascara, Glitter Splash, Eye Sparkle, Nail Art Glitter, Brow/Liner Powder, Mineral Powder Foundation, Mineral Blush and Smoky Eye Collections.

Though it has a limited range available in India for now, the brand promises to bring the whole range to Indian customers very soon.

LASplash, currently sourced to India by Wizaman Impex Private Ltd, has joined hands with Smytten as their launch partner in India.

Smytten, a discovery platform for premium products, services and experiences, also offers an array of international brands, catering to both women and men in the premium lifestyle segment in multiple categories like beauty and grooming, fitness and wellness, smart technology and luxury experiences.

"LASplash has been a very successful global brand having presence in 36 countries because of their fresh and bold collections. We are confident that it will be loved by Indians and will create its own niche," Arjun Khurana, Director of Wizaman Impex Pvt Ltd, said in a statement.

Smytten Co-founder Swagat Sarangi said that they strive to make premium products and services, including the best of global experiences, accessible to all in India.

--IANS

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The only positive thing about the government's decision to provide Rs 22,915 crore of capital to 13 public sector banks (PSBs) is that the process has been frontloaded, meaning funds are being infused early in the financial year instead of the past practice of giving them in the latter half of the year, which used to make such an exercise meaningless. The move is also in line with the Reserve Bank of India's requirement that Indian banks must fully conform to the higher Basel-III capital adequacy ratios by March 31, 2019, and no government would like to be seen as a shareholder that does not bring in money even to ensure regulatory compliance.
The government has conveyed its intention to infuse Rs 22,915 crore into 13 state-run lenders. This is good news for capital-starved banks. To what extent it will help them ensure regulatory compliance or, for that matter, expand their credit is anybody's guess.
If atrocities on Dalits in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Gujarat and a massive rally to protest the demolition of Ambedkar Bhavan in Mumbai on Tuesday werent enough, the party on Wednesday had to remove a senior figure in its Uttar Pradesh leadership for making derogatory comments about Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati.
Challenges continue to plague the Anandiben Patel-led Gujarat government as calls arose for a state-wide bandh to be observed on Wednesday by Dalit groups. The bandh is being called as part of protests against beating of Dalit youths in Una continued on Tuesday. Last week, Dalit youths were beaten publicly by 'cow protectors' over alleged cow killing in Una, 360 kms from Ahmedabad.

Apart from stray incidents of arson and violence in different parts of the state, incidents of Dalit community members committing suicide came to fore on Tuesday. Hemant Solanki, a Dalit youth succumbed to a suicide attempt in Junagadh on Tuesday, even as dozen others are being treated in different hospitals for committing suicide to protest against atrocities on the community.
According to cattle traders of Bangladesh, they have temporally stopped to import cattle from Burma as they dont get profit after selling cattle in the markets.



A cattle trader from Aley Than Kyaw of Maungdaw said, a medium cow is being sold 700,000 to 800,000 Kyat as the cattle are not coming from Burma proper.



The Bangladesh cattle traders will start to import cattle from Burma if the prices of cattle fall down. It is difficult to find beef (red meat) in the kitchen markets of Teknaf area, the cattle traders more added.



Mostly, cattle and buffalos come to Bangladesh from Akyab (Sittwee) and proper Burma by sea route; it needs to arrive at Shapuridip corridor at least three days, Jafor, another local trader said.



However, some cattle are being smuggled through the different entry points of Burma-Bangladesh border areas without the knowledge of concerned authorities, Jafor added.



At present, a kg of beef or red meat is being sold at Taka 550-600 in Chittagong, Bangladesh. People in Bangladesh believe that In the forthcoming Qurban( Eid-ul- Adha), the prices of Qurbani cattle will be skyrocketed, Hakim, a cattle butcher from Chittagong said.
Is the Congress really under pressure after the Supreme Court rapped on the knuckles and asked him to either apologise or face a trial for defaming the RSS?
The 10th edition of the Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) has been launched to promote talents of school students in the field of space science.

Launching the programme and unveiling the Information Docket on YATS 2016-17 here yesterday, Odisha's Higher Education Minister Pradip Panigrahy said science and technology would be the key in bringing about exponential development in society.

Fostering the intellect of students through educational initiatives like these will help build scientific temper among students across the state, he said.

Arun Misra, Vice-president, Project Gopalpur of Tata Steel and Managing Director of Tata Steel SEZ, said the company is committed to bring about a positive transformation in key areas of education, healthcare and community development in Odisha.

Organised by Tata Steel in collaboration with Pathani Samanta Planetarium, Young Astronomer Talent Search (YATS) aims to promote the contribution of Pathani Samanta, the legendary astronomer of Odisha in the field of astronomy since its inception in 2007.

YATS seeks to identify and promote the talent of high school students in Odisha in the field of space science by providing platforms to express and test their knowledge, a company release said.

The top two participants from each district will be invited to the Grand Finale to be held on December 13, 2016 at Bhubaneswar. The top 20 winners will be subsequently taken on a unique exposure visit to one of the facilities of Indian Space Research Organisation, it added.
At least 13 people have been killed and 34 others remain missing as a fresh bout of heavy rains lashed Beijing and a number of provinces in China, prompting officials to issue storm alerts and warnings of geological disasters like landslides.

The Hebei Provincial Meteorological Bureau issued a red rainstorm alert, forecasting more heavy rains in the coming hours. Red is the most serious in China's four-tier colour- coded system for severe weather.

Eight people were killed and 34 others were listed missing in Hubei province which has declared a red alert for heavy rains, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

In another incident, five workers in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province were killed while repairing sewerage equipment ahead of heavy rain.

Liu Yanfei, from Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang, was called out to repair a dysfunctional pump on Tuesday.

He inhaled toxic fumes while working, fainted and fell into the water. Several of his colleagues attempted to save him, only to fall into the water themselves.

Two of the workers were later rescued, while five others, including Liu, died.

Rescuers suspect that the fumes were methane.

Heavy rain across the south since June followed by a powerful tornado and hailstorm in Yancheng City in China's Jiangsu Province has claimed over 320 lives.

Beijing's meteorological authoritytoday issued an orange alert, the second-highest level as heavy rain hit the capital, disrupting traffic and forcing the cancellation of flights.

The average precipitation in the capital reached 129.4 mm, with the maximum precipitation of 334 mm recorded in the suburban district of Fangshan.

The capital issued a blue storm alert yesterday and raised it to orange.

As a result of rain, 226 flights have been cancelled at Beijing International Airport.

Train services have also been disrupted. In Beijing, 13 waterlogged road sections had been temporarily closed to traffic.

A total of 164 bus routes have been affected by the storm.

The Beijing Municipal Flood Control Office asked people to limit their travel, take public transport and stagger their commutes after work.

Besides Beijing, torrential rain is also forecast in parts of Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan and Yunnan.

The National Meteorological Center advised people living in the affected areas to prepare for possible floods, landslides and mud and rock flows and those that live in mountainous areas to move to safe places.
There are 16 extradition requests from India pending with the UK government, Lok Sabha was informed today.

Replying to a written question, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said all the information and evidence available have been provided to the UK authorities for speedy execution of India's requests for extradition.

Asked whether there were 131 extradition requests by India pending with the UK, he said, "As on date, there are 16 extradition requests pending...Our High Commission in London pursues these requests regularly with the concerned authorities in the UK."



Earlier in February, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju had said there were 131 extradition requests pending with the UK. Rijiju also raised the issue during a meeting with visiting Minister of State for Immigration of the United Kingdom, James Brokenshire, who had said these matters are handled by British courts.

Brokenshire had said the provision of death penalty in India and the European Commission's provisions on human rights were posing hurdles in acceding to the requests.

Singh also said that there was no proposal under consideration to sign an agreement with the UK on exchange of information about criminals.

"However, bilateral exchange of information about fugitive criminals comes under the ambit of mutual legal assistance covered under the India-UK Agreement Concerning the Investigations and Prosecution of Crime and the Tracing, Restraints and Confiscation of the Proceeds and Instrument of Crime (including currency transfers) and Terrorist Funds, which came into force in 1995," Singh added.
Two persons were killed and a woman was seriously injured in an attack by a wild elephant in Odisha's Keonjhar district today, officials said.

The incident occurred when the tusker attacked a group of villagers from Dalita who had gone to a forest area in the district to collect mushroom, Champua Forest Range Officer Sri Ramachandra Arabinda Mishra said.

While Paramananda Nayak (55) died on the spot, another person, Bichala Behera succumbed to his injuries while being taken to hospital, he said.

Surya Munda (22) was admitted to the district headquarter hospital where her condition was stated to be critical.

Agitated over the incident, local residents blocked Champua-Rimuli road demanding effective steps to deal with the "elephant menace".

After senior officials visited the spot and assured the agitators that adequate compensation would be provided to the victims' families in accordance with the government's rules, the blockaed was lifted.
Around 200 seats in engineering and computer science in prestigious Jadavpur University, which has been rocked by protests in the recent past, are lying vacant, officials said today.

After the end of counselling, around 200 seats are still lying vacant.

State Higher Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said if the state-run varsity comes to the department seeking permission for open counselling to fill up seats, they will do it.

"We don't want them to compromise with talent but we also want the seats to be filled up," the minister said.

Jadavpur University has been in for wrong reasons in the past. Earlier this year, it's VC Suranjan Das was gheraoed for three days over holding of student union elections.

In 2014, his predecessor Abhijit Chakrabarti was gheraoed over demand for a fresh probe panel in an alleged sexual harassment of a girl student. Fearing threat to life, he called police inside the campus which created a huge furore and Chakrabarti was forced to resign.
A hardened criminal and two of his accomplices were arrested here, police said today.

Acting on a specific input, police arrested Nawab carrying a reward on his head last evening, Deputy Superintendent of police Atul Yadav said.

During interrogation he told police that Kaley, his brother, will come to Indira Puram tonight along with his two accomplices-Sanjay and Ravi.

The police cordoned off the Kanawani culvert and Hindon canal area. At around 11 PM a fast approaching car was intercepted and the trio got off the car and started firing at the police. The police retaliated and Sanjay received bullet injury in his leg and was nabbed along with Ravi. Kaley Managed to fled the spot, he said.

Nawab and Kaley are accused in the murder of a cloth trader Arshi Malik that took place on March 11, 2016.
Three passengers were killed and eleven others were injured today when their bus crashed into a stationary truck on Mhow-Neemuch road near Paankhedi village, a police official said.

"The Rajasthan Roadways bus on its way to Burhanpur from Udaipur hit a stationary truck, in which three persons including a woman were killed and 11 others injured," Pithampur Police Station In-charge, Mukesh Ijaardar said.

The deceased were identified as Neeta Joshi (23), Abid Hussain (27) and Naresh (23), he said.

The injured were referred to Indore for treatment, he said adding that the truck driver fled from the spot after the mishap.

A case has been registered in this regard and further investigation is on.
Chinese procuratorates investigated 97 officials at the vice ministerial level and above in the past five years for corruption, the country's Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said today.

A total of 60 officials at the vice ministerial level and above were indicted in the same period of time, it said in a nationwide meeting on procuratorial work, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Among the officials investigated were Zhou Yongkang, former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Bo Xilai, former member the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee and former Chongqing Party chief, and Ling Jihua and Su Rong, former vice chairpersons of China's national political advisory body.

The officials along with hundreds of others were indicted in the massive anti-corruption campaign initiated by President Xi Jinping since he took over power in 2014.

The SPP said procuratorates have faithfully implemented the decision of the CPC Central Committee to crack down on corruption, and will continue to do so.
The United States gathered its allies in the coalition fighting the Islamic State group today and agreed on a plan to corner the jihadists in their final bastions.

US Defence Secretary Ash Carter told reporters that an accelerated military effort would soon see the group pushed back to Raqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.

He warned that isolating and taking out what he called the IS "parent tumor" would not eliminate its violent ideology or its ability to spring attacks elsewhere.

But defence ministers from the Western and Arab countries of the coalition now have a military plan to liberate the cities with local Iraqi and Syrian forces.

"Today, we made the plans and commitments that will help us deliver the lasting defeat that it deserves," Carter told reporters at an airbase outside Washington.

"Let me be clear: They culminate in the collapse of ISIL's control over the cities of Mosul and Raqa."



Separately, US Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with foreign ministers from the coalition countries to discuss the broader political and humanitarian plan.

And donour countries were set to pledge what officials hoped would be up to $2 billion to help civilians return to normal life in liberated areas of Iraq.

Baghdad needs the money to rebuild in areas that have been retaken and enable the population to return.

"The fight against Daesh is obviously far from finished, even as we have progress. Mosul is not yet free. Acts of terrorism remain a constant daily danger," Kerry said.

"But the momentum  there is nobody at this table who would argue that the momentum hasn't shifted  it has shifted," he said, sitting with allied foreign ministers.

"And Daesh has been driven out of almost half of the territory that once occupied in Iraq," he said, using his preferred term for the Islamic State group.

The two days of meetings were called as jihadist attacks  some of them inspired or ordered by the IS group  are proliferating around the world.

The coalition, and in particular its US leadership, are keen to seize back the narrative and emphasise what they see as progress on the main battlefield.

But their task is complicated by the jihadist violence erupting in French seafront resorts, on German passenger trains and in the streets of Turkey and the Middle East.

In recent weeks, jihadists have claimed horrific attacks in Nice, Istanbul, Baghdad and Dhaka that have left hundreds dead and injured.
On July 14, a group of police personnel went to Madiana Para (village) and entered Hashims house to arrest Hashim but they arrested his brothers wife as Hashim (40), son of Dudu Meah was not present at home, he further said.



During the raid, police found some timbers, which were kept in the compound to renovate the house. The police seized these timbers and kept it to another house. But, the timbers had not been brought to the BGP camp, Nunu, another villager said.



Later on, Hashims brothers wife was brought to Marawaddy BGP camp and detained there. However, her relatives including village elders went to the BGP camp to release her. After three hours of detention in the camp, she was released without taking money, but on condition that Hashim will be presented in the BGP camp within two days, Nunu more added.



Nobody knows, why did the BGP personnel go to the village to arrest Hashim, said local villagers.



Even so, Hashim didnt meet with the BGP officer of Marawaddy so far, he is still hiding in the village, said a relative of the victim.
Director Woodey Allen has reportedly been set to partner with Amazon for his upcoming untitled film.

The 80-year-old "Midnight in Paris" filmmaker is in talks with the e-commerce giant, that would fully finance his yet-to-be titled, Kate Winslet-Jim Belushi starrer, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Allen, also an actor, has earlier collaborated with Amazon for the distribution rights of his romantic-comedy "Cafe Society".
Declaring the lawyers' strike in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry as "illegal" and terming the situation "alarming", the Bar Council of India (BCI) has warned that office bearers of the two state bar councils would be suspended if they fail to call off the stir at the earliest.

BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra in an order stated that due to the strike, the "common peace-loving and sincere advocates are also suffering besides the helpless litigants" and the "strikes/ abstentions are declared illegal".

"The situation is alarming. The image of bar is being tarnished to a great extent because of such unruly handful of advocates," the order read.

BCI had earlier also warned the Tamil Nadu lawyers that disciplinary action would be taken against them for indulging in court boycott to protest against certain amendments made to existing rules under the Advocates Act.

Taking a strong note of lawyers abstaining from work, which is continuing since last month despite several requests and appeals, BCI directed both the state Bar Council to make sure that the strike is called off by July 22 at the earliest or else the office bearers of the striking bar associations will be suspended and will not be allowed to contest in any election with the association or Bar Council in future.

It said the ongoing situation is being criticised by the Judiciary, government and the public and asked the state bar councils to give names of the office bearers of striking bar associations to initiate their suspension order, if they fail to call off the strike by July 22.

On May 25, the Madras High Court had issued a notification making amendments to existing rules under the Advocates Act with a view to ensure peaceful conduct of court proceedings and suggested disciplinary action to be taken against erring advocates.

However, on June 13, Chief Justice of Madras High Court had said he would not act against lawyers in pursuant to the amended rules, but he could not prevent BCI from proceeding against bar associations if they continue agitation.
A bitter war of words ensued today over the alleged suicide of a woman Aam Aadmi Party activist, with BJP holding the party responsible for the death, even as AAP accused the saffron party of playing politics "over dead bodies".

AAP spokesperson Ashutosh tore into BJP leader Vijender Gupta for allegedly "hijacking" the family of the victim and coming in the way of postmortem of the body. Gupta was forcing the family members of the woman to name AAP in the case, he alleged.

At a press conference, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Gupta alleged that the entire AAP dispensation was "responsible" for the death of the 28-year-old woman, who had been "sexually harassed" by a few "members of AAP" for past few months.

Faced with a barrage of queries by journalists at the press conference as to whether the party was not politicising the case, BJP Delhi Satish Upadhyay said, "If we do not take up people's issues then who will? We will try to get justice for the family and if needed will meet the Home Minister too."



AAP's Delhi Convenor Dilip Pandey claimed that the accused Ramesh, who was arrested and later released on bail, was not a member of AAP as being claimed by BJP and that the party had extended all possible help to the woman when she had approached it with the complaint.

"It is a fact that she had contacted the party. The party assisted her and got an FIR lodged. In fact the Chief Minister's Office had called the DCP office in this regard, but the police chose not to act and the accused secured bail.

"BJP leader Vijender Gupta is politicising the issue. He has stalled the postmortem of the body. BJP has a history of doing politics over dead bodies," Pandey told reporters.

Ashutosh accused Gupta of "stooping" to an unprecedented low and alleged that the woman was to be cremated at 1 PM at Nigambodh Ghat but even that could not take place.

"Gupta has taken the family of the victim somewhere. The family is being forced to name AAP in the case. What sort of politics is this?" Ashutosh asked.

Gupta also claimed that the family was not supported by the DCW when it had gone there seeking help in the case.

However, DCW chief Swati Maliwal today tweeted, "V sad case of Soni suicide. DCW counselor met SHO ACP n got her FIR filed. Court gv bail to accused. We demand strictest action in this case."



The woman allegedly committed suicide in Narela area of outer Delhi yesterday. Her family members claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester was released on bail.

Police said the woman consumed a poisonous substance at her home in the afternoon and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital.

The husband of the victim today claimed her death was an



abetment to suicide case and demanded justice for her.

The 28-year-old woman consumed poisonous substance at her home in Narela in the afternoon and died during treatment at the LNJP Hospital yesterday.

The victim's husband, Ashok Mishra, was speaking at a press conference organised by BJP at its Delhi unit headquarters here, prompting the AAP government to accuse it of "politicising the issue".

Sitting besides Gupta, Mishra claimed, "My wife and family were being threatened and harassed by few men, owing allegiance to AAP, for several months, driving her into depression."



"This is not a suicide, this is an an abetment to suicide case. She was driven to take her life. And we want justice for her," he said.

Mishra said his family hailed from Ara in Bihar and had moved to Delhi a few years ago.

"I was in Surat when I heard of her death and I came to Delhi today only. My friends had taken my wife to hospital after it was found she had consumed something poisonous," he said.

The woman had filed a complaint against Ramesh, who she claimed was a party colleague, for allegedly touching her inappropriately. A case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested, a senior police officer said.

He was later released on bail.

Her family members told police that she went into depression after bail was granted to the accused who, she had alleged, was being protected by the local MLA of the party.

"We had sent a written complaint to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, after we couldn't meet him. We tried seeking help of AAP but in vain," he claimed.

AAP has refuted the allegations and accused BJP of "playing politics" over her death.

AAP spokesperson Ashutosh tore into Gupta for allegedly "hijacking" the family of the victim and coming in the way of postmortem of the body.

Mishra, when asked about the body said, "I have not taken the body from the morgue. But, we will do it now and perform the last rites.
BJP was today left squirming after a senior leader in Uttar Pradesh made derogatory remarks against BSP Chief Mayawati drawing severe all-round condemnation and forcing it to sack him from all posts but its regret failed to douse the uproar in Rajya Sabha, which was paralysed on the issue.

The controversy over party Vice President in UP Dayashanker Singh's statement against the dalit leader hit the party hard on a day it was already battling an opposition onslaught in Parliament on vigilante violence against dalits who had skinned a dead cow in Gujarat.

"Mayawati is breaking the dream of Kanshi Ram into pieces. Mayawati is selling tickets like a...," Dayashankar Singh told reporters in Mau, Uttar Pradesh.

"Mayawati gives tickets for Rs one crore and if there is someone who can give Rs 2 crore than she sells it for Rs 2 crore within an hour. If someone is ready to give Rs 3 crore by the evening, she gives the ticket to him. She is even worse than...," said Singh, who was in Mau for the first time after becoming party vice president to meet party workers this morning.

Singh's remarks drew severe flak from members in the Rajya Sabha, including women MPs, with Deputy Chairperson P J Kurien saying that the House wants the Government to ensure that stringent action is taken against the BJP leader, as per law, for his "unforgivable" comments.

There was all-round condemnation of Singh for his remarks by MPs including Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad, DMK's Kanimozhi, TMC's Derek O'Brien, Congress' Kumari Selja and Renuka Chowdhury, TK Rangarajan of CPI(M) and Satish Chandra Mishra of BSP and demands were made for action against him.

Leader of the House Arun Jaitley got up to express regret saying the remarks were highly condemnable but Mayawati was not convinced and demanded that he be expelled from the party and strong action taken against him.

As the issue snowballed into a major embarrassment for BJP, Dayashankar Singh apologised for his remarks. He claimed it was "slip of tongue" and that he respected Mayawati. But it proved to be too late for Singh as state BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya announced that he has been relieved of all posts and said "such language has no place in the party".

"It is highly condemnable that a political leader uses such words against a prominent woman leaders. I regret the use of such words and will ensure that the matter is taken up by the concerned. I personally express regret to Mayawatiji. I associate our dignity with yours and stand with you," Jaitley said in Rajya Sabha.

A visibly agitated Mayawati, who was present in the House, thanked Jaitley and all other members for their condemnation of Singh's remarks but demanded that BJP leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah discuss the matter, expel Singh from the party and take action against him.

She said mere expression of regret will not suffice and added, "His (Singh's) remarks apply for his sister and daughter and not for me. The whole country will not forgive BJP... People will come on the streets."



Mayawati said the remarks by the BJP leader reflected the "capitalistic mindset" and asserted that never in her political career had she used any derogatory or personal remarks against her adversaries or questioned their character though there could be idealogical differences.

The BSP chief said she represented the most oppressed



and exploited people of the country and had dedicated her whole life to them. She said the BSP always collected funds from the poor to carry forward the movement started by Kanshi Ram so that it does not have to rely on capitalists.

"On my birthday, I have told my supporters not to give me any expensive gifts like gold and jewelery but make economic contributions to the party," she said.

Mayawati attacked the BJP, saying it was jittery by BSP and its anti-dalit mindset has been exposed as it has still not sacked a minister who had compared dalits to dogs, an apparent reference to Minister of State V K Singh.

As the uproar over the issue continued, the Deputy Chairperson adjourned the Upper House till tomorrow.

BSP MP S C Mishra said that the party will carry forward the issue and take legal action against Singh for his utterances under the SC/ST Act as they do not expect the government to take any action in this regard. "We will drag him to court," he said outside Parliament.

Later in Ballia, Dayashankar Singh said, "Mayawati is a big leader and came from a small family. I did not want to hurt anyone. I regret the slip of tongue. I never meant to hurt the dignity of anyone."



BJP has been wooing dalits, a politically crucial community in Uttar Pradesh which goes to the polls early next year. The party hoped that it will be able to contain the damage by acting swiftly against Singh.

"He has been relieved of all responsibilities in the party. There is no place for such language in BJP," UP BJP chief Keshav Prasad Maurya said.

While regretting Dayashanker Singh's statement, Maurya strongly directed the leaders and workers to maintain balance in their speeches and statements when talking about the work style of opposition party leaders and to use dignified language.
A bomb killed four policemen today in Yemen's second city Aden, where jihadists have repeatedly targeted security forces, a security official said.

Another six officers were wounded in the blast in the southern port city where the Saudi-backed government has its base, the official told AFP.

Despite a 16-month-old Saudi-led military intervention, the government has struggled to secure the city.

On Friday, a suicide bombing claimed by Al-Qaeda hit the convoy of Aden governor Aidarus al-Zubaidi, wounding three people travelling with him.

The jihadists also claimed two suicide bombings on Monday that killed 11 people in two of their former strongholds in the



southeast.

Earlier this year, the Saudi-led coalition launched a major offensive against Al-Qaeda, helping to recapture the Hadramawt provincial capital of Mukalla in April after a year of jihadist rule.

Coalition forces had previously focused their guns on Shiite rebels and their allies who control the capital Sanaa and much of the north and centre, creating a power vacuum that the jihadists exploited.
Government bonds (G-Secs) surged following sustained demand from corporates and banks and the interbank call money rates also ended higher due to good demand from borrowing banks amid tight liquidity situation in the banking system.

The 7.88 per cent government security maturing in 2030 gained to Rs 103.9650 as compared to Rs 103.6950 previously, while its yield fell to 7.41 per cent from 7.44 per cent.

The 7.59 per cent government security maturing in 2029 advanced to Rs 101.3825 from Rs 101.22, while its yield edged down to 7.42 per cent from 7.44 per cent.

The 7.59 per cent government security maturing in 2026 firmed up to Rs 102.16 from Rs 102.09, while its yield softened to 7.27 per cent from 7.28 per cent.

The 7.61 percent government security maturing in 2030, the 7.68 per cent government security maturing in 2023 and the 7.72 per cent government security maturing in 2025 were also quoted higher at Rs 102.13, Rs 102.4150 and Rs 102.3250, respectively.

The overnight call money rates also finished higher at 6.45 per cent from Tuesday's close of 6.40 per cent. It resumed higher at 6.55 per cent and moved in a range of 6.70 per cent and 6.00 per cent.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), purchased securities worth Rs 63.45 billion in 16-bids at the overnight repo auction at a fixed rate of 6.50 per cent as on today, while its sold securities worth Rs 22.07 billion from 19-bids at the overnight reverse repo auction at a fixed rate of 6.00 per cent as on July 19.
British scientists believe that following Brexit the scientific clock could be turned back in the country on animal testing techniques.

The National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS) is concerned that hard-fought EU regulations on animal experiments could be rolled back in the UK.

Government figures released today shows that four million animals were used in the country for research last year.

"With the introduction of advanced scientific methods, we and the public expect to see year-on-year reductions in animal use, so this increase is not what the public wants," Jan Creamer, President of the National Anti-Vivisection Society said.

"The prospect that Brexit could turn the scientific clock back, returning to outdated methods, is a real concern," he added.

Researchers in the UK have previously called for less regulation and may well now press for "cutting through the EU red tape" to make it easier to test on animals, with less scrutiny and oversight.

While the UK is unlikely to allow cosmetics testing on animals, the EU Cosmetics Directive also bans the import of products that have been tested on animals.

This key Directive prevents countries such the US, China and others from selling their cosmetic products in Europe if they have been animal tested.

Brexit may also jeopardise proposals to phase out laboratory primate use. The EU proposals to end the use of monkeys born from parents caught in the wild would be weakened if the UK does not demand the same standards.

The EU plan would stop monkey dealers in Mauritius, Vietnam and elsewhere, from restocking their factory farms with animals captured in the wild. The UK itself does not currently use monkeys born to wild caught parents.
IIFL Group today roped in the world's oldest development finance institution, CDC Group of Britain, to expand its non-banking finance business under which the British government fund will pump in Rs 1,000 crore for a 15 per cent stake.

This investment makes a second coming for the UK government-owned development finance institution as the CDC Group was the first private equity investor in the IIFL Group in the late 1990s.

IIFL Holdings said under the agreement, CDC will make an investment of about Rs 1,000 crore in its wholly-owned subsidiary India Infoline Finance for a 15 per cent consideration in the company.

Founded in 1948, CDC's mission is to support building of businesses throughout Africa and South Asia, create jobs and making a lasting difference to people's lives in some of the world's poorest places.

It provides investment capital in all its forms, including equity, debt, mezzanine and guarantees, and this capital is typically used to fund growth. CDC uses its own balance sheet to invest and has AUM of 3.9 billion pounds.

The CDC Group's recent investments in India include Narayana Healthcare, Ratnakar Bank and Pristine Logistics.

The new money will help the IIFL Group expand the financing business and address capital needs of under-served segments through diversified offerings, said the Nirmal Jain- led company, majority owned by Canada-based NRI Prem Watsa.

The investment is by way of compulsorily convertible preference shares, which on conversion, will result in about 15 per cent equity stake for CDC in IIFL Finance on a fully diluted basis.

IIFL Finance is into home and property loans, gold loans, commercial vehicle finance, healthcare finance, loan against securities and SME business loans.

For the year to March 2016, its loan book stood at Rs 17,770 crore and net profit was Rs 340 crore. IIFL Finance was incorporated in 2004 as India Infoline Investment Services and was converted into a public limited company in 2007.

Commenting on the pact, IIFL Group founder Nirmal Jain said, "CDC was the first private equity investor in IIFL during our start-up phase in 1999. Our strategy of focusing on small ticket retail credit to under-served geographies and segments resonates with CDC's investment objectives."



CDC South Asia head Srinivasan Nagarajan said, "We originally invested in IIFL in 1999 and has seen the company go from strength to strength. This new investment will help IIFL Finance grow further.

"Our ability to provide long-term capital means we can provide IIFL Finance with the patient backing it needs to reach even more customers in under-served sectors.
The Border Security Force has beefed up security arrangements along the Indo-Pak border in Rajasthan to check infiltration, a senior officer of the paramilitary force said.

BSF DIG Ravi Gandhi said arrangements were further strengthened along the border areas.

He said the arrangements were beefed up after a security review.

Four districts of Rajasthan -- Sriganganagar, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Barmer -- share border with Pakistan.
The Union Cabinet today approved signing of an Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and Mozambique, a move that will promote air connectivity between the two countries.

Presently there is no such agreement between India and Mozambique.

According to the government statement, the draft text of the Air Services Agreement has been finalised in consultation with Ministry of Finance, External Affairs and Ministry of Law & Justice.

The two sides initiated the process of consultation in 2011 to finalise the text of the ASA.

The agreement allows designated airlines of either countries to establish offices in the territory of other for the promotion and sale of air services, the statement said.

The designated airlines shall also have fair and equal opportunity to operate the agreed services on specified routes, it said.

The ASA also has the provisions relating to revocation or suspension of operating authorisation, principles governing operations of agreed services, commercial opportunities, and safety and security related clause that were incorporated in the line of Indian model ASA.
According the the statement, the Martyrs including national leader General Aung San were assassinated on July 19, 1947 because the people who planned and carried out the assassination used violent means to solve political problems rather than using political means.

"Throughout Myanmar's independence movement, Martyrs including General Aung San had many qualities such as honesty, loving kindness, loyalty, vision, tolerance, perseverance, great determination, and courage. They were ideal leaders, the statement said.

As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was quoted as saying in the statement: "The Martyr courage is based on loving kindness. But the foolhardy-courage is based on anger and selfishness. The Martyr-courage is not based on the will to give up their lives. It is just based on the will to use their lives for the sake of the public. If they need to survive for the sake of the public, they will try to survive even if they are weary. They do not avoid duty and do not search to exit from the situation. If they have no option except to give up their lives, they will do it with courage.

There are two points that can encourage us in today's 69th Martyrs' Day ceremony. The first point is that this is the first [Martyrs' Day] ceremony held under a democratic civilian government elected by the people in more than 50 years. The second point is that we include all national ethnic people who have been working for unity, peace and to build a democratic federal Union via the second Panglong Conference or the 21st Century Panglong Conference that is based on national reconciliation, the objective of the Martyrs.

The statement quoted Suu Kyi as calling on people to become worthy of a Martyr-country.

We would like to solemnly urge you to try to make a united and peaceful democratic federal Union, which is a dream of the Martyrs and to dutifully show our gratitude to the Martyrs, the statement said.
While Californians have mused for months about the mystery buyer of a Powerball ticket worth USD 528.8 million, the couple holding the lucky numbers was busy lining up lawyers and financial advisers to help them handle their enormous winnings.

Flanked by security, Marvin and Mae Acosta went to a state lottery office in Van Nuys on Friday to claim their share of a record USD 1.6 billion Powerball drawing in January, Alex Traverso, a California lottery spokesman, disclosed on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Acostas said they are dedicating nearly all of the prize money to a trust and charities. "We are thankful and blessed for the rare gift that has been placed in our care," they said.

Their names are public record under state law, but Traverso requested that other personal information remain private.

Property records show a couple with the same names purchased a 5-bedroom home for USD 475,000 last fall in Eastvale, a Southern California community about 10 miles from the 7-Eleven where the winning ticket was purchased.

A neighbour said the couple who lived there had two children and moved out last Thursday, a day before the prize was claimed.

Public records showed that Marvin Acosta is 39 years old and Mae Acosta is 40.

Many Californians might have difficulty understanding why the couple would sit on such a mega-prize for so long. But that kind of studied preparation is exactly what state lottery officials recommend for winners to avoid falling prey to scams or mismanagement.

"We couldn't be happier for them and are thrilled they took the time to assemble the right team before coming in to claim," California Lottery Director Hugo Lopez said in a statement.

The Acostas will take their winnings in a cash option totaling USD 327.8 million before federal taxes, lottery officials said.

The Acostas bought their ticket six months ago at the convenience store in Chino Hills, California, a quiet community about 35 miles east of Los Angeles.

It was one of three winning tickets sold for the January 13 drawing. Winners in Florida and Tennessee came forward within days to claim their prize money.

Word that one of the winning tickets was sold in California brought excited crowds in January to the 7-Eleven. Gawkers crowded the store and parking lot, mugging for TV cameras and chanting the city's name in celebration of its sudden celebrity.
British sprinter Mark Cavendish withdrew from the Tour de France to focus on his bid for a first Olympic medal at the Rio Games in just over two weeks.

The 31-year-old won four stages this year and now has 30 in the bag overall, meaning the "Manx Missile" is creeping up on Belgian legend Eddy Merckx and the all-time record of 34 stage wins.

There are five stages left in the race this year, four of which are in the Alps, but Cavendish will not now be starting stage 17 on Wednesday.

"After an extremely enjoyable and successful couple of weeks at the Tour de France with Team Dimension Data, it is with great sadness that I took the decision today to leave the race," Cavendish said in a statement.

"After the heat and intensity of the previous stages, we analysed my fatigue levels and decided I'm at a point that would have a detrimental effect on my other big goal for the year, the Olympic Games.

"To leave a race and organisation that I hold so much respect for and a team that I have such a special bond with has not been an easy decision at all."



Douglas Ryder, the team principal, paid tribute to Cavendish and said he respected his decision.

"He managed to put on his first ever yellow jersey and to carry the green jersey into the first rest day in Andorra was just exceptional," he said.

"He has been a great team leader over the past two weeks and a great ambassador for everyone involved in this team and for the greater cause we ride for.

"Mark is really sad to leave the tour, we are committed to support him in his dream goal of receiving a medal for Britain at the Rio Olympic Games."



Australian Rohan Dennis similarly quit the Tour on Tuesday's rest day to concentrate on his Olympic preparations.

Dennis, 26, who won the opening stage time trial at the Tour last year and wore the race leader's yellow jersey for a day, was sitting 126th overall at more than two and a half hours behind leader Chris Froome.

The Rio Games start on August 5.
A new Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been created by the Centre after bifurcating Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MoC&IT) to exclusively deal with Aadhaar, promotion of internet and other related services.

According to the decision, there will be two ministries-- Ministry of Communications and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

Further, the Ministry of Communications will have two departments--Department of Telecommunications and Department of Posts. The Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), which used to be in the erstwhile MoC&IT, will be under the new Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

President Pranab Mukherjee has approved changes in Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, in this regard, says a recent order by Cabinet Secretariat.

The newly formed Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will deal with all matters related to Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)--mandated to issue Aadhaar numbers to all Indian citizens.

The matters related to promotion of internet, information technology enabled services, initiative on bridging the digital divide and National Informatics Centre (NIC), among others, will also be dealt by the new ministry.

The UIDAI was in September last year shifted from NITI Aayog (formerly Planning Commission) to the administrative control of the MoC&IT.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today launched JK BovaGenix that will focus on producing in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) embryos on a large scale from indigenous cattle breeds.

Located in Gopalnagar village in Jajgir-Champa district of the state, JK BovaGenix is a new arm of JK Trust - an NGO which has been working towards cattle and buffaloes breed improvement using artificial insemination technology for last 40 years.

It is for the first time in India that the IVF technology is being used in indigenous cattle breeds. In 2012, a calf was born with this technique but the attempt was unsuccessful.

The purpose is to protect and propagate indigenous cow breeds and boost the country's milk output.

"This is an initiative that my government will support and it should be further developed with assistance from other states," Singh said after the launch.

The CM also launched mobile cattle embryo transfer and IVF lab.

JK Trust CEO Shyam Zawar said, "We have successfully established pregnancies in 28 cattle with transfer of fresh and frozen IVF embryos."



The embryos have been created using the ova from donor mother's ovary of indigenous cow breeds like Gir and then combined with male semen of the same breed. The embryos created in lab are later transplanted into a surrogate cows to produce high pedigree cattle, he said.

The transfer of frozen IVF embryos are being done for the first time in the country, he said.

Initially, the mobile lab will be made available in Chhattissgarh and later it will be introduced in other states also, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Animal Husbandry Commissioner in Union Agriculture Ministry, Suresh S Honnappagol said, "At present, male cattles are being exploited with use of artificial insemination technology.

"The IVF technology will help in tapping both male and female cattle for multiplying population of indigenous cattle breeds."



Artificial insemination technique is one of the assisted reproductive technologies that the Centre is promoting to conserve indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds, he said.

This is in line with the government's programme Rashtriya Gokul Mission to rapidly multiply and upgrade indigenous breeds of cattle such as Gir (Gujarat), Sahiwal (Punjab/Haryana), Tharparkar (Rajasthan) and 0ngole (Andra Pradesh), he added.

JK Trust is an initiative started by textile and FMCG conglomerate JK Group.

There are about 40 cattle and 13 Buffalo indigenous breeds.
A teenager was today stabbed to death while another injured in a clash between two groups of students near the bus stand in Karnal city, police said.

"The boy, a student of Class XII, was stabbed to death and another was injured in the incident," Deputy Superintendent of Police, Karnal City, Vivek Choudhary said.

The accused were at large and police have launched action to nab them, the DSP said.

The exact cause behind the clash is yet to be ascertained, he said, adding a case has been registered in the matter.
Delhi Congress today alleged "anomalies" in the delimitation process of wards to "delay" the next year's Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections.

"The draft report prepared by Delhi Election Commission in regard of delimitation process is full of flaws. It violates the Lt Governor's notification stating boundary of a ward in a corporation should be carved within the boundary of the Assembly constituency," Delhi Congress president Ajay Maken told reporters.

In 60 out of the 68 Assembly constituencies, the ward boundaries have been crossed as in case of Katwaria Sarai, which is part of Mehrauli, has been shifted to the Malviya Nagar Assembly constituency, he claimed.

"The draft report has also left out some historical places like Hazrat Nizamuddin in the determination of the new wards. In some places, wards have been made in the name of booths," he said.

Maken also alleged that the present delimitation exercise violates 1957 Act that says population of each ward should be same throughout the area.

"In the present case population is more than average in 40 wards while the population is less than average in 14 wards," he claimed.

Congress workers will stage a protest outside State Election Commission office on July 25 demanding rectification of the anomalies in the draft report.
BJP today lined up its Dalit leaders to mount a strong defence of the party and its government in Gujarat after the Opposition accused it of being anti-Dalit following the attack on some community members in that state over skinning of a dead cow.

Union minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot hit out at Congress and BSP for their attempts to draw "political mileage" from the incident and insisted that the Gujarat government had acted promptly.

The crime followed by the attempts of some Dalits to end their lives in protests has seen BSP and Congress launching sharp attack on BJP.

The community's votes are crucial in many states, especially Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, both of which are going to the polls next year. BJP has been trying to woo them vigorously since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014.

Referring to the Modi government's project to develop five places associated with Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, Gehlot said that its attempts showed that no party was more beneficial to the community than BJP.

With the Opposition targeting the party's ideological fountainhead RSS over the matter, Gehlot, who has had a long stint in various RSS affiliates, said it had nothing to do with the matter and the criminals involved in it will be punished.

He asked Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal and BSP chief Mayawati not to visit the state due to the prevailing tense situation there and said any such trip will prove that they were interested in politicising it.

Flanked by other Dalit ministers, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Krishna Raj, Gehlot said the Gujarat Police had arrested 17 people and a senior CID official was probing the case.

"In two months, charge sheet will be filed. Strong action will be taken. Senior state ministers have met the victims. We will give all assistance, including financial, to them," he said.

Asked about some Muslims being attacked in parts of the country over the similar charges, Gehlot insisted that his party believed in harmony in society and did not discriminate along caste or religious lines.

(Reopens DEL55)



Gehlot, addressing the press conference, said Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Mayawati and Arvind Kejriwal did not visit Kerala and Agra when Dalits were killed.

He alleged that Congress and BSP were doing politics with an eye on the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls slated next year, and claimed Opposition parties raised similar issues before the Bihar Assembly elections last year and "forgot" about them after that.

He also raked up the Mirchpur case in Haryana, in which Dalits were killed and many of them were forced to leave the village, when Congress was in power in the state with Bhupinder Singh Hooda as the chief minister.

Gehlot, a Dalit face of BJP, also appealed to the people of Gujarat to observe restraint and not to do anything that causes tension in the society and harms the country.

Dalits have been agitating in the state, protesting alleged inaction of the state government.

Congress has claimed that the violence against them was "BJP-sponsored" as it was trying to polarise communities ahead of the state election to be held next year.

"I have been trying to speak in Rajya Sabha over the issue for three days but they (Opposition) are unwilling to listen. They are trying to politicise it while we are doing everything to provide the justice to victims," Gehlot said.
Congress member in Rajya Sabha K V P Ramachandra Rao has sought BJP's support on a private member's bill moved by him in the Upper House on reorganisation of the state of Andhra Pradesh.

In a letter to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Rao has said the state of Andhra Pradesh "is in a very bad position financially and emotionally" and, hence he has brought the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2015 to further amend the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

"I request you to support the bill along with all your party members in Rajya Sabha and get it passed," he said, adding that the bill will be moved by him on July 22 for consideration and passage.

"Your party did not insist on division for passing your amendments on that day, as you were satisfied with the answers given by the Union government on the floor of the House," Rao told Jaitley on the developments in Rajya Sabha when the AP Reorganisation Act was passed.

He said the bill was passed in both Houses with the support of BJP, "even though all the members of Parliament from Seemandhra belonging to all parties totally opposed the bill in both the Houses.
A Congress leader has moved a plea in the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the Centre to grant sanction to police to prosecute the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and its MLA Rituraj Govind for allegedly issuing identity cards with the state emblem printed on them to party volunteers.

The application by Delhi Congress leader Pratyush Kanth was moved before Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva who asked the politician's lawyer to seek instructions on whether the plea can be disposed of and a representation be filed before the competent authority for initiation of prosecution under the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act.

The court's query came in view of the submission made by Delhi government that such identity cards were not being circulated.

The court said in view of the submission, the allegation made in the main petition by the Congress leader does not exist and suggested that the matter be disposed of.

However, advocate Biji Rajesh, appearing for Kanth, said she needs to take instructions and the court, thereafter, listed the matter for hearing on August 1.

During the hearing, Delhi government counsel Gautam Narayan said there needs to be a police complaint for initiation of prosecution.

Kanth in his application has sought directions to police to treat his petition as a complaint for initiating prosecution.

Delhi Police in an affidavit told the court that it had carried out an enquiry in Kirari constituency of north west Delhi, represented by Rituraj, and found no identity cards in contravention of the Act.

It also said that it has instructed all its staff to be on lookout against alleged issuance of any such identity cards by the AAP MLA.

The court on April 8 last year had restrained the MLA from issuing further identity cards carrying the state emblem to party volunteers.

As per Kanth's petition, the ID cards have the designation of the worker written as 'In-charge Anti Corruption' along with his name and address".

He also alleged that residents of the area were under the impression that the MLA has distributed "government jobs" as Govind has allegedly termed the issuance of ID cards as "Kirari Sarkari Naukari Mela".
Senior Congress leader V Hanumantha Rao has requested noted social activist Anna Hazare to visit Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, where he alleged a statue of Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated by the latter in 2000 was demolished by the State Government in the name of development.

Rao, a former Rajya Sabha member, said he met Hazare in his native village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahmednager district of Maharashtra and requested him to come to Vijayawada to "see the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, now lying demolished".

He said the demolished statue was inaugurated by the veteran social activist 16 years ago.

"Your visit will send a good message among the general public and the Government", he told the anti-graft crusader.

Rao, in a statement, alleged that in the first week of this month, a number shrines were also razed to build roads and other infrastructure facilities for Pushkar Ghats for the "Krishna Pushkaralu", a religious festival scheduled next month.

"...What was very shameful and more hurting is that the authorities have not even spared the statue of the father of the nation. What a sad situation," he said.
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Donald Of The Dead  Comic Book [Dan Taylor/Kickstarter]
A police constable was arrested with 80 pouches of illicit liquor allegedly seized from his possession in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ajay Kumar, who was travelling to Katra belt in the district on a motorcycle, was stopped and searched last night, following which the pouches were seized from his possession, a police officer claimed.

A case has been registered at Katra Police Station.
A police official probing the murder of Pakistani social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch was suspended for poor investigation and negligence and a woman inspector has been assigned to complete the task, officials said today.

Homicide Unit (in-charge) Inspector Ilyas Haider who was doing ground investigation into the murder case will be replaced by woman Inspector Attiya Jaffari who is famous for conducting transparent probes into murder, rape and acid attack cases, said Multan City Police Officer Azhar Ikram.

Central Police Officer (CPO) Azhar Akram deployed Jaffari following the suspension of two former investigating officers for showing negligence in the probe.

According to media reports, Haider was found to be "soft" and "favouring" Mufti Abdul Qavi, who was suspended from top religious body Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in the controversy following Qandeel's video posts with him.

Inspector Attiya has issued notices to various people, including Qavi and the slain model's former husband Ashiq Hussain, under Section 160 of the Pakistan Penal Code in the light of the statement of Qandeel's mother, Akram said.

"We are preparing the case in a way that its trial is concluded within three months," Akram was quoted as saying by the'Dawn'.

Meanwhile, police have decided to shift self-confessed murderer Waseem, Qandeel's younger brother, to Lahore for polygraph (lie detector) test.

Akram said Waseem had made calls to some people soon after strangulating her 26-year-old actor-cum-model sister in central district of Multan on July 15 for the "honour of the family".

The 'honour-killing' has sent shockwaves across the country and triggered an outpouring of grief on social media for Qandeel.
A special court today granted two-day interim bail to graft accused Director General Corporate Affairs B K Bansal to attend the last rites of his wife and daughter, who allegedly committed suicide.

Special CBI Judge Gurdeep Singh granted the relief to Bansal till July 22 and said that after yesterday's incident (of suicide), its time for the probe agency to rethink whether it is necessary to arrest the accused in such cases.

"These are not the conventional crimes like murder. Earlier, CBI used to not arrest in such cases. The evidences are mostly documentary in nature," the judge said while noting that the accused are public servants.

The court allowed the plea moved by advocate Uma Kant Kataria, appearing for Bansal, who submitted that his client's presence was required for the last rites of his wife and daughter and that his own health condition was not good.

In its reply to Bansal's application, the probe agency said it has no objection to the interim bail to the accused on "humanitarian grounds".

Bansal's wife Satyabala (58) and daughter Neha (28) allegedly hung themselves from ceiling fans in two separate rooms at their residence in Nilkanth Apartments in east Delhi's Madhu Vihar yesterday.

Both the women left separate suicide notes, saying the CBI raid had caused "great humiliation" and they did not want to live after that. They, however, held nobody responsible for their deaths.

Bansal, an additional secretary-rank officer in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, was arrested by CBI on July 16 for allegedly accepting bribe from a prominent pharmaceutical company. CBI had carried out searches at eight locations in connection with the case during which the agency had claimed to have made cash recoveries.
Veteran Marxist leader V S Achuthanandan today took a dig at senior advocate M K Damodaran, who backed out from taking over as the legal advisor of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, for alleging that a high-level conspiracy was hatched to malign him.

Reacting to media reports about Damodaran's allegation, Achuthanandan said people of the state would dismiss the charge with the contempt it deserves.

Without naming anyone, Damodaran had reportedly said it was only after Achuthanandan's petition in the Ice cream parlour case was dismissed by the Supreme court, an organised campaign was launched against him. He had alleged that a high-level conspiracy was hatched to malign him.

Reacting to the allegation, Achuthanandan quoted a colloquial phrase to state that there was no point in blaming an innocent person for the setback. "People will dismiss such an allegation with the contempt it deserves," he said.

"BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan had filed a case against Damodaran's appointment as the legal advisor in the High Court and he (Damodaran) had to make his stand clear," Achuthanandan said.

"It is natural that you pick up a fight at home after losing a battle at the market place," he said.

Meanwhile, Damodaran told reporters in Kochi that "media has not been fair to me. So, I do not want to talk."



After widespread criticism from various quarters, including Congress-led UDF and BJP, Damodaran had decided not to take up the post of the legal advisor.

The appointment by the eight-week-old CPI(M)-led LDF government had triggered a row after Damodaran appeared for controversial lottery baron Santiago Martin and some quarry owners in different cases in the High Court recently.

Damodaran had yesterday informed the court his decision of not accepting the post. The decision was made known while the court was hearing a petition filed by Kummanam Rajasekharan, challenging his appointment.

Achuthanandan also said former government pleader Susheela Bhat, who was removed recently, had always stood for the state's interests while appearing in various plantation cases, adding he had written to the Chief Minister in this regard.

However, he declined comment when asked if he would take charge as Chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission.
The district administration has imposed a ban on cultivation of tall crops, orchards and trees near the India-Pakistan border areas to stop drug smuggling and infiltration from across the border.

In an order issued here today, District Magistrate Pardeep Sabharwal said the ban has been imposed on "cultivation of Bt cotton and particularly crops with tall height, orchards and tree near the international Indo-Pak border beyond the barbed fencing".

All the farmers have been told to comply with the orders strictly forthwith.

The orders were passed to prevent drug smuggling and infiltration, an official release said.

The district administration also banned constructing buildings within a kilometer of the fence wire.
The ongoing protests over the brutal assault on some dalits at Una town in Gujarat worsened today as seven more youths attempted suicide with violence and arson spreading to various places in the state.

The incidents of suicide bid were reported from districts of Rajkot, Porbandar, Botad and Gir-Somnath.

With fresh incidents, the number of dalits who have attempted to kill themselves in the wake of the thrashing of seven youths by a vigilante group for allegedly slaughtering a cow on July 11 has gone up to 17.

Dalits had denied killing the animal, contending that they only skinned a dead cow.

In Dhoraji town of Rajkot district, three dalit youths today consumed some poisonous drink, following which they were rushed to a nearby hospital. The trio, identified as Yogesh Solanki, Vinod Solanki and Hitu Chauhan, were shifted to Junagadh civil hospital after their condition deteriorated.

In Gondal town in the district, one Mukesh Chavda consumed poison and was admitted to civil hospital.

In Bantwa town of Porbandar district, one Mahesh Rathod allegedly consumed poison, and was rushed to district hospital, police said.

In Una, the place where dalit youths were flogged in a public view sparking the protests, one Raju Parmar tried to kill himself by consuming poison.

A dalit protester Paresh Rathod tried to immolate himself but was saved by police in Botad town.

In the last two days, 10 dalit youths from various places have tried to kill themselves to register their protest.

Yesterday, a policeman was killed in stone-pelting by mob in Amreli town.

The issue has gathered a political steam with the proposed visit of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to Una tomorrow and on Friday, respectively.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today met the dalit victims' family at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una tehsil of Gir-Somnath district, and promised them all possible help.

She told the family that her government was taking strict action against the culprits and 16 of them were already arrested, an official release said.

In view of the separate visits by Gandhi and Kejriwal, Patel told reporters that the issue should not be politicised.

Meanwhile, the bandh by Dalit outfits evoked a mixed response even as enraged community members took out rallies in towns and cities, blocking roads, damaging buses and even a train was stopped near Vadhvan in Surendranagar district.

Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat observed total bandh where incidents of stone-pelting, vandalisation of properties, damage to buses and road blockade were witnessed.

The bandh was observed in Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and some small towns in Saurashtra, and also at Patan town and Aravalli district in North Gujarat.
Protests escalated in Gujarat over the brutal thrashing of the community youths in Una town even as incidents of violence were reported from several places across the state.

Enraged community members took out rallies in towns and cities, blocking roads, damaging buses and even a train was stopped near Vadhvan in Surendranagar district.

The bandh called by Dalit outfits in Gujarat over the Dalit-thrashing issue in Una town evoked mixed response.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited the victims at Rajkot hospital and met their family members at Una, assuring them that stringent action will be taken against the culprits.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Una tomorrow and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday.

The Dalit outfits kept up protests across the state against the assault of some community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow at Una in Gir-Somnath district.

Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat observed total bandh where incidents of stone-pelting, vandalisation of properties, damage to buses and road blockade were witnessed.

The bandh was observed in Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and some small towns in Saurashtra, and also at Patan town and Aravalli district in North Gujarat.

In Porbandar, a private bus was torched, while several other public transport buses were damaged in many parts of Saurashtra region.

As a precautionary measure, the authorities shut down several routes of state transport buses due to the bandh call and protest by Dalit Panthers and other community outfits.

The protesters blocked several State and some National Highways in Saurashtra.

A goods train was stopped by protesters near Vadhvan in Surendranagar district on Bhavnagar-Surendranagar route. Later, the agitators were dispersed by the police.

Anandiben visited Mota Samaliyala village in Una, where the alleged incident of beating of seven Dalits had taken place and met family members of the victims.

She told them that the government has taken all measures to ensure that the victims get justice.

"The scene of beating of Dalits will be disturbing to anyone who witnesses it. The beating, in the manner it took place, is not becoming of any civilised society. The state government has done everything possible, including arrest of the accused, and (facilitating) hospitalisation of the injured," Patel said after the meeting.

The situation remained tense in Porbandar city during



the day, as a violent mob attacked a police station near Collector's office and torched several vehicles.

According to Porbandar District SP Tarun Duggal, as many as four policemen, including a Deputy SP, were injured in the attack by a mob on a police station near Collector office.

"Around four, including a DySP, one police inspector and one sub-inspector, were injured when a mob attacked the rural police station. The violent mob also damaged four police vehicles and torched a private luxury bus. We are trying our best to calm down the protesters," said Duggal.

Several shops were also damaged by the mob in Bhavnagar city.

Rajkot also witnessed street protests during the bandh following which around 50 people were detained by police. However, the bandh call was not followed in the town and the situation was normal.

In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.

In Ahmedabad, the protesters tried to enforce bandh in some pockets, like Chandkheda and Kalapinagar, where they were seen forcing markets and schools to shut down.

The state has been witnessing widespread protests following the incident. The Dalit protests have spread to several parts of the state unleashing violence, in which a head constable was killed during stone-pelting in Amreli district yesterday. Besides, state transport buses were attacked and more than 10 members of the community allegedly attempted suicide.

Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Rahul Gandhi will meet the Dalit victims and their family members during his visit to the state tomorrow.

"He will land at Diu and reach Una by road tomorrow morning. He is scheduled to meet family members of the victims. Gandhi will then reach Rajkot and meet some of the victims, who are undergoing treatment at a hospital there," said Doshi.
Around 23,000 street food vendors in the city will be trained in hygiene and food safety as part of the Delhi government's plan to ensure clean, wholesome and unadulterated food for the public in the national capital.

As per the plan, street food vendors will be given training on techniques on food storage and handling, and maintaining hygiene by the Drug Control and Food Safety Department, a senior government official said.

Vendors would be issued certificates on the basis of their performance after undergoing a test, he added.

"The Department has undertaken the training and education of 23,000 street food vendors to ensure clean, wholesome and unadulterated food for the public.

"The trained vendors will be issued certificates and skill cards. In first phase, 18,000 vendors will undergo training and education on how to ensure hygiene in their food items while serving them to people," he said.

Meanwhile, the Drugs Control Department has cancelled the licence of 14 medical stores situated in Mahinder Park, Chaukhandi and Chand Nagar to curb the sale of habit-forming drugs in the national capital.

In a statement, the government said that the Department has unearthed a unlicenced godown with large stocks of Buprenorphine, a habit-forming drug.

The Department is coordinating with the Narcotics Control Bureau, UNODC, Delhi State AIDS Control Society and Delhi Police to curb misuse of drugs, it said.
Construction projects of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)are one of the major factors contributing to massive waterlogging and traffic jams in the national capital, the initial findings of reports suggest.

A government official said complaints of waterlogging in and around the metro construction sites have increased as compared to last year in the national capital



However, the DMRC said that in view of the ongoing monsoon season, it inspected its construction sites in advance and action has already been taken to ensure that waterlogging does not take place because of its projects.

In the wake of several parts of the city experiencing water logging due to rains, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had on Monday held a high-level meeting where officials from the DMRC gave explanations over such problems around its construction sites.

In the meeting, Sisodia had asked various concerned agencies including PWD, DMRC, MCDs and DJB, to conduct joint inspections in those areas where complaints of water-logging were received.

"Initial findings of various reports suggest that construction sites of the metro are one of the major factors which are contributing to massive waterlogging and traffic jams during this monsoon season," an official said.

"All areas around metro sites have been inspected and action already taken in advance to ensure that waterlogging does not take place because of DMRC work," a DMRC spokesperson said.

Yesterday, Delhi government has issued challan orders against National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA) over waterlogging at AIIMS flyover and SaritaVihar underpass.
Hillary Clinton today asked American voters to make sure that her rival Donald Trump would never set his foot in the Oval Office of the White House, hours after the controversial billionaire was endorsed by the Republican party to be its presidential nominee.

"Donald Trump just became the Republican nominee. Chip in now to make sure he never steps foot in the Oval Office," Clinton, the Democratic party's presumptive presidential candidate tweeted soon after the 70-year-old real estate mogul's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleavland, Ohio.

The Oval Office is the official office of the US President. It is located in the West Wing of the White House Complex.

"If Donald Trump wants to make America great again, he should start by actually making things in America," she said.

The focus of the convention on the second day was supposed to be on the economy, but it was Clinton, the former secretary of state, who was in the spotlight.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, shaking off the disappointment of being passed over as Trump's running mate, led the coordinated attack on Clinton at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleavland.

He performed a show trial of 68-year-old Clinton, whipping the crowd into frenzied chants of "Lock her Up! Lock her up!"



Christie, one of Trump's closest allies and a former federal prosecutor, said that Clinton's policies while secretary of state had helped an al Qaeda-affiliated terror group abduct 300 young schoolgirls in Nigeria and accused her of abetting President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, enabling Iran and Cuba's Castro brothers along with lying to Americans about her private email server.

"Is she guilty or not guilty?" Christie asked after every charge he laid before the crowd.

The delegates responded with a resounding: "Guilty!"



"We don't disqualify Hillary Clinton to be the president of the United States," Christie said. "The facts of her life and career disqualify her."



Clinton's campaign quickly reacted to Christie's speech.

"If you think Chris Christie can lecture anyone on ethics, we have a bridge to sell you," the campaign said on her Twitter account, a reference to the 2013 George Washington Bridge line closure scandal that badly damaged Christie's own political brand.

Michael Mukasey, a former attorney general under former



president George W. Bush, was also roped in to attack Clinton.

He said Clinton lied about her motivations in setting up a private email server while secretary of state and said that disqualified her from being US President.

"Hillary Clinton is asking the people of this country and the people of the United States to make her the first President in history to take the oath of office after already having violated it," he said.

The message, Mukasey said, the convention should send to her should be "loud, clear and short: No way, Hillary. No way on earth."



Meanwhile, Democrats will gather for their convention in Philadelphia from July 25 to 28 to nominate Clinton, as their candidate for the presidency ahead of the November 8 polls.
People are "food insecure" if they lack access to "enough food for an active, healthy life." There are 48 million Americans who live in food insecurity, thanks to a combination of nearly all the economic benefits of the post-2008 recovery going to the wealthy; and the sustained attacks on America's social safety net, led by state-level Tea Party governments.

It's about to get much worse.

After the economic crisis, many states relaxed their restrictions on EBT ("food stamps"), but right-wing politicians understand that there are easy wins to be scored by attacking "entitlements" and bringing those restrictions back to pre-crisis levels, or making them even more strict (for example, by adding costly, useless drug-testing as a condition of receiving benefits  tests administered by private companies that win fat government contracts to conduct their witch-hunts).

So nearly 15% of the people in the richest country on earth go to bed hungry and worry about their next meal. Food banks are buckling under the strain, and seeing surges of elderly people, and families with young children.





Of the 29 states that relaxed food-aid restrictions after the crisis, only 8 maintain those relaxations today.

Not only is childhood hunger implicated in lifelong health problems, but welfare and other social programs are strongly correlated with entrepreneurship, because people who fear starvation and medical bankruptcy don't quit their jobs and start new businesses.



The main reason for the decline is some states' new work requirements, according to Lisa Davis, the senior vice president of government relations at the national food-bank network Feeding America. "Part of it is due to the fact that the economy is recovering, but unfortunately another big part of it is occurring in the states [that] reinstituted that three-month time limit for ABAWDs," said Davis, using an acronym for "able-bodied adult without dependents." Under federal law, ABAWDs can only receive three months' worth of SNAP benefits every three years before they get cut off. In order to receive any more, they must either find employment or enter a job training program that meets federal requirements. When unemployment is high and job training is scarce, states have the option of waiving those work requirements. Most governors took advantage of that escape clause in the years following the financial crisis. As recently as the first quarter of this year, the USDA, which oversees food-stamp programs, had granted full waivers to 29 states, plus the District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. But within months, the number of states opting into full waivers had plummeted to eight. The result was an immediate and dramatic decline in nationwide food-stamp rolls. "The reinstatement of the time limit is probably the single most significant issue in the national social safety net happening this year," said Davis.

The Return of American Hunger

[Ned Resnikoff/The Atlantic]
All Central government employees were today asked not to misuse their position to secure job in any company or firm for their family members related to them by blood or marriage.

Existing rules bars a government servant from giving any contract to any company or any other person if any member of his family is employed in that firm. Further they shall refer every such matter or contract to his superior official.

For removal of doubts it is clarified that "members of family in relation to a government servant include the wife or husband, son or daughter, parents, brothers or sisters or any person related to any of them by blood of marriage, whether they are dependent on the government servant or not", the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) said in a directive to all ministries.

The move comes after a few instances were noticed by the government where some of the employees were allegedly violating the conduct rules.

"While looking into these instances, the accused allegedly claimed that they were not aware as to who all could be considered as family members. This directive has been issued to ensure that all employees continue to maintain integrity and follow all government rules in toto," a senior DoPT official said.

All ministries have been asked to bring these guidelines, which are part of Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, to the notice of all employees and disciplinary authorities.

The rules are not applicable to officers of all India services--Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS).

Existing norms also bars a Class I officer not to, "except with the previous sanction of the Government", permit his son, daughter or other dependant, to accept employment in any company with which he has official dealings or in any other firm having official dealings with the government.
Amid the raging protests over the thrashing of Dalit youths for allegedly skinning a cow, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today met the victims' family at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una tehsil of Gir-Somnath district, and promised them all possible help.

Patel told the family that her government was taking strict action against the culprits and 16 of them were already arrested, an official release said.

As some of the victims complained of getting threats, Patel assured that police will also arrest those people.

On July 11, some persons who claimed to be 'Gau-Rakshak' ('cow protectors') arrived at Mota Samadhiyala and beat up seven Dalit youths who were allegedly skinning a dead cow. The attackers alleged that the Dalits had slaughtered the cow.

During her visit, Patel said the government will give grant for construction and repairing of houses and toilets for the Dalits and other poor families in the village.

A special camp will be held on July 24 to provide them various benefits of government schemes such as widow pension, Maa Vatsalya Yojana, BPL card registration, medicine distribution, etc.

The chief minister ordered the district administration to complete these tasks in a month and announced that she will again visit after two months to see if the victims and other villagers had got benefits of these schemes.

Speaking to reporters, Patel later said the issue should not be politicised. "Such incidents should never be associated with politics. I request all the political parties to refrain from doing politics...Those who want to come can come and see what has happened and what steps we have taken," she said, referring to the planned visits of Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi tomorrow and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal later.

The CM later visited Rajkot Civil Hospital and made inquiries about the treatment of four victims and directed hospital authorities to provide best possible medical treatment to them.

Social Justice Minister Ramanbhai Vora and Minister of State Jasabhai Barad accompanied her.
Egypt has announced that it is nominating former minister and ambassador for the post of UNESCO director general.

A former ambassador to South Africa, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Khattab was family and population minister between 2009 and 2011 under now-deposed President Hosni Mubarak.

She also served as secretary general of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood in Egypt.

"Egypt will nominate ambassador for director general of UNESCO," said a statement from the office of Prime Minister Ismail Sharif.

The mandate of UNESCO's current director general, Irina Bokova of Bulgaria, expires in 2017.

Bokova is among the candidates to succeed UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, whose mandate runs out this year.

She was elected head of the Paris-based UNESCO in 2009, becoming the first woman to lead the UN agency. She was re-elected in 2013 for a second four-year term.

Qatar's ambassador to Paris announced in December that his country would be putting up a candidate for the position, nominating Culture Minister Hamad bin Abdulaziz al-Kawari.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today chaired a crunch security meeting for the first time since the failed coup, after a widening purge that has seen around 50,000 people either detained or sacked.

The Turkish air force meanwhile launched its first strikes since Friday's putsch against targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, in a sign Erdogan has regained full control over the armed forces.

The coup bid by rebel soldiers was the most serious blow to Erdogan's 13-year domination of Turkey, and the president has said he came within 15 minutes of being killed or kidnapped by the plotters before escaping.

The putsch left more than 300 people dead and caused scenes of devastation, especially in Ankara where raids by fighter jets and attack helicopters on strategic targets terrified residents and turned parts of parliament and the police headquarters to rubble.

More than 9,000 suspects have been detained, including some of Turkey's most senior generals, who are accused of being the ringleaders of the plot.

In total, about 48,800 state employees, including police and teachers, have been dismissed from their posts or detained, according to figures published by the Hurriyet daily and CNN-Turk.

Ankara says the coup was masterminded by US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen and the massive crackdown appears to be targeting individuals suspected of any connection to Erdogan's ally-turned-foe.

The purges have stoked alarm that Erdogan was using the coup plot to crack down on opponents, with Turkey's Western allies urging the authorities in the strategic NATO state to obey the rule of law.

The president returned to the capital late yesterday for the first time since the coup and was chairing a meeting at his presidential palace of his national security council, composed of top military brass and security ministers.

He will then chair a cabinet meeting, also at the palace, whose immediate vicinity was bombed during the military power grab.

Erdogan was in the Aegean resort of Marmaris when the coup struck and then flew to Istanbul where he had stayed since, appearing before supporters each night in a "vigil" for democracy.

He told supporters in Istanbul on Monday that "an important decision" would be announced after the security meeting, without specifying.

The crunch meetings come as controversy grows over the scope of the crackdown against those suspected of being behind the coup plot.

Erdogan's suggestion that the death penalty could be reinstated has sent shudders through Europe, with the EU warning such a move would be the nail in the coffin of Turkey's already embattled bid to join the bloc.
The EU unveiled national targets today for cutting greenhouse gases by 2030, insisting Britain is still legally required to help the bloc meet its UN goal despite being set to leave.

Wealthy northern European countries including Britain bear the brunt of the EU's plans to meet the commitment it made at the Paris climate summit in December to cut emissions by 40 percent over 1990 levels.

Despite Britain's shock referendum vote last month for Brexit, the European Commission included it on its list of proposed binding emissions targets for all 28 EU countries.

"These targets are realistic, fair and flexible," EU Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Canete told a press conference, adding that the targets would become legally binding if and when approved by member states.

Under the targets, which are based on economic growth, Sweden and tiny Luxembourg must cut emissions by 40 percent over 2005 levels, while Finland and Denmark must cut emissions by 39 percent and powerhouse Germany by 38 percent.

Britain and France are asked to cut emissions by 37 percent while Netherlands and Austria should cut by 36 percent.

"Let's be very clear: from a legal point of view the outcome of the referendum has not changed anything," Spain's Canete said when asked whether the proposed targets would have to be readjusted following Britain's exit.

"The UK (United Kingdom) remains a member state with all the rights and obligations for member states and EU law continues to apply in full to the UK," he said.

New British Prime Minister Theresa May's government has yet to initiate the exit negotiations but has promised to follow through with the process that could take several years.

In contrast, poorer eastern and southern EU countries are asked to contribute far less to the targets, despite the fact that they often rely more heavily on dirtier fossil fuels.

Bulgaria, the poorest state in the bloc, was given an emissions reductions target of zero percent, while Romania, Latvia, Croatia, Poland, Hungary and Lithuania are all set below 10 percent.

Poland in particular gets off lightly given its reliance on coal-fired power stations.

Canete added that the targets offer incentives for investment in sectors like transport, agriculture, buildings and waste management.

The system allows for flexibility. Member states can reduce emissions jointly across a range of sectors and over time.
The fate of Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal, who had disqualified nine rebel Congress MLAs including ex-Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, would be dependent on the judgement on pleas challenging his action to disqualify the lawmakers, now BJP members, the Supreme Court today said.

The caveat came in the order of the bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman which also refused to grant any interim relief to the rebel MLAs who had sought a stay on their disqualification and permission to participate in the Assembly session starting July 21 at Dehradun.

The motion to remove the Speaker was moved by then nine rebel Congress MLAs and BJP lawmakers on March 18 and a day after, the Speaker slapped them with disqualification notices.

The bench, which also made clear that it did not intend to interfere with the business of the Assembly, said that if the motion is taken up by the House and voted upon then it's fate would be "subject to adjudication" of rebels' pleas against the Nainital High Court order upholding their disqualification by the Speaker.

"We are inclined to state that if the motion that was moved by the petitioners (rebel MLAs and BJP MLAs) for removal of the Speaker is taken up anytime in Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly, the same shall be subject to final adjudication of the SLPs and all the issues raised in the petition including the jurisdictional issue are kept open," it said.

The rebels, also including Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, filed a plea in their pending appeal seeking a stay on the Speaker's decision to disqualify them by relying on the recent historic judgement in the Arunachal Pradesh case which has held that the Speaker, facing motion for removal, cannot disqualify lawmakers who are part of the motion.

Referring to para 175 of the landmark verdict of the Supreme Court, re-installing the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, senior advocate C A Sundaram, appearing for the rebel MLAs, said that Article 179 (c) of the Constitution disentitles the Speaker against whom a resolution for removal is pending from disqualifying any member of the House.

Sundaram also referred to the relevant portion of the



five-judge Constitution Bench judgement in the Arunachal case.

"We are satisfied, that the words 'passed by a majority of all the then members of the Assembly', would prohibit the Speaker from going ahead with disqualification proceedings under the Tenth Schedule, as the same would negate the effect of the words 'all the then members', after the disqualification of one or more MLAs from the House.

"The words "all the then members", demonstrate an expression of definiteness. Any change in the strength and composition of the Assembly, by disqualifying sitting MLAs, for the period during which the notice of resolution for the removal of the Speaker (or the Deputy Speaker) is pending, would conflict with the express mandate of Article 179(c), requiring all "the then members" to determine the right of the Speaker to continue," the bench had held.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Kunjwal, raised serious objection to the portion of the Arunachal verdict dealing with the power of the Speaker in a case where a motion for removal against him is pending.

"How can it be? I am emotively with you (judge), but I am not logically with you," he said, adding that the Speaker's power to adjudicate in such cases cannot be taken away by political actions and anybody can move a motion and cripple the judicial power of the Speaker.

Sibal said that Arunachal Pradesh Speaker Nabam Rebia has filed a fresh plea seeking review of the judgement.

"The matter was never argued like that. The expression, 'all the then members of the Assembly' (in the Article 179 (c) of the Constitution) does not mean and include disqualified MLAs or vacant seats," he said.

He then asked can the MLAs, who have now joined BJP, be allowed to join the Assembly as part of Congress Legislature Party?



"The very motion to remove the Speaker is a political process. You have put the political process above the judicial process. This cannot be done," Sibal said.

He said, "The Speaker has been rendered incapacitated (by the Arunachal Pradesh verdict). The Deputy Speaker cannot act under the Xth Schedule of the Constitution. Where will the complainant go.

At one point of hearing, Sibal submitted that the instant



petition of disqualified MLAs be also referred to a Constitution Bench as the position of the Speaker, who has been enjoying power under the Xth Schedule, has been severely compromised.

"This will happen the first time in the history of India when BJP leaders will be declared Congress MLAs in the Assembly," he said while seeking the bench's nod to file a reply on the fresh plea of the disqualified MLAs.

The bench then said, "We have all become shock proof. When the Xth Schedule came, the very first case was decided by us was of a Speaker who himself had defected despite holding the high constitutional post."



Another senior advocate A M Singhvi shared the views of Sibal on the issue and said, "Here is a situation where the Speaker has become a persona non designata. A potential accused can disable the judge from adjudicating his case."



He said that what will happen to the legal position that only two-third of the MLAs of a political group can be recognised by the Speaker under the Anti-Defection Law.

In the present scenario any defecting MLA can give a notice on motion for removal of the Speaker before defecting and take shelter of the judgement that he cannot be disqualified by the Speaker facing the motion, Singhvi said, adding that the MLAs committing "constitutional sins" cannot be given benefits.

Sundaram said, "I have moved the motion for removal of the Speaker and now I am being disqualified. Now they will take up the motion without the ones who have moved the motion. It will be a great anomaly."



To this, the bench said, "Our mind is clear. We cannot interfere in the affairs of the Assembly. What we can do is that if the motion for removal of the Speaker is taken up, it will be subject to the outcome of pleas pending before us.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has called for restarting of negotiations for India's Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with the UK and the European Union (EU), citing the growing importance of the Indian economy to the world.

India today is a very strong and important economy that other countries want to associate with," said Secretary General A Didar Singh, calling for the restart of the India-EU FTA which has been on the anvil for 10 years.

"Therefore, we feel India-EU FTA has a much better chance being operative and coming on for a common cause now because businesses need that," he said, after addressing the South Asian Diaspora Convention here on Tuesday.

Singh also called for an urgent initiation of India-UK FTA, saying it would help clear the current uncertainty among businesses created by the UK's decision to leave EU, or Brexit.

He said the call came from a survey of the 800 Indian companies based in the UK, which reported a sudden 15% decline in return on investments as the pound sterling fell 15% following Brexit vote last month.

Responding to the survey, the companies said they see a decline in profitability over the next three to five years, especially following the split decision which will impact their European business done through UK-based offices.

The companies, responding to the survey, said they were facing problems in getting new contracts and businesses, according to Singh.

Over 50% of the 800 Indian companies surveyed had presence in the EU through UK offices.

"All these businesses will have to re-calibrate their strategies," Singh said of the Brexit impact and uncertainty faced by business over the next two years.

There are concerns about managing businesses in the post-Brexit environment and some companies would like to set up another office in the EU, which would add more costs and make them less competitive.

Singh also hoped that the India-UK FTA would help relax student visa conditions allowing internships and employment for Indians studying there.

There has been an estimated 20% drop in Indian students going to the UK for studies over the last two and a half years when the internship and employment condition was removed.
A video circulated on social media depicts rebel fighters beheading a boy after capturing him north of Syria's second city Aleppo, a monitor said.

The video, circulated on social media on Tuesday, shows the boy laying in the back of a truck when a fighter begins to cut off his head with a small knife.

One fighter shouts "we will leave no one in Handarat", which is north of Aleppo city where there has been fighting between rebels and regime forces.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that the video depicts rebel fighters.

In an earlier clip, the boy was sitting in the back of the truck with fighters around him accusing him with being a member of Al Quds brigade, a Palestinian group fighting with the regime forces.

Earlier in July, Amnesty issued a report saying that Islamist rebels and jihadists in are guilty of war crimes, accusing them of "a chilling wave of abductions, torture and summary killings".

The London-based rights group named five Syrian anti-regime factions operating in northern among them Nureddin Zinki.

Activists accused Nurredin Zinki group of carrying out the killing, but the group issued a statement condemning a "violation" that was "an individual mistake, that does not represent the general policy of the group".

According to Rami Abdel Rahman, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief, "the boy is no more than 13 years old, he was captured yesterday in Handarat area, but the incident took place in a rebel held area in Aleppo city, Al Mashhad neighbourhood to be exact".

He could not confirm if the boy was a Palestinian or a child soldier, though he said Al Quds brigade denied that he was one of its fighters.

Nureddin Zinki added that "the persons who carried out this violation were arrested and handed over" to a judicial committee for investigation.

Syria's conflict began in 2011 with the repression of anti-government demonstrations and has evolved into a multi-front war that has left more than 280,000 dead and forced millions from their homes.
The Ministry of Finance has rejected a proposal for setting up a Workers' Bank by Employees' Provident Fund Organisation( EPFO), according to a senior official of the Labour Ministry.

Earlier, the EPFO had sent proposals to the Finance Ministry seeking permission to start a bank to serve its members.

The EPFO, which has about 3.7 crore subscribers, wanted to set up a bank and the proposal was discussed in the Central Board of Trustees' (CBT) meeting on December 19, 2014.

CBT is the apex decision making body of EPFO.

"The bank proposal was rejected by the Ministry of Finance. They are of the opinion that we do not have necessary competence for running a bank. Some internal discussions are going on in the Ministry. We are trying to come up with answers to satisfy Finance Ministry's queries," the official told PTI on condition of anonymity.

The core idea of setting up the bank is not to make huge profits, but to serve our own members primarily, the official said.

Another senior official of the EPFO said currently it manages funds to the tune of Rs 7.5 lakh crore and another Rs 2.5 lakh crore will be with the organisations of companies who were exempted to deposit PF with EPFO.

Then Labour Secretary Gauri Kumar had earlier said EPFO might not have the core competence to run a Workers' Bank.

However, the suggestions for such bank can be referred for consideration of Department of Financial Services based on discussions in CBT.

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya had earlier said a committee in CBT is examining the issue to come up with suggestions.
A day after suspending 9 servitors from the Lord's service, Sree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) today filed an FIR against three priests for allegedly violating an Orissa High Court order on climbing chariots and disrupting rituals during Rath Yatra festival.

The SJTA in its complaint with the Singhadwar police station said the three servitors were found taking a woman to the 'Taladhwaja' chariot of Lord Balabhadra during a ritual on Sunday night. They also created disturbance during a ceremonial procession of Lord Sudarshan.

These servitors allegedly abused Puri District Collector Aravind Agarwal, who tried to stop them from violating the High Court's 2014 order where it was said that none other than the authorised persons would be allowed to climb the chariots.

The servitors against whom the FIR has been lodged were identified as Damodar Mahasuara, Jayakrushna Mahasuara, Ipsit Pratihari and others.

Yesterday, the SJTA suspended nine servitors from service of the Lord for violating the ban on climbing the chariots, misbehaving with Arvind Agarwal and attacking media persons during a ritual.

Earlier, the police have arrested six servitors on charge of attacking the media persons on Sunday night. They were sent to judicial custody for 14 days by the sub-divisional judicial magistrate's court yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Odisha IAS Association has condemned the act of servitors who publicly abused Puri Collector Aravind Agarwal.

"We will soon convene an emergency meeting to discuss on the matter. We strongly condemn the incident and demand action against the servitors who misbehaved with a the Collector," said IAS association secretary Vishal Dev.

Agarwal, a 2007 batch officer was also allegedly threatened with life allegedly by some servitors. The district collector has filed two FIRs in this connection.
The co-founders of Goodby Silverstein & Partners have made their own anti-Trump ad, just because they thought they should. It is very good, and a bit chilling.

Via AdWeek:

Droga5 has been doing advertising for Hillary. And now, Jeff Goodby and Rich Silversteinthe co-founders of Goodby Silverstein & Partners in San Franciscohave made their own ad for this campaign season, wondering aloud whether Donald Trump is qualified to be presidentover slow-motion footage of Trump infamously using a water bottle to mock Marco Rubio back in February.

The YouTube video description reads: "Words have meaning. Actions have consequences. Donald Trump has, again and again, provided entertaining moments of amusing name calling and shocking jingoism. But does that mean he should be our president?"
Five workers have been killed in China's when they were repairing a sewerage equipment.

Liu Yanfei, from Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang province, was repairing a dysfunctional pump yesterday when he inhaled toxic fumes while working, causing him to faint and fall into water.

Several of his colleagues attempted to save him, but they also fell in water.

Two of the workers were later rescued, while five others, including Liu, died.

Rescuers suspect that the fumes were methane. A thorough investigation has been launched into the case, state-run Xinhua agency reported.

Many northern cities in China experienced heavy rain resulting in waterlogging.
Government has planned to release and rehabilitate 1.84 crore bonded labourers in the country under its vision for 15 years till 2030, Parliament was informed today.

"A perspective vision document has also been prepared for total abolition of bonded labour," said Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

According to the 15-year vision (till 2030), it has been planned to identify, release and rehabilitate an estimated 1.84 crore bonded labourers and strengthen the prosecution machinery and reaching 100 per cent conviction rate for preventing new bondage.

Besides, there are plans to provide a sustainable monthly earning system for preventing return to bondage.

Similarly, there will be 7-year strategy (2017-18 to 2023-24) under which there is a plan to bring down the number of bonded labour to 50 per cent of the present estimate and augment the annual budget to cater to the needs of at least 12 lakh bonded labourers.

The strategy will also focus on amending the labour laws relating to organised sector to widen the ambit of coverage of vulnerable workers, including released bonded workers.

There will also be a 3-year action plan (2017-18 to 2019-20) under which the government will create a district level rehabilitation fund with a minimum corpus of Rs 10 lakh at the disposal of district magistrate for immediate cash assistance.

The plan will also include survey on bonded labour in 18 states at the rate of two per state every year. The action plan envisages payments through direct benefit transfer (into beneficiaries' bank accounts).

The minister also told the House that the total number of bonded labour released and rehabilitated till March end this year stood at 2,82,429.

According to the statement in the House, the maximum number of bonded labourers was released and rehabilitated in Tamil Nadu (65,573) followed by Karnataka (58,348), Odisha (47,313), Uttar Pradesh (37,788) and Andhra Pradesh (31,687).

Under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, it is the responsibility of the state government to identify, release and rehabilitate the bonded labourer.

In order to assist the states in the task of rehabilitation



of identified and released bonded labourers, a centrally-sponsored scheme for their rehabilitation has been in operation since May 1978.

Under the scheme, an assistance of Rs 20,000 per bonded labourer was provided, which was equally borne by central and state governments.

The government has revamped the scheme with effect from May 17, 2016. The revamped scheme is known as the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer, 2016.
Actor T R Knight, who played fan-favourite Dr George O'Malley on medical drama "Grey's Anatomy", is returning to Shondaland.

The actor will play a recurring role on season two of sophomore dram "The Catch", which is produced by Shonda Rhimes, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Details on Knight's role are being kept under wraps but Rhimes welcomed Knight.

"This has been a thrilling secret to keep! One of my favorite family members is home!," she said.

Knight's casting reunites him with Rhimes and her Shondaland partner Betsy Beers as well as "The Catch" showrunner Allan Heinberg.

"Working with Shonda, Betsy and Allan again fills me with immense joy. I am heartened to be returning to Shondaland and excited to work with this exceptional cast!," Knight said.

Heinberg said the role in "The Catch" was "created and written especially for Knight.

Knight's character George was killed off in "Grey's Anatomy" amid some drama.

The actor, who made the decision to come out, clashed with former "Grey's Anatomy" co-star Isaiah Washington and asked to be released a year early from his contract after what he called a "breakdown in communication" with Rhimes and a lack of screen time.

George's death still ranks as one of the most shocking deaths on Grey, which is known for killing off its popular characters in dramatic ways.
Under attack on the issue of assualt on dalit youths in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, the Centre today said the state government had taken "swift and effective" action against the culprits and announced a compensation of Rs five lakh for the victims.

Strongly condemning the incident, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was "very sad and hurt" after he came to know of the incident and hit back at Congress citing the data on incidents of atrocities under its rule.

The government was ready to debate in both the Houses of Parliament, he said and accused the Congress of not being serious in addressing the issue of atrocities on dalits.

He cited figures to claim that cases of atrocities against dalits have declined in the state after 2001 when Narendra Modi took over as chief minister, and commended the state government for its "swift and effective" action.

He was speaking after the issue was raised in both houses of the Parliament by many opposition parties including BSP and Congress, which staged a walkout along with TMC in Lok Sabha.

"It is an unfortunate incident. No words are enough to condemn it but it is not the first time that such atrocities have been committed.

"There is no place for such actions in a society which supports justice and equality... To target the most deprived and exploited sections. In fact we need to protect them in every possible way," Singh later said outside Parliament.

Asked about walkout by Congress, Singh said it showed that Congress was not serious about the issue.

The state government, the Minister said, was planning to have a special court for the trial in the case. "I congratulate the state government for its swift and effective action."



Social Justice Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot said that state authorities have arrested 17 people so far in this incident.

"The state government was very fast in taking all the necessary action in this case. And so far 17 people have been arrested. Cases have also been registered against them. As far as my ministry is concerned, we will provide Rs 5 lakh compensation to the affected dalit families," Gehlot told reporters here.

On July 11, a few dalit youths were allegedly assaulted in Una in Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat for skinning a dead cow.

In aftermath of this attack, the state has witnessed violent protests in which a head constable was killed and state transport buses attacked. Some members of the dalit community also allegedly attempted suicide.

Speaking on the issue, Information and Broadcasting Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the state government has been taking all necessary steps in this case and alleged that "Congress is shedding crocodile tears on this issue and haven't done anything for dalits so far".

Talking to reporters, BSP Chief Mayawati said "Only BSP is concerned about dalits. While parties like Congress alongwith BJP try to suppress this issues."



The opposition alleged that the attack was "sponsored" by BJP and RSS to polarise communities ahead of next year's assembly polls but the Home Minister rejected the charge.

"No government in India has done so much for the poor and dalits as the Modi government has," Rajnath Singh claimed as he spoke about schemes like Jan Dhan and Start-up India aimed at their financial inclusion.

"I am not talking about atrocities against dalits in Haryana. I have all details. You seemed to have made up your mind to walk out," he said before reeling out figures of such cases during the UPA government to make his point.

Citing National Crime Records Bureau figures, he said they were over 32,000 incidents in 2004, 38,000 in 2008 and 37,000 in 2009 as he rejected the Congress claim that BJP was behind such incidents.

"I request all political parties to commit themselves to eradication of such atrocities," the Home Minister said.

It was an irony that such incidents targeting the weaker section were happening so many years after the country's independence. "This is a social problem. It is a social evil," Singh said.
In order to place the traditional 'Mehndi' Industry of Haryana at par with neighbouring states, the Government today exempted sale of 'Green Mehndi leaves and its powder' from the levy of VAT.

A decision to this effect was taken by Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here today, an official release said.

At present, VAT at the rate of five per cent was being levied on traditional 'Henna' (Mehndi) in Haryana. No VAT is levied on the sale of traditional Mehndi in the neighbouring states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, it said.

Exemption from levy of VAT will enable the traditional Mehndi industry of the state to compete on level terms with the dealers of the neighbouring states. Faridabad district is the main centre of business of Mehndi in Haryana, it said.

This exemption will cost about Rs 50 lakh to the state exchequer. However, 'Kali Mehndi' as well as 'Herbal Mehndi' will continue to be taxed at the rate of 12.5 per cent in the state.

In another decision, the Haryana Cabinet also decided to nominate Urban Local Bodies Department as Nodal Department for the issues related to Urban Transport System.

It was observed that integration of land use and Urban Transport System is pre-requisite for efficient and sustainable urban planning and it can be possible only under the aegis of a single department dealing with both the Urban Transport and land use planning.

Haryana Cabinet also approved the proposal to give 50 acres of land of Government Livestock Farm, Hisar to the Municipal Corporation, Hisar to set up Gau Abhayaran (cow sanctuary) and cattle pond. The land would be given at a rate of Re one per acre per year for 33 years.

The Cabinet today also decided to cover the guest or temporary teachers working in the state run schools under its Policy for providing compassionate financial assistance to the family of the deceased persons working in Government Departments, Boards, Corporations, Public Undertakings under Haryana Government on ad-hoc, daily wage, contract basis including persons working on contract basis through service providing agency.

The Cabinet approved the proposal to amend the policy to give a financial assistance of Rs three lakh which would be given to family of deceased guest teacher appointed in government schools.

Haryana Cabinet also decided to amend Haryana State Legislature (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1974 to include the offices of Government Chief Whip and Leader of Opposition in the Act.

The Cabinet also decided to provide government job to



Jitender Kumar, a resident of village Sunped, district Faridabad "as an exceptional case in public interest."



It was decided to compensate the family which had lost two children "due to unnatural causes in 2015".

The qualification of Jitender Kumar is matriculate. Since the case to provide job to him is not covered under the government policy dated May 30, 2014, the Cabinet decided to give him employment on the consideration of the case being of "peculiar nature", the release said.

Notably, in Sunped village, the house of a Dalit family was set ablaze, allegedly by upper caste men, resulting in the death of two children, in October last year.

In another decision, Haryana Government decided to promulgate an ordinance further to amend the Haryana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005. This ordinance will be called as the Haryana Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Ordinance, 2016.

"The amendment for the financial year 2015-16 to 2019-20 is necessitated because of the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission whose recommendations were accepted by the Government of India. The amendment replaces the earlier stipulations of the 13th Finance Commission to bring in fiscal responsibility among all states and Union Government," it said.

The fiscal deficit will now be anchored to an annual limit of three per cent of GSDP. The state will be eligible for flexibility of 0.25 per cent of the GSDP if the debt-GSDP ratio was less than or equal to 25 per cent in the preceding year.

State will be further eligible for an additional borrowing limit of 0.25 per cent of GSDP in a given year if the interest payments were less than or equal to 10 per cent of the revenue receipts in the preceding year.
The Delhi High Court today asked city-based Shanti Mukand Hospital to show the document as per which it was exempted from providing free treatment to poor patients as required under the land allotment lease condition.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva asked the hospital to place on record the lease or an allotment letter which specifies that they will not have to give free treatment to poor patients.

"Is there any condition in the lease or allotment letter that you (Shanti Mukund Hospital) will have to provide or not provide free treatment to 10 per cent or 25 per cent," the court said.

It said, "During the time of the investigation by the special committee, appointed to look into the affairs of the hospitals as per a high court order of 2007, you do not share your records, when the order is passed you come to court."



The court fixed the matter for further hearing on August 11.

The court was hearing a plea by the hospital which sought stay on the fine of Rs 56 crore imposed on it by the Delhi government for allegedly refusing to provide free treatment to poor patients as per land allotment lease condition.

Besides Shanti Mukand Hospital, the Delhi government had asked four other Delhi-based private hospitals -- Max Super Specialty Hospital (Saket), Dharamshila Cancer Hospital, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute and Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute -- to deposit "unwarranted profits" they earned from allegedly refusing free treatment to the poor.

A special committee had imposed a fine of over Rs 32 crore on Max, Rs 10.6 crore on Pushpawati Singhania, over Rs 100 crore on Fortis and Rs 17.86 crore on Dharamshila.

During the previous hearing, the court had refused to grant an interim stay in favour of Fortis and Dharamshila hospitals, saying they have to first deposit some money if wants to insist on an interim relief.

The health department of the Delhi government had claimed that the hospitals were provided land at concessional rates between 1960 and 1990on the condition that they will treat the poor free of cost, but they have not abided by it.

As many as 43 private hospitals in Delhi were allotted land at concessional rates on the condition that they will keep 10 per cent of their in-patient department capacity and 25 per cent of out-patient department capacity to treat economically weaker section patients free of cost.
The Delhi High Court today asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation to consider a petition, seeking capping of airfares across the country, and pass appropriate order within eight weeks.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal disposed of the plea which sought a direction to the authorities to frame "guidelines so as to put a cap on airfares and prevent the private airlines here from charging arbitrarily, irrationally and exorbitantly for air flights".

The bench asked the ministry to pass the order as per law and directed it to inform the petitioner about the decision.

Advocate Amit Sahni, in his plea, has stated that he had filed an RTI application for information regarding airfares and Ministry of Civil Aviation had replied that these are not controlled by the government.

Citing recent Jat agitation in Haryana, which reportedly forced some passengers to pay over Rs 90,000 for their journey, the plea has said if there would have been a cap, the airlines could not charge such huge amount.

"The private airlines companies have fleeced people even in emergent situation and the government has stood as a mute spectator regarding the same," it has said, adding there is "urgent need to regulate the upper limit of airfares so that the private airlines could not fleece their customers as per their own wish."



Capping of airfares in the backdrop of the passengers' complaints of arbitrary tariff hikes was recently ruled out by the government which had said competition among airlines would take care of the problem.

In his petition, the counsel has stated "it is totally unfair on the part of respondents (Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Director General of Civil Aviation) to state that they cannot regulate airfare thereby leaving the entire decision upon private companies to decide airfare as per their on wish.
The Delhi High Court today rapped the Delhi government for not clearing the rubble from the Kushak Nallah, which carries water from South Extension-I in south Delhi to the Yamuna, leading to waterlogging of the area.

Referring to pictures of drain submitted by a resident of the area, a bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar observed, "It is all waterlogged."



"What are you (government) doing? Your drain is not clear. You cannot clear even one nallah," the court said to the government's Public Works Department (PWD) which was tasked with clearing the debris from the drain.

The bench, thereafter, appointed a local commissioner who was asked to visit the area tomorrow along with officials of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), PWD and Manjeet Singh Chugh, who had submitted the photographs today.

The court was hearing a PIL relating to waterlogging in South Extension-I, which is being monitored by the high court since 2012.

On June 20, the court had warned of stern action against officials of PWD if the drain was not cleared as waterlogging in the area could cause water-borne diseases.

During today's hearing, Chugh told the court that pillars of the Barapullah bridge extension were "blocking" the drain.

He also claimed that the construction debris has not been cleared and showed photographs in support.
The ex-Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of AIIMS today accused the Health Ministry of not doing anything in several graft cases relating to the institution by allegedly sitting over charge sheets and CBI reports against the individuals involved.

Ex-CVO of AIIMS, Sanjeev Chaturvedi made the accusation in an affidavit filed before the Delhi High Court in a PIL by an NGO seeking recusal of the Union Health Minister from acting as a disciplinary authority, alleging that he had "unfettered powers to influence the course of proceedings in all the corruption cases".

The PIL by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) has also sought a CBI probe into various graft cases in AIIMS.

Health Minister J P Nadda had earlier told the high court that the PIL was "actuated by ulterior motive" to gain political mileage and "malign" the government's image.

He had, in his reply to the PIL before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini, refuted allegations that Chaturvedi was removed from the post as he was conducting a probe in several corruption cases related to various malpractices in AIIMS.

He also refuted as false and frivolous the allegation that as a result of Chaturvedi's removal, the graft cases involving officials close to the minister are being reviewed and have slowed down.

Chaturvedi has claimed in his affidavit that the Health Ministry has not replied since February 2 on Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) letter seeking the ministry CVO's comment on whether they have taken any action on CBI's case registered against some individuals.

"This affidavit is being filed just to place on record CVC letter dated February 2, 2016 to respondent 4 (CVO, Health Ministry) seeking status report about action taken on major corruption cases of institute, including the present Director, AIIMS and fact that till date same is unattended by the Health Ministry," he said.

Earlier, Chaturvedi had claimed in his first affidavit



that the previous Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan as well as CBI had recommended major penalty proceedings against some AIIMS officials in connection with alleged irregularities in construction of port-a-cabins at Jhajjar campus of the institute but no action had been taken.

He said that he came to know about the recommendations through Right to Information queries and contended that the lack of action "reflects the nexus" between the accused and Nadda.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in its reply had also termed as "incorrect" that after Chaturvedi's removal as CVO, no vigilance office is functioning at AIIMS as a Joint Secretary-rank official has been assigned charge of the post.

AIIMS, on its part, had said the PIL has been filed in "personal interest" of the NGO and with a view to damaging the reputation of the institute.

The PIL has contended Chaturvedi started initiating action in corruption cases relating to various malpractices including "supply of dubious medicines by a private chemist shop having influential political nexus, role of middlemen in making fake out-patient department (OPD) cards".

It has alleged that "in many cases, probe has been slowed down" relating to serious irregularities including "wastage in purchase of surgery equipment and other medical items, use of fake propriety certificates in purchases, irregularities in recruitment, in computerisation work, breach of confidentiality in exam process, unauthorised foreign visit of senior faculty members in violation of MCI regulations".
The Madras High Court today pulled up the Tamil Nadu government for 'administrative lapses' in attacks at three villages in Dharmapuri district in November 2012 reportedly by upper castes in connection with an honour killing and said the picture presented to it was not satisfactory.

The court said it wanted an affidavit to be filed with the signatures of the Secretary concerned, explaining the inquiryheld to fix these lapses, who were found responsible and what was the nature of punishment given to those persons.

"We are sure that the period of four years would have been more than enough for completing this task," the First Bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice R Mahadevan said.

The bench made the observation while disposing of petitions by several persons, seeking relief in connection with the attacks on Dalit colonies at Dharmapuri on November 7, 2012 by uppercaste people, consequent to the death of the father of a girl who married a Dalit boy. The boy later died mysteriously.

"In a democratic country like ours, we are even unwilling to give the major boy and girl the right to determine whom they want to marry. Not only that, life and property are lost in the meaningless fury of one community against the other, reflecting a sorry state of affairs of the society," it said.

Divya, hailing from the Vanniar community, had married a Dalit, Ilavarasan, which was objected to by her father, who committed suicide. The incident triggered violence and 326 houses were burnt in Nathamkottai, Kondampatti and Annanagar villages in Dharmapuri district.

Later, Ilavarasan was found dead near a railway track under mysterious circumstances.

In this connection, petitions and PILs were filed in the high court, seeking response from various departments of the central and and state government for suggestions to protect, rehabilitate and provide relief to those affected.

Disposing of all petitions, the bench said a mindless frenzy had taken place, resulting in loss of large amount of property -- 326 houses were stated to have been burnt down in three villages.

"If we may say, it amounted to complete collapse of administration," it said.

The bench said a three pronged endeavour was required -- activation of criminal justice system, rehabiltation measures and pinpointing of responsibility for administrative lapses.

"Insofar as the first aspect is concerned, the learned Government Pleader (GP) states the final report will be filed in one month, investigation having been conducted by CB-CID," it said.

It noted the final report was not filed as there were interim directions by it, which, by consent, were now lifted.

On rehabilitation, the petitioners' counsel said there are still deficiencies, which they would enlist and inform the GP.

The bench referred to an SC order, which said there was nothing honourable in honour killing or other atrocities and in fact it was nothing but barbaric and shameful murder.

It posted the matter for September 9 for compliance.
Before Theresa May became Prime Minister of the UK, she was the Pry Minister of the UK, the principle proponent of the Snoopers Charter, a sweeping domestic surveillance bill that the European Court of Justice's Advocate General has just found to be excessive under EU law.

For years, human rights law has been a principle plant in the Tory platform against the EU. ECJ rulings on surveillance, deportation, disenfranchisement and other key issues of democratic life have frustrated the Conservative Party's most authoritarian, xenophobic wing  with the added benefit of providing easy talking-points about how the EU requires the UK to be soft on terrorism, immigration, and crime.

Labour MP Tom Watson and Tory MP David Davis sought ECJ review of the Snoopers Charter, and yesterday, they got it  the ECJ's Advocate General stated that warrantless, suspicionless surveillance of an entire nation is inconsistent with European law.





But with Brexit underway, the ECJ action means much less than it would have a month ago: the UK is scheduled to leave the EU in two years or less, after all. What's more, Davis (a longtime Eurosceptic) was been made the "Brexit Minister" in May's government, and promptly took his name off the ECJ challenge to his new boss's signature legislative initiative.

The Snoopers Charter is currently slated for debate and review in the House of Lords, who have historically been more tempered in their support of surveillance law, having been instrumental in putting kerbs on Tony Blair's Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).



In fact Davis, the UK's new Brexit minister, had traveled to the Luxembourg-based court earlier this year and argued that the British government was "treating the entire nation as suspects" with its proposals. Meanwhile James Welch, legal director of human rights organization Liberty, said the ECJ ruling showed a "clear message to our [UK] blinkered government  your proposed new law breaches our human rights."



May's Snooper's Charter Takes a Hit as ECJ Rejects Widespread Surveillance [Sputnik]





(via Naked Capitalism)
With Dharamsala being in the list of Smart Cities, the Himachal Pradesh government will seek global expertise in various sectors from some of the municipalities in European countries.

Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma, Director (UD) JM Pathania, and an engineer from the Dharamshala Municipal Corporation will undertake a weeklong tour of Germany and Vienna from Saturday.

The team will hold meeting with the European Smart City Association to work out the modalities for the implementation of the Smart City solutions for Dharamsala and seek global expertise in high end services.

Himachal is looking for partnership with municipalities in Germany, France, Netherlands, Sweden and Austria.
The Calcutta High Court today rejected the bail prayer of Sambia Sohrab, an accused in the hit-and-run incident in which an Indian Air Force corporal died during Republic Day parade rehearsal on January 13 this year.

Justice Aniruddha Bose rejected the bail plea of Sambia in view of the seriousness of the incident in which the accused had allegedly violated two traffic blocks and entered the parade area on Red Road near Fort William, headquarter of the Army's Eastern Command.

Justice Bose observed that the nature of the incident did not merit bail to the accused.

Chief Justice Manjula Chellur had referred the bail prayer of Sambia to the court of Justice Bose after two judges of a division bench had differed over granting of bail to the accused.

While Justice Ashim Kumar Roy had refused bail to Sambia, the other judge Justice C S Karnan had felt that the accused should be granted bail.

Justice Roy and Justice Karnan had passed separate orders in this regard.

Following this, the Chief Justice had referred the matter to the third judge.

Twenty one-year-old corporal Abhimanyu Gaud was killed by a speeding brand new Audi with Sambia allegedly at the wheels after it broke through guard rails on Red Road on the morning of January 13.

Sambia, son of former RJD MLA Mohd Sohrab, was arrested by the Kolkata Police some days after the incident.
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has set up an incubation cell 'Kittes' to encourage young entrepreneurs to launch start-ups.

"IIFT at its Delhi campus has set up an incubation cell called 'Kittes' (Knowledge for Innovation in Trade and Technology for Entrepreneurial Start-Ups) with the CSR support from Mitsubishi Corp India Pvt Ltd and Metal One Corp India Pvt Ltd," IIFT said in a statement.

The cell would enable young entrepreneurs to get all the expert advice and technical guidance at one point, MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra said while inaugurating the cell.

It was erroneously stated in a report on July 18 that the incubation cell was set up by the government. The cell has actually been set up by IIFT.

"KITTES will be unique as we bring collective innovation and international experience to the table," said Surajit Mitra, Director & VC, IIFT.
India today said it is engaging with China to iron out differences after Beijing created "procedural hurdles" for its entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) but made it clear that government will never ink Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said China had raised questions over how a non-NPT could become a member of the NSG.

"But we are engaging with it. We have not stopped efforts. If someone says 'No' for once, it does not mean he won't agree at all...Like GST...Congress friends are not allowing the GST to be passed. Four sessions have passed, all parties have agreed to it, it is being held up due to them (Congress).

"That does not mean it will never agree (to the GST bill). It is possible that the bill is passed in this session," she said.

Asserting that India has a "clear cut" policy on NPT, she said government will "never sign NPT" but will continue to fulfil its commitments made when it got the waiver in 2008.

Her reply was made amid protests by the Opposition over attacks against Dalits in Gujarat, including sloganeering from the Well.

The minister rejected suggestions that India had created a lot of "hype" ahead of the NSG meet in Seoul. "We have been taught to make serious efforts to achieve things...No hype was created when we submitted our application for the membership of NSG on May 12. We did it with low fanfare," she said.

Swaraj also scoffed at suggestions by Supriya Sule (NCP) that the denial of NSG membership to India was a 'huge diplomatic snub' as it came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mexico and Switzerland.

The Minister said Mexico supported India's bid and when the decision did not go in New Delhi's favour, Mexico demanded an extraordinary meeting to make the plenary decide again on the issue.

Asserting that Indian diplomacy has made its mark, she said earlier people used to ask whether India can make it to the NSG. "Now when India will become a member is the question being asked," she said in the presence of the Prime Minister.

On the benefits of getting NSG membership, Swaraj said India will then become part of rule making. "We are rule takers not rule makers," she said recalling a 2011 decision of NSG not to transfer sensitive enrichment and reprocessing technology to non-NPT states.

"The decision was against us. Had we been inside (member), we would not have let this happen," she said.

She said waiver is like being allowed in the verandah. "Membership is like being in the room...Being part of rule making," Swaraj said.

She also credited the previous UPA government for getting the waiver and said while the UPA government made the commitments, the present government is following the same since it came to power in 2014.

She said membership of the NSG would enable India to have enhanced and uninterrupted access to nuclear technology, fuel and material required for expanding its civil nuclear programme.

In a clear setback to its efforts to join the 48-nation grouping, the NSG plenary held in South Korea last month decided against accepting India's membership application after China and some other countries opposed entry of a non-NPT signatory into NSG.

(REOPENS DEL37)



Swaraj said India plans to generate 6,300 MW power through nuclear energy and has signed civil nuclear agreements with 13 countries.

She said negotiations with Bangladesh and Japan in this regard have been concluded and MoUs will be signed with them.
India has been saved of a "horrible insult" at the NSG as it could have been much worse than what happened there, Congress today said.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj claiming that India will be able to convince China on the issue, underlines the failure since there is "admission of failure" on her part.

He also said his party would support the government if it does hard diplomacy and not credit everything to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I think India has been saved of a horrible insult, it could have been much worse," he said, adding that India should have gone to NSG with 100 per cent plus preparation.

"She (Swaraj) told that government will be able to convince China. On the contrary, I think what you have quoted which is very important underlines the failure - there is an admission of failure," he said.

Singhvi also said, "We will support the government if it does hard diplomacy, we will be the happiest, but if the object is to say just before the PM reaches there, he has achieved this, then it will never work."



He said the object has to be hard-nosed, ground leveled diplomacy and "not to project the PM as the ultimate magical button".

"First and foremost, it is moot question whether without 105 per cent preparation; we should have at all sought NSG membership at this stage. That is a larger debate that we had earlier. Non formal membership has caused us no prejudice with the kind of effective diplomacy done by the Manmohan Singh government. I certainly agree that we should be member of the NSG but only after 100 plus per cent preparations," he said.

He said if India is now trying to convince China on the issue, it is like "you are not trying to close the stable doors after the horses are bolted".

Singhvi said India should have done this homework well before it applied for NSG.

"That is the meaning of quiet diplomacy not event management, not optics," he said, asking what about the other countries which are more friendly to you than China that never gave the "unqualified and unambiguous approval" and were having "ifs and buts".
India has lashed out at the "subterranean universe" of the Security Council's sanctions regimes for not being transparent in their functioning and called for reform, months after China scuttled its bid to get Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN.

There "is the need for change of the processes followed in the subterranean universe of the Council's subsidiary bodies. The subterranean universe I refer to consists of 26 sanctions regimes acting on behalf of the Council," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said at a Security Council session on 'Working Methods'.

He said the 26 sanctions regimes cumulatively take 1,000 decisions every year but rarely does the Chair of any of these bodies briefs member states or the media about the proceedings after their meetings.

The Indian envoy questioned why efforts at transparency are not extended to the "subterranean universe, where more decisions are taken than in formal meetings or informal consultations".

"Why is it that we are blandly informed of positive decisions of this subterranean universe and never told about negative decisions when proposals are not acceded to," he said yesterday as he lamented that in the Council's sanctions regimes no explanations are given about how the members voted and what their positions are.

Akbaruddin further stressed that in the sanctions regimes no rationale is given for accepting requests for listing nor do the applications that are rejected surface in the public space.

"No one indicates who specifically is not supporting a request. Indeed, proposals that can't make it are buried without public acknowledgement that they were ever considered," he said.

"In the subterranean universe, all decisions are required to be taken by unanimity, a practice that is not in vogue in the Council itself. While the trend now is to consider means to curtail the use of the veto in the Council's own work and many here support such efforts, however, in the subterranean universe all council members have extended vetoes to themselves as members of Sanctions Committees," Akbaruddin said.

He stressed that in the "subterranean universe of subsidiary bodies, the adoption of principles of anonymity and unanimity has absolved individual members of accountability".

"Taking their cue from the membership of these bodies, other member states too perhaps have not been implementing many of the decisions taken by these bodies," Akbaruddin said, adding that implementation reports from member states indicates how outdated they are and in most cases are of2003 vintage.

Previously, India has slammed the UN sanctions committee for taking a "selective approach" in tackling terrorism when a technical hold was put on its application to include the name of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar on the committee's list of designated terrorists.

India, in April, had slammed China's virtual veto to prevent banning of Pathankot terror strike mastermind Azhar.
Kashmir is not an internal matter of India, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said today and asked it to hold a plebiscite there to respect the rights of Kashmiris as Pakistan observed a 'Black Day' to express solidarity with the people of the Valley.

In his message, Sharif said, "Today we are observing Black Day to express solidarity with Kashmiris and are giving a strong message to the world that Pakistanis are with them (Kashmiris) for their struggle to get their rights."



"India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris through force as they will eventually get freedom. The United Nations has declaredKashmir a disputed territory and India should hold plebiscite to respect the rights of Kashmiris. Terming Kashmir issue internal matter of India is not justifiable," he said.

Sharif said India was committing human rights violation in the occupied territory which is a matter of great concern for the world community.

The Prime Minister has earlier directed all relevant departments to highlight the Kashmir issue at international fora.

To observe the Black Day, rallies and events are being held across the country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to draw attention of the world towards the Kashmir issue.

All officials of federal and provincial governments were wearing black band on duty to express "political, moral and diplomatic support" to Kashmiris.

Special prayers will be held for those killed in Kashmir after the death of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

On the government's order, Pakistani missions abroad will hold ceremonies there to draw world's attention towards Kashmir.

Mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack, Hafiz Saeed-led Jammaat-ud-Dawah's 'Kashmir Caravan', which yesterday left for Islamabad from Lahore, will hold a "large" public meeting here.

Saeed yesterday vowed to march towards Jammu and Kashmir "till Kashmiris get freedom".

Over 40 people have been killed in Kashmir in the clashes since Wani's killing on July 8.
An Indian-American donor from Chicago will donate a whopping $898,000 to Donald Trump's presidential campaign, making him one of the biggest financial backers to the Republican nominee.

Chicago-based Shalabh "Shalli" Kumar wired $449,400 to the Trump Victory Fund on Saturday afternoon, The Hill reported. This is the maximum one can donate to the Trump campaign.

His wife will send another equal amount to the Trump Victory fund thus becoming "double max" totaling $898,800.

Early this year, Kumar founded the Republican Hindu Coalition.

He yesterday hosted a breakfast reception for Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives and a close aide of Trump.

Kumar also met Trump on Saturday.

"That's just a start. That's the seed money," Kumar said.

Kumar praised Trump for his policies on Pakistan and his views on Muslim profiling.

"He has to do whatever [it takes] and he is the strongest that has come about in the last 45 years. On national defence, he will be stronger than Reagan (former president Ronald Wilson Reagan)," Kumar said.
India's Ambassador to the US Arun K Singh today met top Republican party leadership and Trump Campaign officials during the ongoing Republican National Convention where the party described India as a "geopolitical ally" and strategic trading partner of the US.

Reflective of the positive sentiment about India and the commitment of the GOP leadership and Trump Campaign to strengthen India-US strategic relationship, Singh has been given the highest level of access given to a foreign diplomat during a political convention.

Among others, Singh met the House of Representative Speaker Paul Ryan, Senator John Cornyn, Senate Majority Whip and Co-Chair India Caucus and Senator Bob Corker Chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

He also met Senators Tom Cotton, and Bob Portman.

The Ambassador also addressed American Jewish Committee (AJC) at a reception.

The Indian-American leadership attending the Republican National Convention along with the community leaders in Cleveland hosted a reception for the Indian Ambassador.

Singh held meetings with Congressman Pete Sessions, Chairman House Rules Committee; and Devin Nunes, Chairman of House Intelligence Committee.

He also met lawmakers Rodney Davis, Ted Yoho, Renee Ellmers, Kevin Yoder, Tom Price and Mike Turner.

The Republican platform approved by the party on the first day of the convention described India as a "geopolitical ally" and strategic trading partner of the US.

"India is our geopolitical ally and a strategic trading partner. The dynamism of its people and the endurance of their democratic institutions are earning their country a position of leadership not only in Asia but throughout the world," it said.

"We encourage the Indian government to permit expanded foreign investment and trade, the key to rising living standards for those left out of their country's energetic economy," it said.
Indian professionals working in Japan on short term contracts of up to six years will no longer require to make any social security contribution in that country if they continue to make such payments in India with the two countries firming up an agreement in this regard.

Similarly, Japanese employees posted in India would enjoy the same benefit under provisions of the Indo-Japan Social Security agreement which will come into force on October 1.

Besides benefiting the professionals in each other's country, the pact will provide for cooperation in areas of labour market expansion, employment facilitation and orderly migration.

Today, the two countries exchanged 'Note Verbales' in as per provision of the pact notifying the completion of the respective constitutional and legal procedures required for coming into force of the pact, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

"Thousands of Indian and Japanese workers who are working in Japan and India respectively will benefit from the agreement. The SSA will also help more Japanese companies to consider India as a destination for their manufacturing investments," it said.

The Social Security Agreement (SSA) between India and Japan was signed in Tokyo on November 16, 2012 and the administrative arrangement for implementation of the pact were exchanged between the two sides on June 9.

The MEA said the agreement will come into force from October 1.

India has already signed SSAs with 15 countries -- Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, South Korea, Austria, and Australia.

The Ministry said once an SSA is signed between India and a foreign country, it exempts the Indian workers on short term contracts abroad from making a social security contribution in that foreign country.

This exemption is provided only if the Indian worker is covered under the social security system of India and continues to pay his or her contribution during the period of overseas contract.

The SSA also enables the Indian professionals to remit accumulated social security contribution made in a foreign country, in case of relocation to either India or a third country.

"The comprehensive SSA between India and Japan when operational from October 1, 2016 will favourably impact the profitability and competitive position of Indian and Japanese companies with foreign operations in either countries by reducing their cost of doing business abroad," the MEA said.
Ever wonder if it's really a good idea for there to be "terrorism watch lists" created by for-profit businesses, with no accountability to the privacy rights of ordinary citizens like you and me?

The best-known of these, Thomson Reuters' "World-Check," recently leaked to the so-called dark web. The database is compiled from public sources, and is sold by Thomson Reuters to vetted clients in government, intelligence agencies, banks, law firms, and the like.

The database tracks "heightened risk individuals and organizations," and hackers are now selling copies of the leaked edition online. One of these dark web sellers says he's sold copies to multiple buyers for a total Bitcoin sum that adds up to about $20,000 US dollars.

The World-Check database made news a few weeks ago when a security researcher reported it was left exposed online.

"The database is being sold by two different vendors for 10 bitcoin (around $6,600) and 3.5 bitcoin (around $2,300)," reports Motherboard today. "At least one of the two listings appear to be legitimate," they add.

From Motherboard:
awaiting nod to get Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status for its maiden venture at Rajarhat in West Bengal, is seeking an audience with new state IT minister Bratya Basu in 15-20 days, an official of the company said.

"I am planning to meet the new IT minister in 15-20 days and will wait for the response and then take a call," Ramadas Kamath, EVP and Head Infrastructure, Infosys, told PTI.

Kamath, who is in-charge of the Bengal project, said the idea behind meeting the minister is to take feedback from the government.

"We are not asking for anything from the state government. We just want the state government to recommend the SEZ proposal," he said.

"Hopefully, something will happen now. It should happen here because it is happening everywhere. We got fantastic support from the Kerala government where a Communist regime in is in power now."



The Trinamool Congress government led by Mamata Banerjee was ideologically opposed to SEZ for which both the proposed projects of and Wipro were in limbo.

Kamath said the governments have now realised that creation of employment, improving trade and commerce are key to survival. "We are feeling confident about West Bengal since the government is making the right noises," he said.

had paid Rs 75 crore for buying 50 acres from the government.

To a query, he said the project at Rajarhat had not reached the planning stage since the SEZ status is yet to be accorded. "After getting it (SEZ), we will then start planning," he added.
The Jharkhand government has started a single-window clearance system for industry proposals and simplified rules for investors, Chief Minister Raghubar Das said today.

Offering red-carpet welcome for foreign and domestic players wanting to set up ventures in the mineral-rich state, the Chief Minister said a congenial atmosphere is awaiting investors in the State.

The BJP-led Government in the State is looking for large-scale investments and is organising the maiden 'Jharkhand Global Investors Summit' on February 15-16, 2017 in Ranchi.

Das, along with senior State Government officials, had a meeting with prospective investors from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana here as part of the roadshow for the summit.

Later, talking to reporters, he said, "We had one-to-one talks with investors and many of them have shown keen interest for investing in Jharkhand.

"I am confident that Jharkhand will see more and more investments. We have simplified the rules/procedures for investors resulting in speedy decisions. The Government has taken measures to make the system business-friendly and there is transparency. That is the reason Jharkhand has been ranked third among Indian states for ease of doing business."



The Chief Minister said other states go after numbers, but Jharkhand will not quantify it's commitment in those terms and instead, focus on action-oriented leadership and handholding for investors by the administration.

During Das' visit, Jharkhand Government signed an MoU with Oracle for imparting IT-ITeS skills training. Under the programme, the software maker, through its Oracle Academy, will train the faculty of educational institutes under the 'Train the Trainer' model.

Another MoU was signed with Shree Cement for setting up a cement grinding unit with an estimated investment of Rs 600 crore.

"Road infrastructure is good, state has surplus power, water is available in plenty, Jharkhand has land and huge natural resources. I welcome investors with red carpet.

"We have to write a new story for Jharkhand. Tell me if there is any report of corruption in the last 15 months of the BJP rule," he said.

The State Government has launched single-window clearance system and any investor intending to invest has to submit only one application, he said. "Every month I myself review the progress on MoUs signed and also on applications of investors to check if they are stuck at any level."



Das said he directly reviews investments of above Rs 100 crore and added his Government is working on four sectors - industry, agriculture, IT and tourism - to ensure speedy development of the State.
Actor Johnny Depp made his first red carpet appearance since his split with estranged wife Amber Heard.

The 53-year-old "Black Mass" star accompanied his "Hollywood Vampires" bandmates for the annual Starkey Hearing Foundation Awards Gala in St Paul, reported E! Online.

The event was also attended by Jennifer Garner, Buzz Aldrin and Jay Leno.

Depp, who caught up in a controversy for allegedly abusing his wife, walked the carpet and posed alongside Alice Cooper and his wife, Sheryl Goddard for camera.

"I've been lucky enough to play characters like Edward Scissorhands, Captain Jack Sparrow and my only sort of goal is of making someday a positive change, he said during the event.
A group of advocates today allegedly attacked media persons outside the Kerala High Court complex here, leaving two persons injured.

The lawyers allegedly hurled abuses and threatened that they would not allow the reporters to cover the court proceedings. A section of them even locked down the media room in the court complex.

Two camerapersons of television channels have been injured in the attack, local media reported.

The injured have been admitted to the Ernakulam government hospital, police said.

Ernakulam unit of Kerala Union of Working Journalists alleged that the advocates resorted to violent protest against the media as they were provoked by its coverage of an alleged attempt by a government pleader to molest a woman here last week.

Journalists under the banner of KUWJ staged a protest at a city corner demanding action against the lawyers who targeted media.

Visuals aired by various TV channels showed media persons being chased and kicked by advocates even as police tried to rescue them.

The lawyers were seen preventing camerapersons from taking visuals of the violence.

Media persons have complained to the High Court registrar about the incident, which occurred a day after some advocates allegedly used abusive words against legal reporters at the court's media room here.

Yesterday, a legal reporter, who was allegedly manhandled by a section of unruly lawyers, had complained to the acting Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan about the incident in the media room.

The government pleader, who is currently out on bail, was arrested last week on the charge of allegedly attempting to molest the woman on a city lane.
Prisoners undergoing life sentence will now be released on the grounds of good conduct with the Karnataka government today approving new guidelines in this regard.

The guidelines have been given approval in the light of the Supreme Court directions.

The new guidelines will cover all convicts, both male and female, serving life sentence andcovered by the provisions of section 433 A of CrPC, who will beeligible for premature release after 14 years ofactual imprisonment without remission, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said "all other convicted male persons not covered by section 433 A of CrPC, undergoing the sentence of life imprisonment, would be entitled to be considered for premature release after they have served at least 14 years of imprisonment inclusive of remission, but only after completion of 10 years of actual imprisonment without remission."



Female prisoners, not covered by section 433 A of CrPC and undergoing life imprisonment, would be entitled for being considered for premature release after they have served at least 10 years of imprisonment inclusive of remission, but only after seven years of actual imprisonmentwithout remission, he added.

Quoting from the guidelines, the minister said male prisoners, undergoing life sentence who have attained 65 years and have served actual imprisonment of 14 years with remission, would also be entitled for consideration.

Also to be considered are female prisoners undergoing life sentence who have attained the age of 60 years and have served actual imprisonment of 12 years with remission, he added.

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Government in the meeting today has also given



administrative approval for District Hospital in Mysuru with an expected cost of Rs 70 crore 36 lakhs.

Jayachandra said this will be done by adding 50 more beds to the existing capacity at a government hospital inMysuru.

The decision on which hospital has to undergo capacity expansion to meet the requirements of a district hospital has been left to the Chief Ministers discretion.

Among the other clearances given in cabinet are construction of road over bridge on Bangarpete-Markuppam route in association with Railways at the cost of about Rs 74,79,73,268.

He said the cabinet also discussed various issues including M-sand manufacturing.

Chief Minister has called a meeting of officials and ministers on this tomorrow.
Amid concerns over return of diphtheria in Kerala, state Health Minister K K Shailaja today said the CPIM-led LDF government plans to make vaccination mandatory for children getting school admissions.

Instructions would be given to produce vaccination certificate at the time of the admission of children, Shailaja told reporters here.

Government has no intention to impose vaccination on the people and the move was considering the people's safety, she said.

The government's move assumes significance in the wake of reports that reluctance of a section of a people at Malappuram to go in for vaccination was one of the reasons for the sudden spurt of the disease in the district.

She also said a massive campaign to create awareness on vaccination would be launched in the state.

A people's convention would be held at Malappuram as part of the campaign on July 25. Later, such conventions would be conducted across the state, she added.

Two persons have died due to the disease and 105 diphtheria cases have so far been reported in the state, she said.

The minister said the state was also planning to bring in a legislation to check the rates being charged in private medical laboratories for various tests.

The government would try to introduce the Kerala Medical Establishment Bill, which would have provisions to check rates charged for various tests in medical labs, in the next assembly session, said.

The draft of the legislation was under preparation in the health department, she said, adding, after getting approval of the Law and finance departments, the draft of the bill would be published.

To a question, she said steps were progressing to appoint adequate number of doctors and other para medical staff including nurses in government hospitals in the state.

She said preliminary discussions have been held with self-financing medical colleges association representatives in connection with admission of students.

About setting up AYUSH University, the minister said the government would take a decision as and when the land for it was available. It would function on similar lines of Centres of Excellence, she added.
The United States supports Turkey's efforts to put down a "coup" against its elected government but wants to see democratic norms respected, Secretary of State John Kerry said today.

Kerry, flanked by allied foreign ministers, restated US support for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government as it pursues a vast purge of suspected putsch supporters from its military, administration and schools.

"We condemn this coup, and we are clear about our desire to see democracy be sustained and flourish in Turkey," Kerry told reporters in Washington.

"We have all of us said that we want to make certain that as the response to the coup is implemented it fully respects that democracy that we are supporting."



The United States was quick to condemn last week's short-lived military uprising in Turkey, but senior officials did not immediately use the term "coup" to describe it.

Washington remains supportive of Erdogan's attempt to restore order but -- along with Turkey's other NATO allies in Europe -- has begun to express concern about the sweeping nature of the crackdown.
To the challenges facing KFC and Apple in China, add a surprise backlash from Beijing's spat with the Philippines over the South China Sea.

Nationalists are protesting at KFC outlets and calling for a boycott, spurred by government accusations that Washington encouraged Manila to oppose Beijing's claims to vast tracts of ocean.

Photos circulated online show young Chinese wearing scarves with patriotic slogans smashing Apple iPhones in protest.

State media have fanned public anger with a torrent of criticism of last week's ruling by a UN tribunal, which found no legal basis for Beijing's claim to most of the South China Sea.

"The Chinese public, as optimistic and positive as they are, are deeply patriotic and nationalistic, especially people who are younger," said James Roy of the research firm China Market Research Group.

KFC and Apple "are just very closely associated with the United States, and you are seeing people picking the closest symbol they can think of to demonstrate against."



The protests are a reminder of the political risks for global brands in China, where they regularly become targets of nationalist sentiment, often stirred up by official media.

In 2012, sales of Japanese autos plunged when Tokyo and Beijing were in a dispute over control of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

The Chinese leadership has tried to tamp down this week's protests with demands in state media to leave foreign companies and their customers alone.

"This is not the right way to express patriotism," said the government's Xinhua Agency. The China Daily newspaper called the protests "jingoism that does a disservice to the spirit of devotion to the nation."



Some KFC customers have responded by posting photos of themselves online with a bucket of chicken, axes or other weapons and signs reading, "patriotic hooligans, try harassing me and I'll take you out."



Phone calls to spokespeople for KFC in China and written messages sent through the company website weren't answered.

A man in the eastern city of Yangzhou, northwest of Shanghai, said he watched a protest yesterday morning after seeing a note online appealing to people to take part. He said it also told protesters to boycott Japanese and Korean goods.
The newly appointed Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today invited constructive criticism from Opposition BJP so that the government could function efficiently.

Participating in the discussion in the House after the election of the Speaker, Khandu asked BJP members to work cohesively with the government and pursue with the Centre regarding easy flow of development funds to the state for a prosperous Arunachal.

Responding to various allegations and counter allegations by various members on the months-long political turmoil in the state, Khandu appealed to the House to shed all differences and work as "Team Arunachal" in the interest of the people.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein requested the Opposition bench to point out mistakes of the government and extend constructive suggestions while assuring that equal opportunity would be provided to all the members of the House irrespective of party affiliations.

Former chief minister Nabam Tuki while requesting the members to refrain from digging old issues said, "People have elected us and we should work for their interests. This is the time for reconciliation and reconstruction of a new era without recalling the past.

"We should forget and forgive each other instead of blaming each other and work with renewed zeal shedding all differences for overall development of the state," he said.

Earlier, participating in the discussion Opposition Leader Tamiyo Taga assured to play a constructive role while denying allegations by Congress that BJP was instrumental in dislodging the Nabam Tuki government.

"BJP has nothing to do with the internal matter of the Congress," Taga said, adding Tuki had not sacrificed his post as claimed by Congress members but it was done under compulsion as he was likely to lose the floor test.

Former deputy chief minister Kameng Dolo also called for shedding differences among the members, while senior BJP member Japu Deru asked the government to ensure that development would not take a back seat after 25 months of political instability in the state.

"We have lot of expectations from the present government," he added.

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Former Home minister Tanga Byaling said nobody should be blamed for the political stalemate in the state which was due to the weakness of the elected members.

"The state in the past few months has created a history of sorts and we must rectify ourselves so that such a situation never returns," Byaling added.

Outgoing Speaker Nabam Rebia said the common people's perception on elected leaders was that they never acted according to the dignity of their positions and efforts should be made so that respect for them is restored.

"Let us forgive each other and give up the differences and work jointly in the larger interest of the state," the former speaker added.

Senior Congress MLA Nikh Kamin blamed the ego among the members as the sole factor for the situation in the state, while BJP member Tage Taki asked legislators to look forward without recalling the past.

Taki also requested the treasury bench to appoint the deputy Speaker from the Opposition for a healthy democracy.

Senior Congress member Wangki Lowang appreciated former chief minister Nabam Tuki for his "sacrifice" which helped to bring political turmoil to a logical conclusion.
Pune Police Commissioner Rashmi Shukla, who has been appointed as the special woman officer in the Kopardi gangrape case inquiry, today met the family members of the victim in Ahmednagar district and assured that charge sheet against the accused will be filed within a month.

Chief of the Maharashtra Women's Commission, Vijaya Rahatkar, also visited Kopardi village along with professional counsellors to counsel the village girls, who, she said, are scared of going to school as a result of the incident.

The 15-year-old girl was brutally gangraped by three men, who inflicted injuries all over her body and broke her limbs before throttling her in Kopardi village in Ahmednagar district last week. The brutal gangrape and murder of the girl has rocked both the Houses of Maharashtra Legislature and sparked protests in parts of the state.

Talking to PTI over phone from Ahmednagar, Shukla said, "The entire incident is very unfortunate. I met and heard the victim's family and the villagers. I have instructed the Superintendent of Police (Ahmednagar police) to investigate the case and file the charge sheet within 30 days."



She said the government has already appointed Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor in the case, which will be tried in a fast track court, so that the accused are punished at the earliest.

"As a confidence building measure, I visited the school and told the girls not to panic. I also shared my contact numbers with them and asked the people in the village to download the 'Pratisaad' app for women safety. I ensured them that they would get police's assistance whenever required," she added.

She said that following the incident, there is a demand to set up a police chowkie in the village. "Therefore, a police facilitation centre will be set up in the village," she said.

After meeting the victim's family, she also interacted with people in the village.

Meanwhile, Rahatkar said, "After the incident, the girls are scared of going to school as they have to travel to the neighbouring village to attend the secondary level school."



"Today, we went there with professional counsellors and counseled them not to be scared. A special bus service will be started for students from tomorrow so that they can go to the school," she said.
A very bad man in Maine is charged with a very weird murder. Prosecutors say Bruce Akers used a machete to try and decapitate a neighbor (is "nearly decapitating" worse? because that's what happened), then buried the victim's remains together with the partially decomposed carcasses of deer he killed previously.

Yep.

A York County grand jury indicted the 58-year-old Mr. Akers today, reports The Portland Press Herald. He has been held without bail since his June 11 arrest.

From the Associated Press:

A police affidavit says Akers called police a day before 55-year-old Douglas Flint was reported missing by his family last month to accuse him of stealing a six-pack of alcoholic beverages.

Akers was charged after police questioned him and found the body of Flint under a pile of rotting dear carcasses.

Okay. And from CBS News:

The affidavit by state police detective Corey Pike outlined run-ins and unusual behavior by Akers, who allegedly trespassed and bathed in Flint's swimming pool. But it was Akers who said he'd been aggrieved by the neighbor, blurting to York County Sheriff's Department investigators: "The guy just wouldn't leave me alone." Police obtained a search warrant after Akers shook his head "no" when asked if his neighbor was alive and told them he could bring them to the body. Under further questioning, he told detectives he'd been planning to contact them but that he wanted "a few hours of freedom."

[via WGME]
Protests by angry Kashmiri Pandit employees, who have refused to join work citing unrest and alleged stone-pelting on their transit camps in Kashmir, entered the seventh day today over demands that other members of the minority community be evacuated from the Valley.

The employees, including women and children, continued their 'dharna' at the Relief Commissioners Office (RCO) and raised slogans against the state and the central governments.

They criticised the government for failing to provide them security.

"It is the seventh day of the protest. The state and central governments are unmoved. They do not care about us. They have failed to reach out to us," said RJ Saproo, one of the employees.

"The situation is very bad. Police stations have been burnt down, security force and army camps have been attacked, our transit camps were stoned and houses burnt. But what security do we have," he said.

Members of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party, the Kashmiri Pandit IT Association and the All Party Migrant Coordination Committee today joined the protesting employees at the RCO complex and extended their support.

"We have extended full support to them. The situation is very bad. They will become targets in Kashmir in this situation. Government should not force them to return," KPIT President Arvind Kaul said.

More than 1,600 displaced Kashmiri Hindu youths had been recruited under Prime Minister's Special employment package and posted in Kashmir voluntarily.

Of them, over 500 employees escaped from Haal transit accommodation in Pulwama, Baramulla, Kupwara transit camps, Vessu and Mattan KP employees colonies inAnantnag district, after the unrest began and managed to reach Jammu.

The employees today submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Home Affairs, refusing to go back to the Valley due to the violent protests since the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

"We have sent a memorandum to the Centre and the MHA through the RCO in which we have give them entire account of happenings with us in Kashmir. We will not go back," Saproo said.

"We are thinking of moving to the court in view of fear psychosis and terror among us," he added.
Indian Staffing Federation, an apex body of flexi staffing industry today said it is holding a job fair in Noida along with the Labour ministry.

ISF is one of the premium partner for NCS portal by ministry of labour who will be holding a mega job fair. NCS is an ICT based job portal with a mandate to provide free of cost employment service to jobseekers, employers and various other stakeholders alike.

Labour Ministry has decided to organise at least one job fair every month in different states and is expecting at least 50 employers and over 5,000 job seekers at this first of job fair.

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EY award to recognise, honour best forensic talent * EY Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services along with Association of Certified Fraud Examiners are launching an award to acknowledge the best forensic talent in the country.

While frauds, bribery and corruption related cases seeing a rise in recent times, there is a need to attract more talent into their investigation, Arpinder Singh, Partner and National Leader, Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services, EY said in a statement here.

"Global corporations and governments are under immense scrutiny to identify, tackle and mitigate growing risks which could impact performance, revenue, business continuity and reputation. This has led to a surge in professionals from diverse backgrounds, foraying into the forensic ecosystem," Singh added.

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Faircent.Com makes new appointments



* Peer-to-peer lending market place Faircent.Com has appointed Shivam Gupta as chief risk officer and Karun Thareja as head of marketing.

The company said appointments are testimony to the exponential growth it has been witnessing and the aggressive plans they have.

"Risk management is essential for any financial organisation. Faircent has some of the best risk management practices in place," Gupta said in a release.

Thareja said: "Faircent is the disruptive model which has created a strong brand in the alternative lending space in our country."



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Ozone launches organic facial treatment kit * Personal care company Ozone Ayurvedics today launched organic facial treatment kit Fair4sure in Jaipur.

"The product is meant to be used in saloons. We are reaching out to saloons to expand the reach of the product," Anurag Viz, GM Sales said today.

He said the product has organic ingredients and plant extracts.

Uniphore appoints Baskar Subramanian as new board member



* Uniphore Software Systems, a Chennai-based speech recognition solutions company, today announced the appointment of Baskar Subramanian as a board member.

Baskar will help the company formulate its overall strategy with special emphasis on geographical expansions, strategic partnerships, and affiliations.

Subramanian has over 25 years of thought leadership in Unified Communications, Customer Interaction Management, and Collaboration technologies.

He was instrumental in forging strategic relationships with the likes of Avaya & Cisco and has a track record of creating significant value for all stakeholders of Servion.

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Steel Minister felicitates Rio Olympics athlete * Steel Minister Chaudhary Birendra Singh today conferred the SAIL logo and felicitated Rio Olympics athlete Dharambir Singh.

Minister of State for Steel, Vishnu Deo Sai, Steel Secretary, Aruna Sundararajan and SAIL Chairman P K Singh were also present on the occasion, Steel Ministry said in a statement.

Felicitating the Olympic qualifying athlete, the Minister said: "We are proud that the largest contingent of Indian athletes is participating in the Rio Olympics this time.

Intex forays into air purifiers segment



* Homegrown mobile phone and consumer durables maker Intex Technologies has forayed into air purifiers segment.

This is the fourth product category to be launched by Intex in the consumer durables segment after LED TVs, washing machine and refrigerators.

Intex Air Purifiers come in four models - AP 215, AP 330, AP 380 & AP 450 and would be available exclusively on Amazon at a price range of Rs 11,999 to Rs 25,999.

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Johnson & Johnson launches baby care channel on YouTube * Leading baby care products maker Johnson & Johnson has launched India's largest dedicated baby care YouTube channel with over 100 videos across 12 categories.

Johnson & Johnson's 'Best for Baby' channel is a dedicated video channel aimed at providing new parents a holistic guide on baby care and parenting.

Designed to cater to the needs of millennial parents, the channel offers new parents help through detailed videos, specially curated for the channel by baby care experts and discerning peers.

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Havmor launches pure milk ice cream for Diwali * Breaking the traditional gifting of sweets, chocolates and dry fruits Gujarat-based ice cream maker Havmor has come with pack of pure milk ice cream for the festivals.

Havmor has created unique Diwali Gift packs that will be available on the newly created online platform spreadgoodness.In and through its exclusive Havmor outlets in Ahmedabad.
Pop star Lady Gaga performed a capella version of "Born This Way" for an orphanage in Mexico.

The 30-year-old "Poker Face" hitmaker visited Casa Hogar home for boys in Cabo San Lucas over the weekend, where one little boy, Christian, asked her to perform, reported Female First.

Gaga sang without any instrument. She posted a video of her performance online.

"Casa Hogar Cabo AC Facebook Group. Donate to these wonderful boys and help build a home for their sisters they were separated from home Reunite brothers with their sisters, Casa Hogar - which is home to 31 boys between the ages of four and 18 - aims to 'offer a special and happy boys home set in a camp like environment providing physical and emotional care'," she wrote.

The songtress also shared a picture of herself with the boys.
Fifty law college students were taken into custody today while attempting to stage picketing in the middle of a flyover on busy Avanashi Road here, demanding immediate withdrawal of amendments to the Advocates Act.

The students, with placards showing their demands, squatted on the middle of the road, causing traffic snarl for some time, police said.

Even as police arrived at the scene, some students, raised slogans and attempted to block traffic.

However, police diverted the traffic and removed the students.

The students were released later.
Drug firm has launched its generic oral contraceptive Norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets in the American market after receiving nod from the US health regulator.

Company's subsidiary " Pharmaceuticals Inc has launched its Norgestimate and ethinyl estradiol tablets USP, 0.18 mg / 0.035 mg, 0.215 mg / 0.035 mg and 0.25 mg / 0.035 mg having received an approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)...," said.

The USFDA had earlier given approval to market a generic version of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s Ortho Tri-Cyclen tablets in the same strengths, it added.

"Ortho Tri-Cyclen had US sales of $177.6 million according to (IMS MAT March 2016)," Lupin said.

The tablets are indicated to prevent pregnancy, it added.

Mumbai-based Lupin manufactures a wide range of branded & generic formulations, biotechnology products and APIs.

Shares of Lupin on Wednesday closed at Rs 1,713.60 per scrip on BSE, up 1.37% from its previous close.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today expressed concern regarding crime against Dalits and urged the central government to treat them with care and give full protection.

"Incident in Una is organised crime against Dalits. I urge Central Govt to treat Dalits with care & give full protection. This is unacceptable," she said in a tweet.

Dalit youths at Una in Gujarat were paraded and flogged for allegedly killing a cow. The incident caused a nationwide outrage after its video went viral. The youths, however, alleged they were skinning the dead cow and had not killed it.
Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and BJD President Naveen Patnaik will share the stage in Kolkata and Bhubaneswar to mark the birth centenary of BJD founder Biju Patnaik.

Three BJD leaders came to meet Banerjee at her office in Nabanna, the state secretariat, to invite her at the function to be held in September in Odisha, officials said.

The West Bengal Chief Minister accepted the invitation and during the meeting it was also decided that she will be present along with the Odisha CM in another programme in Kolkata which will be held in the next two months.

Both the BJD and the Trinamool have in the past spoken on the formation of a federal front of regional parties.

Odisha Food Supplies Minister Sanjay Kumar Das Burma, BJD chief whip Ananta Das and party BJD General Secretary and School and Mass Education Minister Debi Prasad Mishra were present in the meeting with the CM.

The BJD government has planned grand scale celebrations to mark the 100th birthday of the late party patriarch.

Biju Patnaik, father of present Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, was born in 1916 and passed away in 1997.

He was a two-time Chief Minister of Odisha.

He also served as a Union Minister in the Morarji Desai government from 1977 to 1980.
Bihar police today arrested a man for allegedly making ransom calls to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) Superintendent, demanding Rs five lakh.

Lakhindra Prasad registered a complaint with Gandhi Maidan police station yesterday about receiving phone calls from an unidentified person who threatened him with dire consequences if he does not give him Rs five lakh as extortion money.

Police analysed the call details records and arrested Munna Sharma from PMCH area here, Senior Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said in a statement.

Sharma wanted to set up a furniture shop and made a call to Prasad whose number he had got while treatment, police said.

The extortion threat to the head of the state's premier hospital sent shockwaves among other doctors.

SSP Manu Maharaj-led team of police nabbed the culprit within 24 hours of the registration of the case.
A man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for killing his paramour's husband in 2009 at Barwala village in the district.

Additional District Sessions judge Ravinder Kumar yesterday convicted Sanjiv Kumar to life imprisonment after holding him guilty under IPC section 302 (murder).

A fine of Rs 5,500 was also imposed on the convict.

According to government counsel Jitender Tyagi, the victim, Ram Prasad, was shot dead by Sanjiv in 2009 after the former objected to the relationship between the convict and his wife Sarla.

A case was registered against Sanjiv and Sarla. Sarla was acquitted for lack of evidence, he added.
Lack of work opportunities due to ongoing unrest and curfew in Kashmir has forced thousands of migrant labourers to leave the valley in search of livelihood in other parts of the country.

Minutes after sundown every day, hundreds of labourers-- who come from different states in north and east of the country--make their way to Tourist Reception Centre here to catch the first available bus or taxi heading to Jammu.

"We have had no work for the last 15 days due to the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir which was preceded by two days of Eid holidays," Vijay Kumar from Bihar told PTI as he waited to board a bus to Jammu last night.

Kumar, who was putting up in a rented accomodation at Rambagh in the civil lines of the area of the city, said while he and his room-mates faced no problems from the locals, lack of work opportunities forced them to leave the valley.

"There is limited working season in Kashmir and we come here to earn money to feed our families back home. We are not able to find any work due to the prevailing situation," Sitaram, Kumar's room-mate, said.

An estimated five lakh migrant labourers from Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab come to Kashmir every spring for work and return to their homes with the onset of winter, when the working season ends.

"We get good wages in Kashmir which is the main reason why so many young workers from my state (Bihar) come here every year. But it seems that the situation is not going to normalise anytime soon," Narayan, a carpenter, said.

The labourers were unanimous that they did not face any problems during the past 12 days of unrest in the valley.

"We have been coming here every year. So far, we have not encountered any problems with locals. We are not into politics... We just come to work," Narayan said.

A similar situation was witnessed in the wake of 2010 summer agitation when the migrant labourers fled the valley to look for work in other parts of the country.

"We will try to find work in Jammu, Punjab, Harayana and



Delhi. Although the wages are low, something is better than earning nothing," Siraj-ud-din Ahmad, a mason hailing from West Bengal, said.

The fleeing labourers, however, are unhappy with the high fares charged by the taxi drivers for the Srinagar-Jammu journey.

"Normally, we used to pay Rs 800 per person for travel between Srinagar and Jammu but now they are charging Rs 1500. The authorities should look into it," the labourers said.

The taxi drivers on their part expressed helplessness, saying it was not possible for them to operate at the pre-turmoil rates.

"No doubt it seems exorbitant but please try to understand that we do not get any passengers for the return leg of journey from Jammu to Srinagar. We have to cover those expenses as well," Bashir Ahmad, a taxi driver, said.

He said in addition to this, the cab drivers also have to make provisions for any damages to their vehicles in case they get caught in clashes along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

Kashmir valley has been on the boil since killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8. As many as 42 people have been killed and over 3400 persons injured in the ensuing clashes.
In spring, 2015, American farmers started to spread the word that John Deere claimed that a notorious copyright law gave the company exclusive dominion over repairs to Deere farm-equipment, making it a felony (punishable by 5 years in prison and a $500K fine for a first offense) to fix your own tractor.



Farmers asked the US Copyright Office to grant an exemption to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act  the law that bans breaking DRM, even when you're not infringing copyright. This is part of a wider trend in which agribusiness is using technology laws to extract rents from farmers, even from farm equipment that the farmer owns free and clear (for example, Deere uses its DRM system to lock farmers into using seed from partners like Monsanto in combination with the soil-density data gathered by their own tractors).

Now, Modern Farmer takes up the case against John Deere and for the right to repair (in so doing, Modern Farmer is bucking the trend; other farm magazines have been known to fire long-running contributors for daring to criticize Deere).



Not everyone is on the farmers' side here; some, according to the Associated Press, are concerned that the move would reduce revenue to tractor manufacturers, potentially landing them in trouble. But the tractor owners disagree, annoyed that their tractors are treated differently from their cars and trucks, which can be serviced by any independent shop. Activists for the Nebraska Fair Repair Bill, which was rejected by the state senate last year but will probably be reintroduced next year, have set up a few resources to check out if you're curious about just how frustrating it can be to be denied the right to repair your own dang tractor.

Farmers Demand Right to Fix Their Own Dang Tractors

[Dan Nosowitz/Modern Farmer]
Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor would be completed in six years and its fare will be less than airfare, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said today.

Maintaining that the ambitious project is doable, Prabhu said in Lok Sabha during Question Hour that the high-speed train project would be cost-effective.

The high speed bullet train is expected to cover 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in about two hours, running at a maximum speed of 350 kmph and operating speed of 320 kmph. At present, Duronto Express takes about seven hours to cover the distance between the two financial centres.

When it was pointed out that huge funds has been given for the project which might hamper those in other parts of the country, Prabhu said "there was no regional bias. Every state has got more than double than earlier."



The high speed rail project has been sanctioned with technical and financial assistance from the government of Japan and the joint feasibility study of the project has already been done by Japanese International Agency.

Estimated to cost about Rs 97,636 crore, 81 per cent of the funding for the 508 km long Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor project will come in form of a loan from Japan. The project cost includes possible cost escalation, interest during construction and import duties.

The project is being funded by Japan with a soft loan for 50 years at 0.1 per cent annual interest with 15 years' moratorium. Rolling stock and other equipment like signalling and power system will be imported from Japan as per the loan agreement.

Railways has spelt out its policy with regard to running of high speed and semi-high speed trains by identification of potential routes for both kinds of train services.

Prabhu said feasibility studies for other high speed corridors have been awarded to various railway companies.

Delhi-Mumbai high speed corridor has been awarded to the consortium of the Third Railway Survey and Design Institute Group Corporation (Chinese consultant) and Lahmeyer International from India.

Feasibility study of high speed corridors on Mumbai- Chennai, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Nagpur and Mumbai-Nagpur have also been awarded to diffent global consultants.

Prabhu said railways have identified nine corridors for feasibility of semi-high speed rail.

The semi-high speed routes are Delhi-Chandigarh, Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore, Delhi-Kanpur, Nagpur-Bilaspur, Mumbai-Goa, Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Chennai-Hyderabad and Nagpur-Secunderabd.
Nagaland in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India will be undertaking coffee plantation in 50000 hectares of land by 2030.

Secretary to Government of Nagaland, Y Kikheto Sema said the state Department of Land Resources in sync with other line departments would be taking up massive coffee plantation drive in every district as the state has been declared geographically and topographically suitable for coffee by the Coffee Board.

Kikheto was holding a joint meeting of the Department with the officials of Coffee Board under Union Ministry of Commerce & Industry led by Joint Secretary A. P. Anantha Kumar at Land Resources Directorate here.

He requested the Board officials to enhance the allocation of coffee seeds for the state and also to provide technical support as well training of officials.

Expressing the department's resolve to encourage local farmers to give up jhum cultivation and involve in coffee plantation, he said jhum cultivation does not provide much dividend but coffee plantation will help in uplift of rural economy and also improve the living standard of rural people.

Given the fast evolving home and workplace dynamics, rapid



urbanization and traffic, today's time-pressed consumers are looking for good quality and hygienic bite and beverage options that can be delivered to them at their doorstep. CCD's home delivery presents itself as the perfect, trusted solution to deliver a range of delicious F&B offerings that fit into every consumer's daily cycle and hunger patterns.

CCD's home delivery menu has a dual appeal - it is a perfect balance of cafe type and restaurant-like meal options catering to different times and hunger needs of the day. Its sumptuous range of food includes heavy meal options supported by light small bites and desserts. For a satiating meal, there are vegetarian and non-vegetarian Sandwiches, Burgers and Hot Dogs which will be assembled just before delivery. There is also the unique Tawa Pizza along with Biryani, Wraps and Rolls in vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. The Light Bites lineup is equally exciting with Garlic Bread, Cheese Croissant, Veg Samosa, Veg Cutlet and Chilli Cheese Toastizza. And lastly, ordering desserts like pastries and full round cakes is now a click away to meet those sweet cravings.

CCD's beverages ranging from Hot and Cold Coffees, Chocoholicas, Lemonades, Fruiteasers and Sip-n-snack Smoothies will be freshly prepared and delivered to consumers packaged to perfection. Customers can now relish the same taste of the cafe's much loved hot coffees and frappes at their homes and offices too. The home delivery menu also caters to bulk packaging in beverages. For instance the 'Home Delivery' menu has the option of ordering in 700 ml of cold beverages like Cafe Frappe, Cold Cocoa Latte, Mango Peach Smoothie and Strawberry Pom Smoothie for that quick office get-together or a chilled-out celebration at home with friends and family. For those in the group wishing to have tea can opt for 750 ml available on two variants of Teas. Customers can enjoy all this and more at the special 50% discount on offer at present.
National Conference today decided to boycott an All party meeting called by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tomorrow to discuss the situation in the state, saying that actions in the recent past have shown that there was no "effective leadership" in the state government.

In a two-page letter to senior Minister of PDP Abdul Rehman Veeri, National Conference said in absence of any "credible, effective and humane leadership" in the state, an all party meeting was a "futile" and "meaningless" exercise.

Mehbooba had announced on Monday that she had convened an All Party Meeting here on July 21 to discuss the prevailing law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley.

The decision to convene the meeting came 12 days after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8, which led to violent clashes between protesters and law enforcing agencies across the Valley, leaving over 40 people dead and over 4,000 injured.

The National Conference, which has 15 members in the 87-member state assembly, while rejecting the offer to attend the meeting asked the state government to come clear on various issues which includes the killing of Wani.

"On one hand a senior police official says that the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister of the state, was in complete knowledge about the operation, on the other a senior Parliament Member of PDP (Muzzafar Hussain Baig) claims that the killing of Wani was done by a section of police to discredit the Chief Minister," the letter written by senior NC leader Ali Mohammed Sagar said.

The National Conference said it took the state government nearly two weeks to call for an important meeting whereas the Chief Minister took no time in calling a civil society meeting which indicates that she has no respect for elected people.

The letter also drew the attention towards banning of newspapers and double speaking by the state government. "Education Minister (Naeem Akhter) told them not bring out newspapers and on the other Mehbooba's Advisor (Amitabh Mattoo) claimed that there was no ban and the Chief Minister was unaware about it."



"There seems to no effective leadership in the state government and until credibility is not established, no meetings will be ever successful," the letter said while reaffirming that National Conference was committed for peace in the state.

Earlier, National Conference President Omar Abdullah called on Governor N N Vohra and submitted a memorandum about the situation in the state.
National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) today said it has begun implementation of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in the exchange-approved warehouses.

RFID ensures that the commodities stored in the warehouses are tracked through radio frequency signals and the real-time information helps improve the efficiency and reliability of the storage and delivery operations at the warehouses, NCDEX said in a statement here.

National Bulk Holding Corporation (NBHC) became the first warehouse service provider of NCDEX to implement RFID technology at MV Agro-Tech, its warehouse in Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Under the said process, every bag of commodity is tagged at the time of entry into the warehouse and the details of the lot are digitally stored.

The RFID tags facilitate automatic data entry, provide prompt and accurate information on the ownership, date of deposit and exchange expiry date.

"We pride on our persistentpursuitof excellence. This is a milestone development in the storage and management of agricultural commodities in warehouses. RFID tags will not only make stocks stored in the exchange approved warehouses electronically secure, but also bring about greater efficiencies and increased transparency in warehouse operations," NCDEX MD and CEO Samir Shah said.

The exchange plans to introduce RFID tagging in a phase-wise manner across all delivery centres (Jodhpur, Bikaner, Nokha, Sriganganagar and Deesa) for guar gum.

Later, this facility will be expanded to all commodities and warehouses, it added.
Attacking the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Gujarat over the assault on Dalits in the state, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Wednesday said the Anandiben Patel-led dispensation has failed to maintain social harmony, which has resulted in total failure of law and order.

"The attack on innocent dalits in Una, Gujarat is most shameful and condemnable. The breakdown of law and order and social fabric of Gujarat is most unfortunate," senior NCP leader Praful Patel said in a statement.

He said he will visit Gujarat on Thursday to meet the families of the Dalit youths who were assaulted for allegedly skinning a cow carcass at Una last week.

He will also visit the injured admitted at a Rajkot hospital.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will also meet the victims and their families on Friday.
NCW Chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam will tomorrow pay a visit to the family of a woman AAP worker who committed suicide by consuming poison in Narela area of Delhi.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) chief was due to travel to Chennai but cancelled her visit.

"We will visit the family to provide moral support, not for any political reason. In such cases, where celebrities or people in power, often get away with impunity and that is why we have decided to step in and get her family justice in whatever way we can," she said today.

The victim's family members have claimed that she committed suicide because she had gone into depression after her alleged molester, a party colleague, was released on bail.

The woman had filed a complaint against party colleague Ramesh Bharadwaj for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested.

The NCW chief said, "I have been told by Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Verma that a Special Investigation Team has been constituted and will comprise a Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, two inspectors and Assistant Commissioner... Also, the police have addded the abetment to suicide charge as well on the basis of the victim's dying declaration."



The NCW chairperson also hit out at Delhi Commission for Women where the victim had filed a complaint, and said, "had DCW taken a strong step and provided her security may be she would have been alive today.
India's envoy to Nepal today said that bilateral relations at the people-to-people level are stronger than between the two governments as he underlined the need to boost ties by enhancing development and mutual cooperation.

Ambassador Ranjit Rae was speaking at an interaction organised by Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Makawanpur district in southern Nepal.

"Nepal-India relations at the people-to-people level are stronger than that of the two governments," said Rae, apparently referring to the strain in ties earlier this year due to the violent agitation by Nepal's Madhesi community who are mostly of Indian origin.

Madhesis were protesting against Nepal's new constitution that divides the country into seven provincial units. Their major demands include redrawing of provincial boundaries, proportionate representation and allocation of Parliament seats on the basis of population.

Rae stressed the need to further strengthen relations through enhanced development efforts and mutual cooperation.

Stating that India had helped construct the first Tribhuvan Highway in 1953 in Nepal, Rae pledged to work for the development of Daman and Palung areas.

"India will form a package comprising sectors such as agriculture, education, tourism and health for the development of this area," Rae said.

A host of speakers who spoke on the occasion laid emphasis on the need to allow thawing of Indo-Nepal ties for the betterment of both the countries and peoples.
New civil aviation policy can spur a "potential demand" for more wide-bodied planes, Boeing said today as it projected India to see a demand for 1,850 new aircraft worth USD 265 billion over the next 20 years.

According to a senior Boeing official, the aviation policy has many growth-oriented aspects, including regional connectivity scheme and the decision to replace 5/20 overseas flying norm with 0/20 rule.

Now, local airlines that have at least 20 planes can fly abroad while earlier they were also required to have five years of operational experience to operate overseas flights.

"There are many things in the policy which are growth oriented... One is 5/20 norm becoming 0/20 allows more airlines to go international which will (also) allow them to potentially consider buying more wide-bodied aircraft," Dinesh Keskar, Senior Vice-President (Asia Pacific and India Sales) at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said here.

"I am not saying by tomorrow, but at least now the door is open."



While emphasising that India continues to have a strong commercial aerospace market and the highest domestic traffic growth in the world, he said implementation of the regional connectivity scheme would also be a key.

Airlines in India are forecast to take deliveries of 1,850 airplanes valued at USD 265 billion over the next 20 years, according to Boeing.

As per its annual Current Market Outlook (CMO) for India, single-aisle airplanes such as the next-generation 737 and 737 MAX would make up for the largest share of new deliveries at 1,560 planes.

"These new airplanes will continue to support the growth of low-cost carriers and replace older, less-efficient airplanes," it said.

Noting that its customers are placing orders for the next around five years, Keskar said, "We have a lot more potential to sell a lot more aircraft in the growing Indian market... Our customers are a lot more prudent."



His remarks came in response to a query that rival Airbus has been getting more orders from domestic airlines.

Economic, demographic and regulatory trends support high growth in India's aviation sector, Keskar said even as he flagged that higher fuel prices and weakening of the rupee could be a concern.

Air India, SpiceJet and Jet Airways are customers of Boeing.

The aircraft maker said that fuel prices, the exchange rate, and load factor continue to drive airline operating costs and profitability.

"Growth in load factor has reduced break-even fares despite lower fares driving highest profitability in years," it noted.

Globally, Boeing has forecast a demand for 39,620 new aircraft over the next 20 years, with Indian carriers accounting for over 4.6 per cent of the total demand.
Hydro-power player NHPC is looking at raising Rs 4,500 crore through corporate bonds on private placement basis and its board will meet on Friday to "consider and approve" the proposal.

"A meeting of the board of directors of the company will be held on Friday, July 22, 2016, to consider and approve raising of corporate bonds up to Rs 4,500 crore till September 2017, on private placement basis," the state-owned firm said in a filing to BSE.

The decision is subject to shareholders' approval through special resolution, it said.

NHPC, under the administrative control of the Power Ministry, is into generating power through conventional and non-conventional sources and is dedicated to planning, development and implementation of an integrated and efficient network of power projects in India.

In 2015-16, NHPC generated 23,404 million units. It had sales of Rs 7,347 crore with a net profit of Rs 2,440 crore.

It is constructing five projects with total installed capacity of 4290 MW, including 1000 MW (Pakal Dul HE Project) being executed through a join venture company.

Ten projects of 7151 mw are awaiting government approval for their implementation including three projects of 1,186 MW to be executed through subsidiary/joint venture companies.
Government think tank Niti Aayog will organise from tomorrow a two-day workshop on improving urban infrastructure through best practices in public financing.

The two-day workshop will focus on areas such as PPP (Public Private Partnership) process -- key success factors from government perspective, PPP models and payment mechanisms, planning and preparation for PPP projects, Niti Aayog said in a statement.

It will also deliberate on introduction to urban challenges, demand-driven master planning and developing viable business, city infrastructure required to enable smart cities and practical view point on implementation of smart cities, it added.

During the workshop, national as well as international case studies in areas of water, waste management and urban development would also be discussed.

The workshop will be attended by municipal commissioners Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Assam.

Representatives from Ministries of Urban Development, Environment, Finance, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Science and Technology as well as National Disaster Management Authority and Niti Aayog will also attend the event, it added.

This is the third workshop on Urban Management Programme developed by the Aayog in collaboration with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE) and Temasek Foundation, Singapore for Capacity Building of officials of State Governments and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the urban sector.
The Haryana government will no more give subsidy for constructing toilets but would provide incentives to village panchayats and municipal corporations for maintaining cleanliness, officials said here today.

Additional Chief Secretary of Rural Development Department Navraj Sandhu said efforts will be made to change the mindset of the people so that they could feel the need to have a toilet in their households and use them to avoid ill effects of open defecation.

She said that now the government is no more going to give Rs 12,000 for construction of toilets, instead incentives will be given to village panchayats for maintaining cleanliness.

Earlier, people constructed toilets in their households by availing the benefit but never used it, Sandhu said.

Now, the most overall clean and functional public toilet at district level will get an award of Rs 10,000 each month under Swarn Jayanti Award for Sanitation. One clean place can become learning laboratory for other neighboring localities, Sandhu added.

Quoting Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, she said he wants "Haryana villages should not only be open defecation free but should also look clean".

For this, he has announced incentives for village panchayats as rewards, she said.

Sandhu said the government has fixed target of making all districts of Haryana open defecation free by December next year and eight districts including Gurgaon would be made open defecation free by November 1 this year.

Out of 210 panchayats, 149 panchayats of Gurgaon district have already declared that they are open defecation free, which is highest in this division.

Sandhu asked Deputy Commissioners to work out a strategy for urban areas as well because rural areas will meet the target but urban slums and migratory population are a big challenge especially in big cities like Gurgaon and Faridabad.

Sandhu was addressing the Divisional Workshop on open defecation free strategy for Swachh Haryana organised by Development and Panchayat Department Haryana, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation Government of India and Water and Sanitation Program of World Bank Group where officers of Gurgaon, Bhiwani, Faridabad, Rewari, Jind, Mahendergarh, Palwal and Mewat attended the workshop.
The Election Commission of India today informed the Madras High Court it has no objection to use of the name 'Abdul Kalam Vision India Party' by the late president's secretary and two others who had formed the party.

Ponraj, who was the Secretary to A P J Abdul Kalam, had formed the party with one S Kumar and R Thirusenduran on February 28 this year.

ECI's counsel submitted an order of the poll panel in this regard to Justice M M Sundresh, before whom the petition filed by A P J Mohammed Muthu Meera Maraikayar, came upbefore it seeking to restrain them from using the name.

Earlier, Justice S Vimala had stayed use of the name. Later, Justice M V Muralidharan had passed an order modifying it, allowing office bearers to use the name in an individual capacity and not in the name of the political party as the registration and recognition was yet to be decided by ECI.

EC's counsel today submitted it's July 19, 2016 order stating that national leaders cannot be said to be the exclusive right or property of any particular party or organisation and those who believe in the philosophy and ideology of such leaders cannot be prevented from propagating the same by using such leaders name.

EC while referring to its November 23, 1992 order on a similar issue in the matter of the name All India Indira Congress, said it had allowed the name to be used by the splinter party which split from Indian National Congress.

When the same was challenged in the Supreme Court, EC had said the only modification ordered was to add suffix 'Tiwari' to the name of 'All India Indira Congress'.

The court said that in view of the above, it has decided that the objection of Maraikayar cannot be sustained and that the applicant party cannot be denied use of the said name.

The judge then posted the matter to August 2.
Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri mosque dispute who was associated with the case since 1949, died here today due to heart-related ailments.

95-year-old Ansari breathed his last at his residence in the wee hours, according to his son Iqbal.

Born in Ayodhya, Ansari was the first to file the suit on the matter in the court of civil judge of Faizabad in 1949.

Ansari along with six others became the main plaintiff in the 'Ayodhya title suit' filed by the Sunni Central Waqf Board in the court of Faizabad civil judge.

In 2010, the Allahabad High Court in its majority verdict allotted one-third of the disputed site in Ayodhya to Nirmohi Akahara. The other two-thirds portion has been given equally to be shared by the Waqf Board and the side representing Ram Lalla.

Soon after the verdict, Ansari had called for burying the dispute and making "a fresh start".

In his attempt to find an out-of-court resolution to Ayodhya dispute, Ansari had in February last year said that he will involve prominent members of the minority community for a peaceful conclusion to the matter.

Ansari also met Akhara Parishad president Mahant Gyan Das to discuss a new proposal for resolution of the dispute.

The formula for out-of-court settlement talked about the 70 acres of disputed premises accommodating both mosque and temple with a partition wall which will be 100 ft high.

Ansari had also stated that he wants to create a mass awareness and gather the support of community leaders for the cause.

Ansari had told PTI, "This is neither one man's job nor a one man show. If we want to find a peaceful solution to this more than 60-year old problem that has claimed many innocent lives in the communal riots, it is necessary that responsible people of Muslim community and religious leaders must come out to discuss it."



The negotiation process, which started after the September 30, 2010, Allahabad High Court verdict over Ayodhya issue, was largely being supported by cross section of the civil society and religious leaders from both communities.

Reacting to Ansari's death, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said hardliners should take a lesson from Ansari's life.

VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma said, "Hashim was like a bubble in water. His mindset was different from other Muslim plaintiffs and hardliners. This is the time for mourning and grief".

Convenor of Babri Masjid Action Committee Zafaryab Jilani expressed grief over the death of Ansari.

"In 1961 he was the fifth litigant in the case filed by the Waqf Board. With his demise a voice has become mute. He was of the view that the issue cannot be solved through talks, it could be resolved legally," Jilani said.

Member of All India Muslim Personal Law Board Maulana



Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali said Ansari was one of the oldest plaintiffs, who fought the legal battle from the beginning, in a democratic manner.

"He will be remembered by the entire community. He tried to resolve the issue amicably with Hindus, but unfortunately he failed to gain success. But even today not only Muslims, but even Hindus of Ayodhya view him with great respect. He adopted a legal way to solve the dispute and never politicised it," he said.

The head of the Kalkipeetha Pramod Krishnam said Ansari was a true patriot, who always worked to strengthen the 'Ganga-Jamuna tehzeeb' of the country.

"At time when people are engaged in spreading hatred, his demise is unfortunate for the country," he said.
Virtually the entire Opposition in Lok Sabha led by the Congress today protested the attacks on dalits in Gujarat by raising slogans against the goverment during Question Hour.

As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan read out obituary references, the Opposition raised slogans and demanded adjournment of the Question Hour to discuss the issue.

Barring AIADMK, members from virtually all opposition parties were on their feet raising slogans as questions were being answered in the Question Hour.

Soon thereafter, Congress members trooped into the Well, with some members showing newspapers carrying stories on a recent incident in Gujarat.

The Speaker said the members were free to raise the issue during Zero Hour but she will not allow the Question Hour to be disrupted.

Members of Congress, the Left parties, NCP, RJD and Trinamool Congress were seen raising slogans. While most opposition members were standing near their benches, members from Congress were in the Well raising slogans like 'daliton pe atyachar band karo' (stop atrocities on Dalits), 'Gujarat model shame shame' and 'sarkar jawab do'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the House when the noisy scenes were being enacted.

When Sugata Bose (TMC) asked a question on Nuclear Suppliers Group to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, some opposition members were seen asking him to sit down.

Refusing to relent, he asked questions on the hurdles created by China in India's bid to get NSG membership, which were responded to by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

BJD members were also seen standing at their places. They were apparently raising the issue of Chhattisgarh's plan to build a dam on river Mahanadi.

Later, TMC and BJD members staged a walkout around 11.30 pm.

But the other opposition members continued to raise slogans during the entire Question Hour till noon.
Over 5,000 yatris paid obeisance today at the Amarnath cave shrine raising the number of pilgrims visiting the ice lingam of Lord Shiva to 1.87 lakh.

"On the 19th day of Amarnathji yatra, 5,135 yatris paid obeisance at the holy cave today. Till date 1,87,903 pilgrims had the darshan at the cave", an official spokesman said.

Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 1,000 pilgrims today left for twin base camps of Baltal and Pahalgam of the Amarnath cave shrine in South Kashmir himalayas amid tight security.

"731 men, 219 women and 50 Sadhus left in a cavalcade of 29 vehicles from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu for the two base camps in Kashmir this morning," Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Simrandeep Singh said.

Until now, the pilgrimage has been suspended for three times following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in the Kashmir Valley on July 8.

It was initially suspended on July 9 and resumed on July 11 amid tight security. It was again stopped on July 14 and restarted on July 16. Yesterday also, it was suspended for a day.
Over 6,500 Indians are at present languishing in jails in 75 countries with maximum of 1,896 being lodged in Saudi Arabia.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha, said a total of 6,567 Indian citizens are in foreign jails and 354 of them are awaiting repatriation after having completed their sentence.

He said India has signed bilateral agreements for transfer of sentenced persons with 42 countries under which Indian prisoners have been brought back to India from some of these countries.

Singh said a maximum of 1,896 Indians are lodged in jails in Saudi Arabia, followed by 764 in the United Arab Emirates, 614 in Nepal, 595 in the US and 518 in Pakistan.

As per figures provided by the minister, a total of 325 Indians are languishing in jails in Kuwait, 293 in Malaysia, 235 in Bahrain and 147 in Singapore.

The number of Indians lodged in jails in China is 105 while 130 people are languishing in prisons in Bangladesh.

Indians are also lodged in jails in various other countries, including Australia, Cyprus, Egypt, Japan, Jordan, Denmark, France, Greece, Lebanon and Mauritius.

Replying to a separate question in Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said at present, 261 people, believed to be Indian fishermen, are in Pakistan jails.

To another question, Singh said the Pathankot attack has brought to fore "new challenges" and that the government was in touch with Pakistan in this regard.

He said Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar during his meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry here in April had clearly conveyed that Pakistan cannot be in denial on terrorism against India emanating from territory of that country.

Singh said Jaishankar had also suggested review the progress of investigation into the Pathankot attack.
Kashmir is not an internal matter of India, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said today and demanded a plebiscite even as the Pakistan government's call to observe 'Black Day' to express solidarity with the people of the Valley received a lukewarm response from the public.

"Today we are observing Black Day to express solidarity with Kashmiris and are giving a strong message to the world that Pakistanis are with them (Kashmiris) for their struggle to get their rights," Sharif said in his message.

"India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris through force as they will eventually get freedom. The UN has declaredKashmir a disputed territory and India should hold plebiscite to respect the rights of Kashmiris. Terming Kashmir issue internal matter of India is not justifiable," he said.

Sharif alleged that India was committing human rights violation in Kashmir which is a matter of great concern for the world community. He had earlier directed all departments to highlight the Kashmir issue at international fora.

To observe the 'Black Day', all officials of federal and provincial governments wore black band on duty to express "political, moral and diplomatic support" to Kashmiris.

The only big show the political or religious parties put up in connection with showing solidarity with Kashmiris was that of mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack Hafiz Saeed-led Jammat-ud-Dawah in Islamabad.

The ruling PML-N held no rally in major cities like Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. In Lahore, it only held a function at Alhamra Hall which was poorly attended.

Jammat-i-Islami remained on forefront and held rallies in Multan, Bahawalpur and Faisalabad. It held also All-Party Conference in Lahore on Kashmir issue. Rallies were also held under the banner of some other religious parties in some other cities.

As the ruling party could not observe the 'black day' emphatically it chose to give advertisements to electronic media about alleged Indian atrocities and Kashmir people's struggle. The TV channels ran the ads throughout the day.

Saeed saved the day for the Sharif government as his 'Kashmir Caravan' reached Islamabad today after covering 300km Lahore-Islamabad distance in more than 24 hours.

According to the JuD media team, thousands of people reached Islamabad on buses, cars and motorcyles.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq asked the US to play a role in ensuring the grant of the right of self determination to the Kashmiris.

In a meeting with US Consul General in Lahore Zachary Herkinrider, Haq asked him to use the US influence in stopping alleged repression of the Indian forces in Kashmir.

Over 40 people have been killed in Kashmir in the clashes since Hizbul commander Burhan Wani's killing on July 8.
Pakistan has formulated a new strategy to promote radicalisation among youths through vested groups and social media to give it the shape of a civil resistance in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

"This year, Pakistan strategy has been to try and promote radicalisation through vested groups and social media so that this can be given the shape of a civil resistance," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said in a reply to a written question.

The terrorist groups have become desperate and were incited to attack the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Pakistan continued to raise the Kashmir issue with top UN officials and submitted letters to UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Security Council President expressing "concern" over alleged human rights violations in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi briefed President of the Security Council for July Japanese Ambassador Koro Bessho, Ban's Chief of staff and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman on the situation in Kashmir, saying fundamental human rights were being "blatantly violated" in the state.

A statement issued by Pakistan's mission to the UN here yesterday said Lodhi also forwarded letters written by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz to the UN Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council expressing "Pakistan's serious concern at the alarming situation" in Kashmir and "drawing attention to the brutal killings of innocent civilians and grave violations of the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiris by the Indian occupation forces."



Lodhi also raised the killing of Wani in her meetings with the UN officials, calling it an "assassination of a Kashmiri youth leader".

"Dubbing the Kashmiris agitating for their right to self-determination as 'terrorists' was a travesty of truth and was further inflaming passions," she said in the statement.

Lodhi had also tweeted that she "briefed the President of the Security Council on the situation" in Kashmir yesterday.

In another tweet she said the letter written by Aziz to President of UN Security Council will be "circulated as an official document" of the UN.

Lodhi in her meetings called for an "end to impunity and brutal repression against innocent civilians by Indian occupation forces in Jammu & Kashmir," the statement said.

Calling for an "independent and transparent" inquiry into the "extra-judicial killings" in Kashmir, Lodhi said the UN has "longstanding commitments" to the people of Jammu and Kashmir under several UN Security Council resolutions.

The Pakistani envoy was informed that the UN Secretary Generalwas concerned about the situation in Kashmir and wasready to mediate peace talks between India and Pakistan provided the two neighbours accept his good offices, the statement said.
PDP, the ruling party of Jammu and Kashmir, today rejected the contention that the unrest in the state is because of its alliance with BJP and blamed the actions by Congress and National Conference since 1948 for the loss of trust in democracy among the people of the valley.

In a strong and emotional speech in the Lok Sabha during discussion on Kashmir situation, senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig said the government of India should use its moral authority to resolve the problems of the state rather than using military authority.

Slamming Pakistan for its interference in Kashmir, he said people of the valley are being "misguided" and expressed faith in the Modi government, saying "if you can't do it (resolve the problems), who can do it?"



He wondered whether Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani, whose killing in an encounter with security forces has triggered the unrest, could have been arrested instead of being gunned down.

In this context, the former Minister of Jammu and Kashmir cited examples of how some militants had earlier given up the gun and contested elections to join the mainstream.

Rejecting allegations by critics like Congress that the current unrest is due to PDP joining hands with BJP to form government, Baig said, "nobody can accuse them (BJP) of being traitors".

Seeking to turn tables on opponents, he went back into history and clearly blamed Congress and National Conference, without naming them, for repeated controversial actions since 1948 when Prajapati Parishad was not allowed to contest polls.

He said Kashmiris lost faith in democracy due to actions like installing "un-elected governments" and dismissing elected governments since 1948 besides rigging elections.

He said the rigging of 1987 polls, allegedly by National Conference-Congress combine, was the "deepest cut" to the faith of Kashmiris in democracy as these elections had been contested even by those who did not believe in the Indian Constitution but wanted to repose trust in the poll process.

In this regard, he gave the example of the chief of militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, whose original name is Mohd Yusuf Shah, contesting the elections which were "rigged".

Baig said Yasin Malik, now the JKLF chief, was Shah's polling agent and was "tortured" by police after National Conference-Congress came to power following 1987 elections.

Taking objection to certain remarks of Baig against



Congress, party member K C Venugopal said the message should be given that the country is united on the Kashmir issue.

Referring to historical incidents, the PDP leader said a "fraud" had been played on Kashmiris by propagating that they are not pro-India and are pro-Pakistan.

Blasting Pakistan for interfering in Kashmir, Baig said the neighbouring country had become a victim of its own policies and as a result it has Balochistan "burning" and faces problems in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Appreciating efforts of the central government, Baig disapproved of criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Kashmir situation, saying he should not be dragged in each and every issue.

Referring to criticism in certain quarters that Modi was playing drums during his Africa visit when Kashmir was burning, Baig said the Prime Minister was "making history (in Africa)".

According to him, a kind of romanticism is being made about terrorism, which has become a business.

Talking about Wani's killing, Baig wondered whether he could have been arrested. "Was it possible to arrest or inevitable to kill?... He (Wani) was not an invisible ghost or an Osama Bin Laden... At least for the sake of having a good judgement, it should be looked into whether Wani could have been arrested," he said.

Taking objection to certain anti-Muslim remarks made by a leader whom he did not name, Baig said, "Muslims are as good an Indian as the Prime Minister... And Kashmiris are as good an Indian as Rajnath Singh."



When Venugopal intervened, the PDP leader said, "Aap logon ne hamari awaaz dabayi hai (you people have suppressed our voice)".

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs S S Ahluwalia told Venugopal that if "we don't allow him to speak in the tallest temple of democracy, then where is he going to speak".

He said Baig would continue to cite historical facts.

(Reopen PAR32)



Referring to demands for dialogue, the PDP leader said Hurriyat Conference should help in restoring peace in the valley.

He said while violence was taking place in south Kashmir, capital Srinagar was calm. "After this (his statement), it (violence) may spread to Srinagar also, he added.

"After this speech, I might be killed or my family might be targeted," Baig said, adding, however, that he did not care and would state the facts.

Coming down heavily on Pakistan, the PDP leader said whenever hands of peace are extended by India, those hands are snapped by the other side.

Underlining that there should be no killings, he said he feels sad for Wani's parents "who would have had lots of hope from him that he would take care of them in old age."



He said he also cries for the security personnel from various parts of the country who get killed while performing their duties in the Valley.
A CBI witnesses has claimed that Peter Mukerjea, former media baron and an accused in Sheena Bora murder case, had "no morals" and had many women in his life.

"Peter has no morals and is always fascinated towards young women around him. He was fond of late night parties and had several women in his life. This was the only reason I decided to break my marriage with him," said Peter's former wife whom CBI has presented as a 'secret witness'.

Special judge H S Mahajan, while passing order on Peter's application seeking the statement of this witness, had directed CBI to furnish him a copy while asking it to delete one of the paragraphs from it before it was given.

CBI shared with the defence counsel the statement of the witness.

The court named the secret witness in its order and directed the central agency to take care of her safety.

The witness also told the agency that after their divorce, Peter introduced Indrani, the prime accused in the Sheena case, as his girlfriend.

"He told me they were planning to marry. I wished good luck to Peter and sarcastically told him 'tum nahin sudharoge' (you won't mend your ways) because I was thinking that he would not marry her and dump her like his previous girlfriends as he had a penchant for young women," the statement said.

Peter married Indrani despite being warned of her reputation in Kolkata, it said.

The witness said that she got a call from Indrani who asked her to finalise the amount of alimony once and for all, and not demand an unreasonable amount.

"I got angry and told her to mind her own business," the witness said.

Peter's lawyer Mihir Gheewala dismissed the statement as a character assassination.

"This is a useless piece (of evidence). This shows the



desperation of CBI as they have no concrete material against Peter and now they have resorted to character assassination," Gheewala said.

"In criminal law a bad character cannot be cited as a circumstance," the lawyer said.

The court will now start hearing the bail application of Indrani's former husband Sanjeev Khanna, filed though his lawyer Sreyansh Mithare.

Indrani, Khanna and her former driver Shyamvar Rai are accused of strangling Sheena (24), Indrani's daughter from an earlier relationship, in a car here in April 2012. Her body was found in a forest in Raigad district only last August.

According to CBI, Peter too was a part of the murder conspiracy.
Seeking to keep a tight rein on the efforts of terror groups to "pick up" youths from the city through Internet, the Kolkata Police is recruiting around 100 software and networking experts on contract for its Special Task Force.

The West Bengal Home Department has given its green signal to the Kolkata Police for an immediate recruitment of 40 such experts on contract in the initial stage.

The move was initiated after Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar stressed on the need for monitoring social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter where terror groups spot potential recruitees, a senior officer of the Force told PTI.

Kumar also emphasised on the need to keep a tab on hacking, networking, computer software and hardware.

"Suspect Facebook and Twitter accounts will be screened on a regular basis," he said.

He referred to a 2014 incident in which the cyber crime sleuths stopped the impending visit by three youths from Murshidabad district to Syria after they were wooed by ISIS leaders from that country via Facebook.

"We had monitored movement of the three youths through Internet surveillance and found that they were preparing to visit Syria. We stopped them through proper counselling," the officer said.

The STF had also, a few years ago, dissuaded a city-based girl from visiting Karachi where her Pakistani Facebook friend, a Pakistani spy, with whom she fell in love, lived.

"The girl was studying engineering in a reputed college and the Pakistani spy befriended her through Facebook and allured her to come to Pakistan. She had been desperate to visit the neighbouring country and in fact made all the arrangement," the officer said.
Parts of South and West Delhi, including Dwarka, Green Park and Saket, today witnessed power cuts following a strike called by a section of BSES contractual employees.

"An unrecognised union called a strike and illegal disruption of work today. We had informed Delhi government about it. With active support from majority of our employees and the law enforcing authorities, we were fully geared up to meet any exigency.

"As a result, we were largely able to ensure smooth power supply to our 38 lakh consumers and their families. However, a few isolated pockets in West and South Delhi were affected for short durations," a BSES spokesperson said.

According to a representative of BSES employees union, an indefinite strike was called on Wednesday by a section of contractual employees.

"These people, backed by AAP leader Somnath Bharti, had called a strike in both BRPL and BYPL areas. Some areas in South and West Delhi faced power outages for short duration because of this," the representative said.
Rampant practice of prawn seed catching along the rivers of Sundarban archipelago is not only damaging the marine ecosystem but also endangering the stability of embankments, says a new book.

"In an age marked by environmental consciousness and biodiversity conservation, prawn seed catching has become a matter of much concern among international agencies, policy makers and non-state organisations for its perceived contribution to environmental degradation of the coastal common and mangrove vegetation," writes professor Amites Mukhopadhyay in his book 'Living with Disasters'.

Published by Cambridge University Press the book is an interdisciplinary research situated at the interface of history, anthropology and environment studies.

"When they pull nets along the banks in search of seeds, their nets catch many other marine lives in an attempt to collect the seeds. Many valuable marine lives which these women cannot identify as prawn seeds are killed in their larval stage," he says.

Frantic search for prawn seeds has put the valuable flora and fauna of the Sundarbans at stake.

It is in the light of the increasing global concern about conserving biodiversity or portraying biodiversity as a global public good that women prawn catchers' livelihood appears as destructive of the ecosystem, says the book.

Prawn seed catching along the riverbanks appears problematic at another level also.

The women prawn seed catchers are believed to have posed a serious threat to the sustenance of the Sundarbans embankments, says the Jadavpur University professor.

"Women in search of prawn seeds keep going up and down the river banks, thereby disturbing the siltation process at the bottom of embankments," says the author adding that embankments are fragile mudwalls constantly eroded by river currents.

At the same time, silts and mud carried by rivers tend to settle at the base of embankments which is critically important for its sustenance.

"However, women prawn catchers' continous movement along the shore is believed to unsettle the process of silt deposition, thereby weakening the embankment," he writes.

A Unesco World Heritage site, Sundarbans is a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal delta which is home to about 40 lakh people.
IT Ministry has submitted the proposal to amend ITIR Policy, which aims to promote IT and Electronics investments in the country by setting up townships catering to the needs of the sector, IT Minister PP Chaudhary informed Lok Sabha today.

"To overcome the problem faced in implementing the policy (ITIR), a note for amendment in the ITIR Policy, 2008 has been submitted for approval of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs," Chaudhary said in a written reply to the house.

ITIR are self contained integrated township to accelerate growth of IT, IT-enabled services like call centers, electronics hardware manufacturing facilities. As per present policy, minimum area of 40 sq km should be delineated for ITIR.

Of the total delineated area, 40 per cent should be earmarked for IT, ITeS and electronic hardware manufacturing units, along with associated logistics and other services and required infrastructure. Rest of the area can include residential, commercial and other social and institutional infrastructure.

Department of Electronics and Information Technology has notified setting up of ITIRs near Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Odisha government has also submitted a proposal for setting up ITIR in Bhubaneswar over an area of 41.32 sq km and is expected to have an investment of Rs 16,043 crore by 2030. This ITIR is expected to generate direct employment of 2.37 lakh.

"After the approval of amendment in the ITIR Policy Resolution 2008, the proposal of Government of Odisha to set up ITIR in Bhubaneswar will be submitted for consideration of CCEA," Chaudhary said.
A few dozen demonstrators holding banners printed with a red-brick design formed a human wall today to mock Donald Trump's plan to seal off the Mexican border as another day of protests got underway in the streets outside the Republican convention.

Demonstrators in downtown's Public Square held up a sign saying "Wall Off Trump" before marching off to the convention arena.

There were no signs of trouble, unlike yesterday, when skirmishes broke out among demonstrators and police used their bicycles to keep them apart.

A threatened flag-burning later today had potential to fuel already bubbling tensions outside the Republican National Convention.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said that he spent three hours yesterday evening riding with bicycle officers on patrol and that he waded into one confrontation because he's "still a police officer."



Williams said he plans to show up wherever there are "issues" during the convention.

Officers yesterday used bicycles to wall off intersections and for the first time during the convention ordered demonstrators to disperse under the threat of arrest. "We don't care who it is. Stay on the sidewalk," Lt. Michael Butler said as the demonstrators made their way. "We don't want the sideshow."



Despite the tumult, police said there were no protest-related arrests.

Overall, five people have been arrested since the four-day convention started on Monday, police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said late yesterday.

That includes one person accused of trying to steal a state trooper's gas mask and three people charged with climbing flagpoles at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hanging an anti-Trump banner.
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy's Secretary G Ragesh Chandra today died in New Delhi following a suspected heart attack.

Ragesh Chandra (59), also the education secretary, had accompanied the chief minister to Delhi on Monday for meeting central ministers.

Chandra was found dead in his room at the Puducherry guest house in New Delhi, sources said.

They said his body has been shifted to AIIMS and would be brought here later this evening to enable government staff and others to pay their last respects.

A release from the office of the Chief Minister said the body would be airlifted from here to Kerala, his native place, tomorrow for last rites.

Revenue Minister of Puducherry M O H F Shah Jahan said in a condolence message that he was shocked to hear about Chandra's death.

Chandra was due to retire in November this year. He had served Puducherry administration as a Civil Service Officer first and was conferred IAS in 2002.

Chandra is survived by wife and daughter.
A PWD junior engineer has been arrested for criminal negligence over the drowning of an eight-year-old boy in a drain in Rani Bagh in May this year, police said today.

Anas, a Class-III student and son of an auto driver, was on his way home with his cousin Mohsin when he fell in the drain which was uncovered on May 9.

The incident was raised by Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta who had demanded compensation to the kin of the boy and action against erring PWD officials by Delhi government.

"One Junior Engineer of PWD, Delhi Government, Narender has been arrested for criminal negligence in the maintenance of drain near road No 43, Sri Nagar, Rani Bagh, causing death of the 8-year-old child," said Vijay Singh, DCP (northwest).

A rescue operation was launched by police, fire brigade and disaster management personnel and the body of Anas was fished out of the drain with the help of divers.

An FIR under relevant provisions of the IPC was lodged at Subhash Place police station and investigation was launched, the officer said.

"During investigation, it was found that the responsibility of maintenance of the drain in which the boy fell and lost his life was upon the Public Works Department (PWD) of Delhi Government.

"A part of the drain where the incident occurred was uncovered. The PWD had neither put the required slab nor displayed any warning sign for the general public in this regard. Hence, negligence was found on the part of concerned officials of PWD," Singh said.

The police has also sought a report from the PWD to fix responsibility for the negligence on part of concerned official causing the incident.
Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa today alleged that a proposed bill to set up an office of missing persons targeted government troops who defeated the LTTE ending the three-decade ethnic civil war.

In a statement, Rajapaksa said that this is one of several institutions to be established to deal with the past in terms of the UNHRC resolution that the present government cosponsored with Western powers in September last year.

"It is clear that this office is meant to be an integral part of the judicial mechanism to deal with allegations of war crimes that the government has undertaken to establish," Rajapaksa said.

If this draft legislation becomes law, every member of parliament who votes for it will be held responsible by the people for betraying the country and the armed forces, he said.

He said the Office of Missing Persons will not be a part of Sri Lanka's state law enforcement and justice system, but an independent body incorporated by parliament which gives its members the power to function outside the normal rules and regulations that guide state institutions.

The OMP will be a tribunal for all practical purposes which can examine witnesses, issue summons and hold hearings. Anyone who fails or refuses to cooperate with the OMP may be punished for contempt of court.

In May the government announced the setting up of the OMP as part of Sri Lanka's obligations under the UN Human Rights Council resolutions on rights accountability after the civil war ended in 2009 when Rajapaksa was in power.

The war killed almost 100,000 people and led to disappearances of several others.
The Delhi High Court today sought reply from the Centre, State Election Commission and the AAP government on a plea for removal of party symbols of candidates from Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) in municipal corporation polls in the national capital.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal issued notices to the authorities concerned and asked them to file short counter affidavits within six weeks.

The court has now posted the matter for September 28.

The plea filed by law student Sanjana Gahlot and advocate Hargyan Singh Gahlot has sought directions for inclusion of photographs of contesting candidates on the EVM.

The PIL said that there is no provision in Part IX-A of the Constitution of India or the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Act for the political parties or their election symbols to be mentioned on the EVM.

"The presence of a party symbol on the EVM is arbitrary, illegal, unconstitutional and violative of Article 14 of the Constitution. The respondents, in particular State Election Commission (SEC), have failed to conduct free and fair election (by-elections 2016 for filling casual vacancies in councillorship)," the petition said.

"The SEC is duty-bound to conduct free and fair elections and this duty is of public nature," it said, adding that the state poll panel "simply copied the same format and design as was used by the Election Commission of India for elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies".

The petitioner said that the MCD Act nowhere had reference to a recognised political party or to allocation of symbols for contesting an election.

The Act vests the conduct of the elections absolutely in the SEC, it added.

The plea further said only three columns -- for serial number, candidate name and his/her photograph should be there on the EVM.
A car bomb in central Kiev today morning killed well-known pro-Western journalist Pavel Sheremet.

The 44-year-old, originally from Belarus but a Russian citizen who worked for Ukrainska Pravda, an independent site, died when an explosion tore through the car he was in.

The charred car with all the doors open stood on the cobbled street behind a police cordon.

"Pavel Sheremet's death is the result of an explosive device. It's murder," said Prosecutor-General Yuriy Lutsenko on Facebook.

President Petro Poroshenko described his death as a "crime" and a "tragedy".

An aide to interior minister Zoryan Shkiryak said on Facebook that the explosive device was believed to be the equivalent of 400 to 600 grams of TNT, possibly set off remotely or on a timer.

"All possible scenarios of this cruel crime are being looked into," Shkiryak said, adding that explosives experts were working at the scene.

A taxi driver who gave his name only as Petro, told AFP that Sheremet "was driving along Ivana Franka street and stopped at the turn and then an explosion went off. The flames from the windscreen went up to the second floor."



The taxi driver said he helped drag Sheremet out of the car and he was still alive when the emergency services arrived but was unable to speak from pain.

Sheremet had worked for several years at Ukrainska Pravda, whose founder Georgiy Gongadze was murdered in 2000 after opposing then-president Leonid Kuchma.

The editor of Ukrainska Pravda Sevgil Musaieva-Borovyk told AFP he thought Sheremet was killed for his "professional activity."



"Why do they kill journalists in Ukraine? Someone wants to destabilise the situation in the country by doing this," the editor said.

Sheremet also worked on a radio station Vesti, where he was due to host a show after leaving home this morning. The station is criticised by some Ukrainians as being too pro-Russian.

Sheremet was born in Belarus and in television there before leaving due to a conflict with the repressive regime of Alexander Lukashenko. He founded the popular Belarussky Partizan opposition website.
Taking suo motu cognisance, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Haryana government, seeking a report over the rape a girl in Rohtak last week by five men, who had sexually assaulted her three years ago too.

The Commission has observed that the contents of media reports on the matter, if true, paint a worrisome picture and reflects poorly on the law-and-order situation in Haryana.

"It also points to the failure of law enforcement machinery to provide adequate security to people in general and women in particular," NHRC said in a statement.

The NHRC accordingly has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Haryana calling for a factual report in the incident within four weeks, it said.

"Two of them (accused) were out on bail in the earlier case and pressurising the family of the victim for an out of court settlement of the case.

"Allegedly the victim and her family did not get any security. Reportedly, the victim is the daughter of a poor charpoy-maker," NHRC deputy director (media and communication) Jaimini Kumar Srivastava said.

"After sexual assault on her in 2013 in Bhiwani (Haryana), two of the five accused were arrested but recently came out on bail.

"The victim's family had filed a case in the court for the arrest of the remaining three and re-arrest of the two released on bail," Srivastava said.

"They (victim's family) had been getting threats from the accused pressuring them for an out of court settlement, forcing them to shift to Rohtak," he said.

"They (accused) abducted the 21-year old (victim) from near her college, where she is pursing master's degree, dragged her to a nearby place and sexually assaulted her.

"She was left to die in an unconscious state in some bushes when she was seen by a passerby and taken to a hospital," the release added.
Haryana police today formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged gangrape of a 21-year-old Dalit woman in Rohtak.

The SIT will submit its report within 90 days.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Mohammad Akil, who paid a visit to the victim in a Rohtak hospital today, ordered setting up of the SIT.

Stating this, state Health Minister Anil Vij told reporters on the sidelines of a state cabinet meeting here that the SIT will have two DSPs as members.

"As part of the investigations, the DNA samples of the complainant and the accused will also be matched. I can assure you of a fair probe. Whosoever has done any wrong will have to face the law," he said, adding that the SIT has been asked to submit its report within 90 days.

The victim, a college student, was allegedly gangraped by five persons in Rohtak district on July 13. This is said to be a repeat offence on her with two of the offenders also named as accused in the first case of gangrape in Bhiwani three years ago, DGP KP Singh told reporters here yesterday.

The two repeat offenders were out on bail.

The incident had also echoed in Lok Sabha yesterday.

Vij said the BJP government is sensitive towards cases of crime against women. "We try to act swiftly whenever such cases come to light," he said.

The three accused who were arrested in connection with the case yesterday were today remanded to a four-day police custody by a Rohtak court.

Meanwhile, Opposition Congress slammed the BJP government in Haryana, alleging that women were feeling unsafe in the state.

"Even as a Dalit girl, raped again by the same culprits within three years, struggles to fight the trauma, the insensitivity of the police and administration in Rohtak, the countless number of such incidents which keep happening every other day, have made women feel unsafe in Haryana," alleged Kiran Choudhry, Leader of Haryana Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

She slammed the Manohar Lal Khattar government in the state for the deteriorating law-and-order situation, especially crimes against women, and demanded immediate steps to bring to book the remaining two accused in the case.

"The Dalit girl's rape by the same rapists who were out on bail shows the BJP government's insensitivity, exposes its tall claims on law-and-order and raises two pertinent questions -- why did the state not oppose their bail and since they were granted bail, why the victim and her family, who had shifted to Rohtak, were not given adequate police protection," she said in a statement here.
Country's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI) and Brookfield Asset Management have set up a joint venture (JV) with initial commitment of over $1 billion to make investments in businesses with stressed assets.

Brookfield will commit around Rs 7,000 crore and up to 5 per cent of the total investments into stressed assets, the state-owned bank said in a statement.

"This approach of collaborating with global players will enable the in general and in particular, to find alternate solution for resolution of stressed assets," Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya said in the statement.

The JV will evaluate and invest in various stressed assets, relying upon Brookfield's operational expertise to manage recapitalised businesses.

Bhattacharya said such an approach will be more acceptable to both the lenders and the borrowers in cases where the promoters are not able to infuse funds and lenders are reluctant to take additional exposure.

At a later stage, the JV may seek participation from other lenders in the identified assets, the bank said.
Country's largest lender SBI and Brookfield Asset Management have set up a joint venture with initial commitment of over USD 1 billion to make investments in businesses with stressed assets.

Brookfield will commit around Rs 7,000 crore and State Bank of India up to 5 per cent of the total investments into stressed assets, the state-owned bank said in a statement.

"This approach of collaborating with global players will enable the banks in general and SBI in particular, to find alternate solution for resolution of stressed assets," Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said in the statement.

The JV will evaluate and invest in various stressed assets, relying upon Brookfield's operational expertise to manage recapitalised businesses.

Bhattacharya said such an approach will be more acceptable to both the lenders and the borrowers in cases where the promoters are not able to infuse funds and lenders are reluctant to take additional exposure.

At a later stage, the JV may seek participation from other lenders in the identified assets, the bank said.

Increased presence in all terrains and geographies



will increase bank's deposit raising capacity and bring down the cost of funds further. Thus, the benefit so derived will flow on to the customers in the form of improved services, borrowing costs etc, it added.

The bank also expects the merger to fasten the roll out of digital initiatives, which is currently hamstrung by existence of different entities with separate managements causing a lag in implementation across the the SBI Group.

It also expects reduction in overheads, administrative offices, and centralisation of treasury will lead to major reduction in operating costs.

Post mergers, the bank will re-deploy manpower in customer facing roles with a sharper marketing focus. The same is expected to create a superior customer experience.

On the additional capital requirement (which the chairperson had earlier pegged at around Rs 3,000 crore) arising due to the mergers will be met through the resultant increase in efficiencies and economies of scale.

During the June quarter earnings, chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya had said that the merger will lead to shuttering of the treasury desks of the merged entities but had ruled out massive closure of retail branches, though she said there would be rationalisation of branches specially in cities.

The SBI had first merged State Bank of Saurashtra with itself in 2008. Two years later, State Bank of Indore was merged.

SBI was founded on June 2, 1806, as Bank of Calcutta and on 27 January 1921, it was renamed as the Imperial Bank of India. On July 1, 1955, it was formally named as State Bank of India after nationalisation.
As a part of its bad loans resolution process, the nation's largest lender State Bank of India today roped in American fund house Brookfield Asset Management to set up an over Rs 7,350-crore stressed assets fund.

Out of the total investible fund of Rs 7,350 crore, the New York-based Brookfield, which manages a whopping USD 240 billion assets, will contribute Rs 7,000 crore and the remaining 5 per cent or Rs 350 crore will come from SBI, a senior SBI official told PTI.

When asked how soon the fund will be operationalised, the official said it will set up at the earliest and will be managed by Brookfield and the top management of the bank.

Asked whether the fund will primarily snap up SBI's stressed assets, the official said "yes."



"But we will also be open to others. SBI being the lead lender in most of the large accounts, most of the assets will be ours," the official added.

SBI Chairman Arundhati Bhattacharya said, "This approach of collaborating with global players will enable the banks in general and SBI in particular to find alternate solution for resolution of stressed assets."



SBI has been reeling under a mountain of bad loans for the past few years as the key sectors in the economy are faltering. Its net non-performing assets stood at 3.81 per cent or Rs 55,807 crore as of March 2016, against 2.12 per cent (Rs 27,591 crore) a year ago, while its gross NPAs jumped to 6.5 per cent from 2.5 per cent a year ago.

This is the second such fund after Kotak Bank roped in Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) to launch a USD 525 million fund to invest in the stressed assets in March.

The proposed joint venture will independently evaluate and invest in various stressed assets, and will rely on the New York Brookfield's operational expertise to manage recapitalised businesses, SBI said.

Bhattacharya said such an approach will be more



acceptable to both the lenders and the borrowers in cases where the promoters are not able to infuse funds and lenders are reluctant to take additional exposure.

SBI said at a later stage the joint venture may seek participation from other lenders in the identified assets.

"This is a great opportunity for us to continue to invest in the long-term India story, and we're pleased to be further expanding our private equity platform here," Brookfield India head Anuj Ranjan said.

This March, Kotak Mahindra Group tied up with the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) to launch a USD 525 million fund to invest in the stressed assets. The CPPIB has committed USD 450 million and the Kotak Group USD 75 million.

The Reserve Bank last December conducted an asset quality review (AQR) which covered 36 banks (including all state-run banks) which accounted for 93 per cent of the gross advances.

After the AQR, net NPAs in the banking system rose sharply to 7.6 per cent in March 2016 from 5.1 per cent in September 2015, while the total stressed loans including the restructured accounts crossed 13 per cent of the system or over Rs 8 trillion as of March 2016.

In fiscal 2015-16, SBI's net profit declined 24 per cent to Rs 9,951 crore from Rs 13,102 crore in 2014-15.

For the March 2016 quarter, SBI's net declined by 66.2 per cent to Rs 1,264 crore from Rs 3,742 crore due to higher provision for stressed assets.

SBI's net non-performing assets stood at 3.81 per cent or Rs 55,807 crore as of March 2016, against 2.12 per cent (Rs 27,591 crore) a year ago, while its gross NPAs jumped to 6.5 per cent from 2.5 per cent a year ago.
The Supreme Court today declined any interim relief to nine disqualified Uttarkhand MLAs, who have sought a stay on their disqualification and permission to participate in the assembly session, commencing from July 21 in Dehradun.

A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman, however, said that the notice, given by these MLAs and BJP lawmakers, will remain alive and would be subject to the final outcome of its judgement on the petition filed by MLAs.

"We are inclined to state that if the motion that was moved by the petitioners (rebel MLAs) for removal of Speaker is taken up anytime in the Uttarakhand legislative assembly, the same shall be subject to final adjudication of the SLP and all the issues raised in the petition including the jurisdictional issue are kept open," the court said.

The bench, meanwhile, decided to prepone the hearing on the appeal filed by rebel MLAs, including Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, on July 28.

The lawmakers, in their fresh plea in the pending appeal, referred to the recent apex court judgement in the Arunachal Pradesh case in support of their petition that they cannot be disqualified by the Speaker facing resolution for removal.

The Nainital High Court had upheld the decision of the Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal to disqualify Champion and others including former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and two sets of appeal are pending in the apex court against the disqualification.

Referring to para 175 of the landmark verdict of the



Supreme Court, re-installing the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, the MLAs have said that Article 179 (c) of the constitution disentitles the Speaker against whom a resolution for removal is pending from disqualifying any member of the House.

The five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice J S Khehar had said, "We are satisfied, that the words 'passed by a majority of all the then members of the Assembly', would prohibit the Speaker from going ahead with disqualification proceedings under the Tenth Schedule, as the same would negate the effect of the words 'all the then members', after the disqualification of one or more MLAs from the House.

"The words "all the then members", demonstrate an expression of definiteness. Any change in the strength and composition of the Assembly, by disqualifying sitting MLAs, for the period during which the notice of resolution for the removal of the Speaker (or the Deputy Speaker) is pending, would conflict with the express mandate of Article 179(c), requiring all "the then members" to determine the right of the Speaker to continue."



Relying on this observation, the disqualified MLAs have sought setting aside of Speaker's March 27, 2016 decision to disqualify them.

Alternatively, they have sought permission to take part in the assembly session starting from July 21.

The Harish Rawat government had won the floor test ordered by the apex court on May 10 in which the rebels were barred from casting their vote.
Security at airports across the country has been beefed up in the wake of Istanbul terror attack, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

In response to a question, Minister of State in Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said security at Indian airports has been reviewed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the nodal ministry for civil aviation security.

"Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has also issued an advisory on June 29, 2016 to all the state governments, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), airport operators, airline operators to adopt enhanced security measures at all the airports," he said.

The minister said after the recent terrorist attack at Istanbul airport, a Special Airport Security Committee meeting was held at all airports under CISF security cover, which includes state police, CISF, airport operators, airline operators, Customs, Immigration and ground handling authorities and concessionaires and all these stakeholders were sensitised to be vigilant and beef up security.

"In many of the airports in the country which are under CISF security cover, latest gadgets/security equipment, including hydraulic bollards, liquid explosive detector, explosive trace detectors, camera fitted optic fibre endoscopes, have been installed, based on the need and threat perception in respect of the airports, by the airport operators concerned," he said.
Activists of Shiv Sena today staged a protest against Pakistan observing "black day" over the unrest in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani and blocked traffic on NH1 here for about two hours, prompting authorities to divert Delhi-Lahore buses.

Authorities diverted the route of Delhi-Lahore buses in the wake of the protest, police said.

The Delhi-bound Sada-e-Sarhad bus from Lahore was diverted via Kartarpur, Kapurthala, Nakodar, Noormahal, Phillaur onto the NH 1.

Led by Sena's state Vice-President Inderjit Karwal, the protesters staged demonstrations at three places, including the Sugar mill crossing and near the PWD Rest House.

They also took a march in the city, raised slogans against Pakistan and burnt its national flag.
Union minister Uma Bharti today made a pitch for the use of Hindi in administrative works, saying it is "shameful" that the people of the country are yet to free themselves from the "slavery" of English language even after 68 years of Independence.

"It is very sad and shameful that we have not freed ourselves from the slavery of English 68 years after British left India. A society which is not proud of its language is spineless," she said at a meeting of the Hindi Salahkar Committee.

"It is a mental illness not being able to get rid of the trap of English. It needs to be treated," a statement later quoted her as saying.

Bharti asked officials to use Hindi while writing remarks in their files, preparing the agenda of important meetings, conventions and other programmes of the Ministry.

The Union Water Resource Minister said they should use English and Urdu only "when required".

She rued that the committee was meeting after a long gap of three years and said it should get together at least once in three months.

"We also will need to ensure that the decisions taken during these meetings are implemented within a stipulated time frame," she added.

Minister of State for Water Resources, Sanjeev Balyan, who accompanied Bharti at the meeting, seconded her and said "everyone should take pride in the use of Hindi".

The Samiti was set up to render advice regarding implementation of provisions relating to official language contained in the Constitution, OL Act and Rules, and policy decisions of Kendriya Hindi Samiti and instructions issued by Department of Official Language about progressive use of Hindi in the Ministry.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who did not appear in any event of 'Black Day' Pakistan is observing today to express solidarity with Kashmiris, has been advised by doctors to rest for another three to four days in Lahore after he developed infection in his leg.

"Doctors have advised PM Sharif against travel before this Sunday," Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid said today.

He said the premier had an infection in his leg after one of his arteries was used for a bypass.

"The PM is also suffering from fever but the condition is not serious," he was quoted as saying by Dawn.

Nawaz has been staying at his Jati Umra Raiwind Lahore residence since his return from London on July 9.

He had undergone a successful open-heart surgery. He was to leave for Islamabad last Sunday to discharge his duties but he got infection in his leg.

Sharif's daughter Maryam Nawaz tweeted that the PM had fever because of infection in his leg incision which is being treated with antibiotics.

"My father is better now and will be in Islamabad in a day or two," she said.
In a first for the Republican Party, a Sikh-American woman opened the second day of the national convention here with the 'Ardaas' -- a Sikh prayer.

Harmeet Dhillon, vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party, delivered the Sikh prayer on the national stage here in Punjabi and then translated it into English.

It was the first such instance for the Republican National Convention but it was not the first time the 47-year-old San Francisco lawyer upended expectations, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Born in Chandigarh, she emigrated with her parents to England and then to the Bronx, New York. Her father, an orthopedic surgeon, soon moved the family to rural Smithfield in central North Carolina.

Taking the stage minutes before Donald Trump was officially nominated as the party's candidate for president, Dhillon led the convention in the Sikh prayer yesterday.

After the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem, Dhillon took the stage and explained that it was Sikh custom to wear a headscarf for the traditional prayer.

Dhillon, a delegate from San Francisco, covered her head with a shawl after stepping up to the podium.

"I've said this prayer before I could walk," she said.

The prayer -- called Ardaas -- is a Sikh prayer that is recited before performing or after undertaking any significant task. And Dhillon hoped her reading it would show that the Republican Party truly does have a big tent.

"I think this is an inclusive party. I've never felt anything but included since Day One," Dhillon was quoted as saying by The Mercury .

Trump today clinched the Republican Party's presidential nomination to run against Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November polls, a stunning rise for an outsider after months of controversial campaigning that saw him crushing 16 well-established party rivals.

Diversity was showcased by the party in Cleveland as when California's Republicans formally proclaimed their support for Trump, the state party turned to Shirley Husar, who is black, to make the announcement.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today requested the DU Vice-Chancellor to work out a detailed plan to make arrangement for "1.25 lakh students" who pass out of Class 12 but are unable to find admission for higher studies.

"I am standing today at a moment, where there is crowd of 1.25 lakh students behind me who do not get admission in higher educational institutions after Class 12.

"I request DU Vice Chancellor Yogesh Tyagi to come out with a plan to make arrangement for 1.25 lakh students who graduate out of Class 12 but are unable to find admission for higher studies. Delhi government will give all support and resource for it," he said.

He was speaking at the inauguration of a new building of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College in Dwarka's Sector 4 here.

Later he also tweeted in Hindi that congratulations to PWD engineers for the new college building, but keep files ready, "tota-maina do-teen deen meyn aate rahenge.
The last rites of CRPF commando Manoj Choure, who was killed in a Naxal ambush in Bihar's Gaya district two days back, were performed today at his native village in Betul district.

Soon after the mortal remains of Choure arrived this morning in Parmandal village, the atmosphere there turned gloomy.

Choure was posted in the CRPF's elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) battalion. Before the last rites were performed, the CRPF troop which arrived from Nagpur saluted the slain soldier, while people raised slogans of "Manoj Choure Amar Rahe" (long live Manoj Choure).

As reports of Choure's death reached the village yesterday, the villagers did not light up hearth in their houses as a mark of respect and also did not celebrate the 'Guru Purnima' festival.

Ten CRPF commandos belonging to its elite CoBRA battalion were killed and five others injured in a Naxal IED blast in the jungles of Bihar's Aurangabad district on Monday.
An inexpensive lens could turn a smartphone into a microscope and help men analyse semen samples in the privacy of their home, say scientists.

Yoshitomo Kobori, a visiting scholar at University of Illinois at Chicago, discovered a $7 lens, that could help address the problem of infertility in men.

He is using the lens to create an iPhone microscope to analyse sperm samples at home, with help from an app that is in development.

"The lens is not made for a smart phone - it was made nine years ago. I'm improving the lens and thinking about how to attach it to a smart phone and analyse sperm," said Kobori.

Kobori believes men would be more likely to analyse their sperm if they could do it in the privacy of their home.

Researchers are also working to create better containers to collect and store semen samples. They use an antioxidant to help preserve the sperm when it is frozen.
Chinese police and state-run media today called for"rational patriotism" after sporadic protests broke out against the US across China following an international tribunal's verdict rejecting Beijing's claims over strategic South China Sea.

The police warning came after video clips posted online showed protesters, who believe the US was behind the ruling, demonstrating outside restaurants owned by the US fast-food chain KFC in cities such as Hebei, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hunan, state-run China Daily reported.

Several demonstrators held red banners saying "Join the boycott against US, Japanese and Philippine companies, and be a patriotic Chinese" and stopped people from entering the restaurants.

Police officers were dispatched to the protests site to maintain public order. Protests in China are rare.

In recent years the ruling Communist Party of China has encouraged people to stage protests against Japan over the dispute over the islands in East China Sea.

Police have strengthened security at the Philippines embassy in Beijing after the tribunal on July 12 upheld the Philippines rights over the South China Sea.

China has rejected the verdict and said it will not have any impact on its stand that over 90 per cent of the South China Sea belonged to it.

A KFC employee surnamed Lei in Chenzhou, Hunan province, confirmed there had been a small protest outside the restaurant on Monday. She said that business returned to normal today, China Daily reported.

In a widely circulated video, a woman in Tangshan walked into the restaurant and told customers that it is they who pay for the bullets for the US.

Yum! Brands Inc, China Division, which operates the KFC chain in the country, declined to comment on the protests. The protests have been criticised by the police and public.

After one such protest was held at a local KFC, police in Ganyu district, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, issued a statement yesterday urging people to not get involved in illegal protests instigated via the internet or social media.

In Siyang county, Jiangsu, police posted on their micro blog the message, "Love your country, but please don't take out your anger on its people."



Pu Yu, 27, a Tangshan resident who works in Beijing, said she did not understand such behaviour.

"They are simply creating chaos in the name of patriotism. If KFC closes down, it's the locals who will be out of jobs," she said.
There has been a sudden jump in infiltration bids by terrorists from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir and 54 such "successful" incidents were reported in the first six months this year, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said today.

"There is an increase in infiltration bids by terrorists from across Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir during this year," he said replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha.

Ahir said there were 90 infiltration attempts till June 30 in comparison to 29 attempts in the corresponding period in 2015.

As many as 54 infiltrations have been successful in the first six months this year in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

The minister said though security forces maintain high level alertness during their duties, still terrorist attacks are hard to mark in advance, that too, precisely on ground.

"Intelligence inputs keep troops vigilant and help them to be in a position to repulse any attack which has been done in the Pampore attack in which both militants were neutralised," he said.

Replying to another question, the minister said seven terrorist attacks on CRPF personnel have taken place in Kashmir Valley during the current year till July 14 in which 10 CRPF personnel were martyred and 43 personnel sustained injuries.

Three BSF personnel were killed and seven BSF jawans received injuries in different incidents this year.

Some of the terrorists killed have been identified. Terrorists identified comprise both local and foreign ones, he said.

Ahir said the Standard Operating Procedures have been reviewed by Central Armed Police Forces concerned and all field formations in Jammu and Kashmir have been sensitised about the latest modus operandi of militants and threat perception to prevent attacks in future, he said.
Telangana Director General of Police Anurag Sharma today ordered a preliminary inquiry by CID into alleged leakage of Medical EAMCET-2 question paper.

The Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (EAMCET-2), held for admissions to MBBS and BDS courses, was conducted on July 9 and the results were declared on July 14. The examination was conducted by Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad.

Following reports in a section of the media about leakage of question paper of Medical EAMCET-2 ahead of the examination, the JNTU officials today requested the Telangana DGP to look into the issue.

"They (JNTU) have simply given a petition based on newspaper reports and sought an inquiry. There is no formal complaint and no case has been registered. I have asked our chaps (in CID) to check it out," the DGP told PTI.

Earlier, Telangana Health Minister C Laxma Reddy had said an inquiry has been instituted to address doubts about the examination.
Tamil Nadu government has assured full cooperation to German investments in the state and has sought its support for various development projects here.

This was conveyed to a visiting German delegation led by its Ambassador to India, Dr Martin Ney, who along with his associates called on Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa here yesterday.

Ney said in India, Tamil Nadu had the biggest portfolio of projects implemented with KfW (a German development bank) assistance, a state government release said today.

"The Ambassador indicated the keenness of Germany to extend assistance to the Smart City Project to be implemented in Coimbatore," it said, adding talks will be held soon in this regard.

The Ambassador also highlighted the existing areas of co-operation between Tamil Nadu and Germany in New and Renewable Energy including establishing the Green Energy Corridor, Intra-State transmission system and other urban infrastructure including storm water drainage and sewerage systems, urban mobility and transportation, it said.

Jayalalithaa thanked the German government for assistance extended to various projects in Tamil Nadu by KfW and the continued investment by German companies in the state.

She "assured the German delegation that Tamil Nadu would continue to extend its full co-operation for German investment in the state. (The) Chief Minister requested the continued co-operation and support of Germany for various developmental projects in Tamil Nadu," it added.

She also told the German delegation that the government's efforts in effectively maintaining law and order and ensuring social peace has helped making Tamil Nadu a favoured investment destination.

She pointed out that a number of German and other multinational automobile companies were pioneers in investing in Tamil Nadu and had contributed "in making it India's automobile hub".

Ney also congratulated Jayalalithaa on her resounding victory in the May 16 Assembly polls and continuing in office for a consecutive term. He appreciated the state government's "expeditious action" taken in restoring normalcy after the unprecedented floods in December, 2015, it said.

He mentioned that he had visited the Volkswagen plant on the outskirts of Chennai in January "and was impressed to see how quickly the recovery had been effected," it added.
Work for construction of toilet started today at the house of a woman, who has mortgaged her 'mangalsutra' for it, at Barahkhanna village in Rohtas district.

The work for construction of toilet at Phool Kumari's house has started, District Magistrate Animesh Kumar Parashar told PTI.

Phool Kumari has mortgaged her 'mangalsutra' for construction of a toilet at her husband's home. She did it after failing to raise adequate money by working as a cook at a local primary school as her farm labourer husband's income is meagre, the local panchayat said.

She also braved opposition of male members of her family while mortgaging her 'mangalsutra'.

A "Beti Bahan Samman Samaroh" was also observed today in the entire Sanjhauli block under which Barahkhanna village come, the DM said.

As part of the function, senior male members of each household took an oath that they would have a toilet at home and not marry off the girl of their family to somebody who does not have a toilet at home.

Recognising Phool Kumar's effort, the Rohtas district administration made her the brand ambassador of total sanitation programme in the district.

Asked if the district administration would provide financial assistance to her for construction of toilet, the DM said she would get monetary assistance in discharge of duty as motivator for sanitation campaign in the district.
Sindh High Court chief justice's son Awais Ali Shah, who was rescued from the clutches of Pakistani Taliban by the army in the restive northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, today narrated his terrifying ordeal to police and said he was kept blindfolded throughout his abduction.

Shah, who was rescued yesterday after an intelligence based operation at Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, narrated the details of his ordeal to the police task force during a meeting at his home.

The joint team has to submit a report to the Supreme Court tomorrow.

Shah, who is in his late 20s, was kidnapped in broad daylight from a parking lot outside a shopping centre in the upscale Clifton area on June 29 by four armed and masked men.

Shah told the security officials that his abductors put a gun to his leg when he tried to resist them at the time of abduction. "One of them even threatened to kill me," Shah was quoted as saying by the Dawn.

According to Shah's statement, he was initially kept in Karachi by his abductors.

"I was kept blindfolded throughout the ordeal and was only allowed to remove the folds when I had to use the washroom," Shah said.

He said that he was initially kept in Karachi by his abductors for atleast 10 days as they could not leave the city due to the police and security operations in Karachi after his abduction.

He further said the captors used to communicate with each other in Pashto language.

Shah said he was shifted to Sukkur after 10 days and after one day he was taken to Dera Ismail Khan from where his captors handed him over to another group.

Shah said on the day of his release he was apparently being taken to the tribal areas via Tank with two of them flanking him on the rear seat.

The SHC Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah has credited the Pakistan army for the safe recovery of his son.

"All credit goes to the army," said the SHC judge.

When asked what role the government played in his son's recovery, he said the "army is not separate from the government".

Asked whether Shah was kidnapped by militants to seek release of jailed militants, he said he had no idea which group had kidnapped his son.

"I am just thankful that my son is back safe and sound," he added.
The top US admiral said today that friendly exchanges with China's navy are conditional on safe interactions at sea, an indication of Washington's concern over recent fractious encounters with Chinese forces in and over the disputed South China Sea.

On a visit to the northern Chinese port of Qingdao, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said he backs more exchanges, but added: "In this area we must judge each other by our deeds and actions, not just by our words."



"I am supportive of a continued and deepening navy-to-navy relationship, but I will be continuously reassessing my support conditioned on continued safe and professional interactions at sea," Richardson said, according to a Navy release.

Richardson is on what they Navy called a five-day visit to improve mutual understanding and encourage professional interaction between the two navies. In Qingdao, he visited the headquarters of China's North Sea Fleet and met with its commander, Vice Adm. Yuan Yubai.

Richardson "underscored the importance of lawful and safe operations in the South China Sea and elsewhere where professional navies operate," the Navy said.

He said the U.S. Navy will continue to conduct "routine and lawful operations" around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect "the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all. This will not change," Richardson said.

He was also scheduled to visit China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, along with a submarine training base.

Yesterday, he met in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Wu Shengli, who took a hard line on China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, where China has been building airstrips, harbors and military facilities on man-made islands created by piling sand on top of coral reefs.

The US refuses to recognize the new features as possessing the legal status of islands and has emphasized the point by sending Navy ships to sail close to them on so-called freedom of navigation missions. That has incensed China, which has responded by dispatching its own vessels to threaten and harass the US ships.

Chinese planes have also engaged recently in what the U.S. described as unsafe maneuvering close to American surveillance aircraft.

Despite suspicions on both sides, U.S.-China military-to-military exchanges have steadily gained pace in recent years. China's navy is currently taking part for the second time in the Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, the world's largest naval drills hosted by the U.S. Off Hawaii and including military forces from 26 nations.
A speeding truck ploughed into shanties, killing four people, three of them from one family, by the roadside in rural Sancheri here in the wee hours of today.

"Some people live in shanties by the roadside near Sancheri police station. This morning, a truck going to Raniya from Kanpur went out of control and rammed into two of those shanties killing four people," said a spokesperson of Sanchedi police station.

The victims were identified as Chutku, 52, his wife Vidwa, 40, and daughter Nandini, 16, and their neighbour Savitri, 40.

By the time the police could pull them out from under the demolished shanty, all of them had died.

Locals caught the truck driver who was trying to flee, and turned him in to the police.

The bodies of the deceased have been sent for postmortem. Police is investigating the case.
Donald Trump today clinched the Republican party's nomination to run for the next US president against Hillary Clinton, capping a stunning rise to power after months of controversial campaigning that galvanised voters and highlighted differences within his party.

70-year-old Trump, who joined politics only a year ago and stormed the Republican party by defeating as many as 17 primary opponents, including experienced, well-funded candidates such as John Kasich and Jeb Bush, earned the 1,237 bound delegates necessary to secure the party's nomination during the second day of the Republican National Convention.

"Donald Trump having received the majority of the votes cast has been selected as the Republican Party nominee of the president of the United States," announced Paul Ryan, House of Representatives Speaker and also chair of the Republican National Convention.

Trump welcomed Republican nomination as "great honour" and vowed to work hard.

"Such a great honour to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. I will work hard and never let you down! AMERICA FIRST!" Trump tweeted.

Exuding confidence to win the presidency, Trump said he would also win the key State of Ohio, which is hosting the four-day convention.

"We are going to win the presidency and bring real change and leadership back to Washington," Trump said.

"This is going to be a leadership that puts the American people first. We are going to bring back our jobs. We are going to rebuild our depleted military and take care of our great veterans. We are going to have strong borders," the real estate tycoon from New York said.

Trump would face Clinton of the Democratic Party in the November 8 presidential elections. If elected, he would be the first successful businessman without any political experience to become the president of the US.

Trump, whose election theme is "Make America Great Again" was declared the party's nominee after his son Donald J Trump Junior cast the vote of elected delegates from his home state of New York, that gave him the requisite 1,237 votes required to cross the half way mark.

"Congratulations Dad. We love you," screamed the Junior Trump as the giant screen inside the Quicken Loan Arena showed that the billionaire is on top of the delegates.

With three of the candidate's other children at his side, the younger Trump said, "It is my honour to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count."



Senator Jeff Sessions from Alabama, who heads the national security and foreign policy team of Trump, nominated the real estate tycoon as the Republican presidential nominee.

"Mr Speaker, it's my distinct honour and great pleasure



to nominate Donald J Trump for the office of president of the United States of America," Sessions said.

Trump's nomination was seconded by Congressman Chris Collins from New York and South Carolina Lt Gov Henry Dargan McMaster. Indiana Governor Mike Pence was nominated as the vice presidential running mate of Trump.

"It is an honour to run on a ticket with Governor Mike Pence, who is an incredible man, and who will make a great vice president," Trump said.

Despite having won the primary outright, many of the Republican party's leasders have refused to support Trump.

Trump yesterday survived a last-minute attempt by some Republican party delegates to block his presidential nomination by trying to force a roll call vote to change the party's rule.

Trump's unorthodox approach to politics and divisive rhetoric have hit headlines during his campaign. Since launching his campaign last June, Trump has proposed to build a wall between the US and Mexico, called for a blanket ban on Muslims entering the US and advocated for the use of torture.

With the nomination in hand, Trump now faces the daunting task of competing against Clinton's well-organised and well-funded campaign, which intends to make Trump's character and his business record key issues in the campaign.

Trump will deliver his acceptance speech tomorrow.
The Turkish armed forces have carried out their first air strikes against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq since last week's coup attempt, killing 20 fighters, state media reported on Wednesday.

F-16 fighter jets on late Tuesday hit targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, said the state-run Anadolu agency, quoting security sources.

Former Turkish air force chief General Akin Ozturk, 25 other ex-generals and many soldiers have been arrested, suspected of planning last Friday's coup, in which rebel troops used jets and tanks to try to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Wednesday marks the first anniversary of the resumption of fighting between Turkish security forces and the PKK after a largely successful two-and-a-half year truce.

The ceasefire had sparked hopes of a final peace deal to end Turkey's three-decade conflict with the PKK.

Instead, the PKK has returned to routine attacks on security forces, who have hit back with relentless operations in Turkish urban centres and air raids in the mountains of southeast and PKK bases in northern Iraq.
Turkey today intensified a sweeping crackdown on the media, the military, the courts and the education system following an attempted coup, targeting tens of thousands of teachers and other state employees for dismissal in a purge that raised concerns about basic freedoms and the effectiveness of key institutions.

The Turkish government focused in particular on teachers suspected of backing Friday's failed uprising, taking steps to revoke the licenses of 21,000 teachers at private schools and sacking or detaining half a dozen university presidents.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose followers run a worldwide network of schools, of fomenting the insurrection, which was quashed by security forces and protesters loyal to the government.

Gulen, who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania and has denied the coup accusations, is increasingly becoming a source of tension between the United States and Turkey, which has requested the cleric's extradition. The two NATO allies cooperate in the U.S.-led war against the Islamic State group, with American military planes flying missions from Turkey's Incirlik air base into neighboring Iraq and Syria.

Erdogan was today helming an emergency meeting of Turkey's National Security Council, the highest advisory body on security issues. The president, who has said he narrowly escaped being killed or captured by renegade military units, previously declared that an "important decision" would be announced after the meeting.

While Turks speculated on what the new measure might be, it was almost certain to bolster an aggressive campaign against perceived enemies across a wide spectrum of Turkish society, from schools to the courts to the highest levels of government.

The government of Erdogan, accused of increasingly autocratic conduct even before the coup attempt, revoked the press credentials of 34 journalists because of alleged ties to Gulen's movement, Turkish media reported. A satirical magazine, Leman, said authorities blocked the distribution of a special edition over its cover featuring a caricature in which two mysterious hands play a game of strategy, one pushing soldiers onto the board and the other responding by sending civilians.

In addition to its moves against private teachers, Turkey has already announced the firing of 15,200 workers at state schools, demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans and halted all foreign assignments for state-employed academics. A total of 50,000 civil service employees have been fired in the purges, which have reached Turkey's national intelligence service and the prime minister's office.

Authorities have rounded up close to 9,000 people, including 115 generals, 350 officers and some 4,800 other military personnel - for alleged involvement in the coup attempt. The coup has led to public anger and calls for the government to reinstate the death penalty, a demand that Erdogan has said he will consider.
Former police officers Bhausaheb Andhalkar and Namdeo Kauthale, arrested by CBI in connection with the 2010 murder of RTI activist Satish Shetty, were granted bail by a court here today.

Additional Sessions Judge V S Kulkarni directed them not to leave the state and tamper with evidence or influence the witnesses, while granting them bail on a personal bond of Rs 15,000 each.

CBI had arrested Andhalkar on April 6 this year while Kauthale was arrested five days later.

They were charged under sections 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 192 (fabricating false evidence), 201 (causing disappearance of evidence to screen the offender) and 218 (public servant framing incorrect to save person from punishment) of IPC.

According to CBI, Andhalkar "conspired with others and fabricated and manipulated evidence" whereas Kauthale was accused of "creating false evidence and fake eye-witnesses to shield the real conspirators and killers".

Shetty, who had unearthed some land scams in Pune district through RTI, was murdered by unidentified assailants in Talegaon Dabhade town in the district on January 13, 2010.

CBI had earlier closed the case, saying it could not find any prosecutable evidence, but reopened it later in the light of new evidence found during searches in Pune and Mumbai.

Sandeep Shetty, brother of the slain activist, alleged that "it is clear that CBI has no intention to solve the case and the arrest of two former cops was just eyewash".

The agency did not oppose the bail, he said, adding that he would move the high court against the "shoddy and dubious" probe.
The UK is to relinquish its planned six-month presidency of the European Council in preparation for exiting the EU, Downing Street said today.

The announcement came ahead of Prime Minister Theresa May's visit to Germany later today to hold talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the UK's plans to leave the European Union (EU) in the wake of last month's referendum.

A Downing Street spokesperson said, "The President of the European Council Donald Tusk called the Prime Minister yesterday evening to congratulate her on her appointment.

"The Prime Minister thanked President Tusk for the clear message he has given that the UK remains a full member of the EU until such a time as we leave and the Prime Minister underlined that she wants to approach the negotiations on the UK's exit from the European Union in a constructive and pragmatic spirit.

"In this context, the Prime Minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating Presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union.

"Donald Tusk welcomed the PM's swift decision on this issue which would allow the council to put alternative arrangements in place.

"Finally, the Prime Minister explained that we will need to carefully prepare for the negotiations to leave the EU before triggering Article 50. Donald Tusk reassured the Prime Minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible.

"They concluded by looking forward to a strong working relationship and agreed that they should meet soon in Brussels or London," he said.

The presidency of the European Council rotates on a six-monthly basis, offeringeach of the EU's 28 member states the opportunity to shape the EU's agenda.

Slovakia is the current president, with Estonia set to follow the UK's slot.

Functionally, the president country chairs meetings of the council, where ministers and heads of states meet and alsosets a programme of work for the six-month period.

The UK was due to take over for the second half of 2017, but today's announcement indicates that May would have most likely triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, beginning the formal two-year process of Brexit.

The new British premier will kick start the process with her working dinner in Berlin this evening with Merkel followed by talks with France's President Francois Hollande in Paris tomorrow.
Condemning the attacks on Dalits in Gujarat, CPI(M) today asked the BJP government in the state to act against culprits and demanded a "ban" on activities of cow protection committees which it termed as "rabid communal outfits".

"The attack in Una has once again highlighted vicious role played by so-called gau raksha committees which are nothing but rabid communal outfits that target Muslims and Dalits engaged in cattle trading and the skinning of dead cattle.

"The Gujarat government should, apart from taking strong action against the culprits in the Una incident, ban the activities of the cow protection committees," the party said in a statement.

It also demanded the state government to instruct police to stop using "repressive" measures against those protesting "atrocity" on Dalits.

Some persons claiming to be "gau rakshaks" (cow protectors) had thrashed seven Dalit youths in Una town in Gir-Somnath district last week, alleging they had killed a cow which they were skinning. The victims claimed they were skinning the cow which had died of natural causes.

Video of the incident went viral, sparking protests. A head constable was killed yesterday after a mob attacked police in Amreli town, while some Dalit youths tried to commit suicide protesting the incident.
The bandh call given by Dalit organisations to protest the brutal thrashing of the community youths in Una town got a mixed response today with incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade reported at some places, even as Chief Minister Anandiben Patel met family members of the victims.

The Congress, meanwhile, announced that party vice president Rahul Gandhi will visit Una tomorrow. AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to visit the place on Friday.

Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions observed total bandh where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade were witnessed.

The bandh has been largely peaceful so far, police said, adding that it had no affect in other parts of the state.

The Dalit community members continued their protest across the state against the brutal assault on some community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow at Una in Gir-Somnath district. Police has been deployed as standby in many areas of the state.

The bandh was largely observed in Amreli and Junagadh cities of Saurashtra region, including some other small towns like Dhoraji and Dhrol with some incidents of damaging buses and stone-pelting reported during protest.

The protest call crippled life in Junagadh and Amreli as schools, colleges and business establishment observed total bandh. Some protesters damaged a state transport bus at a depot in Junagadh, police said.

Rajkot also witnessed street protests during the bandh following which around 50 people were detained by police. However, the bandh call was not followed in the town and the situation was normal.

In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have decided to shut down several routes of state transport buses due to the bandh call and protest by Dalit Panthers and other community organisations.

In Ahmedabad, the protesters tried to enforce bandh in some pockets, like Chandkheda and Kalapinagar, where they were seen forcing markets and schools to shut down.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited Mota Samaliyala village in Una, where the alleged incident of beating of seven Dalits had taken place triggering violence across the state, and met family members of the victims.

The Chief Minister assured them that the government has



taken all measures to ensure that the victims get justice.

"The scene of beating of Dalits will be disturbing to anyone who witnesses it. The beating, in the manner it took place, is not becoming of any civilised society. The state government has done everything possible, including arrest of the accused, and (facilitating) hospitalisation of the injured," Patel said after the meeting.

She was accompanied by state Social Justice Minister Ramanlal Vora and Ahmedabad MP Kirit Solanki.

The state has been witnessing widespread protests following the incident. The Dalit protests have spread to several parts of the state unleashing violence, in which a head constable was killed during stone-pelting in Amreli district yesterday. Besides, state transport buses were attacked and more than 10 members of the community allegedly attempted suicide.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Rahul Gandhi will meet the Dalit victims and their family members during his visit to the state tomorrow.

"He will land at Diu and reach Una by road tomorrow morning. He is scheduled to meet family members of the victims. Gandhi will then reach Rajkot and meet some of the victims, who are undergoing treatment at a hospital there. He will then leave for Delhi," said Doshi.
The government today gave its nod to the establishment of a new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh, a move which aims at providing super-specialty health care to people of the state and creating a large pool of doctors.

The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) at an estimated cost of Rs 1,011 crore.

"The establishment of new AIIMS will serve the dual purpose of providing super-specialty health care to the population while creating a large pool of doctors and health workers that can be available for primary and secondary level facilities being created under National Health Mission (NHM).

"This institute will also conduct research on prevalent regional diseases and other health issues and provide for better control and cure of such diseases," an official statement said.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the setting up of the hospital which will have a capacity of 750 beds and also include emergency or trauma and AYUSH sections.

There will be an administration block, AYUSH block, auditorium, night shelter, hostels and residential facilities. The cost estimate of Rs 1,011 crore does not include recurring costs -- wages and salaries and operation and maintenance expenses.

"This recurring expenditure will be met by the respective new AIIMS from their annual budgets through grant-in-aid to them from Plan Budget Head of PMSSY of the Health Ministry," the statement said.

The setting up of AIIMS under PMSSY aims at correcting the regional imbalances in availability of affordable and reliable tertiary level healthcare in the country and to augment facilities for quality medical education in under-served or backward states.

Under this scheme, similar health facilities have been established in Bhubaneshwar, Bhopal, Raipur, Jodhpur, Rishikesh and Patna while work on AIIMS, Rae Bareli is in progress.

Three new AIIMS at Nagpur (Maharashtra), Kalyani (West Bengal) and Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh) have been sanctioned last year.

Residents of 14 districts of Eastern UP and five districts of Western Bihar will be benefited by the establishment of new AIIMS.
Assam government is evaluating options to utilise unused land of the Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) for commercial purpose to earn revenue, the Assembly was informed today.

Replying to a query by AGP MLA Utpal Dutta, Transport Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said over 86 bighas of land belonging to the Corporation are lying idle across the state.

"We have more than 754 bighas of land owned by ASTC, mostly prime land in the cities. Out of this, around 667 bighas are in use," the Minister said.

Officials were asked to evaluate the rest of the lands, if those can be used for building commercial properties, he added.

The government has asked the officials to start with the land in Guwahati, located at the prime Paltan Bazar area, Patowary said.

"We have also decided to build a new ISBT (inter-state bus terminus) at Tezpur. This will incur an expenditure of Rs 35 crore," he added.

When pointed out by BJP MLA Atul Bora, Patowary admitted that the Khanapara land of ASTC was encroached by people from Meghalaya but it has been reclaimed now.

The minister also informed the House that ASTC currently owns 1,158 buses and has with 1,762 permanent and 2,149 temporary employees.

Out of this, 272 buses are off-road now due to maintenance works, while 161 others units have expired their lifetime and the auction process for them has started, he added.

Stating that ASTC is running in loss, Patowary said the organisation received Rs 151.22 crore during 2014-15.
Lok Sabha today saw uproar over thrashing of some dalits by some people in Gujarat, with Congress accusing BJP and RSS of working for "dalit-mukt Bharat", evoking a sharp reaction from government which cited figures of atrocities faced by dalits during Congress rule.

After the opposition party raised the issue and created din, Home Minister Rajnath Singh termed the incident "very unfortunate" and condemned in strongest words the beating up of some dalits for skinning a dead cow in Una.

He said the Anandiben Patel government had acted "swiftly and effectively", arresting nine of the accused and is working to have special court to try them. The state government is also providing medical care and compensation to the victims, he said.

K Suresh (Cong), who raised the issue during the Zero Hour, demanded setting up of a joint parliamentary committee to go into the incident.

He raised the issue after virtually the entire opposition was on its feet protesting against the incident with Congress members storming the Well.

"Violence is RSS agenda. RSS is trying for 'dalit-mukt Bharat' (dalit-free India). The government totally failed. It was a BJP-sponsored attack. What is going on? Is this Gujarat model," he said, evoking sharp reactions from BJP members.

Suresh claimed it was the BJP's agenda to polarise communities before the state assembly elections slated by end of next year and alleged that the saffron party was doing it in all states ruled by it.

In his reply, the Home Minister sought to turn the tables on the opposition party, contending that cases of atrocities against dalits in Gujarat were much higher during the Congress rule from 1991 till Narendra Modi became the Chief Minister of the state in 2001.

Citing figures, he claimed that cases of atrocities against dalits had declined in the state after Modi took over as Chief Minister in 2001.

He, however, apparently forgot that Gujarat had BJP government headed by Keshubhai Patel from 1995 and ruled for most of the period till 2001 before Modi took over.

Singh said crimes against dalits were a "social evil" and all parties should join hands to eradicate it.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the Home Minister's reply, Congress and TMC members staged a walkout.

Earlier, Suresh referred to large-scale protests by dalits following the incident and said there was "emergency-like" situation in parts of the BJP-ruled state.

Attributing the violence to RSS and "upper caste lobby" , inviting protests from the treasury benches.

The Congress member said dalits in the state have lost faith in the government and



Many dalits have tried to commit suicide as they have no faith in the state government, the Congress member alleged.
A 25-year-old woman US Air Force lieutenant stationed in the United Arab Emirates supporting a US-led operation against the Islamic State has died from a "non-combat-related injury".

"1st Lt. Anais A. Tobar, of Miami, Florida, died on July 18 in Southwest Asia from a non-combat-related injury", the Department of Defence said in a statement.

She was found dead in her room on Monday in Abu Dhabi and authorities were investigating the cause of her death, the Miami Herald reported.

The Department of Defense told the paper that Tobar was in the UAE supporting a US-led 'Operation Inherent Resolve' against the Islamic State militants.

Tobar was assigned to the Fourth Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina.

According to the Air Force Times, the maintenance squadron is responsible for maintaining the equipment for the largest F-15E Strike Eagle fighter wing in the Air Force. The squadron has 600 personnel.

She was in Abu Dhabi when she was found dead.
consider India their next FDI frontier and are keen to pump in billions of dollars into the country's infrastructure and transportation sector, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.

"There is overwhelming enthusiasm among American companies and investors to invest in India. Results could be seen soon," Road Transport and Highways Minister Gadkari told PTI as he concluded his week-long trip to the US that took him to Washington, New York, St Louis, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Acknowledging that India's infrastructure sector is lagging behind and it has a long way to go to match the international standards, Gadkari said that the modernisation and upgradation of the transport infrastructure has the potential to become driver of the country's growth.

Now that the Modi Government has taken several steps to facilitate smooth and hassle-free foreign direct investment in the infrastructure sector, Gadkari said based on his interaction and meetings in the US he is confident that billions of dollars would soon start flowing into India.

Gadkari said in addition to construction of a road network across the country, the ambitious Sagarmala project along with promoting use of green fuel and clean energy vehicles would create a large number of jobs in the country and provided an unprecedented boost to the Indian economy.

During his week-long trip, Gadkari held a series of productive interactions with investment bankers, fund managers and captains of trade and industry in infrastructure sector.

These meetings, he noted, helped in dispelled apprehensions with regard to bottlenecks and red-tape in the Indian government.

"Prime Minister Modi has made the infrastructure development top-most priority of his government, I told them," he said, adding that the now consider India their next frontier of foreign direct investment.

"The Prime Minister remains committed to improving the country's road, highways, and port connectivity in a time-bound, result-oriented, corruption-free and transparent manner through e-governance and fast-tracking decision-making process," he said.

"I am returning home fully satisfied with his visit which has broken new grounds in the bilateral ties between India and the US and given the much needed impetus to cooperation in the field of infrastructure, particularly road transport, highways andshipping sectors," Gadkari said.

In his talks with the US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, he sought cooperation in sharing intelligent traffic systems and transfer of technology in road engineering, use of IT in reducing road accidents, centrally controlled traffic light surveillance systems for road safety.

During his visit to Tesla, Gadkari asked it to make India their Asia manufacturing hub and offered land near major Indian ports to facilitate export of their vehicles to South and South East Asian countries.

Gadkari said India is committed to encouraging alternate pollution free transport in the country by providing incentives to bio-fuel, CNG, Ethanol and electric vehicles.
In a stunning blow to Malaysia's political establishment, the US Justice Department today said it was moving to seize more than USD 1 billion in assets allegedly tied to corruption at a state-owned investment fund.

In court papers filed in California, federal prosecutors listed the Hollywood financial crime caper "The Wolf of Wall Street" and nearly twenty other assets to be seized, including lavish real estate from Beverly Hills to a penthouse in New York's Time Warner Center to London's high-end Belgravia neighborhood.

Also included were artworks by the painters Monet and Van Gogh as well as a Bombardier Global 5000 business jet.

All were the tainted proceeds of the misappropriation of billions of dollars from the scandal-tarred 1Malaysia Development Berhad investment fund.

The development was likely to prove particularly embarrassing for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who, in his concurrent position as finance minister, controlled the company until its dissolution in May.

The Wall Street Journal reported last year that investigators had tied nearly USD 700 million to Najib's personal bank accounts. Najib had previously denied wrongdoing.

Subsequent reports said the money originated from 1MDB and may have exceeded USD 1 billion, which 1MDB denies.

The government later acknowledged the payments, but called them a "personal donation" from the Saudi royal family.

Using the pseudonym "Malaysian Official 1," today's complaint identifies a "high-ranking official" in the Malaysian government with control over the fund as being involved in the misappropriation of funds.

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch will reveal details of the seizure effort later today.

The move to seize the funds, which is subject to what could be lengthy legal proceedings, emerges from a 2010 Justice Department anti-kleptocracy initiative intended to confiscate



the ill-gotten gains of world leaders which pass through the US banking system.

The scandal around the embezzlement of billions of dollars from the fund, much of them borrowed, has battered Najib's government.

Authorities from Singapore to Switzerland and the United States have joined in tracking down missing funds of 1MDB.

Switzerland and Singapore have frozen millions of dollars worth of assets on suspicion of 1MDB-related embezzlement and money-laundering, but so far no major figures have been brought to justice.
A village pradhan (head) was shot dead by motorcycle-borne assailants here today, police said.

Ram Kumar Shisodiya (35), head of Bindupur village under Hathras Junction police station area, was shot dead by the assailants who managed to flee, said Circle Officer (CO) Priti Singh.

Investigations are on and a hunt has been launched to nab the culprits, the CO added.
Embattled German auto giant Volkswagen said today it booked another huge charge related to the engine-rigging scandal on its first-half accounts, but insisted that profits came in better than expected overall and it would stick to its full-year targets.

"The operating result for the Volkswagen group before special items is significantly higher than market expectations for the first half of 2016," VW said in a statement, sending its shares zooming ahead by more than seven per cent on the Frankfurt stock exchange.

For the first six months, group operating profit before special items stood at 7.5 billion euros, the statement said.

But the carmaker also booked a charge of 2.2 billion euros "mainly related to further legal risks predominately arising in North America."



That meant that operating result after special items amounted to 5.3 billion euros for the period from January to June, the carmaker said.

According to the group's half-year report for 2015, the corresponding year-earlier figure stood at 6.82 billion euros.

VW had already set aside 16.2 billion euros in provisions last year to cover the costs of the scandal, pushing it into its first year-end loss in more than 20 years.

The announcement of the additional 2.2-billion-euro charge comes just a day after New York and Massachusetts filed lawsuits suggesting that VW senior executives were aware early on of efforts to hide high emissions levels in the company's diesel cars.

VW was plunged into its deepest-ever scandal last September when it emerged it had installed so-called "defeat devices" -- or sophisticated software that intentionally skews emissions data -- into 11 million diesel engines worldwide.

Last month, VW agreed to a record USD 14.7-billion payout to settle civil claims in the United States, but it is still a long way from drawing a line under the scandal.

Yesterday, the attorneys general of New York and Massachusetts claimed that VW's inability to comply with US emissions standards had allegedly "reached the attention" of Matthias Mueller, the current Volkswagen CEO, and his predecessor Martin Winterkorn as early as July 2006.

And California regulators recently rejected a plan by VW to fix some 16,000 3-litre diesel cars not included in the June settlement.

In a slew of other lawsuits worldwide, Spain recently charged VW with fraud and damage to the environment.

And the group, once a flagship of German industry, is also facing regulatory probes and lawsuits filed by car owners who feel they have been duped and investors who are seeking compensation for the massive drop in the value of their shares.
The National Green Tribunal today lambasted the municipal corporations over maintenance of cleanliness in different parts of the national capital and asked civic bodies to "use machines to clean the roads".

"Why can't corporations use machines to clean the roads? Corporation staff sweeps and dumps garbage in drains. If not so, tell us how the drains are choked. Tell us one place which is free of dirt. We also live in Delhi. Don't look left, right and centre. Your officers don't want to do anything. Why do you need orders to think?



"Nothing substantial has come before us for the whole one year. We have been asking corporations to clean the roads. At least you must try to think something. Don't try to justify your wrongs," a bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar said.

The observation came while hearing a plea filed by East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) which had sought NGT's nod to buy tractors for collection of waste.

The NGT had in a recent order allowed corporations to buy only BS-IV vehicles, however, available tractors in the market were only BS-III complaint.

"Why do you want to buy tractors for collection of waste? Use advanced machines which suck the dust. Tractors are used in rural areas for agricultural purposes and for collection of cow dung. They cause so much pollution," the bench said.

When the counsel for the corporations told the court that they were unable to clean the roads as most of colonies had cars parked on them, the NGT said,"there is no traffic in the day. Go to New Friends Colony right now and tell us how many cars are parked there.

"There is no right to people to park their vehicles on the metalled roads. There are orders of this tribunal prohibiting them to do so," it said.

Advocate Balendu Shekhar, representing EDMC, said there are narrow by-lanes in areas like Seelampur and Jahangirpuri where it was almost impossible to carry out cleaning work.
The pregnant wife a prominent Chinese dissident has arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area with her 4-year-old son to live for at least one year as refugees.

Yesterday afternoon, 40-year-old Liu Xiaodong, the wife of Zhao Changqing, along with their son, arrived at San Francisco International Airport from Bangkok, Thailand. She was escorted by Jianli Yang, president of Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China. Yang says she will live in Hayward, California, with supporters and take care of her kids.

The 47-year-old Changqing has been one of China's leading human rights and democracy defenders since the 1989 Tiananmen Students Movement.

As a former student leader in Tiananmen Square and a prominent political "prisoner of conscience," he has been imprisoned five times in 27 years. Yang says he was released a week ago and is living in China under heavy surveillance.
Germany will consider extending financial and technical aid to the city for infrastructural development as it was one of the smart cities selected by the union government, a senior diplomat of that nation said today.

However, the city corporation has to route its proposal, requirement of funds and other facilities through the Centre, German Ambassador to India Martin Ney told reporters here.

Martin, who earlier met Mayor Rajkumar and Corporation commissioner Vijayakarthikeyan and discussed the projects, said his country had funded 263 million Euros for 30 projects to Tamil Nadu in the last seven years in three phases.

Stating that Germany has expertise in various fields, including infrastructure development, drinking water and solid waste management, he said Coimbatore was one among the three cities chosen as Smart Cities which Germany wanted to assist, the two others being Kochi and Bhubaneshwar.

Martin said he had met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at Chennai yesterday and had detailed discussions about various projects in the state.
The Delhi High Court today said it will not spare any of the municipal or police officials who had allegedly allowed unauthorised construction to come up in Sainik Farms area here as it intended to order a CBI inquiry against them.

"We are not going to leave the officials. We are going to order a CBI inquiry against them," a bench of Justices Badar Durrez Ahmed and Ashutosh Kumar said and sought presence of the CBI counsel on the next date of hearing, noting it was "contemplating issuing directions" to the agency.

The observations came after a resident welfare association (RWA) of the south Delhi colony alleged that an official of the corporation was providing "escort service" for a price to heavy trucks entering the area.

The court directed the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to check if the official named by the RWA was one of its employees and if yes, take action against him in accordance with law and to file a status report regarding the same by the next date of hearing on September 7.

The corporation was also directed to file digital copies of the log books maintained by its officials at the entry and exit points of the colony and any other log book pertaining to the area.

SDMC was further ordered to file a satellite image of the area as well as a status report regarding the CCTV cameras it intended to install at 17 sites in the colony.

The direction came after the corporation told the court that it has already installed cameras at three locations and intends to do that in 17 other sites which would take eight weeks.

The bench in its order also expressed hope that by the next date of hearing, the central government would have taken a concrete decision regarding whether to "flatten the area" or regularise it.

This direction came after the Centre said it had received comments from all stakeholders in June this year regarding action to be taken regarding Sainik Farms, but the Union Cabinet was yet to take a decision as Parliament session has started and sought time of six to eight weeks.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by an NGO alleging illegal construction in Sainik Farms.

During the hearing, Delhi Police said it has filed a list of all of its officers who were deputed between 2001 to 2008 to Sainik Farms area to monitor the entry and exit points there. It said it had earlier submitted a list of its officers deputed there between 2008 to 2015-16.

SDMC said it has compiled the data of its officials deputed there, but has not filed it yet as it took time to gather the information from all three corporations. It said the list would be filed in two days.

Meanwhile, some RWAs of the area, which were alleged to have been collecting toll from vehicles entering the area, said they have filed their affidavits containing details of the amounts collected, if any, by them from 2007 onwards by levying entry fees.

The bench, however, said that some of the affidavits were not on record.

The court on the last date had directed RWAs to file affidavits containing the amounts collected by them from 2007 by levying entry fees on vehicles entering the colony, while also questioning their authority to levy the "toll".

It had also warned that it could direct a CBI probe on unauthorised construction in the area if the Centre and the AAP government fail to take any "concrete measures" to address the issue.

The court had also directed SDMC to install cameras at all entry and exit points of the colony within four weeks.
A senior woman police officer would probe the case of alleged bid by government pleader Dhanesh Mathew Majooran to molest a woman in the city last week.

Kerala Police chief Loknath Behera today said the investigation into the case has been handed over to Inspector Rural, Radhamani.

"It is not a very complicated case. Let the investigation complete," Behera told reporters when asked about the progress in the probe conducted by local police into the case.

"If there is evidence, charge sheet will be filed," the DGP added.

The government pleader was arrested last week on the charge of allegedly attempting to molest the woman on a city lane.

Manjooran was apprehended on July 15 by locals after the woman raised an alarm. He is currently out on bail.

Yesterday, Kerala Union of Working Journalists organised a march protesting against some advocates who allegedly used abusive words against some legal reporters at the Kerala High Court media room here for covering the case.
By Devidutta Tripathy

MUMBAI (Reuters) - Canada's Brookfield Asset Management Inc plans to invest about $1 billion in Indian distressed assets through a joint venture with State Bank of India (SBI). India's largest lender, where banks are battling a record $120 billion of sour debt.

Brookfield and SBI have signed a preliminary agreement to set up a joint venture for the investments, the firms said on Wednesday. SBI aims to contribute up to 5 percent of the total investments targeted by the venture, which may also rope in other banks at a later stage, they said.

Indian banks, with 11.5 percent of their loans soured, are under pressure from the regulator and the government to clean up their books as higher bad loans choke fresh lending in an economy whose main source of funding is bank credit.

The government earlier this year eased rules for bad-loan buyers, and was also in talks with banks to help set up funds to deal with distressed assets.

The scale of the opportunity and the rule easing are drawing other foreign companies such as J.C. Flowers & Co and Canada Pension Plan which have announced plans to invest in the Indian distressed assets space.

Brookfield, which manages about $240 billion of assets globally, has previously invested in the Indian real estate and infrastructure sector. The 70 billion rupees ($1.04 billion) that it has committed to invest through the venture with SBI will be its biggest through a single venture in India.

The companies did not give a timeline for the investments. They also did not say by when the venture will be set up or detail the ownership structure.

The collaboration, though, will help banks in general and SBI in particular to find alternative solution for resolution of stressed assets, Arundhati Bhattacharya, chairman of SBI, said in the statement. SBI accounts for about a fifth of India's banking assets.

The JV has no plan to set up a so-called Asset Reconstruction Company required to directly buy bad loans from banks, but will instead make equity or mezzanine financing to distressed cases, a senior SBI executive said separately. Details of the investment plan were yet to be worked out, the executive said.

Siddharth Purohit, a banking analyst at Mumbai's Angel Broking, said while more investors were expected in the distressed assets space, the size of India's non-performing assets (NPAs) was just too big.

"The requirement of funds will be much higher than what is being initially committed," he said.

($1 = 67.2100 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Devidutta Tripathy; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)
Bankrupt solar company Inc is looking to sell its interests in Terraform Global Inc, the "yieldco" said on Wednesday.

Shares of Terraform Global, which holds renewable energy assets primarily outside the United States, were up 11.1% at $3.61 in light premarket trading.

Yieldcos are publicly traded subsidiaries that hold renewable energy assets, including assets bought from their parents. They are backed by long-term power purchase contracts with utilities, allowing them to pay regular dividends.

The are in "active discussions" for a joint sale, Terraform Global said in a regulatory filing.

Terraform Global, which hasn't reported results since the quarter ended Sept. 30, said it expects first-quarter revenue of $47 million to $52 million, hurt by unusually low wind in Brazil.

Analysts on average were expecting revenue of $102.3 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Terraform Global also said it does not expect to achieve its targeted dividend growth rate for Class A shares.

The company also said on Wednesday its annual filing for 2015 may include a "going concern" note due to risks related to SunEdison's bankruptcy, but said it had sufficient liquidity to support ongoing operations.

SunEdison's two publicly traded subsidiaries, Terraform Global and Terraform Power Inc, said in April they were not part of their parent's bankruptcy process.
LOGAN  It has been 150 years since the pioneers first came to Northern Utah and Southern Idaho. The Little Bloomsbury Foundation is celebrating that anniversary with an Ice Cream Summer festival. Foundation director Brenda Sun said those to be honored are not just Mormon pioneers, but also Native Americans, mountain men, Latino ranchers and Chinese railroad workers. She said one of the major events is a Pioneer Art Show.

We are very proud to present the wonderful work of many different artists, especially those whose works hang in the Logan Temple and the Logan Fine Arts, she said. So we have a very high caliber of artists and art represented here at the Pioneer Art Show.

It will run from Thursday July 21st to Saturday July 23rd and will be held at 181 North, 200 East in Logan, across the street from the LDS Temple where the teepee is. Sun said all ages will enjoy it because there will be pioneer music, storytelling, concerts, handcart pulling and other activities. Best of all, she said, everyone will receive a free ice cream sandwich.
LOGAN  Continual bashing of Hillary Clinton  that is what is happening at the National Republican Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, according to Cache County Democratic Party Chairman Vince Wickwar. Thats exactly what Wickwar thought would be happening.

He said there is a big effort to unify the Republican party to an extent, and thats been happening, but there is clearly an exception.

We have the Ohio governor, (John) Kasich, who is not showing up at all, not heading his delegation, he said. And a number of the Ohio people are not there. So despite the big effort of showing unity, there are clearly some divisions there that remain very deep.

Wickwar said another presidential candidate Ted Cruz is speaking tonight and it will be interesting to see if he and Trump are ready to be friends again.

Wickwar is looking forward to the National Democratic Convention which will be held next week.
Attacks in Nice: A change in the air

Published on July 20, 2016

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Between the Bataclan attack of November 13 and the attacks in Nice on Bastille Day, something has changed in France. The worst-case scenario is now a fact of life.

First there was 13 November, and now 14 July. Two dates that will live in infamy in France. During a minute of silence at noon on Monday, the last day of national mourning declared by President Hollande, we asked ourselves how this could have happened again. This time we were prepared  the Vigipirate (Frances terror threat level) was on high, reservists were called in and police presence was increased. After the highs of the Euro 2016, which went off so smoothly, we (almost) believed that we were better protected. But better still wasnt enough.

Like many French people, I packed my bags for Bastille weekend and headed for the Basque coast. Nothing could have spoiled the wonderful summer atmosphere. But you cant pack for a terrorist attack.

I found out about the attacks the next morning. I checked Facebook and Whatsapp to make sure nobody I knew was hurt, and got on with my day as if nothing had happened. This time there was no need for a Safety Check on social media. I got far fewer messages from friends living abroad than I had back in November. Still, the fact was undeniable: it could have been me. The feeling of national unity was short-lived, as political parties scrambled to capitalise on the attack for their upcoming presidential campaigns. There were fewer tears this time. Our worst nightmares were the new norm.

Which is worse  denying that there is a problem, or shrugging and accepting is as a fact of life? On April 1, Le Monde organised a day dedicated to living with the terrorist threat, while the Courrier International ran the headline Living under threat. Since Friday, the idea of living with terrorism has come up time and again  following the attacks, President Holland and PM Manuel Valls warned that the fight against terrorism will be a long one. Their comments echoed those made by prominent anti-terror judge Marc Tredivic, who said in September 2015 that the worst [was] to come. Ironic, considering the worst has happened during the presidency of a leader who was so determined to be normal.

The situation may seem hopeless, but its not too late to change that. Politics is the art of changing the world. We just have to believe that's still possible.

Story by Katerina Zekopoulos

Translated from Attentats de Nice : quelque chose a change
The front and rear of the Conrad Meuly house at 210 Chaparral, photographed by Arthur Stewart in June 1936 for the Historic American Buildings Survey, Library of Congress. The 100-year-old house was torn down in the early 1950s to clear the site for a Fedway department store.

Conrad Meuly, from Switzerland, invested $16,000 in trade goods  silk hose, scarves and alpaca  for the Santa Fe Expedition in 1841.

The expedition was actually a secret venture to encourage New Mexicans to revolt against Mexico. Members of the expedition were captured and forced to walk 1,400 miles to Mexico City. Those who survived were imprisoned until April 1842. After his release, Meuly (pronounced "Miley") returned to Texas and opened a bakery in Corpus Christi. When Zachary Taylor's army landed in 1845, he sold coffee, pastry and bread to the troops.

Meuly married Margaret Rahm and in 1852 he began building a two-story structure on Chaparral. It was constructed of oyster shell concrete (shellcrete), with Florida pine and Louisiana cypress. The walls were two feet thick and the ceilings were 14 feet high. The house was decorated with ornate grillwork shipped from New Orleans. It was completed in 1854, and people called it the house with the iron front. The family lived upstairs and Meuly ran a dry goods and grocery store on the first floor.

Meuly bought the old Rancho Puentecitas at Santa Petronila. During the Civil War, Meuly, a Union supporter who was not shy about voicing his opinion, was threatened by Confederates, who vowed to hang him. He moved the family to the ranch house near Banquete.

In late 1863 Confederate Gen. Hamilton Bee stopped at the Meuly ranch. Bee was running from the Union Army at Brownsville, but took time to threaten a known Union supporter. He called Meuly a traitor and threatened to hang him. Meuly told Bee, "General, issue your orders. I am here." Bee walked away and left the annoying Unionist alone.

At war's end Meuly took a herd of cattle to Brownsville, to sell to Union authorities and on the trip he caught yellow fever and died on July 9, 1865. He left a widow and 12 children.

A year later, on May 15, 1866, a lynch mob stopped at the Meuly home. The mob was dragging along a man named Jim Garner, who had killed a storekeeper for refusing to give him credit for a pair of boots. Someone threw a rope over the iron grillwork on the Meuly home. Margaret Meuly ran them off, brandishing a broom. They found a mesquite at the arroyo with a limb high enough to hang Garner.

Dr. Arthur Spohn, after he arrived in town in 1869, had his office in the house and boarded with the Meuly family.

After Margaret Meuly died in 1912, family members continued to live in the house. In 1938, it was listed in the Historic American Buildings Survey for the Library of Congress. The survey pointed out that the house had survived hurricanes in 1875, 1886 and 1919. The 1919 storm destroyed a five-room ell at the back and in the 1930s two car accidents knocked out the wrought-iron posts under the porch.

The home was torn down in the 1950s for a Fedway store; that site today is occupied by the Education Service Center. The razing of the Meuly house  the old house with the iron front  was a great loss to the city.

Epidemic in 1918

They called it the Spanish flu epidemic. It began in the summer of 1918 and at the height of the epidemic in this country, in late October, health officials recorded 40,000 deaths.

The flu spread rapidly across the country. The Caller in October 1918 printed rules of hygiene and warned people to avoid crowds, refrain from spitting in public, and practice "uncompromising cleanliness."

Mayor Roy Miller urged people to stay home and many activities were suspended. Schools and businesses closed. The city closed theaters and warned people not to congregate in hotel parlors. Poolrooms, domino parlors and soda fountains were shut down. Restaurants were permitted to stay open if they moved their tables at least five feet apart.

The Caller urged people to avoid streetcars and walk to work, to move away from those who coughed or sneezed. The paper said it might have to suspend publication because so many linotype operators were stricken. Camp Scurry, an Army training camp, was placed under quarantine. The Red Cross opened a soup kitchen at the high school on Leopard. The soup was prepared there and delivered to those at home who were sick.

On Oct. 26, 475 people were stricken with the flu in Corpus Christi and 21 died within two weeks. Bodies were brought in from outlying communities for burial and caskets were stacked at the train stations.

The worst of the epidemic was over by the time Germany surrendered on Nov. 11, 1918. Schools, churches and businesses reopened. The quarantine at Camp Scurry was lifted and the soldiers held a dance to celebrate victory and the end of the epidemic.

Ward Island trolley

During what we know as the Ropes Boom, in 1892, John Ward bought a triangle of land between the Oso and Corpus Christi Bay. He paid $1,448 for the 250 acres. Ward planned to build a resort. A year later, in an economic depression, Ward's plans fell through and he left for Beaumont, but his little triangle of land kept his name  Ward Island.

In 1914, investors planned to build an amusement park on Ward Island. They put up $40,000 in what was projected to be "the greatest amusement park of its character in the South." The plan called for constructing a trolley line from Corpus Christi to Ward Island, a distance of eight miles.

Construction of the line began on July 6, 1916, on Chamberlain Street (now Alameda) and by the end of July the tracks reached the city limits. A hurricane struck on Aug. 18, 1916, and workers building the Ward Island Interurban were diverted to clean up storm debris. Construction of the trolley line was suspended.

The newspaper said a shipment of rails and ties had been delayed, that work would resume when they arrived, then the newspaper ceased to mention anything about the Ward Island Interurban.

Most likely, the storm and changing economic conditions led investors to pull out, but whatever killed it, it was no longer news and no trolley line ever reached that small peninsula that was John Ward's island.
Caller-Times file Another Level will perform from 8-10 p.m. Thursday at Cole Park Amphitheater, 1526 Ocean Drive, as part of the Bay Jammin' Concert series.

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WEDNESDAY

WEDDING FAIR: The deadline to participate in the Last Couple Standing contest at the Corpus Christi Wedding Fair is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday. Contestants will send in a photo recreating a famous kiss throughout history for a chance to win a wedding package valued at $10,000 at the Sunday Wedding Fair at the American Bank Center. Information: www.Americanbankcenter.com.

THURSDAY

CONCERT: Another Level will perform from 8-10 p.m. Thursday at Cole Park Amphitheater, 1526 Ocean Drive, as part of the Bay Jammin' Concert series. Cost: Free. Information: www.facebook.com/BayJamminConcertandCinemaSeries, 361-826-7259.

PETS: Bring your favorite canine for a fun-filled Yappy Hour at La Palmera from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Center Court at 5488 S. Padre Island Drive. Owners and their furry kids will meet one another and to take advantage of photo opportunities and learn about local pet services. Cost: Free. Information: www.lapalmera.com.

ARTS: Port Aransas Art Center, 323 N. Alister St., will host its Family Fun Art Days from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday. Liz Harris will teach the island-themed project each month, and art supplies will be provided. Cost: $5. Information: 361-749-7334

FOOD: The San Patricio-Aransas County Dinner Tonight healthy cooking school will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Aransas Pass Civic Center, 700 W. Wheeler Ave. The event is part of the Healthy South Texas initiative from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to promote health and fitness, provide nutrition education, reduce the rate of chronic illnesses such as diabetes and asthma, and prevent infectious diseases. Cost: $15, includes cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs, food samples, wine tasting, door prizes, recipes and other giveaways. Information: 361-364-6234.

HIGHER EDUCATION: Del Mar College will host its Start Understanding College, Career and Education for Student Success, or S.U.C.C.E.S.S., night at 6 p.m. Thursday at St. Clair Building, Del Mar College East. The event gives assistance with admissions or financial aid applications, scholarships or general questions. Cost: Free. Information: 361-698-1290.

For more events check Caller.com/vivacc
MATT WOOLBRIGHT/CALLER-TIMES Starbucks is planning a Calallen location. Currently, the company has five Corpus Christi locations including a store at South Staples Street and South Padre Island Drive.

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By Matt Woolbright of the Caller-Times

Good news for Calallen coffee lovers: Starbucks is coming to your area.

Plans for a "Starbucks shell building" were submitted to Corpus Christi's development services department about a week ago for a 1,900 square foot facility half a mile from Calallen High School.

The project  slated for 14213 Northwest Blvd.  is budgeted at $350,000. A timeline for completion is not yet known.

It's the second Starbucks shell building proposed for Corpus Christi in the last two months. The beverage company submitted plans in May for a location at 4022 Saratoga Blvd., which is near the Weber Road intersection.

A shell building application means the facility will be a stand-alone coffeehouse, and details about how the interior will be finished out do not have to be submitted at this stage, city officials said about the similar May application. In that case, Jesse Hernandez, who is the project manager, said the finishing out plans will be submitted after the building is completed.

The expansion comes about a year after Starbucks opened its fifth Corpus Christi location  the store inside Target at Moore Plaza  and eight years after the company announced it would be shuttering 600 stores across the country, which included a South Padre Island Drive location as well as stores in Kingsville and Rockport.

There are also Starbucks on South Staples Street at Doddridge Street, South Padre Island Drive and Saratoga Boulevard. The Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus has a store, and there are regional locations in Portland and on the Texas A&M University-Kingsville campus.

Messages to the company's media department were not immediately returned Wednesday.

Twitter: @reportermatt
COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Students in the Corpus Christi Prefreshman Engineering Program react as they tests their robots against each other Tuesday in the Coleman Center at Del Mar College West Campus.

SHARE COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Corpus Christi Prefreshman Engineering Program director Nedal Shheber tests the strength of straw bridges Tuesday that students designed and constructed as part of the program. COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Amaya Nunez and Amanda Villarreal watch Tuesday as Corpus Christi Prefreshman Engineering Program director Nedal Shheber tests the strength of straw bridges students designed. COURTNEY SACCO/CALLER-TIMES Students in the Corpus Christi Prefreshman Engineering Program watch Tuesday as their robots battle each other in the Coleman Center at Del Mar College West Campus.

By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times

During the summer, Maritza Buendia created a project proposal to colonize Mars.

"It's not so easy making the business proposal," the 14-year-old Veterans Memorial High School student said. "I thought it would be."

To cut out the competition, Buendia suggested the group of teens  her summer camp team  join the Netherlands-based Mars One organization in the endeavor to land humans on Mars by 2027.

Buendia was among 60 students from area districts who attended the six-week Corpus Christi Prefreshman Engineering Program summer camp at Del Mar College, which is led by Del Mar faculty and adjunct faculty members. The group showcased their summer projects during a Tuesday event at Del Mar's west campus.

The program, offered to a select group of applicants, features curriculum that taps into the architecture, robotics and business professions, among others.

The event featured the "last robot standing" demolition competition, strength tests for straw bridges built by students enhancing engineering principles, an air rocket contest and architectural models designed by campers with mentors from the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

James Shollenberger, who is an assistant professor of mathematics and the camp's director, said the program provides elective high school credits for students. A method of tracking and assigning the credit for the students was recently established, which speaks to the program's success, he said.

"Infused in all the years (at the camp) is a level of attention to detail and dedication expected from college students," Shollenberger said. "It's a good exposure to college life. It helps do away with the fear (of college)."

Twitter: @CallerBetty
By Beatriz Alvarado of the Caller-Times

West Oso ISD board vice president Martha V. Ruiz resigned a day after the district superintendent was placed on administrative leave.

Ruiz said Wednesday she resigned Tuesday evening "in wake of recent events."

After four hours in closed session, trustee Liz Gutierrez on Monday made a motion to relieve superintendent Elizabeth Saenz of her duties and place her on paid administrative leave. The motion was passed with support from trustee Shirley Jordan and board President Lucas Jasso. Trustees Cella Boyd and JoAnne Canales voted against the measure. Trustee Velma Rodriguez abstained and Ruiz was absent.

Retired Moody High School principal Conrado Garcia was appointed as interim superintendent.

Ruiz said she missed Monday's meeting because of personal reasons and was out of town. She said she asked Jasso to consider postponing Monday's meeting until she was available to attend, but the request was declined.

"I know it was a critical meeting," Ruiz said. "For them not to accommodate me for such a critical meeting ... is not in the best interest of the community."

Ruiz said she would have voted against putting Saenz on administrative leave. Her vote would have resulted in a tie with Rodriguez's abstention.

Ruiz and Rodriguez on Friday submitted a letter to the Texas Education Agency asking the agency to initiate an investigation into the board's practices.

"In recent months, it has become very apparent that several of our board members have overstepped their boundaries and have deviated from their roles and responsibilities in leading and supporting the leadership staff at West Oso ISD," the letter to TEA's deputy commissioner of governance complaints, investigations and enforcement. "And have instead resorted to micromanaging staff and using hostile tactics and intimidation toward staff to further their personal agendas."

TEA spokeswoman Lauren Callahan said the complaint was received Monday.

"They will now review the complaint to determine whether we have jurisdiction to investigate the claims made in the complaint and, if we do, whether we need to investigate the complaint," she said in an email to Caller-Times.

Twitter: @CallerBetty

TEA complaint by Beatriz Alvarado on Scribd
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By Krista M. Torralva of the Caller-Times

Corpus Christi lawyers Kevin Liles and Stuart White secured a nearly $38 million verdict in a case against O'Reilly Auto Parts on Tuesday in Dallas, according to a news release.

A Dallas County jury found the company 60 percent liable and the driver 40 percent responsible for a February 2015 wreck that killed Manuel Galindo, 42, according to the release from the Liles Harris White PLLC law firm.

Former O'Reilly Auto Parts 18-wheeler driver David Shoots lost control on an icy highway and its tractor-trailer blocked a lane, the release states. Galindo crashed into the tractor-trailer with his minivan.

Lawyers pointed to Shoots' record of unsafe driving incidents.

"Despite numerous driving incidents over several years of driving at O'Reilly's, O'Reilly's internal supervision policies failed to identify the driver as unsafe and remove him from driving, a record that is own O'Reilly supervisor admitted during trial should have been the basis for getting him fired," the release states.

O'Reilly's lawyers argued the driver wasn't disqualified under the company's point system and that Galindo was likely driving too fast, not paying attention and should have been able to stop before the crash.

Jurors deliberated about five hours. O'Reilly has 30 days to appeal the verdict.

Twitter: @CallerKMT
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By David Sikes of the Caller-Times

A U.S. magistrate Wednesday sentenced a local taxidermist and hunting guide for violations of federal law and international treaties regarding the transportation and trade of migratory and protected birds.

Eric Martin Schmidt, 35, pleaded guilty to one count each of the Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice. During Wednesday's hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason B. Libby ordered Schmidt to pay $2,500 to the Lacey Reward Fund and sentenced him to five years probation.

Schmidt, who operates Corpus Christi businesses named Alive Again Recreations and Global Game Birds, also turned over numerous stuffed birds mounts representing more than 60 species, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, according to the news release. The cost of taxidermy mounts for waterfowl run roughly between $200-$300, based on local taxidermy websites.

The charges stem from violations that occurred from 2011 to 2013, involving hunts or bird transports from New Zealand, Puru and Argentina to Corpus Christi, according to the news release. In some cases, protected birds were involved, while in others Schmidt lacked proper export permits.

Twitter: @DavidOutdoors.
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By Staff Reports of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Gannett and the USA TODAY NETWORK announced Wednesday plans to consolidate its Corpus Christi editing and design center with its similar operation in Phoenix, Arizona.

The center's 42 employees were informed of the decision Wednesday. The precise number of job reductions will not be known until the operation winds down late this year. Eligible employees will be considered for new positions being created in Arizona as well as Gannett Design Studios in Iowa, Kentucky, New Jersey and Tennessee.

The Corpus Christi center, located at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, became part of Gannett in April with the acquisition of the Caller Times' former parent, Journal Media Group.

"The Corpus Christi team is responsible for exceptional, award-winning editing and design," said Mizell Stewart III, Vice President/News Operations for Gannett and former Chief Content Officer for JMG. "Gannett's Design Studios produce dynamic and engaging print pages for both high-end magazines and all of the company's daily newspapers. I am hopeful that we can find new roles for team members in our other Studios."

Readers will receive the same high-quality newspapers they currently receive, Stewart said.

In addition to Corpus Christi, the Texas center handles copy editing and page design for newspapers in Abilene, San Angelo and Wichita Falls, Texas; Redding and Ventura County, California and Bremerton, Washington.
GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES A juvenile Cooper's hawk prepares to fly out after being released on Wednesday at the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning Center. The hawk was suffering from heat-related issues and staff from the Texas State Aquarium's Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital provided the hawk with plenty of recovery fluids and time to rest and recuperate.

SHARE GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Veterinary assistant Melissa Hanson watches on as a juvenile Cooper's hawk prepares to fly out after being released on Wednesday at the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning Center. The hawk was suffering from heat-related issues and staff from the Texas State Aquarium's Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital provided the hawk with plenty of recovery fluids and time to rest and recuperate. GABE HERNANDEZ/CALLER-TIMES Veterinary assistant Melissa Hanson carries a cage carrying a juvenile Cooper's hawk as she prepares to release it on Wednesday at the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning Center. The hawk was suffering from heat-related issues and staff from the Texas State Aquarium's Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital provided the hawk with plenty of recovery fluids and time to rest and recuperate.

By Gabe Hernandez of the Caller-Times

A juvenile Cooper's hawk viewed its surroundings before taking flight Wednesday morning at the Oso Bay Wetlands Preserve & Learning Center.

The juvenile hawk was found on June 12 in the front yard of a home in Corpus Christi.

The staff of the Texas State Aquarium's Second Chances Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital examined the bird and determined that it was suffering from heat-related issues.

The bird was given plenty of recovery fluids and time to rest and was released into its natural habitat after successfully hunting and presenting great flying capabilities.

"This is a super humbling experience for us," said veterinary assistant Melissa Hanson. "(It) really reminds us why we are here and doing what we are doing when we have a success story like this. I really makes the long hour worthwhile."

If an injured bird is found, call the hotline number at 361-881-1210 for instructions.

Twitter: @callergabe
It is five years now since the bank created to boost agricultural activities in the country was announced.

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Cameroonian farmers are certainly taken aback to see that such a long period has elapse without any possibility of them rushing to the bank to get the necessary finances to fund their activities. As the days pass by, hopes are rekindled with the setting up of the structures therein to enable the bank effectively go operational. The banks administration has been set up and the initial capital put in place to enable the institution functional.

But on the ground, nothing has changed. This state of affairs has been troubling Cameroonians, considering that agriculture represents more than half of the countrys non-oil export revenue and employs almost 60 per cent of the working population. Ninety per cent of rural households are, in one way or another, employed in agriculture, and approximately one-third of them earn their living from export crops. The announcement by the Chamber of Agriculture, Fisheries, Livestock and Forestry of the setting up of microfinance in charge of supporting farmers and ensuring their social security is another welcome initiative. Farmers, in effect, received the news with mixed feeling especially as they havent been able to reap the fruit of the much pampered agriculture bank. In any case, they have continued to operate within their historic precincts financing their activities with their meagre savings, Njangis, contributions, common initiative groups and cooperative societies.

In addition, pending the effective functioning of the agricultural bank and the microfinance institutions, government has not stopped providing subventions to farmers through their various cooperatives and other groups. This is being done through the various projects in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. Some of them include: projects in charge of in-puts such as fertilizers, chemicals (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides) and seedlings. But this has not been enough to solve the problem. Agriculture, it should be recalled, is more of a private sector economic activity. Governments action should in the real sense constitute assistance. Unfortunately, many Cameroonians continue to think that government must play a primordial role in developing the sector.

This entails that the creation of financial institutions ought not to be the sole source of funding for many a farmer. That said, local financial institutions of the private sector have not been of great assistance to the agric sector. Commercial banks for instance, continue to see agriculture as a highly risky sector and so, are not ready to give out loans to farmers. The conditions remain draconian. And whenever such loans do come in, there is sometimes lack of follow up to ensure that such projects are effectively implemented. It is not the first time a bank is being created to promote agriculture in Cameroon. The faith of the Rural Development Fund (FONADER) remains engraved in many minds. Created for farmers, the bank became a financial haven for the well-to-do. At the end of the day, loans were disbursed to people who were neither agriculturalists nor potential ones. The announcement of another bank brought back minds to the woes of FONADER and this explains why many continue to think and wish that the slow takeoff of the new structure should be a measure to avoid the errors of the past.

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The Liao Lulhuyu was seized on Wednesday, 13 July, 2016, at the Bakassi Peninsular.

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Within the framework of a convention between the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) and the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (MINEPIA) for the surveillance and control of fishing activities in the Cameroon waters, another fishing vessel named the Liao Lulhuyu was caught by the National Marine on the 13th July in the SONARA exploitation area.



The National Marine brought the vessel to Limbe and handed it over to MINEPIA services to follow up the normal procedures. According to the law, the company that owns the fishing vessel has the right to apply for an amicable settlement, if not, depending on the gravity of the crime committed, MINEPIA can engage a legal action against the company.



According to the South West Regional Delegate of MINEPIA, Dr. Walters Andu Ndi, the amicable settlement applied for by the owners of the fishing vessel was actually granted and fines were levied. Another penalty was that the fish caught was confiscated because they fished in a restricted area and as a result, this fish was regarded as state property. The Regional Delegate added that since fish is a perishable product, it was auctioned to the public on Saturday, 16 July, 2016 in Limbe in collaboration with the Ministry of State Property who are the competent body to carry out auction sales.



We have educated the business persons of the fishing sector to understand the rules and regulations governing fishing activities. Now is the period for action and punishment of those who do not respect the laws. We hope that others will learn from the mistakes for a more responsible and sustainable fishing activity.

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| BY Lynchy |

In the week of the agencys 12th anniversary, CEO Gavin Bain announced that Meerkats, Perth founders Ronnie Duncan and Mike Edmonds are officially handing over the day-to-day running of the agency to a new leadership team.

Duncan is handing the strategic reins to chief strategy officer Melanie Wiese (centre) and Edmonds is passing overall creative direction duties to chief creative officer Martin Beecroft (above left). Both roles are new appointments under the direction of Bain (above right), and are in line with a leadership succession plan built to help the agency continue its success in a post-founder era.

These two appointments and the associated move off the tools for Duncan and Edmonds signal a clear direction for the business strategy of the agency. Wiese is widely regarded as a world-class brand planner, having filled senior roles at Grey New York and The Campaign Palace, Melbourne; while Beecroft has an impressive background in digital creativity and tech-led creative business solutions.

Its an exciting time for Meerkats with Martin and Mel formally stepping into roles that were really custom built for their skills, said Bain. We have worked hard at Meerkats to attract great talent, and this change is proof positive of the success of that approach. To have Mike and Ronnie remain connected to the business, and to give them the freedom to explore new opportunities is the best of both worlds for us.

While not being specific about their intentions, both Duncan and Edmonds said they are freeing themselves from their day-to-day roles in order to explore the future of Meerkats core purpose-driven philosophies outside of the marketing industry. They made it clear this work is connected to Meerkats ultimate destiny as a brand in its own right. As such, they are not leaving the agency and will be involved in senior level client strategies and projects.

More and more in the work Ive been able to do at Meerkats, the impacts have been steadily growing beyond advertising. said Duncan,  Of course everyone talks about digital disruption nowadays, and thats a large part of it, but theres so much more going on. Shifts in business models, organisational behaviour, corporate strategy and fundamentally, how humans derive value and meaning from the companies they engage with. For me its time to take this further. And its absolutely central to Meerkats philosophy to go there.

We named our brand Meerkats, not Duncan-Edmonds. said Edmonds, We always intended for it to grow beyond us. Its organic now. Smarter, younger professionals are taking it places Ronnie and I cant, and that excites the hell out of me. Im also super delighted that this new era of management is happening while remaining an independent agency. Ive always thought that Perth can be known globally for its marketing smarts and thats probably only possible outside of a network; to be free to experiment, to invest, to change fast, fail small. Watch this space.
| BY Lynchy |

Media Design School has been ranked as the worlds top tertiary provider for both Graphic Design and Photography by a panel of internationally renowned judges, beating 479 other schools from 77 countries for these top honours.

Formerly known as the CG Student Awards, The Rookies aims to discover and showcase the outstanding talent emerging from higher education facilities and help launch them into careers at the worlds top studios.

The judging panel included industry veterans from internationally recognised studios including Weta Digital; Framestore; Double Negative; Hell Studios; Thornberg & Forester; SONY Imageworks; and Pixar.

Of the nine international finalists for The Rookies Graphic Designer of the Year, two of the students selected were third year MDS Bachelor of Media Design students. Sherylene Chan was awarded the Runner-up in this particular category, whilst Bailey Hancox was awarded Highly Commended for her digital portfolio.

Graphic Design Lecturer Jim Murray says that this result is a reflection of the high calibre of the students selected to undertake Media Design Schools Bachelor of Media Design.

This result represents a significant achievement for the school, our students and the Bachelor of Media Design programme alike, says Murray.

By introducing our students to project-based learning and live briefs from their very first day at Media Design School, they are able to produce works that appeal to the global design community. We are exceptionally proud of Sherylene and Baileys achievements, says Murray.

Two recent graduates of Media Design Schools Bachelor of Art and Design degree, Brock Ennion and Phillip Chang, were selected as finalists in The Rookies Photographer of the Year category.

Landscape photographer Phillip Chang, who is currently working as an Assistant Technical Director at Weta Digital, took out the Rookie of the Year award in Photography.

Associate Lecturer Rafael Bonatto, who teaches all of the degrees photography components, says that in their first year of the Bachelor of Art and Design degree, students are introduced to essential photography principles that they utilise throughout their degrees.

These fundamental photography concepts are applied to the students 3D work, where they are constantly improving their photography skills as they are in total control of their cameras, lighting, and composition,

This enables them to visually communicate a story, which is the most important aspect of photography, says Bonatto.

Phillip was a very dedicated student who constantly strove to improve his photography skills in and out of the classroom. We are thrilled to see his hard work pay off.

Media Design Schools award-winning third year Bachelor of Art and Design student short film Escargore, also fared well, winning the Runner Up prize in The Rookies Animated Film of the Year category.

Whats more, Karl Davis, a recent Bachelor of Art and Design graduate, was awarded one of the three Oceania Internship opportunities on offer.
| BY Lynchy |

Directors Peter Livolsi and Martin Dix, known professionally as Peter Martin, have signed to Auckland-based production company, Robbers Dog.

Although still operating under the Peter Martin banner, the pair are now directing as a collective, with Martin and Peter both tackling solo projects in addition to their continued work together.

Aussie expat Martin explains their evolution: Weve always admired the way guys like Traktor and The Glue Society do their thing. No matter which director(s) you end up with they always deliver, and because they can split up and offer different iterations of themselves, theyre able to tackle multiple projects at once.

The selfish part of us will always like working together because we have so much fun that way, but we do love the idea of not missing out on a great script just because of a schedule conflict. Having the ability to split up and operate more as a collective at times will just mean more opportunities to add awesomeness to the Peter Martin reel.

Before their professional relationship began, Peter and Martin met at a party where their shared love of anything cinematic helped them get over their shared hatred of small talk. At that time, Peter was attending film school at the American Film Institute, whereas Martin was an already well-established creative director in the LA office of creative agency, Deutsch.

Over the coming years, Peter Martin would go on to forge a reputation for producing stylistic commercials for a diverse range of brands and clients including the BBC, McDonalds, MTV, Dentyne, Daily Juice, Priceline and FedEx to name but a few. Their work has been recognised by The One Show, Cannes, The London International Awards (LIA), AICE Awards, Shoots New Directors Showcase, Adweeks Best Spots, Student Emmys & Academy Awards, The Austin Film Festival Audience Award and Best Short Film Tribeca Film Festival.

Being an Australian native, Martin feels especially motivated to spearhead the collectives work down under, in New Zealand and in the rest of the Australasian region. But he notes: Peter fell in love with smashed avo and the footy  thanks to a game he saw at the MCG last time he was in town  so hes got his own strong incentive for getting down there as much as possible.

In terms of the new working relationship, Martin comments: Whether a film ends up being directed by Peter, myself, or the two of us, our process doesnt change. We still chat and brainstorm about every project that comes in as thats always been one of the funnest parts of the job for us.

For Robbers Dog, the Peter Martin signing was a simple move as managing director George Mackenzie has known the pair ever since their time at The Sweet Shop. Says Martin: George is funny, refreshingly straight-forward, and extremely tall which are our three favourite qualities in an EP. We love the carefully curated roster he and the guys at Robbers Dog have assembled. Theyre all brilliant filmmakers and well do our best not to embarrass them too much.
| BY Lynchy |

Susan Credle, global chief creative officer of FCB, will be the Jury President for Print, Poster and Billboard at the 2016 London International Awards (LIA).

The jury, which will meet in Las Vegas in October, includes Aussie expat Sarah Barclay (below), executive creative director at J. Walter Thompson, New York.

When creatives get stuck, many of us go back to the two-dimensional medium, says Credle (left). If we can make an idea work in such a distilled form, we know it has potential. It is important to continue to pay attention to and honor these mediums especially when so many want to declare them dead. Lets not forget, 1984, heralded as the best television ad of our generation, was inspired by the perfect print headline: Why 1984 wont be like 1984.

Credle is the mind behind the iconic human M&Ms and the juggernaut Allstate Mayhem campaign, which just last year took home the Integration Grand LIA for its Social Savvy Burglar promotion. She has received numerous industry accolades, including CAFs Chicago Ad Woman of the Year in 2013, appearing in Advertising Ages 100 Most Influential Women and in Business Insiders Most Creative Women in Advertising, and induction into the American Advertising Federations Hall of Achievement.

In her first year as Global CCO at FCB, a move after years of success at Leo Burnett and BBDO, Credle has maintained the agencys creative product and reputation, while also sustaining her position as one of the industrys leading creatives and a principal voice representing women.

The LIA entry deadline is 29th July

Work submitted must be broadcast, published or released in a commercial environment with client approval between 1st July 2015 and 31st July 2016. All companies and/or individuals involved in the creative process are eligible to enter.

LIA 2016 Print, Poster and Billboard Jury

Sarah Barclay

Executive Creative Director

J. Walter Thompson

New York

Anthony Chelvanathan

Group Creative Director

Leo Burnett Toronto

Toronto

Richard Denney

Executive Creative Director

MullenLOWE

London

Armin Jochum

Founder /

Chief Creative Officer

thjnk Germany

Hamburg

Alfonso Marian

Chief Creative Officer

OgilvyOne

New York

Nisa Mujjalintrakool

Executive Creative Director

Dentsu Thailand

Bangkok

Kalpesh Patankar

Executive Creative Director

Y&R Dubai

Dubai

Jean-Francois Sacco

Chief Creative Officer

ROSAPARK

Paris

Katsuhiko Suzuki

Senior Art Director

Hakuhodo

Tokyo

Marcel Yunes

Creative Director / Art Director

BBDO New York
| BY Lynchy |

The worlds most awarded mobile agency, Australian-based Mnet, is rebranding to become Ansible as the agency repositions its capabilities in the rapidly evolving mobile technology and communications space.

Mnet has achieved global acclaim* in the past two years for innovative and creative mobile communications solutions and the rebrand to Ansible, effective today, brings the business in line with IPG Mediabrands global roll out of the Ansible brand.

We are repositioning the business with the recognition that mobility is integral to peoples lives, how brands should be connecting with consumers and how organisations should be embracing technology, says Scott Player (pictured), CEO of the newly named Ansible.

Mobility is no longer a channel. It is a lifestyle and business imperative that accelerates all aspects of peoples personal lives as well as the businesses and brands with which they associate. Ansible is now newly structured and focused on this reality.

The new Ansible in Australia is positioned across three business pillars: Strategy and Consulting, which helps clients navigate the complex world of mobile communications and mobility-related technology; Enterprise Mobility, which develops bespoke mobile technology solutions to help solve enterprise challenges; and Mobile Marketing Solutions that build on the agencys track record of effective mobile marketing solutions as evidenced by the breadth of industry recognition for its work.

Mnet was acquired by IPG Mediabrands in February 2013. In June last year, Scott Player was promoted to CEO as incumbent Travis Johnson was promoted to Global Head of Mobile for IPG Mediabrands based in New York. Johnson is now leading the global roll out of Ansible and the Australian business now becomes part of a global network of over 300 mobile specialists across 18 offices in 11 countries

Danny Bass, CEO of IPG Mediabrands Australia said, Scott and the now Ansible team consistently set world standards in mobile communications and in doing so are a highly successful and effective business. The latest evolution to Ansible and its new model brings greater future-facing opportunities for clients as mobility, in business terms, is simply a way of life.

Ansible Australia has more than 60 people and offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide.

*In the past two years, Ansible Australia has been globally recognised for 53 awards spanning Innovation, Creativity, Gaming, Technology, Media, Content and Business Performance. Notable awards include:

 two awards at the 2015 Global Mobile Awards (Most Innovative App, and Best Mobile Advertising and Marketing);

 Best use of Technology at 2015 Global Festival of Media;

 Specialist Agency of the Year at B&T (2014), Mumbrella (2015), AdNews (2014), Campaign Asia (2014 & 2015)

 4 x MMA Smarties including Best in Show
Cannon ATV rollover mishap investigation complete



Air Force Special Operations Command has released the results of a ground accident investigation board examining what caused the death of Staff Sgt. Jordan Lewis, a CV-22 flight engineer, on May 11, 2015.



Lewis, who was working with the 27th Special Operations Support Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., received fatal injuries while being thrown from a 2011 Polaris RZR off-road utility vehicle when the vehicle rolled over.



"The loss of Sergeant Lewis is tragic, said Col. Jacqueline Powell, president of the Ground Accident Investigation Board and deputy director of operations at AFSOC headquarters. He was a dedicated warrior and a valued member of the AFSOC community. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family and loved ones."



Lewis was a combat veteran with multiple deployments to Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. His friends and family describe him as a dedicated and valued member of the 27th SOSS team and an Air Commando with dreams and desires that extended beyond himself.



In accordance with Air Force Instruction 51-503, Aerospace and Ground Accident Investigations, the ground accident investigation board conducted a legal investigation to inquire into all the facts and circumstances surrounding the mishap, prepared a publicly-releasable report, and obtained and preserved all available evidence for use in litigation, claims, disciplinary action, and adverse administrative action. The GAIB president made findings of fact in the report but did not provide an opinion on the cause of the mishap since a causal opinion is not required and therefore not part of the report.



Further inquiries can be directed to Air Force Special Operations Command public affairs at (850)-884-5515.
























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Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact.

Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here.

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 QS World University Rankings has released list of top universities for BRICS nations (Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa) and it has a good news for the the universities in India.

The QS World University Rankings releases the list of best universities in Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa every year. All the five nations hold a proud share of universities among the 250 universities. China holds a lion's share with its 86 universities topping the chart, followed by Russia with 55 universities and Brazil with 54 universities.

Although the Indian universities could not manage to hold on to their earlier positions, India has a fair share of 44 universities among the 250 universities across the BRICS nations. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore proves its strength again by securing 6th rank. The Delhi University also has gone up the ladder by jumping to 41st rank from last year's 46th rank.

According the research team of QS - Indian universities have managed to impress the QS researchers through their excellent work and contribution in the field of research. The research papers of India are competent enough to stand parallel to those produced in China, Brazil and Russia. Another strong reason for ranking Indian universities as the best ones is that 21 out of the 44 Indian universities ranked among the 250 universities of BRICS nations, have obtained full marks as their staffs comprises good number of PhD holders.

List of Indian Universities among Top BRICS Universities
News / National

by Golden Sibanda

PROVIDERS of telecommunication services are now compelled to meet a prescribed minimum quality of service, in terms of newly promulgated regulations, and may have to compensate customers for sub-standard service.The new regulations were introduced by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services in consultation with Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe. The regulations, known as Postal and Telecommunications (Quality Services) are provided through Statutory Instrument 42 of 2016 and set service and customer care standards for telecoms and postal service industries.According to the gazetted rules, which set minimum standards for mobile phone networks, fixed telecom operators, data and internet service providers, mobile networks must ensure minimum call completion rate of 80 percent.The rules, which are now law, may penalise any service providers with service quality levels below acceptable standards, provided the poor quality is not caused by factors beyond the operator's control.The rules will deal with numerous and frequent customer grievances over poor service delivery, which manifest in cross lines, dropped calls, slow internet connectivity, high service cost and unavailability of network. As such, mobile network service providers are now compelled to ensure 99,99 percent service availability, service activation period of under 5 seconds, down time of below 1 hour, interconnection gateway route down and repair time of less than an hour.The rules will require service providers to ensure network connectivity success rate of equal or above 95 percent, call set up success rate to a valid number properly dialled, at any given time, to be above 95 percent. Call completion rate, the percentage of calls that are successfully setup, maintained and terminated normally by the calling or called party should be equal or exceed 80 percent while the rate of voice calls dropped calls should be restricted within the 2 percent band.A dropped call is one that is prematurely terminated before being released normally by either the caller or the called party before the exchange of released message. Calls failed due to unavailability of network traffic channels due to many call attempts, traffic channel congestion or call congestion should not exceed 2 percent while call hand over success rate rank over 90 percent.The rules state that the call set up time, period starting when the address information required to set up a call is received by the network and finishing when the busy tone, ringing tone or answer signal is received by the calling party, should be less than 10 seconds.A 99,98 percent success rate should be achieved for short message service (SMS) sent and received in 2 minutes while the rate of failure is allowed at 0,02 percent. End to end delivery period, the time from sending an SMS to the time the SMS is received would have to be contained within 120 seconds while a delivery success rate of 99 percent should be attained for all multimedia messages.The new regulations for the telecoms and postal industries will require operators to ensure data service availability, the ratio of successful logging and maintained network connectivity to total attempts, to stay above 98 percent.Service activation, the duration it should take from the instant a valid service order is received by a licensee to the time a working service is made available to the user would have to be completed in seven days while all orders should also be processed within a week. Eighty percent of faults to fixed telecommunication services will have to be cleared within a period of 24 hours after reporting, 90 percent of them in 48 hours of reporting and all faults would have to be addressed in 72 hours.
News / National

by Thobekile Zhou

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has said former MDC-T Kwekwe MP Blessing Chebundo has been arrested.It is not clear as to the reasons of his arrest."Police in Kwekwe have arrested and charged former lawmaker Blessing Chebundo 4 other residents arrested Tuesday over weekend procession," the lawyers body said briefly.Developing story.........
News / Regional

by Thobekile Zhou

Scores of Zanu-PF supporters are currently marching in Harare against #ThisFlag front-man Pastor Mawarire.Zanu-PF youth league leadership had been planning the demonstrations in recent days'.They have been angered by recent protests rallying under #Thisflag movement and Tajamuka/Sesijikile.Zanu-PF youths will gather at the party Headquarters.Reports indicate that there is riot police presence.President Robert Mugabe yesterday accused Mawarire of receiving foreign funding to cause unrest in the country.
Geneva will soon show the world how electric vehicle charging should be done following the announcement of a rollout of new electric buses and flash-charging stations.



The citys public transport network has awarded a $16 million contract to ABB to build a network of charging stations which will power buses on a new route in the city, running from Genevas airport to a new suburb dubbed Praille-Acacias-Vernet.

Along the route will be 13 flash-charging stations. When the bus stops at these stations to pick up and drop off passengers, it will also automatically charge itself for just 15 seconds, providing it with enough power to reach the next charging station. Thanks to the 600 kWh chargers (five times faster than Teslas), the buses will be able to fully recharge in just five minutes at the end of the line.

When the stations are up and running, carbon dioxide emissions will be slashed by up to 1,000 tons per year compared to more traditional diesel buses.

In a statement, ABB said We are proud of this breakthrough technology to support Genevas vision of providing a silent and zero-emission urban mass transportation for the city. It provides a model for future urban transport and reinforces our vision of sustainable mobility for a better world. As part of our Next Level strategy, we are committed to developing customer-focused solutions and technologies that help lower environmental impact.

PHOTO GALLERY
McLaren-Honda driver Fernando Alonso has voiced his concerns regarding the sport as well as his car multiple times over the course of the last 12 months.



This time however, he went even further by pointing out just how anti-racing current Formula 1 rules are, and that if they dont improve the excitement factor next season, he would seriously consider leaving.

As reported by Autosport and translated by Michele Lostia, Alonso recently went on record saying that nowadays, F1 is all about highs and lows and that the direction in which the sport is headed is still not clear.

Im not at all happy for some things that are happening: we can never drive the cars to their real limit; we can never attack as much as we would like because the tires dont allow you to. If you push too hard they overheat, and lose grip immediately. If you use the engine too much, you step over consumption parameters.

To be quick in todays F1, you must not attack too much, thats the secret, but thats something against a drivers instincts. This is why current cars arent as pleasing to drive compared to other periods, when the technical rule book was different. This situation doesnt make me too happy.

The Spaniard described exactly what he felt was different now compared to back in the day when there was more of a physical strain on the drivers.

I am not saying current cars are easier to drive, but they certainly are from a physical point of view or in finding the cars true limit.

Thats because before, when you were attacking a turn, the speed mid-turn was so high that you really had to trust your car, trust that it would handle it. With less grip, its easier to find the grips limit.

He then went on to add that before, after 10 laps you had to have a two-hour massage, while now you can drive 150 laps and barely sweat by the end.

Alonso is currently thinking about departing the sport unless the 2017 rules will lead to him enjoying driving F1 cars again. His two main preferences are either Le Mans or the Indianapolis 500.

If I see F1 carries on going in a different direction compared to what I knew and loved in the recent past, at that point I could consider other alternatives and leave F1. Le Mans would be the option closest to my driving style, and to what Ive always done. The Indy 500 is a fascinating, radical change because you must learn a completely different driving style and way of thinking.

Nevertheless, Id be open and ready to learn it because when you have been F1 world champion there are only two other races that are equivalent prestige-wise: the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Indianapolis 500.

PHOTO GALLERY
As with the worlds leading sports, cars unite people all over the world. In every country on earth youll find gearheads and in most, unique and thriving car cultures and communities.



Take Poland for example. While it may not be considered a hub of the automotive world like Germany or the U.S., it is in fact a leading producer of light vehicles in Europe and is home to a host of its own automakers like Arrinera and Jelcz.

Its therefore no surprise that for many Poles, cars are their life making for numerous amazing automotive events highlighted perfectly in this clip.

This particular event was organised by a local group dubbed Raceism and, despite their not so politically correct name, theyre are all about promoting having fun, peace, love and unity.

As for the cars displayed, they included everything from a widened and dumped Lamborghini Huracan to customized Japanese tuner cars and a number of insane family sedans.

VIDEO
Dreamworks already has the following films on their release slate: Trolls (November 2016), Boss Baby (2017), Captain Underpants (2017), The Croods 2 (2017), Larrikins (2018), and How to Train Your Dragon 3 (2018). The 2019 additions seem to continue the trend of mixing established franchises with adaptations of childrens books and original concepts.

Two big unanswered questions remain at this point:

1.) How involved with Dreamworks will Illumination chief Chris Meledandri be after Katzenberg departs? The Hollywood Reporter published some new speculation on that topic, and the situation would still appear to be very fluid.

2.) Will Dreamworks continue producing animation in-house? Its hard to believe that Comcast will view Katzenbergs bloated infrastructure as cost-effective. The question might be answered with the performance of next years Captain Underpants, which is the first fully-Dreamworks Animation-branded feature that was animated at an outside shop. The reality is that other CG studios nowadays can do Dreamworks-quality animation (or a close enough facsimile) at a fraction of the cost. While Dreamworks will likely want to continue doing development in-house, theres no strong economic argument for continuing in-house production at Dreamworks.

With the announcement of Shrek 5 and Shadows it appears to be business as usual for the studio. How long the stability lasts remains to be seen.
Opinion / Columnist

The failure by the Zanu-PF government to pay civil servants' salaries for two consecutive months of June and July 2016 is unacceptable and gross violations of the rights of the civil servants.It is the duty of every employer to pay salaries for employees for service rendered.Everywhere throughout the world, salaries are paid in arrears after service has been rendered and when an employer has already benefited.Subjecting workers to non-payment is subjecting them to slavery and servitude.Section 54 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe makes it clear that no person must be subjected to slavery and servitude.That same Constitution in Section 65 states that everyone has a right to be paid a fair and reasonable wage.Therefore, civil servants are entitled to their salaries.It is clear to us that the failure by government to pay civil servants is a result of self-induced policy distortions that have crippled this economy.Since 2013, left on its own, this government has embarked on hypocritical, illiterate and senseless policy measures demonstrated by the high levels of de-industrialisation and joblessness.Some of the horrible commissions and omissions by this government are;The doubling up of civil servants from 236 000 in February 2013 to 550 000 in December 2013.The noisy discordant pursuit of a predatory policy of indigenisation.The imposition of policy and tariff regimes including the enactment of Statutory Instrument (SI) 64 of 2016.The pursuit of an expansionary fiscal policy that pays no respect to fundamentals that a government can only spend that which it has, including the abandonment of the principal of cash budgeting. (We eat what we kill).The maintenance and replication of costly parastatals such as Air Zimbabwe, NetOne, TelOne, National Railways of Zimbabwe, Cold Storage Company and Zimdef to name only a few, which are mere conduits of personal self aggrandizement for ministers and top government officials.Lack of transparency in natural resources especially in respect of diamonds where $15 billion was looted by Zanu-PF elites and their partners in Dubai, Tel Aviv, Mauritius and Shanghai.Massive corruption and leakages within a government driven by a departure lounge mentality.The monetisation of domestic debt through the issuance of toxic Treasury Bills, which have had a massive crowding out effect on private borrowing.Reckless expenditure patterns reflected in massive investments in government luxury vehicles and expensive foreign trips and vice presidents and ministers who reside in expensive hotels.The absence of a policy to promote re-industrialisation, domestic savings and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).In short, the failure to pay salaries must be placed squarely on a predatory and vampire state that has failed and failed in absolute terms.The citizen, in the form of the nascent social movement has a duty and obligation to rise against this government within the four corners of the Constitution.On the other hand there is a duty on all political parties and other stakeholders to urgently convene a National Convergence Platform (NCP) to map the way forward on the challenges affecting this economy.The convergence of all Zimbabweans will create a united front to fight the rogue regime and come up with solutions to resolve our challenges and avert the crisis.The national dialogue will also provide fertile ground for the creation of an inclusive transition mechanism in the form of the National Transitional Authority (NTA).Our biggest fear is that the total absence and frailty of the President will create a vacuum which be filled by other forms of unconstitutional machinations for a military coup to happen.This as citizens, we will not allow.The NTA is thus as overdue as it is welcome.Tendai BitiPDP President
Photo: Getty Images

Many people assume that those with psychiatric disorders are likely to be violent and dangerous.

When many people hear about schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, they believe violence is a probable symptom associated with these serious mental illnesses.

Unfortunately, this assumption is the result of misinformation and excessive media coverage of violent crimes. Few people with mental illness  even untreated illness  are violent.

A 2014 study in the Annals of Epidemiology looks at mental illness, gun violence and suicide and discusses evidence-based policy changes that may lead to a reduction in both gun violence and suicide.

Most people believe violence is largely the result of untreated mental illness.

However, as noted by this studys author, even if schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression were all cured, the rate of violence in the U.S. would only diminish by approximately four per cent.

When we factor suicide into the statistics for gun violence, mental illness is, of course, responsible for a much larger portion of the blame. In the U.S., 61 per cent of all gun fatalities is the result of suicide and the most suicide is the result of mental illness.

Substance abuse is a strong risk factor for both violence and suicide and access to a gun is also considered an independent risk factor for suicide.

Our policies dealing with mental illness and violence, both here in Canada and elsewhere, should focus on evidence rather than fear.

We must deal with preventing the social and behavioural causes of violence.

This means addressing substance abuse, reducing access to weapons such as firearms and working on suicide prevention.

We also need to work to change public perception of mental illness. Not only do stigma and misinformation lead to people being fearful of those with psychiatric conditions, but they also lead to individuals being hesitant to seek help when it is needed.

Mental illness is a serious problem and we need to work harder to provide access to mental health services for all affected.

Our goal should be to provide compassionate, effective and timely care and to restore daily functioning as much as possible.

In order to do this, all levels of government need to be proactive and cooperative in creating an environment conducive to care and support rather than one of protectionism and fear.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Fraser Institute

A new report from the Fraser Institute finds delays in pipeline projects are costing Canadas economy billions of dollars a year.

While the pipeline industry is a controversial one in Canada and the federal government has promised to stop projects like Enbridge's $7.9-billion Northern Gateway, the Fraser Institute says that the barriers to building pipelines result in prices that are 20 to 30 per cent below the world price of West Texas Intermediate, costing Canadas economy and governments billions in foregone revenues.

That is all according to a new study released on Tuesday by the Fraser Institute, a conservative public-policy think-tank.

Without adequate pipelines to Canadas coasts, Canadian oil producers are forced to sell their products in the U.S. at dramatically discounted prices resulting in greatly diminished benefits to Canadas economy, says Kenneth Green, senior director of Natural Resource Studies at the Fraser Institute and co-author of The Costs of Pipeline Obstructionism.

The Institute states that TransCanadas proposed Energy East Pipeline, Kinder Morgans proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion and the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project would allow roughly two million barrels per day of western Canadian crude to reach overseas markets.

However, all three projects remain in limbo due to opposition from the public, environmental and First Nation groups.

This limbo is despite claims, according to the Fraser Institute, that pipelines pose less safety and environmental risk than other modes of transport such as rail or truck.

Using projections of oil demand and prices, as well as estimated access to foreign markets, the study calculates both the potential revenues that could be earned by Canadian companies and the subsequent royalties that would be paid to governments if oil producers accessed international markets via coastal pipelines and ports.

The study calculates a number of scenarios based on different world prices for oil.

For example, if Canada exported one million barrels of conventional heavy oil and oilsands bitumen per day to world markets at US$60/barrel, additional industry revenues would reach $4.2 billion annually.

And, if access to international markets garnered Canadian producers a price boost, the Alberta and Saskatchewan governments would see oil royalties increase by more than C$1 billion annually.

For Canadians to continue prospering from our oil and gas resources, policymakers must expedite the pipeline process and connect oil producers with markets overseas, adds Green.
Photo: CTV

In some not-so-surprising news, a recent poll has found that Canadians don't like ticket scalpers.

The Insights West poll shows that 87 per cent of Canadian concert-goers support legislation that would result in severe fines or jail time for scalpers who use computer programs to scoop up concert tickets before the public can grab theirs.

The issue of ticket scalpers came to a head in June when The Tragically Hip released tickets across Canada for their farewell tour. Social media blew up with hundreds of fans complaining they couldn't get tickets, despite attempting to buy them right as they went on sale.

Tickets for Sunday's Vancouver show are now going for thousands of dollars on Craigslist.

According to the poll, 28 per cent of Canadians have been unable to buy tickets to a show through a primary ticket outlet, like Ticketmaster, in the past three years.

The west appears to have a tougher time with tickets than back east, with 35 per cent of B.C. and Alberta residents missing out on shows, while only nine per cent of those in Atlantic Canada having a similar problem.

To combat the problem, 32 per cent of respondents are in favour of going back to the old sytem of lining outside of a venue to buy tickets.

Canadians have always been respectful of the queue, said Mario Canseco, vice president at Insights West. The countrys concertgoers are definitely showing their frustration when they lose out to a machine and have to pay more than they should to attend a performance.

The survey polled 651 Canadian adults who had attended a concert in the past three years from July 6 to 9, 2016.

The margin of error is +/- 3.8 percentage points.
Photo: Contributed File photo.

Fears of a drought in the Thompson-Okanagan region after a hot spring have eased, with cool and wetter weather than normal this July.

"A drought in the region is still a possibility, said Chuck van Hemmen, acting regional executive director with the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, adding that it depended on rainfall and temperatures until the end of summer.

However, officials say the situation is much more positive than it was last year.

The majority of the snow pack is now gone except at extreme high elevation, said a statement from the ministry on Tuesday. Stream flows in the region are now dependent almost entirely upon precipitation, which the region has been receiving regularly.

The ongoing wet and cool weather has given a boost to flows and is helping to maintain cooler stream temperatures.

Drought levels have been downgraded to Level 1, the least risk, in most of the Thompson-Okanagan  with the exception of the Nicola basin which remains at Level 2.

The ministry is not monitoring any particular stream flows, unlike last year when 50 regional streams were under surveillance and there were numerous reports of fish kills due to higher water temperatures.

In the Nicola's Coldwater River, we had one-fifth the water (last year at this time) of what we have presently, said van Hemmen.

The Salmon and Kettle rivers in the Okanagan are prone to drought, according to van Hemmen, who added that right now things are looking good.
Photo: Contributed

Police in an Ontario community are reviewing their policy of requiring women to remove their bras while in custody after coming under fire from a judge who admonished the force for the practice.

Chatham-Kent Police Chief Gary Conn says the policy is in place to prevent certain types of clothing being used as ligatures for self-harm or strangulation.

The policy was targeted by a judge last week who tossed out an impaired driving case against a Chatham, Ont., woman who had to remove her bra before a breathalyzer test while in custody.

Conn says a quick provincial review has shown that other forces in Ontario appear to assess the removal of a bra for someone in custody on a case-by-case basis, which is why his force is now looking at its own practice.

Conn also notes, however, that the force's policies around searching people in custody was approved by a Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services audit in 2011.

But a spokesman for the ministry says the policy that was audited did not specify the removal of a specific type of clothing, including undergarments.

A number of other police forces, including those in Toronto, Halifax and Calgary, do not require all women in custody to remove their bras unless there is a case-specific safety concern.

Police in Vancouver, however, ask anyone arrested who is wearing a bra to remove the undergarment, citing safety concerns for the person and anyone else who is in custody.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is getting some unwanted Twitter attention from an unexpected source  Donald Trump.

The American Republican National Convention is being confused with the constabulary, sending a lot of traffic to the force's twitter feed.

The police force  which shares an acronym with the convention  has been on the receiving end of criticism about Trump's presidential candidacy.

The force added the word 'police' to its RNC name after people began directing their views condemning Trump to the force's feed.

In response, the constabulary tweeted back: "We have nothing to do with @realDonaldTrump. We're a Canadian police service in Newfoundland and Labrador."

It added the hashtag 'CanadaEh,' prompting one Twitter user to post a picture of Trump wearing a constabulary hat.
Photo: The Canadian Press An Edmonton university confirms one of its students, Mykhaylo Bazelevskyy, was killed in last week's truck attack in Nice, France. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-European Innovation Academy, Twitter.

An Edmonton university has confirmed that one of its students was killed in last week's truck attack in France.

MacEwan University says in a release that Mykhaylo Bazelevskyy, who was 22, was among those who died in the July 14 massacre in Nice.

The school says confirmation of his death came late Tuesday from French authorities and his family.

Bazelevskyy  who was in the School of Business  had permanent resident status in Canada, but was travelling on a Ukrainian passport.

He was one of five MacEwan students, who, along with a faculty member, were participating in a three-week entrepreneurship and innovation training program offered by the European Innovation Academy.

The other students and teacher were not hurt.

McEwan says Bazelevskyy was very active in student life on campus and that it's saddened by his loss.
Photo: Contributed

A man charged with attempted murder in connection with a shooting on the outskirts of Enderby last October returns to court in September for a preliminary inquiry.

Norman Dybdal, 58, is also facing aggravated assault and two firearms charges.

RCMP attended a property in rural Enderby in the early evening of Oct. 19 where officers found a seriously wounded man.

The unidentified victim had been shot several times and was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Police called the incident a targeted attack.

Dybdal was arrested without incident a short time later.

The accused, who appeared in Salmon Arm provincial court on Tuesday for a pre-trial conference, returns for a two-day preliminary inquiry on Sept. 26-27.
Photo: Instagram

Canada has told Turkey to respect the rule of law as it moves against the plotters of its failed coup, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau said Wednesday he is preoccupied about the state of Turkey's democracy, and that has been communicated to the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Coups are not a good thing," Trudeau said in French when asked about Turkey at an Ottawa-area event.

"We are preoccupied at the same time that democratic institutions and the constitution of Turkey be respected, and that the rule of law continues," he added.

"We need to make sure that all those who will be arrested related to his coup will have the opportunity to defend themselves in a robust and legitimate trial. And those are preoccupations that we've communicated to the Turks regarding this."

The Turkish leader has moved swiftly against those he believes are responsible, firing 262 military court judges and prosecutors, tens of thousands of teachers, academics and government employees across several sectors.

The Canadian Association of University Teachers sent a letter to the Turkish embassy in Ottawa, calling for an end to crackdown on educators, and the reinstatement of all those fired.

"The sheer number of arrests and suspensions in recent days is nothing short of alarming, and suggests that purges are now being used to censor anyone, including academics, who is critical of the government," wrote David Robinson, the association's executive director.

Erdogan, who faced accusations of violating press freedom before the coup, also revoked the credentials of 34 journalists.

Erdogan blames U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen for sparking last week's efforts by the military to seize power, and says he is cracking down on his supporters in Turkish institutions.

Erdogan convened an emergency session of his National Security Council and said he would have an "important decision" afterwards. His government has also detained 9,000 military personnel, including more than 100 generals.

The Turkish leader has mused about reinstating the death penalty, which Turkey abolished in 2004 as a precondition of joining the European Union.

Amnesty International accused Turkey of mounting a crackdown of "exceptional proportions" and called on the government respect human rights and freedom of expression.

"While it is understandable, and legitimate, that the government wishes to investigate and punish those responsible for this bloody coup attempt, they must abide by the rule of law and respect freedom of expression," said Amnesty's Turkey researcher Andrew Gardner.

"Turkey's people are still reeling from the shocking events of the weekend and it is vital that press freedom and the unhindered circulation of information are protected, rather than stifled."
LOS ANGELESJessa Rhodes continues to shine, starring in a number of new scenes and releases, as well as getting ready to travel for a feature dancing gig this weekend.

This week Rhodes is in a scene for Pretty Dirty called The Wives Escort Club: Part One. Jessa puts her sexual talents to work on Johnny Castle in an incendiary coupling that went beyond even her expectations.

I always have great scenes working with Johnny, Jessa said. We really got lost in the lust of the moment and it shows. It may be one of the best scenes of my entire career. Fans are going to love it!

Jessa's been in a slew of hot new movies recently, including Lesbian Stepmother 2 (Sweetheart Video), How I Love My Sister (Filly Films), Downtown and Dirty (Penthouse), Orgy Masters 8 (Jules Jordan Video), Sin with My Sister 2 (X Rated Films) and Nice and Easy (Zero Tolerance).

Rhodes is also in the running for Empire Girl, a promotion held annually by Adult Empire that includes a shot at a four-scene AE Films showcase feature.

Last but not least, Jessa will be featuring dancing this coming weekend at the Philly Gold Club, starting Thursday, July 21, and continuing through Saturday, July 23. The Gold Club is located at 1416 Chancellor St. in Philadelphia, PA 19102. For more information call (215) 670-9999 or check out @PhillyGoldClub on Twitter.

Check out The Wives Escort Club: Part One from Pretty Dirty by visiting PrettyDirty.com.

Follow Jessa on Twitter (@MissJessaRhodes) and Instagram.
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Sri Lanka: Tokyo Cement looks to US for investment backing

ICR Newsroom By 20 July 2016

The chief financial officer and other members of the Tokyo Cement management team are in the US this week for an investor roadshow, Lanka Business Online reports.

Mark Decker, whose brokerage firm is promoting the roadshow, said: Tokyo Cement is an under-researched company with a dominant market position, brand equity built over three decades, and clear growth prospects in light of Sri Lankan infrastructure and building construction projects.

Were honoured to introduce the firms management to investors seeking high-quality growth opportunities in the region.

Tokyo Cement is seeking to meet investment funds to win their support for its expansion plans. The firm is currently building new capacity in the shape of a 1Mta grinding plant at its Trincomalee facility.

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According to the Southern Baptist Conventions International Missions Board there are over 3,400 unreached and unengaged people groups across the globe. These are individuals who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christs saving grace or even who He is.In the scriptures, Romans 10:14-15 says, How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!In Ringgold, Georgia, five pairs of feet are preparing to become beautiful.Reverend Chris Petty, his wife Joy and kids Emily, Anna and Caleb are in the midst of preparations to become full-time missionaries to Bolivia.Petty recently resigned as senior pastor at Poplar Springs Baptist Church as he and his family answered the call to take The Word to the Tacana Indians in the jungle area surrounding the city of La Paz.Their goal is to be on the mission field by the end of the year.The Pettys will be going to the South American country under the auspices of SIM (Serving in Ministry) International, a missions organization that was founded in 1893. The vision statement of the organization states Convinced that no one should live and die without hearing Gods good news, we believe that he has called us to make disciples of Jesus Christ in communities where he is least known. The group currently has 60 members serving in Bolivia with four couples and their families in La Paz.Petty says, My family will be responsible to be the champion of missions mobilization to the Tacana Indians. As he explained, The SIM missionaries in La Paz are championing three communities where Christ is least known and these are: shoe shiners and street workers; special-needs individuals and families; and, youth.He continued, Outside the city of La Paz, there are 36 indigenous groups in rural Bolivia, many of them unreached. Bolivia has the highest concentration of Indian groups in the Americas. The La Paz team has adopted the Tacana Indians, who live deep in the jungle in the La Paz province, as the unreached people group on which we will focus.These are people who live in villages so remote that some may have never even seen a white man or travelled outside their own small village. Petty described it as crossing a normally rain-swollen river when it is at a low point, taking a four-wheel drive vehicle to the end of a road, then a motorcycle as far as it can go and then possibly a days walk to get there.And then there is the language barrier. Though the national language of Bolivia is Spanish, the different Indian groups may each have their own language. Petty said the entire family will undergo language training.Asked if there was one particular scripture he could name that played in to the decision to go on the mission field, Petty said, Its interesting, but I preached a two-book series at the church on Luke and Acts, Luke wrote both of those and theyre twenty-five percent of the New Testament and its kind of a two volume work to a man named Theophilus. I think just preaching through that, ending up with Acts, after I guess four years, and I walked through Acts for a couple of years. Just every week studying Acts, its not just one verse in particular as it is the whole book that really spoke us to do this. You see throughout that book the Apostles not only travelling, but the disciples taking the Word to these unreached people groups, but, you also see them going around strengthening the churches. The Book of Acts really compelled me to go. To study that every week and not feel that urge to go, wellWith that in mind, Petty described his personal mission as two-fold, Inside the city of La Paz I will do pastoral training with a goal to help pastors become missions-minded and for their churches to become missionary sending. In particular, we desire to help mobilize the La Paz church to adopt the Tacanas and other unreached people groups and to mobilize efforts to reach them with the Gospel.Outside of La Paz, I will travel regularly to the jungle with other missionaries to disciple new believers with the goal of developing missionaries and church leaders among the Tacana people.Speaking as to how the Lord has worked since he and his family committed to go to the mission field, Petty told the story of how they were originally destined for work in the city of Cochabamba but during a trip to the country he and wife Joy met with the missions team in La Paz and as they had conversations it became apparent to everyone that God was preparing a mission for them in that location.Even as they travelled on to Cochabamba, where the majority of the SIM team is located, it became even clearer that La Paz was where they were supposed to be.This is not just a me thing for the former pastor. The entire Petty family will be involved in shining the light of Jesus Christ to all those with whom they come in contact. From the time she was a young girl my wife Joy had thoughts of being a missionary, had a desire to do so, said Petty.She will work in our new church to disciple community members, as well as a womens ministry. He related that, Bolivia has the highest rate of femicide, the killing of women, in the world. Joys work will be important in relation to domestic abuse, which is rampant in the country, with many wives murdered. The womens ministry is a great need there.As for the children, daughters Emily (13) and Anna (11) have already made several missions trips with their dad to Guatemala, for which they each earned and saved their own money. Petty recalled that even as a young child, when the girls played house, Emily was always a missionary. Now, he said, She says shes getting to be one earlier than she thought.Talking about son, Caleb (6), At first he was just excited that he was going to get to ride on a plane, but now it has begun to sink in that he will be leaving family and friends behind and worrying about not getting to do certain things once he gets there. So, he has started to put together a bucket list, of sorts, of things to do before we leave, said his dad.He went on to say that while most people refer to the children of missionaries as missionary kids SIM calls them kid missionaries to emphasize their role as members of the mission team.Right now were all over the place with emotions, but we are confident in the fact that the Lord has called us, he said, We do believe we are supposed to go. We are excited about that.As the family begins to prepare, they have already attended training in North Carolina and in October will be headed to Portland, Oregon, for more training, the realities of this commitment has begun to set in.When they leave for Bolivia they are limited to just two suitcases apiece. That means a huge down-sizing of material things  things that in many cases have sentimental meaning. It also means selling their house and vehicles. Petty says there is currently a contract on the house and that a family in their former church has offered them a guest house to live in until they depart. An estate sale will occur in the next few weeks.As Petty said, Its much easier to do this now rather than be stressed out as they make final preparations to leave.Right now the family is heavily involved in fundraising. SIM requires that each missionary family raise a substantial initial amount of support as a launch account and then have a number of supporters who pledge a monthly commitment. There is also the matter of funds for a four-wheel drive vehicle once they arrive in the field. According to Petty, even cars 15 years old go for around $15,000 due to automobiles not being manufactured in Bolivia.They must also take care of the rent on their apartment, utilities, food, clothing and training materials, as well as insurance and a retirement fund.There are three specific areas that the vibrant young minister mentions as current prayer requests: (1) The ability to reach their launch and monthly support financial needs. (2) That our family will glorify the Lord through this transition. (3) Prayer for their home church, Poplar Springs Baptist. In addition to gathering financial support, each missionary family must have at least four hundred individuals committed to be their partners in prayer.For more information on their missionary journey or as to how you can become involved in the Pettys ministry, either through financial support or as a prayer partner, contact Chris Petty at chris.petty@sim.org or go to simusa.org and use code number 045293.Chris Petty will be preaching at Grace Church, 7623 Alabama Highway in Ringgold on July 24th in the 10 a.m. service. He will also be preaching at New Union Baptist Church, 4060 Double S Road in Dayton, Tenn., on July 31st in the 8:30 and 11 a.m. services.Contact Dennis Norwood at sportsshooter614@gmail.com; follow him on Twitter at @DennisENorwood.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has promoted Ronald Harris to vice president of diversity and inclusion.

In this role, he will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and counsel for diversity initiatives that include community outreach, supplier diversity, and creating and maintaining a work environment that reflects the dynamic and diverse BlueCross workforce, as well as the communities the company serves. Harris will report directly to the CEO.

Throughout his 30 years of service at BlueCross, Harris has served in various management roles, including most recently corporate diversity director. Harris is co-founder of the nationwide Blue Cross Blue Shield Association Diversity Alliance. In 2015, he was featured in Edge magazine and recognized by the Chattanooga Womens Leadership Institute as one of the top-five men promoting women in Chattanooga. In January, USA Today featured Harris in a Q&A on attracting diverse talent.

Not only have our diversity and inclusion efforts under Rons leadership helped us build a culture to attract and retain top talent, but they also are increasingly important as we respond to the needs of the changing demographics of our state, said J.D. Hickey, president and chief executive officer for BlueCross.
A familiar face is joining First Tennessees Chattanooga Advisory Board. Tennessee Aquarium President and CEO Keith Sanford was named to the board. With more than 35 years of experience at First Tennessee, Mr. Sanford began his career as a management trainee and left the bank earlier this year after accepting the position with the Tennessee Aquarium.

Mr. Sanford is an active member of the community serving on a dozen different boards including the Chattanooga Rotary Club, the Tivoli Foundation, and the Hunter Museum of American Art. A native of Lynchburg, Va., Mr. Sanford and his wife Julia, are the parents of four grown children and live on Lookout Mountain.

Chattanooga Market President Jeff Jackson said, Were pleased to have Keith join our advisory board. His expertise and knowledge of our banks history will be so valuable to us. As an active member of our community, we appreciate Keiths willingness to serve on our board.



Mr. Sanford said, Its an honor for me to serve on the board of a company that means so much to me personally. The emphasis First Tennessee places on relationships in this market is second-to-none. From the support they give to organizations throughout the region, to the highly personalized service they provide each customer, First Tennessee is a bank that knows whats truly important.


What ever happened to Americas love affair with the station wagon? The family car that first made road trips possible now faces extinction, and it seems like the only automaker successfully selling station wagons in volume nowadays is Subaru, with its all-wheel drive Outback holding down the segment.

Everyone else has either done away with their wagon line entirely, or pruned options back to the point where its become a low-volume enthusiasts car. Long gone are the days where kids could sit in a rear-facing third-row making faces at semi drivers, while mom and dad argued over what page in the atlas had the short cut around Sacramento on it.

Instead, we now have more SUV and subcompact CUV alternatives than we know what to do with, and a small but focused minivan segment that rocks split rear infotainment screens for the kids, and navigation systems that make the atlas obsolete. Sure, there still are station wagons out in the U.S. market, and outside of the aforementioned Subarus, European automakers like Volvo, BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz still offer outstanding options. But for everyone else, the wagons days are over.

Toyota gave up on both Camry and Corolla variants in the mid 1990s, and Honda axed its Accord wagon in 97. It came back with the enthusiast-oriented Acura TSX (known as the Honda Accord Tourer in the rest of the world), but it ultimately ended poorly for the automaker due to the TSXs high price and lack of an all-wheel drive version. As for the great American station wagon, the full-sized Buick Roadmaster and the Chevy Caprice Classic bowed out in 1996, and we havent seen anything out of GM since the demise of the Cadillac CTS wagon in 2014. Meanwhile, the Ford Taurus wagon quietly was put out to pasture in 2005, and the niche-market Dodge Magnum followed suit three years later.

So while American interest in buying any wagon that isnt built by Subaru remains tepid at best, longroofs still capture the imaginations of more than a few gearheads. While they may seem as sporty or lightweight as their coupe or sedan cousins, the average station wagon also makes for one hell of a platform to custom build. Here are four of our favorite one-off wagons from the past decade.

1. Norifumis TSX Converted Accord Wagon

This is a car that I shot in Tokyo years ago, and it still stands as a shining example of what is possible with enough time, money, interest, and imagination. Owned by a good friend, this car started as a Honda Accord Wagon, and over the years has been slowly converted to USDM TSX specs, a total reversal of Americas love for JDM parts. Featuring a K24 powerplant and numerous modifications, Norifumis converted Accord wagon looks a lot different as everything from the engine and suspension to the paint code and wheels have changed since this photo was taken.

2. Custom 1964 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon

Large and in charge, this 1964 Pontiac Catalina Safari reportedly began its life as a cop car, but was later transformed into the custom-built road-ripper seen here. Rocking numerous suspension, brake, and traction upgrades, this Catalina is one of those wagons that will blow your doors off on the interstate, as it hides a 468-cubic-inch big-block Nelson Racing Engine beneath its bonnet. So while everyone focuses on sourcing parts for their Nomad, wed follow this road less taken instead.

3. The 1000-horse Audi RS6 DTM

Featuring almost twice the horsepower of the Catalina, the 1,000-horsepower Audi RS6 Avant DTM seen here is the epitome of ridiculously dangerous fun. Loaded with an ear-splitting cat-less Milltek exhaust system and an ungodly number of upgrades in every department, Jon Olssons Audi RS6 was one of the most talked about cars going into 2015s Gumball 3000 rally from Stockholm to Vegas. But shortly after selling the vehicle to a dealership in the Netherlands, the vehicle was stolen during an armed robbery, and was later found burnt to a crisp.

4. 1967 Volvo Amazon Vocks

Our final custom wagon may be familiar to some of you, and if it is not, it should be. This gorgeous 1967 Volvo Amazon station wagon has been making the rounds on the web since it first made its debut at SEMA way back in 2006. Originally built by Koenigsegg engineer Mattias Vocks, it features 788 horsepower and more one-off fabrication than seems possible. But perhaps one of the coolest things about this car is that it retains a Volvo powerplant: A 2.8-liter turbo inline six continuously has its way with a Getrag six-speed transmission.
Celebrating jailhouse recovery Audio Article Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle Sears paid a visit to the Chesterfield County Jail last week, meeting with over 50 of the men and women participating in the HARP (Helping Addicts...

An icons legacy memorialized Audio Article Enon Library was dedicated in memory of the Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker on Friday, Oct. 21. Board of Supervisors Chair Chris Winslow, right, was joined by Walkers daughter, Patrice Walker...
Ban-the-box laws meant to prevent employers from reflexively rejecting applicants with criminal records may inadvertently worsen discrimination against black job candidates, a new study found. (Ekaterina Minaeva / Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Ban-the-box laws meant to prevent employers from reflexively rejecting applicants with criminal records may inadvertently worsen discrimination against black job candidates, a new study found.

The findings point to troubling patterns of racial hiring bias at a time when blacks have double the unemployment rate of whites.

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Illinois in 2014 joined a growing number of states that have tried to lessen employment barriers for people with criminal records by adopting ban-the-box legislation, which prohibits employers from asking about criminal history on job applications or early in the application process, in hopes of giving those with criminal records a fair shot.

A large-scale experiment conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and Princeton University found the laws are effective in removing the disadvantage of having a criminal record, but they may have unintended consequences.

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The researchers sent 15,000 fictitious online job applications for entry-level positions in New York and New Jersey, some before the adoption of ban-the-box legislation, and some after.

Requiring applicants to disclose criminal history clearly disadvantaged people with records, the researchers said in the working paper. Applications that did not show criminal history received 63 percent more callbacks than those that did.

But after ban-the-box was adopted and employers didn't know if someone had a criminal record, racial disparities in callbacks soared.

Before ban the box, white applicants received 7 percent more callbacks than equally qualified black candidates; after ban the box, the gap swelled to 45 percent.

The study used first and last names to denote race  for example, Terrell Washington for black men and Scott Weber for white men  and otherwise the resumes were identical.

The findings suggest that employers have "wildly exaggerated impressions of how much more likely black male applicants are to have criminal records," said Sonja Starr, a law professor at the University of Michigan who was co-author of the report with Amanda Agan, an economist at Princeton.

"It may be that seeing that someone has a clean record helps to dispel what might otherwise be an assumption, whether conscious or subconscious, by the employer about black applicants," Starr said.

While Starr said she expected assumptions about race might drive assumptions about criminal history in the absence of actual information  known as statistical discrimination  she was surprised by the magnitude of the effect.

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And those assumptions are not accurate. Starr said the best study the researchers could find on the likelihood of whites and blacks to have criminal records showed that, among job applicants with high school degrees, 25 percent of white males and 30 percent of black males had felony conviction records.

Having a GED rather than a high school diploma is a much greater predictor of having a criminal record, but the study did not find a significant difference in how employers treated those educational levels post ban-the-box, Starr said.

Starr said the report does not intend to argue against ban-the-box policies, but policymakers must make judgment calls on the benefits and harms depending on what their goals are.

If the purpose of the legislation is to help people with criminal records gain employment, the study offers evidence that it is effective.

But "if policymakers are thinking of ban the box as a strategy for achieving racial equality in the workplace, then our study finds pretty good evidence that it will backfire," Starr said.

The results are most worrisome for black male applicants without criminal records, Starr said.

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While hiring discrimination on the basis of race is illegal, it is difficult for people to prove that race is the reason they were passed over.

To reduce racial side effects, policymakers might consider restricting employers' access to names or addresses so they can't even subconsciously guess at a person's race.

Margaret Stapleton, community justice director at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law, which pushed for Illinois' ban-the-box law, called the study's findings "sobering."

"If we are that discriminatory a society, and there is a lot of information out there that says we are, maybe we should do blind applications," Stapleton said.

"Maybe a study like this will make Americans more aware that yes indeed there is race discrimination in employment," she said. "Maybe it's another piece of evidence in this debate that the country needs to be having about racism."

aelejalderuiz@tribpub.com

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New Jersey Governor Chris Christie attends the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP/Getty Images)

Newark, N.J.  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he was "sad" his friend and confidant admitted shaking down United Airlines to reinstate a flight to make it easier for him to reach his vacation home in South Carolina.

David Samson is "my friend and it made me very sad," the Republican told NJ.com on Monday. But Christie would not say whether Samson has tarnished the governor's legacy, which included serving as New Jersey's attorney general.

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"That's all I have to say. That's all I have to say," Christie said as he left the arena in Cleveland where the Republican National Convention is being held.

Samson is the former chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and was a mentor to Christie. He admitted he pressured United to reinstate the flight after he removed from a board agenda discussion of a hangar United wanted at Newark Liberty International Airport.

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The money-losing flight was ended three days after Samson resigned. United's CEO resigned after an investigation into that service.

Jamie Fox, a former lobbyist for United who Christie later named the state's transportation commissioner, was charged by federal prosecutors with soliciting the bribe. Fox's attorney said he will fight the charge.

United agreed to pay a $2.25 million penalty for its role in the scheme.

Samson was head of the Port Authority when two former allies of the governor were accused of shutting down lanes to the George Washington Bridge as part of a political retribution scheme. Neither Samson nor Christie was charged in that case. A third Christie appointee has pleaded guilty in that case, which is expected to go to trial in September.

Christie denied any wrongdoing and was cleared by a taxpayer-funded legal inquiry. U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said there's no evidence the governor had anything to do with the bribery scheme Samson pleaded to.

But the bridge scandal in particular put a cloud over Christie's political future. Democrats then and now have seized on both cases to criticize Christie, who ended his bid for the Republican presidential nomination and began backing presumptive nominee Donald Trump.

Associated Press
Dozens of customers were stricken with E. coli after eating at Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill. Several have filed lawsuits. (Janice Carr / AP)

A fourth lawsuit has been filed against Carbon Live Fire Mexican Grill, alleging that the Chicago restaurant was negligent when dozens of customers were sickened after they ate food that contained E. coli.

The most recent case was filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court by Dolton resident Deiango Sain, who ate a steak burrito bowl without cheese at the Bridgeport location on June 23. He fell ill June 29, and bloody diarrhea began on July 1 and continued through the July Fourth weekend, the lawsuit said. On July 5, he went to Advocate South Suburban Hospital, where he was eventually put into intensive care and learned that he had an E. coli infection. He went home July 10.

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As of Wednesday, the Chicago Department of Public Health said the outbreak of E. coli at Carbon Live Fire had grown to include 67 people, with the Bridgeport restaurant being the outbreak's "focal point."

The restaurant's location on the North Side has been found by city health inspectors to be "safe" and "clean."

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The two locations share a phone number, and a person answering the phone Wednesday morning said the North Side spot is open, and the Bridgeport restaurant remains closed for now.

A message left for the owner or manager wasn't immediately returned

Sain "continues to slowly recover," said the lawsuit, filed by Chicago lawyer David Williams of the Balke law firm. The suit seeks a judgment of at least $50,000.

Others filing lawsuits in Cook County this month against Carbon Live Fire include Maria Terese Loparco, who ate two chicken tacos and two steak tacos from the Bridgeport restaurant on June 25. Loparco started getting sick on June 28, and on June 30 was rushed to the hospital, where she later learned that her stool tested positive for E. coli. She is "gradually recovering" and alleging negligence, according to her lawsuit. Her lawyers include Torvik Law in Evanston.

byerak@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @beckyyerak
Venetia Stifler, executive director of the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, is photographed at the center July 19, 2016. The parking lot next to the center has been sold to raise funds. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

The Ruth Page Foundation has sold its Gold Coast parking lot for $16.6 million to ensure its dance center's survival and allow developer Lexington Homes to build a 27-story luxury condominium building in one of the most desirable areas of the city.

"This saved our life," said Venetia Stifler, the executive director and artistic director of the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, started by the legendary dancer and choreographer. The center, at 1016 N. Dearborn Parkway, was hit hard by the 2008 financial crisis, she said. Page, who died in 1991, left an endowment for the center, but it was battered by the market crash.

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After the crash, the Ruth Page board considered moving or shutting down the 200-seat performing center, but instead began looking for a buyer of the parking lot, Stifler said. With the money, she said, the center will continue to have to raise funds, but the endowment will now last far beyond the next 10 years.

There has been little condominium construction in the city since the housing crash, but developers are starting to show interest again, and the 32-space parking lot is one of the few locations available in the Gold Coast neighborhood, said Susan Tjarksen of KIG, who managed the sale.

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The parking lot next to the Ruth Page Center for the Arts is photographed July 19, 2016, in Chicago. The Ruth Page Foundation has sold the lot, which is going to be the site of a 27-story condo building. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

She said Lexington Homes was selected from several potential developers in part because of the expectation that it would have the funding to close quickly. The sale was completed Friday, she said.

The planned condo building, designed by Pappageorge Haymes Partners, is expected to have 50 units ranging from about 1,700 to 4,000 square feet. With its proximity to Ogden and Latin schools, Tjarksen anticipates the building at 1020 N. Dearborn Parkway will draw buyers with children in addition to empty nesters moving into the core of the city.

She said desirable existing condominium buildings nearby, such as 30 W. Oak St., have been commanding sales prices of about $1,000 a square foot.

Lexington has been particularly active in the suburbs but has a new town home development in the city's Hyde Park neighborhood.

Most new construction in Chicago since the housing crash has been luxury rental high-rises as the taste for homeownership has declined and lenders have been drawn to new apartment construction. Large condominium developments are more difficult to fund because lenders require that about 30 to 35 percent of the units be presold before construction begins, Tjarksen said.

But there are increasing concerns among lenders that luxury apartment construction may be approaching the point of saturation.

Stifler said she will miss the parking lot adjacent to the dance center because employees parked there. But it was never used by performance audiences because it was too small.

"The choice was to keep it or sell it and solidify our future," she said. "We solved our financial problems, and the area will have a beautiful building."

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Ruth Page purchased the dance center in 1971 and then the parking lot in the 1980s. She was known internationally and in Chicago, where she danced at venues such as Ravinia and the Lyric Opera, and choreographed performances of "The Nutcracker" for more than three decades.

gmarksjarvis@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @gailmarksjarvis
I first fell in love, or at least was infatuated, with pinot noir as a young restaurantgoer many years ago.

I did a fair amount of appreciating back then, before I started asking questions, and believe me when I say that the appreciating was easy  even effortless at times. Servers at multicourse dinners would set down beautiful pieces of stemware in front of me and then fill them with exquisite wine that would go with the upcoming course.

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Sometimes the wine would give away the food before it arrived. A small tulip glass of Sauternes? Here comes the seared foie gras. Even if the wine didn't completely spill the beans on the food (as sommeliers like to surprise and delight), the progression was usually consistent: start small and end big. Light to heavy, delicate to bold  choose the opposing words you like best.

I got excited when a bowl glass arrived, not because of what food was on its way (maybe it's mushroom risotto, maybe salmon, maybe duck), but because of what wine was on its way. When I saw that classic Burgundy glass before me, it told me that we were moving into reds.

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Nothing against bubbles or whites. Obviously some of the world's most sublime wines are white or shimmering with fizz. And I want some of each of those every time I lock in to a multicourse meal. But I also want to move from those lighter wines to bigger ones, and from the delicate fare that kicked off the evening to the bolder flavors that will end it

Those later dishes and later wines were not always better than the earlier ones. There are no guarantees in life or in dining. But there is also no one among us who has been hooked by a story and didn't care to know how it ended. In those days, I thought of the arrival of pinot noir as the "rising action" of the story that was my dinner. It told me that we were past the exposition and moving toward the climax, falling action and resolution (the denouement, if you must). It was the spot where the story got really good.

But that is a backhanded compliment. It implies that pinot noir was not much more than a Pavlovian trigger, when actually another huge reason I fell in love with pinot noir was that it was, more often than not, ridiculously awesome.

It is a wine style with many moods. If ever there were times when declaring a wine "fruit-forward" was appropriate, surely they have included pinot noirs. On the other hand, when a pinot noir is not jamming with strawberries, cherries and raspberries, it might be brooding with leather, smoke, forest floor and funk (the smell of animals, human or otherwise). In between, the possibilities could include violets, roses, figs, plums, incense and truffles. Some pinots can cop to several of these descriptors in a single glass.

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The undisputed Eden of pinot noir is the Burgundy region of France, specifically the Cote d'Or, where single bottles can demand absurd prices in the hundreds or thousands of dollars. Pinot noir also does well in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, in several regions of California (including Sonoma and the Central Coast), and in Chile, Australia and New Zealand (most notably in Marlborough, Martinborough and Central Otago).

Vineyard managers will tell you that pinot noir is a difficult grape variety to grow because it wants to ripen early and too much heat can allow it to do that and burn out its potential, and winemakers will tell you that it takes more effort to turn pinot noir into great wine than it does with a lot of other grape varieties. Perhaps these are a couple of the reasons that pinot noir  particularly Burgundy  is the stuff of legend.

But again, to stop there would be to not give full credit to a grape that is one of the world's greatest. Put another way, if it were easy to grow, and it basically made itself in the winery, it would still be legendary based on what it does for just about everyone who lifts it to his nose and mouth. If pinot noir were an art period, it would be post-impressionism  often easy to like at first glance, but also full of surprising depth when you return to it.

Besides its ever-evolving aromas and flavors, and generally reasonable levels of alcohol, pinot noir's lower tannins and lighter body make it a silky, sensual indulgence as well. While the variety is most known for the delicate, pale red wine it gets turned into, pinot noir is also a major grape in Champagne (along with chardonnay and pinot meunier) and other sparkling wines around the world.

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It is believed that pinot noir gets its name from the way its clusters look on the vine, like little dark pine cones. In Italy it is called pinot nero, and in Germany it is called Spatburgunder. And of course in France, Burgundy is Bourgogne. Call it what you like. Just make sure that it is part of your regular wine consumption. You would be slighting yourself if you didn't.

foods@tribune.com

Twitter @pour_man
Comedian Cameron Esposito recalled Garry Marshall as a patient and considerate director who showed his love for Northwestern University, his alma mater, at work.

"When I showed up on set to meet him on the first day, he was wearing a Northwestern hat," said Esposito, a Chicago-area native who starred in Marshall's final film, "Mother's Day." "His college buddies were there."

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Marshall, who created "Happy Days" and directed "Pretty Woman," died Tuesday at the age of 81 of complications from pneumonia after having a stroke, his publicist said. A 1956 graduate of the Medill School of Journalism, Marshall built the university's Marjorie Ward Marshall Dance Center, named for his mother.

There are no set plans for a Northwestern tribute for Marshall, who screened "Mother's Day" on campus in May. He was remembered on social media by the stars who worked with him and fellow alumni, including "Late Night" host Seth Meyers and "Scrubs" star Zach Braff.

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Esposito, 34, recalled Marshall asking her if she planned to do stand-up while they filmed "Mother's Day" last year in Atlanta. Esposito said her wife Rhea Butcher flew to Atlanta and they performed for 200 hipsters and Marshall in the basement of a hotel.

Esposito and Butcher said they shared a hug when they learned Marshall died.

"He was leaving (the Atlanta show) and he stopped me and he grabbed me on my shoulder and looked me in the face and said, 'You're very funny,'" Butcher said. "He made my dreams come true by telling me that I'm funny."

This extremely kind man put me in my first major release. He was so patient & encouraging on set. pic.twitter.com/2Y3NYHgeBr  Cameron Esposito (@cameronesposito) July 20, 2016

Esposito and Butcher are slated to preview their new Seeso streaming service series "Take My Wife" at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at The Hideout, where the couple married in December. Butcher is scheduled to perform 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the venue as part of The Comedy Exposition.

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How Garry Marshall found his comedy

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Garry Marshall, 'Happy Days' creator and 'Pretty Woman' director, dies at 81

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Director Garry Marshall likes to show off Northwestern fandom on set







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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
"Saturday Night Live" producers may want to give Keegan-Michael Key a call for election season.

The Second City alumnus returned to his Chicago roots as he imitated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and President Barack Obama on Tuesday's episode of "Live with Kelly."

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"(Clinton is) from my part of the country. She's from the Midwest," said Key, who hails from the Detroit area and performed at Second City e.t.c. "I can't really do her voice perfectly, but there's this thing we do in Detroit and Chicago, where we have these crazy a's."

Key, 45, kicked off his two-day "Live" co-hosting stint with the impersonation of Clinton, who grew up in Park Ridge, before focusing his efforts on Obama.

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"Now another person from Chicago, who I've been known to do from time to time, he also doesn't have to put all that (Chicago dialect) in there," Key said as he began to talk like Obama.

Key, who stars in the comedy "Don't Think Twice," is set to return as Kelly Ripa's co-host Wednesday as "Live" producers search for a permanent replacement for Michael Strahan. "Live" airs 9 a.m. weekdays on WLS-Ch. 7.

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Don't expect Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump to change

Watch Keegan-Michael Key perform with Second City on 'Live' in 2003







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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Actor Taylor Kinney and fiancee Lady Gaga were among those dipping into freezing Lake Michigan on Sunday in Chicago. The 15th annual Polar Plunge raised money for the local chapter of Special Olympics. (Tasos Katopodis / Getty Images)

Lady Gaga said she and "Chicago Fire" star Taylor Kinney are "taking a break" after five years together.

"Taylor and I have always believed we are soulmates. Just like all couples we have ups and downs, and we have been taking a break," Lady Gaga posted Wednesday on Instagram. "We are both ambitious artists, hoping to work through long-distance and complicated schedules to continue the simple love we have always shared. Please root us on. We're just like everybody else and we really love each other."

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Lady Gaga's statement comes as "Chicago Fire" is scheduled to begin filming its fifth season at a Near West Side firehouse. A Kinney representative did not respond to a Tribune request for comment.

The couple, who met in 2011, have been a fixture around Chicago while Kinney shot the NBC series. They got engaged in February 2015.

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Taylor and I have always believed we are soulmates. Just like all couples we have ups and downs, and we have been taking a break. We are both ambitious artists, hoping to work through long-distance and complicated schedules to continue the simple love we have always shared. Please root us on. We're just like everybody else and we really love each other. A photo posted by Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) on Jul 19, 2016 at 9:05pm PDT

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'Chicago Fire,' 'Chicago P.D.,' 'Chicago Med' filming begins this week

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 122 Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, anger management student, in "Dark Phoenix." The film, the latest in the "X-Men" franchise, costars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Jessica Chastain. Read the review. (Twentieth Century Fox)
Kentaro Yamada has been taking photos since he was 12, and this pleasant, sincere man  now 40  will be the first to tell you he is self-taught, even as he goes about the business of creating a body of work that he hopes might change the world.

"I use my photography as a way to create images of positivity that might be able to counter all of the terrible news out there," he says.

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His clever and arresting work can be seen at www.theuplifted.net. But before you visit that site, where you will be likely to stay for a good long time, how about learning more about the man?

Yamada was born in Japan but spent his formative years in Seattle. He and his parents returned to Japan when he was 14 but he was back soon enough on his own, attending the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he earned a B.A. in international relationships/East Asian area studies. He was gainfully employed as a communications analyst when he became a naturalized citizen, celebrating by buying 10 pizzas for his co-workers.

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In the summer of 2011 he was in Chicago magazine's annual "Most Eligible Singles" feature, in which he said, "When it comes to girls, I want someone who is responsive and kind  and not too sarcastic. I can't keep up." That was fun, he now says, adding, "I went on a couple of dates, nothing serious, but made some good friends."

The next year was not so much fun. He lost his job and felt adrift. "It was hard, the feeling that I didn't belong, had no place in the world," he says.

He pieced together an income through modeling, doing translation and movie production chores. There were other projects, too, before he eventually landed where he is today, working as a marketing consultant for CME Group.

It was during this time that he found personal inspiration in the form of "Humans of New York." This is the site created by Brandon Stanton in 2010 that has since become a phenomenon. Many people don't know that it started in Chicago, when Stanton was working as a bond trader and bought a camera to take photos of people downtown. After losing his job, he took off for New York and started taking pictures and talking to people. Combining these photos and comments from so-called "ordinary people," Stanton's "Humans of New York" has more than 22 million followers on Facebook and Instagram, spawned two mega-best-selling books and became an influential worldwide sensation.

"It blew my mind," Yamada says. "It inspired me. I did not want to do 'Humans of Chicago,' but I knew that I wanted to do something."

That "something" was a photo project he called "The Uplifted," which he describes as one that "highlights joy, accomplishment and success through a collection of portraits of everyday leaders and visionaries with their most prized possessions levitating right before their eyes."

He takes portraits of people and, at another time, their "prized possessions." He combines them through the "magic" of Photoshop. The results are captivating.

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Admitting forthrightly "that I am not a writer," he does write text that accompanies each photo. Here is what he writes about one of his subjects: "Grant Martin is a Chicago native who moved to San Francisco. He's currently a product manager for a manufacturer of lightweight, ergonomic devices. Martin is also a scientist and writer who has contributed to various financial and economic magazines."

This equation is undeniable and would remain so for a long time. Our beloved living legend Doug Sohn of Hot Doug's resurfaces with rich foie gras once again. The joint was so legendary his fans have a tattoo of Hot Doug logo on their arms. Although the self-proclaimed "Sausage Superstore and Encased Meat Emporium" was closed on October 3, 2014, after 14 years of operation, Doug keeps himself busy while he still enjoys being able to "skip town" any time he wants to. (Kentaro Yamada)

Yamada is basic, as opposed to the often lyrical, incisive, forthright and intimate words in "Humans." Here's an example, accompanying a shot of a couple sitting on a park bench: "We lived across the street from each other. He was so shy that I didn't even think he spoke English. One night I heard a car idling outside for over an hour. I went to see what was going on, and I found him passed out drunk in his car. So not exactly love at first sight but it grew from there."

Yamada posted his first photo on July 15, 2015, and now has 70-some images on his site. He has shot photos of friends and friends of friends (each with floating "prized possession"). Some of them are well-known, such as Doug Sohn, former owner of Hot Doug's restaurant (hot dog); Jackie Taylor, founder of the Black Ensemble Theater (Playbill); Paula Fasseas, founder of PAWS (cute puppy); and Green Mill owner Dave Jemilo (bottle of Malort).

Chef Rick Bayless is an American chef who specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with modern interpretations. His award-winning contributions to Chicago's Mexican cuisine include the famous Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco, and Tortas Frontera. Among his several published books, the best-selling Mexico: One Plate at a Time is his beloved piece. (Kentaro Yamada)

The subjects have enjoyed the experience. "You are the man," said Jemilo. And chef Rick Bayless offered, "I love it."

The Uplift is a refreshingly noncommercial venture. "There is no money involved. I do not pay the subjects and they don't pay me," Yamada says.

Some of those subjects have used his photos for publicity purposes, and so has his work appeared in print and online. "I like getting credit for the photographs and am not worried about the money," says Yamada. "It is the photo that matters."

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He will tell you that he has become good friends with some of his subjects and that the project "has changed my life." He lives in Park Ridge. His parents still live in Japan.

"It would be nice one day to have a book or a gallery show," he says. "I do not think that I have to be the greatest photographer, but good enough so people remember my work. The true goal is to continue taking photos, meeting people, discovering their inspiration, the positive."

He has a sort of wish list of names on his phone of the people he would one day like to photograph. "There is (Alinea chef/owner) Grant Achatz, (Grace chef/owner) Curtis Duffy, Chance the Rapper. People who are on radio and TV are hard to get to. So are athletes. But I will not stop trying.

Massacres, trap doors, and Chicago jazz. It's the way Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit experienced the city in the 1920s. The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge traces it's history back to when Billie Holiday, Helen Morgan, Benny Goodman, Ruth Ettig and Joe E. Lewis first established it. But the Mill has also seen dark times: at one point it was on the verge of closing and seeing an end to its long history. But that's when Dave Jemilo salvaged the joint singlehandedly in 1986. (Kentaro Yamada / Kentaro Yamada)

"What do you think of me trying to get some aldermen? Some of my friends laugh and will say that I have set up crazy goals." He looks down at his phone again and reads a couple of more names, "The Pope? The Dalai Lama?"

rkogan@chicagotribune.com

Twitter: @rickkogan

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP)
Yorkville's Mason Bumba competes on Season 11 of "America's Got Talent." (Vivian Zink / NBC)

Spoiler alerts

Even though he didn't advance to the next round of "America's Got Talent," Yorkville tween Mason Bumba earned a new nickname on Tuesday's episode of the NBC competition.

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Host Nick Cannon called Bumba "the most dangerous fourth grader in the world" as the 10-year-old showed off his martial arts skills.

Judge Melanie Brown, of Spice Girls fame, compared Bumba to a bolt of lightning. Judge Simon Cowell asked Bumba why the competition is important to him.

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"Very important because there's money involved," Bumba said.

Bumba was one of 20 acts competing for seven spots in next week's live shows in Hollywood. He cried when he heard he wasn't moving on to the next round.

Brown tried to console him and gave him a kiss.

"What you do is absolutely amazing," she said.

The Finest Family, a Chicago breakdancing crew, also didn't advance on Tuesday's episode. Cowell said he didn't like the group's second audition as much as its first audition and said there should be more dancers on the stage.

The Finest Family, which hails from Chicago, performs on Season 11 of "America's Got Talent." (Vivian Zink / NBC)

Season 11 of "America's Got Talent" airs 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. More acts will perform on Wednesday's episode as the judges cuts continue. The winner of the competition is slated to receive $1 million.
"I do light stuff." Those four self-deprecating syllables barely hinted at the long, broad, influential career of comedy legend Garry Marshall. The director, producer, creator, writer and actor died Tuesday in Burbank, Calif., of complications from pneumonia following a stroke.

He was 81. I met him just once, in 1999, in the lobby of the Falcon Theatre in Burbank, Calif., which he founded with his daughter, Kathleen Marshall LaGambina. The occasion was Marshall's revival of the Beth Henley stalwart "Crimes of the Heart," starring Morgan Fairchild, Faith Ford and Crystal Bernard, all TV-bred, like the director. Those three minutes in the lobby proved more memorable than the production; in person, Marshall turned out to be as nice and warm and funny as his reputation, and as his best star-making work on small and large screens.

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Two months prior to his death, the creator of "Happy Days," "Mork and Mindy," "Laverne and Shirley" and the director of "Pretty Woman" pointed out the obvious  "I do light stuff"  to a crowd of about 100 at a Northwestern University screening of "Mother's Day." He said this, according to a Daily Northwestern account, as explanation for the harsh critical reception to what turned out to be Marshall's final directorial effort. I wasn't there. You probably weren't either. But in your mind's ear, surely you can hear that famous Bronx voice gracing so many cameos over the years. He acted a lot, often wonderfully, never better than in Albert Brooks' "Lost in America," as the casino honcho fielding Brooks' request to refund his gambling losses. Anyway: You can imagine Marshall tossing off those four words, "I do light stuff," with an air of: What can you do? You do what you do.

Marshall graduated with a Northwestern journalism degree in 1956. He wrote for the Daily Northwestern (Stars and Stripes before that, during his Army stint during the Korean War), followed by work as a copy boy and a reporter for the New York Daily News. By that time in the Eisenhower era, Marshall had a parallel life, performing stand-up comedy and writing material for comedians Joey Bishop and Phil Foster.

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For Marshall, journalism was hard and comedy was easier, though a key lesson, as he told the Los Angeles Times in a 1991 interview, came from Foster, who "turned my life around."

"I was working in some (Greenwich Village) revue," Marshall said. "And he came in and said, 'You're making three waiters hysterical, but the audience isn't laughing. So, you got a choice. You can make the waiters and the band laugh or you can try for the audience.' "

The lesson was learned, and how. For those who weren't there, watching half-hour after half-hour of Marshall's shows on the nearest Naugahyde couch, it may be hard to understand the degree to which Marshall dominated the reassuring side of 1970s TV comedy. (Norman Lear, still with us and the subject of a new documentary, took care of the more challenging side.) Marshall developed "Happy Days," starring Ron Howard and Henry Winkler. George Lucas got a look at the pilot and decided to cast Howard in "American Graffiti." Add a little "Grease," and America's obsessive nostalgia for the pre-'63 era, cleaned and scrubbed and idealized just so, has never really gone away.

Marshall brought Neil Simon's play (and the Gene Saks film) "The Odd Couple" to ABC and refused to settle for a cheap knock-off. The casting of Tony Randall and Jack Klugman came out gloriously right. Marshall took a chance on Robin Williams for "Mork and Mindy." Same result. He knew Penny Marshall, his sister, would work well opposite Cindy Williams on "Laverne and Shirley." Huge hits, all.

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On the big screen, in "Pretty Woman," Marshall took a dark, jaundiced screenplay about a prostitute and a john and lightened it up, putting Julia Roberts in the hooker role. A star was born, and a peculiar sort of hit was made  objectionable and retrograde in a dozen different ways, confoundingly appealing in a dozen more. "I knew if we lowered the age and made her a new girl in the business, then people would say, 'Oh, please don't do that, honey,' " Marshall told one interviewer.

Before "Pretty Woman," Marshall directed a fine, flavorsome coming-of-age comedy, "The Flamingo Kid," starring Matt Dillon and Richard Crenna. With its outer-borough and Long Island settings and deft navigation of comic and romantic strains, the '60s-set movie deserves a fresh look. Especially now.

His movie career produced as many misses as hits. Sometimes Marshall's instincts failed him, as when he tried to brighten up and funny-ize the Anne Rice S&M tale "Exit to Eden," the way he brightened up "Pretty Woman." He carried on, right up to and including "Mother's Day," the third in his holiday ensemble movies, preceded by the highly profitable "Valentine's Day" and "New Year's Eve." Shameless, they were, and Marshall knew it. More often than not, he knew what would work with an audience. The lesson he learned in the clubs, decades earlier, paid off.

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"You're a nice guy," Marshall tells Brooks in "Lost in America." "You make me laugh." Whether they knew who was behind the work or not, audiences responded to Garry Marshall the same way.

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune

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Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 126 Woody introduces the gang to a homemade spork toy with self-esteem issues in "Toy Story 4." Read the review. (Pixar / AP)
San Francisco lawyer Harmeet Dhillon delivered a Sikh prayer at the start of Tuesday's session of the Republican National Convention. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

When Harmeet Dhillon first ran for vice chairwoman of the California GOP, rivals whispered that the Indian-born Sikh would slaughter a goat at the lectern.

On Tuesday night, Dhillon opened the second night of the Republican National Convention by singing the invocation in Punjabi and then translating it into English.

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It's a first for the RNC. But it's not the first time the 47-year-old San Francisco lawyer has upended expectations.

Born in Chandigarh, India, she emigrated with her parents to England and then to the Bronx, N.Y. Her father, an orthopedic surgeon, soon moved the family to rural Smithfield in central North Carolina.

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Dhillon says she was an awkward, chubby child who didn't fit in at school.

"I had two long braids and a funny name and my mother didn't dress me in fashionable clothes. I was not popular at all," said Dhillon.

Now thin with long hair, she wore an Escada jacket and draped a silk navy-and-gold scarf over her long hair when she delivered the prayer Tuesday.

"Please give us the courage to make the right choices, to make common cause with those with whom we disagree, for the greater good of our nation," she told the delegates.

She was raised as a devout Sikh. "I had a very religious upbringing at home. That was very central to my life from day one," she recalled.

Her parents supported Republicans after they became naturalized U.S. citizens.

Their politics were driven in part by her father's contempt for trial lawyers because of medical malpractice lawsuits.

But they also were formed by turmoil in India in the 1970s, when an insurgency in Punjab led to temple raids and attacks on some Sikhs.

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Dhillon's parents hosted fundraisers for Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), a conservative with strong views on foreign policy. He, in turn, spoke out against persecution of Sikhs.

Dhillon attended Dartmouth College, where she wrote for the college's conservative paper, the Dartmouth Review, and ultimately was named editor.

In October 1988, the weekly made headlines when it published a satirical column likening the college president to Adolf Hitler, and the effects of his campus policies to the Holocaust.

A drawing on the next issue's cover depicted the college president, who was Jewish, as Hitler.

As condemnation poured in, Dhillon, then editor in chief, denied in an interview with the New York Times that the column was anti-Semitic, saying critics were "trying to twist the issue to their own ends."

She said the column sought to compare "liberal fascism" with other forms of fascism and was not meant to show "callous disregard" for the Holocaust.

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''I'm very disturbed about the response to it,'' she said. ''I'm very surprised, very, very surprised.''

Dhillon went to law school at the University of Virginia and worked in New York City and London before she settled in San Francisco.

She grew active in Bay Area politics after hosting debate watch parties for President George W. Bush's reelection campaign in 2004.

After becoming county party chair, she ran unsuccessfully for the state Assembly in 2008. She met her future husband, Sarv, during that campaign.

In 2013, Dhillon ran for vice chairwoman of the state GOP. Some Republicans castigated her for serving on the board of the American Civil Liberties Union's Bay Area chapter.

She says she got involved in the ACLU after some Sikhs were abused in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks.

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But some of her opposition at the state GOP was blatantly racist.

Fliers at the convention called her a "Taj Mahal princess." The goat slaughter rumors spread. The leader of a county GOP women's group posted on Facebook that Dhillon was a Muslim who would defend beheadings. (The woman was reprimanded by the party and no longer holds the post.) Party leaders came to Dhillon's defense and she won the election.

Since then, she has become the public face of the state GOP while the chairman, Jim Brulte, worked to rebuild its war chest.

"As she's proven, she's a rising star in the party and she's also a sharp cookie and highly able," said Charles Munger Jr., a major GOP donor.

"One has to distinguish, she was elected on her merits," he added. "She got there in spite of being a woman, in spite of being Sikh. She's the first woman vice chair in party history. There was no royal road paved for her."

Dhillon also has sharp elbows.

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"Harmeet is a very strong-willed personality and she has no problem whatsoever speaking her mind," said Jon Fleischman, a conservative blogger. "I know I'm an acquired taste. I would submit she is as well."

Others cite her acerbic wit. Brulte recalled a party fundraiser in 2013 where he saw a thin man receive an award for walking precincts.

"I said to the people at the table, 'You see, when you walk precincts you lose weight,'" said Brulte, who is not svelte. Dhillon "spun around, looked at me and said, 'You should walk a few.'"

seema.mehta@latimes.com

For the latest on national and California politics, follow @LATSeema on Twitter.

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3:55 p.m.  Updated with details from Dhillon's invocation to the GOP convention.

This story was published at 11:55 a.m.
'Penguins in Paradise" was the theme of the 39th annual Lincoln Park Zoo Ball hosted July 15 by the zoo's Women's Board. The elegant event on the zoo grounds attracted more than 900 guests who enjoyed dining and dancing under the stars while fundraising for an ongoing capital campaign, The Pride of Chicago.

The event's theme was inspired by the zoo's latest initiative, to bring a dozen African penguins to the Robert and Mayari Pritzker Penguin Cove, slated to open later this year. Sunny Nelson, the Hope B. McCormick curator of birds, explained why this particular species was chosen. "One of the new initiatives through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is the SAFE initiative, Saving Animals From Extinction, and African penguins are one of the top 10 species chosen to be a part of this program because they're very endangered. Their population in the wild has declined significantly. We really need to tell their story and help save this species."

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The decor was inspired by the penguins' natural habitat on Boulders Beach in South Africa and featured the colors of a sunset  burnt orange, red and yellow. Ugochi and the Afro Soul Ensemble sang global melodies that were piped throughout the venue while guests bid on silent auction items and enjoyed a cocktail reception adjacent to the lion and tiger exhibits.

Sights and sounds of the Lincoln Park Zoo Ball. (Chicago Tribune)

Partygoers, dressed in black tie, dined under a clear tent that offered views of the zoo and the starry night. A highlight of the dinner was a dramatic dessert parade, "The March of the Penguins," in which waiters carried trays of deconstructed lemon meringue tarts alongside 900 lighted penguin ornaments.

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The evening concluded with guests dancing the night away to the lively music of Chicago Catz. Chefs prepared s'mores over tabletop fire pits, and a Firecakes Donuts truck offered departing guests more sweet treats.

Event attendees watch and take photos of a tiger at the Lincoln Park Zoo Ball. (Chicago Tribune)

Lincoln Park Zoo is one of the country's only free, privately managed zoos. "I feel that it's vitally important for the children of Chicago that we keep Lincoln Park Zoo free and that we support animal conservation. Every day at the zoo, you see children from all parts of Chicago learning and experiencing nature. It's such a great place for a kid to be a kid," said event co-chair Christine Tierney.

Co-chaired by Lisa Genesen and Tierney, the ball raised over $1.35 million that will be applied to the Women's Board leadership commitment to support the zoo as it continues to transform its physical landscape, providing state-of-the-art exhibits.

Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.

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Find more photos and events at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace. Visit Candid Candace's website at www.candidcandace.com, or follow her on Twitter @CandidCandace.

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A mannequin wearing the clothing of gun-violence victim Hadiya Pendleton stands at the beginning of the "Killing Season Chicago" exhibit. (Alison Bowen / Chicago Tribune)

In 2010, Krista Wortendyke started taking her camera to Chicago crime scenes, her mission: to capture the place each person was killed by gun violence that summer.

The 172 photos she took have since been shown through her exhibit "Killing Season Chicago," featuring a large wall of mounted photos in the form of a skyline that has been displayed around the city, from Wicker Park's The Violet Hour to Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills.

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But this year, she said, feels different. The photos no longer seem to reflect the magnitude of an even more violent year.

"It seems sparse," she said of the photos, now part of the "This Heat" exhibit, which encompasses three rooms at the Weinberg/Newton Gallery through Sept. 24. So far this year, there have been 358 homicides in Chicago, more than twice the number in "Killing Season Chicago."

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"This Heat" organizers expected the gun violence-focused exhibit, presented with the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, to be relevant and timely because of the ongoing violence in the city. However, with the more than 2,200 shooting victims in Chicago this year, Wortendyke is wondering whether, and how, to update her piece.

"Killing Season Chicago" artist Krista Wortendyke. (Alison Bowen / Chicago Tribune)

She recently expanded her work by adding a separate display titled "Bloodspot (Death by Gun)," which shows 700 prints of a bloodstained sidewalk she photographed after the first homicide of 2013. She recalls looking for the exact spot where the victim fell in a Chicago alley only to realize she was standing in dried blood. She said the prints represent the projected homicides this year.

The title "The Killing Season" evolved from a conversation with a friend after she moved in 2003 to Chicago from New York. While talking about the city's violence, her friend noted, "It's not even summer."

Wortendyke remembers thinking, "There's a season for this?"

Killing Season Chicago features 172 photos taken at crime scenes around Chicago in 2010 by artist Krista Wortendyke. (Krista Wortendyke)

A few years later, a man shot two relatives in her neighborhood. She became obsessed, she said, with finding the location of the shooting  the street seemed impossible to imagine as a violent setting. And the house she located seemed eerily mundane.

"I think sometimes people are surprised to find where these places are," she said. "'Rogers Park? Oh it looks like it could be Englewood.' And vice versa."

"This Heat" also features the work of Garland Martin Taylor, who said he wants his art to remind people of the bullets piercing local lives.

This Heat also features the work of Garland Martin Taylor, who said he wants his art to remind people of the bullets piercing local lives. Bullets dangle from guitar strings attached to the ceiling. Feathers evoke spirits or movement. (Alison Bowen / Chicago Tribune)

Bullets dangle from guitar strings attached to the ceiling. When a visitor enters the room, walking through the bullets, they sway.

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"We come in, and we get to pretend to dodge these bullets," he said.

Taylor used his own hair, mixed with acrylic medium and pigment, to fill them, some shot from his own .38 for the project and some collected from ranges. Feathers attached evoke spirits, or movement.

A third room includes a video installation by artist Cheryl Pope with two people silently trading "In Loving Memory" T-shirts.

Cheryl Pope One of Many, One 2014 (Chicago Tribune)

The powerful reminder of crime in the city through these works leaves room for individual reflection.

Owner David Weinberg said the gallery, which aims to highlight social justice issues, opts not to include cards explaining the installations.

"It opens up a dialogue," he said.

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abowen@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @byalisonbowen

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After spending more than 11 years in prison accused of murder, Juan Johnson won the largest award in Chicago history for a wrongful conviction lawsuit on Friday.



But even though the City of Chicago was ordered to pay him $21 million in compensatory damages, Johnson said he wasn't looking for more money from the police officer he said framed him. All he wanted was an apology.



Johnson didn't get one on Monday, however, and so Reynaldo Guevara, a former Chicago police officer who says he's living paycheck to paycheck, now owes Johnson $15,000 in punitive damages himself.



"He could have picked a side -- protect [himself] or apologize," said Jon Loevy, Johnson's attorney. "If he had expressed remorse, we wouldn't have asked for anything."



In 1989, Johnson, then a member of the Spanish Cobras gang, was arrested by Guevara and accused of murdering a member of rival gang, the Latin Eagles, outside a nightclub near North and Western Avenues.



Johnson was convicted and served 11 1/2 years in prison before he was retried and acquitted in 2004. In that trial, witnesses testified that Guevara intimidated them into saying Johnson was the murderer.



On Friday and Monday, a jury agreed that Johnson was wrongly arrested and that Guevara and the city were at fault.



Though Johnson claimed that from the beginning, all he wanted was an apology, Guevara's legal team objected, saying an apology could taint any chance of getting the decision reversed when they appeal.



Guevara's lawyer, Jim Sotos, said he thinks that witnesses changed their stories during Johnson's retrial in 2004 because of gang intimidation.



"We strongly believe there is an orchestrated effort by gang members that witnesses were told to recant" their testimonies during the retrial, Sotos said.



Johnson maintains justice was served.



"The evidence is there that he framed me," he said. "It's time the city starts taking responsibility for its actions."



In one testimony from the retrial, Samuel Perez, another Cobra, testified that Guevara had intimidated him into identifying Johnson as the killer.



"[Guevara] told me that he knows that the Cobras killed that Eagle. Which Cobra, he didn't care, but he preferred that it was this Cobra" and pointed at a picture of Johnson, Perez said. "I took it as a threat. ... I was going to get hooked up for that murder or Juan Johnson was going to get hooked up for that murder."



The case is far from closed, however.



Guevara and the city could file paperwork as soon as this week for an appeal.



bmeyerson@tribune.com
Warning: graphic content. The city of Chicago on April 15, 2016, released a video from the July 20, 2015, arrest of 24-year-old Heriberto Godinez. (Chicago Tribune; city of Chicago) (Handout)

The family of a man who died in Chicago police custody after a burglary arrest last summer has filed a federal lawsuit alleging officers used excessive force during the incident, which was captured on a police dashcam video.

The eight-count lawsuit, filed Tuesday by the sister of Heriberto Godinez, also alleges the Police Department has failed to properly investigate deaths in custody and has a de-facto code of silence policy that allows police to act with impunity because they believe they will not be punished.

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"Chicago police officers who report the misconduct of other officers are subjected to unbearable working conditions and are ridiculed and shunned by their fellow officers," the suit alleged. "Instead of guarding against this treatment of whistleblowers, CPD supervisory staff either participates in it or turn a blind eye."

Godinez, 24, died in July 2015 after police responded to a call of a disturbance in the Brighton Park neighborhood and found him in a garage in the 3000 block of West Pershing Road, according to police. Officers thought Godinez might have been mentally ill and took him into custody after the owners of the property said they did not know him.

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Video from the squad car at the scene shows an officer briefly placing his shoe on the neck of a handcuffed and prone Godinez as he and a second officer tried to restrain him. Godinez began sweating heavily and his breathing became labored. Officers called for help but by the time paramedics arrived, Godinez was unresponsive, officials said at the time.

The Cook County medical examiner's office found that Godinez had died of cocaine and alcohol poisoning, with physical stress from his being restrained listed as "a significant contributing factor."

But the family has questioned those autopsy results, and earlier this year hired renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to conduct his own analysis of the case. Jeffrey Granich, an attorney for the family, said Godinez had only a small amount of cocaine and alcohol in his system at the time of his death.

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"We have significant evidence of injury around his spine, around his neck," Granich said. "We feel that this video shows an attack upon a citizen of Chicago that led to his death."

The lawsuit names the city and 14 police officers and supervisors who were at the scene that night, and it seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. A spokesman for the city's Law Department said the city had not been served with the suit as of Wednesday and had no comment.

The lawsuit marked the second time Godinez's family has gone to court against the city. In January, Godinez's sister filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court to try to force the city to hand over the dashcam video. In April, the city released the video to the news media  a move made without notifying Godinez's sister or letting her view a copy first, according to Granich.

Meanwhile, the FBI, the Cook County state's attorney's office and the Independent Police Review Authority, which investigates Chicago police misconduct, all have pending investigations into Godinez's death. Sally Daly, a spokeswoman for State's Attorney Anita Alvarez, said in April the office hired an independent expert to review the findings of the medical examiner.

The two officers seen in the video restraining Godinez have been placed on desk duty while the incident is investigated, according to police.

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jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @jmetr22b
July's would-be coup in Turkey came and went without ousting the president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, though the resulting unrest succeeded in casting a wide and chaotic shadow. Fearing instability in Istanbul, the annual meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's World Heritage committee  the 40th in its history  came to an early conclusion.

But not before the attendees swiftly pushed through 21 new sites to the World Heritage list.

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The yardstick by which the committee measures potential sites is simply that the locations offer "outstanding universal value" to humanity, according to the UNESCO treaty adopted in 1972. In practice, this means that World Heritage sites are tremendously diverse in origin and composition.

Among the nearly two-dozen new sites inscribed on the list are Canada's Mistaken Point, rough Newfoundland cliffs studded with some of the oldest evidence of complex organisms  fossils of spindly living things that date back 565 million years.

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Included as a single "site," too, are 17 works by renowned Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier. The listed buildings dot the globe from the Unite d'habitation in Marseille  the French housing complex credited with influencing the Brutalist style of architecture  to Tokyo's National Museum of Western Art, the first site in the center of the Japanese city. UNESCO called the structures "works of creative genius" in an announcement on Sunday, which "attest to the internationalization of architectural practice across the planet."

The announcements came with celebrations concentrated in pockets around the globe. A group gathered in the fishing village of Portugal Cove South, in Newfoundland, to await the decision regarding Mistaken Point.

When news came through, the crowd went "crackers," said Richard Thomas, a geologist who led the effort to get the seaside cliffs listed, to the Canadian Press. "I was just sitting there dazed ... I thought this day would never come."

Among those that failed to make the grade in 2016 was the U.S. contribution of Frank Lloyd Wright's work, including the Robie House in Chicago and Unity Temple in Oak Park. Somewhat complicating matters is the fact that the United States no longer has a vote in UNESCO; as The Washington Post reported, the United States ceased contributing roughly $80 million a year after Palestine joined in 2011. In 2013, per the organization's rules, the United States lost voting status.

This does not mean the buildings lost all chance of a listing  CNN reports that UNESCO returned the application to be resubmitted once the United States added more information.

A few highlights from the latest additions:

One new site is made up of 30 tombstone locations, covered in an ancient Bosnian scrawl, which date back to the 12th century. Carved from limestone, the 70,000 graveyard markers  known as stecci  are found in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia, and combine both pagan and Christian motifs.

The Revillagigedo Archipelago is a group of islands in the Pacific, off of Mexico, volcanic peaks thrust up from the sea floor. The isles are uninhabited and home to an array of sharks, rays, dolphins and other marine life. Seen from above, the islands sweep clouds into whimsical curls  as NASA spotted in 2004.

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Tombstones engraved with medieval Bosnian scripture, Bosancica, near the northern Bosnian town of Tuzla have been officially placed on UNESCO's world heritage list. (Amel Emric / AP)

Gibraltar Neanderthal Caves, also known as Gorham's Cave, sit beneath the European continent's southernmost tip. In 2014, researchers announced in the journal PNAS they found Neanderthal artwork carved into the rock. The find, study author and Gibraltar Museum's Clive Finlayson told the BBC, "brings the Neanderthals closer to us, yet again." Bones offer evidence Neanderthals lived in the caves  though the work itself, a crosshatched pattern resembling a tic-tac-toe board, left some experts skeptical.

The ancient city of Ani, which sits in Turkey along the Armenian border, was once a bustling Silk Road metropolis known as "the city of a thousand and one churches," writes the Atlantic. Today, the shell of Saint Gregory church is one of the remaining buildings from the 1,600-year-old burg, victim to a millennia of conquerings, and, subsequently, lootings and vandalism.
Everyone from health officials to utilities companies are offering advice on how to weather the heat wave the end of this week.



The heat index  how it feels  could get as high as 115 on Thursday and 110 on Friday. State public health officials said high temperatures and humidity can lead to serious heat-related illnesses, in part because the body's normal cooling mechanism  sweating  is not enough to offset such extreme conditions.



"It's important for people to recognize the signs of heat-related illness and take action to prevent becoming sick," Nirav D. Shah, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said in a statement. "To help your body cope with high temperatures, take steps to stay cool, increase your fluid intake, decrease your activities and wear appropriate clothing."

Chicagoans prepare for a heat wave later this week as temperatures and the heat index are expected to soar to over 100 degrees. (Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune/Chicago Tribune)

The department recommends that residents stay in air-conditioned buildings and cooling centers because fans are insufficient as primary cooling devices. The department also said people should limit outdoor activity, avoid direct sunlight, wear loose and lightweight clothing, and take cool baths or showers to lower body temperatures.



Residents should drink significantly more water than usual, and avoid alcohol and sugary drinks, which can be dehydrating.



Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, cold, pale and clammy skin, weakness, nausea or vomiting and fainting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If someone is exhibiting those symptoms, they should move to a cooler location, loosen clothing, apply cool and wet cloths to the body and sip water. If vomiting continues, seek medical help.



Heat stroke is indicated by body temperature of 103 degrees or higher; skin that is hot, red, dry or moist; rapid and strong pulse; and unconsciousness. Heat stroke is a medical emergency, so anyone suspecting that a person is suffering from it should call 911 immediately, according to the CDC. Cool cloths or a cool bath also can help, but a person suffering heat stroke should not be given any fluids.



The health department also urged people to regularly check on relatives, friends and neighbors who are particularly vulnerable to the heat, including seniors and people with chronic health conditions. People and pets never should be left inside a closed, parked car, even for a few minutes, because temperatures can spike rapidly, health officials said.

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Cooling centers and well-being checks



The city of Chicago operates several cooling centers:



 Garfield Center, 10 S. Kedzie Ave., open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.



 Englewood Center, 1140 W. 79th Street, open Monday  Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



 King Center, 4314 S. Cottage Grove, open Monday  Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



 North Area Center, 845 W. Wilson Ave., open Monday  Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



 South Chicago Center, 8650 S. Commercial Ave., open Monday  Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



 Trina Davila Center, 4312 W. North Ave., open Monday  Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.



Residents were also encouraged to use Chicago public libraries, senior centers and other public buildings to keep cool. People can call 3-1-1 to request rides to cooling centers, request well-being checks or get informationj about beaches, public parks and pools. They can also sign up for extreme weather alerts at www.notifychicago.org.

Commonwealth Edison



The utility was urging its customers to use energy as efficiently as possible and listed some tips:



 If you are at home, keep the thermostat at a steady temperature.



 Turn off unnecessary lighting.



 Close doors inside the house to keep the heat from coming in and cool air from escaping.



 Use fans to distribute the air evenly.



 Retreat to the coolest areas of your home, such as a basement.

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cdrhodes@tribpub.com

Twitter @rhodes_dawn
A week and a half before Lollapalooza, Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago is preparing for an influx of intoxicated teenagers. (Marion Renault / Chicago Tribune) (Chicago Tribune)

Gabbi Seo was in a neck brace and flopping around on a stretcher  and she had no idea what she was doing there.

As a nurse stroked her forehead and promised to take care of her, the teenager started to sob.

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"Oh, my God," she slurred. "Please don't call my mom."

Within minutes, a swarm of paramedics and nurses gave her a round of applause. Seo had only been acting, as part of a simulation Wednesday to prepare the emergency team at Lurie Children's Hospital for Lollapalooza, by far its busiest weekend of the year for alcohol-related visits.

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The hospital, about 1 1/2 miles from Grant Park where the festival will kick off July 28, is already preparing for the annual influx of intoxicated teenagers.

"We expect this year to be even more, because it's a four-day concert," said Dr. Karen Mangold. "We always bring in extra staff those days. It's a pretty huge jump in numbers."

Last year, emergency rooms across the city treated 88 intoxicated teens during Lollapalooza  down more than a quarter from 2014 but still nearly nine times the average Chicago weekend. In comparison, 23 people ages 13 to 18 were hospitalized or sent to emergency rooms for alcohol-related reasons during Halloween weekend last year, and nine during the Pitchfork music festival.

Sydney Crombie, 21, has been going to Lollapalooza since she was a 17-year-old high school student from the Naperville area. This year will be her first time at the festival as a legal drinker  but not the first time she has encountered alcohol there.

"Obviously high-schoolers will want to drink underage, so it's a big weekend for them" said Crombie, who studies marketing at the University of Missouri. "They aren't under the supervision they usually would be under; it's out of control."

Lollapalooza usually falls in the hottest part of the summer, and its lineup of more than 170 artists draws immense crowds. Food is expensive, Crombie said, and unless attendees remember to bring water bottles, it's easy to go all day without properly eating or hydrating.

Crombie said it's not surprising that inexperienced festivalgoers could land in the emergency room.

"It's just a bad combination of people drinking and the heat," she said, "and it's so crowded there you don't have the room to breathe."

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Crombie also pointed to Lollapalooza's policy of allowing re-entry as an easy way for underage drinkers to leave, drink at a nearby spot and return.

A data analysis recently completed by residents at the hospital suggests that  at least since 2008 when they started tracking alcohol-related visits  Lollapalooza is the worst weekend for Lurie's emergency staff.

"It's a pretty big drain on resources," Mangold said. "There's a lot of vomit; there's a lot of emotion. Lolla is not a fun weekend for most emergency departments."

On Wednesday, Mangold led an exercise in which teen actors pretended to be under the influence of alcohol and pills as staff practiced checking for spine injuries, assessing vital signs, calming down addled patients and figuring out how to contact their parents.

Mangold said the simulation allows her team to think ahead of time about how they can be efficient with their care and order any materials they might need to provide fluids, check blood sugar and reduce vomiting.

Every year, she said, a number of teenagers make it to the hospital before they even make it to a single concert. In the past, according to the hospital study, some of the underage patients recorded blood alcohol levels of up to 0.32.

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Chief medical resident Nina Alfieri, who helped lead the analysis and who has worked Lollapalooza weekends in the past, said certain cases are more serious than children slurring their words or throwing up.

"We see kids who are completely inebriated, who are unable to say who they are," Alfieri said, "We see kids who have taken pills they don't know the name of. We kind of just don't know what we're going to get."

Ashley Dockter, 23, has traveled twice to Lollapalooza from Bismarck, N.D. Each time, she said, she's been somewhat shocked by the crowd's size, age and indiscreetness about illegal activity.

"You always see people sitting in the shade, smoking or taking drugs or passed out," Dockter said. "Everyone is kind of that mindset  they're like, 'it's Lollapalooza' ... people just get really messed up."

Both times she's been to the music festival, starting when she was 21, Dockter said, she's seen teenagers roving from adult to adult asking for beer, trading wristbands with legal drinkers and rolling away in ambulances.

"My parents would have definitely never let me go at that young age," she said. "There's not a lot of supervision. I think that's what it boils down to: They can basically do whatever they want, or that's what they think."

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Dockter said she still thinks the festival does its best to search attendees and provide medical attention on site to those who need it.

"But I've never found that there's been a lot of security at any festival I've been to," Dockter said. "They try, but people find a way to get around that."

On its website, the festival says it staffs the site with medical responders and public and private security. Event organizers also employ young ambassadors in plainclothes to blend in with concertgoers and scope out underage drinkers.

Mangold said she encourages parents whose children are going to Lollapalooza to make sure their children, if not directly supervised, have medical emergency information saved with their ticket or easily accessible on their phone. The hospital doesn't call police for underage drinking, she said, but does follow a strict policy of making guardians pick up their children  even if they get the call from a different state.

"These are teenagers. They may look and talk like adults, but they don't always have the best decision-making," she said. "That's the frustrating part: seeing how much danger these kids can get themselves into."

Mrenault@chicagotribune.com

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Twitter @MarionRenault
A Rogers Park man driving his father's minivan fatally injured an off-duty Chicago firefighter, then ran from the scene and never called police, even though he called his parents, who then went to the crash scene, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Simeon Barrientas, 22, was charged witha felony of failing to report an accident that resulted in death and misdemeanor driving without a driver's license in ther death of Lorenzo Douglas, according to Chicago police. In a hearing before Cook County Judge Peggy Chiampas midday Wednesday, he was ordered held in lieu of $350,000 bail.



Barrientas was arrested after he was identified as the driver of a van that struck 43-year-old Douglas as he stood near his parked car in the 6500 block of North Ashland Avenue around 7:30 p.m. on June 12, according to police.

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The crash happened as Douglas was repairing his 2012 Toyota Scion, which was parked facing south on the west Side of Ashland, prosecutors said Wednesday. Barrientas, in a 2002 Chrysler minivan owned by his father, was driving north on Ashland when the minivan went into the southbound lanes and hit Douglas as he stood on the driver's side of his Toyota.

The force of the collision sent Douglas into the air and onto the nearby parkway, as the minivan continued on, hitting Douglas' car and another vehicle parked behind it, which also hit a third vehicle, prosecutors said.

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Barrientas jumped out of the minivan after the crash, ran away and did not return, prosecutors said.

Douglas, who joined the Chicago Fire Department in 2012, was taken in critical condition to Presence St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, police said.

Witnesses, includign Douglas' mother, gave police a detailed description of Barrientas, prosecutors said. Barrientas, who police said lives about half a mile away, in the 1600 block of West Farwell Avenue, called his mother soon after the crash, and she and Barrientas' father went to the crash site while police were still there.

Barrientas' father identified the minivan as his, and told police that the description from witnesses matched his son, prosecutors said.

Douglas, who suffered extensive injuries, was later transferred to Presence Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines, where he died July 5, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office.

Two days after Douglas died, police interviewed Barrientas' mother on video, and she told them Barrietas had called her the day Douglas was hit and told her he had just been in a crash, prosecutors said. Police also interviewed Barrientas on video on July 12 and he admitted he was driving the minivan when he hit Douglas and the other cars, that he ran from the scene and that he never called police.

Major Accidents Investigation Unit detectives arested Barrientas on Monday. He's due back in court on Aug. 8, according to court records.
A Cook County judge on Tuesday ordered the Emanuel administration to turn over email chains sought by the Chicago Tribune related to the multimillion-dollar no-bid Chicago Public Schools contract that led to a federal criminal investigation and the resignation of schools chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett.

Judge Anna Demacopoulos ruled that the city must turn over email chains the Tribune sought in a 2015 Freedom of Information Act request. The Tribune had sought 25 email chains that contained correspondence to or from Mayor Rahm Emanuel and two of his senior aides between Sept. 1, 2011, and Aug. 31, 2013. The city had withheld six email chains entirely, and it redacted portions of the remaining 19.

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The Freedom of Information Act request sought emails regarding the city's handling of the contract with the SUPES Academy. The two co-owners of the academy, Thomas Vranas and Gary Solomon, were accused in federal court in Chicago of paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to Byrd-Bennett while she was schools CEO in exchange for steering no-bid contracts to their company.

A spokesman for the city's Law Department said in a statement that the city would comply with the judge's ruling.

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"The City is committed to complying with the Freedom of Information Act and each year it responds without objection to thousands of requests. While in this case we believed that the requested records were correctly withheld or properly redacted, we respect the court's ruling and will comply with it," Bill McCaffrey said in an email.

The Tribune sued the city in June 2015 after the city refused to entirely fulfill the Freedom of Information Act request. The city defended withholding or redacting the emails by saying several exemptions in the open records law allowed it to do so. The Tribune argued that many of the exemptions were improper, and said that the city's use of white space  as opposed to the more typical black spacing  to redact information made it difficult for the Tribune to determine what was withheld. After the Tribune sued, the city re-issued the emails with black redactions and included the city's reasoning for them.

Demacopoulos' 2 1/2-page order awarded the Tribune nearly everything it sought in its Freedom of Information Act request, and gave the city until next Tuesday to provide the emails to the Tribune. The judge also allowed the Tribune to seek lawyers' fees.

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Vranas pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery. He faces up to five years in prison. Solomon has pleaded not guilty but reportedly has been negotiating a deal with prosecutors.

Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty in October to a single federal count of wire fraud. She faces up to about 7 1/2 years in prison when she is sentenced, but her sentencing has been postponed until the charges against Solomon and Vranas are resolved.

At the same time, the Chicago Board of Education is seeking more than $65 million in damages and penalties in a lawsuit against Byrd-Bennett, Vranas and Solomon. SUPES Academy and Synesi Associates, education consulting businesses owned by Vranas and Solomon that won more than $23 million in no-bid contracts, are also named in that suit.

Demacopoulos' ruling was the latest legal victory for the Tribune in its ongoing disputes with the city over Freedom of Information Act requests. In late May, a Cook County judge ruled that Emanuel's emails, texts and other communications are not exempt from disclosure simply because they are transmitted over private devices. The city is seeking to appeal.

In early June, another Cook County judge ordered the Chicago Police Department to give the Tribune emails from former police Superintendent Garry McCarthy's account. The Tribune had filed a lawsuit accusing the department of violating the Freedom of Information Act by failing to produce the emails.

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Twitter @smmills1960
At least 14 people were shot in Chicago over 10 hours Tuesday afternoon through early Wednesday, pushing the number of gun victims in the city this year to more than 2,200, including at least 21 children 13 and younger.



Among those shot Tuesday was 6-year-old Tacarra Morgan, who was seriously wounded in the abdomen while sitting on her porch in West Englewood with her mother and grandmother. Police said two volleys of gunfire erupted as three cars drove down the 6000 block of South Paulina Street around 1 p.m.



Tacarra was listed in critical but stable condition Tuesday evening at Comer Children's Hospital. Police said the shooting may have been sparked by feuding factions of the Gangster Disciples. They reported no one in custody.



The girl was the fifth child 13 or under to be shot in Chicago this month, according to data kept by the Tribune. Last year, at least 42 children in that age range were among the more than 2,900 people shot in the city.

About five hours later, on the South Side, a 38-year-old man was shot to death in the South Shore neighborhood around 6:40 p.m. The man was in the 6700 block of South East End Avenue when someone shot him in the chest, said Officer Thomas Sweeney, a police spokesman.



The man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

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The man was identified as Anthony J. Nicholas, 38, of the same block where he was shot, the Cook County medical examiner's office said Wednesday morning. Nicholas was pronounced dead at 7:40 p.m.



A shooting on the same block about five hours later, at 11:55 p.m., wounded a 33-year-old man in the left leg, police said. The man was standing on the sidewalk when he was hit. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition, police said.



Around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, an 18-year-old man was wounded in another shooting in the South Shore neighborhood, police said.



The man was walking on a sidewalk in the 2000 block of East 71st Street when several people approached him and someone fired shots. He was hit in the left leg and managed to get to Jackson Park Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, police said.



In other shootings:



 At 2:05 a.m., a 23-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in the Humboldt Park neighborhood, police said. The man was walking on the sidewalk in the 3800 block of West Chicago Avenue when two attackers walked up to him and fired shots. He was hit in the right arm, right leg and right side and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, police said.



 Around 12:40 a.m., a 37-year-old woman was wounded in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood, police said. Officers found the woman with a gunshot wound to the right buttock in the 3200 block of West 62nd Street. She was taken to Holy Cross Hospital, then transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition, police said.



 Around 12:25 a.m., a 26-year-old man was shot in the head in the West Rogers Park, police said. The man was a passenger in a vehicle traveling east in the 2300 block of West Arthur Avenue when two attackers fired shots from the sidewalk. The man was taken to Presence St. Francis Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition.



 Around 11:55 p.m. Tuesday, a 22-year-old man was wounded in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, police said. Officers responded to a call of gunfire in the 3700 block of West Ferdinand Street and discovered the man inside a nearby business. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital with a wound to the left leg and was listed in good condition, police said.



 Around 10:15 p.m., a 39-year-old man was wounded in the Grand Crossing neighborhood, police said. The man was sitting on the porch of a home in the 7300 block of South University Avenue when someone in a passing white SUV fired shots, striking him in the leg. The man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn and was listed in good condition, police said.



 Around 10:05 p.m., a 31-year-old woman walked into Roseland Community Hospital after she was wounded in the Roseland neighborhood, police said. The woman was sitting in a vehicle in the first block of West 110th Place when attackers in dark clothing emerged from a gangway and fired, hitting her in the right shoulder. The woman was listed in good condition, police said.



 Around 7:30 p.m., a 20-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in the Austin neighborhood, police said. The man was in a car traveling south in the 200 block of South Central Avenue when he was hit in the arm and back. The car crashed into a light pole, and the man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, police said.



 Around 7:20 p.m., a 26-year-old woman was wounded in a shooting in the West Garfield Park neighborhood, police said. The woman was inside a vehicle traveling east in the 4400 block of West Lake Street when someone in a blue van fired shots, hitting her in the shoulder. She was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.



 About 4:40 p.m., a 17-year-old boy was shot in the upper left leg in the 200 block of North Laramie Avenue in the South Austin neighborhood, said Officer Kevin Quaid, a police spokesman. The boy was standing on a corner when someone on foot fired shots, hitting him. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was in good condition.



 About 3:45 p.m., a 38-year-old man was shot in the left leg in the 5700 block of South Bishop Street in the Englewood neighborhood. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized, police said. Quaid said the 38-year-old was sitting in a vehicle when he began arguing with a group of males who were on foot. One of them began firing and hit the man.
A man killed in the Washington Park neighborhood over the weekend has been identified.

Rachee Williams, 23, was pronounced on the scene in the 5100 block of South Calumet Avenue, just north of 52nd Street, at 11:52 p.m. Saturday, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. Williams, of the 11100 block of South Eggleston Avenue, died of a gunshot wound to the head in a homicide, the office determined following an autopsy.

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Williams was shot and killed about 11 p.m. Saturday. Police responded to a call of "person down" in the 5100 block of South Calumet Avenue and arrived to discover the man lying dead in a vacant lot, according to Chicago police.

A weapon was recovered on scene. No one was in custody.
Welcome to Clout Street: Morning Spin, our weekday feature to catch you up with what's going on in government and politics from Chicago to Springfield.

Topspin

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Diane Larsen is expected to rule Wednesday on a challenge to a proposed state constitutional amendment aimed at removing much of the politics out of legislative redistricting.

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Regardless of her decision, both sides in the case expect it will wind up before the Illinois Supreme Court because the ruling hinges on whether the proposal fits the small window for petition-driven initiatives changing the state's primary governing document.

At issue is the proposed Independent Map amendment proposal, which has gained enough signatures to qualify for a spot on the Nov. 8 ballot.

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The amendment would create a complex, multistep process in which an 11-member board, including representatives of the four legislative leaders, would be charged with drawing new boundaries for Illinois' 118 House and 59 Senate seats after the once-a-decade federal census.

Seven votes would be needed for approval of a new map, including at least two members from each political party and three independents.

Currently, it's up to the legislature to redraw district boundaries, creating a winner-take-all map-making process for either Democrats, as is currently the case, or Republicans in previous decades.

The Illinois Constitution only allows petition-driven amendments that affect "structural" and "procedural" changes to the legislature.

Supporters argue altering the map-making process fits the very definition of structural and procedural change. But opponents question the validity of the proposal since it would assign new duties to the state auditor general and Supreme Court  issues outside the scope of the legislative article of the Constitution. The auditor general and Supreme Court's duties are assigned in separate articles of the governing document.

The Independent Map group has raised more than $4 million, including $500,000 each from Allstate Insurance and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, a charitable trust established after the death of the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune, which promotes civic engagement.

Other donors include $225,000 from wealthy businessman Lester Crown and $100,000 each from Citadel hedge fund founder Ken Griffin and Sam Zell, the businessman who acquired Tribune Co. only to have the media firm file for bankruptcy not long afterward.

The People's Map, a group of prominent racial and ethnic businessmen, are leading the legal challenge to the map with Michael Kasper serving as their lead lawyer. Kasper is legal counsel for the state Democratic Party and a longtime ally of its chairman, House Speaker Michael Madigan.

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Madigan aides have said the speaker is not involved in the lawsuit. State Board of Elections records show the People's Map as having no donations or expenditures since 2015, an issue first reported by The Associated Press.

The only petition-driven initiative to make the ballot, and ultimately succeed, was the "Cutback Amendment" offered by Pat Quinn decades before he became governor. The amendment, which took effect with the 1982 election, reduced the size of the Illinois House from 177 members, three to a district, to 118 members running in single-member districts.

Some have contended Quinn's proposal not only decreased competition for legislative seats but also enshrined more power in the four partisan leaders of the House and Senate over their members. (Rick Pearson)

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel will preside over the Chicago City Council meeting.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner is scheduled to be in Park Ridge to sign a breast cancer screening bill into law.

*The Chicago City Council meets at 10 a.m. Live stream here. The agenda includes approval of a property tax rebate and settling more police misconduct lawsuits.

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*The Illinois delegation to the Republican National Convention will hear from U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa of California at its Wednesday breakfast session. Issa has been in Congress since 2001 and represents the northern San Diego County area. He was born in Cleveland. Also speaking are Illinois U.S. Reps. John Shimkus of Collinsville and Adam Kinzinger of Channahon. (Rick Pearson)

What we're writing

*Ex-Trump aide Lewandowski talks accountability on Melania Trump speech to Illinois delegation.

*Libertarian Gary Johnson defends Melania Trump over speech flap after Tribune editorial board appearance.

*State Republican chairman gives Rauner shout out in casting votes for Trump.

*Emanuel to use Skyway windfall to pay for property tax rebate.

*Another judge orders self-professed transparency mayor Emanuel to release emails to Tribune.

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What we're reading

*Roger Ailes out at Fox News after string of sexual harassment allegations?

*NYT tries out presidential election forecasting model.

*Cubs unveil new underground renovations.

From the notebook

*Kirk moves from Petraeus to Powell for president: U.S. Sen Mark Kirk made it clear that he wouldn't come near Donald Trump's Republican National Convention, but the re-election-seeking lawmaker has switched his protest preference for president.

Kirk, a first-term senator facing a difficult contest against Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, had been backing retired Gen. David Petraeus, the former CIA director who pleaded guilty to mishandling classified information.

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Mocked by Duckworth's campaign over the choice, Kirk told WJBC radio in Bloomington on Wednesday that he's now backing former secretary of state and retired Gen. Colin Powell.

"I've switched out Petraeus now that Colin, being much more experienced at the national level, is the better way to go," Kirk told the radio station.

Kirk acknowledged a vote for Powell wouldn't count since write-in candidates must register with the state to be counted.

"He wouldn't count, yeah. Just kind of a protest vote for me and I think Donald Trump is too bigoted and too racist for the Land of Lincoln," said Kirk, who had pledged to support the nominee before rescinding his pledge over Trump's remarks critical of a judge of Hispanic heritage.

Kirk also was critical of the Trump campaign and the allegations of plagiarism involving Melania Trump's opening night convention speech.

"Looks like they screwed up and a little bit of plagiarism there. Should look at firing the guy who wrote this speech. I looked at the two speeches, it does appear that there was some plagiarism there. Real screw up there. It shows the Trump campaign that they've got to get their act together now that they're in the A league." (Rick Pearson)

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*Chicago TIF collections up: The amount of money collected in Chicago's controversial special property tax districts will jump about 24 percent this year, a hike driven largely by the increase in the assessed value of property in the city.

Cook County Clerk David Orr 2015 TIF Revenue Report says tax-increment financing districts will take in $461 million in taxes, up nearly $89 million over last year.

The property tax reassessment in the city, which takes place every three years, saw the equalized assessed value of property go up 9.3 percent citywide this year, according to Orr's report. That bumped up the amount of money diverted into the pots of TIF money around the city earmarked for various development projects rather that going into regular property tax districts like the Chicago Public Schools.

Critics like Orr say the TIF money amounts to a slush fund for Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

Orr called for an open public debate during the city's budget process about how the TIF money gets used. And he recommended an audit to determine whether more TIF money should get returned to regular property tax coffers. (John Byrne)

*Then why send emails to the media?: The National Republican Senatorial Committee isn't happy with some of the news descriptions coming out of Cleveland, the site of the party's national presidential nominating convention.

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Repeating headlines about the opening session floor fight that broke out over convention rules, an insurrection put down by pro-Donald Trump forces, the NRSC issued a fundraising email appeal that said: "You would think the Republican Party is falling apart. This could not be further from the truth. Our team is ready to defeat Hillary Clinton in 4 months!"

The NRSC actively sends emails to reporters in states with major Senate races on behalf of GOP candidates, such as those in Illinois where first-term Republican Sen. Mark Kirk faces a challenge from Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth.

But in its fundraising appeal, the NRSC said: "The dishonest mainstream media will do whatever it takes to defeat Donald Trump and the Republican ticket. If this means making up sensational headlines and outright lying to you, they will do it!" (Rick Pearson)

*Clueless?: "Clueless"-star-turned-Fox-News contributor Stacey Dash was a no-show for her speaking role Tuesday before the Illinois delegation at the Republican National Convention, though her absence hardly went noticed.

Instead, the delegation heard from surprise guest Corey Lewandowski, the former campaign manager for Donald Trump. Lewandowski fanned the flames following the plagiarism flap surrounding Melania Trump's speech, calling for staff responsible for the gaffe to be held responsible.

Dash, who is set to play the mayor of Chicago in "Sharknado: The 4th Awakens," has recently become known for her controversial statements. She recently called Chicago actor Jesse Williams a "Hollywood plantation slave" following his speech about racism at the BET Awards.

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Organizers did not provide a reason for the cancellation. Perhaps it's because her name first name was spelled Stacy, without the "e," on the Illinois delegation's calendar of events (Monique Garcia)

*A look at IL-8 money: Continuing our look this week at suburban congressional races with the 8th District, which covers parts of northwest Cook and northeast DuPage counties. Things are one-sided.

Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, who previously lost primary bids for state comptroller and Congress, is way out front. He collected $846,000 from April through June and started the month with $1.16 million. Republican candidate Pete DiCianni, a DuPage County Board member from Elmhurst, reported raising $66,000 in the second quarter and began July with $123,000.

They're running for an open seat currently held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, who's hoping for a promotion to the U.S. Senate. Republican Joe Walsh, recently in the news for his post-Dallas Obama tweet, won the district in 2010, but Democrats controlled the remap process after the census and drew it to be more favorable to elect one of their own. Duckworth took it in 2012.

*Bright: A light-up Trump cape? Light up Trump cape.

A Trump supporter inside the arena flaunts her light up cape. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/6sxTykGoYU  Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) July 19, 2016

Follow the money

*Ald. Ed Burke's latest haul. But wait, there's more.

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*The Senate Democrats covered the cost of some polling for Sen. Tom Cullerton of Villa Park. He faces a fall challenge from Seth Lewis of Bartlett, who hasn't raised a ton of money but is getting some campaign staff help from legislative Republicans.

*Track campaign contribution reports in real time with this Tribune Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ILCampaignCash

Beyond Chicago

*Night Two: Christie prosecutes Clinton.

*Finger-pointing fury over Melania Trump speech.

*Clinton trying to avoid Sanders squabbles at Democratic convention.

*Turkey's latest target in mass purge: educators.
Rick Pearson and Monique Garcia report on the Illinois delegation from day three of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. July 20, 2016. (Chicago Tribune)

CLEVELAND  Veteran California Congressman Darrell Issa told Illinois' Republican convention delegates Wednesday that presidential nominee Donald Trump's promise to build a wall on the Mexico border to curb illegal immigration was just "code" for fixing the large issue.

Issa, the former chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform panel, also said Trump's vow to "Make America Great Again" was shorthand as he implored delegates to go beyond the sloganeering and define the issues to fellow voters.

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"He says 'build a wall,' we all know it's really code for 'we're finally going to fix immigration.' We're going to make it OK to come in through the front door, we're going to make it wrong to sneak in the back door, whether it's climbing over a wall or coming in on a visa and overstaying," said Issa, whose Southern California district includes San Diego County.

"We're going to reward people who play by the rules, as (Trump's) own wife has been rewarded, but we're going to punish those who think that getting ahead of more than a billion people who would love to come to America is somehow right," he said.

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But in speaking at the delegation's breakfast session, the 15-year congressman's remarks that building a wall was more "shorthand" than literal ran counter to the issue that brought them to Cleveland.

Several Trump supporters have said it was the candidate's vow, beginning with the launch of his campaign a year ago, to build an elaborate border wall and force Mexico to pay for it that motivated them to become delegates.

Even the Republican platform the convention adopted Monday says: "We support building a wall along our southern border and protecting all ports of entry. The border wall must cover the entirety of the southern border and must be sufficient to stop both vehicular and pedestrian traffic."

Mark Fratella, a Trump delegate from Elmhurst, acknowledged several of his fellow delegates backing the GOP nominee want to see a physical wall, though he said he agreed with Issa because the immigration issue is more complex.

"It's a nice, concise way of encapsulating the larger issue," Fratella said of Trump's build-a-wall vow.

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Channahon, who urged unity while not being fully committed to Trump, said of Issa's remarks, "I always interpreted it as a physical wall."

And U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam of Wheaton said rather than delegates defining Trump's terms, "This is up to Donald Trump to define these terms that he articulated in the course of the campaign."

Issa also said Trump's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again," was code.

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"Make America Great Again to me, and hopefully to this delegation is: Recognize our greatness and start acting like it because it's critical for America to lead," he told reporters later.

During the breakfast, Issa said Trump's use of "shorthand" was an issue he had with the newly minted presidential nominee. But in speaking to reporters, the congressman defended Trump and said "shorthand is in fact important. Slogans are important."

"Obviously, shorthand has to be turned into policy and 'Make America Great Again' is very much an easily understood policy once you remember that it's shorthand, that 'Make America Great Again' is lead from the front and make sure you have followers," he said.

Issa, who entered Congress in 2001, hailed the late U.S. Rep. Henry Hyde, a suburban conservative icon, as a mentor.

"Henry Hyde is who we are and what we are about. He talked endlessly about how government needed to serve people, and be responsive. He talked about a world in which America had a special place and a special responsibility," Issa said of Hyde, who died in 2007.

But Issa had a bit of a problem with Illinois geography in crediting Hyde, who was from Bensenville and Addison Township.

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"Nobody has done more for those two committees than that wonderful gentlemen from more or less Aurora-Naperville, east, west of Chicago," Issa said.

Issa also attacked presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton over her use of personal email servers while secretary of state, saying she knew what was on the line.

"The only people who could vote for Hillary Clinton are people who genuinely believe that the truth doesn't matter, that national security doesn't matter. That the only thing that matters is that there is some party that must win for ideological reasons," he said.

rap30@aol.com

mcgarcia@chicagotribune.com
With their families behind them, Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump and Vice Presidential nominee Mike Pence are cheered on by delegates at the close of the final day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

Illinois Republican Chairman Tim Schneider had the honors of casting the Illinois' delegation vote at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night, hailing an absent Gov. Bruce Rauner, and leading chants of "Woo" and "Trump."

"I'm a proud citizen of the state of Illinois and the United States of America and we have the finest governor in our nation in Gov. Bruce Rauner," said Schneider, a Cook County commissioner who was picked for the state GOP job by Rauner.

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Rauner is absent from the convention and aides have said he is not "formally endorsing" Trump, though the governor has called himself the leader of his party and has urged support for the GOP ticket.

And here's the casting of the Illinois delegate votes... pic.twitter.com/gAMDNBot5q  Monique Garcia (@moniquegarcia) July 19, 2016

Schneider then cast the state's 69 delegate votes  six for Ohio Gov. John Kasich, nine for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and 54 for Donald Trump, whom he called "the next president of the United States."

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Schneider then engaged in an uncharacteristic Ronnie "Woo Woo" Wickers-style impression, chanting "woo, woo, woo" and then began shouting "Trump, Trump, Trump," before his microphone was cut off.

Moments earlier, state Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, the delegation co-chair and a major Trump supporter, introduced himself to the convention as "the only Hispanic member on the Republican side of the aisle" in the state House, before turning the microphone over to the state GOP chairman.

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Jarrett Hill describes his reaction in an L.A. Starbucks when he realized, and tweeted, that portions of Michelle Obama's 2008 speech were seemingly plagiarized by Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention on Monday night. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

Since he lost his TV reporting job last year, Jarrett Hill has been looking for his next opportunity. It presented itself in an unexpected way.

Hill was sitting at a corner table Monday night in a Southern California Starbucks, drinking a venti iced coffee and watching the Republican National Convention on an MSNBC live stream. As Melania Trump spoke, she uttered a phrase that the 31-year-old California native had heard once before  from first lady Michelle Obama.

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" the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams ," Melania Trump said during her address to the Republican National Convention.

Instinctively, Hill finished the phrase aloud to his laptop screen: " and your willingness to work for them."

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"Kind of like a song that you haven't heard in a long time and you remember the lyrics as you hear them. Or a movie that you know the line to and you kind of respond to it," he said.

He recalled the words from Obama's speech because, he said, he had thought to himself at the time that it was "really beautifully written."

"I believe I even wrote it down or typed it," Hill said. "Obviously having no idea that eight years later I'd hear them again from a woman who wanted to be first lady speaking at a convention in front of 40 million people."

When Hill Googled Obama and parts of her memorable turn of phrase, her 2008 convention speech popped up. An hour later, after he had watched Trump's full speech again, he realized more than just a few words had been borrowed.

"That's when it dawned on me, 'Oh, this wasn't like a line that happened to be similar,'" Hill said. "This is a paragraph of text that's way too similar to be coincidental."

Hill took to Twitter to share his discovery. He apparently was the first person to publicly note the similarities between the speeches.

The discovery prompted headlines across media outlets and flooded Hill with interview requests worldwide.

One of Hill's tweets, highlighting text from Michelle Obama's speech and sharing a link to a video of Trump's speech, states: "CORRECTION: Melania stole a whole graph from Michelle's speech."

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It had been retweeted more than 20,000 times as of Tuesday.

The controversy prompted Paul Manafort, Donald Trump's campaign chief, to blame Hillary Clinton and the media for bringing attention to "50 words, and that includes ands and thes and things like that" that were similar to Obama's speech.

"These are themes that are personal to her, but they're personal to a lot of people depending on the stories of their lives," he said, pointing out Trump's focus on her own story and what he referred to as "family values."

"Obviously, Michelle Obama feels very much similar sentiments towards her family," he said. "Care and respect and passion, those are not extraordinary words."

Although Manafort blamed those who work for the Democrats' likely presidential nominee, stating they were the "first to get it out there," Hill said he has no connection with Clinton's team.

"Other than being a registered Democrat, I don't have any real connection to the Clinton campaign," he said. "I'm sure it's a good payroll to be on, but I'm definitely not on it."

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Hill said he expected the convention to churn out some "spectacle."

"You kind of expect something is going to happen here," he said. "I did not think that the something that was going to happen was going to be me, or my tweet, or Melania using words that we'd heard before."

Hill, who is from Fairfield, Calif., moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to work in television. In 2014, he was hired by ABC Action News WFTS in Florida to work as a producer and a digital on-camera reporter.

He lost his job in April 2015, less than a week after celebrating his 30th birthday.

"It was a gut-wrenching loss for sure," he said. "I moved to Florida for the job and then got laid off eight months after."

Since then, Hill has worked with his agent to look for his next full-time job and has freelanced for places like Huffington Post and Independent Television News in Britain. He also runs an interior design business on the side.

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Now, things are looking up for Hill, who pulled up for his next interview in a car provided by CNN. Dressed in a blue blazer and white shirt, he seemed still in shock over the attention his Twitter feed had garnered.

He has done interviews with outlets that include the BBC, The New York Times, Access Hollywood and MSNBC, and estimates that he has dozens of other media requests.

"I would love to get a great job from this, doing something that I love," he said, "but I don't think I've even processed all of what's happening."

Hill also received tweets and texts from former colleagues at ABC Action News WFTS, congratulating him and requesting an interview.

He hasn't spoken to them yet, but said he planned to.

"I loved a lot of people I worked with there, but I'm a little salty," Hill said. "I was really upset to have been laid off the way that I was.

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"My gut told me I'd come back to that station on a national story someday. No idea it would be like this."

Times staff writer Noah Bierman contributed.
Last month, the Republican party's national director for African-American initiatives sent an email to a number of reporters, including The Washington Post's Jonathan Capehart, delineating the diversity of the delegates at the party's convention. The big number was 18 -- out of 2,472 delegates in total.

A figure that's lower than 1 percent.

Daniel Donner of Daily Kos graphed the density of black delegates at the convention over time, using data compiled by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. We looked at how the number of delegates has changed over time.

The peak came in 2004, during the reelection effort for George W. Bush. That year, nearly 7 percent of the Republican delegates were black, including 16 percent of those from Louisiana, 13 percent of those from Maryland, and 13 percent of the delegates from New York and Michigan. By 2008, those figures had plummeted: 1.6 percent overall, including none from Louisiana and none from Maryland.

Lovelace told Capehart that his estimate from last month was still preliminary and that the party was working with outside groups to "ensure people from diverse backgrounds are able to participate during the convention." Attempts to contact Lovelace on Tuesday morning were not successful.

That said, this year's gathering will almost certainly rank among the bottom tier. The 2008 convention had the second-lowest density of black delegates, excluding 2016, trumped only by the 1964 convening that nominated Barry Goldwater. That was the year after the passage of the Civil Rights Act, one of the precipitating events that moves black Americans firmly into the Democratic camp.

The lack of diversity at the RNC has already been the subject of some debate. On Monday, Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, caused an uproar when he defended the lack of diversity on the convention floor, asking "where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilization" than white people?

A poll from Quinnipiac University earlier this month showed Trump earning 1 percent of the black vote nationally. NBC News/Wall Street Journal polling in Ohio and Pennsylvania had worse news: In those states, Trump's share of the black vote was at zero.

The Washington Post
Workers in Istanbul demolish the Halit Pasa Residence hotel on July 20, 2016. According to the state-run Anadolu news agency, the hotel was allegedly the meeting point of the plotters who planned the failed July 15 coup. (Lefteris Pitarakis / AP)

ANKARA, Turkey  Turkey's president on Wednesday declared a three-month state of emergency following a failed coup.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the measure was being taken to counter threats to Turkish democracy and wasn't intended to curb basic freedoms. He spoke after a meeting with Cabinet ministers and top security advisers.

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"The aim is to rapidly and effectively take all steps needed to eliminate the threat against democracy, the rule of law and the people's rights and freedoms," Erdogan said.

"This measure is in no way against democracy, the law and freedoms," he added. "On the contrary it aims to protect and strengthen them."

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The president, who has said he narrowly escaped being killed or captured by renegade military units, suggested that purges would continue within military ranks.

"As the commander in chief, I will also attend to it so that all the viruses within the armed forces will be cleansed," Erdogan said.

Turkey had imposed martial law-like emergency rule in the southeast of Turkey in 1987, allowing officials to set curfews, issue search and arrest warrants and restrict gatherings as the security forces fought Kurdish rebels in the region. The emergency rule was gradually lifted by 2002.

The latest insurrection by some military units was launched late Friday, but security forces and protesters loyal to the government quashed the rebellion.

Erdogan says the pro-government death toll in the botched coup was 246. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

Cracking down on alleged subversives in education, Turkey also said Wednesday that it would close more than 600 private schools and dormitories following the attempted coup, spurring fears that the state's move against perceived enemies is throwing key institutions in the NATO ally into disarray.

Erdogan's government said it has fired nearly 22,000 education ministry workers, mostly teachers, taken steps to revoke the licenses of 21,000 other teachers at private schools and sacked or detained half a dozen university presidents in a campaign to root out alleged supporters of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric blamed for the botched insurrection on Friday.

Earlier, Erdogan suggested in an interview with the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV network that coup plotters might still be active in the weeks ahead.

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"I don't think we have come to the end of it yet," the president said.

The targeting of education ties in with Erdogan's belief that the U.S.-based cleric, Fethullah Gulen, whose followers run a worldwide network of schools, seeks to infiltrate the Turkish education system and other institutions in order to bend the country to his will. The cleric's movement, which espouses moderation and multi-faith harmony, says it is a scapegoat for what it describes as the president's increasingly autocratic conduct.

While Erdogan is seeking to consolidate the power of his elected government in the wake of the attempt to oust him, his crackdown could further polarize a country that once enjoyed a reputation for relative stability in the turbulent Middle East region. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the military, courts and other institutions that are now being purged.

"The fact that so many judges have been detained, never mind the workload at the courthouses, will render them inoperable," said Vildan Yirmibesoglu, a human rights lawyer. "How they will fill the vacancies, I don't know."

The education ministry said it decided to close 626 private schools and other establishments that are under investigation for "crimes against the constitutional order and the running of that order," the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The agency said the schools are linked to Gulen, a former ally of Erdogan who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania and has denied accusations that he engineered the coup attempt that was quashed by security forces and protesters loyal to the government.

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Turkey has repeatedly named Gulen as the instigator of its turmoil and demands his extradition from the United States. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that Turkey must provide hard evidence that Gulen was behind the foiled coup if it wants him extradited, and that mere allegations of wrongdoing wouldn't suffice.

The two allies cooperate in the U.S.-led war against the Islamic State group, with American military planes flying missions from Turkey's Incirlik air base into neighboring Iraq and Syria.

Turkey's domestic situation is increasingly a concern as the government seeks to rid broad sectors of society of alleged antagonists. Huseyin Ozev, an education union leader in Istanbul, said state education workers who were reported to have been fired had not received notices and that employees were "waiting at home or on vacation, anxiously," to see if they had lost their jobs.

Any workers suspected of wrongdoing should undergo a formal investigation and the fight against coup plotters "should not be turned into a witch hunt," Ozev said.

In other moves against education, Turkey demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans and halted foreign assignments for state-employed academics. A total of 50,000 civil service employees have been fired in the purges, which have reached Turkey's national intelligence service and the prime minister's office.

The government has also revoked the press credentials of 34 journalists because of alleged ties to Gulen's movement, Turkish media reported. A satirical magazine, Leman, said authorities blocked the distribution of a special edition over its cover featuring a caricature in which two mysterious hands play a game of strategy, one pushing soldiers onto the board and the other responding by sending civilians.

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Authorities have rounded up about 9,000 people  including 115 generals, 350 officers, 4,800 other military personnel and 60 military high school students  for alleged involvement in the coup attempt. Turkey's defense ministry has also sacked at least 262 military court judges and prosecutors, according to Turkish media reports.

The coup has led to public anger and calls for the government to reinstate the death penalty, a demand that Erdogan has said he will consider.

Hasan Ay, a municipal worker in Istanbul, said he wanted coup ringleaders to be executed.

"I am not talking about the private soldiers. They said on television that some of the privates were innocent," Ay said.

The instability is hurting confidence in the Turkish economy. The Turkish currency dropped 1.8 percent against the U.S. dollar Wednesday, trading at a low for the year of just over 3 lira to the dollar.

The purges against suspected Gulen supporters follow earlier aggressive moves by Erdogan's administration against Gulen loyalists in the government, police and judiciary following corruption probes targeting Erdogan associates and family members in late 2013  prosecutions the government says were orchestrated by Gulen.

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Associated Press
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump listens as Al Baldasaro, a New Hampshire state representative, speaks during a news conference May 31, 2016, in New York. (Richard Drew / AP)

CLEVELAND  Liar. Garbage. Lock her up.

Republicans at their national convention are putting Hillary Clinton on mock trial, declaring her guilty and issuing sentences that include death by firing squad, in a remarkable display of political rhetoric gone wild. Even some Clinton haters say the vitriol has gone too far.

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The focus on Clinton has sometimes upstaged what's supposed to be a weeklong celebration and promotion of Donald Trump. Instead of extolling the virtues of their nominee, Republicans have turned to increasingly crass slurs against his opponent.

One GOP delegate and adviser to Trump on veteran's issues, Al Baldasaro, took it a step further than the rest. He dubbed her a "piece of garbage" and suggested a punishment for alleged inaction during the 2012 Benghazi, Libya, attacks that left four Americans dead.

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"Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason," the New Hampshire state lawmaker said in a radio interview Tuesday.

Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said that Trump and his campaign don't agree with Baldasaro's comment. The U.S. Secret Service said it was investigating.

On the streets of Cleveland, demeaning buttons for sale say "Life's a Bitch  Don't Elect One" and "Trump vs. Tramp." Others have been even harsher and more vulgar, with crude references to parts of Clinton's body.

Tony Ensminger, a 63-year-old selling buttons outside the arena, insisted "this was mild" compared to what Democrats said about former President George W. Bush.

Visceral disdain for Clinton has been palpable all week on the convention floor, where the go-to chant is "Lock her up." One former GOP presidential candidate, Ben Carson, drew a connection between Clinton and Lucifer, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said scandals follow Clinton and her husband "like flies."

It's no surprise that Republicans are emphasizing Clinton's weaknesses more than Trump's strengths. The GOP's strategy for winning in November rests in part on the hope that voters dislike the Democrat more than the Republican.

Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.  Al Baldasaro, adviser to Trump on veteran's issues

Fifty-seven percent of Americans in a July Associated Press-GfK poll said they viewed Clinton unfavorably, as did 64 percent of independents who don't lean toward either party. Slightly more, 63 percent overall, viewed Trump unfavorably; 62 percent of independents.

It's those independents that Trump's campaign hopes it can peel off  if it can keep up a steady drumbeat of negativity about Clinton. Three-quarters of voters in the poll said their pick for president is motivated by a desire to cast their ballot against either Clinton or Trump.

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Still, the criticism has triggered a backlash from some Republicans who say it's beyond the pale.

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who's skipping the GOP convention, tweeted that Republicans "can make the case that she shouldn't be elected without jumping the shark." And Bill Pickle, a South Carolina delegate and talk radio host, said those doing the name-calling "sound and act like demons."

"I personally hate  I mean hate  all of the negativity," Pickle said. "What happened to professionalism, manners and humanity in our politicians and citizens?"

But most Republicans seem unperturbed. Wisconsin delegate Jim Geldreich said the stay-on-offense strategy was spot-on.

"The country needs constant reminders of her disregard for the law," he said.

Clinton, meanwhile, has sought to use the negativity to her advantage. In a fundraising pitch to donors, her campaign said the GOP convention had "felt like a dark turning point in American politics."

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"If you closed your eyes, you could imagine it being a lot like a witch trial  they were barely one step removed from screaming 'burn her at the stake,'" the email said.

Does it matter that this is the first time a major party is picking a woman to be its nominee? Johnny McMahan, 65, a GOP delegate from Arkansas, said he had no problem with a woman being president but that some of his friends felt differently.

"They say women are too emotional to be president," McMahan said.

Though assailing the opposing candidate is standard fare at political conventions, this year the attacks have transcended policy positions and become intimately personal. The relentless spotlight on an opponent's supposed criminality is another departure.

Republicans maintain Clinton broke the law by sending classified information on her private email server.

Trump's campaign has worked to sow distrust by using vague insinuations against Clinton that are hard to prove or disprove. The attacks seem intended to evoke echoes of the 1990s, when President Bill Clinton's brand was degraded by a scandal that led to his impeachment.

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On Wednesday, Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort mused that Attorney General Loretta Lynch had "probably" given special information to Bill Clinton that helped his wife avoid criminal charges, during a brief airport meeting that Lynch has acknowledged was a mistake. He said the "Lock Her Up!" chant punctuating speeches at the conventions "probably reflects the attitude of a lot of people in America."

"They don't understand why justice wasn't done," he said.

Associated Press
It's safe to say that we could have probably gone the entire presidential campaign without mentioning her name.

But on Wednesday, Meredith McIver, a self-described "longtime friend and admirer of the Trump family" and a staff writer for Trump's main holding company, the Trump Organization -- not for the campaign -- apologized for inadvertently plagiarizing a part of Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic convention speech for Melania Trump's speech. She said she had offered her resignation, and that it was refused by the Trumps.

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Here's what we know about this relatively unknown woman in Trump's orbit who is now in the national spotlight:

-- She's had ties to the Trump organization for a very long time: McIver has been a member of the Trump Organization -- the principal holding company for all of Trump's interests -- since at least 2001.

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She's a full-time staff writer there, and not, it seems, a paid member of his campaign, which raises questions about whether Trump violated campaign finance laws in using her help.

"If Trump used corporate resources to write a political speech, that could be illegal," my colleague Philip Bump reports.

-- She's a "trusted hand" for Melania Trump: McIver's name -- among others -- started popping up in the press soon after the speeches were compared side by side. The New York Times did its best to track down how the final version speech came about. They found no smoking gun but did, at one point, briefly mention McIver helped Melania Trump reframe the speech.

"It was Jared Kushner, Mr. Trump's son-in-law and top adviser, who commissioned the speech from Mr. Scully and Mr. McConnell - and praised their draft. But Ms. Trump decided to revise it, and at one point she turned to a trusted hand: Meredith McIver, a New York City-based former ballet dancer and English major who has worked on some of Mr. Trump's books, including 'Think Like a Billionaire.' It was not clear how much of a hand Ms. McIver had in the final product, and she did not respond to an email on Tuesday."

-- She's loyal to Trump and vice versa: Our own Robert Costa reports it's not a surprise Trump didn't fire her:

"While he can be extremely volatile in both public and private and prone to dismissing top lieutenants and shaking up his high command, Trump has deep affection discreet longtime lower-tier employees like McIver who have devoted themselves to him. Many of his staffers in Trump Tower have been with him for decades."

-- She's a co-author and ghostwriter for the Trumps: McIver's main known role, it seems, is helping Trump write some of his books -- at least five, by our count.

She's listed as a co-author in his 2004 book "Trump: How to Get Rich." and according to a bio on Speakerpedia, a site to find motivational speakers, it seems like she played a key role in helping him organize and write his thoughts:

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"In 'Trump: How to Get Rich,' Ms. McIver assists in presenting Trump's lessons learned from 'The Apprentice,' his real estate empire, his position as head of the 20,000-member Trump Organization, and his most important role, as a father who has successfully taught his children the value of money and hard work."

On Amazon, she's listed as a co-author of at least five Trump books.

--She's a former ballet dancer: According Speakerpedia, she trained at the School of American Ballet, the official training school for the New York City Ballet company.

The bio also says she's originally from San Jose, Calif., and got her degree in English at the University of Utah.
Soon after Crains Chicago Business debuted in 1978, Steve Yahns scoop on a massive reorganization at Sears helped establish the magazines credibility. (Andrea Rock)

Steve Yahn was a business and features writer at the Chicago Daily News before becoming the founding editor of Crain's Chicago Business in the late 1970s.

"He just loved ideas and  he would get so excited and he didn't care if he got the credit or not," said Crain Communications President Rance Crain. "He was great at getting people enthusiastic."

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Yahn, 69, died June 28 of Parkinson's disease at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., said his brother, Kurt. He was a resident of Ossining, N.Y., and previously had lived in Evanston.

Born in Janesville, Wis., Yahn moved with his family to Rockford as a child and graduated from Rockford East High School. After earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Yahn worked briefly as a reporter for the Rockford Register Star.

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Yahn then joined the now-defunct Chicago Daily News as a reporter, writing business stories and also pieces for the paper's features section, Panorama.

"I remember Steve as a brilliant business reporter of profiles and hard news," said Dan Miller, a Daily News colleague who later succeeded Yahn as the editor of Crain's. "His profiles were vivid portrayals of their subjects, and his analysis of financial markets was insightful and savvy.

"Steve always was working  at bars and coffeehouses, at concerts and poetry readings, at business conferences and seminars, meeting people, collecting stories, developing sources."

Yahn left the Daily News in 1973 to work for Pensions & Investments magazine. Two years later he joined Advertising Age  also published by Crain Communications  as a New York-based senior editor. In 1978, Rance Crain tapped Yahn to be the first editor of Crain's Chicago Business. That work entailed helping develop a prototype and hiring a staff for the magazine's debut in the spring of 1978.

"Steve Yahn and I were exactly on the same wavelength," Crain recalled. "He wanted to go after the big story or the important story, or what people were really thinking, and I wanted to do the same thing."

Late in 1978, Yahn broke the news of an upcoming, massive reorganization at Sears. A Sears public relations employee leaked the venerable retailer's five-year plan, known informally within Sears as "The Yellow Book," to Crain's in three parts. The scoop helped establish credibility for the fledgling business magazine.

"If (Yahn) was going to go after a story, he was going to go and get it and no one was going to stop it," said Joe Cappo, who shortly afterward became Crain's Chicago Business' publisher. "He was a terrific writer and a terrific enterprise reporter."

"He was our Pied Piper. Anyone would follow him anywhere," said Sandra Pesmen, who worked with Yahn at the Daily News and Crain's. "He had more than charisma. When you were in his presence, you just had to laughingly follow him wherever he went."

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Yahn got Crain's Chicago Business up and running, then stepped down as editor in November 1978 to become publisher of Collector Investor, a now-defunct publication that Crain Communications had acquired.

Yahn later left Chicago to take the helm at the Pittsburgh Business Times. He subsequently was business editor at the Philadelphia Daily News and then at the New York Daily News.

"He was a huge advocate of young reporters, and there were a number of reporters who really shined because of him giving them the opportunity," said Bob Condor, who worked for Yahn at the New York Daily News.

In the late 1980s, Yahn briefly was based in Maine, helping to publish a weekly magazine. In 1990 he returned to Chicago, rejoining Crain Communications as the editor of its magazine Business Marketing. He was Ad Age's executive editor in 1993 and then editor in 1994.

Yahn left Ad Age in late 1995. He moved to New York and joined Editor & Publisher in 1998 as its executive editor. After leaving Editor & Publisher in 2001, Yahn worked as a principal at the Dilenschneider Group public relations firm. In 2003 he became executive editor of MediaPost's Media magazine, where he worked for a time.

In recent years, Yahn had been a regular freelance contributor for Risk & Insurance magazine, writing cover articles on subjects such as art storage and insurance and acid mine drainage.

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A marriage to Andrea Rock ended in divorce. In addition to his brother, Yahn is survived by two sons, Adam and Chad; a sister, Barbara; and his mother, Carolyn.

Services were held.

Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter.
Last summer, when Donald Trump visited with us at the start of his campaign, we had no idea  nada, none, zippo  we were hosting the future Republican nominee for president. It's been a surprising political cycle, to say the least.

With that in mind, the Tribune Editorial Board met Tuesday with the Libertarian Party candidate for president, former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, and his running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld. Could these outsiders climb enough in the polls to earn the right to participate in the fall presidential debates? We won't again underestimate the voters' ability to shock.

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Yes, Johnson and Weld appear capable of making waves. Johnson hit 13 percent in a new CNN presidential poll. He likely needs to reach 15 percent in future polls to qualify for the debates. That's doable. Could they go all the way to the White House? Well, that's jumping ahead.

What earns their disarming buddy routine a minute of your time is their intriguing mix of government experience and mad chef political thinking.

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Each is a former two-term Republican governor in a Democratic state who got the local economy moving. Governing across party lines means each is comfortable at compromise, a spirit at the heart of their quixotic campaign. Johnson and Weld aren't running as anti-government-free-will Libertarians with a capital L. They are agile, practical-minded thinkers with a few quirks: Conservative on money issues, socially liberal, skeptical of government power and military entanglements. Not so scary, right? "Most people are Libertarian," Johnson told us. "It's just that they don't know it."

That pithy line is a grabber, especially since they come across as decent fellows (with Weld more the orator during our hour together). What makes them worth a serious look? Many voters don't want politics as usual. Republican primary and caucus voters rejected traditional candidates and messaging in favor of Trump. On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders, a "democratic socialist," came reasonably close to upsetting Hillary Clinton.

And today? A majority of the electorate (58 percent!) is dissatisfied with the major party candidates for president, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. Among registered voters, 47 percent strongly dislike Hillary Clinton; 49 percent strongly dislike Trump.

Now how do a couple of no-nonsense former governors sound?

The history of third-party candidates suggests that Johnson/Weld won't get over the hump. In 1992 Ross Perot caught fire, winning 19 percent of the popular vote, yet didn't claim a single state in the Electoral College. But this year could be more hospitable to a third-party ticket. Trump, with his reckless blather, frightens many voters. Clinton, cited by the head of the FBI as "extremely careless" for mishandling sensitive emails as secretary of state, has, um, a credibility deficit.

Our time with Johnson and Weld only scratched the surface of their views. The federal government is an obstacle to prosperity and an inefficient problem-solver, Johnson posited. He's inclined to shut down or pare back agencies such as education and commerce and direct that money to the states. He wants a balanced budget. To preserve Social Security, he'd raise the retirement age and apply a means test. That's sensible advice, not scary, especially since Johnson says he could compromise with Congress.

The most radical notion Johnson floated isn't so radical: He favors legalizing marijuana, noting that it's happening already. He won't risk alienating voters by calling for the legalization of heroin, for example; he does support ideas like needle exchanges that save lives.

Concerning the war on terror, Johnson sounded cautious, fretting about the "unintended consequences" of trying to save the world. Said Weld about American troops in Afghanistan: "When should they come home  never? We have to leave 8,400 troops there because we decided to do what the British Empire and Russian empire decided to do and failed miserably?" We would disagree, but appreciated the directness of his answer.

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There is more polishing for this duo to do if they're to sway many voters. They're at odds on some issues: Do they want to abolish the income tax in favor of a consumption or flat tax? Johnson likes the former, Weld the latter. And Mr. Johnson, if your origin story as a Libertarian involves having been handed a short book as a lad, please do a Google search and determine the title of that worthy tome.

Obviously this is a long-shot candidacy. The most likely scenario that propels Gary Johnson to the presidency is a frankly impossible bank shot: If no candidate claims an Electoral College victory, the deadlocked race would be thrown to the House of Representatives.

Did we say "impossible"? After Trump, maybe nothing is.

Join the discussion on Twitter @Trib_Ed_Board and on Facebook.
As members of the GOP call for Hillary Clinton to be put in prison, Rex Huppke investigates Hillary hatred at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. July 19, 2016. (Chicago Tribune)

CLEVELAND  It's possible my keen reporting instincts are failing me, but I'd swear there's a strong anti-Hillary Clinton vibe here at the Republican National Convention.

It could be the loud boos that echo through Quicken Loans Arena whenever someone on stage says, "Hillary Clinton." (All speakers, it seems, are required to say Clinton's name in the same way one says, "Ick, that milk is curdled.")

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Or maybe it's the T-shirts and pins that read, "HilLIEary" or "Shillary."

One expects a high level of disregard for the opponent at a convention like this, but the boos and dismissive garb have also come with routine audience shouts of "Hillary for prison!" Those shouts have been echoed by some convention speakers as well.

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Late Tuesday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie took the stage and performed a faux prosecution of Clinton, detailing her various misdeeds and asking the audience  the jury, as he called them  whether she was guilty or not guilty.

A delegate holds a sign that reads "Hillary for Prison" on the floor before the start of the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. (Win McNamee / Getty Images)

On each count, the crowd roared in unison, "GUILTY!" It was a chilling scene of collective anger.

Patricia Smith, mother of one of the victims of the terrorist attack in Benghazi, said on Monday night: "That's right, Hillary for prison. She deserves to be in stripes!"

Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, a foreign policy adviser to Donald Trump, joined in with the crowd during his speech, chanting, "Lock her up! Lock her up!"

I wouldn't expect anyone at the GOP convention to say anything nice about Clinton, but "she belongs in prison" is a long rhetorical leap past "she's not qualified" or "her policies will hurt the country."

James McCann, a professor of political science at Purdue University, told me: "There's no doubt that, judged by recent historic standards  since the modern convention age of, say, the last 50 years  nothing like that has happened. We've always had vigorous appeals, and the whole point of a convention is to provide a united front for the party. But this is over the top."

Chicago Tribune columnist Rex Huppke takes a look at the varied Donald Trump gear for sale at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. July 21, 2016. (Chicago Tribune)

There are sound arguments against Clinton that are grounded in reality, relating to her honesty, her handling of classified email, her policy decisions as secretary of state. But suggesting that a candidate who has never been convicted or even charged with anything be locked up is straying into the world of fantasy.

That's what decades of Clinton hatred will do, I'm afraid. It drives many conservatives nuts that Bill Clinton wasn't brought down when he was president, and that Hillary Clinton's career hasn't been ended by Benghazi or the email server scandal or even the long-ago death of close Clinton friend Vince Foster.

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A lack of charges, much less convictions, is irrelevant when dislike for a public figure is this baked-in. So the "Hillary for prison!" shouters at the convention don't think they're being hyperbolic. They truly believe Clinton should be behind bars, facts and nuance be damned.

McCann had to hop in a time machine to put this level of convention rhetoric in context.

"It reminds me of some of the famous negative campaigns in the early part of this country's history," he said. "If you go back to the 1800 election, the one where Thomas Jefferson was running, you had his opponents saying that if he's elected, all the horrors of the French Revolution will descend upon us, all of your property will be taken, all of your loved ones will be taken away from you. But that was politics in an earlier era."

He continued: "In the media age, we've had these communication norms where lines have been drawn. You have vigorous opposition, but at the same time you want to show that you're professional, you're dignified, you're competent and you're at least somewhat policy-oriented."

None of that seems to be the goal thus far in the convention. It's more of a "stoke fear, feed anger" approach, which is great for the Trump supporters in attendance and Trump fans across the country whose votes are already locked up.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 160 With their families behind them, Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump and Vice Presidential nominee Mike Pence are cheered on by delegates at the close of the final day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

But a convention needs to appeal to more than just the candidate's most avid followers.

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"The point of the convention is that this is your calling card, this is your big ad to kick off a general election campaign," McCann said. "And the rollout has been very clunky in terms of the emotional signals being sent."

Randy McConnell, a 33-year-old from Pittsburgh, was in town to support Trump, wearing a "Hillary for Prison 2016" T-shirt as he stood outside a ring of Trump protesters.

Clearly he didn't have any problem calling Clinton a criminal.

"She absolutely is," McConnell said. "If anybody else did what she did, they'd be in prison. No question."

Even with that belief, McConnell said he'd like to see both parties "focusing on the bigger issues." And some of that will surely happen over the course of this week's convention  I think.

But for now, what's undergirding the Trump campaign, and the Cleveland convention to date, is not evidence of Donald Trump's smart policy platforms or excellent qualifications. It's simply this: He's not Hillary Clinton, a woman who, many here believe, should be in a cell.

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rhuppke@chicagotribune.com
Volunteers with Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church in Arlington Heights' domestic violence ministry are putting the spotlight on college campus sexual assaults. (Karen Ann Cullotta / Pioneer Press)

Volunteers with Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church in Arlington Heights are putting the spotlight on college campus sexual assaults this month as part of the church's domestic violence ministry.

"It's obviously a bad thing that we're hearing so much more about college campus sexual assaults since the Stanford incident, but it's a good thing that people are reading more about it and asking, 'how is this fair?'" said Arlington Heights resident Barbara Condon, a chairwoman with Our Lady of the Wayside's domestic violence ministry, and a co-sponsor of the July 17 presentation and discussion at Saint Raymond de Penafort Parish in Mount Prospect of the 2015 documentary "The Hunting Ground."

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Offered to the community in partnership with Our Lady of the Wayside, St. James and St. Edna Catholic churches in Arlington Heights, the presentation discussed the award-winning film's allegations of "a culture of denial" among many university administrators, despite some studies showing an estimated 16 to 20 percent of undergraduate college students will be sexually assaulted during their academic careers.

"At some college campuses, administrators appear to be pushing this under the rug, which has been really horrible for the people who have experienced sexual assault," Condon said.

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Now, Condon and her fellow volunteers are gearing up for a Sept. 25 prayer vigil in Arlington Heights, "Shine the Light," which aims to raise awareness of domestic violence in the community.

Condon said the domestic violence ministry at Wayside and other faith communities of the Archdiocese of Chicago emphasizes the message that "every person deserves to be safe in his or her relationships," as well as providing a plethora of resources for people affected by violence, including sexual assault.

"It doesn't matter where you come from, where you live, or how wealthy you are," Condon said. "Domestic violence exists in our world, even in wealthy communities like Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect."

For further information on sexual assault, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or www.rainn.org, or the Love Is Respect National Teen Dating Violence Helpline at 866-331-9474 or www.loveisrespect.org.

kcullotta@tribpub.com

Twitter @kcullotta

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The 2013 conviction of an Aurora man in the decades-old murder of his wife should be reversed, a public defender says.

A state appellate public defender this week said that the conviction of Aurelio Montano should be reversed because the trial judge allowed jurors to hear about cadaver dog searches that never led to the discovery of a body on a Naperville farm. The state appellate public defender made his arguments Monday during a hearing on Montano's appeal.

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Appellate Public Defender Christopher White contends now-retired Judge Timothy Sheldon erred in allowing "quasi-scientific" information to be considered by jurors who needed only three hours to convict Montano, 60, of killing of his wife, Maria Guadalupe, in June 1990 because he believed she had been unfaithful.

Prosecutors charged Montano with murder in 2008 after investigators culled together details from family members about Montano's actions around the time Maria vanished, including how he disposed of her body. The state's case was also bolstered by cadaver dogs search results indicating the smell of human remains were on a rug and in the hole in which it was found on the farm where some Montano family members worked and lived. Prosecutors have maintained Montano buried his wife's body on the farm, but later moved it.

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Montano was sentenced to life in prison for his wife's murder. By the time he reached trial in that case, he was already in prison for the rest of his life in connection to the murder of two people in Aurora in 1996. Jurors in his wife's murder trial were not told of Montano's previous conviction or his life sentence.

During Monday's appellate hearing, White said it was "dangerous" for jurors to have heard of the dog alerts as scientific evidence when prosecutors failed to show any other information - DNA or otherwise - to indicate a dead body was ever located in the spot found by the dogs. Although White agreed that a dog's sense of smell is generally accepted science by legal standards, he said the alerts without any other corroborating evidence created a problem based on previous court rulings in Illinois.

"You've essentially got a murder conviction based on the lack of a body, which of course you can have if there are other pieces of evidence," he explained. "But, it seems those other pieces of evidence should be pretty strong and more than just a dog alerting that, at some point, a dead body may have been there."

State Appellate Prosecutor Barry Jacobs countered in his brief remarks that the scientific understanding of what a dog's nose can do has evolved considerably since an Illinois ruling declared it mysterious a century ago. He said case law doesn't require scientific corroboration of what the dog alerts to, adding that the evidence was not "unduly prejudicial" against Montano in part because of the "overwhelming testimonial evidence from the defendant's family."

Montano's daughter recalled the rug found by the dogs as one that was previously in the family home. Montano's sister recalled seeing Maria with rope around her neck before Montano rolled her up inside the rug. A Montano nephew told jurors about helping Montano dispose of a bag containing Maria's hands and feet.

Justice Susan Hutchison struck on the point about other evidence when she asked White whether the court needed to even consider the dog alert issue in light of the testimony Kane County prosecutors put before jurors at trial.

White responded that everything went hand-in-hand in considering the appeal argument.

"I think the other evidence here, since it amounts to primarily witness testimony from various witnesses of events which occurred several years prior, in some ways, makes the canine evidence even worse," White explained.

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No timetable was set for the court to issue its ruling in the appeal.

Dan Campana is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
Determine wages by state: How can anyone suggest that the national minimum wage should go up to $15 an hour? The cost of living in Arkansas or Alabama is so different than the cost of living in New York or California. It should be handled state by state.

Stop sexual discrimination: To the person who responded to my Speak Out about the all-male bridal salon saying there are bigger fish to fry, it was still a valid point. Under labor laws, you can't discriminate because of sex. The caller said we have male and female universities. We do, but they are called private. No public university is all male or all female. Just a point of clarification.

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No respect: I am so sick and tired of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton calling each other liars. Stick to the facts of running the United States. Value needs to return. Right now, there is no respect from the top to the bottom.

Disgusted with Democrats: Shame on the Democrats for their sit-in. Do they want to change our fundamental rights? It reminds me of a 2-year-old who flops on the floor in a tantrum because mom won't listen to him. These people need to be voted out.

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Get our act together: I'm listening to President Obama further divide the country, and he's dishing the Supreme Court. He forgets that the Supreme Court is supposed to be completely different than the other two government branches. He has not allowed the legislative branch to function. He is not supposed to make the laws. He is supposed to enforce policy. He has given illegal immigrants and lawbreakers a pass. He refuses to acknowledge radical Islam. If you come into the country illegally, it is a felony. I say deport them all and don't let any more in until we get our act together. Obama needs to be impeached, and the rest of them who have approved all this stuff need to be tried for treason.

Take a look in the mirror: Sure glad I watch Fox News on cable. Hard to believe all the stuff President Obama and Hillary Clinton pull. Hillary has told so many lies she can't recall what she said. Obama is so worried about climate change and defending Muslims that he puts that above national security. If Donald Trump gets elected, these two should take a good look in the mirror.

Traffic ticket turmoil: Is it any wonder that law enforcement cleans up on traffic tickets? Why else are cameras posted at intersections? The light goes from green to red in a flash. There has got to be a better way.

Count on Clinton: Donald Trump is the proverbial barking dog that does not bite. Hillary Clinton could surprise us. If immediate action against an enemy power is called for, I would choose Hillary over Trump. She has determination and a fiery temper. It shows in her eyes.

Gaining years and losing parts: The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. I'm speaking for men, myself in particular. A half-century ago, men died younger but still had a number of working parts. Today, we are living awful, and I mean awful, long. Losing our prostate, our hair, our teeth, our sight, our hearing and our minds. The golden years are really copper turning green.

Blame Quinn: This is about car accidents. Haven't you noticed all of them? This is because former Gov. Quinn gave driver licenses to all these illegal immigrants. Our signs are not also in Spanish like they are in California. I think Donald Trump would be a good president, but he has a big mouth. I agree about building a wall, but it's a little late. They're already here.

Ban assault weapons: When something happens like what happened in Orlando, you hear of the need for gun control laws. There are many gun control laws on the books now. Most of them are not being used. The United States needs firearm laws that will protect its citizens. I have several firearms myself, but I ask myself why any private citizen in the United States needs assault weapons. I am a veteran. I know what assault weapons can do. Who are these people sitting in Washington, D.C., who will not stop the sale of assault weapons? There are only two sides. I guess they are on the other side.

Three strikes and you're free: What became of the law "three strikes and you're out," meaning life imprisonment for the third felony? Now it's 30 strikes and you are out, meaning released back on the streets.

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Unfair freebies: I would like to see a report on how many single moms are collecting checks for how many children and if their rent is being paid in Illinois. Would I be wrong to say this has been going on for over 50 years? Of course, there is free health, dental care and clothes. Don't forget about the boyfriends/fathers who stay with them. These families have everything that working families pay for.

Changing his mind about money: I don't want to tell anyone who to vote for. I know a lot of people don't trust Hillary Clinton, but if I have to choose between Hillary and Donald Trump, I will vote for Hillary. Trump goes back on everything he says. He originally said he didn't want anyone to give him money. Now he is begging for money.

Nix national FOID card plan: I'm reading the article about how we should have a national FOID card. I've never heard of anything so stupid. You do a background check to get the FOID card in Illinois. Each time you buy a gun, you get another background check to make sure you don't have a felony. How does the card itself do anything other than duplication? It wouldn't have stopped that man in Orlando. Criminals do not follow the law. The fact that other states do not have a FOID card shows how stupid it really is. This guy makes it sound like if you have a FOID card, you can buy all the guns you want.

Taxed to the max: A caller said that apartments that used to cost $30 a month in 1959 now cost $1,000 a month with the only change in the apartment being 15 coats of paint. I guess the caller doesn't realize how high the property taxes are that the apartment building owner has to pay. Do you think Kane County taxes are the same now as they were in 1959? The caller must not own any property.

Sanctuary cities: A caller states that our federal government will sue states that don't abide by the transgender law, yet they let sanctuary cities go with no fines. The illegal immigrants in these sanctuary cities could become citizens in the future and vote Democratic. That's why nothing is done. If they usually voted Republican, the sanctuary cities would have dissolved yesterday.

Tell us what you will do as president: Donald Trump needs to focus on what he will do for the country. The only thing I've heard him say is he's going to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. The only other thing I've watched him do is insult people.

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Herd instinct: Americans do not vote by individual thought. They vote by herd instinct. Hillary Clinton qualifies because she is the wife of Bill. George W. Bush qualifies because he is the son of George Bush Sr. The worst person out of Illinois is Rod Blagojevich. He had absolutely no qualifications except for low-brow hair. Odd hair and a loud mouth is all Donald Trump has going for him. Our presidential candidates make me feel like God has taken away his blessing for our country.

Editor's note

Speak Out is a reader-generated column of opinions. If you see something you disagree with or think is incorrect, please tell us. Call us at 312-222-2460 or email couriernews@tribpub.com. Please include "speak out" in the subject line.
Ottawa man rescued from truck on tracks

Two passerby rescued an Ottawa man from an oncoming train after he drove his car onto a set of railroad tracks and got stuck Friday, according to the Will County Sheriff's Office.

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Police say 23-year-old Brian Moore was drunk when he drove his Dodge Dakota onto the tracks at West Maple and Old Hickory Road in New Lenox Township, but two "good Samaritans" pulled him from the truck shortly before it was struck by a passenger train. Moore was taken to Silver Cross Hospital for observation but later released to sheriff's deputies. The train was not carrying any passengers and none of it's three crew members were injured.

Moore was charged with drunken driving, improper lane usage and no insurance, police said.

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Kate McCann

Tinley Park man scammed by fake IRS agents

A man told police that his 55-year-old father had been scammed out of $48,500 after being tricked by someone pretending to work for the IRS.

The victim, who lives in the 7200 block of 194th Street, said he received a message on his cell phone July 8 or 9 alerting him to contact the IRS about his unpaid taxes. The victim returned the call and was told to buy iTunes gift cards in $500 increments at local Jewel Osco, Best Buy, Family Dollar and Dollar General stores. He then bought 97 of the $500 cards at locations in Tinley Park, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Harvey and Chicago, according to a police report.

Apple told the victim's son that all but 13 of the cards had already been redeemed. The victim said he spoke with both a man and a woman posing as IRS agents, and said they both had foreign accents.

Kate McCann

Car thieves hit Oak Forest

Oak Forest police are investigating a rash of car thefts that occurred in the village July 13-Monday.

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Most recently, a man was returning home from walking his dog when he discovered both his and his wife's car missing from their driveway in the 16000 block of Oak Avenue Monday. He found one of the cars parked in a driveway on the next block with a man inside. When confronted, the man told him "I don't know nothing" threw the keys on the ground and fled.

Police quickly found the couple's other car driving on Fieldcrest Drive and attempted to pull the thief over, but he led them on a chase through the village before escaping southbound on Interstate 57. At least one of the car thieves was driving a black Nissan that they abandoned at the corner of Milford and Knottingwood, and saw two men fleeing the scene. The Nissan they were driving had been reported stolen from the 16800 block of Laramie Avenue the previous day.

Another car chase occurred July 16 when police spotted a gray 2013 Hyundai at 159th and Cicero Avenue that had been reported stolen earlier that day in the 16100 block of Long Avenue, but that chase was also terminated before the thief was caught.

Other cars were reported stolen from the 16000 block of Lorel Avenue Saturday, the 16100 block of Debra Drive Thursday and the 15700 block of Terrace Drive July 13.

Most of the victims said their cars were locked when they were taken.

Kate McCann

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Oak Forest 7-11 robbed by Taser-toting thief

Police said a man robbed a 7-11 at gunpoint shortly before 4 a.m. Monday.

The clerk said a man dressed all in black with only his eyes showing entered the store and said, "Everything in the register, I'm not playing. Give it to me now."

The suspect then displayed a small handgun, although the witness told police he did not think it was real. The robber also produced a small Taser, activating it twice, before fleeing the scene with $66.

Kate McCann

Wine bottle used to foil burglary

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Police said a 62-year-old woman thwarted a burglar she found inside her home by hitting him on the head with a wine bottle.

The woman, her husband and mother arrived back to their home in the 5500 block of 163rd Street June 25 to find a young man rummaging through a dresser in one of the home's bedrooms. The woman said she hit the man on the head with the wine bottle she was carrying when she came home and tore off his black tank top as he fled through the home, causing him to drop a black bag full of stolen items.

The victim also screamed obscenities at him while ordering him to leave, according to a police report. Although the home was ransacked, it appeared nothing was missing.

Police said he lifted a rear sliding glass door off the tracks to break into the home.

Kate McCann

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Orland Square kiosk the latest target of cell phone theft

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Police said someone stole between 40 and 55 cell phones from the a safe inside the Sprint store in Orland Square Mall June 25, likely using a crow bar to pry open the safe where the phones were stored.

An employee arrived to the kiosk and found the broken safe shortly before 9 a.m. Although the entrance gate to the kiosk was still shut, the flip-up counter had been lifted into the up position.

Six different models were stolen, four of which were versions of the iPhone 6 and two others were types of Galaxy 7S phones. Each phone is worth between $650 and $850.

Three other Sprint locations had similar burglaries recently, including one in Chicago Ridge Mall that occurred June 23-24, one in Merrilville, Ind. June 11-12 and one in Dayton, Ohio in May or June.

Another burglary was attempted at a Fort Wayne, Indiana store in May. The entrance gate to he kiosk was shut but the flip up counter was lifted up.

Kate McCann
Heavy truck traffic to and from the CenterPoint Intermodal Center has taxed area roads and rattled residents, but officials expect the new toll bridge project will provide relief. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

News of the proposed new Houbolt Road Bridge from Interstate 80 into the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet and Elwood was viewed as a positive step toward improving safety and relieving the truck traffic that has clogged local roads. However, some feel it should also serve as a signal that the shelved Illiana toll road project is no longer needed.

Environmental groups said the bridge  expected to be open by 2019  is a key piece in improving the local transportation system, and a cost-effective alternative to the 47-mile Illiana toll road, that was to connect Interstate 55 in Wilmington to Interstate 65 near Lowell, Ind.

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The Environmental Law and Policy Center, Sierra Club and Openlands, who have fought against the Illiana toll road in state and federal courts, claim it is a "financial boondoggle," that would have "disastrous impacts" on Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery  both located along Route 53  and other natural open spaces in that area, such as the Des Plaines River Conservation Area.

In a July 11 press conference, Gov. Bruce Rauner said the CenterPoint Intermodal Center in Joliet and Elwood, would pay $170 million to construct the new bridge and the state would pay $21 million to widen Houbolt to four lanes and improve the interchange at I-80 and Houbolt  money that Rauner said is in the budget.

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Officials hope it will offer relief to the heavy truck traffic that has choked Route 53, interfered with funeral processions at the national cemetery, caused traffic accidents and prompted the Village of Elwood to launch a web-based public safety campaign, www.saferoadsillinois.com.

The bridge project makes it "all the more clear" that the Illiana should be brought to its "well-deserved end," said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center. "I hope Rauner and IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) will bring it to an end once and for all."

The $21 million is "more plausible" than the $1 billion price tag that was once estimated for the Illiana," Learner said.

"The bridge is one solution to a very big traffic problem and hopefully it will be a centerpiece for a larger plan that would not include a toll road," said Jack Darin, director of the Illinois chapter of the Sierra Club.

The bridge is a "much more cost-effective" solution and does not threaten transportation dollars for other projects, like the Illiana would, he said, adding, "We never thought the Illiana was needed."

To say Illiana is no longer is needed is "absurd," said John Greuling, CEO of the Will County Center for Economic Development.

"Illiana is a freight bypass for the entire Chicago area, and building a bridge connecting I-80 to a single development does not take away need for an east-west thoroughfare. I don't know how people are equating the two," he said.

"They are two totally separate projects, two separate things," Greuling said, while acknowledging that the Illiana project is "in a deep sleep."

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IDOT spokeswoman Gianna Urgo said, Illiana's status has not changed. "The project remains suspended and the administration has no intention of resuming it," she said in an email response.

The Indiana Department of Transportation has agreed to pay for a revised environmental impact study for the two-state toll road project, per federal court order, and Urgo said IDOT agreed to work with them "in order to ensure that work on other projects can continue."

"IDOT is one of several parties to the lawsuit and cannot unilaterally end the litigation," she said.

Environmental groups welcomed the bridge project, but said the devil is in the details, as they want to make sure that any transportation improvements are compatible with surrounding land uses.

Openlands President Jerry Adelman said, "We look at the whole picture. We have to make sure these critical natural areas are protected and accessible, and are not an afterthought."

Darin said they must make sure they are not moving these traffic problems from one area to another.

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In a joint statement, Openlands and Sierra Club said the bridge must be planned as part of a "comprehensive transportation and conservation strategy for the area," and they want to work with the state and county leaders, and CenterPoint to accomplish that.

"By working together, we can ensure that the bridge is part of a future for Will County that includes safer local roads, cleaner air and open spaces that attract tourism opportunities and protect our environment," they said in that statement.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

The tolls collected at the new bridge will be directed to CenterPoint, to reimburse its costs for building the bridge, but the tolls will be set by the Will County Board.

Nick Palmer, chief of staff for County Executive Larry Walsh, said some trucks will try to avoid the tolls and continue to use Route 53.

"We would like to get all truck traffic off Route 53, but we can't," he said, noting that whether trucks use the toll bridge will be a "business decision."

"The more trucks that go in and out of (the intermodal center), means more loads, and more money for them," he said. "It's not the perfect solution, but we had to do something. This is one piece of the puzzle. In the absence of a larger infrastructure bill, you have to be creative."

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While many county officials wanted the Illiana to move forward, it's not going to happen in the current economic climate, he said.

IDOT Secretary Randy Blankenhorn also said at the press conference that the widening of I-80 from US 30 to the west will stay on the back burner until the state has the revenue.

slafferty@tribpub.com
Plans for a medical office building on the Beatty Lumber property in Downtown Oak Lawn have cleared the first hurdle in the village's approval process.

The Planning and Development Commission Monday unanimously approved the Advocate Medical Group's proposal, which would include physician's offices, labs, imaging, a pharmacy and an immediate care facility.

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The proposal calls for a 58,400-square-foot, two-story building to be built on the east side of 52nd Street. Parking would be built on both the east and west sides of the street. The building is part of Advocate's plan to create more ambulatory facilities, which are designed for patients that do not need hospital care.

The facility would be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The immediate care facility would remain open until 8 p.m.

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The proposal is scheduled to go before the Village Board on August 9. Advocate Medical Group plans to open the facility in February 2018.

The Beatty property site is approximately three acres and is located on both sides of 52nd Avenue, north of 96th Street and south of the railroad tracks. The buildings stood vacant for nearly a decade on prime land in Downtown Oak Lawn until they were razed over the last several weeks. Advocate's proposal is the first presented to the village since Beatty went out of business in 2011.

"That property really had to be upgraded," Village Manager Larry Deetjen said.

The site's location off of 95th Street makes it unappealing for retailers and restaurants, he said.

The plan has met little opposition from residents who live near the property, but some said they should have a greater voice in the process.

"It's a one-way conversation. I'd like to have a mutual conversation," said Shelly DeRousse.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

DeRousse proposed the creation of an ad hoc committee that would allow residents to discuss with village and Advocate officials their concerns about the property, including traffic flow. The plan calls for Narrow Street, located at the north end of the property, to be closed to accommodate additional parking. Currently, the street is used by Metra commuters to access the village's parking garage.

The traffic plan also calls for the addition of a traffic signal at 95th Street and 50th Court. Metra commuters would be routed onto 95th Street rather than 52nd Street and into the adjacent residential area.

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DeRousse's husband, Peter, a member of the Oak Lawn-Hometown School District 123 board, said he remains concerned about morning traffic flow and its impact on two schools in the area. The facility would employ approximately 105 people, who would park in the parking garage.

Retail businesses and restaurants along on 95th Street likely would benefit from the influx of new employees in the business district, village officials said.

The plan approved Monday does not include the construction of townhouses on 96th Street to serve as buffer between the neighborhood and the medical building. Trustee Bob Streit said townhouses are a good idea, but may not be practical.

"This is the development that's before us," Streit said. "Where's the room for townhomes? Does anybody want them?"

Bob Rakow is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Ed Kurnat, Sr., 92, of Tinley Park, talked about his time in the U.S. Army Infantry in World War II, as Mert Silbar listened. Kurnat was among the approximately 30 veterans living at the Manteno Veterans Home that were honored at an annual luncheon hosted by Culvers of Matteson, 20716 Cicero. Silbar volunteered to help. (Erin Gallagher / Daily Southtown)

It was 1942, when Harold James and his U.S. Army Air Corps crew were aboard a B-17 "flying fortress" when they were shot down and captured by Nazis and became prisoners of war in Germany.

On Tuesday, James was among the approximately 30 veterans living at the Manteno Veteran's Home that were honored at an annual luncheon hosted by Culver's of Matteson, 20716 Cicero.

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"We talk to them, get their stories, get them out of their home for a little bit," said Jack Rush, owner of Culver's. "We thank them for their service."

The veterans, many of whom served in World War II, take a bus to the restaurant. Culver's staff serves chicken dinners, coffee and the chain's famous frozen custard for dessert.

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"It's a day that my entire crew looks forward to and is just a real nice way to give a little something back to these men and women who bravely served our country at a very, very young age," Rush said in a press release.

As James ate his chicken and ordered chocolate custard, he talked about the German prisoner camp.

In 1942 Harold James said he and his U.S. Army Air Corps crew were aboard a B-17 flying fortress when they were shot down, captured by Nazis and became prisoners of war in Germany. On Tuesday, James was among the approximately 30 veterans living at the Manteno Veterans Home that were honored at an annual luncheon hosted by Culvers of Matteson, 20716 Cicero. (Erin Gallagher / Daily Southtown)

"Restrictions, all restrictions, couldn't do anything," said James, who will be 94 on July 27. "They watched us all the time, constantly."

He was among about 100 other prisoners at the camp in Manheim Germany, he said. The Nazi prisoner of war camps were different he said, so he did not see the violence others did in other places. The food, he said was "more or less like garbage ... nothing appetizing."

"The front changed" in 1944, after spending 18 months there, he said. "As soon as the front changed, they released everyone from the camp."

About 10 volunteers helped the veterans during the luncheon. Many, like Walt Willie, a Vietnam veteran from Tinley Park who does not live at the home, listened in awe to the older generation at the table with them.

"This is a pleasure," Willie said, as he listened to David Meyers, 86, of Waukegan, talk about the Korean War. They were talking about "how thankful we are to live in this country and have the freedom we have," Willie said.

Meyers served in the U.S. Army in Korea. He called North Korea today "a different ballpark."

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"The Korean War was all helicopters," he said. "Today, it's missiles."

Across the room, two other men were also talking about the war.

Ed Kurnat, Sr., 92, of Tinley Park, said that he served in the Army during World War II.

David Meyers, 86, of Waukegan, was among the approximately 30 people living in the Manteno Veterans Home who attended a luncheon honoring veterans Tuesday at Culver's of Matteson. Meyers served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. (Erin Gallagher / Pioneer Press)

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Kurnat, who lost one eye as a child, talked about how the heavy Browning automatic rifle he carried gave a forceful kickback upward and to the left that he had to account for it when aiming for a target.

"It was fast when it fired," he said. "It was like a machine gun. I tried to pass off that gun as much as possible because it was a heavy gun."

Kurnat earned a Bronze Star, a Battle Star and a Combat Infantry Badge, according to a tattered government document he carries in the pocket of his wheelchair. He was drafted out of high school and told he would not serve overseas due to his eye, but that is not how it turned out, he said. Orphaned as a child, Kurnat was responsible for his younger siblings.

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"I had a brother and two sisters to support," Kurnat said. "(The Army) would take half of my pay and they put in (half), and they sent it to my sister."

As the veterans finished their coffee and custard, the volunteers circled the room engaging in discussion. Many of the vets wore hats designating how they served, sparking conversations.

The Manteno Veterans Home is operated by the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Students from Oak Lawn Community High School and their teachers, Robin Yerian (far right) and Araceli Torres (2nd from left) in Paris. (Robin Yerian)

Greetings fellow Oak Lawnians!

A group of students from Oak Lawn Community High School recently returned from a trip to Europe. The 17 students were accompanied by two teachers from the high school, Robin Yerian, who teaches French and Spanish, and Araceli Torres, who teaches Spanish.

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Yerian and Torres, who both have taught at the school for more than 13 years, have accompanied students on many European trips over the years. The trip takes place every two years and is open to students who have taken at least two years of French or Spanish at the high school level.

The students, including a few who had just graduated from the high school at 9400 Southwest Highway, traveled last month to France and Spain.

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"We spent a few days in Paris, Barcelona and Madrid," Yerian said. "We used EF Tours. We've always used them. They're probably the most economical and we had an EF bi-lingual tour director with us 24 hours and a local tour guide in each city."

Yerian said of traveling abroad: "you have to be flexible. The Seine River was so high there was no boat traffic, so we didn't get to do our usual boat tour. This was the weirdest year for weather. France was cooler and it rained at night."

In spite of the flooding, the group still got a chance to see and enjoy plenty of amazing sites, like the Champs-Elysees Avenue, Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Latin Quarter, a tour of the Palace of Versailles and other well-known Parisian sites.

The weather was nicer once the group arrived in Spain and they even got in some beach time.

In Barcelona, they took a city tour, shopped at Las Arenas and did a lot of walking.

Yerian said, "the students got to try tapas and they really liked them."

Reflecting on the trip, he said, "I think the students really enjoyed the Eiffel Tower in Paris and going to the beach and shopping at Las Ramblas in Barcelona."

Emma Weston, a 16 year-old junior, enjoyed the trip. She said she has taken Spanish classes since she was in sixth grade at Covington school in Oak Lawn.

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Even though she knew most of the students traveling in her group, Weston said the trip gave her the opportunity to get to better know her classmates.

"I got closer to them," Weston said. "Everyone was super-friendly."

The most memorable part of her trip she said: "was probably seeing the Eiffel Tower in person and all the churches in France and Barcelona. I think the highlight of my trip was Barcelona, because it's so lively and the food was really cool. It's the best experience I've ever had. I missed home, but I loved it."

The group's breakfast and dinner was included in the tour group's package, but students paid for their own lunch. Having lunch on their own "gave them the opportunity to use the language and genuinely experience foreign culture," Yerian said.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Yerian said of the trip, "I think it went well.

His favorite part of the trip, Yerian said, "is when the students come to us and tell us they understood what someone said in French or Spanish."

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Yerian said students also "had the opportunity to use the language in real life situations and learn about history, culture and things they've learned about in school."

Here's this week's celebrity announcements: Happy birthday to Michelle Cozza, who's turning 50, from her sister, Cathy, and her mom, Joan. Happy 62nd birthday to my hubby, Tom Petzel, with love, from me, Sarah, Sunny and family. Birthday wishes go out to Rob Turek, who's turning 62, from Brandy, Nemo, and friends. Agnes Mark sends birthday wishes to her son-in-law, Aldo Ferrucci. Happy birthday to Bernice Bubel and to her son, Roy. Sal Crivelloni's family wish him a happy birthday.

Condolences go out to the family of Edward A. Adomaitis, Jr., 69, who passed away on July 6. Ed was a beloved brother, uncle, great uncle, great-great uncle and an inspiring friend to many residents in the Oak Lawn community. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this sad time.

Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special "stuff" going on with your family or within the community. Call me at (708) 899-9544 or e-mail me at the address above.

Until next time...
The Canadian National Railroad will close Plank Road Thursday for reconstruction of the railway crossing in the village of Burlington.

The railroad crossing on Plank Road (Route 38), about one mile west of Burlington Road, will be closed at 7 a.m. Thursday and is expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Friday, according to a Kane County Department of Transportation news release.

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A posted detour will divert traffic around the area using Burlington Road, Walker Road, Route 72 and Route 23, the release stated. Motorists should be prepared to reduce their speed, drive carefully and obey all traffic devices, it stated.

Kane County Department of Transportation posts traffic advisories on its website, www.co.kane.il.us/dot/trafficalerts.
The School District U46 Board of Education approved a testing and assessment program for college and career readiness, set to begin Oct. 19.

At the Monday meeting, officials approved a one-year, $91,854 contract extension to pay College Board for use of its SAT Suite of Assessments. Much like other schools districts throughout the state, District U46 is opting not to require the PARCC exam for high school students.

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Chief Executive Officer Tony Sanders said the state's action to end the PARCC exam requirement is a step in the right direction.

"This proposal tonight will align our systems in leading up to that SAT exam that all students will be taking pursuant of that state contract," he said.

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For many years, District U46 offered the ACT to students at no cost. When that contract expired and there was no state-backed college entrance exam available to students last spring, school officials said the state chose College Board's SAT.

Laura Hill, director of assessment and accountability, said this contract extension is intended to replace previous assessments administered for career and college readiness.

"It's so they can have the data overtime, so you have an 8th-grade score, that then aligns with the 9th-grade score, which then aligns with the 10th-grade score, which then aligns with the final 11th-grade score as an ACT score," she said. "It's an alignment so you can predict, or see, where a student would be within that continuum in the secondary world."

District U46 intends to use the assessment as a means to encourage the design of improved instructional activities for each student, provide information to determine individual student achievement and guidance needs, curriculum and instruction effectiveness, as well as school performance measured against district student learning objectives and national norms.

Officials said all those enrolled in 8th grade and high school will take a PSAT that is grade-level specific to help students and teachers know what skills to work on most in preparation for college and careers. That exam will also allow 11th grade students to be eligible for scholarships, based on their performance.

The contract will be paid for using monies in the Education Fund.

Megann Horstead is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
Mikaela Manzella is currently a group leader at Franklin Park's Discovery Day Camp. She said being a camp counselor is helping prepare her for a future career working with kids.

Q: Where do you reside?

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A: I live in River Grove.

Q: Where do you currently attend school?

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A: I go to Northern Illinois University.

Q: What do you want to do when you graduate?

A: I want to become a high school counselor. I want to get my master's in counseling.

Q: Why do you want to be a counselor?

A: It was my high school counselor who had an important influence on me. Her name is Emily Reynolds. She kind of showed me the way. I saw how she was with everyone, and it inspired me.

Q: How did you become a camp counselor for Discovery Day Camp?

A: One of my friends was a part of it. She recommended it to me because they saw how I was with kids. I always worked retail jobs before, and they didn't work out for me. This is the perfect job for me!

Q: What do you do as a camp counselor?

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A: I'm a group leader. We plan the activities for the day. We also train the other counselors to work their way up to become a group leader.

Q: What do you like the most about your job?

A: I would say interacting with the kids and forming a bond with them. They're so cute! It's great seeing them develop from the beginning of the camp to the end of camp.

Q: What is your summer plan besides being a counselor?

A: I'm going to Florida. I'm taking summer school classes at Triton College so I can get ahead.

Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Alats Dance of Waukegan will perform July 23 at the Lake County Dance Showcase in Waukegan. (Alats Dance of Waukegan / Handout)

Hundreds of advanced students and professionals will convene at Genesee Theatre July 23 to perform hip hop, ballet, Mexican, Irish, contemporary and jazz dance steps showing off their physical and artistic abilities.

It's the second year of Lake County Dance Showcase, which had its inaugural run in Lake Forest last year. It was so well-received that the Waukegan Arts Council decided to bring it to the Genesee Theatre and add more performers this year, said Lori Nerheim, the not-for-profit council's president.

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The doors open at 5 p.m., for the audience to browse a French flower market, watch a mime performance and have some drinks in the lounge.

"It's going to be fantastic. This is one of our signature events," Nerheim said. "Our whole mission is advancing the cultural life of Waukegan through the arts. We have showcased many of the other art forms from visual arts to theater to architecture. Then we started talking about doing dance."

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Nerheim found Kristy White, who teaches at the Lake Forest Dance Academy and other Lake County dance studios. White helped her organize the first showcase at Gorton Community Center in Lake Forest last year.

"Everyone left saying this exceeded our expectations. We had no idea this was going to be as good as it was," Nerheim said. "We decided it was important to bring it to Waukegan this year, to the gem of Lake County, Genesee Theatre, a place to convene all these amazing dance groups from across the county and the Chicago area."

One of the returning dance groups is Alats Dance Club. These young performers "have tremendous energy," Nerheim said. "They are very creative in terms of their choreography. All of the dance studios were blown away by their performance. They were the hit of the show last year."

New this year is Ballet Folklorico Regional Mexican from Beach Park, who asked the Waukegan Arts Council if they could be part of the showcase, Nerheim said. The colorfully clad entertainers perform traditional Mexican folk dance.

Other performers include the Buffalo Grove Studio of Dance, the Dance Academy of Libertyville, the Lake Bluff School of Dance, the Lake Forest Dance Academy, Hip Hop Force, Forum Jazz Dance Theatre, Illinois Dance Conservatory, O'Hare School of Irish Dance and Waterford Dance.

Nerheim said after last year's performance, audience members told her how engaging the presentation was, she said. "It moves really quickly and it appeals to everyone no matter your age or background."

White, who grew up in Waukegan and has been dancing since she was 3 years old, said the arts council provides the community a chance to appreciate creative art.

"I love that the Lake County Dance Showcase gives dancers a chance to share their talents as well for an audience to be entertained," she said.

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Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.

Lake County Dance Showcase

When: 6 to 8 p.m. July 23

Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan

Tickets: $10

Information: eventbrite.com/e/lake-county-dance-showcase-2016-tickets-24348418776
While giving a nod to the Chicago region craft beer trend, Long Grove is adding a special component to a new festival  pairing brews with barbecue food.

Featuring the expertise of barbecue chef Greg Gaardbo, owner of Rockin Rodizio, the event will be held July 22 and 23. Friday will focus on barbecue-cooking demonstrations, education and a full meal that includes jalapeno bread along with beers selected to pair well with Gaardbo's cuisine. The fee is $35 per person and includes live music.

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Gaardbo cooks meat rotisserie style. "It comes on skewers. It's almost a show watching him cook," said Dave Gayton, a member of the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association. He helped organize the festival.

Gaardbo will demonstrate traditional slow-smoking techniques as well as his signature Texas-Brazilian hybrid hot and fast cooking style. A former Marine, Gaardbo began cooking with his grandfather as a child at a family-owned bakery.

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Gaardbo plans to open a storefront in Palatine, and has been doing festivals and private events for several years, including for the Chicago Bears, Gayton said.

On Saturday, the focus turns to beer. A $45 ticket includes a commemorative 5-ounce glass and 18 three-ounce beer pours.

Twelve beer vendors including Tighthead from Mundelein, Upland and Goose Island will bring several brews for patrons to try.

"What makes beer-tasting events so nice is that you get the opportunity to try something you wouldn't normally drink," Gayton said. At such events, Gayton said he's tried banana bread beer, chocolate porters and wheat beers. "I'm more of an IPA drinker, a very hoppy beer drinker. So getting to try something new is the advantage of these types of festivals."

For a $70 VIP ticket, patrons receive a festival T-shirt, a lanyard, a $10 food ticket, barbecue food and access to the beer tent an hour before the event begins.

"People who are really into craft beer love having unlimited access to talk to the brewers," Gayton said. "People who are really into it  they geek out and they love to talk beer.

Three bands will perform Saturday including the Pheromones, a rock and roll band that plays a variety of music including covers by Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Bad Company, Queen and Janis Joplin.

"It will be a very active weekend in Long Grove," Gayton said. In addition to the beer fest, The Village Tavern of Long Grove is hosting a spirit-tasting event, Blues and Booze, which will includes a blues band, on Saturday. Two Long Grove wine shops will also feature specials Saturday, he said.

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Parking is free at the 360 Historical Lane lot and the 343 Old McHenry Road lot in Long Grove.

Sheryl DeVore is a freelance writer.

Long Grove Craft Beer & BBQ Days

When: 5 to 8 p.m. July 22; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 23

Where: Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove

Tickets: $35-$75

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Information: www.visitlonggrove.com
The Waukegan Fire Department responded Tuesday to a report of workers stuck in an exterior elevator at the NRG generating station on Greenwood Avenue. (Joe Shuman / Chicago Tribune)

Two men were rescued from a small exterior elevator that became stuck Tuesday at the Waukegan Generating Station coal plant on Waukegan's lakefront.

The men became stranded shortly after 10 a.m., according to Waukegan Fire Department Battalion Chief Mark DeRose, who wasn't sure how long they had been trapped before rescue crews were called.

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The 3-foot-by-3-foot exterior elevator became stuck about 130 feet in the air, DeRose said.

The largest ladder truck available went up just over 100 feet, so two high-angle technical rescuers were sent up an access ladder to a catwalk, which had to be stabilized before they could rappel down to the two employees, DeRose said.

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"It took a little while to set up rope operations," DeRose said.

The men already were wearing safety harnesses, and firefighters dropped them some rope. Both were removed safely.

"Nobody got hurt, and nobody got heat stroke," he said, referring to the warm weather conditions while the two NRG employees were trapped inside. He said he did not know what kind of maintenance or repair the men were doing when the elevator became stuck.

"It was a tin box basically," DeRose said. "They were a little shaken up, a little dehydrated."

DeRose described the elevator as very old, adding that Tuesday's incident was not in the area where the power plant took down an emissions stack earlier this year.

The Greenwood Avenue plant is owned by New Jersey-based NRG Energy.

The two men trapped in the elevator were contractors installing emission testing equipment on the Unit 7 stack, David Gaier, an NRG spokesman, said.

"We're very grateful to the fire department for getting those two gentlemen out of the elevator," Gaier said. "We're pleased the contractors got out safe."

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Personnel from fire departments in Libertyville, Countryside, Lincolnshire, Round Lake, Great Lakes, Gurnee, North Chicago and Lake Bluff all responded. DeRose said a crew from Lakeland Larsen Elevator in Waukegan also assisted.

fabderholden@tribpub.com

Twitter @abderholden
U.S. Reps. Tim Murphy, R-Penn., (left) and Bob Dold, R-Ill., (right) speak at a panel discussion about mental health policy at the Lake County Health Department Tuesday. (Angelica LaVito / Lake County News-Sun)

John Dyslin said it is difficult to care for his 33-year-old son with anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia.

"It's a nightmare," Dyslin said. "I mean you're constantly under mental, emotional and physical assault."

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The police were called on his son four times over Independence Day weekend, Dyslin said.

Because his son is an adult, the police and paramedics could not take him to the hospital since he did not want to go, according to Dyslin, who said he took him to the emergency room on a separate occasion, but the doctor saw no medical reason to keep him.

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"I'm not going to be around forever, and he will be one of these homeless people if something is not done, some kind of treatment," Dyslin said. "It's very, very frustrating."

Dyslin, of Mount Prospect, shared his story Tuesday with a panel focused on mental health policy that U.S. Rep. Bob Dold, R-Ill., hosted at the Lake County Health Department. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Penn., joined the panel to tout his Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act.

The bill would increase the number of crisis mental health beds, allow parents and caregivers to help with care and help develop alternatives to institutionalization. The bill passed in the House July 6 by a vote of 422-2.

In Lake County, between 20 and 30 percent of the county jail's population suffers from mental illness, according to Undersheriff Ray Rose.

Rose thinks people have ignored mental health problems in society, causing jails to essentially take over as institutions.

"What we're doing instead of dealing with this problem as a community, we've pushed them into the jails, and I use the term that we're 'hiding mental health,'" Rose said.

Oftentimes, people are arrested and serve their time, only to be arrested again, creating a cycle of incarceration, he said.

One effort the sheriff's office has taken to help break the cycle is to get mentally ill prisoners insured under the Affordable Care Act so when they leave jail they can receive their medication. It also provides them with an 8-day prescription when they leave to ensure they "don't just walk out and go cold turkey," Rose said.

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John Fallon, a representative of the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and a board member of NAMI Illinois and Lake County, expressed the need for long-term support for the mentally ill. He also stressed the need to identify housing solutions if law enforcement wants to reduce the number of incarcerations.

"What's gonna fail is if Sheriff Rose reduces the number of people in jail, but there's no landlord who will let them in, or the public housing authority won't let people back," Fallon said.

Adam Carson, director of strategic initiatives for the health department, echoed Fallon's call for decisions on where long-term housing goes in the community. Whether people realize it or not, mentally ill people live in "our neighborhoods." Because of that, he said, the county's organizations must work together to ensure people have access to public transportation and have safe sidewalks so they can get treatment.

"So I think the really awesome thing for us is again, you're not doing this work in a silo of the health department," Carson said. "We're leveraging the work that's happening throughout the community, and we're really pushing the boundaries of what innovation we can do and what we're capable of doing with this law, with the passage of this law."

The bill must still pass in the Senate, which does not meet again until Sept. 6. Murphy shared his worry that the bill will get "weighed down" with additions, and he and Dold encouraged activists in the audience to mobilize.

Regardless of the bill's passage, Rose praised it for starting a discussion and helping efforts to erase the stigma behind mental health. He drew the comparison of a neighbor having cancer and a person not feeling reluctant to help them or drive them to the doctor. With mental health issues, people may be afraid to offer their assistance.

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"And we can't be afraid of it," Rose said. "We have to grab hold of it and start to deal with it. And it has to be from the community's perspective."

Angelica LaVito is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun
A Wisconsin man was killed after the car he was driving collided with a semi-truck Monday afternoon in Wadsworth, police said.

The 54-year-old man, of Hales Corners, Wis., was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Malibu east on the Tri-State Tollway (I-94) and exited at the off-ramp for Russell Road about 1:35 p.m., according to a news release from the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

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Police said the driver of the Chevrolet failed to yield to a westbound 2005 Kenworth semi truck and the car became partially lodged underneath the trailer.

The driver of the Chevrolet was taken to St. Catherine's Medical Center in Pleasant Prairie, where he was pronounced dead, according to police, who did not release the man's identity.

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The driver of the semi, a 50-year-old Mundelein man, was not injured, according to the release.

Twitter @NewsSun
Michael Simeck, superintendent of Lake Forest District 115, is pleased with the Illinois State Board of Education's recent decision to drop the PARCC test for high school students.

"It is welcome news," Simeck said. "There has been a lot of speculation about what would be the fate of the PARCC. (The decision) provides clarity for us and now we can adjust to it."

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The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test was only administered to high school juniors in Illinois in the spring of 2015 and 2016.

"PARCC had the potential to be an extremely good assessment but it takes years to develop that," Simeck said. "It was a very long assessment. The results were late in coming to the district. Another struggle was paper versus electronic tests, which had disparities that were difficult to account for. It was a combination of pros and cons."

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Juniors at Lake Forest High School will now take the SAT. Perhaps the biggest advantage the SAT has over the PARCC is that the SAT is recognized as a college entrance exam.

"PARCC was recognized in a very limited number of places across the country," Simeck said. "ACT and SAT are recognized brands, if you will. PARCC did not have that."

In past years, the state paid for the ACT for juniors. Going forward, the state will also pay for the SAT for high school juniors. That's good news for families who during the two years of the PARCC test had to pay to have their teens take the SAT or ACT so they could apply to college.

Another difficulty was that a limited number of students were eligible to participate in parts of the PARCC test.

"One of the tests would only be taken by students who had a certain level of math," Simeck said. "The ability to compare one year to the next was really limited anyway."

While Simeck is pleased with the switch in tests, he acknowledges the change will make it initially more difficult to compare tests from one year the next.

"Our baseline is moved a year farther out," Simeck said. "It's going to delay, there's no question. There will be a lag time."

Chicago Tribune reporter Diane Rado contributed to this article

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mlawton@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @reporterdude
Lake Forest College students, Ellie Bacon, 19, and Courtney Oates, 19, are in the school's Richter scholar summer research program. They have been studying invasive Argentine ants. (Brian O'Mahoney / Pioneer Press)

Danny Robles, 19, sits in a tiny sound studio in the basement of Reid Hall on the campus of Lake Forest College. There is no air conditioning and the sound of whirling fan blades competes with the music he is creating.

Robles swivels between two computer monitors and a keyboard. He is creating a musical score for the silent film "Seven Years Bad Luck," which was originally released in 1921 starring French comedian Max Linder.

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"He breaks a mirror and tries to avoid bad luck and that invariably leads to worse problems," said Don Meyer, a professor of music who is Robles adviser as well as head of the Richter Scholar Summer Research Program at Lake Forest College, now in its 25th year.

The 42 sophomores in the Richter Scholar program engage in hands-on projects 40 hours a week. Those enrolled receive a $2,000 stipend, free tuition, course credit and free accommodations on campus during the 10-week program.

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"I watch the movie a few times," Robles said. "Then I improvise on the piano while I'm watching the movie. Then I wrote an entire score of just piano music. Then I added different instruments and tried different things. Once I finished orchestrating it, I'm putting it on sheet music."

On Oct. 8, the film will be shown at Reid Hall accompanied by Robles score performed by the Lake Forest College Orchestra.

Over at the Johnson Science Center, students Glenn Ohman and Amalie Ausland-Bjerkely are researching the affect emerald ash borers have on the biodiversity of forests.

"Our big question is what should forest managers do with their dead ash trees," said Assistant Professor of Biology Lynn Westly. "Are ash trees significantly changing the composition of the forests? In most forest preserves the trees the dead trees are left standing. When you do that, are you encouraging invasion by things like buckthorn?"

The three have traveled to wooded areas in Lake County to identify and measure the number of invasive species, moisture under the trees and bird activity in dead ash trees.

They are collaborating with professors at the University of Illinois  Chicago and the National Forest Service. They plan to write recommendations for the Lake County Forest Preserve and Lake Forest Open Lands on what they should do with their standing ash trees.

Other students ventured far outside of Lake County.

Assistant Professor of Biology Sean Menke and students Ellie Bacon and Cortney Oates traveled to California for 12 days to study the Argentine ant, an invasive species that arrived in the U.S. about a century ago.

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"They are financially problematic due to their impact on agriculture," Menke said. "And a pest in your house."

Back at the lab, Menke shows off a collection of Argentine ants pinned to a board like a butterfly collection.

"I really enjoyed the field work," said Bacon, although she said it was difficult to deal with walking through a species of invasive grass.

"The top parts get stuck on everything you are wearing and scratch your legs," Bacon said. "We had to duct tape our socks to prevent it getting in."

Oates, a chemistry major, said she chose this research in an effort to step outside her comfort zone.

"It was more seeing if I liked field work or lab work," Oates said, concluding that "I hate field work."

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Oates and Bacon have analyzed their data and created a PowerPoint presentation.

Over in the basement of the library, sophomore Sophia Mucciaccio is working with Anne Thomason, college archivist and librarian for special collections, to analyze letters between architects Edward Bennett and Daniel Burnham.

"I knew absolutely nothing about Bennett or Burnham" said Mucciaccio.

Nine weeks later she can recite Bennett's history from memory.

Bennett, originally from England, met Burnham while working in New York. They designed and built parks in Chicago then worked on the Plan of San Francisco with Burnham supplying many of the ideas, but Bennett doing most of the day-to-day work.

Bennett then moved to Chicago and the two collaborated on the Plan of Chicago, which they completed in 1909.

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"Chicago was growing very quickly and the infrastructure was not adequate to handle future growth," Mucciaccio said. "The Plan of Chicago was to do lots of widening and lengthening and rerouting of certain roadways, create new bridges and a lot of new parks. Grant Park and the waterfront were all part of the Plan of Chicago."

Mucciaccio and Thomason are also converting the letters to a digital format, which will soon be accessible to the public through the school's website.

On July 22, students in the Richter program will present their work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hotchkiss Hall. The public is welcome to attend.

mlawton@pioneerlocal.com

Twitter: @reporterdude
The Naperville City Council is considering an ordinance in which landlords would be mandated to consider housing vouchers as income when someone applies to rent a property. (David Zalubowski / AP)

Naperville City Council will decide in October whether to require landlords to consider government subsidy vouchers as income when renters apply for a place to live.

Local homeowners, seniors and city council members spoke in favor of the proposed ordinance at Tuesday night's council meeting. A final decision was pushed to October at the request of the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation, which is in favor of the change and asked for more time to gather additional support. No one spoke against it.

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Robert Buckman, immediate past president of the confederation, called landlords' rejection of rental applicants based on their use of a housing voucher "a morally if not legally repugnant form of discrimination."

Naperville landlords cannot discriminate against potential renters based on income. Proposed rules state that landlords must consider federal Housing Choice Vouchers as income and they cannot be the sole grounds to disqualify an applicant.

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The change would only require landlords to allow a voucher-holding resident to complete an application. If an applicant does not meet the landlord's other standards  acceptable credit, for example  the landlord would not be required to accept that person.

Carl Scrabacz, a member of Naperville's senior task force, said the vouchers would help Naperville's seniors as they struggle to find affordable housing within the city. Right now, 20 percent of about 500 vouchers redeemed in Naperville's portion of DuPage County belong to seniors. Figures for Will County were not available Monday night.

"We're speaking in favor of having this ordinance changed so there are more opportunities for seniors to find housing," Scrabacz said. The task force last year listed senior affordable housing as a top concern.

But Mayor Steve Chirico wondered if Naperville already was doing its part. Chirico said the numbers show that Naperville is more than meeting its obligation to accommodate those with housing vouchers when compared to other DuPage County cities based on population.

"What is the problem we're trying to solve?" Chirico asked.

About 2,900 vouchers have been issued in DuPage County and about 2,700 are currently in use. Of those, 500  or 18 percent  are redeemed in Naperville, according to Kenneth Coles, executive director at DuPage Housing Authority.

Anne Houghtaling, executive director of Hope Fair Housing Center in West Chicago, said the problem in Naperville is that most of the voucher holders live in concentrated areas around the Route 59 train station or Route 59 and 95th Street. In one case, more than 50 voucher holders rent from the same landlord. The proposed ordinance ideally would help voucher holders spread out around the city and take advantage of the opportunities that would offer them.

"We're looking for freedom of choice," Houghtaling said. "Concentrating poverty is not a solution."

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Houghtaling called Naperville an "opportunity city" with good jobs and schools that can help voucher holders take their next step up.

Naperville also offers more rental opportunities than other cities in DuPage County, supporters said, which helps explain why the city would attract a disproportionate number of voucher holders than other regions of the county. Rental unit figures were not available.

Ordinance supporters stressed they don't want the ordinance to create a burden for landlords. If another potential tenant came along, cash in hand, before a voucher-required property review is done, the landlord could rent to that person. If the improvements required during the review are too expensive for a landlord to do, he could skip the repairs and rent to another tenant without a voucher.

Councilwoman Becky Anderson said that in light of ongoing racial strife, violence and discrimination in the United States, it is important that Naperville makes everyone feel welcome. The city, she said, will be better for passing the ordinance.

"It is so essential that we make this simple thing work and that this can be home to many, many people," Anderson said.

gbookwalter@tribpub.com

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Twitter @GenevieveBook
Three projects came back to the Merrillville Plan Commission for approvals Tuesday, two with revisions.

Developer John Borucki and property owner John "Skip" Bosak received permission to convert 10 duplex lots in their Heritage North subdivision into single-family lots.

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Because those lots will now be smaller, the developers were able to add one additional parcel to their plan.

They also received final planned unit development approval for Heritage North lots, contingent upon engineering approval. The PUD needs to go to the Town Council for approval.

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Heritage North is a multi-phase housing development of duplexes and single-family homes located south of Bosak Motor Sales at U.S. 30 and Taney Place.

Borucki said they sought the switch from duplexes to single-family homes because developer Randy Hall was looking for a place to continue building single-family homes in Northwest Indiana.

Borucki said he wasn't sure what type of home Hall is looking to build at Heritage North, but it should be similar to the product he is offering in other developments in the region.

Bosak said Hall's homes are typically 2,000 to 2,200 square feet.

"We started as single-family there, then went to duplex and are now back to single family," Bosak said of the converted lots.

The developers drew praise from commission members for this subdivision.

"I like this development. I like the way it's being developed and I'm not hearing any complaints from residents there," Plan Commission president, Councilwoman Chrissy Barron, D-5th, said.

"This has been a joy to watch," added member Brian Dering.

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In other matters, Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters received approval to amend previously-approved plans for its headquarters.

Ryan Marovich, an engineer with DVG Inc., said some lots needed to be reconfigured when it was discovered that wetlands on the Mississippi Street site are larger than first thought.

He said the wetlands most likely will remain natural.

"There is now a stream there and trees. I expect to let it go naturally," Marovich said.

The carpenters union is moving from its location in Hobart to Mississippi Street, one mile north of 73rd Avenue in Merrillville.

Merrillville is home to several union halls, several on Mississippi Street.

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The commission also approved a request to build a four-story, 91-room Holiday Inn Express hotel at 8640 Mississippi St. now that ownership of a needed 2-foot strip of land has been transferred to the developers.

Karen Caffarini is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Porter County Sheriff's deputy Mark Harris talks with Scott Hildreth, a representative of the group during a anti-abortion demonstration by the Heart for the Next Generation Outreach Program, which includes members of the Living Stones Church in Crown Point, on the courthouse square in Valparaiso, IN., on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (Mark Davis/for the Post-Tribune) (Mark Davis / Post-Tribune)

On the sidewalk along Washington Street, in front of large, billboard-like depictions of what the ministry Heart for the Next Generation claims are pictures of aborted fetuses, Scott Heldreth, the group's pastor, engaged with a passerby in a spirited debate about creation.

"I believe even weaker children should be valued," Heldreth told the man, who declined to give his name, on Tuesday, "because God created people in his image."

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This is the second year the Crown Point-based ministry set up its display on the Porter County courthouse square, though this year county commissioners moved the display from high-traffic Lincolnway to Washington Street because of public safety concerns.

The move didn't bother Heldreth.

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"Our lawyer's frustrated because they're basically moving us to a less traveled street but I'm not bothered by it," he said, adding that he sees it as the government clamping down on free speech.

County attorney Scott McClure said during a July 12 Board of Commissioners meeting during which the ministry received approval for the protest that commissioners would not deny the request, but had the right to narrow where on the square it took place.

The county's switchboard received numerous complaints about the graphic display Tuesday, McClure said. Commissioners also received complaints last year.

American flags and those that read "Justice for the unborn" fluttered over the signs and a number of protesters held signs that read, "Violence in the womb leads to violence in the streets."

"We're dealing with a culture of violence in our nation," Heldreth said, adding when it's used against society's most vulnerable through abortion, "we open the door to violence solving any problem we have."

Valparaiso is one of several cities across the nation in which Heart for the Next Generation is holding similar protests, he said, adding the Valparaiso display, which will be up again on Wednesday, generated an assortment of reactions.

"Our nation is so divided on morality and truth. I don't know if it's ever been so divided, so we're getting different responses," he said.

While Heldreth and the passerby discussed the origin of humankind, two of the more than 20 people on-site with the ministry placed their hands on a woman's shoulders after offering to pray for her.

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The woman, of Valparaiso, declined to give her name, but said she thought the display was "wonderful."

"It's great to see young people standing up for their cause," she said, adding she agreed when they asked to pray for her. "I told them I had just left Bible study and I was glad to see them doing God's work."

Not everyone was pleased with the display, which also featured pictures of Nazi Germany and the attack on the World Trade Center, among others.

"We have enough violence in the world. Their display, equating abortion to the Taliban, is inviting violence. I think it's abominable," Rosalie West of Valparaiso said.

Regardless of the content, the First Amendment guarantees the ministry's right to show the displays, said a Porter Township resident who also declined to give her name.

"Everybody has their right to show their stuff. It is a bit graphic but it's freedom of speech. Even if I possibly don't agree with them, everyone has the right to express their opinion," she said.

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Amy Lavalley is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune. Freelance photographer Mark Davis contributed.
Pam Fish was friendly and energetic when I bumped into her last Friday evening in Valparaiso.

She was campaigning door to door for her daunting bid to unseat five-term House District 4 state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, in the general election. Fish is the first candidate I've seen this summer pounding the pavement for a race that will surely heat up as it gets colder outside.

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After joking that her camp has to knock on roughly 22,000 doors before the Nov. 1 election, Fish said voters are already telling her they're upset and angry about our state's leadership.

Just as she started to delve into her sidewalk spiel about the most contentious issues, I gently changed the conversation. My misdirection had nothing to do with Fish, who I've always found to be engaging and intelligent. I simply wasn't in the mood to talk politics, again, during a peaceful stroll with my lady.

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Despite my job as a newspaper columnist with an opinion on everything, politics is not a topic I boast any expertise. Just ask my critics who claim to have all the answers when it comes to local, state or national politics. It's not that I'm totally uninterested in politics. It's that I tend to interpret it from the viewpoint of a curious sociologist, not a know-it-all analyst.

For example, my kneejerk response to any candidate running for any public office is, "Why?"

Why would you walk block after block, mile after mile, to talk with registered voters (you hope) about their complaints, concerns and skepticism? What's your motivation? What's your agenda? Why would you subject yourself to this every day for several months?

Is it purely to become a public servant and another dutiful cog in the rusty wheels of democracy? Is it strictly to serve your local community? Does it stem from youthful idealism? Or possibly by dissatisfaction or disappointment with incumbent office holders?

Or, I often suspect, are you seeking some kind of power trip at taxpayers' expense? Is this decision more about your ego than your community? Are you running for this office specifically to springboard to a higher office? Hmmm.

These are my initial questions, long before I care about "the issues" of any race.

The very definition of "politics," in part, is the use of power by one person to affect the behavior of others. This sums up many local campaigns I've covered through the years and, without a doubt, it sums up our presidential race this year.

Both presumptive presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, routinely use every ounce of political rhetoric in a sensational manner to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction from Americans.

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This, in fact, is one of the definitions of pornography, according to Miriam-Webster. And this is why I describe such campaign hyperbole as the pornography of politics. It's obvious that millions of Americans are addicted to such porn and can't get enough of it.

Me? Not so much.

I'm addicted to the suspicions that most everybody wants something from me, and also from you.

They either want us to buy their product. Or attend their church. Or join their group. Or register in their organization. Buy what they're selling. Endorse their philosophy. Adopt their beliefs. Vote like them. Think like them. Act like them. Be one of them. And on it goes.

Each day there is a steady pull on each of us, by others, to do what they're doing, walk their way, talk their way, pray their way. Let me enlighten you, they preach to us. Let me guide you, they promise. Let me reveal the truth to you. Follow me, they say.

This is especially true for political candidates who want our donations, our support and our vote, usually in that order.

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If rhetoric doesn't work, amplification is worth a shot, too many politicians believe.

The ongoing Republican National Convention illustrates this point. Why merely say something when you can instead scream it, as Rudy Giuliani did repeatedly during his Monday night speech about Trump.

Maybe the true theme of Trump's campaign should be, "Make America Louder Again!"

The GOP delegates and supporters in Cleveland were whipped into a frenzy by such political porn. I sat back and quietly wondered why they acted like a mob of rabid lemmings, as if yelling "AMERICA!" makes them more American than others.

Yes, I understand the same thing will happen at the Democratic National Convention next week in Philadelphia. Clinton and her supporters will also ratchet up the rhetoric while bashing Trump and his easy target of a running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

My boilerplate question to politicians of "Why?" also applies to Pence after he agreed to Trump's request to be his vice president. It's no secret he always had aspirations for higher political office in Washington, D.C.

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Every Hoosier should know there was no way he would ever reject this once-in-his-lifetime offer, even if it's with Trump, who he didn't previously endorse. It's so disappointing. So predictable. So political.

Post Tribune Twice-weekly News updates from Northwest Indiana delivered every Monday and Wednesday >

Pence also is addicted to the pornography of politics and he couldn't resist getting aroused from Trump's teasing offer, which was made official last Friday.

That evening is when I bumped into Pam Fish, who was cheerfully walking house to house to pass out campaign literature and listen to potential voters. I was impressed by her efforts so early in her race but, to be honest, I was more interested in what was for dinner that night than more political porn.

As I joked with Fish on a social media post, I was instead campaigning for a peaceful evening at the end of a long work week.

I understand the striptease show of politics is very sexy to voters these days. It has turned a timeless attraction into a timely addiction during an historic and bombastic presidential race.

Still, beyond my professional role to write about it from time to time, I don't think I'll be seduced by its flirtatious charms. Political porn also makes for strange bedfellows.

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jdavich@post-trib.com

Twitter@jdavich
Another Door Theatre Project is an ensemble-based training program that will be based out of Skokie Theatre in the fall. (Another Door Theatre Project)

Janet Louer has a vision. It is becoming reality through her latest venture, Another Door Theatre Project.

Louer, who previously was associated with ATC (Actors Training Center) at the Wilmette Theatre said, "I wanted to do more than just be in a musical theater division," she said. "I wanted to bring in Shakespeare. I wanted to bring in on-camera within the company training  training the young actor to do all of it. I wanted to bring in outreach." Louer has already formed an alliance with Michael Jones and his Professional Theatre and Dance Youth Academy, based in Chicago's Woodlawn area.

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Another Door was co-founded by Barbara Falk (music director) and G. "Max" Maxin IV (technical director). Starting in the fall, Another Door will be based at the Skokie Theatre.

"We call it Another Door Theatre Project because it isn't a school," Louer explained. "It is an ensemble-based training program that has two levels." There is a Development Conservatory and an Ensemble Conservatory.

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"The Development kids aren't ready to be in the Ensemble Conservatory. We train them to be able to move up," Louer said. Young people must audition for this program.

Ensemble members have a rigorous schedule of training and rehearsals. They also take educational field trips.

In August, Louer is taking Ensemble Conservatory members to New York where they will see Heather Headley (Louer co-manages the musical theater star) in "The Color Purple," and have a talk-back with the cast. They may also see "Waitress" and have a talkback with star Jessie Mueller.

The ensemble will present three shows each year. This summer they are staging, "Bare, A Pop Opera." The sung-through musical by Jon Hartmere Jr. (book and lyrics) and Damon Intrabartolo (lyrics and music) focuses on two gay teens who attend a Catholic high school.

"Two guys are hiding their sexuality. And in the midst of it, there are auditions for 'Romeo and Juliet,'" said Louer, who is directing and choreographing. The main characters parallel the characters in 'Romeo and Juliet' and the scenes parallel the scenes in 'Romeo and Juliet.'"

Fifteen-year-old Jacob Simon of Deerfield, a Deerfield High School sophomore, plays Peter.

"Peter is a devout Catholic who happens to be gay," Jacob said. "His relationship with religion and his roommate Jason and everyone in his life are affected by his secret that religion is keeping him from telling. Jason is his everything. Peter can't come out of the closet without dragging Jason out and Jason isn't ready to take that step."

Oak Park resident Logan Scofield, 17, an Oak Park River Forest High School senior, plays Jason.

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"Jason comes from a very religious family where their faith shapes almost every aspect of who they are," Logan said. "So Jason, being a little bit more than curious, is ostracized and feels neglected by his family and the church. His entire life he has been overachieving and overworking to try to fit in, just to survive."

Another Door Theatre Project presents, 'Bare: A Pop Opera'

When: 8 p.m. Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, July 31

Where: Sherman Theater, 1702 Sherman Ave., Evanston

Tickets: $18 at www.artful.ly/store/events/9558

Contact: www.anotherdoortheatreproject.org
Bilateral trade between China and ASEAN (the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations) has boomed during the past 25 years, but it has declined this year because of the lackluster global economy, a senior official said Tuesday.

China-ASEAN trade rose to US$472.16 billion in 2015 from US$7.96 billion in 1991, with an annual growth rate of 18.5 percent, Vice Commerce Minister Gao Yan said at a news conference.

During the Jan-May period, however, bilateral trade fell 7.1 percent year on year to US$173.57 billion.

The two sides are trying their best to "get bilateral-trade growth back on track as soon as possible", Gao said.

China is ASEAN's biggest trading partner, while ASEAN is China's third biggest.

By the end of May, the two-way investment had exceeded $160 billion, with ASEAN remaining a major destination for Chinese companies.

When asked whether trade ties between China and the Philippines will be affected following the South China Sea arbitration award, Gao said the two countries enjoy "relatively stable" economic and trade relations, while dismissing claims that Chinese people have boycotted foreign products, especially those made in the Philippines.

"China is willing to develop mutually beneficial trade and economic ties with the Philippines in various forms," she added.

The 13th China-ASEAN Expo will be held in Nanning, capital of South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, from Sept 11-14.

The expo, co-sponsored by China and the 10 ASEAN countries, has been held for 12 consecutive years since 2004, serving as an international economic and trade event for the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.

With the theme of "Building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, Forging an Even-Closer China-ASEAN Community of Common Destiny," the 13th expo will advance mutual investment between China and ASEAN in the key areas of industrial capacity cooperation and equipment manufacturing, Gao said.
To provide better support for Chinese enterprises to make investment and improve their image overseas and to be a good pusher and promoter for the economic and trade relationships between China and foreign parties, on the afternoon of July 17, the ceremony for the signing of the Strategic Partnership Memorandum of Understanding between Chinese Enterprise Global Image Alliance (CEGIA) and Economic & Commercial Counselors Alliance in China (ECCAC) and thematic salon activity were held at CIPG Culture & Creative Plaza.

CEGIA, which was initiated and established by China Report of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), has been engaged in helping Chinese enterprises to "go global" and improve their image overseas. A number of guest speakers were invited to the salon themed on "Opportunities and challenges for Chinese enterprises to 'invest in Africa'." Of them, there are Dr. Ayman Aly Osman, head of the Economic & Commercial Bureau of the Embassy of Egypt in China and chairman of ECCAC; Mr. Kouadi Kouame Severin, counselor from the Embassy of the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire in China and council member of ECCAC; Ms. Jeanette COULIBALY, director of the Commerce Bureau of the Embassy of the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire in China; Mr. Dusan Marusak, economic counselor of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in China and executive director of ECCAC.

The attendees to the activity include Mao Yixiang, director of the Information Center of the State-Owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, Zhang Zhengyan from the office of the External Promotion Bureau of the State Council Information Office, Chen Shi, deputy editor-in-chief of CIPG and president and editor-in-chief of China Report, and representatives from more than 20 enterprises, such as China National Nuclear Corporation, China Nuclear E&C Group, Sinopec, Shenhua Group, China Guodian Corporation, China Unicom, China FAW Group, China National Materials Group Corporation Ltd., China Railway Signal & Communication Corporation Limited, China Railway Construction Corporation Limited, China State Construction, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. The salon was presided over by Huang Yulong, assistant president of China Report and secretary general of CEGIA.

Remarks of the counselors

Dr. Ayman Aly Osman, head of the Economic & Commercial Bureau of the Embassy of Egypt in China and chairman of ECCAC.

China has long-term trade connections with Africa and good relationships with African countries. The Chinese government has been encouraging Chinese enterprises to make investment in Africa and participate in the construction of Africa. This promotes the social development of Africa and also plays a very important and helpful role for further enhancing the partnership between China and Africa. Especially, China and Egypt have established a close and good partnership between governments, chambers of commerce and enterprises. Many Chinese enterprises, such as Sinopec and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, have had successful operation and investment projects in Egypt. For Chinese enterprises, there are many fields suitable for investment in Egypt, including high-tech, energy, transportation, railway and tourism.

Dr. Ayman Aly Osman, head of the Economic & Commercial Bureau of the Embassy of Egypt in China and chairman of ECCAC

Kouadi Kouame Severin, counselor from the Embassy of the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire in China and council member of ECCAC.

Cote D'Ivoire is a country primarily based on agriculture, with abundant mineral resources and currently an economic growth rate of 10 percent. However, the lack of overall infrastructure construction ability has limited the development of the country. Therefore, we expect very much for foreign enterprises to make investment in Cote D'Ivoire. We have quite free preferential policies to support such investment and related projects. We eagerly hope that Chinese enterprises can make investment in our infrastructure projects. In case of any difficulties encountered during the investment, I would like very much to provide corresponding advice.

Kouadi Kouame Severin, counselor from the Embassy of the Republic of Cote D'Ivoire in China and council member of ECCAC

Dusan Marusak, economic counselor of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in China and executive director of ECCAC.

Although the Slovak Republic is not an African country, we still attach great importance to the cooperation with China in business and trade. The Slovak Republic boasts beautiful landscapes and pleasant climate, and very rich resources as well. We have mainly launched investment and cooperation projects with China in some important sectors, such as technology transfer, auto industry, food industry, and tourism. We eagerly hope that Chinese enterprises can make investment and participate in our construction of transportation and logistics facilities.

Dusan Marusak, economic counselor of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in China and executive director of ECCAC

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has urged efforts to boost social (private and mixed-owned) investment by "removing obstacles, improving the environment and expanding room for development."

He made the remarks at a national conference on social investment on Monday, according to an official statement released Tuesday.

Boosting effective investment will have a wide range of influences, including promoting consumption and creating jobs, said the premier.

The government should guide social investment to "weak areas," including infrastructure, public services and emerging sectors, and prevent the flow of funds to industries with too much capacity or high levels of pollution.

The government should continue to streamline administration, overhaul market regulation and optimize services, said Li.

Authorities will widen market access for social investment and eliminate discrimination. They will lower taxes, cut fees and reduce financing costs for enterprises.

Li also asked governments to repay their debts to companies.

China will improve and promote public-private partnership (PPP), which is long-term cooperation between governments and private companies on projects, which are mainly funded and operated by the companies and supervised by governments.

PPP will continue to be used in infrastructure construction and will also be introduced in education, medical treatment and elder care.

Official data showed last week that China's fixed-asset investment grew 9 percent in the first half of 2016, down from 9.6 percent in the first five months and 10.7 percent in the first quarter.

More notably, private investment increased 2.8 percent in the first half, down from 3.9 percent in the first five months and 5.7 percent in the first quarter.
China's military drill in the South China Sea, which began on Tuesday, is a reaction to the frequent military exercises carried by the US, Japan and some other countries in the region, said a former senior official.

The United States has dispatched 10 aircraft carriers to Asia to carry out military operations in the past years, a source of anxiety for the Chinese people and government, said Zhao Qizheng, former minister of the State Council Information Office, the country's top international publicity agency.

Zhao made the remarks at a news conference on Tuesday in Singapore during a think tank seminar over the South China Sea issue. On Monday, China announced that access to part of the sea would be closed for military drills from Tuesday to Thursday.

Military exercises are expensive, Zhao said, and China doesn't want to conduct such large-scale military drills and has authorized them only because of continuous provocations from the US, Japan and other countries in the South China Sea region.

"The United States, Japan and the Philippines have undertaken actions, and we responded with reactions. It's just like the law of physics," he said.

As Beijing has refused to accept any ruling of the unilaterally launched arbitration, China and the Philippines should carry out talks in areas such as joint development o fishery, natural resources and maritime rescue, he proposed.

"The South China Sea disputes have existed for more than three decades, and it's impossible that they are going to be resolved within three months, or even three years," he said.

Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the Naval Military Studies Research Institute of the People's Liberation Army, said that many of the island-seizing military drills conducted by the US, Japan and the Philippines considered China as the potential enemy, and such provocations must be stopped.

"China's military exercises in the South China Sea are focused on self-defense, which is quite different from the muscle-flexing operations of the US and other countries," he said.

Shahriman Lockman, a senior analyst at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies of Malaysia, told China Daily that the South China Sea claimants should consider mediation and conciliationtwo methods that are "rarely used but are more suited to Asian countries".

"I see very little chance of Vietnam or Malaysia initiating arbitration proceedings," he said. "The incremental gains from initiating new arbitration proceedings would be outweighed by the risk of complicating their relations with China."
Police and media organizations are calling for rational patriotism after sporadic protests against the United States broke out across China in the past few days triggered by the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague's illegal ruling on the South China Sea issue.

Video clips posted online have shown protesters who believe the US was behind the ruling demonstrating outside restaurants owned by the US fast-food chain KFC in cities in Hebei, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hunan provinces starting on Monday.

Many demonstrators held red banners saying "Join the boycott against US, Japanese and Philippine companies, and be a patriotic Chinese" and stopped people from entering the restaurants. Police officers were dispatched to the protests to maintain public order.

A KFC employee surnamed Lei in Chenzhou, Hunan province, confirmed there had been a small protest outside the restaurant on Monday. She said that business returned to normal on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a woman in Tangshan, Hebei province, filmed her protest on her mobile phone. The video was widely circulated on social media on Tuesday. In the video, the woman walked into the restaurant and told customers that it is they who pay for the bullets for the US.

Yum! Brands Inc, China Division, which operates the KFC chain in China, declined to comment on the protests.

The protests have been criticized by the police and public.

After one such protest was held at a local KFC, police in Ganyu district, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, issued a statement on Monday urging people to not get involved in illegal protests instigated via the internet or social media.

In Siyang county, Jiangsu, police posted on their micro blog the message, "Love your country, but please don't take out your anger on its people."

Pu Yu, 27, a Tangshan resident who works in Beijing, said she did not understand such behavior. "They are simply creating chaos in the name of patriotism. If KFC closes down, it's the locals who will be out of jobs."
"If we incite people to do good by issuing decrees and meting out punishment, all we shall do is create those who fear the stick rather than those who revere doing right; but if we lead people on a just path with morality, we will breed a people imbued with an awareness of shame and they will submit themselves to governance."

Liu Fengguang, professor of Confucianism at Qufu Normal University, gives a lecture on Confucius' teachings in Yunhe prison in 2011. [Photo/China Daily]

Although those words were uttered by the Chinese sage Confucius about 2,500 years ago, they still have great resonance today, especially for the inmates of Yunhe prison in Shandong province.

In the past 24 years, more than 3,200 prisoners have "graduated" from the Yunhe Confucius Distance Learning College, which offers courses that expound on the sage's philosophy and are designed to rehabilitate offenders and prepare them for life outside prison. So far, about 1,000 of the graduates have found work in the low-end technology sector.

The college has distilled the basic concepts of the philosophy into 14 classes, one for each of the known works of Confucius, and it takes about two years to complete the entire course of study. The emphasis is placed firmly on restoring the inmates' sense of right and wrong.

The prison college, established in 1992, was the first of its kind in China. In addition to lectures by prison officers and online classes, Confucian scholars from across the country are invited to visit the prison once a month and teach classes for three days.

"If the prisoners sit around without doing anything, they are likely to get into fights. The idea of providing higher education was the result of a debate about how to make the best use of their time," said Liu Dengcai, the prison's deputy governor.

Although the Confucius teaching project has won plaudits from educationalists and penal experts, when the founders decided to turn their idea into reality, they had a hard time persuading institutions to provide teachers.

"The teachers feared the prisoners would be unwilling to learn anything they taught," said Liu Dengcai, deputy governor of Yunhe prison, Shandong province.

Having discussed the idea with a number of colleges and universities in Shandong, Liu and his colleagues eventually decided to work with Qufu Normal University, which provided intellectual support.

Working with university teachers, the prison officers adapted the sage's teachings to produce new textbooks that would make it easier for inmates to grasp the basic concepts of Confucianism.

Liu believes prison mangers need to understand the maxim: "Strict punishment and lenient treatment should be complementary to each other in order to maintain good governance."

For the prisoners, one overarching Confucian concept concerning the production of moral individuals is perfect for educational purposes. It requires people to display benevolence, righteousness and propriety, in addition to trustworthiness, loyalty and filial piety.

"I will never forget a lecture given by Bao Pengshan, a renowned scholar of Confucianism. He told us a great man should be one who is able to rectify his mistakes," said "Hao Xue" (his name has been changed to protect his privacy), an inmate who completed the course in Yunhe in 2010. "Bearing this line in mind, I want to reshape my personality and try to be a man of noble character."

Rehabilitation

According to Liu, the nation has a high number of convicted offenders, which means prisons are crowded and maintaining order can be a challenge. Despite that, the courses in Confucianism remain a cornerstone of the approach to rehabilitation in Yunhe prison.

"Most importantly, our main task is to re-educate the prisoners and place them firmly back on the right track," he said.

In 2008, the college achieved a major breakthrough when it was authorized to act as an exam center for students who are unable to take exams in the normal way. Inmates can take the national "self-taught" exam - for those outside the formal education system - while in prison, and the credits they gain can be used as evidence of a reformed character when the authorities are considering the reduction of their sentence.

In recent years, the success of the Yunhe project has prompted six other rehabilitation centers to offer similar courses. The latest was established at Luzhong prison, in central Shandong, in May.

One of the essential Confucian concepts emphasizes conscientious ethical behavior to cultivate close, loving relationships, especially between families, friends and neighbors, according to Wang Hanyu, a lecturer who has taught Confucian philosophy at a number of corrective centers and prisons in the province.

The practice of educating inmates through moral teaching rather than punishment accord with a resurgence of Confucian thought in modern society.

Wang, who is also deputy secretary-general of the Research Society on Confucius Business Theory in Shandong, believes the Chinese word xiao, which means "filial piety", is an important component of the concept that underpins family relationships.

"The concept is firmly rooted in the minds of every person in China and has been adopted by most households nowadays. It has a huge bearing on every inmate too. It makes it easier for people to empathize with the prisoners, which in turn helps them to return to their families and reintegrate into society when they are released from prison," she said.

Li Xiang (his name has been changed to protect his privacy), an inmate at Yunhe who completed the two-year course in 2012, said he has benefited from the courses. "I've learned the way a person should behave. As the philosopher said, 'Do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you'," he said.

"The words of the Master have taught me how to treat other people and how to be tolerant in daily life. I want to make reparation to those I hurt before and try my best to repay those who have helped me to rebuild my life."
A six-second video of a man knocking two bricks off a section of the Great Wall of China has caused a stir online, with netizens expressing strong criticism, the Legal Evening News reported on Tuesday.

A screen shot of the six-second video

The short-haired man, who wore a white shirt, light grey shorts and brown sandals, screamed nine times in six seconds as he knocked off one brick with his hands and another with a kick of his right foot.

The section of the Great Wall in the video looked desolate and in a state of disrepair.

At the end, the man posed to conclude his "feat". Another man, who stood nearby to shoot the video, commented: "It was not easy for Emperor Qin Shihuang to build the Great Wall, and he has come to destroy it."

The Chinese Law on Protection of Cultural Relics stipulates that those who willfully or negligently cause damage to the country's cultural relics can be charged and punished according to law.

Dong Yaohui, the vice president of the China Great Wall Society, said the section of the Great Wall in the video could be the Dapanying Great Wall located in Huailai County, Hebei Province.

According to Dong, the Dapanying Great Wall was built during the Ming dynasty, not the Qin dynasty. It is a wild section of the Great Wall that has not undergone repair and does not have around-the-clock monitoring.
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Four mainland officials left Beijing Wednesday noon for Taiwan to assist families of victims of a serious bus accident.

They are from various departments including the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, the statement said.

Twenty-six people, including 23 tourists and a tour guide from the Chinese mainland and two local people -- a driver and a tour guide -- were killed when a tour bus crashed into a barrier on a highway and caught fire near Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan on Tuesday.

Most of the tourists were from northeast China's Liaoning Province. Liaoning officials will also arrive in Taiwan on Wednesday.
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The arbitration over the South China Sea dispute unilaterally initiated by the former Philippine government is in fact a celebration among rogue arbitrators, who have hidden their selfish motives under the guise of the rule of law.

In 2013, the Aquino III administration brought an arbitration case over its South China Sea dispute with China, prompting a five-member ad hoc arbitral tribunal.

By doing so, the Philippines violated its standing agreement with China to settle the their disputes through bilateral negotiation. The country also violated China's right to decide its own means of settling a dispute as a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Last Tuesday, the tribunal issued a so-called final award, denying China's long-standing historic rights in the South China Sea.

The Chinese government said in a white paper that as the arbitration had no jurisdiction over this particular case, awards rendered by it are null and void and have no binding force.

"China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea shall under no circumstances be affected by those awards. China does not accept or recognize those awards. China opposes and will never accept any claim or action based on those awards," it said.

BIASED TRIBUNAL

Most of the members of the ad hoc tribunal were picked by Shunji Yanai, then president of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and former Japanese ambassador to the United States.

Yanai presented a report to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that called for the lifting of a ban on Japan's ability to send its military abroad in a combat role, something that would run counter to its constitution.

Yanai's creation of the arbitral tribunal is believed to be biased as he initially picked Judge Chris Pinto of Sri Lanka -- whose wife is a Filipino -- as one of the tribunal's members.

Pinto was later replaced by Judge Thomas A. Mensah of Ghana, who pursued long-term studies in Britain and the United States.

The other four members are Judge Jean-Pierre Cot of France, Judge Stanislaw Pawlak of Poland, Professor Alfred Soons of the Netherlands and Judge Rudiger Wolfrum of Germany.

Four members have extensive experience in arbitration, among whom Mensah participated in five arbitration cases over maritime disputes and Wolfrum, three.

However, some members' stances in past cases are questionable as they have set the precedent of expanding tribunal jurisdiction at will and ignoring sovereignty issues.

Wolfrum, who was designated by Manila in the South China Sea arbitration case, participated in an arbitration case over the Chagos Archipelago dispute between Britain and Mauritius from December 2010 to March 2015. He was an arbitrator designated by Mauritius in the case.

Britain maintained that the tribunal had no jurisdiction over the case as it touched upon sovereignty issues. But Wolfrum, along with other arbitrators, rejected Britain's appeal.

When the Netherlands sued Russia after the latter's navy boarded and detained the crew of a Dutch vessel in waters off the Russian coast in 2013, Moscow asserted that the court had no jurisdiction in the matter and refused to participate in the hearings.

Wolfrum, who was not an arbitrator in the Russian case, released an opinion with another judge, in which they strongly criticized Russia's stance.

International law experts say that the long-standing opinion that an arbitrator holds on some kind of dispute may influence his or her judgement in other cases, prompting him or her to make a presumptive decision and affecting the impartiality of arbitration.

Shunji Yanai knows this all too well. He also knows that he can easily create a tribunal biased against China by choosing some arbitrators who are more inclined to ignore sovereignty issues.

Of course, biased arbitrators are not enough. The role of the United States as global policeman was key.

Evidence shows that the United States has long been instigating and manipulating the Philippines to act on a so-called legal front.

Experts point out that without the careful planning of the Untied States, the Philippines alone would not have been able to file the arbitration case.

The U.S. legal team not only appeared before the ad hoc tribunal, but also took charge of the drafting of the several-thousand page legal document.

But the most important merit of the legal team, said the experts, is its inextricable connection with the tribunal.

U.S. lawyer Bernard Oxman, who represented the Philippines in the arbitration, had previously worked with Shunji on many occasions.

Oxman also has close ties to the U.S. government. He used to be the Assistant Legal Adviser for Oceans, Environment, and Scientific Affairs of the U.S. Department of State from 1968 to 1977.

Oxman was also the vice-president of the U.S. delegation to the third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) and one of the coordinators of the English language group of the drafting committees of the Conference. This despite the fact that the United State has yet to join UNCLOS.

Experts point to the fact that the complicated and inextricable connections between the arbitrators and the Japanese and U.S. governments as well as the Philippines have constituted a huge network of political interests, which trampled justice by abusing the international law and order.
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A total of 260 Taliban militants gave up fighting in the northern Samangan province and handed over their weapons to local authorities on Tuesday, provincial police chief Mohammad Baqir Masoud said.

"A total of 260 Taliban fighters including three key commanders namely Mullah Faisal, Raes Ibrahim and Mullah Almas in a ceremony held in Dara-e-Suf Payan district surrendered to government and handed in their weapons to police," Baqir Masoud told Xinhua.

In the ceremony attended among others by ranking civil and military officials, commanders of the former rebels vowed to defend peace and security from now on.

The former militants were active against government over the past couple of years, the official said, adding with surrendering these people to government, peace and security will be further improved in Samangan and the northern region at large.

Army spokesman Nasratullah Jamshidi also confirmed surrendering of countless militants in Samangan province on Tuesday.

Taliban militants are yet to make comment on the report.
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Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim confirmed on Tuesday that an official request has been sent to the U.S. government for the extradition of Fethullah Gulen, who was accused by Ankara of plotting a failed military coup.

"We have no doubt on the source of this vicious coup and we know all the details over who guided it and how," Yildirim said.

The Turkish government claimed the failed coup was organized by followers of Gulen, a U.S.-based cleric.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday that his country has "a formal process for dealing with extradition requests" and asked Turkey to provide evidence of Gulen's involvement in the coup attempt.

"It is already clear," the prime minister responded, adding that "we will provide them with a pile of evidence."

The U.S. extraditing Gulen would be the "greatest sign of solidarity," the deputy prime minister Numan Kurtulmus said on Tuesday.

When asked whether the Turkish government is considering any strategic help from the U.S. after the coup, the deputy prime minister responded that "sending Gulen to Turkey would be the number one solidarity display."

More than 290 people were killed Friday in a failed coup in Turkey, which has strained Ankara's ties with the U.S. amid Turkey's accusations that the U.S. is harboring Gulen.
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Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday reiterated his administration's commitment to probity, accountability and integrity, promising that transparency remained a watchword, which would never be trifled with.

In a statement made available to Xinhua, the Nigerian leader also appealed to discerning Nigerians to ignore orchestrated attempts to sully the integrity of senior government officials, who are being tarred with the brush of corruption without any concrete evidence.

Buhari, according to the statement, was reacting to online media reports, alleging that the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Ibe Kachikwu, is being investigated over crude oil swap deals and gas lifting during his tenure as head of the petroleum corporation.

He appealed for decent and civilized comments, particularly when it has to do with the integrity of those who are serving the country.

The Nigerian leader said terrible and unfounded comments about other people's integrity are not good.

"We are not going to spare anybody who soils his hands, but people should please wait till such individuals are indicted," he added.
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The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday urged the United Nations (UN) to condemn French airstrikes, which targeted a town in northern Syria, killing 120 civilians, according to state news agency SANA.

The ministry said the French warplanes, part of the U.S.-led anti-terror coalition, struck the village of Tukhan al-Kubra in the northern countryside of the town of Manbej in Aleppo province on Tuesday morning, committing a "bloody massacre" against civilians there.

Entire families were wiped out as a result of the "intense" shelling by the French air forces, said the ministry in statements sent to the UN and affiliated organizations.

"The French aggression has killed 120 civilians, most of whom were kids, women and elderly people," said the statement, adding that the fate of tens of other civilians is still unknown.

Earlier on Tuesday, reports of airstrikes targeting Manbej were first released by the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The watchdog group said the U.S.-led coalition struck Manbej, as part of ongoing military showdown there between the Islamic State (IS) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a U.S.-backed Syrian rebel group, which unleashed an offensive under U.S. air cover last May for the control of the town.

The Syrian ministry said the U.S. warplanes carried out airstrikes against Manbej on Monday, killing 20 civilians.

Meanwhile, the ministry repeated its line that the U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria are "illegal."

It accused the coalition of pointing its weapons against the "innocent civilians and infrastructure, instead of pointing them to the terrorist groups."

"Syria stresses that whoever wants to battle the terrorists, must coordinate with the Syrian government," said the statement.

It said the Western claims of a moderate opposition in Syria has become "a shame and unacceptable."

"The United States, Qatar, France, Saudi Arabia and Britain continue supporting the terrorist groups in Syria, which is a clear sign of the involvement of these countries with the terrorist groups," said the ministry.

The ministry continued that such crimes will not dissuade the Syrian army from carrying out its duty in fighting the terror groups.

The U.S.-led anti-terror coalition has been backing the SDF to capture the town since last May, so far laying a siege on the IS fighters and some 100,000 civilians in the town.

Manbej has a strategic importance to the U.S.-backed rebels due to its location near Turkey. Capturing Manbej would deprive the IS from a key stronghold near Turkey.
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Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un has guided a test firing of a ballistic rocket of the Hwasong artillery units of the strategic force of the military, the official news agency KCNA reported Wednesday.

The test-firing was conducted under simulated conditions of launching preemptive strikes at the ports and airfields in South Korea where the U.S. nuclear hardware is to be mobilized, the KCNA said.

The test also "examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area," it added.

Kim was satisfied with the test result and instructed to ensure the speed and security of the operation of nuclear attack system and develop diversified ballistic rockets.

The date and place of the test-firing was not given by the state media.

South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Tuesday that the DPRK fired off three ballistic missiles, which are believed to have been a Scud-C type, from the western region of Hwangju in North Hwanghae province between 5:45 a.m. and 6:05 a.m. Seoul time.

The missiles traveled about 500 to 600 km, making them able to hit the entire South Korean region, said the JCS.

The test-launch came six days after Seoul and Washington agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in Seongju county, some 250 km southeast of Seoul, by the end of next year.

The DPRK's military threatened to take "physical measures" against THAAD when the deployment site is determined in response to the THAAD deployment decision.

Meanwhile, Seoul's unification ministry said Monday that Pyongyang appeared to have been in a state of preparing another nuclear test given increased activity in its main Punggye-ri nuclear test site where the country carried out four underground nuclear tests since 2006.
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The French government on Tuesday proposed to extend the period of the state of emergency by three months in the wake of Nice attack.

In a press release issued after a cabinet meeting, the government, dogged by rising critics over security failure, asked for an three-month extension of emergency rules "following Nice attack on July 14 and the extremely high level of terrorist threat in France."

The move came after a 31-year-old Franco-Tunisian man drove a heavy truck into crowd in Nice last Thursday, killing 84 people.

The investigation into the attack showed the attacker's "certain, recent interest in radical jihadist movements," but no evidence have been found on his links with the Islamic State, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said on Monday.

The state of emergency which empowers the police to search homes and arrest suspects without judicial warrant, "has shown effectiveness by allowing measures that have a real destabilizing impact on individuals directly involved in the jihadist movement and on the criminal networks which feed terrorism," the statement added.

The government's new law would also give power to anti-terrorism units to search suspects' computers and mobilephone communications.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, the government's spokesman Stephane Le foll said President Francois Hollande was considering a six-month extension of emergency state in response to the demand of right-wing lawmakers.

Later on Tuesday, lawmakers will discuss the government's proposal before passing the text to the Senate which is set to vote it on Wednesday.
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday that he wants to reaffirm the special and unbreakable ties uniting the United States and Britain, as he visited London for the first time after Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

"The United States of America depends on a strong United Kingdom. We mean united and it depends on an engaged United Kingdom," Kerry told a joint press conference with his newly-appointed British counterpart Boris Johnson in London.

Kerry said the United States also depends on a close relationship with the EU. He said America wants the smoothest possible transition to Brexit and a collaborative EU-British relationship.

He said he was encouraged by what he heard from British Prime Minister Theresa May and Johnson, as May has assured him Britain still intends to play a leading role in global affairs.

Stressing that there has not been a time when the world has faced so many global challenges, Kerry said he had discussed with Johnson issues about Syria, Ukraine, the Middle East, Turkey, the climate change agreement and Iran.

For his part, Johnson welcomed Kerry to London. He said the special relationship between the United States and Britain remains strong and vital.

Johnson said he wants to reshape Britain's profile. He said the British government has to implement Brexit, stressing that Brexit will not mean Britain's leaving Europe.

"It is not to close ourselves off or to become any less internationalist," said the secretary, adding that Britain should become "more outward-looking, more free trading, do more deals around the world."

Later this evening, the two officials will hold talks on Syria with European ministers and discuss the conflict in Yemen with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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U.S.-led airstrikes are accused to have killed over 56 civilians in a besieged Syrian town near Turkey on Tuesday morning, according to a monitor group.

Civil defence members and civilians search for survivors at a site hit by airstrike in the rebel-controlled area of Maaret al-Numan town in Idlib province, Syria, June 12, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

The "massacre" targeted Manbej, a town controlled by the Islamic State (IS) group in the northern countryside of Aleppo province.

The U.S.-led anti-terror coalition has been backing the rebels' Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to capture the town since last May, succeeding so far to lay a siege on the IS fighters and some 100,000 civilians in the town.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 11 children were among those killed when the airstrikes targeted the northern countryside of Manbej at dawn Tuesday.

The UK-based watchdog group had already raised the death toll of civilians by the U.S. coalition in Manbej to over 104, who it said were killed between May and July 18.

Manbej has a strategic importance to the U.S.-backed rebels due to its location near Turkey.

Capturing Manbej would deprive IS from a key stronghold near Turkey.
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The U.S. Republican National Convention adopted the party's platform for the 2016 elections on Monday with rich Donald Trump style, vowing to lead a turnaround from the policies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump stands on stage with his wife Melania Trump following her address to delegates on the first day of the Republican National Convention on July 18, 2016 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. [Photo/Xinhua]

"We believe in American exceptionalism," the 66-page document writes at the beginning, echoing the "America First" speech on foreign affairs by Trump during the primaries.

Claiming "America has been led in the wrong direction" under the Obama presidency, the GOP platform finds common grounds shared by the Republican establishment and the New York real estate mogul.

"Our enemies no longer fear us and our friends no longer trust us," the document laments, accusing that the Obama government has made U.S. economy "unnecessarily weak" and the U.S. standing in world affairs decline significantly. All are high-frequency sayings in the Trump campaign.

"In all of our country's history, there is no parallel to what President Obama and his former Secretary of State have done to weaken our nation," said the GOP's roadmap.

Moreover, the platform, viewed by Texas delegate David Barton as "the most conservative platform in modern history," resonates to Trump's tone while starkly contrasting with Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party when listing social policies.

On marriage, it said "we do not accept the Supreme Court's redefinition of marriage and we urge its reversal."

On abortion, it said, "We assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed."

The platform also seeks a repeal of the so-called "Obamacare," as "It weighs like the dead hand of the past upon American medicine."

Besides, on economic growth, the Republicans consider the establishment of a pro-growth tax code a moral imperative.

Following Trump on the United States' foreign trade, the platform calls for "better negotiated trade agreements that put America first."

On foreign policy, the GOP platform sees the Iran nuclear deal as a "non-binding" agreement for the future Republican president.

"The Republican Party's platform provides good insight into the direction the GOP is looking to take. This is particularly illuminating since Trump has been rather mum on policy issues on the campaign trail," a local media report commented.

Late in the deep night, Obama refuted in a letter emailed to Clinton's online supporters, saying "The Republicans will attack everything we stand for at their convention."

"The Republican convention will show how wrong the GOP's ideas are for Americans, and that Hillary is the president we need," said Obama.

However, though fiercely attacking the Obama government, the GOP platform did share with the Democrats on goals like keeping American military superiority in the world and securing the U.S. leadership in the Asian Pacific area, local analysts noted.

Trump is expected to be formally nominated as the party's standard-bearer during the four-day GOP convention ending Thursday.
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A 17-year-old Afghan refugee wielding an axe and a knife attacked passengers on a train in southern Germany on Monday night.

Four Hong Kong citizens were injured, including two in critical condition.

Kenneth Tong with the Senior Immigration Office Hong Kong Residents Unit says the victims were injured in the head and abdomen respectively.

"Two of the Hong Kong residents have sustained serious injuries. As far as we know, they have undergone surgeries. They still need further medical treatment and remain in critical condition."

The officer added that the two female tourists were stable.

Meanwhile, Germany's police union chief Rainer Wendt said on Tuesday that such assaults could not be prevented.

"We must not labor under the illusion that more police and security forces personnel can fully prevent such incidents. When a determined individual wants to commit acts of violence, then they will do so, and we cannot prevent these individual cases. We can respond appropriately to the situation but it is unrealistic to believe that we can be everywhere at once with lots of personnel in all the train stations and airports to prevent armed attacks from radicalized individuals."

He says introducing airport security standards would paralyze the public travel system, hence is impossible.

Instead, the chief has demanded that police officers be more "adequately" and "better" equipped.

The 17-year-old attacker has been living in a home for unaccompanied minors in the country.

Local authorities are still looking into the motives.

The attack took place days after a Tunisian delivery man ploughed a truck into crowds of Bastille Day revellers in the southern French city of Nice, killing 84.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for both attacks.
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Two Turkish pilots involved in the downing of a Russian jet last November are in custody over the July 15 failed coup in Turkey, an official told media on late Monday, Dogan News Agency reported.

Soldiers suspected of being involved in the coup attempt are escorted by policemen as they arrive at a courthouse in the resort town of Marmaris, Turkey, July 17, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

"Two pilots who were part of the operation to down the Russian Su-24 in November 2015 are in custody," a Turkish official told journalists, adding that they were detained of been part of coup bid.

The downing of the Russian fighter jet on the Syrian border sparked an unprecedented diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Russia, which ended last month when the two countries agreed to restore ties.

Russian President Vladimir Putin called his Turkish President Recep Erdogan on July 17, describing the attempted coup as unacceptable and voicing hope for a speedy return to stability.

The two presidents are expected to meet in the first week of August, in their first face-to-face meeting since the rapprochement.

Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told press on Monday over 7,500 people have been detained over the failed coup, including 103 generals and admirals.
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The situation around South Sudan remains tense, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the country Tuesday said, calling on all parties to uphold their responsibilities to protect civilians  including UN staff.

At a briefing for reporters at UN Headquarters in New York, Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is encountering harassment of its personnel and increased levels of obstruction of its operations, including denial of flight clearances.

In Bor, restrictions are being placed on UNMISS patrols outside of Bor town and Bor market, the spokesperson said.

UNMISS has also received "deeply disturbing" reports of sexual violence, including rape, by soldiers in uniform against a number of civilians around UN House in the capital, Juba. The Mission is looking into these reports, which, if true, may constitute a war crime, Mr. Haq said.

"UNMISS calls on all parties to uphold their responsibilities to protect civilians and underscores that those perpetrating these entirely unacceptable attacks will be held accountable," the spokesperson said.

In addition, the spokesperson said that UNMISS is calling for an immediate release of the journalist Alfred Taban, who was arrested by the National Security Services, and for protection of freedom of expression. Mr. Taban is the founder and editor in chief of a leading independent newspaper in the country.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Juba, UN peacekeepers are continuing to patrol in and around UN House, where some 29,000 civilians have taken refuge; there are some 3,000 civilians in the adjacent Tomping compound.

South Sudan  which this month marked its fifth anniversary since splitting from Sudan  has spent much of its short life at war with itself, riven by a political face-off between President Salva Kiir and his then former Vice-President Riek Machar. Some 2.4 million people fled their homes in fear, before an August 2015 peace deal ended the major offensives that erupted into a full-blown conflict in late 2013.

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement that formally ended the war, conflict and instability has spread to previously unaffected areas in the Greater Equatoria and Greater Bahr-El-Ghazal regions. This past month, deadly clashes in Wau resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people, while up to 35,000 fled their homes. Such fighting is characteristic of the trend that produced fresh refugee outflows this year.
"Confucius" (551-479 BC) is the Latinized version of Kong Fuzi, or "Master Kong".

His real name was Kong Qiu, and he lived during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC) when the Zhou kingdom had disintegrated into many de facto independent feudal states which were subject to the Zhou kings in theory only.

Like many other members of the educated elite, Confucius traveled widely among the states, offering his services as a political advisor and official to feudal rulers and teaching to earn a living.

Although his career as a petty bureaucrat was unsuccessful, Confucius left his mark as a teacher and philosopher. A few generations after Confucius' death, first- and second-generation students collected accounts of his teachings and philosophical musings to form the basis of his most famous work, which is widely known in English as The Analects.

In his work, Confucius argued strongly in favor of family loyalty, that children should respect their elders and wives respect their husbands, and that good people should worship their ancestors. From this base, he further propounded his belief that the family unit was the perfect template for successful government.

While many people in China regard Confucianism as a quasi-religion, scholars are divided: some believe that the values he espoused were too secular to allow them to harbor religious undertones, while others argue that the secular nature of his work overshadows the fact that it contains many religious themes. Some academics argue that although Confucius discusses the afterlife and speaks vaguely of a place that could be interpreted as a form of heaven, he rarely talks about spirituality in the accepted modern sense.
Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Chinese e-commerce conglomerate Alibaba Group Holding Ltd announced a plan on Tuesday to open its first local office in Australia later this year, the latest move in its globalization push to have more than half its revenues coming from countries outside China by 2036.

Alibaba's global president Michael Evans said Australia was a "huge part" of his company's long-term globalization strategy to raise its 423 million customers to 2 billion in another 10 years, as it expands its presence internationally.

"Australia and New Zealand are a big part of our globalization strategy. In markets that are very important to us, we want a good group of people working for us," Evans told The Australian Financial Review on Tuesday.

"The e-commerce business, reportedly worth $200 billion, currently has eight staff in Australia. However, with plans to open up its first office in the city of Melbourne by the end of 2016, Alibaba will target Australian consumers as it plans to boost its business over the next three to five years," he said.

Hangzhou-based Alibaba has said on numerous occasions that it wants to build itself into a global e-commerce service, enabling consumers to buy from wherever they want in the world.

As China's e-commerce market grows at a slower pace, analysts said the launch of a more global strategy was needed for Alibaba to maintain its momentum.

Lu Zhenwang, an analyst with Shanghai Wangqing Consultancy, said that the number of Chinese online shoppers may have already peaked. "So it makes sense for Alibaba to expand its customer base through globalization," he said.

Evans said Australian businesses will be well placed to take advantage of the spending boom in Southeast Asia.

"We connect with about half a million consumers here. They are actually not all Chinese-speaking consumers," he said.

"We are going to engage in e-commerce going both ways, export to foreign markets, import to Australia."

Evans said most of Australia's dealings with Alibaba centered around milk powder.

About 1,400 Australian brands sell on Alibaba's online platforms and about 80 percent of them had never entered the Chinese market before setting up e-shops.

Xinhua contributed to this story.
The South China Sea issue will not affect economic cooperation and trade between China and the Philippines, Vice-Minister of Commerce Gao Yan told a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

"China is willing to continue developing economic relationships with the Philippines," said Gao, who clarified that China was not boycotting Philippine products.

It was announced at the news conference that the 13th China-ASEAN expo and the 13th China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit will be held in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, from Sept 11 to 14.

Cross-border e-commerce will be one of the main topics in the summit.

Yin Zonghua, vice-chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said China will further strengthen e-commerce cooperation with countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Several e-commerce platforms will be launched during the summit, he said.

To promote cooperation between China and ASEAN countries, the council will build more platforms, encourage more Chinese companies to invest in the ASEAN nations, as well as strengthen legal consulting cooperation, Yin said.

China is the biggest trading partner of ASEAN, and ASEAN is the third-largest trading partner, the fourth-biggest export market and the second-largest import source for China.

In 2015, the bilateral trading volume amounted to $472.16 billion.

This year, China and ASEAN will host an exhibition on international industrial cooperation. Major Chinese companies and representatives of Liaoning, Hebei, Shandong, Zhejiang and Fujian provinces will attend the events.

Zhang Xiaoqin, vice-chairman of Guangxi, said this year's expo plans to achieve new cooperation initiatives, including promoting international industrial cooperation and accelerating connectivity between China and surrounding countries.
A China Telecom stand at an information industry expo in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. [Photo/China Daily]

State-run phone carriers China Telecom Corp and Saudi Telecom Co have expressed interest in acquiring 4G mobile-phone licenses offered by the Egyptian government, an Egyptian communications ministry official said on Tuesday.

They joined Kuwait's Zain, which made an official request last week, the official said.

China Telecom, the country's third-biggest mobile carrier, and Saudi Telecom, the biggest phone operator in Saudi Arabia, have not presented formal requests yet, added the official, who asked not to be named.

China Telecom did not immediately respond to requests for comment and a Saudi Telecom official declined to comment.

Interest in the 4G licenses by newcomers to Egypt may add to pressure on local units of mobile operators Vodafone Group Plc, Orange SA and Emirates Telecommunications Corp, to accept license terms before the deadline set by the government of the first week of August.

State-run fixed-line monopoly Telecom Egypt has welcomed the offering as it eyes entering the mobile market.

The communications ministry official said the licenses would only be offered to new market players in case current operators rejected the license.

Egypt has about 95 million mobile subscribers, according to the communications ministry website.

The new 4G licenses replace an earlier plan, that some mobile operators threatened to fight in international arbitration because of concerns that a new competitor would eat into their market share, the telecommunications regulator said at the time.

The government has said that operators interested in the license will have to pay half of its value in US dollarsat a time when the country faces its worst foreign currency shortage in years.

Bloomberg
A versatile six-axis articulated robot, developed by Estun Automation Co Ltd, on display at an industrial expo in Shanghai last year. [Photo/China Daily]

Nanjing-based Estun Automation expands its robot-building and research capacity

Nanjing-based Estun Automation Group, a leading Chinese maker of robot key parts and intelligent equipment, will see its production capacity expand substantially with the setting up of a sizeable smart factory next month.

Construction of a 20,000-square-meter facility is scheduled to complete by August, with operations starting by the year-end.

The facility is designed with an annual production capacity of 15,000 robots and pieces of equipment. Sales are projected to reach more than 1 billion yuan ($151.5 million) after the completion of the 120,000-sqm project by 2018.

It includes an 80,000-sqm R&D center, scheduled to come up next year.

"We are proud of our self-researched key components, including speed reducers, drive and control devices, as well as servomotors, which are all key strengths of Estun," said Jack Wang, chief engineer of Estun Automation, and general manager of subsidiary Estun Robotics Co Ltd.

"The biggest advantage of our R&D capability is lower cost, which lays a solid foundation for intelligent manufacturing on a mass scale."

The robot-heavy manufacturing unit in Jiangning High-Tech Zone in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, will be in line with the government's "Made in China 2025" strategy that underlines innovation and upgradation.

China is aiming at an annual output of 100,000 industrial robots by 2020, according to a plan issued in April by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology .

That target was set to spur the "Industrial 4.0" strategy to make the country's manufacturing smarter, safer and more flexible.

The Estun smart factory project is geared to meet the rising demand for robot parts and intelligent equipment from domestic and overseas markets.

The investment is in tune with the country's stress on raising companies' localization rate in terms of key parts and components and enhancing the competitive edge of robots developed indigenously.

A robotics R&D veteran with more than 25 years of experience, Wang was part of the team that built robots for the International Space Station and service satellites.

He is a member of an expert committee of the China Robot Industry Alliance. He is also on the executive board of the International Federation of Robotics.

"Nanjing's twin advantages lie in its talent and location. Both could help the city to innovate and upgrade," said Huang Lixin, Party chief of Nanjing.

"Nanjing is aligned with all the key national strategies like the Silk Road Economic Belt, the Yangtze River Delta city cluster and the Belt and Road Initiative."

Estun Automation Co Ltd, the Hong Kong-listed arm of the group, earned 485.22 million yuan in revenue in 2015, and 96 million yuan in the first quarter of this year.

It bought an automation system firm for 76 million yuan from Hong Kong's L.K. Machinery on June 28, which will strengthen Estun's capacity and market share in the automation field.

Zheng Mingang, an analyst at Dongxing Securities, forecast that the company's revenue for 2016-18 would reach 594 million yuan, 761 million yuan and 1.04 billion yuan respectively.

Estun entered the robot business in 2011, and started to sell robots in 2013. It has grown robustly, riding the wave of industrial transformation in China. Its current annual output is over 1,000 units, mostly sold domestically.

Its three overseas subsidiaries, in the Middle East, Europe and South America, mainly sell its key components.

Overseas markets contribute around 20 percent of Estun's annual sales. It could double in a few years on the back of the good quality and competitive prices of its products, said the company.
A consumer experiences a product using a virtual reality kit at Suning's stall at a trade expo in Beijing. [Photo/China Daily]

If Hangzhou boasts headquarters of new economy stars Alibaba and JollyChic, Nanjing is home to Suning Commerce Group, the country's third largest retail player and a well-known e-commerce name.

Amid shrinking retail sales, particularly at physical stores countrywide, large retailers such as Suning continued to thrive with long-term plans to cope with the boom in e-commerce.

China's largest home appliance retailer, Suning saw its sales reach 350 billion yuan ($52.2 billion) in 2015. It has diversified into e-commerce, real estate, culture, finance and investments.

Zhang Jindong, chairman of Suning, said technology upgrades since 2009 have helped transform its business and ride out some tough times. "A company should not be afraid of choosing a hard way. What it should be afraid of is losing the right way."

Zhang and his team thought that developing e-commerce was the right way. The group thus launched its online sales platform Suning.com and verticals in 2011.

However, sales on Suning.com were not as good as expected. Customers complained about sloppy after-sales service. Media gave the group some stick. Investors continued to doubt the group's strategy.

But Zhang and his team stuck to their guns. They established one of the country's top logistics systems by cooperating with more than 1,000 companies nationwide. They oversaw application of technologies like cloud computing to the business. Then came the online-to-offline or O2O strategy. Suning's customer service personnel received extensive training to meet the demands of the digital-age consumers.

The second half of 2014 proved a turning point. Sales surged by 52 percent year-on-year in the third quarter of that year. The next quarter saw sales rising by 42 percent year-on-year, taking overall sales for the year to 108.9 billion yuan, yielding a staggering profit growth of 574 percent.

According to the China General Chamber of Commerce, sales at China's top 100 retailers topped 4.13 trillion yuan ($613.6 billion) in 2015, up 22 percent year-on-year.

Much of that came online. Sales at bricks-and-mortar stores actually declined 3 percent year-on-year. But Suning's O2O strategy, combined with a vibrant online presence, helped limit the damage.

"We have overcome many difficulties while upgrading from a traditional bricks-and mortar retailer to an e-commerce giant," Zhang said. "What I want to tell the companies struggling in innovation and transformation is this: you shouldn't be afraid of experiencing difficulties in the process. But you should be afraid of giving up after experiencing them."

Now, Suning's 180,000 staff man its bricks-and-mortar stores and e-commerce channels across 600 cities in China and abroad, and serve 250 million registered online customers and offline consumers.

The group said, 99 percent of the goods purchased on its online platform safely reached the customers so far.
An owner of a startup in Dream Village, Hangzhou, explains his firm's business to a visiting journalist. [Photo/China Daily]

Hangzhou's claim to recent fame may be its status as the headquarters of e-commerce giants Alibaba and JollyChic, but the capital of Zhejiang province is fast developing into a springboard for new-age startups.

Zheng Pan, 45, who co-founded MicroTech Medical (Hangzhou) Co Ltd in 2011, will probably agree. He realized his dream of starting his own medical equipment business in Hangzhou.

"At the Dream Village in Yuhang District of Hangzhou, I received great support from the government, which I had never thought was possible before I had returned to China," said Zheng.

He worked six years in the United States at a Fortune 500 company engaged in medical equipment research and development before returning to China.

Throughout the past five years, MicroTech Medical received about $8 million for research and development.

The Zhejiang native and his 20-member team have developed a semi-disposable tubeless patch insulin pump the size of a match box. The 28-gram pump costs less than half of similar products made by foreign brands, and will be available for diabetics from December.

The pump, the first of its kind to be made in China, can be used by patients to self-inject insulin automatically as per their blood sugar level.

Dream Village has attracted not only local business start-ups but new entrepreneurs from nearby cities in Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei provinces and incubators from Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen and Silicon Valley of the US.

Dream Village offers reduced rents for offices and plants, subsidies towards management fee, startup expertise and shared resources. This helps shorten the time for founding a business, said Xiang Jianbiao, co-founder of Liang Cang Accelerator, one of the 25 incubators now operating in Dream Village.

"The subsidy is extremely important for startups, especially for businesses involving research and development," said Zheng.

Over the past five years, his company received $2 million in sponsorship money from the local government.

"Since the launch of our incubator in May 2015, nearly half of the projects received capital investment for further development to date, with more financing in the pipeline, which should materialize in coming months," said Yuan Xing, CEO of Beehive, another incubator.

Following Beehive's success, Yuan will launch her second incubator in September in Shanghai, which will focus on financial and cultural businesses.

Initiated in August 2014, Dream Village is located at the former barn of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). The local government is eagerly developing the place into a base for startups.

In just one year, Dream Village has become home to 640 projects and nearly 5,900 startups. Among them are 75 projects that have received more than 1 million yuan each in financing. In all, they received investments of 2.58 billion yuan.

Hangzhou is now home to four types of startups: businesses founded by those with work experience at Alibaba; enterprises founded by Zhejiang University graduates; firms founded by foreign educated graduates; and companies founded by kith and kin of Zhejiang's entrepreneurs.

In a sense, Dream Village could have happened only in Zhejiang. Private enterprises account for as much as 59.2 percent of the province's GDP.
Stewardesses celebrate after China successfully carried out test flights of two commercial airliners on Jan 6 at a newly built airport at Yongshu Jiao in China's Nansha Islands. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's top mobile telecom carriers have launched 4G service on the Nansha Islands, in an effort to safeguard the country's legal claim in the South China Sea and to improve communication services for local people.

China Telecommunications Corp, the country's third-largest telecom carrier by subscribers, has expanded its 4G signal to seven reefs of the Nansha Islands, giving islanders faster internet speed and enabling them to make video calls and conduct online commerce.

The move came shortly after the country dismissed the ruling by the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague that China has no "historic title" over the South China Sea.

China Telecom's larger competitor China Mobile Communications Corp also offers similar services around the region.

"The achievement highlights China's determination to serve local people and passing ships. It also mirrors homegrown telecom companies' cutting-edge technology," said Xiang Ligang, a telecom veteran and CEO of the industry website cctime.com.

A stewardess takes a selfie after a Chinese aircraft lands on the newly constructed runway at Yongshu Jiao in China's Nansha Islands during a test flight on Jan 6.[Xinhua/Photo]

The Nansha Islands are in strategic shipping lanes, but they are far away from land, which makes it time-consuming and costly to build telecom infrastructure.

Su Xun, a China Mobile employee in charge of maintaining telecom equipment, said it takes 60 hours by ship to get to the Nansha Islands from Hainan province.

Additionally, telecom equipment is highly vulnerable to seawater corrosion, and it is difficult to ensure a stable supply of electricity to power 4G stations and to transmit signals.

However, Su said, "All of the problems have been properly handled and our efforts finally paid off."

China Mobile has expanded its 4G signal to cover Yongshu Reef and Zhubi Reef of the Nansha Islands, after successfully launching service in the nearby Xisha Islands.

China Telecom has devoted more than 70 million yuan ($10.5 million) to telecom infrastructure construction in the South China Sea in the past four years. The State-owned company has spent nine months setting up eight base stations around the Nansha Islands.
BEIJING - Political advisors called for reform of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) in a high-level consultation on industrial upgrading in Northeast China's Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.

The conference was presided over by Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and attended by Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli.

The advisors suggested that SOE corporate governance should be overhauled, social security be improved, and overstaffed companies be downsized properly, according to a statement released after the meeting.

The three provinces were an important industrial base in China. But their growth rates are now among the lowest, mainly due to inefficient SOEs, which were and are the economic backbone in the region.

After hearing the suggestions, Zhang said the government will deepen SOE reform and support private businesses as well.

He also reiterated the significance of mass innovation and entrepreneurship in industrial upgrading in the three provinces.
After securing a fund of 30 million yuan ($4.48 million) from the son of China's richest man, LanYou Culture, an e-sports event organizer, is busy preparing to raise more money to gear up its global expansion.

The move is the Shanghai-based firm's latest in an effort to reach more college students around the world.

Gu Qiyun, chief operation officer of LanYou, told China Daily that the company has started its new round of fundraising, aiming to raise 100 million yuan to 150 million yuan by January of 2017.

"The money is expected to help LanYou hold e-sports carnivals in colleges in eight countries in the world. We want to attract e-sports fans not only in Chinese colleges but also from countries outside China," she said.

LanYou, which was founded in 2014, targets college e-sports fans rather than professional players. Its unique advantage has helped it gain 30 million yuan in funding at the end of June from a venture capital firm led by Wang Sicong, son of Wanda Group's Wang Jianlin.

LanYou has held three e-sports events in China. The most recent one held in Nanjing earlier this week combined e-sports contests, flea markets and cosplay concerts. An estimated 15,000 college students participated in the two-day event.
Cityscape of Yujiapu Financial District with high-rise office buildings under construction in Binhai New Area in North China's Tianjin municipality, May 4, 2016. [Photo/IC]

The government has further relaxed rules for foreign investment in the country's four free trade zones (FTZs), much-highlighted test grounds for ongoing economic reforms, according to the central government website on Tuesday.

Foreign investors will be allowed temporarily to fund wholly owned enterprises in a number of fields, including iron and steel, shipping, auto batteries and gas station operations.

A total of 18 rules and regulations with 51 items have been revised, with more than 20 of them involving changes from review-and-approval procedure to registration-based process for foreign investment in the Shanghai, Guangdong, Tianjin and Fujian FTZs.

The State Council also approved wholly foreign owned enterprises in dozens of areas outside of the negative list on foreign investment, covering sectors ranging from agriculture to transportation.

Institutional innovations for free trade zones are good, but more detailed measures need to be rolled out to back them up, said the 21st Century Business Herald, citing Mao Yanhua, deputy head of Institute of Free Trade Zones at Sun Yat-Sen University.

Free trade zones have become a bigger draw for foreign investors since 2013. Take the first-established Shanghai FTZ as an example. Foreign investment projects increased 1,231 during January-June, accounting for 46.1 percent of those of the whole city.

China remains a hot spot for foreign investment. Statistics from the Commerce Ministry show about 13,400 foreign enterprises set up offices in the country in the first half of this year, up 12.5 percent from a year earlier. Foreign capital actually used last year reached 441.8 billion yuan, an increase of 5.1 percent year on year.

Xinhua contributed to this story.
Roland Krueger, CEO of Infiniti Motor Co, at the unveiling of a concept vehicle ahead of an auto show in Beijing. [Photo/Agencies]

Nissan Motor Co's premium Infiniti brand, which lost its China head to a startup and saw deliveries slump in the country, will regain growth in the world's largest auto market in the second half of the year, said its top executive.

Growth momentum in China will pick up as it resolves a supply issue and introduces the new QX30 crossover at the end of this year, said Infiniti President Roland Krueger.

"We are looking at huge potential, still, for Infiniti," he said. "We need to tap into that."

Nissan's premium brand, which set up its headquarters in Hong Kong in 2012 to be closer to the Chinese mainland market, has to do better if it's to help Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn achieve his target of capturing 10 percent of the global luxury car market by 2020. The sales slump follows the departure of Daniel Kirchert, who helped more than double sales of the marque in the mainland before he joined a Tencent Holdings Ltd-backed electric-car startup this year.

Infiniti suffered from a lack of brand power and new products, especially as German premium brands introduced a string of competitive offerings, according to John Zeng, a Shanghai-based LMC Automotive analyst, who cited the BMW X1 and X3, and the Mercedes GLA and GLC.

"The German brands have a lot of rabbits in their hats," said Zeng. "Second-tier luxury brands like Infiniti face a lot of pressure under such a market environment."

Bloomberg
People visit the stand of Qihoo 360 during the 2015 Appliance and Electronics World Expo in Shanghai, Mar 13, 2015.[Photo/IC]

China's largest Internet security company Qihoo 360 Technology Co will step up efforts to expand offline retailing channels, as the country's online sales of handsets hit a ceiling amid slowing demand and mounting competition.

The move came as the Beijing-based company was delisted from the New York Stock Exchange and it is seeking to return to the mainland stock market for a higher valuation.

Zhou Hongyi, founder of Qihoo, said, China's smartphone market is now driven mainly by replacement users.

"Consumers are becoming more quality-conscious. Selling low-price smartphones online can't motivate them to open their wallets. They desire a hands-on experience," said Zhou.

The company entered into the smartphone market one year ago when it realized handsets will play an important part in the multi-billion-dollar internet of things market.

At the press conference, Qihoo also unveiled a new smartphone N4S. The handset starts at a price of 1199 yuan ($179) and features a super large battery which it said can last two days.

Qihoo is the latest Chinese smartphone vendor to bank on brick-and-mortar stores to spur growth. Xiaomi Corp said earlier this year that it plans to open 1,000 offline experience stores over the next three to four years.

Lenovo Group Ltd also pledged more efforts to expand its offline retailing presence, which its senior Vice-President Chen Xudong called the key to surviving intense competition in China.

The trend is further fueled by Oppo Electronics Corp and Vivo Mobile Communication Technology Co Ltd, two homegrown companies which made their way into the top five global handsets manufacturers in the first quarter of this year partly by relying on their dominant offline retailing presence in low-tier cities.
Zhao Qizheng, former minister of China's State Council Information Office, speaks at the Think Tank Seminar on South China Sea and Regional Cooperation and Development on Monday in Singapore. Deng Zhiwei / Xinhua

Islands disputes 'have existed for more than three decades', will take time to resolve, he says

China's military drill in the South China Sea, which began on Tuesday, is a reaction to the frequent military exercises carried by the US, Japan and some other countries in the region, said a former senior official.

The United States has dispatched 10 aircraft carriers to Asia to carry out military operations in the past years, a source of anxiety for the Chinese people and government, said Zhao Qizheng, former minister of the State Council Information Office, the country's top international publicity agency.

Zhao made the remarks at a news conference on Tuesday in Singapore during a think tank seminar over the South China Sea issue. On Monday, China announced that access to part of the sea would be closed for military drills from Tuesday to Thursday.

Military exercises are expensive, Zhao said, and China doesn't want to conduct such large-scale military drills and has authorized them only because of continuous provocations from the US, Japan and other countries in the South China Sea region.

"The United States, Japan and the Philippines have undertaken actions, and we responded with reactions. It's just like the law of physics," he said.

As Beijing has refused to accept any ruling of the unilaterally launched arbitration, China and the Philippines should carry out talks in areas such as joint development o fishery, natural resources and maritime rescue, he proposed.

"The South China Sea disputes have existed for more than three decades, and it's impossible that they are going to be resolved within three months, or even three years," he said.

Zhang Junshe, a senior researcher at the Naval Military Studies Research Institute of the People's Liberation Army, said that many of the island-seizing military drills conducted by the US, Japan and the Philippines considered China as the potential enemy, and such provocations must be stopped.

"China's military exercises in the South China Sea are focused on self-defense, which is quite different from the muscle-flexing operations of the US and other countries," he said.

Shahriman Lockman, a senior analyst at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies of Malaysia, told China Daily that the South China Sea claimants should consider mediation and conciliationtwo methods that are "rarely used but are more suited to Asian countries".

"I see very little chance of Vietnam or Malaysia initiating arbitration proceedings," he said. "The incremental gains from initiating new arbitration proceedings would be outweighed by the risk of complicating their relations with China."
Twenty-four tourists from the Chinese mainland were among 26 people killed in a bus fire in Taiwan on Tuesday afternoon. There were no survivors.

The driver and a tour guide, both from Taiwan, were also killed in the fire. The tourists were on their way to the airport to return home after an eight-day visit when the accident happened.

The fire occurred about 1 pm on a highway near Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

The cause of the fire was under investigation.

According to the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, 10 males and 16 females were killed. The youngest victim was 12 years old, and the oldest was 73. Most of the tourists were from Liaoning province in Northeast China.

A highway police spokesman said, "From what we have seen from our surveillance cameras, the front part of the bus apparently caught fire before the bus slammed into the road barriers and burst into flames."

According to local police, nine bodies were found close to each other at the rear of the bus, where the victims apparently had attempted to escape through an emergency exit.

A firefighter from a local unit said the driver might have died before he could open the two bus doors.

The group had departed from Dalian, Liaoning province. Liaoning Overseas International Travel Service Co organized the tour.

"We will do all we can to assist the families of the victims," said Taiwan authority spokesman Tung Chen-yuan.

The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said a team will be sent to Taiwan to help.

Dalian resident Lin Junmin lost his sister, sister-in-law and niece in the fire.

Social workers and staff members from agencies have visited his home since the accident, Lin said.
13 dead, 13 missing in China rain, landslides (Xinhua) Updated: 2016-07-20 08:03

CHANGSHA/NANCHANG - Thirteen people were confirmed dead and 13 others remain missing after heavy rain caused flash floods and landslides in east China's Jiangxi Province, south China's Hunan, Guizhou, Guangdong provinces and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.



As of 6 p.m. on Wednesday, floods had left three people dead in Jiangxi, according to the provincial civil affairs department. So far, 21,000 people in the province have been relocated to safer places and another 10,000 people are in dire need of assistance.



In Hunan, continuous rain resulted in swollen rivers, landslides and mud-rock flows. Three people died in Hengshan County, according to the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters on Wednesday.



Three residents of Xiangtan County were reported missing after their home was buried by a landslide around 7 a.m. Wednesday, while in Longhui County one person is also missing. About 530 houses collapsed, and 11,900 people were evacuated, said the headquarters.



A reservoir with capacity of more than 70,000 cubic meters in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, was reported to be leaking on Wednesday morning. As of Wednesday evening, workers were still at the site, trying to bring the situation under control. More than 1,400 people living downstream have been evacuated, said the local flood control office.



In Guangxi, one person was killed when a house collapsed in torrential rain, said the regional civil affairs department on Wednesday. Two unaccounted for people were swept away by floods while another was buried by a landslide.



The rain and ensuing disasters also destroyed 754 houses, seriously damaged another 408, ruined 20,200 hectares of crops, forced the evacuation of 5,900 people and inflicted a direct economic loss estimated at 150 million yuan (about 22.8 million U.S. dollars).



In Jinping County in Guizhou, five people have died and four are still missing, according to the county's publicity office.



Heavy rain pounded the county from Tuesday night until early Wednesday, with 202 millimeters of precipitation recorded in some areas. Traffic, power and telecommunications were all disrupted and homes destroyed.



Around 10,000 Guizhou residents have been displaced. The homes of 125 families have been destroyed and 300 more have been seriously damaged, said a statement from the provincial civil affairs department.



It is estimated that the rain has caused direct economic losses of 127 million yuan (about 19 million U.S. dollars).



In Guangdong, a female climber died and nearly 300 rescuers are searching for three members of her group who were swept away by a flash flood on Tianchi Mountain at around 2:30 p.m., according to the publicity office of Qujiang District, Shaoguan city.
Police and media organizations are calling for rational patriotism after sporadic protests against the United States broke out across China in the past few days triggered by the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague's illegal ruling on the South China Sea issue.

Video clips posted online have shown protesters who believe the US was behind the ruling demonstrating outside restaurants owned by the US fast-food chain KFC in cities in Hebei, Jiangsu, Shandong and Hunan provinces starting on Monday.

Many demonstrators held red banners saying "Join the boycott against US, Japanese and Philippine companies, and be a patriotic Chinese" and stopped people from entering the restaurants. Police officers were dispatched to the protests to maintain public order.

A KFC employee surnamed Lei in Chenzhou, Hunan province, confirmed there had been a small protest outside the restaurant on Monday. She said that business returned to normal on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, a woman in Tangshan, Hebei province, filmed her protest on her mobile phone. The video was widely circulated on social media on Tuesday. In the video, the woman walked into the restaurant and told customers that it is they who pay for the bullets for the US.

Yum! Brands Inc, China Division, which operates the KFC chain in China, declined to comment on the protests.

The protests have been criticized by the police and public.

After one such protest was held at a local KFC, police in Ganyu district, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, issued a statement on Monday urging people to not get involved in illegal protests instigated via the internet or social media.

In Siyang county, Jiangsu, police posted on their micro blog the message, "Love your country, but please don't take out your anger on its people."

Pu Yu, 27, a Tangshan resident who works in Beijing, said she did not understand such behavior. "They are simply creating chaos in the name of patriotism. If KFC closes down, it's the locals who will be out of jobs."

Wen Xinzheng in Changsha contributed to this story.
China will neither recognize nor implement the ruling in the arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines on the South China Sea issue or in any similar arbitration cases, as they are illegal and not based on historical fact, a top Chinese diplomat said.

"I've always regarded this arbitration as poison," said Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom Liu Xiaoming said at a news briefing in London on Tuesday.

He said China has always respected international law; however, the ruling violated the basic purpose of UNCLOS, caused further tensions between countries and denied the use of diplomatic channels for negotiations.

He said no country would take the ruling seriously and feel encouraged by it to make further claims.

"If new claims are made based upon this ruling, they will be regarded as new illegal actions that will further endanger regional peace," he said.

The Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled on July 12 that China has no "historic title" over the South China Sea.

Liu reiterated the Chinese government's commitment to resolving disputes through direct negotiations, but he said its national sovereignty and maritime interests will not be influenced under any circumstances by The Hague ruling.

He said the ruling should not be taken as the basis for future negotiation.

He urged the Philippines to consider with regard to its so-called allies that "super powers come and go, but neighbors are more important because you have to live with them in the region."

Nearly 1,000 people from the Chinese community in the UK gathered in front of the Philippine and US embassies in London on Saturday to protest the tribunal's ruling and show support for the Chinese government.

Contact the writers at liwensha@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/20/2016 page3)
Move by ministry would smooth process for high-end foreign talent, according to experts

China is planning to set up its first immigration office under the Ministry of Public Security before the end of the year.

Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that the office would be created by merging and expanding the ministry's border control and entry-exit administration bureaus, quoting a source it said had knowledge of the plans.

Public Security Minister Guo Shengkun, who doubles as a State Councilor, disclosed the plan earlier this year at an internal meeting about a wider overhaul of domestic security services, the report said.

Another insider confirmed the existence of a plan but told China Daily that there are no details yet. This insider said it was not clear whether there would be an intergovernmental organization to deal with immigration affairs.

The idea of an office specializing in immigration is the latest sign signaling the importance of foreign talent recruitment in China, as President Xi Jinping seeks overseas talent to help drive the transition to an economy led by consumer spending and innovation.

The central government released a document on foreigners' permanent residency in February that said it "will further improve the organizational setting and the delegation of responsibility of immigration affairs, and place the functions of drafting permanent residency policies, review, approval and daily service under a single agency".

Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization, said it's a good time for China to establish an immigration bureau.

"Foreign talent is important to help promote innovation and the setting up of new businesses. In the United States, one-third of patent holders, nearly half the founders or co-founders of its top 50 listed corporations and nearly half its doctoral degree holders in science and engineering are immigrants," Wang said.

About 600,000 foreigners work in China, a tiny proportion of the country's 1.3 billion people. By contrast, in major international cities, immigrants account for 20 to 80 percent of the population, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Wang said an immigration bureau should integrate responsibilities that are now scattered throughout many government departments.

"With such a bureau, the government would be able to enhance its work efficiency and provide better services to foreigners residing in China," Wang said.

"The bureau would also help China better deal with illegal immigrants, maintain good public order and better protect the interests of legal immigrants," he said.
A Chinese woman has been charged with beating and starving a woman she brought from Shanghai to work as her nanny in the United States, and of holding her in a state of "slavery or indentured servitude", according to prosecutors.

The accused woman is now in jail awaiting a court appearance, which is set for next month.

Lili Huang, 35 of Woodbury, Wisconsin, was charged on July 15 with five counts of trafficking in human labor in the alleged assaults on the nanny. She was given two bail options: $1 million without conditions, or $350,000 with conditions that include ankle monitoring. She was scheduled to appear in court on Aug 18 to enter a plea or request a hearing.

Huang was charged with labor trafficking, seizing a passport with intent to break the law, false imprisonment, assault with a dangerous weapon and assault causing substantial bodily harm, according to the Washington County Attorney's Office.

The 58-year-old nanny was working in "indentured servitude" conditions, according to prosecutors. Her identity has not been disclosed.

She was found last Thursday night on a street after she escaped the house where she had been working since March, according to media reports. She had two black eyes, a broken sternum and multiple broken ribs, and fled the house in search of an airport so she could return home, she told police, through translators.

She said that she had been hired as a nanny in Shanghai to work for Huang's family, and moved with the family when they relocated to the US. She had been promised $890 a month, but was forced to work 18-hour days taking care of two children, cooking and cleaning, according to the attorney's office.

She was physically assaulted by Huang, often in front of the children, according to a statement from the attorney's office. When she told her employer she wanted to return to China, Huang took her passport and told her that she was "not going anywhere".

On July 4, Huang grabbed the nanny's hair and bashed her head into a table and by the following week, she was "so disabled by the beatings that she could not get up off her hands and knees for four hours", prosecutors allege. Huang also withheld food from the nanny, who has lost more than 30 pounds since coming to the US.

The complaint said police from four cities, along with US Department of Homeland Security agents, searched Huang's home and arrested her.

Prosecuting attorney Pete Orput, said human labor trafficking "is a crime that no one can believe exists in their community".

"However, it is here. It is being committed by some of our citizens. And it amounts to nothing less than slavery in the 21st century," Orput said.

Gregory Cendana, executive director of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, said Asian immigrants are vulnerable to labor trafficking because they have "little access to information" about their rights.

In the complaint filed with police, the nanny said Huang's family was "very wealthy and had multiple homes in China"..
Sea turtles get better protection in Sansha, China's southernmost city, since it established a protection station on Jinqing Island in the Xisha Islands in 2014. More than 2,500 young turtles have been rescued and released into the sea.

Jinqing, located in the northeastern part of the Xisha group, attracts thousands of sea turtles to lay eggs on the beach every year.

"But some of them lay their eggs in low-lying beaches that are easily submerged by seawater," said Guo Yong, head of the turtle protection station, told China Daily in a telephone interview on Tuesday. "After a little sea turtle gets out of the shell, it can hardly survive in the ocean. So the government decided to establish the protection station."

Early this year, about 70 newly hatched green sea turtles were found on the island's beaches and were taken to the protection station.

"It usually takes about half a year for them to grow big enough to be released into the ocean," Guo said.

The station has rescued many turtles since its establishment - about 12 adult turtles so far - including wounded ones and others that were stranded on the beach.

"We have five staff members at the station, and three of them are fishermen that know a lot about the turtles, and how to manage the wounds," Guo said. "The wounded turtles will be treated at our station and usually stay for a month to recover before returning to the sea. All the people on the islands are very supportive."

Sansha, with its more than 280 islands, reefs and undersea atolls, has a fragile ecological environment.

"We set up the protection station to rescue injured sea turtles and also to supervise illegal turtle poaching. It is one important measure for the city to maintain the ecological balance," Guo said.

Xiao Jie, mayor of Sansha, said the city has built up a sewage treatment plant, a garbage collection and transfer station, a marine biological station, a cultural relics protection program, and a marine environmental monitoring station in a series of environmental protection projects since the city was created in 2012.

Xiao pledged to "firmly protect the marine ecological environment, and build a beautiful Sansha", Xinhua reported.
A nurse talks with a child of the Qiong ethnic group, who just had a surgical operation for congenital heart disease, at the Chengdu Military General Hospital. Huang Zhiling / China Daily

More than 1,500 children have received free treatment

When Tenzin Rigsang frolics with his friends outside his family home in the Tibet autonomous region, he looks no different from any of his playmates.

Yet the 3-year-old resident of Dianchong village, Lhunzhub county, was diagnosed with congenital heart disease when he was less than 4 months old.

"It was a heavy blow to the family," recalled his mother Chodron Tsomo, who grows highland barley and wheat to supplement her migrant worker husband's salary of less than 2,000 yuan ($300) a month.

"We were desperate as doctors in the county hospital said they could not perform a surgical operation on our son and asked us to take him to seek treatment in a major city. We had no money and did not know what to do."

To make matters worse, the family had been informed that 70 to 75 percent of children with Tenzin's heart condition die before they turn 10.

Then, when he was 6 months old, the county hospital told Chodron that surgeons from the Chengdu Military General Hospital in Sichuan province could carry out the surgery for free.

Five months later, her son had a successful operation and has been healthy ever since, she said.

Tenzin is one of more than 1,500 children with congenital heart disease to have been treated at Chengdu Military General Hospital since 2009, when it began offering free treatment for children from poor areas inhabited by ethnic minorities.

On average, eight out of every 1,000 Chinese children have congenital heart disease. Most live in poor, mountainous areas.

"Every 1,000 meters above sea level, the incidence of congenital heart disease among children rises by one in 1,000, on average," said Zhang Jinbao, chief of Chengdu Military General Hospital's cardiovascular surgery department.

Zhang, an expert in congenital heart disease, joined the hospital from a military university in Xi'an, Shaanxi province in January 2009. He immediately began to focus on treating the disease.

But by February that year, only three children with congenital heart disease had been admitted to the department. That was when Zhang and his colleagues realized that children with congenital heart disease lived in inaccessible locations and had to be sought out.

"Since then, they have traveled more than 200,000 kilometers to more than 40 cities and counties in Sichuan and Yunnan provinces and Tibet to find children of the Tibetan, Yi and Qiang minorities who suffer from congenital heart disease," said Tang Dengcai, chief of the hospital's political department.

In March 2010, a team from the hospital was almost hit by a falling boulder while driving along an icy mountain road in Sichuan's Xiaojin county, Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture.

"They managed to arrive at their destination 23 hours later to check whether about 30 Tibetan children were suffering from congenital heart disease," Tang said.

In May 2013, the hospital's surgeons endured altitude sickness while crossing the Dongda Mountains in Tibet's Markam county at more than 5,000 meters above sea level to test a child for the disease.

The medics' efforts have inspired two charity foundations in Beijing to pay the children's treatment fees, which can range from 30,000 yuan to 100,000 yuan.

Nearly all the more than 1,500 patients, who have undergone treatment at the hospital, now lead normal lives, Zhang said.
China delivered a stealth corvette to the Algerian Navy last week, marking a new high in the nation's export of military ships.

The C28A-class guided missile corvette was commissioned by the Algerian Navy on July 12 at a port of Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group in Shanghai, becoming the third of its kind in the African country's Navy.

The C28A-class corvette represents the highest technological level of China's export warship, China Ship News reported, quoting shipbuilding sources as saying it has the best combat capability and is very competitive on the international market.

With a displacement of 3,000 metric tons, the 120-meter-long corvette can conduct offshore defense operations and long-distance combat tasks. It is larger than previous warships China has sold to foreign nations, has new equipment, a stealth design and a higher level of automation, sources told the newspaper.

It has a cruise speed of about 30 km/h and an operational range of nearly 10,000 km, according to the report.

The C28A-class corvette, was designed by the Marine Design and Research Institute under China State Shipbuilding Corp. In 2011, it defeated 10 competitors from eight countries for the Algerian Navy contract for three corvettes. The first C28A was delivered in September 2015 and the second this January.

Wu Qiang, general manager of China State Shipbuilding Corp, the parent company of the Hudong-Zhonghua, told China National Radio at the commissioning ceremony that the ship is a symbol of China's achievement.

"In the past, naval ships we sold to other countries mostly used foreign-developed weapons, but all of the weapons and radar installed on three C28As, including anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, torpedoes and naval guns, are domestically developed," he said. "The results of these C28A ships' tests are very satisfactory, and our clients are happy with their performance."

Ren Yi, chief designer of the C28A, was quoted by China Central Television as saying that the ship can perform reconnaissance, aircraft and missile defense, anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, as well as maritime humanitarian missions.

Gao Zhuo, a military observer in Beijing, told China Daily that China's new-generation naval vessels are reliable, have outstanding combat capabilities and are attractive in terms of price and operational costs, making them good choices for developing nations.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Philippine counterpart during the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Ulaanbaatar that China is willing to talk in an "unofficial engagement", Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang confirmed on Tuesday.

"Foreign Minister Wang Yi elaborated on China's principled position on the current situation, saying that China would like to work in unison with the Philippines if the new Philippine government is willing to resume dialogue and consultation, manage disputes and improve bilateral relations together with China," Lu said.

Wang "underscored that it is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people to move China-Philippines relations back to the track of dialogue and consultation," Lu said.

The remarks came after Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay said on Tuesday direct talks with China over maritime disputes were unlikely to start anytime soon due to Beijing's refusal to accept the tribunal ruling on the South China Sea.

"At this point in time, I am not sure whether negotiations can be pursued," Yasay said in an interview with the ABS-CBN network.

Beijing has said it was the first to have discovered, named and exploited the sea and has refused to take part in the tribunal ruling process.

Last week Beijing rejected the ruling on the arbitration case unilaterally brought by the Philippines and said the tribunal ruling cannot be the basis of any discussions.

Yasay said he discussed possibilities of bilateral talks with Wang on the sidelines of last weekend's Asia-Europe meeting in Mongolia but made no progress.

"Let the dust settle some more and let's see how we can open up the road for this kind of negotiation."

Yasay said he was still hopeful both countries could find a way to resolve disputes.

President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines said last week that he would send former president Fidel Ramos to China to start talks on the ruling.

But it remains unknown if Ramos would accept or when, if he did, he would be dispatched.

Xu Liping, a senior research fellow with the National Institute of International Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Manila still needs time to calm nationalist sentiment stirred up by the ruling before starting negotiations on the territorial dispute.

After the arbitration case, the new Filipino government has to seek balance among the opposition, pressure from the US and Japan and the public view," Xu said.

"Personally, based on Duterte's recent remarks, I'm cautiously confident about the future of bilateral talks," Xu said.

He said the start of talks, regardless of the progress, will send a strong signal of stability to the global community.

Despite the "nationalist sentiments" in the Philippines, as Xu noted, there are also voices in Manila revealing the background behind the ruling.

Francisco Tatad wrote in a column carried by The Manila Times on July 17 that he "doesn't believe the Aquino government (the previous government before Duterte assumed office in June) was candid enough about everything the public needed to know about the arbitration process".

"For one, contrary to what the public has been led to believe, the Permanent Court of Arbitration is not a real court but a mere provider of dispute resolution services to the international community; an intergovernmental organization which began in 1899, but it is not an organ or institution of the United Nations, which was founded only in 1945," he wrote.

He noted "the government also never told the public how much the arbitration would cost Philippine taxpayers".

On lawyer's fees alone, the Philippine government has spent $30 million.
26 people have been killed in the bus accident in Taiwan on Tuesday. [Photo/VCG]

BEIJING - Four mainland officials left Beijing Wednesday noon for Taiwan to assist families of victims of a serious bus accident.

They are from various departments including the Association for Tourism Exchange Across the Taiwan Straits, the statement said.

Twenty-six people, including 23 tourists and a tour guide from the Chinese mainland and two local people -- a driver and a tour guide -- were killed when a tour bus crashed into a barrier on a highway and caught fire near Taoyuan Airport in Taiwan on Tuesday.

Most of the tourists were from Northeast China's Liaoning province. Liaoning officials will also arrive in Taiwan on Wednesday.
A night view of Chengdu on April 17, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Five years ago, Du Juan, a native of Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province, was wondering where to go for work after she graduated from Michigan State University.

"The overseas life is not as exciting as spending time with family members and friends back in China," Du told The Rising Lab, a data news outlet of Shanghai-based business news magazine CBN weekly. So she decided to seek a job in China rather than stay in the US becoming a part of the growing wave of students from abroad.

According to Report on Entrepreneurship and Employment of Chinese Overseas Students released by Center for China and Globalization in 2015, there has been a 78.4 percent increase in students coming back to China since 2010.

Another Report on Employment Trend of Chinese Overseas Study Returnees issued by LinkedIn shows that among 7.2 percent LinkedIn members who are Chinese and have studied abroad, the number of people choosing to return is rising with an average increasing rate of 7.14 percent annually during 2010 to 2015.

Like many business graduates who anchored themselves in China's first-tier cities, which usually refer to Beijing, Shanghai, Guanghzou and Shenzhen, Du Juan, an accounting major, found a position in PricewaterhouseCoopers Shanghai office.

Various job opportunities and rich resources in the financial sector attracted Du to Shanghai, China's financial center. "Top financial institutions arrange more main business and key positions in the first tier cities ", said Du.

But after one year of work, Du started to review her job and working environment. She was not satisfied with the repetitive work, overtime and high pressure. Shanghai's high living cost, natural environment and cultural identity also strained her nerves.

By comparison, her hometown Chengdu, a second-tier city or "new first-tier" city, was on her mind, especially as Chengdu is developing fast and is catching with top cities.

According to LinkedIn's report, the number of overseas returnees who choose their first job in first-tier cities has fallen, while the number choosing "new first-tier" cities such as Hangzhou, Wuhan, Chengdu went up between 2010 and 2015.
CHANGCHUN -- The political and legal affairs body of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said a thorough review of past erroneous judgments would help improve China's legal system.

During a meeting on legal system reform from Monday to Tuesday, which was attended by legal representatives from all over the country, the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs (CPLA) of the CPC Central Committee said more can be done to avoid wrongful convictions.

During the meeting the CPLA said the current legal accountability system was undergoing major changes, which would improve the quality of judgments and raise the credibility of the country's judicial organs.

Judicial staff involved in convictions involving confessions gained by torture or found to have bent the law for personal gain will be punished, it was agreed.

China said the people must feel equity and justice in every case.

The move follows a number of high-profile wrongful convictions.

One of such cases, in 1996 in Inner Mongolia, involved a teenager named Huugjilt, who was executed for the rape and murder of a woman the same year.

However, a serial rapist and killer later admitted to the crime while in police custody in 2005.

In December 2014, Huugjilt's conviction was officially quashed by Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Higher People's Court.

In June this year, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) said it will rehear a two-decades-old rape and murder case, in which a man was found guilty and executed, over concerns that the evidence presented was insufficient.

Nie Shubin, from Hebei province, was convicted and executed in 1995 for the rape and murder of a woman. In 2005, another man confessed to the crime.
An international forum on global affairs was held in the University of International Business and Economy, Beijing, on July 9.

Scholars from universities of the US, France, Singapore and other countries discussed issues on global governance at the 5th UIBE International Affairs Summer Forum.

Scholars presented their ideas from four perspectives  the development of state and governance theories, international experiences of governance, the new development of China's governance, and the governance of China and its international implications.

Professor James Deshaw Rae from California State University, Sacramento, challenged the notion of a singular narrative of global governance by a monolithic international community and described how emerging economies and major powers may both participate in and dissent from this order.

Independent government advisor Soeren Villadsen introduced the welfare policies in China and Europe and said that while the European welfare policies are facing serious crises, China is developing new and more advanced welfare policies.
Pan Yue, vice president of CIS, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Central Institute of Socialism, the official institute co-founded by the eight democratic parties of China to do relevant studies, launched its first thinktank on Wednesday.

Pan Yue, vice president of CIS who is also in charge of its daily affairs, introduced the newly founded thinktank to media outlets at the opening ceremony.

According to Pan, cooperation with various political forces is a fundamental principle, as well as political wisdom, of the Communist Party of China in governing China. It is according to this principle that different political forces in China practiced democracy and cooperated with each other in the nation's governance.

However, the theoretical research about it is still far from sufficient. Especially as China is going global and trying to make its value understood by the rest of the world, such political wisdom deserves more attention. so they founded the thinktank to do special research.

The new thinktank has a quite a wide platform. Being co-founded by the democratic political parties of China, the CIS has the advantages of staying in touch with a large number of domestic scholars, as well as overseas ethnic Chinese scholars. And it could mobilize the political influences of all the eight democratic parties, as well as the senior scholars and researchers as their members.

Shao Hong, vice president of the Sept 3rd Society, one of the eight democratic political parties of China, said that his party is willing to contribute to the study because it helps both the CPC and the eight parties better cooperate with each other.

Jiang Shigong, a professor of law from Peking University, praised the thinktank. "We are very optimistic about its future and we plan to work together with it," he said.

The thinktank's first research programs include: collaborative democracy research, the study of the sense of community in the Chinese nation, and the study of social organizations' role in social governance. These projects are essential to China's development and stability.

All these programs have already started and groups of scholars are now working on them. "Hope the first research projects can mark a good start," said Jiang in conclusion.
Concrete steps toward the elimination of the domestic commercial trade in ivory could be taken by the Chinese government in 2017, according to the head of a nongovernmental organization.

Zhou Fei, head of the China program at TRAFFIC, an NGO that monitors the global wildlife trade, made the comments during a public campaign in Beijing to stop the sale of carved ivory products.

"The official information is that China will publish a timetable by the end of the year to halt its domestic commercial trade in ivory," said Zhou.

"The patchwork of legal ivory trade licenses will expire by the end of 2016. So the easiest thing for Chinese government to do is to stop renewing these licenses for legal ivory traders in 2017, which will be a great step toward a total ban on the ivory trade in China."

Zhou believes halting the ivory trade in China will make a significant contribution to protecting the African elephant.

"In 1993, the Chinese government issued a ban on rhinoceros horn and tiger bone. That worked very well for the protection of tigers and rhinoceros. I think this ban will be as effective as that one," he said.

During President Xi Jinpings visit to the United States in September, the two countries made a joint commitment to take "significant and timely steps" to halt the domestic commercial trade of ivory. In June, the Obama administration announced a near-total ban on the interstate trading of ivory.

Zhou said another important issue was dealing with remaining legal ivory traders in China, who have complained about the coming ban and want the government to provide financial compensation.

There has long been debate on whether the international ivory trade should be subject to a total ban. In the past, the Chinese government has argued that a legal market helps meet domestic demand and provides financial support for African countries to protect African elephants. However, Zhou said this approach hasnt worked because it creates confusion.

"Attempts to flood the market with ivory in the past have had disastrous results, actually increasing poaching rather than curbing it," said Zhou. "Putting more ivory into the legal supply chain creates a smoke screen for the illicit trade in ivory."

"Besides, China has a growing middle-class who would like to purchase ivory as a symbol of social status. The limited amount of ivory put into the legal market could not satisfy this demand," he added.
Residents in Beijing walk on a flooded street as heavy rainfall hit the city on Wednesday. SU DONG / FOR CHINA DAILY

From the south to the north, with record-breaking downpours, flooding, landslides and loss of lives, China is coping with a seemingly endless string of extreme weather conditions and disasters this summer. And it is bracing for more.

President Xi Jinping has called for the nation to be fully prepared for the huge floods that are expected along some of the country's major rivers.

The president's call was made on Wednesday as China's vast and drought-prone northern regions were hit by the strongest downpours this year, triggering floods and landslides that killed 13 people and left 62 missing.

Livelihoods of 1.73 million people in 131 counties of six provinces were affected, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

President Xi also warned local officials that they would not be treated leniently if they failed to perform their duty and live up to the central government's expectations in the forthcoming disaster prevention and control efforts.

Protection of life must be the priority, the president said.

Beginning on Tuesday, downpours in Shanxi, Hebei and Hubei provinces hit a record high for precipitation before torrential rains spread to much of northern China on Wednesday and brought the most precipitation this year, said Ma Xuekuan, chief forecaster of the Central Meteorological Observatory.

Many northern cities raised their flood alert to the highest level on Wednesday, including Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei province.

In the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area, the strong downpours are expected to continue in the coming days, the meteorological observatory said, warning of the likelihood of more geological disasters.

Before striking northern China, torrential rains hit many provinces in southern and eastern regions of the country, especially in June, causing floods and landslides and heavy casualties.

In the first six months of the year, "China has seen 172 deaths, 99 injuries and another 19 people missing from 2,232 geological disasters nationwide, with the casualties increasing by 75 percent year-on-year," said Wang Guanghua, vice-minister of land and resources.

The increase in casualties was blamed on the heavy rainfall since the start of the flooding season on March 21. Precipitation saw a year-on-year increase of 21 percent over the average rainfall in past years, and this worsened geological disasters like landslides and mudslides, the ministry said in a statement.

Geological disasters like landslides usually peak from July to September, thus leaving the country facing higher risks than usual, especially in southern mountainous areas.

"The northern regions, which previously did not have large rainfall and therefore the mountains' soil is loose, will face high risk of geological disasters, requiring full preparation from governments," said Wang, the vice-minister.

The numbers of deaths and injuries in southern regions are the highest since 2011, doubling the average numbers of recent years.

The report from the ministry and the China National Commission for Disaster Reduction said the flooding, hailstorms and geological disasters have been the major disasters in the first six months, affecting 68.8 million people and causing 505 deaths and 89 billion yuan ($13.3 billion) in direct economic losses.

zhengjinran@chinadaily.com.cn
US author David Moser shares with Chinese-language learners his insight and less-known facts about the language in his book A Billion Voices. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A Billion Voices: China's Search for a Common Language tells the story of the creation of Putonghua, or Mandarin, which is an interesting read for both Chinese and foreigner students of the language.

The book is written by American linguist David Moser, who has spent more than 30 years studying Chinese. It is now only selling as an e-book but will be available in paperback in October.

Currently, Moser is teaching at Capital Normal University in Beijing, where he coordinates a program for foreign students coming to China for summer courses.

There are more than 100 million people studying Chinese overseas, according to Xu Lin, executive director of the Confucius Institute, which provides Chinese language classes around the world.

"When people say Chinese is so difficult, what they really mean is that Chinese characters are difficult to learn," says Moser.

"I think there's great confusion even among Chinese people between spoken language and script."

Unlike most European languages which are largely phonetic, Chinese has a writing system that is separate from speech, making it possible to pass on the knowledge within different regions and through generations. Nevertheless, the written language wenyanwen in the past, or literary language text, is extremely difficult to learn for ordinary people.

When it comes to the spoken language, there are more than 100 dialects, among which many are unintelligible between each other, which makes communication difficult between people from different areas.

In the book, Moser takes readers back to the early 1900s to see how Chinese intellectuals tried to reform the language after the fall of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

"It was a group of very smart people getting together in a room to figure out how to form a unified language and to solve the problem of literacy," says Moser.

"Since they didn't have the scientific tools, it took them a long time to do it, and they made some mistakes along the way."

One of the radical initiatives was to replace the Chinese characters with the Roman alphabet proposed by many intellectuals during the May Fourth Movement, which advocated Western notions such as "science" and "democracy".
Stage photo of Waiting for Godot. [File photo]

After 12 years, Waiting for Godot, French writer Samuel Beckett's masterpiece, is coming to Beijing's Capital Theater again, but this time, the play will be in French.

Jean Lambert-Wild, director of Theatre de l'Union in France, said the play is one of his most important adaptations, as it is a vivid presentation that stands the test of time.

"I always loved Beckett's style of writing, but I had been waiting for the right time to adapt it. I chose to adapt it now, as the play reflects the current political situation," said Lambert-Wild.

According to the director, the play uniquely reflects human nature, and he always has to ask himself how he should fully express the work of an existentialist.

As of today, the play has been performed for over 60 years. The play's world premiere was held on January 5, 1953, in Paris. The titular Godot, which the characters spend the whole play waiting for, has since been seen to represent the many things in life that people wait for.

So far, a number of Chinese directors have attempted to stage a few productions with different interpretations of "Godot". This is the first time the French version of the play will meet the Chinese audience.

If you go

Capital theater. July 22-24. 19:30
Visitors attend last year's Nanjing International Art Festival with the theme A Beautiful New World that discussed globalization. Photo provided to China Daily

The privately funded Nanjing International Art Festival is calling for works from artists across the globe for its third edition to be held from November to February, aiming to find and cultivate artists in and outside China.

It plans to showcase 800 pieces submitted by 400 artists from all over the world, covering paintings, sculpture, installations, videos and photos.

After the show, some of the works will begin a world tour in cities like Tokyo, Paris and New York.

Artists can visit www.njiaf.com to submit their works by Aug 1.

Started in 2014, the annual art festival in Nanjing, the capital of Jiangsu province - a one-hour trip by high-speed train from Shanghai - is funded by collector Yan Lugen and his Nanjing-based real estate company, the Lekyuen Group.

From this year, the art festival will turn biennial, says Yan.

Aiming to make it "China's Venice Biennial", Yan said in 2014 when the art festival was initiated he would invest 3 billion yuan in six years in the art festival.

Yan, who started his own collecting in the 1990s, has a large number of masters' works both from the East and the West.

In 2014 and 2015, the Nanjing International Art Festival had a section called Homage to Masters to display Yan's collection to the public.

The works included pieces by Picasso, Rodin, Monet, Renoir and Gaugin, which helped attract a lot of interest in the exhibition.

The theme of this year's art festival is Scarcity and Supply.

Lu Peng from Central Academy of Fine Arts and Letizia Ragaglia from Italy will jointly curate the show.

A committee of seven international art critics will help the curators select works for the show.

Speaking on the theme, Lu says the art festival tries to present artists' positions, attitudes and opinions on today's world. The theme is also about focusing on the problems facing the globe and to seek solutions from an artist's perspective.

In 2015, the art festival's theme was A Beautiful New World to discuss globalization. It received works from 8,000 artists from about 40 nations and regions.

Speaking of what he hopes to achieve with the event, Yan says: "Through the Nanjing International Art Festival, I hope to build an influential brand to fuel the development of China's art. I know it won't be easy and I have a long road to go."
A charity project that provides new books for children in underdeveloped areas in the country has recently collected more than 30,000 books to be distributed to schools in remote areas.

The books will be delivered to selected schools by more than 1,000 volunteers from universities in Beijing during their summer holiday before September.

To mark this year's 80th anniversary of the Long March, 80 students will bring books to eight cities along the original route by the Red Army in 1934-1935, including Ruijin in Jiangxi province, Zunyi in Guizhou province and Yan'an in Shaanxi province.

"When I saw the excited faces of the students who received those books, I was moved and decided to bring more books for them," recalls Zhu Ling, a social worker in Beijing who has participated in all three drives of the project since February last year.

"I am too old to bring books, but I can contribute money," says Zhang Zuoyou, 90, a retired professor of Beijing Union University, who has donated 60,000 yuan ($9,200) to the project.

Initiated by Beijing Publishing Group and Beijing Television, the project has donated 80,000 books to more than 100 schools across the country in its previous drives.

Related:

Charity program for remote areas
LUO JIE/CHINA DAILY

The GDP growth in the second quarter of this year was 6.7 percent, the same as that in the first quarter. Despite the slowdown in private sector investmentat 2.8 percent a yearthe total social investment grew 9 percent in the first half. And total trade and exports grew 0.1 percent and 1.2 percent year-on-year in the second quarter, arresting the declining trend in China's global trade.

Import dropped just 1.2 percent in the second quarter, an improvement of 7.2 percentage points over the first quarter, which is a good sign since global trade has been a strong factor in China's growth.

Although its economic growth was relatively low in the first half, China managed to create 7.17 million new urban jobs, admirable by any international standard and an encouraging sign that structural change has started yielding results.

Reflected by the changing compositions of agriculture, industry and services, the national economic structure continues to improve, with the service sector growing much faster than the other two. In the first half of 2016, the added values of the service sector, industry and agriculture grew 7.5 percent, 6.1 percent and 3.1 percent. The service sector now accounts for 54.1 percent of GDP, 14.7 percentage points more than the share of industry.

Both rural and urban incomes have grown steadily. In the first half of 2016, urban per capita disposable income was 17,000 yuan ($2,543), up 5.8 percent, and rural per capita net income 6,050 yuan, up 6.7 percent, reflecting the narrowing of urban-rural income disparity. The urban-rural per capita income ratio has declined from 3.3 before the global financial crisis to 2.8 today. Although the level of urban-rural income inequality is still high, the economic reform has benefited the rural population more than its urban counterpart.

The uncertainty in the world economy poses a significant challenge to China's economic growth, as international trade is a serious factor hindering China's economic growth. But China has reached a development stage where future growth depends mostly on its ability to boost domestic consumption, by reducing the gap between the rich and poor regions, integrating the urban and rural sectors and providing essential stimuli to public investments.

Domestic challenges cannot be underestimated, as the pressure to reduce industrial overcapacity and the housing bubble, and to upgrade technologies is high, and the process of change is slow.

But it is encouraging to see that the value-added of high-tech and newly emerging industries, including pharmaceuticals, aerospace and information and communication technology, are growing much faster than those of the traditional ones. The value-added of these industries increased 11.8 percent, compared to 6 percent for the entire manufacturing sector, in the first half of 2016. Retail sales grew 10.3 percent, and the services sector industry contributed 73.1 percent to growth in the first half, a year-on-year increase of 13.2 percentage points. The contribution of investment to GDP growth was 37 percent, but the contribution of net exports fell to10.4 percent.

China may not register higher growth in the short and medium terms, but the growth rates in the most recent four quarters at 6.9 percent, 6.8 percent, 6.7 percent and 6.7 percent mean the bottom of economic growth may have been reached. It also suggests that if the world economy recovers well, it is possible for China's future growth to be higher.

But even without the world economy recovering well in the first half of 2016, China has demonstrated its resilience to the harsh external and internal conditions. The worst may not be over, but China's ability to register a healthy growth and create more jobs should instill confidence about the future. It also shows China is on the right track to fulfill the development targets of the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), as one of the key goals is to maintain a growth rate of not less than 6.5 percent.

The author is associated with Chongqing University and the University of Nottingham.
A boy plays at a KFC restaurant in Nantong, Jiangsu province. Yum Brands Inc, owner of KFC and Pizza Hut chains, gets more than half of its revenue from China. [Photo/China Daily]

Over the past few days, some activists in North China's Hebei and East China's Anhui provinces have protested in front of KFC fast food outlets calling for US businesses to be boycotted.

It is understandable for some Chinese to use the internet to express their indignation at the arbitration tribunal's unreasonable and absurd award against China in the South China Sea dispute case initiated by the Philippines. Even if some turns of phrases they use may have gone far beyond the sensible way of expression, they have the freedom to do so unless they put their insensible ideas into practice.

But the recent protests have interfered with the business of these restaurants, and the protesters have humiliated and harassed customers, claiming they are not being patriotic.

Instead of being patriotic, it is their jingoism that does a disservice to the spirit of devotion to the nation.

While the motivation behind the calls to boycott businesses from the United States, the Philippines or Japan may be an emotional demonstration of their love for their motherland in the face of these countries' indecent roles in the South China Sea disputes, putting a banner in front of a KFC outlet to stop other people from dining there is not just a far cry from patriotism, it also violates the law.

Patriotism is not the hotchpotch of actions that self-claimed patriots select to do. Nor can it be used as a label to provide self-justification and legal grounds for extreme actions that violate the law.

Even if some believe it necessary to express their anger at the award in the arbitration initiated by the Philippines over its dispute with China, they may apply for approval from a local public security department for an assembly, which can be organized in a peaceful manner without disrupting public order.

On the part of the government, which always says that it considers the establishment of the rule of law as being of importance to the country's governance, it needs to act according to the law to prohibit barbaric and illegal activities in the name of patriotism.

Those who organize such activities without going through the necessary procedures and unlawfully harass others in the name of patriotism should be held accountable according to the law.

This would serve to teach those, who often put their impulsive expression of emotion before the law, what the real connotations of patriotism are.
Wang Chengjun from Shanghai gives a class at Wroxham School near London. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

According to media reports, the Chinese way of "math teaching" is set to be introduced in the United Kingdom's primary schools.

According to the program, children as young as 5 in more than 8,000 primary schools in England will be required to practise sums and exercises, and they must master each concept before moving on to the next.

The move has its origins in the results of the mathematical ability tests in the Program for International Student Assessment in 2012, in which students from Shanghai ranked top while students from Britain ranked 26th. Since then, England has welcomed over 120 teachers from Shanghai to share the secrets of their success.

Given that China's "spoon-feeding" educational model has long been controversial at home and abroad, the latest plan to imitate Chinese math teaching in English primary schools may ignite a sense of pride among some Chinese.

However, any jingoism over the move reflects a lack of self-confidence in our education system. If our own teaching methods are believed by ourselves to be perfect, why do we subconsciously care so much about how others look upon them?

In fact, there is no need for us to feel proud of the top scores Chinese students achieve in the international tests aimed at assessing the math ability of students from around the world.

Such tests are not based on the assessment of all qualities of contestants and to rank first does not necessarily mean students from that country have better prospects than students from others.

Real self-confidence usually comes along with modesty and a sense of self-confidence can be developed only after one looks up to his or her shortcomings and cultivates his or her ability to continuously learn from others.

The UK's swift action to adopt Chinese math teaching methods is something we can learn from.
A smartphone showing the Baidu Browser application is seen in this picture illustration, February 22, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

BAIDU, the largest online search engine in China, hosted advertisements for dozens of gambling websites in the advertising section of certain search results from midnight to 6 am for five days on and off from late June to early this month. It has tried to shift the blame to the advertisers, but it is legally bound to screen illegal content and supervise its advertising, says Beijing News:

Baidu's PR efforts are aimed at diverting the public's focus away from the loopholes in its operation. In its statement, Baidu said the enterprises which paid for the advertisement changed the content late at night without seeking Baidu's authorization.

Is Baidu incapable of spotting and stopping such behavior? If so, Baidu's incapacity in this regard may have serious problems far beyond this. What if the "enterprises" replace their advertisements with more dangerous illegal information, such as promoting terrorism?

According to the regulations, Baidu should delete the illegal promotions of gambling websites from its search results instantly, never mind hosting their advertisements, and immediately report the rule-breakers to the administrative departments. Instead, Baidu did not act until its users complained about the problem to the media after the advertisements of gambling websites had appeared late at night for five days over a period of 10 days.

The timing does not excuse a looser standard of operation and supervision, especially for a large internet enterprise such as Baidu.

Baidu's advertising revenue is not influenced by the timing or revenue from illegal advertisements. Its annual operating revenue last year was more than 66.38 billion yuan ($10.21 billion), and more than half of it came from advertisements.

The judicial departments and internet authorities should investigate the matter and force Baidu to clean up its act according to law.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, China's Cabinet, jointly issued a document on deepening investment and financing reform on Monday.

The document advanced further streamlining bureaucracy, delegating power to lower levels of governments and improving public services in order to establish a new investment and financing system that enables enterprises' independent decision-making, smooth financing channels and effective macro-control.

The government will cut red tape, improve supervision and encourage enterprises to invest.

The guidance aims to improve the investment and financing system to stimulate market vitality. To achieve that goal, China will enhance its management of private investment, reinforce public investment, diversify corporate financing channels and accelerate the transformation of government functions.

According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, private investment increased only 2.8 percent in the first half of 2016, indicating private investment has slowed sharply, which is a concern for the government.

The document marked the latest effort by the central authorities to solve entrenched funding difficulties for small companies and encourage better use of private capital.

The government will provide more financial support to startups, and companies will be encouraged to raise funds through the issuing of bonds. Domestic companies and financial institutions will be granted easier access to foreign capital.
Chinese visitors take pictures of themselves as they pose in front of the Sydney Opera House in Sydney. Australia is witnessing a surging Chinese visitor market, according to Tourism Research Australia. [Photo/Agencies]

Australia's visitor economy is on track to generate A$127 billion ($97 billion) by 2020, backed by a surging Chinese visitor market, Tourism Research Australia said last week.

The latest forecasts released by TRA has seen upward revisions in domestic and international visitor numbers and expenditure over the 10-year forecast period.

TRA expects the international visitor growth rate to be 6.7 percent in 2016-17 and 5.9 percent in 2017-18. It is within the target range of $88 billion to $107 billion in overnight visitor expenditure set by the government's Tourism 2020 Strategy. By 2024-25, about 12.3 million international visitors are expected to travel to Australia each year.

According to the TRA forecast, China is expected to overtake New Zealand as Australia's largest visitor source market by 2017-18, two years earlier than previously forecast.

Of Australia's total international visitors, Chinese visitors are estimated to increase from 13 percent in 2014-15 to 26 percent by 2024-25.

"The report should be a catalyst to spur the Federal Government into action to move the visitor economy to the heart of its economic plan for the nation. Tourism is a serious economic driver, delivering jobs for Australians and wealth for the country," Tourism & Transport Forum Australia CEO Margy Osmond says.

By 2024-25, one in every four international visitors traveling to Australia will likely be from China. But with more than 200 million Chinese travelers expected to be heading overseas by 2020, Australia will still be capturing less than 1 percent of this lucrative market.

"We shouldn't be willing to settle for this result. We can do much better than this if the Federal Government is willing to back our successful industry with an economic strategy that allows the sector to reach its full potential," she says.
Zhang Xiaofang walks back to the truck carrying two fire hydrants after putting out the sixth fire on Monday. [Photo from Sina Weibo]

A picture of a smiling firefighter with face covered in soot and ash has gone viral on both Sina Weibo and WeChat and thumbed up by millions, reported zjol.com.cn on Wednesday.

The man in the uniform, who is carrying two rolled-up fire hydrants, has a big smile with his white teeth brightening up his face.

Reports said he was walking back to his truck on Monday after putting out the sixth fire on that scorching day.

According to zjol.com.cn, the man in the photo is Zhang Xiaofang, born in 1988, a firefighter working with Cangnan team in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province.

He has reportedly participated in over 1,000 tasks related to fires in past two years.

Internet users and many news outlets posted the image and it received enormous praise from users.

Many said it was moving to see that smile on a firefighter's face after grueling work. Some urged him to stay safe.
A few of us were chatting in the newsroom recently, and we touched on the topic of table manners. In particular, we compared the Asian tradition of slurping noodle soup with the Western acceptance of nose-blowing at the dinner table.

Slurping has something of a childlike innocence to it. It also signals the slurper's appreciation of the dish. That said, a slurp can seem interminably long and irritating, and when numerous diners are slurping, the cacophony can be disquieting.

Still, I have to say that, growing up, I never understood what made nose-blowing acceptable at the table.

It's something of an unwritten rule; someone somewhere some time ago decided it was OK, so some nose-blowers act with impunity. And just because it's legal, doesn't mean you have to do it.

What is also irksome is when the honker has a handkerchief that is already sodden with mucus, and he or she has to fold it over to find a dry spot.

To add insult to those present, the offender then refolds the rag and returns it to its place of origin, not infrequently before digging into a nostril or two to remove some other unwanted substances.

I would rather see both practices kept away from the dinner table, particularly in public.

Chen Weihua, China Daily USA deputy editor and chief Washington correspondent, is firmly in the slurpers' camp. In fact, the visiting Chen said he was headed out to a noodle shop in Manhattan on Monday evening, where he admittedly would quietly slurp. And Chen said contemptuously that he has heard nose-blowing at some of the capital's finest establishments.

"There is no doubt to me that blowing your nose, especially at the dinner table, is much more disgusting than eating noodles with some noise," Chen proffered. "Of course, in Chinese and Japanese culture, eating noodles with the sound means they are delicious. But that of course is not seen this way in the Western culture.

"There are many Chinese who don't approve of the noise, especially loud noise, at the dinner table," the Shanghai native said. "It is not considered good manners. But eating noodles might be one of the exceptions. I think it is because the Western civilization prevails in today's world, so Western standards are used in unfairly judging the Asian culture. But blowing your nose should not be allowed at the dinner table, especially by those people who deliberately blow as hard as they could."

"Chinese tradition calls for a birthday girl or boy to slurp a bowl of noodles as a celebration of the many years ahead," Lawrence Lo, founder of LHY Etiquette Consultancy Limited, said in a 2011 story on CNN's travel page. Lo said "that long strip of noodle is a metaphor for the long walk of life. Yet this tradition comes with an addendum: Do not cut the noodles. That symbolizes cutting your life off.

"You should slurp your noodles," he added. "That means it tastes good. It's like swishing wine in your mouth so that it mixes with oxygen."

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization website, "noodles served on a wooden tray are simply picked up in bite-size portions. If served in a hot broth, alternate between picking them up and lifting the bowl to sip the broth. Slurping is a sign of a good appetite and eating with pleasure."

As for discharging one's nose, a 2013 Etiquette Daily blog on the Emily Post Institute website called for restraint: "Nose-blowing at the table should be limited to small puffs. If what is required is big, noisy nose-blowing, this should be conducted away from the table. It is distasteful to others to hear or see someone beleaguered by mucus deal with it at the table."

Belching is another bodily function that repulses most Westerners, but in some cultures it is a shoutout to the chef.

Here in the US we also have the annual Nathan's hot dog-eating contest on Coney Island in New York. My quibble with this, beyond the nitrates one would consume by downing 70 hot dogs, is that the contestants wet the buns before they shove them down their throats. Wet bread is not appetizing.

Despite how one feels about dinner table issues, no one should take the approach that a Minnesota man did in 2015 when, according to The Smoking Gun website, he bludgeoned his 84-year-old grandmother to death with a hammer because she blew her nose at the table.

Contact the writer at williamhennelly@chinadailyusa.com
Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (C), detained on corruption charges, is granted furlough from hospital arrest to vote in the national elections in her hometown of Lubao, Pampanga province, north of Manila in the Philippines May 9, 2016, where she is running for the third and last term as a congresswoman. [Photo/Agencies]

MANILA - The Philippines' Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a plunder case against influential former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and ordered her immediate release after five years under hospital arrest.

Arroyo, 69, was leader of the archipelago nation from 2001 to 2010 but her presidency was plagued by allegations of corruption and vested interests.

Judges voted 11-4 in her favour to throw out the plunder case due to a lack of evidence, court spokesman Theodore Te told a televised news conference.

She was initially detained for alleged electoral fraud but was later charged with plunder in connection with 366 million pesos ($7.82 million) in state lottery funds, some of which had been allocated for intelligence gathering.

Despite her detention, a spinal condition and legal cases against her, Arroyo remains an influential figure in national politics. She was re-elected to congress in May for a third successive term, despite not attending any house sessions.

The court decision is almost certain to be welcomed by new President Rodrigo Duterte, who had said he would seek her release.
The DPRK launched three ballistic missiles on Tuesday morning, a week after the ROK announced where it intended to set up an advanced US missile defense system.

The latest missile launches show that the Republic of Korea's decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system will undermine security on the Korean Peninsula, analysts said.

On July 13, Seoul announced it had decided with the United States to deploy the THAAD system in Seongju county, ROK, to counter threats from the DPRK.

The ROK's Joint Chiefs of Staff said two of the missiles launched by the DPRK had sufficient range to strike anywhere in the ROK, The Associated Press reported.

The DPRK, which threatened a "physical response" after the ROK and US said on July 8 they would deploy the THAAD, was reported to have fired on July 9 what appeared to be a submarine-launched missile.

Wang Junsheng, an associate researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' National Institute of International Strategy, said of the DPRK's missile launches that "the adverse effects of the deployment of the THAAD are revealing themselves".

The DPRK missiles have posed this time an "obvious threat" to the ROK, Wang said, adding that the THAAD's deployment "will only further irritate the DPRK".

Shi Yuanhua, a Fudan University researcher of China's relations with neighboring countries, said, "The launches can be viewed as the DPRK's reaction to the THAAD deployment."

But he emphasized that it is the US-ROK military drill planned for August that needs close attention, as "the DPRK reacts strongly every time the drill takes place".

Wang said the THAAD deployment will likely greatly harm Northeast Asian security by encouraging an arms race between not only the ROK and DPRK, but also other countries involved, such as China, the United States and Russia.

Yang Mian, a professor of international relations at Communication University of China, said the excuse used for the THAAD deployment is to defend against the DPRK nuclear weapons and missiles, but THAAD's radar range would also cover eastern and northeastern China and Russia's Far East, thus seriously threatening these countries' security.

Contact the writers at wangqingyun@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 07/20/2016 page3)
File photo shows Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to Britain speaking at a reception in London, UK on Sep 22, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

LONDON - The Chinese government's two recent statements and a white paper regarding the South China Sea provide "authoritative, comprehensive and clear-cut elaborations on China's position," Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in London, Liu said the Chinese government immediately reaffirmed its solemn position that China does not accept nor recognize the award, after the so-called tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines announced its award last week.

"To further elaborate on China's position, the Chinese government issued two statements and a white paper, and interpretations of these documents by senior officials have also been released," he told journalists.

After the tribunal released its so-called award, the Chinese government issued the Statement on China's Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the award.

China's State Council Information Office published a white paper entitled "China Adheres to the Position of Settling Through Negotiation the Relevant Disputes Between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea".

"The statements and the white paper provide authoritative, comprehensive and clear-cut elaborations on China's position," Liu said.

"In-depth readings of these documents have been provided by State Councilor Yang Jiechi in an interview, by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his remarks and by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin in a press briefing on the white paper," he noted.

The statement by the Chinese government, the ambassador said, reaffirms China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

"The Statement underscores the facts that China is the first to have discovered, named, and explored and exploited Nanhai Zhudao, or South China Sea islands, and relevant waters. China is the first to have exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively," he explained.

"The Statement explicitly points out that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea include its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao," he stressed.

He noted that China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned.

"China is ready to work with them to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and to ensure the safety of and the unimpeded access to the international shipping lanes in the South China Sea," said the diplomat.

The Statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry points out that the subject-matter raised by the Philippines for arbitration is beyond the jurisdiction of UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), Liu said.

"The arbitration infringes on China's right as a UNCLOS state party, namely the right to choose the procedures and means for dispute settlement on its own will," he further argued.

"The tribunal has in essence expanded its power, exceeded its authority and abused arbitration proceedings. Its ruling is therefore null and void and has no binding force," he added.

According to Liu, the white paper by the State Council Information Office "offers an overall elaboration on how China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao was established

in the course of history, and what China has been doing to uphold its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

"The white paper sheds light on the origin and development of the disputes between China and the Philippines. It aims to get to the root of the issue and set the record straight," the ambassador continued.

At the same time, Liu noted, the white paper reiterates China's "unchanged commitment to negotiation and consultation as the right way to settle disputes."

"China believes only a negotiated result can gain understanding and support from people of countries concerned," he concluded, adding, "only a negotiated result can be effectively implemented and only a negotiated result can be enduring."
ANKARA -- The website of Wikileaks has been blocked in Turkey following its release of thousands of internal emails from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Turkey's Telecommunications Communications Board said on Wednesday that it has taken "administrative measure" on the Wikileaks site.
African governments need to build their resilience in the wake of a harsh global market as they strongly push for industrial growth. The international community should also support the efforts of these countries to ease them into the global value chains.

That was the assessment by Zhang Huarong, Vice Chair of the China-Africa business council, on the sidelines of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Nairobi. More than 3000 delegates are are attending the east African city for the international forum from July 17-22.

"Africa needs mutual partners to promote its fledgling manufacturing sector. Investors on the other hand should strive to understand Africa's needs and support its quest for socio-economic development," said Zhang, who is also the Chair of the Huajian group in China.

"For Africa to get its own, 'Made in Africa', brand, stakeholders, which include governments, investors and civil society need to have vision, patience and courage to unlock the continent's potential. Indeed Africa needs time, capacity development and most of all, fortitude to endure the prevailing global trade landscape."

Zhang urged Africa to formulate long-term strategies and short-term policies, to make a powerful combination to experiment and understand its needs and potential. This was the same formula China used in the onset of its rapid economic growth, he said.

"Foreign investors need to respect local culture and design a strategy that would build a new African culture," Zhang said, adding that his organization had been instrumental in the growth of a shoe company in Ethiopia that had taken on at least 300 Ethiopians for training.




China's Global Newspaper





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A cyclist rides past the Royal Palace in Brussels as workers set up platforms for the traditional military parade of Belgium's National Day, July 15, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

Police and bomb squad specialists sealed off streets around the Place del La Monnaie in central Brussels today after a man was spotted wearing a heavy winter coat with wires protruding from it, despite high 30 degree Celsius summer temperatures.

Eyewitnesses said the man had been forced to kneel with his hands up as police held him at gunpoint for several hours. Bomb squad specialists were checking him.

Police later said it had been a false alarm and it was established that the man was a nuclear physics student. They gave no further details.

Shops were evacuated and streets closed as police said the man was "under control."

The incident comes only hours before the country celebrates its National Day, with a series of events that entailed closing streets and redirecting traffic in the city centre.

The events include a grand ball, concerts, religious services, military parades and street stalls selling food and drink.

There will be a huge firework display tomorrow evening, exactly a week after similar celebrations in neighboring France to celebrate Bastille Day were marred by a terror attack on a crowd watching a late night firework show in Nice.

The attacker drove a truck at high speed into a crowd, killing 84 and injuring 202 before dying in a shootout with police. Officers found automatic rifles, assault weapons and a dummy grenade in the cab.

In March three suicide bombers killed 32 people and injured more than 300 in attacks in the centre of Brussels and the airport. The three bombers died.

To contact the reporter: fujing@chinadaily.com.cn
China urged the European Union to "be discreet with its words and actions" and be neutral over the South China Sea issue, after the Council of the European Union voiced the EU's acknowledgement of the South China Sea arbitration ruling.

In its conclusions on the EU strategy on China issued on Monday, the Council of the EU said the EU and its member states "acknowledge the Award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal", referring to the recent ruling over the South China Sea arbitration case filed by the Philippines.

In response, the Foreign Ministry said: "The EU is not a party involved in the South China Sea issue. It should be discreet with its words and actions, pay real respect to international law and respect efforts invested by countries in the region to maintain peace and stability.''

The remarks were released by the ministry's Spokesperson's Office in a written interview with China Daily.

"China hopes that the EU holds onto a stance that is objective, just and neutral, and plays a positive role for regional stability and the development of China-EU ties," the ministry said.

The ministry reiterated that by unilaterally filing the arbitration case in 2013, the Philippines breached the agreement it had reached with China and went against international rules, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"The arbitral tribunal was, from the start, based on the Philippines' illegal behavior," it said.

"It had no jurisdiction over the disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. The ruling it made through expanding and exceeding its power is of course illegal and invalid."

The Philippines also violated regional rules that are embodied by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, a document that "constitutes an important part of this region's maritime rules and order," said the ministry.

China and ASEAN countries in 2002 signed the declaration in which they agreed to resolve disputes through consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned.

The ministry said China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to implement the declaration comprehensively and effectively and actively push forward consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Feng Zhongping, vice-president of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, said the EU should understand the complexity of the South China Sea issue and refrain from making indiscreet comments.

"The stable development of China-EU ties, which is good to both China and the EU, was hard to come by, and the EU should cherish it," Feng said.
Beijing hails Londons decision to recognize the East Turkistan Islamic Movement as a terrorist organization, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The United States and the United Nations have listed ETIM, as the group also known, as a terrorist organization since 2002. ETIM has carried out several deadly terrorist attacks in recent years in Xinjiang, and has been condemned by Beijing.

The British Home Office included the Turkistan Islamic Party on a list of terrorist organizations it published on Friday.

"TIP is an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization founded in 1989 by Uygur militants in western China," the Home Office said in the document.

The document noted that the TIP is based in Pakistan and operates in China, Central Asia, South Asia and Syria.

It said: "The group has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in China, the latest of these being in April 2014. TIP has links to a number of terrorist groups, including al-Qaida."

In response, the Spokesperson Office of the Foreign Ministry said China endorses the British government's prohibiting any individual or entity from being involved with or supporting this organization.

China "welcomes the increased recognition among the international community, including the British side, of ETIM's violent terrorist nature and the danger it poses", the office said.

The British document also noted that the "TIP has been banned by the UN and is also sanctioned by the USA under the Terrorist Exclusion list".

The Spokesperson Office said, "We are ready to work with various parties, including Britain, to further strengthen practical cooperation in fighting terrorism and resolutely crack down on international terrorist forces."
The European Commission is still divided over granting China market economy status in line with the World Trade Organization accession commitment made 15 years ago; it said it will table a proposal by the end of this year.

Chinese PresidentXi Jinping(2nd R, front) meets with European Council President Donald Tusk (3rd L, front) and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (2nd L, front) in Beijing, capital of China, July 12, 2016. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

At the weekly meeting on Wednesday, the commissioners discussed the political, economic and legal implications resulting from the expiry on December 11 this year of some provisions in China's Protocol of Accession to the WTO and what consequences can be drawn.

Beijing has repeatedly said Brussels should give it such recognition automatically as agreed after 15 years of transitional period of WTO membership. It says it is non-negotiable.

But Brussels has recently decided to link granting market economy status with China's efforts in reducing steel overcapacity, which Beijing insists is unfair and unreasonable.

Within the EU, the UK, The Netherlands, Hungary and the Nordic countries support China's market economy status. Germany is, in principle, supportive, but is interested in safeguards for sensitive industries, while Italy and France are opposed. China is recognised as a market economy by up to 100 countries such as Brazil, New Zealand, Switzerland, Iceland, Australia and Russia.

As the deadline approaches, analysts say Brussels has used its complicated institutional tools and mechanisms to complicate the issue, coupled with pressures from lobbying groups, during previous months.

Wednesday's discussion followed an orientation debate held on 13 January on whether, and if so how, the EU should change the treatment of China in anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations after December 2016.

At the orientation debate on Wednesday, the commissioners discussed the three options, which include leaving the EU legislation unchanged or removing China from the list of "non-market economies" and applying the standard methodology for dumping calculations. It also reviewed changing the anti-dumping methodology for a new approach which would maintain a strong trade defense system, while giving effect to the EU's international obligations.

European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen said the discussion was not about whether or not China is a Market Economy.

"It is about how to adapt our trade defense instruments to deal with the realities of over-capacity and a changing international legal framework," said Katainen.

"By acting on several fronts, together with the European Parliament and Member States, we can treat both the symptoms and underlying causes of unfair trade and provide greater job security in Europe."

Taking into account the debate on Wednesday, the Commission will revisit the matter and table a proposal before the end of this year.

Weeks ago, the European Parliament voted to refuse China MES status, with many members saying that China has not met the five criteria of market economy set by the European institutions. The vote is not binding.

Beijing maintains granting MES is dependent on international rules, instead of respecting domestic criteria.

Luigi Gambardella, president of ChinaEU, a non-profit organization in Brussels promoting bilateral digital and Internet cooperation, said to deny MES to China would be a strong political signal from the EU and may well cause the deterioration of the recent warming political relationship between the two economies.

Gambardella said in the short term, there are concrete risks of retaliation from the Chinese side, causing EU economies serious pain and uncertainty over the end result.

"Closing the door to China may thus have very negative effects," Gambardella said in a previous interview.

To contact the reporter at fujing@chinadaily.com.cn

Editor: Chris Peterson
Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians has appointed Amanda O. Merideth as Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Merideth will oversee all operations and mission delivery efforts for the regions Girl Scout council. In addition, Laura Skonberg has been named vice president of Communications.

Our council is fortunate to have impressive talent and experience on our executive team, said Lynne Lawson Fugate, CEO. These appointments reflect the hard work, talent, and success that Amanda and Laura have brought to the council over the years. Amandas leadership and ability make her the ideal person to oversee our councils operations and the delivery of our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character. Lauras keen sense of communication strategies will convey our message to key stakeholders and will maintain the integrity of our iconic 104-year-old brand.



Ms. Merideth has worked for GSCSA for over eight years. Most recently, Ms. Merideth served as the councils Senior Director of Mission Delivery where she was responsible for developing and coordinating volunteer-delivered leadership development programs consistent with GSCSAs mission, vision, culture, and strategy. Prior to GSCSA, she was Education Staff Manager for the Creative Discovery Museum. She received her Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as well as her bachelors degree in history.



Ms. Skonberg has worked for the council for over four years. Most recently, Ms. Skonberg served as Director of Communications where she realigned and led the marketing and communications team to drive growth across all sectors of the organization. Before joining GSCSA, she was Marketing and Communications Manager and Publisher for True North Custom Media. She earned her bachelors degree in archaeology from Boston University.


Summer thunderstorms had doused our plans to spend the evening at the drive-in. Lionel and I were pretty bummed, since wed been looking forward to the new Ghostbusters for some time, so we decided to make the best out of our night by going to the theater and out to eat.



After catching a matinee at the Majestic 12, we both pretty easily agreed on dinner at Champys. I dont know how other, more functional, couples decide on their meals, but for us its typically a pretty grueling processmostly resulting in a whole lot of deference and blame.

Location: 536 E Martin Luther King Blvd





Hours: SUN - TH 10:30 am- 10pm

F - SAT 10:30 am - 12 am

But that evening the stars seemed to have aligned in our favor and we both could not think of anything more appealing than some good ol fried chicken.We were both pretty hungry, and we knew what we wanted, so we ordered almost as soon as wed been seated. Lionel got the chicken finger basket which came with four tenders and fries ($9.95). I got a buffalo fried chicken salad with blue cheese dressing ($9.95).We really must have been on the same wave-length that night, because after hearing my order Lionel asked for his chicken tenders to be tossed in buffalo sauce.If youve never been to Champys before, I recommend eating in just to have the full experience. Though it was pouring again by the time we were seated inside, the outdoor patio is a great place to dine on a warm summer night. The inside has its charms too, though, with colorful lighting, blues and rock n roll music, and patron-decorated dollar bills stapled all over the walls.At its very worst, Champys can conjure a bit of a touristy feel. On a Saturday night theres sometimes a sense that the place is packed full of out-of-towners contemplating whether or not theyll get a T-shirt to go with their leftovers. I dont mean to chide the restaurant for thattourism is a huge part of Chattanoogas economy and its great to see it in action. However, some places seem to feel a bit more obvious than others.What really matters, however, is whether or not Champys delivers what it advertises. Does it really deserve to be called world famous, as its menu proclaims?World famous, I couldnt say, but Chattanooga famous? Tennessee famous? Southeast famous? Why not? The chicken is perfectly battered and has a great crunch. Ive tried it both regular and with buffalo sauce and love both. In the past, Ive enjoyed both their fried jalapenos ($8.25) and fried pickle spears ($9.50), and Ive been told their homemade tamales are great (6 for $10.99, 12 for $21.50).I think the prices and portions on the entrees and sides are just right, though I have to admit the cost of the appetizers typically keeps me from ordering them unless Im out with a group. The waitstaff has always been fast and friendly, even when busy.As for our dinners that night, Lionel and I couldnt complain. He enjoyed his fries and tenders, though he mentioned more than once that the buffalo sauce sure had a bite. I thought it was perfect, but Im a sucker for the combination of buffalo sauce and blue cheese. The salad comes with pickles, too, and though Id normally find that a bit strange, its perfect for the dish.Overall, Champys has great food, a good atmosphere, and asks the right price.
(Photo : Reuters) China Telecom would broaden its revenue stream if it purchases the 4G licenses being offered by the Egyptian communications ministry.

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Two state-run network providers, China Telecom and Saudi Telecom, have shown interest in acquiring 4GB mobile phone licenses which are currently being offered by the Egyptian government. The two telecommunication giants will be joining Kuwait's Zain, which made a similar request last week.



Both China Telecom and Saudi Telecom are yet to officially present their respective formal requests to the Egyptian government. Currently, Egypt has a handful of local mobile operators like Vodafone, Orage, and Etisalat, according to Telecom Paper. The impending entry of China Telecom and Saudi Telecom into the scene would put more pressure on these local players to accept license terms set by the Egyptian government.



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It appears that these 4G licenses will be offered to new market players if the current mobile operators decide to reject the permits. Egypt's Communications Ministry claims that the country has about 95 million mobile subscribers.



Orange's local affiliate in Egypt was asked to pay $399 million should they agree with the terms offered by the Egyptian government.



China Securities International head of research Steven Liu said that by expanding to Egypt and acquiring the 4G license to operate in the country, China Telecom would broaden its revenue stream.



"Overseas revenue mainly comes from roaming and is almost negligible. If they were to acquire 4G licenses, it would be more of the goal to establish a presence than to compete toe-to-toe with European operators," Liu told Bloomberg.



Many market analysts predict that China Telecom's revenue for this year will be around $57 billion, an increase of about 4.9 percent from last year.



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Tagschina telecom, Saudi Telecom, Egypt, 4G, Egypt 4G license, 4G license
(Photo : VCG/VCG via Getty Images) Students from an experimental primary school in Shijingshan District clean the grave of Qu Qiubai, a leader of the Communist Party of China in the late 1920s, on the Second National Martyrs's Day at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery on Sept. 30, 2015 in Beijing, China.

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In an effort to address poor leadership among its ranks, the Communist Party of China has released a full version of an accountability regulation that will be applied to members across all levels and divisions.



The new rule, which introduced an internal Party accountability mechanism, will hold its Party officials responsible for problems that may arise due to negligence or poor work performance, the China Daily reported.



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In particular, officials will be held accountable once they make errors in judgment, do not show decisive leadership in dealing with problems or projects, or have been remiss in implementing the Communist Party of China's rules on frugality and accountability.



Approved by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on June 28, the regulation states that its top officials will face punishment based on the severity of their wrongdoing.



The penalties these officers face include being "named and shamed" within certain ranks, issued oral or written warnings by authorities, suspended from their posts, transferred, forced to resign, demoted or dismissed.



Moreover, the Chinese people will be informed of the serious cases involving party officials.



The regulation also says that officials will be held responsible for serious breaches of duty even though they have been transferred, promoted or have retired from active service.



Wu Hui professor of the Party School of the Central Committee, lauded the regulation, saying that it is the first time for the Party to come out with such a rule, which specified the conditions wherein Communist Party of China officials will face accountability for their actions.



"It's a further step to strictly govern the Party, followed by revising the Code of Ethics for Party Cadres and the Disciplinary Ordinance last year," Wu noted. "The more specific the rule is, the more effective and practical it will be.



"In the past, we often described found problems in the Party, but the responsible officials were seldom blamed," he added, as he anticipated the impact of the Communist Party of China's new regulation on accountability. "I believe the situation will be changed under the new rule."



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Tagschina, China CPC, Communist Party of China Accountability
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China said the Philippines risks "confrontation" if it insists on pursuing talks to allow Filipino fishermen to use the Philippine-owned Scarborough Shoal based on the award granted it July 12 by the U.N. Permanent Court of Arbitration.



Chinese Foreign Secretary Wang Yu made the threat to novice Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay when the two met privately on the sidelines of the recently concluded Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Mongolia.



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Yasay said Wang told him that if the Philippines "will insist on the ruling, discussing along those lines, then we might be headed for a confrontation."



Yasay previously told Wang the Philippines rejected outright China's demand it disregard the award in its favor bestowed by the arbitral tribunal as a prelude to discussions on Scarborough Shoal. The arbitral ruling declared illegal China's claims to own most of the South China Sea based on China's legally baseless "historical rights" doctrine and demarcated by its illegal "nine-dash line."



The arbitration court ruled Beijing violated the Philippines' sovereign rights to exploit resources in waters up to 340 kilometers beyond its coast, or its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).



China immediately rejected the arbitration ruling, a stand for which it was taken to task by the United States, Europe, Japan and other countries attending ASEM. China illegally seized Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012. This incident caused the Philippines, then led by President Benigno Simeon Aquino, to sue China before the arbitration court in The Hague in 2013.



Yasay said Wang wanted the Philippines "to open ourselves for bilateral negotiations but outside of and in disregard of the arbitral ruling."



Yasay replied this was impossible.



"This is something that I told him was not consistent with our Constitution and our national interest," said Yasay.



Direct talks between Manila and Beijing are not forthcoming, said Yasay.



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TagsPhilippines, china, Perfecto Yasay, Wang Yu, nine dash line, Permanent Court of Arbitration
(Photo : YouTube Screenshot) China is willing to work with Philippines on its war to curb illegal drugs and associated crimes.

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A Chinese official has said that China is willing to work with the Philippines to fight against illegal drug trades, saying drugs are the "common enemy to mankind."



The anti-drug campaign is a "shared responsibility of all countries in the world," according to Lingxiao Li, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Manila. He further noted that China understands the Philippine government's priority to crack down crimes related to drugs.



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"China has expressed explicitly to the new administration China's willingness for effective cooperation in this regard, and would like to work out a specific plan of action with the Philippine side," he said.



On Monday, Duterte, who has vowed to conduct a bloody war against criminality and drugs, expressed disappointment about the alleged involvement of many Chinese nationals in the manufacturing and sale of drugs in the country.



Li said that China has been "firm and severe in drug control and in punishing all drug criminals in accordance with laws regardless of their nationalities," adding that the country has effectively cooperated with many other countries.



Recently, a number of Chinese nationals linked to drugs have been killed in police operations. The Philippine National Police also seized and raided a "floating shabu lab" in Subi and arrested four Chinese nationals.



The operations are part of Duterte's commitment to clean the country of drugs and crime within the first six months of his term.



He also named two Chinese drug lords Peter Lim and Peter Co, who is allegedly the leader of triad operations in Luzon even though he is locked inside the state penitentiary. Lim, on the other hand, has denied allegations that he is a drug lord.



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Tagschina, Philippines, illegal drugs
(Photo : Getty Images) A general view of YAMAHA booth at the marina at the Miami International Boat Show in Miami, Florida.

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China has relaxed its rules pertaining to foreign direct investment by removing foreign ownership limits of motorcycle and batteries manufacturers.



The revised policy applies to foreign firms setting up in the four pilot free trade zones, namely, Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, and Tianjin, according to the State Council circular, which was dated on July 1 and publicized on Tuesday.



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Foreign investors such as Yamaha Motor Co. and Samsung SDI Co. were previously required to partner with domestic firms and could only own as much as 50 percent of the venture.



"This will attract more foreign electric vehicle battery makers to set up subsidiaries in China and help the country bridge gap between its own production capacity and growing demand," Hannah Li, a UOB Kay Hian strategist, said.



The exemption comes after sales of motorcycles dropped by 15 percent in the first half of the year. However, China has not included overseas automakers, which are still subject to the same 50:50 investment limit rule, according to Bloomberg.



While the move will heat up competition against local players such as BYD, it will also indirectly benefit domestic electric vehicle manufacturers as the cost of imports would be reduced.



Furthermore, the state council circular also got rid of a regulation requiring overseas oil companies need to have a Chinese controlling partner if they are operating over 30 fuel stations in China, thus allowing foreign companies to establish a wholly-owned stations in the four trade zones.



It also permits foreign firms to set-up wholly-owned ocean shipping transport companies in theShanghai free trade zone.



Meanwhile, China's central government revealed that necessary and timely revisions to the policy would follow based on the results of the trial operations.



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Tagsbattery makers, motorcycle makers, china, Yamaha Motor Co, Samsung SDI Co., free trade zone, BYD
(Photo : Getty Images) A woman poses behind displayed soy beans during the world organic trade fair BioFach 2011 in Nuremberg, Germany.

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Imports of soybeans in China may decline for the first time in 15 years next season, according to researcher Oil World, Bloomberg reported.



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China is expected to see inbound shipments of soyabean by its biggest importers drop by as high as four percent to 80 million metric tons in the 12 months beginning next month, as the government sells around 4.3 million tons from stockpiles and domestic production climbs.



The researcher revealed that China still has "very high" inventories," giving crushers and importers preference to use stockpiled beans in the past weeks.



"Plantings recovered noticeably by 15-20 percent, according to estimates of Chinese traders and crushers," Oil World said. "Forward buying for arrival in October to December 2016 has been subdued. This is likely to be reflected in year-on-year reductions in combined U.S. and South American soybean exports to China in coming weeks."



Meanwhile, Chinese farmers will likely increase output by over a quarter next season.



Prices also surged this year, with the US futures increasing to 22 percent and 38 percent for soybean meal, which are byproducts used for animal feed.



Last week, China auctioned more than 300,000 tonnes of soybeans from its temporary reserve, an initiative to ease the tight local supplies of the oilseed. The auction aims to alleviate the insufficiency of domestic soybeans allocated for human food supply and the expected shortfall in imports that usually goes to animal feed production.



The sale will include soybeans from the 2010 and 2012 crops, according to the National Grade Trade Centre.



"There is currently a shortage in the north for food use soybeans," Monica Tu, an analyst at Shanghai JC Intelligence, said. However, she noted that this would unlikely impact the more populous southern part of China that heavily relies on imports.



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Tagssoybeans, china, imports
(Photo : Getty Images) A sign for free HIV testing is seen outside a Walgreens pharmacy in Times Square in New York City.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Joint United Nations Programme has called on the Chinese government to increase the security of health information for people with HIV.



Both health organizations reacted after personal data of at least 388 people positive with HIV leaked in a fraud in which individuals posing as government officials called them up. The unidentified callers reportedly told the patients that they will be given government subsidies after they paid around 600 yuan ($90) as service fees.



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Four persons have reportedly fallen into the trap. The fraudsters, who promised to give 6,800 yuan ($1,016) in subsidies, have defrauded between 700 yuan ($104) and 6,700 yuan ($1,000), according to Bai Hua, head of the Baihualin National Alliance, a nongovernmental organization providing assistance to people with HIV.



Although how the scammers were able to obtain such vital information has not been known yet, both the WHO and the United Nations (UN) have described the incident a violation of the fundament right to patient confidentiality.



The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention admitted on Sunday that it had indeed received complaints from HIV-positive people that they have been victims of a phone scam and suspected that their personal data had been divulged.



"Some HIV-positive persons told me that the scammers knew their names, addresses, the time when they were diagnosed, even the special disease control centre and the doctors who prescribed them medicines," Bai said.



While the leak could pose a threat to these patients' lives, it could also break the trust established between health officials and patients.



"If we don't report our case... we won't get free medication. But if we do report ourselves, we are taking the risk of being exposed, of our privacy being violated," an HIV-positive man nicknamed Ming told Sixth Tone.



This is not the first time patients' information has been stolen in China. In May, police officers from Jinan nabbed four people for stealing and selling the personal information of at least 200,000 children.



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TagsWHO, United Nations, HIV, patient privacy, confidentiality
(Photo : Getty Images) A lighthouse on Zhubi Reef on Nansha Island. A top Chinese military official said Beijing is not intimidated by the recent arbitral court ruling and would not stop its ongoing constructions on the Spratly islands

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A week after the Hague-based arbitral court ruled that China has no legal basis for its claims in the South China Sea, a high-ranking Chinese military official said on Tuesday that Beijing's ongoing constructions of facilities on islands and reefs in the Philippine-claimed Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands) would not be halted.



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"We will never stop our construction on the Nansha Islands halfway," the People's Liberation Army Navy Admiral Wu Shengli told his US counterpart Admiral John Richardson in a closed-door meeting.



According to the state-run news agency Xinhua, Admiral Wu justified Beijing's ongoing constructions on the disputed Spratly Islands saying it is an 'inherent' part of its territories and that the arbitral court ruling was a "piece of waste paper."



Nansha Islands



"The Nansha Islands are China's inherent territory, and our necessary construction on the islands is reasonable, justified and lawful," Wu stressed.



In the last two years, China has constructed several facilities on the islands and reefs, including an airstrip and a radar system, which the US said could be turned into military use.



The Spratly group of islands is being claimed by several Southeast Asian countries including Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Brunei, and the Philippines.



Nine-dash line



China was dealt a major blow after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) on Tuesday ruled that Beijing has no legal basis to claim "historic rights" over much of the South China Sea under its "nine-dash line."



The ruling said China violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the sovereign rights of the Philippines to its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf when it constructed facilities on the disputed Mischief Reef.



While Manila welcomed the decision, Beijing dismissed it as "null and void" and a "complete farce."



Confrontation



Admiral Wu said China was not intimidated at all with the ruling saying the Chinese military was prepared for any confrontation that may erupt as a consequence of the decision.



"Any attempt to force China to give in through flexing military muscles will only have the opposite effect," he warned.



Despite China's protest, the international community, specifically the European Union, has broken its silence on the recent ruling urging Beijing to respect international law.



The US, Australia, and Japan, among others, have also issued statements supporting the tribunal's ruling and exhorting Beijing to abide by the decision.



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TagsNansha Islands, spratly islands, South China Sea, nine dash line, PCA ruling, china
(Photo : Reuters) Apple Pay is now available in nine countries including United States, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, France, and Singapore.

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Apple Pay has arrived in Hong Kong, allowing the Apple users to use the companys mobile payment system.



Apples payment system has been rolled out to American Express, Visa and MasterCard cardholders in Hong Kong. Other participating banks are Standard Chartered, DBS, Hang Seng Bank, HSBC, Bank of East Asia, and BOC Credit Card, a subsidiary of Bank of China (Hong Kong). Apple's website notes that the system would be compatibile with BEA and HKT touchless payment network Tap & Go in the future, Apple Insider reported.



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Apple users can add their cards to Apple Pay by just tapping Add Credit or Debit Card option in the Wallet app on devices running the iOS 8.1 or higher. Hong Kongs Apple Pay works fine with the iPhone 6, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE. It is also available on the iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, and both iPad Pro models. However, iPhone 5, 5c, and 5s users need an Apple Watch to make Apple Pay work.



Greg Hingston, the head of retail banking and wealth management at HSBC in Hong Kong, said the number of HSBC's active mobile banking customers has increased by almost 50 percent over the past three years, according to the South China Morning Post.



We expect this to rise as customers continue to migrate to digital banking and as we roll out innovative offerings such as Apple Pay. Digital is an integral part of our strategy as technology and mobility are changing the way our customers access information, products and services, Hingston said.



In Hong Kong, Apple Pay can be used where contactless payment is accepted and at a wide range of retail partners, including 7-Eleven, KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Pacific Coffee, Su-Pa-De-Pa, Taste, ThreeSixty, Uny, and more.



The Cupertino-based companys payment system has also debuted in France, which is compatible with Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by Carrefour Banque and Ticket Restaurant as well as Banque Populaire and Caisse d'Epargne, an assemblage that includes France's second largest banking group.



Apple Pay is now available in nine countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and Singapore. In addition, Apple plans to launch Apple Pay to Spain through a partnership with American Express later this year.



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Tagsapple, apple pay, iPhone, Ipad, American Express, MasterCard, Hong Kong, Apple Pay Hong Kong, HSB, NFC
The College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announced that enrollment begins Fall 2016 in the new Master of Science in EngineeringAutomotive Systems program.



Developed with partners in the automotive industry, the degree program is designed to educate and train individuals interested in broadening his/her knowledge and skills to effectively meet the changing demands of the growing industry in the areas of advanced engineering, design, and manufacturing.

The programs focus areas are advanced simulation, programming, and project management.



For more information regarding the admission requirements, degree guidelines, and coursework, please contact Dr. Gary McDonald at (423) 425-5217 or email Gary-McDonald@utc.edu.
(Photo : Getty Images.) General Electronics Vice President John Rice said on Wednesday that he is upbeat about growth opportunities for the company in China.

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American multinational conglomerate General Electronics is still upbeat about growth opportunities in the Chinese economy despite growing concerns over the country's economic slowdown and the Chinese government's ongoing anti-corruption campaign.



"Yes, the economy is growing at a slower growth rate ... (but) it's the world's second-largest economy, so there's plenty of opportunities," John Rice, GE's Vice Chairman, told Reuters. Rice was speaking on the sidelines of a company event in Shanghai.



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On the issue of China's anti-corruption campaign, the vice chairman stressed that the campaign has raised a level of caution among people, and it will prove beneficial in the long term.



"There's some level of caution, people in some cases reacting to the anti-corruption campaign ... The effort to clean this up and deal with some of these issues will be really helpful to China and very helpful to companies like GE," Rice said.



China's anti-corruption campaign, which was initiated by President Xi Jinping, has led to several deals taking a longer time to get approval, a senior executive said on Wednesday.



At the event, Rice expressed his thought on Brexit, claiming that the devaluation in the British pound in the wake of Britain's exit from the European Union would help in increasing export. Rice also said that Brexit would not force the company to make any major changes to its business in the United Kingdom.



Earlier on Wednesday, GE announced a strategic partnership with China's telecom major Huawei Technologies [HWT.UL] to develop its industrial internet strategy. The company hopes that its joint venture project with Huawei would make $500 million in productivity savings globally in the current financial year.



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TagsGE, General Electronics, china, Chinese Economy
(Photo : VCG/VCG via Getty Images) Primary school students compete calligraphy on the playground on Jan. 13, 2015 in Dongyang of Jinhua City, Zhejiang Province of China. Pupils of Dongyang Experimental Primary School took part in a calligraphy competition on the playground and formed a logo of 2016 to welcome the New Year on Wednesday.

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More than 8,000 primary schools in the United Kingdom will adopt the Chinese "mastery approach" to teaching math in a bid to make English students at par with their Asian counterparts.



Spearheaded by the UK government, the initiative will receive up to 41 million pounds ($54.3 million) in funding, the China Daily reported.



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Under the program, children as young as 5 will be asked to do sums and other math exercises, wherein they should first master each concept before moving on to more difficult material.



The decision to embrace the Chinese mastery approach to teaching math was made after international tests revealed that Shanghai students ranked first in the math program for International Student Assessment in 2012.



On the other hand, British students ranked 26th in the assessment.



The assessment also showed that 15-year-olds in China are three years ahead of their English counterparts with regards to their ability to solve math problems.



Responding to the results of the assessment, Britain has invited over 120 teachers from Shanghai to share the secrets of their success in the project, which the British media have dubbed "Shanghai Maths".



In his remarks during the Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education last week, Nick Gibb, the UK schools minister, noted that the Shanghai style of math should be integrated in England's education system.



"We are seeing a renaissance in maths teaching in this country, with good ideas from around the world helping to enliven our classrooms.



Gibb believes that government's efforts will bear fruit and ensure that the nation's students will overcome their fear of math, and become adequately prepared for advanced studies on the subject.



Lyu Jiexin, a senior coordinator of China-UK math exchange programs, believes that adopting the Chinese "mastery approach" to teaching math is not merely a matter of copying the system but a strategy of the British government to further enhance its math education program.



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Tagschina, Chinese Mastery Approach To Teach Math, Chinese Math Program
(Photo : Getty Images) A top Indian official has said the country continues to engage with China on securing membership to the Nuclear Supplier's Group (NSG).

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India remains optimistic about gaining membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) despite continuous opposition from China.



India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Wednesday that the Indian government is engaging with Beijing to gain its support.



"We are continuing our efforts. If someone doesn't agree once, doesn't mean they'll never agree. We are engaging with China," she told the country's parliament.



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Swaraj also made it clear that India will never sign the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). "China did create procedural hurdles. I am stating this again. They said NSG membership could not be given to non-Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) countries. But our engagement with China is continuing," she stated.



She also revealed that the Indian government kept its NSG campaign low profile. Swaraj dismissed the suggestions that the Indian government had intentionally created hype ahead of Seoul meet.



"It was a low-key affair when we applied for the NSG membership in May. It was only in later stage that we made all sincere attempts. These attempts should not be called a hype," Swaraj said.



India applied for NSG membership on May 12 this year with the support of the United States. Last month, China blocked New Delhi's bid to gain entry into the NSG during the group's plenary meet in South Korea's capital, Seoul. At least 16 member countries including China, Brazil, Ireland, South Africa, Norway, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland opposed India's attempt to earn NSG membership. Beijing, at the meeting, insisted that the non-NPT signatory countries cannot become members of the NSG.



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(Photo : VCG/VCG via Getty Images) Australia's former Foreign Minister Bob Carr (C) attends a press conference to discuss security cooperation of South China Sea during the fifth World Peace Forum at Beijing's Tsinghua University on July 17, 2016 in Beijing, China.

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Following the international arbitration court's decision to invalidate China's vast claims over South China Sea came out, the United States appeared to stand firm with its decision to continue operating in the area.



While visiting a Chinese naval base on Wednesday, US Chief of Naval Operations John Richardson declared that "The US Navy will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all."



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"This will not change," the official added, according to CNN.



As he admitted that he is supportive of "deepening the ties" between the US and Chinese navies amid the South China Seas issue, he also pointed out that "I will be continuously reassessing my support conditioned on continued safe and professional interactions at sea."



It can be noted that China refused to recognize the international tribunal ruling on the territorial claim of the Philippines over Spratly Island, as it reportedly blamed the US repeatedly for "stirring up trouble" in the disputed group of islands.



In the meantime, the Philippines reportedly claimed that China asked them to "disregard" the decision on the case relative to the South China Sea dispute brought by the former to the international tribunal, BBC revealed.



According to the country's foreign minister, Perfecto Yasay, he did not accept any negotiations "outside of and [in] disregard of" the ruling.



Aside from the Philippines and China, other countries have also put their on South China Sea, like Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.



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Tagschina, Philippines, South China Sea
(Photo : Getty Images) US Vice President Joe Biden.

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United States Vice President Joe Biden has strongly affirmed the U.S. will remain a Pacific Power and will never retreat from its "pivot to Asia" policy that will see most of its naval and aerial combat power redeployed to the region to contest an increasingly irrational Chinese leadership.



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Biden also said the pivot to Asia will remain no matter who the next U.S. President is. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the Democratic and Republican candidates for President, have been uncomfortably silent about the South China Sea issue, leading some to fear they might not continue Obama's pivot.



By making this affirmation, Biden also delivered the most powerful message yet the U.S. is ready to come to the aid of its treaty allies in the Pacific, including the Philippines and Japan, in the face of heightened tensions over the South China Sea triggered by China.



Biden also said the U.S. will continue to boost its presence in the Asia-Pacific region to maintain its status as a Pacific power. This strengthening of U.S. fighting power in the region supports the "pivot to Asia" policy of President Barack Obama announced in 2011. This pivot or rebalancing of forces will see some 60% of the U.S. Navy's and U.S. Air Force's combat power transferred to Asia.



"The United States is all in. We've made good on that promise and continue to make good on that promise. We have shown our commitment to lead the region over and over again," Biden said.



He said the "United States has kept and will keep a laser focus on the future in the Asia-Pacific."



"America is the linchpin and we want to ensure the sea lanes are secure, the skies remain open. That is how to maintain the free flow of commerce that is the life-blood of this region."



Biden made the affirmation during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other leaders on July 20. Biden is in Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific.



Biden's reassurances comes at a time when the probability of a war against China is rising following China's refusal to abide by a ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that its "nine-dash line" is illegal and with it China's legally unfounded claim to own the South China Sea.



The Philippines and Japan are embroiled in simmering territorial disputes with China. The Philippines is fighting to get China to recognize its rights to disputed islands in the South China Sea the arbitration court said belong to the Philippines. Japan and China confront each other in the East China Sea where China claims the Senkaku Islands owned by Japan.



Australia is currently a key staging base for U.S. Marines tasked with defending Asia and will become more important by 2019. As part of the pivot to Asia, the U.S. Marine Corps will deploy a second Amphibious Ready Group and Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to Australia in 2019, and perhaps as early as 2018.



The U.S. Navy will deploy another three-ship Marines' MEU to Australia as early as October 2018. The goal of the redeployment is to augment the Marines currently deployed to the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin on six-month rotations.



Some 1,250 Marines are currently stationed in Darwin and U.S. and Australian officials hope to boost that number to 2,500 by 2020. Adding another MEU will mean another 4,000 sailors and Marines will be rotating through the South Pacific.



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TagsJoe Biden, United States, South China Sea, pivot to Asia, Australia, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
(Photo : Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images) Anti China protestors mount a protest rally against China's territorial claims in the Spratlys group of islands in the South China Sea in front of the Chinese Consulate on July 12, 2016 in Makati, Philippines.

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What could be the impact of the most recent development relative to the South China Sea dispute between China and the Philippines?



It can be noted that the international arbitration court already came out with a decision on the case brought by the Southeast Asian country.



According to the ruling, China's claim over the disputed Spratly Island has been invalidated.



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Considering this scenario, what could have been its notable effect?



In its report, USA Today disclosed that several nationalists have protested infront of the outlets of the American fastfood giant KFC in the mainland.



The call to boycott the company was reportedly an impact of the South China Sea dispute as protesters believed that Washington influenced Manila to object Beijing's claim over a huge part of the ocean.



Aside from KFC, American tech brand Apple reportedly suffered the same fate as well.



James Roy of the research firm China Market Research Group explained that "The Chinese public, as optimistic and positive as they are, are deeply patriotic and nationalistic, especially people who are younger."



He further noted that following the South China Sea dispute, the alleged impact was felt by the two companies since they "are just very closely associated with the United States, and you are seeing people picking the closest symbol they can think of to demonstrate against."



Meanwhile, contrary to this report, China Daily USA reported that the ruling will have no impact on China.



Echoing President Xi Jinping's speech during the Communist Party of China's anniversary on July 1, former State councilor Dai Bingguo said in a meeting in Washington that the ruling over the South China Sea dispute with the Philippines would be "nothing but a piece of paper."



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(Photo : Reuters) Luxshare Precision Industry is set to acquire controlling shares in a Suzhou-based acoustics devices company owned by Taiwan-based Merry Electronics.

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Chinese electronics supplier Luxshare Precision Industry has signed a preliminary agreement with a Suzhou-based acoustics devices company owned by Taiwan-based Merry Electronics. Details of the deal include Luxshare paying up to $89.5 million for as much as 60 percent of ownership shares in the Suzhou-based company.



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Luxshare Precision Industry, which is an electronics supplier to tech giant Apple, claims that the deal will help boost the company's acoustics business. The recent move comes announced less than a month after a separate deal between the two companies was blocked.



Recently, Taiwanese regulators also rejected the plan by Luxshare Precision's Hong Kong unit to acquire 25.4 percent of Merry Electronics for $118 million. The electronics industry is one of Taiwan's biggest revenue maker, which is why the country has imposed a strict regulatory guideline on China-related investments, according to Forbes.



In a statement, Merry Electronics spokesman Allen Huang said, "We have not given up on the previous investment plan." Huang later said that the new plan which was already agreed in a letter of intent would serve as a precedent for both involved companies to have a better chance of resolving future deals.



The new investment plan will expand Merry Electronics' Suzhou plant, which is one of the company's main manufacturing facility for audio speakers. Huang is positive that the deal will not require approval from Taiwanese regulators since no capital is entering or leaving Taiwan through the investment into the Suzhou plant. Nevertheless, Huang said that the company would still communicate with regulators about the deal.



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(Photo : Reuters) People in China are protesting and calling for a boycott of products from the Philippines and the US following the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA).

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Several groups in China have targeted prominent American brands in protest against the recent ruling issued by the Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding the South China Sea. Protesters took to the streets outside of local KFC outlets in at least 17 cities in China to vent out their dissent. Others shared videos on various social media outlets showing themselves smashing their Apple iPhones.



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Protesters claim that the United States is backing smaller Asian countries who are also claiming parts of the disputed maritime territory. Countries like Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines have competing claims against China over reefs and islands in the South China Sea. Last week, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines over China. The court's ruling has not only enraged the Chinese government but also some citizens.



Although the dispute is between China and the Philippines, Chinese protesters claim that the United States may have influenced the decision made by the international court.



China is considered by many analysts as Apple's most lucrative market. Moreover, Apple currently holds the biggest chunk of the smartphone market in the country. According to Mashable, American fast food outlet KFC is also enjoying significant growth in China.



State-run news agency Xinhua is now addressing the protests saying that people should not vent their anger on properties. The news agency released an op-ed acknowledging the indignation felt by the protesters and at the same time denouncing what it called "irrational" act being performed by people to express their feelings of patriotism.



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Carson goes off script at RNC to talk of Clinton, Alinsky  and Lucifer 20 July, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , |

CLEVELAND (Christian Examiner)  Former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson started his speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland with an assertion that he was not "politically correct." By the end of the speech, he was proving that to be true.

Carson went off teleprompter to discuss the philosophy of secular progressivism that underpins the worldview of presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. Carson said voters should look at each candidate in the race and examine their history.

This is particularly important with Clinton, he said, because "she will be appointing people who will have an effect on us for generations, and America may never recover from that."

This was someone she greatly admired and that affected all of our philosophies subsequently. Now, interestingly enough, let me tell you something about Saul Alinsky. He wrote a book called Rules for Radicals. On the dedication page, it acknowledges Lucifer, the original radical that gained his own kingdom

It was at that point that Carson, by all accounts, diverted from his prepared remarks.

Carson said Clinton's philosophy was based on the teachings of Saul Alinsky, a Marxist agitator in the 1960s and early 1970s who popularized progressive disruption of democracy in his book Rules for Radicals. Alinsky was a mentor to Clinton, Carson said, and she wrote her senior thesis on him and his movement.

"This was someone she greatly admired and that affected all of our philosophies subsequently. Now, interestingly enough, let me tell you something about Saul Alinsky. He wrote a book called Rules for Radicals. On the dedication page, it acknowledges Lucifer, the original radical that gained his own kingdom," Carson said.

That dedication was removed in later editions of the book.

"Now think about that. This is a nation where our founding document, the Declaration of Independence talks about certain unalienable rights that come from our Creator. This is a nation where our Pledge of Allegiance says we are 'one Nation under God.' This is a nation where every coin in our pocket and every bill in our pocket says, 'In God we trust.' So are we willing to elect someone as president who has their role model someone who acknowledges Lucifer? Think about that," Carson said.

Clinton did, in fact, have a working relationship with Alinsky. A letter written to Alinsky in 1971 by then Hillary Rodham indicated repeated meetings between the two. It also mentioned her expectation of Alinsky's Rules for Radical being published soon  "or has it come and I somehow missed the fulfillment of Revelation?"

"You are being rediscovered again as the New Left-type politicos are finally beginning to think seriously about the hard work and mechanics of organizing," Clinton wrote. "I seem to have survived law school, slightly bruised, with my belief in and zest for organizing intact."

When Alinsky's secretary responded to Clinton, she provided dates on which Alinsky would be in San Francisco for a possible meeting with the recent law school graduate. Clinton was in the Berkeley area at the time.

Carson said at the conclusion of his speech that the same secular progressive agenda advocated by Alinsky and Clinton is "antithetical to the principles of the founding of this nation. If we continue to allow them to take God out of our lives, God will remove himself from us. We will not be blessed and our nation will go down the tubes. We will be responsible for that. We don't want that to happen."
New 'script' for Islamophobia at RNC 20 July, 2016 by Gregory Tomlin , |

CLEVELAND (Christian Examiner)  The Council on American Islamic Relations claims Americans have nothing to worry about with the rush of Muslim immigrants to the U.S. and it is trying to use humor to prove its point.

CAIR members in Cleveland for the Republican National Convention are distributing packages of what looks like over-the-counter allergy medication. A closer look at them, however, reveals a tongue-in-cheek approach to what the group claims is rampant Islamophobia in the Republican Party.

"Islamophobin," a mock medication, is supposed to help create public awareness about how Muslims are being treated and spoken of by conservative candidates for office  including Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

"We hope human will create public awareness about the harm Islamophobia does not only to ordinary American Muslims, but also to the values of equality and religious freedom upon which our nation is founded," Nihad Awad, CAIR's executive director, said in a statement.

CAIR actually launched the Islamophobin campaign in May, but it has received little attention until now. The "medicine"  actually pieces of green, sugar-free gum  promises "multi-symptom relief for chronic Islamophobia."

It claims to treat "blind intolerance," "unthinking bigotry," "irrational fear of Muslims," and "U.S. Presidential Election Year Scapegoating."

The product claims it will produce "peaceful co-existence" within minutes. A warning on the package also includes the statement:

"Those who already believe in religious diversity, tolerance and mutual understanding should not use this product. For those who hold bigoted stereotypes of Muslims and subscribe to Islamophobic conspiracy theories, use of this product may result in feelings of remorse and/or guilt."

CAIR produced a mock commercial for the product promising to end bigotry. In it, white Americans are shown running away from Muslims, looking suspiciously at bearded Muslim men and women wearing the hijab (head scarf), and passing up a ride to the hospital from a Muslim driver.

Left-leaning news outlets have praised the campaign, but conservative sites have called the gag "snarky" and a mockery of U.S. security concerns.
Nepal's first religious freedom case since the country's new constitution was implemented in 2015 is due to come to trial later this week.

Facing charges will be eight Christian counsellors arrested for distributing a pamphlet about Jesus in a Christian school while helping children through the trauma of last years earthquake.

Anything perceived as evangelizing is outlawed in the new constitution.

The seven men and one woman arrested June 9 were charged with trying to convert children to Christianity by distributing the pamphlet during a trauma seminar.

The counsellors were working for Teach Nepal. Barnabas Shrestha, chairman of Teach Nepal, says they were "invited by a pastor to do the counselling in the school". While it is a Christian school, not all pupils are Christians.

Shrestha denies the counsellors were trying to convert children. The police making the arrests "wanted our people to say yes, they have preached the Gospel ...which is not true".

The freedom of Nepals Christians is increasingly under threat.

Last week, according to a missionary in Nepal, the government announced to all leaders of Christian orphanages and boarding schools in Kathmandu that it would impose huge fines, close them down and confiscate possessions should they find just one Christian booklet in their institution.

The government also announced that praying with children or letting them attend a Bible club is prohibited.

Another Christian Nepali contact, who wants to remain anonymous, told World Watch Monitor that the Social Welfare Council, which approves foreign aid used to conduct programs, has stopped granting approval for Christian activities.

When Nepal decided to remain a secular, rather than become a Hindu, state it was a disappointment to Hindu nationalist groups.

In September 2015, hours after Nepal's Constituent Assembly rejected calls to revert to a Hindu state, two churches were bombed. Pamphlets promoting Hindu nationalism were found at each of the churches and nationalist group, Hindu Morcha Nepal, issued a press statement calling for Christian leaders to leave the country and for converts to Christianity to return to Hinduism.

The eight counsellors remain on bail awaiting trial, expected to be held on July 23.

Transcript of video:

Barnabas Shrestha, Chairman, Teach Nepal: These people have done nothing wrong. They didnt hurt anyone, but still they were handcuffed. These people were invited by a pastor to do this trauma counselling for children into their school.

Text: They were charged with trying to convert children through a booklet during a seminar earthquake-related awareness seminar in Christian schools. Not all the students are Christian. The seminar was to help students deal with post-traumatic stress as a result of a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal in April 2015. The Christians were released on bail 8 days later, but are under trial.

C.B. Gahatraj, the Federation of National Christian Nepal: These eight people were accused of preaching their religion, but the allegation was wrong, we found (after visiting the area). The booklet that was said to be the tool for preaching was a book for children, which only carried the story of Jesus.

Bishop Narayan Sharma, Believers Church, Nepal: This is the booklet. The title of this booklet is the story of Jesus. It even does not say Lord Jesus. This book became - such a small, colourful comic book - such a crime.

Text: On June 9, police in Charikot, Dolakha District, arrested eight Christian representatives of the Christian group Teach Nepal. They were charged with trying to convert children by distributing the booklet during earthquake-related awareness seminars in Christian schools. The seminar was to help students deal with post-traumatic stress as a result of a 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal in April 2015. The Christians were released on bail eight days later, but are under trial.

Shrestha: Our organization never tried to convert any children. Actually, normally, we do not give books to other people; since these two schools were run by Christians, we thought it will be okay to give the books to the children.

They [police] wanted our people to say yes they have preached the Gospel, they tried to force the children to become Christians, which is not true. And they were called one by one by a police officer. They [police] asked all kinds of questions. When our people denied its not true, and when they spoke that way, this man [police officer] got so angry. First he kicked, this man kicked [one of the Christians] very hard. And later, he started slapping on the face. But later, the other person [a police man] was called over there  this person didnt use his hands or feet, I think he was suggested by others, and he started using  I think a polythene [plastic] pipe.

Text: This is Nepals first religious freedom case since a new constitution was implemented in September 2015. Christians attribute it to a constitutional clause which mandates the state to protect Hinduism, and see it as a build-up to coming repression.

Sharma: We thought with the secular state status, we have much freedom. But the incident and the attitude and the approach from the state, it shows they want to be more strict and they want to just keep the limitation on Christianity, and they dont want it to grow further.

Lok Mani Dhakal, President, Janajagaran Party Nepal, a Christian party: We had thought that dharma nirpekshta means secularism, that the state will not favor any one religion. When the time came to pass the draft constitution in parliament, major parties built a consensus that secularism means the state should protect the traditional majority religion while granting religious freedom to the people. I was surprised looking at their description of secularism.

Sharma: A definition along with it also comes that if you propagate your religious thoughts, it will be a crime. If Im in my church and speaking to my congregation, the police can arrest me and say that the teaching I was giving in the church  my intention was to convert people.

Text: The government sent a circular to non-governmental organizations in June, saying they cant have propagation of religion as a goal. Churches in Nepal are registered as NGOs, as no law provides for the formation of a religious group.

Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Ex-Prime Minister of Nepal: No, no, that [arrest of Christians] was an isolated incident. It will be harmful to relate it with the constitutional provisions of the country. The country is fully secular. All religions have equal freedom, and the state makes no discrimination. The state is not mandated to protect the majority religion. The state is mandated to play a neutral role, to protect all religions, all religious beliefs. To cater to fears of certain quarters - that Nepal may be rapidly converted into another religion and that the traditional religions of Nepal, not only Hinduism  Hinduism, Buddhism and many other indigenous religions are practiced in Nepal  just to clear doubts and fears of some of the people that they will be swamped by other religions than the native religions of Nepal - some provisions were initiated. But it is not against secularism.

Dhakal: The way the constituent assembly has defined secularism, will the world believe in that definition? Just because you call an elephant a rabbit, will the rest of the world call it a rabbit or an elephant?

Courtesy: World Watch Monitor

Publication date: July 20, 2016
Details have slowly emerged of attacks carried out by mainly Muslim Fulani herdsmen in central Nigerias Benue state, near its border with Taraba state, from the end of June until now. They were on the communities of Logo, Ukum and part of Wukari.

Early reports said that 81 people were killed, but local sources contacted by World Watch Monitor said that the toll has now reached at least 133. An undetermined number of properties have been looted or destroyed, including 65 churches.

Locals told World Watch Monitor that from 18 June until now, Fulani herdsmen have occupied almost all of the areas named above: and that some church buildings and premises are now being used as camps, from which the herdsmen continue to attack other Christian communities.

Benue State has been wracked with deadly violence. More than 500 people were killed in February in the mainly Christian area of Agatu. About 20,000 people are thought to have fled the wave of attacks, which some locals say is the worst massacre by Fulani herdsmen since 2010  when 400-500 died near Jos.

Fulani violence in the central Nigerian Middle Belt has features long familiar to Nigerians: ethnic Fulani cattle herders, largely Muslim, moving in on farmers, largely Christian. The long-running land conflict is frequently framed in economic terms, but the current violence is beyond the grazing issues between local farmers and Fulani herdsmen, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benue State told World Watch Monitor.

This is another jihad like the one waged by Boko Haram in the north-east of the country, said Rev. Augustine Akpen Leva. The attackers carry sophisticated weapons, sometimes they even used chemical weapons on our communities. They just come, often overnight when people are sleeping. They attack defenseless people and go away. They clearly have an agenda: to wipe out Christian presence and take over the land.

The recent violence has claimed an undetermined number of lives in Benue State. Lots of people have been killed and it is difficult to get an accurate death toll of the attacks, said Rev. Leva. Sometimes they kill 20, another day they may kill 50. In recent weeks, more than 100 were killed in Logo and Ukum Local Government Areas.

Lasting consequences:

The violence has had a dramatic impact on local churches, which have witnessed the departure of dozens of their members.

The population is on the run. People have not been able to attend services, for security reasons. Sometimes in a church of 2,000 members, only 50 will attend.

The pastors are also on the run. Their houses have also been destroyed and their members have been scattered all over, with many living in camps now, said Rev. Leva.

Since last year, over 200 churches have been destroyed in Benue State alone. Schools and other social services have not been spared.

It is a really pathetic situation, lamented Rev. Leva, who blames the authorities for not providing protection despite the ongoing violence.

The government has failed us, he said. Theres no protection at all. The few security forces, which are often present, ran away before the attack.

He said the continuing violence will have lasting consequences for the local communities, who may face food shortages in the near future because all types of farms have been completely destroyed  those growing yams, cassava, beans, maize, corn, rice, soya beans, groundnuts, etc. Moreover, farmers are now afraid to go out to farm, as they are frequently picked off by the herdsmens guns.

We call on the government to protect our people, so that they can continue to go to their farms without any fear of being killed, added Rev. Leva.

The ongoing attacks have left hundreds dead and led thousands to flee from the largely Christian areas of Benue, Taraba, Plateau, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Niger states in Nigerias farming belt.

On Monday night (18 July), suspected Fulani herders attacked and killed the traditional ruler of the Ron/Kulere tribe (in the Bokkos Local Government Area) in Plateau State. Sir Lazarus Agai, a Christian, was attacked on his way home from his farm. There had been a long-running disagreement between Agai and the herdsmen over his refusal to issue them with cards stating that they are indigenous to the state. In the Nigerian system, people indigenous to a state enjoy benefits over non-indigenes. He is the third Christian district-head killed by Fulani herders this year.

Meanwhile, on 30 June, Rev. Joseph Kurah was hacked to death by suspected armed Fulani herdsmen in Obi, Nasarawa.

According to researcher Yonas Dembele, analyst for Open Doors International, which works with Christians under pressure for their faith, the pattern of Fulani violence in the region  their use of military-grade weapons to drive Christians off the land and to occupy it; the destruction of Christian homes and churches; and their call for the imposition of Islamic law, among other hallmarks  amounts to ethnic cleansing of the Middle Belt.

The campaign, he argues, is ultimately steered by the same ambition that drives Boko Haram to the north: to bring the non-Islamic world under Islamic rule.

Courtesy: World Watch Monitor

Publication date: July 20, 2016
I had the privilege or reading a pre-release version of "God Shines Forth: How the Nature of God Shapes and Drives the Mission of the Church." Here are 20 quotes from the book, which you should pick up.
Not long ago, my community lost a beloved young member because of his repeated trespassing onto a dangerous train trestle to take selfies. He posted them with the hashtag #liveauthentic. His last time there, he died while trying to outrun the train. (People take such extraordinary measures to get selfies that so-called selfie-related deaths are a global phenomenon. Wikipedia now keeps a tally.) For him and for many others, capturing an experience with a photo, video, tweet, or blog post can hold more importance than the actual experience and reflects a phenomenon that the French philosopher Jean Baudrillard called the hyperreal.

In his 1986 book, America, Baudrillard cited the election of a Hollywood actor, Ronald Reagan, to the presidency as evidence of the hyperreal. Hyperreality describes a postmodern, highly technological society in which the lines between the real and simulations of the real become hopelessly (although often purposely) blurred to the point that we can no longer distinguish between reality and imitations of reality. When someone believes that reality TV actually represents real life, or when Coca-Colawhich was originally a simulation of cocainegets labeled as the real thing, or when we really feel liked by the number of likes on Facebook, were dealing with the hyperreal.

For example, this months release of the mobile app Pokemon Goa video game using augmented reality (blending virtual reality with our actual surroundings) has police cautioning players to be more mindful of the real world. One girl was hit by a car while walking into traffic and two men fell off an ocean bluff while playing. More generally, ...

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Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi Surpasses 250,000 Copies Sold: Follow-Up Book Releases Next Month



GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 20, 2016 /



In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Qureshi describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity, complete with the friendships, investigations, and supernatural dreams he experienced. The book has been a consistent bestseller since its release. An expanded edition was released in April 2016 with an updated epilogue and new bonus content. A video study and a study guide are also available as of this summer. In addition to being a New York Times bestseller, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus was awarded the Christian Book Award for the categories of both "Best New Author" and "Best Non-Fiction" of 2015 by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).



Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus provides an intimate window into a loving Muslim home, as Qureshi shares how he developed a passion for Islam before discovering, through a good Christian friend, evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed to be God. Unable to deny the arguments but not wanting to deny his family, Qureshi struggled with an inner turmoil that will challenge Christians, Muslims, and all those who are interested in the world's greatest religions. Engaging and thought-provoking, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus tells a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man's heartand of the peace he eventually found in Jesus.



"We are delighted that Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus has sold and continues to sell so well," comments Stan Gundry, SVP, publisher, and editor-in-chief for Zondervan. "Nabeel's story is engaging, informative, and thought-provoking. I know of no other author whose books so effectively inform our understanding of Islam and the relationship between Islam and Christianity. He is a scholar who communicates well with ordinary readers, and he knows both religions from the inside."



Qureshi's newest book, No God but One: Allah or Jesus?: A Former Muslim Investigates the Evidence for Islam and Christianity, releases August 30, 2016. In the decade following his conversion from Islam, Qureshi realized that the world's two largest religions are far more different than they appear. In this follow-up book, Qureshi carefully examines Islam and Christianity in detail, exploring areas of crucial conflict and unpacking the relevant evidence. Throughout Qureshi shares stories from his life and ministry, casts new light on current events, and explores pivotal incidents in the histories of both religions. If Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus represents the heart of Qureshi's story, the highly-anticipated No God but One details the mind of his faith journey.



To learn more about Qureshi and his books, visit



Nabeel Qureshi is the author of The New York Times bestselling and award-winning memoir Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (2015) and Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward (March 2016). Qureshi has lectured at more than 100 universities, including Oxford, Rice, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Hong Kong. He has been featured in countless media outlets including The Hugh Hewitt Show, Fox News, Fox & Friends, Christianity Today, and USA Today. In addition to his two master's degrees, Qureshi earned a medical doctorate (MD) from Eastern Virginia Medical School and is completing a PhD at Oxford University. Qureshi, his wife, Michelle, and their baby daughter divide their time between the U.S. and the U.K. Qureshi is represented by Mark Sweeney of Mark Sweeney & Associates.



Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company's products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit

Share Tweet Contact: Trinity McFadden, Senior Manager of Publicity, 616-698-3514, trinity.mcfadden@harpercollins.com GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., July 20, 2016 / Christian Newswire / -- Zondervan is pleased to announce that Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi has sold more than 250,000 copies in all formats since its release in February 2014. With the publication of No God but One: Allah or Jesus?, in August 2016, Qureshi continues his story and work as a leading authority on the relationship between Christianity and Islam.In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Qureshi describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity, complete with the friendships, investigations, and supernatural dreams he experienced. The book has been a consistent bestseller since its release. An expanded edition was released in April 2016 with an updated epilogue and new bonus content. A video study and a study guide are also available as of this summer. In addition to being a New York Times bestseller, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus was awarded the Christian Book Award for the categories of both "Best New Author" and "Best Non-Fiction" of 2015 by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA).Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus provides an intimate window into a loving Muslim home, as Qureshi shares how he developed a passion for Islam before discovering, through a good Christian friend, evidence that Jesus rose from the dead and claimed to be God. Unable to deny the arguments but not wanting to deny his family, Qureshi struggled with an inner turmoil that will challenge Christians, Muslims, and all those who are interested in the world's greatest religions. Engaging and thought-provoking, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus tells a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man's heartand of the peace he eventually found in Jesus."We are delighted that Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus has sold and continues to sell so well," comments Stan Gundry, SVP, publisher, and editor-in-chief for Zondervan. "Nabeel's story is engaging, informative, and thought-provoking. I know of no other author whose books so effectively inform our understanding of Islam and the relationship between Islam and Christianity. He is a scholar who communicates well with ordinary readers, and he knows both religions from the inside."Qureshi's newest book, No God but One: Allah or Jesus?: A Former Muslim Investigates the Evidence for Islam and Christianity, releases August 30, 2016. In the decade following his conversion from Islam, Qureshi realized that the world's two largest religions are far more different than they appear. In this follow-up book, Qureshi carefully examines Islam and Christianity in detail, exploring areas of crucial conflict and unpacking the relevant evidence. Throughout Qureshi shares stories from his life and ministry, casts new light on current events, and explores pivotal incidents in the histories of both religions. If Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus represents the heart of Qureshi's story, the highly-anticipated No God but One details the mind of his faith journey.To learn more about Qureshi and his books, visit www.nabeelqureshi.com Nabeel Qureshi is the author of The New York Times bestselling and award-winning memoir Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus (2015) and Answering Jihad: A Better Way Forward (March 2016). Qureshi has lectured at more than 100 universities, including Oxford, Rice, Columbia, Dartmouth, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Hong Kong. He has been featured in countless media outlets including The Hugh Hewitt Show, Fox News, Fox & Friends, Christianity Today, and USA Today. In addition to his two master's degrees, Qureshi earned a medical doctorate (MD) from Eastern Virginia Medical School and is completing a PhD at Oxford University. Qureshi, his wife, Michelle, and their baby daughter divide their time between the U.S. and the U.K. Qureshi is represented by Mark Sweeney of Mark Sweeney & Associates.Zondervan is a world leading Bible publisher and provider of Christian communications. Zondervan, part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc., delivers transformational Christian experiences through its bestselling Bibles, books, curriculum, academic resources and digital products. The Company's products are sold worldwide and translated into nearly 200 languages. Zondervan offices are located in Grand Rapids, Mich. For additional information, please visit www.zondervan.com
Assyrian church attacked and burned by militants in Syria

Gunmen detonated explosives inside an Orthodox Assyrian church on Monday, setting fire to ancient icons and reducing much of its contents to ashes.

A spokesman for the Assyrian Monitor for Human Rights (AMHR), which on Monday posted photos of the destruction on Facebook, told ARA News: "Anonymous gunmen stormed the St. Charnel Church for Assyrian Orthodoxes in the Watwatiyah district of Qamishli in the midnight on Monday, and destroyed its contents."

The church is located about 13km north-east of the city of Qamishli, which is close to the Turkish border.

Photos showed a damaged painting, and damage to the walls of the church caused by fire.

Eye witness Gabi Gawriya told the ARA that several explosions were heard coming from inside the church during the raid.

"We saw a huge fire and security forces arrived and extinguished the fire. But the church was completely destroyed, you can see only ashes here," she said.

According to AMHR, the attackers stole donation boxes from the church before detonating their explosives.

It's not the first time Qamishli has been subject to a militant attack. Islamic State claimed responsibility for three terror attacks on the city in December that killed more than a dozen people.

Last month, a suicide bomber killed three people in an attack near a church that was believed to have targeted the head of the Syriac Orthodox Church.
Campaigners fight to give Bishop George Bell a 'fair' posthumous hearing on charges of child abuse

Senior figures across the British establishment have united with local campaigners in Sussex to call for a detailed re-examination of the evidence against the late Bishop of Chichester George Bell, recently accused of being a paedophile.

Lawyers, commentators, writers, members of the House of Lords and local residents around the areas Bell worked and lived want an apology by the Church of England to Bell's surviving relatives.

They are also calling for all institutions, such as schools, that have removed his name to restore it.

Andrew Chandler, author of the recent biography George Bell, Bishop of Chichester: Church, State, and Resistance in the Age of Dictatorship, and one of the founders of the George Bell Group, which is campaigning to have the assumption of guilt made against Bell reconsidered, said he and other leading figures in the group want an "authoritative reconsideration" of the process which led to Bell being denounced.

He told Christian Today that many people had found the Church's process "questionable".

In an appendix to his biography of Bell, he writes that no other English bishop of the 20th century left behind so much evidence of his own patterns of behavior.

"The 368-volume archive that Bell left to the Church and to the world of scholarship contains not only his correspondence and papers but also his personal notebooks, in which he committed private thoughts and the content of conversations, and all of his pocket diaries from 1919 to 1957, in which he wrote down his appointments and engagements.

"It is a very great treasure indeed, and to judge it as a whole requires many years of work and reflection."

He says it is important to place the allegations made public last year in the context of his record as a man with a "high view" of the standards demanded by his office as bishop, and as a public servant fashioned by his culture and era.

Bell was a man who documented meticulously every aspect of his life, and was widely known and observed, he writes.

He was also a man of rigorous piety, against which allegations of child abuse seem "anomalous", Chandler says.

He told Christian Today that he had spent 30 years thinking about Bell and had found him to be a "figure of integrity" in both public and private senses and a man with a "high regard" for truth.

A recent debate on historical child sex abuse in the House of Lords reflected the growing concerns among leading establishment figures about the George Bell case.

Conservative peer Lord Lexden, a member of the George Bell Group, cited a recent report produced by three academics and published by the Centre for Criminology at Oxford University, The Impact of Being Wrongly Accused of Abuse in Occupations of Trust: Victims' Voice.

The report documents the distress that has been inflicted on many wrongly accused men and women from all walks of life and backgrounds, describing the resultant loss of income, unemployment, family break-up and mental breakdown.

Lord Lexden said: "The report leads us to the heart of the matter with which this debate is concerned. It notes a cultural shift towards believing allegations of abuse, adding that the presumption now is in favour of believing those who present themselves as victims.

"It notes, too, that some reports assert that victims' accounts are being accepted at face value as evidence of the guilt of the person accused, with little attempt to find corroborating evidence.

"It is but a short step from such practices to the diminution, if not the reversal, of that most basic of our rights: that we are innocent until proved guilty. Is there a danger that that step might be taken in relation to the investigation of historical sex abuse allegations?"

Lord Lexden said that Bell, born in 1883, had been regarded as an "undeniably great figure" in the 20th century history of the Church of England.

He was Bishop of Chichester for nearly 30 years until his death in 1958, bringing fame to that diocese, and was a patron and friend of eminent people including TS Eliot and Gustav Holst. "He was continuously involved in combating injustice and suffering in Germany before and during the Second World War," said Lord Lexdon.

"Before 1939 no one did more to sustain and defend German Christians and Jews of all kinds in the face of Nazi persecution. During the Second World War he led the protests against the bombing of entire German cities which visited punishment on both the just and the unjust. This brought him much criticism, but no one questioned the deep Christian integrity of this saintly man," Lord Lexdon continued.

He said Bell had lived an "unblemished life, a model in every respect of what a great Christian leader should be, in private as well as public affairs"

He called for the person appointed by the Church of Engand to head the independent review on the case to have legal experience relevant to child abuse cases, to be willing to receive written evidence and submissions, to acknowledge that the burden of proof in civil proceedings rests with the claimant and to go further than a mere review of the processes.

Archbishop Cranmer blogger Adrian Hilton has also criticised the review. He wrote that because the review will be procedural, it will offer Bell no hope of absolution: "He is to remain a paedophile in perpetuity, 'on the balance of probabilities'."

Hilton has also noted that Chichester Council had resolved to restore a picture of Bell in its office. The picture was removed after the Church announcement of the compensation for fear of "vandalism".

Martin Sewell, from Gravesend in Kent, a member of the General Synod and a solicitor with 35 years of experience representing victims of child abuse, wrote to a local newspaper: "The Church's lack of transparency prolongs the agony for all, and its explanation that nothing can be said about its processes, because everything is confidential is misconceived in law." He said nobody was asking for clues to identity of the survivor, only evidence that a process of "due diligence" has been undertaken.

Along with David Lamming, he also asked questions at General Synod about the case.

He told Christian Today that he was not arguing Bell was innocent, just that there needed to be more transparency. "I am not convinced either way of his innocence. I was a child protection lawyer and know that you have to take the complainant seriously." Both he and Lamming are calling for a full review of the process and the evidence that resulted in the Church of England effectively branding Bishop Bell as a paedophile and paying compensation of 15,000 to the survivor, known as "Carol".

Another group, the Bell Society, has been set up by local campaigner Richard Symonds for people in and around Chichester to campaign for George Bell House in Chichester, renamed 4 Canon Lane after the scandal broke, to be restored back to its original name.

Symonds told Christian Today that he was not making judgement either way on whether Bell was innocent or guilty and also he believed the evidence that "Carol" had been abused by a cleric, but he wanted the question of identity of the cleric to be more closely examined.

He said the case had divided the community. He set up the group after mounting a vigil outside Chichester Cathedral.

"What I hope is that there will be a new independent review, that the evidence will be looked at again to right the wrong. That might sound as if I am thinking Bell is innocent. I'm not saying that. All we want is that the process is followed  innocent until proven guilty."

The Church of England last week defended its approach. Despite demands to publish the evidence against Bell, the Church cannot do this because of a "moral duty" to safeguard the victim. The survivor, Carol, has also said she is deeply hurt by the campaign to clear Bell's name.

A Church of England spokesperson told Christian Today: "We have commissioned a 'lessons learned' review into the George Bell case as we always do at the end of any complex case involving allegations of sexual abuse. As we said last week in response to the Bell Group it is singularly unattractive to suggest that because there might be no legal consequences to breaching Carol's confidence, the Church should simply provide sensitive material to a group of individuals with a keen interest in but no connection with the case.

"The Church has a wider duty to Carol than that: even were the Bell Group's analysis of the law correct. She has already expressed herself hurt by the campaign to 'clear his name' as it implies that she has not been believed."
Church group announces day of prayer for Turkey

The Association of Protestant Churches in Turkey is inviting Christians worldwide to join in a day of prayer for the predominantly Muslim country.



The International Day of Prayer for Turkey will take place each year on April 18, the anniversary of the horrific murders of three Christian workers in a Bible publishing house in Malatya in 2007 by a group of young Muslim Turks.



On 18 April 2007, Necati Aydin, Tillman Geske and Ugur Yuksel were murdered for no other reason than actively living and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We know that their deaths, that saddened Gods heart and our hearts, were not in vain, said a spokesperson for the group.



We feel that more than any other event, mingling their memory in deep prayer for the country they and we all love, will honour their sacrifice.



The group is asking Christians to pray that Turkeys tiny Christian community can be strengthened in the Holy Spirit to live for the glory of God and that the people of Turkey will open their hearts and eyes to the Kingdom of God.



The initiative has received the backing of the European Evangelical Alliance and World Evangelical Alliance.



Gordon Showell-Rogers, General Secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance, urged members to pray for the glory of God and the good of Turkey, as well as for the encouragement of our brothers and sisters in Christ there.



Despite Turkeys rich Christian heritage  the seven churches addressed in the Book of Revelation were located in Turkey - 98 per cent of the population are Muslims. Christians are believed to make up only 0.3 per cent of the population.


Concern grows for Christians in Turkey after failed coup

Concerns are growing for the future of Christians in Turkey, the birthplace of St Paul, in the wake of the failed coup.

Two churches in eastern Turkey in places already known for historic murders of Christians were vandalised during the attempted coup, reports Middle East Concern.

In Trabzon on the Black Sea, ten people attacked the Catholic church of Santa Maria where Catholic priest Father Andrea Santoro was murdered in 2006. Muslim neighbours intervened and drove them away.

In Malatya, where three Christian workers were murdered in 2007, there was an attempt to smash the windows of the Protestant Church.

Canon Ian Sherwood, Anglican chaplain of the British consulate in Istanbul, is calling for Turkey's President Erdogan to respect human rights and champion the rights of Christians. "As long-centuries established Christians in Turkey we are alarmed at how life is evolving in Turkey," Sherwood told The Spectator. He warns of a rising undercurrent of intolerance towards Christians and other non-Muslims and says many indigenous Christians are now trying to flee Turkey.

"Bear in mind we've had a Roman Catholic Bishop murdered, we've had clergy threatened, we've had one priest murdered 10 years ago. Any Christian leader, if they're being honest, would say that some of what's going on is quite alarming."

A century ago, as many as one in four Turks were Christian but at least 1.5 million were slaughtered in the Armenian genocide of the First World War alone. Today there are barely 250,000 Christians, fewer than one per cent of the population, with the largest number being Orthodox. Most Turks are Sunni Muslims.

Blogger Adrian Hilton of Archbishop Cranmer writes that President Erdogan's school of Islam harks back to the Ottoman Empire and he is often called "Sultan". Erdogan leans toward a school of Sharia which would criminalise adultery and ban alcohol, he says.

He asks: "Which is the lesser evil? The serious alarm of military coup  which is never the answer to anything  or a democratically-elected leader who seeks to create a 'proper' Islamic state, replete with its rather robust notions of unity and brotherhood?"

According to Tony Perkins writing at FRC Action, what should be "of concern to all" are the implications for the future of the Christians and other minorities in Turkey.

"Given Turkey's history of genocide against the Armenian Christians between 1915-1923 (an atrocity which Pope Francis recently recognised), with an estimated death toll of 1.5 million, the 120,000 Christians now living in Turkey are most certainly concerned."

He says the persecution and killing of Christians in Turkey is continuing and just under a decade ago, several Christians were lured into a house and horrifically tortured and slaughtered. Churches are being shut down and Christians suffering regular abuse and slander.

Earlier this year, a suicide bomber murdered five people in a Christian village the south-east of the country and last Christmas, some Muslims objected to Christmas celebrations and demanded death to Christians.

"Most disturbing, however, is the fact that the Turkish National Security Council determined and announced that Christian missionary activities are one of the nation's major security problems," writes Perkins.

Religious leaders in Turkey joined in condemning the violence of the coup soon after it happened. The Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew and the Chief Rabbi Rav Izak Haleva were among those who issued a joint declaration condemning the coup and the bloodshed. They called for love, peace and justice.

"Terror and violence wherever and whoever they come from can never be defended and regarded as legitimate. Killing one person is like killing the entire humanity and is absolutely not accepted by believers," they said.

The Association of Turkish Protestant Churches also condemned the coup and pleaded for wisdom and understanding.

Moderate Muslims are also being targeted.

Turkey has accused Imam Fethullah Gulen, who lives in the United States, of masterminding the coup, which Gulen has denied.

Radio Shema, a Christian radio station based in Ankara, reported that after the coup, the Muslim prayer for the dead was "continuously broadcast from the mosques". 

Radio Shema said: "Now more than ever there needs to be a Christian presence here in this country. It may come with some repercussion, but we must faithfully declare God's truths to the people here without belittling anyone."

Agenzia Fides also reported that in the hectic hours of the attempted coup of State, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who is currently out of the country for a period of rest, sent a message to clergy and laity at the patriarchal office in Istanbul advising them how to deal with the situation.
'Miracles': New film explores extraordinary events in Christendom that have awed people for thousands of years

How do you explain something that is unexplainable, something like a miracle?

It cannot be explained through science, for sure, because it's something spiritual, something beyond science.

However, a new documentary simply titled "Miracles" tries to answer all the relevant questions regarding miracles, those extraordinary events of spiritual nature that have captivated people's attention for thousands of years.

Produced by St. Anthony Communications, the 35-minute film on DVD explains "what miracles are, how people can know if they are real and true, and what their purpose is," Christian Holden, the company's managing director, told the Catholic News Agency.

Holden says they made the film with the hope of reminding Christians that miracles are central to their faith since Christianity is based upon the biggest miracle of allJesus' resurrection.

"Without that miracle of miracles," he said, "Christianity ceases to exist as a religion."

The film discusses ancient and contemporary miracles, covering those written in the Old Testament, during the life of Christ, and the lives of the saints.

It also includes more modern miracles such as Marian apparitions, Eucharistic miracles like the bleeding Host in Lanciano, Italy, and even those yet to be approved by the Vatican.

The miracles are analysed on scientific, theological, and philosophical perspectives, giving viewers a thorough understanding of the subject.

Equipped with this information, the viewers will hopefully be able to discern which miracles are genuine and which are fake, Holden says.

Miracles "have an end purpose of leading us toward our salvation, leading us closer to God," he says.

Holden says the film is suitable for all ages and for all kinds of people and groups. Churches can use it for catechesis and evangelisation. People can share it with their family and friends. Christians can watch it to bolster their faith. Christians could share it with nonbelievers and doubters to challenge their beliefs and hopefully introduce them to Christ.

The DVD is available online at saintant.com.
Hamilton County, Meigs County and the City of Cleveland are among 29 communities that will receive over $999,000 in Tourism Enhancement Grants to assist with tourism infrastructure assets, Governor Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd announced Wednesday.



We want to congratulate all 29 communities on receiving Tourism Enhancement Grants, Governor Haslam said. These grants showcase how great the partnership is between tourist development and economic development. With the support of these grants, each community will be better equipped to succeed in our state and I look forward to seeing these Tennessee communities thrive.



The grants assist counties and cities in improving local assets to increase the economic impact of tourism.



I am pleased to announce these 29 communities that have been awarded the Tourism Enhancement Grant, Comm. Boyd said. It is always exciting when communities choose to invest in economic development initiatives to grow and succeed in our state. Tourism development is economic development, and with the assistance of the Tourism Enhancement Grant and our partnership with Commissioner Kevin Triplett and the Department of Tourist Development, each community will be able to invest in their assets and grow their local economy.

The city of Cleveland is the recipient of a $50,000 grant to assist with tourism infrastructure assets.



"The funds for this grant will be used to enhance the Greenway Park stage with lighting and sound equipment," Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland said.



"Checking with our Parks and Recreation Department, this facility is often used throughout the week by groups and individuals. The stage is an asset not only to the Greenway Park but the city itself, for providing wholesome outdoor entertainment.



"We especially want to thank Governor Haslam, Commissioner Boyd and our legislative delegation for their support," the mayor said. "I am excited we were selected for one of these competitive grants."



The Tourism Enhancement Grants were jointly funded by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development with the assistance of the Appalachian Regional Commission.



We celebrate with each community receiving the Tourism Enhancement Grant, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett said. Tourism development is an important part of every community, but in some cases we were finding a lack of infrastructure to fully take advantage of some tourism opportunities. We appreciate our great partners at TNECD for coming to the table with this initiative for communities to enhance their local tourism assets.



An advisory committee made up of staff from the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture selected the 29 communities from a pool of 61 grant applications.



The grants awarded include:



 Anderson County - $40,000



 City of Bolivar - $50,000



 City of Brownsville - $50,000



 Carroll County - $50,000



 City of Cleveland - $50,000



 Decatur County - $43,000



 City of Etowah - $50,000



 Fentress County - $27,000



 Town of Gainesboro - $45,270



 Greene County - $44,898



 Hamblen County - $7,000



 Hamilton County - $20,000



 City of Henderson - $5,250



 Johnson County - $47,168



 City of Lafayette - $50,000



 Lauderdale County - $20,000



 City of Livingston - $50,000



 City of Manchester - $41,510



 City of McMinnville - $28,500



 Meigs County - $20,000



 Metropolitan Lynchburg - $50,000



 Monroe County - $20,000



 Robertson County - $5,050



 Scott County - $48,707



 Smith County - $50,000



 City of Tiptonville - $31,262



 Unicoi County - $20,000



 Wayne County - $25,000



 City of Winchester - $35,000



Each application was supported by the communitys senator and representatives in the Tennessee General Assembly.
Most Americans want Trump and Clinton to address Christian persecution

Over three quarters of Americans want the next president to address Christian persecution, according to a Harris poll commissioned by Open Doors USA.

Seventy-six per cent of respondents agreed with the statement: "It is important to me that the next US President be committed to addressing the persecution that some Christians face around the world (eg., imprisonment, beheadings, rape, loss of home and assets)."

David Curry, the Open Doors USA President and CEO, said: "Persecution of Christians, as well as adherents of other faiths, has grown exponentially in recent years. Governments are clamping down on religious freedom of expression, causing millions to face displacement, harassment, imprisonment, beatings and even death. Americans are looking to each presidential candidate for clear and decisive plans to address this growing global crisis."

The organisation has set up a petition calling on the candidates to address the issue of persecution of Christians around the world.

Curry added: "At Open Doors, our work brings us up close and personal with the suffering of persecuted Christiansand that means we are also a witness to the heartbreaking persecution faced by those belonging to other faiths. This campaign is an effort to urge the candidates to state clearly their plans of action for addressing the drastic rise in religious persecution faced by millions around the globe."

The Open Doors website said: "At Open Doors, we believe that the next president of the United States should be equipped with a plan of action to address the onslaught of unprecedented persecution."

Christians around the Middle East and Africa are facing persecution at the hands of Islamic militants, especially in Iraq and Syria, while increasing numbers of Christians are leaving the Holy Land of Israel-Palestine.

At a campaign event in New Hampshire last December, Clinton agreed that Christian persecution at the hands of Islamic State is "genocide".

A voter asked: "Will you join those leaders, faith leaders, and secular leaders and political leaders from both the right and the left, in calling what is happening by its proper name: genocide?"

Clinton replied: "I will because we now have enough evidence".
Murder and ethnic cleansing in Nigeria as Muslim Fulani herdsmen go after Christian farmers

More than 130 people have been killed in Nigeria in devastating attacks by mainly Muslim Fulani herdsmen since June.

At least 65 churches were looted and destroyed in the attacks in Benue state.

According to World Watch Monitor, Fulani herdsmen have taken over some some church buildings to use them as bases from which to carry out their raids Christian villages.

In February, more than 500 people were murdered in Agatu in Benue. About 20,000 people are thought to have fled the latest massacres, the worst by the Fulanis since 2010 when nearly 500 Christians were murdered near Jos.

Although the attacks involve mainly Muslim ethnic Fulani cattle herders raiding mainly Christian farmers, the conflict goes beyond economics.

Rev Augustine Akpen Leva, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Benue State told World Watch Monitor: "This is another jihad like the one waged by Boko Haram in the north-east of the country. The attackers carry sophisticated weapons, sometimes they even used chemical weapons on our communities. They just come, often overnight when people are sleeping. They attack defenseless people and go away. They clearly have an agenda: to wipe out Christian presence and take over the land."

He added: "Lots of people have been killed and it is difficult to get an accurate death toll of the attacks. Sometimes they kill 20, another day they may kill 50. In recent weeks, more than 100 were killed in Logo and Ukum local government areas."

Churches have lost dozens of members, who have either died or fled. Congregations that until recently numbered 2000 or more are down to as few as 50.

"The pastors are also on the run. Their houses have also been destroyed and their members have been scattered all over, with many living in camps now," said Leva. More than 200 churches have been destroyed in Benue State alone. Schools have also been torched.

"The Government has failed us. There's no protection at all. The few security forces, which are often present, ran away before the attack," said Leva.

One casualty was a clergyman, Rev Joseph Kurah, who was hacked to death in Obi, Nasarawa on the last day of June.

Yonas Dembele, of Open Doors International, said the Fulani are working towards the imposition of Islamic law in what amounts to ethnic cleansing of the Middle Belt. He warned that the aggression is driven by the same ambition that drives Boko Haram to the north: to bring the non-Islamic world under Islamic rule.
Nepal: Eight Christians to go on trial for proselytising

Eight Christian counsellors will go on trial in Nepal this week in the first religious freedom case since the country's new constitution was implemented in 2015.

The Christians were arrested for proselytising  outlawed in the new constitution  after distributing a pamphlet about Jesus in a Christian school while helping children through the trauma of last year's major earthquake in the country.

There have been reports that members of the group were tortured by the authorities.

The seven men and one woman were reportedly working for the organisation Teach Nepal when they distributed the material in the school, which is Christian but does not exclusively teach Christian children. The head of Teach Nepal, Barnabas Shrestha said the group were "invited by a pastor to do the counselling in the school," adding that the police "wanted our people to say yes, they have preached the Gospel ...which is not true".

The group is reportedly alleged to have violated Article 26, paragraph 3, of the Constitution of Nepal, which regulates religious freedom and states that "no person shall act or make others act in a manner which is contrary to public health, decency and morality, or...convert a person of one religion to another religion".

World Watch Monitor said: "The freedom of Nepal's Christians is increasingly under threat."

According to a missionary in Nepal, the Government last week announced to all leaders of Christian orphanages and boarding schools in Kathmandu that it would close them down, impose large fines and confiscate possessions if just one Christian booklet was found in their institution. It was also announced that attending a Bible club or praying with children were banned.

Further, an anonymous source told World Watch Monitor that the Social Welfare Council, which approves foreign aid for various programmes, has stopped granting approval for Christian ones.

In 2015, Nepal's Constituent Assembly voted to remain secular and resisted pressure from Hindu nationalists to become a Hindu state. Hours later, two churches were bombed.

Pamphlets promoting Hindu nationalism were found at the churches and the nationalist group, Hindu Morcha Nepal, issued a statement to the media calling for Christian leaders to leave the country and for converts to Christianity to return to Hinduism.

The eight counsellors remain on bail awaiting trial, expected to be held on Friday.
Nigeria: Quarter of a million children starving in Boko Haram's Borno state

Nearly a quarter of a million children are suffering from life-threatening malnourishment in Boko Haram's home state of Borno in Nigeria, and one in five are at risk of dying, UNICEF said on Tuesday.

The UN children's agency said that 244,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, and 20 per cent of these  48,000  will die if they do not receive treatment.

UNICEF said there has been a large rise in the number of suffering children in recent years. In 2013, 35,000 had severe acute malnutrition and in 2014 that figure rose to 57,500, but was still far below the latest estimates from 2016.

"Some 134 children on average will die every day from causes linked to acute malnutrition if the response is not scaled up quickly," said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF's regional director for western and central Africa, who recently returned from Borno.

Fontaine said people in Borno had lost their livelihoods and been cut off from trade networks and healthcare, with many unable to access clean water, factors he said had exacerbated the health problems faced by children.

He added that UNICEF cannot reach around 2 million people in the northeast due to insecurity and poor infrastructure.

More than 15,000 people have been killed and at least 2 million displaced by Boko Haram's insurgency in Nigeria. The group still stages suicide bombings in northeast Nigeria and neighbouring Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

The agency estimates that around 2.5 million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation with around 180 million inhabitants, and is supporting treatment for the condition in 12 of its 36 states.

Last month, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said more than 1,200 people had died from starvation and illness at an northeastern aid camp that houses people fleeing Boko Haram.

The militant group, whose name means 'Western education is forbidden', once controlled large swathes of northeast Nigeria, but most of it was recaptured last year by the Nigerian army and troops from neighboring countries.

But though its influence has decreased, Boko Haram still remains active. More than 200 girls kidnapped by militants from their school in Chibok, Borno state, in 2014 are still missing.

Additional reporting by Reuters.
Officer Montrell Jackson wanted to stop the killings, but Baton Rouge gunman tragically cuts short his dream

A "sweet kid" with an imposing frameat 6'3" and 220 poundsPolice Officer Montrell Jackson wanted to stop the killings and make the streets better and safer for everyone.

However, his lofty objectives were tragically cut short by a hail of bullets from a gunman on Sunday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Jackson, 32, was one of three officers killed by the assassin, 29-year-old Gavin Eugene Long, in what authorities described as a "targeted" attack on law enforcement. Long was subsequently killed at the scene by a SWAT sniper.

Interviewed by PEOPLE, Jackson's uncle Charles Cavalier says the violence that claimed the life of his nephew was in stark contrast to how he lived his life.

"Montrell, he was such a sweet kid," Cavalier says.

Jackson's younger sister Jessica Milligan-Robinson, agrees, saying, "One of his wishes was that we would stop killing period. That's the reason he became a cop. He wanted to make the streets better and safer for everybody. Not just for his sister or for his cousin, but for everybody."

His relatives say Jackson loved being a police officer and being a father. Unfortunately, he missed a milestone when his young son, Mason, turned 4 months old on Monday.

Just nine days before he met his end, Jackson bared his feelings on the mounting racial tension across America with the rash of police shootings of black men.

In a Facebook post, he wrote: "I'm tired physically and emotionally. Disappointed in some family, friends, and officers for some reckless comments but hey what's in your heart is in your heart. I still love you all because hate takes too much energy but I definitely won't be looking at you the same.

"Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me or my wife it was needed and much appreciated. I swear to God I love this city but I wonder if this city loves me. In uniform I get nasty hateful looks and out of uniform some consider me a threat.

"I've experienced so much in my short life and these last 3 days have tested me to the core. When people you know begin to question your integrity you realize they don't really know you at all.

"Look at my actions they speak LOUD and CLEAR.

"Finally I personally want to send prayers out to everyone directly affected by this tragedy. These are trying times. Please don't let hate infect your heart. This city MUST and WILL get better.

"I'm working in these streets, so any protesters, officers, friends, family, or whoever, if you see me and need a hug or want to say a prayer. I got you."

Unfortunately, Jackson could never give that hug or hear a prayer anymore. He left behind a wife and newborn.
Pope Francis sends message of 'faith and fraternity' ahead of World Youth Day

Pope Francis has sent a message of "faith and fraternity" to World Youth Day as he prepares to set off to Krakow in Poland to join in prayer and praise with hundreds of thousands of young Catholics.

World Youth Day begins next Tuesday with the final Mass the following Sunday.

Pope Francis says he is looking forward to meeting "the beloved Polish nation", the home country of his predecessor but one, Saint John Paul II, who began the World Youth Day tradition. They take place every three years with the last one in Rio.

In the video message,: "Dear young people of Poland, I know that for some time now you have been preparing, especially with your prayers, for this great encounter in Krakow. I thank you heartily for everything that you have done, and for the love with which you have done it. Even now I embrace you and I bless you."

He continues: "I am very anxious to meet you and to offer the world a new sign of harmony, from many races, languages, peoples and cultures, but all united in the name of Jesus, who is the Face of Mercy."

He praises Poland for perseverance "through the power of faith" during many crises and trials over the last century.

The moral and spiritual "health" of a nation is seen in its families, he says.

"That is why Saint John Paul II showed such great concern for engaged couples, young married couples and families. Continue along this road!"

As many as two million young adult Catholics are expected in Krakow over next week to celebrate World Youth Day with Pope Francis, who will conclude his trip to Poland with a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi death camp.

James Kelliher, youth spokesman for London's Westminster diocese, is attending his third World Youth Day. He met his wife on the last one. Here he talks about the impact the event has had on his life.
Religious organisations urged to step up work to end Aids

Faith-based organisations have re-committed to ending HIV and Aids, as the UN gathers for its 21st International Aids Conference in Durban, South Africa.

Ahead of the conference, which began Monday and ends on Friday, interfaith groups held a series of meetings to discuss faith-based initiatives in response to the Aids crisis.

Under the theme 'Faith on the fast track', delegates pledged to step up work to reduce stigma and discrimination and to increase access to HIV services.

"We must continue in the fast lane. We cannot return to the slow lane or go slow in the fast lane," said Rev Phumzile Mabizela, executive director of INERELA+, an interfaith network of religious leaders who are living with or are personally affected by HIV.

Rev Edwin Sanders, the founder of Metropolitan International Church in Tennessee, urged faith leaders to act to help those most vulnerable.

"The global symbols of power are the tall buildings we build, evidence of our advancement," he said. "But these same structures cast a shadow on the powerless and it's the people in the pall of the shadow we are called to help."

UNAID'S senior advisor for faith-based organizations (FBOs), Sally Smith, urged faith-based organisations to "go the extra mile" in helping bring an end to HIV.

"We have the science to end HIV in five years, but we don't have the funding," she said. "You are called to finish the task that you started."

Ahead of the conference, the World Council of Churches (WCC) issued a pastoral letter reaffirming its commitment to ending Aids by 2030.

"We are urged by the love of Christ to step beyond what is comfortable or convenient, particularly when reaching out to those who live on the margins of society and our theologies," the letter said. "For us this means accompanying people and communities living with, or vulnerable to HIV every day, every month, every year until AIDS has been overcome."

The WCC's programme executive of the ecumenical HIV and AIDS initiatives and advocacy, Nyambura Njoroge, warned that churches were continuing to "bury people from their congegations".

We need to ensure that people in the pew have access to this pastoral letter so they feel part of the Christian community. For those living with HIV, we are continuing to commit ourselves to accompanying them," she said.
Sorry Republicans, but you do not have a monopoly on Christian faith

Hillary Clinton has many flaws. She frequently comes across as cold, obsessively ambitious and calculating. Her political judgement can be called into question: she is entrenched in the Washington establishment who, for example, backed the disastrous invasion of Iraq in 2003. And  to conservative Christians  she is a fanatical liberal from the 1960s mould who is, crucially, pro-choice when it comes to abortion.

And now, to many on the right in America, she is becoming something more than a hate figure. There was something unprecedentedly sinister about the atmosphere last night at the Republican Convention, when delegates chanted: "Lock her up!"

To some, perhaps, she is the anti-Christ, the devil.

And yet Clinton's Christian faith is undeniably strong. In some ways like Britain's new prime minister Theresa May, Clinton, a Methodist, is a quiet Christian who wears it lightly but nonetheless has a very real, if earthy personal faith.

As long-time friend of Clinton Lissa Muscatine told the New York Times: "It's been a remarkably private part of this hugely public person's existence. It's almost like, because it's so private and has motivated her so deeply, that she doesn't talk about it."

It was on January 25, at a town-hall-style gathering inside a gymnasium in Knoxville, Iowa when, after years of not talking about it publicly, Clinton came out as a passionate Christian.

Asked by a Democrat-leaning voter about her beliefs, she opened up. It is worth quoting her at some length because all-too-unusually, it was clear that the guarded presidential candidate finally spoke from the heart:

"I am a person of faith. I am a Christian. I am a Methodist. I have been raised Methodist. I feel very grateful for the instructions and support I received starting in my family but through my church, and I think that any of us who are Christian have a constantly, constant, conversation in our own heads about what we are called to do and how we are asked to do it, and I think it is absolutely appropriate for people to have very strong convictions and also, though, to discuss those with other people of faith...My study of the Bible, my many conversations with people of faith, has led me to believe the most important commandment is to love the Lord with all your might and to love your neighbour as yourself, and that is what I think we are commanded by Christ to do, and there is so much more in the Bible about taking care of the poor, visiting the prisoners, taking in the stranger, creating opportunities for others to be lifted up, to find faith themselves that I think there are many different ways of exercising your faith. But I do believe that in many areas judgement should be left to God, that being more open, tolerant and respectful is part of what makes me humble about my faith, and I am in awe of people who truly turn the other cheek all the time, who can go that extra mile that we are called to go, who keep finding ways to forgive and move on. Those are really hard things for human beings to do, and there is a lot, certainly in the New Testament, that calls us to do that."

Clinton went on to discuss the Sermon on the Mount, clearly a central Bible passage for her. "There's a lot of great Bible studies: What does the Sermon on the Mount really mean? What is it calling us to do and to understand? Because it sure does seem to favour the poor and the merciful and those who in worldly terms don't have a lot but who have the spirit that God recognizes as being at the core of love and salvation."

And she explained how she differs from some conservative Christians. "So there is much to be learned and I have been very disappointed and sorry that Christianity, which has such great love at its core, is sometimes used to condemn so quickly and judge so harshly."

That, then, is the point. Clinton's faith does not translate into conservative policies. She is indeed a social and political liberal. But that she believes should not be in question.

Personally, I'm one of those people who finds Clinton often ice-cold. I'm also, as it happens, relatively conservative about some of the major social issues. But I would never deny someone's faith on the basis of their political outlook, as long as their politics fit within a pluralist liberal democratic framework.

For being a believer in Jesus as the Son of God does not place you in an exclusive club.

And pro-life Republicans do not have a monopoly on Christianity.
Trial investigates 'deep' state conspiracy in Turkish Bible murders

The trial of the killers of three Christians at a Bible publishing house nearly two years ago in Turkey, is investigating the possibility that the murders were a deep" state conspiracy, reports Mission Network News.



Turkish Christians, Necati Aydin and Ugur Yuksel, and a German missionary, Tilmann Geske, were tied up, tortured and stabbed to death in their Christian publishing house in Malatya, Turkey, on 18 April 2007.



The next hearing for the trial is to commence on 13 April and is expected to focus on the identities of the middlemen in the murders  those linking the actual killers with the ones who planned the murders.



Plaintiff attorneys have called in ten witnesses for the next hearing, including a former gendarmerie commander from the province and an Islamic teacher at a nearby university, according to Compass Direct.



The hearing has exposed a deep mistrust of Christians and their activities in Turkey. Between 1900 and 2000, the Christian population of Turkey declined significantly from 22 per cent to a mere 0.2 per cent.



Behnan Konutgan of IN Network said that identity mistrust was a problem in spreading the Gospel in Turkey. He said that there was a cultural assumption that to be Turkish is to be Muslim and that Christians are automatically foreigners.



He added that part of the problem is that many Turks get their ideas about Christianity from Hollywood. As a result evangelists must operate with care. While not illegal, evangelism is often viewed with suspicion in Turkey.


Westboro protests amid chaotic scenes at Republican Convention

Members of the notorious Westboro Baptist Church were among protesters in the Public Square in Cleveland, Ohio yesterday to coincide with the second day of the Republican National Convention.

Amid what the website Quartz called "a chaotic sea of police, journalists, and counter-protesters" the group of five ultra-conservative Westboro Baptist Church members held signs saying "Fags Doom Nations" and "Divorce Remarriage and Same-Sex 'Marriage' Are All Sin."

One of the protesters from Westboro Baptist Church, which is known for its anti-gay views and protests at military funerals, told Quartz: "We have a duty to warn. If we don't warn and they go to hell, their blood is on us."

Counter-protesters held spoof signs with statements such as "God Hates Morning People".

But some of the scenes at the square were more serious yesterday. The local news website Cleveland.com reported racially charged scuffles earlier in the afternoon.

It said that more than 500 people including Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters and hundreds of police officers collided after racial epithets were shouted during protests, including "Nazi scum, off our streets".

Some protesters called the police "pigs", the website reported, amid claims by officers that urine had been thrown at them.

"Tension mounted as the Westboro Baptist Church demonstrated briefly then marched down Euclid Avenue. The hate-group returned to Public Square as the crowd began to swell and protesters began to clash," Cleveland.com said.

One man with a loudspeaker told BLM protesters that their leader was Michael X Johnson, the sniper who killed five Dallas police officers earlier this month. This was met with counter-chants of "Love trumps hate".

Despite the chaotic scenes, no arrests were made according to Cleveland.com.
Zimbabwe President Mugabe attacks #thisflag protest leader Pastor Evan Mawarire

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has attacked the pastor behind the #ThisFlag mass protest movement that has heavily criticised his government.

Pastor Evan Mawarire was accused of being sponsored by foreign countries who wanted to topple Mugabe from power and of being a false preacher. The #ThisFlag social media campaign was sparked by Mawarire and has become one of Zimbabwe's largest anti-government protests in years.

A stay-at-home strike earlier this month was backed by Mawarire and he was subsequently arrested and charged with subversion. But he was released to the cheers of hundreds gathered at the court after his lawyers successfully argued that the accusation had been added at the last minute and so did not give him a fair trial.

He was initially charged with inciting violence although he has repeatedly called for a peaceful protest against unemployment and corruption and avoided criticising the president directly.

Mugabe's remarks on Tuesday were the first time he has mentioned the pastor by name and he said if people like Mawarire were unhappy with life in Zimbabwe they should move to "the countries of those of who are sponsoring them".

The 92-year-old president was speaking at the burial of Zimbabwe's first black chief secretary to the Cabinet and president after British colonial rule. As well as telling Mawarire to leave the country, he also questioned whether he was a true preacher.

"A man of religion will speak the biblical truth. 1 Corinthians what does it say? Love one another," said Mugabe.

"So beware these men of cloth, not all of them are true preachers of the Bible. I don't know whether they are serving God. They spell God in reverse," the president said.

"The Mawarires and those who believe in that way of living in our country, well, they are not part of us in thinking. They are not part of us as we try to live together," he said, to applause from supporters.

The pastor, who has been hailed as a national hero, is currently in South Africa but has denied reports he has fled, according to the Associated Press agency.
James Nielsen/Staff

United Airlines on Wednesday said it was working with the Transportation Security Administration to install automated security checkpoints at some of its major hubs.

The first to get the new checkpoints will be Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey in the fall. The new lanes will enable up to five customers to fill their individual bins simultaneously and move through the screening process more quickly. A conveyor system will automatically return empty bins to the front of the queue.
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Texas Snakes & More

Bring your children to Discovery Green to learn about snakes from all over the world. Participants will have an opportunity to touch snakes.

When: 1-2 p.m. Saturday

Where: 1500 McKinney

Information: discoverygreen.com

Shadow Puppets Kids Craft Workshop

Learn how to make shadow puppets with cardstock and popsicle sticks at Heights Neighborhood Library and enjoy a puppet pageant show at the end.

When: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday

Where: 1302 Heights Blvd.

Information: popshopamerica.com

Great Zoo Switcheroo

This comedy about friendship revolves around Kenny Penguin and Penny Kangaroo who just can't get over how different they are until they're forced to work together to outwit an exotic animal thief. Produced by Express Children's Theatre.

When: 11 a.m. Thursday

Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive

Information: milleroutdoortheatre.com

Santa's Rockin' Reindeer, Christmas in July

An elf disguises herself as a four-legged flyer in order to join Santa's special singing group, The Rockin' Reindeer. But can she keep her secret long enough to perform in the holiday pageant? The original holiday musical about honesty and elf-esteem is produced by Express Children's Theatre.

When: 11 a.m. Friday

Where: Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive

Information: milleroutdoortheatre.com

Insert Coins

Come out to the East End Studio Gallery's video game art show influenced by anime, comics and video games.

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: 708 Telephone

Information: eestudiogallery.com

Rhythm & Brews

Bring your lawn chair over to Sugar Land Town Square for an evening of beer, wine, food and live music provided by TC and The Cannonballs.

When: 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday

Where: 15958 City Walk, Sugar Land

Information: sugarlandtownsquare.com
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Theater

Tamarie For President: Employing the election as a framing device, Catastrophic Theater's Tamarie Cooper combines her favorite scenes and musical numbers from the past 10 to create a power-packed evening. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Wednesday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; pay what you can; 3400 Main St.; 713-522-2723, catastrophictheatre.com

Spider's Web: Clarissa, the second wife of Henry Hailsham Brown, is adept at spinning tales of adventure for her bored diplomatic circle. When a murder takes place in her drawing room, she finds real life much harder to cope with in this Agatha Christie play produced by Alley Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; $21-$39; Hubbard Theatre, 615 Texas; 713-220-5700, alleytheatre.org

White Rabbit Red Rabbit: Unable to leave Iran, Nassim Soleimanpour tours the world through his words with this unique theatrical experience that requires no director and no rehearsal. Receiving the script in a sealed envelope for the first time onstage, the actor and audience embark on a surprising journey where anything can happen. 7:45 p.m. Wednesday; $10; Alley Theatre, 615 Texas; 713-220-5700, alleytheatre.org

Shrek the Musical: The story of a swamp-dwelling ogre and his silly donkey who fight a fearsome dragon, rescue a feisty princess, presented by Main Street Theater. 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday; $18-$22; The MATCH, 3400 Main; 713-524-6706, mainstreettheater.com

Red Hot Patriot, The Kick-A** Wit of Molly Ivins: Presented by Main Street Theater, a funny, down-to-earth story of the unsinkable Molly Ivins, the famously brassy newspaper columnist and best-selling author. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Sunday; $36-$39; 2540 Times; 713-524-6706, mainstreettheater.com

RFK, A Portrait of Robert F. Kennedy: Still in shock over the assassination of his older brother, Robert F. Kennedy was at a critical juncture in his life. President Johnson, who had been dangling the possibility of the vice-presidency to RFK, called Kennedy over to the White House. The result of that meeting and the subsequent years are the focus of this play presented by Main Street Theater. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday; $36-$39; 2540 Times; 713-524-6706, mainstreettheater.com

Bat Boy: A comedy/horror show presented by Kaleidoscope Theater, about a half boy/half bat creature who is discovered in a cave and blamed for a mysterious cow-killing plague. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday; $30-$35; 705 Main; 832-817-8656, tkthouston.com

Satchel Paige and the Kansas City Swing: The Ensemble Theatre presents a story of passion, perseverance and triumphs. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; $36-$61; 3535 Main; 713-520-0055, ensemblehouston.com

Wicked: Presented by Hobby Center, this Broadway sensation looks at what happened in the Land of Oz long before Dorothy arrives. There is another girl, born with emerald green skin, who is smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday; $40-$180; The Hobby Center, 800 Bagby; 713-315-2400, thehobbycenter.org

Feelin' Groovy 2: The Music Box Theater brings back the best of the 1960s and '70s with hilarious characters and sketches and nostalgic hits. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; $27-$37; 2623 Colquitt; 713-522-7722, themusicboxtheater.com

Shear Madness: The smash hit comedy whodunit that tries to solve the murder of a renowned pianist who lived above Houston's hottest hair salon comes to Stages Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Wednesday, 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday;$45-$50; 3201 Allen Parkway; 713-527-0123, stagestheatre.com

The All Night Strut!: The Texas Repertory Theatre presents a musical revue of the 1930s and '40s songs. It is a two act extravaganza of the way things were during the Depression, World War II and the post war boom. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; $43; 14243 Stuebner Airline; 281-583-7573, texreptheatre.org

Footloose: Stageworks Theatre brings a classic tale based on the 1984 award-winning movie about a rebellious teenager who wreaks havoc on a quiet southern town that abhors rock music and dancing. 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; $15-$26; 10760 Grant; 281-587-6100, stageworkshouston.org

A Steady Rain: Produced by Dirt Dogs Theatre, two Chicago cops who are like family respond to a domestic distubrance that takes a turn for the worse. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday; $20; The MATCH, 3400 Main; 713-561-5113, dirtdogstheatre.org

Classical music

DreamWorks Animation: The Houston Symphony celebrates DreamWorks Animation's great stories and beloved characters at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. 8 p.m. Thursday; $20; 2005 Lake Robbins, Woodlands; 713-224-4240, houstonsymphony.org

Distant Worlds, Final Fantasy: The Houston Symphony and Chorus join Grammy winner Arnie Roth for an evening of music. 7:30 p.m. Saturday; $22-$109; Jones Hall, 615 Louisiana; 713-224-4240, houstonsymphony.org

Dance

Ballet Romeo and Juliet in Kathak: The Indo-American Association presents Saswati Sen, Deepak Maharaj, a troupe from Kalashram, Delhi and accomplished Houston-area students in a production of Shakespeare's tragedy with a cross-cultural classical and jazz score by Pandit Birju Maharaj and Louiz Banks. 8 p.m. Friday; Wortham Center, 501 Texas; $45-$125; 832-487-7041, iaahouston.com
Militiamen, Artists And Many Protesters Flocked To Cleveland's Public Square For The RNC

By aaroncynic in News on Jul 20, 2016 3:12AM

The morning after the kick off to Donald Trumps dystopian carnivala.k.a. The 2016 Republican National Conventionbegan slowly. Groups of supporters, detractors and politicos of all stripes gathered to push pretty much every agenda one could imaginefor an attentive audience of reporters and onlookers.

Crowds were mostly still small as anti-police brutality and anti-war activists, armed militia members and artists that support and oppose Trump's agenda gathered in several areas around the Quicken Loans Arena in downtown Cleveland, where Trump secured the GOP nomination Tuesday night.

Lou Pumphrey, a Vietnam veteran who came to media row in full uniform with a large peace flag on his shoulder, said that while the swarm of Republicans and other right wingers might not have liked his message, they didnt insult him. Ive been insulted before, called names but not here. I think they respect the uniformthey might not like the peace statement but they respect the uniform.

Pumphrey said he was disappointed in both parties but disgusted more by Republicans. Theyre all war hogs...Donald Trump is such a 24-karat fraud. He says I love war. He got five deferments in the Vietnam war. If he loves war so much why didnt he volunteer for combat in Vietnam?

Other anti-war activists spoke early in the morning in Public Square, which was designated a free speech zone for the convention. A group of veterans holding a large banner that read we stand with our Muslim sisters and brothers, denounced Trumps policies to a small crowd.

Im a Muslim, so I worry about my family and my own safety when you hear politicians say Muslims need to be profiled and banned from entering the United States, said Ramon Mejia, who comes from an immigrant family and served as a Marine in Iraq in 2003. Other veterans, including a woman who was the victim of sexual assault and a gay member of the military also came to denounced Trump.





Veteran Emily Yates speaks on sexual assault in the military & Trump's misogynistic rhetoric #RNCinCLE #ResistRNC pic.twitter.com/h4rKIXk6Ph  Aaron Cynic (@aaroncynic) July 19, 2016





Julian Raven, who was born in London, grew up in Spain and lived in the United States for 20 years before obtaining his citizenship however, was in town to stump for Trump. Raven was perched on a monument in the Square, showing off a large copy of a painting of the Republican Presidential nominee he calls Unafraid and unashamed.

Trumps the consummate executive, trained through a lifetime of executive experiences in the school of hard knocks who is supremely qualified to become the chief executive of our country, said Raven. Im an executive, Ive had companies, Ive had employees, I know the mechanics of executive thinking. Trump sweats executiveness, thats what he is.

Raven, a born-again Christian of more than two decades, said the original painting measures 7 feet by 15 feet, weighs 400 pounds and took him more than 600 hours to create. Its a prophetic painting. Its Trump as president. When all the other candidates were running, I know this man was chosen. Hes not just chosen by the people, hes chosen by God.

While Public Square was relatively calm most of the morning, as the day wore on things got more intense.

A demonstration called by the Revolutionary Communist Party to protest police brutality was flooded by police, some clad in riot gear and others who had pepper spray and tear gas at the ready after Alex Jones appeared and tried to push his way to the front to cut off protesters.





Alex Jones tried to push up to the front of the crowd and started fighting with anti-fascist protesters.#RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/89x6YRA7t5  Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) July 19, 2016



Shortly after, white supremecists, militia members, the Westboro Baptist church and a cavalcade of unspecified bigots showed up, with some saying they were on hand to defend the police. With each passing minute, the situation grew more tense as more police spilled into the relatively small square. Although a few minor scuffles occurred, no arrests were made, according to reports.





Situation @ Public Square becoming much less tense as police reform protestors leave... Oh wait, WBC just showed up! pic.twitter.com/USRxAnUGdM  Max RN (@MaxRivlinNadler) July 19, 2016

The barrier created by the police between the RCP and white nationalists. A widening chasm. pic.twitter.com/uzuklKCbjW  Max RN (@MaxRivlinNadler) July 19, 2016

Eventually, the group of anti-police brutality activists marched out of the square and took the streets, flanked by large numbers of police on bicycles. Several times they marched towards streets that connected to the convention center, but each time the were thwarted by law enforcement trying to keep them as far away as possible. While they were kettled and threatened with arrest several times, none were made.


The Houston Police Department chased a white van just outside downtown on Tuesday, according to a report.

KPRC reported multiple police vehicles chased the van until in crashed into trash cans on Sabine in Woodland Heights. The news station reports the driver was taken into custody.
There are some things that we simply should do by a certain point of our lives.

The age 30 seemed like a good point to set the deadline to writer John Rampton, who compiled a list of 29 things you should accomplish before the milestone.
About $60,000 in grants will enable every Bellaire police officer to have a body camera and allow the city's fire department to purchase a high water vehicle to aid in emergency services.

The department currently has seven body-worn cameras in use.

One of those was worn by Officer Marco Zarate, killed while pursuing a robbery suspect on July 12. Zarate lost control of his motorcycle after striking a parked truck and trailer. Images from his body-worn camera aided in identifying the suspect and led to him surrendering to Bellaire police.

"All of us in Bellaire and surrounding areas are devastated by the tragic loss of officer Zarate. It's been very moving to witness the entire city coming together to show our love and support for the Zarate family and our police department," said Bellaire Mayor Andrew Friedberg.

The grass-roots Bellaire Police and Fire Foundation is providing almost $40,000 to purchase the cameras and $20,000 for the vehicle.

Donations and membership dues make the grant funding possible.

"Body-worn cameras are a big national trend. The technology has matured and helps raise visibility and accountability for both citizens and our officers," said Ryan Herbst, foundation president.

Body cameras are a welcome asset, said Bellaire Police Chief Byron Holloway.

"There has been a lot of discussion about the use of body-worn cameras to make police officers more accountable for their actions,"he said. "I will say that if a city has a problem with the accountability of their police officers, body cameras are not the answer. The answer is to fire the police chief and replace them with a chief that can properly manage a police organization."

Holloway said body cameras can serve several purposes. They reduce the likelihood of false complaints against officers; they assist with the collection of evidence; they improve officer safety in that a suspect knows his actions are being recorded; and they can provide additional data and material for officer training and professional development, he said.

The foundation's grant will be matched by a $5,000 contribution from the city's police budget in this fiscal year and another $7,000 in the next fiscal year budget. The total for the body camera initiative is about $51,700.

"The project will allow for all uniformed officers to be assigned a body-worn camera.

"Some of the funds are dedicated to supporting the program for items such as charging systems and data storage servers," Holloway said.

The department will purchase the cameras and begin phasing them into use over the course of the next several months.

High water vehicle

Recent flood events have highlighted the need for a high-water vehicle.

"It is obviously different performing even our normal duties when there is a high-water event. If a person is having a medical emergency, for example, even with a boat it may be challenging to get to them in time because you have to drag it across high spots when you come to them.

"We've even talked about trying to outfit our boat with bicycle tires for that reason. Having a high-water vehicle will enable us to get to our residents in need in a timelier manner," said Bellaire Fire Chief Darryl Anderson.

The department is looking to purchase a military-style, four-wheel drive, 2  ton light-medium tactical vehicle through such options as a federal surplus program by the end of August.

The department will outfit the vehicle to make it suitable for its use.

Anderson said areas around Loop 610 get as much as 3 to 3.5 feet of water during flooding, which can be problematic since current department vehicles can begin to take in water at 2 to 2.5 feet.

Anderson said it is his goal to purchase a high-water vehicle by the end of August.

The foundation

The foundation's support has been a great morale booster to both departments, Anderson and Holloway said.

It officially launched membership efforts in December 2014 and has grown to more than 595 members.

The foundation made its first grant in August 2015.

The $44,358 grant went toward the purchase of emergency medical dispatch software to be used by the dispatch department, which handles 9-1-1 emergency calls for the police and fire departments.

Want to go?

A group of Bellaire businesses, including GBS Insurance Agency and Prosperity Bank, in association with the Bellaire Business Association and Bellaire/SW Rotary Club, will host an after-hours business event to benefit the foundation 5-7 p.m. Aug. 25 at Prosperity Bank, 5123 Bellaire Blvd.

The event is free and there will be live and silent auctions.

Those interested in joining or donating to the foundation may obtain more information by visiting the organization's website at bellairepoliceandfirefoundation.org.
Elizabeth Fagen was 20 when she taught her first class. She said it changed her life.

"I knew then my heart was in education," Fagen said. "I knew I wanted to be a teacher."

On July 5, Fagen, 42, and an Iowa native, became superintendent of the Humble Independent School District.

Fagen wanted a medical career when she was young, but decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a teacher.

More Information Want to go? What: Humble ISD town hall meetings to allow staff and public to meet superintendent Elizabeth Fagen. When: 6 p.m. July 21 at Humble High School Performing Arts Center, 1700 Wilson Road When: 6 p.m. July 28 at Atascocita High School Performing Arts Center, 13300 Will Clayton Parkway Details: 281-641-8200 See More Collapse

"You learn a lot about students when you care about them on a personal level," she said. "I learned a lot about empathy and hard work from her, (her mom) representing yourself well, and using that to help others."

Fagen earned her doctoral and master's degrees and her education specialist degree from Drake University in Des Moines, and her bachelor's degree from William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

She began her career as a high school biology teacher in Iowa, and became an assistant principal, then principal, and ultimately the associate superintendent of Des Moines Independent School District.

From 2008-16, Fagen was first superintendent in the Tucson Unified School District in Arizona, and then at the Douglas County School District in Colorado.

Each position strengthened her understanding of meeting student needs.

"I've worked in the very poorest county in Iowa. I've worked in Douglas County, which is one of the most affluent counties in Colorado," Fagen said.

"I've had a really wide experience, urban, suburban, rural and all of those have really helped me learn and grow as a teacher, and as a leader also."

Fagen said when the opportunity to become the superintendent in Humble ISD arose, she and her husband, Matt, looked hard at the community to ensure the values were compatible with those of her family, and looked at the school district to ensure Humble ISD schools were the best place for their two children.

"I'm a hard grader, and I wanted to find great schools for my kids," she said.

"We also wanted to find a place that was professionally a right fit. Superintendents and districts have to be a fit.

"It's not just about competency, it's also about personality. It almost has to be this sort of marriage between the superintendent, the district, and the board. This was just the right time to consider the next phase of our lives.

"At the end of the day, this was just the place for us that had it all."

On May 24, Fagen was named the lone finalist by the Humble ISD board of trustees to succeed Guy Sconzo, who'd served the district since 2001.

A group of parents protested the hire, saying who felt Fagen wasn't properly vetted.

She was officially appointed to replace Sconzo on June 14, and feels fortunate to lead Humble ISD, and like some students, she is looking forward to her first day of school.

"The tradition in Humble ISD is that members of the superintendent's cabinet and the superintendent are assigned schools on the first day so that every single school is visited," said Humble ISD Communications Director Jamie Mount.

"It's safe to say she will be visiting schools that first day."

Meanwhile, Fagen said she believes each community is unique and that is why her top priority as Humble ISD's new superintendent is to listen, learn and build relationships.

She is looking forward to meeting with families and hearing some of their concerns at a series of town hall meetings that are planned this month.

"People have been kind and open-minded, and welcoming, and they've asked really good questions," she said.

"I'm looking forward to being able to represent myself and having people see and hear the real me; the parent next door or the former teacher  I want them to see that, and not the stuff that surprised (them)."
Heather King, the new Miss Texas Outstanding Teen, will visit patients at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston and host a fundraiser at CityCentre for Children's Miracle Network.

"At Texas Children's Hospital, Heather can experience first-hand the benefit of now being an ambassador to promote the efforts of Children's Miracle Network," said Darla Bergeron, Miss Texas Outstanding Teen state executive director.

King, will visit patients at the hospital in the Texas Medical Center from 1-3 p.m. July 28.

King, 17, won the title July 1. The competition also included a number of Houston-area teens.

More Information Want to go? What: Kendra Gives Back Party for Miss Texas Outstanding Teen Heather King to benefit Children's Miracle Network Where: Kendra Scott, 816 Town and Country Blvd. No. 131, CityCentre When: 6-8 p.m. July 28 Details: 713-965-4115; www.kendrascott.com See More Collapse

Miss Houston's Outstanding Teen, Kennedy Morgan of Kingwood, placed seventh, winning the prize for best overall evening wear.

Miss Katy's Outstanding Teen, Bailey Stark, won the contest's best talent performance, in which she danced to "River Deep, Mountain High." Miss Pearland Outstanding Teen Brielle Wood placed ninth.

Kendra Gives Back

King also hopes to raise $500 in donations for Children's Miracle Network when she appears at a "Kendra Gives Back" party 6-8 p.m. July 28 at the Kendra Scott jewelry store at 816 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 131 in CityCentre in west Houston.

King's appearance is billed as "a fun shopping event" with 20 percent of sales going to King's donation to the Children's Miracle Network.

"Kendra Scott has great jewelry and accessories," said Sheila Milner, executive director of the Miss Houston/Harris County organization.

Milner, a Galleria resident, said Miss Houston, Margana Wood, hosted a fundraiser in May at the CityCentre store.

Wood, who graduated from Lamar High School in 2013, is a former Miss Houston and Miss Texas Outstanding Teen.
West Town Is Getting A New Brewery And Tasting Room With Open Air Seating

By Gwendolyn Purdom in Food on Jul 20, 2016 6:17PM



Photo via On Tour Brewing Co.'s Facebook page

A brewer is hoping to make the most of good weather in Chicago while it lasts by opening a new West Town tasting room with an open-air style seating option.

Mark Legenza told Eater that his On Tour Brewing Company is planning to open at 1725 W. Hubbard this year. It will feature a rolling garage-style door that can open and allow anyone drinking in the tasting room to bask in the last glorious breezes of warmth when it opens this fall.

Legenza's a native Chicagoan who mastered the art of brewing during his years in Denver, but wanted to bring what he'd learned home with him. Working with head brewer and Fat Head's Brewery and Sun King Brewing alum Mark Poffenberger, Legenza plans to offer 12 beers on tap, along with 75 seats inside the 1,500-square-foot tasting room (the whole brewery space will be about 5,000).

They won't serve food, but there's talk of food trucks being available nearby. According to On Tour's website, the vibe will be "warm" and "alluring" with amber lights, and a mix of industrial and natural materials designed to "symbolize the interplay between our free spirited and serious temperaments."

No word yet on how that interplay translates into beer, but we're eager to find out.
Activist Ja'Mal Green Released From House Arrest, Aided By Old Letter From Rahm

By Mae Rice in News on Jul 20, 2016 8:31PM



Activist Ja'Mal Green faces Officer (Tyler LaRiviere/Chicagoist)

A court released a local activist from electronic monitoring on Tuesday, ABC7 reports, thanks in part to an old letter of support from Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The ruling came after activist Ja'Mal Green was charged with hitting and attempting to disarm a police officer at a protest against police brutality earlier this month.

The letter from Emanuel was not related to this specific case, Mayoral spokesperson Adam Collins told Chicagoist. However, Collins said the Mayor did send Green a letter, more than a year ago, expressing support for an anti-violence campaign Green was involved in. Michael Oppenheimer, Green's attorney, confirmed to Chicagoist that this was the letter from Emanuel submitted at Green's Tuesday hearing. Other letters of support were submitted on Green's behalf, too, including one from Father Michael Pfleger of Gresham's St. Sabina church, ABC7 reports.

Oppenheimer said Emanuel's letter was about Green's "work as a peace activist," which, Green has acknowledged, he once did in collaboration with the Mayor's office. Green told RollingOut in January:

I voted against [Emanuel] but when he got in and I was given the opportunity to partner my company with his team, I took it to save lives. I was the Put The Guns Down ambassador going into schools to promote a safe summer. It was business, I did my part for the community and now that business relationship is done.

However, the release of video footage of Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke fatally shooting Laquan McDonald was a turning point for Green, he told RollingOut. Since then, he has been a prolific critic of Emanuel. In December, for instance, he led a protest outside Emanuel's house, demanding that Emanuel resign, the Tribune reported.

Earlier this month, Green was charged with five felonies, including one count of trying to disarm an officer, after an all-day protest against police brutality that he helped organize. The circumstances around those charges are disputed, however; Black Lives Matter Chicago, among others, argued that police actually mistreated Green leading up to the arrest.

Green was released from Cook County Jail last week after supporters paid the required $35,000 of his $350,000 bail.
Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Two Men 23 Years After Conviction

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 20, 2016 9:42PM



Photo credit: Gary Eckstein

Two men who were convicted of murder more than 20 years ago were ordered released from prison after Cook County prosecutors dropped charges on Wednesday. A Chicago police detective who worked the case is accused of pushing false testimony from a would-be informant.

Cook County Jude LeRoy Martin vacated the convictions of Jose Montanez and Armando Serrano after prosecutors dropped the charges.

Testimony that led to the conviction of the two men was called into question in 2004, when Francisco Vicente recanted original statements to police following interviews with the Medill Innocence Project, a nonprofit which works to investigate possibly wrongly convictions. Vicente, a heroin addict facing charges of his own, was allegedly plied by Detective Reynaldo Guevara with a false story. He originally testified that Montanez and Serrano confessed to killing Rodrgio Vargas in the Humboldt Park neighborhood in 1993.

Vicente, who faced four felony counts, received only the mandatory minimum sentence.

Last year, states Attorney Anita Alvarez declined to reopen six murder cases in which Guevara was involvedincluding those of Montanez and Serranothat were referred by City Hall. The citys investigation found that four of the men were probably innocent, including Montanez and Serrano. Detective Guevara, who retired in 2005, was also involved in the 1989 conviction of Juan Johnson. Johnson was later acquitted and awarded $21 million in damages for the wrongful conviction.

The Exoneration Project, which represented Montanez, celebrated the new decision while also calling for further exonerations.

Breaking: Cook Co. Judge orders release of EP Client Jose Montanez & Co-Def. Serrano. #innocencewon #libertadatlast pic.twitter.com/V0Kuf5D9HO  Exoneration Project (@ExonerationProj) July 20, 2016
Restoration Of Historic Old Main Post Office To Begin 'Immediately'

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 20, 2016 4:21PM



Chicago Boulevardier

The new owners of the Old Main Post Office will immediately begin renovations of the huge, long-vacant building, according to a press release issued on Wednesday by the Mayors Office. The City has reached a court-approved agreement with developers 601W Companies LLC that will spur the restoration. The project is estimated to take five years to complete and cost $500 million.

Included in the agreement is a series of annual deadlines for 601W. They include roof replacement, repair to all four sides of the building, high-speed elevator installation, lobby restoration, plus new electrical, plumbing, and heating systems.

The strict target dates are perhaps unsurprising given the historic property/fire magnets long recent history of vacancy. The building has been unused for the last 20 years. The previous owner, British developer Bill Davies, sold the building last May. Earlier in the year, Emanuel used eminent domain to help kindle a sale. Davies, who purchased the property in 2009, had once proposed a project called The MicroChicagoa campus of pricey microapartmentsbut nothing ever materialized. Davies died the day after making the sale.

Today is a bright day for the near West Side and all of Chicago, Mayor Emanuel said in the release. After the old Post Office has sat for vacant for decades, we can now begin the work to transform this iconic gateway to the city of Chicago into the economic driver it was designed to be.

As reported at the time of the sale, 601W will undertake a three-phase renovation strategy that will create office space, a three-acre rooftop park, and a publicly accessible riverwalk.

The Mayors Office touted the job-creation aspect of the project, claiming it will generate some 1500 construction jobs.

Developing the Old Post Office will bring thousands of jobs for Chicagoans and renew a building that has been neglected for decades, Ald. Daniel Solis (25th) said in the press release. This agreement is a significant step forward, and I look forward to continuing our progress.
Update: Skyway Sale-Funded Property Tax Rebate Passes City Council

By Stephen Gossett in News on Jul 20, 2016 2:13PM



Image via Flickr

Rahm Emanuel has addressed the nagging question of how exactly the city would finance the property-tax rebate program his administration had proposed to help counterbalance the record tax hike. It turns out the money received from the recent sale of the Chicago Skyway would be used to fund the reimbursements, according to an announcement made on Tuesday.

The city of Chicago netted a $20 million transfer tax payment earlier this year when the elevated roadway was purchased by three of Canada's largest pension plans. Emanuels plan would cost $21 million if all eligible homeowners participate, according to the administration.



The City Council Finance Committee on Tuesday approved Emanuels Skyway-funded proposal, although the final version reflected some minor modifications to Emanuels original vision. Now, an extraordinary hardship measure would allow further rebates beyond the maximum for homeowners who can prove they are in danger of losing their homes. (Without the hardship additions, homeowners can receive up to $200 in property-tax rebates, but the final total depends on individual household income and the size of tax increase.) Seniors will also receive an additional $50 in rebate funds.

The plan thus far does not include rebates for renters or rental properties. Council members Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th Ward), Proco "Joe" Moreno (1st Ward) and Deborah Mell (33rd Ward) joined activists on Monday, calling for a plan that would offer incentives to landlords who pledge not to hike rents. Ramirez-Rosa has expressed interest in possibly using funds from a reported $45 million windfallthe result of a new investment plan by the City Treasurerto finance his proposal.

Emanuel also took the opportunity on Tuesday to defend the controversial tax hike$588 million in total, with $318 million due this yearsaying it was a necessary step to resolving the city's unfunded-pensions crisis.

"The city, for decades, had not done their job, and wasn't honest with the public, to the point it became a major financial burden, and a major financial uncertainty," he said, according to the Tribune. "That uncertainty is now removed. Now, I did raise property taxes. I own that. But to right decades worth of wrongs.

The ordinance will be in front of the full City Council on Wednesday morning for a vote.

Update 11:45 a.m.:

The City Council on Wednesday approved a $20 million property-tax rebate program. Homeowners with a $75,000 household income or less will be eligible for roughly $150, depending on the size of their tax increase.
'The Other Side' Shows A Desperate, Dangerous Side Of White America

By Joel Wicklund in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 20, 2016 5:52PM



Mark Kelley in The Other Side. (Photo: Agat Films & Cie, via Film Movement.)

"I love the poorly educated," Donald Trump declared after winning the Nevada Republican caucuses. He wasn't specifically referring to the people shown in despairing, often frightening fashion in The Other Sideit's a safe bet Trump has never visited the impoverished, rural Louisiana community revealed in the film. But if the G.O.P. nominee loves the poorly educated, he loves this film's protagonists, whose desperation and militancy are echoed in the Trump campaign.

Not that The Other Side is overtly political. It's really an ethnographic study. Director and co-writer Roberto Minervini works outside of film conventions, using an approach some have labeled "docu-fiction." Minervini immerses himself in the world of his real-life subjects, capturing some events as they happen and staging unscripted recreations of others. It isn't quite a documentary nor a docudrama (a dramatic film trying to realistically portray actual events).

One thing is certain, though: In playing themselves, the subjects of The Other Side made little attempt to appear more appealing to viewers outside of their community. The movie's main subject is Mark Kelley, who funds his meth addiction with odd jobs and small-time drug dealing. Highly emotional and physically deteriorating, Mark is initially a sympathetic character, until we hear him call President Obama, "a stupid-ass nigger." Instantly, the rage and ignorance beneath his sadness rises to the surface.

Mark lives in a trailer with his girlfriend Lisa, also an addict; most of his neighbors and family members are similarly trapped in a cycle of alcoholism and addictions. To say the movie is intimate is an understatement. We see Mark and Lisa having sex (seemingly not simulated), cooking and using meth, and we see Mark "on the job" serving a very pregnant stripper who shoots up before her performance. There is no glamorized decadence here.



Scene from The Other Side. (Photo: Agat Films & Cie, via Film Movement.)

I first read about The Other Side in an excellent Film Comment article by Nick Pinkerton that had me ready for many disturbing moments, but also expecting to feel some compassion for the subjects in spite of their behavior and beliefs. Pinkerton may simply be a more generous soul than I am, because my main feeling after watching this powerful but repellent portrait was relief I never had to spend time with these people again.

That feeling became even stronger a little more than halfway through the movie, when Mark vanishes as the main subject and the focus turns to a paramilitary group. Less poor and certainly far more functional than Mark, these gun-brandishing conspiracy theorists are also far more terrifying. They firmly believe the United Nations is coming in to take over the U.S., that martial law is imminent and gun owners will be rounded up into FEMA-run prison camps. Indeed, when you hear their ready-to-shoot rhetoric, you only wish they were far less functional than Mark.

Minervini captures all this day-to-day madness with no critical commentary or evident judgment, which would have violated the trust of his subjects. Poverty, societal marginalization and other socioeconomic factors that lead to this kind of culture are certainly longstanding and need to be addressed. But The Other Side exists simply to show that culture, not to remedy it. It's a world those of us in larger cities and from more educated backgrounds rarely see, and it needs to be seen. This is a significant part of our nation.

The movie captures backwoods landscapes with an eerie kind of beauty. It's unsettling that so much fury exists in such a serene, natural environment. "God's country" looks positively violated in the movie's climactic scenes, when the paramilitary group and their friends have a beachside bacchanal of a party.

At one point, a woman wearing an Obama mask simulates giving fellatio to one of the would-be soldiers holding a dildo. Then the mask is positioned in a car that is spray-painted with "Obama sucks ass." The weapons come out and the empty car is riddled with bullets in a fantasy assassination before the shooters start smashing the vehicle to pieces and kicking the doors off.

As the destruction ended, the credits rolled and a chill ran up my spine.

The Other Side. Directed by Roberto Minervini. Written by Minervini and Denise Ping Lee. Starring Mark Kelley, Lisa Allen and others as themselves. 92 mins. No MPAA rating: contains explicit language, sexuality and graphic scenes of drug use.

Starts Friday, July 22 at Facets Cinematheque.


Trump Advisor Says Hillary Clinton Should Be 'Shot For Treason'

By Emma G. Gallegos in News on Jul 20, 2016 7:45PM



Al Baldasaro defends the donations of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a news conference at Trump Tower on May 31, 2016. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

One of Donald Trump's veterans' issues advisors and die-hard supporters went on a Boston talk radio show Tuesday and delivered the following line: "Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason."

Al Baldasaro, a New Hampshire state representative and former marine who has periodically been trotted out by the campaign to defend Trump on veterans' issues, was on the Jeff Kuhner Show in Boston (tag line: "Liberalism's Worst Nightmare"). He was discussing Benghazi. He told the host:



"I'm a veteran that went to Desert Shield, Desert Storm. I'm also a father who sent a son to war, to Iraq, as a Marine Corps helicopter avionics technician. Hillary Clinton to me is the Jane Fonda of the Vietnam. She is a disgrace for the lies that she told those mothers about their children that got killed over there in Benghazi. She dropped the ball on over 400 emails requesting back up security. Something's wrong there."

He added, "This whole thing disgusts me. Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason."

You can listen to the segment here:

Baldasaro isn't the type to apologize for what he said. Last year when a female state representative spoke out against a law that would ban women going topless, he wrote on her Facebook page, "Your nipple would be the last one I'd want to see." When someone tried to shame him into apologizing, he advised them not to hold their breath. The Guardian has a profile of Baldasaro, a former Democrat-turned-Reagan Republican who believes President Barack Obama will finally reveal himself as Muslim after the election. The Guardian describes his relationship to the Trump campaign this way:

Baldasaro has been at nearly every rally Trump has held in the U.S. north-east over the past year, often onstage speaking in his role as co-chairman of the candidates New Hampshire veterans coalition. When Trump announced his plan to temporarily ban non-citizen Muslims from the U.S., Baldasaro was in the papers defending the idea. And when Trump talked about his support for veterans in the final Republican debate before the primary, he name-checked Baldasaro in front of 13 million viewers.

Trump has released a statement through his spokeswoman Hope Hick: "No, of course Mr. Trump does not feel this way."

Baldasaro, on the other hand, has doubled down. He told NBC, "I stand by it because treason is treason. When you take information on a server, that's a non-classified server, classified info, and you've got names of American CIA, Secret Service, ambassadors or whatever and you're sharing that out there, you're giving the enemy information."

Baldasaro regrets nothing:

Baldasaro is not alone in his sentiment. Trump voters are still fired up about Benghazi. Inside the conventionwhere "festering personal rage" against Clinton outshone support of TrumpChris Christie led attendees in a rousing chant of "Lock her up!" Outside there was plenty of anti-Clinton rage and some Trump supporters told Mother Jones that the death penalty seemed like an appropriate punishment for Clinton:
"The year 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of the deaths of the Chinese playwright Tang Xianzu in the Ming Dynasty and his British counterpart William Shakespeare. In order to better know each other, China and Britain may jointly commemorate the two literary giants," said Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit to the UK in 2015.

A stage photo of The Peony Pavilion. [Photo/ chncpa.org]

In response, commemorations for the 400th anniversary since the deaths of the two playwrights were held by the Ministry of Culture to promote Chinese tradition. As part of the commemorations, outstanding theatrical performances opened at the National Centre for the Performing Arts on July 16. Minister of Culture Luo Shugang addressed the opening ceremony, presided over by Vice-Minister Dong Wei. The audience then watched the Kunqu Opera The Handan Dream, presented by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe.

"Kunqu Opera is one of the Chinese traditional dramas. Given its over 600-year history, it is hailed as the ancestor of all plays. In May, 2001, it was listed among the first world oral and intangible cultural heritages. We Chinese should chew on President Xi's speech at the Forum on Literature and Art and develop our nation's traditional culture. In the world of Chinese opera, more talents and great productions are beneficial to the formation of an opera-friendly society. At the end of the day, everyone is making contribution to the realization of the Chinese Dream with a moderately prosperous society and the rejuvenation of Chinese nation at the core," Luo said.

There will be eleven performances at the National Centre for the Performing Arts. A total of seven dramas will be presented by four Kunqu Opera troupes. Surprisingly, the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe will be the first to stage Tang Xianxu's Four Dreams of Linchuan, including four classic plays The Peony Pavilion, The Southern Tributary State, The Handan Dream and The Purple Hairpin. It is one of the latest achievements in protecting and supporting Kunqu art and the fruit of Kun artists' innovation and creativeness. By September 5, the Northern Kunqu Opera Theatre, Sunzhou Kunqu Opera Theatre and Jiangsu Performing Arts Group will perform Four Dreams of Linchuan, as well.

The commemorations consist of a symposium on Tang Xianzu, a China-UK forum on Tang and Shakespeare and a display of Tang's works under the auspice of the China Cultural Center.
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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has vowed to release video from a police shooting earlier this month in which city officers killed a black man reportedly waving a gun.

The mayor's office initially planned to release the video Wednesday afternoon, but postponed the released until Thursday so that the family of Alva Braziel, 38, could see the video first.

"There's a narrative on social media that Mr. Braziel had his arms up and there was no gun and the police shot him down," Turner said Wednesday at the end of the City Council meeting.

"I want to do everything I can to make sure Houston police officers are safe and I don't want people firing at them or shooting them with the belief that our police officers shot someone who was unarmed," he said. "It's important for people to see this was a person who was walking ... with a gun in his hand."

Turner was challenged Wednesday for the second time in two days by 23-year-old Eric Puckett, a friend of Braziel's family, who questioned the mayor's grassroots credibility.

"Do you believe in WWB, sir?" Puckett asked. "That's Walking While Black."

Turner paused a moment before responding.

"I've been Walking While Black for 61 years," Turner said calmly. "I still live in Acres Home, the 4-4. I still live in a community that's economically depressed, so I understand that. And I'm not saying that the system is perfect, but my focus is on this particular case."

The 4-4 is a nod to the No. 44 Metro bus route through the area.

Braziel was fatally wounded by two police officers shortly after midnight on July 9 while walking on Cullen near Ward.

Houston Police Department officials reported that officers on routine patrol encountered the man, standing in the street holding a gun, and fired when Braziel did not comply with commands to drop the weapon.

He died in the street less than three blocks from his home. Braziel was a felon and was not authorized to have a weapon.

His death ended a week of national unrest about police shootings of African-American men in Louisiana and Minnesota that sparked nationwide protests followed by the ambush of law enforcement in Dallas that left five officers dead.

Within hours of the Houston shooting, grainy convenience store security footage that captured the incident had been released by local media. For the last 10 days, activists have called on the mayor and Interim Houston Police Chief Martha Montalvo to release all videos of the incident, namely from the officers' body cameras and any cruiser dash camera footage.

According to an autopsy by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences, Braziel died of "multiple perforating and penetrating gunshot wounds of the neck, torso and lower extremities."

Turner made his remarks Tuesday night during a community town hall at Houston's Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Third Ward.

The forum was called to contemplate the question "Where Do We Go From Here?" and discuss pathways to "justice, reconciliation, peace and love."

The nine panelists included Turner, Harris County Precinct 7 Constable May Walker, Neighborhood Centers Inc. CEO Angela Blanchard, National of Islam minister and community activist Robert Muhammad, voting rights advocate and engineer Reynaldo Guerra and the Rev. Bill Lawson, Wheeler's founding pastor.

The mayor said the city has a responsibility to be transparent and suggested that there is more than one video for the public to view.

"I'm going to release all of those videos. I want you to see everything," Turner told the audience of several hundred people.

The mayor added that he also wanted to show the public the footage because of social media reports that Braziel did not have a gun and that he did not point a weapon at officers. Turner also believes some people have made inaccurate comparisons between the Houston incident and other recent police shootings across the country while suggesting that the erroneous information could be the basis for retaliation against officers.

"The worst thing we could do to a police officer or to one another is to operate on bad information," Turner said. "There is a witness from the community, not the police officers, that you will hear  a voice on the tape who said: 'Yes, I know him, and I don't know why he had that gun.'"

The mayor also emphasized that he will take the action to make the footage public  not the police chief or the Harris County District Attorney.

"I made that decision, not the DA. I made the decision that we are going to release these videos. Show them all. Let people can see for themselves, because I don't want a police officer killed based on something on social media that, as the mayor, I know that it is not true," Turner said.

He further cautioned about scenarios that could place Houstonians in precarious positions with law enforcement.

"At 12:38 in the morning, if you're walking on Cullen in the middle of the street with a .38 in your hand and you turn it around and you point it at a police officer, the outcome is going to pretty much speak for itself. Now, I regret that. I regret that, along with some other things that I'm aware of, but those are the facts. I didn't make them up," the mayor said.

Kaleb Taylor, a Texas Southern University student and activist, noted that there was a police shooting the same day Braziel was killed in which that man  who fired on police in a more affluent section of Houston  was not shot dead.

Keith Swainson, 49, unloaded several rounds on police with a shotgun from his far west Houston home near the Memorial area around 9 p.m. July 9, according to Harris County District Clerk's Office records.

He shot "towards the officers," according to HPD spokeswoman Jodi Silva and one lawman was "struck by flying debris." Swainson then retreated into his residence.

SWAT officers and hostage negotiators were called.

"During the course of negotiating with him, he fired an additional seven rounds out of the windows of his house at the SWAT officers," Silva said.

After hours of negotiation and HPD deploying gas into the home, the man surrendered to officers around 4 a.m. July 10.

Swainson is charged with two felony counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and one misdemeanor charge of making a terroristic threat. He remained in the Harris County jail Wednesday morning and is scheduled for a mental competency evaluation.
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A mentally ill rape victim is suing Harris County and the county's law enforcement agencies for jailing her over the Christmas holidays after she had a psychological breakdown on the witness stand while testifying against her attacker.

The woman, who is not identified by name in the lawsuit filed in a Houston federal court on Monday, is seeking unspecified damages.

"The prosecutors, for their own convenience, just wanted to dominate and control my client," said Sean Buckley, the attorney representing the woman. "And the best way for them to do that was to put her in the Harris County jail as a material witness."

Buckley noted that the district attorney's office, the largest in Texas, has an entire division dedicated to helping victims, including shepherding victim families to court and making sure they understand the process.

"It goes beyond just negligence," Buckley said. "The DA's office could have resolved this by just giving her victims' services and helping her instead of trying to control her out of laziness."

Buckley said the 25-year-old woman with a history of bipolar disorder had a psychological breakdown while testifying against her attacker in December. She ended up walking into traffic in front of the Harris County Criminal Courthouse before she was involuntarily committed to a psychiatric ward of St. Joseph's Hospital.

After she was released from the psychiatric ward, Buckley said, prosecutors used a state law designed to corral uncooperative witnesses to have her detained by the sheriff's office. She was arrested and put in general population in the Harris County jail.

While she was there, according to the lawsuit, another inmate attacked her and smashed her head into the concrete.

Before she was able to testify, Buckley said, she did not receive her medication and had another psychiatric break. During a confrontation with a jailer, the woman apparently took a swing and was punched in the face by the jailer.

The woman was then charged with assaulting a jailer, a criminal case that was pending until after she testified.

She was able to later testify against her attacker, a serial rapist named Keith Hendricks who was sentenced to two life sentences.

Officials with the Harris County Sheriff's Office said they are looking into the allegations and noted initially, that the jail is the custodial agency and were required to follow the court orders filed by the prosecutors in the case.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office did not comment immediately on the lawsuit.

"The only response from anyone should be, 'I am so sorry. This is something that we need to look at very closely, we are investigating it and this is just tragic,'" Buckley said. "Any other kind of wiggling out of it is just another version of victim blaming."
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Hundreds gathered Monday to celebrate the life of fallen Bellaire police officer Marco Antonio Zarate, a beloved father and husband who died last week in a high-speed motorcycle crash.

His death came at a poignant moment for police around the nation, wedged between fatal shooting of five Dallas officers and Sunday's shooting deaths of three Louisiana officers by a lone gunman in Baton Rouge.

"We live in this difficult time," said the Rev. Salvatore DeGeorge, who co-celebrated the Mass at Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. "If you're a peace officer, every day there's some fear attached to that."

Law enforcement officers turned out in force in Houston for the funeral of Zarate. A seven-year veteran of the Bellaire Police Department, Zarate, 52, died when his motorcycle crashed during a high-speed chase. He is survived by his wife and three daughters.

At the funeral Monday, Zarate's family and co-workers remembered him as a man who was passionate about his family and serving the public.

"He protected us and I'll be forever grateful," Zarate's wife Cecilia said in an eulogy, read by Zarate's friend William Bledsoe. "His passion was not only for his family, but for all who crossed his path."

In the eulogy, Cecilia Zarate described her spouse as a wonderful husband and father who would do anything for his kids. Once, Marco Zarate let his daughters paint his toenails before a karate class, she said. When his friends noticed, he wasn't embarrassed.

From a young age, Marco Zarate's mother said her son showed integrity, Bellaire Assistant Chief of Police Michael Leal recalled.

"He became a man, a strong character," Leal said.

And DeGeorge, who knew Zarate from his north Houston church, St. Patrick's, said Zarate was a goodhearted person and a good Christian.

"We're called to live nobly," he said. "Marco lived a noble life; he lived a blessed life."

On July 13, Zarate was flagged outside a Target store in the Meyerland shopping center by a loss prevention officer who had chased two men out of the store for allegedly stealing items. Zarate approached the men, then followed them after they raced away.

Zarate lost control of the motorcycle and crashed into a trailer. He was pronounced dead at a Memorial Hermann Hospital-Texas Medical Center.

The day after the crash, the suspected shoplifter turned himself in to police. Dante Jerel Moore, 27, admitted he was driving the vehicle that led police through Bellaire at speeds up to 80 mph.

Moore is charged with felony murder as an habitual offender and is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond. He has a long list of arrests in Harris County, convictions for burglary in 2007, felony possession of cocaine in 2011 and evading arrest in 2013.

If convicted, he faces up to life in prison, with a minimum punishment of 25 years in prison if classified as an habitual offender.
CLEVELAND  Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, one of the top holdouts from the campaign of Republican nominee Donald Trump, rallied about 1,200 of his supporters Wednesday afternoon at Shooters, a waterfront restaurant across the Cuyahoga River from the Republican National Convention where he will make a long-anticipated address to party's delegates in the evening.

The runner-up in the GOP primaries, widely believed to be contemplating another White House bid in 2020, gave little indication of how he will address the central question on Republicans' minds: Whether he will formally endorse billionaire businessman Donald Trump, the party's newly-anointed nominee and Cruz's most bitter primary rival.

But one clue came from Cruz campaign manager Jeff Roe: "He doesn't tell people how to vote."

Roe, who still heads Cruz's political organization in Houston, said the senator can be expected to bring an aspirational and forward-looking message to Cleveland. "He's going to talk about the reason he's in politics," Roe said. "He's going to talk about the future of the party."

It will be the senator's first major political speech since he dropped out of the race in Indiana on May 3. "This is the first speech that he's going to give where it's not just absolutely what people put in his mouth that he has to react to," Roe said. "It's a huge opportunity for him and a very nice gesture from the Trump campaign."

For Cruz, the speech also represents a tightrope walk between backing his party's standard-bearer and standing with his socially conservative backers, many of whom remain deeply suspicious of the celebrity businessman-turned-politician.

"Our party now has a nominee," Cruz said to lusty boos from his supporters. "I don't know what the future is going to hold. I don't know what's going to happen. But what I do know, what remains unshakable, is my faith in the men and women here."

Echoing the calls of anti-Trump backers who sought to unbind convention delegates to vote as they wish  regardless of their state primary results  Cruz added: "What I do know is every one of us has an obligation to follow our conscience and to speak the truth, and truth is unchangeable."

Amid chants of "Cruz!" and "2020!" Cruz said the purpose of the rally was just to thank supporters. "Together, the men and women here, we have been part of an amazing journey," he said. "This campaign, I believe, was about a lot more than one campaign or one candidate. This was a movement across the country."

The broader message was unmistakable for the 45-year-old first-term senator from Houston, accompanied by his wife Heidi.

"There's a lot of talk about unity," he said. "I want to see unity, and the way to see unity is for us to united behind shared principles... for us to empower the grassroots."

He did not mention Trump by name.
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AUSTIN -- Texas education officials agreed the state has to change how it prepares children for the future, but not before pointing the finger of blame at each other at the state Board of Education meeting Wednesday.

Tensions brewed between the board and Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes who said K-12 schools need to do a better job teaching students to be lifelong learners and prepare them for college.

"Lots of times we're talking past each other using the same terms differently. I think everybody understands, political leaders understand, that high levels of education are the key to the future of Texas, the key to the future of this country," Paredes said.

Paredes criticized the state's education standards before the board. While the vast majority of K-12 teachers say their students are prepared for college, Parades said most college professors say few are.

Board member Patricia Hardy, R-Fort Worth, responded that colleges are sending them teachers unprepared to teach.

"They do not come to us really prepared to be teachers," she said. "I'm not sure that they're coming to us with the academic rigor that you seem to think they're coming out of universities with."

State education officials are struggling under the weight of goals that 60 percent of young adult Texans have a post-secondary certificate or college degree by 2030. Currently, 38 percent of people between 25 and 34 years old meet that criteria, said Paredes.

"There's no doubt that we need to do a lot better. I also lament the fact that we haven't shown much improvement in the time that I've been here... The fact of the matter is we're dealing with a higher education culture that frankly doesn't value much the preparation of teachers," said Paredes. "The more prestigious the university is, the less interested it is in training teachers."

School board members spent the previous evening debating standards for the English Language Arts and Reading tests, including the role of collaboration, decoding and encoding.

Members of the committee and Paredes agreed to work together going forward, including allowing higher education officials to weigh in on education standards in K-12.

"It is not our way or the highway, no, no," said Chairwoman Donna Bahorich, R-Houston.
Amid increasing anti-trade rhetoric in the current U.S. presidential campaign, the United States has challenged China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over its export duties on nine key raw materials.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) claimed Wednesday in a statement that these duties ranging from 5 to 20 percent ad valorem create "an uneven playing field" for U.S. manufacturers.

The statement said the nine raw materials are antimony, cobalt, copper, graphite, lead, magnesia, talc, tantalum and tin. They are used in industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive, electronics and chemicals.

The trade enforcement case, the 13th that the Obama administration has launched against China at the WTO, comes at a time of increasing anti-trade rhetoric in the current U.S. presidential campaign.

The Obama administration wants to demonstrate a tough stance on enforcing trade agreements in an attempt to draw support from lawmakers to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, a top legislative priority for President Barack Obama this year.

But U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday that the chances are "pretty slim" that the TPP will get a vote in Congress this year, as both the Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are against it.
-- AWAITING CRUZ IN CLEVELAND  By speaking at Trumps convention without endorsing him, the Texas senator hopes to placate both sides of the GOP civil war, writes the National Reviews Eliana Johnson.

Its a bold move. Nonetheless, Cruz is here in Cleveland, unlike many of other 2016 candidates. Marco Rubio will address the convention by video conference. John Kasich is in a state of open warfare with the Trump campaign. The Texas senators decision to attend and speak without endorsing the Republican nominee appears to be aimed at straddling the Republican establishment he has so gleefully bashed and the conservative base that elected him.

-- WSJ: Cruz rewrites primary history

-- Trump officially nominated, but Clinton is the unifying force, by the Houston Chronicles Mike Ward and Kevin Diaz

What was clear on the second day of the convention was that Hillary Clinton, not Trump, has served as the gathering's unifying theme, as Republicans struggled not only to forge unity but generate excitement for their controversial nominee.

As long as they go to the polls in November and vote for Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton, they're welcome to stay lukewarm, said former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who acknowledged an interest in serving in a potential Trump administration, possibly heading veterans' affairs. I just don't want them to get cold.

-- Texas and national leaders call for GOP unity in face of convention discord by the Houston Chronicles Kevin Diaz

Paul Ryan pressed his point: This is a binary choice, he said. It is either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton. He was seconded by Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who told the delegates, "This is a time for choosing. ... It is a time to come together in unity behind the Trump candidacy for president of the United States."

-- Winners and losers from the 2nd night of the Republican National Convention, by The Washington Posts Chris Cillizza

Donald Trump Jr. (Winner): He didn't just play it safe with a testament to his dad being a good guy and then beat a retreat. He delivered a broader address that not only cast his dad effectively as someone willing to get his hands dirty in pursuit of business success but also went after Hillary Clinton as an out-of-touch bureaucrat who is out of her depth.

Ben Carson (Loser): But the brain surgeon quickly went off script -- and not in a good way. He dropped a Lucifer reference! Then he did it again!

>> Day Two: The Crackdown Continues in Cleveland, by Texas Monthlys Erica Grieder

-- No one to be fired after Melania Trump speech plagiarism episode, by CNN

Trump's campaign hopes to simply move on without further addressing questions about the speech. It's set off infighting and finger-pointing within Trump's campaign, and two sources told CNN that Donald Trump himself is furious about it.

-- The Trump Convention: A Painful Moment for the Bush Family Network, by The New York Times Jonathan Martin

And with his penchant for cutting ridicule and crude insults, Mr. Trump represents personal qualities that are the antithesis of Mr. Bushs mix of Christianity and old-money restraint. It would be like if George Wallace had succeeded John F. Kennedy and the New Frontiersmen, said Peter Wehner, a senior official in Mr. Bushs White House.

If Donald Trump wins, he will, by definition, have created a new template of success for Republicans, said Ari Fleischer, Mr. Bushs first White House press secretary. But if he loses, and particularly if he is crushed, it will reset the party back more in the direction of President Bush.

SPEED READ

Texas Lt. Gov. Patrick: AG should investigate Black Lives Matter protesters, Politico

Speaker Joe Straus Still No Fan of Donald Trump, The Texas Tribune

State senator calls for 'transparency' with police-chase policies, Houston Chronicle

Abbott's idea to protect police: Right instinct, wrong move, Houston Chronicle

El Centro chief: Micah Johnson talked with police before shooting them, Dallas Morning News

The bottom of the oil bust does not a boom make, Houston Chronicle

Kazen fired from crucial mental-health docket, San Antonio Express-News

Fatal encounters: Suspects' deaths rise across Texas even as arrests drop, Dallas Morning News

'Secure' Texas border still elusive year into $800M mission, AP

CAPITOL DAYBOOK: No meetings scheduled

RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE

-- Why the plagiarism allegations against Melania Trump matter for her husband's campaign, by the Los Angeles Times David Lauter

Its that effort to reach out to the uncommitted where the apparent plagiarism interferes. The issue is not that voters necessarily care about whether Melania Trump, or more likely someone working for her, lifted parts of her speech, but that the controversy gets in the way of the message Donald Trump wants  and needs  to convey.

>> Vilsack stock rises as Clinton nears VP pick, by Politicos Gabriel Debenedetti and Helena Bottemiller Evich

-- How the GOP stumbled into calling for Hillary Clintons imprisonment, by The Washington Posts Aaron Blake

This has not been the Republican Party's official position on Clinton's email scandal. But this week's convention essentially put it on the party's platform for November. And for that, the party has Donald Trump to thank.

>> Libertarian Gary Johnson in Politico: Despite the calls at the GOP convention in Cleveland for national unity, Donald Trump sees our country as a land of exclusion. He wants Americans to act as powerless serfs bullied by someone who says he will protect them.
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.
A China Telecom stand at an information industry expo in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province. [Photo/China Daily]

State-run phone carriers China Telecom Corp and Saudi Telecom Co have expressed interest in acquiring 4G mobile-phone licenses offered by the Egyptian government, an Egyptian communications ministry official said on Tuesday.

They joined Kuwait's Zain, which made an official request last week, the official said.

China Telecom, the country's third-biggest mobile carrier, and Saudi Telecom, the biggest phone operator in Saudi Arabia, have not presented formal requests yet, added the official, who asked not to be named.

China Telecom did not immediately respond to requests for comment and a Saudi Telecom official declined to comment.

Interest in the 4G licenses by newcomers to Egypt may add to pressure on local units of mobile operators Vodafone Group Plc, Orange SA and Emirates Telecommunications Corp, to accept license terms before the deadline set by the government of the first week of August.

State-run fixed-line monopoly Telecom Egypt has welcomed the offering as it eyes entering the mobile market.

The communications ministry official said the licenses would only be offered to new market players in case current operators rejected the license.

Egypt has about 95 million mobile subscribers, according to the communications ministry website.

The new 4G licenses replace an earlier plan, that some mobile operators threatened to fight in international arbitration because of concerns that a new competitor would eat into their market share, the telecommunications regulator said at the time.

The government has said that operators interested in the license will have to pay half of its value in US dollarsat a time when the country faces its worst foreign currency shortage in years.
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Express Entry Mid-Summer Update CIC News Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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The past few weeks have been busy with respect to the Express Entry selection system for immigration to Canada, with four draws from the pool and many updates across the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) streams that are aligned with Express Entry. This mid-summer update provides a synopsis and analysis of all the latest events.

Four draws since June 1

From June 1 up to the time of writing, a total of 3,034 candidates in the pool have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence, with draws having occurred on June 1, June 15, June 29 and July 13. Over this period, the minimum point requirement under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) was 482. While the number of candidates invited to apply in each draw remained around 740-780 per draw, stakeholders may note that the CRS requirement has not increased indeed, it has decreased over this period.

Candidates who have been issued an ITA may then submit an application for Canadian permanent residence. Accompanying family members, including spouses or common-law partners, as well as dependent children, may also immigrate to Canada along with the principal applicant. The government of Canada aims to process applications within six months.

Closer than people may think

As covered earlier this year by CICNews, a majority of people who received ITAs in 2015 had core CRS scores of less than 450, which happens to be the lowest CRS point requirement of any draw since Express Entry came into operation in January, 2015. Core CRS scores indicate a candidates point total without any additional 600 points for a qualifying job offer or enhanced provincial nomination. Consequently, a majority of individuals who received ITAs had also received a job offer or successfully applied for an enhanced PNP option.

With this in mind, now is a good time to review the enhanced PNP options that have been available over recent weeks.

New Brunswick has been looking for IT professionals

As mentioned in our previous issue, the province of New Brunswick has been looking to attract IT professionals in the Express Entry pool through the Open Category of the New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NBPNP) Express Entry Labour Market Stream. This category stopped accepting Expressions of Interest on July 15, but may open again at a later date. To learn more and to review the full list of occupations and job titles involved in this category, click here.

British Columbia selects skilled workers and international graduates

British Columbia regularly invites individuals to make an application to immigrate to the province through a range of categories under the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP). On June 29, a portion of those invited to apply to the BC PNP were Express Entry candidates, with invitations issued to skilled workers and international graduates in the Express Entry pool. In a previous draw that took place on June 2, British Columbia invited even more international graduates in the pool.

The Express Entry BC  Skilled Worker category is for international skilled workers who have post-secondary education or training and employment experience in a skilled occupation. A job offer is required under this category.

International graduates who have graduated from a Canadian university or college within the past two years may be eligible to apply under the Express Entry BC  International Graduate category. Interestingly, this category is open to eligible graduates who graduated from a university or college in any location in Canada; it is not restricted to graduates from BC universities and colleges. Like the Skilled Worker category, a job offer is also required for this category.

Saskatchewan reveals new occupations list

When Saskatchewan reopened its International Skilled Worker  Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category of the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) for an additional 500 applications earlier this summer, it caught some people by surprise. Not only was there no prior announcement of the sub-category reopening, there was also a revised occupations in-demand list  including occupations that were not previously considered in-demand by the province. Included on the revised list were a number of occupations in IT, management, agriculture, engineering, health care, and trades.

The sub-category closed quickly, marking the sixth time that it had opened and closed since it was first introduced in 2015. To learn more about this sub-category and to review the latest occupations in-demand list, click here.

(Update, July 20: The SINP International Skilled Worker  Saskatchewan Express Entry sub-category reopened the morning of July 20, 2016. The quota was subsequently reached and the sub-category closed again within 48 hours.)

PEI always an option

Last year, Prince Edward Island (PEI) issued more enhanced provincial nomination certificates, relative to its own population, than any other province. Moreover, the government of PEI has recently been vocal about its need to attract even more skilled workers to the province.

PEIs Express Entry stream arguably involves the simplest first step of all the provinces Express Entry streams, as candidates are only asked to complete a single page online form outlining their reasons for wishing to immigrate to PEI. In order to submit this form successfully, candidates must have already created an Express Entry profile. The PEI PNP then invites a selection of these candidates to apply on a priority basis.

Note: This article analyzed PNP streams that are aligned with the Express Entry immigration selection system, and did not include PNP streams that are processed outside that system. Earlier this summer, CICNews published exclusive articles on all PNP immigration options, which you can read here:

To learn more about your Canadian immigration options through any of over 60 Canadian immigration programs, including the federal economic programs processed through Express Entry, please fill out a free online assessment

 2016 CICnews All Rights Reserved
My two literate and thoughtful sons complain that Im always invoking the sixties to explain todays pathologies. I hope they now see that events have caught up with the argument. The headlines in the New York Times on the morning after the first evening of the GOP convention exclaimed, in trumps voice, its a new new nixon. The News Analysis piece quoted Donald Trumps campaign manager Paul Manafort explaining that Nixons 1968 acceptance speech is pretty much on line [sic] with a lot of the issues that are going on today. Imitating Nixon, Trump has billed himself as the law and order candidate who represents the silent majority. But Monday nights WWF-style introduction of the candidate had a campiness that would have made Nixon cringe.

The Times gets part of the story right, but misses the context for Trumps rise. Trump has feasted politically on President Obamas inanities and inhibitions in the wake of terror attacks and police assassinations. There is another continuity between the current moment and the never-ending sixties: the revival of Black Pantherism in the form of the Black Lives Matter movement and the writings of Ta-Nehisi Coates, the new Eldridge Cleaver.

The sixties are sometimes associated with the idea of participatory democracy, but that concept was buried under the weight of Great Society bureaucracies. One feature of the sixties has endured: the glorification of violence, initially legitimized through the writings of Frantz Fanon, who wrote about the French wars against the Arabs in Algeria. In his incendiary preface to Fanons Wretched of the Earth, Jean-Paul Sartre told the French that they would do well to read Fanon; for he shows clearly that this irrepressible violence is neither sound and fury, nor the resurrection of savage instincts, nor even the effect of resentment: it is man re-creating himself. Thus, Sartre explained in language that would thrill modern Leftists that to shoot down a European is to kill two birds with one stone, to destroy an oppressor and the man he oppresses at the same time. And yet, all will be well because violence, like Achilles lance, can heal the wounds that it has inflicted.

Violence incarnate was glamorized by the dashing, handsome, leather-clad Black Panthers and their gorgeous consorts. The Panthers colonized the minds of the New Leftparticularly Students for a Democratic Society and its offshoot, the Weathermenwhich longed to win their approval. Liberals were caught up in Panthermania, too. John Hersey, celebrated forerunner of the new journalism, wrote a memoir about his time as master of Yales Pierson College. This was around the same time that Black Panthers tortured and then murdered Alex Rackley, a 19-year-old member, whom they mistakenly thought was a spy. In Letter to the Alumni, Hersey fawned over the insights and integrity of the radical students who closed the college down on behalf of the supposedly innocent Panthers. But he cant bring himself even to mention Rackley.

In 2015, an admiring documentary on the Black Panthers premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. It was given big-city distribution and aired on PBS. While the film had little to say about the organizations gangsterism, it was released just in time for the current revival of off the pigs rhetoric.

One of the great animating hysterias of the sixties was that there was a systematic attempt by the police and the FBI to exterminate the Panthers before they could create a Viet Cong-like insurgency in America. A credulous mainstream media reported on the supposed assassinations of 28 Panthers by cops. The delirium was deflated by Edward Jay Epstein in The New Yorker. He showed that most of the Panthers had been killed while armed or in shootouts. Four of the deaths involved questionable police conduct. Most notably, the death of Fred Hampton in an unnecessary raid in Chicago raised numerous red flags. The comparable contemporary hysteria involves the death of the thuggish Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. The Hands Up, Dont Shoot narrative has been debunked, but Al Sharpton and Black Lives Matter continue to insist that Brown was executed by a Ferguson cop.

Transparent efforts persist to keep the fever burning. As Powerline notes, a study in the Minneapolis Star Tribune found that implied bias occurs when police target high crime areas. Whats that? Take also Tavis Smileys defense of Baton Rouge copkiller Gavin Long, published this week in USA Today: How many more disaffected black men have to self-radicalize before we take their claims seriously? Unfortunately, neither presidential candidate seems likely to rescue the country from the frightening vortex produced by the 1960s.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images
The gang rape last week of a northern Indian woman from the untouchable caste made headlines in Indias influential English-language press. The case was striking because the woman had been raped before by the same group of men; the latest attack being seen as an attempt to prevent her from testifying in court. But after a brief flurry of articles, newspapers soon moved onto other developments in the restive state of Kashmir.

This was in stark contrast to the mass coverage that followed the 2012 gang rape and murder in Delhi of a student thought to be middle class. Then, Indias English-language papers appeared to act as the mouthpiece of widespread public demands for changes in awareness, attitudes, and reactions to sexual violence. Four years on, these cries for justice have been replaced by occasional spikes of outrage as new rape cases are reported.

So why has the blanket media outcry that followed the Delhi gang rape been replaced by a less consistent response? The answer may lie in a study of how the Delhi gang rape was reported by the English-language press. I conducted just such a study as a fellow at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

A data analysis of Indias four leading English-language newspapersThe Times of India, The Hindustan Times, The Hindu and The Indian Expressshows that the 2012 Delhi gang rape case triggered a significant increase in rape coverage in India. A keyword search for rape and gang rape in the 39 months before and after December 2012 shows a huge spike at the time of the attack, and a marked increase afterwards.

Figure 1: Number of times the terms rape or gang rape appear in The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu and The Indian Express, 2009-2016.

A further analysis of the terms rape and Nirbhayaa name used by the press to describe the Delhi victimshows that coverage of the Nirbhaya case spiked in tandem with rape coverage, but that general rape coverage has also persisted at a higher rate than previously. So if Indias English-language press are covering rape more than they did four years ago, why is sexual violence still failing to generate sustained media attention?

Figure 2: Number of times the term Nirbhaya vs. terms rape or gang rape appear in The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu and The Indian Express, 2009-2016.

When details of the December 2012 gang rape first began to filter into Indias newsrooms, editors were faced with the decision of whether to run the story on the front page. Three facts stood out: the victim was a student, she had been to an upmarket shopping mall before she was attacked, and she had also just watched an English-language movie. These factors marked her out as a middle or upper-class Indian woman, which in turn made her story more compelling for the wealthy, urban readership of Indias English-language press. There is this term we use called PLUit means people like us, says former Times of India reporter Smriti Singh. Whenever there is a murder or rape case involving a female, in your head you have a checklist as to whether the story qualifies to be reported or not.

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Being a PLU, or of the right socio-economic class, means your story is far more likely to be covered by the English-language press. On the surface, the Delhi student appeared to be the ultimate PLU victim. In fact, as details emerged of her family background, it became clear she was not from the established middle class, but was aspiring to transcend her working class roots as the daughter of a laborer. But by the time this was known, the case was unstoppable. Every newspaper wanted as much detail as they could get about the case.

There is a vast country beyond Delhi and Mumbai, and there is a lot of crime happening there, and those people are in need of exposure and a platform, says Priyanka Dubey, a reporter who describes herself as a lower-middle-class Hindu who has struggled to have stories on sexual violence published in the English-language media.

Two other factors led to the Delhi gang rape dominating the English-language press: the victim was seen as blameless for her crime, and the crime was especially violent. The Indian media often reports rape as a crime of lust and passion, in which sexually precocious women can provoke men to attack. There is a lack of analysis of the complex patriarchal, societal, and economic factors that underlie much sexual violence. In the case of the Delhi rape, the victim was brutally raped after the innocent action of boarding a bus to take her home. The dispute over victim and perpetrator accounts that often accompanies rape was absent in this case. The victim was heralded as Nirbhayathe braveheart or fearless one. There was no ambiguity in her status as a heroine who could be celebrated.

Similarly the extreme nature of the violence against the victim meant that her story could be championed by the press, which highlighted the visceral details of how she had been repeatedly raped and sodomized and how the perpetrators had penetrated her with an iron rod and pulled out her intestines. The story was inherently sensational and the coverage was driven by the conviction that people were very curious to know about it and there was competition with other newspapers, says former Times of India editor Manoj Mitta. This extreme violence has now become a benchmark for reporting new rape cases in India.

It is now more than four years since the Delhi gang rape, and although incidents like the attack last week have gained press attention, no other case has caught the public imagination in the same way as Nirbhaya. In fact, there are signs that Indias English-language press may be reflecting a less sympathetic view towards rape victims. A data analysis of the term false rape (where a victim withdrew their claim before or during prosecution) shows a small but significant rise in reports on this issue since 2012.

Figure 3: Number of times the term false rape appears in The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu and The Indian Express, 2009-2016.

Journalists have attributed this rise to the persistent Indian narrative that women are prone to file false cases when they have been caught having a sexual relationship outside marriage, let down after a promise of marriage, pursuing a personal vendetta, or trying to extort money.

Although the coverage of the Delhi gang rape showed that Indian English-language newspapers were prepared to report on and highlight the issue of sexual violence, much could be done to improve how publications tackle this issue. There could be better press regulation to prevent salacious and sensationalized coverage, greater sensitivity in reporting, the inclusion of non-PLU cases, the appointment of specially-focused gender reporters and the reframing of rape from a lust crime to a political, economic, and social phenomena. Although rape is now news in the Indian press, it may take many years before this issue is given the sustained and enlightened attention it deserves.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Joanna Jolly is an award-winning BBC reporter based in London. She was previously the BBCs South Asia Editor, after working as the Nepal correspondent and a producer in Delhi. She has also reported from Washington and Jerusalem. She is currently writing a book on murdered and missing Aboriginal women in Canada.
The list of digital newsrooms moving to unionize has grown steadily since the start of 2015: Gawker, Vice, Huffington Post, Salon, and more.

But the medias new interest in organizing isnt only for digital startups. Journalists at The Ledger, a local newspaper in Lakeland, Florida, that dates to 1924, announced this week that they have taken steps to unionize. If the drive is successful, The Ledger would be the only paper in the state with a unionized newsroom.

The move, said Gary White, a reporter and one of the leaders of the union effort, comes out of a sense of desperation exacerbated by the actions of owner Gatehouse Media, which bought The Ledger and other papers in the former Halifax chain in January 2015.

Those of us remaining in the newsroom have seen so many people laid off, especially since Gatehouse took over, that we became concerned about The Ledger continuing as a viable newspaper, White said.

The Ledger, which was owned by The New York Times Company before Halifax, had faced layoffs under other owners beginning in 2007. Since Gatehouse bought the paper, union organizers say, at least 21 employees have been laid off from the already-shrunken newsroom, and at least six other vacant positions have been eliminated. The layoffs under Gatehouse began in early 2015, almost immediately after the ownership change.

We havent had raises in eight years. Wed like to see the layoffs end, said White. Were at the point now where its a challenge to get by with the minimum coverage our community expects.

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Today, there are approximately 25 journalists in The Ledger newsroom who would be eligible to be union members, organizers said. Eighteen of them signed a statement declaring they are dedicated to negotiating a labor contract that gives journalists a voice in preserving and enhancing The Ledger. A couple more signed cards stating their desire to be represented by The NewsGuild that were turned in to the National Labor Relations Board on Monday, White said. Under NLRB procedures, that will trigger a union vote, which could take place within the next few weeks.

Calls to Gatehouse headquarters were transferred to a full voicemail box, and no one from the company returned a request for comment submitted through its website. A call and email to The Ledgers publisher, Kevin Drake, were not returned.

Gatehouses parent company, New Media Investment Group, has been expanding rapidly in recent years, with a focus on small and mid-sized local papers. In public comments, the company has argued that value remains in the downtrodden industry. The companys shares, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange and recently fetched about $20 apiece, have attracted investor interest in part because they pay a healthy dividend amounting to about 7 percent based on the current stock price.

Our core traditional media business continues to produce strong cash flows and healthy profit margins as demonstrated by our quarterly results, CEO Michael Reed said in an earnings call on April 28.

In its latest quarterly summary for investors, the company lists among its strategies: Right size cost structure post recession, Centralize core functions, and Leverage New Medias scale to reduce costs.

Those claims about corporate profitability, along with the focus on local cost-cutting, are at the heart of employees complaints. The Ledger is making money from what we are told. All of it is going to Gatehouse, and none of it is coming back down to Lakeland, said White.

The Ledger is not the first paper to move to unionize after being purchased by Gatehouse. Employees at two Illinois publications, The State Journal-Register and the Register Star, voted to unionize after their papers were bought by the company. (Meanwhile, a veteran journalist at another Gatehouse paper in Florida, when asked about the mood there, told me, I really cant tell you anything, which should tell you something.)

The Illinois papers are represented by the St. Louis-based United Media Guild. The guilds president, Jeff Gordon, said the union views Gatehouses strategy as bleeding out properties.

These newspapers are profitable, Gordon said. Lakeland is not a struggling, number-two newspaper in a market that can only hold one. Theres really a lot of staying power in the newspapers [Gatehouse] is buying if they dont gut them.

In Illinois, the union has been able to negotiate contract language that prevents the papers from requiring journalists to produce advertorial copy, Gordon said. Its unlikely that a successful union drive in Lakeland or elsewhere could bring an end to layoffs. But a union contract could control how those layoffs are conducted.

Douglas E. Ray, former dean of the St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami and a labor attorney, said he was surprised that a Florida newsroom was moving to organize, given the state of the industry.

Even though the law says a company cannot punish you for union activity, people might be more reluctant, he said. In declining industries, you have to be more brave to do that.

White said he and the other journalists in Lakeland might have gone out on a limb, but the entire tree was feeling unsteady.

I was nervous about it, he said about the unionization effort. I know others were too. As more people got on board, that gave us more of a sense of security.

At this point, all of us could lose our jobs any day, he said. We all feel awfully insecure already.

Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today

Susannah Nesmith is CJRs correspondent for Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. She is a freelance writer based in Miami with more than 25 years working for regional and national outlets. Follow her on Twitter @susannahnesmith.
The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) released an advisory identifying the absence of a comprehensive risk management program in Chicago and highlighting the substantial operational and fiscal benefits of implementing such a program. Based on the limited data available, OIG estimates that in 2013 and 2014 the City paid over $457.8 million in claims including $203.1 million for workers compensation, and $146.3 million for police misconduct and other public safety claims.

The advisory follows OIG inquiry into the state of the Citys risk management practices as well as an attempt by the Department of Finance (DOF) to analyze some of the Citys claims. Based on this work OIGs advisory highlights three concerns for the Mayors Office:

The City currently lacks the kind of comprehensive risk management program found in comparable cities elsewhere in the United States. Presently, to the extent the City undertakes risk management and claims related activity, responsibility is fragmentedbeing dispersed principally among DOF, Department of Law (DOL), and the City Council Committee on Finance. Moreover, the capability to address identified risks requires the voluntary cooperation of other City departments. Similarly, the data needed for a comprehensive analysis resides in different forms and at least three separate databases controlled by DOF, DOL, and the Committee on Finance. The lack of complete and accurate claims data, organized through a centralized program, prevents comprehensive analysis. DOFs limited analysis excluded police misconduct and workers compensation claims, both of which are particularly expensive categories. DOF argued that non-vehicle accident public safety claims are unique and dissimilar from claim types that are common across departments. The Department also faced obstacles in acquiring workers compensation data. OIGs advisory establishes that comprehensive risk managementas described by the Government Finance Officers Association and conducted in other citiesincludes analysis of such claims.

Consolidating, refining and augmenting this fractured system will require the Mayor and City Council to centralize and empower a risk management function at a high level of City government. Specifically, OIG suggests that the City create a Chief Risk Officer or equivalent office endowed with sufficient authority and resources to drive a risk management culture City-wide. OIG recommends that the role include robust data analysis, public reporting requirements, routine communication and collaboration with departments, as well as periodic review by City Council.

OIGs report includes examples of comprehensive risk management in New York City, Los Angeles County, Maricopa County, and the City of Sacramento as well as documentation of OIGs prior inquiry and DOFs pilot analysis.

In response to OIGs advisory the City stated that it would establish a cross-departmental risk management working group, including project management support to address the data concerns outlined in the advisory. The working group will include workers compensation claims in its analyses. However, the City states that, at the outset, police misconduct will be excluded from the scopeIn order to avoid pre-supposing the results of the Department of Justice review or duplicating those efforts.

Full inhabitation of our fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers, said Inspector General Joe Ferguson, impels the City to move from its historical paradigm of reacting to claims in a fragmented manner as a cost of doing business, to a proactive model. A model that identifies trends and implements operational reforms that reduce the number of events giving rise to claims, such as is now commonplace in comparable municipalities like New York City. The creation of a working group is a good first step. I encourage the Mayor to include in its mission the completion of regular reports to City Council and the public on claims trends, recommendations for corrective actions, and progress towards risk reduction. In addition, police misconduct is a critical and expensive area of risk, and I urge the Mayor to plan for its regular examination and inclusion in the working group.

Source: City of Chicago OIG
Jeff Gordon

Jeff Gordon will get back behind the wheel of a race car for the next two NASCAR races, replacing injured Dale Earnhardt Jr. (AP)

This report was updated at 11:40 a.m. with reaction.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jeff Gordon will return to NASCAR racing this weekend, filling in for Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is sidelined with concussion symptoms after missing his first race on the sidelines last weekend.

The official announcement was made Wednesday morning and said that Earnhardt will miss at least two more races, this weekend's Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard and next week at Pocono. Earnhardt also missed the race at New Hampshire last weekend, where he was replaced by Alex Bowman.

Gordon retired after last season and had been working as an analyst for NASCAR races on Fox Sports.

Gordon is quite familiar with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, earning victories there five times, which is a record for the track including both open wheel and stock cars. Gordon, is also a four-time series champion earning crowns in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001 before he retired at the end of last season.

This is the short term outlook for replacing Earnhardt, who has no real solid timetable for his return to the track.

"Our focus is giving Dale all the time he needs to recover," team owner Rick Hendrick was quoted by the Associated Press. "There's nothing we want more than to see him back in the race car, but we'll continue to listen to the doctors and follow their lead. What's best for Dale is what's best for Hendrick Motorsports and everyone involved with the team. We're all proud of him and looking forward to having him racing soon."

"We wish the circumstances were different, but we're thrilled anytime we see Jeff Gordon on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval and know our fans will love seeing him race again," Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles said in a release from the track. "Between Jeff making a return visit and Tony Stewart making his final Brickyard start, this will be a legendary weekend for Hoosier race fans at IMS!"

Stewart has announced he will retire at the end of this season.

Earnhardt, 41, was involved in wrecks at Daytona and Michigan and felt progressively worse, which led to scratching last week. He also missed two races in 2012 with a concussions.

Besides winning five times at Indy, Gordon is six-time winner at Pocono.

"Jeff's a team player," Hendrick said. "I know he'll be ready, and I know Dale has incredible trust in him. It's going to be an emotional weekend (at Indianapolis) with Dale not being there and seeing Jeff back behind the wheel. Greg (Ives) and the team did a great job at New Hampshire, and they have the full support of our organization."
Housing panel RNC 2016

Bill Emerson, chief executive officer of Detroit-based Quicken Loans, introduces a housing panel at Politico's temporary space in downtown Cleveland on Tuesday. (Michelle Jarboe/The Plain Dealer)

(Michelle Jarboe/The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The nation's housing market emerged as a study in contrast during a Tuesday discussion in downtown Cleveland, as economists and experts highlighted the hurdles of buying a home, building wealth and pushing for thoughtful policy amid political fracturing.

Politico, a news organization, hosted the panel as part of a series of programming tied to the Republican National Convention. The company is holding court in the former Huntington Building at East Ninth Street and Euclid Avenue, where banquet space on the 21st floor now teems with vintage political posters, gadgets and writers clattering away on laptops.

Nela Richardson, chief economist for Redfin, likened the housing market to an onion with a healthy exterior and decomposition closer to its core. Homes are selling at a striking clip, aided by technology that puts a wealth of property information at buyers' fingertips.

Dig deeper, though, and there still aren't enough houses on the market. Prices have rebounded from the recession, hitting new highs in some cities. But many Americans still are underwater - burdened with mortgage debt that outweighs the value of their homes.

Politico transformed the 21st floor of the former Huntington Building on East Ninth Street into an event space during the Republican National Convention.

With low homeownership rates and stagnant incomes, apartment dwellers often are spending too much of their paychecks - 30 percent or more - on rent. Yet housing doesn't seem to be part of the national political conversation as the major parties crown their candidates.

"Housing has lost its place in our rhetoric about wealth creation," said Richardson, who works in Washington, D.C., for the Seattle-based real estate database and brokerage company.

She was joined by Mark Calabria, director of financial regulation studies at the CATO Institute, a think tank; Brian Montgomery, a business consultant and former assistant secretary of the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development; and Jim Rokakis, who oversees the urban-focused arm of the Western Reserve Land Conservancy here in Cleveland.

"No city was hit harder than Cleveland. No state was hit harder than Ohio," Rokakis said of the nationwide housing collapse and foreclosure crisis.

A Democrat and former Cuyahoga County treasurer, Rokakis described the local housing market as divided, with swift sales and climbing prices in some suburbs and pockets of the city but few signs of recovery across swaths of the region. In response to his fellow panelists from high-priced Washington, D.C., he said Cleveland - and its housing market - might as well be in a different country.

"The America that you're talking about is not the America that we see in the Midwest," he said, adding that Clevelanders, for the most part, aren't going to make money in real estate.

Redfin's latest monthly report, scheduled for release Thursday, does show that the local housing market continues to improve.

In the Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor area, the median - or middle - sale price for a home was $145,000 in June, up 7.4 percent from a year before. Sales were up 11.3 percent from June 2015, the company found after crunching listing-service data.

New listings notably are down 9.8 percent from a year ago, making it tougher for buyers to find what they want. Based on the recent pace of purchasing, houses and condos currently on the market would sell out in 3.4 months. Supply keeps dwindling, making this a clear seller's market - though that depends on the property you're selling and the neighborhood it's in.

"Those numbers look a lot like Seattle or Boston," Richardson said during an interview after the panel discussion. "The same inventory struggles that you see in coastal cities, you're seeing here in Cleveland."

Still, prices here are relatively low, when you look at the national median sale price of $276,000 for June. And homes are taking longer to sell than they are in other parts of the country. In June, roughly 13 percent of Cleveland-area homes went under contract within two weeks of hitting the market, Redfin found. Nationally, 26 percent of homes landed buyers that fast.

Asked about how housing should figure into the next president's priorities, panelists at Tuesday's event suggested looking at ways to reduce risk, spur lending and navigate a thicket of regulations. They questioned whether it will be possible to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage giants that became wards of the federal government during the recession. They talked about the need for affordable rentals and creative housing programs crafted by cities.

And they agreed that owning a home, once seen as a surefire way to build personal wealth, isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for helping people achieve stability.

"I think we just assume that giving people homeownership fixes a lot of other problems in their lives," Calabria said, adding that job opportunities, income growth and access to credit are key. "If you go into homeownership with lots of other problems, it makes those problems worse, not better."
Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones

In this July 8, 2016 photo, Melissa McCarthy, left, Leslie Jones, center, and Kate McKinnon, cast members in "Ghostbusters," pose with a Lego toy figure of fellow cast member Kristen Wiig during a portrait session at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. Their film will be released on Friday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

(Chris Pizzello)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Under a barrage of hateful posts on Twitter, "Ghostbusters" star Leslie Jones said she was "in a personal hell" and urged the social networking service to do more to eradicate abuse.

In a series of posts Monday night, Jones said she had been pummeled with racist tweets. She retweeted numerous tweets directed at her with disturbing language and pictures of apes.

I feel like I'm in a personal hell. I didn't do anything to deserve this. It's just too much. It shouldn't be like this. So hurt right now.  Leslie Jones  (@Lesdoggg) July 19, 2016

Jones said the messages were deeply hurtful and brought her to tears. The "Saturday Night Live" cast member called on Twitter to strengthen guidelines and for users to "stop letting the ignorant people be the loud ones."

"I feel like I'm in a personal hell," wrote Jones. "I didn't do anything to deserve this. It's just too much. It shouldn't be like this. So hurt right now."

The exchanges came at a career high point for the "Saturday Night Live" cast member. "Ghostbusters," which opened last week, is her first major film role. "It's like when you think, 'OK I've proven I'm worthy' and then you get hit with a shovel of (hatred)," she said.

She concluded a string of messages early Tuesday morning. "I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart," wrote Jones. "All this cause I did a movie."

The tweets caught the attention of Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey, who sent Jones a message asking her to get in touch with him. Twitter later responded in a statement.

"This type of abusive behavior is not permitted on Twitter, and we've taken action on many of the accounts reported to us by both Leslie and others," said a spokesperson for Twitter. "We rely on people to report this type of behavior to us but we are continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to prevent this kind of abuse. We realize we still have a lot of work in front of us before Twitter is where it should be on how we handle these issues."

"Ghostbusters," which also stars Melissa McCarthy, Kirsten Wiig and Kate McKinnon, has spawned an unusual amount of vitriol online, with many anonymous commenters targeting its female stars. The film debuted with $46 million over the weekend.

JAKE COYLE, AP Film Writer
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Middleburg Commons was transformed this week into a place of honor, respect and reflection for people who gathered to view the Vietnam War Memorial traveling wall exhibit. The 80-percent scale version of the original located in Washington, D.C., is no less poignant here when contemplating the more than 58,000 names etched into it.

During opening ceremonies Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Gary Starr said those who gave their lives in Vietnam "served not in hopes of (leaving behind) a legacy ... but simply because it was the right thing to do." Keynote speaker John Ligato, whom Starr described as "a true American hero" for his valiant actions during the war, noted the wall "may travel, but that wall is indestructible."

"We did not fight for any noble cause in the Vietnam War," Ligato said. "We fought for our brothers, those men to our right and left on the battlefield. We had a bond stronger than words could ever describe."

He acknowledged the privilege he has had of "surrounding (himself) with heroes."

Keynote speaker John Ligato, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, told the large opening ceremony crowd that those who died in the war must never be forgotten.

"Let's make a pledge today ... that we will never forget (those who died in Vietnam) because you are never dead to us until we have forgotten you," Ligato said in closing.

The large crowd consisted of countless veterans as well as people who did not serve in any war but wanted to show support and appreciation. Parking lots were filled with cars sporting special military license plates, such as Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Veteran.

Some visitors did tracings of names on the wall, and others were simply too emotional to comment for this story. A man at one of the information booths, however, did offer a few thoughts about what the wall's visit to Middleburg Heights meant to him.

"It's closure for veterans who served in all wars, not just Vietnam," said military veteran Joe Ruland, 1st Vice Commander of American Legion Post 572 in Parma. "You get an opportunity to honor these brave heroes that laid down their lives for our country. Every veteran is a hero."

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam War memorial wall will remain open to the public 24 hours a day at Craigmere Drive and Bagley Road until closing ceremonies take place at 1 p.m. July 24.
Officer Shot Kansas

Kansas City, Kan., police officer Brad Lightfoot, right, walks Susan Goble to the shooting scene of a police officer on Tuesday. Goble knows the family of the fallen officer and hoped to place a wreath near the site of the shooting.

(Orlin Wagner, Associated Press)

KANSAS CITY, Kansas -- A police captain assisting in the search for a gunman in a drive-by shooting was shot and killed Tuesday in his squad car after driving up toward a person who matched the suspect's description, reports say.

Emergency crews rushed Capt. Robert Melton, 46, to the hospital but he died from his wounds, the Kansas City Star reports.

Melton had been a police officer for 17 years and was a veteran of the war in Afghanistan as a member of the Kansas National Guard, serving from 2010 to 2012, ABC News reports.

The accused gunman was captured five minutes later about a block away. Police also arrested a second person in connection with the drive-by shooting.

The Star reports this is the second police officer to be killed in Kansas City this year. Detective Brad Lancaster, 39, was killed in a shooting in early May. It also comes after the deaths of police officers in shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge, La.

Mark Holland, mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan., tells the Star that people should wait for the results of the investigation into the shooting before drawing conclusions.

"We're aware that this is not happening in a microcosm," Holland said. "But we just want to encourage everyone not to jump to conclusions about what happened today. We need to do a thorough investigation and we need to get the facts before we make assumptions about what may or may not have happened."

If you would like to comment on this story, go to the crime and courts comments section.
SIMI VALLEY, California -- A man who showed up to inspect his newly purchased home made an unwelcome discovery, finding the body of the previous owner's boyfriend in a bedroom, reports say.

It has led to the arrest of the Mary Karacas, 75, who is accused of killing her boyfriend, Salvatore Orefice, 84, the Los Angeles Times reports.

According to the Associated Press, Karacas told police she got into an argument with Orefice and shot him.

The new homeowner told police he had arrived at the home to check on the moving process.

"When he knocked and there was no response, he found an open door and thought it was suspicious, so he went in," Simi Valley police commander Roy Jones said.

The man called police after he found Orefice's body covered by a blanket on a bed.

It's unknown how long Orefice had been dead, police say. Karacas is being held in jail on a murder charge. The gun reportedly used in the crime was recovered from her car.

If you would like to comment on this story, go to the crime and courts comments section.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In the video above, you can follow me as I film demonstrators marching from Public Square to Playhouse Square. I narrated as I marched along and focused on the techniques by the police on bikes. The video first appeared live on Facebook less than an hour ago.

The march was led by members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, who frequently demonstrate against police shootings. The group left Public Square, where hundreds of police officers and demonstrators (representing numerous causes) filled the southwest quadrant of the square. Members of Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church, the anti-gay church known for protesting military funerals, were on the square. They drew a vocal counter-protest. Influential scholar and civil rights activist Cornel West was also there.
18Cvote

Juan Leon (L) registers to vote as Nelly Quinones with Ohio Voter Registration assists on the procedure.

(John Kuntz/cleveland.com)

Leo Almeida of Franklin County Adelante Democrats

Immigration has become a politicized issue that continues to fester due to lack of action and reasonable solutions. President Barack Obama and his administration have made several attempts to provide leadership on this matter but Republicans in Congress often disregard their ideas.

Our immigration laws affect real people who should no longer be used as pawns in political campaigns. And, while we continue to debate this matter, people are being separated from their families due to our broken immigration system.

Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Obama's DAPA program with a 4-4 decision. The Deferred Action for Parents of Americans was designed to keep families together by providing an exception from deportation for parents of children who are American citizens or lawful permanent residents.

This high-court decision will have a detrimental impact on families and communities across Ohio. By keeping this immigration reform program in limbo, the Supreme Court has placed more uncertainty and fear upon a population that is simply trying to work hard and support their families. As a proud naturalized citizen, I get to live my American dream every day, but I'm disheartened by the fact that many other Latinos are living an immigration nightmare.

While the Supreme Court is not solely to blame for the broken state of immigration, this decision brings to light a glaring problem with our current court. The Supreme Court is meant to be a nine-justice court to prevent exactly this type of gridlock, and we are starting to see the negative effects an eight-justice court has on our country. Because of political maneuvering by Senate Republicans, we are now seeing partisan congestion in the one institution that was created to alleviate such inaction and ambiguity: the U.S. Supreme Court.

Senate Republicans, including Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, decided to put politics ahead of doing their job and now more families across Ohio will face the impacts of an eight-justice court. By refusing to hold hearings for President Barack Obama's current Supreme Court nominee, Judge Merrick Garland, they are not only disregarding their duties to uphold the Constitution but also their duties to their constituents. Because, while immigration may be the most recent example of the negative consequences of the Supreme Court's 4-4 decisions on the lives of Ohioans, it certainly won't be the last.

Immigration will be an important topic during the 2016 election cycle. As our nation considers who will serve as our next president, we must pay close attention to their plans for fixing our broken immigration system. It is imperative that we elect a president who is knowledgeable on this issue, and who is intelligent and sophisticated enough to know that building a wall along our southern border is not an appropriate solution.

We must all participate in this debate and truly listen to the ideas on how to fix this problem because, at the end of the day, our immigration laws impact all of us.

As in every presidential election, there will be a lot of attention on Ohio this year. We will see the presidential candidates visit the Buckeye State multiple times to convince us that we should send them to the White House. With the campaigns fully underway, the Republican nominee, Donald Trump, will be making more campaign stops in Ohio.

Ohio has a growing population of immigrants and new Americans, and it is not the only state with that profile. Over the past few months, there have been news reports regarding a noticeable increase in citizenship applications and voter registration by Latinos, which the media attribute to the Trump candidacy.

Trump's disparaging comments about immigrants and his worrisome positions on immigration policies are motivating many within the Latino community to ensure that they have a vote in this presidential election. They understand that, if Trump is elected, his administration would not have their best interest in mind, and that his immigration policies would lead to a more difficult path to citizenship.

Hopefully, individuals from all backgrounds who are currently working toward becoming citizens will be able to complete the process in time to participate in this critical election.

Leo Almeida is chairman of the Franklin County Adelante Democrats, an organization focused on Latino voters and the Latino community in central Ohio.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Coloradoan Stephen Barlock was a pretty easy person to find in the crowd that streamed out of the Quicken Loans Arena shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday.

"You can't miss my hat," he texted me.

But the cowboy hat was slightly less noticeable than the red-lettered "BARLOCK" stretched across the back of his patriotic jacket.

Barlock, 44, an alternate delegate, has supported Republican nominee Donald Trump since the beginning, he said. He opposed his state delegation walking out of the Q when a request for a roll call vote was denied Monday night.

On Tuesday, he was easygoing and cheerful. Trump had clinched the nomination and Barlock was excited.

"I had a lot of fun today. I'm glad I got on the floor for it," he said. "I am happy Trump is the candidate. I'm happy I battled for him."

Barlock spent the day exploring Cleveland, eating lunch at Barrio. He applauded the police presence. He shook hands and said, "Thank you for your service" to every police officer he saw.

As a real estate agent who sells his mother's art, Barlock is supportive of small businesses and in Cleveland is seeking out locally-owned places. One of his only complaints was that the smoking ban is a little harsh; he had a hard time finding a good cigar shop.

After the convention, he walked towards Pickwick and Frolic, where an RNC after party took place for delegates in the basement. There, he met up with Brandi Meek, the secretary for the Colorado Republican Committee, and Raymond Garcia, another alternate delegate for the Colorado Republican party.

The three talked about speeches from throughout the day, and also shared funny cell phone pictures from a Facebook booth. The basement filled up with more delegates and members of the media.

"There's a lot of Millennials here, so this older influx of Republicans is probably a culture shock to you guys," he told me. "I think that's the biggest thing I've seen from the Millennials here."
GOP 2016 Cleveland

Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks at the The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland.

(Alex Brandon, The Associated Press)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- There's a new wrinkle in this week's ongoing saga between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

Kasich, the New York Times Magazine reported Wednesday, rejected feelers to join Trump's ticket and a chance to be "the most powerful vice president in history."

Donald Trump Jr. broached the idea with an unidentified senior Kasich adviser in May and suggested the governor could oversee domestic and foreign policy, according to the magazine. Asked what duties his father would have, Trump Jr. reportedly replied "casually" by invoking the campaign's "Make America Great Again" slogan.

Two operatives close to Kasich's political team confirmed the account to cleveland.com on the condition they not be identified. Representatives from the Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump took to Twitter later in the day to deny that he offered Kasich the job.

John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2016

The news comes on the day Trump's eventual choice for the vice presidency, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, will accept his nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. It also comes in the middle of a very public fight between the Trump and Kasich camps as a fractured party tries to unite for the general election.

Kasich, who staged an unsuccessful White House bid this year, is not speaking at the convention and has refused to endorse Trump, citing the New York businessman's divisive tone. He long ago ruled out a spot on Trump's ticket and has said repeatedly that he is unsure he and Trump will ever resolve their differences.

But the Trump team arrived in Cleveland this week determined to antagonize Kasich in his home state. On Monday, top Trump adviser Paul Manafort called Kasich an embarrassment to Ohio, enraging the governor's loyalists and ignoring his high job-approval ratings. Trump called into Fox News Channel that night -- cutting into his prime-time convention programming -- to escalate the feud.

Meanwhile, many members of Ohio's convention delegation -- 66 party insiders devoted to Kasich -- are unhappy with their seats on the floor of Quicken Loans Arena. They also are angry about how the RNC handled a video that paid tribute to late Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett and late Sen. George Voinovich.

Then on Tuesday, Kasich appeared to mock Trump by arriving at an Ohio delegation gathering on an escalator, a scene reminiscent of Trump's theatrical campaign kickoff.

Kasich met with New Hampshire delegates Wednesday afternoon in Cleveland's Little Italy neighborhood. He finished second to Trump in the state's critical primary and might be planting seeds for another run for president.

One of Trump's New Hampshire allies called on the delegates to boycott the event. Kasich arrived to a decent-sized crowd of roughly 45. But when he asked who among them wasn't from New Hampshire, many raised their hands.
bencarson.jpg

Dr. Ben Carson made a brief appearance at the Missouri Delegation Breakfast at the Hilton Fairlawn on Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

(Nathan Paige, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Fresh off his RNC appearance Tuesday night, Dr. Ben Carson was the keynote speaker at the Missouri delegation breakfast Wednesday in Akron.

Carson briefly addressed the audience of approximately 100, reflecting on his childhood and how his mother instilled in him a thirst for education.

Covering a variety of topics including the country's need for change, Carson touched on the ongoing argument of evolution vs. creation as well as his view off the current state of world affairs.

"This is almost like an episode of 'The Twilight Zone.'"

For the last 10 minutes of his appearance, he posed for photos and signed autographs.

Missouri delegates today are headed to the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum in Canton, honoring President William McKinley.
coalminers.jpeg

Many coal miners, such as these men in a mine in West Virginia, would lose their jobs under a Hillary Clinton presidency, she said.

(AP file photo)

Headline: Hillary Clinton fails to recognize that her calculated war on coal and radical anti-coal agenda "affects real people."

Excerpt: U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-West Virginia, accused Hillary Clinton of promising to "put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business."

Plain Dealer fact check: Partially true

While touting the benefits of renewable energy to a CNN town hall in Columbus in March, Clinton said, if she is elected president, "we're going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business."

But Clinton added a caveat to her claim, essentially challenging the second half of Capito's accusations, that Clinton "wants to put thousands more Americans out of work. She has promised to devastate communities and families across coal country."

Clinton, at the town hall meeting, pledged not to abandon the out-of-work miners. "And we're going to make it clear that we don't want to forget those people," she said. "Those people labored in those mines for generations, losing their health and often losing their lives to turn on our lights and power our factories. Now we got to move away from coal and all the other fossil fuels. I don't want to move away from the people who did the best they could to produce the energy that we relied on."

In the GOP Platform approved this week, the party criticized the Democrats for failing to "understand that coal is an abundant, clean, affordable, reliable domestic energy resource. Those who mine it and their families should be protected from the Democratic Party's radical anti-coal agenda."
Excerpt: Chris Cox, executive director of NRA Institute for Legislative Action, quoted Hillary Clinton as saying, "the Supreme Court is wrong on the Second Amendment," and said "a Hillary Clinton Supreme Court means your right to own a firearm is gone."

Plain Dealer fact check: Not true

The facts: Cox was referring to a speech Clinton gave last year following the Supreme Court's landmark 2008 ruling, District of Columbia v. Heller, which found the handgun ban in Washington, D.C., unconstitutional.

Although Clinton did not specify which opinion she disagreed with, she said, "the Supreme Court is wrong on the Second Amendment, and I am going to make that case every chance I get."

Since then, gun rights advocates have cited that quote when claiming that Clinton "wants to abolish the Second Amendment."

When questioned about the statement, a Clinton campaign spokesman confirmed that Clinton was referring to the Heller case, which he said she believed was wrongly decided. But he denied Clinton wants to repeal the Second Amendment.

In May, FactCheck.org investigated those same claims made by Donald Trump, and found them to be distortions of Clinton's position on the issue.

Clinton's gun violence prevention proposal would impose restrictions, including a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons, but it does not call for banning all guns, the FactCheck group found. They cited a gun violence prevention proposal on Clinton's website, which would deny gun owners from buying certain guns and block or delay the ability of some to purchase guns. But it does not call for taking any guns away.

Clinton's critics' claims that she wants to take away all guns is a "distortion of her position," FactCheck concluded.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - Wyoming delegate Dick Shanor ventured around Cleveland during the first two days of the Republican National Convention.

On Tuesday, he spent a short part of his evening sharing his thoughts with cleveland.com near Freedom Plaza outside the Q arena.

"Other than floating through, I've never been to a restaurant or anything in Cleveland, but I have now and I am amply impressed," said Shanor. "My wife who is from New York said, 'How could I have missed this for all these years?'"

Shanor, a Cheyenne city councilman, said that about 29 delegates traveled to Cleveland for the convention. This is first trip for Shanor to any Republican convention.

"I'm not the right guy on looking at museums, but you have ones that are very much attractive to much of our congregation."

One event that made a huge impression in the first few days to the Wyoming delegate was the Rock The Night in CLE, the kick-off party at North Coast Harbor.

"The whole experience was better than I expected," Shanor said. "I would recommend Cleveland to anybody."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Former Cleveland Mayor Dennis Kucinich has spent the last five decades as a Democratic party darling. But that hasn't stopped him from enjoying the GOP show taking place this week on his home turf.

"Cleveland in the spotlight, it shows the whole country what a great city this is," Kucinich told cleveland.com reporters in an impromptu interview in downtown Cleveland Tuesday. "People are really impressed by Cleveland...I've run into at least a dozen Congressmen who have told me 'what a great town you have here.'"

Kucinich is a Fox news contributor who offers contrasting views to the conservative pundits the network often features; he is covering the Republican National Convention for the network this week.

The two-time former presidential candidate represented Cleveland in the U.S. House of Representatives for almost two decades, and said he is happy to welcome Republicans here.

"We celebrate our diversity as a city, so it makes sense that a city like Cleveland would welcome Republicans to town," he said. "We're all Americans. We should never lose sight of that."

Kucinich made news earlier this week for a new connection he has to the Republican party:

His sister, Teresa Sikorski quietly changed her party so she could vote in the GOP primary, The Washington Post reported Monday.
19cSLOVENE.jpg

Standing inside St.Vitus Church, Stane Kuhar talks about the Slovenian pride in Melania Trump, a Slovenian super model before she became Donald Trump's wife, on Tuesday July 19, 2016. (Thomas Ondrey/The Plain Dealer)

(Thomas Ondrey)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tuesday turned out to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day for Melania Trump, what with the revelation that the speech she said she wrote herself, and delivered in fine style Monday night to the Republican National Convention, was apparently plagiarized.

"Melania must've liked Michelle Obama's 2008 Convention speech, since she plagiarized it," a journalist Tweeted, minutes after Donald Trump gave his wife a triumphant thumbs-up for the speech.

The news went downhill fast, as campaign staffers issued denials and explanations and the media feasted.

But at least Mrs. Trump was in the right city for that terrible, no-good day. Cleveland's Slovenian community - the largest in the world outside of Slovenia itself, with 80,000 to 100,000 area residents who have ties to the old country - turns out to be quite forgiving, especially of their fellow Slovenians.

Terry Jarem, a first-generation American whose parents came to the United States after World War II, shrugged off the controversy as politics as usual.

"They have to have something to pick on," she said. "If her hair was perfectly in place, and she dressed well and she spoke well, where else would they go with it?"

Jarem, who lives in Euclid, has ties to both of the Catholic churches that are at the heart of the Slovenian community. Her mother went to St. Vitus Parish at East 61st Street and St. Clair Avenue, where Slovenian immigrants first settled when they began arriving in the 1890s. Her father attended St. Mary the Assumption in North Collinwood.

But though Jarem thinks the plagiarism scandal is manufactured, she doesn't exactly have Melania Fever.

"I'm pleased that she's a Slovenian," she said, her tone careful. "It's always nice to have a Slovenian in the limelight, would be a good way to put it."

Anuska Lekan, who is 84 and came to Cleveland from Slovenia in 1960, had a good laugh about the plagiarism brouhaha.

"I guess she got tempted, and she borrowed some phrases from Mrs. Obama," Lekan said, cracking up. "It's so similar it isn't funny. I don't know what makes people do that, but evidently it's difficult to write a speech, so you have to get help." More laughter.

Getting serious, Lekan said she wouldn't blame Melania Trump completely for the gaffe. "I think she has as much trouble with English as I do."

Stane Kuhar, a first-generation American and the finance director for St. Vitus parish, took the positive approach.

"Are we gaga for Melania?" he asked. "No. But I would say we're gaga for the words she said. We agree with her about the importance of family and hard work, and about our love for this country and our love of our culture."

The Slovenian community has kept that culture alive with a Slovenian language school for both children and adults, and with traditional festivals throughout the year. Slovenska Pristava, a cultural, educational and social organization that is one of the mainstays of Slovenian life in Cleveland, has 80 acres of land in Harpersfield, Ohio, where children can go to summer camp and the community has picnics.

Mary Ann Vogel, the president of Slovenska Pristava and former principal of St. Martin de Porres High School in the St. Vitus neighborhood, said Melania Trump brought a spark to the community.

"Slovenians are full of pride, so when a Slovenian does something significant somewhere in the world, we're proud of them," she said.

That "something" doesn't necessarily include plagiarism, but Vogel was not ready to condemn Melania Trump for the speech. "When I first heard about it I was thinking, 'Did something just get lost in translation?' I really don't know if it's being blown out of proportion or not."

But though Vogel said there may be some people within the community who would be swayed to vote for Trump because of his elegant Slovenian wife, she is not one of them.

"I think there's this assumption, 'Oh you're Slovenian, you're proud of your heritage, you must be a Republican,' " she said. "I am not a typical Slovenian. But Donald Trump has opened up a lot of conversations in the Slovenian community, believe me."

As for Melania Trump, Lekan isn't convinced she's as proud of her heritage as the Slovenians in Cleveland are of theirs.

"I don't think she cares very much about Slovenia, to tell you the truth," Lekan said. "She seems to be an OK girl, a good mother. But right now I have no idea what we are getting."

Lekan has some advice for Trump as she campaigns for her husband and looks to the possibility of being first lady of her adopted country.

"I would tell her to really think a lot and pray a lot before making big decisions," she said. "I'm afraid [Donald Trump] is going to be too fast making important decisions. She can calm him down and make him think and pray first.

"I wouldn't worry about her. I worry more about him."
How Melania's speech went off course Unhappy with the original version, sources say she quietly wanted to make it more her own

Melania Trump's speechwriter, Meredith McIver, apologized for the controversial speech given on Monday at the RNC in Cleveland.

(Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer are partnering with CQ Roll Call to provide comprehensive coverage of the Republican National Convention. Roll Call, the source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955, features expert analysis and inside access of its veteran political writers. Read highlights from rollcall.com every day during the RNC here on cleveland.com.

Melania Trump Speechwriter Takes Blame

Melania Trump's speechwriter, Meredith McIver, took the blame for the controversial speech in a statement on Wednesday. Jeremy Silk Smith discussed how Donald Trump did not accept McIver's resignation request. In her statement, McIver said that upon hearing from Melania that she liked Michelle Obama, McIver inserted some of Obama's words into a speech and did not take them out. Read more at rollcall.com.

Protesters Move to 'Wall Off Trump'

One of Trump's most notable statements is that he was willing to put a wall between the United States and Mexico as a response to immigration. Bridget Bowman recapped a protest where several people formed a canvas wall, which was banners painted to look like bricks, as a protest to Trump's plan. Read more at rollcall.com.

Who is Mike Pence? Majority Have No Idea

While everybody knows who Donald Trump is, as Jeremy Silk Smith wrote, not too many people know who his running mate is. He posted some polls in which 43 percent of people don't know who Indiana governor Mike Pence is, and 40 percent are unsure if he is qualified to be the vice president. Pence will speak at the RNC on Wednesday. Read more at rollcall.com.

Ted Cruz Delegates Not Ready to Back Trump in November

Simone Pathe caught up with a group of delegates from North Carolina who voted for Ted Cruz and aren't comfortable supporting Trump. Those delegates are not expecting Cruz to fully endorse Trump when he speaks on Wednesday. As Pathe wrote, some of the delegates were pleased to see "that enthusiasm for the nominee is lacking at this convention." Read more at rollcall.com.
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Members of a western Ohio militia marched into downtown Cleveland for a second straight day carrying semi-automatic rifles to safeguard people, property and police during the 2016 Republican National Convention.

"If the cops don't care for it, we will," said West Ohio Minutemen member Dan Stevenson.

He and other members of the West Ohio Minutemen patrolled single-file around Public Square Tuesday, donning camouflage military fatigues, semi-automatic rifles and two-way radios.

Stevenson said the seven-member group, based in Lima, would do its part to keep people safe if the thousands of police officers and law enforcement officers from around the country are unable to handle the crowds outside the convention.

"They're not keeping up with all the protesters beating up on good American citizens, tearing up people's property," Stevenson said. "They're not gonna do that here in Ohio. We guarantee they won't if we're anywhere around."

Cleveland police are familiar with the group, which is made up of former members of the military who wear combat boots, camouflage pants and vests outfitted with rifle magazines, two-way radios and earpieces.

The group, and other Second Amendment proponents have garnered much media attention since they arrived.

Cleveland police officials said before the convention requested that people leave their guns at home, even though Ohio is a so-called "open-carry" state, in which people can feely carry handguns.

"There will be enough law enforcement officers to take care of whatever happens," Chief Calvin Williams told cleveland.com last week.

But Stevenson and others came nonetheless. Not because he is a supporter of presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump.

"I'm a freedom supporter," he said.

Stevenson also declined to say how long his group planned to be in Cleveland.

"If we're needed, we'll be here," he said.

The group marched to Public Square Tuesday just as hundreds of demonstrators from all political leanings converged. A few scuffles threatened to spark a much bigger outburst, but police swiftly separated the groups.

The militia was not one of the groups involved in the scuffle.
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Buckeye State's delegation to the Republican National Convention cast all 66 of its delegate votes Tuesday to nominate Gov. John Kasich as their party's presidential candidate.

Kasich was entitled to all of the state's delegates by winning the winner-take-all Ohio primary in March.

And while the delegates, many of them longtime Kasich supporters, remained firm in their support of the governor, they knew as the votes were called out state by state that a Donald Trump victory was a foregone conclusion.

"It was great to be here. Great to be here as a delegate," said Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor. "I was honored to be here for John Kasich.

"It's not going to turn out as we would have liked it to, but I'm proud to support him," Taylor said.

Ohio GOP Chairman Matt Borges said it's up to the party now to rally together. Despite friction with Trump's campaign, Borges said he thought Ohio Republicans were up to the task.

"Now we make sure Rob Portman gets re-elected (to the U.S. Senate) and we make sure Hillary Clinton never sees the inside of the White House."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A group of protesters who said they are with the hacktivst group "Anonymous" clashed with police Tuesday as they made their way through downtown.

The group of about 50 protesters, media and police on bikes traveled from the E. 9th Street and Euclid Avenue intersection, through a Euclid Avenue parking garage, to Perk Plaza and then east on St. Clair Avenue before converging at E. 12th Street and St. Clair Avenue.

Police erected barricades to keep protesters from crossing certain streets; several protesters said they believed police were attempting to lead them away from the city center.

The protesters yelled slurs at officers and chanted "Whose streets? Our streets!" Some wore bandanas over their faces and took off running at times to evade the bike patrol. They eventually found a loophole in the bike barriers and ran back up St. Clair Avenue around 7 p.m.

Police have kept close tabs on protesters who say they are with "Anonymous" throughout the first two days of the Republican National Convention. Monday, Cleveland police detained two members of the group and confiscated a slingshot, knife and gas mask.

Lt. Mike Butler of Cleveland police told one reporter "you guys are the show" referring to the large number of reporters following the group and the officers.

Police enacted a dispersal order because the group would not stay on sidewalk. It marked the first time police had to give the order during the protest related to the convention.

"We don't discriminate against who they are. Say your piece and go about your business," Butler said. "We don't like the side show."

No arrests were made but plastic handcuffs were distributed to police. Police in riot gear were seen heading toward St. Clair Avenue on East 9th Street.
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Republican Shawn Witte (above) and Democrat Bryan Gambogi traveled separately from California to Cleveland for the Republican National Convention with opposing agendas, but similar passions for the political process. (Michael Sangiacomo/The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Two California men felt so strongly about Donald Trump -- in very different ways -- they were compelled to make their way to Cleveland so their voices could be heard.

Republican Shawn Witte

Shawn Witte drove 36 hours straight from his home in Los Angeles to stand outside the Republican National Convention and talk to anyone who would listen about the future of the country.

At 31, the Republican ex-Marine is fit, articulate and passionate about his beliefs, which are more anti-Hillary Clinton than pro-Trump. Along with his friend, Chris Chaviano, 30, of Long Beach, Witte has been camping out and living off food they packed in their car.

"I don't want to see any more Clintons, Bushes, or even nephews of LBJ they might dig up, running for president," he said. "I want someone who is going to do the right thing."

Carrying a large American flag over his shoulder, which is protected zealously, Witte said he has had many fascinating conversations with people of every political persuasion, and may have even convinced a few of the rightness of his pro-Trump position.

Witte grew up poor in East Los Angeles, an area known for poverty and gang violence. When he was 12 he cut lawns with a borrowed mower to raise money and when he turned 15, he worked two menial jobs.

He attended public schools and graduated in 2003, a man made serious by the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

"In 2004, I enlisted in the U.S. Marines," he said. "I said I wanted to go to Iraq and show those people what happens when they sucker-punch America. By 2006, I started to realize I was lied to, that Iraq had no WMDs and had nothing to do with 9-11."

When Witte's service ended, he returned home angry and disillusioned.

"I was homeless for a while and was very angry The (Marine) Corps did not help me at all," he said. "They just handed me drugs. I didn't think that was the answer."

Witte got a job at a restaurant in California and worked at several others before landing his current job four years ago as a property maintenance worker in Hermosa Beach, Calif.

He originally supported Rand Paul, then switched allegiance to Ted Cruz and ultimately turned to Trump.

"While Trump is not my first choice, at least he speaks honestly," he said. "He is not a professional politician and that's what this country needs."

Democrat Bryan Gambogi

Bryan Gambogi, from San Francisco, flew to Cleveland with his dog, Rocky, to oppose Donald Trump and show his support for Hillary Clinton. Photo by Michael Sangiacomo

Lifelong Democrat Bryan Gambogi, 50, flew into Cleveland, with his therapy dog, Rocky, to see the Republican National Convention just for the experience of it.

Tuesday afternoon, he and Rocky mingled among the pro and anti Trump demonstrators, police and media on Public Square.

"Everyone in Cleveland has been so nice," he said. "I wish I had more time to see the sights."

Gambogi grew up in the San Francisco area in an upper-middle class family. He graduated from private school in 1988 and from San Francisco State University in 1992.

He is a film producer, currently working on a movie about Shirley Chisholm. He has been working as a producer of television commercials, including a McDonald's commercial shot at Quicken Loans Arena.

He does not carry a flag or a protest sign, just walks the streets talking to people of all political persuasions.

"I'm enjoying the experience," he said. "I'm learning so much about the political process."

He said he supports Hillary Clinton with the same zeal that he does not support Donald Trump.

"I like Hillary's intelligence and capability," he said. "I also think she is a highly competent person throughout her career. I think the country will be safer under her. I have been watching her for years and was very impressed with her when she was the senator of New York.

"Plus, I am fascinated with the idea of a woman president," he continued.

Gambogi said Trump shows a "lack of intellectual depth."

"His attitude toward immigration truly frightens me," he said. "His statements make me think of what went on in Europe in the 1930s and that's something I don't want to see here."
CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Police made 18 arrests outside the security entrance to the Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday afternoon, after a protester burned a flag, officers and witnesses say.

The crowd of several hundred people erupted shortly after 4 p.m. at East 4th Street and Prospect Avenue. Deputy Cleveland Police Chief Ed Tomba said nobody was hurt by the flames. However, the response from protesters and police alike caused tensions to run high, and the crowd swelled as police tried to control the situation.

Cleveland police Chief Calvin Williams said that 18 arrests were made, including two felony arrests. The charges include failure to disperse and assault on a police officer.

Officers on foot, bike and on horseback crowded the intersection, forcing everybody to move back. A Cleveland police spokeswoman said two officers were assaulted and sustained minor injuries while arresting a group of protesters. Cleveland firefighters, who had been alerted that a flag-burning might occur, were on scene to extinguish the flames.

They confiscated the flag, and the area has been taped off as a crime scene. Tomba said they found fire-making materials.

The group responsible for the flag burning is the Revolutionary Communist Party, which has made itself known with several protests this week. The flag burning has been advertised on social media throughout the week, and reporters, spectators and law enforcement crowded around the area in the hour before it was scheduled to take place.

An employee at Revolution Books Cleveland, which is affiliated with the party, confirmed that organizer Gregory Lee "Joey" Johnson was among those arrested. Johnson also burned a flag at the 1984 Republican National Convention in Dallas. His criminal case made it to the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled that flag burning is protected by the First Amendment right to free speech.

Other members of the party were also arrested. They chanted "We are the Rev Com. The mighty mighty Rev Com."

After the flag was burned, the group made its way down a block. Police were able to control the crowd, and it dispersed after about 20 minutes.

The protests throughout the RNC have been largely peaceful. However, they have escalated as the convention wore on, and Wednesday's incident has led to the largest number of arrests so far.

Police are expected to release more at a 7 p.m. press briefing.
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Jeff Lewis, national director of the Patriot Coalition, visited Cleveland to meet with someone attending the Republican National Convention, but said he otherwise wouldn't be here because such events aren't cost-effective for his usual work of educating elected officials on such issues as immigration, Constitutional law and tax reform. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - There are people at the Republican National Convention you'll never see preaching at the podium or protesting on Public Square.

They hover on the fringes, working in the background, here and gone without fanfare.

People like Jeff Lewis, 54, of North Carolina. He has dedicated his career to fixing this country's ills as an officer or advisor to such organizations as the Patriot Coalition, the Federal Immigration Reform and Enforcement (FIRE) Coalition, and the Tax Revolution Institute.

The groups generally embrace a Republican tilt toward less government intervention, and more reliance on Constitutional guidance. But Lewis tends to describe his work as the nonpartisan education of political representatives at a local, state and federal level.

And, a mission from God.

During breakfast with a view of the convention-related action on Public Square, Lewis traced his path from Navy veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, former business owner and cancer survivor, to a one-man personal-liberty lobbying machine. He was only visiting Cleveland for two days, to meet with people who were here on convention business.

Lewis said that after the Navy, he was a general contractor, ran a carpet-cleaning firm in Virginia, and worked as a NASA computer operator before he was laid-off in 2005.

He then got a letter from his niece, living in Japan with her U.S. Army husband and children, who asked Lewis how she could return to America and raise her kids in a country facing such issues as a decline of morality, illegal immigration and seemingly dwindling opportunities.

Unable to answer her question, Lewis said he turned to God and received an operating manifesto consisting of "an olive branch, a hammer and a security blanket."

The mission has involved testifying at state legislatures, consulting with candidates and officeholders, working with grass-roots political groups, and hosting briefings and conferences for legislators.

"It's all about education, and I reach for the people who are making the decisions," he said. Once educated, "you can remove their plausible deniability.

"Phase two is the hammer - holding them accountable, metaphorically banging some fingers and toes," he added. "Sometimes you have to hold their feet to the fire until you can replace them."

Lewis is national director of the Patriot Coalition that, according to its web site (patriotcoalition.org), seeks "a strong and secure constitutional republic governed by honorable men and women of strong moral character. In order to achieve our vision, Patriot Coalition seeks to restore constitutional governance to the United States of America and preserve it for our descendants."

To Lewis, the Constitution has been "bastardized by the courts and special interests. If we could restore Constitutional governance, most of the other issues would work themselves out."

Those issues include immigration, and as national director of FIRE, Lewis said "we've never advocated mass deportations." He does support enforcement of existing immigration laws.

"Usurping and violating the law, picking and choosing which ones we enforce, sends a message that we don't respect our laws, so why should others?" he said. "If we don't like them (the laws), we should change them."

During the early days of his efforts, Lewis was financially supported by his parents and friends. He said that donations to the Patriot and FIRE coalitions, nonprofits supported by volunteer efforts, went to maintaining the Internet sites.

In making his cross-country rounds, "there were times when I slept in a car, ate Ramen noodles, and put on a (business) suit in a Burger King bathroom," Lewis said.

And that's OK. "I didn't get in this for fame or fortune," Lewis said.

He is back on a regular salary now as an advisor to the Tax Revolution Institute, a group with the stated purpose of promoting transparency and accountability in the U.S. tax system, and supporting "tax reform solutions to advance freedom and prosperity for all Americans" (according to its web site, www.taxrevolution.us).

Lewis emphasized that in whatever group or cause he represents, he addresses issues that transcend politics.

"Republicans have really beaten up this administration and a good deal of that is justified. But some Republicans have short memories of when they had the White House," he said.

When asked what keeps him going, Lewis said, "I care. I care about people. I care about my country. I can't pay it back. I can only pay it forward.

"I'm investing my time in what I believe is important, and that's America's future," he added. "The sooner that they (elected representatives) start doing their job, the sooner I'll start fading into the sunset."
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Senator Bob Corker addresses a crowd of international RNC visitors at Severance Hall Tuesday.

(McKinley Wiley)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Tennessee Sen. Bob Corker, chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Global Cleveland welcomed international ambassadors to Cleveland in grand style Tuesday night.

Eighty ambassadors were invited to The Global Partners in Diplomacy Reception. They mingled with Cleveland business and ethnic community leaders in the elegant first-floor lobby of Severance Hall, sipping wine and tasting spring rolls, caprese sandwiches and other finger foods.

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish and Case Western Reserve University's Vice Provost for International Affairs David Fleshler were also in attendance.

The focus of the evening was bringing international business opportunities to Cleveland, as well as connecting ethnic groups here and abroad. Global Cleveland, founded in 2011, is a nonprofit focused on population growth and regional economic development.

The ambassadors, who are in town to attend the Republican National Convention before heading to Philadelphia next week, were bused to University Circle from downtown.

"I plan to follow you all back to D.C. till you bring jobs to Cleveland," joked Global Cleveland President Joe Cimperman in his opening remarks.

His words were echoed by Budish: "We want you to bring your jobs and business to the region," he said. He emphasized the low cost of living in Cleveland and our plentiful water supply.

Sen. Corker's remarks were more wide-ranging. The Republican politician began by praising Cleveland's convention efforts.

"I've been to almost every convention over the last 25 years, and I don't think I've been to a convention more welcoming.

"I'm so impressed with this organization to reach out to people of different backgrounds," he added.

Corker addressed many of his remarked to the international crowd.

"All of us who serve understand we have inherited from people who came before us a heritage," said Corker. "More than ever, people around the world are paying attention to our country,"

He said isolationism was "the opposite in my opinion of what a great nation needs to do."

His remarks were warmly applauded by the international guests, many of whom sought a private word after the event.

Honorary Romanian Consul Alan Rosca said the international community's interest in the convention was natural. "You want to see the candidates' intentions for the country. ... There are very few checks on the president's international power."

Montenegrin Ambassador Srdjan Darmanovic said he was in Cleveland to "observe and try to understand."

Ukrainian Ambassador Valeriy Chaly said he was more concerned with security than economic issues on this visit.

"My main goal is to see the strategy for new leadership in the U.S. .... I'm meeting with different people who may play a role in the platform for the U.S."

Clevelander Murat Gurer, who immigrated from Turkey 16 years ago, said he was impressed with the event - and his adopted hometown's outreach to the world community at the Republican National Convention.

"It so so great that we can host these visitors, it's great for city. But we need to get out more and represent the city, too."

That is Global Cleveland leader Cimperman's goal.

"We are working very closely with the State Department and the RNC to make sure folks coming to Cleveland are filled in with everything they need to know about, including that Cleveland is awesome."
RNC 2016 Day 2

Delegates know how to put their patriotic foot down in the Q.

(Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Wednesday at the Republican National Convention, Donald Trump's son Eric will speak tonight, along with Sen. Ted Cruz. Plus we've got stories on speechgate, a concert in Cleveland that irritated its RNC crowd, a look at items being sold, a dose of humor with Jimmy Fallon and a lot more.

What to expect tonight: The main attraction from the Q tonight will be Mike Pence. The world will hear from the Indiana governor and running mate of Donald Trump. Meanwhile, the convention will take a decided pivot away from campaigning and shift toward the general election in November, Trump's camp says. Eric Trump, the candidate's second-oldest son, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also are expected to speak. Andrew J. Tobias of cleveland.com has the story.

Texans miffed: The leader of the Waco, Texas, Tea Party and native Ohioan is in Cleveland for the convention, but she is skipping Thursday's announcement of Trump as the Republican Party's official nominee. John Harper of cleveland.com describes why in this story.

Report - Kasich considered for VP: A New York Times Magazine story says Trump's camp reached out in May to John Kasich to discuss the possibility of adding the Ohio governor to the ticket. Henry Gomez of cleveland.com talks to Kasich's political team; here's the story.

Youth movement: Donald Trump has a 78 percent unfavorable rating with millennials, CBS News reports.

Singing a different song: Third Eye Blind played a charity concert this week, and the RNC-friendly audience wasn't too happy about comments from band frontman Stephan Jenkins on stage. Troy L. Smith of cleveland.com has the story.

Texas pride (right): Plain Dealer artist Ted Crow notes how Texans stand apart in the delegate crowd.

You're not fired! A writer for Melania Trump's Republican National Convention speech said she submitted her resignation after reports of plagiarism, but the Trump family rejected it. Jeremy Pelzer of cleveland.com has the story and Meredith McIver's letter.

Illnesses confirmed: At least 13 staffers in the California delegation have the norovirus, Jennifer Conn of clevelnd.com says.

Ohio delegates grace the Q.

Ted talks: Wednesday morning, Sen. Ted Cruz thanked supporters but did not formally endorse Trump. "This campaign was about a lot more than one campaign or one candidate. This was a movement all across this country. I am reminded over and over again of the inspiration we received. Some people would ask on the campaign 'Do you guys get tired, do you get beaten down by all the nonsense?' And the answer I would give over and over again is 'No, I am inspired, and I am inspired by each and every one of you.' " Sinclair Broadcast Group has the video.

Looking ahead: Thursday, expect Peter Thiel to address delegates. The speech from the Facebook board member and Silicon Valley investor "will cover why Donald Trump is better for America over Hillary Clinton because of Trump's anti-war stance and Trump's economic credentials. Thiel is also expected to say that he's proud to be gay." BuzzFeed has the story.

Slovenia says ... Cleveland's Slovenian community - the largest in the world outside of Slovenia itself - weighs in on native daughter Melania Trump. The Plain Dealer's Joanna Connors has the story.

Quote of the day: "It was easy to come out as trans. It was hard to come out as Republican." - Caitlyn Jenner, at an RNC event outside of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Wednesday morning. USA Today has the story.

For sale: Want to see some of the items being sold at the convention? The Los Angeles Times has a video.

Daily break: Jimmy Fallon is having a field day impersonating Trump. "Did you see Melania?" he said in a bit this week. "She stole the show -- literally." Here's the full sketch.

In style: Fashion Flash editor Allison Carey talks with Maria Bartiromo of "Mornings with Maria" on Fox Business Network about her choice in clothes. Bartiromo is in town covering the ... ah, you know what she's covering.
The respondents, which included manufacturers in both China and Hong Kong, found that the leading categories for sellers include electronics and accessories, followed by clothes and then home goods.

The survey, conducted by Payoneer, a b2b online payments company, found that of the respondents who preferred Amazon, they felt the retailer to be trustworthy and favored its emphasis on quality products and simple and fair rules.

Of the major sellers, 62 percent said they sell on Amazon, compared to 45 percent on Wish, and 40 percent on AliExpress, a division of Alibaba. Ebay, Lazada, and JD.com all accounted for smaller portions of the pie.

Chinese e-commerce outlets keen to make inroads abroad prefer to sell on Amazon than homegrown platforms, a new survey of more than 900 Chinese e-commerce sellers has found.

Despite China's economy showing sustained signs of weakness, its e-commerce industry continues to surge. According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, Chinese retail websites sold nearly $590 billion worth of goods last year, an increase of 33% from the year before. Meanwhile, eMarketer predicts China will account for 40 percent of the world's retail e-commerce sales this year, an increase from 35 percent.

New technological advancements are lowering barriers among manufacturers in China which now have the opportunity to compete with brands in markets around the world.

"The 'brand' matters less," Scott Galit, CEO of Payoneer told CNBC. "Now the consumer is just shopping for what they want: the description, the review, not the brand."

Payoneer works with sellers on e-commerce platforms to facilitate the payment process for manufacturers.

Sellers, who until several years ago could barely reach buyers across their own country, can now utilize marketplaces to reach buyers across continents. Even small-scale sellers can distribute their goods to large number of buyers, leveling the playing field for operators.

"Instead of going through a brand or intermediary, they're able to leverage this marketplace as a new intermediary," Galit said "A very powerful way to get into marketplaces around the world that otherwise would have been possible."

While opportunities have increased, close to half of the respondents cited an increasing number of fellow Chinese sellers as the biggest challenge to selling online.

This competition could be what's driving more sellers to use multiple marketplaces. "There's very much a growing opportunity and adding additional marketplaces is helping growth," Galit added, noting the more marketplaces a manufacturer sold on, the larger their volume tended to be.

But China could just be setting the stage for a global e-commerce movement. "We think we're very early days for e-commerce in places around the world," Galit said, who works with partners building brands in Africa and Latin America. "Everyone's seen what Amazon and Alibaba has done by offering a massive offering and now marketplaces around the world are looking to replicate that."


A 17-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker vowing "revenge on these infidels" went on an ax-and-knife rampage on a train in southern Germany, wounding five people before being shot and killed by police -- an attack that German authorities conceded Tuesday was almost impossible to prevent.

German officials didn't identify the attacker or the victims, but Hong Kong's immigration department said among those wounded were four members of a family of five from the southern Chinese city.

The dpa news agency reported the attacker wounded the 62-year-old father, the 58-year-old mother, their adult daughter and her boyfriend. The teenage son was not hurt. The father and the boyfriend had tried to defend the other family members, dpa said.

At least one member of the Chinese family and another woman attacked outside the train were in life-threatening condition, according to Bamberg prosecutor Erik Ohlenschlager.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Monday night train attack, which came less than a week after the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice, France, also claimed by IS, in which 84 people were killed.

Bavaria's top security official Joachim Herrmann said, while the Nice attack was "clearly another dimension," in both cases the choices of weapons and targets made them "extremely difficult to prevent in any fashion."

"In one case a truck, in another an ax and knife -- those are the weapons that society cannot logically eliminate, with which any person could equip themselves, which they could put to use at virtually any location at any time of night or day," he said.

Nevertheless, he urged an increased visible police presence across the country.

Germany has not experienced the large, deadly attacks that France and Belgium have, although a string of sexual assaults and robberies on New Year's Eve in Cologne that prosecutors say were committed largely by foreigners gave rise to fears of whether the country could cope with the 1 million migrants it registered in 2015.

As the flow of migrants has slowed this year, the anti-immigrant protests have faded, but the train attack seemed likely to raise concerns again.

In a video posted by the Islamic State that purports to show the attacker, the young man calls on others to "kill these infidels in the countries that you live in."

"You can see I have lived in your own home and have planned to behead you in your own territory," the young man says in Pashto while brandishing a knife.
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Wall Street analysts are feeling better about Microsof t's stock following the company's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings results, which showed it was making progress in two key areas that investors care about: Intelligent Cloud and Office 365. Microsoft stock traded up as much as 4.25 percent to $55.34 in after-hours trading on Tuesday after the company easily topped analysts' expectations.

"People were uncertain and maybe a little nervous going into this print, based on what happened last quarter," Scott Kessler, an analyst at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said. "There was nothing to really suggest that things would change so significantly."

Commercial revenue from Office 365 grew 54 percent (59 percent in constant currency) in the quarter, and cloud-computing plaform Azure had revenue growth of 102 percent (108 percent in constant currency), the company said.

"This past year was a pivotal one in both our transformation and in our partnership with customers who are also driving their own digital transformation," chief executive officer Satya Nadella said on a conference call with analysts. Nadella said that Microsoft was focused on the new workloads and growth that came from its cloud offerings, which do more than the company's servers did. Microsoft sets itself apart from rival Amazon Web Services by having better support for developers and options to customize applications around Azure, he said. There are now more than 27,000 applications across Office 365 and Dynamics 365. Microsoft's application stores will be a new way for developers to reach consumers, he said.

Nadella also highlighted the big name customers using Office 365, including Facebook , Hershey 's and Discovery . Azure was also drawing high-profile customers, including General Electric, Boeing , SAP and Citrix , thanks to its international footprint, security and support, he said. "Companies looking to digitally transform need a trusted cloud," said Nadella. "Every conversation with have with customers is cloud-led," executive vice president and chief financial officer Amy Hood added. "What we're talking about now is really pivoting your business for the long term. I'm sure there are cases where that has lengthened the sales cycle, for good reason."

Hood said she felt good about Microsoft's cloud momentum and expected material improvement in the fiscal year 2017 thanks to investments and partnership deals. Commercial cloud gross margins would improve over time, Hood said. At the same time, as Microsoft's cloud continued to build momentum, she said she expected the company's tax rate to increase. On competition with AWS  the public cloud leader  Hood had this comment for investors, "I think I have a strong line of sight to AWS's margin profile." Despite the positive comments from the company, some analysts remained cautions. "We expect these results will help investors feel better about top-line trends at Microsoft," Citi analyst Walter Pritchard said in a note to investors. "However, an uncharacteristic increase in expenses points to better revenue having to come at a trade-off of lower profitability."
WikiLeaks said it had won a "24h cyberwar" to successfully publish a database containing 294,548 emails, along with thousands of attachments, from 762 mailboxes it claims belong to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development (AKP) party.



The emails came from AKP's primary domain, "akparti.org.tr", with the most recent emails sent July 6, 2016 and dating as far back as 2010, the leaks website said.



"It should be noted that emails associated with the domain are mostly used for dealing with the world, as opposed to the most sensitive internal matters" WikiLeaks said on its website. It added that the material was obtained a week before Turkey's attempted coup and that its scheduled publication was brought forward in response to "the government's post-coup purges."



WikiLeaks Tweet 1

The coup in Turkey began late on Friday when rebel military forces seized control of key positions but encountered stiff resistance by elements loyal to Erdogan's elected government. Erdogan himself was travelling at the time of the coup and hundreds were reported to have been killed as members of the public battled with rebel soldiers.

Since then, thousands of people have come under state scrutiny. Reuters reported late on Monday that as many 50,000 soldiers, police, judges, civil servants and teachers had been suspended or detained since the coup attempt. Meanwhile, crowds of pro-government supporters have called for reinstatement of the death penalty to deal with the "plotters" and Erdogan said those attempting a coup would have to "pay the price."
Republicans are gathering in Cleveland this week to nominate Donald Trump as their candidate for president in 2016, but potential candidates are already eyeing a 2020 primary that could feature a bigger field than this past cycle's race, The New York Times reported.

"If you thought this year was an attractive race on our side, imagine 2020," Phil Cox, a former executive director of the Republican Governors Association, told the Times. "You'll have 30 people running."



This past cycle saw 17 Republicans toss their hat in the ring for the primary, and a number of the losers appear to be jockeying for position in the 2020 race, including this cycle's second-place finisher Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. A pair of potential future candidates have also visited delegates from the early primary states of Iowa and New Hampshire, the Times reported: Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

The success of the New York businessman in garnering the nomination may inspire more political outsiders to run for the presidency in the next cycle as well.

"Are there more Mark Cubans out there who say, 'Well, this is easy, and I'm not a nut, so I may even be successful'?" Republican strategist Dave Carney told the newspaper.

Read the full New York Times story
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Life has a funny way of not turning out exactly how we planned. If you recently became a single parent because of divorce or death of a spouse or partner, you may feel like your whole life is spiraling out of control, including your finances. But going through it solo doesn't have to result in financial free fall. Here are five tips to help you regain and maintain control of your money:

Know your budget

Identify your new household income and recurring expenses, like rent, utilities and child care. "Single parents often face even greater pressures when it comes to prioritizing because they are often working off a single income and stretching themselves even thinner," said financial journalist Kimberly Palmer, author of "SmartMom, Rich Mom." "You can't manage your savings account if you first don't know where all your money is and where it is going." Set up automatic bill pay to help you stay current with recurring payments and avoid late fees. Check out online tools like Mint and Level Money that can help you track your income, expenses and manage your savings.

Build emergency savings

You, more than others, never know what the future may hold, and what curve balls and unanticipated expenses may come your way. Try to have enough money stashed to cover six months of living expenses. Keep the money in an account that is separate from you regular checking account so you're not as tempted to dip into it for nonemergencies. Taking advantage of benefits that may be available through your employer, including wellness plans and flexible spending accounts, could also save your family hundreds of dollars a year, freeing up extra cash that can go into your savings account.

Create an estate plan

Making sure you have adequate life insurance, having a will and trusts, and naming guardians for your children are critical when you are a single parent. "It's something people don't consider because they just think about covering the basics," said financial advisor Ivory Johnson, founder of Delancey Wealth Management in Washington. "It's important to make sure that the people you want to manage your child[ren's] money are able to do that. That may involve setting up a trust. If you have young children, make the trust the beneficiary of your life insurance policy," he said. Johnson, a single father of an 18-year-old son, says disability insurance also becomes even more important when you are the sole breadwinner.

Don't forget your own security

If you need to make a choice between saving for retirement and paying for college, choose retirement unless you are willing to work longer. Your kids can get grants, scholarships and loans for college. "Even though our instinct is to always put our kids first, with money we really have to prioritize getting our own finances in order before we can even think about saving for our kids' future college tuition," Palmer said.

Ask a pro
American Express shares gained after the company posted earnings that topped analysts' expectations, but missed revenue estimates.

The credit card company posted earnings of $2.10 on $8.24 billion in revenue compared to $1.42 a share in the year-earlier period on $8.28 billion in revenue. Its stock rose more than 2 percent after the bell.

Wall Street forecast earnings of $1.95 a share on revenue of $8.40 billion from the credit card company, according to a Thomson Reuters consensus estimate.

The Manhattan-based company attributed a 37 percent rise in quarterly profit to more customer spending and new cards issued across continents.

American Express' break from Costco Wholesale drove down expenses and made a portfolio sale of $1 billion. The card issuer ended a 16-year partnership with Costco as its credit card provider on June 19; it expects that to affect profits for the next two years. In January, Fidelity Investments also ditched the credit card issuer in favor for Visa and U.S. Bancorp .



"Operating results were solid this quarter and consistent with the financial outlook we provided earlier in the year. We are making good progress on our initiatives to accelerate growth: acquiring 3 million new proprietary cards worldwide; generating additional spending on our global network; expanding merchant coverage; and continuing to meet the borrowing needs of Card Members while maintaining strong credit quality," said CEO Kenneth Chenault in a Wednesday release.

American Express forecast lower earnings for the back half of 2016 as the firm increases investments towards M&A, tech and infrastructure, said Jeffrey Campbell, chief financial officer, in an earnings call Wednesday. The guidance for 2017 of $5.60 earnings per share remains unchanged.

The firm returned a record $2.8 billion of capital to investors so far this year.

"During the quarter, we again made substantial investments in marketing and technology to help grow the business. At the same time, operating expenses continued to be well managed, and we moved forward aggressively with plans to take $1 billion out of our cost base on a run-rate basis by the end of 2017," Chenault said.


Breitbart technology editor Milo Yiannopoulos called Twitter out for deleting his account over what he claimed was biased and unwarranted cause. He said if the social network continues this behavior, Twitter investors should be worried.

"If Twitter does change the rules to clamp down on the most fun people, interesting people, on its platform, people are going to leave," Yiannopoulos said on CNBC's "Power Lunch" on Wednesday.

The controversial journalist, who went by @Nero on Twitter, was banned from the social network on Tuesday for allegedly tweeting abusive comments towards specific users and inciting others to do so.

The most recent campaign was directed towards actress Leslie Jones, who starred in the all-female cast of the rebooted "Ghostbusters" movie. Jones tweeted on Tuesday that she was quitting Twitter due to the abuse.

Tweet

Yiannopoulos said he never sent sexist or racist tweets towards Jones, and the only "proof" out there was that he teased the actress on Twitter because he didn't like her movie. He also said that any tweets from others because of his actions is not his fault.

"Some of that is disgusting," he admitted. "But I'm not responsible for what other people post on Twitter."

This isn't the first time Yiannopoulos has been involved in an online harassment otherwise known as trolling scandal. The conservative journalist has made a name for himself for his outspoken conservative views on what he perceives are unfair advantages towards women, ethnic minorities and the LGBT community, despite being openly homosexual himself.

He was one of the journalists involved in the "Gamergate" controversy, speaking out against what he called "feminist programmers and campaigners, abetted by achingly politically correct American tech bloggers."

He's also founded a scholarship specifically for white men in order to give them an "equal" advantage against other genders and ethnicity.

Yiannopoulos said he believed that this recent ban was due to a "systematic campaign against conservative and libertarian points of view on Twitter." He blamed Twitter for making a faulty product that didn't account for alternate points of view.

"If Twitter had built tools from people who didn't like to hear from each other, this would never had happened," he said.

Earlier on Tuesday, Yiannopoulos called the Twitter suspension "cowardly" in his first statement.

"With the cowardly suspension of my account, Twitter has confirmed itself as a safe space for Muslim terrorists and Black Lives Matter extremists, but a no-go zone for conservatives," he said. "Twitter is holding me responsible for the actions of fans and trolls using the special pretzel logic of the left. Where are the Twitter police when Justin Bieber's fans cut themselves on his behalf? Like all acts of the totalitarian regressive left, this will blow up in their faces, netting me more adoring fans. We're winning the culture war, and Twitter just shot themselves in the foot. This is the end for Twitter. Anyone who cares about free speech has been sent a clear message: you're not welcome on Twitter."

Twitter's rules state that while it supports everyone sharing ideas, there are some "limitations on the type of content and behavior that we allow." A Twitter spokesperson said it does not comment on individual accounts, for privacy and security reasons.

The spokesperson added in a statement: "People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter. But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, and our rules prohibit inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others. Over the past 48 hours in particular, we've seen an uptick in the number of accounts violating these policies and have taken enforcement actions against these accounts, ranging from warnings that also require the deletion of Tweets violating our policies to permanent suspension."

"We know many people believe we have not done enough to curb this type of behavior on Twitter. We agree. We are continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to better allow us to identify and take faster action on abuse as it's happening and prevent repeat offenders. We have been in the process of reviewing our hateful conduct policy to prohibit additional types of abusive behavior and allow more types of reporting, with the goal of reducing the burden on the person being targeted. We'll provide more details on those changes in the coming weeks."

While Yiannopoulos acknowledged that Twitter should be allowed to run its company the way it wants, he said it shouldn't claim to be a bastion of free speech.

"Twitter is a private company, and it's entitled to do what it likes," he said. "The problem is it's lying to its users."
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As stock valuations rise each day, Jim Cramer says investors need to figure out what they can handle in the market. He compared Amazon ,Facebook and Microsoft to explain the concept of risk and reward amid elevated prices. "As we go higher and higher, the risks grow and you need to know not just the rewards but what can go wrong after this historic run," the "Mad Money" host said. Cramer chose these three stocks because they are well-known, and provide insight on the different ways that stocks can be valued in an overheated market. Facebook hit an all-time high on Wednesday when it confirmed that its messenger service now has 1 billion users, with 200 million new users since the beginning of the year. "That's a pretty monumental refutation to those who believe the world's abandoning Facebook in favor of competitor Snapchat," Cramer said.

The stock seemed expensive to Cramer at 31 times earnings, but he thinks the growth rate is actually accelerating, even with a 31 percent monster growth rate. That actually makes it cheap in Cramer's perspective, because growth stocks tend to trade between one or two times their growth rates and Facebook is at the bottom of the range. "I pronounce Facebook as being relatively inexpensive versus a ton of other growth stocks in this market, suitable for those individuals willing to take on some risk in order to get a lot more reward than stock like Microsoft can offer," Cramer said.

Getty Images

After the monster run that the stock market has had recently, Cramer estimates that the average stock in the now sells at an expensive 20 times earnings. However, he is still seeing signals that there is no major correction in sight. There are only two ways to get out of the overheated position the market is in right now, Cramer said. First, the market comes down to make it cheaper. Or, companies in the S&P start earning more than Wall Street expects because things are actually getting better than they expect. "I believe the latter is happening, that the S&P will turn out to be cheaper than we thought and thus valuations will turn out to be less expensive, allowing us to get out of this period without a major correction to lower levels," Cramer said. Microsoft , Illinois Tool Works and Cintas all skyrocketed higher on Wednesday after reporting better-than-expected numbers. Those numbers signaled more robust growth than anticipated. Regardless if the market heads higher or lower, Cramer has noticed a red-hot group that consistently has money pouring into itpets. Between 2001 and 2015, Cramer noted that the amount of money spent taking care of animals has more than doubled, rising to $60.3 billion a year. "This theme is here to stay, a fabulous place to invest on any scare, whether it be from the Fed or overseas or certainly from the madness of the upcoming presidential election," Cramer said. On Tuesday, Cramer identified his top pet care plays as VCA or IDEXX Laboratories on the next big pullback. He continued that analysis on Wednesday by comparing Blue Buffalo Pet Products , Freshpet , J.M. Smucker , Henry Schein and Central Garden and Pet . Ultimately Cramer advised that for investors who want to invest in the animal group, to either go with IDEXX and VCA that he previously recommended, or invest in Blue Buffalo for pet food. He also recommended J.M. Smucker and Henry Schein on a pullback for non-pure plays that still have strong animal exposure.



Republican U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally at Gilley's in Dallas, Texas, June 16, 2016. Brandon Wade | Reuters
"In an era where there are precious few ways to get decent income, Microsoft, after this incredible quarter, represents a very strong opportunity," Cramer said.

The cheapest of the three is Microsoft, which reported a very strong quarter on Tuesday. It is transforming itself from a software company focused on PCs to be a large provider of cloud. With a growth rate of approximately 7 percent and the stock selling at 19 times earnings, Cramer noted that it is actually cheaper than the average stock in the right now.

Cramer chose these three stocks because they are well-known, and provide insight on the different ways that stocks can be valued in an overheated market.

"As we go higher and higher, the risks grow and you need to know not just the rewards but what can go wrong after this historic run," the " Mad Money " host said.

As stock valuations rise each day, Jim Cramer says investors need to figure out what they can handle in the market. He compared Amazon , Facebook and Microsoft to explain the concept of risk and reward amid elevated prices.

The reason why it's still so cheap? Because of its history, Cramer said. For a long time the company was perceived as a boring one with a product that was becoming outdated. Its previous CEO Steve Ballmer made a series of bad bets, including when the company purchased Nokia's phone business for $7.2 billion. Cramer thinks it was "one of the most boneheaded acquisitions in history."

"They would have done better if they just set that cash on fire, like the spoils from the Armenian money-train heist," Cramer said of Microsoft's decision.



Facebook hit an all-time high on Wednesday when it confirmed that its messenger service now has 1 billion users, with 200 million new users since the beginning of the year.

The stock seemed expensive to Cramer at 31 times earnings, but he thinks the growth rate is actually accelerating, even with a 31 percent monster growth rate. That actually makes it cheap in Cramer's perspective, because growth stocks tend to trade between one or two times their growth rates and Facebook is at the bottom of the range.

"I pronounce Facebook as being relatively inexpensive versus a ton of other growth stocks in this market, suitable for those individuals willing to take on some risk in order to get a lot more reward than stock like Microsoft can offer," Cramer said.

Then there was Amazon, which doesn't even seem to trade on earnings. Even if Cramer could compute the valuation, he estimated that it trades at 117 times next year's earnings estimates. This one is so difficult because Amazon doesn't play by the rules, he said.

Cramer can easily justify paying $56 for Microsoft or $122 for Facebook. But Amazon? That one could be a different animal from them all, thus Cramer warned it is only for investors who are willing to take on a serious amount of risk.

"You really have to believe that it will do the same thing to every other retail category that it has already done to books and electronics and apparel. You have to believe Amazon will destroy the mall," Cramer said.

Amazon could be a leap of faith, but Cramer advised that a lot more things have to go right for the stock to keep climbing, even if history suggests that will happen.
Check out which companies are making headlines before the bell:

Morgan Stanley  The bank earned 75 cents per share for the second quarter, beating forecasts of 59 cents a share. Revenue was also above estimates, with Morgan Stanley helped by better-than-expected results in investment banking and fixed income.

Halliburton  The oilfield services provider posted a loss of 14 cents per share, with results hurt by the breakup fee for its failed deal to buy Baker Hughes , but that was smaller than the 19 cent a share loss analysts were expecting. Halliburton also saw revenue come in above Street forecasts.

Tupperware  The household products maker came in six cents a share above estimates, with adjusted quarterly profit of $1.16 per share. Revenue was also above estimates. Tupperware saw strong results during the quarter in many of its international markets.

Walt Disney  Stifel downgraded Disney to "hold" from buy" on what the firm labels a valuation call.

Panera Bread  RBC began coverage on the restaurant chain's stock with an "outperform" rating, saying the stock has 20 percent upside as the company benefits from the payoff of a multi-year investment cycle.

Microsoft  Microsoft reported adjusted earnings of 69 cents per share for its latest quarter, 11 cents a share above estimates. Revenue also beat forecasts. Of particular note to investors: a seven percent jump in cloud-based business, a key focus for the software giant.



Intuitive Surgical  The company reported profit of $5.62 per share for the second quarter, 65 cents a share above estimates, thanks to higher sales of its da Vinci robotic surgical systems and an increased number of procedures.

21st Century Fox  Fox is nearing a decision on the future of Fox News chief Roger Ailes, with sources telling CNBC the decision is likely to result in Ailes' departure. The company is still in the process of conducting a review following a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson.

United Continental  United reported adjusted quarterly profit of $2.61 per share, five cents a share above estimates. Revenue was just slightly above analysts' projections. The beat came despite the negative impact of a stronger dollar, increased industry capacity, and pricing pressures. The airline also unveiled a $2 billion stock buyback program.

Cintas  The uniform maker earned an adjusted $1.08 per share for its latest quarter, eight cents a share above estimates. Revenue also topped forecasts. The company also gave a strong forecast for the full year, as both its uniform and facilities services businesses performed well.

General Electric  GE struck a partnership with China's Huawei Technologies to develop productivity-enhancing "smart machines." The announcement came as GE launched an $11 million digital facility in Shanghai.

Unilever  Unilever bought Dollar Shave Club in an effort to challenge Procter & Gamble's Gillette brand. Terms were not disclosed, but Fortune reported that Unilever would pay $1 billion in cash for Dollar Shave Club.

Chesapeake Energy  Chesapeake is being sued by investors, who accuse Chesapeake of conspiring to depress market prices for certain oil and natural gas leases and say they lost more than $10 million as a result. Chesapeake said it disagreed with the assertions of those investors and would address them "in the appropriate forum."

AstraZeneca  AstraZeneca lost its bid for a temporary restraining order, aimed at blocking approval of new U.S. generic versions of the drugmaker's cholesterol treatment Crestor. Novartis and Mylan are among the companies preparing to launch generic versions of the best-selling drug.

SAP  SAP reported a 73 percent jump in profit for its second quarter compared to a year ago, with the business software provider's results boosted by growth in its cloud business and a reduction in restructuring costs.

Valeant Pharmaceuticals  Valeant received Food and Drug Administration approval for the tablet form of its "Relistor" drug, which treats certain types of constipation. An injectable version has been on the market since 2008.
The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, has proposed a new set of measures intended to speed up the European Union's (EU) transition to a low carbon, clean economy.



In an announcement on Wednesday, the Commission said its proposals presented "binding annual greenhouse gas emissions targets" for its 28 member states between 2021 and 2030.

They come on the back of the EU's 2014 commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions by "at least" 40 percent by 2030, compared to levels in 1990. The Commission said that the new framework was "based on the principles of fairness, solidarity, cost-effectiveness and environmental integrity."

The goals cover sectors outside of the EU's Emissions Trading System: transport, buildings, waste, agriculture, land-use and forestry.

Each country in the EU has been given an individual target to reach by 2030 compared to 2005. Germany has been set a target of a 38 percent reduction, for example, while both France and the U.K.'s target is a 37 percent cut. The U.K. voted to leave the EU last month, which could well impact the targets going forward.

"The EU has an ambitious emissions reduction target, one I am convinced we can achieve through the collective efforts of all Member States," Miguel Arias Canete, EU commissioner for climate action and energy, said in a statement.

"The national binding targets we are proposing are fair, flexible and realistic," he added. "They set the right incentives to unleash investments in sectors like transport, agriculture, buildings and waste management. With these proposals, we are showing that we have done our homework and that we keep our promises."

The proposals still require the approval of EU governments as well as the European Parliament before the new targets become binding.
European equities posted strong gains by Wednesday's close, as a rally in technology stocks and a slew of positive earnings helped offset the declines seen by the miners. The pan-European STOXX 600 closed up 1 percent, with most sectors finishing in positive territory. In individual bourses, France's CAC and Germany's DAX soared 1.15 and 1.6 percent respectively by the close. Meanwhile, the U.K.'s FTSE 100 lagged behind, finishing up 0.5 percent.

European markets



In the U.K., new figures showed that the country's unemployment rate edged lower in the three months to May, hitting its lowest level since 2005. The jobless rate fell to 4.9 percent, lower than the Reuters estimate. Sterling rose on the back of the news, trading up against the dollar, hovering at $1.3163 by Europe's close.

Elsewhere in the country, the new Prime Minister Theresa May took part in her her first Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. May discussed jobs, the country's economy and Brexit, and said the U.K. would be leaving the EU, but not Europe; and that the country was open for business. In global markets, Asia closed mixed with a sharp decline in Nintendo shares weighing on sentiment; while U.S. stocks traded higher as Wall Street celebrated better-than-expected earnings. Investors worldwide will now be turning their attention to the European Central Bank, which is due to announce its latest rate decision on Thursday, less than a month after the U.K. decided to leave the EU.

Earnings: Electrolux falls while Ubisoft rallies

Earnings season is underway with a number of European corporates reporting. Home appliances maker Electrolux said operating income in the second quarter rose 70 percent year-on-year thanks to a strong performance in North America, however shares tumbled, ending 6 percent down. Nordea reported a slight drop in operating profit in the second quarter which hit 1.22 billion euros ($1.34 billion), though this was above analyst expectations, sending shares to close up 3.5 percent. Meanwhile Eurotunnel , the operator of the Anglo-French rail link, lowered its core profit outlook for 2016 and said it is difficult to predict the impact of Brexit. Still, revenues in the first-half of the year were up 2 percent year-on-year. Shares ended 1.5 percent down.

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Ubisoft Entertainment was Europe's best performer, jumping 7.8 percent, after the video game developer's first-quarter sales beat forecasts and it confirmed its full-year guidance.

Volkswagen rallied 6 percent after it reported that its operating result before special items for the first six months is 7.5 billion euros, saying that it was "significantly higher than market expectations". In other business news, shares of HSBC fluctuated during afternoon trade, closing up 1.65 percent. This comes after reports that two of its senior bankers had been arrested in connection with a case involving currency benchmark rigging. HSBC has declined to comment.

Tech sector outperforms, miners slip

The technology sector outperformed the broader market, closing up 3.2 percent, thanks to software giant SAP . Shares of the German firm rallied 5.7 percent, after it reported a 9 percent rise in operating profit in the second-quarter helped by its cloud business. And shares of telecoms equipment maker Ericsson ended 3 percent up after a report in business newspaper Dagens Industri suggested that two of the Swedish firm's main owners have decided chief executive Hans Vestberg needs to step down.


The U.K.'s new Prime Minister Theresa May is heading to Berlin on Wednesday afternoon for a working dinner with German Chancellor Angela Merkel with the unpalatable issue of Brexit expected to be the dish of the day. It will be May's first overseas trip since becoming prime minister last week after a tumultuous chain of events following the U.K. decision in June to leave the European Union (EU). She is also due to travel to Paris on Thursday for talks with French President Francois Hollande. May's election was applauded as she is widely seen as a "safe pair of hands" and, like Merkel, she is known for her cool demeanor and pragmatic approach to government. She has certainly wasted no time in putting her mark on the U.K's government, strategically appointing a number of "remain" and "leave" politicians to prominent positions in the cabinet.



UK Prime Minister Theresa May Carl Court/Getty Images

With similar personal qualities, analysts saw no reason why the meeting of two of Europe's most powerful women should go badly. "There's no reason to assume that there will be a hostile atmosphere," Carsten Nickel, deputy director of research at Teneo Intelligence, told CNBC on Wednesday. "They've never met before but they should get along on at least a personal level," he added.

Tricky relations

The circumstances surrounding their first meeting on Wednesday evening are tricky, however, and building good relations damaged by the Brexit vote will be crucial. Awkwardly, the U.K. has yet to even start departure proceedings, leaving the relationship in limbo. May has said that she wants to firm up the U.K.'s negotiating position over its possible future role with the EU before triggering the official procedure for leaving the bloc, known as Article 50. But European leaders have urged the U.K. to get on with the process, saying that delay prolongs the economic and political uncertainty surrounding the Brexit, for all parties. Publicly too, EU leaders have vetoed any discussions over a post-EU relationship until Article 50 is triggered. The U.K. has started distancing itself from the EU, however. May has told European Council president Donald Tusk that Britain is to relinquish its upcoming six-month presidency of the council in 2017, the Press Association reported Wednesday.

There have been differing attitudes towards the U.K. following the vote; some European leaders want "an example" to be made of the country, giving the U.K. no easy ride when it comes to negotiating a post-membership relationship to deter other countries from following suit. Others, like Merkel, are more measured, calling for a more cooperative approach and saying there should be no EU "revenge" on Britain. After all, the U.K. has been a key trading partner in the EU and the bloc is mindful of its need to maintain its links to the U.K.'s robust consumer market. With official break-up negotiations yet to even begin, Nickel noted that there was the "potential for tensions further down the line" despite the cordial atmosphere expected between May and Merkel tonight. "Merkel is aware that she needs to step into the 'strong leader of Europe' position again and that she needs to incorporate a more hawkish position like France to ensure that the single market survives. Yes, the trade relationship with the U.K. is important to Germany but its relationship with the rest of the EU and the need to keep the bloc together outweighs that," Nickel said.

EU project 'in danger'
"It's completely laughable to think Sanders/Warren supporters might wake up one morning and say, 'We'll forgive his misogyny, his hatred of immigrants, his race-baiting, his trampling on the first amendment and support Trump because he pretends to take a whack at Wall Street.'"

Other major actors in the lead up to the crisis were other non-banks, like Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG.

In short, none of the institutions at the heart of the crisis were impacted by Glass-Steagall's repeal. Even Senator Elizabeth Warren has admitted as much.

It's not a coincidence that the big crisis-era failures were at monoline institutions. Diversification actually enabled our largest banks to survive better, and eventually take steps that helped to stabilize the rest of the financial system. Nevermind the benefits to customers served by universal banks.

It's also really dumb politics, a desperate lurch toward the populism of the far left. The Trump camp is under the delusion that it can attract Bernie Sanders voters by cribbing one of his marquee policies. (A policy, it should be noted, that failed to win Sanders the Democratic nomination.)

It's completely laughable to think Sanders/Warren supporters might wake up one morning and say, "We'll forgive his misogyny, his hatred of immigrants, his race-baiting, his trampling on the first amendment and support Trump because he pretends to take a whack at Wall Street."

In case any Sanders voters get wandering eyes, Elizabeth Warren  the godmother of anti-Wall Street policies  has taken it upon herself to remind Sanders voters that Trump is no friend. Trump can't out-Warren Warren.



Trump's careening tour through populism also worries already suspicious free-market Republicans, giving them yet another reason to stand on the sidelines. It only reinforces the fear that support for Trump buys you a ticket on the crazy train, not knowing where the next wild policy lurch will land them.

The willingness of rank-and-file Republicans to abandon any sense of principle in order to placate Trump is a mistake, and it will have long-term consequences. Fortunately, serious economic policy makers within the Republican Party have not endorsed the reinstatement of Glass-Steagall. House Speaker Paul Ryan's economic-reform plan declined to include Glass-Steagall, while only three Republican members of Congress have signed onto either the House or Senate version of Sen. Warren's legislation.

A Republican Party that favors populist solutions to economic problems will continue to flounder.

Commentary by Tony Fratto, managing partner at Hamilton Place Strategies, a strategic communications and crisis management consultancy based in Washington, DC, that does work for large financial institutions, among other sectors. Prior to that, he was deputy assistant to the president and deputy press secretary to President George W. Bush from September 2006 to January 2009. Follow him on Twitter @TonyFratto.



For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter.
Private aviation businesses have remained resolute despite the uncertainty surrounding the U.K's decision to leave the European Union, with two industry insiders detailing to CNBC how their firms will deal with the impacts that a so-called Brexit could cause.

"London has been a business hub for three or four hundred years, so its importance is not just going to go away," VistaJet Founder and Chairman Thomas Flohr told CNBC.

The effects of the referendum had an obvious and instant effect on aviation when larger carriers easyJet, Lufthansa and IAG all suffered double-digit falls in share value. That was seen as a reflection of weaker U.K. demand and a concern over the existing "open skies" agreement which allows unlimited access to airlines across the continent.

However, it was equally unclear for private aviation with concerns arising over access, increased taxes and additional red tape.

VistaJet provides fixed price seat access on its fleet of more than 50 Bombardier private jets.

Thomas Flohr told CNBC that he flew to London the day after the vote to assure his U.K. team that the London location will remain important.

"We have put in place an internally dedicated Brexit team to look at every aspect and to communicate with the different constituencies to make sure we are well prepared for what exactly will be coming," he said.

Flohr said if forced to move his firm's hub to continental Europe it wouldn't have any negative impact on how VistaJet is perceived.

"I think the brand will continue to be what it is whether we are landing in Paris, Frankfurt New York or London," he said.

Flohr told CNBC that revenues in his business were currently "booming" as companies are presently reluctant to put a $50 million plane on their own balance sheet.
Two senior bankers at HSBC have been arrested in connection with a case involving currency benchmark rigging, according to reports.

Mark Johnson, the bank's global head of foreign-exchange cash trading, was arrested Tuesday at JFK International Airport, according to multiple reports. He faces charges following a three-year investigation into currency trading practices at multiple global banks, according to the reports.

In addition, Stuart Scott, former head of cash trading for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, also faces wire fraud conspiracy charges, though he has not been arrested yet. Johnson and Scott committed the alleged violation on a $3.5 million trade, which allegedly occurred in October 2011 involved an unnamed oil and gas company that wanted to exchange U.S. dollars with British pounds. Authorities said HSBC made $8 million from the transaction.

The Department of Justice charged that "Johnson and Scott caused the $3.5 billion foreign exchange transaction to be executed in a manner that was designed to spike the price of the pound sterling, to the benefit of HSBC and at the expense of their client."

"When questioned by their client about the higher price paid for their significant transaction, the defendants wove a web of lies designed to conceal the truth and divert attention away from their fraudulent trades," U.S. Attorney Robert L. Capers in New York said in a statement.



HSBC declined comment. Legal experts considered the arrests signifcant.

"Front running' is one of the more serious Wall Street crimes. It means the broker does his or her trades first, obtaining the best possible price while the customer waits at the back of the line, and accordingly suffers with an inferior transaction," Anthony Sabino, professor at St. John's University's Peter J. Toobin College of Business. "This kind of violation is always relentlessly prosecuted, and given the current market turmoil, expect yet another wave of government crackdowns. Mark this as the first case among many."

The investigation into currency rigging has been ongoing for three years but has resulted in no individual arrests until this week. Johnson is expected to appear in court Wednesday on a conspiracy to commit wire fraud charge.



"As alleged, the defendants placed personal and company profits ahead of their duties of trust and confidentiality owed to their client, and in doing so, defrauded their client of millions of dollars," Capers said.



Banks have paid billions in fines resulting from investigations, with Citigroup , HSBC , JPMorgan Chase , RBS and UBS forced to pay $3.1 billion in fines from Britain's Financial Conduct Authority and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. JPMorgan, Citi and Bank of America also had to pay separately $950 million for unsafe practices, while UBS shelled out an additional $138 million to the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority for improper business conduct.

 Reuters contributed to this report.


Kellogg shares fell more than 5 percent Wednesday after rumors of a deal between the company and Kraft Heinz were deemed "not likely" in the near term, sources close to the company told CNBC.



Speculation rose last week after a hedge fund that specializes in tracking plane tail numbers suggested that Kellogg was in talks to sell to Kraft Heinz. The rumors sent shares of Kellogg to a 52-week high Friday.

On Wednesday, Kellog's shares closed at $82.26, down 5.43 percent.

Ever since Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway partnered with 3G Capital to broker the merger of Kraft and Heinz last year, speculation has been rampant about which major consumer-packaged-goods company would be the next to the altar. Danone's decision to buy WhiteWave Foods for $12.5 billion, including debt, earlier this month, and Mondelez Internationals' offer for Hershey revived that chatter.

The Battle Creek, Michiganbased cereal maker has often been at the center of merger rumors in the sector.

 CNBC's David Faber contributed to this report.



Correction: This story was revised to correct the spelling of Warren Buffett's last name.
A vast luxury property in London's Admiralty Arch, overlooking Buckingham Palace, could sell for up to 150 million ($197 million), the Evening Standard newspaper reported on Tuesday.

Four serviced apartments in the Admiralty Arch  a London landmark built in 1912 and commissioned by King Edward VII  went on sale this week and can be purchased either individually or as one huge property.

If sold as one residence, the property could fetch up to 150 million, both the Telegraph newspaper and the Evening Standard said, citing unnamed estate agents. This assumes the property would fetch 8,000-9,000 per square foot and the buyer would pay stamp duty (a U.K. property purchase tax) of over 16 million.

If sold for 150 million, the apartment would set a new London and U.K. record, trumping the reported 140 million sale of One Hyde Park in 2014.
The U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld most of Obamacare also rejected the section of the Affordable Care Act that would have compelled states to expand eligibility in their Medicaid programs to nearly all poor adults. That part of the ruling received far less public attention  but it's that part that likely has had the biggest impact on states over the past four years.

Despite suffering from a past heart attack and diabetes, Kentucky resident Mary Blair was able to receive medical coverage through Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Luke Sharrett | The Washington Post | Getty Images

States such as California, New Jersey, Kentucky and Arkansas, which have expanded their Medicaid programs, have seen sharp decreases in their uninsured rates. States that didn't expand Medicaid, such as Texas, Florida and Virginia, did not experience as much of a drop in the number of people without health insurance. So far, 31 states and the District of Columbia have expanded their Medicaid programs under the ACA to cover adults who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level  or $16,394 per year. Advocates of expansion say that a decision to not expand can negatively affect the finances of a state's hospitals, the tax burden born by its residents and the premiums residents pay for private insurance plan coverage. Expansion states have seen a marked reduction in unpaid bills at their hospitals, which in turn reduces the need for hospitals to pass along some of their costs to taxpayers and people with health coverage.

Expansion advocates also tout the fact, in arguing that expansion would benefit states, that the ACA requires the federal government to fund nearly all the costs of covering people enrolled under expanded eligibility. In the first three years of expansion, the federal government picked up 100 percent of the bill. Over time that share will drift down, but to no less than 90 percent of those costs in future years.

The Louisiana purchase

The most recent expansion state  Louisiana  is being closely watched as the ideological and financial battle over Obamacare continues to play out at the state level. As the 2016 fiscal year comes to a close, first-term Gov. John Bel Edwards and the state legislature have been in crisis mode, struggling to close a fiscal 2017 budget gap that could run as high $800 million. Edwards' predecessor, Republican Bobby Jindal, had been among the national leaders in opposition to Obamacare's Medicaid expansion  Jindal argued it would cost the state at least $1.7 billion over a decade. But a recent estimate suggests otherwise, saying expansion of Medicaid could save the state close to $1 billion through federal matching funds. Louisiana, prior to expansion, had about 192,000 people in a coverage gap  that is, they earned too little to qualify for subsidies to help pay for private Obamacare insurance but too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid. By the end of June, with expansion under way, more than 225,900 people had signed up for Medicaid in Louisiana.

Nationwide, Medicaid enrollment has spiked since implementation of the ACA. Those increases have come not only among people who are newly eligible but also among those who were previously eligible and for whatever reason had not yet signed up for the coverage.

In March the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services reported that almost 72.5 million people were enrolled in Medicaid or the affiliated Children's Health Insurance Program across the United States. That's 15 million additional people since Obamacare's first open enrollment began in the fall of 2013  a 26.5 percent jump. It's also almost 4 million people more than the number of customers enrolled in private Obamacare insurance plans sold on government exchanges this year. Expansion has made "a critical difference" in cutting the nation's uninsured rate to below 10 percent for the first time ever, said Sara Collins, vice president of the Commonwealth Fund's health-care coverage and access program. A report issued in June by the Health and Human Services Department illustrates how the extent of the coverage gains in individual states were closely linked to their Medicaid expansion decisions. Expansion states, on average, cut their uninsured rates nearly in half, according to the HHS report. But non-expansion states saw a reduction of only one-third. Most recent data shows that states that didn't expand Medicaid had an average uninsured rate of 15.4 percent. In contrast, expansion states have an uninsured rate of just 9.3 percent. The biggest holdouts to Medicaid expansion, in terms of affected population, are Texas and Florida. Both states continue to have significantly higher uninsured rates than the national average of less than 10 percent.

The uninsured trend

Collins said that the effect of a Medicaid expansion decision in driving down an individual state's uninsured rate is starkly seen in the examples of Georgia, which did not expand, and another southern state, Kentucky, which did expand. In 2013, before full implementation of Obamacare, Georgia and Kentucky had comparable uninsurance rates, 21.4 percent and 20.4 percent, respectively, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. But 2015, Georgia had seen a 5.5 percentage-point reduction in its uninsured rate, down to 15.9 percent. Much of that decrease was due to enrollment by Georgians in private individual insurance plans sold either on new Obamacare government health exchanges or outside of those marketplaces. But Kentucky, which ran its own Obamacare insurance marketplace and expanded Medicaid, saw its uninsured rate plunge by 12.9 percentage points, landing at 7.5 percent of all state residents as of 2015. Kentucky also saw a decline in the number of low-income people who reported having difficulties getting access to health care because of cost, Collins noted. In Georgia, for the number of such people having a tough time affording health care, "it actually increased or did not change at all," Collins said. HHS's report noted that visits to community health centers increased by 46 percent in expansion states compared to just 12 percent in non-expansion states. And Medicaid prescription rates jumped by more than 25 percent in expansion states compared to an increase of just 2.8 percent in states that did not expand.



Right now it's pretty clear that not having access to Medicaid [expansion] in those 19 states is a pretty clear barrier to insuring more people. Rachel Garfield senior researcher at the Kaiser Family Foundation

A recent Commonwealth Fund study co-authored by Collins looked at how much low-income people, who would otherwise be eligible for Medicaid if their state had expanded the program, would pay in premiums and out-of-pocket health costs if they enrolled in "silver" Obamacare plans and if they were "medium" users of health care. The totals varied widely, from $334 in annual premium and out-of-pocket costs for Obamacare silver plan customers in Texas, up to $764 in such costs in Kansas If the states had expanded Medicaid, these people would not have to pay a premium and would also be better shielded from out-of-pocket charges than in an Obamacare marketplace plan. The report also pointed out that the primary reason that people with low incomes don't enroll in Obamacare plans "is that they find the premiums unaffordable.

Rachel Garfield, a senior researcher at the Kaiser Family Foundation, said that phenomenon, combined with the continued reluctance of 19 states to expand Medicaid, could present a major roadblock to Obamacare getting significantly more people enrolled in health coverage nationally in coming years. "Right now it's pretty clear that not having access to Medicaid [expansion] in those 19 states is a pretty clear barrier to insuring more people," Garfield said. None of the non-expansion states, with the exception of Wisconsin, allows adults without dependent children to enroll in Medicaid, regardless of how low their income is. But most non-expansion states have much lower income caps for Medicaid enrollment by adults with children. Wisconsin allows adults with dependent children who earn around 100 percent of the poverty level  $11,880  to enroll in Medicaid, and Maine and Tennessee each have slightly higher caps. Texas' cap, the lowest in the nation, is just 18 percent of poverty, or $2,138. Texas is the largest state holding out against Medicaid expansion. Garfield's research at Kaiser has found that about 766,000 of Texas' poor earn too much to qualify for traditional Medicaid but still earn less than 100 percent of poverty, which is the minimum they would need to earn to qualify for federal subsidies to buy private Obamacare plans. Opponents of Medicaid expansion have said they object to it for a variety of reasons. Those include arguments that Medicaid itself is broken and should not add more covered people, that working-age able-bodied people should not receive health coverage at no cost to themselves, concerns that the federal government will eventually renege on its promise to subsidize the lion's share of expansion costs, and objections to adding to state budget obligations.

A big hospital bill

But in addition to presenting a barrier to health coverage, the lack of Medicaid expansion in some states has also been a barrier toward driving down the level of so-called "uncompensated care." That care is health services provided by hospitals to people who lack Medicaid or any other kind of insurance coverage, leaving the hospital unpaid.

Garfield noted that after Obamacare kicked into high gear in 2014, "we saw substantial declines nationally in uncompensated care." But Garfield added, "Almost all of this decline was in expansion states." At the same time, Garfield said, the Affordable Care Act "actually reduced the amount of uncompensated-care reimbursement to the states." In other words, hospitals in non-expansion states were not seeing much, if any, reduction in their uncompensated-care costs at the same time their states were getting less money from the federal government to offset those costs. The amount of money at stake can be dramatic. "You're looking at the uncompensated care in Texas still up in the $4- billion- to $5-billion-a-year range," said Lance Lunsford, spokesman for the Texas Hospital Association. "A large portion of that [uncompensated-care burden] would be relieved" if Texas expanded Medicaid, Lunsford said. Hospitals end up eating some of those costs. But the remaining share, Lunsford noted, is covered by property taxes in the counties where the hospitals are located, as well as by "higher premiums" for insured people, whose health plans end up being charged higher rates for services than they would otherwise be if more people had health coverage. Despite that, Lunsford said, "a lot of folks think they're not affected by the high rate of uninsured" in the state. "They don't really see it as their problem, sometimes." Although Texas hospitals have tried to make the case that lack of coverage for hundreds of thousands of people is indeed a problem for all state residents, they haven't been successful in convincing Gov. Gregg Abbott to abandon his staunch opposition to expanding Medicaid.
Former GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry told CNBC on Wednesday he's on Team Trump because the 2016 election is a choice between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

"If you want to let personalities get in your way of reality, you may. But I don't think that's wise," he said on "Squawk Box" in an interview from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

"This is about the future of America. I am an American. I am a Republican. And I'm on the team," the former Texas governor said despite his sharp criticisms of Trump on the campaign trail.

Perry said he's concerned about the economy, the shrinking military, border security and nominations to the Supreme Court. He said Trump is the best candidate to address those issues and put America on the right path.

"I'm a competitor. But I understand what 'team' means. And we all have to pull together and be part of the team. That's what made this pretty easy for me," Perry said, in reaction to the Bushes and Ohio Gov. John Kasich not supporting Trump.

"I'm never going to find the perfect candidate," Perry continued. "Trump was not my first choice. I was my first choice."

As for the No. 2 spot on the GOP ticket, he said Mike Pence was a "brilliant" choice as Trump's vice presidential running mate because the Indiana governor spent years on Capitol Hill and knows how to get legislation passed.

Pence is scheduled to speak at the convention Wednesday evening, and so is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, whose candidacy was also unable to stop Trump.

After Perry dropped out of the race last year, becoming the first Republican hopeful to so so, he had supported Cruz. But Perry told CNBC he's all in for Trump now to prevent Clinton from winning.

Perry echoed remarks made Tuesday night by House Speaker Paul Ryan, who at times has been an uneasy ally of Trump.

Ryan said from the convention podium that Republicans need to come together and the GOP ticket offers a "better way" forward for the U.S. than Clinton. Ryan, the 2012 vice presidential nominee, is also the chairman of the GOP convention.
Fortune, however, cited multiple sources as saying that the deal was worth $1 billion in cash , adding that Dollar Shave Club had raised more than $160 million in venture capital funding so far, putting its value at $539 million.

Dollar Shave Club had sales of $152 million in 2015 and was on track for more than $200 million in 2016, according to Unilever's statement, which did not put a value on the transaction.

The consumer products giant said Dollar Shave Club, which has expanded from selling razors online for $1 apiece to offering products including bathroom wipes called "One Wipe Charlies," would bring "a unique male grooming perspective" to its personal care category.

Unilever is buying Dollar Shave Club, the male grooming brand that co-founder Michael Dubin started from his apartment in 2012.

Dollar Shave Club shot to online fame in 2012 with a viral video that featured Dubin, a giant teddy bear and the tag line "Our blades are ******* great." Dubin later told CNBC that the video cost just $4,500 to make but was so successful that the company ran out of inventory without hours of it appearing on YouTube.

A second video, titled "Let's talk about #2" was released to promote the launch of "One Wipe Charlies," which are effectively baby wipes designed for men.

Dubin, who started the company with a friend's father, Mark Levine, will remain as CEO of Dollar Shave Club when it joins Unilever. He said in a statement that the company couldn't be happier with the deal.



"We have long admired Unilever's purpose-driven business leadership and its category expertise is unmatched," he said. "We are excited to be part of the family."



One of Dollar Shave Club's largest investors, venture capitalist and Venrock partner David Pakman, told CNBC that Unilever is good at buying companies because it generally leaves them alone.

"One of the things Unilever says is 'congratulations Dollar Shave Club, you just acquired Unilever. You now have the resources of Unilever to propel you but we're not going to tell you what to do,'" he said in an interview with "Power Lunch" Wednesday.

Pakman, who said his firm made a tenfold return on its investment with the acquisition, said Dollar Shave Club has been so successful because it knows how to appeal to consumers.



"This is a company that created new media products, new media advertising that reached consumers in a very conversational way  built a huge amount of mindshare for a very low amount of money."



Dollar Shave Club was one of CNBC's Disruptor 50 in 2015.



Correction:

This story has been updated to reflect that the value of Dollar Shave Club was reportedly $539 million.

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Signage for 1Malaysia Development Bhd. (1MDB) is displayed at the site of the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) project in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Federal prosecutors in the U.S. are set to put in motion plans to seize assets of 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.



Authorities are expected to file civil lawsuits as soon as Wednesday morning to seize the assets, the Journal reported. The assets include real estate bought with money allegedly misappropriated from the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund, the newspaper reported.

The asset seizures would be the first action linked to 1MDB taken by the U.S. government. Representatives of 1MDB could not immediately be contacted.

What assets would be seized wasn't known, but the amount is expected to be potentially larger than a 2015 seizure of $850 million in an unrelated case, the WSJ reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The report noted, citing people familiar with the matter, that investigators believe that Najib's step-son, Riza Aziz, purchased at least $50 million of luxury property in New York and Los Angeles with funds originating from 1MDB.

In May, Red Granite Pictures, a film production company controlled by Riza and which produced the film the Wolf of Wall Street, told CNBC via email that "when the facts come out, it will be clear that neither Riza Aziz nor Red Granite has done anything wrong."

To read the full Wall Street Journal article, click here.



Questions about movement of funds from 1MDB came to widespread attention nearly a year ago, when the Wall Street Journal reported that in 2013 nearly $700 million had flowed from the debt-ridden fund to Najib's personal bank account.

Najib has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and, under pressure from the outcry caused by the WSJ report, said the funds were a private donation from a Middle Eastern country he declined to name. He has denied benefiting personally from the funds.

In January, Malaysia's Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali said that Saudi Arabia's royal family gave Najib a $681 million gift, of which Apandi said about $600 million was later returned.

Apandi said that no criminal offense had been committed. But globally, investigations into 1MDB in locales as varied as U.S., Switzerland, Singapore and the Seychelles have continued.

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CLEVELAND  At 39, Tom Cotton of Arkansas is the youngest member of the U.S. Senate. The Harvard-educated veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has rapidly become a leading Republican voice on foreign policy and potential future presidential candidate. Unlike some other rising stars in the party, Cotton decided to attend Donald Trump's nominating convention and accept a speaking role on its opening night. His home state's deep-red status  Mitt Romney carried Arkansas by more than 20 points in 2012  made that a low-risk proposition. And it gave Cotton, in addition to a large television audience for his speech, a chance to mingle with delegates from Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, the three most important early states in presidential politics.

He chatted about Trump and his own future inside the Quicken Loans Arena with me. What follows is a condensed, edited transcript of our conversation.

HARWOOD: One of the questions that has been raised about Donald Trump is, "Is he more friendly with Russia than it is in America's best interests to be?"

COTTON: Vladimir Putin was a KGB spy and he never got over that. He does not have America's best interests at heart and he does not have any American interests at heart. I suspect, after this week, when Donald Trump is the nominee and he begins to receive classified briefings, similar briefings to what I receive as a member of the Intelligence Committee, he may have a different perspective on Vladimir Putin and what Russia is doing to America's interests and allies in Europe and the Middle East and Asia.

Tom Cotton Mary Stevens | CNBC

HARWOOD: His criticism of John McCain. You asked him to retract and apologize. He said that President George W. Bush lied to get us into war in Iraq and didn't protect us because 9/11 actually happened? COTTON: Well, I disagree with those statements and I said them at the time. But I think that Donald Trump and a Republican Congress will have an agenda that's better for the American people. And, you know, Hillary Clinton has a lot of things to answer for as well, to include direct lies to the American people and the FBI director has now corroborated that.



You know, the Republican Party is bigger than any one man. It's bigger than Donald Trump. It's bigger than me. I think that Donald Trump, like all Republicans, should be focused on the issues that matter to the American people. U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton

HARWOOD: but you're willing to live with those things that are distasteful to you because of Hillary Clinton? COTTON: Well, I mean, the Clintons have set some of their own standards for low conduct in office. HARWOOD: Right, but what do you think of his standards?

COTTON: Well, again, I've said that I disagree with those statements you cited, at the time, and I still disagree with them. I don't think they're helpful to the campaign. You know, the Republican Party is bigger than any one man. It's bigger than Donald Trump. It's bigger than me. I think that Donald Trump, like all Republicans, should be focused on the issues that matter to the American people.



Tom Cotton Mary Stevens | CNBC

HARWOOD: What does the Republican Party do about the perception that it is the party of less educated people, and Democrats are the party of more educated people? Because, as education levels rise, that is not a promising formula.

COTTON: Well, I would dispute that. I mean, we just passed legislation in the Senate that protects our food producers, our farmers, and our ranchers from very left-wing, labeling laws in Vermont, because the left is anti-science when it comes to the benefits of GMO food. HARWOOD: Is there anything specific that you would like to see your party do to broaden its appeal to Latinos, African-Americans, young people, women?

COTTON: I think the Republican Party principles appeal to all Americans of all stripes. All races all regions, again, are dominated by working Americans  people who drive our trucks, people who get our oil and gas and coal out of the ground, and teach our kids and nurse us back to health. And when we appeal to the broad, working class of America, we're going to appeal more to every ethnic group; black, white, Hispanic, Asian, and so forth. That's what we have to be focused on; the very real, practical, everyday anxieties of every American.
Because brands are intangible assets belonging to individuals and companies, there's a lot of disagreement on how to estimate brand valuation. Most experts use an "income approach" which estimates how much a brand will be worth going forward, depending on potential future income.

Within the income approach, there are two main methods to model the intangible value of a brand: excess earnings and royalty relief.

Excess earnings estimates the future potential revenue and profits from a given asset, "less the portion of those profits attributable to other assets that contribute to the generation of cash flows," according to professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The royalty relief method estimates how much the company (or person) would be willing to pay to use the brand itself, if it didn't own it already. That is, what the owner could save on royalties associated with brand licensing. Brand Finance uses a royalty-relief approach, which it describes as "estimating the likely future sales attributable to a brand and calculating the royalty rate that would be charged for the use of the brand."

It's unclear how Trump arrived at the $3.32 billion estimate, but that's higher than the $3 billion that was estimated in 2010 reportedly by consulting firm Predictiv, according to a contemporaneous disclosure form. The company's website describes its method as "a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques" to measure intangible value.

Predictiv did not respond to a request for more information on its methods or whether it still works with Trump.

Bloomberg recently gave Trump's brand a value around $35 million, which is "one times sales from ongoing licensing deals." Trump's own estimate of $3.32 billion would represent a sales multiple around 100. That's far higher than the highest price-to-sales ratio for an S&P 500 company, Bloomberg reported.

The strength of Trump's brand is not limited to projects that the billionaire throws his actual weight behind.

The Trump name is often sold to real estate development projects he has nothing to do with, but can simply lend an air of authority and opulence.

The Los Angeles Times recently ran a story detailing the failed Trump Ocean Resort project in Baja California, Mexico, and a cadre of condo buyers who had sued Trump over the project. Despite promotional materials featuring Trump, it turned out he was not involved in the deal at all; the Trump family had simply sold its name to the developers.

The story called it part of a "long trail of angry customers and vendors who accused him in court of cheating them." The Trumps settled the suit, the terms of which are confidential, according to the newspaper.

Trump's likely Democratic opponent for the White House, Hillary Clinton, has spent her life in government rather than the private sector, and has not released estimates of the Clinton brand value.
Donald Trump , who was formally nominated in a roll call vote, has signature economic policies. But those policies  ripping up trade deals, protecting entitlement benefits from cuts, reducing immigration and building a massive border wall  conflict with the views of Republican congressional leaders. He shares their desire for tax cuts, but his own proposal would expand the deficit so much that advisors are pushing him to scale it back.

CLEVELAND  As it turns out, the "Make America Work Again" night at the Republican National Convention here on Tuesday didn't focus very much on jobs and the economy. And when you consider the unique circumstances of 2016, that's not hard to understand.

Dr. Ben Carson speaks on the second day of the Republican National Convention, as a portrait of Hilary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic party nominee for US president, appears on screens, at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on July 19, 2016.

So Tuesday night's convention speakers didn't linger much on economic policy. House Speaker Paul Ryan, who drew a lukewarm reception from Trump delegates, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who drew boos, hailed the prospect that a President Trump would sign bills passed by Republican majorities in Congress. Their principal goal this fall is preserving those majorities even if Trump loses, which many Republican political strategists believe is likely.



The emotional energy of the evening came from something different. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, miffed over being passed over to become Trump's running mate, brought delegates together with a call-and-response "mock trial" of Hillary Clinton in the wake of the Justice Department's decision not to charge her with any crimes over her handling of email as President Barack Obama's secretary of state.



Christie read out a series of indictments, and prompted delegates to boom out a boisterous "Guilty!" verdict. At one point, a chant of "Lock her up" broke out.



That reflects the fact that, in modern American politics, "negative partisanship" is a powerful motivation in a polarized electorate. Antipathy toward Clinton and her party is a far more potent unifying force among Republicans than Trump his.



As for Trump personally, the convention's second night was much better than the first. The controversy over Melania Trump's Monday speech, and the passages it improbably borrowed from Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic convention address, faded as afternoon turned into evening.



Two of Trump's children, Tiffany and Donald Trump Jr., delivered poised and polished performances before delegates and a huge television audience. She told of how attentive her father had been to her school report cards. He delivered a longer address that weaved praise for his father  "my best friend"  with more politically conventional invocations of conservative economic philosophy and denunciations of liberalism.



Wednesday night the convention hears from Trump's vice presidential pick, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana.
Snapchat's Bitmoji integration is indicative of a bigger trend  the shift from social broadcasting to messaging.

"Given that trend, it's no surprise that emojis are extending into the Snapchat space," said Jonathan Adams, chief digital officer at Maxus Americas. "Stickers are another good example of communicating more visually."

Snapchat announced Tuesday that users can now send Bitmojis  emojis that are personalized to look like the user. The digital stickers can be placed in chats or as an overlay onto pictures or "snaps," and allow users to create graphics that depict their group of friends.



Emojis are often free in the U.S. and somewhat prolific, as are the more elaborate "stickers" that often follow a unique character or have special keyboards. But make no mistake, companies have found ways to make big money on them  something Snapchat, too, faces as it looks to new markets.



The move comes after the social network site agreed to pay more than $100 million in cash and stock earlier this year to acquire Bitstrips, the maker of Bitmoji and those comics with personalized avatars that took over your Facebook feed in 2014.



"Both companies were working to make mobile communication more human and more fun so we're incredibly excited to be joining the fast-moving and innovative team over at Snapchat," Bitstrips founder Ba Blackstock said in a statement.
Speaking Monday at Onondaga Lake Park in Salina, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) said hed fight to secure a $10 million federal grant to help complete the Onondaga Lake trail system. Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney joined Schumer and noted that Onondaga County would handle the remainder of the $13 million cost to complete the trail project. (Eric Reinhardt / BJNN)

SALINA, N.Y.  Onondaga County is hoping the federal government can help it complete the multi-use trail system surrounding Onondaga Lake.

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (DN.Y.) on Monday said he would pursue a $10 million federal grant to complete the trail system that would Loop the Lake, as noted in a news release that the Democrats office issued the same day.

In his visit to Onondaga Lake Park, Schumer said he wants to secure a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Within the next month or two, theyre going to announce these grants, Schumer said in speaking to reporters following his remarks at Onondaga Lake Park.

The pursuit of the TIGER grants is very competitive, the senator added.

Schumer also noted that because of the lakes improved condition, this year is Onondaga Countys best chance in decades to reach the goal, the pursuit of which dates back to 1928.

A completed trail system would help make Onondaga Lake a recreational magnet for residents and visitors, according to Schumer.

The senator explained that the Onondaga Lake multiuse trail project has been underway for years and is critical to expanding waterfront access and improving recreational opportunities in Central New York.

The entire trail project includes a 13-mile continuous bicycle and pedestrian trail system around Onondaga Lake.

When completed, the trail system will also connect to other regional trails, including the Erie Canal Trail and the Onondaga Creek Walk in Syracuse.

The projects final phase is a 2.8 mile section of the trail located on southeastern shore of Onondaga Lake in Syracuse, near I-690, that remains unfinished.

The $10 million TIGER grant would target the work on the projects final phase. Onondaga County would cover the rest of the cost, said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney, who joined Schumer as he announced his plan to pursue the funding.

The [Onondaga County] Legislature has been very supportive of this, and if we were to win this TIGER grant, [legislators] would be thrilled, said Mahoney.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
Hello there. I am trying to get data from 3 different tables based on simple join. One of the tables can have multiple values against one primary key. Here are the table designs



Table 1 - EmployeeDetails

SQL EmployeeId INT , FirstName VARCHAR , SurName VARCHAR , SexId INT Table 2 - EmployeeSex

SQL SexId INT , Sex VARCHAR Table 3 - EmployeeContacts

SQL EmployeeId INT , Contact VARCHAR I am using following query SQL SELECT ED.EmployeeId, ED.FirstName, ED.SurName, GROUP_CONCAT(EC.Contact) FROM EmployeeDetails ED, EmployeeSex ES, EmployeeContacts EC WHERE ED.SexId = ES.SexId AND ED.EmployeeId = EC.EmployeeId AND ED.EmployeeId = ' emp_password' ; Now this query works fine if we have at least one contact number. But if there are not contacts, then this results in empty set. What is wrong with this query ? How can I improve so that it works in all scenarios (regardless of number of contacts in EmployeeContacts table). Thanks for any input.



modified 19-Aug-16 7:10am.



Can anyone help me with the following two PHP scripts on the machine running Centos 7. Scripts written on a command line editor



1) a PHP script that will connect to the database and create the tables and populate default data, this script will be executed from command line using PHP -f createdatabase.php



2) the databasename will be the same as your username



3) a PHP script that will load from a browser and use HTML and CSS to display the populated information, the script will be loaded as http://localhost/myname/showme.php, you will get extra points for having fewer lines code, less SQL queries, and for commenting and indenting your code nicely.



The database contains the following tables with attributes:



Class, Students, and Marks



Quote:

I want to add Google Translate facility on my PHP application

How?, Can you give me the source code?

, Please ..

Thank you for your attention



Member 12643825 wrote: Can you give me the source code? Sorry, no. This site does not provide code to order. Go to Google Translate and check there how to do it.



Hai frnds, One of my frnd is searching for the vaccancy of fresher linux admin for last 1 & half year. till now he didnt get any job as trainee. He completed the b.tech in 2014. and he done the whole courses about that. kindly pls help me... any one know about that vaccancy..... pls tell me.. we are in banglore...

~abi~



C# how to get (echo) paypal amount from particular paypal account using PHP?



C# I have read a lot that PHP 7 outperforms the previous versions of PHP. I am thinking of moving all my websites to PHP 7 so that my sites enjoy a better loading speeds.







With Cloud Hosting, you are your own boss with your own mind and can go with anyone like Amazon, DigitalOcean, Google Compute etc. So any Cloud hosting company would be suitable for PHP 7. In my opinion, I'm personally using PHP 7 on Cloudways, they have 100% uptime and also have 24/7 awesome Customer Support.



If you need PHP7 in the shared hosting, then I would suggest you WebHostingHub, InMotion Hosting, and HostPapa. Usually, shared hosting providers are going a step behind the current software versions, but those companies must have the most recent software on the shared image sooner than everyone else.





Kinsta

Zend



I wanna display pictures from the database but the first picture of the album dont appear

Allo the pictures of the album are displayed only the first one

Dont understand please somebody help me!?

By the way i juste started coding



if its possible to use PHP in creating a calendar events?? if it is upcoming events it will turn red.. or if its not possible what can u suggest?



The problem I am facing is that I am getting the username and password from android app in json form and then I am decoding that json. Now I have to check the username and password using mysqli. So how should I do this? Please help asap.





vinay dahiya wrote: So how should I do this? The obvious way would be by querying the database. Exactly what is your problem?





And then decode the file contents using json_decode() and insert them into database using mysqli





2. You did not mean your response for me.


Types of obituaries

The Missourian publishes two types of obituaries  family obituaries and life stories.

A family obituary is the version submitted by a funeral home or family. Please see the submission form for details on cost and deadlines. Family obituaries

A life story is a closer look at a person's life and involves a reporter contacting family and friends. Life stories are based on newsworthiness and consent of the family. Life stories.
Missouri's Abrams-Draine draws NFL Draft hype at cornerback

Missouri's Kris Abrams-Draine is only in his second season as a full-time defensive back, but the junior is drawing NFL Draft hype.
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By Jody Callahan of The Commercial Appeal

The former leader of a notorious street gang was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for violating the RICO Act, the U.S. Attorney's office for the Western District of Tennessee said Wednesday.

In December 2015, James Earl McCracken pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, leading to his sentence of 120 months.

McCracken, 28, served as the head governor of FAM Mob, officials said. The gang has a presence in areas such as Frayser, Northhaven, Raleigh and Millington. FAM Mob's hierarchy consists of a head governor, governors, CEOs, "big homies" and "little homies," officials said.

As head governor of FAM Mob, McCracken was responsible for calling membership meetings and enforcing violations of the gang's rules, officials said. Alleged racketeering acts associated with FAM Mob include robberies, drug trafficking and murder, officials said. The RICO Act prohibits people associated with a criminal enterprise from engaging in unlawful activities, such as robbery, murder and drug trafficking.

In November 2014, McCracken was indicted for violating the Hobbs Act, which makes it a federal crime to commit a robbery that interferes with interstate commerce.

Following McCracken's 2014 indictment, Jarvis Lewis became the new head governor of FAM Mob. Lewis was later arrested for felony firearm possession, and convicted by a federal jury in November 2015. He was also sentenced to 10 years in prison.
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By Katie Fretland of The Commercial Appeal

A 35-year-old Memphis man was indicted this week on charges he shot and wounded a German Shepherd.

Herlis Alcantara was charged with firing at a house in the 6000 block of West Rosewind in the area of East Raines and Hickory Hill, according to an affidavit.

Officers responded at 3:42 a.m. April 11. A man who awoke to gunshots said he saw his neighbor shooting at the house, hitting the front door and the German Shepherd. The house contained four other people.

The man identified Herlis from a photo lineup as the person who shot his dog and his home.

Alcantara is charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and cruelty to animals.
Top row, left to right: Malik Aziz, Branville Bard, Richard Bash; bottom row, left to right: Patrick Melvin, Michael Rallings, Joseph Sullivan

By Ryan Poe of The Commercial Appeal

The city of Memphis released new information Wednesday about the six finalists in the citys national search for its next police director.

Among the candidates is interim Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings, who led police in the peaceful resolution of a July 10 Black Lives Matter protest that closed the Hernando DeSoto bridge for more than four hours.

Since the protest, protesters and the local NAACP have called on Strickland to drop the search and hire Rallings. And Tuesday, the City Council  which ultimately approves all appointments  added to the pressure with a 12-0 vote for a resolution requesting Strickland to strongly consider hiring Rallings now.

Strickland has said he will continue with the process and will present his appointment to the council after a review of the candidates concludes in August.

Strickland released the following list of candidates for the position Friday: Michael Rallings, interim Memphis Police Department director;

Malik Aziz, deputy chief of the Dallas Police Department;

Branville Bard, chief of police and director of public safety with the Philadelphia Housing Authority;

Richard Bash, deputy chief of police with the Columbus (Ohio) Division of Police;

Patrick Melvin, former chief of the Salt River (Arizona) Police Department;

Joseph Sullivan, chief inspector/commanding officer with the Philadelphia Police Department.

The candidates were chosen by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, which is receiving $40,000 from the city to conduct the search.

Follow more politics and policy coverage from the InforMemphis team on Twitter and Facebook.
July 20, 2016 - Mayor Jim Strickland smiles in front of television cameras as 20 youths, selected to work for Operation Restart, stand behind him during a press conference at Martin Luther King Prep High School on Wednesday. Operation Restart is a part of the Summer Youth Blight Clean Up program. (Yalonda M. James/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Linda A. Moore of The Commercial Appeal

Michael Nelson said he saw his stepson, Defonta Jones, drifting toward trouble, through the friends he hung out with and the bad choices he had begun to make.

That's why he is grateful for Operation Restart, a blight cleanup pilot program for teenage boys, and pushed to Defonta to be included.

"I'm trying to catch him before he gets away from me," Nelson said.

On Wednesday, Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland was at Martin Luther King College Preparatory High School in Frayser to meet with Defonta and 19 other teens who were given an opportunity through the program to work, earn and manage money and help to fight blight in Memphis.

"Last year when I campaigned, I promised that we would do more for our young people. We've got to give our young people something productive to do when they're not in school," Strickland said.

The young men, students at MLK Prep, Hamilton, Douglass and Raleigh-Egypt high schools were required to be on time every day, pick up trash and clean up around their own schools.

"This program helped me make sure I'm always on time for everything, make sure I'm doing the right thing wherever I'm at and make sure I'm managing my money right," said Tyrec Paylor, 18, a senior at Hamilton.

The city contributed $82,000 and the teens worked seven hours a day, five days a week and for $7.25 an hour. Ten percent of their pay went toward a household bill and their last pay check must be used for school clothes and supplies.

The program is a collaborative effort between a number of entities that include city government, Shelby County Schools, nonprofit group Neighborhoods Running Neighborhoods and Memphis City Beautiful.

The project was a brainchild of school board member Stephanie Love and Shep Wilbun with Neighborhoods Running Neighborhoods.

Participants were recommended by SCS teachers, the District Attorney's office or some other entity that saw a need for intervention, Wilbun said.

"These are not the young men who were violent. And these are not the young men that you would call goody two-shoes. They fall somewhere in between," he said. "They just needed a little structure, a little opportunity and maybe someone to work with them so that they could be the productive young men that they are capable of being."

The University of Memphis will be measuring the success of the program by tracking their ongoing performance against young men who were not in the program, Wilbun said.
March 1, 2016 - Polling Judge George Keistler tears voting stickers off a roll as Memphians start lining up at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church to cast their Super Tuesday ballot. (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

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By Dave Boucher/USA TODAY NETWORK  Tennessee

Live Blog Republican National Convention

12:27 p.m.: A group of protesters made a human wall spanning the security entrance to convention area, blocking the path to get into Quicken Loans Arena, site of the Republican National Convention. The anti-Trump protesters were chanting: "There is no debate. Trump equals hate" and "wall off Trump" as they held hands with sheets painted like bricks draped over their bodies symbolizing Trump's comments on building a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.

About 30 minutes later, police secured the perimeter and moved the protest group downtown to Cleveland's public square, several blocks outside the convention.

8 a.m.: It's more important than ever for Tennessee Republicans to be engaged in the political process, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin said during a speech that stirred the state's delegates during a Wednesday breakfast.

After joking about economic competition between Kentucky and Tennessee  "The fact that you dont have any state income tax, trust me, is still working for you," Bevin said  he joined the many speakers at the Republican National Convention in focusing on the need for the party to be united.

"I guarantee that in this room there were probably at least half a dozen to half dozen people you voted forbut the reality is you didnt all get what you wanted. That's not how it works. But unity matters," Bevin said.

Acknowledging he didn't endorse anyone during the GOP primary process, Bevin said the choice between Republican nominee Donald Trump and former U.S. Sec. of State Hillary Clinton are clear. Echoing the themes of all convention speakers, he said Trump is the only choice to ensure there are conservative Supreme Court justices and agency heads.
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By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal

Hoping to set an example for racially diverse leadership in area churches, Brown Missionary Baptist in Southaven has hired the first non-African-American member of its pastoral staff to lead discipleship.

Stephen "Wade" Steelman, a former regional denominational leader in the Southern Baptist Convention, will carry the title of discipleship pastor at Brown, one of the area's largest churches with a membership of more than 10,000 and foreign mission teams. The church has two Southaven campuses, one on State Line Road and another on Swinnea Road.

Bartholomew Orr, Brown's senior pastor, said Steelman is the first non-African-American member of the pastoral team since Brown was founded in 1882.

While other area churches also have members from different racial and ethnic backgrounds on their staffs, they, like Brown, generally reflect the makeup of their memberships. Orr believes churches need to work toward more balance.

"God not only intends, he requires that we love our brother and sister despite race, yet one of the most racially segregated places in our society has historically been church," Orr said in a statement. "I hired Pastor Steelman because he is a knowledgeable, experienced and humble spiritual leader, but I also pray this is the beginning of more diversity in churches like ours."

Through the hiring, Orr said he hopes Brown can "exemplify how we nurture unity and understanding and lift each other up spiritually through Christ."

Steelman was regional denominational leader for the SBC's Xtended Missions Network in Northwest Mississippi. He has also served in various roles in both large and small churches over the past 20 years.

He has a Masters of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Cordova.

"As discipleship pastor at Brown, teaching people how to allow Christ to live His life through them, and then launching them into a lifestyle of reproducing spirit-filled Christ followers, is my goal," Steelman said.
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By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal

A group that filed a civil-rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Education over disciplinary practices in DeSoto County Schools has submitted a new supporting letter alleging continued discriminatory practices and urging specific measures be taken.

The letter was submitted by the DeSoto County Parents and Students for Justice in conjunction with the Washington-based Advancement Project.

In the letter, parents complain discipline continues to be meted out to African-American and handicapped students in disproportionately high numbers.

"The lack of action by DCS in correcting discipline disparities shows that it neither sees nor understands the crisis occurring in our schools," James Mathis, chairman of DeSoto County Parents and Students for Justice, said in a statement.

The district has defended its disciplinary policy, saying it is intended to maintain a safe learning environment for all students. District officials say they have been working with the Education Departments' Civil Rights Office to investigate and resolve complaints.

The DeSoto group and Advancement Project filed their complaint against the district in April 2015. Education officials said they would investigate but no decision has been announced.

In the new supporting letter, the groups ask that Education Department officials require four things of the district to help address alleged problems: Select a student and parent advocate or ombudsman; require all school system staffers to complete anti-racism and implicit bias training; hire a consultant to reduce suspensions and discipline disparities, and require the system to collect and analyze data "to determine the breadth of discriminatory policies and practices and general harassment."

"Why should black parents have to teach their children how to respond to repeated racial slurs from students, hostile staff and unfair punishment from the district?" said parent Paris Marion. "Parents are literally sending our kids to live with relatives in other states because our children have been so deeply traumatized."

The school system revised its student code of discipline for the 2016-17 school year, but critics say it still fails to correct problems.

"The revised code continues to be grounded in exclusionary, overly punitive policies that fail to address the systemic racism that prompted DeSoto County families to file a federal complaint in the first place," said Jadine Johnson, a staff attorney for Advancement Project, which is a civil rights advocacy group.

DeSoto County Schools, with 42 schools and more than 33,000 students, is Mississippi's largest public district. The district is about 32 percent black, according to federal data cited by Advancement Project, but black students account for about 55 percent of all students suspended.
SHARE Charles Gayles Jr. Charlontae Smith Jeffrey Richardson

By Ron Maxey of The Commercial Appeal

Olive Branch police have three people in custody in connection with a home invasion in which a couple was injured, one seriously.

Charles Gayles Jr., 19; Jeffrey Richardson, 20; and Charlontae Smith, 16, all of Memphis, were taken into custody and are scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. Thursday.

A 78-year-old man in the targeted home was assaulted and received severe head injuries, according to police. A 68-year-old woman was found bound with duct tape and had minor injuries. Medical personnel were called for the victims, who were taken to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis.

The DeSoto County Sheriff's Department, Southaven Police Department and Memphis Police Aviation Unit assisted Olive Branch in the search for the assailants.

Police said the incident began with a call to the area near Virginia Drive and Anderson Road in Olive Branch about 10:40 p.m. Monday to investigate a suspicious vehicle. Responding officers found two suspects, one armed with a rifle. The suspect ignored police commands and fled on foot, according to a police statement.

Backup officers were called, and one of the suspects, Gayles, was found in the attic of the victims' home in the 9800 block of Miranda Drive. Richardson was located a few houses down from the crime scene, and Smith was also found nearby and arrested.

All three are charged with burglary of a dwelling/home invasion, aggravated assault and attempted murder, and each received a bond of $1 million.

Smith is under 18 but was charged as an adult.

Police recovered weapons used in the home invasion, as well as several firearms, jewelry and other items taken from the home.
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By Catherine Rampell

WASHINGTON  It's not just native-born Americans expressing nativist sentiments these days. Somehow, it's immigrants, too.

"I think that enough immigrants entered this country," Rosa Berezovskaya, an 86-year-old immigrant who came to the United States from Kiev in 2003, told the Forward in a story that ran last week.

"We also came here as immigrants in our own time. But we can't let in crooks, we can't let in untrustworthy people that will cause us problems," said 82-year-old Olga Dubova, who emigrated from Ukraine in 1995, in the same article.

"I like his honesty, that he's against Muslims, that he's against refugees," added Valentina Albert, herself a refugee from Moldova, referring to Donald Trump's immigration policies.

All three spoke to Forward reporters in Russian, if that matters.

For any Americans whose own families were also at some point among the huddled masses yearning to breathe free, these attitudes are disheartening. But they are hardly unusual. In recent months I have heard similar anti-immigrant rhetoric from other U.S. immigrants, including those hailing from as far away as Cameroon and Egypt. Many are convinced that today's newcomers are more dangerous to society than they themselves (and other immigrants in their cohort) ever were.

When they arrived, these established immigrants argue, they worked hard, learned English, assimilated and pulled themselves up by their own bootstraps. By contrast, the newbies are predominantly lazy, law-breaking, non-English-speaking, unwashed masses seeking welfare rather than work. (No matter that newly arrived immigrants are generally ineligible for means-tested federal benefit programs such as welfare, or that undocumented immigrants are always ineligible.)

These attitudes are reflected in recent polls of immigrants and their descendants, too.

In a U.S. survey conducted this spring by Pew Research Center, half of all foreign-born whites said that the growing number of newcomers "threatens" traditional American customs and values, rather than "strengthens" them.

White respondents whose most recent immigrant ancestors were their great-grandparents (or even earlier forebears) were only slightly more likely to view new immigrants as threatening to U.S. society (59 percent of fourth-generation whites said this, compared with 50 percent of others).

Last year the PRRI asked an alternate version of this same survey question. In that survey, though, pollsters also happened to ask Hispanic respondents about their place of birth and how long they'd been in the United States if they'd been born abroad. At my request, the institute cross-tabulated the results of these two questions.

The findings? Immigrants were generally more pro-immigrant than non-immigrants were, unsurprisingly. But within the subset of foreign-born Hispanics, there was a sharp gradient in views of newcomers, depending on how long ago respondents had arrived in the United States.

Among foreign-born Hispanics who had lived in the United States for one year or less, 84 percent said that the growing number of immigrants strengthened American society. Among foreign-born Hispanics who had been here for at least two decades, only 66 percent agreed. In other words, the longer Hispanic immigrants had been in the United States, the more skeptical they were that those who followed in their footsteps had much to contribute.

It's hard to blame these results entirely on Trump, as abhorrent and xenophobic as much of his rhetoric is. Established immigrants have a long tradition of shutting out the next cohort seeking shelter, security and freedom from persecution.

Take Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor, who was himself a British immigrant. As the long-tenured leader of the storied labor union, he fought hard to restrict further immigration. Why? Partly because newcomers posed an economic threat to his union members, but also partly because immigrants might corrupt the character of his adopted homeland. Especially if they were from the wrong sort of stock.

"The greater the number of immigrants, the less American the United States becomes," he wrote in 1923. "The American Federation of Labor believes that the foreigners now in this country should be assimilated before others are permitted to come except from such countries as Great Britain, France, Germany and Scandinavia."

In the late 19th century, German-born American Jews were not terribly welcoming of the waves of Jews from Central and Eastern Europe, thinking them barbarous and uneducated. German-born Protestant immigrants were likewise hostile toward Irish Catholic newcomers, as illustrated in Philadelphia's bloody 1844 Bible Riots.

Going back even further, Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant born in the West Indies, argued in 1802 that admitting and naturalizing too many foreigners threatened the young republic's "safety," "national spirit" and precise American calibration of "temperate liberty."

Following in this grand American tradition, the ladder is being pulled up once again.

Catherine Rampell's email address is crampell@washpost.com.
Microsoft last week continued its campaign to quash software pirates when it filed the fifth lawsuit in as many months accusing unidentified individuals with illegally activating more than 1,000 copies of Windows, including the newest Windows 10, and Office.

The suit was filed in a Seattle court last Thursday. It was almost identical to others submitted since February, when Microsoft started a string of cases targeting numerous "John Does."

"Microsofts cyberforensics have identified over one thousand activations of Microsoft software originating from IP address 69.92.99.109 ('the IP Address'), which is presently assigned to Cable One, Inc.," Microsoft's complaint read.

Microsoft did not identify the culprits, but tagged them as "John Doe" 1 through 10.

"Defendants have activated and attempted to active [sic] copies of Microsoft Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Office 2013, Office 2010, and Windows Server 2008," Microsoft charged.

As with the previous four John Doe cases of 2016, Microsoft asserted that it tracked the allegedly illegal activations to the IP address, and that the number and pattern of those activations "make it more likely than not" that they were using stolen product keys or abusing legitimate keys.

The 25-character alphanumeric key codes are a core component of Microsoft's anti-piracy technology. Although the software can be copied an unlimited number of times, the keys individually lock a license to a device. Minus a legitimate key and thus activation, Microsoft's software retreats to a hobbled or even crippled mode.

In a related filing for the same case, Microsoft requested that the latest be assigned to the same federal judge who is overseeing the four others initiated this year because they "are substantially related." Altogether, Microsoft has filed 13 anti-piracy lawsuits since November 2014 with the Seattle court.

Microsoft has been given permission in two of the 2016 cases -- both filed in early June -- to serve subpoenas to internet service providers (ISPs) Comcast and EarthLink. Those subpoenas have demanded that the ISPs identify the alleged software pirates who have been assigned the IP addresses Microsoft had fingered.
Microsoft's cloud push continued to pay off last quarter, with revenue from its Azure services more than doubling from the same period last year, the company reported Tuesday.

Overall revenue for the quarter was down, however, thanks partly to a steep decline in Microsoft's handset business. Total revenue for the three months ended June 30 was $20.6 billion, Microsoft said, down from $22.2 billion last year. Net profit was $3.1 billion.

Microsoft's retreat from the smartphone market hurt its device sales significantly. Phone revenue sank 71 percent, after the company back pedaled from its Nokia acquisition to focus on a few models of Windows phone.

The news came shortly after Microsoft announced that it would miss its goal of having 1 billion devices running Windows 10 by the middle of 2018, in part because its smartphones aren't selling well.

Microsoft's Intelligent Cloud business, which includes Azure services and on-premises server software, performed better, with revenue up 7 percent to $6.7 billion. Azure compute usage more than doubled year over year. Microsoft doesn't break out a dollar figure for its Azure sales, however, so it's hard to know exactly how large that business is.

Search revenue also grew, by 16 percent. More than 40 percent of search revenue in June was driven by Windows 10 devices, Microsoft said. That may have something to do with the fact that Cortana, the virtual assistant bundled with Microsoft's new operating system, uses Bing to run web searches.

Microsoft's productivity software business also grew significantly. The number of commercial seats of Office 365 sold grew 45 percent year-over-year, as more companies migrated to the subscription-based suite.

All in all, the quarter seems to be something of a validation for CEO Satya Nadella's focus on the cloud, with Office 365 and Azure posting strong growth. That said, the company's revenue declines still haven't leveled off, despite the rise in its newer businesses.
Conscientious sysadmins face a dilemma on December 31, when a new leap second will threaten the stability of computer systems and networks.

Scientists occasionally add a leap second to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the time reference most clocks are set by, so as to keep it in step with the earth's gradually slowing rotation. If they didn't, then clocks would be off by about a minute at midday by 2100.

Computer systems don't like leap seconds as they are programmed to expect the same number of seconds in every minute of every hour of every day. The various ways of tricking them into accepting the extra second -- stretching out all the other seconds in the preceding minute, hour or day, repeating the same second twice, or creating a 61st second in a minute, can cause chaos as they affect different computers in different ways.

A leap second added in 2012 caused trouble for LinkedIn, Reddit, and Qantas, while the last one, on June 30, 2015, caused around 2,000 computer networks around the world to crash.

In November that year, government representatives at the United Nations' World Radio Conference 2015 on international space and radio regulations were invited to consider abolishing leap seconds and the troubles they cause.

Delegates at WRC-15 postponed the decision until 2023 while they gather more evidence, meaning computer systems must deal with the consequences of leap seconds for eight more years.

Meanwhile, on recent evidence, it's likely that about one year in two will require a leap second. The next one is scheduled for midnight on Dec. 31, 2016.

The dilemma for sysadmins next New Year's Eve, then, is whether to stay on duty when everyone else is partying in order to minimize the effects of the coming leap second. Or whether to turn off their pagers, tell themselves that whatever will be, will be -- and let the ensuing chaos stand as testimony to WRC-23 delegates that the leap second's time is up.
Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for U.S. president, has antagonized much of the tech industry by opposing free trade and immigration but has otherwise nearly ignored this vital segment of the nation's economy.

As Republicans meet in Cleveland this week to officially declare Trump as their presidential candidate, several tech groups have called on him to release a tech agenda. The huge Consumer Technology Association has issued three press releases in the past week calling on Trump to outline his tech priorities.

The U.S. tech industry is "too critical to our country's future to be a policy afterthought," Gary Shapiro, the trade group's president and CEO, said in one release. Shapiro's veiled criticism of Republican Trump is notable after the trade group exec once accused Democrat Barack Obama of running "the most antibusiness administration" in his lifetime.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton released a lengthy tech-policy agenda in late June. She called on the U.S. to train 50,000 new computer science teachers over the next 10 years and to push green cards on foreign students earning advanced tech and science degrees from U.S. colleges.

In contrast, Trump has mentioned a handful of tech issues in passing during his campaign, and in most cases, his comments were antagonistic to tech companies. His lack of a tech agenda sends the message that he doesn't appear to care about those issues, said Robert Atkinson, president of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a tech-focused think tank.

Trump should start talking about tech issues "if he wants to gain the support of the tech community and people who care about tech," Atkinson said.

Just last week, a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, company founders, engineers, and investors, in an open letter, said a Trump presidency would be a "disaster for innovation." The Trump campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comments on criticisms from the tech industry.

The Republican Party, during its convention this week, released its platform, and the 66-page document promotes several tech issues, including fewer regulations for the tech industry and using government to "cause diplomatic, financial, and legal pain" to countries supporting cyberattacks.

But the platform was written by Republican Party insiders, not the Trump campaign.

"Trump has not said anything [about most tech issues], so they're just painting on a clean canvas," Atkinson said.

The Republican platform is unlikely a blueprint for what Trump would do as president, added Ed Black, president and CEO of the Computer & Communications Industry Association.

"The reality seems to be that there is little reason to believe that the Republican presidential candidate and the platform of the Republican Party are mutually trustworthy as guides to what might actually unfold in a Republican-controlled federal government," Black said by email.

Trump's opposition to free-trade deals, which are widely popular in a tech industry that seeks to expand its overseas sales, seems to have influenced the Republican platform. The platform this year offers a less full-throated defense of free trade than in past years, Atkinson noted.

When Trump has otherwise waded into tech debates, he hasn't made friends with most in the tech industry. He's criticized immigration programs and shifted positions on the H-1B skilled worker visa program popular with many tech companies.

In late 2014, he suggested "the internet and the whole computer age is really a mixed bag."

Trump has also criticized Apple for fighting the FBI's attempts to force the company to unlock an iPhone used by one of the suspects in the 2015 mass shooting in San Bernardino, California. In February, he called on Apple's customers to boycott the company over the unlocking court fight.

The new Republican platform appears to depart from Trump's views on encryption by calling on Congress and the president to develop a consensus. "No matter the medium, citizens must retain the right to communicate with one another free from unlawful government intrusion," the platform says. "It will not be easy to balance privacy rights with the governments legitimate need to access encrypted information."

CCIA's Black praised the platform for embracing encryption. It was good to see the platform recognize strong privacy protections as "crucial" to the digital economy, he said. "We certainly had concerns after Trump's prior claims that Apple is aiding terrorists and ought to be boycotted for refusing to develop a backdoor" for the FBI, he added.

Trump has also criticized Apple for building products overseas, saying he's going to force the company "to start building their damn computers and things in this country instead of in other countries." Trump's clothing line, however, is made in Bangladesh, Honduras, and other countries.

Trump has also said he's open to shutting down the parts of the internet that terrorists use to communicate.

In the past, Trump, a casino operator, has called for the U.S. to legalize internet gambling.
MADISON  People without photo identification will be able to vote in Novembers general election by signing an affidavit stating they could not obtain identification, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman issued a preliminary injunction order on Tuesday in a case challenging the states law requiring voters to have photo identification, granting a request from the American Civil Liberties Union.

The ACLUs request called for an affidavit option for voters who face a reasonable impediment to obtain a valid photo ID.

Adelmans order will allow the affidavit option for voters in the general election on Nov. 8. The ACLUs original request was to have the option be in place for people seeking to vote in the Aug. 9 primary election.

While most voters either have an ID or can get one easily, a safety net is needed for those voters who cannot obtain qualifying ID with reasonable effort, Adelman wrote in the order.

The plaintiffs proposed affidavit option is a sensible approach that will both prevent the disenfranchisement of some voters during the pendency of this litigation and preserve Wisconsins interests in protecting the integrity of its elections.

Attorney General Brad Schimel, who is defending the law, said he was disappointed with the courts decision.

We will decide the next course of action after (the Department of Justice) attorneys have had time to fully review and analyze the courts decision, Schimel said in a statement.

Sean Young, an attorney with the ACLUs Voting Rights Project, said the ruling was a strong rebuke of the states efforts to limit access to the ballot box.

Wisconsins voter ID law has been a mistake from day one, Young said in a statement. It means that a failsafe will be in place in November for voters who have had difficulty obtaining ID.

Voters must show a Wisconsin drivers license or state ID card, a U.S. passport, military ID card, a college ID meeting certain requirements, a naturalization certificates or ID issued by a state-based American Indian tribe in order to vote.

Reid Magney, spokesman of the state Elections Commission, said the board will be talking to DOJ attorneys about the decision to prepare for the November election.

It is too early to discuss the details of how the affidavit procedure will be implemented, however, it will affect a relatively small number of voters, Magney said.

The ACLU filed the motion in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee after a federal appeals court in April ruled that the ACLU and the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty could seek such an order as they challenge the states law.

Voter ID was made law in Wisconsin in 2011 but, due to a string of legal challenges, didnt take effect in a statewide election until this year.

In Wisconsin and other states that have implemented voter ID, it has been politically explosive. The laws supporters, nearly all of whom are Republican, argue its a reasonable step to prevent voter impersonation, though such cases are rare. Critics, most of whom are Democrats, decry it as an attempt to suppress voting by groups that tend to vote for Democrats, such as the very poor, college students and minorities.

The ACLU and the National Law Center for Homelessness and Poverty filed the federal lawsuit challenging Wisconsins voter ID law in 2011. The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld the law in 2014.

But the groups pressed the suit, saying that some people face special obstacles to obtain the ID needed to vote under the law.

The state DOJ previously asked Adelman to put the lawsuit brought by the ACLU on hold as a similar lawsuit brought by the liberal advocacy group One Wisconsin Institute made its way through the courts, challenging elements of the Voter ID law and other election-related measures implemented since 2011 when Gov. Scott Walker took office and Republicans gained control of the Legislature.
Google's intelligent cloud developer tools expanded Wednesday with the launch of a new Cloud Natural Language API. The service is aimed at helping developers create applications that understand human language.

It's an important move for Google, as public cloud providers race to host new applications built with intelligent capabilities. Natural language processing allows developers to build apps that can tackle the challenging task of understanding how humans communicate. It is also key for building intelligent assistants and chat bots.

This API can provide information about a block of text back to an application, including the overall sentiment of a passage and an analysis of the structure of a sentence. The system can also identify entities mentioned, including people, organizations, locations, events and products.

The API is based on the same research that Google used to create Parsey McParseface, an open source parser for English text that the company released earlier this year.

The natural language API entered public beta alongside Google's already announced Speech API, which lets applications take in recorded voice clips and get text back. By connecting the two APIs, it's possible for developers to build an app that can listen to a user's voice and then understand what that person is saying.

By launching these two services in beta, Google continues its competition against Microsoft, Amazon and IBM, which are also launching intelligent capabilities in their public cloud platforms.

On top of that, Google launched one of its cloud platform regions in Oregon, a significant expansion of the company's public cloud capabilities. At first, customers will be able to use the company's Compute Engine, Cloud Storage and Container Engine services, with more capabilities coming later.

Users in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles will experience 30% to 80% reduction in latency when using applications hosted in the US-West1 region compared to those hosted at Google's US-Central region in Iowa, the company said.

It's all part of Google's continuing push to increase its relevance in the rough-and-tumble public cloud market, where it faces fierce competition.
Last September there was an announcement by David Cameron that over the following five years the UK would admit 20,000 refugees from the camps on the borders of Syria.

So far, progress is fairly slow but a start has been made. The Government reports:

In the year ending March 2016, a total of 2,441 people were resettled in the UK through this process. Of these, 1,667 were also granted humanitarian protection under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme (VPRS). In the year ending March 2016, 49% (824) of those resettled under the Syrian VPRS were under 18 years old, and 49% (818) were female.

The response of the Labour Party was that the figure of 20,000 was far too low. Yet no council has offered to use its own resources to provide sanctuary for the refugees. The 20,000 under the Syrian Vulnerable Peoples Relocation Scheme will be entirely funded by central Government. If the Labour Party wants a higher figure why are Labour councils unwilling to offer any financial contribution to this?

In fact even with the funding available, the response of Labour councils regarding Syrian refugees has been derisory. My own council of Hammersmith and Fulham has not yet taken a single one  despite last year campaigning for the 20,000 figure to be increased.

Joe Anderson, the Labour directly-elected Mayor of Liverpool made a specific offer to take a hundred Syrian refugees (if the Home Office coughs up the necessary resources). Even though the Home Office is offering full funding Liverpool has yet to take a single one.

Sir Gerald Kaufman responded to Camerons announcement:

The right hon. Gentleman says that he is going to take in 20,000 refugees over five years. The Germans took in 10,000 on one day. What kind of comparison is that? I recognise the financial problems and the assimilation problems, but if we do not do it now, we will live to regret it for the rest of our lives. The message from my constituents, in a huge postbag and at every event I attended in my constituency over the weekend, is: Let them in! Well welcome them. Well do what the Germans did. Lets get on with it!

A powerful statement. But Kaufmans local Labour Council of Manchester has not taken in a single Syrian refugee. Has Kaufman challenged them over this? Is he even aware of it?

Harriet Harman, the acting Labour leader at the time, also attacked Cameron. We should not be talking about refugees as being a burden on us, she said. She wanted to know of the 20,000 how many will it be this year? The crisis is immediate so does that mean there will be only 4,000 this year? She added that: Many local authorities are keen to step forward and play their partand that is greatly to their credit.

The number that Harmans local Labour council has taken? Nil. Has she made any criticism of her colleagues over this disgraceful failure? Not that I can see.

Jeremy Corbyn also indicated the 20,000 figure was too low. Action should be taken to ensure Britain plays a much greater role than it does at present. Yet in his Labour council of Islington inaction has prevailed. Only ten Syrian refugees have been admitted.

Barry Sheerman, the Labour MP for Huddersfield, said he did not think that the Prime Minister has yet gone far enough. His Labour council of Kirklees has only found homes for 11 Syrian refugees. What condemnation has Sheerman made of such a derisory tally?

David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham, asked Cameron: Why has he limited his help for Syrians to 4,000 a year? Has he asked Haringey Council why it has limited its help to nil?

Diane Abbott, the Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, found Camerons proposal for taking 4,000 Syrian refugees a year derisory. How would she describe Hackney Councils record of accepting nil Syrian refugees?

Jenny Chapman, the Labour MP for Darlington, said her Labour council was on board. They have since taken none.

One could go on. But the point is surely established of institutional hypocrisy having engulfed the Labour Party. In the media spotlight the Labour MPs find it easy to grandstand and virtue signal. With great emotion they will denounce the wickedness of the Tory Government. Yet when it comes to the more difficult matter of challenging their local Labour councillors, their moral indignation vanishes. Suddenly they become sympathetic to all the practical difficulties and their protests fall silent.
Jones tells May Welsh red lines for Brexit



One has to feel a little sorry for Carwyn Jones, the Labour First Minister of Wales. After all his talk about how Brexit might force Wales to choose between two unions, his voters went and chose Leave.

This stalled efforts by both himself (who seems to wish he had stronger nationalists to placate) and Plaid Cymu, the actual separatists, to hope on the post-referendum constitutional bandwagon. For about a week.

Now he has been laying down red lines for the Prime Minister during her visit to Wales this week, according to Wales Online.

The Prime Minister is making a very commendable effort to bring the devolved administrations to the table during the upcoming Brexit negotiations and ensure their concerns are reflected.

But Jones  and many other Welsh devolutionaries, who are a bit worried about May  will never pass up an opportunity to grandstand on the constitution and demand more powers. The Prime Minister must be prepared not just to save Welsh steel  but to show some.

Meanwhile, former Welsh Secretary David Jones has rejoined the Government to take part in the Brexit negotiations.

SNP accused of posturing after demanding withdrawal of nuclear weapons

Angus Robertson, the Scottish Nationalist leader in the House of Commons, has provoked a backlash from the GMB trades union after calling for Britains nuclear submarine fleet to be removed from the Clyde.

The union claims that the call  which would likely lead to the closure of HMNB Clyde, due to the lack of need for another conventional naval base  was motivated by Robertsons candidacy in the SNPs deputy leadership contest.

A vacancy  which is also being contested by Tommy Sheppard, another MP  opened up after Stewart Hosie stepped down for health reasons are being caught having an affair with a Westminster journalist.

For all the SNPs fuss, Scotland in facts polls much more tightly on Trident than its lock-step legion of SNP MPs would suggest, and there are likely very few voters who care enough about ditching Trident to base their constitutional vote on it who arent already firm separatists.

Government only prepared to invest in Tata if British jobs secured

Alun Cairns, the Welsh Secretary, has told MPs that the British Government would only invest in Tata Steel as part of a sustainable plan to preserve jobs at its Port Talbot plant.

Talks of a merger with German firm ThyssenKrupp led some to express concern that the UK side of the business might be allowed to wither on the vine, according to Wales Online.

But Cairns told them that any Government investment in Tata would come with conditions to prevent that from happening, including a firm strategy to secure the plants long-term future.

Northern Irish administration divides over Brexit

Sinn Fein and the DUP are moving apart over the European Union, after Martin McGuinness suggested that Northern Ireland should somehow remain in the bloc despite the UK as a whole voting to Leave.

Much like the SNP, Irish nationalists are trying to latch onto their local EU referendum vote as a proxy for an actual border poll: the News Letter reports that the Deputy First Minister thinks Stormont would vote to stay in the EU if a vote were called.

Arlene Foster, the Democratic Unionist leader and First Minister, disagrees. She also reminds McGuinness that foreign affairs are reserved to Westminster and are decided at a UK level. The DUP campaigned for Brexit and delivered most unionist areas for Leave.

as Irish leader concedes possibility of border poll

The Belfast Telegraph informs us that Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland, has warned the EU to prepare for the outside chance of a referendum on Irish unification following Brexit.

Voters in the province voted Remain, and the prospect of a hardening of the border has galvanised Sinn Fein to start agitating for a vote.

However it remains very unlikely  not only did most unionist parts of Ulster vote Leave, there is little sign that enough voters value the EU highly enough to swing the vote. The Republic would also struggle (to put it mildly) to shoulder the burden of subsidising the province.

SNP MP admits that independence would require years of cuts

George Kerevan, one of the three SNP MPs tasked with exploring the creation of a Scottish Pound has conceded that breaking off from the UK would entail cuts in public spending, the Scotsman notes.

In an article for City AM about how a separate Scotland inside the EU could be a powerhouse, he writes that Edinburgh would have to cut its budget coat to fit its fiscal means in the event that it adopted its own currency.

As the Herald puts it, the party is starting to move away from the land of milk and honey rhetoric. But one of the key challenges facing the separatists is how to build a credible, reassuring economic prospectus for independence without dividing their coalition, many of whom have highly divergent economic politics.

Paying EU membership fees whilst losing Barnett transfers and cutting spending is not an alluring place to start  and as one commentator notes, EU policies would force an even harsher adjustment, as Scotlands deficit is three times the level permitted by Brussels.
A structural weakness in the Governments policy of reducing net immigration to the tens of thousands was that in a free society one can control inflows but not outflows. When the economy slows, the latter may outpace the former. But when it grows, the reverse may be the case, as migrants enter in search of work.

This is what happened between 2010 and 2015. At first, recession continued and net migration fell. Then growth returned, and it rose again. None the less, as recently as early last year, it was lower than when the Coalition took office among non-EU migrants. It was freedom of movement that blew the door off the Conservative pledge to hit that tens of thousands target. David Cameron and Theresa May duly downgraded that promise to an aspiration in last years Conservative Manifesto.

This is not to say that a target would be impossible to hit were EU migration to continue as now post-Brexit. But to clamp down further on non-EU migration while leaving EU migration unchecked would distort Britains economic needs: as we wrote last summer, no-one designing a rational migration system would begin by making it easier, say, for low-skill Slovenians to enter Britain than higher-skill Indians. It would also spit in the face of many of the voters who plumped for Brexit last month. According to Lord Ashcrofts research, controlling EU immigration was second from top of their reasons for doing so.

Our new Prime Minister recognises that Brexit must mean more control over EU migration  and lower numbers. She told senior MPs during the leadership contest that, in the trade-off between staying in the single market and reducing net EU immigration, she will plump for the latter. She has a political reason for doing so that is different from, though linked to, giving voters the reduction that they want  namely, that she failed to do so as Home Secretary, has pinned the blame on rising levels of EU migration, and knows that she must now deliver if she is to convince the electorate that her new Government means less spin and more delivery.

The problem she is running up against is that some of her most senior colleagues seem to have no faith in the net immigration reduction policy. This mornings Daily Telegraph quotes Amber Rudd and Boris Johnson as suggesting that Theresa Mays new administration will no longer set explicit targets for reducing the number of foreigners coming to the UK. This may be because their instincts are liberal on migration: the Foreign Secretary certainly has a history that suggests this is so: he recently repeated his call for an ammesty for illegal immigrants. Or it may be because they have been ground down by the failure of the policy to work so far.

Johnson is reported as saying that one doesnt want to be in a position where you are disappointing people again, which supports this latter view. Meanwhile, Downing Street is saying that the Prime Minister does see sustainable levels as down to the tens of thousands, but reportedly refuses to commit to a target. All this uncertainty looks like teething problems as the new administration settles down. But Ministers may not have fully grasped that with Brexit will come greater flexibility to reduce migration  and a consequent opportunity to re-upgrade the ambition of achieving a net reduction back into that original Conservative pledge.

They would do better still, as this site has argued, to revisit the policy altogether  and the start of a new administration provides a timely opportunity to do so. We return to where we started. Any policy that is partly reliant on an outflow one cannot control is a vulnerable policy. A gross target for all migration from all sources would plainly be more desirable. We acknowledge that some experts dont like the idea  see Lord Greens piece on this site in response to Bright Blues call for such a target in relation to non-EU migration.

His objection was that the groups proposal would exclude students, but it is possible to frame a gross target in such a way as to include them. But in any event, May knows well that just as Brexit means Brexit, it also means Brexit means lower immigration. She visits Angela Merkel today. But, on return, she must sort the confusion out.
Last month, U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy (R-Wausau) and wife Rachel Campos Duffy became parents for an eighth time.

On Monday, they took to the stage at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland to take jabs at Democrats and to rally support for the Republicans presumptive nominee for president, Donald Trump.

Sean Duffy  who represents the 7th Congressional District, which includes a majority of Chippewa County  is among several Wisconsinites to speak to the convention. Others include U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, House Speaker Paul Ryan, Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke and, in primetime Wednesday night, Gov. Scott Walker.

The Duffys spoke for a little more than five minutes on a night where the convention theme was Make America Safe Again.

The couple started by saying they met 19 years ago on an MTV reality show called The Real World.

Rachel Campos Duffy said with their large family, they have a number of rules.

No private server in the basement, Sean Duffy said. He was referring to the Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton doing public business on her private computer server at her home, actions investigated by the FBI.

And no lying, Rachel said.

Especially to the FBI, said Duffy, who was first elected in 2010 and succeeded long-time 7th District Rep. David Obey, a Wausau Democrat.

The Duffys then recounted the heritage of their families, with Sean saying he comes from a long line of lumberjacks. Rachel said her grandparents came to the U.S. from Mexico, and that her father started his own business when he was 12.

She said her parents got their degrees after going to night school while raising their family, doing so in pursuit of the American Dream.

Its a dream thats bigger and more satisfying than any bureaucrat or any government check could ever hope to deliver, she said. We cannot let America become like the corrupt socialist regimes that our families left behind.

Sean Duffy pointed to regulations that he said are crushing U.S. workers and about the threat of terrorism.

We need to unify behind a new president who can strengthen, protect and restore our nation for the next generation, he said, before referencing Wisconsin, where he said Republicans have won every election except for the big one.

He concluded: We cant stay home now if were going to save our country Lets rally around Donald Trump and together, lets make American great again.
Theresa May was formidable. On her debut at Prime Ministers Questions, she dominated the House, and bludgeoned Jeremy Corbyn, by her ruthless willingness to spell out home truths.

To Corbyn, she delivered a short lesson in economics which could have come from the lips of Margaret Thatcher: He talks about austerity. I call it living within our means.

She was if anything even more brutal to Tim Farron, the leader of the Liberal Democrats: My partys a little bit bigger than his is.

A well-brought-up Englishman would shrink from saying anything quite so crude, so boastful, so obvious. He would try to think of a wittier way to convey the thought.

The female of the species is more deadly than the male. The new Prime Minister won admiring applause from her benches by being astonishingly unsubtle.

So she attacked Corbyn with a series of remarks about an unscrupulous boss who doesnt listen to his own workers and exploits the rules to further his own career, before asking with the heaviest emphasis: Does it remind him of anybody?

Mays condescending clarity somehow implied that along with all his other troubles, Corbyn is incapable of understanding a word anyone else says.

And that may be true. He is not quick on his feet. For when he challenged her to defend the use by the new Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, in his journalism, of terms such as piccaninnies and part-Kenyan, she ignored that part of the rather verbose question.

Corbyn could then have said: I note that the new Prime Minister refuses to defend the new Foreign Secretarys indefensible use of language.

But Corbyn just let the subject drop, making one wonder why he had thought it worth raising in the first place.

May dares, when it suits her, to be astoundingly dull. She has various favoured phrases, including her attack on the privileged few, of which we shall soon have grown heartily tired.

This column will be seeking ways to defend the few against this bullying. Meanwhile some of them have been consigned to the Conservative backbenches: there was George Osborne, looking a bit self-conscious as he made conversation with Sir Henry Bellingham, and Michael Gove, who seems to have caught the sun.

But thats at least better than being caught by The Sun. All credit to these gentlemen for turning up and reminding us of the marvellous suddenness with which, in our system, the wheel of fortune can turn.

And there was Boris Johnson on the front bench, looking happy, as well he might. Only Amber Rudd and Philip Hammond sat between him and the Prime Minister.

How triumphant May sounded as she declared in her capacity as the second female Prime Minister: Ive long heard the Labour Party asking what the Conservative Party does for women.

She sounded completely on top of her brief. Labour has just acquired another very good reason to change its leader.
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Researchers from the UC San Francisco and UC Berkeley have discovered two possible routes that Zika virus take to travel from the pregnant mother to the developing fetus.

In a study published in Cell Host & Microbe, researchers attributed the movement of the Zika virus to the period of the womans pregnancy. One route called placental route is reportedly established in the first trimester. The other route is related to the development of amniotic sac during the second trimester of the pregnancy.

Virologist and professor of cell and tissue biology in the UCSF School of Dentistry, Dr. Lenore Pereira noted that seldom do viruses can actually reach the fetus during pregnancy and cause birth defects, but she suggested to find protection of the fetus.

"Understanding how some viruses are able to do this is a very significant question and may be the essential question for thinking about ways to protect the fetus when the mother gets infected," Pereira said, reported News Medical.

Microcephaly is one of the most common birth defects associated with Zika virus. Pereira pointed out that while birth defects are mostly attributed to infection during the first and second trimester, the UCSF professor warned that pregnant women are equally susceptible to serious birth defects at the latter part of the pregnancy.

Pereira added, "The most severe birth defects associated with Zika infection -- like microcephaly -- seem to occur when a woman is infected in the first and second trimester. But there may be a range of lesser but still serious birth defects that occur when a woman is infected later in pregnancy."

The study also provided a solution to fight the bacteria. They introduced the use of Duramycin, commonly used in animals but demonstrated to be effective in cell culture experiments.

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne bacteria that captured international attention in 2015 during the outbreak in Brazil. Records show that Zika virus is now apparent in 60 countries around the world.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
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Women wanting to increase chances of having children through in vitro fertilization (IVF) can now heave a sigh of relief following the assurance from experts in a recent study, that no evidence shows linking the procedure to breast cancer.

A team of Dutch researchers has debunked earlier data that suggested hormones such as estrogen and progestogens have the significant effect that could potentially increase the risk of having breast cancer.

The recent findings are based on a study of approximately 25,000 women who had undergone IVF procedure between the years 1983 and 1995. WebMD learns that most of the subject in the study initiated by Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam, included women who were 33 years old when they first participated in the study and underwent three to four IVF cycles.

The breast cancer rates of one group of women who had undergone the procedure have been compared to those who never depended on IVF. And in the report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on July 19, the researchers assert that there appeared to be no evidence of risk for breast cancer in any of the groups.

Statistics show that the IVF group recorded cumulative rate of breast cancer at 3.0 percent compared to the rate of the non-IVF group at 2.9 percent.

The main takeaway is theres no evidence of an increased subsequent risk of breast cancer, at least in the first couple decades, the New York Times quoted Dr. Saundra S. Buys as saying. Buys is an oncologist at the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah.

Thats reassuring, because you would think if you did I.V.F. 10 times, your risk would be higher, the president of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Dr. Owen K. Davis explains in a separate statement.

Women through the years have resorted to IVF in hopes to conceive a child. An estimated five million children were born through IVF.

See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare
What happens if anything to Chippewa Countys per vehicle registration fee, or wheel tax, will be left to the countys Highway Committee.

The $10 a year fee per vehicle is scheduled to expire in 2020. It was set up to pay for a deficit in the countys winter maintenance fund. Mild weather the last two winters has helped the county pay down the deficit.

County Highway Commissioner Brian Kelley said the county took in $540,724 in the wheel tax in 2015. He has previously projected the winter maintenance funds deficit at the end of this year to be $63,000, provided the county sees projected average costs pan out.

At its last meeting, the Highway Committee came up with a consensus to keep the tax in place in 2017. But there has been discussion by board members about holding a special County Board session to make a decision about what to do with the tax.

On Tuesday afternoon, the countys Executive Committee decided to have the Highway Committee hold a meeting July 27 that will take up the wheel tax and what should be done next.

I promise you were going to work very hard to find a responsible solution, said Supervisor Glen Sikorski, who is the chairman of the Highway Committee and a member of the Executive Committee.

Keeping it social

County Administrator Frank Pascarella said the county is being deliberate about allowing county departments to use social media. But it will happen.

The question isnt if we implement social media into the county, its when, Pascarella said Tuesday.

He consulted with Rob Teuteberg, an investigator for the Chippewa Falls Police Department. Teutenberg, who is retiring from his post next week, set up and ran the departments social media efforts on Facebook and Twitter.

He spends about 10 hours a week on social media, Pascarella said, noting that Teuteberg answers questions posted on the departments social media outlets within 60-90 minutes.

Teuteberg also spends one to two hours on the departments social media during a weekend. Pascarella said the county will have to decide if it should have an employee spend time doing that over weekends. Finding someone to do the work could also be a challenge.

All departments are at capacity. All departments could make a legitimate case for additional personnel, Pascarella said.

For now, Sheriff James Kowalczyk has been asked to form a plan on how his department will utilize social media.

My concern is if we roll it out for one department, we have to roll it out across the county, Pascarella said.

Business park openings

On another topic, he said the county is working with the Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation on finding tenants for Lake Wissota Business Park, near HSHS St. Josephs Hospital.

Currently we have two businesses that we are working with to be located in the Lake Wissota Business Park, Pascarella said.

Cray, Inc. has already committed to expanding into the park.
SHARE Gavin Breedlove, 13, of Henderson, holds a sign for his father, Shane Breedlove, during a memorial service held for Shane along Washington Avenue in Evansville Tuesday. Shane Breedlove was found shot to death at the corner of Washington and Thompson avenues on July 19, 2015, the investigation is ongoing. ALEX SLITZ / THE GLEANER Family and friends gather during a memorial service for Shane Breedlove along Washington Avenue in Evansville Tuesday. Breedlove was found shot to death at the corner of Washington and Thompson avenues on July 19, 2015, the investigation is ongoing. ALEX SLITZ / THE GLEANER A car with a window decal reading "In Memory of Shane Breedlove" sits along Thompson Avenue near the site of a memorial service for Shane Breedlove in Evansville Tuesday. Breedlove was found shot to death at the corner of Washington and Thompson avenues on July 19, 2015, the investigation is ongoing.

By Tori Fater, tori.fater@courierpress.com / @vrfater

The reward for information about the fatal shooting of Evansville's Shane Breedlove has leaped to $40,000 from $15,000, his mother announced Tuesday at a memorial service.

Exactly one year after Breedlove, 41, was shot and killed on his way to work, dozens of people gathered at the site where he died to pay tribute to the former Henderson resident.

Breedlove, a club disc jockey and musician who also worked repossessing cars for local dealerships, was walking near Washington and Thompson avenues at about 9:30 p.m. on July 19, 2015, when he was shot three times. He was only a half-mile from home and about two blocks from KC's Time Out Lounge in Washington Square Mall, where he worked as a disc jockey.

His mother, Carole Cleveland, addressed the crowd of mourners Tuesday night to remind them that "somebody knows something."

"We made it through the year," she said. "Thank you for standing here and for standing up for Shane."

KC's Time Out Lounge offered $10,000 for information about the crime, and the rest of the reward money is coming from Breedlove's family, Cleveland said. After a year of waiting for breakthroughs in the case, she believes boosting the reward could prompt someone to finally come forward.

"If that won't do it, I don't know what will," Cleveland told the dozens of people holding signs with messages like "You will be missed" or "Pray for his family."

She paused, looking at the crowd spilling off the sidewalk and into the street. "You ask yourself what your child's worth."

Three men were arrested and charged with murder in connection with Breedlove's death, but later released with their charges dropped. Bobby John Handegard, his son Bobby Michael Handegard and Derrick Murray were arrested in August, but by October, they no longer faced charges in the fatal shooting.

Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Nicholas Hermann said at the time there was not enough evidence to continue to trial.

The case is still under investigation, Evansville Police Sgt. Jason Cullum said recently.

During the memorial, people bowed their heads for a solemn moment as Cleveland played a recording of Breedlove singing "Purple Rain," one of his favorite songs.

"I know times are changing," Breedlove sang. "It's time we all reach out."

"The first time he ever sang that, I couldn't believe it," said Judy Myers, a family friend. "I wanted to see him go far."

Sara Cronin, a friend of Breedlove's who joined the memorial service, said Breedlove was "that person that walks in the room and you can't help but love him."

"He always lifted me up," she said. "Nobody's going to stop until we find justice for him."
SHARE Mathew McCallister

By Mark Wilson of the Courier and Press

Warrick County Prosecutor Mike Perry wasn't surprised it took jurors almost twice as long to recommend sentencing Mathew McCallister to life without parole as it did to convict him.

McCallister, 34, on Monday was convicted of murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the February 2014 slaying of Joseph Nelson, 35, of Martinsville, Indiana.

The verdict came after week-long trial in Warrick Superior Court No. 1. McCallister will be sentenced 9 a.m. Aug. 23.

The jury heard four full days of evidence, including from the defense, lasting until late Friday afternoon. It returned to court Monday to hear closing arguments.

"It's one thing to say somebody did it, they're guilty but it's another thing to give them a life without parole sentence. They are essentially locking them away for the rest of their lives," Perry said. "I think the jury took their time and did a very good job."

Indiana law places life without parole sentences on equal footing as the death penalty.

The process for seeking both sentence options is the same, and both penalties are reserved for murder cases. Prosecutors must file a separate charging information alleging one or more of the aggravating circumstances required by Indiana law for life without parole or death penalty sentences.

In McCallister's case the aggravating factor was that he was on parole at the time of Nelson's murder.

After conviction, a penalty phase is conducted with opening statements, evidence, closing arguments and a separate deliberation by the jury.

Indiana's criminal code mandates judges accept death penalty or life without parole sentence recommendations from juries.

So why go through a separate sentencing hearing?

"They still go through the mechanics of a pre-sentence investigation for the (Indiana) Department of Corrections and the victims have a right to address the court at sentencing," Perry said.

After the sentence is imposed, Indiana law allows for a representative of the victim's family and friends to give an impact statement to the court, while the defendant is present.

During the penalty phase of McCallister's trial defense attorney Steve Bohleber told the jury that McCallister maintained his innocence.

He argued that the jury should reject life without parole and instead allow Judge Zach Winsett to sentence McCallister to a term of years. Bohleber argued that McCallister was on parole for failure to return to detention, a class D felony, with only eight months of parole left to serve.

He also argued that a life sentence created a disparity between McCallister's sentence and three others who were convicted of charges in Nelson's death.

Bohleber declined the Courier & Press' request to comment for this article because it's his policy not to talk about pending litigation or jury verdicts outside of the courtroom or appeals process.

McCallister was the only one of the four people charged in Nelson's death to stand trial. Codefendants Shawn Grigsby, David Lackey Jr. and Jade Stigall already pleaded guilty to lesser charges.

Grigsby pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and received a 20-year sentence in September 2014. Lackey and Stigall received four-year sentences after pleading guilty to charges of assisting a criminal in return for their cooperation in the investigation. A fifth defendant, Kelli Wyrick of Indianapolis, was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal, as well as to three drug-related charges. However, she was never charged with murder or conspiracy in the case.
DENNY SIMMONS / COURIER & PRESS Republican presidential hopeful Sen. Ted Cruz visits with supporters at Wolf's Bar-B-Q at 6600 First Avenue in Evansville, Ind., on May 3. Voting was still underway in the Indiana primary and Cruz was working for every vote he could garner.

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By Rick Jervis, USA TODAY

In the heat of the Republican primary battle, Ted Cruz called Donald Trump a pathological liar, narcissist and utterly amoral.

In turn, Trump tagged Cruz Lyin Ted and suggested that his father, Rafael Cruz, had a hand in the Kennedy assassination.

Cruz on Wednesday is expected to shelve that bad blood, at least temporarily, and take the stage at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland for one of the most anticipated speeches of the event.

Cruz, runner-up in the Republican primary contest, is one of the highest-profile GOP personalities to speak at the convention, though he has not revealed what hell talk about. Observers will be watching closely to see if he offers a direct endorsement of his former foe  which he has withheld since ending his campaign in May  or uses the big stage to advance his own political ambitions and an anticipated second run for the White House in the future.

Is this going to be a Ted Cruz saying, Thank you to all my delegates, and by the way, I hate Hillary Clinton? said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginias Center for Politics. Or is he going to say, Ladies and gentleman, given the choices, were going to have to stand with Donald Trump. It will matter.

Cruzs speech comes at a time when the Republican Party faces serious chasms between pro- and anti-Trump factions. Former presidents and party stalwarts George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush, former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Ohio Gov. John Kasich have chosen to skip the Cleveland gathering.

On Monday, a group of delegates attempted to force a roll call vote on the convention rules, leading to shouting matches on the floor of Quicken Loans Arena between Trump detractors and his supporters.

A ringing endorsement from Cruz could go a long way toward unifying the party, much the way Ronald Reagan threw his support behind rival Gerald Ford in a dramatic turn at the 1976 GOP convention, said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Rice University in Houston. Then, Reagan walked over to Ford at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, shook hands with the president and gave a stirring speech supporting his former foe.

Dont expect such magnanimity from Cruz on Wednesday, Jones said. By supporting Trump too closely, Cruz risks alienating many of the conservative supporters he gained the past year on the campaign trail, many of whom feel Trumps stands on issue are not conservative enough, he said.

Quicken Loans Arena will not be Kemper Arena 40 years later, Jones said.

Jones said Cruzs motives are likely less tied to supporting Trump and uniting the party and more about remaining relevant to his supporters to take another run at the presidency in 2020 or 2024. Cruz himself has alluded to another presidential run. In an interview with Politico's Off Message" podcast last week, Cruz evaded questions about whether he would endorse Trump in Cleveland, saying he was where a great many voters are, which is that I am listening and watching and coming to a decision.

He then hinted at a future run. Most wars are not won in a single battle, he said, adding: What Im looking forward to is changing the course this country is on. I dont know if that happens in this election cycle or not.

On the floor in Cleveland, GOP advisors and delegates seemed to be talking more about Melania Trumps speech Monday night and the candidates upcoming speech on Thursday than speculating on what Cruz might say, said Hogan Gidley, a Republican strategist attending the convention.

What Cruz doesnt say in his Wednesday speech will be just as important as what he does, he said.

Youre supposed to come out and endorse and you signed a pledge that you would, Gidley said. The omission would be glaring.

When Cruz walks out onto the stage Wednesday, expect a lot of rhetoric attacking Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and a list of personal views on issues, but not a lot of Trump accolades, said James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin. Bad blood doesn't thin that quickly.

Its hard not to see this about his ambition when we certainly know its not about supporting Trump, Henson said.
U.S. Reps. Todd Rokita and Susan Brooks. (Photo: Indy Star and AP Photos)

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By James Briggs and Tony Cook, IndyStar / USA TODAY Network

U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks and Todd Rokita each are keeping one foot in their re-election campaigns as they run for governor in Indiana.

The Republican hopefuls withdrew from their congressional races on July 15 to vie for Gov. Mike Pence's job. But both candidates say they plan to remain in Congress if they're unsuccessful.

Brooks and Rokita are among four known Indiana Republicans seeking to replace Pence in the November contest against Democrat John Gregg. Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb and state Sen. Jim Tomes of Wadesville are the others. Pence dropped out to become Donald Trump's running mate. State law prohibits candidates from running in more than one race at a time.

Brooks and Rokita technically have much to lose by running for governor because they left U.S. House races that they were heavily favored to win. But even before they withdrew, they started preparing to return to the ballot.

The 22-member Indiana Republican Central Committee has scheduled a July 26 caucus to nominate a candidate for governor. Holcomb, already one seat away from the governorship, is considered the favorite to win.

If both Brooks and Rokita  or just one of them  lose, they can ask to be nominated to their congressional races again. Precinct committee members in their districts will get the final say.

Brooks said in an interview she already has reached out to committee members to say she wants to resume her re-election bid in Indiana's 5th District should she fail to get the nod for governor. Brooks, a two-term incumbent from Carmel, had been set to face Democrat Angela Demaree in the general election.

"I very much intend to ask them to put me back on the ballot," Brooks said.

Rokita also said he has informed precinct committee members in the 4th District that he'll seek the nomination again if he isn't a candidate for governor. Rokita, a three-term incumbent from Brownsburg, was running against Democrat John Dale.

So far, no one has emerged to challenge Brooks or Rokita if they run for re-election. Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard has expressed interest in running for Brooks' seat. And State Sen. Ron Alting of Lafayette is exploring a run for Rokita's seat. But both prospective candidates have said they are only interested if the incumbents are out of the mix.

Mike McDaniel, a former GOP state chairman, said Brooks and Rokita had little to lose by aiming for the governor's seat. Precinct committee members can put them back on the ballot without risking much damage to their congressional campaigns, given the Republican leanings of their districts, he said.

They really arent risking much, he said.

In addition to settling on a new gubernatorial candidate, the Republican Party will need someone to run for lieutenant governor. Holcomb spokesman Peat Seat said the lieutenant governor "is focused on and running for governor, nothing else." The Republican Party plans to nominate a new candidate candidate on Aug. 1, six days after it makes a choice for governor.

Holcomb, Brooks and Rokita are in Cleveland this week making their cases to party leaders who are attending the Republican National Convention.
Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., arrives on stage at a luncheon sponsored by the American Conservative Union Foundation, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

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By Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY NETWORK The Indianapolis Star

CLEVELAND  The stakes were already high for Gov. Mike Pence, who gives his vice presidential acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention Wednesday.

The Indiana Republican is not only giving the most important speech of his career to millions of Americans. He's also preparing for a bit of a do-over after Pence was overshadowed by Donald Trump at Saturday's unveiling of the ticket in New York.

At that event, Pence spoke for 15 minutes, about half as long as Trump's rambling introduction. And Trump spoke more about himself than Pence, whom he reiterated was his first choice for a running mate despite reports to the contrary.

"Given that they sort of tripped over their rollout a bit, I think the vice presidential acceptance speech is perhaps more important for Gov. Pence," said Joel Goldstein, a vice presidential scholar at St. Louis University School of Law. "This is going to be the first time when the spotlight really shines on Gov. Pence."

Many are still learning about Pence, even in a convention hall packed with party activists.

"I don't know much about him to be honest," said Florida delegate Bill Paterson. "But I've read up on him, and I think he's going to bring a lot of the party that has been sitting on the sidelines."

Pence already has a following among conservatives, some of whom had urged him to run for president in 2012.

One of the biggest speeches of his career before this week was a 2010 address at the Family Research Council's Values Voter Summit, where he argued Republicans had to focus on both fiscal and social issues to win back the White House. Pence won the summit's presidential straw poll.

Although he calls himself a small town boy from Southern Indiana, Pence never lacked for ambition  or shied from the chance to spread a conservative message.

He ran twice for Congress before winning a seat in 2000. The former radio talk show host wasted no time in setting up a mini radio studio in his House office, the first lawmaker to do so.

"This job is all about communication," he said.

Pence quickly became one of the leaders among conservatives pushing back on spending issues, including a Medicare drug benefit and President George H.W. Bush's signature education bill.

"I was tea party before it was cool," he has said.

After unsuccessfully challenging Ohio Republican John Boehner for the top GOP leadership slot when Republicans lost the House majority in 2006, Pence was unanimously chosen in 2008 to head the Republican Conference, where he had a key role in shaping and delivering the House GOP message.

After leaving Congress to become governor in 2013, Pence made national news  but for controversial reasons, including: signing and then backtracking on a bill that critics said allowed businesses to deny services to gays and lesbians; turning away a family of Syrian refugees because of security concerns; and signing one of the nation's most restrictive anti-abortion laws.

"Mike Pence is known across the country for his anti-LGBT law and his outrageous intrusions into women's health," said Adrienne Watson, a spokesperson for Hillary Clinton's campaign. "Pence has always put his party's ideology before what's best for Indiana."

Pence's spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment about how he's preparing for the speech and what he hopes to accomplish.

Here's a look at the challenges Pence faces as he tries to meet the basic goals of a vice presidential acceptance speech.

Introducing himself to a national audience

An estimated 21.9 million TV viewers watched vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan's acceptance speech in 2012.

Pence could use the eyeballs.

Nearly 9 in 10 registered voters questioned in a CBS News/New York Times poll this month were undecided or didn't know enough about Pence to have an opinion.

And the GOP ticket's joint "60 Minutes" interview that aired Sunday may not have helped much. Trump frequently interrupted Pence and talked more than twice as much as his running mate, Goldstein said.

Instead of letting Pence project that he's his own man, Trump seemed to have him on a leash, said David Lublin, a professor at American University's School of Public Affairs.

"He looked a little like Trump's poodle," Lublin said.

Although Pence won't have to share the microphone Wednesday, he will be immediately preceded by Newt Gingrich, another outsized personality and former House speaker who was among the finalists to be Trump's running mate  a slot Pence ultimately won.

Pence could get knocked out of the news if something unexpected happens at a convention not lacking in surprises and short on message discipline. For example, coverage of the convention's first day was dominated by protests of Never Trump delegates, Trump's calling into the Bill O'Reilly show during emotional floor speeches, and the controversy over whether Trump's wife, Melania, plagiarized some of her speech.

"The story will be about something else, if it's more interesting, even if Pence gives a good, substantive speech," Lublin said.

Making the case for Trump

Pence doesn't know Trump very well, and they differ on policies and style.

After the "60 Minutes" interview, during which Pence perched on a gold chair in Trump's three-story penthouse apartment, he stopped for a bite at Chili's before flying back to Indiana.

Pence has tried to smooth over differences between the pair on such issues as trade, his vote for the war in Iraq and whether Muslims should be banned from the United States.

And Pence has been comparing Trump to the man who inspired Pence to become a Republican after growing up in a family of Irish Catholic Democrats.

Pence said Ronald Reagan had extraordinary humility and an "unshakable faith in the capacity of the American people to achieve greatness and astound the world."

"I hear it and I see it in the man I think will be the next president of the United States," he's said of Trump.

But while Pence, who calls himself a "happy warrior," has tried to emulate the optimism for which Reagan is remembered, Trump's message has a different tone.

"Donald Trump wants to make America great again, but he's also sort of apocalyptic," Lublin said.

Attacking the other side

Pence has received his biggest response from crowds when making the case against Clinton, and that's likely to be the case again Wednesday.

Pence told conservative activists Tuesday that Obama and Clinton have "weakened America's place in the world and stifled the nation's economy."

"We must decide here and now that Hillary Clinton will never become president of the United States of America," he said to sustained applause at a gathering of the American Conservative Union Foundation.

Indianapolis StarEmail Maureen Groppe at mgroppe@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @mgroppe.
THROUGH THE BIBLE: Walking in the footsteps of Goliath of Gath 19 July, 2016 by Dr. Eric Mitchell , |

Christian Examiner continues a new series which allows readers to walk with Dr. Eric Mitchell, Associate Professor of Old Testament & Biblical Archaeology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, through some of the most important sites in the Bible. Mitchell directs the archaeological survey at Tel Gezer. Mitchell's journal entries will help readers visualize important sites like Gezer, the places where Jesus walked, and the valley where David killed the Philistine Goliath.

TEL ES-SAFI, Israel (Christian Examiner)  Growing up reading the Bible, many of the people and places presented within came across my young mind more like the settings or characters of a novel. They didn't seem directly connected to my reality, my local town, my school, and so on.

But when I was able to first visit the land of Israel, a change took place almost immediately in my mind and heart.

As I visited site after site mentioned in the biblical text, I became more and more excited about the connection between the text and the land before me. I was more interested in standing on a pile of rocks which archaeologists held to be the likely location of a town or event mentioned in the Bible than in visiting modern sites.

Standing on these sites highlighted for me a personal connection to events and people of the biblical text. This connection drew me further into the academic study of the historical geography, archaeology, history, languages and culture of the land.

It was not until my third trip to Israel that I saw, and then visited, Gath for the first time. I remember it well. I was standing on top of Tel Azekah (located on the northern end of the ridge between the region of Gath and the entrance to the Elah Valley).

There it was. Looking west from the heights of Azekah, there was the site of the biblical hometown of Goliath, the famed nemesis of David.

I just stood and stared ... and soaked it in. Gath had become a part of my reality. I would soon visit the site, and academic study would come later, but I was enjoying the connection. This "connection" is likely why St. Jerome called the land of Israel the fifth gospel. It can change one's perceptions when reading the text by solidifying the biblical context.

Why is this place so important for the study of the Bible?

The Bible indicates that the Philistines (peleshet) were from Caphtor (Amos 9:7perhaps Crete) and one of many "sea-peoples" who migrated from the Aegean to the Levant in waves in the Late Bronze age.

They were capable of fighting on sea or on land and were part of an invasion of Egypt in 1188 BC. They were, however, defeated by Ramses III.

The Philistines used chariots, archers, and foot-soldiers (utilizing bronze helmets, mail, greaves, spears, javelins, shields and swords). In Egyptian reliefs, they were each depicted wearing a plumed helmet/headdress.

The Philistines first settled in the southwestern coastal plains of what is today Israel. The region of Philistia was controlled by a pentapolis (a group of five cities), including Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, and Gath.

The Philistines began to encroach upon the Israelites, forcing the tribe of Dan to move north (Judges 18). They also subjugated the Israelites during the period of the Judges and early monarchy  even controlling Israelite access to metalsmithing (1 Samuel 7; 13:16-22).

The Ark of the Covenant spent some time in Gath after the Philistines captured it in battle (1 Samuel 4-5). In that account God cut of the head and hands of the idol of the Philistine god Dagon at Ashdod, and He brought a plague of tumors upon the Philistines and they eventually sent the Ark of the Covenant back to Israel (1 Samuel 4-5).

In 2005 Aren Maier, directing the Ackerman Family Bar-Ilan University expedition to Tel es-Safi/Gath, discovered a pottery fragment dated to around the 10th or early ninth centuries B.C. This fragment is important because it attests to the usage of names similar to "Goliath" at Gath sometime after the biblical chronology of the David and Goliath account.

Using Semitic letters, the pottery was incised with the words alwt and wlttwo Indo-European names etymologically close to "Goliath."

In 2015, the excavation discovered a monumental gate and massive wall fortifications. This could be the location of the "doors of the gate" where David acted as if he was insane before King Achish of Gath in order to escape from him (1 Samuel 21:13).

The Old Testament text of 1-2 Samuel indicates that David had a complex relationship with the Philistines. He defeated their champion, he fought them as a servant of Saul and, when he fled Saul, he sought help from King Achish of Gath.

David lamented that the people of Gath would hear of Jonathan's death, he defeated them as leader of a band of rebels, and then he pretended to serve Achish of Gath.

David defeated the Philistines as king of Israel and later, as king, he employed them as his most trusted military men, such as Ittai the Gittite [from Gath], and as his personal bodyguard (the Cherethites and Pelethites).

In the ninth century (around 830 B.C.) Hazael, king of Aram, besieged Gath. He built a siege trench around the city and conquered it (2 Kings 12:17).

In the early eighth century BC, King Uzziah of Judah, broke down the wall of Gath and subjugated the Philistines (2 Chronicles 26:6). The Philistine cities became vassals to Assyria in that century and are not mentioned in the Bible after that time, but the site where Gath was built was in continued use until modern times.

The recently announced discovery of a Philistine cemetery by the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, directed by Larry Stager of Harvard University and Dan Master of Wheaton College, will give new insight to Philistine burial practices.

Perhaps planned DNA analysis (among other studies) will also shed more light on Philistine origins  one of history's enduring mysteries.

You can find more information on their work at http://digashkelon.com/expedition/.

Dr. Eric Mitchell covers Bible Backgrounds for Christian Examiner. He is Associate professor of Old Testament & Archaeology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and directs the Tel Gezer Regional Survey Project in Israel.
Hypocrisy that threatens war

The decision of the arbitral tribunal in The Hague is nothing short of provocative. As is the response of the Australian and US governments. They wasted no time in springing to the defence of the ruling of a tribunal that has found against the Peoples Republic of Chinas historical claim to a disputed maritime zone in the South China Sea. The authority of the body to determine such a question is doubtful, as is the process used. But that hasnt stopped the usual supporters of US military and economic interests from lecturing China about respect for international law and threatening grave consequences starting with sanctions.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop warned that China will suffer strong reputational costs if it doesnt cave in to the ruling of the arbitral tribunal. Labors defence spokesperson Stephen Conroy told ABC radio, Chinas been engaged in an aggressive and, at times, bullying performance, and has now been called out by the international court. He said the Australian Navy and RAAF should be mobilised into the disputed area to challenge China.

Conroys bellicosity ignores the fact that Chinas presence in the region has never denied freedom of navigation or the flyover rights he claims are under threat. Chinas stance has been tested and even provoked by the intrusion of US and Australian military forces. The tensions have escalated in the years following the US military Pivot or Rebalance to the Indo-Pacific region, implemented in an effort to contain Chinas influence and to prepare for war with the Peoples Republic.

UNCLOS

The Philippines brought the dispute over the area containing the Spratly Islands (known in China as the Nansha Islands and the Kalayaan Group in the Philippines) in 2013. It sought a determination under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) even though the convention has no authority over disputed territory, only maritime boundaries. According to its own principles, UNCLOS should only be invoked when the parties to the dispute have exhausted bilateral negotiations and both agree to have the matter determined under its framework.

China has sought to negotiate with the Philippines about the territory and waters in question for decades but no exhaustive discussions have taken place. In a Declaration of Conduct signed by China, the Philippines and other ASEAN Member States in 2002, there was a clear stipulation that the parties concerned undertake to resolve their territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, through friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned.

On that basis, China and the Philippines chose negotiation as the means to resolve relevant disputes and excluded third-party settlement, including arbitration. The Philippines issued a statement jointly with China as late as 2011 undertaking to resolve disputes through negotiations and consultations. That was before the US Pivot began to bite with its policy of more direct confrontation with China. Australias first acts in support of this shift in geo-political strategy was to host new bases, including the Marine base in Darwin, and massive increases in military spending.

It is important to note that the new government of the Philippines has expressed a willingness to restart negotiations on the maritime disputes with China in a clear effort to improve bilateral relations. Such level-headed initiatives will be ignored by the imperialist powers.

People in glass houses

Chinas claim to the disputed area goes back to a treaty signed in 1898 at the end of the war over the Philippines between the US and Spain. There are several claimants to territory including Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam. Interest in the zone has heightened since the discovery of oil and gas beneath its waters. Regardless of the merits of the various claims, the important thing to note is that all of the parties have undertaken to resolve their differences through peaceful, bilateral negotiations.

Peaceful negotiations and mutually acceptable outcomes dont serve US interests. Its strategy involves the heightening of tensions between China and its neighbours and the drawing of countries into a war-fighting alliance against the Peoples Republic. All manner of destablising efforts inside and outside of China have been employed in this drive. The determination against China under UNCLOS has been seized upon in order to give the US strategy legitimacy. The imperialist powers will be going to greater than ever lengths to appear to be the upholders of international law following the exposure of gross violations of it in the Chilcot report into the UKs role in the Iraq War.

There is an old saying that people who live in glass houses shouldnt throw stones. This advice has been ignored by the political leaders of the US and Australia on many occasions. The sudden embrace of UNCLOS principles is the height of hypocrisy. The US has refused to ratify the convention for fear of the consequences for territory it occupies around the world. Australias behaviour with regard to the convention is notorious.

Australias disgraceful record

Australia withdrew from UNCLOS for a period in 2002. At that time it appeared likely that East Timor would achieve independence from Indonesia and lay legitimate claim to the oil and gas resources within its territorial waters. Australia had signed the 1989 Timor Gap Treaty with the Suharto dictatorship and turned a blind eye to the regimes war on the people of East Timor during which and estimated 200,000 to 300,000 people were killed. That represented a third of the countrys population.

With the Indonesian governments complicity, the Australian government shifted the maritime boundary from the internationally accepted median line between the countries to the edge of Australias continental shelf. This move successfully robbed what would become one of the worlds poorest nations of a considerable source of income. Independent Timor Leste has sought a determination under UNCLOS for the maritime zone. The Australian government knows that the arbitration will only deliver recommendations and cannot move to enforcement. Australian governments of whatever capitalist stripe are going to ignore any adverse finding affecting its favoured oil and gas monopolies.

Capitalism is in crisis and the dominant role of US imperialism in world affairs is in question as never before in post-WW2 history. Its plans for a new Middle East are meeting strong resistance and its push to the east against Russia is losing support. Unfortunately for the people of our region, it appears US imperialism will view the objective of its Pivot to the Indo-Pacific as its most attractive option. Australia, which hosts US bases and offers interoperability with its growing military forces, is key to this war-fighting capacity against China. It is of paramount interest to the people of Australia to withdraw from this reckless adventure and to work towards relations based on peace and mutual benefit with differences settled through negotiations not war.
Editorial

On war

The ongoing commemorations marking battles in World War I continue, glorifying the carnage and death of the first global conflict fought for the division of markets. In Australia ANZAC Day commemorations this year took place in the growing shadow of the build-up of US military forces in Australias north. It is natural that families wish to recall the memories of the tens of thousands who have been killed and wounded in the succession of wars in which Australian servicemen and women have been involved.

This is what brings thousands onto the streets of cities and towns and attracts many tourists to visit Gallipoli and other former battle sites. Political leaders and the mass media, on the other hand, are clearly building up ANZAC with another agenda in mind.

Australia has provided soldiers for the Boer War, World War I, for the wars of intervention in Russia following the Russian Revolution of 1917, for World War II, the interventionist wars in Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. In all of these wars Australian forces were fighting for a foreign imperialist power or powers.

The media and politicians present all of these wars without any differentiation as to their cause or alleged justification. The Boer War was about establishing British colonial domination over South Africa. It was a colonial war and there was nothing glorious about it.

World War I was an imperialist war between Germany on the one hand, and Britain, France and Czarist Russia and their respective allies, on the other. It was a war between the ruling classes of these countries and there was nothing in it for the soldiers of either side. The landing on Turkish soil at Gallipoli was a part of this war and this particular landing was an unmitigated disaster. Did Australian nationhood really arise from this disaster?

World War II was a just war against German and Italian fascism and Japanese militarism. The defeat of fascism led to new socialist revolutions in a number of countries and to the collapse of colonialism. It became a real peoples war.

The wars in Korea, Malaysia and Vietnam, however, were all dirty wars that had the objective of imposing British (in Malaysia) and American (Korea and Vietnam) colonial domination. They were fought against the people of these countries who wanted nothing more than independence for their countries.

The primary objectives of the US in Afghanistan were to overthrow a progressive government and to establish US bases on the border of the Soviet Union. The war in Iraq began as a grab for the control of oil and part of the USs plans for the Middle East. These include shoring up the security and power of the Israeli Zionist state at the expense of the Palestinian people and regime change where governments were not allied to US imperialism.

The driving force behind all of these wars and interventions is the never-ending imperialist drive for hegemony and profits. The profits of war are the most obscene of all profits, fuelled by death and destruction and poverty as government budgets are drained.

World military expenditure totalled almost $1.7 trillion in 2015. (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute SIPRI). The United States remained by far the worlds biggest spender in 2015, with a total of $596 billion. Competition between arms producers has resulted in monopolisation of this industry. The likes of Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Boeing, Northrop Grunman, General Dynamics, Raytheon and BAE Systems strut the corridors of the Pentagon and defence departments and ministerial offices. In industry is notorious for its corruption and profit-gouging.

These are the same companies that the Australian government has committed to spending hundreds of billions of dollars with to fight the USs next wars. Australias plans for $1 trillion in military spending over the next 20 years will only increase insecurity and heighten tensions in the region, the South China seas in particular. It also serves to escalate the arms build-up generating even more bloated profits for the military industrial complex.

As for the next war that Australia participates in for its master, US imperialism, it could be Russia, the Peoples Democratic Republic of Korea, the island of Taiwan or Iran. What we do know for certain is that future Australias involvement in US wars will not serve the interests of Australia  its people or the economy. The Communist Party of Australia calls for peaceful co-existence between nations based on mutual respect and interests.
CPA calls for release of Han Sang-Gyun

On Monday July 4 the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Han Sang-Gyun, President of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) to five years in jail.

CPA WA Branch showing support for the release of Han Sang-Gyun.

The sentence has outraged trade unions around the world who are demanding his release from the South Korean government.

The charges on 585 KCTU leaders and individual members were laid after a trade union campaign against draconian labour laws in November 2015. During the peaceful demonstrations, the South Korean militarised police used water cannons and tear gas against one hundred thousand demonstrators.

Currently 20 trade unionists are in prison and some others are defending charges. Fifteen Tower Crane operators affiliated to the Korean Construction Union were charged with blackmail over legitimate negotiations for a collective agreement. Those crane operators were sentenced from 8 months to 3 year prison terms.

The South Korean government is using repressive laws and dictating the silence of workers and people in general who have exercised their democratic right to protest. There is a crackdown on civil and democratic rights in the country. The Korean government must drop all charges and release all the political prisoners like Han Sang-Gyun who have committed no crime but only exercised their democratic right to protest in defence of democracy and for better wages and conditions.

The KCTU is one of the most militant trade union organisations in Korea, marking them as a target for a government bent on trying to destroy the Trade Union Confederation. Similarly here in Australia the militant unions like the CFMEU and MUA face similar unprecedented attacks. The trade union movement in Australia also fights for the right to organise and collective bargaining against the same possibility of being treated like criminals; prosecuted and fined. The returned Turnbull government aims to pass even more fascist-like laws with the reintroduction of the Australian Building and Construction Commission. These draconian laws impose heavy fines or jail sentences on individual workers and their unions.

The Communist Party of Australia sends a message of solidarity with the KCTU in its struggle against draconian labour laws and for democratic and civil rights in South Korea. The CPA joins the international campaign for the freedom of KCTU President Han Sang-Gyun.

We call on the Korean government to release Han Sang-Gyun and all the other trade unionists charged and jailed in their struggle for workers rights.
Smilely-faced monopolists

Wonderful, bountiful.

The ever-youthful prince of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, told the world that he and his wife Priscilla Chan would be giving away 99 percent of their shares to charitable causes during the course of their lifetimes. A gesture so bold and generous: almost enough to rekindle the notion that tech billionaires were something different. A far cry from those grey and grubby bankers clutching their bonuses in so unseemly a fashion, or the brash property tycoons with exclusively located follicles and vacant consciences.

Mark Zuckerberg  Internet entrepreneur.

This fresh-faced 31-year-old, still high on the birth of daughter Max, his first child, said the shares, currently worth US$45 billion, would go towards education, curing disease and connectivity.

Zuckerberg is one of a generation of technopreneurs who have created the fabulous success stories of Google, Facebook, Amazon et al.

Companies so wild, so out-of-the-box creative, so limitless in their ambitions. Space travel, robotics, driverless cars, cryogenics  nothing is beyond the reach of their imaginings, or the power of their pockets.

They are the trendy, friendly face of capitalism. Young disrupters who have devised platforms and devices that we cannot resist  that are not only easy and smooth to use, but in many cases free, too!

It all seems too good to be true

And it is, if other items that have hit the headlines are anything to go by.

The digital titans are avoiding tax on an industrial scale. French police investigating an estimated US$1.8 billion owed in back tax, raid the offices of Google in Paris. Facebooks supposedly neutral social media services and Googles search engine are accused of operating a political bias. Insider reports reveal harsh and exploitative working conditions within Amazon at all levels, and continued refusal to recognise unions. Uber, the emergent poster child of the sharing economy, accused of illegal and dangerous practices, is banned in several countries.

And there is the mounting concern about monopoly power.

At the time of writing, the European Union is about to fine Alphabet (Googles holding company) a record US$3.4 billion, following a seven-year monopoly-abuse investigation. Google, which enjoys a 90-percent search-engine market share in Europe, will be ordered to stop manipulating search results to favour its own and its partners products.

The network effect

John D Rockefellers Standard Oil in the US is often cited as a classic early 20th-century example of a monopoly. Anti-trust laws were devised to break up such companies, to prevent them being the sole provider of a good or service, and to enable competition, in the interests of fairness and to the benefit of consumers and society at large.

Todays digital titans are technically oligopolies  a few big players dominating the market. But the behaviour they are displaying is distinctly winner-takes-all monopolistic.

Already Google, Facebook and Amazon enjoy astonishing market shares. One in seven minutes spent online in the world today is spent on Facebook and the company, by seeking to supplant all website homepages, is aiming to become the gateway to the internet; Amazon not only has 67 percent of all online book sales (print and digital) but far exceeds Walmart as the largest retailer in the US and is gearing up to dominate cloud-computing services; Googles annual turnover is now higher than that of the worlds six biggest advertising agencies  including the mighty WPP  combined.

This may seem a bit strange  given that cyberspace was supposed to be free and open, a place for diverse players. In reality, what is happening is the colonisation of the internet by a few highly successful private companies.

A closer look at the story of Google helps explain how this has come about.

In 1996, students Sergey Brin and Larry Page created an algorithm called PageRank that was to be the basis for the exceptionally strong and complex Google search engine. Soon we were all Googling, and forgetting all about Alta Vista and the rest.

Google was benefiting from the network effect: the more people use a search engine, the more valuable it becomes to all of them. And of course its makers. The monopolising tendency is, in a sense, intrinsic.

Wired magazines Chris Anderson observes: Monopolies are actually even more likely in networked markets like the online world. The dark side of the network effects is that the rich nodes get richer.

Google needed to become the search engine and it did. And because search is so important to our lives today, Google was able to leverage its dominance in this one area to go into another. The next stage for Google was advertising.

Enter surveillance capitalism

Before the dot-com bust put investor pressure on companies like Google, advertisers would simply select search-term pages for their displays.

Google decided to try to boost revenue by using its analytical capabilities to increase an advertisements relevance to users, and thus value to advertisers. To do this, it repurposed its growing cache of behavioural data (from previous searches, for example) to match it with ads.

Up to then, such data had been ignored or discarded; now this by-product proved to be the goldmine.

As Harvard Business School professor Shoshana Zuboff sees it: Google is ground zero for a wholly new subspecies of capitalism in which profits derive from unilateral surveillance and modification of human behaviour. This is a new surveillance capitalism that is unimaginable outside the inscrutable high-velocity circuits of Googles digital universe.

We are the raw material here. All the personal data that we unknowingly provide while we use the internet is incredibly valuable to those who want to predict our future habits, and nudge us in the direction that they would like. That includes companies trying to sell us things or insurance companies trying to predict our behaviour. Its profits derive primarily, if not entirely, from such markets for future behaviour.

According to Zuboff, this surveillance capitalism preys on dependent populations who are neither its consumers nor its employees and are largely ignorant of its procedures.

She sees this as profoundly undemocratic, a coup from above which challenges principles and practices for self-determination.

Googles surveillance power is the envy of states. But, as security expert Bruce Schneier explains, the digital titans and governments actually interact more closely than most of us realise.

The venture capitalists

Behind the digital entrepreneurs is another more shadowy group of people  venture capitalists. They have had a profoundly distorting impact on what the internet has become today.

In the early days, the British creator of the worldwide web, Tim Berners-Lee, conceived of the internet as a common resource to serve humanity. He didnt seek to make any money out of his brilliant invention and he has stuck to his principles, fighting to keep the net open, neutral and free.

A similar idealism prevailed in some of the early internet start-ups. But most were unable to withstand the assault of megabucks. Investors poured eye-popping amounts of venture capital into fledging companies  and expected stellar results in return.

The capital value, the amount invested and the share price the companies could command when they went public, was way out of proportion to the value of the companies in terms of any revenue they could be expected to make.

Start-up entrepreneurs soon learned from their rich backers that their job was not to make their company sustainable, but to make it sellable. They may have thought they were engineering a new technology, explains digital economics writer Douglas Rushkoff, when they were actually engineering a reallocation of capital.

Today the digital industry is caught in this growth trap. Its not enough for an app to support a sustainable business, says Rushkoff, it has to have a path to owning the entire marketplace, presumably forever, with a means to take over still others. Otherwise it cant justify the venture capital it has accepted.

Twitter, so useful to journalists and activists in the Arab Spring and Occupy movements, is currently under intense pressure from its rich investor backers (which include Goldman Sachs and Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed) to grow and get a bigger share of the advertising market.

Last year there were complaints that the company was too far off reaching its 100x growth potential and its CEO Dick Costello was forced out. Rushkoff reckons that for Twitter to pay back 100 times the investment in it, it would need to become a corporation bigger than the economies of several nations.

One way to grow is to gobble up other companies. Facebook and Google, once start-ups themselves, now acquire more businesses than they incubate internally. Since 2001 Google has acquired more than 190 companies (now listed under Googles holding company, Alphabet). Facebook has acquired 50 since 2005.

Political beast

The way in which the internet giants have penetrated national economies, combined with their wealth, gives them considerable political clout.

Their bosses appear on panels at high-level international gatherings of the World Economic Forum or the G8, for example. Governments want these companies on side. And the companies want governments to go light on regulation, give them tax breaks and turn a blind eye as they try to monopolise.

After months of lobbying President Narendra Modi of India, and a sustained charm offensive aimed at the Indian people, Facebook seemed inches away from a deal that would deliver a virtual monopoly on the internet access of millions of new users. Then, an extraordinarily successful mobilisation by Indian net-neutrality activists scuppered the social media giants plans.

A new report from the US Campaign for Accountability (CfA) shows how Google has been ramping up its lobbying efforts. The company already enjoys unmatched influence in Washington. Its executives visit the White House more than once a week on average, according to Anne Weismann of the CfA. The organisation has documented more than 250 revolving door moves between Google and the US government.

Now Google appears to be trying to replicate this level of influence in Europe in a bid to head off anti-trust action and attempts to tighten up online privacy. The research suggests that Google has hired at least 65 former government officials from within the European Union in the past decade. Some 28 officials have been hired from key departments in the British government: Eric Schmidt, chair of Alphabet (Google), was on prime minister David Camerons Business Advisory Council.

Tamasin Cave of the British campaign group Spinwatch says: We need to rethink how we view Google. Its not a search engine, its a political beast that has captured the attention of our policymakers. Most worryingly in health and education, where privatisation through technology is gathering pace. Even if our politicians have bought into its thinking, we as a public should be asking how Googles involvement in the National Health Service and schools will impact them. What are the consequences, and who benefits: us or Google?

Whats to be done?

We are at a critical point as we enter the Internet of Things, a world where nearly all home appliances and systems will be online; the smartification of everyday life, with Googles android system operating our smart watches, smart cars, smart thermostats. As Silicon Valley critic Evgeny Morozov puts it, this places Google between you and your fridge, you and your car, you and your rubbish bin, allowing the National Security Agency to satisfy its data addiction in bulk and via a single window.

By 2020, an estimated 25 billion devices will be connected in this way. The surveillance opportunities are boundless, and not just for companies and Big Brother states, but criminals and terrorists too. (Car brakes that can be disabled remotely, for example.) The parlous state of online privacy and normalisation of bulk surveillance make us all increasingly vulnerable to those who would manipulate us.

We have to act now if we are to change our relationship with the digital titans who control this technology and our data on it, and who want to carry on doing so in the most unregulated way possible. The power imbalance we are experiencing is not the fault of technology or innovation. It is the result of something neither new nor revolutionary  capitalism, and an exceptionally sneaky, libertarian and parasitic form of it.

To stand up to it we need to have, and know, our rights. The civil-society Madrid Privacy Declaration of 2009 is a good articulation of some of those rights and there have been some important legal victories in the Court of Justice of the EU. But its a slow and painstaking process.

There needs to be an independent international body to oversee and regulate digital companies and to take action against monopolisation. We need new laws forcing companies to collect minimum data, for a minimum time, and more securely than they currently do. There needs to be transparency, so we can know what they are doing with our data, and have agency over it.

There are a number of campaigns aimed at empowering users in their dealings with the tech providers. After all, we, the users, are the source of their wealth. Some of us may, just about, still be able to choose not to use them or to use them less or to switch to more ethical platforms, before we all get sucked into the Internet of Things.

Caught up in the furious profit-driven techno-rush, its important to remember that it does not have to be this way. Service providers can treat their users properly. They can respect their privacy, autonomy and need for security. They can do business differently, in a more co-operative and less exploitative way. Imagine, for example, an Amazon that shared profits with its suppliers, instead of price-gouging them out of existence before moving on to the next hapless victim.

They can even view cyberspace, not as private space that needs to conquered, colonised and enclosed, but as a global commons. For net neutrality and open-source activists, that notion has never gone away, but it needs to be shouted out more loudly now, from the mainstream.

In foreveryone.net, a new documentary film by Jessica Yu, Tim Berners-Lee urges us to take to the streets and fight for an internet that is free from the domination of either corporations or governments, and is a human right, like access to water.

Real change requires a shift in social norms and a realisation that the monopolising billionaires who are providing us with so very cheap or for free have a totalitarian agenda that seriously undermines democracy.

So, what of Mark Zuckerbergs largesse? True, US$43 billion is a lot of money, even over a lifetime, and it seems churlish to complain. But Facebook is a serial tax avoider, using Double Irish arrangements to pay only two to three percent or less tax on all international revenue. That unpaid tax could have gone to providing education, medicine, connectivity in the many countries where Facebook is making money. But then it would have been allocated according to priorities set by democratically elected governments, not the personal whim of a libertarian billionaire, who, incidentally, is retaining the shareholder voting power of all the shares he vows to give away.

As in most matters to do with the digital revolution and its beneficiaries, its best not to take too much at face value.

The sharing economy

Uber and Airbnb are at the vanguard of a new person-to-person business model that uses the internet to match people wanting certain services with people who can provide them. Its image is one of friendly informality, more social movement than commerce. Instead of using a professional taxi service, Uber puts you in touch with a person with a car who is in your area right now. Instead of going to a hotel, Airbnb lets you stay in someones home.

The top 12 Airbnb hosts earned more than a $1 million a year, according to the New York Attorney Generals office, and Airbnb takes a cut of every transaction. But this profit, lawmakers say, comes with a catch for ordinary residents. When a landlord uses units for Airbnb, theyre no longer available to city residents, which makes affordable housing even more difficult to find.

In reality, the so-called sharing economy is far from the ideal presented in the publicity. The people who own Uber and Airbnb are now billionaires; those who provide the services are, after expenses, low paid. The sharing does not stretch very far.

Ubers market valuation is US$69.5 billion. It recently received a US$3.5 billion investment from Saudi Arabias National Public Investment Fund, with Uber CEO Travis Kalanick commenting that we look forward to partnering [with Saudi Arabia] to support their economic and social reforms.

Ubers approach to local law is lax. By calling itself a platform that connects drivers with passengers, it works in a regulatory grey area that enables it to slash overheads while inflating revenue and reducing its liabilities and obligations to the public. It operates an opportunistic price gouging and surging policy, based on demand. In 2015 there were more than 50 lawsuits against Uber in the US and it was accused of breaching regulations in Belgium, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand/Aotearoa and Brazil. Uber has been banned in Spain, Thailand and France  where legislators dubbed it illegal and dangerous.

Airbnbs publicity relies largely on inspirational personal stories about how the company has provided a living for people who do not have much money but do have a spare room. In 2011 it had 50,000 listings; by mid-2015 it had 1.2 million (more beds than the worlds largest hotel company). Its market valuation is US$24 billion.

Airbnb does not put the big swanky hotels out of business, but rather small, regulated, tax-paying guest houses and B&Bs. It emphasises that many of its hosts are artistic  and not wealthy. In fact, research shows that entire house rentals are now the norm and, increasingly, Airbnb hosts are well-off people with more than one property to let.

New Internationalist
Free Sundiata Acoli

Sundiata Acoli.

In prison he may be, but his mind is free,

Is so free and always will be free,

But for far too long they have kept him in chains,

And now lets get his body out of this wretched captivity.

Sundiata fought discrimination, racism and inequality,

He struggled and sacrificed himself for the freedom of others,

You and me and the next generation yet born.

Lets see his brave and boundless spirit liberated,

To wander away in the world with his beloved family and friends.

His body confined, but his mind is free, always so free.

Sundiata is freer than all those corrupt cronies and functionaries,

That have imprisoned him will ever be.

Sundiata dared to challenge the colonial, oppressive elite,

For that temerity they wanted him off the street,

To bury his strong and principled voice under harsh prison rules.

This injustice just cant go on; weve got to do whatever we can,

To campaign to stop the corporate states cruel plan,

And see Sundiata Acoli set free at last.

I wrote this poem in response to hearing that political prisoner Sundiata Acoli, 78 years old and a former Black Panther Party activist had been denied parole again. He has spent 42 years in jail for struggling against injustice and racism. There is a campaign to win his release through a presidential pardon.

Letter

Dear Editor,

Black political prisoner and former Black Panther Party member Sundiata Acoli has been denied parole again. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 24 to 30 years in 1974. Sundiata was denied parole in 1993 and 2004 due to his political activism and his affiliations. He is now 78 years old has spent over 42 years in prison.

Sundiata Acoli is a mathematician, and computer analyst. During the summer of 1964 he did voter registration work in Mississippi. In 1968 he joined the Harlem Black Panther Party and did community work around issues of schools, housing, jobs, child care, drugs, and police brutality.

Sundiata Acoli was found guilty of murder in the 1973 shooting death of trooper Werner Foerster during a struggle at a traffic stop on the New Jersey Turnpike. Despite no evidence he killed the state trooper or even fired a gun, he was sentenced to life in prison. Black Panther, Zayd Shakur, was also shot and killed in the scuffle. Another Black Panther Assata Shakur was also wounded in the clash.

At the time Sundiata Acoli and his friends were members of the Black Panther Party and were subject to a campaign of harassment, arrests and violent attacks that resulted in the killings of numerous BPP activists and the jailing of hundreds. Many Black Panthers went into exile or underground to escape the harsh repression unleashed by state authorities and other organisations.

Sundiata Acoli became a target of the FBIs counterintelligence program, which carried out brutal direct and covert actions against national liberation movements like the Black Panther Party and the American Indian Movement and others during the 1960s and 70s.

Sundiata Acoli was also a member of the New York Panther 21 case, a group of 13 militants who were held in jail for two years without bail. When the case came to court they were quickly acquitted on May 13, 1971, when a jury rejected the governments frame-up after deliberating for only 45 minutes.

Sundiata Acoli is one of hundreds of US political prisoners who have been unjustly jailed for decades. Their real crime has been advocating for the freedom of their oppressed peoples from racism, inequality and oppression in the US. Sundiatas imprisonment and this injustice must end. There is a campaign asking US President Obama for a pardon for Sundiata, please write nice letters or emails requesting this and publicise this campaign as widely as possible. With enough support we can exert sufficient pressure for the president to release him. It is customary for outgoing presidents to do such compassionate gestures.

Steven Katsineris

30/06/2016
Culture & Life

US OK with Brexit?

Heres a question for you: Did Britains Brexit vote really upset the USA? Yes, I know US Secretary of State Kerry shot off to Europe in a hurry immediately after the vote, ostensibly to mend fences but there could have been a much more serious reason.

The EU is essentially an imperialist construct. Its original purpose was to enable post-WW2 European capitalism to more rapidly regain the imperialist stage. This was particularly important for the two major European powers France and Germany. To negate the influence of socialism represented by the USSR and the countries of Eastern Europe, the USA poured money into Western Europe through the Marshal Plan. US intelligence agencies, backed by their European counterparts and the Vatican, engaged in subversion and terrorism to prevent the ascendency of left-wing governments in Western Europe.

Over the years, as capitalism regained its strength in the main European countries, the goal of integrating them into a single economic bloc was advanced, step by step. US imperialism supported this development as strengthening Europes anti-Soviet role. The assumption that European imperialism would be content to play second fiddle to their American partner was naive but with NATO to keep everyone in line, what could possibly go wrong?

The trouble began with Europes actual colonial empires. France was booted out of Indo-China and then lost a long struggle with national liberation forces in Algeria. The US moved into the colonial vacuum in Indo-China left by the French departure but eventually they too suffered an ignominious defeat. The attempt by the long-serving fascist regime in Portugal to crush the national liberation movements in its colonial empire resulted in revolution in Portugal itself. Bourgeois democracy weathered the storm but US and European capitalism was badly rattled. The push to turn Western Europe into a global power in its own right was given more impetus by the imperial ambitions of French and especially German corporate heavyweights.

The USA looked on approvingly as Germany fostered the destruction of Yugoslavia, bastion of the anti-imperialist non-aligned movement. The break-up of Yugoslavia into a cluster of tiny countries accorded with US policy of fracturing troublesome states into a number of impotent statelets whose resources are nevertheless still available for exploitation. That the destruction of Yugoslavia brought fascism to power again in the former German puppet state of Croatia did not unduly concern the US. Only Left-wing governments worry the White House.

Left-wing governments like that of Slobodan Milosovic and the Socialist Party of Serbia. His attempt to maintain the Non-Aligned Movement and to promote even a modest form of socialism led first to his country being bombed by NATO and then to he himself being kidnapped and taken to the Hague where he was treated to a farcical trial while his health was systematically undermined until his heart gave out and he died.

The destruction of Yugoslavia benefited both German and US imperialism. It was begun by a resurgent German imperialism but finished by combined British and US imperialism. Inter-imperialist rivalry is an inevitable concomitant of the development of capitalism to the stage where profits are being invested abroad. British imperialism initially stood aloof from the attempt by European capitalism to form a common market, but soon realised it would have more influence in it than outside it.

Once Britain became part of first the Common Market and then the EU, it became a stalking horse for its powerful ally, the USA. Just as Britain is an unsinkable aircraft carrier for the US and NATO off the coast of Europe, so British imperialism is an unshakable ally of the US and NATO within the forums of the EU.

At least, that was the perception. The Brexit vote however raises the very interesting question of whether US imperialism really wants that situation to continue. Europe is a developing rival to US imperialism. German and French imperialism, in particular, protect their own interests regardless of US wishes. Germany, for example, co-operates with the US on some things, such as the overthrow of the elected government in Ukraine, but does not co-operate on things like imposing sanctions on Russia, where the action the US wanted would have inconvenienced German businesses.

French armaments corporations similarly refused to cancel their sales of specialist warships to Russia, despite specific urging from the US to do so.

As a consequence, the US is obliged to pursue a two-pronged approach to the EU. On the one hand, it is feverishly strengthening NATOs capabilities, conducting massive joint military exercises combining US and European forces while simultaneously expanding the aggressive alliance eastwards into former socialist countries of Eastern Europe and placing US missile systems right up to the borders of Russia.

On the other hand, the US, supported by Britain, tried to restrain European companies from developing trade with Russia. The US is trying to inhibit the growth of its rival, European imperialism, to keep it under Americas thumb. However, German, French and Italian companies found trade with Russia very lucrative and were understandably resentful of US efforts to interfere with their profitability.

The trade union-based Lexit (Left exit) campaign in Britain was concerned with regaining British national sovereignty and defending British jobs and working conditions. The Brexit campaign on the other hand, which was backed by many of the reactionary forces, was all about surrendering UK sovereignty to the US.

As far as the capitalist media is concerned, the vote in Britain to leave the EU is a victory for Brexit, a view that accords with US interests. The severing of Britains ties to the EU simultaneously weakens European imperialism and allows Britain at least to be tied even more closely to the United States. Removing Britain from the EU significantly lessens the financial clout of the EU.

US Secretary of State John Kerry went post-haste to visit the EU leaders to reassure them that the US was still their devoted supporter, but US/European rivalry is a fact of capitalist life. It will become more significant as the economic centre of world trade shifts eastward with the development by Russia and China of the extraordinary energy and transport super-route they are establishing through Central Asia.
Sauber's Formula 1 future appears to have been secured after it announced the team has been acquired by Swiss financial services company Longbow Finance S.A. in a deal that will see Monisha Kaltenborn stay on but Peter Sauber retire.

Following months of uncertainty in the wake of much publicised financial struggles, Sauber had nonetheless hinted in recent weeks that salvation was on the horizon in the form of a 'mystery investor', but it wasn't clear when this would be made public.

Sauber has now revealed this to be Longbow Finance, a Swiss-based financial services company which has fully acquired Sauber Holding AG, owner of the Sauber Group.

VOTE: Who will win the 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix?

As part of the deal, the Sauber name will not be changed to reflect the change of ownership, but eponymous founder and group president Peter Sauber has opted to 'retire from all functions' to be succeeded by Longbow Finance's Pascal Picci.

"As a Swiss company, we are very pleased with having secured the future of a Swiss presence in a highly specialised and innovative industry," he said.

Monisha Kaltenborn, meanwhile, will stay on in her current role as team principal and is delighted to have helped secure a brighter outlook for one of F1's longest-serving teams.

"We are very pleased that by reaching an agreement with Longbow Finance S.A., we can secure the future of Sauber at the pinnacle of motorsport. We are convinced that Longbow Finance S.A. is the perfect partner to again make the team competitive and successful in Formula 1.

READ: Haas look away now... the 'chequered' history of F1 debutants

"At the same time the new structure will allow us to finally further expand our third party business in which we commercialise our know-how. This solution is in the best interest of our employees, partners, loyal suppliers, the base in Hinwil and for the Swiss motorsport.

"We are very grateful that Longbow Finance S.A.believes in the competences, efficiency and capabilities of Sauber Group, and we look forward to a new exciting future."

Making its F1 debut in 1993, Sauber has existed in many guises over the years as a pure privateer entry to enjoying several years of success in collaboration with BMW.

Nevertheless, the new deal will come as some relief to Sauber after a difficult first-half of the 2016 season on and off track, with reports of unpaid salaries coming amidst its struggles for competiveness. After 10 races, Sauber is now the only team to have not scored a point in 2016.

PICS: Sauber driver Marcus Ericsson suffers heavy shunt at Silverstone
Casey Stoner was quick to see the funny side after suffering his first MotoGP fall in four years, at the end of testing in Austria on Wednesday.

The retired double MotoGP champion had improved from fourth on the opening day to third when he left the track with a soft tyre to push for a faster lap time.

However the Australian was caught out at Turn 6 and remained 0.625s from the top - albeit behind only factory Ducati race stars Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso - before sending the following tweet:

Rolling Stoner returns First time using a soft tyre in 4 years, crashed first time in 4 years! #LeaveItToThePro's pic.twitter.com/fI7AhXF3vt-- Casey Stoner (@Official_CS27) July 20, 2016

Speaking later in the evening, Stoner explained: "To be honest, the corner before [the fall] was the first time I've pushed in years. I can go around and do the lap times I was doing. In every test you get unto a mode, a motion. No sense in taking any risks. I almost never run wide, let alone make a mistake.

"It's the first time I've put a soft tyre in for many years. The corner before I had more chance of crashing probably, because I went in there and was ready for it. Everything went well. Then I went into the next corner and the front just closed on me.

"For sure I had maybe a little bit more speed, but because we arrive on the limiter you can't really go faster into that corner. The limiter just arrives earlier because you have more grip.

"So it was a little bit strange for me, but anyway clearly because of the soft tyre. We've been running the hard tyre all day for the last two days. So we probably had a little more weight coming from the rear onto the front and just wasn't ready for it.

"It was just on the way to Turn 6. I didn't even get to maximum angle. It was disappointing but at the same time it's been good; four years without basically making a mistake - it had to come to an end sometime!"

Ducati confirms to https://t.co/6weQziU5bt no wild-card for Casey Stoner in Austria: 'It's not going to happen'. pic.twitter.com/WrXM3mrK3m-- Crash.net MotoGP (@crash_motogp) July 20, 2016

Ducati riders dominated testing at the Red Bull Ring, filling the top four places on both days. The circuit will host the first Austrian motorcycle grand prix since 1997 next month.

"We're getting the bike to turn quite well. Braking stability seems quite good. Of course we've got power but we're only reaching a little bit above 310 here. I don't really see a weakness at this point," Stoner said of the Ducati.

"Maybe we could get the bike to turn a little bit better, but saying that we haven't got the latest chassis I tested [last time] at Misano which improved in that area."

Iannone, who led the timesheets by 0.440s from Dovizioso, used the new chassis.

Click Here for full Wednesday test times.
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This is a guest post by Courtney Reissig, author of The Accidental Feminist: Restoring Our Delight in God's Good Design. Courtney and eight other trusted authors have contributed to a 14-day email devotional for women called Refresh. Sign up for free today on Crossway.org!

1. Remember that God is God and we are not.

Often as moms we can feel that we need to be God to our children and do everything for them. But only God is God, so only God gets his to-do list done at the end of the day. We need to learn not to rest in completeness like God rests in completeness. Instead, we should rest in our humanness. This means that we rest in the acknowledgement that God is God, and we are not.

2. Learn to embrace limitations.

Everyone has limitations. Some people have capacities that other people dont. And we need to learn to embrace those limitations, not fight against them. How often do we buck against our limitations, trying to push through and do things we really cant? Instead we should embrace our limitations and use them as an opportunity to depend on God and not on ourselves.

3. Dont compare yourself to others.

We are indeed limited beings. And we are limited beings with different capacities. My friend next door might have a different capacity than me. So as I am perceiving how Im limited, I dont need to compare myself to her. I can be who I am in Christ as an image bearer and know that Im being faithful. God doesnt call us to be God to our kids. He calls us to be faithful.

4. Show your children that they need Jesus, not a perfect mom.

At the end of the day our kids have an abundance of needs that we simply cannot meet. This fact presents us with the opportunity to show them that they cannot find everything they need in us. Further, its an opportunity for us to look at our kids and say, Mommy is a finite being. Mommy is limited. But there is One who isnt. And you can depend on him.

5. Realize that God is calling you to faithfulness.

God is not calling us to busyness. He is not calling us to perfection. He is calling us to faithfulness. We want to get to the final day and hear Jesus say, Well done, good and faithful servant, not, Well done, good and busy servant.

5 Tips for Being a Faithful (and Not Just Busy) Mom from Crossway on Vimeo.

Written by Courtney Reissig, author of The Accidental Feminist: Restoring Our Delight in God's Good Design. Originally appearing on Crossway.org.

Courtney Reissig is a wife, mother, and writer. She has written for the Gospel Coalition, Boundless, and Her.meneutics (the Christianity Today Online blog for women), where she is a regular contributor. She is also the assistant editor for Karis, a women's blog hosted by the Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, and the author of The Accidental Feminist: Restoring Our Delight in God's Good Design. She lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Publication date: July 20, 2016
The Canadian port of Saguenay, on the St. Lawrence, has 50 reasons to smile in 2017 with 50 ship calls expected, after starting with its first ship visit in 2006.

We work hard, said Priscilla Nemey, executive vice president of Promotion Saguenay. This season (2016) is our 10th anniversary, and we are planning on a lot of festivities. This year is extra special because the Queen Mary 2 is calling in October.

She said there are special events planned for each of the ports 38 calls in 2016, as part of the 10th anniversary celebration of the ports cruise business.

Not only is the Queen Mary 2 making its first visit to the port this year, the ship is booked in 2017 and 2018 as well, said Nemey.

The port was built out for cruise ships to the specs of the Queen Mary 2, according to Nemey.

As well, for multiple ship days, the port is now running its own (and free) tender operations to help cruise lines. The port now has two tenders with capacity for 125 and 175 passengers, respectively.
The U.S. Department of Human Services has released new guidance for health care organizations that focuses on the growing threat of ransomware, stresses the need for better education and regular backups, and confirms that a ransomware attack against plain-text health information is, in fact, a breach that must be disclosed.

The guidance recommends that organizations identify the risks facing their patient information, create a plan to address those links, set up procedures to protect systems from malware, train users to spot malware, limit access to sensitive information to just the people who need it most, and have a disaster recovery plan that includes frequent data backups.

"The new guidance, to a great extent reiterates what has already been in place, but is a bit more specific," said Dana Simberkoff, Chief Compliance and Risk Officer at Jersey City, NJ-based AvePoint Inc. "The emphasis is on education, which is a good component of a good data protection program."

Ransomware typically gets onto a system through malicious email attachments or links to malicious websites, both of which can be addressed to some degree with employee education.

"The second mistake organizations make is granting too much access to people who don't need access to that information," she said. "Organizations should focus on providing the least access possible for employees to do their jobs."

Understaffed IT departments, however, often err on the side of too much access, she said.

"By giving people more access than they need, they avoid having those folks come back every time they need something," she said.

However, limiting the access rights of individual users means that if those users get effective, there's less data that the malware can get to.

The new guidance is a summary of industry best practices, which organizations should already have been doing, she said.

"The only thing that's surprising about the guidance s that it's a little bit late," she said.

In addition to providing recommendations for organizations to help them defend against ransomware, the new guidance also clarifies that a ransomware attack does, in fact, count as a breach because "unauthorized individuals have taken possession or control of the information."

"When electronic protected health information is encrypted as the result of a ransomware attack,

a breach has occurred," the HHS guidance said.

One exception, however, is if the data had already been encrypted by the organization itself, and the hackers who got access to it would not have been able to do anything with it. But it depends on the type of encryption.

For example, if a cybercriminal gets access to a laptop with full disk encryption, and the laptop is powered down, the that would be unreadable to the attacker.

That's not the case if the laptop was powered up, however, and the user was logged in.

"If the ransomware accesses the file containing the PHI, the file containing the PHI will be transparently decrypted by the full disk encryption solution and access permitted with the same access levels granted to the user," the guidance said.
When the director of the FBI, James Comey, said that Secretary Clinton had been careless in her handling of classified documents sent over her private server, I felt unsettled. Whether your inclination is to defend or admonish her, the private server set up by Clinton raises lots of questions. Many more than Comeys testimony actually answered.

I asked Dave Aitel, CEO, Immunity Inc if the suggestion that Secretary Clintons server was breached was only a fear tactic. Aitel said, Its possible that its a fear tactic, but its also a reality that it was likely breached. There is a 50/50 chance that it was actually breached, there is a 100% chance that information going to the server was collected by foreign intelligence.

A strong possibility, Aitel said, is that she was hacked, but no one left malware on the disc.The bottom line, based on the evidence, said Aitel is that she left the front door open, a virtual please come in.

She, on her own, hired the smallest, least competent IT firm who is also the most likely to keep their mouth shut--they arent going to talk about it, said Aitel. OK, but why would she do that?

Thats why it looks so fishy," said Aitel. "Why would anyone go to all those extremes to keep it quiet? There is something to hide. There is no other reason why she would go to these extremes. No one hires an IT firm for convenience. Thats just ridiculous. You let your job take care of it. She was clearly lying about it."

Given her stature, I questioned whether she was ever even aware of the technical logistics of how the server was set up. She's not versed in IT, so she hired a firm to take care of the technology for her. Aren't they the ones who were careless here? Whether she hired an IT firm with the intent of keeping them quiet or not, how could they not put security protocols in place?

Even Gmail has sophisticated tools to protect data at rest and in transit. Some are to prevent from hackers getting in, and some to see where they go. There are tools for filtering email to notice anomalous logins. There are probably 100 different tools and methodologies, Aitel said.

None of these measures were taken to secure the private email server of the Secretary of State, though, and there is still no evidence to determine whether her server was breached.

Michael Gregg, COO of Superior Solutions said, Honestly, if we are looking at nation states, you arent going to expect to see evidence. They are going to do a good job at covering their tracks. For the first few months, it was just set up as an email server on the web. Anyone could find that.

I think an obvious follow up question that no one has addressed is, If anyone can find it, why didnt the US government find it? Gregg said, Whether people inside the US knew about it is a separate issue.

Why?

We do security assessments and pen tests, Gregg said, and any time we have someone going to China, Russia, Eastern Europe, we give quite a bit of information about being careful at what they do. Only use encrypted email and on email servers that meet a certain standard. Her server didnt meet those sorts of requirements.

Again, I go back to the question, Why? How has any of this been convenient or beneficial for Clinton? Gregg said, "To some degree it's somewhat scary because either she didnt know or doesnt understand, or she did know and thought that her access and usability overrode concerns for security."

What many in the intelligence community fear is that she doesnt understand. "This is really an issue of most importance. The number of companies and government entities from power to gas. If there is some other type of war or outbreak, those systems are going to be targeted," Gregg said.

Looking forward, Aitel said, "There is about an 80% chance that she is going to be our next President. How is this going to impact her presidency? Is she going to have difficulty talking about cyber security?"

Several pressing issues will demand that the President be able to rationally and intelligently create policies that will impact national security. Aitel said one of the most important of those issues is negotiating privacy shields with Europeans.

"That's intense policy work. There is also handling the Snowden effect and other matters that happened on her watch, like Wiki Leaks. The Apple vs IBM encryption debate. Technology on encryption law enforcement. You cant have it both ways, and if you dont understand the policy, you think you can have it both ways," Aitel said.

The one thing that is clear in the aftermath of Comey's indictment of Secretary Clinton is that he set a precedent: moving forward, we are leaving no room for carelessness in cyber security.
A Bridgeport law firm continues to fight with a Wilton couple trying to reduce the firms share of a $25 million settlement with Stamford Hospital.

Earlier this week, Hartford Superior Court Judge David Sheridan ruled that Cathy and Domenic DAttilo, of Wilton, had no legal standing to challenge the grievance procedure, the Connecticut Law Tribune reported.

The family filed the complaint in January after mixed results with grievance boards in Fairfield and Stamford.

The DAttilos asked the Superior Court to take over their grievances against the Bridgeport law firm of Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder, and Hartford-based Day Pitney, noting that two grievance panels had issued different opinions on whether lawyers had committed malpractice.

In 2011, a jury awarded $58.6 million to the DAttilos and their son, Danny, for permanent brain injuries he sustained during his birth at Stamford Hospital. The amount was a medical-malpractice record in Connecticut.

Rather than embark on years of appeals, the family agreed to settle with the doctors insurance carrier for $25 million.

The familys lawyers, including Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder, paid themselves $7 million, plus $600,000 in costs from the settlement, saying the DAttilos had signed documents allowing for a 28 percent contingency fee.

The DAttilos, through their current lawyers, claim that a 2003 retainer linked the fees to a state formula, which provides for a $2.66 million fee, or about 10.5 percent, on a $25 million settlement.

Koskoff, Koskoff and Bieder, along with Day Pitney, which also has offices in Stamford and Greenwich, are named as defendants, as are several of their attorneys.

The legal malpractice suit itself is continuing.
BRIDGEPORT  Councilman Jose Casco is asking that his personal privacy be respected in the wake of his arrest following a fight with his estranged wife.

As with all families, life is not perfect, attorney Paul Ganim wrote in an email Wednesday after being contacted by a reporter trying to reach Casco. Jose has great respect and love for his family. While Jose and his family are working out their private and personal issues he requests the respect of privacy that any family would want.

Casco  who has ignored multiple requests for comment since his July 10 arrest for disorderly conduct  had initially considered stepping down from his elected post, but apparently changed his mind. He was appointed in March 2015 to the Council to fill a vacancy and won a two-year term in November.

And while some community leaders have suggested Casco give up his legislative duties to focus on his personal life, others argue privately that the charges are not serious enough.

City Clerk Lydia Martinez said that is what she is hearing.

I hear some who said he should resign, Martinez said. And others said hes going through bad moments and, instead of pushing him around, people should give him some moral support.

Several sources said an angry Casco walked out of a meeting with Democratic Town Committee members from his neighborhood Saturday because his council partner  Alfredo Castillo  was in attendance.

Castillo has, sources said, encouraged Casco to give up his council position in light of the arrest.

Castillo declined to comment on that meeting or any private conversations with Casco.

Im going to support him on what he wants to do, Castillo said. I gave him my pros and cons. ... I wasnt there (during the arrest). I dont know what happened.

Domestic troubles

Cascos wife filed for divorce earlier this year. Their tumultuous private life became public Sunday, July 10, when officers responded to a complaint of a loud argument at the couples Marrian Street home.

Police said they found an intoxicated Casco arguing with his wife. She alleged that he had tried to remove the television and cable box from her bedroom. Cops also said a belligerent Casco repeated Im a city councilman over and over to them.

The case is being handled as a domestic violence incident by the court and Casco was ordered to stay away from his wife.

In an interview last week, state Rep. Christopher Rosario, the Democratic leader in Cascos neighborhood, said he was alarmed by the arrest and had talked to the councilman about resigning to focus on his personal life.

If its going to impair him in any way of performing his duties, I think he should step aside, Rosario said.

Casco also met privately last Thursday with some colleagues on the City Council, including President Thomas McCarthy. McCarthy on Wednesday said he had no idea if Casco planned to exit the council.

My advice to him as a person was he should focus on his personal life, McCarthy said, adding: In addition to the charges, I was deeply concerned about the police report indicating he used his council position over and over again (when arrested). That is very disturbing to me.

But some have privately questioned whether the arrest was blown out of proportion, with a marital squabble mischaracterized as a serious incident of domestic violence.

Though the case was placed on the courts domestic violence docket, Casco was not accused of any physical violence toward his wife.

Its very difficult to pick a side, said one female Democrat who wished to remain anonymous.

Abusive behavior

Cascos wifes attorney, Matthew Broder, declined comment.

Debra Greenwood, president of the Bridgeport-based Center for Family Justice, said domestic abuse and violence can take on many forms.

Greenwood declined to comment specifically on Cascos case. She said that generally domestic violence can range from emotional, psychological and financial abuse within a relationship to extremely controlling behavior, verbal abuse and physical intimidation.

You dont have to have cuts and bruises to be a victim, Greenwood said.

When filing for divorce, Cascos wife, according to public court documents, accused him of acts of mental and physical cruelty; of refusing to pay the mortgage ... or share in the household expenses; and of repeatedly coming home intoxicated. According to court documents, the couples home is in foreclosure and Casco has failed and/or refused to cooperate in any way to prevent (it).

And though he is specifically charged with disorderly conduct, according to the state Judicial Branch, four entities  the police, court family matters staff, the prosecution and the judge  have rolls in determining whether to handle arrests as domestic violence.

Cascos case was continued to Aug.17. Casco may be eligible for counseling which, if successfully completed, would result in the charges being dismissed.

City Council members in recent years have resigned for a variety of reasons, from wanting to focus on a new business, to tax debt, to alleged sexual harassment. Whether Casco adds to that list remains to be seen.

He was elected by the people, Martinez said. So if he doesnt want to resign, he doesnt have to.
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At least 35 employees of the states 20 hospital chains made more than $1 million in salary and benefits in 2015, according to a new report from the state Department of Public Health.

The well-compensated workers include executives from hospitals in Bridgeport, Milford, Danbury, Stamford and Greenwich.

The numbers have the potential to raise eyebrows. Earlier this year, many hospital officials decried a state budget that sliced tax reimbursements to hospitals by $134 million statewide. Gov. Dannel P. Malloys office declined comment on the release of the hospital salaries in light of these previous concerns, but those associated with the hospitals claim the workers earn every penny.

Hospital leaders in Connecticut are responsible for the operation and performance of complex, dynamic organizations that include running an organization that never closes, and where work is a matter of life and death, Elizabeth Hamilton, communications manager for the Connecticut Hospital Association, said in a statement.

Collectively, they have oversight of 85,000 people, and manage in a highly regulated sector that is undergoing a huge transformation. So while we can talk about compensation to hospital leaders, we should remember that they are charged with one of the most important jobs in our society  running organizations that provide lifesaving care for our families, friends and neighbors.

Yale leads list

Typically, the state releases a list of the 10 highest-paid employees at each of the states hospitals. This year, the health department also released the 10 highest-paid employees at all of the states health systems.

State health department spokeswoman Maura Downes said the new list is the result of a statute change, which went into effect last year. The change is somewhat confusing because some hospital presidents and chief executive officers turned up on the highest-paid health system employees list, but not the highest-paid hospital employees list.

The health employee making the most was Marna Borgstrom, the president and CEO of Yale-New Haven Health System, which includes Yale-New Haven Hospital, Bridgeport Hospital and Greenwich Hospital.

With salary and benefits, Borgstrom reportedly made a total of about $3.6 million.

Not surprisingly, Yale-New Haven, the states largest health system, handed out some of the biggest salaries and benefits packages to workers. All of Yales 10 highest-paid employees made more than $1 million in fiscal year 2015.

These included Norman Roth, president of Greenwich Hospital, chief operating officer of Bridgeport Hospital and an executive vice president with the health system. Between salary and benefits, Roth made about $2.85 million.

Yale-New Haven Hospital President Richard DAquila was the chains third-highest-paid worker, earning a total of about $2.2 million. Bridgeport Hospital President William Jennings was Yales seventh-highest-paid worker, with a salary and benefits package totaling about $1.4 million.

But, in some cases, the numbers dont reflect how much employees were actually paid, said Dana Marnane, director of public relations and communications for Yale-New Haven Health System.

For instance, Roth and David Wurcel  vice president of the corporate business office and the systems fourth-highest paid employee  each became fully vested in their retirement accounts because of their ages and years of service.

A large portion of what is listed as salary  more than 60 percent  is deferred compensation, accumulated for the more than 35 years each has worked in our system, Marnane said in an email. The IRS requires it to be reported in 2015 as income, even though it was not paid to the employee.

She also pointed out that many members of the senior staff have multiple roles, and hold titles in both the health system and its individual hospitals.

As one of the largest and most complex systems in the nation, executives at Yale-New Haven Health are held accountable for enormously demanding responsibilities, she said. Marna Borgstrom leads a staff of nearly 21,000 employees and manages an annual operating budget of $3.6 billion.

Big numbers in state

Other health systems with many well-compensated employees included Hartford Health Care Corp., which includes Hartford Hospital and four other hospitals. Of its 10 highest-paid employees, eight made more than $1 million.

Health executives making more than $1 million also included Stamford Hospital President and CEO Brian Grissler, Milford Hospitals vice president of medical affairs and chief operating officer, Dr. Lloyd Friedman, and Dr. John Murphy, president and CEO of Western Connecticut Health Network, which includes Danbury, New Milford and Norwalk hospitals.

Many of the compensation packages were comparable to what executives made in fiscal year 2014, although there were some fluctuations. Grissler, for example, made $2,007,425 in fiscal year 2015  roughly $400,000 less than he made the year before.

Stamford Hospital spokesman Craig Andrews said these salaries and benefits packages are needed to draw the best talent.

Stamford Hospital must be able to attract and retain a management team that can not only address the complex health care needs of the greater community, but also create a unique, caring environment that draws the best, most dedicated caregivers to join them, Andrews said.

One other member of the $1 million-plus club was Dr. Stuart Marcus, who announced this week he was leaving his job as president and CEO of St. Vincents Health Services in Bridgeport, which includes St. Vincents Medical Center. In fiscal year 2015, Marcus had salary and benefits totaling nearly $1.6 million.

On Monday, Marcus said he was leaving St. Vincents and was looking for another job within its parent company, Ascension Health.
The national Health Resources and Services Administration has announced $2,748,762 in grant money for health education programs at multiple Connecticut universities. The awards were part of $149 million given nationally through 12 workforce programs to prepare the next generation of skilled, diverse primary care providers to serve communities in need across the country.

These awards will help increase access to quality health care for all Americans by educating and training culturally competent providers who are prepared to practice in high-need areas, said HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae in a news release. By encouraging partnerships among academic institutions, clinicians, health care sites and public health entities, we can improve health outcomes in underserved communities.
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Melania Trump, July 18, 2016:

"From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily lives. That is a lesson that I continue to pass along to our son

And we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Michelle Obama, Aug. 26, 2008:

"And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them.

And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and to pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children - and all children in this nation - to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."
More patients with imported Zika virus

Submitted by: Juana

Local

Health and Medicine

07 / 15 / 2016



The Cuban Ministry of Public Health has informed about three new cases of patients with imported Zika virus, for a total of 25 on the island so far, according to the daily Granma newspaper.

They correspond to a woman that for personal reasons traveled to Guyana, in addition to two Cuban voluntary workers who returned from Honduras and Venezuela, who live in the municipalities of Ciego de Avila, Placetas (Villa Clara) and La Lisa (Havana), respectively.

Once symptoms appeared, patients were admitted, one in the "Antonio Luaces Iraola" Provincial Hospital of Ciego de Avila and two at the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK), where blood samples were taken for study.

On July 12, IPK's laboratory reported that tests were positive for Zika virus.

The three patients remain hospitalized. They are in good general condition, with favorable evolution.
STORY LINK FoMO Forecast to Propel Australian Dollar (AUD) and New Zealand Dollar (currency : NZD) higher

Global Equity Markets Recover from Post-Brexit Crash

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J. Wortham, writing in the New York Times in 2011, described a phenomenon which has become known as FoMO, or the Fear of Missing Out. The idea has various application and comes in many guises, but Wortham summed it up as,a pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent.More recently, Michael Shea described the same social anxiety in his book Living with FoMO as a feeling which may lead to a compulsive concern that one might miss an opportunity for social interaction, a novel experience, profitable investment or other satisfying events.Global stock markets initially suffered heavy losses on June 24th during the hours which followed the surprise decision from UK voters to leave the European Union. Spains stock market had fallen by over 30% by midday on the session following the referendum, while Asian and other euroland bourses traded down by about 10%.However, institutional investors viewed this pronounced dip for global stocks as a prime buying opportunity and, buoyed by the promise of more ultra-loose monetary policy from the worlds central banks, stock markets have since rocketed. Londons benchmark FTSE 100 has spiked to its highest level since the end of last Autumn this week, breaking the 6,700 threshold. It had been down well below 6,000 on the morning of 24th June.Meanwhile, in the US, the broad-ranging S&P 500 Index was breaking fresh multi-year highs of close to the 2,200 level at the time of writing. The subsequent move has been characterised by some analysts as FoMO, with investors greedily buying up stocks to avoid missing out on a sustained revaluation rally.In the global currency markets, heightened levels of risk appetite equate to strong support for the Commodity Dollars (AUD, NZD, CAD). If the worldwide stock market rally continues, potentially fueled by a decision by the US Federal Reserve to sit on its hands and leave its monetary policy on hold on 27th July. Losses for the Pound against AUD, NZD and CAD could therefore accelerate at this time.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

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The failed military coup in Turkey that began on the evening of July 15 left nearly 300 dead and 1,400 injured. It was the fifth coup attempt in Turkey since 1960, but the first in which the military turned its fire against its own citizens. Unthinkably, and inexplicably, the aspiring junta also bombed the Turkish parliament, the symbol of the democracy it claimed to be acting to rescue.

On Monday, Air Force commander general Akin Ozturk appeared in court, visible bruises on his neck and face. I am not the person who planned and directed the military coup, he said. He claimed to have an alibi; he had been at a wedding during the coup preparations.

If not him, who? President Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Binali Yldrm, and many politicians from different parties believe the person who planned and directed the coup was the U.S.-based Islamist ideologue Fethullah Gulen. Borrowing from the American historian Robert Paxtonwho coined the term parallel state to describe a collection of institutions that are state-like in their organization, management, and structure, but not part of the legitimate statethe Turkish government calls Gulenists within the Turkish state a parallel structure organization. Sources within the military, according to the well-connected Turkish journalist Murat Yetkin, likewise claim that the plotters were known or suspected Gulen sympathizers.

Gulen has strongly denied any involvement. He has denounced the coup attempt, and accused Erdogan, in turn, of staging the coup as a pretext for the brutal crackdown now underway on those suspected of involvement. This has already led to some 8,000 arrests and to calls for reinstating Turkeys death penalty. The European Unions high commissioner for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini, has warned that this would automatically end Turkeys accession process, for no country with the death penalty can be an E.U. member. The penalty would have to be applied retroactivelya clear breach of the Turkish constitution. Any remaining pretense of rule of law would be gone.

Its hard to overstate how sinister this turn of events is for Turkey. Mass trials are already underway. Defendants have been escorted by men brandishing weapons. They are not soldiers, nor are they wearing police uniforms. While Islamists werent the only faction of Turkish society opposed to the coup, the coup has unleashed all of Turkeys Islamist psychopaths, sociopaths, criminals, and thugs; they have been verbally authorized to walk the streets and defend the nation against coup plots. The government has suggested it should be easier for people to acquire guns so they can defend the nation against coups. (It was not difficult to begin with.) Just as nationalists and police from Erdogans ruling AKP party were recently unleashed against the Kurdish population in the southeast, they have now been emboldened to pursue any and all dissenters in Turkey.

So far, Turkeys 15 million Alevis, the countrys largest minority, have been a target of the surge in Sunni Muslim excitement. AKP mobs have reportedly entered Alevi districts and suburbs chanting Allahu ekbir, and, The AKP has comewhere are the Alevis? A memorial to the largely left-wing and Kurdish victims of ISISs October 10 bombing in Ankara has been attacked, as have Syrian shops and the offices of the Kurdish-focused HDP. Until now, many Turks have tacitly assumed the military to be the guarantor of last resort against the prospect of spiraling violence, but the military is now too discredited to play that role. Turks are frightened, and with good reason.

Suspects apprehended on suspicion of involvement in the plot appear from photographs to have been beaten. They have been denied access to lawyers. About 20 news websites critical of the government have been shut down. The government has published lists of journalists to be arrested, and effectively banned foreign travel for civil servants3 million people, nearly 5 percent of the population. Thirty district governors have been replaced. Some 9,000 police and interior ministry officials have been suspended; 2,700 judges and prosecutors have been removed from their posts. Turkeys board of higher education has requested the resignation of 1,577 university rectors and deans. Another 15,000 state education employees have been suspended. The state news agency reports that nearly 400 employees of the ministry of family and social policies have been stripped of their responsibilities. Government spokesperson Ibrahim Kaln has assured reporters that the arrest of nearly a third of Turkeys 328 generals hasnt weakened the military in its fight against ISIS and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). That claim is highly doubtful, particularly if, as has been reported, that Turkish army forces in the southeast have been barred from leaving their barracks for fear they might launch a second coup attempt.

Tuesdays announcement that the licenses of 21,000 private schoolteachers have been suspended brings the total number of those suspended or detained to about 60,000. The so-called parallel state seems to be almost as large as the official oneand this isnt counting all the suspected followers of Gulen in the Turkish civil service, judiciary, and police who had already been purged over the past two and a half years.

It will be many years, if ever, before we fully understand what just took place. But some of the conclusions hastily drawn in the Western media make no sense. Many commentators have been quick, for example, to accept Gulens intimation that the scale of the purge indicates the coup attempt was staged by Erdogan himself, in some kind of Turkish Reichstag fire. True, lists of people to purge were prepared long in advance, but that doesnt mean that Erdogan staged the coup. Its no surprise to anyone in Turkey that these lists were ready; the government had already said as much. To understand why, youd need to be familiar with events in Turkey from the time the AKP came to power to the present, as well as the way, beginning in 2012, the AKP visibly, explosively, and publicly fell out with Gulens flock. The president has taken advantage of the coup plot to accelerate a purge, but it doesnt mean he staged it. Nor is it evidence for Gulens involvement, though it would be credulous to dismiss that idea out of hand.

Regardless of the extent of their involvement, Gulenists are and have long been present in the Turkish military. There is strong circumstantial evidence to suggest that Gulens supporters manufactured evidence during the sham trials of senior military figures; Gulenist press organs were keen to promote easily-dismissed and contradictory evidence as fact, and did so even as that evidence became more contradictory and absurd.

No one knows how or why Gulenists were involved in those trials, so no one yet understands the extent and the nature of Gulens involvement in Turkish politics and the military. Quite a number of Turkish military sources believe that there are large numbers of Gulenists in the nations armed forces; top commanders and generals have long spoken against Gulen and warned of attempts at infiltration. That Gulen says he has always been against military interventions doesnt make it true. Gulen praised and fawned over the army after the 1980 coup. The army has long purged Gulenists amid their ranks, however, to the extent they could detect them. Erdogan put an end to those the purges during the period after he took power, when he and Gulen closely collaborated.

According to Ahmet Sk, a journalist who was arrested after writing a book that charged the Gulenists with extensive infiltration of the Turkish state, the weekend coup was indeed headed by Gulenist officers who had been planning to stage it before a promotions meeting in August, when they were due to be dismissed. Their plans were discovered, he writes, and they knew they were to be arrested at 4am on Saturday morning. He believes the officers, aware they had been rumbled, decided to attempt the coup early on Friday night. This would explain why the coup was so poorly planned. Consistent with this, Erdogan has acknowledged he knew of military activity at least seven-to-ten hours before the coup.

One thing is obvious: This epic folly has doomed Turkish aspirations for a decent democratic order for a very long time. It would have doomed them had it succeeded, and it has doomed them in failure. Its unreasonable to expect a system as deeply and fundamentally flawed as Turkeys to deal with the coup attempt in a manner palatable to liberal and democratic sensibilities. Whoever staged it has done terrible damage to Turkey. If the Turkish government can produce reasonable evidence linking Gulen to the plot, there is no reason we should feel compelled to protect him from the consequences. As one Turkish friend wrote to me early on Saturday morning, as the implications of these events sank in, Whoevers behind this needs to burn.

Photo by Gokhan Tan/Getty Images
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Opinion Psychology

Its not enough for us to survive terrible experiences. Now were supposed to thrive because of them. Nonsense. Victims of trauma dont need to add a sense of failure to their burden.
Like many of the most persuasive public speakers, Barack Obama has always had a neat line in self-deprecation.

Shortly before being elected President in 2008 he told an audience: Contrary to the rumours you have heard, I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father, Jor-el, to save the planet Earth.

In other words, he was saying, he was Superman, not Jesus.

Sometimes I used to wonder if he was completely joking. Be in no doubt that this man, when he arrived on political Earth, was not coming among us to make up the numbers.

He was on a mission  a mission to bring change.

Sometimes we should wonder if Barack Obama was joking when he said, in 2008, that he was Superman, not Jesus, says columnist Justin Webb

Which is why, as he prepares to leave office, there is so much anguish among some of his keenest supporters at the grim fact that race relations in the U.S are as bad today as they were when the world was marvelling at Obamas rise.

In fact, incredibly, some think they are worse, as bad as they were during the Los Angeles riots of 1992.

The murder of three policemen by an African American in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this week may well prove to be further evidence of how horribly wrong things have gone. It came after five policemen were killed and seven others injured in Dallas by a black militant.

Symbolic

The shootings of black men by police, the revenge killings, the demonstrations and near riots: this was not what Americans expected when they chose Obama. This was not in the script. So what went wrong?

At the August 2008 Denver Convention when Barack Obama beat Hillary Clinton in the fight for the Democratic Party nomination, I spied, one warm evening, Michelle and the children being driven home. It melted the heart.

They were in one of those huge presidential 4x4s with the secret service men hanging out of the open doors. I caught the briefest glimpse of the Obama familys faces as they passed, peering out from the depths of the car, cocooned by grey-suited, heavily armed white people.

It looked so brilliantly symbolic. Nothing could have been more completely supportive of Obamas big claim in a speech: There is no Black America and White America. Surely change had come.

The truth is that it was a self-deluding daydream. Change couldnt come that easily. And Barack Obama knew that.

The man who promised, when he was given the nomination: This was the moment when the rise of the oceans began to slow and our planet began to heal, made no such grand promises about race. In fact, he made none at all.

The truth is that America did not actually elect a black man to the White House. You might just about be able to argue that this is true physically: Obama is of mixed race with a white mother, but psychologically, intellectually and politically, Obama is not a black politician.

And Obama never sought to hide that. This was not a black administration with black concerns at its heart, indeed in his first term he had one of the smallest number of black cabinet members in recent times  fewer than George W. Bush.

President Obama had fewer black cabinet members than George W. Bush, pictured

No, Obama never intended to be a black president. Remember the controversy over the Reverend Jeremiah Wright?

He had been a pastor and friend to the Obamas but during the election campaign, video surfaced of the pastor revealing himself to be the angriest of angry black men, calling for reparations for slavery, blaming the U.S. for 9/11, screaming: God damn America!

Obama reacted with a speech that many still believe was the finest of his career. Entitled A More Perfect Union, it ranged across the whole American experience and included poignant details of his own life; including the fact that his white grandmother had confessed to him that she was frightened of black men.

Obama refused to condemn Rev. Wright just as he refused to condemn his granny.

These people are a part of me, he said, and they are a part of America, this country that I love. It was a thoughtful speech which refused to preach to either side. And it was made when Obama still needed the support of white Americans to gain power, which caused many to think Obama was just holding back on the subject of race to get elected.

Once he made it to the White House he would be like the firebrand Al Sharpton, or the veteran civil rights campaigner and failed presidential hopeful, Jesse Jackson.

But that was never his plan. He simply does not believe that such anger works. He actually does not feel it.

Frustration

And for some African Americans that is now a problem, because they feel let down. The Rev. Wright still preaches in North Carolina but now refers to his former friend as our Halfrican-American president.

It is difficult to avoid a sense that following the recent killings, Wrights madcap anger rings more bells with black Americans than it did in 2008; in other words, Obamas approach has lost ground in the nearly eight years he has been in power.

The reasons are not difficult to find. Obama, in that More Perfect Union speech, called on black people to bind their grievances to those of all Americans hoping for better lives.

But the binding never happened. There is something about black life in America that seems to prevent it: something difficult to shift.

And there is real frustration with Obama from some black people; as one prominent black commentator put it recently: He bends so far backward to avoid giving offence, even to those who richly deserve offending, that he must need regular sessions with a chiropractor.

U.S. Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is introduced before she speaks at a campaign event at the Culinary Academy Training Center in North Las Vegas, Nevada, yesterday

What many African Americans say is that Obamas dream cannot happen until he and other well-meaning people stop calling for racial unity and start telling white people the truth.

As one black writer put it recently: We need whites to stop being racist. They look for their president to speak out and are angry that even with the Obamas in the White House, black poverty and black rates of imprisonment are as awful as they ever were.

According to the non-partisan Economic Policy Institute, nearly 46 per cent of young black children under the age of six live in poverty in America, compared to 14.5 per cent of white children.

Seriously: nearly half of all black kids are disadvantaged from the start of their lives.

Its nice that Obamas daughter Malia is off to Harvard after attending one of the nations finest private schools; nice to see a black girl making it in the world of education. But jarring as well that his familys experience and that of other black families is so different.

Even the figures for black incarceration do not seem to raise Obamas blood pressure. According to Pew Research, one in 87 working-aged white men is in prison or jail, compared with one in 36 Hispanic men but a community-destroying one in 12 African-American men.

Young black men with no high school diplomas are more likely to be in jail (37 per cent) than employed (26 per cent).

Scrapheap

Again, in an area where there was hope, change did not come.

And yet: what if Obamas instincts not to confront the issue were right? White people are going to be a minority in America by the middle of this century in any case.

The decline of white power is written in the demographic DNA of the modern United States. It is a given and cannot be dodged.

Perhaps Obama, by just being president, has made enough of a point.

Perhaps he has done his bit. The trouble is that such a professorial approach might suit a 55-year-old successful man who has risen to be president and whose kids are going to Harvard.

It does not look so good if you voted for that man and your life is still dismal, if your son is going to prison or is at the bottom of the economic scrapheap.

Barack Obamas policy of not being black has served him well for most of his presidency.
Elizabeth Hurley, 51, announces that her son Damian, 14, both pictured  fathered by wealthy American businessman Steve Bing, 51  is to appear in her so-bad-its-almost-good TV farce about our monarchy, The Royals.

Hes guest-starring as Prince Hansel von Liechtenstein, she reveals. Lets hope critics dont savage the laddie as they did his mother.

Once a favourite model (and girlfriend) of the late, degenerate artist Lucian Freud, Susanna Chancellor, 70, is now caring for her husband, the brilliant editor Alexander Chancellor, 76, who earlier this year suffered a stroke while holidaying with her in Tuscany.

Elizabeth Hurley announces her son Damian, 14, both pictured  fathered by wealthy American businessman Steve Bing, 51  is to appear in her so-bad-its-almost-good TV farce about our monarchy, The Royals

Chancellor is no longer with his gamine girlfriend, writer Emily Bearn, 41 (also a Freud muse) by whom he has an enchanting young daughter, Freya, 11.

Susanna is devoted now and wont allow Alex to be alone, says a friend. Susanna and Emily were painted naked by Freud and given the portraits.

Theresa Mays order that Boris Johnson, David Davis and Dr Liam Fox must share Chevening House  long designated as the Foreign Secretarys grace-and-favour mansion  is a further insult to the Stanhope family after the seventh Earl bequeathed it to the nation in 1974 for the use of the Prince of Wales, who renounced his right to it in 1980.

Shouldnt the Stanhope family get the estate back?

BBC reporter Alan Soady tweets: Just helped David Cameron find his way into Parliament on foot. Oh, is this the way in these days? he inquired as I held a side door open.

And who bade me good morning in Hyde Parks Rotten Row yesterday morning? Why it was the ex-PM, jogging in blue shorts and a designer top. No aides, no security men, no fuss.

Across the park, another ex-PM, Tony Blair, darent leave home without a convoy of armed policemen.

The Queens new Lord Chancellor, 40-year-old accountant Liz Truss, once called for the monarchys abolition, saying: We Liberal Democrats believe in opportunity for all. We do not believe people are born to rule.

Ms Truss didnt mention this when selected as Tory candidate for South West Norfolk in 2009. Nor her affair with Tory MP Mark Field. HM is advised that Ms Truss is an inveterate giggler and gossip.

TV personality Piers Morgan, 51, who says hes a friend of Donald Trump, 70, defends the latters wife Melania, 46, who plagiarised a speech by First Lady Michelle Obama while addressing the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Piers Morgan, 51, who says hes a friend of Donald Trump, 70, defends the latters wife Melania, 46, who plagiarised a speech by First Lady Michelle Obama while addressing the Republican National Convention

Feel very sorry for Melania, he tweets. Been badly let down by someone on the campaign team.

Couldnt Trump do worse than seek Pierss help with White House media relations if he wins in November?

Brilliant arts broadcaster Mark Lawson, 54, hounded out of the BBC over dubious-sounding bullying allegations, says on Radio 4 that what he was accused of was nothing like Jeremy Clarkson, who hit someone and used a racial epithet.
A young mother who left school without any GCSEs has told how she's built a multi-million pound fashion company in just over a year.

Victoria Molyneux, 27, from Cheshire, launched her own e-boutique Want That Trend last April - five months after giving birth to daughter Isabella.

Originally she hoped for a few dozen orders a week but she was shocked to find the business skyrocket and now she's processing an impressive 2,000 invoices a day.

Victoria Molyneux, 27, from Cheshire, launched her own e-boutique Want That Trend last year

When asked about future plans, Victoria, pictured with her daughter Isabella, says she would like to launch a mother-daughter range

The blonde told FEMAIL that she's struggling to come to terms with her 'overnight success' - especially as her teachers at school doubted she would ever achieve much.

She now employees 22 people, has just launched a range in collaboration with Geordie Shore star, Holly Hagan, and has plans to launch a mother-baby line.

Currently Victoria's brand specialises in purse-friendly clothing - predominantly dresses - for women.

She said she wanted to create something chic and well made but inexpensive after having a tough time finding things for herself on the high street.

The mother-of-one would often lust after outfits in Coast and Karen Millen but they remained way out of her price range.

Financial gain: Want That Trend turned over 7 million in its first year and Victoria is already on target to achieve her goal of 10 million this year

Smash hit: Victoria was expecting a few dozen orders a week - but she was shocked to find the business skyrocket and now she's processing an impressive 2,000 orders a day

'I've always loved clothes but didn't have any money,' she explained.

Before launching her label from her bedroom, Victoria had no design experience. She had been working in a call centre after quitting a course in childcare.

But the fashion-lover found she quickly learned all she needed to know on the job.

After visiting wholesalers and local manufacturers she pulled together an affordable collection in sizes 8 to 24.

When I look on other sites I think clothing can look so different on slim models. I want to show how my clothes will look on 'real people'

She also watched online tutorials on how to build an e-commerce website.

With everything in place, Victoria launched her company last April.

She said at first her mother and partner, Yan, were unsure about her quitting her call center job.

However, when sales started pouring in they realised that maybe she'd made the right move.

Victoria, who is a size 10 to 12, models all of her own dresses, taking selfies and uploading them to the website.

She says this gives a more realistic representation of the finished product.

'When I look on other sites I think clothing can look so different on slim models. I want to show how my clothes will look on "real people."'

Brand ambassador: Victoria, who is a size 10 to 12, models all of her own dresses, taking selfies and uploading them to the website - she says this gives a more realistic representation of the finished product

Quick growth: Over the months Victoria has gained an impressive social media following with 48,000 followers on Instagram and 1.2 million likes on Facebook

Celebrity endorsement: Victoria has collaborated with Holly Hagan to create products for her fashion brand

Over the months Victoria has gained an impressive social media following with 48,000 followers on Instagram and 1.2 million likes on Facebook.

Victoria said she originally expected shoppers to be around the same age as her, but she's been surprised to to find a more varied fan base.

'When I set it up I thought people would be my age group but they're like 25 to 45 some are in their 50s. I think it's great.'

Victoria says despite having a big paycheck coming in, she hasn't changed at all and she hasn't even been on a shopping spree.

'I just went to Primark and got some new pjs,' she jibed.

The entrepreneur gave birth to her daughter, Isabella, five months after launching Want That Trend.

Juggling act: The entrepreneur gave birth to her daughter, Isabella, five months after launching her venture

She said at first it was tough juggling business and motherhood but now she's got into a good routine.

'It gradually comes together. If I need to do photos for the website, for example, I will do them at 5pm when my partner gets home.'

When asked about future plans, Victoria says she would like to launch a mother-daughter range.

Currently her daughter is 11 months old, and the mumpreneur is looking forward to an age where they can bond over fashion

Victoria is also keen to expand her range for curvier women hoping to offer clothes up to a size 30

Currently her daughter is 11 months old, and the mumpreneur is looking forward to an age where they can bond over fashion.

Victoria says she would also like to expand her range so it caters for women up to a size 30,

She concluded: 'Sometimes you don't realise what you've achieved and how much you can inspire others.

'The dream is just to get my brand recognised and keep surviving. Let's see where it goes!'

Want That Trend turned over 7 million in its first year and Victoria is already on target to achieve her goal of 10 million this year.
FEMAIL tried the treatment to see if the special ingredient really makes a difference

The Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, a five-star hotel in Cusco, Peru, offers a body wrap at its Hypnoze Spa, in which coca is rubbed all over the body

It's been found to have health benefits, including the ability to ease aches and pains 

'Cocaine' and 'relaxation' aren't words that tend to go hand-in-hand. The illicit drug conjures up images of all-night parties, bad judgment, and Charlie Sheen's tiger blood  not dimly-lit rooms with serene music.

Well, at least not in the US and the UK, where coca  the plant from which cocaine is derived  is illegal. But in South America, where some civilizations have been using coca for thousands of years, the leaves are actually a go-to for healing and rejuvenation.

In fact, high-end spas in the region have begun offering coca-based body treatments to visitors, which promise to stimulate blood circulation, improve skin tone, and relax aches and pains  and FEMAIL traveled to Peru to see what the fuss is all about.

All-natural: In South America, coca leaves have been used for their health benefits for thousands of years

While cocaine can be extracted from the plant, the leaves can also be brewed into coca tea, which can alleviate altitude sickness and curb appetite

In countries like Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, coca leaves are a common herbal remedy for a whole host of issues. They're mostly chewed or brewed with hot water for tea, and are especially helpful in places with high altitudes, like the Andes.

And they definitely have at least a few things in common with cocaine, which can be chemically extracted from the plant  even if the leaves are also considered much safer. Coca tea is a natural appetite suppressant and, like coffee, it's not the smartest thing to drink later in the day.

With that in mind, it might not seem like a terribly relaxing ingredient for a massage or body wrap. But with the exception of a slightly chilly, all-over tingling sensation, it's surprisingly easy to kick back and unwind with coca rubbed all over your body.

Where to go: Hypnoze Spa at the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco, Peru offers a coca body wrap

The 30-minute treatment costs $60 and involves being slathered in a mixture of coca, eucalyptus, and muna

Still think it sounds seedy? The setting certainly isn't.

The Hypnoze Spa at the Belmond Palacio Narzarenas hotel in Cusco, Peru is incredibly luxe  and in its blissful treatment rooms, guests can spend a half hour relaxing with a coca body wrap.

To be clear, no one is having his or her body rubbed in a pile of fine white powder. The $60 treatment feels a lot like any other body wrap, except for that telltale skin tingling. And that just lets you know it's working.

After slipping out of a soft, cozy robe and getting underneath a blanket in the dark, quiet room, I waited while the massage therapist took out the mixture of the moment  a brown, grainy paste made from mashed-up coca, eucalyptus, and muna (a mint-like plant).

The benefits: Applied to the skin, coca allegedly improves skin tone and also improves circulation  something that can help boost energy and reduce aches and pains

Surprise! The coca creates a cool, tingling sensation all over the skin

The cold tingling was instantaneous, and it felt quite similar to being rubbed with toothpaste  but the sort of rough, all-natural kind Shailene Woodley might use. Then, the therapist wrapped me in a thermal blanket, and I laid still and snug while the coca did its magic.

Halfway through, the tingling had mostly melted away. Chewing coca leaves can numb a person's mouth, so it's possible that my body was now a bit numb all over  though I really just felt comfortable and relaxed.

Getting my head massaged helped, but my whole body felt nice and warm inside the blankets, and I was surprised by how quickly the time was up.

Nice as it was, though, I wasn't feeling like this was any sort of miracle treatment that is, until about a half hour later, when I was sitting in the spa's relaxation area. That's when I realized that the headache I'd been battling since I got into town that morning  a symptom of altitude sickness  was gone.

After getting the coca wrap, DailyMail.com's Carly Stern (not pictured) sat in the relaxation area  and realized her headache had disappeared

I also felt refreshed and energized. Not in a bouncing-off-the-walls, just-did-a-line-in-the-bathroom kind of way that I imagine actual cocaine feels like  but the altitude-induced fatigue I'd been experiencing was gone, and I felt a lot closer to my normal self. I didn't necessarily think my skin was glowier or more even-toned, but it definitely felt like my blood circulation had gotten a much-needed boost.

Unfortunately, the benefits didn't last long, and my headache and fatigue were back by the next morning.

As a short-term fix, though, it was perfect  and I would have happily gotten a coca wrap every day of my stay if I could have.
Yesterday, Britain basked in a sweltering heatwave with temperatures surpassing 33C as the nation enjoyed one of the hottest July days ever.

If there's one thing we Brits are better at than complaining about the weather being too hot, then it's letting our skin get utterly fried - and gloating about it on social media.

As yesterday drew to a close, Twitter was awash with pictures of painful examples of sunburn - from bright red chests to raw wrists.

Scroll down for video

Fortunate sun-worshippers who had the day off headed to parks and beaches to enjoy the heat as the mercury soared towards 35C.

Meanwhile other people took advantage of their lunch breaks to desert their stuffy offices and grab some fresh air.

And those who forgot to bring the sunscreen with them ended up with unsightly tan lines and painful red skin which certainly made for some amusing Twitter pictures.

Several people compared themselves to Squashies - chewy pink and white sweets by Swizzels.

Natasha Straughan declared she hated summer after ending up with unsightly tan lines on the hottest day of the year

Ough! Lila Clements shared this photo of some very sore looking feet and toes after a day in the sun in Truro

Maiken P Rais reminded others not to forget their sunscreen and was clearly in pain after leaving hers at home

However, sunburn is certainly no laughing matter as it increases the risk of melanoma.

According to Cancer Research UK people who have had sunburn are more than twice as likely to get melanoma than those who have not.

The risk is higher if you have had sunburn several times in your life - at any time - not just in childhood.

Mollyvincentttt was probably regretting her choice of a racer back top after ending up burned

Twitter user Jemma Broadway has blamed her sunburn on playing Pokemon Go, using the hashtag #PokemonGoProblems

Mantiger summed up her feelings with the word 'ouch' after failing to slather on enough sun protection

The charity recommends using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and a UV rating of at least four stars.

Avoiding the sun when it's at its hottest and covering up with a hat and sunglasses can also reduce your risk of burning.

However, it may not be a concern for too much longer as thunderstorms are predicted to bring a month's worth of rain in the coming days.

Hannah Stonier ended up looking like Squashies pink and white sweets

Wee_kezza warned that everyone who was off work on the hottest day of the year would end up looking like Squashies

Lauryn Foley tweeted a picture of her very burnt looking stomach, legs and chest, captioning it: 'Should stay out the sun tomorrow'

Rachel was another victim of the dreaded tan lines after spending time outdoors

Trudi Curtis shared this picture of herself looking incredibly burnt in her face and chest regions

Is he joking? Twitter user Tyler tweeted 'Not even sunburnt mate...' but the horrific picture tells a different story

Roan clearly forgot to put suncream on his feet - as he has acquired a pretty unique 'right angled sunburn'

Annie Golesworthy tweeted that her sunburn game was 'strong', showing off a picture of her burnt hand and arm

Poor Cameron Lewis is no match for the sun. He tweeted this selfie with the caption 'Ginger problems'

Twitter user Chris Whitaker showed off his extremely red chest in this selfie - reminding his following to 'apply that suncream'

This Twitter user has attempted to make the best of a very bad situation by slathering on the makeup. She tweeted: 'Me - trying to make this awful sunburn a look'

Twitter user Sophie shared these three pictures of her unforgiving and painful-looking sunburn

Benj shared this amusing photo of his father's 'socks' - a result of him getting his legs but not feet very badly sunburnt

This Twitter user almost looks as though they're wearing a T-shirt - as their shoulders and arms are such a different colour from their back

Laney shared this photo of her sore shoulders, chest and neck, admitting: 'It wouldn't have been a hot summer's day in England without the obligatory sunburn'
Could you compete with them? Take our quiz to find out

Mog speaks 30 languages and Christopher's taking an A level at 13

The country's cleverest eight to 12 year old battle it out on Channel 4

Do you think you've got what it takes to beat a child genius?

Christopher is nicknamed The A* Kid and planning to take his maths A level when hes just 13. Mog can speak 30 languages and keeps 19 different kinds of cacti. And Georgia knew all of Englands kings and queens in order by the time she was eight.

Some of the country's cleverest eight to 12 year old are battling it out mercilessly for the title of Britain's brightest youngster on Channel 4's Child Genius.

Scroll down for video

Presenter Richard Osman with all the contestants from this Year's Child Genius show, on Channel 4

Their general knowledge and mathematical ability are second the none.

But as an educated adult, how do you think you'd do when given the same questions as these clever youngsters?

Try these tricky questions to see how you would measure up - scroll down for answers.

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE QUESTIONS

1. Which metal is extracted from its ore, bauxite, by the process of electrolysis?

A) Rhodium

B) Aluminium

C) Bronze

2. What is the loudest animal in the world, capable of making sounds of up to 188 decibels?

A) Lion

B) Hyena

c) Blue whale

Christopher is nicknamed The A* Kid and planning to take his maths A level when hes just 13

3. Which German composer wrote the operas 'Parsifal' and 'Lohengrin'?

A) Wagner

B) Beethoven

C) Brahms

4. Who invented the horse-drawn seed drill in 1701?

A) Robert Bakewell

B) Jethro Tull

C) Thomas Coke

5. In which year of the 19th century were the diaries of Samuel Pepys first published?

A) 1825

B) 1826

C) 1830

Isabella and Stephanie, two contestants on the show. Questions range from history, to science to artworks

6. Who is now considered to have been Britain's first prime minister?

A) Spencer Compton

B) Henry Pelham

C) Robert Walpole

7. What was the name of Charles II's mistress who, having started out as an orange-seller, became a leading comic actress?

A) Lillie Langtry

B) Bessie Blount

C) Nell Gwynne

8. The man in Gustav Klimt's painting 'The Kiss' is wearing a wreath on his head - of what plant?

A) Ivy

B) Vine

C) Oak

9. When describing transverse waves, what term is used for the height from a particle's rest position to its peak?

A) Frequency

B) Wavelength

C) Amplitude

Mog can speak 30 languages and keeps 19 different kinds of cacti - what were you doing at his age?

10. Richard Strauss's 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' was based on a work by which author?

A) Friedrich Nietzsche

B) Karl Marx

C) Arnold Schopenhauer

11. What Battle of the English Civil War took place on 2 July 1644?

A) Battle of Adwalton Moor

B) Battle of Marston Moor

C) Battle of Hopton Heath

12. In Salvador Dali's 'The Persistence of Memory', there are three objects drooping. What are these objects?

A) Watches

B) Doors

C) Clocks

Christopher and his father trade smiles. The show requires a solid knowledge of both general facts and specialised subjects such as maths

13. The pamphlet 'England's New Chains Discover'd' was published in February 1649 by which group?

A) The Diggers

B) The Levellers

C) The Grandees

14. Pablo Picasso refused to let his painting 'Guernica' be displayed in Spain until democracy was restored - in what year did that happen?

A) 1977

B) 1978

C) 1975

15. Who is the only real-life individual other than a reigning monarch to appear on a British coin?

A) Oliver Cromwell

B) Winston Churchill

C) Margaret Thatcher

Parents get their kids prepped for competition by quizzing them at home on subjects that might come up

MATHS QUESTIONS

1. If A = 2, B = 4 and C = 6, what is the value of B (A x C)  12 =

A) 4

B) 6

C) 5

2. What comes next? 10, 14, 28, 32, 64, ______

A) 70

B) 68

C) 66

3. Add the following: 744 + 551 + 110 + 911 + 232 + 917 =

A) 3,564

B) 3,465

C) 3,565

4. Calculate the following: multiply 22 by 4, subtract 23, multiply by 6, and finally divide by 3.

A) 140

B) 130

C) 135

5. What comes next? 24, 12, 16, 8, 12, ___

A) 6

B) 8

C) 14

6. Add the following: 93 + 51 + 74 + 37 + 13 + 57 =

A) 330

B) 345

C) 325

7. Add the following: 46 + 24 + 59 + 86 + 44 + 94 =

A) 373

B) 353

C) 327

8. Calculate the following: multiply 14 by 8, subtract 12, multiply by 8, and finally divide by 5

A) 160

B) 170

C) 180

9. Add the following: 582 + 118 + 534 + 699 + 274 + 270 =

A) 2,577

B) 2,377

C) 2,477

10. If A = 3, B = 5 and C = 9, what is the value of A x (B + C) + 51 =

A) 93

B) 97

C) 83

11. Add the following: 31 + 70 + 80 + 62 + 39 + 20 =

A) 303

B) 302

C) 304

12. Calculate the following: multiply 26 by 2, subtract 21, multiply by 6, and finally divide by 2

A) 93

B) 97

C) 85

13. Calculate the following: multiply 16 by 9, subtract 47, multiply by 8, divide by 2, and finally add 26

A) 416

B) 414

C) 418

ANSWERS

General knowledge

1. Answer: ALUMINIUM

2. Answer: BLUE WHALE

3. Answer: RICHARD WAGNER

4. Answer: JETHRO TULL

5. Answer: 1825

6. Answer: ROBERT WALPOLE

7. Answer: NELL GWYNNE

8. Answer: IVY

9. Answer: AMPLITUDE

10. Answer: FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE

11. Answer: BATTLE OF MARSTON MOOR

12. Answer: WATCHES

13. Answer: The LEVELLERS

14. Answer: 1975

15. Answer: OLIVER CROMWELL

Maths

1. Answer: 4

2. Answer: 68 [+4, x2]

3. Answer: 3,465

4. Answer: 130

5. Answer: 6 ( 2, +4)

6. Answer: 325

7. Answer: 353

8. Answer: 160

9. Answer: 2,477

10. Answer: 93

11. Answer: 302

12. Answer: 93

13. Answer: 414
Visiting shopping centres with little children in tow has long been stereotyped as a mother's domain.

And as one dad recently discovered, some women are seemingly keen to keep it that way.

When father-of-three Adam, from Canberra, needed a bathroom break while out shopping at IKEA with his three young children, he decided it was more appropriate to use the parent's room than to take his daughters and son into a male toilet.

However that decision saw the 27-year-old navy officer come under fire from another mother, who told him he wasn't supposed to be there, despite having three kids by his side.

Under fire: Father-of-three Adam was shopping with his kids at an Ikea store in Canberra when he needed to use the parents room. The 27pyear-old came under fire from another parent and was told to use the male toilets around the corner

'She said that Adam shouldn't be in there as it was a parent's room and that the male toilets were around the corner,' Adam's wife Tamika Haberfield told Daily Mail Australia.

'He was really put off by the lady's comment.'

Having previously used the parent's room without any hassles, Mr Edwards was left feeling shocked and belittled at the response he received.

Managing two children in a double-stroller and a four-year-old daughter by his side, there were few alternative options for the father.

But even after pointing out that he was accompanied by his three children, the woman still refused to apologise instead storming off without saying another word.

Ms Haberfield said while it was the first time an incident like this had happened to her husband she had been told be other women that similar things had been said to their husbands.

'I've had a lot of feedback from others to say that it has happened to their husbands also,' she said.

And the mother believes her husband came under fire simply because of his gender.

Determined daddy: Ms Haberfield (pictured left) said her husband would continue to use the parent's room when out shopping with his children despite being shocked at the incident

No apology: Even after pointing out that he was shopping with his three children (pictured), the woman refused to apologise to Adam and stormed out of the parent's room

'I know he doesnt look old enough to have kids, we are young parents, we are getting by, so for her to be so quick to judge, it just isnt fair,' Ms Haberfield told Kidspot.

'Thats what those rooms are there for, to help parents.'

After sharing her story to a private mother's Facebook page, Ms Haberfield received a bevvy of support from other womens.

Mums told how their husbands had been abused and even had security called on them for doing simple parenting duties such as changing a nappy.

Gender roles: Adam's wife Tamika Haberfield told Daily Mail Australia she believes her husband was told off because he is a man and said other women have told her that similar things have been said to their partners

Adorable children! Adam and Tamika have three young children - a daughter, four, and one-year-old twins - who all accompanied their father on the shopping trip

Many of the women agreed that Adam shouldn't have been targeted for simply being a man.

They said it seems that far too often people seemingly forget that men play an important role int heir child's upbringing.
Anything the Duchess of Cambridge wears turns to gold - and it seems she's not the only person in the Middleton family with some serious selling power.

Hours after Pippa Middleton showcased the dazzling diamond engagement rock from her wealthy beau on Tuesday morning, jewellers have noticed a surge in enquiries about similar rings.

Pippa's ring from hedge fund manager James Matthews, which appears to be a 4 carat asscher cut diamond estimated to have cost upwards of 200,000, has sparked a new trend for art deco-inspired pieces, say experts.

Newly engaged Pippa Middleton was seen leaving her home in London wearing her dazzling new diamond engagement ring from 40-year-old hedge fund manager James Matthews

David Allen, Creative Director of 77 Diamonds, said: 'The Pippa effect is well and truly upon us. We've seen an increase in online sales enquiries of asscher cut diamonds of 36 per cent.

'And in the last 24 hours we have had eight meetings booked into our Mayfair showroom with customers wanting to see asschers for their engagement ring.

'While not the most sparkling of diamond shapes, the complex and intricate nature of this cut is what truly makes it uniquely beautiful, which makes it a fine choice for an engagement ring.'

N. J. Geddes fine jewellery concierge is already in the process of creating pieces for clients that have an art deco-inspired look and feel - and it's all thanks to Pippa.

David Allen, Creative Director of 77 Diamonds, said: 'The Pippa effect is well and truly upon us. We've seen an increase in online sales enquiries of asscher cut diamonds of 36 per cent'. Pippa is pictured stepping out on Tuesday following news of her engagement

Jewellers have seen a surge in enquiries into similar ring styles to Pippa's and there's plenty of cheaper versions of the design on the high street. Left: Platinum Diamond Cluster Ring, 2,750 from Beaverbrooks, Right: The London Victorian Ring Company's Art Deco Asscher Cut Ring bears a striking similarity to Pippa's engagement; the square central diamond is surrounded by 16 round diamonds, with a further 6 diamonds on the shoulders and prices start from 2,450

A beaming Pippa couldn't hide her happiness as she stepped out on Wednesday morning wearing the expensive diamond rock

A spokesperson explains: 'One client came to us wanting to amend/convert some of her existing pieces. We therefore created some fresh designs with the art deco inspirations including a ring and bracelet.

'Pippa and her fiance have reignited this theme, larking back to the 1930s, which has already created a buzz and excitement for the design from the public. Her ring, whilst contemporary made, flatters her chic style, a nod to vintage but with classic contemporary elegance.

'We expect more and more brides to be to jumping on this and continue to ask us for "the Pippa ring."'

Gleaming in the sunlight, Pippa, 32, beamed as she flashed the huge diamond, which was surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds

Proud Pippa showed off the huge sparkler as she clutched onto her brown handbag whilst getting into her Range Rover on Tuesday

Prince William may have popped the question to Kate Middleton with his mother's 12-carat Ceylon sapphire ring in 2010, but when millionaire Matthews got down on one knee for her sister it was a much blingier affair.

Indeed, Kate's sister Pippa showcased the dazzling diamond rock from her wealthy beau when she stepped out on Tuesday morning.

A beaming Pippa, 32, flashed the huge diamond, which was surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds and gleamed in the British sunlight.

Kate's sister looked chic and radiant in a recycled Whistles embroidery anglaise dress, which she accessorised with a simple brown tote and sandals.

Allen said of the ring: 'Pippa is not one to be outdone by her sister, we know that after "that" dress she wore at the Royal Wedding in 2011.

'Her centre diamond appears to be a 4 carat asscher cut diamond. Given the nature of these step cut stones, the quality is paramount so the stone requires the highest of clarity gradings. A flawless asscher diamond set in an octagonal halo ring such as this would fetch upwards of 200,000.'

Commenting on the dazzler, Rod Harris, a diamond specialist who owns WHY Jewellers in Dorset, said: 'It appears to be an asscher or step cut square radiant diamond surrounded by channel set brilliant cuts'

Sonia Menezes, Head of Brand Development at Clogau Gold, also believes the ring was pricey.

'It has a vintage glamour with a modern edge, a style favoured by Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba, who have engagement rings of a similar style. The most famous Asscher cut diamond was worn by Elizabeth Taylor, the 33 carat Krupp diamond, now known as the Elizabeth Taylor diamond.

'It was bought by Richard Burton for $300,000 in 1968. I imagine Pippa's engagement ring to be valued in excess of that.'

Neil Geddes, a high-end jewellery concierge, said: 'It has a loose look of an art deco inspired piece, but it's likely contemporary made. It was likely to have been made bespoke especially for her from Bond Street.

'It sits fairly high on her finger allowing as much light to enter the diamond as possible and reflect back giving stunning brilliance and fire.'

Rod Harris, a diamond specialist who owns WHY Jewellers in Dorset, added that the ring is 'very sophisticated and practical' with a design echoing themes of the deco era.

An expert at the London Victorian Ring Company explains that Pippa's engagement ring has a central Asscher cut diamond which makes it 'really stand out.'

Developed in Amsterdam in 1902, the Asscher shape has rows of facets similar to a staircase and each step is sparkling with the beauty of the diamond. The precise lines and distinctive cut corners made this a popular cut for 1920s engagement rings.

Her Asscher cut diamond is surrounded by round brilliant cut diamonds and set in the shape of a octagon.

James asked Pippa to marry him last weekend during a weekend away in the Lake District and within a moment she said 'yes' and suddenly Britain's most eligible young woman was off the market. Neil Geddes, a high-end jewellery concierge, said: 'It has a loose look of an art deco inspired piece, but it's likely contemporary made. It was likely to have been made bespoke especially for her from Bond Street

Harry Brown, CEO at Chisholm Hunter, said: 'James has made a very sophisticated choice in terms of the ring. This is a classic style which is as timeless as it is elegant, and is a simply stunning ring which Pippa will enjoy wearing every day.

'Over the years we have seen variations on this style with pink and yellow diamonds but this is a real classic. It could be that James has designed the ring himself, making it even more personal  bespoke jewellery design is something that our clients are asking for more and more, as they want to give their fiancee something completely unique and special.

'Pippa must be delighted with the choice. Congratulations to the happy couple.'

Pippa's rock is markedly different in style from her big sister Kate's. After meeting in 2001 at St Andrews - and enduring a rocky and very well-documented relationship - Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 in Kenya.

The ring Prince William gave to Kate Middleton in late 2010 is among the most famous in the world. Lady Diana Spencer chose it for her engagement to Prince Charles in 1981 from a selection presented to her by the then Crown jewellers, Garrard of Mayfair.

It was an oval 12-carat Ceylon sapphire surrounded by a cluster of 14 solitaire diamonds set in white gold. It cost 28,500 in 1981, but its legacy as the engagement ring worn by both Princess Diana and the Duchess of Cambridge makes it priceless.

Pippa and James gaze into each other's eyes as they enjoyed the play on Centre Court at WImbledon 2016

Pippa Middleton's fiance James Mathews was seen leaving his home this morning before Pippa left several hours later wearing a large diamond engagement ring

James asked Pippa to marry him last weekend during a weekend away in the Lake District and within a moment she said 'yes' and suddenly Britain's most eligible young woman was off the market.

Less than a year after she began properly dating the handsome hedge fund manager (they were briefly an item in 2012) the Duchess of Cambridge's sister is now engaged to be married.

Pippa and her fiance have shared their delight at their engagement and revealed they plan to marry next year.

The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister and her future husband will wed in 2017 - in what is set to be one of the most talked about society weddings since William and Kate tied the knot five years ago.

'Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday 17th July and plan to marry next year,' they said in a statement released to the Press Association.

Royal watchers are expecting Prince George and Princess Charlotte to play an important role - as page boy and flower girl, while Kate looks set to be her sister's matron of honour.

Pippa's rock is markedly different in style from Kate's. After meeting in 2001 at St Andrews - and enduring a rocky and very well-documented relationship - Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton in 2010 in Kenya
He's just shy of his third birthday, but he's already become a mini style icon in his uniform of Start Rite shoes and white ankle socks, paired with shorts, white tops and knitwear in nautical colours.

So it's perhaps no surprise that Prince George's traditional style clothing is influencing celebrity mothers such as former TOWIE star Sam Faiers.

The reality star, 25, looks as if she's been taking a lot of inspiration from Prince George for her six-month-old baby Paul, dressing him in clothes by Rachel Riley and My First Years and pushing him in a Silver Cross Pram.

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At almost three years old, Prince George is already a style icon and reality star Sam Faiers appears to be taking style inspiration from the young royal for her six-month-old son Paul

Prince George plays with toys on a visit to a child welfare group in New Zealand in April 2014, wearing Rachel Riley dungarees

Kate chose a Cath Kidston soldier top for Prince George's 2014 Christmas portrait

For her grandfather's 70th birthday celebrations the new mum dressed her adorable baby in a pair of Soldier Smocked Dungarees by Rachel Riley - a designer who is also a favourite of the Duchess of Cambridge.

In fact, she chose the designer's Sailboat Smocked Dungarees for George to wear during a visit to a child welfare group at Government House, Wellington on the royal tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014.

Paul's dungarees also echoed another Prince George outfit - worn in his official Christmas portrait in December 2014.

For the occasion, Kate dressed him in a Cath Kidston sweater vest featuring the Queen's Guard.

Sam's Instagram fans were quick to pick up on the resemblance to Prince George in this photo she posted

Sam may have been inspired by this outfit George wore at the airport in Wellington as he travelled to Australia with his parents in April 2014

The doting mum regularly shares snaps of Paul in traditional style clothing that could have come from Prince George's wardrobe

In another photo posted by the proud mum, who is dating property developed Paul Knightley, Paul is lying in his pram dressed in navy dungarees and cardigan with a white shirt.

The outfit was a lot like the one George wore at Wellington airport as the royals left New Zealand at the end of their 2014.

And even Sam's fans noticed the resemblance, including Camillakaye who commented: 'Like prince George!'

Paul has a monogrammed dressing gown from My First Years, just like Prince George

Prince George wore his personalised My First Years dressing gown to meet President Obama on his visit to Kensington Palace in April 2016

'Taking styling tips from William and Kate,' Gbouftira commented, while SherlockchloeI could barely spot the difference.

'Thought he was Prince George when first looked at the picture,' she said.

Booboobramwell said Paul was 'dressed like he's royalty' and Katggx agreed saying: 'That's what I was thinking, tips from Wills and Kate. He looks adorable!'

Recently, proud mum Sam shared a lovely photo of Paul in his monogrammed dressing gown from My First Years.

Prince George also has one of their dressing gowns, which he wore to meet President Obama on his visit to Kensington Palace in April 2016.

Paul Knightley on holiday with his mum Sam Faiers, in one of several baby blue outfits that reference Prince George's first Trooping The Colour ensemble

Paul bore a striking resemblance to Prince George at his first Buckingham Palace balcony appearance at Trooping the Colour in 2015

Paul has a pair of baby blue buckled shoes, just like George

Prince George in his first Buckingham Palace balcony appearance during Trooping The Colour in 2015

The outfit Prince George wore to his first appearance on the balcony at Buckingham Palace for Trooping The Colour in 2015 also appears to be echoed in baby Paul's wardrobe.

The baby-blue outfit trimmed with white frills was modelled on the clothes William wore for his balcony debut in 1984.

Paul has been spotted in similar blue outfits on holiday with Sam, asleep in his car seat and reclining on white pillows at home.

Sam with her partner Paul's mother Gaynor, pushing Paul in his Silver Cross Pram

Sam with her Silver Cross pram: The brand has been popular with royalty for many years and Prince George's model was custom made

And he even has a pair of baby blue buckled shoes, just like George.

His pram also comes from Silver Cross, the brand that royal babies from Prince Charles to Prince George have been ferried around in.

George's pram was custom made and the brand's head of design visited Carole Middleton in Berkshire to do a full demonstration, according to Hello! magazine.
A size 22 (UK size 26) fast-food addict, who would eat four burgers and a large portion of fries as a snack, has told how she's lost almost 168lbs (12st) after going to Overeaters Anonymous.

Blaire Haney, 23, from Fairfield County, Connecticut, ballooned to almost 308lbs (22st) by the time she was 19 and she said she would often keep eating until she 'passed out'.

However, in a final bid to battle the bulge she went to a rehab center for food addiction and got a gastric bypass which helped her to shed an incredible nine dress sizes.

Blaire Haney, 23, from Fairfield County, Connecticut, ballooned to almost 308lbs (22 stone) by the time she was 19 and she said she would often keep eating until she 'passed out'

In a final bid to battle the bulge she went to a rehab center for food addiction and got a gastric bypass which helped her to shed an incredible nine dress sizes

New woman! In a final bid to battle the bulge, the brunette (pictured above with her father) went to a rehab center for food addiction and got a gastric bypass which helped her to shed an incredible nine dress sizes

All smiles: Blaire now tips the scales at a lighter 140lbs (10 stone 3lbs) and wears a size 4 to 6 (UK size 8 to 10)

Blaire now tips the scales at a lighter 140lbs (10 stone 3lbs) and wears a size 4 to 6 (UK size 8 to 10). To complete her transformation she has had a tummy tuck and fat removed from her arms.

Nowadays, instead of gorging on McDonald's, she feasts on salads and high protein meals.

Blaire said she always had an unhealthy relationship with food, piling on the pounds throughout school and university.

At just 14, she weighed almost 210lbs (15 stone) and by the time she reached High Point University, North Carolina, she had gained seven more.

To complete her transformation she has had a tummy tuck and fat removed from her arms

Transformation: Blaire says she feels great after shedding the pounds

Looking for romance: 'Before I didn't dream of ever meeting a guy, now I am open to meeting something who loves me for me'

Family matters: Blaire (left) with mother Christine and sister Grier, said her family were unaware of her bad eating habits for a long time

She even went to Overeaters Anonymous for her addiction and likened her compulsion to eating to a drug addiction, saying: 'I always wanted more. I couldn't stop. It was exhausting wanting to eat and eat all the time.'

At her worst, Blaire would gorge on bacon, egg and chips for breakfast, two pizzas for lunch and a home-cooked meal with her mother for dinner. Snacks between meals would include family-sized bags of crisps and biscuits.

People have a light bulb that goes off to say that they're full - but I didn't have that. I would just keep eating and eating until I passed out

Her obsession with McDonald's and Taco Bell became so extreme that she would spend all of her pocket money on fast food and have no funds left to go out with friends.

Over time, the brunette realised that, far more than just being overweight, she actually had an eating disorder.

A psychiatrist diagnosed Blaire with binging-bulimia when she was 15 after discovering she had been making herself sick in the morning and evening every day for around a year.

Recalling her emotions at the time, she said: 'I would think about food all the time.

'When I was eating breakfast I would think, "What am I going to eat for lunch and dinner" and "when am I going to go to McDonald's?"

"People have a light bulb that goes off to say that they're full - but I didn't have that. I would just keep eating and eating until I passed out.

Packing it in: At her worst, Blaire would gorge on bacon, egg and chips for breakfast, two pizzas for lunch and a home-cooked meal with her mother for dinner

Growing pains: Blaire (pictured at 17, left, and 18, right) said she always had an unhealthy relationship with food, piling on the pounds throughout school and university

Out of control: At just 14, she weighed almost 210lbs (15 stone) and by the time she reached High Point University, North Carolina, she had gained seven more

Blaire, pictured at her biggest in 2012, said her obsession with McDonald's and Taco Bell became so extreme that she would spend all of her pocket money on fast food and have no funds left to go out with friends

Time to get help: Over time, the brunette realised that, far more than just being overweight, she actually had an eating disorder

'There was a voice in my head telling me, "You don't deserve to be healthy, you should be fat" and "Go to McDonald's.'"

Eventually, Blaire confessed all about her extreme binging to her parents Christine, 59, and Brent, 62, and she was given counselling.

But sadly, the intervention didn't seem to work.

There was a voice in my head telling me, "You don't deserve to be healthy, you should be fat" and "Go to McDonald's"

By the age of 18, the problem became so bad that Blaire was forced to drop out of college and entered a treatment centre for 60 days of rehabilitation for food addiction.

There she endured an intensive programme of weighing her food, being supervised after eating and daily counselling.

After rehab, she lost around 30lbs and says she felt mentally healthier and continued to go to Overeaters Anonymous.

But after returning to college, in September 2012, Blaire relapsed.

The voice telling her to binge got louder again and she piled on yet more weight.

Sneaking into the kitchen for meals in the middle of the night and eating crisps and donuts under her bedroom duvet became the norm.

So, in December 2012, a doctor suggested a gastric bypass - along with continued counselling - would help stop Blaire's eating problems for good.

Cry for help: Blaire said she was desperate to ditch her unhealthy lifestyle and slim down

Yo-yo: After rehab, Blaire lost around 30lbs and says she felt mentally healthier and continued to go to Overeaters Anonymous - But after returning to college, in September 2012, she relapsed

Under the knife: So, in December 2012, a doctor suggested a gastric bypass - along with continued counselling - would help stop Blaire's eating problems for good

Cheers! Though she still has the occasional McDonald's for a treat, her portions are much smaller these days

Body confident: Now Blaire has completely overhauled her life and she says she feels great

Blaire (pictured with her mother and sister) concluded: 'I feel so healthy and happy now. Surgery isn't a quick fix, but it gave me a second chance at life'

'At this point I weighed 300lbs (22st) and I just couldn't go on like that any more. I needed to do something,' Blaire said.

'I decided the gastric bypass was my last option in making my life worth living and taking my body back.'

Now Blaire has completely overhauled her life and she says she feels great.

Though she still has the occasional McDonald's for a treat, her portions are much smaller these days.

She concluded: 'I feel so healthy and happy now. Surgery isn't a quick fix, but it gave me a second chance at life.
She managed to unexpectedly eclipse her big sister, the Duchess of Cambridge, at the royal wedding in 2011.

Not only did maid of honour Pippa steal the show with her composed poise, stunning dress, svelte figure and apparent perfection in bridesmaid duties, but her pert rear has garnered a global online fanbase with its own Facebook page, website and Twitter account as a result.

So, as she prepares to walk down the aisle as the bride herself, it's certain that Pippa will pull out all the stops to ensure all eyes are on her.

As Pippa Middleton starts planning her wedding after James Matthews proposed this weekend, experts say she will most likely show off her figure in a modern wedding dress next year

Indeed, as David Allen, creative director of 77 Diamonds, says: 'Pippa is not one to be outdone by her sister, we know that after "that" dress she wore at the Royal Wedding in 2011.'

She has so far proven him right with her dazzling 4 carat asscher cut diamond engagement ring, which is estimated to cost upwards of 200,000... so what kind of dress will 2017's most famous bride go for?

Rachel Attwell, who works on the creative team at Luellas, said: 'Pippa is the envy of most women whatever she wears, whether it be hitting the ski slopes, shopping on the high street or attending Wimbledon or other society events.

'Pippas beautiful slim-line shoulders and hips, flat, toned, tummy and tall figure will mean most designers will be tripping over themselves wanting to design a dress for her wedding day - and she is in the very fortunate position where most styles will suit her.'

Atwell also believes that Pippa may have two wedding dresses - a traditional one for the service, which she imagines will be a bit more regal in a nod to her royal relations, and then something a bit more modern for the evening reception.

Not only did maid of honour Pippa steal the show at the royal wedding in 2011 with her composed poise, stunning dress, svelte figure and apparent perfection in bridesmaid duties, her pert rear also garnered a global online fanbase

Discussing what Pippa may wear on her big day, Lydia Jones, founder of wantherwardrobe.com, said: 'With Pippa's bottom causing such a stir at Kate's wedding, we are thinking something tight fitting with a floating fishtail skirt to contour her perfect assets in all the right places'

She continued: 'Without the huge expectation of being a future Queen, Pippa can afford to experiment with more modern styles - like beading and off the shoulder dresses.

'Both sisters have always had a similar style when it comes to their dress sense but I think Pippa will want to look different to Kate.

'It will still be a high society wedding, so there is the expectation of nodding towards a traditional dress, however Pippa can afford to show off her figure in a dress that perhaps has a modern twist.'

Designer at Debenhams, Ben de Lisi, believes that Pippa will opt for something tailored and slightly grand - a gown that will not draw a direct comparison to her sister.

'Though my personal feelings are that she should go for something fluid perhaps bias with lots of skirt and delicate detailing on the neckline,' he said.

'Fortunately for the Middleton girls, they have enviable figures so whatever they choose will look flattering.'

Lydia Jones, fashion expert and founder of e-tailer wantherwardrobe.com, added: 'With Kate's long sleeve lace wedding dress being the classic style every bride has wanted to replicate since, Pippa will also be looking to make a statement in her dress and be the wearer of a new design all brides will want to wear.

'With Pippa's bottom causing such a stir, we are thinking something tight fitting with a floating fishtail skirt to contour her perfect assets in all the right places. She certainly won't let her big sister outshine her so we can't wait to see what she wears on her special day.'

Pippa revealed years later that that her outfit was intended to be 'insignificant and blend in with Kate's train'

Pippa famously stunned as head bridesmaid at the royal wedding but revealed the attention she got from her figure-hugging dress was 'completely unexpected' and that her outfit was intended to be 'insignificant and blend in with Kate's train'.

If Pippa's effect on the sale of engagement rings has anything to go by, her wedding dress will also cause mass hysteria.

Hours after Pippa showcased the dazzling diamond engagement rock from her wealthy beau on Tuesday morning, jewellers have noticed a surge in enquiries about similar rings.

Pippa's ring from hedge fund manager James Matthews, which appears to be a 4 carat asscher cut diamond estimated to have cost upwards of 200,000, has sparked a new trend for art deco-inspired pieces, say experts.

Newly engaged Pippa Middleton was seen leaving her home in London wearing her dazzling new diamond engagement ring from 40-year-old hedge fund manager James Matthews

David Allen, Creative Director of 77 Diamonds, said: 'The Pippa effect is well and truly upon us. We've seen an increase in online sales enquiries of asscher cut diamonds of 36 per cent.

'And in the last 24 hours we have had eight meetings booked into our Mayfair showroom with customers wanting to see asschers for their engagement ring.

'While not the most sparkling of diamond shapes, the complex and intricate nature of this cut is what truly makes it uniquely beautiful, which makes it a fine choice for an engagement ring.'

N. J. Geddes fine jewellery concierge is already in the process of creating pieces for clients that have an art deco-inspired look and feel - and it's all thanks to Pippa.

David Allen, Creative Director of 77 Diamonds, said: 'The Pippa effect is well and truly upon us. We've seen an increase in online sales enquiries of asscher cut diamonds of 36 per cent'. Pippa is pictured stepping out on Tuesday following news of her engagement

Jewellers have seen a surge in enquiries into similar ring styles to Pippa's and there's plenty of cheaper versions of the design on the high street. Left: Platinum Diamond Cluster Ring, 2,750 from Beaverbrooks, Right: The London Victorian Ring Company's Art Deco Asscher Cut Ring bears a striking similarity to Pippa's engagement; the square central diamond is surrounded by 16 round diamonds, with a further 6 diamonds on the shoulders and prices start from 2,450

A beaming Pippa couldn't hide her happiness as she stepped out on Wednesday morning wearing the expensive diamond rock

A spokesperson explains: 'One client came to us wanting to amend/convert some of her existing pieces. We therefore created some fresh designs with the art deco inspirations including a ring and bracelet.

'Pippa and her fiance have reignited this theme, larking back to the 1930s, which has already created a buzz and excitement for the design from the public. Her ring, whilst contemporary made, flatters her chic style, a nod to vintage but with classic contemporary elegance.

'We expect more and more brides to be to jumping on this and continue to ask us for "the Pippa ring."'

Gleaming in the sunlight, Pippa, 32, beamed as she flashed the huge diamond, which was surrounded by a cluster of smaller diamonds

Pippa and James gaze into each other's eyes as they enjoyed the play on Centre Court at WImbledon 2016

James asked Pippa to marry him last weekend during a weekend away in the Lake District and within a moment she said 'yes' and suddenly Britain's most eligible young woman was off the market.

Less than a year after she began properly dating the handsome hedge fund manager (they were briefly an item in 2012) the Duchess of Cambridge's sister is now engaged to be married.

Pippa and her fiance have shared their delight at their engagement and revealed they plan to marry next year.

The Duchess of Cambridge's younger sister and her future husband will wed in 2017 - in what is set to be one of the most talked about society weddings since William and Kate tied the knot five years ago.

'Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday 17th July and plan to marry next year,' they said in a statement released to the Press Association.
A male TV host and Instagram star has once again used his prodigious make-up skills to transform himself - this time into characters from Game of Thrones.

Paolo Ballesteros, 33, from the Philippines, uses clever contouring, wigs, colour contact lenses and a range of subtle facial expressions in order to morph into doppelgangers of characters including Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen.

He spends several hours creating each uncanny likeness, then posts the evidence on his Instagram account for his 1.7million followers to admire.

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To emulate heroine icon Daenerys Targaryen (right), Paolo Ballesteros, a TV host and make-up artist from the Philippines (left) donned a white-blonde wig, plumped his lips and painted on her thick statement eyebrows

Daenerys is played by Emilia Clarke (pictured) in the hit HBO show, which just wrapped its sixth season

In one of his latest series, Mr Ballesteros has painstakingly recreated the much beloved as well as the maligned characters of the hit HBO show, which recently wrapped its sixth season.

To emulate heroine icon Daenerys, played by Emilia Clarke, he donned a white-blonde wig, plumped his lips and painted on her thick statement eyebrows.

Cersei, who had her flowing locks ceremoniously hacked off towards the end of the last season, was recreated using a boyish wig, blue contact lenses and some very impressive contouring to highlight her strong cheekbones and prominent chin.

As for the wily Margaery Tyrell, played by Natalie Dormer, her angular facial features were recreated with particular attention to the arched brows and ski-slope nose.

Arya Stark, who's been having a very tough time of it in season six, has been envisioned with a deep scar across her nose and clouded eyes - the result of being blinded at the end of season five.

To morph into imposing knight Brienne of Tarth, played by Gwendoline Christie Mr Ballesteros used contouring to shape his nose and added frown lines to mimic her intensity.

Cersei was recreated using a boyish wig, blue contact lenses and some very impressive contouring

The character, played by Lena Headey (pictured) had her flowing locks ceremoniously hacked off towards the end of the last season

To morph into imposing knight Brienne of Tarth Mr Ballesteros used contouring to shape his nose and added frown lines to mimic her intensity

In the show, Brienne is played by Gwendoline Christie, who is on a mission to protect members of House Stark

Arya Stark has been envisioned with a deep scar across her nose and clouded eyes - the result of being blinded at the end of season five

The poor Arya, played by 19-year-old Maisie Williams, has been having a very tough time of it in season six

The Lady Melisandre got smoother treatment in the form of radiant skin, rounded lips and a feminine dark red wig.

Perhaps the least convincing job was Mr Ballesteros's rendition of Sansa Stark, portrayed in the show by Sophie Turner. Some Instagram users have suggested this one looks more like the character's late mother Catelyn Stark.

It seems the secret to the TV host's success and is pinpointing the celebrity's most distinguishing feature and exaggerating it on himself.

Mr Ballesteros has also taken on Kylie, Kendall, Kris Jenner and Caitlyn Jenner, as well as Kim and Khloe Kardashian.

Other muses include Hollywood starlets Reese Witherspoon and Dakota Johnson - and his latest film project, Die Beautiful, sees him transform into Julia Roberts.

As for the wily Margaery Tyrell, her angular facial features were recreated with particular attention to the arched brows and ski-slope nose

Played by Natalie Dormer, Margery meets an unfortunate and grisly end in the shocking season six finale

The Lady Melisandre got smoother treatment in the form of radiant skin, rounded lips and a dark red wig

This controversial sorceress and worshipper of the Lord of Light is played by actress Carice van Houten

Perhaps the least convincing job was Mr Ballesteros' rendition of Sansa Stark, daughter of the late Ned Stark

In real life, Sansa, portrayed in the show by Sophie Turner, has smaller eyes and more delicate features

As part of Mr Ballesteros' most recent film project, Die Beautiful, he transforms himself into Julia Roberts

Mr Ballesteros rose to internet fame some years ago with his incredible self-makeovers, and has also recreated himself as Caitlyn Jenner (right)

Caitlin Jenner, 65, made her debut in Vanity Fair, showcasing long flowing locks, which Ballesteros has emulated

The 32-year-old also used makeup, wigs and contact lenses to transform himself into Kris Jenner

Kris Jenner, 65, is known for her signature jet black cropped hair and smokey eye makeup

Mr Ballesteros added layer upon layer of lip liner to emulate teen star Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner, 17, has admitted to undergoing regular lip enhancements

The 32-year-old TV host donned hair extensions to emulate model Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner, 19, is known for her glossy jet black hair, which the Filipino presenter copies to achieve her look

Ballesteros dons a peroxide blonde wig and contours his face in order to recreate Kim Kardashian's look

Kim Kardashian, 34, dyed her hair peroxide blonde for a short period of time this year

The Filipino presenter wore a caramel blonde curly wig and contact lenses to emulate Khloe Kardashian

Khloe Kardashian, 30, is known for her long caramel blonde hair, which is copied by Ballesteros

Next, the actor and model takes on Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon, donning contact lenses and a blonde fringed wig

Reese Witherspoon, 39, is known for her blonde hair, blue eyes and rosy cheeks

Ballesteros takes on Fifty Shades of Grey actress Dakota Johnson and wears a dark and deep lipstick
This Morning viewers were left shocked when a one-year-old girl went to the toilet on the studio floor during today's show, and her parents didn't bat an eyelid.

Adele, 32, and Matt Allen, 33, from Brighton, call their parenting style 'Off-Grid Parenting' and their children Ulysses, five and Ostara, one, are therefore both still breastfed, have never visited a doctor and will not attend a mainstream school.

Their parenting style - which presumably doesn't include the use of nappies - came under fire from viewers after Matt failed to intervene when he spotted his daughter going to the toilet on the floor.

Adele and Matt Allen believe in an all-natural approach to bringing up their children - so much so they refuse modern medicine and traditional schooling, and their five-year-old-son is still being breastfed.

But viewers were not impressed to see Ulysses jumping around on the sofa, while Ruth Langsford looked distinctly unimpressed.

@BeBethany_69 tweeted: 'Those kids just on this morning remind me of when I learn about "feral children" in A Level English.'

Toni Utley professed herself to be in a state of shock, saying: 'So gobsmacked had to watch it again. Bet these kids are annoying as hell in the supermarket', while Lucy Evans added: 'The dad saw and did nothing'.

One-year-old Ostara had an accident on the studio floor but her parents didn't seem too worried

Adele feels very strongly about full-term breastfeeding and her five-year-son still regularly feeds from her bosom for comfort

Adele and Matt also believe in attachment parenting methods, such as co-sleeping and the family of four all sleep in the same room

Adele used the family's appearance on the show to explain her unusual approach to modern medicine, shunning conventional treatments when her children had scarlet fever and chicken pox.

'We treated it naturally. We believe in the body to self heal,' she said. 'If you support the body's healing through supplements and herbs then you it will heal.

'I don't believe that bringing a fever down artificially helps the body. I believe a fever is there for a purpose to clean the body out.'

Speaking about breastfeeding Ulysses at the age of five, she said. 'It really depends on the day. He does it more at home when he's feeling tired or needs comfort.

'Not so much when we're out but sometimes if he's feeling a bit emotional he asks to. And that's fine with me.'

'So you'd be fine if he was feeling anxious now and wanted to breastfeed, you'd be very happy to do that in public?' Ruth Langsford asked.

Viewers were irked to see Ulysses jumping up and down on the sofa during the show with no intervention from his parents

Viewers complained that Adele and Matt didn't do enough to calm the boisterous pair

Ulysses bounced on the sofa as his mother discussed her views on attachment parenting

'Yes,' Emma agreed.

Ruth also pointed out that the children were clambering all over the sofa, which she said that she and Eamonn had no problem with, but she wanted to know if Ulysses is ever told off by his parents.

'He would do as we ask,' Emma said. 'We speak to him respectfully as an equal human being.

'He is a highly sensitive child so he does struggle with getting overwhelmed easily so it's important for him not to have strong, authoritarian discipline.

Ulysses, pictured with his father Matt, has a sensitive disposition and doesn't respond well to authoritarian discipline

The couple live with their two children in a one-bedroom flat in Brighton

Adele Allen giving birth to her daughter Ostara in a birthing pool, unassisted at her with just her husband Matt

And a handful of viewers were supportive of her somewhat unconventional views.

Lottie_Palmer tweeted: 'So refreshing to see these parents doing what feels natural rather than conforming.'

And TheHollyRiversShow declared she was baffled that people were horrified to see children 'jumping around, being breastfed and weeing'.

'All natural parts of being kids,' she added.

However, the vast majority of commenters did not share their opinion.

'These are the kids you see smashing things and the parents are like "oh they're just expressing themselves",' she wrote.

Rebecca Lavin said she was 'gobsmacked' that the parents would 'let their children run wild and wet themselves'.

Others were amused to see Ruth Langsford struggling to conceal her disapproval as Ulysses fiddled with the glasses on the coffee table.

Liddiegerrard tweeted: 'RuthieeL looks really concerned on what them kids are doing. Put the glass down child haha.'

Many commenters expressed the opinion that off grid parenting wasn't doing much good.

Jeanie Law said: 'The little boy was jumping all over the sofa, no respect for people's property.'

Meanwhile Erin Thorpe branded them the 'worst behaved kids I have seen in a long time'.

Sarah Capps added: 'These kids are running riot on #thismorning - jumping around on a sofa?! Nice question about discipline @RuthieeL!'

Caroline Wilson said the children clearly have 'no boundaries', while K_Sammy asked if Adele could 'control her kids' and get the to sit down 'properly'.

'Clearly this off-grid parenting doesn't work,' AnimalT_ said. 'Look how unruly their kids are due to having no rules.'

When Adele, a writer, fell pregnant with her son, the couple's controversial methods felt completely natural to them.

Viewers observed that Ruth did not seem particularly impressed by the couple's controversial parenting methods

Viewers were shocked that Matt, 33, failed to intervene when he noticed his daughter going to the toilet on the studio floor

Adele's children Ulysses, five, (right) and one-year-old Ostara (left) are both breastfed and will not attend school unless they ask to

She said: 'Off-grid is moving towards self sustainability and being a bit more free range and less institutionalised.'

Matt said: 'We did collect a lot of information but essentially it was just this feeling.'

Adele gave birth to both her children completely unassisted and with no medical intervention with only her husband Matt by her side.

She said: 'The thought of giving birth in a hospital just didn't appeal to me because of many reasons - mostly the observer effect.

Five-year-old Ulysses will not attend mainstream school unless he expresses a desire to

Ulysses, five, standing by the washing line hanging with reusable nappies in the back garden in Brighton

'Also, the interventions I think can be gently nudged on you when you are in a very vulnerable state.'

Adele and Matt also decided to have 'lotus births' meaning the placenta and umbilical cords were not surgically removed at birth.

Instead, Adele carried the attached placenta in a cool bag - scattered with salt and rose petals to disguise the smell - around with her until it fell off naturally.

She said: 'With both my births it took six days for the umbilical chord to fall away naturally.

'You wrap it up and keep it clean and it falls away and forms a perfect belly button.

Ulysses mostly breastfeeds at home, but Adele says she'd have no problem doing it in public if he felt distressed and needed comfort

Adele, 32, and Matt, 33, from Brighton, call their parenting style 'Off-Grid Parenting' and their children Ulysses, five and Ostara, one, are therefore both still breastfed, have never visited a doctor and will not attend a mainstream school

'In my knowledge, it's perfectly safe and it worked beautifully for us. I don't know of any known cases where it's gone wrong.

'I very much honour the postpartum-period and I didn't go out at all during that first week. So it was just a matter of transporting it to the toilet or to the kitchen.'

Adele feels very strongly about full-term breastfeeding and her five-year-son still regularly feeds from her bosom for comfort.

She said: 'Ulyssess does still nurse from time to time. Since the baby came along it has decreased rapidly and we had to come to a mutual understanding that it needed to graduate down a bit, but then I wasn't willing to say 'no you need to stop now.

'I think its up to him to decide when he wants to move on from it

His mum says it's up to Ulysses to decide when he wants to stop breastfeeding

Distrusting of modern medicine, Adele prefers to treat her youngsters' ailments naturally, squirting breast milk in their eyes to cure eye infections and serving them lemon juice when they have a cold

'It's something that's just as natural as a hug is, it's a connection.'

Aside from a hospital trip with Ulysses following an asthma attack, the Allen children have never seen a doctor or received vaccinations.

Adele said: 'I don't really see that there's any need other than using breastfeeding to supplement them.

'I don't see any need to inject any foreign substance directly into the blood stream. That's not how children will come into the contact with a germ naturally anyway, be it in the mouth or another way.'

Since his younger sister came along Ulsysses has been feeding less, but Adele will not force him to stop

Matt Allen and his son Ulysses, five, on a swing, with his daughter Ostara in their back garden

Distrusting of modern medicine, Adele prefers to treat her youngsters' ailments naturally, squirting breast milk in their eyes to cure eye infections and serving them lemon juice when they have a cold.

She said: 'If you use plants and herbs you target the bad without attacking the good bacteria as well.

'If I had something serious like cancer, I would definitely take the natural path. I whole-heartedly have faith in it now and I've experienced enough of it to know that is the way forward.

'The kids' health is just as important as mine if not more so, and so again I would go with what I trust and for me, that is the natural path.'

Adele and Matt also believe in attachment parenting methods, such as co-sleeping and the family of four all sleep in the same room.

Matt and Adele refuse modern medicine and used alternative treatments for their children when they had scarlet fever and chickenpox

Five-year-old Ulysses is allowed to pick his own bedtime and wake up when he wants as he doesn't need to be up for school. He spends his days outside in nature learning about plants

Adele said: 'It works quite nice for us. Normally we put the baby down to sleep first. Uly pretty much picks up his own bed time, but as we don't have a school routine in morning he is then able to wake up when it suits him.'

Ostara and Ulysses do not attend mainstream school and instead spend their days outside among nature, learning about plants.

The mother-of-two said: 'We basically spend lots of time in nature. It's more important to us for them to interact with animals and plants and learn about the environment than it is for them to have big sets of plastic toys.

'Ostara really likes to play with woodlice and in the mud. In the park, there's a big herb patch and she likes to pick and eat the mint leaves. Already at this young age she is thinking about what she can pick from nature and eat.'

Adele and Matt also decided to have 'lotus births' meaning the placenta and umbilical cords were not surgically removed at birth. Instead, Adele carried the attached placenta in a cool bag - scattered with salt and rose petals to disguise the smell - around with her until it fell off naturally

Aside from a hospital trip with Ulysses following an asthma attack, the Allen children have never seen a doctor or received vaccinations. The family rely on natural herbal remedies

The parents accept that reading and writing are imperative life skills but do not want learning to be forced upon their children and five-year-old Ulysses can only recognise basic letters and numbers.

Adele said: 'I don't have an issue with that. There is no need for him to be able to read and write at this age anyway.'

Instead, Adele and Matt believe that Ulysses and Ostara are becoming curious about letters and numbers from seeing them out and about.

She added: 'They see letters on drain covers and numbers on signs and then learning happens as a consequence of just being out in the world, rather than it being forced upon them in a classroom that is not particularly inspiring.'

Ulysses, five and Ostara, one, are both still breastfed, have never visited a doctor and will not attend a mainstream school

And the parents don't worry that their untraditional schooling will affect the children's future.

Adele said: 'I think home school kids are very successful entrepreneurs normally because they have been educated in that way that, they do want to build their own business and not to be a slave to someone else.'

Despite spending most of their time outdoors, Adele and Matt have decided not to smother their children in suncream the way parents are usually inclined to do.

'We don't use sun cream,' the mother continued. 'Not at all on the kids. We don't believe it protects you from cancer.

Adele writes a successful blog on natural parenting and she and Matt are adamant, despite some negative comments, they would not raise their children any other way

Adele said that a lot of the couple's natural approach to parenting came instinctively

Adele writes a successful blog on natural parenting and she and Matt are adamant, despite some negative comments, they would not raise their children any other way.

Matt said: 'The whole process of doing it in a completely different way has been an amazing journey and a learning curve for all parties involved.

'I have got such a fantastic connection and bond with both of them and they know who we are - more than just being Mum and Dad - it's a much deeper connection than that.'

The family are currently saving to migrate to Costa Rica, to live an eco-lifestyle.
The Duke of Cambridges appearance on the cover of Attitude is set to be one of the magazines best-selling issues.

William featured on the front of the July edition of the UKs leading gay lifestyle magazine as he spoke out against homophobic bullying.

The Duke - the first member of the Royal Family to be photographed for the cover of a gay publication - told Attitude: 'No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason.'

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The Duke of Cambridge's appearance on the July issue of Attitude magazine is set to become one of the publications best selling issues

A spokeswoman for the magazine revealed that the royal influence had proved widely popular with their readers.

She revealed: 'Early indications are that it will be one of our best-selling issues and has been overwhelmingly well received.

'We have also received many letters, emails and tweets in support of this issue.'

The Duke invited the magazine to bring members of the LGBTQ community to Kensington Palace in May to listen to their experience of bullying and its mental health effects.

The Duke invited the magazine to bring members of the LGBTQ community to Kensington Palace in May to listen to their experience of bullying and its mental health effect

He called on young people being bullied to seek help.

'No one should have to put up with the kind of hate that these young people have endured in their lives,' he said.

'The young gay, lesbian and transgender individuals I met through Attitude are truly brave to speak out and to give hope to people who are going through terrible bullying right now.'

Prince William said that 'no one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason'

The prince added: 'Their sense of strength and optimism should give us all encouragement to stand up to bullying wherever we see it.

'What I would say to any young person reading this who's being bullied for their sexuality: don't put up with it.

'You should be proud of the person you are and you have nothing to be ashamed of.'

The colour cover shot that was on sale in June, taken by photographer Leigh Keily, showed a relaxed William in an open-necked white shirt, laughing as he rests his chin on his left hand.

Matthew Todd, editor of the magazine, spoke at the time: 'During my time as editor of Attitude I have met parents whose child has taken or lost their life after being bullied for being LGBT+ or even just perceived to be LGBT.

'I am very happy that the future King of The United Kingdom agrees this must stop and I would urge parents in particular to raise their voices in their communities to ensure that every school protects  really protects  all children.'

Attitude was founded in 1994 and is the UK's biggest-selling gay magazine with a circulation of around 60,000 issues per month, including digital.

It was previously owned by Vitality Publishing but has since been sold to private investors, with Attitude Media Ltd listed as the current owner.

The magazine has featured just as many straight celebrities on its cover as those who are openly gay over the years, with iconic figures such as David Beckham, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Lady Gaga and Prime Minister David Cameron all appearing.
A university student has cause for double celebration after collecting a first class honours degree and having a baby on the same day.

Georgia Hollis-Whitaker, 21, from Leicester, gave birth to a healthy baby girl in the early hours last Friday morning, two weeks earlier than expected.

But she didn't let the event stop her attending her graduation ceremony and after being given the all clear from doctors, she darted to the event with her newborn in tow.

Cause for celebration: Determined mother Georgia Hollis-Whitaker, 21, from Leicester, gave birth just hours before she graduated with a first

Georgia said she'd barely slept, as she gave birth at 12.46am, checked out of hospital at 6.30am and then got to her graduation celebration at 2.30pm.

The new mother joined fellow students to collect her first class honours degree in Sociology at De Monfont University.

Her daughter Olivia, who was just over 12 hours old and weighed 5lb 15oz, sat in the crowd with family members.

Recalling the chain of events, Georgia said: 'I'd been through labour, given birth and had no sleep but I really didn't want to miss my graduation.

New addition: Georgia and Jamie O'Callaghan with their new baby daughter, Olivia, and other family members

Early arrival: The couple were expecting their daughter two weeks later

Bundle of joy: Despite being born two weeks early, Olivia was in good healthy

'And I'm so glad I didn't. These were the two proudest moments of my life.

'She wasn't due for another two weeks so I thought I would be pregnant on my graduation day but I'm so glad she's here.

'She'll be on all my graduation pictures.'

After collecting her degree Georgia posed for graduation photos with newborn Olivia and the baby's father 24-year-old Jamie O'Callaghan.

Quick turnaround: After giving birth, Georgia made a dash to her graduation

Close to home: Georgia gave birth to a healthy baby girl in the early hours last Friday morning at the Leicester Royal Infirmary Hospital

Hard-worker: Georgia was given the sociology department's award for outstanding achievement after managing to get a first class degree despite being pregnant for her third year (her university pictured above)

She was also cheered on by her proud parents Jill, 48, and Phil, 51, and grandmother Pat, 69.

Georgia was given the sociology department's award for outstanding achievement after managing to get a first class degree despite being pregnant for her third year.

The new mother added: 'I couldn't believe when I found out I had got a first.

'I was pregnant for pretty much the whole of the third year and I was in the library every day from about 9am until 1am the following day.

'I did feel sick and I was really tired at times but somehow I got through it.'

Studious: Georgia said she was pregnant throughout most of her third year at university

Despite coping with morning sickness and piles of work, Georgia walked away with a first class degree
Resplendent in a chic red dress, Queen Mathilde hosted fledgling scientists at the palace on Wednesday.

The 43-year-old looked polished to perfection in a red floral dress as she and her husband, King Philippe, visited the 'Science et culture au Palais' Exhibit at the Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium.

The glossy mother-of-four displayed her trim figure in the vintage style dress, which was adorned with bold flowers and cinched in at the waist with a red belt.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe paid a visit to the 'Science et culture au Palais' Exhibit, Royal Palace in Brussels, Belgium, on Wednesday

The blond monarch wore her short locks coiffed and accessorised with eye-catching gold earrings.

She offset her look with matching red heels and walked with confidence as she and her husband made their way inside.

Once inside, the royal couple viewed scientific artefacts and chatted with school children who had made their own creations.

This was the couple's second consecutive visit to a museum; Queen Mathilde of Belgium, 43 and her husband King Philippe, 56, spent their time off visiting museums with their four children this week.

With the mercury soaring, it's no surprise the family dived into two museums, the Musical Instruments Museum and the Belgian Comic Strip Center for an educational - and cool - experience.

Once inside, the royal couple viewed scientific artefacts and chatted with school children who had made their own creations

The blond monarch wore her short locks coiffed and accessorised with eye-catching gold earrings

This was the couple's second consecutive visit to a museum; Queen Mathilde of Belgium, 43 and her husband King Philippe, 56, spent their time off visiting museums with their four children this week

The Belgian royal family were snapped enjoying the sun in Brussels on Tuesday: Left to right: Princess Eleonore, eight, Princess Elisabeth, 14, King Philippe, Prince Emmanuel, 10, Queen Mathilde and Prince Gabriel, 12

The Queen consort wore a loose and airy brightly coloured striped dress with red wedges that had rope soles, while King Philippe looked snazzy in a pair of mustard yellow trousers

The Queen showcased a boho look in an ankle-length patterned dress which was belted at the waist as well as a pair of red wedges with rope soles.

King Philippe looked snazzy in a pair of mustard yellow trousers and a smart blue suit jacket.

They were joined by their children Princess Elisabeth, 14, eight-year-old Princess Eleonore, Prince Gabriel, 12, and 10-year-old Prince Emmanuel.

Their children were casually dressed. Elisabeth wore white trousers with a loose blue peasant top, her hair reaching past her shoulders.

Her sister Eleonore looked adorable in a pink shorts and white sleeveless blouse, paired with white sandals.

The family looked to be having fun as they posed underneath a photo of a giant hat in the Belgian Comic Strip Center

Gabriel looked just as smart as he father in a pair of beige chinos and a blue and white striped shirt that he kept open at the collar.

His younger brother Emmanuel posed in a long-sleeved white t-shirt and blue chinos with a brown belt.

On the official Belgian Royal family Twitter account, the family said that they were having a 'wonderful family afternoon in our capital city'.

Temperatures in Brussels reached as high as 31 degrees today.

The family looked to be having fun as they posed underneath a photo of a giant hat in the Belgian Comic Strip Center.

King Philippe even tried his hand at photography himself, photographing all four of his children as they posed a with a giant smurf in the museum.
Ronda has yet to return to the Octagon since her

credits judo for teaching her how to embrace her imperfections and focus on her goals

UFC star Ronda Rousey has penned a powerful essay about the dangers of trying to be perfect while revealing that taking up judo 'saved' her when she was a young woman unable to embrace her changing body.

The 29-year-old, who is the star of Reebok's new Perfect Never campaign, goes on to urge other women to celebrate their shortcomings, as she admits in the piece, written for Refinery29, that she too finds herself believing that the airbrushed images she sees on social media are truly perfect.

'I scroll through my phone like everyone else,' she wrote. 'I see the world filtered and duckfaced like every other woman does. And sometimes Im almost convinced thats real. But its not.'

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Spreading the word: Ronda Rousey has penned a powerful essay about why women should never try to be perfect. The UFC star is pictured at the launch of Reebok's #PerfectNever campaign in which she stars

Love of the sport: Ronda, who is pictured at Fighting Films Birmingham Women's World Cup in 2006, credits judo for teaching her to embrace her imperfections

Growing pains. When she started practicing judo as a girl, Ronda said she had to learn how to speak up or risk getting thrown down by her partner. She is pictured at the US Olympic team trials in 2004

'The curated lives we see every day are fake,' she continued. 'The perfect angles, the perfect outfits, the perfect lighting. Thats not reality. What is real are imperfections.'

Ronda, who hasn't fought in the Octagon since her devastating title fight loss to Holly Holm last November, went on to say that it is struggle that 'builds character and toughness' and ultimately makes us better.

But she noted that while men have the 'luxury of being able to specialize', their female counterparts are 'expected to be perfect at everything'.

The former UFC bantamweight champion explained that focusing on being perfect ultimately distracts women to the point that their 'bigger goals are sacrificed'.

Flashback: In her essay, Ronda recalled being a confident tomboy who loved to wear white T-shirts and jeans to run around in. Ronda (right) is pictured with her mom AnnMaria De Mars and her sister Jen

Ronda, who is pictured as a teen, said felt like a 'complete outsider' when she moved to Los Angeles with her family

Devastation: Ronda has yet to return to the Octagon to fight since her loss and subsequent injuries at the hands of Holly Holm last November

Ronda recalled being a tomboy in North Dakota where she would confidently run around in jeans and a white T-shirt. However, when she moved to Los Angeles, she felt like a 'complete outsider' in her predominantly Spanish speaking school.

'These feelings came to a boiling point when I stood in front of the mirror, looked at my changing body that I didnt really recognize anymore, and cried,' she explained. 'I wasnt perfect, and I didnt like it.'

However, her life was soon changed for the better when she discovered judo, a sport in which she was forced to overcome her shyness - or face being thrown on the ground by her partner.

Ronda said she was far from perfect when she started, but she continued to practice, and eventually became more comfortable with talking, and even yelling.

Training: 'Perfect never gets a shot at redemption. So yeah, I'm fine with not being perfect,' she says in the commercial, which sees her go from a glamorous shoot to the gym

Being honest: In February, Ronda shared this side-by-side photo on Instagram to apologize for accidentally posting an image of herself that had been edited to make her arms look smaller without her knowledge

She eventually won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, becoming the first American to win an Olympic medal in women's judo since it was recognized as an Olympic sport in 1992.

'Today I have a career built on something that saved me as a young woman. Many women arent afforded that opportunity,' she said.

Ronda, who struggled with an eating disorder in the past, said that she often thinks about how confident she used to be before she started to feel the pressure to be perfect,

The athlete went on to note that there is a time in every women's life when they weren't worried about their imperfections either.

'I guess what Im trying to tell you is that you don't need to be perfect to be valid,' she explained. 'Your flaws  your unsuccessful attempts at greatness or even mediocrity  are real. They make you better. And thats beautiful because its never perfect.'

Back in February, Ronda took to Instagram to share an edited and unedited photo of herself on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to apologize for accidentally sharing the Photoshopped version on her page without realizing her arms had been altered to look smaller without her knowledge.

Raising awareness: Ronda, who is pictured watching her commercial at the campaign launch in New York City last week, said she wants women to know that they 'don't need to be perfect to be valid'

Sports Illustrated cover stars; Ronda struck a pose with model Ashley Graham at the event

Day out: Ronda is pictuerd running errands with her UFC fighter boyfriend Travis Browne last week

'This goes against everything I believe and I am extremely proud of every inch of my body,' she wrote.

Ronda recently celebrated her flaws in her new video campaign for Reebok, which is a part of the brand's larger Be More Human movement.

The mixed martial arts fighter can be seen going from a glamorous photoshoot to working up a sweat in the gym in the #PerfectNever clip, which was shot by director Anthony Mandler.

'Here's the thing about being perfect  perfect never gets truly tested. Perfect never gets to silence its critics. Perfect never gets a shot at redemption,' she says in the commercial. 'So yeah, I'm fine not being perfect.'

Throughout her rise to fame, the UFC star has had to deal online bullies, body shaming, and those who relished in her losing her title to Holly eight months ago.

'There are a lot of unrealistic standards being put on everyone,' Ronda said in a press release. 'I think it's good to have examples out there who say, "You know what, not everyone is always going to like you, but life will go on, you'll be OK and you can still love yourself."'
The photo was posted to the department's Facebook page and has been shared more than 7,000 times

The children, whose father is a member of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, are seen in the image kneeling next to a police car

A photo of a pair of children praying for the safety of their policeman father has gone viral for capturing the feelings of many cop families across the country.

The image, shared on Facebook by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, shows a little boy and little girl snapped by their mother kneeling in prayer next to a police car.

The kids are both wearing miniature police gear, with the girl in a cap and police vest and the boy in a full uniform and wide-brimmed hat.

Saying their prayers: A pair of children from Indianapolis pray that 'their father and all police officers return home safely' in a recent viral photo

They kneel in the grass on either side of the yellow Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department logo on the white car door.

The caption simply reads: 'Praying their father and all police officers return home safely.'

The mother of the children, a wife of a police officer, wished to remain anonymous when she submitted the image.

Since the photo was posted on Sunday, it has been shared well over 7,000 times and gained more than another 7,000 likes.

Dozens of people also came out to comment on the post in support of the children, including many others who have had family members in law enforcement.

Precious moments: The image echoes another that was posted back in March of Cleveland County police officer Jordan Perkins praying with his children before starting a shift

'Too many nights I did this for my dad,' said one user. 'I miss him so much. I will continue to pray for everyone else's mom and dad to come home safely every shift.'

Speaking to Today.com, IMPD spokesperson Patrolman Jim Gillespie described the image as 'a message of hope and a reminder of the attitude that the majority of citizens have for us, which is a supportive one.'

The photo comes among a contentious time between the public and police officers following the shootings of black men in Minnesota and Louisiana and the subsequent killing of multiple police officers from Dallas and Baton Rouge.

The latter shootings in Baton Rouge happened the day the image was posted, and the IMPD Police Chief Troy Riggs also released a statement in response to the shooting.

'In nearly 30 years of law enforcement, I have never witnessed the types of brazen attacks we are seeing against officers,' he said. '
The dress seemed too good to be true. Elegant, floor-skimming chiffon printed with delicate flowers, it looked as if it could have been by Jenny Packham - but cost just 24 ($31).

The item that arrived at my door three weeks later was short, shapeless and see-through. It looked nothing like the sophisticated gown Id spotted online.

I had, it seemed, been conned. And Im far from alone.

Over the past few months, thousands of British customers searching online for cheap summer staples have been taken in by websites purporting to provide pretty dresses, stylish tops and trendy accessories for their holiday wardrobes, all at knockdown prices

Over the past few months, thousands of British customers searching online for cheap summer staples have been taken in by websites purporting to provide pretty dresses, stylish tops and trendy accessories for their holiday wardrobes, all at knockdown prices.

The companies have unfamiliar names such as Dresslily and Zaful and seem to sell every fashion item under the sun, accompanied by professional photos, positive reviews and enticing price tags.

But the items that arrive are often poorly made, ill-fitting and bear little or no resemblance to the picture online.

Whats more, the companies selling them are based in Chinese warehouses, so they take several weeks to be delivered - and if you want to send them back theres a hefty postage fee.

Complaints about this new breed of online clothes shop are up by 87.3 per cent since last year and Facebook groups campaigning for the websites to be shut down have millions of members. But still they remain open for business

Complaints about this new breed of online clothes shop are up by 87.3 per cent since last year and Facebook groups campaigning for the websites to be shut down have millions of members. But still they remain open for business.

So can they all really be that bad? I bought myself a budget holiday wardrobe to put the websites to the test...

CHEAP FABRIC & PRINT

This looks like the 325 ($428) floral print maxi from LK Bennetts current collection, but its 20 times cheaper

THE DEAL: A maxi dress for 13.84 ($18.22)

WEBSITE: Fashionmia.com

DETAILS: This looks like the 325 ($428) floral print maxi from LK Bennetts current collection, but its 20 times cheaper.

Not at all what I ordered

Confusingly, it says it has a batwing sleeve - but in the photograph its clearly sleeveless. It is made of chiffon and A-line in shape.

DELIVERY: I pay 3.84 ($5) for speedy service, but it still takes two weeks to arrive.

WHAT ITS LIKE: Not at all what I ordered. And this isnt just my opinion - the dress on the website is full-length, ruched at the waist and has a high neck. What arrives is calf-length, V-necked and in an entirely different print. The zip is so stiff I need help to tug it up, and the too-short lining shows through the sheer fabric.

CAN I SEND IT BACK? Fashionmia refuses to offer a refund unless I post it back to China. The Post Office says this will cost me 12.45 ($16.39) - simply not worth the hassle or expense.

FROCK COMES UP SHORT

THE DEAL: A 13.62 ($18) skater dress.

WEBSITE: Fashionmia.com. Your online shop for modern, irresistible and affordable womens clothing, reads the blurb on the site, which, in its company report, lists an office address in London (as well as the main Chinese warehouse).

DETAILS: This full-skirted dress looks a lot like the Hexagon Flare Mini, a 1,525 ($2,008) number from Victoria Beckhams current summer collection.

DELIVERY: I pay 3.84 ($5) in postage, then wait and wait. When I contact customer service, Im told that my dress is no longer in stock. There is no apology, just an email from a customer assistant called Annabelle, who thanks me for my kindly contact and tells me to pick another one.

The replacement arrives seven weeks and six days after my initial order.

WHAT ITS LIKE: The main problem with this dress is its length. Its so short, its indecent - Id never wear it out of the house, even with thick tights. The hem is unravelling, too.

CAN I SEND IT BACK? According to Fashionmias returns policy, I have 28 days to do so. I email Annabelle, who says if I insist on sending the item back, I should post it to China, recorded delivery. I ask at the Post Office, find out itll cost 12.45 ($16.39) and decide not to bother.

UNEVEN SEAMS

THE DEAL: A green dress for 10.45 ($13.76).

From the original image, youd be forgiven for confusing this with a silk-chiffon Matthew Williamson design (costing 1,495 - $1,968).Surely its hard to go wrong with that gorgeous jade colour, puffball sleeves and flattering, floaty skirt?

WEBSITE: Twinkledeals.com. Claims to be an online apparel store for todays discerning price-conscious fashionistas.

Horribly creased and, despite there being two layers, its so see-through Im embarrassed to stand up in it

There is a flood of negative reviews on the sites Facebook page and on a customer complaints site, where the average rating is 4.6 out of ten.

DETAILS: From the original image, youd be forgiven for confusing this with a silk-chiffon Matthew Williamson design (costing 1,495 $1,968).Surely its hard to go wrong with that gorgeous jade colour, puffball sleeves and flattering, floaty skirt?

DELIVERY: Theres no charge, but it takes two weeks, not the promised three days, to arrive.

WHAT ITS LIKE: Horribly creased and, despite there being two layers, its so see-through Im embarrassed to stand up in it. The colour is different from what I saw online, the sleeves are tight and theres no swish to the fabric - it just hangs, limp, by my sides.

CAN I SEND IT BACK? There is a 30-day returns policy and all postage costs are at the buyers expense - but they offer a refund without requiring the dress back. So the refund goes straight on my card and the dress itself goes straight in the bin.

FLOPPY BLAZER

THE DEAL: A chic blazer for 11.31 ($14.89)

WEBSITE: Rosewholesale.com. For customer satisfaction, this is the worst of the lot. Nearly 7,000 shoppers have joined a Facebook group called Rosewholesale Scam, including a disgruntled designer who found her dresses for sale on the site at knockdown prices.

This Balenciaga-like blazer has striped three-quarter-length sleeves, padded shoulders and eye-catching glass buttons. On the site, it looks stunning

DETAILS: This Balenciaga-like blazer has striped three-quarter-length sleeves, padded shoulders and eye-catching glass buttons. On the site, it looks stunning.

Im so unhappy with my purchase that the company agrees to an instant refund

The site describes it as ladylike, while gushing reviewers dub it super elegant and excellent. One of the reviewers, I note, has posted an identical comment on another product three months earlier.

DELIVERY: I pay 2.66 extra ($3.50) (taking my total to 13.97 $18.39) and the blazer is meant to come in five to ten days. It arrives exactly two weeks later, neatly folded inside a ziplock bag.

WHAT ITS LIKE: The sleeves are too long, the shoulders have no structure and there arent even enough holes for all the buttons. The extra-wide lapels are woefully unflattering, making me look twice the size I am.

CAN I SEND IT BACK? In this case theres no need. Im so unhappy with my purchase that the company agrees to an instant refund.

SHAPELESS HAT

THE DEAL: Straw hat for 5.36 ($7).

WEBSITE: Rosewholesale.com.

This light coffee coloured hat looks like the perfect holiday headwear, to judge from the online photograph. Its made of woven straw and has four five-star (though badly misspelt) reviews

DETAILS: This light coffee coloured hat looks like the perfect holiday headwear, to judge from the online photograph. Its made of woven straw and has four five-star (though badly misspelt) reviews.

DELIVERY: I pay 2.66 ($3.50) for postage, taking my total to 7.99 ($10.52). The hat arrives in two weeks.

WHAT ITS LIKE: Squashed inside a parcel approximately the size of a paperback book, the hat is crumpled beyond recognition.

The brim is elastic, so try as I might to straighten it out, it stays wonky. It swamps my head, too, looking more like an oversized Panama than something suited to the French Riviera.
Though still bereft, I take comfort from the fact that in so many ways my beloved mum had a good death.

After a two-month stint in hospital and a five-and-a-half-year struggle following a stroke, which left her permanently paralysed and severely brain damaged, she spent her last precious hours lying in her own bed, surrounded by familiar things: a cat sitting on the window ledge beside a flower box full of the first blooms of spring.

Cradled in my arms, my brother and dad holding her hands, she died peacefully on February 11 this year. She wasnt in pain; the palliative care nurses who came in twice a day had made sure she was comfortable and not agitated. And she died knowing she was loved.

Though still bereft, I take comfort from the fact that in so many ways my beloved mum had a good death

It was too soon, of course. Even though she was 81, it would always have been too soon. Yet in many ways, it was not soon enough.

Mum effectively lost her life all those years previously when she collapsed in her lounge. Her last year in particular was a half life largely spent in hospital connected to machines with staff she barely knew and none of the fabric of her life around her for comfort.

Her sudden demise in 2010 meant my dad, brother and I had to make some tough decisions about her care, particularly as the end of her life was far more drawn out than we ever could have anticipated. It was a stressful and upsetting time for us all.

But the decision I am proud of was the one to bring her home by ambulance for those final days.

It only takes a moment to shatter a future, to end a way of life, to change everything. And the vast majority of us are never prepared. Of course, no one likes pondering our inevitable demise. But for various reasons, not least incapacity, the decisions around our care towards the end are often left to others.

If we had any sense, we would plan our deaths with as much attention and thought as we do our lives. But, of course, few do and that means that although most of us would prefer to die peacefully at home, the stark truth is that around 50 per cent die in hospital.

Cradled in my arms, my brother and dad holding her hands, she died peacefully on February 11 this year. She wasnt in pain; the palliative care nurses who came in twice a day had made sure she was comfortable and not agitated. And she died knowing she was loved

Thankfully, we didnt have to battle to move Mum when the end was near, but plenty of people do. And our experience has made me realise that preparing for death is not just about letting go of life. Its also about planning, preparing and making your voice heard so that you get the death you want.

No one wants to think about dying. Yet for something so certain, so important, it is surprising how little thought and attention we give it.

More than half a million people die in the UK every year, yet when the Department of Health carried out research as part of their End of Life Strategy, they found that people are uncomfortable talking about dying and death. The end result of this, though, as I discovered, is that when your loved ones reach the end of their lives, you are often not aware of their preferences.

My mum lingered for a long time because she was kept alive medically, but if she had expressed her wishes, would she have wanted things done differently?

Her sudden demise in 2010 meant my dad, brother and I had to make some tough decisions about her care, particularly as the end of her life was far more drawn out than we ever could have anticipated. It was a stressful and upsetting time for us all

Well never know, but it haunts me. All we knew was that she didnt want to end up in a home. She had always been emphatic about that. But we had never talked about what she would want if a stroke took away all her choices and her quality of life.

Talking about dying wont make it any easier when you are suddenly faced with harsh choices in a hospital waiting room. But it may give you control over it.

My mum had none and, in the end my dad, brother and I got to the point, when in consultation with her doctor, that we agreed to make no further life-prolonging interventions. The result was we gave her a good death.

Before that, for some agonising years, we prolonged her life several times without giving her any quality. Although she had a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order from the beginning, she never stopped breathing, nor did her heart stop beating.

Yet we would intervene every time she had an infection or any life-threatening condition.

The first three years were relatively calm; apart from her stroke, Mum was actually very healthy. But at the start of the fourth year, she had a series of regular emergencies, including kidney stones and a number of related urinary infections.

Thankfully, we didnt have to battle to move Mum when the end was near, but plenty of people do

Every time she was taken to hospital, where she was poked, prodded, given scans, drips and put in wards with noise and unfamiliar people, which was traumatic for her and us.

Because she had left no other instructions, the medical staff were obliged to pursue all medical means to keep her alive.

It would have been so much easier for us if she had left a living will. Having her wishes there in black and white would have comforted us during the many times when we faced heart-wrenching dilemmas.

Sadly, as so often happens, my mothers demise caught us all entirely unawares. There was no time to plan.

In September 2010, she had been with me at the birth of my third baby. She had spent the previous few years helping me raise my first two daughters, being a doting nanna and mum.

DYING WISHES 70 per cent of people would prefer to die at home, yet around 50 per cent currently die in hospital, research shows Advertisement

For the next three days she looked after my other two daughters, visiting me in hospital each evening.

On the Saturday night, she rang me to see how I was doing. I was coming home the next morning, and she was off to put my two daughters, then four and five, to bed. She told me she loved me. Neither of us knew it would be the last time.

After she read them a story, she went downstairs and poured a glass of wine. Then she collapsed. Her life disappeared as she suffered a stroke.

My dad and husband rushed her to hospital, but the damage was irreversible. As I lay in my hospital bed, trying to get some sleep between feeds, the door crashed open and my husband rushed in.

I knew before he spoke that my life had just changed. The faces of my mum and dad and my two children flashed in my mind so that when he got to my side I cried: Who is it?

He paused before he broke my world: Its your mum.

My mum lingered for a long time because she was kept alive medically, but if she had expressed her wishes, would she have wanted things done differently?

My mum and I were so close that the shock of losing her so unexpectedly took me years to recover from. Because although she lived, the woman who had told me she loved me every day of my life was gone.

In the hospital the day after her stroke, Dad and I were asked if we wanted her to be resuscitated if she stopped breathing. We didnt hesitate or confer. We said no. But what if we had conferred and disagreed?

This is what often happens when the decision over a parents or spouses death is left up to family members who are in deep distress.

Advance care planning, or a living will, is the process of writing down wishes and preferences not just for end of life, but for care in later life, outlining where you might like to live, who you would like to care for you if you became incapacitated, and what sort of treatments you would like or would not like.

But without such decisions already in writing, your last days can present a terrible battle for relatives who believe hospitals arent providing the death they would have liked for you.

Lesley Goodburns husband, Seth, died in University Hospitals of North Midlands on June 14, 2014, just 33 days after his diagnosis from pancreatic cancer, which has just a five per cent survival rate over five years.

The couple were approaching their 50th birthdays and their tenth wedding anniversary when their world was ripped apart.

Sadly, as so often happens, my mothers demise caught us all entirely unawares. There was no time to plan

Lesley, 51, from Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent, says: Seth went from feeling well to being told he had got a very short time to live.

We had to come to terms with it quickly. He was clear that he wanted to die at home, not in hospital.

But he hadnt put anything in writing, so although he was originally sent home to be cared for a wonderful team of district nurses, he was later readmitted to hospital for palliative chemotherapy.

Seth, a utilities company administrator, never came out again. Lesley, who ironically worked on patient experience within the NHS, a job she left as a result of her husbands care, says: Although we wanted him to come home to die, it felt like the whole weight of the NHS, its processes and its procedures, were against us.

Seth died with Lesley and his twin brother at his side.

We had some time together, says Lesley. But his death was not the way we wanted it to be.

Robert Ramsay, meanwhile, is haunted by his mothers traumatic death in hospital and his own powerlessness to halt medical processes that differed from his wishes.

Having an open conversation with your nearest and dearest will help the medical staff make decisions around your care

Denyse was admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport with pneumonia. She spent ten months in the hospital, before she died on November 2, 2009, at 83, after developing an infection.

Robert, 61, says: I attended three medical discharge meetings in order for her to come home, and the equipment was installed at the home I shared with her.

Robert says he told staff he wanted his mother home - to no avail. What followed was hugely distressing. She died, having been given morphine - despite her being intolerant of the drug: I had to watch her slowly die over the next hour, says Robert, her breathing became increasingly laboured.

He strongly believes that had he been able to get his mother home or transferred her to a private hospital, things would have been different.

The Dying Matters Coalition was established to promote awareness and support changing attitudes towards dying, encouraging people to communicate their preferences for what they want to happen when they are approaching the end of their lives.

Toby Scott, Communications Manager of the Dying Matters Coalition, says: Getting it right is both important for the person who is dying, so that their wishes are met with dignity, but its also important for family and the people who love and care for them.

According to Scott, the first step is to know what your options are. Many people arent aware that you can refuse treatment and still get access to the best palliative care.

Having an open conversation with your nearest and dearest will help the medical staff make decisions around your care. It doesnt matter what age you are.

If only my mother had known about such things. Ill never forget walking into her bedroom soon after the stroke.

There in her room was a novel, the bookmark showing it was only half read. Her make-up was sprawled across her dressing table, and there were clothes hanging on the wardrobe door for lunch with a friend the next day.

I looked at that book she would never finish, make-up she would never clear up and clothes she would never wear and the immediacy of that loss was shocking.

She lost her right to choose how she would end the rest of her life the second she lost her capacity.

As a mother of three young children, I am now in the process of developing a clear advance care plan for my old age. But also if something befalls me that means Im unable to make decisions for myself, my wishes are there for my family to follow.

I do not want my girls to face the uncertainty that I did or to have to make decisions about my care that will cause them long-term pain or guilt. And Im sure I cannot be alone in that.
Oh my goodness, its Gleb. Gleb is in the room, people. Yes, that Gleb, the Russian professional dancer who waltzed onto Strictly Come Dancing last year and made a million hearts flutter.

And last month, those same hearts broke when it was announced that the heart-throb has decided he will not be appearing in the next series.

Sad day. Because the thing about Gleb Savchenko is that he is handsome. Really, really, ridiculously handsome.

The thing about Gleb Savchenko is that he is handsome. Really, really, ridiculously handsome

On Strictly, it soon became clear that host Claudia Winkleman was a fan. She would pretend to faint when 32-year-old Gleb took off his shirt, which he did at every opportunity.

On one show, she wore a policemans hat and waved a pair of handcuffs in his direction. Oh, Gleb! Glebby, Glebby, Glebby, its Auntie Claud, cried the married mother of three.

She had taken leave of her senses - but Gleb can do that to a woman. When he was a dancing teacher at a studio in Russia, his lessons were the ones everyone clamoured to attend. Over 50 women every day, he sighs. It was insane.

In the small room where he is having his photo taken, five people are standing staring at Gleb, who is looking at himself in a mirror. We are all lost in admiration, with perhaps the keenest appreciation emanating from Gleb himself.

Well, why not? Just look at him! He is a towering 6ft-plus, with raven hair that surges back from his broad, clear forehead. His teeth are straight, his moustache dastardly, his eyes as dark as midnight in Moscow. Over his rippling dancers body, he wears a tight shirt and a blue suit that he worries makes him look like a Russian president. Putin should be so lucky.

Following his Strictly success, Gleb has done a calendar, appeared in a shampoo advert with Jennifer Lopez, caressed Paris Hiltons thighs in an X-rated music video - and he was a star of the latest series of BBC1s Celebrity MasterChef.

On Strictly, it soon became clear that host Claudia Winkleman was a fan. She would pretend to faint when 32-year-old Gleb (pictured with Anita Rani) took off his shirt, which he did at every opportunity

So why has the Russian Romeo decided to leave Strictly after only one series? I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the last series, he said. But due to family commitments, I wont be returning for the next one. Ill definitely be tuning in, though.

As if. Besides, what consolation is that for those of us whose highlight of the autumn TV schedules was the promise of Glebs glistening torso? And its not as if he doesnt know this.

Looks-wise, Ive got the whole package, he says, regarding himself in the mirror. But I never thought, oh my God, I am so good-looking. There wasnt an age when I suddenly thought I was handsome.

No?

No. It was just always there.

Gleb Savchenko joined BBC1s Strictly last year after appearing in the Russian, U.S. and Australian versions of the show

Gleb Savchenko joined BBC1s Strictly last year after appearing in the Russian, U.S. and Australian versions of the show.

His dance partner was TV presenter Anita Rani, whom he managed to steer almost to the final - she was the 11th person voted off in the class of 2015.

And you know that Strictly curse, of celebrities and their dancers falling in love with each other and leaving their husbands and wives to be together?

Well, it was never going to happen to Anita and Gleb. Both are happily married, for a start.

If you are happy with your wife or husband, then the curse is not going to happen, but if you are looking for it, of course it is going to happen, says Gleb. He thinks that is partly because amateurs are unused to the physical intimacy of proper dancing.

You see, if I am close to a woman and doing a little rumba action . . . 

Yes . . ?

His dance partner was TV presenter Anita Rani, whom he managed to steer almost to the final - she was the 11th person voted off in the class of 2015

A professional woman will understand what my hips are doing. But if I hold a celebrity like this, he says, and pulls me towards him, she might think; Oh why is he so close? That is wrong. 

How could something so wrong feel so right? I whimper, almost to myself.

But, he continues, dropping his embrace, professional dancers dont even think about it. Of course, the Curse is never going to happen to Gleb, mostly because of his formidable wife of ten years, Elena Samodanova. The 32-year-old blonde is a pro dancer, too - and a feared judge on the Russian Strictly who also danced in the Australian version.

The couple are currently based in Sydney with their five-year-old daughter, Olivia.

The official reason for Glebs sudden Strictly exit is because of Olivias educational needs. However, Savchenko had recently flown to London from Australia for talks with Strictly bosses. One can only suppose that he didnt get the kind of financial deal he wanted to carry on.

The official reason for Glebs sudden Strictly exit is because of his five-year-old daughter Olivias educational needs

His manager insists there is no angle here. Its a family thing, pure and simple.

Certainly, family seems to come first. On his taut left forearm, Gleb has a tattoo of his daughters name in a Gothic script and, on the right, a matching one that reads Amor Vincit Omnia.

Love Conquers All. It is for my wife, he says. We met in dancing school in Moscow. We married young, but when you find the right person, it is never too young.

Before her, I had a lot of girlfriends but not too many. I was always a good boy, he says, with the kind of grin that suggests he was not. Savchenkos life story confirms my suspicions that the professional dancers on Strictly are far, far more interesting characters than the cavalcade of celebrities they partner up with.

Gleb started dancing when he was eight, travelled alone to competitions when he was 15 and was in America by the time he was 21

TV presenters, lingerie models, failed members of former boy bands, cooks and crooks; the celebs end up on Strictly through some happy accident of fate or via the muscle of their agents.

Most of the pro-dancers, by comparison, seem to come from Russian or Eastern Bloc countries and have used dancing as a way to power themselves out of the stunted opportunities at home.

They have trained like athletes for years, have the stamina of stallions - and are paid around 35,000 per series, a fraction of what the stars earn, taking public transport to the BBC studios while their protegees are chauffeured around. Maybe this is what he got sick of?

I dont mind, says Gleb. Being on the Underground gives me time to think.

Gleb started dancing when he was eight, travelled alone to competitions when he was 15 and was in America by the time he was 21.

I had to get out of Russia. There was nothing there for me. I became like the Eddie The Eagle of dancing. I kept screwing up. I was never quite good enough, I never had enough money for lessons.

I went to Latvia and Estonia to find a dance partner. I couldnt get one. And I couldnt get a job because I was only 15, so when I asked my dad for money to go to Lithuania, he threw an iron at me because he was so angry.

Gleb and his younger sister lived in an apartment where his father kept 13 hens, plus a rooster on the balcony. The family were given coupons for flour and sugar and had a summer home - an old railway carriage on a bit of land in the countryside, where they grew potatoes and cabbages

Savchenko grew up in an area of Moscow called Leninsky Prospekt, around 20 minutes from Red Square. His father worked in IT; his mother was a music teacher.

Gleb and his younger sister lived in an apartment where his father kept 13 hens, plus a rooster on the balcony. The family were given coupons for flour and sugar and had a summer home - an old railway carriage on a bit of land in the countryside, where they grew potatoes and cabbages.

Gleb remembers one winters day in the Eighties when the family queued for eight hours at McDonalds, which had just opened in Moscow. It was the most delicious food we had ever tasted. We only went once.

By the time he was 20, Gleb absolutely loved dancing, but it wasnt taking him anywhere.

Have you ever tried modelling? one of his salsa class members asked him one day, unaware of what she had unleashed.

He signed up with a Moscow modelling agency and, within the year, I was on the cover of every magazine and top of the 100 Most Beautiful Men in Russia. I was only 20. I thought: This is too small. I am going to go to New York and become a superstar. I will be the next Brad Pitt!

So I went there and the modelling didnt go well. Nothing went well.

Moscows Most Beautiful was just another pretty face in the Big Apple. He slept on floors, got turned down for auditions and returned to dance teaching to gain his work visa.

Elena came out to join him, they entered competitions together and went on to dance around the world: in Hong Kong, Blackpool, Sydney and back home in Russia.

Now, the couple have established themselves on Strictly, while Glebs MasterChef turn was another tent peg in what he hopes will one day be a marquee of celebrity.

Yes, I want to make money, he says, with an emigres candour. It is not like I can afford a Ferrari -but one day! Give me another three years.

He says his life has calmed down now that I have a baby to raise and his body is such a temple that he rarely (very, very rarely) sullies it with a shot of vodka.

But what next for the Strictly heart-throb? Not Russia.

No. I love Moscow, but I never want to live there, says our Glebby - but now, he doesnt want to live in London, either.
They say love conquers all, but as I learned almost to my cost, thats not entirely true. However passionate the connection is between a man and woman, however deep the bond, nothing is as strong as the urge to procreate.

So when that feeling isnt mutual, when that fierce desire to have children isnt shared, all that can come of it is pain, regret and a chasm so deep its often impossible to bridge.

Having almost sacrificed my chance to become a mother by staying in the wrong relationship for too long, Im not at all surprised to learn that, according to new research, one in ten marriages now end in biological clock divorce - a break up instigated when a couples biological clocks are woefully out of sync.

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However passionate the connection is between a man and woman, however deep the bond, nothing is as strong as the urge to procreate (stock photo)

Last year, the average age for a woman to have her first baby tipped over the age of 30 for the first time (pictured: Hilary Freeman with her daughter Sidonie and partner Mickael)

Some people will automatically blame women for delaying motherhood while they further their careers. Last year, the average age for a woman to have her first baby tipped over the age of 30 for the first time. And, certainly, there are plenty of men who find themselves torn between the desire for fatherhood and love for a woman who is not quite ready yet.

When counsellor and sociologist Dr Robin Hadley, who runs the website www.wantedtobeadad.com, undertook research into involuntarily childless men, he found that they can be just as broody as women.

Moreover, he found men reported higher levels of anger, depression, jealousy, isolation and sadness, as a result.

But its not just career women who are to blame for postponing parenthood. The truth about biological clock divorces is far more complex and is increasingly as much a reflection of modern mens reluctance to take on the responsibility of having a family as it is about a womans professional ambition.

At the end of June 2015, just after Hilary's 44th birthday, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Sidonie - the absolute love of her life

Whoever is the reluctant spouse, the end result, as I discovered to my detriment, is like a ticking time bomb at the heart of your marriage.

And yet, all too often, couples today dont even discuss the issue before they marry. Its the elephant in the room, and, as agony aunt Virginia Ironside points out, putting off the baby talk can be absolutely disastrous in any marriage.

Ive seen too many examples of men and women assuming, once the excitement of the wedding is over, that they can change their spouses mind, only to be sorely disappointed, she tells me. Many resort to having a little accident, which is a terrible thing to do to anyone - an ultimate betrayal, which doesnt always work out.

All too often, couples today dont even discuss the issue before they marry

While I was never tempted to have that accident, I do wish Id had that chat with my now ex-husband. It would have saved us both so much heartbreak.

For in our case, it was my ex who wasnt keen on having children. Only he never told me. Instead, there was this slow, insidious dawning - the impact was devastating on me and on the relationship.

Its rare to be able to pinpoint the exact moment a life-changing realisation strikes you, but the instant I knew I wanted to be a mother, at all costs, is one I can recall with absolute clarity.

It was 6pm on my 34th birthday and I was getting ready for a party. Id been married to my best friend for seven years. I was supposed to be blissfully happy.

But when a close friend rang and told me she couldnt make it because shed just found out she was pregnant, I put the phone down and sobbed. Of course, Id congratulated her, but the news left me feeling empty and grief-stricken. With every fibre of my being, I wanted to be pregnant, too, and yet I knew that my husband simply did not feel the same way.

Finally facing up to this sad truth was to spell the disintegration of my marriage. When I got married, I was 27 and he, at almost 18 years my senior, was 44.

Hed been married before, and hadnt had children, but this wasnt something that concerned me.

I was just starting my career as a writer and we had a good life, socialising, going to music gigs and restaurants. One by one, my friends started to get pregnant, and I was genuinely happy for them. I believed that one day Id have a baby, too - just not yet. Naively, I assumed my husband wanted children, too. He never once said that he didnt.

Now, I realise we should have been more honest with each other. My biological clock ticked softly at first, so softly I barely noticed it. But after that evening of my 34th birthday, wanting a baby became my preoccupation.

All the things that had made me happy and fulfilled - my work, my social life, my loving relationship - no longer felt enough. My desire for a baby was more than a want; it was a need. Both my mind and body ached for it. It wasnt rational. It was biological.

But whenever I tried to talk about it with my husband he would change the subject or clam up. If I pressed him, hed list all the reasons it wasnt a good idea: we didnt have enough money; our flat was too small; I was too untidy; I wouldnt be able to cope with the sleepless nights.

Much as I tried not to see them, the clues were stacking up: he didnt want a baby.

I loved him deeply, but the more I ached for a baby, the more I resented him and felt distanced from him. We stopped communicating and going out together. It hurt so much that the man I loved was against trying for a baby.

The catalyst had come the previous year, on a writing trip to France, when I met Mickael. By this point, my husband and I were living separate lives, and I started an affair.

Mickael was four years younger than me, was ready to settle down and have a family, and said that he would wait for me.

The doctors told me that I was fertile, and still had eggs but, like me, those eggs were over 40 years old and, therefore, past their best

Hearing him say the words, I want you to be the mother of my children, moved me to tears. They were more powerful than any I love you could ever be. I realised that by not wanting a baby with me, my ex-husband had made me feel unworthy, not good enough to be a mum.

Now, at last, I had the chance to try. A few months after my 40th birthday, aware that my fertile years were almost at an end, I filed for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour.

The break-up was messy and nasty and painful, and went on for over two years.

The moment I saw her I knew that everything had been worth it: all the years of pain and sadness and bitterness

During this period, although we were still living in different countries, Mickael and I started trying for a baby. We knew that we didnt have time to waste.

We were lucky and I conceived straight away, just before my 41st birthday. But the pregnancy ended in tragedy with the loss of our daughter Elodie, at six months gestation.

Over the next year, two miscarriages followed. Once again, I started to despair that Id ever be a mum. The doctors told me that I was fertile, and still had eggs but, like me, those eggs were over 40 years old and, therefore, past their best.

However hard the conversation, talk to your partner about whether you both want children - and when (pictured: Hilary, with Sidonie and her partner Mickael)

Thankfully, Mickael and I didnt give up. And finally, at the end of June 2015, just after my 44th birthday, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Sidonie - the absolute love of our lives.

The moment I saw her I knew that everything had been worth it: all the years of pain and sadness and bitterness.

Please dont wait until its too late

I dont really believe in fate or destiny, but I knew she was the daughter I was meant to have. If Id stayed with my ex-husband, she wouldnt exist. So, while Im sad that our once happy marriage fell apart, I have no doubt I did the right thing.

But Id urge others not to make the same mistake. However hard the conversation, talk to your partner about whether you both want children - and when. Be honest. If youre not in sync, dont assume you will be able to change their mind at some future point.

And, most importantly, please dont wait until its too late.

Have you suffered a biological clock divorce? Email femailreaders@dailymail.co.uk.
Scientists have discovered that fake drugs with no apparent pharmaceutical benefit can bring real improvements to patients suffering from common complaints such as migraines.

New studies in the Boston suggest that placebos may causes changes in the body as well as the mind.

Even with patients knowing they are being given a non-medicinal drug substitute they have still reported reduced pain and other symptoms in everyday, debilitating conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or migraines.

Placebos do work: Drugs with no apparent pharmaceutical benefit can bring real improvements to patients suffering from Parkinsons, IBS and migraines, studies show

Research is also being carried out to see if similar results can be achieved with cancer-induced tiredness, severe back pain, asthma and sleep disorders.

There is already some evidence that Parkinsons disease patients who substitute a placebo for their usual medication will continue to get relief because the body has become pre-conditioned to expect a drug and reacts accordingly.

The key to the research is that the placebos often trigger a similar response in the body to the real thing.

In a study published this week in the journal Nature Medicine, bogus drugs were found to have an effect on the immune system of mice.

This is not just making it up in your mind. The placebo effect has a biology, said Harvard Professor Ted Kaptchuk, director of the Programme in Placebo Studies and Therapeutic Encounter at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, told the Wall Street Journal.

The pathways that we know the placebo effects use are the pathways many significant drugs use, he added.

According to a study in the British Medical Journal, about 50 per cent of American doctors surveyed reported regularly prescribing placebos, often without telling their patients exactly what they were getting.

The placebos often trigger a similar response in the body to the real thing, said Professor Ted Kaptchuk, of the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Most used over the counter pain relievers and vitamins and a smaller number gave out saline or sugar pills.

Professor Kaptchuk said the research into the effects of placebos is not new. In 1979, patients with dental pain were given a placebo they were told was a painkiller and about one-third reported suffering less pain.

Parkinsons disease patients taking part in a study at the University of Maryland in Baltimore are given a placebo after undergoing several rounds of therapy using the drug apomorphine, a common treatment that activates dopamine, a chemical that controls the brains reward and pleasure centres.

When we use a placebo after an active treatment, the placebo mimics the same action of the active treatment through a mechanism we call pharmacological conditioning, Dr Luana Colloca, an associate professor studying the placebo effect in acute and chronic pain, told Nature Journal.

A current goal is to reduce opioids to optimise pain management, she added.
Scientists claim to to have effectively reversed the menopause by 'rejuvenating' women's ovaries.

The Greek team say the technique enabled women to release eggs and re-start their periods.

One woman began menstruating even after a five-year hiatus, New Scientist reports.

'[The treatment] offers a window of hope that menopausal women will be able to get pregnant using their own genetic material,' Konstantinos Sfakianoudis, a gynaecologist at the Greek fertility clinic Genesis Athens, told the magazine.

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The Greek team say the technique enabled women to release eggs and re-start their periods

The new technique involves platelet-rich plasma (PRP) - a concentrated mix of substances in the blood that help cells grow - and may stimulate tissue regeneration.

Dr Sfakianoudis and his team found PRP also seems to rejuvenate older ovaries.

When they injected it into the ovaries of menopausal women, they claim it restarted their menstrual cycles, and enabled them to collect and fertilise the eggs that were released.

He told New Scientist: 'I had a patient whose menopause had established five years ago, at the age of 40.

'Six months after the team injected PRP into her ovaries, she experienced her first period since menopause.'

To date, his team has collected three eggs from the patient - two which have been successfully fertilised two using her husbands sperm.

Once there are three, they will be implanted into her womb. Until then, the other two remain on ice.

The technique can be manipulated in other ways, too.

After injecting PRP into the uteruses of six women who had had multiple miscarriages and failed IVF attempts, three became pregnant through IVF - and are now in their second trimester.

If the treatment continues to show promise, it could potentially allow older women and those who have suffered premature menopause to conceive.

'It is potentially quite exciting, says Roger Sturmey at Hull York Medical School in the UK. But it also opens up ethical questions over what the upper age limit of mothers should be.'

If the treatment continues to show promise, it could potentially allow older women and those who have suffered premature menopause to conceive

Most women are born with an average of two million eggs, but every month, they lose up to 1,500 eggs.

By the time she is 30, the average woman has 70,000 eggs remaining, which drops to 30,000 when she is 35 and 25,000 when she is 37.5.

HOW THE TECHNIQUE WORKS The new treatment pioneered by the Greek scientists invovles platelet-rich plasma (PRP). This is a concentrated mix of substances in the blood that help cells grow - and may stimulate tissue regeneration. Dr Sfakianoudis and his team found PRP also seems to rejuvenate older ovaries. When they injected PRP into the ovaries of menopausal women, the claim it restarted their menstrual cycles, and enabled them to collect and fertilise the eggs that were released. He told New Scientist: 'I had a patient whose menopause had established five years ago, at the age of 40. Six months after the team injected PRP into her ovaries, she experienced her first period since menopause.' To date, his team has collected three eggs from the patient - two which have been successfully fertilised two using her husbands sperm. Advertisement

Figures released last week revealed the fertility rate for women aged 40 and over has risen above that for the under-20s for the first time since 1947.

The report, from the Office for National Statistics for England and Wales, found there were 15.2 live births per 1,000 women aged 40 and over in 2015.

This is compared to 14.5 for those aged under 20.

In 1981, the rate was 4.9 for women aged 40 and over compared to 28.1 for women under 20.

Meanwhile other women experience the agony of premature menopause.

In the UK, the average age of menopause is 51, and comes when a womans natural supply of oestrogen dwindles and her ovaries run out of eggs.

But while most women first experience menopause symptoms in their late 40s and early 50s, a lot of women do get them much earlier.

One study estimated that as many as one in 20 women goes through early menopause.
A shocking India Today investigation has revealed how a growing number of businesses are using Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and WhatsApp to manufacture outrage, unleash digital mobs and launch vilification against chosen targets.

Posing as a consultant for a fictitious political party, the India Today reporter discovered a ring of young IT professionals who can orchestrate malice and religious polarisation in the virtual world without concern for ruining lives, careers and reputations.

For over a week, the reporter visited several so-called 'IT solution-providers' in Noida and Delhi, who readily offered their services to trigger false propaganda against opposing candidates in elections and insight hysteria against chosen individuals on social media.

India Today has uncovered how 'IT solutions' or 'marketing' firms are offering services where politicians are discredited through fake photographs, online outrage and digital mobs

Ranveer Kumar, a director at the Noida-based Vibgyor Technosystems, and his colleague shared their expertise in running destructive political tactics on networking sites.

Kumar, whose company claims to be a leading internet-marketing firm, told the reporter: So, their image is to be destroyed.... It means damaging his ORM - online reputation management. This is a kind of negative campaign where someones ORM is basically tarnished, he said.

The ORM is a PR process for online makeover. Essentially, the technique buries negative search results on Google and bumps up information that enhances the client's image.

Posing as a consultant for a fictitious political party, an India Today reporter discovered a ring of young IT professionals who can orchestrate malice and religious polarisation in the virtual world no matter if it ruins lives, careers and reputations

But Kumar said he would use the same method in reverse and would post scandalous content to malign rivals on social platforms.

Basically, its damaging his overall image, not just political. Maybe it involves posting a scandalous photo with a woman or a comment that hits his image directly.

"We dont know what that person is like but we have to portray him as a fraud or someone of a questionable character, Kumar said.

Will you be able to arrange (scandalous) photos? asked the undercover journalist.

That all will be arranged. It involves morphing, like replacing his... your... or my face. All of that, he replied.

Kumar said he would charge an additional fee for forging photos, which he described as hard work.

Basically, its damaging his overall image, not just political. Maybe it involves posting a scandalous photo with a woman or a comment that hits his image directly

Faking slanderous material is one part of this ignominious social-media operation, deploying Internet researchers is another, as the investigative journalist discovered.

Kumar would hire a team of Web researchers to dig out anything unfavourable about their targets and spread that content - true or false - on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter.

Kumar claimed his company would route this gambit through servers overseas, beyond the reach of law: No one should be identified. Theres a full mechanism. It will be separate. That job will not be done from this office, he said.

Proxy servers will be used. Right, Sir. IP addresses of those servers will keep changing every other day. It will be untraceable then.

The investigative reporter found out that the market was also flooded with experts who could doctor sensational clips for social dissemination.

Jatin Arora of Delhis Scanf Solutions invoked the adage seeing is believing, when the undercover journalist spoke with him.

Arora claimed he could fabricate footage to demonise competing candidates in elections.

You know some videos are not genuine. But people believe in them because they see them. There are so many such videos.

"For example, I post a video about a fight with a (phony) caption that a person seen in this video belongs to the ruling party. This is how it happens, he said.
India's fishing community has offered to stop working at night - a practice that inadvertently provides cover for smugglers and terrorists to infiltrate through the countrys vulnerable 8,000-kilometre-long coastline.

The frailty was first exposed in 2008 after a seaborne assault by Pakistani gunmen on Mumbai, and the new move comes in the wake of the deadly terror attack at a cafe in Bangladesh.

Members of the National Fishworkers' Forum (NFF), an apex federation of fishermens organisations in the country, are set to submit a memorandum to Indian Coast Guard authorities, asking them to stop all kinds of bottom-trawling in the sea at night.

India's fishing community has offered to stop working at night and providing cover for smugglers and terrorists to infiltrate through the countrys vulnerable 8,000-kilometre-long coastline

India has shored up security in its coastal areas, particularly around vital installations such as nuclear power stations, ports and defence facilities, following the deadly 26/11 attacks that killed over 160 people.

Infrastructure upgrades to boost security in the seas has also received fresh backing.

According to NFF national convener Debashis Shyamal, the communication will be submitted this week to the Coast Guard at Haldia in West Bengal, in which they will mention the key security issue: The fish workers forum in Bengal (Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum) will submit the memorandum to the Indian Coast Guard asking to stop bottom-trawling or bull-trawling fishing activities in the sea at night.

"If that can be imposed successfully there will be no movement of trawlers in the sea at night, he said.

Shyamal said the traditional fishermen would also give a proposal that they will not venture out to sea and engage in any trawling activities during the night.

If all the fishing trawlers in the sea are afloat but remain in a static position at night it would help security agencies to prevent any infiltration activities or suspicious movement from outside territories. We have already stopped activities from our end too, he added.

Ahead of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, an elderly harbour official had noticed the unusual behaviour of the 10 terrorists who had sailed in and questioned their actions, but he did not report the situation and was told by the men to mind his own business.

Vigilance

Sources in the security agencies said indigenous people provide the best vigilance against foreign intrusion as was also proved in the case of Kargil in 1999 where local shepherds first spotted the Pakistani attackers and reported this to the defence forces.

It is definitely a welcome move. If they submit any such memorandum we, as an enforcement agency, will certainly take serious note of that, commandant IJ Singh, spokesperson of Indian Coast Guard, told Mail Today on Wednesday.

West Bengal, along with Tripura, Meghalaya, Assam and Mizoram that share an international border with Bangladesh, was put on high alert after the Dhaka terror attack in which 28 people, including six terrorists and two policemen, were killed.

Indias coastline presents a variety of security concerns, such as smuggling of arms and explosives, infiltration and other criminal activities.

Absence of physical barriers, and the presence of vital industrial and defence installations near the coasts increases their vulnerability to illegal cross-border activities.

The administrations of all the districts bordering Bangladesh have been asked to remain on high alert, in particular three districts - East Midnapore, South 24-Parganas and North 24-Parganas - that are connected with the neighbouring country by rivers and the Bay of Bengal.

These three districts have over 156 sq km of vast coastline manned by only six coastal police stations which are inept to tackle any emergency.

India and Bangladesh share a 4,095-km border, of which 180 km is riverine.

Under the first phase of a coastal security scheme, six police stations have come up in Digha Mohana, Talpatighat, Haldibari (Sunderbans), Maipith, Frezerganj and Hemnagar.

The process is on for setting up eight more coastal police stations under the second phase at areas such as Junput, Mandarmoni, Nayachar, Gangasagar, Gobardhanpur, Jharkali, Harwood Point and Diamond Harbour.

Police sources told Mail Today: These coastal police stations are in very bad shape and not ready to handle any coastal patrolling activity. They dont have any mechanised patrolling boat to keep night vigils in the sea".

The fishermen of India have for centuries been the sentinels of the coast, preventing intruders by identifying strangers and foreign vessels.

Post 26/11, some community interactions were also initiated by the Coast Guard at various landing stations, in a bid to sensitise local fishermen about strengthening national security.

Shyamal said that fishermen from Maharashtra, Goa and Tamil Nadu, which share similar transborder coastline with Pakistan and Sri Lanka, respectively, have also supported the decision and are likely to join the move.

If any security issue happens traditional fishermen, who depend on fishing activities in coastal zones, are generally the first ones to suffer due to the drills. So, we have resolved to facilitate the national coastal agencies with the idea of stopping bottom-trawling (or bull-trawling) activities at night, he pointed out.
After being left by her fiance who married another woman, Sonal (name changed) has suffered both the stigma of being a rape victim, but also faces the prospect of painfully bearing a stillborn child or bringing up a child with severe mental and physical deformities.

Carrying a 24-week-old foetus with a rare disease known as Anencephaly - where the child lacks a major portion of the brain and skull - she approached the Supreme Court on Wednesday, pleading for permission to abort her pregnancy.

Sonal's appeal will be heard on Thursday. An extraordinary intervention from the top court is necessary as the 45-year-old Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act bans abortion past 20 weeks.

A woman has taken her case to the Supreme Court after finding out that she is carrying a 24-week-old foetus with a rare disease. India's abortion law denies her the right to terminate beyond 20 weeks

Sonal learnt about the foetus only when she underwent a medical test after filing a rape complaint against her fiance who deserted her.

She requested for an abortion when the doctor told her that the baby suffered from Anencephaly.

But the permission was denied as she was pregnant beyond 20 weeks. Sonals plight has cast light on Indias 'outdated' abortion law.

If she succeeds in court, she kindles hope for the lakhs of women who are forced to give birth to abnormal or stillborn babies every year.

According to WHO figures, of the 26 million births that occur in India every year, approximately two to three per cent of the foetuses have severe congenital or chromosomal abnormality.

Two female victims of the law and a doctor, Nikhil Datar, have also challenged the validity of the law calling it irrational, outdated, unconstitutional and a violation of womens rights to equality, health, and life.

They want legal limit of abortion to be extended to 26 or 28 weeks.

Sonal also wants an order directing the Centre to provide directions to a hospital for setting up an expert panel of doctors to assess the pregnancy and offer medical termination of pregnancy to her and at least women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence and have passed the period of 20 weeks.

The National Commission for Women, Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of India (FOGSI), the international community, and several other women's groups back the PIL, saying the Act violates women's rights to physical integrity.

Armed with views of several doctors of reputed hospitals, they argue that now with advanced technology available to conduct a safe abortion at any stage without any harm to the health of the mother, the rules need to be drafted in a way to suit the changing times.

Senior lawyer Colin Gonsalves and Sarita Barpanda of the Human Rights Law Network representing Sonal said in the petition: The 20-week period may have been reasonable when the section was enacted in 1971 but has ceased to be reasonable today where technology has advanced and it is perfectly safe for a woman to abort even up to the 28th week and thereafter.

Determination of foetal abnormality in many cases can only be done after the 20th week and by keeping the ceiling artificially low, women who obtain reports of serious foetal abnormality after the 20th week have to suffer excruciating pain and agony on account of the deliveries that they are forced to go through.

The ceiling of 20 weeks is therefore arbitrary, harsh and discriminatory and violative of right to equality and right to life of the Constitution, they said.

Sarojini Sahai, a gynaecologist at Delhi's St. Stephen's Hospital agrees:
After being called a 'prostitute' by senior BJP office bearer, BSP chief Mayawati sought action in the Rajya Sabha over the lynching of Dalit youths in Gujarat by an anti-cow slaughter vigilante group

The BJP has sacked its Uttar Pradesh office bearer for comparing 'Iron Lady' Mayawati to a prostitute.

However this was not enough to placate the former chief minister who has kept the ruling party on its toes over Dalit issues since the Monsoon Session began three days ago.

Mayawati sought action in the Rajya Sabha over the lynching of Dalit youths in Gujarat by an anti-cow slaughter vigilante group.

Her charge, months before Uttar Pradesh elections, had the government on the backfoot and she took up the issue again on Tuesday condemning violence against Dalits in BJP-ruled Gujarat.

Seeing the BSP walking away with the credit, the Congress woke up to the cause and sought to hijack the issue by forcing a statement from the government in both houses.

But the derogatory remarks from BJP office bearer in Uttar Pradesh, Dayashankar Singh, inspired sharp reactions from across the political spectrum.

Leader of house in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley quickly condemned his partys office bearer for making the comment and leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad echoed the sentiments of the entire house.

But the overall sentiment took a political turn when Mayawati pressed for a resolution against the BJP office bearer, condemning his remark.

The treasury benches resisted the move saying that the Opposition should not try to take political advantage of the issue.

Mayawati, who thanked support from the entire house, warned that she would not be responsible for the consequences as the remark has hurt sentiments of her supporter and said that the BJP leader used the derogatory words not against her but his own daughter, mother and sister.

She said that her party workers are so respectful to her that they address her as behen ji (sister).

Members of Dalit Community block the traffic during a protest in Ahmedabad on Wednesday against the assault on Dalit members by cow protectors in Rajkot district, Gujarat

Mayawati said the BJP leader used derogatory words against the Dalits today, and tomorrow this will be repeated against women from minorities or upper castes or backward classes.

Mayawati said her partys founder Kanshi Ram had taken forward the Dalit movement after Dr B.R Ambedkar.

She said that BSP works on his principal of one vote one note as it does not take funds from corporate and relies on donations of supporters.

Earlier, Mayawati had slammed the Congress and the BJP for waking up to the issue of atrocities on Dalits, and questioned why the Congress did not react earlier?

The BJP was clearly in a damage control mood as it defended the Gujarat government for taking prompt action against those who lynched Dalit youths in Una, an incident which sparked violence in the state.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said nine people had been arrested for lynching four Dalit men who were skinning a dead cow.

He cited National Crime Record bureau to underline that the track record of Congress government in checking the incidents was abysmal.

The home minister complimented the Gujarat government for a quick response.

He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was upset about the incident.

BJP under fire in Gujarat

By Gopi Maniar Ghanghar & Maha Siddiqui

The trouble for Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel over the July 11 attack on Dalits in Una has escalated after street protests continued to rock the state and opposition parties openly attacked the government in parliament.

In the Rajya Sabha, BSP chief Mayawati tore through the ruling party after its Uttar Pradesh vice-president Dayashankar Singh, in his comments to reporters, called her worse than a prostitute.

As political storm grew over Singhs comments, party elders ordered his immediate removal from his post in the Uttar Pradesh unit.

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visiting the village in Rajkot district on Wednesday where some dalit members were assaulted by cow protection vigilantes

The former UP chief minister accused the Gujarat administration of inaction over the July 11 assault on four Dalit men for allegedly skinning a dead cow.

Chaos over the Una beatings forced an adjournment of the Rajya Sabha on several occasions.

An angry opposition also cornered the BJP government in the lower house as the Centre sought to defend the beleaguered Gujarat government as it condemned the Una attack.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the house that PM Narendra Modi had also denounced the incident.

Nine men have since been arrested and some police officials suspended, Singh said.

The Gujarat government, according to the central home minister, took all necessary steps immediately.

Social justice and empowerment minister Thaawarchand Gehlot vowed tough action against suspects, but he too rejected allegations chief minister Patel didn't act in time.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is due to visit Una Thursday, while Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is also expected to visit.

In Gujarat, protests continued over anti-Dalit atrocities for another day Wednesday.
In a massive crackdown on foreign-funded NGOs last year, the Home Ministry cancelled over 10,000 registrations - but this year there is just one organisation in the firing line.

The Narendra Modi government came under severe criticism for cracking the whip on NGOs soon after coming to power, and United Nations human rights experts also urged India to repeal the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) that governs foreign funding of the organisations.

This was also communicated to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

MHA officials say this years action against just one NGO compared to 10,020 last year doesnt imply that the government has softened its stand after pressure was exerted by activists

But MHA officials say this years action against just one NGO (compared to 10,020 last year) doesnt imply that the government has softened its stance after pressure was exerted from activists.

'The action needed was taken last year and it sent a strong message bringing the erring NGOs back on track,' said a home ministry official.

Gujarat activist Teesta Setalvads NGO Sabrang Trust was the lone organisation whose FCRA registration was cancelled and foreign funding banned this year.

MODI'S CRACKDOWN ON NGOS Over 10,000 FCRA registrations of foreign- funded NGOs were cancelled last year The Modi government came under severe criticism for cracking the whip on NGOs soon after coming to power UN human rights experts also urged India to repeal the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) that governs foreign funding of NGOs Gujarat activist Teesta Setalvads NGO Sabrang Trust was the lone organisation whose FCRA registration was cancelled and foreign funding banned this year According to MHA data, there were 59 cancellations in 2014 and only four in 2013 There were 4,138 NGOs that lost their foreign aid in 2012 Advertisement

Teesta was one of the activists who took up the cause of victims of Gujarat riots of 2002 and even lashed out at Narendra Modi who was then the Chief Minister.

Cancelling the registration, the government argued that the foreign funds received by the NGO under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence had not been used for the purposes meant.

The order said that, during inspection, MHA found that foreign contribution has been frequently used for items of personal expenses.

The action against foreign funded NGOs in 2015 started soon after Modi took charge and the number of FCRA cancellations of over 10,000 NGOs was far more than in previous years.

According to MHA data in 2014, there were 59 cancellations and in 2013, there were only four.

There were 4,138 NGOs that lost their foreign aid in 2012.

Replying to a parliament question on the need to repeal FCRA as the law was obstructing civil society's access to foreign funding, the MHA stated: 'The government is also aware about the one-sided and biased views expressed by certain persons/associations regarding the cancellation of FCRA registration. MHA has clarified the position against these one sided views earlier.'

Other than cracking the whip on dubious NGOs, intelligence agencies are now focusing their attention on the donors who are using these organisations for money laundering.

Several donors have been blacklisted on suspicion of being part of a money laundering syndicate.

'There is a strong suspicion that some of these donors are funding these organisations to push their agenda and derail Indias economic growth,' said a home ministry official.

While traditional tax havens like Switzerland, Mauritius and the UAE and Thailand are among the top donor countries, frequent donations from smaller countries North Korea, Syria, Cuba, Tonga, Kyrgyzstan, Burkino Faso, Swaziland, Luxembourg and Malta have raised suspicions of large scale money laundering.
Crisis: Italy is scrambling to create a third private rescue fund for its beleaguered banking system

Italy is scrambling to create a third private rescue fund for its beleaguered banking system amid fears lenders could collapse.

Officials are seeking a way of saving the nations third-largest bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, without falling foul of tough European Union bailout rules.

The countrys finance firms were shaken by a massive share sell-off following the Brexit vote.

They are already sitting on a 307billion time bomb of bad debt and the latest market jitters have thrown this problem into sharp relief.

Four small lenders went bankrupt in November and are expected to be bought by US fund Apollo Global Management this week.

The Italian government is forbidden by EU law from stepping in to help and both Brussels and Germany have refused to be flexible.

In any case, with a public debt 132.7 per cent the size of its economy, the nation would struggle to mount a meaningful rescue attempt.

The latest effort involves boosting a privately-backed fund with an extra 1.7billion, to be used to buy bad loans held by Monte dei Paschi.
The drug ring was busted in June and two dozen people involved arrested

It's been revealed health officials knew about the ring but failed to stop it

Hundreds of children affected will now have to be re-vaccinated

Hundreds of children have to be re-vaccinated after receiving fake inoculations from a drug-counterfeiting ring which had been operating for more than a decade.

The drugs, given to Indonesian children, were supplied in stolen vials with forged labels to make them seem legitimate and sold for up to $AUD60 per treatment.

Police in the country have arrested nearly two dozen people involved in the ring which was busted in June, while parents have been rushing to get real vaccinations for their children.

It has also been revealed the country's health officials knew about the ring for years but failed to stop it.

Parents of the victims of fake vaccinations, like this woman, visited Harapan Bunda Hospital in east Jakarta, one of the facilities which provided the counterfeit drugs, to question doctors

An angry crowd of people whose children have been given the counterfeit drugs

Harapan Bunda hospital in East Jakarta, one of the hospitals which administered the fake vaccinations

One woman, identified only as Wulansari is seeking an explanation from the hospital, Harapan Bunda hospital in East Jakarta, which vaccinated her daughter in 2012, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

'I want an explanation from the hospital  I also want to know whether there will be any side effects.

'Perhaps they are not seen now, but what about when she grows older?'

Ria Rahma, whose 14-month-old daughter Louisa also received vaccinations at the same hospital, said the only information she'd received had come from the media.

President Joko Widodo urged calm as public uproar intensified over revelations that health officials knew about the syndicate producing the fake vaccines for several years but did little to stop it.

The scandal has exposed major weaknesses in the government's oversight of the health sector, which has expanded rapidly alongside a growing middle class.

No illnesses or deaths have been directly linked to the fake vaccines, officials have said.

President Joko Widodo [pictured] urged calm as public uproar intensified over revelations that health officials knew about the syndicate

'I want to ask people to stay calm because this incident happened over such a long time,' Widodo told reporters at a Jakarta clinic offering re-vaccinations.

'We need more time to investigate so we can get the real data of people who suffered from these fake vaccines.'

The ring used stolen vials and forged labels to make the fake medicine look like imported vaccines produced by GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi. State-owned Bio Farma produces nearly all vaccines available in Indonesia.

The syndicate sold fake booster vaccines for hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough to at least 14 health facilities in Jakarta and elsewhere on Java island.

Health officials said the sham vaccines contained the antibiotic gentamicin and saline solution and were not harmful and made up only 1 percent of total vaccines in Indonesia.

Investigators are trying to determine how widely the fake drugs were distributed.

Police have arrested nearly two dozen people, including drugmakers, pharmacists, doctors and nurses.

Hundreds of people visited the Harapan Bunda Hospital to ask for clarification from doctors [middle in white] related to the fake vaccines

Proof of immunization books show alleged fake vaccines at the Harapan Bunda Hospital

Hundreds of people visited the Harapan Bunda Hospital demanding answers about the fake vaccinations

The fake medicine was sold to customers for up to 800,000 rupiah ($60) a dose, a big mark-up compared with government-subsidized vaccines that are sold for as little as 5,000 rupiah, police said.

Some parents were told by health workers the imported vaccines were better for their children, officials said.

Police have identified at least 197 children for re-vaccination, but many more are expected to be confirmed.

Health Minister Nila Moeloek said officials knew fake vaccines were being distributed in 2013 but she declined to say why action was not taken sooner.

The president has ordered an overhaul of the food and drug monitoring agency.

One mother, Rina Herlina Sari, said she no longer trusted private clinics.

'The government should revoke their permits,' she said after her baby daughter got a re-vaccination at a government health centre in Jakarta's outskirts.

The clinic accused of giving Sari's daughter and other children fake vaccines was found to be still operating.

Its main midwife had been arrested but other staff were working.

Agung Setya, director of criminal police investigations said: 'The overall facility is a health facility with other areas of care so we have to allow it to continue'.

'It is up to the health ministry to decide whether to shut it down.'

One woman said the only information she'd received about the vaccinations had come from the media
Relaxing on a terrace of a private villa overlooking the sparkling waters of the Marmaris Sea, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had little idea he would be facing the most momentous 12 hours of his life.

But as darkness fell over the luxury home in the popular tourist resort of Marmaris he received a telephone call telling him he his life was in peril as well as the future of Turkey.

On the other end of the line was a military commander warning him three Blackhawk helicopters carrying rebel soldiers were on their way to kill or capture him.

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Retreat: President Recep Erdogan was staying in a luxury holiday villa in Marmaris when a general phoned to tell him of the bloody coup - and he fled in his private jet

Raid: Just fifteen minutes later special forces arrived in three Blackhawk helicopters... but went to the hotel next door to the villa to assassinate him

Target: They fired bullets all over the Grand Yazici hotel thinking that Erdogan was staying there, but 62-year-old President had been holidaying next door

In a panic the 62-year-old Turkish president was whisked under armed guard to a private jet waiting at a nearby airfield as the three choppers swooped on the resort where he had been staying.

But even aboard the presidential jet the terror for the Turkish leader was not over as he was told two rogue F-16 fighter jets were scouring the skies to shoot down his jet.

Only the quick thinking of his pilots averted disaster as they were able to mask the identity of the Gulfstream presidential jet and trick the rebel pilots into thinking they were a passenger jet.

Two hours later Mr Erdogan was safely in Istanbul and having rallied those loyal to him put down the coup.

The thought of being killed or even taken prisoner was most likely furthest from Mr Erdogan's mind when he arrived at the private villa owned by former rally driver Serkan Yazici.

His father Ibrahim, who died of a heart attack in 2012, was a close friend of the president thanks to his own political career.

Ibrahim was a member of the Turkish Parliament for two terms from 1996 to 2002, as a deputy for the centre-right Motherland Party (ANAP) and the True Path Party (DYP).

His family own the Yazici Mares hotel as well as an adjoining hotel, The Grand Yazici Club Turban, where British tourists were woken by the sound of gunfire as rebel troops attempted to seek out and kill the president.

Gunfire: Troops opened fire at the hotel before they realised the President was nowhere to be seen and had not been staying at the holiday destination

Horror: Terrified tourists were forced to shelter in their bedrooms as bullets ricocheted off the walls of the hotel and military Blackhawk helicopters hovered overhead

Shelter: British holidaymakers Mike Dignan and his wife Sarah huddled together with their children on the bedroom floor as gunfire rang out. Mike, from Rosyth, Scotland, told how it was the 'scariest night of his life'.

Beauty: President Erdogan was warned by First Army Commander Umit Dundar that the coup had launched and he was a target, allowing him to escape from the villa before the rebels came looking

Mr Erdogan admitted later he cheated possible death by just 15 minutes and credited a telephone call from First Army Commander Umit Dundar an hour before the coup began with saving his life.

According to reports in the Turkish media Commander Dundar told him rebel troops were heading for his villa in the Marmaris resort to either kill him or take him prisoner.

The commander assured him of his support telling him 'You are our legitimate president.

'I am at your side, there is a huge coup and the situation is out of control in Ankara. Come to Istanbul and I will secure your access to the roads and accommodations there.'

You are our legitimate president. I am at your side, there is a huge coup and the situation is out of control in Ankara. First Army Commander Unit Dundar

As the president's guards sealed off the villa, Mr Erdogan was rushed by car to the nearest airport at Dalaman where his Gulfstream IV jet had been refueled and was ready for takeoff.

By the time the 30m jet was airborne three Blackhawk attack helicopters carrying special forces were approaching the holiday villa.

The soldiers stormed the hotel looking for Mr Erdogan to either capture or kill him - but were 15 minutes too late.

Soldiers loyal to the president engaged in a fierce gun battle with rebels.

Tourist staying in the hotel were woken by the sound of low flying helicopters and then gunfire as the battle raged.

Among those left terrified by the gun battle were the Dignan family who were forced to take cover on the bedroom floor.

Mike and his wife Sarah lay huddled together with their children as gunfire rang out.

Mr Dignan, from Rosyth, Scotland, told the Sunday Post newspaper it was the 'scariest night of his life.'

He told the paper: 'I was woken up by an almighty rumble. I thought there were tanks.

Carnage: Photographs of the Grand Yazici hotel after it was raided by rebels show bullet holes in the walls and great chunks taken out of the furniture

Fear: Shards of glass from the hotel windows covered the floor and holes showed where bullets had embedded themselves in the furniture

Devastated: Just hours before the rebel soldiers came to find and kill President Erdogan, both the Turkish leader and holidaymakers had been relaxing in the resort of Marmaris

Scarred: Although the coup was quashed after just five hours and President Erdogan was able to escape, the devastation at the hotel in the resort of Marmaris remained

'It turned out it was military helicopters. They are black so we could barely see them in the darkness.

'They were shining a light into the hotel next door. We started hearing small gunfire. It was the odd shot and then it became more fierce.

'Police started firing at the helicopters. Then the helicopters started firing back. We shut ourselves in the bedroom.

'We heard shouting and people running around outside our complex, some past our door. Soldiers were trying to get in the hotel next door to get Erdogan and the police were fighting back.'

My mind is haunted though. What if the military come back? This resort is still connected somehow to Erdogan. Holidaymaker Gertjan de Graaf

IT worker Mike, 40, and bakery worker Sarah, 39, were almost two weeks into their holiday when the coup was launched on Friday night.

Another hotel guest, Gertjan de Graaf, from the Netherlands, said: 'We did not sleep a wink of course, but I'm still not tired.

'I doubt I'll sleep well tonight. A Turk this morning told us we should go back to the Netherlands.

'We don't want to, but now it looks like we will be sent to another hotel. My mind is haunted though. What if the military come back? This resort is still connected somehow to Erdogan.'

Mr de Graaf and his family arrived back at their hotel around 11.30pm on the night of the coup, turned on the TV and saw the news about the chaos in the country.

'I thought it was bad for those people, but Istanbul and Ankara are far away, so I didn't worry and went to sleep.'

But they were woken at 3.30am by the popping of guns  which they thought at first were fireworks  and his wife Theresa went to the door to see what was going on.

She was met by the sight of military rebels running around the hotel armed with machine guns.

'You want to see what is going on, but she found herself face to face with a soldier with a machine gun in his hands,' continued Mr de Graaf.

The soldiers were shouting in broken English: 'Where Erdogan stay? Erdogan stay?'

Getaway: President Erdogan was able to escape from the resort of Marmaris and return to Istanbul during the coup, on a Gulfstream IV (pictured) belonging to the Turkish government

Information: It was while on board the plane - one of four available to the president - that he was fully briefed on the coup attempt and how best to stop it. Pictured, inside the presidential jet, an Airbus a330-200 Prestige

Vital: As President Erdogan's plane returned to Istanbul, the 40 soldiers who had been sent to find him and kill him fled into the surrounding mountains. Pictured, inside the presidential jet, an Airbus a330-200 Prestige

Danger: The president didn't know but, as the plane took him back to Istanbul, two F-16s took off from an airport outside Ankara on the hunt for his plane as they flew through the night. Pictured, the presidential jet

Close call: Had they found the plane, the fighter jets would have shot it down or escorted it to an airfield controlled by the coup plotters. Pictured, inside the presidential jet, an Airbus a330-200 Prestige

Quick thinking: According to Cenciotti, the pilots altered their transponder signal so that it made the Gulfstream look like a civilian Turkish airline jet. Pictured, layout of the presidential Airbus a330-200 Prestige

Survival: The quick thinking by the Gulfstream pilots undoubtedly saved Erdogan's life as the presidential jet assumed the 'identity' THY 8456 and that of a Turkish airlines flight

Mr de Graaf woke up their children and the family hid in the bathroom, his daughter was crying.

The police then arrived at about 5am and there was more gunfire, explosions and helicopters overhead.

'It went on and on. Occasionally we heard loud explosions,' said Mr de Graaf, who didn't leave the bathroom until 6am when the carnage had died down.

Two bullets had shattered the glass in the bedroom window. The towel that was hanging outside on the balcony was riddled with seven bullets.

Two of my guards were killed. Had I stayed there 10 or 15 minutes longer, I would have been killed or captured. President Erdogan

The family weren't allowed to leave their room until 9am.

The Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet reported that during the mission to kill or capture the President one of the helicopters suffered a malfunction and was forced to make an emergency landing.

Outnumbered, the 40 special forces sent to find Mr Erdogan fled into the surrounding mountains.

On board his private Gulfstream jet - one of four presidential plans  Mr Erdogan was being fully briefed on the coup attempt.

He later told CNN: 'An operation was carried out in Marmaris, directed against me. Two of my guards were killed. Had I stayed there 10 or 15 minutes longer, I would have been killed or captured.'

The tyrannical leader has amassed a vast 139million fortune, with at least three palaces across Turkey.

The latest addition to his collection, the sprawling White Palace on the outskirts of the capital city of Ankara, cost an astronomical 500million to build - more than twice the original estimates.

The palatial home is decorated with silk wallpaper costing as much as 2,000 a roll, while the carpet bill alone came to more than 7million.

Decor: President Erdogan was with his wife Ermine at the retreat, which is next door to Grand Yazici, where gun-toting special forces raided in a hail of bullets trying to assassinate the President in the coup

Expensive: Critics of the president's palace (pictured) have said it is so extravagant that it would have made Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, known for his love of gold and jewel encrusted fittings, blush

Home: President Erdogan and his wife Emine live in the luxurious White Palace, on the outskirts of Ankara

Overblown: Parts of the White Palace are decorated with wallpaper that cost 2,000 a roll, and the building's carpet bill alone came to more than 7million

High society: Mrs Erdogan and her husband like to entertain at their 500m palace in the foothills of the capital Ankara to build with no expense spared on its fixture and fittings

Collector: While accompanying her husband on an official visit to Warsaw in Poland, Emine Erdogan blew through more than 37,000 while browsing an antiques bazaar

Shopping: Emine Erdogan's jet-set lifestyle is a whirlwind of one shopping trip after another, with her particular passions being designer clothes and expensive antiques

Critics have described the building as so extravagant that it would have made Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, known for his love of gold and jewel encrusted fittings, blush.

According to the president, however, the expense was worth it as it puts Turkey on the global map.

Meanwhile his 'shopaholic' wife tours the world at his side and spending as she goes.

Despite claiming she leads a humble lifestyle  even fermenting apples to make her own vinegar  Emine has a passion for designer clothes and expensive antiques, blowing more than 37,000 in just one shopping trip to a bazaar in Warsaw.

But while tanks rolled across the two main bridges in Istanbul and gunfire and explosions echoed round the city, Erdogan was mid-way through the 400 mile flight.

He was unaware that at 10pm two F-16 fighter jets took off from Akinci airbase just north of Ankara on a seek and destroy mission.

According to aviation expert David Cenciotti the jet fighters searched the skies with their nose-mounted radar.

The pilots of the twin engine Gulfstream would have been made aware that the F-16s were looking for them to shoot down or escort to an airfield controlled by the coup plotters.

According to Mr Cenciotti the pilots altered their transponder signal so that it made the Gulfstream look like a civilian Turkish airline jet.

The transponder is an electronic signal that reveals the plane's identity and used by air traffic controllers to keep track of planes in the air.

The quick thinking by the Gulfstream pilots undoubtedly saved Mr Erdogan's life as the presidential jet assumed the 'identity' THY 8456 - that of a Turkish airlines flight.

It is thought the rebel pilots were unsure of the identity of the jet above the darkened skies of Istanbul and didn't want to take the risk shooting down a passenger jet.

'The risk of shooting down another plane, and losing credibility too, could be a factor affecting the coup's F-16s [ability] to shoot down his plane and kill Erdogan,' Mr Cenciotti wrote on his blog The Aviationist.

Mr Erdogan's plane circled above Istanbul airport for 30 minutes before troops were finally able to confirm it was secure to land.

Once on the ground, Mr Erdogan called a Turkish TV station through Face time and urged the people to take to the streets and rise up against the coup.
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his frontbench were officially sworn in to parliament on Tuesday with many familiar faces among the new government.

Mr Turnbull swore in 23 cabinet ministers - the most since the Whitlam government in 1975 when all ministers were in cabinet and the outer ministry was abandoned.

Returning to the frontbench are well-known ministers such as Julie Bishop, Peter Dutton, Barnaby Joyce, Scott Morrison, Michaelia Cash, Kelly O'Dwyer and Christopher Pyne.

How many can you name? Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and his new ministry were officially sworn in on Tuesday - but do you know who the 41 MPs pictured are?

PRIME MINISTER MALCOLM TURNBULL'S FULL MINISTRY 1. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull 2. Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop 3. Treasurer Scott Morrison 4. Minister for Defence Industry and Leader of the House Christopher Pyne 5. Minister for Finance and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate Mathias Cormann 6. Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Keith Pitt 7. Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs Zed Seselja 8. Minister for International Development and the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells 9. Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and Deputy Leader of the House Darren Chester 10. Minister for Revenue and Financial Services Kelly O'Dwyer 11. Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton 12. Cabinet Secretary Arthur Sinodinos 13. Minister for Health and Aged Care and Minister for Sport Sussan Ley 14. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce 15. Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Local Government and Territories and Minister for Regional Communications Fiona Nash 16. Minister for Education and Training Simon Birmingham 17. Attorney-General, Vice-President of the Executive Council, Leader of the Government in the Senate George Brandis 18. Minister for Communications, Minister for the Arts and Manager of Government Business in the Senate Mitch Fifield 19. Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Greg Hunt 20. Assistant Minister for Social Services and Disability Services Jane Prentice 21. Assistant Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Craig Laundy 22. Minister for Human Services Alan Tudge 23. Minister for the Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg 24. Minister for Social Services Christian Porter 25. Minister for Women, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Employment Michaelia Cash 26. Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher 27. Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister James McGrath 28. Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor 29. Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steve Ciobo 30. Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister Luke Hartsuyker 31. Minister for Defence Marise Payne 32. Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston 33. Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Matt Canavan 34. Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills Karen Andrews 35. Assistant Minister for Rural Health Dr David Gillespie 36. Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion 37. Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Alex Hawke 38. Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Counter-Terrorism Michael Keenan 39. Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ken Wyatt 40. Special Minister of State and Minister Assisting the Cabinet Secretary Scott Ryan 41. Minister for Small Business Michael McCormack 42. (not pictured) Minister for Veterans Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security Dan Tehan Advertisement

However also among them are some less familiar faces including the new Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affiars Zed Seseljia, who was just promoted to the frontbench, and Dr David Gillespie who has been appointed Assistant Minister for Rural Health.

Absent from Tuesday's ceremony was Dan Tehan, who has been appointed Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Veterans Affairs, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of ANZAC, and Minister for Defence Personnel.

The new government will sit for the first time on August 30. The last time both the Senate and the House of Representatives sat at the same time was was on May 4 - just after the Budget was announced.

Due to the long election campaign and the delay in calling it, that's just shy of four months that parliament won't have sat for.

Returning to the frontbench are well-known ministers such as Julie Bishop (centre), Peter Dutton (behind Bishop), Barnaby Joyce (far left), Scott Morrison (second from right), and Christopher Pyne (far right)

Minister for Revenue and Financial Services Kelly O'Dwyer (right) poses with Minister for Social Services Christian Porter (left)

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull with fourteen-month-old Olivia O'Dwyer, the daughter of Kelly O'Dwyer

During the ceremony on Tuesday Governor-General Peter Cosgrove was at times interrupted by squealing and giggles from members of the new-look ministry's children.

Children were running rife during the ceremony with many ministers old and new bringing along their young families to help commemorate the day.

'It's baby central,' Kelly O'Dwyer cried as she arrived for Tuesday's ceremony, walking up the driveway of Government House with 14-month-old daughter Olivia in her arms, just as cabinet colleague Christian Porter emerged from his car carrying son Lachlan.

The newest member of cabinet, Matt Canavan, arrived with his four young sons wearing matching blue shirts, while Justice Minister Michael Keenan was also accompanied by his young family.

'Are you excited?' he asked sons William and Theo, who replied 'yes' with beaming smiles.

Treasurer Scott Morrison was sworn in by Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove on Tuesday

Special Minister of State and Minister Assisting the Cabinet Secretary Scott Ryan brought his huge bible to be sworn in on

Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop is pictured above on Tuesday

One by one, Mr Turnbull's ministers rose with bibles in hand to make their pledges.

Michaelia Cash received a 'hear hear' as she stood to take her oath, celebrating her birthday as well as her swearing-in.

But aside from new Special Minister of State Scott Ryan's trademark humongous bible, an 1880s family heirloom, it was the kids who stole the show.

'Is that a Cormann kid?' Darren Chester quipped, as the cooing of cabinet colleague Mathias Cormann's baby girl Charlotte distracted from Marise Payne taking her oath as defence minister.

It wasn't long before the one-hour ceremony took its toll on the younger members of the audience.
An elderly woman was so severely neglected by her daughter she was found dead lying on a plastic sheet covered in her own faeces, weighing only 29 kilograms and with insects eating her rotting flesh, a court has heard.

Ena Lia Dung, 77, had 14 broken ribs, a cracked sternum, severe bed sores and serious internal injuries when police found her emancipated body inside the Auckland home she shared with her daughter Cindy Melissa Taylor and two unrelated adults in 2015, the NZ Herald reported.

The 43-year-old has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges over the 'disturbing' death in the Auckland High Court, with her two married flat mates - Luana Taylor, 56, and Brian Taylor, 62 - also rejecting allegations they failed to give the vulnerable woman appropriate care before she died.

Crown prosecutor Natalie Walker said the three accused allowed Ms Dung to die a slow and painful death as evidence about the shocking condition she was found in was revealed during the trial.

Cindy Melissa Taylor (pictured) is facing manslaughter charges after her mother was found dead lying on a plastic sheet covered in her own faeces, weighing only 29 kilograms and with insects eating her rotting flesh

'The three defendants all allowed her to die what was undoubtedly a miserable death in that house,' Walker said according to Stuff.co.nz.

'This is a case about the gross neglect of an elderly and very vulnerable woman,' she added.

The court heard Luana Taylor had called emergency services on January 16 to report Ms Dung was unresponsive but refused to give CPR on 'religious grounds' when asked by the operator, according to Stuff.co.nz.

Paramedics were reportedly met with a horrific stench when they arrived at the house and found Ms Dung lying on a green plastic sheet covered in faeces and urine which had left her skin covered in chemical burns.

Tristain Sames was one of the first on the scene and said the smell was so bad he had to shut the door and take some time to compose himself before holding his breath and re-entering.

'An overpowering smell of stale urine or ammonia; one of the strongest smells, if not the strongest smell, I've had in this line of work. It was enough to start me gagging,' he told the court according to the NZ Herald.

Another paramedic said the smell brought tears to his eyes before he even had the chance to lay eyes on the woman who was 'just skin and bone, basically a scarecrow'.

Ms Walker told the court the victim's body was rotting and the house smelled of gangrene but she was found to be healthy, with no other evidence of injuries or illness that would have caused her death.

Paramedics were met with a horrific stench and found Ms Dung lying on a green plastic sheet (pictured) covered in faeces and urine which had left her skin covered in chemical burns (stock image)

Forensic pathologist Fintan Garavan told the court on Wednesday Ms Dung's rotting flesh had started to be consumed by insects, making her body resemble that of a person who was left outside after death, the NZ Herald reported.

He said necrotic ulcers, pressure sores and chemical burns had formed on her skin after she lay in her own waste for extended periods of time, adding her condition was the result of 'extremely poor hygiene and extremely poor nursing standards'.

Justice Edwin Wylie (pictured) has listened to two days of evidence in the shocking case which is expected to last up to three weeks

Dr Garavan said Mr Dung's lungs were inflamed and she had multiple broken bones - the most he had ever seen in his career, Stuff.co.nz reported.

He said they could have been caused by multiple falls, one serious fall or they could have been caused intentionally by another person but could not give a date for when they occurred.

'To have so many broken ribs it's very painful and to have so many... it's going to interfere with your ability to breathe,' he said according to Stuff.co.nz.

The pathologist said he 'struggled' to understand how she had so many broken bones and still received no medical attention.

After seeing the extent of Ms Dung's injuries Dr Garavan was extremely concerned and reportedly decided to contact police so he could ask them to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

All three defendants told police Ms Dung had refused to eat for ten days before she died and would not use the toilet to relieve herself which is why the green tarp was laid underneath her.

Cindy Taylor said she saw her mother only hours before her death and had tried to force feed her in the days prior but she refused.

She also claimed her mother was bulimic but medical records found by police reportedly suggested her weight had not dropped below 52 kilograms before 2009.

Mr Taylor said he had seen Ms Dung through the window on the day of her death but did not check on her as the elderly woman's care was her daughter's responsibility, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Mr Taylor's lawyer argued the prosecution would have to prove he was in close contact with Ms Dung before her death and had been aware she was close to dying for the manslaughter charge to stick, the NZ Herald reported.

The Auckland High Court (pictured) is yet to hear from a neighbour who claimed to have seen Cindy Taylor abusing her mother and witnessed her weight decrease dramatically

Luana Taylor, who is in a wheelchair, told police she had recently contacted Healthline about Ms Dung's deteriorating condition, Stuff.co.nz reported.

She was instructed to contact mental health advocates or police if Ms Dung's condition worsened but she took no action until making a 'disingenuous' call for help to 111 after her death, the court heard.

The court is yet to hear from a neighbour who claimed to have seen Cindy Taylor abusing her mother and witnessed her weight decrease dramatically, Stuff.co.nz reported.

Cindy Taylor is also facing charges for obtaining money by deception after police found she had withdrawn money from her mother's superannuation account, spent $1,750 on her EFTPOS card and was also using her deceased uncle's account.

According to Stuff.co.nz, the prosecution alleged she withdrew up to $37,000 from their collective bank accounts but refused to tell police where the money went or what it was used for.
North Korea's state radio has recently broadcast strings of indecipherable numbers in a possible move echoing a Cold War-era method of sending coded messages to spies operating in South Korea.

A female announcer at the radio station read numbers for two minutes on June 24 and 14 minutes on Friday, according to Seoul's Unification Ministry and National Intelligence Service, including phrases such as 'turn to page 459, question 35' in what she described as a mathematics assignment.

During the Cold War, Pyongyang sent such numbers via shortwave radio to give missions to agents dispatched to South Korea, according to captured North Korean spies.

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North Korea's state radio has recently broadcast strings of indecipherable numbers in a possible move echoing a Cold War-era method of sending coded messages to spies operating in South Korea

'Now we'll begin a mathematics review assignment for members of the 27th expeditionary unit of the distance learning university,' the woman's voice crackled over the radio.

'Turn to page 459, question 35, 913, question 55; 135, question 86.'

The messages, a recording of which was broadcast by South Korean TV channel KBS, were disguised as a mathematics lesson for distance learners and reappeared on North Korean radio station Voice of Korea in the early hours of Friday.

The radio messages, also known as numbers stations, work by broadcasting strings of seemingly random numbers over shortwave signals to an agent in the field.

The technique, a method of sending one-way secret messages, dates to the French Resistance in World War Two and is still in use by some governments today.

South Korea jams most North Korean radio frequencies but Pyongyang-based Voice of Korea broadcasts on shortwave signals which can be picked up far beyond the Korean peninsula, and are difficult to jam.

The receiving agent, armed with a radio and a pen, uses an easily concealed pad with corresponding letters on it to listen to and decrypt the secret message.

A female announcer at the radio station read numbers for two minutes on June 24 and 14 minutes on Friday including phrases such as 'Number 35 on Page 459' and 'Number 55 on Page 913', in a mimic of Cold War-era tactics in which shortwave radios like this were used

'(North Korean) numbers broadcasts have been on hold for quite some time but have recently resumed, something we think is very regrettable,' Jeong Joon-hee, a spokesman for South Korea's unification ministry, told a media briefing on Wednesday.

It was not clear whether the signals were meant to deceive or deliver genuine instructions.

'I can't speak to their intentions, but we hope that the North will refrain from an old practice like this and behave in a manner that's conducive to improving South-North ties,' Jeong said.

Neither the Unification Ministry nor the NIS elaborated on whether South Korea believes the North's recent broadcasts were meant to send information to agents in the field.

The North reportedly stopped such broadcasts once it could communicate with its spies overseas via the internet, and as animosities with South Korea eased following a historic inter-Korean summit meeting in 2000.

Relations have deteriorated greatly since then as North Korea has pursued the development of nuclear weapons despite international sanctions.

Some experts in Seoul view the messages as a North Korean attempt to wage psychological warfare.

Yoo Dongryul, head of the Seoul-based Korea Institute of Liberal Democracy, said the North may be trying to deceive South Korean intelligence officials into believing it's moving to increase its espionage operations.

He said it's unlikely the North would rely on old-fashioned 'number stations' broadcasts, whose hard-to-reset coding patterns had already been exposed to South Korean intelligence officers.

He said North Korea currently uses a more sophisticated espionage communication method known as steganography, in which secret messages are hidden within audio and video files.

On Tuesday, North Korea fired three ballistic missiles into the sea, according to Seoul defense officials

For decades after the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, the rival Koreas sent agents across their heavily fortified border to infiltrate to each other's territory.

But in recent years, both sides are believed to be focusing on less risky intelligence-gathering activities, such as information from the internet and satellite photos.

Seoul accuses Pyongyang of sending spies disguised as ordinary refugees seeking to resettle in South Korea or nurturing pro-North figures in the South.

News of the North Korean broadcast came as North Korea is angrily reacting to the planned deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defence system in South Korea.
A black worker who used a broomstick to smash a stained-glass window at Yale University because it depicted slaves has got his job back.

Corey Menafee, 38, said he destroyed the window inside Calhoun College because he found it offensive.

He later apologized for the damage and resigned his job as a dining services worker.

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Corey Menafee, pictured, resigned last month after taking a broomstick to the window inside the dining hall at Calhoun College

But he then asked, through his union, for his job back.

YALE'S STAINED GLASS WINDOWS One panel, titled 'Negro with a watermelon' was removed from the Sterling Memorial Library after employees complained in the 90s. Another panel at the library references 'Heathen Chinee', a narrative poem that was intended as a satire, but instead reinforced racist sentiments. A stained glass depiction of a shackled slave kneeling before Calhoun was removed from the dorm's common room in 1992 following a student campaign. Menafee broke a stained glass panel showing two slaves carrying picked cotton in the fields. Advertisement

Yale spokesman Karen Peart said the college was willing to give him 'a second chance'.

She said the university had informed his attorney he would be allowed to return to a position in 'a different setting'.

'We are willing to take these unusual steps given the unique circumstances of this matter,' said Ms Peart.

The college gets its controversial name from former Vice President John C. Calhoun, an 1804 Yale graduate who was an ardent defender of slavery until his death 10 years before the Civil War.

Menafee's attorney, Patricia Kane, said he was 'delighted to accept Yale's offer' and would be reporting for work on Monday morning.

Yale has also asked state prosecutors to drop charges of reckless endangerment and criminal mischief against Menafee.

Menafee could face one to five years in prison along with a fine up to $5,000 for criminal mischief.

The reckless endangerment charge carries a sentence up to two years in addition to fines up to $1,000.

Menafee said the window's portrayal of slaves in a cotton field (pictured) was offensive

Menafee is a father of two who graduated from Virginia Union University in 2001 and previously worked as a substitute teacher.

He worked at the Ivy League school's Calhoun dining hall and had won support of student activists.

In April, after a round of protests by students and others who wanted the name changed, Yale President Peter Salovey announced the college would continue to carry Calhoun's name but Yale would take other steps to address its history with regard to slavery.

The college removed a glass panel in the common room showing a slave kneeling at Calhoun's feet after a student campaign in 1992, according to the Yale Daily News.
Carlos Guzman was charged with animal cruelty

An Alabama man is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly killing two of his neighbors' dogs by poisoning them with anti-freeze.

Carlos Enrique Guzman, 27, of Attalla, was seen pouring something from a bottle onto some food before feeding it to the two Chihuahuas, chief investigator Doug Jordan said.

Police said the bottle, which Guzman threw into the woods, was recovered and preliminary tests indicate it contained anti-freeze with the compound ethylene glycol.

Two residents who live on Wilson Circle in Attalla, about 60 miles northeast of Birmingham, called the police after their two dogs became ill earlier this month.

'That kind of poisoning causes a good bit of suffering for a dog,' Jordan said.

The dogs' bodies have been sent to the Mitchem-Sparks State Diagnostic Lab for testing, AL.com reported.

Guzman was arrested on Thursday and Jordan said investigators spoke with the district attorney's office, which charged him with first-degree animal cruelty, a felony.

He has been released on $5,000 bond.

Anti-freeze poisoning affects the brain, liver and kidneys, and just three ounces can cause symptoms like vomiting, delirium, and seizures before killing a medium-sized dog.
Two state troopers involved in the beating of a man who dropped to his hands and knees after leading police on a 50-mile car chase were arrested Tuesday.

Joseph Flynn, 32, of the Massachusetts State Police and Andrew Monaco, 31, of the New Hampshire State Police, have been charged with simple assault due to their use of force.

In a shocking video captured by a TV news helicopter, Richard Simone Jr, appeared to surrender before the vicious attack left him with post-concussive syndrome according to medical reports.

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Joseph Flynn, 32, (left) of the Massachusetts State Police and Andrew Monaco, 31, (right) of the New Hampshire State Police, have been charged with simple assault

Richard Simone Jr, 50, (pictured) refused to stop for police in Holden, Massachusetts, on May 11, leading them on an hour-long chase with speeds up to 100 mph that ended in Nashua, New Hampshire

In a shocking video captured by a TV news helicopter, Richard Simone Jr, appeared to get out of his car (left) and surrender (right) before the vicious attack left him with post-concussive syndrome

The officers approached him cautiously, until Monaco began punching Simone on the left side of his head, according to complaints filed against the troopers

Both Monaco and Flynn punched Simone repeatedly while he was prone on the ground. Monaco also kneed Simone multiple times.

Authorities say Simone, 50, refused to stop for police in Holden, Massachusetts, on May 11, leading them on an hour-long chase with speeds up to 100 mph that ended in Nashua, New Hampshire.

The video shows Simone stepping out of his pickup truck before kneeling and placing his hands on the ground.

The officers are seen approaching him cautiously, until Monaco begins punching Simone on the left side of his head, according to complaints filed against the troopers.

Both Monaco and Flynn punched Simone repeatedly while he was prone on the ground. Monaco also kneed Simone multiple times.

New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan said the footage raised 'serious concerns' about use of force.

'We must treat this incident with the utmost seriousness without disparaging all of the hard-working police officers who put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe,' she said.

Flynn has been charged with two counts of simple assault while Monaco was charged with three. They were both suspended.

The charge is a misdemeanor and carries up to a year in jail, but New Hampshire law stipulates more serious penalties to on-duty law enforcement officers.

Each charge is subject to an enhanced penalty of up to five years, the attorney general said.

Simone (pictured being taken into custody) said he was repeatedly told to 'stop resisting' although his arms were behind his back, according to the complaints. The incident was captured by a TV news helicopter

Monaco was released Tuesday on $3,000 personal recognizance bond, and Flynn was released on $2,000 bond.

They are scheduled to be arraigned September 13 in Nashua.

Simone later told investigators he was repeatedly told to 'stop resisting' although his arms were behind his back while the attack continued, according to the complaints.

Simone told investigators he received three stitches in his ear while medical records indicate he was diagnosed with possible post-concussive syndrome following the beating.

Post-concussive syndrome is caused by a head injury, where symptoms like headaches, dizziness, sleep problems, depression, anxiety and cognitive issues can last for weeks or months.
A police officer who has been unconscious since being blasted by the Baton Rouge shooter on Sunday squeezed the hand of a family member when she told him: 'We need you'.

Nicholas Tullier, 41, responded when given the message by his family who have not left his bedside since he was shot in the stomach and the back of the head on Sunday morning.

Tullier, a father of two teenage boys, is in 'very, very critical condition' and doctors are using a ventilator to keep him breathing.

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East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputy Nicholas Tullier, 41, was shot in the stomach and the back of the head on Sunday morning by Gavin Long

Since the shooting, Tullier (pictured with an unidentified woman), has been unconscious and in 'very, very critical condition'

He is said to be in 'God's hands' having failed to regain consciousness since the shooting - but his family are praying he will pull through

Relative Carol McManus told Daily Mail Online that the family 'need prayers more than anything'.

She said: 'All of his close family are at the hospital and they are not leaving him.

'The doctors have said that the first three days will be rough and after that he will hopefully get better. He's using a ventilator when he has trouble breathing. He hasn't woken up yet.

'They were telling him: "I need you" when he squeezed their hand. He's still with us, he can hear us.'

Tullier, an East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputy, was one of three cops who were injured by 29-year-old Gavin Long during his massacre in the Louisiana capital, which also left three officers dead.

The 18-year law-enforcement veteran was gunned down inside his squad car afer Long had already killed the three other cops.

He had just returned to his police car after writing down the license plate for Long's rental vehicle when Long advanced on him, firing into the cruiser.

A Gofundme account has been set up to raise money for Tullier's two boys, aged 16 and 18.

Relative Carol McManus told Daily Mail Online that the family 'need prayers more than anything'. She added, however, that Tullier squeezed a relative's hand from his hospital bed after she told him, 'We need you'

The officers shot and killed on Sunday have been named as Montrell Jackson, 32 (left), Matthew Gerald, 41 (center), and Brad Garafola (right), 45

Gavin Long, 29, killed three cops and injured three more during a shooting rampage in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Sunday

Family friend Dr Ronald Coe said that he set it up to help the boys in case their father cannot provide for them due to his injuries.

So far it has raised more than $25,100 of a goal of $100,000

Dr Coe said: 'I saw there were Gofundme accounts for the other officers but not one for Nick, so I set one up.

'I just want everyone to know that our lives are all interdependent.'

At a press conference on Monday East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said Tullier was in a 'very, very critical condition'.

He said: 'It's been touch and go for the family. He's been in and out, so to speak. His vitals have gone up and down.

'We're just praying for him. It's in God's hands, and we just have to see what happens'.

Dechia Gerald, wife of slain Baton Rouge police officer Matthew Gerald, cries while holding their children Fynleigh, left, and Dawclyn, right, during a candlelight vigil at the Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge on Monday

The other injured officers were an as yet unnamed Baton Rouge police cop and East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputy Bruce Simmons, 51, who has undergone two surgeries and faces many more.

At the press conference officials said that the bone from his elbow to shoulder was completely shattered and he now has a titanium rod in his arm.

A spokeswoman for Baton Rouge General Hospital, where he is being treated, said he was in a 'good' condition.

Long killed Baton Rouge Police officers Montrell Jackson, 32, who has a wife and four-month-old son, and former Marine Matthew Gerald, 41, a married father-of-two.

He also executed East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputy Garafolo, 45, as he left his cover behind a dumpster and came to the aid of a wounded officer during the shootout.

Long was shot dead from 100 yards away by a Baton Rouge Police SWAT officer who had responded to the scene.

Had Long not been stopped the officials have said they were convinced he was heading for the Baton Rouge police Headquarters a mile away to kill more officers.
Bangladesh authorities are looking into a man with suspected links to Islamic State who was living in Australia as they investigate a deadly terror attack that saw 22 slaughtered by knife-wielding terrorists at a cafe in Dhaka.

Authorities initially said the deadly attack at the Dhaka cafe on July 1 was not linked to ISIS but are now investigating possible foreign involvement from suspected Islamic State recruiters.

Among those being tracked by Bangladeshi police is Abu Terek Mohammad Tajuddin Kausar who has lived in Australia for a decade, according to the NY Times.

Bangladesh police are looking into a man with suspected links to Islamic State who was living in Australia as they investigate a deadly terror attack that saw 22 slaughtered by knife-wielding terrorists at a cafe in Dhaka

He and two others who are being sought after were described last year by a joint Dhaka police commissioner Monirul Islam as suspected recruiters for ISIS.

The whereabouts of Kausar are currently not known and the Australian Federal Police would not comment on intelligence matters, the ABC reports.

He is originally from Lakshmipur, south of Dhaka, but has spent time living in Australia.

Twenty-two people, including 18 foreign nationals from America, Italy and Japan, were killed when five militants armed with machetes stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery earlier this month.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the terror attack, while police initially blamed a banned local militant group.

Four of the five terrorists who stormed the Dhaka cafe posed in front of ISIS banners before committing the massacre on July 1. Police are now investigating possible foreign involvement from suspected ISIS recruiters

This is one of the images that was released by ISIS' media agency Amar, purportedly showing victims inside the Dhaka restaurant which was taken siege by Islamist militants

An injured policeman was carried away from the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka after five militants armed with machetes stormed the cafe on July 1, killing 22 people including 18 foreign nationals

Bangladeshi authorities have since softened and admitted those responsible may have foreign links to Islamic State.

Three of the alleged jihadists who participated in the attack attended top schools and universities in the Bangladeshi capital.

The revelation that the attackers were educated, well-off members of society has sparked fears that Islamism has spread far beyond disenfranchised youngsters being radicalised in madrasas (religious schools).

Parents whose children are missing and are presumed radicalised have started to come forward to report them following the attack.

Twenty-two people, including 18 foreign nationals from America, Italy and Japan, were killed when five militants armed with machetes stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery

A staff member who managed to escape said the gunmen shouted 'Allahu Akbar' as they attacked the cafe, shooting and throwing bombs

Bangladeshi security consultant Shahab Enam Khan said this proved ISIS was involved.

'This is significant for sure, because the government actually ruled out the possibility of ISIS for some time. But now that there is new evidence... these particular linkages between the missing boys and the connection with Syria, well there is a possibility of some sort of linkages between the homegrown terrorists as well as with ISIS,' he said.

Mr Khan said the two other people being investigated alongside Kausar were Tamim Ahmed Chowdhury from Canada and Mohammad Saifullah Ojaki from Japan.
A young girl has recalled the horrifying moment a group of thugs threatened to kill her during a terrifying carjacking.

The girl, 12, said she was in her family's luxury BMW X5 on Monday night with her father when a group of Apex gang members pulled her from the vehicle.

'They went to my dads car door they opened the door and threatened to kill everyone', the girl told Seven News.

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A 12-year-old girl has revealed the horrifying moment a group of Apex gang thugs carjacker her and her father

The Apex gangs are believed to be behind a string of crimes in Melbourne (pictured is a brawl in March)

'Were going to kill you if you dont get out, give us your keys, give us everything', the 12-year-old said the gang told her.

WHO ARE THE APEX GANG? The group originated in Apex Street, Dandenong, about 30 kilometres south-west of Melbourne

The members are primarily from a Sudanese refugee background

The gang have been involved in a string of carjackings and home invasions in the Melbourne area

They are responsible for the Moomba riots in March

Thirteen teenagers were arrested this week relating to a series of crimes

They were aged between 13 and 17

The parents of members are so worried they are sending them back to Africa Advertisement

The girl said she tried to scream when the group attacked her and her father about 11pm on Monday night, but one member of the group opened her door and told her to 'shut up'.

Her father was badly injured during the attack and taken to Footscray Hospital.

This is the latest in a string of attacks and crimes allegedly carried out by Apex gang members, 13 of whom were arrested by Victoria Police this week 'for theft of motor vehicles and a robbery.'

The robbery occurred at a home on George Street, St Albans in Melbourne's north-west.

A 13-year-old boy, 15-year-old boy, 16-year-old boy, 16-year-old girl and two boys aged 17 from Brookfield were among those arrested.

A girl and a boy, both aged 13, plus a 15-year-old boy from Melton West were also arrested as part of the group.

A boy, 14, from Kurranjang, another 14-year-old boy from St Albans, a 17-year-old boy from Cairnlea and a 14-year-old girl from an unknown suburb made up the group of 13.

The pair were in their luxury BMW X5 (file photo) on Monday night about 11pm when the attack happened

The group originated in Apex Street, Dandenong, about 30 kilometres south-east of Melbourne

The Apex gang are responsible for the Moomba riots in March (pictured)

They are currently being interviewed by police and some will appear before a Childrens Court.

In May Victoria Police rolled out Operation Cosmas in 'response to aggravated burglaries and carjackings across the state.'

'Day and night patrols are being conducted at high risk locations to prevent offences taking place,' police said.

Since the operation commenced there have been more than 75 arrests.
A 36-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing another man several times in a suspected 'love triangle' attack.

Police were called to Cromer on Sydney's northern beaches around 11.50pm on Tuesday after reports a 47-year-old man had been stabbed numerous times in the shoulder, torso and neck at his girlfriend's home.

Officers believe the woman's former partner came to her front door and a violent confrontation ensued resulting in the 47-year-old man being knifed, 7News reported.

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A 36-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing another man at a woman's home (pictured) several times in a suspected 'love triangle' attack

Police were called to the Moonyean Place home in Cromer on Sydney's northern beaches around 11.50pm on Tuesday after reports a 47-year-old man had been stabbed numerous times

The alleged attacker fled the home and police established a crime scene on Moonyean Place.

Officers managed to track him down around 1.50am at a nearby home on Carawa Road and arrested the 36-year-old.

He was taken to Manly Police Station and is currently assisting with inquiries.

No charges have been laid.

Neighbour George Hutton said he had just gotten ready for bed on Tuesday night when he heard 'all hell break loose' next door.

Officers believe the woman's former partner came to her front door and a violent confrontation ensued

Neighbour George Hutton said he had just gotten ready for bed on Tuesday night when he heard 'all hell break loose' next door

The alleged attacker fled the home and police established a crime scene on Moonyean Place

The woman was also taken to the station and interviewed by officers.

NSW Ambulance Paramedics treated the man before he was taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital with serious injuries.

He is in a stable condition.

Officers managed to track him down around 1.50am at a nearby home on Carawa Road and arrested the 36-year-old
After six years as Home Secretary, Theresa May has held her first full Cabinet meeting.

Mrs May, 59, has seven women in her Cabinet  35 per cent of the total, up from 32 per cent in David Camerons.

Yesterday the eight women were pictured in Downing Street on their way to their inaugural gathering.

Justine Greening Education Secretary

Miss Greening, 47, is the first comprehensive pupil to run Englands schools.

Theresa May has held her first full Cabinet meeting. Education Secretary Justine Greening (right) attended

Daughter of a steelworker, the economics graduate trained as an accountant, becoming an MP in 2005.

Served as Transport and International Development Secretary, and was praised last month after revealing she was in a happy same-sex relationship.

Liz Truss Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor

First female Lord Chancellor for 800 years, Miss Truss, 40, is from a Left-wing family. She went from a Leeds comprehensive to Oxford.

Worked for Shell and was once a Lib Dem, before becoming an MP in 2010. Married to a finance director, with two children.

Baroness Evans Leader of the House of Lords

Grammar schoolgirl who won a place at Cambridge University, Natalie Evans, 40, ran the New Schools Network which champions parents trying to set up free schools.

Liz Truss Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor (left) and Baroness Evans Leader of the House of Lords, right

She has worked for both think tanks and the Tory party but has never been elected to office.

Husband is a Whitehall special adviser.

Karen Bradley Culture Secretary

Publicans daughter and comprehensive schoolgirl Mrs Bradley, 46, is a maths graduate of Imperial College who once worked for Deloitte and KPMG as a tax manager.

Married with two sons. Her husband, Neil, works as her office manager.

Priti Patel International Development

UK-born to Ugandan parents who ran a newsagents chain, 44-year-old attended Watford Grammar and Keele University.

Karen Bradley Culture Secretary (left) and Priti Patel International Development (right) in Downing Street

Joined Tories as a teenager but spent two years in Referendum Party due to Euro opposition, later campaigning for Brexit while Employment Minister.

Married to marketing director Alex Sawyer who is her part-time office manager.

Amber Rudd Home Secretary

Educated at Cheltenham Ladies College, Miss Rudd, 52, read history at Edinburgh before joining JP Morgan.

The younger sister of PR svengali Roland Rudd, the stockbrokers daughter also worked as a journalist and venture capitalist before Parliament.

Andrea Leadsom Environment Secretary (pictured left) and Amber Rudd Home Secretary (right) seen today

Previously married to writer AA Gill and has two children. Miss Rudd was made Energy Secretary by Cameron and promoted by May.

Andrea Leadsom Environment Secretary

Before standing down in the Tory leadership contest, the married 53-year-old Brexiteer caused furore when she suggested being a mother of three gave her an advantage over childless Mrs May.

Grammar school and Warwick graduate worked in the City.
Chick-fil-A has broken the hearts of hundreds of its loyal devotees by removing the beloved Spicy Chicken Biscuit from the menu.

The restaurant removed the meal in exchange from the new Egg White Grill but assured fans that they could still get a zesty meal with the Spicy Chicken Sandwich.

The new breakfast item was released on Monday, which meant the Spicy Chicken Biscuit was gone to the horror of Chick-fil-Addicts.

'While the Spicy Chicken Biscuit has been removed for the Egg White Grill, the Spicy Chicken Sandwich remains on the menu,' the chain tweeted on Monday.

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Chick-fil-A has removed its Spicy Chicken Biscuit from its menu and replaced it with the healthier option of the new Egg White Grill (pictured)

The Egg White Grill (pictured) is only 300 calories and is the chain's attempt to give its diners a healthy breakfast option

The new Egg White Grill is the first addition to the restaurant's menu in six years, Fox News reported.

The sandwich is a grilled chicken breast, grilled egg whites and american cheese served on a multigrain English muffin and has 300 calories.

The Spicy Chicken Biscuit was 450 calories.

The switch is a part of Chick-fil-A's effort to offer healthier items on its menu, according to David Farmer, vice president of menu strategy and development.

'While the Spicy Chicken Biscuit (pictured) has been removed for the Egg White Grill, the Spicy Chicken Sandwich remains on the menu,' the chain tweeted on Monday

'At Chick-fil-A, we're constantly looking for innovative and delicious ways to meet the needs of our guests,' Farmer told Fox News.

'We understand the importance of breakfast and the impact it has throughout the day.

'We tested the Egg White Grill in select markets across the country, including our busiest restaurants in Manhattan, and our customers gave us great feedback.

'The Egg White Grill is the perfect solution for our health-conscious customers looking for a grab-and-go breakfast.'

However, Chick-fil-A fanatics were not amused and instead took to Twitter to express their outrage at the swap

Despite the effort to keep diners healthy, there was no way to squash the panic once fans heard the news that the biscuit had been axed.

'@chickfila please. Please. How could anyone ever think someone would rather have an Egg White Grill, in place of THE SPICY CHICKEN BISCUIT??,' wrote Twitter user Brandon Kelly.

Jack Abbott tweeted: 'Chick-fil-a is getting rid of the spicy chicken biscuit. What did I do to deserve this? No longer chick-fil-bae..'

'BOYCOTT @chickfila UNTIL THE RETURN OF THE SPICY CHICKEN BISCUIT. WHAT IDIOTS,' another tweeted.

The new Egg White Grill is available nationwide at Chick-fil-A locations for $3.35.
A man aboard a late-night train who pulled a three-foot-long python out of his backpack and started showing it off prompted concerned passengers to call police.

The 20-year-old had taken the jungle python called Bread out to show others aboard a train on New South Wales' Central Coast about 1am on Wednesday.

Police were called to intercept the northbound train at Woy Woy because passengers were concerned about its welfare.

A man aboard a train on New South Wales' Central Coast pulled this three-foot jungle python named 'Bread' from his backpack and started showing it to passengers

Passengers contacted police about the snake after becoming concerned for its welfare

They discovered the man didn't have a permit for the snake and confiscated it from him.

It was taken to the Woy Woy Police Station and was to be inspected by staff from a reptile park on Wednesday.

A New South Wales Police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia that he expected the exhibit officer 'probably had a heart attack' while 'booking' the snake.

Police inquiries are continuing.

The jungle python was taken back to the Woy Woy Police Station after it was confiscated

Other passengers aboard the train were concerned for the snake's welfare so contacted police
Company announced an 84 per cent drop in half-year profits in February

Services met with an outpouring of complaints from irate customers

At the rate Australia Post is going lately it could be time to invest in a carrier pigeon.

An irate customer has shared an image online of the painstakingly slow two-week commute of a parcel delivered by the national postal service from Sydney to Melbourne.

The image comes as Australia Post is flooded with complaints for their new automated parcel delivery service, introduced to combat huge losses of revenue.

A customer has shared an image of the painstakingly slow two-week commute of a parcel delivered by Australia Post from Sydney to Melbourne

The image, shared on Reddit, shows the tracking service of a parcel sent to 10 postal offices across NSW and Victoria over the course of two weeks.

The post was met with outrage on social media, with commmenters venting their anger about the companys new service.

And they wonder why they aren't profiting, despite their cutbacks and increased postage costs, wrote one commenter.

Others shared their own experience with parcels doing laps around Australia before reaching the destination.

My Dad's got some stuff in the mail that was supposed to be delivered last Monday. We live in Canberra, the package is coming from Melbourne. It managed to find itself in Perth a few days ago. Was somewhere in QLD today.

Others saw the lighter side of things by suggesting the customer was in fact getting good bang for their buck.

Australia Post has been flooded with complaints for their new automated parcel delivery service introduced to combat huge losses of revenue

Can't say you're not getting your money's worth if it's doing a round tour of the country.

A spokesperson from Australia Post told Daily Mail Australia they were trying to contact the customer to determine what happened to the parcel.

'Our parcel facilities process several hundred thousand parcels a day and in the context of the 12 million items that we deliver every day the vast majority arrive safely and on time.'

The automated parcel system, introduced in late 2014, has been slammed for sending packages in the wrong direction or failing to recognise established addresses.

The move contributed to a trebling of complaints for Australia Post since 2008, according to this years report from the the Industry Ombudsman.
A former Bandido bikie accused of bashing his girlfriend to death has been charged with pouring boiling water on a paedophile prisoner while in jail awaiting trial.

Lionel Patea, on remand for the alleged murder of his former girlfriend Tara Brown, who he shares a child with, has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm, Gold Coast Bulletin reported.

It is alleged that three months ago Patel attacked the paedophile, a fellow prisoner at the Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, south of Brisbane.

Lionel Patea, awaiting trial for the alleged murder of his former girlfriend Tara Brown (pictured together), has allegedly poured boiling water on a paedophile prisoner

Patea, who shares a child with Ms Brown, has reportedly been charged with causing grievous bodily harm for the incident

Campbell MacCallum, Patea's Gold Coast Lawyer, said his client had been taken into forced custody against his will while waiting for his murder trial.

'He has been put into protection against his wishes, since he was arrested, but he is agitating to be put into the mainstream prison,' Mr MacCallum said.

'He has made a few friends in prison and is following instructions comfortably but he is really pushing (to be with the other inmates) because he didn't ask to be put into protection.'

Patea was placed in the male high-security correctional centre in September last year, after police charged him with the murder of Ms Brown.

The alleged incident took place inside Arthur Gorrie Correctional Centre, a high-security jail for males ordered to be held in custody while they await trial

Police allege Patea ran Ms Brown's car off the road on a suburban Gold Coast street on September 8, moments after she had dropped their 3-year-old daughter off at daycare.

He is then accused of bludgeoning her to death with a fire hydrant cover while she was trapped in the wreckage of her overturned vehicle.
IMF officials were labelled clowns with serious credibility problems last night after saying the British economy will grow faster than Germany and France in the next two years  only weeks after its doom-laden warnings about Brexit.

After saying that leaving the European Union could trigger a UK recession, the International Monetary Fund now expects the British economy to grow by 1.7 per cent this year and 1.3 per cent next year.

That is weaker than the 1.9 and 2.2 per cent growth forecasts before the referendum, but the UK is still set to be the second-fastest growing economy in the Group of Seven industrialised nations this year  behind the United States  and third-fastest next year, behind the US and Canada.

Ukip MP Douglas Carswell said: The IMF has serious credibility problems. It has been seriously wrong for years'

The forecasts represent a climbdown for the global financial watchdog after it issued a string of doom-laden warnings over the damage Brexit would do.

Ukip MP Douglas Carswell said: The IMF has serious credibility problems. It has been seriously wrong for years. I hope that one of the things that the new government does is push to have some credible people running this institution... rather than the clowns currently running it.

Ahead of the referendum, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, an ally of former chancellor George Osborne, said Brexit would be pretty bad, to very, very bad for the UK. But the latest forecasts  and an admission that a recession is now unlikely  suggest the outlook is not as bleak as the watchdog claimed.

It is not the first time the IMF has had to row back from damaging comments about the UK economy. In April 2013, the funds then chief economist Olivier Blanchard said Britain was playing with fire by pressing ahead with austerity at a time of very low growth. But the IMF was quickly forced into a dramatic volte face as the UK economy sprang into life, forcing Mrs Lagarde to admit we got it wrong.

Ahead of the referendum, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, an ally of former chancellor George Osborne, said Brexit would be pretty bad, to very, very bad for the UK

The IMFs new chief economist Maury Obstfeld said yesterday there were promising signs for the global economy in the first half of 2016, but added: Brexit has thrown a spanner in the works.

John Longworth, who was ousted as director general of the British Chambers of Commerce after backing Brexit, said: Talk of Armageddon seems to be receding.

This is not surprising. If the Government adopts the right policies, we will be in a position where all the doom and gloom that was predicted simply disappears.
Gawker Media founder Nick Denton faces personal bankruptcy after a judge refused on Tuesday to shield him from a $125 million to Hulk Hogan.

Hogan won a $140 million judgement against Gawker in March after the website published excerpts of his sex tape. Denton is liable for $125 million according to court filings.

Gawker filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June and attorneys had asked the court to give protections for its founder, including a shield from lawsuits. The court had only agreed to give Denton temporary protections.

But Stuart Bernstein, US bankruptcy court judge for the Southern District of New York, declined on Tuesday to extend the shield.

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Gawker Media founder Nick Denton (pictured) faces personal bankruptcy after a judge refused on Tuesday to shield him from a $125 million to Hulk Hogan

The decision represents a victory for Hogan as well billionaire investor Peter Thiel, an early backer and board member of Facebook.

Thiel helped fund Hogan's lawsuit following the publication of an article by Gawker about Thiel's homosexuality.

'This story will conclude with Gawker Media's popular brands sheltered under new ownership and the importance of a free and critical press reaffirmed by the courts,' Denton said in a statement.

'In the end, the Facebook board member will have nothing to show for his petty grudge other than legal expenses and a reputation for thin skin.'

Thiel did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Attorneys for Gawker argued that without the shield, Denton would be distracted by his own personal bankruptcy process, harming Gawker's business and its plan to sell itself in bankruptcy.

Gawker and its investment bankers are now soliciting acquisition offers for the company.

When Gawker filed for bankruptcy, it had an agreement from online publisher Ziff Davis LLC to buy the company for $90 million. But this was only meant to be a stalking horse bid, setting the floor price in an auction process that is now underway.

Prior to the ruling, Denton said a personal bankruptcy process would be major distraction to him as he helps navigate Gawker through its auction, arguing that he would be playing a crucial role.

'I know they are going to want to speak to me,' Denton said in court Tuesday of other potential bidders for Gawker. 'I'm the founder of the company. I know where all the bodies are buried.'

Hogan's attorneys argued that Denton's personal bankruptcy would not weigh on Gawker because the company already had in place an executive team and outside professionals who would be able to execute the sale.

Denton said that Gawker had loaned him money to pay for his personal bankruptcy attorney, and that he had met with the attorney twice.

Hogan's attorney stated in court papers that the loan was for $200,000.

Denton said in court that he has two assets: his equity in his apartment and his stock in Gawker, of which he owns about 30 per cent. The value of the equity of his apartment was not referenced in court.
Advertisement

Not far from this very spot on this very day 471 years earlier, Henry VIII stood open-mouthed as the pride of his fleet went into battle against the French.

Turning sharply in order to aim a broadside at the enemy, Henrys 91-gun flagship  with 500 men on board  suddenly started keeling over, water pouring through her lower gun ports. In next to no time, she was at the bottom of the Solent with just 35 of her crew left to tell the tale.

And not since then has the world enjoyed a view of the Mary Rose to match the sight that greeted us yesterday morning in Portsmouth. At the end of a 34-year, 39 million restoration process, a curtain fell away to reveal the flower of all the ships that ever sailed sitting high and dry. And she looks magnificent.

More than 60 million people watched on TV in 1982 as the wreck of the Mary Rose was hauled to the surface after a salvage operation which itself had taken 11 years. Among the divers who took part in 28,000 diving operations to retrieve the ships contents was the Prince of Wales  still an ardent fan of the project to this day.

Once ashore, however, the hull had to be sprayed continuously with water in carefully controlled conditions.

From 1994 to 2013, it was hermetically sealed in an artificial mist of chilled water and soluble wax. Then, for the past three years, its timbers have undergone a gradual drying process ahead of yesterdays grand opening. Now, for the first time, the public can finally enjoy an uninterrupted view over the whole structure without looking through a glass panel or a cloud of water. They can see how tall this thing was  and why it took 600 oaks to build it.

And thanks to some clever digital projection, they can see a virtual reality crew going about their business (though the authorities have decided to remove some of the more blood-curdling screams from the audio of the sinking).

But this is about so much more than maritime history. As the Tudor historian, Dr David Starkey, pointed out yesterday: This is a time capsule richer than Pompeii, Herculaneum or even Tutankhamuns tomb.

For while the Mary Rose was a grave loss to Henry VIII, she was a very great gain to future generations and historians like Dr Starkey.

There are more Tudor objects right here than in the rest of the world put together, he explained. And for that, we can thank the silt and mud of the Solent.

While a great Tudor palace like Hampton Court still stands, it boasts only a handful of original Tudor artefacts. The Mary Rose, on the other hand, went down with hundreds of plates and mugs, vast cooking cauldrons, surgical tools (including syringes for venereal disease), bottles of booze and barrels of food (one turned out to be full of pig ribs).

The Mary Rose has been publicly unveiled in its entirety for the first time (pictured), nearly 500 years after the warship sank in battle

The vessel, Henry VIII's flagship, has gone on display in the newly-revamped Mary Rose museum exactly 471 years after it perished in the Solent on July 19, 1545

The unveiling (pictured) heralds the end of the 34-year project which saw the ship painstakingly restored after it was raised from the bottom of the seabed in 1982

Among the many musical instruments recovered was a perfectly preserved Tudor violin.

In the end, the Mary Rose has turned out to be the greatest maritime archaeological treasure chest ever found.

Among the key finds was an arsenal of nearly 200 yew longbows and a huge supply of armour-piercing arrows. They were duly handed over to one of the worlds greatest authorities on the longbow for restoration.

While most of us think of Robert Hardy as one of our most popular actors  and the man who has played Winston Churchill more often than anyone  he is also Dr Robert Hardy, 90, author of two definitive works on the longbow.

As he explained yesterday, the Mary Rose has completely transformed modern understanding of medieval and Tudor warfare. Until then, we had no idea what the archers at Agincourt, Crecy or Bosworth could really do.

The Mary Rose longbows turned out to be much more powerful than anyone had imagined. Dr Hardy calculated that some had a draw weight (the weight required to extend a bow to full stretch) equivalent to 160 lb.

That is almost four times the draw weight of a modern Olympic bow  and could pierce a suit of armour a quarter of a mile away. All of a sudden, historians could understand why Henry V had six times more archers at Agincourt than any other men at arms.

From today, visitors will be able to see a full uninterrupted view of the hull (pictured) - along with thousands of artefacts salvaged from the wreckage - following a 5.4m revamp at the museum

Helen Bonser-Wilton, chief executive of the Mary Rose Trust, said it had been a 'very exciting close to the latest chapter in her history'. The display - which gives visitors a panoramic view of the ship without the obstruction of glass or conservation jets - is pictured above

Since being raised in 1982 - an event watched by 60 million viewers worldwide - the hull has been kept in highly protective surroundings. This is the first time that visitors will have a full uninterrupted view of the historic ship

So what was it like to see the ship in all its glory at long last? They made me sit down in case it was all a bit much, Dr Hardy said afterwards. I have to say, I did let out a shriek.

For him, as for so many, this has been a very long battle against much more than the elements and the atmosphere. Ten years ago, with money running out, there were grave doubts whether the Mary Rose would even be able to remain on public display.

When a Lottery grant was rejected due to the lack of a museologist and an audience development plan  this was the heyday of New Labour jargon, dont forget  the trustees had to think the unthinkable. At one point, we even had to consider taking her back out to sea and sinking her again! laughs Dr Hardy.

But following a campaign by, among others, the Daily Mail, the Lottery eventually saw sense. Funds of 26 million were forthcoming for a new museum, and several major charitable foundations rallied to the cause.

The result  sitting a few yards from that other maritime legend, HMS Victory  will enthral the public for generations to come. For the Mary Rose lifts the lid on everything from Tudor food, music and medicine to politics.

This was the Trident of its day, said Dr Starkey yesterday. Henry was obsessed with cutting-edge technology. It was he who designed this new type of warship with gun ports so it could be capable of firing a broadside.

Its just a pity that the bosun hadnt managed to close them before the ship started leaning over as it was turning  though the timing of the sinking is interesting. It went down just after lunch, which suggests the crew might have been a little p****d.

Robert Hardy has a different theory, which is more charitable to the crew. The port side of the ship is still down there and I believe that she may already have been holed by a French gun.

In fact, a great deal of the ship, including the rudder and forecastle, is still on the seabed, awaiting a benefactor who is willing to fund another salvage operation. For there are many secrets yet to come up from the mud.

It has been a remarkable achievement to get this far and, from today, the public can see the results. Dr Starkey believes our politicians should be among the first in the queue. What you are looking at here is the start of the Battle for Brexit, he said.

Up until that point, England was completely interwined with Europe through trade, culture and everything else. It was Henry VIII who set about the practical and intellectual separation from Europe. And it came to a head with the French landing on the Isle of Wight and then attacking here at the Battle of the Solent.
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Photos have emerged of the Dallas community college where gunman Micah Johnson was killed by a robotic explosive after he fatally shot five police officers at a Black Lives Matter protest.

El Centro College officials showed the damage on Tuesday after the bloodstains and most of the debris had been removed from the scene where Johnson's four-hour standoff with police ended.

A door frame was blown from the wall, wires and metal hung from a ceiling without tiles, and wallboard was ripped from the frames.

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Photos have emerged of the Dallas community college where gunman Micah Johnson was killed by a robotic explosive after he fatally shot five police officers at a Black Lives Matter protest

Johnson's parents their son was changed from an extrovert to a hermit after he served in the military. He was honorably discharged amidst allegations of sexual harassment from a female soldier

El Centro College Police Chief Joseph Hannigan gave a guided tour of the damage on Tuesday after the bloodstains and most of the debris had been removed

A corner of a hallway wall and fire extinguisher station are shown at El Centro College

Hannigan is pointing to the spot near a network server room where Johnson was killed by the blast

Police said the robot was used to detonate a pound of C4 after negotiations with the 25-year-old Army reservist fell through

Johnson had told negotiators he was upset about the recent police shootings of white people, and that he wanted to kill white officers

Leaked images appeared to show Dallas gunman Micah Johnson (left) along with a semi-automatic rifle among the rubble after he was killed, but the Dallas Police Department refused to confirm the photos

Johnson opened fire at a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Dallas on July 7, killing five police officers and injuring 12 more.

Cops cornered Johnson and attempted to negotiate while he hid around a corner at the end of a hallway of classrooms at El Centro College.

Johnson said he was upset about the recent police shootings of white people, and wanted to kill white officers.

When negotiations fell through four hours later, a robot was brought in to detonate a pound of C4 explosive, causing a blast that killed Johnson and rocked the walls of the school.

Johnson's parents later said in an interview on July 11 that military service changed their son from an extrovert into a hermit.

His mother, Delphine Johnson, told TheBlaze that her son wanted to be a police officer as a child.

His six years in the Army Reserve, including a tour in Afghanistan, were 'not what Micah thought it would be ... what he thought the military represented, it just didn't live up to his expectations.'

Hannigan (pictured right) walks into the school's library along with members of the media for the tour to retrace the path Micah Johnson took once he entered the downtown campus

Dallas police chief David Brown defended the decision to use the robot, saying he had 'already killed us in a grave way, and officers were in surgery that didn't make it'

Pictured, mannequins draped with graduation gowns stand outside a door and window damaged in the blast

Brown said: 'This wasn't an ethical dilemma for me. I'd do it again ... to save our officers' lives.' Pictured, gun shots tore through a hallway at the college

His father, James Johnson said haltingly and through tears: 'I don't know what to say to anybody to make anything better. I didn't see it coming.'

Dallas Police Chief David Brown clarified last week that the bomb was detonated on the second floor of El Centro College, not a parking garage as authorities previously described.

Brown did not provide more details, including where the negotiations were orchestrated during the stand-off.

The police chief also defended the decision to use the robot, saying he had 'already killed us in a grave way, and officers were in surgery that didn't make it.'

'This wasn't an ethical dilemma for me,' Brown said. 'I'd do it again ... to save our officers' lives.'

Authorities have said Johnson had plans for a larger assault and possessed enough explosive material to inflict far greater harm. He also kept a journal of combat tactics.

Eleven officers fired at Johnson and two used an explosive device, Brown said, adding that the ongoing investigation will comb through 170 hours of body camera footage and 'countless hours' of dashcam video.

'Bravery is not a strong enough word to describe what they did that day,' Brown said of officers' response to Thursday's events.

Federal agents are also trying to trace the origin of the weapons used by Johnson, including a semi-automatic rifle.

About 30 agents are involved in identifying bullet casings, said William Temple, the Dallas agent in charge for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Brown clarified last week that the bomb was detonated on the second floor of El Centro College, not a parking garage as authorities previously described (pictured, a broken window)

Workers are still making repairs but the college is scheduled to open to faculty and staff on July 20, with students returning to their classrooms on July 21, according to school officials

People walk by a 7-Eleven store with boarded up windows as seen from a second floor hallway at El Centro College, downtown campus on Tuesday

In May 2014, six months into Johnson's Afghanistan tour, he was accused of sexual harassment by a female soldier that involved him reportedly buying her underwear from Victoria's Secret.

The Army sent him stateside, recommending anything 'other than honorable discharge'  which is 'highly unusual' because counseling is usually ordered before more drastic steps are taken, said Bradford Glendening, the military lawyer who represented him.

'In his case, it was apparently so egregious, it was not just the act itself,' Glendening told The Associated Press. 'I'm sure that this guy was the black sheep of his unit.'

According to a court filing, the victim said she wanted Johnson to 'receive mental help,' and sought a protective order to keep him away from her and her family.

Johnson was ordered to avoid all contact with her. It was unclear whether Johnson ever received counseling.
Donald Trump Jr. says Michelle Obama does not deserve an apology following claims his stepmother Melania plagiarized one of her speeches.

The Republican presidential nominee's eldest son told ABC's World News Tonight the similarities between the former model's remarks at the National Convention on Monday night and those made by the first lady eight years ago had been blown out of proportion.

The Donald's campaign team was slammed after it was revealed Slovenian immigrant Melania's speech matched portions from Mrs Obama's address to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, word-for-word.

'I don't know that Michelle Obama ... or whoever is involved in this ... I don't think so,' Trump Jr said when asked if someone should say sorry.

Donald Trump Jr. (lright) has told ABC World News Tonight anchor david Muir that Michelle Obama does not deserve an apology following claims his father's wife Melania plagiarized one of her speeches

The GOP presidential nominee's eldest son said similarities between the former model's remarks at the on Monday night and those made by the first lady eight years ago had been blown out of proportion

'I don't think this is something of that magnitude. I mean, I think, I understand from a media perspective trying to create a much bigger story out of something than it is, but I really don't think so ... I don't at all.

'I don't know if it has anything to do with people in campaigns. I mean, again, obviously a speech of that size and magnitude, you're going to work with speechwriters.

Anchor David Muir then asked if he believed anyone would be fired for their part in writing the speech.

'I don't know that they should be, you know, involved going forward, but it has nothing to do with a poll or, you know, the other nonsense that I'm hearing around there for people trying to be relevant.'

He added that his father wasn't thrilled by the allegations, but insisted the campaign would move forward.

After the similarities were pointed out, the Trump campaign admitted that the aspiring first lady's talk 'included fragments that reflected her own thinking' but came from somewhere else.

Sources have told DailyMail.com Rick Gates was the aide responsible for the address, that was the main event of the Convention's opening night.

Gates is a former long-time lobbying partner of Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and now faces demands that his head should roll.

The campaign has shown no sign of moving in that direction, however.

By the time the seemingly-plagiarized portions of the speech became headline news Tuesday morning, Trump's campaign chairman furiously denied that any of the remarks were intentionally lifted from the now-first lady's speech  turning the focus instead on Hillary Clinton.

MELANIA TRUMP'S SPEECH (2016) 'My parents impressed on me the value of that you work hard for what you want in life. 'That your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise. 'That you treat people with respect. Show the values and morals in in the daily life. 'That is the lesson that we continue to pass on to our son. 'We need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. [Cheering] Because we want our children in these nations to know that the only limit to your achievement is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.' Advertisement

MICHELLE OBAMA'S SPEECH (2008) 'And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them. 'And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. 'Because we want our children  and all children in this nation  to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.' Advertisement

Donald Jr. was on the Convention floor on Tuesday night with sister Ivanka, brother Eric and younger sister Tiffany when his father was confirmed as the Republican nomination for president

Melania Trump (pictured) was accused of stealing remarks made by Michelle Obama for her own speech at the Republican National Convention on Monday night

The wife of the GOP Presidential candidate used two passages that match nearly word-for-word the speech the first lady delivered in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention (pictured)

'There's no cribbing of Michelle Obama's speech,' Paul Manafort told CNN. 'These were common words and values that she cares about her family, and things like that.'

'I mean, she was speaking in front of 35 million people last night, she knew that. To think that she would be cribbing Michelle Obama's words is crazy. ... This is, once again, an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, how she seeks out to demean her and take her down. It's not going to work.'

Manafort was even more dismissive on CBS, saying that 'there are not that many similarities' between the two speeches. 'There are a couple of phrases.'

Sources have told DailyMail.com Rick Gates (pictured) was the aide responsible for the address, that was the main event of the Convention's opening night

'It's basically three places in the speech, and there are fragments of words,' he insisted. 'She spoke in front of 35 million people yesterday. She knew what she was doing. And she would never crib from another speech without acknowledging she was quoting somebody else.'

Asked if heads would roll over the embarrassing result, Manafort indicated no one would be sacked.

'I don't think Donald Trump feels that there is anything to fire about,' he said.

The campaign doesn't appear to be leaning in the direction of naming the aide responsible for putting words in Melania's speech that originated with a Michelle Obama speechwriter.

'It was a collaboration,' he said. 'The wordsmith  I'm not sure.'

On NBC's 'Today' show, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie defended Team Trump.

Asked if he could make a courtroom case for plagiarism, the former federal prosecutor shot back: 'Not when 93 per cent of the speech is completely different than Michelle Obama's speech. And they expressed some common thoughts.'

Christie brushed off the controversy, saying that 'the worst day of a convention is the first day because everyone's building up to it and everybody gets breathless, both the delegates and the media, about something to cover, a controversy to talk about.'

'I think after tonight we won't be talking about this. We'll move on to ... whatever comes up tonight.'

The identical passages from the two women's speeches focus on lessons Mrs. Trump said she learned from her parents. The remarks also touched on the relevance of those lessons and their experience as mothers.

Donald Jr watched Monday night's speeches alongside former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani

'I AM SO PROUD OF YOUR CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES': HIGHLIGHTS OF MELANIA'S SPEECH On Donald's patriotism: 'I have been with Donald for 18 years and I have been aware of his love for this country since we first met. He never had a hidden agenda when it comes to his patriotism, because, like me, he loves this country so much'

On her parents and her country: My elegant and hard-working mother Amalia introduced me to fashion and beauty. My father Viktor instilled in me a passion for business and travel. Their integrity, compassion and intelligence reflect to this day on me and for my love of family and America.

On his determination: 'If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I can assure you, he is the 'guy'. He will never, ever, give up. And, most importantly, he will never, ever, let you down'

On winning: 'His achievements speak for themselves, and his performance throughout the primary campaign proved that he knows how to win'

On Trump's best qualities: 'He is tough when he has to be but he is also kind and fair and caring. This kindness is not always noted, but it is there for all to see. That is one reason I fell in love with him to begin with'

On his political ambitions: 'Donald intends to represent all the people, not just some of the people. That includes Christians and Jews and Muslims, it includes Hispanics and African-Americans and Asians, and the poor and the middle class'

On her own ambitions: 'If I am honored to serve as first lady, I will use that wonderful privilege to try to help people in our country who need it the most. One of the many causes dear to my heart is helping children and women'

On being ready: 'My husband is ready to lead this great nation. He is ready to fight, every day, to give our children the better future they deserve. Ladies and gentlemen, Donald J. Trump is ready to serve and lead this country as the next president of the United States' Advertisement

They came near the beginning of her roughly 10-minute speech, which was otherwise distinct from the address that Mrs. Obama gave when her husband, Barack Obama, was being named the Democratic nominee for president.

In Mrs. Trump's speech in Cleveland, she said: 'From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect.'

'They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life.'

In Mrs. Obama's 2008 speech in Denver, she said: 'And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: like, you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you're going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them and even if you don't agree with them.'

Another passage with notable similarities that follows two sentences later in Mrs. Trump's speech addresses her attempts to instill those values in her son.

'We need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow,' Mrs. Trump said. 'Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.'

Jon Favreau, President Obama's former speechwriter, tweeted after the event that Mrs Obama's speech in 2008 was written by Sarah Hurwitz - a former Hillary Clinton speechwriter.

Trump's campaign team have refuted allegations that Melania plagiarized the speech, insisting it was based on her own thoughts

'So the Trump campaign plagiarized from a Hillary speechwriter,' Favreau added.

In response to the nearly-identical passages, the Trump camp at first ignored questions about the similarities before outright denying them.

Jason Miller, the senior communications adviser, said: 'In writing her beautiful speech, Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking.

'Melania's immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success.'

Later, Manafort said Mrs. Trump's speech was 'of course not' plagiarized and that the similar passages are composed of 'common words and values.'

But he provided no insight into how the words were lifted in the first place.

Melania's speech was praised until the similarities between the speeches were uncovered

'You know, there was certainly a collaboration,' he said. 'Certainly there's no feeling on her part that she did it, you know. What she did was use words that are common words and just expect her to  to think that she would do something like that, knowing how scrutinized her speech was going to be last night, is just really absurd.'

NBC political commentator Nicole Wallace hinted Tuesday morning at possible backstabbing on the part of the speechwriter.
Two hipsters have been captured on CCTV taking a distinct 'mummy' art sculpture from a backyard in Sydney's inner-west.

A man known as Shane K has taken to Facebook to track down the couple by sharing footage of the pair carrying the art work away from his Newtown property.

He said they came into his property at 10.37pm last Thursday and took the sculpture created by Sydney artist Stuart Rowsell.

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Two hipsters have been captured on CCTV taking a giant 'mummy' art sculpture from a backyard in Sydney's inner-west

'Anyone who has been to my place will be familiar with it, the ancient mummy casing seen in the picture,' Mr K said.

'We have four separate video clips of the thieves which I have added to a video playlist on YouTube.

'It is only one minute long but some of you may recognise this couple.

'If you have seen our artwork or recognise the thieves could you please let me know. I would like them to return what they have stolen.'

The pair were last seen walking down Lennox Street in Newtown with the artwork tucked under their arms.

A NSW Police spokeswoman confirmed officers from the Newtown Local Area Command were investigating 'the theft of a statue from a home on King Street' after they were notified of the incident last Friday.

The man and woman appear to be dressed in dark jackets.

A man known as Shane K has taken to Facebook to track down the pair by sharing footage of them (pictured) carrying the art work away from his Newtown property
High school cleaner Vincent Stanford has pleaded guilty to murdering NSW teacher Stephanie Scott just one week before her wedding.

The 25-year-old loner admitted in the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday to raping and murdering Ms Scott in April last year at Leeton in the state's west.

Ms Scott, 26, was last seen on April 5 at Leeton High School a week before she was due to marry her childhood sweetheart Aaron Leeson-Woolley.

Her burnt body was found in the Cocoparra National Park, about 70km north of Leeton, five days later.

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School cleaner Vincent Stanford has pleaded guilty to murdering 26-year-old teacher Stephanie Scott at Leeton in NSW in April 2015 just one week before was due to marry

Wearing prison greens and appearing via video-link from Sydney's Long Bay jail, he replied 'guilty' to each charge of murder and to aggravated sexual assault as Ms Scott's mother and sister watched from inside the court room.

It is alleged Stanford raped Ms Scott on the day she was last seen alive and then killed her.

His twin brother Marcus Stanford has previously pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact.

The day Stephanie disappeared

Ms Scott was last seen at the high school where she taught after she popped into her classroom on April 5 to do some last minute preparations ahead of her wedding.

The popular teacher planned to be away for a couple of weeks on her Tahiti honeymoon and wanted to make sure drama and English lesson plans were in place for her substitute.

At midday, she sent an email to a bus company confirming transport for the guests to her country wedding the following weekend.

It was her last known contact.

Ms Scott did not return home to Mr Leeson-Woolley that evening and he reported her missing the following day.

Her family pleaded with the public for days in the hope someone would come forward with information on her sudden disappearance.

Five days later, Stanford was arrested and charged with murder aggravated sexual assault and inflicting actual bodily harm.

Police had discovered that Stanford, who worked at the school as a cleaner, was on the grounds of the same day Ms Scott disappeared - even though he was not scheduled to work.

They also found he had taken photos of her burnt body and her blood was found in his car.

Police said Stanford dumped Ms Scott's red Mazda in a field before disposing of her body in the Cocoparra National Park where he had previously gone camping.

Vincent Stanford (pictured as a primary school student at Prins Florisschool in Holland) admitted in the NSW Supreme Court on Wednesday to raping and murdering Ms Scott in April last year

Ms Scott's body was discovered in a burned patch of scrub in the Cocoparra National Park on April 10 - the day before she was due to marry with her childhood sweetheart Aaron Leeson-Woolley

Stephanie Scott's body was found a day before she was due to marry with her childhood sweetheart Aaron Leeson-Woolley (pictured)

Beloved teacher loved by all

The discovery of her body came the day before she was due to marry Aaron, her partner of five years.

Mr Leeson-Woolley was pictured visibly distressed at a makeshift memorial in a park for his fiancee on the day they were supposed to marry. He was joined by Ms Scott's parents, Robert and Merrilyn, and her siblings.

'Stephanie was a bright, intelligent and fun-loving woman who has impacted on many people here today,' her father told the crowd of mourners.

Stephanie was a bright, intelligent and fun-loving woman who has impacted on many people

'Our wishes for the future are that this stays in your minds and you remember her. I'm sure she'd wish for that to be the case and you could remember her for the great little girl she was.

'Unfortunately she was taken away from us for a short time but now we've got her back and we will restore her dignity.'

Her death devastated the small town of Leeton and thousands of people attended the beloved bride-to-be's funeral in Eugowra at the same location where her wedding was meant to be held.

On the one year anniversary of her death, Ms Scott's father opened up to local newspaper The Area News about his family's profound sense of grief.

He described his slain daughter as an 'absolute joy... a happy girl'.

'When it all happened in a bit of a hurry it was very sad and very distressing,' he said. 'But as time progresses you realise just how deep the loss is because of the way she's impacted on your life.'

'[The pain] is not just going to disappear, grieving is an ongoing process and when you've got someone who was such a delight to have in your life there's a lot to miss.'

Leeton High School is building a new hall in memory of the beloved teacher.

Ms Scott, pictured with her mum, was last seen on April 5 leaving Leeton High School in NSW after she popped into her classroom to do some last minute preparations ahead of her wedding

Aaron Leeson-Woolley made an emotional visit to a makeshift memorial for his fiancee Stephanie after her body was discovered

The popular high school teacher was last seen at Leeton High School (pictured) where she taught after she popped into her classroom to do some last minute preparations ahead of her wedding

The loner with 'dark, black eyes'

Stanford was born in Tasmania but moved to Holland with his mother and two brothers when he was a toddler.

He moved back to Australia with his family 13 months before Ms Scott was murdered and lived in a single-storey home in Leeton with his mother Anika and elder brother Luke.

His colleagues nicknamed him King Kong because he could lift two crates with one hand like it was nothing

His neighbours said the family were welcomed by the community when they moved but Stanford made few connections.

A neighbour told Daily Mail Australia last year that Stanford was a 'big strong fellow with dark, black eyes'.

His mother, a qualified nurse, worked at a local nursing home and Stanford, along with his older brother, worked shift work.

Stanford's twin brother Marcus, who moved back to Australia in June 2013, settled in South Australia.

Before moving back to Australia, Stanford - who speaks with a Dutch accent - previously worked as a cleaner for a dental company in Holland.

In Leeton, he landed a casual job with cleaning company Colin Joss & Co, who have a contract with the Department of Education in NSW.

Senior manager at the company Fleur Dooley told Daily Mail Australia Stanford had worked for them since October last year.

She explained he had passed national criminal record checks and worked at multiple schools in the area, as well as the local TAFE.

'He was employed as a casual cleaner and worked on different sites as required,' Ms Dooley said.

Vincent Stanford's twin brother Marcus (pictured) has previously pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact

Stanford moved back to Australia with his family 13 months before Ms Scott was murdered and lived in a single-storey home in Leeton with his mother Anika and elder brother Luke

His twin brother Marcus Stanford (pictured) has previously pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact. He was extradited from South Australia to NSW in June 2015 to face charges

His life outside of Australia

Stanford's former employer at the place he worked in Holland revealed to Daily Mail Australia soon after his arrest that he had trouble reading social situations and would hardly ever speak.

'He is a big guy and exceptionally strong. I think it is part of his condition. If he shut a tap even my husband could not open it again,' Dutch business owner Mireille Antonisse said.

'You would have to shout for him to come back.

'Later on, his colleagues nicknamed him King Kong because he could lift two crates with one hand like it was nothing.'

She said Stanford, who weighed 110 kg, was so strong he could lift two huge wooden crates with one hand and also did not seem to feel the cold, wearing only a T-shirt in temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees.

Pierre Vandersteen, a close friend of Stanford, told Daily Mail Australia last year that he was told 'everything's fine' when they chatted via an online poker website two weeks before Ms Scott's body was found.

He never had a girlfriend in his life because of his autism. He had a problem connecting to people so he couldn't look a girl in the eye or speak to her

'He said 'Everything's fine. I found a job as a cleaner at a school. My mother found a job too. Everything's good here',' Mr Vandersteen said at the time.

He said they met at the cleaning company in Holland.

Mr Vandersteen claimed Stanford didn't have much of a social life outside of work and his friendship with him, and says he had trouble forming relationships with women.

'He never had a girlfriend in his life because of his autism. He had a problem connecting to people so he couldn't look a girl in the eye or speak to her,' Mr Vandersteen said.

'He was more comfortable talking to animals than people.'

Those who knew him when he was younger said Stanford had been expelled from Prins Florisschool primary school in Holland for attacking a teacher when he was nine.

One friend told of how Stanford's nickname among classmates at school was 'Psycho' because of his violent rages.

A neighbour in Zoetermeer where they used to live described the family as recluses.

'They had eight or nine cats which was strange and their house was filthy. The garden was a like a jungle.

'They disappeared overnight without paying their rent or bills so they had to break the door down to get in.

'Vincent was always polite but strange.'

Stanford's mother Anika Stanford was pictured leaving Leeton Police Station last year as she helped with the investigation of Ms Scott's murder

Stanford lived in a single-storey home (pictured) in Leeton with his mother Anika and elder brother Luke when he moved back to Australia a year before Ms Scott's death
Pratt spokesperson has reportedly said he is 'unaware of the posts'

She has posted several bath-time and lingerie photographs to Instagram

Billionaire paper and packaging businessman Anthony Pratt has been followed by a racy Instagram account where a woman posts sexy pictures and videos of herself in the bath.

The cardboard king was following mystery American brunette Shalana Hill's Instagram account on Tuesday, The Australian Financial Review reported.

A representative for Pratt told the publication the entrepreneur was unaware of the posts - which included several pictures of the woman in lingerie and also one of a cardboard box.

One video posted by Ms Hill, from Texas, featured her legs splashing about in bathwater. It was captioned: '#bathhouse #sugarbaby #sugardaddy #justoldermanreally #whatiwant #whatIneed #mentorman #bigdaddypratt #Anthony #feedanthony #RedKing #blackqueen #satisfaction #illbesubmissve'.

Businessman Anthony Pratt was reportedly following Shalana Hill on Instagram. This picture was captioned: '#heknow #treadmill #papermill #sugardaddy #sugarbaby #redking #bigdaddyP #swimming #swimsuit #melbourne #heaussie #Anthony #bae #hemybigdaddy #imthatb*** #feedAnthony'

Cardboard king: Anthony Pratt is estimated to be worth $USD4.7 billion as the boss of various paper and packaging interests in Australia and in the United States

Another bathtime clip was captioned: 'Long bath. #REDKINGREADY #redking #gettingready #mistress #secretkeeper #secret'.

A recent lingerie selfie was captioned: '#heknow #treadmill #papermill #sugardaddy #sugarbaby #redking #bigdaddyP #swimming #swimsuit #melbourne #heaussie #Anthony #bae #hemybigdaddy #imthatb**** #feedAnthony'.

In a video about 'bigdaddyP' posted to the account about 5 weeks ago a woman could be heard saying: 'I don't know what to do... because I think he is so cute and I think he's witty and smart and funny and sexy and loyal and... just a beautiful soul and a beautiful person.

'And it's kind of mean to the outside world because its kind of a really private guy and so I can imagine he's kinda like really precautious (sic) as to who he would invite into his little bubble.

'And that's totally understandable. Like, I'm that way too. But I'm just like, I don't know, I don't know what to do, or what to say or do to get him to respond to me, like.

'I'm just kinda lost for words. But I know I like him a lot and he's obviously a very studious, very good person.'

Mr Pratt runs Visy, Australia's largest private company, which was founded by his grandfather Leon and expanded by his father Richard Pratt.

Ms Hill describes herself as a student in Dallas, Texas, who loves shopping, make-up and the piano

A screengrab of one of Ms Hill's bathtime videos. It was captioned: #bathhouse #sugarbaby #sugardaddy #justoldermanreally #whatiwant #whatIneed #mentorman #bigdaddypratt #Anthony #feedanthony #RedKing #blackqueen #satisfaction #illbesubmissve'

One of Ms Hill's most recent Instagram shots was of a cardboard box

His overseas firm Pratt Industries is the largest manufacturer of corrugated cardboard in the United States and Forbes estimates his personal fortune to be worth $4.7 billion.

On his Instagram account, Mr Pratt is seen rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chelsea Clinton, Prince Charles and Mohammed Ali.

Ms Hill describes herself as a student living in Dallas who loves make-up, music, shopping, the piano, travelling and the state of California.

Mr Pratt was not following the American beauty as of Wednesday morning, although she continued to follow him.

Daily Mail Australia called Visy Packaging for comment.
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Tiffany Trump portrayed her father, the official Republican nominee Donald Trump, as a doting dad who scribbled notes on her report card and called her when a close friend died.

The 22-year-old recent graduate from the University of Pennsylvania spoke for about five minutes on the Republican National Convention stage, prefacing her remarks with the fact that she was nervous.

'When I graduated college a couple of months ago, I never expected to be here tonight, addressing the nation,' said Tiffany Trump, the daughter of Marla Maples, Trump's second wife.

She noted how she had given a couple of speeches in class before. 'But never in an arena with more than 10 million people watching,' she added.

'But, like my father, I never back down from challenges,' she said.

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Tiffany Trump, the youngest Trump daughter, shared memories of her father on tonight's Republican National Convention debate stage, saying he would leave notes on all her report cards

The younger Trump talked mostly about how her dad played a motivating role in her life and the lives of others.

'His desire for excellence is contagious,' she said. 'He possesses a unique gift for bringing that trait out in others starting with those closest to him.'

'He's always helped me be the best version of myself. By encouragement and by example, he motivates me to work my hardest and stay true to who I am and what I believe,' she added.

'That's what he does. He draws out the talent and drive in people,' she said, saying it's a quality great for a dad, but also a plus for a president.

Tiffany Trump revealed that she's held on to all her report cards from growing up.

'Some dating back to kindergarten,' she noted. 'Because I like to look back and see the sweet notes he wrote on each and every one of them.'

'Contrary to what you might expect from someone who places an emphasis on results, my dad's comments referred often to the sentiments expressed by my teachers on how I acted in and out of the classroom, not just even focusing on the letter grades themselves,' she added, using the anecdote to show how much attention The Donald paid to his kids.

'Donald Trump has never done anything halfway, least of all as a parent,' she said.

Trump tweeted this message today to show how proud he was of his children's performances in Cleveland

Marla Maples (left) posted this picture with her on her social media with Tiffany and her boyfriend Ross Mechanic with the caption: 'Just before I did my happy proud mamma dance! Backstage w/ @TiffanyATrump after she rocked her speech'

Nerves: Tiffany admitted to being apprehensive before giving her speech to millions of people nationwide

She also recalled how her father would always check in on her family in Georgia, noting how several members were veterans

She also recalled how her father would always check in on her mom's family in Georgia, noting how several members were veterans, a group her father often talks about when on the stump.

Tiffany Trump also touted her father's behavior when he found out that she had lost someone 'very dear' to her.

'I feel the measure of a person is revealed in their darkest times,' she stated. 'For me the measure of a parent is based on how they support and bolster you when you're down.'

When her dad found out about her loss, he was the first to call and make sure his daughter was OK.

'Without his unwavering support and care for me during such a challenging time I don't know how I would have made it through,' she testified.

She said her father is great at giving advice, but keeps it short and basically boils down to this: 'If you do what you love and give nothing back and never let the fear of failure get in your way, than you've pretty much figured out the Trump formula,' she said, dubbing her dad a 'natural-born encourager.'

Tiffany Trump said that she loved having her friends meet her father, as many of them have 'pre-conceived notions,' that quickly get washed away.

She spoke of his 'natural charm' and said he had 'no facade' when meeting others.

'In person my dad is so friendly, so considerate, so funny and so real,' she said.

'My friends walk away with a glimpse of all that he is and all that he means to me,' she continued. 'Of the strong, protective, kind, endearing man I am so proud to call my father.'

Daughter of Donald Trump, Tiffany Trump, walks off stage after delivering a speech on the second day of the GOP National Convention

Tiffany Trump said that she loved having her friends meet her father, as many of them have 'pre-conceived notions,' that quickly get washed away

She applauded the crowd at the end of the speech, just hours after her father was confirmed as the GOP nominee for president

Then the 22-year-old circled back to where the began.

'I never pictured saying all this to a packed arena,' she said, adding that she was grateful to do so.

'I have admired my dad all my life,' she said.

'And I love him with all my heart.'

Just a few hours before, she joined all of The Donald's adult children on the convention floor as he sealed the Republican nomination for president.

They celebrated with the crowd before settling into the evening's speeches.

Donald Trump Jr. delivered a blistering indictment of Hillary Clinton and emerged as a high-profile supporter of school choice and gun rights on Tuesday night as he praised his father.

'If Hillary Clinton were elected, she would be the first president who couldn't pass a basic background check. It's incredible!' he told a packed convention floor in Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena.

'Hillary Clinton is a risk Americans can't afford to take.'

Trump, 38, soaked up applause from thousands  and then tweeted: 'Now that was intense. What a rush.'

He framed the Democratic Party as obstructionist and government-obsessed  and did it without naming them.

'The other party gave us a regulatory state on steroids,' he boomed. 'The other party is the party of risk.'

'The other party gave us public schools that all too often fail our students, especially those who have no options.'.

'Our schools used to be an elevator to the middle class,' Trump said. 'Now they're stalled on the ground floor. They're like Soviet-era department stores that are run for the benefit of the clerks and not the customers, for the teachers and the administrators and not the students.'

The recent college graduate admitted she was nervous about the speech to such a large audience both inside the venue and on TV

She spoke of her father's 'natural charm' and said he had 'no facade' when meeting others. 'In person my dad is so friendly, so considerate, so funny and so real,' she said

Tiffany dazzled in a blue dress as she stood by the lectern and addressed the crowd

In comparison to her other siblings, Tiffany has rarely spoken about her father in public

Tiffany (right) joined her half-siblings (from left to right) Donald Jr, Ivanka and Eric, as their father was confirmed as the GOP nominee

She watched as the delegate count was read out by each state on the convention floor

'You know why other countries do better in K through 12? They let parents choose where to send their own children to school!' he exclaimed. 'That's called competition. It's called the free market. And it's what the other party fears.'

'They fear it because they're more concerned about protecting the jobs of tenured teachers than serving the students in desperate need of a good education.'

Trump tweeted on Wednesday: 'Congratulations to my children, Don and Tiffany, on having done a fantastic job last night. I am very proud of you!'

Republican New Jersey governor Chris Christie put Hillary 'on trial' before a whipped-up crowd at the Republican convention.

Christie, a former prosecutor who destroyed Republican Marco Rubio during a New Hampshire debate, this time turned his full force of argument to Clinton, and the crowd lapped it up - and added its own chants of 'Lock her up.'

'Tonight, as a former federal prosecutor, I welcome the opportunity to hold her accountable for her performance and her character,' Christie said.

'We must present those facts to you, a jury of her peers, both in this hall and in living rooms around our nation,' Christie said.

Then, he proceeded to read through a blistering 'indictment,' where he catalogued all of Clinton's misjudgments and misdeeds.

'Hillary Clinton cared more about protecting her own secrets than she did about protecting America's secrets,' he said.

His main convention was to read out his charges, then ask the crowd: 'Guilty or not guilty?'

The recent graduate, who is looking for her first job out of school, said her father had motivated her to be the best version of herself

She smiled to the supporters as she walked across the stage at the Ceveland arena

The 22-year-old dubbed her father a 'natural-born encourager' and motivated her to work as hard as possible

She held her hand to her heart during her heartfelt and sometimes emotional address to the crowd

Tiffany took to the stage after Chris Christie made a blistering attack on Hillary Clinton. She was followed by her brother Donald Jr.

Tiffany Trump wore white as she did a sound check and rehearsed her speech on stage earlier on Tuesday at the convention
Remains of nearly 100 greyhounds were found dumped in a mass grave at a training track after they were deem to be 'underperforming' and 'therefore of no further use'.

At least 99 greyhounds were killed, most by a blow to the head - either by a gunshot or blunt instrument - and buried at a Hunter Valley property in New South Wales, a report has found.

Sydney barrister Clive Steirn's investigation into the Keinbah Trial track found 95 per cent of the dogs exhumed from three different grave sites were healthy before they were brutally killed.

The damning report found it was 'highly probable' that most of the dogs were killed at the Keinbah Trial track between 2009-2013 for reasons other than emergency euthanasia.

The year-long investigation comes after NSW Premier Mike Baird made a shocking announcement that the greyhound racing industry would be shut down from July 1 next year.

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Remains of at least 99 greyhounds were found dumped in a mass grave at a Hunter Valley property in NSW

The Steirn report of the investigation, which involved the first reported excavation and exhumation of a mass grave in Australia, was handed to Greyhound Racing NSW on Monday.

The report found 'it is probable that most of these dogs were killed for reasons other than emergency euthanasia, which was the reason advanced by material witnesses' at an earlier inquiry.

Mr Steirn SC also found that 95 per cent of dogs excavated and analysed from three separate sites at the property had 'no evidence of any other injury occurring around the time of death'.

'Logically, the only probable motive for culling greyhounds in these circumstances leads to a conclusion the animals were being killed for no other reason than that they were found to be underperforming after being trialled, and therefore of no further use,' Mr Steirn SC said.

The report found 60 per cent of dogs found buried at the Keinbah Trial track - all with major skull trauma

The investigation comes after NSW Premier Mike Baird announced a ban on the greyhound racing industry

Previous investigations into the Keinbah Trial track did not reveal evidence of large-scale greyhound culling, prompting Mr Steirn to recommend GRNSW consider taking action against individuals who may have provided false or misleading evidence to the earlier inquiries.

The case has been referred to police to determine whether the report discloses any criminal offences after 60 per cent of dogs were found to have suffered serious skull trauma.

Greyhound Racing NSW interim CEO Paul Newson said the Steirn report 'confirmed everyone's worst fears that mass graves have been a feature of the greyhound racing industry.

'...And a number of industry participants were involved in horrific and unconscionable acts of animal cruelty which cannot be, if proven, allowed to go unanswered.'

The investigation, assisted by forensic vet Dr Lydia Tong, commenced following allegations about the mistreatment and mass killing of greyhounds at the training track.

The footage, filmed by the current owners of the property in the Hunter Valley, shows the excavation, including the discovery of the skeletal remains

An investigation into the industry by the Special Commission of Inquiry found evidence of systemic animal cruelty, including mass greyhound killings and live baiting (stock image)

Greyhound Racing NSW had initially found there was no evidence of a mass grave on the property after a hearing from 13 witnesses but the allegations persisted.

'Given the serious nature of the allegations I referred GRNSW's earlier investigation findings to the NSW RSPCA and NSW Police to consider whether, notwithstanding the potential difficulties, any further action could be taken to investigate the allegations,' Mr Newson said.

NSW Nationals leader and deputy premier Troy Grant said the independent report validated the government's decision to ban the sport.

'I'm horrified by these allegations and now this is a matter for our prosecuting authorities to consider,' he said.

Banning the sport is the only way the government can ensure live baiting and widespread 'wastage' of greyhounds is stamped out, Mr Grant said.

The state government shut down the greyhound racing industry earlier this month after a Special Commission of Inquiry report found up to 68,000 greyhounds had been killed in the past 12 years and nearly a fifth of trainers used live animal baits.

The current owners of the training track, who purchased the property in 2013, discovered remains last year

Disturbing footage shows a man sifting through dirt as skeletal remains were unearthed at the NSW property

Mr Baird made an announcement on the banning of greyhound racing in NSW from July 2017 (stock image)

The current owners Natina and Robert Howard, who bought the property in 2013, called for further inquiries to be conducted after discovering skeletal remains last year, Newcastle Herald reported.

The pair made the gruesome discovery of remains of several dogs after an equipment used to install a fence sunk into the soft ground.

Ms Howard declined to comment but told the publication: 'Ninety five per cent of greyhound trainers are responsible animal lovers and it's up to the governing bodies to prosecute those who aren't, so that the dogs' welfare comes first.'

The Steirn report was initially due to be completed by March prior to the commission of inquiry but Mr Newson said the delay was caused after asbestos was found on the property.

'I recognise the timing of the report is unfortunate, falling immediately after the McHugh inquiry and government decision to close down the sport,' Mr Newson said.

'However, GRNSW must continue to safeguard animal welfare and integrity and take immediate action where misconduct and serious wrongdoing is revealed.'

Mr Newson said despite it was 'too late to protect the many greyhounds killed', the GRNSW was committed to 'expose individuals involved in animal cruelty.'
Los Angeles County will pay $10.1million to a man who spent 20 years in prison before his murder conviction was overturned.

Supervisors voted Tuesday to settle a lawsuit filed by Francisco Carrillo Jr.

Carrillo was 16 years old when he was convicted of killing Donald Sarpy in a drive-by attack in Lynwood in 1991. Carillo was sentenced to life in prison.

Sharpy went outside so he could speak with his son and other teens, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Los Angeles County will pay $10.1million to a man who spent 20 years in prison before his murder conviction was overturned. Supervisors voted Tuesday to settle a lawsuit filed by Francisco Carrillo Jr. (2011 photo)

Attorney Ron Kaye has said his client got a bachelor's from Loyola Marymount University. This is a photograph Carrillo posted to his Facebook profile

Suspect photos were shown to teenage shooting witness Scott Turner straightaway, according to the newspaper.

Turner would go on to say he was guided by a deputy to select Carrillo, its report said.

Another five teenage shooting witnesses were shown photos six months following the deadly incident, the newspaper reported.

Witnesses who identified Carrillo as the gunman from a photo lineup recanted in 2011, saying they couldn't see the killer's face.

A judge ruled that the eyewitness evidence was false or tainted and ordered Carrillo released.

Carrillo sued the Sheriff's Department, contending that a deputy coerced a witness to pick Carrillo's photo.

Francisco 'Franky' Carrillo, left, walks with his son Theo Arechiga in 2011 (left). Carrillo shared a photo on Facebook (right), writing 'My son and me. Visiting day at YTS. 1993'

Attorney Ron Kaye told the Los Angeles Times the deputy 'stole my client's youth by coercing a 15-year-old witness to pick Franky out of a lineup, even though [the witness] admitted he could never identify the shooter of the drive-by on the night of the crime.'

Kaye told the newspaper his client got a bachelor's from Loyola Marymount University.

He said: 'Franky Carrillo will never regain those years of his life  the birthdays, the weddings, the graduations and the funerals of loved ones that he missed, things we all take for granted  but at least this settlement holds those responsible accountable.'

Carrillo told LMU, Loyola Marymount University's magazine, in 2013: 'As a young boy, I remember reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in school.

'It just became second nature to say the final line of it, "And justice for all."

'During my trial, I expected the adults in the courtroom, who had recited the same Pledge of Allegiance, to protect me and to make sure that nothing bad would happen.

'Tragically, something bad did happen. But I never lost faith in the system.
House Speaker Paul Ryan told Republican delegates tonight that the party didn't always agree that Donald Trump should be the nominee , but it is time for party unity and a 'clean break from a failed system.'

Democrats are just going through the motions, he said, by nominating Hillary Clinton.

'The Obama years are almost over. The Clinton years are way over. Two-thousand sixteen is the year America moves on,' he said,

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House Speaker Paul Ryan told Republican delegates tonight that the party didn't always agree that Donald Trump should be the nominee but it is time for party unity and a 'clean break from a failed system'

Ryan addressed delegates during primetime in a formal speech after overseeing the roll call vote earlier in the day that delivered the GOP nomination for president and vice president to Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

'Next time theres a State of the Union address, I dont know where Joe Biden and Barack Obama will be,' the GOP leader said tonight. 'But youll find me right there on the rostrum with Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump.'

Ryan initially withheld his endorsement of Trump even as he became the presumptive GOP over their competing visions for the Republican Party.

He eventually gave Trump his support as the party's rank and file signaled that they were coming around, as well.

Tonight he told delegates, 'Democracy is a series of choices. We Republicans have made ours.

'Have we had our arguments this year? Sure we have  and you know what I call those? Signs of life. Signs of a party thats not just going through the motions. Not just mouthing new words for the same old stuff.'

Americans have shown in 2016 that they 'undeniably, want a big change in direction for America, a clean break from a failed system.'

'And what does the Democratic Party establishment offer? What is their idea of a clean break? They are offering a third Obama term, brought to you by another Clinton, he told them to boos.

Ryan compared the country to an airplane that's been clear for takeoff then is directed to back to the gate.

'Its like weve been on hold forever, waiting and waiting to finally talk to a real person, and somehow weve been sent back to the main menu,' he said, switching metaphors.

Ryan initially withheld his endorsement of Trump even as he became the presumptive GOP over their competing visions for the Republican Party. He eventually gave Trump his support after RNC chair Reince Priebus, a fellow Wisconsite brokered peace talks

Democrats will meet next week in Philadelphia to confirm Clinton as their nominee.

'You can get through four days of it, with a little help from the mute button,' he said, mocking the other party's convention. 'But four more years of it? Not a chance.'

Progressives will try to 'talk down to the rest of America,' he predicted and 'tell the voters that the Obama years have been good for you  that you should be grateful, and well, now its Hillarys turn.'

'We offer a better way for America, with ideas that actually work,' he said in the speech, watched by an estimated 10 million Americans.

A conservative who cut his teeth in politics as a Capitol Hill staffer before returning home to Janesville, Wisconsin, to run for Congress the 46-year-old quickly rose through the ranks in the House, earning his stripes as a policy wonk along the way.

He took over the speakership late last year as party leader John Boehner made a dramatic exit from Congress amid discord in the party and has made a conservative agenda that focuses on a 'better way.'

Ryan used his speech to carry the ball forward, mentioning Trump a mere two times - at the beginning of his speech, as he talked about the next State of the Union and toward the end when he said Clinton would never embrace his small government vision.

'None of this will happen under Hillary Clinton. Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way,' he said after making the case for tax reform and other changes to the government traditionally supported by Republicans.

SPEAKER: Ryan addressed delegates during primetime in a formal speech after overseeing the roll call vote earlier in the day that delivered the GOP nomination for president and vice president to Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence

Americans 'are disappointed and restless,' he said, because they feel 'opportunity seems like its been slipping away.'

'Thats because it has. And liberal progressive ideas have done exactly nothing to help,' he declared.

Obama is the 'most liberal president we have had so far,' the conservative leaders said.

'The result is a record of discarded promises  empty gestures  phony strawman arguments  reforms put off forever  shady power plays, like the one that gave us Obamacare  constitutional limits brushed off as nothing  and, all the while, dangers in the world downplayed, even as the threats grow bolder and come closer.'
A nine-year-old boy is the sole survivor of a horrific car crash that left his stepmother brain dead and his sister and father dead.

Nicholas Calderara was upgraded from serious to fair condition on Tuesday, while his family made the painful decision to take his stepmom, Elizabeth Calderara off life support.

Elizabeth, 26, of Dakota County, Minnesota, who was pregnant at the time of the accident, was critically injured on Monday in the collision that killed her one-year-old daughter Melody and 31-year-old husband Jason Calderara.

Elizabeth Calderara (left), 26, of Dakota County, Minnesota, who was pregnant at the time of the accident, was critically injured on Monday in the collision that killed her one-year-old daughter Melody (left in arms of Elizabeth) and 31-year-old husband Jason Calderara (right). Their nine-year-old son (bottom) survived

Elizabeth, who was 35 week pregnant at the time, Jason, Nicholas and baby Melody were driving a Kia Sportage SUV in rural Dakota County around 11am when the collision happened

The 26-year-old, who worked as a shift leader at a Walgreens, was breathing only though a ventilator on Tuesday and the family has decided to 'let her go', they said.

'The head trauma and the neck trauma were just too great,' she said. 'We've decided to say goodbye,' Elizabeth's mother, Suzanne Mohn Brantly, told Twin Cities Pioneer Press.

'So right now they're doing their best to keep her alive until we can get more family here.'

'It's really hard right now. I have a lot of family and friends who are coming here to the hospital. It's like a revolving door.'

Elizabeth, who was 35 week pregnant at the time, Jason, Nicholas and baby Melody were driving a Kia Sportage SUV in rural Dakota County around 11am when the collision happened,.

Jason pulled out on the two-lane highway to pass a car that was northbound, according to a police report.

As Jason made his way around the car he quickly pulled back into the northbound lane 'at the last second' to avoid hitting a minivan driving southbound, the report said.

The 26-year-old, who worked as a shift leader at a Walgreens, was breathing only though a ventilator on Tuesday and the family has decided to 'let her go', they said

The minivan driver swerved right and slammed the breaks and so did a semitrailer driving behind the van.

The semitrailer jackknifed and slammed into the SUV.

Elizabeth and Nicholas were airlifted from the scene. Jason and Melody died at the scene. Everyone was wearing a seat belt, officers said.

Nicholas was taken to Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, where he remained Tuesday.

'The word that comes to mind is 'tragic,' Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie said Tuesday. 'Here is a family that's no longer a family.'

James B. Sathre, 71, of Faribault, Minnesota, who was driving the truck suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to recover.

Nicholas, who lives with his mother, is expected to recover as well.
McConnell went straight after Hillary Clinton, and ended up earning applause

He got booed by the convention crowd when his name was announced inside the convention arena

McConnell is a leader of the party's establishment wing, and has worked to protect incumbents from Tea Party challenges

Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, a leader of the party's establishment wing, got greeted to a chorus of boos when he got introduced to the restless convention crowd meeting in Cleveland Tuesday.

But McConnell, who has frustrated President Obama throughout his term in office, mostly won back the crowd by making the case that Donald Trump would sign legislation that Obama has vetoed.

'Ladies and gentlemen, Ive been around a while,' McConnell said at the top of his remarks, calling even more attention to his time as an institutionalist creature of much-reviled Washington. He has served in the chamber since 1984, sometimes making deals to keep the government running and appropriating billions, while also holding up Democratic judicial nominees and blasting big government liberals.

'Ive been around the Clintons more than anybody should ever have to,' McConnell told the crowd, in a plea for sympathy for his long time in Washington. 'A couple years ago, Bill and Hillary camped out in my state telling anybody whod listen why they ought to vote against me. Tonight Im here to return the favor,' he quipped.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentukcy said Hillary Clinton would 'do anything' to get elected

Then McConnell went after Clinton, his former Senate colleague, as someone who lies and would 'do anything' to get elected.

'I am here to tell you Hillary Clinton will say anything, do anything, and be anything to get elected president,' he said.

'Ive had my differences with Barack Obama, but l will give him this. At least he was up front about his plans to move America to the left. Not Hillary,' McConnell said.

'She lied about her emails. She lied about her server. She lied about Benghazi. She lied about sniper fire. She even lied about why her parents named her Hillary.'

'Friends, not since Baghdad Bob has there been a public figure with such a tortured relationship with the truth,' McConnell said, in a dated reference to Saddam Hussein henchman Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf, who was known during the Iraq War that McConnell supported for his fibs.

Before the speech, it wasn't clear how much McConnell would mention Trump, knowing that a number of his colleagues are skipping the convention.

McConnell, in office since 1984, got booed by the crowd

McConnell had a role presiding over the nomination of Mike Pence as Trump's running mage

McConnell brought up legislation that Trump would sign, including the Keystone pipeline, and legislation to defund Planned Parenthood. He mentioned Trump's name five times.

'We put an Obamacare repeal bill on the Presidents desk. He vetoed it. Trump would sign it,' McConnell said. ;We passed a bill to finally build the Keystone Pipeline. He vetoed it. Trump would sign it.'

He continued: 'We passed a bill to defund Planned Parenthood. Obama vetoed it. Trump would sign it.' Trump during the primaries praised the work done by planned parenthood on behalf of women's health.

Picking an issue dear to conservatives, McConnell mentioned the Supreme Court vacancy he said he made a 'pledge' Obama would not fill. 'That honor will go to Donald Trump,' McConnell said.
Uber drivers in Queensland have been fined more than $1.7 million in three months for illegal operation.

A total of 796 infringements have been handed out since Queensland Parliament passed new laws in April that saw drivers for the ride sharing service fined up to $2,356.

These notices amount to $1,717,184 worth of fines for the State Government.

Uber drivers in Queensland have been fined more than $1.7 million in three months for illegal operation

Almost all the fines issued were for the offence of providing a taxi service using a motor vehicle that is not a taxi.

Currently Uber is illegal in Queensland, while the riding sharing service is legal in NSW, ACT, Western Australia and South Australia.

Of the 796 infringements, 723 of them were for a fine of $2,356 each.

BREAKDOWN OF FINES HANDED OUT TO UBER DRIVERS Total of 796 fines issued over past three months

Combined fines total is $1,717,184 from April to July

Fines issued to 635 drivers, with 89 drivers caught at one time

Total of 723 fines worth $2,356 issued for providing taxi service that is not a taxi

Further, 22 fines worth $235 issued for failing to carry drivers' authorisation

Three $471 fines issued for failing to produce drivers licence

Two fines of $471 for failing to give reasonable help

Just one fine of $282 for unregistered vehicle use Advertisement

As of July 18, 303 fines for the offence of providing a taxi service using a motor vehicle that is not a taxi have been paid to the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Other infringements have been issued for operating defective vehicles, failing to carry drivers' authorisation and failing to produce a driver's licence.

In April, new laws backed by Katter's Australia Party were passed to increase penalties for Uber drivers from $1,413 to $2,356.

Transport inspectors were also been given greater power to investigate people suspected of operating an illegal taxi.

Authorities only need to hand out seven more infringements worth $2,356 each to exceed last year's fines total of $1,732, 362 up until June 2015, Brisbane Times reported.

A Uber spokesperson said their drivers had their full support.

'No one should be penalised for providing safe and reliable rides in their own city, and Uber will stand by its driver-partners 100 per cent,' he said.
Malcolm Turnbull's new assistant minister for multicultural affairs says he does not condemn Sonia Kruger for calling for an end to Muslim immigration in the aftermath of the Nice terror attacks.

While the Liberal Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said he did not agree with her, he said it was reasonable for people to feel 'unease' after the recent terror-related attacks across Europe.

'When we have debates about what inspires... terrorism, what inspires someone to go - as recently seen in Nice - and slaughter dozens and dozens of innocent people, well of course there's going to be fear,' he told ABC radio on Wednesday.

'That's why I wouldn't condemn Sonia Kruger... We can't pretend that people don't feel that fear.'

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Malcolm Turnbull's assistant minister for new multicultural affairs Zed Seslja (pictured) says he will not be taking immigration policy advice from television presenter Sonia Kruger

Senator Seselja said he would not be joining the chorus of condemnation against Today Extra host Kruger who sparked controversy this week when she called for a temporary ban on Muslim migrants to Australia.

But he insisted the government did not agree with discriminatory migration policy.

The senator has also dismissed criticism of his promotion to a multicultural affairs role in government, having previously backed changes to water down the racial discrimination act.

Senator Seselja toned down his personal views, insisting his promotion to the frontbench means he supports the government position of maintaining the legislation as is.

'My view is the government's view - that's what happens when you sign up to be part of a team,' he said.

Senator Seselja said he would also abstain from voting on same-sex marriage in parliament, even if Australians backed a change to the Marriage Act in a national vote.

Senator Seselja said he would not be joining the chorus of condemnation against Today Extra host Kruger who sparked controversy this week when she called for a temporary ban on Muslim migrants to Australia

But he insisted he would not frustrate the result, saying the verdict of voters in a plebiscite would be respected by parliament.

'If the Australian people vote in favour of same-sex marriage, it will sail through the parliament,' Senator Seselja said.

He later denied conservatives in the Liberal Party would seek to delay a plebiscite, insisting it was government policy.

'The only people that seem opposed to that policy of putting it to the people are the Labor Party and the Greens,' Senator Seselja told Sky News.
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A series of fascinating engravings based on notes from the chief surgeon of the First Fleet reveal the birds, lizards and marsupials that were found in New South Wales in the 18th century.

John White was the chief surgeon of the First Fleet that arrived in Australia in 1788 and while it was officially his duty to treat the sick in the newly-established convict settlement at Botany Bay, he found time to keep detailed notes on the natural environment he encountered.

His jottings became the basis of the Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales, a book which featured 65 detailed drawings of plants and animals in the colony that was published in England in 1790.

The engravings were made in England from specimens and notes sent by White, with descriptions by English specialists, according to the Australian Dictionary of Biography.

The pictures show early impressions of a wombat, the crested cockatoo, lizards and fish, among others. The book's drawings have been digitised so they will never be lost.

White was made chief surgeon of the First Fleet after serving as a naval surgeon in the West Indies and India.

He is credited with keeping deaths on the eight-month voyage to Australia to a relatively small number - 34 out of the 1500 people who travelled aboard the 11 boats.

In 1794, White left New South Wales after six years of treating sick, famished colonists and building the settlement's first hospital.

A crested cockatoo pictured in the Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales (1790)

A cassowary. The Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales was edited by John White, the chief surgeon of the First Fleet

A Banksian cockatoo, or red-tailed black cockatoo, pictured in John White's journal

The variegated lizard (monitor lizard) was one of the reptiles that John White made notes on after arriving in Botany Bay in 1788

This picture of muricated lizard (goanna) was one of 65 drawings of plants and animals that featured in the Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales

A skinc-formed lizard (blue-tongued lizard) found in John White's Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales

Blue Frogs. White kept detailed notes on the wildlife he encountered while in New South Wales

Dog of New South Wales (a Dingo). White was tasked with treating the sick at Botany Bay, but he maintained interest in the natural surrounds

An early impression of a wombat found in White's Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales

White-pointed spiders. White's book on New South Wales' nature was a big success and translated into three languages

The etchings found in White's book, like these of a seahorse and fish, were exquisitely detailed

A fish that was identified as a Doubtful Lophius in the Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales

The Tabuan Parrot. The engravings in the journal were made in England from specimens and notes sent by White

The White Fulica. The 65 drawings in the book were accompanied by descriptions made by specialists in England

A menura superba. The bird is more commonly known as a superb lyrebird and features on the Australian 10 cent coin

Anamolous Hornbill from the Journal of a Voyage to New South Wales

A wattled bee eater. The bird is now known as a red wattlebird, a honey eater native to Australia
Barnaby Joyce was happy to hide in the background as three of his four daughters stole the spotlight during a family walk through the streets of Sydney on Wednesday.

The straight-talking deputy prime minister, flanked by his wife of 23 years Natalie, could do little but watch on as daughters Caroline, Odette and Bridgette struck a number of mocking poses for the paparazzi.

The family were strolling through Double Bay, Malcolm Turnbull's upmarket electorate, just one day after Joyce was sworn in to cabinet by the Governer General at Government House, Canberra.

But with business out of the way, Joyce was happy to spend time with the women in his life, before heading to the Royal Oak Bistro for a cool beverage - the same pub Tony Abbott famously sculled a beer at last year after persuasion from boisterous local AFL players.

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Family full of women: Barnaby Joyce opted to stay in the background as three of his four daughters jokingly posed for paparazzi while walking through Sydney

The straight-talking deputy prime minister, 49, was enjoying a day with family after being sworn in to cabinet

Why so serious Barnaby? Joyce kept a low-profile as his daughters Caroline, Bridgette and Odette (left to right) soaked up the attention

Joyce, leader of the Nationals, retained his seat in New England on a two-party preferred vote of 58 per cent during the latest election, despite a huge push from former independent MP Tony Windsor.

On election day he posted a heartwarming photo of his tight-knit family, captioning it: 'Couldn't have done it without them then. Couldn't do it without them now. Whatever happens today, I'm so grateful to have my family.

It's been a year of headlines for the 49-year-old, who drew international headlines after leading a fight to have actor Johnny Depp and his then-wife Amber Heard prosecuted for bringing their two dogs into Australia without declaring them to the Australian Customs Service.

Parliament resumes for the first time since the election on August 30, where Joyce's party, The Nationals, will be rewarded for a relatively strong performance in the elections.

Cabinet minister Matt Canavan plus three new assistant ministers, David Gillespie, Luke Hartsuyker and Michael McCormack were all elected for Senate.

'Couldn't have done it without them then. Couldn't do it without them now': Barnaby posted these two family pictures on election day, thanking the women in his life for their support

After walking through the streets of Double Bay, Barnaby headed to the Royal Oak Bistro - the same pub Tony Abbott famously sculled a beer at after persuasion from local AFL players
An ex-army major will spend at least 14 years behind bars for strangling his wife to death with a belt before giving away their cat and apologising to his mother for having 'stained' the family name.

Former British Army major David Whitelegg, 55, was sentenced to 18 years in jail after he claimed to have murdered Anne Whitelegg with his bare hands during an argument at their Wallan home, in the Melbourne's north-east, on September 18, 2014.

Authorities believe Whitelegg, who also served in the Australian army, most likely used a buckled belt to kill her after a heated argument - the Victorian Supreme Court heard.

Former British Army major David Whitelegg, 55, (pictured) was sentenced to 18 years in jail, after he said he murdered Anne Whitelegg with his bare hands during an argument at their Wallan home

Anne Whitelegg (pictured) was strangled to death by husband David Whitelegg in September, 2014. Victorian Supreme Court heard evidence he said he would rather she died than share a divorce settlement with her

The court heard the 55-year-old lost his temper as the pair argued over her intentions to formally leave him.

Their marriage had been strained and Mrs Whitelegg, 59, was planning to end it.

A thin woman, she was very drunk at the time Whitelegg lost control and launched at her.

'You attacked your wife when her ability to escape from you was compromised by the alcohol she had consumed,' Justice Jane Dixon told the former army major on Wednesday.

Whitelegg, who served in both the British and Australian armies, became increasingly delusional before he murdered his wife and believed the Australian Defence Force and ASIO were stalking him and trying to force him out of the army.

After he strangled his wife, Whitelegg set about organising his affairs and then tried to take his own life.

In her sentencing report Justice Dixon stated that he had bought plastic tubes and gaffer tape, 'which you later adapted for suicide by motor vehicle carbon monoxide poisoning'.

'You placed your wife's body into your car alongside your wedding photos,' she said.

'After placing yourself on the seat next to her and holding her hands, you attempted suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. You failed in your attempt, succeeding only in making yourself very ill instead.'

Former British Army major David Whitelegg is taken from the prison van to the Victorian Supreme Court for sentencing for murdering his wife Anne Whitelegg in September of 2014

He gave away his cat and wrote to his mother in England to admit responsibility for his wife's death and apologise for having 'stained' the family name.

The court also heard he had sent a large amount of money to his mother.

Whitelegg also phoned a funeral parlour and said his wife had died unexpectedly.

When authorities found her body on the kitchen floor, Whitelegg said she had fallen ill.

'You also said you missed your wife and she was your best friend,' Justice Dixon said.

Justice Dixon noted his wife died after Whitelegg's 'murderous rage'.

The court also heard that Whitelegg had placed his wife's body into the family car and sat next to her with the intention of then killing himself.

The judge said that he also had shown true remorse.

The 55-year-old pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 years jail on Wednesday, with a non-parole period of 14 years.

Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.




An incredible image of the fishermen wrestling a 'difficult' shark on the beach shows all three concentrating

kayaks to set baited lines 100 metres from shore and reeled them in by hand from the sand

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A fisherman known as Western Australia's 'shark man' has captured an incredible photograph showing himself and a friend wrestling a huge tiger shark off the Carnarvon Beach on the north coast.

Josh Butterworth and Jethro Bonnitcha, both 29, were caught on camera as they struggle to pull the giant shark on to the beach.

Mr Butterworth posted a photo of the massive shark on his Instagram with the caption 'every one of us has the same look on our faces...a mix of confusion and I wish he would play nice'.

The fisherman spoke to Daily Mail Australia about the catch and admitted it was tough and the shark had a 'lot of fight'.

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Josh Butterworth posted a photo of the massive shark on his Instagram with the caption 'every one of us has the same look on our faces...a mix of confusion and I wish he would play nice'

Jethro Bonnitcha holds a large tiger shark's tail as it thrashes around in the water after he and his fishing partner Josh Butterworth landed ten sharks on a four-day fishing trip on the West Australian north coast

The two fishermen reeled in ten massive tiger sharks from the beach on a four-day fishing trip in June as 'plenty more' lurked in the water only meters from shore.

The anglers used kayaks to set the baited lines around 100 metres from the shore and reeled in the marine predators - some of which were over five metres long - from the sand.

We landed ten and lost a fair few but we saw a lot more swimming in the water that we didnt catch,' Mr Butterworth told Daily Mail Australia.

'There is no shortage of sharks up there,' he added.

Mr Butterworth said they caught two simultaneously and almost had three on the go when another shark took the bait as they both had their hands full reeling in another catch.

'We both had a shark, Jethro got his up on to the shore and a third was going at the bait,' he said on Wednesday.

The men used stingrays, fish bones and heads as bait to lure the animals closer to shore and had to paddle back out into the shark infested waters once it has been taken.

'When they take the bait, or take a bit and spat it out you have to paddle back out and reset it. I dont like that bit because you know there are some just there in the water,' Mr Butterworth said.

The anglers don't use any mechanical equipment to haul the massive predators to shore once they see them thrashing near the bait, relying only on drag and brute strength to land the catch

The fisherman said tiger sharks aren't as dangerous as pointers and noted that they are very inquisitive and will swim up to 'say hello'

Mr Butterworth (left) said they caught two simultaneously and almost had three on the go when another shark took the bait as they both had their hands full reeling in another catch

Mr Butterworth captured images of the large sharks on the sand before he and his fishing companion (pictured) released them back into the water

The anglers don't use any mechanical equipment to haul the massive predators to shore once they see them thrashing near the bait, relying only on drag and brute strength to land the catch.

'Once they come along you have to go like b**gery to pull them in.You just have commit your body to it then when you get them onto the beach someone has to run in the water to grab him by the tail,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Butterworth, who has been fishing since he was a child, said he is no longer apprehensive about getting in the water with tiger sharks in the shallows and likened them to puppy dogs in the water.

When you have them in the water holding them theyre like big puppy dogs. As soon as you take your hands off them they bolt  they are pretty lazy things.'

Tiger sharks arent the worst. They come up and say hello but aren't that dangerous. You just don't want to see a pointer like down south,' he added.

The experiences fisherman said he would enter the water after reeling a shark to shore, but he argued it was a different story when going for a swim or when paddling the bait out

The men use hand held rods with a harness (left) and guide the sharks back into the water (right) after taking a couple of photographs

Mr Butterworth, who has been fishing since he was a child, said he is no longer apprehensive about getting in the water with sharks in the shallows and likened them to puppy dogs in the water

WHAT ARE TIGER SHARKS? Tiger sharks are the fourth largest shark in the world and are usually found in warm, tropical or sub-tropical waters. They are solitary sharks and known to be aggressive, with the number of attacks on humans coming second only to the great white. They are named after the dark, vertical stripes found on their bodies, which often start to fade as they reach maturity. They have blunt noses and their dorsal fins are positioned close to their tails. Tiger sharks have an excellent sense of smell and sight making it easy for them to hunt at night. They are not known to be picky eaters and have will target other sharks as well as fish, birds, seals, stingrays and sea snakes. They can grow up to seven and a half metres long but on average measure in at about 3 and a half metres. Tigers can weigh between 385-635 kilograms and live for up to 50 years. Source: National Geographic Advertisement

The experienced fisherman said he is willing enter the water after reeling a shark to shore, but argued it was a different story when going for a swim or when paddling the bait out.

Jethro had a 12 footer and a nine footer come up to him on the kayak and eyeball him when he was paddling out the bait.'

'He threw it in the water and paddled back pretty quickly but they didnt seem too interested in the bait and just kept having a look at him.'

Mr Butterworth captured images of the large sharks thrashing around in the shallows before he and his fishing companion released them back into the water.

We dont need to kill them. We do a lot of game fishing and when it's not marlin season we just try to find something that pulls as hard as they do.'

He said the murky waters around Carnarvon are known to harbour bull sharks but his main concern was great white sharks, also known as white pointers, which are believed to be responsible for two deaths near Perth in the last three weeks.

'There are no shortage of pointers off the south coast. Down there I won't paddle out in a kayak at night,' Mr Butterworth said.

Doreen Collyer, 60, was diving at a reef off Mindarie Beach, about 35 kilometres north of Perth, when she was attacked by a shark on June 5.

The grandmother was pulled from the water and put on a fishing boat but died before she got to shore.

Ms Collyer's death came just days after surfer Ben Gerring had his leg bitten off by a white shark while paddling his surfboard at Falcon Beach in Mandurah, south of Perth, on June 1.

The 29-year-old father-to-be was brought to shore by fellow surfers and taken to Royal Perth Hospital, but died late on Friday night from his injuries.

Mr Butterworth and Mr Bonnitcha have posed alongside an array of catches over the years and gained notoriety after landing a large hammerhead and tiger shark in January. Mr Bonnichta caught the hammerhead in about an hour and a half, and the tiger shark took between 30-40 minutes.

He estimated they weighed between 350-400 kilograms and required fishing gear with a 60 kilogram weight rating. The sharks were only two of more than 30 caught from the beach during a week long fishing trip.

Diver Doreen Collyer (left) died after a shark attacked her at a reef off Mindarie Beach while surfer Ben Gerring (right) had his leg bitten off by a white shark only days later while paddling his surfboard at Falcon Beach and died two days later

The two fatal attacks took place near Perth, while the ten tiger sharks were landed further north at Carnarvon beach

Mr Butterworth and Mr Bonnitcha managed to land a large hammerhead and tiger shark in January

Mr Bonnichta (pictured) caught the hammerhead in about an hour and a half, and the tiger shark took between 30-40 minutes
He then connected this thinking to Clinton suggesting that Alinsky was a dangerous role model for a future president of the United States

Alinsky called Lucifer the original radical, something that Carson pointed out onstage

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson veered off his prepared remarks on tonight's Republican National Convention stage to link Democrat Hillary Clinton to liberal radical Saul Alinsky and link Alinsky to the devil.

First, Carson noted that Alinsky was one of Clinton's heroes. 'This is someone that she greatly admired,' he said.

Carson then pointed out that in Alinsky's 1971 book 'Rules for Radicals,' the writer acknowledged Lucifer on the tome's dedication page, calling the devil the original radical.

Clinton, Carson reckoned, was guilty by association.

'So are we willing to elect somebody for president who has, as their role model, somebody who acknowledges Lucifer?' Carson asked the crowd.

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Dr. Ben Carson went offscript at tonight's Republican National Convention linking Hillary Clinton to liberal Saul Alinsky and Alinsky to the devil

While Dr. Ben Carson touted Donald Trump too - he spoke of his concerns about draining God out of political life, suggesting the almighty would stop blessing the country

Dr. Ben Carson left the presidential race in March at the Conservative Political Action Conference and endorsed Donald Trump a week later

'Think about that,' the retired brain surgeon scoffed.

Carson suggested that this kind of thinking was counter to the founders' thoughts.

'This is a nation where our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, talks about certain inalienable rights that come from our creator,' Carson said.

'This is a nation where our Pledge of Allegiance says, "we are one nation under God,"' he continued.

'This is a nation, this is a nation where every coin in our pocket and every bill in our wallet says, "In God We Trust,"' Carson noted.

The former presidential candidate than hammered the 'secular progressive agenda,' to which he believed Clinton was a part.

'If we continue to allow them to take God out of our lives, God will remove himself from us, we will not be blessed and our nation will go down the tubes,' Carson warned.

''We do not want that,' he added.

Enter Republican nominee Donald Trump,

'Now Donald Trump understands this very well,' Carson said.

He applauded The Donald for having a 'passion for the American worker' and being the 'right leader for a time such as this.'

'But, you know what, this is not about Donald Trump, it is not about me, it is about "We, the people,"' Carson said.

Like Trump, Carson had waged an outsider battle for the White House having spent the entirety of his career as a brain surgeon, known best for an operation that successfully separated conjoined twins.

Conservative Republicans took notice of him, however, in 2013 when he slammed some of President Obama's policies at the National Prayer Breakfast, which the president always attends.

Two years later Carson entered the presidential race being pressed by grassroots supporters to jump in.

Around Halloween Carson climbed ahead of Trump in the polls, but a series of missteps plagued the campaign. There were staff departures and gaffes. And by the time the Conservative Political Action Conference rolled around in early March, Carson officially confirmed that he was out.

A week later Carson surprised the political world by jumping behind Trump and has played an adviser role to the billionaire since.




A former police officer allegedly told his friends a man 'should be able to murder [his] missus' and asked what kind of poison would kill a human before his wife was found dead at the base of a tree.

Louis Mahony is accused of murdering his defacto wife Lainie Coldwell, 36, in 2009 and fronted court in Charleville, south-west Queensland on Wednesday for the start of the three-day committal hearing.

Mahony initially told police Ms Coldwell had fallen from a ladder and landed on her head, but detectives allege the 43-year-old Googled information about serious head injuries, The Courier Mail reported.

Louis Mahony is accused of murdering his defacto wife Lainie Coldwell (both pictured) in 2009

Police have also claimed Mahony booked a holiday with his mistress to the Gold Coast three weeks after his wife's death.

Mahony, who is now remarried and living in Brisbane, was arrested in December and charged with her murder as well as four counts of fraud.

It is alleged he tried to recover money from Ms Coldwell's life insurance in June 2009 totaling $2.25 million.

Mahony's lawyers told the court the case against him is 'circumstantial'.

The former Northern Territory police officer moved to Queensland after leaving the service in 2007. During his time with the police force, he became a constable and was awarded a police commissioner's commendation.

The trial at Charleville Court House continues.

Mahony, who is now remarried and living in Brisbane, was arrested in December and charged with her murder as well as four counts of fraud

Mahony fronted Charleville Court House (pictured), south-west Queensland on Wednesday for the start of the three-day committal hearing

Mahony initially told police Ms Coldwell had fallen from a ladder and landed on her head, but detectives allege the 43-year-old Googled information about serious head injuries (stock image)




A protester has criticised the 'white Australian populace' for electing right-wing senator Pauline Hanson and slammed the ABC for giving her a platform to discuss her controversial views.

Indigenous advocate Birrugan Dunn-Velasco became overcome with emotion as he addressed about 200 protesters - including the One Nation leader's supporters and anti-racism activists - outside ABC headquarters in Sydney's CBD ahead of Ms Hanson's stint on Q and A on Monday.

Mr Dunn-Velasco said change will only follow if Australia's 'illegal, genocidal' government was disbanded as he called for 'the factory workers in Ipswich' - who he deemed responsible for Pauline's political resurrection - to change their mindsets.

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Indigenous advocate Birrugan Dunn-Velasco became overcome with emotion as he addressed about 200 protesters outside ABC headquarters in Sydney's CBD ahead of Hanson's stint on Q and A on Monday night

He criticised the 'white Australian populace' for electing right-wing senator Pauline Hanson (pictured) and slammed the ABC for giving her platform to discuss her controversial views

'Is it any f**king surprise really that someone like Pauline Hanson, that is indicative of the mind-sets of the greater white Australian populace to elect her in the first place, is allowed a platform like this.'

Mr Dunn-Velasco said seeing her return to politics made him 'sick to his stomach' as her election represents that her controversial views opposing multiculturalism must be widely held across the country, particularly in Queensland which has the second largest indigenous population in Australia.

'I am sick to my stomach not because I despise this person in Pauline Hanson, I do, but she is greater and indicative of something much larger and much more rampant out there that we all face every day,' he said.

'In order to change this we need to change the mind-sets and hearts of the factory workers in Ipswich that voted her. This ain't gonna stop until this illegal genocidal state is dissolved.'

'I am sick to my stomach not because I despise this person in Pauline Hanson, I do, but she is greater and indicative of something much larger and much more rampant out there that we all face every day,' he said

Mr Dunn-Velasco is an outspoken member of the indigenous community and can be seen standing in front of a poster drawing attention to the treatment of Aboriginal Australians during colonisation

The former Law and Cultural Studies deferred from his studies and started working with Redfern Tent Embassy. He has since focused on creating music with his heavy metal band, Dispossessed.

The vocalist and guitarist sings in English and the indigenous dialect Gumbaynggirr, which he learnt from his father who is from Nymboida, south west of Grafton, New South Wales, Vice reported.

'Ideally, Id love to have parts in all of our songs in lingo to maximise indigenising and making things as Goori as possible to encourage our own cultural revitalisation,' he told Vice.

Protesters chanting 'No more bigots on the ABC' and 'Pauline Hanson don't you dare, Muslims welcome everywhere' could be heard in a video of Mr Dunn-Velasco's spray which was uploaded to social media on Tuesday.

The former Law and Cultural Studies deferred from his studies and started working with Redfern Tent Embassy. He has since focused on creating music with his heavy metal band, Dispossessed

Protesters chanting 'No more bigots on the ABC' and 'Pauline Hanson don't you dare, Muslims welcome everywhere' could be heard in a video of the spray which has been uploaded on social media

Ms Hanson was welcomed by about 200 people outside the ABC office in Ultimo, central Sydney, made up of those who support her (pictured) and those who oppose her

The protesters held up signs supporting the Australian indigenous community, while others made jokes on their placards stating: 'Some things should stay in the 90s. Bowl cuts, Pauline Hanson and low rise jeans'

The group of 200 strong stood outside the Ultimo studio, in Sydney's CBD, as Ms Hanson addressed Q and A

Ms Hanson was heavily criticised for her views on Islamic terrorism and radicalisation during the ABC panel discussion, with many audience members telling her she stood for 'hate, fear and division' (Pictured next to Q&A host Tony Jones)

Ms Hanson was heavily criticised for her views on Islamic terrorism and radicalisation during the ABC panel discussion, with many audience members telling her she stood for 'hate, fear and division'.

One audience member, Cindy Rahal, said Ms Hanson encouraged protesters outside who could have potentially targeted Muslim Australians as they entered the studio.

But Ms Hanson rejected any responsibility for the clash, where at least five were arrested for breaching the peace, stating the protesters had 'nothing to do with me'.

'Protesters were against me because I choose to speak up against this matter so I have protesters which are trying to shut down freedom of speech,' she said as she defended Sonia Kruger's controversial comments about wanting to ban Muslims from entering the country.

One audience member, Cindy Rahal (pictured), said Ms Hanson encouraged protesters outside who could have potentially targeted Muslim Australians as they entered the studio

The majority of protesters were peaceful and spruiked harmony among groups of different religion and race

The chanted: 'No more bigots on the ABC' and 'Pauline Hanson don't you dare, Muslims welcome everywhere'

Others were aggressive which caused five to be arrested for breach of the peace

Officers were seen holding the protesters on the ground before handcuffing them and escorting them to a police car

Pauline Hanson supporters and anti-racism protesters have clashed in Sydney ahead of Pauline Hanson's appearance on the ABC's Q&A program

Pro Pauline Hanson supporters wave anti-Islam banners outside the ABC office in Sydney

Ms Hanson defended controversial comments made by Sonia Kruger (pictured) about wanting to ban Muslims from entering Australia

The One Nation leader remained defiant throughout the program and said her words weren't to blame for terrorism.

She said she was asking for a debate to find the answers, which she admitted she didn't have.

'I'm concerned for every one of you here in this audience tonight and everyone at home because I want safety on our streets, I want to find the right answers and it's important for each and every one of us and for the future generations,' she said.

'To ignore is not the answer to it. To think we can find the easy answers, it's not, but pulling together as a community and as a nation to debate the issue, then we can find the right answers.'

This comes as Hanson urged Aboriginal elder Murrandoo Yanner to contact her office so the pair can 'work together' after he slammed her as a 'racist redneck' at an art fair on Saturday.

Video emerged on Saturday of Ms Hanson and her staff being verbally abused by Mr Yanner (pictured) at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in Far North Queensland

Murrandoo Yanner told Ms Hanson she was a 'racist' - he is pictured here at a protest for Aboriginal deaths in custody

Mr Yanner thrust his water bottle into the air in anger at the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in Far North Queensland as he told the senator to 'go back to Ipswich and your fish and chip shop'.

'You are intellectually dishonest and you are not welcome here,' he said adding that she was 'kicking the Muslims around'.

On Sunday, Ms Hanson posted a video to her Facebook page that said while the incident was a 'shame,' the pair could 'make a big difference' if they joined forces.

'This man stands for a lot of issues that I stand for as well and I have spoken out about 20 years ago,' Ms Hanson said in the clip, while reading off an iPad and sitting on a picturesque beach.

'He doesn't like politicians. Well, neither do I, because I don't trust them and we need to work together on that. Let's bring accountability'.

Queensland senator Pauline Hanson (pictured) has urged Aboriginal elder Murrandoo Yanner to contact her office so the pair can 'work together' in a two-minute clip posted to her Facebook page on Sunday

'This man stands for a lot of issues that I stand for as well and I have spoken out about 20 years ago,' Ms Hanson said about Mr Yanner, while reading off an iPad and sitting on a picturesque beach

The Queensland senator said she has spoken out about violence and alcoholism in Aboriginal communities, but claims to have not received the same support as when Aboriginal lawyer and rights activist Noel Pearson discussed the same issues.

'I got called racist and Noel Pearson comes out and says it and gets a pat on the back,' she said.
Students at a leading Sydney girls' school will still be called girls after a decision to eliminate gender-specific language to avoid discrimination prompted fierce backlash.

Teachers at Cheltenham Girls High in north-west Sydney had been requested to stop referring to their students as 'girls', 'ladies' and 'women' in preference to gender neutral terms, according to the Daily Telegraph.

But the NSW Education Department said on Wednesday that was not the case and gender-specific terms will continue to be used following contrary reports.

The NSW Department of Education has said gender-specific terms will continue to be used at Cheltenham Girls High School in Sydney's north-west following contrary reports some terms had been banned

'Gender-specific terms will continue to be used by Cheltenham Girls' High School when referring to students,' they said.

The revelations that teachers were told to stop using the words girls, ladies or woman prompted NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli to launch an investigation.

He told Macquarie Radio there had been a meeting at the school where teachers were reminded of potentially discriminatory language, but he denied it was in relation to the government's Safe Schools anti-bullying program.

'I don't think there's anything improper about that,' Mr Piccoli said.

Teachers at the school were reportedly told in a staff meeting to comply with the change in language or leave as they were homophobic and breaking the law.

A NSW Education Department would not comment further given Mr Piccoli had asked for a report on the matter.

The revelations that teachers at Cheltenham Girls High were told to stop using the words girls, ladies or woman prompted NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli to launch an investigation

Principal Susan Bridge (left) has received complaints from parents, while others complained to their local Liberal MP Damien Tudehope (right)

Cheltenham Girls would not take calls from Daily Mail Australia and directed requests for comment to the Education Department.

It comes after the move to make language gender neutral angered some parents who believe their children were being forced to feel extradited if they don't take part in LGBTI activities.

Some had complained to their local Liberal MP Damien Tudehope.

Cheltenham Girls recently removed their Aboriginal flag to raise the rainbow flag at half-mast in commemoration of the US attack at a night club in Orlando.

The school also includes a 'Queer-straight alliance' club and features gender equality events such as Wear it Purple Day.

'[Some] parents are saying that at [LGBTI] events like Rainbow Day and Purple Day that if their daughter doesn't comply with what they perceive as the school directions their daughter is ostracised,' Mr Tudehope said.

A mother who met the school's principal, Susan Bridge, to address the issue left the meeting without a solution and instead received the NSW Department of Education's stance on homophobia.

Mr Piccoli started investigating the complaints following a petition being signed by the parents.

'All schools are required to conform with federal government guidelines. I am advised all schools are following these guidelines,' he said.
The police commander who finally ordered police to storm the Lindt Cafe has included gunman Man Monis as one of the people he 'lost that night'.

His revelation on Wednesday came one day after Rosie Connellan the mother of Sydney Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson, who was killed in the siege, stormed out of a courtroom where the siege inquest was being held, yelling: 'You're an absolute disgrace' at a police forward commander.

It came after he described the management of the siege as 'high stakes games'.

On Wednesday, the commander accepted responsibly for the deaths of those inside the cafe but said he didn't know what he would do differently.

'Three people lost their lives because of me, my decision,' he said of the December 2014 siege which ended after more than 17 hours with the deaths of Monis and hostages Katrina Dawson and Mr Johnson.

Lindt Cafe siege victims Tori Johnson (left) and Katrina Dawson (right) died at the end of the 17-hour siege

Armed police take aim outside the Lindt Cafe before storming the venue

Rosie Connellan, the mother of Sydney Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson, stormed out of a courtroom where the siege inquest was being held on Tuesday, yelling: 'You're an absolute disgrace' at a police forward commander.

Armed police outside the Lindt Cafe on December 15, 2014, before they were ordered to storm the building

The forward commander, who can't be named, said police believed gunman Man Haron Monis had a bomb and he thought all hostages, tactical officers and the hostage taker would be killed if it was exploded in response to police action.

'I reflect on this every day but I don't know what I could have changed,' he told the inquest.

The commander's worry about the bomb, balanced against operational guidelines, stopped him from sending police in, the inquest heard.

When Mr Johnson was forced to his knees at gunpoint and murdered with a close-range shotgun blast at 2.13am on December 16, 2014, the commander ordered tactical police to enter.

He was expecting the worst and shut his eyes, waiting for an explosion and shockwave.

'I was sending those police in to die at 2.13,' the detective chief superintendent with 35 years' experience said on Wednesday.

Police storm the Lindt chocolate cafe in Martin Place to end the siege in Sydney in December 2014

The commander's worry about the bomb, balanced against operational guidelines, stopped him from sending police in, the inquest heard

Sydney Siege hostage Elly Chen runs from the Lindt cafe after escaping the venue

Ladies rush through Philip St past armed police at the Lindt Cafe as police attend the scene of the siege

'I had no option but to commit.'

The commander who began giving evidence on Monday has been grilled by the Johnson family's lawyer, Gabrielle Bashir, throughout Wednesday morning.

She asked several times whether Mr Johnson may still be alive if police had entered the building at 2.03am, when a shot was fired by Monis over the heads of a group of escaping hostages.

'The question is one of great importance to the family,' she said.

The commander, however, said he couldn't answer with clarity.

But he did tell the inquest that the siege plays on his mind every day.

'I lost three people that night,' he said.

'The buck stops with me. I accept that.'

On Tuesday afternoon, Mr Johnson's mother Rosie and father Ken bolted from the inquest when the commander described the events around the siege as 'high-stakes games'.

'You are an absolute disgrace,' Rosie Johnson told the commander.

The inquest continues before NSW Coroner Michael Barnes.
A drive-by shooting in Brooklyn on Tuesday night was not aimed at police, despite investigators initial fears, confirmed the NYPD.

A huge manhunt across the borough was launched after reports came in that two shots had been fired from a black Nissan at two NYPD officers at around 10.40pm.

The NYPD mobilized a huge response and even demanded the MTA shut down bridges across the East River to Manhattan to aid in their search for the suspects, but transport bosses declined.

Officers did recover the abandoned Nissan early on Wednesday morning but later revealed that the gunman was in fact aiming at a group of young people further up in the street and the incident was most likely gang related.

No one was injured during the shooting and what officers at first thought was a bullet hole near to where they were standing turned out to be a hole most likely drilled for cable television.

The shooting highlighted the febrile atmosphere surrounding the safety of police on duty following the deaths of eight officers in Baton Rouge and Dallas over the past two weeks.

Despite initial fears that a gunman had opened fire on two New York police officers on Tuesday night, investigators confirmed that they were actually aiming at another group of young men

Police initially thought two shots were fired from a black Nissan at two cops who were walking in Brooklyn last night - but this turned out not to be the case

The shots were not aimed at the officers - despite initial fears - but regardless police launched a massive search for the four men who fled in the vehicle

Several units rushed to the scene and set up a police cordon as they searched for the shooters, and officers were stationed at bridges to look for the Nissan

The car was later dumped and police are now searching it for evidence but no arrests have yet been made

After the shooting on Tuesday, several units rushed to the scene and set up a police cordon as they searched for the shooters, and officers were stationed at bridges to look for the Nissan.

The car was later dumped and police are now searching it for evidence but no arrests have yet been made.

The shooting came just two days after an ex-marine killed three police officers and wounded three more after opening fire on them in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Gavin Eugene Long, 29, used an assault rifle to shoot police on Sunday morning, ambushing them at a gas station on his 29th birthday.

He had previously had urged people to 'fight back through bloodshed' after a string of high-profile deaths, which have sparked the Black Lives Matter campaign.

The attack comes just days after three officers were killed in Baton Rouge and union officials have now warned all officers to be vigilant

A police cordon was in place for most of the night yesterday as police hunted for the four men in the car

Pictures show how numerous police vehicles went to the scene to investigate after reports of shots fired

Black Lives Matter protests began in Baton Rouge after video footage showed police repeatedly shooting black CD seller Alton Sterling while he was restrained on the ground.

Earlier this month, twelve officers were shot and five killed during a Black Lives Matter protest in downtown Dallas by Micah Xavier Johnson, 25, from Texas.

The gunman had told police that he was 'upset' about recent shootings of black people by police and white people in general during a stand-off nearby, as people fled the scene in horror.

Just days before, Diamond Reynolds live streamed the death of her boyfriend Philando Castile, 32, who was shot dead in Minnesota after being pulled over for a problem with the tail light.

She told viewers that he was reaching for his licence and registration when the 'Chinese' officer shot him four times in the arm.

Police say that the investigation is ongoing as they continued to search for the four men who fled the scene

The bullets were thought to have narrowly missed the officers in New York (pictured) - but investigators later discovered that the bullets were not aimed at the NYPD officers

The New York (pictured) incident also comes just two days after three officers were killed and three more injured in Baton Rouge

Mr Castile had told the officer that he had a licence to carry a weapon in what was supposed to be a routine stop, she said, as shocking footage showed him slowly losing consciousness.

After the shocking footage went viral around the world, Black Lives Matters protests broke out in Minnesota, New York City, Charlotte, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Baton Rouge, St Paul, Seattle, Washington DC and other major US cities.

Protesters chanted the slain mens names and held placards demanding for an end to police brutality. Other signs said stop police terror and no justice, no peace, no racist police.

Since the attempted shooting on Tuesday night, the Sergeants Benevolent Association has urged other officers to remain alert at all times.
The director of a controversial new film about the Cronulla Riots believes Australia is more racist now than when the notorious race-brawls took place.

Abe Forsythe has claimed the broadcasting of extreme views from politicians and media personalities such as Pauline Hanson and Sonia Kruger has endorsed racist views.

The actor-turned filmmaker condemned Kruger's controversial comments on Muslim immigration and accused her of inflaming racial tensions, reports Sydney Morning Herald.

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Filmmaker Abe Forsythe has claimed the broadcasting of extreme views from politicians and media personalities has endorsed racist views

Forsythe's black comedy Down Under, set to hit the screens next month, follows two racial groups retaliating in the wake of the infamous 2005 riots.

But he said things are even more hostile now more than a decade after the violent clashes.

'Now it's bubbling up but it seems like a lot of people are yelling at each other and not listening to each other.

'It's like it's festered and everything that's happened in the world is feeding into it and it's turning nastier.'

He said comments by the likes of Pauline Hanson and Sonia Kruger are further inflaming racial tensions.

'Sonia's comments are especially unfortunate in the climate that we find ourselves inAt a time when we need things to bring us together, you have someone saying something that is the most simplistic way of dealing with an issue.

The filmmaker said the broadcasting of extreme views from Pauline Hanson (left) and Sonia Kruger (right) has inflamed racial tensions

Forsythe's black comedy Down Under, set to hit the screens next month, follows two racial groups retaliating in the wake of the infamous 2005 riots

At Down Under's Sydney Film Festival premiere last month Forsythe told Daily Mail Australia he avoided filming in Cronulla for fear of adding fuel to the flame.

'We kind of avoided Cronulla. We got to Kurnell, that was as close as we got,' he said, referring to the suburb adjacent to Cronulla.

'The film mainly takes place at night so we just thought it was kind of good to keep away from there.

He said the crew ran into hot water nevertheless when the cast were accosted during production.

The Cronulla riots were the result of boiling community tensions, which were ramped up when a group of surf lifesavers were attacked by a group of young Middle Eastern men on December 4

The actor-turned filmmaker says racism is worse now than it was during the 2005 Cronulla Riots (pictured)

'We had one incident with one of our Middle Eastern cast members where they were getting out of a car being dropped to set, and a car of people drove past and screamed 'Aussie, Aussie, Aussie' when they saw him,' Abe revealed of some racism his cast faced during the filming of the movie.

'Conversely there was an incident too when we were shooting in a Middle Eastern area, where we encountered some confrontation because they didn't know what we were making as well'.

Forsythe said they avoided filming in Cronulla for fear of adding fuel to the flame

The Cronulla riots were the result of boiling community tensions ignited up when a group of surf lifesavers were attacked by a group of young Middle Eastern men on December 4.

On the morning of December 11, about 5000 people gathered on Cronulla Beach to protest against the violent attacks.
An explosion at a home in Sydney's south has left one police officer and a man with serious facial burns.

Two more officers were taken to hospital for smoke inhalation and a fourth was treated by paramedics at the scene at a Botany home.

The man had poured petrol on himself before he set himself on fire in a car, 9News reported.

An explosion at a siege at a Botany home, in Sydney's south, has left three police officers in hospital

One of the patients being taken into hospital in a stretcher after a man set himself on fire in a garage

Police were called to the home just before 3pm on Wednesday and forced their way into a home over concerns about the man's welfare when he barricaded himself in a garage.

The four police officers suffered injuries when they rescued the man from the car after the fire erupted.

The man, who had burns to his face and back, and one of the injured police officers, who had serious facial burns, were taken to St George Hospital.

Two other police officers were taken to Prince of Wales Hospital where they were treated for smoke inhalation.

Inquiries into the incident continue by Botany Bay Local Area Command officers.
Prince bought the house that propelled him into Purple Rain fame in the 1980s eight months before he died, a real estate agent has claimed.

The house, located at 3420 Snelling Avenue in Minneapolis, Minnesota, went up for sale a year ago.

It appeared in the 1984 movie in which Prince played budding musician The Kid - a performance that earned him the Academy Award for best original song score the following year.

Prince snatched the house in a secretive transaction eight months before his April 2016 death, real estate agent Deborah Larson of Coldwell Banker Burnet told the Star Tribune.

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The house used in Purple Rain, located at 3420 Snelling Avenue (pictured) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, went up for sale a year ago with an asking price set at $110,000

Prince (pictured as The Kid in Purple Rain) bought the house eight months before his April 2016 death via his company NPG Music Publishing, a real estate agent said

'I don't think he had a plan. I think he just wanted it,' Larson, who handled the sale, said.

A woman gave Larson a phone call last July around 5 pm saying she wanted to make an offer on the house without viewing it - and offered to pay for it in full up front, Larson said.

Larson, who had heard a lot of bogus inquiries from fans until that point, was unconvinced at first. But she told the woman on the phone how to complete the transaction.

The woman followed through and called back within a couple of hours, having completed all the steps.

Larson understood Prince was behind the purchase when she saw the name of his company, NPG Music Publishing, on the paperwork, the Star Tribune reported.

Prince paid $117,000 for the two-story, three bedroom property, $7,000 beyond the asking price, which was set at $110,000.

The home, which was built in 1913, was in need of repair, the listing stated at the time.

Prince never settled inside the Snelling Avenue property. He lived at his Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, about 20 miles away, at the time of his death.
At the foot of a giant sequoia in California's Sierra Nevada, two arborists stepped into harnesses then inched up ropes more than 20 stories into the dizzying canopy of a tree that survived thousands of years, enduring drought, wildfire and disease.

There, the arborists clipped off tips of young branches to be hand-delivered across the country, cloned in a lab and eventually planted in a forest in some other part of the world.

The two are part of a cadre of modern day Johnny Appleseeds who believe California's giant sequoias and coastal redwoods are blessed with some of the heartiest genetics of any trees on Earth  and that propagating them will help reverse climate change, at least in a small way.

Arborist Jim Clark inches up a giant sequoia to collect new growth from its canopy in the southern Sierra Nevada near Camp Nelson in this May 2016 photo

Clark volunteers with Archangel Ancient Tree Archives, a nonprofit group that collects genetic samples from ancient trees and clones them in a lab to be planted in the forest

Clark holds a sprig of new growth that he collected from the dizzying top of an ancient giant sequoia

'It's a biological miracle,' said tree climber Jim Clark, firmly back on the ground and holding a green sprig to his lips as if to kiss it. 'This piece of tissue ... can be rooted, and we have a miniature 3,000-year-old tree.'

The cloning expedition to Camp Nelson, a mountain community about 100 miles southeast of Fresno, was led by David Milarch, co-founder of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive.

The Michigan-based nurseryman preaches the urgency of restoring the Earth's decimated forests. In two decades, he says his nonprofit group has cloned 170 types of trees and planted more than 300,000 of them in seven countries with willing landowners.

'It's really a race against time,' Milarch said. 'If we start right now, we can go after climate change and reverse it before it's too late.'

Sequoias growing in the Sierra are among the biggest and oldest trees on Earth, some nearly 300 feet tall and up to 3,000 years old.

Relying on common sense that he says is being borne out by science, Milarch, 66, believes their size and robustness make them ideal for absorbing greenhouse gases that drive climate change on the planet. He likens them to people who drink and smoke all their lives, yet thrive well into their 90s.

David Milarch, a Michigan nurseryman and co-founder of Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, believes the giant sequoias and costal redwoods are blessed with some of the heartiest genetics of any trees on earth and that propagating them will help reverse climate change

Jim Clark, left, and Tom Brodhagen of the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive in Copemish, Michigan, are pictured processing greenery that colleagues had cut from giant sequoia trees

One skeptic is Todd Dawson, a professor of integrated biology at the University of California, Berkeley. He admires Archangel's creative efforts but says it's unclear whether the towering trees have superior genes or whether they were simply lucky not to meet the fate of a logger's saw.

Chances are slim, he said, that cloning and planting a limited number of trees will cool the warming planet. He favors more sweeping approaches such as curbing the use of fossil fuels and protecting vast rainforests.

'That's one of the things about global warming  it's a global problem,' Dawson said. 'You're going to have to plant a lot of trees to combat global warming.'

Brodhagen, left, Clark, center, and Chris Moore examine cuttings from giant sequoia trees in the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive laboratory

A team of about a dozen expert tree climbers from across the country volunteered for the expedition in May to restock Archangel's store of genetic samples. They risked their lives to climb to the ends of massive limbs, starting in the southern Sierra sequoia grove and winding up nearly 500 miles away in Northern California, where they carefully collected additional samples from coastal redwoods  a taller, thinner cousin of the giant sequoia.

Clark wrapped the clippings he gathered in damp newspaper, placed them inside ice-filled duffel bags and boarded an overnight flight to the Archangel's lab across country in Copemish, a rural village in northwestern Michigan.

There, Clark and another propagation specialist snipped off some 2,000 shoots a few inches long and planted them in small containers of a peat-and-gel mixture.

Clark holds a newly planted tip of greenery that was cut from a giant sequoia

Another 1,000 fingernail-sized bits of greenery were placed into jars containing a blend of seaweed-based gelatin and growth hormones.

The samples grow beneath purplish fluorescent lights under humidity and temperatures designed to encourage rooting. Cloning ancient trees is tricky business, lab workers say, and many samples don't survive.

Later this year, Archangel's team will come west to plant up to 1,000 sequoia and redwood saplings in a cool, damp region of Oregon where the trees will have the best chance to grow.

Bill Werner, a horticulture consultant based in Monterey, California, who has worked with Archangel, says that in the face of global warming, it's easy to dismiss the efforts of a 'renegade' group that relies heavily on donations and volunteer nurserymen and arborists.

'That's not fair,' Werner said. 'It may be a drop in the bucket, but at least somebody's doing something.'
Did not realise she was not on the flight until he landed in Benidorm, Spain

When came out he boarded plane, assuming his wife was

A forgetful pensioner accidentally left his wife in an airport and jetted off to Spain on holiday without her, only realising he had left her behind when he landed.

Maurice Hunter, 80, from Plumstead in south London, thought wife Carolyn, 70, had already boarded the plane at Stansted Airport while he popped to the toilets.

The couple had booked separate seats on the RyanAir flight to Benidorm as Mr Hunter, who is 6'4, wanted extra leg room.

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Maurice Hunter, 80, from Plumstead in south London, thought wife Carolyn, 70, had already boarded the plane at Stansted Airport while he popped to the toilets. The couple had booked separate seats on the RyanAir flight to Benidorm as Mr Hunter, who is 6'4, wanted extra leg room

Mr Hunter said after he boarded the flight he even waved at a woman he thought was his wife before settling in.

But when the plane landed and all the of the passengers began to disembark Mr Hunter began to worry when he could not see his wife of 47 years.

He told The Sun: 'I was worried something bad had happened because I could see that everyone was off the plane.

'When I asked [a Spanish worker] where my wife was and if she was OK, he told me she was fine, but back in London. I couldn't believe it.'

Mr Hunter said after he boarded the flight he even waved at a woman he thought was his wife before settling in

Mr Hunter, who is diabetic, then had to turn round and head home less than an hour after landing in Spain as his wife had all of his medication.

Mrs Hunter said: 'I don't know how we missed each other, but the last thing I said to him was not to be long.'

The couple, who had planned the holiday to celebrate Mr Hunter's birthday, ended spending the week at their caravan in Whitstable in Kent instead.
respecting students who are sensitive to loud noises

Said they are

A primary school is banning children from clapping at the school assemblies because it is too noisy and distresses some students.

Elanora Heights Public School, in Sydney's northern beaches, told parents about a new 'silent cheer' policy in a newsletter this week, reports News Corp reported.

The ban comes in the wake of a string of drastic political correct measures taken by Australian schools, including teachers being ordered to use gender neutral terms at an all-girls school.

Elanora Heights Public School, in Sydney's northern beaches, is enforcing silence at school assemblies by banning clapping because it is too noisy for some students (pictured)

'Instead of clapping, the students are free to punch the air, pull excited faces and wriggle about on the spot' (stock image)

'The practice has been adopted to respect members of our school community who are sensitive to noise,' the newsletter reads.

'Instead of clapping, the students are free to punch the air, pull excited faces and wriggle about on the spot.'

They said teachers will prompt students to perform a silent cheer when needed.

'Teachers have also found the silent cheers to be a great way to expend children's energy and reduce fidgeting.'

A spokesperson from Elanora Heights Public School told Daily Mail Australia the clapping ban was only enforced at school assemblies.

'To minimise discomfort to a teacher with a hearing disability that causes acute sensitivity to loud noise, the school has asked students to refrain from clapping and cheering at assemblies.'

'At other school occasions involving all students in the school, such as sporting events, artistic performances, smaller gatherings of students and staff, there are no restrictions on students clapping or cheering.'

The school said the move was put in place to respect students who are sensitive to loud noises. The move comes in the wake of a string of drastic political correct measures taken by Australian schools (stock photo)

On Tuesday, teachers at the exclusive public school, Cheltenham Girls High School in north-west Sydney, were asked to refer to their pupils with gender-neutral language such as 'students'.

The move has angered some parents who believe their children are now being forced to feel extradited if they don't take part in LGBTI activities.

In April, Geelong's St Patricks Primary School banned hugging and encouraged students to show affection such as high-fives.

In December, calls were made by the Victorian Government for Christmas carols with a religious theme to be banned at schools across the state.
Three people died yesterday as they attempted to cool down on the hottest day of the year.

Jack Pullen, 16, drowned in the River Etherow in Hyde, Manchester, where he had been swimming with friends.

In Staffordshire, a 46-year-old man, who has not yet been named, drowned after jumping into the fast-flowing River Trent in Stapenhill, Burton-upon-Trent.

And a 19-year-old man, who is also yet to be identified, died after getting into difficulties in Lammas Lake near Wraysbury, Berkshire.

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Yesterday evening Jack Pullen, 16, tragically died in the Etherow River in Hyde, Manchester, where he had been swimming with friends

A 46-year-old man drowned after jumping into the fast-flowing River Trent in Stapenhill, Burton-upon-Trent in Staffordshire

The coroner's office confirmed an investigation is being held into Jack Pullen's death and an inquest will be taking place.

It is understood the 16-year-old was swimming in shallow water in the River Etherow with friends near Market Street, Hyde, at 5.44pm on Tuesday night.

Police said the water where the friends were playing appeared calm and shallow but may have masked hazards below.

Jack's father today visited the scene where his son lost his life.

Gary Pullen said his son finished school in June having completed his GCSEs.

Mr Pullen, from nearby Hattersley, said that his son had not known what he had wanted to do next.

He simply said: 'He just wanted to be a teenager and be out with his mates.'

Tragedy: Greater Manchester Police said Jack Pullen (left) had been swimming in the Etherow River (right) in Hyde with a group of friends yesterday

Tragedy also struck in Staffordshire, where a 46-year-old man drowned after jumping into the River Trent in Stapenhill, Burton-upon-Trent.

He was pulled out by rescue teams shortly after 10pm yesterday evening and was treated at the scene before being rushed to Burton's Queen's Hospital, where he later died.

He has not yet been named.

Residents in the area spoke of their horror after hearing the tragic news, describing the river as 'dangerous' and 'fast-flowing'.

Staffordshire resident Ian Smith, 72, said: 'It is dangerous. It is a fast flowing river. It is hard to judge the rise and fall of it.

'You could also get a shock to the system from jumping in. The temperature in the air may have been sweltering, however, the river can still be cold.'

Patricia Rochell, 76, added: 'It can be easy to misjudge the current if you are not a strong swimmer.'

Tragedy struck in both Staffordshire and Manchester yesterday, where a teenage boy drowned after attempting to cool off in the heatwave. Pictured, flowers at the scene of the incident at the River Etherow

In Staffordshire, a 46-year-old man drowned after jumping into the River Trent in Stapenhill, Burton-upon-Trent. He has not yet been named

Another teenager who went for a cooling dip in a lake on the hottest day of the year also drowned despite friends' efforts to save him.

The 19-year-old man drowned after getting into difficulties at Lammas Lake near Wraysbury, Berkshire.

Two teenagers attempted to save their friend before the arrival of the emergency services.

Police, paramedics and a specialist dive team were called to the lake in a bid to rescue the teenager, however his body was recovered two hours later and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesman for Surrey Police said the incident happened on Tuesday evening as temperatures were still over 30 degrees.

The spokesman said: 'Surrey Police officers were called to the lake off Wraysbury Road at 5.50pm by the South East Coast Ambulance Service following reports of concern for the safety of the man in the water.

'Officers and Surrey Fire and Rescue Service's water search team were assisted by a helicopter from the National Police Air Service and SECAMB in the search.

'The body was then recovered at around 8pm by divers from Specialist International Group.'

The death was today being treated as unexplained with no third party involvement and his family has been informed of his death.

A post mortem examination will be held and an inquest opened and adjourned in the next few days.

HEARTBROKEN FRIENDS PAY TRIBUTE TO 16-YEAR-OLD JACK PULLEN Greater Manchester Police were called shortly before 5.45pm on Tuesday to the the River Etherow, where Jack Pullen died Floral tributes been placed by the River Etherow where 16-year-old Jack Pullen died, while devastated friends have been posting comments on social media paying tribute to the teenager. Heartbroken family members and friends have paid tribute to Jack, who is thought to have been the eldest of eight children and recently completed his final year at Longdendale High School. Bethany Roters last night posted a photo of her with Jack at a school prom with the message: 'Rip to one of my gorgeous best friends!! Can't believe your gone I'll never come to terms with This!! 'You always cheered me up and put a smile on my face. I am gutted it doesn't seem real. 'Can't believe we spoke this morning and now this happened just can't stop crying. I'll never forget you. Love you so much Jack Pullen.' Lizzie Dawn wrote: 'Gone far to soon such a sad time for everyone who knows Jack. I can't imagine how the family are feeling. 'My heart goes out to them all he was a sweet and caring young lad. RIP Jack Pullen.' Chelsea Booth added: 'RIP Jack, doesn't seem real you were such an amazing lad! Always in our heart my thoughts to your friends and family.' Greater Manchester Police are investigating reports a strong undercurrent took Jack under water or hidden hazards prevented him from reaching the service. One line of investigation is that Jack became trapped between a bridge and log. Police said there are no suspicious circumstances and no-one else was taken to hospital. Detective Inspector Andy Sandiford of GMP's Tameside borough, said: 'We have launched an investigation into this tragic incident which appears to have begun with a group of friends playing in the river on a hot summer's day. 'While we don't yet know for sure what happened, we understand the water appeared calm and shallow, but there may have been strong undercurrents and hidden hazards beneath the surface. 'A team of detectives are investigating the incident and have concluded that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.' Advertisement

Reports suggest Jack Pullen possibly became stuck between a bridge and a log while swimming in the River Etherow

As the country found itself in the midst of a heatwave - with temperatures soaring to around 30C in some places - many took to seaside resorts and beaches in an attempt to cool off.

However police forces and coastguards across the country have now issued a warning for people not to be tempted to cool off in lakes, rivers or canals during the current hot spell.

Chief Inspector Steve Maskrey, of the East Staffordshire Local Policing Team, said: 'Tragically, this incident proves just how dangerous open water can be.

'Although it may seem fun at the time, the public need to be aware that swimming in open water brings many dangers including the risk of drowning, catching diseases and hypothermia to name just a few.

'Therefore, my message is very clear - stay away from any open water including canals, rivers and lakes and always use a supervised swimming pool instead as the water is clean, clear and warm and there are lifeguards on hand if something goes wrong.'
Pictured in a pink wig at a music festival this is the ISIS fanatic who went on an axe rampage on a German train and may have lied about being an Afghan refugee in order to secure asylum status after claims he is Pakistani.

The terror group released a video yesterday featuring the attacker, who is claimed to be 17, who was shot dead by police after the attack, which left four people critically injured near the city of Wurzburg.

ISIS used the name 'Mohammed Riyadh' to describe him, however, sources close to the investigation in Germany said that he registered in the country as Riaz Khan Ahmadzai.

Riaz Khan Ahmadzai, who has been named as the ISIS fanatic who went on an axe rampage on a train. On his Facebook page he was pictured wearing a pink wig at a music festival

The 17-year-old attacker, who registered in Germany as Riaz Khan Ahmadzai and may have lied about being an Afghan refugee in order to claim asylum in the country

He lived on a farm with foster parents in the village of Gaukoenigshofen where the local Catholic priest set up a special room in his church for Muslims like him to pray.

As well as an ISIS flag and a suicide letter being found among his belongings, a Pakistani document was also found in his room, telling him where to go in Germany to increase his chances of being allowed to stay.

On his Facebook page he wrote in English: 'Life is too short to learn German.'

He was also pictured on his Facebook account wearing a pink wig for a festival at Ochsenfurt near to where he lived.

It was snapped at the Fasching Carnival in February, where events such as concerts, comedy sketches, parades and feasts took place over a four day period.

Gruesome pictures taken in the hours after the attack show the blood-soaked interior of the train

A stain of blood and the remains of a bandage lie on the pavement close to where the axe attack happened in Germany

He also claimed he missed his mother, once posting on the social network site: 'I love you mama. I can forget everything, but not you. I miss you mama.'

Meanwhile in the video released yesterday by ISIS, the attacker, who appears to be older than 17, uses phrases in Pashto, a dialect spoken in Pakistan and not Afghanistan.

GERMAN MINISTER WARNS OF MORE 'LONE WOLF' ATTACKS The German interior minister has warned that Germany must be on high alert for attacks by Islamist 'lone wolves'. Thomas de Maiziere said that it was believed that Riaz Khan Ahmadzai, who went on a train rampage was 'inspired' by ISIS rather than being a member of the jihadist network. He told reporters: 'This is perhaps a case that lies somewhere between a crazed rampage and terrorism. 'Like several EU countries, like the whole EU, Germany is also in the target area of international terrorism. 'Therefore, I have said for a long time, the situation is serious.' Following the attack, the Amaq news agency linked to ISIS released video footage of the attacker where he threatens Germany for taking part in airstrikes against the terror group. De Maiziere said it was unclear when the film was recorded by added it was a 'classic farewell video by a suicide attacker.' Advertisement

German TV station ZDF also noted that experts indicated his accent is clearly Pakistani.

Locals described the Khan as 'calm and even-keeled' and a 'devout Muslim who did not appear to be radical or a fanatic', according to Joachim Herrmann, interior minister of Bavaria state.

'According to the investigation thus far, there was no evidence on site to point to him belonging to the Islamist network,' Mr Herrmann added

Police however later found a farewell letter he apparently left for his father in which he said the world's Muslims 'must defend themselves.'

'Now pray for me that I can take revenge on non-believers, pray for me that I can get to heaven' the note said.

Prosecutors said he shouted 'Allahu Akbar' (God is greatest) three times as he made his way through the carriage.

An eyewitness told DPA news agency that the train, which had been carrying around 25 people, looked 'like a slaughterhouse'.

The assailant had arrived as an unaccompanied minor in Germany in June 2015 and had been staying with a foster family in the region for the last two weeks, Herrmann said.

'We must determine what the motive was and to what extent he really belonged to the Islamist scene or self-radicalised very recently,' Mr Herrmann said, adding that the assailant had no criminal record in Germany.

German police carry the body of the Afghan train attacker is carried from carriage and into a hearse after he was shot dead by police

The axe that Riyad used to injure his victims is recovered by police at the scene of the attack earlier today

Officers said the attacker had learned over the weekend that a friend had been killed in Afghanistan.

In a video released by the terror group, he said: 'I am one of the soldiers of the Islamic Caliphate, and I am going to conduct an attack in Germany.

'It is about time to stop you from coming to our homes, killing our families, and getting away with it.

'Our apostate politicians have never tried to stop you, and Muslims have never been able to fight you back or even speak against what you do. But these times are gone now.'

Meanwhile German interior minister Thomas de Maiziere explained that Germany faces attacks by Islamist 'lone wolves'

He told reporters: 'Like several EU countries, like the whole EU, Germany is also in the target area of international terrorism. Therefore, I have said for a long time, the situation is serious.'

Four members of a family of tourists from Hong Kong were injured in the attack, with two of them in intensive care, and a passer-by was also hurt.

The elder daughter of the Yau family told local media that her parents tried to defend her sister's boyfriend when the axe-wielding teenager went for him.

'Originally the assailant was attacking my sister's boyfriend and when my mother and father saw, they went up to get in the way and then they got injured,' Sylvia, 30, told the Hong Kong-based Apple Daily newspaper Tuesday night.

Edmund Au Yeung (right) suffered severe injuries as he tried to protect his girlfriend Tracy Yau Hiu-tung (left). They are shown together in picture on Edmund's Facebook page

Investigation: Police stand by the regional train on which a teenager wielding an axe attacked passengers

The fanatic went on the rampage with an axe and a knife on a train in Germany. He was later shot dead by police

Her father and sister's boyfriend are now in intensive care with serious head injuries. Her sister Tracy, 26, and mother, 58, were also injured, while Sylvia's 17-year-old brother was unharmed.

'My father-in-law's friends received pictures and said they were having lots of fun,' said Sylvia's husband, who was not named.

Germany has thus far escaped the kind of large-scale jihadist attack seen in the southern French city of Nice last week, in which 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel used a truck to mow down 84 people.

That attack was also claimed by ISIS without the assailant having clear ties to the group.

A record 1.1 million people were let in to Germany last year, with Syrians making up the largest group followed by Afghans.
She was charged with engaging in conduct that may harm a child

The woman is nearly six months pregnant with her third child

The 28-year-old was arrested last month after police found the two kids

The stepmother accused of leaving her two little children at home to fend for themselves while she travelled to Bali stepped out in front of the cameras as she faced court once more.

The 28-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons is nearly six months pregnant with a third child.

She was arrested last month after police found her kids, aged four and six, 'distressed and crying' at the family home.

She appeared at Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with knowingly engaging in conduct that may harm a child in her care.

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The stepmother who allegedly left two children in her care at home was pictured walking down a Perth street in a bright scarf and showing off her pregnant belly

During the brief mention, the court heard she is seeking legal advice and her lawyer asked for an adjournment, which was granted.

The ABC reported the couple's children remain in state care.

The stepmother was arrested by Child Abuse detectives the airport on June 9 - a day after officers entered her home through an unlocked door to find the kids.

The children had been left alone for two days, police alleged, saying in a statement that both guardians were away at the time.

The woman remains free on bail to return to court August 17, a court spokeswoman confirmed.

After she was first granted bail last month, the woman blamed the post office for the apparent debacle, claiming their documents had been lost in the mail.

The woman arrived at Perth Magistrates Court for a brief appearance Wednesday. The case was adjourned

Neighbours said the kids were 'distressed and crying' inside the home while the woman was allegedly away

Speaking via translator outside her house, she told reporters: 'If you are really concerned about my children, can you please help me sort out this post office and locate passports because without passports my children will not be legal here.

'So only when I get back the passports my children can be legal.'

Australia Post denied responsibility, insisting it had sent the documents to China months earlier.

'Delivery of this item in China is the responsibility of China Post once the item has been cleared by Chinese border authorities,' a spokesman said.

The woman's husband was absent in the US at the time and it is understood has still not seen his wife or returned from the US.

A WA police spokeswoman would not say whether police had questioned the childrens' father.

An investigation is ongoing.
COLUMBUS -- A 37-year-old Columbus man is accused of selling methamphetamine and marijuana to an undercover informant during multiple drug transactions in April at a couple of city residences.

Platte County Court Judge Frank Skorupa scheduled Patrick Kozisek for a hearing July 28 on four counts of delivery of a controlled substance in connection with drug sales during a two-week period at the end of April.

Skorupa set Koziseks bond at $150,000, 10 percent allowed for release, during a brief bond review hearing Tuesday.

The three counts involving meth sales are Class II felonies, each punishable by up to 50 years imprisonment. The count involving marijuana is a Class IIA felony carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.

Court documents described transactions in which the confidential informant, equipped with a recording device, purchased drugs at 14th Street and 39th Avenue residences over a period from April 12-28.

Columbus Police Investigator Jeremy Zywiec detailed observing the informant meet with the defendant at the two homes for the drug transactions. The investigator then followed the informant to a predetermined location to field test the drugs.

I field tested the substance, which showed a positive result for methamphetamine, said Zywiec in his statement supporting Koziseks arrest.
Investigators lied to the public about the truck being a

The French authorities were today accused of lying about the Bastille Day massacre as they covered up chronic security failings that allowed 84 people to die.

As family of victims prepared to sue, there was particular anger that a 19-tonne lorry five times over the weight limit had been allowed to run people down on Nice seafront.

Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was unchallenged by police before he attacked the crowds watching a July 14 firework display in what should have been a pedestrianized zone.

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As family of victims prepared to sue, there was particular anger that a 19-tonne lorry five times over the weight limit had been allowed to run people down on Nice seafront

Massacre: Bodies were left scattered over the road in the wake of the attack, after the lorry ploughed through crowds celebrating Bastille Day on the promenade

BASTILLE DAY MASSACRE FAILINGS Today it emerged that: All lorries over 3.5 tonnes were permanently banned from the Promenade des Anglais, where the killings happened. Despite the vehicle being more than five times over the limit, Bouhlel was allowed to drive it unchallenged up and down the Promenade at least four time. All trucks over 7.5 tonnes were banned from moving in France on July 14 -France's biggest public holiday. Investigators lied to the public about the lorry being a refrigerated one, and thus capable of delivering ice creams. Police vehicles used to back up flimsy barriers around the pedestrianized zone were removed just before Bouhlel struck. Advertisement

At one point the 31-year-old told officers he had ice creams in the back of his hired vehicle - despite the fact that he was clearly in an ordinary delivery truck with no fridge.

'It's unreal,' said Patrick Mortigliengo, president of National Federation of Road Transport hauliers in the Alpes-Maritimes region that covers Nice.

Highlighting weight limits that should have been strictly enforced, he said the lorry was a standard and easily recognisable Renault Midlum.

Mr Mortigliengo said any transport vehicle over 7.5 tonnes was banned from French roads on public holidays, while the limit on the Nice seafront was always 3.5 tonnes.

July 14 - when France celebrates the storming of the Bastille during the 1789 French Revolution - is the country's most celebrated public holiday, and every police officer in the city should have been aware of the ban.

His phone was picked up by police officers after they shot him dead last Thursday in a lorry that he had used to kill 85 people on the Promenade des Anglais, in the French city of Nice

As well as not mentioning any of the weight bans, the authorities have continually described the lorry as being a refrigerated one.

Mr Mortigliengo told France Bleu radio station: 'First, the sides of refrigerated trucks are in sealed plastic and the doors are much thicker.

'Second, refrigerated trucks are equipped with fridges by brand names like Thermo King, Carrier or another.

'Third, refrigerated trucks have an FR sign on the front that clearly marks them out. This was actually a Renault Midlum delivery truck.'

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins, who is leading the investigation into the slaughter, has claimed that Bohlel hired a '19 tonne refrigerated vehicle leased to a company' in nearby Saint-Laurent-du-Var.

Mr Molins has also confirmed that Bouhlel drove up and down the promenade hours before he started his attack just after 10.30pm.

He took selfies of himself by the truck at 1.43pm, 4.02pm, 4.42pm, and finally next to a pedestrian crossing at 7.25pm.

Smile: Wearing a black and white checked shirt Mohamed Boulel grins and puts his middle finger up to the camera on July 12 as he sits in the cab of the 19-tonne truck he used to murder 84 people on Bastille Day

A hate memorial made up of stones, rubbish and messages such as 'coward' and 'assassin' has been set up on the spot he was shot dead by police

Smirking: The second picture was taken on July 13, the eve of the attack, and shows Bouhlel grinning broadly as he and a friend wearing a white Paris St Germain football top stand by the lorry

Bohlel was shot dead by police after his rampage, and now investigators are trying to work out his motives.

Four men and a woman remain in custody in relation to the crimes.

Islamic State have claimed the Tunisian national as one of their 'soldiers' but Mr Molins said there was no evidence linking him directly to the terrorist group.

Bohlel has so far been portrayed as a violence-obsessed misfit with no interest in religion, who became obsessed with terrorism and continually looked up atrocities on the Internet.

A hate memorial made up of stones, rubbish and messages such as 'coward' and 'assassin' has been set up on the spot he was shot dead by police.
An American has been jailed for life in the Czech Republic for the 2013 murder of four of his relatives.

Kevin Dahlgren, 24, from Palo Alto, California, stabbed his cousin her husband and their sons to death in the city of Brno on May 22, 2013 before fleeing to the United States.

But he was extradited back to the Czech Republic and was sentenced today at the end of a trial which heard that Dahlgren stabbed his cousin, Veronika Harokova, her husband Martin, 55, and their sons David, 16, and Filip, 25.

He finished off one of the boys with a stone and tried to burn three of the bodies.

Czech journalist Karolina Peresta said Dahlgren's father was disappointed with the sentence.

She said he told reporters: 'I was sad that Kevin's cry for help was ignored by the judges. This fight is far from over.'

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Kevin Dahlgren is brought into court by police today. He was given a life sentence

Left to right: David, 16, Filip, 25, and Martin Harok, 55, were killed along with Veronika Harokova, the wife of Martin and mother of David and Filip. Harokova was the cousin of the alleged killer, Kevin Dahlgren

Kevin Dahlgren (left) said he heard a 'voice' telling him to kill his family. Dahlgren covered his face (right) as his lawyer translated the judge's remarks for him

Radio Prague reported that Judge Michal Zamecnik said Dahlgren had seen his victims as 'representatives of a frustrating world' and he said he was imposing a life sentence because Dahlgren's personality disorders meant there was a high risk he could kill again.

He maliciously attacked four members of the family who had been kind to him, who had given him shelter, who had helped him, who had done him no wrong

Judge Michal Zamecnik Judge Michal Zamecnik

Dahlgren refused to testify at his trial at the regional court in Brno but today he said: 'What happened to the family was a tragedy.'

The court heard that Dahlgren at one point told the police 'the voices in my head wanted me ... to destroy everything, all the time.'

Judge Zamecnik said: 'The crime he committed is extraordinarily serious. He was trying to solve problems with his own ego, with his own feelings and he solved those problems by completely wiping out the entire family.'

The judge said: 'He maliciously attacked four members of the family who had been kind to him, who had given him shelter, who had helped him, who had done him no wrong...and murdered all four of them in a very brutal way.'

Kevin Dahlgren's parents are pictured in court today as they tried to wave to their son

Dahlgren's parents, pictured, have attended the whole trial. His father said his 'cry for help' had been ignored

Veronika Harokova (left) was murdered by her cousin, Kevin Dahlgren, three weeks after he moved in with her and her family. Dahlgren (right) looks pensive as the judge announced his sentence

Kevin Dahlgren, 24, is led into a Czech courtroom where he was tried for the murder of four of his relatives

Dahlgren stabbed and beat his cousin, her husband, and the couple's two sons to death in 2013

After the killings, Dahlgren tried to burn three of the bodies in the basement of the family house in Brno

Dahlgren refused to testify at his trial in Brno. He faces spending the rest of his life in a Czech prison

After the May, 2013 killings, Dahlgren returned to the United States with blood-spattered shorts in his luggage. The blood was found to match the DNA of the victims

The trial heard that Dahlgren stabbed Martin Harok 29 times in his study before stabbing his cousin and their oldest son.

He then attacked the 17-year-old as he returned home from school, hitting him with a rock and stabbing him six times,

Judge Zamecnik said Dahlgren suffered from emotional instability, narcissism, paranoia and increased aggression.

Dahlgren claimed he had heard 'a voice' telling him to attack his family.

His lawyer has lodged an appeal against the sentence.

Dahlgren, who was in Brno to teach English, was detained at Washington Dulles International Airport as he returned from the visit on the day after the killings.

He was extradited to the Czech Republic last year - the first American to be extradited to the European Union member state.

In a 2013 extradition complaint, Assistant United States Attorney Patricia Haynes wrote that, according to Czech investigators, the four victims 'died of multiple stabbing, chopping and cutting wounds, particularly to the head and neck.'

This undated photo provided by the Czech police shows US citizen Kevin Dahlgren

The scene of a crime is barred with police tape on May 23, 2013 in Brno, Czech Republic, where four family members were murdered

The bodies of Martin Harok, 55, his wife Veronika Harokova, 46, and their children Filip Harok, 25, and David Harok, 16, were found on the evening of May 22, 2013, in the family house.

Three of the bodies were discovered in the basement, concealed under smoldering blankets, set on fire by Dahlgren. The fourth body was discovered upstairs.

Earlier that day, a cleaning lady said she arrived at the house to do her job, but was hindered by Dahlgren, who spread his arms in the doorway and told her 'there would be no cleaning that day'.

Dahlgren boarded a plane from Vienna, Austria on the day of the killings, and when he arrived in the United States the following day he was carrying in his luggage 'a blood spattered pair of shorts,' Haynes wrote.
Three suspects accused of gang-raping the same woman twice covered their faces as they arrived at court in India.

The three men were remanded in custody after the victim's father said his daughter was determined to pursue the case despite the state's failure to protect her.

Prosecutors accuse the men of raping the woman in her early 20s in the north Indian city of Rohtak last week in a revenge attack for not accepting an out-of-court settlement when they raped her in 2013.



Three Indian men attempt to hide their faces as they are brought to court in India accused of gang raping a 21-year-old woman

The accused, who face life sentences if convicted in the first case, allegedly offered five million rupees (56,500) to the woman's family to drop the initial rape complaint

The accused, who face life sentences if convicted in the first case, allegedly offered five million rupees (56,500) to the woman's family to drop the initial rape complaint, the NDTV news channel reported.

The woman told police she was gang-raped again on July 13 because she was unwilling to withdraw the case.

Even though she and her entire family had all moved some 40 miles from Bhiwani to Rohtak in northern India, the five suspected rapists still found them and trapped the 20-year-old just as she was walking out of class.

She said: 'I came out of college and there were those very five men in the car. Three were inside and two of them were outside.'

According to her account, they forced her in the car, drugged her and then raped her while she was unconscious.

Her naked body was found in some bushes and she was taken to a hospital in Rohtak's Sukhpura Chowk area before lodging a complaint with local police.

The victim's mother, not named, said: 'We used to live in Bhiwani before. After the incident we fled to Rohtak to save ourselves from these men. I wanted to educate my children.'

A woman (pictured) who was gang-raped three years ago has alleged that she was raped again by the same men

Police have arrested three men, all involved and still on bail for the initial rape in 2013.

'We will be collecting DNA samples from the victim and the three accused to ascertain whether the allegations are true,' said Pushpa Khatri, the investigating officer, adding that the woman was in a stable condition.

'The three arrested, they are the same men who had raped her earlier,' he added.

Sexual violence against women is a highly sensitive issue in India, where the fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in New Delhi in 2012 sparked deep soul-searching about entrenched violence against women and the failure of authorities to protect them.

India has enacted tougher jail sentences for rapists and promised to try those accused through 'fast-track' courts but rape, acid attacks and domestic violence remain common.

A noose hangs demanding death penalty for rapists, as Indians participate in a candlelit vigil protesting violence against women in New Delhi

Indian Dalit women shout slogans during a protest against a gang-rape of four Dalit girls in New Delhi, India

An inefficient and underfunded judicial system, particularly outside big cities, and a patriarchal society also mean many victims are scared to come forward and when they do prosecutions move slowly, if at all.

Members of the lowest-rung of India's centuries-old social hierarchy can find it particularly difficult to seek justice because of their poor economic status.

The three accused in the Rohtak case will appear in court on Wednesday where police will ask for them to be remanded in custody so they can continue their interrogations, said Sanjay Kumar, Rohtak police inspector general.

The victim's father said that his daughter was determined to fight the case and after the second incident had told him: 'I will not give up.'
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With the summer season in full swing, Turkey's coastal resorts should be bustling with holidaymakers.

But new pictures have shown discarded sunloungers and empty beaches as tourists decide to holiday elsewhere.

Just last weekend a failed military coup was attempted as rebels tried to grab power from Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan.

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They should have been packed with holidaymakers but rows and rows of sun loungers were left empty on Lara beach in Antalya

A man with a broom walks along the empty promenade. Holidaymakers have been avoiding Turkey since the attempted coup at the weekend

Meanwhile last month, more than 40 people were killed at Istanbul's Ataturk airport when suicide bombers blew themselves up close to the terminal building.

In the wake of the coup on Friday evening, the 50,000 British tourists in Turkey were warned to be vigilant and stay away from public places in Istanbul and Ankara.

And it has proved to be a blow for the tourist industry, with Lara beach in the resort of Antalya yesterday looking deserted.

Row upon row of sunloungers and deckchairs were left empty while parasols were lying stacked on top of each other.

This is in direct comparison to this time last year, when the same stretch of beach was packed with tourists.

Only a handful of tourists were spotted soaking up the rays on the beach amid the empty sun loungers and deckchairs around them

Unused parasols are piled up on the beach as there are hardly any tourists around to use them on Lara beach in Antalya

A parasol is discarded on the boardwalk in the shadow of a large row of empty sun loungers on a deserted beach in Turkey

Itir Sokmen of Tulip Holidays based in Harringay, north London, said: 'It's been a very, very busy.

'We've had dozens of people on the phone since anting to delay their flights, some wanting to cancel their flights - it's been terrible.'

However, the UK Foreign Office is not advising against travel to Turkey, meaning British holidaymakers could lose their money if they want to cancel their trip.

In previous years at the height of the summer holiday season, beaches in the coastal resorts of Turkey have been packed with tourists

Economists have forecasted that tourism revenue will tumble by a quarter this year, costing the country around $8billion (6billion)

It comes after, economists forecasted that tourism revenue will tumble by a quarter this year, costing the country around $8billion (6billion).

Overall visitor numbers to Turkey fell a relatively modest 1.6 percent last year, according to Tourism Ministry data.

Unfortunately for Turkey, tourists from the richest countries, who tend to be the biggest spenders, are also the most easily spooked by security worries.
The grieving relative of three people killed in the Germanwings disaster has vowed to sue the parents of the suicidal co-pilot who deliberately flew the plane into the French Alps.

Klaus Radner, 61, has filed a criminal complaint against Andreas Lubitz' parents for failing to stop him from flying.

Mr Radner's daughter Maria, her partner Sascha Schenk and their one-year-old son Felix were killed when Lubitz crashed Flight 9525 from Barcelona to Dusseldorf on March 24 last year.

It emerged Lubitz had a 'psychotic episode' two weeks prior to deliberately crashing the plane, killing all 150 on board.

Andreas Lubitz (right) deliberately flew the Germanwings plane into the French Alps on March 24 last year. Maria Radner (left), her partner Sascha Schenk and their one-year-old son Felix were killed in the crash

A doctor had recommended the 27-year-old be sectioned in a psychiatric facility before the crash, but was unable to warn authorities because of Germany's strict patient privacy laws.

Mr Radner's lawyers argue that Lubitz' parents knew he was unwell but did not stop him from flying. The criminal complaint calls for them to be found as accessories to involuntary manslaughter.

Mr Radner told Germany's Bild newspaper: 'I cannot understand how the investigators have left so many questions unanswered.'

Lubitz managed to evade health and safety checks while fighting his severe depression, which allowed him to remain flying until he decided to end his life while at the controls of the Airbus 320.

Klaus Radner (pictured), 61, lost three family members in the Germanwings crash

Klaus Radner, 61, has filed a criminal complaint against Andreas Lubitz' parents for failing to stop him from flying

This picture shows the wreckage of the plane that remained after the Airbus was flown into the French Alps

'We have lost a lovely and valuable person,' Lubitz' parents said in a newspaper tribute to their pilot son

An email Lubitz sent to one doctor revealed that he was concerned that he was losing his eyesight - and that it would cost him his job as a pilot.

The message read: 'I am afraid to go blind and I can't get this possibility out of my head.'

It also showed he was taking the highest dose of Mirtazapine, an anti-depressant which is also used as a drug to induce sleep.

The news comes after relatives of Germanwings' victims expressed their outrage when Lubitz' parents described him as a 'lovely and valuable person' in a newspaper tribute.

They took out an advertisement in the Westerwald newspaper in their home town of Montabaur, Germany, to pay tribute to their son who killed himself and 149 innocent passengers last year.

The advert is the first public expression of grief from the mother and father of the man who has become reviled for the mass murder-suicide.

In the newspaper announcement his parents thanked friends and relatives who had stood by them.

The tribute, which features a photo of Lubitz, said: 'Thanks to everyone in the town of Montabaur for cohesion and the protected space that you created for us.'

'Thank you for every written line, every flower placed on his grave, every comforting word, every visit, every loving or silent embrace.'

The parents went on to describe a 'year of horror and fear, without rest, of speechlessness and despair and unexpressed mourning. We have lost a lovely and valuable person.'
to be made of four families from Iraq, Iran and Palestine

A three-month-old baby has been found with 20 illegal immigrants in the back of a lorry after 'loud banging' was heard from inside the container.

Police were called after noises were heard coming from the LGV, which was parked on the same road as the police station in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, on Tuesday at 3pm.

The group contained four families, believed to be from Iraq, Iran and Palestine, who were detained by the police.

The lorry's driver, a 27-year-old man from Lithuania, was arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal immigrants and later released without charge.

A three-month-old baby was found with 20 illegal immigrants in the back of a lorry (pictured) after 'loud banging' was heard from inside the container in Hatfield, Hertfordshire

20 people, including the baby, were immediately treated by paramedics and are said to be unharmed.

An 18-year-old man was found among the group and has been passed over to social services care.

The remaining 19 people have been handed to Immigration Enforcement for their cases to be reviewed.

An image posted on Twitter showed the lorry parked on the side of a road with containers stacked inside.

Bedfordshire, Cambridge and Hertfordshire Road Policing shared the picture with the caption: '21 illegal immigrants found in this LGV after members of the public heard banging.'

BCH Road Policing thanked the transport firm PCL for its help, as well as KFC, which is believed to have brought water for everyone and food for the baby, the Welwyn Hatfield Times reported.

A 27-year-old man from Lithuania was arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal entry into the UK but later released (pictured Goldsmith Way where the lorry was found)

A Hertfordshire Police spokesman said: 'Police were called at 2.59pm on Tuesday, July 19 to Goldsmith Way, Hatfield, to reports of suspicious activity in the back of a lorry.

'A total of 21 people were subsequently removed from the vehicle and were assessed by paramedics at the scene.

'A 27-year-old man from Lithuania was arrested on suspicion of assisting illegal entry into the UK. He has been released with no further action to be taken against him.'

A spokesman for the Border Agency said: 'Immigration Enforcement was contacted by Hertfordshire Police on Tuesday after police officers attended an incident near junction 2 of the A1, where 20 people were discovered in the rear of a lorry.

'All were detained by police on suspicion of entering the UK illegally. One male was assessed as being under the age of 18 and is now in the care of social services.
The 24-year-old model was working with kingpin's brother as an advisor

Hand grenade thrown at Lima before his supporters retaliated with guns

A stunning model was one of 13 people killed in a Guatemalan prison riot in which four people were decapitated.

The free-for-all claimed the life of Argentinian beauty Joanna Birriel, 24, as well as the Pavon jail in Guatemala City's most influential prisoners Bryon Lima, who she is understood to have been meeting.

She was caught up in gang violence when a fellow inmate threw a hand grenade at Lima, imprisoned for the murder of a bishop bludgeoned to death with a concrete block in 1998, and supporters protecting him attacked their rivals with guns leaving 12 inmates dead in total.

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The free-for-all claimed the life of Argentinian beauty Joanna Birriel, 24, as well as the Pavon jail in Guatemala City's most influential prisoners Bryon Lima, who she is understood to have been meeting

She was caught up in gang violence when a fellow inmate threw a hand grenade at Lima, imprisoned for the murder of a bishop bludgeoned to death with a concrete block in 1998, and supporters protecting him attacked their rivals with guns leaving 12 inmates dead in total

Officials have blamed the violence on feuding between Byron Lima's gang and a rival gang led by drugs trafficker Marvin Montiel Marin, sentenced to 820 years in jail for the 2008 murders of 15 Nicaraguans and a Dutchman on a bus said to be carrying cocaine



It was known an Argentine woman visitor had been killed, but her identity only emerged on Tuesday.

Officials said she used to visit former army captain Bryon Lima once a month.

Prosecutors claim he built a multimillion pound illegal prison empire based on threats and corruption.

Byron's brother Luis Alberto said the model, who moved to Guatemala with an Argentinian boyfriend she later broke up with, had worked for them as an advisor for a bio-health park company.

Joanna, who was born in the north-eastern Argentinian province of Misiones, was initially identified by local press as Bryon Lima's girlfriend in what is thought to have been an error.

A group of inmates are seen at the Pavon maximum security prison in Fraijanes municipality, about 20 km from Guatemala City, after 13 people were killed in a riot

Seen through several chain link fences, relatives of inmates try to leave the Pavon prison after a riot broke out in Guatemala City, Monday

Her current boyfriend, an agronomist, is also said to have worked alongside her.

It has not yet been revealed how she was killed, although four of the dead were decapitated.

The riot occurred on Monday at Granja Pavon Prison, 12 miles south east of the Guatemalan capital Guatemala City.

Officials have blamed the violence on feuding between Byron Lima's gang and a rival gang led by drugs trafficker Marvin Montiel Marin, sentenced to 820 years in jail for the 2008 murders of 15 Nicaraguans and a Dutchman on a bus said to be carrying cocaine.
A young woman has had half her pancreas removed in a Bali hospital after suffering suspected methanol poisoning from drinking cheap alcohol on her idyllic holiday.

Jen Neilson, 25, has been left with about $60,000 in medical bills after she was rushed to the emergency last room on the day her travel insurance expired after she extended the holiday.

It's believed the poisoning was caused by methanol in drinks she was served in a night out at Kuta, Bali.

The Perth woman was released from the intensive care unit on Wednesday but remains in hospital and will never fully recover with half a pancreas.

She is not able to fly home to Australia until she is more stable, 7 News reported.

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Jen Neilson, 25, is in a Bali hospital (pictured) suffering suspected methanol poisoning caused by cheap alcohol

Ms Neilson has been left with about $60,000 in medical bills after her travel insurance expired the day she was rushed to the emergency room last week

The 25-year-old thought she was suffering a shocking hangover, but half her pancreas was dead from narcotic fluid.

Ms Neilson's friend Lilian Tagliari explained the situation on a GoFundMe page she launched to help raise money for the 25-year-old's medical bills.

She said her friend 'suddenly got extremely ill' and was rushed to hospital for an 'emergency surgery to remove her pancreas'.

'She will need to spend a lot more money after the surgery and is being told she will need to stay in hospital for a long time.

'We need Jen to recover and come home to her family and friends.'

Ms Neilson's mother wrote about her 'poor baby' on Facebook.

'It's been a horrible, extremely emotional week for our family with our Jenny in such a state.

The mother said Ms Neilson was 'recovering slowly, but at a rate the doctors are happy with'.

The 25-year-old has been left with a $60,000 medical bill because her travel insurance expired the day she was rushed to hospital

The 25-year-old had to have half her pancreas removed in a Balinese hospital (scars pictured)

'She will need to spend a lot more money after the surgery and is being told she will need to stay in hospital for a long time,' Ms Tagliari said

The GoFundMe page has so far raised $3,200 of the $20,000 goal.

A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the department had been providing consular assistance to an Australian woman hospitalised in Bali.

The Australian government's Smart Traveller website warned of methanol poisoning was a risk of drinking alcohol in Bali.

'Locals and foreigners, including Australians, have died or have become seriously ill,' the website reads.

'Cases have usually involved local spirits and spirit-based drinks, such as cocktails, but supposed brand name alcohol can also be adulterated.'

Symptoms of methanol poisoning can include fatigue, headaches and nausea, similar to the effects as excessive drinking, but with pronounced vision problems.

Imported alcohol are slapped with a big tax in Indonesia, meaning many alcoholic drinks are counterfeit.

'Drink only at reputable licensed premises and avoid home-made alcoholic drinks. You should be aware that the labelling on bottles may not be accurate and that substitution of contents can occur,' Smart Traveller recommends.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Tagliari.
A baby-faced graffiti gang filmed themselves as they caused 123,000 of damage to public transport - even doing so in broad daylight as commuters sat on board.

The five youngsters, who used GoPro cameras to capture their exploits across the Manchester area, have all been handed suspended sentences in court.

Harvey Hatton, Jack Walsh, Makshym Tyshkul, Joshua Maguire and another culprit who cannot be named broke into the city's train and tram depots and ran across live tracks to carry out the vandalism.

Maksym Tyshkul, left and Joshua Maguire, right, were part of the gang that attacked 125 trains and trams across the Manchester area

Harvey Hatton, 21 of Stockport, works for his father arranging musical events in Manchester and comes from a 'supportive family', the court heard

Jack Walsh, 19, of Hazel Grove, a talented musician and artist who is in the middle of an apprenticeship, told a probation worker: 'When I look back at who I was then, I think what a complete idiot'

The group's tags, TSR and BMS, became emblazoned on 125 different vehicles across the city.

They also mocked network staff and filmed themselves yelling abusive messages about the British Transport Police.

The five, said to come from respectable families, showed no reaction as they were handed suspended custodial sentences after they had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal damage over a two-year period.

They even tagged a train with passengers still on board as it made a stop at a station.

Manchester Crown Court heard the five spray-painters, who were as young as 14 when they started their spree, took pride in their raids and shouted 'f*** the BTP' as they graffiti-bombed trains.

Today the five, said to come from respectable families, showed no reaction as they were handed suspended custodial sentences after they had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal damage over a two-year period.

The five, said to come from respectable families, showed no reaction as they were handed suspended custodial sentences after they had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal damage over a two-year period

The judge, Mr Justice Henriques, told the five, who all had no previous convictions: 'I've seen video recordings made by yourselves. You took pride in your work and evidently gained pleasure in what you were doing.

'But what you were doing was vandalising someone else's property which cost many tens of thousands of pounds to repair and caused a great deal of inconvenience to railway owners and members of the public who were using the trains and Metrolink.'

Hatton, 21 of Stockport, works for his father arranging musical events in Manchester and comes from a 'supportive family', the court heard.

Walsh, 19, from Hazel Grove, a talented musician and artist who is in the middle of an apprenticeship, told a probation worker: 'When I look back at who I was then, I think what a complete idiot.'

The group's tags, TSR and BMS, became emblazoned on 125 different trams and trains across the city's public transport networks

The five, said to come from respectable families, showed no reaction as they were handed suspended custodial sentences after they had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal damage over a two-year period

Business student Maguire, 20, who heads off to university in September, took part in 38 of the graffiti raids.

Tyshkul, 18, joined the graffiti gang aged just 14.

He also admitted possessing a CS gas canister found in a drawer at his home in Prestwich.

Tyshkul and Maguire were each handed 10 month suspended custodial sentences, while Walsh and Hatton got eight-month suspended sentences.

Each of the five was also ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and pay 500 towards prosecution costs

Each of the five was also ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and pay 500 towards prosecution costs

The final member, who cannot be named as he is aged 17, was handed a 12-month youth rehabilitation order.

All five were also ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work and pay 500 towards prosecution costs

After the sentencing, investigating officer Pc Tony McGibbon said: 'Despite a common misconception that graffiti is a victimless crime and considered by some to be art, it is in fact vandalism, has huge financial implications for the rail industry and is unsightly and illegal.
COLUMBUS  Five residents testified against a project that will add a center lane for turning vehicles on 33rd Avenue from 39th Street to Lost Creek Parkway.

The project is slated to being this fall in anticipation of greater traffic once the new Columbus High School opens in January 2017.

Lonny Schaad, Judy and Dennis Cetak, and Lonnie and Connie Menke spoke out against the project Monday in front of the Columbus City Council, saying the cost to property owners was too high.

Susan Schaad, who did not testify Monday, said on Tuesday that she and her husband Lonny, figured its a larger amount than were willing to pay.

Dennis Cetak said he doesnt, see it as a benefit.

City Administrator Joe Mangiamelli said 80 percent of the cost of the project would be covered by the state and city, 10 percent by the school, and the remaining 10 percent by residents.

City Engineer Richard Bogus said the cost for property owners is estimated to be $55.30 a foot. Since most plots have 73 feet of frontage, the estimated cost per household would be $4,200.

The final cost will be calculated once the work has been completed and the project assessed. At that point, property owners can either pay their share in one lump sum or pay it over 15 years.

Council members Beth Augustine-Schulte and Jim Bulkley said they sympathized with the property owners, but Bulkley said they cant change the rules for one project out of fairness to previous and future projects.

The city held a public information meeting about the issue on May 26 to which no one attended. Augustine-Schulte recommended holding another such meeting to give residents an opportunity to look over the plans for the project and give feedback.

Property owners will also have an opportunity to give feedback during the final assessment.

The percentage of property owners in opposition of the ordinance did not exceed the 50 percent needed to repeal the project.
Britain could still take part in EU military missions tackling migrant smugglers and pirates even after Brexit, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon (pictured) has said

Britain could still take part in EU military missions tackling migrant smugglers and pirates even after Brexit, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said.

Problems in the Mediterranean, Indian Ocean and the Balkans impact on our trade, security and immigration, he said, so continuing to join EU missions would be in Britain's national interest.

British Navy ships have played crucial roles helping to fight people smugglers in the Mediterranean during the refugee crisis and piracy in the Indian Ocean over recent years.

'I don't see the British interest in these missions diminishing,' Mr Fallon told MPs.

'Of course we won't be members of the European Union, we won't be participating in the same way, but we will certainly have a national interest in the success of those missions, because if they are not successful, our trade and our security and our immigration will be affected.'

He was speaking as the influential Policy Exchange thinktank urged the Government to signal Britain will still be a major military player after leaving the EU by increasing its defence spending beyond the current 2 per cent of GDP.

Ministers were also urged to play a bigger and more active role in Nato and use its membership to build closer ties with global military powers to avoid losing military influence in the world.

The Policy Exchange report - which focuses on Britain's role in the world after Brexit - said a priority for the Government's foreign and defence policy should be to oppose an EU army, which could undermine the UK's position as a world power.

It predicts the 'special relationship' between the US and the UK will become even closer and urges Britain to strike close bilateral ties with Germany, which it sees playing an ever-increasing military role in the world.

The Policy Exchange report states: 'Even though it has now left, the UK must develop a vision for what type of European Union it would most like to see in the future, and encourage its development.

'If there is one lesson from our history, it is that stability on the European continent must remain one of the highest priorities for Britain's national security.

'In particular, the prospect of an EU Army should continue to be resisted, because of the danger that it would undermine Nato.'

Secret? That's the last bloody thing it is!' Ex-Army Colonel MP Bob Stewart blasts leaky Nato for handing classified intel to the Russians within THIRTY minutes

Classified Nato intelligence has been handed to the Russians within half an hour of being shared within the alliance, a former Army Colonel turned Tory MP claimed today.

Bob Stewart said 'secret' was the last thing intelligence documents marked as such were while he served in Nato forces during the 1990s.

And the veteran of the Bosnia war even claimed he still had concerns about fellow parliamentarians who take part in Nato proceedings today - insisting he had to be 'robust' in resisting demands from other nations politicians for universal sharing of intelligence.

Tory MP Bob Stewart, pictured at today's defence committee, claimed 'secret' Nato intelligence was shared with Russia in just 30 minutes while he served with the British Army

Speaking at a meeting of the Commons defence committee, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said it was a real problem but that there was a new 'initiative' to try and resolve it.

Mr Fallon was giving evidence to the committee, of which Mr Stewart is a member, on the recent Nato summit in Warsaw.

Mr Fallon told the committee there was a 'tension' between the 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance of Britain, US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, and other Nato members.

And he told the committee: 'I am happy to report to you that at the Warsaw summit, the summit did adopt what it called the Joint Intelligence and Surveillance Initiative which will I hope maximise the resources the individual members of Nato have.

'It will enhance the interconnectivity between the different intelligence systems that will help improve the training and expertise of the intelligence functions in each of the different member states.

'And I hope it will lead to better procedures for information handling and information sharing - there is quite a way to go to that but we did make some progress at Warsaw.'

Colonel Bob Stewart served as a tank commander in Bosnia before turning to politics as a second career

But in response Colonel Stewart said: 'As a member of the Nato parliamentary assembly I had to resist quite strongly as did other British members the demand by some other parliamentarians in Nato states to insist all intelligence should be shared equally among Nato members.

'This particularly came from countries like Belgium. I and others were quite robust in saying ''you must be joking''.

'There is a dilemma here - when I served in Nato we reckoned with anything Nato: Secret Classified on it took half an hour before the Russians had it.

'There was huge leakage there so it's a big problem. I know you understand that.

'There is a real dilemma that when someone says Nato: Secret that's the last bloody thing it is.'

Mr Fallon replied: 'There is a tension there and as the alliance expands there are more and more members to consider.

'What I want to assure you of is everybody recognises the problems not least because of the terrorism members are facing in western Europe and need to share intelligence more swiftly.
Theresa May promised to build the 'closest possible economic relationship with Germany' after Brexit following talks with Angela Merkel in Berlin tonight.

The new Prime Minister is working to establish Britain's negotiating position before triggering the two year process to enact Britain's departure from the EU.

But the German Chancellor said while it was important to take time and establish clear negotiating positions, the substantive talks could not begin the UK officially begins the Brexit process.

Speaking at a joint press conference with the German Chancellor, Mrs May repeated her mantra that 'Brexit means Brexit' but said: 'I want to be clear today that we are not walking away from our European friends.'

She said: 'Britain will remain an outward-looking country and Germany will remain a valued partner and friend to us.'

The Premier said she wanted to achieve the 'closest possible economic relationship' with Germany and promised: 'We will not invoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear.'

The two leaders shared initial discussions over coffee this afternoon after Theresa May was given a red carpet welcome in Berlin

Theresa May and Angela Merkel held a joint press conference tonight after their first talks since Britain's new Prime Minister took office and responsibility for ensuring 'Brexit is Brexit'

Mrs Merkel said 'irrespective of the decision of the people of the UK have made to leave the EU, we are linked by a close bond of friendship.'

The German Chancellor said she hoped the negotiations would be carried out in a spirit of close 'cooperation'.

She said: 'We will stand up for our own interests... but we will do so in the spirit of friendship and basis of many shared convictions.'

Asked for her first impressions of the German chancellor, Mrs May said: 'I think what is very important is we have two women here who have had a very constructive discussion, two women who - if I may say so - get on with the job and both want to deliver the best possible results for the people of the UK and the people of Germany.'

Mrs Merkel responded: 'Exactly. I can only subscribe to that and underline it in full.'

Mrs May headed to German today after telling EU chiefs Britain would surrender the chance to take a final turn in control of the rotating EU council presidency as she begins her Brexit negotiations.

The rotating presidency allows each EU member state to spend six months in charge of the EU's policy agenda, allowing the nation in charge to set priorities. Britain last held the role in 2007.

Standing alongside Mrs Merkel on her first foreign trip as premier and after a red carpet welcome to Berlin, Mrs May said: 'I have been clear that Brexit means Brexit and the United Kingdom is going to make a success of it.

'But I also want to be clear here today, and across Europe in the weeks ahead, that we are not walking away from our European friends.

'Britain will remain an outward-looking country and Germany will remain a vital partner and a special friend for us.'

Mrs May said 'We are both leaders who want to drive stable economic growth and believe in making sure everyone shares in the benefits'

Mrs May and Mrs Merkel shared a good natured press conference in Germany after their talks before a working dinner later

The Premier added: 'We are both leaders who want to drive stable economic growth and believe in making sure everyone shares in the benefits.

'Germany is the UK's second largest trading partner worldwide and the second most important source of foreign investment into Britain.

'Here in Germany there are 1,200 British companies employing more than 220,000 people.

'Now of course the nature of our relationship is going to change as we leave the EU but we both want to maintain the closest possible economic relationship between our countries and I believe that is what German and British businesses want too.

'So it's good that we start from such a strong foundation and a position where both our countries believe in liberal markets and free trade and these should be the principles that guide us in the discussions ahead.'

Mrs Merkel said tonight: 'We have already started our talks, our work and I am looking forward to a very good relationship and let me say that irrespective of the decision that the people in the United Kingdom have taken to leave the European Union we are linked by very close bonds of friendship, of partnership.

'The two countries have always acted on the basis of very clear and firm and similar convictions. We share the same values and this in many ways also determines how we deal with present challenges.

'We're partners in Nato, those of us in attendance at the G20 meeting in China, we're members of G7 and obviously this will determine the and also the spirit in which we will carry out the negotiations on the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.'

Mrs May was given a ceremonial welcome to the German capital by Mrs Merkel today before inspecting the troops laid on by her German counterpart

Mrs May was honoured with a military reception in Germany and used the event to promise to build on the bilateral relationship between British and German forces

Mrs May and Mrs Merkel together reviewed the guard at the event in the heart of Berlin

Mrs May called for patience over the process for withdrawing from the EU, insisting it was important to pursue a 'sensible and orderly departure'.

'Of course as we continue to work together we must also negotiate the UK's successful exit from the European Union,' she said at the press conference alongside Mrs Merkel.

'This will take time and it will require serious and detailed work.

'But as long as we are a member of the EU we will respect the rights and obligations of membership.

'I want to work with Angela Merkel and my colleagues around the European Council in a constructive spirit to make this a sensible and orderly departure.

'All of us will need time to prepare for these negotiations and the United Kingdom will not invoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear and that is why I have said already this will not happen before the end of this year.

Mrs Merkel said it was 'absolutely understandable' that the UK would want to delay the opening of formal talks on its withdrawal from the EU to give itself time to work out its negotiating position.

'It is to our advantage to have the UK define its negotiating stance in great detail and clarity and clearly outline how it sees its future relationship with the EU,' said the German chancellor.

'These have to be parallel processes. You cannot completely cut off the bonds and then after a long, winding negotiating process come up with how one sees the future relationship, so a good negotiating process and a sensible and constructive one is in all of our interests.

'So we will wait for the moment when the UK invokes this and applies for this and then we will put our guidelines on the table as to how we see the future relationship.'

Theresa May arrived in Berlin today for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Brexit. She travels on to France tomorrow for further talks with Francois Hollande

Britain was due to take on the rotating presidency in the second half of next year and, assuming Brexit had not been finalised, would have been entitled to do so as a full paying member.

But Mrs May last night told EU chief Donald Tusk her Brexit talks would take priority and Britain would not take up its post.

A Downing Street spokesman detailed the decision in a report of the call with Mrs May today

They said: 'The Prime Minister thanked President Tusk for the clear message he has given that the UK remains a full member of the EU until such a time as we leave and the Prime Minister underlined that she wants to approach the negotiations on the UK's exit from the European Union in a constructive and pragmatic spirit.

'In this context, the Prime Minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating Presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union.

Angela Merkel, seen today ahead of the talks, met Mrs May in Berlin later for talks on Brexit

'Donald Tusk welcomed the PM's swift decision on this issue which would allow the Council to put alternative arrangements in place.

'Finally, the Prime Minister explained that we will need to carefully prepare for the negotiations to leave the EU before triggering Article 50. Donald Tusk reassured the Prime Minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible.

'They concluded by looking forward to a strong working relationship and agreed that they should meet soon in Brussels or London.'

Mr Tusk last night tweeted that he had told Mrs May he hoped for an 'orderly, calm Brexit' that produced a 'velvet divorce'.

Government lawyers yesterday confirmed in the High Court Britain did not plan to trigger Article 50 - the exit protocols for a country quitting the EU - until the start of 2017.

Once triggered, there is a fixed two year negotiation period for finalising the terms of Brexit.

Mrs May will meet Mrs Merkel in Berlin later as she seeks to outline Britain's negotiating strategy before triggering the Article 50 process.

She will travel onto France tomorrow for talks with President Francois Hollande.

Ahead of her first foreign trip as PM, Mrs May said: 'I am determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the European Union and that's why I have decided to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after taking office.

'These visits will be an opportunity to forge a strong working relationship that we can build upon and which I hope to develop with more leaders across the European Union in the weeks and months ahead.

'I do not under-estimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the European Union and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation.

'I also want to deliver a very clear message about the importance we attach to our bilateral relationship with our European partners, not just now but also when we have left the European Union.

'These relationships have been vital in the past and they will be vital in the future as we continue to work together to keep our people safe and to support economic growth that benefits people across our countries.'

Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, told Mrs May last night he hoped for an 'orderly Brexit' that was a 'velvet divorce'

A failure by the UK to take up the presidency of the European Union next year would be 'madness' coming at a time of crucial Brexit negotiations, a Labour former cabinet minister warned last night.

Urging the UK to play a full part while it remained a member of the EU, Tory grandee Lord Cormack said it would be like a man planning to retire at 65, stopping work a year early.

Lord Cormack said: 'Is it not true that we are a full member of the European Union until we cease to be a full member?

'Would a man who announced he was going to retire at the age of 65 stop work at 64? And, if he did, wouldn't he be roundly criticised for so doing?

'We must accept all the obligations, meet all the challenges and indeed accept all the privileges that membership brings until we cease to be a member.

Lord Bridges responded: 'We must continue to play our full role in the EU and exercising the rights and observing the responsibilities that our membership brings.

'We will clarify our position in due course. I am very mindful of what he has just said and I am also mindful of the wish for clarity that some member states have expressed.
Twitter has permanently banned prominent conservative journalist and Trump supporter Milo Yiannopoulos for allegedly encouraging his followers to troll Ghostbusters actress Leslie Jones.

Earlier this week she quit the social media platform, saying: 'I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart.All this cause I did a movie.You can hate the movie but the s*** I got today...wrong.'

Yiannopoulos, tech editor with Breitbart, had defended himself, tweeting: 'It's not racist to point out that a movie f***ing sucks' and accused Jones of 'playing the victim'.

Milo Yiannopoulos has become popular with the alt-right movement. He is seen here (on the left in both pictures) with Donald Trump and columnist and commentator Ann Coulter

Yesterday several celebrities weighed into the row in support of Jones.

Model and TV host Chrissy Teigen posted a series of tweets in which she asked Twitter to 'stand up' against 'true hate speech'.

Yiannopoulos, the darling of the alt-right movement, is a controversial figure who criticized Islam in the wake of the Orlando nightclub massacre and has frequently referred to feminism as a 'cancer'.

But his spat with Jones appears to have been the final straw for Twitter, which suspended his account - @nero - last night and said it had permanently banned him.

Buzzfeed said Twitter released a statement saying: 'People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter.

'But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, and our rules prohibit inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others.'

Ghostbusters actress and comedienne Leslie Jones quit Twitter yesterday after claiming the abuse she received had become excessive.

Buzzfeed reporter Rosie Gray tweeted this image from the LGBT-for-Trump party at the Republican national convention in Cleveland last night

This tweet suggests Yiannopoulos was far from contrite about his spat with Jones

The model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen said swifter action was required to deal with abuse. A few hours later Yiannopoulos's account was suspended again and he was told he was banned

Yiannopoulos, who was born in Greece but raised in Britain, immediately hit back: 'With the cowardly suspension of my account, Twitter has confirmed itself as a safe space for Muslim terrorists and Black Lives Matter extremists, but a no-go zone for conservatives.

'Twitter is holding me responsible for the actions of fans and trolls using the special pretzel logic of the left. Where are the Twitter police when Justin Bieber's fans cut themselves on his behalf?

'Like all acts of the totalitarian regressive left, this will blow up in their faces, netting me more adoring fans. We're winning the culture war, and Twitter just shot themselves in the foot.

'This is the end for Twitter. Anyone who cares about free speech has been sent a clear message: you're not welcome on Twitter.'

Leslie Jones (second left) is currently starring in the new Ghostbusters movie with (left to right) Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy and Kate McKinnon. The film has got mixed reviews

Twitter was accused of banning conservative voices but not those who urged violence against the police

He also got considerable support on Twitter from people who felt the company had over-reacted while failing to tackle other users who had incited violence against the police or other groups.

Camilla Long, a columnist with the Times of London, tweeted: 'Jesus, why has @nero been banned from Twitter? Not a fan of his hairdo but I don't think being vaguely rude to celebrities is an offence.'

Kurt Braget, from Los Angeles, tweeted: 'Twitter removing @nero but allowing self proclaimed cop killers, terrorists, and other extremists is just shameful.'

Banned: Conservative gay journalist Milo Yiannopoulos was suspended from Twitter last month for comments made about the Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando. Now he has been permanently excluded

Controversial: Yiannopoulos is infamous for his anti-feminist and anti-Islam views
Around 50,000 people have been suspended or detained and academics have been banned from leaving Turkey, as President Erdogan continues his crackdown in the wake of a failed coup attempt.

Soldiers, police, judges and teachers make up the bulk of the people detained since fighting broke out on Friday night in Turkey's capital Ankara, Istanbul and elsewhere.

The government has also moved to revoke the licenses of 21,000 teachers at private schools, state run media reports.

They have been accused of ties to the plot or suspected of links to a U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen whom authorities accuse of being the behind the plot. However, Gullen has denied any involvement in the coup attempt.

Turkey will announce emergency measures on Wednesday to try to shore up stability and prevent damage to the economy.

Erdogan has chaired a crunch security meeting for the first time since the failed coup, teasing that it would lead to an 'important decision', as global alarm grew over the widening purge.

A supporter of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan watches on during a rally in Taksim Square on July 19

Around 50,000 people have been suspended or detained after President Erdogan vowed to purge the country of dissenters

The president returned to the capital late Tuesday for the first time since the coup and was chairing a meeting at his presidential palace of his national security council, composed of top military brass and security ministers.

He will then chair a cabinet meeting, also at the palace, the immediate vicinity of which was bombed during the military power grab.

Erdogan was in the Aegean resort of Marmaris when the coup struck and then flew to Istanbul where he had stayed since, appearing before supporters each night in a 'vigil' for democracy.

On Tuesday, the government suspended 15,200 state education employees and demanded the resignation of almost 1,600 deans from private and state universities over alleged links to Gulen.

Gulen lives in Pennsylvania but retains vast interests in Turkey ranging from media to finance to schools and wields influence in various apparatus including the judiciary and police.

Turkey's higher education council has now banned academics from work trips abroad and urged those overseas to quickly return home, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Wednesday.

The council asked university rectors to 'urgently examine the situation of all academic and administrative personnel linked with FETO' - or the 'Fethullah Terrorist Organisation', as it labels Gulen's supporters - and report back by August 5.

Supporters of Erdogan hold an effigy of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen during a pro-government demonstration in Istanbul's central Taksim Square

After the failed coup attempt on Friday night, Erdogan called on Turkish people to come out and show their support for the government

At least 290 people were killed and almost 1,500 injured amid violent clashes on July 15 as certain military factions attempted to stage a coup

It also told universities that academics who are already abroad on work or study missions should return home 'within the shortest possible time'.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the country's jets carried out cross-border strikes against Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, killing some 20 alleged militants, state media reported.

F-16 jets pounded targets belonging to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in Iraq's Hakurk region, Anadolu Agency reported.

The Turkish military has been regularly hitting suspected PKK hideouts and position in Iraq since last year, but Wednesday's strikes were the first since the July 15 botched takeover attempt by a faction within the armed forces, in which several F-16 pilots were involved.

Turkish special forces policemen walk in front a damaged building at their base which was attacked by the Turkish warplanes during the failed military coup last Friday

Turkish citizens walk in front of a damaged building inside the special forces policemen base

Turkey says Fethullah Gulen, a U.S.-based Muslim cleric, was behind the coup and has demanded his extradition. Gulen has denied any knowledge of the failed coup

It came as the military was reeling from the failed putsch and appeared to be an attempt to show that the forces are on top of security matters.

Authorities have rounded up close to 9,000 people  including 115 generals, 350 officers and some 4,800 other military personnel  for alleged involvement in the coup attempt.

The coup has led to public anger and calls for the government to reinstate capital punishment, while the state-run religious affairs body declared no religious rites would be performed for the coup plotters killed in the uprising.

Capital punishment was abolished in 2004 as part of Turkey's bid to join the European Union, and several European officials have said its reinstatement would be the end of Turkey's attempts to join.

Officials on Wednesday raised the death toll from the violence surrounding the coup attempt to 240 government supporters. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

Turkish police with arrested Turkish soldiers at police headquarter in Mersin. Erdogan has denounced the coup attempt as an 'act of treason' and insisted his government remains in charge

Authorities have rounded up close to 9,000 people  including 115 generals, 350 officers and some 4,800 other military personnel  for alleged involvement in the coup attempt

Turkey's National Security Council  the highest advisory body on security issues  was holding an extraordinary meeting followed by a previously unscheduled cabinet meeting on Wednesday, after which Erdogan said an 'important decision' would be announced.

Turkey is demanding that Washington extradite Gulen, who has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since the late 1990s and who the government has long accused of being behind a 'parallel terrorist organization.'

Erdogan raised the issue in a phone call with U.S. President Barack Obama, and his spokesman said the government was preparing a formal extradition request for Gulen. But he also suggested that the U.S. government shouldn't require the facts before extraditing him.

Later, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that Turkey had submitted materials related to Gulen and the administration was reviewing whether they amounted to a formal extradition request. Earnest added that a decision on whether to extradite would be made under a longstanding treaty between the two countries, and wouldn't be made by Obama.

Gulen has strongly denied the government's charges, suggesting the attempted coup could have been staged as a pretext for the Erdogan government to seize even more power.
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A 67-year-old man is traveling the globe to capture photographs of the world's largest great white sharks.

Stephen Frink, a photographer and publisher of Alert Diver magazine, headed deep into the ocean off of South Australia, South Africa and Guadalupe, Mexico, to get up close and personal with the most intimidating creatures of the sea.

Mr Frink, who is from Florida, said that on his trek he encountered a shark that he believed could compete with the largest recorded shark in the world  a six metre shark called 'Deep Blue' found in the waters of Mexico.

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Stephen Frink (pictured), a 67-year-old photographer and diver, travelled to South Australia, South Africa and Mexico to capture photos of the world's largest great white sharks (pictured)

During his trek Mr Frink encountered a great white that he believes could compete with the largest recorded shark in the world  a six metre shark called 'Deep Blue'

Mr Frink studied Deep Blue's competition, which couldn't be measured, from within a steel cage with a fellow photographer

Deep Blue's competition was photographed by Mr Frink as he studied the beast within a steel cage.

It is unknown which of his three favourite diving spots the shark was seen.

Although it was impossible to measure the shark at the time, he was able to take pictures of the great white as it glided in the water and opened its mouth to bare its sharp teeth.

'People are typically impressed with the predatory power of the great white, more so than any other shark,' Mr Frink said.

'There is intimacy in my photos. With underwater photography it is necessary to get very close, and with a great white shark it takes a wide angle lens within three feet away,' Mr Frink said.

'People are typically impressed with the predatory power of the great white, more so than any other shark,' Mr Frink said

'Getting near and showing their behaviour is my objective,' Mr Frink, who is also a magazine publisher, said

Mr Frink said that South Australia, South Africa and Mexico are his favourite places to dive with great white sharks

'Getting near and showing their behaviour is my objective.'

Despite their intimidating appearance, Mr Frink said great white sharks are actually quite shy.

'Great white sharks are notoriously shy. Only lately have we known where and when to find them, reliably.

'They are beautiful. They are majestic. They deserve to live.'

Despite their intimidating appearance, Mr Frink said great white sharks are surprisingly quite shy
Amidst all the theatrics of the Republican National Convention, there was a time for Muslim-led prayer.

But at least one delegate took issue and reportedly shouted 'No Islam' at the stage before being hushed by the crowd.

The prayers were led by Sajid Tarar, 51, the founder of campaign group American Muslims For Trump.

The prayers were led by Sajid Tarar (pictured), 51, the founder of campaign group American Muslims For Trump

The CEO of the nonprofit Center for Social Change gave a short speech despite the interruption.

'Let's pray to get our country back,' he said.

'The values reflected by our leader must reflect the values of our forefathers.' 'God bless America, God bless you, God bless Donald Trump.'



In May, Tarar told that he is backing Trump because radical Islam 'is not only a threat to western civilization, it's a threat to Islam itself.'

Trump has called for a 'total and complete shutdown of Muslims' entering the US.

WHO IS SAJID TARAR, THE FOUNDER OF AMERICAN MUSLIMS FOR TRUMP? Sajid Tarar, a Pakistani immigrant living in Baltimore, founded Muslims For Trump and hopes the candidate can 'guide America toward the right direction'. He studied political science in Lahore and loved reading about American history and culture. He moved to the US in 1986, obtained a law degree, became a citizen, and now lives here with his four children. He is in favor of a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US and not adverse to the surveillance of mosques. In an interview with Fusion, he said he saw no contradiction in Muslims backing Trump. 'The Quran says you need to be loyal to the country where you live,' he said. 'We have to do every possible thing to make our country safe.' He is not the only Muslim who supports The Donald - a poll last month by the Council of American-Islamic Relations last month found 11 per cent of respondents supported him. Advertisement

Sajid Tarar, a Pakistani immigrant living in Baltimore, founded Muslims For Trump and hopes the candidate can 'guide America toward the right direction'

The RNC has certainly not lacked controversy this year.

Melania Trump's speech caused uproar after she appeared to copy an address by Michelle Obama eight years ago.

After the similarities between the speeches were pointed out, the Trump campaign admitted that the aspiring first lady's talk 'included fragments that reflected her own thinking' but came from somewhere else.
Claims term was 'too lenient' as usual murder sentence in SA is 15 years

The sprinter sentenced to six years for 2013 murder of Reeva Steenkamp

Family say Pistorius knows how to survive prison during second jail spell

Oscar Pistorius is finding life back behind bars 'much easier', his family says - as prosecutors are seriously considering not appealing his 'lenient' six-year sentence for murder, MailOnline can reveal.

The family source said he is 'coping fine' on the hospital wing of Pretoria's maximum security jail - has learned how to survive in his second spell behind bars.

'He is finding things much easier, he is mentally much better prepared and an easier place in his mind, he is at peace with where he is,' the relative said.

'He is hoping to be able to concentrate on his studies and is getting a lot of comfort from his faith. He will be strong and get through this time with more peace of mind,' they added.

Killer: Oscar Pistorius' family revealed that he is finding life in jail 'much easier' - after he was returned to Pretoria's maximum security prison a fortnight ago for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp

'Easier': Shamed sprinter Oscar Pistorius is 'coping fine' back behind bars at Pretoria's maximum security jail

Cell: Prosecutors had campaigned for Pistorius to serve the minimum 15 year sentence for the 2013 murder

Returned: His lenient six-year sentence means he could be a free man in just one year, but state lawyers have decided not to appeal against it

The 29-year-old returned to Pretoria's Kgosi Mampuru II prison a fortnight ago where he stayed during his sentence for Reeva's manslaughter.

Although Pistorius is being held in a small, single cell for up to 22 hours a day, his living conditions at the sprawling facility are far more comfortable and secure than most of the jail's 7,000 inmates.

A specially equipped bathroom, a new mattress and food preparation privileges were laid on after he made a string of demands to jail bosses during his last spell inside.

Meanwhile state lawyers have reluctantly decided not to challenge the shamed sprinter's lenient punishment even though it means he could be a free man in just one year.

The family source welcomed news that the paralympian's legal wranglings may now finally over - adding: 'It is good news - I am pleased that Gerrie Nel has finally drawn a line under this. It would have been risky for him to take this any further  I think everyone needs to move on now.'

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel, had campaigned for Pistorius to serve the minimum 15 year sentence for the 2013 murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

But Judge Thokozile Masipa decided to impose less than half of that on the athlete she described as 'broken'.

It was claimed he provoked sympathy during his sentencing hearing when he removed his prosthetic legs in court.

Her decision prompted an international backlash and a flurry of unflattering memes on social media and accusations that Pistorius' fame and 'white privilege' had bought him special treatment compared to black and poor offenders.

Shamed: Pistorius provoked sympathy during his sentencing hearing, it was claimed, by removing his prosthetic legs in court and walking on his stumps

Murder: The 29-year-old returned to Pretoria's Kgosi Mampuru II prison a fortnight ago, and was presented with specially-equipped bathroom, new mattress and food preparation privileges

Violence: Reeva's parents agreed to release pictures of their daughter's gunshot injuries (left) because they wanted 'world to see' the pain Pistorius had inflicted on her

Reeva's ailing father, Barry, had wept before the judge as he described how the murder of his daughter had ruined his life and health and asked her to 'make Oscar pay for what he did'.

He is finding things much easier, he is mentally much better prepared and an easier place in his mind, he is at peace with where he is. Relative of Pistorius

But in a defiant, hour long judgment, the judge told the court that she had found 'compelling reasons' to set aside the public hostility towards the one-time sporting legend  and the 'misperceptions' of the Steenkamp family that Reeva's murder had been anything other than a tragic accident.

'Public opinion may be loud and persistent but it can play no role in the decision of this court,' she told the packed hearing.

The controversial case  which has gripped South Africa and millions around the world  has been marked by controversy and drama.

In 2014, Judge Masipa sensationally cleared Pistorius of murdering Reeva, a law graduate, and jailed him for five years for her manslaughter.

The fallen star of the London Olympics was freed within a year to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest at his uncle's mansion, but then suffered another setback when the judge's murder acquittal was reversed on appeal.

After finding Judge Masipa had made errors in law, senior judges sent the case back to her for re-sentencing.

Grief: Reeva's friends took to social networks to remember her. Before she died, Reeva lived with Gina Myers, who attended court most days. She captioned this: 'And all my gut. My soul. And my heart'

'Lenient': Pistorius was jailed in 2014 for five years for manslaughter, but the sentence was increased to six years after the murder acquittal was reversed on appeal

And earlier this month, the judge courted controversy once again by increasing Pistorius' previous punishment by just one more year, despite the greater severity of the new conviction.

In reality, prison bosses could apply to have the double amputee released into house arrest in mid 2017, if they believe he is a rehabilitated man.

It's not about him [Oscar] any more, it is about Reeva. It is about building her legacy, not his. Mike Steenkamp

Although the paralympian has always maintained that the fatal shooting of his lover in the early hours of Valentine's Day 2013 was a terrible mistake, Reeva's family remain convinced that the murder was the appalling culmination of a violent argument.

Mike Steenkamp  Barry's brother  today said the family also wanted to move on after coming to terms with the judge's ruling.

'It's not about him [Oscar] any more, it is about Reeva. It is about building her legacy, not his. Barry and June have done everything they could for the legal avenues, and are coming to terms with what was decided.

'But now they want to concentrate on the Foundation in Reeva's name and give their remaining strength to that, the court hearings have really laid them low,' he told MailOnline.

Leading defence lawyer Mike Hellens said Mr Nel would not be wise not to challenge the judge as an appeal court could well refuse to overrule her decision.

Although Pistorius' six-year murder sentence, which usually warrants a 15-year term, was 'light' it was not 'shockingly inappropriate' which would merit the scrutiny of the higher court.

'I have studied the judgement thoroughly and there was no mistake in reasoning  and because of that the appeal court would be loathe to interfere with it,' Mr Hellens said.

Shock: The killer, pictured at London 2012, would have 'paid his debt to society' by the time the Games began in Japan, according to the SA sports chief, so would be eligible to compete as long as he is fit enough

'The judge has a wide discretion in deciding sentence, so even if it felt the sentence was a bit light, the appeal court won't interfere with her decision.

'It would only elect to interfere if it felt that the sentence was shockingly inappropriate one way or another. We don't live in a perfect world, and finality is a very cherished principle of our justice system.
Father, Homam Rady, said the family was 'overwhelmed with grief'

Emergency services gave CPR and rushed her to hospital but she died

anesthesia and did not wake up after unknown complication

A three-year-old girl has died after a dental procedure in California.

Marvelena Rady did not wake up after complications during the procedure at the Dentalbliss clinic in San Ramon and was immediately rushed to hospital.

Officials from the fire department tried to revive her at the scene but could not save her and she was later pronounced dead at the San Ramon Valley Regional Center.

Marvelena Rady did not wake up after complications during the procedure at the Dentalbliss clinic in San Ramon and was immediately rushed to hospital

Officials from the fire department tried to revive her at the dental cenre (pictured) but could not save her and she was later pronounced dead at the San Ramon Valley Regional Center

Sergeant Nathan Jones from the San Ramon Police Department told abc7: 'When we arrived here, San Ramon Valley Fire was already on scene performing CPR.'

The girl's father, Homam Rady, told KRON4 that their family were 'devastated' and 'overwhelmed with grief' but could not confirm exactly what had happened.

He posted on Facebook: 'God have mercy on you my daughter,' and others posted messages of support for him and his family.

The doctor listed at the office, on 111 Deerwood Road, is Cheri Amanda Dang, who has held a licence since 2009 and has a general anaesthesia permit.

Emergency services rushed to the office on Saturday and fire crews tried to revive the girl before she was taken to hospital and pronounced dead.

The County Coroner identified the child today but said the cause of death is still under investigation.

The girl's father, Homam Rady (pictured together), told KRON4 that their family were 'devastated' and 'overwhelmed with grief' but could not confirm exactly what had happened

San Ramon police officials said there was no criminal investigation into the incident.

The family are now demanding answers over the tragic death of Marvelena, who is not the first US child to die during a dental procedure.

Caleb Sears, a healthy 6-year-old boy from Albany, died last year during a procedure under anesthesia, which his oral surgeon was allowed to administer without help from other medical professionals.

This year, the Senate will hear a proposed bill that could require dental boards to consider whether children are sufficiently protected by current guidelines governing dental centres.
Azaria was nine-weeks-old when she was snatched by a dingo in 1980

She was exonerated when new evidence emerged in 1986

The Chamberlain father of a baby girl infamously killed by a dingo has hit back at his ex-wife after she revealed he was the one person she couldn't forgive for her wrongful imprisonment.

Michael Chamberlain has said he was surprised by Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton's claim that she has struggled to forgive him after she was jailed for murder when their nine-week-old baby daughter Azaria was snatched by a dingo at Uluru in 1980.

'I don't agree with her. I never have,' Mr Chamberlain told Courier Mail on Wednesday in response to her comments.

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Michael Chamberlain has said he was surprised by Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton's claim that she has struggled to forgive him (Mr Chamberlain pictured with ex-wife Ms Chamberlain-Creighton)

Mr Chamberlain (left) said he has 'moved on' and that Ms Chamberlain-Creighton (pictured right in 2012) has never reached out to him to talk

He said he had moved on, had nothing against Ms Chamberlain-Creighton and wished her well.

'If she wants to she can talk to me personally or privately but she's never done that,' Mr Chamberlain said.

68-year-old Ms Chamberlain-Creighton spoke at the National Christian Family Conference in Sydney on Monday.

She said she did not hold any anger, but couldn't forgive Mr Chamberlain for 'private' reasons.

In August 1980, the couple were camping at the base of Uluru in the Northern Territory when their youngest child, nine-week-old Azaria, was taken from the family tent.

Although she was wrongfully jailed over Azaria's murder, Ms Chamberlain-Creighton told the crowd she is trying to not be 'stuck on resentment' as it 'sleeps with you at night', Courier Mail reported.

'If you're holding the anger  you're not hurting them at all. They're succeeding well beyond their wildest dreams. It's you that's dying,' she said.

In August 1980, the couple were camping at the base of Uluru in the Northern Territory when their youngest child, nine-week-old Azaria (pictured with Ms Chamberlain) was taken from the family tent

Ms Chamberlain-Creighton said it was the Australian public's 'responsibility' to 'carry the pain' after many wrongly believed she had murdered her daughter.

She told the crowd she knew the truth would come out eventually as 'God would make sure it all came out right'.

The New-Zealand born woman praised one reporter who publicly apologised for believing the couple were guilty.

Ms Chamberlain-Creighton said the scars from her past are slowly healing after spending 32 years fighting for justice.

On the evening of August 17 in 1980, Ms Chamberlain-Creighton went to check on Azaria, and found her gone, she called out either, 'that dog's got my baby' or 'my God, my God, a dingo has got my baby'.

A seven-week hearing concluded on October 29, 1982 with Lindy Chamberlain being sentenced to life for murder and Michael Chamberlain receiving a suspended sentence for being an accessory after the fact.

A seven-week hearing concluded on October 29, 1982 with Lindy Chamberlain being sentenced to life for murder and Michael Chamberlain receiving a suspended sentence for being an accessory after the fact

On the evening of August 17 in 1980, Ms Chamberlain-Creighton went to check on Azaria, and found her gone

Ms Chamberlain-Creighton gave birth to her fourth child Kahlia while behind bars and was exonerated four years later when police discovered a vital piece of evidence.

Officers could not find any dingo saliva on the baby's jumpsuit and Ms Chamberlain-Creighton claimed Azaria was wearing a black matinee jacket over the top.

The jacket was found in 1986 when English tourist David Brett fell to his death from Uluru during an evening climb. His body was recovered from an area full of dingo lairs and police discovered the jacket nearby.

She was released that year after spending four years in jail.

Ms Chamberlain-Creighton and her ex-husband divorced in 1991 and she remarried husband Rick.

In 2012, the former pastor said he and his ex-wife have no contact and the pair were 'both changed' after the accusations.

Mr Chamberlain also remarried and has been caring for his new wife after she suffered a stroke.

'My life  I don't wish it on anyone,' he told Courier Mail.

THE LINDY CHAMBERLAIN CASE: OVER THE YEARS August 17, 1980  Lindy Chamberlain discovered her daughter Azaria missing from their family tent during a camping trip at Uluru in the Northern Territory. December 1980  An initial inquest supported Lindy and Michael Chamberlain's claims their daughter was taken by a dingo. December 1981  A second inquest was ordered after the Supreme Court quashed the initial inquest's findings. September 1982  Lindy was charged with Azaria's murder and Michael was charged with being an accessory after the fact. October 29, 1982  The couple was found guilty of their respective charges. Lindy was sentenced to life in prison and Michael received a suspended sentence. Early 1986  The jacket Azaria was wearing when she was killed was found by authorities in a dingo lair after a British tourist fell to his death in the same area. 1986  The Northern Territory government ordered Lindy to be released from prison. 1988  Lindy and Michael were acquitted of Azaria's death by the Supreme Court and their convictions were overturned. The couple received a $1.3 million pay-out for their wrongful imprisonment. 1991  Lindy and Michael divorced. 1995  A third inquest into the infant's death was held and returned an open verdict. 2012  A fourth inquest was held and the coroner ruled that a dingo did in fact take Azaria from the family's campsite. Michael said that he and his ex-wife had no contact. Advertisement

Officers could not find any dingo saliva on the baby's jumpsuit and Ms Chamberlain-Creighton claimed Azaria was wearing a black matinee jacket over the top

Ms Chamberlain-Creighton spoke at a conference in Sydney on Monday and said she is trying not to hold on to anger, but when pressed on why she could not forgive Michael Chamberlain (pictured), said it was 'private'

Ms Chamberlain-Creighton said it was the Australian public's 'responsibility' to 'carry the pain' after many wrongly believed she had murdered her daughter

A seven-week hearing concluded on October 29, 1982 with Lindy Chamberlain being sentenced to life for murder and Michael Chamberlain (both pictured) receiving a suspended sentence

Ms Chamberlain-Creighton (pictured in 2012) gave birth to her fourth child Kahlia while behind bars and was exonerated four years later when police discovered a vital piece of evidence
A criminal investigation is underway after thieves brought Eurostar trains to a halt stranding passengers in 30 degree heat and leaving them struggling to breathe after a fire in an electricity sub-station near Paris.

At least six high-speed trains due to travel between the French capital and London were cancelled today, following a night of misery for thousands of passengers.

An act of malevolence caused the crisis, said a spokesman for SNCF, Frances national railway. He said thieves trying to steal electric cables had broken into a secure electricity unit in the northern suburb of St-Denis at around 6.30pm on Tuesday.

Young children had to be lifted down from stranded Eurostar carriages after services were suspended yesterday when thieves tried to steal electric cables causing a huge fire

Passengers walked by the tracks after being stuck in stifling hot carriages with no air conditioning or water

A fire broke out, meaning the electricity supply had to be cut, causing chaos and absolute misery across the line on the hottest day of the year in France.

Around fifteen thousand people had to be evacuated from fifteen trains blocked on the rails, said Frances transport secretary Alain Vidalies.

Many of those stranded, who including numerous passengers from Britain, had to endure roasting hot carriages without air conditioning or water supplies.

Others stood on the side of the track, where temperatures were well above 30C. While a technical solution has now been found, there will be more cancellations and delays today.

Eurostar offered apologies on social media for infrastructure issues, while their website blamed a power outage near Paris Gare du Nord.

Many TGV high speed trains were also cancelled in France, along with commuter services, including those connecting central Paris with major airports.

Passengers on board one of the Eurostar trains evacuated on Tuesday evening expressed there fury at the way they were treated.

Passengers waiting for services back to London from Gare du Nord in Paris last night had to sit on the kerb and wait after trains were suspended

Members of the French Red Cross handed out bottles of water to stranded passengers as temperatures reached 30 degrees

British traveller Caroline Bowern said: Shambolic French service on trains and Eurostar today! Don't think we will be travelling to France again anytime soon.

Simon Usborne, aboard service ES9051, tweeted: People queueing to breathe at one open door. Police have arrived. Passengers eyeing up window hammers.

Videos showed passengers having to be lifted from the train, and others standing by the side of the tracks looking confused and distressed.

Emma Malloch, another passenger, added: Apparently being evacuated but limited info. Stuck like herds of cows! Hundreds of people, no clue?
A scrubs nurse allegedly spent eight years pretending to friends and family - including his wife - that he was a top surgeon.

Kevin O'Flanagan is accused of lying about his profession between 2006 and 2014, allegedly listing his job title as orthopaedic practitioner on his marriage certificate.

At the time of the alleged pretence, O'Flanagan - who also gives his first name as Caven - was a scrubs nurse at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford.

A scrubs nurse allegedly spent eight years pretending to friends and family - including his wife - that he was a top surgeon while he was a scrubs nurse at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford (pictured)

Scrubs nurses assist in surgical procedures by setting up the room before the operation but do not carry out any of the operations.

O'Flanagan has now been summoned to appear before the Nursing and Midwifery Council to answer 12 charges, including pocketing thousands of pounds for more than 40 shifts he did not even work.

It is alleged O'Flanagan kept up his cover by writing a letter from a colleague which offered him a fellowship in Cranio-Facial Maxillary Reconstruction Surgery.

However, the charges state he was not offered the job, and neither did it exist. Instead, it is alleged he made up the offer to make others believe he had been offered the position.

O'Flanagan is also accused of lying on social media networking site LinkedIn, by stating he was a clinical lead of head and neck surgery between April 2012 and April 2014.

The council alleges it was misleading as the job title refers to doctors and not nurses.

One of the accusations is that he allowed a concert ticket and parking ticket to be booked under the name 'Dr Caven OFlanagan'.

The final charge relates to the allegation that he claimed and was paid for 42 hospital shifts between March and December 2013, when he had not worked.

O'Flanagan, formerly of Colchester, was employed by Mid Essex Hospital Trust when the offences are alleged to have taken place.

He will appear before a Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing in London next month for a five day hearing.

A spokeswoman for Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust said: 'We can confirm that Mr O'Flanagan did work for the trust, but due to the upcoming Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing in August, we are unable to make any further comment at this time.'
The fund manager which employs Philip May is sitting on a 200 million paper profit following the massive buyout of Cambridge-based ARM Holdings by Japanese giant Softbank.

The huge 24.3 billion transaction was one of the first items in Theresa May's in tray over the weekend as she got down to work as Prime Minister and she has supported the deal.

Capital World Investors employs Mr May as a client relationship manager and the US-based fund manager owns a 3 per cent stake in ARM - one of the world's biggest chip manufacturers.

Theresa May was involved in the takeover on her first weekend as PM while her husband Philip's employer has made a huge paper profit off the deal

Mr May's role is in a different part of the business and he had no role in the ARM-Softbank transaction.

Mrs May has declared all of her financial interests to the Cabinet Office to avoid conflicts in her new post at No 10.

The Prime Minister told MPs on Monday the takeover was a 'clear demonstration Britain is open for business, attractive to international investment'.

Softbank, a huge Japanese tech firm, has promised to expand ARM's Cambridge headquarters and double its workforce.

A spokesman for Number 10 told The Times: 'ARM is a technology success story which has attracted significant investment within the UK.

'This proposed deal is positive news: thousands of jobs will be created and Cambridge's position as a tech industry hub will be reinforced.'

A spokeswoman for Capital told the paper: '[Mr May] is not involved with our investment research or portfolio management activities or decisions.'

Fresh fears surfaced today over the 24billion takeover of tech giant ARM as it emerged its boss oversaw the sale of another British firm to the Japanese.

Masayoshi Son (L), CEO of Japanese mobile giant SoftBank, and Stuart Chambers, Chairman of British chip designer company ARM Holdings, are pictured outside 11 Downing street in central London on Monday after meeting Chancellor Philip Hammond

Stuart Chambers, chairman of ARM Holdings, was chief executive of UK glassmaker Pilkington when it was bought by a Japanese rival a decade ago.

He announced on Monday that ARM is in talks to be taken over by conglomerate SoftBank, owned by Japans second richest man, Masayoshi Son.

If successful, the deal will see the board members of ARM, including Mr Chambers, share in a 35million payday.

Mr Chambers, 60, who lives in a five-bedroom 1.2million house near Macclesfield with his wife Nicolette, is set to make 680,000. ARM chief executive Simon Segars will get 11.4million and co-founder Mike Muller, who is in charge of the firms technology, will make 22.7million.

The proposed takeover has sparked heated debate over whether a foreign firm should be allowed to buy a British technology giant.

While largely unknown to consumers, ARM is a shining light in the industry, supplying billions of micro-chips for iPhones and Samsung mobile devices.

The deal was struck while father-of-three Mr Chambers was on a sailing holiday with his family in Turkey.

Billionaire Mr Son phoned him and persuaded him to meet at the marina resort of Marmaris.

Mr Son jetted in from Japan and Mr Segars flew in from California.
Theresa May has lacerated 'unscrupulous' Jeremy Corbyn as she made a devastating debut at PMQs that drew comparisons to Margaret Thatcher.

Facing off against the Labour leader in the Commons, Mrs May made a point of thanking 140 of his MPs who defied him to vote for keeping the Trident nuclear deterrent.

She also joked that she hoped Mr Corbyn survived the current mutiny on his own benches because she was looking forward to facing him across the despatch box 'for many years to come'.

In a devastating assault that left Mr Corbyn visibly rattled, she echoed a Tory advertising campaign from the 1990s, saying: 'In my years here in this House I've long heard the Labour party asking what the Conservatives party does for women.

'It just keeps making us Prime Minister.'

Theresa May lashed out at Jeremy Corbyn for failing to back renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent

She joked about the mass rebellion by Labour MPs against Mr Corbyn, saying she hoped to be facing him across the despatch box for 'many years to come'

When John Major was in Downing Street Conservative posters posed the question of what the party had done for 'a working class kid from Brixton' - with the pay-off: 'They made him Prime Minister.'

Ridiculing Labour MPs for taking three weeks to find a 'unity candidate' to stand against Mr Corbyn, Mrs said: 'I look forward to the exchanges he and I will have and I hope we will be having those exchanges over the despatch box for many years to come.'

Amid wild cheers and jeering from Tory MPs, Mr Corbyn said lamely: 'I know this is very funny for many Conservative members ... But I am not sure there are many Conservative members who have to go to a foodbank.'

Mrs May brutally turned the tables on Mr Corbyn as he asked about her promise to improve job security and the lives of ordinary workers.

'I'm interested he refers to the situation of some workers who might have some job insecurity and potentially unscrupulous bosses,' she said.

'I suspect that there are many members on the Opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss.

'A boss who doesn't listen to his workers. a boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload. And maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career.'

The House of Commons released photographs taken from the gallery above the chamber

Mrs May was flanked by Chancellor Philip Hammond and close ally James Brokenshire as she took to the despatch box

Dropping the pitch of her voice in the style of Mrs Thatcher, she finished: 'Remind him of anybody?'

When Mr Corbyn said austerity meant people 'being poorer' and 'jobs being cut', Mrs May shot back: 'He calls it austerity. I call it living within our means.'

The quote had clear echoes of Mrs Thatcher's response when asked in 1987 what Thatcherism was.

Sound finance and government running the affairs of the nation in a sound financial way,' the former PM said. 'It stands for honest money, not inflation. It stands for living within our means.'

Responding to Labour MP Jamie Reed, who highlighted divisions in the Tory party over the EU referendum campaign, Mrs May took another swipe.

Mr Corbyn was visibly rattled by the ferocity of the assault from Mrs May during the session

Mr Corbyn jibed at Tory MPs for laughing at Mrs May's jokes, saying they might find it less funny if they were having to use food banks

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson seemed to be enjoying his new boss's performance at PMQs

'The honourable gentleman makes a reference to divisions on the Conservative party benches,' she said.

'I have to say, which is the party that took three weeks to decide which should be their unity candidate? It was the Labour party.'

The session - which was watched by husband Philip from the peers' gallery - came as Mrs May prepared to travel to Berlin for initial Brexit talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

In what could be a stormier trip tomorrow, she will also visit Paris for discussions with French President Francois Hollande.

It emerged today that Mrs May has given up the chance for Britain to take a final turn in control of the rotating EU council presidency.

The rotating presidency allows each EU member state to spend six months in charge of the EU's policy agenda, allowing the nation in charge to set priorities. Britain last held the role in 2007.

Mrs May was congratulated by Mr Corbyn and other MPs on her new role, but the warm relations were short lived as she went on the attack

Mrs May inevitably drew comparisons to Margaret Thatcher as she gave a commanding showing

Mrs May appeared to be echoing an old Conservative Party advertising campaign from the 1990s

Britain was due to take on the rotating presidency in the second half of next year and, assuming Brexit had not been finalised, would have been entitled to do so as a full paying member.

But Mrs May last night told Mr Tusk her Brexit talks would take priority and Britain would not take up its post.

A Downing Street spokesman said today: 'The Prime Minister thanked President Tusk for the clear message he has given that the UK remains a full member of the EU until such a time as we leave and the Prime Minister underlined that she wants to approach the negotiations on the UK's exit from the European Union in a constructive and pragmatic spirit.

'In this context, the Prime Minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating Presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union.

Owen Smith, who is challenging Mr Corbyn for the Labour leadership, and fellow rebel Angela Eagle were watching the exchanges from the backbenches

Theresa May pictured leaving Downing Street to make her debut at PMQs in the House of Commons today

Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, told Mrs May last night he hoped for an 'orderly Brexit' that was a 'velvet divorce'

'Donald Tusk welcomed the PM's swift decision on this issue which would allow the Council to put alternative arrangements in place.

'Finally, the Prime Minister explained that we will need to carefully prepare for the negotiations to leave the EU before triggering Article 50. Donald Tusk reassured the Prime Minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible.

'They concluded by looking forward to a strong working relationship and agreed that they should meet soon in Brussels or London.'

Mr Tusk last night tweeted that he had told Mrs May he hoped for an 'orderly, calm Brexit' that produced a 'velvet divorce'.

Mrs May's strong performance drew comparisons with Margaret Thatcher, Tory leader and the only other female Prime Minister

When she made her 'remind him of anyone' jibe at Mr Corbyn, Mrs May appeared to drop the pitch of her voice - a hallmark of the Tory doyenne

In the Commons, Mrs May came under pressure from Tory right-wing MPs to clarify whether her Government would keep the goal of cutting net migration to the tens of thousands  a promise championed by the new Prime Minister and a pledge that was first made in the 2010 Conservative party manifesto.

She said it was still her 'belief' that inflows should be reduced below 100,000  a sign that the pledge has been watered down.

The new PM admitted it would 'take some time' to meet the ambitious target but said leaving the EU would help.

MAY DAY! THE NEW PM'S SHARPEST JIBES AT THE DESPATCH BOX May on Corbyn: 'You refer to me as the second woman Prime Minister, in my years here in this House I've long heard the Labour Party asking what the Conservative Party does for women - well, just keep making us Prime Minister.' May on Corbyn: 'You refer to the situation of some workers who might have some job insecurity and potentially unscrupulous bosses. 'I suspect there are many members on the Opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss; a boss who doesn't listen to his workers; a boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload; and maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career. 'Remind him of anybody?' May on Labour: 'The Labour Party may be about to spend several months fighting and tearing itself apart. 'The Conservative Party will be spending those months bringing this country back together.' May on Corbynomics: 'You use the language of austerity. Can I just say this to you - you talk about austerity, I call it living within our means.' May on Trident: 'Can I thank those 140 Labour MPs who put the national interest first and voted to renew the nuclear deterrent.' May on the SNP: 'I do find it a little confusing given that only two years ago...the SNP was campaigning for Scotland to leave the UK, which would have meant them leaving the European Union.' May on Farron: 'I'm very happy to remember those days campaigning...although as I would point out my party's a little bit bigger than his is.' Advertisement

'I am very clear that the vote that was taken in this country on the 23rd of June sent a very clear message about immigration - that people want control of free movement from the European Union,' she said in response to Tory right-winger Philip Davies.

'That is precisely what we will be doing and ensuring that we get in the negotiations that we will be undertaking.

'I also remain absolutely firm in my belief that we need to bring net migration down to sustainable levels, the government believes that is tens of thousands, it will take some time to get there but of course now we have the added aspect of those controls that we can bring in relation to people moving from the European Union.'

Government lawyers yesterday confirmed in the High Court Britain did not plan to trigger Article 50 - the exit protocols for a country quitting the EU - until the start of 2017.

Once triggered, there is a fixed two year negotiation period for finalising the terms of Brexit.

Mrs May is meeting Mrs Merkel in Berlin as she seeks to outline Britain's negotiating strategy before triggering the Article 50 process.

She will travel onto France tomorrow for talks with President Francois Hollande.

Ahead of her first foreign trip as PM, Mrs May said: 'I am determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the European Union and that's why I have decided to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after taking office.

'These visits will be an opportunity to forge a strong working relationship that we can build upon and which I hope to develop with more leaders across the European Union in the weeks and months ahead.

'I do not under-estimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the European Union and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation.

'I also want to deliver a very clear message about the importance we attach to our bilateral relationship with our European partners, not just now but also when we have left the European Union.

'These relationships have been vital in the past and they will be vital in the future as we continue to work together to keep our people safe and to support economic growth that benefits people across our countries.'

A failure by the UK to take up the presidency of the European Union next year would be 'madness' coming at a time of crucial Brexit negotiations, a Labour former cabinet minister warned last night.

Urging the UK to play a full part while it remained a member of the EU, Tory grandee Lord Cormack said it would be like a man planning to retire at 65, stopping work a year early.

Mrs May and Angela Merkel held talks in Berlin tonight as the government begins its push for Brexit

Lord Cormack said: 'Is it not true that we are a full member of the European Union until we cease to be a full member?

'Would a man who announced he was going to retire at the age of 65 stop work at 64? And, if he did, wouldn't he be roundly criticised for so doing?

'We must accept all the obligations, meet all the challenges and indeed accept all the privileges that membership brings until we cease to be a member.

Lord Bridges responded: 'We must continue to play our full role in the EU and exercising the rights and observing the responsibilities that our membership brings.

'We will clarify our position in due course. I am very mindful of what he has just said and I am also mindful of the wish for clarity that some member states have expressed.
Fire in exclusive neighbourhood, near homes of movie and music stars

Planes picked up water from Hollywood Reservoir to drop from the air

Hundreds of firefighters tackled an 18-acre blaze burning just yards from the iconic Hollywood sign in the exclusive neighbourhood in the hills.

More than 200 firefighters rushed to the scene as smoke filled the sky above the LA district, which is home to some of the world's biggest movie stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Salma Hayek.

Dramatic images show helicopter dropping water from nearby Hollywood Reservoir onto the blaze below, which ripped through the hills.

Firefighters tackled an 18-acre blaze that broke out next to the iconic 'Hollywood' sign on the hills (pictured)

More than 200 firefighters rushed to the scene as smoke filled the sky above the LA district, which is home to some of the world's biggest movie stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio and Salma Hayek

The blaze yesterday spread to around 18 acres, tearing through bush on the hillside, with residents evacuating their homes in some areas

Dramatic images show helicopter dropping water from nearby Hollywood Reservoir onto the blaze below, which ripped through the hills

Hundreds of firefighters tackled the blaze, both from the ground and from the air (pictured)

No homes were damaged but the fire, which spread over 18 acres, got dangerously close to some of the properties in one of the most exclusive areas in the US

The blaze yesterday spread to around 18 acres, tearing through bush on the hillside, with residents evacuating their homes.

Although no homes were damaged, or people injured, Margaret Stewart from the LA Fire Department told the LA Times.

However, power lines fell and motorists were warned to expect delays on the freeway as the fire spread to the edge of rods.

The fire broke out at 3pm and had been 50 per cent contained by firefighters by 6pm yesterday, but the department said it would take many hours to fully extinguish it.

Smoke from the blaze could be seen rising from the hills yesterday, even after it was under control

Dramatic pictures show helicopters dumping huge loads of water onto the hillside overlooking the city

Firefighters scaled the hills to assess the damage yesterday, looking down on acres of charred landscape

Shocking pictures show the extent of the damage, with the ground still smoking after the fire engulfed huge swathes of land on the hills

The fire broke out at 3pm and had been 50 per cent contained by firefighters by 6pm yesterday, but the department said it would take many hours to fully extinguish it

The Hollywood Hills are famous for the luxurious homes kept by the rich and famous, which are some of the most expensive in the world.

Leonardo Dicaprio bought a sprawling 21,700-square-foot $2million property there after the release of Titanic movie in 1997.

Twilight star Robert Pattinson bought a home there for $2.176 in 2014, which is behind another property so cannot be seen by the thousands of tourists who take bus tours of the celebrity cluster.

Salma Hayek bought a home in the hills for just over $500,000 in 1996 after her big break starring in Desperado and now rents the home out for nearly $10,000 a month.
Less than a year ago, Megyn Kelly sat down for an interview with Charlie Rose, and called her Fox News boss Roger Ailes a 'mentor' and a 'friend'.

But it appears that the network's rising star anchor has been working behind the scenes to ensure his exit from the company.

A source who spoke with the New York Magazine says that Kelly convinced at least one other women to speak out against Ailes, after lawyers were brought in to investigate claims that the 76-year-old media executive sexually harassed employees.

A source tells New York Magazine that Megny Kelly (right) encouraged at least one other woman to speak out against Roger Ailes (left, outside the Fox offices on Tuesday) during a corporate investigation into claims of sexual harassment

That former Fox female anchor had allegedly told Kelly previously about being kissed by Ailes during a private meeting.

According to a source, Kelly became riled up when several female employees at Fox rushed to defend Ailes in the media after former Fox host Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit earlier this month.

Megyn thought the other side of the story needed to be told. Source who spoke with New York Magazine

Kelly is also said to have told investigators about her own personal experience receiving unwanted sexual advances from Ailes about 10 years ago, when she was a legal correspondent working out of Fox News' Washington, DC bureau.

'Megyn thought the other side of the story needed to be told,' the source said.

So far, Kelly has officially declined to comment, but her lawyer told the New York Times on Tuesday that 'she has cooperated with the inquiry fully and truthfully'.

Meanwhile, Ailes' attorney Susan Estrich has released a statement denying that Kelly was ever sexually harassed by her boss.

'Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him.,' the statement read.

In another interview, Estrich said that 'everybody was surprised' by Kelly's claims

The New York Post, a Murdoch-owned newspaper, cited sources in their Wednesday cover story saying Ailes is out as CEO and chairman of Fox News

'I think everybody was surprised because Roger has spent the last 10 years helping Megyn Kelly become the star that she is,' Estrich told The Hollywood Reporter.

She added that Ailes has 'never sexually harassed' Kelly.

I think everybody was surprised because Roger has spent the lat 10 years helping Megyn Kelly become the star that she is...You look at what she said about him in her book and every place else. She's repeatedly said how terrific he's been as a mentor. Susan Estrich, Roger Ailes' lawyer

'... they had enormous amounts of encounters over the years in which he consistently helped her become a stronger and more popular, more successful television anchor,' she said.

'You look at what she said about him in her book and every place else. Shes repeatedly said how terrific hes been as a mentor.'

While Ailes' departure has not been officially announced by the network, Estrich confirmed yesterday that he is in advanced discussions with the Murdoch family, owners of Fox News' parent company 21st Century Fox, to end his employment.

'Theres lots of cross talk, but no agreement has been reached,' Estrich told CNN.

Rupert Murdoch and his sons James and Lachlan are said to be in agreement that Ailes must go. However, Rupert and Lachlan want to wait until the end of the GOP Convention on Thursday to make the announcement, sources told New York Magazine.

The move to oust Ailes, who was pictured smiling outside of the network's headquarters with his wife Elizabeth Tilson on Tuesday, also appears to be influenced by Kelly's ongoing contract negotiations with the network.

Kelly has previously hinted that she would be willing to leave the network, but as perhaps it's second most recognizable face behind Bill O'Reilly (who is eyeing retirement) - Fox won't let her go without a fight.

Meanwhile, an official statement from 21st Century Fox on Tuesday announced that Ailes is still working at the company.

'Roger is at work. The review is ongoing. The only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement,' the statement read.

Ailes' exit was prematurely announced Tuesday on the Drudge Report, which published - and then took down - papers showing that Ailes would be leaving the company with a $40million payout and the possibility of staying on through 2017 as a consultant.

The Daily Beast also reported Ailes departure, before their source walked back official confirmation.

But the Murdoch's intention to remove Ailes from the company as soon as possible is perhaps best seen on the New York Post's Wednesday cover.

The Murdoch-owned newspaper cites sources who said Ailes is out as CEO and chairman of the company.

Ailes is the founding CEO of Fox News, a position he has held for the past twenty years.
Belarusian-born prominent journalist Pavel Sheremet has been killed in a car bombing

A prominent journalist and critic of Vladimir Putin has been killed in a car explosion in central Kiev.

Ukrainian authorities are treating 44-year-old Pavel Sheremet's death as murder.

Two eyewitnesses told Reuters they heard a loud blast and saw an explosion from underneath the car, which was found charred in the middle of the cobbled street.

The car exploded soon after Sheremet left his home in the Ukrainian capital and the vehicle was burned out completely.

Police believe an explosive device was placed under the driver's seat.

Sheremet worked for the country's top online news website Ukrainska Pravda. The publication said he was about to drive to work to anchor a talk show on a local radio station when he was killed.

The car was owned by the publication's editor-in-chief - Sheremet's partner - Olena Prytula.

During his career, the Belarusian-born journalist irked officials in Belarus and Russia before he moved to Ukraine in 2014 after making clear his opposition to Putin's policies on Ukraine.

Authorities are checking three theories regarding his death - his professional activity as a journalist, personal enmity, and a 'Russian trace', said Interior Ministry official Zorian Shkiryak.

The explosive device - of up to 600 grams in TNT or equivalent - set off in the car is believed to have been detonated by remote control.

'I named three main versions that are not ruled out - his professional activity [and] hostile relations, (and) of course we should be well aware that when a hybrid war is waged against us, considering how professionally this bloody murder was committed, we cannot exclude a Russian trace,' Shkiryak said.

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Firefighters examine the wreckage of the car Pavel Sheremet was killed in on Wednesday morning

Sheremet worked for the country's top online news website Ukrainska Pravda. The publication said he was about to drive to work to anchor a talk show on a local radio station when he was killed

The journalist was close to Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov who was gunned down outside the Kremlin last year.

He described the slain politician as 'like my elder brother', and had blamed Moscow's secret services for involvement in the killing.

It is believed that Nemtsov had met Sheremet in Kiev only days before he was shot in Moscow.

In a testimony to investigators, Nemtsov's glamorous Ukrainian model girlfriend Anna Duritskaya was asked who Nemtsov's friends were in Ukraine.

'Journalist Pavel Sheremet, I don't know anybody else,' she told them in leaked testimony.

There was speculation today that Sheremet's death could be linked to that of Nemtsov, in which Moscow investigators see a trace to Chechnya.

Sheremet had also accused Putin of wanted a huge carve-up of Ukraine, cutting its access to the Black Sea, which 'will allow Russia to cut into the body of the Eastern Europe'.

The car was owned by Sheremet's partner Olena Prytula. She is also the editor-in-chief of news website Ukrainska Pravda

The car exploded soon after Sheremet left his home in the Ukrainian capital and the vehicle was burned out completely

The Minsk-born journalist had also sharply criticised the Belarus dictator Alexander Lukashenko.

In 1997, Belarus convicted Sheremet of illegally crossing its border and sentenced him to three years in prison for his investigation on the porous border between Belarus and Lithuania.

He served three months in prison before he was released.

Sheremet faced threats and harassment in Belarus and was badly beaten in 2004 while covering an election. Several years later he moved to Russia to work in television.

In a media landscape sanitized by the authoritarian Belarusian government, Sheremet  while living abroad  founded Belaruspartisan.org which went on to become one of the country's leading independent news websites.

He moved to Ukraine in 2014 after what he said was pressure from his Russian television bosses over the reporting of ongoing opposition protests in Kiev.

A shaken Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko said: 'A terrible tragedy in Kiev.

In this photo the car can be seen burning after the explosion in Ukraine's capital

'Shock - I have no other words for it. I knew Pavel [Sheremet] personally.

'My condolences to all his near and dear. I have ordered law-enforcement agencies to investigate this crime urgently.

'Those guilty must be punished.'

The head of Ukraine's national police force Khatia Dekanoidze said: 'I will personally take charge of the case.'

Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman posted a message on Facebook saying: 'The day has begun with terrible news. The prominent Ukrainian journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed this morning.'

In Ukraine, Sheremet worked for Ukrainskaya Pravda newspaper. He had lived in Kiev for five years.

Pavel Sheremet (right) with Boris Nemtsov (left). Russian opposition leader Nemtsov was gunned down outside the Kremlin last year. It is believed that Nemtsov had met Sheremet in Kiev only days before he was shot in Moscow.

In a testimony to investigators, Nemtsov's glamorous Ukrainian model girlfriend Anna Duritskaya was asked who Nemtsov's friends were in Ukraine. 'Journalist Pavel Sheremet, I don't know anybody else,' she told them in leaked testimony.

His partner was Alyona Pritula, the founder and chief editor of the title.

The car was hers, but she was not in the vehicle at the time.

A spokesman for the Ukrainian general prosecutor said: 'Investigators preliminarily qualify this event as murder. A pre-trial investigation has been launched.'

The car exploded on the corner of Bogdana Khmelnitskogo and Ivana Franko streets, opposite McDonald's.

MP Anton Gerashchenko, an aide to the Interior Minister, said: 'This is a cynical and well-planned murder.

Pavel Sheremet was a respected journalist. He is pictured here with Elton John (right).

'The investigation will be looking into all possible versions of the murder of Pavel Sheremet, first of all those linked to his journalism activities, not excluding a Russian trace.

'My apologies to Pavel Sheremet's family and friends.'

Newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda in Ukraine today warned that 'the murder of Russian oppositionist Boris Nemtsov and journalist Pavel Sheremet may be links of one chain.'

The cited Ukrainian politician Ostap Semerak who said: 'It was Boris who got me acquainted with Pavel.

'Both were killed. Rest in peace.

'The last time I saw Boris was with Pavel.

'We met in Kiev and had a lengthy discussion on Russia's aggression against Ukraine. They condemned the Kremlin's actions.

'They were killed in a cowardly way by a shot in the back - and explosives in the car.'

Ukrainian police officers and security services experts examine the charred car
An aerial ads company in Ocean City, Maryland, is yanking its Donald Trump ads.

The ads, which flew on banner planes for only one day, read 'Stop Mad Cow Disease ... Stop Hillary' and 'America First. Build That Wall', Delmarva Now reported.

Multiple complaints came in to Ocean Aerial Ad's owner Bob Bunting, the website said.

An aerial ads company in Ocean City, Maryland, is yanking its Donald Trump ads. The ads, which flew on banner planes for only one day, read 'Stop Mad Cow Disease ... Stop Hillary' and 'America First. Build That Wall' (stock)

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton is seen Tuesday in Las Vegas

Ann Augustine submitted complaints, telling the news outlet: 'The words that were used were disparaging, especially towards women. I have two daughters and I don't really like that kind of talk.

'I don't think it had any place on the beach. We all have sides, it's a political world and I understand that, but I believe in respectful conversation. I found that kind of childish.'

Bunting told Delmarva Now: 'People pay us to put ads out, it's as simple as that. If someone called supporting Hillary, we'd put the ad in.'

Bunting told the outlet: 'It's no political affiliation on either side on our part. To be honest with you, I don't really like either candidate.'

Complaints about the banners also came in to Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan.

Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan says Bunting has told him he's no longer going to run political ads (stock)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump (pictured in March) has made the idea of building a wall on the US-Mexico border a major part of his campaign

Meehan says Bunting has told him he's no longer going to run political ads.

He told Delmarva Now: 'They called him, just like anybody else, and certainly it was something that he could fly. I don't think he anticipated the pushback from it, and I don't think that's what he was looking for.

'He made his own decision to not fly them anymore, and I told him it would probably make the summer easier for both of us.'

According to The Dispatch, complaint emails sent to city officials, the city council and Meehan were in the 'hundreds'.

Bunting told the newspaper: 'It's just not worth the aggravation of people not being able to handle the political system. I agreed to just not accept any political ads whatsoever anymore.
Susanne Hinte, 48, from Worcester, has been cleared of stealing a purse from an elderly woman

The grandmother who claimed she had put a 32m winning Lotto ticket in the wash has vowed to 'party all weekend' after being cleared of stealing a purse from an elderly woman.

Susanne Hinte - who gained nationwide notoriety when she claimed her ticket for the record-breaking draw had been destroyed - had been accused of swiping 55 and two bank cards from 73-year-old Susan Kirkby.

The 48-year-old had knocked on the pensioner's door to ask for directions when she got lost on the way to meet blind date Glen Gregory, who she met on website Plenty of Fish.

Mrs Kirkby claimed Hinte then stole her purse as she left the property.

But Hinte was today cleared of the charge following two hours' deliberation by JPs at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.

Following the verdict, Hinte said 'thank you' to the magistrates and leaned on a desk for support.

She refused to comment outside court. But, in a statement released by her PR agent Barry Tomes, Hinte's solicitor Judith Kenny said: 'My client is thrilled to be found not guilty and is off to celebrate at Shardfest in Birmingham, where she is excited to meet her idol James Arthur.

'She was going to see him in Germany, but is thrilled he is in Birmingham with only one of two UK shows this year.'

Speaking outside court, Mr Tomes - who also helped Benefits Street star White Dee become a reality TV star - added: 'She is going to be partying all weekend.'

During the case, Hinte's lawyers had argued that the defendant would not have stolen the purse, because she had 'love on her mind, not theft'.

In her closing statement, Hinte's lawyer Judith Kenney blasted West Midlands Police for conducting a 'woeful' investigation with an 'appalling lack of preparation'.

She told the court that PC Tom Lyon, who led the investigation and gave evidence at court in April when the trial started, had failed to investigate key pieces of evidence.

Hinte was originally charged with a second count of theft and accused of stealing an Xbox controller from Mr Gregory after spending the night at his flat, but the charge was dropped after he declined to attend court.

Miss Kenney said: 'I would submit to you this is an extraordinary case.

'This woman was looking for romance, she was looking for love. Instead she found herself the subject recipient of not one but two criminal charges of theft.

'She had love on her mind, not theft.'

She added that PC Lyons 'never did any of the investigating that he should have done'.

She said that it was 'shocking' that officers had not gone over to the pensioner's home to search for the purse, even though Mrs Kirkby had not been '100 per cent sure' if the purse had been in the kitchen when Hinte arrive.

The lawyer added that Hinte had given the officer 'sufficient evidence' that would have proved her innocence, but that he made 'no effort' to check the details.

'Mrs Hinte account in interview has not been investigated at all - in effect it's not been reacted on in any way by PC Lyons,' she said.

'It's the police's job to do this, to investigate all the lines of enquiry. This case and the woeful failure to do this doesn't assist the prosecution I accept but it also doesn't assist Mrs Hinte.

She added: 'It's bread and butter stuff, he (PC Lyons) simply didn't do that, it's all too casual.

The 48-year-old gained nationwide notoriety when she claimed her ticket for the record-breaking draw had been destroyed in the washing machine (pictured)

'I would submit it's an appalling lack of preparation - it's extraordinary. I hope you would all want something more than a closed mind from a police officer - I hope that's not what we've come to.'

During cross-examination at the last hearing in April, Miss Kenney put it to PC Lyons that he 'did not do any thorough investigation'.

But the officer defended the investigation, telling magistrates: 'We did investigate, and we took the decision that we had enough evidence.

'We did not have enough resources to send someone over to search her house in Worcester.'

Giving evidence during the trial, Hinte told how she met Mr Gregory on Plenty of Fish, and agreed to meet him on January 3 last year.

She claimed she knocked at Mrs Kirkby's bungalow at around 10.45pm after getting lost on the way because her phone had run out of battery.

The grandmother-of-four (left and right outside court today) was accused of stealing the purse when she knocked on the pensioner's door to ask for directions on her way to a blind date

She is pictured outside Birmingham Magistrates' Court today with her PR agent, Barry Tomes (left). In a statement released after the verdict, he said Hinte would be 'partying all weekend'

The homeowner claimed the purse was on the side in the kitchen, but Hinte told the court she did not see it there.

In a bizarre incident in court, she also pulled out a plastic bag containing what she claimed were the clothes from that evening and put some of them on in front of the JPs.

Showing them a long black cardigan, black leggings, brown leather boots and a little purse, she told them: 'There are no pockets in this outfit. I did not steal from that lady.'

Giving the verdict, chairman of the bench Ellis Carlton said: 'Having considered the evidence, we have to decide whether the prosecution have proved that you took the purse.

Washed out: The image of the photocopied ticket which Hinte allegedly submitted to Camelor. The draw date has been obliterated by a tear. The barcode at the bottom and the ticket's ID number have also been ruined

'Mrs Kirkby had not mentioned this (sudden) movement in any previous statement.

'It leaves only the circumstantial evidence that the purse was on the kitchen prior to you arriving and missing after you left.

'We can therefore not be sure that you appropriated the purse, we therefore find you not guilty of this offence.'

Hinte was at the centre of a storm in January this year after trying to claim a rollover Lotto jackpot with what she said was a damaged ticket.
A Labour councillor got a shock on his commute on the London Underground after spotting a dog with Boris Johnsons haircut.

Tom Miller, 30, a councillor in Brent, North West London, said he could not resist capturing an image of the dogs uncanny likeness on the Jubilee line and realised the hair was not a wig.

The two pictures taken on Saturday at 10am, which clearly show the canines floppy fringe in the style of the new Foreign Secretary, have proved popular on social media with more than 1,000 likes.

Fringe: A Labour councillor spotting a dog with Boris Johnsons haircut on the London Underground this week

Unusual: This pictured taken on Saturday at 10am, which clearly show the canines floppy fringe (left) in the style of the new Foreign Secretary (right), have proved popular on social media with more than 1,000 likes

Mr Miller said: I was just on my way to work, and I noticed the owner and dog get on and sit down. I just couldnt stop looking at the dog. The owner herself looked quite normal; she was very nice.

It was only me taking pictures so I felt a bit rude, but I couldnt miss the opportunity. At first I thought it was a wig, from a distance. But when I got closer I realised its actually hair, really human-looking.

Theyve obviously given it a fringe cut. I spoke to the owner, and she did say that the hair sometimes gets in the dogs eyes - and theyve also cut little socks out of the leg fur.

The dog looked a little uncomfortable in the temperature. Its a definite Boris Johnson haircut.

The dog could be seen with its tongue hanging out as temperatures rose in the capital on Saturday.

Labour councillor: Tom Miller (left), 30, said he could not resist capturing an image of the dogs uncanny likeness on the Jubilee line when he realised the hair was not a wig

Yesterday the former Tory leadership hopeful Michael Gove joked that his lack of blond hair was behind his lack of power in Theresa May's new Government.

Making his first speech since returning to the backbenches, he said MPs had learnt new Education Secretary Justine Greening was slightly less blonde than universities minister Jo Johnson.

In a line which could also be viewed as a jibe at Mr Johnson's Foreign Secretary brother Boris, Mr Gove added: But one of the things his observation has reinforced in my mind is that blondness is clearly a quality that brings preferment under this new Government, and I know where I went wrong.

Former Education Secretary Mr Gove entered the race to become Tory leader hours before nominations closed - a move which forced Boris Johnson to withdraw.
This is the moment Russia's most notorious alleged gangland mobsters is arrested with his army of bodyguards and a cache of weapons at his luxury Moscow mansion.

Zakhariy Kalashov, nicknamed 'gangland Putin' because of his underworld notoriety, was snared by a Federal Security Service (FSB) raid on his sprawling 20million estate - where police discovered a stash of weapons including handguns and grenades.

The alleged mob boss was filmed in his kitchen accusing law enforcement officers of putting on a 'show'.

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Captured: Zakhariy Kalashov, nicknamed 'gangland Putin' because of his high-profile position in the Russian underworld, was seized in a security service raid on his Moscow mansion

Line up: Members of the Russian 'mafia boss' Kalashov's army of bodyguards were made to lie face down on the ground outside his sprawling 20million estate outside Moscow

Boss: Kalashov was recorded on camera sitting tied up in his kitchen, surrounded by officers during the raid

Sprawling: FSB officers descended on the sprawling 20million hideaway, nestled in woodland outside the Russian capital city, and caught the raid on camera

Meanwhile, his bodyguards were forced to lie face down on the ground outside the house during the FSB raid.

'I will say nothing to the camera,' insisted the 66-year-old as he sat surrounded by officers in his kitchen.

He continued his stubborn silence when asked by agents whether or not he was a mafia boss.

'Take away the camera and I will talk to you,' he said. 'Is it a show here?'

An agent assured him: 'It is not a show. We are not gangsters... It is an official procedure.'

The arrest follows a December 2015 shoot-out in a Moscow restaurant, in which two were killed. He is accused of extortion linked to the violence.

Kalashov, also known as Shakro the Young has up to 23 different pseudonyms. He became widely regarded as the new leader of the Russian underworld after the 2013 sniper shooting of then-mafia king Aslan Usoyan.

Threat: The FSB operation followed a 2015 gangland shoot-out in a Moscow restaurant that left two men dead

Dangerous: Security service officers discovered a stash of weapons at the property, including grenades

There are claims Kalashov has close ties to senior figures in the Interior Ministry and police, and that the FSB action is part of a battle for supremacy among President Putin's warring law enforcement services.

The arrest follows a chain of raids on mafia operations in Russia.

Major General Denis Nikandrov, deputy head of the 'Russian FBI', was suspected of promising to to free Kalashov free Shakro for a bribe of 760,000.

Two other key law enforcement officials have also been detained, including Mikhail Maksimenko, head of the committee's internal security division.

Luxury: Footage of the 20million estate, outside Moscow, captured the alleged crime boss' lavish lifestyle

Extravagant: Kalashov became widely regarded as the new leader of the Russian underworld after the 2013 sniper shooting of then-mafia king Aslan Usoyan

Ornate: FSB officers captured footage of the inside of the alleged crime boss' home, where they found a stash of weapons hidden among the elaborate furnishings

Wealth: Kalashov was previously held behind bars in Spain for eight years, for money laundering and leading criminal organisations

It is claimed he ordered aides to 'forget' to re-arrest Kalashov.

Maksimenko and his deputy Alexander Lamonov are being probed 'for exceeding their authority and for receiving bribes from the criminal community'.

A lawyer for Mr Lamonov said that the detained men denied doing anything wrong.

Kalashov was previously jailed for eight years in Spain for money laundering and masterminding criminal organisations.

This followed an operation called Red Marble against ex-Soviet criminal gangs operating in the country.

On his return from Spain in 2014, he was allegedly met by senior Russian law enforcement officials at Domodedovo airport in Moscow, followed by talks.

Notoriety: He has also been sentenced in absentia to 18 years in prison for murder in ex-Soviet republic Georgia - with the capital Tbilisi calling for his extradition

Fix: Major General Denis Nikandrov, deputy head of the 'Russian FBI', has also since been arrested after allegedly promising to 'sort out' the criminal case being made against Kalashov

Rich: Footage of the alleged mafia boss' home shows a gym complete with free weights and a running machine in an elaborately furnished room

'Immediately after the meeting, Kalashov went home and celebrations began to mark the return of the "godfather",' reported one account.

According to Ukrainian website Glavred, Kalashov 'is not just a general but a generalissimo, a real Putin of the gangland' - with a mafia empire that even allegedly includes senior law enforcement officials.
Katie Patterson was left distraught when her precious diamond ring slipped off her finger and disappeared beneath the sands of the Mediterranean Sea.

The 24-year-old's 10,000 family heirloom, which had been passed through four generations of her family, came off while she swam on the beach in Majorca.

Despite being forced to return home without it, she was determined to retrieve the lost heirloom and got in contact with retired diver George Edmunds from Weymouth, Dorset - and the pair launched an epic search for her beloved ring.

Found it!: Katie Patterson was delighted when retired diver Goerge Edmunds reunited her with her beloved ring

The 24-year-old's 10,000 family heirloom, which had been passed through three generations of her family, came off while she swam on the beach in Majorca

Katie, a medical student at Keele University in Staffordshire, lost the ring, which originally belonged to her great-grandmother, on July 12.

Upon returning home on July 15, she appealed to various detecting companies in the UK.

She found George, 75, and spent some 1,000 - money she saved while working part-time as a waitress while at university - paying for herself, George, and his partner to go to Majorca.

The pair met up in the seaside resort near Palma and using a waterproof metal detector and snorkel, George found the ring buried three inches under the seabed, 30ft from the beach.

George, who has been underwater detecting for 30 years, said: 'I'm a bit of a teaser so I showed her some coins I had found. She looked a bit crestfallen.

'Then I said I had found a Mickey Mouse ring kids can buy at fun fairs and brought out her ring.

'Her face was an absolute picture. There was a lot of crying and hugging. She was over the moon.

'The sentimental value far exceeded the monetary value, because it was passed down to her from her grandmother.'

Katie's ring came off as she swam in the sea in Majorca - but after she returned home, she launched a desperate bid to retrieve it from the Mediterranean

Katie said: 'When I lost it I got into a bit of a state and several people helped me look for it in the sea.

'When I flew home I never thought I would see it again. The main feeling I had was guilt.

'I am the fourth generation of my family to have this ring. I was very close to my nana and I always admired the ring on her finger from the age of five. She left it to me when she died two years ago.

'When I got home I called almost every metal detectorist in the UK seeking help and then a few hours later I got a call from George.

'Everyone had been very pessimistic about finding it but George seemed surprisingly confident and told me he would get it back.

'I tried to pinpoint to George where I had lost the ring. After about 30 minutes my lips were going blue so I went back to the beach and watched from there.

'About 20 minutes later he came out and emptied the contents of his bumbag on to a sunlounger and it was all coins.

'He then produced my ring and I just broke down in tears. I was lost for words and just gave him a massive kiss.'

Delighted: Katie and George met up in the seaside resort near Palma and using a waterproof metal detector and snorkel, George found the ring buried three inches under the seabed, 30ft from the beach

George added: 'When a ring hits the sand, it disappears straight away and gets sucked under.

'I had a mask and snorkel, a weight belt and my metal detector. When you pick up the signal it's just a matter of holding your breath, getting down to the bottom and digging.

'Katie stood where she thought she'd lost it and I searched around her. I got some good signals and found a diamond eternity ring.

'It took me just under an hour to find.

'I know from experience rings lost in the sand slowly sink deeper and deeper so it's important to find it quickly.'
Families of British troops killed in Iraq have raised more than 80,000 in less than two days after launching a public appeal to fund legal action against Tony Blair.

More than 3,000 people dipped into their pockets after the Daily Mail announced that bereaved relatives were building a fighting fund to hold to account the former Prime Minister.

Loved ones believe Mr Blair committed misfeasance in public office by misleading Parliament to justify the disastrous 2003 war, which cost the lives of 179 UK servicemen and women.

In an incredible show of support for the Iraq War Families Campaign Group, more than half the 150,000 target has already been reached.

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More than 2,400 people have dipped into their pockets after the Daily Mail revealed bereaved relatives were building a fighting fund to 'hold to account' Tony Blair

Mr Blair has earned tens of millions of pounds since leaving Downing Street in 2007 through a consultancy and investment business  often operating in countries where he established contacts while at Number 10

Lance Corporal Thomas Keys was killed when an angry mob of 500 stormed a police station where he was training local police in Iraq

Following the damning conclusions of the Chilcot Report into the controversial conflict, the group is fighting to bring to justice those responsible for the war and the deaths of our loved ones.

Reg Keys, whose son Lance Corporal Tom Keys was murdered by an Iraqi mob in an ambush weeks after the invasion, said: This total is humbling.

The British public remains supportive of our military forces, particularly if they seem to have been badly treated. Sir John Chilcots findings need to be acted upon  and so we thank them for their massive help.

The families launched the campaign on Tuesday using the CrowdJustice website, which enables individuals and groups to come together to fund legal action.

It came after Sir Johns 2.6million-word report blasted Mr Blair for rushing into a catastrophic conflict on the back of flawed intelligence and amid questions over its legality, and for failing to plan for the aftermath of the invasion.

The families are pursuing a civil case because the International Criminal Court has refused to take action, the UK authorities will not bring a criminal prosecution, and an attempt by MPs to name-and-shame Mr Blair will not result in convictions.

Major Matthew Bacon who was killed when the armoured land rover he was travelling in was attacked by an improvised explosive device in Basrah City, Southern Iraq

Roger Bacon, Matthew's father, said: 'It is sickening he is indemnified. You feel this in the pit of your stomach. We will just have to swallow it - as difficult as it is to swallow.'

Major Bacon's coffin is carried by fellow soldiers at his repatriation service at RAF Lynham in September 2005

But while the families have to rely on public generosity to fund their legal case, if Mr Blair is hauled before the civil courts his legal bills will be paid by the taxpayer.

The former Prime Minister  a multi-millionaire  is indemnified for all his court costs, including possible damages. Under Cabinet Office rules, he will not have to pay a penny.

The Cabinet Manual, which is the rule book for the operation of government, states that ministers and former ministers are indemnified by the Crown for any actions taken against them for things done or decisions made in the course of their ministerial duties.

Roger Bacon, whose son Matthew, a major in the Intelligence Corps, was killed in a roadside bomb in 2005, said: It is sickening he is indemnified. You feel this in the pit of your stomach. We will just have to swallow it  as difficult as it is to swallow.

Mr Blair has earned tens of millions since leaving Downing Street in 2007 through a consultancy and investment business  often operating in countries where he established contacts while at No 10.

He insisted that he acted in good faith based on the intelligence available to him in the run-up to the war. He claimed the Chilcot Report showed there was no secret plan to invade Iraq and Parliament had not been misled.
Some 3,200 migrants were plucked from overcrowded boats off the coast of Libya on Tuesday and one dead body was recovered, Italy's coast guard said, as people smugglers operating in Libya took advantage of calm seas and warm weather.

A coast guard spokesman said the smugglers had sent at least 26 boats toward Italy, the latest in a tide of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Three Italian navy ships took part in rescues, picking up more than 1,000 of those brought to safety. British and Spanish ships operating within the European Union's anti-people-smuggling mission also conducted rescues.

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Refugees and migrants from Eritrea, Mali, Bangladesh and other countries wait on board a dinghy to be rescued in the Mediterranean Sea, 27 kilometers (17 miles) north of Sabratha, Libya

The wave of migrants is typical for this time of year as smugglers operating in Libya take advantage of calm seas and warm weather

The Doctors Without Borders charity and migrant rescue groups MOAS and Sea Watch also participated. An Irish navy ship and a private tug boat completed the cast of rescuers.

A deal struck between the EU and Turkey and border closures have helped to stem the flow of migrants from the Middle East and Asia coming through Turkey and Greece. But Italy has received about the same number of migrants setting off from North Africa this year as during the same period of 2015.

Some of the migrants in life jackets acknowledged the cameras as others clung on to the boats

In this photo, a team of the Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms transfer a group of refugees and migrants from an overcrowded wooden boat, with about 1,000 people on board, to a Italian war ship, seen in the background

Sub-saharan refugees and migrants on an overcrowded dinghy wait to be rescued 24 miles north of Sabratha, Libya

The migrants were found inside the so called Search and Rescue zone SAR, early in the morning on Tuesday

Almost 3,000 boat migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year, according to the International Organization for Migration

As of Monday, 79,861 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea, compared with 83,119 during the same period of last year, while the number of migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey was down 95 percent.

Almost 3,000 boat migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year, according to the International Organization for Migration.

A wave of migrants is typical at this time of year as calm seas return to the Mediterranean, prompting a surge in departures from North Africa.

Italy has been on the front line of Europe's worst immigration crisis since World War Two and now in its third year. More than 320,000 boat migrants came to Italy from North Africa in 2014-15.

Nigerians, Eritreans and Gambians were the top three migrant nationalities this year, the Interior Ministry said, and more than 125,000 are now living in Italian shelters.

Three Italian navy ships took part in rescues when dozens of people were found crammed into wooden boat

Migrants sit in their boat during a rescue operation by Italian navy ship Borsini (unseen) off the coast of Sicily

A rescue worker is seen holding two babies after picking them up from the smuggler boats
Google is trying to rebrand its image in Europe by reportedly earmarking up to half a billion dollars from 2015 to 2017 to be spent on cultural and education projects.

The online search engine is said to have been pouring money into start-ups and even sponsoring concerts in a bid to boost the brand.

It comes amid European officials raising questions about their tax liabilities and a list of other regulatory woes it faces in Europe.

Google: The online search engine is said to have been pouring money into start-ups and even sponsoring concerts in a bid to boost the brand

According to the New York Times, Google has been pushing to sponsor digital skills training, museum exhibitions and other programmes to diminish its image as an American firm who doesn't adhere to European rules.

Among the projects, they have been sponsoring Irish teachers on a digital course and a virtual reality exhibition in Belgium.

Matt Brittin, who runs Google's operations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa told the newspaper: 'We can do a better job about listening to peoples questions and concerns.'

Googles vast array of programes 'are important for our partners, for us and for the countries where we work,' he added.

His comments come after Google CEO Sundar Pichai hit back at accusations that the global internet giant failed to pay enough taxes in Europe, and warned of the potential fallout from Britain leaving the EU .

Defence: Google CEO Sundar Pichai has hit back at accusations that the global internet giant failed to pay enough taxes in Europe on Sunday

He explained on Sunday that while Google respected tax laws, governments will need to do more in order to ensure 'better results'.

Pichai also stressed that the US company invested 'very heavily' in Europe and employed 14,000 people there.

European officials have raised questions about the tax liabilities of companies including Google, Amazon and Apple. Some firms have taken advantage of tax breaks offered from Ireland, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Google's offices in Madrid were searched in a tax probe in late June, just over a month after police raided the Internet giant in Paris in a similar investigation.
A gang stole luxury Range Rovers worth 680,000 by using high-tech equipment to jam the vehicles' keyfobs as their wealthy owners tried to lock the cars.

Adeel Arshad, 29, Hassan Iqbal, 26, Farasat Bhamjee and Ben Cooper, 21, used sophisticated security technology to steal at least nine high-value vehicles, including Range Rovers, in wealthy parts of London.

The gang operated by identifying flash cars and tailgating them until the owners parked.

They would then lie in wait for the driver to leave the vehicle, before activating a jamming device which blocked the lock mechanism, meaning they could easily get access.

A gang stole luxury cars worth 680,000 by using high-tech equipment to jam wealthy drivers' keyfobs as they tried to lock their vehicles. Pictured is the plug-in signal jammer used by the gang

In the majority of cases, the victims had used keyfobs to lock the car while walking away so wrongly thought the cars were secure.

The four men would then use an onboard diagnostic device, connected to the vehicle's computer, to create a new key code for one of the fobs in their possession.

They would then drive away and remove any tracking devices from the car.

All four men are now facing jail for a string of offences.

Arshad, of Walthamstow, east London, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to handle stolen goods, while Cooper, of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, also admitted conspiracy to steal.

Iqbal, of Walthamstow, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to handle stolen goods but changed his plea to guilty at the start of the trial.

Farasat Bhamjee (left) and Hassan Iqbal, 26 (right) were part of a four-man gang who tailgated flash cars before using high-tech equipment to steal them. They will be sentenced in September

They were joined by Adeel Arshad, 29 (left), and Ben Cooper, 21 (right). The gang would then lie in wait for the driver to leave the vehicle, before activating a jamming device which managed to block the lock mechanism

Bhamjee, also of Walthamstow, was found guilty of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to handle stolen goods after entering not guilty pleas.

During the trial, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told how the gang operated in areas where there were likely to be more expensive cars, such as upmarket London neighbourhoods and shopping centres.

Police made a link between the car thefts and subsequently arrested Arshad, Iqbal and Bhamjee in a stolen Range Rover.

Officers then found tracking devices, Range Rover fobs, jammers and GPS 'cloaking' devices at a garage run by Arshad and Bhamjee.

In the majority of cases, the vehicle owners had used keyfobs to lock the car while walking away so wrongly thought the cars were secure. Pictured is a tracking device used by the group

The group stole nine high-value vehicles, mainly Range Rovers. Four of the cars were recovered at docks were they were due to be exported

Four vehicles were recovered by police from containers at Felixstowe and Southampton docks, where they were due to be exported. They have now been returned to their owners.

Detective Constable Julian Thompson of Waltham Forest police said: 'These offences caused distress and huge inconvenience to a number of victims across London and I'm pleased that these men have now been convicted.

'Whilst this type of crime is sophisticated in nature, there are certain things car owners can do to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.

'I would urge high-value car owners to always double check that their car is locked before leaving it, and consider using a steering-wheel lock device.'
for the stunt was just 14 glasses

This talented barman has put most people's party tricks to shame and even broken a world record.

Philip Traber has shown off his talents by creating a 'Jagertrain' in an amazing trick that sees him piling up a whopping 17 glasses into a tower, filling them with Jagermeister and skillfully pouring them into shot glasses which then fall perfectly into the waiting cups full of Red Bull.

The record-breaking stunt was pulled off at a bar in Dusseldorf, Germany - beating Traber's previous record of 14 glasses.

Impressive footage shows him stacking up empty glasses in front of a row of 17 glasses filled with red bull with shot glasses perched on each ready to become Jagerbombs

He then carefully pouts the powerful digestif into the edge of each of the glasses without spilling a single drop

Impressive footage shows him stacking up empty glasses in front of a row of 17 glasses filled with red bull with shot glasses perched on each, ready to become Jagerbombs - a popular party drink in which shot of the German spirit Jagermeister is plopped into a larger glass of Red Bull.

Loud club music pumps in the background and the commentator narrates his actions - but Traber shows no sign of losing concentration as he creates the 17-cup tower.

He then carefully pours the powerful digestif into the edge of each of the glasses without spilling a single drop.

Traber proceeds to manoeuver the 'snake' - as such lengths of alcohol are sometimes known - until it's horizontally held above the row of balanced shot glasses - again keeping the liquid safely inside.

Slowly but surely he empties the Jagermeister perfectly into the shot glasses which are all precisely positioned.

As he reaches the end of the row he slightly taps the final shot glass which sets off a domino effect as all the shots fall effortlessly into their respective quantity of red bull with a small splash - the perfect Jagerbomb.

Traber proceeds to manoeuver the 'snake' - as such lengths of alcohol are sometimes known - until it's horizontally held above the row of balanced shot glasses - again keeping the liquid safely inside

Slowly but surely he empties the Jagermeister perfectly into the shot glasses which are all precisely positioned and as he reaches the end of the row he slightly taps the final shot glass

By knocking the final glass the barman sets off a domino effect as all the shots fall effortlessly into the red bull with a small splash - the perfect Jagerbomb

The crowds erupt in excitement as he executes the cool trick - cheering and clapping in jubilation as a friend rushes up to to Traber to congratulate him, grabbing hold of his head and shaking it as he roars in elation

The crowds erupt in excitement as he executes the amazing trick - cheering and clapping in jubilation as a friend rushes up to to Traber to congratulate him, grabbing hold of his head and shaking it as he roars in elation.

The concoction, often favoured by students, is called a 'Flying Hirsch' in Germany combining Red Bull's slogan - 'Red Bull gives you wings' - and the German word for stag, 'Hirsch', which features on the Jagermeister label.
A 36-year-old father has been arrested after allegedly stabbing his ex-girlfriend's new lover several times in a suspected 'love triangle' attack.

Police were called to Cromer on Sydney's northern beaches around 11.50pm on Tuesday after reports Darren Clegg stabbed a 47-year-old numerous times in the shoulder, torso and neck at his girlfriend's home.

Officers believe Clegg came to Sara Rayworth's front door and a violent confrontation ensued resulting in the 47-year-old man being knifed,7News reported.

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Darren Clegg (right) stabbed a 47-year-old numerous times in the shoulder, torso and neck at his girlfriend's (left) home

The alleged attacker fled the home and police established a crime scene on Moonyean Place.

Officers managed to track him down around 1.50am at a nearby apartment on Carawa Road and arrested the 36-year-old.

Neighbour George Hutton said he had just gotten ready for bed on Tuesday night when he heard 'all hell break loose' next door.

Ms Rayworth was also taken to the station and interviewed by officers.

Sara Rayworth (pictured) came to her front door and a violent confrontation ensued resulting in the 47-year-old man being knifed

Police were called to the Moonyean Place home in Cromer on Sydney's northern beaches around 11.50pm on Tuesday after reports Darren Clegg (pictured) stabbed his victim numerous times

Darren Clegg was escorted out of his Cromer apartment in handcuffs shortly after the stabbing

A 36-year-old man has been arrested after allegedly stabbing another man at a woman's home (pictured) several times in a suspected 'love triangle' attack

NSW Ambulance Paramedics treated the man before he was taken to the Royal North Shore Hospital with serious injuries.

He is in a stable condition.

Clegg was taken to Manly Police Station where he was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and reckless wounding.

At a brief appearance at Manly Local Court on Wednesday he was refused bail and will reappear next week.

Officers believe the woman's former partner came to her front door and a violent confrontation ensued

Neighbour George Hutton said he had just gotten ready for bed on Tuesday night when he heard 'all hell break loose' next door

The alleged attacker fled the home and police established a crime scene on Moonyean Place
A US Air Force lieutenant stationed in the United Arab Emirates as part of an anti-ISIS team has been found dead in her room.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of First Lt. Anais A. Tobar, 25, after her body was discovered on Monday.

The young lieutenant was in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, supporting a US-led Operation Inherent Resolve against ISIS extremists, according to the Department of Defense.

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A US Air Force lieutenant Anais A. Tobar, who was stationed in the United Arab Emirates as part of an anti-ISIS team has been found dead in her room

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the 25-year-old after her body was discovered on Monday

Friends say she was looking forward to coming home next month to see her family.

'She told her mom on Saturday that when she came home she wanted to travel with her and her dad and take a trip. She was hoping for that,' Mercy McGee told CBS News.

Six military men and women from the Air Force came to tell Tobar's family of her death on Monday.

Col. Christopher Sage, the Fourth Fighter Winger commander at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base where Tobar was stationed prior to the anti-ISIS operation, offered his condolences to her family.

'The entire base joins me in sending our deepest sympathies to the Tobar family during this period of bereavement,' he said in a statement. 'The bonds that tie the Air Force family together are strong, both down-range and at home station.

'This tragedy affects us all; put your arm around those who are grieving, both personally and professionally.'

The young lieutenant was in the UAE supporting a US-led operation against ISIS extremists, according to the Department of Defense (pictured in a promotional video for the Air Force in 2014)

Tobar was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (pictured) in North Carolina before flying out to the UAE for her latest mission

Tobar was in the Middle East as part of Operation Inherent Resolve - the US military's name for the campaign against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

The mission authorizes U.S. Central Command to work with partner nations to carry out airstrikes in both countries 'as part of the comprehensive strategy to degrade and defeat' ISIS, according to the Department of Defense.

Before flying out for the operation, Tobar was stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. The 600-strong squadron is responsible for maintaining the largest F-15E Strike Eagle fighter wing in the Air Force.

Last year, she was awarded the Fourth Maintenance Group's Company Grade Officer of the Year away.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, the 25-year-old moved to Florida as a child with her family and attended Osceola High in Kissimmee before studying at Florida State University.

She was commissioned into the Air Force almost immediately after graduating. Friends say she had wanted to 'see the world'.

The cause of Tobar's death is unclear.

Officials told her family that an autopsy will be conducted once her body is returned to the United States, Orlando Sentinel reports.

She is survived by her mother Ana Maria, father Angel and brother Alejandro.

McGee, a longtime family friend, said Tobar would 'just light up the room completely.'

'There are not enough words to tell you what a loving and wonderful girl she was,' McGee said. 'She was God-fearing, deeply devoted to serving others and her country.'
The Government's target to cut net migration to under 100,000 has been watered down yet again after Theresa May said the goal was only her 'belief'.

She warned the pledge - first made in the Conservative party's 2010 election manifesto and supported by her as Home Secretary ever since - would 'take some time' to achieve.

It signals another softening of the Government's policy on immigration.

The Government's target to cut net migration to under 100,000 has been watered down yet again after Theresa May (pictured at Prime Minister's Questions today) said the goal was only her 'belief'

In the 2010 manifesto the Tories set out their 'goal' to 'take net migration back to the levels of the 1990s - tens of thousands a year, not hundreds of thousands'.

In their 2015 election manifesto the language was softened to an 'ambition'.

And yesterday it appeared the key Conservative party pledge was on the verge of being scrapped altogether after Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Amber Rudd, who is in charge of Britain's borders, refused to back the policy.

Rather than going down, net migration rocketed to record levels under David Cameron's six-year premiership and by the end of last year there were more 330,000 more people entering the UK than leaving.

More than half of the numbers came from other EU member states.

In her first Prime Minister's Questions since entering No 10, Mrs May came under pressure from Tory MPs to clarify whether it was still Government policy to cut net migration to the 'tens of thousands'.

Theresa May lashed out at Jeremy Corbyn for failing to back renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent

She said leaving the EU would help as Britain would no longer be part of Europe's freedom of movement rules - which allows all EU citizens to move freely between the 28 member states.

But using cautious wording that will worry Tory right-wing MPs who are angry at David Cameron's failure to keep the Tory pledge, Mrs May said: I am very clear that the vote that was taken in this country on the 23rd of June sent a very clear message about immigration - that people want control of free movement from the European Union.

That is precisely what we will be doing and ensuring that we get in the negotiations that we will be undertaking.

I also remain absolutely firm in my belief that we need to bring net migration down to sustainable levels, the government believes that is tens of thousands, it will take some time to get there but of course now we have the added aspect of those controls that we can bring in relation to people moving from the European Union.

She joked about the mass rebellion by Labour MPs against Mr Corbyn, saying she hoped to be facing him across the despatch box for 'many years to come'

Mr Corbyn was visibly rattled by the ferocity of the assault from Mrs May during the session

Despite coming under pressure on the Tories' immigration target it was a confident performance from Mrs May as she lashed out at the 'unscrupulous' Jeremy Corbyn in her devastating debut at PMQs that drew comparisons to Margaret Thatcher.

Facing off against the Labour leader in the Commons, Mrs May made a point of thanking 140 of his MPs who defied him to vote for keeping the Trident nuclear deterrent.

She also joked that she hoped Mr Corbyn survived the current mutiny on his own benches because she was looking forward to facing him across the despatch box 'for many years to come'.

In a devastating assault that left Mr Corbyn visibly rattled, she echoed a Tory advertising campaign from the 1990s, saying: 'In my years here in this House Ive long heard the Labour party asking what the Conservatives party does for women.

'It just keeps making us Prime Minister.'

When John Major was in Downing Street Conservative posters posed the question of what the party had done for 'a working class kid from Brixton' - with the pay-off: 'They made him Prime Minister.'

Ridiculing Labour MPs for taking three weeks to find a 'unity candidate' to stand against Mr Corbyn, Mrs said: I look forward to the exchanges he and I will have and I hope we will be having those exchanges over the despatch box for many years to come.'

Mr Corbyn jibed at Tory MPs for laughing at Mrs May's jokes, saying they might find it less funny if they were having to use food banks

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson seemed to be enjoying his new boss's performance at PMQs

Amid wild cheers and jeering from Tory MPs, Mr Corbyn said lamely: 'I know this is very funny for many Conservative members ... But I am not sure there are many Conservative members who have to go to a foodbank.'

Mrs May brutally turned the tables on Mr Corbyn as he asked about her promise to improve job security and the lives of ordinary workers.

Im interested he refers to the situation of some workers who might have some job insecurity and potentially unscrupulous bosses,' she said.

I suspect that there are many members on the Opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss.

'A boss who doesnt listen to his workers. a boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload. And maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career.'

Dropping the pitch of her voice in the style of Mrs Thatcher, she finished: Remind him of anybody?

Responding to Labour MP Jamie Reed, who highlighted divisions in the Tory party over the EU referendum campaign, Mrs May took another swipe.

The honourable gentleman makes a reference to divisions on the Conservative party benches,' she said.
The controversy over Melania Trump's partially-lifted convention speech continued into Wednesday morning, as Donald Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort tried closing the door on the brouhaha.

'As far as we're concerned the speech is Melania's speech,' Manafort told ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, saying 'we really don't what was done and who it was done by.'

The potential first lady's opening night speech was heralded as a success Monday night  until critics pointed out multiple passages that appeared to be lifted nearly word-for-word from Michelle Obama's address to the Democratic National Convention eight years ago.

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Donald Trump's campaign chairman Paul Manafort once again defended Melania Trump's speech, saying 'as far as we're concerned the speech is Melania's speech' today on Good Morning America

Paul Manafort (right) talking to ABC News' George Stephanopoulos (left) this morning said 'there are her stories' of Melania Trump's speech, which appeared to be partially lifted from Michelle Obama's 2008 remarks

Manafort downplayed the similarities when talking to Stephanopoulos this morning.

'You know, we're talking about 50 words out of 1,400,' the campaign chairman said.

'The thoughts are not  they're part of the speech, but the speech itself talks about her immigrant status, her love of country, her love of husband,' he continued. 'These are her stories. These are her message.'

'What she communicated to the American people Monday night is a genuine message from her heart, and as far as we're concerned that's the end of it.'

When the similarities were first pointed out, the Trump campaign admitted that the aspiring first lady's talk 'included fragments that reflected her own thinking' but came from somewhere else.

By the time the seemingly-plagiarized portions of the speech became headline news Tuesday morning, Trump's campaign chairman furiously denied that any of the remarks were intentionally lifted from the now-first lady's speech  turning the focus instead on Hillary Clinton.

'There's no cribbing of Michelle Obama's speech,' Paul Manafort told CNN. 'These were common words and values that she cares about her family, and things like that.'

'I mean, she was speaking in front of 35 million people last night, she knew that. To think that she would be cribbing Michelle Obama's words is crazy. ... This is, once again, an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, how she seeks out to demean her and take her down. It's not going to work.'

Melania Trump has been accused of stealing remarks made by Michelle Obama for her own speech at the Republican National Convention

The wife of the GOP Presidential candidate used two passages that match nearly word-for-word the speech that first lady delivered in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention

MELANIA TRUMP'S SPEECH (2016) 'My parents impressed on me the value of that you work hard for what you want in life. 'That your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise. 'That you treat people with respect. Show the values and morals in in the daily life. 'That is the lesson that we continue to pass on to our son. 'We need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. [Cheering] Because we want our children in these nations to know that the only limit to your achievement is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.' Advertisement

MICHELLE OBAMA'S SPEECH (2008) 'And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them. 'And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. 'Because we want our children  and all children in this nation  to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.' Advertisement

Manafort was even more dismissive on CBS, saying that 'there are not that many similarities' between the two speeches. 'There are a couple of phrases.'

'It's basically three places in the speech, and there are fragments of words,' he insisted. 'She spoke in front of 35 million people yesterday. She knew what she was doing. And she would never crib from another speech without acknowledging she was quoting somebody else.'

Asked if heads would roll over the embarrassing result, Manafort indicated no one would be sacked.

'I don't think Donald Trump feels that there is anything to fire about,' he said.

The campaign doesn't appear to be leaning in the direction of naming the aide responsible for putting words in Melania's speech that originated with a Michelle Obama speechwriter.

'It was a collaboration,' he said. 'The wordsmith  I'm not sure.'

On NBC's 'Today' show, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie defended Team Trump.

Asked if he could make a courtroom case for plagiarism, the former federal prosecutor shot back: 'Not when 93 per cent of the speech is completely different than Michelle Obama's speech. And they expressed some common thoughts.'

Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort (right) insisted there was no intentional plagiarism

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie seemed not to know how plagiarism works, defending Melania Trump by telling NBC viewers that 93 per cent of her speech wasn't lifted from Michelle Obama

Christie brushed off the controversy, saying that 'the worst day of a convention is the first day because everyone's building up to it and everybody gets breathless, both the delegates and the media, about something to cover, a controversy to talk about.'

'I think after tonight we won't be talking about this. We'll move on to ... whatever comes up tonight.'

The identical passages from the two women's speeches focus on lessons Mrs. Trump said she learned from her parents. The remarks also touched on the relevance of those lessons and their experience as mothers.

They came near the beginning of her roughly 10-minute speech, which was otherwise distinct from the address that Mrs. Obama gave when her husband, Barack Obama, was being named the Democratic nominee for president.

In Mrs. Trump's speech in Cleveland, she said: 'From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect.'

'They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life.'

In Mrs. Obama's 2008 speech in Denver, she said: 'And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: like, you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you're going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them and even if you don't agree with them.'

Another passage with notable similarities that follows two sentences later in Mrs. Trump's speech addresses her attempts to instill those values in her son.

'We need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow,' Mrs. Trump said. 'Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.'

Melania has insisted that she wrote the speech with only a 'little help', but only read it through once

'I AM SO PROUD OF YOUR CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES': HIGHLIGHTS OF MELANIA'S SPEECH On Donald's patriotism: 'I have been with Donald for 18 years and I have been aware of his love for this country since we first met. He never had a hidden agenda when it comes to his patriotism, because, like me, he loves this country so much'

On her parents and her country: My elegant and hard-working mother Amalia introduced me to fashion and beauty. My father Viktor instilled in me a passion for business and travel. Their integrity, compassion and intelligence reflect to this day on me and for my love of family and America.

On his determination: 'If you want someone to fight for you and your country, I can assure you, he is the 'guy'. He will never, ever, give up. And, most importantly, he will never, ever, let you down'

On winning: 'His achievements speak for themselves, and his performance throughout the primary campaign proved that he knows how to win'

On Trump's best qualities: 'He is tough when he has to be but he is also kind and fair and caring. This kindness is not always noted, but it is there for all to see. That is one reason I fell in love with him to begin with'

On his political ambitions: 'Donald intends to represent all the people, not just some of the people. That includes Christians and Jews and Muslims, it includes Hispanics and African-Americans and Asians, and the poor and the middle class'

On her own ambitions: 'If I am honored to serve as first lady, I will use that wonderful privilege to try to help people in our country who need it the most. One of the many causes dear to my heart is helping children and women'

On being ready: 'My husband is ready to lead this great nation. He is ready to fight, every day, to give our children the better future they deserve. Ladies and gentlemen, Donald J. Trump is ready to serve and lead this country as the next president of the United States' Advertisement

In the first lady's 2008 speech, she said, 'Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values and to pass them onto the next generation, because we want our children  and all children in this nation  to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.'

Jon Favreau, President Obama's former speechwriter, tweeted after the event that Mrs Obama's speech in 2008 was written by Sarah Hurwitz - a former Hillary Clinton speechwriter.

'So the Trump campaign plagiarized from a Hillary speechwriter,' Favreau added.

In response to the nearly-identical passages, the Trump camp at first ignored questions about the similarities before outright denying them.

Jason Miller, the senior communications adviser, said: 'In writing her beautiful speech, Melania's team of writers took notes on her life's inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking.

'Melania's immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech, which made it such a success.'

Later, Manafort said Mrs. Trump's speech was 'of course not' plagiarized and that the similar passages are composed of 'common words and values.'

But he provided no insight into how the words were lifted in the first place.

'You know, there was certainly a collaboration,' he said. 'Certainly there's no feeling on her part that she did it, you know. What she did was use words that are common words and just expect her to  to think that she would do something like that, knowing how scrutinized her speech was going to be last night, is just really absurd.'

NBC political commentator Nicole Wallace hinted Tuesday morning at possible backstabbing on the part of the speechwriter.

'There is no doubt in my mind that whoever put those words on a piece of paper was very aware of what Michelle Obama said,' Wallace said on the Today show.

The first lady made the remarks while her husband was being confirmed as the Democratic nominee

Trump's campaign had no immediate reaction when asked about the similarities in the two speeches. But The Donald did congratulate his wife on Twitter later that evening

White House officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment late Monday evening.

In an interview with NBC News taped ahead of her convention appearance and posted online early Tuesday, Mrs. Trump said of her speech, 'I wrote it.' She added that she had 'a little help.'

She added that she had read through it only one last time before arriving in Cleveland.

After her speech in Cleveland on Monday, her husband tweeted: 'It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible. Very proud!'

Jeffrey Lord, a Trump supporter, told CNN that whoever was responsible for the suspected plagiarism should be fired.

Politico also questioned information about Melania in the convention's official program, which states that she earned a degree in architecture and design.

But she actually dropped out after a year.

Despite the allegations, The Donald congratulated his wife after the speech

Lara Trump, wife of Donald's son Eric, posted a positive message for her stepmother-in-law hours after the scandal hit Tuesday morning

Melania's remarks had been well-received, until the similarities between the speeches were revealed

She walked onto the stage in Cleveland with a huge smile on her face ahead of the speech

The pair shared a kiss before she spoke ahead of the historic speech

Trump's campaign released a statement after the similarities were uncovered, but did not mention plagiarism

VIDEO: Melania Trump told NBC's Matt Lauer before the speech: "I wrote it...with a little help as possible." https://t.co/MZraa04Goj  Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) July 19, 2016




A bipolar rape victim who was jailed for a month after she had a mental breakdown while testifying against her attacker has sued officials.

The woman, called Jenny, was strangled and raped in Houston, Texas, last year and was called to court to give evidence against the man accused of assaulting her, Keith Hendricks.

Jenny, who is in her 20s, was under so much pressure that she broke down in the witness stand and the session had to be adjourned after she ran from court, saying she would never come back.

The rape victim was taken to hospital but, after leaving, was handcuffed, put in a police car and taken to jail.

A rape victim, called Jenny (pictured), was jailed for a month after she had a mental breakdown while testifying against her attacker

Jenny's attorney, Sean Buckley, told Click 2 Houston that she was jailed for 27 days over Christmas and treated as if she was a criminal during her incarceration.

Prison guards misread paperwork and thought Jenny was a sex offender - rather than a victim - and she was given a black eye by another inmate.

Jenny was also punched by a prison guard after she lashed out at him, leading her to be charged with assault. The charge was later dropped.

After her eventual release from jail, in January, Jenny filed a lawsuit against Harris County, its sheriff Ron Hickman, prison guard Taylor Adams and Harris County prosecutor Nicholas Socias - who asked for her to be jailed.

Jenny, who was homeless, was detained using an attachment order - a rarely used statute in Texas that allows judges to hold a witness in custody without bail if there are fears they may refuse to give evidence.

But jail records show that the authorities failed to mark Jenny's paperwork clearly to show she was a victim, rather than a suspect.

Rapist: Keith Hendricks was given two life sentences for raping multiple women

In the box where a criminal's charge would be written, Jenny's records said 'aggravated sexual assault'.

Harris County Sheriff's Office said there would have been a code on Jenny's records to show she was a victim, but it appears some prison staff were not aware of this.

According to documents seen by the news station, a psychiatric assessment among her records states: 'Female arrested for aggravated sexual assault... She says she is going to trial to put someone away for sexually raping her.'

Despite not being accused of a crime, Jenny was placed with offenders and this eventually led to her being attacked by an inmate.

She grew angry and hit a guard, who punched her back with a closed fist.

Jenny was allowed out of jail on January 11 to testify against Hendricks, who was eventually found guilty of raping multiple women and jailed for two life sentences.

Despite giving evidence, Jenny spent three more days in prison in case she was called back to court. She was finally freed on January 14.

'This young lady should never have been put in the Harris County jail,' Mr Buckley said. 'That is not an environment for a rape victim.'

District attorney Devon Anderson refused to comment.

Her spokesman later said: 'Because the DA's Office has been notified that a lawsuit is imminent, we cannot go into details about this case.

'However, witness bonds are a common tool used by prosecutors and defense attorneys when the lawyer has reason to believe that the witness will be unavailable or make him or herself unavailable for trial. A judge must approve a witness bond. In this case the judge and family agreed with the decision to obtain a witness bond.'
Two hikers found a missing father and his three children after they got lost and spent two nights stranded in the Colorado wilderness.

Dustin Beaver, 33, his six-year-old son and 8-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, set out on a hike to Dollar Lake at 12,000 feet on Saturday in the Weminuche Wilderness area of Colorado.

Beaver told authorities that bad directions from a Texas hiker caused him to go in the wrong direction, according to FOX 31.

Dustin Beaver, 33, his six-year-old son and 8-year-old twins, a boy and a girl, set out on a hike to Dollar Lake at 12,000 feet on Saturday in the Weminuche Wilderness area (pictured) of Colorado. The area where the family was found is about 15-square miles of terrain

Beaver told authorities that bad directions from a Texas hiker caused him to go in the wrong direction. The family wandered in the wilderness for two days before being discovered by a couple who were vacationing in the area. Pictured is a lake within the Weminuche Wilderness

The family wandered in the wilderness for two days before being discovered by a couple who were vacationing in the area.

Mike and Laura Hampshire, natives of Australia, found Beaver and his children and helped them out to a trailhead Monday night, La Plata County sheriff's spokesman Dan Bender told The Durango Herald.

Once they reached the trailhead, a member of La Plata County Search and Rescue took the four to Granite Peaks Ranch, where they were examined by Upper Pine Fire Rescue crews, according to the station.

Saturday and Sunday nights were clear in the area, with temperatures in the mid-40s, according to the National Weather Service.

The family was found to be in good shape.

Their only complaint was the bug bites they received since setting out for their hike Saturday.

Beaver told authorities that they had food, water and a tent and were able to start campfires each night.

More than 25 people from multiple agencies combed the area in search of the family. It took searchers, who were prepared to look for the family all night, an additional seven hours to hike out. Matt King (pictured) with La Plata County Search and Rescue helped coordinate the search for the family

Beaver's wife reported them missing Sunday night after she found his car parked at another trailhead.

More than 25 people from multiple agencies combed the 15-square-mile area in search of the family.

It took searchers, who were prepared to look for the family all night, an additional seven hours to hike out, Bender said.

Helicopters from the US Air Force and the Colorado National Guard were preparing to join in the search before the family made it to the trailhead.

Other hikers have gotten lost in the area, and searchers this week had trouble keeping their bearings, Bender said.
on Twitter that she was disappointed in the band's behavior they wrote back 'good'

A crowd of Republican convention-goers booed '90s rockers Third Eye Blind who were playing a concert in Cleveland last night in conjunction with the Republican National Convention.

Band members, responsible for hits like 'Semi-Charmed Life,' 'How's It Going to Be' and 'Never Let You Go,' didn't play any of their trio of hits, according to Pajiba.com and various Twitter reports.

Instead they trolled conservatives in attendance yelling, 'raise your hand if you believe in science,' at one point.

Third Eye Blind's Stephen Jenkins taunted his conservative crowd as he appeared last night at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland at a charity event held in conjunction with the Republican National Convention

Yahoo News' Hunter Walker asked band members if they worried their antics might reflect badly on the charity Musicians on Call. They said no

In another instance, Third Eye Blind made it clear that last night's concert was a separate fundraiser and not part of official RNC programming

When they finally decided to play a song attendees recognized it was none other than 'Jumper,'

The song is about a gay friend of the band's who took his own life by jumping off a bridge.

Third Eye Blind used the moment, in front of a booing crowd, to show their support for gay rights.

'To love this song is to take into the heart the message and to actually, actually have a feeling to arrive and move forward and not live in fear and imposing that fear onto other people,' said frontman Stephan Jenkins.

While the concert was heavily attended by those also in Cleveland for the Republican National Convention it was put on by Musicians On Call, a charity that sends musicians into hospitals and on the bedside of patients.

The band articulated that distinction after the show.

'Darling, we would never play the [Republican National Convention],' members said on Twitter. 'We played a charity event for musicians on call at the Rock and roll hall of fame.'

One fan who attended the show tweeted at the band that she had 'never been more disappointed.'

'Good,' the band's Twitter account wrote back.

Yahoo! News' Hunter Walker tweeted at the band after hearing about the show and asked if Third Eye Blind was concerned, at all, about hurting the reputation of the charity.

When one fan expressed disappointment over the band bringing up science and gay rights the band had a one-word answer in return

'Great question,' the band's Twitter account replied. 'We were not, as musicians on call were well aware of who we are and our take on things (like science and rights!)'

The charity put out a rather vague statement about the incident.

A spokeswoman for Musicians on Call wouldn't confirm whether the band had expressed their political leanings to the group in advance of last night's show.

Had they done that, the event's planners might have realized that there could be a problem.

'Musicians On Call brings the healing power of music to the bedside of patients in healthcare facilities and last night's event helped raise money to support our programs across the country,' said Pete Griffin, President of Musicians on Call, in a statement.

'Our organization has performed for over half a million patients, families and caregivers and we are incredibly grateful to all artists, volunteers and supporters who help in these efforts,'' he continued.

'Our supporters are as diverse as the music they play for patients in hospitals undergoing treatment or unable to leave their beds and we appreciate all that they do to help Musicians on Call continue our mission,' Griffin said.




Ohio governor John Kasich and Donald Trump are feuding now, but a month ago Donald Trump Jr. offered Kasich a job that sounds hard to refuse: running for vice president with a portfolio that includes running the government.

A Kasich advisor told The New York Times that Trump Jr. approached the advisor dangled the possibility of being the most powerful vice president in history.

Asked about what portfolio the job would have, Trump Jr. reportedly said Kasich would get to be in charge of domestic and foreign policy.

Kasich had been high on the list despite his public criticism of Trump because he represents a critical state and site of this week's convention, and would have been a bridge to disgruntled establishment Republicans.

The tale of Trump's VP selection process  he ultimately selected Indiana governor Mike Pence, who addresses the GOP convention tonight  involves a series of failed overtures, snubs, and blackballs, according to a detailed account of the effort to winnow a list of 16 down to 1.

Donald Trump Jr. asked whether Ohio governor John Kasich was interested in serving as Donald Trump's vice president with a job description of running the country, according to a report

WHAT ABOUT JUNIOR?: Donald Trump tweeted that Kasich didn't get asked 'by me' to be his running mate

Republican nominee Donald Trump responded to the report by saying he personally didn't offer Kasich the job, but didn't mention anything about his son.

'John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!' Trump tweeted Wednesday.

Governor Susana Martinez of New Mexico quickly fell off the list after she failed to return calls from former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski  a snub that preceded Trump bashing her on a campaign trip to her state where she didn't appear.

Rice made it onto the list despite her role as a key advisor to President George W. Bush that Trump during the Iraq War that Trump has called a disaster. She indicated she wasn't interested. Tennessee senator Bob Corker, another favorite who ultimately got formally vetted, told Team Trump he wasn't a good fit  but pitched himself to run the Treasury or State departments.

New Mexico governor Brian Sandoval had strengths as a latino governing a swing state, but Trump reportedly couldn't get over his endorsement of Kasich in the primary.

Iowa senator Joni Ernst scored a meeting in Trump tower with the candidate, but neither seemed interested. Ernst did get a speaking spot at the convention Monday night, but it was to a mostly empty hall after proceedings dragged on.

POTENTIAL CANDIDATES: Condoleezza Rice made it on the list despite her backing of the Iraq War that Trump rails against while New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was the first high profile politician to back Trump and was reportedly 'livid' he was not named on the ticket with the billionaire - although he did address the Republican National Convention on Tuesday (right)

ABORT MISSION: Lt. General Michael Flynn represented the military on the list

LAST MAN STANDING: Trump ultimately settled on Indiana governor Mike Pence (center)

Florida senator Marco Rubio never got the offer, although the Trump camp kept in touch about Florida politics.

North Carolina senator Richard Burr faced the down-side of representing a swing state and being up for reelection.

New Jersey senator Chris Christie remained near the top of the list. But he's showing all signs of being a major player in Trump's orbit despite losing out. He's heading up transition efforts for the possible Trump administration.
A pensioner whose face was torn to shreds by a dangerous dog said today she can't look in the mirror because of her horrifying injuries.

Sylvia Baillie, 60, had so many stitches that doctors lost count as they re-attached her skin and medics initially refused to show her the damage the American Akita had done.

Mrs Baillie had been to a funeral when she went to pat her neighbour's dog but it jumped up and tore at her face.

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Shocking: This is the damaged face of Sylvia Baillie, 60, who was savaged by an American Akita dog after a funeral

Sylvia was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley then moved to the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow for emergency surgery.

Before: This is the pensioner's undamaged face - she cannot even bear to look in the mirror any more

Speaking to the Daily Record she said: 'I'm distraught. I've had flashbacks of the dog launching itself at my face and I can't sleep.

'I remember the dog on me as I fell, then I passed out. I woke up in hospital and the doctors wouldn't show me my face.

'When I asked how many stitches I had, they said they didn't know. They just had to keep stitching and stitching to re-attach my face'.

All the work had to be done under local anaesthetic because Mrs Baillie has a heart problem so a general anaesthetic could have been fatal.

She said: 'After the op, I went to the bathroom and that's when I saw my face. I'm devastated at how this has left me. I can't bring myself to look in the mirror now. The injuries are disgusting'.

The incident happened a week ago in Fairway Avenue, Paisley.

Mrs Baillie had to be fed through a tube and is now having to live on soup and ice cream.

Her daughter Leeann, 36, heard her mother scream and described running in to find her mother unconscious and completely covered in blood.

Police did not find the dog straight away and it appears the same American Akita may have been put up for sale online for 50 in the hours after the attack.

The dog was eventually seized on Monday and a man and woman will be reported to the procurator fiscal.

Mr Baillie said: 'It's so reckless to try and sell it on. They know how evil it is. To risk someone else going through what I have for 50 is ludicrous.'
Police in Belgium held a man at gunpoint after he was acting

A massive security alert in Brussels turned out to be a false alarm after it emerged the man police suspected of being a suicide bomber was actually a student measuring radiation.

The Belgian capital was on lock-down this afternoon while p olice cornered the man at gunpoint after he was reportedly spotted wearing a heavy winter coat with wires protruding from it.

A huge operation was launched near Place de la Monnaie in the centre of the city after the man was seen acting suspiciously.

After the mix-up, the man was arrested and could be faced with the policing costs.

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A man is held at gunpoint in Brussels after reportedly being spotted wearing a long winter coat with wires protruding from it

A massive security operation was launched near Place de la Monnaie in the centre of the city after the man was seen acting suspiciously

He drew the attention of a security guard for wearing the winter coat which was said to have had cables hanging from it with the temperature hitting 32C in Brussels.

A spokesman for the city's police force Christian de Coninck told Levif the man was actually studying the waves and radiation in the city.

He added: 'As the person was very passive and very suspect during the operation, the police zone decided to bring civil actions to recover the costs incurred in the operation.'

The individual was arrested by special units and taken to the police for interviewing.

Pictures from the scene had shown two armed police officers pointing their guns at the man while he placed his hands on his head.

A bomb disposal robot was also understood to have moved in close to the scene.

A Brussels police spokeswoman confirmed at the time that the situation was under control but that the man had not yet being arrested.

The man had not made any threats and is speaking to officers.

Christian De Coninck of Brussels Police told local TV: 'We got a call about someone acting suspiciously. Someone with a heavy winter coat - in these temperatures it's very suspicious.

'And there were wires coming out of the coat too.

Shops nearby have been evacuated and several streets are closed as a security cordon has been set up

Shops nearby have been evacuated and several streets are closed while police detained the man

'We didn't take any risks. The person was stopped and kept at a distance. We are now waiting for more information from the bomb disposal unit which is at the scene now and then we'll know more.'

Shops nearby were evacuated and several streets were closed as a security cordon was set up.

Brussels is already on high alert and the streets of the city are packed as Belgium prepares to celebrate its national day tomorrow.

The incident comes just months after an attack at Brussels airport and on the city's metro in which 32 people were killed and dozens more injured.

The attacks caused shockwaves in a Belgium already on edge after it emerged that many of the ISIS jihadis involved in the November Paris onslaught which killed 130 people had grown up together in Brussels.
Police in Ibiza have arrested a British holidaymaker accused of sexually assaulting a woman neighbour in an apartment complex.

The victim, also a British tourist, called the police after the intruder got into her room through an open window and forced himself on her as she slept.

Officers quizzed several residents of the apartment block in Cala de Bou, San Jose, before detaining a 32-year-old man staying next door.

Police in Ibiza have arrested a British holidaymaker accused of sexually assaulting a woman neighbour in an apartment complex. Stock image of Cala deBou, where it happened

The victim, also a British tourist, called the police after the intruder got into her room through an open window and forced himself on her as she slept. Stock image of Cala de Bou

He is said to have resisted arrest, injuring two Civil Guards, before being taken away.

The incident happened around 4am in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The arrest was made by Civil Guard officers based in the party resort of San Antonio.

An investigating magistrate will now decide whether to release the unnamed suspect on bail or remand him in custody during a behind-closed-doors court hearing.

The resort is popular with tourists, filled with restaurants and bars but set apart from the main strip in the party capital, San Antonio, famous for its night clubs.

The news comes just days after British tourist Tom Jarvis, 22, drowned in the small sandy cove of Cala des Moro, near the tourist hotspot Cafe del Mar.
A man accused of bringing a 'fraudulent' 300,000 compensation claim over 'disabling' thumb injuries could be jailed - after being videoed enthusiastically playing guitar in a Guns n' Roses tribute band.

Former Network Rail worker Anthony James Dermody was regularly playing bass in the 'very energetic heavy metal band' despite claiming an injury to his hand he suffered at work had debilitated him, the High Court heard.

But the 28-year-old from Altrincham, near Manchester, eventually dropped his claim after 'realising he was under investigation,' said William Featherby QC, for Network Rail.

Former Network Rail worker Anthony James Dermody (right) is alleged to have regularly played bass in the 'very energetic heavy metal band'

Anthony Dermody, 28, (left) a bassist in cover band Guns or Roses, with Duff McKagen (right) the original bassist in the rock group

Mr Justice Edis has now granted permission for proceedings to be brought to have him committed to prison for contempt of court.

Mr Dermody's mother, Ann Marie Dermody, could also face jail after Network Rail accused her of backing up her son's bogus claim in a sworn statement.

The court heard Mr Dermody suffered an accident at work in 2011, during which his right thumb was crushed.

Network Rail admitted liability and Mr Dermody instructed lawyers to claim 300,000, on the basis his life had been badly affected by his hand injuries.

However Mr Dermody's case was 'blown apart' when investigators showed surveillance videos to Network Rail bosses.

Investigators showed surveillance videos to Network Rail bosses, which allegedly show Mr Dermody (right) actively playing the guitar despite claiming an injury had debilitated him

They showed him playing the role of bassist 'Duff McKagan' in a Gun's n' Roses cover band.

Dermody goes by the pseudonym 'Dermo Rose Sheen' in the band.

Mr Featherby said: 'This is a claimant who said he suffered a very serious injury to his right thumb - which incidentally is his guitar playing thumb.

'For many years afterwards, and still, he plays bass guitar in a very energetic heavy metal band, known as Guns or Roses.'

He said Mr Dermody had told a doctor he was 'very seriously disabled' and 'could not do any of the activities he enjoyed before the accident.'

'We say that is false, because he was playing guitar for this group,' Mr Featherby added.

The barrister said investigators had uncovered evidence Mr Dermody toured extensively with the group, in the UK and Europe, during the time he claimed to have been out of action because of his injury.

'We say that the claim was largely fraudulent...he was an active and busy member of a heavy metal rock group,' Mr Featherby said.

At the High Court, Mr Justice Edis granted permission for proceedings to be brought against Mr Dermody (centre) for contempt of court

Mr Dermody and his mother, who is in her 50s, did not attend the court hearing, and were not represented, but Mr Featherby said they intended to defend themselves.

'He now claims he has developed a new technique for paying the guitar which places no strain on his thumb,' said the QC.

Mr Featherby added: 'His mother supported his case and put in a witness statement in his support.

'She is on Guns or Roses' website as one of his biggest fans, so she knew all about his activities.'

Opening the way for Network Rail to seek jail terms for the pair, Mr Justice Edis said: 'There is a strong prima facie case that Mr Dermody did consciously exaggerate his claim in order to increase the damages that he hoped to receive.

'The evidence before the court is capable of showing that he was functioning relatively normally as the bass guitarist in a heavy metal rock group which travelled substantial distances in order to put on its performances.

'That is inconsistent with his presentation of his case'.

Turning to Mrs Dermody's position, he said there was a 'sufficiently strong prima facie case to show acquiescence in the falsehood.'

Both Mr Dermody and his mother now face a full hearing of Network Rail's bid to have them jailed.
Five university students have been expelled, two have been suspended with several others placed on probation for sharing photos of fellow students' breasts and rating them on a Facebook group involving 14 men.

The 14 male students from Australian National University in Canberra who reside at the John XXIII College have been reprimanded for sharing images and comments about fellow female students in the social media group in March.

The alleged victim, Alexandra Lewis, was made aware of the incident after a close male friend showed her the series of messages, reported Canberra Times.

Five students have been expelled and two suspended from John XXIII College for sharing photos of fellow students' breasts on social media

'It was a formal dinner at the start of the year and one of the men created a group message consisting of the second and third year 'boys club' members,' wrote the alleged victim in the student newspaper Woroni.

'The night was filled with eating, drinking and dancing, all documented in an online forum with the sole purpose of judging the 'best mooeys (breasts) on show' for the night.

'A month later a close male friend of mine presented to me the series of messages.

'I read from the top and scrolled down, sifting through pages and pages of disrespectful words, and the close up photos and videos of mine and a few other girls' cleavages, who were conveniently sitting opposite the photographers.

'Silly us, so ignorantly unaware of who we were sharing our meal with.

'Like mindless sheep following suit, a handful of the men captured and uploaded images of my body. Seasoned with comments of sexist slurs, that included proposals of raping me  all the while I cheerfully sat opposite them.'

One of the men involved was responsible for the welfare of fellow students and voluntarily left the college after the group messages were made public, reported news.com.

The head of John XXIII College, Geoff Johnston said the female students involved in the incident are receiving support

The head of John XXIII College, Geoff Johnston, said fewer than five female students appeared in the group and they all continue to attend the college.

'You've got young people coming out of school and put in an environment where they are treated as adults and sometimes they will do stupid things and in this particular case they did something that was totally unacceptable and we acted on it,' Mr Johnston said.

The female students involved in the incident are receiving support as Mr Johnston praised the man who informed a victim of the messages.

'Let me put it this way, I think there's a couple of positives that came out of this and one is that quite a few boys objected to what had happened and when they found out about it, they are the ones who went to the girls and said, 'Are you aware of this?',' he said.

This is not the first time ANU student have posted inappropriate and sexist comments on social media.

'Sometimes when I go in to do my laundry and theyve left their stuff unattended, Ill snoop through someones stuff and nick a pair of panties or bra,' wrote a student in 'ANU Confessions'.

'I take them and pretend girls have been sleeping with me in my room when my friends come over and discover theyve accidentally left them behind.'
the nationwide outcry over the recent fatal shootings of black men by police officers

A New Mexico restaurant has sparked outrage for using a pun that played off the slogan for the Black Lives Matter movement.

The owner of Paisano's Italian restaurant in Albuquerque put 'Black Olives Matter - Try Our Tapenade' on his marquee sign.

Rick Camuglia told WRIC that he and his team 'thought it was a cute play on words'.

The pun was being used to promote the restaurant's 'special Ahi tuna' that is made with black olives.

New Mexico restaurant Paisano's has sparked outrage for using a pun that played off the Black Lives Matter movement. The owner of Paisano's Italian restaurant in Albuquerque put 'Black Olives Matter - Try Our Tapenade' on his marquee sign (pictured)

Owner, Rick Camuglia (pictured) said that he and his team 'thought it was a cute play on words'. Camuglia took a photo of the sign and posted it to Facebook, where it immediately was criticized by people who thought the sign was in 'very poor taste'

Camuglia then took a photo of the sign and posted it to Facebook, where it immediately was criticized by people who thought the sign was in 'very poor taste'.

Some Facebook users wrote that the sign was 'insensitive', 'tacky and hideous' and 'offensive'.

Camuglia told the station that he received a lot of phone calls from people who were really upset about the sign.

'We didn't think anybody would be offended by that, it was not our intent to offend anybody,' he said.

Camuglia took down half of the sign and removed the Facebook post.

On Friday, the restaurant posted a photo of the new sign that read: 'Black Olive Pizzas - Buy One Get One Free!'

Camuglia told KRQE: 'I think if that offends some people, a statement about black olives, that somebody needs to reevaluate their politically correct meter.'

The pun was being used to promote the restaurant's 'special Ahi tuna (pictured)' that is made with black olives

The restaurant (pictured) released a statement on Friday regarding the incident thanking those who supported them through the incident. Paisano's has also received an increase in the number of customer orders that include black olives

The restaurant released a statement on Friday regarding the incident thanking those who supported them through the incident.

'Since Wednesday, July 13th, we have been inundated with positive, supportive phone calls from the community as well as overwhelmed with business, not only from our 'regulars', but from so many new customers who came from Albuquerque, surrounding cities, and even neighboring States simply to support us.

'A heartfelt 'Thank You' to you from our Crew, some of whom were moved to tears because of your kind words and outpouring of support.

'Many nowadays would contend that society has changed for the worse, but our experience this week has proven the opposite.

'We have encountered so many quality people of character; salt of the earth and the bedrock of America. Awesome.'

The restaurant said they received an increase in the number of customer orders that included black olives.

Paisano's punny billboard comes at a time when America is mourning and attempting to recover from two police shootings that left two black men dead, prompting thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters to take to the streets.

It's been two weeks since a graphic video emerged of the fatal police shooting of street seller Alton Sterling.

The video showed the moment cops pinned the 37-year-old to the ground and pulled the trigger.

Paisano's punny billboard comes at a time when America is mourning and attempting to recover from two police shootings that left two black men dead, prompting thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters (pictured) to take to the streets

Actor, rapper and businessman, Nick Cannon (center), led the Black Lives Matters protest outside Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. The comedian said he felt let down by both Republicans and Democrats. 'We want to be respected. We want to feel safe. We want the American Dream'

Sterling had been thrown to the ground by officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II after they received a complaint about a man making threats with a gun while selling CDs outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Nearly 24 hours later, Philando Castile, 32, was shot at close range by a policeman in the Minneapolis suburb of Falcon Heights after being pulled over for a broken taillight.

Castile had informed the officer he was carrying a gun and had a permit to do so, but was shot as he reached for his driver's license and car registration.

His girlfriend Diamond Reynolds livestreamed the aftermath of the shooting, which showed an officer pointing his gun at her through the window as her four-year-old daughter was sitting in the back of the car.

The video, watched millions of times on social media, shows Castile bleeding profusely, moaning and gasping for air.

Protesters of the Black Lives Matter movement have continued to organize demonstrations in numerous cities, including one in Dallas, where a shooter gunned down five police officers.

And most recently, a gunman in Baton Rouge shot and killed three law enforcement officers.

Actor, rapper and businessman, Nick Cannon, led the Black Lives Matters protest outside Republican National Convention

The comedian said he felt let down by both Republicans and Democrats.

'We want to be respected. We want to feel safe. We want the American Dream.'

Harold Bailey, the president of the NAACP chapter in Albuquerque, told WRIC that the sign was 'in bad taste' given the 'national uproar, demonstrations and marches, regarding the shooting of African American men and youth by police officers'.

'Hopefully, the owners at Paisano's will be a bit more sensitive in the future,' Bailey added.

'Unjustified killing of innocent Black men is nothing to joke about. Whether it was intentional or not, it sent the wrong message to many.

'I'm sure they would feel the same way if someone had an offensive marketing idea that placed Hispanics, Italians or any other ethnic group in a controversial concept.'




Police union chief Jeff Marano called for a boycott of Sunoco gas stations nationwide after a Miramar police officer was refused service at one location

A black gas station clerk has been fired after he refused to serve a Florida police officer in uniform - on the same day three cops were killed by a gunman in Baton Rouge.

Jeff Marano, the president of the Broward County Police Benevolent Association, said the officer wanted to buy a Gatorade at the Sunoco service station on S. Douglas Road in Miramar but the clerk refused to ring him up.

It happened on Sunday - the same day gunman Gavin Long shot dead three cops and wounded three more at a gas station in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

But the clerk has insisted that his actions werent because the Miramar police officer, who has not been identified, was in uniform, but because the man had been rude to him,ABC10 reports.

Its just a crazy time for police officers and for an officer in full uniform when the public is standing there in a convenience store to be denied service is just unacceptable, Marano told the station.

The officer said the clerk told him he was being refused service because he had arrested his boy in the parking lot earlier.

In the aftermath of the incident, Marano called for a national boycott of Sunoco gas stations and the employees termination.

On the Broward County Police Benevolent Associations website, he called for law enforcement and anyone who supports law enforcement to boycott the company.

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The officer wanted to buy a Gatorade at the Sunoco service station on S. Douglas Road (above) in Miramar but the clerk refused to ring him up

On a day when three officers are slain in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a fourth if fighting for his life, how can anyone deny service to a uniformed police officer? he said.

Sunoco responded by firing the clerk, who worked at an independently owned and operated outlet, the company said.

The actions described by the police officer are unacceptable and are not something that Sunoco would tolerate at any station bearing the Sunoco brand, Sunocos VP Distributor Jeffrey Byard told Marano in a letter.

We apologize to the officer involved, an to all law enforcement officers who were understandably offended by this incident.

The nations police officers are a precious resource, and Sunoco welcomes them in our stores as customers and protectors of our community every day.

Here you are just trying to do your job, you effort an arrest, Marano added CBS Miami. You go into the store and the clerk wont serve you.

Marano said the clerk approached the cop and asked why he had arrested his boy and added that he wouldnt ring him up  adding you know why.

The incident occurred on Sunday, the same day that Gavin Long killed three police officers in Baton Rouge

The clerk reportedly said he refused to serve the officer because I dont have to.

But the clerk, who has not been named, defended his actions.

Asked if he denied service to the officer because he is an officer, the clerk told ABC10: Not at all. Police officers come in here all the time.

It was only because he was being rude to me and I explained that, he insisted.

He said that he had approached the officer to ask about the earlier arrest and been dismissed by the cop, who told him it was not his business.

If somebodys being disrespectful to me and then they wanna come to me and want my service, Im not gonna serve them, he added to the station.

The incident occurred at a time of heightened tensions between the black community and law enforcement across the United States.

The death of two black men at the hands of police officers earlier this month has sparked a wave of anger and Black Lives Matter protests across the country.

Alton Sterling, 37, was shot a point blank range by two white police officers as they pinned him down outside a Baton Rouge convenience store on July 5.

A day later, the outrage was fueled further by the death of Philando Castile, 32, by a police officer in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, during a traffic stop.

Then, on July 7, a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas turned deadly when black Army veteran Micah Johnson killed five police officers in a sniper attack. He was later killed by police using a remote-controlled bomb on a robot.

And on Sunday, more cops lost their lives in another similar targeted attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge.
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Fortunate families have been filling suitcases and car boots with leftover food after the fridges at a handful of Tesco stores broke down.

The soaring temperatures have proven too much for the refrigerated units at some of the supermarkets stores in Cardiff and Swansea.

Hundreds of fresh food products, including butter, milk, ice cream, soup, meat and yoghurts have been thrown out after the machines broke down.

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Danny Hall was on hand with a plastic crate to help carry food to a number of his friends, who are homeless, from a Tesco store in Cardiff

The soaring temperatures have proven too much for the refrigerated units at some of the supermarkets stores in Cardiff and Swansea

Notices on the fridges inside the stores say staff would help customers wanting products usually stored on the fridge shelves.

And a number of people have been taking advantage of the leftovers by helping themselves to the discarded food.

One man, Danny Hall, was also on hand with a plastic crate to help carry food to a number of his friends, who are homeless.

He said: I walked past and seen all this left over food. I've got a lot of friends who are homeless, so I'm going to take this food over to feed them.

Hundreds of fresh food products, including butter, milk, ice cream, soup, meat and yogurts have been thrown out after the machines broke

A number of people have been taking advantage of the leftovers by helping themselves to the discarded food

I don't think it's gone off. It all looks pretty fresh to me.

A Tesco spokesman told MailOnline: 'The vast majority of our fridges and freezers are working as normal.
Pauline Hanson has claimed she had sex with David Oldfield in a motel on the first night she met him.

Ms Hanson revealed Mr Oldfield stayed the night after the pair met for dinner at a motel - and she didn't even know his last name.

Mr Oldfield, now 58 had been working as an advisor to Tony Abbott when he saw Ms Hanson make her famous 1996 maiden speech warning Australia was 'in danger of being swamped by Asians'.

He then contacted her to arrange a meeting at a pub in Canberra.

Ms Hanson, 62, described the encounter in an interview for an upcoming documentary on SBS.

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Pauline Hanson has hinted at her first sexual encounter with David Oldfield (pictured together in 1998)

Mr Oldfield was working as an advisor to Tony Abbott in 1996, but defected to help Ms Hanson form the One Nation party (seen together in 2011 at his morning radio show on 2UE before he was suspended for making controversial comments about detainees on Christmas Island)

'He just said his name was David, he wouldn't tell me his last name for reasons who he worked for,' Ms Hanson said.

'He came over to the motel I was staying in, we had dinner and he stayed the night. He left the next morning.'

But Mr Oldfield said in his interview for the documentary 'there was no romance in that sense'.

'I just did what I needed to do for Tony, and when I was able to do other things for Pauline, I did that too,' he continued.

Mr Oldfield worked on the formation of the One Nation party and left the Liberal Party.

Ms Hanson has recounted her version of their affair in an upcoming documentary. Mr Oldfield has always denied they were intimate

'He came over to the motel I was staying in, we had dinner and he stayed the night. He left the next morning,' Ms Hanson said in the documentary (pictured together in 2011 at his radio show)

In her 2007 autobiography, 'Untamed and Unashamed', Ms Hanson had claimed the pair had been intimate for two weeks in 1996.

Mr Oldfield denied the suggestion, and even participated in a televised lie detector test on Channel Seven in a bid to prove Ms Hanson's claims wrong - but failed.

'I guarantee and have always said that at no stage during the life of the party did anything like that happen,' Mr Oldfield told Daily Mail Australia earlier this month.

'These are not things that one discusses. I've never stopped denying that it happened, but these are not things that should be discussed.

'Even if it happened, a gentleman doesn't discuss it.'

He said she 'might not be over personal things that I am now'.

Mr Oldfield was thrown out of the party in 2000 by Ms Hanson because of 'personal matters' he would not expand on.

'She had me expelled in 2000 for personal matters that got out of hand that neither of us dealt with very well. It culminated in her organising in me getting expelled,' he told Daily Mail Australia earlier this month.

Despite the disagreement, Mr Oldfield has thrown his support behind Ms Hanson as she prepares to return to the Senate after 18 years on the outs.

Pauline Hanson: Please Explain! will premiere on Sunday, July 31 at 8.35pm on SBS.

Mr Oldfield said in his interview for the documentary 'there was no romance in that sense' (Mr Oldfield pictured speaking in the documentary

A documentary to air on SBS on July 31 explores the impact Pauline Hanson's One Nation had on multiculturalism (Ms Hanson pictured in parliament during her last stint in politics)

A mug shot of Pauline Hanson has surfaced more than a decade after she was jailed and acquitted of electoral fraud

In her 1996 maiden speech, Ms Hanson said Australia was 'in danger of being swamped by Asians' (Ms Hanson pictured outside Parliament House in Canberra recently)
Some 103 terror attacks were carried out, planned, or foiled in Britain last year, a report has revealed.

The figure for the UK was the highest in the EU, with six member states reporting 211 in total, according to Europol.

Some 151 people died and more than 360 were injured as a result of terrorism - with the vast majority of fatalities in France, which was hit by the Charlie Hebdo and Paris atrocities in 2015.

The figures - which have emerged less than a week after the deadly truck attack in Nice - are significantly higher than in 2014, when four people were killed and six wounded.

Police take part in a firearms exercise at Scotland Yard's training centre. Some 103 attacks were carried out, planned or foiled in the UK last year, according to the report

The EU law enforcement agency's latest Terrorism Situation And Trend Report said the total number of terrorist incidents across the EU in 2015 slightly increased compared with 2014, when there were 201.

Denmark, France, Greece, Italy, Spain and the UK reported failed, foiled and completed attacks.

It is thought most of the UK plots were linked to Northern Ireland.

The UK number did not specify terrorist affiliations, but figures for the other countries showed attacks specifically classified as separatist terrorism accounted for the largest proportion, followed by jihadist attacks. The report added that there was an increase in right-wing attacks.

Europol director Rob Wainwright said the EU experienced a 'massive' number of casualties caused by terrorist attacks in 2015.

In a foreword to the report, he warned that Europe 'currently faces a shifting and increasing range of threats emanating from jihadist groups and individuals'.

Mr Wainwright said: 'The so-called Islamic State has demonstrated its ability to strike at will, at multiple times and at a diverse range of targets.

'It has shown its prominence within the "global jihad", while the threat posed by other jihadist militant groups has not diminished.'

He said the overall threat is 'reinforced' by substantial numbers of returned foreign terrorist fighters that many member states now have on their soil.

It was revealed earlier this year that around 850 people linked to the UK and regarded as a security threat are believed to have taken part in the Syrian conflict, with just under half thought to have returned to the country.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson signed a condolence book for victims of the Nice attack in London today

Scores died when a lorry was driven through crowds in Nice this month, with mourners leaving floral tributes at the scene

Mr Wainwright added that 'another worrying development' is 'the significant rise in nationalist (xenophobic), racist and anti-Semitic sentiments across the EU, each resulting in acts of right-wing extremism'.

The 60-page assessment said most jihadist terrorist acts that took place in the EU in 2015 were performed in the name of Islamic State.

It warned that it is a 'highly challenging task' for security services and law enforcement authorities to prevent every planned terrorist attack by keeping track of the 'ever-increasing numbers of people suspected of being, in one way or another, sympathetic to IS ideology, and to focus their attention for unspecified lengths of time on those who might be willing and able to perform violent acts'.

The report also said a total of 1,077 individuals were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offences in 2015 - compared with 774 in the previous year.
Huge crowds carried the body of a Palestinian boy killed by a rubber bullet during a clash with Israeli troops to his funeral today.

Muhey al-Tabakhi, 12, got caught up in the violence in the occupied West Bank on the outskirts of Jerusalem in Al-Ram.

He died in a Palestinian hospital of a wound inflicted by the bullet that struck his chest and caused heart failure.

Mourners carry the body of Palestinian boy Muhey al-Tabakhi, 12, who was killed on Tuesday during a clash with Israeli troops, during his funeral in the West Bank town of Al-Ram, near Jerusalem

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Tabakhi was killed last night from rubber bullets during clashes with the Israeli army guarding the construction at the separation barrier near his house in al-Ram

A relative of Muhey al-Tabakhi, 12, cries at the funeral after the youngster was caught up in the violence in the occupied West Bank on the outskirts of Jerusalem in Al-Ram

'Mohiyeh al-Tabakhi, 12, was killed by shots fired by occupation soldiers in the Al-Ram area near Jerusalem,' the Palestinian health ministry said in a statement.

The Palestinian suburb in the occupied West Bank near Jerusalem is cut off from the Holy City by the 'separation wall' built by Israel.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Tabakhi was killed during clashes with the Israeli army guarding the construction at the separation barrier near his house in al-Ram.

Israeli police said tear gas grenades and sound bombs had been used against demonstrators in the area.

'After being pelted with Molotov cocktails, police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters,' police spokeswoman Luba Samri said.

'There was no live fire,' she added.

The Palestinian suburb in the occupied West Bank near Jerusalem is cut off from the Holy City by the 'separation wall' built by Israel

Israeli police said tear gas grenades and sound bombs had been used against demonstrators in the area

Earlier, a Palestinian assailant who stabbed two Israeli soldiers in an incident near the occupied West Bank town of Hebron on Monday, died of wounds in an Israeli hospital, officials said.

Since October, Palestinian street attacks have killed at least 33 Israelis and two visiting Americans.

Israel has killed at least 204 Palestinians, 138 of whom it said were assailants.

Others were killed during clashes and protests.

Palestinian stabbings, shootings, rock throwing and car rammings against Israelis that began late last year and included almost daily incidents have tapered off significantly and attacks have become less frequent.

He died in a Palestinian hospital of a wound inflicted by the bullet that struck his chest and caused heart failure

Since October, Palestinian street attacks have killed at least 33 Israelis and two visiting Americans. Israel has killed at least 204 Palestinians, 138 of whom it said were assailants. Others were killed during clashes and protests

Israel says incitement in the Palestinian media and personal problems at home have been important factors that have spurred assailants, often teenagers, to launch attacks

Palestinian leaders say assailants have acted out of desperation over the collapse of peace talks in 2014 and Israeli settlement expansion in occupied territory that Palestinians seek for an independent state. Most countries view the settlements as illegal. Israel disputes this.

Israel says incitement in the Palestinian media and personal problems at home have been important factors that have spurred assailants, often teenagers, to launch attacks.
Christie got passed over for VP, but his performance may help his case to continue to serve Trump in other ways

In his convention speech he promised to never to let her get within 10 miles of the White House again

Today he said: 'She should be convicted....I think Jim Comey is a really smart good guy, but here's the problem, he forgot his job'

Chris Christie says that if it weren't for the Justice Department's sloppy handling of Hillary Clinton's email case the former secretary of state might be locked up.

'She should be convicted,' he said on Morning Joe. 'Listen I have great respect I think Jim Comey is a really smart good guy, but here's the problem, he forgot his job.'

The FBI Director took on the role of prosecutor on top of his role as a law enforcement officer because Attorney General Loretta Lynch 'compromised himself' herself by meeting with Bill Clinton, the New Jersey Governor said.

Christie, a former U.S. attorney, said that shouldn't have happened.

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Chris Christie says that if it weren't for the Justice Department's sloppy handling of Hillary Clinton's email case the former secretary of state might be locked up.

When he was a prosecutor, the FBI would recommend that a charges be brought, and 'we decided,' Christie said. 'Or if they said don't bring this case, we decided.'

'He should have just laid out of the facts, privately, quietly and made the attorney general make this call. And if I were the person looking at that evidence, I'd bring the case,' Christie said.

Comey could have recommended that the AG's office come down on Clinton 'but I think that would be very difficult for him to do publicly,' Christie said. 'Which is why I think the whole public part of it was a mistake.'

The Republican said he doesn't think Comey is the 'tank' for Democrats, as other members of the tribe have suggested.

'I think it was too much for him to do at one time,' he said of the dual role the FBI director was expected to play. 'And even for somebody as talented as Jim, that's a lot to bite off and I think he made a mistake.'

The Justice Department took a pass on charging Clinton. New Jersey's Republican governor made a show on Tuesday night of putting the Democratic presidential nominee 'on trial' before a whipped-up crowd at the Republican convention.

The former U.S. attorney for New Jersey who destroyed Republican Marco Rubio during a New Hampshire debate excoriated Clinton. The crowd lapped it up - and added in chants of 'lock her up.'

'Tonight, as a former federal prosecutor, I welcome the opportunity to hold her accountable for her performance and her character,' Christie said.

The wannabe attorney general in a Donald Trump administration told Republican delegates, 'We must present those facts to you, a jury of her peers, both in this hall and in living rooms around our nation.'

Then, he proceeded to read through a blistering 'indictment,' where he cataloged all of Clinton's misjudgments and misdeeds.

'Hillary Clinton cared more about protecting her own secrets than she did about protecting America's secrets,' he said.

His main convention was to read out his charges, then ask the crowd: 'Guilty or not guilty?'

'Guilty!' the crowd screamed out in unison each time

Christie delivered a searing 'indictment' of Hillary Clinton in his convention speech Tuesday night  and the whipped-up GOP crowd acting as a jury found her 'guilty' on every charge

Christie, a former prosecutor, turned his full force of argument to Clinton, and the crowd lapped it up

Delegates shout in agreement during a speech by New Jersey governor Chris Christie at the Republican National Convention

When Christie laid out the case against Clinton for her emails, it brought yet another round of 'lock her up' cheers.

'As to Hillary Clinton, putting herself ahead of America, guilty or not guilty?'

'Guilty!' yelled out the crowd.

'Hillary Clinton, lying to the American people about her selfish, awful judgment, guilty or not guilty?'

'Guilty,' yelled back the crowd.

Christie saddled Clinton with the chaos in Libya, diplomatic pushback by China, challenges by, and a rapprochement with Cuba.

'Hillary Clinton, as a failure for ruining Libya and creating a nest for terrorist activity by ISIS, guilty or not guilty?' he asked.

Another 'Guilty!' from the crowd.

'In Nigeria, Hillary Clinton amazingly fought for two years to keep an Al-Qaeda affiliate off the terrorist watch list,' Christie said.

'She doesn't fight for us. She doesn't get the real threats America faces,' he said.

'In Syria, she called President Assad a 'reformer' and a 'different kind of leader.'

'With 400,000 now deadthink about that?' Christie said.

Christie, a former prosecutor, laid out a case against Clinton that ranged from emails to Libya to China

Promoting Trump this morning on MSNBC Christie said his election 'beats the alternative.'

'And you know, I just thought last night I really needed to make the case slowly and methodically, factually, you know, against Hillary Clinton.'

Christie critically said that Republican 'often get so angry about her that they yell and they scream and they use kind of, you know, divisive language that doesn't get to the core of my problem with her' like 'lock her up.'

'The core of the problem with Hillary Clinton is that people do not think she's worthy of the presidency,' he told hosts Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough. 'Not based on her husband, not based on past scandals, based upon the very resume that she uses as proof that she deserves to be president.'

He said later at Latino Coalition luncheon in Cleveland,'I'll be honest with you today. Donald Trump was not my first choice for president - I was.'

But, Christie said he made the choice to support Trump because it was clear the billionaire and his friend of 14 years would be the GOP nominee.

And the general election is a 'binary choice,' he told attendees of the luncheon, 'not a political science experiment' in which the options include 'different' or 'better' candidates than Clinton or Trump.

'By next Thursday those are going to be our two choices,' he stated, commenting that minor party candidates Gary Johnson - a Libertarian - and Jill Stein - the Green Party - are not going to become president.

Delegates shout 'guilty' as New Jersey governor Chris Christie speaks on the second day of the Republican National Convention

In his convention speech Christie also hit hard on Clinton's controversial email server, which was at the heart of an FBI investigation, saying Clinton 'lied about it over and over again'.

'She said there was no marked classified information on her server. The FBI Director said that was untrue. She said that she did not email any classified information. The FBI Director said that was untrue. She said all work related emails were sent back to the State Department. The FBI Director said that was untrue.'

'We know exactly what four years of Hillary Clinton will bring: all the failures of the Obama years, but with less charm and more lies,' Christie concluded. 'It is our obligation to stop Hillary Clinton now and never let her within 10 miles of the White House again.'

Then he once again mentioned Trump, who considered him for vice president but settled on Indiana governor Mike Pence.

Clinton's team hit back with snark, saying that if people believed Christie's routine, they had a 'bridge to sell' them  referencing Christie's bridgegate scandal

Montana alternative delegate Susan Reneau shouts 'guilty' as New Jersey governor Chris Christie speaks on the second day of the convention. He put Hillary 'on trial' before a whipped-up crowd

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie waves as he leaves the stage after speaking on the second day of the 2016 Republican National Convention

Clinton's team hit back with snark, saying that if people believed Christie's routine, they had a 'bridge to sell' them  referencing Christie's bridgegate scandal.

'It is time to come together and make sure that Donald Trump is our next President. I am proud to be part of this team. Now let's go win this thing,' he said, to a big round of applause.

The speech featured Christie's most glowing comments about a presidential candidate since he talked up his own achievements in his 2012 convention speech, where he also said a few good words about GOP nominee Mitt Romney.

Team Romney was not pleased that Christie failed to mention the actual nominee until 16 minutes into his speech.

But Christie did hail his own New Jersey record, saying 'When I came into office, I could continue on the same path that led to wealth, jobs and people leaving the state, or I could do the job the people elected me to do  to do the big things,' he said.

'There were those who said it couldn't be done. The problems were too big  too politically charged  too broken to fix. But we were on a path we could no longer afford to follow.'
But he deviated from the plan and instead vandalised her back

She asked for the ancient Chinese Yin Yang sign to be expertly etched on to her back - instead she was left with a drawing of a penis and the word 'f***'.

The 21-year-old Austrian woman, from the small city of St. Polten, reportedly broke down in tears after looking at her vandalised torso in the mirror when she got home.

She was unaware that the inking had gone awry and had trusted the hobby tattooist when he showed her a template with the Ying Yang symbol on it.

A 21-year-old Austrian woman broke down in tears when she realised a tattooist had drawn a penis on her back (file photo)

The cruel wannabe artist who disobeyed his customer's instructions has now been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail.

When asked by the judge why he decided to draw the crude image on the woman's back, he replied: 'Just because,' The Local reports.

He was found guilty of causing bodily harm and faced additional non-related charges as he appeared before court.

He will be sent to an institution for mentally abnormal offenders.
A billboard has caused an uproar in Indiana for its offensive message: Hate Cops? The next time you need help, call a crackhead.

It comes at a time of heightened animosity towards law enforcement over police brutality, which has led to two targeted attacks on police officers in as many weeks, leaving eight dead.

The slogan appeared on a digital billboard above a liquor store at the intersection of Wheeling and Riverside Avenues in Muncie for a few hours on Saturday.

Gary Dragoo, who is the owner of Hometown Outdoor Advertising, the company who owns the billboard, is the one who put up the message and stands by what it said, according to ABC6.

He said it was a 'timely message' and one that was intended to show his support for the police and highlight their importance - and insisted it was not racist, but respectful.

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This billboard caused an uproar for its message: Hate Cops? The next time you need help, call a crackhead

Gary Dragoo (above), who is the owner of Hometown Outdoor Advertising, said he stood by what the message said and insisted it was not racist, but intended to show support for the police

Megan Thomas noticed the sign at around 1pm  and said it went up right before the start of a planned protest against police brutality a few blocks away.

She blasted the message for being covertly racist' and explained that its racist because crack is known to have impacted the black community the hardest.

We are the meth capital of the world, Muncie is, Thomas added to ABC6. Why didnt they say meth heads?

I dont expect people to understand. Its covert racism. Its not in-your-face. But its still as harmful.

Dragoo said he removed the message out of respect for the business beneath it, not because he was ashamed of the message.

'I am anything but racist,' he told the local station. 'I grew up supporting law enforcement, raised by my dad and granddaddy to do that and siupport them and it seems like it's being lost today.'

Thomas, a mother, however, was ashamed by its presence in her city.

I was very ashamed that something so dividing was present in Muncie, she told Star Press.

Megan Thomas (above) said the message was racist because it's known that crack has affected the black community the hardest and said that it went up just before the start of a Black Lives Matter protest

She called the message vulgar and discriminatory to many different classes of people.

Thomas posted a picture of the sign on Facebook, writing: Please tell me Muncie tax dollars didnt pay for this!

She also included the name and contact information for the company that owns the billboard.

It attracted more than 1,000 shares and attracted both positive and negative reactions.

And when Thomas drove by the billboard a few hours later on Saturday, she said it had been taken out of the rotation of electronic ads.

The original message came down after the owner of Muncie Liquors called the billboard company and said he had received numerous complaints about it.

By Monday, a simpler message of appreciation for law enforcement was included on the billboard in question, saying: 'Love, respect, support law enforcement.'

Chris Johnson, the stores general manager, told the Star Press he was concerned that people who mistakenly believed the store owned the billboard would mistakenly believed the store was linked to the controversial message.

Dragoo said he took down the message out of respect for the liquor store and instead changed it to a simpler message that expressed support for police

He said he was told the message would be taken down immediately and reworded.

In a message on Facebook on Saturday night, Muncie Police Sgt. Chris Kirby said Muncie Liquors had absolutely nothing to do with the message and neither did the police.

It comes at a time of heightened tensions between the black community and law enforcement across the United States.

The death of two black men at the hands of police officers earlier this month has sparked a wave of anger and Black Lives Matter protests across the country.

Alton Sterling, 37, was shot a point blank range by two white police officers as they pinned him down outside a Baton Rouge convenience store on July 5.

A day later, the outrage was fueled further by the death of Philando Castile, 32, by a police officer in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, during a traffic stop.

Then, on July 7, a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas turned deadly when black Army veteran Micah Johnson killed five police officers in a sniper attack. He was later killed by police using a remote-controlled bomb on a robot.

And on Sunday, more cops lost their lives in another similar targeted attack on law enforcement in Baton Rouge.
Michael Hart (pictured), 28, has been jailed for five years and four months after encouraging young boys to perform sex acts online

A primary school teacher who posed as a teenage girl to make young boys perform sex acts on webcams has been jailed.

Michael Hart, 28, who worked as a supply teacher in Liverpool, downloaded and shared hundreds of child sex abuse images with fellow peadophiles.

Liverpool Crown Court heard boys as young as eight have been seriously sexually assaulted.

Hart, of Norris Green, Liverpool, also worked at summer holiday camps for youngsters in America.

Police stormed Hart's former home in West Derby, Liverpool, on April 17 last year.

Officers seized his laptop and a USB stick and discovered 222 Category A - the most serious category - plus 92 Category B and 209 Category C images.

The paedophile told police he started 'out of curiosity' - but went on to develop a sexual interest in children.

He confessed to exchanging images with other perverts on Skype and using software to remove traces of the files.

Prosecutor Christopher Hopkins said: 'He admitted using chatrooms to incite young boys as he put it 'to undress and perform sexual acts'.'

Hart said he did this 'frequently' between January 2014 and March 2015 - sometimes two to three times every week.

Mr Hopkins said: 'It was via webcams. The child would have their webcam on.

He would switch his off so the child would not have known it was in fact an adult with whom they were engaging with.'

Hart, who has no previous convictions, accepted approaching some 100 children and making around 50 perform sex acts.

Jailing Hart for five years and four months, Judge Brian Cummings QC said he was only being sentenced for his proven offending.

'No one hearing the facts of this case could fail to wonder about his motivation for becoming a primary school teacher and going to camps in America where he works with very young children,' he said.

'That's the brutal reality of it.'

Hart admitted six counts of inciting children to engage in sexual activity, plus three counts of downloading, one of possessing and one of distributing indecent images.

Mr Hopkins added: 'There is an element of grooming by deceit and the most gross deceit, pretending in fact to be a young teenage girl.'

Prosecutor Christopher Hopkins said Hart (pictured) 'admitted using chatrooms to incite young boys as he put it 'to undress and perform sexual acts'

Ken Heckle, defending, said Hart cooperated as much as he could with police, adding: 'It's a full and frank admission, heartfelt and remorseful.'

He said Hart was an intelligent 'loner' who had never had a sexual relationship and his curiosity 'became an obsession'.

Mr Heckle said: 'He said he was relieved he had been caught. He said "I know this is it, I can stop".'

Hart claimed to have detached his work from what he did in secret, telling officers: 'I've never crossed the line as a teacher.'

However, Judge Cummings said it was an 'alarming' feature of the case.

He said: 'It's a matter of concern to the court that someone with your sexual preferences secured work of that nature.'
An Ohio mother will spend at least 51 years in prison for pimping her 11-year-old daughter out to her drug dealer in exchange for heroin.

April Corcoran, 32, was sentenced on Tuesday to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 51 years, after pleading guilty to charges of trafficking in person, complicity in rape, corrupting another with drugs, and endangering children.

Judge Leslie Ghiz said it was the worst case she had seen in her more than three years on the bench. She also was surprised that Corcoran made no public apology to her daughter in court.

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April Corcoran, 32, was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 51 years, in court on Tuesday

'You showed no kind of mercy,' Ghiz said. 'I don't know that you grasp the damage that has been done to this poor child.'

During the trial, prosecutors told of how Corcoran went through great efforts to make her daughter appear even younger, so as to appeal to her pedophile drug dealer, 42-year-old Shandell Willingham.

On four occasions between February and June 2014, Corcoran let Willingham molest her daughter in exchange for heroin.

Prosecutors say that on each occasion, Willingham forced the girl to perform a different sex act.

Corcoran (left) pleaded guilty to letting her 42-year-old drug dealer Shandell Willingham (right) rape her 11-year-old daughter in exchange for heroin

The abuse included sodomy, rape and the girl being forced to perform oral sex on Willingham.

On some of these occasions, Willingham even recorded the abuse.

After the sex acts, Corcoran would reportedly call her little girl 'brave' and would 'reward' her by forcing her to take small amounts of heroin.

On each occasion that she took the opioid, the little girl vomited.

The girl's grandmother, Sylvia Corcoran, spoke in court on Tuesday and condemned April for what she had done

The girl's grandmother, Sylvia Corcoran, spoke in court on Tuesday and said that she had viewed a recording of her daughter.

'I viewed the tape. I saw my granddaughter. I heard her small voice. It was horrific, very horrific. How could she do this? How could she do this? I don't know if my granddaughter is going to be able to have a normal life,' Mrs Corcoran said.

Cocoran said in a statement that she was guilt-wracked over that she did to her daughter.

'I made selfish, horrible choices that will affect (the girl) for the rest of her life,' Corcoran said. 'I am consumed by guilt and shame every day.'

Police started investigating the rape claims in June 2014, when the girl went to live with her father and stepmother out of state and told them about the abuse she had endured.

The judge pointed out that the now 13-year-old girl is undergoing therapy and taking medication after having suicidal thoughts.

Meanwhile, the drug dealer waits in Hamilton County Jail for his trial. He has pleaded not guilty to 26 felony counts including rape, gross sexual imposition, trafficking in persons, and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.

Willingham is scheduled to appear in court on August 10.




A Tennessee woman is accused of stealing a wallet from a veteran who had just died in a crash rather than calling 911  then consoled his grieving daughter who came upon the wreck by chance by buying her beer with his stolen credit card.

Brittney McCoy stole several items from Ronald Clinard, 67, after he died in a single-vehicle crash outside her home in Greenbrier on U.S. Route 41 on July 1, Nashville police said.

McCoy, 26, is charged with burglary, tampering with evidence, theft and credit card fraud.

She appeared in a Robertson County court on Tuesday.

The victim's daughter Robin Hawkins said MCoy offered to buy her a drink and went to a nearby convenience store where she bought cigarettes and beer using Clinards credit card before returning to the scene, she told WTVF-TV.

Brittney McCoy (pictured right) is accused of stealing a wallet from Ronald Clinard, a veteran who had just died in a crash, rather than calling 911

Police said McCoy stole several items from Clinard after he died in a single-vehicle crash outside her home in Greenbrier on U.S. Route 41 on July 1, Nashville police said. Above, Clinard's pick up truck after the crash

Hawkins came across the wreck on her way home from visiting her in-laws shortly after the crash

She asked her husband to check out the scene because she recognized the pick-up truck.

He told me it was my Dad, Hawkins told the station. I immediately dropped my phone and jumped out of my car screaming.

She was approached by McCoy, who consoled her and told her that Clinard had died in her arms.

McCoy offered to buy her a drink, she said. She said she was sorry for everything.

McCoy then purchased cigarettes and beer from a nearby convenience store using Clinards credit card before returning to the scene.

And she hadnt even called 911 even as she consoled Hawkins, the station reports.

It was not immediately clear whether Clinard died in the crash or afterwards, meaning his family will never be sure if his life could have been saved.

The victim's daughter Robin Hawkins (above) said she came across the wreck on her way home from visiting her in-laws shortly after the crash and McCoy consoled her

When officials did respond to the scene, McCoy handed over the victims drivers license.

Hawkins said she had called the bank when she found out her fathers credit card was missing.

She called the bank and was notified of the charges.

Clinards family attended the court hearing and called McCoys alleged crimes despicable.

The Air Force veteran, who owned a gutter and sheet metal company, leaves behind a widows, two sons and his daughter as well as his eight grandchildren  and had a ninth on the way, WTVF reports.

He was buried at the Tennessee Veterans National Cemetery in Pegram.

She doesnt understand what she has done to our family and I dont think she cares, Hawkins told the station.

It's unclear whether McCoy has an attorney. She is next set to appear in court in September.
Commuters say the closure of Brighton station during yesterday's heatwave was a 'new low' for the embattled Southern Rail franchise.

Passengers took photos of the chaos at the Sussex station as soaring temperatures, signal failures and a hole below the line in south-east London led to the station being closed at 7:20pm last night.

Those at the station said it was 'chaos' as people were prevented from getting home, with some travellers fainting due to overcrowding and the heat.

It was the latest setback for Southern Rail, whose passengers have protested this year over cancelled services and crowded trains.

These were the scenes in Brighton yesterday as commuters branded the station closure 'a new low'

Passengers were forced to wait in the street after overcrowding fears led to the station being closed

Brighton MP Caroline Lucas tweeted: 'So sorry & angry about chaos at Brighton station & on trains - have raised serious safety concerns & seeking urgent meeting with Minister.'

Passengers reported being stuck on services in rising temperatures while others complained that air conditioning was not working on some trains between London and the south coast.

Toby Robertson tweeted: '@SouthernRailUK #stripthefranchise get rid of these clowns. It's dangerous. Short form train, people fainting.'

Michael Taggart added: 'Crawling south towards Gatwick on yet another night of @SouthernRailUK chaos.'

The closure was the latest failure by Southern Rail, whose passengers have been protesting this year

Commuters vented their fury on Twitter and Brighton MP Caroline Lucas called for action

A spokesman for Southern Rail said: 'We've had no reports of any passengers being taken ill or fainting however social media would suggest otherwise and we will investigate this further.

'We do of course apologise to any customers that have experienced any issues with overheating on our services today.'

The closure of Brighton station came on a day of chaos for rail services, as temperatures of more than 33C brought many services to a standstill.

A third of rush-hour trains leaving London Paddington including those to Oxford, Maidenhead and Henley-on-Thames were cancelled.
Chris Christie dangled Ted Cruz over the flames this morning and demanded that the losing presidential candidate endorse Donald Trump in his speech tonight at the GOP convention.

'Especially with the way he was kissing Donald Trump's rear end for the first six months of the campaign,' Christie, a former contestant in the race, said.

He should end the 'charade' by endorsing Trump 'without qualification,' Christie stated at a forum on national security Wednesday morning in Cleveland. 'Trump is owed that - he earned the nomination of the party.'

'If he doesn't, then he's less of a person than he presents himself to be to the American people,' Christie told moderator Jake Tapper.

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Chris Christie, left, dangled Ted Cruz, right, over the flames this morning and demanded that the losing presidential candidate endorse Donald Trump in his speech tonight at the GOP convention

Christie, seen here in Cleveland this morning, said Cruz should get over himself and back the GOP nominee - 'especially with the way he was kissing Donald Trump's rear end for the first six months of the campaign'

Cruz, pictured here in Cleveland on Tuesday, is yet to endorse Trump but could do so in his convention speech tonight

Cruz and Ohio Governor John Kasich are yet to endorse their party's chosen nominee.

Kasich is refusing on principle to attend the convention in his own state because he says he cannot in good conscience bring himself to support the bombastic businessman.

Texas' favorite son at the GOP convention, Cruz, will address delegates tonight during primetime even though he has not yet thrown his support behind Trump. Their bruising battle ended two months ago in May, and still Cruz has not come around.

Trump said last month that Republicans rejecting an endorsement would not be invited to speak at the convention. Yet, after a meeting with Trump a week later, a spokesman for Cruz said the senator would take the stage in Cleveland.

'Sen. Cruz and Donald Trump had a good meeting,' Cruz aide Catherine Frazier told reporters. 'There was no discussion of any endorsement. Mr. Trump asked Sen. Cruz to speak at the Republican convention, and Sen. Cruz said he would be happy to do so.'

Christie bowed out of the primary in February after a lackluster performance in New Hampshire and later endorsed his neighbor to the north, New Yorker Trump.

The New Jersey governor was on the Republican White House candidate's shortlist for vice president but was passed over for Indiana governor Mike Pence.

He set his sights on attorney general in a speech to convention delegates last night as he laid out the case he would have brought against presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Christie focused his ire on Cruz and other holdouts today at the Americans for Peace, Prosperity and Security event, mocking the Texas senator as the 'annoying' kid who sits in the front row in class and constantly raises his hand.

He's not a 'bad guy or anything' Christie asserted. The senator's ompetitors in the race just thought he was a brown-noser, Christie revealed.

Cruz was 'openly kissing Donald Trump's rear end' on the debate stage early on, Christie said at the forum. Rolling his eyes, the Republican politician said, 'All of us were like, come on, man, come on.'

He further accused Cruz of acting disingenuously at the start of the race when he cozied up to Trump.

Because Trump is not a traditional politician, 'He thought Ted really meant it,' Christie said to a room full of laughter. 'He thought Ted was being honest, when he said all these nice things about Donald.

'And then all of a sudden he starts attacking Donald.'

Christie said Trump called him and said, 'I thought this guy liked me.'

'I said, he never liked you. Are you kidding? He never liked you. He was faking it.'

HATS OFF TO TED: Delegates from Texas to the convention are seen here voicing their support for native son Ted Cruz yesterday at the convention during a roll call vote for the GOP nomination

Christie was more gentle with the fellow governors that ran, though he encouraged them to stop licking their wounds and endorse, Trump, too.

He said he considers Kasich a friend but the Ohio Republican needs to adhere to the pledge all 17 candidates signed promising to support the GOP nominee.

Jeb Bush should do the same, he said, also counting the former Florida governor among his allies.

'No one was more helpful to me during Hurricane Sandy than Jeb Bush,' he stated. 'He was on the phone with me the night the hurricane was hitting.'

Christie said, 'I consider him a friend, but I've also told him he's wrong about this.'

The Republican politician said he recognizes that his peers signed the pledge because they thought they'd be boxing Trump into supporting them if they won. That's not a good enough reason to renege on their promise, he argued.

'If you want to sign the pledge, adhere to the pledge. And I just think you're supposed to keep your word. And I think that's part of the problem and part of the continued friction.'
It features tiny barbed wire and 'Caution Border: Keep Out' signs, mocking his pledge to

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An LA street artist decided to give Donald Trump a taste of his own controversial immigration policies by erecting a 'border wall' around the Republican's Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

The miniature wall, which is topped with barbed wire and 'Caution Border: Keep Out' signs, was put up around the star on Hollywood Boulevard, Tuesday afternoon - the same day Trump was officially nominated as the Republican Party's presidential candidate.

Within minutes, it had gathered a large crowd of onlookers snapping photographs of the border wall.

The installation mocks the real estate mogul's controversial pledge to build a giant wall along the US border with Mexico if he is elected president.

Plastic Jesus, who has been dubbed the 'LA Banksy', told DailyMail.com that he was behind the guerrilla artwork.

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Donald Trump has been hilariously mocked by an LA street artist who erected a 'border wall' around the Republicans's Hollywood Walk of Fame star

The miniature concrete wall, which is topped with barbed wire and 'Caution Border: Keep Out' signs, was put up around the star on Hollywood Boulevard

Plastic Jesus, who is known for doing political or news orientated street art in LA, and around the world, admits he was a 'little concerned' about putting up his work somewhere as high profile as Hollywood Boulevard but it quickly drew crowds of amused fans

It was erected on Tuesday afternoon - the same day Trump (pictured in Virginia Beach last week) was officially nominated as the Republican Party's presidential candidate.

The street artist, who famously put up parking signs designating 'No Trump Anytime' zones around Los Angeles, told us that he'd wanted to make a point about Trump's 'ludicrous' and 'isolationist' plans for the border wall.

'Donald Trump is obviously a huge target for artists like myself but I wanted to do something that wasn't just attacking him visibly, about his hair, he told us. 'I wanted to attack him on his policies of isolation.

'I think (his plan to build a wall) is completely ludicrous. So I try to get my work to act as a catalyst to get people thinking about his policies.

'The US is an incredible place because it's so multicultural. It was founded on people from dozens and dozens of different nations.

'To isolate it... it will be counter-productive. And it will do nothing for security. Most of the attacks carried out so far have been by US citizens.'

Trump has made his pledge to build a 2,000 mile wall - and claims he will make Mexico pay for it - one of his key election promises.

Last August he even referred to it as the 'Great Wall of Trump.' The plans, as part of his harsh immigration stance which include banning Muslims from the country, have seen him widely criticized as both xenophobic and unrealistic.

Within minutes of being placed around the star, it had gathered a large crowd of onlookers snapping photographs of the border wall

The installation is in reference to the real estate mogul's controversial pledge to build a giant wall along the US border with Mexico if he is elected president

Plastic Jesus, (his logo pictured on the wall) who has been dubbed the 'LA Banksy', has confirmed to DailyMail.com that he was behind the guerrilla artwork

However, Trump has so far refused to back down from his pledge.

Plastic Jesus, who is known for doing political or news orientated street art in LA, and around the world, admits he was a 'little concerned' about putting up his work somewhere as high profile as Hollywood Boulevard but it quickly drew crowds of amused fans.

In fact, it drew such an audience that a jealous Boulevard street performer had attacked the artwork and so it was taken down, according to the artist. However, the installation may reappear at the location later today.

In April, Plastic Jesus unveiled 'No Trump Anywhere' parking signs in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Washington, D.C. and Miami.

When asked why Trump was such a target, the artist explained: 'Donald Trump, if he becomes president it will be devastating for the US. His policies will turn the clock back 40 or 50 years on human rights, equality and freedom.

Asked if he was worried about offending the Donald, the artist admitted it was a possible but believes Trump can laugh it off.

'I don't think he could be doing what he is doing without a sense of humor,' he joked.

Plastic Jesus also famously posted 'No Kardashian Parking Anytime' signs in L.A. and a massive statue of an Oscar snorting drugs.
Teachers have been advised to no longer use the terms 'mum' or 'dad' and young boys are being encouraged to dress up as girls in new education guidelines.

The instructions have been released by the NSW teachers' union on ways to address LGBTI issues within the school environment, reported The Daily Telegraph.

The latest guidelines for 'non-gender-specific free play,' come in the wake of a string of drastic political correctness measures taken by Australian schools.

NSW teachers' union is advising teachers to no longer use the words 'mum' and 'dad' and to encourage boys to dress up as girls

Elanora Heights Public School, in Sydney's northern beaches, is enforcing silence at school assemblies by banning clapping because it is too noisy for some students (pictured)

On Tuesday, teachers at the exclusive public school, Cheltenham Girls High School in north-west Sydney, were asked to refer to their pupils with gender-neutral language such as 'students'.

The move has angered some parents who believe their children are now being forced to feel excluded if they don't take part in LGBTI activities.

A primary school is banning children from clapping at school assemblies because it is too noisy and distresses some students.

Elanora Heights Public School, in Sydney's northern beaches, told parents about a new 'silent cheer' policy in a newsletter this week, reports News Corp reported.

'The practice has been adopted to respect members of our school community who are sensitive to noise,' the newsletter reads.

The school said the move was put in place to respect students who are sensitive to loud noises. The move comes in the wake of a string of drastic political correct measures taken by Australian schools (stock photo)

'Instead of clapping, the students are free to punch the air, pull excited faces and wriggle about on the spot.'

They said teachers will prompt students to perform a silent cheer when needed.

'Teachers have also found the silent cheers to be a great way to expend children's energy and reduce fidgeting.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Elanora Heights Public School for comment.

In April, Geelong's St Patricks Primary School banned hugging and encouraged students to show affection such as high-fives.

In December, calls were made by the Victorian Government for Christmas carols with a religious theme to be banned at schools across the state.
The bittersweet final tweets of a brave police officer who was killed in a motorbike accident have been revealed.

Northamptonshire Police officer Amanda Wood died near Caspe, in northern Spain.

On June 9 she excitedly posted about setting off on her travels through Europe.

'Today I leave my family and start my travels on my m'bike (Erik) with camping gear, heading to Portugal,' she wrote.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Frost said Ms Wood was riding her motorcycle back from an event in Faro, Portugal, on July 19 when she was involved in an accident.

Details of what happened have not yet been confirmed.

'This is tragic news and on behalf of the Force I send my deepest condolences to Amanda's family and friends,' he said.

Ms Wood has been described as a well-regarded and popular member of the force.

Her last update on Twitter during her epic journey came on July 17.

On June 9 Ms Wood posted about setting off on her travels through Europe. 'Today I leave my family and start my travels on my m'bike (Erik) with camping gear, heading to Portugal,' she wrote

She detailed how she had ridden for '11 hours 40 minutes and 764km or 476 miles completed'.

'Now chillin' in Spain,' she said.

Prior to that, she documented how she solved problems with her black BMW bike and posted idyllic pictures from breakfasts enjoyed at beaches during her journey.

'Made it!!!!!! Faro, Portugal. Sore, tired and now drinking a cold beer,' she wrote alongside a poolside photo

Ms Wood detailed how she solved problems with her black BMW bike along the way

In a map of her journey one day she wrote: '11 hours 40 minutes and 764km or 476 miles completed'

She also highlighted the hard parts of her trip, detailing: 'Up at 5am, rough camping in truck stop. On Road shortly after... Heading towards Savilla [sic].'

In a weather update she wrote: 'Hot. Still wearing armoured air jacket... value my skin.'

When she made it to Faro in Portugal on July 13 she said: 'Made it!!! Sore, tired and now drinking a cold beer.'

A post-mortem examination was due to take place in the city of Zaragoza yesterday.

Ms Wood posted idyllic pictures from breakfasts enjoyed at beaches during her journey
He is free on bond and is scheduled to appear in court on September 19th

Former South Carolina sheriff's deputy Dereck Johnson, 35, was charged with felony misconduct in office

A former sheriff's deputy in South Carolina has been charged after a woman claims she performed a sex act when he threatened to arrest her boyfriend.

Dereck Johnson, 35, was charged with felony misconduct in office according to a warrant from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Johnson worked as a deputy with the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office before being fired when the allegation surfaced last month.

He appeared in court on Wednesday where he was given a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. That type of bond allows him to go free without having to pay any money up front.

The judge ordered Johnson to stay away from the victim, who has not been publicly named. He was also ordered not to leave the state.

According to WLTX, at the time of the alleged incident Johnson was one of two officers responding to a domestic violence call at their single-wide mobile home in rural Orangeburg County near Interstate 95.

The woman's boyfriend called police on June 12 after they got into a fight over a social media posting.

When Johnson arrived with the other officer, they separated the couple to collect statements from each of them, which is a standard practice.

A sworn deputy was outside with the boyfriend. A deputy who hadn't yet completed the state's criminal justice academy training course  a trainee officer since identified as Dereck Johnson  was inside with the woman.

Once they were alone, the woman told the Associated Press that Johnson gave her the ultimatum: unless she performed oral sex on him, he would take her boyfriend to jail.

'I started crying,' she recalled, fighting back tears as she recalls the memory. 'I kept begging him, 'No, no.' He said, 'If you don't do it, you're going to jail, too.''

For the next four minutes, with her 16-year-old daughter sleeping in a bedroom nearby, the woman says Johnson said nothing as he forced her into oral sex.

When it was over, she says, he left her in the house and walked up to her boyfriend, smiling.

'He looked me in the eye and shook my hand,' the boyfriend recalled. 'Who does that?'

The officers left, and the woman was inconsolable. After being filled in, her boyfriend persuaded her to call the authorities again, and a third officer came to take her statement.

Seeing the uniformed deputy arrive, they said, was difficult, given what they'd just been through.

A day after the alleged assault, Sheriff Leroy Ravenell fired Johnson and referred the case to state police, who investigated for more than a month.

In an affidavit released Wednesday, the State Law Enforcement Division said Johnson 'received oral sex from the female victim' and had 'provided a sworn statement with the above details.'

Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell (above) fired Johnson a day after the alleged assault. He referred the case to state police, who investigated for more than a month

'This individual was terminated immediately and the investigation turned over to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division,' Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said in a statement Wednesday.

'We fully supported their investigation and the resulting conclusion.'

The attorney representing the woman, Justin Bamberg, said that one deputy remained outside of the home with her boyfriend while the alleged assault happened.

'My client has been struggling day to day to recover from the traumatic experience that she had at the hands of the officer,' Bamberg told WLTX.

Bamberg added that the case shows that there are some 'bad apples' that need to be removed from the sheriff's department.

For the past month the woman has struggled with the burden of worrying if anyone would believe her allegation against Johnson.

Now, Bamberg said she feels some relief knowing that Johnson is facing a felony charge for the alleged incident.

At the time of the alleged incident, Johnson was a sworn deputy at the time who hadn't been through training with the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, Bamberg noted.

In South Carolina, all law officers must go through a 12-week course at the academy, but they have a year from their hire date to complete it, according to academy spokeswoman Florence McCants.

While the academy doesn't recommend officers do field work without property training, it's up to each agency as to what they allow untrained officers to do.

Officials with Orangeburg County were unable to provide AP with details on their protocols for trainee officers in the field or say if any mistakes were made the day of the alleged assault.

In a statement, Ravenell said he supported the investigation and charges brought by state police.
Lachlan Murdoch is coordinating the sacking of the Fox News boss who drove him to leave Rupert's empire almost 11-years-ago to the day.

Rupert Murdoch and his sons Lachlan and James are in agreement that Fox chairman and CEO Roger Ailes must go  two weeks after former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him.

It comes as the 11-year anniversary of Lachlan's shock resignation as a News Corp executive rolls around on July 29.

Lachlan had left his post in 2005 when Ailes ignored his wishes yet again and got Rupert to back a new television show Lachlan had put aside,Sydney Morning Herald reports.

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Lachlan Murdoch suddenly resigned as an executive from News Corp in July 2005 and moved back to Australia with his wife Sarah (pictured together in March) when he was muscled out by Fox News boss Roger Ailes

Rupert Murdoch (centre) and his sons Lachlan (left) and James (right) are in agreement that Ailes must go (pictured at Murdoch's wedding to Jerry Hall in March in London)

According to a Rupert Murdoch biography by America's Michael Wolff, Ailes had boasted with News Corp chief operating officer Peter Chernin about muscling Lachlan out of the empire and called him 'callow' and 'insubstantial'.

When Ailes moved into Lachlan's old office, he reportedly told a Fox News producer: 'Do you know whose chair I'm sitting in? I'm sitting in Lachlan Murdoch's chair.'

Lachlan had moved back to Australia with his wife Sarah, and didn't return until 2014 when he was appointed co-chairman at News Corp and 21st Century Fox.

Now Lachlan has his turn at pushing Ailes from the Murdoch family business.

Ailes could be out of the job as early as this week, three sources who spoke with New York Magazine said.

Lachlan and Rupert are pictured together in June 2005 in London before the son suddenly resigned as an executive from News Corp

Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch are pictured at New York State Theater in May 2005, before the pair moved back to Australia

The sources say Rupert, Lachlan and James are in agreement that Ailes must go.

James Murdoch reportedly wants to offer Ailes the choice of resigning this week, while Lachlan and their father believe the offer should be presented after the GOP convention, which ends Thursday night.

Officially, Fox News's parent company, 21st Century Fox, says there has been no resolution to its probe into Ailes.

'This matter is not yet resolved and the review is not concluded,' 21st Century Fox said in a statement.

Carlson sued network chief executive Roger Ailes on July 6, claiming she was cut loose after she refused his sexual advances and complained about harassment in the workplace.

Ailes denied the allegations in a statement and accused Carlson of filing the lawsuit in retaliation for her contract not being renewed.

The Murdoch family have reportedly decided to force Roger Ailes (left) out of his position as chairman and CEO of Fox News, two weeks after former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson (right) filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him
It's not the trans community that misbehaves in the bathroom, argued reality star Caitlyn Jenner at an event outside the Republican National Convention today.

'We had over the last few years, we had three Republican state representatives, Jon Hinson, Larry Craig and a Bob Allen, who were all arrested for lewd behavior in a men's bathroom,' Jenner said at an American Unity Fund brunch-time event, naming a congressman, a state representative and the U.S. senator known for introducing to America the term 'wide stance.'

'Maybe what we should do is ban Republican representatives,' she suggested.

Jenner, a Republican herself, was taking aim at controversial bathroom bills, especially one in North Carolina, that has split Republicans in the state, dividing business leaders against the Christian right.

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Reality star Caitlyn Jenner talked trans right at an event held in conjunction with the Republican National Convention in Cleveland today

Caitlyn Jenner's role at the Republican National Convention was to add some star power and show that some Republicans are pro gay and trans rights

Caitlyn Jenner, being interviewed by American Unity Fund's Margaret Hoover, pointed to the threesome of lawmakers who were arrested for lewd bathroom behavior

The 'I am Cait' star noted that the 'bathroom issue has been used politically for many, many, many, many, many years going back to 1877.'

First, she said, men and women were divided because men thought women were 'weak and needed to be protected.'

Next, bathrooms were divided by blacks and whites.

'We had to protect the white people from the black people,' she explained, repeating the Jim Crow thinking at the time.

'We had all these issues throughout the years, so this is not new,' she added.

She talked about how kids come out as trans at an earlier age now because there's more information about gender identity on the web  and with coming out comes bullying and with bulling sometimes, horribly, comes suicide.

'Now you're telling me that the state of North Carolina is going to come in and bully you too?' she said. 'You can't live your authentic life and you have to go into this other bathroom?'

'It just doesn't work,' she said. 'It's even more pressure for these kids.'

Jenner said she's talked to friends who work at trans suicide hotlines and the call rate has gone up.

She then pointed to the trio of Republicans caught messing around in the bathroom.

Caitlyn Jenner (right) contrasted those lawmakers with the zero trans people arrested for bathroom behavior, in an effort to convince Republicans not to support the controversial anti-trans bathroom bills

Caitlyn Jenner admitted that the Democratic Party has been better for trans and greater LGBT rights, but still remains a Republican

Television personality Montel Williams was Caitlyn Jenner's opening act and introduced the reality star. Williams talked about sending gay men and women to war zones, while not giving them full rights at home

There was Mississippi Rep. Jon Hinson who was arrested in 1981 for having oral sex in the House of Representatives' bathroom. That came five years after he was caught exposing himself to an undercover agent at the Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington, D.C.

He resigned from congress after the bathroom and later came out as gay, dying of an AIDs-related illness at the age of 53.

Florida State Rep. Bob Allen was arrested in 2007 for allegedly agreeing to pay $20 to an undercover police officer so the lawmaker could perform oral sex on him. He later said he was in the bathroom because he was scared of the black men in the park. He resigned.

Finally, Idaho Sen. Larry Craig was caught in the Minneapolis airport bathroom signaling to an undercover officer that he was interested in having sex.

After being arrested, Craig said it was a misunderstanding and blamed his wide stance. Craig was to resign, but changed his mind, completing his term and not running for re-election in 2008.

'So I know how government loves statistics,' Jenner said, after rattling the three names off.

'During that time no trans person who had been in a bathroom ever had any problem, nobody was arrested, trans people were fine,' she said.

Jenner appeared at an event sponsored by the American Unity Fund, a conservative group that advocates for LGBT issues.

Her opening act was television personality Montel Williams, a veteran who argued passionately for the Republican Party to embrace gay and trans rights.

Walking onstage an excited Jenner, introduced by Williams, called out: Hello my fellow Republicans!'

She sat down with American Unity Fund's Margaret Hoover and explained why she remained a Republican despite conceding that the Democratic Party has done better with trans and greater LGBT rights.

'It was easy to come out as trans, it was hard to come out as Republican,' she admitted.

Specifically, Jenner complimented President Obama's Defense Department for recently lifting the ban and letting trans individuals openly serve.

The Republicans, however, are for 'Constitutional government,' which is why she remains in the GOP's camp.

'And I have to admit I have been very disappointed over the last five, ten year, but I don't give up hope on it,' she said.

Asked one question about Donald Trump, the reality star swerved and didn't directly discuss the party's new nominee.

She did, however, talk at length about her Christian faith and how she believed that God made her trans to challenge her in life.

Jenner shared a story that she also told her 10 kids  her six kids and four Kardashian stepkids  explaining that when God made 'little Bruce,' he gave him good looks and athleticism.

'Let's make him athletic ... for this one, let's make him very athletic,' Jenner joked, referencing the fact that she won the 1976 decathlon Olympic gold medal, turning the then-Bruce Jenner into an international star years before she would appear on Keeping Up With The Karsashians with her now ex-wife Kris Jenner.

'So God's handing out all of these wonderful qualities and then he sits back in his chair at the end and he goes. Look at all these wonderful qualities, everybody's got their stuff,' she continued.

'You've got to have something to deal with in life,' Jenner explained.

Jenner reckoned that God pondered the question for awhile and then came up with an answer.

'Let's give this one the soul of a female and see how she does,' Jenner said.

'Little Bruce went out into the world and that's what I dealt with my whole life,' she said.




TV personality Sonia Kruger could lose a number of high paying sponsorship deals after companies like Porsche and Target distanced themselves from her controversial comments about Muslim immigration.

Kruger, the face of Nine's morning show Today Extra, has lucrative contracts with high profile sponsors Porsche, Swisse and Target.

But Porsche said the company was now assessing their relationship with the popular TV host given her comments about banning Muslims coming to Australia.

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TV personality Sonia Kruger could lose a number of high paying sponsorship deals after companies like Porsche and Target distanced themselves from her controversial comments about Muslim immigration

'The unfortunate comments Sonia made are not in line with Porsche's values in Australia, or our values globally,' spokesman Paul Ellis said, according to News Corp.

'We will take the situation into consideration and assess our relationship with Sonia, and what we may do about it.'

Dee Madigan, advertising expert and executive creative director of Campaign Edge, told News Corp that organisations associated with Kruger would be worried after her comments.

'She's absolutely a liability for them, in the short term at least,' Madigan said.

'Brands choose someone like Sonia Kruger because she doesn't really stand for anything. She's quite harmless, she's nice and she's non-offensive. But she's gone totally out of safe territory.'

During a fiery discussion on Monday, Kruger argued there is a correlation between the number of Muslims in a country and the number of terrorist attacks.

Kruger, the face of Nine's morning show Today Extra, has lucrative contracts with high profile sponsors Porsche, Swisse and Target (pictured showing off Target's line this year)

Porsche said the company was now assessing their relationship with Sonia Kruger given her comments about banning Muslims coming to Australia

Dee Madigan, advertising expert and executive creative director of Campaign Edge, said organisations associated with Sonia Kruger would be worried after her comments

She referred to the slaughter of 84 people in Nice last week to argue people should be able to talk about 'these issues' in a democracy.

'Following the atrocities last week in Nice where 10 children lost their lives, as a mother, I believe it's vital in a democratic society to be able to discuss these issues without automatically being labelled racist,' Kruger said.

Earlier, Kruger said she had 'a lot of very good friends' who were Muslims and peace-loving, beautiful people - 'but there are fanatics.'

Her remarks drew a passionate response from the morning program's co-host David Campbell, who interrupted her as she began to talk about journalists being 'threatened' and freedom of speech.

Hands waving, Campbell replied: 'I'd like to see freedom of religion as well! As well as freedom of speech! They both go hand and hand!'

Kruger argued 'good Muslim people' were dying as a result of terrorist acts, pointing out the first person to die in the Nice terror attacks was a Muslim woman.

Kruger, pictured left with Dannii Minogue, Jessica Mauboy and Fiona Falkiner, is one of the faces of Target
LINCOLN -- Lincoln resident Vicki Lamb is on a mission to cover the Capital City in blue.

In wake of recent violence against police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lamb asked her friend -- Lincoln Police Capt. Don Scheinost -- what he was thinking.

Scheinost said he and his colleagues didnt want money, they didnt need food, but what he really wanted was the communitys support.

Lambs next move was to start wrapping trees around Lincoln in a simple blue ribbon, showing her solidarity with police officers. She posted a picture on Facebook, which has been shared over and over.

I just think its really important that the citizens of Lincoln show their support and appreciation for police officers, with all the violence and attacks, Lamb said on Tuesday, only hours after an attack killed a police officer in nearby Kansas City, Kansas.

Its a dangerous job they do," Lamb said. "They never know what theyre going to find that day or whats going to happen.

Police everywhere are thinking about officer safety in the wake of recent attacks.

In Omaha, police officials say they will step up event security and officer training.

Omaha Police Chief Todd Schmaderer said security will be strengthened for the public's safety at major events, such as the minute of silence ceremony this Sept. 11.

"We are expanding our security protocol and our resources to do everything in our power to make sure those go off safe," he said.

All Omaha officers will also soon receive additional daylong active-shooter training. The new training will cover some of the tactics that have been used in recent attacks, particularly the sniper in Dallas and the truck attack in Nice, France.

Lincoln Police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said his department continuously looks for ways to improve officer safety and the recent tragedies have prompted internal discussion.

He declined to specify any new measures his department is taking, saying "to detail those in a public forum would be counterintuitive to our efforts."

Following the Baton Rouge attacks, police chiefs in cities such as Minneapolis and Seattle have directed their officers to work in pairs whenever possible and wear bulletproof vests, according to media reports.

In Lincoln, many officers already wear ballistic vests and providing back-up to fellow officers is always the expectation, the chief said.

"We will fulfill our mission with integrity despite the escalating violent acts on law enforcement officers across the United States," the chief said. "Our officers have received outstanding support from those in Lincoln."

Schmaderer also commended the Omaha community and his department for working to cultivate a positive relationship that has helped curtail crime and violence.

"When you break down these issues, we're all on the same page. We want proper policing, and we want to reduce violent crime," he said.

The police chief said he's particularly proud of officers who blew bubbles and passed out stickers during Omaha's Black Lives Matter rally July 8.

After the rally, Officer Bryan Kulhanek was placed on paid administrative leave for a Facebook post that criticized the Black Lives Matter movement and for other posts the department called "potentially inappropriate."

Schmaderer declined to comment on the social media posts because an internal investigation is pending, but he said that paid administrative leave isn't considered a form of punishment.

Schmaderer said he's pleased with what he sees in the Omaha Police Department compared to other cities.

Lamb is asking people in Lincoln to show their support and wrap their own trees in blue so officers feel backed by the community theyre protecting.

They keep us safe as they are going toward the danger, Lamb said. Theyre always there for us. ... We take them for granted.
With no rain to complain about, Britons will no doubt be complaining it's 'too hot' as the temperatures soared to 33C yesterday - but that's nothing.

A heatwave in Iraq has seen the heat rise to a merciless 53C in the south and 51C in Baghdad, in a heatwave set to continue until Sunday.

It is so hot that the government announced a two-day holiday today, with the weekend in Iraq running over Friday and Saturday, so employees won't have to work in the unbearable heat.

Conditions would be all the more insufferable as very few buildings have air conditioning in a country that has been ravaged by more than a decade of conflict.

A heatwave in Iraq has seen the heat rise to a merciless 53C in the south, in a heatwave set to continue until Sunday

In Baghdad, where temperatures hit 51C, people were seen stopping under a shower in the street and drenching themselves while still fully clothed to cool off

The government gave its workers Wednesday and Thursday off, as swathes of people rushed to public pools, beaches and lakes in the unbearably heat

There is little shelter indoors as very few buildings have air conditioning after a decade of conflict

An Iraqi man takes a selfie as he cools down in the Tigris River in the capital Baghdad earlier today

The government's chief weather forecaster Hassan Abdul-Karim says the highs are well above average for this time of year thanks to desertification in Iraq

After the holiday was announced, hundreds headed to the River Tigris in Baghdad, as well as public pools and lakes to cool off.

For those stuck in the city, impromptu showers were set up in the streets, with citizens drenching themselves while fully clothed to cool off.

The government's chief weather forecaster Hassan Abdul-Karim says the highs are well above average for this time of year thanks to desertification in Iraq.

The conflict has led to a depletion of arable land and cities that have been consistently pushing temperatures up. A similar heatwave is expected next month.

High summer temperatures routinely compound the woes of Iraqis, who have lived with almost daily violence, political instability, poor services, a massive exodus abroad of professionals, and high rates of serious crime like kidnappings for ransom, armed robberies and contract killings since the US invasion in 2003.

The current heatwave is scorching Baghdad as the city continues to reel from the deadliest single bombing in 13 years on July 3 when nearly 300 people were killed.

The conflict has led to a depletion of arable land and cities that have been consistently pushing temperatures up. A similar heatwave is expected next month

But just as Iraqis have shown resilience and ingenuity in dealing with the violence, they do likewise when it comes to exceptionally hot days

This man enjoyed some cool water from a hosepipe that seems to have been converted into s shower

The current heatwave is scorching Baghdad as the city continues to reel from the deadliest single bombing in 13 years on July 3 when nearly 300 people were killed

Iraqi people dive into the Tigris river to take a swim and cool off from the scorching summer heat

For one young person it was a chance to show off some impressive acrobatics, jumping from a huge rock into the cool water below

Power cuts leave most homes without electricity for a total of 12 hours a day, forcing them to buy power from privately-owned neighbourhood generators.

But just as Iraqis have shown resilience and ingenuity in dealing with the violence, they do likewise when it comes to exceptionally hot days.

'There is no electricity and temperature is very high, so we came to this swimming pool as it is the only way to cool ourselves,' said Ammar Adnan, sitting on the edge of the recently opened indoor pool in Baghdad's al-Azamaiyah district.

'We will stay here until the evening, when we hope the temperature will get down,' he said.

raqi children swim in a pool in the holy Iraqi city of Najaf on the first day of a surprise two-day holiday announced by the authorities due to the heat

While it may have been too hot for those at work, children made the best of the weather, swimming in the river

People set up public showers that people could use to cool down on the scorching streets of Baghdad

This atmomizer was made available outside a shop for people to cool off in the unbearable summer heat

A few miles away in central Baghdad's busy Sinak market, Kazim Ali was doing a brisk business, selling sweaty shoppers cocktails of a fizzy drink mixed with a syrup of sugar, vinegar and mint.

'I never raise my prices when it is this hot, but the guy who sells me the ice charged me 50 per cent more today,' he said.

Street hawkers, some covering their faces with handkerchiefs to keep off the heat, sold slices of cold watermelon or broke a sweat pumping air into children's plastic pools they hoped to sell.
A teenage thug who allegedly threatened to kill a 12-year-old girl during a carjacking was on probation after a judge gave him a second chance following his involvement in the Moomba riots.

The 17-year-old boy, believed to be linked to the Apex gang, who allegedly took part in a string of attacks in Melbourne's west on Monday was granted a deferral in hopes of rehabilitating after taking part in the violent riots in March as well as a previous carjacking.

The teenager's lawyer explained his client took part in the crime spree because he 'thought it would be fun,' reported the Herald Sun.

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A 12-year-old girl has revealed the horrifying moment a group of Apex gang thugs carjacker her and her father

The Apex gangs are believed to be behind a string of crimes in Melbourne (pictured is a brawl in March)

One Wednesday police alleged the 17-year-old was among other gang members as young as 13 who broke into a home in Sunshine at around 10.30pm.

The group of thugs are accused of stealing a white Corolla before they cornered a Ford Falcon.

WHO ARE THE APEX GANG? The group originated in Apex Street, Dandenong, about 30 kilometres south-west of Melbourne

The members are primarily from a Sudanese refugee background

The gang have been involved in a string of carjackings and home invasions in the Melbourne area

They are responsible for the Moomba riots in March

Thirteen teenagers were arrested this week relating to a series of crimes

They were aged between 13 and 17

The parents of members are so worried they are sending them back to Africa Advertisement

After one of the gang members reportedly smashed the victim's window with a hammer he sped off.

At around 12.30am the group allegedly stalked a father and his daughter in a BMW X5.

The girl, 12, said she was in her family's luxury car when the Apex gang members pulled her from the vehicle.

'They went to my dad's car door they opened the door and threatened to kill everyone', the girl told Seven News.

'We're going to kill you if you don't get out, give us your keys, give us everything', the 12-year-old said the gang told her.

The girl said she tried to scream when the group attacked her and her father about 11pm on Monday night, but one member of the group opened her door and told her to 'shut up'.

Her father was badly injured during the attack and taken to Footscray Hospital.

The 17-year-old will now appear before the magistrate next month facing six charges - he is among seven other teens arrested over the crime spree this week.

Three were denied bail due having faced court numerous times for previous arrests.

'There's no rhyme or reason about it. They are not drug or alcohol affected, they are just violent,' the magistrate said on Wednesday.

The pair were in their luxury BMW X5 (file photo) on Monday night about 11pm when the attack happened

The group originated in Apex Street, Dandenong, about 30 kilometres south-east of Melbourne

The Apex gang are responsible for the Moomba riots in March (pictured)

This is the latest in a string of attacks and crimes allegedly carried out by Apex gang members, 13 of whom were arrested by Victoria Police this month 'for theft of motor vehicles and a robbery.'

The robbery occurred at a home on George Street, St Albans in Melbourne's north-west.

A 13-year-old boy, 15-year-old boy, 16-year-old boy, 16-year-old girl and two boys aged 17 from Brookfield were among those arrested.

A girl and a boy, both aged 13, plus a 15-year-old boy from Melton West were also arrested as part of the group.

A boy, 14, from Kurranjang, another 14-year-old boy from St Albans, a 17-year-old boy from Cairnlea and a 14-year-old girl from an unknown suburb made up the group of 13.

They are currently being interviewed by police and some will appear before a Children's Court.

In May Victoria Police rolled out Operation Cosmas in 'response to aggravated burglaries and carjackings across the state.'

'Day and night patrols are being conducted at high risk locations to prevent offences taking place,' police said.

Since the operation commenced in April there have been more than 75 arrests.
Nigel Farage jetted in to the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland, Ohio today to offer Donald Trump's party tips on how he defied the odds to win the EU referendum.

Many Republican strategists are 'looking very closely at what we did and how we did it,' Mr Farage told an event at the RNC, referring to last month's shock vote in the UK for Brexit.

The outgoing Ukip leader won fans as he ironically thanked President Barack Obama for 'helping us to win this referendum' by urging voters to reject Brexit when he visited the UK in April.

He said this was the reason he didn't want to officially endorse either candidate in the US Presidential race, - insisting it was a 'big mistake for foreign politicians to tell people how to vote'.

But his warm comments towards Mr Trump and previously critical assessment of Hilary Clinton has left few guessing where his allegiance lies in the US election.

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Nigel Farage (pictured at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio today) jetted in to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio today to offer Donald Trump's party tips on how he defied the odds to win the EU referendum

'I have to say, I wouldn't vote for Hillary if you paid me,' the Brexit champion told delegates at a breakfast event at the Republican National Convention today.

'There is that sense of entitlement,' he said, pleasing the Republican audience.

But Mr Farage admitted that even he 'winces' at some of the controversial comments Mr Trump makes, such as Mr Trump's contentious pledge to ban all Muslims entering the US.

'Some of Donald Trump's comments are pretty out there,' he told the event.

'To say that you would ban all Muslims coming into America... I can see what he's trying to do; he's trying to reach voters who feel frustrated and, perhaps, a little bit scared.

'Occasionally, the style of it, it makes even me wince a little bit,' he added.

Nigel Farage (pictured at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio last month) admitted that even he 'winces' at some of the controversial comments Mr Trump makes, such as Mr Trump's contentious pledge to ban all Muslims entering the US

When he spoke to an audience at the Republican National Convention last month, Nigel Farage showed off his British passport - a regular prop for him during the EU referendum campaign as he bemoaned the fact that first words on the cover were 'European Union'

Mr Farage joked that Mr Obama's controversial intervention in the EU referendum debate in April had helped his campaign to persuade voters to leave the EU, winning fans in the Republican audience for mocking the President.

'I think it is a big mistake for foreign politicians to tell people how to vote and how to think,' he said.

'I tell you why I say that  Obama came to the United Kingdom during the brexit debate and actually I shall always be eternally grateful to Obama because he came to our country, he was rude to us, he told us what to do and he led to a big Brexit bounce of several points.

'So thank you Obama for helping us to win this referendum,' he added as he beamed with laughter.

Mr Trump was officially named the Republican nomination for US President early this morning as delegates from each state delivered their votes a the convention centre in Cleveland.

Mr Farage ruled out campaigning for Mr Trump but drew comparisons between the appeal for Mr Trump and last month's Brexit vote, telling the audience: 'I think there are a lot of Republican strategists who are looking very closely at what we did and how we did it.

'All I can do is to come and tell my story.'

Nigel Farage met Republican Tennessee Senator Bob Corker during his trip to the US

'I have to say, I wouldn't vote for Hillary if you paid me,' the Brexit champion Nigel Farage (pictured right) told delegates at a breakfast event at the Republican National Convention today

Giving his opinion on Mr Trump's meteoric rise, the outgoing Ukip leader said: 'I can see the way this guy  this is not full-throated support  makes an argument, causes a storm, then when he gets condemned by everybody, rather than retracting he goes that bit further.

'I've been watching this with great interest. I'm not surprised he got the nomination at all... just maybe he will reach out to those voters.'

But explaining why he is refusing to endorse Mr Trump, Mr Farage said: 'Having criticised President Obama for getting involved in British politics, I am not about to endorse anybody.

'But I do know a lot of people in the Republican Party and I'll be interested to hear what Donald Trump has to say in his big speech.'

Mr Trump will make his keynote speech at the RNC tomorrow evening and will try to unite the bitterly divided Republican party with less than four months until the presidential election.

Mr Farage praised Britain's new Prime Minister for appointing 'the three Brexiteers' Boris Johnson, David Davis and Liam Fox to the most important Brexit Cabinet jobs.

Mr Farage, who announced his resignation as Ukip leader days after winning his long-sought after vote to leave the EU, said Boris Johnson's appointment as Foreign Secretary was 'great' because he would 'make people smile'.

'I didn't want Theresa May to be Prime Minister because she backed the Remain side. She is our Prime Minister, I think she's made one or two inspired appointments.'

On Mr Johnson's surprise appointment as Foreign Secretary, he said: 'It's great. We've got a Foreign Secretary who is going to raise Britain's profile all over the world and at the same time he'll make people smile a bit and that can't be a bad thing in a world where we don't smile enough, perhaps.'
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A fully-functioning enigma machine used by the Nazis to send coded messages during the Second World War has sold for almost 100,000.

The device, in complete original condition, was built in 1943 and seized by the Allies before it could be destroyed by the Germans.

It is believed to have been used by Axis powers in Belgium and the Netherlands during the final two years of the war.

The machines are hard to come by as the majority of them were destroyed as the Allies swept through Europe in the final months of the war.

It is believed of the 100,000 that were made only 4,000 exist today.

A fully-functioning enigma machine used by the Nazis to scramble coded messages during the Second World War has sold for 94,000

The Enigma machine protected German military communication by encrypting messages. Its series of rotors moved daily, substituting each letter of a message with an alternate one.

During the war an intelligence battle broke out as Allied forces worked to decipher the messages.

The German machine was eventually cracked by a remarkable team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, providing one of the most compelling stories of the Second World War.

Led by mathematician Alan Turing they invented a machine called the 'Bombe', which detected the positions of the Engima's rotors each day.

This enabled the Allies to read substantial amounts of Axis powers Morse-coded radio communications and plan various military operations around them.

Historians often say that by breaking the codes the war in Europe ended two years earlier than it would have done.

The value of Enigma machines has increased in the wake of the hit 2014 movie The Imitation Game which starred Benedict Cumberbatch as Turing.

The German machine was eventually cracked by a team of code-breakers at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, providing one of the most compelling stories of the Second World War. Led by mathematician Alan Turing (pictured) they invented a machine called the 'Bombe'

Mathematical genius: Mr Turing was seen as the father of modern computing and artificial intelligence. He died of cyanide poisoning

Ordinary house, extraordinary deeds: Hut 8 Naval Inteligence, where Alan Turing worked to crack German codes at Bletchley Park

ALAN TURING: WWII CODEBREAKING HERO WHO WAS CONVICTED FOR BEING GAY THEN STERILISED BY THE STATE During the Second World War, mathematician Alan Turing was pivotal in cracking the German Enigma codes, which gave Allied leaders vital information about the movement and intentions of Hitlers forces. Historians credit the work of Turing and his fellow codebreakers at Bletchley Park in Buckinghamshire with shortening the war by up to two years, saving countless lives. Turing is also widely seen as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence. But in 1952 he was convicted for homosexual activity, which was illegal at the time. To avoid prison, Turing agreed to chemical castration  hormonal treatment designed to reduce libido. In 1954, aged 41, he died of cyanide poisoning. An inquest recorded a verdict of suicide, although his mother and others maintained that his death was accidental. As well as physical and emotional damage, his conviction had led to the removal of his security clearance and meant he was no longer able to work for GCHQ, the successor to the Government Code and Cypher School, based at Bletchley Park. Advertisement

This example was snapped up at Sotheby's in London by a private collector who paid a whopping 94,000.

Dr Gabriel Heaton, a director at Sotheby's said: 'The enigma machine is all that is left of one of the Second World War's greatest stories.

'This is a must-have item for any serious WWII collector.

'They are wonderful pieces of engineering, when its in your hands you can feel how well they are made.

'Part of their appeal is that you can actually see how they work as the mechanisms are visible when they turn.

'As well as the appeal they have to WW2 collectors they also attract collectors of computing memorabilia.

'It's actually that side of things which gives them their high value nowadays.
But the husband has 'cut off' all communication and family are worried

Tunisian Police have contacted Mrs Everest and she told them she was fine

One of her friends said: 'Her children are missing her very much.'

She left for Tunisia divorce on July 6 but had not contact her family in weeks

The family of a British mother who had not contacted her family for weeks after travelling to Tunisia to attend divorce proceedings has confirmed she is coming home.

Melissa Everest, 40, of Lancing, West Sussex, flew to the capital Tunis from London's Gatwick Airport on July 6 for divorce proceedings with her estranged husband Adem Brins Harrabi, 23.

But her sister Heidi Everest-Gourlay today confirmed her sister had finally made contact.

Contact has been made with the family and she is coming home,' she said.

Missing mother Melissa Everest (left) as featured in a Facebook post by her sister about her visiting her estranged Tunisian husband Adem Brins Harrabi, 23, (right) and failing to contact family

Mrs Everest had attended court and intended to fly home on July 14 after the case was adjourned to a later date.

But her family had said they had not heard from her since July 13, with calls to her mobile phone going straight to voicemail.

Sussex Police said that, following inquiries via the National Crime Agency and the Foreign Office, the Tunisian Police found Mrs Everest and 'she confirmed to them that she was in Tunisia of her own free will'.

A police spokesman said: 'The family have been told this.'

But the family refuses to accept this without speaking to her and described her behaviour as completely ' out of character' - leaving her children in the UK.

One of her friends, Mandy Chapman, said: 'Her children are missing her very much and her family and friends are very worried.'

'She told the boys the day before the flight she was looking forward to seeing them tomorrow and then there has been nothing.'

Ms Everest-Gourlay, has taken to Facebook to call for help in a post shared more than 1600 times.

'Her husband Adem Brins Harrabi has been in touch with our family to state that Melissa is with him, but will not let us speak to her and has now cut off all communication.

'Everything we have been told has come from people we do not know and have never met.

Mrs Everest pictured with her children in the same Facebook plea for help from her sister

Her sister Heidi Everest-Gourlay said of her sister Melissa (left): 'Her husband Adem Brins Harrabi has been in touch with our family to state that Melissa is with him, but will not let us speak to her and has now cut off all communication'

'We as a family continue to believe that this is completely out of character for Melissa and continue to worry for her safety.

'Until the day before her flight, she called our mum every day. She wouldn't just go silent. If she had decided to stay, she would just tell us.

'I am doing this for her children and would appreciate any useful information that would lead to Melissa being found, thank you for all your continued support.'

Melissa's sister Heidi Everest-Gourlay issued a plea for help on Facebook

Mrs Everest has been 'missing' and has not contacted her family since July 13 while in Tunisia, where she planned to divorce her estranged husband

Melissa Everest pictured in her Facebook profile. Her family has not heard from her since July 13

But, speaking from Tunisia, Mr Harrabi told the Press Association: 'Everything is alright.

'She is in Tunis and that's all I have to say. She is well, and she is OK. Nothing has happened to her.'

Mrs Everest met Mr Harrabi on summer holiday in Tunisia in 2014 after going through a divorce. They married there in August last year but their relationship broke down.
An amazing video shows a young girl who went swimming in a pool with a massive Burmese python.

Video of the swim, which was posted to YouTube in April 2014, has more than 2.1million views online.

The albino Burmese python, named Sumatra, slithered in the water, at times poking her head above the surface.

An amazing video shows a young girl who went swimming in a pool with a massive Burmese python

Video of the swim, which was posted to YouTube in April 2014, has more than 2.1million views online

The girl put on goggles and pet the snake, and at times was underwater with it.

YouTuber Corey Wallace posted the footage online.

He wrote: 'This is our 8 yr. old Burmese Python named Sumatra.

'She has been to over 500 birthday parties and many schools, she has been around kids since she was a baby, she has never killed anything she even likes our dogs and cat.'

Wallace's Facebook profile says he lives in Redding, California.

The girl put on goggles and pet the snake, and at times was underwater with it

YouTuber Corey Wallace posted the video and wrote that Sumatra 'has been to over 500 birthday parties and many schools, she has been around kids since she was a baby, she has never killed anything she even likes our dogs and cat'

Burmese pythons are nonvenomous. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), 'Human fatalities from non-venomous snakes are very rare, probably averaging one or two per year worldwide.

'All known constrictor-snake fatalities in the United States are from captive snakes; these are split between deaths of snake owners who were purposefully interacting with their pet and deaths of small children or infants in homes where a snake was kept captive as a pet.
The crazed driver behind the Bastille Day massacre reportedly took photographs in a Euro 2016 fan zone just weeks before it was packed with England supporters.

Investigators searching the phone of Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, 31, are said to have uncovered 'reconnaissance-style' photos taken in the fan zone in Nice, just yards from the Promenade des Anglais where 84 people were killed while watching fireworks last Thursday night.

Weeks later the same area was filled with 20,000 England fans who watched the team take on Iceland in the city's Allianz Riviera stadium.

Smirking: This picture taken on July 13, the eve of the attack, shows Bouhlel grinning with a friend wearing a white Paris St Germain football top. They are standing next to the lorry used in the attack the following day

According to the Sun, police are now trying to determine whether this was Bouhlel's original intended target and, if it was, why he aborted the mission.

A source told the newspaper that there is 'no explanation' as to why he took the fan zone photos.

'He could have been a supporter, but then he could also have been checking the security in the area,' the source said. 'Given what is now known about him, the images of the fan zone are certainly suspicious.'

Earlier today it emerged that the killer had also taken a number of selfies on his phone in the hours before he drove a lorry into crowds who had gathered to watch fireworks on July 14.

Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said that Bouhlel drove up and down the promenade hours before he started his attack just after 10.30pm.

He took selfies of himself by the truck at 1.43pm, 4.02pm, 4.42pm, and finally next to a pedestrian crossing at 7.25pm.

Smile: Wearing a black and white checked shirt Mohamed Boulel grins and puts his middle finger up to the camera on July 12 as he sits in the cab of the 19-tonne truck he used to murder 84 people on Bastille Day

Investigation: His phone was picked up by police after he was shot dead in the cab of his lorry, pictured

Bohlel was shot dead by police after his rampage, and now investigators are trying to work out his motives. Four men and a woman remain in custody in relation to the crimes.

Islamic State have claimed the Tunisian national as one of their 'soldiers' but Mr Molins said there was no evidence linking him directly to the terrorist group.

Bohlel has so far been portrayed as a violence-obsessed misfit with no interest in religion, who became obsessed with terrorism and continually looked up atrocities on the Internet.

A hate memorial made up of stones, rubbish and messages such as 'coward' and 'assassin' has been set up on the spot he was shot dead by police.
Texas senator Ted Cruz is preparing to give a prime time speech making the case for conservatism and even mentioning the name of bitter rival Donald Trump  but his dad still won't say a word about Trump's primary season attack linking him to the JFK assassination.

The elder Cuban-born Cruz, a minister, is conducting events around Cleveland during the convention, including attending fundraisers for conservative House members and others backed by his son.

He also showed up before his son's event Wednesday with Texas delegates to the convention, but showed no interest in revisiting Trump's attacks on him just before the interview.

'No interviews. No interviews,' he told DailyMail.com when approached on the deck of Shooters, an outdoor bar on the shore of the Cuyahoga River.

But there are indications the younger Cruz is making peace with his situation and Trump's past attacks, as he prepares to address a prime time audience for a 'unifying' speech that could help Trump, as well as Cruz's own 2020 ambitions.

DON'T BOTHER CALLING DONALD: Rafael Cruz won't take any questions  including about whether he is willing to forgive Trump for linking him to the Kennedy assassination

Cruz was one of his son's most vocal supporters on the campaign trail, but might still be sore at Trump for linking him to the JFK assassination

'This is big boy politics, right?' said advisor Jeff Roe. 'It's a presidential election. Everybody's gonna say everything they can possibly do to win elections. He's not petty like that.'

'You lose an election. You lose a race for president it's kind of close to the brass ring. It's kind of hard to feel better after things like that. He's doing well spending a lot of tie with Heidi and the girls,' he said when asked whether Cruz was willing to look past the attacks on his dad.

Asked how Rafael was doing, Roe shifted a conversation with reporters away from the JFK attack. 'Rafael's running laps around everybody. Rafael's fired up,' he said including attending events for candidates Cruz supports.

Cruz supporter Maggie Wright is still mad that Fox News let Trump tell 'lies' about Rafael Cruz

FATHER AND SON: Ted Cruz addresses the GOP convention tonight, while his dad is mum about Trump's attacks on him and his family

Ted Cruz will utter the words 'Donald Trump,' Roe said  although he provided multiple hedges about how he would do so.

'That's a good question. I don't know if the last draft has that or not, but there's certainly I think they'll be pleased with the speech,' he said, meaning Team Trump.

Asked by DailyMail.com how Trump could be pleased with a speech that might not include his name, he said, 'I don't know that it doesn't say his name. I think it's in there. I don't recall how we say it, but he's gonna be pleased.'

Just before the Indiana primary, Trump brought up a National Enquirer story about Rafael Cruz, which featured a hazy photograph that it claimed might show him standing next to JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.

'His father was with Lee Harvey Oswald prior to Oswald's being  you know, shot. I mean, the whole thing is ridiculous,' Trump said told Fox News. ;What is this, right prior to his being shot, and nobody even brings it up. They don't even talk about that. That was reported, and nobody talks about it,' he said.

He beat Cruz in Indiana and ended Cruz's campaign.

Cruz's supporters aren't in a forgiving mood. 'I want to tell you what I really think of Donald Trump,' retired Dallas homemaker Maggie Wright told DailyMail.com at the Cruz event. 'Putting hotty's picture besides Heidi on Twitter,' she said - referencing a Tweet forwarded by Trump pitting his model wife next to an unflattering picture of Heidi Cruz. The she went after Fox News for letting Trump stoke the JFK story. 'They let Trump just lie about that,' she fumed.

Gisela Chevalier, head of the Bayou State Republican Women who like Rafael was born in Cuba, was bothered by Trump's attack, but has made her peace with it.
So, its actually happened: Donald Trump IS the official Republican nominee to be President of the United States.

The moment very few members of the Washington elite or mainstream U.S. media thought was even remotely possible when Trump first announced he was running a year ago has arrived.

Im not as shocked as they are.

Back on June 17, 2015, I wrote a column warning everyone snorting with derision not to underestimate the billionaire tycoon and predicting he would electrify the campaign.

That, whether you love or loathe Trump, he has indisputably done.

And hes done it in sensational style, crushing his 17 rivals for the Republican nomination like a raging two-tonne bull careering through the proverbial china shop.

its actually happened: Donald Trump IS the official Republican nominee to be President of the United States

The big question now, with the latest polls showing them neck and neck, is can Trump now go one step further and actually win the presidency?

Here are ten ways I think he can pull it off:

1) Crooked Hillary. Trumps most effective strategy has been to brand his opponents with mocking monikers they find impossible to shake off. Low Energy Jeb was a devastating knockout blow to the chances of a third Bush reaching the White House. Little Marco reduced Senator Rubio to a diminished laughing stock. Lyin Ted struck a metaphorical machete into the Cruz campaign. And John Kasichs miserable record of failure on the primary trail led to Trump dubbing him 1 for 38 Kasich then 1 for 44 Kasich and so on until he threw in the towel. Now Trumps relentlessly targeting Clinton with the title Crooked Hillary and its beginning to cause real damage as the RNC crowds last night chanting JAIL HER! and her deteriorating approval numbers can attest. Expect to hear it a lot more.

Trump's family is a huge asset - like wealthier Kennedys without the baggage. The more we see and hear from them the better

2) His family. As weve seen already in this Republican National Convention week, the Trumps are a bunch of aesthetically pleasing, articulate charmers who would slip effortlessly into life as Americas new First Family. Theyre like the Kennedys only without all the baggage and so wealthy theyd probably view the White House as a small holiday home. If you thought Don Jr and Tiffany were impressive, wait until Ivanka gets on that podium. I know her extremely well and shes a beautiful, razor-smart, very personable, high-heeled vote-winner who will wow even the most anti-Trump Americans tomorrow night. As for Melania, those who rush to ridicule her over speech-gate miss the bigger picture: most normal Americans dont care about plagiarism or even understand what it means. They just see a stunning, walking, talking personification of the American dream; an immigrant who worked hard and entirely legally to secure her U.S. citizenship and is now a loyal, supportive wife to a man many perceive to be an all-American hero. The more we see and hear of the Trumps, the better for his chances.

As for Melania, those who rush to ridicule her speech miss the bigger picture: most normal Americans dont care about plagiarism. They just see a stunning, walking, talking personification of the American dream

3) The TV debates. These will break all records for U.S. election encounters as Americans rush to see the ultimate one-on-one showdown between two equally divisive and polarising, but also hugely famous candidates. Hillarys not bad at debating, but the big stage is where Donald comes into his own. Hes a TV superstar and a natural showman who loves working the camera and audiences. Its his domain, his lair, and I can see him working Hillary over with well-planned zingers which might penetrate even her Rhino-skin.

4) The Rust Belt. Trump has to turn some of Obamas blue states red to win the big prize. That means places like Ohio, Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where the margins of Democrat victories at the last election were all relatively small. Trumps great advantage in these areas of America is that he is very similar to the very blue collar workers he needs to deliver for him: brash, non-nonsense, plain-speaking. They lap up his jobs talk and patriotic, chest-thumping style. The working class white vote played a big role in Trumps advance through the Republican primaries and if he can simply drive down the Democrat vote in that demographic in the Rust Belt states, its game on for the presidency.

5) His VP pick. Trump was much smarter here than people seem to realise. By going for an unknown like Mike Pence, he defied all expectations that hed choose an equally charismatic running mate like Chris Christie or Newt Gingrich, who would both have over-egged the testosterone souffle. Instead, he played safe with a middle-aged, conventional, grey-haired white guy with Midwestern values whos worked in Congress, been a Governor, is popular with evangelicals and has views that tie him to the very bowels of American Conservatism. Hes the complete opposite in other words to John McCains 2008 VP pick Sarah Palin. Pence wont thrill the crowds, but he wont scare the horses either and he will appeal in his own quiet, calm way to many Americans sitting on the fence about whether they can vote for a flamboyant maverick candidate like Trump. If I were Trump, Id have Pence out everywhere.

Vice Presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana was a great pick. He defied expectations with the choice, who is not thrilling maybe, but won't scare anyone. Here stands on stage rehearsing Wednedsay

6) His gut. Trumps almost miraculous success in this race so far has been down to a number of things but predominantly his instinct for what will play with the media and the voters. Trumps a businessman at his core and has run a spectacularly effective marketing campaign based on his gut feel for what will grab headlines and what real people actually care about. Hence the Muslim ban, the Mexican wall, and the constant attacks on China stealing American jobs. When I spent some time down in Texas and Florida recently, immigration, Islamic terrorism and jobs were far and way the biggest concerns of most people I spoke to. Trump must continue to trust that gut of his because as far as winning votes goes, it works.

7) Social media. Trumps got nearly 10 million followers on Twitter now and millions more on sites like Facebook. His posts are staggeringly bold, confrontational, dynamic, positive and abusive  sometimes all at the same time. Theyre also authentic, in the sense that its obviously Trump speaking and he seems to believe everything hes saying at the time he says it. People like that. He doesnt hide behind politically correct statements, and isnt afraid to attack those who attack him. This is resonating strongly in a country full of very angry people. They really are starting to believe his constant hype that he can Make America Great Again.

8) Get organised. Trump has started to surround himself with political bruisers used to fighting national elections and he needs more of them. You cant win the presidency on a whim, prayer and dollops of bombast alone. He has to get his backroom team in serious order fast and there are signs he is doing just that. If he cracks the ground game, and avoids too many amateurish missteps, he can definitely land the presidency.

9) Charm. Weve seen plenty of the aggressive, pugilist and sometimes downright nasty Trump in the past year and some of it has been pretty unedifying. Now its time to show a softer side too. The kind, caring, loving man that his family keep telling us exists. Ive seen plenty of that side myself during my 10-year friendship with Donald and he can turn it on like a matinee movie idol when he wants to. America needs to see that beneath the King Kong image lies a beating heart, a man who truly cares about his fellow Americans, and at least the semblance of humility.

Worth mentioning twice - Crooked Hillary. When in doubt Trump can just keep whacking her
A German MP has resigned after it emerged her resume claiming she was a qualified lawyer was false - and that he had not even completed high school.

Petra Hinz, of Germany's Social Democratic Party, stepped down after it emerged she had made up parts of her CV and had never studied law.

The MP, from Essen, released a statement via her lawyer which said she had lied about her education and had not completed her end-of-school Abitur exams.

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German MP Petra Hinz (pictured) has resigned after it emerged her resume claiming she was a qualified lawyer was false - and that he had not even completed high school

She resigned on Wednesday after her local party branch ordered her to vacate her parliamentary seat.

The 54-year-old had been a member of the German Bundedstag since 2005.

The Local reports that the Der Westen website unearthed records said to be from her school - but could not see her name alongside those who had completed their Abitur exams in 1984.

According to the Local, her lawyer's statement said: 'In hindsight Frau Hinz is unable to determine the reasons why she used this false information as a basis for further improper claims about her juristic education and experience.

'Frau Hinz's political involvement is based on sincerity and integrity. She is very upset that she never mustered up the courage to take responsibility for her wrongdoing.

Petra Hinz, of Germany's Social Democratic Party, stepped down after it emerged she had made up parts of her CV and had never studied law

Earlier this month Tory MP Andrea Leadsom (pictured) faced allegations that she exaggerated her role working in financial services after putting that experience at the centre of her campaign to be the next Prime Minister

'She is asking forgiveness from colleagues, friends, family and everyone who trusted her as well as the whole public.'

The statement said she tried to rectify the issues in the mid 1990s by studying in secret to complete some of her exams.

But 'because of her commitments' at the time, she was unable to see it through.

Earlier this month British Conservative MP Andrea Leadsom faced allegations that she exaggerated her role working in financial services after putting that experience at the centre of her campaign to be the next Prime Minister.
California firefighters have been forced to remove a flag honoring the police officers killed in recent mass shootings over 'extremist' fears.

Eric Hille had displayed the pro-police flag on his fire truck and placed a 'Thin Blue Line' sticker on the door, just hours after three Baton Rouge officers were gunned down by a mass shooter on July 17.

The 48-year-old firefighter, at Station 48, Riverside County, said he had wanted to show his support for the police and pay tribute to those officers and the five Dallas cops shot dead by Micah Johnson two weeks ago.

But by the next day, the Chief of Riverside County Fire Department had passed down orders to remove the flag over fears it could incite extremists to attack firefighters.

California firefighters have been forced to remove a flag honoring the police officers killed in recent weeks over 'extremist' fears

Eric Hille (left) had displayed the pro-police flag on his fire truck and placed a 'Thin Blue Line' sticker on the door, to show his support for police but within 24 hours, ' Chief John Hawkins (left) ordered him to take them down

Hille was also ordered to remove the blue line from the fire truck and even take down the pictures and messages of support to the fallen cops on his personal Facebook page.

'Our foremost concern was whether the flag could create a safety risk for emergency responders due to extremists targeting the fire engine or for people following the fire engine and not being able to see the warning lights,' Chief John Hawkins wrote in an email seen by Fox News.

He also called on the fire department to 'look at the big picture.'

Hawkins warned that some feel the flag 'is an attempt to incite further violence against those who, to our very core, have dedicated our lives to protecting all lives.'

'Should we potentially increase the risk for our firefighters by flying flags, banners or signs in this time of divisiveness,' he asked. 'Sadly, in this unsettled time the danger is possible.'

Hille, who was furious with the decision, removed the Thin Blue Line and the flag - a black and white rendering of the American flag with a blue line running through the middle to represent police.

Hille was also ordered to remove the blue line from the fire truck (seen left, under the emblem, and right without) and even take down the pictures and messages of support to the fallen cops on his personal Facebook page

Hille says that cops he met during the short time he was allowed to display the flag and stripe, had been so grateful for the show of support (pictured is a message, which appears to have been sent by a cop at the local police department)

But he has refused to take down his social media posts.

On Facebook, he said: 'Well..... It didn't take long for the department pride police to put the stop on us showing support for our brothers in blue and showing support for our country's fallen police officers.

'I find it heartbreaking that we are not allowed to show our support for our Brothers and Sisters in Blue in the event of the recent tragedies of all the Police Officers that have been killed in the line of duty.

'We cant shroud our badges or even lower our station flags to half-staff, and this is just simply heart breaking.'

Hille says that cops he met during the short time he was allowed to display the flag and stripe, had been so grateful for the show of support.

He posted a message, which appears to have been sent by a cop at the local police department which read: 'Sorry for the early wake up, wanted to thank you guys for backing our boys in blue, you always make us proud.'

And since making his battle to display a pro-police badge public, the firefighter says he's been flooded with his own messages of support.

Hille (pictured) said it was 'heartbreaking' he was not allowed to show support for 'our Brothers and Sisters in Blue'

Erin Ginese wrote on Facebook: 'Good for you Hille. You have always been a prime example of brotherhood. I am proud of you. Stand tall brother. #respect.'

Tim McFarlane added: 'Red or blue, we are all an emergency family! We ALL STAND TOGETHER during this hard time because it's only a matter of time before fire and EMS become targets as well!'

'I want to say THANK YOU to all that have voiced their frustrations over us being ordered to remove the Thin Blue Line Flag and Stripe,' Hille added.

While he had one final message for the police.

'To all Law Enforcement, we have your back, and stand shoulder to shoulder with you.'
About fifty children have been born via IVF using sperm from Palestinian prisoners smuggled out of an Israeli jail - including one case when the precious cargo was hidden in a pitted date.

Candy wrappers and plastic pens were also reportedly used to hide the seminal fluid of Palestinian prisoners so their wives could deliver the samples to a West Bank fertility clinic to impregnate them.

Far from the normal contraband of drugs and cigarettes or other forbidden luxuries smuggled out of jails, the prison baby boom has continued almost four years after the first IVF birth to an inmate's wife and denials from authorities it was even happening.

Dr. Salem Abu Khaizaran, whose centre in the West Bank has been providing the IVF treatments for free

The samples arrive at the Razan Medical Center, in the West Bank town of Nablus, at all hours of the day and night and are handed over in various types of containers - but some of the methods now emerging are creative to say the least.

A report in the Los Angeles Times has now detailed the case of Fathiya Safadi, who was married only weeks when her husband, Ashraf, a Palestinian militant, was arrested and later jailed for 21 years.

Mrs Safadi had to deal with life without a husband and children but during a later prison visit her husband revealed he had a plan.

He reportedly gave her a candy wrapper and told her to take it straight to the Razan clinic in Nablus. Inside the wrapper was her husband's semen.

Mrs Safadi became pregnant, gave birth to the couple's first child, Amir, and, two years later, she has now reportedly been returning to the clinic in the hope of another child.

'My life had no meaning before Amir,' she told the Los Angeles Times.

Fathiya Safadi smuggled her husband's semen out of an Israeli jail in a candy wrapper

'It was difficult. Nothing was beautiful in my eyes. I was insecure.'

Dr. Salem Abu Khaizaran, the boss of the Razan Medical Center, told media outlet about 50 Palestinian children had been born using IVF treatments.

He had been initially skeptical about the scheme becoming more common when wives began asking him in 2003.

'We were reluctant to do it because we were worried that the community will not accept such treatment,' he told the Los Angeles Times.

'We are a small society, and if people suddenly saw a woman pregnant whose husband is in jail, they might start accusing her of cheating.'

One of his staff, Zaid Nasser, said: 'Its considered a national mission and a national achievement. This is helping the prisoners.'

He told the Los Angeles Times the smuggling containers had included a plastic pen and a pitted date. They generally had 48 hours, he added, before the sperm needed to be frozen.

Pitted dates were another vessel used to hold the semen of a prisoner so his wife could smuggle it out of jail

In 2013, MailOnline reported on the early period of the scheme.

However, Israeli prison officials had cast doubt on the women's claims - saying it was unlikely samples would make it through their tight security.

Dr Abu Khaizaran had said they arrive in 'a lot of things, many things maybe in cups, in ointment containers'.

Some samples were viable while others had to be thrown away.

Beacuse the doctors are unable to verify exactly who the sperm is from they ask relatives from both the wife and husband's side to sign papers stating the name of the potential father.

The women are also encouraged to tell members of their community about the procedure so they are not suspected of cheating on their husbands.

Dr Abu Khaizaran, added: 'We are a male dominated society, we are an eastern society.

'Our women, whose husbands have been given long sentences, they have no choice but to wait for their husbands to get freed and as you know the female productive life is really limited.'
Little Bella Kilgore was only in the world for about 38 minutes before she died of complications from childbirth in 2011.

Her family memorialized her with a touching headstone near their home in Ninnekah, Oklahoma, as well as a donated stone and tile bench they would sit upon during regular visits.

However the Kilgore family were shocked to discover the grave had been vandalized this month, with the special bench left shattered.

R.I.P.: Bella Kilgore died just minutes after she was born in 2011. Her family are now trying to determine who vandalized her grave in Ninnekah, Oklahoma

Smashed: The special stone bench that sat in front of the headstone was found smashed. The family believe someone drove through on the cemetery, perhaps on a motorbike

Ruined: The family will now work to replace the bench, but still want to know who vandalized it

'When I was five months pregnant, I found out she was Trisomy 18. So I had the option to abort or to have her, and I couldn`t give up on her,' her mother, Pamela McCoy, told KFOR.

Trisomy 18 condition that causes severe developmental delays due to an extra chromosome 18.

McCoy gave birth to the little girl, however she died minutes after being born.

'We all held an angel, not many people can say that,' said McCoy.

'She gave me new meaning on life.'

McCoy believes that someone has driven through the graveyard, perhaps on a motorbike, and smashed past the bench.

'It was hard, we had just seen somebody had just ran over it,' she said.

'I would never blame anybody ... I just would like to have known,' said Pamela McCoy

Before: The bench was a gift and sits right in front on the headstone. Family would sit on it during visits

Pamela McCoy visits the headstone of her baby daughter Bella, who died in 2011 right after she was born

'I would pray that it wasn`t intentional I really do,' said McCoy.

'I would never blame anybody, and I don`t want anything from anybody, I just would like to have known.'

McCoy, who is now expecting, plans to replace the bench so that she can continue to visit her little 'angel' the way she always has.

Anyone with any information on what might have happened at Ninnekah cemetery is urged to come forward and call Ninnekah police on (405) 222-0882.
A father who vanished with his twin six-year-old sons has now been found safe.

Fazal Hossenbux, from Croydon, South London, was reported missing after vanishing with the two youngsters from a children's nursery.

Police have now reported the 54-year-old and his twin boys have been found safe and well.

Fazal Hossenbux (left) and his twin boys, Farhan and Farden (right), were last seen outside the nursery in Thornton Heath, Surrey, before they disappeared

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: 'Happy to update Fazal Hossenbuux, 54 and his two twin sons who were missing from Croydon have been found.'

Police thanked members of the public for their help with the appeal for information.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the force had initially been concerned for the welfare of Mr Hossenbux and the two boys, Farhan and Farden.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said the trio had now been found safe and well
Incident comes after Taco Bell worker was fired for not serving officers

it was an

Police said they have no reason to

He was hospitalized and doctors ran tests on him before he was released

glass shards in sandwich when he started bleeding

Police have closed an Ohio restaurant after an officer cut his mouth on glass shards while eating his sandwich.

A worker at the Lincoln Cafe on 740 East Long Street in Columbus Ohio, allegedly served the officer a sandwich containing pieces of broken glass Monday afternoon.

The officer, who has not been identified, heard a crunching sound after taking a bite of his sandwich.

Police have closed Ohio restaurant Lincoln Cafe (pictured) after an officer cut his mouth on glass shards while eating his sandwich

He stopped eating and noticed that his mouth was bleeding, the Columbus Division of Police said on their Facebook page. The officer then noticed the glass in his sandwich. The department tweeted that they have 'no reason to believe it was intentional'

He stopped eating and noticed that his mouth was bleeding, the Columbus Division of Police said on their Facebook page.

The officer then noticed the glass in his sandwich.

After the incident, which occurred on Monday, the officer was hospitalized and doctors ran medical tests on him .

Police said an investigation is underway and an assault team will conduct interviews with the staff.

The department wrote on Facebook that 'it hasn't been determined if this was an intentional act or accidental'.

The officer has been released from the hospital and is doing fine.

Leon Lewis, a manager at Lincoln Cafe told WCMH-TV that Columbus police officers regularly support his business and that there has never been any incidents at the cafe since it opened.

'We have a good customer base. The Columbus Police Department supports my business so there are no issues' he told the station.

Leon Lewis (pictured), a manager at Lincoln Cafe said that Columbus police officers regularly support his business and that there has never been any incidents at the cafe since it opened

An inspector from Columbus Public Health found small pieces of broken glass in a drainboard under a drying track, where clear glass plates were dried, according to NBC.

There were also several small, clear, glass plates had chips on the rim.

The inspector verified the the drying rack had been completely cleaned, which should eliminate the chance of contamination, according to an inspection report obtained by NBC.

On Tuesday morning, the department said 'there is no reason to believe it was intentional'.
A teacher is set to appear in court charged with performing oral sex on a 17-year-old student.

Sandra Mayfield, 51, is accused of sexually assaulting the teenager in a parking lot in Oklahoma City in February.

Mayfield - a teacher at Moore High School in Oklahoma - was also seen kissing and hugging the boy, who also attends the school, as they drove and took the metro around the city, investigators said.

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Teacher Sandra Mayfield, 51, is set to appear in court charged with performing oral sex on a 17-year-old

The alleged inappropriate relationship, which is said to have taken place on the back seat of Mayfield's car, was captured on surveillance cameras.

School officials learned about the alleged incident in March and went to the police, KFOR reported.

Moore Police Sergeant Jeremy Lewis said: 'They met at a business here in Moore, drove around in Oklahoma City, made a few stops, ended up late that night at a park here in Moore, Buck Thomas Park, where she performed oral sex on the 17-year-old.'

Police have interviewed the teenager and his story is said to match what investigators saw on CCTV.

The alleged encounter is believed to be the only one between the student and the teacher.

Mayfield - a teacher at Moore High School (pictured) in Oklahoma - was also seen kissing and hugging the boy, investigators said

Mayfield, 51, as been placed on administrative leave and is not allowed to come to the school or contact the child

In a statement in March, the school board said: 'Moore Public Schools places the safety and welfare of its students ahead of any other interests, and will continue to take necessary steps to safeguard their emotional, physical, and educational well-being.

'Information was received of possible improper behavior on Friday, March 4, 2016. The teacher was suspended immediately and placed on administrative leave. Law enforcement was also immediately contacted by the District.

'The charges filed this afternoon against our employee are shocking and upsetting and are not representative of the hundreds of other teachers who work hard every day to provide a safe and quality education for the students in the Moore Public School District.

'As always, we will continue to cooperate with the police department and District Attorney's office. We are thankful for their diligent work in this matter and have full confidence in the legal process.

'At this time, being consistent with any incident such as this, the employee remains on administrative leave while the case works its way through the court process.'

Mayfield denies forcible sodomy. She has been placed on administrative leave and is not allowed to come to the school or contact the child.
A 14-year-old boy has been accused of killing his 13-year-old relative after her body was found in the northern California home where they both lived, authorities said.

The body of the girl identified as Ashley Wood was discovered in her bedroom on Tuesday at about 10.50 by her mother in the family's Rocklin house, police said.

Authorities said the girl died from what appears to be blunt force trauma to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The body of 13-year-old Ashley Wood (pictured) was discovered in her bedroom on Tuesday at about 10.50 by her mother in the family's house in Rocklin, police said

A 14-year-old boy has been accused of Ashley after her body was found in the northern California home (shown above) where they both lived, authorities said

Authorities pictured at the scene. Police did not release the name of the suspect due to his age. They said a woman and two juveniles live at the home

Officers were called to the home after neighbor Sonia Byard said she called 911 after hearing a girl screaming, according to the Sacramento Bee.

'It was terrible,' Byard said.

When police arrived at the scene, the boy was home but then fled, however authorities were able to track him down in a field after about 40 minutes and arrested him, KCRA reported.

While authorities are now trying to determine the relationship between the boy and girl, neighbors told KCRA he is Ashley's adopted brother.

On Wednesday, Capt. Lon Milka said police have not yet interviewed the victim's parents to determine the teen's relationship to the girl because they are too distraught.

When police arrived at the scene, the boy was home but then fled, however authorities were able to track him down in a field after about 40 minutes and arrested him

'We will give them time to get through this,' Milka said.

Meanwhile, Rocklin Chief of Police Ron Lawrence called the incident a 'very dark day' for the community.

'On behalf of the Rocklin Police Department, I send our heartfelt condolences to the victim's family,' Lawrence said.

'Words cannot adequately express our deep sorrow for all involved,'

Neighbors told KCRA the family kept to themselves but that occasionally they would see the kids outside playing.

'Well, most of the time (they) were inside the house,' Mary Alvarez said.

While authorities are now trying to determine the relationship between the boy and girl, neighbors said he is Ashley's adopted brother

'You know she got a swimming pool and always taking good care of the kids. I don't know what happened.'

Police did not release the name of the suspect due to his age, but said a woman and two juveniles live at the home.

Public records indicate the home, which is located in the 6700 block of Monument Springs Drive, is owned by 50-year-old Jeffrey Ronald Wood and 46-year-old Sonya Louise Wood.

A Jeffrey Ronald Wood is listed as working as a prosecutor who handles homicide cases at the Placer County District Attorney's Office in Roseville, according to the Sacramento Bee.

The Rocklin neighborhood (shown above) is an affluent bedroom community about 25 miles northeast of Sacramento, and this is the city's first homicide since 2013 and the fourth since 2003

The newspaper said it contacted the District Attorney's Office where a spokeswoman said they are aware of the case but are not commenting on it at this time.

She also declined to comment when asked about Jeffrey Wood's position.
Arrested: British banker Mark Johnson, 50, pictured outside court yesterday, has been charged in the US over an alleged $3.5billion foreign exchange rigging scheme after FBI agents swooped in to arrest him at New York's JFK airport

A top British banker arrested by the FBI at JFK airport allegedly yelled: 'Ohhh f*****g Christmas' as he and a colleague made a 6million profit from a 2.7billion currency scam.

HSBC executive Mark Johnson, 50, who splits his time between London and New York, was held by federal agents as he tried to board a UK-bound flight and thrown in a Brooklyn jail.

He was released last night after paying his $1million bail, using $300,000 in cash and the rest believed to be tied up in the mortgage of his 1.8million UK mansion in Hampshire.

Prosecutors say he and a colleague made a 6million profit by rigging the market at the expense of a client. Johnson, who heads his bank's foreign cash team, is said to have hailed the deal with the words: 'Ohhh f****** Christmas.'

And he allegedly wrote a message to his co-accused Stuart Scott, 43, which read: 'Seems they're starting to bite.' The pair are said to have messaged each other to discuss how they could 'ramp up' the price of sterling.

The alleged fraud occurred in November and December 2011, when Johnson and Scott 'misused' information provided to them by an unnamed client paying HSBC to convert $3.5billion to pounds sterling.

The US Justice Department claims the deal was 'executed in a manner designed to cause the price of sterling to spike to the benefit of HSBC and the defendants, and at the expense of the victim company'.

Mr Johnson was arrested at the JFK International Airport in Queens, New York, on Tuesday, the US Justice Department said.

He has been released on $1million (755,000) bail and will face a court appearance on Wednesday before magistrate judge Lois Bloom of the Eastern District of New York.

Johnson is understood to be renting a 15,000-a-month apartment in an Art Deco block building overlooking Central Park, which contains a roof terrace, doctor's surgery and a pet spa.

Before his arrest he was in the process of moving to New York permanently with his wife and six children after being transferred by HSBC, his lawyer said yesterday.

HSBC was not tipped off about Johnson's arrest. The US authorities are understood to have moved quickly to avoid having to deal with an extradition process.

Scott, who no longer works for the bank, was not detained in the US, and has been charged in absentia. An arrest warrant has been issued.

He was HSBC's top currency trader in Europe but was fired in Decembber 2014 in the wake of the conspiracy to manipulate the 3trillion a day foreign exchange market.

The High Street giant has dismissed Stuart Scott a month after it was fined 390million by UK and US regulators over the scandal.

None of the three staff who left at the time faced specific allegations and have not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Executive: Educated at King's College London, Johnson worked at Deutsche Bank before being hired by HSBC in 2010, where he became head of global foreign exchange. Stuart Scott, pictured right, who no longer works for the bank after being sacked, was not detained in the US and there is a warrant out for his arrest

Home: his is Mark Johnson's 1.8million Hampshire mansion, which is believed to have been used to help secure his $1million bail in the Unites States

Evidence: Frank Wohl, Johnson's lawyer told a judge that Johnson had been in the process of moving from Hampshire to the United States with his wife and six children after being transferred by HSBC

Johnson and Scott  former head of European currency trading at HSBC  are alleged to have engaged in 'front running'.

Companies seeking to change a large amount of money from one currency to another typically use a broker to do so. The broker can use this advance knowledge to make their own trade. Typically, they could convert a large amount of their own dollars into pounds beforehand.

When the client's money is converted, the size of the deal will push up the value of sterling. This means the broker can then switch their own money back into dollars for a profit.

Robert Capers, US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said: 'The defendants placed personal and company profits ahead of their duties of trust and confidentiality owed to their client, and in doing so, defrauded their client of millions of dollars. When questioned by their client about the higher price paid for their significant transaction, the defendants wove a web of lies designed to conceal the truth and divert attention away from their fraudulent trades.'

Assistant attorney general Leslie Caldwell added: 'The defendants allegedly betrayed their client's confidence, and corruptly manipulated the foreign exchange market to benefit themselves and their bank.'

Educated at Bedford School and later King's College London, Johnson worked at Deutsche Bank before being hired by HSBC in 2010.

According to the case file, he has been head of global foreign exchange at HSBC since 2010.

The father-of-six, five from his current marriage, is known to be a sport and fitness fanatic, raising 7,500 with friends by running up five peaks in five countries in 55 hours last year.

He is also a sailing enthusiast and waited by the Cutty Sark in Greenwich when record breaking yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur completed her 27,000-mile trip around the world in 2005.

He said: 'I think what she has done is great for British sailing. I had my doubts that she was going to break the record at one point when she had problems with her masts during the storms. But she got there in the end and I think she can only be applauded for that.'

In the dock: Mark Johnson, left, HSBC Bank's head of foreign exchange cash trading, leaves U.S. District Court in Brooklyn with his attorney after posting bail

One of his shocked neighbours today told MailOnline he is 'charming family man'.

She said he splits his time between Hampshire and London, using nannies employed at the house to help look after the children.

When Johnson was home, he enjoyed driving his Land Rover Defender around in the woods and would always be seen wearing a pair of shorts.

She said said: 'It's a big family, there are six children, Mark had one of them through a previous partner. They've been living there for around 12 years.

'I'm shocked, really shocked. They're in a bit of a muddle now, I can't believe it.

'Mark is a charming man, he's very lovely and this comes as a total surprise - he's not the type I would think would do this.

'They're a picturesque family, they're chilled out. He's always chilled out and got his shorts on wandering about when he's home and he likes to drive the Defender around the woods.

'He's nice, whenever he's here he's doing stuff with the kids, he's a lovely bloke. He's a real family man. I really would not think he would do something like this.'

The US Justice Department is charging him and Stuart Scott, HSBC's former head of European currency trading, after a long-running investigation into a $3.5billion (2.7bn) transaction. HSBC has not commented

Four banks pleaded guilty to foreign exchange rate rigging in America last year. HSBC was not among them but was one of six banks fined by UK and US watchdogs over attempted manipulation of foreign exchange rates in November 2014. Last August, the bank said it had set aside 1billion for possible settlements.

The arrest is the latest in a string of scandals to hit HSBC. Earlier this year, the massive leak of documents known as the Panama Papers revealed the bank and its affiliates supported tax-dodging clients on an industrial scale.

In 2008, former HSBC IT expert Herve Falciani fled to France with a dossier of files from the bank's Swiss operation. Clients were revealed to include the super-rich, arms dealers, blood diamond smugglers and corrupt businessmen. In 2012, HSBC was slammed by US senators for its operations in Mexico.

They said drug money had flowed into its accounts from criminal kingpins seeking to launder their ill-gotten gains.

The bank accepted more than 10.6billion in cash from subsidiaries in Mexico, Russia and other countries at high risk of money laundering, they said, with no monitoring carried out from 2006 to 2009. The Americans said senior staff knew what was going on but allowed this 'deceptive conduct' to continue.

It led to the resignation of head of compliance David and a 1.2billion fine.

The bank issued a statement saying it would 'apologise, acknowledge these mistakes, answer for our actions and give our absolute commitment to fixing what went wrong'.

A report by Republican politicians last week revealed George Osborne personally intervened to help HSBC avoid further repercussions such as a criminal prosecution.
Police and the FBI in Washington state are asking for the public's help in locating a 14-year-old Florida girl who went missing while on a family vacation.

Katelynn 'Kate' Barlow, from Apopka, Florida, was last seen leaving her aunt and uncle's cabin in the Big Lake area to use the restroom on the night of July 17.

According to officials, the teen walked out in 50-degree weather barefoot, wearing only pajama shorts and a tank top.

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Missing: Police and the FBI are searching for 14-year-old Katie Bartlow, who went missing in the Big Lake, Washington, area on July 17

Summer getaway: Barlow, who lives with her aunt and uncle in Florida, traveled with them to Washington to spend part of the summer in their cabin

Clue: Katie's phone turned up on Tuesday at the Smokey Point res stop along I-5, about 30 miles from her family's cabin

Barlow's cellphone turned up on Tuesday near the Smokey Point rest stop along Interstate 5, about 30 miles from her familys cabin.

Her aunt and uncle, who have primary custody of Katie, believe the teenager has been kidnapped.

No ones going to (run away), from Florida, in 50-degree weather wearing shorts, pajama shorts, and a tank top without any shoes, the girls uncle, Jeff OConnor, told the station Q13 Fox.. Thats why we feel this is an abduction case.

Mr OConnor added that Katie, whom he described as a good student, was excited to take her first trip to Big Lake. By the time of her disappearance, the family had been staying in the area for about three weeks.

Foul play? Her aunt and uncle, who have primary custody of Katie, believe the teenager has been kidnapped

The uncle also said that there was no indication the 14-year-old had been preparing to run away.

The FBI has since joined the investigation into Barlow's disappearance, which has been labelled a missing person case.

Katelynn Barlow is described as 5 feet1 inch tall and weighing about 120lbs with red hair. authorities believe she is 'endangered' and may be headed to the Snohomish County area.
This is the moment four hooded men kick down the door of a house during a terrifying break-in before stealing a car and fleeing the area.

The incident was captured on a security camera and showed the disguised group forcing their way into the property, where they ordered a 51-year-old man to the ground.

A bullet was also fired - smashing a television - during the home invasion, which took place in Blackett, just west of Sydney, in New South Wales, Australia.

CCTV shows one man kicking down the door of the house before the group gain entry and restrain a resident

A bullet was fired during the break-in - smashing a television - before the men stole a set of car keys

Three other residents - a 45-year-old woman, a 25-year-old man, and a nine-year-old girl - were also in the house at the time.

Fortunately no one was reported injured following the break-in.

Two of the men made off with a blue car - a Holden Commodore - which was found burnt out at Oakhurst a short time later.

The other two men involved in the incident are believed to have left the area on foot.

Detectives are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Three other residents, including a nine-year-old girl, were in the house at the time but no one was injured

Two of the men made off with a Holden Commodore, which was found burnt out a short time later

NSW Police Force recently released information on a successful routine Firearms Prohibition Order at a home near to where the break-in occurred.

A search warrant was applied for and granted, and detectives seized cash, steroids, laptops, electronic storage devices, and a stolen motorcycle.

Detectives also located a black bag nearby, which contained a shortened shotgun, a loaded pistol, and ammunition.

The items were seized for forensic examination.
A US-backed Syrian militant group whose members were filmed brutally beheading a child as young as 11 says the fighters involved have been detained.

Leaders of the Nour al-Din Zenki Movement have reportedly described the act in a statement as 'an individual mistake'.

The video captures fighters in the back of a truck with a child they claim is an al-Quds soldier supporting Assad's Syrian forces.

The video captures Nour al-Din al-Zenki fighters in the back of a truck with a child they claim is an al-Quds soldier on the Handarat front

Sickening footage shows the young boy - under the age of 12 - being killed in the back of a pick-up truck

One of the fighters shouts 'Allahu Akbar' meaning 'God is great' after taking a small knife to the boy's throat and cutting off his head in the Palesinian refugee Handarat Camp in Northern Aleppo.

The child, who is clearly under the age of 12, was arrested by the Islamist militants for allegedly being Palestinian Liwaa Al Quds, al-Quds Brigade fighter, according to Russia News Now.

In a Facebook post, the Nour al-Din Zenki Movement called the killing an 'individual mistake' and said it would investigate 'the human rights abuses that were shared on social media sites', according to CNN.

The report quoted the group saying that such abuses were 'individual errors that represent neither our typical practices nor our general policies.'

The group criticised the 'silence' of the international community for allowing 'war crimes', which were the 'pinnacle' of brutality, committed by the Assad regime.

Sickening footage shot immediately before the boy is slaughtered shows him in ragged clothes surrounded by bearded militants in the back of a pick-up truck.

One of them holds him by the hair and slaps him in the face.

Judging by his ragged clothes and the marks on his arms, it appears the boy was impoverished and may have been tortured before he was murdered in the video, seen by MailOnline.

The boy is placed face-down in the back of the truck with his arms tied behind his back when the executioner is handed a small knife by a fellow fighter.

He then cuts the boy's throat before shouting 'Allahu Akbar' and holds his head aloft.

Before the video ends, he places the head on the boy's back before jumping down from the SUV.

But CNN reported that al-Quds denied the boy was linked to the group.

Liwaa Al Quds is a pro-Syrian government Palestinian paramilitary faction made up of the Palestinians who have been driven out of their homes in the Handarat Camp once Islamist militants took over the neighbourhood.

Today, the group is fighting alongside the Syrian Army to retake the camp.

Nour al-Din al-Zenki is part of the Levant Front, and its allies the Islamic Front and the Free Syrian Army are fighting to overthrow the Assad regime.

It is also battling ISIS and the U.S government supplied the group with money and anti-tank missiles.
A Virginia mother honored her friend's dying wish by adopting her six children after a judge granted her and her husband full custody of the children on Tuesday.

Mother-of-three, Stephanie Culley, 39, has now become a mother of nine since adopting her friend, Beth Laitkep's six children.

Laitkep, who died on May 19 at the age of 39 from cancer, made her high school friend promise that she would take her babies once she was gone.

'We started dancing as soon as the judge made his ruling,' Culley, told ABC News. 'It was like winning the Super Bowl for us.'

Stephanie Culley (left), 39, has now become a mother of nine children since adopting her friend, Beth Laitkep's six children. From L-R back row, Jaxon, 11, Selena, 14, Culley's son, Cole, 10, Laitkep's son Will, 15, and Culley's husband, Donnie. L-R front row, Culley's daughter Hayden, Laitkep's daughter Lily, 5, and Dallas, 10

Laitkep, who died on May 19 at the age of 39, made her high school friend promise that she would take her babies once she was gone. Laitkep found out she had breast cancer in 2014, when she was pregnant with her youngest son, Ace

Laitkep found out she had breast cancer in 2014, when she was pregnant with her youngest son, Ace.

Ace was delivered by emergency C-section at 30 weeks so that Laitkep could begin aggressive chemotherapy treatments, Culley told The Washington Post.

Laitkep's other children are Will, 15, Selena, 14, Jaxon, 11, Dallas, 10, and five-year-old Lily. Ace turned two last month.

She said when she discussed taking the kids with her husband Donnie (pictured) he was 'like a deer in headlights, but he knew that this was what we had to do'

The treatments appeared to be working over the course of a year and Laitkep and her children moved from Texas to Virginia.

But a year ago, Laitkep received devastating news that the cancer had come back and not only did it spread to her bones, but it had spread to her brain,nervous system and spine.

Culley and Laitkep had been friends since high school and Culley told the Post that she started helping Laitkep around the house, taking her to doctor appointments and, then, sitting by her bedside when the medicine was no longer helping.

'The doctor told me that there was nothing that could be done,' Culley told the newspaper. 'That's when we started talking about the kids.'

In April, when Laitkep was informed that her cancer had spread, Culley said the two women had temporary custody papers drawn up before an official hearing was scheduled, according to ABC.

And on Tuesday Culley and her husband Donnie gained full custody of Laitkep's six children. The couple has three children of their own, Cole, 10, Hayden, 6 and two-year-old Calen.

Laitkep's children have two different fathers.

The father of the four oldest appeared in court and did not oppose the adoption.

Beth Laitkep (right) found out she had breast cancer in 2014, when she was pregnant with her youngest son, Ace (left). Ace was delivered by emergency C-section at 30 weeks, so that Laitkep could begin aggressive chemotherapy treatments

Laitkep was lying in a hospital bed in Virginia when she asked her friend Culley to take her six children (pictured)

Culley (left) said they unanimously decided that she and her husband, Donnie (right), would 'take all of them and keep them all together as our family'

But the father of the two youngest children did not appear in court, Culley's attorney Carol Gravitt told ABC.

'A final custody order was entered yesterday awarding custody of Beth Laitkep's six children to Stephanie and Donnie Culley,' Gravitt confirmed to the station.

Culley told the station that Laitkep's 'kids were her life and she loved them more than anything'.

She said when she discussed taking the kids with her husband he was 'like a deer in headlights, but he knew that this was what we had to do'.

Before she passed away, Laitkep explained to her kids 'that it was very possible that we weren't going to get a miracle and she might not make it' Culley said.

'If that happened, she asked them what they wanted and so, that sealed the deal.'

Culley said that her and her husband hadn't planned on having kids but yet 'here we are with nine'.

'I just hope they will learn from us and be positive influences in society. That's our goal.'

Culley said her friend's death was 'heartbreaking' and 'the most difficult thing I have ever watched'.

At Laitkep's funeral, the entire family showed up in pink and the girls wore matching bows in their hair.

'I feel like our life is complete now. Those six kids were the six links we were missing from our lives,' Culley said.

Laitkep's dying wish was for her children (pictured) to be cared for in the same way she would have cared for them and she didn't want them to be split up

Culley said that her and her husband hadn't planned on having kids but yet 'here we are with nine'. 'I just hope they will learn from us and be positive influences in society. That's our goal'. Pictured are Laitkep's children

At Laitkep's funeral, the entire family (pictured) showed up in pink and the girls wore matching bows in their hair




is selling a line of 'IDK NOT TRUMP THO 2016' shirts and mugs

Urban Outfitters has made the bold move of alienating right-leaning customers thanks to a new line of anti-Trump t-shirts, pins and mugs.

The millennial clothing store has started selling products with the tagline 'IDK NOT TRUMP THO 2016' as they continue to peddle pro-Hillary and Bernie paraphernalia.

Politics is usually a no-go area for retails, who want to appeal to the widest customer base possible.

But Urban Outfitters apparent anti-Trump stance appears to be working for sales.

Urban Outfitters is currently selling a line of anti-Trump products, including the above T-shirts that read 'IDK NOT TRUMP THO 2016'

Experts say it's a bold move for a retailer to wade into politics, but that the anti-Trump message might work for Urban's mostly millennial customer base

Above, an anti-Trump mug and a joke book being old by the clothing store titled 'Quotations from Chairman Trump'

The company reached out to comedian Dave Ross in March to license the tagline that he came up with, and since then they have been ordering shirts and mugs with the logo by the thousands.

Ross first came up with the idea back in January, when he learned that Staples was letting customers custom design campaign signs for just $10.

He decided on 'IDK NOT TRUMP THO 2016' - saying it 'made me laugh' and also expressed his feelings at the same time.

He briefly sold his own take on the shirts online before Urban Outfitters reached out to him in March to license the tagline.

'The licensing company told me that this is one of the most successful designs they've worked on with Urban Outfitters,' Ross told CBS News. 'They did a preliminary run of 300 T-shirts, which sold out in less than one day, and the next order was for thousands.'

The store is also selling a 'Trump 20Never' pin and a 'Quotations from Chairman Trump' book - modeled off Mao Zedong's Little Red Book - online.

Meanwhile, the store continues to sell these anti-Trump products alongside t-shirts and posters (above) that put Hillary Clinton into a positive light. The above poster is of a young Hillary

Above, two of the other pro-Hillary shirts the retailer is selling. The shirt on the left reads: 'Hillary Runnin' Thangs Tour 2016'

Meanwhile, the gifts associated with Democratic nominee Clinton, and former candidate Bernie Sanders, are all of a positive nature.

One of the Hillary shirts reads 'Hillary Runnin' Thangs Tour 2016', while the Sanders shirt shows the Vermont senator in a van with the tagline 'Feel the Bern'.

The new political items in the shop are perhaps somewhat surprising considering the company's CEO Richard Haynes has often donated to Republican candidates in the past.

But they also look in line with the store's array of kooky items.

'[Urban Outfitters] respects the viewpoints of all customers and employees and does not take positions in electoral politics,' the company said in a statement. 'Our product selection is largely driven by the demand of our customers and artistic partnerships.'

Retail experts said it was unusual for a retailer to enter the political fray, especially during a contentious presidential election, but Urban Outfitters' take might just align with their base of millennial shoppers.

'It is rare for major retailers to be political, let alone in such a divisive manner. Most simply showcase their levels of patriotism at relevant times during the year,' Jennifer Braner, a spokeswoman at ShopperTrak Chicago USA, told CBS. 'Urban Outfitter's decision to offer the Trump T-shirt is, however, in line with the offbeat nature that their products have been known for in recent years and it capitalizes on the contentious nature of the 2016 election.'

And though it is not currently selling any products critical of Clinton, they did get in hot water for selling a Hillary Clinton nutcracker in 2014, which broke nuts between the former first lady's legs.

'Is America ready for this nutcracker?' signage on the box asked.

Urban Outfitters has also gotten into trouble for politically incorrect clothing in the past. In September 2014, the shop started selling a 'Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt' that had fake blood splatters on it - an apparent reference to the 1970 Kent State massacre in which four students were killed.

Twice the clothing store has been accused of mimicking the clothing Jews were forced to wear in prison camps during the Holocaust - one time in the form of a shirt with a six point star on it, and the other time with a striped tapestry.
HMS Ambush was submerged and carrying out a training exercise off

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This is Britain's newest and most advanced 1.1billion nuclear submarine lying damaged in its Gibraltar port today after she crashed into a merchant ship during a training exercise.

HMS Ambush was submerged when it suffered a 'glancing' collision with a tanker as it surfaced at around 1.30pm yesterday, the Ministry of Defence confirmed.

Yesterday submariners looked grim and had their heads bowed as they stood next to its badly dented turret as it limped into Britain's key Mediterranean port on Wednesday afternoon.

And today its heavily gashed main tower was covered by tarpaulin and surrounded by armed guards as Royal Navy chiefs consider whether it can be fixed in Gibraltar or sent back to its base at Faslane on the Clyde.

The Royal Navy says its newest 7,400 tonne high-tech hunter-killer submarine has 'world leading sensors to detect other submarines and surface ships' - yet it still smashed into the merchant vessel, which escaped undamaged.

Ambush's experienced skipper is Commander Alan Daveney, who has served on three other of Britain's top submarines, but the Ministry of Defence has refused to say who was in charge of the 1.1bn vessel when it crashed.

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In the dock: HMS Ambush sits forlornly on the surface at Gibraltar today with its damaged turret covered in tarpaulin as bosses assess the repairs needed

Probe: The Ministry of Defence is investigating the incident - but refused to say who was in charge of the 1.1bn vessel when it crashed

Embarrassing: The HMS Ambush submarine (pictured yesterday after the crash) was submerged and carrying out a training exercise when it collided with the merchant vessel on Wednesday afternoon, Britain's Ministry of Defence confirmed

Hit: The Royal Navy says its newest 7,400 tonne high-tech hunter-killer submarine has 'world leading sensors' - yet it still smashed into the merchant vessel, which escaped undamaged

Location: HMS Ambush was submerged when it suffered a 'glancing' collision with a tanker off Gibraltar as it surfaced at around 1.30pm, the Ministry of Defence confirmed

The Astute-class nuclear sub is to undergo further checks having sustained 'some external damage' to its conning tower in the crash, but no service personnel were injured in the incident

In charge: HMS Ambush's skipper is Commander Alan Daveney - it is not known if he was on board at the time

In a statement released last night, the MoD said: 'At approximately 1.30pm local time today, HMS Ambush, an Astute-class submarine, while submerged and conducting a training exercise was involved in a glancing collision with a merchant vessel off the coast of Gibraltar.

'We are in contact with the merchant vessel and initial indications are that it has not sustained damage.

'The submarine suffered some external damage but there is absolutely no damage to her nuclear plant and no member of the ship's company was injured in the incident.

'An immediate investigation is being conducted.

'The submarine will be entering Gibraltar for further checks. There are no safety concerns associated with HMS Ambush being alongside.'

The Astute-class are the largest, most advanced and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy.

The boat was involved in the collision despite being equipped with what the Royal Navy boasts are 'world leading sensors'.

The 7,400 tonne Astute-class vessels, which cost more than 1 billion each, carry torpedoes for targeting enemy submarines and ships and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Spain today asked London for 'urgent' explanations after the collision.

The incident sparked environmental fears as well as concerns it could lead to yet another diplomatic row between London and Madrid, which wants Gibraltar back centuries after it was ceded to Britain in 1713.

'The ministry has asked the British embassy in Madrid for urgent explanations over the extent of the breakdown and all relevant information regarding the circumstances of this incident,' Spain's foreign ministry said in a statement.

Britain's navy tried to allay fears on Wednesday, saying there were 'no safety concerns' as the collision had not damaged HMS Ambush's nuclear plant, adding that initial indications suggested the vessel had not been damaged.

But Antonio Munoz, a spokesman for Spanish environmental group Ecologistas in Action, called for more information on the incident.

'We don't have any form of report to see if there was a radioactive leak,' he said.

'We don't know exactly where the collision happened, where the other vessel is, whether the vessel that collided with the submarine was a freighter, an oil tanker... We don't know whether there was a leak from the vessel.'

In 2000 a British nuclear submarine, the HMS Tireless, docked in Gibraltar for repairs for nearly a year after a crack was found in a cooling pipe near its nuclear reactor, sparking fears that it could leak and contaminate the environment.

People in Gibraltar and in southern Spain staged regular protests against the HMS Tireless and it has been the subject of a high-profile direct action campaign by the environmental organisation Greenpeace.

Spain's Prime Minister at the time, Jose Maria Aznar, was criticised at home for not insisting that the submarine be moved back to Britain for repair.

The tiny peninsula on Spain's south coast, Gibraltar has been a British territory since 1713 and it is known to its 30,000 residents as 'the Rock'.

Gibraltar is a major point of contention in Anglo-Spanish relations, with Spain long claiming sovereignty over the enclave.

The submarine arrived in Gibraltar later in the day to undergo further checks following the collision - it may have to return to the UK

The Astute-class vessel suffered 'some external damage' but no crew members were injured in the incident (pictured here before the collision) - and is meant to have world class sensors to detect other vessels

A eagle-eyed Twitter user captured a video appearing to show a part of a submarine, which may be HMS Ambush, sticking out of the water in Gibraltar

Writing on social media, Twitter user ArmChairPolitician wrote 'sometimes you feel like someone is watching' after filming what may be the submarine submerged in Gibraltar
' and also object to Hillary Clinton, who they shouted was a 'war criminal'

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Police pepper sprayed and arrested a group of Communists as they attempted to burn the US flag outside the Republican National Convention.

Officers arrested 17 people after a violent melee broke out near the gates of the Quicken Loans Arena, preventing delegates and journalists from entering the stadium.

One police officer was pushed to the ground as cops attempted to separate the Communists from their rivals, which included members of a group called 'Bikers for Trump'. It was the most turbulent protest since the four-day convention began on Monday.

The third night of the convention kicked off with speeches from Texas Senator Ted Cruz, Wisoncsin governor Scott Walker, talk radio host Laura Ingraham, astronaut Eileen Collins and Kentucky State Senator Ralph Alvarado Jr.

Cruz, who ran against Trump for the Republican nomination, slammed a government that 'treated ISIS terrorists' like refugees and appeared to back one of The Donald's most controversial promises by endorsing 'building a wall to keep America safe'.

He outraged the Republican crowd by not officially endorsing Trump, who emerged near the end of his speech to wave to the crowd.

Alvarado Jr claimed Hillary Clinton did not represent the Hispanic community while Walker told a raucous crowd that the Democratic candidate is 'unfit to be president'.

Donald Trump's son Eric and his running mate Mike Pence are also scheduled to speak.

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Desecration: The black-clad group of Communists set fire to the Stars and Stripes close to the entrance to the RNC but the fire was put out

Angry scenes: Pepper spray was deployed by police as a group of Communists tried to burn Old Glory while another officer used a fire extinguisher to end the blaze

Insult: The revolutionary group, believed to be from Chicago, had advertised their intention to set fire to the Flag

Bilingual burning: The Communist agitators wore t-shirts demanding revolution in both English and Spanish as they tried to desecrate Old Glory

Ted Cruz (left), who ran against Trump for the Republican nomination, slammed a government that 'treated ISIS terrorists' while Scott Walker (right) claimed Hillary Clinton is 'unfit to be president'

Talk radio host Laura Ingraham (left) and astronaut Eileen Collins (right) were among those to speak at the convention tonight

Donald Trump's son Eric (left) and his official running mate Mike Pence are scheduled to speak on the third night of the convention

Cruz outraged the Republican crowd by not officially endorsing Trump (pictured), who emerged near the end of his speech

Two officers were attacked and suffered minor injuries in the the most turbulent protest since the four-day convention kicked off on Monday. Those arrested face charges including inciting violence and felonious assault of a police officer.

Police Chief Calvin Williams said the violence erupted when a protester whose pants caught fire became angry at a police officer who tried to put it out.

The melee brought the number of people arrested at the convention to 22. The Communists, believed to be from Chicago, had publicized their attempt to burn Old Glory and had drawn a large media crowd and onlookers.

But when the flag was produced the crowd surged forward with police - including officers from Cleveland, Ohio state troopers and Indiana state troopers - caught in the middle.

Members of the group formed a human circle with locked arms and a member in the center yelled on a megaphone: 'We're here to stand together with the people of the world, we're taking the stand against this imperialist, Republican National Convention.

'Donald Trump is an open fascist, Hillary Clinton is a proven war criminal,' the leader said.

The trouble was over within a few minutes and calm restored. Firefighters had stood by with extinguishers, but the flag was not burned successfully.

Two officers were assaulted and suffered minor injuries, Cleveland police said. The Communists had been advised not to burn their flag by officers and had left the scene.

Rounded up: Ringleaders from the group which demands an end to democracy where handcuffed by Cleveland police and Indiana state troopers, called in to bolster security

Police said it is not an offense to burn the flag, but starting a fire in a public place and endangering others was against the law (pictured, police making an arrest in Ohio)

Arrests: A Cleveland officer tries to keep order as his colleagues wrestle several of the troublemakers to the ground

Julie Leroy (pictured) was one of 17 people arrested after a violent melee broke out near the gates of the Quicken Loans Arena

Those arrested face charges including inciting violence and felonious assault of a police officer

One police officer was pushed to the ground as cops attempted to separate the Communists from their rivals

Held: Police moved in on the group quickly as the 20-strong gang tried to burn the flag

Loud: One of the protesters had used a bullhorn to call Donald Trump a 'fascist' and Hillary Clinton a 'war criminal' before being detained

Smokescreen: The combination of the attempt to burn the flag and the move by police to extinguish the blaze created smoke across the area outside the Quicken Loans Arena

Seized: The man who was holding the flag, who had a white ponytail, was grabbed by an officer then forced to the ground

Police move in: Officers carry out arrests as tensions mount outside the Quicken Loans Arena, where Republicans are holding their convention

Authorities: Police and other security officials arrest a Communist after a U.S. flag was set alight outside the gates of the Quicken Loans Arena

State troopers armed with AR-15 assault rifles stepped up security outside the Quicken Loans Arena after the most violent protests since the RNC began

A police officer carries a confiscated flag after arrests are made near the entrance to the RNC

But one witness said:' About 25 returned and the flag was brought out, the pushing and shoving began. 'It wasn't a riot and over in a minute but the cops dragged at least 10 people away.'

Police said it is not an offense to burn the flag, but starting a fire in a public place and endangering others was against the law.

The ugly scenes came as security was stepped up around the Quicken Loans Arena, which is hosting the convention.

In total more than 5,000 law enforcement agents are deployed in Cleveland for security and public order.

They include uniformed Secret Service officers, FBI agents and other federal agents with the Secret Service bringing bomb detection dogs.

Cleveland police have called in back-up from across the state, with Akron, Columbus and Cincinnati police joining them on patrol, and Ohio state troopers.

Out of state law enforcement include state troopers from Indiana, and even members of the California Highway Patrol.

The Cleveland force declines to use the term riot gear but has equipped its officers with protective equipment including helmets and body armor and issued pepper spray and has tear gas in reserve.

It has largely avoided putting officers in full protective gear on patrol until Wednesday afternoon when state troopers were seen wearing it as they patrolled around the Quicken Loans Arena.

Call for the cavalry: Mounted officers moved in to clear a path through protesters so arrested Communists could be taken to waiting vans

Show of force: Mounted officers from Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, forces were deployed near the flag burning

Arrested: A protester is taken into custody as tensions rise in Cleveland, where Communists tried to burn the flag

Busted: A state trooper cuffs a protester as police move in on the demonstrators trying to burn the flag

Feeling blue: Cops move the busted woman out of the protest area as they take her into full custody

Locked arms: The group dedicated to overthrowing democracy started by locking arms before moving to burn Old Glory

Officers used bicycles to wall-off intersections and for the first time during the convention on Wednesday and ordered demonstrators to disperse under the threat of arrest.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said he spent three hours on Tuesday evening riding with bicycle officers on patrol and that he waded into one confrontation because he's 'still a police officer'.

Williams said he plans to show up wherever there are 'issues' during the convention.

The police chief said the city bought 300 bicycles for the political event on the advice of police in Charlotte, North Carolina, which hosted the 2012 Democratic convention.

Officers on loan from more than a dozen police departments are on bike patrol in the city, he said.

Tensions between police and the public have been running high over the past two weeks. Two black men were shot to death by police in Louisiana and Minnesota, and eight officers were killed in two ambushes in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The bike patrols have been a common sight around Cleveland in the past few days. The officers wear black helmets and shorts. Some have armored vests over their uniforms, while others have protective gear on underneath their shirts.

On Wednesday, police in riot helmets and officers on horseback joined the mix. They were used to force a path to a van for people being detained.

High-security: Members of the California Highway Patrol have been deployed on the streets with some carrying assault rifles over fears of a repeat of the Texas and Baton Rouge police murders

On guard: California Highway Patrol officers in Public Square, Cleveland. They are carrying gas masks on their right legs in case of tear gas being used

Effort: Law enforcement from Cleveland police and an Ohio state trooper were among those taking action as the flag burning was attempted

Cops move in: Ohio state troopers were among those who geared up to deal with clashes between protesters in Cleveland on Wednesday

Back-up: State troopers in riot gear were deployed as tensions escalated. Police fear that protesters are stepping up their attempts to disrupt the RNC

In the so-called event zone at the Republican convention, a 1.7-square-mile area, authorities have banned items such as tennis balls, steel-pointed umbrellas and wood posts, but firearms are permitted under state law.

In a smaller 'hard zone' surrounding the convention hall, which is temporarily under federal jurisdiction, guns are banned, meaning delegates cannot be armed on the convention floor.

The head of Cleveland's police union, however, on Sunday urged Ohio Governor John Kasich to suspend laws allowing the open display of firearms during the convention.

Kasich, who had challenged Trump for the Republican nomination, said he lacked the legal authority to take such a step.

The scale of security deployed in Cleveland is bigger than any convention since 1968. On Friday, Cleveland set up concrete traffic dividers and tall metal fences around next week's convention site, measures meant to thwart an attacker like one in Nice, France, who drove a truck into a crowd last week.

Much of the focus has been on stopping a car or truck bomb like those that struck New York's World Trade Center in 1993 and an Oklahoma City federal office building in 1995.

Cleveland has banned drones, limited the size of bags people can carry and on Friday removed opaque rubbish bins near the Quicken Loans Arena convention site, replacing them with wire frames holding clear plastic waste bags that make it more difficult to hide objects.

Ahead of the convention, authorities cleared out 1,000 spots in local jails and overflow centers in preparation for mass arrests. Courts have been opened for 20 hours a day to process arrests, according to NBC News.

Freedom of speech: Immigrant rights activists protest against Donald Trump in the course of peaceful demonstrations before the flag-burning

Focus: Donald Trump's plan to build a wall on the Mexican border was the main focus of protest on Wednesday

Sit-down protest: The protesters hit downtown Cleveland in the afternoon, shortly after Donald Trump had arrived in the city

Anti-Trump: One group of peaceful protesters highlighted their opposition to Donald Trump's policies on immigration during demonstrations in Cleveland on Wednesday

Some protesters adopted colorful outfits, with one dressed as a butterfly holding a heart-shaped sign that read: 'Let democracy fly'

Guarded: An Indiana state trooper was on guard as pro-immigration demonstrators took their anti-Trump message to the street

Authorities purchased 10,000 extra sets of plastic handcuffs, 2,500 interlocking steel security fences and 2,000 sets of riot gear with a $50million security grant.

The US Northern Command - a sector of the military that conducts homeland defense and supports civil authorities to protect the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico - and the US Coast Guard will also be nearby.

Specialized teams of the Ohio National Guard will be waiting close by in case suspicions arise of radioactive and biological weapons in the area, the Department of Defense told CNNMoney.
A young woman has claimed a violent mid-air brawl on a Jetstar flight that forced an emergency landing in Bali to remove six aggressive passengers was sparked by a disagreement over a seat.

Six Australian passengers were escorted off Flight JQ27 from Sydney to Phuket by armed police officers and five of the men were taken into custody after the plane was forced to divert to Bali on Wednesday following the violent mid-air fight.

Romy Papas, from Sydney, said there was 'blood everywhere' when the fight broke out over her seat and thanked Jetstar for dealing with the disgruntled passengers.

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Romy Papas has claimed a violent mid-air brawl on a Jetstar flight that forced an emergency landing in Bali to remove six aggressive passengers was sparked by a disagreement over a seat

The Sydney woman said she was travelling on the flight when the fight broke out over her seat and thanked Jetstar for dealing with the disgruntled passengers

'Love it when a fight breaks out over your seat #bitofbloodeverywhere. Thank you Jetstar for handing the situation really well considering how bad they were,' she wrote on Facebook.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Papas for comment.

Australians Bradley Beecham, Brett Eldridge, Mark Rossiter and Lynmin Waharai and Ricky William were taken into police custody after being dragged off the flight.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Michael Matthews is believed to be the victim of the attack - with four men allegedly setting upon him three hours into the flight - and was also removed from the plane in Bali where he remains with the other men.

Head of Ngurah Rai Airport Authority Yusfandri Gona said the men claimed the fight started because they had all consumed too much alcohol and were intoxicated, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Bradley Beecham, Brett Eldridge (bottom right), Mark Rossiter (top right), Lynmin Waharai (top left) and suspected victim Michael Matthews (bottom left) were dragged off the flight in Bali on Wednesday

Indonesian police offloaded the group of passengers from the Jetstar flight

Balinese authorities also said the passengers were drunk and fighting on the flight

'They consumed beers and liquors. That's what they claim; we can't verify their story further as we weren't able to interview the crew or other passengers on the flight.'

He confirmed one man had significant injuries but did not reveal which passenger.

Mr Gona said the men would not be charged in Indonesia and were expected to be returned to Australia on separate flights on Thursday evening.

'We hope the Australian government imposes and penalises them under Australian law, as one suffered injuries,' he said according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Jetstar but it would not confirm flight details 'for privacy reasons'.

Mark Rossiter (left) and Lynmin Waharai (right) pose for a photograph on the flight before the fight broke out

A woman who was on the flight when the brawl broke out said the experience has made her afraid to get back on a plane

Footage obtained by Seven News of the passengers involved shows the men drinking beer and laughing at a bar in Sydney Airport shortly before boarding the flight, while they were also recorded as they left the flight surrounded by Indonesian authorities.

A woman who was on the flight when the brawl broke out said the experience has made her afraid to get back on a plane.

Leonie Bill said she was terrified when the scuffle spilled into the aisles and feared for the safety of the young children on board who also witnessed the 'bloody' attack.

Footage obtained by Seven News that allegedly features the passengers involved shows the men drinking beer and laughing at a bar in Sydney Airport shortly before boarding the flight

The video pans down to the table which appears to have several glasses of alcohol resting on it

She wrote on Facebook that there was 'blood everywhere' when the 'sick b**tards' started 'punching the sh*t' out of each other'.

'I have still not been to bed. I can't stop crying,' she wrote, adding she was 'really scared to fly again' despite having been on hundreds of flights.

Megan Wilson claimed to have had three friends on the flight and said they were extremely distressed after witnessing the punch up.

'She was in tears and kids etc were screaming. Blood was everywhere. It was a massive punch up,' she wrote on social media.

Leonie Bill said she was terrified when the scuffle broke out and feared for the safety of the young passengers who also witness the 'bloody' attack

Megan Wilson claims to have had three friends on the flight and said they were extremely distressed after witnessing the punch up

Six passengers were escorted off Flight JQ27 from Sydney to Phuket by police after it was forced to divert to Bali on Wednesday following the mid-air altercation

Five Australian men have been taken into police custody with head of Ngurah Rai Airport Authority Yusfandri Gona saying some suffered facial bruising after the altercation

Another woman who said she was on board, Brooke Streeting, said the passengers appeared intoxicated and started arguing after someone leant on another's girlfriend.

'They were drunk, and something along the lines of someone was leaning on their girlfriend... it was horrible for kids to see.

A Jetstar spokesperson said the six passengers were taken off the flight by Indonesian police when they landed.

Balinese authorities also said the passengers were drunk and fighting on the flight.

'During a flight from Sydney to Phuket last night a group of six passengers travelling together were being extremely disruptive amongst themselves and refused requests from our crew,' the airlines spokesperson said.

'The captain decided to divert the flight to Bali where Indonesian police took the disruptive passengers off the aircraft. The flight then continued without incident to Phuket.

A Jetstar spokesperson said the six passengers were taken off the flight by Indonesian police when they landed

The red dotted line shows the planned flight path of Jetstar's flight JQ27 and the white line shows Wednesday night's diversion

'We take safety and security seriously and we don't tolerate disruptive behaviour by passengers on our flights.'

Other passengers on-board the flight 'supported the decision to offload the group in Bali and thanked the crew'.
Donald Trump Jr ripped into his father's fired campaign manager Corey Lewandowski today over what he described as 'bitter' behavior and repeated attempts to 'sabotage' his former employer.

'Enough is enough,' the Trump son said at a Cleveland event. 'Im not going to allow nonsense to be perpetuated because someones looking to get on TV for a few minutes.'

Lewandowski has found work since he was ousted from the Trump campaign as a CNN contributor.

He said Tuesday on the network that Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort should 'do the right thing and resign' if he was the last person to sign off on Melania Trump's plagiarized convention speech - angering Don Jr.

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Donald Trump Jr, pictured above delivering his speech last night at the GOP convention, ripped into his father's fired campaign manager Corey Lewandowski today over what he described as 'bitter' behavior and repeated attempts to 'sabotage' his former employer

Eric Trump, his wife Yana Yunaska, Ivanka Trump, her husband Jared Kushner and Donald Trump Jr, his wife Vanessa, and Tiffany Trump (L-R) wait for Donald Trump to arrive today at the Republican National Convention

Lewandowski continues to proclaim his allegiance to Trump, despite his embarrassing exit from the campaign, and led the New Hampshire delegation in Tuesday's roll call vote that formally gave the businessman the GOP nomination.

'You cant claim to be an ally and then try to sabotage the guy that youre upset that was brought in to work with you,' he told attendees of the event, according to the New York Times.

Manafort and Lewandowski's squabbles during their time leading the Trump campaign often spilled into public.

As Manafort, a veteran operative, was given more and more responsibilities, the tension between the two Trump aides became such a distraction that candidate let one of them go at the end of June - Lewandowski.

The ex-staffer continues to proclaim his allegiance to Trump, despite his embarrassing exit from the campaign, and led the New Hampshire delegation in Tuesday's roll call vote that formally gave the businessman the GOP nomination.

Don Jr said today at a Wall Street Journal breakfast that Lewandowski has been working behind the scenes to gin up stories about drama within the presidential campaign.

Reporters call the campaign and say,' "Corey said this, the Trump family is really upset.'

'When youre calling everyone and saying the same thing,' he said, 'hey, eventually were going to catch on.'

In an interview taped Tuesday with CBS' Norah O'Donnell Don Jr defended Manafort against Lewandowski's accusations and said he 'didnt have anything to do with' Melania's speech.

'Of course she had to work with speechwriters. Having never done this before, you have to work with the speechwriters. Those are the people that did this, not Paul,' he said.

Talking to the attendees of the Wall Street Journal event this morning he said, 'I couldnt be happier with Paul and his team.'

Lewandowski was replaced because he had not had a senior role in a presidential campaign before and the family needed 'to actually have people in there that have done this before.'

'Hes been a very good, strong advocate for us. I think he did great things initially for the campaign, but I think the campaign did have to evolve, did have to mature,' Trump said, per the New York Post.

The candidate's son said he gets why Lewandowski would want to taint 'the guy that ultimately replaced him.'

'I understand. Im human. I can understand why someones bitter about that,' he said, 'but that doesnt help.'

Donald Trump Jr said of Lewandowski today" 'You cant claim to be an ally and then try to sabotage the guy that youre upset that was brought in to work with you'

Lewandowski was booted from the Trump campaign and replaced veteran operative Paul Manafort in June. He's pictured here with Trump in March




Police are believed to have the DNA of at least one of two attackers who tried to bundle an RAF serviceman into a car at knifepoint after he beat one of them so badly he was left with blood on him.

The victim is said to have fought back when two men of Middle Eastern descent tried to abduct him at RAF Marham, the motive for which Norfolk Police said they were 'unable to discount terrorism'.

Reports have surfaced among those living on the base that police have taken a swab of DNA from the serviceman in question after he was left with the blood of one of his attackers on him.

RAF personnel have now been warned to 'keep a low profile' and told not wear their uniforms in public after the attempted abduction and knife attack outside a military base.

The two knifemen, who were described by police as being of 'Middle Eastern descent', are now on the run after attempting to abduct the airman, who was running outside RAF Marham, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, which is home to jets bombing the so-called Islamic State.

Norfolk Police (pictured today) said they were 'unable to discount terrorism' as a motive for the attempted knifepoint abduction of a serviceman by two men of Middle Eastern decent at RAF Marham

RAF personnel have now been warned to 'keep a low profile' and told not wear their uniforms in public after the attempted abduction and knife attack outside a military base

The base was placed on lockdown after the serviceman was approached by the blade-wielding assailants at around 3.30pm yesterday.

Norfolk Police today described how the victim was a married serviceman in his late 20s who was out jogging when he was approached by two men between 2.55 and 3.26pm on Wednesday.

The first suspect apparently shouted at him and made an attempt to grab him by the shoulder and wrist but the victim successfully fought him off, causing the suspect to fall to the ground.

The second man then approached the victim but on noticing his accomplice on the ground went towards him instead, at which point the victim ran off.

The second man was armed with a military-style knife with a 2.5inch blade which has not been located.

A planned family fun day is still going ahead at RAF Marham today despite last night's attack

Numerous air flights have taken place today including a Tornado flypast and a performance by the RAF Falcons

The suspects fled the scene in a dark-coloured people carrier and have not been located.

The victim was said to be 'very, very shaken following his ordeal.' He was not in uniform at the time and was not wearing clothes which would identify him as a member of the military.

Police described the first suspect as being between 20 and 30 years old, approximately 6ft tall, of athletic but stocky build, with dark hair which was long on top and had a well-groomed beard.

He was of Middle Eastern origin in appearance with a dark skin tone and wore dark casual clothing.

The second suspect is described as between 20-30 years old but younger than the first suspect and of a slimmer build. He was approximately 5ft 10 and clean shaven with short dark hair.

Detective Superintendent Paul Durham (pictured), from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: 'I can confirm we are treating this as an attempted abduction and detailed enquiries are being carried out at the scene to establish the full circumstances'

A 'heightened' police presence remains around an RAF airbase today as officers continue to hunt for the two men who fled the scene in what is believed to be a dark coloured Ford Galaxy

He was also of Middle Eastern origin in appearance and wore a white t-shirt and dark shorts, police said.

Detective Superintendent Paul Durham, from the Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team, said: 'I can confirm we are treating this as an attempted abduction and detailed enquiries are being carried out at the scene to establish the full circumstances.

'The motivation for the attack remains unclear at this time, and whilst we are currently unable to discount terrorism, there are a number of other possible hypotheses.

'We are therefore carrying out a thorough investigation to understand what has happened, why and who is responsible.

'Visible patrols continue in the area and officers will be carrying out house-to-house enquiries and detailed searches of the scene in Squires Hill, which remains closed for the time being.'

Two men threatened a serviceman outside RAF Marham, near King's Lynn, Norfolk, pictured

A 'heightened' police presence remains around an RAF airbase today as officers continue to hunt for two men who fled the scene in what is believed to be a dark coloured Ford Galaxy

Det Supt Durham added: 'I'm keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the vehicle described above in the King's Lynn area but particularly towards Marham between midday and 6pm yesterday and would urge anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem to them, to call police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.'

A planned family fun day is still going ahead at RAF Marham today despite last night's attack.

Numerous air flights are expected to take place, including a Tornado flypast and a performance by the RAF Falcons.

Families began arriving at the base at around 9am and were directed by groups of air cadets.

Armed officers stood guard at the barrier and paired up patrols wandered around outside of the main entrance wearing camouflage and black protection vests.

A police van was parked up outside the general car park today where visitors were being asked to show identification before being allowed to enter.

Police would not comment on whether the incident was terror related but a source said that there was a 'strong possibility' this was a terror attack, adding 'this could've been a lot more serious'

A road near the base remained closed overnight as the police investigation into the attack got underway

Following the alleged abduction attempt, nearby residents had been told not to talk to reporters via leaflets pushed through their doors.

They were also told not to post anything on social media but said a helicopter had been circling above after the incident and numerous police cars attended the scene.

Families were reluctant to comment on the incident as a number of them had travelled in for the event.

A 'heightened' police presence remains around an RAF airbase today as officers continue to hunt for the two men who fled the scene in what is believed to be a dark coloured Ford Galaxy.

Personnel who work at the airbase were advised to be vigilant following the incident.

An internal memo sent to staff by Rich Curzon, in Protective Security at the MoD, said: 'Following a security incident at RAF Marham, it is directed that all personnel keep a low profile and not make themselves vulnerable.

At least one road near the base was locked down after reports of the attack outside an RAF base

'Specifically, until the threat subsides, no-one is to be on their own on foot, or on a bicycle, within the local area in uniform or clothing which might identify them with the military.'

A further information note to all personnel described the incident as an 'alleged attempted abduction' and explained the incident occurred when a serviceman had been running 'approximately one mile outside of RAF Marham's main gate.'

Police remain around the airbase in the form of 'reassurance patrols' to support local residents who work there.

Inspector Nathan Franklin, of Norfolk Police, said: 'Police have closed the road close to the RAF Marham Airbase.

'A man was approached by two men in the Burnthouse Road and Ladywood Road area and threatened with a knife just before making off in a car like a Ford Galaxy.'

He added that the investigation was ongoing.

An MoD spokesman said: 'We are aware of an ongoing police operation in relation to an incident near RAF Marham.

'It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.'

Forensic expects are expected to work in the area today, which is likely to remain cordoned off.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk, Lorne Green said we 'must not draw any conclusions' as investigations are in their early stages.

'The incident is under close investigation at the moment with an open mind,' he said.

'There is nothing at the moment to strongly suggest one motive above another and it is all subject to a very intensive investigation at the moment. *

'Incidents of this kind are very rare in our county and our constabulary, working in co-operation with other forces, are well-equipped to respond to any eventuality of violent crime, regardless of motive.

'There is a very close co-operation between the constabulary and the military police, which is ongoing at the moment.'

Meanwhile a families day being held at RAF Marham today will go ahead as planned, a spokeswoman for the base said.

The ticketed event, which is not open to the public, allows families and friends of servicemen and women to see the base and enjoy displays from aircraft.

Tornado bombers from the base have been deployed to carry out air strikes against Islamic State targets

The base is home to four squadrons of Tornado bombers which have been flying bombing raids against Islamic State fighters in Syria since December from a base in Cyprus.

It is also home to almost 10,000 people, including members of the RAF, Navy and Army, as well as the civil service and other staff.

RAF Marham was originally opened in August 1916 as a military night landing ground on an 80-acre site within the boundary of the current grounds.

The station is one of few large enough for the operation of United States Air Force Boing B-52, and a number of these aircraft visited on exercises in the 1970s and 1980s.

Six Wings and five RAF squadrons are currently stationed at the base, with approximately 4,500 people employed there.

From 2018, the UK fleet of F-35B Joint Strike Fighter aircraft will be based at RAF Marham and it is due to be provided with 300m by the Ministry of Defence, for new and enhanced infrastructure.

The aircraft will be operated by 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (Dambusters) and 809 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm.

In 2013, Drummer Lee Rigby was killed outside Woolwich barracks, south-east London by two men who said they were avenging the killing of Muslims by British armed forces.

They were later jailed for life.
Many have drawn comparisons between them, so how much DO Theresa May and Angela Merkel have in common?

STYLE

Theresa May, 59: Power-dresser and fancy shoe devotee whose leopard-print kitten heels have achieved cult status.

Likes traditional suits with a twist as well as racy dresses, thigh-high boots and, occasionally, an unnerving display of cleavage in the Commons.

As a woman I know you can be very serious about something and very soberly dressed and add a little bit of interest with footwear, she says.

I always tell women, You have to be yourself, dont assume you have to fit into a stereotype and if your personality is shown through your clothes or shoes, so be it.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel with UK Prime Minister Theresa May upon Mrs May's arrival in Berlin yesterday. It is Mrs May's first foreign trip and will also take in a visit to France

Angela Merkel, 62: Has a wardrobe of rainbow-coloured suit jackets, which she teams up with flattering slim-line black trousers.

A handbag woman who, like May, prefers large, brightly coloured designer numbers which sometimes clash with her suits.

HOLIDAYS

Theresa: Both May and Merkel enjoy bracing holidays in the Swiss Alps, but at different times of the year. Britains PM goes on regular summer trips there.

Though she suffers from type 1 diabetes, she says: My husband and I do a lot of quite strenuous walking up mountains in Switzerland and it doesnt stop me. I can still do things like that.

Angela: Likes hiking in the Tyrol, Austria. Also holidays in St Moritz, Switzerland, before Christmas. Keen cross-country skier who fell over awkwardly and suffered a partial fracture of the pelvis in 2014.

On crutches for several weeks following the accident, which German media blamed on her refusal to upgrade a pair of vintage skis shed been using for more than 20 years.

IN THE KITCHEN

Theresa: May and Merkel are keen amateur chefs. May makes her own pasta and owns a collection of more than 100 cook books, including several by her current favourite, Israeli-born chef Yotam Ottolenghi.

Cant bear Delia Smith, telling Desert Island Discs: I will not allow a Delia Smith cookbook in my house! Its all so precise with Delia, and it makes cooking seem so inaccessible.

Mrs May and Mrs Merkel are both keen amateur chefs, even if their choice of footwear differs

Angela: Used her 2013 election leaflet to declare her obsession with stodgy traditional German cuisine.

I love cooking and my favourites are potato soup and roulade, she said. My husband seldom complains.

The only thing he complains about is when there are too few crumbles on the [plum] cake for his taste. After all, he is a bakers son.

Her roulade is a cut of rolled meat, stuffed with vegetables and pickles.

UPBRINGING

Theresa: Daughter of an Anglican clergyman, while Merkels father was also in the Church. Born Theresa Brasier, in 1956, in leafy Oxfordshire, shes the only child of C of E vicar Hubert and his wife Zaidee (a Biblical name).

Ecclesiastical upbringing gave her a love of traditional church music, strong to this day.

Her father asked her not to campaign for the Tories in his village in case it upset his congregation.

She was devastated by his death in a car crash in 1981, followed by her mothers death a year later from multiple sclerosis.

Mrs May and Mrs Merkel meet in Berlin yesterday at the German Chancellory

Angela: Her father, Horst Kasner, was a pastor in a Lutheran church. His Left-wing principles had a profound effect on her and her two younger siblings.

In 1954, when Angela was just a few weeks old and the Cold War at its height, Kasner moved his family from prosperous Hamburg to Communist East Germany.

It was deeply unconventional at a time when  with the Berlin Wall yet to be built  hundreds of thousands of desperate East Germans were fleeing the other way.

SCHOOLDAYS

Theresa: Was a Goody Two Shoes at Holton Park Girls Grammar outside Oxford, and called herself Terri to make herself more approachable.

Studied geography at Oxford University, joined the Oxford Union debating society and University Conservative Association, where fellow member Benazir Bhutto (future PM of Pakistan) introduced her to Philip May, who would become her husband.

It was at an Oxford University Conservative Association disco, she recalled. He was a good debater.

So persuasive, he convinced Theresa to take part in student debate on Sex is great but success is better  speaking against the motion.

Theresa May seen in their school photo in 1971 at Holton Park Girls' Grammar School in Oxfordshire

Angela: Early signs of Merkels cautious, steady approach to life came when she was aged nine in gym class, standing paralysed for 45 minutes on a high diving-board before finally summoning the courage to leap.

Excelled in maths, learned Russian, and went to University of Leipzig to study physics, working as cocktail waitress in a disco to support herself: I did the barmaid thing.

I got an extra 20 to 30 pfennigs for each drink I sold and that added up to 20 to 30 extra marks each week.

HUSBANDS

Theresa: Wed university sweetheart Philip, 36 years ago in her early 20s and theyre still together.

Genial and happy mixing with local Tory associations, he has a successful 40-year career in finance.

Enjoys a glass of wine, but no Denis Thatcher on the G&T front.

Mrs May wed university sweetheart Philip, 36 years ago in her early 20s

Angela: Walked out of first marriage to fellow physics student Ulrich Merkel after five years, saying she didnt go into the relationship with the necessary amount of seriousness.

Married again in 1998 to divorcee and theoretical chemistry professor Joachim Sauer.

The second Mr Merkel is ill-disposed to small-talk, loathes publicity and has a sharp temper that inspires jokes about his surname, which means sour or angry.

FAMILIES

Theresa: Despite trying, neither woman has children. You see friends who now have grown-up children, but you accept the hand that life deals you, May has said, adding she and Philip were both affected by it.

Leadership rival Andrea Leadsom was reviled after claiming she would be a better PM than May because she was a mother.

Mrs Merkel said having children just didnt happen and I dont make a great thing about it. Mrs May said she and her husband were 'affected' by not having children: You see friends who now have grown-up children, but you accept the hand that life deals you'

Angela: Merkel said having children just didnt happen and I dont make a great thing about it. She, too, was subject to a nasty political attack.

In 2005, the wife of her political rival Gerhard Schroder told reporters that Merkel does not embody with her biography the experiences of most women.

JOBS

Theresa: Worked for many years for Bank of England, followed by financial services.

Angela: Offered job in the Stasi, East Germanys secret police, in 1970s, but refused, saying she was too much of a blabbermouth to be a spy. Worked as a chemist at German Academy of Sciences.

POLITICS

Theresa: Conservative councillor in Merton, South London, before becoming MP for Maidenhead in 1997 and was one of just five female Tory MPs.

Entered the Shadow Cabinet in 1999 as education spokesman, and never left the front bench  becoming the longest-serving Home Secretary for 60 years before entering Downing Street

Mrs Merkel and Mrs May walk on a red carpet while reviewing a guard of honor upon Mrs May's arrival

Angela: Won a seat in parliament for Christian Democratic Union party in 1990 and picked by Chancellor Helmut Kohl  her political mentor  as minister for womens issues.

Ruthlessly denounced Kohl after it emerged hed been putting donations into a secret slush fund, which hed used to reward his friends. Became Chancellor in 2005.

Longest-serving head of government in Europe, she was named the most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine ten times.

MOTTOS

Theresa: Get on with the job and Brexit means Brexit.
Democrats on Capitol Hill took a sharp stab at Paul Ryan's much-ridiculed selfie with hundreds of white interns.

Texas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson posted a picture of her own Tuesday, showing a crowd of interns representing a myriad of cultural backgrounds.

'The picture of the Democratic interns look a lot different than [Ryan's selfie],' tweeted Johnson, adding the 'Diversity' hashtag.

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Texas Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson posted this picture showing the diverse crowd of Democratic interns

Spot the difference: The GOP speaker posted a picture on Instagram captioned: 'I think this sets a record for the most number of interns in a single selfie'

Ryan's recent selfie with more than a hundred Capitol Hill interns swept the internet  but not for the reason he was hoping.

The GOP speaker posted a picture on Instagram captioned: 'I think this sets a record for the most number of interns in a single selfie.'

But the photo has sparked outrage because the House hopefuls are overwhelmingly white  with just three people of color seen in the entire picture of more than 100 interns.

Ryan's photograph has been widely mocked online for its 'embarrassing' lack of diversity with commenters even comparing it to a Where's Waldo? puzzle.

Some on Twitter were glad to see the diverse photo from Johnson, a Democrat from Dallas who ranks in the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

'Thank you, this diverse selfie is more representative of the America I know and want to be a part of,' one wrote.

Jose Woss said: 'The future of the country plus a little.'

Johnson's intern, Audra Jackson, (bottom right) led her fellow Democratic Interns in their own selfie

The selfies from Democratic interns shows a variety of cultural background more representative of America's diversity

One Twitter user wrote: 'That picture of Paul Ryan with the GOP interns is so white that I had to put on sunglasses to look directly at it.'

Instagram user rikkiforrest simply asked 'why is everyone WHITE?' while another wrote 'Good lord! That is embarrassing- NO diversity !!!wow!'

Other social media users compared the photo to a scene from Where's Waldo?

Thatsmetiffany wrote: 'This is like where's Waldo. I think I see one Black person. Right side, toward the back. Looks like he/she doesn't want to be there. That, in itself, says a lot.'

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, took a stab at Paul Ryan's 'blindingly white' selfie, posting a picture of her own showing a highly-diverse pool of interns on the Democrat side of the aisle

Matthew Cherry said on Twitter: 'Finding a POC in this image is like playing Where's Waldo. I did manage to find one tho.' Mike Rylander added: 'The Internship program for the US House of Representatives is whiter than Idaho. #InternsSoWhite.'

Others have posted mocking pictures, replacing the interns with jars of white mayonnaise or crackers.

One Instagram user sarcastically wrote: 'There's a bunch of diversity here...blondes, brunettes, red hea---...oh sorry, no red heads. But look at blue, white, and red scarfs, shirts, and ties.'

And nycalfredo said: 'Another attempt at deceiving the public FAILED. SO glad the GOP is catastrophically failing and revealing the fraud that it is.'

Others have posted mocking pictures replacing the interns with mayonnaise or crackers over the lack of diversity

The event was held in the Capitol Building, on July 14, as part of a summer GOP intern seminar titled 'Interns Today, Leaders Tomorrow' arranged by the House Republican Conference.

While the 'overwhelming majority' of the 150-200 who attended were Republican, the session was open to everyone and sources at the event report there were also several Democratic interns in attendance.

Republican intern Emily Larsen, 19, of Boise, Idaho, defended the seminar saying it that money, not race, was the reason that there were almost no minorities at the event.

'Neither the GOP or the Democratic offices are intentionally seeking to fill their internship spots with white college students,' she told DailyMail.com.

'These are just the students that overwhelmingly apply. They apply because they are statistically in a better financial situation to invest thousands of dollars into the expenses associated with an unpaid internship.

'The real issue is money, not race.'

Congress has long been criticized over its lack of diversity. Currently, less than one-in-five members of the House and Senate are a racial or ethnic minority, compared to the 36 per cent of people of color who make up the US population.

White people still account for 83 per cent of Congress membership, while they only make up 63 per cent of the population.

And the gap is widening as even though diversity among congressional members is growing, it cannot keep pace with the changing population.

Currently, around 35 per cent of the nation's black population is represented by a congressional representative who is black, while just 22 per cent of Hispanics, 12 per cent of Asians and 8 per cent of Native Americans are represented by someone of the same racial or ethnic group

The picture is said to show that the Party's so-called 'minority outreach' goals, proposed after the 2012 electoral defeat, are failing.

The criticism comes after a recent poll revealed that zero per cent of African-Americans in Ohio and Pennsylvania would vote for Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

One twitter user wrote: 'That picture of Paul Ryan with the GOP interns is so white that I had to put on sunglasses to look directly at it'

People complained about the lack of diversity among the Capitol Hill interns, with one describing it as a 'sea of white'

In Ohio, where Trump and Clinton are tied, 11 percent of the 848 registered voters in the poll were African American, and they broke for Clinton, 88 percent to 0 percent.

And in Pennsylvania, where Clinton was ahead by nine points, 10 percent of the 829 voters are African American, and they went for Clinton, 91 percent to 0 percent.

Ryan has previously criticized Trump after he claimed an American-born judge was biased against him because of his Mexican heritage, describing it as 'the textbook definition of racist comments.'

'I do absolutely disavow his comments I think they're wrong,' Ryan said last month, according to the Washington Post. But he said he will still support Trump because his agenda is more likely to get enacted under him than Democrat Hillary Clinton.
He was her most loyal supporter, always ready to leap to the defence of the woman he called The Boss.

So when a BBC programme compared Margaret Thatcher to Hitler her husband Denis was fuming.

In a rare handwritten note, he raged: Never in the history of public broadcasting has so foul a libel been published against ANYONE, let alone a Prime Minister.

The note was written to Mrs Thatchers principal private secretary, Nigel Wicks.

When a BBC programme compared Margaret Thatcher to Hitler (right) her husband Denis (left) was fuming

Mr Thatcher also sent a sharp letter chiding the BBC chairman, Marmaduke Hussey, for allowing so foul and deliberate an untruth to be made against her, files released by the National Archives at Kew reveal.

The controversial piece, broadcast by the flagship Radio 4 Today programme, envisaged a dystopian future and was entitled Thatcherism: The Final Solution.

The transcript for the piece, written by Vincent Hill of London and broadcast in January 1988, read: With growing confidence she legalized hard drugs. Prices fell sharply. Legitimate outlets replaced bankrupt drug syndicates.

'Crime figures plunged. Crematorium shares surged. City populations thinned as the weak spirited succumbed. Unemployment vanished. Only the worthiest survived. Nobody could complain. The unfit died of freedom.

The references to the final solution and crematoria flourishing as the unfit died were thought to have clear echoes of Nazi Germany.

In a rare handwritten note (picture), he raged: Never in the history of public broadcasting has so foul a libel been published against ANYONE, let alone a Prime Minister'

MARK FILES STAY SECRET Secret files on the business dealings of Baroness Thatchers son are being kept from the public. Critics accused the Cabinet Office of withholding the Whitehall files to avoid embarrassment and called for the papers on Sir Mark Thatchers business associations in the Middle East in the 1980s to be released in the public interest. The latest list of files sent to the National Archives includes the names of two files entitled Cementation contract: Mark Thatcher and the Omanis covering the period from 1981 to 1988. But these are retained for 65 years. Other files on Sir Marks business dealings have been marked temporarily retained with no release date. His dealings with Oman have long been controversial due to suggestions that he used his mothers name to win contracts. Usually files are only held if there is a security risk. The Cabinet Office said: A small number of records have been retained because they contain personal data about individuals and sensitive information relating to other countries. Advertisement

The broadcast enraged her colleagues  and her husband  who considered suing the BBC for defamation.

Mr Thatcher, later created Sir Denis Thatcher, wrote to the BBC chairman: The extent and depth of political bias in the BBC is a matter of opinion, but this is a disgrace judged by any standard however low.

I cannot believe that the management of a public broadcasting system can continue to employ a producer who publishes so foul and deliberate an untruth against anyone on such a subject.

Surely such gross professional misconduct can neither be excused nor condoned.

The letter, written on Downing St notepaper, and dated January 18, 1988  four days after the broadcast  was signed Yours ever, Denis.

The files also reveal that Mr Thatcher crossed Mr (later Lord) Husseys name off a guest list for a Downing Street reception.

Mr Wicks, Mrs Thatchers principal private secretary, referred the matter to the Attorney Generals office for advice on whether it was defamatory

In a note, he wrote: It is not the Prime Ministers normal practice, or indeed wish, to send solicitors letters to media organisations which issue statements which defame her.

But I wonder whether this item might not prove an exception to the Prime Ministers normal practice.

He was told that the piece certainly was defamatory with the reference to crematorium shares surging being singled out as a particularly revolting defamation.

But on this occasion, Mrs Thatcher herself decided that the matter did not need to be pursued and it was dropped. The correspondence provides an insight into the loyal and selfless support her husband gave her at all times.

Although Mrs Thatcher often administered a handbagging to those who crossed her, this time it was left to her husband.
Margaret Thatchers aides wanted to release photos of a young Prince William to try to reduce news coverage of anti-nuclear protests.

In an attempt to bury bad news, her long-serving press secretary Bernard Ingham planned to hand out pictures of the nine-month-old prince as he joined his parents on an official tour of Australia.

It coincided with a huge protest by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament at the Greenham Common base in Berkshire at Easter 1983 over the siting of US cruise missiles there.

Mr Ingham, later knighted, was concerned that Mrs Thatcher would be made to look rattled by the protests, National Archives files show.

Bonny baby: Charles and Diana with a young Prince William on a rug in the grounds of Government House in Auckland, New Zealand in 1983

He wrote: [The demonstrations] will secure less airtime and have less impact if something more newsworthy in television terms occurs.

Mr Ingham added: What would take the trick would be Press and TV pictures for release on the evening of Good Friday and/or Saturday newspapers of Prince William in Australia.

The previously secret papers reveal how the Government wanted to take the media spotlight off a major peace march against the deployment of US nuclear missiles in Britain.

But the strategy was apparently abandoned as there is no sign of the pictures in the papers on the planned day of release, and the CND protests received huge media coverage.

The CND protests, however, received relentless media coverage, and the Mail front page read: Massive turnout for anti-nuclear protest: Maggie to step up CND attack.

The files, released by the National Archives at Kew, show that ministers feared that anti-nuclear protests would prevent US cruise missiles being stationed at the Greenham Common airbase.

RAF troops were positioned around the perimeter because of fears the US soldiers guarding them could open fire if confronted by protesters.

They were deployed in Britain and other European countries in 1983 after Russia targeted its missiles at the west.

Margaret Thatchers aides wanted to release photos of a young Prince William to try to reduce news coverage of anti-nuclear protests

It was one of the tensest moments of the Cold War and triggered an expansion of the peace movement, with membership of the CND growing from 3,000 to 7,000 in four years.

Protesters established a womens peace camp outside Greenham Common and Mrs Thatcher was warned that there was a risk that deployment [would become] difficult or even impossible.

There was also a plan to create a 14-mile human chain from Greenham Common to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston and the Royal Ordnance Factory at Burghfield.

So Mrs Thatchers loyal and long-serving press secretary formulated a plan to keep the protests out of the news agenda.

In the confidential memo, Mr Ingham writes: We have considered on several occasions in Mr Heseltines meetings how we might counter CND propaganda over Easter.

He adds that the only proposal was for defence secretary Michael Heseltine to appear on television but it was not likely to divert attention significantly away from the CND campaign.

In the confidential memo, he writes that the CND planned to monopolise the nations attention over Easter.

He warned that only a North Sea blow out, an assassination attempt on the Pope, etc - some awful tragedy could knock the protest off the news schedules.

The group had planned demonstrations in Aldermaston, Greenham Common, Faslane, Glasgow, West Germany and Canada.

He then lists problems including how to counter the groups televisual appeal through action, emotion and conflict.

He then offers the following advice regarding Mrs Thatcher, telling her she should do nothing - go to Chequers to allow us to present her as having a break.

He goes on to say: The truth is that the demonstrations will to a large extent stand or fall by their news value.

They will secure less airtime and have less impact if something more newsworthy in television terms occurs.

But he decrees that this is in the lap of the gods and that all they can do is to try to reduce the amount of air time available to the CND.

Interestingly, one version of the memo contains a redaction of a paragraph marked retained under Section 3 (4) of the Public Records Act.
The foreign takeover of British technology giant ARM might fail through lack of cash, experts warned last night.

The purchaser, SoftBank of Japan, has seen its debt mountain soar more than fivefold in four years to reach 85billion.

Investors in Tokyo said this could make the 24billion purchase of ARM unsustainable.

Masayoshi Son, chief of Japanese mobile giant SoftBank, and Stuart Chambers, chairman of British chip designer company ARM Holdings, speak outside 11 Downing Street this week

Last month SoftBank, which is run by Japans second richest man, Masayoshi Son, was forced to sell an 8billion stake in Chinese internet store Alibaba to shore up its finances.

It also has to find 1.7billion in interest a year to fund another huge deal in the US.

A fresh acquisition is not what the market wants from SoftBank, said Mitsushige Akino, of Ichiyoshi Asset Management.

Its Mr Sons style to keep expanding, but isnt he stretching too much? Kazuyuki Terao of Allianz Global Investors Japan said it was hard to justify the sale price or see how the two firms would work together.

Vince Cable, the LibDem former business secretary, echoed their fears, saying the debt was a big issue. Ive spoken to Masayoshi Son and hes very committed and is taking a long-term view, he added.

PR WHIZZ BEHIND BID Roland Rudd has been the PR gun for hire in some of the UKs biggest takeovers. This time he has been hand-picked by Japans second-richest man Masayoshi Son to grease the wheels of a 24billion deal to buy ARM, Britains biggest technology firm. Mr Rudds public relations firm Finsbury is being paid handsomely to persuade ministers, industry and the media it is in the UKs interests to sell what is regarded as the jewel in the crown of the British tech industry. The multi-millionaires political connections will do him no harm. He is closely associated with New Labour spin doctor Lord Mandelson, as well as Tony Blair, and still boasts impressive contacts at Westminster. He also happens to be home secretary Amber Rudds older brother. Mr Rudd also played a key role in the campaign to stay in the EU, as chief fundraiser. Advertisement

But the problem is hes not going to be around forever. What happens if Softbank gets into financial trouble?

These questions are obvious but remain unanswered.

It illustrates these terrible weaknesses in corporate governance and in investment communities which only think about the short-term capital gain.

If successful, the deal will see the board members of ARM share in a 35million payday. Another 200million will be made by Capital World Investors, a US firm that employs Theresa Mays husband Philip.

The potential takeover has sparked controversy over whether a foreign firm should be allowed to buy one of Britains technology giants.

Ministers say however it shows that overseas firms are willing to take a bet on the UK economy. To win over sceptics both firms have agreed that ARMs headquarters will remain in the UK in Cambridge. SoftBank also vows to create 1,500 jobs.

While largely unknown to many consumers, ARM is a shining light in the global tech industry, designing micro-chips for iPhones and mobile devices from Samsung.

Ministers say the talks over a deal shows overseas firms are willing to take a bet on the UK economy following the EU referendum. Chancellor Philip Hammond met with ARM chairman Stuart Chambers earlier this week

SoftBank has made a number of high profile takeovers in the past decade, including buying stakes in internet shops, mobile phone companies, and rival technology stores in the US, Europe and Asia.

It slipped deep into the red after buying US company Sprint for 16.7billion in 2013, and it spent a further 6.9billion on acquisitions and investments prior to the ARM deal.
A radical new theory has claimed the mysterious 'Planet Nine' might have knocked every planet in the solar system out of alignment.

Although the eight major planets circle the sun in the original plane of their birth, the sun rotates on an axis tilted 6 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the plane of the planets.

Experts have been baffled by this - but now say Planet Nine may hold the answer.

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In January, Caltech astronomers Professor Konstantin Batygin and Professor Mike Brown predicted the existence of what they, somewhat controversially, termed 'Planet Nine'. Since the prediction, researchers over the world have been using different instruments to hone in on the planet. Artist's impression pictured

THE SOLAR SYSTEM TILT The eight major planets still circle the sun in the original plane of their birth. The sun rotates on its own axis, but surprisingly, that spin is tilted: the axis lies at an angle of 6 degrees relative to a line perpendicular to the plane of the planets. Advertisement

Theories for this strange tilt range from the temporary tug of a passing star to interactions between the magnetic fields of the sun and the primordial dusty disc that formed the solar system.

Earlier this year, Michael Brown and Konstantin Batygin at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena argued that this Planet Nine could be responsible for some of the erratic movements of icy worlds in the outer solar system.

Now the idea can be extended to the orbit of all the planets, Elizabeth Bailey, also at Caltech, who did the work together with Brown and Batygin, told New Scientist.

'Because we think Planet Nine has a significant inclination, if it exists, then that means it would tilt things,' Bailey said.

'It's one puzzle piece that seems to fit together, and it really seems to be in support of the Planet Nine hypothesis.'

The planet would have between 5 and 20 times Earth's mass and be in a wildly eccentric orbit, reaching 250 times the sun-Earth distance at its farthest point.

'The six-degree obliquity of the sun suggests that either an asymmetry was present in the solar system's formation environment, or an external torque has misaligned the angular momentum vectors of the sun and the planets,' the researchers wrote in the journal arxiv.

'However, the exact origin of this obliquity remains an open question.

'Using an analytic model for secular interactions between Planet Nine and the remaining giant planets, here we show that a planet with similar parameters can naturally generate the observed obliquity as well as the specific pole position of the sun's spin axis, from a nearly aligned initial state.

'Thus, Planet Nine offers a testable explanation for the otherwise mysterious spin-orbit misalignment of the solar system.'

Planet Nine's tilt, not its mass, is key according to a second study led by Alessandro Morbidelli at Cote d'Azur Observatory in Nice, France.

'We evaluate the effects of a distant planet, commonly known as planet 9, on the dynamics of the giant planets of the Solar System,' his team wrote in the same journal.

'Some of the planet 9 configurations that allow explaining the current solar tilt are compatible with those proposed to explain the orbital confinement of the most distant Kuiper belt objects.

'Thus, this work on the one hand gives an elegant explanation for the current tilt between the invariant plane of the inner giant planets and the solar equator and, on the other hand, adds new constraints to the orbital elements of planet 9.'

Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, the home of the Dark Energy Camera

HOW THEY 'FOUND' PLANET NINE Researchers inferred Planet Nine's presence from the peculiar clustering of six previously known objects that orbit beyond Neptune. They say there's only a 0.007% chance, or about one in 15,000, that the clustering could be a coincidence. Instead, they say, a planet with the mass of 10 Earths has shepherded the six objects into their strange elliptical orbits, tilted out of the plane of the solar system. Advertisement

Earlier this years experts said The Dark Energy Survey, a Southern Hemisphere observation project designed to probe the acceleration of the universe, by looking at the most distant galaxies, may hold the key to Planet Nine.

The evidence for a ninth planet in our solar system might be hiding in data gathered as part of the survey, and if so it could be found by the end of summer, an expert told MailOnline.

In January, Caltech astronomers Professor Konstantin Batygin and Professor Mike Brown predicted the existence of what they, somewhat controversially, termed 'Planet Nine'.

They used mathematical modelling and computer simulations to find the planet would exactly explain a strange clumping behaviour of a group of dwarf planets in the Kuiper Belt, a field of icy objects and debris beyond Neptune.

The unknown world, dubbed 'Planet X' by others, is thought to be 10 times more massive than Earth and the furthest planet from the sun - but its exact location is unknown.

Since the prediction, researchers over the world have been using different instruments to hone in on the planet.

Great Nebula in Orion as taken by the Dark Energy Camera, pictured. The five year survey is helping astronomers find out exactly what dark energy is made of. They are doing this by analysing very distant galaxies over long periods of time, to watch for objects moving very slowly  which is why the project takes such a long time

And the results pointed to an unexpected part of the sky, the part DES has been inspecting for the last two and a half years.

'I fell into the search for Planet Nine almost by accident,' member of DES Professor David Gerdes, from the University of Michigan, told MailOnline.

Professor Gerdes said he was looking for a project to give his students when Planet Nine was brought to his attention.

THE CONTROVERSIAL PLANET NINE Even the mysterious planet's name causes controversy. Mike Brown is Professor of Planetary Astronomy at Caltech. He is best known for his discovery of Eris, the most massive object found in the solar system in 150 years, and the object which led to the debate and eventual demotion of Pluto from a real planet to a dwarf planet. Alan Stern is an engineer and planetary scientist. He is the principal investigator of Nasa's New Horizons mission to Pluto. He is famously a defender of Pluto's planet title, which was stripped from it in 2006. The two scientists are 'at loggerheads' with each other over the classification of Pluto, according to some astronomers. The mysterious planet has always been termed 'Planet X', X being the roman numeral for ten, suggesting a tenth planet. But when Professor Brown and his team published the paper in January, they controversially named the planet 'Planet Nine' instead of Planet X, as a nod to Professor Brown's work towards declassifying Pluto. 'Calling it Planet Nine is very mischievous,' Professor Monica Grady told MailOnline. Advertisement

A team of French researchers used data from Nasa's Cassini spacecraft orbiting Saturn, looking at the distance between Saturn and Earth, to narrow down where the planet could be in a paper published in March.

The predictions in this, and the original paper published in January, mean DES might have been looking in exactly the right place to spot the mysterious world.

If it was, the planet could be found as soon as by the end of this summer, Professor Gerdes told MailOnline.

At the moment Professor Gerdes and his team are going through a process of cataloging the objects that have been spotted so far.

Most of the area of the sky that will be looked at has been surveyed so far, so if the planet is there and in the right part of its orbit, it should be hiding in the data.

But not finding it does not mean Planet Nine does not exist.

'If we see it, it's a great result and a fun paper to write,' he said. 'If we don't see it, the challenge is working out exactly what that means.'

Not spotting the world would mean a lot more constraints could be placed on the model, helping other searches potentially track the planet down.

But spotting it directly is not the only way to tell if it is there.

The paper published in January made a series of predictions, with consequences that can themselves be observed.

For example, the paper predicted six objects in the solar system that would be perfectly aligned, and one of these has already been found using DES data.

A population of minor planets that cross the orbit of the giant planets in our solar system, which might be found independent of the search for Planet Nine.

The orbit of any of these objects could be used to place more constraints on the place on the location of the planet.

WHAT IS DARK ENERGY? Dark energy is a phrase used by physicists to describe a mysterious 'something' that is causing unusual things to happen in the universe. 'The universe is not only expanding, but it is expanding faster and faster as time goes by,' Dr Kathy Romer, scientist at the Dark Energy Survey told MailOnline. 'What we'd expect is that the expansion would get slower and slower as time goes by, because it has been nearly 14 billion years since the Big Bang.' Coming up with an equation of state would give the researchers clues about what is making up this mysterious force. At the moment the favourite candidate is called the 'cosmological constant'  which has a relatively boring equation of state. 'But, despite its simplicity, the cosmological constant is not the 'something' that scientists are hoping for,' Dr Romer said, 'a cosmological constant then messes up other parts of physics.' 'It's like a table plan at a wedding: you think you've got it all sorted out and then you notice that, because the caterers gave you a round table instead of a long one, your Dad is now going to be sitting next to your Mum's new boyfriend.' Advertisement

The six most distant known objects in the solar system with orbits exclusively beyond Neptune (magenta) all mysteriously line up in a single direction. Such an orbital alignment can only be maintained by some outside force, according to the Caltech researchers who predicted Planet Nine in January

The use of the Dark Energy Survey was by chance, but was not necessarily surprising.

The five year survey is helping astronomers find out exactly what dark energy is made of. They are doing this by analysing very distant galaxies over long periods of time, to watch for objects moving very slowly  which is why the project takes such a long time.

HOW THE SUN STOLE A PLANET It has been one of the biggest mysteries in astronomy - does planet nine exist, and what is it? Now, astronomers at Lund University in Sweden show that it is highly likely that the so-called Planet nine is, in fact, an exoplanet. They believe it was 'stolen' by our sun as it moved past in early in the universe's evolution, and has been a part of our solar system completely undetected ever since. The theory is that our sun, in its youth some 4.5 billion years ago, stole Planet 9 from its original star. According to astronomers in Lund, there is a lot to indicate that Planet 9 was captured by the young sun and has been a part of our solar system completely undetected ever since. Stars are born in clusters and often pass by one another. It is during these encounters that a star can 'steal' one or more planets in orbit around another star. This is probably what happened when our own sun captured Planet 9. Advertisement

This is why the survey is the perfect opportunity for lots of other science to be done at the same time.

The data from survey has led to the discovery of companion galaxies to our Milky Way. Famous companion galaxies like the Large Magellanic Cloud can be seen easily from Earth and are well known because of it, but many more have been spotted by the DES camera.

'DES doesn't just tell us about cosmology. It also tells us about the origins and contents of our own solar system,' Dr Kathy Romer, member of the Dark Energy Survey from the University of Sussex told MailOnline.

'By chance, rather than by design, DES has turned out to be a great way to find new examples of dwarf planets orbiting the sun.'

After starting in 2013, the scientists are now over half way into the five years they set out for the project.

The main aim of the experiment, which involves hundreds of scientists, is to come up with an equation that describes the behaviour of the mysterious force known as dark energy.

Dark energy is a phrase used by physicists to describe a mysterious 'something' that is causing unusual things to happen in the universe.

'The universe is not only expanding, but it is expanding faster and faster as time goes by,' Dr Romer said.

A paper published in March suggests the distance between Earth and Saturn measured by Cassini (artist's impression pictured) could be used to narrow down an area of space where the planet could be

'What we'd expect is that the expansion would get slower and slower as time goes by, because it has been nearly 14 billion years since the Big Bang.'

Coming up with an equation of state would give the researchers clues about what is making up this mysterious force.

At the moment the favourite candidate is called the 'cosmological constant'  which has a relatively boring equation of state.

'But, despite its simplicity, the cosmological constant is not the 'something' that scientists are hoping for,' Dr Romer said, 'a cosmological constant then messes up other parts of physics.'

'It's like a table plan at a wedding: you think you've got it all sorted out and then you notice that, because the caterers gave you a round table instead of a long one, your Dad is now going to be sitting next to your Mum's new boyfriend.'
The world's largest single-dish radio telescope is nestled deep in the lush green hills of Puerto Rico, where it performs tasks like searching for gravitational waves, listening for extraterrestrial signals and tracking asteroids that might be on a collision course with Earth.

But the outlook is increasingly faint for the Arecibo Observatory, which features a 1,000-foot-wide (305-meter-wide) dish used in research involving stars that led to a Nobel Prize.

Dwindling funds from the U.S. government and construction of bigger, more powerful telescopes in places like China and Chile are threatening the existence of the telescope even as a group of scientists campaigns to keep it open, saying it can still be used for important research.

This July 13, 2016 photo shows the world's largest single-dish radio telescope at the Arecibo Observatory in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Dwindling funds from the U.S. government and construction of bigger, more powerful telescopes in places like China and Chile are threatening this telescope's existence. It performs tasks like searching for gravitational waves, listening for extraterrestrial signals and tracking asteroids that might be on a collision course with Earth.

WHAT COMES NEXT Government officials also have questioned the relevance of the observatory at a time when new telescopes are being built. One recently completed in southwestern China will take over the title of the world's largest single-dish radio telescope when it begins operations in September. And a cluster of radio telescopes was recently installed in northern Chile, where crews are building yet another telescope that will feature the world's largest digital camera. Advertisement

'It's the most sensitive telescope on Earth, and that's a very good reason why we should keep funding it,' said Robert Kerr, a former director at the observatory.

'With that kind of power, I can hear an ant walking on the surface of Mars.'

Each year the telescope draws about 90,000 visitors and some 200 scientists who come to do research.

Cinema-goers have seen it in the Jodie Foster film 'Contact' and the James Bond movie 'GoldenEye.'

Scientists use the facility, which resembles a giant satellite dish rather than a typical elongated, lens-based telescope, to detect radio emissions emitted by objects such as stars and galaxies  essentially, humanity's ear turned toward the cosmos.

The first hint the 53-year-old observatory was in peril came a decade ago, when a group of experts recommended it be shut down unless other institutions could help the U.S. National Science Foundation.

NASA now helps, but the Arlington, Virginia-based science foundation still pays two-thirds of the observatory's $12 million annual budget and has warned it cannot afford to keep operating the facility at a time when its overall budget is being squeezed.

'We don't have the funding to continue to support everything that people would like us to support,' Jim Ulvestad, director of the foundation's astronomical sciences division, said by telephone.

The foundation is preparing an environmental impact statement, which Ulvestad said is done 'whenever the federal government is considering a significant change to one of its facilities.'

Proposals include shutting down the observatory, suspending operations or transitioning to an education-based operation, which would lower the cost of running the telescope.

A decision is expected by mid-2017.

Government officials also have questioned the relevance of the observatory at a time when new telescopes are being built.

One recently completed in southwestern China will take over the title of the world's largest single-dish radio telescope when it begins operations in September.

And a cluster of radio telescopes was recently installed in northern Chile, where crews are building yet another telescope that will feature the world's largest digital camera.

Each year the telescope draws about 90,000 visitors and some 200 scientists who come to do research.

During a U.S. congressional hearing this month, Ulvestad said the new telescope in Chile would do a better job than the Arecibo Observatory in identifying asteroids that might threaten Earth.

He dismissed concerns that suspending or ending operations in Arecibo would put the planet in danger, noting that other telescopes also track asteroids.

However, Republican Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California urged Ulvestad and other scientists to keep Arecibo open at least until the new telescopes actually start operating.

'What's really important is making sure our Earth isn't destroyed by some space object and all of us die,' he said.

Scientists fighting to keep Arecibo open say it is still involved in key research.

The telescope searches for pulsars, which are the remains of stars that can be used to detect gravitational waves, a phenomenon Albert Einstein predicted in his theory of general relativity. It also searches for neutral hydrogen, which can reveal how other cosmic structures are formed.

'Arecibo is by far the most sensitive, detailed instrument that we have anywhere on the planet, existing or planned,' said Anthony van Eyken, the observatory's interim director.

Scientists say that despite the new telescopes coming online, Arecibo would remain the world's largest radio telescope with planetary radar and the most sensitive one as well.
Some animals can be forced to resort to cannibalism at times of extreme hunger.

But new footage has revealed dingoes in Australia will eat their own kind even when other food is available.

The dogs have now been caught on camera eating the carcasses of other dingoes, challenging our understanding of animal cannibalism.

Some animals can be forced to resort to cannibalism at times of extreme hunger. But new footage has revealed dingoes in Australia will eat their own kind even when other food is available. The dogs have now been caught on camera eating the carcasses of other dingoes, challenging our understanding of animal cannibalism

Paul Meek from the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries came across dingo cannibalism last year.

Cannibalism in predators has been reported for a range of species throughout the world, Mr Meek wrote in the study, published in the journal Australian Mammalogy.

He was working in the Strzelecki desert in South Australia.

At this site, cannibalism and conspecific aggression by dingoes was not caused by food shortages, but was more likely a result of high dingo density in a focal area, the study said.

The dingo is a free-ranging dog found mainly in Australia as well as south east Asia. It is the largest terrestrial predator in Australia and loathed by sheep farmers. It helps regulate populations of kangaroos and red foxes, but also attacks wallabies and koalas

The dogs have been caught eating the carcasses of other dingoes, on videos taken in the Strzelecki desert in South Australia

THE DINGO - CANIS DINGO The dingo is a free-ranging dog found mainly in Australia as well as South east Asia. It was classified as a subspecies of the grey wolf but is now confirmed to be a separate species within the dog family. Defining physical features include a relatively broad head with a long snout, as well as erect ears and a bushy tail. Dingoes are not just yellow in colour and can be combinations of tan, black and white. The animals roam deserts and grasslands as well as the edges of forests and usually make their dens in empty rabbit holes and logs near water. The dingo is the largest terrestrial predator in Australia and loathed by sheep farmers. It also helps regulate populations of kangaroos and red foxes. It is thought that dingoes were introduced to Australia between three and five thousand years ago, with genetic evidence suggesting they originate from east Asian domestic dogs. The animals bred in isolation until the arrival of domestic dogs after European settlement. Dingoes feature in the culture of Aboriginal Australians in stories and ceremonies and are depicted on rock carvings and cave paintings. Advertisement

Mr Meek is an invasive species officer, and he was testing a humane trap for the dingoes when he came across the cannibalism.

The dingo is a free-ranging dog found mainly in Australia as well as south east Asia. It is the largest terrestrial predator in Australia and loathed by sheep farmers.

It helps regulate populations of kangaroos and red foxes, but also attacks wallabies and koalas. Because of this, farmers often leave traps to catch the pesky predators.

I had trapped a dog late in the evening and couldnt face doing another autopsy, so I pushed it under a bush and decided to come back first thing in the morning, Mr Meek told New Scientist.

When I returned, it was absolutely decimated  there was just a trail of intestines.

The only known night predators in that area were dingoes, but there was no shortage of food to force the dingoes to eat their own kind.

To investigate, Mr Meek set up cameras and managed to catch the dogs in the act.

Dr Benjamin Allen from the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba said dingoes caught in traps might provide an easy source of nutrition for the species, which is known for its scavenging nature.

He added that the discovery changes our understanding of animal cannibalism, showing there are some cases where it is not driven by food scarcity.

This is why this is so unique and interesting,' he said.

Distinctive: The dingo is a unique species and not a common mutt, scientists said in 2014. The dingo now officially uses its species name Canis dingo, which was first mentioned by a German naturalist called Friedrich Meyer in 1793

Its thought dingoes were introduced to camps as pups (stock image), having been taken from their den, and were than raised as pets. As adults, the dogs were used to protect people from visitors and for hunting
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It has raced almost 1.8 billion miles across the solar system in the past five years to reach its goal, but along the way Nasa's Juno spacecraft enjoyed one of the greatest dances in the solar system.

The distant probe has beamed back more than 1,300 raw images it took as it made its final approach to Jupiter.

Juno entered its orbit around the gas giant, which is 11 times the diameter of the Earth, on 5 July after firing its main engine.

Scroll down for video

Nasa's Juno spacecraft has beamed back 1,300 raw images it took as it approached Jupiter. The image above, taken on 29 June, is one of the last it snapped before it entered orbit. Around Jupiter are is moons - the innermost moon is volcanic Io, then the next in line is the ice-crusted ocean world Europa, followed by massive Ganymede, and finally the heavily cratered moon of Callisto.

Although the first high resolution images of the largest planet of the solar system are not likely to be released until August, Nasa has now published the images the spacecraft obtained as it approached Jupiter.

WHAT NEXT FOR JUNO With Juno now safely in Jupiter's orbit, the probe will need to turn its main antenna back towards Earth to communicate. All of the scientific instruments, sensors and cameras taken offline in the approach will be switched back on in the coming days. But mission scientists at Nasa have said it's unlikely we will not receive any high definition images for a month or longer until the probe gets situated. 'The first super close images will come out sometime in a month or two,' said Dr Jared Espley, program scientist for Juno. He told MailOnline: 'The first couple of orbits are really long, so it will be a month or two before we're able to get those first high resolution pictures back.' Nasa planned the probe to enter into a sweeping elliptical orbit initially, but a second rocket boost planned for October will tighten Juno's path and shorten the orbital time from 53 days down to 14  at which point the bulk of the science can be carried out. Advertisement

Taken between 12 and 29 June before its instruments were turned off in preparation for its insertion into Jupiter's orbit, the images show the gas giant looming larger and larger in Juno's view as its tiny dance around it.

Due to the way the spacecraft's cameras work, the raw images take the form of long strips, composed of 82 individual frames taken as the probe spins on its axis once every 30 seconds.

Each of the JunoCam images spans an entire rotation, so Jupiter and its tiny moons appear as almost imperceptible dots in the photographs.

In the last of the pictures sent back, the famous Great Red Spot - storm that has raged on Jupiter's surface for centuries  is clearly visible.

Taken from a distance of 3.3 million miles (5.3 million km) on 29 June, the planet can be seen surrounded by three of its moons.

However, Nasa has used the raw pictures to also create a timelapse movie that shows how the moons - also known as Galilean satellites after the astronomer Galileo who spotted them  orbiting around the planet.

A statement released by Nasa said: 'The innermost moon is volcanic Io; next in line is the ice-crusted ocean world Europa, followed by massive Ganymede, and finally, heavily cratered Callisto. Galileo observed these moons to change position with respect to Jupiter over the course of a few nights.

'From this observation he realized that the moons were orbiting mighty Jupiter, a truth that forever changed humanity's understanding of our place in the cosmos. Earth was not the center of the Universe.

'For the first time in history, we look upon these moons as they orbit Jupiter and share in Galileo's revelation. This is the motion of nature's harmony.'

Juno's visible-light camera was turned on six days after Juno fired its main engine and placed itself into orbit around the largest planetary inhabitant of our solar system, allowing it to snap its first image since arriving at Jupiter.

This image, released last week, was taken on 10 July when the spacecraft was 2.7 million miles (4.3 million kilometers) from Jupiter on the outbound leg of its initial 53.5-day capture orbit.

From a blurry dot in the distance (pictured left), the storms and stripes of gas in Jupiter's atmosphere became more visible (middle and right) as the Juno spacecraft drew closer to reaching its orbit. Due to the way the spacecraft rotates, the raw images sent back were huge black stripes with Jupiter just a tiny dot in the blackness of space. The images above have been zoomed in to reveal Jupiter

'This scene from JunoCam indicates it survived its first pass through Jupiter's extreme radiation environment without any degradation and is ready to take on Jupiter,' said Scott Bolton, principal investigator from the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio.

'We can't wait to see the first view of Jupiter's poles.'

The color image beamed back on 10 July shows atmospheric features on Jupiter, including the famous Great Red Spot, and three of the massive planet's four largest moons - Io, Europa and Ganymede, from left to right in the image.

Juno's visible-light camera was turned on six days after Juno fired its main engine and placed itself into orbit around the largest planetary inhabitant of our solar system, allowing it to obtain this image of Jupiter and its moons Io, Europa and Ganymede. However, the first high-resolution images of the gas giant Jupiter are still a few weeks away.

The color image shows atmospheric features on Jupiter, including the famous Great Red Spot, and three of the massive planet's four largest moons -- Io, Europa and Ganymede, from left to right in the image.

Nasa's Juno spacecraft (pictured, a graphic representation) fired its main rocket engine earlier today, slowing itself down from a speed of 165,000 mph to drop into Jupiter's orbit

'JunoCam will continue to take images as we go around in this first orbit,' said Candy Hansen, Juno co-investigator from the Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona.

LEGO FIGURES ARRIVE AT JUPITER Hitching a ride on Juno are three 1.5-inch Lego figures depicting the 17th century Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei, the Roman god Jupiter, and the deity's wife Juno - all made from aluminium to withstand the Jupiter's harsh environment. By drawing attention to these Lego characters, Nasa aims to inspire the next generation of spacecraft engineers by encouraging children to explore subjects such as science and technology. But they are on a suicide mission. Juno, along with its three passengers, meets its demise in 2018 when it deliberately dives into Jupiter's atmosphere and disintegrates  a necessary sacrifice to prevent any chance of accidentally crashing into the planet's potentially habitable moons. Advertisement

'The first high-resolution images of the planet will be taken on August 27 when Juno makes its next close pass to Jupiter.'

JunoCam is a color, visible-light camera designed to capture remarkable pictures of Jupiter's poles and cloud tops.

As Juno's eyes, it will provide a wide view, helping to provide context for the spacecraft's other instruments.

JunoCam was included on the spacecraft specifically for purposes of public engagement; although its images will be helpful to the science team, it is not considered one of the mission's science instruments.

The Juno team is currently working to place all images taken by JunoCam on the mission's website, where the public can access them.

During its mission of exploration, Juno will circle the Jovian world 37 times, soaring low over the planet's cloud tops -- as close as about 2,600 miles (4,100 kilometers).

Juno will probe beneath the obscuring cloud cover of Jupiter during these flybys to study its auroras to learn more about the planet's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere.

The solar-powered spacecraft which left Earth five years ago has made history by entering into Jupiter's orbit.Nasa's Juno probe fired its main rocket engine at 4.18 am BST (11.18pm ET), slowing itself down from a speed of 165,000 mph (265,000 kph) enough to drop into a sweeping orbit around the planet.

With Juno on autopilot, the delicately choreographed move came without any help from ground controllers, so the spacecraft's mission control erupted with cheering and applause when the orbit was confirmed at 4:53 am BST (11.53pm ET).

A jubilant Scott Bolton, Juno mission's principal investigator, gives the thumbs up at a Nasa briefing this morning at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. The spacecraft successfully dropped into the desired orbit around Jupiter's at around 4.53 am BST

The mission's chief scientist, Scott Bolton, congratulated the team, saying 'you've just done the hardest thing Nasa's ever done' as the technicians and scientists celebrated completing the complex approach procedure.

At a briefing this morning, Bolton, the mission's principal investigator, said: 'We're there. We're in orbit. We conquered Jupiter.'

He added: 'What Juno's about is looking beneath that surface...we've got to go down and look at what's inside, see how it's built, how deep these features go, learn about its real secrets.'

NASA'S JUNO MISSION The Juno probe reached Jupiter at 4.18 am GMT this morning after a five-year, 1.8 billion-mile journey from Earth. Following a successful braking manoeuvre, it has now entered into a long polar orbit flying to within 3,100 miles (5,000 km) of the planet's swirling cloud tops. The probe will skim to within just 4,200 km of the planet's clouds once a fortnight - too close to provide global coverage in a single image. No previous spacecraft has orbited so close to Jupiter, although two others have been sent plunging to their destruction through its atmosphere. To complete its risky mission Juno will have to survive a circuit-frying radiation storm generated by Jupiter's powerful magnetic field. The maelstrom of high energy particles travelling at nearly the speed of light is the harshest radiation environment in the Solar System. To cope with the conditions, the spacecraft is protected with special radiation-hardened wiring and sensor shielding. Its all-important 'brain' - the spacecraft's flight computer - is housed in an armoured vault made of titanium and weighing almost 400 pounds (172kg). The Earth-based observations supplement the suite of advanced instrumentation on the Juno spacecraft, filling in the gaps in Juno's spectral coverage and providing the wider global and temporal context to Juno's close-in observations. Juno was launched on 5 August, 2011. During more than 30 orbital flybys of the Jovian world, it will probe beneath the obscuring ammonia and hydrogen sulfide cloud cover and study the auroras to learn more about the planet's origins, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere. Juno's name comes from Greek and Roman mythology. Jupiter, the father of the Roman gods, drew a veil of clouds around himself to hide his mischief. But his wife - the goddess Juno - was able to peer through the clouds and reveal Jupiter's true nature. Advertisement

Juno will peer through the swirling clouds in the planet's upper atmosphere and map the interior from a unique vantage point above the poles.

During its mission of exploration, the probe will circle the Jovian world 37 times, soaring low over the planet's cloud tops. Scientists will for the first time be able to see what lies beneath Jupiter's atmosphere, and help unlock secrets about how the solar system formed.

Among the lingering questions are how much water exists? Is there a solid core? And why are Jupiter's southern and northern lights the brightest in the solar system?

There is also the mystery of its Great Red Spot. Recent observations by the Hubble Space Telescope revealed the centuries-old monster storm in Jupiter's atmosphere is shrinking.

The spacecraft will end its mission in 2018 when it takes a swan dive into Jupiter's atmosphere and disintegrates  a necessary sacrifice to prevent any chance of accidentally crashing into the planet's potentially habitable moons.

Scientists are using the Hubble Space Telescope to watch Jupiter's aurora (pictured) for more than a month in the hope of trying to unravel what causes these enormous light shows. The ultraviolet and X-ray aurora on Jupiter occur continuously on the giant planet and are the size of the entire planet Earth

The Juno team spoke to the press following the spacecraft's successful orbit insertion this morning. Pictured from left to right: Geoff Yoder, Diane Brown, Scott Bolton, Rick Nybakken, Guy Beutelschies, and Steve Levin

Juno is currently travelling through a hostile radiation environment, 'but it should be able to withstand it,' said Kenny Starnes, programme manager for Lockheed Martin, which built the spacecraft.

The probe's camera and other instruments were switched off for the arrival so there won't be any pictures at the moment the spacecraft reaches its destination.

Scientists have promised close-up views of Jupiter when Juno skims the cloud tops during the 20-month, $1.1 billion (828m) mission, with a public vote on areas to focus on.

Juno is in a harsh radiation environment, so its delicate electronics are housed in a special titanium vault. Eventually, Juno will succumb to the intense radiation and will be commanded to plunge into Jupiter's atmosphere to avoid any collision with the planet's moons. Pictured is a 1/5 scale model size of the solar-powered Juno spacecraft

Members of the Juno team celebrate at a press conference after they received confirmation from the Juno spacecraft that it had completed the engine burn and successfully entered into orbit around Jupiter

Jim Green (left) celebrates with Scott Bolton in Mission Control at Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory as the solar-powered Juno spacecraft goes into orbit around Jupiter

The official Twitter account for Juno has given the probe its own sassy personality, exclaiming: 'I'm ready to unlock all your secrets, Jupiter. Deal with it'

The fifth planet from the sun and the heftiest in the solar system, Jupiter is known as a gas giant  a ball of mainly hydrogen and helium  unlike rocky Earth and Mars. But scientists still don't know exactly what lies at its centre, or whether it formed within its current orbit, or migrated from elsewhere in the solar system.

With its billowy clouds and colourful stripes, Jupiter is an extreme world that likely formed first, shortly after the sun. Unlocking its history may hold clues to understanding how Earth and the rest of the solar system developed.

Named after the Roman god Jupiter's cloud-piercing wife, Juno is only the second mission designed to spend time at Jupiter.

Galileo, which launched in 1989, circled Jupiter for 14 years, beaming back splendid views of the planet and its numerous moons. It uncovered signs of an ocean beneath the icy surface of Europa, considered a top target in the search for life outside Earth.

The trek to Jupiter, spanning nearly five years and 1.8 billion miles (2.8 billion kilometres), took Juno on a tour of the inner solar system followed by a swing past Earth that catapulted it beyond the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

Another tweet from the probe's account thanked mission control for the guidance, before hinting at the science to come

Interplanetary stowaways: Along with the scientific instruments Juno is also carrying three tiny passengers in the form of Lego figures, made from spacecraft-grade Aluminium. The three models include models of the god Jupiter, his wife and mission namesake the goddess Juno, and astronomer Galileo

Dr Jim Green, Planetary Science Division Director, Nasa, is seen in the mission control room, awaiting communication from Juno that the engine burn has begun, positioning the spacecraft into orbit around Jupiter

Juno launched in 2011. This image shows an Atlas V rocket carrying the Juno spacecraft lifts off from Space Launch Complex-41 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It was the first step in Juno's 1.8 billion-mile voyage to the gas giant planet, Jupiter

JUNO'S MISSION IN NUMBERS  1.8 billion miles (2.8 billion kilometres) That's the total distance travelled from launch to arrival. Juno's journey wasn't a straight shot. Because the rocket that carried Juno wasn't powerful enough to boost it directly to Jupiter, it took a longer route. It looped around the inner solar system and then swung by Earth, using our planet as a gravity slingshot to hurtle toward the outer solar system.  3,100 miles (5,000 kilometres) That's how close Juno will fly to Jupiter's cloud tops. It will pass over the poles a total of 37 times during the mission on a path that avoids the most intense radiation, before it plunges into the planet's atmosphere.  48 minutes, 19 seconds That's the time it takes for radio signals from Jupiter to reach Earth. During the encounter, Juno will fire its main engine for about a half hour to slow down. By the time ground controllers receive word that it started, the engine burn would have been completed, and if all goes as planned, Juno would be in orbit.  20 months That's how long the mission will last. Because Juno is in a harsh radiation environment, its delicate electronics are housed in a special titanium vault. Eventually, Juno will succumb to the intense radiation and will be commanded to plunge into Jupiter's atmosphere to avoid any collision with the planet's moons.  Nine Juno carries a suite of nine instruments to explore Jupiter from its interior to its atmosphere. It will map Jupiter's gravity and magnetic fields and track how much water is in the atmosphere. Its colour camera dubbed JunoCam will snap close-ups of Jupiter's swirling clouds, polar regions and shimmering southern and northern lights.  Three Three massive solar wings extend from Juno, making it the most distant solar-powered spacecraft. The panels can generate 500 watts of electricity, enough to power the instruments Advertisement

Along the way, Juno became the first spacecraft to cruise this far out powered by the sun, beating Europe's comet-chasing Rosetta spacecraft. A trio of massive solar wings sticks out from Juno like blades from a windmill, generating 500 watts of power to run its nine instruments.

Plans called for Juno to swoop within 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometres) of Jupiter's clouds  closer than previous missions  to map the planet's gravity and magnetic fields.

Juno is an armoured spacecraft  its computer and electronics are locked in a titanium vault to shield them from harmful radiation. Even so, Juno is expected to get blasted with radiation equal to more than 100 million dental X-rays during the mission.

Last week, stunning new images and the highest-resolution maps of Jupiter at thermal infrared wavelengths showed a glowing view of Juno's target, a week ahead of the Nasa mission's arrival at the giant planet.

The maps reveal the present-day temperatures, composition and cloud coverage within Jupiter's dynamic atmosphere, and show how giant storms, vortices and wave patterns shape the appearance of the giant planet.

The high-resolution maps and images were created from observations with the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Chile, using a newly-upgraded thermal imager called VISIR.

A few days before entering into Jupiter's orbit, Juno crossed the boundary of the planet's enormous magnetic field. One of the instruments aboard the probe recorded the 'bow shock', where the solar wind is heated and slowed by Jupiter's magnetosphere. When converted to audible frequencies, it sounds like a roar

This left composite image of photographs made by Cassini on December 29, 2000 shows the Jupiter. The Great Red Spot, a fierce storm larger than Earth, can be seen. In recent years, it has been mysteriously shrinking. The right image shows a close up view of the region

Jupiter on fire! In preparation for the imminent arrival of the Juno spacecraft, astronomers used ESO's Very Large Telescope to obtain spectacular new infrared images of Jupiter using the VISIR instrument. This false-colour image was created by selecting and combining the best images obtained from many short VISIR exposures at a wavelength of 5 micrometers

WHAT WILL THE JUNO MISSION BE LOOKING OUT FOR ON JUPITER? Water Like the sun, Jupiter is a ball of mostly hydrogen and helium. It was probably the first planet to form. Jupiter is 11 times wider than Earth and with 300 times the mass. Juno will hunt for water in Jupiter's atmosphere, which may help explain how Earth got its water. Previous spacecraft found only a trace amount in Jupiter's atmosphere, but scientists think they didn't look deep enough. Juno carries an instrument that can pierce through thick clouds to measure the water content. Great red spot A world of swirling clouds and colourful stripes, Jupiter's most prominent feature is the Great Red Spot, a fierce storm in the atmosphere larger than Earth that has lasted for centuries. In recent years, the spot has been mysteriously shrinking. Once an oval about 25,500 miles wide (41,036 kilometres) in the late 1880s, the spot shrank to its smallest observed size in 2014  the shape of a circle about 10,250 miles across (16,495 kilometres). Juno will study how deep into the atmosphere the Great Red Spot extends in an effort to understand what may happen next to Jupiter's trademark. Auroras Earth's dazzling southern and northern lights are dim compared to Jupiter's auroras, the brightest in the solar system. Earth's polar lights are triggered by solar storms, which occur when a cloud of gas from the sun slams into the planet's magnetic field. Jupiter's powerful auroras are sparked by the planet's own rotation. Jupiter is the fastest-spinning planet in the solar system, taking just 10 hours to complete a rotation. As Jupiter spins, it drags its magnetic field around with it. Juno will observe the light show and learn about the driving forces behind it. Polar regions The first peek of Jupiter's poles came in 1974 when Pioneer 11 flew by en route to Saturn. Juno will get a more detailed look by passing over Jupiter's polar regions. During the next year, the spacecraft will circle Jupiter 37 times from pole to pole  a path that will cover the whole planet. At its closest approach, Juno will skim within 3,100 miles (5,000 kilometres) of Jupiter's cloud tops. Advertisement

The observations were taken between February and June 2016 to characterise Jupiter's atmosphere ahead of Juno's arrival.

'We used a technique called 'lucky imaging', whereby individual sharp frames are extracted from short movies of Jupiter to 'freeze' the turbulent motions of our own atmosphere, to create a stunning new image of Jupiter's cloud layers,' said Dr Leigh Fletcher of the University of Leicester.

'At this wavelength, Jupiter's clouds appear in silhouette against the deep internal glows of the planet.

'Images of this quality will provide the global context for Juno's close-up views of the planet at the same wavelength.'

Dr Fletcher and his team have also used the TEXES spectrograph on NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) in Hawaii regularly to map Jupiter's changing appearance.

The team made observations at many different wavelengths, optimised for different features and cloud layers in Jupiter's atmosphere, to create the first global spectral maps of Jupiter taken from Earth.

'These maps will help set the scene for what Juno will witness in the coming months.

'We have seen new weather phenomena that have been active on Jupiter throughout 2016.

Google also marked the occasion with a dedicated animated doodle depicting a jubilant mission team and the probe as the 'O'

Juno carries a suite of nine instruments to explore Jupiter from its interior to its atmosphere. It will map Jupiter's gravity and magnetic fields and track how much water is in the atmosphere

This view compares a lucky imaging view of Jupiter from VISIR (left) at infrared wavelengths with a very sharp amateur image in visible light from about the same time (right)

Jupiter's powerful magnetosphere extends up to two million miles into the space around the planet (illustrated) and is thought to be responsible for sending charged particles in the space around it hurtling at high speeds towards the poles

The huge aurora on Jupiter (pictured) are thought to be caused by solar particles and volcanic debris in the space around the giant planet being accelerated towards the poles by its powerful magnetic field

These include a widening of one of the brown belts just north of the equator, which has spawned wave patterns throughout the northern hemisphere, both in the cloud layers and high above in the planet's stratosphere,' said Dr Fletcher from the University of Leicester's Department of Physics and Astronomy.

'Observations at different wavelengths across the infrared spectrum allow us to piece together a three dimensional picture of how energy and material are transported upwards through the atmosphere.'

Both sets of observations were made as part of a campaign using several telescopes in Hawaii and Chile, as well as contributions from amateur astronomers around the world, to understand Jupiter's climate ahead of Juno's arrival.

The ground-based campaign in support of Juno is led by Dr Glenn Orton of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Once in orbit around Jupiter, Juno will skim to within just 3,100 miles (5,000 km) above Jupiter's clouds once a fortnight - too close to provide global coverage in a single image.

The Earth-based observations supplement the suite of advanced instrumentation on the Juno spacecraft, filling in the gaps in Juno's spectral coverage and providing the wider global and temporal context to Juno's close-in observations.

'The combined efforts of an international team of amateur and professional astronomers have provided us with an incredibly rich dataset over the past eight months,' said Dr Orton.

'Together with the new results from Juno, this dataset will allow researchers to characterise Jupiter's global thermal structure, cloud cover and distribution of gaseous species.

False color images generated from VLT observations in February and March 2016, showing two different faces of Jupiter. The bluer areas are cold and cloud-free, the orange areas are warm and cloudy, more colorless bright regions are warm and cloud-free, and dark regions are cold and cloudy (such as the Great Red Spot and the prominent ovals). The wave pattern over the North Equatorial Band shows up in orange.

We can then hope to answer questions like what drives Jupiter's atmospheric changes, and how the weather we see is connected to processes hidden deep within the planet.'

No previous spacecraft has orbited so close to Jupiter, although two others have been sent plunging to their destruction through its atmosphere. To complete its risky mission Juno will have to survive a circuit-frying radiation storm generated by Jupiter's powerful magnetic field.

The maelstrom of high energy particles travelling at nearly the speed of light is one of the harshest radiation environments in the Solar System.

To cope with the conditions, Juno is protected with special radiation-hardened wiring and sensor shielding and its all-important 'brain' - the spacecraft's flight computer - is housed in an armoured vault made of titanium and weighing almost 400 pounds (172kg).

Dr Scott Bolton, Juno's principal investigator from Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, US, said: 'We are not looking for trouble, we are looking for data.

'Problem is, at Jupiter, looking for the kind of data Juno is looking for, you have to go in the kind of neighbourhoods where you could find trouble pretty quick.'

JUPITER'S GIANT AURORA Jupiter's auroras were first discovered by the Voyager 1 spacecraft in 1979. A thin ring of light on Jupiter's nightside looked like a stretched-out version of our own auroras on Earth. But later, astronomers discovered the auroras were best visible in the ultraviolet. Scientists also discovered the planet has X-ray aurora too. Jupiter's aurora are larger than our entire planet and unlike those on Earth, occur almost continuously. This suggests that the mechanism causing this light show is different from that on Earth. While Earth's Northern and Southern lights are triggered by energetic particles from the sun slamming into gas atoms high in the atmosphere, Jupiter appears to have another source. Scientists believe its powerful magnetic field accellerates charged particles from the space around it towards its poles, to cause similar interactions. The volcanic moon Io spews oxygen and sulfur ions into Jupiter's spinning magnetic field, which sends them hurtling towards the planet below. Upon entering the atmosphere, their electrons are first stripped away by molecules they run into, but as they slow down they start grabbing electrons back. The 'charge exchange reaction' produces intense X-ray auroras. Yet scientists have been baffled as to how Jupiter's magnetic field accelerates these particles. Advertisement

To provide electrical power, the spacecraft carries three huge solar panels, each 29ft long and almost 9ft wide.

The previous record for a close approach to Jupiter was set by the American space agency Nasa's Pioneer 11 spacecraft which passed by the planet at a distance of 27,000 miles (43,000 km) in 1974.

Only one previous spacecraft, Galileo, which visited Jupiter and its moons from 1995 to 2003, has orbited the planet.

Galileo made wide orbits at distances of hundreds of thousands of kilometres that kept it out of serious danger from the radiation, although it suffered a number of technical 'anomalies'.

The spacecraft sent a small probe on a one-way trip through the clouds of Jupiter, and was eventually itself crashed onto the planet at the end of its mission.

As a further safeguard, Juno is programmed to follow a long orbital path that avoids Jupiter's radiation belts as much as possible.

Despite these measures, the probe is not expected to last much longer than its planned lifespan of 20 months. At the end of he mission, Nasa plans to send the probe headlong into the Jovian atmosphere to collect as much data as possible.

Juno was launched into space by an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 5, 2011. The mission is part of Nasa's New Frontiers programme of robotic space missions which last year saw the New Horizons probe obtain close up views of dwarf planet Pluto

Chief radiation monitoring investigator Heidi Becker, from Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said: 'Over the course of the mission, the highest energy electrons will penetrate the vault, creating a spray of secondary photons and particles.

'The constant bombardment will break the atomic bonds in Juno's electronics.'

A plaque dedicated to Galileo and provided by the Italian Space Agency is also on board.

Measuring 2.8 ins (7.1 cm) across, it shows a portrait of Galileo and a text penned by the astronomer in January 1610 while observing Jupiter's four largest moons - later to be known as the Galilean moons.

Juno was launched into space by an Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 5, 2011.
Millions of parents are being left in the dark by their tech-savvy children.

That's the conclusion of a new study that claims two thirds of parents don't realise their children are learning coding at school or nursery and feel unable to help them.

Many admit to being baffled at hearing infants talk about 'hyperlinks', 'pop-ups' and 'downloads' and in some cases, young children are educating their parents.

Many parents are unaware that their children are now being taught computer coding skills at school, potentialy widening the technology knowledge gap with their parents and older relatives (stock image used)

TOP 10 CODING WORDS USED BY THE UKS 3-8 YEAR OLDS 1. User interface 2. Pop-ups 3. Cookie 4. Algorithm 5. Virus 6. Hyperlink 7. Icons 8. Debug 9. Bug 10. Database Source: Fisher-Price Advertisement

Words such as 'Password', 'software' and 'icons' are frequenlty used by youngsters, with seven in 10 parents reporting they have heard their children saying words like 'bug', 'cookie' and 'algorithm', according to a Fisher-Price poll of parents with children aged three to eight.

Although most parents have some knowledge of computers, a quarter admitted they are out their depth when it comes to helping with homework related to computer coding their children may now be learning at school.

More than half of those polled said that if their child did bring coding work home with them, they would just leave them to it, with almost three quarters of parents wishing they understood more.

'British children are among the most advanced when it comes to their knowledge of computing and coding,' said a spokesperson for Fisher-Price, which recently launched a new pre-school learning toy called Code-a-Pillar.

'The UK paves the way in terms of including coding on the curriculum  and parents certainly believe this is a positive step in education for their children.

'Mums and dads are quick to recognise the benefits of their children learning coding at such a young age.

'With a large majority of parents saying the new curriculum will encourage their children to think creatively, logically, and independently.

'Parents also believe that learning coding and programming will benefit children in later years when they start job hunting.'

'But this rapid rise of the digital revolution means that some parents who aren't exposed to the same language on a daily basis could struggle to keep up with their little ones.'

A third of parents admitted they don't have any understanding of coding and almost nine in 10 said they are completely baffled when their child talks about 'programming' at home.

One third of those polled are relying on their children to share their knowledge and skills.

Furthermore, two thirds of parents admitted they lack awareness of modern technology and 60 per cent believe it would be helpful if nurseries and schools held lessons for parents first, so they are able to assist their own children when they learn.

The study suggests 28 per cent of parents believe their child is already proficient at using websites and other internet services.

In addition, 16 per cent of children aged between three and eight can use child-friendly programming languages and 13 per cent can create a simple program of their own.

More than half of parents think that the tech used in modern schooling has moved on so much since they were at school that they find it much harder to help their kids with their homework , says the study (stock image used)

Sixteen per cent of young children can already use logical reasoning skills on the computer, while 13 per cent can organise digital content and 18 per cent know how to store digital content.

Dragging and dropping visual blocks of code, manipulating content and debugging simple programs are skills frequently demonstrated by children under eight, but ones that many parents will be unfamiliar with.

The poll revealed that 55 per cent of parents believe education has changed so much since they went to school, that they find it hard to help their own children with their school work.

However, two thirds of parents said the new curriculum will encourage their children to think creatively and accurately, while 68 per cent think it helps children to be logical and independent.

A Fisher-Price spokesman said: 'The roles can be reversed when it comes to coding,

'Typically, mums and dads are the ones to help, educate and assist their little ones but in the case of coding, children are the ones in charge.
Staring up at the night sky as a child, you may have looked for the Man in the Moon.

Now scientists have revealed how he got his right eye  a geological feature called the Imbrium basin, which is so large its visible from Earth without a telescope.

Experts believe the vast impact site was created by a 180-miles-wide proto-planet - a planet in the early stages of formation.

Experts believe the Moon's vast Imbrium basin (shown above) - which is the 'right eye' of the fabled Man in the Moon - was created by an asteroid some 180 miles wide smashing into our satellite, 3.6 billion years ago

THE IMBRIUM BASIN The Imbrium basin is one of the largest known impact sites in the solar system. It was formed 3.6 billion years ago when an asteroid smashed into the moon. Experts now think this space rock measured 180 miles (290km) wide. The new size estimate suggests the asteroid was twice as large in diameter and 10 times more massive than previously thought. It also hints the early solar system was full of extra-large, or protoplanet-sized asteroids. Advertisement

It suggests the early solar system was full of proto-planet sized objects around 3.6 billion years ago.

Pete Schultz, of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, said: 'We show that Imbrium was likely formed by an absolutely enormous object, large enough to be classified as a protoplanet.

'This is the first estimate for the Imbrium impactor's size that is based largely on the geological features we see on the Moon.'

Previous estimates were based solely on computer models and yielded a size estimate of only about 50 miles in diameter.

Professor Schultz said the new findings help to explain some of the puzzling geological features that surround the Imbrium Basin.

The basin is seen from Earth as a dark patch in the northwestern quadrant of the Moon's 'face' and measures about 750 miles across.

The Imbrium basin is so large it can be seen from the Earth with the naked eye. It forms the right eye of the Man in the Moon

The left part of this picture shows Mare Imbrium (upper left), Mare Serenitatis (middle left), Mare Tranquillitatis (lower left), and Mare Crisium, the dark circular feature toward the bottom of the mosaic picture

It's surrounded by grooves and gashes, large enough to be seen with even small telescopes from Earth.

These marks  known as the Imbrium Sculpture - were created by rocks blasted out of the crater when it was formed and the marks radiate out form the centre of the basin like spokes on a wheel.

Most are concentrated on the basin's south east side, suggesting the asteroid travelled from the northwest, impacting at a slanting angle rather than straight on.

There is also a second set of grooves with a different alignment that appear to come from a region to the North West, along the trajectory from which the asteroid came.

Professor Schultz explained: 'This second set of grooves was a real mystery. No one was quite sure where they came from.'

To investigate, his team used 'hypervelocity impact experiments' performed using a Vertical Gun Range at the Nasa Ames Research Centre.

The researchers mapped debris ejected from the Imbrium impact basin on the moon by looking at the orientation of grooves carved into the surface and secondary impact craters (illustrated)

This involved firing a 14-foot cannon shooting fires small projectiles at up to 16,000 miles per hour, while and high-speed cameras recorded the ballistic dynamics.

The team was able to show that the grooves were likely formed by chunks of the asteroid that sheared off on initial contact with the surface.

'The key point is that the grooves made by these chunks aren't radial to the crater,' Professor Schultz said.

The scientists used experiments to examine the scours produced on the surface of an object like the moon when it was hit by another large object (pictured)

The experiments revealed how a larger object of at least 100km could have produced the patterns shown in the image above

'They come from the region of first contact. We see the same thing in our experiments that we see on the moon - grooves pointing up-range, rather than the crater.'

The grooves created by those chunks enabled Professor Schultz to estimate the size of the asteroid.

Calculations yielded an estimated diameter of around 150 miles (250km) across, large enough for the object to be classified as a protoplanet.

Professor Schultz added: 'That's actually a low-end estimate - it's possible that it could have been as large as 186 miles (300km).'

Combining the new estimates with the fact that there are even larger impact basins on the Moon and other planets, Professor Schultz concluded that protoplanet-sized asteroids may have been common in the early solar system.

'The large basins we see on the Moon and elsewhere are the record of lost giants,' he said.

'The moon still holds clues that can affect our interpretation of the entire solar system.

'Its scarred face can tell us quite a lot about what was happening in our neighbourhood 3.8 billion years ago.'
As themes of the undead permeate films and television, the question may have crossed your mind  would you survive a zombie apocalypse?

If you live in New York, probably not, according to a new study.

Researchers ranked each U.S. state to see which are best suited for the theoretical onslaught of the walking dead, looking at everything from population density to cremation rates to determine who is most likely to survive.

As themes of the undead permeate films and television, the question may have crossed your mind  would you survive in the zombie apocalypse? If you live in New York, probably not, according to a new study

STATES MOST (AND LEAST) LIKELY TO SURVIVE A ZOMBIE OUTBREAK Most likely to survive: Least likely: Alaska Idaho Montana Wyoming South Dakota New York Rhode Island Virginia New Jersey Maryland Advertisement

The study from Estately Real Estate Search used five criteria to determine the preparedness for a zombie apocalypse.

Those with the fewest people per square mile would have a better chance of survival, they explain, as dense, urban areas are zombie breeding grounds.

Along with this, they considered gun ownership per capita, percentage of the population thats physically active, and interest in zombie media.

States with higher interest in zombie-related content would have a better understanding of how to fight them, the study explains.

Researchers ranked each U.S. state to see which are best suited for the theoretical onslaught of the walking dead, looking at everything from population density to cremation rates to determine who is most likely to survive

WHAT CAUSES ZOMBIISM, ACCORDING TO FILM Space radiation  Night of the living dead Chemical weapons  Return of the living dead Biological infection  28 days later, Resident evil Genetic manipulation  Resident evil Parasites  Zombie town Magic  White zombie Supernatural possession  Evil dead Depression - Warm bodies Advertisement

And, they also considered cremation rates, as a corpse cant rise from the grave to join an army of the undead if its been cremated.

Thus, states with higher rates of cremations to burials will have fewer zombies.

Based on the average of these criteria, they say the five best-equipped states would be Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

Alaska is a zombies worst nightmare, and not just because they could be eaten by wolves and bears, but also because there are miles between potential brain snacks, and the majority of people own guns and know how to use them, they wrote.

On the other hand, a number of states would be ill-prepared, ranking very low across all of these categories.

A number of states would be ill-prepared, ranking very low across all of these categories. New York has the lowest chance of survival, the researchers say, and an outbreak in the city would likely spread across the rest of the state in just a New York minute'

New York has the lowest chance of survival, the researchers say, and an outbreak in the city would likely spread across the rest of the state in just a New York minute.

But, rural areas like Buffalo may be able to hold out for some time.

This is followed by Rhode Island, Virginia  whose residents have almost a complete lack of interest in zombie movies and shows  New Jersey, and Maryland.

The other states fall somewhere between these two categories, and the researchers say residents of Maine, Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico would also have a fair shot at survival.

In the end, Alaska is the best equipped to fend off the zombie menace, whereas New York is destined to be an all-you-can-eat brain buffet, according to the study. The Mountain West, Great Plains and Pacific Northwest appear to be the safest regions of the country, and the South and Atlantic Coast are in serious trouble'

But, those in Massachusetts, Illinois, Delaware, and Connecticut would likely be doomed.

In the end, Alaska is the best equipped to fend off the zombie menace, whereas New York is destined to be an all-you-can-eat brain buffet, according to the study.

The Mountain West, Great Plains and Pacific Northwest appear to be the safest regions of the country, and the South and Atlantic Coast are in serious trouble.
Anyone who has a dog will know the special bond that develops between an owner and their furry best friend.

This bond is something that has lasted thousands of years - but in some ancient cultures, the relationship was far more complex than it is today.

A dog graveyard found in Russia dating back 2,000 years shows the people living there at the time would use their pets for activities such as hunting and sledding, and some would even feast on them.

A dog graveyard found in Russia dating back 2,000 years shows the people living there at the time had close relations with some of the animals, although others were not treated so well

WHAT WERE THE DOGS USED FOR? The role of dogs at Ust-Polui is complex and variable. The dogs would have completed a variety of tasks in the village at the time, including pulling sleds, hunting reindeer and birds, and some might even have been sacrificed as part of rituals. Some also formed close bonds with their owners, as five full dog skeletons were found carefully buried. Some of the dog remainders had marks as if they had been butchered and eaten. Some showed signs of having been feasted upon. At one place, the heads of 15 dogs were piled together, all with their brain cases broken open in the same manner Advertisement

The remains were found at an archaeological site called Ust-Polui, which is in a town called Salekhard in Russia's Arctic circle.

Dog graveyards have been found before, but what makes this site special is over 115 dogs were found in the same place.

'The role of dogs at Ust-Polui is really complex and variable,' Professor Robert Losey, an archaeologist at the University of Alberta in Canada told Live Science.

He said the dogs would have completed a variety of tasks in the village at the time, including pulling sleds, hunting reindeer and birds, and some might even have been sacrificed as part of rituals.

The remainder of two sleds were found alongside the dogs, as was part of a reindeer harness. People in the area still use dogs to herd reindeer.

Some of the dog remainders had marks as if they had been butchered and eaten. Some showed signs of having been feasted upon.

The dogs would have completed a variety of tasks in the village at the time, including pulling sleds, hunting reindeer and birds, and some might even have been sacrificed as part of rituals. Some of the dog remainders had marks as if they had been butchered and eaten. Some showed signs of having been feasted upon

The remains were found at an archaeological site called Ust-Polui, which is in a town called Salekhard in Russia's Arctic circle

This carved ivory knife handle from Ust-Polui was discovered in the 1930s. It is thought to depict a dog wearing a sled harness

At one place, the heads of 15 dogs were piled together, all with their brain cases broken open in the same manner

Of the 115, only five were found carefully buried and in one piece, showing these five dogs were particularly special and had bonds with their owners.

Each of these graves contained the entire dog skeleton, laid on its side in a shallow pit, similar to three human burials at the site.

They showed no signs of butchery or of being intentionally killed, unlike the other 110 animals.

The remainder of two sleds were found alongside the dogs, as was part of a reindeer harness. People in the area still use dogs to herd reindeer, like the huskies pictured

In a paper published in 2013, Professor Losey published the results of other research into dog burials, dated to around 8,000 years ago, from archaeological sites in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia

'The only thing that distinguishes them from the human burials is their location. No other animals at Ust-Polui were treated like this,' Professor Losey said.

Tests on the dog remains at both sites suggested they would have been similar to Siberian huskies.

But the dogs were much smaller, with most weighing less than 50 lbs (22 kg) and standing only 1.6 feet (0.5 metres) tall at their shoulders.

In a paper published in 2013, Professor Losey published the results of other research into dog burials, dated to around 8,000 years ago, from archaeological sites in the Lake Baikal region of Siberia.

At this site, there was no evidence of any rituals or dog sacrifice.
Most Uber riders know the pain of watching the tiny car in the app drive around in circles before reaching the blue dot.

Now, the ride-sharing giant is teaming up with DigitalGlobe, a vendor of space imagery and geospatial content, to help identify and improve pickup and drop-off locations.

Using constellation sensors, the duo will access imagery and location intelligence to create high resolution maps of the area - giving drivers the ability to see exactly where you are.

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Uber is teaming up with DigitalGlobe, a vendor of space imagery and geospatial content, to help identify and improve pickup and drop-off locations. Using constellation sensors, the duo will access imagery and location intelligence that will give drivers power to see exactly where you are

WHAT DOES THIS NEW PARTNERSHIP MEAN? Uber and DigitalGlobe have teamed up to help identify and improve pickup and drop-off locations. Using constellation sensors, the duo will access imagery and location intelligence that will give drivers power to see exactly where you are. DigitalGlobe has developed cutting-edge scans of the Earth with the highest accuracy and resolution in visible and non-visible wavelengths. This partnership will help Uber create maps in order to easily and accurately locate users. Advertisement

Today we are announcing a multi-year, global partnership with Uber to supply high resolution satellite imagery, shares Kevin Bullock, Director of Business Development at DigitalGlobe.

This imagery will help improve the Uber experience for riders and drivers around the world.

DigitalGlobe has developed cutting-edge scans of the Earth with the highest accuracy and resolution in visible and non-visible wavelengths.

Not only does the firm help its customers understand and see the world around them, it was also able to convince the US government to life its image resolution restrictions on private satellites in 2014, reports Engadget.

Following this victory, DigitalGlobe launched its WorldView-3 fourth-generation satellite that is powerful enough to capture images as small as 12 inches across.

This technology was used to during a massive forest fire in Calgary Alberta this year, which the team used to track the fire, analyze growth and identify damage to the area.

Although Uber wont be using this technology to put out fires, the San Francisco firm will be using it to help its drivers find their way to users' pickup locations.

DigitalGlobe has developed cutting-edge scans of the Earth with the highest accuracy and resolution in visible and non-visible wavelengths. This partnership will help Uber create maps in order to easily and accurately locate users

Although exciting, todays partnership isnt the first time Uber has joined forces with a mapping service.

Last year, Uber acquired deCarta, which provides services including in-map searching, turn-by-turn navigation, location APIs and more.

The cab service said the acquisition is designed to fine tune Ubers services that rely on maps - but it could also help with the development of an autonomous vehicle.

UBER HITS ITS ONE BILLIONTH RIDE When Uber finally hit its one billionth ride, the service had been in operation for roughly six years  and just six months after that milestone, it added another billion to its log. CEO Travis Kalanick revealed in a Facebook post that the company passed two billion trips as of June 18, with 147 simultaneous rides tying for the spot. The exponential growth stems in part from recent efforts to boost participation, and to celebrate, the firm is gifting $450 to each of the drivers and riders involved in the landmark trip. Uber has completed more than 2 billion trips on its app, the company's chief executive said on Monday, a milestone that arrives just weeks after the ride service added another $4.7 billion to its warchest. Uber hit 2 billion rides on June 18, CEO Travis Kalanick said in a Facebook post, six months after marking its first billion rides. The company, then, completed the same number of rides in six months as it did in the prior six years - due in part to its heavy spending to recruit drivers and passengers, which is made possible by more than $13 billion in funding from investors. Uber is in 450 cities globally, up from 311 a year ago, and more than five million Uber trips happen each day, on average. Advertisement

And a few months following the acquisition, news spread that Microsoft sold its map-generating technology to the ride-hailing app company.

It is believed this technology will be used as part of Ubers plans to develop a self-driving car, which one was spotted cruising around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in May.

Uber souped up a hybrid Ford Fusion with a variety of sensor, radars and high-resolution cameras in order to start testing its self-driving and mapping capabilities on public streets.

While the car is roaming around Pittsburgh, a trained driver will be seated in the driver's seat to monitor the vehicles performance - but the car will be set in self-driving mode.

Although exciting, todays partnership isnt the first time Uber has joined forces with a mapping service. Last year it bought Microsoft's map-generating technology, which is rumored to be used in Uber's self-driving cars. Pictured is a prototype self-driving car spotted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this year

Not only does the San Francisco- based firm believe self-driving cars are the way of the future, it says this technology has the potential 'to save millions of lives and improve quality of life for people around the world'.

'1.3 million people die every year in car accidents  94% of those accidents involve human error,' Uber shared in today's press release.

'In the future we believe this technology will mean less congestion, more affordable and accessible transportation, and far fewer lives lost in car accidents.'
It sounds rather like a children's toy - modular 'chiplets' that can be put together to form a robot.

However, Darpa's latest project has one difference - its machine could kill.

The US Military research agency hopes to build a library of components to aid everything from smart drone building to instant language translation

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Darpa hopes to shrink traditional military machines into single 'chiplets' to build a library of components to aid everything from smart drone building to instant language translation. Shown, an artist's impression of the components that could be shrunk onto a single chip.

HOW IT WOULD WORK The system will create a library of custom and commercial 'chiplets'small-scale chips that individually embody a particular function, such as data storage, computation, signal processing, and managing the form and flow of data. By assembling and integrating dozens of chiplets, mosaic style, on a so-called interposer, which is like a small printed circuit boardl, all of those microsystems' functions could be performed in a much closer huddle and can perform more efficiently than if they were distributed in the usual way among a suite of chips attached to a conventional PCB. Advertisement

It says it hopes to shrink traditional military machines into single 'chiplets'.

'By challenging the technology community to integrate the collective functions hosted by an entire PCB onto a device approaching the size of a single chip, Darpa'snewest program is making a bid to usher in a fresh dimension of technology miniaturization,' the agency says.

'We are trying to push the massive amount of integration you typically get on a printed circuit board down into an even more compact format,' said Dr. Daniel Green, manager of the new program.

Called Chips, which stands for Common Heterogeneous Integration and Intellectual Property (IP) Reuse Strategies Program, the project could boost speeds in computers.

'It's not just a fun acronym,' Green said.

'The program is all about devising a physical library of component chips, or chiplets, that we can assemble in a modular fashion.'

'This is increasingly important for the data-intensive processing that we have to do as the data sets we are dealing with get bigger and bigger,' Green said.

Although the agency refuses to reveal what machines it hopes to build, it does say 'the new architectural strategy at the program's heart could open new routes to computational efficiencies required for such feats as identifying objects and actions in real-time video feeds, real-time language translation, and coordinating motion on-the-fly among swarms of fast-moving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).'

The Darpa project aims to create a library of hi-tech 'chiplets' that could then be used to creates military drones, robots and other devices - much like slotting together the pieces of a children's toy.

DARPA has posted a Request for Information to harvest ideas at the front-end of the program from expert and industry players.

'Key to the success of CHIPS will be standards and interfaces, and this means we will be working with a community, not all by ourselves,' said Green.

A major aspect of the CHIPS vision is the eventual availability of a library of custom and commercial 'chiplets'small-scale chips that individually embody a particular function, such as data storage, computation, signal processing, and managing the form and flow of data.
Its thought that humans governed themselves under direct democracy for tens of thousands of years before population growth posed challenges to this type of society.

But as scientists turn their sights toward the future and the colonization of other planets, some believe it may be possible to return to this state  with the help of gene editing.

Researchers say human embryos could one day be edited through gene drives to promote democratic traits, which would be passed on to subsequent generations among Mars colonies.

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Some believe it may be possible to return to a state of direct democracy with the help of gene editing. Researchers say human embryos could one day be edited through gene drives to promote democratic traits, which would be passed on to subsequent generations among Mars colonies

ENGINEERING DEMOCRACY Direct democracy dwindled in modern societies due to population growth and increasingly complex social hierarchies, but gene drives could help to make this possible on a larger scale, researchers say. Scientists could one day use Crispr to edit the genomes of human embryos, and insert the genes for democratic behaviour, Stanford University professor Josiah Ober told Nautilus. These traits would be inherited by the generations that follow, allowing the democratic mindset to flourish throughout the Mars colony. Advertisement

As gene drive capabilities become more advanced, this technique could one day be used to help humans remove less desirable traits and insert good ones, including civic-mindedness.

It allows us to leverage our basic human genetic advantage, Josiah Ober, professor of classics and political science at Stanford University told Nautilus.

This strategy stems from Crispr-Cas9 research, and is being considered to help combat public health threats, including the mosquito-borne Zika virus, malaria, and dengue fever.

But, it is still a young technique.

During normal sexual reproduction, each of the two versions of a given gene has a 50 percent chance of being inherited by a particular offspring, Harvards Wyss Institute explains.

Gene drives are genetic systems that circumvent these traditional rules: they greatly increase the odds that the drive will be passed on to offspring.

This can allow them to spread to all members of a population even if they reduce the chance that each individual organism will reproduce.

At the ReCode Code Conference last month, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk said that the government on Mars would likely take the form of direct democracy, with people voting directly rather than through representatives.

This type of system would substantially diminish the potential for corruption, Musk claims.

Scientists could one day use Crispr to edit the genomes of human embryos, and insert the genes for democratic behaviour. These traits would be inherited by the generations that follow, allowing the democratic mindset to flourish throughout the Mars colony

WHAT IS CRISPR-CAS9 AND HOW IS IT USED? CRISPR-Cas9 is a tool for making precise edits in DNA, discovered in bacteria. The acronym stands for 'Clustered Regularly Inter-Spaced Palindromic Repeats'. The technique involves a DNA cutting enzyme and a small tag which tells the enzyme where to cut. By editing this tag, scientists are able to target the enzyme to specific regions of DNA and make precise cuts, wherever they like. It has been used to 'silence' genes - effectively switching them off. When cellular machinery repairs the DNA break, it removes a small snip of DNA. In this way, researchers can precisely turn off specific genes in the genome. The approach has been used previously to edit the gene called HBB responsible for a condition called -thalassaemia. Advertisement

And, direct democracy may be a fundamental human condition, Ober explained to Nautilus.

While it may have dwindled in modern societies due to population growth and increasingly complex social hierarchies, gene drives could help to make this possible on a larger scale.

Scientists could one day use Crispr to edit the genomes of human embryos, and insert the genes for democratic behaviour.

These traits would be inherited by the generations that follow, allowing the democratic mindset to flourish throughout the Mars colony.
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These incredible before and after photographs reveal the work of French artist Patrick Commecy.

But he's not your everyday painter, as the Isere-based artist specialises in building facades.

From his hub in Eyzin-Pinet, near the city of Lyon, he travels all over the country and outside of France to paint beautiful murals onto the side of buildings.

Commecy uses trompe-l'il, a technique where realistic looking scenes are used to create the optical illusion that the objects depicted actually exist in real life.

By creating images of everyday scenes, like people talking in cafes or leaning out of windows, he's brought a lively feel to the streets, which often looked drab before the transformation.

The artist says that these creations have enriched the cultural heritage of a city and become tourist attractions in their own right.

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 Slide me  The inspiration for the mural on this building in Vaux- en-Beaujolais is from the novel Clochemerle by Gabriel Chevallier. It was painted on a building that was to be used as a tourist centre

 Slide me  This building in Estrablin once housed Cafe Reynaud. Commecy used the space to pay tribute to its owner Louis through his mural

 Slide me 

 Slide me  These incredible before and after photographs reveal the work of French artist Patrick Commecy. Pictured is a building in Salon de Provence, France

 Slide me  A rather plain wall on this building in a village in Herault has been painted with the former mayor, Gabriel Berrand and Colonel Serre

 Slide me  This apartment building in Levallois (pictured before) juts out at an odd angle and Commecy has used the space to create a scene resembling the side of a home, complete with windows, a tree and birds

 Slide me  This building is situated in Brives Charensac, just outside Le Puy. The two towns were joined together in 1839 and connected by a series of five bridges, which Commecy has depicted here

 Slide me  This wall on the side of a cinema complex in Levallois has been painted with a scene of different actors sitting in a coffee shop

 Slide me  This building in Cannes was already painted (before) but after Commecy turned his brush to it, the building was covered with characters from well-known films - playing homage to the city's famous film festival

 Slide me  This building, a town hall and school in Eyzin-Pinet, has been given new sets of windows and a few more 'residents' in this mural

 Slide me  On the side of this building Chamonix, Commecy is celebrating 20 pioneers of mountaineers who had ascended Mont Blanc

 Slide me  This building in Saint-Andiol is celebrating its history using an image of one of its heroes, Jean Moulin, who was a member of the Resistance in France during WWII

 Slide me  This dreary and broken looking building in Montpellier has been given a new lease of life with its fancy facade, which even features a tower

 Slide me  This building had once been the site of a distillery producing absinthe, also known as 'La Fee Verte' (the green fairy). Commecy has captured its past by creating the La Fee Verte shop

 Slide me  Another facade in Cannes has been used to celebrate the city's link with cinema, this time, featuring winners of the Palme d'Or

 Slide me  The side of this sports stadium in Marseille has been used to paint a mural featuring people participating in different sports

 Slide me  The flat wall of this building in Aurec-sur-Loire has been given volume with the addition of a trompe l'oeil tower
Famously its shores have featured in Bourne Legacy, The Beach and James Bond film The World is Not Enough

the second longest subterranean river in the world

number one for the second time in a row

The readers of Travel and Leisure magazine voted the exotic

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An exotic paradise in southeast Asia has been voted the world's best island for the second time in a row.

With crystal clear blue waters, sandy shores and a phenomenal underwater river, the idyllic Palawan archipelago easily claimed the top spot in Travel & Leisure magazine's awards.

This is the second time this publication has lauded Palawan, but it's also not the only one as Conde Nast Traveler and National Geographic Traveler have also given the island similar awards.

The exotic paradise of Palawan (above) in the Philippines has been named 'Best Island in the World' for the second time by Travel and Leisure magazine

Voters described Palawan as 'every beach lover's dream destination'.

The place became a visual Hollywood byword for paradise as its white sanded shores have featured in Bourne Legacy, The Beach and James Bond film The World Is Not Enough.

Bourne Legacy's producer Frank Marshall said Palawan was 'the most beautiful place' he had ever been to.

There are two Unesco world heritage sites on the island, which both attract divers and snorkelers keen to explore Palawan's underwater world

The island's white sanded shores have featured in Bourne Legacy, The Beach and James Bond film The World is Not Enough and hosted many celebrities too

Locals refer to Palawan as the 'last frontier' because it's located on the southern tip of the Philippines, just north of Malaysia

A lot of the island's international fandom is due to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a Unesco World Heritage Site, which runs on the island's western coast. Pictured is the entrance

Rachel Weisz said in an interview: 'Palawan is more like the Emerald City. It's like a fantasy. Maybe it's real to you but to me, it looked like a fantasy place.'

Locals refer to it as the 'last frontier' because it's located on the southern tip of the Philippines, just north of Malaysia.

Its geographical location can be thanked for its awe-inspiring natural wonders. A lot of the island's international fandom is due to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a Unesco World Heritage Site, which runs on the island's western coast.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park has one of the world's most impressive cave systems, featuring intact old-growth forests, distinctive wildlife and cavernous chambers pricked with stalactites and stalagmites.

Tourists take guided boat tours through the underground cave system and snorkelers and divers explore the watery world of the province's second Unesco World Heritage Site, the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park.

Other than Palawan, Philippine islands Boracay and Cebu also made it on the list in second and sixth ranking.

Palawan's geographical location can be thanked for its awe-inspiring natural wonders, say experts

Locals refer to Palawan as the 'last frontier' because it's located on the southern tip of the Philippines, just north of Malaysia

Rachel Weisz said in an interview: 'Palawan is more like the Emerald City. It's like a fantasy. Maybe it's real to you but to me, it looked like a fantasy place'
Five people have been confirmed dead after a seaplane crashed into a highway bridge on the edge of Shanghai.

The 30million Yuan (3million) Cessna was on its inaugural flight in the Chinese city.

Ten people were on board - two crew members and eight invited guests, mostly government workers and local journalists - with dramatic pictures emerging that show the moment of impact and a crane lifting the wreckage out of water that the bridge crosses.

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Journalists and government officials were invited on a trip to experience the inaugural journey of the seaplane in China. One attendee managed to capture the moment of impact (pictured)

Five people have been confirmed dead after a seaplane crashed into a highway bridge on the edge of Shanghai. Pictured is a crane lifting the wreckage out of water the bridge crosses

Ten people were on board, including eight passengers and two pilots. Five have already been confirmed dead

The 30million Yuan (3million) Cessna was on its inaugural flight in the Chinese city

The plane was being operated by the China-based company Joy General Aviation, which offers sightseeing journeys on its floatplanes.

It specialises in short-haul trips between Shanghai and two outlying islands, Shengsi and Zhousan.

The Cessna 208b seaplane was flying just off the coast of Shanghai, on its way to Zhousan, when it crashed into a bridge at 12.20 local time according to The Paper.

Fire and police departments were both dispatched to the scene alongside ambulance services.

The five survivors - who included the pilot - were sent to a hospital for treatment, the Jinshan district government said on its official microblog.

The Cessna 208b seaplane was flying just off the coast of Shanghai, on its way to Zhousan, when it crashed into a bridge at 12.20pm local time

Fire and police departments were both dispatched to the scene alongside ambulance services (pictured)

Speaking from his hospital bed, one of the passengers, local television cameraman Wu Liangliang, told local media that the seaplane circled several times, then made an abrupt left turn before crashing into the bridge.

'It was like something out of a dream,' Wu said.

Another survivor, propaganda official Song Wanjun, told local media that he and three other passengers were in the rear cabin and survived by escaping through the rear emergency exit.

'I was the last one to crawl out, but those in the front rows could not,' Song told the Xinmin Evening News, a local newspaper. 'I was calling on everyone not to panic, but to wait for rescue.'

Speaking from his hospital bed, one of the passengers, local television cameraman Wu Liangliang, told local media that the seaplane circled several times, then made an abrupt left turn before crashing into the bridge

Rescuers retrieved the wreckage of the seaplane from the water with a crane. Above, works tie up the plane

Speaking from his hospital bed, one of the passengers, local television cameraman Wu Liangliang, told local media that the seaplane circled several times, then made an abrupt left turn before crashing into the bridge

The Paper reported that the eight passengers on the jet were from a group of 16 VIP guests invited to experience a two-day, one-night chartered seaplane holiday.

The second group was due to fly out at another time.

At present, the cause of the accident is unknown.

Textron Aviation, maker of Cessna aircraft, expressed condolences.

A spokesman said: 'Textron Aviation is aware there was an accident involving a Joy Air-operated Cessna Caravan that resulted in some fatalities today at Jinshan, Shanghai.

'We offer our sincere condolences to the families who lost a loved one; our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragic event.'

MailOnline Travel has contacted Joy General Aviation for comment.

Another survivor, propaganda official Song Wanjun, told local media that he and three other passengers were in the rear cabin and survived by escaping through the rear emergency exit
Think that extra virgin olive oil you want to bring back from your continental travels is the real deal?

Think again.

Around 80 per cent of olive oils labelled extra virgin in stores globally arent actually extra virgin, according to an industry expert in Madrid.

I have traveled to Spain, where 45 per cent of the worlds olive oil is produced, to find out how consumers can find trustworthy brands within an industry plagued by fraud.

MailOnline travelled to Casas de Hualdo estate  a multi-award-winning olive oil brand that presses its own olives on the estate with its own state-of-the-art machinery - to find out more about the industry

Casas de Hualdo has an external party responsible for its lab analysis to prove that no fraud is evident

Despite rampant deceit, the United States olive oil consumption has almost tripled over the last 25 years, leading the FDA to consider testing all imported oils as of 2017.

There is a lot of fraud in this industry, Maria Ubago from Albea Blanca tells me when we meet in Madrid.

Albea Blanca became an award-winning Spanish olive oil brand within just one year of being created in 2014.

Instead of bottling oil from their own olive mill, Maria Ubago was hired by the companys director to undertake comprehensive research on Spanish growers and only purchase the very best oil to sell under Albea Blancas brand.

Ubago studied olive varieties, groves and mills around Spain and Italy for a year to learn how to read lab analyses and study the foods process.

The companys concept came at a time when fraud was rife and consumers needed a brand that was based on quality control.

Speaking of fraud, Maria tells me: Sometimes you get the lab report and a sample of what you want to buy from a mill, but then they give you something completely different.

When we buy the oil from mills around Spain for Albea Blanca, we test it three times after buying it in bulk and then test it once its bottled. If the reports always come back the same, then it is good to sell.

Sometimes its the mill which is behind the scams but sometimes its also the brand responsible for miss-labeling its product as extra virgin, she says.

For olive oil to be extra virgin, the acidity level must be below 0.8 per cent. The acidity is affected by how many hours are left in-between picking the olives and taking them to the mill to be cold-pressed.

The longer the olives wait around, they start to ferment and the acidity level increases, while the quality of the oil decreases. The cleanliness of the press is also a huge factor in the end result of the product.

Quality control is paramount at Casas de Hualdo, hence why it operates its own mill machinery and can press its olives within six hours of harvesting, reports Jessica (far left)

HOW TO TELL IF YOUR OIL IS REALLY EXTRA VIRGIN Check the packaging for a QvExtra seal of quality  The seal is only awarded to extra virgin olive oils which meet all the chemical, physical and sensorial requirements agreed by the association and random checks are made at the mill and point of sale.

Look on the website www.ocu.org and on the FDAs government website for updates on olive oil brands.

Check the oils acidity  to be extra virgin it must be under 0.8 per cent.

The taste should be bitter, peppery and pungent but not musty or fusty. Advertisement

You wont find an oil that is 0 per cent acidity but high quality is between 0 and 0.25 per cent acidity, Ubago tells me.

But quality comes at a price.

Although not all extra virgin olive oil brands are as expensive as Albea Blanca, who charge $14 per 250ml bottle in New York, usually price is still an indicator of quality.

If you are paying $4 or $5 for your olive oil, it is probably not extra virgin, Ubago says.

Part of that cost does come down to packaging, however, the way the olive oil is stored hugely impacts the quality and expiration of the product.

Albea Blanca bottles their oil in dark glass, with a nitrogen seal to protect the product from heat, sunlight and oxygen. Olive oil should also be consumed within two years of being bottled.

The mislabeling of oil acidity and whether or not the product is extra virgin is not the only fraud within the market.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration tell me they have encountered expensive bottles labelled 100 per cent olive oil being found to contain soybean oil, canola oil or some other inexpensive vegetable oils.

The FDA has no measurement of the scope of the problem but can act when economically-motivated adulteration is identified in a regulated food product by taking action, it says.

However, the FDA could not give the details about future olive oil testing.

They do warn though that fraudulent olive oil containing cheaper seed oils could result in an allergic reaction in some consumers and the nutritional value would be lower than the labeled product claims.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration tells MailOnline it has encountered expensive bottles labelled 100 per cent olive oil being found to contain soybean oil, canola oil or some other inexpensive vegetable oils

In previous reports, Italy has also been accused of buying in bulk from Spain, Morocco, Greece and Tunisia and labelling the oil as Italian to sell it at a higher price.

To find out more about the mills selling in bulk I drive south of Madrid to Toledo  home to some of Spains most beautiful olive farms.

My first stop is at Casas de Hualdo estate  a multi-award-winning olive oil brand that presses its own olives on the estate with its own state-of-the-art machinery.

The sprawling olive grove covers 630 hectares of the estates 3,200 hectares and is home to four different olive varieties.

There are 200 olive varieties in Spain but Cornicabra, Picual, Arbequina and Manzanillo trees inhabit this estate and each creates a different taste for olive oil lovers.

Quality control is paramount for this company, hence why they own their mill machinery and can press their olives within six hours of harvesting.

Casas de Hualdo also bottles its own oil on site and has an external party responsible for their lab analysis to prove that no fraud is evident.

The company belongs to a small association named QvExtra, which is an internationally-recognized seal of quality and something that consumers can look out for on the brands they purchase.

QvExtra International is a nonprofit association, created by a group of olive oil producers who guarantee to the final consumer that its the highest quality extra virgin olive oil.

The seal is only awarded to extra virgin olive oils that meet all the chemical, physical and sensorial requirements agreed by the association and random checks are made at the mill and point of sale to establish this.

Casas de Hualdo also supports the education that consumers need to choose their olive oil wisely. They regularly open their estate to universities and promote the health benefits of quality oil.

MailOnline's Jessica with Maria Ubago from olive oil manufacturer Albea Blanca, who tells her there is a lot of fraud in this industry

Olive oil consumption can prevent heart disease, inflammatory diseases and lowers cholesterol  which inspired them to create a childrens range to get young people educated from an early age.

The kids range is a blend of their olive varieties, making it softer on the palette and enjoyable for young children.

Casas de Hualdo produce about 750,000 liters of oil per year and bottle around 20 per cent of that for its own brand.

The rest of its bulk oil they sell to other buyers, interestingly enough  30 per cent of its oil is sold to Italy, they tell me.

It is no surprise that Italy, whose output is 25 per cent of global olive oil production, but covers a much smaller land mass of crops than Spain, is buying Spanish stock.

Casas de Hualdo isnt the only mill selling bulk stock to Italy. I next drive to Finca La Pontezuela mill, near Toledo, who tell me the same story.

Finca La Pontezuela covers 400 hectares of farm land, 100 of which are filled with olive trees that range in age between three and 100 years old.

Finca La Pontezuela was an award-winning brand at the New York International Olive Oil Competition in 2014 and creates both a premium range and a normal range of oil.

They confirm that they also sell oil in bulk to Italy and despite testing their own bottled oil, when they sell it to other buyers, they dont track what happens to it post-sale.

Lab reports and quality seals are important when analyzing olive oils, but of course taste plays a huge part in which oil is best too.

I move into the taste-testing room at Finca La Pontezuela to sample their Picual, Cornicabra and mixed blend variety.

Olive oil taste testing is much like wine tasting. I hold the small glass in the palm of my hand and first smell the aroma before taking a very small sip and swishing it around my mouth before swallowing.

The oil should be bitter  this is a characteristic of freshness and is determined by how ripe the olive is.

Very fresh olive oil is almost peppery, or spicy, when it hits the back of your throat. This might even make you cough when swallowing it but is also a sign of the antioxidants and is the sign of great oil.

For olive oil to be extra virgin, the acidity level must be below 0.8 per cent. The acidity is affected by how many hours are left in-between picking the olives and taking them to the mill to be cold-pressed. Pictured is an olive oil estate

HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL Lowers inflammation in the blood and digestive system due to phytonutrients

Lowers the risk of heart disease

Protects blood vessels from being damaged by reactive oxygen molecules (anti-ageing benefits)

Provides antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene

Strengthens blood vessels

Reduces the risk of certain cancers  such as breast, respiratory tract, upper digestive tract and lower digestive tract, according to studies at the Pharmacacological Research Institute in Milan, Italy

Lowers cholesterol Advertisement

The degree of fruitiness and bitterness is a personal taste preference though and each olive variety will have a slightly different flavor.

If the olive oil tastes fusty, musty or metallic though, these are signs that the fruit was moldy or fermented for too long before being pressed.

Despite Spain and Italy having the reputation of producing the best olive oil in the world and being able to charge more for that reason, there are many other countries coming out with quality oils too.

Just south of Spain lies the worlds seventh-largest olive oil producer  Morocco  who also export large quantities to Italy for re-export.

I head to Marrakech to speak with a new company that is building their brand on quality control.

MailOnline's Jessica Satherley at olive oil maker Terre Ocre in Morocco as part of her investigation into fraud in the industry

Terre Ocre (pictured) sits just outside Marrakech and uses no pesticides and presses its hand-picked olives within six hours of harvest  creating oil with around 0.2 per cent acidity

Terre Ocre, named after Moroccos red earth, was started as a small family production with just 1,000 Picholine olive trees producing 2,000 litres of oil per harvest.

The farm, which sits just outside Marrakech, uses no pesticides and presses their hand-picked olives within six hours of harvest  creating oil with around 0.2 per cent acidity.

The founder of the company openly shows me his lab reports, proving that its just as high quality as the award-winning oils coming out of Spain.

His business model is similar to that of Albea Blanca. He tells me that the duty of the brand should not be to sell whatever their crop produces each harvest regardless of quality, but rather it should be the quality controller of the product it bottles.

For that reason, he is creating a brand that sources the best olive oil per harvest, starting with those grown in Morocco.

The industry is continuously being exposed and consumers deserve reassurance that what they are buying is extra virgin if that is what they are paying for, Terre Ocres founder tells me.

Seeing as its the minority of olive oil brands acting ethically, it is still up to the consumer to educate themselves on the product and company they are purchasing.

And while California only produces around 0.5 per cent of global olive oil production, the testing of imported oils into the U.S. is vital for the industry.




Ibiza is struggling to cope with a boom in tourism and is running out of water.

That was the frank admission by the head of the the tourism department, Vicente Torres, who believes the island cannot 'support much more' increases in tourism and the growing demand on limited resources.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons visit the island every year, with Ibiza named as the fourth most popular holiday destination for the nation in a survey last year.

A rise in the number of people visiting Ibiza this year could threaten water resources, according to the government's tourism department (file image)

But following recent terror attacks in popular tourist destinations such as Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt, numbers are expected to increase further.

In an interview with Pulse Radio, Mr Torres stressed there was only a limited capacity on 'potable water,' as well as infrastructure such as roads and medical treatment.

Mr Torres. said: 'More people on the islands means more people consuming our resources, water, environment.'

'Nowadays we have nearly 100,000 legal touristic beds and a registered population of 13,000 inhabitants, approximately. The island is just 572 square kilometres; we cannot support much more increase in tourism.'

Those visiting the party island of Ibiza are now subject to a 'tourist tax' in the hope this money can protect the destination's natural resources (file image)

Admitting that the hotspot is 'running out of water', the tourism chief said that there will be campaigns advising tourists on how they can conserve water and to ensure that they understand the importance of the issue on the island.

He also stated that part of the problem concerned ineffective piping, and said that 40million of investment has gone into improving the system.

In a bid to control visitors, Ibiza, as well as the other Balearic Islands of Majorca and Menorca, introduced a 'tourist tax' on July 1.

Tourists will also be educated through campaigns on how they can save water when visiting Ibiza (file image)

Rates vary depending on the hotel's star rating, with one to three-star hotels costing one euro a day per person and four and five-star hotels two euros - around 1.50 per day.

It means a family of four with children aged over 16 could pay up to 70 extra over a fortnight. The fees will be paid directly to hotels, on top of what has already been paid to travel operators. The charges will halve after day nine of a stay.
Gladiator impersonators who have been touting for business around Rome's top tourist attractions have been banished by the city's new mayor.

Virginia Raggi has passed a ban on the men who pose in faux-ancient Roman armour for tourist photo souvenirs following reports that they have been fleecing foreigners for cash.

Holidaymakers have complained about being charged anywhere up to 50 by the touts, who can make 2,000 a week from the job.

Photo souvenir gladiators who work at Rome's top tourist attractions have been banned by the city's new mayor

There have also been reports of the men groping female tourists and one gladiator was even seen stealing 100 from a Romanian journalist's wallet after they posed for a picture together.

They had already been banned by the interim mayor Francesco Paolo Tronca, in November, but the original edict ran out in June and scores of the gladiators reappeared outside the city's attractions within days.

Now that the gladiators have been banned, they can face a fine of up to 400 if they are caught touting for business by the authorities.

Raggi said on Facebook after the edict was passed this week: 'Rome is finally off and running! From tomorrow, a new ordinance will impose sanctions of up to 400 against the photo gladiators.'

Now that the gladiators have been banned, they can face a fine of up to 400 if they are caught touting for business by the authorities near places like the Colosseum

But some of the gladiators have complained that they are being unfairly victimised and have claimed they will be forced to beg on the streets if they are stopped from working in the photo souvenir business.

One man told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica: 'We're just part of the attraction and add to the atmosphere.

'We also help with security around here. Near the Colosseum we stopped a robbery the other day and once helped take down a man who was wielding a knife.'
It was over one week ago on Sunday that Sofia Richie departed for Europe.

And on Tuesday, the 17-year-old socialite was seen enjoying her summer vacation in St Tropez, France.

For her luxurious getaway, Sofia cuddled up to supermodel Joan Smalls.

Just us girls: Sofia Richie cuddled up to Joan Smalls as she enjoyed a luxurious getaway in St Tropez, France

Holiday in the sun: On Tuesday, Sofia, 17, was seen enjoying her summer vacation in the glamorous French Riviera holiday hotspot

Sofia showed off her trim legs in a pair of distressed denim cutoffs.

The pretty teen tucked in a loose-fitting black T-shirt into her pair of shorts, before completing her look with a pair of glitter sneakers.

The blonde beauty accessorized her look with circular shades, layered bracelets and a white cap with the word sunset written across it.

LA style: The socialite showed off her trim legs in a pair of distressed denim cutoffs

Sofia's European getaway, which included Rome, Italy last week, would not have been as much fun without her closest pals.

Supermodel Joan Smalls, 28, also joined in on the fun, with the duo taking time to pose for pics.

In one Instagram shot, the Puerto Rican beauty held her teenage pal close, as the two showed off their pink and red swimsuits.

'Feasting': The daughter of Lionel Richie shared a photo of her slim pals, all enjoying what appeared to be a catered buffet of food aboard their yacht

'Boring ol me': Sofia shared a shot of her meal choice, which included an avocado-adorned salad, dressing, slices of bread, orange juice, and a bottled water

Just beautiful: Sofia gave her fans an inside look at her adventure, and her mesmerizing views

Taking it all in: The teen made some time to relax

On Snapchat, Sofia gave her fans an inside look at her adventure, as well as her mesmerizing views.

The daughter of Lionel Richie shared a photo of her slim pals, all enjoying what appeared to be a catered buffet of food aboard their yacht.

'Feasting,' wrote the star.

Sofia shared a shot of her meal choice, which included an avocado-adorned salad, dressing, slices of bread, orange juice, and a bottled water.

'Boring ol me,' she joked.

'And success people SUCCESS!!!': Aside from a buffet of food and photos, the group found true joy in numerous water activities

Aside from a buffet of food and photos, the group found true joy in numerous water activities.

After failing during her first try, Sofia successfully pulled off her wakeboarding attempt.

'And success people SUCCESS!!!' read an Instagram video's caption.

But the young teen wasn't done yet.

Sofia tried her hand at a jet ski, where she sped off at warp speed.
The Kardashian sisters aren't afraid to show off their curvaceous figures.

And 32-year-old Khloe did exactly that as she made her way to the Milk Studios in Hollywood, California to film Keeping Up With The Kardashians on Tuesday.

The brunette-turned-blonde styled her wavy locks into a high ponytail as she accessorized with a pair of giant hoop earrings.

Work it: Khloe showed off her ample assets as she made her way to the Milk Studios in Hollywood, California to film Keeping Up With The Kardashians on Tuesday

Figure hugging: The reality star wore a skin tight nude dress, which accentuated every curve

The reality star wore a skin tight nude dress, which accentuated every curve.

She teamed her dress with a pair of stylish strappy nude heels and a matching nude tote bag.

The pretty blonde looked to be in a good mood as she smiled to herself while walking to the studio.

She donned a pair of over-sized sunglasses and a few bangles to film a segment for their popular reality TV series.

Back to work: Khloe was thre to film a segment for their popular reality TV series, KUWTK

Showing it off: The dress complimented Khloe's curvaceous physique

Matching: She teamed her dress with a pair of stylish strappy nude heels and a matching nude tote bag

Feeling good: The pretty blonde looked to be in a good mood as she smiled to herself while walking to the studio

Her trip to the studio comes just a few days after Khloe was accused of bullying actress Chloe Grace Moretz.

It all began when Khloe's sister Kim released footage of Taylor appearing to offer partial consent for bits of Kanye West's controversial song, Famous, that included her in it.

Khloe took to Twitter to defend her sister's actions, while Chloe indirectly offered her opinion on the situation as a whole, without calling out anyone specifically.

Together we ride: Kim got behind the driving seat as she prepared to take sister Khloe for a spin

Forgotten something? Khloe looked concerned as she rootled through her belongings

Safety first! Khloe ensured she had strapped herself in as she prepared to cruise around the streets with Kim

Ready to go: The ladies looked ready for business as they set off on their journey

'Everyone in this industry needs to get their heads out of a hole and look around to realize what's ACTUALLY happening in the REAL world,' she began.

'Stop wasting your voice on something so petulant and unimportant.'

Khloe then caught wind of the teen's tweet and responded with a photo of the starlet side-by-side with a view of another female's exposed private parts, insinuating that it was the If I Stay star.

Chloe made sure to correct the reality show host about the post, pointing out that the second photo was not her.

After receiving backlash about the tasteless image she posted, Khloe defended her actions and claimed that she is 'the last person to bully but have an animal instinct to protect and defend my family.'

Throwing shade: Khloe then caught wind of the teen's tweet and responded with a photo of the starlet side-by-side with a view of another female's exposed private parts, insinuating that it was the If I Stay star
Sylvia Jeffreys and Lisa Wilkinson declared Tuesday as 'bring your Pete to work day' after newsreaders posed with their partners for a cringeworthy couples snap on the Today show.

And for a consecutive day, 30-year-old Channel Nine journalist Sylvia took to the official Today show Instagram page to upload another gushing snap with her fiance Peter Stefanovic.

Pulling a doe-eyed facial expression, Peter looked to be in his element as he pursed his lips humorously for the camera.

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'It's still bring your Pete to work day': Sylvia Jeffreys poses with fiance Peter Stefanovic for yet another cringeworthy couples' snap

Meanwhile, Sylvia appeared to ignore her beau and looked away from the former Nine foreign correspondent and continued to sip from her mug.

'Turns out it's still "Bring Your Pete To Work" Day!' a spokesperson for the news program cheekily captioned the picture.

A day earlier, Sylvia and Peter joined fellow Today show co-host Lisa and her husband Peter FitzSimons on the couch for an ode to 'Petes' picture.

The couples posed lovingly with their arms wrapped around one another, all of them beaming brightly for the camera.

'Bring your Pete to work day': Sylvia Jeffreys and her fiance Peter Stefanovic join co-host Lisa Wilkinson and her husband Peter FitzSimon for an endearing snap on the couch

Sylvia also made sure to show off her big sparkly engagement ring, which was purchased by Peter from high-end Sydney retailer Nader Jewellers, in the social media snap.

Did you know it's International Bring Your Pete To Work Day? LOL!,a Today show spokesperson jokingly captioned the cringeworthy snap of the four journalists posing together on a red sofa.

The author, who returned home after several years as a foreign correspondent, is filing in for his brother and anchorman of the breakfast show Karl Stefanovic, while Lisas husband popped in for a chat.

So much gushing: Sylvia talked about Pete's vegetable eating habits, saying: 'Last night he went around the broccoli and straight for the sweet potato fries'

But the cringeworthy display didn't stop at the social media uploads.

Sylvia then went onto admit that Peter needed encouragement when it came to eating his vegetables.

'Last night he went around the broccoli and straight for the sweet potato fries,' she said.

Peter quickly responded: 'A vegetable is very much a mood thing for me. If I feel like it, I will have them. If I don't, I won't have them.'

Sparkly stunner: Sylvia made sure to show off her enormous diamond engagement which was purchased by Peter from Sydney's Nader Jewellers

Lisa then questioned the TV personality on his vegetable cravings, asking: 'So, are you ever in the mood for a broccoli?'

Sylvia then quipped in: 'As long as it's hidden inside some kind of cheese baked dish.'

The social media uploads come just days after the smitten pair announced their engagement with a sweet Instagram post while on a romantic European holiday.

'It was completely by surprise!' Last week, Sylvia revealed that she and Peter (right) got engaged in France

Peter, 33, shared a snap of the pair standing in a vineyard in France, with Sylvia showing off her ring.

Asked my missus to be my wife and she said yes, he gushed in the caption.

Meanwhile, Sylvia wrote: 'How's this for a framer?! A couple of weeks ago Pete popped the question, and I said yes, OF COURSE!!!

True love: Peter and Sylvia began dating in late 2013 after co-hosting the weekend edition of Today together

We've had the most wonderful time celebrating with great mates. We couldn't be happier (check the grins) and so excited to share the news with everyone.

Peter and Sylvia began dating at the end of 2013 after co-hosting the weekend edition of the Today show, when they stepped in for the regular hosts over the summer.

They spent the beginning of their union in a long distance relationship with Peter heading overseas as a foreign correspondent for the Nine Network.
His luxury home in France is in danger in being burnt to the ground by a raging forest fire.

But Brad Pitt did not look in the least bit concerned as he got ready to jet out of his home city of Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The By The Sea hunk looked in reasonably high spirits as he briefly stopped in his tracks for photographers before sashaying in to catch his flight at bustling LAX.

Pitt stop: Jolly Brad paused for photographers before heading into the airport in Los Angeles on Tuesday

The 52-year-old Cool World favourite was looking his typically casual self in a shirt, jeans and suede boots, though he an extra touch of class by wearing a trilby.

Unflappable Brad, who is worth an estimated $150 million, was looking as cool as a cucumber despite the news a huge forest fire has broken out near his $60 million French chateau

The blaze began on Monday lunchtime near the town of Correns, in southern France.

Cool as a cucumber: Brad betrayed no hint of worry that his $60 million French chateau could be burned down by a raging forest fire

Making an entrance: The Meet Joe Black star was looking as cool as ever as he stepped out of his limousine

Hataboy: Brad added an extra touch of class to his typically casual ensemble by wearing a trilby

Sacre bleu! A forest fire broke out near Chateau Miraval (pictured), the luxury home owned by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in the south of France

More than 500 firefighters deployed from three different districts to tackle the huge blaze which had covered 350 hectares (865 acres) by 7pm.

Local fire services confirmed that the massive blaze was still not under control, and was heading south west towards the nearby town of Montfort-sur-Argens.

Angelina and Brad's chateau, to the north east of Correns, sits just five kilometres (3.1 miles) from the devastating blaze, which had destroyed at least one home by the early evening - heading in the opposite direction to the celebrity home.

Cross country flight: Brad was later spotted heading to his hotel in Tribeca after flying in from LA

Touchdown: The actor looked relaxed as he arrived at his New York hotel later on Tuesday

Stylish: The actor added a white hat and suede boots as he arrived in Tribeca

Nice guy: The Moneyball star stopped to sign autographs for waiting fans in Manhattan

The big-hearted Meet Joe Black star was jetting out once more after making a brief stop so he could celebrate the tenth birthdays of his youngest children with Angelina, twins Knox and Vivienne.

They looked full of joy as they treated them to a low-key birthday meal at a reasonably priced West Hollywood eatery last week.

The A-list duo and their twins indulged in a big breakfast as they seized the chance to act like just another average family during their visit to The Griddle Cafe

Star power: Brad flashed a tattoo as he chatted with waiting fans

Family fun: Brad and Angelina Jolie treated their twins to a birthday breakfast in West Hollywood last week
He is usually seen jet setting across the globe to numerous film sets.

And on Wednesday, Matt Damon revealed he commits to movies after discussing the details with his wife, Luciana Barroso.

While appearing on KIIS FM Kyle & Jackie O Show, the 45-year-old explained he never spends more than two weeks away from his wife and children and tries to bring them on trips with him.

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Devoted: Matt Damon reveals he only commits to movies after discussing the details with his wife, Luciana Barroso

'When making the movie, I always take them and go on a big family trip,' he said.

'Every decision to make a movie is really up for to the family. If it is going to be too disruptive, I just cant do it.

'We try to not be apart for two weeks. We have this two week rule, but three weeks has been the longest we have ever been apart.'

Keeping them close: The 45-year-old actor went on to explain he never spends more than two weeks away from his wife and children and tries to bring them on trips with him

He added: 'Sometimes it is an adventure. Last year I went to China for six months and it was a big family trip and that was awesome.'

Earlier in the month, he revealed his four daughters and wife of eleven years have control of the reins.

During an interview with Channel Seven's Sunday Night, Matt recalled a comical story where his father told him: 'Those girls run you'.

Close bond: Earlier this month, he revealed his four daughters and wife have control of the reins at home

He was quick to bow down and admit: 'That's true,' with a laugh.

Matt admitted to regularly feeling outnumbered at home, laughing: 'There's a lot of oestrogen'.

'I occasionally need to leave to take my walk around the park by myself,' he said, before quickly adding: 'But its really wonderful.'

The handsome star has been married to Argentinian-born Luciana for eleven years, and he is stepfather to Alexia, 17, and father to Isabelle, 10, Gia, seven, and Stella, five.
She was cast on one of America's longest-running soap operas in 2014 to play the role of Ivy Forrester.

But devoted fans are worried Australian actress Ashleigh Brewer is being 'pushed out' of the show, as her character has barely been seen the last few months.

The 25-year-old's appearances on the show have been so scarce, it's prompted followers to start the social media hashtag 'Where is Ivy?'

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'Where's Ivy?' Fans of Bold And The Beautiful's Ashleigh Brewer are worried are her character is being 'pushed out' as she's barely appeared in months

However, the former Neighbours star's name still appears in the credits and is second on the list of actors on the CBS website for the daytime drama series.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to The Bold And The Beautiful for comment.

The brunette beauty joined the cast two years ago as the Australian niece of Eric and Stephanie Forrester.

Joining the cast: She was cast on one of America's longest-running soap operas in 2014 to play the role of Ivy Forrester

Confused: It's prompted fans to start the social media hashtag 'Where is Ivy?'

Where did she go? The former Neighbours star's name still appears in the credits and is second on the list of actors on the CBS website for the daytime drama series

She played the role of Kate Ramsay on Neighbours from 2009 to 2014, but Ashleigh announced in November 2013 that she would be quitting to pursue other projects and was killed off.

Her work on the Australian show landed her a Silver Logie nomination for Most Popular New Female Talent in 2010.

She has since amassed thousands of fans on the international stage, and while she's enjoyed her rise to fame, it's been a bit nerve-wracking at the same time.

Local girl! She captured the nation's heart as the baby-faced Kate Ramsay on the long-running Australian soap Neighbours from 2009 to 2014

'Probably the biggest difference [between the two shows] is that this is viewed by 36 million which kind of intimidates me a lot,' she has told Studio 10.

She then explained the speed in which the production company produces episodes also had her thrown a bit: 'I thought Neighbours was fast but this is fast. The filming is crazy.

'They shoot eight episodes in four days which is nuts. It's two episodes per day and they just do not stop,' she smiled.
Tig Notaro shared her first photo of twin sons Max and Finn in a tender snap that also showed her mastectomy scars.

The 45-year-old comedienne in the picture posted to social media on Monday was reclining in bed with a baby resting on her left shoulder as she turned to her right and gazed at her other son

'This is my life,' Tig wrote in the caption for her nearly 60,000 followers on Twitter.

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Tender photo: Tig Notaro shared a photo of her newborn twin sons Max and Finn on social media on Monday that also showed her mastectomy scars

The photo also showed Tig's mastectomy scars after her 2012 battle with bilateral breast cancer.

Tig and her wife Stephanie Allynne welcomed twins Max and Finn on June 26.

The comedienne and Stephanie married last October in Tig's hometown of Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Tig and Stephanie revealed they planned on using Stephanie's eggs to have the twins via a surrogate.

Still newlyweds: The comedienne is shown with wife Stephanie Allynne in April in Los Angeles

Tig and Stephanie met on the set of the indie comedy In A World and got engaged on January 1, 2015.

The couple took to Facebook in January to announce they were expecting twins.

The comedienne was the subject of a 2015 documentary Tig that chronicled her dealing with her breast cancer diagnosis and her attempts to become pregnant.

Cancer survivor: Tig, shown in March in Texas, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012

Tig after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 performed a set of new material at Largo in Los Angeles that incorporated her breast cancer diagnosis and recent death of her mother.

The performance was hailed by fellow comedians and Louis CK later made audio of it available on his website.

Tig rose to fame as a comedy writer and stand-up act and she's also appeared on The Sarah Silverman Program and Transparent as well as an HBO special Tig Notaro: Boyish Girl Interrupted.
She has been making her fans green with envy with her latest trip to Ibiza, Spain.

And a new day came a new batch of selfies for Australian model Stephanie 'Bambi' Northwood Blyth, 24, who showed off her famous physique in a post to Instagram on Tuesday.

Looking sensational in a white one-piece Zimmermann camisole, the catwalk stunner showed off her flawless figure as she pulled a sultry pose for the camera.

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Strike a pose: Bambi Northwood Blyth showed off her sun-kissed skin in a skimpy one-piece costume as she continued her holiday in Spain with husband Dan Single on Tuesday

Lapping up the balmy climes from a balcony which overlooked the crystal blue Cap Negret waters, Bambi showed off her tan as she turned her head towards the photographer - presumably her husband and Ksubi fashion designer Dan Single.

The model wore her brunette tresses in a messy top knot bun, while shunning make-up for a more natural appearance in the social media upload.

Ranchooooo relaxo all the way chilled @zimmermann sorting my beach to beach to beach to party wear, she simply captioned the ode to holiday post.

Good vibes: The 24-year-old showed off her slender figure as she enjoyed a drink on the beaches of Ibiza on Tuesday

A day earlier, Bambi uploaded another snap of herself looking relaxed in a black bikini and a strappy silk dress, while holding up a drink with the caption: 'SUNSET VIBES , IBIZA VIBES , FEEEEELING IT.'

The professional poser also shared a photo of herself with her husband enjoying a tropical sunset while holding up a bottle of wine.

The married couple have been living it up in across the globe, along with their model pal Jordan Barrett, 19.

Entourage: Dan Single (left) and Bambi were also spotted with Jordan Barrett (middle), who hails from Byron Bay, in Los Angeles last week

Jordan, who has recently been linked to a bevy of high-profile beauties including Kate Moss, was seen partying with the couple in Los Angeles last week.

The crew marked the catch-up with a hilariously post of themselves posing with roses in their mouths, after what appears to be a good evening filled with a lot of laughs.

'Unlocking Major keys@bambilegit Huge. Rose 4 - a rose@theolddangerousdanman WELCOME CALI,' Jordan cryptically captioned the snap which could have been a private joke between them.

The post comes just days after the Aussie catwalk stars were left stranded at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York as a result of unexpected delays.

'QUICK STOP, PIT STOP #NYC ... NOT MAD! MAD AT DELAYS, WHYYYYY JETBLUE @iblamejordan,' Bambi wrote alongside the picture of the pair waiting patiently in the airport lounge.

Model behaviour: Bambi and Jordan were seen hanging out at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York recently

Again the famous friends were seen together at the Moschino fashion show in Los Angeles last month.

Bambi glittered in a quirky gold mini dress which was emblazoned with the shape of a silver lightning bolt.

Sweeping her brunette locks into a loose bun, Bambi kept her accessories to a minimum, donning a simple black choker.

After the show, Bambi stole a moment with Jordan, posing for a high-energy happy snap backstage.

'OOOOOOOF WHAT A SHOW @moschino @itsjeremyscott,' she began the caption.

'WHAT A TEAM @houseof.cool @iblamejordan, THANK YOU @fwrd @emiliopucci FOR THIS DRESS @mollygreenwald @imgmodels, THANKS FOR THE PIC @spencernotspencer,' Bambi added.
Imogen Anthony has recently shared a series of sweet images of her childhood self.

And once again the former Maxim model has posted another snap portraying herself in a very different, fresh-faced, light.

The 25-year-old squeeze of radio star Kyle Sandilands posted a shot of herself as a high school student in year seven, when she would have been around twelve, writing: 'Life was so fun and carefree.'

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Is that you? Imogen Anthony (centre) shared a shot of herself from when she was in year seven at high school

Back in the day: Imogen was bought up in the Hunter Valley, NSW, and attended St. Catherine's Catholic College in Singleton

'Half a life time [sic] ago. Wow. Year 7 at St Cath's [sic] Catholic College. I was so cute with my pukka (sic) shell necklace.'

She added in part of the caption: 'I remember this day.'

In the snap, the clothes designer would have been around twelve or thirteen, and was snapped wearing black shorts with a shell necklace.

Her hair is slicked back off her face and she flashes a broad toothy grin as she poses with her contemporaries.

Taking it back: This week she also shared a shot of her as a child in 1995 getting her hair braided at the same time as her mother

She was raised on a farm in the Hunter Valley in NSW, and attended St. Catherine's Catholic College in Singleton.

She then went to live with her grandmother in Bowral and attended the exclusive Chevalier College.

This week she also shared a image of herself when she was little getting her hair braided at the same time as her mother, from 1995.

Sweet: She also shared another shot of herself when she was aged four in a floral dress beaming for the camera

She also shared another shot of herself when she was aged four in a floral dress and smiling for the camera.

This week Imogen - who is known for leaving little to the imagination on social media thanks to posting raunchy snaps - went topless online.

She bared her assets while striking seductive poses drawing attention to her super slim frame, with a net covering her face.
It's not unusual for KIISFM hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson to ruffle a few feathers from time to time.

But it's not often those voices of disdain are heard live on-air, though Wednesday morning's show was an exception.

The pair were discussing the 'dark web', allowing listeners to call in to share their experiences, including the suggestion of ordering illicit drugs online, when one caller unleashed her fury.

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'I'm so disgusted': Enraged listeners accuse Kyle and Jackie O of 'free advertising' for the dark web which allows anonymous users to order illicit drugs online

Having just dropped her children off at school, Penelope accused them of being irresponsible, especially when young people might still be listening.

'I'm so disgusted, honestly,' she yelled.

'You shouldn't be talking about things like this... Jackie, you're a mother... You should not be promoting it.'

She admitted she'd never heard of the dark web until their segment which took place just before 9am, and as she continued to vent, Kyle could be heard saying: 'Stop squawking'.

'Jackie, you're a mother': The caller, known only as Penelope, accused the breakfast duo of being irresponsible when young people might still be listening

'What were you thinking?' Some listeners tweeted the station saying the conversation was inappropriate for the timeslot

Throughout the conversation, both Kyle and Jackie argued they weren't promoting the 'dark web', merely having an honest and frank discussion about it, agreeing with Penelope that it's worrying.

The 'Deep Web' refers to all web pages that do not appear in search engine results, i.e. they cannot be 'Googled'.

Therefore, the 'Dark Web' refers to a tiny subsection of the 'deep web' that requires specific software to access, where users and the identity of web hosts are hidden and web traffic is encrypted.

Troubling: both Kyle and Jackie argued they weren't promoting the 'dark web', merely having an honest and frank discussion about it, agreeing with Penelope that it's worrying

Contrary to Jackie's attempts to convince the listener the 'dark web' is too difficult for the average Internet user to access, it's relatively easy to set up.

The difficulty however is finding what you're looking for, as the 'dark web' lacks conventional search engines.

Though the 'dark web' has a sinister reputation for harbouring child pornography and an online black market for weapons, this in fact accounts for a very small fragment of it.
Kylie Jenner was transformed into a Hollywood screen siren on Tuesday.

The 18-year-old reality star gave fans a sneak peek at her latest photoshoot with Snapchat clips and Instagram snaps of her time in the glam chair.

'Exciting cover shoot today, about to start this glam' Kylie wrote on one of her Snapchats as she posed makeup-free before the style team got to work.

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Perfect pout: Kylie Jenner shared a sneak peek of a cover shoot she did on Tuesday wearing just a white robe

The teen KUWTK star showed off a scarlet red pout and immaculately applied eye makeup.

Her black locks were styled into bouncy curls for a vintage feel and she sported some diamond stud earrings.

In an Snapchat video the E! star sported a miniature diamond grown perched on her head as she showed off the look.

She was seen arriving at Milk Studios in LA earlier in the day with her boyfriend Tyga.

Ready for her close-up: The 18-year-old reality star showed off bold red lips and voluminous curls

Cover star: The teen star captured the moment on Snapchat as she was glammed up by her makeup artist

She kept her look casual in black leggings, a white tank and green bomber jacket and completed the look with some Dior sunglasses.

Once inside the studio, the dark haired beauty posed for an Instagram picture, reclining on the floor in a sultry pose and captioning it simply with: 'morning.'

Kylie has been busy working on her clothing line with her sister Kendall Jenner, filming Keeping Up With The Kardashians and also expanding her booming lip kit company.

On Monday, Kylie revealed that there would be several new shades added to Kylie Cosmetics, including one named after her mom, Kris Jenner.

The KUWTK star didn't reveal what magazine the shoot was for but certainly seemed pleased with her look

Selfie expert: The reality star showed her selfie expertise in an Instagram snap

Barefaced beauty: Kylie showed off her makeup-free face just before the shoot

Inseparable: Kylie hung out with her beau Tyga during the day as she arrived to Milk Studios in Los Angeles

She announced the new hue, called Kristen, on her Snapchat; the item can be purchased on her cosmetics website on Wednesday.

The other two new shades are called Maliboo and Ginger.

Meanwhile, Kylie's older sister Kendall, 20, was on her way to catch a flight out of Los Angeles, likely back to New York where she is based for her modeling career.

Sporty look: The reality star wore leggings and a tank top with stylish green bomber jacket

Jam-packed day: The brunette beauty reclined in a sultry pose for this snap she shared on Tuesday morning

Going strong: Kylie later shared a Snapchat video of herself with Tyga
Morena Baccarin and her leading man on and off-screen Ben McKenzie transformed the IRC GenR summer bash into a child-free daytime date in Manhattan on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Emmy nominee - who welcomed her second child on March 2 - flaunted her tiny waist in a purple pencil dress and black sandals.

The Juilliard grad kept her make-up minimal and wore her raven locks down for the party at Tribeca Rooftop.

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New parents: Morena Baccarin and her leading man on and off-screen Ben McKenzie transformed the IRC GenR summer bash into a child-free daytime date in Manhattan on Tuesday

Post-baby bod: The 37-year-old Emmy nominee - who welcomed her second child on March 2 - flaunted her tiny waist in a purple pencil dress and black sandals

Natural beauty: The Juilliard grad kept her make-up minimal and wore her raven locks down for the party at Tribeca Rooftop

Not seen with the Gotham co-stars was their four-month-old princess Frances as well as Morena's disappearing/reappearing ring.

TMZ reported in September that Baccarin's divorce court documents from estranged husband Austin Chick confirmed she planned 'to re-marry' (her 37-year-old babydaddy).

According to E! News, the Deadpool diva and the Girls Against Boys director - who turns 45 this month - finalized their 'status only' divorce just two weeks after Frances' birth.

Secretly married? Not seen with the Gotham co-stars was their four-month-old princess Frances as well as Morena's disappearing/reappearing ring (pictured April 16)

Pays him $22K a month in child and spousal support: Baccarin and estranged husband Austin Chick finalized their 'status only' divorce just two weeks after Frances' birth (pictured in 2014)

Morena reportedly pays Austin $22K a month in child and spousal support for their two-year-old son Julius.

LA-based Chick famously claimed in legal documents that Baccarin became pregnant while they were still 'working on their marriage.'

Catch more of the couple as Dr. Leslie Thompkins and Detective James Gordon in the 22-episode third season of Gotham, which premieres September 19 on Fox.

'#gothamseason3': Catch more of the couple as Dr. Leslie Thompkins and Detective James Gordon in the 22-episode third season of Gotham, which premieres September 19 on Fox

Batman-inspired: The Brazilian-born brunette and her Texas-born beau will reunite with their cast and crew for a Q&A panel this Saturday at Comic-Con's Indigo Room inside the San Diego Convention Center

The Brazilian-born brunette and her Texas-born beau will reunite with their cast and crew for a Q&A panel this Saturday at Comic-Con's Indigo Room inside the San Diego Convention Center.

McKenzie - born Schenkkan - is nominated for the choice TV actor (drama) trophy at the Teen Choice Awards airing July 31 on Fox.

Morena first met Ben back in 2006 during her three-episode stint as Maya Griffin on yet another Fox series, The O.C.

Who will win? McKenzie - born Schenkkan - is nominated for the choice TV actor (drama) trophy at the Teen Choice Awards airing July 31 on Fox
Their careers started in very different ways, but it seems Tammin Sursok and Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi have become fast friends.

Wednesday saw Jersey Shore reality star Nicole, 28, snuggle up with the 32-year-old Australian in a luxurious looking bed for the Pretty Little Liars star's new web series 'In Bed With Tammin'.

Sporting fluffy grey dressing gowns and a glass of wine in hand, the two beauties discussed everything from adoption to porn.

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Unlikely duo: Wednesday saw American reality star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi (L), 28, snuggle up with Australian star Tammin Sursok (R), 32, in a luxurious looking bed for the new web series 'In Bed With Tammin'

The clip begins with Tammin gushing, 'this is Snooki, aka [also known as] my new best friend'.

Clearly at ease with one another, the two petite stars are seen pouting and smiling, with Nicole swearing and even burping at times.

With a no-holds-barred approach, the former Home And Away actress quizzes reformed party girl Nicole on a diverse range of topics, one of which being adoption.

Time of their lives: Clearly at ease with another, the two petite stars are seen pouting and smiling, with Nicole swearing and even burping

They hit it off! The Pretty Little Liars star refers to Nicole as her 'new best friend' in the clip

After Nicole reveals she was 'adopted from six months from Chile', Tammin shares that she has 'always wanted to adopt'.

Things then go from a serious to lighthearted nature when their conversation turns to porn.

When Tammin asks Nicole whether she watches porn, the raven-haired star does not hold back.

'Oh yeah, I Google crazy s**t'.

Matters of the heart: The former Home And Away actress quizzes reformed party girl Nicole on a diverse range of topics, including adoption

No-holds-barred: Things then go from a serious to lighthearted nature when the conversation turns to porn

Nicole, or Snooki as she became known, shot to fame on the American reality show Jersey Shore before receiving her own spin-off series, while Tammin got her start playing Dani Surtherland on Home And Away.

Since moving to the United States, Tammin has starred on the iconic soap opera The Young And The Restless and Pretty Little Liars.

It's unknown at this stage what other celebrities Tammin is keen to interview.

Up close and personal: It's unknown at this stage what other celebrities Tammin is keen to interview

Instant fame: Nicole Polizzi, or Snooki as she became known, starred on the reality series Jersey Shore before getting her own spin-off show

Aussie expat: Tammin has been based in the US for several years and has appeared in Pretty Little Liars and The Young And The Restless

Earlier this yearn, the actress returned to Australia with her husband Sean McEwen and their gorgeous daughter Phoenix.

It was during her visit that Tammin revealed her husband is eager to extend their brood.

My husband keeps trying to have a baby with me every day', she laughed when she made an appearance on the Today Show.

Tammin and Sean were married in 2011, and after 11 years together are still as loved up as ever.
Reese Witherspoon snagged an Oscar nomination for braving the great outdoors in Wild, and her closeness to nature has stuck with her to this day.

On Sunday, the 40-year-old and her 12-year-old son Deacon Phillippe arrived in British Columbia for a hiking trip. The proud mother has been documenting their escapades on social media ever since.

The pair seemed to be having the time of their lives as they went bear-watching, made s'mores, and sampled all manner of camping trip cuisine.

Uncanny: Reese Witherspoon and her son Deacon showed a striking family resemblance during their hiking trip in British Columbia where they saw a bear; she posted the images onMonday

On Monday, the Oscar-winning Walk the Line star posted an Instagram photo of herself and her 'new friend': a beautiful brown and white horse.

When she turned her attention to Snapchat, a flurry of pictures showed Deacon daringly riding another steed through the shallows of a river.

As for sampling the local seafood, Witherspoon went the rugged route, grimacing as she tried kelp. At dinner that night, Deacon opted for the five-star treatment, tucking into a plate of crab served with mashed potatoes and vegetables.

The duo lodged in style, sleeping in a large white tent set up on an elegant wooden patio.

Wild child: Deacon, the product of Witherspoon's marriage to Ryan Phillippe, proved his camping credentials by riding through the shallows of a river

Only the best: The Water for Elephants actress fearfully sampled kelp during the day, but dinner for the campers was a more lavish affair

Reward for a long day's vacationing: Mother and son sat down to a plate of scrumptious s'mores for dessert while hiking through British Columbia

Deacon is the product of the Legally Blonde lead's marriage to her Cruel Intentions co-star, Ryan Phillippe. Though the couple finalized their divorce in 2007, they share custody of Deacon and his 16-year-old sister, Ava Phillippe.

Despite Ava's absence, Deacon and his mother made the most of their family vacation. On top of all their other activities, they've gone boating, caught sight of what appears to be a Steller sea lion, and built a bonfire.

Witherspoon's next movie will be the animated Universal Pictures release Sing, which opens on December 21st and will also feature Scarlett Johansson and Matthew McConaughey.

Not too shabby for the woods: After roughing it during the day, the Children's Defense Fund board member settled down with her son in a large tent, complete with a patio

Natural habitat: The vacationers caught a glimpse of what appears to be a sea lion during their travels
She put her cleavage on prominent display by sharing a racy snapshot of herself last week.

And on Tuesday Rose McGowan made sure to draw attention once more when she stepped out in Beverly Hills.

The 42-year-old Charmed actress put on an eye-popping display as she went braless in a semi-sheer black dress.

Flawless! Rose McGowan made sure to draw attention when she stepped out in Beverly Hills on Tuesday afternoon

The former flame of Marilyn Manson left little to the imagination and exposed a bit of her ample bosom beneath.

She turned heads while masking her way down the sidewalk of the upscale community in the full-length frock which hugged her curvaceous figure.

Her monochrome ensemble was complete with platform velcro sandals, a strappy backpack and floppy hat.

Over exposed! The 42-year-old Charmed actress put on an eye-popping display as she went braless in a semi-sheer black dress

Buzzed: The former flame of Marilyn Manson removed her floppy hat and revealed her freshly shaved head

The award-winning actress removed her wide-brimmed cap and exposed her freshly shaved head.

Typically known for sporting longer locks in the past, the beauty opted for a pixie cut in 2014 and went completely buzzed last November.

She shielded her brown eyes from the scorching California sunshine in round-framed blue mirrored shades.

Shaded: The award-winning actress kept concealed beneath mirrored sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat

McGowan donned the same sunglasses she wore while teasing a new artistic venture last week in a behind-the-scenes video from the project.

'Hi baby, I see you,' Rose said to the camera as she twirled through the water, rolling her head and gazing skywards through her circular blue sunglasses.

'Message in a bottle #bts,' the video was captioned.

'Message in a bottle': McGowan donned the same sunglasses she wore while teasing a new artistic venture last week in a behind-the-scenes video from the project
She is due to give birth to twin boys in three months.

And on Tuesday, expecting mother Rebecca Judd covered up her growing baby bump as she ran errands around Melbourne's CBD.

The 33-year-old dressed in a navy hooded jacket which highlighted her pregnancy belly as she buttoned UP the garment tightly.

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Bumping along nicely: Expecting mother Rebecca Judd covered up her growing baby bump on Tuesday as she ran errands around Melbourne's CBD

She showed off her long slim legs as she slipped into a pair patterned exercise tights which finished at the ankle.

Rebecca tied her light brunette hair back into a rough bun while keeping her makeup natural.

She opted for a simple look with a blended foundation and a light pink lipstick.

Rugged up: The 33-year-old dressed in a navy hooded jacket which highlighted her pregnancy belly as she buttoned-up the garment tightly

Keeping slim: She showed off her long slender legs as she slipped into a pair patterned exercise tights which finished at the ankle

True beauty: Rebecca tied her light brunette hair back into a rough bun while keeping her makeup natural

The already-mother-of-two accessorised with a orange, reflective sunglasses and grey sneakers and an oversized Louis Vuitton handbag valued at $1710.

Last week the former WAG said her twins were 'measuring a week bigger in size' as a result of her choc-chip cookie cravings.

'I'm pretty sure this is the reason both of my twins are measuring a week bigger in size compared to an average single pregnancy of the same gestational age,' the mother-of-two captioned a picture of a fresh batch of cookies she'd just whipped up.

Bits and pieces: The already-mother-of-two accessorised with a orange, reflective sunglasses and grey sneakers and an oversized Louis Vuitton handbag valued at $1710

Growing quickly: Last week the former WAG said her twins were 'measuring a week bigger in size'

Countdown is on: She is due to welcome the twins in October. She is expecting sons

Meanwhile, Rebecca and her former AFL playing husband Chris Judd announced they were expecting twins in April.

The model and TV presenter revealed an initial eight week scan failed to detect the second baby.

It was only when she undertook a routine follow up scan after four weeks later that she discovered she was expecting twins.

Rebecca is also a mother to four-year-old Oscar and Billie, two.
Her schedule has been packed with promotions lately for her upcoming film, Bad Moms.

And on Tuesday, Kristen Bell stepped out in Hollywood on the set of Jimmy Kimmel LIVE to chat with the talk show host about her new comedy.

The 36-year-old actress wowed in a sexy silver-and-black pant suit as she arrived at El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles.

Ciao Bella! Kristen Bell wowed in a dazzling metallic top and black gaucho pants as she arrived at El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood for Jimmy Kimmel Live on Tuesday

Kristen flaunted her ample cleavage and toned arms in a metallic top that criss-crossed along the midriff and towards the back.

She paired the stylish top with long black gaucho pants, adorned with silver lining along the sides, which elongated her figure.

The blonde beauty wore minimal jewelry and accessorized with a pair of black sandal stilettos and a square-shaped black handbag she carried in her hand.

Bad mom! The blonde beauty revealed her tiny waist in a criss-cross metallic top as she prepared for her television appearance

The Frozen actress went for a smokey eye with smoldering gold eye-shadow and dark eyeliner that she paired with a nude lip and bronzed cheeks.

She styled her short blonde locks in loose curls as it parted in the middle and framed her pretty face.

While Kristen may play a careless mom in the Jon Lucas and Scott Moore-directed film, the Veronica Mars actress cares for two children of her own with husband Dax Shepard.

Stylish: The 36-year-old actress loosely curled her blonde locks in a middle part, as it framed her face

High spirits! The actress kept her accessories at a minimum with only a pair of black sandal stilettos and a designer handbag purse

Crazy moms: The Jon Lucas and Scott Moore-directed film also stars Mila Kunis and Kathryn Hahn

She recently appeared on The Today Show and opened up about parenthood, including the failures.

When speaking about her daughters, three-year-old Lincoln and one-year-old Delta, Kristen said the experience raising children is 'comical,' adding, 'Every day when you're raising kids, you feel like you could cry or crack up and just scream "This is ridiculous!" because there's so much nonsense, whether it's what they're saying to you or the fact that there's avocado or poop on every surface.'

She spoke about labels saying, 'I'm not a good mom; I'm not a bad mom. I'm the mom I am and I try very hard, and when I fail, that's OK.'

And this is the message of the movie, Kristen added, as she said, 'The goal of the movie is to remind us that there are so many different types of parents out there. And that's great, because there are so many different types of kids.'

In love: Kristen married comedian Dax Shepard in 2013 and together raise daughters, Lincoln, 3, and Delta 1; here the couple posed together in March of this year

Kristen is working on raising funds for Alliance of Moms, an organization that supports young mothers and pregnant teens.

Every ten dollar donation counts as an entry to win a date with the actress to the Bad Moms premiere in Los Angeles on July 26th.

Bad Moms, also starring Mila Kunis and Kathryn Hahn, releases on July 29th in the U.S. and August 26th in the UK.

While on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kristen is excited to reprise her role as Anna in Disney's Frozen sequel.

'We havent started recording, were just waiting to get our hands on the script,' she told the late-night host.

'They take a lot of time over there to just perfect it, and it has to go through a lot of development to make sure that its exactly the story that needs to be told. I hope we start recording soon.'
Hollywood mourned the passing of one of its brightest light Garry Marshall on Tuesday evening.

The legendary television and film director died at age 81 from complications of pneumonia following a stroke at a hospital in Burbank, California, his publicist confirmed.

Tributes for the legend started pouring in social media as soon as word of his death spread.

After news broke of Garry Marshall's death at age 81 Henry Winkler took to Twitter and thanked Marshall for his 'professional life,' since he starred in Marshall's show, Happy Days (seen here in January together)

Actor Henry Winkler took to Twitter and thanked Marshall for his 'professional life,' since he starred in Marshall's show, Happy Days.

'GARRY MARSHALL Rest In Peace .. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friends and generosity.' Winkler wrote on Twitter.

Fellow filmmaker and actor Albert Brooks said that Marshall was a 'great guy.'

Popular credits: Marshall was the creator of the popular sitcom, Happy Days, that aired during the 1970s and 80s. Above Winkler, Marshall, Jim Knaub and Ron Howard are pictured on set of the show

TV gold: In 1974 he debuted Happy Days, which had Ron Howard as the clean-cut everyday American kid in 1950s America with Winkler as the studly The Fonz

'R.I.P. Garry Marshall. A great, great guy and the best casino boss in the history of film. #lostinamerica,' Brooks wrote on Twitter.

Zelda Williams, the daughter to late actor and comedian Robin Williams, also wrote a heartfelt tribute to Marshall on Twitter.

'RIP Garry Marshall. You forever changed my father's life, and thus, mine. Thank you for capturing so much joy on film, over and over.' she wrote.

La Toya Jackson also paid tribute to Marshall and wrote: 'So sad to hear that Garry Marshall just passed, he brought us great TV! My condolences to his family #RIPGarry...'

Actor Orlando Jones wrote that Marshall 'will be missed' on his Twitter account.

'RIP Garry Marshall. Had the privilege of working with this legend on "Father of the Pride". He will be missed. Condolences to friends/family,' Jones wrote.

Actress Alyssa Milano also shared a touching tribute to Marshall and wrote: 'I was blessed to have worked with Garry Marshall. Not only was he a wonderful director, but also, he was a gentle, loving, kind man. #RIP'

Actor Bog Saget also expressed his grief over Marshall's death and wrote: 'The world has lost a great man, a comedy icon and a wonderful friend. Rest in peace Garry Marshall.'

Comedian and actor Ashton Kutcher said that he lost both a 'friend and mentor' in Marshall on Twitter.

'I lost a friend & mentor. We lost a beautiful man and masterful story teller. Gary (sic) Marshall I love you. I hope I get to go where you are,' Kutcher wrote.

Gone and missed already: Garry, pictured above in April, has died at the age of 81. He died from complications of pneumonia following a stroke on Tuesday at a hospital in Burbank, California

He made her famous: Marshall cast Julia Roberts (pictured with Marshall on set) in 1990's smash hit Pretty Woman

Actor Fred Savage took to Twitter and wrote: 'So sad to hear the news about Garry Marshall. He was a kind and generous man who gave everything to his family and his work. A real loss.'

Marshall is survived by his wife, Barbara, whom he married in 1963; son Scott; and daughters Lori and Kathleen; a number of grandchildren; and sisters Penny Marshall and Ronny Hallin.

According to CBS News, his funeral services will be private, though a memorial is being planned for his birthday on November 13.

The actor and director is best known for his romantic comedy hits with Julia Roberts such as Pretty Woman, Runaway Bride and the more recent Mother's Day.

He also was the creator of the popular sitcom, Happy Days, that aired during the 1970s and 80s.

Marshall was also behind the small screen classics The Odd Couple, Laverne And Shirley, and Mork And Mindy.

The New York native started his career in the 1950s and went on to become known as the king of the romantic comedies.

He made Julia Roberts famous when he cast her in the 1990 smash hit Pretty Woman with Richard Gere.

The romantic comedy grossed $463 million worldwide and landed Julia a Best Actress Oscar nomination for playing a hooker with a heart of gold.
She's a successful actress and happily married mother-of-one.

But that doesn't stop Tammin Sursok from thinking about the end of her life, with the 32-year-old admitting on The Lowdown with Diana Madison: 'I think about death a lot'.

The Pretty Little Liars star said her morbid thoughts actually spur her on to do more with her life, conscious of the legacy she's leaving behind for her two-year-old daughter, Phoenix.

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'I think about death a lot': Tammin Sursok has revealed she often thinks about death and the meaning of life to inspire her to do more with her life and consider the legacy she is leaving for her two-year-old daughter

'I always say to my husband, I'm like "stop with the bullcrap, what do you want your legacy to be?",' the fiery starlet revealed.

'Do you wanna be doing all these little things that mean nothing or do you wanna be fighting for the bigger things in life?' she admitted is a question she asks both herself and husband, Sean McEwen.

'What do I wanna leave her? Do I wanna leave her being on television? Do I want to leave her creating shows...What's the message I wanna leave my child?' Tammin noted.

'I spent a lot of my life asking "why are we here?"...and then you have a child and it makes sense, it's just love. The meaning of life is love, that's it.

'Do I wanna leave her being on television?' While appearing on The Lowdown with Diana Madison (right), the brunette beauty listed a bunch of questions she asks herself on a regular basis to help her stay on track

'Stop with the bullcrap': The 32-year-old actress revealed she tells her husband to cut the crap and think about the legacy he wants to leave for their daughter

'The meaning of life is love': The mother-of-one says after years of questioning her existence, becoming a mother made her realise the meaning of life

Tammin also spoke about death in relation to her returning character, Jenna Marshall, on the hit TV drama Pretty Little Liars, saying she hoped to go out with a bang.

However, the actress admitted to the Obsev.com show, she doesn't actually get to find out what happens in each episode till one day before they begin filming.

Crediting her previous work on Australian soap Home And Away, the 32-year-old revealed she's good at learning lines in a short space of time.

However, Tammin did reveal her character does return again after the summer finale, with the story line carrying through.

The actress and mother is also an entrepreneur with her new website Bottles + Heels launching in May.

Last minute: The actress admitted to the Obsev.com show, she doesn't actually get to find out what happens in each episode till one day before they begin filming and gets the script only a day before

It is billed as a platform for 'open-minded' people wanting to share stories about fashion, beauty, travel, art and motherhood.

In a recent interview for her web-series, 'In Bed With Tammin', the actress again spoke about death, asking former Jersey Shore star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi what she would eat for her last ever meal.

Sitting in a bed with a bottle of wine, dressed in grey fluffy robes, things quickly go from serious to light-hearted when their conversation turns to porn - with the raven-haired star not holding back and admitting: 'Oh yeah, I Google crazy s**t'.

As well as Pretty Little Liars, Tammin is starring in the thriller The Stepsister alongside TV actress Ashley Newbrough.
The movie adaptation of Absolutely Fabulous proved to be so popular that it drew in a whopping 4.4 million worth of sales on the UK opening weekend.

But Joanna Lumley has revealed that she nearly quit the successful BBC series after worrying that Jennifer Saunders didn't like her.

Appearing on Tuesday's episode of The View alongside her co-star, the 70-year-old actress made the candid confession in a discussion with Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg and Sara Haines.

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Candid: Joanna Lumley revealed she nearly turned down Absolutely Fabulous during her appearance on Tuesday's The View alongside (L-R) Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, Jennifer Saunders and Joy Behar

Recalling the first time she met Jennifer, 58, during a read-through of the script, she confessed: 'I didn't know how to be, so I was just a bit boring, and Jennifer was just a bit shier in those days, didn't say much.

'So I remember, I went to my agent and said "get me out of this as she doesn't like me!"'

Admitting that the process wasn't quite so smooth at the beginning, Jennifer joked: '[Joanna] was like the Queen so we wondered how to make her a lowlife!'

Cheers! Despite being firm friends now, Joanna admitted she once worried that Jennifer didn't like her

They're back! Jennifer and Joanna reprise their roles as Eddy and Patsy in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and are seen getting back to their old tricks, shopping, drinking and partying their way around London

During their time on the show, the pair also urged Americans to go out and vote during the Presidential elections as they reflected on the surprising outcome of the EU referendum and the number of people who did not use their vote.

During their time on the show, the pair also urged Americans to go out and vote during the Presendential elections as they reflected on the surprising outcome of the EU referendum and the number of people who did not use their vote.

'You think its a joke and might not happen but it could,' Jennifer reasoned.

And Whoopi quipped: 'England is the perfect example of what not to do.'

Getting political: As well as discussing the movie, during their time on the show, the pair also urged Americans to go out and vote during the Presidential elections

Three of a kind: The ladies cosied up for a snap with co-host Joy

The ladies looked surprisingly fresh faced having spent the night before at the New York premiere for Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.

Despite the late night, Joanna looked every inch the glamourpuss as she arrived at the studios, and showed off her svelte figure and keen sense of fashion in a white star-print shirt teamed with a tie in contrasting black.

She highlighted her trim waist with a chain-detail black belt, while adding to the monochrome vibe with a pair of cropped white trousers teamed with comfy sneakers.

What a trip! After premiering Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie in New York on Monday night, Joanna looked in great spirits as she stepped out in the Big Apple on Tuesday

Good to see you! The Brit icon dressed to impress in a star-print ensemble for another cheerful day promoting her new film

The acting legend's metallic shoulder bag added a touch more glam to the quirky ensemble.

And as ever Joanna was looking impeccable down to the last detail, finishing her look off with star earrings to continue the celestial theme, a slick of lippie and sunglasses perched on top of her perfectly blow-dried locks.

The actress stopped to sign autographs, beaming happily as she greeted fans at her NYC destination.

Stars in her eyes: Joanna, 70, showed off her svelte figure and keen sense of fashion in a quirky white star-print shirt teamed with a tie in contrasting black

Finishing touches: A slick of bold lipstick, starry earrings and a glam metallic bag finished off the ensemble

Starry-eyed: Joanna had all eyes on her as she strolled along the streets of New York

The new movie sees Eddy and Patsy back to their old tricks, shopping, drinking and partying their way around London.

However, life as they know it comes to a halt when they accidentally push supermodel Kate Moss to her death in the River Thames during a launch.

After being engulfed by a media storm, the pair flee to the French Riviera as they make plan to salvage their fabulous life.

Following the wild success of the flick Cameron Saunders, UK Managing Director, Twentieth Century Fox, said: 'We are thrilled that audiences have embraced Edina and Patsys big screen debut - it is a testament to Jennifer, Joanna and the talented team behind the film who really are absolutely fabulous.'

Meanwhile, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie is due for release in the US on 22 July and Australia on 4 August.
She has been pining for her little angel from the set of her new soap Neighbours.

And on Tuesday, Jodi Anasta was reunited with her daughter Aleeia and they celebrated the moment with a trip to a Bondi Beach park in Sydney.

The 31-year-old soap star opted for comfort during the outing with her toddler, whom she shares with estranged husband Braith Anasta, and showed off her svelte frame in a black three-quarter length coat.

Back together: Jodi Anasta and her daughter Aleeia were reunited on Tuesday and tjhey celebrated the moment with a trip to a Bondi Beach park

Jodi sashayed along the popular board, pushing her pram as she continued with her one tone theme with her choice in shirt and leather trousers.

She completed her winter chic ensemble with a pair of ballet flats and a black beanie with two fur pom poms on either side.

The mother-of-one styled her brunette tresses out and straight and opted for a natural pallet of make-up to highlight her striking features.

One tone ensemble: Jodi sashayed along the popular board, pushing her pram, and continued her one tone theme with her choice in shirt and leather trousers

Au naturel! The mother-of-one styled her brunette tresses out and straight, and opted for a natural pallet of make-up to highlight her striking features

Meanwhile, Aleeia was dressed in a blue parka, black leggings, ballet flats and a white beanie with fur trimmings.

Jodi appeared to be in happy and content spirits as she watched her daughter slide down the slippery dip.

The low-key appearance comes after Jodi confessed she was missing her daughter and paid tribute to the two-year-old with a sweet flashback video on social media.

Fun in the park: Aleeia was dressed in a blue parka, black leggings, ballet flats and a white beanie with fur trimmings

Claps for mummy: Jodi encouraged her toddler to slide down the slippery dip

In the video, Aleeia squeals and runs about on the sand while Jodi watches on from behind the camera and films.

She captioned the short flick: 'Missing this angel beyond.'

The actress has also been sharing snaps with her Neighbours co-stars and appears to be settling in well to her new role of Elly Conway on the show.

However, it does appear that the time away from her daughter seems to be weighing on her mind.

In December she and husband Braith Anasta announced they had split and in the months since have been doing their best to co-parent their daughter.

Play time: The mother-and-daughter duo enjoyed time together on the play equipment

The couple have put their differences aside for the sake of their daughter and Jodi explained in an interview with The Daily Telegraph that she and Braith have 'got it down pat'.

Former NRL player Braith takes the toddler during the week while she is filming for the soap in Melbourne, while she takes her on the weekends.

'Aleeia is settled in daycare and I feel like we are doing a pretty good job together. I am pretty grateful for that. I have his support and support from my family and Aleeia is great,' she told the publication.

Home time: Jodi attempted to put her daughter back in her pram after their day out together

Sleep time: Aleeia appeared snug as a bug after her play session

In recent months both parents have taken their daughter on separate holidays and both parents have been vocal about how much they have missed their little girl while not with her.

After three years of marriage the couple released a joint statement when they split that said they had decided to part ways after facing challenges 'like all married couples.'

'We are going to continue to support each other and remain best of friends, we only want the best for each other and more importantly our amazing daughter Aleeia,' they said.
He's known for his dapper, clean-shaven look as a judge on MasterChef Australia.

But Matt Preston has undergone a dramatic makeover recently, swapping his debonair style for a bushy, salt-and-pepper beard.

And it seems the 52-year-old's new look is here to stay as he displayed his growing facial hair while visiting the Bundaberg Rum Distillery on Monday.

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The beard is back! It seems MasterChef Australia judge Matt Preston (pictured) is continuing to grow his bushy beard as he paid a visit to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery in Queensland on Monday

Despite his typically 'English gentleman' style, Matt has surprised his fans with a more fashionably unkempt appearance in the last few weeks.

The London-born food critic proudly showed off his bristly beard as he took time off his schedule to attend the distillery in Bundaberg, Queensland.

And while he has undergone something of a physical transformation, it was still business as usual in the wardrobe department for the style-conscious TV star.

Dressed in a navy blue suit that flattered his tall frame, Matt finished off his dapper look with denim jeans and one of his signature bright yellow cravats.

What a transformation! The London-born food critic has undergone a dramatic makeover recently, swapping his debonair style for a bushy, salt-and-pepper beard

Tourist spot: Matt was photographed enjoying the sights and sounds of the rum distillery and even made his own personalised 'Matts Blend' at their new Blendatorium

Meanwhile, Matt was photographed enjoying the sights and sounds of the rum distillery and even made his own personalised 'Matts Blend' at the tourist spot's new Blendatorium.

In the last month, Matt's rugged facial hair has been a fixture on his Instagram page while he takes a break from filming Network Ten's cooking show.

And in several social media photos, Matt looks hardly recognisable with his beard compared to photos taken just months previously.

Taking it easy: The 52-year-old reality TV star proudly showed off his bristly beard as he took time off his schedule to attend the venue in Bundaberg, Queensland

It just keeps growing! Despite his typically 'English gentleman' style, Matt has surprised his fans with a more fashionably unkempt look in the last few weeks

Work hard, play hard! In the last month, Matt's rugged facial hair has been a fixture on his Instagram page while he takes a break from filming Network Ten's cooking show

It would appear his new appearance has inspired his co-stars Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris to also adopt a similar look.

At the launch of Regional Flavours in Brisbane last Friday, the trio of MasterChef judges all showed off their facial hair as they took the stage.

Matt's silvery beard was also on display as he shared a selfie from Broome, WA earlier this month while enjoying a sunny day at the beach.

The Bundaberg Rum Visitors Centre opens to the public on 13 August.



A team effort? It seems Matt's new look has inspired his co-stars Gary Mehigan (second from left) and George Calombaris (left) to follow the trend. Pictured at the launch of Regional Flavours in Brisbane this month
Steve Price received public backlash after he called a female panellist 'hysterical' during ABC's Q&A last week.

Now, members of the iconic Hunters & Collectors have requested that the shock jock remove their hit song Holy Grail from his 2GB line-up.

It's not the first time the Australian band has picketted against the use of it's rock anthem Holy Grail.

Hitting back: Members of the iconic Hunters & Collectors have requested that Steve Price remove their hit song Holy Grail from his 2GB line-up

In 2015, front-man Mark Seymour shared an impassioned post on Facebook condemning the fact that the song was chanted by Reclaim Australia members at an anti-Islam rally.

Price announced that the song had been axed during his radio show on Monday night.

On Tuesday last week, Price courted controversy when he engaged in a heated debate with Van Badham, a Guardian Australia political commentator, about attitudes leading to the deaths and disability of women.

For the record: Price announced that the song had been axed during his radio show on Monday night

Putting his foot down: In 2015, Hunters & Collectors front-man Mark Seymour shared an impassioned post on Facebook condemning the fact that the song was chanted by Reclaim Australia members at an anti-Islam rally

Audience member Tarang Chawla had asked the panel how politicians and media can be better role models than controversial celebrities Sam Newman and Eddie McGuire, and identified himself as the brother of a 23-year-old stabbed to death with a meat cleaver by her partner in January last year.

Badham responded to the question, but was derailed after Price interjected several times, calling her 'hysterical'- to which she replied: 'It's probably my ovaries making me do it.'

'Just because you're a woman, doesn't mean you're the only one that can get upset,' Price said as Badham was speaking.

Controversy: On Tuesday last week, Price courted controversy when he engaged in a heated debate with Van Badham, a Guardian Australia political commentator, about attitudes leading to the deaths and disability of women

Speaking up: Audience member Tarang Chawla (far left) had asked the panel how politicians and media can be better role models than Sam Newman and Eddie McGuire

Battlefield: Badham responded to the question, but was derailed after Price interjected several times, calling her 'hysterical'- to which she replied: 'It's probably my ovaries making me do it'

The audience gasped and a camera cut to Mr Chawla, who appeared to gawk with shock.

Badham replied: 'You're proving my point very excellently about the attitudes.'

Price then said: 'I think you're just being hysterical.'

'It's probably my ovaries making me do it, Steve,' Badham responded, prompting rousing applause from the audience.
She is almost always seen out and about with her young children in tow.

And Petra Stunt looked every inch the doting mother once again, as she headed for dinner with husband James and her three-year-old daughter Lavinia, in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

The leggy Formula One heiress, 27, was spotted leaving Spago Beverly Hills with the rest of the Stunt clan by her side, in some tiny high-waisted shorts.

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Legs for days: The Formula One heiress Petra Stunt was spotted leaving Spago Beverly Hills with her husband James and daughter Lavinia in some tiny high-waisted shorts on Tuesday

The socialite showed off her lengthy, tanned pins and petite waist as she exited the Beverly Hills restaurant in some vintage-style faded black high-waisted denim shorts.

The mother-of-three flashed a hint of her flat stomach under a simple loose-fitting black crop top, adding to the laid back vibe of her outfit.

The top section of her hair was swept into a top knot on the crown of her head, and her face was covered with some trendy mirrored sunglasses, keeping her cool from the summer L.A. heat.

The British blonde completed the low-key monochrome ensemble with some sporty black and white Adidas superstar trainers.

Leggy: The socialite, 27, showed off her lengthy, tanned pins and petite waist as she exited the Beverly Hills restaurant in some vintage-style faded black high-waisted denim shorts

Her husband James followed suit in a black and white outfit also, matching his wife's casual style in a simple black button up shirt and jeans as he escorted his family out of the restaurant to head back home.

The businessman also showed off his well-known love of cars by sporting a black cap emblazoned with 'Lamborghini' on the front.

The couple were accompanied by several cars for their journey to their Californian estate, including a Range Rover clearly belonging to the blonde beauty, featuring a personalised named number plate.

Couples who dress together, stay together: Her husband James followed suit in a matching monochrome outfit involving a simple black button up shirt and jeans

However, while James is thought to have around 200 cars, the family were pictured leaving the eatery in his modified Rolls Royce, which has been securely customised to be both bomb and bullet proof.

Petra and Stunt married in a lavish $7million (5million) ceremony in 2011, after he signed a pre-nuptial agreement

He is the sole shareholder in Stunt Acquisitions Ltd, which he set up in 2014.

Discussing why she was initially attracted to him, she previously told The Telegraph, 'Its obvious if a guy wants to use you to become famous, and James doesnt.'

Boys and their toys: the car-loving businessman, who is thought to have around 200 cars, sported a black cap emblazoned with 'Lamborghini' on the front as he escorted his family home in multiple vehicles

'And he can support himself, which makes life easier... But those werent the only reasons I was attracted to him.'

Despite already being mother to little Lavinia and one-year-old twins Andrew and James, the heiress revealed that she may not yet have completed her family, revealing to the publication: 'I definitely want three or four children before Im 30,' she revealed.

The family have spent a lot of time in L.A. recently, having been forced to increase security at their 68million London home following a terrifying petrol bomb attack back in May.

Indestructible: the family were pictured leaving the eatery in James' modified Rolls Royce, which has been securely customised to be both bomb and bullet proof

The pair were said to be 'really alarmed' by the attack at their West London home, where the bomb reportedly landed next to Petra's Range Rover.

A spokesman for James said: 'Mr Stunt and his family were not in the country when the attack occurred.

'It was a minor incident and no damage was done. Although Mr Stunt's security people reported it to the police they are not taking it seriously.

'It is thought to be the action of a disaffected member of the public who disapproves of the Stunts' lifestyle.'

Fearful: The couple, who married in 2011, have spent a lot of time in L.A. in recent weeks after being severely 'alarmed' by a petrol-bomb attack on their West London home




His daughter is currently filming some very amorous scenes in the city of love for her latest film, Fifty Shades Darker.

And it seems that despite the raunchy nature of the film, Dakota Johnson's father Don was more than happy to pay a visit to his daughter's temporary workplace in Paris.

Stepping out in the French capital on Tuesday, the 66-year-old Miami Vice star cut a casual figure as he strolled around the city's sunny streets with his Kelley Phleger.

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Still cool: It seems that despite the raunchy nature of the film, Dakota Johnson's father Don was more than happy to pay a visit to his daughter's temporary workplace in Paris

The '80s icon kept things casual, and threw on a light blue linen shirt which he teamed with a pair of stone shorts, which he rounded off with a pair of white trainers.

Adding a summery flourish to his look, the actor and producer wore a panama hat which he teamed with a pair of sunglasses.

Leaving his chiselled features covered in a smattering of stubble the actor - who was twice married to Dakota's mother, Goldie - cut a rugged figure.

Hard at it: Stepping out in the French capital on Tuesday, the 66-year-old Miami Vice star cut a casual figure as he strolled around the city's sunny streets with his Kelley Phleger while his daughter got to work

His wife Kelley Phleger looked equally summery in a cotton sun dress, which she teamed with a pair of tobacco sandals.

With her long brown hair pinned back off of her face by a pair of shades, Kelley allowed her striking looks to come to the fore.

Heading out to enjoy a day soaking in the sights and sounds of Paris, the couple looked to be entertaining themselves while Dakota worked.

Summer style: The '80s icon kept things casual, and threw on a light blue linen shirt which he teamed with a pair of stone shorts, before rounding off her look with a pair of white trainers and a panama hat

A rugged rogue: Leaving his chiselled features covered in a smattering of stubble the actor - who was twice married to Dakota's mother, Goldie - cut a rugged figure

And it looked like the actress was working up quite the sweat at work, as she got to grips with a steamier scene in the erotic movie - locking lips with her handsome co-star Jamie Dornan.

The 26-year-old actress looked glamorous in a tight skirt as she kissed her main man, 34, in a romantic scene set on a balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower in The City Of Love.

The scenes allowed things to out in style for the cast and the crew, as Fifty Shades author E L James took to Twitter in the early hours of Wednesday morning to announce that shooting had wrapped, adding: 'Thanks to all the fans who came to support us.'

A romantic walk for two: His wife Kelley Phleger looked equally summery in a cotton sun dress, which she teamed with a pair of tobacco sandals

Getting some gifts for the family? Heading out to enjoy a day soaking in the sights and sounds of Paris, the couple looked to be entertaining themselves while Dakota worked

Dakota, who plays meek Anastasia Steele in the franchise, seemed dressed to impress her love interest - Jamie's character Christian Grey, an illusive millionaire haunted by demons of his past.

Showing off her sensational physique, the brunette beauty wore a loose-fitting cream coloured vest tucked into a tan-hued skirt as she soaked up the European sunshine.

The second-skin pencil skirt skimmed her knees in length while boasting a tailored finish which tucked in at her perky posterior.

The money shot: The 26-year-old actress looked glamorous in a tight skirt as she kissed her main man, 34, in a romantic scene set on a balcony overlooking the Eiffel Tower in The City Of Love

Having a giggle: Dakota, who plays meek Anastasia Steele in the franchise, seemed dressed to impress her love interest - Jamie's character Christian Grey, an illusive millionaire haunted by demons of his past

Intimate: Showing off her sensational physique, the brunette beauty wore a loose-fitting cream coloured vest tucked into a tan-hued skirt as she soaked up the European sunshine

As she embraced her on-screen lover, her brunette tresses became mussed as she rocked her usual bouncy blow-dry with a heavy fringe tickling her eyes.

Jamie meanwhile opted for a crisp white shirt as he filmed scenes for the sequel to last year's blockbuster Fifty Shades Of Grey - based on the erotic novel by E.L.James.

With his sleeves rolled up, he exposed his sun-kissed forearm which tensed as he scooped Dakota into his arms in a loving embrace.

Delightful moments: Jamie meanwhile opted for a crisp white shirt as he filmed scenes for the sequel to last year's blockbuster Fifty Shades Of Grey - based on the erotic novel by E.L.James

Chatting away: With his sleeves rolled up, he exposed his sun-kissed forearm which tensed as he scooped Dakota into his arms in a loving embrace

A fit of the giggles: Dakota managed to tear herself away from the intense moments as she cracked up

Great heights: With the character's status as a multimillionaire the scenes were undoubtedly shot from the penthouse

It's a wrap! Fifty Shades author E L James announced early Wednesday morning that shooting had wrapped

While the scenes will no doubt play out in an erotic and intimate fashion on-screen, the behind the scenes off-screen reality was a whole other story with crew littered around the balcony.

The cast recently arrived in Paris from Nice, where they were staying a stone's throw from the location of the devastating Bastille Day terror attacks, in which 84 people were killed including 10 children.

Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, 31, drove a white lorry into the heavily populated Promenade des Anglais crushing people before exiting the vehicle and spraying crowds with bullets.

Horrifying footage of the moment the truck turned into a deadly juggernaut were uploaded online within minutes, showing a trail of dead bodies left in its path.

Hold me close: The couple could barely resist one another as they clutched on tight

Safe: The cast have just arrived in Paris from Nice, where they were staying a stone's throw from the location of the devastating Bastille Day terror attacks, in which 84 people were killed including 10 children

Kisses: The movie tells the story of Christian who, as he wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her

A warm moment: The couple held each other tenderly as they shot the romantic scene

The devastating events saw the film's producer Dana Brunetti move to reassure fans that everyone involved with the project was safe.

Passing on the message from the whole production team, he wrote on Twitter: 'From production: 'Production has confirmed that everyone working on location in the south of France is okay.

'Everyone has been accounted for and is safe and sound. Thanks for everyone's messages and concerns. Another sad day for France and the world.'

The movie tells the story of Christian who, as he wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront the anger and envy of the women who came before her.

It is slated for release on February 10, 2017

To the distance: The duo appeared to be gazing into the distance no doubt at the exquisite view of the Eiffel Tower

Coming soon! It is slated for release on February 10, 2017

Gazing intently: Many scenes saw Christian's trademark intensity pour out of Jamie
She appears to be the only member of the Good Morning Britain team who can keep her mischievous co-star Piers Morgan in-check.

But on Wednesday's show Susanna Reid was left lost for words, as she and her co-star were left caught out when an out-of-studio segment ended abruptly.

Sat on the sofa munching a quick breakfast of peanut butter and fruit, the usually unflappable and talkative journalist, 45, was unable to get a word out - much to the delight of Piers, 51.

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At a loss for words? On Wednesday's GMB Susanna Reid was left lost for words, as she and her co-star Piers Morgan were left caught out when an out-of-studio segment ended abruptly

With showbiz reporter Richard Arnold cutting back to the London studio following a segment, the breakfast duo were caught out by the timing; with Piers sat on his phone and Susanna eating.

But while the DailyMail.com Editor-at-Large springing into action as soon as the error was realised Susanna wasn't so lucky, and was left covering unable to speak due to a mouth full of gloopy peanut butter.

Covering her mouth with her hand, frantically trying to finish her snack, the unfortunate presenter was left at the mercy of her colleague - who proceeded to mercilessly rib her.

Finding Susanna's predicament very amusing, Piers pointed at her and quipped: 'Look at you, you can't even speak!'

Breakfast banter: Sat on the sofa munching a quick breakfast of peanut butter and fruit, the usually unflappable and talkative journalist, 45, was unable to get a word out - much to the delight of Piers, 51

Having initially brushed off the embarrasing moment by shielding her mouth, and explaining to the viewers and Richard that the pair weren't expecting to be back on air, the former Strictly Come Dancing star was left speechless as she attempted to eat her snack.

But if Susanna thought her co-star might save her, she was very wrong, as the roguish journalist proceeded to mimic her - mumbling and yawping his way through a segment she was supposed to introduce.

However, it wasn't long before the Croydon-born star was back to her usual self, and proceeded to brush of Piers' jokes with her usual air of defiance.

And they're back! With showbiz reporter Richard Arnold cutting back to the London studio following a segment, the breakfast duo were caught out by the timing; with Piers sat on his phone and Susanna eating

A good ribbing: Finding Susanna's predicament very amusing, Piers pointed at her and quipped: 'Look at you, you can't even speak!'

The duo have become a star attraction on breakfast TV since Piers joined Good Morning Britain in 2015, initially as a guest presenter, and though they bait each other mercilessly it seems the pair have developed quite the bond.

Speaking to the Radio Times in June, she conceded she'd become fond of her rambunctious co-star, admitting: 'Its a love-hate relationship; we are destined to be together on air.

'No matter how many spats we have, theres an underlying affection. The trouble is, the more words I use like that, the more Piers goes, You see? She couldnt cope without me.'
She is currently residing in Los Angeles to host the new series of So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation.

And British TV personality Cat Deeley seems to be making the most of the Californian sunshine, having been spotted soaking up some rays in a strappy sundress on Tuesday.

The new mum, 39, looked radiant as she took time off from her hosting and motherhood duties to enjoy a bite to eat with a friend in a gloriously sunny Beverly Hills.

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Sunny disposition: TV presenter Cat Deeley looked radiant as she headed for a bite to eat at Ebaldi with friend and sister-in-law in Beverly Hills on Tuesday

The Midlands-born beauty took to the streets in a navy blue textured halterneck sundress, lined with a dropped hem as she grabbed some lunch at Italian restaurant Ebaldi.

She maintained the simplicity of the look by pairing the frock with a cross-body tan bag and a pair of matching strappy sandals as she enjoyed some lunch and hit the shops on the streets of L.A.

With her long blonde locks sweeping naturally across her shoulders and some light gold hoops in her ears, the TV presenter epitomised effortless style as she enjoyed some down time.

Glowing: The Midlands-born beauty, 39, took to the streets in a navy blue textured halterneck sundress, lined with a dropped hem

Simple but effective: She paired the frock with a cross-body tan bag and a pair of matching strappy sandals as she enjoyed some lunch and hit the shops on the streets of L.A.

Cat, who walked side-by-side with her friend and sister-in-law Cath Kielty, looked happy and relaxed after a very busy few months.

The TV presenter, originally of SMTV Live fame, began filming the audition stages stateside for the new series of So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation back in February, and is currently filming the live shows weekly in the run up to its finale.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the night of the show's first elimination, the star posed in her outfit for the show, showing off her incredibly slender figure just six months after giving birth to her son.

Relaxed: Cat, who walked side-by-side with her friend and sister-in-law Cath Kielty, looked happy and relaxed after a busy few months on So You Think You Can Dance

One hot mama: Taking to Instagram on Monday, the star showed off her incredibly slender figure just six months after giving birth to her son

Cat looked show-stopping in some leather-look super skinny jeans and a semi-sheer caged top in the snap, which she captioned: 'We're on @danceonfox ! @moniquelhuillier top. J Brand leather pants . @xivkarats choker '

Talking of her post-baby body with Closer magazine recently, the star admitted she had not embarked on any intense fitness regimes to get back into shape after her pregnancy.

'People keep asking me if I've been hitting the gym, but I haven't! I think breastfeeding is key and it's worked well for me,' the British blonde revealed.

Motherhood's glow: Cat cut an incredibly slender figure on the outing, having admitted recently that she had not embarked on any intense fitness regimes to get back into shape after her pregnancy

'Add to that running around after a new baby and you don't need to work out.'

With happiness clear to see on her face as she went about her business in L.A, Cat affirmed her contentment with the interview, stating that she is 'besotted with the baby.'

Cat and husband of four years Patrick Kielty, 45, welcomed their son back in January, but have yet to make his name public.

The pair tied the knot in a secret ceremony in Rome in October 2012, just seven months after confirming that they were in a relationship.

TV's top couple: TV hosts Cat and Patrick Kielty, 45, welcomed their son back in January after tying the knot in a secret ceremony in Italy in 2012




Ruby Barnhill (pictured) landed the lead role of Sophie in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of the BFG

She was allowed to attend the audition only because her parents hoped she would fail and it would put her off wanting to be an actress.

But instead of being rejected  and dejected  12-year-old Ruby Barnhill landed a main role in a Disney blockbuster.

She plays Sophie in Steven Spielbergs adaptation of Roald Dahls classic childrens story The BFG, which opens in the UK on Friday.

Now schoolgirl Ruby finds herself walking the red carpet with Spielberg and the films star, Mark Rylance.

Rubys only previous acting experience had been youth theatre near her home in Knutsford, Cheshire, and a small part in CBBC show The 4 OClock Club. Her father Paul, 45, an actor who has appeared in Coronation Street and worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, was amazed when the films casting director rang to say she had landed the role of Sophie.

My dad is an actor and he didnt want me to go through the sort of things he went through and he said to Mum, Why dont we get Ruby to do an audition? She wont get the part and she will learn about rejection, Ruby told The Sun. Well that really backfired.

She admitted she was intimidated by working with Oscar winners Spielberg and Rylance but took the role in her stride.

Sophie is an orphan who befriends the Big Friendly Giant, played by Rylance using motion capture animation.

The film was shot in London and Canada. Speaking about her first day on set, Ruby said: I was really nervous. I was so shy I didnt know what to do.

Spielberg simply told her not to worry about making mistakes. She added: Steven has become such a lovely friend and so was the lovely Mark.

Ruby Barnhill (right) with Spielberg (second from right) and her parents Paul and Sarah Barnhill, and her younger sister Darcey at the US premiere of the film

Her father, who was with her during filming, ended up being given a part as a footman.

Ruby said she is being careful not to let her instant fame go to her head. She admitted: Im not sure I want to do any more films. I like the idea of becoming a director  TV or maybe theatre  or a drama teacher.

Though I may change my mind. Luckily Im only 12 so I have some time to decide.
She planned her entire dish after thinking she had both figs and goat's cheese to work with.

But Mimi Baines was thrown into crisis when she realised she had confused goat's cheese with ricotta during the elimination round on MasterChef Australia Finals Week.

The embarrassing blunder cost Mimi her place in the competition and she was sent home on Wednesday night.

Sent home: Mimi Baines (pictured) was eliminated from MasterChef Australia on Wednesday night

She only realised her mistake after judge Matt Preston asked her what she was using to stuff her figs.

When she answered 'some goat's cheese curd', the food critic asked whether she actually had any of that type of cheese.

'That looks like ricotta. That's a bit of an issue, isn't it?' he told her.

Blunder: Mimi was thrown into crisis when she realised she had confused goat's cheese with ricotta in the elimination round

'I understand that goat's cheese is going to be deliciously creamy and it's going to melt,' Matt continued.

'That ain't gonna melt. That's going to be like having cardboard under the fig.'

Mimi said: 'My heart sinks. I've just planned a dish on something that don't even have.

'I've just spent most of the cook working on my dish that I thought was going to be fig and goat's cheese. I don't have any goat's cheese. I've got ricotta instead.

'I honestly can't believe that I've just gotten ricotta and goat's cheese confused. Now my balance has just completely been thrown off.'

Disaster: Mimi realised her mistake after judge Matt Preston asked her what she was using to stuff her figs

Facepalm! Mimi said: 'My heart sinks. I've just planned a dish on something that don't even have'

Despite making the best of a difficult situation by smoking her ricotta to go with her fig ice-cream, the judges thought the choice of cheese 'derailed the whole dish'.

Gary Mehigan told her: 'While there was so much technique on display, the problem was the elements just did not work together.'

Matt added: 'There's lots of technical skill there that shows how far she's come, but the ricotta just derails the whole dish.'

Mimi went head-to-head with Elise Franciskovic and Harry Foster in the cook-off on Wednesday.

Meltdown: Elise Franciskovic (pictured) also broke down in tears after she realised her chocolate brownie was not cooked through properly

Sloppy mess: After cutting through the brownie, it collapsed entirely on the plate

Winning dessert: Elise's chocolate pistachio brownie was a hit with the judges as they said the flavour alone was enough to put her through to the quarter finals

The three contestants were asked to show off their skills by creating a new dish using ingredients from the mystery boxes that had earned them their place in the competition.

Meanwhile, Elise Franciskovic also had a meltdown after realising her chocolate brownie was not cooked through properly.

After cutting through the brownie, the dessert collapsed entirely on the plate.

'It's a no-go. It's my worst nightmare. It's not cooked properly,' Elise said.

'Both slices have completely collapsed. I don't know what to do. I have nothing else to serve the judges.

Tough competition: Mimi went head-to-head with Elise and Harry Foster (left) in the cook-off on Wednesday

'It's a mess. It looks like a deflated lilo. It looks absolutely terrible and it's not me. This feels like I've stepped back 10 steps.'

She then burst into tears and said: 'This is not who I am. This is not how far I've come. I'm just so devastated.

'I don't know. Just got to have a look. I made it top five and that's massive.'

'Especially coming into this competition I didn't think I'd make the first week and, you know, I made it this far, so I'm just proud of myself. Stop crying, stop being a wuss.'

But her chocolate pistachio brownie was a hit with the judges as they said the flavour alone was enough to put her through to the quarter finals.

Elsewhere, Harry served up a butter poached lobster with coriander dumplings.

Too simple? Harry looked stressed after the judges told him his dish was not complex enough

Tasty: Harry served up a butter poached lobster with coriander dumplings

Earlier, judge Matt told the contestants the task was all about showcasing how far they have come in the competition.

'One of the great joys about what we do is watching all of your progress,' he said.

'You come into this kitchen as home cooks with a love of food and some initial skills, but as you go through these challenges, as you learn from each other, you progress to become something pretty special.
She's had a devastating few weeks stemming from her husband's imprisonment last month, followed by a recent cancer diagnosis.

And Roxy Jacenko appears to have embraced an ancient superstition in an effort to break her seemingly never-ending cycle of bad news.

On Wednesday, the Sydney PR guru debuted a new evil eye charm bracelet on Instagram, and revealed the black and white jewellery came 'all the way from Greece.'

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Trying to ward off evil? Roxy Jacenko debuted a new evil eye charm bracelet via Instagram on Wednesday

Superstitious: The Sydney PR guru appears to have embraced an ancient superstition in an effort to break her seemingly never-ending cycle of bad news

In some cultures, the 'evil eye' is used as a tool to ward off evil spirits and to protect individuals against any misfortune.

Never one to keep it simple, Roxy wore a lavish gold Rolex along with her charm bracelet, prompting hundreds of her Instagram followers to 'like' the photo.

The photo comes just days after the mother-of-two revealed she found a lump on her left breast.

Only three weeks previously, her husband Oliver Curtis was sentenced to two years in prison for insider trading.

Difficult year: The photo comes just days after the mother-of-two revealed she found a lump on her left breast. Three weeks previously, her husband Oliver Curtis was sentenced to two years in prison for insider trading

She spoke of her regret at having not been more 'vigilant' knowing her mother Doreen Jacenko suffered from breast cancer 10 years ago.

'I should have known better,' she told The Sun-Herald.

'I should have done routine mammograms knowing that my mum had suffered from breast cancer - but I didn't, I just thought, "I'll worry about that when I'm 40 plus."'

She has already undergone two biopsies but no further details regarding her condition have been made public.

Optimistic: Roxy (pictured with her mother Doreen Jacenko) said 'fear isn't an option' as she works to overcome her personal struggles

With Oliver behind bars, Roxy told Daily Mail Australia that having her mother's support as she tries to overcome her struggles has been a blessing.

'Having my mum by my side who has suffered breast cancer and a mastectomy and come through fighting fit also makes things easier,' she said.

'Fear isn't an option, I have my Pixie and Hunter to look after so a clear mind and a proper plan of attack to get over this is the only thing that I think about.'
She's spoken about her bad experiences with dating app Tinder following her devastating split from husband Steve Pollock earlier this year.

And radio personality Mel Greig has now claimed that social media site Instagram is actually the better way to meet single guys online in a tell-all dating column for Be.

The 33-year-old DJ told her readers that tactically 'liking' photos is a sure-fire way to get somebody's attention - but also criticised married men who secretly 'creep' on sexy photos.

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Candid: Radio star Mel Greig (pictured) claimed Instagram is a better way to meet single guys than dating app Tinder in a tell-all dating column for Be, but added that married men should not use it to 'like' women's photos

Mel, a former host for 2DayFM, has a reputation for sharing busty Instagram photos of herself in plunging tops - mostly taken from revealing, top-down angles.

But it seems this may well be a ploy in her 'tried and tested' dating strategy, as she confessed that 'liking' a man's social media photos can also lead to some mutual appreciation.

'You need to get their attention. Do this by liking three photos,' she wrote, before adding: 'Now sit patiently and wait for one of the selected guys to return the gesture'.

Part of her dating strategy? The former 2DayFM personality has a reputation for sharing busty Instagram photos of herself in plunging tops - mostly taken from revealing, top-down angles

Mel suggested her readers keep up the 'like-fest' for about a week before sending a private message, but stated: 'It is not acceptable at this point to be visualising your imaginary wedding'.

Despite encouraging single ladies to pay close attention to attractive guy's Instagram pages, she had harsh words for married men who are caught doing the same.

'We see you liking our sexy pics,' Mel wrote. 'Get your hand off the like button and stick to living in the real world with your loving partner. Funnily enough, it doesnt turn us on when we see that youre married and creeping on our photos'.

'You need to get their attention': The 33-year-old confessed that 'liking' a man's social media photos can lead to some mutual appreciation, before encouraging her readers to make the first move by sending a message

Last month, Mel compared Tinder to 'free prostitution' and claimed she barely lasted a few hours using the popular dating app.

She told The Morning Show: 'It's just so superficial. I just like the old traditional way of meeting someone... I want to be sent flowers, not naughty pictures.'

Mel also made similar remarks about using social media to attract a boyfriend, but admits she can get a bit too excited after a few glasses of wine.

She said: 'When you see someone you like, you stalk them on social media and then when they add you, you have to work out how many likes to do before you look like a stage 10 clinger. It's very strategic.'

'I want to be sent flowers, not naughty pictures': Mel has spoken about her bad experiences with Tinder after her devastating split from husband Steve Pollock (right) earlier this year

In April, Mel announced she had split from her husband Steve during an appearance on Network Ten's panel show Studio 10.

'I am separated from my husband now,' she said, explaining that Steve needed time 'to rediscover himself as an individual'.

Mel continued: 'It's been a couple of months that I've been dealing with that in private... 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". '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,' she added.

The former couple got married in November 2014 in Byron Bay after dating for over three years.

Meanwhile, Mel recently dismissed rumours she was dating Home and Away star Dan Ewing, saying they had 'a mutually supportive friendship'.
She spends most of her time in New York since her 2012 divorce from Tom Cruise.

However, it was back to Los Angeles for Katie Holmes as she was spotted at a petrol station on Tuesday.

The mother-of-one looked glum in an all-blue ensemble as she refilled her SUV with gas at a local station.

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Cheer up! Actress Katie Holmes looks glum as she fills her SUV full of petrol at a gas station in Los angeles on Tuesday

The former Dawson's Creek actress, 37, teamed a pair of blue skinny jeans with a striped Madewell shirt and flip-flops as she went about her day.

In the Big Apple, Katie doesn't have to drive and relies on taxis, the subway or walking to get around town.

However, now she's back in sprawling Los Angeles with its notorious traffic and freeways, she's back behind the wheel.

Casual: The former Dawson's Creek actress, 37, teamed a pair of blue skinny jeans with a striped Madewell shirt and flip-flops as she went about her day

Katie's return to Los Angeles comes after a long-standing rumour about her supposed romance with Jamie Foxx resurfaced.

The pair have been romantically linked since they were pictured dancing together at a charity event in 2013, despite official denials by each of them.

Earlier this month, fans claimed they saw Katie and Jamie enjoying an intimate dinner date at Kasa Moto Japanese restaurant in NYC.

According to etalk, following their cosy meal, Katie was escorted through a back exit by her assistant while Jamie exited another door.

Glad to be back? Katie spends most of her time in New York City these days, where she has lived since her divorce from Tom Cruise

Last month Claudia Jordan, who has claimed to be a good friend of Jamie's, said in an interview that he and Katie are 'very happy' together.

She later backtracked on her comment saying she 'misspoke' during the Allegedly podcast and insisted she has no knowledge of their so-called coupling.
She's famed for her wild love of partying.

So Charlotte Crosby wasn't going to let the fact she quit Geordie Shore get in the way of having a wild night out with her former co-stars as she enjoyed a boozy outing in Ibiza on Monday.

Making the most of her last night on the party island, the 26-year-old reality star seemed to be in high spirits as she cuddled up to Chloe Ferry in a series of Snapchat shots.

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Party girls: Charlotte Crosby wasn't going to let the fact she quit Geordie Shore get in the way of having a wild night out with Chloe Ferry as she enjoyed a boozy outing in Ibiza on Monday

Laughing and jeering for the camera, the pretty blonde seemed worse for wear as she smiled down the lens, whilst Chloe appeared to fall asleep on her shoulder.

Puckering up her cosmetically enhanced pout, Charlotte was unable to hold back giggles in the snaps, looking effortlessly chic in a little black vest and white cardigan.

Exposing her pretty face, she swept her honey coloured locks back into a side plait, leaving loose tendrils to frame her defined features.

Cosy: Overdoing it slightly on the night out, the girls sensibly decided to head to bed, with Charlotte snapping her sleeping friend and revealing they were 'spooning' in the caption

Sleeping beauty: Charlotte seemed amused as she snapped Chloe sleeping peacefully behind her

Overdoing it slightly on the night out, the girls sensibly decided to head to bed, with Charlotte snapping her sleeping friend and revealing they were 'spooning' in the caption.

Earlier that night, the girls were on fine form as they joined Holly Hagan and Sophie Kasaei to celebrate their final blowout.

Posing for a picture before things got messy, the quartet seemed in good spirits as they cuddled up for the camera.

Wild night: Laughing and jeering for the camera, the pretty blonde seemed worse for wear earlier in the evening as she smiled down the lens, whilst Chloe appeared to fall asleep on her shoulder

Laugh a minute: Puckering up her cosmetically enhanced pout, Charlotte was unable to hold back giggles in the snaps, looking effortlessly chic in a little black vest and white cardigan

Blonde beauty: Exposing her pretty face, she swept her honey coloured locks back into a side plait, leaving loose tendrils to frame her defined features

Charlotte flew out to Ibiza to enjoy a break with her girlfriends after they wrapped filming the 13th series of Geordie Shore across Europe's party towns.

The fitness guru sensationally quit the show earlier this year after she claimed she could no longer work with her on/off boyfriend and co-star Gaz Beadle.

However, the star is reported to be back on speaking terms with her ex with a source telling The Sun: 'It's all very early days but they've started talking and messaging again in secret which is a massive step.'

Four of a kind: Earlier that night, the girls were on fine form as they joined Sophie Kasaei (L) and Holly Hagan to celebrate their final blowout

Best pals: Charlotte posed for funny snaps with Sophie as they prepared to head out on the town

Pucker up: Sophie put on an amorous display as she blew kisses next to Charlotte's cheek

Funny faces: The group couldn't keep the smiles off their faces as they cosied up for the camera

They continued: 'A lot happened and some of it's still raw, but right now they're just happy to have each other back in their lives. Everything is on a friends' basis right now.'

According to the newspaper, Charlotte, has no plans to return to the show after she quit two months ago in order to escape the 28-year-old lothario.

The source explained: 'There have been no talks of anything like that just yet but she knows the door is always open and Gary would welcome her with open arms.'

Main man: As the girls partied up a storm in Ibiza, Scotty T put on a show of his own as he kicked off his World Tour in Newcastle on Tuesday
They have been married for almost twenty years.

But acting couple Sarah Jessica Parker and hubby Matthew Broderick still look like they're in the honeymoon period, as they put on a very loved-up display while on holiday in Barcelona on Wednesday.

The Sex and the City star, 51, was pictured cuddling up to her fellow acting beau, 54, in a floral dress, after they enjoyed lunch together in the Spanish city.

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Loved-up: Sarah Jessica Parker, 51, was pictured cuddling up to hubby Matthew Broderick, 54, in a floral dress after they enjoyed lunch together in Barcelona on Wednesday

Although she kept things simpler than her Sex and the City counterpart Carrie would have, the actress looked just as stylish in a cream linen sundress adorned with multi-coloured flowers, ideal for the European heat.

Wearing hot pink flip flops on her feet, SJP added a splash of colour to the mostly muted-down tones of her look.

Keeping her hair in its natural, loose waves and covering her gorgeous complexion with some dark, square-shaped sunglasses, the actress looked carefree as she rested her head on her husband's chest.

Her husband, of Ferris Bueller's Day Off fame, looked just as prepared for the warm weather as his wife, in a lilac light t-shirt and some beige chino shorts, paired with his trademark retro glasses.

Stylish on and off screen: the actress looked just as stylish asSex and the City counterpart Carrie in a cream linen sundress adorned with multi-coloured flowers and hot pink flip flops, ideal for the European heat

Prioritising practicality over style, the Golden-Globe winner opted for a chunky black Nike rucksack to carry her necessities for touring round the city.

The pair seemingly really enjoyed their lunch out, hugging the restaurant staff goodbye as they left to continue their day of sight-seeing.

Sarah and Matthew met back in 1997, before tying the knot in a civil ceremony later that year on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, New York.

The couple welcomed son James, 14, into the world in 2002 and twin girls Marion and Tabitha, seven, via surrogate in 2009.

City break: The summery pair seemingly enjoyed their lunch out, hugging the restaurant staff goodbye as they left to continue their day of sight-seeing

SJP appears to be enjoying the time off she has before her new show Divorce airs on HBO, the channel that first shot her to fame with Sex and the City, this autumn.

The show, that Sarah Jessica Parker both stars in and produces, follows a woman who struggles through a divorce with her husband after he discovers she has had an affair.

The actress shared the trailer on her Instagram account, gushing: 'A long time coming. And a great thrill that my friends @hbo allowed me to share with you the official FIRST look and just a wee appetizer of #DivorceonHBO. Coming to @hbo this fall.'
Matt Damon has opened up about working with Heath Ledger on The Brothers Grimm three years before the acclaimed actor died from an accidental overdose.

The Jason Bourne actor, 45, spoke about his first impressions of his talented Australian co-star, describing him as 'too bright for this world'.

In an interview with GQ, Matt revealed that after working together on the 2005 fantasy film, he told everyone he came across that Heath was the best actor he had ever seen.

Close friends: Matt Damon (right) has opened up about working with Heath Ledger (left) on fantasy film The Brothers Grimm three years before the Australian actor died from an accidental overdose

'There were things that he did where I couldn't have got there in three lifetimes,' he said. 'And there were ways in which he was like a puppy dog. You wanted to protect him.'

Matt also recalled how he phoned director Terry Gilliam after learning Heath had passed away in January 2008, half way through filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.

'[His death was] just f***ing pointless,' Matt said. 'I called Terry when I found out, and he was like, 'I'm sitting here in Vancouver.

Talent: Matt also recalled how he phoned director Terry Gilliam after learning Heath had passed away in January 2008, half way through filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

First impressions: The Jason Bourne actor, 45, spoke about his early meetings with the Perth-born star, describing him as 'too bright for this world'

'I'm looking out the window, and it's a beautiful sunny day, and the lights are turning red, and the lights are turning green, and cars are stopping, and cars are driving.

'I am surrounded by mediocrity. And he's gone.'

To mark the release of the fifth Jason Bourne film, Matt took part in a Reddit Q&A where he discussed his relationship with childhood friend Ben Affleck.

The pair won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1997 for writing Good Will Hunting together.

But Matt, who now has four children, explained they both struggle to find the time to work on new projects together.

Cover star: In an interview with GQ, Matt also revealed that after working on The Brothers Grimm together in 2005, he told everyone he came across that Heath was the best actor he had ever seen

'I love Ben, I love his work, he's been my buddy for 35 years. The big issue is time for us,' he wrote.

'We have a company together so we work on a lot of projects together, but to try to carve out the time is really tough. I mean we both have a whole mess of kids now, and these other day jobs.'

He reminisced about writing the script for Good Will Hunting together in a basement.

'We were unemployed and we weren't writing the script on a deadline either,' Matt said.

'Nobody was expecting it, so we were just these two idiots in our basement writing this thing, and now we have all of these pressures of the lives grown-ups have.

'So I would never say never because I would absolutely love to write with Ben again, and I'd love to collaborate with him on anything, he's brilliant. I'd love to be in one of his movies that he directs.

Childhood friends: To mark the release of the fifth Jason Bourne film, Matt also took part in a Reddit Q&A where he discussed his relationship with Ben Affleck (left)

Teamwork: The pair won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1997 after writing Good Will Hunting together

'The problem there is that he just keeps giving himself the best roles, so until he stops doing that and maybe just directs, none of us can really work with him.'

The actor also admitted that he was a little 'bewildered' by his cameo in the 2004 comedy Team America: World Police.

When asked about being mocked in the movie, he confessed: 'I was always kind of bewildered by Team America.

'I think because it's hard for us to understand what our images are in public, I think we're not good judges of that, and when I saw myself on screen just only able to say my own name and not really that well, I kind of wondered "Wow, is that how people perceive me?"

Parody: Matt admitted that he was a little 'bewildered' by his cameo in comedy Team America: World Police

'At that point I just kind of was like, I'm a screenwriter and an actor, and like really? I can barely say my own name? So I was always bewildered by that, and I never talked to Trey and Matt about that.

'I think they are absolute geniuses, and what they've done is awesome and I'm a big fan of theirs, but I never quite understood that one.
He's been busy this year filming the long-awaited comeback of Cold Feet.

However, before the relationship drama returns to TV, James Nesbitt was busy filming the second series of Stan Lee's Lucky Man.

The Northern Irish actor, 51, was spotted shooting scenes for the Sky 1 superhero drama in London on Monday.

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Harry's back! Actor James Nesbitt films scenes for the second series of Stan Lee's Lucky Man in London on Tuesday

In character as DI Harry Clayton, the actor was seen attending to an injured man lying on the pavement.

Looking dapper in a dark suit, James was sporting the magical bronze bracelet which brings his character good luck.

Also on location was James's co-star Amara Karan, who plays DS Suri Chohan, in a trouser suit.

Don't take it off! The Northern Irish actor was wearing his character Harry's lucky bracelet

Drama: James was seen helping an injured man sprawled in the pavement as he was attended to by paramedics

The series follows DI Clayton, who can control his own luck after being given the mysterious bracelet by a woman named Eve.

In March, it was revealed Carnival Films had renewed the series for a second outing, to be aired on Sky in 2017.

The show, created by comic book legend Stan Lee, was Sky 1's most successful original drama, attracting an average of 1.9million viewers per episode when it was broadcast in January-March this year.

Executive Producer Richard Fell said at the time: 'We are thrilled that the show seems to have found its audience on Sky 1.

Partner-in-crime: Also on location was James's co-star Amara Karan, who plays DS Suri Chohan, in a trouser suit

This is hot work! James was no doubt feeling the heat as the temperatures soared on Monday to 29c

'We feel truly lucky to be able to bring them the next charmed chapter of Detective Inspector Harry Clayton's amazing story.'

Meanwhile, James will next be seen on screen in the autumn with the long-awaited sixth series of Cold Feet.

James has been reunited with his co-stars from the late '90s series including Hermione Norris, John Thomson, Fay Ripley and Robert Bathurst.

The characters of Adam, Pete, Jenny, Karen and David are all back - albeit 13 years older - with Helen Baxendale noticeably absent after her character Rachel was killed off in Series 5 in 2003.

And action: James and Amara chatted in between scenes as crewmembers set up the shot
She turned 26 on Wednesday.

And Samantha Harris beamed while showcasing her birthday glow at the star-studded Silkari launch in Sydney.

The Indigenous model arrived at Town Hall in a sheer black blouse paired with a mini A-line skirt that revealed her trim pins.

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Birthday girl: Samantha Harris beamed while showcasing her birthday glow at the star-studded Silkari launch in Sydney on Wednesday

She completed the look with black boots and a matching clutch while sporting a chic up-do hairstyle and natural makeup.

The David Jones ambassador made sure to flash her diamond engagement ring while posing at the exclusive event, however, there was no sign of her fiance Luke Hunt.

The couple, who were forced apart in 2014 after he was jailed for dangerous driving, confirmed last month that the wedding is still on months after his release.

Wow: The Indigenous model arrived at Town Hall in a sheer black blouse paired with a mini A-line skirt

Effortlessly chic: She completed the look with black boots and a matching clutch while sporting a chic up-do hairstyle and natural makeup

'Things are going very slowly, but surely,' she previously told The Daily Telegraph adding that she's thrilled to have Luke home.

'It is great. Life has been really good.'

The pair, who met at a Gold Coast shopping centre seven years ago, appear to be going strong despite having been apart since 2014.

The wedding is on: Samantha Harris confirmed last month that she will proceed with wedding plans to Luke Hunt following his prison release

During that year, Luke pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, which caused the death of 78-year-old Kenneth Lay after it was revealed that he was driving at 95km/h in a 60km/h zone.

On Monday, they were pictured shopping on Oxford Street and she said on Instagram that they were enjoying some 'pre birthday shopping.'

Also at Wednesday's Silkari event was Miss World Australia 2013, Erin Holland, who dazzled in a calf-length little black dress.

Famous faces: Miss World Australia 2013 Erin Holland opted for glamourous evening makeup and an elegant up-do hairstyle as she posed for photographers

Reality star: The Block judge Darren Palmer looked dapper in a grey blazer and black slim fit pants

The 27-year-old model opted for glamourous evening makeup and an elegant up-do hairstyle as she posed for photographers.

The Block judge Darren Palmer, 37, looked dapper in a grey blazer and black slim fit pants.

The reality TV personality completed the look with an unbuttoned white shirt and shiny black shoes.

Also spotted was former Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, who was dressed to impress in a fashion-forward ensemble.

The 86-year-old iconic leader looked happy and relaxed while sporting a blue suit.
She jumped to Chloe Moretz's defence after Khloe Kardashian posted an X-rated photo on Twitter of a woman she mistook for the actress.

But Ruby Rose has insisted she does not judge the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, saying someone should not become your 'enemy' just because you have different views.

The Australian actress shared a series of impassioned tweets along with a lengthy post explaining how the pair decided to speak to each other 'like adults' following the public spat.

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Feud? Ruby Rose (pictured) has insisted she does not judge Khloe Kardashian after the reality TV star posted an X-rated photo on Twitter of a woman she mistook for actress Chloe Moretz

'There is a reason @khloekardashian and I still follow each other on Twitter...it's called not judging someone,' Ruby tweeted.

She wrote: 'I didn't drag or insult Khloe when my opinion clashed with hers.

'Instead we spoke because that's what adults do... and took the time to understand and accept our different views on some matters.

'But having different views and experiences doesn't mean that person must become your enemy. Otherwise we are going to end up so filled with anger and hate this world will become hell on earth.'

It's all kicking off: Khloe (left) lashed out at Chloe Moretz (right) on Twitter on Sunday night as she shared an X-rated image of what she thought was of the actress

Explanation: The Australian actress and DJ shared a series of impassioned tweets along with a lengthy post explaining how the pair decided to speak to each other 'like adults' following their public spat

The feud ignited on Monday when Chloe took to Twitter to vent her frustration about people focusing on the ongoing row between Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Taylor Swift.

The Kick-Ass star wrote: 'Everyone in this industry needs to get their heads out of a hole and look around to realize what's ACTUALLY happening in the REAL world.

'Stop wasting your voice on something so petulant and unimportant.'

Khloe then hit back by posting a picture of Chloe in a bikini alongside a shot of a woman with her bottom exposed.

In the caption, she quipped: 'Is this the a hole you're referring to @ChloeGMoretz???'

Hitting back: Khloe Kardashian had responded to criticisms that she was being a bully on Twitter on Monday

'I'm the last person to be a bully': After being called out by a fellow celebrity, the 32-year-old was on the defensive and said: 'refrain from commenting on my family and OUR business'

Chloe pointed out that it wasn't her, tweeting: '@khloekardashian fact check: first photo is me filming my movie Neighbors 2, the second photo is some girl who was wrongfully photographed.'

Ruby then got involved, writing: 'Yo Khloe I thought you were rad when I met you but this is awful and this is a 19-year-old girl.'

'Nobody likes being bullied or made to feel worthless... Yet so many people will go above and beyond to make others feel that way.'

Moving on: Ruby Rose, pictured in New York back in May, got involved in the Twitter drama

'This is awful': The 30-year-old was not a fan of Khloe's post aimed at Chloe Moretz

Level headed: Ruby went on to talk about the effects bullying on her social media accounts

Khloe then attempted to justify her actions by saying she was trying to protect her family.

She wrote: 'Im the last person to bully but have an animal instinct to protect and defend my family.'

Chloe's feud with the Kardashians kicked off back in March after the young star expressed disdain at Kim's naked selfie showing off her post-baby body.

The reality TV star captioned the image, which featured black bars censoring her chest and nether regions: 'When you're like I have nothing to wear LOL.'

She tweeted Kim: 'I truly hope you realize how important setting goals are for young women, teaching them we have so much more to offer than just our bodies.'

A new low: Khloe posted a photo of Chloe filming Neighbours 2 last year (left) and another image of a bikini-clad mystery blonde accidentally exposing her nether regions (right)

'Stop wasting your voice': Chloe tweeted her frustration that everyone was discussing Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift instead of more important issues

On location: Chloe wore a red bikini top and blue bottoms as she filmed scenes for Neighbours 2 in Los Angeles last October

Ruby often uses her social media accounts as a platform to speak out against online bullying.

On Monday she revealed that online trolls targeted her girlfriend's mother and told her she should have had an abortion.

The Orange Is the New Black star tweeted: 'Trolls.. TROLL ME. Do not troll family members of my friends it's so sad and disgraceful. There is enough hate in the world. Stop.'

Following her clash with Khloe, she wrote: 'After saying all I need to and probably more... I'm peacing out on Twitter and enjoying real life, as Europe is more beautiful than a phone.'

Dividing opinion: Chloe's feud with the Kardashians stems back to March after she questioned Khloe's sister Kim's reasoning for posting a naked selfie on Instagram

Different points of view: The actress tweeted Kim back in March following the naked selfie saying she was a bad role model to young women

Dismissive: Kim hit back saying 'no one knows who she is'
She's the Gold Coast bikini designer everybody is talking about.

And Bianca Elouise celebrated her runway debut at Miami Swim Week by posing for a cheeky selfie with her curvy friends on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old shared an Instagram photo of herself and several models who represented Myra Swim at the fashion event in Florida.

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Bottoms up! Swimwear designer Bianca Elouise (third from right) celebrated her runway debut at Miami Swim Week by posing for a cheeky selfie with her curvy friends on Tuesday

Bianca made headlines on Sunday after flaunting her stylish, 90s inspired designs on the catwalk at Miami Swim Week.

Her strong Instagram following and glamorous 'squad' of models and style influencers made her one of the festival's most talked-about designers.

And Bianca celebrated the end of a triumphant week by paying tribute to the girls who supported her in the runway show.

Making a splash: The 25-year-old made headlines on Sunday after flaunting her stylish, 90s inspired designs for Myra Swim at the fashion event in Florida

Rising star: Her strong Instagram following and glamorous 'squad' of models and style influencers made Bianca one of the Miami Swim Week's most talked-about designers

In the photo, Bianca and her friends proudly display their very shapely derrieres while casting playful glances back to the camera.

Meanwhile, the Currumbin-born beauty was spotted relaxing at Miami's South Beach on Saturday ahead of the Myra Swim launch.

She was photographed taking a dip in the ocean while flaunting plenty of cleavage in a plunging swimsuit from her own collection.

Squad goals: Bianca celebrated the end of a triumphant week by paying tribute to the girls who supported her in Myra Swim runway show

Life's a beach! The Currumbin-born beauty was spotted relaxing at Miami's South Beach on Saturday

Enjoying the view: The day before the Myra Swim launch, Bianca enjoyed a day at Miami's South Beach

Bianca narrowly avoiding exposing her chest as she adjusted the neckline of the slinky swimsuit while confidently walking back to shore.

The stylish one-piece hugged tightly to her curves and her nipples were even visible under the soaking wet, clinging material.

She also offered a glimpse of her sideboob as she soaked up the scorching Florida sun with friends in-between work duties.

Booty at the beach! She was photographed taking a dip in the ocean while flaunting plenty of cleavage in a plunging swimsuit from her own collection

Wardrobe malfunction? Bianca narrowly avoiding exposing her chest as she adjusted the neckline of the slinky swimsuit while confidently walking back to shore
While her enduring career as seen her wear a number of hats over the years, one thing that appears to have remained consistent is Kelly Brook's breathtaking curves.

And the 36-year-old model, actress and TV personality put her famous figure on display as she sunned herself in Capri during her romantic Italian break with her beau Jeremy Parisi.

On Wednesday afternoon, Kelly took to Instagram to share a makeup-free shot of herself posing under a blue-and-white parasol in a flattering purple swimsuit, which clung tightly to her body.

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Getaway: Kelly Brook shared a shot of herself posing in a purple swimsuit Capri on Wednesday afternoon

She posed in the halterneck number in front of a stunning backdrop that included a crystal clear harbour and a mountainous terrain in a snap that she captioned: 'Postcard from Capri.'

And, in giving her other half a moment to shine on her social media account, Kelly also shared a shot of a shirtless Jeremy as he prepared to go for a cooling dip.

A day earlier, Kelly showed off exactly what made her famous as she sizzled in the metallic swimwear which highlighted every inch of her phenomenal figure.

Dip: The curvaceous beauty also shared a shot of her beau Jeremy Parisi as he prepared to go for a swim

Sizzling: Kelly proved she's still a beach babe as she posed for an unfiltered snap during her romantic break

The triangle bikini cups were supported by a halterneck strap, which was working overtime to contain her extremely ample assets.

Proving her posing prowess, the stunning model stood with her hands sharply pulling in her tiny waistline to further emphasise her diminutive middle.

Pulling on a pair of sunglasses and wearing her brunette tresses scraped off her naturally stunning face, the English rose proved herself to be a total natural beauty.

At it again! Shortly before posting the sexy snap, Kelly once more flaunted her enviable curves as she stepped out with her beau Jeremy at the Ischia Global Film & Music Fest in Italy on Saturday night

Shortly before posting the sexy snap, Kelly once more flaunted her enviable curves as she stepped out with her beau Jeremy at the Ischia Global Film & Music Fest in Italy on Saturday night.

She basked in her newly topped up tan as her eye-popping cleavage was just about tamed by the body-hugging number.

The pink and white striped dress clung on tightly to her ample bust before cinching in her tiny waist.

Head-turner: The model's eye-popping cleavage was just about tamed by a body-hugging number

It went on skim her sensational curves before falling just below her knees and she completed the look with classy nude heels as she went on stage to present an award.

Drawing attention to her spectacular decolletage, the Kent born star threw her brunette tresses in to a glamorous bun, while a pair of statement earrings framed her bronzed face.

Jeremy looked 'summertime slick' himself in a button down blue top and white chinos which he teamed with brown shoes.

Bronzed goddess: She basked in her newly topped up tan

Great length: Her dress went on skim her sensational curves before falling just below her knees

Flattering her figure: The pink and white striped dress clung on tightly to her ample bust before cinching in her tiny waist

Glamour: Drawing attention to her spectacular decolletage, the Kent born star threw her brunette tresses in to a bun

And evidently the smile on his face signalled his love towards his girlfriend who hogged the spotlight as they enjoyed the day on the waters a few hours earlier.

The School For Seduction actress struggled to contain her assets in a floral bathing suit as she frolicked in the water.

And Jeremy couldn't resist taking pictures of the former glamour model as she arrived back on board.

Accessorising: A pair of statement earrings framed her bronzed face

Style rules: The former glamour model accentuated her legs with classy nude heels

Confident lady: She also took on presenting duties during the night

Stunning: She oozed sex appeal as she posed up a storm on the red carpet

Lucky man: Evidently the smile on his face signalled his love towards his girlfriend who hogged the spotlight as they enjoyed the day on the waters a few hours earlier

Kelly- who has previously been engaged to Jason Statham, Billy Zane and Thom Evans- recently shot down rumours of a union after she was spotted wearing a ring on her engagement finger.

She told BBC Asian network's Preeya Kalidas that it was only for her 'chubby fingers'.

'Jeremy bought me a lovely ring but we're not engaged. I only wear it on that finger because it doesn't fit on the others,' she revealed.

She did however enter the relationship in April 2015 with high hopes as at the time she told Closer: 'I'm not sure we're ready for marriage just yet, but we're definitely heading in the right direction. I'm a very loved-up lady right now.'

Holding her own: Kelly looked glam alongside supermodel Petra Nemvoca

Work it: She clearly loved posing for the photographers

Star sighting: Blue's Lee Ryan looked on in the background

With no intentions of taking their relationship slow, she continued: 'Hopefully I'll have a baby soon. Ultimately, I am entering a new phase in my life.'

Explaining why the French hunk has changed her outlook on men, she added: 'Jeremy's great and things are going really well. We just have a lot of fun together and laugh all the time, so he makes everything enjoyable.'

Meanwhile supermodel Petra Nemcova dazzled at the Italian cinematic event where she picked up an award.
She was one of the most iconic models of the nineties.

And Eva Herzigova proved she hasn't lost her touch as she posed for a photoshoot in Italy on Wednesday.

Despite having her children on the Varigotti set, the 43-year-old Czech beauty was still every inch the professional as she donned a black bikini top and showed off her best angles.

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She's still got it! She was one of the most iconic models of the nineties. And Eva Herzigova proved she hasn't lost her touch as she posed for a photoshoot in Italy on Wednesday

Ice to see you! Proving that she'd worked up an appetite with all her hard work, the stunning star snacked on an ice lolly as she carried her three-year-old son Edward in her arms

Eva - who shot to fame after appearing in the 1994 Hello Boys Wonderbra campaign - layered up in an open white shirt that complemented her tanned complexion.

Elongating her lean legs, the model also donned a pair of billowing cream trousers that nipped in at her tiny waist.

Sweeping her golden locks into a topknot, she concealed her glossy tresses beneath a straw hat.

Adding to the glamour of her ensemble, she donned a delicate gold necklace and chunky watch that glimmered beneath the lights as she walked.

The summery look was finished off with a pair of circular sunglasses.

Between takes, the blonde beauty slipped into a cream maxi dress that featured a risque thigh high split and an off the shoulder neckline.

Beach babe: Despite having her children on the Varigotti set, the 43-year-old Czech beauty was still every inch the professional as she donned a black bikini top and showed off her best angles

Leggy lady! Elongating her lean pins, the model donned a pair of billowing cream trousers that nipped in at her tiny waist before flaring out to the ground

Proving that she'd worked up an appetite with all her hard work, the stunning star snacked on an ice lolly as she carried her three-year-old son Edward in her arms.

After the shoot, Eva continued to put on an energetic display as she treated her children to a day at the beach.

Clad in a navy paisley playsuit, the model waded into the sea with her sons George, nine, and Philipe, five.

Getting shirty! Eva - who shot to fame after appearing in the 1994 Hello Boys Wonderbra campaign - layered up in an open white shirt that complemented her tanned complexion

All about the accessories! Adding to the glamour of her ensemble, she donned a delicate gold necklace and chunky watch that glimmered beneath the lights as she walked

Making it up: Eva had her make-up expertly applied by one of the crew members between shots

Blonde beauty! Sweeping her golden locks into a topknot, she concealed her glossy tresses beneath a hat

Eva has three children with her husband Gregorio Marsiaj, and admitted that she is already getting emotional at the thought of her young sons leaving home.

Speaking to the Evening Standard in 2013, she said: 'Being a mother is a hard job, but it's the best in the world. Every day is something new and great.

'George is already trying to find out how I'm going to feel about it when he leaves home.

'He's like, "Mum, I'm going to marry and leave the house and have a family and are you going to miss me? How sad will you be?" It's a taste of what is to come.'

Bit of all white! Between takes, the blonde beauty slipped into a cream maxi dress that featured a risque thigh high split and an off the shoulder neckline

Like mum, like son: Eva bore a striking resemblance to her three-year-old son Edward

The star also confessed that she relied on some extra help when it came to balancing her professional and personal live.

'I didn't want to have a nanny at first,' she told Elle magazine after the birth of her eldest son George.

'I wanted to do everything on my own. But the best advice I can give is to have some sort of help.

'I believe that I bring positivity into the relationship by having a career. Working gives me personal satisfaction, and it's enriching for my son.'

Wading in: After the shoot, Eva continued to put on an energetic display as she treated her children to a day at the beach and paddled along the shore as her sons swam along

Making a splash: Clad in a navy paisley playsuit, the model waded into the sea with her youngest child Edward
She's been partying hard over the past few days as she reunited with some of her Geordie Shore pals in Ibiza.

However, there was no sign of tiredness or a hangover as Charlotte Crosby put on a glowing appearance on the red carpet in London on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old reality star looked bright-eyed and glossy as she launched her new range of hair extensions.

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Sheer daring: Reality TV star Charlotte Crosby shows off her figure in a little black dress as she launches her new Easilocks hair extension range in London on Wednesday

The blonde Geordie was showcasing the 'Charlotte Crosby range' for Easilocks at the St Martin's Lane Hotel.

The reality star let her legs do the talking as she flaunted her pins in a sexy see-through black mini dress.

Her arrival in London came after she shared an insight to a wild night out with her former co-stars on a boozy outing in Ibiza on Monday.

Fresh: There was no sign of tiredness or a hangover as Charlotte put on a glowing appearance following her boozy holiday in Ibiza

Sexy: The reality star let her legs do the talking as she flaunted her pins in a sexy see-through black mini dress

Making the most of her last night on the party island, the 26-year-old reality star seemed to be in high spirits as she cuddled up to Chloe Ferry in a series of Snapchat shots.

Laughing and jeering for the camera, the pretty blonde seemed worse for wear as she smiled down the lens, whilst Chloe appeared to fall asleep on her shoulder.

Puckering up her cosmetically enhanced pout, Charlotte was unable to hold back giggles in the snaps, looking effortlessly chic in a little black vest and white cardigan.

Exposing her pretty face, she swept her honey coloured locks back into a side plait, leaving loose tendrils to frame her defined features.

She's the business: The blonde Geordie was showcasing the 'Charlotte Crosby range' for Easilocks at the St Martin's Lane Hotel

Pick a colour: Charlotte was joined by models who were showcasing some of the different colour hair extensions

Overdoing it slightly on the night out, the girls sensibly decided to head to bed, with Charlotte snapping her sleeping friend and revealing they were 'spooning' in the caption.

Earlier that night, the girls were on fine form as they joined Holly Hagan and Sophie Kasaei to celebrate their final blowout.

Posing for a picture before things got messy, the quartet seemed in good spirits as they cuddled up for the camera.

Sitting down on the job: The 26-year-old changed from her towering heels into a pair of flats

Party girls: Charlotte wasn't going to let the fact she quit Geordie Shore get in the way of having a wild night out with Chloe Ferry as she enjoyed a boozy outing in Ibiza on Monday

Cosy: Overdoing it slightly on the night out, the girls sensibly decided to head to bed, with Charlotte snapping her sleeping friend and revealing they were 'spooning' in the caption

Wild night: Laughing and jeering for the camera, the pretty blonde seemed worse for wear earlier in the evening as she smiled down the lens, whilst Chloe appeared to fall asleep on her shoulder

Charlotte flew out to Ibiza to enjoy a break with her girlfriends after they wrapped filming the 13th series of Geordie Shore across Europe's party towns.

The fitness guru sensationally quit the show earlier this year after she claimed she could no longer work with her on/off boyfriend and co-star Gaz Beadle.

However, the star is reported to be back on speaking terms with her ex with a source telling The Sun: 'It's all very early days but they've started talking and messaging again in secret which is a massive step.'

Laugh a minute: Puckering up her cosmetically enhanced pout, Charlotte was unable to hold back giggles in the snaps, looking effortlessly chic in a little black vest and white cardigan

Four of a kind: Earlier that night, the girls were on fine form as they joined Sophie Kasaei (L) and Holly Hagan to celebrate their final blowout

They continued: 'A lot happened and some of it's still raw, but right now they're just happy to have each other back in their lives. Everything is on a friends' basis right now.'

According to the newspaper, Charlotte, has no plans to return to the show after she quit two months ago in order to escape the 28-year-old lothario.

The source explained: 'There have been no talks of anything like that just yet but she knows the door is always open and Gary would welcome her with open arms.'

Best pals: Charlotte posed for funny snaps with Sophie as they prepared to head out on the town
Brits up and down the country are enjoying the blistering heat.

And Jennifer Metcalfe was getting in on the summertime action as she headed to Liverpool's Bubble Beach Club with co-star Nadine Rose Mulkerrin on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old Hollyoaks star opted to show off her phenomenal figure in a skin-tight black dress with a red and black shirt tied around her diminutive waist.

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Strutting their stuff: Jennifer Metcalfe was getting in on the summertime action as she headed to Liverpool's Bubble Beach Club with co-star Nadine Rose Mulkerrin on Wednesday

Jennifer, who soared to fame playing Mercedes McQueen in the soap a decade ago, kept things casual for her day out where she allowed her sensational figure to speak for itself.

The simple black dress featured a vest-style top before dipping into a thigh-flashing base with an asymmetric hemline.

Keeping her hourglass frame partially concealed, she wrapped a checked shirt around her perky posterior before later removing the garment to kick back.

Having a giggle: The 33-year-old Hollyoaks star opted to show off her phenomenal figure in a skin-tight black dress with a red and black shirt tied around her diminutive waist

Wine time! Jennifer, who soared to fame playing Mercedes McQueen a decade ago, kept things casual for her day out where she allowed her sensational figure speak for itself

Back to black: The simple black dress featured a vest-style top before dipping into a thigh-flashing base with an asymmetric hemline

Shunning teetering heels in the searing heat, Jennifer went for maximum comfort as she sported thin-strap flip flops which she kicked off later as she lay on a sun-lounger.

Jennifer pulled a cross-body Marc Jacobs bag over her chest which added a super-star touch.

Keeping her make-up dewy and simple, Jennifer shielded her face with a pair of oversized sunglasses in a light brown hue.

Stunner: Keeping her hourglass frame partially concealed, she wrapped her checked shirt around her perky posterior before later removing the garment to kick back

Barefoot forward: Shunning teetering heels in the searing heat, Jennifer went for maximum comfort as she sported thin-strap flip flops which she kicked off later as she lay on a sunlounger

She wore her brunette tresses in a loose fishtail plait which she pulled over her shoulder to further add to her sunshine chic look.

Nadine meanwhile wore a simple black top with a billowing maxi skirt in a khaki hue while she too pulled on a pair of sunglasses.

Going for a near lookalike vibe to Jennifer, Nadine too scraped back her brunette tresses as she pulled her hair back while enjoying a glass of wine.

Brunette beauty: She wore her brunette tresses in a loose fishtail plait which she pulled over her shoulder to further add to her sunshine chic look

Glamorous display: Going for a near lookalike vibe to Jennifer, Nadine too scraped back her brunette tresses as she scraped her hair back while enjoying a glass of wine
He has long-been rumoured to be an X Factor panelist, after finding fame on the show in 2010.

And while Louis Tomlinson is clearly not headed for that role, on Wednesday night he will sit on another of Simon Cowell's panel - this time America's Got Talent.

The 24-year-old One Direction hunk was wowed on the show by an incredible magic trick which saw a skilled group of magicians guess his card from a great proximity.

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Ready! While Louis Tomlinson is clearly not headed for The X Factor role, on Wednesday night he will sit on another of Simon Cowell's panel - this time America's Got Talent

Louis has formerly acted as a mentor for The X Factor last year, yet this time he took a new role as he joined the other judges on America's Got Talent.

Louis joined Mel B, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and his very own mentor fame founder Simon, where he was sandwiched in between the famous group.

The handsome father-of-one is seen in a clip judging a magic act, one of which make him pick a card out of a pack before pressing it into the magician's hand.

He's got The X Factor: Louis has formerly acted as a mentor for The X Factor last year, yet this time he took a new role as he joined the other judges on America's Got Talent

Staying on the stage was a glamorous assistant sitting on a high swing and shielded with a blindfold, who ultimately revealed the card he had picked.

Louis took to Instagram before his appearance to share a sneak peak with his 10.2million followers in which he stared intently at the stage alongside the star-studded panel.

Louis, who follows on from last week's guest judge George Lopez, added a caption on the shot: 'Not long now #AGT #judgecuts'.

Guest judge: Louis, who follows on from last week's guest judge George Lopez, added a caption on the shot: 'Not long now #AGT #judgecuts'

Dangerous act: On last week's episode of the show Ryan Stock and his girlfriend AmberLynn took their comedy daredevil act to the next level

On last week's episode of the show Ryan Stock and his girlfriend AmberLynn took their comedy daredevil act to the next level.

Their shocking act was almost too much for the judges to stomach but they still survived the third round of Judge Cuts and advanced to the live shows.

Ryan upped the ante after his successful first audition by putting out a blowtorch on his tongue, holding a working chainsaw in his mouth and swallowing a long electric drill.

Throughout their two minutes onstage, the judges seemed barely able to watch the horrifying acts - with Mel B completely turning her chair when Ryan, 34, put the drill into his mouth.

Heidi - who voted against them in the first round - spent most of the act with her hands covering her face, and even Simon hid his eyes and looked disgusted.

Well aware of the impact it was having, especially on Heidi, Ryan even said during one part of his act: 'Heidi, take your hands away from the buzzer and put them over your eye - this next trick is not for you.'

Despite their look of shock and horror, the judges praised the duo and insisted they could see them having a successful Las Vegas show - and made them one of only seven of the night's 20 acts to go through to the live shows.

Hard to watch: Heidi Klum and Simon Cowell covered their faces but not their eyes during the daredevil routine

'You're like a human horror movie,' Simon told them.

'When I watch a horror movie I do this half the time,' he said, demonstrating how he covers his eyes, adding: 'But I'm sort of compelled because it's so disgusting.'

The audience got behind them, booing Heidi when she admitted it was just too much for her.

'I have such a hard time watching this, I really do. I just don't want you to hurt yourself. I just can't join the fan club,' she insisted.

That's hot! Ryan also extinguished a blowtorch with his tongue

Turned away: Mel B found the act hard to watch and turned around in her chair

Before going on, Ryan had admitted the 'stakes are high,' stressing: 'If I make a single mistake I'll be cut from ear to ear.'

'I'm just happy that you still have a face,' host Nick Cannon told him as he came off. 'That's a win in my book.'

And when Ryan said he was 'pumped' to be going through, Nick joked: 'I'm scared.'

Drilling down: Ryan also pushed a rotating drill down his throat
Hailey Baldwin could easily get consumed with with the fashion industry, having just become the face of Australian luxury brand The Daily Edited.

On Wednesday, however, the 19-year-old demonstrated her desire to stay grounded, strolling through New York City's Tribeca neighborhood with a non-famous pal.

Alec Baldwin's niece kept her outfit casual, wearing a baggy black t-shirt splashed with the logo for Metallica's Ride The Lightning album.

Wake up in the city that doesn't sleep: Hailey Baldwin headed to a supermarket in Lower Manhattan with a non-model friend on Wednesday

The model, who's also designing a capsule collection for The Daily Edited, paired the shirt with a faded pair of grey zip hem jeans. She spruced up the look with a gold necklace, teardrop pearl earrings and a hefty watch.

Meanwhile, her unidentified friend kept it even simpler, throwing on a plaster pink day dress and ankle strap flats to step out in Lower Manhattan.

Baldwin is known for her frequent sightings with celebrity friends, particularly her modeling confreres Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid.

Off-time: The newly minted brand ambassador laughed it up as she and her buddy stepped off the curb into New York traffic

In fact, last August, Baldwin and Jenner went so far as to get matching tattoos of broken hearts on the sides of their middle fingers.

No stranger to hobnobbing with celebrities, Stephen Baldwin's daughter has also been seen goofing around on Instagram with her fellow scion of fame, Jaden Smith.

Walk fast! The 19-year-old and her modeling colleagues Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid in Manhattan in June

About a week before her The Daily Edited announcement, the runway staple made a surprise appearance on the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Instagram.

She and frontman Anthony Kiedis could be seen working on the band's 'secret project' in Russia.

With the heap of public engagements on her plate, the model seemed thrilled to spend some time with an ordinary friend, grinning and laughing as they crossed the street.
Johnny Depp won't release his financial details to Amber Heard until she promises to keep them private.

According to legal documents obtained by gossip website TMZ, the Black Mass actor claims Amber, 30, has refused to sign a confidentiality agreement, but he's aware she is entitled to find out some information about his monetary situation.

Johnny's lawyer Laura Wasser claims in the documents that Amber has been telling the media information about the former couple, who are not thought to have had a pre-nuptial agreement.

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Development: Johnny Depp is refusing to release his financial details to Amber Heard until she guarantees his privacy, according to court documents

In addition to asking the court to order his financial dealings to be kept , he wants other information that will be part of the proceedings such as witness statements to remain private too.

According to People, he is also asking that any experts or witnesses called to give evidence in the case be required to sign nondisclosure agreements.

'Amber's need for financial information to resolve this case is distinct from the public's appetite for celebrity divorce,' Johnny's legal documents state.

The couple - who had been married for 15 months when Amber filed for divorce in May - are locked in a bitter legal fight and Johnny, 53, is now asking a judge to require the actress to sign a confidentiality agreement

Johnny pointed out that media scrutiny of his break-up with Amber is intense, calling it 'one of the most heavily publicized celebrity divorces in recent memory.'

He said he had asked his estranged wife 'has inexplicably refused to sign any agreement' consenting to keeping details of their relationship and divorce private.

The Pirates of The Caribbean star also wants a judge to rule that requests by Amber's legal team for information about his finances prior to their relationship are unwarranted, and that attempts to obtain financial information from his Hollywood Vampires bandmates be quashed because they're 'irrelevant.'

'Irrelevant': Johnny has also alleged in court documents that Amber, 30, is seeking informaiton about the finances of his Hollywood Vampires bandmates including Alice Cooper, pictured with Johnny, and Joe Perry

The now former couple - who met on the set of 2011 film 'The Rum Diary' and were married for just 15 months - are embroiled in the bitter legal battle after announcing their split in May.

Amber has been granted a temporary restraining order against Johnny after claiming in court that her decision to file for divorce from him was prompted by the actor physically attacking her with an iPhone, leaving her with a bruised eye.

She alleged that 'during the entirety of our relationship, Johnny has been verbally and physically abusive to me'.

In recent weeks, Johnny has been selling off some of his assets including paintings by Basquiat.

He has doubled the asking price on his French estate, which is set on 37 acres of land and comes complete with more than a dozen buildings, to 42 million. And he has also listed his seven-bedroom Venetian mansion for 9 million.

Last week, Amber met up with her ex-girlfriend Tasya Van Ree, who she split from five years ago, at Republique in Los Angeles.
Chrissy Teigen is a celebrity who loves to share her life with fans via social media.

And this week she's been candidly taking to Twitter to answer questions about what it's really like to be famous in Hollywood.

When asked what's the number one perk of being a celebrity, the swimsuit model and cookbook author swiftly responded: "No waiting.'

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Insider info: Chrissy Teigen, seen in a Snapchat video she shared from her European vacation Tuesday, has been spending time on Twitter answering questions about what it's really like to be famous in Hollywood

The number one perk of being famous, according to the swimsuit model and cookbook author, is 'no waiting'

Other little revelations included the fact that famous people keep the contact details of other famous people listed under 'code names, like cheating spouses' and that when making a dinner reservation they use their famous name, not their real one, so they get a 'better table.'

And since as she said, she's a 'c-list-married-to-Oscar-winner insider', sometimes she'll use her husband John Legend's name for a reservation 'then kick him out of my girls dinner.'

As for getting takeout delivered, Chrissy, 30, tweeted she lets her mom answer the door unless I feel like getting on their phone and saying hi to their niece's friend's aunt.'

Celebrity haunts: Chrissy and her husband John Legend are currently traveling around Europe and shared this image of them posing in front of the lake at Lugano in Switzerland on Wednesday

Use fame to your advantage: Chrissy, 30, explained the different protocols depending on whether you plan to eat out or have food delivered to you

The beauty, who gave birth to her first child with John in April, also confided that she's really over the whole gift bag thing at events, and tends to either donate them or bring them out on a drunken night in with her female friends.

She corrected one fan who asked if celebrities 'depend on nannies to take care of their kids.'

'To help, is a better way to say it,' she suggested.

As for what happens when two famous names meet for the first time? They do introduce themselves, she said, but there's a pecking order.

'Whomever is the lesser celebrity giggles and goes "oh I know!!" and the other celeb smirks annoyingly,' she explained.

As for how you know who's lesser, as one fan inquired, according to Chrissy: 'You just know.'

Putting it all out there: The Sports Illustrated beauty likes to share her celebrity life with her fans and is an avid user of social media

On the inside: Her answers revealed that you have to know how to play the game if you want to stay successful and have friends inTinseltown

Meanwhile, the celebrity couple and their baby daughter are enjoying a European vacation, hitting up all the glitzy places famous people like to go.

After flying into Paris, they have paid a visit to Lake Como, where they married in 2013, and to Tuscany where they enjoyed wine-tasting and truffle-hunting.

They attended a Beyonce concert in Milan and are currently in Switzerland at the upscale resort of Lugano.
Brad Pitt beat the heat in an all-white look while out in New York.

The stylish actor looked sharp in a white fedora and linen shirt as he headed to meetings in Manhattan on Wednesday.

The 52-year-old looked relaxed, flashing a smile and waving to fans while out and about, after jetting into the city from LA on Tuesday.

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Summer style: Actor Brad Pitt stepped out in an all-white look while out in New York City on Wednesday

And despite the fact that the $60 million estate he shares with wife Angelina Jolie in France is under threat from wildfires, the actor looked calm and collected as he headed inside.

Brad went for a summery look in a classic white Tshirt, which he tucked into off-white khakis with a brown leather belt.

The Benjamin Button star added a cream fedora and gold, aviator sunglasses.

Brad added suede boots, and held a notepad and papers as he headed into a meeting.

Staying cool: The 52-year-old wore a white linen shirt and khakis as he headed to a meeting in Manhattan

The Mr & Mrs Smith star and actress-activist Angelina share six children: Maddox, 14, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10 and twins Vivienne and Knox, 8.

The family have been living in London as he films WWII spy drama Allied over the past few months.

Brad's trip to New York comes their Chateau Miraval estate in the South of France is under threat from fires in nearby town of Correns.

New York trip: The actor looked relaxed, one day after jetting into Manhattan from LAX

Looking good: Brad, who has been filming his new WWII drama in London recently, added suede boots for a relaxed look

The lavish estate, which has 35 bedrooms and a vineyard, also has a chapel, where the celebrity couple married in 2014.

In addition to filming in London, Brad has also signed on to produce Ben Stiller's new comedy Brad's Status through his Plan B production company.

The film, written by Enlightened creator Mike White, follows a man who must confront his failures after comparing himself to his more successful friends.

Threatened: Brad and Angelina's $60 million Chateau Miraval estate in the south of France, where they wed in 2014, has been under threat from wildfires this week
She was embroiled in a heated exchange on Twitter with Khloe Kardashian earlier this week.

And Chloe Grace Moretz seems to have brushed off the beef as she was seen for the first time since the social media drama.

The 19-year-old actress had a smirk on her face during a caffeine run at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Studio City, California on Wednesday.

Feeling fine: Chloe Moretz had a smirk on her face during a caffeine run at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Studio City, California on Wednesday

She seemed to be in good spirits as she flashed the smile while juggling her iced coffee and mobile with one hand on the outing.

Chloe looked stylish as always as she sported a navy blue button down blouse with a white lining tucked into skinny trousers and strappy black stilettos.

Her blonde locks were worn down flowing over her shoulders as she had natural, complimentary make-up on her face.

Moving on: The 19-year-old was seen for the first time since her war of words over social media with Khloe Kardashian

Showing her style: She sported a navy blue button down blouse with a white lining tucked into skinny trousers and strappy black stilettos

This comes just days after an ugly Twitter spat that reached a new low when Khloe Kardashian had posted a screenshot on Twitter of Chloe in a bikini filming Neighbours 2 last October, alongside another image of an unwitting mystery woman with her bare bottom exposed.

This was preceded by Chloe complaining on the social media site about people focusing on the ongoing row between the former's sister Kim, Kanye West and Taylor Swift.

Presumably referring to the recent deaths and turmoil in Nice, Turkey and Louisiana of the past few days, Chloe wrote: 'Everyone in this industry needs to get their heads out of a hole and look around to realize what's ACTUALLY happening in the REAL world.

Coffee run: Her blonde locks were worn down flowing over her shoulders as she had natural, complimentary make-up on her face

'Stop wasting your voice on something so petulant and unimportant.'

It didn't take long before Khloe responded by posting the rude photo - a collage of an image of Chloe in a bikini and a back shot of an unknown blonde woman, quipping: 'Is this the a hole you're referring to @ChloeGMoretz ???'

Chloe was rightly horrified by the unflattering paparazzi shot and pointed out that is wasn't even her, tweeting: '@khloekardashian fact check: first photo is me filming my movie Neighbors 2, the second photo is some girl who was wrongfully photographed.'

The actress then went on to share other images of herself in a red bikini top and blue bottoms, as proof she was on location for the movie in the photos and not the other woman pictured.

It's all kicking off: Khloe Kardashian had lashed out at Chloe Moretz on Twitter on Sunday night as she shared an X-rated image of what she thought was of the actress

A new low: Khloe posted a photo of Chloe filming Neighbours 2 last year (left) and another image of a bikini-clad mystery blonde accidentally exposing her nether regions (right)

The blonde woman whose private parts are exposed in the second image is wearing matching red bikini bottoms and top.

Orange Is The New Black star Ruby Rose also waded into the row, defending Chloe, as she tweeted: '@ChloeGMoretz @0hbubbl3s @khloekardashian Yo Khloe I thought you were rad when I met you but this is awful and this is a 19-year-old girl.

'Nobody likes being bullied or made to feel worthless.. Yet so many people will go above and beyond to make others feel that way.'

What's important: Chloe tweeted her frustration that everyone was discussing Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift instead of more important issues

On location: Chloe wore a red bikini top and blue bottoms as she filmed scenes for Neighbours 2 in Los Angeles last October

After the war of words, Khloe was being accused of being a bully by people like Orange Is The New Black actress Ruby Rose.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star hit out at those assertions on Monday as she wrote: 'Im the last person to bully but have an animal instinct to protect and defend my family.'

Chloe had previously gotten into a Twitter beef with Khloe's older sister Kim over her infamous nude selfie back in March.

Hitting back: Khloe Kardashian had responded to criticisms that she was being a bully on Twitter on Monday

'I'm the last person to be a bully': After being called out by a fellow celebrity, the 32-year-old was on the defensive and said: 'refrain from commenting on my family and OUR business'

Khloe wants respect on the Kardashian name as she continued writing: 'Refrain from commenting on my family and OUR business (and I will do the same).'

Chloe's feud with the Kardashians kicked off back in March after the young star expressed disdain of Kim's naked selfie taken in the bathroom to show off her slimmed down post-baby body.

The reality star captioned the image - which featured black bars censoring her chest and nether regions: 'When you're like I have nothing to wear LOL.'

Dividing opinion: Chloe's feud with the Kardashians stems back to March after she questioned Khloe's sister Kim's reasoning for posting a naked selfie on Instagram

Different points of view: The actress tweeted Kim back in March following the naked selfie saying she was a bad role model to young women

She tweeted Kim: 'I truly hope you realize how important setting goals are for young women, teaching them we have so much more to offer than just our bodies.'

Despite Chloe's successful acting career, with hit films such as Kick Ass and The Amityville Horror on her resume, Kim declared no one had heard of her.

She responded: 'Let's all welcome @ChloeGMoretz to twitter, since no one knows who she is. Your Nylon cover is cute boo.'

Kim was referring to Chloe's partially naked Nylon cover from a few months earlier, which the actress later insisted was 'art'.

Dismissive: Kim hit back saying 'no one knows who she is'

Chloe later told Elle magazine: 'That's also a lot more based on artwork, so that's a little bit of a different conversation. Like, if I'm talking to a photographer, I'm talking to a stylist, I'm talking to a makeup artist, we're kind of creating and collaborating and making something that is artwork and is special and is different.

'Yeah, it's representing myself, but it's also not representing myself, because it's a character piece. So, I think that is a big difference. On social media, like on Instagram and stuff that I post, and the way that I view myself, and portray myself on there, that's definitely a much more personalized take.

'I'm not collaborating with people to make that, it's my own social media platform in which I'mit's not a character. It's just me.'

MailOnline has contacted Chloe and Khloe's representatives for further comment.
She finalized her nasty divorce from ex-husband Jason Hoppy on Tuesday.

And RHONY vet Bethenny Frankel appeared to still be celebrating as she caught up with RHOBH star Lisa Vanderpump in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The 45-year-old New Yorker showed off her slim figure in a patterned swimsuit as she shared some happy poolside photos with Lisa on Snapchat.

Mini reunion: RHONY star Bethenny Frankel shared a selfie with RHOBH's Lisa Vanderpump while in Los Angeles on Wednesday

'Oh hey gurl,' she captioned her selfie with the British restaurateur.

Bethenny, 45, covered up in a large straw hat, and showed off her slim figure in a bright, patterned one-piece swimsuit with side cut-outs.

Lisa, 55, looked stylish in a blue and white dress, paired with a pearl necklace and large earrings.

'And another one rolls in! It's Ken's bday today!!!' Bethenny captioned another Snapchat photo, as she wished Lisa's husband Ken Todd a happy birthday.

Soaking up the sun: Bethenny showed off her slim figure in a patterned one-piece with side cut outs as she wished Lisa's husband Ken Todd a happy birthday

Bethenny was enjoying some down time after at long last finalizing her bitter divorce from ex-husband Jason on Tuesday.

The exes share six-year-old daughter Bryn and starred in their own Bravo spin-off show. They split in 2012 after just two years of marriage, and spent years in a long, drawn-out divorce battle.

The outspoken Bravo star was also seen out in Los Angeles on Tuesday as she stopped by cake decorating shop Duff's Cake Mix Cafe with daughter Bryn.

Summer style: The 45-year-old wore a white tank and beige shorts as she visited cake decorating shop Duff's Cake Mix in Los Angeles on Tuesday

LA visit: The RHONY vet added gold braided sandals and a leather handbag

Sweet treats: Bethenny shared a photo of her handiwork after having fun decorating cupcakes with daughter Bryn at the cafe, which she raved was a great business idea

The SkinnyGirl entrepreneur stayed cool in a white linen tank top over a white camisole, and showed off her slim legs in tan shorts.

Bethenny wore braided gold wrap-around sandals, and added a cross-body leather handbag.

The reality star also shared the colorful results of their cake decorating fun on Snapchat, raving that the make-your-own cake shop was a brilliant business idea.

Busy day: The reality star was spotted out and about after at last finalizing her drawn out divorce from ex-husband Jason Hoppy

And the businesswoman - who is dating banker Dennis Shields - celebrated the end of her marriage by posting some bikini selfies as she relaxed by the pool on Tuesday.

'Happy Happy Joy Joy,' she captioned the smiling snaps.

Bethenny previously revealed that her boyfriend Dennis is officially still married but is separated from his wife, whom she's known since high school.

'Joy Joy': The Bravo star celebrated her divorce with some bikini selfies on Tuesday
Kenya security accused of murder and abduction

Security agencies are killing and abducting men in north-east Kenya suspected of links to Islamist extremists, a rights group said Wednesday, as police challenged them to provide evidence to an independent body.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) documented 34 "enforced disappearances" and 11 suspected "extrajudicial killings" over two years in Garissa, Mandera and Wajir counties as part of counterterrorism operations in Kenya's predominately ethnic Somali north-east.

"People in northeastern Kenya deserve protection from Al-Shabaab attacks, not further abuse from the authorities," said HRW executive director Ken Roth.

A security officer stands guard at the entrance of Garissa university college in January 2016 after it reopened following a deadly siege by four gunmen, nine months previously Tony Karumba (AFP/File)

He said the cases documented were "just the tip of the iceberg."

The report details people taken from their homes by masked, armed men who did not identify themselves, or being beaten in the streets and driven away in government vehicles.

Some of the disappeared were last seen in police or military custody. No one has been charged with any crime, nor are their families able to trace them.

"Rounding people up and refusing to disclose their whereabouts is a serious crime and only compounds fears and mistrust in the security forces," Roth said.

Kenya's Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) is regularly accused of intimidating or killing suspects.

Both human rights and academic researchers have repeatedly warned that the heavy-handed approach alienates and angers communities, helping drive radicalisation.

Those warnings have been ignored, HRW says, with a range of security agencies employing the same tactics in north-east Kenya under the legal authority of Kenya's National Security Council, headed by the president and other senior officials.

- 'Multi-agency abuse' -

"The allegations raised by Human Rights Watch are very serious," said police spokesman Charles Owino.

"We challenge them to provide all the evidence they have about those allegations to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, the Witness Protection Unit and the Director of Public Prosecutions for a thorough investigation so that action can be taken," he said.

"I know they will not trust us to investigate ourselves and that is why we are saying they give all the information to IPOA which is an independent body charging with investigating police excesses."

There is a host of security agencies deployed in Kenya's north-east, including national police and reservists, the army and even the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

All are said to be implicated in the alleged murders and abductions of mostly ethnic Somali men in their 20s-40s.

"This is multi-agency abuse, with a sophisticated operational structure that reaches to the highest levels of government," Roth said.

The report also points the finger at Kenya's new National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) established to coordinate the counterterrorism operations.

Since sending troops into Somalia in 2011, Kenya has suffered numerous terrorist attacks by the Somali-led al-Qaeda group, the Shabaab, including an assault on Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall in 2013 and a massacre of students at a university in Garissa in 2015.
Bourne-again Matt Damon returns as spy of few words

In the rarefied world of international espionage, where discretion is considered the better part of valor, no one expects you to be the life and soul of the party.

But shadowy former CIA operative "Jason Bourne" is laconic even by a spy's standards, according to US actor Matt Damon, who has revealed his iconic character has just 25 lines in the latest Bourne film.

The amnesiac super-spy returns to the big screen next week for the first new installment of the Robert Ludlum-based thriller series since 2012, and the first starring Damon in nine years.

Actor Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso attend the premiere of Universal Pictures' "Jason Bourne", at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 18, 2016 Ethan Miller (Getty/AFP/File)

"Jason Bourne," the fifth film in the hit franchise, sees the 45-year-old pitted against Alicia Vikander's Heather Lee, the head of the CIA's Cyber Ops department who is determined to flush out her nemesis.

Paul Greengrass, director of "The Bourne Supremacy" (2004) and "The Bourne Ultimatum" (2007) was persuaded to rejoin Damon for the next chapter of the Universal franchise after both men sat out 2012's "The Bourne Legacy."

Damon told the London-based Guardian Greengrass called him after looking at the finished movie and told him he only had about 25 lines.

"Well, I've done it three times," Damon said of playing the spy of few words, adding that screenwriter Tony Gilroy made Bourne "a very lonely character" after his girlfriend dies in the second movie.

"I remember Tony writing me an email saying, 'You do realize what this means? You do realize youre not going to talk in this movie.' I said, 'No, I love that.'"

- $1 million per line -

Vanity Fair pointed out in an article published on its website on Monday that, given his limited dialogue, Damon was probably earning at least $1 million a line for "Jason Bourne."

Although his fee for being wooed back to the franchise has not been made public, Damon was paid $26 million for "The Bourne Ultimatum" in 2007, according to Forbes magazine, and earned $25 million for last year's space thriller "The Martian."

"The thing about making these films is that they're not like a normal film. With a franchise movie, it's got to turn the wheels of the industry and the studio has to have them," Greengrass told the Guardian, explaining Bourne's lack of dialogue.

"So you start with a release date. They say we're going to make a new Bourne film and it comes out summer of X. Then they start on a script and invariably the script is not ready in time."

Rather than start filming without a script, Greengrass says that he and his fellow screenwriter Christopher Rouse hurried the writing process, and dialogue was not a priority.

Damon is not the first star to command a stratospheric fee per word in an action blockbuster -- Arnold Schwarzenegger reportedly got $15 million, or $21,429 per word, for "Terminator 2: Judgment Day."

And like the burly Austrian-American, Damon dedicated the energy he might normally have spent on learning his lines into hitting the gym, completing two 90-minute high-intensity sessions every day for 10 weeks.

- US protests -

"I trained a lot more than I ever had done before because Paul Greengrass said that when we see Bourne in the first frame of the movie and it looks like he hasn't been living well, then we don't have a movie," Damon told British newspaper The Daily Telegraph.

"So he really wanted me to be physically fit and lean, so it was a lot of work for me to get there."

When "Jason Bourne" opens, the protagonist is given secret information that could lead him to more answers about his past, after living in Greece, where he earned pin money as a bare-knuckle boxer.

Tommy Lee Jones plays CIA director Robert Dewey, who leads the government to believe Bourne intends to reveal the names of covert operatives in a mass data dump.

The film sees Damon reunite after a gap of nine years with Julia Stiles, who first appeared in 2002's "The Bourne Identity" as CIA analyst Nicky Parsons and has gone rogue.

The 35-year-old, who attended the film's glittering US premiere in Las Vegas on Monday alongside Damon and Vikander, told the Telegraph that Greengrass had a knack of setting his movies in a world that was familiar to audiences.

"He can keep the political issues and the environment very timely and relevant," she said.

"He wrote it a year ago, but it feels shockingly familiar given all the protests and violence that we've experienced in the United States."

US actor Matt Damon and his co-star, Swedish actress Alicia Vikander, attend a press conference to promote the latest "Jason Bourne" installment, in Seoul, South Korea, on July 8, 2016 Jung Yeon-Je (AFP/File)

Vanity Fair pointed out in an article published on its website that, given his limited dialogue, Matt Damon was probably earning at least $1 million a line for his role in the latest "Jason Bourne" film David Becker (AFP/File)
Florida probes 'non-travel' related case of Zika

Florida health officials said they are investigating a potential case of Zika infection that was not contracted by someone traveling to a region affected by the mosquito-borne virus.

Until now, there has been no sign that mosquitoes carrying Zika have arrived in the continental US, but officials have warned that the possibility was looming. The US territory of Puerto Rico has seen a spike in cases in recent months.

It was not immediately clear whether the Florida case involved mosquito bites or sexual contact, since both are known routes of transmission.

Miami-Dade mosquito control worker sprays to eradicate Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae at a home in Miami, Florida Rhona Wise (AFP/File)

The Florida Health Department "is conducting an investigation into a possible non-travel related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade County," it said in a statement.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Florida had confirmed a Zika infection, and that the CDC is "closely coordinating with Florida officials," according to a statement sent to AFP.

The CDC said federal authorities would, upon request, "conduct additional laboratory testing."

As of mid-July, there have been 1,306 cases of Zika in the continental United States, nearly all involving people who had traveled to areas in Latin America and the Caribbean basin that are affected by the current outbreak.

Fourteen of the cases were transmitted by sexual contact between those who had traveled and their US-based partners.

Earlier this week, a case emerged in Utah in which a caregiver appeared to have been infected by an elderly patient, though the exact route of transmission remains unknown.

- Birth defects -

Zika is a concern because if a pregnant woman is infected, she faces a higher risk of bearing a child with microcephaly, in which the skull and brain are malformed and smaller than normal.

The "CDC has been working with state, local, and territorial health officials to prepare for the possibility of locally acquired Zika infection in the United States," the agency said.

"To date, CDC has provided Florida more than $2 million in Zika-specific funding and about $27 million in emergency preparedness funding that can be used toward Zika response efforts."

The Florida Department of Health said Zika prevention kits and repellent would be available for pickup at the health department and distributed in the area being studied.

"Zika kits are intended for pregnant women," the health department said.

"Mosquito control has already conducted reduction and prevention activities in the area of investigation."

Zika virus can cause a variety of symptoms, including rash and joint and muscle pain, but often carries no symptoms at all.

Zika can also trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which leads the immune system to attack the nerves and may lead to paralysis.

Zika virus was first identified in 1947 but is poorly understood, and there remains no vaccine to prevent it or medicine to treat it.

Officials urge pregnant women to avoid traveling to Zika-affected areas and to wear mosquito repellent to reduce the risk of being bitten.

Condoms or abstinence are also recommended to reduce the risk of infection by people traveling to or living in places where Zika is circulating.
Taiwan lawmakers, fishermen protest at disputed island

Taiwanese lawmakers and fishermen headed to an island in the disputed South China Sea on Wednesday to protest at an international tribunal ruling which undermined Taipei's claims there.

Eight lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) boarded a military plane to the Taiwan-controlled Taiping island in the Spratlys archipelago.

Five fishing boats decorated with Taiwanese flags and banners reading "Protect fishing rights, safeguard sovereignty" also set sail to Taiping from southern Pingtung county to protest at the perceived threat to fishermen's livelihoods.

An aerial view of the Taiwan-controlled Taiping island in the South China Sea's Spratly island chain Sam Yeh (AFP/File)

The fishermen waved to onlookers, who shouted their support and set off firecrackers as their boats departed. Those boats will arrive in five to six days' time.

The protests come after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled last week that China has no historic rights to its claimed "nine-dash line" in the South China Sea and had violated the Philippines' sovereign rights in Manila's exclusive economic zone.

Crucially for Taiwan it also ruled that Taiping, the largest island in the Spratlys chain, was legally a "rock" and not entitled to its own exclusive economic zone, undermining Taiwanese claims to waters surrounding the island.

Taiwan last week sent a warship to the South China Sea "to defend maritime territory", with President Tsai Ing-wen rallying troops on the frigate's deck a day after the ruling.

"The ruling is absolutely unacceptable. It is necessary for us to visit Taiping at this time to show the international community that it is an island, not a rock," said KMT lawmaker Johnny Chiang, who was part of the protest visit.

The lawmakers watched a display of combat skills by the coastguard stationed on Taiping as well as visiting facilities that show the island is self-sufficient. They are due to return Wednesday afternoon.

When the fishermen arrive in Taiping they will receive drinking water from the island in a bid to prove it is more than just a rock and is fit for human habitation, a spokesman for the group said.

Taiwan last year inaugurated a solar-powered lighthouse, an expanded airstrip and a pier as part of efforts to strengthen defence capabilities on Taiping.

There is also a farm, water well, hospital and temple on the island.

Taiping island is 0.51 square kilometres (0.19 square miles) and most of its inhabitants work for the coastguard, which has about 160 staff there.

Each year about 200 fishing boats operate in the waters near Taiping island.

The Spratlys are also claimed in part or whole by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.

Taiwan's government rejected the arbitration court's ruling, saying it "severely jeopardised" Taiwan's rights.

It said the judgement has no legally binding force since the tribunal did not formally invite Taipei to take part in its proceedings or solicit its views.

Taiwanese authorities have said they will continue to send aircraft and ships for patrol missions to the region and expel any foreign boats that enter its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone despite the ruling.
China backs Philippine's controversial drug war

China has offered its support to the Philippine's controversial drug crackdown pushed by new President Rodrigo Duterte, which has been slammed by rights groups for encouraging extrajudicial killings and vigilante justice.

"China fully understands that the Philippine government under the leadership of Rodrigo Duterte has taken it as a top priority in cracking down (on) drug-related crimes," China's embassy in Manila said in a statement issued Tuesday.

"China has expressed explicitly to the new administration China's willingness for effective cooperation in this regard, and would like to work out a specific plan of action with the Philippine side."

A Philippine policeman (L) stands guard as people queue to register with the police during the mass surrender of some 1,000 alleged drug users and pushers, in the town of Tanauan, on July 18, 2016 Ted Aljibe (AFP/File)

Duterte swept to power in May on a promise to clampdown on drugs, and police have since confirmed killing nearly 200 people in a two-month crime blitz.

There has also been a surge in killings by anti-drug vigilantes who leave victims' corpses on city streets wrapped in packaging tape with signs accusing them of being drug dealers.

The statement from the Chinese embassy made no reference to the killings -- which have prompted a backlash from domestic and international rights groups -- only saying fighting drug-related crimes was a "shared responsibility of all countries in the world".

It added: "The Chinese government has been firm and severe in drug control and in punishing all drug criminals in accordance with laws regardless of their nationalities."

Beijing is known to execute drug offenders and in recent years has put to death several Filipinos found guilty of smuggling narcotics into China.

On Sunday, Duterte said he planned to ask China why so many of its nationals were being arrested for illegal drugs in the Philippines.
Pistachios, Afghans' green gold, coveted by Taliban

Afghanistan takes pride in its world-class pistachios, but with looters harvesting the nuts well before maturity fears are growing that the Taliban and local strongmen are depriving the war-battered country of much-needed export income.

Pistachios are not ripe for the picking until late July, but raiders rushed the forests earlier this month and, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, illegally harvested up to 40 percent of the country's still-green crop.

In the northern province of Samangan, the offensive began on July 7 -- the second day of Eid, the major celebration marking the end of Ramadan, says acting head of the provincial department of agriculture Rafiullah Roshanzada.

Afghan women sort pistachio seeds at a local dried fruit factory in Kabul Wakil Kohsar (AFP/File)

"Between 100 and 150 residents of the province stormed the pistachio forests in Hazrat Sultan and Koh Gogird," he says, naming two districts in the province.

Security forces rushed to the scene and arrested many of them, he says, but the damage was done.

"The problem is that they were collected before ripe... the harvest has decreased," he adds, citing figures that show provincial yield could be nearly halved in 2016 compared with last year.

Similar scenes are repeated all along the "pistachio belt" that runs from Badakhshan in northeast Afghanistan to Kunduz in the north and Herat in the west.

"Government forces have no authority over the pistachio forests in Badghis province, because they lie in Taliban-controlled areas," says Hafizullah Benish, agriculture director in the western province.

The Taliban and local strongmen collected the crops from the roughly 27,000 hectares of land too early, he reports.

"I can tell you, these pistachios will not be sold because they are raw, not ripe."

If they had waited, Benish adds, the crop could have sold for an estimated 35 million Afghanis ($525,000).

"They are being collected by the Taliban and armed locals," also laments head of the Badghis governor's office, Sharafuddin Madjeedi.

To stop the bleeding, the government has for the past several years banned access to the pistachio forests near harvest time in 11 provinces, says Mohammad Aman Amanyar, the forest supervisor for the Agriculture Ministry.

Defiance of the ban constitutes a "crime", he says -- but that is not enough of a deterrent, for among the militants and the strongmen are Afghanistan's desperately poor.

"Collecting pistachios from the forest is a golden opportunity for them and to save a bit of money for themselves," says 32-year-old Shafi, an agricultural labourer in Samangan who uses only one name.

"If the government forces and powerful individuals do not stop the people, they can collect enough pistachios to make around 1,000 to 2,000 Afghanis ($15 to $30) every day," he tells AFP -- enough to feed a family for a week.

- Pistachios to firewood -

Amanyar disputes the idea of any economic benefit, however, arguing that Afghans are wildly undercutting the price of their own crop.

In Badghis province, he says, a "seer" (Central Asian unit equivalent to about seven kilos) of pistachios stolen while still green can sell for about 400 Afghanis, instead of the 1,500 to 2,000 Afghanis it can sell for when they are fully ripe.

"It's far too early," he says.

Pistachios are targeted more than any other nut because they grow without cultivation in natural state forests, he says -- unlike a cash crop like peanuts, which are better protected by their owners.

Nearly four decades ago, before the near continuous wars that have since ravaged Afghanistan, the country was carpeted with up to 450,000 hectares of pistachio forest, he says.

Now, after violence and misery, "40 to 50 percent of the trees are gone for firewood, or are victims of climate change and drought," Amanyar reports.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and USAID, forest density across the country has considerably thinned, from an average of 40-100 trees per hectare before the war to 20-40 trees today.

For the past dozen years, efforts to green the country saw 9,700 hectares of pistachio replanted, says Amanyar.

Exports of the popular crop ranged from 500 to 1,500 tons of shelled nuts over the same time period, worth $4.2 million in 2014.

Not enough to compete with opium production that generates, according to the UN, about $160 million a year in Afghanistan.

But enough, for some, to make ends meet.

Afghanistan takes pride in its world-class pistachios, but looters often harvest the nuts well before maturity Wakil Kohsar (AFP/File)
Israel may soon shed light on 'stolen babies' mystery

Shoshana Dugma says she still clearly remembers the morning 66 years ago when she went to feed her baby at an immigrant camp in Israel and discovered she had vanished.

"At six in the morning, I was the first person at the nursery, and there was nothing," the 83-year-old, who at the time had just arrived from Yemen, said of her 11-month-old daughter Mazal.

"Nothing in her bed."

Frecha Amar, 84, of Moroccan descent, holds a picture of her baby, who she says was abducted in 1958, as she poses with her daughter and grandchildren Menahem Kahana (AFP)

Such stories of babies from immigrant families disappearing have been told in Israel for decades, but growing calls to unseal official documents on the allegations mean new light could soon be shed.

Activists and family members believe up to several thousand babies were taken in the years after Israel became a country in 1948, mainly from Jewish Yemenite families, but also from immigrants of other Arab or Balkan nations.

They allege that babies were stolen and given to Jewish families of Western origin in Israel and even abroad, mainly those who could not have children on their own.

According to their accounts, hospital officials would inform parents their baby had died, but would not hand over a body for burial.

Official inquiries have in the past found that most of the children whose cases were examined did indeed die, noting the poor health conditions and other complications at immigrant camps at the time.

Doubts have however persisted and activists call the investigations insufficient.

The allegations have put a spotlight on intra-Jewish racism, with Jews of European origin traditionally held up as Israel's elite and those from elsewhere alleging discrimination.

A lawmaker from the ruling Likud party, Nurit Koren, has formed a caucus dedicated to "reaching the truth -- where the children disappeared to, who gave the order," she told AFP.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have backed her, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for opening files supposed to remain sealed for several more decades.

"It's a bleeding wound in the nation's heart," said Koren, who is of Yemenite origin.

- 'Honey, go home' -

After Israel's founding, the country set up camps to accomodate the influx of immigrants from mainly Arab countries.

About 30,000 Jews arrived from Yemen around 1949, including those in poor health due to the arduous conditions of the journey, according to Esther Meir-Glitzenstein, a professor at Ben Gurion University specialising in Yemenite immigration to Israel.

In addition to language barriers, she argued that they also faced "paternalism" from Israelis of European origin, who may have reasoned that some of the children of Arab-speaking Jews would be better off with different families.

In 1950, Dugma was 17 and said she was living in a tent in a camp in northern Israel with her husband and older children.

Babies were kept in separate nurseries with better conditions.

"I put her to sleep around midnight," Dugma said in an interview with AFP, speaking in Hebrew peppered with Arabic at her home in the Israeli town of Elyakhin, near the Mediterranean coast.

"She wasn't sick. She wasn't weak. She was a great eater."

The next morning the baby was gone, she said, adding that she has had no word on what happened since.

There are many other such allegations.

Barood Jibli's seven-month-old baby girl Tziona was fine the last time she saw her in the nursery.

When Jibli, who had also come from Yemen, went to tend to her one morning in 1950, she was met by nurses instead, she said.

"They told me she wasn't feeling well" and was in a hospital in Haifa, the 86-year-old said.

Jibli and her husband rushed there, only to be turned away.

"We said, 'show me my child.' They said 'she's dead'," she told AFP on the balcony of her small house in Elyakhin.

"I said 'that can't be. I fed her yesterday. She's healthy and strong.' They said 'honey, go home, there's nothing we can do'."

- Playing God? -

A first state committee to examine the claims was formed in 1967.

The allegations came to light then in part because parents began receiving notices that their long-missing children were to report for mandatory military service.

That committee investigated the cases of 342 children, determining 316 of them had died.

Its findings were however later questioned, and a new committee was established in 1988, followed by a commission of inquiry in 1995.

Findings published in 2001 said that of the 1,033 cases of babies that went missing in Israel that had been examined, 972 had died.

The fates of 56 were impossible to determine, while another five had been located.

The commission rejected claims of baby theft.

"In the materials presented to the committee, there is no evidence for the claim of abductions, neither in its extreme form of the organised 'abductions by the establishment' nor in the more moderate form of 'intentional baby stealing'," its report said.

It said the explanation for most cases was that parents were not properly informed of their babies' deaths, with burials being conducted without them present.

The materials pertaining to the cases were classified for 70 years for privacy reasons.

Shlomi Hatuka, 38, is one of a group of activists seeking to document what he calls the "crime against humanity."

At age 16, he was shocked to discover his Yemenite grandmother had given birth to twins, one of whom was "abducted," said Hatuka.

Three years ago, he was one of the founders of a group called Amram, which set out to gather testimony.

Gil Grunbaum, 60, is among those who appear on its website.

Grunbaum spent the first half of his life as the son of European Holocaust survivors, only to discover he was adopted.

He managed to track down his biological mother, a woman from Tunisia, who told him she had been informed after giving birth that her baby -- Grunbaum -- had not survived.

"They told her the child died at birth," he said.

"I questioned her quite a bit. I couldn't understand how they didn't want to see their dead child, and there was no funeral. But they were naive, new immigrants. They didn't ask too many questions and just accepted the issue."

"Nobody should be able to play God," Grunbaum said.

"You can't decide where a child will be better off."

Shoshana Dugma, 83, poses with a portrait of her younger self at her home in the Israeli town of Elyakhin Menahem Kahana (AFP)

Yona Musa, 76, of Yemeni descent, poses with a portrait of her and her husband at her home in the Israeli city of Herzliya Menahem Kahana (AFP)

Gil Grunbaum, 60, of Tunisian descent, poses with an old picture of his adoptive parents at his home in Ramat GanAviv Menahem Kahana (AFP)
Just in case you feel queasy, there are sick bags waiting by the entrance

A toilet-themed cafe where customers dine on meatballs floating in soup-filled latrines may not be everyone's idea of haute cuisine, but Indonesians are flocking to become privy to the latest lavatorial trend.

Guests at the Jamban Cafe sit on upright toilets around a table where food is served in squat loos.

On a recent visit to the venue, in Semarang on Java island, traditional Indonesian 'bakso' - a type of meatball - bobbed in a murky soup in one toilet, while a second contained a brightly-coloured, alcohol-free cocktail.

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Customers enjoy a meal at the Jamban Cafe in the city of Semarang on Indonesia's Java island, a small eatery where a handful of diners sit on upright toilets around a table where food is served in two squat toilets

Diners can try a traditional Indonesian 'bakso' - a type of meatball in a murky soup in one toilet, while a second contains a brightly-coloured, alcohol-free cocktail

For those who found the whole experience too nauseating, there was a sick bag hanging by the entrance.

Other places, such as Taiwan and Russia, are home to similar themed restaurants, but Indonesia's modest version has a key difference - it aims to educate people about sanitation and encourage the increased use of toilets.

One customer Mukodas, 27, said: 'I was disgusted at first, but I eventually ate some of the food out of curiosity,

'I think the idea is pretty interesting because if you try to have a campaign without a gimmick like this, the information won't stick.'

Jamban, which means toilet in Indonesian, has been open since April and currently only welcomes small groups who book ahead

The cafe was created by a sanitation expert for education purposes to stress the importance of using a dedicated toilet and keeping it clean to prevent disease

Another customer, 15-year-old Annisa Dhea, conceded she initially found the toilet treats 'a bit unappealing' but felt somewhat reassured after 'the owner told me that the food was clean and hygienic'.

Jamban, which means toilet in Indonesian, has been open since April and currently only welcomes small groups who book ahead.

Owner Budi Laksono, a public health expert who used to work for the local government, hosts discussions with customers and shows them videos as he seeks to encourage people to use dedicated facilities for their bodily functions.

Millions of Indonesians live below the poverty line and the country has one of the world's highest rates of open defecation -- defecating outside and not in a designated toilet -- a practice blamed for spreading disease.

Laksono, 52, said: 'This cafe serves as a reminder that many people in Indonesia still do not have toilets'.

However he admitted that his unusual approach had sparked some controversy in the Muslim-majority country.

He said: 'Many critics say the cafe is inappropriate and against Islamic law'.
'Better angels' will prevail in US election: Biden

The "better angels in America will prevail" in the upcoming presidential elections, Vice President Joe Biden said on Wednesday as he warned about xenophobia during a visit to Australia.

Biden said both the US and Australia were dealing with the legacies of racism and exclusion but would inexorably move forward.

"Don't worry about our election. The better angels in America will prevail," he assured Australians in Sydney at the end of his three-day visit.

US Vice President Joe Biden delivers a speech at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, on July 20, 2016 William West (AFP)

"So at a time like this, when the forces of xenophobia and nationalism and demagoguery are once again being trumpeted around the world, including in my own country... we have to remember who we are as Australians and Americans and reflect our best selves back to the world."

His comments came as Donald Trump was formally chosen by Republicans as the party's presidential nominee, despite relentless controversy over his campaign rhetoric.

Trump has sparked international concerns with his call to build a wall on the US border with Mexico to keep out illegal migrants, for a ban on Muslim immigration, and for his suggestion that Japan and South Korea should develop nuclear weapons.

Biden's trip Down Under also came days after an international tribunal ruled against China's claims in the South China Sea, and the vice-president sought to reassure the staunch American ally that the US would maintain a "laser focus" on the Asia Pacific region.

"I made the point, I've said to (Chinese) President Xi (Jinping) directly what I said to (Australian Prime Minister Malcolm) Turnbull yesterday, our resolve to play a part in shaping the future of this dynamic region is real," Biden added.

"We are not going anywhere. And that's vital because our presence in the region... is essential to maintaining peace and stability, without which the economic growth and prosperity I believe would falter."

The US administration has called on China to respect international rules as Beijing asserts sovereignty over almost all of the strategically vital South China Sea, despite rival claims from its Southeast Asian neighbours.

Biden next visits New Zealand, where he is due to meet with Prime Minister John Key for talks in Auckland.
UN reverts to secrecy for vote on new secretary-general

After months of public campaigning, debates and open hearings, Security Council ambassadors huddle behind closed doors on Thursday to begin secret voting for a new secretary-general to lead the world body.

The 15 council members including the powerful permanent five -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- will each rate the 12 candidates running for the top job with a ballot marked "encourage," "discourage" or "no opinion."

The results of the first round of straw polls will not be announced, but they will be communicated to the governments that have put forward candidates to replace Ban Ki-moon in January.

Argentina's Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra is one of the top contenders for the role of UN Secretary-General Alfredo Estrella (AFP/File)

Among the top contenders are Argentina's Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra, Slovenia's ex-president Danilo Turk, New Zealand's ex-prime minister Helen Clark and Antonio Guterres, who served as Portugal's prime minister and headed the UN refugee agency.

Six of the 12 candidates are women. The bulk of the contenders -- eight -- are from eastern Europe.

The secret vote follows a new, more open process that for the first time in the UN's history provided for hearings to allow candidates to present their pitch for the top job before the General Assembly.

UN member states have complained for years that the secretary-general is chosen not for his or her ability to lead the world body but to serve the permanent five members.

One of the most energetic campaigners in the race, Clark said the new transparency had allowed "a different type of candidate" to emerge, with less emphasis on diplomatic background.

"This process has thrown up more personal leadership experience and presentation experience," Clark told AFP ahead of the vote.

"The issue is: will the more transparent process, which has produced a different profile of candidate, lead to a different result? That's an open question."

- UN chief from eastern Europe? -

Security Council members are facing calls to pick the first woman after eight men in the job, and to give preference to a candidate from eastern Europe, the only region that has yet to be represented in the top post.

However, divisions among Eastern Europeans have meant that no clear frontrunner has emerged from that region.

More candidates from eastern Europe could come forward as a result of the vote. Australia's former prime minister Kevin Rudd is also expected to throw his hat in the ring.

Ukraine, which will be casting its straw poll as a non-permanent council member, is not committed to backing a candidate from eastern Europe.

"I would say that we are looking overall at the person," Ukraine's Ambassador Volodymyr Yelchenko told AFP. "We will not limit our encouragements to eastern European candidates."

Several rounds of straw polls are expected to be held before the council agrees on a consensus candidate, which is likely to happen in October.

At some stage, the council will introduce color-coded ballots for the permanent five members, allowing them to cast an effective veto to block any candidate.

From now on, the selection process becomes more opaque, with some comparing the vote to a Vatican conclave convened to elect the pope.

The transparency and openness is "the UN's version of populism," said Hugh Dugan, a former US diplomat now at Seton Hall University's school of diplomacy.

"I see the gloves coming off. The 15 will meet and it will turn into the five and then turn into the two -- Russia and the US."

Once the council agrees on a nominee, the General Assembly will endorse the choice. The new UN chief will begin work on January 1.

The process of selecting the UN secretary-general and past leaders of the world body

Antonio Guterres, who served as Portugal's prime minister and headed the UN refugee agency Kena Betancur (AFP/File)
Doubt cast on German train attacker's nationality

German authorities cast doubt Wednesday on whether a teenager who went on an axe rampage on a Bavarian train was really an Afghan refugee, saying he might have been from Pakistan.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said the teenager was believed to be a "lone wolf" attacker who appeared to have been "inspired" by the Islamic State group but was not a member of the jihadist network.

"This is perhaps a case that lies somewhere between a crazed rampage and terrorism," de Maiziere told reporters.

Police officers on July 19, 2016 walk along train tracks in Wuerzburg a day after a man attacked train passengers with an axe Daniel Roland (AFP/File)

He said investigators were still trying to determine the true identity of the 17-year-old who was shot dead by police following the train attack in which he injured five people, two of them critically.

The Islamic State group released a video Tuesday purportedly featuring the assailant announcing in Pashto he would carry out an "operation" in Germany, and presenting himself as a "soldier of the caliphate".

German authorities said they had authenticated the video featuring the teen identified in media reports as Riaz Khan Ahmadzai.

However, security service sources now think he might have pretended to be Afghan on arrival in Germany in 2015 in order to have a better chance of securing asylum, ZDF public television reported.

In the IS video the youth uses phrases of a dialect of Pashto spoken in Pakistan -- not Afghanistan -- and experts have indicated that his accent is also clearly Pakistani, ZDF said.

A Pakistani document was also found in his room.

- Distress as trigger? -

De Maiziere noted however that both Afghanistan and Pakistan had Pashtun communities and said German authorities had received an application for family reunification from the teenager for relatives in Afghanistan.

He added that investigators were also looking closely at accounts from the assailant's foster family that he received a phone call on Saturday informing him of the death of a friend in Afghanistan and whether his apparent distress over the news was a possible trigger for the attack.

Authorities on Tuesday found a hand-painted IS flag and what they called a suicide letter addressed to his father among the attacker's belongings.

Federal prosecutors said in a statement they would probe the extent of the teenager's links with IS.

Locals described the assailant as "calm and even-keeled" and a "devout Muslim who did not appear to be radical or a fanatic", according to Joachim Herrmann, interior minister of Bavaria state.

Police however said he wrote in the letter that the world's Muslims "must defend themselves".

"Now pray for me that I can take revenge on non-believers, pray for me that I can get to heaven," the note said.

Authorities said he shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) three times as he rampaged through the carriage.

- Brutal ordeal -

Germany has thus far escaped the kind of large-scale jihadist attack seen in the southern French city of Nice last week, in which 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel used a truck to kill 84 people.

That attack was also claimed by IS without the assailant having clear ties to the group.

A record 1.1 million migrants and refugees were let in to Germany last year, with Syrians making up the largest group followed by Afghans.

The assailant had arrived as an unaccompanied minor in Germany in June 2015 and had been staying with a foster family in the region of the attack for the last two weeks.

Herrmann on Wednesday revived calls by his party, the conservative Christian Social Union, to impose an upper limit on refugees.

Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned "an inconceivably cruel crime" but her spokesman also called the attacker a "lone wolf" and said his actions did not justify "discrediting a large group of people".

Meanwhile a family of tourists from Hong Kong hurt in the assault gave graphic details of their ordeal.

The elder daughter of the Yau family told local media that her parents tried to defend her sister's boyfriend when the axe-wielding teenager attacked him.

"Originally the assailant was attacking my sister's boyfriend and when my mother and father saw, they went up to get in the way and then they got injured," Sylvia, 30, told the Hong Kong-based Apple Daily newspaper.

Her father and sister's boyfriend are now in intensive care with serious head injuries. Her sister Tracy, 26, and mother, 58, were also injured, while Sylvia's 17-year-old brother was unharmed.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere gives a press conference on July 20, 2016 in Berlin on the attack perpetrated in a regional train in Wuerzburg Tobias Schwarz (AFP)

An image grab taken from a video released on July 19, 2016 by Aamaq News Agency, an online service affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group, purportedly shows teenager "Mohammed Riyadh", the Afghan refugee who slashed people on a German train - (AAMAQ News Agency/AFP/File)

Axe attack on Germany train Sophie RAMIS (AFP)
American gets life for quadruple murder in Czech city

A Czech court handed a life sentence to an American citizen Wednesday for killing four of his relatives and trying to burn their bodies while he was staying with them in 2013.

Kevin Dahlgren, 24, fatally slashed a man 29 times in his study before also stabbing the man's wife and their 23-year-old son to death at their home in Brno, eastern Czech Republic.

Brno regional court judge Michal Zamecnik ruled that Dahlgren suffered from emotional instability, narcissism, paranoia and increased aggression.

Kevin Dahlgren (2nd L), who was jailed for life for killing four of his relatives, is escorted by armed guards through a courthouse in Brno, Czech Republic Radek Mica (AFP/File)

Following the frenzied assault, he attacked the dead couple's 17-year-old son, striking him on the head with a stone as he returned home from school before stabbing him six times, said the judge.

He then tried to burn the bodies of his victims inside the house.

Czech media said the dead woman was Dahlgren's cousin.

Dahlgren claimed he had heard "a voice" telling him to attack his family.

His lawyer has lodged an appeal against the sentence.

Following the incident Dahlgren flew to Vienna and on to the United States where he was detained at a Washington airport the day after the killings.

Last year he became the first American to be extradited to the Czech Republic, an EU member of 10.5 million people.
Three French troops killed in Libya intelligence operation

Three French soldiers were killed during a mission to gather intelligence in Libya, President Francois Hollande said Wednesday in the first official confirmation that France has troops in the country where IS controls a key city.

Hollande said the troops died in a helicopter accident while taking part in "dangerous intelligence operations".

He did not say when the incident took place.

Three French soldiers have been killed while on mission in Libya, the defence ministry says Dominque Faget (AFP/File)

Libyan sources gave a different account of events, telling AFP the M17 helicopter was shot down by surface-to-air missiles.

They were "probably targeted by Islamist groups in the Magroun area, about 65 kilometres west of Benghazi" on Sunday, a commander of forces loyal to a controversial general, Khalifa Haftar, said.

Another source close to Haftar -- who opposes the internationally backed unity government in Tripoli as well as the Islamist factions that have overrun large parts of the country -- said the dead soldiers were military advisors.

Announcing their deaths earlier Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian praised the officers' "courage of devotion" but gave no details of how they were killed.

Rival militias in Libya have been vying for power since the overthrow of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Several Islamist groups, including the Islamic State, have a presence around Benghazi which is situated in the east, analysts said.

IS's main stronghold is the central coastal city of Sirte.

Forces loyal to the unity government have been embroiled in a two-month battle to try to retake the city from the jihadists.

- Europe's shores at risk -

Western powers have been nervously watching the group's advance on Europe's doorstep.

Hollande said Libya was experiencing "dangerous instability" and noted: "It's only a few hundred kilometres from Europe's shores."

France had previously revealed its warplanes were carrying out reconnaissance flights over the country from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

But Paris has never confirmed reports that it has intelligence agents and/or special forces on the ground.

France, together with Britain, led the push in 2011 for the NATO-led campaign of airstrikes that helped topple Kadhafi's regime.

The two countries were later accused of not doing enough to support Libya after the intervention.

British media reported in May that British special forces had taken part in combat against IS in the country's northeast.

The news of the soldiers' deaths comes as France struggles to recover from a massacre in Nice last week, in which a Tunisian with a fascination for jihad slammed a truck into a crowd, killing 84 people.

IS, which directed last year's attacks on the national stadium in Paris and several nightspots in the capital, claimed the attack.

But French investigators have said there is no proof Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was acting on the group's behalf.

Libyan pro-government forces take position to strike Islamic State (IS) group targets in Sirte Mahmud Turkia (AFP/File)

France had said its warplanes were carrying out reconnaissance flights over Libya but never confirmed reports that it has special forces on the ground Laurent Chaudru (SIRPA/AFP/File)
Beijing policies driving Chinese Muslims to IS: study

Tough religious restrictions on Muslim minorities in China's far west may have driven more than 100 to join the Islamic State group, a US think tank said Wednesday.

Beijing has long claimed that IS is recruiting Uighurs from the mainly Muslim region of Xinjiang, and blamed outside forces for fomenting deadly acts of violence there and elsewhere in China that have claimed hundreds of lives.

At the same time, authorities have banned or strictly controlled the observance of certain Muslim practices, such as growing beards and fasting during Ramadan, saying they are symbols of "Islamic extremism".

Uighur men make their way to the Id Kah mosque for afternoon prayers in Kashgar, in China's western Xinjiang region Greg Baker (AFP/File)

Those policies "could be a push factor driving people to leave the country and look elsewhere for a sense of 'belonging'", the Washington, DC-based New America Foundation wrote in a study of leaked registration documents for IS fighters.

The findings were based on data from more than 3,500 foreign recruits provided by a defector from the jihadist organisation.

Of those, 114 came from Xinjiang, the study says, making it the fifth highest contributor of fighters among the provinces and regions named in the data -- after three areas in Saudi Arabia and one in Tunisia.

Overall, recruits were more likely to come from "regions with restive histories and tense local-federal relationships", the report said.

The nominally autonomous Chinese area offered IS rich recruitment potential due to "significant economic disparities between the ethnic majority Han Chinese and the local Uighur Muslim population" and "substantial state repression", it said.

Beijing regularly accuses what it says are exiled separatist groups such as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) of being behind attacks in Xinjiang, which has seen a wave of deadly unrest.

Britain's upper house passed an order last week adding the group to a list of terror organisations.

But many independent experts doubt the strength of overseas Uighur groups and their links to global terrorism, with some saying China exaggerates the threat to justify tough security measures in the resource-rich region.

- 'China's '9/11'' -

All the Xinjiang recruits named in the IS documents listed their place of origin as Turkestan or East Turkestan, the name for the region often used by separatists.

Even so, the study found that the recruits had no prior experience with jihad, presumably including ETIM, raising questions about China's official narrative of radicalisation in Xinjiang.

On average, the fighters from Xinjiang were less educated, less well travelled, and more likely to be married than others who sought to join IS. They also claimed only a low level of religious training.

The data included a number of registration forms for children, including one as young as 10, the paper said, and "several of the forms for these children explicitly stated they joined ISIS with their families".

In March 2014, 31 people were knifed to death at a train station in Kunming, in southwestern China, with four attackers killed, with Xinjiang separatists blamed and state media dubbing it "China's 9/11".

Two months later a bomb rocked the main train station in the Xinjiang regional capital Urumqi as President Xi Jinping was wrapping up a visit, and authorities launched a "strike hard" campaign in the area.

Later that year 39 people were killed in a bloody market attack in Urumqi.
Independence was won, now South Sudan's freedom is in peril

South Sudan journalist John Gatluak knew the risks of war: his radio station was destroyed twice but he never stopped broadcasting the news, even when hiding in swamps.

But the quiet, deeply committed journalist was shot dead on July 11 in the capital Juba, the latest in a string of killings and assaults on media and rights groups daring to criticise the leaders of a conflict that has driven the world's youngest nation to the depths of despair.

"Being a journalist in South Sudan is risking one's life," Gatluak said last year when his station in the war-ravaged town of Leer was looted again, according to a statement from his employer Internews, which supports media freedom.

The UN says a total of at least 36,000 people have fled their homes in Juba since the latest bout of fighting erupted, while three quarters of the population need humanitarian aid Charles Lomodong (AFP/File)

"But I have dedicated myself to serving my community through radio as a watchdog, informing them about what the politicians are doing."

His wife gave birth to their third child the day after he was hunted down and shot at close range when his compound was stormed by gunmen.

- Ethnic killings -

The latest violence echoed the December 2013 start of the civil war with fighting starting in Juba, leaving in tatters a peace deal that was hoped would end the bitter conflict between President Salva Kiir and arch-rival Riek Machar, now vice-president in a so-called unity government.

Hundreds died in this latest spasm of violence, which began with a shootout at the presidential palace between men loyal to Kiir and Machar on the eve of South Sudan's fifth anniversary of independence.

Like many of the tens of thousands killed in a war that has divided the country along tribal lines, reports suggest Gatluak was targeted for his ethnicity.

Scars across his forehead marked him out as a Nuer, the same ethnicity as Machar.

Nine journalists have been killed since 2015, ncluding government cameraman Kamula Duro, who died after fighting erupted between rival forces at the presidential palace on July 8.

Bullets smashed into the popular Eye Radio station office in Juba, which continued reporting through some of the worst of the fighting.

Last year a reporter was shot in an apparently targeted attack, days after Kiir publicly threatened to kill journalists who reported "against the country".

- Exit blocked -

"Officials have intensified repressive measures," press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (known by its French acronym, RSF) said, which ranks South Sudan as the 140th worst nation out of 180 for press freedoms world wide.

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the crackdown is just the latest in a string of efforts to muzzle the press, including beatings, threats, arrests and the closure of several newspapers.

For some, the latest violence is the final straw, but with security forces restricting South Sudanese men from using land borders or the airport, those who want to leave must risk using back routes to smuggle themselves to safety.

"The rest are in fear across the country," said CEPO, a civil society group.

- Arrests and beatings -

Others have been arrested. Veteran journalist Alfred Taban was arrested on Saturday and his Juba Monitor newspaper closed after he wrote in an editorial arguing that South Sudan's leaders had "completely failed".

He is no stranger to arrest, having worked as a journalist in Khartoum before Sudan split in 2011, where he was repeatedly harassed for his support for an independent South Sudan.

Hassan Shire of East African rights group Defend Defenders called it: "another unacceptable attack on free speech at a time when the country needs it most".

Taban, who is in poor health, joins journalist George Livio, who worked for the UN-backed Radio Miraya in the town of Wau. He has been in detention since his arrest in August 2014.

Civil society leaders are also wary of speaking out.

"The system in South Sudan cracks down on anything that is not in accordance with the 'norm'," the author of the popular satirical Saakam website told AFP.

"It is understood... that if you are not in agreement with what they do, you must be an enemy -- or even worse -- a paid enemy. Not many have or will want to dare go into investigative journalism for fear of being gunned down as a spy."

Amid the gloom, Saakam's satire has continued to mock leaders with stories that provoke laughter but that are all too close to the bone.

"Former rebels intend to remain 'In Opposition' even if they democratically become majority in government," one satirical Saakam piece read.

"New S.Sudan states run out of new symbols, clash over old ones," another headline read, poking fun at how Kiir undermined the fundamental power-sharing pillar of the peace deal by nearly tripling the number of regional states.

But in a serious reflection, Saakam said the "real threat" to journalists and their families "cannot be overstated".

One recent post by Saakam highlighted a genuine message urging peace from the president of Somalia, a country that is a byword for anarchy.

"At least listen to Somalia," the post read.

South Sudan AFP (AFP)

Millions going hungry in Sudan V. Breschi / J. Jacobsen, jj/jw (AFP)

South Sudan's Vice President Riek Machar (C) returned in April to the post he was sacked from five months before war broke out Samir Bol (AFP/File)

The latest violence in South Sudan has left in tatters a peace deal that was hoped would end the bitter conflict between President Salva Kiir (pictured) and his arch-rival and now Vice President Riek Machar Charles Atiki Lomodong (AFP/File)

Once friends and now arch-rivals, South Sudan Vice President Riek Machar (L) and President Salva Kiir are both former rebel leaders who rose to power during Sudan's 1983-2005 civil war Albert Gonzales Farran (AFP/File)
India principal charged with sedition over Kashmir map

An Indian school principal and two others have been charged with sedition for printing an incorrect map of disputed Kashmir, police said Wednesday, an offence technically punishable by a maximum of life in jail.

The principal was arrested on Monday along with the school's owner and a printing press owner following a complaint by a right-wing Hindu activist, who spotted the map in a school diary.

Police said hundreds of diaries were printed by the private Green Bells Public School in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, showing parts of Kashmir within the borders of arch-rivals Pakistan and China.

An Indian paramilitary trooper stands guard during a curfew in Sringar, Indian Kashmir, on July 18, 2016 Tauseef Mustafa (AFP/File)

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but New Delhi imposes tight restrictions on all printed maps, insisting they show all of Kashmir as being within Indian borders.

"All of them have been charged with sedition and acting against the national interest," Satish Dwivedi, a senior police officer in Shahdol district where the men were arrested, told AFP.

The accused were denied bail by a court on Tuesday, the officer said, adding they told police that the map had been printed by mistake.

If found guilty, they could be jailed for life under India's controversial sedition law.

Maps are a highly sensitive issue in India, which has long-running border disputes with several of its neighbours, most famously over the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir.

India recently announced plans for new legislation that provides a $15 million fine and seven-year jail term for those deemed to be publishing incorrect maps.

The government in 2011 ordered The Economist magazine to cover up a map of disputed borders in Kashmir, with white stickers placed over a diagram in thousands of copies on sale in India.

Last year it took television channel Al Jazeera off air for five days after it broadcast what India described as an erroneous map of the region.
Sen. Pat Toomey has been a critic of Donald Trumps and is skipping the Republican National Convention, and it is fueling questions from GOP voters as he hopscotches to meet-and-greets across Pennsylvania in his re-election campaign.

On Wednesday, Toomey addressed a gathering at a Chambersburg-area restaurant where he fielded questions, including whether Toomeys criticism is hurting the newly minted Republican presidential nominee.

Toomey may not have had the answers his questioners were seeking, but he also downplayed a Republican Party split over Trump.

I do think the party is moving in the direction of greater unity and is likely to end up there, Toomey told one questioner, retiree Ray Myers. Thats where it looks like its heading.

Democrat Katie McGinty is challenging Toomeys bid for a second term in an expensive and closely watched race that could help tilt control of the U.S. Senate. McGinty has attacked Toomey as an enemy of the middle class and womens rights in a race that is increasingly turning on debates surrounding gun violence, terrorism, those living in the country illegally and public safety.

In moderate Pennsylvania, Democrats outnumber Republicans four-to-three, meaning Toomey will need significant support from conservative Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans to beat McGinty. But he has another tightrope to walk: Trump nailed down a surprising 37 percentage-point victory in Pennsylvanias April 26 primary, and Toomey may not be able to afford alienating Trump backers.

Asked by Myers whether his criticism of Trump would hurt the GOP nominee, Toomey said people will vote for Trump based on their own perceptions.

And how quickly or slowly I get to the point of endorsing him is, I think, not very important, Toomey said.

Asked by another questioner, Allen Piper, whether it would help his candidacy to endorse Trump, Toomey said he didnt know.

Donald Trump is unique, right? Toomey said. I mean, there hasnt been a candidate like him, certainly not in the last 100 years, probably longer than that. So we just dont know. ... I want to stay on the path Im on, lets see a little bit more.

He added, Its still only July, weve still got a lot of time.

Toomey pointed out that he is encouraged by Trumps short list of would-be nominees to fill an open seat on the U.S. Supreme Court and his selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate, whom Toomey called a rock solid conservative.

Toomey also suggested that those moves by Trump were spurred by the collective reservation from conservatives.

Still, Toomey repeated his questions about Trumps commitment to fiscal conservativism  Trump was a Democrat, gave big campaign contributions to Democrats and advocated tax increases and single-payer health care, Toomey said.

In May, Toomey laid out a longer list of concerns in interviews and editorials, including Trumps vulgarity and his vagueness about what he would do as president  or how.

So Ive seen these examples that have given me real pause as to whether he would lead America based on conservative principles or not, Toomey told another questioner, Michele Jansen. So Ive said, let me step back here and see how this develops and see what kinds of specific policies he proposes and how this evolves, and of course Im not the only one.

Toomey is not alone among endangered Republican senators to skip the convention in Cleveland. Republicans Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire, John McCain of Arizona and Mark Kirk of Illinois skipped it entirely. Ohios Rob Portman was to appear on the convention floor this week, but not speak from the podium, a departure from custom for any host-state senator.

Alternately, Wisconsins Ron Johnson targeted his Democratic opponent, Russ Feingold, from the conventions national stage during a prime-time speech Tuesday night.

Toomey maintains that he is not boycotting the convention because of Trump, but because he prefers to take the time in Pennsylvania this week to make his case to voters, attend fundraisers and do media interviews.

I think this is just a much more effective way for me to spend my time if I want to hold this seat, which I do, Toomey told the restaurant crowd.
Twitter stirs debate as 'troll' banned over racist abuse

Twitter was embroiled in controversy Wednesday after banning an editor at the conservative Breitbart website for fueling a stream of abuse that drove "Ghostbusters" star Leslie Jones to quit the social network.

The ban on Milo Yiannopoulos, the website's tech editor known for provocative posts, sparked protests from his supporters but praise from others, while triggering debate over free speech on social media.

A hashtag war erupted between Yiannopoulos supporters united by the banner #FreeMilo and his critics -- who rallied under #LoveForLeslieJ.

Actress Leslie Jones said she was leaving Twitter after being bombarded by Internet trolls likening her to an ape and making other racist insults Valerie Macon (AFP/File)

Yiannopoulos hit back at the ban saying "Twitter has confirmed itself as a safe space for Muslim terrorists and Black Lives Matter extremists, but a no-go zone for conservatives."

The suspension came a day after Jones, who is African American, said she was leaving Twitter after being bombarded by Internet trolls likening her to an ape among other racist slurs.

"I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart. All this cause I did a movie. You can hate the movie but the shit I got today... wrong," the "Saturday Night Live" comedian and actress said late Monday.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey responded with a tweet to Jones saying he was "following" and asking her to contact him directly.

Yiannopoulos's Twitter account, which had more than 338,000 followers, was later blocked.

"People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter," the company said in a statement.

"But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online."

- Free speech, hate speech -

Critics of Yiannopoulos said he incited his followers to bombard the actress with racial comments, while his supporters claimed he was targeted for his views.

Commenting on a tweet in which Jones said she had been called an ape, and "received a pic with semen on my face," Yiannopoulos responded:

"If at first you don't succeed (because your work is terrible", play the victim. EVERYONE GETS HATE MAIL FFS."

His tweet reportedly triggered a torrent of abuse towards the 48-year-old "Ghostbusters" star who responded by taking screenshots and retweeting the slurs, saying they had made her "numb."

After being subjected to hours of harassment from Yiannopoulos's supporters, Jones called him out: "@Nero you can say what you want about my work but when you support hate, that's not right. Wonder do your readers know you support hate!!"

Twitter's actions were set to further intensify a simmering debate on how social media platforms regulate offensive or inappropriate conduct.

One Twitter user, Sara Levine, welcomed the ban on Yiannopoulos, tweeting, "Racists shouldn't be allowed to silence others."

But Twitter user John Nolte responded, "Basically, the corporate fascists at @Twitter silenced someone for criticizing and mocking a rich and powerful movie star."

Both Twitter and Facebook have banned thousands of suspected jihadists for seeking to incite or celebrate violence, and have targeted users for harassment and insults.

But the platforms have been navigating a fine line, staying open to controversial views while keeping out violent or abusive content.

Matthew Ingram, a Fortune magazine writer who blogs for the Nieman Journalism Lab, suggested that this time, Twitter may have gone too far.

"I know this isn't going to be a popular opinion, but I don't think Milo said anything to Leslie Jones that deserves a permanent ban," Ingram tweeted.

- A 'learning moment' -

Some analysts argue that social media platforms need to develop a code that mirrors constitutional free speech rights.

"Corporate platforms have, in many ways, taken on the role of the town square, or public sphere," said a blog post this year from Jillian York, a writer and activist who works with the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

"It is impossible to ignore the effect corporate limitations on speech can have on societies."

Mark Potok, a senior fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center, which seeks to combat racism, maintained that social media firms have a right to set their own standards.

"These aren't First Amendment (constitutional) questions at all. Twitter and others are private corporations that have no obligation to allow these kinds of speech," Potok told AFP.

Potok said the lack of any policy led to chaos at the online service Reddit, which he said "turned into a hellhole for anyone who wasn't a hater" before it implemented guidelines.

"If these organizations say they have a no-hate policy, they ought to enforce it," he said.

Jennifer Lambe, a University of Delaware professor of communications specializing in free speech issues, said there is no easy answer for social networks.

"They can do whatever they want, but there could be a backlash if they start censoring things right and left," she said.

Danielle Citron, a University of Maryland law professor and author of a book "Hate Crimes in Cyberspace," called the incident "a learning moment."

"I applaud Twitter for its approach in this area," Citron said. "If you chase people offline with racist and intimidating speech, that's too much. Twitter and other platforms are contributing to social norms on free expression."
Publishers take on China at Hong Kong book fair

Hong Kong's feisty publishing industry vowed to take on China by selling books critical of Beijing, despite the disappearances of five city booksellers, as a major annual book fair began Wednesday.

The booksellers, who went missing last year and resurfaced in the mainland, worked for a Hong Kong publishing house known for gossipy titles about China's political leaders.

One of the men is still detained and another, who skipped bail and is now in Hong Kong, has revealed how he was blindfolded and interrogated for months during his detention.

On the first day of the Hong Kong Book Fair there was determination to keep fighting and sell books critical of Beijing Anthony Wallace (AFP)

Some mainstream bookstores in Hong Kong removed works likely to offend mainland authorities from their shelves in the wake of the disappearances.

And while independent shop owners are still willing to stock the books, some have told AFP that salacious or critical titles about Beijing politics have dwindled as publishers have been scared off.

But on the first day of the book fair Wednesday, there was determination to keep fighting.

"As a publishing house, I personally think I should not worry... You lose if you start to worry," said Jimmy Pang, head of Hong Kong publisher Subculture.

Pang said he would not stop printing political books out of fear, but described the pressure on the Hong Kong industry as "white terror".

"If a book is suddenly banned, say after some mainland officials say it is, the whole line of production can get into trouble, from its writer, publisher, to the distributor and even readers. It can happen two or three years after the book is printed," Pang said.

One of Subculture's political authors, Lam Hong-ching, is promoting a book on self-determination for semi-autonomous Hong Kong, reflecting a growing desire among young campaigners for more distance from Beijing.

"People are worried. Some writers don't even write anymore. Some publishers don't dare to print," Lam told AFP.

"But it's even more important to write these books now, otherwise residents are not properly informed."

Lam says he fears for his own safety and has not renewed the permit held by Hong Kong residents which allows them to visit the mainland.

- Forbidden fruit -

The fair has always been a source of books that would be banned on the mainland, with many readers crossing the border to browse titles off limits at home.

Despite the pressures, there are still a number of booths this year selling works ranging from steamy tomes about the sex lives of Chinese leaders to literature advocating political rights in the face of Beijing.

One mainland visitor, who gave his name as Shu, said he had taken a holiday from his home in Shanghai so that he could read books unavailable in China.

"I want to read them here, but I won't bring them home. I'm worried to do so," the 46-year-old marketing consultant told AFP.

Shu said he wanted more liberal ideas to be heard and would be disappointed if Hong Kong stopped producing the books.

Bookshop owner Paul Tang says the demand from mainland readers is undented.

But he adds that the industry itself has undoubtedly been hit by the missing bookseller saga, with the supply to his shop of gossipy titles about Beijing politicians having been halved.

One publisher he knew emigrated in the wake of the disappearances and cut all contacts with his authors, says Tang, whose shop is not far from the Causeway Bay bookstore where the five booksellers sold their titles.

"(Some publishers) just raised their hands and said they would give up," he said.

Customers browse books at the annual book fair in Hong Kong on July 20, 2016 Anthony Wallace (AFP)

Some mainstream bookstores in Hong Kong have removed works likely to offend mainland authorities from their shelves in the wake of the disappearances of five city booksellers Anthony Wallace (AFP)

Lam Wing-kee (L), one of five Hong Kong booksellers who went missing last year, speaks at a protest in Hong Kong on June 18, 2016 Isaac Lawrence (AFP)
Indian police arrest three over student's gang-rape

Indian police have arrested three suspects over the alleged gang-rape of a student by a group of men, some of whom had been charged with a previous attack on her, an officer said Wednesday.

The 21-year-old, who belongs to the lowest Dalit caste, has told police she was abducted near her college in the north Indian state of Haryana last week by the five men, who then drugged and raped her.

According to relatives quoted in Indian media, she identified all five as the men who had raped her before, in 2013. Two men were charged over that attack, but were released on bail while awaiting trial.

The fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in Delhi in 2012 shone a global spotlight on frightening levels of violence against women in India Indranil Mukherjee (AFP/File)

"We arrested three of them yesterday," Pushpa Khatri, a police officer involved in the investigation, told AFP without giving further details.

A local court sent the three accused to police custody until Sunday, after a prosecutor asked for them to be remanded for further questioning, an officer present at the hearing said.

It was unclear whether the two men already facing charges were among those arrested. Police said they were still looking for two other suspects in the latest case.

The woman was found unconscious in bushes on the side of a highway last Wednesday night.

Her family has said the five men had issued threats before the latest attack, demanding that they withdraw the case lodged after the 2013 assault.

The family also told Indian media they had been forced to move away from their home district after the 2013 attack because of harassment.

However, some of those accused in the latest case have denied involvement, saying they were not in the area on the day of the alleged assault.

The fatal gang-rape of a student on a bus in Delhi in 2012 shone a global spotlight on frightening levels of violence against women in India and led to major reform of India's rape laws.

Authorities promised speedier trials and increased punishments for offenders, but attacks still occur frequently and cases are often slow to come to court.
US goes after $1 bn in assets linked to Malaysia fund

The US Justice Department has moved to seize more than $1 billion in assets linked to a state fund founded by Malaysia's prime minister, painting a scathing picture of fraud on an "enormous scale".

The lawsuits filed Wednesday puts renewed pressure on Prime Minister Najib Razak, with court documents making thinly veiled references to him as a beneficiary in the alleged theft of more than $3.5 billion by his stepson, a family friend and various officials.

The assets targeted are believed to have been purchased with money stolen from state investment fund 1MDB and include fine art, high-end US real estate, and a business jet.

The US Justice Department has moved to seize more than $1 billion in assets from the 1MDB state investment fund after allegations of pilfered funds Manan Vatsyayana (AFP/File)

Najib's stepson Riza Aziz also used more than $100 million in suspect funds to finance the 2013 Martin Scorsese financial crime caper "The Wolf of Wall Street," which starred Leonardo DiCaprio, according to the Justice Department.

"The Department of Justice will not allow the American financial system to be used as a conduit for corruption," US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said.

The asset seizure would be the largest ever under Washington's 2010 Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which targets ill-gotten gains of world leaders that pass through the US.

1MDB, or 1Malaysia Development Berhad, was set up in 2009 by Najib and controlled by him in his concurrent role as finance minister. Its funds were to be invested in economic development projects.

"The Malaysian people were defrauded on an enormous scale," said FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.

Najib has repeatedly dismissed allegations of wrongdoing as political attacks by his domestic opponents, and has moved to thwart Malaysian-led investigations.

His spokesman responded to the US action by stressing Thursday that Malaysian authorities had found no wrongdoing, while pledging to cooperate with any international probes.

"As the Prime Minister has always maintained, if any wrongdoing is proven, the law will be enforced without exception," the spokesman said.

- Luxury homes, Van Gogh and a jet -

Prosecutors are seeking to seize film royalties from a production company owned by Najib's stepson, Red Granite, including those generated by "The Wolf of Wall Street."

Nearly 20 other assets have been targetted, including high-end real estate in Beverly Hills, New York, and London, artworks by Monet and Van Gogh, and a Bombardier Global 5000 business jet.

The US complaint alleged that high-flying Malaysian businessman Low Taek Jho, or "Jho Low", a close Najib family friend who helped create 1MDB, laundered hundreds of millions into the United States to fund such purchases and a lavish lifestyle.

In one eight-month span in 2009-2010, Low allegedly transferred $85 million to casinos in Las Vegas.

Najib is not named directly in the filings, but they refer to "Malaysian Official 1," described as a "high-ranking official" with control over 1MDB.

The filing said "Malaysian Official 1" was the "ultimate beneficiary" of a Malaysian bank account that held tens of millions of allegedly misappropriated funds.

Lynch would not explain why Najib was not explicitly named.

"We essentially allege what we need to allege in order to obtain the legal process that we're trying to obtain," said Lynch. "We don't go beyond that."

The US filing has re-energised calls in Malaysia for Najib's removal and prosecution.

"In light of the latest development, the prime minister can no longer hide behind a wall of silence and must instead address the nation on this matter," said Azmin Ali, a top Malaysian opposition leader.

Switzerland and Singapore already have frozen millions in assets on suspicion of 1MDB-related money-laundering, but no major figures have been brought to justice yet.

Production company Red Granite said it was unaware of any inappropriate funding.

"Red Granite continues to cooperate fully with all inquiries and is confident that when the facts come out, it will be clear that Riza Aziz and Red Granite did nothing wrong," the company said.

1MDB released a brief statement stressing that it was not a party to the US suit, but offered no comment on the alleged embezzlement of its funds.
China warns independence candidates in Hong Kong election

China warned Wednesday against Hong Kong pro-independence parties running in the city's upcoming elections as the movement gains traction among some young campaigners.

It comes days after leaders of two pro-independence groups nominated candidates for the September parliamentary vote.

Concern is growing that the Chinese government is tightening its grip on the semi-autonomous city, spurring an emerging "localist" movement seeking more autonomy or even a full split from China.

Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and leader of political party Demosisto, Joshua Wong, was detained by police after protetsts during the visit of top Chinese official Zhang Dejiang in May str (Demosisto/AFP/File)

Beijing and authorities in Hong Kong have said the pro-independence movement is against the city's mini-constitution and that campaigning for a breakaway could result in unspecified "action according to the law".

The director of China's representative office in Hong Kong, Zhang Xiaoming, warned Wednesday against parties transforming the election into a promotion of Hong Kong independence.

"If Hong Kong independence groups are tolerated in entering gloriously into the legislative body of Hong Kong, is this in accordance with "one country, two systems?" Zhang asked in a televised news conference, referring to the city's semi-autonomous status.

"Which direction would this set Hong Kong society down?...This isn't just only a legal issue, it's a major matter of principle, a matter of the bottom line," he said.

The "one country, two systems" deal is enshrined in an agreement when Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997, guaranteeing its freedoms and way of life for 50 years.

But there are fears those freedoms are being eroded by Beijing interference.

Zhang's comments come after at least 13 pro-democracy candidates, including some who are campaigning for independence, refused to sign a form reiterating the city is an "inalienable" part of China in order to be nominated -- a new electoral requirement that has been slammed as political censorship.

Critics say the Hong Kong leadership is merely a puppet of Beijing, particularly since mass rallies in 2014 failed to win political reform.

Negative sentiment has been exacerbated by the disappearance last year of five Hong Kong booksellers from a firm that published gossipy books about leading Chinese politicians. All resurfaced on the mainland.

One of the men, who skipped bail and is now in Hong Kong, told how he was blindfolded, detained and interrogated over alleged involvement in bringing banned books into the mainland.

Pro-independence activists clashed with police in some of the city's worst violence in decades in February, but have since maintained a fairly low profile.

Protesters take to the streets in Hong Kong on July 1, 2016, on the sidelines of the annual flag raising ceremony to mark the anniversary of Hong Kong's handover from Britain to China Anthony Wallace (AFP)
Trump makes me wince, says leading Brexit campaigner Farage

Leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage, who flew to America as a guest of the Republican National Convention, admitted Wednesday that its nominee for president, Donald Trump, makes him wince.

The man who resigned as leader of the UK Independence Party after Britain's shock vote to quit the European Union drew parallels between support for the US billionaire and last month's referendum.

At a forum hosted by McClatchy, Farage said he "understood" that the Republican nominee was trying to reach frustrated and even "scared" voters but said "just occasionally the style of it, that makes even me wince a little bit."

Former leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and leading Brexit campaigner Nigel Farage pictured during a press conference at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, on July 6, 2016 Frederick Florin (AFP/File)

The British politician, known for his own populist style, described some of Trump's comments as "pretty out there" and singled out his proposed ban on Muslims entering America as "difficult to enforce."

Farage said he came to Cleveland following an invitation, and while it would be as a "big mistake" to tell Americans how to vote, he claimed he would not vote for Hillary Clinton "if you paid me."

"What Trump gets right, it seems to me, is he's prepared to talk about some of the issues that perhaps others find a bit awkward, a bit uncomfortable," he said.

He complained about Clinton's "sense of entitlement" and called Barack Obama America's "most anti-Britain" president who felt "resentment" to a country that traditionally considers itself America's closest ally.

Obama visited Britain shortly before the referendum and warned Britons they would be "at the back of the queue" of a post-Brexit trade deal.

"He was rude to us. He told us what we should do," Farage said.

Neither was he the only right-wing European politician in attendance at the Republican convention. Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders, who also wants to leave the EU, attended on Tuesday.
Pregnant Afghan teen's death sparks call to end child marriage

Right groups Wednesday called on the Afghan government to end the scourge of child marriages, after a 14-year-old pregnant girl was burned to death in the latest case of violence against women.

The family of the girl, Zahra, says she was tortured and set alight by her husband's family, according to reports citing local officials in central Ghor province, where the incident occurred.

Relatives of the teenager's husband insist her death was by self-immolation.

Afghan civil law sets the legal age of marriage at 16 for girls, yet 15 percent of Afghan women under 50 years old were married before their 15th birthday and almost half were married before the age of 18 Wakil Kohsar (AFP/File)

Zahra, four months pregnant, was also said to be a victim of "baad", the forced marriage of a girl to a family to settle a dispute, a practice prevalent in rural Afghanistan.

Her death last week has sparked shock waves in Afghanistan, with rights groups demanding that the Afghan government bring an end to child marriages.

"This is a truly heartbreaking situation in which Zahra faced suffering beyond comprehension," Save the Children said in a statement.

"Zahra's is an extreme case of what can happen when a child is forcibly married off, however we know her marriage was not unique -- the practice is all too common in many parts of the country."

Child marriages are on the rise in Afghanistan, according to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).

"In some regions because of insecurity and poverty the families marry off their daughters at a very early age to get rid of them," AIHRC chief Sima Samar told reporters this week.

Afghan civil law sets the legal age of marriage at 16 for girls, yet 15 percent of Afghan women under 50 years old were married before their 15th birthday and almost half were married before the age of 18, according to Save the Children.

"This is such a fundamental breach of a child's basic rights," the charity said.

"Zahra and so many other children who are married off at a young age are deprived of their right to education, safety and the ability to make choices about their future."

Zahra's death comes after a young woman was stoned to death in Ghor last November after being accused of adultery.

And in March last year a woman named Farkhunda was savagely beaten and set ablaze in central Kabul after being falsely accused of burning a Koran.

The mob killing triggered angry nationwide protests and drew global attention to the endemic violence facing Afghan women.

Child marriages are on the rise in Afghanistan, according to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) Reza Shirmohammadi (AFP/File)
Palestinian NGO condemns latest Gaza death sentence

A Palestinian human rights organisation condemned on Wednesday the latest death sentences handed down by tribunals in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

A military court in the coastal Palestinian enclave condemned a local man to death on Tuesday on charges of collaborating with Israel, while death sentences issued previously against two others were confirmed by a higher military tribunal.

The Gaza Military Court announced a sentence of death by hanging for the man identified as M.S., aged 59, from the Tuffah area east of Gaza city on charges of "collaborating with the Israeli occupation."

The authorities in Gaza executed three men behind closed doors in May, the first time the death penalty had been carried out since 2014 Said Khatib (AFP/File)

The Higher Military Court said it had confirmed execution orders against two other men, one a 49-year-old man from Khan Yunis, by hanging and a Gaza City man aged 38 by firing squad.

Both men were convicted of aiding Israeli security forces.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights condemned in a statement the "excessive" punishment and said that "civilians should not appear before military courts."

The authorities in Gaza executed three men behind closed doors in May, the first time the death penalty had been carried out since 2014.

Thirteen death sentences have been pronounced this year, 12 of which were issued by military courts, according to PCHR.

In total, 177 death sentences have been handed out since the creation of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, 30 in the West Bank and 147 in Gaza.
Trump staffer apologizes for Melania plagiarism row

A Trump staffer apologized Wednesday for using remarks by Michelle Obama in a speech delivered by Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention that ignited a deeply embarrassing plagiarism row.

The speech from the ex-model, watched by millions on television on Monday night, amounted to a nightmarish start for the convention and subjected her husband's presidential campaign to withering scrutiny.

Melania Trump had "always liked" the Democratic first lady and had "read me some passages from Mrs Obama's speech" as examples of what she wanted to tell the convention, said staffer Meredith McIver.

Denials of wrongdoing, followed by tacit admissions, followed by attempts to insulate Melania Trump (L) only added to the picture of a campaign in chaos Robyn Beck, Paul J. Richards (AFP/File)

"I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech.

"I did not check Mrs Obama's speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused," she said in a statement released by the Trump campaign. "No harm was meant."

McIver said Trump had refused to accept her resignation, saying that "people make innocent mistakes," according to her statement.

"I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused," said McIver, who was identified as an in-house staff writer from the Trump Organization.

"I personally admire the way Mr Trump has handled this situation and I am grateful for his understanding."

Trump took to Twitter Wednesday to comment on the swirling controversy, saying: "Good news is Melania's speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!"

He also took a swipe at the media, which he has repeatedly alleged is biased against him and favors Democratic presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, who herself has recently been mired in an email scandal.

"The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania's speech than the FBI spent on Hillary's emails," he wrote.

Michelle Obama, a Harvard-educated lawyer, has high approval ratings across the country and in Melania's home city has been embraced in New York fashion circles for her sense of style and elegance.

With millions watching on television, the Slovenia-born former model delivered an eloquent and seemingly heartfelt defense of her husband.

"Donald is, and always has been, an amazing leader," said the 46-year-old. "Now, he will go to work for you."

Despite the unmistakable similarities to remarks given by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic convention, the Trump campaign initially denied any wrongdoing, then made a tacit admission before attempting to insulate Melania, adding to a picture of a campaign in chaos.
Ugandan army says 38,000 evacuated from S. Sudan conflict

The Ugandan army said Wednesday it had evacuated 38,000 civilians caught up in fighting in Juba, the capital of crisis-hit South Sudan.

Most of those taken across the border were Ugandans but "they were joined by hundreds of Kenyans, Rwandans among other nationalities who wanted to leave South Sudan for their safety," Ugandan army spokesman Paddy Ankunda told AFP.

Describing the evacuation process in recent days as successful, the army spokesman said "the total number of civilians evacuated from South Sudan by road under protection of the UPDF (Ugandan army) since the start of the operation has reached 38,000".

Uganda military personnel are seen on military and police trucks as they drive towards Juba, South Sudan, at Nimule border point on July 14, 2016 Isaac Kasamani (AFP/File)

The evacuation operation began on Friday.

The Ugandan army joined the conflict in South Sudan soon after it began in December 2013, fighting on President Salva Kiir's side against a rebel force led by arch-rival Riek Machar, now the country's vice president. The combat troops only pulled out late last year.

The recent violence in the capital echoes the fighting that first triggered the civil war and marks a fresh blow to a deal reached last year to end the bitter conflict which began when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup.

Kiir is a member of the Dinka tribe, while Machar is a Nuer, and the dispute has split the country along ethnic lines and caused tens of thousands of deaths.

The Ugandan army's rescue operation involves a heavily protected convoy of 30 vehicles which have been ferrying people the 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Juba to the Ugandan border.

Once the evacuees safely reach Ugandan territory, helicopters take young children, the sick and pregnant women to a hospital in Gulu, in the north of the country, said Ankunda.

These are people who fled Juba after deadly fighting broke out earlier this month between government forces and the rebels.
Thousands of Pakistanis protest Indian Kashmir killings

Thousands of people marched in streets across Pakistan on Wednesday to protest violence in India-administered Kashmir, AFP journalists said, as the death toll from days of clashes between demonstrators and security forces rose to 45.

Violence erupted after Burhan Wani, commander of the region's biggest separatist group Hizbul Mujahideen -- one of several fighting Indian troops in the territory for decades -- was killed during a gunbattle with government forces.

The clashes are the deadliest in Muslim-majority Kashmir since 2010 when massive demonstrations were held against Indian rule.

Supporters of Pakistan's Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami march at a rally to show solidarity with Indian Kashmiri Muslims, as they observed a "Black Day" to denounce the actions of Indian security forces in Kashmir, in Karachi on July 20, 2016 Asif Hassan (AFP)

In one major protest, an AFP photographer estimated around 20,000 people blocked a highway connecting Islamabad to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and then the capital of Indian Kashmir, Srinagar.

Hundreds of others participated in rallies in Muzaffarabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan and other cities, chanting slogans against the Indian administration of Kashmir and the actions of its security forces in the valley.

Speakers urged the United Nations to intervene and resolve the Kashmir issue.

Parts of Indian Kashmir have been under curfew for 11 days and residents have complained of medicine shortages.

Kashmir has been divided between rivals India and Pakistan since independence in 1947, but both claim the Himalayan territory in full.
Cruz upends Republican convention, refuses to back Trump

Onetime presidential challenger Ted Cruz shocked the Republican convention by thumbing his nose at Donald Trump and urging Americans to "vote their conscience," sending the 2016 nominee's bid to unify the party careening off course.

Cruz received a standing ovation as he took the stage, but cheers turned to boos when it became clear the US senator from Texas did not come to Cleveland to endorse his former rival.

Trump himself tipped the drama needle into the red by striding into the arena shortly before Cruz finished speaking, giving a thumbs up to people in the arena and surveying the remarkable scene of delegates thrown into turmoil by the Texan's remarks, and who hounded him off the stage.

Activists' ovations and adulations for Senator Ted Cruz oturned to jeers and boos as it became clear he had not come to Cleveland to back the party nominee Jim Watson (AFP)

"We deserve leaders who stand for principle, who unite us all behind shared values, who cast aside anger for love," said Cruz, effectively listing criticisms leveled at Trump.

"If you love our country and love your children as much as I know that you do, stand and speak and vote your conscience," he said as the crowd erupted into yells of anger and chants of "Trump! Trump!".

The two men fought a bitter and at times deeply personal primary campaign, in which Trump mocked Cruz's wife and tarred his rival with a nasty nickname: "Lyin' Ted."

Cruz dropped out of the race in early May, finishing second to Trump in the delegate count.

Cruz is widely expected to run in 2020 should Trump lose to Hillary Clinton.

His none-too-subtle message landed like a political hand grenade in a convention already marred by an opening day floor revolt from anti-Trump delegates and other missteps by the campaign.

"Wow, Ted Cruz got booed off the stage, didn't honor the pledge!" Trump tweeted, referring to the pledge all 17 Republican candidates took to endorse the eventual nominee, whoever he or she would be.

"I saw his speech two hours early but let him speak anyway. No big deal!"

- Steady the ship? -

The political theater stepped all over Indiana Governor Mike Pence's moment in the Republican spotlight as he introduced himself to US voters as Trump's running mate.

Pence accepted the vice presidential nomination, saying he was "deeply humbled by your confidence." The delegates rose collectively for a standing ovation.

Pence, 57, said he "joined this campaign in a heartbeat" because Republicans nominated Trump, a man "who never quits, who never backs down."

The conservative evangelical Christian and former congressman could serve to steady Trump's heaving and swaying campaign ship and reassure voters alarmed by Trump's rhetoric.

But his task may have been made harder by Cruz's stunt.

- 'Embarrassing' -

The floor drama angered some delegates including Mary Balkema, who called Cruz's speech "deplorable."

"We were really waiting for him to show unity and really get behind the candidate, which he failed to do," said the 49-year-old Michigan delegate.

"I think it was the longest boo I have ever heard publicly, it was really embarrassing."

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a Trump friend and supporter, minced no words about Cruz, calling the senator's speech "awful" and "selfish" on CNN.

Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen was harsher, saying Cruz "committed political suicide."

The upset came hours after Team Trump moved to draw a line under a damaging plagiarism row implicating his ex-model wife -- that overshadowed the opening of the Cleveland gathering.

A Trump staffer admitted to lifting quotes from a Michelle Obama speech from 2008 and slotting them into remarks delivered Monday by Trump's Slovenia-born wife, apologizing and offering to resign.

"This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused," said the staffer, Meredith McIver.

- Flag burning -

Trump's roller-coaster campaign defeated 16 rivals and steamrolled stubborn party opposition after being written off as a joke, the real estate tycoon having never held elected office.

His campaign defied political norms -- embracing racially inflammatory policies, offending key voting blocs, eschewing big-spending advertising campaigns and relying on saturated media coverage above campaign structure.

In an interview with the New York Times Wednesday, he raised anew questions about whether, as president, he would come to a NATO ally's defense if it were attacked, saying it would depend "if they fulfill their commitments to us."

With the Trump ticket now seeking to unite Republicans, unrest flared briefly just one block from the convention site.

Eighteen people were arrested as protesters tried to set fire to American flags, police said. Two officers were "assaulted" and suffered minor injuries.

The tumult in Cleveland -- both on and off the convention floor -- was a reminder of the scale of the task before Trump if he is to quiet questions about his campaign's professionalism and heal crippling party divisions, let alone win a national election.

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets vice presidential candidate Mike Pence after his speech at the Republican convention in Cleveland, Ohio Timothy A. Clary (AFP)

US Presidential election: Trump Pence ticket -, - (AFP Graphic)

Anti-Trump protesters try to burn a US flag during a rally outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio Nova Safo (AFP)

A packaged doll of Republican presidential candidate Donal Trump is displayed on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio Jim Watson (AFP)
Third Eye Blind seize convention event to blast GOP

Republican convention delegates expecting some carefree 1990s nostalgia from Third Eye Blind had an unwelcome surprise when the band used a show to attack the party as intolerant.

The rockers headlined a charity concert Tuesday night on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, which nominated real estate tycoon Donald Trump as the party's presidential candidate.

But frontman Stephan Jenkins had choice words for Republicans as he went into one of the band's best-known songs, 1997's "Jumper," written about a gay man struggling with suicidal thoughts.

Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind performs on September 20, 2012 in New York City Jason Kempin (Getty/AFP/File)

"To love this song is to take into your heart the message and to actually have a feeling to arrive and move forward and not live your life in fear and imposing that fear on other people," Jenkins said, according to a video posted on social media.

Jenkins said he had gay cousins who he hoped would be accepted "fully...into the American fabric."

The Republican Party's platform opposes last year's Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage across the United States, calling "traditional marriage and family" the "foundation for a free society."

Jenkins at another point asked for a show of hands of attendees who "believe in science" -- a likely allusion to the Republicans' rejection of the scientific consensus on climate change.

Some crowd members responded by booing, to which Jenkins shot back: "You can boo all you want, but I'm the... artist up here."

Third Eye Blind, whose members have made no secret of their political views in the past, was playing a charity show at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

The event, which was timed for the convention but not affiliated with the Republican Party, raised money for Musicians On Call, which puts on shows for hospital patients.

The unexpected protest marked the Republicans' latest struggle with popular musicians.
Fire in Palestinian village one year after deadly arson

A fire burned a home Wednesday in a Palestinian village where an arson attack by Jewish extremists a year ago killed a toddler and his parents, residents and authorities said.

Inhabitants of the village of Duma in the occupied West Bank and a Palestinian official said they suspected another extremist attack, but Palestinian firefighters had not commented on the cause.

The blaze damaged the home of Mohammed Dawabsha, located near the house that was firebombed on July 31 last year.

Members of the Palestinian security forces and civilians inspect a damaged house following a blaze overnight in the village of Duma in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on July 20, 2016 Jaafar Ashtiyeh (AFP)

Dawabasha and his wife suffered smoke inhalation, but there were no other injuries.

UN Mideast envoy Nickolay Mladenov said Israel was obliged under international law to protect those living under its occupation.

"I am concerned by reports of yet another arson attack on the home of the Dawabsha family last night in Duma in the occupied West Bank," he said in a statement.

"If confirmed, this despicable act would be the third incident in this particular village in the last year."

Israeli police said they were investigating the cause, but that they had so far not found any evidence of a Jewish extremist attack.

Dawabsha said he and his wife heard noises outside their home in the middle of the night.

"We went outside and afterwards we heard an explosion in the bedroom and saw huge flames," he said.

Neighbours assisted them in moving to safety.

Last year's attack on a family home in the village killed 18-month-old Ali Saad Dawabsha and fatally injured his parents.

Five-year-old Ahmed was the sole survivor from the immediate family.

Mohammed Dawabsha is part of the same clan but is not an immediate relative of the family.

The 2015 attack sparked global condemnation and drew renewed attention to Jewish extremism, including accusations Israel had not done enough to prevent such violence.

In January, a court charged two Israeli settlers over the firebombing after slow progress in the case led to criticism from human rights groups and Palestinians.

Mladenov said the courts were still moving too slowly.

"Indictments have been made, but the perpetrators of this terrible crime have yet to face justice," he said.

"I call upon the authorities to move swiftly in bringing the perpetrators of this terrible crime, as well as this latest incident, to justice."
Tunisian PM asks for vote of confidence

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid on Wednesday asked for a parliamentary vote of confidence on his government, officials said.

Defeat in the vote would force Essid to stand down after just a year and a half in the job.

A government official, who did not wish to be named, told AFP that Essid had officially requested the vote of confidence following weeks of pressure to resign.

Defeat in a parliamentary vote of confidence on the government of Tunisian PM Habib Essid, pictured on May 10, 2016, would force Essid to stand down after just a year and a half in the job Fadel Senna (AFP/File)

The vote is expected to take place next week, said a source in parliament.

Essid was already forced into a broad reshuffle in January, when the country witnessed its worst violence since the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 that toppled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The premier took another blow in early June when President Beji Caid Essebsi criticised his government on local and said he would consider proposals to create a new government of national unity.

Essid said in June that he would be ready to resign the post "if the country's interest demanded it".

Sources close to the prime minister say he is prepared to stand down but refuses to leave under pressure without a vote of confidence.

If Essid's administration loses the vote, the president would be required to choose the "most suitable person" to form a new government.

Political parties, unions and employers would then negotiate the formation of a new administration.

His supporters have condemned "pressure" from supporters of Hafedh Caid Essebsi, the president's son who is among the leaders of the Nidaa Tounes party.

"If we want a real democratic transition, we must install democratic traditions," an official close to the prime minister told AFP.

Tunisia's current government is composed of four groups including the party Essebsi founded in 2012, Nidaa Tounes, and the Islamist Ennahda party.

Last week, on Essebsi's initiative, political groupings including Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda listed the priorities of a new unity government.

The "Carthage Accord", which was also signed by Nobel Prize-winning groups the UGTT union and UTICA, painted a sombre picture of Tunisia's economic, social and security situation.

Fighting terrorism, corruption and unemployment, as well as addressing regional disparities, would likely remain the priorities for any new government.
'This is the Trump party now' says mogul's top aide

Fresh from Donald Trump's coronation as the Republican party's White House nominee, the mogul's chief political lieutenant declared him the undisputed leader of the Grand Old Party.

"This is the Trump party now," campaign chair Paul Manafort told CBS Wednesday.

"He's the nominee of the party, Republicans have said 'we trust you to lead us this fall and we think you're the strongest candidate and you have the best vision.'"

Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort told CBS that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, pictured on July 18, 2016, is the undisputed leader of the Grand Old Party Dominick Reuter (AFP/File)

The convergence of campaign and party "has been seamless," he claimed.

That will come as news to many Republicans who view Trump's nomination as nothing short of a hostile takeover.

This week's party convention in Cleveland has seen unusual shows of public discord among delegates.

States have tried to dodge pledging their delegates to Trump, and pro and anti-Trump factions have exchanged jeers and shouts.

But as the week has gone on, the Republican establishment has also edged closer toward the nominee.

Republican leaders in Congress focused their convention speeches on the party's common enemy Hillary Clinton, but Trump also received rare praise.
Angolan activists likely to be released in prisoner amnesty

The Angolan parliament on Wednesday approved a prisoner amnesty exepected to result in the release of 17 young activists -- including a well-known rapper -- under house arrest for an act of rebellion against President Jose Eduardo dos Santos.

The law "pardons all crimes punishable by imprisonment of up to 12 years", Justice Minister and Human Rights Minister Rui Mangueiras announced.

The amnesty will benefit around 8,000 prisoners but will exclude prisoners serving sentences for "intentionally committed violent crimes" such as sexual offences, drug trafficking, human and organ trafficking, the minister told parliament.

South African "Right To Know" organization members picket outside the Angolan Embassy calling for an immediate release of 17 youth activists who were arrested for reading a well-known book by Gene Sharp on non-violent civil resistance on June 7, 2016 Gianluigi Guercia (AFP/File)

The 17 activists -- arrested last year during a book club meeting at which one of the books was about non-violent resistance to repressive regimes -- should "in principle" benefit from the law, said Human Rights Watch's researcher Zenaida Machado.

"However if it happens, it does not meet our expectations because what we wanted is for the government to drop the charges against the group or for a court to acquit them because they have committed no crime," she told AFP.

Zola Bambi, a lawyer for the group of activists, said he was disappointed that the government had failed to recognise that the 17 committed no offence.

They have "committed no crime that would justify the conviction. What we expect is an acquittal not amnesty," he told AFP.

The activists were in March handed sentences of between two and eight years in prison, but were released in June to serve out the rest of the sentences at home.

The activists say they are peaceful campaigners seeking the departure of dos Santos, who has been in power since 1979 and rules the oil-rich country with an iron fist.
Allies finalize plans to defeat IS group

The United States gathered its allies in the coalition fighting the Islamic State group Wednesday and agreed on a plan to corner the jihadists in their final bastions.

US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told reporters that an accelerated military effort would soon see the group pushed back to Raqa in Syria and Mosul in Iraq.

And US officials said donor countries had pledged a total of $2 billion towards the cost of rebuilding Iraq and insulating its communities from extremism.

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter speaks at the conclusion of a meeting of defense ministers of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, July 20, 2016 Saul Loeb (AFP)

But Carter warned that isolating and taking out what he called the IS "parent tumor" would not eliminate its ability to spring or inspire attacks elsewhere.

And, as if on cue, IS propagandists released a video claiming last week's truck attack in Nice that left 84 dead, and threatening more against coalition states.

Defense ministers from the Western and Arab countries of the coalition said they have a military plan to liberate the cities with local Iraqi and Syrian forces.

"Today, we made the plans and commitments that will help us deliver ISIL the lasting defeat that it deserves," Carter told reporters at an air base outside Washington.

The Pentagon chief did not reveal details, but added: "Let me be clear: They culminate in the collapse of ISIL's control over the cities of Mosul and Raqa."

Britain's defense minister, Michael Fallon, said London would double to 500 the number of its troops assigned to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting the IS group.

- Parent tumor -

Separately, US Secretary of State John Kerry is meeting with foreign ministers from the coalition countries to discuss the broader political and humanitarian plan.

And donor countries were set to pledge what officials hoped would be up to $2 billion to help civilians return to normal life in liberated areas of Iraq.

Baghdad needs the money to rebuild in areas that have been retaken and enable the population to return.

"The fight against Daesh is obviously far from finished, even as we have progress. Mosul is not yet free. Acts of terrorism remain a constant daily danger," Kerry said.

"But the momentum -- there is nobody at this table who would argue that the momentum hasn't shifted -- it has shifted," he said, sitting with allied foreign ministers.

"And Daesh has been driven out of almost half of the territory that once occupied in Iraq," he said, using his preferred term for the Islamic State group.

The two days of meetings were called as jihadist attacks -- some of them inspired or ordered by the IS group -- are proliferating around the world.

The coalition, and in particular its US leadership, are keen to seize back the narrative and emphasize what they see as progress on the main battlefield.

But their task is complicated by the jihadist violence erupting in French seafront resorts, on German passenger trains and in the streets of Turkey and the Middle East.

In recent weeks, jihadists have claimed horrific attacks in Nice, Istanbul, Baghdad and Dhaka that have left hundreds dead and injured.

- Battle for Mosul -

These are "going to be a primary focus, obviously, of the discussions," acknowledged Brett McGurk, President Barack Obama's special envoy to the anti-IS coalition.

For two days, Kerry and Carter will meet with about 40 of their counterparts in Washington.

French defense minister Jean-Yves le Drian told AFP that the battle for Iraq and Mosul is also key for the future security of Europe's cities.

"Daesh is not only a terrorist army that has seized territory," he said, referring to the swath of desert the group has claimed as a "caliphate" in Iraq and Syria.

"It is also from this territory that it has launched both the operations ordered by terrorists that France has suffered (and) also propaganda efforts."

McGurk also warned: "Nobody can say these attacks are going to stop. Unfortunately, I think we are going to see more of these."

The coalition, which has conducted 14,000 strikes in two years, is "succeeding on the ground."

Washington maintains that since its peak in 2014, IS has lost nearly 50 percent of its Iraqi territory and between 20 and 30 percent of its Syrian strongholds.

Iraqi forces that recently retook Fallujah are advancing through the Tigris valley toward Mosul.

They have recaptured the Qayyara air base south of Mosul, which US military officials say will serve as a launch pad for offensive operations against the city.

Washington has also announced that it will send 560 more US troops to Iraq to help the government fight IS and recapture Mosul.

That will bring to 4,600 troops the US military presence in Iraq five years after the United States' 2011 military withdrawal.

Samantha Power (L), US Ambassador to the United Nations, speaks as US Secretary of State John Kerry watches during the Pledging Conference in Support of Iraq in Washington, DC, on July 20, 2016 Andrew Biraj (AFP)

US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter (L) hosts defense ministers of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, July 20, 2016 Saul Loeb (AFP)
Britain doubles military trainers in Iraq

Britain will double its deployment of troops to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces fighting the Islamic State group, defense minister Michael Fallon told reporters Wednesday.

The additional 250 troops will bring Britain's contingent of advisers to more than 500, he said, as allied ministers met in Washington to plan moves to defeat the jihadists.

"We will be sending an additional 250 troops into the theater over the next few weeks," Fallon said.

British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon arrives for a meeting of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on July 20, 2016 Saul Loeb (AFP)

"Other countries are being asked to look for their contribution to see what more they can do."

Earlier, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter had said the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group was drawing up a plan to liberate its remaining bastions.

Allied air power and military trainers are helping Iraqi government, Kurdish militia and Syrian anti-IS fighters push the jihadists back to Raqa, Syria and Mosul, Iraq.
     :     ; -  CM      ?;  -  
Syria opposition asks anti-IS coalition to halt strikes

Syria's opposition appealed Wednesday to the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group to halt its air strikes after dozens of civilians were killed in raids near an IS-held town.

In a letter to the alliance's foreign ministers, National Coalition president Anas al-Abdah demanded "an immediate suspension of the military operations of the international (anti-IS) coalition in Syria to allow for a thorough investigation of these incidents".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Tuesday said that children were among at least 56 civilians killed in strikes by the coalition as they fled Al-Tukhar in Aleppo province, near the key IS stronghold of Manbij.

A Syrian man reacts as rescuers look for victims under the rubble of a collapsed building following a reported air strike on the rebel-held neighbourhood of Sakhur in the northern city of Aleppo on July 19, 2016 Thaer Mohammed (AFP/File)

"We believe that such incidents indicate a major loophole in the current operational rules followed by the international coalition in conducting strikes in populated areas," said the letter.

"It is essential that such investigation not only result in revised rules of procedure for future operations, but also inform accountability for those responsible for such major violations," it added.

Al-Abdah strongly condemned the "massacre" and held the international coalition totally responsible for what he called "the crimes that took place in Manbij".

"The Syrian people, as you are aware, have been murdered, maimed and tortured for over five years now at the hands of (President Bashar al-)Assad's murderous regime, Russia, Iran and allied militias in addition to ISIS and terrorist groups."
UN angry over European pullout of police from South Sudan

Three European countries rushed to evacuate their nationals serving as UN police in South Sudan during the recent heavy fighting, without even consulting the United Nations, according to an internal UN memo obtained by AFP.

Britain, Germany and Sweden announced "without prior consultation" that they were repatriating the 12 police officers, a move that affected the peacekeeping mission's operations and dealt a "serious blow to the morale" of the force, the UN document said.

The three countries withdrew the police from the mission known as UNMISS as fighting flared in Juba between government forces and fighters loyal to ex-rebel leader and now Vice President Riek Machar.

This image provided by the UNMISS (United Nation Mission in South Sudan) on July 11, 2016 shows some of the at least 3000 displaced women, men and children taking shelter at the UN compound in Tomping area in Juba Beatrice Mategwa (UNMISS/AFP/File)

UN spokesman Farhan Haq said the police "did not stay at their post" and that "those particular officers would be withdrawn and not be replaced by personnel from the same nations."

Juba was rocked by three days of heavy fighting in early July that left at least 300 dead and set back efforts to implement a peace deal signed last year.

The 12 UN police left South Sudan during evacuation operations organized by their national governments.

"This was done without consulting the mission," said a UN official, who asked not to be named.

"UN peacekeeping has decided to disinvite these PCCs (police-contributing country) from returning their police officers to South Sudan and has conveyed this decision to the concerned countries," added the official.

A spokesperson for the British mission to the United Nations confirmed that two British police officers were evacuated from Juba on July 13, and said a UN police advisor was informed of the decision.

"We judged their temporary removal was necessary for the officers safety. Their well-being is our chief concern," said the spokesperson.

- Quick to abandon -

The UN memo severely criticized Britain as a Security Council member for the decision to pull its police officers from South Sudan at a time when the peacekeepers were confronted with the flareup of violence.

"For some TCCs (troop-contributing country) who are council members and have the responsibility to ensure peace and security globally, this can be considered as a lack of respect to their engagement on peace and security," said the internal memo.

It went on to say that this raises questions about permanent Security Council members who give instructions to "others on how to handle peace and security issues when they themselves are quick to abandon their post in challenging situations."

The withdrawal of seven police officers from Germany and two from Britain put an end to their participation in the UNMISS police force.

Sweden has pulled three out of the nine police officers serving in the force.

Norway is planning to repatriate one police officer on medical grounds and the United States is planning to withdraw 9 out of the 15 police officers in South Sudan, said the memo.

The document recalled that hundreds of UN civilian staff, UN volunteers and non-governmental organizations "remain in Juba, carrying out their duties to the extent possible under extremely challenging circumstances."

There are about 1,200 police serving in UNMISS alongside military contingents. There are about 13,500 peacekeepers in all.

The police and troops serving in UNMISS are tasked primarily with protecting civilians in South Sudan, which has been torn apart by war since 2013.

In Juba, 32,000 civilians are sheltering in two UN peacekeeping compounds, and UN-protected bases across the country are offering protection to tens of thousands of South Sudanese.
Five arrested at flag burning near Republican convention

Police arrested at least five people Wednesday outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland as clashes erupted when protesters tried to burn American flags.

"Protesters refusing dispersal orders, pushing officers. A few arrests," the Cleveland Police Department posted on Twitter.

Police Sergeant Jennifer Ciaccia later confirmed at least five people were arrested.

A group tries to burn an American flag as police move in, near the sight of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 20, 2016 Spencer Platt (Getty/AFP)

Two officers were "assaulted" and suffered minor injuries, the police department said.

Tensions flared on the streets just one block from Quicken Loans Arena where Republicans anointed Donald Trump as their party's 2016 presidential nominee, as a man believed to have burned a flag was confronted by a counter-protester.

A group calling itself the Revolution Club sent out a press release earlier saying that Joey Johnson, a "notorious flag burner and revolutionary communist," would conduct the disobedience in Cleveland.

Security forces, including horse-mounted police, closed ranks around the protesters, and several detained people were seen kneeling with their hands behind their backs.

A woman also was seen being arrested as she sought to burn a second flag. Police intervened and tussled with protesters as an officer snatched away the singed flag. People chanted "Let her go!" as the woman was led away by police.

Demonstrations have taken place mostly peacefully in the city during the week of the convention, although scuffles have broken out during some protests.
Libya unity govt condemns French military presence

Libya's UN-backed government on Wednesday criticised the presence of French troops in the chaos-wracked country, as President Francois Hollande confirmed France has soldiers there after three died.

The presence of the troops in Libya was a "violation" of the nation's sovereignty, the government of national accord said on its Facebook page following Hollande's announcement that its soldiers had been in the country.

The government said it would welcome "any help given to us by friendly nations in the fight against Daesh", using another name for the Islamic State group, which controls the key Libyan city of Sirte.

Libyan protesters hold banners and placards during a demonstration to protest against the French military intervention in the country on July 20, 2016 on Martyrs' Square in the capital Tripoli STRINGER (AFP)

But any assistance given "should be based on a request (by the Libyan unity government) or in coordination" with it, the statement added.

Hundreds of people took to the streets of several Libyan cities to protest against the French military presence, mainly in Tripoli and Misrata, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of the capital, according to an AFP photographer and Libyan television.

"Get your hands off Libya," read one placard held by a child attending the protest in the capital. "No French intervention," read another, written in English.

Protesters waved the Libyan flag as one woman burned a French flag.

Hollande on Wednesday said three French soldiers were killed during a mission to gather intelligence in Libya.

Without revealing when the incident took place, Hollande said the troops died in a helicopter accident while taking part in "dangerous intelligence operations".

Libyan sources gave a different account of events, telling AFP the M17 helicopter was shot down by surface-to-air missiles.

They were "probably targeted by Islamist groups in the Magroun area, about 65 kilometres west of Benghazi" on Sunday, a commander of forces loyal to a controversial general, Khalifa Haftar, said.

Another source close to Haftar -- who opposes the internationally backed unity government in Tripoli as well as the Islamist factions that have overrun large parts of the country -- said the dead soldiers were military advisors.

Announcing their deaths earlier Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian praised the officers' "courage of devotion" but gave no details of how they were killed.

Rival militias in Libya have been vying for power since the overthrow of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Several Islamist groups, including the Islamic State, have a presence around Benghazi which is situated in the east, analysts said.

IS's main stronghold is the central coastal city of Sirte.

Forces loyal to the unity government have been embroiled in a two-month battle to try to retake the city from the jihadists.

- Europe's shores at risk -

Western powers have been nervously watching the group's advance on Europe's doorstep.

Hollande said Libya was experiencing "dangerous instability" and noted: "It's only a few hundred kilometres from Europe's shores."

France had previously revealed its warplanes were carrying out reconnaissance flights over the country from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

But Paris has never confirmed reports that it has intelligence agents or special forces on the ground.

France, together with Britain, led the push in 2011 for the NATO-led campaign of airstrikes that helped topple Kadhafi's regime.

The two countries were later accused of not doing enough to support Libya after the intervention.

British media reported in May that British special forces had taken part in combat against IS in the country's northeast.

The news of the soldiers' deaths comes as France struggles to recover from a massacre in Nice last week, in which a Tunisian with a fascination for jihad slammed a truck into a crowd, killing 84 people.

IS, which directed last year's attacks on the national stadium in Paris and several nightspots in the capital, claimed the attack.

But French investigators have said there is no proof Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was acting on the group's behalf.
Bill Cosby lodges another appeal in sexual assault case

Disgraced American television legend Bill Cosby is seeking to appeal his sexual assault case yet again to avoid standing trial.

Cosby's attorneys filed the notice of appeal Wednesday asking Pennsylvania's Superior Court to overturn a ruling that denied his third bid to have the case tossed on July 7.

The lawyers again argued that Andrea Constand -- who alleges that Cosby sexually assaulted her after plying her with drugs at his Philadelphia home -- should testify at a proceeding prior to the trial.

Comedian Bill Cosby departs the Montgomery County Courthouse after a hearing on July 7, 2016, in Norristown, Pennsylvania Dominick Reuter (AFP/File)

Cosby argues that the sexual encounter was consensual.

The pioneering African American comedian has lost three attempts to have the case dropped, clearing the way for a trial over the claims dating back to 2004.

In recent years more than 50 women have publicly painted Cosby as a serial sexual predator.

The vast majority of the alleged abuses happened too long ago to prosecute, meaning the only criminal charge brought against him stems from the 2004 allegations from Constand, who has not yet appeared at a hearing.

Legal discussions have focused mostly on her written records, as well as Cosby's 2005 deposition given as part of his civil suit with Constand.

The three hearings held since Cosby's indictment have focused on procedural matters rather than the merits of the case.
Police break up skirmishes among demonstrators in Cleveland

CLEVELAND (AP)  Police broke up scuffles between groups of demonstrators a few blocks from the Republican National Convention as crowds in the hundreds gathered Tuesday afternoon.

There were no arrests, police said, despite several tense moments that saw officers step in between protesters pushing and shouting at each other during some of the biggest, most raucous gatherings in downtown Cleveland since the four-day convention began on Monday.

One skirmish broke out when right-wing conspiracy theorist and radio show host Alex Jones started speaking in downtown's Public Square through a bullhorn. Police on bicycles pushed back a surging crowd, and Jones was whisked away.

A Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump protester yells as a police officer stands by on at Public Square Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Minutes later, more officers on bicycles formed a line to separate a conservative religious group from a communist-leaning organization carrying a sign that read, "America Was Never Great."

Overall, five people have been arrested since the convention started, said police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia.

That includes one person accused of trying to steal a state trooper's gas mask and three people who allegedly climbed flagpoles at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hung an anti-Donald Trump banner.

The demonstrators on Tuesday  including anti-Muslim protesters, religious conservatives and marchers decrying racism and "murder by police"  appeared outnumbered by law officers and members of the media.

Demonstrators soon spilled into the streets, and some appeared to be making their way toward the convention arena before turning back. More skirmishes broke out at one intersection. But by the evening, the protests were breaking up.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams waded into crowds of demonstrators during the day, warning one group, "It's an unlawful gathering. You're blocking a city street." They eventually moved along.

About 300 officers from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies are patrolling on bicycles in downtown Cleveland during the convention, the police chief said.

Supporters of bike patrols say they make officers more maneuverable and less threatening-looking at a time when tensions are running high between police and the public.

Also Tuesday, health officials said 11 members of the planning team for the California delegation to the Republican convention were recovering from a bout of norovirus, or what's commonly known as stomach flu. No delegates appeared to be affected.

The symptoms, which can include vomiting and diarrhea, were first reported Thursday as logistics members arrived at a hotel about an hour west of Cleveland, said Pete Schade, Erie County health commissioner.

Those who got sick are keeping themselves isolated in their rooms, Schade said, and the Ohio Health Department is trying to identify the source. Norovirus can be contracted from an infected person, from contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Ohio Health Department spokesman Russ Kennedy confirmed there was at least one suspected norovirus case and said the victim was apparently infected before arriving in Ohio, based on when the person fell ill.

Cynthia Bryant, executive director of the California GOP, told delegation members to wash their hands frequently, avoid shaking hands and not to share food.

___

Associated Press writer Michael Sisak contributed to this report.

Alex Jones, center, an American conspiracy theorist and radio show host, is escorted out of a crowd of protesters after he said he was attacked in Public Square on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump protesters yell as police look on at Public Square Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Protesters clash over the American flag in Public Square on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump protesters yell as police watch at Public Square Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Protester gather in downtown Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Protesters clash over the American flag in Public Square on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Protesters argue religion in downtown Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protesters clash over the American flag in Public Square on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protestors march during a rally against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Elan Stoltzfuz stands during a rally for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at Settlers Landing Park on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. The Republican National Convention starts today. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
The Latest: Man who smashed Yale window returning to work

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)  The Latest on a black former Yale University dining services worker who used a broomstick to smash a stained-glass window depicting slaves (all times local):

8:35 p.m.

A black former Yale University dining services worker who smashed a stained-glass window depicting slaves and then resigned has gotten his job back.

Corey Menafee says he destroyed the window inside Calhoun College in New Haven, Connecticut, last month because he found it offensive. The name of the residential college has sparked protests because it honors former Vice President John C. Calhoun, an 1804 Yale graduate and an ardent defender of slavery.

Menafee apologized for breaking the window. Yale said it was willing to let him return to work next week.

Menafee's attorney says he's "delighted to accept Yale's offer" and he'll report for work Monday morning.

___

1 p.m.

Yale University says it is willing to rehire a former dining services worker who smashed a stained-glass window depicting slaves.

University spokeswoman Karen Peart said Tuesday that Corey Menafee would be allowed to return to work next week if he accepts the offer.

Menafee says he destroyed the window inside Calhoun College last month because he found it offensive. The name of the residential college has sparked protests because it honors former Vice President John C. Calhoun, an 1804 Yale graduate and an ardent defender of slavery.

Menafee, who is black, resigned and apologized. Menafee's attorney, Patricia Kane, says the terms of an agreement that would return him to Yale are still being discussed.
Damage shown from blast that stopped police-killing sniper

DALLAS (AP)  The blood stains have been removed. So has most of the debris. But some remnants of the blast that ended Micah Johnson's deadly police ambush in Dallas remain at El Centro College: a wall and door frame blown back several feet, and wires and metal dangling from a ceiling with no tiles.

Officials at the downtown community college on Tuesday showed reporters the damage left after Dallas police deployed a remote-controlled robot with about 1 pound of the explosive C4, set it off and killed Johnson early on July 8.

Johnson had opened fire on police officers working at a protest about recent killings by police of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota before making his way into the college. For about 4 hours, Johnson hid around a corner near the end of a long, narrow hallway of classrooms on the second floor of El Centro's Building B, the college's police chief, Joseph Hannigan, said. From there, Johnson fired about 200 bullets at officers, Hannigan said.

Damage from a blast is shown in a hallway at El Centro College downtown campus, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas. According to officials, this is where gunman Micah Johnson was killed by the blast after he killed five police officers wounding several earlier this month during a protest. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

"There's no way for an officer to get in here and make an approach on the subject," he said, standing next to the spot where Johnson's body was found. "That's why the decision was made to do it mechanically."

In all, Johnson fatally shot five officers during the attack and wounded nine others, along with two civilians. Two of the injured were El Centro College officers who encountered Johnson as he tried shooting his way through some campus doors.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown has defended using the robot, saying Johnson had told police negotiators he wanted to kill more officers and had planted explosives.

Johnson, 25, who lived in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite and had served in the Army Reserves, started the ambush around 9 p.m. on July 7. As the peaceful protest neared its conclusion, he pulled up in a black SUV, talked to two Dallas police officers and then shot them, authorities said.

From there, Johnson began moving, seeking cover inside El Centro because he was coming under return fire, Hannigan said. There was no indication Johnson had previously staked out El Centro or made threats against it, he said.

"My personal belief is that he was just going to wing it," Hannigan said. "I don't think he had initial plans to enter El Centro. But I don't think he expected the response we had."

Johnson eventually shot way inside through an entrance on the other side of campus and left a trail of blood leading to a stairwell, Hannigan said. He fired back at officers who followed him into the stairwell and headed to the campus library. He found a window, shot it out and fired down at officers on the street.

Johnson stayed on the move, Hannigan said. He wound his way back around to the other side of the building and about 10 or 11 p.m. ducked inside the doors of the same hallway where the standoff ensued.

"He knew we were coming after him. He knew not to stay in one place for too long," Hannigan said. Asked why he hunkered down in the hallway, Hannigan said, "I don't know if it was intentional that he barricaded himself in that zone or if it was an accident."

Workers continued to make repairs as El Centro College Police Chief Joseph Hannigan gives a tour to the media, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas, retracing the path Micah Johnson took once he entered the downtown campus. Johnson killed five officers and wounded seven others during a protest earlier this month. The college is scheduled to open to faculty and staff on July 20, with students returning to their classrooms on July 21, according to school officials. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Bomb blast damage and gunshot damage is seen in a hallway at El Centro College, downtown campus, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas. According to officials, gunman Micah Johnson was killed at the end of this hallway by a bomb blast after exchanging gunshots with police officers. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

RETRANSMITTING TO CORRECT SPELLING TO JOHNSON NOT JONSON IN SECOND REFERENCE El Centro College Police Chief Joseph Hannigan points out a window next to another that is boarded up after being damaged, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas. Hannigan gave a tour to media retracing the steps Micah Johnson took as he exchanged gunshots with law enforcement officials. Johnson killed five police officers and wounded seven others during a protest earlier this month. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

People walk by a 7-Eleven store with boarded up windows as seen from a second floor hallway at El Centro College, downtown campus, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas. According to school officials, the view is that which Micah Johnson had when he exchanged gunshots with law enforcement officers during a protest earlier this month. Johnson wounded several police officers, killing five before he was killed by a bomb blast. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

El Centro College Police Chief Joseph Hannigan responds to questions during a news conference before giving a guided tour, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas, retracing the path Micah Johnson took once he entered the downtown campus. Johnson killed five officers and wounded several others during a protest earlier this month. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

El Centro College Police Chief Joseph Hannigan walks into the schools library as he gives a guided tour to the media, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas, retracing the path Micah Johnson took once he entered the downtown campus. Johnson killed five officers and wounded several others during a protest earlier this month. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

El Centro College Police Chief Joseph Hannigan stands at the end of a hallway as he gives a guided tour of the damage caused by a blast that killed Micah Johnson, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas. Johnson killed five officers and wounded several others during a protest earlier this month. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

El Centro College Police Chief Joseph Hannigan stands at the end of a hallway as he gives a guided tour of the damage caused by a blast that killed Micah Johnson, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas. Johnson killed five officers and wounded several others during a protest earlier this month. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

El Centro College Police Chief Joseph Hannigan walks up a stairwell that shows gunshot damage, by his feet, as he gives a guided tour to the media, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Dallas, retracing the path Micah Johnson took once he entered the downtown campus. Johnson killed five officers and wounded several others during a protest earlier this month. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Man detained in Twitter threat against San Francisco chief

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A San Francisco official says a man who allegedly tweeted a threat against the department's acting police chief is in police custody.

Officer Carlos Manfredi says 60-year-old Donald Hoganson was taken into custody Tuesday.

Manfredi says police began investigating after a tweet posted Saturday called for beheading Chief Toney Chaplin, who is black, and included a photo of the chief beside a guillotine.

He says Hoganson was taken into custody after a judge approved a search warrant of the man's San Francisco home.

Manfredi says Hoganson has not been formally booked and that the investigation is ongoing.
AP's Rodrigo Abd among this year's 4 Cabot Prize winners

NEW YORK (AP)  Photographer Rodrigo Abd of The Associated Press and three other journalists in Brazil, Colombia and El Salvador won this year's Maria Moors Cabot Prize, which recognizes excellence in coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism on Wednesday announced this year's winners of the award, the oldest prize in international journalism.

The winners are Abd of the AP; Rosental C. Alves of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas; Margarita Martinez, a Colombian filmmaker; and Oscar Martinez of the digital newspaper El Faro in El Salvador.

FILE - In this Aug. 8, 2011 file photo, Associated Press photographer Rodrigo Abd uses a 19th-century style wooden box camera as he photographs a participant of the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Guatemala City. Participants had to hold still for up to two minutes as Abd made exposures with light shining directly from the lens onto photo paper inside the box camera. Abd and three other journalists in Brazil, Colombia and El Salvador won the 2016 Maria Moors Cabot Prize, which recognizes excellence in coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean. (AP Photo/Jesus Cuque Lopez, File)

A special citation was awarded to Marina Walker Guevara of the Panama Papers reporting team at the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

"The journalistic excellence displayed by the four 2016 Cabot medalists  and by the recipient of this year's special citation for reporting on the Panama Papers  reminds us just how much we rely on courageous reporting beyond our borders to be well-informed members of a global society," Columbia President Lee C. Bollinger said.

Columbia said Abd "has created close-up images of people in Latin America that illuminate urgent social issues" with "untiring commitment and uncommon empathy."

"He looks at those who are usually overlooked, plunging into Guatemalan sewer waters and climbing to Andean coca fields to show the struggles so many face in the region," the announcement said.

Abd, who also has worked in Haiti, Cuba, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and other parts of the world, was on the AP team that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2013 for photographic coverage of the civil war in Syria.

"Being a photographer can be a solitary job," he said in a telephone interview. "Awards like this are very important  to encourage you and push you to move forward."

Columbia said Alves "is a truly innovative leader in a changing media landscape who has made significant contributions to a new generation of journalists in the Americas and beyond." After two decades reporting and editing at Jornal do Brasil, Alves is now a journalism professor at the University of Texas at Austin where he is expanding the reach and the quality of journalism, it said.

Martinez, an independent television and film producer, "has explained the nuances of the Colombian conflict and its complex culture in a simple, compelling and engaging way," the announcement said. She has covered Colombia's peace process and has told the story of indigenous people fighting for land through peaceful means.

Columbia cited Martinez for explaining "mass migration, organized crime and the violence" of Central America with moving prose and detail. "With extraordinary courage and tenacity, Oscar Martinez has chronicled the most important and urgent stories of the Western Hemisphere," it said.

On the Panama Papers citation, Columbia said Walker Guevara was the chief editor "of an unprecedented collaborative effort that revealed how a Panamanian law firm assisted world elites in sheltering wealth through offshore tax havens."

The Cabot Prize was founded in 1938. The awards will be handed out Oct. 18 at Columbia University, and the winners will receive a medal and $5,000 each.

In this June 24, 2016 photo, Associated Press photojournalist Rodrigo Abd poses for a portrait in Lima, Peru. Abd and three other journalists in Brazil, Colombia and El Salvador won the 2016 Maria Moors Cabot Prize, which recognizes excellence in coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean. Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism said Abd "has created close-up images of people in Latin America that illuminate urgent social issues" with "untiring commitment and uncommon empathy." (AP Photo/Lorena Pahor)

FILE - In this combo of eight file photos taken July 29, 2011, Mayan Queens representing Guatemalan states pose for portraits taken with a 19th century style box camera during the Rabin Ajau National Folkloric Festival in Coban, Guatemala. Unlike traditional beauty contests, during the Rabin Ajau, or Queen Daughter, the panel of judges not only value the participants' leadership skills, but their commitment to the rescue and maintenance of Mayan values. The contestants, whose ages range from 14-26 years, go through numerous rounds of competition, including a speech that must be given in their native dialect and Spanish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2013 file photo, the scattered remains of five skeletons are unearthed during an exhumation of a mass grave in the district of Chungui, Peru. This isolated corner of Peru is witnessing the biggest exhumation to date of victims of the nation's 1980-2000 internal conflict, which claimed an estimated 70,000 lives. The worst of its carnage occurred on these steppes between the Andes ridge and Amazon jungle. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this April 28, 2014 file photo, a woman throws a rock and a bag at riot policemen who block her way home in Huepetuhe district in Peru's Madre de Dios region in Peru. Soldiers, police and marines have begun destroying illegal gold mining machinery in Peru's southeastern jungle region of Madre de Dios. Authorities began enforcing a ban on illegal mining Monday in the Huepetuhe district. Before the deadline, miners clashed with police while intermittently blocking traffic on the Interoceanic Highway that links the Pacific with Brazil. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2007 file photo, drug dealer Joan, who identifies himself as "El Patan," shows his guns and a scar on his stomach from an injury suffered during clashes with rival gangs in Las Mayas neighborhood in Caracas, Venezuela. Oil-rich Venezuela is a land plagued by crime and a stark gap between the rich and poor, a divide that stubbornly remains despite then-President Hugo Chavez's efforts to redistribute the nation's wealth. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 2, 2008 file photo, rural midwife Francisca Raquec, 65, second from left, returns home after shopping at the market in Patzun, Guatemala. In Guatemala, rural midwives deliver six of every ten babies, and the government plans to train 15,000 of them to reduce the number of women who die from child birth. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 10, 2008 file photo, rural midwife Francisca Raquec holds Sara Raquec's newborn son in El Llano, Guatemala. In Guatemala, rural midwives deliver six of every ten babies, and the government plans to train 15,000 of them to reduce the number of women who die from child birth. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2016 file photo, rebel fighters for the 36th Front of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, bathe in a creek near their hidden camp in Antioquia state, in the northwest Andes of Colombia. The rebel fighters share all facilities on equal terms. Many of them are couples and share sleeping quarters. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - This Nov. 11, 2014 file photo shows a deforested area dotted with blue tarps, marking the area where miners reside, and craters filled with water, caused by illegal gold mining activities, in La Pampa, in Peru's Madre de Dios region. Peru's government declared an emergency across a broad jungle region because of mercury contamination, much of it caused by wildcat gold mining. The 60-day decree issued on May 23, 2016 affected 11 districts in the region where studies have found high levels of the toxic element in people, rivers and fish. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2011 file photo, a man who only gave his first name Wilmer carries a sack of metal he collected after working the entire day at the bottom of one of the biggest trash dumps in the city, known as "The Mine," in Guatemala City. Hundreds of informal workers descend daily into the mounds of the landfill and the rushing waters that come from a storm tunnel and a sewer at the bottom of a gorge to search for scrap metal to sell. This activity known locally as "mining" is extremely dangerous due to mud slides and collapses, but earns many of them about 150 quetzals ($20 dollars) a day, nearly twice the minimum daily wage. AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2011 file photo, people search for scrap metal in contaminated water at the bottom of one of the biggest trash dumps in the city, known as "The Mine," in Guatemala City. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - This June 16, 2013 file photo shows Eudicia Urbano, 70, in front of her former home near the spot where her husband Marcial Escalante died, weeping as she retells how he was tortured and killed by Shining Path rebels, in Chaca, Peru. The region endured some of the worst atrocities of Peru's 1980-2000 conflict, in which both Maoist-inspired insurgents and security forces committed grave human rights violations. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this May 16, 2014 file photo, miners leave the site where they lived and worked after police destroyed their illegal mining operation in La Pampa in the Madre de Dios region of Peru, Friday, May 16, 2014. Madre de Dios state has an estimated 40,000 illegal miners, most of whom are poor migrants from the Andean highlands. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2012 file photo, Marvin Vega unloads a crate of anchovies from the holding area of a "boliche," the Peruvian term for boats that are used by fishermen who fish with nets, at the port of El Callao, Peru. Development of the Peru's largest and oldest port undertaken by a global shipping industry giant based in the Netherlands, will expand port operations over the next couple of years. Many fishermen fear the modernization of the port may have a negative impact on their livelihood. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd, File)
Biden: 'Better angels' will prevail in divisive US election

SYDNEY (AP)  Vice President Joe Biden told Australians on Wednesday that the "better angels in America will prevail" in the divisive election unfolding in the U.S., as he wrapped up his tour of Australia with a plea that human dignity transcend xenophobia in both countries.

Biden made the comments in a speech punctuating his four-day trip Down Under, during which he met with the nation's leaders and troops in a bid to reassert America's standing as a so-called Pacific power in the region.

In his speech, the vice president said that while both Australia and the U.S. had been strengthened by generations of courageous immigrants, both still grapple with racism and exclusion that leaves many citizens behind.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden delivers a major policy speech at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Biden is in Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

"But we strive to overcome. We seek change. ... So don't worry about our election," Biden said, prompting laughter from the audience. "The better angels in America will prevail. So at a time like this, in the face of xenophobia and demagoguery and what is being trumpeted around the world, we have to remember who we are as Australians and Americans and reflect our best selves back to the world."

Biden spent much of his time in Australia reiterating the importance of the Australian-U.S. relationship in America's military pivot to Asia. Five years ago, President Barack Obama used his own trip to Australia to announce the U.S. was shifting its priorities to the Asia-Pacific region. Since then, American troops have begun rotating through the northern Australian port city of Darwin.

"I've spent a great deal of time with (Chinese) President Xi," Biden said. "When he asked me why we were so engaged, I pointed out we are a Pacific nation. That is who we are. And we will maintain that posture, as long as we exist."

At a meeting on Tuesday, the vice president and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull discussed the recent ruling by an international tribunal denying Beijing's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. Both countries have urged China to abide by the ruling, with Biden saying on Wednesday: "Without secure sea lanes and open skies, commerce cannot thrive."

Biden's visit to Australia also included some lighter moments, including a sunset cruise on Sydney's harbor and a trip to the zoo, where he and his granddaughters patted a koala and met a kangaroo.

The vice president flies to New Zealand later Wednesday, where he will meet with Prime Minister John Key before returning to the U.S.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden delivers a major policy speech at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Biden is in Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden reacts after he stumbled while walking onto the stage to deliver a major policy speech at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Biden is in Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden holds reacts after he stumbled while walking onto the stage to deliver a major policy speech at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Biden is in Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden delivers a major policy speech at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Biden is in Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific.(AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, second left, with his three granddaughters watch a keeper hold a echidna at Sydney's Taronga Zoo Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Biden is visiting Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific. (Jessica Hromas/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, left, takes a cruise on Sydney Harbour with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Biden is visiting Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific. (Jessica Hromas/Pool Photo via AP)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, top left, takes a cruise on Sydney Harbour with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, top right, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Biden is visiting Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific. (Jessica Hromas/Pool Photo via AP)

The three granddaughters of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden take a cruise on Sydney Harbour Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Biden is visiting Australia as part of a tour of the Pacific. (Jessica Hromas/Pool via AP)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, right, meets guests after he delivered a major policy speech at the Paddington Town Hall in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Biden is in Australia for four days as part of a tour of the Pacific. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)
Vietnam legislature convenes to elect leaders

HANOI, Vietnam (AP)  Vietnamese Communist Party-dominated National Assembly on Wednesday opened its first session following May elections to elect the country's top leaders.

The 494 deputies are widely expected to reappoint President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. They were elected to their positions by the outgoing assembly in April.

Only 20 of the deputies are not members of the ruling Communist Party.

Vietnamese Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong gives speech at the opening session of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam on Wednesday 20 July 2016. The Assembly is expected to reappoint the country leaders, who were elected in April. (AP Photo/Tran Van Minh)

The May elections for the rubber-stamp parliament are held every five years.

Speaking at the opening of the 14th National Assembly, Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong called for greater efforts for the country's development.

He said the assembly begins its tenure at a time "when the world and regional situation has seen complicated ... while domestic situation is intertwined between opportunities and difficulties and challenges, which require our whole people and the military to have greater efforts, determination and unity to bring our country out of difficulties for sustainable development."

The Vietnamese economy of 92 million people has moderated in the first half of this year, expanding 5.5 percent compared with 6.3 percent growth in the same period last year, according to the World Bank.

The World Bank report released Tuesday attributed the slower growth to the impact of a severe drought on agricultural production and slower industrial growth.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang walks to the opening session of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The Assembly is expected to reappoint the country leaders, who were elected in April. (AP Photo/Tran Van Minh)

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc walk to the opening session of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The Assembly is expected to reappoint the country leaders, who were elected in April. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese leaders, from left, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Fatherland Front Nguyen Thien Nhan, Communist Party General Secretry Nguyen Phu Trong, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and President Tran Dai Quang pay tribute to national heroes ahead of the opening session of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The Assembly is expected to reappoint the country leaders, who were elected in April. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese leaders, front row, from left Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang; second row, from left: Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan pay tribute to national heroes ahead of the opening session of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The Assembly is expected to reinstall the country leaders, who were elected in April. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang, left, and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan walk to the opening session of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The Assembly is expected to reappoint the country leaders, who were elected in April. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong pays tribute to national heroes ahead of the opening session of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The Assembly is expected to reappoint the country leaders, who were elected in April. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)

Vietnamese leaders, from left, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang and Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan pay tribute to national heroes ahead of the opening session of the 14th National Assembly in Hanoi, Vietnam Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The Assembly is expected to reappoint the country leaders, who were elected in April. (AP Photo/Hau Dinh)
17 arrested in flag-burning melee outside GOP convention

CLEVELAND (AP)  Police arrested 17 people Wednesday after a melee broke out during a flag-burning in the streets outside the Republican National Convention.

It was the most turbulent protest since the four-day convention began on Monday. The chaos briefly prevented delegates and members of the media from getting into the Quicken Loans Arena for the evening's proceedings.

Among those arrested was Gregory "Joey" Johnson, whose torching of the flag at a GOP convention three decades ago led to the landmark 1989 U.S. Supreme Court decision that said flag-burning is speech protected by the First Amendment.

A law enforcement officer tries extinguish a burning American flag, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Two officers were assaulted and suffered minor injuries, police said. One officer was seen bleeding from an elbow. Two of those arrested were charged with felonious assault on a police officer, the rest with failure to disperse.

Police Chief Calvin Williams said a protester whose pants caught fire got defensive when a police officer tried to put out the blaze. The man assaulted the officer, and "things escalated from there," Williams said.

The melee brought to 22 the number of people arrested during the convention, far fewer than some law enforcement authorities had feared.

"Right now, I think so far, so good," Williams said Wednesday night. "We're still out there, we're still vigilant, to make sure we finish this day and the last day tomorrow on a positive note."

The protest took place just outside an entrance to the arena and near a row of popular restaurants where cable news networks had set up for the week.

Carl Dix of the Revolutionary Communist Party said the group organized the burning of the American flag as a "political statement about the crimes of the American empire. There's nothing great about America."

Moments after the flag was set on fire, officers charged in to put it out with an extinguishing spray that some in the crowd thought was pepper spray because of similarities in the design of the canisters and the eye irritation caused by the fire-suppression substance.

"You're on fire! You're on fire, stupid!" a Cleveland officer shouted at a protester while firing the extinguishing spray.

"Burn that rag! Burn that rag!" supporters of the group yelled.

Pushing and shoving broke out, and police quickly had several group members on the ground in handcuffs. Some in the crowd jeered the officers, yelling, "Blue lives murder!"

About 10 more minutes passed before the crowd was under control.

Earlier in the day Wednesday, blocks away from the arena, a right-wing religious group lifted a banner reading "Jesus is angry with you sinners," while kissing lesbians mocked their message, helping turn Cleveland's Public Square into part-carnival, part-debate floor.

The expansive square was a free-flowing mix of ideas and beliefs along with colorful characters pounding on bongos and wailing on a sousaphone.

The day's demonstrations started when a few dozen people holding banners printed with a red-brick design formed a human wall to mock Donald Trump's plan to seal off the Mexican border.

"We want to wall off the hate of Trump," said Tim Chavez, of Columbus.

A half-dozen Trump supporters defended the GOP nominee from attacks by immigration activists.

Police officers used bicycles and their bodies to separate those with opposing views.

___

Associated Press writer Mark Gillispie contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to show that police used fire-extinguishing spray, not pepper spray, and that the charges included failure to disperse, not inciting violence.

A law enforcement officer clashs with protester who is holding a burning American flag, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Law enforcement officers take a protester into custody, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Law enforcement officers clash with protesters, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Protesters burn an American flag during demonstration, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Police hold a protester to the ground during demonstration, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Police and protesters fall to ground during demonstration, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Police hold a protester to the ground during demonstration, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Immigrant rights activists hold up a fabric wall to protest Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's border wall idea, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Immigrant rights activists hold up a fabric wall protesting against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as law enforcement officers look on, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Immigrant rights activists hold up a fabric wall to protest against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention.(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Immigrant rights activists hold up a fabric wall to protest against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Immigrant rights activists hold up a fabric wall protesting against Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Authorities: Kansas officer's shooting death not an ambush

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  The fatal shooting of a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer was not part of a planned ambush, but the work of "another criminal" trying to evade arrest, authorities said Wednesday.

Police Chief Terry Zeigler said during a news conference that authorities have two young men in custody, but declined to give details about possible charges. The department is working with prosecutors and planned to present the case to them "hopefully later today," Zeigler said, though the Wyandotte County district attorney's office said charges were not expected Wednesday.

While the attack isn't part of the recent string of shootings of police in the U.S., Zeigler said the hate against police must stop.

This undated photo provided by the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department show police Captain Robert Melton. A suspect in a drive-by shooting fatally shot Melton on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, as the officer was sitting in his patrol car, police said. (Kansas City, Kan. Police Department via AP)

"This crime does not fit into the national narrative of planned attacks against law enforcement officers, but it does fit the narrative when it comes to the fact that words matter. The hate and anti-police speech has got to stop because the consequences are real," said Zeigler, who paused briefly to compose himself at the news conference.

Capt. Robert Melton was by himself searching for a suspect in a drive-by shooting when he drove up to someone who matched that person's description just before 2 p.m. Tuesday. Before the 46-year-old could get out of his vehicle, he was shot several times through his passenger-side window, the chief said, adding that the department was reviewing its procedures.

Mayor Mark Holland also said it doesn't appear that Melton's death "was a planned ambush against police" and that the death is "another example of another criminal trying to escape arrest."

Melton was a 17-year veteran of the department. He had also served in the Kansas Army National Guard and was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan before he retired in 2012, according to the guard. Melton had also been awarded several military honors, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster.

Melton, whose partner is expecting a child, also leaves three other children from previous relationships, police said. His family has asked for privacy.

At police headquarters, people have been leaving cards and flowers, which the department has arranged on a table draped in blue cloth and bearing Melton's photo. Kathryn Courtney, 31, of Kansas City, Kansas, brought a bouquet of yellow daisies Wednesday. She said she had known Melton for nearly 20 years, describing him as "born to protect and serve" and "a wonderful man with a heart of gold."

"Officers come to work every day knowing they may have to die in the line of duty," Zeigler said. "Most of us go through our careers and never have to experience that."

It's the second time a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has been shot and killed this year. In early May, detective Brad Lancaster was fatally shot near the Kansas Speedway, and Melton had served in the police honor guard at Lancaster's funeral. The shooting also comes as police departments across the country are on edge after ambush attacks left eight officers dead in Texas and Louisiana.

Mayor Mark Holland of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County referenced Lancaster's shooting Wednesday, saying that the community is still healing from that shooting, which was the first in the department in 19 years. Melton's "death reopens a raw hurt still festering within our community," Holland said.

Melton was brought to the University of Kansas Hospital just before 2:30 p.m., but resuscitation efforts did not work, trauma surgeon James Howard said Tuesday.

The shooting happened after police responded to a report around 1:30 p.m. from a person who said several people in a car were firing shots. The suspect vehicle took off as police arrived, but it crashed into a fence and the occupants bailed out at 1:36 p.m., police spokesman Tom Tomasic said Tuesday.

___

Associated Press writers Jim Suhr and Bill Draper contributed to this report.

Kansas City Kan., Police Chief Terry Zeigler, center pauses during a press conference at Kansas City, Kan,. City Hall municipal office building Wednesday, July 20, 2016, about the slaying of police Capt. Robert Melton, who was shot and killed, Tuesday in Kansas City. (Joe Ledford/ The Kansas City Star via AP)

Kansas City, Kan., police officer Brad Lightfoot, right, walks Susan Goble to the shooting scene of a police officer in Kansas City, Kan., Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Goble knows the family of the fallen officer and hoped to place a wreath near the site of the shooting. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Kansas City Kan., Police Chief Terry Zeigler, center speaks during a press conference at Kansas City, Kan,. City Hall municipal office building Wednesday, July 20, 2016, about the slaying of police Capt. Robert Melton, who was shot and killed, Tuesday in Kansas City. (Joe Ledford/ The Kansas City Star via AP)

Kansas City, Kan., and Shawnee police officers work part of the shooting scene of a police officer in Kansas City, Kan., Tuesday, July 19, 2016. A suspect in a drive-by shooting fatally shot Capt. Robert Melton, a 17-year veteran of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, on Tuesday as the officer was sitting in his patrol car, police said. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Some of the most famous beaches in Southern California have been shut down by a massive sewage spill which has flooded the streets.

More than two million gallons of raw sewage have flowed from a buried pipe in Los Angeles since it collapsed on Monday.

Stinky sludge belched on to the streets and forced the closure of Long Beach and Seal Beach while health officials tested the waters for bacteria.

Splurge: More than two million gallons of raw sewage have flowed from a buried pipe in Los Angeles since it collapsed on Monday

Off limits: A sign is posted on a beach warning of the dangers of sewage-contaminated water Tuesday in Long Beach, California

Crews managed to contain, divert or vacuum up at least 750,000 gallons after the spill, but the rest flowed into the Los Angeles River, and some may have reached the Pacific Ocean, officials said.

The flow was stopped Tuesday and an above-ground bypass system was being built so repairs and cleanup could get underway, said Adel Hagekhalil, assistant director of Los Angeles Sanitation.

Warning signs and flags were set up and lifeguards shooed way some visitors at affected beaches.

Beachgoer Francisco Aleman of Lake Elsinore said it was 'just pure disappointment,' that he couldn't swim.

'My little sister, she wanted to come to the beach forever, the whole summer...she gets here and it's like, you can't get in, so what's the point, you know?' he told told KABC-TV.

Stinky sludge belched on to the streets and forced the closure of Long Beach and Seal Beach while health officials tested the waters for bacteria

Crews managed to contain, divert or vacuum up at least 750,000 gallons after the spill, but the rest flowed into the Los Angeles River, and some may have reached the Pacific Ocean, officials said

The closure was a financial hit for M&M Surfing School of Seal Beach, which had to cancel classes for 70 students at a loss of $85 each.

'Nobody went out,' owner Michael Pless said. 'The bummer is I have people coming from all over the world. I have people from England, Sweden. I had people flying in to meet me.'

Pless said he took some younger students, whose parents had dropped them off, to his home pool and Jacuzzi.

The flow was stopped Tuesday and an above-ground bypass system was being built so repairs and cleanup could get underway, said Adel Hagekhalil, assistant director of Los Angeles Sanitation

'They didn't get to surf but they got to play,' Pless said.

The 1929 concrete, tiled-lined pipe that broke was 18 feet underground, while more recent pipes are 80 to 100 feet below, Hagekhalil said.

The top collapsed and choked the pipe with debris, creating an overflow. The cause of the collapse wasn't clear.

The pipe had been scheduled for replacement in two years. 'It just did not wait for us,' Hagekhalil said.

The closure was a financial hit for M&M Surfing School of Seal Beach, which had to cancel classes for 70 students at a loss of $85 each. People could sit on the beach but not go in the water
Police shootings touch nerve among military veterans

SAN DIEGO (AP)  Back-to-back attacks on police in Texas and Louisiana by former military men have touched a nerve among veterans who traditionally share a close bond with law enforcement.

Veterans and active-duty troops started posting messages on social media almost immediately after the news broke last weekend that a masked ex-Marine had ambushed law enforcement along a busy highway, killing three officers  including a fellow former Marine.

Seeing one Marine kill another Marine after both had returned home safely from the battlefield in Iraq has been especially painful for the military's smallest branch, which considers service life-long membership among a force whose official motto is: "Semper Fidelis," or "Always Faithful."

FILE - In this Sunday, July 17, 2016 file photo, Baton Rouge Police investigate the scene in Baton Rouge, La., where several law enforcement officers were killed and wounded. Back-to-back attacks on police in Texas and Louisiana by former military men have touched a nerve among veterans who traditionally share a close bond with law enforcement. Veterans and active-duty troops started posting messages on social media almost immediately after the news broke this weekend that a masked ex-Marine had ambushed law enforcement along a busy highway, killing three officers - including a fellow former Marine. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP, File)

"In the Marine community, we don't believe in 'ex-Marines'. However that is not the case when one decides to break the moral and ethical values we hold dear. The ex-Marine that opened fire on officers is everything we swear to protect our Nation from," Marine Cpl. Eric Trichel wrote on a Facebook page with about 25,000 mostly Marine members.

In an email to The Associated Press, he emphasized he was not speaking on behalf of the Marine Corps.

Many veterans fear the service records of the gunmen will feed a false perception that combat veterans are volatile and violent, turning back years of efforts to change such stereotypes.

The Baton Rouge shooting came less than two weeks after five Dallas police officers were killed in an ambush by an Army Reserve veteran who had served in Afghanistan.

Gavin Long was based in San Diego with the Marine Corps from 2005 to 2010, according to military records.

He was deployed in 2008 for about eight months to Iraq as a data network specialist. People in those jobs are technicians dealing with computers and generally do not see combat.

One of his victims, 41-year-old Matthew Gerald, was a former Marine who enlisted in the Army after the Sept. 11 attacks and also served in Iraq in 2009.

And the Dallas victims included a Navy veteran who did three tours in Iraq.

It is not uncommon for military veterans to join police forces and vice versa. Both jobs offer a strong sense of teamwork and reliance on others in life-or-death situations  in platoons and out on patrol.

Marines in particular carry an almost religious zeal for their branch of the military that they compare to an exclusive brotherhood.

"Seeing the gunman in Baton Rouge brought a certain stinging embarrassment to something I hold very dear, being a United States Marine," said former Marine Staff Sgt. Chad M. Robichaux, who also worked as a law enforcement deputy for the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office, about an hour's drive from Baton Rouge.

Robichaux said he was proud of the police victims who served in combat zones, so the shooting "tears you both ways." One of the slain Dallas officers was a military contractor who worked in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Robichaux was a Force Recon Marine  the Marine equivalent of a Navy SEAL  and said both gunmen seemed to effectively use the element of surprise in their attacks but that he has seen no evidence they were highly trained killers.

There also is no evidence that has been made public suggesting either gunmen suffered from post-traumatic stress, said Robichaux, who runs the Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs that helps veterans deal with the syndrome known as PTSD. But he said he wished he had met Long while both were posted in Southern California.

"There's no excuse for what he did and I'm not sympathizing with him, but he was obviously hurting in some capacity and needed help," he said. "Somebody may have been able to show him a different way."

The military prides itself on its race relations and its history of opening jobs to blacks long before other institutions. Troops often say their only color is "green."

Marine veteran Elvin Carey, who is black, said he had no doubts both of the gunmen endured racism in and out of the military.

Carey, 31, said he also confronted racism in the service, with tension easing in combat but racist comments resuming after he returned to the U.S. The decorated Marine sergeant said he was asked at his first job out of the military if he was a high school dropout and had been in a street gang.

"I understand his frustration but I'm disgusted by what he did," the Iraq veteran said of Long. "Anywhere you go, for the rest of your life, every Marine is your brother so that's why I feel more ashamed of it."

This undated photo provided by the Mighty Oaks Foundation shows Chad Robichaux, who runs the Mighty Oaks Warrior Programs that helps veterans deal with the syndrome known as PTSD. Back-to-back attacks on police in Texas and Louisiana by former military men have struck a nerve among veterans who traditionally share a close bond with law enforcement. Robichaux said he was proud of the police victims who served in combat zones, so the shooting tears you both ways. One of the slain Dallas officers was a military contractor who worked in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Mighty Oaks Foundation via AP)
Turkey declares 3-month state of emergency after failed coup

ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  Turkey's president on Wednesday declared a three-month state of emergency following a botched coup attempt, declaring he would rid the military of the "virus" of subversion and giving the government sweeping powers to expand a crackdown that has already included mass arrests and the closure of hundreds of schools.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was accused of autocratic conduct before the insurrection, said the measure would counter threats to Turkish democracy. Possibly anticipating investor jitters, Erdogan criticized Standard & Poor's for downgrading its credit rating for Turkey deeper into "junk" status and said the country would remain financially disciplined.

The president did not announce details, but the security measure could facilitate longer detentions for many of the nearly 10,000 people who have been rounded up since loyalist security forces and protesters quashed the rebellion that started Friday night and was over by Saturday.

People wave Turkish flags as they gather in Taksim Square in Istanbul, protesting against the attempted coup, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared a 3-month state of emergency after a failed coup. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

"This measure is in no way against democracy, the law and freedoms," Erdogan said in a national televised address after a meeting with Cabinet ministers and security advisers.

The state of emergency announcement needs to be published in a state gazette and lawmakers have to approve it for it to take effect, according to analysts.

Turkey imposed emergency rule in the southeast of Turkey in 1987, allowing officials to set curfews, issue search and arrest warrants and restrict gatherings as the security forces fought Kurdish rebels. The emergency rule was gradually lifted by 2002.

The president suggested military purges would continue.

"As the commander in chief, I will also attend to it so that all the viruses within the armed forces will be cleansed," Erdogan said.

In an apparent attempt to calm fears that the military's powers will be increased, the president said the military will be under the government-appointed governors' command and work closely with the regional governors.

The pro-government death toll in the botched coup was 246. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

Turkey also said it would close more than 600 private schools and dormitories following the attempted coup, spurring fears that the state's move against perceived enemies is undermining key institutions in the country.

Erdogan's government said it has fired nearly 22,000 education ministry workers, mostly teachers, taken steps to revoke the licenses of 21,000 other teachers at private schools and sacked or detained half a dozen university presidents in a campaign to root out alleged supporters of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric blamed for the failed insurrection.

The targeting of education ties in with Erdogan's belief that the cleric, Fethullah Gulen, whose followers run a network of schools worldwide, seeks to infiltrate the Turkish education system and other institutions in order to bend the country to his will. The cleric's movement, which espouses moderation and multi-faith harmony, says it is a scapegoat.

While Erdogan is seeking to consolidate the power of his elected government after the rebellion, his crackdown could further polarize a country that once enjoyed a reputation for relative stability in the turbulent Middle East region. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of the military, courts and other institutions being purged.

"The fact that so many judges have been detained, never mind the workload at the courthouses, will render them inoperable," said Vildan Yirmibesoglu, a human rights lawyer.

The education ministry said it decided to close 626 private schools and other establishments under investigation for "crimes against the constitutional order and the running of that order," the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

The agency said the schools are linked to Gulen, a former ally of Erdogan who lives in Pennsylvania and has denied accusations that he engineered the coup attempt.

Turkey has demanded Gulen's extradition from the United States. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says Turkey must provide hard evidence that Gulen was behind the foiled coup, and that mere allegations of wrongdoing wouldn't suffice.

The two allies cooperate in the U.S.-led war against the Islamic State group, with American military planes flying missions from Turkey's Incirlik air base into neighboring Iraq and Syria.

Turkey's domestic situation is increasingly a concern as the crackdown widens. Huseyin Ozev, an education union leader in Istanbul, said state education workers who were reported to have been fired had not received notices and that employees were "waiting at home or on vacation, anxiously," to see if they had lost their jobs.

The fight against coup plotters "should not be turned into a witch hunt," Ozev said.

In other moves, Turkey demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans and halted foreign assignments for state-employed academics. A total of 50,000 civil service employees have been fired in the purges, which have reached Turkey's national intelligence service and the prime minister's office.

The government has also revoked the press credentials of 34 journalists because of alleged ties to Gulen's movement, Turkish media reported.

Authorities have rounded up about 9,000 people  including 115 generals, 350 officers, 4,800 other military personnel and 60 military high school students  for alleged involvement in the coup attempt. Turkey's defense ministry has also sacked at least 262 military court judges and prosecutors, according to Turkish media reports.

Saban Ceylan, a taxi driver in Istanbul, said he expected his income to drop because of the state of emergency.

"Nothing is going to happen if I don't take money home during three months," Ceylan said. In a reference to the coup plotters, he said: "I just want this country to be rescued from those dishonorable people."

__

Torchia reported from Istanbul. Associated Press writer Cinar Kiper in Istanbul contributed to this report.

A Turkish girl wearing a headband bearing the name of Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan waves her nation flags during a pro-government demonstration in front of the old parliament building, in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The coup has led to public anger and calls for the government to reinstate capital punishment, while the state-run religious affairs body declared no religious rites would be performed for the coup plotters killed in the uprising. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Turkish special forces policemen carry the coffin an officer who was killed last Friday during the failed military coup, during his funeral procession in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Turkey on Wednesday intensified a sweeping crackdown on the media, the military, the courts and the education system following an attempted coup, targeting tens of thousands of teachers and other state employees for dismissal in a purge that raised concerns about basic freedoms and the effectiveness of key institutions. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

In this photo taken on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, a man rests as people pray inside the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque, in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul. Days after a failed coup attempt in Turkey, authorities have rounded up close to 9,000 people - including 115 generals, 350 officers and some 4,800 other military personnel - for alleged involvement in the coup attempt. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Turkish pro-government protesters are seen through their national flag during a demonstration in front of the old parliament building, in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The coup has led to public anger and calls for the government to reinstate capital punishment, while the state-run religious affairs body declared no religious rites would be performed for the coup plotters killed in the uprising. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

A man uses an ATM in central Istanbul, Wednesday, July, 20, 2016. Turkey's central bank has cut a key interest rate to help shore up the economy, days after an attempted coup. Turkish stocks are way down from pre-coup levels, as is the Turkish lira. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

People look at a banner that reads " they were crashed under tanks, martyred. We want capital punishment" in the city's main Kizilay Square in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Turkey's National Security Council is holding an emergency meeting following a coup attempt last week that was derailed by security forces and protesters loyal to the government. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was heading the meeting Wednesday of the council, which is the highest advisory body on security issues. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, center, heads an emergency meeting of the National Security Council with Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, center left, Chief of Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, center right, and ministers in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Turkey's National Security Council is holding an emergency meeting following a coup attempt last week that was derailed by security forces and protesters loyal to the government. Erdogan was heading the meeting Wednesday of the council, which is the highest advisory body on security issues. (Kayhan Ozer/Presidential Press Service, Pool via AP)
Defense try to oust prosecutors in Will Smith case delayed

NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A judge in New Orleans postponed until Friday a hearing on whether the New Orleans district attorney's office should be barred from prosecuting the man charged in the shooting death of retired Saints defensive end Will Smith.

Cardell Hayes is charged with second-degree murder. Defense attorney John Fuller says District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro and his staff should be kicked off the case because he has made baseless accusations of wrongdoing against Fuller.

Judge Camille Buras was scheduled to hear the arguments on Wednesday. However, she agreed to a postponement for two days after Fuller said he has more information to file to back up his motion.

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith appears before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. A judge in New Orleans postponed until Friday, July 22, 2016, a hearing on whether the New Orleans district attorney's office should be barred from prosecuting the man charged in the shooting death of Smith. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)

Hayes is set for trial Sept. 20. Prosecutors say he provoked an April 9 confrontation by ramming his SUV into one driven by Smith  after Smith had earlier bumped the rear of Hayes' vehicle.

The defense attorney has argued that Smith was the aggressor and that Hayes fired in self-defense after Smith went to his own car to get his gun.

The motion to remove Cannizzaro was made last week following a story in Nola.comThe Times-Picayune on a 206-page report Cannizzaro sent to local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. In the report, Cannizzaro alleges that Fuller and others sought to intimidate witnesses and jeopardized the safety of witnesses in cases unrelated to Smith's death.

The report, which has not been made public, also alleges that Fuller is under federal investigation. The local U.S. attorney declined comment.
Tom Vilsack: A rise from orphanage to Cabinet secretary

MT. PLEASANT, Iowa (AP)  Tom Vilsack's political story already reads like a modern Horatio Alger tale: a humble beginning at an orphanage in Pittsburgh, a rise to governor of Iowa and then to the nation's secretary of agriculture.

Back in Iowa last weekend, Vilsack declined to acknowledge whether he's being considered for another celebrated chapter  as running mate to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton. But when it came to Republican nominee Donald Trump, he didn't hold back.

"I get really irritated when I hear Donald Trump say, 'Let's make America great again,'" Vilsack said in an Associated Press interview. "I look at it and I think, wait a second, I started out life in an orphanage. I didn't have a last name. ... America gave me this opportunity to go from that beginning to sitting in the White House in the Cabinet Room with the president of the United States."

FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2015, file photo, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Tokyo. Vilsack is possibly being considered as a potential running mate for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

With his Midwestern ties, experience in elected office, policy record in Washington and strong links to rural America, Vilsack could bring some key advantages to the Democratic ticket. His family ties to the Clintons date back to 1972 when his late brother-in-law worked with Hillary Clinton.

"I'm confident that Hillary Clinton is going to have a very, very accomplished, serious, solid running mate who is going to help her lead this country," Vilsack said. "Who it is, no one knows, but I'm confident of her capacity to pick the right person."

Vilsack returned Saturday to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, the small town where his political career was launched in the 1980s by accident. A disgruntled citizen stormed a City Council meeting and shot and killed the mayor, prompting Vilsack to fill the void.

Born in Pittsburgh, Vilsack was orphaned at birth and raised by adoptive parents. He met his wife, Christie Bell, in college in New York and moved to her hometown of Mt. Pleasant after he finished law school.

Vilsack's two terms as Iowa's governor were a time of hard-fought compromise with at least one, and sometimes both, legislative houses controlled by Republicans. He often touts as successes achieving universal preschool in Iowa, expanded state spending on renewable fuel research and restoring voting rights to felons post-sentence.

"Picking Vilsack would be the antithesis of Trump," said political consultant Jeff Link, who worked on Vilsack's brief 2008 presidential bid. "He is solid. He is steady. He is experienced."

Vilsack bonded with the Clintons when Hillary Clinton campaigned for his long-shot bid for governor in 1998. The two later worked together, sharing ideas during the development of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. And in 2005, they teamed up on a domestic policy agenda as leaders with the centrist Democratic Leadership Council.

Vilsack waited in the wings in 2004, when Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry vetted him as a potential running mate, only to get passed over for then-Sen. John Edwards. He announced his own bid for president in 2006, but dropped out after a few months and threw his support behind Clinton.

Since 2009 he has served as President Barack Obama's agriculture secretary, pushing to revitalize rural America. He has fought to protect food stamps and make school lunches healthier, has sought to expand resources for renewable energy and to resolve civil rights claims against the department.

Vilsack drew criticism in 2010 when he asked a black federal agriculture official for her resignation after a video clip emerged of her saying she didn't do everything she could to help a white farmer. After it became clear the remarks had been taken out of context, Vilsack apologized and asked her to return to the department  an offer she declined. Vilsack's office said that since then the two have worked together on an economic development program.

Some of Vilsack's positions could draw criticism from liberal Democrats. He has supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, which is backed by Obama, but party progressives oppose and Clinton has come out against. As governor, he signed legislation in 2002 making English Iowa's official language, drawing criticism from many Hispanics and liberals. Vilsack has expressed regret for signing that measure, passed by a GOP-controlled legislature, in the face of a competitive re-election campaign.

"I do not think that Tom Vilsack would excite the populist, progressive base of the Democratic Party in the way a Elizabeth Warren might, or a Sherrod Brown might or even a Tom Perez," said Neil Sroka, spokesman for the progressive group Democracy for America.

But those close to Vilsack, including childhood friend Doug Campbell, a Pittsburgh attorney, expressed confidence in his record.

"He's going to stay late and do the homework with the three-ring binders," Campbell said. "When I was president of student council, he was an excellent vice president."

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Associated Press writers Thomas Beaumont in Des Moines and Mary Clare Jalonick in Washington contributed to this report.

FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2015, file photo, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack tour the Tool and Die Lab at the Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa. Vilsack is possibly being considered as a potential running mate for Clinton. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
Ted Cruz booed lustily as he refuses to endorse Donald Trump

CLEVELAND (AP)  Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tried to link arms with Republicans at the party's national convention on Wednesday, but was booed lustily by delegates when he ended his speech without offering Donald Trump his endorsement  or even saying he would vote for the New York billionaire.

As he appeared on stage, Cruz basked in a minute-long standing ovation. Cruz finished second to Trump in the crowded Republican primary campaign and congratulated the GOP nominee on his victory.

But as close as Cruz came to saying he wanted Trump to win the White House came when he said: "I want to see the principles that our party believes in prevail in November."

Cruz left the podium after speaking during the Republican National Convention, Wednesday to boos

Cruz didn't tell the convention crowd that he plans to vote for Trump. Nor did he ask his supporters, hundreds of whom encouraged him to run for president in four years at an event on Wednesday afternoon, to vote for the newly minted Republican nominee.

Interrupted by chants of "Trump, Trump, Trump," Cruz paused and said with a smile, "I appreciate the enthusiasm of the New York delegation."

But as Cruz closed his remarks, and as the crowd of more than 2,000 delegates at the Quicken Loans Arena waited for Cruz to say something  anything  kind about Trump, he demurred.

"And to those listening, please, don't stay home in November," Cruz said. "Stand and speak, and vote your conscience. Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution."

The delegates responded with angry boos, and Cruz backer and former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli escorted Heidi Cruz off the convention floor as she was heckled by Trump delegates.

"He's a chicken," said Eugene Delgaudio, a delegate from Sterling, Virginia, who clucked like a chicken when asked about Cruz's decision. "He needed to toughen up like every other Republican loser of any nomination battle in the last 100 years since Abraham Lincoln and just suck it up, be a man and back the nominee that he was beaten by, fair and square."

The crowd's boos quickly switched to cheers as Trump entered the arena at the moment Cruz finished. His daughter Ivanka and other members of the Trump party turned their backs on Cruz to stand and applaud Trump, who sat down in the front row of his VIP box to watch his son Eric deliver the next speech.

Cruz aide Jason Johnson said the Texas lawmaker told Trump in a phone conversation two days ago that he would not endorse him during his speech, a decision New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie called "totally selfish." The outspoken Trump backer, like Cruz bested by the real estate mogul in the GOP primaries, said the voters made clear that Trump is their choice.

"If we're not going to do that, why do we have elections? Because Ted Cruz has decided that he knows better? Than all of the people who voted in the elections?" he said.

The booing was so intense the Trump campaign encouraged its many staffers on the convention floor to try to calm the delegates down, said a Trump aide speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal campaign discussions.

Cruz halted his campaign two months ago, having outlasted all but Trump in a field that once numbered 17 candidates. He finished a distant second in the delegate accumulation during the Republican nominating campaign.

The reaction to Cruz's refusal to endorse Trump, who branded the Texas senator "Lyin' Ted" during the GOP primaries, stood in stark contrast to his reception earlier Wednesday among a crowd of the convention's most conservative delegates.

Many of Cruz's supporters from around the country came to thank him, shake his hand and pose for photographs. They crowded around him 10 people deep on a sunny outdoor restaurant deck after his 20-minute speech, chanting "2020, 2020, 2020!"

Donna Metz, Cruz's 2016 Kansas state co-chairwoman, wore a sparkling red, white and blue hat and was jostled in the crowd as she made her way toward Cruz. "Oh, my gosh, I hope he runs again," Metz said. "He's by far the best candidate."

Cruz is eager to be seen as the face of the modern conservative movement should there be an open GOP field in four years, and he said Wednesday afternoon he was unsure what the future would bring.

But he urged the group to "follow our conscience," ''unite behind liberty" and "empower the grassroots"  all signals to the deep organization Cruz assembled in finishing second to Trump to be ready to jump back into action in four years.

"I support it 100 percent," Dalton Glasscock, a Cruz delegate from Wichita, Kansas, who called the decision not to endorse "true leadership."

"If someone feels they can vote for Trump, great," he said. "If they can't, vote for someone they can believe in. He left the door open to more."

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Follow Thomas Beaumont and Steve Peoples on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/tombeaumont and http://twitter.com/sppeoples

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., addresses the delegates during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., addresses the delegates during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., addresses the delegates during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., addresses the delegates during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Trump children woo donors and, campaign hopes, voters

CLEVELAND (AP)  Sometimes the skeptical donors ask Andy Puzder what it is that he sees in Donald Trump, the controversial Republican presidential nominee for whom Puzder is raising money.

"The kids," Puzder says he often replies. "If he's such an evil villain, how do you explain the kids?"

The eldest four, Ivanka, Eric, Donald Jr. and Tiffany, are being introduced to the world with prime-time speaking slots this week at the Republican National Convention. Trump loyalists are thrilled to see them in the spotlight, predicting they will take the edge off a candidate known for biting remarks that have offended women and immigrants, among others.

Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump's children Ivanka Trump and Donald Trump Jr., check on their phones during the second day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Trump's fundraisers know this to be true; for them, the children have long been a touchstone.

"It's a good way to start a conversation because it's all positive," says Puzder, one of Trump's California finance chairmen and the chief executive of several fast-food chains. "Everybody knows you can't fake good children. You either have them or you don't."

Eric Trump is scheduled to speak Wednesday and Ivanka on Thursday, just before her father. Donald Trump Jr. and Tiffany Trump took the stage Tuesday night and delivered well-regarded remarks, with Tiffany telling a story of how her father encouraged her studies and Donald Jr. talking about growing up alongside his father at job sites and boardrooms.

The eldest three hold executive positions at their father's New York-based real estate company, the Trump Organization. Tiffany graduated this year from the University of Pennsylvania.

"People think that one of Donald Trump's extraordinary qualities is the values and work ethic he has instilled in his kids," says Steven Mnuchin, Trump's national finance chairman.

Not only have they been some of Trump's most trusted political advisers, Mnuchin says, but they'll likely be some of his best fundraising surrogates, starting next week.

Donald Trump Jr. says the deeper fundraising involvement of the Trump children brings "three additional heads," enabling hosts to say "there is a Trump in the room. That means something. My father can't be omnipresent."

Speaking at a Wednesday breakfast in Cleveland hosted by The Wall Street Journal, the younger Trump said the family fundraising assistance would "take some of that burden off" the candidate, giving him more time to talk directly to voters.

On Monday, Donald Trump Jr. is to be the featured guest at a Houston fundraiser, the first solo appearance at such an event by any of the Trump children.

An email promoting the dinner bills it as "a great opportunity to hear from Donald J. Trump's eldest son in a private setting on how we can rebuild our nation's trust in government."

"I think he will be a tremendous draw," says Mica Mosbacher, who is raising money for Trump and knows his children personally from the social scene in New York City, where she resides part-time. "Donors are anxious to get to know the family. They'll be swayed."

When Mosbacher chats with would-be donors, she says some ask her to explain how Trump would be good for the country's women. After all, Democrats are running frequent advertisements featuring Trump sound bites such as one where he says it's hard for a flat-chested woman to be a "10."

"I say, 'Look at his family. To his credit, the children are all hard-working, good people with good values, good principles,'" Mosbacher says. "They stop and think and say back to me, 'You know, you're right.' "

Ralph Reed, a longtime Republican operative and leader of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, says 10 years ago he viewed Trump as "a master self-promoter and marketer, and I really had no positive view beyond that."

Then he and his wife sat next to Ivanka Trump at a dinner in Park City, Utah.

"She was the most charming, gracious, intelligent, beautiful, polite young lady I had just about ever met," Reed said. "When we left, I said to my wife, 'Well, I'm probably going to have to reassess my opinion of Donald Trump.'"

He later shared the story with Trump, and the businessman told him, "'Ralph, you wouldn't believe how many people tell me that,'" Reed says.

Reed says donors  and anyone else who meets the children  are likely to be similarly moved. "For many people who have a desire to get behind and support their father, I think they will really help people overcome whatever hesitation it is that they might have."

For Republican donors who have little positive to say about Trump, the children are a safe topic.

Last month at a gathering of 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney's friends and top donors, John Rakolta Jr., was wringing his hands about whether he'd ever be able to support this year's nominee. Just days earlier, Trump had said a federal judge's Mexican heritage prevents him from fairly overseeing a lawsuit against him. (Trump launched his campaign by saying people entering the United States illegally from Mexico include rapists and criminals.)

Rakolta cringed when his friend Puzder, also there, approached. But Puzder sidestepped what could have been an uncomfortable conversation about "candidate Trump" by focusing on "father Trump."

"Can't argue that the kids are phenomenal," Rakolta said at the time, "He must be doing something right."

A few weeks later, Trump announced an expanded finance team. Among the new names: Rakolta.

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Follow Julie Bykowicz on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/Bykowicz

Donald Trump, Jr., son of Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, speaks during the second day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Tiffany Trump, daughter of Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, speaks during the second day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Outnumbered and outmuscled, Dump-Trumpers thumped by GOP

CLEVELAND (AP)  After weeks of planning and one ferocious outburst that upstaged nearly everything on the Republican National Convention's first day, conservatives' feisty but always improbable effort to deny Donald Trump the GOP presidential nomination succumbed to multiple causes of death.

The lack of vital signs grew daily, culminating during Tuesday's roll call of the states that formally put Trump over the top. That vote saw a fizzling of what conservatives hoped would be an effort by some delegates to brazenly ignore state party rules and back the candidate of their choice, not Trump.

"Whatever may or may not have been planned, apparently it didn't happen," said Colorado delegate Kevin Grantham. He said party leaders wanted to "make sure that Donald Trump is the nominee, regardless of what the states said, regardless of what the delegates say."

Members of the New York delegation cheer for Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during the roll call at the Republican National Convention, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

The anti-Trump conservatives unified with another faction trying to alter party rules to shift power from the establishment Republican National Committee to grassroots activists, including many supporters of Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, a defeated presidential hopeful. But they were badly outnumbered by Trump delegates and party regulars who believed, like him or not, he'd won this year's GOP primaries.

Also weighing against them  the rebels' lack of an alternative candidate, vigorous lobbying by an alliance between the Trump campaign and the RNC and a growing sense it was time to unite against presumptive Democratic pick Hillary Clinton.

"You can stand your ground until the point comes when you would be compromising the country or the state," said Steve House, chairman of the Colorado GOP, whose delegation was loaded with dissidents and Cruz supporters. "The team said, 'Let's stand up and support the nominee.'"

On the other side of the arena, the Utah delegation gamely announced that it was casting its 40 votes for Cruz. But the presiding officer awarded all those delegates to Trump because of a quirk in Utah GOP rules that allow votes only for active candidates at the convention  and Trump was the only one.

"There's been a lot of effort to make sure we have a smooth convention, that Donald Trump is the nominee and that we unite," said Phil Wright, chairman of the Utah delegation. He said awarding all the votes to Trump was the GOP's way "of trying to squash any dissent."

Since it became clear last spring that Trump was the likely nominee, conservative delegates around the country plotted ways to use the party's rules to derail him at the convention. They organized using social media, conference calls and seemingly endless emails.

But they were soundly thrashed last week when the convention's rules committee approved guidelines for this week's gathering. That carried over to the convention itself, which is run by party leaders who wield the gavel and deployed operatives to round up votes and thwart the dissidents.

"They shut them down," said Dane Waters, a GOP operative helping the rebels.

On Monday, conservatives demanded a final shot at rewriting party rules but were blocked. Their roars of outrage drew widespread coverage and distracted from party leaders' efforts to show unity, but still they lost.

During Tuesday's roll call, the Alaska delegation split its 28 votes among Trump, Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Convention officials counted all 28 Alaskan delegates for Trump, citing a discrepancy in state party rules, and overruled the delegation when it demanded a fresh count.

Underscoring the futility in challenging party leaders, GOP Chairman Reince Priebus explained the ruling against Alaska to the entire convention and said, "In any event, have a great night." He then quickly left the stage as music began to play, leaving the Alaska delegates unhappy and vanquished.

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Indian forces remove Pakistani flags raised by Kashmiris

SRINAGAR, India (AP)  Government forces in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir removed dozens of black and Pakistani flags hoisted by residents observing a "black day" on Wednesday to protest the killing of a top rebel leader.

Indian forces feared fresh trouble in the tense region after Pakistan called for observing a "black day" to express solidarity with "Kashmiris who are facing atrocities at the hands of Indian forces."

The largest street protests in recent years erupted after Indian troops on July 8 killed Burhan Wani, the popular 22-year-old leader of Kashmir's largest rebel group. Police and paramilitary soldiers in riot gear enforced a strict curfew for the 12th straight day Wednesday as life remained paralyzed and streets deserted in the disputed region.

Kashmiris shout freedom slogans as they carry the body of civilian Ghulam Mohammad Mir, who succumbed to injury allegedly attained during a protest last week, at a hospital in Srinagar, India, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The largest street protests in recent years in the disputed region, that left dozens of people dead and hundreds injured erupted more than a week ago after Indian troops killed a popular young rebel leader. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

India's External Affairs Ministry responded to Pakistan's call for a "black day" by saying Islamabad should stop "interfering in India's internal affairs and destabilizing the situation." Pakistan says it provides political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris and anti-India rebels who demand Kashmir's independence or a merger with Pakistan.

Responding to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's appeal, Pakistanis held rallies around the country, including in its portion of Kashmir, to condemn alleged human rights violations in the portion of the region India controls.

In a statement, Sharif said "Kashmir cannot be accepted as an internal matter of India" as the United Nations has already declared it a disputed area. Sharif said India had promised to the world to arrange a plebiscite in Indian-controlled Kashmir, but such a commitment was yet to be honored.

During the recent protests, clashes between government forces and Kashmiris have left 47 people, mostly teens and young men, and a policeman dead. Nearly 2,000 civilians and about 1,600 government troops have been injured.

A man in his 50s, who was injured in firing by government forces during protests over the weekend, died in the main hospital of Srinagar on Wednesday, police said.

Hundreds of volunteers and people attending to the injured in the hospital gathered outside on the main road and offered prayers before his body was taken to his village for burial. They raised anti-India, pro-Pakistan and pro-freedom slogans.

Virtually no information was coming from most parts of Indian-controlled Kashmir, especially in the south where most of the killings have occurred, as cellular and internet services remained suspended. Newspapers were not printing and landline phone access was limited, except in Srinagar.

However, newspaper editors decided to publish Thursday editions after five days of disruption as the government apologized and regretted a ban imposed on Friday. The editors met with the state's top elected official, Mehbooba Mufti, and other officials during the day who offered guarantees of smooth media operations, said Masood Hussain, a senior journalist and editor of the English weekly Kashmir Life.

State government spokesman and Education Minister Nayeem Akhtar had said last Friday the restrictions were aimed at "saving lives and strengthening peace efforts."

Despite round-the-clock curfew and information blackout, the protests, marked by clashes between rock-throwing Kashmiris and troops firing live ammunition, pellet guns and tear gas, have persisted. With shops closed, people were struggling to cope with shortages of food, medicines and other necessities.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, which both claim it entirely and have fought two wars over the Himalayan region since British colonialists left the Indian subcontinent in 1947. The region is predominantly Muslim and many residents resent the presence of hundreds of thousands of Indian troops.

Since 1989, more than 68,000 people have been killed in Kashmir's uprising against Indian rule and the subsequent Indian military crackdown.

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Associated Press writer Munir Ahmed in Islamabad contributed to this report.

Follow Aijaz Hussain: www.twitter.com/hussain_aijaz

An unidentified Kashmiri woman cries as others carry the body of an elderly Kashmiri civilian Ghulam Mohammad Mir, who succumbed to injury allegedly attained during a protest last week, outside a hospital in Srinagar, India, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The largest street protests in recent years in the disputed region, that left dozens of people dead and hundreds injured erupted more than a week ago after Indian troops killed a popular young rebel leader. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Kashmiri Muslims offer funeral prayers for a Kashmiri civilian Ghulam Mohammad Mir, who succumbed to injury allegedly attained during a protest last week, outside a hospital in Srinagar, India, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The largest street protests in recent years in the disputed region, that left dozens of people dead and hundreds injured erupted more than a week ago after Indian troops killed a popular young rebel leader. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

A young Kashmiri boy joins adults in offering funeral prayers for a Kashmiri civilian Ghulam Mohammad Mir, who succumbed to injury allegedly attained during a protest last week, outside a hospital in Srinagar, India, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The largest street protests in recent years in the disputed region, that left dozens of people dead and hundreds injured erupted more than a week ago after Indian troops killed a popular young rebel leader. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard during the 12th straight day of curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The region's largest street protests in recent years erupted last week after Indian troops killed Burhan Wani, the popular young leader of the largest rebel group fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir.(AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

An Indian paramilitary soldier interrogates a couple on their way to hospital before letting them go during the 12th straight day of curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The region's largest street protests in recent years erupted last week after Indian troops killed Burhan Wani, the popular young leader of the largest rebel group fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir.(AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

A Kashmiri Muslim woman along with her children walks past Indian paramilitary soldiers at a temporary check point during the 12th straight day of curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The region's largest street protests in recent years erupted last week after Indian troops killed Burhan Wani, the popular young leader of the largest rebel group fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard during the 12th straight day of curfew in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. The region's largest street protests in recent years erupted last week after Indian troops killed Burhan Wani, the popular young leader of the largest rebel group fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)
Defense, foreign ministers to plan next steps against IS

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AP)  Defense leaders at a counter-Islamic State meeting expressed concerns about what happens after the expected defeat of the militant group, and whether countries are ready to help stabilize and rebuild the war-torn cities, particularly in Iraq, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Wednesday.

Carter also said that some nations have agreed to step up their contributions to the fight, as battles for the key cities of Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria loom.

Defense and foreign leaders from more than 30 countries are in Washington for two days of meetings on the next steps to be taken in the fight to defeat the Islamic State group, which still maintains control of large sections of Iraq and Syria.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter opens the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Meeting at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Defense and foreign ministers from more than 30 nations are gathering in Washington to plan the next steps in the fight against the Islamic State and to determine what more they can do as the fights for key cities in Iraq and Syria move forward. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Speaking to reporters after the first day's session wrapped up at Joint Base Andrews, Carter said a lot of the conversations were about identifying the needs for reconstruction after the battles are over.

"The biggest strategic concern of this group of defense ministers was that the stabilization and governance effort will lag behind the military campaign," Carter said. "Making sure there's no such lag must be a significant strategic priority for us. We discussed it today and it will be an important focus of our conversation tomorrow at the State Department with our foreign ministry counterparts."

British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon said more must be done to ensure that residents will be able and willing to return to the Iraqi cities.

The coalition, said Fallon, must be sure it is "able to support the government of Iraq in the work that will be required the day after Mosul is eventually liberated."

That includes efforts to get basic services turned back on and removing the threat of hidden bombs. He said "everything is booby-trapped," including the rubble, and the people won't have the confidence to return unless the explosives are cleared away.

The gathering comes as Iraqi security forces, aided by the coalition, are preparing to encircle and eventually attempt to retake the key northern city of Mosul. The meeting of defense leaders lasted about two hours.

This is the fourth time that Carter has convened an anti-Islamic State coalition meeting.

Secretary of State John Kerry was hosting a separate conference at the State Department Wednesday to try to raise at least $2 billion from donor nations to help Iraq as it takes territory from the Islamic State group. The money will go to humanitarian aid for displaced people, demining, immediate help to recently liberated communities and the people returning to them as well as medium-to long-term reconstruction and development assistance.

The State Department said donors had pledged in excess of $2.1 billion, with the U.S. offering $310 million in new funds.

"If we do not succeed in Iraq, none of our countries will be safer," Kerry said. "And likewise, Iraq is connected to Syria, and Daesh/ISIL is plotting against all of us and has already proven its capacity to attack one way or the other. So we are fighting back in every way that we can, and our assistance to Prime Minister Abadi's government and to our Iraqi friends is a significant part of the overall campaign to defeat Daesh."

On Thursday, Kerry will host a joint meeting of defense and foreign ministers in the counter-IS coalition. They are expected to talk about the coordination of political and military efforts, including counter-terrorist financing, combating the flow of foreign fighters, and the stabilization of cities and towns that have been freed from Islamic State control.

"We are succeeding on the ground in Iraq and Syria but we have a lot of work to do," said Brett McGurk, the president's special representative to the counter-IS coalition. "This is an enormous challenge that will be with us for years to come."

The gathering comes on the heels of the NATO summit in Warsaw earlier this month, when allies agreed to boost support for the anti-Islamic State mission, including the launch of a training and capacity-building mission for Iraqi armed forces in Iraq.

The U.S. has announced that it will send 560 additional troops to Iraq to transform a newly retaken air base into a staging hub for the long-awaited battle to recapture Mosul from Islamic State militants.

On Wednesday, Gen. Joseph Votel, commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters that the U.S. hasn't sent "any large numbers" of the new troops into Iraq yet, but they will go "very, very shortly."

He added that as the campaign moves forward the U.S. will continue to do what is needed  including add more troops  to meet the requirements of the fight.

"We will, as we've done with our coalition partners, we will look to add additional capabilities that are necessary for us to accomplish our objectives," Votel said.

The coalition is also looking to reinforce the fight in Syria, where U.S.-backed forces are in a tough fight for the town of Manbij.

Manbij lies on a key supply line from Turkey to the Islamic State's de facto capital of Raqqa. Ousting the militants from Raqqa is a key goal for the coalition.

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AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee contributed to this report.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter, top center, hosts the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Meeting at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Defense and foreign ministers from more than 30 nations are gathering in Washington to plan the next steps in the fight against the Islamic State and to determine what more they can do as the fights for key cities in Iraq and Syria move forward. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrives to attend the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Meeting, hosted by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Defense and foreign ministers from more than 30 nations are gathering in Washington to plan the next steps in the fight against the Islamic State group and to determine what more they can do as the fights for key cities in Iraq and Syria move forward. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

British Secretary of State for Defense, Michael Fallon, right, and Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Soreide, attend the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Meeting, hosted by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Defense and foreign ministers from more than 30 nations are gathering in Washington to plan the next steps in the fight against the Islamic State group and to determine what more they can do as the fights for key cities in Iraq and Syria move forward. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)
American gets life in prison for murdering Czech family of 4

PRAGUE (AP)  A Czech court convicted an American of killing four of his relatives and sentenced him to life in prison.

Judge Michal Zamecnik said Wednesday that Kevin Dahlgren, 24, fatally stabbed his cousin, her husband and one of their two sons in "a very brutal way" in their home during his visit to the Czech city of Brno on May 22, 2013. Zamecnik said Dahlgren later in the day attacked their other son when he returned home from school, likely with a stone, and also stabbed him.

Dahlgren had spent three weeks with the family. Life imprisonment, the maximum sentence in the Czech Republic, was demanded by the state prosecution.

"The crime (Dahlgren) committed is extraordinary serious," Zamecnik said. "He was trying to solve problems with his own ego, with his own feelings and he solved those problems by completely wiping out the entire family."

Dahlgren, of Palo Alto, California, was detained at Washington Dulles International Airport the following day. Last year, he became the first U.S. citizen to be extradited to the Czech Republic.

Dahlgren refused to testify at the regional court in Brno.

But he used his right to give a a final speech, saying on Tuesday that "What happened to the family was a tragedy."

Dahlgren suggested he was mentally ill, and that would mean he could not be held responsible for what happened.

In the past, he said, "the voices in my head wanted me ... to destroy everything, all the time."

The judge dismissed that. Zamecnik said experts acknowledged Dahlgren was mentally unstable and had a tendency to aggressive behavior but he "was not suffering from any mental illness."

"Not only did he committ the crime, but he is also fully responsible for it," he said.
Top US admiral says China exchanges conditional on safety

BEIJING (AP)  The top U.S. admiral said Wednesday that friendly exchanges with China's navy are conditional on safe interactions at sea, an indication of Washington's concern over recent fractious encounters with Chinese forces in and over the disputed South China Sea.

On a visit to the northern Chinese port of Qingdao, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson said he backs more exchanges, but added, "In this area we must judge each other by our deeds and actions, not just by our words."

"I am supportive of a continued and deepening navy-to-navy relationship, but I will be continuously reassessing my support conditioned on continued safe and professional interactions at sea," Richardson said, according to a Navy news release.

FILE - In this Monday, July 18, 2016, file photo, U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson, left, listens to Commander of the Chinese Navy Adm. Wu Shengli, right, at Chinese Navy Headquarters in Beijing. The top U.S. admiral said friendly exchanges with China's navy are conditional on safe and professional interactions at sea. Richardson's comments Wednesday, July 20, 2016, follow several fractious encounters between the two sides' ships and planes in and over the disputed South China Sea. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, Pool, File)

Richardson is on what the Navy is calling a five-day visit to "improve mutual understanding and encourage professional interaction between the two navies." In Qingdao, he visited the headquarters of China's North Sea Fleet and met with its commander, Vice Adm. Yuan Yubai.

Richardson "underscored the importance of lawful and safe operations in the South China Sea and elsewhere where professional navies operate," the Navy said.

He said the U.S. Navy would continue to conduct "routine and lawful operations" around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect "the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all."

"This will not change," Richardson said.

He was also scheduled to visit China's first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, along with a submarine training base.

On Monday, he met in Beijing with his Chinese counterpart, Wu Shengli, who took a hard line on China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, where China has been building airstrips, harbors and military facilities on man-made islands created by piling sand on top of coral reefs.

The U.S. refuses to recognize the new features as possessing the legal status of islands and has emphasized the point by sending Navy ships to sail close to them on so-called freedom of navigation missions. That has incensed China, which has responded by dispatching its own vessels to threaten and harass the U.S. ships.

Chinese planes have also engaged recently in what the U.S. described as unsafe maneuvering close to American surveillance aircraft.

Coinciding with Richardson's visit, China is also holding military drills in an area of the South China Sea south of its island province of Hainan. A former information minister, Zhao Qizheng, said at a news conference in Singapore on Tuesday that the drills were a direct response to frequent U.S. exercises in the area.

Meanwhile, China's highest-ranking officer, Gen. Fan Changlong, is making an inspection visit to the Southern Theater Command, which includes the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, Fan ordered officers and others to "profoundly understand the complexity of the grim situation facing our nation's security, step up all preparations for military struggle, ensure that orders are followed, and that we can get there and fight to win."

Despite suspicions on both sides, U.S.-China military-to-military exchanges have steadily gained pace in recent years. China's navy is currently taking part for the second time in the Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, the world's largest naval drills, hosted by the U.S. off Hawaii and including military forces from 26 nations.

U.S. law limits the scope of U.S. military drills with China to areas such as search and rescue and humanitarian and disaster relief.
KFC, Apple in China hit by South China Sea spat

BEIJING (AP)  To the challenges facing KFC and Apple in China, add a surprise backlash from Beijing's spat with the Philippines over the South China Sea.

Nationalists are protesting at KFC outlets and calling for a boycott, spurred by government accusations that Washington encouraged Manila to oppose Beijing's claims to vast tracts of ocean.

Photos circulated online show young Chinese wearing scarves with patriotic slogans smashing Apple iPhones in protest.

In this photo taken on Tuesday, July 19, 2016 and released by Guo Lu, policemen stand watch Chinese people carrying national flags hold a protest outside a KFC restaurant outlet in Baoying county in east China's Jiangsu province. In an apparent attempt to head off large-scale street demonstrations, Chinese state newspapers have criticized scattered protests against KFC restaurants and other U.S. targets sparked by an international tribunal's ruling that denied Beijing's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. (Guo Lu via AP)

State media have fanned public anger with a torrent of criticism of last week's ruling by a U.N. tribunal, which found no legal basis for Beijing's claim to most of the South China Sea.

"The Chinese public, as optimistic and positive as they are, are deeply patriotic and nationalistic, especially people who are younger," said James Roy of the research firm China Market Research Group. KFC and Apple "are just very closely associated with the United States, and you are seeing people picking the closest symbol they can think of to demonstrate against."

The protests are a reminder of the political risks for global brands in China, where they regularly become targets of nationalist sentiment, often stirred up by official media.

In 2012, sales of Japanese autos plunged when Tokyo and Beijing were in a dispute over control of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

The Chinese leadership has tried to tamp down this week's protests with demands in state media to leave foreign companies and their customers alone.

"This is not the right way to express patriotism," said the government's Xinhua News Agency. The China Daily newspaper called the protests "jingoism that does a disservice to the spirit of devotion to the nation."

Three protesters in the central city of Puyang in Henan province were detained by police on charges they illegally disrupted business at two KFC outlets, according to a news report. The web portal Sina said one was ordered jailed for 15 days and the other two for 13 days.

Some KFC customers have responded by posting photos of themselves online with a bucket of chicken, axes or other weapons and signs reading, "patriotic hooligans, try harassing me and I'll take you out."

KFC's owner, Yum Brands Inc., declined to comment.

A man in the eastern city of Yangzhou, northwest of Shanghai, said he watched a protest Tuesday morning after seeing a note online appealing to people to take part. He said it also told protesters to boycott Japanese and Korean goods.

"A group of more than 20 people including children broke into the restaurant and shouted at customers to leave," the witness, Guo Lu, said by phone from Yangzhou. He said police arrived quickly and pushed the protesters out of the restaurant.

The timing is unusually bad for KFC, which is China's biggest restaurant chain with more than 5,000 outlets but is overhauling its struggling business after a food scandal and marketing missteps.

Yum Brands is preparing to spin off its China unit, which also includes Pizza Hut restaurants, as a separate company in October in hopes of improving its performance.

KFC has long been an all-purpose target for protests about U.S. issues, especially in areas outside big cities with few other foreign symbols. In 1999, after NATO jets bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, protesters wrecked KFC restaurants.

The company and other foreign chain restaurants in China also face an upheaval as customers migrate to fast-growing local competitors they say offer more nutritious meals.

For its part, Apple has faced a series of legal hurdles this year in China, its second-biggest market.

In April, it suspended its iBooks and iTunes Movies services, reportedly due to an order by Chinese regulators.

The next month, an intellectual property tribunal ordered Apple to stop selling its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in Beijing after finding they look too much like a model made by a small Chinese brand. Apple was allowed to continue sales while it appeals.

Also in May, a court ruled a Chinese company is allowed to use the iPhone trademark on bags, wallets and other leather goods.

An Apple spokeswoman responded to a request for comment by pointing to CEO Tim Cook's positive comments in April about the company's future in China. Cook said Apple was "really optimistic" and planned to open five more stores in China during the current quarter for a total of 40.

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AP researchers Yu Bing and Dong Tongjian contributed.

A woman holds an umbrella shield from the rain as she walks past a KFC restaurant outlet in Beijing, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. In an apparent attempt to head-off large-scale street demonstrations, Chinese state newspapers have criticized scattered protests against KFC restaurants and other U.S. targets sparked by an international tribunal's ruling last week that denied Beijing's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
UK's May: No Brexit talks until 'our objectives are clear'

BERLIN (AP)  Britain will not start exit talks with the European Union until "our objectives are clear"  and that won't be this year, Prime Minister Theresa May said Wednesday, at her first meeting with an EU leader as the U.K. begins the long, uncertain process of leaving the bloc.

May met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, on her first foreign trip as Britain's leader. At a joint news conference, the two women conveyed a desire to work together but little sense of urgency, or a concrete idea of how the complex divorce process will play out.

May said Britain won't invoke Article 50 of the EU constitution, triggering formal exit talks, this year.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and British Prime Minister Theresa May shake hands after a news conference during a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin Wednesday, July 20, 2016, on May's first foreign trip after being named British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

"All of us will need time to prepare for these negotiations," she said.

Merkel signaled that Germany was prepared to wait.

She said "it is up to the British government to define its principles for the EU exit and also to trigger the necessary steps." She said "it's only then that negotiations for the exit can take place."

Merkel said "nobody wants a long-term stalemate," but it was reasonable to give Britain time to prepare carefully.

A week ago May replaced David Cameron, who resigned in the wake of Britain's decision to leave the 28-nation bloc.

May's office said her first foreign trip, which also includes a visit to French President Francois Hollande, will help forge "the personal relations that will pave the way for open and frank discussions in the months ahead."

May said Wednesday that while she doesn't underestimate the challenge of negotiating the British exit, she firmly believes "that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation."

The thorniest issue is likely to be the trade-off between access to Europe's single market  which the British economy relies on  and control of immigration. EU leaders are unlikely to give Britain full access to the market unless it accepts the EU principle of free movement of people among member states.

Facing her first weekly prime minister's question session in the House of Commons Wednesday, May did not answer directly when asked if Britain would be willing to leave the single market in order to guarantee migration controls.

She said the referendum result made clear that "people want control of free movement from the European Union." But, she said, "we must also negotiate the right deal and the best deal on trade in goods and services for the British people."

At her news conference with Merkel, May said Britain's goal was to retain "the closest possible economic relationship" with Germany and other EU countries.

May has also announced that Britain is relinquishing its turn at holding the EU presidency in the second half of 2017.

May's office said the prime minister spoke to European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday evening and told him Britain would give up the rotating six-month presidency  held by EU member states in turn  so it could prioritize exit negotiations.

After a working dinner with Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday, May will travel to Paris on Thursday to meet Hollande in Paris. As well as talking about the EU, they will discuss counterterrorism cooperation in the wake of last week's deadly truck attack in Nice.

May said before the trip that she wanted to send a message to Britain's European allies that "these relationships have been vital in the past and they will be vital in the future."

After meeting Merkel, May said they were "two women who get on with the job and want to deliver the best results" for their people.

"Exactly," added Merkel.

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Jill Lawless reported from London. Associated Press writer Danica Kirka in London contributed to this story.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, and British Prime Minister Theresa May, right, arrive for a joint news conference as part of a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin Wednesday, July 20, 2016, on May's first foreign trip after being named British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

British Prime Minister Theresa May attends a news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin Wednesday, July 20, 2016, on May's first foreign trip after being named British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, shakes hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a military welcoming ceremony at the chancellery in Berlin Wednesday, July 20, 2016, on May's first foreign trip after being named British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, shakes hands with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a military welcoming ceremony at the chancellery in Berlin Wednesday, July 20, 2016, on May's first foreign trip after being named British Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

In this grab taken from video British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks during her first session of Prime Minister's Questions at the House of Commons, in London, Wednesday July 20, 2016. Prime Minister Theresa May is making her first overseas trip as Britains leader on Wednesday to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a key figure in negotiating Britain's exit from the European Union. (Parliamentary Recording Unit via Associated Press Video) TV OUT - NO ARCHIVE

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing street to attend her first Prime Ministers Questions at the House of Parliament in London, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Prime Minister Theresa May is making her first overseas trip as Britains leader on Wednesday to meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a key figure in negotiating Britain's exit from the European Union. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Ouster of liberal Chinese magazine publisher marks era's end

BEIJING (AP)  China's best-known liberal journal has endured, by its publisher's count, 16 major clashes with authorities since its founding in 1991. It has irritated, and outlasted, two Chinese leaders, he says, but it likely won't survive President Xi Jinping.

Du Daozheng, publisher of Yanhuang Chunqiu and a stalwart of the Communist Party's liberal wing, announced this week that the magazine had been suspended. Earlier, government officials replaced the 93-year-old Du, saying he was due for retirement, and seized the magazine's offices and servers.

Analysts say the effective shuttering of the magazine shows that Xi's administration is quashing dissent by going to lengths not seen in decades. Yanhuang Chunqiu, which drew a following by exploring sensitive historical subjects, was run and protected by powerful reform-minded officials and intellectuals within the Communist Party itself.

In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016 photo, Du Daozheng, editor of the Yanhuang Chunqiu magazine looks on during an interview at his home in Beijing. Du, a 93-year old publisher, a former aide to the ousted Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang and a stalwart of the party's liberal wing, announced this week the suspension of the magazine, Yanhuang Chunqiu, after government officials ordered a leadership reshuffle and seized its offices and servers. (AP Photo/Gerry Shih)

Although the magazine's former staffers filed a lawsuit last week to regain control, Du said he announced the publication's suspension because he feared new issues would go out to its 190,000 subscribers under government control without his approval. He struck a weary note as he considered the likelihood of taking back the magazine.

"I don't think we will pass this final obstacle," Du said in an interview this week at his Beijing home. "In 25 years we've had differences and clashes with authorities, but we've always scraped by. Both sides talked and made earnest concessions.

"This time it feels very different. It feels disrespectful of law. It feels crude. It feels violent."

In a notice posted on the magazine's website July 15, the Chinese National Academy of Arts, under the Ministry of Culture, said Du had been replaced under a loosely enforced regulation on officials serving into old age. The order came while Du was in the hospital suffering from high blood pressure following his wife's death.

The ministry did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment Wednesday.

Senior editors have pledged not to abandon the publication altogether. Still, party members and political observers say the magazine's likely closure marks the end of an era. While it lasted, the magazine served as a unifying force for liberals, they say.

"The reform-minded factions of the party have always converged under this magazine's banner," said Feng Chongyi, a professor in China studies at the University of Technology in Sydney. "It was their platform, perhaps their only platform in mainland China."

Du is among the last of a generation whose inclinations toward gradual, mild political reforms were bolstered by their revolutionary credentials.

He joined the Communist Party at 14, worked as a reporter for the official Xinhua News Agency and served in the 1980s as head of the state press and publications administration, or China's top censor. He was an aide to Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang, and was ousted with Zhao amid the 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square in Beijing,

Du founded the magazine with support from Xiao Ke, a former vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other top-ranking party officials who identified themselves with Deng Xiaoping's reform and opening movement and longed for greater political openness. The journal was known for its commitment to political and economic liberalization and unvarnished historical analyses.

Feng said the magazine's approach to examining history was not in line with Xi's emphasis on adhering to the party's official history, and that Xi's resolve is such that even someone with Du's connections and stature had "hit a dead end."

"They mostly wanted to examine history, the good and the bad," Feng said. "That to Xi is a distraction that he can't tolerate, and he's not scared to move because he is not scared of his elders."

Hours after being released from the hospital, Du took sympathetic calls at home. He flipped through two tattered notebooks containing the phone numbers of thousands of family friends, party luminaries and the magazine's numerous supporters, many of whom have passed away.

The old guard's influence has waned considerably, Du said. He reminisced about when he and his close friend Li Rui, Mao Zedong's former secretary, could write letters that reached top leaders.

"Why can't they stand even the advice and grumblings of old cadres?" Du said. "These few years, our freedoms have regressed. We've regressed compared to previous leaders. To run counter to the current of the times ... is dangerous."

On an afternoon this week the magazine's editorial offices were locked and its building empty except for two people who sat in a reception area. A woman who identified herself as a Ministry of Culture employee said she could not answer questions, then closed the door.

Although staffers could not work, top editors have pledged to try to resume normal operations at another location, said deputy editor Wang Yanjun, speaking by telephone from home.

He spoke optimistically about the lawsuit, saying: "We place more trust in Xi's vow to govern the country according to law."

Du emphasized that he and the magazine's supporters are party members and patriots first and foremost. Under a picture of Mao and former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai on his bookshelf were placed awards he won for participation in the war against the Japanese, and a copy of the July issue that will likely be Yanhuang Chunqiu's last.

In the issue was calligraphy by Xi Zhongxun, the reform-minded father of the current president, who in his late years praised Du's magazine as "pretty decent" and urged Du to mentor his son, then a young city official in Hebei province, if the opportunity came.

"I never did," Du said with faint irony.

"We've had a lot of high-level official support, and the size of our subscription base shows how many people think we represent the right direction for the country," he said. "As an old Communist Party member, I've done my duty to my conscience. For that, I have no regrets."

In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016 photo, Du Daozheng, editor of the Yanhuang Chunqiu magazine smiles during an interview at his home in Beijing. Du, 93-year old publisher, a former aide to the ousted Communist Party leader Zhao Ziyang and a stalwart of the party's liberal wing, announced this week the suspension of the magazine, Yanhuang Chunqiu, after government officials ordered a leadership reshuffle and seized its offices and servers. (AP Photo/Gerry Shih)
Maryland withdraws proposal to ban letters to inmates

BALTIMORE (AP)  Maryland prison officials on Wednesday withdrew proposed regulations to impose the nation's first total ban on letters to inmates at state facilities, except for official legal correspondence and postcards.

The regulations were proposed to block inmate access to Suboxone, an addictive drug sold in thin strips that are easily concealed inside envelopes. The drug has been flooding the state's prisons. Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Stephen Moyer announced that a focus group would determine the best options for eliminating contraband.

"The group will also research the most effective procedures to ensure the safety of our staff and those in our custody," the department said in a statement.

Emergency regulations to limit inmate letters to legal correspondence were proposed last month to a state legislative panel by the department, but lawmakers got pushback from the American Civil Liberties Union about the impact on inmates' rights. The department had been planning to publish the regulations in the Maryland Register on Friday, but officials announced they were not moving forward, hours after The Associated Press exclusively reported on the proposed regulations.

The state says it intercepted more than 3,000 hits of Suboxone behind bars last year, roughly 44 percent of which were found in incoming letters. But the ACLU considers a ban on letters unconstitutional, and sent Moyer a letter Tuesday night urging him to reconsider.

"The proposal would rob families of one of the most profoundly significant forms of communication in our society," the ACLU said. "Under the new scheme, an ailing mother could not send her son a letter for him to hold onto after she is gone. A teen could not write her mom to tell her the things she can't say in a visit."

The ACLU argued that the very fact that so many doses of Suboxone have been recovered from letters is a testament to the effectiveness of the current system of mail vetting.

Also, maintaining close ties to friends and family outside prison is "one of the most critical factors in a person's success upon release," the letter said.

On Wednesday, ACLU staff attorney Sonia Kumar said the organization is "relieved" by the state's decision, but added that the proposal should have never been introduced.

"It's important to also step back and look at the broader context: This is one of several policy changes that have affected families' ability to stay in touch, and we're gratified that the department is planning to put together a work group of some kind to look at these issues, but we think any such group has to be done with meaningful partnerships with families who can really advise the department on coming up with solutions that do the least amount of damage," Kumar said.

While Maryland would have been the first state to enact such sweeping limitations on letters, local jurisdictions across the country have instituted similar bans. The ACLU sued the sheriff in Wilson County, Kansas, over its postcard-only policy. A Florida jail revoked its letter ban to settle a similar lawsuit.

Some state agencies have banned particular kinds of mailed material in an attempt to keep out Suboxone, which also can be soaked into certain materials. Utah in 2013 banned pictures made with crayons and markers or containing glue or stickers. Pennsylvania banned greeting cards that arrive in colored envelopes. The ACLU sued the New Hampshire prison system last year over a similar ban on greeting cards and artwork.

Teresa Hodge, co-founder of Mission: Launch Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to facilitating the re-entry of inmates into society, said her 70 months in federal prison for investment fraud would have been unbearable without letters.

"We want people to come home successful and self-sufficient and civically engaged, and part of that is staying in touch with the rest of the world and in your children's lives," she said. "My aunt, every other week she sent me a letter. She died soon after I was released. I still have the letters she sent me. I missed out on being able to be with her, but I have her letters."

Hodge added that she got a job before her release because a friend's letter described an opportunity.

"The biggest concern is, what condition will we return people in, and how will they connect post-incarceration?" Hodge said. "The fact that we'd make communicating with family, friends, support network even more challenging is really disturbing."

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Israeli parliament passes bill to allow ouster of inciters

JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel's parliament has passed a charged bill that would allow the assembly to oust a sitting lawmaker deemed to be inciting against the state.

The bill, which was passed early Wednesday, would require a three-quarter majority of parliament's 120 members to expel a lawmaker for inciting racism or supporting violence against the state.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the bill, saying "those who support terrorism ... won't serve in Israel's Knesset."

Opposition leaders called the measure anti-democratic.

The bill is largely seen as targeting Israel's Arab lawmakers, many of whom have been accused of siding with enemies such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Some recently paid a condolence visit to families of attackers who killed Israelis.
Jerusalem mayor skips gay pride march amid religious concern

JERUSALEM (AP)  Jerusalem's mayor says he will forgo the city's annual gay pride parade because it is offensive to religious residents.

Nir Barkat says in an interview published Wednesday that the gay community has the right to march but that the pride event is also "troublesome" to others in the city.

Thursday's march will be heavily secured after an extremist ultra-Orthodox Jew stabbed revelers at last year's parade, killing a 16-year-old girl and wounding seven people.

The man, Yishai Schlissel, had been released weeks earlier, after serving a sentence for stabbing several people at the 2005 pride parade.
The murky role of mental illness in extremism, terror

PARIS (AP)  After family members of the driver who slammed a truck into a holiday crowd in the French city of Nice said he suffered from depression, questions have been raised again about the links between mental illness, extreme ideology and mass violence.

Mental illness cannot be blamed for terror attacks, experts say. The overwhelming majority of people with mental illness never turn violent. But mental health disorders may make some people more susceptible to extremist ideology, and in rare cases that ideology can lead to horrific acts.

"People who are loners and who become angry and resentful can easily be drawn to extremist ideologies," said Dr. Raj Persaud, a psychiatrist and professor at London's Gresham College. "They begin to dehumanize others and may not need much more motivation before deciding to commit a terrorist attack."

It is not known for sure that the Nice attacker, 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiyej Bouhlel, was mentally ill. It is also unclear whether he was acting out of personal impulse or was driven by ideology. But the Nice attack and other recent ones, like the attack at a nightclub in Orlando, have involved a murky mix of extreme ideology and hints of mental illness.

"Terrorist acts are not caused by mental illness but mental illness can provide a background that's receptive to terrorist activity," said Persaud.

Relatives of Bouhlel say he was once prescribed anti-psychotic medication. They describe an angry young man estranged from his wife and withdrawn from society. Bouhlel's uncle in Tunisia, Sadok Bouhlel, told The Associated Press that his nephew's family problems made him vulnerable to an Algerian recruiter for the Islamic State group who converted him in just two weeks.

Still, there are angry men estranged from their wives and withdrawn from society around the world who will never feel the impulse to slaughter a crowd of innocent people.

Paul Gill, a senior lecturer in security and crime science at University College London, says mass attacks are often triggered by a constellation of problems and do not depend on a mental health disorder.

"Just because you have psychological issues, it doesn't mean you will turn to violence," he said.

He said there's a higher rate of mental health issues among "lone wolf attackers" as opposed to people involved in a terrorist network, according to his study of more than 100 such assailants. Among those in his research were the 2005 London suicide bombers and Anders Breivik, the right-wing Norwegian who killed 77 people in a shooting-and-bombing rampage.

Other experts said the decision of some attackers to align themselves with an extremist ideology can be driven more by opportunism than beliefs.

"The driver in Nice is better thought of as a spree killer than a terrorist," said David Canter, director of the International Research Centre for Investigative Psychology at Huddersfield University in Britain.

"For these killers, like the German pilot who drove his plane into the Alps or the Columbine schoolboys, their acts are really despairing suicides," he said in an email. "Mentally ill killers will hook onto whatever is in the wind at the time they want to express their anger and frustration."

The potential link between mental health problems and terror attacks has also been raised as a possible motive for Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski, who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. And after Omar Mateen killed 49 people at an gay nightclub in Orlando, he was described by his ex-wife as "mentally unstable and mentally ill," according to press reports.

Still, the vast amount of research on people with mental health problems and violence suggest that they are much more likely to pose a danger to themselves than to others.

"It would be stigmatizing to say that we should focus on people with mental health problems as vulnerable and potential risks for radicalization," said Ariane Bazan, a professor of clinical psychology at the Universite Libre in Brussels. "There are so many other things to look at."

As the investigation into the Nice attack continues, French prosecutor Francois Molins said Monday that searches of Bouhlel's computer showed he had a clear, recent interest in "radical jihadism" and that he had recently conducted internet searches for Islamic propaganda chants, the Orlando nightclub attack, and the killings of police officers in Dallas and in Magnanville, France.

Persaud said Bouhlel's quick adoption of extremist beliefs was likely the result of a long transformation into a troubled, disenfranchised and resentful individual that may have been worsened by pre-existing mental health problems.

"No personality disorder will cause somebody to turn into a terrorist," he said. "But these extremist ideologies can suddenly begin to make sense to someone who is deeply disturbed and (may) rationalize all of their anger."

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Pair convicted in sexual assault recorded on Snapchat

SALEM, Mass. (AP)  A man and a woman in Massachusetts have been convicted of charges they sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl and recorded the attack using Snapchat.

Prosecutors say 21-year-old Rashad Deihim and 20-year-old Kailyn Bonia were found guilty Tuesday by a jury of assault with intent to commit rape and related crimes stemming from the September 2014 attack.

During the trial, The Boston Globe reports the victim testified that she had little memory of the assault, but that she awoke in severe pain in a hospital. She recalled drinking vodka with Deihim and Bonia on a couch in the woods near an elementary school in Saugus.

A friend of the victim testified that she received graphic videos of the assault.
France: 3 French soldiers killed while on duty in Libya

PARIS (AP)  France's defense minister says three French soldiers have been killed in Libya where France has special forces operating.

In a statement Wednesday, Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian says he "deplores the loss of three soldiers" on duty there, without elaborating.

Officials in Libya said the Islamist militia on Sunday shot down a helicopter near Benghazi.

France's government spokesman Stephane Le Foll on Wednesday gave a rare acknowledgement that there are French special forces operating in the North African country, which has slid into chaos after the uprising that led to the ouster and killing of Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
Abu Dhabi's powerful wealth fund sticks to long-term plan

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority says it is committed to a long-term investment strategy despite a slump in oil prices and concerns about slower economic growth worldwide.

ADIA is based in the capital of OPEC member United Arab Emirates and is one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds.

Managing Director Hamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan said in ADIA's 2015 annual review released on Wednesday that the fund "will remain focused on identifying long-term trends and patiently growing capital."

He also expressed confidence in China's and India's future growth prospects.

ADIA does not disclose the size of its holdings, but said its annualized rate of return in dollar terms over the past 20 years fell to 6.5 percent in 2015, compared with 7.4 percent in 2014.

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Pimco lures away head of Man Group to be its new CEO

LONDON (AP)  Pimco, one of the world's biggest bond investors, has nabbed the head of hedge fund giant Man Group to be its next chief executive.

The firm based in Newport Beach, California, said in a statement Wednesday that Manny Roman will replace current CEO Douglas Hodge, who will become a managing director. The firm boasts $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of June.

Luke Ellis will replace Roman at Man Group, one of the world's largest publicly-traded alternative asset managers.

Roman said he looked forward to building "on Pimco's success in what is a rapidly changing industry."

"Man Group is an excellent business and I am sad to be leaving, but I have decided to accept this new, outstanding opportunity and move back to the U.S. where my family is based," Roman said.

The appointment comes after a tumultuous time for Pimco, whose full name is the Pacific Investment Management Co. and which is one of the biggest names in fixed-income mutual funds. Its co-founder and billionaire, Bill Gross, left the firm in 2014 in an acrimonious split he claimed was due to an internal power struggle.

Gross co-founded Pimco in 1971 and ran its Total Return Fund. He left to join Janus Capital, a smaller rival.
Access to Wikileaks blocked in Turkey as it releases emails

ISTANBUL (AP)  Access to the Wikileaks website in Turkey has been blocked after the group announced, following a failed coup by Turkish military units, that it would release a trove of documents on the country's power structure.

There was no immediate statement Wednesday from Turkey's Telecommunications Board, a government agency that regulates access to websites.

The Turkish government has previously banned access to websites deemed to be carrying material critical of Turkey, including YouTube and Twitter. Some opposition media websites were blocked following Friday night's coup attempt, which was quashed by security forces loyal to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A Turkish parliament security man stands guard next to the broken yellow copper doors laid on the ground at the entrance of the assembly hall at the parliament building which was attacked by the Turkish warplanes during the failed military coup last Friday, in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. The violence surrounding the Friday night coup attempt claimed the lives of 208 government supporters and 24 coup plotters, according to the government. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
10 Things to Know for Thursday - 21 July 2016

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Thursday:

1. CRUZ ANGERS GOP FAITHFUL

Boos fill the convention hall as the one-time presidential candidate finishes his prime-time speech without endorsing Trump.

Servicemen put on a military demonstration during the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Meeting, hosted by Defense Secretary Ash Carter, at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Defense and foreign ministers from more than 30 nations are gathering to plan the next steps in the fight against the Islamic State group and to determine what more they can do as the fights for key cities in Iraq and Syria move forward. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

2. TRUMP AIDE TAKES BLAME FOR CRIBBING MATERIAL

A staff writer at Trump's business says she was the one who lifted several phrases from Michelle Obama that wound up in Melania Trump's speech to the GOP convention.

3. LOUISIANA GUNMAN LEFT BEHIND MANIFESTO

The man who ambushed and killed three law enforcement officers in Baton Rouge described his rampage in the handwritten document as a "necessary evil."

4. TURKEY CLOSING HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS

The continuing crackdown on perceived enemies following a failed coup spurs fears that the Erdogan government is throwing key institutions into disarray.

5. EXPECTED DEFEAT OF ISLAMIC STATE GROUP RAISES QUESTIONS

Defense leaders meeting in Washington express concerns about whether the rest of the world is ready to help rebuild war-torn cities like Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria.

6. WHO'S STILL IN A HOLDING PATTERN

Five years after Atlantis completed the space shuttle program's final voyage, NASA remains at least a year away from launching its astronauts from U.S. soil.

7. WORLD'S LARGEST BEER MAKER GETTING EVEN LARGER

Anheuser-Busch InBev reaches an agreement with the Justice Department that clears the way for U.S. approval of its merger with SABMiller.

8. WHICH OTHER BIG CONVENTION IS BEING HELD THIS WEEK

Hordes of zombies, legions of Stormtroopers and leagues of superheroes gather in San Diego for the pop-culture celebration Comic Con.

9. 'GHOSTBUSTERS' STAR LATEST CELEB TO ABANDON TWITTER

Leslie Jones drops off the social network after becoming the target of a torrent of racist and sexist comments.

10. WHY 'GOLD' MEDAL IS A MISNOMER

The medals given to Olympic champions are actually silver, with a tiny amount of gold plating.

FILE - In this Thursday, March 5, 2015, file photo, Budweiser beer cans are seen at a concession stand at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. Anheuser-Busch InBev, the world's largest beer maker, announced Wednesday, July 20, 2016, that it has reached an agreement with the Justice Department clearing the way for U.S. approval of its acquisition of SABMiller. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
EU police agency warns of extremist threats to Europe

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  The number of people killed in attacks by extremists throughout Europe soared in 2015 from a year earlier, the European Union police agency reported Wednesday as it warned the Islamic State group may "put more emphasis on operations abroad" as a Western military alliance puts it under pressure in Syria and Iraq.

The Europol report painted a worrying picture of an EU assailed by Islamic extremist threats that are unlikely to recede any time soon. It warned that Syrian asylum-seekers could be targeted and swiftly radicalized by IS recruiters while a new generation of fighters is being raised in IS territory in Syria and Iraq.

The report also stated that IS appears to favor attacks against soft targets because they "instill more fear in the general public." That threat was horrifically underscored by the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice, France, that left 84 people dead.

Soldiers patrols on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, southern France, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Joggers, cyclists and sun-seekers are back on Nice's famed Riviera coast, a further sign of normal life returning on the Promenade des Anglais where dozens were killed in last week's Bastille Day truck attack. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

In a move that underscored the swiftly evolving nature of the extremist threat, Europol also issued a separate statement on recent attacks in Nice, Germany and the United States, saying they "highlight the operational difficulties in detecting and disrupting lone actor attacks."

The report (https://www.europol.europa.eu/content/211-terrorist-attacks-carried-out-eu-member-states-2015-new-europol-report-reveals ) was published on the day that senior government officials from the international coalition against IS were due to meet in Washington, D.C., to discuss their campaign.

Compiling data from EU member states, Europol said that in 2015, 151 people died  up from four the previous year  and more than 360 were injured as a result of terrorist attacks in the bloc. All but one of the fatalities was the result of Jihadi attacks, Europol said.

Six EU Member States faced a total of 211 failed, foiled or completed terrorist attacks from Jihad groups and other extremists. Law enforcement officials arrested 1,077 people for terrorism-related offenses.

The report also documented other extremist groups active in the EU including separatists in Spain and Northern Ireland and extreme right-wing groups.

It warned of a potential new wave of fanatics as a result of children of "foreign terrorist fighters living with their parents in IS-held territory.

"IS has often shown that they train these minors to become the next generation of foreign terrorist fighters, which may pose a future security threat," the report said.

While Europol said there was no concrete evidence of foreign fighters systematically sneaking into Europe among the huge flow of refugees in 2015 there is a "real and imminent danger" that members of the Sunni Muslim refugee community will "become vulnerable to radicalization once in Europe, and ... be specifically targeted by Islamist extremist recruiters."

The Hague-based police agency also reported that extremists are increasingly adept at using the internet and social media to spread propaganda, raise funds, potentially carry out cyberattacks and finance their operations by soliciting donations in closed forums and websites and even exploiting crowdfunding sites.

Imams and worshipers held prayers for three of those killed in Thursday's attack, including 4-year-old Kylan Mejri and his mother Olfa Kalfallah, 31, at the ar-Rahma mosque in the eastern suburb of Ariane in Nice, southern France, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Mourners rallied around Kylan's father, Tahar, who spoke of his grief at losing his son and wife in the attack. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

People look at flowers and messages placed along the beach of the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, southern France, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Joggers, cyclists and sun-seekers are back on Nice's famed Riviera coast, a further sign of normal life returning on the Promenade des Anglais where dozens were killed in last week's Bastille Day truck attack. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)
Rights group tells Greece: Stop jailing migrant kids

ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Rights group Human Rights Watch is calling on Greece to immediately end the holding of unaccompanied migrant children in police station cells, saying the country must find space for them in facilities where they can receive adequate care.

HRW in an announcement said a shortage of places in shelters had led to "arbitrary prolonged detention in places unfit for children." The group said that according to Greece's state-run National Center for Social Solidarity, about 18 children were awaiting transfer at police stations, and hundreds were in overcrowded detention camps.

Children as young as 14 were found in police cells according to HRW's Eva Cosse.

"It's a gross indictment of the government's failure to care for these children ... They shouldn't spend even one more day in these awful cells," she told the AP Wednesday.

"In the long term, the government should increase capacity in dedicated shelters for unaccompanied migrant children. But even before that, authorities should put an immediate end to the detention of children in police station cells."

Greece has been the main entry point for hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants heading to Europe.

Under a March agreement between the European Union and Turkey, migrants arriving on Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast are detained and face being deported to Turkey.

More than 8,000 migrants and refugees have been placed under restriction on the islands and listed for potential deportation, while nearly 50,000 others are on the Greek mainland at government-run camps awaiting to be formally granted residence rights in Greece or to be relocated to other EU countries.

Thirty-one percent of the million migrants and refugees who arrived in the EU last year were children, while minors currently make up a quarter of daily asylum applications, according to data gathered by the European Commission

In the announcement published Tuesday, HRW said it had interviewed 11 children who had been detained for as long as two months.

"The children described unsanitary, overcrowded cells, including dirty blankets and bugs, and lack of access to information or services such as counseling and legal aid," the announcement said.

Government officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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The Latest: Erdogan declares 3-month state of emergency

ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  The Latest on the situation in Turkey after the failed military coup last week (all times local):

11:35 p.m.

Turkey's president has declared a three-month state of emergency following a failed coup.

A woman takes part in a pro-government rally in Taksim Square, Istanbul, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. The Turkish government accelerated its crackdown on alleged plotters of the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The rebellion, which saw warplanes firing on key government installations and tanks rolling into major cities, was quashed by loyal government forces and masses of civilians who took to the streets. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that the measure is being taken to counter threats to Turkish democracy and wasn't intended to curb basic freedoms. He spoke after a meeting with Cabinet ministers and top security advisers.

The insurrection by some military units was launched late Friday, but security forces and protesters loyal to the government quashed the rebellion.

Erdogan says the pro-government death toll in the botched coup was 246.

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10:15 p.m.

State-run television in Greece says security checks have been heightened on the island of Symi following reports in the Turkish news media that fugitives from Turkey's armed forces could try to reach the island in the wake of last week's coup attempt.

Citing Greek military sources, ERT reported late Wednesday that police patrols had been increased on the island in the east Aegean Sea, popular with Turkish day trippers. Coast guard patrols in the area were also increased, it said.

Government officials didn't immediately respond to requests to comment on the report.

Eight Turkish military officers flew a helicopter to Greece in the wake of the coup attempt. They were detained and await a court decision on whether they will be extradited to Turkey.

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9:20 p.m.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his government has urged Turkey to respect the rule of law as it moves against alleged plotters of its failed coup.

Trudeau said Wednesday that he has raised his concerns with the Turkish government after the arrests of thousands of soldiers and police officers following the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government.

Trudeau says those who have been arrested should be able to defend themselves in a robust and legitimate process in Turkey.

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8 p.m.

Turkey's state-run news agency says authorities are closing 626 private schools and other establishments following a failed coup attempt, blamed on followers of a U.S.-based Muslim cleric.

Anadolu Agency says the decision was made Wednesday by the Education Ministry and that the schools were under investigation for "crimes against the constitutional order and the running of that order"  without saying the schools are linked to a movement led by the cleric, Fethullah Gulen.

Earlier, media reports said the government, expanding its purge of suspected coup backers, has begun to revoke the licenses of 21,000 teachers at private schools.

Gulen has denied being behind the failed coup.

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7:10 p.m.

Standard & Poor's has downgraded its credit rating for Turkey deeper into "junk" status, citing the failed coup and political turmoil.

The rating agency lowered its main sovereign rating for Turkey to BB/B from BB+/B, both of which are considered junk.

S&P said it expects a period of heightened unpredictability in the country and maintains a negative outlook, which indicates that further downgrades are possible.

It said in a statement issued Wednesday: "The negative outlook reflects our view that Turkey's economic, fiscal, and debt metrics could deteriorate beyond what we expect, if political uncertainty contributed to further weakening in the investment environment."

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6:15 p.m.

The Belgian government has summoned the Turkish ambassador at short notice to come explain comments from the embassy that local authorities have excessively close relations with opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Prime Minister Charles Michel told parliament that he "asked the Turkish ambassador to come this afternoon to foreign affairs office to explain the situation. It is the first step."

He said that "afterward, the government will see what action to take for something which is not acceptable."

The Turkish Embassy accused regional Flemish authorities of having close ties to anti-Erdogan activists, after a failed coup that challenged the president's rule.

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5:45 p.m.

Authorities in northern Greece say eight Turkish military officers seeking asylum here after Turkey's failed coup attempt have been moved to a different police detention site for security reasons.

The officers flew to neighboring Greece in a military helicopter in the wake of Friday's deadly coup attempt, triggering demands for their return from Ankara.

On Wednesday, the eight were moved from a police station near the border town of Alexandroupolis to the northern city of Kavala, 190 kilometers (120 miles) further inland. Members of Greece's small Turkish-speaking minority jeered at the officers when they appeared in court this week in Alexandroupolis and police intervened to hold the crowd back.

They are due appear in court again Thursday. The helicopter has already been returned to Turkey.

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5:10 p.m.

Turkey's state-run news agency says the country's defense ministry has sacked at least 262 military court judges and prosecutors.

Anadolu also says an investigation was launched Wednesday on all military judges and prosecutors as Turkish authorities continued with a crackdown on people suspected of backing a failed military coup, which the government has blamed on a U.S.-based cleric

The government has already sacked tens thousands of judiciary officials, public servants and teachers as part of the crackdown.

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4:50 p.m.

The state-run Anadolu news agency says Istanbul's Eyup district municipality is demolishing a hotel that was allegedly the meeting point of the plotters who planned Friday's failed coup.

The directive to demolish the Halit Pasa Residence was issued on July 18, three days after the failed coup, and approved by the mayor.

The current building and restaurant had been constructed in 1992 on the site of a historic residence but was reportedly built in violation of planning laws. It had been subject to fines and demolition orders since 1993.

Eyup Mayor Remzi Aydin announced they will continue to take action regarding illegal structures in the district.

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3:55 p.m.

Amnesty International says authorities in Turkey are conducting a crackdown of exceptional proportions following the failed coup attempt over the weekend.

Besides tens of thousands of public servants and teachers being dismissed, Amnesty said Wednesday the crackdown has extended to censoring media and journalists, including those critical of the government. It says authorities have blocked access to more than 20 news websites, canceled press cards for 34 journalists, and issued an arrest warrant for one journalist for her coverage of the coup.

The London-based organization also says there are local reports that the licenses of 25 media houses were revoked.

Amnesty called on authorities to protect press freedoms while they investigate the failed coup.

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2:50 p.m.

Turkish media says the government is expanding its purge of suspected coup backers and has begun to revoke the licenses of 21,000 teachers at private schools.

The state-run Anadolu news agency reported the teachers are believed to have ties to U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom the government has accused of being behind the failed military coup last week. Gulen has strongly denied the accusations.

Turkey has already announced the firing of 15,200 teachers at state institutions, demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans and halted all foreign assignments for state-employed academics. In addition, thousands of other state employees have been fired in half a dozen agencies, all accused of being Gulen followers.

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2:20 p.m.

Turkey's state-run media says two Turkish military officers detained for alleged involvement in the thwarted coup have fled from a military hospital in Istanbul where they were being treated.

Turkey's state-run Anadolu news agency reported the infantry captain and a lieutenant are suspected followers of U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has been blamed for the failed uprising by some military units. Gulen has denied all involvement.

The agency did not specify what kind of treatment the officers were receiving at the Gulhane Military Medical Academy.

Turkish police are warning the two officers may be armed and have distributed their photos in hopes they can be captured.

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1:55 p.m.

Turkey's National Security Council is holding an emergency meeting following a coup attempt last week that was derailed by security forces and protesters loyal to the government.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was heading the meeting Wednesday of the council, which is the highest advisory body on security issues. Erdogan has previously said an "important decision" would be announced after the meeting.

The government has detained over 9,000 people and fired tens of thousands of teachers, police and university professors, accusing them of having links to the U.S.-based cleric it blames for Turkey's failed military coup. The cleric has denied any involvement in the attempted coup.

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1:45 p.m.

Access to the Wikileaks website in Turkey has been blocked after the group announced, following a failed coup by Turkish military units, that it would release a trove of documents on the country's power structure.

There was no immediate statement Wednesday from Turkey's Telecommunications Board, a government agency that regulates access to websites.

The Turkish government has previously banned access to websites deemed to be carrying material critical of Turkey, including YouTube and Twitter. Some opposition media websites were blocked following Friday night's coup attempt, which was quashed by security forces loyal to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Wikileaks said on Twitter that Turks who are blocked from accessing its website can "use a proxy or any of our IPs" to get access to the documents on Turkey's ruling party

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1:25 p.m.

The state-run Anadolu news agency reports that Turkey has halted all foreign assignments for academics until further notice.

The Board of Higher Education issued the directive on Wednesday. It states that there will be no new assignments until further notice and that academics currently abroad on assignment will be recalled unless they are obligated to remain there.

A day earlier, the board demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans, suggesting they may have had ties to the plotters behind Turkey's failed military coup last week, which Turkey's government has blamed on a U.S.-based cleric. The Ministry of Education also fired 15,200 teachers on Tuesday for the same reason.

The cleric, Fethullah Gulen, has denied all knowledge of the coup  and has suggested that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government could have staged the coup as a way of consolidating power and eliminating government opponents.

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11:30 a.m.

Days after a failed coup attempt in Turkey, the country's jets carried out cross-border strikes against Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, killing some 20 alleged militants, state media reported Wednesday.

F-16 jets pounded targets belonging to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in Iraq's Hakurk region, Anadolu Agency reported. The Turkish military has been regularly hitting suspected PKK hideouts and position in Iraq since last year, but Wednesday's strikes were the first since the July 15 botched takeover attempt by a faction within the armed forces, in which several F-16 pilots were involved.

Authorities have rounded up close to 9,000 people  including 115 generals, 350 officers and some 4,800 other military personnel  for alleged involvement in the coup attempt.

In addition, tens of thousands of civil service employees, including teachers and police, have also been fired, accused of ties to the plot or suspected of links to a U.S.-based cleric whom authorities accuse of being the behind the plot.

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9:20 a.m.

Turkey's military coup has led to public anger and calls for the government to reinstate capital punishment.

The state-run religious affairs body has also declared that no religious rites would be performed for the coup plotters killed in the uprising.

Capital punishment was abolished in 2004 as part of Turkey's bid to join the European Union, and several European officials have said its reinstatement would be the end of Turkey's attempts to join.

Officials on Wednesday raised the death toll from the violence surrounding the coup attempt to 240 government supporters. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

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9:10 a.m.

Turkey is demanding that Washington extradite Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since the late 1990s and who the government has long accused of being behind a "parallel terrorist organization."

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue in a phone call Tuesday with U.S. President Barack Obama, and his spokesman said the government was preparing a formal extradition request for Gulen.

Gulen has strongly denied the government's charges, suggesting the attempted military coup in Turkey could have been staged as a pretext for the Erdogan government to seize even more power.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says Turkey had submitted materials related to Gulen and the administration was reviewing whether they amounted to a formal extradition request. Earnest added that a decision on whether to extradite would be made under a longstanding treaty between the two countries.

Government supporters wave Turkish flags during a rally in Taksim Square, Istanbul, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. The Turkish government accelerated its crackdown on alleged plotters of the failed coup against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The rebellion, which saw warplanes firing on key government installations and tanks rolling into major cities, was quashed by loyal government forces and masses of civilians who took to the streets.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Government supporters wave Turkish flags and hold a picture of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a rally in Taksim Square, Istanbul, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. The Turkish government accelerated its crackdown on alleged plotters of the failed coup against Erdogan. The rebellion, which saw warplanes firing on key government installations and tanks rolling into major cities, was quashed by loyal government forces and masses of civilians who took to the streets.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
2 North Carolina teens struck by lightning on Florida beach

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP)  Two North Carolina teens were struck by lightning as they walked on a Florida beach.

In a news release, Clearwater police spokesman Rob Shaw says 15-year-old Cameron Poimboeuf and 18-year-old Jansen Tabor were on Sand Key on Tuesday evening when a storm rolled in.

Tabor told police they ran for shelter as rain began falling. Tabor said the next thing he knew, he woke up on the sand after the lightning strike.

Shaw says both victims are being treated at Tampa General Hospital. Tabor, of Matthews, North Carolina, is in good condition. Poimboeuf, of Charlotte, North Carolina, is in critical condition.

Shaw says the younger boy was in Florida visiting his girlfriend's family. Tabor is a family member of the girlfriend.
Man indicted on murder charge in neighbor's machete killing

ALFRED, Maine (AP)  A Maine man accused of using a machete to nearly decapitate a neighbor and burying his body with rotting deer carcasses has been indicted on a murder charge.

The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/29T4cRg ) reports that a York County grand jury indicted 58-year-old Bruce Akers. He has been held without bail since his arrest on June 11.

Defense attorney Robert LaBrasseur says Akers intends to plead not guilty at his next court appearance on Sept. 13.

A police affidavit says Akers called police a day before 55-year-old Douglas Flint was reported missing by his family last month to accuse him of stealing a six-pack of alcoholic beverages.

Akers was charged after police questioned him and found the body of Flint under a pile of rotting dear carcasses.

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Police break up gang producing amphetamines for Sweden

PRAGUE (AP)  Czech police say an international law enforcement team has broken up a gang that allegedly produced amphetamines to distribute on the black market in Sweden.

Police said Wednesday that seven suspected members of the group have been arrested in a joint operation by Czech, Swedish and Hungarian forces. The alleged boss, a Swede of Serbian origin, and two other Swedish nationals of Czech and Hungarian origins, were arrested in Malmo, Sweden.

Four Czech suspects were arrested in the Czech Republic.

A police statement said the ring was estimated to have produced 3.5 metric tons (3.9 tons) of amphetamines in the last five years, enough to meet the demand in Sweden.
Child beheading in Syria triggers backlash against rebels

BEIRUT (AP)  A U.S.-supported Syrian rebel group said Wednesday it will open an investigation into the beheading of a Syrian boy on spy accusations, calling it an "individual mistake" that does not represent the overall policies of the group.

The Nour el-Din al-Zinki group, a relatively moderate group that fights the Syrian government and the Islamic State group, condemned the beheading which was captured on video and triggered an instant backlash against the group.

It is not clear who the boy was or why he was beheaded on camera. He was identified by activists on social media as Mahmoud Issa, a 12-year-old Palestinian. The Syrian government also denounced the "repulsive crime" against an innocent child in a statement to the United Nations, saying the boy was a Palestinian from the Palestinian refugee camp of Handarat on the edge of Aleppo.

The incident allegedly occurred in Handarat, near Aleppo, on Tuesday. A young boy is seen on the back of a pickup truck surrounded by armed men who accuse him of being a spy and a member of the Quds Brigade, a pro-government Palestinian militia. He is then beheaded with a knife by one of them.

The Quds Brigade, in a statement posted on its Facebook page, strongly denied that Issa was a fighter, adding that the boy was ill. It said he was killed by a "terrorist" who lost his brother in battles near Handarat apparently as revenge.

Nour el-Din al-Zinki, in its statement, said it will investigate the incident and expedite punishment. It said everyone involved in the violation was arrested and are being investigated. The group, which operates mainly in Aleppo, has received support in the past from the United States.

Amnesty International said the video is the latest "abhorrent signal" that opposition groups are carrying out serious abuses with impunity.

"This horrific video showing the beheading of a boy suggests some members of armed groups have truly plumbed the depths of depravity. It is yet another gruesome example of the summary killing of captives, which amounts to a war crime," said Philip Luther, Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Program.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he has seen the "appalling report" but could not confirm it happened. "Obviously we're very concerned certainly if it's accurate," he said, adding that if the report is proven it would "give us pause about any assistance or, frankly, any further involvement with this group."

Lebanon's Hezbollah group, whose fighters are in Syria fighting alongside President Bashar Assad's forces against the rebels, also pounced on the beheading. In a statement issued in Beirut, it described the beheading as a "disgusting crime" by "so-called moderate rebels backed by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia."

Meanwhile, the Red Cross said a lack of access is forcing it to scale back its operations aimed at helping tens of thousands of people, mostly women and children, who need "urgent assistance" near Syria's border with Jordan. The Geneva-based organization decried "international failure" to help refugees and others affected by war.

The International Committee for the Red Cross said aid agencies have faced difficultly accessing the border area, known as the "berm" for its earthen mounds, after Jordan closed the border following a car bombing last month that killed seven Jordanian soldiers near the Rukban crossing point.

ICRC Middle East regional director Robert Mardini said, "The crisis at the berm reflects an international failure to protect and help people affected by conflict and who are in desperate need."

Also Wednesday, an explosion struck a building in a southern town in Syria Wednesday, but there was no immediate word on casualties and there were conflicting reports on the cause of the blast.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said an Israeli warplane targeted the building in the town of Baath, on the edge of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, without saying how it knew it was an Israeli warplane. Israeli warplanes and artillery have struck southern Syria in the past, and Hezbollah fighters are believed to operate in the area.

But the Military Media of Hezbollah denied an Israeli airstrike and claimed that the blast was caused by two rockets fired by members of al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria, the Nusra Front.

Later, Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV said Syrian government troops retaliated, hitting a Nusra Front vehicle from which the rockets were fired.

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Deputies: Man shoots son to prevent him from burning house

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  Sheriff's deputies in South Carolina say a man shot and wounded his son to prevent him from burning himself and a home in Columbia.

Multiple media outlets reported that 31-year-old Felton Wayne Swindler doused himself with gasoline and tried to set himself and the house on fire Tuesday morning. Richland County Sheriff's spokeswoman Brittany Scott says Swindler's father shot him to prevent the fires.

Deputies responded to the incident and took Swindler to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
3 men charged in gun shop heist where shots fired at police

MARIETTA, Ga. (AP)  Police say all three suspects in a gun store break-in face charges of aggravated assault on a police officer and armed burglary after shots were fired at an officer during a break-in at a gun shop near Atlanta.

Marietta police say all three men are Bloods gang members and are also charged under Georgia's Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.

Police identified them as 20-year-old Rashad Brewer of Dallas, Georgia; 24-year-old Rashad Kirkland of Union City, Georgia; and 24-year-old Maurice Irwin of Marietta.
The Latest: 3rd officer was wounded when bullet grazed neck

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  The Latest on shootings of six Baton Rouge police officers (all times local):

4:50 p.m.

Baton Rouge authorities have released the name of the third officer who was wounded in a shootout with a gunman who police say ambushed officers.

Former NFL running back Warrick Dunn speaks at a noon vigil organized by municipal court workers in downtown Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in honor of recent slain and injured sheriff deputies and police His mother, Baton Rouge police officer Betty Smothers, was killed during a robbery attempt in 1993, when he was 18. Multiple police officers and sheriff deputies were killed and wounded Sunday morning in a shooting near a gas station in Baton Rouge, less than two weeks after a black man was shot and killed by police here, sparking nightly protests across the city. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

A bullet grazed Cpl. Chad Montgomery's neck on Sunday, according to a list of law enforcement killed and wounded. The list was provided Wednesday by Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden.

Also, an officer was injured during the melee. Cpl. Brandon Hollis tore a ligament in his knee. Police spokesman Sgt. Don Coppola did not have any other details about the injury.

Killed in the shootout were Baton Rouge officers Montrell Jackson and Matthew Gerald. Also killed was East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff's deputy Brad Garafola. Two other sheriff's deputies were wounded in the attack  Nicholas Tullier and Bruce Simmons.

The mayor says Tullier was taken off of life-support machines on Tuesday, but that he was still alive.

4:25 p.m.

The man who killed three Louisiana law enforcement officers purportedly described his actions as a "necessary evil" in a self-described manifesto that an Ohio man says was emailed to him by the gunman less than an hour before the shootings.

The three-page handwritten letter was signed by "Cosmo"  an alias used by Baton Rouge gunman Gavin Long. Photographs of it were attached to an email sent from an address that Long used.

In the manifesto, Long said he expected people who knew him wouldn't believe he would commit "such horrendous acts of violence." But he wrote that he viewed his actions as necessary to "create substantial change within America's police force and judicial system."

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter from Yarima Karama, the Ohio man who said he didn't know Long personally, but received several emails from him after Long began commenting on Karama's YouTube videos in March.

Karama has described himself as a hip-hop artist and community activist.

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4:15 p.m.

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden says he will ask the police department to look at changing protocol when officers respond to complaints involving weapons.

Holden told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he would like to see a supervisor join patrol officers in responding to those calls.

Holden is the middle of a chaotic time for Baton Rouge after two weeks of violence. Protests rocked the city following the July 5 death of a black man during a confrontation with two white police officers. On Sunday, three law enforcement officers were killed in an ambush by a lone gunman from Missouri.

Holden said he was working with the Justice Department to develop new tools to improve relations between the police and the community.

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2:15 p.m.

The mayor of Baton Rouge has signed up to run for a congressional seat as his city is embroiled in the aftermath of a police shooting, protests and the slaying of three officers who were ambushed by a gunman.

Kip Holden, a Democrat who is term-limited as mayor, qualified Wednesday for the 2nd District congressional race, challenging Democratic incumbent Cedric Richmond. The district is Louisiana's only majority black district, representing New Orleans up the Mississippi River to part of Baton Rouge.

Holden didn't speak much about his congressional campaign plans, saying his focus remains squarely on leading Baton Rouge, where three local law enforcement officers were shot and killed this week and three others were wounded by a black man who targeted police.

The shootings came fewer than two weeks after a black man was shot and killed by white police officers, setting off a string of protests around the city.

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7:45 a.m.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office announced on his Twitter site Wednesday the funeral arrangements for Deputy Brad Garafola.

The sheriff's office says visitation will begin at noon Saturday at the Istrouma Baptist Church. Services will start at 2 p.m. There will be no graveside service, but there will be a processional from the church to Greenoaks Funeral Home.

The sheriff's office says the family requests that any flowers or arrangements be delivered to the church Saturday as the facility will not be open prior to that day.

A multi-agency memorial service for the fallen officers and deputy is in the planning stages for later next week.

Garafola and two Baton Rouge police officers were shot and killed Sunday during an ambush.

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2 a.m.

Baton Rouge residents were honoring three slain officers while searching for ways to prevent more violence like the city has endured recently.

Hundreds attended a rally Tuesday night supporting law-enforcement officers at police headquarters, about a mile from where the officers were shot to death Sunday morning.

Just down the street, on a corner across from the police station, black activist Redell Norman and a handful of supporters who have protested the police shooting of Alton Sterling held a smaller demonstration that included Black Lives Matters signs and forms for anyone who wanted to register to vote.

Faith and community leaders, black and white, also gathered at a Baton Rouge church Tuesday to discuss ways to improve police relations with black residents.

People attend a candlelight vigil for Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson, outside Istrouma High School, where he graduated in 2001, in Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Multiple police officers were killed and wounded Sunday morning in a shooting near a gas station in Baton Rouge, less than two weeks after a black man was shot and killed by police here, sparking nightly protests across the city. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

People hold hands in prayer at a candlelight vigil for Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson, outside Istrouma High School, where he graduated in 2001, in Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Multiple police officers were killed and wounded Sunday in a shooting near a gas station in Baton Rouge, less than two weeks after a black man was shot and killed by police here, sparking nightly protests across the city. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

East Baton Rouge Sheriff's deputies release balloons at a noon vigil organized by municipal court workers in downtown Baton Rouge, La., Wednesday, July 20, 2106, in honor of recent slain and injured sheriff deputies and police. Several police officers and sheriff deputies were killed and wounded Sunday morning in a shooting near a gas station in Baton Rouge, less than two weeks after a black man was shot and killed by police here, sparking nightly protests across the city. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Minister James White Sr. hugs a police officer after leading a prayer in front of the Baton Rouge Police headquarters after a "Law Enforcement Support" motorcycle ride in Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, July 19, 2016 . About 300 motorcyclists attended the event. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)

A Baton Rouge police officer gets a thumbs-up as a convoy of about 300 motorcycle riders turn into the Baton Rouge Police headquarters from Airline Highway during a "Law Enforcement Support" ride in Baton Rouge, La., Tuesday, July 19, 2016 . After the ride the bikers gathered in front of the headquarters to praise the law enforcement officers and pray. (AP Photo/Max Becherer)
Oklahoma man walks free after judge tosses murder conviction

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  An Oklahoma judge has vacated the murder conviction of a man who was serving a life sentence for a 1998 killing after a key witness said she gave false testimony out of fear for her life.

Oklahoma County District Judge Timothy Henderson vacated the conviction of 34-year-old Salaam Moore, who was released from custody Monday night 17 years after authorities opened the case. Moore's attorneys had argued there was no physical evidence linking him to the death of Phillip Gonzales.

At trial, prosecutors argued that Moore shot and wounded a woman named Doris Wright and killed Gonzales in a drug dispute in an Oklahoma City neighborhood. Moore was convicted in 2001 of shooting with intent to kill and first-degree murder, based primarily on Wright's testimony.

Salaam Moore, left, looks at a page his fiancee, Lola Gaines, right, shows him on her phone at their home in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Moore was convicted of murder in 2001, and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, but the case was dismissed, all charges vacated, and he was released Monday, July 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Moore on Wednesday told The Associated Press that hearing Wright's initial testimony was "heartbreaking." He knew Wright well before his conviction and loved her like an aunt, he said.

"I'm not holding no grudges or nothing like that," Moore said. "Just let her know that if she thinks I'm going to hold grudges or if she feels like I hold something against her, that's not the case."

Shortly after the shooting, Wright declined to tell investigators who shot her and killed Gonzales, saying she did not know, according to court documents. A few weeks after her release from the hospital, she testified that a conversation she had with Moore after the shooting led her to believe he was the one responsible.

But Wright later recanted her testimony, resulting Monday in prosecutors agreeing to dismiss the case.

"Mr. Moore did not commit these crimes, and he is innocent and wrongfully incarcerated at this time," Wright said in an affidavit. "I testified that Mr. Moore committed the crimes ... because I was afraid for my life if I told the truth."

In March, Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater had questioned whether Wright was being truthful and asked the court to set a hearing to determine whether her statement was reliable.

"Obviously, if these statements are true and had been presented at trial, there is a reasonable probability that the information in the affidavit would have resulted in a different outcome at trial," Prater said in a request for the hearing. "However, the State has grave doubts as to the veracity of these statements."

Prater did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

Moore conducted a 17-year legal battle to challenge his conviction, attempting several unsuccessful appeals. His attorney hired a private investigator to locate Wright, which led to her eventual testimony that absolved Moore of any role in the shooting.

"For the guys out there wrongfully convicted that know they're innocent, keep the faith," Moore said. "Don't give up. Never give up."
Company indicted over circus tent collapse that killed 2

LANCASTER, N.H. (AP)  A circus company faces several charges following a tent collapse last year in New Hampshire that killed a man and his 6-year-old daughter.

The Caledonian Record reports (http://bit.ly/2a8sIfl) that a Coos County grand jury returned an indictment Friday with one felony and seven misdemeanors against Walker International Events, of Sarasota, Florida.

County Attorney John McCormick says the felony accuses Walker of failing to obtain a permit before setting up the tent. The misdemeanors deal with fire and building code and reckless conduct allegations.

McCormick says Walker could face sanctions. Its phone number is disconnected.

Forty-one-year-old Robert Young and daughter Annabelle, of Concord, Vermont, died Aug. 3 when a storm blew through the Lancaster fairgrounds, toppling the tent after about 100 people settled in for a show. Fifty people were injured.

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Hating on Hillary: Republican convention down and dirty

CLEVELAND (AP)  Liar. Garbage. Lock her up.

Republicans at their national convention are putting Hillary Clinton on mock trial, declaring her guilty and issuing sentences that include death by firing squad, in a remarkable display of political rhetoric gone wild. Even some Clinton haters say the vitriol has gone too far.

The focus on Clinton has sometimes upstaged what's supposed to be a weeklong celebration and promotion of Donald Trump. Instead of extolling the virtues of their nominee, Republicans have turned to increasingly crass slurs against his opponent.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during the second day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

One GOP delegate and adviser to Trump on veteran's issues, Al Baldasaro, took it a step further than the rest. He dubbed her a "piece of garbage" and suggested a punishment for alleged inaction during the 2012 Benghazi, Libya, attacks that left four Americans dead.

"Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason," the New Hampshire state lawmaker said in a radio interview Tuesday.

Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said Trump and his campaign don't agree with Baldasaro's comment. The U.S. Secret Service said it was investigating.

On the streets of Cleveland, demeaning buttons for sale say "Life's a Bitch  Don't Elect One" and "Trump vs. Tramp." Others have been even harsher and more vulgar, with crude references to parts of Clinton's body.

Tony Ensminger, a 63-year-old selling buttons outside the arena, insisted "this was mild" compared to what Democrats said about former President George W. Bush.

Visceral disdain for Clinton has been palpable all week on the convention floor, where the go-to chant is "Lock her up." One former GOP presidential candidate, Ben Carson, drew a connection between Clinton and Lucifer, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said scandals follow Clinton and her husband "like flies."

It's no surprise that Republicans are emphasizing Clinton's weaknesses more than Trump's strengths. The GOP's strategy for winning in November rests in part on the hope that voters dislike the Democrat more than the Republican.

Fifty-seven percent of Americans in a July Associated Press-GfK poll said they viewed Clinton unfavorably, as did 64 percent of independents who don't lean toward either party. Slightly more, 63 percent overall, viewed Trump unfavorably; 62 percent of independents.

It's those independents that Trump's campaign hopes it can peel off  if it can keep up a steady drumbeat of negativity about Clinton. Three-quarters of voters in the poll said their pick for president is motivated by a desire to cast their ballot against either Clinton or Trump.

Still, the criticism has triggered a backlash from some Republicans who say it's beyond the pale.

Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake, a Trump critic who's skipping the GOP convention, tweeted that Republicans "can make the case that she shouldn't be elected without jumping the shark." And Bill Pickle, a South Carolina delegate and talk radio host, said those doing the name-calling "sound and act like demons."

"I personally hate  I mean hate  all of the negativity," Pickle said. "What happened to professionalism, manners and humanity in our politicians and citizens?"

But most Republicans seem unperturbed. Wisconsin delegate Jim Geldreich said the stay-on-offense strategy was spot-on.

Clinton, meanwhile, has sought to use the negativity to her advantage. She sent out yet another fundraising appeal Wednesday night based on events at the convention, saying, "It's important to call out what we're seeing: What's happening at the convention is not normal and not acceptable."

Does it matter that this is the first time a major party is picking a woman to be its nominee? Johnny McMahan, 65, a GOP delegate from Arkansas, said he had no problem with a woman being president but some of his friends felt differently.

"They say women are too emotional to be president," McMahan said.

Though assailing the opposing candidate is standard fare at political conventions, this year the attacks have transcended policy positions and become intimately personal. The relentless spotlight on an opponent's supposed criminality is another departure.

Republicans maintain Clinton broke the law by sending classified information on her private email server.

Trump's campaign has worked to sow distrust by using vague insinuations against Clinton that are hard to prove or disprove.

On Wednesday, Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort mused that Attorney General Loretta Lynch had "probably" given special information to Bill Clinton that helped his wife avoid criminal charges, during a brief airport meeting that Lynch has acknowledged was a mistake. He said the "Lock her up!" chant punctuating speeches at the conventions "probably reflects the attitude of a lot of people in America."

"They don't understand why justice wasn't done," he said.

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AP Polling Director Emily Swanson contributed to this report, along with AP writers Sam Hananel and Alicia A. Caldwell in Washington, Steve Peoples and Jill Colvin in Cleveland and Meg Kinnard in Columbia, South Carolina.

New Jersey delegates cheer as New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks during the second day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Court: Romania's constitution can be changed on marriage law

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP)  Romania's Constitutional Court on Wednesday ruled that a request from an anti-gay group to change the constitution to state that marriage is a union between a man and a woman is constitutional.

The court's ruling paves the way for Romania's Parliament to vote to change the constitution, last revised in 2003, which now says marriage is between "partners" without specifying gender. Any change would need to be approved by two-thirds of lawmakers.

Gay rights groups protested the ruling, and dozens later protested in downtown Bucharest.

FILE- In this Saturday, June 25, 2016 file photo, men cover their faces with rainbow flags during a gay pride parade in Bucharest, Romania. Romania's Constitutional Court has ruled that a request from an anti-gay group to change the constitution to state that marriage is a union between a man and a woman is constitutional. The court's ruling Wednesday, July 20, 2016 paves the way for Romania's Parliament to vote to change the constitution, last revised in 2003, which now says marriage is between "partners" without specifying gender. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)

Protesters held banners saying "Love above Dogma" and "Love is not a sin" printed on a background of rainbow hearts and shouted "Equal rights."

Police later took the personal details of people taking part in the rally and journalists, because the rally wasn't authorized by city hall.

MozaiQ, which supports gay rights, said the court ruling will "restrict the definition of the family to the nuclear one and outlaws any possibility of legalizing marriage between people of the same sex."
Fees are going up at the Gettysburg National Military Park

GETTYSBURG, Pa. (AP)  It will cost more to visit exhibits surrounding the hallowed ground of Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania.

The National Park Service has approved higher fees to experience the museum, film and cyclorama, a 360-degree canvas depicting the dramatic Union Army stand against the Confederate troops on the final day of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg.

Visitors age 13 and older will pay $15 instead of $12.50, beginning in January. The last fee increase was in 2012.

The park service says it expects to continue to work collaboratively for the long-term financial sustainability of the exhibits. There is no entrance fee for the park itself.
The Latest: Arrestee involved in original flag burning case

CLEVELAND (AP)  The Latest on demonstrations and gatherings outside the Republican National Convention (all times local):

8:30 p.m.

The man whose three-decade-old protest led to a U.S. Supreme Court decision finding flag burning constitutional was arrested for burning a flag at the Republican National Convention.

A law enforcement officer tries extinguish a burning American flag, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Gregory "Joey" Johnson was one of 17 people arrested Wednesday during the protest near the arena housing the convention.

His arrest was confirmed by Cleveland defense attorney Terry Gilbert and Revolution Books of Cleveland, a group issued permits for protests during the convention.

Police did not identify any of those arrested Wednesday.

Preliminary charges included failure to disperse and assault on a police officer.

Johnson was the defendant in the case that led to the 1989 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled flag-burning constitutional.

The case dated to Johnson's burning of a flag outside the Republican National Convention in Dallas in 1984.

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7:45 p.m.

Police say 17 people have been arrested during a chaotic protest outside the arena housing the Republican National Convention.

Cleveland police Calvin Williams said Wednesday night that brings the total to 22 people arrested during the convention, including the previous weekend.

Williams said no pepper spray was used. He says police had fire extinguishers during the event in which a flag was burned in protest.

Williams says 15 people were arrested on charges of failing to disperse and two were arrested on charge of felonious assault on a police officer because of minor injuries to a Cleveland police supervisor and a member of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Williams said an individual whose pants were on fire got defensive when an officer tried to extinguish the blaze and assaulted the officer.

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5:50 p.m.

Cleveland police say about a dozen people have been taken into custody and will be arrested following a chaotic protest near the arena housing the Republican National Convention.

Lt. Michael Butler of the Cleveland Police Department said Wednesday that charges were pending for between 10 and 16 people.

Butler says the individuals are being held in jail vans while police identify and photograph each one, speak to the arresting officers and take a short narrative of what happened.

He says those in custody will be formally booked at a city booking center.

The arrests happened as a protest group tried to burn a flag near Quicken Loans Arena.

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5:45 p.m.

Cleveland police say two officers suffered minor injuries when they were assaulted during a chaotic protest centered on a flag burning near the arena housing the Republican National Convention.

Police issued a dispersal order for everyone, including reporters Wednesday in the area around Quicken Loans Arena.

The protests briefly made it difficult for convention delegates and reporters to enter the arena.

Multiple people with their hands cuffed behind them were detained by police.

Carl Dix of the Revolutionary Communist Party, which organized the flag burning, says the group hoped to conduct the event as a political statement quickly before police came.

Police say the flag was extinguished and taken away.

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5 p.m.

Chaotic protests around the arena housing the Republican National Convention are making it difficult for some delegates to get inside.

Police officers told delegates Wednesday to line up on a yellow line in the street and ordered all others to leave the area.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams was one of several officers checking delegates' credentials before letting them through a barrier created by bicycle officers.

The problems for delegates came several minutes after multiple people with their hands cuffed behind them were detained by police in the most chaotic protest to hit the convention.

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4:30 p.m.

Multiple people with their hands cuffed behind them have been detained by police in the most chaotic protest to hit the National Republican Convention.

As a protest group tried to burn an American flag near Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday, and police had to use a fire extinguisher when an individual's pants caught fire.

Police yelled to people to move back as the flag burning group locked arms.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams was one of several officers in the middle of the crowd trying to keep people controlled.

Police wearing riot helmets arrived on the scene and police horses were being used to create a path to a van for people being detained.

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This story has been corrected to show protests were Wednesday, not Thursday, and to show police say that a fire extinguisher was used, not pepper spray.

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3:45 p.m.

Afternoon crowds are a little thinner in Cleveland's Public Square as protests continue during the Republican National Convention.

Pockets of people spread around the square promoting various causes Wednesday contributed to a carnival-like atmosphere.

One group draped banners along the ground with photos of people killed by those entering the country illegally.

Nearby, a group assembled a mosaic of white on black cards with words and phrases meant to underscore unity and tolerance.

Two women kissed in front of a group saying gay people were going to hell.

Warm temperatures in the low 80s may be playing a role in keeping people away.

Overhead shots from the Cleveland police helicopter broadcast over Periscope showed sparse crowds.

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11:45 a.m.

A small group protesting Donald Trump's plan to build a wall between the U.S. and Mexico is making its own wall in downtown Cleveland.

Two dozen protesters wearing canvas sheets formed a wall Wednesday in Cleveland's Public Square, which is a few blocks from where the Republican National Convention is being held.

Others held a banner saying, "Wall Off Trump."

There were no signs of trouble. On Tuesday, skirmishes broke out among demonstrators.

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11:30 a.m.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams says that he's "still a police officer" when asked why he waded into a confrontation involving a right-wing radio talk show personality who showed up Tuesday afternoon with a bullhorn at the city's Public Square hoping to speak.

Williams ended the melee by grabbing Alex Jones by the arm and hustling him away from the square. A short time later, Williams confronted a group of what he called "hooligans" who marched onto the square dressed as anarchists and gave them an "ultimatum" to get off the streets.

The 52-year-old Williams said at a Wednesday morning news briefing that he spent three hours Tuesday evening riding with bicycle officers as they patrolled downtown.

Williams says he plans to show up wherever there are "issues" in Cleveland during the convention.

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10:40 a.m.

Health officials say no additional people have shown norovirus symptoms after members of the support team for the California delegation to the Republican National Convention got sick.

The health commissioner for Ohio's Erie County said Wednesday that the 11 people who fell ill are recovering and taking precautions not to spread norovirus, or what's commonly known as stomach flu. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

The symptoms were first reported July 14 as logistics members arrived at a hotel about an hour west of Cleveland.

Health officials are still trying to identify the source. Norovirus can be contracted from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

The health commissioner says officials are working to prevent any sick people from getting on planes.

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12:20 a.m.

A threatened flag burning and a wall-building stunt mocking Donald Trump's Mexican border plan have potential to fuel already bubbling tensions outside the Republican National Convention.

Anti-government and anti-racism protesters are set to burn an American flag Wednesday at an undisclosed location.

A Latino social justice organization is holding an exercise on the city's Public Square to "wall off" what they see as Trump's hateful rhetoric.

Other protests are also planned.

Several protests Tuesday erupted into skirmishes and marchers tried to push their way into blocked off downtown streets.

Officers used bicycles to wall-off intersections and for the first time during the convention ordered demonstrators to disperse under the threat of arrest.

Protesters burn an American flag during demonstration, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

A law enforcement officer separates protesters, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Members of the California Highway Patrol stand watch during a protest at Public Square on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Members of the California Highway Patrol stand watch at Public Square on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Expect focus on small business to grow in presidential race

NEW YORK (AP)  Expect more talk about small business issues like taxes and regulations as the post-convention presidential campaigns intensify, with Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton trying to woo entrepreneurs and show they know what company owners need.

It's a perennial issue the way education and jobs are  part of the rhetoric designed to appeal to voters' emotions, says David Primo, a professor of political science and business administration at the University of Rochester.

"No one's against small business," Primo says.

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016, file photo, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with Elaine Chiechon while visiting the Chez Vachon restaurant in Manchester, N.H. Small business issues like taxes and regulations are expected to get more attention in the presidential race after the formal nominations as the post-convention campaigns intensify. Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton have different takes on what small business needs as they make their appeal to company owners. But an expert says that like many Americans, owners are likely to vote based on how they feel about the two candidates. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

The two candidates, as expected, have different takes on how to help small businesses. Delegates to the nominating conventions have many global and national issues on their minds as well. And it's difficult to tell if owners might be swayed, positively or negatively, by Trump's business record or Clinton's lack of private enterprise experience.

More than on the nitty-gritty of campaign platforms, small business owners  like many Americans  may be likely to vote based on how they feel about the two candidates.

A look at what the candidates and some delegates are saying:

WHAT DELEGATES WANT

Delegates to both conventions are interested in social issues, national security and other matters as much as small business concerns.

"I'm going (to the convention) as an American. I care deeply about our country and I'm concerned about my children, and grandchildren as they grow up," says John Dinkel, a Republican convention alternate delegate and part-owner of Dinkel Implement Co., a farm and heavy equipment dealer.

But Dinkel, whose company is located in Norfolk, Nebraska, is also concerned about issues like regulation  a topic the candidate's son, Donald Trump Jr., mentioned briefly in his speech Tuesday.

"Why should we work our butts off as small business people when we're going to have tons of regulations dumped on us? It wears on us after a while," he says.

Half of owners surveyed in April for the National Small Business Association, an advocacy group, said they're affiliated with the Republican Party, while 21 percent said they identify with the Democrats, 19 percent call themselves independents and the remainder were split among other parties or did not answer. Nearly half said they believe Republicans best represent their companies, but less than a quarter said they vote a straight party line.

Christine Chin Ryan, a delegate to the Democratic convention, wants to discuss issues in the Asian and Pacific Islander population, but also plans to attend meetings on small business and speak with party officials about entrepreneurial concerns.

"I want to make contact at the convention with people who potentially would be in the administration when (Clinton) wins," says Chin, president of Synergy Consulting, a technology advisory business based in Portland, Oregon. "I want to be able to contact them and say, 'Hey, what are your plans for small businesses?'"

THE PLATFORMS

Trump's positions on taxes, regulations and energy talk about undoing Obama administration policies. Clinton speaks about making it easier for small businesses to get financing, and the need to build on the status quo to help companies grow.

Her statements focus on the need for investment, particularly for businesses owned by minorities and women. She says she plans to help these owners get financing and training, and for incubators to be created in underserved areas. She's proposing tax credits to bring private investment and jobs to communities with high rates of poverty and unemployment.

Clinton also says she'll start a nationwide effort to cut regulations at all levels of government, and help businesses comply with the rules. She proposes what she calls strategic tax relief for small businesses, not large corporations. She doesn't provide a target percentage for cutting taxes, but she does say she'd simplifying tax filing procedures. She supports President Barack Obama's health care overhaul.

The proposals on Trump's website generally don't mention small business by name, but they do target some owners' concerns. He supports lowering the tax on business income for all companies to 15 percent. Under current law, depending on the type of business, income can be taxed between 10 percent and nearly 40 percent. Trump supports repealing the health care law, and wants trade agreements toughened to give the U.S. more benefits.

He also wants to restart the Keystone XL oil pipeline project that Obama has rejected, which was projected to provide some business for construction firms and other small companies. Trump also says he'd eliminate federal regulations that restrict domestic oil production.

"Any regulation that is outdated, unnecessary, bad for workers or contrary to national interested will be scrapped," his website promises.

THE CANDIDATES' EXPERIENCE

Trump's business record has been cited by both his backers and his opponents. Supporters applaud his successes and point to his wealth as evidence that he's a capable manager. Detractors say the fact that some casinos bearing his name have landed in bankruptcy casts doubt on his business ability.

Clinton talks about being the daughter of a small business owner; her father ran a printing company in Chicago. She says she'll build on the record of her husband Bill Clinton's administration in helping small businesses get financing.

Clinton must appeal to small business owners even as she is seen as pro-labor, says Timothy Hagle, a political science professor at the University of Iowa. Like other Democrats, she's likely to focus on small business issues when she's speaking to groups of owners, and about labor issues and the minimum wage when she's speaking to union members, he says.

THE INTANGIBLES

Trump's in-your-face personality may appeal to some business owners, Hagle says. "One of the reasons why Trump is liked by a lot of people is that willingness to fight," he says.

But it's how owners feel about the candidates' ability to be president in all regards, not just when it comes to small business, that will determine their choices, says Primo, the University of Rochester professor.

"A vast majority of voters trust their gut," he says.

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Follow Joyce Rosenberg at www.twitter.com/JoyceMRosenberg . Her work can be found here: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/joyce-m-rosenberg
Albanian parties finally agree on judicial package reform

TIRANA, Albania (AP)  Responding to international pressure, Albania's main opposition Democratic Party agreed Wednesday to accept the final draft of a judicial reform package, considered key to convincing the European Union to launch membership negotiations with the Balkan country.

Albania, already a member of NATO, has been working to reform its judicial system, which has been criticized as corrupt and lacking professionalism. Changes being sought in the reform package include checking the incomes and property holdings of judges and prosecutors, a step seen as helping to root out bribery.

Following a letter from the EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn on remaining issues, Prime Minister Edi Rama of the ruling Socialist Party and Democrats' leader Lulzim Basha confirmed their disagreement was resolved and the draft would be passed on Thursday.

Albania's main opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha speaks at a news conference to confirm they have agreed with the draft of the judiciary reform package, in Tirana, Wednesday, July 20, 2016 International pressure has convinced Albanias main opposition Democratic Party to accept the final draft of a judicial reform package, considered fundamental to convincing the European Union to launch membership negotiations with the Balkan country. (AP Photo/Hektor Pustina)

Hailing their response, Hahn tweeted: "This agreement shows leadership and responsibility for Albania on its EU path."

Basha also spoke with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to confirm his party's approval of the draft.

The opposition's response, however, did not please Washington, a key player in the process.

The U.S. embassy in Tirana said it was continuing talks with both sides "to bring them back to support for the hybrid proposal discussed by Assistant Secretary (Victoria) Nuland" who visited Tirana earlier this month. Details of the contested issues are not available.

Later in the evening, the embassy said it was disappointed accusing the opposition's leadership of blocking the reform with a new demand.

"This latest development forces us to conclude this is an intentional effort by the leader of the opposition to block this reform," said a statement, adding a call "upon the individual members of parliament to pass this reform on July 21."

The 18-month-old reform effort has been the main focus of talks of many Western diplomats, including Merkel, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini and others, who visited Tirana this year.

The draft has been prepared by local, EU and U.S. experts and it has also been reviewed by the Venice Commission, a body of legal experts with the Council of Europe.

The Thursday vote is designed to allow the European Commission to decide whether full membership negotiations can begin this year.
Enbridge reaches $176M agreement for 2010 Michigan oil spill

Enbridge Energy Partners has reached a $176 million settlement for the costliest inland oil spill in U.S. history  a pipeline rupture in southwestern Michigan that polluted a nearly 40-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River, federal officials said Wednesday.

The agreement between U.S. government agencies and the Canadian company concluded years of negotiations following the release of at least 843,000 gallons of heavy crude in July 2010. In addition to a $61 million penalty, the deal requires spending on measures to prevent future spills, detect leaks and prepare for emergencies across Enbridge's Lakehead network, a web of 14 pipelines extending more than 2,000 miles across seven states.

Particular scrutiny was required for twin underwater pipelines that cross the Straits of Mackinac, the waterway linking Lakes Huron and Michigan in northern Michigan. The agreement does not call for shutting down those lines, as demanded by environmental activists who described the settlement as a wrist slap. Officials with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency who negotiated the deal said they didn't have the authority to require that.

FILE - In this July 29, 2010 file photo, a worker monitors the water in Talmadge Creek in Marshall Township, Mich., near the Kalamazoo River as oil from a ruptured pipeline, owned by Enbridge Inc, is vacuumed out the water. Enbridge Energy Partners will pay a $61 million penalty for the costliest inland oil spill in U.S. history under an agreement with federal officials. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced the settlement Wednesday, July 20, 2016. It involves a 2010 pipeline rupture near Marshall that released an estimated 843,000 gallons of crude oil. A nearly 40-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River was polluted as shoreline residents fled their homes.(AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

Additionally, Enbridge pledged to replace 300 miles of a pipeline, pay $1 million for a separate 2010 spill in Romeoville, Illinois, and hire an independent auditor to make sure the company complies with the deal.

The penalty is the largest ever assessed for violations of the federal Clean Water Act except those stemming from the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico six years ago, said John Cruden, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's environment and natural resources division.

"We think these very strong measures will go a long way to make sure this kind of disaster will not happen again," said Cynthia Giles, the EPA's assistant administrator for enforcement.

The settlement adds to the expenses Enbridge has incurred for the spill near Marshall, Michigan, which oozed into Talmadge Creek and then the Kalamazoo River. It damaged shorelines and wetlands, prompted an evacuation warning for some riverfront residents and harmed thousands of animals, birds and fish.

The Calgary, Alberta-based company has paid $1.2 billion for cleanup and environmental restoration, which was completed in 2014. It reached a $75 million deal with the state last year and bought 154 residences in the affected area. Company officials said the stepped-up inspections and spill prevention action under the federal settlement will cost an additional $110 million. A $5.4 million payment will reimburse federal costs and resolve Enbridge's liability under the Oil Pollution Act.

Enbridge's reputation also suffered. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board found that instrument tests had signaled the pipeline's degraded condition five years before the spill, but no one dug up the line for a closer look.

As oil oozed into the waterways, control center personnel in Canada misinterpreted alarms and made things worse by pumping even more oil into the line, investigators said. It took 17 hours for the company to realize what was happening.

"The experience, which has been very humbling, has made us a better organization today, and we're more focused than ever on ensuring the safety and reliability of our systems," said Brad Shamla, Enbridge's vice president for U.S. operations.

The volume of oil released is in dispute. Enbridge puts the total at 843,000 gallons, while EPA contends it exceeded 1 million gallons, EPA spokesman Peter Cassell said.

Enbridge has replaced the ruptured line, known as 6B, which begins in Griffith, Indiana, crosses southern Michigan and ends in Sarnia, Ontario. Under the settlement, it also will replace nearly 300 miles of Line 3 between Neche, North Dakota, and Superior, Wisconsin.

The company agreed to continue mechanical inspections of pipeline interiors and abide by prescribed timelines for excavations and repairs. Measures for the Straits of Mackinac pipelines include quarterly inspections using an acoustic leak detection tool, installation of pipeline supports and a study of whether the lines have moved since their 1953 installation. A study will consider adding an alternative leak detection system there.

Fourteen remotely controlled oil-flow valves will be replaced across the Lakehead network and new leak-spotting equipment added. Enbridge will undergo four training exercises to prepare for a major inland spill, plus smaller-scale sessions with first responders elsewhere, while keeping emergency equipment on hand.

Shamla said Enbridge has spent $5 billion on maintenance, inspection and leak detection since the Michigan spill. The company has added control center staff and conducted nearly 1,600 in-house exercises, drills and deployment simulations.

"Most importantly, our safety culture has changed," Shamla said, acknowledging earlier shortcomings that Giles of EPA described as "an incredibly serious problem, as I think the size of this agreement and the stringency of the provisions make clear."

"Enbridge is appropriately paying a heavy penalty for those failures," Giles said.

The agreement was filed with the U.S. District Court for Michigan's Western District. After a 30-day public comment period, a judge will decide whether to accept it.

Environmental groups said they weren't reassured by the Line 5 protections in the deal and noted that it levied no criminal charges for the Kalamazoo River spill.

"Woefully insufficient," said Collin O'Mara, president of the National Wildlife Federation. For a company that reported a $937 million profit in the first quarter of this year, the financial penalty and pledges to do "basic inspections and maintenance could be merely considered a cost of doing business, rather than a true deterrent to prevent negligent oil disasters that devastate our communities, contaminate our drinking water and threaten America's fish and wildlife," he said.

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Flesher reported from Traverse City, Michigan.

FILE- In a July 13, 2011 file photo, cleanup work continues on the Kalamzoo River almost a year after a spill near Marshall, Mich. Enbridge Energy Partners will pay a $61 million penalty for the costliest inland oil spill in U.S. history under an agreement with federal officials. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced the settlement Wednesday, July 20, 2016. It involves a 2010 pipeline rupture near Marshall, Michigan, that released an estimated 843,000 gallons of crude oil. A nearly 40-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River was polluted as shoreline residents fled their homes. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond, FILE)

People hold examples of an oil boom used to help contain the Enbridge oil spill during a news conference in Marshall, Mich., Wednesday, July 20, 2016 in Marshall, Mich. Enbridge Energy Partners has reached a $176 million settlement for the costliest inland oil spill in U.S. history  a pipeline rupture in southwestern Michigan that polluted a nearly 40-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River, federal officials said Wednesday. (Chelsea Purgahn/Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group via AP)

Patrick Miles, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, speaks at a news conference in Marshall, Mich., Wednesday, July 20, 2016 in Marshall, Mich. Enbridge Energy Partners has reached a $176 million settlement for the costliest inland oil spill in U.S. history  a pipeline rupture in southwestern Michigan that polluted a nearly 40-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River, federal officials said Wednesday. (Chelsea Purgahn/Kalamazoo Gazette-MLive Media Group via AP)
Israel renews ties with largely Muslim nation Guinea

JOHANNESBURG (AP)  Israel said Wednesday it has renewed diplomatic ties with the largely Muslim African country of Guinea, the latest step in Israel's courtship of the continent, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expected another nation to soon follow suit.

Israel's foreign ministry announced that the countries restored ties after 49 years. The director of Israel's foreign ministry, Dore Gold, signed an agreement in Paris with the chief of staff of Guinea's presidential office, Ibrahim Khalil Kaba.

The news comes after Netanyahu's four-nation Africa tour this month. It was the first visit to sub-Saharan Africa by a sitting Israeli prime minister in nearly three decades.

"This is part of a process that is gaining momentum, and it is very important. It is opening Israel up to Africa," Netanyahu said in a statement.

Israel is pursuing closer security and other ties with Africa, and it wants African states to support it at the United Nations, where the Palestinians were recognized as a non-member observer state in 2012.

The new agreement says Guinea was the first country to cut ties with Israel after the 1967 Mideast war, when Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip from its Arab foes.

It also says Guinea and Israel have had friendly relations even in the absence of diplomatic ties. Israel took part in the international effort to halt the recent Ebola virus outbreak, which hit the West African country hard.

Israel said the number of African countries with which it doesn't have diplomatic ties is shrinking, and it hopes others will follow Guinea's example.

Israel's foreign ministry lists several Muslim or largely Muslim countries that have no current ties with it. Many are in northern and West Africa.

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NYPD: Shots fired at someone else miss nearby officers

NEW YORK (AP)  New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton says shots being fired at someone else missed two nearby police officers in Brooklyn.

The Sergeants Benevolent Association initially said four males drove past the officers Tuesday night and fired before fleeing.

Bratton said Wednesday that investigators reviewed video and determined that someone else was the intended target.
Birbiglia gives improv its first close-up on the big screen

NEW YORK (AP)  Good improv is like a magic act, conjured out of thin air. A handful of people step onto the stage with nothing prepared, and  poof!  an hour of laughs tumbles forth from unpredictable, off-the-cuff scenarios.

No other type of comedy has grown more in the last decade, and now, the burgeoning scene has its first movie. Mike Birbiglia's "Don't Think Twice" lovingly dramatizes the communal but competitive lives of a fictional improv troupe, one whose members bob and weave like featherweight boxers on stage and off it navigate painfully disparate opportunities in show business.

"One night my wife said to me after an improv show: Everyone's kind of equally talented but that person's on 'SNL' and that person's a movie star and that person lives on an air mattress in Queens," Birbiglia says in an interview. "That really knocked me out. In some ways, improv is this great metaphor for life. Life isn't fair."

In this image released by TFA, Tami Sagher, from left, Gillian Jacobs, Keegan-Michael Key. Mike Birbiglia, Chris Gethard and Kate Micucci appear in a scene from, "Don't Think Twice." Mike Birbiglia's "Don't Think Twice" lovingly dramatizes the communal but competitive lives of a fictional improv troupe, one whose members bob and weave like featherweight boxers on stage and off it navigate painfully disparate opportunities in show business. (Jon Pack/TFA via AP)

Birbiglia started in improv and still frequently performs it. But he found his footing in stand-up and one-man, off-Broadway shows that marry comedy and storytelling. After his first directorial effort, "Sleepwalk With Me" (adapted from one of those shows), he became interested in a story about the close-knit friendship of a troupe predicated on supporting each other, even while jealousies fester.

"Yes, and..."  to positively contribute to a fellow performer's ad lib  is the foundational principle of long-form improvisation comedy, as passed down from guru Del Close. It's taught in improv hubs like the UCB Theatre, Second City and the Groundlings, not to mention more than a hundred other theaters that have sprung up nationwide in the last decade.

For his fictional troupe, the Commune, Birbiglia assembled a group of veteran players from such theaters (Keegan-Michael Key, Chris Gethard, Tami Sagher) and actors less practiced in the comic form (Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci). Performance scenes, shot fluidly like a fight sequence, were part scripted, part improvised. Before shooting, they gathered for two weeks for an improv boot camp and put on a handful of shows.

"Trial-by-fire improv," Jacobs, the "Community" and "Love" star, calls the training. "It was very intimidating. I was very nervous before we started shooting because not only am I supposed to be OK at it, I'm supposed to be really good."

The top improv theaters and schools have become breading grounds for much higher-paying, higher-profile gigs on network TV and in films. "Saturday Night Live," in particular, looms large. As much as improv is built on positive reinforcement among performers, everyone is also trying to build a solo career.

The story line of "Don't Think Twice" resonated especially for Gethard, who performed in the celebrated improv troupe The Stepfathers along with Bobby Moynihan (now on "SNL") and Zach Woods ("Silicon Valley," ''Ghostbusters"). For Gethard, the film was like reliving 2007-2009, when the break many expected for him didn't come.

"In comedy, there really are only so many jobs. And not everyone gets to have one of those jobs," Gethard says. "In New York, 'SNL' is absolutely one of those gigs that when you're starting out as a comedian in the trenches, everyone kind of has it in the back of their minds. It's right down the street. If you're at UCB, you're 20 blocks away from Rockefeller Center."

The tantalizing nearness of such breaks is something "Don't Think Twice" delves into most movingly through Jacobs' character. An audition for an "SNL"-like show (Seth Barrish plays a not very flattering version of Lorne Michaels) sends her character into a kind of crisis  both out of fear for such a bright spotlight and out of loyalty to the purity of improv.

"I felt different ways at different points shooting it," Jacobs says. "I do like Mike's thought in this film which is that success means different things to different people."

Birbiglia, 38, has his own history in detouring from the most sought-after paths to show-business success. Eight years ago, he thought a CBS pilot was his big ticket. When it didn't get picked up, he instead carved out his own idiosyncratic career.

"At the time, I thought: This is my dream come true. It's all going to happen," he says. "I feel like the fact that I didn't get that sitcom, it's the luckiest thing that ever happened in my life."

Birbiglia has been touring "Don't Think Twice" around the country, and each stop along the way, he invites local improv theaters  the ever-expanding footprint of Improv America  to participate.

"I always say in these improv theaters in Phoenix or Cincinnati or wherever you are: You guys can create the most powerful, best performed, best written, most topical piece of theater tonight in the world. And that shouldn't be overlooked," he says. "You can be performing for 30 people or 50 people or 100 people and, to me, that's more meaningful than starring on a mediocre sitcom that's being half-watched by seven million people."

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Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
The Latest: Services set for slain Kansas officer

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP)  The Latest on the fatal shooting of an officer from Kansas City, Kansas (all times local):

4:35 p.m.

Funeral services have been scheduled for a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer killed in the line of duty.

This undated photo provided by the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department show police Captain Robert Melton. A suspect in a drive-by shooting fatally shot Melton on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, as the officer was sitting in his patrol car, police said. (Kansas City, Kan. Police Department via AP)

Capt. Robert Melton was shot and killed Tuesday while looking for suspects in an earlier drive-by shooting. Two suspects are in custody but formal charges haven't been filed.

The police department said Wednesday in a release that visitation for Melton is scheduled for Friday afternoon at the city's civic center. His funeral is Saturday morning at Children's Mercy Park.

The department says Melton will be buried immediately after the service at the Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kansas.

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1:45 p.m.

A slain Kansas City, Kansas, police officer had been awaiting the arrival of another child.

Police said in a release Wednesday that Capt. Robert Melton's partner was pregnant and due to give birth this winter.

Melton was shot and killed Tuesday when he was responding to a police call. Two suspects are in custody.

Police say Melton has three other children from previous relationships, and that Melton's pregnant partner also has two children.

Police say he also leaves four brothers and five sisters.

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1:25 p.m.

The Kansas National Guard says a slain Kansas City, Kansas, police officer was a decorated veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Police Capt. Robert Melton died Tuesday after he was shot while responding to a police call. Authorities say the attack wasn't a planned ambush. Two suspects are in custody.

Maj. Gen. Lee Tafanelli said Wednesday in a statement that Melton served in the guard from 1986 until he retired in 2012. He says there are "many heavy hearts" after Melton's death, which he calls a "senseless tragedy."

The guard says Melton served in Iraq in 2006 to 2007 and in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2012, and received several military honors, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster.

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12:30 p.m.

The top Republican in the Kansas Senate says President Barack Obama has "stoked the flames of anger and hostility" toward law enforcement officers.

Senate President Susan Wagle, of Wichita, made her comments as Kansas officials expressed sadness over the shooting death of a Kansas City, Kansas, police captain.

Wagle cited Obama's public comments about shootings by police in Minnesota and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which were followed by deadly attacks on officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge.

Wagle said the Democratic president has painted law enforcement officers as "people of bias."

She also said officers and their communities need to build stronger relationships so that people being protected by the police trust them.

Republican Gov. Sam Brownback told a meeting of top lawmakers Wednesday that the Kansas, shooting was "a terrible tragedy."

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11 a.m.

The police chief in Kansas City, Kansas, says the department hopes to present the findings of its investigation into a captain's killing to prosecutors soon.

Chief Terry Zeigler said during a news conference that all suspects are thought to be in custody and that the investigation will go to prosecutors later Wednesday.

Capt. Robert Melton was shot multiple times Tuesday afternoon while searching for a drive-by shooting suspect, and died at a hospital shortly after.

Zeigler described the 46-year-old as a "big personality" and "gregarious." He said it wasn't unusual that Melton, as a captain, was responding because Melton's philosophy was to "lead from the front."

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10:45 a.m.

The police chief in Kansas City, Kansas, says the officer who died was shot several times through his window.

Chief Terry Zeigler said during a news conference Wednesday that authorities believe they have all suspects in custody, but no charges have been announced.

He also said the attack isn't part of the recent string of shootings in the U.S., but that "hate against police has got to stop."

Capt. Robert Melton was shot multiple times Tuesday afternoon while searching for a drive-by shooting suspect, and died at a hospital shortly after.

Zeigler choked up at the podium as he thanked the community for their support.

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10:40 a.m.

The mayor of Kansas City, Kansas, says authorities don't believe the fatal shooting of an officer was part of a planned ambush, but someone trying to evade arrest.

Mayor Mark Holland of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County also said during a Wednesday news conference that the community is still "healing and reeling" from the fatal shooting of a Kansas City, Kansas, officer in May, which was the first in the department in 19 years.

Capt. Robert Melton was fatally shot Tuesday while searching for a drive-by shooting suspect.

Wyandotte County Commissioner Harold Johnson said a short prayer before the news conference began.

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10:10 a.m.

Police in Kansas City, Kansas, have set up a table draped in blue cloth inside its headquarters where people can place cards and flowers honoring a slain officer.

Thirty-one-year-old Kathryn Courtney described Capt. Robert Melton as "born to protect and serve" as she left a bouquet of yellow daisies Wednesday. Courtney said she had known Melton for nearly 20 years and that he was "a wonderful man with a heart of gold."

Melton was killed Tuesday while searching for a drive-by shooting suspect. Police have scheduled a 10:30 a.m. news conference to provide more details.

Police employees were taking the items left outside the headquarters and bringing them to the lobby's memorial.

Police said in a news release that Melton's relatives are asking for privacy.

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1 a.m.

Authorities are expected to release further details about the fatal shooting of a Kansas City, Kansas, police captain who was searching for a drive-by shooting suspect.

Police are holding a Wednesday morning news conference in the shooting death of Capt. Robert Melton. A suspect is in custody, but the person's name hadn't been released because no charges had been filed by Tuesday night, hours after the shooting.

The 46-year-old Melton was a 17-year veteran of the department.

Police spokesman Tom Tomasic said Melton was searching for a suspect in a drive-by shooting when he drove up to someone matching the description. Tomasic said that before Melton could get out of his vehicle, the person opened fire and hit the officer multiple times.

Kansas City, Kan., police officer Brad Lightfoot, right, walks Susan Goble to the shooting scene of a police officer in Kansas City, Kan., Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Goble knows the family of the fallen officer and hoped to place a wreath near the site of the shooting. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)

Kansas City, Kan., and Shawnee police officers work part of the shooting scene of a police officer in Kansas City, Kan., Tuesday, July 19, 2016. A suspect in a drive-by shooting fatally shot Capt. Robert Melton, a 17-year veteran of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, on Tuesday as the officer was sitting in his patrol car, police said. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner)
Saudi Aramco signs $13B deal for new domestic gas project

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  State-owned Saudi Aramco says it has signed a deal for a new gas project that will be worth more than 50 billion Saudi riyals ($13.3 billion) when complete in 2019 aimed at meeting the kingdom's growing domestic demand for energy.

The company on Wednesday said the project will help lessen dependence on oil for power generation and accommodate 4,500 training, temporary and permanent jobs for Saudis. The Fadhili project will process gas from onshore and offshore fields.

Saudi Aramco says the Fadhili project will increase the kingdom's natural gas production to 17 billion standard cubic feet per day by 2020, in line with the country's National Transformation Plan.
State police: Woman shot by city police officer in Louisiana

KENTWOOD, La. (AP)  A shooting in which a police officer wounded a woman is being investigated, Louisiana authorities said Wednesday.

Louisiana State Trooper Dustin Dwight said a Kentwood Police Department officer shot a woman Tuesday night on state Highway 38. He said the woman suffered injuries that were not life threatening.

Police Chief Michael Kazerooni said the officer, whose name has not been released, was put on paid administrative leave Wednesday. The leave was in keeping with department policy, he said.

Kazerooni would not provide any details about the shooting. He referred questions to Louisiana State Police, which he asked to investigate the case.

"As soon as I do get their results and review them, I will make a statement," he said.

Dwight said the officer was conducting a criminal investigation and stopped the vehicle about 11:45 p.m. He fired at the vehicle's tires when the driver tried to flee, Dwight said.

Once troopers complete the inquiry, the findings will be given to the Tangipahoa Parish district attorney's office, Dwight said.
Delegates boo Cruz, Pence tries to unite at convention

Delegates at the Republican National Convention thunderously booed Ted Cruz for refusing to endorse Donald Trump Wednesday  clouding an evening intended to highlight vice presidential candidate Mike Pence as a unifying force for the party. The disorder provided fresh reminders of the fissures that remain.

Cruz walked onto the Cleveland stage to a standing ovation and held the audience's rapt attention until he told delegates to "vote your conscience" with no mention of nominee Trump, who had called him "Lyin' Ted" on the campaign trail. The crowd then turned on him with loud boos.

Soon after, Pence, in accepting the party's nomination, sought to bring the party together: "What unites us far exceeds anything that sets us apart in America," he said.

Jim Walsh from Connecticut watches as Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex., speaks during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Also, Melania Trump's Monday speech continued to generate buzz as her speechwriter apologized.

What to know about the third day of the GOP convention:

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BOOS FOR CRUZ

Cruz arrived in Cleveland with an eye on his own political future, holding a large rally with hundreds of supporters who greeted him with chants of "2020"  the next presidential election.

The Texas senator held the crowd during the first half of his convention hall speech, as he urged Americans to support the families of five police officers killed in Dallas this month. But he lost many delegates when he told them: "Don't stay home in November. Stand and speak, and vote your conscience. Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution."

Speaking after Cruz, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich tried to do damage control.

"In this election, there is only one candidate who will uphold the Constitution," Gingrich said. "The only choice is a Trump-Pence Republican ticket."

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PENCE DEFENDS TRUMP

Pence lauded Trump is his own man, an independent spirit, and said change in the country will be "huge" under his presidency.

Delegates cheered: "We like Mike! We like Mike!"

Pence framed the November presidential race as crucial to defining the makeup of the Supreme Court for the next 40 years. He said voters must ensure it's Trump picking the justices.

He called presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton the "secretary of the status quo," referring to her former job as secretary of state.

Pence said he never thought he'd be standing on the stage at his party's national convention. He joked that Trump is charismatic and must have been looking for balance in choosing him.

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OTHER ALSO-RANS

Two other failed Republican presidential candidates, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, addressed the crowd and supported Trump.

Rubio appeared by video, saying, "The time for fighting each other is over."

Walker told Republicans who are on the fence about supporting Trump that the party can't wait four more years.

"Let me be clear: A vote for anyone other than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton," Walker said.

Trump's son, Eric, also addressed the convention. He said his father is the one candidate for president "who does not need this job."

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STILL TALKING ABOUT MELANIA

Controversy over Melania Trump's Monday evening speech continued to hang over the convention. After it became clear that passages in Trump's wife's speech were strikingly similar to a 2008 speech from first lady Michelle Obama, a speechwriter for Trump's company said Wednesday she had made a mistake and apologized.

Meredith McIver said Trump refused her offer to resign.

In a statement issued by the campaign, McIver said Mrs. Trump had told her that she admired Mrs. Obama, and had read passages from Obama's speech as an example of things she liked. McIver said she wrote down the passages and later included them in the speech.

For two days, the Trump campaign tried to brush aside any talk of plagiarism, calling the criticism absurd.

___

OUTSIDE THE HALL

Cleveland police say 17 people were arrested following a chaotic protest near the arena hosting the convention.

The arrests happened as a protest group tried to burn an American flag near Quicken Loans Arena. It was the most turbulent protest since the four-day convention began Monday. The chaos delayed delegates and members of the media from getting into the arena for the evening's proceedings.

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THE REST OF THE WEEK

Trump will close the four-day convention with a speech Thursday night accepting the nomination.

___

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Republican vice presidential candidate Gov. Mike Pence, R-Ind., gestures as the audience applauds after he spoke during the third day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
5th accomplice charged in murder suspect's courthouse escape

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  A fifth person was charged Wednesday with helping a murder suspect escape from a Florida courthouse last week as authorities boosted the reward for the at-large fugitive's capture to $50,000.

An arrest report released by the Broward Sheriff's Office said fellow jail inmate Walter M. Hart III, 22, was seen on surveillance video assisting 21-year-old Dayonte Resiles in getting out of his shackles as both awaited a hearing last Friday.

Resiles bolted out of a courtroom, ran down several flights of stairs and got away with the help of four other accomplices, all of whom have been arrested. A car was waiting near the courthouse with a change of clothes, authorities say.

Hart, who is awaiting trial in a separate 2014 murder case, is now charged with escape and, by helping Resiles escape, with being an accessory to Resiles' murder charge, according to the arrest report. It says the video from a courthouse holding area shows Hart "work in concert with Resiles to begin to defeat the shackling system used to secure inmates."

With his back to the camera, the report says Hart "holds up the waist chain, which allows Resiles to begin manipulating the restraints," leading to his escape moments later. Sheriff Scott Israel earlier said armed deputies, rather than unarmed bailiffs, will now accompany maximum-security inmates in the courtroom.

Resiles is accused in the 2014 stabbing death of Jill Halliburton Su, 59, during an attempted robbery at her home in Davie, Florida. Su's family founded the Halliburton oil services company.

The sheriff's office also more than doubled the reward to $50,000 for information leading to Resiles' capture after receiving contributions from a lobbyist and his daughter, and a local casino.

Investigators say the escape was carefully planned by Resiles and his accomplices. Resiles' 18-year-old girlfriend, LaQuay Stern, was waiting in a car outside the courthouse with 22-year-old Winston Russell, the sheriff said previously.

Two 17-year-old twin brothers were in the courtroom when Resiles broke for the door. The sheriff said one of the brothers coughed into a cellphone to signal the pair outside that Resiles was on his way.

Israel said there will be a full investigation into the circumstances of the escape.

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Judge: Ohio State didn't defame fired marching band director

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  A state court has dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by a fired Ohio State University marching band director who claimed that negative statements surrounding his dismissal were slanderous, defamatory and an invasion of his privacy.

In a Tuesday ruling, an Ohio Court of Claims judge found Jonathan Waters became a limited-purpose public figure once an internal investigation uncovered a "sexualized culture" within the celebrated band. That gave President Michael Drake and the university's press office more leeway in what could be said.

Judge Patrick McGrath noted Ohio State was compelled to investigate after a parent complained of inappropriate behavior inside the band. That meant the school had the right to explain its findings and Waters' firing.

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2013, file photo, Ohio State University marching band director Jonathan Waters leads the band in "Carmen Ohio" following an NCAA college football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. In a Tuesday, July 19, 2016, ruling, an Ohio state court dismissed a defamation lawsuit filed by in response to the university's statements about his July 2014 dismissal, after an internal investigation by the university uncovered a "sexualized culture" within the celebrated band. (Adam Cairns/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, File) MANDATORY CREDIT

He said there was nothing recklessly untruthful in a video message in which Drake explained the report and the firing or in the university's ensuing press releases and statements.

Because findings of the band investigation were a matter of public concern, McGrath said, it was "beyond doubt" that the university had the right to issue public comment and releases about them.

Waters contended band rituals and practices existed before his tenure and his reputation was unjustifiably harmed by misguided attacks.

In a statement Wednesday, he said he is saddened he won't get to present his full case. He maintained that he was "the catalyst for change" inside the band and recognized as such by university administrators before his firing.

"We are studying the legal opinion and weighing our options accordingly," Waters said. "I remain steadfastly loyal to the students and alumni of the band who were so negatively impacted by this situation."

In a statement, the university said it had maintained from the beginning that Ohio State acted properly in its handling of the band investigation and in its efforts to change band culture.

"We are gratified that the court has agreed with the university and has dismissed this lawsuit," the statement said. "Ohio State continues to be focused on the future and supporting our students, and we look forward to another outstanding season by our world-class band."

Waters has filed a separate federal civil-rights lawsuit claiming he was a victim of reverse gender discrimination and entitled to reinstatement and $1 million in damages. That action is ongoing.
Ocean sample tests clean after Los Angeles sewage spill

LOS ANGELES (AP)  The first test of ocean water following a massive California sewage spill came back clean Wednesday, suggesting stinky sludge that drained into the Los Angeles River didn't flow 20 miles to the coast, officials said.

The sample taken Tuesday showed no excessive levels of bacteria, said Nelson Kerr with the Long Beach health department.

Officials were waiting for the results of a second test on Wednesday before deciding to reopen some five miles of Long Beach-area coastline to swimmers.

A sign is posted on a beach warning of the dangers of sewage contaminated water Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Long Beach, Calif. Beaches in Long Beach have been shut down after a sewage spill that began near downtown Los Angeles the day before, flowed down the LA River to the ocean. Long Beach officials estimate that more than 100,000 gallons of sewage reached the city, and its ocean waters will be closed until testing shows it's safe. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via AP)

"It doesn't look like we're impacted by the spill," Kerr said. "This initial round of testing looks really good, for the most part."

A buried pipe near downtown Los Angeles collapsed Monday, causing a blockage and spill of 2.4 million gallons of raw sewage onto streets and into storm drains that feed into the river.

Crews managed to contain, divert or vacuum at least 750,000 gallons and the rest flowed into the river, officials said.

About 4 miles of coastline in Long Beach and a mile in neighboring Seal Beach were closed to swimmers and waders while health officials tested the waters for bacteria.

The sewage leak was initially capped Monday night, but another rupture occurred during repairs. It was finally stopped Tuesday and an above-ground bypass system was being built so repairs and cleanup could get underway, said Adel Hagekhalil, assistant director of Los Angeles Sanitation.

Warning signs and flags were up along the closed beaches and lifeguards shooed away some visitors.

"Just pure disappointment," beachgoer Francisco Aleman of Lake Elsinore told KABC-TV. "My little sister, she wanted to come to the beach forever, the whole summer... she gets here and it's like, you can't get in, so what's the point, you know?"

The closure was a financial hit for M&M Surfing School of Seal Beach, which had to cancel classes for 70 students at a loss of $85 each.

"Nobody went out," owner Michael Pless said. "The bummer is I have people coming from all over the world. I have people from England, Sweden. I had people flying in to meet me."

The 1929 concrete, tiled-lined pipe that broke was 18 feet underground, while more recent pipes are 80 to 100 feet below, Hagekhalil said.

The cause of the collapse wasn't clear.

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Associated Press writers Christopher Weber and John Antczak contributed to this report.

Work is underway Tuesday morning, July 19, 2016, to repair a sewage spill at Mission Road and 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles. Beaches in Long Beach have been shut down after a sewage spill that began near downtown Los Angeles the day before, flowed down the LA River to the ocean. Long Beach officials estimate that more than 100,000 gallons of sewage reached the city, and its ocean waters will be closed until testing shows it's safe. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via AP)

Work is underway Tuesday morning, July 19, 2016, to repair a sewage spill at Mission Road and 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles. Beaches in Long Beach have been shut down after a sewage spill that began near downtown Los Angeles the day before, flowed down the LA River to the ocean. Long Beach officials estimate that more than 100,000 gallons of sewage reached the city, and its ocean waters will be closed until testing shows it's safe. (Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via AP)

A sign is posted at Alamitos Beach warning of the dangers of sewage contaminated water Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Long Beach, Calif. Beaches in Long Beach have been shut down after a sewage spill that began near downtown Los Angeles the day before, flowed down the LA River to the ocean. Long Beach officials estimate that more than 100,000 gallons of sewage reached the city, and its ocean waters will be closed until testing shows it's safe. (Steve McCrank/The Daily Breeze via AP) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT

A sign is posted at Alamitos Beach warning of the dangers of sewage contaminated water Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in Long Beach, Calif. Beaches in Long Beach have been shut down after a sewage spill that began near downtown Los Angeles the day before, flowed down the LA River to the ocean. Long Beach officials estimate that more than 100,000 gallons of sewage reached the city, and its ocean waters will be closed until testing shows it's safe. (Steve McCrank/The Daily Breeze via AP) MAGS OUT; NO SALES; MANDATORY CREDIT
Elton John: LGBT people must be part of AIDS fight

DURBAN, South Africa (AP)  British musician Elton John on Wednesday committed money for protecting LGBT people in Africa, saying that leaving them behind in the fight against AIDS will only increase the spread of the disease.

The rock star spoke at a global AIDS conference in South Africa that has also attracted philanthropist Bill Gates, actress Charlize Theron and Britain's Prince Harry.

Africa is the continent hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic, but the subject of homosexuality is taboo in many countries. Some African nations criminalize same-sex conduct, including Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.

British musician Elton John hosts a press conference at the 21st World Aids Conference 2016 in Durban, South Africa, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. John says that leaving LGBT people behind in the fight against AIDS will only increase the spread of the disease. (AP Photo)

John said he wants to ensure that LGBT people are protected if they are denied medical treatment or arrested, and his Elton John AIDS Foundation announced its first recipients Wednesday with that goal in mind.

"With these countries sometimes, it may take 50 years. But I guarantee it will change," the musician said. "If people feel included, they will rise up. ... They will become heroes."

Gates, meanwhile, warned that Africa is "chronically underprepared" for a looming demographic bulge in young people, who are most at risk for HIV.

The largest generation in history is entering the age where they are most at risk of HIV, Gates said.

Philanthropist and Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, speaks at the 21st International Aids Conference in Durban, South Africa Wednesday July 20, 2016. Gates said one of the main obstacles in combating the disease was inadequate healthcare and funding. .(AP Photo)

Sir Elton John looks on as his husband David Furnish, left, makes a point during a press conference at the 21st World Aids Conference 2016 in Durban, South Africa, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo)

Philanthropist and Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, speaks at the 21st International Aids Conference in Durban, South Africa Wednesday July 20, 2016. Gates said one of the main obstacles in combating the desease was inadequate healthcare and funding. .(AP Photo)
EU eases trade with Jordan to boost jobs for Syria refugees

AMMAN, Jordan (AP)  A diplomat says the European Union has eased trade rules with Jordan to spur foreign investment in the kingdom and create jobs for Syrian refugees.

EU ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana said Wednesday that new rules will allow a wider range of Jordanian products to be sold in Europe without tariffs, by permitting a greater percentage of third-country components. Eligible manufacturers must employ a certain percentage of Syrians.

The deal is part of longer-term solutions for the fallout from Syria's civil war which has displaced millions of Syrians.

Jordan hosts more than 650,000 Syrian refugees. In exchange for employing Syrians, it is to receive grants, cheap loans and new trade rules.
South Sudan government rejects foreign troops, backs protest

JUBA, South Sudan (AP)  South Sudan's government on Wednesday organized a protest against the deployment of foreign troops to secure its capital after recent clashes between opposing army factions left hundreds dead.

The African Union this week called for a "regional protection force" to bolster a 12,000-strong U.N. peacekeeping mission in the East African country and separate warring parties. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has supported reinforcing the mission.

The spokesman for South Sudan's former rebel leader Riek Machar, now first vice president, says Machar has also called for a "third force" to secure the capital, Juba, after President Salva Kiir's forces bombed his house during the fighting that raised fears of a return to civil war.

Hundreds of South Sudanese protest in Juba, South Sudan against Foreign military intervention Wednesday July 20, 2016. Hundreds of people from civil society and political parties protested in Juba. This week African leaders have backed plans to deploy regional troops to South Sudan after recent fighting between rival forces left hundreds of people dead . (AP Photo/Samir Bol)

The spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, said Machar fled Juba and will not return, despite Kiir's invitation, until such an outside force is in place.

Hundreds marched Wednesday denouncing the intervention of foreign troops.

"If the international community continues to bring in all their alleged military in South Sudan, we will fight them whether they come by air or by road," protest organizer Ajongo Ajongo said. "We will be malicious. South Sudan will become even worse place than Afghanistan. Let the peace come from us. Don't impose things on us. It will be regrettable."

Army spokesman Lul Ruai Koang said that "any deployment of a foreign force that is not authorized by the political leadership is going to be resisted."

The recent violence has threatened a fragile peace deal reached in August between Kiir and Machar, who fought a civil war since December 2013 that killed tens of thousands and inflamed ethnic tensions.

Tens of thousands of Juba residents have been displaced, with many sheltering in crowded U.N. compounds.
Louisiana man accused of threating police over social media

HAHNVILLE, La. (AP)  St. Charles Parish sheriff's deputies have arrested a 24-year-old man on allegations that he threatened police officers over social media.

Sheriff Greg Champagne says in a news release that Victor Pablo, of Edgard, faces charges of terrorizing and threatening a public official.

Champagne said Pablo was arrested Tuesday and is being held on a $25,000 bond.

The sheriff said his office considered the post to be serous and dangerous following the recent shootings of police in Dallas and Baton Rouge.

Champagne said the right to free speech comes with certain responsibilities. He says making threats in this volatile environment incites danger for law enforcement and the public.

Champagne says investigators found "multiple weapons" in a search of Pablo's home.
Kat Von D cuts ties with makeup artist Jeffree Star

Tattoo artist and reality show star Kat Von D has cut business ties with makeup artist Jeffree Star.

In a YouTube video , Von D says she's ended her business relationship with Star because he refused to pay for logos designed by a mutual friend and used on Star's products.

She said in an Instagram post that she's also pulling the shade "Jeffree" from her makeup collection.

FILE - In this Oct. 7, 2015, file photo, tattoo artist Kat Von D speaks with the media during the presentation of her new line of makeup in Madrid. Von D said in a YouTube video on July 19, 2016, that she had cut ties with makup artist Jeffree Star over a payment dispute involving a mutual friend. (AP Photo/Abraham Caro Marin, File)

Von D has starred on a pair of tattoo-themed TLC reality shows, "Miami Ink" and "L.A. Ink."
NAACP: Trump, Clinton need black support to win presidency

CINCINNATI (AP)  Civil rights activists frustrated by police slayings of blacks across the nation are looking to flex their voting power to push for reforms.

The continued alarm over how police treat black men has been a major focus of the five-day NAACP national convention that was wrapping up Wednesday for thousands of participants in Cincinnati. Members of the group that dates to 1909 compared the issue to the 1960s violence against civil rights demonstrators and mob hangings of blacks in earlier eras.

Cornell William Brooks, the NAACP's president, pledged in a fiery speech Monday to end "lynching in the 21st century ... practiced not with sheets and ropes but with defiled uniforms, defiled badges and defiled oaths."

In this Monday, July 18, 2016 photo, Cornell William Brooks, president and CEO of NAACP, speaks at the NAACP national convention at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati. The convention's theme of Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count underscored the need to defend black voting rights and to get out the black vote in the first election since black turnout helped Barack Obama twice win the presidency. (Cara Owsley/The Cincinnati Enquirer via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO SALES

The convention's theme of "Our Lives Matter, Our Votes Count" underscored goals of defending black voting rights and getting out the vote in the first presidential election since black turnout helped Barack Obama twice win the presidency. Black voters cast some 13 percent of presidential ballots in 2012, according to exit polling, and are particularly pivotal in Ohio, Florida and other swing states.

Directing his remarks to Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, Williams said, "Don't think you're going to measure the (White House) drapes without us."

He called on the next president, whether Trump or Clinton, to commit to taking actions as president such as cutting off federal funding to any law enforcement agencies found to have a pattern of discrimination and increasing federal investigative powers into police agencies.

Stephan Stevens, 22, of the St. Louis area near Ferguson, Missouri, where protests broke out two years ago over the death of a black 18-year-old in a confrontation with police, urged young blacks to channel their passion politically.

"When we all come together and actually say what we feel and what we want to happen, and then we vote, then things can start to change," he said. "We have to start there, and then we can start making a change as far as police brutality."

Clinton spoke to the convention Monday and proposed national guidelines on the use of force by police, new investments in anti-bias training, funding for body cameras and legislation to end racial profiling. Trump passed on an NAACP speaking invitation to focus on the Republican National Convention this week in Cleveland, but his GOP rival in the presidential primaries, Gov. John Kasich, talked to the gathering Sunday evening about his own Ohio initiative on police reforms. It includes a statewide collaborative effort on police-community relations and work on policy for use of deadly force and improving data collection.

Both Clinton and Kasich condemned the slayings of police officers during the new wave of violence this month that has claimed eight officers and two civilians.

Williams opened his speech by quoting from the blog post of black Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson, who advised against letting "hate infect your heart" just days before he was killed in Louisiana. Williams said the Baltimore-based NAACP stands "with, behind, and beside lawful law enforcement as they bring about public safety."

Ed Rollerson, of Omaha, Nebraska, said the slayings of officers might bring increased attention by all Americans to police-community relations issues.

"Now it's a different ballgame," Rollerson said. "But it's sad. Any time you have someone murdered, it's sad."

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Follow Dan Sewell at http://www.twitter.com/dansewell

For some of his other recent stories: http://bigstory.ap.org/content/dan-sewell
Skeletal remains found in Arkansas home, woman arrested

PARAGOULD, Ark. (AP)  Police in northeast Arkansas say skeletal remains have been found inside a home and the woman living there has been arrested.

Paragould Police Lt. Ken Jackson says the remains found Tuesday have not been identified, but are believed to be those of the woman's boyfriend, who also lived in the home.

Court records do not show that the woman has been charged, but Jackson says she was arrested for suspicion of corpse abuse and fraud for allegedly receiving Social Security disability benefits after a beneficiary's death. Jail records show the woman is in custody Wednesday.

Authorities say another man who lived at the property told officers he was told not to go to a certain part of the house, but opened a door anyway and found the remains.
Kathleen Carroll, AP's executive editor, stepping down

NEW YORK (AP)  Kathleen Carroll, the executive editor of The Associated Press who championed ambitious, investigative journalism and pushed the cooperative forward in a rapidly changing digital world, announced Wednesday that she will step down after 14 years leading the world's oldest news agency.

Gary Pruitt, president and chief executive officer of the AP, praised Carroll warmly and said she will help with the leadership transition. Carroll is to leave at the end of the year, and a successor is expected to be in place in by Jan. 1.

"If AP were a sports team, we would be retiring Kathleen's number" Pruitt said. "I respect Kathleen's decision to move on from AP and appreciate her years of leadership and service... Her combined extraordinary editorial skill, committed engagement with staff, toughness and compassion have made AP news what it is today."

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2013 file photo, Kathleen Carroll, executive editor and senior vice president of The Associated Press, appears during a panel discussion titled "Is Journalism a Crime?" at the 80th Annual Associated Press Media Editors' conference at the Indiana State Museum in Indianapolis. Carroll, the executive editor of The Associated Press, who led the news cooperatives transformation from analog to digital, will leave her post at the end of the year. The news was announced Wednesday by Gary Pruitt, president and chief executive officer of The AP, who said that Carroll will help with the leadership transition. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler, File)

The announcement of Carroll's departure comes three months after the AP was awarded its first Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, for an exhaustive investigation of slavery in the Southeast Asian fishing industry. The AP won four other Pulitzers, six George Polk Awards and 15 Overseas Press Club Awards under Carroll's tenure.

"Fourteen years is a long, long time to do this job," Carroll said in an interview. "I've had a good run. The place is strong and the people are strong and they'll take it to the next level. It feels like a good time. You don't want to stay too long. You don't want to be stinky cheese."

Carroll, 60, the former Knight Ridder Washington bureau chief and a former writer and editor in four AP bureaus, was appointed in 2002. During her tenure, she helped establish bureaus in North Korea, Myanmar and Saudi Arabia, and she led the AP's transformation from a primarily newspaper-focused agency to one that produces video, photography and text stories for all platforms.

"She has pushed the AP to take on the hardest stories and do the most ambitious work," said Martin Baron, editor of The Washington Post. "While she was consistently attentive to AP's clients, more importantly she was animated by its mission to serve the public... She also was unwavering in her commitment to get at the truth and have AP tell things as they really were."

The AP, founded in 1846, is among the world's most influential news organizations and provides content to more than 15,000 news outlets with a daily reach of 1 billion people around the globe. Its multimedia services are distributed by satellite and the Internet to more than 120 nations.

As a news service that sells its work directly to newspapers, broadcasters, websites and others, the AP's journalists tend to be less visible than many. In a brutal time for the news industry, the AP has shrunk by hundreds of journalists under Carroll's tenure. Yet, it has kept up its standards, said Ken Doctor, a media consultant for Newsonomics and Politico.

"It seemed like the AP might become less relevant in the increasingly digital age. What I have seen is what I think is the staying power and sustainability of the AP as one of the pillars of daily journalism," Doctor said. There are half the number of working daily journalists in the United States as there were in 1990, increasing the importance of the AP, he said.

Ann Marie Lipinski, curator for the Nieman Foundation and editor of the Chicago Tribune for nearly eight years in the 2000s, called Carroll "a righteous and strong voice for the best journalism," adding that "she did a really excellent job at a very difficult time."

Carroll was an inspiration for women at a time their number is shrinking in executive suites at top news organizations, Lipinski said. In 2004, there were seven women among the top editors of the 25 biggest U.S. newspapers; 10 years later there were three.

The News Media Guild represents AP's editorial employees in the U.S. Guild president Martha Waggoner said that "although the Guild doesn't always see eye-to-eye with management, there was never any question about Kathleen's commitment to the AP mission of producing extraordinary journalism in every format."

Carroll said she's most proud of pushing the AP beyond covering breaking news to providing coverage that's compelling and distinctive. "Even in the middle of a breaking news story, our ethos is now to break news off of that," she said. "We break news now. That was not part of the DNA as much when I came here, to be perfectly honest."

She strongly backed the tough, methodical work of Esther Htusan, Margie Mason, Robin McDowell and Martha Mendoza  the women who earned the AP its recent Pulitzer and whose stories freed thousands of slaves, said John Daniszewski, editor at large for standards, formerly its international editor.

Carroll has pushed to break down silos among the AP's print, video and photo departments, he said.

"She has been very focused on adjusting the AP to the new digital world that we live in and bringing together all of the tools and talents of the AP in service of excellence," he said.

In July 2013, Carroll became the first journalist to address the United Nations Security Council about reporter safety. She currently serves as vice-chair of the Committee to Protect Journalists.

Carroll said that listening to customers and readers is vital at a challenging time in the industry. "A lot of smart people are trying a lot of different things and some of them will stick. That process I think is good for journalism. I also think it's good for journalism to be challenged," she said.

Carroll said her plans after leaving AP include taking a cooking class, some long-postponed trips with her husband and joining in family events leading up to their son's college graduation in the spring. She said she wanted to "reclaim some life that hasn't been within easy reach during these 14 years."

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Associated Press Writer Mark Kennedy in New York contributed to this report.

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Online: http://www.ap.org
Vatican: No changes or cancellations for pope's Poland visit

VATICAN CITY (AP)  A Vatican spokesman says no groups of faithful have cancelled attending events for Pope Francis' pilgrimage in Poland next week because of security concerns.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi told reporters Wednesday there are "no particular worries" about security for the five-day trip to Krakow and nearby areas in southern Poland.

He says "no groups have withdrawn." Polish church organizers say huge crowds are expected at key events, with perhaps as many as 1.8 million youths at an evening vigil attended by Francis July 30 on a meadow.
Macedonia: Police officers arrested in anti-smuggling probe

SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP)  Authorities in Macedonia say five police officers have been arrested on suspicion of participating in a smuggling ring that allegedly helped hundreds of refugees and migrants cross the country's southern border with Greece.

Police said Wednesday that 14 other suspects were also arrested and an unspecified number of assault rifles and other weapons were seized following countrywide raids at 24 locations.
UN: Mosul campaign could affect 1.5 million civilians

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The upcoming military campaign to wrest control of the Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State group could affect as many as 1.5 million civilians, making it one of the world's largest humanitarian crises, a United Nations official said Wednesday.

Lise Grande, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, said that military operations to retake areas held by the Islamic State group have already forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

"The impact of the Mosul military campaign on civilians will be devastating," Grande said in statement from Iraq. "Mass casualties among civilians are likely and families trying to flee are expected to be at extreme."

The United Nations is seeking $284 million ahead of the expected operation, U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said.

U.N. officials have said they believe the operation to take Mosul will begin in the fall and that they need at least two to three months to scale up humanitarian efforts in order to be prepared for the large numbers of displaced civilians.

Grande's remarks come as defense and foreign ministers meet in Washington to discuss the fight against the Islamic State group and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hosts a separate meeting, in an attempt to raise $2 billion in humanitarian aid and for reconstruction and development assistance in Iraq.

The U.S. has announced that it will send 560 additional troops to Iraq to transform a newly retaken air base into a staging hub for the long-awaited battle to recapture Mosul from Islamic State militants. Troops are expected to arrive in the coming days and weeks.
AP EXPLAINS Trump's push for border wall is not a new idea.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  Donald Trump's push for a border wall is not a new idea. The U.S.-Mexico border is already lined with intermittent miles of barriers. In some places, a tall fence ascends desert hills. In others, sturdy wire mesh or metal pillars end suddenly.

The pieces come from different moments in history when the U.S. government wanted stronger barriers to halt unwanted immigration, drug trafficking, Prohibition-era bootleggers and even meandering cattle.

When Trump formally accepts the GOP nomination for president on Thursday, the billionaire will likely repeat his promise to build a single wall to stem illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

Immigrant rights activists hold up a fabric wall to protest Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's border wall idea, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, during the third day of the Republican convention. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Historians say that idea has been pursued for a century with spotty results due to changing politics and technologies and pressure to divert enforcement attention elsewhere.

Here's a look at the history of U.S.-Mexico border barriers.

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BIRTH OF A WALL

The U.S. began constructing pieces of a wall between U.S. territory and Mexico during World War I, according to Kelly Lytle Hernandez, a University of California, Los Angeles history professor and author of "Migra!: A History of the U.S. Border Patrol."

Ironically, there were no restrictions on Mexican immigration at the time because U.S. growers wanted a steady stream of agricultural workers. Mounted watchmen who patrolled from El Paso, Texas, to California were largely on the lookout for Chinese immigrants trying to illegally enter the U.S.

Pressure to build a wall came and went after Congress created the U.S. Border Patrol in 1924. Some fences and tin walls that had been built were abandoned or neglected until voters demanded new barriers. Meanwhile, many illegal crossers dug tunnels to dodge the walls and keep out of sight.

"As the walls got higher, the tunnels got deeper," Hernandez said. "The walls served as psychological solutions that didn't work."

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RISING UP

Entering the U.S. became more restricted as the U.S. struggled to recover from the Great Depression. A decade later, Organ Pipe National Monument in Arizona and other national parks along the border called for fencing to keep Mexican cattle and other livestock from overgrazing in protected areas.

The push for a wall got new life under President Richard Nixon with Operation Intercept  an effort to halt the flow of illegal drugs from Mexico. Later, when the North American Free Trade Agreement hurt the agricultural economy in Mexico in the 1990s, millions of migrants came to the U.S. illegally, prompting an expansion of border fences in urban areas such as San Diego and El Paso. That forced many migrants to try dangerous desert crossings into Arizona.

After the Sept. 11 terror attack, President George W. Bush signed the Secure Fence Act of 2006 authorizing the construction of 850 miles of border fencing. It also called for more vehicle barriers, checkpoints and lighting to help the Border Patrol spot crossers.

In 2011, President Barack Obama declared fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border was "now basically complete"  a claim rejected by many critics.

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THE WALL TODAY

Current barriers from the Pacific Ocean to the Rio Grande range from vehicle checkpoints made of steel beams to tin walls that can be easily climbed.

In large cities such as El Paso, motorists can drive next to a barrier. Some stretches feature murals honoring female migrants who have disappeared or small shrines dedicated to La Virgen de Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and Mexican Americans.

The walls have been the scene of cross-border volleyball games and bilingual poetry competitions known as slams. Priests hold Mass and give Communion through the walls. Tourists sometimes go off-road to visit spots where barriers end to take selfies on both sides of the border.

Meanwhile, the mounted watchmen of a century ago have been replaced by border patrol vehicles and infrared cameras.

Hernandez said building a continuous wall would be a massive undertaking with uncertain results.

"There are always planes," she said. "There will always be other ways to get across."

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What political news is the world searching for on Google and talking about on Twitter? Find out via AP's Election Buzz interactive. http://elections.ap.org/buzz

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Follow Russell Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras . His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/russell-contreras .

FILE - In this June 13, 2013 file photo, Daniel Zambrano, of Tijuana, Mexico, holds one of the bars that make up the border wall separating the U.S. and Mexico where the border meets the Pacific Ocean in San Diego. Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump's push for a border wall is not a new idea, and since World War I, has been pursued often. Historians say opponents of Mexican immigration have advocated for a wall off and on for about 100 years with little results due to changing technologies and pressure to divert enforcement attention elsewhere. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

FILE - In this May 31, 2006, file photo, a man climbs over the international border into Nogales, Ariz., from Nogales, Mexico. Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump's push for a border wall is not a new idea, and since World War I, has been pursued often. Historians said opponents of Mexican immigration have advocated for a wall off and on for about 100 years with little results due to changing technologies and pressure to divert enforcement attention elsewhere. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

FILE - This April 16, 1939 file photo shows the dedication of an an altar-like monument on the international border between the United States and Mexico at Lochiel, Ariz., commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Fray Marcos de Niza, pioneering Franciscan friar, in what is now Arizona. Presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump's push for a border wall is not a new idea, and since World War I, has been pursued often. Historians say opponents of Mexican immigration have advocated for a wall off and on for about 100 years with little results due to changing technologies and pressure to divert enforcement attention elsewhere. (AP Photo/File)

FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2016 file photo, a U.S. Border Patrol agent patrols Sunland Park along the U.S.-Mexico border next to Ciudad Juarez. A new Cronkite News-Univision News-Dallas Morning News Border Poll released Monday, July 18, 2016, says a majority of residents surveyed on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border are against the building of a wall between the two countries. The poll also suggests residents feel Democrats and Republicans are ignoring their concerns and aren't proposing solutions to help their economy and combat drug trafficking and human smuggling. (AP Photo/Russell Contreras,File)
Prisoner who published 'Guantanamo Diary' to be set free

MIAMI (AP)  A former al-Qaida militant who gained fame with the publication of a diary about life at Guantanamo has been approved for release from the detention center at the U.S. base in Cuba, his lawyers said Wednesday.

Mohamedou Ould Slahi, a native of Mauritania who has been in custody without charge for nearly 14 years, was cleared by the Periodic Review Board set up by the Obama administration.

The decision was initially announced by his legal team, which included the American Civil Liberties Union, and was later confirmed by the Pentagon. He appeared before the board, which conducts parole-like hearings, in June.

FILE - In this Nov. 21, 2013 file photo reviewed by the U.S. military, dawn arrives at the now closed Camp X-Ray, which was used as the first detention facility for al-Qaida and Taliban militants who were captured after the Sept. 11 attacks at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. A former al-Qaida militant who gained fame with the publication of a diary about life at Guantanamo Bay has been approved for release from the detention center at the U.S. base in Cuba, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

A statement published on the board's website said it determined Slahi's detention "is no longer necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security of the United States."

Factors cited in the brief statement included his "highly compliant behavior in detention" and "clear indications of a change in the detainee's mindset," as well as family and other support available to him upon release.

The board did not say when he would be freed from Guantanamo, where he is among 31 prisoners approved for release, or whether he would be sent back to Mauritania.

"We will now work toward his quick release and return to the waiting arms of his loving family," said Nancy Hollander, a New Mexico-based lawyer for Slahi. "This is long overdue."

The board, comprised of representatives from six government agencies, also cleared Abdul Zahir, a prisoner from Afghanistan, for release.

He was suspected of being an Afghan insurgent when he was captured by U.S. forces in July 2002. But authorities later determined that while he had worked for members of al-Qaida and the Taliban as a translator and bookkeeper, he had only limited ties to significant figures in either organization.

Air Force Lt. Col. Sterling Thomas, a military lawyer appointed to represent Zahir, said the prisoner has become a poet at Guantanamo, "despite the onset of several mental and physical ailments stemming from his detention."

Slahi, who is about 46, received international acclaim for his "Guantanamo Diary," a memoir of captivity including accounts of harsh interrogations at the base and overseas. It was published in January 2015.

U.S. officials have said in military and court files that Slahi traveled in the early 1990s from Germany, where he was attending college, to Afghanistan to fight with Islamic rebels against a Communist government supported by the Soviet Union. He later trained with and swore allegiance to al-Qaida and had close contacts over the years with significant figures in the organization, including two men who became hijackers in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the U.S.

Slahi was detained in Mauritania in November 2001 and questioned by the FBI in connection with, among other things, the millennium bomb plot, which included a thwarted plan to set off explosives at the Los Angeles International Airport on New Year's Eve 1999.

Authorities sent him to Jordan and Guantanamo, where his alleged brutal interrogation prompted a prosecutor to resign from his case. For most of his years at the base in Cuba he has been held with another man in their own section of the prison with special perks and privileges.

The publication of "Guantanamo Diary" prompted an international campaign by human rights groups calling for Slahi's release along with the closure of the detention center in Cuba, where the U.S. now holds 76 men.
2 inmates released after murder charges dropped

CHICAGO (AP)  Two men who were imprisoned for more than 20 years for a 1993 murder were released Wednesday hours after Cook County prosecutors dropped charges against them.

Armando Serrano, 43, was released from Dixon Correctional Center west of Chicago, and 48-year-old Jose Montanez, 48, walked out of Danville Correctional Center in central Illinois.

"It's been a long time coming," said a weeping Montanez, who added he is looking forward to life, justice and being with his family.

Cook County prosecutors on Wednesday announced their decision not to retry the men. Their decision came after an appeals court ruling last month found "profoundly alarming acts of misconduct" led to the men's convictions in the death of Rodrigo Vargas.

"The principal witness from the trial has since submitted an affidavit that the trial testimony he gave was 'false in all respects' and it was coerced by the detectives investigating the murder," the court stated in its ruling.

Both men have long said they are innocent.

"I'm so happy I don't know what to say," said Montanez's mother, Carmen Montanez, crying for a moment outside court Wednesday morning. "I was praying to God every day that this day would come. Thank God it's finally over with and I can have my son home finally and I can enjoy a Christmas, a Thanksgiving and a birthday for him that we've missed for 23 years."

Both Serrano and Montanez were convicted and sentenced to 55 years in prison on the testimony of Francisco Vicente, a heroin addict who allegedly told police Detective Reynaldo Guevara that the two men had confessed to killing Vargas as he left his apartment for work.

Vicente later recanted his testimony, telling students from Northwestern University's Medill Justice Project in 2004 that Guevara fed him the story.

"He was a heroin addict who had six felony cases pending against him at the time and he took a deal in exchange for his testimony, which he later recanted and said was coerced by the Chicago police detective who worked the case," said Montanez's attorney, Russell Ainsworth, who is with The Exoneration Project at the University of Chicago.
Pakistani militant leader pledges support to Kashmir rebels

ISLAMABAD (AP)  The founder of the Pakistani militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hafiz Saeed, pledged on Wednesday to support armed rebels in Indian-ruled Kashmir.

Saeed, who is designated a terrorist by the U.S. government with a $10 million bounty on his head, addressed thousands of his supporters in Islamabad.

His charity, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, has rallied recently in various Pakistani cities with a series of so called "black day" demonstrations against recent violence in the Indian-held portion of the divided Kashmir territory.

Supporters of Pakistan's religious group Jamaat-ud-Dawa raise their hands during an anti-Indian rally to express solidarity with Indian Kashmiris, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that his country would continue extending political moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. He urged his countrymen to observe "black day" to express solidarity with "Kashmiris who are facing atrocities at the hands of Indian forces." (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)

Pakistan's government also called for "black day" observances to express solidarity with Kashmiris.

The largest street protests in recent years erupted in the Indian-held Kashmir after Indian troops on July 8 killed Burhan Wani, the popular 22-year-old leader of Kashmir's largest rebel group.

Police and paramilitary soldiers in riot gear enforced a strict curfew for the 12th straight day Wednesday as life remained paralyzed and streets deserted in the disputed region.

During the recent protests, clashes between government forces and Kashmiris have left 47 people, mostly teens and young men, and a policeman dead. Nearly 2,000 civilians and about 1,600 government troops have been injured.

Saeed assured the Kashmiris of full support. "We will shed our blood wherever you shed your blood," he told the rally participants who chanted down with India and al-Jihad.

Both India and Pakistan claim the entire Kashmir territory.

Pakistani protesters chant anti-Indian slogans during a rally in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that his country would continue extending political moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. He urged his countrymen to observe "black day" to express solidarity with "Kashmiris who are facing atrocities at the hands of Indian forces." (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)

Pakistani religious leaders, from right Hafiz Saeed, chief of Jamaat-ud-Dawa joins hands with Sirajul Haq, center, and the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen Syed Salahuddin, left, during an anti-Indian rally in Islamabad, Pakistan, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed that his country would continue extending political moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. He urged his countrymen to observe "black day" to express solidarity with "Kashmiris who are facing atrocities at the hands of Indian forces." (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash)
Black law enforcement leaders march for fallen officers

WASHINGTON (AP)  Black law enforcement leaders from across the world have gathered in Washington to honor fallen police officers.

Members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives met at Howard University Wednesday to march in memory of colleagues who have died in the line of duty.

The event is part of the organization's annual conference. The organization represents more than 3,000 black executive leaders and officers internationally.

The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) honored fallen police officers with a Memorial March at Howard University, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Washington. The march included over 1200 participants, including police officers, civil rights leaders and supporters from across the country. (AP Photo/Paul Holston)

Organizers say more than 1,200 people took part in the march, including civil rights leaders and young people who hope to be criminal justice leaders themselves.

Capt. Anthony April, an Alaska State Trooper who participated in the march, says the fallen officers represented the community they served. He says the "march represents being involved in the community through their service."
Fires destroy Utah mobile homes, block route to Yellowstone

Blazes in the U.S. West have blocked a major route to Yellowstone National Park during tourist season and tore through a mobile home park in Utah, leaving residences destroyed and people displaced.

Here's a look at some of the fires:

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This aerial photo shows the charred remains of homes following a fire in Tooele, Utah on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Firefighters contained a blaze fueled by wind that ripped through a Utah trailer park, displacing dozens of people and destroying multiple homes. (Ravell Call/The Deseret News via AP)

UTAH

High winds pushed a northern Utah brush fire out of a field and into a neighborhood, destroying at least 10 homes in trailer park.

Authorities were investigating Wednesday whether the 30-acre fire in the city of Tooele was intentionally set because they said it appeared suspicious.

The fire that ignited Tuesday has been contained but has displaced several dozen people. Eight other homes and a handful of cars were damaged.

Three firefighters and one resident were treated for smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported.

Resident Javier Cortez, who has a family of six, told Salt Lake City news station KUTV that he smelled smoke and ran outside.

His family tried to use a hose to wet grass around their home but they were forced to run from the flames, Cortez said. Their home of four months was destroyed.

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WYOMING

Crews are battling a blaze blocking a route to Yellowstone National Park and the region of Jackson Hole as summertime visitors flock to the popular northwest Wyoming areas.

The wildfire has burned about 12 square miles in the Bridger-Teton National Forest and closed a 40-mile section of U.S. 191/189, a highway heavily used by travelers heading across Interstate 80 to the park and Jackson Hole.

That stretch of highway is used by an average of 2,600 vehicles a day during July. The region includes the resort town of Jackson, Grand Teton National Park and other outdoor recreation.

But alternate routes are available, including I-25 through Casper. The fire is burning about 5 miles north of the community of Bondurant.

New fires also broke out in remote areas of national forests in the western part of the state.

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IDAHO

Authorities took aim at a fast-moving wildfire in southwest Idaho and slowed the flames Wednesday.

Officials called in retardant bombers and additional firefighters to strengthen containment lines around the blaze burning in grass and sagebrush 15 miles east of Boise.

The human-caused fire that started Tuesday has ballooned to about 7 square miles, destroying a barn and two smaller structures, but no homes are threatened, fire spokesman Brandon Hampton said.

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ALASKA

A wildfire threatening homes just south of Alaska's largest city was likely caused by people, fire officials said.

The fire came within a mile of two separate Anchorage subdivisions, fire incident commander Tom Kurth told reporters Wednesday. There are no immediate plans for evacuations, but he said residents in affected areas would be wise to be ready to go if necessary.

More than 20 homes are threatened and the area about 10 miles south of Anchorage that is heavily used for recreation, officials said.

Kurth said fire managers are anticipating a change in the hot, dry weather, with Thursday's forecast calling for up to a half inch of rain for the area.

Firefighters work to put out hot spots in a burned out mobile home park in Tooele, Utah, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Wind whipped up a grass fire that eventually destroyed 10 homes. (Al Hartmann/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)

Officials suspect arson destroyed 10 homes and other property in mobile home park in Tooele, Utah, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. (Al Hartmann/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)

In this Monday, July 18, 2016, photo, smoke plumes from the top of the ridge above Granite Creek on the Bridger-Teton National Forest north of Bondurant, Wyo. Firefighters worked Tuesday to protect rural homes and businesses threatened by a wildfire that has forced the evacuation and shut down a highway that leads to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park. (Ryan Dorgan/Jackson Hole News & Guide via AP)

In this Monday, July 18, 2016, photo, Teton County Sheriff's Deputy Doug Raffelson moves from house to house, alerting residents in the Jack Pine Summer Homes area of Granite Creek to evacuate as a wildfire approaches the top of the ridge above the drainage north of Bondurant, Wyo. Firefighters worked Tuesday to protect rural homes and businesses threatened by a wildfire that has forced the evacuation and shut down a highway that leads to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park. (Ryan Dorgan/Jackson Hole News & Guide via AP)

In this Monday, July 18, 2016, photo, the Snake River Hotshots, of Pocatello, Idaho, drive into Granite Creek as a wildfire approaches the crest of the ridge above the drainage north of Bondurant, Wyo. Firefighters worked Tuesday to protect rural homes and businesses threatened by a wildfire that has forced the evacuation and shut down a highway that leads to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park. (Ryan Dorgan/Jackson Hole News & Guide via AP)

A plane drops fire retardant on a wildfire behind Lucky Peak Reservoir just off of Idaho State Highway 21 in Boise, Idaho, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Officials had closed State Highway 21 in both directions but reopened Tuesday night, with pilot cars leading traffic through the area. Officials were also calling in more firefighters to battle the blaze about 15 miles east of Boise that's burning through grass and brush. (Kyle Green/The Idaho Statesman via AP)

A BLM firefighter walks near burning brush during a wildfire off of Idaho State Highway 21 in Boise, Idaho, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Officials had closed State Highway 21 in both directions but reopened Tuesday night, with pilot cars leading traffic through the area. Officials were also calling in more firefighters to battle the blaze about 15 miles east of Boise that's burning through grass and brush. (Kyle Green/The Idaho Statesman via AP)

Tooele residents survey damage at a burned out mobile home park on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Wind whipped up a grass fire that eventually destroyed 10 homes. (Al Hartmann/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)
Christie stands by friend guilty in airline bribery scheme

CLEVELAND (AP)  Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is standing by his friend and mentor who pleaded guilty to a bribery scheme involving the powerful transportation agency Christie appointed him to lead.

Christie said Wednesday that David Samson, who acknowledged using his position to pressure United Airlines to reinstate a flight that benefited him, is an "extraordinary person" and is "my friend and always will be."

Christie made his remarks in Cleveland, where he's supporting presidential nominee Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention.

Samson is a former New Jersey attorney general who headed Christie's transition team. Christie appointed him chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs area bridges, tunnels and transit hubs, in 2011.

Samson admitted last week that he pressured United to reinstate a weekend flight between Newark, New Jersey, and South Carolina, near his second home. His sentencing is scheduled for October.

The Chicago-based airline, a division of United Continental Holdings Inc., ended the money-losing flight shortly after Samson resigned in early 2014.

Christie told reporters on Wednesday that Samson "obviously had a lapse in judgment."

"I've made mistakes in my life, and I'm sure that everyone standing in this group has made mistakes in theirs, and I would hope that we don't judge the totality of somebody's life in one lapse of judgment," he said.

His comments came hours after his impassioned speech Tuesday night, when he denounced presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton for matters including a federal investigation into her use of a private email server while she was U.S. secretary of state.

"If you think Chris Christie can lecture anyone on ethics, we have a bridge to sell you," Clinton tweeted Tuesday night, a reference to the George Washington Bridge scandal, involving several members of Christie's administration.

Christie on Wednesday also defended former United lobbyist Jamie Fox, whom he named the state's transportation commissioner in 2014. Fox was charged by federal prosecutors last week with conspiracy to commit bribery and has vowed to fight the charge.

Christie called Fox "a very worthwhile and worthy public servant" who "has been convicted of absolutely nothing."

United agreed to pay a $2.25 million penalty for its role in the scheme.

Samson was head of the Port Authority in the fall of 2013, when access lanes to the George Washington Bridge were closed without warning, causing massive traffic jams in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

A federal indictment unsealed last year alleged Christie's former deputy chief of staff and another Christie appointee to the Port Authority orchestrated the gridlock to punish the town's Democratic mayor for not endorsing Christie. They're scheduled for trial in November. A second Christie associate at the Port Authority has pleaded guilty.
Wounded Milwaukee police officer leaves hospital, is saluted

MILWAUKEE (AP)  A Milwaukee police officer who was shot and wounded by a domestic violence suspect was saluted by hundreds of law officers as he left the hospital Wednesday.

Officer Brandon Baranowski thanked his fellow officers, among others, as he left Froedtert Hospital, where he had been treated since being shot early Sunday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://bit.ly/29NU6w2 ) reported.

"I want to express my thanks to the community, law enforcement partners and all those who have given me and my family the support, prayers and well-wishes during this difficult time," Baranowski said. "This truly means a lot to me, especially to have you here today."

Milwaukee police officer Brandon Baranowski is greeted Command Staff from the Milwaukee Police Department and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett as he is surrounded by fellow police officers from the Milwaukee Police Department and surrounding departments and firefighters as well as family and friends, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Milwaukee, Wis. (Michael Sears /Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)

The 31-year-old officer was ambushed and shot in the arm and chest early Sunday while responding to domestic violence calls. Authorities say the suspect, 20-year-old Tomas Uriegas of West Allis, killed himself shortly afterward. The shooting happened hours before three police officers were killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Baranowski gave special thanks to the police and firefighters who helped him immediately after, as well as the doctors and staff at the hospital who cared for him.

"I have a long road to recovery ahead of me," said Baranowski, who left the hospital wearing his right arm in a cast and sling. "I look forward to rejoining my police family to serve and protect the citizens of Milwaukee."

Baranowski, a 13-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, was joined by his wife, two young sons and his parents.

On Tuesday, Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn presented Baranowski with the department's Purple Valor award, given to department members seriously injured while on duty.

Since the weekend shootings, Flynn has ordered all Milwaukee patrol squads to be staffed by two officers on all shifts for now. The Milwaukee Police Association, which represents about 1,600 rank-and-file officers, has called for the move to be permanent.

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Wife, son of prominent Chinese dissident arrive in US

HAYWARD, Calif. (AP)  The pregnant wife of a prominent Chinese dissident has arrived in the San Francisco Bay Area with their 4-year-old son to live as refugees for at least a year, an activist said Wednesday.

Liu Xiaodong, 40, the wife of Zhao Changqing, arrived with the boy Tuesday from Bangkok. She was escorted by Yang Jianli, president of Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China, a grassroots movement dedicated to a peaceful transition to democracy.

Yang said Liu will live with supporters in suburban Hayward and take care of her children. Her baby is due Aug. 23.

This Tuesday, July 19, 2016 photo provided by Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China shows Liu Xiaodong, 40, wife of prominent Chinese dissident Zhao Changqing, her 4-year-old son after their arrival on a flight from Bangkok at San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, Calif. Others are unidentified. Liu and her son plan to live in the Bay Area for about a year as refugees. Zhao has been one of China's leading human rights and democracy defenders since the 1989 Tiananmen Students Movement. (Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China via AP)

"My husband is a political activist and fights for freedom and democracy, which puts him in the position of being the enemy of a totalitarian state," Liu told The Associated Press in an interview. "We have seen that the government is likely to use the family as a hostage against activists like my husband. That's why we left and will be safe here."

The 47-year-old Zhao has been a leading defender of human rights and democracy in China since the 1989 Tiananmen Students Movement. As a former student leader and a prominent political "prisoner of conscience," he has been imprisoned five times in 27 years.

Liu said her husband was released a week ago and is living in China under heavy surveillance.

She said she spoke to him while traveling and he is doing fine physically but having difficulty finding a permanent home. She said he will stay in China to continue his work.

In 2005, Zhao refused to participate in a flag-raising ceremony or sing the national anthem. He was put into solitary confinement for more than a month. He was later returned to solitary confinement for refusing to take part in military drills and for receiving Falun Gong members, according to published reports.

Zhao was part of a loose network of grassroots activists known as the New Citizens Movement who in 2013 were targeted by Chinese authorities as part of a broad crackdown on dissent.

The movement was known in China's beleaguered community of activists for staging small protests to call for education equality or the disclosure of public officials' assets to curb corruption.

Chinese authorities found Zhao and three other activists guilty of "gathering a crowd to disturb order in a public" for planning street protests and sentenced Zhao in April 2014 to two years and six months' imprisonment.

His wife and son left China in May for Bangkok. She says she no longer felt safe in Thailand.

"I knew the stories. That's why I was anxious. I was afraid they'd kidnap me and take me back like they had done to other people," Liu said.

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Bender reported from San Francisco.

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This story has been corrected to use Liu and Zhao on second reference, and to correct a name to Yang Jianli.
In Cleveland, sea of white reflects GOP's math problem

After Mitt Romney lost the 2012 presidential election, Republican Party heavyweights uniformly agreed that white voters alone do not hold the keys to winning the White House.

Yet in 2016, another overwhelmingly white gathering of Republican convention delegates  the makeup clear on television images or a walk through the Quicken Loans Arena floor  has nominated an all-white male ticket: businessman Donald Trump and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

Trump leaned almost exclusively on white voters to win the nomination and, in the process, alienated swaths of minorities with his push for a border wall to stop illegal immigration, calls for a "deportation force" and proposals to ban non-citizen Muslims from entering the country.

Delegates on the floor of the convention are reflected in a mirror on the side of a camera stand during the second day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

"He offended so many people," said Texas GOP delegate Adryana Boyne, who is Latina. "I think he needs to apologize and he hasn't."

At the ballot box, simple math is at play as the country becomes less white with each presidential cycle. The more Trump struggles with non-whites, the more pressure there is for him to reach levels of white support no candidate has managed since Ronald Reagan's 1984 landslide.

Pence may shore up support among white conservatives, but he may not easily connect with non-white voters, and many of the elected Republicans who could play that role aren't Trump allies.

South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, the child of Indian immigrants, skipped the convention. Erstwhile Trump primary rival and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, is tepidly backing Trump, as is New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez, the first Latina to lead an American state. But they aren't addressing the Cleveland gathering from the podium.

The most forceful minority speakers have had much lower profiles. Kentucky state Sen. Ralph Alvarado Jr. addressed his fellow Latinos in Spanish, urging them to support Trump. Eric Trump Foundation employee Lynne Patton, who is black, declared that she backs Trump "not just in spite of the color of my skin, but in fact because of the color of my skin."

Still other messages from the stage have directly conflicted with calls from GOP leaders, like House Speaker Paul Ryan, for white Americans to acknowledge the challenges and fears black Americans face, including in their dealings with police.

Many speakers, including some minorities, reinforced Trump's law-and-order message, putting them at odds with what many black Americans think about race relations and police practices.

Iowa Rep. Steve King turned heads in a television interview by suggesting minorities haven't helped build Western civilization. Even Ryan, with his calls for a national dialogue on race, drew rebuke after widespread social media distribution of a picture of him with a nearly all-white class of House GOP interns.

Romney in 2012 won about six out of 10 whites and still trailed President Barack Obama nationally by almost 5 million votes. Romney's share of whites was roughly identical to what George H.W. Bush won 24 years earlier. But in a much whiter country, Bush won 41 states and captured 426 electoral votes, easily clearing the 270 required to win. Romney won 24 states and 206 electoral votes.

Trump insists he'll drive up white turnout and his share of the white vote, while improving GOP performance among non-whites, thus flipping diverse states like Florida and Colorado and whiter Democratic-leaning states in the Midwest.

At a convention breakfast, Republican Chairman Reince Priebus defended Trump's prospects but confessed his "long-term" worries, saying "you cannot ignore" the growing influence of minority voters.

The same conclusion prevails among many Republican delegates, regardless of race and ethnicity.

Michael Barnett, who is black and leads Florida's Palm Beach County GOP, said Republicans must "reach out to those who (we) historically have not been accustomed to talking to."

From Alabama, white state Sen. Cam Ward said the effort must involve "two-way" conversations. "We must not only explain our principles," Ward said, "but we also must be willing to listen to their concerns."

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Associated Press writers Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; Brendan Farrington in Tallahassee, Florida; Julie Pace in Cleveland; and Will Weissert in Austin, Texas, contributed to this report.

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Follow Barrow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BillBarrowAP
5 years after shuttle, NASA awaits commercial crew capsules

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  Five years after Atlantis completed the space shuttle program's final voyage, NASA is still at least a year away from launching its astronauts from U.S. soil.

When Atlantis returned to Earth on July 21, 2011, everyone knew there would be a lengthy gap. But the pilots who guided Atlantis to one last "wheels stop" are doing all they can to hurry up the future, albeit from different teams.

One works for Boeing on the company's Starliner crew capsule under development. The other is one of four NASA astronauts training for the initial test flights.

FILE - This Thursday, June 20, 2013 file photo shows the space shuttle Atlantis on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Five years after Atlantis completed the space shuttle program's final voyage, NASA is still at least a year away from launching its astronauts from U.S. soil. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

This unprecedented switch from government to commercial rocketships promises to usher in a whole new era, according to Atlantis' commander Christopher Ferguson.

Think space tourists, orbiting factories, lunar camps, private Mars labs and more.

"We're on the verge of commercially taking people back and forth to low-Earth orbit. This is practically unheard of," Ferguson said earlier this month.

He now works for Boeing, one of two private companies coming up with new capsules to carry astronauts. Boeing's Starliner is set to sail to the International Space Station in early 2018.

SpaceX's souped-up Dragon capsule is scheduled to launch by the end of next year.

Ever since shuttles Atlantis, Discovery and Endeavour retired to museums, Americans have been stuck riding Russian rockets to the space station. NASA has been relying on SpaceX and Orbital ATK to keep the station supplied. The latest cargo Dragon arrived Wednesday. Its primary payload: a docking port needed for the crew-worthy Dragon and Starliner.

Commercial space stations likely will replace the multination space station, Ferguson noted.

"So we're sort of setting the stage for commercial habitation of low-Earth orbit  all with the intent of going beyond," he said.

NASA is looking to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030s. It is developing the Orion spacecraft to do just that, along with a mega-rocket set to debut in 2018.

On this fifth anniversary of the last shuttle flight, space station commander Jeffrey Williams prefers to focus on the future, rather than the past.

"It was tough for everybody to retire the shuttle," Williams said from orbit last week. "It was a great vehicle and did its job. But that's the point  it did its primary job. It fulfilled its primary purpose" of building the station.

During a July 8 commemoration of the shuttle's last liftoff, Ferguson and his co-pilot Douglas Hurley recalled how they had to practically be dragged from the cockpit following touchdown. Hurley is now training for test flights of the new capsules.

"I didn't want to leave," Ferguson said. "I just thought, 'We're not done yet.' And it's true. We're not done yet."

Hurley noted how he, Ferguson and the two other Atlantis astronauts  Sandra Magnus and Rex Walheim  turned out the cabin lights the night before landing and took in the views of Earth. Their space station visit had gone incredibly well, and the goodbyes with many of their flight controllers had been said.

"I just remember just sitting there going, 'This is unbelievable, I can't believe I'm doing this.' ... The whole mission kind of came crashing in."

Kennedy Space Center's director, former astronaut Robert Cabana, said it was bittersweet hearing Atlantis' twin sonic booms on return one last time. After 135 shuttle flights spanning 30 years, "it was sad, but there was a great joy about it, too."

A postscript: Thanks to SpaceX, the sonic booms are back.

For only the second time, the leftover first-stage booster of a SpaceX Falcon rocket landed back at Cape Canaveral following Monday's launch, its return heralded by sonic booms. Like the first time in December, the booster touched down vertically just a few miles from where it took off on the space station delivery mission.

No longer accustomed to these booms, some area residents called 911 to report a middle-of-the-night explosion.

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Online:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts135/main/index.html

FILE - In this Thursday, July 21, 2011 file photo, the drag chute is deployed as the space shuttle Atlantis lands at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, completing STS-135, the final mission of the NASA shuttle program. Five years after Atlantis completed the space shuttle program's final voyage, NASA is still at least a year away from launching its astronauts from U.S. soil. (Smiley N. Pool/ Houston Chronicle via AP)
United, TSA to offer automated security checkpoints

CHICAGO (AP)  In a bid to reduce long airport security lines, United Airlines said Wednesday it will work with federal officials to install automated screening checkpoints this fall at its hub in Newark, New Jersey, and later this year in Chicago and Los Angeles.

Automated checkpoints are set up so that suspicious bags are pulled away for more scrutiny, keeping other bags on the conveyer belt moving. They also have a conveyer belt to return empty bins to the beginning of the line.

United's move echoes similar announcements from Delta Air Lines and American Airlines. Carriers say passengers have missed flights while stuck in long lines at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints.

United also said that four checkpoints at the Newark airport will be combined into one, checkpoints at Chicago's O'Hare Airport will be redesigned, and a new check-in and screening area will be built in Terminal 7 at Los Angeles International Airport.
Four nuns are being investigated over claims they may have helped a former government official who allegedly tried to hide $9 million in cash at their convent.

Argentina's Catholic Church launched the investigation 'to determine if there was a canonical crime and help the actions of the civil justice,' the Rev. Tom O'Donnell, a leading member of the probe, said on Wednesday.

Jose Lopez, a former public works secretary, was arrested in June at the convent on the outskirts of Buenos Aires after neighbours said they saw him throwing plastic bags full of money over a wall.

Police discovered wads of U.S. dollars, three other currencies and expensive watches in bags inside the premises of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima monastery on the outskirts of Buenos Aires

A police officer works with a K-9 inspecting the premises of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima monastery on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Some money was found in the monastery kitchen and more was discovered in the trunk of a car.

Security Minister Cristian Ritondo of Buenos Aires Province told a news conference Mr Lopez allegedly tried to bribe police when he was arrested.

'He later told the nuns that police had tried to steal the money that he was trying to donate,' Mr Ritondo said.

'There are dollars, yen, euros and a currency from Qatar ... It's a lot of money.'

Argentine media recently aired closed-circuit TV footage showing Lopez carrying a rifle and cash in through the convent's main entrance aided by two nuns.

One of the nuns is to appear before Judge Daniel Rafecas on August 1.

Argentinian former Vice Minister of Public Works Jose Lopez (centre) was taken into custody after being arrested in Buenos Aires on June 14, while he was allegedly trying to hide 160 packages with more than eight million dollars in the garden of a nunnery

Jose Lopez was allegedly trying to hide almost $9m (6.8m) in cash and jewels. This picture shows some of the items that were recovered by police

A neighbor of the monastery, who called authorities after he saw Lopez throwing bags onto the property, is also expected to appear.

After leading an inspection of the convent Wednesday, Rafecas told reporters that authorities had seized documents 'showing a relationship of more than decade' between the convent and Lopez, who was in the Cabinet of President Cristina Fernandez.

Since Fernandez ended her presidential term in December, President Mauricio Macri's administration has promised to root out Argentina's endemic corruption.

Analysts say that has emboldened judges who are now freer to pursue sensitive cases against Fernandez and her allies without fear of retribution.

The former president has been included in investigations involving allegations of money laundering and possible illegal enrichment.
Clinton VP search focus is Kaine, Vilsack, Perez

WASHINGTON (AP)  Hillary Clinton's vice presidential search is centering on three main contenders, with an announcement expected as soon as Friday as the Democrat prepares for her party's national convention next week in Philadelphia.

Democrats familiar with the search say Clinton's campaign has focused in recent days on Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a former governor, mayor and one-time Catholic missionary fluent in Spanish; Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, an ex-Iowa governor and longtime Clinton ally; and Labor Secretary Tom Perez, a progressive champion who would be the first Hispanic on a major-party ticket.

The Democrats cautioned that Clinton had not yet reached a final decision and was weighing a number of factors, including the person's readiness to be president, personal compatibility and ability to help her administration govern.

FILE - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, during an event at Fort Stewart, Ga. Vilsack is possibly being considered as a potential running mate for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. (AP Photo/Russ Bynum, file)

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a favorite of liberals, remains in the mix and offers the campaign a fundraising juggernaut and the tantalizing prospect of an all-female ticket. But Warren is not expected to be the final choice, said the Democrats familiar with the process. They spoke on condition of anonymity to describe private discussions about the search process.

Clinton's choice will be the culmination of a closely held search for a running mate, run by a small group of longtime advisers and confidantes.

Preparing for a showdown with Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, Clinton has sought to project an inclusive campaign aimed at "breaking down barriers and building bridges" to mobilize the diverse coalition of voters who twice elected President Barack Obama.

Clinton is expected to announce her decision during a two-day campaign swing in Florida later this week. The vice presidential rollout could come at either a Friday rally at the state fairgrounds in Tampa or at a Saturday rally at Florida International University in Miami, where two-thirds of the student body is Hispanic.

Following next week's Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, the newly minted ticket is expected to embark on a campaign bus tour, reminiscent of the "First 1,000 Miles" convoy that took Bill Clinton, Al Gore and their spouses across eight states after the party's 1992 convention.

Democrats familiar with the process said Trump's choice of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, a conservative former congressman, for the GOP ticket was not viewed as requiring her to choose a specific running mate in response. Campaign officials declined to comment.

Kaine has been considered a leading contender for weeks based on his broad experience in Virginia, a presidential battleground state, as governor, senator and mayor of Richmond. He also served as chairman of the Democratic National Committee and as a lawyer working on fair housing and civil rights issues.

Vilsack, the longest-serving member of Obama's Cabinet, has known Clinton for many years  his late brother-in-law worked with her in the early 1970s  and she was among his most prominent surrogates in his come-from-behind gubernatorial victory in 1998.

Perez, meanwhile, is highly regarded by the White House for his policy chops and could potentially galvanize Latinos who have been turned off by Trump's harsh rhetoric about Hispanics. The son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic, Perez played a behind-the-scenes role as a federal prosecutor, a top aide to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy and the head of the Justice Department's civil rights division.

Both Vilsack and Kaine have been through the process before. Vilsack was among the final group considered by John Kerry in 2004 and Kaine was vetted by Obama's team four years later. If either Vilsack or Perez were selected, they would be required to resign from Obama's Cabinet.

Clinton's decision will be steeped in her personal experience. She was involved in her husband's selection of Gore in 1992 and has the unique vantage point of having seen up close the various roles played by the vice president.

In an interview this week with Charlie Rose of CBS News, Clinton said her main criterion was "would this person be a good president? You know, I am afflicted with the responsibility gene and I know what it's like being president."

Quizzed on potential running mates, Clinton noted that Kaine had "never lost an election" and was a "world-class mayor, governor and senator." She said Warren had "put the agenda of inequality front and center."

Clinton also praised retired Adm. James Stavridis, a former NATO supreme allied commander, calling him "exceptional."

Other possible choices include Housing Secretary Julian Castro, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker. Clinton met with Castro, Hickenlooper and Warren at her Washington home on Friday.

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Associated Press writers Julie Pace and Kathleen Hennessey in Cleveland and Catherine Lucey in Philadelphia contributed to this report.

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Texas district alters transgender policy, will notify parent

DALLAS (AP)  A Texas school district that triggered a passionate debate when it announced restroom guidelines for transgender students pledged Wednesday to work more closely with parents on matters affecting LGBT children.

Fort Worth Superintendent Kent Scribner said Wednesday that transgender guidelines have been condensed and that each student will be handled on a "case-by-case basis."

Earlier guidelines announced in April noted that transitioning to a different gender is a private matter and that students could choose whether to have their parents involved. The policy said informing a parent could carry risks for a child who may be punished.

"The new guidelines squarely involve parents, unless it would prove harmful to the child," Scribner said, adding that it now "defaults" to bringing parents into the fold earlier.

The revision came after a series of community meetings where "it was clear there was much misinformation and misunderstanding about this policy," Scribner said.

State Attorney General Ken Paxton last month issued a non-binding opinion suggesting Fort Worth schools were violating Texas law with the restroom guidelines.

He had claimed that Texas' sixth-largest school district relegated "parents to a subordinate status" since the policy was created without their proper input or consent. Paxton, a Republican, had argued the guidelines violated state education code.

His opinion was sought by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a fellow Republican who had unsuccessfully demanded Scribner's resignation.

But Paxton in a statement Wednesday praised the revision, saying it "complies with state law and my recent attorney general opinion."

"This guideline now allows school officials to consider the needs of students and their families on a case-by-case basis while considering the health and safety of all students," Paxton said.

Patrick said in a statement: "Today's decision by the Fort Worth Independent School District is a victory for parents' rights and student safety. I am pleased the FWISD superintendent and school board have listened to parents in the school district and pulled down their existing transgender policy."

Texas remains part of an 11-state lawsuit that accuses the federal government of turning schools into "laboratories for a massive social experiment." The suit is in response to President Barack Obama's earlier directive to public schools to let transgender students use bathrooms that match their gender identity.

The Fort Worth policy allows transgender students access to single-stall restrooms. Alternatively, they can use restrooms when other students aren't around. But a student can't unilaterally decide which restroom to use; an administrator, parents and others must be consulted.

Scribner on Wednesday defended the district against claims it was making special accommodations for a class of students. When it comes to bathrooms, special arrangements are made for students who are obese, incontinent or have anxiety, he said.
2 of 5 Air National Guard female fighter pilots based in SD

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  They're two of just five women in the U.S. who can operate F-16 Fighting Falcon jets for the Air National Guard, but their gender is the last thing the millennial pilots based in South Dakota dwell on.

Instead, they're focused on jump-starting their careers and perfecting the skills that one day may lead them to defend their country by operating a jack-of-all-trades-type aircraft that can shoot down other airplanes and drop bombs.

Capts. Shanon Davis and Valerie Vanderostyne were among four people selected from a pool of 100 applicants in 2011 to join the 114th Fighter Wing with the South Dakota Air National Guard in Sioux Falls. After undergoing years of training that has taken them to seven states, South Korea, and soon, Poland, the women are the first two female fighter pilots in the state Air Guard's 70-year history.

In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016, photo, Capt. Valerie Vanderostyne, left, and Capt. Shanon Davis, both with the South Dakota Air National Guard, chat alongside an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls, S.D. The two are part of a select group of five women from around the country who can pilot F-16 fighter jets. Vanderostyne and Davis are the first two female fighter pilots that have been with the South Dakota Air National Guard in its 70-year history. (AP Photo/Regina Garcia Cano)

"Why not?" Davis, 27, said when asked why she chose to become a fighter pilot. "I was always going to be a pilot. I always knew that's what I wanted to do. ... I was surprised when we first got back about the response of the women that work here in all jobs and how excited they were to have us here."

In interviews at the Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, both stressed that they earned their spot through hard work, not preferential treatment.

"From Day 1, it's been great," the 28-year-old Vanderostyne said of joining the 114th Fighter Wing, which has 31 male pilots. "I haven't felt weird for being a female or anything or treated any differently, and when I fly, I'm expected to do my job just as well as any of the other guys here."

Davis said girls or young women considering careers as fighter pilots should not be discouraged by what others may think of their choice. She said it's all "a matter of how hard you want to work."

The Air National Guard has 195 female pilots; of those, 10 are fighter pilots and five have trained to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, an almost 50-foot long aircraft used in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attacks. The agency did not immediately disclose where the other three F-16 female pilots are based. In comparison, the Air Guard has 3,547 male pilots, of which 884 can operate fighter jets.

Davis and Vanderostyne have not been in combat, but both said they are ready should they be asked to do so.

Vanderostyne, who was selected as Wingman of the Year in 2015, will be flying an F-16 as part of the Sioux Falls Air Show on Sunday, even if some of those on the ground watching don't find it plausible.

"If they believe me, people think it's the coolest job ever," Vanderostyne said of people's usual reactions. "My friends brag about it to their friends, but to me, it's my job, and I love it. I wouldn't do anything else."

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Follow Regina Garcia Cano on Twitter at: https://www.twitter.com/reginagarciakNO

In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016, photo, Capt. Valerie Vanderostyne with the South Dakota Air National Guard conducts a pre-flight check of the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Joe Foss Field in Sioux Falls, S. D. Vanderostyne and Capt. Shanon Davis are the first two female fighter pilots that have been with the South Dakota Air National Guard in its 70-year history. (AP Photo/Regina Garcia Cano)
Experts: Restoring death penalty in Turkey would be risky

ISTANBUL (AP)  Rights groups and legal experts said Wednesday that Turkey would be abandoning international rights conventions, and reverting to relics of military dictatorships if it reinstates the death penalty, which was abolished more than a decade ago.

Since the failed coup, hundreds of protesters have chanted in support of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and demanded the restoration of the death penalty.

Erdogan hasn't pushed back against those demands, saying reinstating it is a constitutional procedure that the parliament has to discuss. If the parliament approves it, he said, he would back it.

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold banners and waves their national flags, during a rally at Kizilay main square, in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is calling on Turkey to provide hard evidence that a U.S.-based cleric was behind a foiled coup attempt last weekend if it wants him extradited. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

"You cannot put aside the people's demands," Erdogan told hundreds of supporters late Monday at a rally outside his Istanbul home.

But European leaders say talks on Turkey's bid to join the EU would end if Ankara restores the death penalty. Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004, as part of its bid to join the bloc.

Andrew Gardner, Amnesty researcher in Turkey, said it's ironic that the country has been among the main campaigners in the United Nations for countries to abolish capital punishment. The last execution carried out in Turkey was in 1984, following the last military coup in 1980.

"The death penalty is a relic of military dictatorship in Turkey," Gardner said. "By bringing back the death penalty, Turkey would be disregarding its international commitments, massively complicating their international relations."

A Turkish criminal lawyer said that even if capital punishment was reintroduced in Turkey, it couldn't be legally applied to any of the alleged perpetrators of the coup because it would be violating international rights principles. The reinstating of the death penalty would require an amendment to the constitution or a public referendum.

A crime can't be punished retroactively with an amended law, said Vildan Yirmibesoglu, a criminal and human rights lawyer.

"The suspect is tried with the existing law (at the time of the crime.) It is not possible to apply a law that has been enacted retroactively to a crime that has been committed in the past."

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Associated Press Balint Szlanko contributed to this report.

Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hold banners and wave their national flags, during a rally at Kizilay main square, in Ankara, Turkey, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is calling on Turkey to provide hard evidence that a U.S.-based cleric was behind a foiled coup attempt last weekend if it wants him extradited. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)
A woman reportedly barricaded herself in a home with several guns threatening to kill everyone after police responded to a tip in regards to a stolen rental vehicle Thursday.

Washington County Captain Zach Jacobsen said deputies were dispatched to a home in the 10,000 block of Eternity Road just before 5:30 p.m. to look for two people who were wanted out of St. Francois County for theft of a motor vehicle or failing to return a motor vehicle.

The vehicle was reported stolen out of Farmington and it was a rental car they hadnt returned for over a month, said Jacobsen. April Perry and her boyfriend Isaac Dobbs were notified at one point or another and they knew the car was reported stolen. I think St. Francois County (authorities) may have even been involved in a pursuit with the vehicle before.

Jacobsen said deputies were dispatched to the residence to arrest Perry. He added the family had contacted police stating they were going to be there and the family was concerned about a child who had been with the adults.

According to a probable cause statement, Perry got into a verbal altercation with a man at the house and grabbed an Excel 12 gauge shotgun from the car she was in. She pointed it at the man's face and stated she was going to blow his head off.

The report said Perry then ran from law enforcement when they arrived and barricaded herself in a back bedroom refusing to come out.

Jacobsen said deputies tried to force their way into the bedroom and Perry told them she was going to shoot them and kill them. Dobbs and the child were not at the house.

The deputies immediately set up a perimeter around the house and thats when I was called out to start negotiations, said Jacobsen. After about 45 minutes to an hour I was able to convince her to come out and when she came out we took her into custody without further incident.

Perry was booked on a warrant. Perry was formally charged Friday morning with a class C felony of attempted assault against a law enforcement officer in the second degree, a class D felony of unlawful use of a weapon and a class D felony of resisting arrest for a felony. Perry is being held in the Washington County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

Later during the same investigation we were able to convince Dobbs by telephone to take the child to the sheriffs office, said Jacobsen. The child was dropped off and reunited with the father. Dobbs was wanted on a parole warrant and we were able to ping the cellphone. We located him at a residence off Radio Station Road and took him into custody without incident.

Jacobsen said they will be seeking charges on Dobbs for child abuse and child endangerment. As of press time no charges have been filed against Dobbs.

The experienced deputies we had at the scene made it a lot easier, said Jacobsen. We were able to coordinate assets at the right time and it just made the situation end peacefully. You have to understand there was a large contingency of this lady's family there that we had to continuously order out of the residence and to stay back. The deputies handled that very well with the small amount of officers they had.

Jacobsen said when he first arrived there were three deputies on scene and a Potosi city officer.

Shortly after I was able to get some of our other detectives and more deputies there so we were able to maintain a perimeter around the house, said Jacobsen. It was a pretty volatile situation for a while, the lady was barricaded and mad at her entire family and wanted to kill all them. She was mad because she could hear them and see them out the window. They kept coming back to the house and she was mad about that. After we would run them off they would come back and kept making the situation worse every time they would come back.

Jacobsen said after multiple attempts they were finally able to get the family to stay back. He said everything worked out and no one was hurt.

Any time you deal with something like this you have the inherent risk of other people getting hurt and the deputies controlled themselves very well, said Jacobsen. She came out on her own free will and it worked out very well. I want to recognize that we moved an ambulance up for stand-by from the ambulance district and we really appreciate their assistance and their response.

Jacobsen added they also called in the Franklin County Sheriffs Office SWAT team for assistance if the negotiations went any other direction.

I was positive we had the assets in route to assist in a stand-off situation, said Jacobsen. So that mutual understanding our sheriffs office has with them, we are able to call those folks in Franklin County anytime and they will drop what they are doing to come help us so its not such a drain on our local sheriffs office. It is a great asset and tool to have and everyone works well together.
Argentina judge requests arrest of Iran adviser for bombing

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)  An Argentine judge is requesting that Singapore and Malaysia arrest an adviser to Iran's supreme leader who is accused of masterminding the South American country's worst terrorist attack.

Ali Akbar Velayati was foreign minister of Iran at the time of the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in Buenos Aires and is now an adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Velayati is visiting Southeast Asia to attend a regional summit.

Argentine Judge Rodolfo Canicoba Corral told The Associated Press on Wednesday that his request seeks to reinforce existing arrest orders.
US agents in Puerto Rico seize $2.4M in counterfeit goods

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP)  Federal agents in Puerto Rico say they have seized $2.4 million worth in counterfeit goods sent through the mail, setting a new weekly record for the U.S. island territory.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the 268 items confiscated include knock-off shoes, clothing, textiles and pharmaceuticals.

Officials said Wednesday that the goods were illegally imported from China via the mail. They said the previous high for seizures in a week was $1.6 million.
Cosby files latest bid to question accuser before trial

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP)  Bill Cosby is again fighting for the chance to question his accuser in court before his sexual-assault case goes to trial near Philadelphia.

Cosby's lawyers have filed their latest appeal on the issue of whether accuser Andrea Constand must testify at a preliminary hearing.

The current case law in Pennsylvania lets prosecutors use police statements to spare victims the ordeal of repeated court testimony.

But the state Supreme Court has agreed to reconsider the issue. Cosby's lawyers say Constand should testify in case the law is reversed.

A Montgomery County judge has already upheld the charges and ordered the 79-year-old Cosby to stand trial.

He remains free on $1 million bail.
The Latest: Attorney accuses Vatican of interference

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  The Latest on the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis' handling of child abuse allegations (all times local):

4:15 p.m.

An attorney for victims of clergy abuse is accusing the Vatican of interfering in the investigation of a Minnesota archbishop.

Jeffrey Anderson made the claim in a case involving former archbishop John Nienstedt (NINE'-stedt), whose personal conduct was being examined in 2014 as the archdiocese was criticized for its handling of abuse allegations.

Anderson cited a newly released 2014 memo from the Rev. Daniel Griffith, an archdiocese leader for ensuring a safe environment for children.

In it, Griffith accused the Vatican's delegate in Washington, D.C., of ordering church leaders to wrap up the Nienstedt investigation without pursuing all leads. Griffith also accused the then-delegate, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, of ordering leaders to destroy a letter in which they disagreed with him.

Attempts for comment from the office of the Vatican's delegate were not immediately successful. Griffith didn't immediately return messages.

Earlier Wednesday, prosecutors said they'll drop child endangerment charges against the archdiocese and the archdiocese said it'll admit it mishandled allegations.

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10 a.m.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will publicly admit wrongdoing for the way it handled abuse allegations against a former priest.

And prosecutors say they'll drop six criminal child endangerment charges that alleged the archdiocese turned a blind eye to repeated misconduct by Curtis Wehmeyer, who was convicted of molesting two boys in Minnesota and one in Wisconsin.

The admission of wrongdoing is part of a beefed-up civil agreement announced in court Tuesday. Archbishop Bernard Hebda will also personally participate in restorative justice sessions  taking a more active role.
Virginia governor being sued over releasing felons' names

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  A county prosecutor is suing Virginia's governor to force him to release the names of the felons whose civil rights have been restored.

Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Plowman filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Loudoun County Circuit Court.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe's executive order restoring voting rights of roughly 200,000 felons who completed their sentences also allows them to run for public office, serve on a jury and become a notary public. Plowman says he needs their names to determine whether someone is truly eligible to serve on a jury, among other things.

Plowman and media organizations have filed public records requests for a list of the names. McAuliffe's administration denied them under a "working papers" exemption in state law.
The Latest: Enbridge to pay $176M for Michigan oil spill

MARSHALL, Mich. (AP)  The Latest on a settlement between the federal government and Enbridge Energy Partners over a 2010 oil spill in southwestern Michigan (all times local):

5:20 p.m.:

Enbridge Energy Partners has reached a $176 million settlement with the federal government for the costliest inland oil spill in U.S. history.

FILE- In a July 13, 2011 file photo, cleanup work continues on the Kalamzoo River almost a year after a spill near Marshall, Mich. Enbridge Energy Partners will pay a $61 million penalty for the costliest inland oil spill in U.S. history under an agreement with federal officials. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced the settlement Wednesday, July 20, 2016. It involves a 2010 pipeline rupture near Marshall, Michigan, that released an estimated 843,000 gallons of crude oil. A nearly 40-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River was polluted as shoreline residents fled their homes. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond, FILE)

Officials with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced the deal Wednesday involving a 2010 spill in southwestern Michigan. Enbridge says 843,000 gallons flowed from a ruptured pipe into the Kalamazoo River, while EPA contends the total exceeded 1 million gallons.

The settlement requires the Canadian company to pay a $61 million penalty, the second-largest ever imposed for violations of the Clean Water Act.

Other spending will go toward measures to prevent future oil spills from Enbridge's U.S. pipeline network, which covers 2,000 miles in seven states.

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11 a.m.:

Enbridge Energy Partners will pay a $61 million penalty for the costliest inland oil spill in U.S. history under an agreement with federal officials.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice announced the settlement Wednesday over a 2010 pipeline rupture near Marshall, Michigan, that released an estimated 843,000 gallons of crude oil. A nearly 40-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River was polluted as shoreline residents fled their homes.

The deal requires measures to prevent future spills, detect leaks and prepare for emergencies across Enbridge's Lakehead network, a web of 14 pipelines extending more than 2,000 miles across seven states.
Central US braces for 'heat dome;' heat indexes to top 100

CHICAGO (AP)  High temperatures and humidity will bake much of the central U.S. this week, making it feel as hot as 115 degrees in some places and leading some cities to open cooling stations and take other precautions.

The high pressure system, sometimes called a "heat dome," will push conditions to their hottest point so far this summer, though record hot temperatures are not expected, according to the National Weather Service. Authorities from Minnesota to Louisiana are warning people to take precautions and check on the elderly and other vulnerable neighbors and relatives.

The temperature in the South Dakota capital of Pierre reached 105 degrees Wednesday afternoon. Misty Black Bear, who works for the state, watched as her new chocolate ice cream cone immediately started melting in the sun. She said she's fortunate her office has air conditioning.

A construction worker carries rebar through a luxury apartment site during the heat of the day, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Chicago. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration urged employers to protect laborers doing construction, road and agricultural work, as high temperatures and humidity will affect the central United States this week, sending heat indexes as high as 115 degrees in some places for the first time this year. (AP Photo/Tae-Gyun Kim)

State workers Katie Hruska and Kelsey Weber ate ice cream in the shade but planned to head right back inside when they were done.

"I eat ice cream in the winter, too, because it's delicious," Hruska said. "But, did we pick ice cream today because it's hot? Yes."

A 4-year-old Illinois girl was hospitalized Tuesday after being found unresponsive in a hot vehicle in a suburb northwest of Chicago. Details on her condition weren't released. Investigators think the girl climbed into the vehicle without her parents' knowledge after overhearing conversations about going to her grandmother's home for dinner, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

In neighboring Missouri, officials blamed heat for the death last week of an elderly woman in St. Louis County.

And officials at the Canterbury Park track near Minneapolis canceled live horse racing on Thursday, when the heat index was expected to exceed 110 degrees.

Temperatures were forecast to reach the 90s for most areas of the central U.S. starting Wednesday and lasting into the weekend in some places. High humidity will make it feel anywhere from 105 to 115 degrees.

"We're not talking record-breaking heat by any stretch," said Andrew Krein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Chicago-area office. "The only thing is it is the warmest it's been this summer, so in that respect people may not be prepared for it."

Excessive heat warnings put out by the weather service were in effect Wednesday for parts of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.

Thunderstorms and a cold front descending south across Lake Michigan could provide some relief Friday for parts of the Great Lakes region.

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, ahead of flooding, Krein said.

Cities around the region were opening cooling centers. Health departments put out safety tips advising people to check on the elderly, stay hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activity. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration urged employers to protect laborers doing construction, road and agricultural work.

Jerry Main, who plants corn and soybeans on about 500 acres in southeast Iowa near Fairfield, said farmers plan outdoor work in early mornings to avoid the hottest part of the day.

"As far as cutting weeds by hand or manual labor outside I would say most farmers will spend a good share of the afternoon in the house," he said.

This time of year, many Midwest farmers are spraying soybean fields to control weeds, a task likely performed from the cab of an air-conditioned tractor. Others are applying fungicide to corn, which is sometimes done by airplane.

Krein, the meteorologist, said the maturing corn crops this time of year are partly to blame for the sudden increase in humidity, along with the main source: moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.

"Corn is a very effective transporter of moisture from the ground into the atmosphere," he said, adding that the moisture is also then blown over urban areas such as Chicago.

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Associated Press writers David Pitt in Des Moines, Iowa, and James Nord in Pierre, S.D., contributed to this report.

Gabby Crespo tries to keep cool while running a shirt press that creates a lot of heat at Wolf's Cleaners, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Milwaukee. High temperatures and humidity will bake much of the central United States this week, sending heat indexes soaring as high as 115 degrees in some places for the first time this year. (Rick Wood/Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel via AP)

A construction worker handles lumber at a luxury apartment site . Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Chicago. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration urged employers to protect laborers doing construction, road and agricultural work, as high temperatures and humidity will affect the central United States this week, sending heat indexes as high as 115 degrees in some places for the first time this year. (AP Photo/Tae-Gyun Kim)

A construction worker handles lumber at a luxury apartment site, Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Chicago. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration urged employers to protect laborers doing construction, road and agricultural work, as high temperatures and humidity will affect the central United States this week, sending heat indexes as high as 115 degrees in some places for the first time this year. (AP Photo/Tae-Gyun Kim)
Venezuela presents details in weapons case against Utah man

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP)  Venezuelan authorities on Wednesday presented what they said are new details in the case against a 24-year-old Utah man being held on weapons charges.

Joshua Holt traveled to Venezuela last month on a tourist visa to marry a fellow Mormon he met on the internet. At the time of the arrest June 30, Holt's new wife, Thamara Caleno, was waiting for a U.S. visa so the pair could travel to his home in a suburb of Salt Lake City.

Interior Minister Gustavo Gonzalez offered what are the most-extensive public remarks by a Venezuelan official on the case since Holt's arrest. He called Holt by the supposed alias "the gringo" and described him a "trained gunman" with a pilot's license who is adept at using technology. Although scant on details, he questioned the legality of a marriage license the couple obtained in Caracas and said Caleno's apartment in a housing complex built by Venezuela's socialist government was used to stockpile weapons.

Gonzalez stopped short of accusing Holt of spying, but suggested his case was linked to other unspecified attempts by the U.S. to undermine President Nicolas Maduro's rule during a period of deep economic and political turbulence.

"Under different facades, the secret services of the United States are seeking to achieve goals in an unconventional war through interventionist actions that stimulate the formation of criminal paramilitary gangs in housing complexes," Gonzalez said in televised remarks. "We won't permit the dark interests of capitalism, backed by the criminal gangs, to suffocate the stability and peace of the country."

Venezuela is in the midst of a severe crisis marked by widespread food shortages and triple-digit inflation that Maduro almost daily blames on an economic war being waged by his opponents.

Venezuelan prosecutors have charged Holt and Caleno with possessing weapons of war and said they found an assault rifle and a grenade at her home.

Holt's mother, Laurie Holt, said members of her family like to hunt and her son once took flight classes while in high school. But she said he was never certified as a pilot and doesn't know how to operate a plane. She believes the weapons found with him were planted.

"I just can't believe how bad they can twist this," she said in a phone interview from Utah. "We're not blaming the government; we just think it's a big misunderstanding."

Holt had returned to his home in a suburb of Salt Lake City, Utah, in January after a two-year mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Washington state. He learned to speak Spanish while working with Hispanic immigrants during his time there, his mother said. She said her son met Caleno through the internet when he went looking for a Spanish-speaking Mormon to help polish his Spanish, and the couple fell in love during their sessions online.
Absent during protests, Baton Rouge mayor is more visible

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Kip Holden's absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation.

But with the shooting deaths of three law enforcement officers on Sunday, the 63-year-old Democrat has become more visible, standing up for his police force and accepting condolences from mayors across the country, including the leaders of Orlando and Dallas, and from President Barack Obama.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Holden vowed Wednesday to unify Baton Rouge after two weeks of violence and anguish.

Kip Holden, the Democratic mayor of Baton Rouge, talks with elections officials after signing up to run for Congress, on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, in Baton Rouge, La. Many of the major candidates for U.S. Senate are expected to be among the first in line Wednesday morning at the Secretary of State's Office to qualify for their race. (AP Photo/Melinda Deslatte)

The day the officers were killed "was one of the worst days in the history of Baton Rouge" and in his 12 years as mayor, Holden said.

He said he was confident that the city would endure.

"It's been trying, but I have not shed any tears because I know we will win out," he said from his downtown office.

Citing the Bible, as he does often, Holden quoted Job: "Yet though you slay me, I will rise again," he said. "Yet though those officers have been slain, Baton Rouge will rise again."

The mayor was getting ready to go to church Sunday when he got a call from his sister about ambulances on Airline Highway, a busy thoroughfare.

At the hospital, grief poured out. The mother of a sheriff's deputy killed in the shootout held a child in her arms and said she didn't know how she could go forward. The deputy's young daughter couldn't believe her father wasn't coming home.

"Dad's not dead," he recalled the girl saying, "and he's coming home this afternoon."

The mayor described the experience as "like having your insides ripped out."

The slayings came only days after five officers were killed in an ambush in Dallas and just over a month since a gunman opened fire in an Orlando nightclub, killing 49 people.

"It's like Groundhog Day," he said. "We can't be reliving this stuff over and over again. But yes we were."

The police force is on high alert, and law enforcement officers from surrounding parishes have poured in to help. Funerals for the officers are pending.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department is investigating the killing of Alton Sterling, who was selling CDs in a black neighborhood when he died at the hands of two white officers. His shooting death, caught on graphic cellphone video, sparked days of protests that reverberated around the nation.

Protesters have promised to resume their demands for police reform, and Holden said the city was "prepared for any scenario."

It's a delicate time for Holden, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits. Voters will pick a new mayor in November. On Wednesday, he registered to run for a congressional seat.

Albert Samuels, a political scientist at Southern University, said discontent with Holden within Baton Rouge's black community began brewing before Sterling's death. For years, Holden enjoyed broad support among African-American voters who backed him in campaigns for the Metro Council, the state Legislature and eventually for mayor-president.

But more recently, critics in the black community have grown louder, complaining that the mayor has neglected north Baton Rouge, the predominantly black area where Sterling was shot. The feeling is that south of Florida Boulevard  the "dividing line"  there are thriving businesses, better streets and more development.

Many African-Americans "have essentially concluded that Mayor Holden has sold the black community out," Samuels said.

Discontent started bubbling up publicly during a candidate forum last year, when Holden was running for lieutenant governor and was asked pointedly about the lack of economic development for north Baton Rouge, Samuels said.

The mayor has also repeatedly backed the police department, insisting there is no systemic bias in their policing, Samuels said. For many in the African-American community, news that Holden had not reached out to the Sterling family after the shooting was "a bridge too far."

Animosity toward Holden was common among protesters. At one demonstration outside the convenience store where Sterling was shot, a Nation of Islam speaker said the mayor had "white intestines" and would not be welcome in poor African-American neighborhoods.

Holden said he could not go against his officers.

"Think about it. I'm the boss of that officer," he said, referring to the officer who shot Sterling. Police were responding to a 911 call alleging Sterling had threatened someone with a gun.

"What it would look like for me ... to go and march with the people wanting to kill police officers?" he said. "That would be absolutely insane. That's stupid. And I would not take that step in any circumstance whatsoever."

As for officers who may harbor racist attitudes, he said there are few of them.

"I'm not going to say it doesn't happen," he said. "But that number would be very, very small."

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Associated Press Writer Rebecca Santana in New Orleans contributed to this report.

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden speaks about the recent shootings by police and of police, in his office during an interview with The Associated Press in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Holden's absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden speaks about the recent shootings by police and of police, in his office during an interview with The Associated Press in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Holden's absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden speaks about the recent shootings by police and of police, in his office during an interview with The Associated Press in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Holden's absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden speaks about the recent shootings by police and of police, in his office during an interview with The Associated Press in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Holden's absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden speaks about the recent shootings by police and of police, in his office during an interview with The Associated Press in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Holden's absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden is reflected in a picture frame as he speaks about the recent shootings by police and of police, in his office during an interview with The Associated Press in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Holden's absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden speaks about the recent shootings by police and of police, in his office during an interview with The Associated Press, in Baton Rouge, Wednesday, July 20, 2016. After police killed a man outside a convenience store and protesters filled the streets, the first black mayor of the Louisiana capital seemed to be conspicuously missing. Holden's absence was so glaring that demonstrators called for his resignation. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Stacey Dykes, left, comforts Whitney Welch at a candlelight vigil for Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson, outside Istrouma High School, where he graduated in 2001, in Baton Rouge, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Multiple police officers were killed and wounded Sunday morning in a shooting near a gas station in Baton Rouge, less than two weeks after a black man was shot and killed by police here, sparking nightly protests across the city. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

People hold hands at a candlelight vigil for Baton Rouge police officer Montrell Jackson, outside Istrouma High School, where he graduated in 2001, in Baton Rouge, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Multiple police officers were killed and wounded Sunday morning in a shooting near a gas station in Baton Rouge, less than two weeks after a black man was shot and killed by police here, sparking nightly protests across the city. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Hawaii Democratic congressman Mark Takai dies

HONOLULU (AP)  U.S. Rep. Mark Takai, a war veteran and long-time legislator known for his bright nature and deep commitment to service, died in his home Wednesday after a months-long battle with cancer.

Just 49 years old, the first-term Democrat from Hawaii was surrounded by family when he died of pancreatic cancer, said Rod Tanonaka, Takai's chief of staff.

Takai had "a servant's heart, full of aloha," said U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who served with Takai in Congress, the Hawaii Army National Guard and the state Legislature.

FILE- This Nov. 4, 2014 file photo shows then-Hawaii Democratic Congressional candidate, State Rep Mark Takai in Honolulu. Takai died at his home on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, after battling cancer. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia, File)

"No matter where he was, he always kept his service to Hawaii's people at the forefront of his actions," Gabbard said. "Mark's smiling face and ready laugh will truly be missed, but the impact that he made through his life of service to the people of Hawaii will always be remembered."

Born on Oahu, Takai served in the state House of Representatives for 20 years before he was elected to Congress, first winning his statehouse seat at age 27. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard for more than a decade and was deployed to the Middle East as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Congress, he sat on the Armed Services and Natural Resources committees.

"Mark was always a fighter," said President Barack Obama, who recorded a radio ad for Takai during his congressional campaign, in a statement.

"His relentless push for cancer research inspired countless Americans fighting the same battle as him. Simply put, our country is better off because of Mark's contributions," Obama added.

Takai was first diagnosed with cancer in October and initially expressed optimism that he would recover. But in May he announced he would not seek re-election after he learned the cancer had spread.

Takai's passing was mourned among his colleagues in Hawaii and Washington on Wednesday, with politicians recalling his gentle, kind nature.

"All of us were moved when he announced his cancer to Vice President Biden and the Members at the House Democrats' Issues Conference earlier this year," said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, in a statement. "Mark confronted his diagnosis with the spirit we all hope we would share when facing such an awful disease. As we mourn the loss of our friend, we draw fresh resolve to find cures."

Adm. Harry Harris of the U.S. Pacific Command described Takai as a powerful and respected voice for the Pacific-based military community, adding that Takai was a "tough, but fair, questioner who always had our nation's interests at heart" when Harris testified before the Armed Services Committee.

"Mark was everything a public servant should be," said presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in a statement, adding that Takai fought to support veterans and their families, supported ambitious steps to protect the planet from the perils of climate change and championed the rights of the Asian American, Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian communities.

Hawaii Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Matayoshi remembered Takai as a staunch advocate for public schools who pushed tirelessly for education funding.

"In the often tumultuous world of politics, he has been a shining example of what it means to be a public servant," Hawaii Gov. David Ige said in a statement.

Takai is survived by his wife, Sami, and two young children, Matthew and Kaila. "The Takai family thanks the people of Hawaii for their support during this difficult time," said a release by his office. His family requested privacy.

"This is the deepest of losses and one that I feel very personally because of my friendship with Mark," said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. "Throughout his life, he was all about serving the people of Hawaii. He gave so much, and had so much more yet to give."

The Hawaii Office of Elections will likely hold a special election in November for a replacement to serve through the remainder of Takai's term, which would have ended in January, spokeswoman Nedielyn Bueno said. In the same election, voters will also choose who will replace Takai for the two-year term starting in January, she said.

Former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who previously held Takai's seat in Congress but left to run unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate, is already running in the general election to replace Takai for the two-year term that starts in January.

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AP writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.
A community block party to support "The Christmas Lady" Dorothy Lee and U.S. military veterans will be taking place Saturday at Rohman's 50s Diner in Desloge.

The fundraiser may also mark the final week of operation for the restaurant located at 201 N. Desloge Drive in Desloge.

"Dorothy Lee was actually one of my first customers," said diner co-owner Will Rohman. "We opened Nov 28, so that was the Christmas season. She came in two to three times a week to eat. She hasn't been in lately but ever since the first time I met her I've always had a donation jar for her here at the restaurant.

"When I decided it was time for me to do something for the veterans, I thought of her because that's what she does  goes around to the nursing homes and makes sure the veterans have warm clothes and things like that."

According to Rohman, the day will be filled with lots of good music beginning in the afternoon and continuing throughout the evening.

"We're going to have three bands playing  each one playing for two-and-a-half or three hours  starting at noon and continuing until 9 p.m.," he said. "Frago plays classic rock, Buddy Dees and the Cruisers play 50s and 60s style music and our headlining band, Crystal and the Boneshakers, do 70s and 80s classic rock."

Rohman also expects at least three classic car clubs, as well as several individual car owners, to have their classic automobiles out on display at various times of the day.

"At first 6 to 9 p.m. was our focus because when I started doing this it was only going to be a 6 to 9 event," he said. "But the bands came out of the woodwork to volunteer, neighbors came out to volunteer  like Barnhouse Janitorial Supplies next door is going to do cotton candy with all the proceeds going to charity. We're going to be doing popcorn the same way and the Watering Hole is planning to sell memberships. Other events we're going to have that day include a 50/50 drawing, raffled prizes and donation spots."

Unfortunately, Rohman said this will be the last community activity the 50s diner will be sponsoring because the business is expected to soon be closing its doors.

"We're struggling as a restaurant," he said. "We're probably closing a week after the event. We just haven't had enough business and I've had too much to fix in this old building  like an awning that fell onto a customer's truck during a storm last week  to save up money for the slow season.

"This restaurant is kind of a 'second chance' place of employment. I'm an ex-con and I've been trying to build community within people as well as hold events for the community. These kids who work for me are good kids. They just need to go in the right direction.

"The 'going out of business' part is new. We've been planning this event for a while. Things like this can really help people who need some direction  not just veterans. It's all about family here at Rohman's."
Man accused of plotting attack on Arizona office denied bail

PHOENIX (AP)  A Tucson man charged with plotting a terrorist attack on a motor vehicle office in metro Phoenix will remain jailed until his trial because he poses a danger to the community, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers said no conditions could be imposed on releasing Mahin Khan from jail that could ensure the public is protected.

Authorities say Khan wanted to attack a motor vehicle office in Mesa and instructed an undercover FBI employee to start building homemade grenades.

They say Khan wanted to inspire an insurgency in the United States to carry out the sort of attacks that had occurred in Paris and Brussels and had online exchanges with a person believed to be a member of the Islamic State terrorist group.

According to authorities, Khan had expressed a desire to attack a Jewish community center in Tucson. Authorities also said they found a document in a search of his home that showed he wanted to attack a military recruiting center and an LA Fitness location.

Khan has pleaded not guilty to state charges of with terrorism, conspiracy to commit terrorism and conspiracy to commit misconduct involving weapons.

Outside of the courtroom, Khan's attorneys and two family members declined comment Wednesday on the allegations.

Khan was denied bail after his July 1 arrest because he was accused of terrorism, but he was still entitled to another hearing to examine whether there's proof to back up the charges before bond can be denied.

Prosecutor Blaine Gadow said the FBI and Khan's parents had taken steps in the past to steer him away from his radical viewpoint, but he kept making statements about wanting to attack targets.

Authorities say the FBI first approached Khan when he was 15 years old and that he later underwent 45 days of mental health treatment for a condition that wasn't specified in court.

An FBI agent had also testified that Khan, who was arrested just days after his 18th birthday, had expressed frustrations earlier about not being able to buy a gun until he was an adult. "He is 18 and capable of simply refusing his parents guidance and assistance in getting away from this way of thinking," Gadow said.

Defense attorney John Andrew Champagne argued that Khan should be released from jail and electronically monitored to ensure the public's safety.

Champagne said no weapons were found inside Khan's home during a search by investigators. He also pointed out the FBI's lead investigator couldn't say which state Motor Vehicle Division location in Mesa that Khan is accused of wanting to attack.

Authorities said Khan also had written emails to a suspected member of the Pakistan Taliban seeking weapons and instructions for a homemade explosive. It's not clear if Khan was corresponding with an actual member of the group, but court records show that the FBI examined the emails.

In the emails, Khan said he backed the Islamic State and was looking to carry out an attack. Court records show the person responded that he would have to pay for two rifles and a pistol he requested, so Khan said he wanted instructions for a bomb itself.

The FBI began investigating Khan after someone reported him for suspicious activity and agents were tracking him as he asked someone else on April 16 about targeting Mission Bay, California, and an Air Force recruitment center in Tucson, according to the probable cause statement filed into court records.

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Sanders to meet with delegates before start of convention

WASHINGTON (AP)  Bernie Sanders plans to meet with 1,900 of his delegates right before the start of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, part of a series of meetings aimed at providing direction to his undecided supporters after he endorsed Hillary Clinton.

In an email Wednesday, the Sanders campaign promises his delegates a "very special meeting with Bernie himself." It will follow a series of morning briefings hosted by the campaign on some of Sanders' core causes  single-payer health care, the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and criminal justice. One session with senior Sanders staff will offer instruction to delegates "on how to keep the political revolution going strong."

"We can't wait to see you in Philly," according to the email, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

FILE - In this June 24, 2016, file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks in Albany, N.Y. Sanders plans to meet with 1,900 of his delegates right before the start of the Democratic National Convention on Monday, part of a series of meetings aimed at providing direction to his undecided supporters after he endorsed Hillary Clinton. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

The planned closed-door meeting comes as many of his delegates are expressing disappointment and some uncertainty as they prepare to descend on Philadelphia for a weeklong convention in which Clinton will be formally nominated as the party's standard-bearer. Sanders endorsed Clinton last week, but he also did not release his delegates and made it clear he planned to continue promoting his liberal agenda.

The meeting will precede the 3 p.m. start of the convention. That day, delegates are expected to vote to finalize the party platform and rules. First lady Michelle Obama and Sanders were scheduled to address the convention that evening.

"At this point with Sen. Sanders coming out to support Hillary Clinton but also not dropping out, it puts us delegates in a difficult position to try and read between the lines about what to do," said Oscar Mata, a delegate from Utah who intends to support the Democratic nominee.

In recent weeks, hundreds of Sanders delegates have loosely organized by email and social media as a way of keeping tabs and to discuss ways to show support for Sanders during the convention. At the least, many want to see a traditional roll call vote of states, while others were considering mass sit-ins or even walkouts if delegates feel their views are not being respected or acknowledged, said Karen Bernal, a delegate from Sacramento, California, who helps lead the Bernie Delegates Network, which include more than 1,100 delegates.

Thousands of Sanders' supporters also plan various demonstrations and protests beginning Sunday.

Heading into the convention, Sanders has 1,894 delegates to Clinton's 2,807 when including superdelegates, or party officials who can support the candidate of their choice. It takes 2,383 to win, a threshold Clinton crossed in early June to become the presumptive nominee.

A spokesman for Sanders declined to comment.

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Arizona sheriff hit with 1st punishments in contempt case

PHOENIX (AP)  A judge presiding over a racial profiling case against Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona handed down the first round of punishments Wednesday for the lawman's decision to prolong his signature immigration patrols months after he was told to stop.

U.S. District Judge Murray Snow ordered an overhaul of internal affairs investigations at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office after previously finding Arpaio in civil contempt of court for disobeying him. Additional penalties are expected against the 84-year-old lawman who calls himself "America's Toughest Sheriff" and built his political reputation by cracking down on immigrants in the country illegally.

Snow previously found that internal investigations into officer misconduct were fraught with biased decision-making and had been manipulated to shield sheriff's officials from accountability.

Maricopa County, Ariz., Sheriff Joe Arpaio arrives on the convention floor at Quicken Loans Arena before the second day session of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The issue emerged after traffic-stop videos that were withheld at the profiling trial were later discovered at the home of an officer who had been arrested on suspicion of theft. Criticism of internal investigations kept cropping up as the judge questioned who at the sheriff's office was responsible for disobeying his orders.

Snow is considering recommending a criminal contempt case against Arpaio and top aide Jerry Sheridan that could expose them to fines and even jail time. The judge is expected to order Maricopa County to compensate Latinos who were pulled over in violation of the order about stopping the patrols.

The lawyers who won the profiling case say Arpaio should be required to pull $300,000 out of his own pocket to help compensate Latinos who were illegally detained. The sheriff has not had to foot the legal bills directly tied to his official duties in any of the lawsuits filed against him during his 23-year tenure.

The sheriff's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday on behalf of Arpaio and Sheridan.

Arpaio, who is seeking a seventh term this year, is known nationwide for forcing inmates to wear pink underwear and jailing them in canvas tents during Phoenix's triple-degree summer heat. He has faced his most crushing legal defeats in the nearly 9-year-old racial profiling case, which focused on his immigration patrols.

In the first round of punishments, Snow appointed an outsider to redo investigations into allegations of officer wrongdoing that he has deemed inadequate.

The judge previously tossed investigations into which managers were responsible for ignoring the immigration-patrol order and into allegations that Arpaio's immigrant-smuggling investigators regularly pocketed items in traffic stops and raids.

He also appointed a different outsider to impose discipline for misconduct and barred Arpaio from rescinding such punishments.

The latest ruling leaves open the possibility of investigations being launched against Sheridan and other sheriff's managers over their handling of internal investigations.

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Follow Jacques Billeaud at twitter.com/jacquesbilleaud. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/jacques-billeaud.

Sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona Joe Arpaio attends proceedings during the second day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Tuesday, July 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Teenage boy dies playing in river amid soaring temperatures

A 16-year-old boy has died in a river after playing in the water with friends as temperatures soared.

The boy's body was recovered from the River Etherow near Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday - the hottest day of the year so far.

Police said the water where the friends were playing appeared calm and shallow but may have masked hazards below.

Police were called shortly before 5.45pm on Tuesday to the River Etherow, near Broadbottom Road in Hyde

Emergency services were called shortly before 5.45pm and found the body of the boy. Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and n o-one else was taken to hospital.

Detective Inspector Andy Sandiford, of Greater Manchester Police's Tameside borough, said: "We have launched an investigation into this tragic incident, which appears to have begun with a group of friends playing in the river on a hot summer's day.

"While we don't yet know for sure what happened, we understand the water appeared calm and shallow, but there may have been strong undercurrents and hidden hazards beneath the surface.

"A team of detectives are investigating the incident and have concluded that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.

"The family of the boy are being supported by specially trained officers during this difficult time."
Eurotunnel issues earnings warning after Brexit vote

Eurotunnel has warned over earnings this year and next after the pound's plunge since the Brexit vote.

The Channel Tunnel operator - which carries train services between London, Paris and Brussels - cut its outlook for underlying earnings by 25 million euros (21 million) in 2016 and 26 million euros (22 million) next year after the pound's drop in value against the euro.

Sterling plunged to 31-year lows against the US dollar and tumbled against the euro after the UK's vote to leave the EU, although it has since regained some ground.

Eurotunnel said the impact of Brexit on cross-channel traffic was uncertain, but it did not expect any significant knock to its activities in the short term

Eurotunnel said that based on the pound being 7% lower against the euro, its profits are now expected to be 4.5% down in 2016 at 535 million euros (449 million), and 4.3% down in 2017 at 579 million euros (486 million).

It said the impact of Brexit on cross-channel traffic was uncertain, but it did not expect any significant knock to its activities in the short term, with trading so far remaining "buoyant".

Chief executive Jacques Gounon said: "Despite the financial market uncertainty generated by the United Kingdom voting to leave the European Union, the group remains confident in the performance of its economic model and in its outlook."

Eurotunnel saw as much as a third wiped off its stock market value in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit decision, despite moving to reassure that trading would not be impacted by the vote.

Eurotunnel's half-year results showed a 3% year-on-year drop in traffic on high-speed Eurostar trains to 4.97 million as travellers remained cautious after the terrorist attacks in Paris last November and following the Brussels attacks in March - while demand was also impacted by rail strikes in Belgium and France.

Cross-channel rail freight slumped by 43% in the first six months of the year after it was hit by the migrant crisis in Calais.

It spent an extra 3 million euro (2.5 million) on increased security to help secure the migrant site and the new passport controls for people leaving the UK introduced by the Government from April 2015.

But Eurotunnel said truck shuttle traffic was up 10% in the first half, with almost 830,000 trucks transported.

Overall underlying earnings rose 4% to 249 million euro (208 million) in the first half.
UK hit by thunderstorms and flash floods after heatwave

Thunderstorms and torrential downpours have brought an end to the scorching heat, with cooler temperatures on the way.

Intense storms, including hail and strong winds, brought flash floods across large areas of the UK after temperatures peaked at 31.4C in London Heathrow on Wednesday.

In the Western Isles, 31mm of rain fell in an intense burst in the morning, the Met Office said.

Intense storms, including hail and strong winds, brought flash floods across large areas of the UK

Temperatures are due to drop to between 18C and 26C over the coming days, bringing relief for those struggling in the heat.

Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkhill said: "The highest we have seen is 31.4C at Heathrow, which was not quite as warm as Tuesday but not that far off, it was still quite a warm day.

"Most of the thunder moved through the north of the UK but there is still the potential for more showers to kick off.

"Thursday is not looking bad, there could be some showers dotted here and there and then some more showery rain going into Friday.

"The weekend will not be terrible, although not as hot as it has been - there will be bright and sunny breaks when it will be quite warm."

Tuesday was the hottest day of the year so far, when the mercury reached a sweltering 33.5C in Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

The heatwave is feared to have cost several people their lives and led to an outbreak of violence in London.

Jack Pullen, 16, died while playing with friends in the River Etherow near Hyde, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday.

A 46-year-old man died after jumping into a canal in Burton-on-Trent on Monday night.

A body was recovered from Lammas Lake in Wraysbury, Surrey, on Tuesday evening after police received reports of concern for the safety of a man in the water. Officers were uncertain if the death was weather-related but said the man was with a group of people at the time.

Soldier Josh Hoole, from Ecclefechan near Lockerbie in Scotland, died in Brecon while on a training exercise earlier that day.

The 26-year-old member of The Rifles regiment was on pre-course training for the Platoon Sergeants' Battle Course.
Neven Subotic will not be joining Alvaro Negredo at Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have signed Valencia striker Alvaro Negredo on a season-long loan but their move for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic is off.

Paperwork is still to be completed but 30-year-old former Manchester City forward Negredo has already linked up with Boro at their pre-season training camp in Marbella.

The promoted Teessiders were also poised to sign Serbian centre-back Subotic from Dortmund, until the Bundesliga club announced he had failed a medical.

Alvaro Negredo is heading to Middlesbrough

"Bad news for Neven Subotic," a BVB statement read. "The investigation of a specialist in England has shown that the Borussia Dortmund player must undergo surgery in the rib area. It is expected that Subotic will be out for the rest of the year."

The former Serbia international won the league with Dortmund in both 2011 and 2012.

Negredo, meanwhile, was a member of the City side which won the Premier League title in 2014.

The Spain international impressed at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 23 goals in 49 appearances in what proved his only season at the club after a 16.4million move from Sevilla in 2013.

He returned to Spain with Valencia in the summer of 2014, initially on loan before a 19million permanent deal was agreed last year.

He boasts 112 goals from 264 appearances in LaLiga and was also a member of Spain's victorious Euro 2012 squad.
Chris Froome extends overall Tour de France lead as Ilnur Zakarin wins stage 17

Chris Froome is closing in on a third Tour de France title after extending his lead in the yellow jersey while Russian Ilnur Zakarin won stage 17 to Finhaut-Emosson.

As Zakarin was celebrating his first Tour stage victory from the day's breakaway, Froome latched on to Richie Porte's late attack to ride clear of his rivals and build a cushion of almost two-and-a-half minutes.

Dutchman Bauke Mollema was the first to be distanced as his second place overall came under attack from Orica-BikeExchange's Adam Yates, but most encouraging for Team Sky will have been the sight of Nairo Quintana being unable to respond as others broke free.

Chris Froome is still in control of the Tour de France (AP)

The Movistar rider has usually come good in the third week of Grand Tours and threatened Froome's lead late in last year's Tour, but does not seem to have the legs to rival him and appeared to wave the white flag after dropping to three minutes 27 seconds off the pace in fourth place.

"I still have a lot of years," Quintana said. "I am 26, and there are a lot of people ahead of me who have more experience. I still have a lot of years ahead of me to fight for the 'yellow jersey dream'.

"I didn't have a great (day) today. I expected more because I had good sensations, but my body didn't feel good in the end. I did the best I could."

With this being Colombian National Day, the stage had been set for Quintana to show his colours, but he was visibly struggling as Froome and Porte rode away.

"It's been a very difficult Tour for Nairo," Froome said. "He's still a great rival and a big challenger for me but he lost more time today. I think for him to re-enter into the game again he's going to have to do a real good time trial tomorrow."

At the end of this 184.5km stage from Berne, Froome now leads Trek-Segafredo's Mollema by two minutes and 27 seconds after the Dutchman gave up 40 seconds on the climb to the Emosson Dam.

Third-placed Yates has seen his chances of a podium finish in Paris enhanced after the 23-year-old moved to within 26 seconds of Mollema and extended his advantage over Quintana to 34 seconds.

"I said if there's an opportunity to take some seconds I'd go for it," Yates said. "I'm satisfied with my performance. I took some time on Mollema but I wasn't thinking of Mollema himself, I was trying to bridge the gap to Froome and Porte."

It was here that Froome lost the race lead in the Criterium du Dauphine ahead of his ill-fated 2014 Tour, but there were no ghosts from that day on the spectacular hors categorie climb towards the snow line as Team Sky continued to offer the 2013 and 2015 Tour winner strong support.

He was guided up the final climb by team-mates Sergio Henao, Wout Poels and Mikel Nieve but after they had gradually peeled off, there was the familiar sight of Froome following Porte.

The Australian left Team Sky for BMC in the winter but did a super-domestique's turn in helping Froome distance his rivals while also moving himself up one spot to sixth overall.

"It did bring back a few memories," Froome said of attacking with his long-time training partner. "It was nice to ride with an old team-mate again but this time he was putting me under pressure, I was just staying on his wheel."

For Froome it was a near perfect scenario as he was pulled up the hill without needing to do a turn on the front himself ahead of Thursday's time trial.

"I don't think it was possible to go much faster there, Richie seemed to be doing just fine on his own," he said. "Tactically for me there is really no need to get on the front and start pulling on the final.

"Tomorrow is going to be crucial and this is the first day of a four-day block (in the Alps)."

Zakarin rode clear of stage 15 winner Jarlinson Pantano of IAM Cycling and Tinkoff's Rafal Majka on the last of the four categorised climbs to collect his first Tour de France stage win.

The Katusha rider was the only Russian to start the Tour, and his victory comes just two days after Richard McLaren's explosive report on state-directed cheating in the country.

Zakarin, who served a two-year doping ban after testing positive aged 19 in 2009, said he had not read the report as he focuses on the Tour.

"For me it is already quite a stressful time (being in the Tour)," he said as his team manager, Olympic triple gold medallist Viatcheslav Ekimov, translated. "I am not following the news."

Ekimov then added: "(Zakarin) is the most tested rider from Katusha, 12 times out of competition. All of the testing is performed in European labs, Lausanne, Paris, Barcelona.

"In Katusha we have our own anti-doping program, we have all the protocols. I cannot tell you how many times he has been tested inside the team but in every single race at least once he passed doping control."
UK can't be in Single Market without accepting freedom of movement - Hollande

Francois Hollande has warned that Britain will not remain in the Single Market unless it accepts freedom of movement following talks with Theresa May in Paris.

The French president said the thorny issue of EU migration will be the "most crucial point" of the UK's negotiations to leave the bloc, but indicated he will not agree to major concessions.

After talks at the Elysee Palace, the Prime Minister insisted the Government will deliver on voters' demands for "some controls" on movement between countries.

Prime Minister Theresa May meets French president Francois Hollande at the Elysee Palace in Paris

Discussions continued over a dinner of lobster, veal and vanilla mousse.

Mr Hollande urged Britain not to delay triggering the Article 50 process of negotiations to pull the country out of the bloc, insisting "the sooner, the better".

Asked about Britain's future in the Single Market, Mr Hollande said: "It's the most crucial point. That's the point that will be the subject of the negotiation.

"The UK today has access to the Single Market because it respects the four freedoms.

"If it wishes to remain within the Single Market it's its decision to know how far and how it will have to abide by the four freedoms.

"None can be separated from the other. There cannot be freedom of movement of goods, free movement of capital, free movement of services if there isn't a free movement of people.

"With David Cameron prior to the referendum there had been a number of limited opt outs that in no way hindered freedom of movement of people.

"It will be a choice facing the UK - remain in the Single Market and then assume the free movement that goes with it or to have another status. That will be the subject of the negotiation."

Mrs May said the referendum result had been a "very clear message that we should introduce some controls to the movement of individuals from the countries of the European Union into the UK".

"Obviously looking at that issue will be part of the negotiations. I'm clear that the Government should deliver and will deliver on that for the British people but we also want to get the right deal on the trade in goods and services and I think this is important economically not just for the United Kingdom but for other countries within the European Union as well."

The premiers laughed off a question about whether Mr Hollande had been a "more awkward customer" than German chancellor Angela Merkel, who Mrs May met in Berlin on Wednesday.

"We have had excellence discussions, very constructive and very open," the PM said. "I look forward to working with both Chancellor Merkel and President Hollande, and I look forward to working with both in the future."

Mr Hollande said there is "no doubt" that the French people who reside in the UK will be able to continue to work there and that "British people in France will be able to continue to work there and spend as much time as they wish".

Mrs May said: "I want to be able to guarantee the rights of those EU citizens living in the UK, I expect to be able to do so, and the only situation in which that wouldn't be possible is if British citizens' rights in European member states were not being protected."
33,000 EU-trained nurses registered to work in UK

Some 33,000 nurses trained in the EU are registered to work in the UK, figures show.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) data, obtained by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), shows there are more EU-trained nurses registered to work in the UK than the number of nurses employed in the whole of Wales.

More than 9,000 EU nurses joined the NMC register in 2015/16, a 21% increase on the year before.

More than 9,000 EU nurses joined the Nursing and Midwifery Council register in 2015/16

The RCN said the Government must secure the futures of EU nurses. It comes after Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, called on ministers to tell foreign NHS staff their jobs are safe post-Brexit.

He said the NHS will continue to rely on professionals from abroad in spite of initiatives to increase the number of NHS workers from within the UK.

Earlier this week, a report from MPs on the Commons Health Committee noted how poor historical workforce planning means the NHS has had too few homegrown nurses in training, while fewer have returned to the NHS after a break than predicted.

Janet Davies, chief executive of the RCN, said: "These are uncertain times for safe staffing in the health service, and a lack of concrete assurances over the future of EU nursing staff working in the UK is making the situation worse. It is vital that valued colleagues are supported to stay.

"A sustained lack of investment in training new nurses and years of pay restraint mean many experienced nurses can't afford to stay in the profession. Plans to change student funding and question marks over our future relationship with the EU place even greater pressure on the NHS.

"The Government must act now and develop a coherent and sustainable workforce strategy for the future that recognises the critical contribution of overseas nurses as well as the pressing need to educate, recruit and retain a homegrown nursing workforce.

"Allowing this ambiguity about our NHS workforce to continue is a completely unfair way of treating people who are caring for our friends and families every single day. It may also prompt many to leave the UK, making it even harder for the NHS to provide safe patient care."

The House of Lords is due to debate the impact of the vote to leave the EU on safe staffing levels in the NHS.

Dr Mark Holland, president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: "If it were not for health professionals from overseas, we would probably be unable to run any service - let alone a safe service.

"We fully support all colleagues who trained overseas remaining in the UK as, without them, we will be unable to provide services.

"As a nation, we must ask ourselves why we struggle to train and retain an adequate workforce in the NHS. The real issue here is not Brexit but our inability to train and retain enough healthcare workers."

As of March 31, there were 659,303 nurses and midwives on the NMC register. Of these, 33,248 were EU-trained, which is 5% of the workforce.

A Department of Health spokesman said: "NHS staff - including those from overseas - make a huge contribution to our country.

"The Government has been very clear that when we leave the EU, we fully expect that the legal status of EU nationals living in the UK, and that of UK nationals in EU member states, will be properly protected.
US-EU partnership "unbreakable", Kerry says in Brussels

BRUSSELS, July 18 (Reuters) - The United States' alliance with the European Union is "unbreakable", U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said after meeting EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday.

"The U.S.-EU partnership is strong," he told a news conference. "Strong today, will remain strong in the future. It is ensuring and it is unbreakable."
Activist TCI takes SABMiller stake, investors scent sweetened offer

By Maiya Keidan and Sinead Cruise

LONDON, July 18 (Reuters) - The Children's Investment Fund Management (TCI) has taken a stake in SABMiller, the second activist to buy into the brewer in recent weeks, raising the prospect of a late push for improved takeover terms from AB InBev.

The move by TCI comes ahead of SABMiller's annual meeting in London on Thursday when investors could question terms of a $100 billion-plus deal that now appear to favour its two largest shareholders after a steep drop in the value of sterling.

British-based TCI, best known for its investments in troubled carmaker Volkswagen and French aerospace group Safran, has acquired just under 1 percent of SABMiller's stock, a source familiar with the matter said.

TCI's acquisition of a small stake follows news that fellow hedge fund Elliott Advisors had taken a 1.3 percent stake in the London-listed maker of beers like Peroni and Grolsch, which it later raised to about 1.5 percent, regulatory filings showed.

The appearance of two of the world's most powerful activists on the SABMiller shareholder register has prompted talk among some institutional investors that Elliott and TCI could lead a push for AB InBev to improve its 44 pounds-per-share cash offer, aimed at the majority of shareholders.

SAB shares traded at 44.31 pounds at 1130 GMT on Monday.

The source declined to describe the motives or rationale behind TCI's stakebuilding, but did say the hedge fund "obviously has an interest in the deal and how it pans out".

TCI and SABMiller declined to comment.

The main offer is now lower than a special cash-and-stock offer designed for SAB's biggest two investors, cigarette maker Altria and Colombia's Santo Domingo family, who together own about 40 percent of the company.

When the deal was announced in November, that partial share alternative -- which avoids triggering large tax bills -- was worth about 39 pounds. But the recent fall in the pound and rise in ABI's shares have increased its value to about 51 pounds.

ROCK THE BOAT?

"Given all the regulatory hoops that the deal has already had to jump through it might be dangerous to rock the boat too much, but Elliott must have taken a view that they can get the offer upped without altering the timetable of the deal materially," one of SAB's top 15 investors told Reuters.

Investor advisor Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. has written to clients to point out the relative improvement in the value of the partial share alternative, noting that it now represents a 16 percent premium to the broader offer, instead of a 4.9 percent discount.

It also pointed out that while the alternative offer was technically open to all investors, it seemed "designed to be unappealing" to most fund managers since the shares are unlisted and cannot be traded for five years.

The deal is currently structured as a "scheme of arrangement" which requires approval by 75 percent of SAB's shareholders. The vote is expected to take place only once outstanding antitrust approvals have been granted.

Another source close to the deal suggested the activists might struggle to garner enough support among SAB shareholders to call for a rewrite of the terms at this late stage, especially since the deal has already received two of the four required approvals from European and South African regulators.

"It's a dangerous game and there's no certainty that ABI is willing to raise its offer," the source said.
EU court says bail-in legal but bank rescues need not hit investors

By Francesco Guarascio and Michele Sinner

LUXEMBOURG, July 19 (Reuters) - The European Union's top court ruled on Tuesday that junior creditors and investors need not necessarily suffer losses before a bank is rescued, a judgment that could affect Italy's plans to bail out its banks.

The ruling, in a case brought by investors whose savings were wiped out in Slovenia's 2013 rescue of local banks, is crucial to understanding how new EU "bail-in" rules are rolled out across the region.

Adopted after the 2007-8 financial crisis forced governments to stump up billions to rescue struggling lenders, the new rules require that private investors must take losses before banks can be rescued at taxpayers' expense.

The ruling knocked Italy's battered bank shares, traders told Reuters, leaving them down 1.8 percent at 1415 GMT . Italian bank shares have lost about 50 percent of their value this year.

While the judges in Luxembourg made clear that imposing losses on investors was legally sound, they appeared not to require that this happen automatically.

In a statement, the court said a member state "is not compelled to impose on banks in distress, prior to the grant of any State aid, an obligation to convert subordinated debt into equity or to effect a write-down of the principal of that debt".

But governments and rescued banks "take the risk that there will be a decision by the Commission declaring that aid to be incompatible with the internal market", it warned.

The EU's executive Commission said the court decision would not affect talks with Rome over its plans to pump public funds into Italy's weakest lenders, including Monte dei Paschi di Siena, which holds 47 billion euros of bad loans.

Rome wants to rescue its banks while protecting investors, big and small.

Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager made clear that the final say would be with the Commission, while a spokeswoman said the court had "specifically confirmed that the Commission is justified in introducing burden-sharing principles as a key condition to approve the aid".

The Italian finance ministry and the Bank of Italy declined to comment on the ruling.

Italian banks have struggled for years, and with pressure on them increasing recently, Rome has hastened efforts to get European blessing for a state rescue.

The government fears that imposing losses on creditors -- chiefly holders of subordinated debt -- would undermine faith in its economic management and trigger protests ahead of a crucial autumn referendum on constitutional reform.

Rome did force creditors to take losses as part of the rescue of four small lenders in November, a move that was followed by mass protests and the suicide of one saver.

German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble has warned against a discussion about support for Italian banks before the European Central Bank publishes stress test results on July 29, although many investors want to see a solution before then.

The yield on Slovenia's 10-year benchmark bond fell to a 16-month low of 0.826 percent after the court ruling, on hopes that the state would not have to compensate bailed-in bondholders in state-owned banks.
Julius Baer rejigs regional set-up, Swiss head leaves

ZURICH, July 19 (Reuters) - The head of Julius Baer's Swiss business is leaving after less than a year in the job, the private bank said on Tuesday, as it announced several senior departures and a new regional structure.

Switzerland's No. 3 listed bank said Barend Fruithof, who joined from rival Credit Suisse in October, was leaving due to "differing views of the functional changes in the context of the new regional set-up". It did not elaborate.

The bank said that from Sept. 1 it would be organised into five regions: Switzerland, Europe, Emerging Markets, Latin America and Asia Pacific, in a move which it said was aimed at improving its customer focus and efficiency

Fruithof could not be reached for comment.

He had been charged with leading Julius Baer's expansion in its home market. But the bank has trailed rivals UBS and Credit Suisse in landing new money from clients. Net new money is a volatile but important indictor of future earnings growth in wealth management.

"Great hopes were attached to Fruithof that Julius Baer could take its domestic business to a new level, but now there are questions about what is going on in the Swiss business," said Zuercher Kantonalbank (ZKB) analyst Michael Kunz.

"This is not the first time that a so-called 'hot shot' has been installed at Julius Baer and has left only a short period of time," he added in a note to clients.

At 0915 GMT, Julius Baer shares were down 1.5 percent at 39.68 Swiss francs, in line with the European bank sector index .

The bank also said Nic Dreckmann would become chief operating officer, replacing Gregory Gatesman, who is leaving to return to the United States.
United States joins case over Facebook data transfers from EU

DUBLIN, July 19 (Reuters) - The United States can join a landmark case on the legality of cross-border data transfers, an Irish court ruled on Tuesday in a move that gives U.S. authorities a platform to defend their surveillance laws before the European Union's top court.

The U.S. authorities had asked the Irish High Court to be a party to the case taken by Austrian privacy activist Max Schrems against Facebook, which has its European headquarters in Dublin, over data transfers from the EU to the United States.

The case, which aims to determine whether personal privacy is properly protected from U.S. government surveillance, is expected to be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) following a request by Irish data protection authorities in May.

"The United States has a significant and bona fide interest in the outcome of these proceedings," Justice Brian McGovern said.

"The imposition of restrictions on the transfer of such data would have potentially considerable adverse effects on EU-U.S. commerce and could affect U.S. companies significantly."

The ruling means that U.S. authorities can potentially offer legal opinion or testimony in the case.

Revelations three years ago from former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden of mass U.S. surveillance caused political outrage in Europe and stoked mistrust of big U.S. technology companies such as Facebook, Google and Microsoft.

Schrems launched a legal challenge to the Safe Harbour commercial data pact in 2013, ultimately resulting in it being replaced by a new framework that came into force this month.

"The fact that the U.S. government intervenes in this lawsuit, shows that we hit them from a relevant angle," Schrems said in a statement.

"The U.S. can largely ignore the political critique on US mass surveillance, but it cannot ignore the economic relevance of EU-U.S. data flows."
Zimbabwe's Mugabe says activist pastor funded by foreign states

HARARE, July 19 (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Tuesday said an activist pastor behind anti-government protests this month was being sponsored by foreign countries set on destabilising his administration.

On July 8, a 'stay away' protest movement led by church minister Evan Mawarire shut down most businesses, government offices, schools and hospitals in the biggest act of public defiance against Mugabe in a decade.

Mawarire, who rallied followers under his #ThisFlag Twitter campaign, was arrested last week and formally accused of treason but was freed when a court threw out the charges.

In his first public comments on Mawarire, the 92-year-old Mugabe accused the pastor of urging Zimbabweans to engage in violent protests, questioning whether he was a "true preacher".

"You can't urge people to adopt violence, violent demonstrations as the way of life or a way of solving grievances, no. We will say no, forever no," Mugabe said at the burial of a senior politician in Harare.

"The Mawarires, if they don't like to live with us, let them go to those who are sponsoring them, to the countries that are sponsoring them," Mugabe added.

Mugabe's government has previously accused French and American ambassadors in Harare of supporting Mawarire's #ThisFlag movement. The diplomats have denied the accusations.

Mawarire, who is currently in South Africa, says his protests are peaceful and are against government corruption, alleged police brutality, delays in paying state workers' salaries and cash shortages.
U.N. chief says North Korea missile launches 'deeply troubling'

UNITED NATIONS, July 19 (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon finds North Korea's recent missile launches "deeply troubling" and not conducive to reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, said a U.N. spokesman on Tuesday.
Soldiers who fled to Greece would have a fair trial in Turkey -ambassador

ATHENS, July 19 (Reuters) - Turkey's ambassador to Athens said on Tuesday the Turkish soldiers who fled to Greece by helicopter after the weekend coup attempt would have a fair and transparent trial at home, and it would not help bilateral ties if Athens did not return them.

The eight men, who have sought political asylum in Greece, landed in the city of Alexandroupolis on Saturday. They were arrested and charged with crossing into the country illegally.

Turkey has branded them "traitors" and asked Greece to extradite them. Their lawyers say the men fear for their lives in Turkey and do not want to be returned.

"They will face a fair trial," Ambassador Kerim Uras told journalists. "We want this as always to be transparent ... in line with international standards."

He later added: "It's not in the state's interests to do this (trial) behind closed doors."

But he also said: "I hope we will manage to swiftly go through the phases of the due process and manage to return these terrorist elements so that they will face justice in Turkey."

Since the coup attempt crumbled on Saturday, the Turkish government has launched a purge of the armed forces and judiciary, rounding up thousands.

Asked what the consequences would be if judges decided not to return the soldiers to Turkey, Uras said their swift return would be a positive development but if not that would not help bilateral relations.

"If they are returned as soon as possible this can really turn into a very positive thing in our bilateral relations," he said. "If it's not, I would be quite concerned as an ambassador. And I must say this, that it would not help at all."

Relations between Greece and Turkey have warmed in recent years but they have a long history of enmity and a longstanding dispute over territorial borders in the Aegean, with warplanes from both sides regularly engaging in mock dog fights.
Libya's UN backed government moves to tackle power cuts in key test

By Ahmed Elumami

TRIPOLI, July 19 (Reuters) - Libya's U.N.-backed government is moving to tackle chronic power outages in a key test of the Tripoli-based administration's ability to take executive control and win support by improving living conditions.

Persistent power cuts lengthened during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan that ended in early July, making life even more difficult for residents facing searing summer heat, cash shortages that delay salaries and continued lawlessness.

Tripoli residents express frustration that the Government of National Accord (GNA) has not acted more swiftly since arriving in the seaside capital at the end of March.

The result of a U.N.-mediated deal signed in December, the GNA was meant to replace two competing administrations set up in Tripoli and eastern Libya in 2014 and to end conflicts between the loose alliances of armed groups that supported them.

But it has failed to win formal backing from the east and has worked cautiously in Tripoli, moving gradually from a secured naval base into ministry buildings in town and only taking full possession of the prime minister's office last week.

Along with cash crisis and a spate of kidnappings, the power cuts have become a symbol of the limits of the GNA's authority in a city where real power lies largely with armed groups formed during the 2011 uprising against Muammar Gaddafi and its aftermath.

"The situation in Tripoli is getting worse day by day," said Khaled Delawi, a passport office employee shopping in the capital. "There is no power for long stretches, no money in the banks and no security. We hear every day of clashes and crimes but there's no response from the new government."

OUTAGES OUT OF CONTROL

Libya's national electricity company GECOL said last week the outages were "outside our control" because armed groups were diverting power supplies to their own neighbourhoods - a problem acknowledged by GNA leader Fayez Seraj last month.

"There is also an absence of maintenance and security, and clashes in some areas badly affect the work of the company," GECOL said in a statement.

But after demonstrations escalated in central Tripoli, with protesters burning tyres in the street and building sand barriers to shut down a stretch of the coastal road, Seraj on Sunday sacked GECOL's entire board, replacing it with a caretaker team.

The interior ministry is also moving to secure power distribution control centres, said Mohamed Ammari, a member of the GNA's Presidential Council, to prevent distortions of the power supply by local factions or armed groups.

"We're dealing with it," he said.

He added that things had improved in recent days because a fall in temperatures had allowed more efficient power generation and GNA-aligned forces had partly retaken and restarted a power station in the coastal city of Sirte that had been seized by Islamic State militants last year.

Still, the situation remains precarious, with an average shortfall in national power supply that Ammari said stood at about 1,400 MW. Temperatures are likely to rise again in August, increasing demand for air conditioning.

And the recent cuts lasting 15 hours or more have stretched patience to breaking point, rotting food in disconnected fridges, forcing some shops to close down, and making the rumbling of generators familiar background noise across Tripoli.

"We have three governments but no services at all," said Tripoli shopkeeper Mohamed Ibrahim.
Barclays begins Egypt sale process, at least 2 interested - sources

By David French and Tom Arnold

DUBAI, July 19 (Reuters) - Barclays has begun a formal process to sell its Egyptian unit, with at least two banks from the Middle East and North Africa region expressing interest in the business, sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.

The UK-based lender is offloading its Africa unit as part of a plan by Chief Executive Jes Staley to simplify its structure and seek higher shareholder returns, although attempts to sell all the assets together have come up against difficulties including the disparate nature of the business.

Banks have now been invited to submit bids for the Egypt business, which are due at the end of August, according to two of the sources. Sources have previously said Barclays Egypt's equity value was around $400 million.

Dubai-based Emirates NBD, which bought BNP Paribas' Egyptian unit in 2013, is one of the interested parties and has mandated Perella Weinberg Partners to advise it, according to three sources aware of the matter.

The New York-based investment firm also worked on the BNP Paribas Egypt deal with Emirates NBD, which on Monday reported a 16 percent jump in second-quarter net profit.

The United Arab Emirates' largest bank by assets was also advised by local brokerage HC Securities and Investment on the BNP deal, and the Egyptian firm was believed to be once again helping Emirates NBD, according to one of the sources.

Attijariwafa Bank, Morocco's largest bank by assets, is planning to bid too, and has chosen UBS as its adviser, two of the sources said.

The Moroccan lender's general manager, Ismail Douiri, told Reuters in March it was interested in Barclays Egypt, having been keen to expand into the North African country for several years. It bid for BNP Paribas' Egyptian business before losing out to Emirates NBD.

Barclays and Emirates NBD declined to comment. Attijariwafa didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as the information isn't public.

Other bidders could emerge before the end-August deadline. For example, Atlas Mara, the investment firm run by former Barclays CEO Bob Diamond, has said it would be interested in buying all the bank's African assets.

However, the sources indicated Attijariwafa and Emirates NBD were believed to be the only ones to have got as far as appointing investment banks to advise them.
Plans for the upcoming construction project to replace the St. Joe Drive bridge that spans the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Park Hills recently hit a bit of a snag.

Designs for the new bridge were completed in January by the projects contracted firm, BFA-Engineers, Surveyors & Consultants of Washington. The plans were then sent to Union Pacific corporate headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska for final approval.

For a while, the way things seemed to be progressing indicated there was a chance to get the project completed by the first day of school in August.

Certainly, as Park Hills Economic Developer Norm Lucas stated earlier this year, the best time for the construction phase of the project to take place would have been during the summer.

One of the major challenges of the project, simply because of the way the streets in Park Hills are laid out, is the lack of options when it comes to creating a practical detour during construction of the new bridge.

A summer construction project would reduce disruption for school buses and motorists who routinely travel along St. Joe Drive and over the bridge.

But as often happens, the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

According to Lucas, unexpected steps toward final approval for the project from Union Pacific have temporarily stalled the progress hoped for by Lucas and other members of the St. Francois County Special Road District #2 Board of Directors, who are responsible for implementing the project.

The railroad just has these hurdles and you just have to go at em, Lucas said. There are no shortcuts.

Working their way through the process, during a regular meeting on July 15, directors of the road district commission accepted a bid, as recommended by the BFA firms engineers, for a contractor to, as the next step, develop a bridge demolition plan. Followed, again, by a waiting period.

They (Union Pacific representatives) said it will take them the full 30 days and maybe a little longer to approve the demolition plan, Lucas said. And the real kicker is, the contractor cant even apply for right-of-entry onto railroad right-of-way until after the demolition plan has been approved.

Lucas said the new bridge, once it is finally completed, will be concrete and will be wider than the existing span and one side of it will be outfitted with a walkway for pedestrians. Like the bridge in place now, the replacement structure will be two-lane.
Italy says 2,500 boat migrants rescued, one body recovered

ROME, July 19 (Reuters) - More than 2,500 migrants were plucked from overcrowded boats off the coast of Libya on Tuesday and one dead body was recovered, Italy's coast guard said, as people smugglers operating in Libya took advantage of calm seas and warm weather.

A coast guard spokesman said the smugglers had sent at least 26 boats toward Italy, the latest in a tide of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Three Italian navy ships participated in the rescues, picking up more than 1,000 of those brought to safety so far, a statement said. British and Spanish ships participating in the European Union's anti-people smuggling mission, Sophia, also conducted rescues.

The charity Doctors Without Borders said its ship, the Argos, had rescued migrants from five boats.

A deal with Turkey and border closures have helped the EU to stem the flow of migrants from the Middle East and Asia coming through Turkey and Greece. But Italy has received about the same number of migrants setting off from North Africa this year as during the same period of 2015.

As of Monday, 79,861 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea, compared with 83,119 during the same period of last year, while the number of migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey was down 95 percent.
Prague bans Segways from historic city centre's narrow streets

PRAGUE, July 19 (Reuters) - The Czech capital Prague will ban Segway vehicles in its historic centre from early August, Mayor Adriana Krnacova said on Tuesday, after residents complained the two-wheeled electric vehicles were clogging streets and unsafe.

Dozens of agencies have sprung up in Prague in recent years that rent out Segways near or on city squares, and groups of helmet-wearing tourists riding through the narrow, cobbled streets the city's medieval heart have become a common sight.

Prague's ban follows suit of cities like Barcelona, which banned the two-wheeled vehicles from its waterfront promenade. Around 6.6 million tourists visited Prague last year.

"We received countless complaints and we decided to satisfy both residents and even some tourists," Krnacova told reporters.

The ban applies not only to pavements but also bike lanes and streets, which makes it stricter than some Czechs see necessary.

Association Segway CR criticised the wide ban and is considering legal steps, Jaroslav Endrst, member of the executive committee of the association, told Reuters.

"We have been calling for some kind of regulation since 2011... but the council approved a complete ban," he said.

The association says around 300 jobs are threatened by the decision. Segway users will be fined by up to 2,000 crowns ($81.59), Krnacova said. A 1-hour ride costs around 1,000 crowns.
Hunger, looting and now suspected cholera hit South Sudan

By Tom Miles

GENEVA, July 19 (Reuters) - Dozens of people have fallen ill with suspected cholera in South Sudan's capital of Juba, while a U.N. food warehouse was looted and destroyed, incurring $20 million of damage, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

"We expect a huge humanitarian crisis. Even before the current crisis, the health system in South Sudan was facing a crisis due to near economic collapse," World Health Organization spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said.

Cholera is a type of acute watery diarrhoea which kills fewer than 1 percent of sufferers if there is proper treatment with oral rehydration salts, according to the World Health Organisation.

But conditions in Juba, where fighting erupted on July 7 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those loyal to his deputy, Riek Machar, are far from ideal, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says.

The fighting uprooted about 36,000 people who sought shelter at U.N. compounds, and 14,900 are still displaced, IOM said.

Other parts of the country have subsequently reported clashes, and the U.N. has recommended aid agencies reduce staff in hotspot locations.

Over 5,000 people fled to Uganda, almost all women and children who had walked for days, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said.

The violence in Juba prompted many traders and markets to shut down, and insecurity along supply routes meant food supplies were likely to dwindle further, the U.N.'s World Food Programme (WFP) said.

South Sudan has 4.8 million people who are severely short of food, and about 1.6 million people who have been displaced since a civil war broke out in December 2013. A further 743,000 have fled the country, a number the U.N. expects to reach 1 million in the coming months.

WFP lost 4,500 tonnes of commodities as well as vehicles, fuel, office and IT equipment when its warehouse was looted. The losses included specialised foods aimed at reducing "unprecedented" rates of malnutrition.

Two U.N. aircraft were also damaged in the fighting.

WFP is now considering moving food stocks to safe locations and airdropping food to some areas outside Juba, but the government is restricting its helicopter movements.

The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization also said seeds and tools had been looted from its warehouse, just weeks before harvesting of the main maize and sorghum crop and a second planting season.

IOM, which is mapping potential disease hotspots and setting up oral reydration stations, has a health care clinic at Tong Ping, where one suspected cholera case was identified on July 16. IOM teams are building additional latrines.

"As more people continue to arrive at the site, concerns are increasing over the impact of the rainy season and the spread of other waterborne diseases. Without proper drainage, the rainy season can lead to flooding and extremely muddy conditions for IDPs (internally displaced persons)," an IOM statement said.
Rebels in eastern Congo suspected of killing seven civilians

KINSHASA, July 19 (Reuters) - Rebels from the Hutu ethnic group in eastern Congo are suspected of killing at least seven civilians in revenge for the killing of one of their number, local activists said on Tuesday.

Hundreds of civilians have died in inter-ethnic violence and a series of massacres by armed groups in Democratic Republic of Congo's conflict-ravaged east, which borders Rwanda and Uganda.

An ethnic Nande militia group, the Mai-Mai Mazembe, killed a Hutu on Sunday in Kibirizi, leading to the reprisal attack by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), said Innocent Gasigwa, spokesman for Civil Society of Rutshuru.

The FDLR "came to take vengeance .... There were clashes last night and into this morning," Gasigwa said by telephone, adding that the army restored calm this morning.

An FDLR spokesman denied that his forces were involved in the attack. An army spokesman said he was aware of the incident but declined to give details.
W.House strongly condemns North Korea missile tests

WASHINGTON, July 19 (Reuters) - The United States strongly condemned North Korea on Tuesday for test firing three ballistic missiles, saying the launches and other recent tests violated U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea's ballistic missile program.

"This provocation only serves to increase the international community's resolve to countering the DPRK's prohibited activities," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

"North Korea is isolated like never before," he added. "The international community is united like never before and hopefully that will lead to a situation where North Korea makes a strategic decision to come out of the shadows of the international community and try to rejoin the international community."
Kerry says U.S. and Russia plan "concrete" Syria steps

LONDON/MOSCOW, July 19 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday the United States and Russia have planned "concrete steps" for the direction they will take in Syria.

He also urged Russia to use its influence on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to halt Syrian military attacks on opposition groups and civilians.

Kerry spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov by phone earlier on Tuesday and discussed ways to resolve the Syria crisis, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

At a news conference in London, Kerry said he would update his fellow foreign ministers at an international meeting on Syria in the British capital on Tuesday, describing his visit to Moscow last week "and the concrete steps that the U.S. and Russia are planning to take."

"I spoke to Foreign Minister Lavrov again today," he said.

"We both believe that we have an understanding of the direction we are going in and what needs to be achieved and our teams will meet shortly and we are going to continue to do that in order to bolster the cessation of hostilities and in order to increase our capacity to fight back against al Qaeda, which is Nusra, as well as fight back against ISIL," Kerry said.

"We will also do everything in our power to improve delivery of food, medicine, water, incredibly essential humanitarian needs," Kerry said.

In a meeting with U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura in London, Kerry said it was vital for Moscow to use its influence with the Assad regime to halt its attacks on opposition groups and innocent civilians, which he said were in violation of the cessation of hostilities.

He also emphasized the need to end all attempts to besiege the city of Aleppo and other besieged towns and ensure full humanitarian access there, according to State Department Spokesperson John Kirby.

Kerry said last week after talks with President Vladimir Putin and Lavrov in Moscow he had reached a common understanding on the steps needed to get Syria's peace process back on track.

However he declined to give details and said that more work was needed before those steps could be implemented and that Russia and the United States still differed over the future of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

At the same London news conference, Britain's Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called on Russia to use its "unique ability" to stop the Syrian conflict by convincing Assad to put an end to five years of fighting that have ravaged the country.

"Russia in particular has a unique ability to persuade the Assad regime to end the carnage and return to the negotiating table," Johnson said.

Johnson called the current Syrian situation "dire" and said the country faced a "terrible humanitarian catastrophe".

Russia backs Assad and is giving military help to his campaign against rebel fighters. The United States believes the Syrian leader has to go and is supporting some of the rebel groups who are fighting to unseat him.

The Washington Post newspaper reported last week that Kerry went to Moscow with a proposal for intelligence sharing with Russia over Syria and joint selection of bombing targets.

A Kremlin spokesman said last week that Putin and Kerry had not directly discussed military cooperation.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Kerry and Lavrov also discussed Russia's doping scandal.
Islamist militant group Ansar Dine claims Mali attack

BAMAKO, July 19 (Reuters) - Islamist militant group Ansar Dine claimed responsibility for an attack on an army base in central Mali on Tuesday that killed at least 12 soldiers, according to a social media posting monitored by the SITE Intelligence Group.
Investor Fidelity backs May plan for binding shareholder votes in UK

LONDON, July 19 (Reuters) - One of the biggest investors in Britain, Fidelity International, threw its weight on Tuesday behind a plan from Theresa May to clamp down on executive pay, in an early boost for Britain's new prime minister.

Fidelity International, which has 185 billion pounds ($246 billion) of assets under management across a number of markets, said that May's proposal to make shareholder votes binding would give investors a strong hand in influencing company policy.

"(It) will add significant momentum to our efforts to better align executive pay rewards with shareholder interests," Dominic Rossi, Global Chief Investment Officer of Equities at Fidelity International, said in a statement.

Fidelity has been calling for companies to adopt incentive plans that foster long-term thinking among executives.

Britain has seen a resurgence of investor activism over high pay in the last year, with WPP, BP and others all facing criticism at annual general meetings.

May, who became prime minister last week, used a speech before she was elected to set out her plans for the economy, arguing that it did not work for everyone in society and needed to be reformed.
Zafgen to scrap lead obesity drug, shares slide

July 19 (Reuters) - Zafgen Inc said it was suspending the development of its lead obesity drug, beloranib, more than six months after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked the company to halt all tests on the drug following the death of two patients.

Zafgen's shares tumbled more than 40 percent in extended trading on Tuesday after the company also said it would reduce its workforce by about 34 percent to 31 employees by December.

Obesity treatments have been plagued by safety concerns, particularly related to heart risk and birth defects, and several drugs have been taken off the market.

The FDA has approved drugs made by Vivus Inc, Orexigen Therapeutics Inc and Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc in the past few years, but asked for additional studies to check for safety of these drugs.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration asked Zafgen to halt all tests on the drug in December after a second patient died from an artery blockage in the lung. The drug was put on partial hold in October after the first patient died.

Beloranib, administered through an injection, was being tested to treat Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that leads to obesity.

The company said in February that its controversial drug reduced the weight of overweight diabetic patients, the second trial success in as many months, raising hopes for the clinical hold to be lifted.

Those hopes were dashed on Tuesday after the company said the costs and development timelines to obtain marketing approval for beloranib are too great to justify more investment.

Zafgen will instead focus on developing another drug, ZGN-1061, to treat severe and complicated obesity. It is screening patients to initiate an early-stage study and expects the clinical data by the end of the first quarter of 2017.

Zafgen said it expected the restructuring to save about $4.8 million in annualized workforce expenses.

The company, which expects to end 2016 with more than $125 million in cash, believes that its cash balance is sufficient to fund operations through the end of 2018.
Vienna climate meeting aims for progress on deal to cut HFC use

By Valerie Volcovici

WASHINGTON, July 19 (Reuters) - Diplomats meeting in Vienna this week hope to take a major step toward a deal under the Montreal Protocol to decrease the use of a potent greenhouse gas, in what could be the most significant measure to combat global warming since last year's Paris climate agreement.

Officials from nearly 200 countries are trying to hammer out details of an agreement to cut the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) used in heating and air conditioning by amending the ozone-protection treaty that went into force in 1989.

The goal for the Vienna meeting is to agree on schedules for countries to reduce HFC use and on financial support for developing nations cutting their use before a final summit in Kigali, Rwanda in October.

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, who is leading the U.S. delegation, said a phase-down would be a "really big deal" in the global fight against climate change.

"We are seeing tremendous projections in the growth in the use of HFCs, especially in developing countries" McCarthy said in an interview.

A deal to replace HFCs with more climate-friendly alternatives "could avoid a rise of 0.5 degree Celsius by the end of the century," said McCarthy.

This would keep countries on track to meet the goal agreed at the Paris climate summit in December to limit the global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees C.

HFCs are used in air conditioning and refrigeration as a substitute for ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons, whose use was eliminated under the Montreal Protocol.

But it turned out that HFC emissions are nearly three times as potent as the world's current annual output of carbon dioxide between now and 2050, according to David Doniger of the Natural Resources Defense Council.

This has raised the urgency to cut them.

"Almost every country here (in Vienna) seems to be working under the premise that we are going to work out an agreement this year," said Doniger.

Countries like Saudi Arabia, which have previously blocked progress, are showing signs of cooperation, he said.

Industry groups have also welcomed the progress because it would give companies time to advance research on new equipment that uses the latest refrigerant replacements for HFCs.

Steve Yurek, president of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute, said updating the Montreal Protocol is one of the rare cases in which industry appears to welcome new regulations.
N.Korea says missile test simulated attack on S.Korea ports, airfields

SEOUL, July 20 (Reuters) - North Korea said on Wednesday it had conducted a ballistic missile test that simulated preemptive strikes against South Korean ports and airfields used by the U.S. military, likely referring to the launches of three missiles on Tuesday.

The North's leader Kim Jong Un supervised the exercise that successfully tested the simulated detonation of nuclear warheads mounted on missiles, its official KCNA news agency reported.

It did not give the date of the exercise, as it customarily reports activities of its leader without dates or locations.

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles that flew between 500 km and 600 km (300-360 miles) into the sea off its east coast, South Korea's military said, the latest in a series of provocative moves by the isolated country.

"The drill was conducted by limiting the firing range under the simulated conditions of making preemptive strikes at ports and airfields in the operational theater in South Korea where the U.S. imperialists nuclear war hardware is to be hurled," KCNA said.

"And it once again examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area," it said.

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles that flew between 500 km and 600 km (300-360 miles) into the sea off its east coast, South Korea's military said, the latest in a series of provocative moves by the isolated country.

The U.S. military said it believed two of the missiles were Scuds and the other a Rodong, a home-grown missile based on Soviet-era Scud technology.

North Korea is believed to be developing nuclear warheads and trying to miniaturise them to mount on ballistic missiles but it is believed by experts to be a few years away from mastering the technology.

Tuesday's missile launches were seen as a show of force rather than a test to improve missile capabilities, a week after South Korea and the United States chose a site in the South to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system to counter threats from the North.

North Korea has threatened a "physical response" to the move.

China has objected to the decision saying it would destabilize the security balance in the region.

The North's missile firing on Tuesday drew swift criticism from the South, the United States and the European Union.

South Korea said it was again in violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions that ban the North's use of ballistic missile technology.

North Korea came under the latest U.N. Security Council resolution in March after conducting its fourth nuclear test in January and launching a long-range rocket the next month.
North Korea says missile test simulated attack on South's airfields

By Jack Kim

SEOUL, July 20 (Reuters) - North Korea said on Wednesday it had conducted a ballistic missile test that simulated preemptive strikes against South Korean ports and airfields used by the U.S. military, a likely reference to the launches of three missiles on Tuesday.

The North's leader, Kim Jong Un, supervised the exercise that successfully tested the simulated detonation of nuclear warheads mounted on missiles, its official KCNA news agency reported.

It did not give the date of the exercise, as it customarily reports activities of its leader without dates or locations. Rodong Sinmun, the ruling Workers' Party's official newspaper, carried photographs of Kim with military aides, apparently observing a ballistic missile exercise.

North Korea fired three ballistic missiles that flew between 500 km and 600 km (300-360 miles) into the sea off its east coast, South Korea's military said, in defiance of UN Security Council resolutions and the latest in a series of provocative moves by the isolated country after a series of nuclear weapons tests.

"The drill was conducted by limiting the firing range under the simulated conditions of making preemptive strikes at ports and airfields in the operational theatre in South Korea where the U.S. imperialists' nuclear war hardware is to be hurled," KCNA said.

"And it once again examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area."

Yang Uk, a senior researcher at the Korea Defence and Security Forum and a policy adviser to the South Korean navy, said there was little firm evidence to suggest the North had succeeded in developing a nuclear warhead for missiles.

"But it's a reminder that they are continuing to pursue nuclear warhead development, and that itself is an escalation of risks for us," he added.

Tuesday's missile launches were seen as a show of force a week after South Korea and the United States chose a site in the South to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system to counter threats from the North.

North Korea had threatened a "physical response" to the move.

"The idea seems to be to signal that (U.S.) war plans cannot succeed because if we activated them, the North Koreans would strike as we made the attempt," said Joshua Pollack, editor of the U.S.-based Nonproliferation Review.

Late on Tuesday, North Korean state media called U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark Lippert a "mentally deranged hooligan" and "a heinous war maniac" for flying in a U.S. fighter jet earlier this month.

Reclusive North Korea occasionally publishes insults of U.S. and South Korean officials.

The North and the rich, democratic South are technically still at war because their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. The North regularly threatens to destroy Japan, South Korea and the South's main ally, the United States.
No retreat from Asia pivot regardless of who wins U.S. presidency-Biden

By Matt Siegel

SYDNEY, July 20 (Reuters) - United States Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday assured key ally Australia there would be no retreat from Washington's pivot to the Asia-Pacific region regardless of who wins November's presidential election.

Biden dismissed concerns that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would abandon President Barack Obama's strategy for the Asia-Pacific if he were to defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

"Don't worry about our election. The better angels in America will prevail," Biden said in a speech in Sydney.

"The United States is all in. We've made good on that promise and continue to make good on that promise. We have shown our commitment to lead the region over and over again."

Tensions between the United States and China have been rising in recent months over the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion in trade passes every year.

Biden's visit to the region follows last week's court ruling in The Hague that China has no historic title over the disputed waters.

Beijing has dismissed the case, brought by the Philippines, as a farce and accused Washington of fuelling tensions.

Neither Trump nor Clinton have been vocal supporters of Obama's Asia-Pacific pivot in their campaigning, leading some to question Washington's support for the strategy.

Biden insisted that the U.S. military would continue to underpin freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, regardless of which party controls the White House from 2017.

"The United States has kept and will keep a laser focus on the future in the Asia-Pacific," he said.

"America is the linchpin and we want to ensure the sea lanes are secure, the skies remain open. That is how to maintain the free flow of commerce, that is the life-blood of this region."
Lawmakers extend French emergency rule after attack on Nice

PARIS, July 20 (Reuters) - French lawmakers on Wednesday approved a six-month rollover of emergency rule in the wake of last week's truck attack on the city of Nice, the third deadly assault in 18 months for which the Islamic State militant group has claimed responsibility.

The extension of extra search-and-arrest powers for police was approved by 489 votes to 26 against shortly before dawn in France's National Assembly, the lower house of parliament.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls, jeered by crowds at a remembrance ceremony last Monday and criticised by political opponents over the attack, called for national unity when presenting the emergency rule bill overnight.

"We must remain united and focused because we must be strong in the face of this threat," he said.

"Populism stalks us, ready to pounce at any opportunity, to blow on the embers of discord and exacerbate divisions, as every new division makes us more vulnerable."

In response to demands of the main right-wing opposition party, Les Republicains, the rollover was backed for six months rather than the three months proposed by President Francois Hollande's Socialist government, which has been accused by its political adversaries of failing to prevent the attack.

The bill extending emergency rule into January 2017, due to be examined by the Senate upper house of parliament later on Wednesday before becoming law, allows police to search homes and arrest people without prior consent from judges. It also allows them to tap computer and phone communications more freely.

Emergency rule has been in place since the attacks on Paris last November in which Islamist militants killed 130 people.

In the attack in the Riviera resort of Nice, Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel drove a large truck into crowds of Bastille Day revellers, killing 84, before being shot dead by police. Around 38 of the 84 dead were foreigners.
Taiwan fishermen pack flags, noodles, set sail for disputed South China Sea "island"

By Damon Lin

PINGTUNG, Taiwan, July 20 (Reuters) - Five Taiwanese fishing boats set sail for Taiwan's sole holding in the South China Sea on Wednesday in protest against a court ruling that deems it a rock rather than an island, limiting its rights to surrounding resource-rich waters.

Festooned with Taiwan flags, the fishing boats, loaded with eggs and instant noodles, left the south coast for a week-long trip to Itu Aba, about 1,600 km (1,000 miles) away.

The move is largely symbolic as Taiwan has occupied Itu Aba, which it calls Taiping, for decades.

Taiwan refuses to recognise last week's ruling in a case lodged by the Philippines in the Hague that denies China's vast claims to the South China Sea.

Taiwan, formally known as the "Republic of China" and deemed by China a renegade province, is also a claimant in the South China Sea. The maps China bases its claims on date to when Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists ruled China before they fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedong's Communists.

The Philippines argued that no feature in the disputed Spratly Islands could be legally considered islands because they lack the ability to sustain human habitation or economic life.

"This is to protest the demotion of Taiping from an island to a rock and zoning the waters to the Philippines," Lo Chiang-fei, spokesman for the expedition, told reporters.

"When they get there, they will land, get fresh water to show this place can sustain human life and bring it back."

Nearly 200 marine-trained coast guard personnel are stationed on Itu Aba.

The court ruling under the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea gave Itu Aba only 12 nautical miles of territorial waters. Only islands that can sustain human habitation are allowed a greater 200 nautical miles of "exclusive economic zone".
Damage to bumper global wheat crop spurs use as animal feed

By Karl Plume

July 20 (Reuters) - From the heart of the U.S. big farm belt to Colombia, Vietnam and Indonesia, livestock producers are snapping up wheat damaged by bad weather or low in protein, providing pigs and poultry with grain more often milled for making bread.

The increased global purchases of cheap, poor quality wheat for animal feed come as a combination of bumper crops and low prices increase its appeal compared to alternatives like corn.

"There's a massive amount of wheat out there that didn't make the grade," said one U.S. grain merchandiser, who spoke on condition of anonymity. "The next best option is to either carry it or find another mouth for it as feed."

Farms in the United States, the Black Sea region, Europe and Australia have had bumper harvests, which are likely to push global wheat stocks to record levels for the third consecutive year in 2016/17, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

But quality problems have weighed on prices. Now wheat is eating into demand for corn - also a staple animal feed and already under pressure from its own ample global supplies.

The USDA last week hiked its estimate for global wheat consumption in the coming year by 13.3 million tonnes to the highest ever, "primarily on increased feed use" which the agency estimated at 144.42 million tonnes.

The last time so much wheat was used as feed was four years ago, when a harsh drought slashed U.S. corn production.

This time around, bumper corn crops mean it is selling below benchmark-quality wheat, but discounts for damaged wheat and low protein make the difference. The USDA cut its forecast for global consumption of coarse grains, including corn, by 3.3 million tonnes.

Chicago Board of Trade corn is currently 65-75 cents per bushel cheaper than wheat . But low-protein or grain-damage discounts are more than $1 per bushel, a price cut of at least $36 per tonne, grain traders say.

"Wheat's a great substitute for corn, there's plenty of it, and it's at $7 or $8 a tonne discount (to corn)," said a U.S. grain export trader who did not want to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media. "I've had some Colombians take it, and I'd love to sell them more."

Colombia's neighbor, Brazil, is an exception. It had its own feed wheat frenzy earlier this year when hog and poultry producers used wheat for the first time in a decade as corn prices soared following a severe drought. Now, with a huge corn harvest rolling in, Brazil no longer needs to use feed wheat.

LOWER COSTS

Grain customers in the United States - from livestock producer Cargill to major domestic hog producer The Maschhoffs - are using more wheat for animals.

"We're seeing feed manufacturers and livestock producers gravitate toward wheat because it makes sense economically," said David Fairfield, senior vice president of feed services at the National Grain and Feed Association.

On the U.S. East Coast, home to some of the country's biggest pork production, ships carrying UK feed wheat have been unloading volumes not seen in years, as a weak pound and cheap freight give it a competitive edge, said Jack Watts at Britain's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

About 63,000 tonnes of wheat arrived from Britain in May, according to the latest customs data - the largest shipments since 2011/12.

But western European supplies of rain-damaged milling wheat find ready markets close to home. Black Sea export shipments are discounted $25 a tonne to corn, compared with $7 premiums in February.

"You cannot substitute corn 100 percent, but I think the animal feed manufacturers and importers will take wheat content to the limit," said a German trader who asked not to be named.

Another German trader, who also requested anonymity, said demand for feed wheat has risen sharply from some of the big Asian importers, such as South Korea and Indonesia. The latter has already slapped controls on imports in a bid to encourage feed mills to use domestic corn.

"Korean importers have told me that, in the present price constellation, they will switch to more feed wheat tenders from corn in coming weeks," this German trader said. "In South Korea alone, this could result in about 150,000 tonnes a month of corn imports being switched to feed wheat."
HK election candidates must issue China pledge by law-electoral commission

By Clare Baldwin

HONG KONG, July 20 (Reuters) - Candidates in Hong Kong's September elections must by law pledge that the city is an "inalienable" part of China and advocating independence could end their candidacy, the head of the Electoral Affairs Commission (EAC) said.

The comments come after the EAC and the Hong Kong government sparked anger by saying candidates for the legislative council, which includes pro-democracy and independence activists, are required to declare in a new Confirmation Form that the city falls directly under the central government in Beijing.

The Hong Kong government also said that advocating and promoting independence was "contrary" to that declaration and could render a candidate ineligible. The EAC said anyone making a false declaration was "liable to criminal sanction."

"The introduction of the Confirmation Form has sound legal basis. The measure (is) entirely based on legal and procedural considerations," EAC chairman Justice Barnabas Fung Wah told lawmakers on Tuesday, according to a printed version of the remarks.

Hong Kong is part of China but governed by separate laws under a "one country, two systems" framework agreed with the British when it was handed back from colonial rule in 1997.

Relations between Hong Kong and Beijing have frayed in recent years amid pro-democracy protests, a failed bid for electoral reform and instances where Hong Kong residents say Beijing is breaking the "one country, two systems" agreement - such as the alleged abduction of five Hong Kong booksellers known for their gossipy books about China's leaders.

There is also a small but vocal minority of activists calling for outright independence.

"There have been comments and proposals in the public arena which have deviated from 'one country, two systems' and the constitutional status of Hong Kong as prescribed in the Basic Law. In this regard, there are public concerns on whether candidates fully understand the Basic Law," Fung said.

A candidate who fails to submit the confirmation form may be asked for further information and election officers, with input from the Justice Department, may declare the candidacy invalid, according to the EAC.

The EAC is an independent statutory body that oversees elections in Hong Kong. Legislative Council elections are on Sept. 4.
Turkey carries out air strikes against Kurdish militants in Iraq -NTV

ISTANBUL, July 20 (Reuters) - Turkey's military carried out air strikes against members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, killing 20 militants, broadcaster NTV said on Wednesday.

Turkey frequently launches air attacks against PKK targets in the mountainous regions of northern Iraq near the Turkish border, where the PKK leadership has camps. A ceasefire between the autonomy-seeking PKK and the state fell apart last year, triggering some of the worst violence in the three decades of the Kurdish insurgency.
PRESS DIGEST - Bulgaria - July 20

SOFIA, July 20 (Reuters) - These are some of the main stories in Bulgarian newspapers on Wednesday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

-- Bulgaria and the United States have agreed to a "more active" exchange of information between their security and counter-terrorism services, the interior ministry said (Trud, Standart)

-- Bulgarian customs officers seized more than 33 kg of heroin, split into 64 packets, at the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint, the interior ministry said. Two Bulgarians were arrested subsequently in the southern town of Haskovo (Standart, Monitor, Telegraf)

-- Valeri Simeonov, co-chair of Bulgaria's nationalist Patriotic Front, welcomed the actions of the "praiseworthy men" who carried out a failed coup in neighbouring Turkey last week. However, Simeonov said that Bulgaria has no other options but to express its support for the democratically elected government and president of Turkey
Cambodia's military investigates "coup" plot against Hun Sen

By Prak Chan Thul

PHNOM PENH, July 20 (Reuters) - Cambodia's military is investigating a suspected coup plot against Prime Minister Hun Sen, a defence ministry official said on Wednesday, amid rising political tension in the Southeast Asian country.

The army investigation centres on a man who announced plans to topple Hun Sen in Facebook and YouTube videos and called on others to join his cause, said Defence Ministry spokesman Chhum Sucheat.

"The authorities are investigating and looking for him," Chhum Sucheat told Reuters. He identified the man as Vichea Som but declined to give further details.

News of the plot comes a day after a senior U.S. official responsible for human rights urged Cambodia's political rivals to return to negotiations amid a "deteriorating situation".

In the video, the man the ministry identified as Vichea Som is dressed in a business suit and tie with a camouflage background visible in the footage.

He did not identify himself but accused Hun Sen's government and his ruling Cambodian People's Party of being behind big land grabs in one of Southeast Asia's poorest countries. He also accused the government of high-profile killings and human rights abuses.

"In the near future, please all forces be ready against the dictatorial regime," the man said.

He did not specifically call for a coup or threaten to organise a coup in the video clip.

It was not clear where he was speaking from but he said he belonged to a "unit" based in southwestern Cambodia.

The Facebook page bearing the name Vichea Som showed the same man. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent via Facebook.

Hun Sen has ruled with an iron fist for more than 30 years, defeating all challenges to his authority, but he faces a young electorate which appears increasingly hungry for change.

In recent moths, tension has been rising between Hun Sen and an opposition hoping to challenge his grip in local elections next year and a general election in 2018.

Several members of the opposition and activists have been jailed as part of what they say is a government crackdown to silence critics ahead of the elections.

On July 10, Kem Ley, a prominent activist and frequent critic of Hun Sen, was murdered in the capital Phnom Penh.

A suspect has been arrested and police said they believed Kem Ley was killed because of a debt. Activists believe his murder was political.

The United States has called for a credible investigation. The European Union and United Nations have expressed concern about the political tension.
Nordea uncovers shortcomings after Panama Papers scandal

By Johan Ahlander

STOCKHOLM, July 20 (Reuters) - Nordea, the Nordic bank named most in the Panama Papers, conceded on Wednesday it had not always done enough to safeguard fully against crimes such as money laundering and said it was taking steps to avoid any repeat.

The region's biggest lender said an internal investigation found many of the cases it had reviewed fell below the bank's standards for verifying the identity of clients, crucial for preventing money laundering or the funding of militant groups.

"Governance and controls have not been in place in the way they should," Chief Executive Casper von Koskull told Reuters. "It's unacceptable."

Von Koskull replaced Christian Clausen as CEO in November and vowed to get to the bottom of Panama Papers tax evasion scandal when it broke in April.

He said Nordea had decided to take a number of steps, including tighter control over its Luxembourg subsidiary where many of the offshore accounts had been set up.

The bank, which had been fined by Swedish regulators for lax controls even before the Panama Papers scandal, said it had blocked 68 suspicious accounts and would not assist clients with the administration of offshore structures in future.

"It looks like they have done what they needed to do," Exane BNP Paribas banking analyst Andreas Hakansson said. "They highlighted some errors and the need for change."

Nordea's investigation covered 2010 to 2016 but the bank said only a small number of cases took place after 2013.

The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (FSA) harmonised its rules with European Union regulations in August 2014, meaning offences committed afterwards could lead to substantially harsher penalties.

Instead of a maximum 50 million Swedish crowns ($5.8 million), the penalty can now reach 10 percent of revenues, or about 1 billion euros for Nordea.

In May 2015, the FSA said the flaws it had uncovered were serious enough to revoke Nordea's banking licence but it settled for a severe warning and the maximum 50 million crown fine.

The FSA welcomed Nordea's report of its findings and said the watchdog's own investigation into issues related to the Panama Papers was on track to be completed this year.

CAPITAL SPOTLIGHT

Nordea, whose shares have lost almost a fifth of their value this year, was one of the most frequently named lenders in the Panama Papers, where documents appeared to show it had helped clients back-date documents and set up offshore accounts.

The bank said, however, that it found no evidence employees had aided in customer tax evasion.

"I'm comforted by the conclusion that no evidence has been found that Nordea employees have proactively contributed to tax evasion," von Koskull said.

The bank has also been in the spotlight after a leaked FSA study suggested Nordea had underestimated risks in its corporate lending and needed as much as 80 billion crowns in new capital to meet regulatory demands.

The watchdog said last month the study had significantly overstated the capital need but noted its evaluation of internal models at Sweden's top banks, due later this year, would result in higher capital requirements.

Nordea, a rival of Swedbank, Handelsbanken and SEB, reported better than expected second-quarter operating profit on Wednesday and said its net interest margin was expected to improve during the second half.

Operating profit for the period was 1.22 billion euros ($1.34 billion) compared with an average forecast of 1.16 billion in a Reuters poll and 1.24 billion a year earlier.

Nordea shares were up 2.5 percent by 1137 GMT, outpacing a 1.1 percent in the European sector index.

($1 = 0.9082 euros)
Turkey blocks access to WikiLeaks after ruling party email dump

ISTANBUL, July 20 (Reuters) - Turkey has blocked access to the WikiLeaks website, the telecoms watchdog said on Wednesday, hours after it leaked thousands of ruling party emails just as Ankara grapples with the aftermath of a failed military coup.

Around 50,000 soldiers, police, judges and teachers have been suspended or detained since the attempted coup on the weekend, and Turkey's Western allies have expressed concern over the crackdown's reach.

WikiLeaks on Tuesday released nearly 300,000 emails from the AK Party dating from 2010 to July 6 this year. Obtained before the attempted coup, the date of their publication was brought forward "in response to the government's post-coup purges", WikiLeaks said on its website.

The source of the emails was not connected to the coup plotters or to a rival political party or state, WikiLeaks said.

Founded by Julian Assange, WikiLeaks publishes leaked material, mostly from governments. In 2010, the organisation published classified U.S. military and diplomatic documents in one of the largest information leaks in U.S. history.

Turkey's Telecommunications Communications Board said on Wednesday that an "administrative measure" had been taken against the website - the term it commonly uses when blocking access to sites.
Israeli parliament enacts impeachment law, critics say targets Arab MPs

By Ori Lewis

JERUSALEM, July 20 (Reuters) - Israel's parliament on Wednesday passed a law enabling it to impeach deputies for incitement to violence, racism or support for armed struggle against the state, in a move critics said was aimed mainly at Arab legislators.

Some Arab parliamentarians have enraged Israel's Jewish majority by meeting with families of some of the Palestinians killed during a recent surge in street attacks on Israelis.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the new law ended "the absurd situation" whereby someone who "supports terror against the State of Israel and its citizens" could serve as a member of parliament.

Passed by a 62-47 vote, the bill is also seen by campaigners as the latest example of legislation promoted by Netanyahu's right-wing government attempting to curb freedom of speech.

"This is one of the most serious legislative proposals in recent years and it harms the very building blocks of democracy - the right to freedom of expression, the right to vote and to be elected, and the right to representation," said Debbie Gilad-Hayo of the Association of Civil Rights in Israel.

"Arab (lawmakers) whose actions and remarks do not find favour with the political majority will be the first people harmed by the bill - however, it is a slippery slope and the bill has potential to affect all," she said in a statement.

But the law could prove to be more symbolic than practical, as it requires at least 90 of the house's 120 members to vote in favour of any impeachment, a majority that may be hard to achieve in the fractious Knesset.

There are 18 Arab members of parliament, 16 of them in the opposition. Arabs citizens, many of whom identify as Palestinian, make up some 20 percent of Israel's population.

In a move that the European Union said risked undermining democracy and free speech, parliament last week adopted a law requiring NGOs that receive more than half their funding from abroad to provide details of their donations.

This could have an impact on some of the most outspoken opponents of Israeli policies in the occupied territories, including groups such as the anti-settlement Peace Now and Breaking the Silence, which takes testimony from former soldiers on treatment of Palestinians.
China to send special envoy to Africa over South Sudan crisis

BEIJING, July 20 (Reuters) - China is sending its special envoy for Africa to the continent to help with efforts to resolve the political crisis in South Sudan, China's foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Veteran diplomat Zhong Jianhua would visit Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya, the ministry said.

Zhong would meet "relevant parties" and discuss how to continue to support African mediation efforts and urge the factions in South Sudan to implement the peace agreement, it added.

"China has always been an active participant and staunch promoter of the peace process in South Sudan," the ministry said.

China and other mediators had been in close contact to find ways for the waring parties to end the fighting and restart talks, it added, saying the situation in South Sudan was complicated and that international community should put more focus on it.

China has energy interests in South Sudan.

China National Petroleum Company (CNPC) said on Tuesday it had evacuated the bulk of its workers from South Sudan but its operations were unaffected.

Many foreigners have been evacuated from South Sudan, the world's newest nation, which is still recovering from a two-year civil war that started in 2013, killing tens of thousands of people and driving more than 2.5 million from their homes.
UK gives up planned presidency of European Council to focus on Brexit

By William James and Kylie MacLellan

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Britain will give up its planned presidency of the European Council, due to start in July 2017, to focus on negotiating the country's exit from the European Union a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Theresa May said on Wednesday.

The decision, reached in a phone call between May and EU Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday evening, reflects the scale of the task facing Britain as it seeks to negotiate a new relationship with the EU after a June 23 public vote to leave.

"The Prime Minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating Presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union," the spokeswoman said.

"The Prime Minister explained that we will need to carefully prepare for the negotiations to leave the EU before triggering Article 50," she said, referring to the formal legal process for leaving the bloc.

"Donald Tusk reassured the Prime Minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible."

A spokesman for Tusk said there had been no decision yet on who would take up the vacant slot, and that discussions on the issue would begin immediately between ambassadors.

The presidency is currently held by Slovakia and is due to be handed over to Malta for the first half of 2017. Estonia was due to follow the British presidency.
France says 3 soldiers died in accident on Libya intelligence mission

PARIS/BENGHAZI, Libya, July 20 (Reuters) - Three French soldiers were killed in a helicopter accident during an intelligence-gathering mission in Libya, President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday.

They are the first confirmed Western military casualties since it became known this year that special forces were operating on the ground in Libya.

"At this moment we are carrying out dangerous intelligence operations (in Libya)," Hollande said in a speech. "Three of our soldiers, who were involved in these operations, have been killed in a helicopter accident."

France took a leading role in the NATO air campaign that helped rebels overthrow autocratic leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country has since descended into chaos.

Western special forces from countries including France, Britain and the United States have sent small teams to western and eastern Libya.

The French have been working alongside forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, who launched a campaign against Islamists and other opponents in Benghazi more than two years ago but has rejected a Western-backed unity government in Tripoli.

A spokesman for Haftar's forces, Ahmed Masmari, said a helicopter carrying three Libyans - a pilot and two technicians - as well as the three French, had crashed on Sunday in the Magrun area about 75 km (47 miles) south of Benghazi.

Libyan officials had earlier said four people died in the crash, all of them Libyan. Masmari said the French had been gathering intelligence on fighters from Boko Haram, after some Malian militants loyal to the group had arrived in the area.

"It was probably a technical problem but the investigation has not finished yet," Masmari said.

However, the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB), a recently formed force of Islamists and other fighters, claimed after the helicopter crash that it had shot the aircraft down, killing four people, according to a statement posted on social media accounts close to the group.

The statement said that the helicopter was an M135 belonging to Haftar's forces and that two foreigners and two Libyans were killed when the group shot it down with a rocket. Pictures purporting to show the wreckage of the helicopter were also posted.

The BDB includes fighters pushed out of Benghazi by Haftar's forces. The group launched a new campaign last month south of the eastern city to regain lost ground. Fighting has been continuing, including in the area around Magrun.

Western powers have been backing Libya's U.N.-backed unity government, hoping it will seek foreign support to confront Islamic State militants, deal with migrant flows from Libya to Europe, and restore oil production to shore up the Libyan economy.
American Dahlgren jailed for life for murdering Czech relatives

By Jiri Skacel

BRNO, Czech Republic, July 20 (Reuters) - A Czech court sentenced U.S. citizen Kevin Dahlgren to life in prison on Wednesday for stabbing to death a family of four of his relatives whom he had been visiting in 2013.

The court handed Dahlgren, 24, from Palo Alto, California, the maximum penalty for murdering his Czech aunt, uncle and two male cousins aged 23 and 17 in the city of Brno, then attempting to burn their bodies.

"He maliciously attacked four members of the family who had been kind to him, who had given him shelter, who had helped him, who had done him no wrong ... and murdered all four of them in a very brutal way," Judge Michal Zamecnik said in his sentencing. "He wiped out a whole family."

Life sentences are rare in the Czech Republic, which has only 48 prisoners serving the maximum term.

Dahlgren fled to the United States after the murders but was detained at Prague's request and found to have shorts in his luggage with traces of blood matching that of the victims.

He was sent back in 2015 in the first-ever extradition of an American to the Czech Republic.

Prosecutors said Dahlgren, whose parents attended the court hearings, had stabbed or cut three of his victims between 17 and 29 times.

He then used a stone as well as a knife to kill the younger cousin, who returned home from school as Dahlgren was attempting to clean up after the first three murders.
Syrian rebels say Israel strikes army post near Golan

AMMAN, July 20 (Reuters) - An air strike believed to have been carried out by an Israeli jet hit a Syrian army post near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday, two Syrian rebel sources said.

It was not immediately clear what the exact target of the strike might have been, but rebels operating in the region say the Lebanese group Hezbollah, which fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006, also has a presence there.
Turkmenistan limits access to foreign currency as exports fall-sources

By Olzhas Auyezov

ALMATY, July 20 (Reuters) - Turkmenistan, Central Asia's biggest gas exporter, has restricted access to foreign currency for local companies and individuals in response to a sharp fall in export revenues, Turkmen businessmen say.

Foreign currency controls would normally be a crisis measure implemented when a country is worried its foreign currency reserves are being seriously depleted.

In the case of Turkmenistan, the government does not disclose the size of its reserves, so it is difficult to gauge how serious the problem is. The central bank and finance ministry did not respond to Reuters questions on the subject.

Any economic crisis could have far-reaching consequences in Turkmenistan, an ex-Soviet country that borders Iran and Afghanistan. It has been under one-party rule for 25 years.

Turkmenistan has long relied on gas supplies to Russia as its main source of hard currency revenue. Moscow halted purchases in January after sharply reducing them last year in a pricing dispute. Total Turkmen exports dropped 38.5 percent last year and were down a further 41.5 percent in the first quarter, the most recent period for which official data is available.

Late last year the central bank stopped selling foreign currency to local businesses, said one Turkmen entrepreneur who spoke on condition of anonymity because he feared official retribution for speaking openly about the issue.

Foreign exchange operations are now handled by commercial banks which have a varying degree of access to foreign currency, the businessman said.

He said companies working on priority projects, such as the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, were still able to access foreign currency. Another project moving at full steam is the construction of facilities for the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, a matter of prestige for the Ashgabat government.

For anyone else, finding dollars or euros has become a tough task. Another Turkmen businessman, also speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that after requesting $10,000 from his bank, he would only get $500.

The restrictions on businesses accessing foreign currency have not been previously reported.

Turkmenistan's central bank forwarded all requests for comment to one official who could not be reached by telephone despite repeated calls over several days. The Finance Ministry said it had no information on the matter.

FOREX SHORTAGE

Turkmenistan's central bank has kept the exchange rate for the manat currency fixed since a 19-percent devaluation in early 2015.

On the black market, the manat is quoted at about 5.5-6.0 per dollar, against the official rate of 3.5 per dollar. The black market though does not have enough foreign currency in circulation to meet demand.

Consumers also face problems.

Ordinary Turkmens can only buy their monthly pay's worth in foreign currency at local banks, upon presenting a pay slip. Money transfers from abroad made through the Western Union system are being paid out only in local currency since June, according to a Reuters correspondent in Ashghabat.

A Russia-based customer service representative at WU said the company had no special restrictions on transfers sent to and from Turkmenistan. A Dubai-based WU spokeswoman for the region could not be reached for comment.

"When I travel abroad I have to go to each one of my relatives and friends to get as much foreign currency as I can," said the first businessman. "My bank still hasn't completely filled an order I placed last December."

Because of the shortage of foreign currency, prices for imported goods have soared.

One of the businessmen said his family's grocery bill has gone up by a quarter over the last 12 months and some items, such as electronics, have become 50 percent more expensive.

PROTECTING RESERVES

The central bank does not publish data about its reserves. The International Monetary Fund said last November that Turkmenistan had sufficient foreign reserves to cover about 30 months worth of imports, which by the IMF's standards is a comfortable level.

However, with no reported progress on resuming gas exports to Russia, Ashgabat may be trying to eke out its reserves for as long as possible by imposing restrictions now.

In Russia's absence, China has become the main buyer of Turkmen gas, purchasing about 30 billion cubic metres a year, or three-quarters of what Russia used to buy at the peak.

It is unknown how much China pays for that gas. If the contracts are in line with global practice, the prices will be linked to oil benchmarks and so will be well below the amounts Turkmenistan would have earned a few years ago.
Temasek confirms Singapore rail operator buyout for S$1.18 bln

SINGAPORE, July 20 (Reuters) - Singapore state investor Temasek Holdings (Pte) Ltd will buy the remaining nearly 46 percent stake in SMRT Corp Ltd that it does not already own for about S$1.18 billion ($869.31 million), the two firms said on Wednesday.

Temasek will pay S$1.68 per SMRT share, representing an 8.7 percent premium to the stock's last traded price of S$1.545.

SMRT has come under criticism in recent years after a series of train breakdowns led to public outcry in a country long known for an efficient and reliable public transport infrastructure.

The government said last week that it will buy almost S$1 billion worth of metro train assets from SMRT so that the country's main rail operator can focus on providing reliable and well-maintained services for commuters.

SMRT has said that the rail financing framework had become unsustainable and its rail fare margins had been on the decline as operating expenses had risen significantly due to maintenance regime and replacement programmes for the ageing network.

Temasek owns about 54 percent of SMRT, whose shares have been halted since Friday.

SMRT will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Temasek and will be delisted when the deal is completed.

Merrill Lynch is advising SMRT and Credit Suisse is advising Temasek.
South Africa's great white sharks could die out - study

By Wendell Roelf

CAPE TOWN, July 20 (Reuters) - South Africa's great white sharks could die out due to human interference, ocean pollution and a limited gene pool, a new study released on Wednesday showed.

There are 350-520 great white sharks left off the South African coast, 50 percent fewer than previously thought, according to a six year study carried out mainly in Gansbaai, a shark hotspot 160 kilometres from Cape Town.

"South Africa's white sharks faced a rapid decline in the last generation and their numbers might already be too low to ensure their survival," said Sara Andreotti, research leader and marine biologist at the University of Stellenbosch.

Scientists say there are still thousands of great white sharks off the coast of Australia, Canada and the east coast of the United States.

Thousands of tourists travel to South Africa's Western Cape each year to catch a glimpse of the ocean's top predator from underwater cages, but human interaction has made the largest contribution to declining local shark numbers.

Shark nets used to protect swimmers and surfers killed more than 1,000 great whites off the Durban coast in the 30 years up to 2008, while trophy hunting and pollution also killed off large numbers of a species which can trace its lineage back 14 million years.

South African great white sharks also have the lowest genetic diversity of all white shark populations globally, making breeding more problematic and the likelihood of illness higher, the study, which included documenting individual sharks by their dorsal fins, showed.

There are only 333 great whites capable of breeding in South African waters, below the 500 usually needed to prevent "inbreeding depression", the study found.

"We are already in a situation where our number of breeders is below the minimum level required for a population to survive," Andreotti told reporters.

Losing great white sharks, which have no natural predators, would have a knock-on effect on ocean ecology. Common prey, such as the Cape fur seal, could flourish in their absence and reduce fish numbers.
Euro zone bond yields rise as risk rally dents safe-haven demand

By Dhara Ranasinghe and John Geddie

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Euro zone bond yields rose on Wednesday, giving up early falls as upbeat company earnings boosted U.S. and European stock markets at the expense of safe-haven bonds.

The European Commission said consumer confidence in the euro zone and European Union fell sharply in July, a new sign of weaker morale after last month's shock British vote to leave the European Union.

But the data was broadly in line with analysts' expectations, removing an incentive to hold euro zone bonds, which came under selling pressure as U.S. trade got under way.

Better-than-expected earnings from Microsoft and Morgan Stanley helped pushed the Dow Jones and Standard & Poor's stock indices to record highs.

And as sentiment towards risky assets improved, investors reduced their holdings of safe-haven bonds.

Germany's 10-year Bund yield rose 2 basis points to minus 0.074 percent, having reversed earlier falls.

Most other euro zone bond yields also rose 1-2 basis points, while 10-year U.S. Treasury yields climbed 3 bps to 1.59 percent .

Peripheral bonds, which often benefit from a pick-up in risk appetite, were the exception, with Spanish and Portuguese yields falling 2-3 bps each.

That helped narrow the gap between Spanish and German 10-year bond yields to about 122 bps, its tightest in four months.

"U.S. stocks are higher and earnings are better than expected, so that's having some impact on bonds this afternoon," said Patrick Jacq, European rate strategist at BNP Paribas. "The risk-on environment is especially favouring the likes of Spain."

Germany sold new five-year bonds at a record low yield of minus 0.51 percent, although there were fewer bids than the amount on offer.

POST-BREXIT DATA CLUES

The European Commission said its monthly indicator of euro zone consumer morale decreased to -7.9 in July from an upwardly revised -7.2 in June.

Economists polled by Reuters had estimated a slightly higher drop, forecasting a fall to -8.0 in July.

Further signs that a tepid euro zone recovery is waning could raise expectations that the European Central Bank, which meets on Thursday, is gearing up for another round of monetary easing.

"It remains unclear how large a hit the European economies will be taking following the Brexit vote -- and that uncertainty is likely to linger," said RBC's chief European macro strategist, Peter Schaffrik.

Friday sees the release of Markit's "flash" PMI for the euro zone, providing an early steer on how companies have fared since the Brexit vote. Markit will also publish a one-off flash PMI reading for Britain on the same day.

Citing uncertainty over Britain's looming exit from the EU, the International Monetary Fund cut its global growth forecasts for the next two years on Tuesday. It lifted its euro zone forecast slightly for 2016, but cut its 2017 outlook by 0.2 percentage points to 1.4 percent.
African study exceeds U.N. 'test and treat' goal for ending HIV pandemic

By Katy Migiro

NAIROBI, July 20 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A U.N. goal to get seven out of 10 HIV positive people to take a test, start medication and suppress the deadly virus in their blood is achievable, a study in East Africa showed on Wednesday, raising hopes of ending the AIDS pandemic.

Almost 80,000 adults in Uganda and Kenya took part in the study, which used community campaigns, free testing and tests at home to encourage people to know their HIV status and get treatment.

After the intervention, 81 percent of people with HIV had an undetectable viral load, because they tested, initiated medication and adhered to it successfully, up from 45 percent two years earlier.

"It is very promising," one of the lead researchers, Maya Petersen of the University of California, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

"We reached most HIV positive people in these communities."

UNAIDS, the U.N. agency dealing with the disease, has unveiled ambitious targets to tackle the epidemic.

By 2020, it wants 90 percent of people with HIV to know their status, 90 percent of diagnosed people to be on treatment, and 90 percent of those on treatment to have suppressed levels of the virus in their bodies.

This translates to 73 percent of all people with HIV having an undetectable viral load.

Pointing to the results of the study in Uganda and Kenya, Petersen said it was possible to meet the 90-90-90 UNAIDS targets within a relatively short period.

"Over two years ... communities went from substantially below the United Nations target to achieving it," Petersen said by phone from Durban in South Africa where the results were released at the International AIDS Conference.

STIGMA AROUND TESTING

Scaling up HIV treatment in developing countries is of key concern to the experts meeting in South Africa.

Only 17 million of the 36.7 million HIV positive people around the world are taking antiretroviral treatment.

New infections, at 2.1 million in 2015, still exceed the number of people starting antiretroviral treatment each year, Chris Beyrer, president of the International AIDS Society said.

One of the main problems is that people do not know they are HIV positive because of the stigma around testing.

Researchers have tried to address this by setting up large tents in public spaces where people could get tested free of charge for malaria, hypertension and diabetes as well as HIV, Petersen said.

By the shores of Lake Victoria, which has the highest prevalence rates in Kenya, tests were offered on the beach at night so that fishermen, who sleep during the day, could attend.

Using a baseline household census, researchers then visited the homes of community members who had not come for testing and offered them a test.

Nearly half of those who tested newly positive started ART within a week, Petersen said, as they were introduced to and welcomed by local clinic staff immediately.

HIV/AIDS is the main cause of death among 10- to 19-year-olds in Africa, UNAIDS says.

Yet young people proved to be one of the hardest groups to reach with testing and treatment, particularly students who move away from home to attend school and do not want their classmates to see them taking medication, the study found.
Muslim cleric Gulen is at centre of crisis convulsing Turkey

ISTANBUL, July 20 (Reuters) - Turkey has accused a reclusive U.S.-based Muslim cleric of masterminding an abortive military coup and launched purges of his suspected followers in state institutions including the army, schools and universities, in an unprecedented crackdown.

Fethullah Gulen, 75, denies any involvement in the July 15 attempted coup, in which at least 232 people were killed. Ankara has said it will formally ask the United States to extradite Gulen to face trial in Turkey. Washington says Ankara must first provide clear evidence of criminal wrongdoing.

Here are some details about Gulen and his movement:

WHO IS FETHULLAH GULEN?

Born in Erzurum, in eastern Turkey, in 1941, Gulen built up his reputation as a Sunni Muslim preacher with intense sermons. His movement, known as Hizmet, or "Service" in Turkish, set up hundreds of schools and businesses in Turkey and later abroad, with an initial focus on post-Soviet Turkic-language-speaking Central Asia.

His philosophy stresses the need to embrace scientific progress, shun radicalism and build bridges to the West and other religious faiths.

Gulen has lived in self-imposed exile in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania since 1999.

SCHOOLS

The first Gulen school opened in 1982. Over the following decades, his schools have educated generations of capable graduates, who rose to influential jobs in the judiciary, police, media, state bureaucracy and private business.

His millions of followers refer to Gulen as "Hocafendi", or "respected teacher".

MOVEMENT

Members of the Gulen movement are expected to contribute a share of their income to its charitable work, a source of funding that has helped build the schools and colleges that produce the graduates that expand its reach.

His emphasis on education, free-market economics and integration into Europe drew middle-class followers, who in turn earned influence through their own successful careers and built more schools with their donations.

RELATIONS WITH TURKEY'S RULING PARTY

For many years Gulen and his movement had strong ties with President Tayyip Erdogan's centre-right Islamist-rooted AK Party, which has governed Turkey since 2002.

Erdogan, a pious Muslim who served as prime minister from 2003 until he stepped up to the presidency in 2014, shared some of the Gulenists' core beliefs. Gulen's supporters in the judiciary, police and civil service helped Erdogan to tame his enemies in Turkey's old secular elite, especially the armed forces, through mass trials, dubbed "Sledgehammer" and "Ergenekon", which led to the jailing of many top generals.

But Erdogan, an ambitious and popular leader, began to resent the scale of the Gulenists' influence at home and abroad and to see them as a "state within a state". The fallout was cemented in 2013 after anti-graft police raids that touched on Erdogan's inner circle.

CRACKDOWN

Erdogan launched a series of purges against Gulen's followers in state institutions including the financial, organised crime, smuggling and anti-terrorism units of the police force. Thousands of police officers were dismissed or reassigned to other tasks. Some high-ranking officers were detained on charges of spying and illegal wire-tapping.

Erdogan also tried to "cleanse" the judiciary of Gulenist influence, reforming Turkey's two top courts and packing the High Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) with its own supporters. The HSYK is responsible for appointments, transfers, promotions and expulsions in the judiciary.

Private preparatory schools, many of which are a source of income and influence for Gulen's movement, were shut.

Authorities also moved against more than 20 Gulen-related companies, including opposition media outlets. On July 15, hours before the coup attempt, authorities said a tender for the sale of Bank Asya, founded by Gulen followers, had failed to attract any bids. After the coup, they suspended the bank's activities, including freezing customers' deposits.

AFTER THE COUP

The coup, carried out by a faction within the armed forces, quickly crumbled in the early hours of July 16 as Erdogan rallied his supporters onto the streets and won the backing of the bulk of the security forces.

Accusing Gulen of orchestrating the coup, Erdogan ordered further purges of suspected Gulenists in the armed forces, government ministries, schools, universities and other state institutions.
Ukraine sees ulterior motives after car bomb kills journalist

By Natalia Zinets and Margaryta Chornokondratenko

KIEV, July 20 (Reuters) - An award-winning journalist working for the online investigative website Ukrayinska Pravda was killed by a car bomb in central Kiev early on Wednesday morning, in what President Petro Poroshenko said was an attempt to destabilise Ukraine.

Pavel Sheremet, a Belarussian known for his criticism of his home country's leadership and his friendship with the slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, was driving to work in the car of the website's owner when it was blown up.

The killing was a throwback to the days of violence against journalists that Ukraine, under a pro-Western leadership since the 2014 Maidan protests, hoped to have shed.

"It seems to me this was done with one aim in mind - to destabilise the situation in the country, possibly ahead of further events," Poroshenko said in televised comments.

He has asked experts from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to join the murder investigation in the interests of "maximum transparency."

In a statement, the U.S. State Department expressed shock at the killing and said the FBI had begun to assist Ukrainian authorities in their investigations.

Earlier, senior Interior Ministry officials said they could not rule out Russian involvement in the murder.

CONCERN IN THE KREMLIN

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The murder of a Russian citizen and journalist in Ukraine is a very serious cause for concern in the Kremlin."

Sheremet, who was given Russian citizenship after fleeing political persecution in Belarus, had told Reuters in October that he no longer felt comfortable visiting Moscow, where he worked for twelve years as a TV journalist.

"I'm threatened often and given hints. Every time I go to Moscow, it's like I'm in a minefield," he said in an interview.

He also said Ukraine needed strong, independent media to counter the influence of outlets controlled by the country's powerful business tycoons.

"Now the problem of freedom of speech and objective journalism is becoming again a serious issue," he said.

"As far as internal politics is concerned, I can see oligarchic games again, black PR, the use of media to settle scores and solve political problems."

Sevgil Musayeva-Borovyk, the editor-in-chief of Ukrayinska Pravda, which has made its name exposing corruption, called him "very brave".

It was not clear whether the bomb had been set off by remote control or a timer.

NEMTSOV'S FUNERAL

Sheremet's friend Nemtsov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, had been working on a report examining the Russian military's role in the Ukraine crisis when he was shot dead in central Moscow last year. Sheremet led tributes at his memorial service.

"The last time we met was at the funeral of Boris Nemtsov, and of course I couldn't have known that a similar thing would happen to Pavel," Anatoly Lebedko, leader of the Belarussian opposition party United Civil Party, told Reuters.

In 2002, Sheremet won a journalism prize from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for his reporting on human rights violations in Belarus, including the disappearances of opposition politicians and journalists.

The OSCE called on Wednesday for action to address the safety of journalists in Ukraine.

The founder of Ukrayinska Pravda, Georgiy Gongadze, was an investigative journalist who was murdered 16 years ago, his decapitated body discovered in a forest outside Kiev.
Lord's Resistance Army kidnappings hit six-year high - monitors

DAKAR, July 20 (Reuters) - Kidnappings in Central Africa by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) hit a six-year high in the first half of 2016 just as Uganda threatened to roll back its involvement in an operation to hunt down the rebels, monitoring groups said on Wednesday.

The LRA, a Ugandan rebellion headed by messianic leader Joseph Kony, abducted 498 civilians between January and June, according to a report by The Resolve and Invisible Children, two groups that track LRA violence.

Seventeen people were also killed during 122 attacks recorded during the period, nearly all of which occurred in northern Democratic Republic of Congo and eastern Central African Republic (CAR).

"The international community must do more to protect civilians in eastern CAR from the LRA and other armed groups," Sean Poole, Director of International Programs at Invisible Children, said in a statement.

For the first time, two attacks were also reported in the Kafia Kingi enclave controlled by Sudan, where Kony is believed to have sought refuge.

Originally from northern Uganda, the LRA was driven out by a military offensive a decade ago and now roams a poorly policed area straddling the borders of Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Kony and other senior commanders of the LRA, which is notorious for mutilating civilians and kidnapping children for use as fighters and sex slaves.

The group was not well known outside Central Africa until KONY 2012, a social media campaign that raised international awareness about the reclusive warlord.

The U.S. military in March estimated that fewer than 200 LRA fighters remained, and a Uganda-dominated African Union regional task force has been hunting them down.
SunEdison looking to sell interests in unit Terraform Global

July 20 (Reuters) - Bankrupt solar company SunEdison Inc is looking to sell its interests in Terraform Global Inc, the "yieldco" said on Wednesday.

Shares of Terraform Global, which holds renewable energy assets primarily outside the United States, were up 11.1 percent at $3.61 in light premarket trading.

Yieldcos are publicly traded subsidiaries that hold renewable energy assets, including assets bought from their parents. They are backed by long-term power purchase contracts with utilities, allowing them to pay regular dividends.

The companies are in "active discussions" for a joint sale, Terraform Global said in a regulatory filing. (http://bit.ly/29T7nV5)

Terraform Global, which hasn't reported results since the quarter ended Sept. 30, said it expects first-quarter revenue of $47 million to $52 million, hurt by unusually low wind in Brazil.

Analysts on average were expecting revenue of $102.3 million, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Terraform Global also said it does not expect to achieve its targeted dividend growth rate for Class A shares.

The company also said on Wednesday its annual filing for 2015 may include a "going concern" note due to risks related to SunEdison's bankruptcy, but said it had sufficient liquidity to support ongoing operations.

SunEdison's two publicly traded subsidiaries, Terraform Global and Terraform Power Inc, said in April they were not part of their parent's bankruptcy process.
Weak commodity volumes hit CP Rail quarterly profit

July 20 (Reuters) - Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd reported a 16 percent decline in quarterly profit on Wednesday, hurt by weak commodity volumes, the Fort McMurray wildfire in northern Alberta and a stronger Canadian dollar.

Canada's No. 2 railroad said its net income slipped to C$ 328 million ($251 million), or C$2.15 per share, in the three months ended June 30, from C$390 million, or C$2.36 per share, a year earlier.
Explosions hit Syrian town near Golan Heights

BEIRUT/AMMAN, July 20 (Reuters) - Syrian rebels and a monitoring group said two explosions that struck a Syrian town near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Wednesday were caused by an Israeli air strike but Lebanon's Hezbollah blamed rocket fire by al Qaeda-linked militants.

At least one blast struck near the governorate building in Baath City, capital of the southern province of Quneitra which borders the Golan region.

The town is held by pro-Syrian government forces, including the army and Hezbollah fighters. The Nusra Front, Western-backed rebels, and groups which have pledged allegiance to Islamic State also operate in the region.

A Syrian military source said two rockets had hit the town but their origin was unknown. "There is information that there was a rocket which fell on one of a government headquarters in Quneitra in the area of the town of Baath," he said.

Two Syrian rebels said an Israeli jet had been seen circling the area and carried out an air strike on a military position.

"Our information is that the attack targeted a Hezbollah outpost," said Maher al Ali, a spokesman for the Syrian Revolutionaries Front, a Western-backed rebel group.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said an Israeli jet fired a rocket near the governorate building. It said it had no information on casualties.

Hezbollah said Nusra Front fired two rockets loaded with high explosives towards Baath City, causing civilian deaths. "The Israeli enemy was monitoring the launchpoint of the rockets next to the Nusra positions. There is no truth to (reports of) any raids by the Israeli enemy," it said.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said: "We do not respond to reports of this kind."

Though formally neutral on the civil war, Israel has targeted Hezbollah officials and arms convoys inside Syria several times during the conflict.

In January last year it carried out a helicopter attack in Quneitra province that killed a top Iranian Revolutionary Guard general and several Hezbollah members including a son of the group's late military commander, Jihad Mughniyeh.

Wednesday's incident took place three days after Israel said it fired missiles towards an unmanned drone that briefly entered Israeli-controlled airspace from Syria.
Germany wants G20 to signal stability; Schaeuble to discuss Brexit with Hammond

BERLIN, July 20 (Reuters) - Germany wants a message of stability to emerge from this weekend's G20 meeting in China, where Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble will also meet his newly appointed British counterpart Philip Hammond to discuss Brexit, a senior government official in Berlin said on Wednesday.

Finance heads from the world's 20 leading economies will confront fresh fears about protectionism when they meet in Chengdu, with Brexit fallout and dwindling policy options to boost global growth expected to dominate talks.

The Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers will put the spotlight on Hammond, who makes his international debut at the gathering and will need to answer questions about how London will manage its exit from the European Union.

"Brexit will be one of the topics in focus of discussions," the senior official said on condition of anonymity.

The official added Germany also expected the meeting to focus on creating better conditions for sustainable growth and strengthening the resilience of economies.

"The issue of structural reforms will be paramount... we won't have a debate about more stimulus or not," the official said, adding participants could agree on certain guidelines for such reforms.

"For us it's clear that Chengdu will send a signal of stability and reliability," the official said.

The official added that Schaeuble would push for further measures to fight global tax evasion such as sharing detailed data on the ownership of companies, trusts and foundations.

Hammond said last week that he wants Britain to ensure access to the EU's single market for its financial services industry, despite the decision to leave the bloc.

But Schaeuble has already made clear that access to the EU's single market means accepting the bloc's basic freedoms, rejecting suggestions from London that Britain could retain full market access while curbing immigration.
U.S. warns at WTO of China backsliding on economic openness

By Tom Miles

GENEVA, July 20 (Reuters) - The United States is worried that China is retreating from pledges to open its economy to market forces as it tries to cope with a slowdown in growth, U.S. trade diplomat Chris Wilson told the World Trade Organization on Tuesday.

China is undergoing a regular two-yearly review of its trade policies at the WTO this week, in which the body's other 162 members get to quiz its officials and critique its policies.

Wilson, the deputy chief of the U.S. mission to the WTO, said China's leaders had endorsed a number of far-reaching reform pronouncements, including that the market would be "decisive" in allocating resources, and it was clear that serious efforts were being made.

"Over the past year, however, as growth in China's economy has slowed, the United States has sensed an increasing reluctance among China's economic planners to pursue further reforms," he said, according to a published transcript.

"In addition, more and more U.S. enterprises have been expressing concern about a less welcoming business and regulatory environment for foreign enterprises."

The United States hoped the developments were temporary and China would aim for a more transparent, predictable and welcoming regulatory environment, but that this would be impossible as long as the state supported and favoured domestic industries, Wilson said.

China's support for its bloated steel and aluminium industries clearly showed that state intervention would never be as efficient as the market, he said.

Other U.S. concerns included quotas and duties on China's raw material exports, manipulated value-added tax rebates on exports, thin agricultural imports despite strong demand, and prohibitions on foreign investment in China's movie market, the world's second-biggest.

Wilson was speaking less than a week after the United States launched a WTO complaint to challenge China's export duties on key metals and minerals.

That complaint was expanded on Monday when the European Union joined the legal action against China.

Washington and Brussels have also clashed with Beijing over China's demand to be treated as a market economy at the WTO, which would make it harder to challenge China's cheap exports.

Another concern cited by Wilson was the "Made in China 2025" initiative, which aims to ensure Chinese-made components and materials account for 70 percent of China's manufacturing inputs by 2025.
Low crude prices dim hopes for big revenue boost from new Ghana oilfield

By Matthew Mpoke Bigg

ABOARD PROF JOHN EVANS ATTA MILLS, Ghana, July 20 (Reuters) - I n the depths of Ghana's fiscal crisis in 2014 policymakers looked forward to a time when a new oil field would open to boost the economy. That time has come but there's a catch: oil prices have halved since the project started.

The drop in the crude price to under $50 a barrel reduces the short-term boost to government revenue from the offshore Tweneboa-Enyenra-Ntomme (TEN) field at a moment of triumph for Tullow and its partners, who include Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC).

TEN should ramp up production to around 50,000 barrels per day within weeks of coming on stream by the end of August.

"There is no way that, even with the new money from TEN, revenue in 2016 will hit what it was two years ago, unless something extraordinary happens with the oil price," said Benjamin Boakye of the Africa Centre for Energy Policy.

Ghana, which also produces cocoa and gold, is following an International Monetary Fund programme to restore fiscal balance and spur growth, which dropped to 3.9 percent in 2015 from 14.4 percent in 2011, a year after it began producing oil.

On Monday, the government said it had cut its forecast for 2016 GDP growth to 4.1 percent from a previous forecast of 5.4 percent due to lower export prices and irregular oil production.

Oil output was halted between March and May at the offshore Jubilee field due to a breakdown on a production ship, and the country lost millions of dollars in revenue.

It has since restarted and is currently producing around 50,000 barrels per day, far lower than the 120,000 bpd capacity, according to Alex Mould, chief executive of GNPC.

Oil holds a special place for the country because optimism about the prospects for rapid economic progress soared when crude began to flow from its offshore Jubilee field in 2010.

But government figures show that revenue from Jubilee fell from $978 million in 2014 to $396 million the following year due to falling oil prices, forcing the government to revise its budget.

The hope is that TEN and the Offshore Cape Three Points field operated by Italy's ENI, which is due to come onstream next year, will help offset the shortfall from Jubilee.

HEART OF THE PROJECT

The deepwater TEN project should weather the low oil prices as a commercial proposition because its production costs are at $20 a barrel and its oil quality is high. In addition, it has a lifespan of more than 20 years.

"What will stop us achieving that (start) is if we come across any unplanned events. So far the plan is telling us that we are good within that (end of August) window," said Tony Oldfield, a senior official with the TEN project.

At the heart of the deepwater project is a $1.6-billion Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel, the Prof John Evans Atta Mills, named after Ghana's late president who died in 2012.

The ship was converted from a super-taker at a shipyard in Singapore. It stands over 350 metres long, towering over other vessels in the Gulf of Guinea south of the port city of Takoradi.

Project managers say its 4,500-tonne turret, which connects the vessel to the sea floor and prevents it from rotating, can avoid the problems that crippled Jubilee earlier this year.

For a start, the TEN bearing is in segments, making it easier to repair than the older Kwame Nkrumah ship that operates in the Jubilee field. In addition, the turret has an automatic greasing system, which will facilitate maintenance.
Your inhaler's watching you: drugmakers race for smart devices

By Ben Hirschler

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Makers of inhalers to treat asthma and chronic lung disease are racing to develop a new generation of smart devices with sensors to monitor if patients are using their puffers properly.

Linked wirelessly to the cloud, the gadgets are part of a medical "Internet of Things" that promises improved adherence, or correct use of the medication, and better health outcomes. They may also hold the key to company profits in an era of increasingly tough competition.

Drugmakers believe giving patients and doctors the ability to check inhaler use in this way could be a big help in proving the value of their medicines to governments and insurers, though they need to tread carefully on data privacy.

GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca and Novartis are all chasing the opportunity via deals with device firms including U.S.-based Propeller Health and Australian-listed Adherium, as well as technology players like Qualcomm.

Over the past half century, inhalers have revolutionised care by delivering medicines direct into the lungs and avoiding the serious side effects seen with older oral drugs. But getting patients to take their medication correctly remains a challenge.

"Technique is critical. You might have the world's best blockbuster drug in an inhaler, but if patients don't use it properly they won't get the benefits," said Omar Usmani, a consultant physician at Imperial College London.

With asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affecting about 500 million people worldwide, the opportunity is large, and reducing serious attacks by improving adherence could save $19 billion a year in U.S. healthcare costs alone, Goldman Sachs analysts estimated in a report last year.

Usmani envisages a future of high-tech inhalers that not only record doses but also use gyroscopic and acoustic sensors to check medicine flow, while monitoring the environment for allergens such as pollen. All that data can be fed to remote computer servers known as the cloud.

It is an idea big drug companies have embraced enthusiastically, in the knowledge that they need to find new ways to sell their products as cheap generics undercut long-established brands.

The first generic copies of GSK's Advair, the world's biggest inhaler with worldwide sales of nearly $6 billion in 2015, are expected to reach the U.S. market next year.

"It's a race to the starting line," Propeller CEO David Van Sickle told Reuters, describing the current jockeying among leading pharmaceutical firms.

"Today, there is really no major respiratory pharma company that doesn't have a programme to add connectivity to their inhaled medicines."

NEXT LEVEL

The field is now at an inflection point. Some inhalers with clip-on sensors are already being supplied to patients, but the drug industry is about to take things to the next level.

Next month, AstraZeneca will start a year-long U.S. clinical trial designed to improve adherence to long-term therapy in nearly 400 patients with COPD using Adherium's smart inhaler.

If it works as hoped, it could have the same impact on improving clinical outcomes as a completely new medicine, according to Martin Olovsson, AstraZeneca's head of respiratory inhalation.

"Many asthma and COPD patients are misusing their medicines, for various reasons - they forget to take them or they don't understand how to take them properly - and the result of that is less than optimal outcomes," he said. "This offers a chance to change that dramatically."

Last year, a smaller study reported in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine already showed Adherium's device increased adherence to preventative medication to 84 percent from 30 percent in New Zealand children with asthma.

Now, with bigger studies, drug companies plan to dig deeper.

"There is still quite a lot of work to be done to understand which type of patients will benefit most," said Raj Sharma, director of respiratory science and delivery systems at GSK, which is also planning clinical trials.

GSK, the respiratory market world leader since launching the Ventolin inhaler in 1969, signed a deal last December for Propeller to develop a customised sensor for its next-generation Ellipta inhaler.

While current smart inhalers use a clip-on device to send data, Novartis, working with Qualcomm, aims to go a step further by developing the first inhaler with an integrated sensor, which it aims to launch in 2019.

Generic drugmakers are also moving into the space, with Britain's Vectura, one of the companies behind generic Advair, signing a deal with Propeller in May and Teva acquiring smart inhaler firm Gecko Health last year.

Current add-on sensors cost between $10 and $30 to produce and last up to two years, according to Propeller's Van Sickle, but the pharmaceutical industry plans to include them in deals struck with healthcare providers by promising overall savings due to fewer hospitalisations.

Usmani, the Imperial College consultant, believes proving the cost-effectiveness of a connected device is the key challenge for smart inhalers, along with reassuring patients that their medical records are secure.

Research by Usmani and colleagues suggests younger patients, familiar with online banking and digital apps, are broadly happy to engage but older patients are more cautious.
Germany fears more "lone wolf" attacks after train rampage

BERLIN, July 20 (Reuters) - Germany is likely to face more Islamist attacks, its interior minister said on Wednesday, but played down any link between the government's open-door refugee policy and Monday's axe assault on a train in Bavaria.

Anti-immigrant party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has seized on the train attack to criticise Chancellor Angela Merkel's migrant policy, under which some 1.1 million people entered Germany in 2015, many fleeing war in Syria, North Africa and Asia.

"You cannot say there is no connection between refugees and terrorism, but the danger was high before and remains high, regardless of questions about refugees," Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said.

A 17-year-old who had sought asylum in Germany was shot dead by police after wounding four people from Hong Kong, some of them severely, on the train and injuring a local resident while fleeing the scene near the city of Wuerzburg.

The perpetrator was initially thought to be Afghan but de Maiziere said on Wednesday there were indications he was from Pakistan. Officials have said the attacker came to Germany as an unaccompanied minor and registered as a refugee in June 2015 at Passau on the Austrian border.

The train attack came four days after a Tunisian delivery man drove a truck into crowds celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 84 people. Militant group Islamic State has claimed both attacks.

De Maiziere said the government had introduced measures to improve security in the last year but warned: "Like several EU countries, like the whole EU, Germany is also in the target area of international terrorism ... the situation is serious."

Investigations pointed to the train attacker being a "lone wolf" who had been spurred into action by Islamic State propaganda, said de Maiziere.

VIDEO

Police found a hand-painted Islamic State flag in his room and a letter he appeared to have written to his father which officials said read: "And now pray for me that I can get revenge on these non-believers, pray for me that I go to heaven".

Islamic State posted a video, described by de Maiziere as authentic, in which a man whom it identifies as the refugee vows to carry out a suicide mission and urges others to do the same.

De Maiziere said it was unclear when the film was made, adding it was "a classic farewell video by a suicide attacker".

Germany's federal prosecutor said on Wednesday an investigation had been opened into the case and it was necessary to clarify whether other people were involved in the attack or helping behind the scenes. It launched an investigation against persons unknown on suspicion of belonging to a "foreign terrorist association" and attempted murder. It did not provide further details.

It is unclear how the youth became radicalised. He was living with a foster family and had a part-time job at a bakery.

De Maiziere said Germans would have to get used to more video surveillance and police officers on the streets.

"We need the active cooperation of Muslims living here, including the mosque communities working here. They, too, must make a contribution to integration, to prevention and to spotting the radicalisation process early on," he said.
Yemen explosion kills four soldiers - security forces

ADEN, July 20 (Reuters) - A blast in the southern Yemeni city of Aden killed four soldiers and wounded six, the city's security administration said, in an attack claimed by Islamic State.

The militant group said it had detonated an explosion among a group of soldiers in the port city, according to a statement posted to its online news agency Amaq.

One eyewitness told Reuters the bomb, which hit a checkpoint in the central Caltex area of the city, was planted in a plastic bag by a roadside.

Security officials and other witnesses said the blast was set off by a suicide bomber detonating an explosive vest.

Aden has been beset by attacks on troops claimed by Islamic State and Al Qaeda, and the two groups have gained strength as the government - backed by a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia - has fought against Yemen's dominant Houthi movement.

The civil war, which started in March 2015, has killed at least 6,400 people and caused a humanitarian crisis.
Decision on suspension of EU funds to Spain, Portugal after summer - Commission

BRUSSELS, July 20 (Reuters) - The European Commission is likely to delay a decision ion whether to suspend European Union funds for Spain and Portugal until after the summer, a vice president of the EU executive said on Wednesday.

Madrid and Lisbon are at risk of EU sanctions for not having sufficiently corrected their excessive deficits last year, in breach of EU fiscal rules. They could be fined up to 0.2 percent of their gross domestic product and have billions of euros in EU structural funding partially suspended.

The Commission will make a proposal on possible financial fines by the end of July, at its last meeting before the summer break, but is likely to delay a decision on any suspension of structural funds until after the summer, a vice president of the Commission, Maros Sefcovic, told a news conference in Brussels.

EU rules compel the Commission to decide on a fine by the beginning of August, but set no specific deadline for a decision on the suspension of structural and investment funds. "Probably we have to deal with that after the summer break," Sefcovic said.

He said the European Parliament, which has the right to request talks with the Commission before any decision on suspensions of EU funds, had requested the delay.

The 2014-2020 EU budget foresees an overall commitment to Spain of 37.4 billion euros in EU funds, and 25.8 billion for Portugal, which on average means that Spain should receive more than 5 billion euros a year, and Portugal about 3.5 billion.

EU fiscal rules dictate a possible suspension of up to 50 percent of next year's funds, but not exceeding the equivalent of 0.5 percent of GDP. But countries can argue for a reduction to take into account unemployment and the general economic situation.
Brands won't quit Bangladesh after attacks-safety group

BERLIN, July 20 (Reuters) - The head of a group working on factory safety in Bangladesh for fashion retailers including Inditex and H&M expects many brands to actually increase sourcing from the country despite attacks claimed by Islamist militants.

The Accord on Fire and Building Safety was set up by more than 200 mostly European brands, retailers and importers in 2013 to improve safety in Bangladeshi factories after the collapse of the Rana Plaza complex in which more than 1,100 people died.

Accord executive director Rob Wayss said much progress had been made since then, with 65 percent of the safety issues identified at around 1,600 factories already resolved.

"There is no other country where the work that the Accord is doing is taking place and where buyers can have the assurances on safety compliance issues that they can have here," he told Reuters in a interview over Skype from Dhaka.

"For many of the brands, Bangladesh is a very important and good supplier base and ... it is still their plan to increase the amount and types of production that they have here."

Bangladesh relies on garments for more than 80 percent of its exports and roughly 4 million jobs. It ranks behind only China as a clothing supplier to developed markets in Europe and the United States.

Some people working in the garment industry say they fear for the future of the $28 billion sector after a group of radicalised young Bangladeshis killed about 20 people, including 18 foreigners, in an attack on an upscale Dhaka restaurant.

Wayss said some brands had put a temporary halt to foreign staff travelling to Bangladesh, but he expected visits would resume again soon as buyers take up an offer from the government to provide extra security and escorts for foreigners.

He said it is likely that the work of the Accord will be extended beyond 2018, when it is currently due to wrap up its work, noting that it still has to introduce safety committees at the majority of factories that supply its brands.
Zambia police arrest 28 in raid on opposition official's home

LUSAKA, July 20 (Reuters) - Zambian police arrested 28 opposition supporters on Wednesday on suspicion of rioting and making petrol bombs, the latest sign of political tensions ahead of elections on Aug. 11, a senior officer said.

The arrests come shortly after the election commission lifted a 10-day ban on campaigning imposed on some parts of the southern African country to prevent violence

Police confronted supporters of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) as they destroyed ruling party campaign posters in Kasama, 850 km (500 miles) north of Lusaka, Northern province police chief Bonnie Kapeso said.

Other opposition supporters who had camped at UPND vice-president Geoffrey Mwamba's home then started throwing stones at police, damaging one vehicle.

"We were left with no option but to follow them after they retreated and hid inside the house. We broke the door and fished out the ring leaders," Kapeso said. "We had to use tear gas."

Police found seven petrol bombs, she added.

However, the UPND said in a statement they were only empty bottles.
Theresa May takes centre stage in British parliament's box-office show

By Kylie MacLellan and William James

LONDON, July 20 (Reuters) - Taunting the opposition over women's rights and a bitter leadership battle, new British premier Theresa May delighted her party at her first session of Prime Minister's Questions with an assured performance that drew comparisons with Margaret Thatcher.

Taking to the floor on Wednesday for the 30-minute grilling by lawmakers that is the closely watched centrepiece of the British political week, May won loud cheers from the Conservative Party benches behind her.

May was appointed to Britain's top job a week ago after David Cameron resigned following the country's vote to quit the European Union, leaving her the difficult task of uniting her party and negotiating an exit from the bloc.

May, who styles herself as a serious, down-to-earth and unflashy leader, kicked off her remarks by welcoming a drop in unemployment and setting out plans to visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.

Then she laid into the opposition Labour Party, whose leader Jeremy Corbyn is locked in a bitter power struggle in which the only female candidate dropped out on Tuesday. May pointed out that her party had made her Britain's second female prime minister after Thatcher.

"In my years here in this house I've long heard the Labour Party asking what the Conservative Party does for women, well it just keeps making us prime minister!," she said, as her husband Philip looked on from the public gallery.

"The Labour Party may be about to spend several months fighting and tearing itself apart. The Conservative Party will be spending those months bringing this country back together."

Often the only taste of parliamentary business that members of the public regularly get, the box-office drama known colloquially as PMQs is seen as a barometer of how well party leaders are doing and they spend hours preparing for it.

When Corbyn, who has refused to resign despite an overwhelming vote of no confidence by his own lawmakers, asked about unscrupulous bosses, May gave a flavour of her sense of humour.

"I suspect there are many members on the opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss. A boss who doesn't listen to his workers, a boss who requires some of his workers to double their work load, and maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career," she said.

Leaning forward on one elbow, she asked Corbyn: "Remind him of anybody?" before Conservative lawmakers erupted with shouts of "More" as they waved their parliamentary papers.

Observers said that line was delivered in a style uncannily reminiscent of Thatcher, who governed from 1979 until 1990.

NERVE-WRACKING

While some questions from the leader's own lawmakers are planted, the prime minister generally does not know what is coming. The opposition leader gets six questions and other lawmakers are picked from a ballot.

"It is a time when, every week, the prime minister has to know absolutely everything that is going on in Whitehall. Often you find out things that you want to stop pretty quickly before 12 o'clock on a Wednesday," Cameron said during his final PMQs.

May, who after six years as interior minister is no stranger to tough questions in parliament, occasionally referred to a file of notes as she was grilled on topics ranging from education to the Nice attacks.

"It is the single most nerve-wracking thing you'll ever do in your life," former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith told ITV.

"It is like driving a car down a narrow road at 100-miles-an-hour whilst having to look in your rear-view mirror to see what the hell is going on behind you, and if anybody is there trying to smash your car up from behind. It is just impossible."

Having navigated the session with no major stumbles, May's final question was from an old political rival.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, whose party spent five years in coalition with the Conservatives before losing almost all its lawmakers at last year's election, recalled running against May for a parliamentary seat in 1992.

"She has come a long way since we were on the hustings together in north west Durham," he said.

May responded: "Little did the voters of north west Durham know that the two unsuccessful candidates in that election would become leaders of two of this country's political parties."
Egypt's c.bank governor says now not the time to float the pound -state news agency

CAIRO, July 20 (Reuters) - Egypt's central bank governor said on Wednesday that it was not the right time to talk about floating the Egyptian pound, which has come under growing pressure in recent months.

"It is not possible to discuss the flotation of the pound now... but a devaluation depends on what the bank sees at the appropriate time, " Tarek Amer said in comments carried by the state news agency MENA.
Israel says renews diplomatic ties with Republic of Guinea

JERUSALEM, July 20 (Reuters) - Israel said on Wednesday that it and the Republic of Guinea have renewed diplomatic relations after 49 years, a diplomatic score for Israel as it looks to improve political and economic ties in the Muslim world.

A number of African countries have either never had diplomatic relations with Israel, or severed them in the past, often citing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Guinea cut off ties after the 1967 Middle East war.

The Director General of Israel's Foreign Ministry, Dore Gold, in Paris to sign an official agreement, said he hoped other African countries would follow suit and open relations with Israel.

"The number of countries in Africa that still haven't done so is getting smaller and we hope that soon there will not be any," Gold said in a statement.
Mugabe's supporters march against Zimbabwe protests

HARARE, July 20 (Reuters) - Around a thousand supporters of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe marched to the ruling ZANU-PF party's headquarters on Wednesday in a show of solidarity following anti-government protests this month.

On July 8, a 'stay away' protest movement led by church minister Evan Mawarire shut down most businesses, government offices, schools and hospitals in the biggest act of public defiance against 92-year old Mugabe in a decade.

Mugabe has said the protests were being sponsored by foreign states and urged citizens to support his government.

Many of those marching in support of Mugabe were members of the ruling ZANU-PF.

"This has given us the chance to express our solidarity with our president, Robert Mugabe," ZANU-PF youth wing official Tinashe Wenyika said.

"We remain committed to our party as young people and this is a sign that the centre still holds."

Mawarire, who rallied followers under his #ThisFlag Twitter campaign, says his protests are peaceful and are against government corruption, alleged police brutality, delays in paying state workers' salaries and cash shortages.

"What pastor Mawarire is saying is just a joke and it's paranoid," a ZANU-PF supporter at the march said, declining to give his name.

"We don't take paranoid as something that can rule the country."
Nigerian activists urge action after male senator accused of threatening to beat female colleague

By Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

ABUJA, July 20 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Women's rights activists urged the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday to take action after a male senator was reported by local media to have threatened to assault and impregnate a female colleague.

Senator Dino Melaye told his female colleague Senator Oluremi Tinubu that he would assault and impregnate her after a dispute during a closed session of the Senate last week, according to a coalition of 46 Nigerian civil society groups.

"I will beat you up, impregnate you and nothing will happen," Melaye was quoted as saying by Nigerian media.

In a public statement last week, Melaye said he had been provoked by Tinubu, who he claims called him "dog" and "thug", but denied using abusive or degrading language against her.

"It is fallacious, malicious and a lie that I said I will impregnate Remi Tinubu. Biologically it is even impossible to impregnate her because she has arrived at menopause," he said.

Senate officials were not immediately available for comment.

The incident comes just months after the Senate threw out a gender and equality law that pledged to eliminate discrimination in politics, education and employment, protect women's rights and tackle violence against women.

The rejected bill also called for women to be able to participate in politics without any restrictions or barriers - in a country where only seven of the 109 senators are women.

The Legislative Advocacy Coalition on Violence Against Women (LACVAW) said it would protest outside the National Assembly and deliver a petition demanding a response from Nigeria's Senate.

"(Melaye's language) empowers abusive men outside the Assembly to believe that violent and threatening behaviour towards women can continue unabated," the coalition said.

"Melaye's assertion that 'nothing will happen' after his abuse of Tinubu is a blatant manifestion of the general impunity pervading violence in Nigeria, especially against women," the LACVAW said in a statement before it delivered its petition.

The coalition said Melaye's language and threats broke an anti-violence law passed last year, and other campaigners said the government's duty to protect women and girls in Nigeria included dealing with the senator's behaviour in parliament.

"Our future and that our children depend on the actions we take now, and we must put an end to this recurring act of violence, abuse and threats," the Lagos branch of the Bring Back Our Girls activist group said in a statement.
Kenya sees regional trade deal with EU on time, despite Brexit - minister

NAIROBI, July 20 (Reuters) - Kenya expects the East African Community bloc to sign a trade deal with the European Union by an Oct. 1 deadline, its trade minister said on Wednesday.

Governments in the region are anxious to ensure that exports such as tea and fresh flowers, which are major sources of foreign exchange, are not hampered by any post-Brexit tariffs.

Regional media said Tanzania was holding back on the deal after Britain voted to leave the EU.

Adan Mohamed, the Kenyan minister for industrialisation and trade, told Reuters: "I don't think that is the formal (Tanzanian) position.

"I have no reason to doubt it (the EU-East African trade deal) will not be signed because we have an agreement that has been initialled by all the member states."

Tanzanian officials were not immediately available to comment.

Mohamed said the six-nation EAC bloc was working with the EU to get a suitable date and venue to sign the economic partnership agreement (EPA).

Governments were given two years from the October 2014 agreement to ratify the deal in national parliaments.

"It is not a matter of 'if' but 'when' it is going to be signed by all the member states," Mohamed said.
Kerry, addressing donors, says momentum in Iraq has shifted

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The momentum in the fight against Islamic State has shifted and the militant group has been driven out of almost half the territory it once occupied in Iraq, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday.
Denmark sent sensitive health data to Chinese by mistake

By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen

COPENHAGEN, July 20 (Reuters) - Sensitive health information about almost the entire population of Denmark ended up in the wrong hands when a letter by mistake was sent to a Chinese visa office in Copenhagen, the Danish Data Protection Agency said on Wednesday.

The incident happened when two unencrypted CDs containing the data was sent last year by the Serum Institute, a public enterprise under the Danish health ministry, in an envelope to the country's statistics office.

However, the envelope ended up instead at the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Copenhagen, a few hundred meters from the statistics office.

The letter contained information on cancer, diabetes and psychiatric diagnoses as well as other data such as social security numbers, according to documents seen by Reuters.

When a visa centre employee delivered the letter to the intended address, it had been opened, the agency said in a statement.

The "sensitive personal data" of about 5.3 million individuals living in Denmark between 2010 and 2012 was of "very comprehensive nature," the agency said.
GRAINS-U.S. wheat falls on profit-taking; corn, soy traders eye weather

By Mark Weinraub

CHICAGO, July 20 (Reuters) - U.S. wheat futures weakened to their lowest level in more than two weeks on Wednesday as investors quickly beat back overnight gains with a round of profit-taking.

Corn and soybean futures were close to unchanged, although the weakness in wheat cast a bearish tone over corn. The market was closely monitoring weather forecasts to gauge the impact that an upcoming heat wave may have on Midwest crop development.

The latest forecast calls for the worst of the heat - temperatures are expected to top out at 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 Celsius) - to hit the Corn Belt for a short period of time, limiting the stress on corn.

Additionally, longer-term forecasts are seen as beneficial to the soybean crop, with moderating temperatures and ample rain expected in August.

"Some corn on the Plains will be damaged by this week's heat wave, but overall yields still look above average," Bryce Knorr, senior grain market analyst at Farm Futures, said in a note. "Prospects for less threatening weather in August, when (soybean) yields are made, continues to put the market back on its heels."

At 10:48 a.m. CDT (1548 GMT), Chicago Board of Trade September soft red winter wheat futures were down 5 cents at $4.13 a bushel. The most-active contract hit its lowest level since July 5.

November soybean futures were up 1-1/4 cents at $10.29 a bushel and December corn was off 1-1/4 cents at $3.47-1/4 a bushel.

Crop concerns limited the declines in corn while global demand added support to soybeans.

"U.S. crop ratings were good this week, but a lot can still change with adverse weather, and I expect the market to continue its focus on U.S. weather forecasts for the coming weeks," said Frank Rijkers, agrifood economist at ABN AMRO Bank. "The world market needs a substantial U.S. soybean harvest after soybean crop damage in South America this season."

Prospects for a pick-up in exports also kept the corn drop in check.
Kerry warns of new challenge in securing Iraq after Islamic State

By Warren Strobel and Lesley Wroughton

WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The battlefield momentum in Iraq and Syria has shifted against Islamic State, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday, but the international community must now also confront the challenge of stabilizing newly liberated areas.

"The momentum has shifted," Kerry told an international conference to raise funds for Iraq at a critical juncture in the military campaign. "The new challenge that we face is securing and aiding for the recovery of a liberated area."

Lise Grande, the United Nations' humanitarian coordinator for Iraq, warned that military victories will prove transient if the needs of Iraqis displaced by the conflict are not addressed.

"The military campaign will have achieved a great short-term success, but perhaps little else of enduring impact," she said.

The officials spoke as defense and foreign ministers gathered to also agree on next steps in the two-year-long fight against Islamic State, in particular the militant group's bastion in Mosul.

The Iraq donor conference raised more than $2.1 billion in aid, State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. The United Nations has said that, under a worst-case scenario, it could take $2 billion in relief and stabilization funds to deal just with the civilian impact of the Mosul battle and its aftermath.

With the early stages of the Mosul campaign underway, plans are still being finalized to provide urgent humanitarian aid and restore basic services and security for residents and as many as 2.4 million displaced people.

"Most of our conversations today ... were about what happens after the defeat of ISIL," U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said after a separate meeting of about 30 defense ministers at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, using an acronym for Islamic State.

"The biggest strategic concern of the defense ministers here was for the stabilization and reconstruction ... and making sure our planning and execution of that is in time for the execution of the military aspect," Carter said.

Some of the defense ministers indicated their countries' intent to contribute more to the military campaign, he said.

Wednesday's meetings will be followed by a joint session of foreign and defense chiefs on Thursday to discuss the broader fight against Islamic State not only in Syria and Iraq, but also in Libya and globally.

A spate of recent attacks claimed or apparently inspired by Islamic State, such as a truck attack in Nice, France, that killed 84 people last week, formed a grim backdrop to the Washington meetings.

"We are nowhere near the defeat of Daesh. It's an octopus, it's a snake with many heads," said Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, using a derogatory Arabic term for the group.

Around Mosul, the United Nations is preparing for what it says will be the largest humanitarian relief operation so far this year as terrified people stream out of the path of the advancing Iraqi military and flee from the city itself. They will need shelter, food and water, and sanitation for three to 12 months, depending on the extent of the city's destruction.

The U.N. estimates that under the worst scenario, more than one million people could be displaced from Mosul and another 830,000 from a populated corridor south of the city, adding to the burden of caring for 3.5 million Iraqis already displaced.

U.S. representative to the United Nations Samantha Power told donors they must pony up the money now.

"Commitments made today must be met, promptly and in full," she said. "In one recent humanitarian campaign after another, we have seen multiple donors over-promise and under-deliver."

Mosul, which Islamic State seized from a collapsing Iraqi army in June 2014, is Iraq's second biggest city and home to a combustible mixture of Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen and others.

Kerry cautioned that the Shi'ite-led Iraqi government, which the country's Sunni Muslim minority views with distrust, must embrace political reconciliation if Islamic State is to be defeated.

"To eliminate Daesh from Iraq permanently, the government of Baghdad has got to be viewed as responsive to the needs of the people in all parts of the country," he said.

At a press conference later, Kerry praised the government of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, but said: "We would like to see some reforms moving faster."

Officials in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region, criticized the coalition for excluding the Kurds from the Washington gathering. Masrour Barzani, head of the regional security council, called it "a travesty" on Twitter.
On anniversary, U.S. and Cuba cite progress toward closer ties

By Sarah Marsh and Matt Spetalnick

HAVANA/WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - Marking the one-year anniversary of the renewal of U.S.-Cuban diplomatic ties, the former Cold War foes said on Wednesday they were working hard on further deepening their detente this year, as the clock ticks down on the Obama administration.

Cuban and U.S. representatives will meet this week in Havana to sign a deal on fighting drug trafficking and hold further talks later this month in Washington on their countries' property claims against one another, a senior U.S. State Department official said.

"Normalization is a long term process ... but we are making slow and steady progress," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters on a conference call.

While much remains to be done, the neighbors have made historic progress in forging closer ties over the past year that both sides were at pains to underscore on Wednesday.

They reopened embassies a year ago after more than five decades of estrangement and have since agreed on matters of common concern such as the resumption of direct mail service and U.S. commercial flights to Cuba.

U.S. President Barack Obama also made a historic trip to the island in March.

Yet the mood on the street in Havana was downbeat on Wednesday. The detente has raised Cubans' expectations yet their economic reality has worsened.

President Raul Castro warned Cubans earlier this month they would have to tighten their belts due to lower oil assistance from key ally Venezuela and a cash crunch as lower commodities prices hurt exports.

"I expected more since Obama's visit, but salaries are still low, the economy is blocked and more and more young people are choosing to emigrate," said Ricardo Fernandez, 34.

Cubans complain much of their economic troubles stem from the U.S. trade embargo. While Obama has made it clear he would like to lift this, his room for maneuver has been limited by the Republican-controlled Congress.

Josefina Vidal, the Cuban Foreign Ministry's chief of U.S. affairs, told state-run Granma newspaper Obama could still do "much more to make the process (of detente) irreversible" before the end of his term in January.

Nonetheless, she said a great deal of progress had been made in just a year, listing various agreements, and said more is expected in the coming months.

Relations would not be fully normalized until the U.S. gave up its aspiration of controlling Cuba, Vidal said, even if it were to lift the embargo and return the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

But Cuba hopes whoever succeeds Obama as president will continue his policy of improving U.S. relations with the island, given a majority of Americans backed this, Vidal added.

Cuba dislikes U.S. attempts to undermine its Communist rule, such as the Miami-based, U.S. government-controlled Radio Marti broadcaster which beams radio, TV and online news that is critical of Cuban leadership to Cuba.

Washington sees Radio Marti as part of its campaign for greater human rights, including freedom of speech, in Cuba.

"Human rights will continue to be one of the more challenging issues we discuss," the U.S. State Department official said. "We are working with the Cuban government to schedule a human rights dialogue in Havana."
Moroccan parliament gives final approval to pension reform bill

RABAT, July 20 (Reuters) - Morocco's parliament on Wednesday gave final approval to a pensions reform bill, members of the house said, despite labour unions saying the new law will damage workers rights and vowing to block it.

It is the latest major structural reform passed by the Islamist-led government that came to power after early elections in 2011, held to calm down the Arab spring-like protests. The Moroccan monarchy mixed institutional reforms, heavy spending and tough security to stifle the wave in 2011.

The government has been repairing public finances since, introducing subsidy cuts, tax reforms and freezing public sector hiring. This has drawn praise from international lenders and protests from labour unions.

The changes to state pension funds include an increase in the retirement age to 63 from 60 by 2022, and higher workers and state contributions.

Abdellah Bouanou, a lawmaker from the Justice and Development party (PJD) leading the government, said the bill had passed by 70 votes to 35.

The bill was voted in the upper house last month.

However, Morocco's four largest labour unions said they would escalate their protest, having blocked it for months in the upper house where they control a sixth of the seats.

Dozens of acivists held a sit-in outside the parliament while the lawmakers were voting, a Reuters photographer said.

Abdelhak Hessan, a member of the upper house from the Democratic Labour Confederation (CDT), said his union has started legal action against the government.

"We have contacted our lawyers because we are taking it to the Constitutional court, the government has broken many laws to pass the bill," said Abdelhak Hessan, a member of the upper house from the Democratic Labour Confederation (CDT).

Hessan said the CDT, which boycotted the vote, has also started talks with other unions to decide on the other steps to take against the reform.

Morocco is expected to hold parliamentary elections next October.

The government said earlier the reform will cost 41 billion dirhams ($4.1 billion) over the next five years, and any delay will add more to the burden.
Argentina's spy agency regroups, wins back power under Macri

By Nicolas Misculin

BUENOS AIRES, July 20 (Reuters) - A little over a year since Argentina's spy agency was shackled in the wake of the mysterious death of a star prosecutor, President Mauricio Macri is backing its quest for broader powers that critics fear will revive unfettered domestic spying.

Argentina's spies are pressing Macri to remove restrictions imposed by former president Cristina Fernandez after public investigator Alberto Nisman was found dead in his home in 2015, a source in the judiciary said.

Fernandez accused a rogue agent of playing a role in Nisman's murder, which came days after he accused her of covering up Iran's alleged role in the 1994 bombing of a Jewish center in Buenos Aires. Fernandez overhauled the country's spy agency in response, branding it the Federal Intelligence Service, or AFI.

But despite the new name, the agency is starting to look more like the former Intelligence Secretariat, with agents purged by Fernandez moving back into old posts since Macri took power in December, said an intelligence source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

In May, Macri issued a decree that lifted controls Fernandez had placed on the spy agency's funding, allowing it once again to spend most of its budget without any oversight.

Macri's center-right government has since floated the possibility of giving back to AFI control of wiretaps that have been run by the judiciary since last year - raising red flags with Argentines fearful of a return to its sinister role in the country's past.

The old spy agency helped the military dictatorship of 1976-1983 target Marxists, labor unions and students in the country's "dirty war," when thousands disappeared. Successive democratically elected governments were widely believed to keep using it to snoop on opponents.

Macri, who has promised to uproot crime, declined to comment. But advocates of allowing the spy agency to conduct wiretaps again say it would help speed up criminal investigations amid a recent spate of kidnappings and extortion.

"I'm worried" about AFI regaining wiretapping powers, said Juan Rodriguez, the director of the court-controlled department DCC that now conducts all legal taps of some 3,000 phone lines in Argentina.

Wiretaps today are mostly used to track suspected drug traffickers, Rodriguez said, and must be authorized by a judge and registered for possible scrutiny.

Standing before DCC's 17 wiretapping devices, Rodriguez said "this is transparent ... we want to end the dark period that this system once represented."

A source close to Macri said it was a myth that the country's spies are sinister and powerful, and that AFI is too weak in its current state to operate effectively.

Ruling party lawmaker Emilio Monzo has said that Macri was studying the reform and would likely propose a bill by the end of the year if he deems it a good idea.

Monzo declined requests for an interview.

Macri has not said why he lifted oversight rules on AFI's budget, but a second intelligence source said the decision aimed to improve AFI's workflow by cutting out unnecessary bureaucracy.

But critics point to corruption cases in recent decades that have traced money used for bribes to the spy agency, which was assigned a $100 million budget for 2016.

The murder of Nisman has still not been solved.
Romania moves closer to ruling out possibility of legalising same-sex marriage

BUCHAREST, July 20 (Reuters) - Romania moved a step closer to ruling out the possibility of legalising same-sex marriage on Wednesday when its top court paved the way for a referendum on defining marriage in the constitution as a union strictly between a man and a woman.

The nine judges on the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously that a proposal signed by 3 million Romanians this year to change the constitution's definition of marriage was valid.

Under Romanian law, the constitution can be changed after a proposal by the president, the government, a quarter of the members of parliament or at least 500,000 citizens. Parliament must approve the revision, which must then pass a nationwide referendum.

Few politicians openly support same sex marriage in the socially conservative eastern European nation of 20 million, where the Orthodox Church holds considerable sway.

Currently, the constitution says family starts "on the basis of freely consenting marriage between spouses".

The Coalition for the Family, a civic initiative, gathered 3 million signatures earlier this year in favour of replacing "spouses" with "a man and a woman". It said only men and women can naturally start a family and raise children.

Local LGBT rights groups say the revision would, if approved, effectively make it impossible to legalise same sex marriage at a later date.

Chief Justice Valer Dorneanu said the court did not rule on the substance of the proposal but on whether it met legal requirements.

"It is not in the Constitutional Court's attribution to decide whether it will admit (same-sex) marriage in our constitution, nor to redefine the notion of family," Dorneanu was quoted as saying by state news agency Agerpres.

"The court had to rule strictly on whether the revision proposal was constitutional."

Twenty-eight human rights groups, including Amnesty International, had previously urged the court to reject the proposal.

"The Constitutional Court's decision ... regarding the citizen initiative that aims to ... narrow the definition of family and implicitly ban any possibility to legalise same sex marriage is regrettable," LGBT rights groups MozaiQ and TRANSform said in a joint statement.

"The initiative creates a hostile, degrading and derogatory environment for the LGBT community in Romania."

Another local LGBT rights group, ACCEPT, urged parliament to ensure the referendum question clarifies the distinction between family and marriage.

"The political class must not forget that family is an inclusive institution based on love and respect that includes homosexual couples, single-parent families or unmarried heterosexual couples," it said in a statement.
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Kerrville, TX (78028)

Today

Cloudy skies early, then thunderstorms developing late. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low around 60F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, then thunderstorms developing late. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low around 60F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
To help celebrate the inaugural Dalhousie Pride Week, Dal News is sharing a series of perspectives on Pride from across the university community.

Name: Jasmine Walsh



Where are you from: St Johns, Newfoundland



What do you do at Dal: Assistant vice-president, Human Resources (acting) & director, academic staff relations



What does Pride mean to you?

For me Pride is, and always has been, political. It celebrates the truth in our differences. It is a measure of the distance that the LGBTQ community has come and a reflection on the journey that we still have ahead of us. I am proud to have lived through significantly improved legal equality for queer people. But our work is far from over. Globally, queer people are still routinely persecuted. Locally, members of our community are still not accessing legal protection and social inclusion on an equitable basis. Pride reminds me that we need to assemble what power we have collected and stand shoulder to shoulder with those in our community who need us.



Can you share experiences or memories that stand out from past Pride events?:

My most poignant Pride memory was the first Pride march I walked in in my home town of St. Johns, NL. We were a small contingent. It made the city uncomfortable. But banding together to stand in our truth felt really incredible. I would add the occasion of my first Pride with my daughter, Astrid, as another very proud memory.



Dal is hosting its own Pride Week for the first time. What are your thoughts on this?

It is a great opportunity for staff and faculty to come together with students to recognize Pride as a community. I am honoured by the commitment that Dalhousie has made to diversity and inclusiveness and I feel privileged to be a part of that important work on our campuses.



How are you celebrating and participating in Dalhousie Pride Week, Halifax Pride Week and/or Truro Pride this year?

I attended Mondays flag raising at the Carleton quad. Through the week I am taking in a number of lectures at the Halifax Central Library. On the weekend I will walk with Dalhousie in the Parade and I will likely also attend Wetspot at the Garrison Grounds on Saturday night.



Why is it important for LGBTQ+ -identified people and LGBTQ+ allies to support and participate in Pride Week?

Coming together to celebrate is a way for communities to grow stronger. It remains a symbolic act for queer people to stand and be counted, without apology. Pride is our way of doing that as a community. The support of allies is so important and I feel grateful for it. I urge allies to reflect on more than just the rainbows and parade and to take opportunities to stand with us 365 days a year.



What makes Pride Week different or special this year?

Orlando. Black Lives Matter. The ongoing fight for safe bathrooms & equitable blood donation laws. These remind us of our responsibility to keep working. Dalhousies Strategic Direction on Diversity and Inclusiveness is our license to act, grow and change within our own community for our students, staff and faculty.

Learn more about Dalhousie Pride Week at dal.ca/showyourpride.
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Boeing expects worldwide demand for 39,620 aircraft over the next 20 years, putting India's share of the total at less than 5 per cent.

Boeing Co said on Tuesday it expects Indian airlines to order 1,850 new aircraft worth $265 billion over the next 20 years, up from an earlier forecast, thanks to the new aviation rules that the manufacturer said will boost demand.

In March, the company had forecasted that demand from India would add up to orders for 1,740 planes over 20 years.

"India continues to have a strong commercial aerospace market and the highest domestic traffic growth in the world," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president, Asia Pacific and India sales at Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

"With the new aviation policies in place, we even see greater opportunities, and remain confident in the market and airlines sector in India," Keskar said.

Last month, India overhauled rules governing its aviation industry, liberalising norms for domestic carriers to fly overseas and spreading the country's air travel boom to smaller cities by capping airfares and opening new airports.

Boeing said in an email that it forecasts single-aisle planes, such as the next generation 737 and 737 Max, to make up the bulk of new deliveries, with India likely to need about 1,560 such aircraft.

Boeing says it has more than 85 per cent share of the wide-body airplane market in India, while competitor Airbus sells the bulk of small planes preferred by low-cost carriers (LCCs) such as InterGlobe Aviation's IndiGo.

LCCs dominate Indian skies and account for more than 60 percent of the flights in the country.

Boeing expects worldwide demand for 39,620 aircraft over the next 20 years, putting India's share of the total at less than 5 per cent.
FICCI survey of the 800 Indian companies based in the UK, which reported a sudden 15 per cent decline in return on investments as the pound sterling fell 15 per cent following Brexit vote last month.

Singapore: The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has called for restarting of negotiations for India's Free Trade Agreements with the UK and the European Union, citing the growing importance of the Indian economy to the world.

India today is a very strong and important economy that other countries want to associate with," said FICCI Secretary General A Didar Singh, calling for the restart of the India-EU FTA which has been on the anvil for 10 years.

"Therefore, we feel India-EU FTA has a much better chance being operative and coming on for a common cause now because businesses need that," he said, after addressing the South Asian Diaspora Convention here yesterday.

Singh also called for an urgent initiation of India-UK FTA, saying it would help clear the current uncertainty among businesses created by the UK's decision to leave EU, or Brexit. He said the call came from a FICCI survey of the 800 Indian companies based in the UK, which reported a sudden 15 per cent decline in return on investments as the pound sterling fell 15 per cent following Brexit vote last month.

Responding to the survey, the companies said they see a decline in profitability over the next three to five years, especially following the split decision which will impact their European business done through UK-based offices.

The companies, responding to the survey, said they were facing problems in getting new contracts and businesses, according to Singh. Over 50 per cent of the 800 Indian companies surveyed had presence in the EU through UK offices.

"All these businesses will have to re-calibrate their strategies," Singh said of the Brexit impact and uncertainty faced by business over the next two years.

There are concerns about managing businesses in the post-Brexit environment and some companies would like to set up another office in the EU, which would add more costs and make them less competitive.

Singh also hoped that the India-UK FTA would help relax student visa conditions allowing internships and employment for Indians studying there. There has been an estimated 20 per cent drop in Indian students going to the UK for studies over the last two and a half years when the internship and employment condition was removed.
An examination conducted by Sebi during January to March 2013 found that Gautam Anand, Vice-President of ITC Hotel Division, had sold 493 shares of the company by executing an opposite transaction within six months of his previous transaction.

New Delhi: Markets regulator Sebi today disposed of a specific charge against an ITC executive who had been under the scanner for trading in the scrip of the company by entering into opposite transactions.

An examination conducted by Sebi during January to March 2013 found that Gautam Anand, Vice-President of ITC Hotel Division, had sold 493 shares of the company by executing an opposite transaction within six months of his previous transaction.

According to Sebi norms, opposite transactions refer to selling or buying any number of shares during the next six months following a transaction. In its latest order, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) found that Anand was adequately penalised by ITC for his lapses, apart from payment of Rs 2,521 as penalty to the company.

Besides, it noted that he has also undergone debarment from buying or selling the shares of the company for a period of six months. "I am, therefore, of the view that the penalty imposed by the company on the noticee (Gautam Anand) is commensurate with the violations committed by him," Sebi's Adjudicating officer Suresh B Menon said.

"There is nothing on record to indicate that the notice has indulged in any market manipulation or made wrongful gain or caused any wrongful loss to others due to his trading in the shares of the company during the examination period."
In case of fire accident, a certificate from the fire department should be submitted to the insurance agency

Hyderabad: Agents commissions for household insurance is comparatively higher than other insurances and the premium is lower. However, life and medical insurance still top the list as people give more important to these. Agents too show less interest in selling household policies.

Agents also do not even press for household insurance as customers do not cooperate with them to declare personal details, and moreover there are less chances of damage.

If you do not have insurance for your vehicle, you will be penalised or you are likely to face legal action. But this is not the case with home insurance. Though health insurance is also not mandatory, people go for it because of their health consciousness, said Mr Reddanna, a retired police officer.

With the rise in constructions, there is a risk of fire accidents, but still very few people come forward for these. These days all constructions have false ceilings where there is a high risk of fire, still people are careless. They get insurance for jewellery as there are more chances of theft or snatching, Mr Reddanna added.

Even companies offering home loans make it mandatory for life insurance of the person who has applied for a loan, but household insurance is neglected. Even the housing projects for the poor taken up by the government are not insured. The government can take steps to insure the houses given through welfare schemes by partnering in paying the premium, another senior official added.

Household insurance is also seen as an investment without any returns. Mostly youth settled abroad and their parents staying here take household insurance.

As their elderly parents are alone here, they feel they are more prone to robbery or house thefts, so they insure their house and the articles within, the officer added.
Beijing: To the challenges facing KFC and Apple in China, add a surprise backlash from Beijings spat with the Philippines over the South China Sea.

Nationalists are protesting at KFC outlets and calling for a boycott, spurred by government accusations that Washington encouraged Manila to oppose Beijings claims to vast tracts of ocean.

Photos circulated online show young Chinese wearing scarves with patriotic slogans smashing Apple iPhones in protest. State media have fanned public anger with a torrent of criticism of last weeks ruling by a UN tribunal, which found no legal basis for Beijings claim to most of the South China Sea. The Chinese public, as optimistic and positive as they are, are deeply patriotic and nationalistic, especially people who are younger, said James Roy of the research firm China Market Research Group.

KFC and Apple are just very closely associated with the United States, and you are seeing people picking the closest symbol they can think of to demonstrate against.

The protests are a reminder of the political risks for global brands in China, where they regularly become targets of nationalist sentiment, often stirred up by official media. In 2012, sales of Japanese autos plunged when Tokyo and Beijing were in a dispute over control of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea. The Chinese leadership has tried to tamp down this weeks protests with demands in state media to leave foreign companies and their customers alone.

This is not the right way to express patriotism, said the governments Xinhua News Agency. The China Daily newspaper called the protests jingoism that does a disservice to the spirit of devotion to the nation.

Some KFC customers have responded by posting photos of themselves online with a bucket of chicken, axes or other weapons and signs reading, patriotic hooligans, try harassing me and Ill take you out.

Phone calls to spokespeople for KFC in China and written messages sent through the company website werent answered. A man in the eastern city of Yangzhou, northwest of Shanghai, said he watched a protest Tuesday morning after seeing a note online appealing to people to take part. He said it also told protesters to boycott Japanese and Korean goods. A group of more than 20 people including children broke into the restaurant and shouted at customers to leave, the witness, Guo Lu, said by phone from Yangzhou. He said police arrived quickly and pushed the protesters out of the restaurant.

The timing is unusually bad for KFC, which is Chinas biggest restaurant chain with more than 5,000 outlets but is overhauling its struggling business after a food scandal and marketing missteps. KFCs owner, Yum Brands Inc., is preparing to spin off its China unit, which also includes Pizza Hut restaurants, as a separate company in October in hopes of improving its performance.

KFC has long been an all-purpose target for protests about U.S. issues, especially in areas outside big cities with few other foreign symbols.

In 1999, after NATO jets bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, protesters wrecked KFC restaurants. The company and other foreign chain restaurants in China also face an upheaval as customers migrate to fast-growing local competitors they say offer more nutritious meals. For its part, Apple has faced a series of legal hurdles this year in China, its second-biggest market.
Director Pa Ranjith was summoned by Rajinikanth as the mega-star wished to work with a young unconventional director.

Mumbai: With bookings opening a week in advance and offices granting a day's leave to watch Kabali, this Rajinikanth starrer has created quite a storm. We give you 10 reasons not to miss this gangster drama that has been directed by Pa Ranjith.

Read: After Sultan, Rajinikanth's Kabali leaked online?

1. The film set in the 80's has Rajinikanth essaying the role of a retired gangster. Off with those lungis, it is dapper suits for the gangsters role. We bet Rajnikanths fans cant wait to clap and cheer at his makeover.

2. Director Pa Ranjith was summoned by Rajinikanth as the mega-star wished to work with a young unconventional director. The filmmaker narrated two ideas- one based on a sci-fi horror subject and the other revolving around a Tamil gangster in Malaysia. As Rajinikanth wanted to do a film that allowed him to play a dark character who spreads sunshine, he opted for the latter, and the rest, as they say is history.

Read: Rajinikanth-Aishwaryaa seek blessings at Satchidananda Ashram ahead of Kabali release

3. This is Rajinikanths own Nayakan. The Mani Ratnam classic featured Rajinikanths friend and rival Kamal Haasan as a Tamil migrant in Mumbai who becomes a mafia don. Kabalis journey takes him from Tamil Nadu to the plantations of Malaysia. Apparently, Rajinikanth was so impressed by Kamal Haasan in Nayakan that he had asked Mani Ratnam to create a similar gangster epic for after the films' release. That dream project never happened for Rajinikanth and hence 'Kabali' is his delayed reaction to the impact of 'Nayakan'.

4. To guide him into a new phase of his career, Rajinikanth chose the young upcoming director Pa Ranjith who had earlier helmed the raw and gritty 'Madras', a film he loved. The filmmaker wanted to bring out the actor in Rajinikanth like no other actor in recent times.

Read: Bangalore and Chennai based companies declare Kabalis release date a holiday

5. All the trademark Rajinikanth camera tricks have been done away with. While playing a larger-than-life Tamil gangster in Malaysia, Rajnith repeatedly asked the actor to tone it down and do away with unnecessary 'dialogue-baazi'.

6. To ensure he occupies real-time space without any obstacles, Ranjith roped in Radhika Apte to join the gang as Kabalis wife. Radhika with her roots in realistic acting kept Rajinikanths performance toned down.

7. At 30, Radhika is a more mature co-star than his last two co-star Deepika Padukone in 'Kochdaiiyan' and Sonakshi Sinha in 'Lingaa'. And she plays no walkover in 'Kabali'.

8. The joke on the sets was, the three Rs- Rajinikanth, Radhika and Ranjith- were ganging up to whip up a storm. The letter R has always played a key role in Rajinikanths life. His wife Lathas maiden name was Rangachari and his last big hit was 'Robot'.

9. Rajinikanth wanted extra songs and comic elements to be added, however the director blatantly refused.

10. Its time to see Rajinikanth in a never seen before avatar.
Mumbai: Retired wrestler and actor Nathan Jones, who is currently in India to promote his upcoming Bollywood film 'A Flying Jatt', is flying back to Australia on June 20.

Nathan, who actively took part in the film promotions during his stay here has spoken highly about Bollywood industry and said that made his job much simpler.

At the trailer launch, the actor had said, "It's awesome seeing them (Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone) working there (in Hollywood). It's a pleasure working here (in Bollywood). The better the actor that I am working with, the better I become. Bollywood actors are top notch and that made my job much easier."

Recently, when director Remo DSouza was asked about the casting of 'super villain' in the movie, he had said, We wanted a super villain who would make the audience wonder if the superhero would ever get the better of him. When I saw Nathan in Mad Max: Fury Road , I decided I wanted him for my film..

In 'Flying Jatt', produced by Ekta Kapoor's Balaji Motion Pictures, actor Tiger Shroff will be seen romancing Jacqueline Fernandez.
Mumbai: Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is expecting her first baby with husband Saif Ali Khan, was snapped shooting for an advertisement in Mumbai on Wednesday. Dressed in her monochrome dress, Kareena was camera ready when she stepped outside of her vanity van for the shoot.

Embracing pregnancy beautifully, the actress is also continuing with her work life and turning into a role model for many women around the world. Just few days back, Kareena blasted those who speculated about her maternity break. The actress put an end to all the rumours by saying that pregnancy is the most normal thing on earth to produce a child and that it was high time that media backed off and stopped treating her differently. Kareena made it clear that she will not stop working.

For the uninitiated, there were speculations that Kareena, who is due in December, will push forward the shoot of her next 'Veere Di Wedding'. However, the makers soon released a statement stating that they will begin filming from August. The actress will shoot for some magazine covers by October before she goes on maternity leave.

Kareena Kapoor Khan snapped shooting for an ad shoot in Mumbai. (Photo: Viral Bhayani)

Kareena Kapoor Khan snapped shooting for an ad shoot in Mumbai. (Photo: Viral Bhayani)
The Telugu release of Kabali is still marred by controversies allegedly stirred up by the Telugu Distribution Council, which has now denied harassing anybody.

There were allegations that the council asked all the local distributors to stop payment to Praveen Varma and K.P. Chowdhary, who bought the movies Telugu distribution rights.

Council secretary Veeru Naidu clarified that the accusations were baseless. We never harass anyone, especially our distributors. Everyone knows that Lakshmi Ganapathi Films incurred huge loss from Rajinikanths earlier film Kochadaiiyaan and we informed that to all who tried to buy the rights of Kabali, says Naidu.

We asked Praveen and Chowdhary to ask the producer to deposit 40 per cent of the loss incurred by Lakshmi Ganapathi Films. We want to speak to Rajinikanth and settle the issue after he is back from Virginia, says Naidu, denying that they asked the local distributors to not pay the money. We never told anything as such that to the local distributors. Our only concern is Lakshmi Ganapathi Films, who is now unable to comeback due to such a huge loss, he says. The only possible solution to this issue is that the present distributors pressurise the Tamil producer.

We are ready to have a closed door meeting with Praveen and Chowdhary to solve the issue, says Naidu. Praveen and Chowdhary, say nothing is in their hands.

We contacted the Tamil producer on Wednesday too, but he says that he is not concerned. So, its not in our hands and it should be dealt directly by the earlier producer and distributors, says Chowdhary. A day before the screening, we have to get the remaining pay. Only then can we release the cube (digital format of the film), he adds.

With the local distributors yet to pay the money, Chowdhary and Praveen have decided not to give the key number to download the cube. Now, the Telugu release of the film is uncertain.
The 3D-printed bone was used to support the spine after removal of the remaining anterior sections in the June operation. (Photo: 3dprint.com)

Beijing: Chinese doctors have set a new record in a spinal operation to replace five vertebrae with 3D-printed replicas.

The 3D-printed vertebrae measured 19 centimetres, the longest-ever in a successful operation.

A 41-year-old cancer patient, surname Yuan, underwent the surgery at Peking University Third Hospital on June 12, and has been able to walk by himself since the operation, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted the doctors as saying.

During the six-hour procedure, the replica, made from titanium powder, was inserted into his spine to fill the void left after five tumour-affected vertebrae were removed.

Without the pioneering operation, he would likely have been paralysed, the doctors said.

In a previous operation on May 6, the tumour was removed, along with the posterior sections of the five vertebrae. The gap was filled with titanium rods and screws - a traditional treatment that ideally allows for patient mobility.

The 3D-printed bone was used to support the spine after removal of the remaining anterior sections in the June operation.

The standard solution of inserting a titanium tube into the missing section would have had major disadvantages.

The hollow titanium tube is straight and does not match human anatomical structure.

The tube could also detach over time since the missing section of vertebrae is large, which would lead to paralysis, according to Liu Zhongjun, chief surgeon.

"The 3D printing technology offers a better option. It enables us to produce a replica resembling Yuan's original bone structures, both in shape and length, and it is firm," Liu said.

The implant also has tiny pores that allow neighbouring bone cells in normal vertebrae to grow. This will help with fusion of the replica and real bones, he said.

Yuan was diagnosed with chordoma, a rare cancer that can occur anywhere in the spine and skull, in December after suffering acute lower back pain. In January, he turned to the Peking University Third Hospital, which has a research team that has studied 3D-printing for orthopaedics since 2009.

"I believe in the new technology. I've prepared myself for risks. My disease can't be treated in the conventional way and it makes no sense for me to wait," said Yuan, who works in the catering industry in Beijing and has a five-year-old daughter.

Yuan said he was able to walk with crutches two weeks after the surgery.

A portion of his medical costs was exempted because of the experimental nature of the treatment, he said.

The team developed the only two 3D-printed body implant products registered by the China Food and Drug Administration, which include a hip joint product and the vertebrae product approved in September 2015 and May respectively, the Xinhua report said.
The Community Impact Award honors a project that makes a practical difference in the innovators community by addressing an environmental, health or resources challenge. (Photo: Google for Education)

New Delhi: Google India on Wednesday announced the winner of the Google Community Impact Award, a theme based award part of Google Science Fair 2016.

Beating thousands of entries from over 107 countries,14-year-old Advay Ramesh from Chennai bagged the prestigious award from Asia.

The Community Impact Award honors a project that makes a practical difference in the innovators community by addressing an environmental, health or resources challenge.

Advay presented his project on creating FishErmen Lifeline Terminal (FELT) to enhance the fishermen safety and productivity using Global Positioning Services (GPS) that won him 10,000dollars in funding and a year-long mentorship from Scientific American to further help develop his winning project.

Advay who is currently studying in Class X in National Public School, Chennai has also been chosen among the Top 20 finalists shortlisted to compete for a Grand Prize worth 50,000 dollars in scholarship.

Young minds are inventive, thoughtful, and determined to try things that other people think are impossible. Its imperative for us to support and encourage these young people to explore and challenge the world around them through scientific discovery.

Through the Google Science Fair, we want to encourage and support the next generation of scientists and engineers said a Google spokesperson.

Further sharing his excitement on being announced the winner, Advay said Winning the Google Community Impact Award means a lot to me, it would help me learn more and develop my idea further.

Out of the thousands of projects across the globe, Google selected Top 100 ideas by the judges, including 14 projects from students across India. These 100 Regional Finalists are all in the running to become one of the 16 Global Finalists, who will join Google in Mountain View on September 27 for their sixth annual Awards Celebration.
Hyderabad: A 21-year-old man collapsed and died during a physical test held in Nalgonda for recruiting personnel for the Telangana police. Vasa Rajashekar, a degree second year student from Penpahad mandal, collapsed while participating in the 800 meter running test at the Makala Abhinav Stadium on Monday.

He was rushed to hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment early on Tuesday. Doctors at the Nalgonda government hospital, where Rajashekar was admitted, said he died due to heart failure.

Police said Rajashekar had finished one lap and was doing the second lap when he collapsed. He was running faster than the other candidates and had finished 400 meters quickly. Most of the others were around 100 meters behind him.

Suddenly he fell on the ground. The medical team at the spot gave him first aid and rushed him to hospital, said Nalgonda SP Prakash Reddy.

Doctors gave him immediate treatment. ue to physical activity his heart had enlarged and enough blood was not circulating through it. He collapsed after blood circulation came down drastically. The death could most probably due to heart failure, said a doctor.

Forensic doctors, who did the autopsy also gave the same opinion. Senior officials of the TS Police Recruitment Board said the man must not have had proper training before appearing in the physical test. Police booked a case of suspicious death. His body was handed over to family.

Hailing from a poor family in Mukundapur village, Rajashekar had qualified in the written test and was waiting for the physical test. His relatives said that he wanted to join as a constable and try for higher posts in future.
Hyderabad: Narsapur ex-MLA Gundam Veeraiahs grandson, 25-year-old techie G. Sankirth from Hyderabad, was stabbed to death by another Hyderabadi in Texas, US, on Monday.

Sources said Sankirth, an MNC employee, and his roommate Sai Sandeep Goud Kurremula had a quarrel early on Monday morning, that led to Sandeep killing him. Austin police has arrested the suspect. Praneeth, another roommate of theirs, was a witness to the murder. Sandeep had gone to Austin 15 days ago and had been living in Sankirths apartment.

Attacker was drunk, says witness Praneeth

Praneeth, who spoke to the victims family, said Sandeep was drunk when he attacked Sankirth. He said he was sleeping in another room when he heard the scuffle and soon found Sankirth lying in a pool of blood.

A motive behind the attack remains unclear, Austin police received an alert at 3.13 am. Upon arrival, officers saw two men loading a male victim into a car. It appeared the male victim had suffered a stab wound to his abdomen. The injured male was transported to Round Rock Hospital where he later died, a statement said. Praneeth claimed that Sandeep and he were rushing Sankirth to hospital in a car when cops arrived and took them into custody.

Officers have charged Sai Sandeep Goud Kurremula, 27, with murder, the cops statement added. The victims relatives in the US found that Sai Sandeep had moved to Austin 15 days ago for a job through a consultancy and had started living in the same apartment complex where Sankirth lived. Back in Hyderabad, it has been a tragic day for Sankirths parents.

Telangana Health officer G. Vijay Kumar went into shock when he heard of his sons murder. Relatives are wondering why a jovial man like Sankirth was killed.

He had finished MS from the University of New Haven last year and had moved to Texas for a job six months ago. He got an H1B visa a month ago and was planning to settle in the US, said his cousin E. Saikanth.

He was a peaceful man. We do not know why he was attacked, added Saikanth. Sankirth was also in constant touch with his parents. He used to regularly Skype but he never mentioned a dispute with his roommate, A. Venkat Rao, another cousin, said.

Other relatives add that Sankirths mother was informed only on Tuesday as she has been suffering from an illness. The familys friends and relatives in the US are now trying to send the body to Hyderabad.
In the past, some Kashmiri students of Barkatullah University had staged a protest before the Vice Chancellor's office after they were targeted by some unidentified youths. (Photo: Representational Image)

Bhopal: A 28-year-old student from Kashmir pursuing his Ph.D from Barkatullah University was on Wednesday attacked by some unidentified persons near a stationary shop in Bhopal, a senior official said.

"The incident occurred in noon when Sajjad Ahmed was standing at a stationary shop near Surendra Place for purchasing some articles when a group of eight-ten persons attacked him," Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Bhopal, Raman Singh told PTI.

Read: ABVP leader, others booked for thrashing 'Kashmiri student' in HCU

Ahmed is pursuing his doctorate in adult education stream. On the complaint filed by him with Bagh Sevania police station, a case has been lodged under various sections of the IPC for rioting and criminal intimidation.

In the past, some Kashmiri students of Barkatullah University had staged a protest before the Vice Chancellor's office after they were targeted by some unidentified youths.
Chennai: A one-and-a-half-year-old-boy died in a freak accident after he fell through a window without a grill from the bedroom of the 12th floor flat in a gated community on Wallajah Road, on Tuesday morning.

The incident took place at Narayana Arihant Ocean Towers and the child was identified as Mohammed Fathus, the only son of Yakoob Bai and Aasheera Begum, who were residents of the 17-storey building.

At around 9.30 am, Mohammed Fathus, who awoke from sleep, crawled towards the window near which his cot was placed, while his parents were preparing for the day. The toddler managed to climb over the cots head and reached the window, which had been left open. The curious toddler peeped down and in the process tumbled down. Prabhu, an eyewitness, who had come to look for a house in that complex, said he saw the boy fall down.

I ran towards him to try and save him. However, the boy was dead already, he said. The couple who realised their son was missing from the bedroom were frantically searching for him inside the house. Minutes later, the security guard came knocking on their doors and conveyed to them that their child had fallen down through the window.

The family rushed the boy to a neighbouring hospital with the hope of reviving him, but in vain. The window would usually be locked in the air-conditioned room and it was left open in the morning for want of ventilation. Yakoob Bai did not prefer any complaint in this regard.
A large quantity of fuel and water was found stored in 40-50 drums and large number of used clothes of men and women were also found which is unusual for such boats. (Photo: Twitter)

Port Blair: The suspicious boat with 11 Myanmarese crew, apprehended by Coast Guard near Narcondum Island, has been brought here and handed over to the police for further investigation, officials said on Wednesday.

On its arrival here on Tuesday, Coast Guard Inspector General Kuldeep Singh Sheoran, inspected the vessel and appreciated the efforts and alertness of the Coast Guard personnel involved in the operation.

Later, a police team from Central Crime station, Port Blair took the boat and crew in its custody for joint interrogation by security agencies.

The boat was intercepted under suspicious circumstances by Coast Guard patrol ships 'Bhikaji Cama' and 'Rajkamal' in the Andaman Sea, nine nautical miles east of the Narcondum Island on the intervening night of Monday-Tuesday.

On being challenged by Coast Guard patrol ships, the boat started fleeing and crew was seen dumping some items into the sea. The boat surrendered only after Coast Guard ships fired warning shots, after a chase of about two hours.

While inspecting the boat, the Coast Guard found the boat did not have any name or registration number written on hull nor did it carry any country's flag on it, a statement issued by the Coast Guard had said.

A large quantity of fuel and water was found stored in 40-50 drums and large number of used clothes of men and women were also found which is unusual for such boats. VHF communication sets were also found hidden in engine room of the boat.

None of the crew members were having passport and no fishing gears or cargo was found onboard. The master and crew could not explain what they were doing in Indian waters and why they tried to run away from Coast Guard and what did they throw into the sea.

There have been several instances, when vessels involved in human trafficking and arms smuggling were apprehended by Coast Guard in Andaman Sea.
Police detain members of Dalit Community who were staging a protest in Ahmedabad on Tuesday against the assault on dalit members by cow protectors in Rajkot district, Gujarat. (Photo: PTI)

Rajkot/Udaipur: Dalit protests in Gujarat spread to several parts of the state including Ahmedabad on Tuesday unleashing violence in which a head constable was killed in stone pelting and state transport buses attacked while three more members of the community allegedly attempted suicide.

The dalits are protesting against the brutal assault on fellow community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow in Una in Gir-Somnath district.

"Head Constable with local crime branch Pankaj Amreli was injured in stone-pelting in Amreli town. He died during treatment at Rajkot hospital. Ten other persons including protestrs and policemen have been injured," police said.

Today, three youths attempted to kill themselves by consuming poison at their residential society in Batwa town in Junagadh district, police said.

After seven Dalit youths attempted suicide at Gondal and Jamkandorna in Rajkot district against the assault yesterday, several incidents of damage to state transport buses and road blockades were reported from different parts of Saurashtra region across Junagadh, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Amreli districts since late last night. The protests also spread to Ahmedabad, where dozens of Dalits were detained, police said.

While a bus was torched in Dhoraji town of Rajkot district and several others damaged, protestors allegedly vandalised sheds for Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in Rajkot late last night, police said.

"Dinesh Parmar (21), Dinesh Vegra (23) and Rasik Vinjura (40) gathered at Ambedkar Nagar society and consumed poison to protest against the beating (of Dalit youths in Una). We rushed them to Junagadh civil hospital for treatment," police said, adding their condition is stable.

Hundreds of protesters gathered at Chital road locality in Amreli town this morning and started hurling stones at police who in turn fired two teargas shells to disperse them.

In Surendranagar, agitators blocked a highway by putting carcass of a cow in the middle of the road, police said.

In the wake of the tense situation, the state road transport department today suspended bus services from Porbandar and other parts as protesters continued to block roads.

Some persons hurled stones at Ahmedabad-Veraval train as it was entering Rajkot, injuring an assistant driver last night, police said. "There was a report of BRTS buses being ransacked by the community members and several public transport vehicles also being ransacked," DCP, Rajkot, Karanraj Vaghela said.

He said situation is under control and no untoward incident has taken place in Rajkot today.

The opposition Congress demanded a probe by a sitting High Court judge into the Una incident.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel tweeted, "Failure of authorities to protect Dalits in Gujarat is absolutely shocking. Is it the Gujarat model? Independent probe is need of the hour".

Nine persons have been arrested so far in connection with the assault on Dalits, while three policemen have been suspended for dereliction of duty.

Gujarat's Patidar quota agitation leader Hardik Patel backed Dalits. Patel, who is in Udaipur after his release from jail, said that Dalits have faced exploitation and their demands are justified.

Targeting Gujarat Police, Patel said the police worked at the behest of the state government and had exploited the Patel community earlier.

Patel, who was released from jail in Gujarat after nine months in confinement, has to stay outside Gujarat for six months as per the Gujarat High Court direction and he has been staying at a former Congress MLA's place in Udaipur.
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj hit out at the Opposition on Wednesday in the Lok Sabha for accusing her ministry of creating a hype over Indias bid to attain membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).

We have not created any hype over the issue; it is not right for people to label a wholehearted attempt to achieve something as hype, she said.

Swaraj told the parliament that her government was making every effort possible to engage with China to iron out differences while expressing hope that the issues would be resolved.

"But we are engaging with it. If someone says 'No' for once, it does not mean he won't agree at all ... like GST... almost all parties have agreed to it but Congress has not. That does not mean it it will never agree (to the GST bill)," she said.

Read: Congress targets Modi over India's failed NSG bid

Sushma Swaraj also said India will not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, adding that New Delhi had managed to get waiver in 2008 without signing the treaty.

Swaraj also scoffed at suggestions by Supriya Sule (NCP) that the denial of NSG membership to India was a 'huge diplomatic snub' as it came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mexico and Switzerland.

Congress had targeted the Modi-led government for failing to gain entry into the NSG in the backdrop of China playing a spoiler.

Read: China opposes India's entry into NSG, wants Pakistan too

The 48-nation NSG aims to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons by restricting the sale of items that can be used to make those arms.

While majority of the elite group members backed India's membership, it is understood that apart from China, countries like Turkey, South Africa, Ireland and New Zealand were not in favour of India's entry into the NSG.

China maintains opposition to India's entry, arguing that it has not signed Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, it has been batting for its close ally Pakistan's entry if NSG extends any exemption for India.
New Delhi: It is difficult to immediately assess the impact of 'Brexit' on India and Indian community in Britain, the government told the Parliament on Wednesday.

Replying to a question on the issue, Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said in Lok Sabha Indian High Commission in London was in the process of evaluating "implications" of 'Brexit' on the Indian community.

The relationship between Britain and EU is yet to evolve and until such time, it is hard to assess the impact the country's exit from the bloc on India and Indian community, Singh said.

Earlier this month, Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said India and the UK were exploring the possibility of a free trade agreement following the Britain's decision to exit from the European Union.

Replying to a separate question, Singh, referring to media reports, said there was a rise in number of "racist incidents and hate crimes" in the week following the referendum on Brexit on June 26.

He, however, said there has been no recorded incident of racist attack targeting Indians there. To a question on India's aid to Nepal, he said development assistance extended to that country in 2014-15 was Rs 420 crore while it was Rs 300 crore in 2015-16.

"The disbursement of actual aid to Nepal depends on utilisation of the available amount and progress achieved in numerous projects under implementation with India's assistance in Nepal," he said adding four lines of credit totalling USD 1.65 billion have been extended to Nepal so far.

Replying to another question, Singh said government is in the process of closing the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojna while strengthening other measures including insurance scheme Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojna for overseas Indian workers.
The district administration has beefed up security in the state capital in view of a protest called by the BSP on Thursday. (Photo: File)

Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM and AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday condemned BJP UP leader Dayashankar Singhs comment that BSP chief Mayawati was worse than a prostitute, and called for stringent action.

Its not enough for BJP to remove Dayashankar Singh from his post, he should be sacked from the party," said Jayalalithaa.

The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) will stage a demonstration against BJP leader Dayashankar Singh in the state capital on Thursday to press for his immediate arrest for derogatory remarks against party supremo Mayawati.

The protest will be staged in front of the Ambedkar statue at Hazratganj in the morning to press for a case against Singh under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and his immediate arrest, party sources said.

Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha Gaya Charan Dinkar, Leader of Opposition in Vidhan Parishad Naseemudin Siddiqui and Uttar Pradesh chief of the party Ram Achal Rajbhar are expected to take part in the protest, party sources said.

The BSP has taken a strong exception to Singh's remarks against Mayawati in Mau on Wednesday, the sources said.

The BJP has already sacked Singh, the vice president of its Uttar Pradesh unit, from all party posts after his derogatory remarks against the BSP supremo sparked a furore in Parliament and pushed the saffron party to a corner.

The district administration has beefed up security in the state capital in view of the protest called by the BSP.

Meanwhile, taking note of the derogatory remark, the ruling Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday said "appropriate action" will be taken against him by the state government.

"We will take appropriate action. The party condemns such a statement which is against the dignity of a woman. This is the real character of BJP leaders," said SP spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury.

"BJP should sack him from the party and also take legal action. A person who has no political courtesy should be taken care of by the BJP," he added.
The lawyers allegedly hurled abuses and threatened that they would not allow the reporters to cover the court proceedings. (Photo: Representational Image)

Kochi: A group of advocates on Wednesday allegedly attacked media persons outside the Kerala High Court complex here, leaving two persons injured.

The lawyers allegedly hurled abuses and threatened that they would not allow the reporters to cover the court proceedings. A section of them even locked down the media room in the court complex.

Two camerapersons of television news channels have been injured in the attack, local media reported. The injured have been admitted to the Ernakulam government hospital, police said.

Ernakulam unit of Kerala Union of Working Journalists alleged that the advocates resorted to violent protest against the media as they were provoked by its coverage of an alleged attempt by a government pleader to molest a woman here last week.

Journalists under the banner of KUWJ staged a protest at a city corner demanding action against the lawyers who targeted media. Visuals aired by various TV channels showed media persons being chased and kicked by advocates even as police tried to rescue them. The lawyers were seen preventing camera persons from taking visuals of the violence.

Media persons have complained to the High Court registrar about the incident, which occurred a day after some advocates allegedly used abusive words against legal reporters at the court's media room here.

On Tuesday, a legal reporter, who was allegedly manhandled by a section of unruly lawyers, had complained to the acting Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan about the incident in the media room.

The government pleader, who is currently out on bail, was arrested last week on the charge of allegedly attempting to molest the woman on a city lane.
BENGALURU: In yet another "suicide shock" for the government which is in the eye of a storm after DySP M.K.Ganapati's suicide and television interview where he held a minister and two senior officials responsible for his death, the attempted suicide by a woman police sub-inspector on Tuesday afternoon triggered fresh controversy, reinforcing charges of ill-treatment of police by their superior officers.

Ms Roopa Tambada, a sub-inspector of 2009 batch, attached to the Vijayanagar police station has been admitted to the ICU after she swallowed a cocktail of painkillers. Her condition is said to be stable.

Police said Ms Tambada's verbal spat with Inspector H.V. Sanjeev Gowda over a seized mobile phone drove her to the edge. Sources said that Mr Gowda, who was suspended on June 20 on charges of dereliction of duty, had reported to work on Friday.

On Monday evening, a woman who had filed a mobile theft complaint a week ago met the inspector to know the status of her case. Going through the reports, the inspector found that the case was solved with the arrest of the accused and the phone had been seized.

When he asked Roopa, who had handled the case, she told him that she did not have the mobile phone with her. The inspector pulled her up in the presence of other staff. On Tuesday morning, when she came in to the station, she found her name mentioned in the station diary with a note from the inspector that her negligence was evident in the case. An upset Ms Tambada marched into the inspector's chamber and had a heated argument with him," a source said.

"She contacted her husband Nataraj, an advocate, and informed him about the development. He advised her to go to the Police Commissioner's office. She mentioned in the station dairy that she was going to the Commissioner's office, but never returned," the source said. Mr Nataraj, who waited for her call to go to the commissioner's office, rushed home as she did not pick up his calls. The station staff had no idea of her whereabouts. He found her unconscious and rushed her to Suguna Hospital.

Senior police officers rushed to the hospital to monitor her health condition. Additional Commissioner of Police (West) K.S.R. Charan Reddy told reporters, She left the police station after mentioning in the diary that she would go to Commissioner's office, but she never went there. Preliminary probe revealed that the inspector and the PSI had engaged in an argument on Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Only after recording her statement, it will be possible to initiate further action.

MD of Suguna Hospital, Dr Ravindra, who treated her, said, When she was brought in at 4.10 pm, she was drowsy. She was given treatment and her condition is stable. She is under observation in the ICU. She had swallowed around 15 tablets, an overdose of cold and fever medicines like Dolo 650 and paracetamol.

Ms Tambada, who hails from Davanagere, stays in the Rajajinagar police quarters. She was working at the Vijayanagar police station for the last two years. She and her husband Nataraj have a daughter.
The truck drivers were later forced to burn Pakistan flags and posters. (Representational photo: file)

Chandigarh: Kashmiri Muslim truck drivers, on Tuesday, were allegedly stopped on their way to Jammu and Kashmir and were forced to chant Bharat mata ki jai and Pakistan Murdabad by members of the Punjab unit of Shiv Sena.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the sate Shiv Sena chief Rajiv Tandon said, What they (Kashmiri Muslims) did to Hindu pilgrims on Amarnath Yatra has been done to them. We only asked Muslim drivers to say Bharat Mata ki Jai and Pakistan murdabad.

The truck drivers were later forced to burn Pakistan flags and posters. Unconfirmed reports also said that some men were roughed up for not chanting the slogans.

An FIR was registered against Tandon under relevant sections of IPC.
Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, who are part of a recently formed issue-based loose alliance of separatists issued an ultimatum to political parties. (Photo: PTI)

Srinagar: Key Kashmiri separatist leaders on Wednesday asked the MLAs of ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rise in revolt against Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, abandon her and come back to their people.

A similar ultimatum was served on the lawmakers of other mainstream parties including main opposition National Conference (NC).

In the backdrop of the mayhem being witnessed in the Kashmir Valley which has left 44 people dead and over 2,200 injured, the separatists in a joint statement issued here said, The red line of such brutal killings transcends political and ideological differences. Introspect and come back to be with your People.

Read: Kashmir: Truck drivers forced to chant 'Bharat maa ki jai' by Punjab Shiv Sena

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik, who are part of a recently formed issue-based loose alliance of separatists said, Enough is enough. No more deaths. That's why people protest because human life matters, the lives of our youth, women and children matter.

They alleged that the people of Kashmir are being systematically and intentionally targeted in order to blind or kill them. We declare our resilience in the face of deadly oppression. Every human life matters. The sanctity of life needs to be restored. Children, women and youth have lost their lives and eyesight. Media have lost count of the toll. It's time not to get dehumanised, the statement said.

Read: Srinagar goes without newspapers for fifth day; Mufti wants to meet editors

It sought to issue an immediate ultimatum to the perpetrators to put a stop to firing, killings, maiming and blinding. Mehbooba Mufti has failed, as did Omar Abdullah in 2010 and since she can't stop loss of human life her MLAs should abandon her and come back to their people.

The statement added, The red line of such brutal killings transcends political and ideological differences. Introspect and Come back to be with your People. Forget about power and perks and take side of people. Stop being the loyalist representatives of subjugators and murderers of people. Refuse to be the collaborators of the merchants of death whose hands are soaked in the blood of our youth and children.

The statement further asked the lawmakers of the ruling party not to give India a chance to use you as shield to carry out this butchery of Kashmiris. It said, The same applies to other pro India loyalists the National Conference and others. For once support truth! Stop the killings! Kashmiri lives matter!
The move was initiated after Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar stressed on the need for monitoring social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter where terror groups spot potential recruitees, a senior officer of the Force said. (Photo: Representational Image)

Kolkata: Seeking to keep a tight rein on the efforts of terror groups to "pick up" youths from the city through Internet, the Kolkata police is recruiting around 100 software and networking experts on contract for its Special Task Force.

The West Bengal Home Department has given its green signal to the Kolkata police for an immediate recruitment of 40 such experts on contract in the initial stage.

The move was initiated after Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar stressed on the need for monitoring social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter where terror groups spot potential recruitees, a senior officer of the Force told PTI.

Kumar also emphasised on the need to keep a tab on hacking, networking, computer software and hardware. "Suspect Facebook and Twitter accounts will be screened on a regular basis," he said.

He referred to a 2014 incident in which the cyber crime sleuths stopped the impending visit by three youths from Murshidabad district to Syria after they were wooed by ISIS leaders from that country via Facebook.

"We had monitored movement of the three youths through Internet surveillance and found that they were preparing to visit Syria. We stopped them through proper counselling," the officer said.

The STF had also, a few years ago, dissuaded a city-based girl from visiting Karachi where her Pakistani Facebook friend, a Pakistani spy, with whom she fell in love, lived.

"The girl was studying engineering in a reputed college and the Pakistani spy befriended her through Facebook and allured her to come to Pakistan. She had been desperate to visit the neighbouring country and in fact made all the arrangement," the officer said.

The girl's father, an officer in the state agriculture department had approached the city police who after vigorous counselling successfully managed to convince the girl about the true identity of her friend.

In December, 2014, the NIA arrested Mehdi Masroor Biswas, an electrical engineer posted in Birbhum who hailed from Bangalore, as he was tweeting to recruit for the ISIS.

The over 60 persons who would be recruited include a few chartered accountants to monitor crimes like bank frauds and share market-related wrong-doings. Kumar during his earlier stint as the Joint Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Task Force in 2009 had employed ethical hackers.
BJP MPs demand a CBI probe into the suicide cases of Deputy SP Kalappa Handibag and M.K. Ganapati, during Monsoon Session of Parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday (Photo: PTI)

Bengaluru: Was this the trigger that drove deputy superintendent of police M.K. Ganapati to suicide on July 7? The depressed police officer could be worried about the alleged leaked official letter from the DG&IGPs office to the City Police Commissioner asking for the status report on pending departmental inquiry against him and three other officers in last years case of alleged misrepresentation of recovered stolen public property in Madiwala police station.

According to highly placed sources, the police chiefs office had last month shot off the letter to the commissioner asking about the status of a pending departmental enquiry against Mr Ganapati and the then police inspectors  M.L. Purushottam, Raghavendra and M.M. Prashant  in a case of alleged misrepresentation of recovered stolen public property in the Madiwala police station last year.

In May 2015, the then ACP, Madiwala, Shantha Kumar, had reportedly noticed huge discrepancies in the files of listed seized items and the items handed back to the rightful owners of the stolen property in the Madiwala police station. He had conducted an investigation and submitted a report to the DG&IGP and the then police commissioner asking for a departmental inquiry against the four officers.

Mr Ganapati was upset about his uneasy career graph, which was allegedly marred by 18 controversies/punishments that had led to departmental inquiries and suspension orders against him. He was promoted in April this year after a delay of five years. The information about the letter may have worsened his anxiety, said an official source.

Mr Ganapati committed suicide on July 7 in a lodge in Madikeri after making a statement to a TV channel that he faced harassment from senior officials.
New Delhi: Hitting out at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi for dozing off when the case of atrocities against Dalit youth in Gujarat was raised in the Parliament on Wednesday, BSP supremo Mayawati asserted that it showed his lackadaisical attitude towards the sensitive matter.

When the discussion was going on in the Lok Sabha on the matter, Rahul was sleeping, so you can understand his attitude towards the issue and see how serious he is towards atrocities on Dalits, Mayawati told the media in Delhi outside the Parliament.

Further hitting out at the Congress for trying to gain political mileage by chiming in at the last minute over the Dalit issue, she further said that the grand old party had joined the party according to their own convenience. When I raised this issue two days ago in the Rajya Sabha the Congress paid no heed to it. My party charged right into the well but the congress stayed put. Yesterday also in the Lok Sabha the Congress party did not raise this issue. Its only when they thought that the matter was quickly gaining traction, then they kicked into action,

Mayawati said. Asserting that the Gujarat Dalit case was a serious and highly sensitive one, she demanded the formation of a special court bench and also called for a proper hearing in the matter and said that a decision should be ruled out in a month.

Earlier on Wednesday, Congress president Sonia Gandhi asserted in her partys parliamentary party meet that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has snatched away the rights of adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act 2006 and was systematically weakening and subverting environmental rights.

Meanwhile, branding that the attack on Dalits as a social evil, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the Una incident and urged political parties to unite over the issue. The Lok Sabha, where the Home minister was speaking, witnessed an uproar when he tried to defend the Gujarat Governments action in the case. During the Congress rule in Gujarat, the number of cases of atrocities against the Dalits was high. There has been a sharp decline in it since the BJP came to power, Singh said.

We strongly condemn the Una incident in Gujarat. The Prime Minister also took cognizance of the issue The atrocities against Dalits is a social evil. We must take it up as a challenge. I urge all parties to come together to fight this, he added.

He said that nine people have been arrested so far in connection with the case, out of which seven were sent to judicial custody while two others were remanded in police custody. Nine people have been arrested so far. Four police officials suspended for negligence of duty, he said.

A policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide on Tuesday as protests against last weeks thrashing of four youth in Una town snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

The Dalit, who died during the day, was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.
Shahdol: A case of sedition has been registered against the management of a private school in Budhar town in the district for allegedly marking Jammu and Kashmir incorrectly on India's map in the school diary.

Acting on the complaint of Shrikrishna Gupta, the case was registered against Green Wales School, its director Mohammad Sharif Niyazi, principal Govind Chand Das, and publisher of the diary Arun Kumar Agrawal. The complaint was registered by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activist.

I approached the police on Sunday when I noticed the wrong map (printed in the diary), BJYMs Budhar mandal chief Shriksrina Gupta reportedly said.

Budhar police station in-charge Satish Dwivedi said the three men were arrested and a local court sent them in judicial custody for 14 days today.

The case was registered under IPC sections 124A (sedition), he added.

There are over 1,000 students enrolled in the higher secondary school 22 km from district headquarters Shahdol, near the Chhattisgarh-MP border.
Mumbai: Congress leader Narayan Rane on Tuesday claimed in the Maharashtra Legislative Council he was recently informed by a woman officer that a senior Cabinet minister engaged in "immoral behaviour" towards her.

Rane made the claim while launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led government over the gruesome gangrape and murder of a teenage girl in Kopardi village of Ahmednagar district last week.

The former chief minister said he was shocked to hear about the "immoral behaviour" of the Minister towards the woman bureaucrat.

He, however, did not name the Minister or the party to which he belongs. "The Class 1 lady officer later told another Cabinet minister she will never go to meet that particular Cabinet minister again because of his immoral behaviour," Rane said, who was recently elected to the Upper House.

Taking part in a debate over the Kopardi gangrape and murder incident, the Congress MLC said time has come to deploy policemen inside the Ministers' offices at Mantralaya so as to keep a watch on their conduct.

Reacting to Rane's claim, Neelam Gorhe (Shiv Sena) asked him to disclose the Minister's identity, saying people will otherwise view all Ministers with suspicion.

During his speech, Rane was acerbic in his criticism of the BJP, alleging criminals were joining the party whose character, he claimed, has changed over the years. "Today's BJP is not the BJP of yesteryears, of the time of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and late Gopinath Munde. Most BJP members in Jalgaon and Nagpur are criminals," the Shiv Sainik-turned-Congressman said.

Most cases of hooliganism take place in Nagpur city, the hometown of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he said. "If the Chief Minister cannot save Nagpur, how will he save Maharashtra?" he said.

The Konkan strongman further remarked if a survey is done on parties having the maximum numbers of criminals in their ranks, the BJP will top the list. "Tomorrow fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim may surrender, join the BJP and may even become a Minister," he said.

He said the Chief Minister, who also handles the Home portfolio, has "no understanding" of the sensitive department and this has led to the "collapse" of law and order situation in the state.
Kashmir has seen nearly two weeks of violence and curfew after Hizbul militant Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces. (Photo: DC/H U Naqash)

New Delhi: Pakistan has formulated a new strategy to promote radicalisation among youths through vested groups and social media to give it the shape of a civil resistance in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

"This year, Pakistan strategy has been to try and promote radicalisation through vested groups and social media so that this can be given the shape of a civil resistance," Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said in a reply to a written question.

The terrorist groups have become desperate and were inciting youth to attack the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, he said.

Kashmir has seen nearly two weeks of violence and curfew after Hizbul militant Burhan Wani was killed by the security forces.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said Islamabad will have to observe a 'Black Day' throughout the year as the Indian Army is so strong that it will gun down a terrorist like Burhan Wani every day. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Shiv Sena has unleashed a belligerent attack on Pakistan over the loss of innocent lives in the recent unrest in Kashmir valley and said Islamabad will have to observe a 'Black Day' throughout the year as the Indian Army is so strong that it will gun down a terrorist like Burhan Wani every day.

Asserting that India should not hold dialogue with Islamabad, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said the only way to restore peace in the valley is by increasing interaction with the people.

"Pakistan celebrating 'Black Day' over the killing of terrorist Burhan Wani clears its intentions. I will say that our army men are doing a good job and like this they will be killing a Burhan Wani everyday that Pakistan will have to observe 'Black Day' throughout the year," said Raut.

"Our Prime Minister made many efforts, he went and met Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but nothing made a difference. Now, I believe we should directly talk to the people of Kashmir. We will have to visit Kashmir and build a contact with the people for their betterment and development," he added.

Last week, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had announced that his country would observe a black day in light of the worst outbreak of violence on the Indian side of Kashmir.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.

After Burhan's death, Kashmir is on boil and more than 40 people have been killed and over 3,000 including 1,600 civilians injured in clashes between youth and security men during protests.
The Nainital High Court had upheld the decision of the Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal to disqualify Champion and others including former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and two sets of appeal are pending in the apex court against the disqualification. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined any interim relief to nine disqualified Uttarkhand MLAs, who have sought a stay on their disqualification and permission to participate in the assembly session, commencing from July 21 in Dehradun.

A bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman, however, said that the notice, given by these MLAs and BJP lawmakers, will remain alive and would be subject to the final outcome of its judgement on the petition filed by MLAs.

"We are inclined to state that if the motion that was moved by the petitioners (rebel MLAs) for removal of Speaker is taken up anytime in the Uttarakhand legislative assembly, the same shall be subject to final adjudication of the SLP and all the issues raised in the petition including the jurisdictional issue are kept open," the court said.

The bench, meanwhile, decided to prepone the hearing on the appeal filed by rebel MLAs, including Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, on July 28.

The lawmakers, in their fresh plea in the pending appeal, referred to the recent apex court judgement in the Arunachal Pradesh case in support of their petition that they cannot be disqualified by the Speaker facing resolution for removal.

The Nainital High Court had upheld the decision of the Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal to disqualify Champion and others including former Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and two sets of appeal are pending in the apex court against the disqualification.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanges greetings with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar before the eleventh Inter-State Council Meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Days after the Inter-State Council meeting, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said he was not allowed to carry his mobile phone inside the meeting venue and was asked to keep it outside.

The council meeting held on July 16 after a gap of 10 years was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Some selected chief ministers, including me and Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, were asked to keep their mobile phones outside. Mamata ji protested that if she keeps her phone outside, how will she come to know if any emergency happens in Bengal. She was later allowed, but I was not," Kejriwal told reporters in New Delhi.

He was speaking at the launch of a book 'Arvind Kejriwal and The Aam Aadmi Party -- An Inside Look' authored by an Indian Institute of Technology-Kharagpur batchmate at the Constitution Club in Delhi.

"They curtailed Mamata ji's speech and also interfered several times during my speech as well. If you don't want to listen to the voice of the opposition you (PM Modi) should not have invited us," Kejriwal said.

Arvind Kejriwal blamed the Centre again for allegedly not letting his government work.

"Delhi does not suffer because of me going to Goa or Punjab, but because we are not being allowed to work as they (Centre) blocks all our decisions," he said.

"Now, they (central government) say we do not have the right to suspend officers, which means we cannot send an officer to jail or suspend him even if he is taking a bribe," the Aam Aadmi Party leader said.
Srinagar: No newspapers were published from Srinagar on the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday and the publishers and editors are meeting later during the day to take a fresh look at their decision to suspend publications. They had on Tuesday alleged that the PDP-BJP government is not speaking in one voice and not owning up the "press emergency" imposed by it.

Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, had desired to see the representatives of Kashmir Editors' Association and Kashmir Press Association, two representative bodies of the Valley-based newspapers, to discuss the issue. But the later declined saying since they were holding a meeting at 1 pm for a review of the situation it would not be proper to meet her before a collective decision on the same is taken by them.

Read: Kashmiris are our people, we cannot forsake them: Sonia Gandhi

The police had on Saturday confiscated the copies of all leading Srinagar newspapers during pre-dawn raids at their press offices in an undeclared information gag which has also shut down the Internet, Cellular phone services and Cable TV network partially. Though no formal gag order was issued, the authorities had privately justified the curbs saying these were unavoidable in order to discourage rumour-mongering which, they insisted, was adding fuel to the fire.

States education minister and government spokesman, Naeem Akhter, who was approached by media representatives following the raid on newspaper press offices was quoted by them as saying Better you stay at home for some time. He also told them that in view of apprehension of serious trouble and attempts likely to be made to subvert peace, strict curfew will be enforced during next few days, and that in such a situation movement of newspaper staff and distribution of newspapers will not be possible.

But apparently caught on the back foot as the arbitrary decision to gag the media evoked widespread criticism across the country and also by media watchdog organisations abroad, Chief Ministers advisor Amitabh Mattoo stated in Srinagar on Monday evening that there is no ban as such on publication of newspapers in the Valley. He also said the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti was not aware of any media gag from the government. He met owners and editors of newspapers to admit it was a mistake on part of the administration and "apologised" for it. This came hours after Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said in Delhi that Chief Minister Mufti had told him there was no ban on publication of newspapers in the Valley.

Read: Kashmir: Truck drivers forced to chant 'Bharat maa ki jai' by Punjab Shiv Sena

The owners and editors of Kashmir newspapers who discussed the press emergency issue at a meeting held in Srinagar on Tuesday said that even after Mattoo admitting that gaffe has been committed by the government, it has resorted to propaganda blitzkrieg by insisting that there was no ban. They used all the available media to hit the credibility of the newspapers, which has a history of not ceasing its publication even when it members were killed, a statement issued by them said.

It said, The editors took this issue very seriously. They told Mattoo that the government must own the ban and issue a statement guaranteeing that media operations are not being hampered from the movement of staff, for news gathering, printing and the distribution of the newspapers.

The statement added, We have not heard anything from anybody in the government since then. It indicates that the government has not changed its press emergency and announced that in the wake of these developments, the editors and the owners of the Valley newspapers regret that it may not be possible for us to resume publication of newspapers. We will review the progress on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the J&K government in a statement issued in Srinagar late Tuesday evening said that it wants to make it clear that there are no restrictions on printing and publishing of newspapers. It said that in notifications issued earlier during the day the district magistrates of Srinagar and Budgam have clarified that there is no restriction on printing and publishing of newspapers in the twin districts where most of the newspapers are published from or their press offices are located.
Srinagar: Srinagar newspaper firms resumed work late on Wednesday afternoon and the publications will hit the stands again on Thursday morning, after remaining unavailable for five days following an undeclared official media gag.

The publishers and editors of English, Urdu and other vernacular newspapers published from the Valley who met in Srinagar earlier to take a fresh look at their decision to suspend publications in the face of press emergency imposed by the government decided to return to work immediately.

This came after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti offered an apology to a group of editors who met her in Srinagar for the inconvenience that may have been caused to them and the readers.

Police on Saturday confiscated the copies of all leading Srinagar newspapers during pre-dawn raids at their press offices in an undeclared information gag which has also shut down the Internet, Cellular phone services and Cable TV network partially.

Though no formal gag order was issued, the authorities had privately justified the curbs saying these were unavoidable in view of certain presentations in these publications adding fuel to the fire.

The editors and publishers of the newspapers have also been assured by the government that no one from the administration or police and other security forces will hamper their work or distribution of their publications among the readers. The Chief Minister, at the same time, made a fervent appeal to all sections of the media to contribute towards normalisation of the situation and return of peace in the Valley.

A statement issued by the government in Srinagar said that while describing free and vibrant media an essential pillar of democracy, the Chief Minister urged the Fourth Estate to play a responsive and proactive role in tiding over the enormous challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir and its people. She reassured the editors that the government is committed to independence of media at all costs and complaints of highhandedness against the press, if any, amid prevailing situation will be looked into. Though there has been no deliberate attempt on part of the government to impose any restrictions on the publication of newspapers, whatever has happened, because of some communication gap is regrettable, the Chief Minister was quoted as saying. She also assured a look into the incidents that unfolded during the past week hampering work of media persons.

Mufti who also holds the charge of Information Department, assured the editors that the government would facilitate, to the maximum extent possible, smooth movement of the journalists and other newspaper staff to ensure that they can perform their professional duties in a hassle-free manner. She sought the cooperation of all the stakeholders including the media in facilitating return of peace and calm in the State and preventing further loss of lives and destruction of properties. She said medias credibility is its biggest asset and it should try to maintain the same at all costs, especially amid difficult situations like the one Kashmir is presently embroiled in, the statement said.

States education minister and government spokesman, Naeem Akhter, who was present during the editors meeting with the Chief Minister, acknowledged he had last week told some media persons that the government may be forced to impose strict curfew in Kashmir in view of the prevailing law and order situation, and that it may result in restricting the movement of all sections of the people including journalists and the staff associated with newspapers.

The media representatives who approached Akhter following the raid on newspaper press offices had also quoted him as saying Better you stay at home for some time.

But the arbitrary decision to gag the media evoked widespread criticism across the country and also by media watchdog organisations abroad.

Chief Ministers advisor Amitabh Mattoos stated in Srinagar on Monday evening that there is no ban as such on publication of newspapers in the Valley. He also said the Chief Minister was not aware of any media gag from the government. He met owners and editors of newspapers to admit it was a mistake on part of the administration and "apologised" for it. This came hours after Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said in Delhi that Chief Minister Mufti had told him there was no ban on publication of newspapers in the Valley.

The owners and editors of Kashmir newspapers who discussed the press emergency issue at a meeting held in Srinagar on Tuesday had said that even after Matoos admission the government has resorted to propaganda blitzkrieg by insisting that there was no ban. They used all the available media to hit the credibility of the newspapers that has a history of not ceasing its publication even when it members were killed, a statement issued by them had said.

It also said, The editors took this issue very seriously. They asked Mattoo that the government must own the ban and issue a statement guaranteeing that media operations are not being hampered from the movement of staff, to newsgathering, printing and the distribution of the newspapers. The statement added, We have not heard anything from anybody in the government since then. It indicates that the government has not changed its press emergency and announced that in the wake of these developments, the editors and the owners of the Valley newspapers regret that it may not be possible for us to resume publication of newspapers. We will review the progress on Wednesday.

On Tuesday evening, the J&K government in a statement said that it wants to make it clear that there are no restrictions on printing and publishing of newspapers. It said that in notifications issued earlier during the day the district magistrates of Srinagar and Budgam have clarified that there is no restriction on printing and publishing of newspapers in the twin districts where most of the newspapers are published from or their press offices are located.
The minister said though security forces maintain high level alertness during their duties, still terrorist attacks are hard to mark in advance, that too, precisely on ground. (Photo: Representational Image)

New Delhi: There has been a sudden jump in infiltration bids by terrorists from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir and 54 such "successful" incidents were reported in the first six months this year, Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir said on Wednesday.

"There is an increase in infiltration bids by terrorists from across Indo-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir during this year," he said replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha.

Ahir said there were 90 infiltration attempts till June 30 in comparison to 29 attempts in the corresponding period in 2015.

As many as 54 infiltrations have been successful in the first six months this year in comparison to the corresponding period last year.

The minister said though security forces maintain high level alertness during their duties, still terrorist attacks are hard to mark in advance, that too, precisely on ground.

"Intelligence inputs keep troops vigilant and help them to be in a position to repulse any attack which has been done in the Pampore attack in which both militants were neutralised," he said.

Replying to another question, the minister said seven terrorist attacks on CRPF personnel have taken place in Kashmir Valley during the current year till July 14 in which 10 CRPF personnel were martyred and 43 personnel sustained injuries. Three BSF personnel were killed and seven BSF jawans received injuries in different incidents this year. Some of the terrorists killed have been identified. Terrorists identified comprise both local and foreign ones, he said.

Ahir said the Standard Operating Procedures have been reviewed by Central Armed Police Forces concerned and all field formations in Jammu and Kashmir have been sensitised about the latest modus operandi of militants and threat perception to prevent attacks in future, he said.
New Delhi: Congress leaders on Wednesday rushed to their Vice President Rahul Gandhis rescue after he was attacked by members of the Parliament for sleeping when the House was debating the recent atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat.

Gandhi was captured on camera, with his head lowered and eyes closed during the proceedings of the Lok Sabha, but Congress leaders asserted that he was not snoozing.

He was not sleeping, how can someone sleep amidst the kind of uproar made in the Parliament. Its so hot outside, when we go inside, we just close our eyes for a few seconds, that does not amount to sleeping, there are bigger issues to worry about than these petty matters, said Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury.

WATCH: Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury's clarification on Rahul Gandhi appearing to be dozing off in Lok Sabha.https://t.co/BdhqvGwG1U  ANI (@ANI_news) July 20, 2016

BSP supremo Mayawati has earlier hit out at Rahul Gandhi for dozing off, asserting that it showed his lackadaisical attitude towards the sensitive matter.

"When the discussion was going on in the Lok Sabha on the matter, Rahul was sleeping, so you can understand his attitude towards the issue and see how serious he is towards atrocities on Dalits," Mayawati told the media here outside the Parliament.

Further hitting out at the Congress for trying to gain political mileage by chiming in at the last minute over the Dalit issue, she said that the grand old party had joined the party according to their own convenience.
Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions observed total bandh where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade were witnessed. (Photo: PTI)

Rajkot: The bandh call given by Dalit organisations to protest the brutal thrashing of the community youths in Una town got a mixed response today with incidents of stone pelting and road blockade reported at some places, even as Chief Minister Anandiben Patel met family members of the victims.

The Congress, meanwhile, announced that party vice president Rahul Gandhi will visit Una on Thursday. AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to visit the place on Friday.

Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions observed total bandh where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade were witnessed. The bandh has been largely peaceful so far, police said, adding that it had no affect in other parts of the state.

The Dalit community members continued their protest across the state against the brutal assault on some community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow at Una in Gir-Somnath district. Police has been deployed as standby in many areas of the state.

The bandh was largely observed in Amreli and Junagadh cities of Saurashtra region, including some other small towns like Dhoraji and Dhrol with some incidents of damaging buses and stone-pelting reported during protest.

The protest call crippled life in Junagadh and Amreli as schools, colleges and business establishment observed total bandh. Some protesters damaged a state transport bus at a depot in Junagadh, police said.

Rajkot also witnessed street protests during the bandh following which around 50 people were detained by police. However, the bandh call was not followed in the town and the situation was normal.

In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have decided to shut down several routes of state transport buses due to the bandh call and protest by Dalit Panthers and other community organisations.

In Ahmedabad, the protesters tried to enforce bandh in some pockets, like Chandkheda and Kalapinagar, where they were seen forcing markets and schools to shut down.

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited Mota Samaliyala village in Una, where the alleged incident of beating of seven Dalits had taken place triggering violence across the state, and met family members of the victims.

The Chief Minister assured them that the government has taken all measures to ensure that the victims get justice.

"The scene of beating of Dalits will be disturbing to anyone who witnesses it. The beating, in the manner it took place, is not becoming of any civilised society. The state government has done everything possible, including arrest of the accused, and (facilitating) hospitalisation of the injured," Patel said after the meeting.

She was accompanied by state Social Justice Minister Ramanlal Vora and Ahmedabad MP Kirit Solanki.

The state has been witnessing widespread protests following the incident. The Dalit protests have spread to several parts of the state unleashing violence, in which a head constable was killed during stone-pelting in Amreli district on Tuesday. Besides, state transport buses were attacked and more than 10 members of the community allegedly attempted suicide.

Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Rahul Gandhi will meet the Dalit victims and their family members during his visit to the state tomorrow.

"He will land at Diu and reach Una by road tomorrow morning. He is scheduled to meet family members of the victims. Gandhi will then reach Rajkot and meet some of the victims, who are undergoing treatment at a hospital there. He will then leave for Delhi," said Doshi.
In some colleges where placements do take place, most jobs on offer are low profile ones like salesmen of consumer goods. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: Management colleges in Telangana  half of which are located in and around Hyderabad  are watering down their Masters in Business Administration (MBA) course.

MBA, which is expe-cted to prepare students for taking up managerial roles in companies, has become just another course churning out thousands of unemployable post graduates. Every year, more than 20,000 students pursue MBA across nearly 300 colleges in Telangana.

While the list of colleges granted affiliation by universities for conducting MBA course is yet to be out this year, there were 123 MBA colleges in Hyderabad and its suburbs last year affiliated to Osmania University, offering 14,500 seats.

There is good demand for the course as 24,593 out of the 28,496 seats under convener quota were filled through ICET last year. ICET is conducted for admissions into MBA and MCA.

However, one of the indicators of poor quality of MBA colleges in Telangana is the rankings for top 50 colleges released this year by the ministry of HRD. Only one college from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh was on its list, whereas neighbouring states had two or three colleges. Tamil Nadu had nine colleges.

Students revealed that placement cells, a basic requirement in a college for professional courses like MBA, are non-existent and not surprisingly, on-campus placements are almost unheard of. In some colleges where placements do take place, most jobs on offer are low profile ones like salesmen of consumer goods.

Sandeep Jadhav, student of a private MBA college, said, I did not join a private MBA college with high expectations on placements. However, I hoped that I would get some assistance in approaching companies for jobs, industrial interactions at college. But nothing of these was offered.

Prof. Vedulla Shekhar, principal, College of Commerce and Business Management, Osmania University said, The fault lies on part of students also. Many who apply for MBA do not work hard but hold expectations that just doing the course will automatically fetch them a good job.

No quality checks on MBA colleges

While the government had cracked down on engineering colleges for failing on standards, MBA colleges have got a free run from all.

Though Osmania University had reduced the number of seats in some MBA colleges last year, it did not cancel the affiliation of any college. MBA colleges are plagued by the shortage of faculty members with industrial work experience, poor and namesake libraries, fake projects bought from areas like Ameerpet or Kukatpally.

According to well- known academician Prof G. Haragopal said, Existence of MBA colleges in hundreds is itself a proof of how recklessly universities have allowed the expansion of management education institutions in the state. Well-educated and talented MBA students get high paying corporate jobs and a very few of them take up teaching. If there are hundreds of MBA colleges mushrooming across the state, where did all of them get good quality teachers from? There should be strict implementation of AICTE guidelines.

However, private MBA colleges blame the falling standards of management education to low fees. When contacted, the principal of a private MBA college said, Fees for a convener quota MBA seat is Rs 27,000, and Rs 40,000 for self-financed courses. So how are we supposed to match top B-schools in the quality of education, infrastructure or teachers as offered by top B-schools? MBA fees need to rise at least 1.5 times.
Ahmedabad: Amid the raging protests over the thrashing of Dalit youths for allegedly skinning a cow, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel on Wednesday met the victims family at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una tehsil of Gir-Somnath district, and promised them all possible help.

Ms Patel told the family that her government was taking strict action against the culprits and 16 of them were already arrested, an official release said. As some of the victims complained of getting threats, Patel assured that police will also arrest those people.

On July 11, some persons who claimed to be Gau-Rakshak (cow protectors) arrived at Mota Samadhiyala and beat up seven Dalit youths who were allegedly skinning a dead cow. The attackers alleged that the Dalits had slaughtered the cow.

The Congress, meanwhile, announced that party vice-president Rahul Gandhi will visit Una on Thursday. AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to visit the place on Friday.

Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions observed total bandh where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade were witnessed. The bandh has been largely peaceful so far, police said, adding that it had no affect in other parts of the state.
Hyderabad: Only 60 doctors belonging to Andhra Pradesh have opted for AP. They were given their relieving letters on Wednesday. This marks the much-awaited bifurcation of the health department.

But the Telangana Government Doctors Association is not happy with the miniscule AP-bound number. They want the other 170 doctors occupying posts of associate professors and assistant professors to go back too.

Dr Nara Hari, a senior TGDA member, said, Neither are their spouses from the region and nor do they suffer from any medical condition which justifies their stay here.

The TGDA claims these 170 doctors are occupying top positions here and if they remain, there will be no benefits or promotions for TS doctors. The TGDA had asked health minister Dr Laxma Reddy to intervene. The issue has also been placed before the Central Health Ministry.
Hyderabad: A group of at least five boys burnt three puppies alive in Wazir graveyard at Pathan Basthi in Musheerabad and recorded the entire act on phone. The horrific video clip was circulated over WhatsApp and Facebook.

After an animal rights activist lodged a complaint with the city police commissioner, Musheerabad police booked a case against the boys and took five of them into custody. Police is now in the process of confirming their identities and would be sending them to juvenile homes soon.

Complainant Ms Shreya Paropkari, cruelty response manager at Humane Society Inter-national, said she got the videos from the owner of a fish stall in the Musheerabad fish market a day earlier. The incident apparently took place on July 16 and the video was circulated among locals, she said.

The video showed the boys picking up the puppies by their tails and throwing them into the fire. The puppies were screaming and trying to escape but the boys pushed them back using sticks. They waited till the puppies were burnt completely.

A puppy came out while burning, but one of the boys pushed it into the fire over and over again, said a police officer from Musheerabad.

The boys aged between 12 and 16 had picked up the puppies near the graveyard from their stray mother. They then made a fire using a pile of dried branches, sticks and jute sacks.

We have booked a case under IPC Section 429 (for mischief by killing or maiming cattle or any other animals), and two Sections under Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, said Mr B. Ravi Kumar Reddy, sub-inspector of police from Musheerabad.

Youth kills dog with an air gun

A video showing an unidentified youth killing a stray dog with an air gun has gone viral. Based on the text on some trucks in the background, police suspect that the location is Hyderabad city.

Nampally inspector, K.Mahdu Mohan Reddy said that a complaint was received from a person on the matter but, the complainant did not provide full information of the accused and the scene of offence. "We have suggested that he approach cybercrime police and lodge a complaint with them," he said.

In the video, an unidentified youth kills a stray dog with an air-gun. The premises appear to be a factory or industry located on the outskirts of the city. As the video became viral on social media, the Humane Society of India announced a one lakh rupees cash reward to anyone who will provide information about the whereabouts of the culprit.
BENGALURU: Roopa Tambada, the 32 year old woman sub inspector who tried to take her own life on Tuesday by overdosing on painkillers, was allegedly being targeted by her supervisory officer Inspector Sanjeev Gowda, who blamed the policewoman for his suspension, which no amount of political patronage could stop.

Roopa's husband Nataraj alleges that Gowda has been harassing his wife since the time he was posted to Vijayanagar and that Roopa had tried to end her life six months ago too.

Strong-willed, she would not have tried to end her life over a trivial issue, Nataraj said. Neither work pressure nor the long hours fazed her. It was the harassment from her boss (Gowda) that upset her over the last one year. She couldn't take it any more, Nataraj alleges.

On Tuesday, Gowda reprimanded Roopa in front of everyone. She broke down, in tears. What upset her more was that Gowda wrote a remark on dereliction of duty against her name in the station diary," an officer present at the station said.

More shockingly, Mr Nataraj revealed that nine months ago, Roopa had collapsed inside the police station because of low blood pressure and was rushed to a nearby Gayatri Nursing Home. She was under a lot of pressure but we never thought that she would try to kill herself, he told Deccan Chronicle.

SI Roopa Tambadas 1-yr old child with a relative.

On Tuesday, Roopa and Gowda had a shouting match over a seized mobile phone and she had left the police station in a huff. She went home, consumed over 25 tablets and was found unconscious by her husband, who rushed her to Suguna Hospital. The doctors attending on her said that she was stable, but continued to be in the ICU as her condition had to be monitored for the next 48 hours.

He said, My wife is strong-willed and will not try to end her life over a trivial issue. She was coping well and had never complained about her work pressure and long working hours. But the harassment from her boss (Gowda) had upset her in the last one year and she couldnt take it any more.

Roopa, he said, started her career as a probationary officer in Hebbagodi police station before she was transferred to the City Police Commissioners office. During her stint at Hebbagodi and at Commissioners office, she never complained of any misconduct or ill-treatment by her bosses. Even when she was transferred to the Vijayanagar police station one-and-a-half years ago, she had a good rapport with the then inspector Raghvendra. But things changed a year ago when Sanjeev Gowda was posted as the Inspector. Roopa had begun to feel the pressure and had complained on occasions about being harassed by him, charged Nataraj. He said that Gowda misbehaves and uses foul language while talking with his staff.

Meanwhile, a preliminary probe into Roopas alleged suicide attempt revealed growing differences between her and Gowda. Gowda had differences with Roopa and had blamed her for his recent suspension. He had also accused her of referring cases to her lawyer husband, said an officer on condition of anonymity.

Roopa had recently arrested a man while investigating a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and had seized his mobile phone. Since Gowda was under suspension for dereliction of duty, she had reported the case to the Assistant Commissioner of Police, who had reportedly told her to keep the seized phone in the inspectors cabin. On Tuesday afternoon, the accused approached Gowda and requested for his mobile phone. Since Roopa was handling the case, the inspector asked her to return the mobile. Roopa told him that the phone was in his custody and that she was not aware of it. This led to heated arguments between the two officers. Gowda reportedly reprimanded Roopa in front of everyone. She broke down and went to her desk crying and later left the station. What upset her more was that Gowda wrote a remark on dereliction of duty against her name in the station diary, the officer said.

DCP (Central) Sandeep Patil, who is conducting the probe, is questioning the staff of the police station and the eyewitness. The police are waiting for Roopa to recover to record her statement, after which they will record Gowdas statement.

Womens panel to record statements

We have taken up a suo motu case, and I also visited Roopa at the hospital. I have sought the DCP to submit a report. As soon as we get the report, we will take statements of both Roopa and Sanjeev Gowda and will act upon it, said Ms Manjula Manasa, chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for Women.

DCP submits report to top cop

On Wednesday afternoon, DCP (Central) Sandeep Patil, who is probing the alleged suicide attempt of Roopa Tambada, submitted a four-page report to City Police Commissioner N. S. Megharikh. The report stated that the issue could have been easily resolved if both the officers had not lost their temper and handled it in a mature way.

Wheres the mystery phone

The mobile phone of the Pocso accused which was at the centre of discord between the two officers has gone missing, sources said. While Gowda said that the phone is not in his possession, Ms Roopa had maintained that it could be either with the inspector or Assistant Commissioner of Police S.K. Umesh.

Dr G seeks report

Home Minister Dr G. Parameshwar has sought a report from City Police commissioner N.S. Megharikh which is likely to be submitted on Thursday.

PSI stable, but still in ICU

Woman police sub-inspector Roopa Tambada, who attempted suicide, is stable and her conscious level is better, said the doctors attending on her at Suguna Hospital.

But she is still in the ICU as the overdose of paracetamol that she consumed starts affecting the liver only in 36-40 hours of consumption. We need to observe her. We have already started haemofiltration and today she is undergoing second haemofiltration," said Dr Ravindra R., Medical Director, Suguna Hospital. He said, We generally do not give more than 2.5 gm to 4 gm of paracetamol for a normal patient. But she has taken 14.5 gm of paracetamol. We need to stop the liver and kidney from being affected. Her condition will be monitored for the next 24-48 hours and then she will be discharged.

Elaborating on the dosage, the doctor said that Ms Tambada had taken some 15 tablets of Dolo 650 and another ten cold tablets. We cannot say how many tablets, but looking at the empty tablet packet, she seems to have taken 25 tablets, he said.
Kochi: Acting Chief Justice of Kerala High Court Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan on Wednesday assured protesting journalists that he will take effective steps to ensure safety of reporters covering the High Court.

The ACJs intervention followed a series of unprecedented events in which a section of lawyers unleashed terror on mediapersons the second day, heckling woman reporters, chasing others out of the court premises and vandalising the media room in the court building. They also attacked mediapersons holding a sit-in outside the court against the unruly behavior of the advocates and broke the equipment of cameramen of TV channels.

Asianet cameraman Rakesh Thakazhi, senior reporter Salam P. Hydrose and MediaOne cameraman Monish and several others were injured in the attack by the group, who alleged that the media was unfair in covering the news related to a case of sexual abuse charged against a government pleader. A few autorickshaw drivers were also manhandled by the advocates.

It all started when a section of lawyers stopped mediapersons from entering the media room and abused them. They also locked the room even as the police on duty rescued the journalists from physical violence. The women journalists then retreated to the safety of the registrars office. They came out from the court in the evening after Justice Radhakrishnan intervened and ensure police protection.

On hearing that reporters were trapped in the court, other mediapersons reached the HC and held a sit-in protest. A section of advocates then assembled near the HC gate and started throwing stones and coins at the protesting mediapersons. A strong posse of police personnel led by city police commissioner M.P. Dinesh cordoned off the area even as the lawyers group was trying to break and attack them. The journalists ended the sit-in after Mr Dinesh promised to take action against the erring lawyers.
Kannur: Pazhassi Padinjare Kovilakom, where legendary freedom fighter Veera Kerala Pazhassi Rajas descendants lived, may turn into a heap of mud and wood soon with the state government failing to take it over as promised. The century-old palace, built in 1903 by the royal family, was a treasure trove of many valuable articles for archaeologists. The present owners decided to demolish it due to dilapidation.

During the previous dispensation, a meeting of ministers, Mattannur Municipality and Pazhassi Raja Trust decided to purchase the property to preserve, but nothing materialised.

The meeting was called by culture minister K.C. Joseph, agriculture minister K.P. Mohanan and Union minister Mullap-pally Ramachandran. Though it was decided to take over the building, later the minister turned the plate and said the government would only preserve it if the property is given free of cost, said Mattannur Municipality chairman Bhaskaran Master. He added that he would meet the present ministers to intervene and to take care of the building that has immense historical and archaeological importance.

The municipality has already established a museum in the memory of Pazhassi Raja, who was believed to be killed on November 30, 1805, in a gunfight with the British East India Company. The museum is near Mattannur town where the palace and fort of Pazhassi Rajas Kottayam Kingdom once located.
New Delhi: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday said in Lok Sabha that there should be plebiscite in Kashmir as the situation in the Valley has deteriorated and the PDP-BJP government has insulted the crown of India.

In Kashmir today, there is a need for plebiscite, he said using Urdu word 'rai shumari' while initiating a discussion in the House on Kashmir situation. The PDP-BJP government has shed all the principles. Administration is divided and the government, which should support people, is using weapons against them, Scindia said, adding the wounds there can be healed only through humanity.

While attacking the Centre and state government, the Chief Whip of Congress said, There is a need to create an environment of peace and tranquality; growth and development.

PDP, the ruling party of Jammu and Kashmir, rejected the contention that the unrest in the state is because of its alliance with BJP and blamed the actions by Congress and National Conference since 1948 for the loss of trust in democracy among the people of the valley.

In a strong and emotional speech in the Lok Sabha during discussion on Kashmir situation, senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig said that the government of India should use its moral authority to resolve the problems of the state rather than using military authority.

Slamming Pakistan for its interference in Kashmir, he said people of the Valley are being misguided and expressed faith in the Modi government, saying if you can't do it (resolve the problems), who can do it?
The main source of motivation and influence for Naser to join the ISIS were the lectures delivered by Islamic scholars Anjem Choudary and Abu Barra, based in the United Kingdom, the chargesheet said. He used to watch their videos on the YouTube. site on Internet.

Hyderabad: The National Investigation Agencys charge-sheet against the recently arrested ISIS suspects in Hyderabad revealed that Sudan was a safe transfer point for all ISIS suspects.

Mohammed Naser, who hails from Tamil Nadu, and was working in Dubai went to Sudan and was waiting to get transferred to Syria. Naser was named along with three Hyderabad suspects.

The NIA chargesheet said that Naser was a sympathiser of the Tamil Nadu Thowheed Jamat since 2008.

The organisation is suspected of indulging in hate propaganda against Israel, VHP, RSS and other such organisations which is perceived as anti-Muslim.

In August 2011 Naser joined a certified ethical hacking course at Infysec, an institute based at Nungambakam in Chennai.

He also completed B.Tech (IT) in 2014 from the MNM Jain Engineering College, Thoraipakkam, Chennai and created a website, mohamedmedia.in the same year.

In October, 2014, he went to Dubai and secured a job with Takmeel Global, an IT firm located in Deira, Dubai.

He joined the firm in January 2015 as a web developer and graphic designer, according to the chargesheet.

The main source of motivation and influence for Naser to join the ISIS were the lectures delivered by Islamic scholars Anjem Choudary and Abu Barra, based in the United Kingdom, the chargesheet said. He used to watch their videos on the YouTube. site on Internet.

Using his ID Abu Khalid Al Hindi, Naser posted on Twitter the pictures and logos on ISIS that he had designed. The members used to share their opinions about ISIS and its activities in this group.
Thiruvananthapuram: As the CPI is displeased over Chief Minister's legal advisor M.K. Damodaran appearing in cases against the state government, the party is set to raise the matter in LDF state committee to be held on Tuesday. The CPI wants the Chief Minister to at least dissuade Damodaran from taking up cases against the state government.

Though the chief minister had refrained from reacting on Damodaran issue in public, he made it clear in the Assembly that it was legal advisor's discretion to take up cases he wanted. But the CPI is not quite convinced. The CPI student wing AISF even went to the extent of passing a resolution at its study camp in Thrissur the other day, demanding Damodaran's removal. The party is expecting support from other LDF allies on the Damodaran issue when it is taken up at the meeting.

Those close to CPI say the party would point out the conflict of interest in Damodaran appearing against the state government for tainted INTUC state president Chandrashekharan in corruption case and quarry owners. They say Damodaran who enjoys the rank of principal secretary was continuously causing embarrassment to the government.

The controversy related to Damodaran was diverting the attention of people from the good works being done by the LDF Government. Even the CPM state leadership appears to be confused on the issue. Initially the party tried to justify Damodaran when he appeared for Santiago Martin, saying that the case was against the central government.

But it has remained tight lipped since Damodaran appeared for Chandrashekharan and quarry owners. A section of left leaders say the Chief Minister should advise the advisor to keep off controversial cases against the state government. However, if Damodaran who is renowned lawyer wants to go ahead with his professional commitments, then he should be relieved of the advisor's post.
New Delhi: Opposition led by Congress forced two adjournments of the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday in the pre-noon session over attacks of Dalits in Gujarat.

Main opposition Congress, BSP and TMC competed with each other in trying to raise the issue more vociferously, throwing the House into a pandemonium and forcing two adjournments, first for 10 minutes and then for about 30 minutes till noon.

No sooner the listed papers were laid, Derek O'Brien (TMC) was up on his feet raising the issue. "Dalits are being oppressed in Gujarat but it is not being discussed here," he said as other members joined in.

"This is an organised crime that is happening in Gujarat ... this issue should be taken up," he said referring to the stripping and assault on some Dalit men in Gujarat allegedly by members of a local cow vigilante group.

By this time, Congress and BSP members too were on their feet with Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad seeking permission to speak.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed him but Mayawati (BSP) appeared eager to speak before him saying she wanted to raise a 'point-of-order'.

Congress members asked under what rule does she want to raise point of order as they rushed into the well shouting slogans against the government. They contended that Azad should speak first.

Kurien pleaded with them to return to their seats and let Mayawati, who "is our sister", be allowed to raise her point of order first. But as none relented, he was forced to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.

When the House met after the brief break, Congress members rushed into the well shouting slogans like "Dalit Virodhi yeh sarkar nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi (this anti-dalit government will not be tolerated)." BSP members followed suit and matched Congress members in slogan shouting.

In the melee, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot got up to make a statement but his submission could not be heard in the din.

Nevertheless, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi prodded him to continue speaking and make his statement.

In the din, Gehlot could only be heard as saying that the state government had taken prompt action over the incident and arrested the accused persons. An inquiry has been ordered and strict action would be taken against those found guilty, he added.

Kurien asked the agitating members to allow the Minister to speak but as his pleas when unheeded, he again adjourned the House till 1200 hours.

When the House re-assembled at noon to take up the Question Hour, slogan shouting Congress members again trooped in the Well. Chairman Hamid Ansari tried to pacify the agitated members, but to no avail.

Other opposition parties MP including Mayawati (BSP) and Naresh Agrawal (SP) were seen standing at their places. As the slogan shouting members in the Well did not budge, Ansari adjourned the House for 30 minutes till 12.31 PM.

Congress members were again in the Well when the Rajya Sabha reconvened at 12.31 PM.

Several Congress members along with those from some parties trooped into the Well shouting slogans against the BJP and the central government over the alleged atrocities against dalits in Gujarat.

BSP chief Mayawati, SP leaders Ram Gopal Yadav and Naresh Agarwal also were seen standing at their seats, as also Anand Sharma and Ambika Soni of the Congress.

Amidst the din, Chairman M Hamid Ansari tried to initiate the proceedings but as the ruckus continued, he adjourned the House till 2 PM.
New Delhi: Day three of the Parliament session on Wednesday began on a stormy note as the Opposition, led by Congress, forced two adjournments of the Rajya Sabha over attacks of Dalits in Gujarat.

Congress, BSP and TMC competed with each other in trying to raise the issue more vociferously, throwing the House into a pandemonium and forcing two adjournments, first for 10 minutes and then for about 30 minutes till noon.

No sooner the listed papers were laid, Derek O'Brien (TMC) was up on his feet raising the issue. "Dalits are being oppressed in Gujarat but it is not being discussed here," he said as other members joined in.

"This is an organised crime that is happening in Gujarat... this issue should be taken up," he said referring to the stripping and assault on some Dalit men in Gujarat allegedly by members of a local cow vigilante group.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, targeting the BJP-led government, said that brutal atrocities against SC, ST and minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all.

By this time, Congress and BSP members too were on their feet with Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad seeking permission to speak.

Meanwhile, speaking in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was upset about the attacks on Dalits.

We strongly condemn the Una incident in Gujarat. The Prime Minister also took cognizance of the issue. Nine people have been arrested so far and 4 police officials suspended for negligence of duty, says Rajnath Singh.

The Home Minister added the government was committed to the protection and upliftment of Dalits in this country.

Be it Dalits in Gujarat, or any other state ruled by any other party, we are there to help you. We must get a permanent solution to such incidents. The mindset has to change, says Rajnath Singh.

Congress leaders were seen shouting slogans while the Home Minister spoke.

On July 11, a group of Dalits were allegedly stripped and beaten up by six people for skinning a dead cow at a village in Gir Somnath district.

The victims, belonging to a Dalit community at Mota Samadiyara village of Una taluka in Gir Somnath, claimed they were skinning an already dead cow, while the six accused claimed the animal was killed before being skinned.

A purported video showing the people being beaten with iron rods and sticks went viral on social media platforms like Whatsapp. In the video, some people were seen chained to a car, while the accused are seen thrashing them mercilessly.
New Delhi: In a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday accused it of destabilising institutions, polarising society and mistaking its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its narrow ideology on people.

Addressing the first meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, she also slammed it for "deception", "glib marketing slogans" and snatching the rights of Dalits, adivasis, specifically citing the Gujarat incident where four Dalits were beaten and humiliated publicly.

She called the Gujarat case, "just one example of the social terror this government condones".

"In the last few months, we have witnessed how the Modi Government's project of destabilising institutions and polarising our society has played out with renewed vigour to the detriment of constitutional values.

"The Modi Government has mistaken its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its ideology on our people. It seems to have forgotten that parliamentary majority can never be the reason to abandon the principles and practice of constitutionalism," she said.

Gandhi referred to the unrest in the Kashmir Valley which has witnessed turmoil for the past 11 days after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani with clashes claiming over 40 lives.

"Recent events in the Valley are tragic and pose a grave danger to the country. There can be no compromise on national security. Militants must be dealt with firmly.Yet we must ask ourselves, what has driven scores of young people to such levels of violence. Can we say in all honesty that we have responded with sincerity to their pleas? They are our people, we cannot forsake them," she said.

Questioning PM's foreign policy, she said, "How does the Modi government explain the incoherence of its foreign policy despite PM's frequent travels abroad, his equally frequent embraces of world leaders and impromptu birthday calls!! Its policy towards Pakistan oscillates between one extreme to the other. The government seems to be changing our country's stand on security and defence, departing radically from policies that have stood the test of time."

Gandhi said, "the opaqueness of the Modi government in decision-making and brazen promotion of cronyism has cast a dark shadow on its integrity".

The Congress President also accused the government of practising deception, saying they are creating a "bubble" of achievement.

"Deception is not new to this ruling party. They are skilled at ignoring facts, propagating false claims and orchestrating unsubstantiated charges against the opposition, especially the Congress. As they complete two years in office, they have sought to create a bubble of achievement. But what have they exactly achieved?" she asked, questioning the government's record on job creation, exports and prices.

Describing the government as a "good marketeer", the Congress chief said, "We are presented with a government that is anchored in slick marketing events, glib marketing slogans, in repackaging, in embellishment, and exaggeration. We may be lacking in numbers, but we will make up for it with our work and continue to demand accountability through Parliament."

Seeking to bring the attention back on alleged scams in BJP-ruled states, Gandhi asked the government, "What happened to the scandals that have been exposed and are sought to be buried in BJP-run states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,

Chhattisgarh and in PM's own state of Gujarat. And yet he claims he is curbing corruption".

Earlier referring to the government's "inconsistent" foreign policy, she questioned India's failed bid for NSG membership.

"Government's ill-prepared policy on the NSG membership has exposed us to a snub and is in complete contrast to what the UPA achieved in 2008. Our relations with Nepal are at an all-time low," she noted.

She also picked holes in government's claims of economic growth, saying, "When it comes to growth and GDP figures that they tout, questions on their veracity are raised even by their own party leaders. BJP blocked every important FDI initiative of UPA government. Yet now it has put in place a free-for-all policy even in sensitive areas like defence."

Other points on which Gandhi attacked the government were its confrontation with the judiciary and civil society, its GDP growth numbers, the Gujarat petroleum corporation scam, and the recent "never-before seen" act of changing of pens during Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana.

"There is constant confrontation with the judiciary, civil society and student organisations and debate is being stifled," she said.

Also attacking the government on price-rise, she asked the Congress MPs to be aggressive and hold the government and its Ministers accountable.

The meeting was attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, party leaders in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, besides party MPs.
The Supreme Courts landmark judgment reinstating Nabam Tukis Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh after half a year is not only a stinging indictment of the governor for his unconstitutional actions, but a message to the political class that they cannot play go-as-you-like in state legislatures to bring down elected governments through a game of numbers. The verdict has also established the supremacy of the judiciary in this country and managed to restore the peoples faith in the nations federal structure.

The ruling snubbed the governor who acted unconstitutionally by first advancing the House session without the advice of the chief minister and council of ministers, and then facilitating the sacking of the Speaker and recognising a so-called House session at a community hall, presided over by the deputy speaker. By setting aside the governors actions, the ruling also reinforced the procedures laid down in the Constitution on the use of Article 356.

Governors in all states will henceforth be bound by this judgment and cannot simply act outside of the constitutional provisions to please their political masters. The key message to governors is that they should act on the advice of their council of ministers and only in extraordinary circumstances could use their discretion. The judgment has actually made the position of Arunachal governor J.P. Rajkhowa untenable, and it is yet to be seen if he will rejoin his post at the end of his sick leave.

Legalese aside, the ease with which Nabam Tuki rejoined as chief minister and then fell in line to give in to the lingering demand of party MLAs for a change in leadership indicates the inner-party crisis within the Congress in Arunachal. The bout of political instability that the state witnessed in the past six months is the result of inaction on the part of the Congress high command led by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi to resolve the leadership question in Arunachal Pradesh.

Kalikho Pul cashed in on the situation for some time by tactically merging his group of 30 Congress MLAs into the near-defunct Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) to escape the provisions of the anti-defection law. The BJP decided to fish in troubled waters, asking its 11 party MLAs to lend support to Mr Pul. The BJP also tried desperately to get the PPA to merge with itself. In fact,

Mr Pul and his entire band of MLAs attended the first conclave of the newly-floated BJP-led North-East Democratic Alliance in Guwahati, and went to the extent of parading his supporters before the media. The Supreme Court verdict changed all that, and everyone seems to have realised that the governor can no longer do anything extraordinary to install people of his or anybodys choice as chief minister.

The Congress would like to enjoy this victory in the sense that it could bring back the partys government in the state, but the inner-party rebellion is something the high command (meaning Sonia and Rahul) must take note of. It is not just in Arunachal Pradesh that the party is facing a leadership crisis, the same is the case in Meghalaya and Manipur, where it is in power. In Tripura, dissension eventually led to the exit of a number of MLAs to other parties. This has further weakened the moribund Congress in the Left-ruled state. The AICCs inability to resolve the revolt against Tarun Gogoi in Assam for nearly three years cost the party the Assembly polls in the state, triggered by the exit of key strategist Himanta Biswa Sarma and his joining the BJP. The Congress ability to regain power in Arunachal in a rather dramatic way, installing a third-person (not Tuki or Pul) in the form of Pema Khandu at best looks like a temporary reprieve.

The lack of political stability is among the major reasons for poor development in Arunachal, something that is a matter of concern given that it is among the countrys most sensitive border states. As it is, Arunachal legislators have a history of changing parties, and thus political colours, at the drop of a hat. This is certainly something that must have weighed heavily on new chief minister Pema Khandus mind as he won the trust vote in the Assembly on Wednesday.

The last thing a state like Arunachal needs is a governor who would add to the instability by exceeding his/her brief, only to be rebuffed by the courts. Of course, the Supreme Court order has highlighted the need for caution in selecting individuals for appointment as governors. It is pertinent at this juncture to look at the recommendations of the Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi Commission, appointed by the Centre in 2007 to look into Centre-state relations. The commission laid down clear guidelines for the appointment of chief ministers. Upholding the view that a pre-poll alliance should be treated as one political party, it lays down the order of precedence that should be followed by the governor in case of a hung House:

1. Call the group with the largest pre-poll alliance having the largest number.

2. The single largest party with the support of others.

3. The post-electoral coalition with all parties joining the government.

4. The post-poll alliance with some parties joining the government and others, including Independents, supporting from outside.

In the case of Arunachal, the governor, instead of taking unnecessary steps like advancing the scheduled House session and so on, should have insisted simply on a trial of strength on the floor of the Assembly. The Punchhi Commission underlined that removal of a governor has to be for a reason related to his discharge of duties, and proposed provisions for impeachment by the state legislature along the same lines as that of the President by Parliament. This, significantly, goes against the doctrine of pleasure upheld by the Supreme Court in an earlier ruling. The question that now arises is this: what if a governor refuses to resign if informally asked to do so by the Centre? Now, in that event, he/she can be impeached by the state legislature. The Arunachal crisis and the Supreme Court verdict has clearly pointed out the limits of a governors role, and one only hopes Raj Bhavans will no longer be used as a tool of the party in power in New Delhi to fix governments of rival parties in the states.
One of the gems that Rumi produced is his anecdote: If you wish to acquaint yourself with the inner truth, drop the letter and espouse the spirit.

If you delve deeper into this quote, it appears to be a beautiful Sufi rendition of the profound wisdom illustrated in a Quranic chapter named Kahaf (the cave). It is a moving story in the Quran of how a sage (Khidr) enlightened a prophet (Moses), despite his higher exaltation and direct conversation with God. Thus, the Quran makes it crystal clear that the inner knowledge is not a monopoly of anyone in this world. God gifts spiritual intellect to whosoever he wishes. It is also stated in clear terms in other chapters of the Quran.

The Surah Kahf has given a detailed account of the spiritual incident. It beautifully describes how Prophet Moses met Khidr: And at the junction of two oceans (Majmaa al-Bahrain), upon the rock, they found a servant from among the specially chosen servants to whom the divine had given mercy and had taught him direct knowledge (ilm ladunni). Behold, the divine is he who encompasses both past and present in his infinite knowledge, and no sentient being can attain a single thing of his secret knowledge except for what he wills.

In essence, the story tells that Moses once asked God if there was any human more erudite and wiser than himself. God ordered him to meet Khidr, a common man who augmented more wisdom, worthiness and deeper spiritual insight, though he was not a Prophet. Moses was told that Khidr can be found at a place where the two oceans meet (Majmaa al-Bahrain). The Prophet resolved to meet such a God-gifted common man and said: I will not give up until I reach the point where the two rivers meet, though I spend years and years in travel.

The story as mentioned in the Quran is replete with several spiritual trials that the Moses encountered with utmost surprise and, in the process, was exposed to newer horizons of spiritual intellect. As a matter of fact, it carries within it inner spiritual meanings that are eternally meant for the wise and mindful to explore and reflect on. Commentators of the Quran illustrated the story of Moses and Khidr as a morale-booster as well.

A Jewish-born Austro-Hungarian traveller, writer and Islamic thinker Muhammad Asad renders an insightful and spiritually-inclined commentary on this Quranic parable. He expounds: The theme of spiritual awakening undergoes a significant variation: it is shifted to the plane of mans intellectual life and his search after ultimate truths. Appearance and reality are shown to be intrinsically different  so different that only mystic inside can reveal to us what is apparent and what is real.

As the great Persian Sufi mystic Rumi is quoted above, many Sufi sages believed that only those blessed with spiritual intellect and intuitive insight would be able to penetrate the truth. This is precisely what the story of Moses and Khidr in the Quran teaches us.
When the world is going gaga over the Pokemon Go game, a camera filter app, Prisma seems ready to match its popularity. The app which originated in Russia promises to offer more exciting features in the future.

The app was initially launched only on the iOS platform, but thats about to change. Prisma has launched a closed beta version of the app for the Android platform. Users can visit the apps website and sign up to get an invitation to try out the beta version.

Users can also download and install the APK file on their Android phones. The app uses artificial intelligence to make ordinary objects look like artistic paintings. Users just have to click a picture and add Prisma filters to it. Once the editing is done, the picture can be shared anywhere.

Alexey Moiseenkov, who is the developer of Prisma recently said, that the app also will include a Prisma Video feature, lots of new styles, which will enable a user to transform any photo into a piece of art. There is also a possibility of 360-degree Prisma image, which will be an interesting feature to look out for.

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A notice has been sent to Googles CEO and the companys head in India by the additional district judge (ADJ), Mahtab Ahmed.

The Alllahabad district court has ordered a criminal case against US-based search engine giant Google for listing Prime Minister Narendra Modis image among the search results for the top 10 criminals of the world.

A screen grab of Google's page.

According to the reports, a notice has been sent to Googles CEO and the companys head in India by the additional district judge (ADJ), Mahtab Ahmed.

The complaint was filed by an advocate, named Sushil Kumar Mishra, alleging that an image of Modi appears when one searches top 10 criminals of the world on Google. He also claimed that he wrote a letter to Google, requesting them to take down the image, but never received any response from the company.

Earlier, Mishra had filed the complaint before the Civil Line police station in Allahabad saying Google had to remove it. When the police didnt register the case he approached chief judicial magistrate (CJM). However, the CJM dismissed the application, saying it to be a civil matter. Thus, he later challenged the CJMs order by filing a revision application to the ADJ, who accepted the revision application and issued a notice to the company.

However, last year in June, Google had apologised for the search result, and assured that the company is working to improve its search related algorithm to prevent unexpected results like this.

The company said that these results trouble them and are not reflective of the opinions of Google.

Sometimes, the way images are described on the internet can yield surprising results to specific queries, Google added.

The court has scheduled August 31 as the next date of hearing.

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Apple may release iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 7 Pro, this September. (Photo: Weibo)

New leaked images suggest Apples could release three variants of iPhone 7iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and an iPhone 7 Pro.

Reported by a Chinese website, Weibo, the leaked image showcase back of three phones suggested to be iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7 Pro. The iPhone 7 Pro variant appears to sport a wider camera, potentially to be the rumoured dual-lens camera system, and threedot smart connecter, allowing the phone to plug into keyboards and other accessories.

However, the leaked image seems to be doubtful, as it shows phones with an S written on the back, which also appears on the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S models.

Apart from this, other rumours have suggested that the smartphone will increase amount of internal storage, lose the headphone jack, USB Type-C, a 21MP rear camera and many more.

Though, the smartphone is expected to release in September 2016. Apple has not confirmed any of these rumours. More information will be revealed and confirmed closer to the launch.

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Just two weeks away from its official launch, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has been leaked in almost every aspect. Several leaks revealed its design, specifications and benchmark test results. A recently leaked image indicates that the device will feature a flat screen. Earlier it was confirmed that the device will have dual curved edges.

The image showcases a prototype device, which means Samsung could unveil the device in two variants, one with the flat screen and one with the dual curved edge display. The company has also used this strategy for its S series smartphones. The image doesnt reveal any other information about device.

Rumours also suggest that Samsung may launch a 64GB base variant for the South Korean market. An image surfaced on SamMobile revealing a list of Korean telecom version listed with 64GB storage. The image only shows Korean telecom carriers, which means other carries could still launch a 32GB variant.

The Galaxy Note 7 can also feature a hybrid slot that supports both regular microSD cards as well as Samsungs latest UFS cards. The UFS cards allow users to read data five times faster and write data two times faster than the existing microSD cards.

The integration of the iris scanner on the Galaxy Note 7 is also confirmed. The images revealed the instructions on how users can setup the iris scanner for unlocking their Note 7.

On the specification front, the Galaxy Note 7 is expected to feature a 5.7 inch Super AMOLED screen with QHD resolution. It will be powered by either a Snapdragon or an Exynos processor paired with 6GB of RAM.

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Washington: US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday backed California's Indian- American Attorney General Kamala Harris to be the state's next Senator, brightening her chances to become the first from the community to ever be a member of the Upper House.

Obama praised 51-year-old Harris as a "lifelong courtroom prosecutor" who has fought international gangs, oil companies and the big banks responsible for the mortgage crisis. "Kamala Harris fights for us. That's why I'm so proud to endorse her for United States Senator. And if you send her to the Senate, she'll be a fearless fighter for the people of California all the people of California every single day," the President said in a statement released by the Harris campaign and the Democratic National Committee.

Harris faces fellow Democrat Loretta Sanchez, a 10- term congresswoman in the November polls. Given that California is a Democratic state, Obama's endorsement virtually seals her victory.

Vice President Biden said the Senate "needs people like her - leaders who will always fight to make a difference and who never forget where they come from."

Welcoming the support from the country's top leaders, Harris said, "I am honoured to receive the support of the President and Vice President, two leaders who have worked tirelessly to improve life for our families and get results for all people.

"They are incredible leaders for our nation, and I look forward to our continued work together in the months and years ahead." For Sanchez, the Orange County congresswoman, the endorsements are a stinging rebuke and another political obstacle to the many she must overcome by the November election, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Harris, who was born in Oakland, California, is the daughter of an Indian mother who emigrated from Chennai in 1960 and a Jamaican American father.

The President's nod caps a string of major endorsements for Harris, the candidate of choice among the Democratic Party's power barons and some of the left's most influential interest groups. It also sends a clear signal to Democratic donors, many of whom have stayed on the sidelines this election, the paper said.

Harris already has won the support of California Governor Jerry Brown and the California Democratic Party, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren (Democrat from Massachusetts), a favourite of the left.

Harris has more than a 3-to-1 edge over Sanchez in fund- raising and easily topped a crowded field of Senate candidates in the June primary.

The attorney general also held a 15- percentage-point lead over Sanchez in the latest Field poll, the paper said.

The two Democrats will face off in the November election, setting the stage for the highest-profile contest between two members of the same party since California adopted a top-two primary election system.
A US mother who stooped to horrifying levels to finance her heroin addiction -- she let her drug dealer rape her 11-year-old daughter in exchange of the opiod drug -- was sentenced to 51 years or life in prison on Tuesday in Ohio.

According to The Washington Post, 32-year-old April Corcoran would loan her minor daughter to a 40-year-old drug dealer, who would force the pre-teen into having vaginal, anal and oral sex with him. The abuse was not only sexual, as the mother would even make her daughter consume heroin as a reward.

What's worse, the mother made her daughter dress up to look even younger than 11, because the drug dealer preferred to rape very young girls.

I can honestly say that, in three-and-a-half years on the bench, this is by far the worst thing that has come before this court," said Judge Leslie Ghiz who was hearing the case at the Hamilton (Ohio) County Pleas Court.

Corcoran was indicted for rape, human trafficking and child endangerment. According to the report, the mother showed no sign of remorse for her barbaric actions. The alleged drug dealer, Shandell Willingham, who would even videotape himself raping the minor, is still awaiting a hearing.

The victim who suffered brutal abuse is now under the care of her father and step-mother. The court was informed that the girl is suffering from depression and is receiving medical treatment and attention for her suicidal thoughts.

"I saw my granddaughter. I heard her small voice, It was horrific. How could she (Corcoran) do this? I don't know if my granddaughter is going to be able to have a normal life," said the victims grandmother in court.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un guided the launches and expressed his satisfaction with them, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported, without saying when the tests happened. (Photo: Representational Image/AFP)

Seoul: North Korea said Wednesday it test-fired ballistic rockets as part of a simulated pre-emptive attack on ports and airfields in South Korea, in a likely reference to the three missile launches that Seoul says the North carried out a day earlier.

Leader Kim Jong-un guided the launches and expressed his satisfaction with them, the North's official Korean Central News Agency reported, without saying when the tests happened.

The KCNA said the launches "once again examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets the designated altitude over the target area."

Lee Chun-geun, a scientist at South Korea's Science and Technology Policy Institute, said that the North Korean missiles were believed to be carrying warheads, which contain trigger devices but not plutonium or uranium, to see whether those warheads could detonate properly.

The launches were the latest in a series of weapons tests North Korea has carried out since Kim in March ordered tests of a nuclear warhead explosion and ballistic missiles capable of carrying such warheads.

Pyongyang said it conducted a similar test of a warhead-detonating device when it fired a submarine-launched missile in April.

North Korea is pushing to manufacture a warhead small enough to be placed on a long-range missile that can reach the continental U.S., but South Korean defense officials say the North doesn't yet have such a miniaturized warhead. Some civilian experts, however, believe the North has the technology to put warheads on shorter-range missiles that can strike South Korea and Japan.

The three reported launches came as North Korea loudly criticized the planned deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system in South Korea. Seoul officials said all three missiles landed in the waters off the North's east coast.
Earlier this month, the government announced it would hold a national vote on the EU's controversial plan to share 160,000 migrants around the 28-nation bloc via mandatory quotas. (Photo: AP)

Budapest: Hungary stepped up its anti-migrant rhetoric on Wednesday with a new media offensive against refugees, ahead of a vote in October on troubled EU plans to relocate asylum-seekers among member states.

Run under the slogan "Did you know?", the right-wing government unveiled a series of ads on its website blaming recent terrorist attacks in Europe on the refugee crisis, which has been rattling the bloc since 2015.

"The Paris attacks were committed by migrants," reads one slogan in reference to last November's coordinated assaults that left 130 people dead in the French capital.

Among the perpetrators were two men who had entered Europe among the flow of Syrians and Iraqis arriving on Greek shores last summer.

Other messages warn that "violence against woman has increased exponentially since the start of the migrant wave" and that "in Libya alone, a million migrants wait to come to Europe".

The ads will be published in the print press, broadcast on TV and radio, and plastered on billboards all over Hungary in the coming weeks, the government said.

The opposition news website 444.hu slammed the campaign for "solely aiming to spread unlimited xenophobia across the country".

Earlier this month, the government announced it would hold a national vote on the EU's controversial plan to share 160,000 migrants around the 28-nation bloc via mandatory quotas.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been a fierce opponent of the proposal, saying it violated national sovereignty and that the EU had no right to "redraw Europe's cultural and religious identity".

Hungary has joined Slovakia in filing a legal challenge against the plan, which was meant to ease pressure on Greece and Italy, the main entry points into the bloc for migrants fleeing the Syrian civil war.

Around 400,000 migrants and refugees passed through Hungary in 2015 before the government sealed off the southern borders with razor wire and fences in the autumn.

The authorities also brought in tough new laws punishing illegal entry and vandalism of the fences. Last year the government erected billboards warning foreigners not to take jobs from Hungarians.
London: British Prime Minister Theresa May is heading to Berlin on Wednesday and Paris on Thursday to start thrashing out the roadmap for Britain's departure from the EU.

In her first foreign visits, a week since taking over as Britain's premier, May will plunge straight into laying out the Brexit groundwork in talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande.

May's Downing Street office said she would try to establish a personal relationship and explain how her government needed time to consult before sculpting its objectives for Britain's divorce from Brussels.

"I am determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the European Union and that's why I have decided to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after taking office," May said in a statement.

"I do not underestimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the EU and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation.

"I also want to deliver a very clear message about the importance we attach to our bilateral relationship with our European partners, not just now but also when we have left the EU."

May will have a meeting and a working dinner with Merkel.

Then on Thursday, she will visit Paris for a meeting with Hollande at the president's official residence, the Elysee Palace.

Key sticking points in the Brexit negotiations could be freedom of movement and the timetable for triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which starts the two-year countdown to Britain's formal departure.

'Balancing act'

"May has to build bridges with her fellow leaders," Professor Iain Begg, from the European Institute at the London School of Economics university, told AFP.

"It will be getting to know each other combined with trying to put positions on the table.

"May has this reputation as a tough negotiator who says what she wants and wants what she says. She will be anxious to convey that she's not a soft touch."

The new British prime minster may well have an easier ride with Merkel than Socialist Hollande, though both have their own domestic election cycles to think about.

Commentators have drawn comparisons between the two female centre-right leaders: both pastor's daughters with low-profile husbands, no children and a love of Alpine hiking who have risen to the top.

While some EU countries want Britain out of the bloc as soon as possible, Merkel has called for patience with London as it sorts out its Brexit negotiating stance.

However, she has also warned that Britain cannot have continued access to the single market while restricting the freedom of EU citizens to emigrate to Britain -- the key issue in the June 23 referendum.

Meanwhile, Hollande has a presidential election looming in April and is coming under pressure from the Front National, which wants France to leave the EU too.

"For Hollande there is manifestly a concern about Brexit contagion to France," said Begg.

"He will want to impress upon May that she cannot string this along indefinitely or expect great gifts from France because Hollande has domestic politics to think about and he will want to avoid 'encourager les autres' (encouraging others)."

Downing Street said it would "take some time" to prepare for the Brexit negotiations, as the government needed to consult with the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and with industry sectors to determine the objectives for post-departure relations with the EU.

Nina Schick, communications director at the Open Europe independent EU policy think-tank, said Britain "does have things in its favour" going into the talks.

"Paris and Berlin are quite divided as to what the future of the EU should be," she told AFP.

"I don't think May has the upper hand. She's the one that's going to trigger Article 50. There will be a period where Merkel will say there's no need to rush into it.

"But if the UK does not trigger it until late next year, political goodwill might be lost if the UK waits too long, especially if uncertainty drags on.

"It's a fine balancing act that May's got to achieve."
Erdogan also held his first international bilateral meeting, hosting Georgian PM Giorgi Kvirikashvili for talks at his presidential palace in Ankara. (Photo: AP)

Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was to chair meetings of his national security council and cabinet in Ankara Wednesday after returning to the capital for the first time since the failed coup aimed at ousting him from power, officials said.

Erdogan, who was in the Aegean resort of Marmaris when the coup struck late Friday, flew to Istanbul where he had stayed since, appearing before supporters each night. But the president returned to the capital late Tuesday for the first time since the coup, a Turkish official told AFP.

He also held his first international bilateral meeting, hosting Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili for talks at his presidential palace in Ankara.

The president will later Wednesday at 0900 GMT chair a meeting of his national security council for the first time since the coup at his presidential palace, his office said. The council is composed of top military figures and security ministers.

Erdogan will then at 1200 GMT chair a meeting of the cabinet, also at the palace, whose immediate vicinity was bombed during the botched coup bid.

Erdogan told supporters in Istanbul on Monday that "an important decision" would be announced after the national security council meeting, without specifying. The crunch meetings come as controversy grows over the scope of the legal crackdown against those behind the coup plot.

On Tuesday, the government suspended 15,200 state education employees allegedly linked to the US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen who Ankara blames for the coup.

About 9,300 people have also been detained, including top generals accused of treason for allegedly masterminding the plot as well as soldiers, police and judges.
Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday chaired a crunch security meeting for the first time since the failed coup, after a widening purge that has seen around 50,000 people either detained or sacked.

The Turkish air force meanwhile launched its first strikes since Friday's putsch against targets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, in a sign Erdogan has regained full control over the armed forces.

The coup bid by rebel soldiers was the most serious blow to Erdogan's 13-year domination of Turkey, and the president has said he came within 15 minutes of being killed or kidnapped by the plotters before escaping.

The putsch left more than 300 people dead and caused scenes of devastation, especially in Ankara where raids by fighter jets and attack helicopters on strategic targets terrified residents and turned parts of parliament and the police headquarters to rubble.

More than 9,000 suspects have been detained, including some of Turkey's most senior generals, who are accused of being the ringleaders of the plot.

In total, about 48,800 state employees, including police and teachers, have been dismissed from their posts or detained, according to figures published by the Hurriyet daily and CNN-Turk.

Ankara says the coup was masterminded by US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen and the massive crackdown appears to be targeting individuals suspected of any connection to Erdogan's ally-turned-foe.

The purges have stoked alarm that Erdogan was using the coup plot to crack down on opponents, with Turkey's Western allies urging the authorities in the strategic NATO state to obey the rule of law.

The president returned to the capital late Tuesday for the first time since the coup and was chairing a meeting at his presidential palace of his national security council, composed of top military brass and security ministers.

He will then chair a cabinet meeting, also at the palace, whose immediate vicinity was bombed during the military power grab.

Erdogan was in the Aegean resort of Marmaris when the coup struck and then flew to Istanbul where he had stayed since, appearing before supporters each night in a "vigil" for democracy.

He told supporters in Istanbul on Monday that "an important decision" would be announced after the security meeting, without specifying.

Coup allegations ridiculous

The crunch meetings come as controversy grows over the scope of the crackdown against those suspected of being behind the coup plot.

Erdogan's suggestion that the death penalty could be reinstated has sent shudders through Europe, with the EU warning such a move would be the nail in the coffin of Turkey's already embattled bid to join the bloc.

On Tuesday, the government suspended 15,200 state education employees and demanded the resignation of almost 1,600 deans from private and state universities over alleged links to Gulen.

Also, 21,000 people working in private education will have their licences removed and will be banned from teaching in the future, Hurriyet said.

Turkey's higher education council also banned academics from work trips abroad and urged those overseas to quickly return home.

About 9,300 people have been detained, including 118 generals and admirals accused of treason for allegedly masterminding the plot as well as soldiers, police and judges.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim nevertheless warned Turks against exacting "revenge" on backers of the attempted overthrow, after disturbing pictures emerged of rough treatment meted out to suspects.

Turkey accuses Gulen of running a "terror group" and has stepped up the pressure on Washington to extradite him, sending several "dossiers" it says are packed with evidence about his alleged involvement.

Gulen issued a statement Tuesday urging Washington to reject the extradition call and dismissed as "ridiculous" the claim he was behind the botched coup.

The 75-year-old reclusive cleric lives in Pennsylvania but retains vast interests in Turkey ranging from media to finance to schools and wields influence in various apparatus including the judiciary and police.

Rebuilding begins

In their first telephone talks since the attempted overthrow, President Barack Obama pledged US assistance to Erdogan for the investigation into the putsch, which has threatened to again raise tensions between the uneasy NATO allies.

MPs have meanwhile carried on working in parliament, despite rubble and shards of glass still covering the floor after three air strikes on the night of the coup.

Ankara's police headquarters is in an even worse state, with the 10-storey building gutted by repeated air attacks and the air still thick with dust from the rubble.

"I do not know how long the rebuilding will take. But we have started," a senior police official told AFP at the scene.

The government says 312 people were killed in the coup, including 145 civilians, 60 police, three soldiers and 104 plotters.

Before the plot erupted, the government had been waging a relentless military campaign against Kurdish rebels in the southeast of the country and their rear bases in northern Iraq.

In the first air strikes since the coup, fighter jets late Tuesday hit targets of the PKK in the Hakurk region of northern Iraq, said the state-run Anadolu news agency, quoting security sources. It claimed 20 fighters were killed.
The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that the video depicts rebel fighters. (Photo: Videograb)

Beirut: A video circulated on social media depicts rebel fighters beheading a boy after capturing him north of Syria's second city Aleppo, a monitor said.

The video, circulated on social media yesterday, shows the boy laying in the back of a truck when a fighter begins to cut off his head with a small knife. He is assumed to be around 10-year-old.

One fighter shouts "we will leave no one in Handarat", which is north of Aleppo city where there has been fighting between rebels and regime forces.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that the video depicts rebel fighters.

The men reportedly belong to the Nour al-Din al-Zenki group which is made up of the Islamic Front and the Free Syrian Army, both anti-regime fronts fighting to overthrow the Assad government, and have reportedly been supplied with anti-tank missiles by both UK and US.

In an earlier clip, the boy was sitting in the back of the truck with fighters around him accusing him with being a member of Al Quds brigade, a Palestinian group fighting with the regime forces.

Earlier in July, Amnesty International issued a report saying that Islamist rebels and jihadists in Syria are guilty of war crimes, accusing them of "a chilling wave of abductions, torture and summary killings".

The London-based rights group named five Syrian anti-regime factions operating in northern Syria among them Nureddin Zinki.

Activists accused Nurredin Zinki group of carrying out the killing, but the group issued a statement condemning a "violation" that was "an individual mistake, that does not represent the general policy of the group".

According to Rami Abdel Rahman, Syrian Observatory for Human Rights chief, "the boy is no more than 13 years old, he was captured yesterday in Handarat area, but the incident took place in a rebel held area in Aleppo city, Al Mashhad neighbourhood to be exact".

He could not confirm if the boy was a Palestinian or a child soldier, though he said Al Quds brigade denied that he was one of its fighters.

Nureddin Zinki added that "the persons who carried out this violation were arrested and handed over" to a judicial committee for investigation.

Syria's conflict began in 2011 with the repression of anti-government demonstrations and has evolved into a multi-front war that has left more than 280,000 dead and forced millions from their homes.
Saudi Arabia imposes the death penalty for offences including murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy. Most people executed are beheaded with a sword. (Photo: AFP/Representational Image)

Riyadh: Saudi authorities on Wednesday carried out the 99th execution of the year in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom, putting a man to death for murder.

Hassan bin Mubarak al-Amri was convicted of stabbing to death fellow Saudi Jahran al-Issa following a dispute, the interior ministry said in a statement carried by the SPA state news agency. He was executed in the south-western coastal city of Qunfudah, it said.

Saudi Arabia imposes the death penalty for offences including murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy. Most people executed are beheaded with a sword.

There were no beheadings during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began in the kingdom on June 6. However, executions resumed on Sunday when authorities put a Saudi murderer to death.

Human rights group Amnesty International says the kingdom carried out at least 158 death sentences last year, making it the third most prolific executioner after Iran and Pakistan. Amnesty's figures do not include secretive China.

The London-based watchdog says the Saudi rate of executions this year is "higher than at the same point last year".

Murder and drug trafficking cases account for the majority of Saudi executions, although 47 people were put to death for "terrorism" offences on a single day in January.

They included prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, whose execution prompted Iranian protesters to torch Saudi diplomatic missions, leading Riyadh to sever relations.
Istanbul: Turkish authorities on Tuesday scrapped all TV and radio station licences linked to US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of being behind Friday's failed coup.

The broadcasting watchdog said it had "cancelled all broadcasting rights and licences for media that had links to FETO/PDY", referring to the "Fethullah Terrorist Organisation", the government's derogatory name for the Gulen movement.

Gulen has strongly denied Turkey's accusations that he masterminded the attempted putsch. The decision was made during an extraordinary meeting of the watchdog today, it said. The 24 channels and radio stations affected were named by the state-run news agency Anadolu.

The agency also said the prime ministry's press and information office (BYEGM) had revoked press cards for 34 journalists believed to be close to Gulen. "This action we have taken must not be seen as restricting press freedom," BYEGM Vice President Ekrem Okutan said, Anadolu reported.

Media linked to the preacher have come under recent attack in Turkey. In March, Zaman, the biggest-selling daily newspaper, and the headquarters of the news headquarters China, which belonged to parent company Feza, were raided by police and state administrators were brought in.
The purges have stoked alarm that Erdogan was using the coup plot to crack down on opponents, with Turkey's Western allies urging the authorities in the strategic NATO state to obey the rule of law. (Photo: AP)

Berlin: Germany on Wednesday condemned Turkey's escalating crackdown following a failed coup, saying the hardline response "flouts the rule of law".

"Nearly every day we are seeing new measures that flout the rule of law and that disregard the principle of proportionality. There is no doubt that they are deeply worrying," government spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday chaired a crunch security meeting for the first time since the failed coup, after a widening purge that has seen around 50,000 people either detained or sacked.

Ankara says the coup was masterminded by US-based preacher Fethullah Gulen and the massive crackdown appears to be targeting individuals suspected of any connection to Erdogan's ally-turned-foe.

The purges have stoked alarm that Erdogan was using the coup plot to crack down on opponents, with Turkey's Western allies urging the authorities in the strategic NATO state to obey the rule of law.

Germany had already issued a sharp warning to Turkey Monday, blasting "revolting scenes of caprice and revenge" after the failed putsch and warning it against reinstating the death penalty.

After Erdogan said Sunday that Turkey would consider a return of capital punishment, Seibert said such a move "would mean the end of EU membership talks".

Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2004 under reforms aimed at obtaining European Union membership. Reinstatement would create further issues between the EU and Ankara in the already stalled membership talks. Germany has the largest ethnic Turkish community outside Turkey with some three million members.
Dhaka: Five Islamist militants were on Wednesday charged for the grisly murder of a 27-year-old secular Bangladeshi blogger, who was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants in broad daylight here last year.

An additional metropolitan magistrate court indicted the Ansarullah Bangla Team militants and fixed August 4 as the date for witnesses' depositions in the murder case of Oyasiqur Rahman Babu.

Oyasiqur was stabbed to death in Tejgaon Industrial area of Dhaka in March last year.

Assistant Public Prosecutor Salauddin Hawlader said three suspects were produced before the court for the hearing.

The remaining two, who are absconding, will be tried in absentia, he was quoted as saying by BD News.

On morning of March 30 last year, machete-wielding assailants hacked Oyasiqur to death near his home here. Locals managed to nab two of the attackers and handed them to law enforcement officials while the third suspect was arrested by police later.

Police produced the trio Zikrullah alias Hasan, Ariful Islam and Saiful in court today and all of them pleaded not guilty.

Madrassa students, Zikrullah and Ariful, were nabbed by locals from the spot while police arrested Saiful later. The fugitive suspects are Junayed Ahmed alias Taher and Akram Hossain.

Police said the arrested suspects confessed during interrogation that Oyasiqur was murdered for his writings on religious issues.

The blogger was working at a travel agency called Fareast Aviation as a trainer after completing his studies from the Tejgaon College in Dhaka.

Oyasiur hailed from Hajipur village in Lakshmipur district. He was mainly active on the Facebook where he used to write on religion, science and against communalism.

Oyasiqur was killed barely after a month of the murder of secular writer-blogger Avijit Roy on the Dhaka university campus in a similar way by machete-wielding assailants.

Protesting the killing, Oyasiqur wrote on the banner of his Facebook page -- 'I am Avijit. Words cannot be killed'. Bangladesh in the past two years has witnessed deadly attacks on liberal and secular writers and activists, religious minorities including Hindus and moderate Sufis and Shiites.
Social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch, who was strangled in what appeared to be an 'honour killing,' in Multan, Pakistan.

Islamabad: Pakistan's ruling party plans to pass long-delayed legislation against "honour killings" within weeks in the wake of the high-profile murder of an outspoken social media star, the daughter of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday.

The bill will go before a parliamentary committee as early as Thursday, said Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who is an increasingly influential member of her father's ruling party.

The government has faced mounting pressure to pass the law against murders carried out by people professing to be acting in defence of the honour of their family.

The law would remove a loophole that allows other family members to pardon a killer.

The brother of social media star Qandeel Baloch, often described as Pakistan's Kim Kardashian, has been arrested in connection with her strangling death and told a news conference he was incensed by her often risque posts on social media.

Some 500 women are killed each year in Pakistan at the hands of family members over perceived damage to "honour" that can involve eloping, fraternising with men or any other infraction against conservative values that govern women's modesty.

Maryam Nawaz Sharif said the government wanted to pass the law unanimously and had been negotiating with religious parties in parliament.

"We have finalised the draft law in the light of negotiations," she told Reuters in an interview. "The final draft will be presented to a committee of joint session of parliament on July 21 for consideration and approval."

Maryam said once the parliamentary committee approved the bill, it would be presented for a vote in a "couple of weeks" before a joint session of parliament.

A spokesman for Jamaat-e-Islami, one of the two major religious parties in parliament, said his party would not oppose the bill.

Pakistan's other main religious political party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, could not be reached for comment but it has only a small number of seats in parliament.

Both religious parties have traditionally opposed legislation empowering women.

The upper house of parliament passed the bill in 2014 but it lapsed after the government failed to put it up for a vote in the lower house because it was preoccupied with legislation aimed at tackling security problems and economic reforms.

A senior government official told Reuters all major parties were now backing the bill and it was likely to be passed in a few weeks by a joint session of parliament.

"The prime minister is taking personal interest," added a second official and close aide to Sharif. "You will see in coming days more will be done, big changes will be announced."

In a rare move, this week the government became a complainant in the police case against Baloch's brother accused of her murder, designating it a crime against the state and thereby blocking her family from forgiving their son.

'RIGHT TO FORGIVE'

Baloch had long divided opinion in the deeply conservative Muslim society with her social media photos and posts.

She was unapologetic about pushing the boundaries of acceptability for women and changing "the typical orthodox mindset" of Pakistanis.

Many viewed her as a disgrace to the cultural values of Islam and Pakistan. Others hailed her as a "feminist icon".

She ran into political controversy last month after her "selfie" photographs with a prominent Muslim cleric, went viral, leading to him being fired from a prominent Muslim council.

After her death, the cleric, Abdul Qavi, told media that her murder should serve as an example for others who tried to malign the clergy. He is being investigated for her murder along with Baloch's two brothers.

Although government officials appeared confident of backing for the bill in parliament, it could still face resistance.

The influential Council of Islamic Ideology, which advises the government on the compatibility of laws with Islam, warned that it would not support any law that removed the forgiveness loophole, even though the council considers honour killings a crime.

"Islamic law and the Koran say that the right to forgive or punish lies first and foremost with the victim's family," said council spokesman Inam Ullah.

"So if this bill is trying to completely take away that right from the family, then of course that is against Islamic teachings. The state cannot completely take away that right from the family."

The religious parties and the council hold significant influence over public opinion and the government fears a backlash if any law passes without their approval.

"This mentality - that you can get away with murder in the name of honour - it has to be done away with," said Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, whose documentary on honour killings "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness" won an Oscar this year.

"I am hopeful that this law will pass but the change in mindset will talk so much longer ... I think Qandeel Baloch's murder is the tipping point."
Suspected members of a homegrown terror group murdered 20 people including 18 foreigners after they attacked an upscale cafe in Dhaka earlier this month. (Photo: AP)

Dhaka: At least 261 people across Bangladesh are missing, officials announced early today, sparking fears many of them have joined homegrown Islamist extremist outfits or the Islamic State group in the Middle East.

The country's elite security force, the Rapid Action Battalion, published the list on Facebook around midnight and called on citizens to report the whereabouts of the missing.

"We have to find them," RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan said.

The Bangladeshi government ordered security officials to collate the list in the wake of two major terror attacks by suspected Islamist militants who had been missing for months.

Khan refused to comment on whether the people listed had joined local extremists or the IS group.

Suspected members of a homegrown terror group murdered 20 people including 18 foreigners after they attacked an upscale cafe in Dhaka earlier this month. The IS group later claimed responsibility for the attack -- an assertion rejected by Bangladeshi authorities.

The gruesome murders were followed by another daring assault on the Muslim-majority nation's largest Eid prayer congregation in which three people and an attacker were killed in a massive gunfight in a northern Bangladesh town.

Police and parents said the five attackers at the cafe siege and at least two gunmen at the Eid carnage had been missing for months.

"If there are any missing family members, please tell us, don't be afraid that law-enforcement agencies will take your sons away," said RAB chief Benazir Ahmed.

"Their lives and other lives can be saved if they are found."

Local media outlets have reported that dozens of people including doctors, engineers and students from elite universities have travelled to the Middle East to join the IS group.

In one case, engineer Najibullah Ansari had been missing for over a year when his parents reached out to the police after the government launched the campaign to account for the country's missing.

According to his family, Ansari last contacted his younger brother in January 2015 via Facebook, saying he was in war-torn Iraq fighting with jihadists.

"I have come to Iraq. Tell father and mother not to worry for me. I have come here for jihad," read the message according to a screen shot seen by local daily Dhaka Tribune.

"I will never return home," he added.
Bangladesh ranks behind only China as a clothing supplier to developed markets in Europe and the United States. (Photo: AP)

Emdadul Islam's three-decade career in Bangladesh's garment trade has seen the industry hit by riots, labour unrest, power shortages and safety scandals, but he had never lost faith in its ability to weather the latest crisis and continue to grow.

Now, after a group of radicalised young Bangladeshis killed about 20 people, including 18 foreigners, in an attack on an upscale Dhaka restaurant claimed by Islamic State, he fears for the future of the $28 billion sector.

"I thought it impossible for this to happen in Bangladesh," said Islam, a director of Babylon Group, which makes garments for the likes of H&M (HMb.ST) and Tesco (TSCO.L). "It was just a nightmare. This is not Afghanistan, or Pakistan, or something."

Bangladesh relies on garments for more than 80 percent of its exports and roughly 4 million jobs. It ranks behind only China as a clothing supplier to developed markets in Europe and the United States.

But the July 1 attack has confronted the industry with its biggest image crisis since the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory building in 2013, with some fearing security worries could cripple a sector that is the lifeblood of the economy.

"I never thought Islamic extremism would be a big threat to the industry directly, and I never thought it would happen quite like this," said Rubana Huq, managing director at the Mohammadi Group, which owns a string of garment factories and other businesses.

Foreign companies, including Japan's Uniqlo, have suspended all but critical travel to the country since the attack, although there are no signs yet of big players moving orders elsewhere. The government says it has stepped up security for foreign business travellers, investors and diplomats.

"Black Friday"

Despite a long history of turbulent domestic politics that often spills onto the streets, Islam said the relative stability of Bangladesh compared with rival manufacturing bases had been an important factor in the rise of its garment sector.

"When we started in the 1980s, Sri Lanka at that time was in a very volatile situation, so companies came to us. They wanted Bangladesh to produce - that's how we grew," said Islam, 60, one of the founding partners of garment maker Babylon Group back in 1986.

Islamic State and al Qaeda have made competing claims for a series of killings of liberals and members of Bangladesh's religious minorities in the past year.

But the July 1 attack signalled a far more sophisticated threat from those seeking to replace the mainly Muslim country's secular democracy with strict Islamic rule.

"On that night, we lost the identity of our country," said Mesbha Uddin Ali, chairman of garment maker Wega Group.

What has been particularly shocking to many middle class Bangladeshis is that the attackers mostly came from well-to-do backgrounds and appear to have been radicalised only recently.

"One of my friends called it 'Black Friday', which I think was pretty accurate," said an American in the garment industry, who has been living in Bangladesh for seven years.

"Bangladesh has such a strong family culture, and yet the fact that these young, educated boys chose to leave that and do something like this is shocking."

Many of the victims of the latest attack worked in the garment trade, and the US executive, who declined to be identified due to personal safety concerns, said it had prompted him to take extra precautions.

"I don't walk anymore," he said. "I don't take the rickshaws anymore. And I'm not a man who likes to waste time, or money, so I did take a rickshaw for short distances. Now I just lay low."

Some local executives have taken more robust measures.

"Earlier I had this pistol, but it was never loaded and I did not carry it," said Mohsin Uddin Ahmed Niru, a director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). "Now I carry it every day."

Warning Signs

There had been warning signs that the radicalisation threat in Bangladesh was growing.

An Italian aid worker was shot dead in Dhaka's diplomatic quarter in September 2015, in the same week masked gunmen killed a Japanese farmer in northern Bangladesh.

In response, the government deployed paramilitary soldiers on night-time patrols in the diplomatic quarter and a number of companies stepped up security for visiting executives.

More protection has been promised in the wake of the July 1 killings.

"We have already re-arranged security measures all over the country after the terror attack," said Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, who also heads the cabinet committee on law and order.

"All foreigners including diplomats, business travellers, garment buyers, investors and development partners are all covered by extra security."

Industry sources say H&M last week sent an email to all its vendors informing them about a series of upgraded security norms at its office in Bangladesh.

"We are in contact with our office in Dhaka, and none of H&M's company workers are affected," a spokesman for the Swedish fashion retailer said in an email.

"We have safety routines to assure our co-workers safety on-site. Regarding our sourcing, there are no plans in changing any sourcing, but we are following developments closely."

An official at El Corte Ingles, one of Europe's largest department store chains, said the company had moved all eight of its foreign staff out of the country and was observing a two-month "hold period" before deciding whether they would return.

All of the company's meetings in Dhaka have been cancelled, and would be rescheduled in Hong Kong, said the official, who declined to be identified. El Corte did not respond to a request for comment.

One garment exporter, who also declined to be named, said he had already lost a $3.6 million order from privately-held French retailer Celio.

"They were supposed to come to Dhaka on July 13, but after the attack they cancelled the visit," he said. "This meeting was vital for me. I tried to convince them to meet somewhere else, but they said they had already shifted the order to China."

Celio did not respond to a request for comment.

There are no signs yet of major buyers shifting orders away from Bangladesh, not least because the production cycle has entered the busy Christmas season and pulling out business now would be expensive and logistically challenging.

But industry players fear that, over time, security worries may prompt buyers to look to up-and-coming garment centres such as Myanmar and Ethiopia that offer similar cost advantages to Bangladesh.

"There may not be any short-term impact, but medium-to-longer term, for sure," said Mohammadi Group's Huq.

"Buyers have a right to go wherever they feel their business is more secure, and most importantly - their lives. They do not want to die in Bangladesh."
The United Nations has declared Kashmir a disputed territory and India should hold plebiscite to respect the rights of Kashmiris, says Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. (Photo: AFP)

Islamabad: Kashmir is not an internal matter of India, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday and asked it to hold a plebiscite there to respect the rights of Kashmiris as Pakistan observed a 'Black Day' to express solidarity with the people of the Valley.

In his message, Sharif said, "Today we are observing Black Day to express solidarity with Kashmiris and are giving a strong message to the world that Pakistanis are with them (Kashmiris) for their struggle to get their rights."

"India cannot suppress the voice of Kashmiris through force as they will eventually get freedom. The United Nations has declared Kashmir a disputed territory and India should hold plebiscite to respect the rights of Kashmiris. Terming Kashmir issue internal matter of India is not justifiable," he said.

Read: Pakistan will have to observe 'Black Day' throughout the year: Sena

Sharif said India was committing human rights violation in the occupied territory which is a matter of great concern for the world community.

The Prime Minister has earlier directed all relevant departments to highlight the Kashmir issue at international fora.

To observe the Black Day, rallies and events are being held across the country and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to draw attention of the world towards the Kashmir issue.

All officials of federal and provincial governments were wearing black band on duty to express "political, moral and diplomatic support" to Kashmiris.

Special prayers will be held for those killed in Kashmir after the death of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani. On the government's order, Pakistani missions abroad will hold ceremonies there to draw world's attention towards Kashmir.

Mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack, Hafiz Saeed-led Jammaat-ud-Dawah's 'Kashmir Caravan', which on Tuesday left for Islamabad from Lahore, will hold a "large" public meeting here.

Saeed on Tuesday vowed to march towards Jammu and Kashmir "till Kashmiris get freedom". Over 40 people have been killed in Kashmir in the clashes since Wani's killing on July 8.
The murder came days after social media starlet Qandeel Baloch was strangled to death by her brother who said he was "not embarrassed" to have killed her, reigniting calls for action against the crime. (Representational photo: file)

Multan (Pakistan): A man was tortured to death in Pakistan for an affair with a married woman, police said on Wednesday, a rare case of a male falling victim to a so-called "honour killing".

The murder came days after social media starlet Qandeel Baloch was strangled to death by her brother who said he was "not embarrassed" to have killed her, reigniting calls for action against the crime.

Hundreds of women are murdered by relatives in the conservative Muslim nation each year on the pretext of defending what is seen as family honour, but it is unusual for the victim to be a man.

The latest incident happened in the impoverished central district of Dera Ghazi Khan yesterday, police said.

Allah Ditta, 24, was stabbed multiple times by a group of five men after they spotted him in the village of the woman he was allegedly having an affair with.

A local police official said Ditta began the relationship when he was working for the woman's brother-in-law, and that she ran away with him in May but returned home two weeks later after the village council intervened.

Ditta's arms were cut off as were his lips and nose, the official said.

District police chief Ata Muhammad Khan confirmed the incident: "The victim was taken to hospital where he died." He added it appeared to be an honour killing and that police were now searching for the suspects. The woman was not harmed.

The killing of Baloch has triggered fresh calls for legislation to amend Pakistan's criminal code which allows murderers to avoid jail by seeking forgiveness from a victim's relatives -- a convenient means of escape particularly in honour cases.

The phenomenon of honour killings was examined in an Oscar-winning documentary by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy called "A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness".

The film was hailed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who in February vowed to push through anti-honour killing legislation, but no action has been taken since then.
Dalit protests in Gujarat spread to several parts of the state including Ahmedabad today unleashing violence in which a head constable was killed in stone pelting and state transport buses attacked while three more members of the community allegedly attempted suicide.





The dalits are protesting against the brutal assault on fellow community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow in Una in Gir-Somnath district. "Head Constable with local crime branch Pankaj Amreli was injured in stone-pelting in Amreli town. He died during treatment at Rajkot hospital. Ten other persons including protestrs and policemen have been injured," police said.



Today, three youths attempted to kill themselves by consuming poison at their residential society in Batwa town in Junagadh district, Police said.

After seven Dalit youths attempted suicide at Gondal and Jamkandorna in Rajkot district against the assault yesterday, several incidents of damage to state transport buses and road blockades were reported from different parts of Saurashtra region across Junagadh, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Amreli districts since late last night. The protests also spread to Ahmedabad, where dozens of Dalits were detained, police said.



While a bus was torched in Dhoraji town of Rajkot district and several others damaged, protestors allegedly vandalised sheds for Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) in Rajkot late last night, police said.



"Dinesh Parmar (21), Dinesh Vegra (23) and Rasik Vinjura (40) gathered at Ambedkar Nagar society and consumed poison to protest against the beating (of Dalit youths in Una). We rushed them to Junagadh civil hospital for treatment," police said, adding their condition is stable.



Hundreds of protesters gathered at Chital road locality in Amreli town this morning and started hurling stones at police who in turn fired two teargas shells to disperse them. In Surendranagar, agitators blocked a highway by putting carcass of a cow in the middle of the road, police said.



In the wake of the tense situation, the state road transport department today suspended bus services from Porbandar and other parts as protesters continued to block roads.



Some persons hurled stones at Ahmedabad-Veraval train as it was entering Rajkot, injuring an assistant driver last night, police said. "There was a report of BRTS buses being ransacked by the community members and several public transport vehicles also being ransacked," DCP, Rajkot, Karanraj Vaghela said. He said situation is under control and no untoward incident has taken place in Rajkot today.



The opposition Congress demanded a probe by a sitting High Court judge into the Una incident. Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel tweeted, "Failure of authorities to protect Dalits in Gujarat is absolutely shocking. Is it the Gujarat model? Independent probe is need of the hour".

Nine persons have been arrested so far in connection with the assault on Dalits, while three policemen have been suspended for dereliction of duty.


The bandh call given by Dalit organisations to protest the brutal thrashing of the community youths in Una town got a mixed response today with incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade reported at some places, even as Chief Minister Anandiben Patel met family members of the victims.



The Congress, meanwhile, announced that party vice president Rahul Gandhi will visit Una tomorrow. AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to visit the place on Friday.



Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions observed total bandh where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade were witnessed. The bandh has been largely peaceful so far, police said, adding that it had no affect in other parts of the state.



The Dalit community members continued their protest across the state against the brutal assault on some community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow at Una in Gir-Somnath district. Police has been deployed as standby in many areas of the state.



The bandh was largely observed in Amreli and Junagadh cities of Saurashtra region, including some other small towns like Dhoraji and Dhrol with some incidents of damaging buses and stone-pelting reported during protest.



The protest call crippled life in Junagadh and Amreli as schools, colleges and business establishment observed total bandh. Some protesters damaged a state transport bus at a depot in Junagadh, police said.



Rajkot also witnessed street protests during the bandh following which around 50 people were detained by police. However, the bandh call was not followed in the town and the situation was normal.



In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.



As a precautionary measure, authorities have decided to shut down several routes of state transport buses due to the bandh call and protest by Dalit Panthers and other community organisations.



In Ahmedabad, the protesters tried to enforce bandh in some pockets, like Chandkheda and Kalapinagar, where they were seen forcing markets and schools to shut down.



Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited Mota Samaliyala village in Una, where the alleged incident of beating of seven Dalits had taken place triggering violence across the state, and met family members of the victims. The Chief Minister assured them that the government has taken all measures to ensure that the victims get justice.



"The scene of beating of Dalits will be disturbing to anyone who witnesses it. The beating, in the manner it took place, is not becoming of any civilised society. The state government has done everything possible, including arrest of the accused, and (facilitating) hospitalisation of the injured," Patel said after the meeting.



She was accompanied by state Social Justice Minister Ramanlal Vora and Ahmedabad MP Kirit Solanki. The state has been witnessing widespread protests following the incident.



The Dalit protests have spread to several parts of the state unleashing violence, in which a head constable was killed during stone-pelting in Amreli district yesterday. Besides, state transport buses were attacked and more than 10 members of the community allegedly attempted suicide.



Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Rahul Gandhi will meet the Dalit victims and their family members during his visit to the state tomorrow.



"He will land at Diu and reach Una by road tomorrow morning. He is scheduled to meet family members of the victims. Gandhi will then reach Rajkot and meet some of the victims, who are undergoing treatment at a hospital there. He will then leave for Delhi," said Doshi.




In a blistering attack on the Narendra Modi government, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today accused it of destabilising institutions, polarising society and mistaking its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its narrow ideology on people.



Addressing the first meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament, she also slammed it for "deception", "glib marketing slogans" and snatching the rights of Dalits, adivasis, specifically citing the Gujarat incident where four Dalits were beaten and humiliated publicly.



She called the Gujarat case, "just one example of the social terror this government condones". "In the last few months, we have witnessed how the Modi Government's project of destabilising institutions and polarising our society has played out with renewed vigour to the detriment of constitutional values.



"The Modi Government has mistaken its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its ideology on our people. It seems to have forgotten that parliamentary majority can never be the reason to abandon the principles and practice of constitutionalism," she said.



Gandhi referred to the unrest in the Kashmir Valley which has witnessed turmoil for the past 11 days after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani with clashes claiming over 40 lives.



"Recent events in the Valley are tragic and pose a grave danger to the country. There can be no compromise on national security. Militants must be dealt with firmly.Yet we must ask ourselves, what has driven scores of young people to such levels of violence," she said.



Questioning PM's foreign policy, she said, "How does the Modi government explain the incoherence of its foreign policy despite PM's frequent travels abroad, his equally frequent embraces of world leaders and impromptu birthday calls!! Its policy towards Pakistan oscillates between one extreme to the other. The government seems to be changing our country's stand on security and defence, departing radically from policies that have stood the test of time."



Gandhi said, "the opaqueness of the Modi government in decision-making and brazen promotion of cronyism has cast a dark shadow on its integrity". The Congress President also accused the government of practising deception, saying they are creating a "bubble" of achievement.



"Deception is not new to this ruling party. They are skilled at ignoring facts, propagating false claims and orchestrating unsubstantiated charges against the opposition, especially the Congress. As they complete two years in office, they have sought to create a bubble of achievement. But what have they exactly achieved?" she said questioning the government's record on job creation, exports and prices.



Describing the government as a "good marketeer", the Congress chief said, "We are presented with a government that is anchored in slick marketing events, glib marketing slogans, in repackaging, in embellishment, and exaggeration. We may be lacking in numbers, but we will make up for it with our work and continue to demand accountability through Parliament."



Seeking to bring the attention back on alleged scams in BJP-ruled states, Gandhi asked the government, "What happened to the scandals that have been exposed and are sought to be buried in BJP-run states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and in PM's own state of Gujarat. And yet he claims he is curbing corruption".



Earlier referring to the government's "inconsistent" foreign policy, she questioned India's failed bid for NSG membership.



"Government's ill-prepared policy on the NSG membership has exposed us to a snub and is in complete contrast to what the UPA achieved in 2008. Our relations with Nepal are at an all-time low," she noted.



She also picked holes in government's claims of economic growth, saying, "When it comes to growth and GDP figures that they tout, questions on their veracity are raised even by their own party leaders. BJP blocked every important FDI initiative of UPA government. Yet now it has put in place a free-for-all policy even in sensitive areas like defence."



Other points on which Gandhi attacked the government were its confrontation with the judiciary and civil society, its GDP growth numbers, the Gujarat petroleum corporation scam, and the recent "never-before seen" act of changing of pens during Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana.



"There is constant confrontation with the judiciary, civil society and student organisations and debate is being stifled," she said.



Also attacking the government on price-rise, she asked the Congress MPs to be aggressive and hold the government and its Ministers accountable.



The meeting was attended by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, party leaders in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge, besides party MPs.


Asserting that China had created "procedural hurdles" for India in getting membership of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), goverment today said it was engaging with its neighbour to iron out differences while expressing hope that the issues would be resolved.





External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also said India will not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, adding that New Delhi had managed to get waiver in 2008 without signing the treaty.



Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, she said China had questioned how a non-signatory to NPT could become a member of the NSG.



"But we are engaging with it. If someone says 'No' for once, it does not mean he won't agree at all ... like GST... almost all parties have agreed to it but Congress has not. That does not mean it it will never agree (to the GST bill)," Swaraj said amidst Opposition protests over attacks against Dalits in Gujarat, including sloganeering from the Well.



The minister rejected suggestions that India had created a lot of "hype" ahead of the NSG meet in Seoul. "We have been taught to make serious efforts to achieve things...no hype was created when we submitted our application for the membership of NSG on May 12. We did it with low fanfare," she said.



Swaraj also scoffed at suggestions by Supriya Sule (NCP) that the denial of NSG membership to India was a 'huge diplomatic snub' as it came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Mexico and Switzerland.



The Minister said Mexico supported India's bid and when the decision did not go in New Delhi's favour, Mexico asked the group to decide again on the issue.



Asserting that Indian diplomacy has made its mark, she said earlier people used to ask whether India can make it to the NSG. "Now when India will become a member is the question being asked," she said in the presence of the Prime Minister.



Responding to a question on the benefits of getting NSG membership, Swaraj said India will then become part of "rule making" from its current position of being a "rule taker".

"Waiver is like being allowed in the verandah. Membership is like being in the room...being part of rule making," Swaraj said.



She said though India has not signed the NPT, it is following the commitments made when it got the waiver in 2008.



Swaraj also credited the previous UPA government for getting the waiver and said while the UPA government followed the commitments, the present government is following the same since it came to power in 2014.



She said membership of the NSG would enable India to have enhanced and uninterrupted access to nuclear technology, fuel and material required for expanding its civil nuclear programme.



"It would create a predictable environment for large investments required for setting up nuclear power plants in India, inter alia, to meet India's Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) pledge of 40 per cent of its power capacity coming from non-fossil sources by 2030," she said.
Local newspapers in curfew-bound Kashmir Valley failed to hit the stands for the sixth consecutive day today, even as the state government said there were no restrictions on their printing and publishing.



No local newspaper  whether English, Urdu or Kashmiri  was available in the Valley as the newspaper owners decided not to publish them after the alleged clampdown by the government on Friday night and demanded that the government must "own the ban" and issue a statement guaranteeing that media operations will not be hampered in any way.



The newspaper owners claimed that police raided their printing facilities and seized newspapers, plates and even detained the printing staff last week.



Following the police action, a meeting of Kashmir-based newspaper editors, printers and publishers, was held on Saturday at Press Colony in which the issue was discussed.



The journalists also held a protest against the government action, terming it as an attack on the freedom of press and stopped their publications.



However, yesterday, the government said there said there were no restrictions on printing and publishing of newspapers.



"The District Magistrates of Srinagar and Budgam have clarified that there are no restrictions on printing and publishing of newspapers in the districts," an official spokesman said here yesterday.



A statement issued by the owners and editors of Srinagar-based newspapers yesterday said since the government has "not changed its press emergency", the editors and the owners of the newspapers regret that it may not be possible to resume the publication of

newspapers.



"On Monday, Chief Ministers Adviser Amitabh Mattoo approached us insisting that it was a mistake for which he apologized.



"At the same time, however, the state government resorted to propaganda blitzkrieg insisting that there was no ban. They used all the available media to hit the credibility of the newspapers that have a history of not ceasing publication even when their members were killed," the statement said.



It said the government must "own the ban" and issue a statement guaranteeing that "media operations are not being hampered from the movement of staff, to newsgathering, printing and the distribution of the newspapers".



"We have not heard anything from anybody in the government since then. It indicates that the government has not changed its press emergency," the statement said.

The newspaper editors and owners said "we will review the progress today (Wednesday)," they said.
New York, Massachusetts and Maryland are suing Volkswagen and its affiliates Audi and Porsche over diesel emissions cheating, accusing the German automakers of defrauding customers, misleading regulators and then seeking to cover up the deception.





The lawsuits, announced yesterday, allege that numerous employees and executives at Volkswagen knew that diesel vehicles had been equipped with software allowing them to cheat emissions testing, and that after regulators began investigating several employees tried to cover it up by eliminating data about the software.



"The allegations against Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche reveal a culture of deeply-rooted corporate arrogance, combined with a conscious disregard for the rule of law or the protection of public health and the environment," said New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.



"These suits should serve as a siren in every corporate board room, that if any company engages in this type of calculated and systematic illegality, we will bring the full force of the law and seek the stiffest possible sanctions to protect our citizens."



In a statement, Volkswagen said it is already in talks with authorities regarding "a comprehensive national resolution of all remaining environmental issues arising from the diesel matter." The company also noted that it has agreed to buy back or modify affected vehicles, create a USD 2.7 billion environmental trust and invest USD 2 billion on infrastructure for zero-emission vehicles.



"The allegations in complaints filed by certain states today are essentially not new and we have been addressing them in our discussions with US federal and state authorities," the company said.



"It is regrettable that some states have decided to sue for environmental claims now, notwithstanding their prior support of this ongoing federal-state collaborative process."



The legal action seeks "substantial penalties" that would be based on a calculation of the duration of the alleged violations.



While news of the rigged emissions tests first erupted a year ago, the new legal action makes several new allegations most notably about the involvement of Volkswagen engineers and executives. The suit alleges that Volkswagen submitted false emissions data to regulators and sought to eliminate evidence when an investigation began.



Volkswagen also issued "sham" recall notices to some car owners and dealers in an effort to "turn down" the software, according to the New York lawsuit. Instead, some owners were told the recalls were needed for upgrades and "optimize" emissions.
Efforts are being made to secure release of priest Father Tom Uzhunnalil who has been abducted in war-torn Yemen but such attempts take time, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said in Lok Sabha today, while asking members to "keep faith" in the government.





Swaraj said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established in Yemen where India does not have an Embassy of its own.



The issue was raised by members from Kerala who said disturbing pictures of Fr Uzhunnalil were appearing in the social media.



Father Uzhunnalil, who hails from Kerala, was abducted in March by terror group Islamic State which attacked an old-age home run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity in southern Yemeni city of Aden. At least 15 people at the old-age home were killed in the attack.



Swaraj said it takes more time to secure release of the people who are held captive and asked the members to keep "faith" in government's efforts to trace the abducted priest.



"Abduction of Father Tom Uzhunnalil is a matter of grave concern for us. Yemen is a war-torn country. We do not have Embassy there but we are looking for ways to reach him. Not only me, but the Prime Minister during his overseas visits has spoken to various countries through which contacts can be established with Yemen," the minister said.



She said the government is also trying to ascertain the authencity of the images of Fr Uzhunnalil which have appeared in social media.



"It is taking time, but keep faith on us... We bring back stranded people fast, but it takes time to bring back those who are held captive. We will bring back Fr Tom Uzhunnalil," Swaraj said.


The ongoing protests over the brutal assault on some dalits at Una town in Gujarat worsened today as seven more youths attempted suicide with violence and arson spreading to various places in the state. The incidents of suicide bid were reported from districts of Rajkot, Porbandar, Botad and Gir-Somnath.



With fresh incidents, the number of dalits who have attempted to kill themselves in the wake of the thrashing of seven youths by a vigilante group for allegedly slaughtering a cow on July 11 has gone up to 17.



Dalits had denied killing the animal, contending that they only skinned a dead cow. In Dhoraji town of Rajkot district, three dalit youths today consumed some poisonous drink, following which they were rushed to a nearby hospital. The trio, identified as Yogesh Solanki, Vinod Solanki and Hitu Chauhan, were shifted to Junagadh civil hospital after their condition deteriorated. In Gondal town in the district, one Mukesh Chavda consumed poison and was admitted to civil hospital.



In Bantwa town of Porbandar district, one Mahesh Rathod allegedly consumed poison, and was rushed to district hospital, police said.



In Una, the place where dalit youths were flogged in a public view sparking the protests, one Raju Parmar tried to kill himself by consuming poison.



A dalit protester Paresh Rathod tried to immolate himself but was saved by police in Botad town. In the last two days, 10 dalit youths from various places have tried to kill themselves to register their protest.



Yesterday, a policeman was killed in stone-pelting by mob in Amreli town. The issue has gathered a political steam with the proposed visit of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to Una tomorrow and on Friday, respectively.



Chief Minister Anandiben Patel today met the dalit victims' family at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una tehsil of Gir-Somnath district, and promised them all possible help. She told the family that her government was taking strict action against the culprits and 16 of them were already arrested, an official release said.



In view of the separate visits by Gandhi and Kejriwal, Patel told reporters that the issue should not be politicised.



Meanwhile, the bandh by Dalit outfits evoked a mixed response even as enraged community members took out rallies in towns and cities, blocking roads, damaging buses and even a train was stopped near Vadhvan in Surendranagar district.



Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat observed total bandh where incidents of stone-pelting, vandalisation of properties, damage to buses and road blockade were witnessed. The bandh was observed in Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and some small towns in Saurashtra, and also at Patan town and Aravalli district in North Gujarat.



In Porbandar, a private bus was torched, while several other public transport buses were damaged in many parts of Saurashtra region. The situation remained tense in Porbandar city during the day, as a violent mob attacked a police station near Collector's office and torched several vehicles. In Ahmedabad, four city buses were damaged by protesters late evening, leading to suspension of services in city.



A clash was reported between protesters and police in Amraiwadi area of the city. Earlier in the day, the protesters tried to enforce bandh in Chandkheda and Kalapinagar areas by forcing markets and schools to remain shut.



In Porbandar, a violent mob attacked a police station near Collector's office in Porbandar and torched several vehicles. Around four policemen, including a Deputy SP, were injured in the attack by a mob on a police station near Collector office.



In Bhavnagar city, several shops were damaged by the mob. In Rajkot, around 50 people were detained by police following incidents of street clashes during bandh. In Patan, a group of protesters hurled stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.


Uneasy calm prevailed for the second day today in curfew-bound Kashmir Valley where one more person succumbed to his injuries raising to 43 the death toll in the unrest that erupted on July 8 even as separatists extended the ongoing strike call till July 25.





Local newspapers are also expected to hit the stands tomorrow after suspending publication six days ago over the alleged clampdown by the government, a claim denied by the state although a senior minister Naeem Akhtar justified the restrictions earlier.



The decision to resume the publications came just hours after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti met the editors who called on her here, assuring "independence of media".



Army Chief General Dalbir Singh, who is on a day-long visit to the Valley, reviewed the security situation in Kashmir and appealed to the people to maintain peace while calling for strict vigil along the Line of Control (LoC).



Though the situation in the Valley remained by and large peaceful with no major untoward incident reported from anywhere since yesterday, 56-year-old Ghulam Mohammad Mir, who was injured in a firing incident at Hatmulla in Kupwara district of north Kashmir on July 15, succumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital here, officials said.



Hailing from Khumriyal village, the deceased was critically injured in the firing which also left a youth dead.



Soon after his death, a group of people staged a peaceful demonstration outside the hospital against the killing.



Kashmir Valley is on the boil since July 8 following the death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in Kokernag district of south Kashmir.



Reports of protest demonstrations and hoisting of black flags were also reported from various parts of the city and elsewhere, coinciding with the "black day" which was observed in Pakistan today.



However, police and paramilitary forces removed the flags and enforced strict restrictions in the curfew-bound areas of the Valley to maintain law and order.



Normal life remained paralysed for the 12th day following the separatist sponsored strike and curfew which continued in the Valley.



Following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander, the separatists initially called for a three-day strike but extended it as civilian deaths mounted amid widespread clashes.



The schools and colleges in the Valley continue to remain closed after the government extended the summer vacations till July 25.



Shops, business establishments and petrol pumps also remained shut, while the Government offices and banks witnessed thin attendance.



Mobile telephony and mobile internet services also remained shut.

The united separatist camp, comprising of chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference Syed Ali Shah Geelandi and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF chairman M Y Malik, had asked people to hoist black flags over all the residential houses, commercial establishments like shops and important landmarks and squares in the Valley today.



They have also asked people to observe half-an-hour "blackout" from 8:30 pm by switching off all bulbs and lighting to highlight the "atrocities carried by Indian forces".



In a separate statement today, the separatist camp extended the strike call till July 25 and asked the people to stockpile the essential commodities during 'no strike period' from 2 PM tomorrow.



The separatists had asked people to resume normal activities from 2 PM tomorrow but asked them to observe a complete shutdown on Friday which will be observed as "Kashmir Day".



"There will be a strike on July 23, 24 and 25," the statement said, also asking people to assemble at mosques after dusk on July 23 to raise slogans and run songs eulogizing the struggle.



It also asked people to observe "black out" on July 24 evening and assemble at Anantnag town for a rally.


In a chilling incident, three puppies were allegedly burnt alive by a group of youngsters, one of whom recorded the gruesome act, police said today.





The dastardly attack on dogs took place at a graveyard in Musheerabad area here on the afternoon of July 16 and came to light yesterday when a video of the incident went viral on social media.



A group of youngsters caught three stray puppies and tied them together. They then dragged the hapless animals to some distance and put them into a fire made out of jute bags and dry sticks, Shreya Paropkari, an animal rights activist, said in a complaint filed with Musheerabad Police yesterday.



"One of the perpetrators recorded the entire incident and is heard instructing and instigating the others to set them on fire. The recordings were recovered from a fish stall owner in Musheerabad," she said in the complaint.



Following the complaint, a case was filed under IPC Section 429 (mischief by killing or maiming cattle, etc,) and relevant sections of Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, Sub- Inspector B Bhaskar Rao said, adding that efforts are on to nab those involved in the incident.



"We got a report on the incident yesterday after which I filed a police complaint," Shreya, who works as Cruelty Response Manager with the Humane Society International, told PTI.



Earlier, Shreya and Vasanthi Vadi, an activist with the NGO, People for Animals, met Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy and submitted the video clip of the incident.



The gory incident in the city comes weeks after two MBBS students flung a stray dog from the roof top of a building in Chennai.
A group of advocates today allegedly attacked media persons outside the Kerala High Court complex here leaving five people injured during their protests against the media coverage of the case of an alleged bid by a government pleader to molest a woman in the city last week.



Unruly scenes were witnessed as some lawyers supporting government pleader Dhanesh Mathew Manjooran allegedly attacked media persons who were standing at a road leading to the Court complex. The injured included two TV camerapersons.



TV footage of the incident showed media persons being chased and kicked by advocates even as police tried to rescue them. Three media persons, including a woman TV journalist, have been admitted to the Government General Hospital, Ernakulam, Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) representatives said. The other two were discharged after first aid, he said.



The men in black robes shouted slogans against senior women scribes who were already in the court complex for covering the proceedings, asking them to 'go back'. Protests by advocates within the court complex forced High Court authorities to lock down the media room there. The women journalists could cover the court proceedings only after police posted in the complex provided them adequate security assistance.



The women scribes later lodged a complaint with acting Chief Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan against the lawyers who tried to prevent them from carrying out their professional duties. Hearing the news about the attack on media, a large number of media persons under the banner of KUWJ assembled at the High Court junction and staged a sit-in there.



Sloganeering lawyers also assembled at the High Court gate. "They even threw coins towards us, calling us beggars who could be influenced by money," a KUWJ representative claimed. Police intervened to bring the situation to normalcy.



In a Facebook post, reacting to the incident, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a democracy, cooperation and co-existence between judiciary and media is very vital. Both should understand the respective roles and exercise restraint. He said the violent incidents in the court complex between media personnel and lawyers came to his notice.



"In a democracy, cooperation and co-existence between judiciary and media is very vital and there should be no tension between them. Both should understand their respective roles in a democracy and exercise restraint," he said.



Kerala High Court Advocates Association representatives said the lawyers have decided to abstain from tomorrow's court proceedings to "condemn the attack committed by media persons with the active participation of police."
For many Israelis, the horrifying images of a truck plowing through crowds for more than a mile in the French resort town of Nice struck a macabrely familiar chord.





We had tractors! said Ami Zini, 49, who runs a boutique on the shopping street of the leafy German Colony neighbourhood of Jerusalem. One of them flipped over a bus with its bucket. He was referring to a 2014 attack, by a Palestinian resident of the city, that killed an Israeli pedestrian.



Nice was an even more direct, if far deadlier, echo of a 2011 rampage in which an Arab-Israeli mans truck barrelled down a Tel Aviv street for a mile, killing one and wounding 17.



These followed a spate of attacks with heavy construction vehicles and cars as weapons in 2008. And since October, according to Shin Bet, Israels domestic security agency, at least 32 Palestinians have rammed vehicles into people at bus stops, intersections and military checkpoints.



The French prime minister said after the Nice attack, the nations third mass killing in 18 months, that France must live with terrorism. That is what Israelis have been doing for decades, through the plane hijackings of the 1970s; the suicide bombers of the second intifada, or Palestinian uprising, which began in 2000; and the lone-wolf stabbings and shootings of the past 10 months.



In Israel, ordinary citizens, security officials and experts feel they have seen it all and say they have adapted to a perennial, if ever changing, threat. They speak of constantly staying alert, exercising caution and growing accustomed to what some may find to be intrusive levels of security, but essentially carrying on.



There were times when we were afraid to stop our cars at a red light next to a bus, Zini, whose clothing store is named Rendezvous, to lend an air of French chic, recalled of the years in which buses were a frequent bombing target. We live with terrorism. But we are not fearful. It is part of our daily routine.



That routine includes opening bags for a check and passing through metal detectors at train or bus stations, shopping malls and movie complexes. At the height of the suicide bombings, customers paid a small surcharge at cafes and restaurants to subsidise the cost of a guard at the door.



Hundreds of armed civilian guards have been deployed to protect public transportation in Jerusalem in recent months amid the wave of attacks, which have been glorified by some Palestinians on social media. The guards stand at bus and light rail stops, and hop on and off buses along main routes, with the same powers to search and arrest as the police. Israel has also invested hugely in intelligence, its tactics evolving as its enemies change theirs.



Several psychological studies in Israel have found that people habituate quickly to threats, making adjustments to daily life  keeping children at home, for example, rather than sending them to summer camp  and adopting dark humour about the randomness of the threat.



If I dont get blown up, I will meet you at Dizengoff Centre in about 45 minutes, a Tel Aviv bus rider told a friend over a cellphone, in a conversation overheard by Israeli psy-

chologists researching the aftermath of the second intifada.



The survey of 458 people, led by Yechiel Klar of Tel Aviv University, found that 55% had changed their behaviour  spending less time outside the house, for instance, or making fewer long trips by public transportation. The other 45% said they had made no changes.



Some Israeli politicians have been disparaging about what they view as European negligence in security matters. After the attacks in March in Brussels, for example, a senior minister, Israel Katz, said Belgium would not be able to fight Islamist terrorism if Belgians continue eating chocolate and enjoying life and looking like great democrats and liberals.



In a radio interview on Sunday, Yaakov Perry, a former Shin Bet chief now in Parliament, recommended deeper intelligence supervision of neighbourhoods where Muslims, refugees, Daesh supporters of various sorts live, using an Arabic acronym to refer to the Islamic State.



He also suggested that the French police were complacent, referring to news reports that the driver in Nice had told officers he was delivering ice cream. If the driver says he has ice cream, open the truck and check if he has ice cream, Perry said.



That the attack occurred at a mass gathering for Bastille Day, Frances national holiday, had Israelis shaking their heads. Micky Rosenfeld, an Israeli police spokesman, said that to secure a major event like Independence Day celebrations, when tens of thousands of people gather along the Tel Aviv seafront to watch an air and naval display, officers gather intelligence for weeks beforehand, and erect a 360-degree enclosure of the area, with layers of security around the perimeter.



Main roads are typically blocked off with rows of buses, and smaller side streets with patrol cars. In addition to a large uniformed and undercover police presence, counterterrorism teams are strategically placed to provide a rapid response if needed.



Basic coverage

For intelligence gathering, Shin Bet has used a basic coverage method, which involves homing in on a particular neighbourhood or population sector that is considered a potential security risk. The agency then builds an intimate system of surveillance and a network of local informers who can point to any sign of suspicious or unusual activity.



Lior Akerman, a former Shin Bet division head, said that while an attack like the one in Nice could certainly happen in Israel, it should be emphasised that the French, like the rest of the European countries, do not conduct themselves intelligence-wise in this way at all.



Shaul Shay, a former deputy head of Israels National Security Council, said Israelis at home and abroad were generally better prepared for terrorism than citizens of other Western societies. Here, we are living with it since childhood, he said.



Many here said that even if Israels security apparatus could not have prevented an attack like the one in Nice, they imagine it would have been ended far sooner  with many fewer casualties. It would be impossible here because there is good security, said Muhammad Anati, 18, a Palestinian resident of the Shuafat refugee camp in East Jerusalem.



Inbal Berner, 37, an Israeli school librarian who was sipping an iced coffee at a nearby bus stop, gave voice to the new normal the French may now face. I look around; I dont go to crowded places if I dont have to, she said.



It has been that way forever, Berner added, or at least since the bus bombings of more than a decade ago. Because while people do get used to terrorism to some extent, she said, something always remains.




The State Cabinet on Wednesday discussed the shortage of sand and felt that Manufactured Sand (M-Sand) was the only alternative to meet the huge demand.





Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said there was a huge gap between demand and supply of sand. While the demand stood at 26 million tonnes, the supply stood at 14 to 15 million tonnes per annum. Jayachandra said the chief minister will hold a meeting on M-Sand in Bengaluru on Thursday. It will discuss the sops that could be provided for setting up of M-Sand plants and its use in construction. The government will soon bring out a M-Sand policy.



The Thursdays meeting will also discuss the recommendations made by a legislature committee on illegal sand mining headed by Congress MLA Rafeeq Ahmed. The panel had criticised the Public Works Department for failing to ensure adequate mining and distribution of sand. It had recommended the government to hand over sand blocks to private parties.



The Cabinet also discussed reforms in the Revenue department. Revenue Minister Kagodu Thimmappa informed the Cabinet about a deadline of six months being set for issuing possession certificates to those who have applied for regularisation of houses built on government lands both in rural and urban areas, Jayachandra said.



The guidelines for transfer of teachers through counselling process would be issued a day or two. The present process of reallotment of excess teachers in schools with high student-teacher ratio would continue, he added.



Other decisions

*Approval for establishment a sugar factory by Yaragatti Sugars Private Limited at Ramadurg taluk, Belagavi dist

*Approval for district hospital at Mysuru at a cost of Rs 70.36 crore

*Continuation of services of retd IAS officer B S Ramaprasad as advisor, SIT, Karnataka Lokayukta for one more year
Bengaluru Police Commissioner N S Megharikh on Wednesday said the police will commence the investigation into the suicide attempt by Vijayanagar sub-inspector Roopa Tamabd after recording her statement.





Once she recovers completely, we will take her statement and proceed with the investigation. For now, we are not initiating any action against anyone, Megharikh told Deccan Herald. The police need to get a clarity on what led her to attempt suicide, he added. Roopa who consumed over dose of some medicine at her Rajajinagar residence on Tuesday is still not able to speak.



Meanwhile, Home Minister G Parameshwara told reporters that he had sought a detailed report on the incident. The report will be prepared by the Bengaluru City Police Commissionerate, he added.



Preliminary investigation has revealed that Roopa was not in good terms with the Vijayanagar station inspector Sanjeev Gowda. The government would take suitable action after the police commissionerate submits its report, Parameshwara said.



According to Dr R Ravindra, medical director, Suguna Hospital where Roopa has been admitted, her condition is improving. Her conscious level has improved. However, she is still in the ICU and is under observation.



If there is an improvement in her condition, Roopa would be shifted to the ward on Thursday. She is drowsy. She had consumed an excessive dose of paracetamol.



Whether it has affected her liver or not would be known only after 36 to 40 hours. Hence, we have kept her under observation, he said.



It is said that an argument between Roopa and Sanjeev Gowda over a mobile phone recovered from a rape suspect forced her to attempt suicide on Tuesday. Thus, senior police officers questioned Sanjeev Gowda and Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Vijayanagar Sub-division S K Umesh over the misplaced mobile phone.



The two officers informed their superiors that they had no knowledge about the phone, sources said.



She was under pressure

Roopas parents, Karibasappa and Shanthamma said workplace pressure had forced their daughter to attempt suicide. Roopa chose to be a police officer while we wanted her to be a lawyer, they said.



Karnataka State Commission for Women Chairperson Manjula Manasa, after visting Roopa at the hospital said: We have asked the DCP to submit a report. I spoke to Roopas husband and he told me that she was being pressued by a senior officer. He also mentioned about the adverse entries made against her in the station diary. We have asked him to file a RTI application and obtain details of what is mentioned the diary she added.



Sensitive people should not join police dept

Karnataka State Human Rights Commission Chairperson Meera C Saxena on Wednesday said those who lack courage and toughness to withstand pressure and challenges in Police department should better not opt for such jobs.

Replying to a query from reporters on suicide attempt by Roopa, she said the police face tremendous pressure from government, media and public over crime detection. Therefore, sensitive people should avoid joining the police service, she said, DHNS reports from Hubballi.

Roopa should not have attempted suicide after a reported verbal duel with a higher officer. She needs counselling, Saxena noted. The Commission is conducting sensitisation programmes for the police personnel in all the districts to help them to get relief from stress.

The Commission has sought a report from the DG and IGP on the suicide of DySP M K Ganapathi after it received a complaint from the late police officers wife and son, she said.





Details of station diary

Sanjeev Gowda: Roopa is performing her duties promptly. I called her several times with regard to the mobile phone. But she did not turn up. I had to go to her cabin and call her. When asked about the mobile phone, she gave unsatisfactory answers and failed to follow the orders of the inspector.



Roopa: Even if there is no fault on my part, the inspector is harassing me. He even shouted at me in front of the other staff and the accused. It has affected me emotionally and mentally. I will cry my feelings out in front of Ajay Hilori, DCP (West), and City police Commissioner N S Megharikh.



Sanjeev Gowda: I am abiding by the law and following the rules. I have not harassed anyone emotionally or mentally.



Roopa: I'm going to the Commissioner of Police to complain about the torture meted out to me.



Probe into SIs suicide bid to begin after she recovers.


The CID officials on Wednesday arrested Abhiram, a close aide of Khandya Praveen, VHP Shivamogga division convener, in connection with the kidnapping case in Chikkamagaluru that also cost the life of Chikkamagaluru Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Kallappa Handibag. With this, the number of arrested in the case has increased to three.





The arrested is son a retired CSF soldiers son from Bengaluru. The CID police had arrested him on Tuesday and he was brought to CID temporary office in Chikkamagaluru under tight security. The officials quizzed him to collect further information, a source in the Police Department told Deccan Herald. Based on a clue given by Pradeep, another arrested suspect during the interrogation, the investigating agency personnel were able to zero in on Abhiram. The main suspect, Khandya Praveen, is still at large with his associates Naveen Shetty, Ashwin Shetty and Jeeva. The police are looking for the suspects not only in Karnataka, but also outside the state. Abhiram had signed a bail of all those arrested in gambling on June 26, prior to the abduction of Tejas.



He had given a false address to the police and had told the police that he was car driver of Khandya Praveen ad was a resident of Vijayapura. Meanwhile, Khandya Praveens wife Reshma (Priya) was quizzed by the police. The CID police who arrested Abhiram in Bengaluru, said that he is studying degree at a college in the city and was known to Naveen Shetty. On the night of June 27 when the gang, led by Shetty, had abducted Tejas. A senior police official Abhiram does not have any criminal record.



The investigation into his (Abhiram) connection with the other members of the gang which carried out the kidnapping on the directions of Khandya is being probed. Different teams are still on the look out for Khandya and Naveen Shetty who are on the run, the official said.


Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ordered a security review of all her Cabinet ministers, following an attempt on the life of state Food Minister Jyotipriyo Mullik on July 15.



Unidentified men in a speeding car tried to run Mullik over when he was out on his morning walk. Mullik suspects the attempt on his life was due to his vocal support to an ongoing crackdown on cross-border smuggling.



The chief minister has asked Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to look into the matter and review security protocol of all the ministers, a senior official said.




Over 500 undergraduate medical and 260 dental seats will be added to the CET seat matrix in the third round of counselling set to begin either on July 22 or 23, Sharanprakash Patil, Medical Education Minister, said on Wednesday.





He was speaking to reporters after an agreement was reached with linguistic minority colleges on the day.



More than 115 medical seats will be added from deemed universities, while 364 medical seats will be added from minority medical colleges, said Patil.



Speaking to Deccan Herald, S S Harsoor, Medical Education director, said that in addition to the 500 medical seats, around 260 dental seats would also be included in the seat matrix in the round.



In the first round, there were 2,491 medical seats and 602 dental seats, most of which were taken in that round itself.



Same fees as earlier

Linguistic minority colleges under the Association of Minority Professional Colleges, Karnataka, (ACPCK) will charge the same fees that had been earlier agreed upon by private colleges under the Karnataka Professional Colleges Foundation (KPFC) and religious minority colleges under the Karnataka Religious and Linguistic Minority Professional Colleges Association (KRLMPCA).



This means that ACPCK will charge Rs 70,000 for an MBBS seat and Rs 45,000 for a BDS seats under the government quota and Rs 5.75 lakh each for MBBS and Rs 3.90 lakh each for BDS for seats to be filled by the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).

Deemed universities will also charge the same fees.



Our demand was originally for the fees being charged by institutions in neighbouring states. For example, in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, an MBBS seat costs Rs 12 lakh to Rs 13 lakh per year. The government has said that it will look into our demand in the next year, so we have agreed for now, said D A Kalpaja, president, ACPCK.



Last year, there were 2,636 medical seats under the government quota.



This year, however, this has increased to more than 3,000 seats.



The number of seats has increased as three new government medical colleges were started this year.



No permission yet

As many as four private colleges  Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, The Oxford Medical College (both in Bengaluru), Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangaluru, and Shridevi Institute of Medical Sciences, Tumakuru, have not yet got permission from the Medical Council of India.



It is unlikely that seats will be added from these colleges. So far as deemed universities are concerned, the medical and dental seats will come from around five universities.


Last Saturday, SP Baburam received an intelligence input that Maoists from Bihar and Jharkhand had assembled near the Sondaha Pahari forest near Madanpur in Aurangabad. These rebels, owing allegiance to the banned CPI (Maoists), had reportedly assembled under the leadership of most wanted Maoist Sandeep, alias Vijay Yadav alias Bhupesh alias Bade Sarkar, who has more than 80 cases lodged against him in Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.



The Aurangabad SP, along with the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) men of the CRPFs 205 battalion and the Bihar Police, launched a manhunt for Sandeep in the jungles, but with little success. It was then decided that four different battalions would launch a combing operation from Monday.



While pursuing the Maoists in the jungle area of Madanpur on Monday, the team relied heavily on GPS positioning and feedback, but failed to take the help of local intelligence. By noon, the Maoists, sitting atop Sondaha hills, knew they had been successful in luring the security personnel into their booby trap.



Two battalions crossed the Dumri Nala. It was when the Maoists saw the third and fourth CRPF contingents passing their territory, they reportedly triggered 35 improvised explosive devices planted over a two-km stretch. A police source said, Despite carrying detectors, the police could not detect the landmine as they were buried four feet below the surface. The serial explosion resulted in many casualties. The other two CRPF teams returned and fired at the Maoists, killing three of them on the spot.



The source said many rebels were injured in the counter-attack, which continued till Monday midnight. But the Maoists managed to escape under the cover of darkness and heavy rain. The serial blasts claimed the lives of 10 jawans, and those injured were rushed to hospitals in Gaya and Patna.



Claiming responsibility for the attack, spokesperson of CPI (Maoist), central zone committee, Paramjeet said, Its true that three of our colleagues have been martyred. But we will avenge their killing in the days to come. The killing of CRPF men in Aurangabad was our token reply to the governments Operation Green Hunt, he added.




Around 50 more executive engineers of different electricity supply companies (Escoms) are set to be suspended in a week if they dont cancel the illegal agreements they signed for setting up of rooftop solar plants, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said on Wednesday.





The rooftop solar scheme was misused by some Escom engineers. The engineers had colluded with investors to grant permission even in cases where there were no buildings.



Though the state power regulator had reduced procurement tariff for these units from the earlier Rs 9.56 a unit to the range of Rs 5.20 to Rs 7.08 per unit depending upon their capacity, the engineers had allegedly signed pacts with old dates to get higher tariff.



There are cases where engineers approved rooftop solar energy harvesting at places without roof tops. This kind of violation in Power Purchase Agreements cant be accepted.



We have already suspended some engineers and we will suspend around 50 more next week if they dont cancel the agreements, said Shivakumar.



The government began cracking the whip on erring officials on July 6, when nine executive engineers were suspended.
The Bengaluru-Hubballi Air India flight (AI 9509), with 39 passengers on board, made its first landing here on Wednesday.





The flight was given a customary two-water cannon salute on its arrival. While some passengers felt like being treated as kings, others complained that for a new route, Air India has allotted an old 48-seater aircraft.



Air India has been linking the remotest corners of the country, under the Centres Connect India programme. The flight will make three trips a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The flight, piloted by Captain Jorge Cano, landed at the Hubballi airport at 4.57 pm.



Jayash Trivedi, a businessman from Ahmadabad, was the first to alight from the flight.



Speaking to Deccan Herald, he said, We were treated like kings. At Bengaluru airport, we were made to cut a cake and light a lamp before the departure.



An old aircraft being allotted for the route did not go down well with Satish Jagathal, a resident of Hubballi. The flight took off on the return journey with 42 passengers and four crewmen on board at 6.25 pm, after a cake was cut and a lamp was lit.



As per schedule, the Air India flight will arrive from Bengaluru at 5.05 pm and depart at 5.25 pm. Air India has fixed Rs 1,902 plus taxes as the fare for the service.


Life remained paralysed in the Kashmir Valley for the 12th consecutive day on Wednesday, with separatists calling for a shutdown till Monday. To counter the separatists call, the government on Wednesday evening announced that all the schools in the peaceful districts of Baramulla, Bandipora, Budgam and Ganderbal will reopen on Thursday after summer vacations.



Earlier, the government had extended the vacations in all educational institutions till July 25. Meanwhile, Kashmir-based newspapers would hit the stands from Thursday, after Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti assured the editors and owners that her government was committed to the independence of the media at all costs.



During a meeting, the chief minister said complaints of high-handedness against the press, if any, will be looked into. There has been no deliberate attempt on the part of the government to impose any restriction on the publication of newspapers.However, whatever has happened, because of some communication gap, is regrettable, she said.



The state government was widely criticised for censoring the media and on Monday Amitabh Mattoo, advisor to the chief minister, said the decision to ban the publication of newspapers in the Valley did not have the consent of the chief minister and might have been taken at the local level for which heads will roll.



Meanwhile, a 75-year-old man from Khumriyal area of north Kashmirs Kupwara district, who was hit by a bullet last week when forces had reportedly opened fire on unarmed protesters, succumbed to his injuries at SMHS hospital here, doctors said.



With this, the death toll in the ongoing unrest in Kashmir has touched 47. More than 3,200 people have been injured. The violence erupted over the encounter of Hizbul Mujaideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8.




The minister said that the main procedural hurdle raised by Beijing to resist New Delhis bid for a berth in the NSG was related to Indias status as a non-NPT country (a country that did not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) and how the cartel could admit such a nation as a member.



India will continue to seek Chinas support to its bid to enter the Nuclear Suppliers Group, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. She also reaffirmed that India would never sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but would continue its diplomatic efforts to enter the NSG  a cartel to govern the global nuclear commerce.Sushma on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that the NSG had not been able to decide on Indias plea during its annual plenary in Seoul last month, because China raised certain procedural hurdles.She, however, added that notwithstanding Chinas position against admission of India into the NSG, New Delhi would continue with its engagement with the communist country and try to obtain its support for securing the membership of the 48-nation cartel.Only because they (China) did not agree with us (on the NSG issue) once, it would not be appropriate to presume that they would never agree with us, she said. The minister was replying to a supplementary query from Trinamool Congress MP Sugata Bose during the Question Hour.Bose sought to know the steps being taken by the government for easing the strain in India-China relations in the aftermath of the fiasco over the NSG bid.Now the way in which the campaign to achieve NSG membership was carried out has resulted in strained diplomatic relations with our large Asian neighbour, China, said Bose.Sushma cited the instance of the opposition Congress not allowing the BJP government to get the Goods and Services Tax Bill passed by Parliament. She said just as the government would continue to discuss with the opposition party for resolving differences over the GST Bill, it would also keep on doing the same with China to seek support for Indias plea for membership of the NSG. We are now discussing when India would become a member of the NSG, not whether India could ever enter the export control regime, she said.
The government on Wednesday said that it would take some more time to secure the release of kidnapped Father Tom Uzhunnallil in Yemen.



External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told the Lok Sabha that the government was trying to secure the release of Father Tom Uzhunnallil, who is from Kerala and had been kidnapped by Islamic State (IS) militants from a home run by Missionaries of Charity at Aden in Yemen on March 4 this year. She, however, said that it would take some more time.



Sushmas assurance in the Lok Sabha came a day after a video and some pictures of the priest in captivity of the kidnappers appeared on Facebook, triggering concerns over his well-being.


Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute who was associated with the case since 1949, died here on Wednesday. He was 95.



Ansari breathed his last at his residence due to heart-related ailments, according to his son Iqbal. Born in Ayodhya, Ansari was the first to file the suit on the matter in the court of the civil judge of Faizabad in 1949.



Ansari along with six others became the main plaintiff in the Ayodhya title suit filed by the Sunni Central Waqf Board in the court.



In 2010, the Allahabad High Court in its majority verdict allotted one-third of the disputed site in Ayodhya to Nirmohi Akhara.



The other two-thirds portion has been given equally to be shared by the Waqf Board and the side representing Ram Lalla.



Soon after the verdict, Ansari had called for burying the dispute and making a fresh start. In his attempt to find an out-of-court resolution to the dispute, Ansari had in February last year said that he will involve prominent members of the minority community for a peaceful conclusion to the matter.



Ansari also met Akhara Parishad president Mahant Gyan Das to discuss a new proposal for resolution of the dispute.



The formula for out-of-court settlement talked about the 70 acres of disputed premises accommodating both mosque and temple with a partition wall which will be 100 ft high. Ansari had also stated that he wants to create a mass awareness and gather the support of community leaders for the cause.



Ansari had said, This is neither one mans job nor a one-man show. If we want to find a peaceful solution to this more than 60-year old problem that has claimed many innocent lives in the communal riots, it is necessary that responsible people of Muslim community and religious leaders must come out to discuss it.



The negotiation process, which started after the September 30, 2010, Allahabad High Court verdict, was largely being supported by a cross section of the civil society and religious leaders from both communities. Reacting to Ansaris death, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad said hardliners should take a lesson from Ansaris life.



VHP spokesman Sharad Sharma said, Hashim was like a bubble in water. His mindset was different from other Muslim plaintiffs and hardliners. This is the time for mourning and grief.Convener of Babri Masjid Action Committee Zafaryab Jilani expressed grief over the death of Ansari.



DH reports from Lucknow

Hashim was 36-year-old when he filed the case. I do not think there will be a decision (on title suits) during my lifetime, he had told DH two years ago.



Ansari felt that the politicians did not want resolution of the matter. I am fed up with the delay...the politicians do want a resolution of the matter...they will lose an issue if a solution is found, he had said.


Uttar Pradesh BJP vice-president and senior leader Daya Shankar Singh on Wednesday courted controversy after he used derogatory words to describe BSP supremo Mayawati.



An FIR under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act was registered against Singh. A PTI report late in the night said he was expelled from the party. Singh, while charging that Mayawati had been selling her party tickets to the highest bidder, made an objectionable comparison, triggering sharp protests from the BSP as well as other political parties.



Mayawatiji is a big leader of the country, but she is selling tickets of her party...she has deviated from Kanshirams principles., he said. Therefore the BSP workers are leaving the party...she is even worse than............., Singh said while speaking to reporters in Mau, about 300 km from Lucknow.



Singh, after his derogatory remarks triggered a massive outrage and put the BJP on the back foot in Parliament, tendered an apology and said he was ready to face any punishment decided by Mayawati. I regret the remarks. I can never think of using derogatory words against Mayawati. I am ready to be arrested if the BSP supremo so desires, Singh said.



Uttar Pradesh BJP chief Keshav Parasad Maurya also expressed regret over the remarks. Sources said Singh was removed from his post.



The case against Singh was registered at Hazratganj police station after the BSP lodged a complaint. Police sources said Singh had been booked under sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race etc), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult modesty of a woman) and the SC/ST Act. Police sources said the video clip containing Singhs derogatory remarks was also in the possession of the cops.


Parliament on Wednesday witnessed a major face-off between the government and the Opposition over atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat. The Congress, BSP and almost the rest of the Opposition targeted the government in both the Houses over the recent incident of a brutal assault on some Dalits at Una in Gir Somnath district of Gujarat, a state ruled by the BJP. The Rajya Sabha was adjourned six times with MPs trooping into the Well of the House.



The Lok Sabha too witnessed similar scenes, with noisy uproars and walk-outs by the members of the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Trinamool Congress and the communist parties.



Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, however, sought to turn the tables on the main Opposition party, citing figures that revealed that the atrocities on Dalits in Gujarat came down after Narendra Modi had taken over as chief minister in 2001.



Seven people of the community were publicly beaten up by members of a local vigilante group, Gau Rakshak Samiti (Association of Cow Protectors), for skinning a dead cow at Mota Samadhiyala village in Una on July 11. The Dalits were accused of killing the cow. The incident triggered protests that spread across Gujarat.



Singh lauded the Chief Minister Anandiben Patel-led government in Gujarat for acting swiftly and effectively by arresting nine of the accused, initiating the process to set up a special court to try them and providing medical care and compensation to the victims. His praise for the state government triggered protests from the Opposition MPs.



It is an unfortunate incident. No words are enough to condemn it, the home minister said, adding that Prime Minister Modi was deeply hurt by the incident.



Earlier in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan disallowed notices submitted by several Opposition MPs for adjournment motions on the issue. She continued with the Question Hour even as Congress MPs raised slogans like where is the Gujarat model, where are the achhe din and stop atrocities on Dalits. During the Zero Hour, Congress leader K Suresh demanded that a Joint Parliamentary Committee be constituted and sent to Gujarat to asses the situation.



In the Rajya Sabha, Trinamool Congress Derek O'Brien was the first to raise the issue with participation from Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad and BSP chief Mayawati. The Opposition parties trooped to the Well whenever the House reassembled, but their vociferous sloganeering did not allow transaction of any business.


The Department of Posts is bringing out a Special Carried Cover which will be carried on the AirAsia aircraft set to fly fans from here to Chennai on July 22 to catch the first show of Kabali.





The Karnataka Postal Circle and Chennai City Region of the department have joined hands with AirAsia for the flight initiative. As many as 2,000 registered letters addressed from Postmaster General, Bengaluru to Postmaster General, Chennai City, will be flown on the aircraft.



They will be flown back on the return flight same day with a seal confirming that the letters were received in Chennai.



Once the authorities in Bengaluru ensure that each letter has a stamp, they will be available on sale for Rs 100 at the Philatelic Bureau of the Bengaluru (GPO) and Anna Road Head Post Office, Chennai.




In a strange case, the police top brass has reinstated a suspended police inspector to the same post within 25 days as his wife was reportedly depressed and contemplating suicide.



The officer in question is none other than the Vijayanagar inspector H V Sanjeev Gowda, who is now in the eye of a controversy following the suicide attempt by his subordinate, sub-inspector Roopa Tamabad. Roopa is said have had an argument with Gowda at the police station on Tuesday before she rushed home and had an overdose of some medicine.



On June 20, Gowda was suspended from service on the charge of dereliction of duty after the brutal murder of history-sheeter Mahesh at a Cafe Coffee Day outlet in Vijayanagar. Gowda was suspended based on the departmental enquiry report by Additional Commissioner of Police (West) K S R Charan Reddy.



However, Gowdas suspension was revoked and he was reinstated as the Vijayanagar inspector on July 15. Usually, after the suspension is revoked, officers are given a non-executive post for a while. But that was not so in the case of Gowda, highly placed sources in the police department told Deccan Herald.



Gowdas suspension was revoked as his wife was depressed and was contemplating suicide after his suspension. After learning this, senior police officers summoned Gowda, took an undertaking from him that he would be prompt in his duty and forwarded the letter to the higher-ups. Subsequently, the suspension was withdrawn and he was posted back as the Vijayanagar inspector, the sources said.



Suicide threats

In another case, a constable who threatened to commit suicide if he is not transferred to his native place was given a posting as per his request.



The constable had applied several times for a transfer to Davangere. But his request was turned down. The constable was working at Rajagopalanagar police station in Bengaluru for the last eight years. Recently, he again applied for a transfer to Davangere. But he was transferred to the Soladevanahalli police station. He went to the DG & IGPs office and threatened to commit suicide if he was not transferred to Davangere. We did not want him to take a drastic step and the transfer was ordered. He was relieved two days ago, sources said.



In yet another case, on July 7, Srinivasa H, a constable attached to the Jayanagar station, left a note in the station threatening to commit suicide. He was upset that he was deputed to the Siddapura police station for a few days, as that station did not have a driver for the new Ertiga patrolling vehicle. He refused to work at the Siddapura station and threatened to commit suicide, the sources said.


Five teams from Bangalore Off-road Drivers Association (BODA) will be participating in the third edition of Force Gurkha Rainforest Challenge 2016, one of the toughest off-roading motorsport competitions in the country.



The intensive challenge lasts for seven days and involves driving in forests on rocky slopes and even in streams. With this years event set to begin on June 22 in Goa, preparations are in full swing. Madhusudan Reddy, along with co-driver Kumar Raju, will be participating in RFC India for the second time.



We were under prepared last time having only seen a few videos of the challenge on the internet, Reddy said. In spite of this, they came third in the petrol category. This year he wants to give it his best shot and he is prepping both himself and his Mahindra Gypsy for the challenge. Last one month has been very hectic. I put in about three hours in the gym and I also have to runaround to get parts for my vehicle and take it on test drives, Reddy added.



The challenge has several competitive legs  the Prologue, the Predator, the Terminator and the Twilight Zone  with progressing difficulty levels. After a few easier stages on natural terrain, the competition moves away from spectators eyes to deserted quarries and forest areas.



Vivek Kuriakose, who is participating along with co-driver Ashok Kuriakose, said, Certain climbs are very high and you cant see what lies ahead. On such stretches, the co-driver who is outside the vehicle, acts as the eyes of the driver, giving instructions over walkie-talkie. He added that the monsoon rains make things more difficult and sometimes they have to drive through water levels four to five feet high, admitting that the experience was quite scary.



The youngest of them, 29-year-old Pradeep Kumar will be taking part in RFC for the third time. Talking about his vehicle, Thar King, he said, It is a Mahindra Thar only for namesake. I have replaced nearly all of the parts with imported ones for better performance. RFC is very challenging because you have to survive in the forest for seven days, carrying your own food, vehicle parts and other supplies. Expecting this years competition to be tougher than the previous two editions, he and his co-driver Prithviraj A C practise on rocky terrain on the outskirts of Bengaluru.



The other two participating from Bengaluru are Lokesh Aradhya (co-driver Rohith KR) and Siddartha Santosh (co-driver Yanrenthung Jamio) who was on the waiting list until his participation got confirmed on Monday.



This brings the total number of teams participating from Karnataka to seven, the highest number of entries from a single state. The top driver at the event will get an automatic, free entry to the RFC Mother Event to be held in Malaysia at the end of the year.




GhostRider said: Federal Prosecutors Smack Down Trump With Investigation For THIS Awful New Crime, He?s Dead Meat ? Democratic Review

A vote for Trum is going to be a vote for Pence. Just like we don't want a carnival barker like Trump in office, we don't want a bible thumper who took his own state down the sewer to take the U.S. back to the little Bush era. A vote for Trum is going to be a vote for Pence. Just like we don't want a carnival barker like Trump in office, we don't want a bible thumper who took his own state down the sewer to take the U.S. back to the little Bush era. Click to expand...

i suspect he will escape by arguing it was one of his staffers who sent the emails, without his knowledge or consent, so he has not actually done anything wrong. and thats as fair a defence as "those emails that i knew were going to be classified, hadn't been classified yet, so i didnt do anything wrong".
By Michael T. Klare

14 July 2016 (TomDispatch)  Heres the good news: wind power, solar power, and other renewable forms of energy are expanding far more quickly than anyone expected, ensuring that these systems will provide an ever-increasing share of our future energy supply. According to the most recent projections from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the U.S. Department of Energy, global consumption of wind, solar, hydropower, and other renewables will double between now and 2040, jumping from 64 to 131 quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs). And heres the bad news: the consumption of oil, coal, and natural gas is also growing, making it likely that, whatever the advances of renewable energy, fossil fuels will continue to dominate the global landscape for decades to come, accelerating the pace of global warming and ensuring the intensification of climate-change catastrophes. The rapid growth of renewable energy has given us much to cheer about. Not so long ago, energy analysts were reporting that wind and solar systems were too costly to compete with oil, coal, and natural gas in the global marketplace. Renewables would, it was then assumed, require pricey subsidies that might not always be available. That was then and this is now. Today, remarkably enough, wind and solar are already competitive with fossil fuels for many uses and in many markets. If that wasnt predicted, however, neither was this: despite such advances, the allure of fossil fuels hasnt dissipated. Individuals, governments, whole societies continue to opt for such fuels even when they gain no significant economic advantage from that choice and risk causing severe planetary harm. Clearly, something irrational is at play. Think of it as the fossil-fuel equivalent of an addictive inclination writ large. The contradictory and troubling nature of the energy landscape is on clear display in the 2016 edition of the International Energy Outlook, the annual assessment of global trends released by the EIA this May. The good news about renewables gets prominent attention in the report, which includes projections of global energy use through 2040. Renewables are the worlds fastest-growing energy source over the projection period, it concludes. Wind and solar are expected to demonstrate particular vigor in the years to come, their growth outpacing every other form of energy. But because renewables start from such a small base  representing just 12% of all energy used in 2012  they will continue to be overshadowed in the decades ahead, explosive growth or not. In 2040, according to the reports projections, fossil fuels will still have a grip on a staggering 78% of the world energy market, and  if you dont mind getting thoroughly depressed  oil, coal, and natural gas will each still command larger shares of the market than all renewables combined. [] As the 2016 EIA report makes eye-poppingly clear, however, the endorsers of the Paris Agreement arent on track to reduce their consumption of oil, coal, and natural gas. In fact, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise by an estimated 34% between 2012 and 2040 (from 32.3 billion to 43.2 billion metric tons). That net increase of 10.9 billion metric tons is equal to the total carbon emissions of the United States, Canada, and Europe in 2012. If such projections prove accurate, global temperatures will rise, possibly significantly above that 2 degree mark, with the destructive effects of climate change we are already witnessing today  the fires, heat waves, floods, droughts, storms, and sea level rise  only intensifying. [more]
kbear said: wow, you are one tough dude! tell us about the plane crash! Click to expand...

Wasn't much of a plane crash. I was in a C-141 that came in for a landing with a full load of Marines & equipment, landing gear failed to come down and it had to come down on it's belly. They sprayed the runway with some sort of thick foam. No fire but guys and equipment got thrown around pretty roughly. No fatalities, just a few broken bones, etc.
5 Unbelievably Stupid Things Pahlaj Nihalani Said in the Last 72 Hours
Filipino operator Globe Telecom has hit out at the countrys regulator the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) over its review of the firms joint takeover of San Miguel with PLDT.

Globe has accused the regulator of changing the rules suddenly in the middle of a game and acting on it whimsically. It has argued that the PCC is giving unwarranted scrutiny to the joint acquisition proposed at the end of May.

The claims mark a further example of the countrys two major operators looking to increase the pressure on the PCC. Last week, Globe and PLDT asked the Filipino Court of Appeals to block a review of the deal by the regulator. Between them, the two operators share 99% of the Philippines mobile connections. They are acquiring San Miguel, which holds premium 700MHz spectrum, for PHP52.8 billion ($1.13 billion).

Globe argues that the acquisition should be deemed approved as it has complied with all PCC rules, but the regulator has countered that the countrys fair competition law means that it has the right to review the deal.
A team of researchers from the German Research Centre for Environmental Health has found a new marker regulating the normal subdivision of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

The study findings, published in the journal Nature, show that the maturation of pancreatic beta cells, which was thought to be an homogeneous process, is highly individualised and governed by the expression of a protein called Flattop.

The research team conducted two analyses into the physiology and specialisation of insulin-producing beta cells which revealed that not all beta cells in the pancreas are identical.

This study shows that the protein supports the growth of mature beta cells that maintained optimal glucose metabolism and insulin production. This discovery could enable scientists to regenerate beta cells in a targeted manner to replace dysfunctional cells in diabetic patients.

The researchers, working in collaboration with scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen and colleagues from the Technical University of Munich, knew that different subpopulations of beta cells existed, but the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for their destruction or loss of function had remained elusive until now.

In the current study, the cohort of researchers led by Professor Heiko Lickert searched for specific molecular markers subdividing the respective subgroups of beta cells using a genetic test known as lineage tracing that maps the fate of single beta cells.

The protein Flattop rapidly stood out as an important precursor of mature beta cells. It was present in about 80 per cent of all beta cells and seemed to effectively ensure these cells sampled the glucose concentration of their environment correctly and secreted the corresponding amount of insulin.

Conversely, beta cells in which no Flattop was measurable proliferated up to four times more often than those that had it. It has long been known that a dysregulation of beta cell proliferation can disrupt the bodys ability to ensure proper glucose homeostasis, and as such is a fundamental feature in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus.

Until recently, the only hypothesis for a decrease in functional beta cell mass in type 2 diabetes patients was thought to be mediated by the action of Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analogues. But studies on GLP1 were for the most part inconclusive, showing proliferation was neither significant nor consistent.

This study, however, uncovers a new, more reliable, factor modulating the proliferative capacity of human beta cells and possible biomarker for beta cell regenerative therapies.

How does Flattop work?

After further genetic analyses, the scientists discovered that in beta cells without Flattop, only genes responsible for sensing the environment were expressed, while in cells with Flattop, classic healthful metabolic programs took place.

Studies done on mice have shown that a health promotion gene regulating these important metabolic programs encoded a transcription factor in pancreatic beta cells known as FOXA2.

FOXA2 is an essential activator of genes that function in multiple pathways of insulin secretion and has been found to bind the Flattop promoter in pancreatic beta cell islets, indicating that Flattop is a direct target of FOXA2 and expressed in these cells.

Unsurprisingly, the absence of Flattop in the mices beta cells led to FOXA2 deficiency, which resulted in excessive insulin release and hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.
Miner BHP Billiton posted its operational review for the year to 30 June on Wednesday, confirming it exceeded full-year production guidance for petroleum, copper and metallurgical coal, and achieved record full-year production at Western Australia Iron Ore.

The FTSE 100 firm said it expects to achieve full-year cost guidance at its major assets, with unit costs forecast to decline further next year.

Petroleum production declined 6% to 240 MMboe, copper dropped 8% to 1,580 kt, iron ore was down 2% to 227 Mt, metallurgical coal improved by 1% to 43 Mt, and energy coal production was down 16% to 34 Mt.

In petroleum, exploration drilling commenced in Trinidad and Tobago and in the Gulf of Mexico, following positive results at Shenzi North during the year.

The Los Colorados Extension project was also approved by the Escondida Owners Council with first production expected in the second half of the 2017 financial year.

BHPs board said four major projects remained underway and are tracking to plan.

Underlying attributable profit in the June 2016 half-year is expected to include additional charges of up to $175m, the company warned.

Over the next 12 months, we expect volumes and costs across our minerals businesses to benefit from our continued drive to safely improve productivity, said chief executive Andrew Mackenzie.

We can create significant value through further cost reductions, taking advantage of latent capacity in our assets and investing in low-capital projects.

These initiatives are expected to grow production by five per cent in copper, up to four per cent in iron ore and three per cent in metallurgical coal in the next financial year, Mackenzie added.

He said that in petroleum, the company has delivered strong performance from its conventional assets and responded to market conditions by reducing the number of rigs in its onshore US assets as it focuses on cash flow and value.

We have taken advantage of the fall in deep water drilling costs and accelerated our conventional oil exploration program to simultaneously run campaigns in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean.

We are well positioned to bring on shale volumes as markets tighten and develop conventional resources over the medium to long term, Mackenzie explained.
Electrocomponents paced gains on the second-tier index after the electrical components distributor said its first quarter sales to 30 June grew only 1%, but that was a slowdown from the 3.5% rise recorded in the first six weeks of the period.

It was also down from the 2% growth in the preceding quarter and 2.8% in the last full year.

Gross margins also improved as cost-cutting proved more effective than expected.

IbStock was also moving higher, participating in another day of gains for UK real estate stocks. Overnight a report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr) argued in favour of more flexible funding from government for housebuilders.

Leading to the downside was Stock in Polymetal as the strength in the US dollar sapped the strength of gold futures.

As of 16:57 BST Comex-traded gold futures were declining by 0.86% to 1,320.80.

Shares in Hochschild Mining were also lower a day ahead of the miner's second quarter production update.

"The focus should be on progress with the development of the high grade Pablo vein system at the Pallancata mine. The company could also provide an update on its net debt position that is targeted to be 1x-2x by YE 2016 (NUMe 1.35x) and on how it plans to fully utilise its processing facilities across Peru, where it has significant redundant capacity," analysts at Numis said.

Significantly for the firm, analysts at UniCredit cautioned silver futures had thus far found underlying support from speculators and investors.

However, "there was a risk that markets could be unnerved by more-hawkish rhetoric from the Fed at the July 27 FOMC meeting. This could lead to a stern test of investor resolve as dips so far this year have been short lived," the analysts said.

Market Movers

FTSE 250 - Risers

Electrocomponents (ECM) 284.50p 10.10%

Ibstock (IBST) 143.70p 6.76%

DFS Furniture (DFS) 223.30p 6.13%

Hill & Smith Holdings (HILS) 1,041.00p 5.47%

Workspace Group (WKP) 711.00p 4.64%

JD Sports Fashion (JD.) 1,228.00p 4.16%

Card Factory (CARD) 314.00p 4.15%

NCC Group (NCC) 333.00p 4.03%

Cranswick (CWK) 2,361.00p 3.69%

OneSavings Bank (OSB) 216.60p 3.64%

FTSE 250 - Fallers

Polymetal International (POLY) 1,045.00p -5.77%

Thomas Cook Group (TCG) 61.45p -3.98%

Hochschild Mining (HOC) 213.80p -3.74%

Ashmore Group (ASHM) 341.20p -3.62%

TalkTalk Telecom Group (TALK) 216.00p -3.01%

Vedanta Resources (VED) 501.00p -3.00%

Virgin Money Holdings (UK) (VM.) 231.40p -2.53%

SIG (SHI) 104.80p -2.51%

Redefine International (RDI) 42.98p -2.32%

Allied Minds (ALM) 358.70p -2.23%
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Digitimes Research: SoftBank chairman overoptimistic about benefits from acquiring ARM

For Japan-based SoftBank's plan to acquire a 100% stake in UK-based ARM at GBP24.3 billion (US$32.0 billion), SoftBank chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son indicated that the acquisition is motivated by the large business potential for IoT (Internet of Things)...

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How Ohio anti-abortion activists shaped post-Roe America

Ohio led a slow, determined push to steadily weaken and then nearly eliminate abortion rights. It's indicative of what has happened around the U.S.
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SEATTLE  King County property records show that on Monday Sun Life Assurance Co. of Canada sold a Bellevue office building at 3633 136th Place S.E. to a new Washington state LLC known as SFII Delphi for $17.4 million.

Sun Life purchased the three-story structure for $12 million in 2003 from University Street Properties. It was built in 1983.





. . .
Scottish courts overrule consent to four offshore wind farms

The Scottish courts have revoked consent for 2.3GW of offshore wind farms off the country's east coast, including the 450MW Neart na Gaoithe project.

In its long-awaited ruling the Court of Session in Edinburgh yesterday said that it had determined that Mainstream Renewable Power's Neart, SDIC Power's 784MW Inch Cape and SSE and Fluor's 1050MW Seagreen wind farms no longer had valid planning permission.

Lord Stewart ruled in favour of the Royal Society for the protection of birds' (RSPB)'s claims that the consents granted in October 2014 by Scottish ministers were defective.

According to RSPB, the projects would have had ''serious implications'' for how bird and wildlife sites were protected across Scotland.

The Scottish government yesterday said it remained committed to offshore wind. With the ruling, all three wind farms are left without planning permission. This meant further uncertainty for the Contract for Difference (CfD) for Mainstream's Neart which had been in arbitration with the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) since earlier this year following LCCC's termination of the project's 114.39 CfD.

According to a statement from Mainstream, it "remains committed" to developing the wind farm.

"Neart na Gaoithe has the potential to make a significant contribution to both the Scottish and Westminster governments' commitment to climate change and to an improved environment which is the vision of so many people and organisations," said the statement.

RSPB Scotland lawyers argued that the Scottish ministers were in breach of the requirements the law had placed on them when they made their original decisions.

According to the lawyers, the ministers failed to give proper consideration to the area being a haven for rare wildlife.

Lord Stewart ordered that the Scottish ministers would need to reconsider the decisions on whether to grant planning permissions for the developments.

Their new decision would need to address legal points brought out in court by the RSPB Scotland team.

In a statement, RSPB Scotland said that the legal challenge was a "last resort decision" which it had made "with great reluctance."

It said, "Unfortunately, consents were granted when thousands of gannets, puffins, kittiwakes and other seabirds from iconic internationally-protected wildlife sites like the Bass Rock and the Isle of May were predicted to be killed every year.


A vaccine against HIV would undergo trials in South Africa later this year. The drug could help fight the HIV epidemic in Africa after meeting the criteria needed to prove its efficacy against the virus. Of the 2.1 million new infections reported in 2015, sub-Saharan Africa accounted for two-thirds of the cases. A small trial, known as HVTN100, was conducted in South Africa in 2015 to test the safety and strength of immunity the vaccine could provide, ahead of any larger-scale testing in affected populations. Two-hundred and fifty-two healthy volunteers received either the vaccine, known as ALVAC-HIV/gp120, or a placebo to compare the extent of the generated immune response. The results were presented yesterday at the 21st International AIDS Conference in Durban, South Africa. "This was precautionary to see if the vaccine looks promising," CNN reported quoting Linda Gail Bekker, deputy director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, and president-elect of the International AIDS Society, who is leading the vaccine trials. The vaccine comes after a landmark trial in Thailand in 2009 that was the first to show any protection against HIV, with 31 protections against the virus, which generated much excitement among experts in the field. "The obvious question is: Can we now replicate those results and can we improve upon them with greater breadth, depth and potency?" CNN added quoting Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease, whose organisation has sponsored the study. Meanwhile, speaking out in an impassioned opening ceremony speech at the 2016 International AIDs Conference, yesterday, actress Charlize Theron charged that not enough was being to end the ongoing epidemic affecting Africa's population. The Hollywood actress who is also an AIDS activist and founder of the the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, said during her speech at the 21st annual conference's Durban, Africa, opening ceremony, "I think it is time that we acknowledge that something is terribly wrong." "It's time to face the truth about the unjust world we live in, the truth is we have every tool we need to prevent the spread of HIV ... let's ask ourselves why haven't we beaten this epidemic. Could it be because we don't want to?"










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Taoiseach Enda Kenny may well have opened a Pandora's Box when he hinted at the possibility of a Border Poll on the reunification of Ireland.

Speaking on Monday evening at the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Kenny departed from his prepared script when he addressed the implications of the recent poll during his speech and afterwards to the assembled media.

He said that he did not favour a border poll at present but stressed that should it be the wish of the people of the majority of people in Northern Ireland to leave the UK the prospect of this poll would be very real.

This is already built in to the conditions of the Good Friday agreement he said.

Asked was this really a reality he replied as Gaelige, Beidir, beidir.

It seems, a definite reality is that Kenny has no intention of vacating his position as Taoiseach, despite reports suggesting otherwise. I have no intention of standing down. I intend to see that this government implements the programme for Government. This partnership government will go the full distance, this is a partnership. Nobody has a majority, we must share our views and maintain a partnership where we work together.

This years festival has been busy thus far, but with the programme running up until Friday night there are still a number of events worth drawing attention to.

Wednesday at 10.30am sees Mairead McGuinness, Vice President of the European Parliament, discuss Irelands position in an unstable world, with a particular focus on the recent Brexit vote.

The event will be wrapped up at 8.30pm on Friday with, among others,Labour Party leader, Brendan Howlin, and former Irish Times Editor, Conor Brady, discussing what will become of Ireland in the present day given the celebration of 1916 this year.
As many area communities will be observing Trick-or-Treating this weekend and Monday, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections advises you and your family to keep your children safer this Halloween by discussing ahead of time what to do if you are ever separated. A list of safety tips from state agencies is below to help ensure a safer Halloween weekend for everyone. You can also find the hours for trick-or-treating in Door and Kewaunee counties by clicking here.

-A parent or trusted adult should always accompany children

-Stay on well-lit streets and stick to neighborhoods you know

-Only stop at homes where the porch light is on

-Never enter a home or car for a treat

-Trick-or-treaters should carry a cell phone to allow for quick communication

-If the child carries a cell phone, activate location services prior to trick-or-treating

-Call 911 if you see any suspicious or illegal activity

Children should yell No! and run from any stranger who tries to take them somewhere

-Have a responsible adult check treats at the end of the night

Similarly, the Wisconsin Department of Health also suggests some tips for families with trick-or-treaters and families who are giving out candy.

Costume Tips

-Choose costumes that are light-colored and more visible to motorists.

-Use reflective tape to decorate costumes and candy bags to increase the visibility of children to drivers. Reflective tape may be purchased at hardware, bicycle, or sporting goods stores.

-Use make-up rather than a mask; if your childs costume does include a mask, make sure it fits snugly and that the eyeholes are large enough to allow full vision.

-Children should wear well-fitting, sturdy shoes.

-Costumes should be short enough that a child will not trip and fall.

-Choose costume accessories such as swords or knives that are made of soft and flexible material.

-Do not use novelty contacts such as cat eyes or snake eyes.

Pedestrian Safety

-Engage in Halloween activities during the daylight hours, if possible.

-Do not enter homes or apartments without adult supervision.

-Remind children to walk, not run, and to only cross streets at crosswalks.

-Be sure your children are accompanied by a responsible adult who has a flashlight. -----

-Flashlights or chemical light sticks should be used so that children can see and be seen by motorists.

Halloween Home Safety

-Remove obstacles from your lawn, porch, or steps if you are expecting trick-or-treaters.

-Make sure your front porch is well-lit.

-Avoid using candle-lit jack-o-lanterns if possible. If you do use candles, dont place them near curtains, furnishings, or decorations. Move them off porches where childrens costumes may ignite.

-Keep your pets in another room when you are expecting trick-or-treaters.

-Small children should not carve pumpkins; instead, allow them to draw the designs on the pumpkin and adults may carve.

-Turn on an outside light if welcoming trick-or-treaters.
Ireland's most prominent economist a man with a track record of getting the big calls right believes there will not be a return to border controls.

What's more David McWilliams says Dundalk and indeed Ireland should not fear Brexit and that everybody needs to chill out a little bit.

McWilliams was speaking at an event last week held at the Crowne Plaza and organised by Cathedral Financial Consultants Limited on Crowe Street.

The bulk of Dundalk's major business owners and share holders were in attendance and after finger food and a wine/coffee reception, they settled in for the show. It was exceptionally well attended, with many having to stand at the back of the fully extended function room.

McWilliams who famously predicted the housing market crash in 2008, categorically predicted in March at the previous Cathedral event on Drogheda that the UK would vote to leave the EU.

Unusually McWilliams opened proceedings with a Yeats poem from 1916 - The Second Coming - which he felt was particularly apposite for the time in which we live:

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer;

Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned;

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity.

McWilliams said that unfortunately we are living in a world in which the 'best lack conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity, and that the parralells between Brexit and this poem were there to be drawn.

The good news for Dundalk is however that McWilliams does not think that Brexit is a threat, and that it should not be viewed as one.

He was also withering about Northern Ireland's economy - likening it to a Marxist state and calling it suppressive and difficult in economic terms.

It is no threat to Ireland, where we have a profoundly more vibrant economic structure.

McWilliams says the only threat Brexit really causes is the impact it may have on collective confidence.

The verboss South Dubliner gave a compelling 90 minute talk that was at once entertaining, informative and- at times - raucous. He is natural orator and storyteller - but he also more often than not gets it right.

However in terms of geo-politics McWilliams was more circumspect - especially in relation to the potential election of Donald Trump.

He said all bets are off if he gets elected.

He has been a political wrecking ball and he has destroyed everything in his path so far, said McWilliams. I think he will beat Hillary.

However McWilliams said if that happens, he didn't have a rashers as to what would happen next.

He also regaled the audience with personal stories, including how when working in financial trading in London in the early 1990s he was quickly given the nickname 'Semtex' and that his first child was very nearly born in Dundalk.
A target of one million startups by 2020 is going to need some serious funding.

Vietnam recently launched an ambitious plan to transform the country from an offshore manufacturing hub for foreign companies into a major player in the global digital economy.

In doing so, the government has adjusted business policies to pivot around small and medium-sized companies and encouraged the start-up boom.

There is no question that one of the challenges facing start-ups is to find the capital they need to get their ideas off the ground.

There have been mixed opinions about whether or not the Vietnamese government should turn itself into a venture capitalist to support early-stage start-ups.

Some experts dont think that putting the government in charge of deciding which business ideas get funding and which dont is a good idea.

The Becamex Technology Innovation Center (TIC) in Binh Duong Province, just north of the countrys commercial hub Ho Chi Minh City, was launched in 2012.

The center was expected to become a startup incubation center for 2025 entrepreneurs.

State-run Becamex IDC Corp. which is a provincial investment and development enterprise patterned on Singapores Temasek Holdings and one of Vietnams leading industrial park developers with a strong footprint in the southern province of Binh Duong, committed $100,000 for each start-up per year.

However, the flip side of the project was that it took from six months to one year for a fledgling start-up to get through Becamexs business loan process.

Start-ups couldn't afford to wait that long, so they either found funds from other sources or died trying, start-up expert Do Hoai Nam told the governments online newspaper.

Nam said start-up companies need funds to roll out their ideas as quickly as possible. The seed capital offered by the government will come with tough requirements or cumbersome paperwork and a lengthy wait.

The fact that its hard to properly value idea-stage companies makes the idea of the government acting as a venture capitalist more half-baked.

Some, however, have cited successful lessons from Singapore and Malaysia to stress the important role the government plays in motivating and encouraging idea-stage companies.

Last month, Singapores start-up scene received a boost after the government said it will provide $30 million in funding for four large local enterprises to match their investments in fledgling local companies.

Nguyen Hong Truong, vice chairman of IDG Ventures Vietnam, argued that institutions like the stock market and commercial banks are either not designed to financially support idea-stage companies or have insufficient resources to do so.

Although there are banks that focus on small and medium-sized companies, they are not able to offer financing to early-stage companies that often dont have a track record of reliable annual revenue or a good credit history.

That's why the government should step in and finance fledgling start-ups, said Truong.

Moreover, if the government provides funding, it will also have full control over where the money goes. Through this process, the government can give priority to start-ups involved in core technologies or environmental solutions.

Statistics show that over the past 10 years, Vietnamese start-ups have received some $150 million, and in the next 10 years, the investment will increase to $200-$300 million, said Truong, adding that the government can afford to set aside this amount.

He said that stream-lining loan procedures to make it easier for fledgling start-ups should be a top priority for the government.

Industry experts added that the government should relax the criteria small and medium-sized companies must meet to qualify for loans.

In addition to easier access to capital, policymakers must also create a transparent and fair business environment, which can only be developed through administrative reform to cut cumbersome paperwork for businesses.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment has drafted a legal framework to support small businesses that is scheduled to be up for the national legislatures approval this month.

If the lawmakers sign on, it is estimated that 550,000 small and medium-sized enterprises will stand to benefit from these policy initiatives.

Related news:

> Vietnam strategizes to be a start-up nation

> No old wine in a new bottle: Vietnam's business law revolution

> Vietnam cuts through red tape in bid to unleash business spirit
A judge was dissuaded from sending a man to jail as it would further add to the bill that he had cost the tax payers.

Ardee Court was told that James Clements a father of three from De La Salle Cresent, Ardee took the keys of a car from a safe and drove it away from a driveway and crossed in front of a taxi. The owners told that the collision rendered both vehicles write-offs, with the taxi driver who was self employed calculating his loss at over 20,000.

Judge Grainne ONeill decided to provide the 35 year-old part-time tree surgeon with the opportunity to do 100 hours community service instead of serving three months in prison in respect of the un-authorised taking of the car.

She made this conditional on the defendant paying 1,800 by November 14 to compensate the car owner for his loss.

She directed the defendant is fined 250 for dangerous driving and that he also receive fines of 200 for not having insurance or a driving licence, and banned from driving for two years.

The court heard that the un-authorised taking of the vehicle took place on February 22 last year. The defendant took the car keys when the owner was in the house of the partner of the defendant.

Gardai came across the collision on the Drogheda Road outside the town. The defendant admitted he had no insurance or a driving licence and that the car wasnt his.

The owner told the court he parked the vehicle in the driveway of the house, and got a phone call that it had been crashed up the road.

The car was a write-off with damage totalling 1,800 caused. His car insurance nearly doubled.

The taxi driver recalled that he picked up two passengers at Saint Marys FC and was proceeding into the town when the defendant crossed in front of him without warning . He was concussed and his passengers had taken out personal injury claims.

He obtained a personal loan from family and friends to get another vehicle to resume working. The Judge said he needed to take legal advice on learning that his claim to the MIBI was rejected.

Defence barrister Irene Sands said the defendant was incredibly apologetic. He had no history of this type of offence although he had previous convictions for minor offences the most recent of which was some time ago.

She asked the Judge to allow the defendant serve his debt to society within the community.

Judge ONeill pointed out that the tax payer now had to pick up the tab for the defendants criminal activity. He had come to court with one hand as long as the other. The offence warranted a custodial sentence but all that would be doing was stacking up another bill for the tax payer.

Miss Sands said that the defendant was willing to pay for the 1,800 damage to the stolen car, but would need a number of months.
There won't be many people around now who can remember the night that Dundalk was bombed during World War 11!

The reason is that it happened mid-week at this time of year three-quarters of a century ago and there was strict censorship of the media, which then was only the national and local newspapers and news bulletins on Radio Eireann. The exact time the big bomb exploded is not clear but, from accounts I have heard from older people, it seems to have been around 1 a.m. (which allowing for the fact that Summer Time was in force) would have been around midnight over Dundalk on the night of Wednesday/Thursday July 23/24, 1941. According to Victor Witmarsh, who is a little younger than myself, and whose family lived quite near to the blast, in his book 'Dundalk in the Emergency', writes  'the explosion awakened half the town, the blast shattered many windows in the vicinity, and debris was scattered over a wide area,'.

Bertie Dullaghan, whose family also lived in Barrack Street, near the Whitmarshes, tells me that he was awakened by his brother Joe who said that he had heard 'a whistling sound, followed by a bang'. The following morning, when he was going to school, they were not allowed go near the bomb site. Bertie adds that the miracle was that the bomb fell on the only piece of waste ground in the area, surrounded by a triangle of the railway line to Greenore railway line, the Quay front surface and a road leading from St. Mary's Road. He believes that, had the bomb hit any of these three hard surfaces, the devastation would have been much greater!

Another strange thing was that the trains from the Quay Street Station, over First Metals to Greenore, were able to keep running, which was important at the time to the economy to the Cooley area. As far as I know, the pub on the Quays which owned by the Mee family and is now the Spirit Store, was also able to keep open and quenched the thirst of the emergency services workers.

The best account I have read of the incident also appears in Whitmarsh's book 'Dundalk in the Emergency', written by Tom Kenny who was an assistant Town Engineer in Dundalk at the time.

It was written by him about thirty five years later when he was retired as full Town Engineer, under the heading 'Some Recollections of the A.R.P.' In it he writes ---

'Sometime after the second Blitz on Belfast, Dundalk had its own incident in which a German bomber dropped one large and 10 small bombs in a dead straight line, the first one at the rear of the coal yard (Cooper's) on the Dundalk side of the River, in the mud and ten at intervals out towards Thomastown. It would appear from the pattern that the pilot (bomb aimer?)was trying to avoid Dundalk. He dropped his big bomb where he thought was water and dropped his small bombs in rural areas.

The bomb mentioned above was supposed to be a 1,000 lb. bomb and it made a crater 45 feet in diameter and about 30 feet deep and the only casualty was a goat. Considerable damage was done to slate and windows in Castle Road houses from the blast of the big bomb, which fortunately dropped in mud because, if it had dropped on a hard surface, the damage would have been considerable.'

As have mentioned in my Question Time answer about the incident, there was considerable speculation afterwards that it might have been a warning to the Irish authorities that they should not have gone to the assistance of Belfast during the two blitzes some months earlier. A number of German bombs were dropped at the North Wall in Dublin about a month earlier, where there was much more damage done than in Dundalk and with a considerable loss of life and injuries inflicted. In another part of Victor Whitmarsh's book it states 'The bomb was probably intended for the nearby Metal Bridge (railway bridge) which spanned the Castletown River and connected Dundalk and Newry by rail.' In another book published by the Combined Tenants and Residents' Association for the Dundalk Heritage Year in 1989, 'Dundalk's Heritage', compiled by a committee working under Carmel Lynn, it speculates  'A British ship was berthed at the Quays that night and it was felt that this may have been the target'. Another account states that this ship had a barrage balloon tethered to its stern.

Probably neither of these two explanations were correct as, while that plane that dropped the bomb is described in contemporary accounts as 'unidentified' there can be little doubt that it was, in fact, a German bomber that had been on a mission to attack a target or targets in Northern Ireland. The pilot probably had no idea where he was flying at the time nor over a neutral country. Whoever was in command, may have decided that he should get rid of his cargo of bombs as quickly as possible, so that he could get back to his base in occupied France.
Nationals MP Michael McCormack replaced Kelly ODwyer as Minister for Small Business in this weeks ministerial reshuffle, which saw the PM defending his decision to remove the small business portfolio from the cabinet.

During a press conference on Monday, where he announced McCormack as the Minister for Small Business in the Treasury Portfolio, Malcolm Turnbull was asked by a journalist whether the decision to remove the role from the cabinet meant it had become less important. He responded:

Every Minister is a Minister for Small Business. Small business is the very engine room of our economy. I talk about small business, I think about small business, all the time, so does the Treasurer, it is absolutely fundamental. There is a portfolio of Small Business which has certain responsibilities, and that is going to Michael McCormack, who is a great member, a very talented man, as Im sure you know him well. Everyone is focused on small business.

 one of the KPIs Im setting for myself is ensuring that the Government does more with small business, because very often government makes itself hard to deal with for a small business.

Right across the board, small business is a relentless focus of every minister, although there is one minister who has that as his title.

Tim Reed, CEO of MYOB supported McCormacks appointment but also expressed some concern about what the reshuffle would mean for the small business community:

Given Mr McCormacks experience as a small business owner, Im confident he will bring a unique perspective to this critical portfolio.

However, its disappointing that the small business portfolio is no longer in cabinet. I hope this unexpected choice doesnt represent a missed opportunity for the Government to bring small business into the central innovation agenda.

I hope Kelly ODwyer continues her passion for small business in her new role as Minister for Revenue and Financial Services. There is a lot that can be done for small business in her portfolio, such as the simplification of the BAS system and e-invoicing, which SMEs have been calling for in recent months.
The city-state is the third largest foreign investor in Vietnam, after South Korea and Japan.

Singapore has poured billions into Vietnam to cash in on a young population, skilled workforce and sizable market in Southeast Asia, officials from both countries said at a forum Wednesday.

Investors from Singapore invested a total of $37.9 billion in more than 1,600 projects in Vietnam as of June this year. They operate in a wide variety of areas, ranging from oil and gas exploration and production, industrial manufacturing to processing of agricultural, forestry and seafood products, Doan Duy Khuong, vice chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), told the Vietnam  Singapore Business Forum (VSBF) 2016 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Singaporean investors are interested in doing business in Vietnam, which is characterized by its young population, skilled workers and sizable market in the Southeast Asia region, Singapores Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City Leow Siu Lin said at the event, host by VCCI.

Singaporean companies have invested more than $9 billion in 847 projects in Ho Chi Minh City in particular, focusing on logistics, services and real estate.

Currently, many [Singaporean] firms in Vietnam are making profit. Seven Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) have attracted over $8 billion of investment capital, providing more than 155,000 jobs for locals, Lin said, adding that Singaporean companies have invested in sustainable and long-term projects in Vietnam.

VSIP was established in 1996 on the basis of cooperation between the two governments. Two of the industrial parks have been set up in the southern province of Binh Duong with the remaining five in the northern province of Bac Ninh, the northern port city of Hai Phong, the central province of Quang Ngai, the northern province of Hai Duong, and the central province of Nghe An.

Dang Xuan Quang, deputy director of the Foreign Investment Agency under Vietnams Ministry of Planning and Investment, said the two countries still have more potential to expand bilateral cooperation as Singapore is strong in capital while Vietnam has advantage in natural resources and labor.

Vietnams exports to Singapore in the first half were worth more than $1 billion while import value from Singapore stood at $2.57 billion.

Vietnam has mainly exported crude oil, computer, electronics and machine to Singapore while importing refined products, computer, electronics, plastic material and machine, according to Vietnams customs data.

The VSBF 2016, following the success in 2011, 2013 and 2014, is wrapping up Thursday. Around 250 business leaders, industry experts, policy-makers and government officials from both countries have attended the event this year.

Related news:

> Vietnam - Singapore forum a chance to strengthen economic ties
How many of you slept in airports ?

During my recent travel to Malaysia, Thailand and Laos , I had long layover hours in Kuala Lumpur and in Bangkok. While I had the choice of commuting to a nearby hotel/hostel, the hours of my layover are dead hours and I feel much safer inside the airport than going out.

I tried squeezing myself to take some snooze in rows of chairs at lounge areas but its not comfy. Plus I have to be very alert with my belongings as well so that was not really getting rest.

It was good that the Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur airports , DMK and KLM are world class airport. They are very huge like a city in itself. Everything you need is already there, including a sleeping quarters/ airport hotels to get the rest you need while killing time for your next flight. So in my quest to find a good place to rest I discovered places to sleep in airports.

Where to Sleep in Bangkok Airport (DMK airport)

It was my first time in Bangkok International Airport aka Dong Mueang International Airport in Bangkok (DMK). So upon arriving and getting my passport stamped and luggage, I went around to get a feel of the place, I had a lot of time in my hands. It was huge! There are two sides one for local/ domestic arrivals and departure and the other was for international flights.

Exploring the area I found this place, Sleeep Box by Miracle.

It is a convenient lounge and sleep area for those with long layovers without having to leave the airport. Thats a lot of time for rest without having to rush and brace the Bangkok traffic scene!

Heres is Sleep Box room rates

Kinda pricey but look inside you will understand why. It has facilities and looks of a nice boutique hotel room. you have your own TV, aircon and most of all bathroom!

They also have a quaint lounge cafe outside.

If you have the money and want a really nice place to sleep in Bangkok airport during your layover, this place is not bad. Oh, they have free wi-fi too for their guests.

Beside Sleep Box is the food court where you can find different kinds of eats you want. I was surprised that Burger King is a big thing here, they all suggested me to dine in there but no. I went for a Thai diner so as to expereince authentic Thai cuisine.

Have you tried sleeping in Sleep Box yet? How was your expeirence. I learned they just opened when I got there this June 2016!

On my next post I will show you where to sleep in Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLM.

Stay gorgeous everyone!

Heres my #SleepinginAirports Kuala Lumpur experience.
Vietnams shrimp export value to the U.S. rose 17 percent year on year.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam on July 18 signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on anti-dumping duties on imported Vietnamese shrimp, the Vietnamplus reported Tuesday.

The deal was reached to settle two World Trade Organization (WTO) disputes, in which Vietnam sued the U.S. for violating WTO regulations by imposing anti-dumping duties on Vietnamese shrimp.

Previously on May 20, DOC had reviewed prior administrative determinations to bring those decisions into compliance with the WTO dispute findings. As a result, leading Vietnamese exporter of frozen warmwater shrimp, Minh Phu Seafood Corporation, will no longer be subject to the antidumping duty order. Certain domestic litigation will also be resolved and duty deposits will be refunded to Minh Phu, which is estimated at several million U.S. dollars.

Photo by VASEP

Vietnams shipment value of shrimp to the U.S. during January-May reached $249.3 million, rising 17.4 percent from the same period in 2015, according to data from Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Related news:

> Drought killing Vietnamese shrimp hits seafood exports

> Shrimp farmers going broke due to severe drought

> E.U. offers helping hand to develop Vietnam's shrimp production value chain
Matthias Kimpel Rudolstadt Festival

The Euroradio Folk Festival (EFF) took place during the Rudolstadt Festival in Germany (7-10 July 2022). The festival was kindly hosted by ARD-MDR (Germany), featuring bands and artists from Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.

Promoting the cultural diversity of Europe through music exchanges

Kanteles, fiddles, accordions, balalaikas, throat singing, yodelling: these and many more can be heard at the annual Euroradio Folk Festival (EFF), where bands and artists redefine the frontiers of folk music through their ethno, jazz, traditional and crossover projects.

More than a mere festival, this event is a platform presenting the incredible diversity of musical genres and sounds of all lifestyles in European folk music.

The Festival venues have encompassed the length and breadth of Europe, from Frde in Norway to Segovia in Spain, and from Cork to Tallinn.

The EFF is well known for its live concerts, but perhaps even more for its radio transmissions. All the concerts are recorded and provided at no cost by the host to other EBU radio organizations as part of the Euroradio concert exchanges. On average, each concert is broadcast by 20 radio stations in Europe and beyond, with transmissions as far afield as the Asia-Pacific region and North America. One important feature of the EFF is that many of those on stage and in the audience are young people, thereby challenging the myth that they are not interested in this type of music. Indeed, the folk, ethnic and world music scenes bring together scores of young people with a truly fresh, creative and innovative outlook, and a thoughtful, respectful and bold attitude to tradition, building their own message on it.

Objectives

Celebrate the unique tradition of local and regional roots, while being open to the latest trends, migrations and encounters

Reflect the lives of Europeans and beyond in all their richness: who we are, where we come from, and where we are going

Provide an unprecedented opportunity for vocal and instrumental musicians, who represent the multitude of traditions in Europe, but also other continents, to connect with one another

Enable artists to become known far beyond their national borders

2022 line-up

Austria (ORF)  Tubonika Czech Republic (CR)  Invisible World Estonia (ERR)  Ruut Finland (YLE)  Pauanne Germany (BR)  gruberich Germany (MDR)  Der Flug der Liebe Italy (RAI)  Officine Meridionali Orchestra Latvia (LR)  Zarbugans Norway (NRK)  Kajsa Balto Band Poland (PR)  Wernyhora Portugal (RTP)  Cardo-Roxo Scotland (BBC)  Fara Sweden (SR)  Duo West-Rydvall Switzerland (RTR)  Hanneli-Musig Ukraine (UA:PBC)  Kurbasy

Listen to the playlist containing some of the acts selected by EBU radio organizations. More details about the bands can be found here. The MUS offer will be available in August 2022.

We asked three questions to Rudolstadt Festivals Programmer, Bernhard Hanneken. You can read his answers on the dedicated webpage.
Uber just celebrated its two-billionth trip in a 147-way tie, according to CEO Travis Kalanick, who shared the information in a Monday post on Facebook.

Each of the drivers and riders who began their trip at 4:16 a.m. GMT on Saturday, June 18, got a US$450 gift from Uber  the number is significant because Uber now operates in 450 cities across the globe, Kalanick said.

The companys growth trajectory is impressive. It took five years for Uber to notch its first billion, the CEO noted, but just another six months to hit the 2-billion ride mark.

Ubers billions can be counted in other ways than by rides, though. The company has raised close to $15 billion in cold cash and has a market valuation of $68 billion.

The French Disconnection

Despite its successes, Ubers road to success has not been entirely smooth.

The company has faced severe opposition from local labor unions in Europe and many U.S. markets, as well as severe scrutiny from local governments that are concerned about the long-term impact of the new ride-sharing business model. A criminal court in France last month fined uberPop about US$900,000 (800,000 euros) for operating an illegal ride-sharing service.

The court also fined two executives of the service, which was shut down last summer after violent protests erupted in France over what local taxi drivers considered unfair competition.

We stopped uberPOP last summer and we are disappointed by this judgment, an Uber spokesperson said in a statement provided to the E-Commerce Times by company rep Manon Guignard. The European Commission has just published guidelines that support such services.

Heetch, a rival ride-sharing service that targets late night partygoers, faced almost identical charges, the company noted.

The judgment in France followed a court decision that banned uberPop in Frankfurt, Germany, earlier this year.

Uber had appealed a 2015 ruling against its German low-cost operations, which reportedly were shut down after a complaint was filed by rival service Taxi Deutschland.

Uber last fall shut down its ride-sharing service in Frankfurt after 18 months of operation. It also shuttered its services in two other German cities, Dusseldorf and Hamburg, after two years of operating in those markets.

Both the French and German cases targeted certain unlicensed Uber services, noted Bruegel scholar Georgios Petropoulous.

The company itself has developed licensed services that operate without problem, and in fact they became more popular after such court decisions, he told the E-Commerce Times. Uber itself has the capacity to accommodate such decisions and adjust its business model so that it will minimize the potential damage.

Although the judgment against uberPop had no bearing on Ubers current French service, which connects more than 12,000 professional drivers with 1.5 million passengers, the company said, it nevertheless planned to appeal.

Growing Pains

Ubers global ambitions mean that the company faces the same fundamental challenges that any business deals with as it expands into foreign markets, noted Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

The company must navigate complex legal, cultural and social issues at it enters new territories with their own local politics and historical relationships between business and government, he told the E-Commerce Times. The problem is that the company hasnt shown much talent so far for effectively dealing with these situations.

The fact that Uber is operating with a new business model that throws out traditional forms of job security, service delivery and community relationships has led local governments to cast a wary eye toward the company.

A lot of judges are concerned about jumping in and supporting a disruptive industry like Uber, Kelley Blue Book Senior Analyst Rebecca Lindland told the E-Commerce Times.

The Home Front

Uber has faced a series of labor and legal challenges in the U.S. in recent months. Local officials in Austin, Texas, essentially blocked the major ride-sharing services from operating there. In New York, local drivers won the right to organize into a guild affiliated with the International Association of Machinists.

The legal setbacks apparently have not seriously inhibited the companys rapid expansion and new development. Uber reportedly is in negotiations with Fiat Chrysler  and possibly other auto makers  to establish a partnership involving self-driving cars. A deal could be completed by the end of the year.

A number of technology companies and major auto makers, as well as ride-sharing fleets, have been in hot pursuit of self-driving vehicles.

Self-driving cars are a potentially lucrative market for ride-sharing services to transport seniors, disabled persons, or other people who can not drive.

The potential market could be huge if self-driving cars should become convenient alternatives for customers who dont want to own a vehicle, for whatever reason.
The number of government requests to Google for citizens personal data rose in the second half of 2015, according to the companys latest Transparency Report, released Monday.

The number has been trending upward for the past few years as the number of people connected to the Internet has increased.

The growth also coincides with government efforts worldwide to increase surveillance over their citizens and almost-daily reports of terrorist attacks.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been fighting to expand its powers of surveillance in the United States, and some U.S. senators have been looking for ways to expand provisions of the Patriot Act to allow the warrantless surveillance of Americans, citing the recent mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, as an example of the threat level.

Members of Congress also have been seeking to curb the powers of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board through the Intelligence Authorization Act of 2017, which has been introduced in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The United Kingdom is in the thick of a controversy over its Investigatory Powers Bill, nicknamed the Snoopers Charter, which not only faces domestic opposition, but also is the focus of a case in the European Union Court of Justice.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this month signed controversial legislation compelling telcos and Internet service providers to save and store their customers private communications.

Who Wants User Data

The U.S. government filed the most data requests with Google  12,500  specifying more than 27,100 users or accounts. Google produced data for 79 percent of those requests.

France came in second, with nearly 4,200 user data requests for about 5,100 users or accounts specified. It received some data for 59 percent of those requests.

The UK was third with nearly 4,000 user data requests affecting 5,400 users or accounts, and it received some data for 72 percent of the requests.

Australia was fourth, with more than 1,200 user data requests for 1,500 or so users or accounts. Google provided some data for 70 percent of those requests.

Boy, look how efficient the U.S. is, said Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. Two users for every request. Australia, on the other hand, has more requests than users.

The Struggle to Preserve Privacy

Governments are justifying their increasing demands for citizens data as helpful in their efforts against terrorism.

This likely has to do with increasing attacks leading to bigger nets spread looking for folks thinking of attacking the country, Enderle suggested.

Western governments file the most requests for user data because currently, its Western countries that are experiencing most of the high-profile attacks, and they have the least restrictions on Internet use. In other parts of the world where violence is common, Internet connectivity isnt, Enderle told the E-Commerce Times.

Are Transparency Reports Useful?

Transparency reports like those pioneered by Google are incredibly valuable, observed Christopher Calabrese, vice president of policy at the Center for Democracy & Technology.

They create a baseline to help all of understand how government gathers data about citizens, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Googles report highlights the need to ensure that human rights protections are built into surveillance laws worldwide, Calabrese said.

However, the reports dont tell you what the requests were for, or whether they were for information on you, Enderle pointed out. If they really were transparent, these two elements would be critical in telling whether the requests were legitimate and if you personally, or your family, are at risk.
Airport infrastructure leaves little to be desired.

Poor infrastructure, overloaded airports and various security problems have continued to cause delays and flight cancellations in the first six months of this year, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam has said in a report.

Delayed flights accounted for 15.8 percent of the 128,000 flights that took off in the first half, an increase of 0.8 from the same period last year. Canceled flights made up 0.6 percent, a 0.1 increase on-year, the report said.

Lai Xuan Thanh, head of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, blamed the problem on the spike in 27,000 flights, upping by 26.5 percent, from the same period in 2015.

Vietnams flight service providers have made great efforts to lower the number of delayed and canceled flights," Thanh said. But he also admitted that the infrastructure at Vietnam's airports, especially Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City, still has a lot of room for improvement.

Multiple violations of aviation regulations have also badly affected flight schedules, according to the report.

Related news:

> Construction of new southern international airport to begin by 2019: Deputy PM

> Saigon airport to reduce flights during rush hour

> PM orders investigation into "lasering" of airplanes at Hanoi airport
Microsoft on Tuesday announced a new Windows 10 upgrade policy  weeks after losing a US$10,000 case in a small claims court.

The owner of TG Travel Group in Sausalito, California, last month won a final judgment after she alleged that her computer was upgraded to the new operating system without prior authorization, according to court documents.

The case was a high-profile example of customer dissatisfaction with the Windows 10 upgrade process. Many felt Windows 10 had been thrust upon them without their consent, and they complained that the uninstall process was nearly impossible to execute.

Get It While Its Free

The new experience has clearer options to upgrade now, choose a time or decline the free offer, said Terry Myerson, executive vice president of the Windows and Devices Group.

If the red X is selected, it will dismiss the dialog box, and the company will notify the device again in a few days, he said.

Microsoft will continue to recommend Windows 10 installation until the free upgrade period expires on July 29, Myerson added.

Thousands of engineers have been working on making Windows 10 the most secure version of Windows, helping to protect people from viruses, phishing, identity theft and more, he said. Wed like our customers to upgrade and improve their experience with Windows and Microsoft.

System Failure

Teri Goldstein, CEO of TG Travel, alleged in her January filing that she had been using Windows 7 on her computer in August 2015 when it was chosen at random as a beta user for a Windows 10 upgrade. The update froze her system, and she spent months trying to get it fixed through Microsoft technical support.

The MS Task Force began to remotely uninstall and reinstall her operating system on a daily basis, Goldstein said, and she later got error messages saying she was an unrecognizable user. At the time, Microsoft did not have the ability to remove Windows 10 upgrades from systems that previously were running Windows 7, according to court documents.

During a seven-month period of attempting to fix the problem, Goldstein repeatedly was passed along to different Microsoft reps, some of whom were extremely rude, she said. One of the reps tried to offer her $150 to go away. By that time she had lost so much business that she resorted to legal action.

She filed suit in Marin County Superior Court citing the California Uniform Commercial Code, which holds that all products and services sold in the state have an implied warranty to be fit for purpose.

Microsoft needed to be held accountable for its negligence regarding the forced Windows 10 upgrade, which rendered many users computers useless, Goldstein told the E-Commerce Times.

Sensitive Timing

Microsoft filed notice to appeal the ruling in April, but abandoned the appeal on May 12. The satisfaction of judgment was filed on May 24.

Microsoft dropped its appeal to avoid the expense of further litigation, said company spokesperson Sophia Brockman.

News of the suits outcome came in the midst of Microsofts aggressive promotion of free Windows 10 upgrades through July 29.

Perceived consumer reluctance to upgrade might be tied to a trend toward using tablets or mobile phones for email and watching video, and using cloud-based systems to handle word processing, spreadsheets and more complex applications.

However, Microsoft early last month announced that Windows 10 was running on 300 million active devices, and noted that the free upgrade period would be coming to an end. After July 29, the upgrade will cost $119.00.

Loss of Trust

Microsofts upgrade policy not only was wrong from an ethical standpoint, but also risked creating long-term damage with its customers, according to technology analyst Jeff Kagan.

Microsoft is burning their relationship with so many customers its hard to see any value, he told the E-Commerce Times. The big question to me has always been why is Microsoft cutting its nose off to spite its face?

Many customers have grown tired of dealing with Microsoft and have defected to Apple or Linux, he said.

Microsofts aggressive stance on Windows 10 upgrades was due to the resistance it experienced around XP, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

A large number of XP users refused to upgrade to Windows Vista for years, in part due to the new OS abysmal performance, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Microsoft obviously wants to avoid similar situations this time around and believes that Windows 10 offers superior performance and security than other versions of Windows, King said. Its initial approach to upgrading older systems was opaque and underhanded, but things have improved considerably over the past six to eight months.
Yahoo on Monday reported second quarter earnings that fell just short of Wall Street estimates but left investors and analysts waiting to hear about progress in finding a strategic investment partner. Negotiations over the potential sale of the companys core assets are under way.

The company reported earnings from operations of US$39 million, or 9 cents a share in the second quarter, compared with earnings of $108 million or 16 cents in the year-ago quarter. The company reported a net loss of $440 million, or 46 cents a share, compared with $22 million, or two cents in the year-ago quarter.

Revenue Calculation

Revenue rose slightly to $1.3 billion in the quarter, compared with $1.24 billion a year earlier.

The revenue calculation changed due to a search agreement that shifts exclusive sales responsibility for premium advertisers to Microsoft.

Yahoo took charges of $395 million for a non-cash goodwill impairment. It also took $87 million in charges for a non-cash intangibles impairment related to Tumblr, for projected decreases in operating results and cash flows.

The company has made progress in cost cutting, it said, claiming the lowest cost structure and headcount in a decade.

Yahoo has been making great progress in its efforts to find strategic alternatives, said CEO Marissa Meyer, which have included talks with a number of potential buyers for its core assets. However, the company did not give specifics on the status of the negotiations.

Confidence Down

Yahoo is running short on time to restore confidence in the company.

This is sad, but Yahoo seems to be spinning out of control as it goes down, observed industry analyst Jeff Kagan. This is what happens to companies that stick around after their growth wave has faded.

Yahoo still has a number of companies interested in acquiring its core business, but those companies now face the prospect of having to prevent the firm from going into a financial freefall before a takeover is complete, he told the E-Commerce Times.

Make no mistake, it can be done. It just hasnt happened yet, and this is dragging on longer than anyone had expected, Kagan said. The longer Yahoo waits, the less it is worth.

Sad State of Affairs

Until Yahoo gives investors an idea of which direction the company is going, little real growth will take place, observed Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.

They are effectively in limbo until we know who is buying them and what their new game plan is, he told the E-Commerce Times.

However, the fact that Yahoos revenue was slightly higher than forecasts and that its earnings per share fell just a penny short of estimates might warrant a little benefit of the doubt, said Charles King, principal analyst at Pund-IT.

Further, Yahoos mavens revenue (mobile, video, native and social) rose to $504 million on a year-over-year basis, he noted, which was a significant jump from $401 million posted in the year-ago quarter.

However, core search revenue fell 13 percent, and the number of paid clicks fell 24 percent, widening the gap after a 21 percent decline in the prior quarter.

Add in the decision to write down . . . Yahoos Tumblr acquisition, and this is looking like a quarter that no one will include on their resumes, King told the E-Commerce Times.

Any time news of the sale of a companys core assets is more highly anticipated than its quarterly earnings report, you know youre looking at a business in steep decline, he acknowledged. That its happening to what was once one of ITs brightest lights is simply sad.
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The negligent staff have been suspended pending further investigations.

In what could be called one of the most brazen negligence in medical history, surgeons at a hospital in Hanoi have operated on the wrong leg of a patient.

Thao, a 37-year-old man living in Hanois southern district of Ung Hoa, underwent an operation on his right leg when it was his left one that was the problem at one of the citys top hospitals.

Thao, whose full name was not revealed, was suffering painful nerve paralysis in his left calf which made him walk with a limp.

He went to Viet Duc Hospital, the most well-known surgical center in Vietnam, but doctors there operated on his right leg.

The surgery took place on Tuesday morning under spinal anaesthesia. After the anesthetic wore off and he regained consciousness, he realized that instead of the left leg, it was his perfectly fine right leg that had been operated on.

The patient had nerve damage in his left leg, but doctors operated on his right leg instead. Photo by VnExpress/Le Nga

What is worse, the hospital asked the family to foot the bill for the new operation on the patients left leg.

The family decided to lodge a complaint against the team of doctors who bungled the operation.

Viet Duc Hospital has asked the surgeons who were present in the operating room to give an explanation, Tran Binh Giang, deputy director of the hospital, said at a press briefing on Wednesday.

The surgeons said that when they went into the operating room, the patient had already been transferred to the operating table and covered with aseptic surgical drapes, so they just proceeded with the operation.

The hospital admitted the incident was caused by the negligence of the surgerical team, Giang said.

The patient underwent another operation on Tuesday afternoon without having to pay more fees.

Following the incident, Viet Duc Hospital has offered the patient an official apology and temporarily suspended the team of surgeons, nurses and technicians who took part in the operation, Giang said.

At the press briefing, the hospital issued a statement saying it would take the case seriously and that further investigations would be underway.
HAWASSA - The Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, has inaugurated a major new 1.3 million square metre business park as part of the country's latest bid to draw international apparel brands to the fast-growing textile production hub. Notably, Hawassa Industrial Park claims to be 'eco-friendly' and, to this end, makes use of a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) facility, with a claimed capacity to recycle 85 per cent of sewerage disposal. The park is the flagship project of the Industrial Parks Development Corporation and will be managed by a Chinese company, offering further evidence of moves by Chinese textile industry investors to lower cost sourcing destinations.
Five counties in California have now banned fracking. Alameda County is the latest to join the list after county leaders voted unanimously in favor of banning fracking Tuesday evening.

Alameda County is the first county in the San Francisco Bay area to ban hydraulic fracturing, CBS San Francisco reported. A coalition of environmental groups worked for more than two years to persuade county officials to ban the practice.

Weve taken a step that will protect everyone in Alameda County, especially our children and grandchildren, from toxic chemicals, said Karen White of the Alameda County Against Fracking coalition.

No companies frack in the county, but environmental groups wanted to prevent the practice from ever happening, The Mercury News reported.

Twenty people sat through the countys board of supervisors meeting to voice their support for the ban.

Its the only way to protect our environment from the destructive effects of fracking Kiana Tsao of the Sierra Club said. Alameda County is a community, not just a commodity for the oil industry.

https://twitter.com/EllaTeevan/statuses/755581829562851328

Environmentalists have been working to ban fracking one county at a time after Gov. Jerry Brown voiced his opposition to a statewide fracking ban.

Santa Cruz, San Benito, Mendocino and Butte counties are the four other counties that have already banned fracking. Environmentalists are now setting their sights on Santa Clara and Monterey counties. Monterey is set to vote in November on the issue.

Colorado will also see anti-fracking initiatives on the November ballot. Measure 75 would amend Colorados constitution to enable local governments to enact regulations more protective of health and safety than those put in place by the state. This ballot initiative is in reaction to the Colorados Supreme Court ruling in May that said oil and gas development is pre-empted by the state and that local communities could not pass fracking bans themselves.

The second measure, 78, would create 2,500-foot buffer zones between homes, schools and sensitive areas, such as playgrounds or water sources, and new oil and gas development.

The drilling industry is spending millions of dollars to stop the two statewide initiatives. Companies such as Anadarko Petroleum Corp, Noble Energy and Whiting Petroleum have funneled more than $6.7 million as of July 15 into Protect Colorado, an industry group that hopes to defeat the two initiatives.

Protect Colorado argues the initiatives threaten oil and natural gas development and would devastate the states economy.

But Tricia Olson, executive director of Yes for Health and Safety Over Fracking, told EcoWatch, Weve seen that this industry will say or do anything to mislead the public and protect their bottom line, but the scientific evidence speaks for itself: Fracking is a leading driver of climate change and destroys our most basic resources.
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind have always been limited by their intermittency, but now Tesla CEO Elon Musk has unveiled a suite of batteries to store electricity for homes, businesses and utilities, saying a greener grid furthers the companys mission to provide pollution-free energy, reports Bloomberg.

For the future to be good, we need electric transport, solar power and (of course)  pic.twitter.com/8mwVWukQDL  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 29, 2015

Weve obviously been working on building a world-class battery, a super-efficient and affordable way to store energy, Khobi Brooklyn, a Tesla spokeswoman, told The New York Times. Its just that weve been putting that battery in cars most of the time.

The Tesla P85D just won the 2015 AAA Best Green Car Award, marking the second year in a row an all electric Tesla Model S has taken top honors from AAA. But Tesla has been disrupting more than just the auto industry for a while now. In February, Musk announced a partnership with SolarCity to use rooftop solar panels fitted with Teslas batteries to allow customers to keep that energy in-house. Its all part of Teslas plans to revolutionize the energy grid.

Our goal here is to fundamentally change the way the world uses energy, Musk told Bloomberg. Were talking at the terawatt scale. The goal is complete transformation of the entire energy infrastructure of the world.

Teslas home battery, the Powerwall, is a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that mounts on the wall and comes in 7 kilowatt-hour or 10 kilowatt-hour versions, the company said in a statement. A larger product, the Powerpack, can store more energy to power businesses. Deliveries will begin in late summer at prices starting at $3,000.

Our goal here is to fundamentally change the way the world uses energy, says Elon Musk.

Battery storage for renewable power is finally coming of age. The battery is designed to enable so-called load-shifting by charging during times when electricity prices are lower due to less demand, and discharging when demand and prices are high, says Bloomberg. It can also store solar power generated during daytime and release it at night, and serve as backup during outages, Tesla says.

Tesla hopes that its $5 billion gigafactory under construction near Reno, Nevada will drive down the cost of the batteries for both cars and energy-storage products through mass production. More such factories will be needed to help make the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Musk said.

Teslas batteries are already being used by companies such as Wal-Mart, Cargill and Jackson Family Wines, and Green Mountain Power plans to sell its home batteries to customers. Tesla has also partnered with Southern California Edison to install batteries for utilities, while Amazon and Target will pilot the batteries.

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The White House announced a truly groundbreaking initiative Tuesday called the Clean Energy Savings for All Americans. This program aims to increase access to solar energy across communities of all income levels and geographies, so that no matter where you live, if you have a sunny roof, you have the chance to go solar. And the administration did so by providing a bevy of options that move renewables and solar forward significantly.

"We generate over 30 times more solar power than we did just eight years go." @POTUS #ActOnClimate pic.twitter.com/QQ4ra8kFh8  White House Archived (@ObamaWhiteHouse) July 19, 2016

The array of initiative components culminates in a goal of providing one gigawatt of solar for low to middle-income households by 2020. And chief among the announcements is the issuance of new guidance for property-assessed clean energy (PACE) financing that will allow mortgage insurance to now be issued by the Federal Housing Administration and the Veterans Administration, rather than through the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association, which ran into roadblocks with PACE loans six years ago.

Cutting through the alphabet soup of federal agencies, the bottom line is that more Americans will now be able to choose solar and private industry can seize the opportunity to build more solar systems.

Solar panels are no longer for wealthy folks who live where the sun shines every day, theyre already a reality for Americans in communities all across the country. Today were offering even more families and communities the chance to choose cleaner sources of energy, the Obama Administration said about the initiative.

One of the greatest parts about the PACE plan is that it leverages the flexibilities of the executive branch in ways that are seldom seen in Washington stovepipes. The initiative cuts red tape with the result that roughly 200,000 homes could choose to lower their electricity bills through solar over the next four years.

The Solar Energy Industries Association applauds the president for taking these measures, which mirror the solar industrys commitment to expand solar access to everyone, regardless of their income or where they live. These policies empower veterans and lower income households to cut power bills while putting more Americans back to work with good-paying jobs, installing solar panels from Los Angeles to Boston.

This is how it should be. This year, solar reached 1 million installations in the U.S., crossed over the threshold of providing 1 percent of American electricity and provided more new power capacity than all other energy sources combined in the first quarter, and were just getting warmed up. Its time for all Americans to have a ticket to the solar revolution, celebrating American innovation and smart federal policy.

Tom Kimbis is the interim president of Solar Energy Industries Association.
The San Diego City Council voted Tuesday to ban single-use plastic bags at grocery stores, pharmacies and corner markets.

The goal of the new ordinance is to encourage shoppers to use reusable bags, decreasing the number of plastic checkout bags used every year. San Diego goest through roughly 700 million plastic bags a year, with only 3 percent of them being recycled, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.

The vast majority of plastic bags we see are entangled in the brushes next to our rivers and streams, said Kristin Kuhn, community engagement manager for San Diego Coastkeeper. After every rain event, these bags clog and choke our citys already damaged waterways.

The citys ban would require grocery stores and other food retailers to charge at least 10 cents for each paper bag or for a sturdier bag, which often cost more.

Stakeholders have worked tirelessly with local jurisdictions throughout the state to find a solution that makes sense for both the environment and businesses, said Sophie Barnhorst, policy coordinator for the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. A ban on plastic and a charge for paper has the potential to achieve maximal environment gain with minimal business disruption.

San Diegos banwhich drew wide support from advocacy organizations such as the Surfrider Foundations San Diego County chapter and San Diego Coastkeeper as well as the chamber of commercemakes it the 150th municipality in the Golden State.

A second reading of the ordinance will happen in a few weeks. Large food stores will have six months to comply with the ordinance while smaller drug and convenience stores will have approximately a year.

San Diego has distributed about 40,000 reusable shopping bags to mainly low-income neighborhoods, food banks, schools and libraries to help prepare residents for the ordinance.
In a deal that Elon Musk has dubbed a no brainer, Tesla Motors has made an offer to acquire solar installation company SolarCity in a stock deal worth a reported $2.8 billion.

The electric car company made the announcement Tuesday and explained the offer in a blog post:

Teslas mission has always been tied to sustainability. We seek to accelerate the worlds transition to sustainable transportation by offering increasingly affordable electric vehicles. And in March 2015, we launched Tesla Energy, which through the Powerwall and Powerpack allow homeowners, business owners and utilities to benefit from renewable energy storage.

Its now time to complete the picture. Tesla customers can drive clean cars and they can use our battery packs to help consume energy more efficiently, but they still need access to the most sustainable energy source thats available: the sun.

The world does not look for another car company, the world looks for sustainable energy companies, Musk told reporters in a conference call on Tuesday.

The prolific entrepreneur is the chairman of SolarCity, which was founded and is operated by his cousins, Lyndon Rive and Peter Rive. Musk is the largest individual shareholder of both companies, with 21.3 percent of Tesla and 22 percent of SolarCity, according to estimates.

SolarCity is the top residential solar installer in the country. Its customers pay for the panels with a monthly fee thats typically less than what they would pay to the power company. A marriage between the two companies would seamlessly tie SolarCitys panels with Teslas Powerwall batteries. Having a solar-plus-storage system installed by a single company would allow an easier transition to customers to unhook themselves from a carbonized grid.

This morning, in a conference call to reporters and shareholders, Musk further discussed the rationale behind the offer. He said that the idea of consolidating Tesla and SolarCity has been floated over the years and it would be extremely unwieldy to operate as two companies.

Tesla makes offer to acquire SolarCity https://t.co/bo6TaeGvCJ  Tesla (@Tesla) June 21, 2016

In its blog post, Tesla listed off a number of significant benefits to our shareholders, customers and employees if the deal is completed:

We would be the worlds only vertically integrated energy company offering end-to-end clean energy products to our customers. This would start with the car that you drive and the energy that you use to charge it, and would extend to how everything else in your home or business is powered. With your Model S, Model X, or Model 3, your solar panel system, and your Powerwall all in place, you would be able to deploy and consume energy in the most efficient and sustainable way possible, lowering your costs and minimizing your dependence on fossil fuels and the grid.

We would be able to expand our addressable market further than either company could do separately. Because of the shared ideals of the companies and our customers, those who are interested in buying Tesla vehicles or Powerwalls are naturally interested in going solar, and the reverse is true as well. When brought together by the high foot traffic that is drawn to Teslas stores, everyone should benefit.

We would be able to maximize and build on the core competencies of each company. Teslas experience in design, engineering, and manufacturing should help continue to advance solar panel technology, including by making solar panels add to the look of your home. Similarly, SolarCitys wide network of sales and distribution channels and expertise in offering customer-friendly financing products would significantly benefit Tesla and its customers.

We would be able to provide the best possible installation service for all of our clean energy products. SolarCity is the best at installing solar panel systems, and that expertise translates seamlessly to the installation of Powerwalls and charging systems for Tesla vehicles.

Culturally, this is a great fit. Both companies are driven by a mission of sustainability, innovation, and overcoming any challenges that stand in the way of progress.

This is what the world needs  this is Earths solution, Musk said of the merger this morning. Musk has long been a champion solar energy and highly critical of fossil fuels and the fossil fuel industry.

We have to look back on gas engine cars like we look back on steam engines, as well as power from fossil fuels, Musk added.

The fact that Musk has the biggest slice of both companies leaves Musk in a bit of an awkward situation, media reports have noted. Electrek explained that the offer to SolarCity will be contingent on a vote from the shareholders and Musk will abstain from voting his shares due to his vested interest in the deal.

Analysts and investors do not appear happy with the plan. Reuters reported that Teslas stock price spiraled more than 13 percent to $189.99 following the announcement yesterday. At the same time however, shares of SolarCity soared about 18 percent to $25.02.

This is what happened to the stocks after Tesla announced its bid for SolarCity https://t.co/KJfj1sc7jZ pic.twitter.com/bjPgHbKmVv  MarketWatch (@MarketWatch) June 22, 2016

Electrek also observed that shareholders are calling the deal a bailout of SolarCity, especially after Musk bought another $10 million worth of shares last yearbefore the stock fell 60 percent in 2016.

SolarCity is also in an ongoing battle against regulators and utilities in states that are unfriendly to rooftop solar, aka the solar wars in Nevada over net metering, which allows homeowners to offset the cost of their panels by selling any electricity they dont use back to the grid. Nevadas NV Energy has been fighting these policies tooth and nail.

Musk, however, shot down the idea of a bailout of SolarCity, calling it a false description.

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(Photo: REUTERS / Stefano Rellandini)Cardinals Reinhard Marx (R) of Germany and Joao Braz de Aviz attend a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican March 12, 2013. All cardinals, including those over 80 who will not vote in the conclave, celebrate Mass in St Peter's Basilica to pray for the election of the new pope. The Mass is called "Pro Eligendo Romano Pontefice" ("For the Election of the Roman Pontiff") and is open to the public.

Germany's Catholic Church took a hit in 2015 with almost 200,000 members leaving, but the country's top bishop believes the church is still a strong force with its message being heard and accepted.

Figures released July 15 by the German bishops' conference show an ongoing decline of Catholicism in Germany, the Catholic News Agency reported.

The head of the conference, Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, however, described the as a continuing "strong force, whose message is heard and accepted."

The church has more than 23.7 million members in Germany and Catholicism is the largest single religious group in the country, accounting for 29 percent of the population.

In that year 181,925 people left the Catholic Church while a miniscule 2,685 people became Catholic, and 6,474 reverted to Catholicism.

The figures show a constant decline in people attending Mass, vocations to the priesthood and sacramental marriages in Germany.

Twenty years ago the official statistics of twenty years ago showed that almost 260,000 babies were baptized, but last year that slid to just over 167,000.

When it came to marriages the numbers told an even bleaker story.

Twenty-one years ago, 86,456 couples tied the knot in church. In 2015, the number plummeted by almost half. Out of Germany's 80 million people, only 44,298 couples were married in the church last year.

Marx said in a statement, "The statistics show that the Church in Germany continues to be a strong force, whose message is heard and accepted.

"There obviously not only is an interest in, but also an active desire for the sacraments of the Church, as the slight increase of baptisms and marriages proves," he said.

Recognising the high numbers of people leaving the church, Marx said: "We need a 'sophisticated pastoral practice' that does justice to the diverse life-worlds of people and convincingly passes on the hope of the faith."

Pope Francis issued a cutting analysis of the decline of the Catholic faith in Germany since the 1960s on the occasion of the German bishops' during a visit in 2015.

He called on the bishops to re-introduce people to the Eucharist and confession during the Year of Mercy, to take on the new evangelization, to strengthen the role of priests, and to protect unborn life.
'Super-thin' houses shoot up like bamboo all over Hanoi

Every time a new road opens in the capital, a crop of skinny houses is not far behind.

So-called skinny houses that seem to grow out of nowhere should be controlled by local authorities, but civil servants have admitted they have yet to find a solution to the problem.

The majority of house owners use them as business fronts or lease them out, rather than for residential purposes.

A skinny house with a billboard on top. Photo by VnExpress/Doan Quy

The skinny houses has shot up on a side of the new road. Photo by VnExpress/Doan Quy

Super-thin houses are built in a densely populated areas like Dong Da District.

Skinny houses standing side by side paint an ugly picture of the urban landscape. Photo by Vnexpress/Ngoc Thanh.

The house looks like a wall. Photo by Vnexpress/Ngoc Thanh.

A newly-erected house. Photo by Vnexpress/Ngoc Thanh.

Under current regulations in Hanoi, houses cant be constructed on an area less than 15 square meters. However, this rule appears to be being ignored on new streets.

Hanois Department of Construction detected more than 700 skinny houses around the city in December last year, of which only 340 have been dealt with.

Ly Chi Hong from the departments inspectorate explained that each time a new road is constructed through a residential area, locals take advantage of roadside lots to build these odd-shaped houses.

Local authorities are in charge of controlling these skinny houses. If they find a house built on a piece of land that doesnt meet regulations (smaller than than 15 square meters), they must seize it, Hong added.

In reality, its not easy for state officials to demolish a skinny house.

Vu Van Duy, vice chairman of Phuong Liet Ward in Thanh Xuan District, said that many people still build houses despite being told not to by authorities. If the government wants to pull down houses, it needs to support local people through a specific resettlement plan, which hasnt been introduced so far, Duy said.
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The NSW Education Department has launched a probe into one of the states top schools after parental concerns about its policy regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans-gender and Intersex (LGBTI) students.Cheltenham Girls High School, located in Sydneys northwest, held a staff meeting last term about the implementation of the Safe Schools anti-bullying program, in which teachers were asked to stop using the terms girls, ladies and women.Instead, teachers have been asked to use gender-neutral language, such as students, to avoid potential discrimination and comply with the Safe Schools program, which more than 150 Australian schools have now signed up to.However, the decision has drawn fire from several parents who have sent a petition to the areas local Liberal MP, Damien Tudehope, calling on him to take action.Tudehope told The Daily Telegraph that some parents believed the program marginalised children who did not participate in LGBTI activities at the school.(Some of) the parents are saying that at (LGBTI) events like Rainbow Day and Purple Day that if their daughter doesnt comply with what they perceive as the school directions their daughter is ostracised, he said.My view overall is the Safe Schools program and this material should not be used without proper consultation with the parents, and letting them know what the material is and how it is proposed to be taught.NSW Education Minister, Adrian Piccoli , is reportedly investigating the complaints.All schools are required to conform with Federal Government guidelines. I am advised all schools are following these guidelines, he said.In a statement provided to The Educator, a spokesman for the NSW Education Department said gender-specific terms would continue to be used by the school when referring to students.As the Education Minister has asked the Department for a report on public claims raised in relation to this matter, it is not appropriate to comment further on them at this time, the statement added.Cheltenham Girls High School has been contacted for comment.
Violent clashes between police and members of a radical teachers union who had blockaded roads in southern Mexico left at least eight people dead and more than 100 injured, officials said.

Teachers from the National Coordinator of Education Workers are opposed to the mandatory testing of teachers as part of Mexicos sweeping education reform and are also protesting the arrest of union leaders on money laundering and other charges. The government last week said it would revise teacher evaluations.

In last months clashes in the state of Oaxaca, protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails and burned vehicles, while Associated Press journalists saw riot police firing on protesters.
Bernadette Kerrigan was concerned, though not alarmed, when her daughter Emma was identified as having dyslexia and dyscalculia as a 1st grader. A mother of two, Kerrigan had stretched her budget to buy a home in an affluent suburb of Cleveland, in large part because of the quality of the school district. The teachers there would certainly be qualified, she thought, to help her daughter overcome her struggles with reading and math.

But to get the help she felt her child needed, Kerrigan said she had to make a choice she had never consideredand which would require her to give up some protections under federal education law.

In her public school, Emma repeated 1st grade, but was still behind. One school year turned into two, and then three. By 4th grade, Emma was years behind her peers academically, with the district saying that things were just about to click. Meanwhile, Emma was coming home exhausted. Homework took hours, often accompanied by tears.

She lost a lot of confidence. She couldnt read the material. I started doing her homework just so that it would be counted, said Kerrigan, who asked that the district not be named because she has another child attending school there.

When Emmas school suggested a new individualized education program that would involve an hour daily of after-school tutoring, Kerrigan had enough. For 5th grade, she enrolled Emma in the Lawrence School, which is specifically for students with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

In return for accepting a voucher for enrollment in private school, under Ohios Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program, Emmas mother had to waive her daughters individual right to special education services under federal law.

The voucher is also only available to children with a current, finalized IEP under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, meaning that families cannot access the funds if a dispute is holding up the completion of the education plan.

Special Education and Private Schools A little more than 1 percent of the nations 6 million school-aged children with disabilities were placed by their parents in private school in 2014-15. Another 3 percent were educated in separate schools for students with disabilities, which could be public or private. But a familys access to rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act changes depending on whether the school district or the parents initiated the private school placement. Heres how different placements are handled under the law.

Kerrigan also had to come up with another $18,000 that year to cover tuition costs that the $5,000 part-year voucher did not meet.

Kerrigan said she is grateful for the money. Emma, who will start 6th grade in the fall, is thriving at her new school. The family expects to receive a larger voucher in future years, but it will still cover only a fraction of the schools $23,000 tuition.

But giving up the civil rights afforded to public school students under the special education law is a sacrifice, Kerrigan said.

Short term, [the voucher] is amazing. It helps a lot of families. Im very appreciative of it, Kerrigan said. The 4-year-old voucher program is named after a former state representative, who championed its creation.

But, she added, I dont think anyone should have to waive any rights whatsoever. What does it harm anyone? Its the parents dollars that theyre putting in the school.

School Choice Options

Modern-day vouchers and other school choice programs, such as educational savings accounts and tax-credit scholarships, have been in place since 1989, when Wisconsin started a program in Milwaukee. Vouchers provide state money to parents that they can then use to pay for private school. Tax-credit scholarships allow businesses or individuals to claim tax credits for donations made to approved scholarship organizations, which then distribute money to eligible students.

Education savings accounts, one of the newest types of school choice programs, provide money to families that they can use for a variety of approved expenses, including private school tuition, therapy, or tutoring.

All those programsregardless of the stategenerally have one thing in common: By accepting the funds, students with disabilities leave many protections of the IDEA behind. The law, now 40 years old, has an extensive set of rules and policies that public schools must abide by, from the timely creation of a childs education program to howor ifa child can be removed from a school because of discipline issues.

Giving up those protections is a problem, according to the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys, which describes its mission as protecting and enforcing the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities. The organization released a report last month that surveyed the legal landscape of voucher and other school choice programs. (COPAA also organized a panel on the report that was moderated by Education Week.)

COPAA members had mixed views on the value of school choice options themselves: The report said that some parents see a clear benefit to the programs as a way to escape public schools that are a poor fit. Other members noted that theres little research to support that children with disabilities who use vouchers end up performing better than those who remain in traditional schools.

But whether vouchers themselves are worthwhile, the organization said that students should not be required to give up their civil rights to take them. All civil rights need to be upheld in the state-approved construct; increased access to quality education is necessary...the options must be affordable to all; the options must be accessible to all; and, private schools of choice must be held to the same accountability requirements to which public schools are held, the report stated.

Model Legislation

Many of the state laws around vouchers and choice programs were built around model legislation drafted by the American Legislative Exchange Council, an organization that advocates free markets and limited government. Binding private schools or families to the same rules that govern public schools is second-guessing parents, said Inez Feltscher, ALECs education and workforce director.

Parents are choosing to waive the IDEA protections because they think the place their children are going to be will better meet their needs, Feltscher said. Im uncomfortable with trying to homogenize all these options.

Some evidence indicates that parents are happy with their educational options, even without federal protections. In 2013, the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice surveyed 179 parents who participated in Arizonas educational-savings-account program. All the respondents reported various levels of satisfaction with the program, with 71 percent saying they were very satisfied. None said they were dissatisfied.

The IDEA spells out school districts responsibilities for children with disabilities who are enrolled both in public and private schools. Districts are responsible for evaluating every child in their jurisdiction to see if that child has a disability.

More than 90 percent of children in special education attend a public school. About 1 percenta proportion that has held steady for the past several yearsare placed by their parents in private school, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Generally, once a student is enrolled in private school, he or she loses any individual right to special education services, no matter who is paying the tuition.

Private school students are not completely barred from any publicly provided special education support. The district in which the private school is located is responsible for using a proportionate share of its federal money to provide some services to private-school students. And a private school may also provide support for students with disabilities as part of its education program. But there is no individual right for a student to receive special education as there would be if a child were enrolled in public school.

Dale McDonald, the director of public policy and educational research for the National Catholic Educational Association, said that private schools dont get all the money that public schools receive for educating students with disabilities, even with a voucher. Education money comes from local, state, and federal sources, but vouchers are usually just state funds. Without receiving the same financial support as public schools, its difficult for private schools to be held to the same requirements, she said.

Yes, we would like to provide more, McDonald said. If we had more funding, it would go a long way to providing greater inclusion.

One concern is that parents may not be aware of the trade-offs that theyre making when they accept a school choice option, said Rochanda Hiligh-Thomas, the director of legal services for Advocates for Justice and Education, in Washington. She represents parents and students in school discipline and special education cases.

The District of Columbia has the nations only federally funded voucher program, called the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. It is not just for students with disabilities, though students with disabilities do use it, Hiligh-Thomas said.

Those parents go in not knowing that theyre giving up rights, she said. If federal dollars are going to be used in this way, the schools who choose to accept them should be required to provide what everyone else has to provide.

Falling Short

Jonathan Zimring, an Atlanta-based lawyer who represents parents in special education suits, says that Georgias voucher effectively provides choice only to affluent families of children who have milder disabilities. Students who have expensive special education needs, or families who are not able to pay for the balance of special education tuition themselves, are shut out.

More money obviously solves the issue of having a choice and access for a broader group of families. As you get closer to fully funded, the broader the group of people who could use the voucher, he said.

Ultimately, Kerrigan said that for parents like her, the school choice options werent a choice at allthey were necessary for her childs well-being. Emma, who was present at the panel that presented the COPAA report, said that the move to a new school changed her life.

On my first day at Lawrence, I felt several different things. I felt scared, nervous, and the feeling when you are so happy you cannot control it. I thought, finally, I will get to read, write, learn, and feel safe, Emma said in an address to the audience.

Kerrigan said she does not have any hard feelings toward the district, but she wishes that alternatives were built into the system that would have made private school unnecessary.

I just dont understand why any parent with a dyslexic child should have to pay thousands and thousands and thousands for their child to learn how to read, she said.
Speculation about Chinese tampering has been proven unfounded.

Vietnamese authorities have denied deliberately jamming radio transmissions in the countrys central city of Da Nang.

The Authority of Radio Frequency Management (ARFM) said it was aware of unidentified Chinese airwaves disrupting radio transmissions in Da Nang, but the disruption was caused by technical errors.

The radio station in Khue My Ward in Da Nang Citys Ngu Hanh Son District has been taken over with 5-7 second bursts in Chinese on numerous occasions, said Doan Quang Hoan, head of the ARFM under the Ministry of Information and Communications, adding that relevant authorities have indentified the cause of the problem.

The loudspeakers in Khue My Ward, which have been airing short bursts of Chinese, are used by the ward to air news, songs and other information on 97.5 MHZ to the local community.

Local people shared on their Facebook pages that they have heard Chinese from the loudspeakers many times.

An initial investigation found that if there had been deliberate jamming of radio transmissions, it would have happened to all loudspeakers in Ngu Hanh Son District, said Hoan.

He indicated that signals from a few loudspeakers in Khue My Ward have been disrupted by Chinese airwaves.

Old radio equipment may receive signals from the other side of the border under abnormal weather conditions, said Hoan.

He said that Ngu Hanh Son Districts radio stations are about to move onto a new frequency to prevent any disruption to the local airwaves from happening in the future.

The official also ruled out the possibility that signals from walkie-talkies in nearby areas have caused the disruption to local radio transmission since there is currently only one Chinese company using a walkie-talkie system.

Unidentified Chinese waves have been disrupting an FM transmission radio station in Vietnams coastal city of Da Nang since May 21 this year. Photo by Nguyen Dong

Similar disruptions to radio transmissions have occurred in Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue Province, about 100 kilometers to the north of Da Nang.

The radio system in the district has unexpectedly broadcast in Chinese over the last month, said Duong Dang Nhan, head of the districts Radio and Television Station.

Local people said they have heard broadcasts in Chinese by both male and female announcers aired from the loudspeakers, which receive signals directly from the district station.

The jamming happened on the FM transmission frequency of 98 MHZ during the airtime intervals of Phu Loc Districts Radio and Television Station.

On July 12, after the morning show, our staff could clearly hear a Chinese male voice on our radio frequency, but could not understand the broadcast, said Nhan.

The station then immediately reported the incident to the district Peoples Committee and the provincial Department of Information and Communications.

During the Vietnam War, the loudspeakers aired crucial warnings about air raids. Today, they still exist to provide local people with news, songs and information at dawn and at dusk.

Truong Cong Hanh, deputy head of Radio Frequency Management Center in the central region, told VnExpress that the center has not been able to pinpoint the exact location of the equipment that has jammed local radio signals.

We have been monitoring it since we heard from local residents. However, since then there has been no disruptions. If we can pick up the signal while [local radio signals] are jammed, then we will immediately identify the location [of the equipment], said Hanh.

In response, Ngu Hanh Son District Radio Station has installed a coding filter so it can only pick up signals from within the country.

The district plans to send the equipment to Hanoi to upgrade its capacity and coding system.
Kelly, Pastore debate inflation, energy policy in congressional race

Kelly and Pastore went head-to-head in a debate Tuesday that was organized by WQLN and Erie News Now, which first aired the taped debate Thursday.
Two lawmaker-elects were dismissed just days before the first session begins.

Vietnams newly-installed National Assembly, the national legislature, opened its first plenary session Wednesday to rubber-stamp the leadership lineup that was elected by the outgoing parliament last April.

The 494-member legislature is set to reappoint President Tran Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Assembly chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Vietnam's National Assembly holds first session in Hanoi on July 20. Photo by VnExpress/Thang Huy

In May, around 69 million Vietnamese cast their votes to choose representatives for an intended 500-seat house, in an election that is held every five years.

Just days before the Assembly convenes, two out of the 496 lawmaker-elects were dismissed.

On July 15, Trinh Xuan Thanh, former vice chairman of Hau Giang's provincial government, was stripped of his status after the Communist Party held him accountable for massive losses at a major state-owned oil corporation he chaired several years ago and rebuked him for illegally using a government license plate on his private luxury car.

The other, Nguyen Thi Nguyet Huong, has been found in breach of Vietnam's Law on Nationality, which prohibits Vietnamese citizens from having dual citizenship. Huong, who also holds the Malta citizenship, was dismissed two days after Thanh.

Related news:

> Wealthy Vietnamese lawmaker-elect sacked over illegal dual citizenship
Ely, Cambridgeshire is best known for its majestic cathedral dubbed the 'Ship of the Fens' because it dominates the flat landscape. The city, which is the second smallest in England, is about 14 miles north-northeast of Cambridge and about 80 miles by road from London.

13:33, 25 OCT 2022
A three-day summer break to the capital of Vietnam costs just under $500.

Hanoi is considered the least expensive international destination while New York City is the most expensive, according to the annual cost-comparison study by TripAdvisor, the worlds largest travel site.

The study, released Monday, showed that a three-night vacation during the summer will cost a couple who wish to visit Hanoi $497 on average, just over a quarter of the cost to New York.

The expenditure includes accommodation at a four-star hotel, a visit to three attractions, lunch, an Uber or taxi to and from dinner each day, plus the cost of dinner itself.

In addition to Hanoi, three other Southeast Asian cities are listed in the top 10 most affordable cities worldwide, including Kuala Lumpur ($627), Bangkok ($645) and Bali ($678).

This year, the study compares the cost of a vacation during the summer travel period of June to September in 39 key tourist cities around the world.

Top 10 least expensive cities worldwide. Source: TripAdvisor

Top 10 most expensive city worldwide. Source: TripAdvisor

Related news:

> Hoi An's beach lands in TripAdvisor's top 25

> Nha Trang on list of top 10 destinations in Asia: Tripadvisor

> Why we chose to move to Hanoi
EU Login- Say goodbye to push notifications on your mobile device and hello to in-app, or silent, requests.
Evangelion fans have been waiting about four years now for the follow-up to Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo. Now, after finishing up with his duties in the new Godzilla film, Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno has stated that he is ready to start making the fourth and final movie of the Eva quarter. In fact, the director even addressed Evangelion fans directly, apologizing for the delay.

Anno's announcement and apology happened during a press event for his latest movie, Godzilla: Resurgence, which is set to be released in Japan soon. Though the upcoming movie's staff has already warned reporters not to address any Evangelion-related questions to the director, Anno surprised everyone by making the first move.

"First of all, I would like to apologize. I have kept you waiting for the new Evangelion for a very, very long time. I am deeply sorry," he said.

"To me, Evangelion is my soul; it is a work that scrapes off bits of my soul. The previous work, Evangelion Shin Gekijoban: Q [Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo], scraped me down until I wasn't able to make anything anymore," he added.

The Evangelion creator further stated that the Godzilla: Resurgence project actually allowed him to take a break from the stress of developing the final installment in the Eva remake. After Godzilla, however, Anno assured fans that he is once more ready to take the helm.

"At that time, I went into talks with Toho, and it saved me. I think this is how I'm able to keep making Evangelion. However, since it is a fact that I'm making everyone wait, I deeply apologize for that," he reiterated.

Fans of Evangelion have been waiting eagerly for the last installment of the movie quartet. After the positive reception from the first two movies in the remake, the third movie, which diverged largely from the Evangelion mythos that fans were familiar with, ultimately proved to be a tough sell. Thus, for many, the fourth and final film of the Evangelion remake would be the definitive title which would determine if the remake becomes a success or a massive failure.
The U.S. Postal Service delivers 40 percent of the worlds mail to 153 million U. S. homes and businesses from coast to coast, six and increasingly seven days a week. Its older than the country itself and is consistently rated the publics most-trusted federal agency.

And yet there are misconceptions about it that circulate in the media or on websites, as was the case in a recent commentary piece in Economics21. To advance its agendaprivatizationthe article deprived the reader of relevant information while painting a misleading picture of postal finances, blaming the government and employees instead of the actual culprit.

Given the importance of the USPS to residents and businesses throughout the country, Id like to take this opportunity to offer some facts and some context.

For starters, the Postal Service is operating in the black, and has been since 2013. Its earned revenue exceeded operating expenses by more than a billion dollars apiece in both fiscal year 2014 and 2015. In just the first two quarters of FY 2016, the operating profit stands at $1.8 billionmeaning that over the past two-and-a-half years, Postal Service operations are $4.4 billion in the black.

After a significant decline in first-class mail during the worst recession in 80 years, first class mail is stabilizing as the economy gradually improves. Meanwhile, Internet-sparked online shopping has sent package delivery revenues skyrocketing. And so, overall revenue at USPS has been increasing for the past four years. Record worker productivity has played a role as well.

There is red ink, but it has nothing to do with the mail and everything to do with flawed public policy. In 2006, a lame-duck Congress mandated that the Postal Service pre-fund future retiree health benefits decades in advance. No other entity in the country, public or private, has to pre-fund these benefits for even one year. That mandate, costing $5.6 billion annually, not only accounts for the red ink; it disguises the actual profits postal operations have been generating for years. (Its important to note that this debit goes on the ledger each year as a loss, whether or not USPS can afford to pay it, thereby producing the red ink.)

Addressing this elephant in the roompre-fundingis imperative because of the Postal Services role in so many facets of American life, including in small towns and rural areas, where the post office often is the center of civic life.

More broadly, the Postal Service is the centerpiece of the $1.3 trillion national mailing industry, which employs 7.5 million Americans in the private sector.

Its also the nations largest civilian employer of military veterans. Nearly one-quarter of letter carriers are wearing their second uniform.

USPS and letter carriers play a key role in the quality of life of communities throughout the country. In mid-May, letter carriers conducted their 24th annual food drivethe largest single-day food drive in the countrycollecting a record 80 million pounds of food from generous Americans to help replenish food banks, pantries and shelters from coast to coast.

Every day as they deliver mail on their routes, letter carriers around the country help save the elderly or other residents who have fallen or experienced medical problems, locate missing children, rescue people after automobile accidents or help stop crimes in progress.

The Postal Service and letter carriers also play a role in national security. After the terrorist attacks of 9/11, when President George W. Bush sought a way to protect Americans in the event of a bio-terror attack, he turned to the nations only universal delivery network, the U.S. Postal Service. Letter carriers have volunteered to be trained to stockpile and deliver medicines to every household in several major metropolitan areas within 48 hours of an attack, to save lives and avert panic. Just imagine what it would cost to set up such a program from scratch.

These are just some of the reasons why the Postal Servicebased in the Constitution and first led by Benjamin Franklinenjoys enthusiastic support from the public and from lawmakers across the political spectrum, including many conservatives.

If congressional representatives work toward constructive and targeted postal reform that addresses pre-funding while preserving and strengthening the invaluable and profitable postal networks, the Postal Service can continue to provide all Americans with the industrial worlds most affordable delivery services.

Mr. Rolando is president of the National Association of Letter Carriers.

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Younited Italia, Nicola Manzari e il nuovo Coo, Luca Faccini e Head of Growth e Domenico Petraroli e General Counsel
The last phase of ANRS IPERGAY has confirmed that "on-demand" pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective method of reducing the risk of HIV infection in men who have sex with men and who report high-risk behavior. These results will be presented at AIDS 2016 in Durban, South Africa (18 to 22 July). From late 2016, a vast research program, ANRS PREVENIR, will assess PrEP on a large scale in Paris and its suburbs (France).

Reducing the number of new infections in populations particularly affected by HIV is more than ever a public health priority recognized by international institutions and by most developed and resource-limited countries. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, in which preventive antiretroviral therapy is offered to people not infected by HIV, is a new approach that is being implemented in several towns mainly in the United States, and will soon be in Europe. Paris will be the first European capital to launch an ambitious program of PrEP designed to reduce new infections in the groups most at risk.

These advances in prevention are based on clinical trials, in particular on the findings of two studies: PROUD, in England, and ANRS IPERGAY , a French-Canadian study conducted with HIV-AIDS community organization AIDES. ANRS IPERGAY is a study of "on-demand" PrEP at the time of exposure to the risk of HIV infection among seronegative men who have sex with men (MSM) and who reported at-risk behavior in the six months prior to inclusion. Started in 2012, the first phase of ANRS IPERGAY was conducted double-blind (half the group took an oral antiretroviral combining TDF and FTC [Truvada] at the time of sexual relations, the other half took a placebo). It showed that Truvada reduced the risk of HIV infection by 86% (Molina et al. New England Journal of Medicine Dec 3, 2015).

Final results

Once these findings became available in November 2014, ANRS IPERGAY entered its second and last phase: all participants were given Truvada. The aim was to ensure the benefits of "on-demand" PrEP and its long-term safety and to assess its impact on sexual behavior. Professor Jean-Michel Molina (Hopital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Universite Paris Diderot, Paris, France) presents in an oral communication the final results of this last, "open-label" phase at AIDS 2016 in Durban, South Africa (18-22 July). Dr Bruno Spire (lnserm U912-Sesstim, Marseille, France) will complete the picture by reporting an analysis of sexual behavior.

The results of the follow-up between November 2014 and June 2016 in 362 volunteers (333 who participated in the randomized phase + 29 new recruits) presented today are even more remarkable than those of the first phase: a single person, who in fact interrupted PrEP, was infected by HIV in the "open-label" phase. The incidence (the number of new cases) was therefore only 0.19 infections per 100 person-years of follow-up. The incidence in the Truvada arm during the double-blind phase was 0.91%.

Professor Molina said "The results of the "open-label" phase of the trial confirm the very good efficacy and safety of on-demand PrEP in reducing the risk of HIV infection in high-risk MSM. These results should promote broader use of PrEP in at-risk populations in countries where justified by the epidemic situation."

Professor Jean-Francois Delfraissy, Director of ANRS, applauds the French decision taken in late 2015 to authorize PrEP and its reimbursement, by means of a temporary recommendation for use. "The question today is no longer to know whether PrEP is effective and should be used, but rather how to make it available rapidly to the people most at risk."

Diversified prevention

What about condom use, which remains the cornerstone of prevention of infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases? A study of sexual behavior during the open-label phase of the trial revealed a slight drop in condom use, particularly among those identified as being keen users of condoms in the double-blind phase. In the vast majority of cases use of PrEP compensated for this decrease.

"The decrease in condom use in the "open-label" trial is not worrying at present," said Dr Bruno Spire. "The trial participants were sure of being protected by PrEP, which they knew is effective. A small minority of participants, however, use neither PrEP nor condoms. We must try to understand what is holding them back." Dr Spire added that "Henceforth it seems important to speak of diversified prevention, which includes freedom of choice, rather than combined prevention, because it is somewhat illusory to imagine that most people will be able to use several methods of prevention at the same time."

ANRS will soon roll out an ambitious operational research program in Paris and its suburbs among 3000 people at high risk of HIV infection (mainly MSM, transgender people, and migrants). ANRS PREVENIR is designed to reduce the number of new HIV infections and will assess how community support improves treatment adherence and keeps participants on long-term PrEP.

Founded in 1988, the French Research Agency ANRS brings together researchers from different fields and institutions in the developed world and resource-limited countries to work on scientific questions regarding HIV/AIDS or viral hepatitis. The ANRS funds research projects approved by international expert committees. It oversees projects from conception to completion and ensures that the results are used for the benefit of the populations concerned. Its annual budget of around 45 million euros is provided by the ministries in charge of Research and Health. Since 2012 it has been an autonomous agency of Inserm (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research).

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Abstracts

Efficacy of on demand PrEP with TDF-FTC in the ANRS IPERGAY open-label extension study

J.-M. Molina1,2, I. Charreau3, B. Spire4, L. Cotte5, J. Chas6, C. Capitant3, C. Tremblay7, D. Rojas-Castro8, E. Cua9, A. Pasquet10, C. Bernaud11, W. Rozenbaum2, C. Delaugerre12, V. Dore13, S. Le Mestre13, M.-C. Simon13, J.-F. Delfraissy13, L. Meyer3,14, ANRS IPERGAY Study Group

1University of Paris Diderot, INSERM UMR 941, Paris, France, 2Hopital Saint-Louis, APHP, Infectious Diseases Department, Paris, France, 3INSERM, SC 10-US 19, Villejuif, France, 4INSERM, UMR 912, Marseille, France, 5Hospices Civils de Lyon, Infectious Diseases Department, Lyon, France, 6Hopital Tenon, APHP, Infectious Diseases Department, Paris, France, 7Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Canada, 8AIDES, MIRE, Pantin, France, 9Hopital de l'Archet, Infectious Diseases Department, Nice, France, 10Hopital Gustave Dron, Infectious Diseases Department, Tourcoing, France, 11CHU Hotel Dieu, Infectious Diseases Department, Nantes, France, 12Hopital Saint-Louis, Virology Department, Paris, France, 13INSERM-ANRS, Paris, France, 14INSERM, Paris 11 University, Kremlin Bicetre, France

Reported changes in PrEP and condom use in MSM during the open-label extension of the ANRS IPERGAY study

L. Sagaon-Teyssier1,2,3, M. Suzan-Monti1,2,3, D. Rojas-Castro4, M. Danet4, N. Hall5, L. Fressard1,2,3, M. Di Ciaccio1,3,6, C. Capitant7, V. Foubert7, C. Chidiac8, V. Dore9, C. Tremblay10, J.-M. Molina11, B. Spire1,2,3, ANRS IPERGAY Study Group

1INSERM, UMR_S 912, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Sante et Traitement de l'Information Medicale (SESSTIM), Marseille, France, 2Aix Marseille Universite, UMR_S 912, IRD, Marseille, France, 3Observatoire Regional de la Sante Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, Marseille, France, 4AIDES MIRE, Paris, France, 5CHU, Nantes, France, 6GREPS, Universite Lyon 2, Lyon, France, 7INSERM SC 10 US 19, Villejuif, France, 8Hopital de la Croix Rousse, INSERM U 1052, Department of Infectious Diseases, Lyon, France, 9ANRS, Paris, France, 10Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal, Montreal, Canada, 11Hopital Saint-Louis, Department of Infectious Disease, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Paris, Paris, France

Scientific contacts

Durban: Jean-Michel Molina

E-mail: jean-michel.molina@aphp.fr

Durban: Bruno Spire

E-mail: bruno.spire@inserm.fr

ANRS press contact

Durban: Marie-Christine Simon

E-mail: marie-christine.simon@anrs.fr
GeoSpace

Drought caused the Amazon to stop storing carbon

The Amazon Basin's carbon sink was completely shut down by a recent drought, according to a new study, published in Global Biogeochemical Cycles.

EarthCube All Hands Meeting report

More than 130 geoscientists and cyberinfrastructure researchers met in Denver to plan the next stages of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) EarthCube e-infrastructure project.

EXPORTS: a plan to predict the fate of the ocean's primary net production

NASA oceanographer Ivona Cetini? explains the EXPORTS program and its aim to explore the ocean's carbon cycle on a global scale.

Charting ice sheet contributions to global sea level rise

An international team produced an integrated assessment of polar ice mass losses in 2012. Now efforts to provide an up-to-date assessment are under way, with an open invitation for participation.

Research Spotlights

Monster El Nino not enough to quench California drought

A new study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters shows that the Sierra Nevada snowpack will likely not recover from the current drought until 2019.

The dance of surface waves and ocean circulation

One mathematical model best describes the complex interplay between an ocean's surface waves and its underlying circulation, according to a new study published the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans.

Venus's unexpected, electrifying water loss

A new study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters shows that an electric field surrounding Venus is stripping its atmosphere of water--and the same phenomenon may plague exoplanets scientists hope might be habitable.

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A research project led by The Australian National University (ANU) has closed an important gap in the understanding of a fundamental process of life - the creation of proteins based on recipes called RNA.

RNAs are short-lived copies of genetic information stored in DNA. They are read by cellular ribosomes, which translate the recipes into proteins to become the main building blocks of life.

Lead researcher Professor Thomas Preiss from The John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR) at ANU, said the new understanding would open up avenues for treatment of a wide range of diseases including cancer, heart disease and a spectrum of rarer genetic diseases.

"We've captured a key process of life in action for the first time," Professor Preiss said. "This process of translation initiation has puzzled scientists globally for around 40 years."

The research team took snapshots of how ribosomes distribute along the RNA strings, paying particular attention to how ribosomes make sure they read the recipe from the correct starting point.

Cells throughout the body contain the same complete blueprint for life in their DNA.

"To create and maintain cells as diverse as those in the brain, bone or liver requires great precision in terms of which RNA recipes are made available, where and when," Professor Preiss said.

How efficiently and accurately ribosomes read and translate the recipes is also critical.

For example, ribosomes are known to become over-active in cancer.

"We are now applying our tools and insights to better understand what this means for their interaction with the RNA recipes during tumour formation, with the prospect of developing new and better treatments," Professor Preiss said.

The research confirms a 40-year-old theory that explains how the ribosome correctly picks up the beginning of the code, even though the code usually only begins some distance inside the RNA string.

Research team member Dr Nikolay Shirokikh from ANU said the project examined where the two components of the ribosome started to attach to RNA strings.

"The theory was that the smaller half of the ribosome attaches itself to the very beginning of the RNA and then scans along the string until it finds the start signal of the recipe. There, the larger half joins and the whole ribosome begins to manufacture a protein," Dr Shirokikh said.

"Our ribosome snapshot approach has finally provided proof that the scanning model is correct. We also gained new insight into how fast the ribosome can complete the different tasks and how other cellular components come in to help it along."

Dr Stuart Archer, who initiated the project before moving to Monash University, said it took seven years for the researchers from ANU and Monash to develop the technique to answer a question that has puzzled scientists for 40 years.

"Many thought it couldn't be done," Dr Archer said. "It was extremely challenging, because of the transient nature of the interactions with RNA."

The ribosome snapshot data generated with the new technique was made available to scientists globally via an app for high-content data visualisation developed at the Monash Bioinformatics Platform.

The research was supported by a discovery grant from the Australian Research Council.

The research has been published in the journal Nature.

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Dr. Reza Mehvar of Chapman University's two-year-old School of Pharmacy is the recipient of the 2016 American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award.

"I am so thrilled and also bursting with pride, to announce that Professor and Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Chair Dr. Reza Mehvar has been selected as the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, 2016 Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award recipient," said Ron Jordan, R.Ph. FAPhA, founding dean of the Chapman's School of Pharmacy (CUSP). "For our young school to have an awardee on the national stage so soon is tremendously gratifying to me and another indication of the wonderful team we have been so fortunate to have brought to CUSP."

Dr. Mehvar was selected by his peers in the AACP signifying their recognition of him as a gifted teacher, scholar and academic leader. He served many years as a professor at multiple institutions and was a founding faculty member at CUSP. He innovated active learning within his classrooms long before arriving at CUSP and was instrumental in leading the plan to use the flipped classroom model of curriculum delivery.

Dr. Mehar is a professor and chair of the department of biomedical and pharmaceutical science at CUSP. He previously taught at Texas Tech University and Drake University; having originally earned his Ph.D at the University of Alberta and his Doctor of Pharmacy at the University of Tehran.

The award will be presented at the AACP Pharmacy Education 2016 meeting at the Anaheim Marriott in Anaheim, CA, at 8 a.m., on Sunday, July 24.

According to the AACP website: The AACP Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award is designed to recognize excellence of our academic pharmacy faculty engaged in and/or supporting scholarly teaching and the scholarship of teaching and learning. AACP Distinguished Teaching Scholars will serve as models for advancing the profession of pharmacy through education by enhancing student learning and the knowledge base of teaching and learning in professional and/or graduate pharmacy education.

This news comes on the heels of the recent announcement of CUSP receiving Candidate status by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) -- the next to final step in the school receiving full accreditation.

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About AACP

Founded in 1900, the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy is the national organization representing pharmacy education in the United States. The mission of AACP is to lead and partner with our members in advancing pharmacy education, research, scholarship, practice and service to improve societal health. AACP is comprised of all accredited colleges and schools with pharmacy degree programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, including more than 6,400 faculty, 62,500 students enrolled in a professional programs and 5,100 individuals pursuing graduate study. More info can be found at http://www.aacp.org.

ABOUT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL of PHARMACY (CUSP)

As Orange County's first school of pharmacy with entry of its first professional degree cohort of students in September of 2015, CUSP empowers graduates and faculty to develop a deep scientific foundation for pharmacy, the drive for lifelong learning, and the compassion to optimize delivery of health care for those with diverse and unmet needs in Orange County and beyond through inter-professional practice models and community outreach and research. CUSP creates the culture and environment necessary to conduct collaborative basic, translational, clinical education and outcomes research and learning that make a difference in people's lives. CUSP intends to become a leader in innovative, inter-professional and personalized education of future pharmacists, pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacy educators, while being recognized for excellence in collaborative, impactful research, scholarship and practice models that advance global health. The program delivers the Doctor of Pharmacy degree governed by the ACPE that leads to a license to practice pharmacy as governed by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). CUSP also delivers Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Degrees. The school is located in Chapman University's Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine, CA. For more information, visit http://www.chapman.edu/pharmacy.

Consistently ranked among the top universities in the West, Chapman University attracts highly qualified students from around the globe. Its programs are designed to encourage leadership in innovation, creativity and collaboration, and are increasingly recognized for providing an extraordinary educational experience. The university excels in the sciences and humanities, business and economics, educational studies, film and media arts, performing arts, and law. Student enrollment in graduate and undergraduate programs is approaching 8,000 and Chapman University alumni are found throughout the world. Visit us at http://www.chapman.edu.

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On YouTube: Chapman University YouTube Channel
NEW YORK, NY, July 20, 2016--Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) will play an important role in the launch and operations of the Data and Research Support Center for the NIH's Precision Medicine Initiative (PMI) Cohort Program--a landmark study of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors affecting the health of one million or more U.S. participants.

NIH will award $13.7 million this fiscal year to a coalition of research institutions, led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, TN, Verily Life Sciences in Mountain View, CA, and the Broad Institute in Cambridge, MA, to establish the Data and Research Support Center. CUMC's biomedical informatics team, a partner in the effort, will help curate data from a variety of sources contributing health information to the PMI Cohort Program, including electronic health records, medical and pharmaceutical databases, and payer databases. CUMC will standardize the information, ensure the quality of the data, and convert it into a format that is usable by researchers involved in the program.

Over the next five years, the Data and Research Support Center will acquire and organize the large and diverse dataset resulting from this effort to look for clues about the many individual factors contributing to health and illness. It will also provide research support and analytical tools to researchers who are interested in using the data.

Other collaborators include the University of Michigan School of Public Health in Ann Arbor, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and the University of Texas School of Bioinformatics in Houston.

"Our role in this endeavor is a further validation of our expertise in large-scale data management and analysis," said Lee Goldman, MD, Dean of the Faculties of Health Sciences and Medicine and Chief Executive, CUMC. "Our work in the Data and Research Support Center for the PMI Cohort Program dovetails perfectly with our effort to enroll a diverse range of participants in this important research endeavor. It also aligns with our own university-wide emphasis on using the tools of precision medicine to provide the highest level of care for every individual."

"Based on our three decade-long experience with electronic health records, our expertise in managing the quality of health data, and our leadership role in the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) initiative, a combined repository of more than 600 million patient records in 14 countries, CUMC is a natural fit for this project," said George Hripcsak, MD, the Vivian Beaumont Allen Professor and Chair of the Department of Biomedical Informatics at CUMC, director of medical informatics services at NewYork-Presbyterian, and a site Principal Investigator of the grant.

CUMC is also designated as a regional medical center for the PMI Cohort Program. Along with its collaborators NewYork-Presbyterian, Weill Cornell Medicine, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, CUMC seeks to enroll more than 150,000 participants in the PMI Cohort Program by 2021.

"In a research program as large and important as this one, it is essential that all of the data regarding health history, current health status, and lifestyle and environmental factors are carefully vetted to ensure relevance and reliability, and harmonized to make it as accessible and useful for researchers as possible," said Dr. Hripcsak, who is also a Principal Investigator of the healthcare provider organization grant. "Given our own experience in synthesizing and standardizing large, disparate data sets, we are confident of our ability to offer creative solutions for organizing and sharing the information with researchers using PMI Cohort Program data to identify the many individual factors that affect health."

CUMC will standardize and correct the data with methods that it has already used successfully to conduct large-scale observational research in collaboration with the OHDSI program. That group's first large-scale study, published online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used a 250-million patient cohort to identify differences in clinical practice for several chronic conditions.

"Having a dual role in the PMI Cohort Program is extremely exciting," said David Goldstein, PhD, professor of genetics and development and Director, Institute of Genomic Medicine at CUMC and Contact Principal Investigator for the PMI Cohort Program Healthcare Provider Organization grant. "From this standpoint, we can contribute to the overall diversity of volunteers for the research program, and to the way we help frame the questions for researchers. This is an important part of our national conversation about improving patient care by focusing on individual characteristics rather than clinical commonalities."

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Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. For more information, visit cumc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org.
A new scientific study has identified why colorectal cancer cells depend on a specific nutrient, and a way to starve them of it. Over one million men and women are living with colorectal cancer in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimates 4.5% of all men and women will be diagnosed with the cancer during their lifetime, making it the third most common non-skin cancer.

In the study published online in Nature Communications, researchers showed how certain colorectal cancer cells reprogram their metabolism using glutamine, a non-essential amino acid. Many cancer cells rely on glutamine to survive. How they become so dependent on the molecule is hotly debated in the field.

Researchers studied a subset of colorectal cancer cells containing a genetic mutation called PIK3CA. This mutation is located in a gene critical for cell division and movement, and is found in approximately one third of all colorectal cancers. The mutation is also the most commonly identified genetic mutation across all cancers, making the results of the study universally appealing.

Researchers were interested in determining whether or not the common PIK3CA mutation contributes to changes in cancer cell metabolism, such as how nutrients like glutamine are processed. Normally, glutamine is broken down by cancer cells into several other molecules with the help of specific enzymes. This complicated system helps produce adenosine triphosphate, the energy currency of all cells, and other molecules critical for colorectal cancer cell growth.

The researchers found that colorectal cells with the PIK3CA mutation broke down significantly more glutamine than cells without the mutation. The researchers identified several enzymes involved in the process that are more active in the mutant cancer cells than in other cell types, explaining the increased need for glutamine. These enzymes become overactive in the mutant cancer cells due to a cascade of signals led by the protein encoded by mutant PIK3CA gene. This finding represents a novel and important link between the common PIK3CA mutation and altered glutamine metabolism in cancer cells.

Zhenghe John Wang, PhD, professor of genetics and genome sciences and co-leader of the Cancer Genetics Program at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine helped lead the study. "In layman's terms, we discovered that colon cancers with PIK3CA oncogenic mutations are addicted to glutamine, a particular nutrient for cancer cells. We also demonstrated that these cancers can be starved to death by depriving glutamine with drugs."

When the researchers lowered the amount of glutamine available to mutant cancer cells growing in laboratory dishes, the cancer cells died. This discovery led the team to investigate the effects of blocking glutamine availability in mice with colorectal cancer tumors containing the common PIK3CA mutation. Wang and colleagues found that exposing these mice to a compound that blocks glutamine metabolism consistently suppressed tumor growth. They did not observe the same effect on tumors without the mutation. Together, these results provide a promising new therapeutic avenue to suppress growth of colorectal tumors with the PIK3CA mutation. The researchers have filed a patent application based on the unique mechanism of tumor suppression they have identified and the work is available for licensing.

"This study provides the basis for a colon cancer treatment clinical trial that will be started in the summer at the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center," according to Neal Meropol, MD, Dr. Lester E. Coleman, Jr. Professor of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, chief of the division of hematology and oncology, and principal investigator for the trial. The phase I/II study will test the effects of a glutamine metabolism inhibitor in patients with advanced colorectal tumors.

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The study, entitled "Oncogenic PIK3CA mutations reprogram glutamine metabolism in colorectal cancer" published online June 20, 2016 in Nature Communications, was an international collaboration between researchers at Case Western Reserve University, Johns Hopkins University, and Hathaway Brown School (United States); The Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel); and Wannan Medical College, Third Military Medical University, and Suzhou Health College (China). Financial support was provided by National Institutes of Health grants R01CA196643, R21CA160060, R21CA181859, R01CA127590, P50CA150964 and P30 CA043703 (to Z.W.) and R37-DK060596 and R01-DK053307 (to M.H.).

For more information about Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, please visit http://case.edu/medicine
Sophia Antipolis, 20 July 2016: Higher education is associated with a reduced risk of developing heart failure after a heart attack, reports a study in more than 70 000 patients published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.1

"Heart failure is a serious complication of acute myocardial infarction and substantially increases the risk of death," said lead author Dr Gerhard Sulo, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Bergen in Norway.

He continued: "Previous research has shown that patients are more likely to die after a heart attack if they have a lower educational level, but information on the mechanisms involved is sparse. Heart failure is the most important incident in the chain of events leading to death after a heart attack and we hypothesised that it might contribute to the observed educational disparities in survival."

The current study investigated the association between educational level and the risk of developing heart failure after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The study included 70 506 patients aged 35 to 85 years who had been hospitalised with a first (incident) AMI during 2001 to 2009 and did not have a history of heart failure. Patients were identified from the Cardiovascular Disease in Norway (CVDNOR) project, which contains data on all hospital stays with a cardiovascular disease-related diagnosis in Norway since 1994.2

Information on the highest attained education level was obtained from the Norwegian National Education Database. Education was categorised as primary (up to 10 years of compulsory education), secondary (high school or vocational school), or tertiary education (college/university).

Patients were followed for an incident episode of heart failure until 31 December 2009. Based on its timing in relation to the incident AMI, heart failure was classified into two mutually exclusive categories; early-onset (heart failure on admission or developing during the hospitalisation for the incident AMI) and late-onset (either a new hospitalisation with heart failure or death due to heart failure after discharge from the incident AMI hospitalisation). Separate analyses were conducted for early and late-onset heart failure.

Of the 70 506 patients included in the analyses, 17.7% were diagnosed with early-onset heart failure. Patients with secondary or tertiary education had respectively 9% and 20% lower risk of heart failure compared to those with primary education.

Another 11.8% of patients were diagnosed with late-onset heart failure during an average follow up time of 3.4 years (interquartile range 1.5 to 5.9 years). Patients with secondary or tertiary education had respectively 14% and 27% lower risk of heart failure compared to patients with primary education.

When analyses were restricted to patients who received coronary revascularisation to clear blocked arteries after their AMI, those with secondary or tertiary education had respectively 16% and 33% lower risk of late-onset heart failure compared to those with primary education.

Educational differences in the risk of early-onset and late-onset heart failure were similar in men and women.

Dr Sulo said: "Education per se cannot be considered a 'protective exposure' in the classical sense but represents a clustering of characteristics that influence health behaviours and outcomes. It has been shown that patients with lower education tend to delay seeking medical care when heart attack symptoms occur and they have poorer access to specialised care. Both of these factors increase the risk of developing early-onset heart failure after AMI. Those with lower education are more likely to have coexisting medical conditions and unhealthy lifestyles which also increase the risk of heart failure."

He continued: "Patients with lower education are less likely to be prescribed medication after a heart attack to prevent heart failure, and they are also less likely to take their medication. This may explain the increased risk of late-onset heart failure."

Dr Sulo concluded: "Focused efforts are needed to ensure that heart attack patients with low education get help early, have equal access to treatment, take their medications, and are encouraged to improve their lifestyles. This should help reduce the socioeconomic gap in the risk of heart failure following a heart attack."

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Professors Tiago H. Falk, Long Le, and Martin Maier of INRS's Energie Materiaux Telecommunications Research Centre have each received a Discovery Accelerator Supplements Program grant from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada'(NSERC). This support will help them further their groundbreaking and technologically innovative research.

Their research programs will help revolutionize several key sectors of the Canadian economy. For example:

Professor Falk is developing technology to improve machine intelligence by making them aware not only of their surroundings, but also of their users' emotional and cognitive states.

Professor Le's research is focused on the development of wireless access technologies that significantly increase the capacity of wireless networks and create a high-speed mobile ecosystem able to guarantee the bandwidth and service quality for wireless applications running on the fifth-generation and beyond wireless systems.

Professor Maier is exploring the potential of integrated cloud computing and FiWi (Fiber-Wireless) networks and the crucial role they will play in ushering in the Tactile Internet era, with a special focus on robotic services.

Discovery Grants

Some twenty INRS professors obtained new Discovery Grants or new Research Tools and Instrument Grants from NSERC. They received a total of $3.8 million to pursue advanced research and help train highly qualified personnel in important fields such as telecommunications, health, environment, and photonics.

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About INRS

Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS) is a graduate-level research and training university and ranks first in Canada for research intensity (average funding per professor). INRS brings together some 150 professors and close to 700 students and postdoctoral fellows at its four centres in Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, and Varennes. Its basic research is essential to the advancement of science in Quebec and internationally, and its research teams play a key role in the development of concrete solutions to the problems faced by our society.
The White House Council of Economic Advisors has released a 78-page new report on student debt, combining recent economic research with Department of Education data to paint a picture of what has become the second-largest category of consumer debt in our economy. The report uses the data it presents to argue in favor of the Obama administrations signature higher education initiativefree community college. But many of the facts contained in the report undercut this argument.

Community college is already the most affordable type of higher education in America, making it an outlier in a sector stricken by relentless price increases. Published tuition and fees for two-year colleges average $3,435 per yearless than the average Pell Grant. Many students do not even end up paying this, though. Tuition is already free for the average community college student once grants and tax benefits are taken into account. Only the average student in the top two family income quartiles pays any tuition. Free community college, therefore, would mostly benefit the upper middle class.

Granted, many students in low income groups still face bills for living expenses, even if they pay nothing in tuition. But President Obamas free community college plan does not address living costs, only tuition. It is unclear why it shouldif individuals are struggling to afford living costs, that is a problem best addressed through the social safety net, not higher education policy.

As a result, community college students end up borrowing very little. Take a look at the following graph from the CEA report, which plots median debt at institutions in several different sectors. The blue data points in the bottom-left corner represent community colleges. Most community college students, from both high- and low-income backgrounds, end up borrowing less than $10,000.

The catch here is that many former community college borrowers have trouble repaying their loans. But, as the CEAs report indicates, this is because most community college students do not complete their degrees. As the following graph from the report indicates, defaults among community college students who complete their degrees are uncommonbut only 23 percent complete. On the other hand, nearly a quarter of community college dropouts default within three years of entering repayment.

Dropping out of school makes it much more difficult to find a well-paying job that will enable a borrower to make progress on his loans. But student debt is not the cause of such economic distress. As the report states, [M]any of the students who attended [for-profit and community colleges] may not have received an education that equipped them to find well-paying jobs and manage the debt they incurred, even if that debt was relatively small.

This is the same report which argues community college should be free. An explicit goal of this policy is to increase community college enrollment. But why is the White Houses goal to encourage more students to attend institutions from which they are not likely to graduate? A free educational experience that does not yield a credential is not particularly useful.

The remainder of the case for free community college laid out in the report rests upon the reports argument that free community college  eliminates the information barriers related to the cost and complexities of applying for aid. The implication here is that instead of the obvious solutionsimplifying the paperwork, starting with the 108-question FAFSAwe should spend millions, if not billions, on a roundabout quest to allow a minority of students to bypass the paperwork.

To sum up, the White House wants to make free something that is nearly free, for the purposes of helping students obtain degrees they are not likely to obtain. The CEA has presented some excellent data, but but it has not yet proved the wisdom of free community college.

Preston Cooper is a policy analyst at the Manhattan Institute. You can follow him on Twitter here.

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Axol Bioscience Ltd., based in Cambridgeshire, UK, has licensed technology from Indiana University Research and Technology Corp. that could accelerate work conducted by drug discovery researchers, cancer biologists and vascular biologists

INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indiana University technology that could accelerate work conducted by drug discovery researchers, cancer biologists and vascular biologists has been licensed to a life science company in the United Kingdom that will use it to generate blood vessel cells from stem cells, which it will sell to customers.

Indiana University Research and Technology Corp., which protects, markets and licenses intellectual property developed at Indiana University so it can be commercialized by industry, has licensed the work to Axol Bioscience Ltd. in Little Chesterford, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom.

The method turns human induced pluripotent stem cells, or iPSCs, into endothelial cells, which are found on the interior of blood vessels. It was developed by Dr. Mervin C. Yoder, the Richard and Pauline Klinger Professor of Pediatrics and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Indiana University School of Medicine.

"Nutan Prasain, an assistant research professor, developed the methods with me that were required to direct the differentiation of the stem cells into endothelial colony forming cells, or ECFC, the progenitor cells that give rise to endothelial cells," Yoder said. "The ECFC-derived endothelial cells display potent proliferative potential and in vivo vessel formation."

Yichen Shi, CEO and co-founder of Axol Bioscience, said endothelial cells can help researchers better understand the conditions in which vascular pathologies occur.

"These cells offer a biologically relevant model to study these conditions, which could reduce the need for animal testing and accelerate the discovery of treatments," he said.

Shi said researchers who work with endothelial cells are limited to using cells that have drawbacks.

"The Indiana University technology enables us to provide high-quality, physiologically relevant cells from a consistent donor source, saving researchers time and enabling more reliable data generation," he said.

Industrial and academic researchers will be able to purchase the endothelial cells directly from Axol.

"We'll produce a range of iPSC-derived ECFCs from healthy and patient donors," Shi said. "In the future, we will expand our range of custom services, which currently comprises cell sourcing, reprogramming, differentiation and gene editing, to include endothelial differentiation."

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About Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.

IURTC is a not-for-profit corporation tasked with the protecting and commercializing of technology emanating from innovations by IU researchers. Since 1997, IU research has generated more than 2,700 inventions resulting in over 3,900 global patent applications being filed by IURTC. These discoveries have generated $133 million in licensing and royalty income, including $111 million in funding for IU departments, labs and inventors.
Researchers say marketing of new cigarettes that look like menthol violates spirit of new laws in Alberta and Nova Scotia

Despite a recent ban on the sale of menthol cigarettes in the Canadian provinces of Alberta and Nova Scotia, cigarettes made with similar coloring and marketed as having the same taste are still being sold, new research from the Institute for Global Tobacco Control at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health suggests.

Menthol has long been added to cigarettes to give them a minty flavor and to make the smoking experience seem less harsh when the smoker inhales. Menthol cigarettes are popular with first-time smokers, and have historically been marketed to women, youth and ethnic minorities globally, with a third of young Canadian smokers using menthol cigarettes.

The study, published online July 20 in the journal Tobacco Control, found that while menthol cigarettes are off the market, there are new products on the shelves that look almost identical to the menthol cigarettes available before the ban and nearly 90 percent of them are being marketed as a different, smoother alternative to regular cigarettes. These marketing tactics, which clearly mimic the way menthol cigarettes have always been advertised, could undermine the effectiveness of the menthol ban, the researchers say. The Institute for Global Tobacco Control conducted this research with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit.

"Tobacco companies are notorious for exploiting loopholes and violating the spirit of laws aimed at protecting the public's health and we have documented yet another example," says study co-author Joanna E. Cohen, PhD, a professor in the Department of Health, Behavior and Society at the Bloomberg School and director of the Institute for Global Tobacco Control. "Menthol masks the harshness of smoke, and the evidence shows that menthol cigarettes have an adverse impact on public health."

Menthol cigarette bans were enacted in Nova Scotia in June 2015 and in Alberta in September 2015 and are believed to be the first implemented in the world. Researchers visited Alberta before and after the ban and Nova Scotia after the ban. According to statistics kept by the Canadian government, Alberta has the third-highest level of cigarette sales in the Canada and both provinces together make up 18 percent of the country's 29.5 billion cigarettes sold annually.

Before the ban, researchers in Alberta purchased 199 menthol packs from 14 brand families owned by three parent companies -- Philip Morris International, Japan Tobacco International, and British American -- and 63 packs of cigarettes similar to menthols from four brand families owned by Philip Morris after the province banned menthol. The researchers found no cigarettes resembling menthols made by the other two companies and none of these similar cigarettes were found in Nova Scotia after the ban.

While tobacco companies are technically complying with the regulations, this research found that brands that were previously sold with menthol are now marketed with prominent green coloring, the word "green" instead of menthol or are wrapped in packaging saying "smooth taste redesigned without menthol," potentially weakening the public health benefits of the ban on menthol. Flavored cigarettes aside from menthol have long been banned in both the United States and Canada.

A number of other jurisdictions and countries have already banned or are considering bans on menthol tobacco products. Restrictions on tobacco labeling, such as the 2010 U.S. ban on words "light" and "low tar," also prompted the tobacco industry to use colors or creative methods to replace the banned words or terms and make it easier for consumers to identify their usual brand. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration banned flavored cigarettes in 2009, with the exception of menthol, the FDA's tobacco office is still considering extending the flavor ban to include menthol. Other tobacco products in the U.S., like cigars or cigarillos, are still sold with flavorings.

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For more information regarding this study and other studies, please visit http://www.globaltobaccocontrol.org/resources.

"Tobacco industry response to menthol cigarette bans in Alberta and Nova Scotia, Canada" was written by Jennifer Brown, Teresa DeAtley, Kevin Welding, Robert Schwartz, Michael Chaiton, Deidre Kittner and Joanna E. Cohen.

This research was supported by a Lipitz Public Health Policy Faculty Award.
The Lomonosov Moscow State University researchers in collaboration with their German colleagues have succeeded in proving that silicon nanoparticles can be applied to diagnose and cure cancer. For the first time the ability of particles to penetrate into the diseased cells effectively and dissolve completely after delivering the drug was shown. The details of the research are presented in the article published in the latest issue of Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2016.04.004

The scientific direction of the team is called theranostics. This term means a combined 'therapy' and 'diagnostics', denoting the process of simultaneous detection and treatment of the disease. One of its applications is spotting a range of oncologic diseases with the help of nanoparticles filled with medicine for their targeted delivery into a cancer cell. Nowadays a lot of such nanoparticles do not meet the requirement of biocompatibility. According to one of the researchers, Liubov Osminkina (senior research fellow, Physics Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University), some of the nanoparticles can act quickly, deliver the drug accurately, cure a number of diseases, but months later a patient may suffer from liver, kidney, lung pains, or even headache.

'The reason is that gold, silver, titanium oxide, cadmium selenide and a plenty of other nanoparticles are almost not excreted,' Liubov Osminkina explains. 'When nanoparticles reach the bloodstream, they can get stuck in internal organs and after a while they begin to harm the organism due to prolonged toxic effects.'

Searching not only biocompatible, but also bio-degradable transportation for a targeted drug delivery scientists noticed porous silicon. Its nano-particles would certainly do no harm, rather may help the organism, as the result of their dissolution is silicic acid, vital for bones and connective tissues.

These nanoparticles were Liubov Osminkina's main concern when she received the DAAD-MSU "Vladimir Vernadsky" grant in 2013 (a joint program for research by Moscow State University and the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD) for synthesizing photoluminescent nanoparticles of porous silicon nanowires for theranostics. She went to Jena, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology one of the main scientific directions of which is biophotonics -- the use of optical techniques for studying living systems. The particular attention of a young employee of Moscow State University was focused on the Raman micro-spectroscopy.

The Raman spectroscopy is based on the aptitude of molecules to a so-called inelastic scattering of monochromatic light that is accompanied by a change of their internal state and thus a change of the frequency response of the emitted photons. This type of spectroscopy distinguishes the relative simplicity and the abundance of the information obtained -- enough to illuminate a material with a laser and analyze the spectrum of the radiation. Raman micro-spectroscopy was used at the Institute of Photonic Technology, among many other optical methods. With its help, scientists scanned the contents of a living cell and comparing the spectra obtained lined up a picture of what and where is located inside the cell.

'That's when I came up with an idea to conduct a study of nanoparticle biodegradation using Raman micro-spectroscopy,' the scientist says. 'This technique makes possible not only to locate the nanoparticles in the cell (the signals from the silicon and cell components have different frequencies), but also to watch the process of their disintegration. The latter was possible because, as already known, the Raman spectrum of silicon nanoparticles depends on their size - the smaller they are, the broader the spectrum becomes, shifting to lower frequencies'

Upon successful completion of the grant study, Osminkina won another DAAD-MSU grant which was for the implementation of her new ideas -- and she went to Jena again. The essence of Osminkina and her colleagues' new study came to the fact that the breast cancer cells were incubated with silicon nanoparticles of the 100 nm in size, and then, in particular, with the Raman micro-spectrometer, scientists have observed what happens in the cells during different periods of time from 5 hours to 13 days. Taking into account Raman spectrum and the reconstructed images of these particles and the cells they saw how during the first 5-9 hours nanoparticles localize on the cell membranes and penetrate into the cell during the next day and then begin to biodegrade, as evidenced by a decrease in signal amplitude, spectral broadening and the appearance of the peak of the amorphous silicon phase. It was shown that on the 13th day the nanoparticles dissolve completely and the signal disappears.

"Thus, for the first time we have shown that porous silicon nanoparticles could be completely harmless theranostics agents for many types of cancer. They do not only easily penetrate into the diseased cell, but when filled with drug, can emit it during their dissolving. I believe that the results of our work are of great importance in the long term as the basis for creating drugs based on biocompatible and biodegradable silicon nanoparticles,' Lubov Osminkina says.

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New Rochelle, NY, July 20, 2016--Over a 1-year period, academic cardiovascular physicians at the Mayo Clinic used a new Twitter account to share medical news and gained more than 1,200 followers, with tweets of original journal content garnering the greatest response, according to an article published in Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, a peer-reviewed journal from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available free on the Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking website until August 20, 2016.

In the article "An Academic Healthcare Twitter Account: The Mayo Clinic Experience," R. Jay Widmer, MD, PhD, and coauthors, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (Rochester, MN), present data describing the gender and geographic distribution of their Twitter account's followers. The authors analyzed the number of retweets, replies, favorites, engagements, and other interactions for their account using Sprinkler and Twitter Analytics.

A survey of the participating Mayo Clinic cardiologists completed before initiating the Twitter account showed that less than 25% felt connected to colleagues outside their own institution, and nearly 85% viewed social media as a deterrent to productivity and a distraction at work.

"As clinicians become more web-savvy, Twitter may serve a useful purpose to suggest interesting, relevant articles and conferences to those who struggle with time constraints," says Editor-in-Chief Brenda K. Wiederhold, PhD, MBA, BCB, BCN, Interactive Media Institute, San Diego, California and Virtual Reality Medical Institute, Brussels, Belgium.

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About the Journal

Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published monthly online with open access options and in print that explores the psychological and social issues surrounding the Internet and interactive technologies. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking is the official journal of the International Association of CyberPsychology, Training & Rehabilitation. Complete tables of contents and a sample issue may be viewed on the Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking website.

About the Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Games for Health Journal, Telemedicine and e-Health, and Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. Its biotechnology trade magazine, GEN (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 80 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available on the Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers website.
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Researchers at the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine have found a promising new way to monitor and treat recurrence of ovarian cancer -- a hard-to-detect disease that claims many lives. New research from George Vasmatzis, Ph.D., of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic, finds liquid biopsies from blood tests and DNA sequencing can detect a return of ovarian cancer long before a tumor reappears. That could lead to earlier intervention and more effective, individualized treatment. Dr. Vasmatzis' research on the "Quantification of Somatic Chromosomal Rearrangements in Circulating Cell-free DNA From Ovarian Cancers" is published in the July 20 edition of Scientific Reports.

"With liquid biopsies, we don't have to wait for tumor growth to get a DNA sample," says Dr. Vasmatzis. "This important discovery makes it possible for us detect recurrence of the disease earlier than other diagnostic methods. We can repeat liquid biopsies to monitor the progression of the cancer. That gives hope of a better treatment plan over time."

The study was done on 10 patients in advanced stages of ovarian cancer. Blood was drawn before and after surgery. Investigators compared DNA from the liquid blood biopsies to DNA tissue samples from the tumor, using mate-pair sequencing -- an inexpensive whole exome sequencing that can reveal genetic changes that contribute to tumor growth.

"In this study, the blood drawn before and after surgery and the surgical tissue was used to identify DNA fragments with abnormal junctions that can only be seen in this patient's tumor DNA," explains Dr. Vasmatzis. "Next-generation mate-pair sequencing was used to identify specific DNA changes of the tumor to create an individualized monitoring panel for liquid biopsy. This allows us to shape treatment to the individual patient rather than using a standard treatment that may not work for everyone."

When post-surgery DNA matched that of the tumor, patients were later found to have had a recurrence of ovarian cancer. However, when the post-surgery DNA did not match the DNA of the tumor, patients were found to be in remission.

Ovarian cancer has one of the highest death rates of all gynecological cancers, because the tumor often cannot be detected until the late stages. Most patients go into remission after initial treatment, but the tumor returns 75 percent of the time. The next stage of ovarian cancer that develops typically does not respond to chemotherapy. More than 21,000 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and 14,000 women died of the disease in 2015.

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Additional authors on the research team -- all of Mayo Clinic -- are:

Faye Harris

Irina Kovtun, Ph.D.

James Smadbeck, Ph.D.

Francesco Multinu, M.D.

Aminah Jatoi, M.D.

Farhad Kosari , Ph.D.

Kimberly Kalli, Ph.D.

Stephen Murphy, Ph.D.

Geoffrey Halling

Sarah Johnson

Minetta Liu, M.D.

Andrea Mariani, M.D.

This work was supported by the Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine, the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation and the Mayo Clinic Ovarian Cancer Specialized Programs of Research Excellence, P50 CA 136393. Francesco Multinu is a research fellow supported by the University of Cagliari in Italy.

About Center for Individualized Medicine

The Center for Individualized Medicine discovers and integrates the latest in genomic, molecular and clinical sciences into personalized care for each Mayo Clinic patient. For more information, visit http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/center-for-individualized-medicine/.

About the Mayo Clinic Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology

The Mayo Clinic Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology and its reference laboratory Mayo Medical Laboratories provide advanced laboratory testing and pathology services to support 5,000 health care organizations around the world.

About Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization committed to clinical practice, education and research, providing expert, whole-person care to everyone who needs healing. For more information, visit http://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic or http://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/.
Research is shedding new light on the causes of divorce in monogamous year-round territorial birds. A Monash University study of the endangered Purple-crowned Fairy-wren has discovered the females are calling the shots when it comes to breaking up.

Published in the journal Behavioral Ecology, the School of Biological Sciences' research studied 317 breeding pairs to learn what was driving the behaviour. As many as one in five avian pairs ended in divorce over nine years, and lead researcher Associate Professor Anne Peters said they were surprised to find it was the females who were more likely to break up.

"Females exhibit long term planning and are more likely to end their relationship when the opportunity for a better territory arises.

"We found females were prepared to wait, sometimes up to three years, for a good vacant spot to come up - where the female owner has died or moved on."

Found in Western Australia's Kimberley region, it's estimated less than 10,000 Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens remain in the area. Unlike birds that move away from their territory and separate after breeding, the Fairy-wrens live together in pairs, year-round, in the same patch.

"These females are sitting there, they're not happy with their partner or their territory; they have an affair on the side and they're more likely to divorce. With divorce they get a different partner and a different territory. The territory seems to be more important than the partner," Associate Professor Peters said.

PhD candidate and first author Nataly Hidalgo Aranzamendi said the females were prepared to take drastic action to gain a better territory. "We found that older females sometimes kicked younger females out of their territories to claim these as their own."

According to Ms Hidalgo Aranzamendi, divorce presented a significant advantage. "We believe divorce is a female strategy to improve reproductive success in the long term, and the immediate benefit is a better territory.

"This endangered bird lives in a harsh, unpredictable environment where 80 per cent of nest attempts end in failure, so females are prepared to divorce for a better territory because a good site for nesting will pay off," Ms Hidalgo Aranzamendi said.

This research shows how important intact high quality habitat is for these birds, and to what lengths they will go to secure a top spot. The information can be used to improve conservation efforts.

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The study was conducted at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy Mornington Sanctuary in the Kimberley and funded by the Australian Research Council (Future Fellowship), the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology (Germany) and Monash University.

Images and a short film about Associate Professor Anne Peters are available on request for media use.
Titanium is the leading material for artificial knee and hip joints because it's strong, wear-resistant and nontoxic, but an unexpected discovery by Rice University physicists shows that the gold standard for artificial joints can be improved with the addition of some actual gold.

"It is about 3-4 times harder than most steels," said Emilia Morosan, the lead scientist on a new study in Science Advances that describes the properties of a 3-to-1 mixture of titanium and gold with a specific atomic structure that imparts hardness. "It's four times harder than pure titanium, which is what's currently being used in most dental implants and replacement joints."

Morosan, a physicist who specializes in the design and synthesis of compounds with exotic electronic and magnetic properties, said the new study is "a first for me in a number of ways. This compound is not difficult to make, and it's not a new material."

In fact, the atomic structure of the material -- its atoms are tightly packed in a "cubic" crystalline structure that's often associated with hardness -- was previously known. It's not even clear that Morosan and former graduate student Eteri Svanidze, the study's lead co-author, were the first to make a pure sample of the ultrahard "beta" form of the compound. But due to a couple of lucky breaks, they and their co-authors are the first to document the material's remarkable properties.

"This began from my core research," said Morosan, professor of physics and astronomy, of chemistry and of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice. "We published a study not long ago on titanium-gold, a 1-to-1 ratio compound that was a magnetic material made from nonmagnetic elements. One of the things that we do when we make a new compound is try to grind it into powder for X-ray purposes. This helps with identifying the composition, the purity, the crystal structure and other structural properties.

"When we tried to grind up titanium-gold, we couldn't," she recalled. "I even bought a diamond (coated) mortar and pestle, and we still couldn't grind it up."

Morosan and Svanidze decided to do follow-up tests to determine exactly how hard the compound was, and while they were at it, they also decided to measure the hardness of the other compositions of titanium and gold that they had used as comparisons in the original study.

One of the extra compounds was a mixture of three parts titanium and one part gold that had been prepared at high temperature.

What the team didn't know at the time was that making titanium-3-gold at relatively high temperature produces an almost pure crystalline form of the beta version of the alloy -- the crystal structure that's four times harder than titanium. At lower temperatures, the atoms tend to arrange in another cubic structure -- the alpha form of titanium-3-gold. The alpha structure is about as hard as regular titanium. It appears that labs that had previously measured the hardness of titanium-3-gold had measured samples that largely consisted of the alpha arrangement of atoms.

The team measured the hardness of the beta form of the crystal in conjunction with colleagues at Texas A&M University's Turbomachinery Laboratory and at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University, Morosan and Svanidze also performed other comparisons with titanium. For biomedical implants, for example, two key measures are biocompatibility and wear resistance. Because titanium and gold by themselves are among the most biocompatible metals and are often used in medical implants, the team believed titanium-3-gold would be comparable. In fact, tests by colleagues at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston determined that the new alloy was even more biocompatible than pure titanium. The story proved much the same for wear resistance: Titanium-3-gold also outperformed pure titanium.

Morosan said she has no plans to become a materials scientist or dramatically alter her lab's focus, but she said her group is planning to conduct follow-up tests to further investigate the crystal structure of beta titanium-3-gold and to see if chemical dopants might improve its hardness even further.

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Additional co-authors include Pulickel Ajayan, Sruthi Radhakrishnan and Chandra Sekhar Tiwary, all of Rice; Tiglet Besara, Yan Xin, Ke Han and Theo Siegrist, all of Florida State; Fevzi Ozaydin and Hong Liang, both of Texas A&M; and Sendurai Mani of MD Anderson. The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, Texas A&M's Turbomachinery Laboratory and the Florida State University Research Foundation.

This release can be found online at news.rice.edu.

Follow Rice News and Media Relations on Twitter @RiceUNews.

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,910 undergraduates and 2,809 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for best quality of life and for lots of race/class interaction by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. To read "What they're saying about Rice," go to http://tinyurl.com/RiceUniversityoverview.
Scampering across the salt pans of Tunisia on their spindly legs, desert ants (Cataglyphis fortis) have a single-minded mission: locate food and get it back to the nest. Normally, individual raiders bear a tasty morsel in their mandibles and navigate home along the most direct return route, regardless of how tortuous the outbound journey was. However, their determination is often tested to the extreme when the robust animals stumble upon a particularly large piece of food - such as a dead spider or locust. Undaunted, the scavenger simply drags the feast backwards: 'They are really awesome', chuckles Matthias Wittlinger from the University of Ulm, Germany. However, how do the insects navigate while reversing? 'All the cues are from the other direction', says Wittlinger. Puzzled, Wittlinger and his colleagues Verena Wahl and Sarah Pfeffer travelled to their field site in the Tunisian desert to try to find out how the ants locate home while reversing with a heavy load. They publish their discovery that reversing ants are as good at navigating as ants that are walking forward and that the animals must somehow measure the length of each stride that they take, in order to keep track of their location, in Journal of Experimental Biology at http://jeb.biologists.org.

Having tempted ants from their nest with a nearby pile of alluring biscuit crumbs, the scientists first set the enthusiastic foragers a challenge to find out if they could still navigate in reverse. Abducting individuals as they arrived at the feeder, the trio transported the ants to a long metal channel lying parallel to the direction that they would return home and presented them with a colossal biscuit crumb, weighing 10 times more than the ant itself: 'They say, "Wow, there is a large food item, let's get home"', chuckles Wittlinger. While filming the ants as they heaved the large lunch, the team quickly realised that they were onto something unexpected. Instead of weaving rhythmically from side to side as they would if they were using their normal tripod gait - always keeping three legs in contact with the ground as the other three swing forward - the ants' overall movement appeared less coordinated; they were not simply reversing their normal forward walking pattern. And when the ant reached the point at which they would expect to locate home in the metal channel, they performed a U-turn, indicating that they knew how far they had travelled, despite moving backwards. Their odometer was functioning regardless of their erratic walking style. Amazed, Wittlinger and Pfeffer began dissecting the fine details of the ants' reversing technique.

Pfeffer filmed the ants with a high-speed camera at 500 frames s?1, and saw that the reversing ants walked at about the same step rate as when they moved forward, about 10 strides s?1. However, she says, 'Each leg was acting on its own', adding that they had completely done away with the conventional three-legged walk. She also noticed that they had increased their contact with the ground, 'They do it by faster swings and they often use leg combinations where more than three legs have ground contact to increase their static stability' she says. Wittlinger adds, 'we have been trying for years to make them walk in a non-tripod way', in the hope of learning how they measure distances; now he had the perfect opportunity.

'There are a couple of hypotheses of how a stride integrator [odometer] would work', he says. 'One is that they would use an efferent copy of the motor signals [and sum the signals to calculate a distance], and the other one would be that they actually use each single stride and measure each stride amplitude, or the length of the stride or the swing'. Because the ants were able to determine precisely how far they had travelled, even though each leg was moving individually, Wittlinger says, 'The data suggest it is the second hypothesis'.

But Wittlinger and Pfeffer were still none the wiser about how the reversing ants managed to navigate when all of the visual and odour cues that they use to locate home were in the wrong position. 'We painted a white grid onto the desert floor and then we released the ant with a large food crumb [and] it walked towards the fictive nest site', says Wittlinger, who manually tracked the ant's progress with Pfeffer. However, the duo was surprised that the reversing ant periodically put down its cargo and began searching in a loop, before returning to the morsel and resuming its homeward journey. 'We think that this behaviour probably helps the ant to orientate. The early search loops are normally very short and often directed to the fictive nest site, and probably they scan the panorama searching for some cue', says Pfeffer.

So plucky Cataglyphis desert ants are able to navigate successfully while reversing, and now Wittlinger and Pfeffer are keen to learn more about how the animals use information gleaned during reconnaissance when they discard their precious cargo while reversing home.

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REFERENCES: Pfeffer, S.E., Wahl, V. and Wittlinger, M. (2016). How to find home backwards? Locomotion and inter-leg coordination during rearward walking of Cataglyphis fortis desert ants. J. Exp. Biol. 216, 2110-2118. Pfeffer, S.E. and Wittlinger, M. (2016). How to find home backwards? Navigation during rearward homing of Cataglyphis fortis desert ants. J. Exp. Biol. 216, 2119-2126. DOIS: 10.1242/jeb.137778, 10.1242/jeb.137786

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Surgeons who reported they were less likely to discuss preventability of an adverse event, or who reported difficult communication experiences, were more negatively affected by disclosure than others, according to a study published online by JAMA Surgery.

National guidelines recommend full disclosure of adverse events or unanticipated outcomes to patients and their family members. Evidence shows that such full disclosure involving transparent and honest communication benefits patients and families. Nonetheless, physicians, including surgeons, frequently fail to disclose adverse events to their patients. To sustain open disclosure programs, it is essential to understand how surgeons are disclosing adverse events, factors that are associated with reporting such events, and the effect of disclosure on surgeons.

A. Rani Elwy, Ph.D., of the Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System and the Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, and colleagues quantitatively assessed surgeons' reports of disclosure of adverse events and aspects of their experiences with the disclosure process. The study involved a 21-item baseline questionnaire administered to 67 of 75 surgeons (89 percent) representing 12 specialties at 3 Veterans Affairs medical centers. Sixty-two surveys of their communication about adverse events and experiences with disclosing such events were completed by 35 of these 67 surgeons (52 percent). Self-reports of disclosure were assessed by 8 items from guidelines and pilot research.

Most of the surgeons completing the web-based surveys used 5 of the 8 recommended disclosure items; explained why the event happened (55 of 60 surveys [92 percent]), expressed regret for what happened (87 percent), expressed concern for the patient's welfare (95 percent), disclosed the adverse event within 24 hours (97 percent), and discussed steps taken to treat any subsequent problems (98 percent).

Fewer surgeons apologized to patients (55 percent), discussed whether the event was preventable (55 percent), or how recurrences could be prevented (32 percent). Surgeons who were less likely to have discussed prevention (55 percent), those who stated the event was very or extremely serious (66 percent), or reported very or somewhat difficult experiences discussing the event (26 percent) were more likely to have been negatively affected by the event. Surgeons with more negative attitudes about disclosure at baseline reported more anxiety about patients' surgical outcomes or events following disclosure.

The authors write that very little has been done, overall, to assess physicians' experiences with disclosing actual adverse events to patients, a situation that requires skills in immediate, transparent, open communication, and to determine whether these disclosures are following recommended guidelines. "By emphasizing the potential for surgeons being negatively affected after adverse events and disclosures, and recognizing the association between attitudes, perceived seriousness of events, surgeons' experiences with disclosures, and training on how to include specific elements of disclosure in these difficult conversations, future quality improvement efforts may be able to help sustain the implementation of open disclosure programs nationwide while also ensuring a healthy surgeon workforce."

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(JAMA Surgery. Published online July 20, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2016.1787. This study is available pre-embargo at the For The Media website.)

Editor's Note: This study was funded by a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development Service. No conflict of interest disclosures were reported.

Media Advisory: To contact A. Rani Elwy, Ph.D., email Pallas Wahl at pallas.wahl@va.gov.
An unprecedented study combining projections of future climate with more than two million tree-ring records spanning all of North America has resulted in detailed forecast maps for the entire North American continent that reveal how forest growth will be

Forests take up 25 - 30 percent of human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide -- a strong greenhouse gas -- and are therefore considered to play a crucial role in mitigating the speed and magnitude of climate change. However, a new study that combines future climate model projections, historic tree-ring records across the entire continent of North America, and how the growth rates of trees may respond to a higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has shown that the mitigation effect of forests will likely be much smaller in the future than previously suggested.

Published in the journal Ecology Letters, the study is the first to reveal the possible impact of a changing climate on the growth rate of trees across all of North America, in other words, how their growth changes over time and in response to shifting environmental conditions. The result are detailed forecast maps for the entire North American continent that reveal how forest growth will be impacted by climate change.

The research team, led by scientists at the University of Arizona in Tucson, combined climate projections for North America developed by the International Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) with historic tree-ring records based on samples covering the period 1900 to 1950 at 1,457 sampling sites across the continent.

"We then looked at how the growth of those trees changed historically under various past climates and used that to predict how they will grow in the future across the continent all the way from Mexico to Alaska," said the study's first author, Noah Charney, a research associate in UA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

"The research is unprecedented and novel in the use of big biological data," said co-author Brian Enquist, a professor in the UA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a fellow of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies in Aspen, Colorado. "We utilized a network of more than two million tree-ring observations spanning North America. Tree-rings provide a record into how trees that grow in different climates respond to changes in temperature and rainfall."

The study calls into question previous conclusions about how forests will respond to warmer average temperatures, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and shifting rainfall patterns.

The team was startled to find no evidence for a greenhouse-gas absorbing process called the boreal greening effect in their simulations. Boreal greening refers to the assumption that trees in high latitudes, where colder temperatures limit growth, should benefit from warmer temperatures and higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and, as a result, "green" under the effects of climate change. In turn, these thriving boreal forests should be able to scrub more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so goes the idea, dampening climate change.

"Until now, there wasn't a good way to take into account how trees respond to climate change under novel climate conditions," added senior author Margaret Evans, an assistant research professor in the UA's Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research (LTRR) and the UA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. "Our study provides that perspective. We see that as trees are pushed under the effect of climate change, their response changes."

"Many previous climate modeling studies counted on the boreal forests to save us from the climatic disaster by offsetting our emissions, but we don't' see any greening in our results," said Valerie Trouet, an associate professor in the LTRR. "Instead, we see browning. The positive influence warmer temperatures are believed to have on boreal forests -- we don't see that at all."

The most dramatic changes in projected forest growth rates were found in the interior West of the North American continent, with up to 75 percent slower growth projected for trees in the southwestern U.S., along the Rockies, through interior Canada and Alaska. Increases in growth were seen only along certain coastal areas, mostly in the Pacific Northwest, Northeastern Quebec and the Maritime Provinces and the Florida panhandle.

Some of the predictions arising from the simulations are already happening, the team found.

"In Alaska, for example, where trees have been projected to respond positively to warming temperatures under the boreal greening effect, we see that trees are now responding negatively instead," Evans said. "Trees in very high latitudes are limited by cold temperatures, so yes, in warmer years they grow more, but there is a tipping point, and once they go past that, a warmer climate becomes a bad thing instead of a good thing."

The research indicates that the warming climate already is rapidly pushing many forests towards that tipping point, which may be reached as early as 2050: In addition to being rapidly exposed to temperatures they have not experienced in their lifetimes and are not evolutionarily prepared for, being hampered in their growth makes trees even more vulnerable to added stresses.

"There is a critical and potentially detrimental feedback loop going on here," Charney said. "When the growth rate of trees slows down in response to environmental stressors such as cold or drought, they can get by for a few years, but over time, they deplete their resources and are much more susceptible to additional stressors, such as damage by fire or a big drought or insect outbreaks. Year after year of slow growth therefore means forests become less and less resilient."

As a result, a forest can go from being a climate asset to a carbon producer very quickly.

"It's like a thermostat gone bad," Evans said. "Forests act as a carbon sink by taking carbon dioxide out of atmosphere, but the more the climate is warming, the slower the trees are growing, the less carbon they suck up, the faster the climate is changing."

"The results also highlight the potential importance of locally adapted forest management strategies to help mitigate the decreases in forest growth predicted by our analyses," Charney said.

The implications could potentially apply worldwide. While their models did not include data from outside the North American continent, it "seems very likely that the conclusions drawn in this study apply in the Eurasian forest as well," Evans said. "The boreal forests in Eurasia are more extensive and even more important than the ones in continental North America."

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An abstract of the research paper, "Observed forest sensitivity to climate implies large changes in 21st century North American forest growth," is available here: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/ele.12650 .

Co-authors on the paper are: Flurin Babst, (LTRR, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL in Birmensdorf, Switzerland, and W. Szafer Institute of Botany at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow, Poland); Benjamin Poulter (Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, USA); Sydne Record (Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, USA); and David Frank (Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL). Funding was provided by the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies in Aspen, Colorado, USA and the UA's College of Science.
Lego-like system developed at UCR can be used by researchers, students and clinicians to build lab tools easily and affordably

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (http://www.ucr.edu) -- A team of researchers and students at the University of California, Riverside has created a Lego-like system of blocks that enables users to custom make chemical and biological research instruments quickly, easily and affordably. The system of 3D-printed blocks can be used in university labs, schools, hospitals, and anywhere there is a need to create scientific tools.

The blocks, which are called Multifluidic Evolutionary Components (MECs) because of their flexibility and adaptability, are described today (July 20) in the journal PLOS ONE. Each block in the system performs a basic task found in a lab instrument, like pumping fluids, making measurements or interfacing with a user. Since the blocks are designed to work together, users can build apparatus--like bioreactors for making alternative fuels or acid-base titration tools for high school chemistry classes--rapidly and efficiently. The blocks are especially well suited for resource-limited settings, where a library of blocks could be used to create a variety of different research and diagnostic tools.

The project is led by Douglas Hill, a graduate student working with William Grover, assistant professor of bioengineering in UCR's Bourns College of Engineering. Before joining UCR's Ph.D. program in Bioengineering, Hill worked for 20 years in the field of electronics design, where he used electronic components that were designed to work with each other. He was surprised to see there was no similar set of components in the life sciences.

"When Doug came to UC Riverside, he was a little shocked to find out that bioengineers build new instruments from scratch," Grover said. "He's used to putting together a few resistors and capacitors and making a new circuit in just a few minutes. But building new tools for life science research can take months or even years. Doug set out to change that."

Armed with a grant from the National Science Foundation's Instrument Development for Biological Research program, Hill and Grover began to develop their building blocks. They enlisted help from UC Riverside undergraduates who have designed new blocks and built instruments using the blocks. Thus far, more than 50 students from across the UCR campus have participated, creating an extensive system of over 200 MEC blocks and a system of schematics that guide assembly of the MEC building blocks into finished instruments.

Grover said in addition to its functionality and affordability, the MEC system offers students a unique learning experience as they work together to create instruments one piece at a time.

"This is a truly interdisciplinary project--we've had computer science students write the code that runs the blocks, bioengineering students culture cells using instruments built from the blocks, and even art students design the graphical interface for the software that controls the blocks," he said.

"Once the students have created these instruments, they also understand how they work, they can 'hack' them to make them better, and they can take them apart to create something else."

Grover and Hill are now planning to pilot the MEC system in two California school districts, where it will support recently introduced 'Next Generation Science Standards,' a multi-state initiative to strengthen science education in K-12 schools.

"The Next Generation Science Standards require that science teachers provide their students with engineering experiences, but sometimes that's hard for teachers to do, especially in biology and chemistry classes where they might not have the tools they need. By using our blocks, the students can receive an engineering experience by designing, building, and refining their instruments, and also a science experience as they use their instruments to learn about biology and chemistry," Grover said.

Hill said the team's long-term goal is to make the MEC blocks available and affordable for others to use.

"As 3D printers become more mainstream, we'll see them being used by schools and non-profits working in underserved communities, so ultimately we would like people to be able to use those printers to create their own MEC blocks and build the research and educational tools they need," he said.

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In addition to Grover and Hill, Victor G.J. Rodgers, Jacques S Yeager, Sr. Professor of Bioengineering at UC Riverside, contributed to this research. Bioengineering undergraduate Afshin Mostaghim and researchers Lindsey Anderson and Casey Hill also contributed to this work. The work was also supported by Jerome Schultz, Distinguished Professor of Bioengineering, and the Center for Bioengineering Research at UCR.
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - Drought and extreme temperatures continue to challenge policymakers in California and globally who grapple with managing limited water resources. Missing from these discussions, however, is the potential impact of drought on public health and how water policy might assuage or exacerbate such impacts, should they exist.

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside School of Public Policy have been awarded $284,680 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Evidence for Action Program to determine whether drought and adverse weather conditions cause health problems, and whether water policy affects the link between extreme temperatures and health. The research will focus on California, but is relevant to many regions of the United States and the world that also suffer from drought, aridity, and water scarcity.

"When drought strikes, water policy often dictates where and to what degree water supply deliveries are curtailed. Water policymakers seek and regularly receive evidence that is relevant to diverse sectors including agriculture, the environment and municipal needs, but rarely health," explained Kurt Schwabe, professor of environmental economics and policy and principal investigator on the project. "One reason for this neglect is that policymakers have not had evidence for action about the connections among drought and extreme temperature, water policy and health."

Studies investigating the impacts of adverse weather events are sparse and have focused primarily on populations in developing countries, he added. Should those impacts exist in California, that information should be made available to California policymakers.

Co-principal investigators on the project are Bruce Link, distinguished professor of public policy and sociology, and Mindy Marks, formerly a UCR professor of public policy and economics who now is a professor of economics at Northeastern University. Also part of the research team is M. Kate Choi, a UCR alumna and adjunct professor at the Keck Graduate Institute at The Claremont Colleges. Schwabe is known globally for his research on economic issues associated with water use, agricultural production, urban water conservation, ecosystem services, and environmental regulation.

The two-year project, "Overlooked Health Implications of Water Policy during Drought and Extreme Temperature Events," will focus on the possible impact of drought-influenced water-delivery on the health of residents in California's poorest regions. The research is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Evidence for Action Program (grant #73736). The grant program supports "rigorously designed research that yields convincing findings regarding the population health, well-being, and equity impacts of specific policies, programs or partnerships,' according to the program's Call for Proposals.

Schwabe said the team will use 20 years of health data gathered by the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development and California Health Interview Surveys, as well as county-level water-policy measures and drought indices, to develop a unique data set that will allow a rigorous assessment of health impacts of restricted water deliveries. Among the health measures to be studied are: self-rated health, emotional distress, binge drinking, infant birth weight and mortality, and the possible disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities.

The health consequences of natural and manmade disasters have been extensively studied for decades, Schwabe said. "Evidence documents that when these calamities strike, population health suffers. We will study drought as a 'slow' disaster that, while less dramatic in its onset, might have equally potent effects on population health. It represents a critically important but understudied form of disaster."

One of the most widely publicized economic impacts of California's drought and extreme temperature for 2015 is that agriculture experienced losses that led to a statewide economic loss of approximately $2.7 billion and approximately 10,000 seasonal jobs, the policy researcher noted.

"These statewide economic estimates may inadequately capture the overall impacts of adverse weather events by overlooking the related health effects that likely fall upon very vulnerable communities within the poorest regions of California," he said. "The impacts of drought and extreme temperature on these communities, often disproportionately immigrant and Hispanic, can be severe. The stress, anxiety, and reduced income and job losses that occur within these communities likely result in health effects."

Knowing the social patterning of health consequences is key not only for directing water policy so as to minimize the harm adverse weather events create, but also for social policies that influence housing, jobs, schools, and the availability of nutritious food to those most deeply affected, Schwabe added.

"Our objective is to open the possibility for a new era of water policy that considers the health consequences of drought and extreme temperatures alongside other impacts in their development of wise and equitable plans for the distribution of scarce water resources and associated investments," he said.

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Across many cancer types, obese patients fare worse than leaner patients. Now a University of Colorado Cancer Center study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell offers a compelling hypothesis why: researchers found that leukemia stem cells "hide" in fatty tissue, even transforming this tissue in ways that support their survival when challenged with chemotherapy. It is as if leukemia stem cells not only use fatty tissue as a robbers' cave to hide from therapy, but actively adapt this cave to their liking.

"It's been increasingly appreciated that cancer can originate in stem cells and that failing to kill cancer stem cells can lead to relapse. Researchers have also come to appreciate the importance of surrounding tissues -- the 'niche' or tumor microenvironment -- in supporting cancer stem cells. In leukemia, the obvious niche is the bone marrow, but little attention has been paid to other sites in the body. This study is one of the first to evaluate adipose tissue, fat, as a possible tumor-supporting niche," says Craig Jordan, PhD, investigator at the CU Cancer Center and Nancy Carroll Allen Professor of Hematology in the CU Department of Medicine.

Jordan describes how the "very original and insightful" line of reasoning of first author, Haobin Ye, PhD, was essential for the study. First, obese leukemia patients have poorer outcomes. Second, stem cells drive growth, resist therapy and can create relapse in leukemia. Third, the tumor microenvironment is important to cancer stem cells. At the intersection of obesity, stem cells and tumor microenvironment is adipose tissue -- could stem cells in fatty tissue cause poorer prognosis in obese patients?

The group started by examining cancer cells found in the adipose tissue of a mouse model of leukemia. Rather than the expected mix of regular cancer cells with cancer stem cells, the group found that this fatty tissue was enriched for cancer stem cells. No lowly sneak-thieves were these - it was the master thieves of cancer stem cells that exploited the robbers' cave of fatty tissue. Not only was there a disproportionately high ratio of stem cells in adipose tissue, but these stem cells used a different energy source than stem cells in the bone marrow microenvironment - appropriately, these stem cells in fatty tissue powered their survival and growth with fatty acids, manufacturing energy by the process of fatty acid oxidization. In fact, these adipose tissue stem cells actively signal fat to undergo a process called lipolysis which releases fatty acids into the microenvironment.

"The basic biology was fascinating: the tumor adapted the local environment to suit itself," Jordan says.

Finally, when the group challenged these cells with chemotherapy they discovered that stem cells in fatty tissue that had switched their energy source to fatty acids were more resistant than stem cells outside this tissue. When Ye, Jordan and colleagues examined samples of human leukemia, they found characteristics similar to the mouse models -- cells specialized to use fatty acids as their energy source were more resistant to chemotherapy.

"Perhaps in the context of chemotherapy treatment, these stem cells in adipose tissue might be harder to kill than stem cells in the bone marrow," Ye says.

If further work bears out this hypothesis, it could help to explain the fact of poorer outcomes in obese patients. The group plans to continue studies with mouse models of varying obesity, potentially shedding light on whether more adipose tissue provides either more energy or a larger robbers' cave for cancer stem cells evading treatment.

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A scientist from the University of Exeter has helped to identify a male-killing microbe in a tropical butterfly called the African Queen, which leads to the death of all sons when a mother is infected.

In most of Africa this microbe, called Spiroplasma, infects African Queen butterflies but has no effect on their offspring. However, in a narrow zone around Nairobi in Kenya, where two sub species of butterfly live and breed, the scientists noted that the microbe infection caused all their sons to die. In fact the male eggs never hatch and are often consumed by their hungry sisters.

The authors of the paper, published in the Royal Society journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, believe that the phenomenon, which takes place where two sub species meet, is the first step in the transition of the two sub-species into two true, non-interbreeding, species.

Professor Richard ffrench-Constant, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at the University of Exeter's Cornwall campus, and a team of British, Kenyan and German scientists, have found that the chromosomes of the females in which male-killing occurs have changed dramatically with a non sex chromosome fusing with a sex chromosome to form a new chromosome called 'neo W'.

Professor ffrench-Constant, Professor of Molecular Natural History, said: "We tend to think of new species coming about due to environmental changes but here its clearly the microbe that is driving these two sub species apart.

"Whilst we don't understand the precise molecular mechanisms behind this chromosomal merger, this means that no males are made in the hybrid zone, and that mating success in the zone is effectively zero, thereby creating a barrier with a new species on either side."

This paper represents the culmination of 13 years of field work in which the sex and colour pattern of butterflies around Nairobi was painstakingly recorded by a team led by Dr Ian Gordon based in Nairobi. The breakthrough came when female butterflies from the all- female zone were sent to Germany to have their chromosomes examined and where Professor Walther Traut from the University of Lubbek discovered that two of the chromosomes had fused.

Dr David Smith, formerly from the Natural History Museum at Eton College, first author on the paper, said: "The neo-W effectively acts as a genetic sink for all males, and butterfly populations around Nairobi are nearly all female. Our results demonstrate how a complex interplay between sex, colour pattern, male-killing and chromosomes has set up a genetic 'sink' that keeps two subspecies apart."

Professor Walther Traut, from the University of Lubbek, said: "This is like a smoking gun for the way in which species become distinct. It is rare that we can find the molecular basis for how species develop."

Professor ffrench-Constant added: "It appears that the butterfly's susceptibility to the male-killing microbe is driving the separation of the two butterflies into two true species. These tiny microbes are therefore having a major effect on sex and death in this fascinating butterfly."

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A neo-W chromosome in a tropical butterfly links colour pattern, male-killing and speciation by David A. S. Smith, Ian J. Gordon, Walther Traut, Jeremy Herren,Steve Collins, Dino J. Martins, Kennedy Saitot, Piera Ireri and Richard Ffrench-Constant is published in Proceedings B.
AMHERST, Mass. - A new study of population trends among 46 ecologically diverse bird species in North America conducted by avian ecologist Joel Ralston and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts Amherst overturns a long-held assumption that the climate conditions occupied by a species do not change over time.

Instead, as the researchers report in the current early online issue of Global Ecology and Biogeography, birds that have increased in abundance over the last 30 years now occupy a wider range of climate conditions than they did 30 years ago, and declining species are occupying a smaller range of climate conditions than 30 years ago, Ralston says.

Species with relatively stable population trends maintained them. The authors believe this is the first study to investigate the relationship between population trend and the range of climatic conditions occupied, or "climate niche breadth" (CNB).

Ralston, now at Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana, says, "It was previously thought that as species expand their ranges, they would do so while maintaining their climate niche. We show that as species become more abundant, they are actually moving into new climate conditions, and declining species are disappearing from some of the climate conditions they used to be found in. This makes theoretical sense but it counters the long-held assumption that climate niche breadth doesn't change in species."

He explains, "While this is an advancement of ecological theory, I think overturning this assumption is one of the important practical applications of our work. Currently, when conservation biologists make predictions about how species will respond to climate change in order to make decisions about what habitats to protect, they are assuming that these species in the future will be occupying the same conditions as today. We show that that isn't necessarily true. These future models might over-predict the conditions declining species will be found in."

For this study, the researchers estimated changes in "realized climate niche breadth" and population distribution for 30 years, between 1980 and 2012, for 46 bird species using data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and standard ecological niche modeling techniques. For the BBS, which covers most of the United States, Alaska and some of the Canadian maritime provinces, trained volunteers record species during the breeding season.

For example, the wood thrush is a declining species and one that some conservation biologists are concerned about, Ralston notes. The BBS trend shows a 2 percent per year decline in their numbers. Ralston and colleagues found that this species also showed about a 7.5 percent decrease in its climate niche breadth over the study period. "For those species declining in abundance, we find them also declining in climate niche breadth," they note.

They observed a similar but more severe situation of 43 percent decline in climate niche breadth for grasshopper sparrows, another species of conservation concern. "For conservation managers, this gives us an idea of what to protect in the future. As we show, the conditions a species occupies now might not be the places it occupies in the future. We'd be better informed if we can try to include population trend and its effect on climate niche breadth when planning what habitat to protect," Ralston adds.

Statistical analysis showed that 44.2 percent of the variation in change in niche breadth can be explained by population trend and that roughly half of this was independent of changes in distribution.

Ralston says, "If we build models to predict species distributions in the future, it is not fair to assume species will be occupying the same climate conditions as they are now, especially if they are increasing or decreasing in abundance. We hope these results will contribute to the development of more accurate models of species distributions."

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- More imaging after thyroid cancer treatment identifies recurrence, but it does not always improve survival, a new study suggests.

Researchers from the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center looked at 28,220 patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer, using data from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked database.

They used claims data to track ultrasound, PET scans and radioiodine scans in patients diagnosed with thyroid cancer between 1998 to 2011. These scans would be done to monitor for signs of cancer returning.

The researchers found that 57 percent of patients had at least one ultrasound, 24 percent had a radioiodine scan and 15 percent had a PET scan. Patients who had these scans were more likely to have additional treatments, such as surgery, radioactive iodine treatment or radiation therapy.

But, while use of imaging rose substantially during this time, the death rate did not change. The study appears in The BMJ.

"Over time, we have seen this marked increase in the use of imaging after primary treatment of thyroid cancer despite the fact that the majority of our patients have low-risk cancer. For the most part this imaging isn't affecting survival," says Megan R. Haymart, M.D., assistant professor of medicine at the University of Michigan Medical School.

"With this post-treatment surveillance imaging, we're picking up more recurrences. But is that clinically significant? We might be picking up really small lymph nodes that if left untreated wouldn't have impacted survival," says study author Mousumi Banerjee, Ph.D., research professor of biostatistics at the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

More people are being diagnosed with low-risk thyroid cancer, but the use of imaging among these patients has skyrocketed disproportionately. Thyroid cancer generally has a high survival rate - roughly 96 percent of patients are alive 10 years later. But a small number of thyroid cancers are more aggressive and likely to return.

"There is a place for imaging in thyroid cancer survivors. But the specific type of imaging needs to be tailored to the patient," Haymart says. "When we have a patient with a favorable prognosis, certain types of imaging may not be necessary. But there is a group for whom it might be appropriate."

The researchers found that radioiodine scans did lead to improved survival. Ideally, these scans are used when blood tests suggest a rise in a certain tumor marker and the patient is known to be responsive to radioactive iodine treatment.

Researchers have raised the question of what kind of surveillance regimen is appropriate after treatment for many types of cancer, including lung cancer and breast cancer. A campaign called Choosing Wisely aims to create a national dialogue about avoiding unnecessary medical tests. This current study highlights the importance of reassessing appropriate imaging after initial cancer treatment.

It's an important question because imaging is not without impact, Haymart and Banerjee say. While potential physical harm from these tests is low, many cancer patients report "scanxiety," a feeling of intense distress prior to imaging as they fear bad news. The tests can also be costly. All of this is compounded if the test leads to additional treatment, with some of these treatments having downstream risks.

"The impact of these tests on patients' psycho-social well-being is also important. Just because we can image, doesn't mean we should for all. We need to consider whether it is the appropriate thing to do. There is a large group of patients for whom some of these imaging tests may be unnecessary," Banerjee says.

This study is the foundation for future work by these researchers. Next steps include looking at the cost-effectiveness of these tests, randomized controlled trials of surveillance imaging, and understanding whether it is the patients or their providers who are pushing for these tests.

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Banerjee and Haymart are both members of the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation.

Additional authors: Jaime L. Wiebel, Cui Guo, Brittany Gay

Funding: National Cancer Institute 1K07 CA154595-02 and 5P30 CA046592, Punya Foundation for Thyroid Cancer Research

Disclosure: None

Reference: BMJ, Vol. 354, No. 8067, July 23, 2016

Resources:

U-M Cancer AnswerLine, 800-865-1125

U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, http://www.mcancer.org

Clinical trials at U-M, http://www.mcancer.org/clinicaltrials

mCancerTalk blog, http://uofmhealthblogs.org/cancer
A new study finds that Harry Potter books, with their message of tolerance and respect for difference, make Americans less favorable to Donald Trump -- and the more books read, the greater the effect.

Harry may not be a full-on patronus against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's appeal, but reading Potter stories does appear to be a shield charm against Trump's message.

A new study to be published in a special 2016 election issue of PS: Political Science and Politics finds that reading Harry Potter books leads Americans to take a lower opinion of Donald Trump. In fact, the more books the participants read, the greater the effect.

Even when controlling for party identification, gender, education level, age, evangelical self-identification, and social dominance orientation -- all factors known to predict Americans' attitudes toward Donald Trump -- the Harry Potter effect remained.

The study, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Donald?," was written by Professor Diana Mutz, the Samuel A. Stouffer Professor of Political Science and Communication at the Annenberg School for Communication and in the Department of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania.

In the nineteenth century, Uncle Tom's Cabin was widely credited with shifting public opinion against slavery, but to date, there has been sparse evidence that fictional stories, even very popular ones, can influence political opinion. Evidence has largely come from laboratory experiments -- for example, forcing people to read one of two stories -- rather than observing real-world consumption of fictional stories.

Harry Potter's popularity, with more than 450 million copies sold worldwide, made such a study possible in the public as a whole.

"Because Trump's political views are widely viewed as opposed to the values espoused in the Harry Potter series," Mutz writes in the study, "exposure to the Potter series may play an influential role in influencing how Americans respond to Donald Trump."

To test that explanation for the Harry Potter effect, Mutz focused on three core themes from Harry Potter: The value of tolerance and respect for difference; opposition to violence and punitiveness; and opposition to authoritarianism.

In each case, Mutz points out, Donald Trump's messages are opposed to the lessons conveyed in Harry Potter and closer to that of his enemy, Lord Voldemort. Examples abound throughout the series:

Harry and his friends advocate for oppressed house-elves and oppose Lord Voldemort's quest for blood purity among wizards. Harry himself is of mixed wizard/muggle (non-wizard) ancestry. Trump, by contrast, has called for a temporary moratorium on Muslim immigration and made offensive comments about outgroups of all kinds, including women, Mexicans, Asians, and those with disabilities.

The Harry Potter series promotes non-violent means of conflict resolution; while Voldemort is willing to kill many times, the books' protagonists consistently avoid unnecessary curses for killing, torture, or controlling others. Harry even saves the life of his Voldemort-aligned nemesis, Draco Malfoy. Trump, by contrast, has spoken widely about his fondness for waterboarding, and advocates the killing of terrorists' families as a means of deterrence. He has praised his followers' acts of violence against protesters at his rallies.

The Harry Potter protagonists work against authoritarian characters in the books. "As does Voldemort," Mutz writes, "Trump portrays himself as a strongman who can bend others to his will, be they the Chinese government or terrorists."

Mutz polled a nationally representative sample of 1,142 Americans in 2014, and again in 2016, asking about their Harry Potter consumption, their attitudes on issues such as waterboarding, the death penalty, the treatment of Muslims and gays, and (in 2016 only) their feelings about Donald Trump on a 0-100 scale.

Party affiliation did not affect the likelihood that a person had read the Harry Potter books, the study found; Democrats, Republicans, and Independents have all read Rowling's books in roughly equal numbers.

The study found that each Harry Potter book read lowered respondents' evaluations of Donald Trump by roughly 2-3 points on a 100 point scale.

"This may seem small," Mutz acknowledges, "but for someone who has read all seven books, the total impact could lower their estimation of Trump by 18 points out of 100. The size of this effect is on par with the impact of party identification on attitudes toward gays and Muslims."

Mutz's data also shows that each Harry Potter book read also raised a person's evaluations of Muslims and homosexuals, two groups chosen to gauge the respondent's tolerance and respect for difference. Harry Potter also appeared to encourage opposition to punitive policies -- gauged by responses to questions about the use of torture, killing terrorists, and support for the death penalty -- though the effect size was small.

But reading Harry Potter also engendered opposition to Trump in ways that surpassed the effect of these two themes.

"It may simply be too difficult for Harry Potter readers to ignore the similarities between Trump and the power-hungry Voldemort," she writes.

Mutz also collected data on viewership of Harry Potter movies, but found that these did not predict Trump opposition. This may be because of pre-existing partisan patterns in movie viewing whereby Republicans were less likely to see the movies than Democrats. Moreover, reading inherently requires much higher levels of attention and allows for greater nuance in characters, many of whom are neither wholly good nor wholly bad. Due to length, movies must leave out material from the full books, and they are more likely to emphasize action over the characters' internal dilemmas and introspection.

So can Harry Potter defeat Donald Trump?

"Throughout the series, love and kindness consistently triumph over aggression and prejudice," says Mutz. "It's a powerful positive theme, and thus not surprising that readers understand the underlying message of this storyline, and are moved by it. These pro-unity views come through loud and clear in the storyline and have also been publicly voiced by the author of the series, J.K. Rowling, who has publicly espoused anti-Brexit and anti-Trump political views. Harry Potter's popularity worldwide stands to make a difference not just in the U.S. election, but in elections across Europe that involve aggressive and domineering candidates worldwide."

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About Diana Mutz

Diana C. Mutz, Ph.D., studies public opinion, political psychology and mass political behavior, with a particular emphasis on political communication. At Penn she holds the Samuel A. Stouffer Chair in Political Science and Communication, and also serves as Director of the Institute for the Study of Citizens and Politics.

Mutz was a recipient of a 2016 Guggenheim Fellowship to study attitudes towards globalization. In 2011, she received the Murray Edelman Distinguished Career Award from the American Political Science Association. She was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2008.

Mutz has published several awarding-winning books including Hearing the Other Side: Deliberative versus Participative Democracy (Cambridge University Press, 1998) and most recently published In-Your-Face Politics: The Consequences of Uncivil Media (Princeton University Press, 2015), the recipient of the 2016 David O. Sears Book Award for the best book in political psychology from the International Society for Political Psychology.
Many couples find that their sexual desire has dwindled over time. It's not unusual for partners who could not keep their hands off each to gradually lose interest. But new research indicates that there are ways that couples can sustain--or relight--their passion.

"Our research shows that partners who are responsive to each other outside the bedroom are able to maintain their sexual desire," says Gurit Birnbaum, psychology professor at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in Herzliya, Israel. Birnbaum and her coauthors also found that women's desire is more strongly affected by their partner's responsiveness than men's desire--although men report a boost, as well.

"Responsiveness--which is a type of intimacy--is so important in a relationship because it signals that one is really concerned with the welfare of the other, but in a way that is truly open and informed about what the other cares about and wants," says Birnbaum. Responsive partners are willing to invest resources in the relationship, and show understanding at a deep level. They make the relationship feel special--that their relationship is unique--which is, at least in Western societies, what people seek from their romantic relationships.

Resolving the intimacy-desire paradox

In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Birnbaum and coauthor Harry Reis, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, report that their new study was, in part, prompted by a concept psychologists know as the "intimacy-desire paradox."

The core of the paradox lies in the contradiction between intimate and familiar relationships that many people strive for, and the limitations of such bonds for facilitating desire. Some scholars have argued that long-term intimacy may actually inhibit rather than increase sexual desire. For example, the need for security may clash with the sense of novelty and uncertainty that can often fuel desire.

But previous research has not provided conclusive evidence for whether increased sense of intimacy actually promotes or undermines sexual desire.

And Birnbaum and Reis's new study suggests that, under certain circumstances, there may not be a paradox. Valued and desirable

What determines whether intimacy prompts or inhibits desire is not its mere existence, but its meaning in the larger context of a relationship, they argue. Responsiveness is most likely to encourage desire. That's because it conveys the impression that the partner is worth pursuing and thus engaging in sex with such a desirable partner is likely to promote an already valuable relationship.

As part of the study, the researchers conducted three experiments, one of which consisted of 100 couples who kept a diary for six weeks. Both partners reported on their own level of sexual desire each day as well as their perceptions of their partner's responsiveness. They also reported their own levels of feeling special and perceptions of their partner's mate value.

The results indicated that when men and women perceive their partners as responsive, they feel special and think of their partner as a valuable mate, which boosted sexual desirability.

Birnbaum notes that partner responsiveness had a significantly stronger effect on women's perceptions of themselves and others, suggesting that women experienced higher levels of desire for their responsive partner because they were more likely than men to feel special and value their partner as a result of the partner's responsiveness.

"'Being nice' and things like that are not necessarily based on who the partner is and what the partner really wants," Birnbaum says. "When a mate is truly responsive, the relationship feels special and unique and he or she is perceived as valued and desirable.

"Sexual desire thrives on increasing intimacy and being responsive is one of the best ways to instill this elusive sensation over time; better than any pyrotechnic sex," Birnbaum says.

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Researchers from Cornell Tech and Bar-Ilan University contributed to the study. The Israel Science Foundation and the Binational Science Foundation provided research funding.
TORONTO, ON - University of Toronto and MIT researchers have discovered important differences between lower and higher-income children in their ability to use "working memory," a key brain function responsible for everything from remembering a phone number to doing math in your head.

Using functional MRI (fMRI) to measure and map the brain activity of a group of middle-schoolers, the researchers - working in collaboration with Harvard University - were able to physically document that the lower-income students tested had less working memory capacity than their higher-income peers.

The results of their study were published in the July 19th edition of the Developmental Science journal.

"It's never been shown before that lower-income children have this qualitatively different brain response for this very basic ability that is essential to almost all cognition," says the study's lead researcher, Amy Finn of U of T's Department of Psychology.

Finn said researchers went a step further and also demonstrated these differences in working memory had an impact on academic measures of achievement - in this case a standards-based math test - collected from the schools of the students who were examined.

The researchers say it is a major step toward understanding the neuroscience of the income-achievement gap, and although by no means a complete explanation, is also significant because it links brain functions to academic test scores.

"We knew that there were differences in the neural structure of children from lower-income versus higher-income families, but we didn't know if that really mattered for solving problems," says Finn.

"Now that we've shown this, we might be doing something which is important along the way to helping lower-income students succeed."

All 67 students tested for the study were enrolled in either the eighth or seventh grades in schools in the Boston area and recruited through advertisements and after-school programs. They were also ethnically diverse, and with a roughly equal number of boys and girls.

In the study, researchers focused on regions of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex, which are important for high-level functions.

They observed that the high-income students largely kept this region of the brain in reserve until the tasks began to get more difficult, but the lower-income children relied on it more often and to a greater extent than higher-income children, even for relatively simple problems.

That suggests there is a difference in how lower-income children to tap into their working memory - which is how the brain organizes and holds information in mind that it can't immediately see, says Finn.

Finn says she's concerned people will interpret the data to conclude that these physical differences between the brains of lower-income and higher-income children are somehow hard-wired. Nothing could be further from the truth, she says.

"The brain is a very plastic organ, and all of this can be changed with the right kind of training and better opportunities," says Finn. "Just because we're observing this in the brain, doesn't mean it is set in stone."

Finn says some of the differences had probably never been observed before because of another kind of gap - an inherent bias in the income level of the populations researchers normally test.

Most cognitive neural science is conducted on people who are from middle and upper- middle class backgrounds because it's less expensive to study populations near the university than to reach out to lower-income communities, says Finn.

While the study didn't measure environmental factors, lower-income status is also related to such things as more chronic stress, Finn notes.

"No matter the reason, it doesn't change the fact that their working memory is qualitatively different."

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Amy Finn

Department of Psychology

University of Toronto

finn@psych.utoronto.ca

1-416-978-3904

Larysa Woloszansky

Media Relations Officer

University of Toronto

larysa.woloszansky@utoronto.ca

1-416-978-6974

Sean Bettam

Communications, Faculty of Arts & Science

University of Toronto

s.bettam@utoronto.ca

1-416-946-7950
A new study from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society) and Colorado State University (CSU) shows that dramatic increases in residential and energy development is associated with declining early winter recruitment in western Colorado's mule deer populations.

The study goes beyond existing research that to date has focused on single populations or short-term effects of human land use, such as changes in animal behavior and habitat use patterns, and instead is the first to correlate land-use change over 30 years to long-term trends in 44 mule deer populations across western Colorado.

"There's a lot of research showing that deer and other wildlife avoid human development, and we've expected that such changes in behavior may influence populations," said lead author and Wildlife Researcher Heather Johnson from CPW. "While wildlife managers have suspected that these relationships exist, this study is really the first to quantify the association between expanding development and declining deer recruitment across western Colorado."

Mule deer are an icon and fixture of the American West and serve as an indicator of ecosystem health. In addition, they provide significant hunting opportunity and revenue to Colorado and other states that is used for wildlife management and conservation.

In their study, the scientists looked at data on residential and energy development across western Colorado from 1980 to 2010. During this period, Colorado's human population nearly doubled, adding 2.2 million people, while more than 3,800 square miles of deer habitat was converted to residential housing, and more than 20,000 new oil and gas wells were drilled across the study area. Additionally, annual variation in weather conditions, which are known to influence deer populations, were considered over the same period.

Quantifying the changes in land use, the scientists correlated impacts to habitat with early winter mule deer recruitment, or the number of fawns per adult female deer observed during December and January helicopter surveys. They found that increasing residential and energy development within deer habitat was correlated with declining recruitment rates-particularly in lower elevation winter seasonal ranges, where deer migrate to avoid severe weather.

"In many places in Colorado, biologists have watched deer ranges get encroached by new homes, roads, and gas and oil wells, at the same time as deer numbers have declined. It looks like these impacts to habitat may be having a greater effect on deer populations than we've previously recognized," said Johnson. What's more, while energy development had a similar degree of effect as key weather variables, residential housing had more than twice the magnitude of effect of any factor investigated.

"Very little research has been conducted on the effects of residential development on large herbivore populations, but in our study, residential development was the factor most strongly correlated with declining recruitment," said Associate Conservation Scientist Sarah Reed of WCS. "The challenge is that residential development typically occurs on private property, where there is limited opportunity to protect wildlife habitat."

Scientists remain uncertain about the specific factors that may be responsible for declining recruitment, but suspect that loss and fragmentation of habitat by infrastructure and roads, entanglement in fences, disturbances by people, increased vehicle traffic, and domestic animals all likely contribute to the problem.

Reed said, "When we see deer in town or browsing in our front yards, we tend to think that both human and deer populations are thriving--but now we know this is not necessarily the case. People often move to rural areas because they love the outdoors and want to experience nature, but the expansion of rural homes and ranchettes across Colorado looks to be having detrimental impacts on deer populations."

Researchers emphasize that their results do not demonstrate a causal relationship, as analyses relied on long-term observational data, and that the factors affecting mule deer recruitment are multifaceted. Annual recruitment is likely driven by the cumulative effects of land-use change and several other factors that were outside the scope of the study, such as forage conditions, disease, competition with elk, and predation.

The authors stated that their findings suggest that "further increases in development on deer ranges are not compatible with the goal of maintaining highly productive populations." They recommend that local governments, land management agencies and wildlife managers will need to work closely to reduce the impacts of future development on mule deer habitat, especially on sensitive winter ranges. CPW hopes to use results from the study together with its recent West Slope Mule Deer Strategy to prioritize deer ranges for conservation that are particularly vulnerable to future development, and to improve collaborative efforts to enhance mule deer populations and their habitat.

"Increases in Residential and Energy Development are Associated with Reductions in Recruitment for a Large Ungulate," appears currently in Global Change Biology Authors include: Heather E. Johnson, A. Andrew Holland, Eric J. Bergman, Trevor Balzer and James Garner of CPW; and Jessica R. Sushinsky and Sarah E. Reed of WCS and CSU.

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The U.S. Government, through the U.S Agency for International Development, or USAID, in partnership with Ethiopias Ministry of Health and implementing partners KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation, Management Sciences for Health, or MSH, and the World Health Organization, celebrated the transition from the HEAL-TB activity to Challenge TB at a recent event in Addis Ababa.

Working closely with the Ministry of Health and the Amhara and Oromia regional health bureaus, USAIDs HEAL TB activity has helped the ministry to screen more than 16 million people for TB since July 2011. While improving TB services at 1,000 health facilities was the original target, the activity enabled the ministry to expand to all 2,200 health facilities in the two regions.

Implemented by MSH, together with its sub-partners ALERT, PATH, and the Kenya Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, HEAL-TB significantly strengthened the laboratory network for TB diagnosis and placed more than 250,000 people on treatment. Additionally, USAID created a model multi-drug resistant program, integrated TB and HIV services, and expanded TB expertise at zonal and local levels.

Ethiopia remains among the worlds 30 high-burden TB countries, with close to 200,000 new cases estimated each year. Of these, only two-thirds are being identified for treatment. Ethiopia had approximately 1,300 new multi-drug resistant cases in 2014, with less than 45 percent treated.

The Challenge TB project is expected to substantially contribute to the Government of Ethiopias goal of ending TB throughout the country. It will build upon HEAL-TB, and expand in scope to support the Ministry of Health in nearly all regions of Ethiopia.

In alignment with the Health Sector Transformation Plan, Challenge TB will provide decentralized technical assistance to the Government of Ethiopia at all levels to improve the quality of TB services, referral links, data and reporting.

It will also emphasize access to TB services by key populations. KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is the lead implementing partner, with MSH and the World Health Organization substantially involved in project management.

As USAID Mission Director Dennis Weller noted, We could not have achieved these results had it not been for our strong partnership and collaboration with the Ministry of Health and regional health bureaus.
IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant is all set to lay its foundation stone for its first store in Hyderabad on August 11 and will open its doors to the customers next year. The big question is

IKEA, the Swedish furniture giant is all set to lay its foundation stone for its first store in Hyderabad on August 11 and will open its doors to the customers mid-next year. It was already in the reports that it is investing Rs 1,500 crore in Mumbai as part of its plan to have 25 stores across India by 2025. It has mapped out its other stores across Bangalore, Mumbai and NCR. The store in Navi Mumbai will come within 18 months, for which the company has invested Rs 400 crore. It was reported that each location involves an investment of Rs 550-600 crore.

The worlds largest furniture retailer IKEA was one of the first companies in India to get approval for setting up 100 per cent FDI in single brand retail.

IKEA is coming at an exciting time in India, especially when its furniture space is buzzing with activity. The home furniture industry in India is estimated at $20 billion, of which online takes up around 250 million. According to reports, the number is likely to boost up to $35 billion, with $700 million dedicated to online furniture space by 2020.

Online leaders

IKEAs entry will impact the urban cities. Moreover, online furniture store Urban Ladder, which operates in 19 cities, gets 80% of orders from tier-1 cities according to reports. Will the online furniture space face the heat with its entry?

With IKEAs lacklustre performance in the online space (owing to its website which has been criticized abroad for its poor display of its latest products) it seems unlikely. Urban Ladder (which operates as a marketplace) doesnt intend to have offline stores. According to reports it is looking to transact a GMV (Gross Merchandise Value) of $250 million by June 2017, even though it reported losses of Rs 58.51 crore in FY15 on revenues of Rs 19.21 crore.

Its competitor Pepperfry, another market leader in the online space, has scaled its operations and is seeing significant contributions to revenue from its physical stores. According to reports, eight Tier-1 cities contribute to almost 80% of its business and the company is expecting to hit Rs 2500 crore in GMV by March 2017. The company is already upping its game with its plan to double its store count to 16 this year, as stores have turned out to the best marketing channel for them. Pepperfry opens stores based on customer purchase data of the previous 24 months, which helps it select cities with high customer density. By opening stores in such areas, it is also able to drive supply-chain efficiencies as more orders from an area translate into lower average cost of delivery.

There are other players like Mebelkart, Customfurnish and Stitchwood which have raised funds in the recent past and are looking to reach out to more buyers with the help of technology. Meanwhile online interior home design and furniture company Livspace is going all out to expand across country and revolutionise the home design catalogue.

According to a study by CraftDriven Market Research, the furniture industry is expected to witness a growth of more than 49% within a span of two years. The growth is attributed to many start-ups as well as to the entry of e-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal. Flipkart aims to become India's largest furniture retailer by the end of this year, with an ambitious target to register a 15-fold growth in the high-value category, which also promises to deliver healthy profits.

Moreover, it reports that the start-ups are rapidly working to organise the whole industry.

Offline players

On the other hand the traditional players like Godrej Interio has partnered with e-commerce major Flipkart to enable customers to access formers exclusive range of furniture. Last year it was heard that Godrej Interio will invest up to Rs 300 crore in the next one year to expand its manufacturing capacity and sales network. Plans are on to add another 100 exclusive stores in next three years on franchise model. The aim is to get around 15% market share within 2 years by introducing innovative designs and expanding its network.

Other players like Kishore Biyani's Hometown, which recently acquired Rocket Internet-owned Fabfurnish to build an 'omnichannel strategy', is selling both online and offline. With this acquisition the company is targeting revenues of Rs 1,000 crore by fiscal year 2017.

However, IKEAs USP is its do-it-yourself (DIY) model, which is new in India. Urban Ladders founders feel that IKEA will help push the concept of brand and retail store experience. One can safely assume the players in this vertical are definitely bracing up their strategy and at the same time looking forward to IKEAs debut in India.

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The British pound has ticked higher versus the euro, Indian rupee and the US dollar yesterday after strong UK jobs data suggested that businesses hadnt slowed hiring in the approach to the referendum.

UK data returned to the back foot on Thursday, with the latest Retail Sales figures denting confidence and reversing much of the Pounds recent bullishness.

While this was partly blamed on the wet weather in June, which negatively impacted clothing sales, investors nevertheless remain worried about the implications for consumer sentiment in the post-Brexit economy.

UK jobs figures for June helped to allay fears of a post-Brexit hiring slowdown after joblessness fell, boosting the British Pound to Indian Rupee exchange rate recently.

The claimant count rate stayed at 2.2%, with the number of people claiming benefits increasing just 0.4k, instead of the 3.5k predicted.

The Pound was further buoyed by the fact that 176k people found work in the three months to May, compared to the 71k forecast, pushing the ILO Unemployment Rate unexpectedly down to 4.9%, meaning unemployment was at its lowest since 2005.

Before the rest of the news, here are todays live GBP FX rates;

Investors were disappointed recently to note that the IMF had trimmed Indias growth forecasts, weakening the Indian Rupee.

The International Monetary Funds (IMF) latest round of forecasts suggested that the Indian economy would grow marginally less than originally forecast.

The report stated that;

In India, economic activity remains buoyant, but the growth forecast for 2016-17 was trimmed slightly, reflecting a more sluggish investment recovery.

The new estimate is for growth of 7.4% for the 2017 financial year, down from previous predictions of 7.5%.

The news did not overly weaken the Indian Rupee due to the minor nature of the revision, but it undermined some of the resistance INR may have had against the GBP advance.

UK public sector borrowing figures for June could weaken the British Pound if they show a worse-than-expected result.

Newly-appointed Chancellor Phillip Hammond has announced he will scrap George Osbornes austerity targets, with some forecasts expecting 20 billion in additional spending over the next year.

Markets will therefore be interested to see the last borrowing figures from before the referendum, as these will give an indication of the likely extent of the UKs budget deficit.

A small shortfall will allow Hammond to increase spending without hugely contributing to the deficit, whereas a large deficit will amplify the impacts of any fiscal policy changes upon national debt.

Current forecasts are for a significantly lower rate of public borrowing, with Mays -9.1 billion overspend shrinking to a -2.5 billion overspend in June.

Sparse Indian Data Leaves INR at Mercy of GBP Movements

The rest of the week is incredibly quiet for Indian data, with only Friday promising any ecostats of note.

These will include the latest foreign reserves update, which is expected to show marginal growth, as well as deposit growth and bank loan growth.

Deposit and loan growth both clocked in at over 9% previously, so investors will be looking for another strong performance.

Moodys Downgrade UK Banking Outlook, Pound Remains Strong

The outlook for the UK banks has become more clouded in the aftermath of the UKs Brexit vote, according to Moodys, in a statement which has so far failed to weaken GBP exchange rates.

Outlook for the banking sector in the UK has been revised to negative from the previous stable rating.

Sterling has held onto its gains of late, thanks to continually supportive data

The UK currency has fared well on the whole today, having made gains against virtually all of its peers. These advances were triggered earlier on, when the UKs unemployment rate fell from 5% to 4.9%.

UPDATE:

The Pound has failed to recover recently, due to an extreme negative reaction.

For Sterling, the week seems set to close on a low note in exchange rates.

In addition to having been blasted today, the Pound seems set to tumble tomorrow if pessimistic PMI predictions prove accurate.
The GBP to NZD exchange rate plunges after poor UK sales data knocks sterling investor confidence. Where next for the NZ dollar?

The New Zealand dollar exchange rates have been bolstered by beneficial domestic developments and a poor US Dollar strength today. The Australian Dollar appears to have edged up overall on the same weak Buck.

Despite the dovish tone of the Reserve Bank of New Zealands (RBNZ) latest economic assessment update, the New Zealand dollar exchange rates remained on relatively strong form on Thursday, recovering much of its overnight losses.

The appeal of the Pound, meanwhile, was strongly diminished by the latest UK Retail Sales report, which pointed towards lower consumer spending in the days ahead of the EU referendum.

Damp market sentiment, fuelled by US Dollar gains, caused the NZ Dollar to decline versus most of its major peers.

However, the latest GlobalDairyAuction showed that whole milk powder prices rose, even if the overall price of dairy held steady. This meant that New Zealand Dollar depreciation was not as marked as other risk-correlated assets.

In contrast, the British Pound advanced considerably after pre-Brexit labour market data eclipsed expectations.

Latest New Zealand Dollar/Pound Exchange Rates

On Friday the Pound to British Pound exchange rate (GBP/GBP) converts at 1

Today finds the pound to pound spot exchange rate priced at 1.

The GBP to USD exchange rate converts at 1.155 today.

The pound conversion rate (against australian dollar) is quoted at 1.792 AUD/GBP.

Please note: the FX rates above, updated 28th Oct 2022, will have a commission applied by your typical high street bank. Currency brokers specialise in these type of foreign currency transactions and can save you up to 5% on international payments compared to the banks.

Pound Sterling (GBP) Exchange Rates Gain after Unemployment Dropped to 2005 Low

Over the past few days the Pound has recovered significant ground versus its major peers after the UKs political landscape settled following the swift appointment of Prime Minister Theresa May.

On Wednesday the Pound extended gains thanks to positive labour market data results which saw unemployment drop to its lowest level since 2005.

Although the data pertains to a pre-Brexit Britain, it is still considered of importance because it highlights the fact that EU referendum uncertainty did not have as adverse an impact on the UK economy as many had feared.

New Zealand Dollar (NZD) Exchange Rates Struggle on Risk-Off Trade

The strength of the US Dollar and global equity market volatility caused the New Zealand Dollar to decline thanks to demand for safe-haven assets.

Very high expectations of Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) policy intervention at the next available opportunity also weighed on NZD exchange rates.

On a positive note, however, the latest GlobalDairyAuction revealed that whilst prices remained the same, whole milk powder prices rose.

As whole milk powder is New Zealands most exported product, the rise in prices should have a positive impact on the economy.
Hi Simon!



Thanks, that would be really helpful. I think location of the lawyer is not that important for my current needs and a law firm who can help me with working visa will be very helpful in the coming weeks and months. I have found a very useful Philippine lawyer in London in the past few days which is great, but I may need representation in Philippines also so I'd love it if you could pass my details on! Thanks very much!...



But.... as a new member on here I don't think I can PM you can I? I've tried to find a way but can't. Hmmm any ideas? I'd post my alternative email on here but not sure if it breaks the rules of the forum.



Thanks a lot for taking the time to reply to my post and hope we can find a way to make contact!



Best Regards,



Will
The decision to leave the European Union has triggered some Britons to defer plans to move to a EU country or buy a second home in popular destinations such as Spain or Portugal, it is suggested.But, conversely, many Britons are continuing with their planned property purchase and none really know if, or to what extent Brexit could affect the rights and overall experience of British home owners in an EU Member State.  For now, though, nothing has changed since before the referendum and until the UK Government officially triggers Brexit and negotiates new terms with the EU as a non-member, it's business as usual, according to Richard Way of the Overseas Guides Company.As a home owner in Spain he believes that the prospect of Brexit is an empty threat to a happy future as a second home owner to both existing and future property owners. In the small resort where I enjoy time at my Spanish property, which lies in the just beside the picturesque Bay of Roses, people from all walks of life and of all nationalities, many of them non-EU citizens, have been enjoying life there for many years, moving freely to and fro, he explained.Brexit or no Brexit, British people will continue to be able to buy property in European countries and live in them, just like nationals from non-EU European and non-European countries have done for decades, even centuries, he pointed out.In my mind, I believe sufficient mutual appreciation exists between Spain and its significant number of British home owners to minimise the potential disruption of Brexit to British home buyers there, now and in the future, not forgetting the millions of euros that British tourists and homeowners bring into the Spanish economy every year. The same is also likely to be the case for other popular destinations with Britons, like Portugal, France and even Italy, he added.Although expats and prospective expats seek answers to many questions nothing is yet totally clear. At worst, British expats may lose reciprocal rights to healthcare and other benefits. Part of the problem is the number of different scenarios that could happen.For example, the UK could remain in the single market, meaning Britons maintain their rights to live and work in the EU, similar to citizens from Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.The UK could stay outside the single market, but negotiate terms with individual EU countries, such as Spain, leading to legislation giving Britons similar rights to those they currently have as EU citizens.Or the UK could stay outside the single market, and Britons acquire similar rights to non-European nationals buying or moving there, such as Australians or Americans.In the event of Brexit, we'd essentially be treated like any other non-EU, non-European Economic Area (EEA) citizens, Americans and Australians, for example. The worst case scenario is that this may mean additional paperwork for securing residency, potentially needing more paperwork in order to get visas, and this may mean a few more forms to fill in to own a property. Pensioners will also need to look in to healthcare contingency plans as an alternative to any reciprocal agreements that aren't continued, said Way.The best case scenario is that Spain introduces new rules providing British property buyers and expats with similar rights to those that we enjoy currently as EU citizens, so, in this instance, nothing really changes, he pointed out.The other more unlikely scenario would be for the UK to adopt a similar stance to Norway and join the EEA, providing what are essentially the same automatic rights to buy a home, work and reside within EU countries that exist now. Swiss citizens already have this status in the EU, for example. So in this case, again, nothing would really change, he said.What comes to mind looking at these potential scenarios is the fact that British homebuyers have not been deterred from buying in popular non-EU member destinations such as Turkey, Florida, Dubai, or Cape Verde and these destinations' growing popularity is also reassuring, he added.
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Tuesday, July 19, 2016

1. Republican and Trump supporters who are making excuses for the embarrassing incident sound exactly like the Hillary Corrupted denying that there was anything wrong with using a private e-mail server for official communications. No, the plagiarism isnt trivial. No, it is not mitigated by referencing how horrible Hillary Clinton is. No, you cant argue that the similarity was a coincidence because the sentiments in both are generic and common.

2. The incident is especially significant because it shows how spectacularly incompetent the Trump campaign, and the Republican Party under Trump, are. And these are the people who are going to fix everything, though they cant avoid a self-inflicted gaffe like this on the very first night of the convention?

3. This is the first test of whether Trump will enforce accountability, as he claims he will. The speechwriter or writers who permitted this should be canned, as should whoever assigned them to Trumps wife and oversaw the program. Would that be the campaign manager, Paul Manafort? If nobody is fired (as the current rumor has it), that will be one more indication of Trumps phoniness.

4. There is talk that this was intentional internal sabotage, designed to make Trump look bad through his wife. I doubt it, but if that was the case, what a miserable, cruel, cowardly thing to do.

5. Some Melania defenders are trying to show that Michelle Obamas 2008 speech was itself plagiarized. Irrelevant. Melanias speech was dishonestly represented to the convention and the nation as her own, and that is equally true whether Michelles speech was original or lifted from Cicero.

6. This was such incompetent plagiarism, too. Writes Ann Althouse, Good Lord, change the words. Swap in synonyms. What are they paying you for?

7. Regardless of the speechwriters role, the individual ultimately responsible for the plagiarism is Melania Trump. She spoke the words. She assumed responsibility for them. She even claimed that she substantially wrote the speech herself: too bad that wasnt true. The one way to make sure your speechwriters arent cheating is not to use speechwriters. Personally, I feel that if you cant write your own speech and speak for yourself, dont make speeches.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016

This is about two posts too many about Donald Trumps trophy wife for a month, never mind a day, but its got to be relayed.

The Huffington Post reveals that Melanias claim that she was awarded a degree in design appears to be a lie.

Despite Melania Trumps professional biography that includes this

The Huffington Post did some digging after the plagiarized speech last night. You see, this is the danger in betraying trust: once people know you are faking something, they wonder if you are faking everything. (I would say that being married to Donald Trump is evidence, all by itself, enough to prompt suspicion.) They found that Slovenian journalists Bojan Pozar and Igor Omerza wrote in their published biography of the former fashion modelyes, she has a book written about her, and its called Melania Trump ? The Inside Story: From a Slovenian Communist Village to the White House that she became and remained a college dropout after leaving the University of Ljubljanas architecture school following her freshman year.

They write

In her freshman year, the 19-year old Melania Knauss attended lectures on the following subjects: elements of architecture, fine arts, fundamentals of technical mechanics, architectural construction, descriptive geometry, mathematics, and an ideological (read communist) elective credit called General Partisan Resistance and Social Self-protection. Melania would have made it to her sophomore year, even having failed 2 exams, but she was supposed to have gotten and held a 1-month internship and kept a journal about it.Later, in America, after meeting Donald Trump and officially becoming his partner, Melania Knauss told the media that she got her degree in architecture and design. This was almost certainly done in consultation with Trump and his advisors, as they were desperate to give off the impression that the Slovenian model was not just beautiful, but also smart and well-educated.

How long will it take for people to wise up to Donald Trump? Nothing about him is trustworthynot his words, not his wealth, not his claims of success, not his university, not his steaks, and not even his wife.

Hillary Clinton just lies.

Donald Trump IS a lie.
Monsanto Co., the worlds largest seed company, said Bayer AGs latest $55 billion takeover offer is financially inadequate and doesnt ensure a deal would be completed.

Monsanto also said in a statement Tuesday that its still open to further constructive conversations with the German company and other parties about a deal. Monsantos shares fell 1.4 percent to $104.96 at 8:35 a.m. before the start of regular trading in New York.

Bayer said Thursday it upped its bid to $125 a share from $122 previously. The revised proposal came a day after Bloomberg News reported that St. Louis-based Monsanto might entertain a deal with another German chemicals giant, BASF SE.

Buying Monsanto would give Bayer a company thats both the worlds largest seed supplier and a pioneer of crop biotechnology. The kind of genetically modified seeds that Monsanto started to commercialize two decades ago now account for the majority of corn and soybeans grown in the U.S. Monsanto also sells seeds in foreign markets including Latin America and India.

The offer from Bayer marks a reversal of roles for the U.S. company. Monsanto has long sought to become a one-stop shop for farmers by boosting its crop chemicals portfolio to complement its seeds business. To that end, it had pursued the purchase of Syngenta AG on at least three separate occasions over the years. While that push failed, the American seeds giant is now in talks to buy BASF SEs agrochemicals unit, even as Bayer sought to acquire Monsanto.

The crop and seed industry is being reshaped by a series of large transactions that may end up leaving just a few global players who can offer a comprehensive range of products and services to farmers. China National Chemical Corp. agreed in February to acquire Syngenta. Meanwhile, DuPont Co. and Dow Chemical Co. plan to merge and then carve out a new crop-science unit.

Despite its preeminence in seeds, Monsanto has become vulnerable to a takeover as a number of problems piled up this year. The company has clashed with some of the worlds largest commodity-trading companies and become locked in disputes with the governments of Argentina and India. Last month, Monsanto said year-end earnings would settle at the lower end of guidance.

Voter Guide: What to know for the midterm election Your guide to the Texas and San Antonio races and candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Farmers have seen their incomes fall in the last few years amid declining commodity prices, and thats spurred them to increasingly demand products tailored to their needs, according to Jason Miner, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. Monsanto has become over-reliant on seeds at the expense of crop chemicals such as pesticides, something that spurred the company in its ultimately unsuccessful pursuit of Syngenta, Miner said.

A deal with BASF means Monsanto could sell farmers a greater offering of crop chemicals along with seeds, helping it compete with industry leaders in the midst of deals that would create seed and chemical behemoths.

Monsanto was founded in 1901, its first product was the artificial sweetener saccharin. Until the late 1970s, the company produced highly toxic polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs. It was also among companies that manufactured the mixture of herbicides known as Agent Orange and used as a defoliant by the U.S. in the Vietnam War.
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Carol Ann Broderson found a sad state of affairs when she came to San Antonio more than two decades ago for a job counseling deaf students in the Northside Independent School District.

None of the kids had any dream, motivation, Broderson said. They didnt have any understanding of what they were going to do after high school.  They had no self-esteem.

Her students, however, loved the Wild Zappers, a Maryland-based deaf dance troupe. They were shocked to discover Broderson had made friends with them when she was a dancer at Galludet University, a school for the deaf in Washington, D.C.

So Broderson brought the Wild Zappers to start the San Antonio Deaf Dance Company, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a July 29 performance at Marshall High School.

I never thought wed get this far, Broderson said. Never.

The company had 13 students when it started in 1996, Broderson said. Since then it has expanded to between 28 and 50 students from middle and high schools all over the San Antonio area.

The students attend a monthlong summer camp, where professional deaf choreographers from around the country teach them to dance. The choreographers use sign and body language to explain the steps, and the students can feel the beat through the musics bass vibrations. The camp culminates in a dance performance, which tends to fill the auditorium, Broderson said.

More than 90 percent of the students who go through the dance camp graduate from high school, and many go on to college, Broderson said. Some go to Galludet, but others have gone to schools including the University of Texas at San Antonio and Boston University.

They just build that confidence, Broderson said.

Broderson doesnt know of other dance camps like hers anywhere in the country. Hers would not have been able to expand without help from Northside, which budgeted more than $27,000 for the camp this year, district spokesman Pascual Gonzalez said. The Educational Resource Center on Deafness, a department of the Texas School for the Deaf, provided an additional $12,000, Broderson said. The money goes to pay choreographers, and Northside ISDs allocation also funds staff salaries and transportation for in-district students.

The San Antonio Independent School District provides transportation for its students who attend the camp. Others come from as far away as Poteet, Pleasanton and New Braunfels.

After families see their kid dance for the first time, theyre just in tears, Broderson said.

Veronica Soto, 17, joined the dance company this summer. She will be a senior at Brennan High School. Broderson, her counselor, remembered Sotos crying because she was scared to leave San Antonio. After a few weeks at dance camp, Soto said she planned to study audiology at Galludet.

It made me feel like I can be anything, Soto said.

Jonathan Lopez, 16, will be a junior at Churchill High School. Through a sign language interpreter, he said hes lost count of how many summers hes spent with the dance company  this might be his fifth. He said he joined to impress his family.

At first, I was kind of weak at dancing, he said. I feel proud of myself.

Irma Faith, 14, will be a freshman at Memorial Early College High School in New Braunfels. She said dance camp was a much-needed social experience for the deaf students who have a hard time communicating in the hearing world. The performances teach the public not to look down on deaf people, Irma said.

Deaf can do as many things as yall, she said. Dont think we cant.

amalik@express-news.net
Shropshire

A Full-Time position is available for an assistant herdsperson on a family dairy farm in mid Shropshire. We have a 250 dairy herd rearing own replacements together with a b...
Carwyn Jones, aged 25 and a member of Mydroilyn YFC in Ceredigion was awarded with a prize of 1,000 on Wednesday 20th of July at the Royal Welsh Show as the winner of the 2016 Wales YFC Agricultural Bursary.

The award seeks to support young people who are striving to secure a future for themselves in agriculture.

The panel of judges, Mr Bryan Marsh a Past Master of the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales along with Mr Andrew Richards, Worshipful Livery Company of Wales decided that the deserving winner of the prize this year was Carwyn and his plans to reignited the family tradition of producing raw fresh milk from the dairy.

Carwyn is the third generation to farm at Penlan y Mor in Llanarth. The family farm runs herd of 200 milking cows and 450 breeding ewes along with a popular caravan park.

Recently Carwyn with the support of his family have returned to the businesses roots by producing and marketing raw fresh milk straight from the dairy.

The milk is bottled and sold direct to customers on the familys caravan site as well as to local customers.

Milk direct from the farm

Carwyns customers receive the milk direct from the farm and therefore unlike selling it in a shop Carwyn is able to inform the consumer of its production and assure them that it arrives to them pure, untreated, unpasteurised and unprocessed.

Having received the good news Carwyn said: "I'm overwhelmed to have won the bursary award and will take full advantage of the financial support given to invest in the future of my business.

"Also, I would like to raise the profile of local produce as I firmly believe that adding to the food chain locally is going to be key for the future of the farming industry.

"Hopefully, we can all play a small part in sustaining our local communities and cutting down on food miles."

Encouraging young people

Speaking on behalf of the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales, Mr Bryan Marsh stated: "The Worshipful Livery Company of Wales is again delighted to provide an award in conjunction with the Wales Young Farmers Clubs.

"One of our principal aims is to foster and encourage young people in Wales and what better than in the next generation of food producers."

Speaking on behalf of Wales YFC, Carys Vaughan said: "We are very pleased with the high number and high standard of entries this year.

"There were many deserving candidates but Carwyns passion for his business and for the food and farming industry as a whole was particularly impressive."
ELKO  Native American students at Grammar No. 2 and in Owyhee will be getting some extra help in the classroom this year with the connotation of the school districts Title VII program.

Title VII is a program that funds teacher positions that assists Native American students, particularly in the English and language arts subjects.

Elko County School District Grant Writer Holli Kiechler said parents of native students have a lot of input in the direction of the program.

Title VII is a unique grant because its run by a committee of parents of native students, she said. They meet once a month and help steer that grant program and decide how the money is spent and what programs they want to focus on.

The program will be entering its third year in existence at the two schools this fall. Elementary Curriculum director Todd Pehrson is entering his second year as the head of the Title VII program as the school district liaison and said the goal of the program is to provide extra support for native students.

Theyre more in tune with whats going on with Native American students, he said. They know their culture better. Theyre just trying to help those students with whatever they need.

A big part of the committees decision-making process is the input they get from the schools participating in the Title VII program. Pehrson said the communication to the committee helps everyone get on the same page and determines what areas the committee of parents will focus on as they help Pehrson steer the direction of the program.

Theyve been supportive and theyve had some things in place. Weve had some discussions at our meetings and we look at graduation rates and funding when we make decisions, he said. Well have the schools that are participating in this give a report as to how things are going and it helps everybody communicate.

Even though Pehrson said he had not noticed any significant trend of Native American students falling behind academically, he pointed out that this program is a good resource for the native students who are struggling in the classroom.

Anytime we can give an extra net to help any kid thats our goal and this gives us that extra support, he said. I think they do identify the kids who are falling behind early on and that helps them succeed in the future.
The US Department of Agriculture is proposing to change the regulations which restricted sheepmeat imports from the EU due to livestock diseases TSE and BSE, commonly known as 'mad cow disease'.

The USDA announced the proposal as part of a 60-day consultation period which the USDAs Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is now being undertaken.

While the US Department of Agricultures proposals are currently still in consultation, there is also hope from the farming sector that exports of sheep meat from the EU could resume in early 2017.

'Market access is key priority for UK farmers'

Competition from New Zealand and Australia in this market 'is strong'

Ulster Farmers Union, Deputy President, Victor Chestnutt, stressed that access to new markets for all agriculture products is a key priority for UK farmers, and that the proposal to relax restrictions for the import of both sheep meat and live sheep is a positive step in the right direction.

"The UK is perhaps in a unique position given that it is expected we will soon begin a process to officially leave the EU.

"However we would fully expect that until such times that the UK has officially left the EU that DEFRA and Northern Ireland's DAERA will work hard for local sheep producers - ensuring our industry can source export opportunities in the US and other markets," said Mr Chestnutt.

American lamb consumption relatively low

"While lamb consumption in the US is relatively low in comparison to other meats, they are still only 47 per cent self-sufficient, meaning they are heavily reliant on imports to meet demand.

The UFU deputy president added: "Competition from New Zealand and Australia in this market is strong, however we believe we have a unique, high quality product which will appeal to US consumers wanting to try something different."

"Aside of this news, obviously there is still uncertainty around what will happen with trade once the UK officially leaves the EU as it will have to renegotiate market access with many countries.

"Given Northern Irelands dependence on exports, our agri-food industry certainly cannot afford any setbacks and we trust that the DAERA Minister will drive this message in her meetings with Government and industry," concluded Mr Chestnutt.
Arla Foods, the countrys largest dairy company, has unveiled an ambitious business strategy, to make Arla a 'household brand by 2020' and grow its revenue by 'nearly a third'.

Spearheaded by new country head, Tomas Pietrangeli, who joined the UK business earlier this year, the ambition is part of the companys global strategy for growth.

Arla says it wants to 'champion British dairy'.

The new strategy will include much greater investment in its Arla and Lurpak brands with the aim of creating them into top ten FMCG brands by 20202.

It also plans to grow Castello3 to become the best known premium cheddar and speciality cheese brand.

The company says it will build on early successes with an up-weighted programme of activity to further raise awareness of its farmer-owned status to drive differentiation and become synonymous with dairy health in both its branded and own label portfolios.

Arla's commitments as part of its 2020 strategy:

 At least 10 per cent of its net revenue will come from new product development across its branded portfolio;

 Invest a minimum of 25 per cent of its marketing spend in digital;

 Increase the availability of dairy products for breakfast, snacking on the go, convenience and hospitality with an overall ambition to increase dairy consumption;

 Extend its pipeline of healthier dairy products with at least 30 new dairy concepts and 50 new range extensions; and

 Invest over 100 million in promoting a series of new healthier dairy products and campaigns to encourage more nutritious eating habits and challenge some of the current myths about dairy.

Tomas Pietrangeli, Arla Foods UK, managing director, said: "We want Arla to be the name that people know, love and trust for dairy.

"We have developed a strategy that delivers clear consumer benefits by re-engaging them in the most innovative, unexpected, responsible and efficient way.

"Our overall objective will be to add value to our milk and in turn allow us to return the best possible price to our farmer owners."
British crops could be left unharvested without access to labour post-Brexit, the NFU said today.

The union says loss of labour could have a devastating impact on the horticulture industry.

Speaking at the Fruit Focus event, in East Malling, Kent, NFU horticulture board chairman Ali Capper said that the decision to leave the European Union placed huge uncertainty over whether the industry would be able to access non-UK workers.

They are crucial in picking, grading and packing the crops that provide consumers with the range of quality and affordable British horticultural produce theyve come to expect and enjoy.

As a result, Mrs Capper urged government to work closely with the NFU, and its members, to solve a potential labour problem that could result in unharvested crops and swathes of horticultural businesses closing down for good.

'More restrictive' immigration process

"Post-Brexit there is the likelihood that there will be a more restrictive immigration process in place.

"Effectively this could end the free movement of labour from the European Economic Area, she said.

"We need to be prepared to explore all the possible options in maintaining access to horticultures vital labour supply.

"This could involve some form of visa-restricted access to labour. We need to investigate the specifics to ensure we have the workforce this industry needs.

"What is also clear is that we are not just talking about access to seasonal labour - some sectors and businesses are currently reliant on non-UK workers in full-time roles, year-round."

'Uncertainty for farmers and growers'

Mrs Capper also told growers that she had written to Brexit minister David Davis, asking him to meet with members as soon as possible to discuss how horticulture  and other farming sectors  was reliant on labour.

In it, she says: "our exit from the European Union now creates uncertainty for farmers and growers.

"It is not unusual for horticultural producers to be planning crops 10 years in advance, yet these crops cannot be produced without good labour supply."
British Egg Week takes place from October 10-17 this year, with the theme Put an Egg On It set to encourage consumers to experiment with eating eggs in more unusual ways.

As part of the celebrations, British Lion eggs is staging an egg themed street food takeover at leading venue Hawker House in London, where street food chef Seb Holmes, owner of Farang London, will be serving a collection of modern Thai street food inspired egg dishes from the Put An Egg On It stand.

Dishes include Egg Topped Smoked Pork Belly Laab, a minced free range pork belly dish with smoky garlic, lime and chilli dressing, Asian herbs and a wok fried egg.

The hashtag #PutAnEggOnIt has been created to run in conjunction with the campaign and inspire interaction from consumers, caterers, food manufacturers and retailers on social media.

Andrew Joret, British Egg Industry Council Chairman, said: "British Egg Week is the perfect time to encourage customers to choose eggs, and the street food theme gives us a great platform to highlight how suitable they are for modern lifestyles.

"Research shows that eggs are now seen by consumers as a healthy, nutrition packed and versatile food.

"Highlighting this on point of sale and menus is a great way to boost sales during the week, and longer term."

British Egg Week is a popular and well-established awareness week, having run for more than 50 years. Get in touch to find out how you can get involved
The outcome of a statistical inquiry into the publication of milk price statistics concluded that Defra published misleading information earlier in the year.

In the spring, Defra published a statistical notice reporting that the average farm gate milk price for February 2016 increased by 2.48p per litre.

This was immediately called into question by dairy commentator Chris Walkland of Walkland Partnerships Ltd who tabled a formal complaint, supported by the Tenant Farmers Association (TFA).

"It was simply impossible that the February milk price quoted was correct," TFA explained, welcoming the outcome of the inquiry.

TFA North West Chairman Robert Martin: 'When spurious information is issued this causes real problems'

"An explanation from the Defra statistical division suggested that the February price was affected by the payment of an annual bonus but this in itself could not have explained the increase quoted."

'Materially misleading'

However, the Director General from the UK Statistics Authority, Ed Humpherson has agreed with the complaint.

He said: "The presentation of the series including bonus payments was materially misleading, and the statistical notice should not have been published"

Defra has now agreed to engage with industry organisations to improve the quality of the statistics produced in future years.

TFA North West Chairman and dairy farmer Robert Martin said: "We were all amazed and confused with what Defra produced in its statistical notice, but despite our protests Defra appeared to be unrepentant.

"These notices are used by dairy farmers not only in their negotiations with their processors but also in other types of negotiations like rent reviews. When spurious information is issued this causes real problems.

"I am pleased that this matter has been rectified and look forward to having further discussions with DEFRA to ensure that such problems do not re-occur."
Landowners have set out the priorities for the new Ministerial team in charge of housing and planning policy calling on them to tackle the acute housing shortage in rural areas.

The CLA, which represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses, has written to new Secretary of State Sajid Javid and Housing and Planning Minister Gavin Barwell outlining how landowners already contribute to the supply of homes in rural areas and how they could do more with changes to government policy.

CLA President Ross Murray said: "We face an acute national housing shortage but it is within rural areas that the shortage is felt most keenly.

"Rural homes cost 22% more than in urban areas and in English rural areas only 8% of homes are classed as affordable.

"This has a significant impact on the rural economy, as it forces young people to move away and stifles job creation, perpetuating low wages in rural areas.

"Landowners already provide nearly 40% of all private rented housing in rural areas and are keen to build and manage their own affordable housing.

"There is significant potential across our rural areas to build new homes, usually in small quantities to meet the needs for incremental growth that our villages are crying out for.

"Only by unlocking this potential can we start to alleviate the lack of housing in our countryside."

The CLAs letter also includes recommendations about changes to planning policy which could offer valuable economic benefits to small businesses prevented from expanding or diversifying by the expensive and extensive planning application process.

Mr Murray added: "Increasing the supply of all tenures of housing, developing new business spaces and commercial opportunities reinvigorates rural communities and helps to build a stronger, more sustainable countryside."
Monsanto, the Missouri-based maker of genetically modified crop seeds, has rejected a revised takeover bid by Bayer of Germany as 'too cheap'.

This has been seen as an expected move that will prolong the bidding contest for the company.

In response, Bayer said it was "disappointed" but that it was "looking forward to continued dialogue" with Monsanto.

The rejection signals that Bayer, which is seeking to create a one-stop shop for farmers during a wave of mergers in the agriculture business, will have to work even harder to try to consummate a deal.

Monsanto said on Tuesday its board unanimously viewed Bayer's latest bid as "financially inadequate and insufficient to ensure deal certainty."

"Monsanto remains open to continued and constructive conversations with Bayer and other parties to assess whether a transaction that the board believes is in the best interest of Monsanto share owners can be realized," the company said.

Syngenta AG, which Monsanto tried to buy last year, agreed in February to be acquired by ChemChina for $43 billion. Dow Chemical Co (DOW.N) and DuPont (DD.N) struck a $130 billion mega-merger late last year.

Monsanto said last month net income tumbled more than 37 percent to $717 million in the quarter ended on May 31.

It cited a global glut of generic glyphosate, the active ingredient in its Roundup herbicide, and delays in securing European Union import approval for its next-generation biotech soybeans.
The Welsh government has been issued calls to secure the future of the bovine TB eradication programme in light of the decision to leave the EU, particularly in light of 'worrying' TB rates in Wales.

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Simon Thomas said that the number of cattle slaughtered due to Bovine TB control had increased by 41% in the 12 months ending in April 2016, and warned that in some counties it had doubled.

This comes after calls from the Farmers Union of Wales that the current status of bovine TB in Wales could put future trade deals at risk.

The Welsh Government receives a share of 23 million of funding from the EU for its Bovine TB Eradication Programme, and this funding will come to an end as a result of the UKs decision to leave the EU.

Mr Thomas called on the Labour government to secure the programmes funding for the long-term, warning that a continued rise in slaughtered animals could devastate rural Wales.

'Devestate farms and livelihoods'

Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Simon Thomas said: "A TB infection can devastate farms and livelihoods, and we need to work quickly and effectively to minimise the threat of infection.

"Thats why we need to end any uncertainty for future funding that has been caused by Brexit.

"The number of herds under restrictions  that can paralyze agricultural businesses  actually increased in Carmarthenshire during the last period, while remaining broadly the same in Ceredigion and Gwynedd.

"Clearly, there remains a lot of work to be done to the TB Eradication Programme before it is fit for purpose.

"Any celebrating of the modest decline in recent headline figures is premature  a cursory glance at the county-specific data exposes the true story of Bovine TB in Wales.

"If the TB eradication programme is allowed to end then infection rate could spiral.

"It is vital that no question is raised regarding Wales's bTB status which may lead the EU to close the market to our dairy products.

"The EU and other trade partners will want to see a real commitment to bTB eradication by this Welsh Government to reassure them we are taking it seriously."
A young farm vet who travelled to the other side of the world to learn more about the dairy industry has been made a divisional partner for an independently-owned veterinary group.

Rising veterinary star Jonny Duncan, 28, of Tarporley spent five months in New Zealand to learn more about the techniques and practices employed by the countrys successful dairy industry and its vets.

His growing knowledge and obvious dedication to his work has not gone unnoticed and he has been appointed as a Divisional Partner for Willows Veterinary Group which owns Willows Farm Vets in Chester Road, Hartford, Cheshire, where Jonny is a member of the team.

He has also been identified as a key opinion leader of the future by global pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim which meant he was invited to Holland last year to be part of a Milk Quality Academy set up to train specialist vets about the latest developments in the mastitis and milk quality world.

The 28-year-old vet who is a keen surfer, wake boarder and rugby player in his spare time, said: "I spent eight weeks working in New Zealand on the South Island in a place called Ashburton. The second job I had was on the North Island for 12 weeks in the Waikato region.

"In New Zealand, 98 per cent of herds graze outside all year round which is a similar system to some of my clients in Cheshire but others in the UK keep their herds in all year round so it was interesting for me to see the New Zealand system in operation and to see how the vets over there work with it.

"They also have different breeds of cattle and often much larger herds which brought a fresh perspective to my learning too.

"This is important knowledge for my job and one of the things I really enjoy about being a farm vet is the fact that I work with a variety of farms with a variety of systems.

"It is vital that I learn about and understand this so I can make the best possible decisions and judgements for the best welfare of their animals.

"There is no right or wrong. The system is directed to by the farm buildings and land available, and the breed of cow is chosen to suit the system.

"It is up to me to up skill myself in dealing with all types of system, as there is a wide variety of types of dairy business in the UK. Other parts of the world don't have such diversity."

On to America

His thirst for knowledge of the dairy industry will now take him to the United States later this year.

Jonny said: "I have organised a trip to America for two weeks to experience the North American high input/high output dairy farms with one of the well known veterinary advisors in the states of Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota.

"The farms in this area tend to be very large and keep the cows indoors all year round, and I have many clients who also farm with this type of system too."

Jonny, who is to start a diploma in bovine reproduction in September, graduated in 2010 from Glasgow University and has spent 100 per cent of his career with farm animals.

Knowing this was his chosen career path, he jumped at the chance after graduating of joining Willows Veterinary Group in Cheshire where there is a huge agricultural economy and 98 per cent of the work is with dairy cattle.

Willows Veterinary Group offers a wealth of knowledge and expertise through 24 small animal practices, a referral veterinary hospital, two equine centres and a five-office farm practice which are located across Cheshire and into the Wirral and Staffordshire. Willows is accredited by The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Jonny spent many of his childhood summers helping out on the family farm, run by his Uncle, so agriculture runs in the family but Jonnys father chose a different path and forged a high flying career in the oil industry.

His fathers talent for business nurtured an interest in his son who takes the responsibility of understanding farming as a profitable business seriously.

He said: "It is important as a farm vet that you are interested in and understand the economic side of the farming industry.

"It is about understanding and communicating how our advice on the health and welfare of the animals can in turn increase profitability and productivity for the farm."
ELKO  A vehicle fire that expanded into wildland territory along Interstate 80 is at 100 percent containment.

The Wally Fire burned an estimated 1,762 acres and 100 personnel are working it, according to the Nevada Fire Status Map.

Firefighters are attempting to secure large islands in priority sage grouse habitat.

No injuries were reported and no homes were threatened.

The incident began to burn brush and grass around 1 p.m. Saturday in the Pequop range about 35 miles east of Wells. Within a few hours it had spread into pinyon and juniper trees and scorched 400 acres, according to Free Press files.

It further states the estimated cost to date is $522,666.

The fire was primarily fueled by brush and primary weather concerns consist of gusty winds, which might threaten interior islands in the sage grouse habitat.

According to the fire map, relative humidity remains low, particularly in areas fueled by juniper and pinyon trees.

Currently, fire behavior is being described as minimal.

Additionally, aerial support will reinforce the ground crews. Dozer lines continue to surround the perimeter of the fire.
Call your babysitter: 10 adult-only Halloween weekend events

Trick or treat is for kids, but these Fayetteville area Halloween activities are for adults.
ELKO  Nevada Outdoor School has hosted programs in the area for several years, but it only recently opened an office in Elko and joined the Elko Area Chamber.

NOS was founded in 2002 in Winnemucca and was established to bring an outdoor education program to children throughout rural Nevada. The nonprofit organization has been in the Elko School District classrooms for about five years and has had a summer program for about three years, said Melanie Erquiaga, NOS executive director.

Jerod Linder, the recreation coordinator for Elko City Parks and Recreation, said he first learned of NOS when he was a substitute teacher at Grammar No. 2 Elementary.

He helped connect the organization with the Citys parks department.

They ended up coming over on a monthly basis with us, and then we created a partnership with some summer camps, Linder said. It kind of evolved from that.

After the City donated office space, NOS moved into the Parks and Recreation building at 723 Railroad St. on May 1.

NOS Education Coordinator Jessica Larsen said the organization has taught classes in several elementary and middle schools throughout the district. She hopes to branch into the Jiggs area soon.

We do programming for the whole region, said NOS Board President Briony Coleman.

Larsen said about 50 children receive an education on the outdoors every Tuesday between a program at the park and a preschool.

KRJC General Manager Julie Hughes said she will be joining the NOS board. She and the radio station have made the program a youth charity partner for KRJCs Elko Sportsmen Expo.

Hughes said she pursued being on the board before KRJC became involved. She was looking for a general charity and a youth charity partner for the expo.

When I learned what Nevada Outdoor Schools, did it was just a great fit for what were doing with the Sportsmen Expo for the charity partners, Hughes said.

NOS joined the Chamber July 15.

There are so many benefits to joining the Chamber of commerce, Larsen said.

She said joining allows her organization to connect with other nonprofit groups and businesses.

Over the years, NOS has become the premier provider of environmental, outdoor and ethics education in rural Nevada partnering with many local agencies, organizations, non-profits, corporations and foundations. The impact and continual innovation of NOS programs resulted in a White House Champions of Change Award in 2014.

People or businesses who want to learn about Nevada Outdoor School may visit the organizations website nevadaoutdoorschool.org or Facebook page. People who want to donate should go to the website.

The organizations next fundraising event is Aug. 20 in Winnemucca. NOS hosts the Buckaroo Dutch Oven Cook-Off. Participants and tasters are needed for the event.
The DOJ filed a civil forfeiture complaint Wednesday against assets allegedly bought with money looted from Malaysias sovereign wealth fund, 1Malaysia Development Berhad.

More than $3.5 billion was misappropriated from the fund, the DOJ said.

It filed the 144-page complaint in federal court in Los Angeles.

The forfeiture action targeted about $1 billion in assets located in the United States, the UK, and Switzerland. The assets include mansions and penthouses, a $35 million executive jet, and artwork.

The DOJ said the assets are traceable to an international conspiracy to launder money misappropriated from 1MDB.

In February, Singapore seized a large number of bank accounts linked to a money laundering investigation involving the Malaysia state investment fund.

And in May, Singapore shut down the local operations of Swiss-based BSI Bank and named six bankers suspected of possible criminal conduct in connection with the handling of the Malaysian government fund.

It was the first time the Monetary Authority of Singapore had closed a bank since 1984.

1MDB is chaired by Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Wednesdays DOJ lawsuit didnt name Najib.

The suits named his step son, Riza Aziz, as a relevant individual in the case.

The civil complaints also named Low Taek Jho, also called Jho Low, a private businessman, and two Abu Dhabi government officials  Khadem al-Qubaisi and Mohamed Ahmed Badawy Al-Husseiny.

Riza Aziz is part owner of Red Granite Pictures, a movie production company that funded The Wolf of Wall Street. The DOJ filed forfeiture claims against the royalties from the movie.

Money diverted from 1MDB was also used to buy luxury real estate, pay gambling expenses at Las Vegas casinos, and purchase more than $200 million in artwork, including a van Gogh drawing, the DOJ said.

The real estate included a penthouse in the Time Warner building in Manhattan.

The alleged offenses occurred from 2009 through 2015, according to the complaints.

Switzerland and Luxembourg have also opened money laundering investigations into 1MDB.

The DOJ set up the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative in 2010 to take away safe havens for kleptocrats and their stolen money. This is the biggest forfeiture action since the initiative started.

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Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog. Hell be the keynote speaker at the FCPA Blog NYC Conference 2016.
Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney's careers have been blamed for their split.

Lady Gaga and Taylor Kinney

The couple - who got engaged in February 2015 - recently called time on their five-year romance and insiders believe their conflicting schedules caused the break-up.

A source told PEOPLE: "Their work kept them apart a lot. 'Chicago Fire' keeps him in Chicago and her work is almost always elsewhere."

The pair haven't been pictured together recently and she hasn't shared a picture of him on her social media accounts for over a month.

Last week, on Taylor's 35th birthday, Gaga, 30, was seen without her engagement ring while she was out and about in Malibu.

Taylor and Gaga met on the set of her 'You and I' video and she previously revealed how they kept their long-distance romance alive.

She said: "We don't have any rules about calling each other at certain times ... We'll go days at a time without talking and then we'll talk every day. He's on his journey and I'm on mine and we're gypsies. And then when we're together, we're really in love and that's it."

And she explained that her mother Cindy was in charge of planning the nuptials.

She said: "I think if I wouldn't let my mom do this with all of us and my family - I think if I would've denied the women of my life the planning of the wedding - they would probably kill me. I have all the help in the world in a way!"

The 'Born This Way' hitmaker was adamant her wedding to actor Taylor was going to be low-key.

She added: "We are not planning anything that is worth writing about."
Tom Sizemore has been arrested on domestic violence charges.

Tom Sizemore

TMZ reports that the 54-year-old actor has been accused of beating up his girlfriend, after the Los Angeles Police Department responded to several calls reporting a woman screaming, on Tuesday (19.07.16).

The website added: "When cops arrived, his girlfriend said she and Tom got into an argument that turned physical, and Tom struck her in the head and face."

The Wrap reports that he was booked for cohabitant abuse and is being held on $50,000 bail.

Two weeks ago, Tom accidentally mowed down a stuntman with a Cadillac Escalade while filming scenes for 'Shooter' in Santa Clara, Los Angeles.

Eight crew members tried to lift the heavy vehicle off the stuntman but were forced to call in a jack to free him.

The unknown man, who had sustained a number of serious injuries, was later airlifted to hospital by helicopter.

The horrific incident is currently being investigated by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, which deals with work-related injuries, and a report will be released at a later date.

'Shooter' is the TV adaptation of the 2007 action film of the same name and is due to premiere in the US on July 19.

The forthcoming American series is based on the novel 'Point of Impact' by Stephen Hunter and sees Ryan Phillipe portray, a top Marine sniper called Bob Lee Swagger, who disappears after a mission goes horribly wrong.
Muse have cancelled their planned concert in Turkey next week following the attempted military coup at the weekend.

Muse's Matt Bellamy

Last Friday (15.07.16) the armed forces in the country attempted to overthrow President Recep Erdogan and his government but the takeover was thwarted and now President Erdogan has launched a crackdown against the suspected coup leaders, leading to thousands of arrests.

Muse were due to take to the stage at the Blue Night venue in Istanbul on July 26 as part of their 'Drones World Tour' but Matt Bellamy and co have pulled the date over safety concerns.

A statement released by the band read: "We regret that, in light of recent capricious events in Turkey, we have decided to cancel our concert which was scheduled to take place on July 26. You can get a full refund of your tickets at www.biletix.com or all Bile outlets. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause. We look forward to seeing our Turkish fans in the future."

Muse - also comprised of Chris Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard - now have just six dates left on their tour and will wrap things up in Germany at the Rock Am See festival on August 20.
The English countryside is the heartland of romantic fiction. Jane Austen's Elizabeth Bennet found love surrounded by the beauty of Hertfordshire in Pride and Prejudice, Charlotte Bronte's Catherine Earnshaw was swept off her feet by Heathcliff on the Yorkshire Moors in Wuthering Heights and even Gilly Cooper set all her steamy stories in the Cotswolds.

Relationships on Female First

There's a reason why all these novels are set in the same sweep of countryside; lush green Britain is simple and beautiful; packed with secret beauty spots so couples can frolic in peace and privacy.

Here, Lucy Tittle, travel expert at easyCar Club, gives her top list of weekend escapes where couples can find their own romantic backdrop.

The Green and Pleasant Lands of Tisbury, Wiltshire

Even in winter, Wiltshire is a patchwork of different shades of luscious green. The picturesque village of Hindon is perfect for a weekend getaway, just two hours' drive from London - think quaint, crooked cottages and a village shop stuck in the 1950s.

Stay at The Lamb, a pub and restaurant, offering boutique rooms with four poster beds and freestanding bathtubs. Arrange for a bottle of champagne or prosecco to be waiting for you when you arrive to make the weekend extra special!

Follow the footpaths that zigzag across the rolling landscape and you can walk for hours without seeing another living soul - unless you count inquisitive sheep. End up at Great Ridge Wood, walking the Roman Road. Back at The Lamb, sit down early for lunch or dinner so you can grab a seat by the log fire. For local attractions, you can drive to the Neolithic site Stonehenge or visit Longleat Safari Park to see lions up-close.

Sophisticated seaside views in Folkestone, Kent

If walking along the beach is essential to your idea of a romantic weekend away, head to Kent and spend the weekend in Folkestone.

The town is fast shaking off its image as the grim seaside sprawl surrounding the Channel Tunnel. In the past decade, regeneration efforts have injected the once tired and decrepit town with life again. The 'creative quarter' and the Folkestone Triennial - the art festival which attracts internationally acclaimed artists as well as their well-heeled entourages of collectors and groupies - has transformed the place into a relaxed but sophisticated destination.

Walk along the golden beaches, admiring the white cliffs looming out of the sea in the distance. From the pubs that line the waterfront, watch fishermen steer their tiny boats back towards the harbour. These aren't just any pubs, they're proper British pubs complete with pool tables, jukeboxes, local ales and wonky windows. In the evening book a meal at RockSalt, run by the former head chef of Claridge's. Not only is the food good but the design is exquisite; come for the food, stay for the glass, curved timber and harbour views.

For something more low-key, buy fish and chips on the harbour and head to the bohemian bars which sit on the cobbled streets of the creative quarter.

Eco living: sleep in a yurt in West Wales

If you and your partner have been together for a long time, it's easy for trips away to become monotonous. If that's exactly what you were thinking, then maybe it's time to shake things up a little. Do something totally different and try sleeping in a yurt in the middle of the Welsh countryside! Find out why, over the past few years, 'eco glamping' has taken off in such a big way.

Yurt Farms offers glamping on a working, organic farm. Not only will your yurt have a wood-burning fire and a king-sized bed, you'll be given a basket of food fresh from the farm on your arrival. Cook it over the campfire in the morning, looking at the blue and spattered purple landscape of the downy Welsh mountains. The idea of a holiday like this is to go back to basics; leave your phone at home and relax. But if you are itching for some wholesome activities, visit the sheep, pigs, hens, goats and donkeys that live on the farm, or trek through the 150 acres of pasture, woodland and bluebells surrounding the campsite.

Run wild on the Scottish Heath

Dive face first into the Scottish wilderness. It may be a long drive from anywhere, but it's worth it. Just North of Glasgow, you can find the Drover's Inn - a traditional lodging where your carpet will be tartan and the stunning Loch Lomond will be just beyond your window. This used to be where Scottish 'drivers' - men who walked their cattle to the market - would stay as they made their way around Loch Lomond.

The countryside surrounding the pub-cum-hotel is some of the UK's most dramatic landscape. The mountains boldly rise above the glassy water while ginger cows peer through their fringes at the walkers and explorers passing through. Live music is a big thing here and the Drover's Inn attracts some of the area's finest folk musicians. This is a perfect base from which you can explore rural Scotland.
Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla visited Martin Clunes on the set of 'Doc Martin' on Tuesday (19.07.16).

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla

The 67-year-old royal chatted with the 54-year-old actor - who plays the lead character Dr Martin Ellingham in the British television show - as they toured the beautiful fishing village of Port Isaac in Cornwall.

The royal couple also met with Caroline Catz, who plays Martin's wife Louisa as well as other cast members including Joe Absolom (Al Large).

Cast members convened in Nathan Outlaw's restaurant before braving the heat to step outside and enjoy the sights of Port Isaac, which is known as the fictional village of Portwenn on the show, and pose for some photographs.

Earlier in the day, the Prince of Wales was at the harbour at Port Isaac, where he met with members of the local Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) as well as nearby business owners and tourists.

Prince Charles was also introduced to a Jack Russell dog called Jenny Cook, who joins its owner Michelle Pavey on the boat when she goes out to train with Port Isaac Rowing Club.

Of the popular pooch, club member Stephanie Gardner said: "Jenny Cook loves going out rowing with us and comes with us twice a week and wears her own lifejacket.

"She is a popular dog and has her own Facebook page. She will be able to add the picture of herself and the Prince to her Facebook page alongside the one with Martin Clunes."
Prince Harry has arrived in Africa to raise awareness of HIV.

Prince Harry

The 31-year-old royal has touched down in South Africa, where he is due to meet delegates at Aids 2016, a global conference about Aids.

Prince Harry will be joined by Sir Elton John to address the delegates on Thursday (21.07.16) and will host a session which will focus on how the disease affects young people.

Meanwhile, the 'I'm Still Standing' hitmaker previously praised Prince Harry for undergoing a HIV test last week which was broadcast live to the world on Facebook.

He wrote on Instagram: "In 1991, Princess Diana moved a mountain by addressing the stigma surrounding people living with HIV/AIDS. She showed the world we could safely wrap our arms around AIDS patients, by shaking hands with a patient without gloves. We've made huge strides since then in the treatment of the disease.

"People now live long, happy lives with HIV, when the virus is effectively managed with anti-retrovirals. Despite this amazing progress, most people today are still frightened and stigmatised at the notion of taking an HIV test. Today in London, Prince Harry gave that stigma a knock on the head by showing the world how easy and simple it is to take an HIV test. Bravo Prince Harry! Your mother would be so proud of you."

Speaking in the video, which was posted on The Royal Family's Facebook account, he said: "It's normal for me, even though I'm not from this part of London or being the person that I am and the people I am sitting around, I am still here being tested."

Prince Harry's result came back as "HIV non-reactive", which means he is "fine".
Prince William wanted to be a police officer when he was younger.

Prince William

The 34-year-old royal - who now works saving people's lives as a pilot with the East Anglian Air Ambulance service - always wanted to become a member of the constabulary so he could "protect his mummy", the late Princess Diana of Wales.

As a young boy, the father-of-two - who has Prince George, two, and Princess Charlotte, 14 months, with Duchess Catherine - was given a police uniform complete with cap and gloves by the Special Escort Group motorcycle officers, which he was thrilled with, the Mail Online reports.

Meanwhile, the Duke of Cambridge previously spoke of the importance of tackling male suicide after he had to attend to a man who had committed suicide on his first job as an air ambulance pilot.

Speaking at a meeting in London for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), a charity dedicated to tackling the stigma surrounding male suicide, he said: "In some of my charity work I have come across issues like this before, and coupled with my air ambulance work where my first job was a male suicide, I realised starkly how big a problem we have in this country. It was really close to me on that first day and one of the guys told me on average there are five attempted suicides a day. We need to do something about it. Get more men talking about their issues before it is too late and to stop feeling so strong and unable to seek help. Because it can destroy families, it can destroy lives."
'First Dates' is set to head to France for a hotel spin-off.

Fred Sirieix

The show will set up cameras in a cute boutique resort in the breathtaking countryside in a bid to give perfectly matched singletons the chance to turn their successful first date into a second, more romantic, meet up.

Adam Chapman, the series' editor, said: "The hotel, whilst retaining all of the charm of the restaurant series, will give the viewer the chance to see dates develop into second dates answering that eternal question 'what happens next.'"

Despite heading abroad, the spin-off will still see maitre d' Fred Sirieix - who owns the restaurant where singletons currently meet for their first date - help the chemistry.

Adan explained: "Maitre-D Fred will be on hand as always to deliver a bespoke first date like no other. The 'First Dates Hotel' will be the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern life; an oasis of romance where daters can concentrate on one thing and one thing only - finding love."

Channel 4's reality TV dating show has aired since 2013, and it involves two strangers embarking on a first date in a central London restaurant, after which they are interviewed to see how successful the arranged dinner was.

Meanwhile, this new version of the show is not the first time producers have played with the format, as they've also recently released a celerity edition that features stars like Esther Rantzen, Jessica Wright and Richard Blackwood.

Channel Four have yet to announce when the French hotel edition of 'First Dates' will air.
Global e-commerce or electronic commerce was worth $ 22.1 trillion in 2015, up 38 % since 2013, and developing countries should rapidly grasp its growing potential , UNCTAD said at the launch of a new e-commerce initiative.The new initiative, called 'eTrade for All' brings international organizations, donors and businesses under one umbrella, easing developing country access to cutting-edge technical assistance and giving donors more options for funding, the international body facilitating world trade announced.

Global e-commerce or electronic commerce was worth $ 22.1 trillion in 2015, up 38 % since 2013, and developing countries should rapidly grasp its growing potential , UNCTAD said at the launch of a new e-commerce initiative. The new initiative, called 'eTrade for All' brings international organizations, donors and businesses under one umbrella, easing...#

By providing new opportunities and new markets, online commerce can help generate economic opportunities, including jobs. But while more than 70 % of people are shopping online in Denmark, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom, the story is different in most developing countries. In Bangladesh, Ghana and Indonesia, for example, just 2 % or less of the population buy online.A huge divide is opening between countries that are exploiting those opportunities and those that are not, UNCTAD Secretary-General Mukhisa Kituyi said, ahead of the initiative's launch at UNCTAD 14.E-commerce includes both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C), respectively valued at around $19.9 trillion and $2.2 trillion each, according to the new UNCTAD data. This trade is mostly domestic, but is becoming more and more international.The new UNCTAD data shows that merging economies accounting for most of global e-commerce growth. China is the world's largest B2C e-commerce market, both in terms of sales and in number of online shoppers. Brazil, India, the Republic of Korea and the Russian Federation have also all moved into the top 10 e-commerce markets.I am delighted by this collaboration with our partners, which finally gives the global community an effective platform for helping developing countries access and benefit from e-commerce, Dr. Kituyi added.With strong involvement by the private sector  through a new Private Sector Advisory Council  and with financial contributions from the governments of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Sweden, Finland and South Korea, the 'eTrade for All' initiative will support developing countries which express an interest in boosting their online commerce.The initiative will help in developing countries in seven policy areas, including e-commerce assessments, information and communications technology infrastructure, payments, trade logistics, legal and regulatory frameworks, skills development and financing for e-commerce. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk  India
The Ministry of Health and Medical Services, is pleased to announce the achievement of several key milestones as part of its commitment to preventing and controlling Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) in Fiji.



The most recent of these is the launch of the National Patient Information System for Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease, which was formally launched this afternoon by the Minister for Health and Medical Services, Hon Jone Usamate, at the Novotel Hotel in Suva.



The national information system allows doctors and nurses to record the injections received by patients and identify patients who miss injections allowing at-risk patients to be followed up on by health workers.



The system was developed by Datec Fiji Ltd following extensive consultation with health workers and local RHD experts. The system is modelled on international best practise in RHD patient management systems.



The Minster for Health & Medical Services Hon. Jone Usamate said There are many barriers to patients receiving their injections, and this new National Patient Information System for RHD will be one of a number of activities aimed at improving management and support to patients, especially patients who are missing, or stopped going to the clinic for regular treatment.



The launch of the system follows a national RHD stakeholder meeting taking place this week to discuss and progress other aspects of the RHD Program including the early detection of RHD cases and the recently developed clinical guidelines for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.



These significant milestones have come as a result of large-scale investment and Ministry commitment to strengthening the RHD response including improvements in patient care and support as well as strategies aimed at increasing awareness about the link between sore throat and rheumatic heart disease, said RHD Control and Prevention Project Lead, Liz Kennedy.



RHD is a common yet preventable heart condition, causing significant morbidity, disability and mortality through childhood and into early adulthood. Recent research has shown that RHD affects as many as 1 in 20 children aged 5-15 in Fiji.



Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that begins with an infection in the throat and Rheumatic heart disease is a complication of rheumatic fever in which the heart valves are damaged.



Young people with a history of rheumatic fever or existing RHD are at a high risk of recurrent bouts of rheumatic fever, which may further damage the heart. An important priority of the RHD Program is preventing additional rheumatic fever infections, particularly in children through a regular penicillin injection every month.



Meanwhile, the RHD Program has benefitted from a variety of innovative approaches and partnerships and the Ministry of Health is grateful for the support received from the public and private sector. Since 2009, Cure Kids has supported RHD activities in Fiji through ongoing funding from foundation key partner Accor Hotels and support from FIJI Water Foundation who also provided specific funding for the Patient Information System.



The New Zealand Partnerships for International Development Fund is a major contributor to the current phase of the Program along with the technical support provided by Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the Auckland District Health Board.


The Navatukia village in the Soloira district, Naitasiri has declared its commitment to stop violence against women and children.



This follows the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Violence Free Community Campaign, spearheaded by the Ministry of Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation.



The community has undergone 10 phases of awareness programs, to prepare them to take the pledge to protect women and children from all forms of abuse and violence. It was a double celebration for the Navatukia villagers yesterday as the Indonesian delegation, led by the Minister of Women Empowerment and Children Protection, Prof. Dr. Yohana Susana Yembise and her team also witnessed the official declaration ceremony.



As part of this campaign, a billboard has been erected in front of the village which reads Navatukia village declared violence free community, and its a constant reminder to the villagers of the commitment they have made to stop violence. The billboard was unveiled yesterday, by the Minister for Women, Children and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Rosy Akbar and Indonesian Minister, Dr Yembise.



While addressing the community, Minister Akbar spoke to them on the need to work together as a society to say no to violence.



The Government is committed to creating more awareness amongst communities and thus the declaration of zero tolerance violence free communities in Fiji. The onus is on each one of you to take responsibility, to take ownership of the violence free campaign, where everybody sees violence as a serious crime and ensure to report it to the authorities, Minister Akbar said.



So, I encourage each one of you present here, to be responsible and protect your family, protect our children because they are our future. Through this program we are trying to reach out to the communities, to champion violence free societies.



Speaking on behalf of Navatukia villagers, village leader, Savenaia Nateilawa said the violence free community campaign is a step in the right direction for his people.



We thank the Ministry of Women for this great initiative; it has been an eye opener for us as community leaders on the importance of our role to stop violence. The awareness sessions have been very informative, men and women are encouraged to work together and women are given opportunity to fully participate in village meetings. We now have a gatekeepers committee in Navatukia that works closely with the Ministry of Women and the Fiji Police Force to ensure that help is readily available should a need arise for women to seek help and report cases, Mr Nateilawa said.



Mrs Asena Kenawai, president of Navatukia Womens Club said that the violence free campaign has given them a new beginning in life.



There are 30 women in our village, most of them stay home and make handicrafts and attend to domestic duties. Through this initiative, women have more knowledge on their rights to access justice and laws such as the Domestic Violence Decree gives them greater protection from domestic violence. It has taught women to value themselves, to work together to support other women, particularly to reach out and assist those who may be suffering in silence and that there is never any excuse for violence, we must take action to end violence, Mrs Kenawai said.



We are also grateful to Government for reaching out to us through income generating projects. We have also applied for assistance to start a poultry project and have been assisted with a women centre extension project that has given us a space of our own to have discussions, and conduct our weekly meetings for women.


WINNEMUCCA (AP)  Two federal firefighters from Winnemucca who were killed when their fire truck crashed on the way home from wildfire-spotting patrol near the Idaho line were "battle-born Nevadans" who served their state and country with honor, Gov. Brian Sandoval said at a memorial service Tuesday.

Nevada's state director of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, agency employees and state dignitaries joined local residents and family members in honoring Jacob O'Malley, 27, and Will Hawkins, 22, both of rural Winnemucca about 165 miles northeast of Reno on U.S. Interstate 80.

Friends and co-workers said the two were like brothers, known for their sense of humor and concern for others.

Sandoval evoked Nevada's "Battle Born" state slogan and spoke directly to their families during the memorial at the Winnemucca events center.

"The Nevada family is thankful for Jacob and Will's service, as we stand with you in honoring these two brave young men," Sandoval said. "We know their life's work lives on in the firefighters that are with us today."

Agency state director John Ruhs said they exemplified what it meant to be U.S. firefighters and should be remembered for their courage, dedication and friendship with their fellow fire crew members, according to the Reno Gazette-Journal (http://tinyurl.com/gpma3ta).

The Nevada Highway Patrol says a tire blow-out apparently caused their Bureau of Land Management fire truck to roll over several times in the fatal crash on July 10 about 40 miles north of Winnemucca.

Several speakers asked for prayers Tuesday for a 23-year-old firefighting colleague, Zachery McElroy of Reno, who remains hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries.

The Las Vegas Firefighters 1285 Honor Guard was among those who attended. The Humboldt General Hospital donated a 30-foot by 15-foot American flag that was hung from the top of a ladder on a Winnemucca Fire Department engine.

Lemar Liddell, commander of a Bureau of Land Management honor guard, told The Humboldt Sun the memorial was intended to "honor both the families and the fallen."

"We'll do whatever we can, within protocol, to give the families and districts what they need," he said.
HON PM BAINIMARAMA SPEECH AT COMMISSIONING OF MALOLO RURAL WATER PROJECT





Momo na Tui Lawa,Bula vinaka and a good morning to you all.Im delighted to be here today in Solevu Village with the islanders of Malolo to commission this rural water project that will supply you all with an uninterrupted flow of clean water.For many years, Solevus maritime geography has left your village isolated and vulnerable to water shortages, especially in the dry seasons. This hardship has worsened over the past two years, as we have faced especially severe drought conditions in our Western Division.The reality is, due to the pollution of greenhouse gas emissions by larger, developed nations, our climate is changing for the worse. And in Fiji, the experts tell us we will be facing even longer and more frequent periods of drought as time goes on.To allow the people of Solevu to remain dependent on outside sources for water when we are facing such dramatic realities of climate change is not a future my Government is willing to tolerate. It would not be responsible for us to allow your situation to remain unaddressed knowing what is to come. Knowing that the threat of prolonged droughts is ever increasing.We are fighting an aggressive campaign abroad to alert the world to our peril and stop the irresponsible behaviour of developed nations. But there are adaptation measures that we must take back home as well. This rural water project will help your village adapt to our changing climate by bringing a reliable and safe source of water directly to your village.My Government has financed this project because water is the single most precious building block to development. We cannot sustain life without it, we cannot sustain communities without it. But when communities have ample water, they thrive. Their health, their farming, their economy all can steadily improve when water is readily available.Indeed, the Fijian Constitution enshrines the right to clean water access for every Fijian, mandating that Government work to give every person adequate access to safe, quality water. That is a mandate my Government is continually working to meet through the Water Authority of Fiji. In the upcoming fiscal year, WAF has been allocated just over $300 million. And that allocation sets Fiji up for a secure water future, with the vast majority dedicated to capital projects  including the construction of new water sources and treatment plants, and the expansion of water distribution systems all over Fiji. It is an ambitious strategy covering rural, urban and peri-urban areas alike, but it is one that my Government is dedicated to pursuing because of the significant role reliable water access plays in economic development.The construction of this water project has cost $198,300 and it is an investment we are happy to make, because from clean water flow many benefits that keep us more productive and more resilient to environmental hardships.This project will service 130 households on the island and end the expensive, unreliable system of water carting. A system that, frankly, limited the possibilities of the people of Solevu. Without access to clean water, we cant stay healthy and hydrated throughout the day. We cant keep ourselves clean and maintain sanitary homes and schools. And we waste valuable time searching for water sources, or in the case of Solevu, waiting for water to arrive from the mainland. But today, that has all come to end. Today, we can all celebrate as your village receives an enormous boost towards securing a healthier and happier future.My Government has again and again made the extension of essential services to our rural and maritime regions a top priority. It is my Governments job to come to you. It is my Governments job to deliver development, infrastructure and services so that you can enjoy the same quality of life as any Fijian living on Viti Levu. And  as evidenced by this new water project  that is a responsibility we welcome and intend to meet.My fellow Fijians,Thank you for welcoming me into your village and for the traditional ceremonies of welcome you have afforded me. It is a privilege to be among you all, especially on day like today when my Government can officially open a water project that will service Solevu for many years to come.Vinaka vakalevu, thank you.
Jacqueline Fernandez is considered as one of the most beautiful actresses of Bollywood. She was crowned Miss Sri Lanka in 2006, before she entered the Hindi film industry. Her debut film (Aladin starring Riteish Deshmukh) was a huge disaster. But, she became an overnight sensation with Murder 2. And, her blockbuster hit, Kick, with Salman Khan gave her a royal entry to the A club of B'wood.

Today we have collected some gorgeous pictures of Jacqueline Fernandez which prove that she is born to slay.

Click on the slider to view some unseen pictures of the Bollywood beauty.



Not many people are aware that Jacqueline Fernandez is a Mass Communication graduate, after which she even worked as television reporter for a short while. She even hosted some shows on TV at the age of fourteen. Jacqueline worked in a television station and was reporting and investigating mainly on political turmoil. During that time, she got many modelling offers, and soon she decided to enter the Miss Sri Lanka contest.



Also Read: Is She A Dream? Katrina Kaif Looks Breathtakingly Beautiful Even In The Morning, This Picture Proves

Let us tell you one more interesting fact about the Bollywood diva. According to a report in TOI, the actress also owns a restaurant in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Its name is Kaema Sutra, and it serves items from her grandmother's recipe book. It's also famous for serving traditional Sri Lankan food.

On the work front, Jacqueline Fernandez would soon be seen in A Flying Jatt, opposite Tiger Shroff and Dishoom opposite Varun Dhawan and John Abraham.

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Baywatch 'baddie' Priyanka Chopra says being able to play a character with shades of grey is the best part about her Hollywood debut venture and feels being bad is like an addiction as 'we don't get to do that in real life'.

"The best part of working on 'Baywatch' is to be the villain of the movie. I don't think The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson has ever had anyone who's been mean to him. He's a great guy but Victoria is a bitch," said Priyanka.

Have You Seen These Pics of PeeCee From The Baywatch's Sets?

The actress spoke about her maiden Hollywood project in an interview to Flare Magazine, a Canadian fashion magazine.

Bold In Black! Deepika Padukone Propagates Charm In Her New Photoshoot [Pics]

The Baywatch movie is based on the hugely popular 1990s TV series of the same name. And Priyanka essays Victoria Leeds in it. Priyanka says Victoria is mean and patronising and evil just because she can be and I don't know if Dwayne's ever had that.

"So to me that was the best part of doing 'Baywatch' and getting on my high high heels and on my tippy toes and doing mean things and getting away with it. I enjoyed it way more than I should. Being bad is like an addiction, because we don't get to do that in real life," she added.

The actress is now busy shooting season two of "Quantico", which will return in September. The first season of the show will be back in India from the mid-season break on Star World and Star World HD next month.

In the show, Priyanka plays Alex Parrish, an FBI recruit who becomes a suspect of terrorist bombing of New York's Grand Central Station.

The show's storytelling prism shifts between the present day with Parrish navigating her way through a class of FBI new agent trainees to the near future as the truth and repercussions of the attack emerge.

Inputs From IANS
The youngest sibling of the Duchess of Cambridge, Pippa Middleton, finally sheds her single status only to get engaged to her entrepreneur boyfriend James Matthews. The couple puts an end to all the speculations and gossips doing rounds regarding the ring spotted on Pippa's left hand.

In a short, but precise deliberation the couple accepts being engaged to each other and plans to marry the following year. "Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr James Matthews are delighted to announce that they became engaged on Sunday, July 17, and plan to marry next year," the couple announced.

This development happened all of a sudden, and had taken Pippa by surprise as well. They were seeing each other for about a year or so, and finally decided to get engaged.

All the friends and family members from both the houses were very elated regarding this development and everyone is just waiting eagerly for their marriage next year.

"Things have got serious very quickly, but James just knew Pippa was the one and vice versa. Their close friends aren't surprised by the news, just thrilled. Everyone is looking forward to a big wedding next year." confirmed a source.

It is most likely that, Kate Middleton, would be asked to be the bridesmaid and be the maid of honour on Pippa's big day, while, Bucklebury or St. Barth could be the possible venue for marriage.
Rajinikanth is back and yet again he brings with him, a whole new level of madness. The 'Kabali craze', as the phenomenon is being referred to, has loomed large over the country, breaking and creating many records in the process.

The fascination towards the film and the superstar acted in it is itself a groundbreaking occurrence, which cannot be comprehended by someone far away from the Indian subcontinent.

Click on the slides below to know about the records created by Kabali

First Indian Movie In Malay Kabali is said to be the first Indian movie to be dubbed in Malay language. The move is comprehensible as Rajinikanth has more fan following in Malaysia than any other Indian actor. First South Indian Film In Hawaii According to a report, this Rajinikanth-starrer will be the first South Indian movie to be screened at Hawaii, a state in the United States of America. Flying Like A Boss Kabali created history when it became the first Indian movie to be promoted by a leading airline company. AirAsia India took the promotions to a different level by joining hands with the makers of the film. Teaser Record With 26 Million hits on YouTube, Kabali's teaser is the highest viewed Indian teaser ever. Within hours from its release, the 1 minute 6 second video garnered Lakhs of views and likes. Setting New Trends While other big budget movies featuring top stars, hit the big screen during festivals and holidays, Kabali decides to convert a normal day into a holiday. Many companies have declared a holiday on July 22, setting a new trend. When A Film Demands A State Holiday If you thought shutting down companies for a day just because of a movie was crazy, what about public demanding a state holiday with a formal petition to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu?

People flying all the way from Dubai, Japan, Malaysia and London just to experience the first day first show in Chennai when they can watch the movie at the comfort of their own country is a record in itself.

Kabali is also the first Indian movie to be screened at five star hotels, a concept that already exists in Western countries.

The Pa Ranjith directorial will be screened at top 4 star hotels in Bangalore.

"It (Kabali) will be screened at JW Mariott (Vittal Mallya Road), Lalit Ashok, Royal Orchid (Yelahanka) and Crowne Plaza (Electronics City) with sound effects and Canon screens for three days, starting Friday. Four shows, with a seating capacity of 300 for each, will be held every day," Anand G, Lahari Music, told Times of India.

Few hotels like Lalit Ashok are even planning to increase the capacity from 300 seats to 500, depending on the demand from fans and moviegoers.

"On Friday and Saturday, we will have one screen, with a 300-seating capacity. As we are expecting more crowd on Sunday, a second hall with 500 seats will be added," Manjunath Kowtal, a representative of Lalit Ashok told a leading daily.

Tickets are priced between 1300 to 1400 rupees which includes a coupon for either beverages or food. Going by the response from fans, owners are expecting a massive opening.

Continue reading the story in the slides above to know about other records created by Kabali

Also Read: Weekend Box Office: 'Dhilukku Dhuddu' Collects 12 Crores From Tamil Nadu Alone!
Fixed price of 100 per share

Amount of the capital increase: amount ranging between 21 million and 39 million, which may be raised to a maximum amount of 44.9 million (in the event of the full exercise of the overallotment option)

Closing of the fixed price offering and of the global placement scheduled 14 December 2016

The range of amount will be tightened to +/-15% at least three trading days before the closing date for the fixed price offering and the global placement

Regulatory News:

NextStage (Paris:NEXTS), an Investment Company that specialises in long-term investments in MSCs1 (Mid-Sized Companies), announces today the launch of its Initial Public Offering on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris.

Following the registration of its document de base under No. I.16-077 on

21 November 2016, the French Financial Markets Authority (AMF) issued Approval No. 16-561 for NextStage's Initial Public Offering Prospectus on 30 November 2016.

Reasons for the offering

The issue by the Company of the New Shares, for which it is requesting admission to trading, is intended to contribute to strengthening the Company's investment capacity.

Furthermore, NextStage's Initial Public Offering aims to give the Company and its shareholders the means to invest, while taking into account the unrestricted time value of a predetermined timetable, in order to create value by disposing of investments and generating capital gains based on an evergreen model. This flexibility will be made possible by the listing, which will enable any shareholders who wish to do so to resell their shares on the market.

The listing will enable a vehicle based on an evergreen model to be created, and interest to be generated among entrepreneurs over a long-term horizon on that basis, and so enable the sourcing of NextStage's investments to be improved.

Furthermore, the Initial Public Offering will enable NextStage to invest large amounts in companies, while complying with its diversification ratios, with a view to building a portfolio of between 40 and 50 companies, and reaching an equity capital level of 500 million by 2020.

A fund-raising of 30 million would enable up to five additional investments to be made over the coming months, or to increase the size of the tickets for investments that will be made in the next 12 months.

Thanks to the listing, NextStage will be able to focus on maximising the rate of return on its investments by

(i) positioning itself as a long-term partner with MSCs from the outset, which will be reflected in conditions for investing in their share capital and financial terms that will often be more attractive, (ii) choosing the exit point depending on growth potential, and (iii) using the profits generated, and the systematic reinvestment of all or a portion of the disposal proceeds from its investments in order to maximise the creation of shareholder value.

Furthermore, as a result of the listing, NextStage will provide a platform for investors who wish to benefit from the value creation potential offered by long-term investments in the most dynamic growth MSCs in the French and European economy, against a backdrop of historically low interest rates. This investment will occur in segments that are attractive from a tax standpoint, depending on the regulations in effect and the financial position of each private investor, either directly or indirectly, subject to availability e.g. unit-linked life insurance policies and "Vie Generation" policies, accumulation policies, the tax status of a venture capital company, Group Employee Retirement Saving Schemes, and pension funds.

Accordingly, NextStage is positioning itself in such a way as to catalyse long-term savings in the service of MSCs while providing liquidity to both long-term investors and to investors who want that liquidity or may need it in order to meet their prudential constraints (insurance companies, pension funds, or employee saving schemes, for instance) via its market listing. We would remind you that the Company aims to build a portfolio of between 40 and 50 companies, and to reach an equity capital level of 500 million by 2020.

In the event that the transaction is limited to 75% of the lower price range threshold, the Company will adjust its investment plans accordingly. The Company believes that it will be able to make a maximum of six investments based on the above scenario.

NextStage specialises in long-term investments in MSCs2

NextStage, which was founded in March 2015, is an investment company and platform that enables entrepreneurs and investors to meet one another. NextStage provides an innovative solution for equity investments in mid-sized companies (MSCs) based in France and Europe. It grants access to a category of assets that is unlisted and hard to access, which offers growth and performance. NextStage invests with no time limit (or "patient capital"), in order to support MSCs over the long-term and provide them with all the equity capital resources required from both a strategic and operating standpoint, so that they become the leaders on their market.

NextStage identifies and selects talented entrepreneurs at the head of companies with a tried and tested business model, and which have a significant growth potential. The aim is to drive the growth of leading MSCs via boosting their equity capital, on the basis of one or several of the four fundamental cross-sector trends arising from the 3rd Industrial Revolution, e.g. the economy linked to the value of our emotions and to the quality of the customer experience, the industrial Internet, the on-demand and sharing economy3, and positive growth (or green growth).

NextStage is a Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA)4, where the sole Managing Partner is NextStage AM, a Management Company founded in 2002, and authorised by the AMF. NextStage relies on NextStage AM's know-how, and on the expertise of its Partner Managers, Gregoire Sentilhes, Jean-David Haas, Vincent Bazi, and Nicolas de Saint Etienne. NextStage drives value creation thanks to innovation, internationalisation, external growth, and strengthening the teams from an operating standpoint by relying on a strong entrepreneur-investor culture: NextStage AM's Managing Partners combine their experience of business founders and private equity investors in Europe, as well as in the United States and Asia.

NextStage's share capital has been held by major institutional investors since the outset, including Amundi, AXA, advised by Ardian, the French Insurance Management Fund (FGA), and well-known private investors such as Artemis and Tethys, together with NextStage AM's founding partners. These shareholders, who are confident in the company's prospects, have actively supported its development strategy, which is based on MSCs that are part of the 3rd Industrial Revolution, since its foundation. NextStage has opted for the tax status of a venture-capital company (Societe de capital-risque), in order to benefit from the favourable tax arrangements attached to that status in the event that profits or capital gains are generated5

A new approach to equity investment in MSCs, via an entrepreneur-investor strategy

NextStage offers a new approach to equity investment in MSCs, thanks to:

Unique value creation via "patient capital": investing with no time limits enables the Company to drive growth over the long term and to maximise value creation for investors;

The tried and tested know-how of the NextStage AM teams in terms of selecting, and driving growth at MSCs. The NextStage AM teams have raised 510 million since the management company was founded in 2002, and have made 107 investments in both unlisted and listed companies. The exit multiple for listed investments has been 1.94 times, while the exit multiple for unlisted investments has been 1.85 times since early 2009 6

Over the past 15 years, the NextStage AM team has built a virtuous entrepreneurial ecosystem, which feeds a substantial deal flow, most often without any intermediaries (involving 300 deals on average every year compared with only 5 to 10 investments made every year, following a thorough selection process);

Close alignment of interests between NextStage, entrepreneurs and investors: a light cost structure with sliding management fees7, dividends and capital gains that are reinvested and capitalised within NextStage, in order to maximise their value, and lastly, a carried interest8, which strengthens the alignment between the investment team and shareholders.

A portfolio that already includes 8 investments made in 16 months, and a Net Asset Value of 117.9 million as at 30.09.2016

NextStage has built a portfolio of eight companies in just 16 months. First, NextStage selects talented entrepreneurs at the head of companies where the business model is tried and tested and robust, and which have significant growth potential. The investment consists almost exclusively in equity capital (shares or convertible bonds), while the use of leverage is nil or limited. The amount invested may range between 4 million9 and 40 million. NextStage is systematically represented, and plays an active role in the governance system of the companies in which it invests10. The companies in NextStage's portfolio generated average revenues of

38.6 million in 2015, and reported an average revenue growth rate of 25.3%. All of the companies offer strong growth potential over the coming years. NextStage's NAV amounted to 117.9 million as at 30 September 2016, i.e. 100.228 per share, including 45.6 million in unlisted investments, and 75.1 million in available cash.

An ambitious development plan

NextStage is entering a new stage of its development, by strengthening its financial resources with a view to new investments, in order to gradually reach a target equity capital level of 500 million by 2020, and build a portfolio of between 40 and 50 companies, with a target breakdown of 75% in the unlisted sector, and 25% in the listed sector on Euronext or Alternext. The company wishes to become a standard-setting investor in MSCs in France and Europe.

Terms of the IPO

Structure of the offering

The Offering (as defined below) will consist of the admission to the market of a number ranging between 210,000 and 390,000 new shares, which may be increased to a maximum number of 448,500 new shares in the event of the full exercise of the overallotment option (the "overallotment option

The plan is for the Shares Offered to be distributed as part of a global offering (the "Offering"), which includes:

a public offering in France in the form of a fixed-price offering, which is primarily intended for private individuals (the " French Public Offering " or " FPO

" or " an international offering that is primarily intended for institutional investors (the "International Offering") in France and in certain other countries (specifically excluding the United States).

The distribution of the shares to the public in France will take place in accordance with the provisions of Articles P 1.2.1 et seq. of Book II of the Euronext market rules regarding the specific rules applicable to French regulated markets. The Shares Offered will be allocated between the International Offering on the one hand, and the FPO, on the other, depending on the nature and size of the demand, in compliance with the principles specified by Article 315-35 of the AMF General Regulations. If the demand expressed as part of the FPO allows, the number of shares allocated in response to the orders issued as part of the FPO will be at least equivalent to 10% of the New Shares. If the demand as part of the FPO is lower than 10% of the New Shares, the balance of the New Shares that has not been allocated as part of the FPO will be offered as part of the International Offering.

Initial size of the offering

An amount ranging between 21and 39 million, i.e. a maximum number of new shares to be issued ranging between 210,000 and 390,000, which may be increased to a maximum amount of 44.9 million, which corresponds to the issue of a maximum number of 448,500 new shares, for indicative purposes, in the event that the overallotment option is fully exercised.

Tightening of the range of amount

A press release will be disseminated at most three trading days prior to the close of the French Public Offering and of the International Offering, in order to determine a range of amount for the issue of more or less 15% within the indicative range mentioned above. In the event that the size of the Offering is set at an amount higher than the higher issue range, an additional securities note will be submitted to the AMF for approval within the same time period.

Price

The price has been set at 100 per share.

The price of the shares offered in the French Public Offering will be equivalent to the price of the shares offered in the International Offering (the "Offer Price

Overallotment option

The overallotment option will represent a maximum amount of 15% of the number of new shares offered, i.e. a maximum number of additional 448,000 new shares. This overallotment option may be exercised by the Lead Managers and the Joint Book Runners in one instalment at any time, in whole or in part, during a period of thirty calendar days as from the date when the FPO and the International Offering close, i.e. by 18 January 2017 inclusive at the latest.

Gross proceeds of the Offering

The gross proceeds of the New Share issue will range between 21 million and 39 million, which may be increased to a maximum amount of 44.9 million, in the event of the full exercise of the overallotment option.

Estimated net proceeds of the Offering

The net proceeds of the New Share issue will range between 20.0 million and 37.5 million, which may be increased to a maximum amount of 43.2 million, in the event of the full exercise of the overallotment option.

Based on the lower threshold of the price range, the free float and market capitalisation targets will be 11.9% and 137 million respectively.

Based on the upper threshold of the price range, the free float and market capitalisation targets will be 20.1% and 155 million respectively.

Subscription commitments from current shareholders and new investors

No subscription commitment had been entered into at the date of the approval. Furthermore, the Company is not aware that its main shareholders, or members of its administration, management, or supervisory bodies intend to subscribe.

However, discussions are ongoing with institutional investors, who have shown signs of interest, but have not given any commitment to subscribe to the Company in view of their internal investment decision process.

We would remind you that NextStage Croissance is under an obligation to reinvest 90 to 95% of the amounts raised in NextStage as a result of its investment policy. NextStage Croissance had not entered into any subscription commitment with the Company as at the date of the approval.

Lock-up commitments from the shareholders

Lock-up commitments from the Company: 180 calendar days.

Lock-up commitments from holders of ordinary shares:

As at the date when this Prospectus was approved, the shareholders in the Company, except for NextStage Croissance, had subscribed to lock-up commitments for the ordinary shares that they hold in accordance with the following terms and conditions:

100% of their ordinary shares until the expiry of a six-month period that will begin to run as from the date when the ordinary shares in the Company are listed for the first time;

75% of their ordinary shares until the expiry of a 12-month period that will begin to run as from the date when the ordinary shares in the Company are listed for the first time;

50% of their ordinary shares until the expiry of an 18-month period that will begin to run as from the date when the ordinary shares in the Company are listed for the first time;

25% of their ordinary shares until the expiry of a 24-month period that will begin to run as from the date when the ordinary shares in the Company are listed for the first time;

Lock-up commitments from holders of Class C preferred shares:

In accordance with the provisions of the Class C preferred share management agreement, which is described in Section 19.2 "Other Arrangements" in the document de base, the Class C preferred shares will be placed in escrow in the Company's ledgers until the right to convert them into ordinary shares in the Company is exercised. As a result, they may not be transferred to third parties.

The ordinary shares issued on conversion of the Class C preferred shares will also be placed in escrow for a period of two years as from their conversion. In any event, the holding of the preferred shares or ordinary shares that may result from the conversion requires an aggregate lock-up commitment of five years in view of the tax applicable to carried interest arrangements (Arthuis Scheme).

Expected timetable for the transaction

30 November 2016 AMF visa on the Prospectus 1 December 2016 Press release announcing the Offer

Euronext notice of the opening of the FPO

Opening of the French Public Offering and of the International Offering 9 December 2016 Issuance of a press release by the Company regarding the setting of an

amount range for the offer of +/-15% 14 December 2016 Closing of the French Public Offering at 5:00 pm (Paris time) for over-

the-counter orders and at 8:00 pm (Paris time) for Internet orders

the-counter orders and at 8:00 pm (Paris time) for Internet orders Closing of the International Offering at 5:00 pm (Paris time) (except early

close) 15 December 2016 Euronext notice of the results of the Offering 19 December 2016 Settlement and delivery of the FPO and International Offering 20 December 2016 Beginning of trading in the Company's shares on Euronext Paris on a

unique quotation line entitled "NEXTSTAGE"

unique quotation line entitled "NEXTSTAGE" Beginning of the potential stabilisation period 18 January 2017 Deadline for exercise of the overallotment option

End of the potential stabilisation period 30 January 2017 Date when the Class C preferred shares will be allotted to the

beneficiaries of the carried interest mechanism (for further information

regarding the carried interest mechanism, please see Section 19.2 of the

Document de base

beneficiaries of the carried interest mechanism (for further information regarding the carried interest mechanism, please see Section 19.2 of the Disclosure of the NAV as at 31 December 2016

Terms of subscription

Anyone wishing to participate in the French Public Offering must place their orders via a financial intermediary registered in France, no later than 5:00 pm (Paris time) for over-the-counter orders and 8:00 pm (Paris time) for Internet orders on 14 December 2016.

To be accepted, orders placed as part of the International Offering must be received by one of the Lead Managers and Joint Book Runners no later than 8:00 pm (Paris time) on 14 December 2016.

NextStage shares identification codes

Name: NEXTSTAGE

ISIN Code: FR0012789386

Mnemonic: NEXTS

Compartment: Compartment C

Business sector: ICB classification: 8775 Specialised Financial Activities

Financial intermediaries

Further information on NextStage's tax and legal status

Tax status

NextStage has opted for the tax status of a venture-capital company (Societe de capital-risque), in order to benefit from the favourable tax arrangements attached to that status in the event that profits or capital gains are generated11. It is specified that the tax status attached to venture-capital companies allows for a tax exemption or reduction on certain proceeds and capital gains distributed by the venture-capital company, subject to certain conditions, including a five-year holding period (for further information, please see Section 4.3.4 "Risks relating to the arrangements for venture-capital companies" in the "Document de Base"). The specific features of the tax arrangements that apply to the holding period for shares in the Company may have an impact on the liquidity of the shares.

Legal form

NextStage is organised in the form of a Partnership Limited by Shares (SCA) In view of the Company's legal form, NextStage Partners, the General Partner, and NextStage AM, the Managing Partner, have considerable powers compared with those of the other corporate bodies (General Meeting of Limited Partners, and/or Supervisory Board). In addition, it is appropriate to remind you that NextStage's Managing Directors are identical to NextStage AM's Managing Directors. Due to the existence of a Supervisory Board that includes a majority of independent members, and is assisted by specialised committees, the Company nonetheless believes that the Managing Partner and General Partner's control over the Company may not be exercised in an abusive manner. However, the governance system does not provide the same structural and legal guarantees for the protection of the Limited Partners' rights and powers as that provided by other corporate forms.

Dilution

The Company's shareholders may be diluted as a result of the issuance or conversion of preferred shares.

Lack of dividend payments

NextStage does not intend to pay dividends over the coming years, in order to reinvest those dividends within the Company.

Availability of the Prospectus

Copies of the prospectus, which received a visa from the AMF on 30 November 2016 under No. 16-561, and consists of the Document de base registered with the AMF under No. I.16-077, the securities note, and the summary of the Prospectus (contained in the securities note), will be available free of charge on a request from NextStage (19, avenue George V, 75008 Paris) as well as on the Company's website (www.nextstage/sca.com) and the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org).

Risk factors

Risk factors Investors are invited to carefully review the risk factors set out in Chapter 4 "Risk Factors" in the "Document de Base". The materialisation of all or some of these risks could have an adverse impact on the company's business activities, reputation, operating income, financial position or future prospects. Readers are specifically invited to familiarise themselves with the following risk factors: risks relating to the Company's business activities (loss of capital, liquidity and valuation) to the specific legal features (SCA) and tax features (conditions that the Company and shareholders must comply with in order to benefit from the favourable tax arrangements for venture capital companies), as well as to its dividend policy (as the Company does not intend to pay dividends).

About NextStage

NextStage is an investment company that was founded in March 2015 and specialises in Mid-Sized Companies (MSCs); it provides access to a category of unlisted assets that are hard to access, and offer growth and potential. Its investments consist of equity capital with little or no leverage, and with no time limits, alongside visionary entrepreneurs. NextStage relies on the know-how and strength of the NextStage AM management company, which was founded in 2002. NextStage had already made eight investments as at 30 September 2016. The Company benefits from attractive venture capital company tax arrangements. The Company's share capital is held by top-tier investors such as Artemis, Thetys, AXA, and Amundi, etc. NextStage intends to draw up an ambitious plan, where the aim is to drive the growth of leading MSCs via boosting their equity capital, on the basis of one or several of the four fundamental cross-sector trends arising from the 3rd Industrial Revolution, e.g. the economy linked to the value of our emotions and to the quality of the customer experience, the industrial Internet, the on-demand and sharing economy, and positive growth (or green growth).

For further information, please go to www.nextstage-ipo.com or to info-investor@nextstage.com

Disclaimer

This press release, and the information that it contains, does not amount to an offer for sale or subscription, or to the solicitation of a purchase or subscription order for shares in NextStage (the "Company") in any country. No shares have been or will be offered in France prior to obtaining the French Financial Markets Authority's (the "AMF") approval of a prospectus that consists of the "Document de Base" that is the subject of this press release and of an offering circular that will be submitted to the AMF at a later date.

This press release does not amount to an offer for sale of transferable securities, or any solicitation of a purchase or subscription order for transferable securities in the United States. Shares or any other transferable securities issued by the Company can only be offered or sold in the United States following registration pursuant to the US Securities Act 1933, as amended, or in the event of an exemption to this registration requirement. The Company's shares have not been, and will not be registered under the US Securities Act 1933, as amended, and the Company does not intend to launch any public offering of its shares in the United States.

This press release does not amount to, and cannot be construed as a public offering, or an offer to purchase or subscribe, or as intended to attract interest from the general public with a view to a transaction via a public offering.

The dissemination of this press release may be the subject of specific regulations in some countries. Persons in possession of the press release must therefore familiarise themselves with any local restrictions, and comply with them.

This press release amounts to a promotional communication and not to a prospectus within the meaning of Directive 2003/71/EC issued by the European Parliament and Council on 4 November 2003 (as specifically amended by Directive 2010/73/EU to the extent that this Directive has been transposed in each Member State of the European Economic Area) (the "Prospectus Directive

In the case of European Economic Area Member States that have transposed the Prospectus Directive, no measures have been undertaken or will be undertaken in order to enable a public offering of the transferable securities that are the subject of this press release, and which requires NextStage to publish a prospectus in any Member State other than France. As a result, the Company's shares cannot be offered and will not be offered in any Member State other than France, except in accordance with the exemptions provided for in Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, if such exemptions have been transposed in that Member State, or in other cases that do not require the Company to publish a prospectus under Article 3(2) of the Prospectus Directive, and/or the regulations applicable in that Member State.

This press release has not been approved and has not been circulated by an "authorised person" within the meaning of Article 21(1) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. As a result, this press release is solely addressed to (i) persons outside the United Kingdom, (ii) "investment professionals" within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 as amended, (iii) are referred to in Article 49(2) (a) to (d) "high net worth companiesandunincorporated associationsof the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, or (iv) to any other person to whom this press release may be addressed in accordance with the law (the persons mentioned in Paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are jointly referred to as the "Authorised Persons"). The warrants and the new shares are exclusively intended for Authorised Persons, and any invitation, offer, of contract relating to the subscription, purchase, or acquisition of stock warrants and new shares may only be addressed to, or entered into with Authorised Persons. Any person other than an Authorised Person must refrain from using or from basing their decisions on this press release and the information that it contains. This press release does not amount to a prospectus approved by the Financial Services Authority or by any United Kingdom Regulatory Authority within the meaning of Section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. No guarantee is given regarding the realisation of these forward-looking statements, which involve risks, including those described in the "Document de Base" registered with the AMF under No. I.16-077 on 21 November 2016, and which depend on changes in the economic conditions, the financial markets, and the sector in which NextStage operates.

Portzamparc Societe de Bourse, acting in the capacity of the stabilising agent, or any firm acting on its behalf, may intervene for the purpose of stabilising the market in NextStage's Shares, without being bound to do so, and with the option to end that process at any time, for a period of 30 days as from the closing of the offering, i.e. until 18 January 2017 according to the indicative timetable, in compliance with the applicable legislation and regulations, and specifically (EC) Regulation No. 596/2014 issued by the European Commission on 16 April 2014, as supplemented by (EU) Delegated Regulation No. 2016/1052 issued by the Commission on 8 March 2016. Any interventions performed in relation to these activities are aimed at supporting the price of NextStage's shares on the market, and are likely to affect that price.

THIS PRESS RELEASE MUST NOT BE PUBLISHED, CIRCULATED, OR DISTRIBUTED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, OR JAPAN.

1 MSC: Mid-Sized Company: Revenues ranging between 10 million and 500 million

2 Mid-Size Company or MSC: A company that generates revenues of between 10 million and 500 million.

3 On-demandand sharing economy: This is primarily the so-called quaternary sector of the economy, the products of which are neither goods nor services, but new services that include goods, as well as the temporary availability of goods or people.

4 Please refer to the details regarding the Company's tax and legal status on page 9 of this press release.

5 Please refer to the details regarding the Company's tax and legal status on page 9 of this press release.

6 As at 31.12.2015, according to the figures audited by KPMG on an annual basis

7 Management fees: on a sliding scale of 1.25% up to 300 million, 1% between 300 million and 500 million, and 0.75% above 500 million

8 Carried interest: a mechanism that offers the teams an equity stake in the performance of their portfolio. This mechanism works as follows: the individuals concerned subscribe to preferred shares that are convertible into ordinary shares on an annual basis at the end of a financial year, where the value created for shareholders over one year, as measured by the increase in market capitalisation (excluding any external capital transactions) plus any dividends paid, exceeds 8% of the market capitalisation at the beginning of the financial year. It is worth specifying in this context that the carried interest is not paid in cash, but in shares with a lock-up undertaking of two years. Furthermore, it is also worth noting that shareholders could also see their interest in the Company diluted at the time of capital increases resulting from the issue of new shares following the conversion of the Class C preferred shares as part of the management's team equity-based profit-sharing mechanism (carried interest). In addition, this potential dilution would be compounded in the event that the Company achieves its goal of increasing its equity capital to 500 million by 2020.

9 4 million exclusively dedicated to unlisted investments

10 Systematically for unlisted investments

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161130006499/en/

Contacts:

NextStage

Gwenael Hedoux

gh@nextstage.com

+33 1 53 93 49 40

or

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

Investor & Analyst Relations

Delphine Maillet

delphine.maillet@citigate.fr

+ 33 1 53 32 84 75

or

Media Relations

Alienor Miens

alienor.miens@citigate.fr

+ 33 6 64 32 81 75

or

Nicolas Castex

nicolas.castex@citigate.fr

+ 33 6 66 58 82 45
CALGARY, Alberta, January 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

(All dollar figures are expressed in United States Dollars)

Madalena Energy Inc. ('Madalena' or the 'Company') (TSXV: MVN and OTCQX: MDLNF) is pleased to announce that its previously announced transactions with Pan American Energy LLC, Sucursal Argentina ("PAE") relating to Madalena's 90% working interest ("WI") in the Coiron Amargo Sur Este block ("CASE") have closed and Madalena has received the balance of the $10 million consideration owed.

As a result of the transactions, PAE holds a 55% WI in, and operatorship of, CASE.Madalena retains a 35% non-operated WI in CASE, with the remaining 10% ownership of CASE held by Gas y Petroleo del Neuquen, the provincial oil and gas company in the Province of Neuquen, Argentina. Concurrently, PAE has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to provide Madalena with a loan of up to $40 million, on a limited recourse basis, to be drawn-down as required to fund certain capital expenditures. This limited recourse loan will bear interest at 7% per annum and is repayable in five years from the net revenue generated from the capital expenditure program.

The 2017 work program at CASE described in the Company's December 7, 2016 news release, comprised of, among other things, two well re-entries, will be undertaken by PAE as the new operator of CASE, with a net benefit to Madalena of up to $5.6 million in carried capital costs.PAE intends to initiate the first of two well re-entries as soon as possible.

Use of Proceeds

The proceeds from the transactions will be used to partially address the liquidity challenges currently being experienced by the Company. In particular, Madalena expects that the overdue amounts payable to the operator at Coiron Amargo Norte (described in the November 22, 2016 news release) will be satisfied and therefore the risk of forfeiture avoided.

Strategic Alternatives Update

The previously announced strategic alternatives process continues. The Company, along with its financial advisor, Evercore Group LLC, is in ongoing discussions with multiple potential counterparties. As indicated previously, there can be no assurance that any additional transactions will be consummated.

About Madalena Energy

Madalena is an independent, Canadian headquartered, Argentina focused upstream oil and gas company with operations in four provinces of Argentina where it is focused on the delineation of unconventional resources in the Vaca Muerta shale, Lower Agrio shale and Loma Montosa oil plays. The Company is implementing horizontal drilling and completions technology to develop both its conventional and resource plays.

Madalena trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MVN and on the OTCQX under the symbol MDLNF.

About PAE

PAE is the largest private hydrocarbon producing company in Argentina. It contributes 18% of hydrocarbon produced in the country and has had the highest growth rate and the highest reserve replacement ratio in Argentina over the past 10 years. In 2016, PAE invested $1.4 billion, after having invested $13 billion between 2001 and 2015.

Over the past 14 years, PAE increased its oil production by 34% and gas production by 67%.

PAE employs more than 12,000 people either directly or indirectly and has a presence in the four major hydrocarbon producing basins in Argentina: Golfo San Jorge, with the largest oil production in Cerro Dragon, the largest oilfield in the country; Neuquina, the largest gas basin and the hub for the future development of unconventional reservoirs; Noroeste (province of Salta) and the Austral Basin (located offshore Tierra del Fuego), with significant production of gas, the main source of energy in the country.

Reader Advisories

Forward Looking Information

The information in this news release contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future performance, inparticular, but not limited to,with respect to matters related to the transactions described herein, the associated work program, the use of proceeds from the transactions described herein and their impact on the Company's liquidity challengesand matters related to the strategic review. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "approximate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe", "would" and similar expressions. These statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control, including: the impact of general economic conditions; industry conditions; changes in laws and regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced; fluctuations in commodity prices and foreign exchange and interest rates; stock market volatility and market valuations; volatility in market prices for oil and natural gas; liabilities inherent in oil and natural gas operations; uncertainties associated with estimating oil and natural gas reserves; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions, of reserves, undeveloped lands and skilled personnel; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; changes in income tax laws or changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the oil and gas industry; geological, technical, drilling and processing problems and other difficulties in producing petroleum reserves; and obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur or, if any of them do, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may be based on assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Investors are encouraged to review and consider the additional risk factors set forth in the Company's Annual Information Form, which is available on SEDAR atwww.sedar.com.

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

Media Contact:

Steven Sharpe

Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

Madalena Energy Inc.

Phone: (403)-262-1901 (Ext. 1)

ssharpe@madalenaenergy.com



Thomas Love

CA, VP, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Madalena Energy Inc.

Phone: (403)-262-1901 (Ext. 227)

tlove@madalenaenergy.com


AMSTERDAM, Nov. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --Constellium N.V. (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) today announced that its subsidiaries, Wise Metals Intermediate Holdings LLC and Wise Holdings Finance Corporation, have called for redemption their 9% / 10% Senior PIK Toggle Notes due 2019 (the "Notes") pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the Notes. Constellium expects to complete the redemption on December 5, 2016. The redemption price for the Notes is 104.875% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Constellium intends to use cash on hand to pay the redemption price. This transaction reflects management's confidence in the Company's liquidity position and will reduce gross debt and related interest costs.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130624/NY37453LOGO

About Constellium

Constellium (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium generated 5.2 billion of revenue in 2015.

www.constellium.com

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release may contain "forward looking statements" with respect to our business, results of operations and financial condition, and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events and conditions. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as, but not limited to, "believes," "expects," "may," "should," "approximately," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," likely," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions (or the negative of these terminologies or expressions). All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Many risks and uncertainties are inherent in our industry and markets. Others are more specific to our business and operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Constellium and Wise Metals to achieve expected synergies and the timing thereof; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; Constellium's increased levels of indebtedness as a result of the acquisition of Wise Metals, which could limit Constellium's operating flexibility and opportunities; the potential failure to retain key employees as a result of the acquisition of Wise Metals or during the integration of the business, the loss of customers, suppliers and other business relationships as a result of the acquisition of Wise Metals; disruptions to business operations resulting from the acquisition of Wise Metals; slower or lower than expected growth in the North American market for Body-in-White aluminium rolled products and other risk factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and as described from time to time in subsequent reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The occurrence of the events described and the achievement of the expected results depend on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
DALLAS (dpa-AFX) - Leadership of the Communications Workers of America has notified AT&T (T) that former DIRECTV field services employees have voted to ratify two agreements between the CWA and the company. The agreements, which were reached on September 29, cover about 200 employees in the Midwest region, and about 900 employees in the Southwest region; and place the employees in existing contracts in those regions. The former DIRECTV employees joined AT&T as part of AT&T's July 2015 acquisition of DIRECTV. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.




Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited Marketing Department System Memory Business Division Tel: +81-45-755-7035 Fujitsu Limited Public and Investor Relations Tel: +81-3-3215-5259 URL: www.fujitsu.com/global/news/contacts/

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Oct 26, 2016 - (JCN Newswire) - Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited today announced the launch of the 4 Mbit ReRAM(1) MB85AS4MT, the world's largest density mass-produced ReRAM product. This is the first ReRAM product to be jointly developed with Panasonic Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd(2).The MB85AS4MT is an SPI-interface ReRAM product that operates with a wide range of power supply voltage, from 1.65V to 3.6V. It features an extremely small average current in read operations of 0.2mA at a maximum operating frequency of 5MHz.It is optimal for battery operated wearable devices and medical devices such as hearing aids, which require high density, low power consumption electronic components.Up to this point, Fujitsu Semiconductor has contributed to resolving issues for clients with a need for specifications with greater performance than conventional non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM and serial flash memory, by providing FRAM products, which have such features as high read/write endurance and low power consumption. By adding the new 4 Mbit ReRAM MB85AS4MT to its lineup, Fujitsu Semiconductor can now further expand the options it offers to meet the diversifying needs of its customers.This product features the ability to operate with a wide range of power supply voltage, from 1.65V to 3.6V, can be operated at a maximum of 5MHz through an SPI interface, and uses extremely small average current during read operations (0.2mA operating at 5MHz). It offers the industry's lowest power consumption for read operations in non-volatile memory.The package is a 209mil 8 pin small outline package (SOP), pin-compatible with other non-volatile memory products such as EEPROM. Fujitsu Semiconductor has mounted a 4 Mbit memory density, exceeding the maximum density of serial interface EEPROM, in a miniature 8-pin SOP package size.Fujitsu Semiconductor expects that the MB85AS4MT, featuring high density and low power consumption, will be used in battery-operated wearable devices, medical devices such as hearing aids, and IoT devices such as meters and sensors.Going forward, Fujitsu Semiconductor will continue to provide products and solutions aimed at improving the value and convenience of customers' applications.Main Specifications- Product Part Number: MB85AS4MT- Memory Density (configuration): 4 Mbit (512K words x 8 bits)- Interface: Serial peripheral interface (SPI)- Operating power supply voltage: 1.65V - 3.6V- Low power consumption:- Read operating current: 0.2mA (at 5MHz)- Write operating current: 1.3mA (during write cycle time)- Standby current: 10microA- Sleep current: 2microA- Guaranteed write cycles: 1.2 million cycles- Guaranteed read cycles: Unlimited- Write cycle time (256 byte page): 16ms (with 100% data inversion)- Data retention: 10 years (up to 85degC)- Package: 209mil 8-pin SOP(1) ReRAM: Resistive random access memory. A form of non-volatile memory in which a pulse voltage is applied to a metal oxide thin film, creating massive changes in resistance to record ones and zeros. With a simple structure of metal oxide placed between electrodes, the manufacturing process is very simple, while still offering such excellent features as low power consumption and fast write. Panasonic Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd. began mass-production of microcomputers with ReRAM in 2013.(2) Panasonic Semiconductor Solutions Co., Ltd:1 Kotari-yakemachi, Nagaokakyo City, Kyoto 617-8520, Japan http://www.semicon.panasonic.co.jp/en/About Fujitsu SemiconductorFujitsu Semiconductor Group includes a system memory group that is focused on high quality, high performance Ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), wafer foundry group that has excellent technology and support, and the sales business of Fujitsu Electronics and overseas sales companies. Headquartered in Yokohama, we established as a subsidiary of Fujitsu Limited on March 21, 2008. Through its global sales and development network, with sites in Japan and throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas, we offer semiconductor solutions to the global marketplace.For more information, please see:: http://www.fujitsu.com/jp/fsl/en/About Fujitsu LtdFujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 159,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702; ADR:FJTSY) reported consolidated revenues of 4.7 trillion yen (US$41 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.* Please see this press release, with images, at:http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/Source: Fujitsu LtdContact:Copyright 2016 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) - In the wake of the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union, investors across the globe face what in commodity trading inevitably equates to risk: uncertainty. The CEO of Redbed Investments LLE, Reda Bedjaoui, joins the world's foremost economic leaders in evaluating Brexit's possible impact on global markets. The financial expert has been providing superior guidance on multi-sector international trading to corporations for over a decade, sharing with his clients his clear vision of the markets' tendencies.

The veteran counselor commented that, with Britain's decision to leave the EU, unexplored financial, as well as political, waters are being ventured, and immediate market reactions reflected as much. While the UK will remain part of the EU for at least two more years, and exit negotiations are yet to begin, investors have confirmed their belief that the UK's departure from the EU will lead to economic downfall. Thousands liquidated British assets, opting for the more secure dollar and yen, causing the pound to plummet to its lowest value since 1985.

The sheer quantity of variables surrounding Britain, and in turn Europe's, future are a focal point of concern among investors, remarked Bedjaoui, and the primary cause of the stock market volatility seen across New York, London, and Tokyo following the results of the Brexit vote. Scotland and Northern Ireland have both made clear their wish to rejoin the EU, implicating their future in the UK, while exit negotiations will determine whether Britain will remain in the EU's common market after departure, or if multinational banks JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup will reallocate resources from London to other EU financial centers.

The mounting unknowns in the global landscape have placed unprecedented risk, in the minds of investors, on markets, and forced them to turn to safer options, like gold and government debt. The CEO is confident a financial meltdown akin to the one of 2008 is highly unlikely, as markets will undoubtedly calm as Brexit headlines begin to cease, but the Pound and Euro will necessarily depreciate over the coming months. Expect harsh, timely reactions of investors to any breaking news regarding Britain's financial capital London, British negotiations with the EU, or claims of independence made by Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Born in Paris, France, Reda Bedjaoui studied at Universite de Montreal, where he received a Bachelor in Law degree. He sought further education at Hague Academy of International Law in the Netherlands before being admitted to the Bar of Quebec, Canada in 1995. Since, he has acquired a fascination of the ways corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory compliance affect a company's goals and, by extension, its bottom line. He has spent the past decade managing commodity risk exposure and providing governance to a number of international companies, consequently becoming an international leader on multi-sector investing.

Reda Bedjaoui -- Expert Investor and CEO of Redbed Investments: http://www.redabedjaouinews.com

Reda Bedjaoui -- Shares Expertise on ETFs: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3002082

Reda Bedjaoui -- Outlines Key Characteristics of Trading Styles in Commodity Sub-Sectors: http://www.streetinsider.com/Press+Releases/Reda+Bedjaoui+--+Outlines+Key+Characteristics+of+Trading+Styles+in+Commodity+Sub-Sectors/11816325.html

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/7/20/11G107306/Images/mw1ao37b630140c71f8a1b3t115b2-7f0b8b9791878a4ab34ccbdf48e3b61c.jpg

Contact Information

ICMediaDirect.com

TEL: 1.800.595.0821

www.ICMediaDirect.com

pr@icmediadirect.com
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Estonia's producer prices continued to decline at the end of the second quarter, figures from Statistics Estonia showed Wednesday. Producer prices fell 1.4 percent year-over-year in June, but slower than the 1.8 percent decrease in the prior month. The price index for mining and quarrying plunged 15.1 percent annually in June and manufacturing prices slid by 1.1 percent. On a monthly basis, producer prices climbed 0.6 percent in June. Import prices dipped 3.2 percent in June from a year ago, while it rose 1.2 percent from May. Similarly, export prices dropped 1.6 percent yearly and went up 1.3 percent from the previous month. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - TalkTalk Telecom Group PLC (TALK.L) reported that its first-quarter revenues decreased 0.4% year-on-year. On-net revenues were down 2.0% reflecting the smaller average on-net base in the quarter. Corporate revenue grew strongly by 7.5% with continuing growth in Data and further growth in Carrier revenues helping offset a legacy voice decline of 31%. Off-net revenues declined by 14.3%. TalkTalk Telecom expects fiscal 2017 revenues to grow modestly over the full year, driven by a broadly stable broadband base and continued growth in TalkTalk Business; and Headline EBITDA of 320-360 million pounds. The Group expects the fiscal 2017 dividend to be at least in line with that of fiscal 2016 and covered by free cashflow. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
LUND, Sweden, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

6 new products will be presented in Alfa Laval's exhibition stand at Chillventa 2016 in Nuremberg, Germany, 11-13 October. Special highlight will also be given to Data Center Cooling and Alfa Laval's comprehensive service portfolio.

Visit us in Hall 7A, Stand 7A-214

http://www.alfalaval.com/chillventa2016

Data Center Cooling

With strong expertise in free cooling, air flow management and heat recovery, Alfa Laval is a reliable supplier for energy efficient data center cooling solutions with low PUE. New products on display:

Alfa Laval Abatigo, a closed-chamber adiabatic liquid cooler

Alfa Laval Arctigo LSV, heavy duty industrial air coolers built on the Low Speed Ventilation concept

Related lectures:October 11 at 13:40 (20 min) - Hall 7A, Stand 7A-618

Alfa Laval Abatigo - Replacing cooling towers

by Kari Salonen,Alfa Laval

October 13 at 13:20 (20 min) - Hall 4A, Stand 4A-401

Alfa Laval Arctigo LSV - The most effective server cooling

by Mats Carselid, Alfa Laval

Industrial Refrigeration

Alfa Laval provides energy efficient refrigeration for all kinds of industrial premises and applications. The now complete range of industrial air coolers, Alfa Laval Arctigo, offers a variety of cooler configurations and options to optimize very specific installations.

Alfa Laval Arctigo ID, dual discharge industrial air cooler

Alfa Laval Arctigo IS, single discharge industrial air cooler

Commercial Refrigeration

Alfa Laval's energy efficient range for commercial refrigeration is ready for the future in terms of international refrigerant and emission regulations. On display at Chillventa 2016 are three new products:

Alfa Laval AlfaNova 200, fusion-bonded plate heat exchanger

Alfa Laval Optigo CCB, commercial air cooler

Alfa Laval TK20 with U-turn semi-welded plate heat exchanger with liquid separator developed specially for use in ammonia applications.

HVAC with AHRI Certification

Alfa Laval is taking an active role in promoting AHRI performance certification. Featured in the stand is the Alfa Laval AQ4L AlfaQ' - part of the HVAC range that is certified according to the AHRI Liquid to Liquid Heat Exchangers (LLHE) Certification Program. The certification ensures thermal performance according to manufacturers' published specifications.

Alfa Laval Service

Alfa Laval will specially highlight the route to maximum uptime, prolonged product life cycle, global availability and optimized operation over time. Meet our dedicated service experts on-site who will share knowledge and advise on how to save time, energy and cost.

Press breakfast - October 12 at 9.00

Wednesday morning, Alfa Laval will arrange a press breakfast in the exhibition stand. Journalists will get an introduction to the new products and service programs. Alfa Laval experts will be available for in depth discussions. Contact Rolf Lindenberg for registration.

About Alfa Laval:

Alfa Laval is a leading global provider of specialized products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling.

The company's equipment, systems and services are dedicated to assisting customers in optimizingthe performance of their processes. The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transportproducts in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol.

Alfa Laval's products are also used in power plants, aboard ships, in the mechanical engineeringindustry, in the mining industry and for wastewater treatment, as well as for comfort climate andrefrigeration applications.

Alfa Laval's worldwide organization works closely with customers in nearly 100 countries to help themstay ahead in the global arena.

http://www.alfalaval.com
NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Asia Pacific Broadcasting Equipment Market: Increasing Popularity of High Definition (HD) Media Expected to Drive Growth during Forecast Period 2016 - 2024

According to the latest report published by Persistence Market Research, titled "Broadcasting Equipment Market: Asia Pacific Industry Analysis and Forecast, 2016-2024",the broadcasting equipment market in APAC region is expected to be valued at US$ 5,104.8 Mn by 2024.

The broadcasting equipment market in APAC region was valued at US$ 2487.5 Mn in 2015 and is expected to register a CAGR of 8.1% from 2016 to 2024. The growth of broadcasting equipment market in APAC region is primarily driven by convergence of high definition technologies such as 4K with IP. As per the report, 4K services are expected to be available on IP networks over the next four to five years via satellite launching and cable platforms.

The report has segmented theAPAC broadcasting equipment marketinto traditional TV broadcast, traditional radio broadcast, IP converged broadcasting and asset management systems.

Traditional TV broadcast segment was valued at US$ 1123 Mn in 2015 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period (2016-2024). The traditional radio broadcast segment was valued at US$ 544 Mn in 2015 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. The IP converged broadcasting is projected to be the fastest growing segment in APAC broadcasting equipment market, exhibiting a CAGR of 10.0% during the forecast period.

Request for the Report Sample:http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/11317

Traditional TV broadcast segment accounted for 45.1% share in terms of value of the total APAC broadcasting equipment market in 2015. Consumption of high definition content in APAC region is increasing at a rapid pace, supported by rising sales of HD ready TVs.

The traditional TV broadcast equipment market is further segmented into camera, monitors, routers, switchers, cable, transmitter, receiver and other accessories. Routers sub-segment is projected to expand at the highest CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period. Content creators across the region are shifting towards 4K cameras in order to capture high definition video. This is being supported by sales of 4K UHD television that has gained momentum due to rising disposable income in the region.

Key players of the APAC Broadcasting Equipment market include Media Excel Inc.(US), ChyronHego Corporation (US), TVU Networks Corporation (US), XOR Media Inc.(US), FOR-A Company (Japan), ORACLE Corporation (US), Unlimi-Tech Software Inc. (US), Grass Valley (Canada) and General Dynamics Mediaware (Australia).

Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/asia-pacific-broadcasting-equipment-market/toc

This report covers trends that are driving each segment and offers analysis and insights regarding the potential of the broadcasting equipment market in APAC regions.

APAC region includes the following countries:

China

Japan

India

ASEAN

ANZ

Rest of APAC.

Browse through the fullAPAC Broadcasting Equipment MarketReport athttp://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/asia-pacific-broadcasting-equipment-market.asp

About Us:

Persistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.

To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.

Journalist Resources: Analysts who have compiled this report are available for interviews and quotes at media@persistencemarketresearch.com

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WWF and Toyota Motor Corporation have entered into a five-year agreement aimed at accelerating the globe's transition to sustainability.

Toyota Motor Corporation Public Affairs Division Global Communications Department Tel: +81-3-3817-9926

TOKYO, July 20, 2016 - (JCN Newswire) - WWF and Toyota Motor Corporation have entered into a five-year agreement aimed at accelerating the globe's transition to sustainability. Through this partnership, the organizations will work together to promote biodiversity conservation, raise environmental awareness and accelerate the move toward a "zero carbon" society.Toyota is the first car company and the first Japanese company to sign a Global Corporate Partnership agreement with WWF. The agreement went into effect on July 1, 2016.As part of the partnership, Toyota will support the Living Asian Forest Project, a new series of existing and planned WWF activities to conserve tropical forests and wildlife in Southeast Asia. The project will take place in WWF priority places Borneo (Kalimantan) and Sumatra in Indonesia. In the future, the project will expand to the Greater Mekong region.The project will also focus on increasing the sustainability of natural resources such as wood, paper and pulp, palm oil and natural rubber. Unsustainable production and use of these commodities are among the main causes of deforestation and increased threats to endangered species in these regions.Toyota will donate US$1 million to the Living Asian Forest Project in 2016 and will continue its support for a total of five years. The support strengthens efforts toward achieving the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 goals of aiming to reduce Toyota's environmental footprint to zero, while creating value and producing benefit to society in the face of global-scale environmental issues. The Living Asian Forest Project will specifically help accomplish one of the six challenges: to establish a future society in harmony with nature.With demand expected to rise for natural rubber-the main resource for car tires-the partnership recognizes that the sustainable production and use of natural rubber is required for forest ecosystem conservation. Toyota acknowledges the environmental and social challenges surrounding natural rubber, and will collaborate with industries and stakeholders to contribute to international standard-setting as well as other related activities that WWF promotes.Throughout the partnership, WWF and Toyota will also work together to help realize a zero carbon society. In order to successfully meet the company's Zero CO2 Emissions Challenges under its Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota has already joined the Science Based Targets initiative that is aimed at helping companies combat climate change.Didier Leroy, Executive Vice President of Toyota, said: "We share the same vision as WWF: to achieve a truly sustainable society and leave a living planet for future generations. When we started working on concrete actions to achieve our Environmental Challenge 2050, we decided that joining forces with non-governmental organizations which are experts in their field was essential. Our partnership, and projects like the Living Asian Forest Project, are among the most effective ways for a company like ours to make a positive impact and raise awareness among our employees, suppliers, and customers of the importance of sustainable resource management."Marco Lambertini, Director General of WWF International, said: "WWF is delighted to join forces with Toyota in order to accelerate efforts needed to prevent the dangerous degradation of the natural systems we all depend on. Science has never been clearer and awareness of the problems and solutions to the many environmental challenges that the world is facing has never been greater. We need more private sector organizations like Toyota to step up and find solutions to these challenges. WWF commends Toyota's vision to help make a safer, healthier more sustainable world a reality for future generations and our living planet."Arnold Sitompul, Conservation Director of WWF Indonesia, said: "One of the exciting outcomes of this partnership will be the strengthening of our work to conserve tropical forest ecosystems in Kalimantan and Sumatra. These are important homes for critically endangered species, and essential proving grounds for the sustainable management of natural resources."WWF Global Corporate PartnershipThis partnership is based on a common understanding of issues, shared ambitions or activities, and a willingness to speak out in public. Typically, three types of cooperation with a partner company will be implemented in the partnership; (a) driving sustainable business practices; (b) communications and awareness raising; and (c) philanthropic contributions to support WWF conservation projects.Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050With the aim of contributing to the sustainability of the global environment, in October 2015, Toyota had announced the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050. Toyota is taking on new challenges that consider the world 20 or 30 years in the future that will help address key global environmental issues such as climate change, water shortage, resource depletion, and degradation of biodiversity. The Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 aims to reduce the negative impact of manufacturing and driving vehicles to zero, and also, to create value and produce benefit to society. The challenge is composed of six individual challenges across three areas: ever-better cars, ever-better manufacturing, and enriching lives of communities. http://www.toyota-global.com/sustainability/environment/challenge2050/Science Based Targets initiativeThe Science Based Targets is a collaborative initiative by WWF, CDP, WRI, and the UN Global Compact to support companies to set emission reduction targets in line with what the science says is necessary to keep global warming well below the dangerous threshold of 2degC. The initiative provides a range of guidance documents and tools to support target setting processes. More than 160 companies worldwide have committed to setting such ambitious climate targets (as of July 1, 2016).Overview of "Living Asian Forest Project"The "Living Planet Index"(1) had decreased by more than 50% during the period from 1970 to 2010 with a particularly significant decrease of 56% in the tropics ("Living Planet Report 2014"). While tropical forests in Southeast Asia, one of the mega-biodiversity spots in the world, still hold valuable ecosystems, its forests have been lost drastically.As part of the Toyota and WWF partnership the "Living Asian Forest Project" will aim, at helping the conservation of tropical forests and wildlife in Southeast Asia. Projects include landscapes inside WWF's priority places in Borneo (Kalimantan) and Sumatra. In the future and depending on the results of the initial local initiatives, the project may expand to the Greater Mekong region, across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.Unsustainable production and use of key commodities has been one of the main reasons of deforestation and increased threats to endangered species in the regions. The project activities will therefore focus on increasing the sustainability of natural resources such as wood, paper and pulp, palm oil and natural rubber. The project will also include wildlife surveys, restoration of forests, and community empowerment. The inclusion of work on commodities is to implement WWF's "One Planet Perspective"(2) vision which calls for better choices for managing, using and sharing natural resources, and this framework provides a set of effective activities in order to conserve biodiversity and forests also as important storage of CO2 in the regions.As for natural rubber which is the main material of automobile-tire and other products, the partnership will work on promoting sustainable natural rubber. It is expected that the demand for natural rubber will expand in the subsequent years, and the sustainable production and use of natural rubber is required for forest ecosystem conservation.Toyota recognizes environmental and social challenges surrounding natural rubber and collaborates with industries and stakeholders to positively contribute to international standard setting for sustainable natural rubber and other activities which WWF promotes.(1) Living Planet Index ("LPI")Based on trends in 10,380 populations of 3,038 mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian and fish species, WWF and ZSL (Zoological Society of London) calculate and report the LPI, to evaluate the status of world's biodiversity every two years. The LPI shows a decline of 52% between 1970 and 2010, which suggests that, on average, vertebrate species populations are about half the size they were 40 years ago.(2) Better Choices from a One Planet PerspectiveWWF proposes "One Planet Perspective," which outlines better choices for managing, using and sharing natural resources within the planet's limitations, so as to ensure food, water and energy securityAbout WWFWWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with over five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.Please refer to www.panda.org/news for the latest news and media resources on the WWF.About ToyotaSupported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of December 2013, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 52 overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions. Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.Source: ToyotaContact:Copyright 2016 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen trimmed its early gains against its major rivals in pre-European deals on Wednesday. The yen eased to 117.11 versus the euro, 107.83 against the Swiss franc and 81.65 against the Canadian dollar, from its early 2-day highs of 116.54, 107.30 and 81.18, respectively. Reversing from early highs of 105.83 against the greenback and 74.32 against the kiwi, the yen edged down to 106.30 and 75.11, respectively. The yen slipped to 139.35 against the pound and 79.78 against the aussie, off its early 5-day highs of 138.34 and 79.27, respectively. The yen may find support around 108.00 against the greenback, 120.00 against the euro, 110.00 against the franc, 144.00 against the pound, 84.00 against the aussie, 80.00 against the kiwi and 84.00 against the loonie. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
"It has never been easier to pay securely on Zaful."

SHENZHEN, China, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Zaful is well respected in the fashion ecommerce niche by customers and competitors alike. Zaful is known for high quality clothing, the latest trends, affordable prices, or the amazing customer support, but one aspect people rarely heard of is the secure payment system. Zaful values its customers and always wants them to feel safe and secure when shopping online. Today Zaful engineers discuss the latest in payments and what Zaful is doing to keep customers secure.

While consumers trust PayPal as one of the most secure systems in the world, Zaful provides one of the safest ways to shop online. People can store money on their PayPal accounts or even link their bank accounts. PayPal users have the options to pay either by PayPal credit or by installations.

Customers who do not want to create a PayPal account can pay directly by credit card. Zaful has created a secure system that will prevent customer's data from leaking. Cards that are currently accepted for direct payment include American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa, JCB, and Diners Club. Zaful will look to import more credit card types as they become available.

Local payments are often popular for people from specific countries. For instance, local payments often have lower fees for users and they can be loyal to their own countries. Brazilian customers can pay by Boleto Bancario, which often reduces fees of paying by credit cards because of Brazil's high import and export rates for international businesses. Currently this is the only local payment on Zaful, but it's just a start. Zaful will begin to carry more local payment types as demand rises. In the near future, Zaful will accept payments from the following local payment companies: Cashu is accepted for Middle Eastern or North American customers. Russian customers can pay by Webmoney or Qiwi. Countries like the Netherlands can use Ideal, and softbanking for Europe.

Last but not least, customers who do not have cards or are scared of paying online can use Western Union and wire transfers. Zaful will work closely with customers paying with this method to ensure money is transfered to the right account during the transaction process.

For more information, please visit http://www.zaful.com/ and its sister companies' websites: SammyDressand Rosegal.
OXFORD, England, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Expands Pipeline With Novel CNS Assets in a Transformative Deal

Chronos Therapeutics Ltd (Chronos), the private biotech company focused on ageing diseases, brain and nervous system disorders, today announced the acquisition of three pre-clinical development programmes targeting Central Nervous System (CNS) diseases from a subsidiary of Shire Plc.

Chronos has acquired all intellectual property, know-how, development and marketing rights for each programme on a worldwide basis. Shire becomes a strategic equity investor in Chronos and is eligible for milestone payments on regulatory approval of products relating to the programmes, followed by royalties and milestone payments on sales of the products. Shire has a right of first negotiation for each of the programmes on commercial terms, as well as rights to re-acquire each of the programmes in the event that Chronos does not invest specified minimum amounts.

The programmes target fatigue in multiple sclerosis, addictive behaviours and potentially post-traumatic stress disorder and may have potential beyond the initial target indications. Each of the disease targets represents an area of significant unmet medical need.

The transaction expands Chronos' pipeline significantly and complements the Company's existing programme in the fatal motor neurone disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Dr Huw Jones, CEO of Chronos Therapeutics, commented: "We are very pleased to have acquired these programmes, extending the breadth of our portfolio and complementing our programme in ALS. Taking the programmes forward in areas of unmet need in the CNS segment creates significant value for Chronos and its shareholders as well as ultimately providing patients with new treatment options, alleviating significant suffering."

Contacts

Chronos Therapeutics

Dr Huw Jones, CEO

Dr Helen Kuhlman, VP Corporate Development: Tel: +44 (0) 1865-309-500



Hume Brophy (for Chronos Therapeutics)

Mary Clark, Eva Haas, Alexia Faure: Tel: +44 (0) 20-7862-6389 chronostherapeutics@humebrophy.com





Notes to Editors

About Chronos Therapeutics

Chronos Therapeutics Ltd. is a privately held biotechnology company focused on diseases of ageing, brain and nervous system disorders. Chronos has a dedicated laboratory in Oxford, which screens for activity of drugs in brain disease through its proprietary platform, Chronoscreen[TM].



It has an extensive library of re-purposed molecules showing promise for brain and neurological diseases. The lead compound, RDC5, is being developed for the fatal neurodegenerative disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Chronos recently acquired three new chemical entity (NCE) development programs for CNS diseases. The most advanced programme is initially targeting fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis with the others addressing behavioural and neurodegenerative conditions. Chronos' shareholders include the University of Oxford, Vulpes Testudo and Life Sciences funds, Odey European and Swan funds, the Board and Management.



About Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

The motor neurone disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterised by progressive death of the primary motor neurones in the central nervous system. Symptoms include muscle weakness and muscle wasting, difficulty in swallowing and undertaking everyday tasks.

As the disease progresses, the muscles responsible for breathing can fail, gradually causing dyspnoea or difficulty in breathing. ALS Has an average prevalence of 2 per 100,000. Prevalence is higher in UK & USA than many other countries, up to 5 per 100,000. There are estimated to be over 50,000 patients in the USA and 5,000 patients in the UK with the condition. Mortality rates for ALS sufferers is high with 10 year survival after diagnosis below 10% and average survival of 39 months from diagnosis. There is only one drug currently approved for treatment, riluzole which provides a modest increase in lifespan for ALS patients but minimal improvement in symptoms.



About Multiple Sclerosis and Fatigue

An estimated 2.3 million people globally have multiple sclerosis according to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation. Fatigue is the most common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). It occurs in 75% to 95% of patients with MS and as many as 40% of patients have described it as the single most disabling symptom of the disease.

There are two major types of fatigue in MS. These two types of fatigue are probably separate problems related to the MS. The first type is a general feeling of tiredness. It may feel as if one has not slept the night before. This feeling may be worse in the afternoons or after activity. People may feel that they are unable to do as many tasks without getting tired as they did before. A second type of fatigue is muscular. In this type, there is increased weakness after repeated activity. Often, this occurs with walking. People may find that they are dragging one leg or are more unsteady.



About Addictive Behaviours

There are a number of addictive behaviours that represent significant unmet medical needs and require novel treatments. Chronos is targeting binge eating, alcohol and nicotine addictions.

Binge eating is an eating disorder where a person feels compelled to overeat on a regular basis through regular "binges" or consumption of very large quantities of food over a very short period of time, even when they are not hungry. The condition tends to first develop in young adults, although many people do not seek help until they are in their 30s or 40s. There is a 1 in 30 to 1 in 50 chance of a person developing binge eating disorder at some point during their life and it can lead to a variety of health problems that can, in extreme circumstances, be life-threatening. Whilst more women suffer from the condition than men, binge eating is not particularly uncommon in men with the prevalence ratio of approximately 1.5 women for every man with the disorder.

Nicotine and alcohol addiction: Addiction involves repeated use of a psychoactive substance (such as nicotine or alcohol) causing a user to be intoxicated with a compulsion to take the preferred substance and often a determination to obtain the substance by almost any means. Addicts also have difficulty in modifying or stopping substance use. They build up tolerance to the addictive substance, sometimes requiring more and more for the same effect and develop withdrawal syndromes when use is interrupted.

Addiction to nicotine via tobacco kills one person prematurely every six seconds and 50% of long term smokers according to World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, with tobacco attributed deaths predicted to rise to 8 million globally a year by 2030. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also notes that about 480,000 Americans die every year from smoking related causes involving cancers (chiefly lung cancer), stroke, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Excessive alcohol use (as caused by addiction or binging) has caused 10% of deaths among working-age adults aged 20-64 years in the USA with economic costs in 2010 in the USA alone of $249 billion. WHO also estimates that harmful alcohol use causes 3.3 million deaths a year, globally. Short term health risks, most often the result of binge-drinking, include accidents, injuries, alcohol poisoning and risky sexual behaviours. Over a longer time excessive alcohol use can lead to chronic diseases including high blood pressure, cancers, mental health and social problems.
NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Global Stair Lifts Market: Ease of Accessibility and Low Installation Costs Driving Demand for Stair Lifts; Europe Most Lucrative Market Globally

According to the Persistence Market Research report analysis the globalstair lifts marketis anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 7% during the forecast period 2016-2024. Europe will remain the largest market, while North America will grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period.

Ease of accessibility and low installation costs are the key factors driving the growth of the stair lifts market. Moreover, the rise in geriatric population and ageing-related health conditions, such as osteoarthritis is also accelerating the demand for stair lifts. High level of mobility and user-friendliness is considered to be a top feature of stair lifts. In addition, the quick premarket approval process is expected to play a key role in pushing the demand for stair lifts during the forecast period.

High prices and negative customer reviews regarding the post-sales service are longstanding challenges in the stair lift market. In addition, concerns regarding the potential risk of injury owing to inappropriate installation will continue to pose challenges to growth.

Thinking about report: Please observe the beneath the hyperlinks to satisfy your necessities; Request for the Report Sample: http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/5621

Owing to their numerous advantages, various government and private organizations are looking to invest in star lifts, and this is expected to create growth opportunities for manufacturers during the forecast period. Implementation of latest technology to enhance safety is expected to increase confidence among consumers, thereby, bolstering demand during the forecast period.

Incorporation of adaptive technology, such as manual and powered Swivel technology along with a safety switch is a key trend among manufacturers. Another key trend in the stair life market is the use of rechargeable batteries which has led to simplified operations and high efficiency.

Europe will remain the numero uno market for stair lifts during the forecast period 2016-2024. The Europe stair life market is expected to reach US$ 396 Mn by the end of 2016 and witness a CAGR of 7.2% through 2024. Strong distribution strategy and unparalleled product innovation will primarily drive the European stair lifts market. The UK, Germany, and France are expected to retain their position as the top 3 markets in Europe during the forecast period, with the UK stair lifts market expected to surpass US$ 167 Mn in 2016.

Request TOC (desk of content material), Figures and Tables of the report:http://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/stair-lifts-market/toc

North America will remain the second largest market for stair lifts, with overall demand dominated by the US. Innovative products and quicker premarket approvals are expected to play a key role in driving the growth of the North America stair lift market. Moreover, increased awareness about stair lifts among patients with disabled mobility is also expected to fuel demand during the forecast period. In the backdrop of these factors, the North America stair lift market is anticipated to reach US$ 284.9 Mn in 2016.

Asia Pacific, the third largest market for stair lifts, is expected to witness impressive growth during the forecast period. The APAC stair lift market is expected to grow by 5% in terms of revenues in 2016. Japan is expected to remain the largest market during the forecast period, followed by China.

Key players operating in the stair lift market include Stannah Stairlifts Ltd., Acorn Stairlifts, Bruno Independent Living Aids, Inc, and Handicare. Leading brands available in the market include Starla, Siena, Acorn Superglide 120, Elan Indoor Straight, and Handicare Van Gogh.

Browse through the fullStair Lifts MarketReport athttp://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/stair-lifts-market.asp

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To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.

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Artist's impression of Spain's PAZ satellite. EL PAIS

After an eighteen-month delay and convinced that Russias President Putin isnt going to give the green light it needs, Spains Hisdesat  a joint venture between satellite company Hispasat and the Defense Ministry  has decided to cancel its contract with Russias Cosmotrans to launch Paz, a new military Earth radar observation satellite, say sector sources.

Hisdesat will reportedly look for an out-of-court solution to recover the 15 million it has so far paid Cosmotrans, and is already looking for an alternative company to launch Paz, which could also be Russian. It is also scouting US companies, which would likely be a more costly solution.

The Paz satellite is intended to perform global observation to assist multiple military and civil applications including rescue, maritime surveillance, tactical support, border control, natural disaster management, environmental control, risk management, and counter-piracy actions.

Paz is the first Earth radar observation satellite in Spain, and is part of the Spanish National Earth Observation Program

It is intended to be placed in sun-synchronous dawn-dusk orbit at an altitude of 514km, and will operate with a velocity of 25,200km/h. It can provide images under all-weather conditions during day and night of surface-based activities, and can perform high-resolution mapping of a large geographical area. It can store up to 256GB of images and supply more than 100 images a day. Its normal revisit period is 11 days, and on-orbit mission duration is five-and-a-half years.

Paz was earlier known as the Satelite Espanol de Observacion SAR (SEOSAR) observation satellite. Its production and integration process was completed in Madrid in September 2013, while the launch was scheduled for the first quarter of 2015.

But the ongoing dispute between Russia and Ukraine, which prompted the EU to impose sanctions on Moscow, has stymied the launch of Spains first spy satellite.

Sector sources say that Spain will now have to choose between Russias state-owned Roscosmos, which uses the Soyuz rocket, or US outfit SpaceX, which uses Falcon rockets to launch satellites from its base in California. They add that Hisdesat will likely prefer the US option. Either way, the cost will be four times that of using Cosmotrans.

Paz is the first Earth radar observation satellite in Spain, and is part of the Spanish National Earth Observation Program (PNOTS), which is owned by the Spanish Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

Hisdesat, a government satellite services operator, signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the development and construction of Paz in November 2008.

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The total cost of the satellites design, development, flight and ground segments, and launch is estimated to be 160m ($180m) of which, 135m ($152m) will be funded by the Spanish Ministry of Defense and the remaining by Hisdesat.

As the prime contractor, Airbus Defence and Space is responsible for the development, construction, systems engineering, integration, testing, validation and location of the satellite into orbit. The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor was designed and built by Airbus Defence and Space at its Madrid-Barajas site. The Paz program also involved participation by 18 Spanish companies.

English version by Nick Lyne.
ST. POLTEN, Austria, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

A buyer is being sought for the former Stefan GmbH & Co KG in the Mistelbach district

Following the insolvency of the former window and conservatory specialist Stefan GmbH in Stronsdorf in the Mistelbach district, the business is now up for sale, free from encumbrances, including an exclusive property and all machinery and office equipment.

On the instructions of the insolvency administrator, Mag. Petra Diwok, recovery specialists Karner & Dechow have initiated the process for the sale of this traditional Lower Austrian business.

The business is situated on a plot land covering 17,455 sqm on the B6 - close to the borders of the Czech Republic and Slovakia - and accommodating workshops, warehouses and offices with a built-up area of 4,200 sqm. The company, which initially specialised in pure wood processing, most recently produced more than 7,000 wood, wood-aluminium and plastic windows per year.

In addition to the complete machinery, for the most part as good as new including special equipment and paint, the company's capital assets also include the entire handling equipment with stacker trucks and the vehicle fleet.

Further information is available at http://www.karner-dechow.at.

All about Karner & Dechow Industrie-Auktionen GmbH

Karner & Dechow is the largest private auction house in its field in Austria. Along with its affiliates BVA-Auctions in the Netherlands and Dechow Auktionen in Germany, the traditional Austrian business has been a flexible partner for recovery, auction and asset sales at public auctions for over 100 years.
LAS VEGAS, NV -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Hemp, Inc. (OTC PINK: HEMP) executives are pleased to update shareholders on the progress of the much-anticipated completion of the country's largest industrial hemp processing facility and milling operation. Hemp, Inc.'s decortication facility, spearheaded by its wholly owned subsidiary, Industrial Hemp Manufacturing, LLC (IHM), is in the final stages of completion. "Industrial hemp is reclaiming its rightful place in America as demand for this environmentally friendly natural fiber continues to increase due to the economic benefits. Hemp, Inc. is strategically positioned at the forefront of this industry. We are definitely ahead of the curve in being able to process industrial hemp and manufacture products made from hemp," said David Schmitt, COO of IHM.

According to Schmitt, the hemp processing plant which will have assembled the industry-leading hemp processing machinery is expected to be officially completed soon with a skilled team of employees on deck. "This morning, we are positioning the milling machinery in its permanent location so that it can be secured into place. We also have meetings at the end of this week with the air handler manufacturer to ascertain when we can expect the machinery on-site. Once the air handler and dust collector are on-site, we're looking to hire specialized contractors to assist with securing all of the equipment in place, which should save us over 3 to 4 weeks in time. While I can't say the exact date of when the air handler and dust collector will be onsite, once it is here, my best guestimate would be 3 weeks for us to have both mills operational."

Once the milling machinery is operational, Hemp, Inc. will be able to produce their Lost Circulation Materials (LCMs) and other oil absorbent products. "Our 70,000 square foot commercial industrial hemp processing facility and milling operation, on 9 acres makes Hemp, Inc. the largest industrial hemp processor and manufacturer in America and with the addition of our milling facility to produce other hemp-based products, we have strategically expanded our worldwide industrial base," said Bruce Perlowin, CEO of Hemp, Inc. (OTC PINK: HEMP).

Now that the amended hemp bill has been signed into law in North Carolina, home to Hemp, Inc.'s industrial hemp processing facility, the North Carolina Hemp Commission now has the power to write the rules and approve them. Shareholders can expect lucrative business opportunities for Hemp, Inc. In the Spring of 2017, the company is looking to possibly grow and harvest a very large hemp crop on up to 50,000 acres which can all be processed at Hemp, Inc.'s industrial hemp processing facility.

"As mentioned in our press release yesterday, we expect Congress to remove industrial hemp from the Federal Controlled Substances Act very soon, which would declassify it as a Schedule 1 drug because it's not. Hemp is a plant from the cannabis family like marijuana but possesses a very low THC content and you cannot get high by smoking it. Hemp is not marijuana and it has a plethora of uses," said Perlowin.

SUBSCRIBE TO HEMP, INC.'S VIDEO UPDATES

"Hemp, Inc. Presents" is capturing the historic, monumental re-creation of the hemp decorticator today as America begins to evolve into a cleaner, green, eco-friendly sustainable environment. What many see as the next American Industrial Revolution is actually the Industrial Hemp Revolution. Join "Hemp, Inc. Presents" and join the hemp revolution. "Hemp, Inc. Presents" is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by visiting www.hempinc.com. To subscribe to the "Hemp, Inc. Presents" YouTube channel, be sure to click the subscribe button.

ABOUT INDUSTRIAL HEMP

Hemp is a durable natural fiber that is grown as a renewable source for raw materials that can be incorporated into thousands of products. It's one of the oldest domesticated crops known to man. Hemp is used as a nutritional food product for humans and pets, building materials, paper, textiles, cordage, organic body care and other nutraceuticals, just to name a few. It has thousands of other known uses. A hemp crop requires half the water alfalfa uses and can be grown without the heavy use of pesticides. Farmers worldwide grow hemp commercially for fiber, seed, and oil for use in a variety of industrial and consumer products. The United States is the only developed nation that fails to cultivate industrial hemp as an economic crop on a large scale, according to the Congressional Resource Service. However, with rapidly changing laws and more states gravitating towards industrial hemp and passing an industrial hemp bill, that could change. Currently, the majority of hemp sold in the United States is imported from China and Canada, the world's largest exporters of the industrial hemp crop.

HEMP, INC.'S TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE

Hemp, Inc. (OTC PINK: HEMP) seeks to benefit many constituencies from a "Cultural Creative" perspective, thereby not exploiting or endangering any group. CEO of Hemp, Inc., Bruce Perlowin, is positioning the company as a leader in the industrial hemp industry, with a social and environmental mission at its core. Thus, the publicly traded company believes in "up streaming" a portion of its profits back to its originator, in which some cases will one day be the American small farmer -- cultivating natural, sustainable products as an interwoven piece of nature. By Hemp, Inc. focusing on comprehensive investment results -- that is, with respect to performance along the interrelated dimensions of people, planet, and profits -- the triple bottom line approach can be an important tool to support its sustainability goal.

SOCIAL NETWORKS:

http://www.twitter.com/hempinc (Twitter)

http://www.facebook.com/hempinc (Facebook)

SAFE HARBOR ACT

Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Hemp, Inc.

(855) HEMP-OUT

info@hempinc.com

http://www.hempinc.com



For Investor Relations, please send correspondence to:

ir@hempinc.com




VANCOUVER, BC --(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) - Integra Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: ICG) (OTCQX: ICGQF)

Press Release Highlights:

Other significant results include: 2.83 g/t gold ("Au") over 19.7 metres ("m"), 2.45 g/t Au (1.70 g/t capped) over 25.8 m, 2.94 g/t Au (2.67 g/t capped) over 13.8 m, 13.03 g/t Au (12.50 g/t capped) over 3.1 m, and 4.56 g/t Au (2.94 g/t capped) over 20.9 m (see assay table for details)

Results announced today are from 3,912 m in 6 holes of the 12,035 m program completed in 2015/16 at No. 4 Plug Deposit

4 drill rigs active on the Lamaque South Gold Project, approximately 58,215 m in assay results pending

Updated estimate at No. 4 Plug now underway

Integra Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: ICG) (OTCQX: ICGQF), ("Integra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the final tranche of assay results from its 2015/2016 infill drill program on the No. 4 Plug Deposit ("No. 4 Plug") situated at the Lamaque South Gold Project ("Lamaque") located in Val-d'Or, Quebec.

"With all drill results from the No. 4 Plug Deposit exploration program in-hand, we are on track to update the resource estimate for this deposit by the end of 2016," commented Company President and CEO, Stephen de Jong. "The updated resource estimate will be followed by a series of trade-off studies to fully understand and assess the benefits of a bulk mining approach compared to the narrow vein mining methods currently being contemplated for other areas of the Lamaque Project."

Drill Results Continue to Show Potential for Bulk Mineable Resource

Infill drill holes disclosed today are located on the eastern side of the No. 4 Plug along a 75 m long east-west trend demonstrating lateral continuity of the gold mineralized vein clusters. The table below highlights selected results from this final tranche of the No. 4 Plug drilling program. The summary results are presented uncapped and, when applicable, with high grade values capped at 34.3 g/t Au (results are also available with high grade values capped at 20.0 g/t Au in the full assay table available at the link below).

As the gold distribution in the thick clusters of brittle, shallow-dipping tension veins has the tendency to portray a higher nugget effect relative to the high-angle C-type structures identified at the Triangle Deposit ("Triangle"), the selection of disclosed intervals is partially controlled by the visual occurrence of veins and the amount of pyrite in drill core along with grade distribution, providing a further layer of control for the spatial constraining of these thick vein clusters. The reported intervals are clearly identifiable visually in terms of vein densities present in drill core.

Click on the following links to view drill core photos from selected wide intercepts announced today (P4-15-029):

Photo 1: http://www.integragold.com/i/misc/extension-veins-2016-07.jpg

Photo 2: http://www.integragold.com/i/misc/shear-extension-veins-2016-07.jpg

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Drill Hole From To Interval Gold Number (m) (m) (m)(1) Assay (g/t)(2) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2.83 472.12 491.80 19.68 P4-15-024 658.80 683.00 24.20 1.59 783.00 808.00 25.00 1.29 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 265.10 25.75 239.35 2.45 Cap 34.3 1.70 Including 0.70 61.70 300.00 315.40 15.40 1.65 Cap 34.3 1.65 331.80 346.15 14.35 7.37 Cap 34.3 3.30 Including 0.60 131.68 412.50 P4-15-029 398.70 13.80 2.94 Cap 34.3 2.67 Including 0.50 41.80 448.65 470.00 21.35 12.58 Cap 34.3 5.05 Including 2.00 114.68 489.30 524.00 34.70 1.96 570.05 573.10 3.05 13.03 Cap 34.3 12.50 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 362.00 26.20 335.80 1.23 388.00 402.00 14.00 1.76 410.00 416.00 6.00 5.47 473.85 494.70 20.85 4.56 P4-15-031 Cap 34.3 2.94 Include 0.70 82.55 549.40 563.65 14.25 7.22 Cap 34.3 4.78 Include 0.80 77.76 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1) Down-hole thickness; true width varies depending on drill hole dip and on general orientation of the vein clusters; most 2015-2016 drill holes were aimed at intersecting the generally flat lying vein clusters close to perpendicular therefore true width are close to down-hole width. (2) Minimum 1 g/t Au cut off over 5-10 m interval, allowing up to 5 m of below cut off material internally - individual assays cut to 34.3 g/t gold when applicable; no minimum thickness considered.

Links to No. 4 Plug Assay Table, Section and Location Map

Click on the following link to view a complete table of available composited results for the 2015/2016 drilling at No. 4 Plug (results disclosed today are identified in red colored font):

http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/Composites-2016-07.pdf

Click on the following links to view idealized and schematic composite sections showing the spatial relationship between the Triangle and No. 4 Plug and illustrating selected results.

http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/No4-photos-2016-07.pdf

http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/tap4-ngqk8k-2016-07.pdf

Click on the following link to view a location map of the different gold deposits present at Lamaque South:

http://www.integragold.com/i/pdf/Zones_Loc_Infrastructure_Targets_2015-03.pdf

No. 4 Plug Next Steps

The Company intends to complete a new resource estimate on No. 4 Plug to be completed in H2 2016. Given the ample milling capacity and scalability of the Sigma Mill Complex (2,400 tons per day ("tpd"), expandable to 5,000 tpd), the Company believes that a combined scenario of selective high-grade mining at Triangle, in parallel with low-cost bulk-mining at No. 4 Plug situated 500 m north of Triangle, has the potential to ramp up production profiles beyond previous estimates.

Geological Setting at the No. 4 Plug

The No. 4 Plug is a sub-vertical dioritic/gabbroic intrusive, of similar shape to the Lamaque Mine Plug (located 2 kilometres ("km") to the northwest), which produced over 4.5 million gold ounces from surface to a depth of 1,100 m vertical. The No. 4 Plug intrusive is located 500 m north of Triangle and can be traced on surface for 200 m east-west by 150 m north-south, extending to a depth of over 1,000 m vertical. Gold mineralization is found within the intrusion hosted by quartz-carbonates-tourmaline shear veins associated with sub-vertical shear zones (similar to Triangle C-type structures) and flat lying quartz-carbonate-tourmaline veins that are present as dense vein clusters.

Interpretation of the reported gold bearing zones at No. 4 Plug indicate that these dense vein clusters can be tens of metres thick vertically, are geometrically stacked within the intrusion in the down-dip direction, and can also extend roughly 75 m to a maximum of 200 m laterally. The mineralized vein clusters are more abundant below a vertical depth of approximately 200 m, and are confined to the intrusion. The intrusive host and the vein clusters remain open at depth. The mineralogy and alteration assemblages associated with these vein clusters consist of carbonate, sericite, albite alteration, with varying intensity and distribution, being more pronounced near the high-angle shear zones. Where these sub-vertical shear zones cross-cut the intrusion, brittle and shallower dipping tension veins are more prominent.

The large gold bearing vein clusters have striking similarities to bulk zones mined historically at the Lamaque Mine, where historical records have recorded mining in panels in excess of 50 m wide. The style of mineralization at No. 4 Plug also resembles the nearby Agnico-Eagle Goldex Deposit, situated just west of Val-d'Or.

2016 Exploration Drilling Summary

To date in 2016 a total of 77,246 m in 138 holes have been completed at the Lamaque South project. Results announced today are from 6 holes drilled at No. 4 Plug representing the final 3,912 m of the 12,035 m program completed in that area. Including the fall 2015 drilling, as of July 10, drill results are still pending for approximately 58,215 m of core from Triangle and other exploration targets. Results will continue to be disclosed as they become available.

The Company anticipates drilling between 110,000 and 120,000 m in 2016 with the majority of this drilling aimed at defining and expanding the gold resource at Triangle and No. 4 Plug. The Company expects to continue drilling to year end with 4 drill rigs in operation. The ongoing drill program includes exploration, extensional, and definition type drilling on key targets such as Triangle and possibly the No. 4 Plug gold deposits. The program will also include exploration drilling, to be initiated in August 2016, of promising new targets generated by the Company's Gold Rush Challenge.

Project and Company Profile

Integra Gold is a junior gold exploration company exploring advanced stage projects in Val-d'Or, Quebec, one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world. The Company's primary focus is its high-grade Lamaque South project. In 2014, Integra completed the accretive acquisition of the Sigma Mill and Mine Complex, a fully permitted 2,200-2,400 ton per day mill and tailings facility. With major federal and provincial permits in place, existing infrastructure and significant exploration potential, this acquisition removed major costs and shortened timelines typically associated with developing mine projects. With a current market capitalization of approximately $350 million, Integra has raised over $100 million since 2013, at successively higher share prices, despite depressed gold prices. In August 2015, Eldorado Gold Corporation completed a strategic investment in Integra, acquiring 15% of the outstanding common shares. Integra was recently named to the TSX Venture top 50 performers in 2015 and the OTCQX Best 50 award for 2015.

Qualified Person

The Lamaque project is under the direct supervision of Herve Thiboutot, Eng., Senior Vice-President of the Company, and Jacques Simoneau, P. Geo., Exploration Manager of the Company. Mr. Thiboutot and Mr. Simoneau are Qualified Persons ("QPs") as defined by the National Instrument 43-101. The Company's QPs have reviewed the technical content of this release.

Quality Assurance - Quality Control ("QA/QC")

Thorough QA/QC protocols are followed on the project including insertion of duplicate, blank and standard samples in all drill holes. The core samples are submitted directly to the Bourlamaque and ALS-Chemex laboratories in Val-d'Or for preparation and analysis. Analysis is conducted on 1 assay-ton aliquots. Analysis of Au is performed using fire assay method with atomic absorption (AA) finish, with a gravimetric finish completed for samples exceeding 5 g/t Au. Results published are from the gravimetric finish assay if above 5 g/t and from the AA finish assay if lower than 5 g/t.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Stephen de Jong

CEO & President

Follow Integra Gold On:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/integragoldcorp

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking statements, including timing of completion of an updated resource estimate, timing of completion of an updated PEA and completion of the Sigma-Lamaque transaction. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company, including that the Company is able to obtain any government or other regulatory approvals, that the Company is able to procure personnel, equipment and supplies required for its exploration and development activities in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis and that actual results are consistent with management's expectations. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, those matters identified in its continuous disclosure filings, including its most recently filed MD&A. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Corporate Inquiries:

Chris Gordon:

chris@integragold.com



Or visit the company website: www.integragold.com


VIENNA (dpa-AFX) - European stocks gained ground on Wednesday as positive earnings updates from the likes of Microsoft, SAP, Lonza and ASML Holding helped investors shrug off global growth worries.



Also, the European Central Bank meets on Thursday and many economists expect the tone to be dovish in light of the Brexit outcome.



The pan-European Stoxx Europe 600 index was up 0.9 percent in midday trading after declining 0.4 percent in the previous session in the wake of disappointing German economic sentiment data and weak earnings updates from Ericsson and AkzoNobel.



The German DAX was rallying 1.4 percent and France's CAC 40 index was gaining 1.1 percent while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 was moving up 0.3 percent.



Lonza Group jumped 6.5 percent as the Swiss specialty chemicals and life sciences group raised its annual guidance after reporting the strongest earnings growth in its history during the first six months.



Dutch semiconductor equipment maker ASML Holding rallied 3 percent after reporting a better-than-expected quarterly profit on higher sales.



Software giant SAP climbed more than 4 percent in Frankfurt after reporting better-than-expected quarterly operating profit and affirming its full-year guidance.



Semiconductor manufacturer Infineon Technologies added 1.5 percent after Microsoft's quarterly earnings topped expectations.



Bayer rose half a percent as U.S. seed company Monsanto rejected a second takeover bid from the German drugs and chemicals giant, calling the $64bn cash offer 'financially inadequate.



Johnson Matthey gained 1 percent in London after announcing a solid set of quarterly results and reaffirming its fiscal 2017 guidance.



Mining giant BHP Billiton fell over 2 percent after falling short of its full-year iron ore production targets.



Anglo American shares slumped 6.5 percent. The miner cut its annual target for copper output and also trimmed its target for Brazilian iron ore.



Precious metals miner Fresnillo lost 1 percent despite raising its full-year gold production forecast.



In economic releases, data from Destatis showed that German producer prices fell an annual 2.2 percent in June, following a 2.7 percent drop in May.



Another report from the European Central Bank revealed that the euro area current account surplus declined to a 3-month low of 30.8 billion euros in May from 36.4 billion euros in April.



Official figures showed that the U.K. unemployment rate fell to 4.9 percent in the three months to May, the lowest level in more than 10 years, from 5.6 percent a year earlier.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Japanese yen continued to be lower against its major rivals in European trading on Wednesday. The yen declined to near a 4-week low of 106.72 against the greenback, off its early high of 105.83. The yen edged down to 140.78 against the pound, 80.02 against the aussie, 117.51 against the euro, 108.06 against the franc and 81.82 against the loonie, reversing from its previous 5-day highs of 138.34 and 79.27, 2-day highs of 116.54, 107.30 and 81.18, respectively. The yen reached as low as against the 75.18 against the kiwi, compared to an early high of 74.32. If the yen extends slide, it may locate support around 108.00 against the greenback, 142.00 against the pound, 109.00 against the franc, 119.00 against the euro, 81.00 against the aussie, 83.00 against the loonie and 76.00 against the kiwi. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Reported loss from continuing operations of $3.73 per diluted share

Adjusted loss from continuing operations of $0.14 per diluted share, excluding special items

Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) announced today results for the second quarter of 2016.

Three Months Ended Millions of dollars except per share data June 30, 2016 March 31, 2016 Change Revenue 3,835 4,198 (9 Operating loss (3,880 (3,079 (26 Adjusted operating income 62 225 (72 Loss from continuing operations (3,208 (2,410 (33 Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations (121 64 (289 Reported loss from continuing operations per diluted share (3.73 (2.81 (33 Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share (0.14 0.07 (300

"Our second quarter results showed resilience in the face of another challenging quarter marked by lower activity levels and continued pricing pressure around the globe," said Dave Lesar, Chairman and CEO.

"North America revenue declined 15% sequentially, significantly outperforming the average US rig count, which was down 23%. After falling 78% from the November 2014 peak, the US rig count reached a landing point during the second quarter, as we predicted during our last earnings call. Since reaching the bottom, the rig count has improved by 26 over the last several weeks, reflecting operator confidence in stabilizing commodity prices.

"In Latin America, revenue declined 12% sequentially, relative to a rig count decrease of 18% from the first quarter average. Looking at our major countries, rig activity in both Brazil and Mexico is at 20-year lows, while Venezuela continues to experience significant political and economic turmoil.

"Moving to the Eastern Hemisphere, we are still seeing modest headwinds around pricing and activity, but we have been successful in winning market share during the downturn. Our second quarter revenue was down 1% sequentially, relative to an average rig count that was down 4%. Middle East/Asia revenue declined 3% from the first quarter, due to lower activity levels in Iraq, Australia, and Indonesia. In Europe/Africa/CIS, revenue increased 2% sequentially, primarily due to a seasonal recovery of activity in the North Sea and Russia.

"Our activity outlook has not changed and our strategy is working. During the coming recovery, we plan to scale up our integrated delivery platform by addressing our product line building blocks one at a time through a combination of organic growth and selective acquisitions. We will continue to deliver our services to the highest service quality standards and provide technology to increase efficiency in the field.

"We believe the North America market has turned. We expect to see a modest uptick in rig count during the second half of the year. With our growth in market share during the downturn, we believe we are best-positioned to benefit from any recovery, including a modest one. Internationally, we are maintaining our service footprint, managing costs and continuing to gain market share.

"As we prepare for the upcycle, our approach to the market remains unchanged. We remain focused on consistent execution, generating superior financial performance, and providing industry-leading shareholder returns," concluded Lesar.

Geographic Regions

North America

North America revenue in the second quarter of 2016 was $1.5 billion, a 15% decrease sequentially, relative to a 23% decline in average U.S. rig count. Additionally, an operating loss of $124 million was recognized in the region. This decline was driven by reduced activity throughout the United States land sector, particularly pressure pumping services and drilling activity.

International

International revenue in the second quarter of 2016 was $2.3 billion, a 4% decrease sequentially, driven primarily by a decline in pressure pumping and logging services. International second quarter operating income was $246 million, which decreased $64 million, or 21%, sequentially, driven by lower pressure pumping, logging and subsea services.

Latin America revenue in the second quarter of 2016 was $476 million, a 12% decrease sequentially, with operating income of $22 million, a 54% decrease sequentially. These declines were a result of reduced activity in Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, and Halliburton's decision to curtail activity in Venezuela.

Europe/Africa/CIS revenue in the second quarter of 2016 was $795 million, a 2% increase sequentially, with operating income of $64 million, a 12% increase sequentially. The increase for the quarter was primarily driven by seasonal recovery of activity in the North Sea and Russia.

Middle East/Asia revenue in the second quarter of 2016 was $1.0 billion, a 3% decline sequentially, with operating income of $160 million, a 22% decrease sequentially. This was primarily the result of significant reductions in activity and pricing throughout the Asia Pacific markets as well as pricing concessions in the Middle East.

Operating Segments

Completion and Production

Completion and Production (C&P) revenue in the second quarter of 2016 was $2.1 billion, a decrease of $210 million, or 9%, from the first quarter of 2016, due to a decline in activity and pricing in most product services lines, particularly North America pressure pumping services which drove the majority of the C&P revenue decline. International revenue also declined as a result of reduced pressure pumping services, which were partially offset by increased completion tool sales in Nigeria and pipeline services in the North Sea.

C&P operating loss in the second quarter was $32 million, which decreased $62 million from the first quarter of 2016, with decreased profitability as a result of global activity and pricing reductions, primarily in North America for pressure pumping services.

Drilling and Evaluation

Drilling and Evaluation (D&E) revenue in the second quarter of 2016 was $1.7 billion, a decrease of $153 million, or 8%, from the first quarter of 2016. Revenue declines were seen across a majority of product lines due to the historically low rig count, lower pricing, and customer budget constraints worldwide. Logging, drilling and offshore activity drove the declines, which were partially offset by an increase in fluid services in the North Sea.

D&E second quarter operating income was $154 million, which decreased $87 million, or 36%, compared to the first quarter of 2016, driven by a decline in activity and pricing across North America and Middle East/Asia, particularly drilling and logging activity in the United States. Second quarter results were also impacted by approximately $40 million of depreciation expense from assets previously classified as held for sale.

Corporate and Other Events

In conjunction with the termination of its merger agreement with Baker Hughes during the second quarter of 2016, Halliburton paid a $3.5 billion termination fee which was recognized during the quarter. In addition, Halliburton mandatorily redeemed $2.5 billion of senior notes during the second quarter of 2016, resulting in $41 million, pre-tax, of redemption fees and associated costs. Halliburton also recorded company-wide impairments and other charges in the second quarter of 2016 of approximately $423 million, pre-tax, related primarily to severance costs and asset impairments as the company continued to right-size its cost structure. Also included in this number was a fair market value adjustment, required by accounting rules, related to a financing agreement Halliburton executed with its primary customer in Venezuela, resulting in an exchange of $200 million of outstanding trade receivables for an interest-bearing promissory note. Halliburton recorded the note at its fair market value at the date of exchange, resulting in a $148 million pre-tax loss during the second quarter.

The tax impact of all of these adjustments includes the impact of Halliburton's decision that it may not permanently reinvest its foreign earnings, as well as the inability to utilize certain tax deductions resulting from the carryback of net operating losses to prior tax periods.

The aggregate impact of these second quarter items is $3.1 billion, after-tax, or $3.59 per diluted share.

Selective Technology Highlights

Halliburton worked with Eclipse Resources Corporation to complete hydraulic fracturing of the extended reach lateral test well known as "Purple Hayes." The Utica Shale well had a lateral length of over 18,500 feet and was completed with 124 frac stages in 24 days. The total depth was 27,046 feet, including the lateral extension which Eclipse believes is the longest horizontal onshore lateral ever drilled in the United States. The fracturing operations performed by Halliburton utilized the company's industry-leading Q10 pumps equipped with dual fuel technology, which performed with zero down time. In addition, SandCastle PS-2500 units equipped with Halliburton Dust Control systems provided superior sand loading logistics while reducing the environmental footprint on site. The efficiencies achieved with this equipment allowed Eclipse to improve its daily completion rate by 20 percent over the original plan, lowering their ultimate cost per BOE.

Halliburton expanded its iEnergy collaboration portal, the industry's foremost E&P community. iEnergy provides secure proprietary workspaces for Halliburton's customers, utilizing the DecisionSpace platform to analyze their geophysical data and manage their projects in a seamless end-to-end environment. iEnergy brings together Halliburton and a broad range of partners to deliver a unique experience in which operators can work with the data and technology they need in integrated workflows, collaborate in discussion and project forums, contribute to the knowledge of the community as a whole, learn from the wealth of on-line training options and secure value for their business.

Halliburton announced that its BaraLogix Density and Rheology Unit (DRU) received the Offshore Technology Conference 2016 Spotlight on New Technology Award. The BaraLogix DRU breaks down barriers by delivering a single piece of equipment that can autonomously measure fluid density and rheology during drilling operations, providing advanced data analysis in real time. The frequent and accurate data collection helps identify trends in fluid properties that are unavailable with current resources. As a result, BaraLogix helps operators make proactive decisions that reduce non-productive time, optimize drilling programs and save costs.

About Halliburton

Founded in 1919, Halliburton is one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the energy industry. With over 50,000 employees, representing 140 nationalities and operations in approximately 70 countries, the company serves the upstream oil and gas industry throughout the lifecycle of the reservoir from locating hydrocarbons and managing geological data, to drilling and formation evaluation, well construction and completion, and optimizing production through the life of the field. Visit the company's website at www.halliburton.com. Connect with Halliburton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

NOTE: The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: with respect to the Macondo well incident, final court approval of, and the satisfaction of the conditions in, Halliburton's September 2014 settlement, including the results of any appeals of rulings in the multi-district litigation; indemnification and insurance matters; with respect to repurchases of Halliburton common stock, the continuation or suspension of the repurchase program, the amount, the timing and the trading prices of Halliburton common stock, and the availability and alternative uses of cash; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas can be significantly impacted by weakness in the worldwide economy; consequences of audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies and related publicity and potential adverse proceedings by such agencies; protection of intellectual property rights and against cyber-attacks; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements, particularly those related to offshore oil and natural gas exploration, radioactive sources, explosives, chemicals, hydraulic fracturing services, and climate-related initiatives; compliance with laws related to income taxes and assumptions regarding the generation of future taxable income; risks of international operations, including risks relating to unsettled political conditions, war, the effects of terrorism, foreign exchange rates and controls, international trade and regulatory controls, and doing business with national oil companies; weather-related issues, including the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms; changes in capital spending by customers; delays or failures by customers to make payments owed to us; execution of long-term, fixed-price contracts; structural changes in the oil and natural gas industry; maintaining a highly skilled workforce; availability and cost of raw materials; and integration and success of acquired businesses and operations of joint ventures. Halliburton's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors identified that may affect Halliburton's business, results of operations, and financial condition. Halliburton undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

HALLIBURTON COMPANY Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Millions of dollars and shares except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30 March 31 2016 2015 2016 Revenue: Completion and Production 2,114 3,444 2,324 Drilling and Evaluation 1,721 2,475 1,874 Total revenue 3,835 5,919 4,198 Operating income (loss): Completion and Production (32 313 30 Drilling and Evaluation 154 400 241 Corporate and other (60 (70 (46 Baker Hughes termination fee and related costs (a) (3,519 (83 (538 Impairments and other charges (b) (423 (306 (2,766 Total operating income (loss) (3,880 254 (3,079 Interest expense, net (c) (196 (106 (165 Other, net (31 (23 (47 Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (4,107 125 (3,291 Income tax benefit (provision) 902 (71 875 Income (loss) from continuing operations (3,205 54 (2,416 Loss from discontinued operations, net (1 (2 Net income (loss) (3,205 53 (2,418 Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (3 1 6 Net income (loss) attributable to company (3,208 54 (2,412 Amounts attributable to company shareholders: Income (loss) from continuing operations (3,208 55 (2,410 Loss from discontinued operations, net (1 (2 Net income (loss) attributable to company (3,208 54 (2,412 Basic income (loss) per share attributable to company shareholders: Income (loss) from continuing operations (3.73 0.06 (2.81 Loss from discontinued operations, net Net income (loss) per share (3.73 0.06 (2.81 Diluted income (loss) per share attributable to company shareholders: Income (loss) from continuing operations (3.73 0.06 (2.81 Loss from discontinued operations, net Net income (loss) per share (3.73 0.06 (2.81 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 860 852 858 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 860 854 858

(a) Includes a $3.5 billion termination fee recognized in the three months ended June 30, 2016. Also includes an aggregate $464 million of charges taken in the three months ended March 31, 2016 for the reversal of assets held for sale accounting, representing $329 million of associated depreciation costs suspended since April 2015 for the businesses held for sale and $135 million of other divestiture-related costs. (b) For further details of impairments and other charges for all periods presented, see Footnote Table 1. (c) Includes $41 million of debt redemption fees and associated expenses in the three months ended June 30, 2016 related to the $2.5 billion of debt mandatorily redeemed during the second quarter, as well as interest expense associated with the $7.5 billion debt issued in late 2015. See Footnote Table 1 for Reconciliation of As Reported Operating Income (Loss) to Adjusted Operating Income. See Footnote Table 2 for Reconciliation of As Reported Loss from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations.

HALLIBURTON COMPANY Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Millions of dollars and shares except per share data) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30 2016 2015 Revenue: Completion and Production 4,438 7,690 Drilling and Evaluation 3,595 5,279 Total revenue 8,033 12,969 Operating loss: Completion and Production (2 775 Drilling and Evaluation 395 706 Corporate and other (106 (139 Baker Hughes termination fee and related costs (a) (4,057 (122 Impairments and other charges (3,189 (1,514 Total operating loss (6,959 (294 Interest expense, net (b) (361 (212 Other, net (c) (78 (247 Loss from continuing operations before income taxes (7,398 (753 Income tax benefit 1,777 170 Loss from continuing operations (5,621 (583 Loss from discontinued operations, net (2 (5 Net loss (5,623 (588 Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest 3 (1 Net loss attributable to company (5,620 (589 Amounts attributable to company shareholders: Loss from continuing operations (5,618 (584 Loss from discontinued operations, net (2 (5 Net loss attributable to company (5,620 (589 Basic loss per share attributable to company shareholders: Loss from continuing operations (6.54 (0.69 Loss from discontinued operations, net (0.01 Net loss per share (6.54 (0.70 Diluted loss per share attributable to company shareholders: Loss from continuing operations (6.54 (0.69 Loss from discontinued operations, net (0.01 Net loss per share (6.54 (0.70 Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 859 851 Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 859 851

(a) During the six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized a $3.5 billion termination fee and an aggregate $464 million of charges for the reversal of assets held for sale accounting effective March 31, 2016. The reversal of assets held for sale accounting represents $329 million of associated depreciation costs suspended from April 2015 through March 2016 for the businesses held for sale and $135 million of other divestiture-related costs. (b) Includes $41 million of debt redemption fees and associated expenses in the six months ended June 30, 2016 related to the $2.5 billion of debt mandatorily redeemed during the second quarter, as well as interest expense associated with the $7.5 billion debt issued in late 2015. (c) Includes a foreign currency loss of $199 million due to a currency devaluation in Venezuela in the six months ended June 30, 2015.

HALLIBURTON COMPANY Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Millions of dollars) (Unaudited) June 30 December 31 2016 2015 Assets Current assets: Cash and equivalents 3,108 10,077 Receivables, net 4,725 5,317 Inventories 2,650 2,993 Prepaid income taxes 1,099 527 Other current assets 998 1,156 Total current assets 12,580 20,070 Property, plant and equipment, net 8,961 12,117 Goodwill 2,383 2,385 Deferred income taxes 1,856 552 Other assets 1,957 1,818 Total assets 27,737 36,942 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable 1,490 2,019 Current maturities of long-term debt 763 659 Accrued employee compensation and benefits 549 862 Liabilities for Macondo well incident 367 400 Other current liabilities 1,309 1,397 Total current liabilities 4,478 5,337 Long-term debt 12,158 14,687 Employee compensation and benefits 449 479 Other liabilities 875 944 Total liabilities 17,960 21,447 Company shareholders' equity 9,734 15,462 Noncontrolling interest in consolidated subsidiaries 43 33 Total shareholders' equity 9,777 15,495 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 27,737 36,942

HALLIBURTON COMPANY Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Millions of dollars) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30 2016 2015 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss (5,623 (588 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash flows from operating activities: Impairments and other charges 3,189 1,514 Deferred income tax benefit, continuing operations (1,516 (523 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 742 1,016 Working capital (a) 72 866 Other (667 (290 Total cash flows from operating activities (b) (3,803 1,995 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (447 (1,223 Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 114 83 Other investing activities (60 (95 Total cash flows from investing activities (393 (1,235 Cash flows from financing activities: Payments on long-term borrowings (2,525 (8 Dividends to shareholders (309 (306 Other financing activities 102 71 Total cash flows from financing activities (2,732 (243 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (41 (48 Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents (6,969 469 Cash and equivalents at beginning of period 10,077 2,291 Cash and equivalents at end of period 3,108 2,760 (a) Working capital includes receivables, inventories and accounts payable. (b) Includes a $3.5 billion termination fee paid to Baker Hughes during the second quarter of 2016.

HALLIBURTON COMPANY Revenue and Operating Income (Loss) Comparison By Operating Segment and Geographic Region (Millions of dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30 March 31 Revenue 2016 2015 2016 By operating segment: Completion and Production 2,114 3,444 2,324 Drilling and Evaluation 1,721 2,475 1,874 Total revenue 3,835 5,919 4,198 By geographic region: North America 1,516 2,671 1,794 Latin America 476 767 541 Europe/Africa/CIS 795 1,095 778 Middle East/Asia 1,048 1,386 1,085 Total revenue 3,835 5,919 4,198 Operating Income (Loss) By operating segment: Completion and Production (32 313 30 Drilling and Evaluation 154 400 241 Total 122 713 271 Corporate and other (60 (70 (46 Baker Hughes termination fee and related costs (3,519 (83 (538 Impairments and other charges (423 (306 (2,766 Total operating income (loss) (3,880 254 (3,079 By geographic region: North America (124 130 (39 Latin America 22 112 48 Europe/Africa/CIS 64 164 57 Middle East/Asia 160 307 205 Total 122 713 271 See Footnote Table 1 for Reconciliation of As Reported Operating Income (Loss) to Adjusted Operating Income.

HALLIBURTON COMPANY Revenue and Operating Income (Loss) Comparison By Operating Segment and Geographic Region (Millions of dollars) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30 Revenue 2016 2015 By operating segment: Completion and Production 4,438 7,690 Drilling and Evaluation 3,595 5,279 Total revenue 8,033 12,969 By geographic region: North America 3,310 6,213 Latin America 1,017 1,716 Europe/Africa/CIS 1,573 2,192 Middle East/Asia 2,133 2,848 Total revenue 8,033 12,969 Operating Income (Loss) By operating segment: Completion and Production (2 775 Drilling and Evaluation 395 706 Total 393 1,481 Corporate and other (106 (139 Baker Hughes termination fee and related costs (4,057 (122 Impairments and other charges (3,189 (1,514 Total operating loss (6,959 (294 By geographic region: North America (163 409 Latin America 70 234 Europe/Africa/CIS 121 250 Middle East/Asia 365 588 Total 393 1,481

FOOTNOTE TABLE 1 HALLIBURTON COMPANY Reconciliation of As Reported Operating Income (Loss) to Adjusted Operating Income (Millions of dollars) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 June 30, 2015 March 31, 2016 As reported operating income (loss) (3,880 254 (3,079 Baker Hughes termination fee and related costs 3,519 83 538 Impairments and other charges: Venezuela promissory note loss 148 Severance costs 126 78 135 Fixed asset impairments 92 177 2,445 Inventory write-downs 64 39 66 Intangible asset impairments 8 87 Country closures 2 2 Other (7 2 31 Total Impairments and other charges 423 306 2,766 Adjusted operating income (a) 62 643 225

(a) Management believes that operating income (loss) adjusted for impairments and other charges and Baker Hughes termination fee and related costs for the three months ended June 30, 2016, March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 is useful to investors to assess and understand operating performance, especially when comparing those results with previous and subsequent periods or forecasting performance for future periods, primarily because management views the excluded items to be outside of the company's normal operating results. Management analyzes operating income (loss) without the impact of these items as an indicator of performance, to identify underlying trends in the business, and to establish operational goals. The adjustments remove the effects of these items. Adjusted operating income is calculated as: "As reported operating income (loss)" plus "Total Impairments and other charges" and "Baker Hughes termination fee and related costs" for the three months ended June 30, 2016, March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015.

FOOTNOTE TABLE 2 HALLIBURTON COMPANY Reconciliation of As Reported Loss from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations (Millions of dollars and shares except per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 March 31, 2016 As reported loss from continuing operations attributable to company (3,208 (2,410 Baker Hughes termination fee and related costs (a) 3,519 538 Impairments and other charges (a) 423 2,766 Debt mandatory redemption fee and expenses (a) 41 Interest expense for acquisition (a) 71 Total adjustments, before taxes 3,983 3,375 Income tax benefit (b) (896 (901 Total adjustments, net of tax 3,087 2,474 Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to company (121 64 As reported diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (c) 860 858 Adjusted diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 860 859 As reported loss from continuing operations per diluted share (d) (3.73 (2.81 Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share (d) (0.14 0.07

(a) Management believes that income (loss) from continuing operations adjusted for impairments and other charges, Baker Hughes termination fee and other Baker Hughes related costs, debt mandatory redemption fee and expenses, and interest expense for acquisition, is useful to investors to assess and understand operating performance, especially when comparing those results with previous and subsequent periods or forecasting performance for future periods, primarily because management views the excluded items to be outside of the company's normal operating results. Management analyzes income (loss) from continuing operations without the impact of these items as an indicator of performance, to identify underlying trends in the business, and to establish operational goals. The adjustments remove the effects of these items. Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to company is calculated as: "As reported loss from continuing operations attributable to company" plus "Total adjustments, net of tax" for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and March 31, 2016. (b) Represents the tax effects of the aggregate adjustments during the period. Additionally, includes approximately $486 million of discrete tax adjustments recorded during the second quarter of 2016, primarily relating to deferred tax expenses associated with Halliburton's decision that it now may not permanently reinvest some of its foreign earnings, and tax expenses associated with the inability to utilize certain tax deductions resulting from the carryback of net operating losses to prior tax periods. (c) As reported diluted weighted average common shares outstanding excludes options to purchase one million shares of common stock as of March 31, 2016, as their impact would be antidilutive since reported income from continuing operations attributable to company was in a loss position during the periods. When adjusting income from continuing operations attributable to company in each period for the special items discussed above, these shares become dilutive. (d) As reported loss from continuing operations per diluted share is calculated as: "As reported loss from continuing operations attributable to company" divided by "As reported diluted weighted average common shares outstanding." Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations per diluted share is calculated as: "Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to company" divided by "Adjusted diluted weighted average common shares outstanding."

Conference Call Details

Halliburton will host a conference call on Wednesday, July 20, 2016, to discuss the second quarter 2016 financial results. The call will begin at 8:00 AM Central Time (9:00 AM Eastern Time).

Please visit the website to listen to the call live via webcast. Interested parties may also participate in the call by dialing (866) 550-4949 within North America or (973) 935-8681 outside North America. A passcode is not required. Attendees should log in to the webcast or dial in approximately 15 minutes prior to the call's start time.

A replay of the conference call will be available on Halliburton's website for seven days following the call. Also, a replay may be accessed by telephone at (888) 266-2081 within North America or (703) 925-2533 outside of North America, using the passcode 1672892.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005577/en/

Contacts:

Halliburton

For Investors:

Lance Loeffler, 281-871-2688

Halliburton, Investor Relations

Investors@Halliburton.com

or

For Media:

Emily Mir, 281-871-2601

Halliburton, Public Relations

PR@Halliburton.com
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Asanko Gold Inc. (TSX: AKG)(NYSE MKT: AKG) ("Asanko" or the "Company") is pleased to announce production results for the second quarter 2016 from Phase 1 of the Asanko Gold Mine, located in Ghana, West Africa. A conference call and webcast will be held today at 9am Eastern Standard Time, see the end of this release for details. All amounts are in US dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Q2 2016 Highlights:

-- Commercial gold production declared April 1, 2016, a quarter ahead of schedule -- Steady-state production achieved by the end of Q2; now mining the main ore zones in the Nkran pit and mill feed grades in-line with the Mineral Reserve grades -- Gold production of 36,337 ounces, in-line with guidance of 35-40,000 ounces for the quarter -- Gold sales of 35,074 ounces at an average realized price of $1,231 per ounce for gross revenue of $43.2 million -- Balance sheet remains strong with cash and immediately convertible working capital balances of approximately $43.7 million (June 30, 2016), no significant current long term debt obligations and commencement of regular VAT refunds -- H2 2016 gold production guidance of 90,000 - 100,000 ounces reiterated

Commercial production was declared on April 1, 2016 and ramp up to steady-state production of both the mining and processing operations was achieved by the end of Q2. Financial results and operating costs are expected to be released with the Company's quarterly filings on or about August 16, 2016.

Commenting on the quarter's results, Peter Breese, President and CEO, said, "The Asanko Gold Mine delivered a strong quarter; commercial production was achieved a quarter ahead of schedule, gold production of 36,337 ounces was in-line with our guidance and ramp-up to steady-state production levels was reached within six months of starting the new production plant.

We are now mining the main Nkran ore zones, with dilution and gold losses normalizing in the last few weeks of June and there are early indications of the mineral reserve reconciling well with the ore mined. June was an encouraging month with 265,000 tonnes of ore at 2.0 g/t gold processed.

Our balance sheet remains strong with $43.7 million in cash and gold dore. We look forward to the second half of the year, during which we expect our unit costs to start to come in-line with expectations and an increase in gold production. We re-iterate our production guidance of 90,000 - 100,000 ounces for the second half of 2016."

Health and Safety

There were no lost time injuries ("LTI") during the quarter, with only one LTI occurring in the last 12 months on March 8, 2016. Since then, there have been 1,523,942 LTI free man-hours worked. The 12-month rolling lost time injury frequency rate per million man hours worked is 0.14.

Mining

Mining operations continued exclusively in the Nkran pit where bulk mining of the periphery of the main ore zones was undertaken to open up access to the main ore body by the end of Q2. This objective was achieved in the quarter with 5.8 million tonnes ("Mt") of waste removed from the pit and 1.2Mt of ore mined at a strip ratio of 4.7:1. As anticipated, the bulk mining resulted in higher levels of dilution and gold losses than are expected at steady state, resulting in an average grade of mined ore of 1.48 g/t gold.

-------------------------------------------------- Key Mining Statistics Units Q2 2016 -------------------------------------------------- Total Tonnes Mined t 7,058,830 -------------------------------------------------- Waste Tonnes Mined t 5,816,173 -------------------------------------------------- Ore Tonnes Mined t 1,242,657 -------------------------------------------------- Strip Ratio W:O 4.7:1 -------------------------------------------------- Average Gold Grade Mined g/t 1.48 --------------------------------------------------

Mining efficiencies are showing signs of improvement as a result of receiving part of a new mining contractor fleet during the quarter to replace the second-hand fleet that started the pre-strip in 2015. In the quarter a new CAT 992 FEL, a new CAT 6030 300T shovel and 10 new CAT 777's were delivered. In Q3 an additional 10 new CAT 777's and three new drill rigs are expected, which will go a long way towards improving net asset utilization, increasing efficiencies and lowering costs.

Encouragingly, the first two ore domains were encountered at Nkran, as anticipated, during the final weeks of Q2. Since intercepting these domains the dilution and ore losses are now normalizing, resulting in higher grade ore being fed to the processing plant. The average mill feed grade for the month of June was 2.0 g/t gold and currently the feed grades to the mill are in-line with the Mineral Reserve grade for Nkran. As the main ore body continues to be exposed in early Q3, dilution and gold losses are expected to meet planned levels.

Processing

The processing plant processed 702,318 tonnes ("t") of ore at an average grade of 1.69 g/t gold during the quarter. Recovery of gold was in line with expectations with higher recoveries achieved in the latter half of the quarter once the oxygen plant was fully operational. The average gold recovery for the quarter was 92%.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Production Statistics Units April May June Q2 2016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ore Treated t 206,645 230,492 265,181 702,318 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Feed Grade g/t 1.54 1.49 1.98 1.69 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Recovery % 90 92 94 92 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold Produced oz 8,441 12,455 15,442 36,337 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

During the quarter a number of operational improvements were implemented in the processing plant including mechanical changes to the materials handling and crushing circuits, ball mill and SAG mill gear changes and other de-bottlenecking work that resulted in higher than normal planned mechanical down-time in the processing plant. The goal of the work was to optimize the inherent additional mill capacity and operate at 275,000t per month, or about 10% above design rates on a continuous basis. With the bulk of the changes completed by early June, the processing plant treated 265,000t during the month and is now operating at the levels anticipated from these improvements.

Preliminary Mineral Resource Reconciliation

Of the 702,318t of ore fed to the plant, approximately 257,000t (37%) came from the main ore domains in the Nkran pit with the balance of the ore coming from mining of the periphery ore zones (445,318t).

The main ore zones mined in Q2 consist of portions of the first two domains that have been encountered as mining reached the main ore zones of the deposit. The two domains are 2000 and 2500 as described in the Company's Mineral Resource Estimate (see news release dated September 10, 2014). The grade control drilling results from these main zones is reconciling well with the Mineral Resource Estimate with grade control estimating 10% less tonnes than anticipated at 13% higher gold grade resulting in a 2% positive gold reconciliation.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Domains 2000 & 2500 Insitu Resources ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Grade Control Drilling Mineral Resource Reconciliation Estimate ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ore Gold Gold Ore Gold Gold Ore Gold Gold (t) (g/t) (oz) (t) (g/t) (oz) (t) (g/t) (oz) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 256,741 2.45 20,185 285,245 2.17 19,879 -10% 13% 2% ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asanko expects to be able to carry out a more comprehensive reconciliation of actual mining results compared to estimated Mineral Reserves in Q1 2017 after a more extensive period of mining the main ore zones. It is expected that the majority of ore will come from the main Nkran ore zones for H2 2016.

In addition, the mine predicted feed grade to the mill is reconciling well with the calculated mill head grade now that the gold inventory build-up in the processing plant has reached steady state.

------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mine Est Plant Calc Plant/Mine Ore Milled Grade Grade Ratio (000t) (g/t) (g/t) (%) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ April 207 1.61 1.54 96 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ May 230 1.45 1.49 103 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ June 265 2.00 1.98 99 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Q2 Total 702 1.70 1.69 99 ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ore Inventory Movements

The mining operations continued to stockpile ore ahead of the processing plant on the Run-of-Mine (ROM) pad. The stockpile movements during the quarter are shown below.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- ROM April 1, 2016 June 30, 2016 Stockpile ------------------------------------------------------------ Gold Gold Gold Gold Tonnes (g/t) (oz) Tonnes (g/t) (oz) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- High grade 3,784 2.59 315 17,817 3.30 1,890 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Medium grade 76,929 1.70 4,205 75,033 1.54 3,715 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Low grade 65,186 0.79 1,656 555,210 1.05 18,808 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total ROM 145,899 1.32 6,175 648,060 1.17 24,414 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to the ROM stockpiles, the processing plant maintains a crushed ore stockpile for emergency use in the event of a crusher breakdown. At June 30, 2016 there was 63,854t of crushed ore at 1.27 g/t on this stockpile (2,602 ounces of gold), during the quarter approximately 38,000t of ore were added to this stockpile. As well, during the Nkran pre-stripping operations, marginal ore was stockpiled separately for processing at the end of the mine life and consists of 470,597t at 0.79 g/t (11,953 ounces of gold).

Sales and Liquidity

Gold production for the quarter was 36,337 ounces with gold sales of 35,074 ounces at an average price of US$1,231 per ounce, generating gold sales revenue of US$43.2 million. At the end of the quarter, there were 7,833 ounces of dore in inventory at a market value of approximately $10.2 million.

The Company's balance sheet remains strong with approximately $43.7 million in cash and immediately convertible working capital balances, as at June 30, 2016. In addition, the Company has no significant current long term debt obligations with its first principal repayment on its $150 million debt facility not due for two years (on July 1, 2018).

Importantly, the Company has received its first refund of VAT from the Ghanaian Revenue Authority during the period totalling $5.3 million. Now that the mine has reached commercial production, it is anticipated that the Company will receive regular quarterly refunds and be VAT neutral.

Outlook

The Company remains on track to meet its production guidance of 90,000 to 100,000 ounces for H2 2016.

Financial results for the second quarter will be reported on or about August 16, 2016. Expected costs for the second quarter will be disproportionately high as the mining and processing operations were still ramping up during the period. In addition, high expenditure levels were incurred completing the process facility upgrades to allow for continuous operations at higher levels and one-off costs were incurred in mobilizing a new contractor owned mining fleet. These costs are expected to fall in the second half of the year and start to come in-line with Company expectations as throughput, grade and associated gold output improve in H2 2016.

The Phase 2 Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") is nearing finalization and is expected to be published during Q3 2016. The DFS will contain the economics of the staged Phase 2A and Phase 2B expansions (see news release dated May 2, 2016), an updated schedule for mining the satellite deposits and production guidance for the existing operations for 2017 and 2018. The guidance is not expected to be materially different than the Phase 1 Definitive Project Plan (see news release dated November 13, 2014).

Qualified Persons Statements

Charles J. Muller, B.Sc. Geology (Hons), PR.Sci.Nat., MGSSA, a Director of CJM Consulting Pty Ltd. ("CJM") of Johannesburg, South Africa, a qualified person with respect to NI 43-101, has supervised the scientific and/or technical information contained in this press release.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Conference Call and Webcast Details Today at 9am EST US/Canada Toll Free: 1 800 786 6104 UK Toll Free: 0800 496 1094 International: +1 212 271 4651 Presentation available here: www.asanko.com Webcast: please click on the link: https://cc.callinfo.com/r/14pene9goso8h&eom Replay: A recorded playback will be available approximately two hours after the call until August 19, 2016: US/Canada Toll Free: 1 800 558 5253 International: +1 416 626 4100 Passcode: #21814655 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enquiries:

For further information, please visit: www.asanko.com, email: info@asanko.com.

About Asanko Gold Inc.

Asanko's vision is to become a mid-tier gold mining company that maximizes value for all its stakeholders. The Company's flagship project is the multi-million ounce Asanko Gold Mine located in Ghana, West Africa. The mine is being developed in phases. Phase 1 was built within budget and ahead of schedule, with gold production commencing in January 2016 and commercial production declared on April 1, 2016.

Asanko is managed by highly skilled and successful technical, operational and financial professionals. The Company is strongly committed to the highest standards for environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and neighbouring communities.

Forward-Looking and other Cautionary Information

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address estimated resource quantities, grades and contained metals, possible future mining, exploration and development activities, are forward-looking statements.

The foregoing parameters for a Phase 2 mine expansion are preliminary estimates and projections only. Feasibility work has not progressed to the point where the Company has ascertained whether a Phase 2 project will prove economically feasible in its currently posited form or for any other form of mine model or plan. No estimated net present value or internal rate of return or sensitivity analysis around the project economics has been calculated at this time.

Although the Company believes the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices for metals, the conclusions of detailed feasibility and technical analyses, the timely renewal of key permits, lower than expected grades and quantities of resources, mining rates and recovery rates and the lack of availability of necessary capital, which may not be available to the Company on terms acceptable to it or at all. The Company is subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities Commission and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note to US Investors Regarding Mineral Reporting Standards:

Asanko has prepared its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of US securities laws. Terms relating to mineral resources in this press release are defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects under the guidelines set out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") permits mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. Asanko uses certain terms, such as, "measured mineral resources", "indicated mineral resources", "inferred mineral resources" and "probable mineral reserves", that the SEC does not recognize (these terms may be used in this press release and are included in the public filings of Asanko which have been filed with securities commissions or similar authorities in Canada).

Contacts:

Alex Buck

Manager, Investor and Media Relations

Toll-Free (N. America): 1-855-246-7341

Telephone: +44-7932-740-452

alex.buck@asanko.com



Wayne Drier

Executive, Corporate Development

Telephone: +1-778-729-0614

wayne.drier@asanko.com




WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX), in a filing with the US Securities And Exchange Commission on Tuesday, said it has entered into a Stipulation of Settled Issues with the Internal Revenue Service or IRS. This is intended to resolve all disputes related to the previously disclosed transfer pricing issues for Guidant Corp.'s 2001 through 2006 tax years and Boston Scientific's 2006 and 2007 tax years currently before the United States Tax Court. The Stipulation of Settled Issues is contingent upon the IRS Office of Appeals applying the same basis of settlement to all transfer pricing issues for the Company's 2008 through 2010 tax years and, if applicable, review by the United States Congress Joint Committee on Taxation. If the settlement is finalized, the company will make net tax payments to the IRS of approximately $275 million to resolve both the controversy before the Tax Court as well as the transfer pricing issues before IRS Appeals. Once finalized, the settlement would resolve substantially all aspects of the controversy before the Tax Court as well as the Company's transfer pricing issues before IRS Appeals. In addition, Boston Scientific said it believes the basis of the settlement provides a framework that can be consistently applied by the IRS to all of the Company's U.S. income tax returns filed subsequent to 2010. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Serinus Energy Inc. ("Serinus", "SEN" or the "Company") (TSX: SEN)(WARSAW: SEN) is pleased to provide the following update for its operations for the second quarter of 2016.

Second Quarter Production and Realized Prices

Average corporate production for the second quarter was approximately 1,217 boe/d (SEN WI), representing a 45% decrease from 2,213 boe/d in the first quarter. The difference is due substantially to the sale of the Ukraine assets in early February. Ukraine production for Q1 was 1,059 boe/d.

Overall production from Tunisia for Q2 was 1,217 boe/d, 5.5% higher than the 1,154 boe/d in Q1 2016 and substantially unchanged from 1,206 boe/d in Q2 2015. Oil averaged 900 bbl/d, and gas was 1.9 MMcf/d. The increase vs. the prior quarter was due to higher production from several wells after having pump changes in Q1. Estimated realized prices during the quarter were $40.79/bbl and $4.41/Mcf.

Tunisia production for July to date has averaged approximately 1,070 boe/d, comprised of 864 bbl/d of oil and 1.2 MMcf/d of natural gas. Gas sales have been restricted due to operational issues at STEG, the national gas utility. The WIN-12bis well in the Sabria Field is also being constrained while scale inhibition measures are being implemented. Once those measures are in place, WIN-12bis remains capable of producing over 1,000 boe/d, despite having been on production since December 2014. The WIN-13 well commenced production in May 2015 at an initial rate of approximately 130 boe/d, and has gradually increased to nearly 300 boe/d in July to date, and water cuts continue to decrease.

Note: the volumes and prices referred to above are subject to minor revisions once final allocations and invoices are received.

The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Winstar Tunisia B.V. ("Winstar"), has entered into a marketing agreement with Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited ("Shell") for the sale of its Tunisian oil production. The term of the agreement is for 5 years and the pricing mechanism is competitive with realized prices that Winstar has received from other purchasers of its Tunisian crude oil. This benefits the Company by getting regular crude oil liftings from a large and highly reputable purchaser.

Outlook

The Company's focus remains on reducing costs wherever possible while maintaining existing production in Tunisia. The Company estimates that new drilling is economically viable at current prices in the mid - forties per barrel, provided they are sustainable. The 2016 budget will be re-examined on an ongoing basis in the event of that management becomes confident that such prices can be sustained, and that funding is available to recommence drilling. Existing production in Tunisia remains cash flow positive at prices as low as $30/bbl.

In Romania, Serinus will concentrate on moving the Moftinu-1001 discovery into the experimental production phase. Pending ratification of the Phase 3 extension of the Satu Mare Licence, management continues to refine the drilling program and has commenced preliminary design of the required surface facilities.

The Company is examining several alternatives for funding the development activities in both Romania and Tunisia.

Abbreviations

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- bbl Barrel(s) bbl/d Barrels per day ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- boe Barrels of Oil Equivalent boe/d Barrels of Oil Equivalent per day ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mcf Thousand Cubic Feet Mcf/d Thousand Cubic Feet per day ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MMcf Million Cubic Feet MMcf/d Million Cubic Feet per day ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mcfe Thousand Cubic Feet Mcfe/d Thousand Cubic Feet Equivalent Equivalent per day ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MMcfe Million Cubic Feet MMcfe/d Million Cubic Feet Equivalent Equivalent per day ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mboe Thousand boe Bcf Billion Cubic Feet ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MMboe Million boe Mcm Thousand Cubic Metres ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- UAH Ukrainian Hryvnia USD U.S. Dollar ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CAD Canadian Dollar $M Thousands of Dollars ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- $MM Millions of Dollars ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cautionary Statement:

BOEs may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A BOE conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

Test results are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or of ultimate recovery. The test data contained herein is considered preliminary until full pressure transient analysis is complete.

About Serinus

Serinus is an international upstream oil and gas exploration and production company that owns and operates projects in Tunisia, and Romania.

For further information, please refer to the Serinus website (www.serinusenergy.com).

Translation: This news release has been translated into Polish from the English original.

Forward-looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements made as of the date of this announcement with respect to future activities that either are not or may not be historical facts. Although the Company believes that its expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date hereof, any potential results suggested by such statements involve risk and uncertainties and no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Various factors that could impair or prevent the Company from completing the expected activities on its projects include that the Company's projects experience technical and mechanical problems, there are changes in product prices, failure to obtain regulatory approvals, the state of the national or international monetary, oil and gas, financial, political and economic markets in the jurisdictions where the Company operates and other risks not anticipated by the Company or disclosed in the Company's published material. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties and actual results may vary materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in this announcement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this announcement, unless required by law.

Note: Serinus reports in US dollars. All dollar amounts referred to herein are in USD, unless specifically noted otherwise.

Contacts:

Serinus Energy Inc. - Canada

Norman W. Holton

Vice Chairman

+1-403-264-8877

nholton@serinusenergy.com



Serinus Energy Inc. - Canada

Gregory M. Chornoboy

Director - Capital Markets & Corporate Development

+1-403-264-8877

gchornoboy@serinusenergy.com



Serinus Energy Inc. - Poland

Jakub J. Korczak

Vice President Investor Relations & Managing Director CEE

+48 22 414 21 00

jkorczak@serinusenergy.com




LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- SeatBoost has successfully launched real-time bidding for flight upgrades via its mobile app, enabling passengers to participate and bid against one another in a live auction environment.

90 minutes before departure, ticketed passengers on available routes can enter their flight number into the SeatBoost app. If premium seats are available, they can join the auction and start bidding for an upgrade. This turns the boring and monotonous pre-flight gate time into an exciting game-like auction, where passengers compete for the top spot on the leaderboard. Winners are notified via the app and are issued new boarding passes in their upgraded class.

The SeatBoost app gains access to premium or upgraded seat inventory using the Farelogix API and direct connect to airlines. SeatBoost can seamlessly integrate with any Farelogix airline customer to host auctions that create demand and drive purchases of premium upgrades right before boarding.

"The fact that our auction is live and takes place at the gate is key, because that's how you can really drum up excitement and get people competing to purchase seats that would otherwise go unsold," says Kevin Stamler, CEO of SeatBoost. "By opening those seats up to a live auction, we are enabling airlines to bring in additional ancillary revenue, while at the same time, creating positive brand interactions. Our experience reinforces that travelers are more inclined to purchase an upgraded seat when they feel like they've won something, especially when they get to choose how much they're willing to spend."

By partnering with Farelogix, SeatBoost is able to offer airlines a top-notch integration solution backed by a company that has been at the forefront of technology in the airline industry for nearly 20 years. "The SeatBoost app is a great example of how the NDC standard is being used to drive innovation in the airline industry," says Jim Davidson, CEO of Farelogix. "And of course, it's incredibly rewarding to see our technology being used by SeatBoost to not only help the airlines generate ancillary revenues right up to the point of departure, but also reward customers with a last minute upgrade at a price point they are comfortable with."

SeatBoost is currently being offered by Virgin America, which recently introduced the platform on select leisure routes and in a way that maintains the benefits of its Elevate frequent flyer members. At present, SeatBoost is offered on all of the airline's departures from Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS), as well as LAS services from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Early feedback from bidders has been positive, with travelers in LAS in particular enjoying the process.

Kara Duenas, a SeatBoost in-airport representative, comments on how travelers have reacted to SeatBoost auctions to date: "At the airport, people often seem stressed from traveling, so the reactions from our auction winners stand out quite a bit. I remember one couple that was having such a good time trying to outbid the competition - they were laughing and joking around the entire time. They were both excited to learn that they had won upgrades, but I think they were just as excited about playing. I also get a lot of requests from winners to take their pictures as they receive their new boarding pass, which is always fun for me to capture."

John MacLeod, Virgin America Senior Vice President of Planning and Sales, comments on what led the airline to partner with SeatBoost: "As the only airline based in Silicon Valley, we are always experimenting with new products and services that our tech-forward guests can use to make their travel experience even better and that drive ancillary revenue. With SeatBoost and the partnership with Farelogix, we can open up the opportunity for new guests to experience our First Class and Main Cabin Select and importantly - the platform also allows us to hold back seat inventory to ensure that we protect the perks of our most loyal guests."

From the travelers' perspective, SeatBoost makes premium seats both accessible and attainable, and gives them a sense of control. Participants can see where they stand in the leaderboard throughout the auction, and they decide what they are willing to bid.

According to Stamler, "Customer satisfaction becomes increasingly more important as airlines continue to explore and vet new avenues to drive revenue. SeatBoost is uniquely positioned in the market to provide a product that not only maximizes ancillary revenue but also strengthens airlines' relationships with their customers through positive brand experiences."

About SeatBoost

SeatBoost is an app that hosts live auctions for premium flight upgrades right before boarding to help airlines generate ancillary revenue. For additional information, visit seatboost.com.

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Jodi Echakowitz

Boulevard PR (for SeatBoost)

905-709-9600

Jodi@boulevardpr.com




A Prime Now delivery.

Amazon is launching a new ultra-fast delivery service in Madrid and 21 outlying municipalities, where it has pledged to bring customers their orders in under one hour.

The e-commerce giant, which is offering Prime Now from Wednesday, charges clients 5.90 for the one-hour-or-less service, or free delivery if customers are willing to wait two hours.

Users may also select the most convenient delivery time between 8am and midnight.

Madrid joins Milan, Berlin and Paris, which already have the express delivery system in place. Household items and essentials will be transported by a fleet of minivans and electric bicycles.

Sign up for our newsletter EL PAIS English Edition has launched a weekly newsletter. Sign up today to receive a selection of our best stories in your inbox every Saturday morning. For full details about how to subscribe, click here

The move intensifies the ongoing battle over retail distribution in Spain, where online purchases are growing significantly.

E-commerce in Spain is still below French or British levels, but it is on the rise. In the third quarter of last year  when the latest official figures are available  there were nearly 74 million online purchases, a 27.4% rise from the same period a year earlier. Music, books, newspapers, stationery and clothing lead the sales charts.

English version by Susana Urra.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- GFK Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: GFK) (the "Company") announces, following an extensive internal review, that the Company has signed a new agreement (the "Agreement") with Adventure Gold Inc. ("Adventure Gold"), now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Probe Metals Inc., whereby:

I. the option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Adventure Gold dated December 11, 2013 regarding the Company's option (the "Option") to acquire up to a 100% interest in a series of nine blocks of mining claims collectively known as the Casa-Cameron project has been terminated (see news release dated December 12, 2013 for more details on the original transaction); II. the Company has agreed to purchase from Adventure Gold three properties forming part of the Casa Cameron project (the "Properties"), being Vezza North, Vezza Extension and Bachelor Extension, in exchange for the issuance of a total 3,000,000 common shares of the Company (the "Acquisition"); III.the Company shall also pay an additional amount of $1,000,000 upon the filing of a pre-feasibility study on a property forming part of the Properties (for a maximum amount of $3,000,000), payable in cash or common shares of the Company (the "Milestone Payments"); and IV. the Company shall grant Adventure Gold a 2% NSR royalty on the Properties, 1% of which may be bought back by the Company for $1,000,000.

At the closing of the Acquisition, the termination of the Option and Option Agreement requires the Company to make a good standing payment (the "Good Standing Payment") of $275,000 to Adventure Gold, payable as $175,000 on closing and a further $100,000 payable no later than November 15, 2016, failing which the Company shall pay a penalty fee to Adventure Gold comprised of (i) an amount equal to 10% of the Good Standing Payment, and (ii) an amount equal to 2% of the Good Standing Payment for each full month after November 15, 2016 in which the Good Standing Payment remains outstanding. Such penalty fee shall be payable in cash or in common shares of the Company, or a combination of both at the discretion of the Company. The number of common shares which may be issued to Adventure Gold under the Milestone Payments and the Good Standing Payment shall not exceed 30 million shares.

The parties expect to proceed with the closing of the Acquisition over the next few days, subject to numerous conditions customary to this type of transaction, including the delivery of the required closing documents and the receipt of final regulatory approval.

About GFK

GFK Resources Inc. is a mining exploration company focused on discovering high quality gold deposits close to existing mines in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt located in north-west Quebec and north-east Ontario - one of the most prolific gold deposits areas in the world. GFK holds assets in Val-d'Or and is optioning / buying new quality assets in Chapais-Chibougamau mining camp, Urban-Barry area and along the Casa-Berardi-Cameron Gold Break. All our projects are located in proven environment with strong potential for new gold discoveries, where exploration costs are low.

Source: Louis Morin, CEO

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.

Contacts:

GFK Resources Inc.

Louis Morin

CEO

514-591-3988




OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. ("Cornerstone" or "the Company") (TSX VENTURE: CGP)(FRANKFURT: GWN)(BERLIN: GWN)(OTCBB: CTNXF) announces the following project update for the Cascabel copper-gold porphyry joint venture exploration project in northern Ecuador, in which the Company has a 15% interest financed through to completion of a feasibility study. SolGold Plc is funding 100% of the exploration at Cascabel and is the operator of the project.

Further to the announcement of July 12, 2016, Cornerstone announces a correction to the CSD-16-017 ("Hole 17") assay results that increases the grade of the previously announced intersections, as well as the length of the high grade zone.

HIGHLIGHTS:

-- Upgrade due to correction of a reporting error on assay grades from the independent laboratory. -- High grade intersection increased from 136m (true width 98m) @ 1.28% copper and 2.20 g/t gold (3.24% copper equivalent - "CuEq") to 150m (true width 108m) @ 1.54% copper and 2.05 g/t gold (3.36% copper equivalent). -- Overall hole intersection upgraded from 948m (true width 683m) @ 0.54% copper and 0.53 g/t gold (1.01% CuEq) to 948m @ 0.60% copper and 0.53 g/t gold (1.07% CuEq).

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The corrected assays results presented in Table 1 below extend the high grade zone below 982m to a depth of 996m, due to corrections to copper grades within the interval from 950m to 1002m.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cascabel Project - Drill Hole Intersections ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Depth Interval True width Hole ID From Depth To (m) Cu_% Au_g/t CuEq_% (m) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CSD-16-017 330 1278 948 0.60 0.53 1.07 683 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- incls 702 1264 562 0.79 0.75 1.46 405 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- incls 784 1032 248 1.16 1.36 2.37 179 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- incls 846 996 150 1.54 2.05 3.36 98 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Data Aggregation Method - Intercepts reported with up to 10m internal dilution. (Excluding bridging to a single sample) - Intercepts selected using Cu equivalent cutoff grades of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.50, 0.70, 1.0 and 1.50 (ii) Gold Conversion Factor of 0.89 calculated from copper price US$2.20/lb. and gold price US$1350/oz. (iii)CuEq calculation assumes 100% recoveries of Cu and Au.

Table 1: Corrected assay results from Hole 17 (CSD-16-017) at Alpala.

For comparison, the assay results originally reported for Hole 17 on July 12, 2016 were as follows:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cascabel Project - Drill Hole Intersections ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Depth Interval True width Hole ID From Depth To (m) Cu_% Au_g/t CuEq_% (m) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CSD-16-017 330 1278 948 0.54 0.53 1.01 683 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- incls 702 1264 562 0.70 0.75 1.36 405 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- incls 784 1032 248 0.94 1.36 2.16 179 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- incls 846 982 136 1.28 2.20 3.24 98 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- (i) Data Aggregation Method - Intercepts reported with up to 10m internal dilution. (Excluding bridging to a single sample) - Intercepts selected using Cu equivalent cutoff grades of 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.50, 0.70, 1.0 and 1.50 (ii) Gold Conversion Factor of 0.89 calculated from copper price US$2.20/lb. and gold price US$1350/oz. (iii) CuEq calculation assumes 100% recoveries of Cu and Au.

The increase is as a result of the correction of a reporting error by the laboratory and the re-assay of misreported multi-element results corresponding to samples from 950m to 1002m depth.

The error was detected by SolGold geologists on site by comparison of visual mineralization with reported assay grades, after the original results were announced.

SolGold runs, as a matter of course, a process of duplicates, standards and blanks in its sample assay protocol which will detect assay errors but did not pick out reporting errors by the assay laboratory.

SolGold will adopt a further protocol of assay grade and visual comparisons prior to all assay reporting to avoid this error occurring again in the future.

About Cascabel:

SolGold Plc owns 85% of the equity of Exploraciones Novomining S.A. ("ENSA"), an Ecuadorean company that holds 100% of the Cascabel concession in northern Ecuador. Cornerstone owns the remaining 15% of ENSA, which also holds the rights to the La Encrucijada gold-silver project. SolGold is funding 100% of the exploration at Cascabel and is the operator of the project. Cornerstone's 15% interest is financed through completion of a feasibility study.

Cascabel is located in northwestern Ecuador in an under-explored northern section of the Andean Copper Belt, 60 km northeast of the undeveloped inferred resource of 982 million tons at 0.89% Cu Llurimaga (formerly Junin) copper project (0.4% Cu cut-off grade; Micon International Co. Ltd. Technical Report for Ascendant Exploration SA, August 20, 2004, pages 28 & 29). Mineralization identified at the Llurimaga copper project is not necessarily indicative of the mineralization on the Cascabel Property.

Qualified Person:

Yvan Crepeau, MBA, P.Geo., Cornerstone's Vice President, Exploration and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration program at the Cascabel project for Cornerstone and has reviewed and approved the information contained in this news release.

Logging, sampling and assaying

Holes referred to in this release were or are being drilled using HTW, NTW, NQ and BQ core sizes (respectively 7.1, 5.6, 4.8 and 3.7 cm diameter). Geotechnical measurements such as core recovery, fracturing, rock quality designations (RQD's), specific density and photographic logging are performed systematically prior to assaying. The core is logged, magnetic susceptibility measured and key alteration minerals identified using an on-site portable spectrometer. Core is then sawed in half at the ENSA core logging facility, and half of the core is delivered by ENSA employees for preparation at LAC y Asociados ISO 9001-2008 certified sample preparation facility in Cuenca. Core samples are prepared crushing to 70% passing 2 mm (10 mesh), splitting 250 g and pulverizing to 85% passing 75 microns (200 mesh) (MSA code PRP-910). Prepared samples are then shipped to MS Analytical Services (MSA), an ISO 9001-2008 laboratory in Langley, BC, Canada where samples are assayed for a multi-element suite (MSA code IMS-230, 0.2g split, 4-acid digestion, ICP-AES/MS finish). Over limit results for Cu (greater than 1%) are systematically re-assayed (MSA code ICF-6Cu, 0.2 g, 4-acid digestion, ICP-AES finish). Gold is assayed using a 30 g split, Fire Assay (FA) and AAS finish (MSA code FAS 111). Over limit results for Au (greater than 10 g/t) are systematically re-assayed (MSA code FAS-415, FA, 30g., gravimetric finish).

Drill hole intercepts from the Cascabel Property are calculated using a data aggregation method, defined by copper equivalent cut-off grades and reported with up to 10m internal dilution, excluding bridging to a single sample. Copper equivalent grades are calculated using a gold conversion factor of 0.89, determined using copper price of US$2.20/pound and gold price of US$1350/ounce. Copper equivalent calculation assumes 100% recoveries of copper and gold.

All reported drill core intervals from the Cascabel Property are core lengths, unless otherwise indicated. At present the true thicknesses of all of the holes has not been calculated by SolGold. Low-grade intersections, where applicable, are expressed as average true widths (utilizing the "B-vein greater than 0.5%" shell orientations). High-grade intersections are better constrained for holes 1, 5, 8 and 9, and these intersections are also expressed as average true widths (utilizing the "B-veins greater than 20%" shell orientations).

Quality assurance / Quality control (QA/QC)

The MSA Analytical Laboratory is a qualified assayer that performs and makes available internal assaying controls. Duplicates, certified blanks and standards are systematically used (1 control sample every 15-20 samples) as part of Cornerstone's QA/QC program. Rejects, a 100 g pulp for each core sample and the remaining half-core are stored for future use and controls.

Plans:

SolGold has announced it is planning a resource statement at Alpala, the most advanced target at Cascabel, during 2016, in addition to drill testing the other key targets at Aguinaga, Trivino, Alpala NW, Hematite Hill, Alpala SE, Cristal, Tandayama America, Moran, and Chinambicito within the Cascabel concession. By the end of 2016 SolGold has reported it is planning further metallurgical testing, and completion of early stage mine and plant design and a scoping study (which may or may not be the approximate equivalent of a preliminary economic assessment as defined under National Instrument 43-101) for an economic development at Cascabel. SolGold has reported it is investigating both high tonnage / low grade open cut and high grade / low tonnage underground developments as a block caving operation.

About Cornerstone:

Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. is a well funded mineral exploration company with a diversified portfolio of projects in Ecuador and Chile, and a proven ability to identify, acquire and advance properties of merit. The company's business model is based on generating exploration projects whose subsequent development is funded primarily through partnerships.

Further information is available on Cornerstone's website: www.cornerstoneresources.com and on Twitter.

Cautionary Notice:

This news release may contain 'Forward-Looking Statements' that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements of Cornerstone's plans, objectives, strategies, intentions and expectations. The words "potential," "anticipate," "forecast," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "may," "project," "plan," and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify 'Forward-Looking Statements.' Although Cornerstone believes that its expectations reflected in these 'Forward-Looking Statements' are reasonable, such statements may involve unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed in our regulatory filings, viewed on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets, predicting natural geological phenomena and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of an environmental, climatic, natural, political, economic, business, competitive, or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our Forward-Looking Statements. Although Cornerstone believes the facts and information contained in this news release to be as correct and current as possible, Cornerstone does not warrant or make any representation as to the accuracy, validity or completeness of any facts or information contained herein and these statements should not be relied upon as representing its views subsequent to the date of this news release. While Cornerstone anticipates that subsequent events may cause its views to change, it expressly disclaims any obligation to update the Forward-Looking Statements contained herein except where outcomes have varied materially from the original statements.

On Behalf of the Board,

Brooke Macdonald, President and CEO

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

Contacts:

For investor, corporate or media inquiries, please contact:

Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc.

Investor Relations

(613) 421-6923

ir@cornerstoneresources.ca

www.cornerstoneresources.com




CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Renoworks Software Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RW)(OTC PINK: RWOKF)("Renoworks" or the "Company"), the leading visualizer for the home remodeling and construction industry, is pleased to announce that it has received funding from Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures (AITF), to enhance the company's sales and marketing efforts.

Through its Commercialization Associates Program, AITF will fund 80 per cent of the salaries for two sales and marketing employees focused on increasing Renoworks PRO sales and additional sales and marketing expenses. This grant totals $222,000 over a two-year period.

With Renoworks PRO, contractors can show homeowners how their home will look before a remodelling project starts by quickly designing a new look for a home. Users upload a photo of a home and then apply products from over 250 manufacturer libraries, covering both exterior and interior building product categories, to produce a realistic image of the remodelled home.

AITF provides funding to Alberta-based technology companies to stimulate growth of the provincial economy through job creation, revenue generation, economic diversification, and increased out-of-province investment. With the Renoworks PRO platform becoming a much-needed tool for contractors all across North America, AITF saw excellent growth potential.

AITF previously provided Renoworks with approximately $100,000 grants through its Voucher programs to fund market assessment studies and the development of a mobile application.

"We are extremely grateful for this additional funding from Alberta Innovates - Technology Futures," said Doug Vickerson, CEO of Renoworks. "This funding will help us grow our Renoworks PRO platform into a suite of tools every contractor in North America uses to improve their sales process. It will also strengthen our business as well as Alberta's technology sector. The fact AITF has provided funding for Renoworks PRO more than once shows it strongly believes in what we are doing for contractors and the provincial economy."

"AITF is pleased to support Renoworks in its efforts to revolutionize the home renovation industry through the integration of cutting edge technology," said Cory Fries, Acting CEO of AITF. "The support of Renoworks, and other Alberta based innovators, demonstrates AITF's efforts to further diversify Alberta's economy."

About Alberta Innovates - Tech Futures (AITF)

AITF is a provincial corporation that provides innovation, research and commercialization services that deliver economic and social benefits to Alberta and Canada. The corporation works extensively with industry, government, academic and other science and technology organizations to bring good ideas from the lab bench to the marketplace. The Government of Alberta is consolidating the four Alberta Innovates corporations (Bio Solutions, Energy and Environment Solutions, Health Solutions and Technology Futures) into one called Alberta Innovates that will fund and drive innovations. A new wholly-owned subsidiary corporation that provides specialized applied research services will also be created. For more information, visit http://www.albertatechfutures.ca/Corporate/AboutTechFutures.aspx.

About Renoworks

Renoworks Software Inc. develops and sells unique digital visualization software for the remodelling and new home construction industry, primarily in the United States and Canada. Delivered online, as a custom developed app or desktop software, Renoworks PRO provides its technology to manufacturers, contractors, builders and retailers offering the solution to one of the home remodelling industry's greatest challenges: enabling customers to see how their product choices will look in a realistic, virtual environment - even in their own home - before they make a purchase decision. Renoworks markets its software as a cost-effective lead generation tool and generates revenues from three main business lines: enterprise, Renoworks PRO, and its Software Development Kit (SDK). For more information, visit www.renoworks.com.

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking information that involves various risks and uncertainties. Such statements relating to, among other things, the prospects for the company to enhance operating results, are necessarily subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which are significant in scope and nature. These uncertainties may cause actual results to differ from information contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These and all subsequent written and oral forward looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of the management on the dates they are made and expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.

Contacts:

For further information please contact:

Renoworks Software Inc.

Doug Vickerson, CEO

403-296-3880

doug.vickerson@renoworks.com



For investor information for Renoworks please contact:

Rob Gamley

604-689-7422

rob@contactfinancial.com




SALT LAKE CITY, UT -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- While most of their patients understand the benefits of LASIK surgery and its ability to correct common concerns such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, the Salt Lake City eye surgeons at The Eye Institute of Utah say it is natural to be somewhat anxious about having any kind of surgery performed on the eyes. With that in mind, they note that some of the most frequently asked questions about LASIK surgery -- a procedure that can help individuals reduce, or even eliminate, their reliance on glasses and contacts -- typically begin with candidacy requirements.

There are a number of qualities shared among most ideal LASIK candidates, including good eye health and a stable vision prescription for a year or more. Though some patients may wonder whether they are too old for LASIK surgery, the doctors explain that the health of the eye is much more important than age. They note that, while some patients may not be eligible for LASIK surgery due to present or imminently potential conditions such as cataracts or extreme cases of dry eye, there is technically no upper age limit for laser vision correction. In fact, the doctors have successfully utilized the procedure to correct visual refractive errors in patients who are in their 50s, 60s, and beyond.

Another frequently asked question about LASIK that the surgeons often hear involves whether it is okay to have LASIK during pregnancy. They explain that, while pregnancy does not often affect the health of the eye, women who are pregnant are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction. The doctors say that hormonal changes during pregnancy can make the outcome of LASIK less reliable. In addition, they note that some of the medications and eye drops typically used for the procedure and during recovery could pose unnecessary risks to unborn children. As a result, they recommend that women wait a few months after childbirth to undergo LASIK surgery, once their hormone levels have stabilized and the child is no longer at risk.

Once patients are deemed good candidates for LASIK, they often ask if the procedure is painful. The doctors explain that the many advancements in LASIK technology made over the years have dramatically improved the precision and efficiency of the surgery. The procedure itself can now be performed as an all-laser treatment and usually takes less than 10 minutes to complete. In addition, the surgeons numb the eyes with anesthetic eye drops prior to surgery and patients are offered an oral sedative such as valium to help them relax, helping make LASIK virtually pain-free. While some post-operative itchiness, dryness, and irritation may be present, the doctors note that these common side effects can often be easily managed with eye drops, and should subside within a few days.

The LASIK surgeons at The Eye Institute of Utah say that individuals who are considering any type of vision correction procedure should be sure to meet with an experienced ophthalmologist who will answer all of their questions and address their concerns prior to treatment. They say advanced technology combined with the hands of a skilled eye surgeon can go a long way toward providing patients with effective results and a significantly reduced dependence on corrective eyewear.

About The Eye Institute of Utah

Dr. W. Andrew Lyle established The Eye Institute of Utah in 1980, one of the largest and most respected eye care facilities in Utah. The expansive facility offers comprehensive eye and vision care options and serves patients from Utah and states across the Intermountain West, including Wyoming, Idaho, and Nevada. Recognized as leaders in the fields of cataract surgery and laser vision correction, the doctors at The Eye Institute of Utah are often involved in clinical studies to investigate the safety and efficacy of new and advanced treatment techniques. In addition to vision correction and cataract removal procedures, the practice offers treatment for an array of eye and vision conditions. The Eye Institute of Utah surgeons are available for interview upon request.

For more information about The Eye Institute of Utah, please visit theeyeinstitute.com and facebook.com/theeyeinstitute.

To view the original source of this press release, click here:

https://www.theeyeinstitute.com/news-room/salt-lake-city-lasik-surgeons-answer-frequently-asked-questions

The Eye Institute of Utah

755 East 3900 South

Salt Lake City, UT 84107

(801) 266-2283



Rosemont Media

(858) 200-0044

www.rosemontmedia.com




OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP.TO, CP) reported that its second-quarter earnings per share declined 9 percent to C$2.15 from C$2.36, last year. Adjusted EPS decreased 16 percent to C$2.05 from C$2.45 due in large part to a 12 percent drop in revenues. On average, 22 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of C$2.01 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Second-quarter revenues fell 12 percent year-over-year to C$1.45 billion from C$1.65 billion. Analysts expected revenue of C$1.47 billion for the quarter. 'Revenue challenges in the second quarter included lower-than-anticipated bulk volumes, devastating wildfires in northern Alberta and a strengthening Canadian dollar,' said CP's CEO Hunter Harrison. Canadian Pacific Railway also announced that its Board has reached an agreement with next chief executive officer, Keith Creel. Currently president and chief operating officer, Creel will become president and CEO on July 1, 2017. CP also has reached a three-year, post-retirement consulting agreement with Harrison. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
DUBLIN, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Network Centric Warfare Market by Platform, Application, Mission Type, Communication Network, Architecture, and Region - Global Forecast to 2021" report to their offering.

The network centric warfare market is forecast to reach a value of USD 57.68 billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 4.52% during the forecast period 2016-2021.



Rising demand for networking unmanned platforms for border surveillance and threat detection in the war field are the main drivers for the growth of the market. For instance, Elbit Systems supplied a European country an unmanned aircraft system (UAS)-based cutting-edge intelligence solution. The AMPS (Advanced Multi-Sensor Payload System) used in the UAS is a multi-sensor electro-optics system capable of long-range visual intelligence for both day and night.



North America, which includes the U.S. and Canada is expected to lead the network centric warfare market, by region. High defense expenditure by the U.S. is the major driver for a high market share. Huge investments by the U.S. government for the defense network architecture program is fueling the growth for the network centric warfare market. There are several manufacturers of network centric warfare in the U.S. that produce majority of airborne, naval, and land-based NCWs for the U.S. military. These manufacturers have dominated the network centric warfare market for years.



Key Topics Covered:

Comprehensive information on network centric warfare equipment offered by top 13 players in the global network centric warfare market

Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product launches in the market

Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the market

In-depth assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading market players

Companies Mentioned:



Airbus Group N.V.

Bae Systems PLC.

Cisco Systems Inc.

Elbit Systems Ltd

General Dynamics Corporation

Harris Corporation

L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Northrop Grumann Corporation

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

Thales Group

The Raytheon Company

Report Structure:

1 Introduction



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Premium Insights



5 Market Overview



6 Industry Trends



7 Network Centric Warfare Market, By Platform



8 Network Centric Warfare Market, By Application



9 Network Centric Warfare Market, By Mission Type



10 Network Centric Warfare Market, By Communication Network



11 Network Centric Warfare Market, By Architecture



12 Network Centric Warfare Market, By Region



13 Competitive Landscape



14 Company Profiles



15 Appendix



For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/9d6j4x/network_centric

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- (TSX: ERM) Investors and investment advisors are invited to listen to an update on Eclipse Residential Mortgage Investment Corporation ("Eclipse") hosted by Don Ross of MCAP Financial Corporation. Investors may listen to the recording of the update call on Brompton's website at www.bromptongroup.com. The Fund is available for purchase on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ERM.

Eclipse's investment objectives are to acquire and maintain a diversified portfolio comprised primarily of single family residential mortgages that seeks to preserve capital and generate sufficient income to permit Eclipse to pay monthly distributions to the holders of the class A shares. The current distribution amount is $0.05417 per class A share per month representing a cash distribution of 7.0% per annum based on the closing market price on July 14, 2016. Since inception to June 30, 2016, ERM has generated a 7.7% per annum return while growing its net asset value by 3.2%.

About Brompton Funds

Brompton Funds, a division of Brompton Group which was founded in 2000, is an experienced investment fund manager with approximately $2.0 billion in assets under management. Brompton's investment solutions include TSX listed closed-end funds, mutual funds, hedge funds and flow-through limited partnerships. For further information, please contact your investment advisor, call Brompton's investor relations line at 416-642-6000 (toll-free at 1-866-642-6001), email info@bromptongroup.com or visit our website at www.bromptongroup.com.

About MCAP Financial Corporation

One of Canada's largest mortgage financing companies, MCAP Financial Corporation originates and services all mortgages for Eclipse. MCAP has more than 20 years of experience underwriting and servicing Canadian Single Family Residential Mortgages, with over $50 billion in mortgage assets managed for banks, lifecos, credit unions and institutional investors.

You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell shares of the investment fund on the Toronto Stock Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an "exchange"). If the shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying shares of the investment fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning shares of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about Eclipse. You can find more detailed information about Eclipse in the public filings available at www.sedar.com. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to matters disclosed in this press release and to other matters identified in public filings relating to Eclipse, to the future outlook of Eclipse and anticipated events or results and may include statements regarding the future financial performance of the Fund. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may vary from such forward-looking information. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.

Contacts:

Investor Relations

416-642-6000 or Toll Free at 1-866-642-6001

info@bromptongroup.com

www.bromptongroup.com




OKLAHOMA CITY, OK--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) - The Scottsdale Mint Biblical Coin Series showcases iconic stories from the Bible that have been told and re-told for centuries. This fourth coin of 2016 displays the Good Samaritan -- a person who stopped to help a man who had been beaten and left for dead. This story tells of compassion, and loving one another despite their differences.

This 2 oz coin is cast out of .999 fine Silver with an antique finish and a high relief, rimless design. The reverse shows the good samaritan helping the injured man onto a horse. The obverse features Queen Elizabeth's effigy, and the edge is engraved with a unique serial number.

"This distressed, antique coin is a stunning addition to the series," APMEX Vice President of Merchandising Andrew Martineau said. "The story of the Good Samaritan is beautifully depicted within the details of the coin as the imagery clearly communicates the compassion shown toward those whose current situation may not be as fortunate as ours."

The 2 oz Silver Good Samaritan coin has a limited mintage of 1,499. Each coin comes with a certificate of authenticity, giving the coin's minting specifications a unique serial number that matches the laser-etched number on the coin and the story of the Good Samaritan. The certificate also features Gustave Dore's artwork, "Arrival of the Good Samaritan at the Inn," which the design was based off. The Scottsdale Mint issues the coin by the authority of the island of Niue, where it is legal tender.

This stunning coin is now available for pre-sale at APMEX and will be available to ship July 21.

About APMEX, Inc.

For more than 15 years, APMEX has been one of the nation's largest Precious Metals e-retailers. Boasting over $6.5 billion in transactions, APMEX was recently ranked the #1 Specialty E-Retailer and #42 out of 500 e-retailers by Internet Retailer Magazine. APMEX has the largest selection of bullion and numismatic items provided by a retailer, boasting more than 10,000 products. Product offerings include all U.S. Mint bullion such as Gold, Silver and Platinum American Eagle coins. APMEX also sells products from leading mints around the world including The Royal Mint, Perth Mint, Royal Canadian Mint and many others. APMEX is a member of the American Numismatic Association, the International Precious Metals Institute and the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. For additional information, visit www.APMEX.com or call (800) 375-9006.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/7/20/11G107322/Images/115x115-Good-Samaritan-Eve-PR-image-cab9675fbc08945d9887ac645ad181f1.jpg

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/7/20/11G107322/Images/709x300-Biblical-Good-Samaritan-PR-image-19379111c5b090adb3268c907e076aff.jpg

Whitney McCown

405-595-2177

Whitney.McCown@apmex.com
BOSTON, MA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Pneuron Corporation, a leader in business orchestration software, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Pneuron to its 2016 list of Emerging Vendors. This annual list recognizes up-and-coming technology suppliers who are shaping the future of the IT channel through unique technological innovations. In addition to celebrating these stand-out companies, the Emerging Vendors list also serves as a valuable resource for solution providers looking to expand their portfolios with cutting-edge technology.

Pneuron's focus is on operationalizing the insights of Big Data, the existing functionality of applications, and the inherent potential of existing data -- regardless of location. Deployed as a distributed processing network utilizing 50 types of configurable and interoperable mini applications ("pneurons"), users can combine data interactions, applications and analytics to help solve highly complex data-intensive business problems.

Pneuron's continued recognition is reinforced by a growing market awareness in two areas -- first, that a huge number of business challenges are not "Big", but rather distributed and diverse; and secondly that solving such increasing diversity and distribution cannot be addressed through solutions that are increasingly ill-suited for the challenge.

Says Simon Moss, CEO of Pneuron, "Gathering data from thousands of disparate realms, trying to shoehorn them into a legacy deployment and architectural approach is a time-intensive, inflexible and costly process. Moreover, it completely undermines an enterprises' ability to be agile in today's competitive environment. With Pneuron, companies can flexibly leverage their existing applications, infrastructure, services and data to create and deliver actionable intelligence directly into customer operations, in a fraction of the time and cost of any existing approach."

Most recently the company announced the availability of Pneuron 2.0, giving enterprises an expanded ability to bypass traditional application strategies and solve data and process-related business challenges quickly and more effectively.

"The select group of companies on our Emerging Vendors list have already made a name for themselves in their short time in the IT community, introducing leading-edge technologies with the potential to transform their segments of the IT market," said Robert Faletra, CEO of The Channel Company. "These tech suppliers are quickly making their mark on the industry and are the ones solution providers should watch in 2016."

The Emerging Vendors list will be featured in the August 2016 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/emergingvendors.

About the Channel Company

The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequaled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelco.com

CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. The Channel Company logo is a trademark of The Channel Company, LLC (registration pending). All rights reserved.

About Pneuron

Founded in 2010, Pneuron's proprietary business orchestration software enables organizations to run distributed 'pneurons' that leverage their existing applications, infrastructure, services and data to create and deliver actionable intelligence -- in half the time and cost. Through Pneuron's innovative, distributed approach, companies are no longer faced with the complex centralization and integration requirements of traditional approaches. Pneuron and its patented groundbreaking technology have garnered numerous awards and recognitions including: MIT Sloan School CIO Enterprise Innovator Award, 2015 Gartner Cool Vendor, CRN's 2015 Emerging Vendors designation and SD Times Company to Watch. For more information, visit us online at: Pneuron.com, on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts



Pneuron

Heather Moses

Chief Marketing Officer

heather.moses@pneuron.com



The Channel Company

Melanie Turpin

mturpin@thechannelco.com

(508) 416-1195




NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Today, AdParlor announced that it has been named to Pinterest's Marketing Developer Partners (MDP) program.

In joining the program, AdParlor has added Pinterest to its already vast offering of platforms where advertisers can reach consumers. With over 100 million people planning their lives -- and purchases -- on Pinterest every month, it's an ideal place for brands to seamlessly connect with them. "Whether they're pinning a dog collar, a recipe or a theme for a birthday party, nine in ten users say they find new ideas on Pinterest," AdParlor VP of Sales Miles Dennison said. "It's where advertisers can reach consumers when they're most receptive to their messages."

Brands and agencies are flocking to Pinterest because of its proven track record in driving users to convert. In fact, according to research by Millward Brown, 87% of Pinners have made a purchase after seeing a product they liked on the platform, while 93% of Pinners use Pinterest to plan their purchases. And, with a growing number of active Pinners, the chances of making it on to a potential customer's "wish list" are more likely than ever before.

Pinterest functions primarily as a self-discovery platform, giving it a unique distinction from social channels. "Pinterest is a catalog of ideas where consumers go to discover things they want to do and buy in real life," VP of Strategy and Operations Paul Calento said. "Users can find inspiration easily through a simple search, or even just in their home feed. On Pinterest, you're just a Pin away from finding ideas that work for you."

The average Pinterest user also plans for events, like holidays or parties, months in advance. "In a world where advertisers typically have only seconds to get a consumer's attention, Pinterest allows time to engage, and get that conversion," Dennison said. "And the whole time, users are sending clear signals to brands: 'This is what I'm interested in right now.' That's gold for advertisers."

As a Marketing Developer Partner, AdParlor leverages Pinterest's Ads API to help businesses scale their marketing on Pinterest, and create a richer experience for Pinners.

Visit info.adparlor.com/pinterest to learn more about Pinterest advertising.

About AdParlor

AdParlor is the largest social video platform that enables brands and marketers to plan, execute and optimize their social video and social media campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Twitter and Tumblr. AdParlor delivers measurable results at scale for hundreds of clients, including American Express, Coca-Cola, LG, OMD, Mindshare and Starcom. For more information, visit adparlor.com.

Media Contact

Kim McReynolds

AdParlor, Senior Director Marketing

Email Contact




Donald Trump's three children celebrate their father's nomination. JOE RAEDLE (AFP)

More information Los republicanos nominan a Donald Trump y consagran su giro

At exactly 7.16pm local time in Cleveland, Ohio, the state of New York gave Donald Trump the 1,238 delegates the property magnate needed to win the Republican Partys nomination in Novembers presidential elections.

While the conference center where the Republican Partys convention played Frank Sinatras New York, New York, the party celebrated its latest incarnation, discreetly forgetting, for the moment, the party it used to be. Delegates in Cleveland, united around a leadership that has resigned itself to change, threw their support behind Trump as the man to stop Hillary Clinton.

When he formally accepts the nomination on Thursday and makes his closing speech, Trump will embark on the final stage of a race he hopes will end in the White House

The ritual of announcing each states nomination count one by one, prompting applause from their respective delegation, confirmed what everybody already knew: Trump had the majority of delegates. And when he formally accepts the nomination on Thursday and makes his closing speech, he will embark on the final stage of a race he hopes will end in the White House.

Carried out live, the count, in which each states contribution is announced in alphabetical order, confirmed Trumps supremacy over a reborn Republican Party. At the same time, it also highlighted the pockets of resistance that deposited votes for senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, or Ohio governor John Kasich.

Trump garnered 1,725 delegates, Cruz 475, Kasich 120, Rubio 114, with Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, and Rand Paul taking just seven, three and two respectively.

The Republican Party is divided over economic and foreign policy, and there are still voices questioning whether Trump is really going to be able to stop Clinton. But the property magnate has proved an unstoppable force.

The key speakers on Tuesday were House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan, considered the partys moral authority, and Mitch McConnel, leader of the Republican majority in the Senate. A year ago, these two men dismissed Trump as a flash in the pan, but have since been unable to do anything to stop his ascent.

Even when it became clear that Trump was going to win the nomination, Ryan still refused to give him his formal support. McConnell was a little quicker to back Trump. The fact that both of them traveled to Cleveland to speak on his behalf is equivalent to a blessing. In the end, pragmatism and the pressing need to defeat Clinton and dismantle Obamas legacy has won out over the fear that President Trump initially inspired in the upper echelons of the Republican Party. This is a man who, after all, has switched loyalties in the past, has no experience in office, and whose clumsily expressed ideas do not reflect mainstream Republican dogma.

No questions asked

Charles Bruckendorff, a delegate from Connecticut reflected the largely unquestioning attitude of most Republicans attending the convention.

Asked if he had any concerns about Trumps protectionism and the Republican Partys traditional support for free trade, the businessman and Vietnam War veteran replied: Youre probably better informed than I am.

And what about Trumps isolationism, which again jars with the Republican Partys interventionist approach of recent decades? Trump says he opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq launched by President George W. Bush. I dont really have enough knowledge to answer that question, was the best Bruckendorff could offer. In short, Trump is a Republican and he isnt a Republican.

Nothing looks more like a Republican Party convention than another Republican Party convention: the delegates seated in rows, the staging, the balloons, the boaters and t-shirts Even the speakers inflammatory speeches  the first session was one address after another criminalizing immigrants and insulting Clinton  were just an updated version of the fodder normally trotted out for the partys right wing.

In many ways, Trump simply represents the shift rightwards of a Republican Party that has become little more than a machine whose sole goal in recent years is to block Obama

In many ways, Trump simply represents the shift rightwards of a Republican Party that has become little more than a machine whose sole goal in recent years is to block President Obama.

At the same time, it now finds itself adrift from the principles that have governed it over recent decades: global reach through military intervention, welfare cuts, free trade, and acceptance that immigration is good for the economy.

There have been a number of notable absences at the convention. Despite being held in his home state, Ohio governor John Kasich has stayed away, as has state senator Rob Portman. Had the presidential nominee been anybody other than Trump, both would surely have been here as hosts. They are not alone in refusing to attend. It may well be that some Republicans doubt the ability of their partys nominee to win the race, and are distancing themselves in readiness.

English version by Nick Lyne.
ALBANY, New York, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The top five companies competing in the global tert-butanol market, namely LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., Lotte Chemical Titan Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K., and Merck KGaA, accounted for a share of 43.2% in 2015. This reflects the moderately consolidated nature of the market. Analyzing the medium-level of competition among these and other players, Transparency Market Research has zeroed in on extensive research and development as the key strategy adopted by most. R&D activities focused on increasing the effectiveness of tert-butanol applications have surged in recent times.

"Mergers and acquisitions are also a go-to growth strategy for both established and smaller players," the author of the study observes. Over the past few years, prominent companies such as Merck KGaA and TonenGeneral Sekiyu K.K. have been expanding their businesses in newer product lines and regions to gain market share. In July 2015, TonenGeneral acquired Kyokuto Petroleum Industries, Ltd. to strengthen its domestic presence and expand its product portfolio. Merck Life Sciences, in November 2015, acquired Sigma-Aldrich to emerge as one of the most leading players.

The development of bio-based solvents is yet another opportunity that players in the tert-butanol market can capitalize on. "Presently, strict government regulations pertaining to VOC emissions restrict a number of players owing to the harmful effects associated with chemical and industrial solvents," the analyst states. "However, this has encouraged manufacturers to move away from petroleum-based solvents and instead, focus on developing environment-friendly products."

Get Research PDF for more Professional and Technical Industry Insights:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=12878

Rapid Economic Growth a Major Driving Force

Considering that the demand for tert-butanol stems mainly from its application in paints and coatings and fragrances and flavors, the tert-butanol market is driven primarily by the rapid growth of the automobile, construction, and foods and beverages industries.

"Asia Pacific has, over the years, emerged as an increasingly lucrative investment option for players in the tert-butanol market," a TMR analyst states. Rapid industrialization and urbanization in countries such as China, India, and Japan has resulted in the massive expansion of the building and construction sector. In addition, economic growth has spurred the rise in disposable income, furthering the demand for automobiles. This has led to the increasing use of paints and coatings as well as tert-butanol. The constantly-rising population in the APAC region has also contributed toward the escalating demand for food and beverages, boosting the demand for tert-butanol as a key flavoring ingredient.

Browse Research Report with ToC & Free Analysis: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/tert-butanol-market.html

Asia Pacific to Remain in the Limelight throughout Forecast Period

The global opportunity in the tert-butanol market is poised to be worth US$2.6 bn by 2024, TMR predicts, rising from US$1.5 bn in 2015 at a 6.2% CAGR therein. By volume, the market is projected to register a 5.4% CAGR during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the global tert-butanol market in 2015, with a share of over 40% that year. In addition to retaining its lead through 2024, the region is also anticipated to emerge as the most rapidly growing segment. Paints and coatings formed the leading end-use segment in 2015, accounting for a share of almost 40% by volume. On the other hand, the pharmaceuticals segment is expected to develop at the fastest pace by revenue as well as volume, registering a respective CAGR of 6.6% and 5.8% from 2016 to 2024.

Browse Regional Market Research: http://www.europlat.org/global-tert-butanol-market.htm

This review is based on the findings of a TMR report titled "Tert-butanol Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Forecast 2016-2024."

Tert-butanol Market: End-user Segment Analysis

Paints & Coatings

Flavors & Fragrance

Pharmaceuticals

Others

Tert-butanol Market: Regional Analysis

North America

U.S.

Rest of North America

Europe

France

U.K.

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

ASEAN

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa (MEA)

GCC

South Africa

Rest of MEA

Browse Other Research Report:

Pigments Market : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pigments-market.html

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pigments-market.html Green & Bio-based Solvents Market : http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/green-biobased-solvents-market.html

http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/green-biobased-solvents-market.html Fatty Alcohols Market:http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/fatty-alcohols-market.html\

About TMR

Transparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The company's exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMR's experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.

TMR's data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

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Orange announced today that it has completed the acquisition, through its Orange Business Services entity, of Log'in Consultants, a specialist in desktop virtualization integration services and subsidiary of the Log'in International group. Founded in 2002, Log'in Consultants consists of three entities located in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium, which offer VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) consultancy and infrastructure management services to companies of all sizes.

Desktop virtualization is becoming a key issue for companies looking for more efficiency in an increasingly mobile environment. It provides users with "virtualized" network access to their desktop from any device (PC, tablet, smartphone). An internet connection is all that is needed for them to access their resources and work wherever they may be. By extending the cloud to all information system components, it offers companies agility, security, cost savings and the ability to meet new end-user expectations.

Orange Business Services is a leading player in this market in France, through its subsidiary Neocles Corporate. With an asset base of around 150,000 desktops and an innovative approach to operating VDI platforms, Orange Business Services has developed unique skills that has enabled it to gain the confidence of a large number of customers, including major companies, in a highly competitive market. This acquisition allows Orange Business Services to strengthen its team with 135 experts and to extend its desktop virtualization activities in Europe to meet high market demand in target countries and from its multinational customers outside France.

"Desktop virtualization is a key component of business transformation. It delivers agility, productivity and performance by fundamentally changing the day-to-day life of company employees. It was essential for us to strengthen our teams and our integration capabilities in this field. We are now able to meet the growing demands of our European multinational customers," states Thierry Bonhomme, CEO of Orange Business Services.

About Orange Business Services

Orange Business Services, the Orange branch dedicated to B2B services, is not only a telecom operator, but also an IT solutions integrator and applications developer in France and around the world. Its 20,000 employees support companies in all areas of their digital transformation: mobile and collaborative workspaces; IT/cloud infrastructure; fixed and mobile connectivity; private and hybrid networks; applications for Internet of Things, 360 customer experience and Big Data analytics; and cybersecurity thanks to dedicated experts and infrastructure to protect information systems. More than 3,000 multinational organizations and 2 million SOHOs, enterprises and local authorities in France rely on Orange Business Services as their trusted partner.

Learn more at www.orange-business.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and our blogs.

Orange is one of the world's leading telecommunications operators with annual sales of 40 billion euros in 2015 and has 155,000 employees worldwide at 31 March 2016. Orange is listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris (symbol ORA) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ORAN).

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005692/en/

Contacts:

Press contacts:

Orange

Tom Wright, +33 (0)1 44 44 93 93

tom.wright@orange.com

or

Orange Business Services

Elizabeth Mayeri, +1 212 251 2086

elizabeth.mayeri@orange.com,
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Rupert Resources Ltd. ("Rupert" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: RUP), as previously announced, is carrying out a drilling and exploration campaign on the permitted Pahtavaara gold mine in Northern Finland, over which it has a six month purchase option (see the Company's March 17, 2016 and June 9, 2016 press releases).

"These are very encouraging exploration results in our first drill program on Pahtavaara. Rupert will continue developing its work programs and evaluation process dedicated to our goal of returning the Pahtavaara gold mine to production next year as a lower cost gold producer", said Brian Hinchcliffe, Rupert's President and CEO.

The Company is pleased to announce the results of assays back from the first three holes (507 m), including hole 116005, which contained visible gold and returned 32.74 grams per ton of gold ("g/t Au") over 5.0 meters ("m") at depths of 125 to 130 m, including 159.4 g/t Au over 1.0 m. The hole also contained 2.4 g/t Au over 9.0 m including 15.9 g/t Au over 1.0 m. These intersections are located at 125 m and 148 m below surface, respectively. These are the first three holes of a 3,000 m, 17 hole drilling campaign designed to test various areas in the Pahtavaara open pit and underground mine areas and to test "wildcat" targets as well. To date 17 holes have been drilled (2,630 m).

Drill Results

Results from this new drilling are as follows:

Hole ID 116005 (Karoliina- azimuth 201, dip -51.29, northing 7504900, easting 3474335, eln 252):

-- 32.7 g/t Au over 5.0 m, including 159.4 g/t Au over 1.0 m, at 125 to 130 m; and -- 2.4 g/t Au over 9.0 m, including 15.9 g/t Au over 1.0 m, at 144 to 153 m.

Hole ID 116001 (Karoliina- azimuth 220, dip -74.6, northing 7504870, easting 3474375, eln 251.2):

-- 1.7 g/t Au over 8.0 m, including 6.3 g/t Au over 1.0 m, at 211 to 219 m.

Hole ID 116002 (Karoliina- azimuth 194, dip -52.69, northing 7504870, easting 3474375, eln 251.2):

-- 1.0 g/t Au over 5.0 m, at 111 to 116 m.

No upper cutoff grade was applied. True widths are unknown unless specified.

Results are reported for holes that primarily targeted the Karoliina zone which is the last new discovery on the Pahtavaara property, located on its western side and open. In hole 116005, the second zone is likely a splay structure of the primary Karoliina horizon.

These 116005 intersections are located 50 m above of previously-drilled hole 114809 that returned 8.1 g/t Au over 5.0 m, and 80 m above (and west of) hole 113810 that returned 4.6 g/t Au over 6.0 m. Hole 116001 is located 80 m below, and hole 116002 is located 45 m above (and east of), previously drilled hole 113810 which intersected 4.6 g/t Au over 6.0 m. The Karoliina Zone has been identified over a strike length of 550 m and to a depth of 400 m below surface. Where drilled, the zone only has been traced for 110 m, where it remains open.

Trenching

Excavator trenching started on July 19, 2016, with the focus on looking for extensions to existing pits/ finding new pit mineralization.

Mineralization

Intercepts reported above are hosted by amphibolitized komatiites. The principal geologic control in the area is a linear structural corridor that trends east-west, forms multiple folds, and dips steeply to the north on the south side and steeply south on the north side. The mineralized zone identified on Rupert's property is characterized by hydrothermal alteration and mineralization within various phases of pervasively altered komatiites. Mineralization remains open at depth along the entire Zone. The hydrothermal alteration and the Au-bearing veins associated with it are deformed. Because they were competent rocks (massive amphibole), they resisted deformation. They are therefore less deformed than the adjacent talc-chlorite schists. This implies early brittle deformation followed by ductile deformation. Hydrothermal fluids entered by fractures and faults, which explains why some alteration fronts are almost perpendicular to the schistosity.

The Pahtavaara gold deposit is hosted by the Sattasvaara komatiites. There are three major rock types that have been intercalated with one another; amphibole-chlorite schist, biotite schist and coarse-grained amphibole rocks with associated quartz-barite lenses, veins and irregular pods.

Talc-carbonate veins with pyrite are common in all lithologies, but particularly in the biotite schist. Amphibole chlorite schists are the dominant rock type outside the Pahtavaara alteration zone. They represent the regional greenschist facies metamorphic mineral assemblage and therefore correspond with the most typical and least altered rock type of the Sattasvaara komatiites.

Gold occurs mostly as free gold, a smaller part is associated with magnetite.

Review by Qualified Person, Quality Control and Reports

In compliance with National Instrument 43-101, Mr. Mike Sutton, P.Geo. is the Qualified Person responsible for the accuracy of the technical information in this news release. All samples are assayed by CRS/Actlabs Finland at Takatie 6, 90440 Kempele Finland, who have ISO9001 sample prep and an ISO17025 lab certification. All core is under watch from the drill site to the core processing facility. Samples are assayed with LeachWell for metallic screens. The Company's QA/QC program includes the regular insertion of blanks and standards into the sample shipments, as well as instructions for duplication. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted at one per 20 samples. Approximately five percent (5%) of the pulps and rejects are sent for check assaying at a second lab with the results averaged and intersections updated when received. Core recovery in the mineralized zones has averaged 99%.

About Rupert

Rupert is a Canadian based gold exploration and development company that is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "RUP". The Company holds an option to acquire the Pahtavaara gold mine, mill and exploration permits and concessions located in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in Northern Finland for US$2.5 million in total consideration (see the Company's March 17, 2016 press release). It also holds a 100% interest in the Gold Centre property, which consists of mineral claims located in the Balmer Township, Red Lake Mining Division of Ontario.

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements", including statements with respect to those that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals and statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to the future business activities, operating performance of the Company and with respect to the Pahtavaara gold mine, mill and exploration claims during the six month option period. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the general risks of the mining industry, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended February 29, 2016 available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Contacts:

Rupert Resources Ltd.

Brian Hinchcliffe

President and Chief Executive Officer

+1 (914) 815 2773

bhinchcliffe@rupertresources.com

www.rupertresources.com




VALLEY COTTAGE, New York, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

The global parenteral packaging market was valued at 7.9 Bn in 2015 and is expected to grow at a year-over-year rate of 9.5% to reach 8.6 Bn in 2016. North America will continue to be the most lucrative market, representing 27.4% revenue share of the market in 2016. Western Europe, the second largest market for parenteral packaging, will grow by 10.8% in 2016.

Increasing popularity of plastics & polymers over glass for production of primary packaging material and global expansion of pharmaceuticals industry will continue to fuel the growth of the market in 2016. Increase in the prevalence of epidemic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hepatic failure and chronic intestinal diseases will also play a role in ramping up demand for parenteral packaging. Favourable government policies, combined with rising adoption of injection-based treatment will also continue to influence the market positively. Growing geriatric population will also play a role in the overall growth of the parenteral packaging market.

Request a Sample Report with Table of Content: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1258

On the basis of product, the prefilled syringes & cartridges segment will continue to hold the leading revenue share. This segment is expected to grow by 10.1% in 2016 to reach 1.2 Bn in revenues.

On the basis of material, the global parenteral packaging market is largely segmented into plastic & polymer and glass segments. Use of glass for parenteral packaging is witnessing a decline, as plastic & polymer are more durable and resistant to shocks and impacts. The plastic & polymer segment will witness a growth rate of 10.5% in 2016, whereas the glass segment is expected to grow by 8.7%.

Preview Analysis by Key Regions: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/parenteral-packaging-market

On the basis of packaging type, the global parenteral packaging market is mostly non-tangible in nature, owing to the needs of the patients as well as storage conditions for drugs. However, the packaging type are primarily segmented into large volume parenteral and small volume parenteral, with the former accounting for higher revenue share of the market.

While North America and Western Europe will continue to ramp up demand, growth will also be substantial in emerging economies of APEJ. Increasing healthcare spending and presence of a large geriatric population segment will positively influence market growth in APEJ, with total revenues set to reach 2.0 Bn in 2016.

Speak with Analyst for any report related queries: http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/askus/rep-gb-1258

Key participants in the global parenteral packaging market include Gerresheimer AG, Schott AG,Becton, Unilife Corporation, Inc, Dickinson and Company, Ypsomed Holding AG, West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., SiO2 Medical Products, Terumo Corporation, Ompi, Stevanato Group and Nipro Corporation.

Long-term Outlook: The global parenteral packaging market is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period 2016-2026.

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - On the heels of recent shootings involving police officers as both victims and perpetrators, President Barack Obama met with top law enforcement officials at the White House on Tuesday.



Obama noted that the 'useful discussion' with Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey, and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson followed up on a meeting with his Task Force on 21st Century Policing last week.



In a brief statement to reporters, Obama said the recent attacks on police in Dallas and Baton Rouge highlight the importance of doing everything possible to help police officers go home at night and to be safe.



The president argued that there is no contradiction between protecting and honoring police officers and building trust between law enforcement and the communities that they serve.



'In fact, those things are complementary and not contradictory,' Obama said. 'The more we can do to make sure that communities feel that these are their police departments and that they have an interest in protecting them, the easier it's going to be for police officers to do their jobs.'



Obama said the administration has a toolkit of best practices to protect officers and make sure they can do their jobs but stressed that the initiatives have to be resourced.



The president said he would continue to listen to police departments about what kind of equipment and training they need and then do everything possible to convene all parties concerned, including Congress, to make sure they can get those resources.



'So I appreciate the efforts that have already taken place. We've got a lot more work to do,' Obama said. 'This is something that's going to have to be bottom up and not just top down.'



He added, 'But the fact that in the wake of this tragedy, we've seen over the course of several weeks much more constructive conversations and the offering up of very concrete recommendations and suggestions for how we can do better is encouraging.'



Amid criticism that he has not been strong enough in his support of police officers, Obama penned an open letter to law enforcement on Monday seeking to reassure them that he has their backs.



Obama's response to the recent shootings has continued to be a major topic at the Republican National Convention, however, with Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., claiming the president 'blamed the police' for the latest round of violence.



National police organizations have also called on Obama to back up his words with action, including overturning the policy restricting local law enforcement's use of military equipment.



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MIDLAND (dpa-AFX) - DuPont (DD) and The Dow Chemical Company (DOW) announced that, at their respective special meetings of stockholders held today, stockholders of both companies have voted to approve all stockholder proposals necessary to complete the merger of equals transaction - a key milestone in the process to merge the two companies and subsequently pursue the intended spins of three independent companies. The companies expect the merger transaction to close in the second half of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. DuPont and Dow intend that, following the consummation of the merger, the combined company will pursue the separation of the combined company's Agriculture business, Material Science business and Specialty Products business into three independent, publicly traded companies, subject to approval by the DowDuPont board and receipt of any required regulatory approvals. The intended subsequent separation into three independent, publicly traded companies is expected to be consummated as soon as practicable following the merger closing, but consummation of the separations is not expected to exceed 18-24 months after the merger closing. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) - SmartMetric, Inc. (OTCQB: SMME) -- SmartMetric, the creator of the in-the-card fingerprint scanner for credit cards, has now developed a world first in the security and access control industry. A credit card sized card that has an inbuilt fingerprint reader used to identify the card user and in turn activate the card's smart card chip for computer network. While also at the same time the card has an inbuilt RFID that is used for door opening and physical building access. Like the computer log on smart card feature the radio frequency for building access is only triggered following an on card fingerprint scan and match.

In addition to the card's combined physical and logical access capabilities it also has indicator lights that are used to provide a visual indication following a fingerprint match. This completes the multi-functionality of the card giving it the capability of not only a superior biometric based computer log on credential, as well as a biometric card for physical building access but as well a biometric identity card that can be used at not only an entry security desk but in fact anywhere throughout a company or government building and campus.

The card has an inbuilt rechargeable battery so that it functions without being connected to a reader for in-building and in-field on the spot identity verification. With a fully functional powered biometric reader inside the card the card itself is the size and thickness of a credit card making it easy for people to carry in their purses or wallets. The use of the SmartMetric super thin electronics has allowed the company to create a card that is user friendly that overcomes the oversized thick single purpose cards used today in the physical access world.

"We are very pleased that we have been able to use the years of research and development we have undertaken to create the world's first biometric fingerprint activated use anywhere credit card to now take this technology to provide enhanced biometric security. Our multi-function biometric security card is a giant leap forward in the security industry providing hardened security in a day and time when security is formats in the minds of Companies and Government alike," said today SmartMetric's President & CEO, Chaya Hendrick.

The company, SmartMetric, is now in talks with major international companies in the security card business. SmartMetric intends to market and distribute its multi-function biometric security card through major industry global distributors.

SmartMetric is continuing its marketing efforts of its biometric fingerprint activated credit card that stands to revolutionize the credit card industry in its ongoing battle against credit card fraud. While the company cannot at this point release the names of the companies it is in deployment talks with, SmartMetric is very excited about its sales and marketing prospects in the near term.

SmartMetric officially launched its groundbreaking biometric payments card this April at the Smart Card Alliance Payments Forum in Orlando, Florida. Since then the company has been working with Banks around the world who have shown strong interest in issuing this card as new card product for their own credit card fraud defenses as well as protecting the security of their customers.

To view a video of the SmartMetric biometric chip card follow this link:

SmartMetric Biometric Payments Card -- https://youtu.be/zSX59uHoHqU

To view the company website: www.smartmetric.com.

Safe Harbor Statement: Certain of the above statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.

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TUSTIN, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Logomark -- the industry-leading supplier of promotional products, recently attended the Advertising Specialty Industry's 17th annual ASI Show in Chicago, where its brand new 2016 holiday catalog was debuted featuring over 50 innovative new products including the exclusively designed Ring Series which includes unique speakers and power banks, the Wave Pen Series, six new Bettoni pens, and the Madison Bag Series.

"We were thrilled to meet the attendees of ASI Chicago and share our new holiday catalog featuring industry-leading products that we are very proud of," says Logomark executive VP Scott Pearson. "This season will be truly exceptional and we can expect the industry to take notice of just how well we've been doing."

Logomark is proud to offer the Ring Series with boldly colored rings available in seven color choices -- blue, red, lime, orange, purple, yellow and gunmetal. The Ring Series includes a compact wireless speaker (GC6010) and a water resistant IP4 wireless speaker, (GC6011) which features a durable easy hang suction cup. The 2600 mAh power bank (GC1336) is a Li-ion battery pack that charges phones by connecting via a USB cable. The dual function wireless speaker and 2500 mAh power bank (GC1337) features an easy clip-on carabiner and charges phones while playing music through its uniquely designed speaker output.

The all-new Wave Pen Series features three new styles of pens -- including the clear ballpoint Wave Pen (BV3300); the metallic Wave Pen (BV3520) which features a capacitive stylus tip, black features and grip; and the deluxe Wave Pen which has chrome features, a black grip and capacitive stylus tip. All pens come in nine color options.

Bettoni has six new pens -- including the five-function silver ink ballpoint tech pen (LS2720) featuring useful tools; the gunmetal ridge design ballpoint pen (LT1500) or rollerball pen (LT1550); and the woven stainless mesh rollerball stylus pen (LT1725) which features an attractive woven stainless steel barrel and stylus. All Bettoni pens are sent in an elegant triangular gift box.

The exclusively designed Madison Bag Series with heather gray fabrics and black trims includes the Madison messenger bag (KC0301) with a padded laptop pocket and zippered compartments with organizers; the Madison backpack (KB2306) with a padded laptop pocket, zippered compartments with organizers, and a side mesh and zippered front pocket; and the Madison tablet case (KB9718) with a fully padded tablet pocket and interior, a zippered front compartment and pocket, a large zippered back pocket, and an adjustable shoulder strap with quality steel hardware.

To learn more about Logomark's newest items and its holiday promotions, please visit: www.logomark.com.

ABOUT LOGOMARK: Founded in 1993, Logomark is a premier supplier of personalized gift and promotional products for the North American and global advertising specialty market. The company is a certified member of the Quality Certification Alliance, ensuring standards that deliver the highest levels of product safety. Providing more than 3,000 top-quality products in diverse categories, Logomark persistently reinvents the promotional products industry exceptional product selections, innovative solutions and unequaled customer support. Logomark offers a complete line of products, an easy-to-use mobile app, an award-winning website and is ranked 8th in product searches on the industry's leading search platform. For more information on the company's broad line of quality promotional products, please call 800-789-4438 or visit www.logomark.com.
AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) - Bridgepoint Consulting, a leading Texas-based finance, IT and management consulting firm, has named David Chang as Director in the firm's Houston office. Chang will help organizations realign themselves with new strategic plans, crisis management, repositioning and divestiture.

Chang has 30 years of proven experience working with stakeholders as a financial advisor, chief restructuring officer and project manager. He specializes in financial planning and management, dispute resolution, goal identification and attainment, team building, and leadership. Chang has also assisted numerous companies in navigating the complexities of recapitalization, bankruptcy, reorganization, litigation issues, M&A, due diligence, operational integration and implementation.

"David's extensive background with bankruptcy and turnaround management as well as M&A solutions, will play a key role in strengthening our firm's capabilities in the Houston market," said Bill Patterson, Principal at Bridgepoint Consulting. "We're excited he has joined our team."

Throughout his career, Chang has amassed significant industry expertise, including: retail, manufacturing, construction, consumer products, distribution and transportation, E&P, oilfield services, midstream, power generation and distribution, renewable energy, and financial services. He holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Houston.

Bridgepoint Consulting has offices in Dallas, Houston and Austin. The firm has supported a broad range of clients including financial institutions, government organizations, law firms, family offices and corporations. Additional information about Bridgepoint's services can be found here: http://www.bridgepointconsulting.com/overview-of-services/.

About Bridgepoint Consulting

Bridgepoint Consulting is a leading Texas-based professional services firm that provides strategic services and highly qualified professionals to solve complex financial, management and technology challenges. Since 1999, we've been helping executives and management teams reduce their business and operational risks, bridge resource gaps and improve overall performance. Whether an organization needs interim expertise to improve infrastructure and processes, or strategic management of a major transition or transaction, Bridgepoint's team of 140+ qualified professionals can help. The firm has offices in Austin, Dallas and Houston. For more information on Bridgepoint Consulting, please visit our website at www.BridgepointConsulting.com

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/7/19/11G107192/Images/David_Chang_2x3-d8fccb7009458e6688febaac2c1abbb7.jpg

Contact:

Gina Budd

Bridgepoint Consulting

Ph. 512-422-6571

gbudd@bridgepointconsulting.com
DUBLIN, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Algeria and Morocco Telecom Towers Market By Grid Type (Reliable Grid, Unreliable Grid & Off-Grid), Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021" report to their offering.

Telecom towers market in Algeria and Morocco is projected to witness robust growth during 2016 - 2021.

Growing smartphone market, declining voice as well as data tariffs along with rapid upsurge in data demand are the key reasons that are expected to increase telecom tower installations in Algeria. Though, electrification rate is quite high in both Algeria and Morocco, still off-grid telecom tower deployment is anticipated to witness growth due to rising trend of green telecom towers.

Rising demand for wireless connectivity due to rapidly expanding mobile subscriber base is augmenting demand for reliable telecom network infrastructure, including telecom tower deployment, in Algeria and Morocco. With increasing mobile data consumption and roll-out of 3G and 4G/LTE services, the telecom network infrastructure is on an upsurge in both the countries.

Furthermore, rising government support for expanding telecom network across provinces, coupled with growth in regulatory compliances for telecom tower deployment is driving telecom operators to increase their focus on deploying off-grid telecom towers in Algeria and Morocco. Rising population, growing demand for high-speed internet services, upsurge in mobile penetration, rising demand for sustainable telecom towers deployment, etc. are expected to drive telecom towers market in both the countries during the forecast period.

Algeria and Morocco Telecom Towers Market By Grid Type, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2021 discusses the following aspects of the telecom towers market in Algeria and Morocco:

Increase in Demand for Operational Optimization: Passive Infrastructure Sharing

Growth in Environmental Focus and Green Telecom Tower Solutions

Rising Demand for Traffic Offloading to Micro Sites

Increasing Focus Towards Selling Off Tower Energy Infrastructures

Telecom Tower Companies: Demand for New Revenue Streams

Key Topics Covered:

1. Product Overview

2. Research Methodology

3. Analyst View

4. Global Telecom Towers Market Outlook

5. Algeria & Morocco Telecom Market Outlook

6. Algeria & Morocco Telecom Towers Market Outlook

7. Algeria & Morocco Reliable Grid Telecom Towers Market Outlook

8. Algeria & Morocco Unreliable Grid Telecom Towers Market Outlook

9. Algeria & Morocco Off-Grid Telecom Towers Market Outlook

10. Market Attractiveness Index

11. Market Dynamics

12. Market Trends & Developments

13. Algeria & Morocco Economic Profiles

14. Competitive Landscape

15. Strategic Recommendations

Companies Mentioned

- ATM Mobilis (Mobilis)

- Maroc Telecom

- Medi Telecom (Meditel)

- Optimum Telecom Algeria SPA (Djezzy)

- Wana Corporate SA (Inwi)

- Wataniya Telecom Algerie S.P.A.

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/mv5knf/algeria_and

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Text in which the author defends ideas and reaches conclusions based on his / her interpretation of facts and data

Podemos deputy Diego Canamero with a protest shirt. Ballesteros (EFE)

There was no room for showmanship on Tuesday. Most of the deputies who sat in the inaugural session of Congress were veterans.

The members of Unidos Podemos were no longer blown away by the sight of the chamber, nor did they stare at the visible damage made by bullets during the failed coup of February 23, 1981. Neither did they look around for a spot to hang their coat, this being July, as they did following the original election of December 20.

This time, Podemos deputy Carolina Bescansa showed up without her baby, PP deputy Celia Villalobos looked less euphoric than on January 13, perhaps because she had just lost her deputy speaker position, and the members of the regional Valencian party Compromis walked in without the marching band that followed them to the doors of Congress at the beginning of the previous term.

With its dozens of television cameras, Congress awards great visibility to protests of all kinds

Even so, a few congressmembers continued to observe their own particular form of social and political awareness campaigns. The members of the green group Equo, with Juan Lopez de Uralde in the lead, pedaled up Carrera de San Jeronimo on bicycles bearing small green flags, their corporate color. Meanwhile, the t-shirt-with-a-message performance fell to the unionist Diego Canamero, whose attire bore the image of Andres Bodalo, a Podemos councilor from Jaen who was convicted for assaulting a Socialist politician. And the Compromis delegation exhibited a message of their own: We will not resign ourselves. Another government is possible.

Wearing clothes with protest messages to Congress is a relatively habitual practice. Miners from Leon and Asturias brought attention to their plight in 2012 by sitting in the visitor gallery while Congress was in session one day. As the industry minister began his address, the miners stood up and displayed black t-shirts with the message: No to the shutdown of mining. The speaker of Congress immediately had them expelled.

Feminists from Femen were also forcibly removed from the lower house, though not for displaying shirts  rather, for removing them in front of the representatives. Three activists were protesting the abortion reform project being defended by the justice minister at the time, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon. With its dozens of television cameras, Congress awards great visibility to protests of all kinds.

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What the Tuesday session did have in common with the previous inaugural session was the variety of ways in which the new deputies swore allegiance to the Spanish Constitution. The members of Unidos-Podemos, in particular, came up with all kinds of formulas, including reciting verses by the poet Miguel Hernandez, as though they were competing for a role at an audition.

Now that the first day of school is over, it is time for deputies to drop the witticisms, the posing, the antics, the clowning around and the lack of rigor. It would be good if they got down to work. Theyve already wasted half a year.

English version by Susana Urra.
According to the latest market study released by Technavio, the wood manufacturing market in Serbia 2016-2020 is expected to exceed USD 395 million by 2020, growing by a CAGR of more than 3% during the forecast period.

This research report titled 'Wood Manufacturing Market in Serbia 2016-2020' provides an in-depth analysis of the market in terms of revenue and emerging market trends. This market research report also includes an up to date analysis and forecasts for various market segments and all geographical regions.

Request sample report: http://goo.gl/YL0DHL

The report categorizes the wood manufacturing market in Serbia into three major product segments. They are:

Veneer sheets and wood-based panels

Sawmilled and planed wood

Other wood products

Veneer sheets and wood-based panels

According to Chadrakumar Badala Jaganathan, a lead analyst at Technavio for textile, fiber, and compositesresearch, "The veneer sheets and wood-based panels segment was the highest revenue generator in the wood manufacturing market in Serbia, with a market share ranging between 48% and 50%." Veneer boards are thin sheets of sliced or sawn wood. These are of constant thickness and are used to manufacture products such as plywood. Veneers can be broadly classified into plywood veneers and decorative veneers. Decorative veneers are primarily used in the furniture and wood-paneling industries. A rise in export of wood-based panels to Italy, Germany, Macedonia, and Hungary is a major contributor to the growth of this segment.

Sawmilled and planed wood

Sawmilled and planed wood segment accounted for a market share ranging between 29% and 33%, in 2015. According to statistics provided by SIEPA, Serbia is the second largest producer of sawn beech wood and the third largest producer of sawn hardwood in the Balkans. Sawn wood is the most important forest-based product in the wood processing industry in Serbia. "The majority of sawmills are located in rural areas and operate only during the warmer seasons. Sawmilled wood accounts for nearly 37% of the exports from this sector," says Chandrakumar.

Other wood products

The other wood products segment accounted for a revenue market share ranging between 17% and 21%. Other wood products include cork, wooden straws, and solid wood. Demand from the domestic market is leading to a rise in the establishment of SMEs manufacturing these products in Central Serbia.

Key Manufacturers:

The key manufacturers in the wood manufacturing market in Serbia as highlighted by Technavio's research analysts in this report are:

Company Description Angro-Impex Manufacturer of sawmilled and processed wood, and palettes MicroTri Largest producer of beech wood in Serbia Simpo SIK Manufacturer of sawed and planed wood Kolarevic Manufacturer of wood panels and wood briquettes Saga Drvo Manufacturer of parquet flooring, cork wood, and wooden straws Jela Jagodina Largest producer of particle-board wood in Serbia Srbijasume State-owned manufacturer of wood products Vojvodinasume State-owned manufacturer of wood products MK-Product Manufacturer of corkwood and wooden straws

Source: Technavio

Browse Related Reports:

Paper Manufacturing Market in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016-2020

Wood Manufacturing Market in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016-2020

Paper Manufacturing Market in Turkey 2016-2020

Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies.

Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005010/en/

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Jesse Maida

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NEW YORK, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Rising urbanization, expanding vehicle fleet size and rising infrastructure developments to drive Kuwait tire market through 2021

According to TechSci Research report, "Kuwait Tire Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2021'', Kuwait tire market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of over 11% during 2016 - 2021. In June 2015, the government announced its Five-Year Plan worth USD116 billion, for filling infrastructure gaps and boosting construction, real estate and transportation sectors in the country. This is projected to fuel demand for tires, especially from commercial and OTR segments, in the country during 2016 - 2021. Additionally, rising per capita income of consumers and growing demand for luxury cars in the country is fueling demand for passenger car tires in Kuwait.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140117/663730 )



Browse 23 market data Tables and 25 Figures spread through112 Pages and an in-depth TOC on"Kuwait Tire Market "

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/kuwait-tire-market-forecast-opportunities-2021/733.html

Vehicle sales in Kuwait grew at a CAGR of around 5.8% during 2011 - 2015, with unit sales increasing from 0.11 million units in 2011 to 0.14 million units in 2015. This resulted in expansion of automotive fleet size from 1.48 million units in 2011 to 1.95 million units in 2015. Growing fleet size boosted demand for tires from the replacement segment during the same period and the trend is anticipated to continue in the coming years as well. Moreover, passenger car tire segment dominated Kuwait tire market in 2015, followed by light commercial vehicle tire segment. Moreover, due to the largest fleet size, passenger cars segment would continue its dominance in Kuwait tire market during the forecast period. Nevertheless, on the back of growing construction and logistics industries, medium and heavy commercial vehicle tire segment is expected to demonstrate robust growth over the next five years.

Download Sample Report

@ https://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=733

Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report.

"Various major infrastructure developments, implementation of government's initiatives such as the Kuwait 2035 Mission Plan, and rising investments in healthcare, education facilities and housing is projected to fuel demand for vehicles, and consequently, tires in the country over the next five years. Additionally, increasing consumer inclination towards enhancing vehicle safety and adopting new tire technologies, such as Seal Inside technology and Black/White Walled tires, is expected to positively influence the country's tire market in the coming years.", said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

"Kuwait Tire Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2021" has evaluated the future growth potential of Kuwait tire market and provides statistics and information on market structure, consumer behaviour and trends. The report is intended to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges and opportunities in Kuwait tire industry.

Browse Related Reports

Iran Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/iran-tire-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2021/705.html

Oman Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2021

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/oman-tire-market-forecast-opportunities-2021/690.html

Qatar Tire Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/qatar-tyre-market-forecast-and-opportunities-2020/147.html

About TechSci Research

TechSci Research is a leading global market research firm publishing premium market research reports. Serving 700 global clients with more than 600 premium market research studies, TechSci Research is serving clients across 11 different industrial verticals. TechSci Research specializes in research based consulting assignments in high growth and emerging markets, leading technologies and niche applications. Our workforce of more than 100 fulltime Analysts and Consultants employing innovative research solutions and tracking global and country specific high growth markets helps TechSci clients to lead rather than follow market trends.

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Technavio has announced the leading manufacturers in their recent wood manufacturing market in Turkey 2016-2020 report. This report covers the present scenario and the growth prospects of the wood manufacturing market during the forecast period.

The wood manufacturing market in Turkey is expected to exceed USD 7 billion by 2020, growing at a CAGR of close to 5%. Factors such as Turkey's rapid emergence as one of the fastest growing economies in the world and contribution of 24% to the country's total GDP from the manufacturing sector have had a positive impact on the wood manufacturing industry. "Globalization, and adoption of innovative wood processing machinery and marketing strategies have enhanced the country's reputation and has enabled it to expand into new markets worldwide. The wood and furniture sector in Turkey is investing heavily in enhancing its production technology, R&D, sales, and branding processes," says Chandrakumar Badala Jaganathan, a lead analyst at Technavio for textile, fiber, and composites research.

Competitive scenario

The market is characterized by the presence of diverse international and regional vendors. However, as international players have increased their footprint in the market, regional vendors are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with them, especially on features such as quality, technology, and pricing. The competitive environment in this market will likely intensify further with an increase in product/service extensions, technological innovations, and M&A. International players are expected to grow inorganically by acquiring regional or local players.

The market is dominated by both leading domestic and international players such as Camsan, Kronospan, Dacoparquet, Parkelam, and Welde. However, there are several regional and foreign players with small market shares. Major vendors compete based on aspects such as pricing, availability, branding, and variety. However, price is the primary deciding factor. The growth of players in the market also depends on market conditions, government support, and industrial development. Limited access to capital and lack of R&D infrastructure are major barriers to the entry of new players. Therefore, vendors must expand geographically and revive domestic demand to achieve sustained growth over time. Vendors can boost profitability by practicing efficient production techniques to minimize costs and prevent cost overruns.

The market is expected to witness increased consolidation because of growing competition. Therefore, it is imperative for market vendors to distinguish their product and service offerings through a clear and unique value proposition.

Request for sample report: http://goo.gl/INSqId

Key manufacturers:

Some of the key manufacturers in wood manufacturing market in Turkey are:

Company Description Daco Parquet Leading manufacturer of wood flooring in Turkey Kronospan Manufacturer and distributor of wood-based panels with a global presence IRFAM Manufacturer of plywood and hardboard wood products Parkelam Provider of wood flooring products Camsan Manufacturer of MDF products Yildiz Sunta MDF Manufacturer of engineered wood products Yildiz Entegre Manufacturer of MDF and other wood products Demper Parquet Manufacturer of parquet flooring Kastamonu Entegre Europe's largest manufacturer of wood-based panels Nemka Yapi Leading manufacturer of plywood in the country Duzkap Manufacturer of veneer wood Novawood Manufacturer of wood products Demiragler Manufacturer of wood products Erbaa Kaplama Manufacturer of various types of plywood

Source: Technavio Research

Browse Related Reports:

Wood Manufacturing Market in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2016-2020

Wood Manufacturing Market in Serbia 2016-2020

Paper Manufacturing Market in Turkey 2016-2020

Do you need a report on a market in a specific geographical cluster or country but can't find what you're looking for? Don't worry, Technavio also takes client requests. Please contact enquiry@technavio.com with your requirements and our analysts will be happy to create a customized report just for you.

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. The company develops over 2000 pieces of research every year, covering more than 500 technologies across 80 countries. Technavio has about 300 analysts globally who specialize in customized consulting and business research assignments across the latest leading edge technologies.

Technavio analysts employ primary as well as secondary research techniques to ascertain the size and vendor landscape in a range of markets. Analysts obtain information using a combination of bottom-up and top-down approaches, besides using in-house market modeling tools and proprietary databases. They corroborate this data with the data obtained from various market participants and stakeholders across the value chain, including vendors, service providers, distributors, re-sellers, and end-users.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005012/en/

Contacts:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media Marketing Executive

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UK: +44 208 123 1770

www.technavio.com
A solid organic growth of 4%

Sales target for 2016 confirmed

Regulatory News:

Korian (Paris:KORI), European leader in Ageing Well, has announced today its revenue for the first half of 2016.

Korian's revenue of 1470.4 million at 30 June 2016 represents over 16% growth. This figure reflects the consolidation of Casa Reha on 1 January 2016. Organic growth in H1 was 4.0%. International subsidiaries accounted for 47.1% of the Group's revenue. Excluding the 10,182 beds contributed by Casa Reha, the number of beds that Korian opened or acquired in the first half rose by 1 044.

REPORTED HALF-YEAR REVENUE (1)

In m (unaudited IFRS figures) 1st half Growth 2016 2015 Reported Organic (2) France 778.1 757.9 2.7% 2.3% in of rev. 52.9% 60.0% International 692.3 506.1 36.8% 6.6% in of rev. 47.1% 40.0% Germany 419.5 246.9 69.9% 9.2% Italy 156.2 153.2 2.0% 2.6% Belgium 116.6 106.0 10.1% 6.4% Total Group 1,470.4 1,264.0 16.3% 4.0%

Robust business in France

Revenue in France in the first half of 2016 rose by 2.7%, to 778.1 million. Organic growth was 2.3% over the period and accelerated slightly in Q2, to 2.5%. This growth was driven mainly by the Senior division (long-term care nursing homes), where occupancy rates rose to 95.8% and average daily rates were solid.

The revenue of the Healthcare division (post-acute and rehabilitation care clinics) also grew, thanks to occupancy rates of 98% and sales of additional services, which offset some of the decrease in health insurance rates observed in the 1st half of the year. The period saw 13% revenue growth of Korian France's restructured facilities, which represent a total of 367 beds, in addition to the 241 beds acquired in H1 2016.

International subsidiaries post 6.6% organic growth

Korian's international subsidiaries generated 1st half revenue of 692.3 million, which accounts for over 47% of total Group revenue. The 36.8% revenue growth in H1 is attributable to robust organic growth of 6.6%, the acquisitions made in 2015 in each country where the Group is present, and the consolidation of Casa Reha as of 1 January 2016.

Revenue growth in Germany, thanks mainly to Casa Reha's contribution as of 1 January, grew by 69.9%, to 419.5 million. The 9.2% organic growth is attributable to the steady increase in the occupancy rate of the subsidiary's pre-acquisition facilities, which is now around 93%. Average daily rates were also boosted by favourable care rate negotiations. Finally, organic growth benefited from the ramping up of activity in facilities opened in late 2015, and by the opening of 306 new beds in H1 2016.

In Italy, H1 revenue totalled 156.2 million, up 2.0%. The high occupancy rate of long-term care nursing homes (96%) and an increase in specialized clinics' occupancy rate above 93% were the main drivers of the 2.6% organic growth, which also benefited from the opening of 219 beds in H1.

Revenue in Belgium rose by 10.1%, to 116.6 million, with 6.4% organic growth. This performance is the result of higher occupancy and average rates, the ramping up of beds added to the Belgian network in 2015 and the 278 beds opened up so far in 2016. On 9 May, the Group also announced its upcoming acquisition of group Foyer de Lork, which is to be consolidated in the second half of the year. This acquisition of 1,200 beds will increase the total number of long-term care nursing home beds operated in Belgium to more than 8,000.

Dividend distribution

On 22 July, Korian will distribute a dividend of 0.60 per share, with an option for payment in newly issued shares (based on a per share price of 26.62) that was selected by 39.9% of shareholders. This option resulted in the issuing of 709,369 new shares, which will be delivered and admitted for trading on the Euronext Paris stock exchange on 22 July. These shares bear rights retroactively as of 1 January 2016 and enjoy the same rights as the ordinary shares that are currently outstanding.

Korian's share capital now amounts to 400,890,210 and is divided in 80,178,042 shares.

A total cash dividend of 28.6 million will be paid to shareholders on 22 July.

Korian reiterates its 2016 full-year revenue target around 3 billion.

Next event: 14 September 2016 after market close

H1 2016 results

(1) Revenue and other income

(2) Organic revenue growth includes: a) the change in the revenue between year Y and year Y-1 of facilities already in operation; b) the revenue generated in year Y by facilities created in year Y or Y-1 ; c) the change in the revenue between year Y and year Y-1 of facilities that were restructured or the capacity of which was increased in year Y or Y-1; d) the change in the revenue of recently acquired facilities observed in year Y relative to the equivalent period in year Y-1.

2ND QUARTER REVENUE (1)

In m (unaudited IFRS figures) 2nd quarter Growth 2016 2015 Reported Organic (2) France 390.7 380.0 2.8% 2.5% in of rev. 52.8% 59.8% International 349.3 255.9 36.5% 6.1% in of rev. 47.2% 40.2% Germany 211.4 124.6 69.6% 8.7% Italy 78.9 77.2 2.3% 2.3% Belgium 59.0 54.0 9.1% 5.4% Total Group 740.0 635.9 16.4% 4.0%

ABOUT KORIAN

Korian, Europe's leader in Ageing Well, founded in 2003, has the capacity to accommodate more than 70,000 residents and patients in Europe (France, Germany, Italy and Belgium) and employs around 45,000 staff members. The Group manages almost 700 facilities in four business lines: long-term care nursing homes, post-acute and rehabilitation care clinics, assisted living facilities and home-care services.

For more information, please visit the website: www.korian.com

Korian is listed on Euronext Paris Compartment A and is a component of the following indices: SBF 120, CAC Health Care, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid & Small and MSCI Global Small Cap

Euronext ticker: KORI ISIN: FR0010386334 Reuters: KORI.PA Bloomberg: KORI.FP

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720005980/en/

Contacts:

Korian

INVESTOR CONTACT

Didier Laurens

Investor Relations Director

didier.laurens@korian.com

Tel: +33 (0)1 55 37 53 55

or

PRESS CONTACT

Sophie Bodin Tarick Dali

DGM Conseil

s.bodin@dgm-conseil.fr / t.dali@dgm-conseil.fr

T +33 (0)1 40 70 95 93
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign sent out a fundraising email Tuesday attempting to link Republican nominee Donald Trump to inflammatory remarks by Congressman Steve King, R-Iowa. King has come under fire for comments that seemed to question the contributions that non-white people have made to civilization. During an appearance on MSNBC on Monday, King was responding to a remark about the predominance of 'old white people' at the Republican National Convention. 'This 'old white people' business does get a little tired,' King said. 'I'd ask you to go back through history and figure out, where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that you're talking about, where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilization?' Pressed whether he was referring to groups other than white people, the Iowa Congressman argued he meant all of Western Civilization and specifically cited Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the United States of America. In the email, Clinton deputy communications director Christina Reynolds noted that King's remarks were widely reported as a textbook example of white supremacy. 'And it wasn't the first time the Party of Trump has had a disturbing connection to white supremacy in recent months,' Reynolds said, pointing to Trump's reluctance to disavow an endorsement from former KKK leader David Duke. 'We're taking this seriously,' she added. 'We're going to keep calling Trump out on the deplorable ideas he perpetuates, and we're going to keep fighting to win the White House this November.' The email from Clinton was sent the same day Trump was officially nominated as the Republican Party's candidate for president. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
ORLANDO, FL -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Axiom Holdings Inc. (OTCQB: AIOM), a holding company today announced that on July 16, 2016 the Company entered into negotiations with Xiao Jin County Ji Tai Power Investments Company Limited and Xiao Jin County Xin Hong Electric Power Development Company Limited to acquire two Hydro-Electric power plants in Sichuan China with future expansion undergoing now.

The plants will be purchased by a newly formed subsidiary of Axiom Holdings Inc., and will be 100% wholly-owned by the parent company commonly known as a WOFE (wholly-owned foreign entity).

The plants generate approximately 44,000 KW of power. A source closed to the power plants, confirmed that the two initial power plants generate positive cash flow and are very profitable.

Tuan Low, President of Axiom Holdings, commented, "We are excited about this acquisition and look forward to providing green power generation to China, the world's largest and most populous country. Axiom will continue to explore and vet acquisition opportunities such as this one globally and within the U.S."

Mr. Low added, "This is the first acquisition being considered by Axiom, we hope to announce further acquisitions in the near future."

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Except for the historical matters contained herein, this release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this release that are not historical facts, including, without limitation, statements that relate to the Company's expectations with regard to the future impact on the Company's results from new products in development, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import also identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are based on current facts and analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determined and assumptions of management. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Except as may be required under applicable law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this release. This release should be read in conjunction with Axiom Holdings' Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission through the date of this release, which identifies important factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this release.

INVESTOR CONTACT

Rex Cheung

Email Contact




Cash position of 60.9 million at the end of June 30, 2016,

Revenue of 11.9 million (compared to 12.7 million for the first semester 2016)

Increase in research and development expenses leading to operational expenses totaling 20 million (compared to 11.9 million in 2015) and a net loss of 4.2 million (versus to a net profit of 6,7 million as of June 30, 2015)

Regulatory News:

Adocia (Paris:ADOC) (Euronext Paris: FR0011184241 ADOC), announced today its financial results for the first six months ended June 30, 2016.

IFRS half year financial consolidated statements have been subject to a limited review by the statutory auditors and were approved at the Board of Director's meeting held on July 20, 2016.

 We announced during the first semester our decision to reinforce and concentrate our efforts on new treatments for diabetes. Based on our recognized expertise in the field of diabetes, we made this strategic decision to create a synergy and leverage the resources currently deployed across our projects. Our present objective is to apply our BioChaperone platform to other therapeutic proteins of interest in the treatment of diabetes. commented Gerard Soula, President and CEO of Adocia

 Promising preliminary preclinical results were obtained with a stable formulation of human glucagon, which could be used to treat severe hypoglycemia (as a so-called "rescue" treatment), as well as to be used in a bi-hormonal artificial pancreas. This latter system, currently in development by numerous companies, has led to very promising clinical results for the treatment of diabetes. 

Key financial results

The table below summarizes the condensed consolidated interim financial statements prepared for the six-months periods ended June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015:

In thousands of Euro IFRS rules 06/30/2016 06/30/2015 Revenue 11,934 12,709 Grants, public financing and research tax credits and other 3,961 3,965 Operating revenue 15,895 16,674 Operating expenses (20,063) (11,858) Operating income (loss) (4,168) 4,815 Financial income 41 1,904 Net income (loss) (4,181) 6,719

The financial results of the Company at June 30, 2016 are characterized by:

A solid financial position: The Company shows a cash position as of June 30, 2016 close to 61 million euros compared to 72.1 million euros in January 1st 206.

The cash needed to finance the operating cash flow for the first semester amounted to 10.6 million euros, compared to 7.1 million euros in the first six months of 2015. This increase reflects the advancement of projects and the clinical developments conducted during the period as well as the increase in staff to support program advancement and the Company growth.

During the first semester, the Company finalized the acquisition, by a bank loan, of the building in which its headquarters and research center are located. Consequently, debts at June 30, 2016 totaled 6.3 million euros compared to 0.8 million euros at the beginning of the year.

Operating income of 15.9 million euros as of June 2016 results primarily from the research and collaborative contract signed with Eli Lilly (11.9 million euros) and from research and tax credit (" Credit d'Impot Recherche ") of 3.8 million euros.

of 15.9 million euros as of June 2016 results primarily from the research and collaborative contract signed with Eli Lilly (11.9 million euros) and from research and tax credit (" ") of 3.8 million euros. Operating expenses of 20.1 million euros were dedicated by more than 81% to research and development activities. Compared to last year, the 70% increase in expenses (or 8.2 million euros) comes, in part, from the strong clinical activity (+ 3.8 million euros) and, also, from a significant in staff (+27.8 FTE's Full Time Equivalent or 33% increase). Payroll expenses for the first half also increased by 2 million euros (without any effect on the cash) as a result of the Company's share-based compensation policy implemented last year for the benefit of all employees (in the context of the Company's 10 th anniversary).

20.1 million euros were dedicated by more than 81% to research and development activities. Compared to last year, the 70% increase in expenses (or 8.2 million euros) comes, in part, from the strong clinical activity (+ 3.8 million euros) and, also, from a significant in staff (+27.8 FTE's or 33% increase). Payroll expenses for the first half also increased by 2 million euros (without any effect on the cash) as a result of the Company's share-based compensation policy implemented last year for the benefit of all employees (in the context of the Company's 10 anniversary). After taking into account the financial net income, the result of the Company is a loss of 4.2 million euros, compared to a net profit of 6.7 million euros as of June 30, 2015.

During the first half, we increased our expenses as planned, notably as a result of the number of clinical studies conducted. Our strong 60 million euros cash position at June should allow us to continue to confidently execute the operational plan commented Valerie Danaguezian, Chief Financial Officer of Adocia.

Additionally, we took the opportunity to acquire the building in which we are located since the inception of the Company. This acquisition was finalized in April with attractive financial conditions.

Key events for the first half of 2016:

This first half was notable, with the release of positive results on three clinical studies launched in 2015 and conducted within the partnership with Eli Lilly:

A phase 1b study of repeated administration of ultra-rapid BioChaperone Lispro in type 1 diabetic patients,

A phase 1b study of repeated administration of ultra-rapid BioChaperone Lispro in type 2 diabetic patients,

A phase 1 study in healthy Japanese subjects.

The results for the phase 1b study in patients with diabetes using an insulin pump launched in 2015 are expected in Q4 2016.

The Company also pursued the development of its non-partnered:

BioChaperone Combo, the unique combination of long-acting insulin glargine and fast-acting insulin lispro, with the preparation of a clinical study that should be launched in the third quarter,

BioChaperone human insulin, HinsBet, with the launch of phase 1b study for which the results are expected in the third quarter,

BioChaperone PDGF-BB, the diabetic foot ulcer wound healing project, currently tested in a phase 3 study in India and for which the rests are expected in the third quarter.

This first half 2016 was also marked by the strategic decision to reinforce the commitment of the Company in the field of diabetes, a market which presents a strong growth and is rich of new opportunities are appearing, with a need for treatments better adapted to patients, the emergence of new therapies and the development of combinations. In line with the new focused corporate strategy, Adocia announced the launch of new project (BioChaperone Glucagon) and the discontinuation of its non-diabetes programs (monoclonal antibodies and DriveIn

Finally, during the first months of 2016, the Company was presented with an opportunity to secure its presence on the site that was occupied since its inception. The Company acquired this property of 7 120m, in the Center of Lyon, for a net amount of 5.2 million euros. This acquisition was financed with a bank loan.

About ADOCIA

Adocia is a clinical-stage biotechnology company that specializes in the development of innovative formulations of already-approved therapeutic proteins. Adocia's insulin formulation portfolio, featuring four clinical-stage programs and one preclinical program, is among the largest and most differentiated in the industry.

The proprietary BioChaperone technological platform is designed to enhance the effectiveness and/or safety of therapeutic proteins while making them easier for patients to use. Adocia customizes BioChaperone to each protein for a given application in order to address specific patient needs.

Adocia's clinical pipeline includes a unique formulation of PDGF-BB for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer and four novel insulin formulations for the treatment of diabetes: two ultra-rapid formulations of insulin analogs (BioChaperone Lispro U100 and U200), a rapid-acting formulation of human insulin (HinsBet U100) and a combination of insulin glargine and a rapid-acting insulin analog (BioChaperone Combo). Adocia is also developing a concentrated, rapid-acting formulation of human insulin (HinsBet U500).

In December 2014, Adocia signed a partnership with Eli Lilly for the development and commercialization of the BioChaperone Lispro programs.

Adocia aims to deliver "Innovative medicine for everyone, everywhere."

To learn more about Adocia, please visit us at www.adocia.com

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Adocia and its business. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Adocia considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the 'Risk Factors' section of the Reference Document filed with the French Autorite des marches financiers on April 8, 2016 (a copy of which is available on www.adocia.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Adocia operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Adocia or not currently considered material by Adocia. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance or achievements of Adocia to be materially different from such forward-looking statements.

This press release and the information contained herein do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy Adocia shares in any jurisdiction.

APPENDIX: Financial results at June 30, 2016

Operating income

The following table provides details on operating income for each period:

In thousands of Euro IFRS rules 06/30/2016 06/30/2015 Research and cooperation agreements 6,560 7,334 Income from licenses 5,375 5,375 Revenue (a) 11,934 12,709 Grants, public financing and research tax credits and other (b) 3,961 3,965 Operating revenue (a) (b) 15,895 16,674

Operational revenues resulted from the licensing and research agreements and also from the public financing of research and development expenses. At June 30, 2016, they amounted to 15.9 million euros versus 16.7 euro million last year over the same period.

Revenues of 11.9 million euros at June 30, 2016 resulted primarily from the collaborative and licensing agreement signed with Lilly end of 2014 and included:

Revenues from research and collaborative agreement for a total of 6.6 million euros, reflecting Lilly's financial coverage of all internal and external costs incurred by Adocia in the development of the project developed in partnership. This amount, slightly decreasing compared to last year, still reflects the high activity conducted with the partner.

License revenue for 5.4 million euros relating to the amortization of the initial payment received when the signing the agreement with Eli Lilly in December 2014. Under IFRS, this amount of 40.8 million euros (50 million dollars), is recognized linearly in licensing revenues over the duration of clinical development plan as anticipated at the time of the signature of the agreement.

Other operating income consisted primarily of the French research development tax credit amounting to 3.9 million euros for the first half 2016 compared to 2.9 million euros in first half 2015. The increase of more than 30% is in line with the expenditure recorded on this semester to support the development of our projects.

Moreover, following its real estate acquisition, the Company invoiced rents, from now on, to three tenants located in the building. As of June 2016, these revenues amounted to 0.1 million euros.

Furthermore, last year, the Company obtained from Bpifrance the decision of a partial failure of the bone reconstruction project (osteoporosis). Consequent to this decision, an amount of 1.05 million euros was forgiven and recognized as a grant in the June 2015 accounts (balance of 0.5 million euros was reimbursed by Adocia in September 2015).

Operating expenses

Consolidated operating expenses for the first half 2016 amounted to 20.1 million euros versus 11.9 million euros in the same period last year, representing an increase of +70% (8.2 million euros).

These charges are presented by destination and by nature in the templates below.

Operating expenses by destination

In thousands of Euro IFRS rules 06/30/2016 06/30/2015 Research and development expenses (16,356) (9,492) General and administrative expenses (3,707) (2,366) Operating expenses (20,063) (11,858)

Over the first six months of the year, research and development costs represent more than 81% of the total operating expenses (80% in the first half 2015). They mainly include payroll costs assigned to research and development operations, subcontracting costs (including preclinical and clinical studies) and intellectual property rights expenses.

The increased spending comes for 3.8 million euros from clinical studies expenses, reflecting the high level of activity in 2016, and for 2.8 million euros from payroll costs (including shares-based payments), following the increase in enrollment.

General and administrative expenses primarily include expenses for employees not directly working on research and development (including share-based payment), as well as services related to management, the business development of the Company and its subsidiary in the US.

Operating expenses by nature :

In thousands of Euro IFRS rules 06/30/2016 06/30/2015 Cost of goods sold (755) (663) Payroll expense (8,440) (4,172) External charges (10,423) (6,832) Taxes (138) (25) Depreciation, amortization provisions (307) (166) Operating expenses (20,063) (11,858)

External expenses represent the largest expenditure item with nearly 52% of total operating expenses. They amounted to 10.4 million euros in 2016 compared to 6.8 million euros for the same period in 2015. The acceleration of clinical and preclinical developments explains this increase and reflects the progress of our portfolio.

Personnel costs represents the second significant area of expenses with 42% of total operating expenses. The increase of 4.2 million euros to 8.4 million euros reflects firstly the increase in staff and, secondly, the incentive policy in bonus shares implemented for the benefit of all staff at the end of last year. Under IFRS, share-based payments are recognized at the fair value of the equity instruments and represent an amount of 2.1 million euros at June 30, 2016 (compared to 0.3 million euros at June 30, 2015).

Excluding these elements that have no impact in French GAAP, nor on the cash position of the Company, personnel expenses amounted to 6.3 million euros (compared to 3.9 million euros in the first half of 2015) reflecting mainly enrollment growth of 33% between the two periods.

Balance sheet items

In thousands of Euro IFRS rules 06/30/2016 12/31/2015 Net cash and cash equivalents 60,899 72,062 Total assets 86,668 88,095 Equity 44,564 47,052 Financial Debt 6,260 838

On June 30, 2016, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held by the Company amounted to 60.9 million euros compared to 72.1 million euros at December 31, 2015.

Consolidated shareholders' equity decreased from 47.1 million euros at end December 2015 to 44.6 million euros at end June 2016, mainly reflecting the negative result at the end of June 2016.

Financial liabilities in the amount of 6.3 million euros at June 2016, mainly related real estate loan used to finance the acquisition and renovation of the building in which its headquarters and its research center are located, amounting to 5.2 million euros, as well as refundable advances from the French Agency for Innovation (Bpifrance), for the insulin project.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720006016/en/

Contacts:

Adocia

Gerard Soula, Tel.: +33 4 72 610 610

Chairman and CEO

contactinvestisseurs@adocia.com

or

Adocia Press Relations Europe

MC Services AG

Raimund Gabriel, Tel.: +49 89 210 228 0

raimund.gabriel@mc-services.eu

adocia@mc-services.eu

or

Adocia Investor Relations USA

The Ruth Group

Tram Bui, Tel.: +646.536.7035

tbui@theruthgroup.com
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 20, 2016) - Maritime Resources Corp. (TSXV: MAE) is pleased to report that the non-brokered private placement announced on June 17, 2016 has closed for gross proceeds of $2,475,000. The Company has issued 16,500,000 Equity Units at $0.14 per Equity Unit and 16,500,000 Royalty Units at $0.01 per Royalty Unit. Each Equity Unit consists of one common share and one half of one non-transferable share purchase warrant (the "Warrants"). Each whole Warrant attached to the Equity Units entitles the holder to purchase one common share at a price of $0.20 per common share for 36 months. The Company also reports that due to overwhelming interest in the financing, the Company agreed to an 10% oversubscription or $225,000 to the original announced placement of $2,250,000 for total proceeds of $2,475,000.

Total royalties payable from the Royalty Units (the "Royalty Payment") will be capped at an amount equal to 100% of the total offering plus the sum of $985,500 raised in the previously completed private placement announced on February 12, 2016 and April 18, 2016(collectively, the "Royalty Financings"). Royalty Payments will be made annually, beginning on the first anniversary of the date of commencement of commercial production from the Project. Upon payment of aggregate Royalty Payments totaling 100% of the total investment made pursuant to the Royalty Financings, the Royalty will terminate. Royalty Payments will be funded solely from 10% of annual net cash flow from the Green Bay Project. For purposes of the Royalty, "net cash flow" will mean net production revenues realized from the Project after deducting all Project operating and debt servicing costs. Maritime also agrees that it will offer all Royalty Payments to be paid either in cash or in gold, at the option of the Company.

Finders' fees totaling $174,892.52 and 1,165,950 Finders Warrants were paid in connection with this financing (Canaccord Genuity Corp. $150,892.52 and 1,005,950 Finders Warrants and Leede Jones Gable Inc. $24,000 and 160,000 Finders Warrants) The Finders Warrants have the same terms as the Warrants attached to the Equity Units.

All the securities issued hereunder are subject to a four month hold period and may not be traded until November 21, 2016.

About Maritime Resources Corp:

Maritime Resources holds 100% of the Green Bay property, located near Springdale, Newfoundland and Labrador. The property hosts the past producing Hammerdown gold mine and the Orion gold deposit, which are separated by a 1.5 km distance of untested ground.

An initial Independent Mineral Resource Estimate for the Green Bay Gold property was prepared in accordance to the requirements of NI 43 - 101 and released in early June 2013. The study estimates the property to contain in excess of 425,000 ounces of gold (727,500 tonnes @ 11.59 g/t Au at Hammerdown and 1,096,500 tonnes @ 4.47 g/t Au at Orion) in the Measured and Indicated categories and in excess of 660,000 ounces (1,767,000 tonnes @ 7.58 g/t Au at Hammerdown and 1,288,000 tonnes @ 5.44 g/t Au at Orion) in the Inferred category, both at a 3 g/t cut-off grade. The estimate was compiled by Tetra Tech of Ontario.

Maritime has also entered into a Letter of Intent ("LOI" or "Agreement")(see News Release dated November 17th, 2014 and May 9, 2016) with Rambler Metals and Mining PLC which includes evaluating the economic potential of re-opening the past producing Hammerdown gold mine located within Maritime's Green Bay Property, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Should the economic and technical viability of the project be established in the PFS the arrangement will allow Hammerdown material to be toll treated in the gold hydromet CIP circuit at the Nugget Pond Mill of up to 500 metric tonnes per day ('mtpd'). A toll milling fee would be negotiated to cover the capital expenditures required to process the material at the Nugget Pond Mill with permanent storage of Hammerdown tailings at the Nugget Pond site.

The Hammerdown gold deposit was successfully mined by Richmont Mines between 2000 and 2004 while gold prices averaged $325/oz. During its operation, a total of 291,400 tonnes of ore were mined and milled, at an average grade of 15.83 g/t Au, recovering a total of 143,000 ounces of gold. All of the ore was processed at the Nugget Pond mill, now owned and operated by Rambler Metals and Mining Canada Limited, with an average gold recovery of 97.1%. Mining terminated in 2004 due to low gold prices with mineralization remaining, although uneconomic at that time. The Orion gold deposit consists of two main vein systems, both of which are open along strike, and down plunge to the northeast.

Further information on the Green Bay Gold Property can be found on our website along with the NI43-101 compliant Technical Report filed on SEDAR on July 11, 2013 at www.maritimeresourcescorp.com.

Bernard H. Kahlert, P.Eng. is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Doug Fulcher"

Doug Fulcher

President, CEO

Cathy DiVito, Investor Relations or Doug Fulcher, President Telephone: (604) 336-7322

info@maritimeresourcescorp.com

The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
Weekly net asset value ("NAV") is calculated as of the close of business on each Tuesday and posted on the following business day. In the event that Tuesday is not a business day, the Company will calculate the close-of-business NAV as of the business day immediately preceding that Tuesday. The end-of-month NAV is calculated as of the close of business on the last day of the month and posted on the following business day. For weeks that include a month-end NAV report, PSH will provide only the month-end NAV and not report the Tuesday NAV. Monthly NAVs are published in accordance with the Decree on Conduct of Business Supervision of Financial Undertakings under the Wft (Besluit Gedragstoezicht financiele ondernemingen Wft).

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
IRVINE, CA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- iBrands Corporation Inc. (OTC PINK: IBRC) today announced that it has completed the merger of Avita Beverage Company LLC, a provider of a Premium Natural Artesian Alkaline Water. The Merger complements iBrands' leading-edge product portfolio and enables a new channel for distribution in the high-volume C-Store Industry.

Avita Beverage Company, LLC will continue its operations out of their production facility in Roscommon, Michigan and its corporate headquarters in Los Angeles, CA, led by the current CEO, Clinton L. Stokes III. www.myavitawater.com

Mr. Stokes describes Avita as "a Natural Premium Artesian Alkaline Water producer and bottling company. Avita is bottled at the source, from our protected and preserved aquifer located in Michigan's Au Sable Forest. We produce a healthy, eco-socially responsible product that meets the requirements for certification for any state in which the product is to be distributed. Additionally, our Natural Premium Artesian Alkaline Water is a 3-time winner of the prestigious award for taste from Berkeley Springs International Water Tastings. Avita is committed to bringing the best quality, ultra-pure, natural artesian alkaline water product to the marketplace. Avita water boasts a pH of 8.0 with an exceptional mineral profile, thereby providing an alternative healthy beverage with optimal hydration to all active individuals and athletes around the world. It is Avita's mission to increase the consumer's awareness of the benefits of our product as an essential component of a healthy lifestyle."

Michael Ogburn, CEO of iBrands: "We have been working with Avita for several months now to close this deal because we saw the value of the brand as the logical next step for the health and fitness consumer and their dedication to being the 'go to' water for first responders. Their philanthropic compassion with Veteran Charities, Homeless Outreach programs and response to the Flint Water Crisis really set them apart as not only being one of the first water companies to 'do their part,' but also showed that their mission statement is genuine. Their partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Golden State Warriors and Detroit Pistons shows that their brand is not just a mid-level brand, but a global power-house in the fitness and wellness space. We plan to further leverage their sales platform within the C-Store, Indian Casino, Indian and Military Store channels."

Terms of the Merger are 5,000,000 of Series "C" Restricted Convertible Preferred Shares.

About iBrands Corporation, Inc.:

Headquartered in Irvine, California, iBrands Corporation, Inc. engages in the manufacturing and distribution of Ultra-Premium Vapor and Beverage products. The company offers a wide variety of Vapor Products, E-Liquids and Natural Beverages that are made in the USA.

Safe Harbor Statement:

This press release may contain forward looking statements and or observations which are based on current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions that involve risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those anticipated or expected, including statements related to the amount and timing of expected revenues as well as any payment of dividends on our stock, statements related to our financial performance, expected income, distributions, and future growth for upcoming quarterly and annual periods. These risks and uncertainties include but not limited to information as contained within the Company's most current quarterly reports, annual reports, and or other such filings as may be accessed through the OTCBB website. Furthermore, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any such forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. We have incurred and will continue to incur significant expenses in our expansion of our existing as well as new product lines noting there is no assurance that we will generate enough revenues to offset those costs. Additional product offerings may expose us to additional legal and regulatory costs and unknown exposure(s) based upon the variables as associated with the general business channel we are operating in, the impact of which cannot be predicted at this time including risks as associated with our product and recent FDA pronouncements. Additionally, our 1-A registration statement will generate additional free trading shares to the marketplace at a pre-determined price which may impact our share pricing within the OTC marketplace in a manner that we cannot predict.

iBrands Corporation, Inc.

Investor Contact:

(949) 440-3232




MUMBAI, July 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The following release was issued today by Vedanta Limited's subsidiary Hindustan Zinc Limited.

Operational Highlights

Mined metal production of 127kt as per mine plan, second half to be substantially stronger

Integrated zinc and lead production at 101kt and 25kt; down 46% and 11% respectively compared to Q1 FY 2016, in-line with mined metal

Integrated silver production at 89 MT; up 20% compared to Q1 FY 2016

Rampura Agucha and Sindesar Khurd mines amongst the top ten best mines in the country that were awarded with Ministry of Mines' Five Star rating

Hindustan Zinc Limited today announced its results for the first quarter ended June 30, 2016.

Mr. Agnivesh Agarwal, Chairman -

"In line with strong zinc fundamentals and our expectations, zinc prices surged 14% in Q1 FY 2017 as compared to the previous quarter, making it the best performing base metal. We also witnessed a rally in silver prices, which along with increasing volumes is accentuating its contribution in our profits, having reached almost 20% at present. Our transition to underground mining is progressing well with robust mine development, especially during last few months. Production from our underground mines has also ramped up significantly."

Financial Summary



(In Rs. Crore, except as stated) Particulars Q1 Q4 2017 2016 Change 2016 Net Sales/Income from Operations







Zinc 1,726 2,787 -38% 2,013 Lead 301 411 -27% 538 Silver 332 259 28% 403 Others 142 139 2% 116 Total 2,501 3,596 -30% 3,070 EBITDA 1,130 1,679 -33% 1,296 Profit After Taxes 1,037 1,940 -47% 2,146 Earnings per Share (Rs.) 2.45 4.59 -47% 5.08 Mined Metal Production ('000 MT) 127 232 -45% 188 Refined Metal Production ('000 MT)







Integrated Refined Metal







Zinc 101 187 -46% 154 Saleable Lead1 25 27 -11% 38 Zinc & Lead 126 214 -41% 193 Saleable Silver2,3 (in MT) 89 74 20% 122 Total Refined Metal







Zinc 102 187 -45% 154 Saleable Lead1 25 31 -20% 38 Zinc & Lead 127 218 -42% 193 Saleable Silver2,3 (in MT) 89 75 18% 122 Wind Power (in million units) 148 127 17% 62 Zinc CoP without Royalty (Rs. / MT) 4 62,138 50,955 22% 58,028 Zinc CoP without Royalty ( $ / MT) 4 928 802 16% 860 Zinc LME ($ / MT) 1,918 2,190 -12% 1,679 Lead LME ($ / MT) 1,719 1,942 -11% 1,744 Silver LBMA ($ / oz.) 16.8 16.4 2% 14.9 USD-INR (average) 66.9 63.5 5% 67.5

(1) Excluding captive consumption of 1,084 MT in Q1 FY2017 as compared with 2,184 MT in Q1 FY 2016 and 909 MT in Q4 FY 2016

(2) Excluding captive consumption of 5.5 MT in Q1 FY2017 as compared with 11.3 MT in Q1 FY 2016 and 4.7 MT in Q4 FY 2016

(3) Silver occurs in Lead & Zinc ore and is recovered in the smelting and silver-refining processes

(4) The COP numbers are after adjusting for deferred mining expenses under Ind-AS. Without this adjustment, Zinc CoP per MT would have been Rs. 76,448 ($1,142) as compared with Rs. 50,955 ($802) in Q1 FY 2016 and Rs. 58,044 ($860) in Q4 FY 2016

Note:

1) Historical numbers have been revised as per Ind-AS reporting

2) Numbers may not add up due to rounding off; historical numbers may have changed due to regrouping

Operational Performance

Ore production from Sindesar Khurd decline reached the originally conceived capacity of 3.75 million MT per annum rate and production from Rampura Agucha underground mine crossed one million MT per annum production rate during the quarter. Mined metal production was in-line with mine plan and guidance with lower production from Rampura Agucha open cast mine as more waste was excavated than ore in accordance with the waste-ore sequence. Mined metal production during the quarter was 127kt, 45% lower y-o-y and 33% lower than previous quarter. The transition to underground mines is progressing well and mined metal production for the full year will be higher than previous year. The production plan for the year outlines second half volumes to be substantially higher than first half; in the first half, Q2 will be much stronger.

In accordance with mined metal availability and accretion to inventory, refined zinc production during the quarter decreased by 46% y-o-y and 34% from previous quarter. Integrated lead production during the quarter was lower by 11% y-o-y and 36% sequentially for the same reason.

Integrated silver metal production was up by 20% y-o-y on account of higher volumes from Sindesar Khurd mine, though lower by 27% compared to previous quarter due to accretion to inventory and lower volumes from Rampura Agucha mine. Silver recoveries were better during the quarter driven by higher recoveries from Sindesar Khurd mine and enhanced smelter efficiency.

Five Star Rating by Ministry of Mines - Rampura Agucha and Sindesar Khird mines were awarded the prestigious Five Star rating recently initiated by Ministry of Mines for the efforts and initiatives taken for implementation of the Sustainable Development Framework and for exemplary compliances & best practices. The 1 to 5 scale evaluation is based on performance in the area of scientific and efficient mining, addressing social impacts of our resettlement and rehabilitation requirements, local community engagements and welfare programmes, steps taken for progressive and final mine closure and over all reporting and adoption of international standards. This five star rating was bestowed to only ten best mines in the country, including two of Hindustan Zinc.

Changes in Accounting

The Company has adopted Indian Accounting Standards (Ind-AS) reporting from the current financial year. Correspondingly, comparative periods of previous year have also been re-cast where necessary. Ind-AS also incorporates the IFRS methodology of temporarily capitalising excess overburden in periods of high waste-to-ore ratio in open cast mining to more closely relate the costs to actual production volumes; accordingly, Rs. 189 Crore was capitalised which will be reversed in H2 FY 2017 where waste excavation is expected to be low.

Additionally, cumulative mark-to-market gain on corporate bonds of Rs. 160 Crore was capitalised including Rs. 66 Crore for the current quarter. Change in method of depreciation on Plant & Machinery increased this head by Rs. 171 Crore.

The net impact of these accounting changes has resulted in a reduction in Profit before tax by Rs. 48 Crore for the quarter.

Financial Performance

Revenues during the quarter were Rs. 2,501 Crore, which is 30% lower from a year ago. The decrease was on account of lower volumes, primarily zinc, and lower LME partly offset by higher rupee depreciation and higher silver price. On a sequential basis, revenue decreased by 19% due to lower volumes, partly offset by higher zinc & silver prices.

The zinc metal cost of production per MT before royalty (COP) during the quarter increased Rs. 62,138 ($928) in line with production plan of lower volumes from Rampura Agucha open cast mine in the current quarter and thus lower average grades. This was partly offset by lower coal & commodity prices, cost optimization projects in procurement & commercial and higher by-product credits. This incorporates the Ind-AS adjustment outlined under 'Changes in Accounting' section. The COP in dollar terms will be better in FY 2017 compared to previous year.

The above revenue and cost of production resulted in a 33% y-o-y decline in EBITDA during the quarter to Rs. 1,130 Crore and 13% decline from previous quarter. Silver EBITDA during the quarter was Rs. 293 Crore, up 32% from Rs. 222 Crore a year ago.

The smaller investment corpus on account of dividend pay-out in the beginning of the quarter led to lower investment income, which along with higher tax rate and higher depreciation resulted in net profit of Rs. 1,037 Crore, lower by 47% y-o-y and 52% from previous quarter.

Expansion Projects

The Company continued with high pace of mine development, achieving 14,011 metres of total mine development during the quarter, up 18% from a year ago.During the quarter, mine development at Rampura Agucha underground mine crossed the 4,000 metre benchmark for second quarter in a row. Further, all three surface ventilation fans of 250 kW were commissioned for north decline. Main shaft sinking crossed 900 meters against the final depth of 950 meters and winder erection work commenced during the quarter.

Sindesar Khurd main shaft sinking work has already been completed to the ultimate depth of 1,052 metres and off shaft development work continues to be ahead of schedule even as work on up-ramp commenced during the quarter. Progress of new 1.5 mtpa capacity mill and power up-gradation projects are in full pace and in line with commissioning by end of the financial year.

Zawar mill debottlenecking along with associated power and infrastructure projects are progressing well while Kayad mine project is near completion having achieved its eventual capacity of 1 million MT per annum.

Liquidity and investment

The Company's net cash and cash equivalents are at Rs. 23,349 Crore as at June 30, 2016, after outflow of Rs. 12,205 Crore of Special Golden Jubilee dividend including dividend distribution tax in April 2016.

Earnings Call on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 3:00 pm (IST)

The Company will hold an earnings conference call on Thursday, July 21, 2016 at 3:00 pm IST, where senior management will discuss the Company's results and performance. The dial in numbers for the call is given below:

Primary: +91 22 3960 0762 Secondary: +91 22 6746 5962

About Hindustan Zinc

Hindustan Zinc (NSE & BSE: HINDZINC) is the one of the largest integrated producers of zinc-lead with a capacity of 1.0 million MT per annum and a leading producer of silver. The Company is headquartered in Udaipur, Rajasthan in India and has zinc-lead mines at Rampura Agucha, Sindesar Khurd, Rajpura Dariba, Zawar and Kayad; primary smelter operations at Chanderiya, Dariba and Debari, all in the state of Rajasthan; and finished product facilities in the state of Uttarakhand.

Hindustan Zinc has a world-class resource base with total reserve & resource of 389.9 million MT and average zinc-lead reserve grade of 11.7%. The Company has a track record of consistently growing its reserve & resource base since 2003 and currently has a mine life of over 25 years.

The Company is self-sufficient in power with an installed base of 474 MW coal-based captive power plants. Additionally, it has green power capacity of 309 MW including 274 MW of wind power and 35 MW of waste heat power. The Company has an operating workforce of over 17,000 including contract workforce.

Hindustan Zinc is a subsidiary of the BSE and NSE listed Vedanta Limited (formerly known as Sesa Sterlite Limited; ADRs listed on the NYSE), a part of London listed Vedanta Resources plc, a global diversified natural resources company.

Disclaimer

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should" or "will." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.

About Vedanta Limited (Formerly Sesa Sterlite Ltd.)

Vedanta Limited is a diversified natural resources company, whose business primarily involves producing oil & gas, zinc - lead - silver, copper, iron ore, aluminium and commercial power. The company has a presence across India, South Africa, Namibia, Australia, Ireland, Liberia and Sri Lanka.

Vedanta Limited, formerly Sesa Sterlite Limited is the Indian subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Plc, a London-listed company. Governance and Sustainable Development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety and environment and on enhancing the lives of local communities. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

For more information please log on to www.vedantalimited.com

Vedanta Limited

(Formerly known as Sesa Sterlite Limited)

Vedanta, 75, Nehru Road,

Vile Parle (East), Mumbai - 400 099

www.vedantalimited.com

Registered Office:

Sesa Ghor, 20 EDC Complex,

Patto, Panaji (Goa) - 403 001

CIN: L13209GA1965PLC000044

Disclaimer

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" - that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "should" or "will." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different that those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.

For further information, please contact:



Ekta Singh Pavan Kaushik Manager Associate Vice President Investor Relations Corporate Communications hzl.ir@vedanta.co.in pavan.kaushik@vedanta.co.in Tel: +91 800 3099676 Tel: +91 99288 44499



Communications

Roma Balwani Tel: +91 22 6646 1000 President - Group Communications, Sustainability & CSR gc@vedanta.co.in



Investor Relations

Ashwin Bajaj Tel: +91 22 6646 1531 Director - Investor Relations vedantaltd.ir@vedanta.co.in



Vishesh Pachnanda

Manager - Investor Relations





Sunila Martis

Manager - Investor Relations



Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150422/740375
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Eurocontrol Technics Group Inc. (TSX VENTURE: EUO) ("Eurocontrol" or the "Company"), a Canadian public company specializing in the acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative authentication, verification and certification technologies, is pleased to announce that it has appointed Mr. Gilles Leraille, Vice President, Business Development for SICPA to the Company's board of directors.

Gilles Leraille, is the current Vice President, Business Development for SICPA's Government Security Solutions division, a position he has held since 2014, as well as member of the board and CEO of SICPA Global Fluids Integrity SA (SICPA GFI). Prior to joining SICPA, Mr. Leraille held management positions in the banking sector with Banque PARIBAS, West LB Europa Bank as CEO and Country Manager for Turkey and Advisor to the Board of the German parent bank, the Julius Baer banking group, and more recently, as a board member of ES Bankers, Dubai. He has also a number of board member mandates in the industry including ISIKLAR Group, a company involved in the packaging industry and the German group Pichler.

Bruce Rowlands, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased to appoint a representative from our major shareholder SICPA Finance S.A. which holds 11,620,000 common shares of Eurocontrol, representing a 12.7% ownership interest. Having worked closely with Gilles on the sale of the Company's former subsidiary, Global Fluids International (GFI) S.A., we are looking forward to his valuable contribution to the Company as the SICPA representative on our board."

Gilles Leraille stated, "This new step will reinforce the partnership character of the acquisition transaction made early 2016 and will help concretize the expected synergies between the two groups."

About SICPA

SICPA is a leading global provider of secured authentication, identification and traceability solutions and services. Founded in 1927 and headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, SICPA is a long-trusted advisor to governments, central banks, high-security printers, and industry. With high-technology security inks at the core of its expertise, the company protects the majority of the world's banknotes, security and value documents from the threats of counterfeiting and fraud. SICPA also integrates ink-based covert features and sophisticated traceability technologies to offer solutions and services to governments and industry, ensuring product authentication, traceability and protection as well as tax reconciliation. Operating on five continents, SICPA is a global company providing technologies and services to most nations worldwide. www.sicpa.com.

About Eurocontrol Technics Group Inc.

Eurocontrol is a TSX Venture listed company that specializes in the acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative authentication, verification and certification technologies. Eurocontrol has two wholly owned subsidiaries, Xenemetrix Ltd. and XwinSys Technology Development Ltd. Xenemetrix is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of ED-XRF systems, a technology that is the most accurate and economic method for determining the chemical composition of many types of materials, including the analysis of petroleum oils and fuel. Xenemetrix has an exclusive long-term supply, maintenance and support agreement with SICPA/GFI to supply SICPA/GFI with Xenemetrix products and services related to the oil and gas marking and monitoring field. XwinSys is in the final stage of developing a fully automated metrology system for the semiconductor industry that combines 2D and 3D image processing technology with Xenemetrix's ED-XRF technology.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Contacts:

Eurocontrol Technics Group Inc.

Bruce Rowlands

Chairman and CEO

(416) 361-2809

browlands@eurocontrol.ca

www.eurocontrol.ca




MOUNT VERNON, WA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- CEO and President, Jerred Turner, has announced his plan to expand into the Utah Market. On June 20, 2016, Market Director Shaun Skaggs started the transition into the Orem, Utah area to help with the growth and expansion needs of our clientele. Shaun Skaggs is set to surpass company expectations. "Utah is a great region to expand to, and I am looking forward to being a part of this next step for our business. Upon getting to know the area and what it has to offer, it has reassured me that I am ready for this endeavor! I could not be in a better location" Skaggs says, as he confidently finishes his first successful week in Orem, Utah.

Through the help from his team and support from Jerred Turner, Shaun is very confident and thankful for this opportunity. "We would not have this opportunity without the team in Washington setting the bar for our clients and for the team coming to Utah to help get everything started. I am happy I have their loyal support." The new office space, located in Provo Utah, will provide capacity for an increase in brand marketing, sales, and opportunities for the clients we work with and continue to help grow. This expansion is another step in the current growth model that Mr. Turner has set for New Heights Management. Jerred states, "This type of growth allows our company to expand its core employees and allows room at home for our current team to develop their competency in the new areas; it also creates potential for new talent at New Heights Management." We have faith in our Management Training Program, which has proven to be successful with New Heights Management here in Washington. The concept of promoting future leaders from within allows employees to learn all aspects of the business, and this initially creates a strong foundation for further growth within the company. The one-on-one, customized training program gives opportunities to all walks of life to build toward having a successful career in marketing. Our team in Utah is taking dedicated and hard-working individuals and providing them with a strong foundation to earn an awarding career in marketing and brand management.

With the addition of this new market in Utah, Jerred's expected growth this year has the momentum to carry their clients to the top. This substantial footprint in Utah will establish an even more promising customer base for the many clients of which New Heights Management is currently working alongside. Their proven business model in management training by promoting growth from within has been one of the company's best kept secret. With this new market, that same Management Training program will be used, and the end results will be just as impressive if not more. The goal by the end of 2016 is to spread across the U.S. into at least three more markets; the success of their clients' expansion also allows New Heights to grow as well. More growth means more opportunities for current and future companies to join this unstoppable force. Introducing the Utah market this summer is the next step in watching New Heights Management expand.

New Heights Management Group, Inc.

http://www.nhminc.com

205 Stewart Road, Suite 110

Mount Vernon, Washington 98273

360-853-6253






WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Libertarian Party presidential candidate Gary Johnson took aim at Republican nominee Donald Trump in an op-ed piece published by Politico on Tuesday.



Johnson noted that he previously served as a Republican governor and said he was shocked that the GOP would nominate someone with a vision of America that does not resemble that of the party he once knew.



'Despite the calls at the GOP convention in Cleveland for national unity, Donald Trump sees our country as a land of exclusion,' Johnson wrote.



'He wants Americans to act as powerless serfs bullied by someone who says he will protect them,' he added. 'Throughout world history, that has been the calling card of Big Government autocrats.'



Johnson argued that he was a successful Republican governor of a very Democratic state by combining a brand of fiscal conservativism with respect for people with different lifestyles.



The former New Mexico Governor argued that Trump's new running mate Indiana Governor Mike Pence has instead incited culture wars that divide his state's citizens.



Johnson claimed that the Republican Party is on its way to becoming like the Whig Party, which split in the lead up to Civil War due to the controversy over slavery.



'The Whigs died, then a new party came forward with an inspiring and positive vision for America,' Johnson wrote. 'We in the Libertarian Party hope to do the same.'



He added, 'We start out from a fundamental premise: As Americans, we believe in freedom. Every individual has dignity and is worthy of civility and respect.'



The Libertarian Party candidate went on to criticize Trump's approach to free trade, the federal budget, and immigration.



A recent CNN/ORC poll showed Johnson with the support of 13 percent of voters nationally, which is believed to be a record high for a Libertarian candidate.



Johnson has indicated that he is focused on reaching an average of 15 percent support in national polls in order to participate in the nationally televised presidential debates.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Project will expand company's global Santoprene elastomers capacity by 25 percent

Santoprene recognized for enhancing product flexibility and durability

Ability to reprocess provides key efficiency benefits to manufacturers

ExxonMobil announced today plans to expand its specialty elastomers plant in Newport, Wales. The company said the project, expected to be completed in late 2017, will result in a 25-percent increase in its global capacity to manufacture Santoprene thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), high-performance elastomers used for automotive, industrial and consumer applications.

This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720006285/en/

ExxonMobil plans to increase its global Santoprene elastomers capacity by 25 percent with an expansion at its specialty elastomers plant in Newport, Wales. (Ant Upton/AP Images for ExxonMobil: This photo shall be used solely for the purpose of the press release content. The photo, including any embedded graphics, shall not be used, copied, altered or modified in any format without the advance written permission of an authorized representative of ExxonMobil Chemical.)

"ExxonMobil is the world's foremost supplier of engineered thermoplastic elastomers," said Kurt Aerts, specialty elastomers and butyl rubber vice president at ExxonMobil Chemical. "Our investment in this expansion strengthens our leadership position and reflects our continuing commitment to help customers around the world manufacture high-performance products that require both flexibility and durability."

Santoprene elastomers perform like vulcanized rubber and process like plastic for applications in diverse markets. Like plastic, Santoprene TPV can be extruded, molded or thermoformed easily and economically into a variety of shapes. Like rubber, it is resilient, flexible and resistant to heat, fluids and chemicals. Santoprene elastomers provide manufacturing flexibility, ease of processing and consistent product durability. ExxonMobil's Vistalon synthetic rubber is a critical raw material in Santoprene TPV.

Manufacturers using Santoprene TPV can reprocess scrap materials and overruns, which yields an environmental benefit through reduced energy use and waste. Santoprene elastomers have been successfully used for decades in a wide range of applications from health care devices to a variety of automotive components, including weather seals. The lower density of Santoprene TPVs, compared to thermoset rubber and other thermoplastic elastomers, contributes to reduced part weight.

"We are committed to providing our customers with premium products and outstanding technical service backed by decades of expertise and leadership," Aerts said. "ExxonMobil offers innovative design and performance solutions that help customers differentiate their products and grow new market opportunities for them and for us. Santoprene TPV complements our specialty elastomers portfolio that includes both conventional and metallocene products."

Experts from ExxonMobil Chemical work closely with customers to design parts and evaluate performance characteristics and service life. The company's technology centers offer prototype part and tooling development and testing support.

ExxonMobil's specialty plants in Newport, Wales and Pensacola, Fla., supply Santoprene TPV to customers around the world. Vistalon rubber raw material is produced at ExxonMobil plants in Baton Rouge, La., and Notre Dame de Gravenchon, France.

About ExxonMobil Chemical

ExxonMobil Chemical is one of the largest chemical companies in the world. The company holds leadership positions in some of the largest-volume and highest-growth commodity chemical products in the world. ExxonMobil Chemical has manufacturing capacity in every major region of the world, serving large and growing markets. More than 90 percent of the company's chemical capacity is integrated with ExxonMobil refineries or natural gas processing plants. To learn more, visit www.exxonmobilchemical.com.

Note to Editors:

The terms, "we," "our," "ExxonMobil Chemical," or "ExxonMobil" are used for convenience, and may include any one or more of ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Exxon Mobil Corporation, or any affiliates they directly or indirectly steward. The ExxonMobil logo, the Interlocking X Device, ExxonMobil, Santoprene and Vistalon are trademarks of ExxonMobil.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160720006285/en/

Contacts:

ExxonMobil Chemical

US Media Line:

Margaret Ross, +1 832 625 4000
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - An in-house staff writer for Donald Trump's company has claimed responsibility for the copied phrases included in Melania Trump's speech to the Republican National Convention. In a statement on Wednesday, Meredith McIver said she offered to resign over the controversy but her offer was rejected. 'Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences,' McIver said. She added, 'I asked to put out this statement because I did not like seeing the way this was distracting from Mr. Trump's historic campaign for president and Melania's beautiful message and presentation.' McIver, a former ballet dancer who helped Trump write some of his books, said Melania mentioned First Lady Michelle Obama as someone she liked as they worked on the speech. 'Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obama's speech as examples,' McIver said. 'I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech. I did not check Mrs. Obama's speeches.' 'That was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama,' she added. 'No harm was meant.' Melania Trump's speech on the first day of the GOP convention included passages that were nearly identical to Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic convention in 2008. The similar wording led to charges of plagiarism, although the Trump campaign repeatedly denied the claims and accused Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign of spreading the allegations. (Photo: Marc Nozell) Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Veresen Inc. ("Veresen") (TSX: VSN) announces that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend for July 2016 of $0.0833 per common share. The dividend will be paid on August 23, 2016 to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 29, 2016. This dividend is designated an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes.

The dividend is eligible to be reinvested by shareholders, at a 5% discount, in common shares of Veresen ("Common Shares") under the dividend reinvestment component of the Premium Dividend and Dividend Reinvestment Plan of Veresen ("Plan") to be held for their account under the Plan. Shareholders may have these additional Common Shares delivered to a designated plan broker in exchange for a premium cash payment equal to 102% of the reinvested amount under the Premium Dividend component of the Plan.

Registered shareholders of Veresen who have not previously enrolled in the Plan and wish to enroll in the Plan with respect to the July 2016 cash dividend and future cash dividends declared by Veresen, must deliver to Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as Plan Agent, a completed enrollment form which is available at www.computershare.com/investorcentrecanada, at or before 5:00 pm (ET) on July 22, 2016. A copy of the enrollment form may also be obtained by calling Computershare Trust Company of Canada at 1-800-564-6253, or from Veresen's website at www.vereseninc.com.

Beneficial shareholders of Veresen who have not previously enrolled in the Plan and wish to participate in the Plan with respect to the July 2016 cash dividend and future cash dividends declared by Veresen, should contact their broker, investment dealer, financial institution or other nominee to provide appropriate enrollment instructions and to ensure any deadlines or other requirements that such nominee may impose or be subject to are met.

About Veresen Inc.

Veresen is a publicly-traded dividend paying corporation based in Calgary, Alberta that owns and operates energy infrastructure assets across North America. Veresen is engaged in three principal businesses: a pipeline transportation business comprised of interests in the Alliance Pipeline, the Ruby Pipeline and the Alberta Ethane Gathering System; a midstream business which includes a partnership interest in Veresen Midstream Limited Partnership which owns assets in western Canada, and an ownership interest in Aux Sable which owns a world-class natural gas liquids (NGL) extraction facility near Chicago and other natural gas and NGL processing infrastructure; and a power business comprised of a portfolio of assets in Canada. Veresen is also working to advance Jordan Cove LNG, a six million tonne per annum natural gas liquefaction facility proposed to be constructed in Coos Bay, Oregon, and the associated Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. In the normal course of business, Veresen regularly evaluates and pursues acquisition and development opportunities.

Veresen's Common Shares, Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series A, Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series C, and Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Shares, Series E trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbols "VSN", "VSN.PR.A", "VSN.PR.C" and "VSN.PR.E", respectively. For further information, please visit www.vereseninc.com.

 denotes trademark of Canaccord Genuity Corp.

Contacts:

Veresen Inc.

Mark Chyc-Cies

Director, Corporate Planning & Investor Relations

(403) 213-3633

investor-relations@vereseninc.com

www.vereseninc.com




VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA and NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Parking Real Estate (PRE), LLC's Managing Director David Schmid praises Parkit's Enterprise LLC's management team. Schmid states, "I have had the pleasure of working alongside Rick Baxter and the Parkit management team including Simon Buckett and Patrick Bonney for the last few years beginning with the structuring and negotiation of our joint venture and now on the investment strategy and asset management of the joint venture portfolio."

Schmid continued, "I have had the opportunity to see this management team work tirelessly to advance the joint venture and Parkit's business interests therein. The existing joint venture would not exist if it was not for Rick's leadership, personal integrity and positive collaboration. As a partner in the joint venture, Parkit has been a great partner and Rick has been the face of Parkit."

About Parking Real Estate, LLC

Owned by the officers of Propark, Parking Real Estate LLC is a company that identifies income producing parking real estate assets, acquires them and optimizes them using cutting edge parking technology and market leading yield management tools.

Contacts:

David Schmid

One Union Place

Hartford CT 06103

(860) 527-2378 x115

dave.schmid@propark.com




CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Gibson Energy Inc. ("Gibsons" or the "Company") (TSX: GEI) announced today that it has engaged RBC Capital Markets as a financial advisor to assist the Company with a potential sale of its Industrial Propane business.

"The initiation of a process to divest our Industrial Propane business is consistent with the Company's efforts to increasingly focus both investment capital and management attention on attractive growth opportunities within our Infrastructure business, including the current project backlog as well as additional projects we expect to secure shortly," said Stewart Hanlon, Gibsons' President and Chief Executive Officer. "Since entering the industrial propane market with the acquisition of James Propane in 1988, we have successfully grown the business into one of Canada's largest propane distributors, with a strategic footprint focused on oilfield applications in Western Canada. While the Company has identified further growth opportunities within this business line, allocating resources to pursue these opportunities falls outside our corporate strategy of focusing on integrated midstream solutions along the North American oil and liquids production value chain."

The Company is making a public announcement of this initiative after receiving certain unsolicited inquiries into the possible sale of the Industrial Propane business, as well as to broaden the divestment universe and maximize value for its shareholders. While there is no assurance that a transaction will be completed, the Company anticipates it would reinvest the net sales proceeds from this potential divestiture into growth opportunities within its Infrastructure business. The Company does not intend to comment further on this initiative until such time as it is appropriate to make a public announcement, if any.

About Gibsons

Gibsons is a Canadian-based midstream energy company with operations in most of the key hydrocarbon-rich basins in North America. For over 60 years, Gibsons has delivered integrated midstream solutions to customers in the oil and gas industry. With headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, the Company's North American operations include the storage, blending, processing, transportation, marketing and distribution of crude oil, natural gas liquids and refined products. The Company also provides oilfield waste and water management services. Gibsons is the second largest industrial propane distribution company operating in Canada under the Canwest Propane and Stittco Energy brands.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information and statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements") including, but not limited to, statements concerning the Company's potential disposition of its Industrial Propane business and the use of proceeds thereof, additional projects and management's expectation with respect to the Company's business and financial prospects and opportunities. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "contemplate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "propose", "might", "may", "will", "shall", "project", "should", "could", "would", "believe", "predict", "forecast", "pursue", "potential" and "capable" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. In addition, this news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information attributed to third party industry sources. The Company does not undertake any obligations to publicly update or revise any forward looking statements except as required by securities law. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of numerous risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the risks and uncertainties described in "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" included in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 1, 2016 as filed on SEDAR and available on the Gibsons website at www.gibsons.com.

Contacts:

Gibson Energy Inc.

Tammi Price

Vice President Investor Relations & Corporate Development

(403) 206-4212

tprice@gibsons.com



Gibson Energy Inc.

Cam Deller

Manager, Investor Relations

(403) 776-3041

cam.deller@gibsons.com




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CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Baytex Energy Corp. ("Baytex") (TSX: BTE)(NYSE: BTE) is pleased to announce a multi-year natural gas supply agreement with a subsidiary of Kineticor Resources Corp. ("KRC") to support KRC's proposed 100MW power project in Peace River, Alberta (the "Project"). This is the largest of two gas-to-power initiatives we have concluded to support our gas conservation strategy in Peace River.

James Bowzer, Chief Executive Officer, said "Baytex's gas conservation strategy in Peace River is achieving industry leading environmental performance results. This strategy integrates the use of gas gathering, underground gas storage and power generation to maximize the use of solution gas and significantly reduce flaring and fugitive emissions."

Once constructed, the Project will allow us to reduce flaring and achieve our gas conservation targets in the region. To-date, we have invested more than $100 million in infrastructure to manage and reduce the emissions from our heavy oil operations in Peace River. Our integrated approach to emissions management includes vapour recovery, pipelines, compressors, gas storage and air monitoring.

The Project will convert solution gas into electrical energy to be sold directly into the Alberta power market. At 100MW, the Project will generate electricity sufficient to meet the needs of nearly 90,000 homes in Alberta. The Project, which is subject to regulatory and environmental approval and KRC financing, is expected to be operational in the second half of 2017.

The Alberta Climate Leadership Plan has identified emissions from direct venting, fugitive emissions and flaring as the largest source of methane emissions in Alberta today. Baytex has led by example with its integrated gas conservation strategy in Peace River. Today's announcement reconfirms Baytex's leadership and commitment to our gas conservation strategy for our Peace River operations.

Advisory Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In the interest of providing Baytex's shareholders and potential investors with information regarding Baytex, including management's assessment of Baytex's future plans and operations, certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Specifically, this press release contains forward-looking statements relating to: our plans to supply natural gas to the Project; the results of our gas conservation strategy; our ability to reduce flaring and achieve gas conservation targets; the amount of electricity the Project will generate; and when the Project will be operational. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of its date and are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

These forward-looking statements are based on certain key assumptions regarding, among other things, the receipt, in a timely manner, of regulatory and other required approvals for the Project, KRC obtaining financing for the Project and the Project being constructed and subsequently operating as expected. Readers are cautioned that such assumptions, although considered reasonable by Baytex at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.

Actual results achieved will vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties pertaining to Project commencement, construction and completion, Project investors (debt and equity), operating performance, regulatory parameters, oil and gas industry conditions and the electrical energy market. A further discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Baytex are discussed in our Annual Information Form, Annual Report on Form 40-F and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2015, as filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

There is no representation by Baytex that actual results achieved during the forecast period will be the same in whole or in part as those forecast and Baytex does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities law.

Baytex Energy Corp.

Baytex Energy Corp. is an oil and gas corporation based in Calgary, Alberta. The company is engaged in the acquisition, development and production of crude oil and natural gas in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and in the Eagle Ford in the United States. Approximately 78% of Baytex's production is weighted toward crude oil and natural gas liquids. Baytex's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BTE.

Contacts:

Baytex Energy Corp.

Investor Inquiries

Brian Ector

Senior Vice President, Capital Markets and Public Affairs

Toll Free Number: 1-800-524-5521

investor@baytexenergy.com



Media Inquiries

Andrew Loosley

Director, Stakeholder & Community Relations

Toll Free Number: 1-800-524-5521

media@baytexenergy.com

www.baytexenergy.com




TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- Rubicon Minerals Corporation (TSX: RMX)(OTC PINK: RBYCF) ("Rubicon" or the "Company") announces the resignation of Bruce A. Thomas, Q.C. from the Board of Directors (the "Board") to pursue other interests. Mr. Thomas had been a director of the Board since 2009.

"On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank Bruce for his contributions to Rubicon and wish him well in his future endeavours," stated Mr. Julian Kemp, interim President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Rubicon. "Rubicon is currently searching for a replacement for this vacancy."

RUBICON MINERALS CORPORATION

Julian Kemp, Interim President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts:

Rubicon Minerals Corporation

Allan Candelario

Vice President of Investor Relations

+1 (416) 766-2804

ir@rubiconminerals.com

www.rubiconminerals.com




SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) - Under the guidance of newly appointed president Kenneth Efird, Nobilis Health Corp. plans to continue to roll out new products and optimize its marketing strategy.

Included in this article is: Nobilis Health Corp. (NYSE: HLTH) (TSX: NHC)

Kenneth Efird will oversee Nobilis Health Corp.'s operating units across the nation, focusing on execution of the company's strategic plan, according to a press release issued on July 11. Prior to stepping in as president, Efird had served as chief operating officer and chief business development officer at Nobilis, which operates surgical hospitals, physician practices and ambulatory surgical centers in Texas and Phoenix.

Since coming on board in 2005, Efird has overseen various aspects of the company's business, including clinical operations, sales and "the rollout of a new marketing strategy, which includes the integration of Athas technologies and the expansion of Nobilis' portfolio of brands," according to the company.

Neil Maruoka, an analyst with Canaccord Genuity who initiated coverage on Nobilis on July 13, pointed out that Athas, the company's "marketing arm" is "a key differentiator and organic growth engine. . .Through its targeted marketing, we believe that Athas has the ability to drive higher case volumes and higher revenue per procedure through Nobilis' facilities."

Continue reading this article: Nobilis Moves Forward with New President and New Canaccord Coverage

About Streetwise Reports - The Life Sciences Report

The Life Sciences Report shares investment ideas for the biotech, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics industries. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

DISCLOSURE:

The following companies mentioned in the article are sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Nobilis Health Corp. Streetwise Reports does not accept stock in exchange for its services. Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific analysts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. The article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility.

The full disclosure is provided at the end of the published article: Nobilis Moves Forward with New President and New Canaccord Coverage

Jim Patrick

Email contact


LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwired) -- 07/20/16 -- A new report by The Boston Consulting Group finds that many leading developed countries are not effectively converting their economic growth into well-being improvements for their citizens. Using BCG's measure of well-being, the research also finds a clear and measurable link between financial inclusion -- access to basic financial services such as a bank account -- and national well-being. The report, titled The Private-Sector Opportunity to Improve Well-Being: The 2016 Sustainable Economic Development Assessment, is being released today. It uses the example of financial inclusion to highlight the critical role private-sector innovation can play in improving living standards.

The findings are based on the firm's latest study of worldwide economic growth trends using BCG's Sustainable Economic Development Assessment (SEDA). The fact-based, comprehensive analysis measures the relative well-being of 163 countries through ten key areas, including economic stability, health, governance, and environment. SEDA scores countries in two ways: the current level of well-being and recent progress in well-being from 2006 to 2014. It also assesses how countries convert wealth and growth into well-being.(1)

Changing Global Dynamics as World Leaders' Progress Slows

The report underscores the growing challenges many large developed countries face. Among the key findings:

The United States' performance in converting both wealth and growth into well-being is below par globally, while Germany's performance is above par on both counts. The UK's strong performance in converting wealth into well-being is being threatened by its recent subpar conversion of economic growth into well-being improvements.

A European divide: Among countries in Western Europe, those with high current levels of well-being (Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Norway) are making greater progress than those with low current-level scores (Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, and Spain), particularly in employment and education. These countries, concentrated in southwest Europe, are performing particularly poorly in employment and are falling further behind the rest of the world in that area.

Central and Eastern European countries that have recently joined or are in the process of joining the EU have made strong gains in sustainability measures, which include income equality, civil society, governance, and the environment

China is converting wealth into well-being at a rate slightly above par and -- remarkably, given its very high growth rate -- is converting growth into well-being at par. China continues to score low on the environment, however. India also produced strong recent progress improvements but converted its strong growth into well-being at a rate slightly below average. India also leads the pack in progress on financial inclusion, as nearly 200 million people have gained access to financial services.

Peru has outstripped Brazil's recent progress in well-being with strong gains in employment and education.

Ethiopia holds the top spot when it comes to recent progress in well-being. Ethiopia's performance is emblematic of gains in sub-Saharan Africa as a whole

"The G20 finance ministers' meeting in China this weekend is taking place amid concern about low global growth -- even stagnation -- so making the most of what you have is going to be crucial," says Douglas Beal, a BCG partner and a coauthor of the report. "SEDA's two measures that look at the conversion of wealth and growth into well-being provide a more meaningful perspective than GDP alone can offer on how well countries are doing in that regard. Changes in the relative performance of countries are making the old 'advanced' and 'developing' labels obsolete -- some countries in Europe are stuck, while others around the world are making significant progress."

The Importance of Financial Inclusion

The 2016 SEDA report took a close look at the issue of financial inclusion. The analysis found that the strong link between well-being, as measured by SEDA, and financial inclusion existed even when controlling for income. This means that among countries with the same income (GDP per capita) level, those with higher levels of financial inclusion are likely to have higher well-being levels.

That finding is particularly relevant now, as G20 finance ministers discuss an ongoing agenda that includes the importance of financial inclusion. Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus remarks in his foreword to the report that BCG's analysis sheds light on the implications of the 2.5 billion people who are cut out of the financial system.

The report notes that financial inclusion is not an issue that is confined to the developing world. Though the United States' overall rate of financial inclusion increased from 88% in 2011 to 94% in 2014, some US states have more than double the national unbanked rate of 6%. Louisiana and Mississippi, for example, have lower financial inclusion levels than Greece.

"We have found a clear and measurable association between financial inclusion and well-being," says Enrique Rueda-Sabater, a BCG senior advisor and a coauthor of the report. "The private sector can make a significant improvement in people's lives. But to make meaningful progress in this area, companies must pursue financial inclusion in their core business, not just as part of their corporate social responsibility strategies."

Weak Infrastructure Limits Financial Inclusion

SEDA also finds a strong association between financial inclusion and three SEDA dimensions -- civil society, governance, and infrastructure. The role of infrastructure is particularly noteworthy -- BCG's research finds that countries with poor infrastructure are struggling to expand financial inclusion.

The study also assesses the significant impact of improvements in financial inclusion for women around the world. Giving women control over family finances results in increased household spending on food and education. And expanding access for women is good business, as research has shown that women have lower default rates than men.

The Foundations for Financial Inclusion

The report finds that two factors are critical to improving financial inclusion: a regulatory structure that provides safeguards but allows innovation and a solid infrastructure, including communications networks and payment systems.

With those two elements in place, private-sector innovation flourishes. The pace of innovation is reflected in a surge in investment in financial technology firms, from $4 billion in 2011 to $22 billion in 2015. And new technology is allowing the development of novel business models that allow companies to make money delivering financial services to previously unprofitable customer segments.

A copy of the report and an interactive will be available for download on July 21st at bcgperspectives.com.

To arrange an interview with one of the authors, please contact Nadine Smith at +44 7900 272 955/ +44 7833 403 540 or smith.nadine@bcg.com.

About The Boston Consulting Group

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) is a global management consulting firm and the world's leading advisor on business strategy. We partner with clients from the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors in all regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their enterprises. Our customized approach combines deep insight into the dynamics of companies and markets with close collaboration at all levels of the client organization. This ensures that our clients achieve sustainable competitive advantage, build more capable organizations, and secure lasting results. Founded in 1963, BCG is a private company with 85 offices in 48 countries. For more information, please visit bcg.com.

About bcgperspectives.com

Bcgperspectives.com features the latest thinking from BCG experts as well as from CEOs, academics, and other leaders. It covers issues at the top of senior management's agenda. It also provides unprecedented access to BCG's extensive archive of thought leadership stretching back 50 years to the days of Bruce Henderson, the firm's founder and one of the architects of modern management consulting. All of our content -- including videos, podcasts, commentaries, and reports -- can be accessed by PC, mobile, iPad, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

(1) The data set includes 162 countries plus Hong Kong, which is a special administrative region of China. For the sake of simplicity, the report refers to all entities as "countries."
CommSolid, a Dresden, Germany-based cellular IoT IP company, completed its first funding round of undisclosed amount.

Backers included High-Tech Grunderfonds and MBG Invest.

The company intends to use the funds for product development.

Founded in 2015 by Dr. Matthias Weiss and Lars Melzer, CommSolid provides edge ultra-low power solutions for the cellular IoT market, which demands highly optimized and easy to integrate communication solutions for the newly defined NarrowBand-IoT* standard, allowing every sensor and actuator to be directly connected to the Internet.

The NB-IoT technology, also known as Cat NB1, has been specifically defined by 3GPP for smart communication between devices. It provides the basis for complete new communication solutions in areas like health care, smart home, transport, logistic systems, or industrial applications.

FinSMEs

20/07/2016
Deposit Solutions GmbH, a Hamburg, Germany-based fintech company, raised 15m in funding.

Backers included existing investors Peter Thiel and FinLab, as well as new investors Greycroft Partners, e.ventures and Valar Ventures.

The company, which now has a value of 110m, intends to use the funds to further develop the proprietary technology platform and continue international expansion, following the UK (London) and Switzerland.

Led by Dr. Tim Sievers, CEO and Founder, Max von Bismarck, Chief Business Officer and Managing Director, Andreas Wietholter, CMO, Deposit Solutions allows banks seeking retail funding to list their savings offers on an open architecture platform. Other banks on the platform can market those offers directly to their own clients who can access them without having to open a new account at another bank.

In addition, the company operates Zinspilot, its own retail brand which markets selected deposit offers of its partners directly to savers in Germany. It is already mediating more than 100m of retail deposits per month.

FinSMEs

20/07/2016
eve Sleep, a London, UK-based online premium mattress retailer, secured 6.9m in Series B funding.

Backers included Octopus Ventures and DN Capital, as well as Channel 4s Commercial Growth Fund.

The company, which has raised 10m to date, intends to use the funds to expand its marketing efforts across the UK.

Launched by entrepreneurs Jas Bagniewski, Kuba Wieczorek, Felix Lobkowicz and James Fryer in February 2015, eve Sleep forecasts turnover in excess of 17m in 2016.

The company is the latest investment from Channel 4s Commercial Growth Fund. Launched in June 2015, the initiative offers high growth companies not currently advertising on television in the UK, the opportunity to build their business through advertising on Channel 4, by exchanging equity stakes or signing revenue share arrangements.

FinSMEs

20/07/2016
Wanderio, a Rome, Italy-based multi modal transport search and comparison platform, received a minority investment of undisclosed amount from Europcar Group (Euronext: EUCAR).

Europcar Group, a provider of vehicle rental services and a major actor in mobility markets, made the investment through its lab dedicated to innovation to add future multi-modular solutions.

Wanderio will use the funds to further consolidate its coverage and presence across Europe.

Created in 2013 by CEO Matteo Colo, CTO Luca Rossi and Lead Developer Disheng Qiu, Wanderio offers customers a platform to figure out the best means of transport from point to point, leveraging price and journey length. On the platform, customers can compare, book and pay travels by plane, train, long distance buses and airport transfers and now car rental offers.

With more than one million planned trips so far, the company currently features connections to over 700 airports and more than 4.000 rail and bus stations.

FinSMEs

20/07/2016
Pantheon, a San Francisco, CA-based website management platform, raised $29m in Series C funding.

Backers included Foundry Group, Industry Ventures, OpenView Investment Partners, and Scale Venture Partners.

The company, which has raised $57m in total funding to date, intends to use the funds to continue to expand operations.

Led by CEO and co-founder Zack Rosen, Pantheon provides a website management platform featuring workflow and collaboration tools, continuous integration, performance monitoring, and scaling tools for teams to build and launch web experiences.

In the latest 12 months, the company has surpassed 150,000 website launches to date (up from 65,000 in 2014) and released key products, including the New Relic web application performance monitoring tool, Cloud Integration Tools Suite, and Migration Tool Kit.

It also appointed Chris Moody, a pioneer in the social data industry who is vice president of data strategy at Twitter and former CEO of social data provider Gnip, as a new board member, and Niall Hayes, a veteran technology executive, as Vice President of Engineering.

FinSMEs

20/07/2016
SAO PAULO A Brazilian judge briefly blocked Facebook Inc's WhatsApp messaging service on Tuesday for failing to cooperate in a criminal investigation, before the nation's top court overturned the measure in the third such incident since December.

Federal Supreme Court President Ricardo Lewandowski said in a decision that it seemed "scarcely reasonable or proportional" for a judge in Rio de Janeiro state to have ordered the indefinite suspension of the messaging app until it revealed encrypted messages pertaining to a confidential case.

Still, the criminal judge left some 100 million Brazilian users without access to the messaging app for hours on Tuesday afternoon, showing the vast and unpredictable discretionary power of Brazil's lower courts.

WhatsApp stood by its defense that messages sent over the app are not stored on its servers and cannot be turned over to the courts. Co-founder and Chief Executive Jan Koum even took to Facebook to vent his frustration with the recurring legal issues in Brazil.

"It's shocking that less than two months after Brazilian people and lawmakers loudly rejected blocks of services like Whatsapp, history is repeating itself," he posted.

The office of Brazil's attorney general reiterated its position that judges who suspend WhatsApp are incorrectly interpreting a 2014 law meant to update the legal framework for the internet.

Still, that guidance has not stopped judges frustrated with the modern limits of wiretaps in drug-trafficking investigations from going after the service and even briefly jailing a senior Facebook executive in March.

"As we've said in the past, we cannot share information we don't have access to," said a WhatsApp spokesperson in a public statement.

(Reporting by Brad Haynes; Additional reporting by Alberto Alerigi Jr and Guillermo Parra-Bernal in Sao Paulo, Rodrigo Viga Gaier in Rio de Janeiro; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and David Gregorio)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
NEW YORK The 81-year-old founder of a safari park in western New York state was trampled to death by an antelope that had escaped its pen, the Wyoming County Sheriff's Office said on Tuesday.

Hidden Valley Animal Adventure in Varysburg, New York, about 35 miles (56 km) east of Buffalo, will remain closed until Wednesday following the death on Sunday of Hans Boxler, a dairy farmer who opened the tourist attraction in 2006.

On Sunday evening, when Boxler failed to return home from feeding the animals, family members searching for him found a nilgai antelope loose near its pen, its door open, the sheriff's office said.

After returning the antelope to its pen, family members found Boxler, who had apparently been trampled by an animal.

The Monroe County Medical Examiner said his death was caused by multiple blunt force injuries and ruled it was an accident, the sheriff's office said.

"He respected the innate nature of his animals, and therefore followed a routine daily, which is why this tragic accident is such a shock. We will never know exactly what happened," the sheriff's office said in a statement.

Hidden Valley Animal Adventure is home to more than 200 animals from around the globe, including nilgai antelope, which are native to India and are among the largest Asian antelopes, weighing as much as 600 pounds (273 kg).

The wild animal park's Facebook page features photographs of exotic animals such as camels, llamas and zebras.

(Reporting by Barbara Goldberg; Editing by Alan Crosby)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
WASHINGTON Senior executives at Volkswagen AG including its former chief executive covered up evidence that the German automaker had cheated on U.S. diesel emissions tests for years, three U.S. states charged on Tuesday in civil lawsuits against the company.

New York, Massachusetts and Maryland filed separate, nearly identical lawsuits in state courts, accusing the world's No. 2 automaker of violating their environmental laws. The lawsuits, which could lead to state fines of hundreds of millions of dollars or more, complicate VW's efforts to move past the "Dieselgate" scandal that has hurt its business and reputation, and already cost it billions of dollars.

The suits outlined more than a decade of efforts by VW to deceive regulators in the United States and Europe, citing internal VW documents.

VW last September admitted using sophisticated secret software in its cars to cheat exhaust emissions tests, with millions of vehicles worldwide affected. The scandal prompted the departure of VW's CEO and other executives.

The states charged that dozens of VW employees at various levels knew that the company's "clean diesel" engines could not meet pollution standards in normal driving without compromises to performance or fuel economy. The suits publicly identified for the first time many of these employees and accused them of "unlawful conduct."

The suits said at least eight employees in VW's engineering department deleted or removed incriminating data in August 2015 after a senior attorney advised them of an impending order not to destroy documents. The New York suit stated that "some but not all of the data has been recovered."

The suits were filed by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman in Albany, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey in Boston and Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh in Baltimore. Additional states could file similar actions, Schneiderman's office said.

Healey said the suit is aimed at sending a message "to all auto manufacturers that violating laws designed to protect our environment and our public health is unacceptable and will be punished with significant penalties."

Volkswagen spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan criticized the states' decision to file suit and said the company already has agreed to spend billions of dollars to address all environmental harms from the excess emissions.

The states' claims "are essentially not new and we have been addressing them in our discussions with U.S. federal and state authorities," Ginivan said. "... It is regrettable that some states have decided to sue for environmental claims now."

Former VW CEO Martin Winterkorn and VW's former global head of marketing, Christian Klingler, knew by spring 2014 "of the existence of unlawful "defeat devices" and did nothing to prevent both Audi and Volkswagen from repeatedly deceiving regulators," the New York lawsuit stated.

REAL-WORLD TESTING

In March 2014, VW learned that West Virginia University had conducted testing that found real-world testing on two VW diesel cars had emissions five to 35 times legally allowable limits, the suits alleged.

That prompted an email to Winterkorn in May 2014 from Frank Tuch, then head of group quality management for Volkswagen, who wrote that "a thorough explanation for the dramatic increase in NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions cannot be given to the authorities."

German prosecutors said last month that Winterkorn is under investigation.

The New York suit stated that current CEO Matthias Muller, then head of project of management at Audi, and Winterkorn became aware in July 2006 of the effect of undersized urea tanks on the ability to comply with emissions standards. The suit said VW opted to install defeat software instead of larger tanks to save money.

The suits did not state Muller was aware of the cheating.

The suits alleged that VW initially used the defeat devices in 2.0 liter vehicles because the soot filter would break within 50,000 miles if used at all times, far sooner than required under U.S. law.

The suits cited internal documents from as early as 2007 about Volkswagen's determination to promote "clean diesel" technology as a rival to Toyota Motor Corp's Prius hybrid. The states obtained 1.1 million documents totaling 7.5 million pages in their nine-month VW investigation.

VW has admitted that it installed improper software that deactivated pollution controls on more than 11 million diesel vehicles sold worldwide, and last month agreed to pay $15.3 billion to settle U.S. federal litigation and charges lodged by 44 U.S. states that the company violated consumer fraud laws.

The U.S. Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency have not yet reached a deal with Volkswagen on fines as part of separate settlement that could lead to an outside monitor overseeing VW's compliance with U.S. laws. VW also faces a Justice Department criminal investigation.

VW faces potentially billions of dollars more in costs in the United States if it is forced to buy back 85,000 3.0 liter Audi, Porsche and VW cars and SUVs sold since 2009. Last week, California rejected its proposed fix plan.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Will Dunham)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling BJP see the Tricolour as a symbol which could inject fresh bout of nationalism among the countrymen and have that much required unifying effect on the masses.

On 15 August, 70th anniversary of India's Independence, all BJP MLAs, MPs, office bearers and other active members would go out in their respective influence zones in different parts of the country holding the Tricolour perched atop an eight feet long bamboo stick. The task has been assigned to them by the Prime Minister, therefore, its seriousness couldn't be doubted by any party member. Across the nation, the BJP leaders would pay homage to the "sung and unsung" freedom fighters and in the process connect with the people of the region.

It comes around the time when the idea of India is being debated afresh  the ongoing turmoil in Kashmir has disturbing implications, IS and some other terror outfits have gained toehold, Maoist violence after a brief lull is rearing its head again and the JNU incident is still fresh in memory.

The idea of having a week-long 'Tiranga Yatra' was outlined in the BJP's parliamentary party meet, which is held every Tuesday in Parliament House when it is in session. The details are still being worked out by a committee led by Urban Development and Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu in consultation with party president Amit Shah.

What is clear, however, is that no leader would use a four-wheeler while on Tiranga Yatra, they will have to ride two-wheelers. It would be a tough task for the BJP leaders, whose average age is around 50, to hold the Tricolour and be on the the move for a week, 15-22 August.

Though they have not yet been advised to do the required physical training ahead of the actual exercise, but it be better if they consider doing some workout to keep themselves fit. It is understood that while on the move, they would also be expected to do a full throttled chant of 'Bande Matram, Bharat Mata Ki Jai...'

The party leaders would also be expected to do proper homework to highlight the achievements of the Modi government to the people. The idea is that nationalist fervour could gain ground, heart and minds of the people, if the belief in the government's intentions and its development programmes is not there. The party's vast organisational machinery would be at propaganda work, albeit under the garb of spreading nationalistic feelings and respect for Tricolour.

BJP Yuva Morcha president and MP Anurag Thakur said, "We celebrate Independence Day with full pride and enthusiasm. Every Indian wants to hoist the nation's flag and sustain its pride. This year, we will take out processions across the nation with our Indian flag as it is not just a cloth, but has immense power which unites 125 crore Indians.

Earlier in February, when Smriti Irani was at the helm in the HRD ministry and the JNU incident was a raging debate, vice-chancellors of 39 central universities had resolved to install the national flag prominently and proudly in their respective campuses. The decision to install 200 feet high flag was aimed at instilling nationalism and pride in the students on campus. The arguments made in V-Cs' conference and the one behind BJP's Tiranga Yatra are the same, instill patriotism and nationalism.

The BJP's Tiranga Yatra had so far been associated with Uma Bharti. She had to forgo her chief ministerial position in August 2004 when an arrest warrant was issued for her for a "crime" committed on 15 August, 1994 of violating prohibitory orders to hoist the national flag at a disputed ground in Hubli in Karnataka. After appearing in Karnataka Court, Uma had conducted a Tiranga Yatra from Hubli to Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar in 2004. Her subsequent exit from BJP and return to it is now history.

The BJP believes that the Tiranga Yatra would be different. After all this is an extension of recently concluded Vikas Parv (two years of Modi government in office).
Bhopal: The opposition Congress on Wednesday attacked the ruling BJP in the state assembly on the issue of adulterated wheat allegedly supplied to flood victims. The Shivraj Singh Chouhan government said it was probing the matter.

Families affected by the flood were entitled to receive 50 kg of wheat through the Civil Supplies Department as part of relief efforts. The wheat distributed to the people allegedly contained large amount of sand mixed with wheat grain, the opposition alleged.

Congress MLA Jaivardhan Sinha brought along with him a sack of such adulterated wheat to the assembly.

Former minister Babulal Gaur, who had resigned from the post of Home Minister, said rotten grain was distributed at different places due to which many persons had taken ill.

Congress MLA Ramnivas Rawat strongly objected to the remark by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Narottam Mishra that the adulterated wheat had been purchased from farmers.

At least 80,000 persons have been affected in the lower areas of Bhopal due to floods and heavy rainfall.

The state government is providing 50 kg of wheat and five litres of kerosene to the flood victims.
New Delhi: Congress on Wednesday targeted RSS and BJP in Lok Sabha over attacks on some Dalit men in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, saying the Hindutva organisation was working for "Dalit-mukt Bharat" which was "sponsored" by BJP to polarise communities ahead of next year's assembly polls there.

The opposition party demanded constitution of a joint parliamentary committee to go into the incident but Home Minister Rajnath Singh strongly refuted its charges and cited figures to claim that cases of atrocities against Dalits have declined in the state since 2001 when Narendra Modi took over as chief minister, and commended the state government for its "swift and effective" action.

K Suresh (Congress) raised the issue in Zero Hour during which Congress members remained in the Well during protesting against the incident.

Referring to large-scale protests by dalits following the incident and "emergency-like" situation in parts of the BJP-ruled state, he said they have lost faith in the government and attributed the violence to RSS and upper caste lobby, inviting protests from the treasury benches.

Many Dalits have tried to commit suicide as they have no faith in the state government, the Congress member alleged.

"Violence is RSS agenda. RSS is trying for dalit-mukt Bharat. The government totally failed. It was a BJP-sponsored attack. What is going on? Is this Gujarat model," he said.

Suresh claimed it was the BJP's agenda to polarise communities before the state assembly elections and alleged that the saffron party was doing it in all states ruled by it.

In his reply, Singh termed the incident "very unfortunate" and said he condemned it in strongest words,after he sought to turn the tables on Congress asserting that the cases of atrocities rose during its rule in Gujarat earlier.

He said dalits had faced lot of atrocities in the state during 1991-99. Incidentally, BJP had formed government under Keshubhai Patel there in 1995 and ruled for most of the period till 2001 when Modi took over.

Singh said crimes against dalits were a "social evil" and all parties should join hands to eradicate it.

The Anandiben Patel government acted swiftly and arrested accused and provided treatment and compensation to the victims, he said, adding that nine persons have been arrested.

Expressing dissatisfaction over the Home Minister's reply, Congress and TMC members staged a walkout.
Authorities have fulfilled two demands of armed group - Paruyr Hayrikyan (video)

Being in the political domain for half a century, the National Self-Determination Union (AIM) has never supported any type of violence, even at the stage of national liberation struggle, AIM Leader Paruyr Hayrikyan told reporters on July 20 as he commented on the Sunday attack on a police station in Yerevan and the actions of the Sasna Dzrer armed group that still hold four hostages in the seized building. Anyway, Hayrikyan thinks that it was the governments policy that forced the guys to such a step. He says if we want everything to be resolved in a peaceful way in Armenia, then, in essence, we move against international human rights norms and standards. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights clearly states that when human rights are violated, he may resort to the insurgency. It explicitly warns states to be ready for such things. If we want to resolve such problems through peaceful means, excluding rebellions, then we say that the human rights document is not correct, he said. The AIM leader added that they are against bloodshed. He says the standoff may last longer than people expect, but that is more acceptable for them than new victims. Mr. Hayrikyan says the authorities have fullfilled two of the demands of the armed group. One of their demands is the resignation of Serzh Sargsyan. In all normal countries, presidents make statements within several hours of at least on the second day of attacks. Where is he [Serzh Sargsyan]? We can say that Armenia has no president. Second, by arresting Jirayr Sefilyan the authorities wanted to isolate him, but as you see the guys are in touch with him," the AIM leader said.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought response of the Ministry of Law and Justice on a plea which claimed that "inconsistency" has crept in through the amended rape law which protects a husband from prosecution for the offence of unnatural sex with his wife.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal also sought the response of the Delhi government on the plea which alleged that amendment made in 2013 in section 375 (rape) of IPC was "incorrect" and "inconsistent" with section 377 (unnatural sex) of IPC.

The petition has raised a legal issue alleging that there is "uncertainty" in the two penal provisions of IPC as section 375 IPC has an exception that "sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape".

The petition, filed through advocates Amit Kumar and Anand Ranjan, claimed that the existing penal law was not certain as the act of sexual offence which was punishable under section 377 of IPC was non-penal under section 375, if committed by the husband.

"The legal issue raised by the petitioner deserves to be settled/determined by this court in the interest of public at large as the said uncertain/unsettled position of law has been infringing the respective rights of the husband and wife," it said.

It claimed that the alleged act of husband being penal at one place and non-penal at other place in IPC has made the penal law inconsistent.

The bench has sought response of the ministry and the Delhi government by 29 August, the next date of hearing. The petitioner, who is facing trial for alleged offence of unnatural sex on the complaint by his wife, has said that his prosecution under section 377 IPC was contrary to the existing law as his purported act was protected under section 375 of

IPC and the unsettled position of law infringes his rights.

In 2013, the man had married the 20-year-old girl who later lodged an FIR against him for alleged offences of rape and unnatural offence.

The trial court had discharged him for the alleged offence of rape but he was put on trial on the charge of committing unnatural sex with his wife. The man was granted bail by high court in January 2015.
No one seems to find it odd that a serving officer of the Indian Administrative Service, regardless of his cadre, is speaking out on Facebook and that the exercise is being celebrated rather than commented upon as a questionable breach of the confidentiality clause.

Clause 2 of the Freedom of Speech riders for the civil service ethical code of conduct it states an officer shall not make any public utterance that would embarrass relations between;

State and union.

State and state.

India and any foreign country.

It further goes on to say that a serving officer cannot criticise the policy of the union/state government.

It also clarifies that he or she needs permission to write in a newspaper (assuming blogs are included in the category of newspapers).

This is what candidates sitting for the UPSC cvil services examination are taught.

On this basis, Faesal, if you are doing this off your own bat then both the Centre and the State government are weak and effete and have allowed you to go too far.

Since neither the central government nor the Jammu and Kashmir government has taken it up with Shah Faesal  seeing as he has been in the service for six years  we can only assume two things:

Maybe Faesal gets special dispensation because he is from Kashmir and who the heck wants to rock the boat? Faesal started with a very legitimate complaint about his picture being misused in conjunction with that of Burhan Wani. Fair enough. But he also made comments that attack the very government he serves and from which he threatens to resign.

It is a very thin line when, as a member of the rank and file, you say on a social platform that the government is killing its own people. He goes as far as to add that the media was "breeding more alienation and anger in Kashmir than what Indian state can manage."

The second assumption has a Machiavellian logic to it. Faesal has been given permission and a script and he is being used as a distraction and a hopefully calming influence. It is a very sobering thought that he speaks of Kashmir mourning its dead (at the hands of Indian soldiers) as if it were a separate entity. The nation, as a whole, is mourning its soldiers too. And the risks they are taking. Do you think it is fun to have a chunk of granite coming your way?

In a nation where IAS officer Ajay Singh Gangwar was transferred from Madhya Pradesh for a Facebook post in which he praised Jawaharlal Nehru just a few weeks ago, it is difficult to reconcile why this officer is being given this long and philosophical rope.

He has now begun to lacerate individuals of the media with special attention to the main news channels. He wrote in The Indian Express:

"This brazenness to market TRPs as national interest and do business over the dead bodies of young men was the worst aspect of these loud newsrooms. Kashmir or no Kashmir, the biggest challenge for India, this time, is how to reclaim the custody of national interest from its national media, and restore communication with its neighbours and people. I have no hesitation in saying that Zee News, Times Now, NewsX and Aaj Tak are at the vanguard of a movement that will take India from a dialogical civilisation to a dumb, illogical civilisation."

Only because it is Kashmir. Sir, the media has been mucking about for years. Did you not notice?

Are junior IAS officers or those in other cadres allowed to write in public forums? Surely not without prior permission from the higher ups. I cannot even visualise a divisional commander writing an interpretative piece without clearing it from AHQ through the Corps Commander and the Army Commander.

Nor, to the best of my memory, would civvy street bureaucracy tolerate this crumbling of the chain of command. Where the hell is the chief secretary of Jammu and Kashmir? Or India's cabinet secretary?

Which is why one has to conclude that after he rightly protested about the misuse of his photograph, somebody thought, 'okay lets build on this and give him leeway'.

It does not matter how much the words of wisdom gleam. There is a discipline, a code of conduct in situ, a certain system that is followed. By all means resign and after the required period of silence do your 'tell all' but not while in service. You cannot threaten to resign in a public forum where you have critiqued your government and have your ultimatum received with bizarre silence unless there is something we dont know.

Is this a healthy precedent?
The voice of Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant representing the Muslim community in the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit and who advocated an amicable court settlement in the Ayodhya case, fell silent on Wednesday.

Ansari died early on Wednesday morning at the age of 95 after a prolonged illness. He had been suffering from heart and breathing problems related to old age and had been admitted to the local hospitals ICU for some time.

With Ansari gone, the feeble chance of an out-of-court settlement in the Ram Janmbhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute has dimmed further. As per Ansari's wish, his son Iqbal is likely to be made the petitioner in his place.

Hashim lived in a small, nondescript house in a lane in old Ayodhya and ran a small tailoring shop most of his life but he became popular because of his involvement in the Ayodhya shrine case. Known as 'chacha' by locals, he was a familiar figure in Ayodhya and a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity despite the court case. In fact he often used to express anguish at the plight of Ram Lalla (Lord Ram as a child) sitting under a canvas canopy, and had expressed the hope that one day a magnificent Ram temple would be constructed there, alongside a mosque.

He was one of the petitioners on behalf of the Muslim community in the case filed in December 1949 after some idols appeared at the site after which it was claimed to be the birth place of Lord Ram. In 1961, Ansari had become plaintiff along with five others with Sunni Central Waqf Board of Uttar Pradesh. Since then, Ansari had taken pains to attend every hearing whenever possible, and of late, had been expressing his frustration at the slow pace of litigation. He used to say that he wished to see a solution in his lifetime but blamed vested interests in both communities for prolonging the dispute.

He had also named Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mohammad Azam Khan, a minister in the Akhilesh Yadav government, as trying to derive political capital out of the dispute and in 2014, had said in an outburst that he wanted to exit as a petitioner in the case. However, he was persuaded by others, including office bearers of the Babri Masjid Action Committee, to stay on. At one point in 2015, Ansari had also said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi so wished, a solution to the contentious issue could be found out of court.

Old-timers in Ayodhya remember how Ansari and the petitioners from the Hindu side, Mahant Ram Kewal Das and Mahant Ram Chandra Paramhans, often used to share the same rickshaw to go to court to attend the case hearing. They used to joke about who will have the upper hand in the case that day, and after coming out, used to sit together to have tea and snacks. When Ram Chandra Paramhans died in 2013, Ansari had commented that he had lost a long-time friend. Ansari had also condoled the death of Ashok Singhal of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in 2015, saying that Singhals death was a big loss for the Ram Mandir movement.

During the troubled days of 1992, after the shrine demolition rioters set fire to Ansaris house, many of his Hindu neighbours rushed to his rescue and gave him shelter. In subsequent years, his home became a favourite haunt of visiting journalists from India and abroad. Iqbal would speak directly in Ansari's ears since the older man found it difficult to hear despite using a hearing aid.

When news of Ansari's death spread in Ayodhya, a huge crowd gathered at his house. Many saints and priests of temples in Ayodhya expressed their grief and condoled his death. Mahant Gyan Das, former president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad and head priest of Hanuman Garhi temple, said in his condolence message that Ansari was among those who wanted a solution by consensus to the dispute. Locals and legal experts say that the possibility of an out-of-court settlement in the case had further dimmed as Ansari was the only one from his side who advocated such an approach.
Srinagar: The comments by Kashmirs first IAS topper, Shah Faesal, that the Government of India has indulged in encounters and corruption in Kashmir has drawn praise from the Hurriyat Conference, but has not evoked any reaction from the state government with some ministers even saying "we dont know who Shah Faesal is".

Faesal, who is currently the director, school education in Kashmir, has in his fresh tirade against the government, launched a veiled attack on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and even asked him to take steps to transform Indias image in Kashmir. He earlier blamed the state for "killing its own people". The bureaucrat is currently in the US to attend the anti-tobacco conference that is run jointly by the states health department and the Johns Hopkins University. He visited the US on 16 July and will join back for duty on 1 August.

However, the government remains tight-lipped about the conference and the need to send the officer to the US. But some officials, on the condition of anonymity, said that the top official has breached service conduct rules by speaking against the government. "This is a clear violation of the service conduct rules and the government should have taken action against him," said a senior official in the state administration. "He comes to the office with an escort of two or three police persons, added another official.

Director, health service in Kashmir, Saleem-u-Rehman, said that the he doesnt know why Faesal is in the US.

"I have also learnt that he has taken a leave to attend the anti-tobacco conference.

But Faesals comments in which he has come down heavily on the state government for "killing its own citizens" have drawn praise from the Hurriyat Conference. Chairman of the Hurriyat (M), Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, said, "Shah Faesal is considered to be Indias hero and if a person from within the system speaks about the atrocities that are committed by the Indian forces here, it is a welcome development."

But more importantly, Faesal, with his article in a national newspaper has unearthed more controversies than he has settled. His sudden outrage over the way he has been projected by some national TV channels has also come as a surprise for many within the government. He had been outspoken on social networking sites and even had willingly joined the prime-time debates of national television channels. In his interview to a national TV channel after he topped in the 2009 IAS exam, he stated that Kashmiri youths, "if promoted, can achieve big and they dont have the only monopoly over terrorism".

While last week, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had come down heavily on the militants for vitiating the peaceful atmosphere and even putting hurdles in the settlement of Kashmiri migrants, she had at the same time praised youths like Faesal. Last month, in the state legislative assembly, when Opposition parties cornered the ruling PDP-BJP alliance over holding a national eligibility test for admission to medical colleges terming it as an 'erosion of special status', Mufti, in her reply invoked Faesal as "someone who could crack the coveted administrative service exam".

She took a swipe at the National Conference and Congress for underestimating the abilities of the Kashmiri students.

But now with Faesal in the thick of the controversy, even BJP ministers within the government are not willing to speak against him. BJP leader and forest minister, Chaudhary Lal Singh, said that he doesnt know who Faesal is. "Is he an officer of the state government? Has he really spoken anything against the government? I need to check, he said.

PDPs agriculture minister Ghulam Nabi Lone refused to comment over the issue. Only the government spokesman Nayeem Akhtar can speak on the issue, or the chief minister herself, he said.

Faesal has however drawn controversy over what is being seen as praise for Mughal rule, in the article in the national newspaper. While coming down heavily on the state, Faesal has said, "During the Mughal rule, Diwan-e-Aam also symbolised direct communication between the state and its subjects. But noted columnist and writer Dr Javed Iqbal said, "Though in the Mughal rule Kashmirs landscape improved, Mughal emperor Akbar, deposed Yusuf Shah Chak through deceit. Chak was jailed when Akbar had invited him for talks. In fact, when British rule ended, Jammu and Kashmir remained independent between 15 August, 1947 and 27 October, 1947.
New Delhi: A special court on Wednesday granted two-day interim bail to graft accused Director General Corporate Affairs BK Bansal to attend the last rites of his wife and daughter, who allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday, observing that CBI needs to "rethink" whether it is necessary to arrest accused in such cases.

"Its time for the agency to rethink whether its necessary to arrest accused in such cases. These are not conventional crimes like murder. Earlier, CBI used to not arrest in such cases. Its only after the movements like that of the Anna Hazare and some others that arrests are being made in these cases. They are the public servants and the evidences are mostly documentary in nature in such cases," Special CBI Judge Gurdeep Singh observed during the day's proceedings.

"The accused/applicant (Bansal), who is in police custody remand till 22 July, is admitted to interim bail till 22 July on his executing personal bond in the sum of Rs 50,000 along with one surety in the like amount to the satisfaction of this court," the court said.

Seeking interim bail, advocate Umakant Kataria, who appeared for 59-year-old Bansal, submitted that there was nobody in his family to look after and perform the last rites of his wife and daughter.

"The applicant (Bansal) himself is under shock and his only son is grief stricken and has been stunned to the extent that he is not able to attend the people and is sitting like a statue.

"The applicant himself is presently under shock and admitted in the trauma centre/emergency at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital," the counsel said. In its reply to Bansal's application, the probe agency said it had no objection to the interim bail to the accused on "humanitarian grounds".

Bansal's wife Satyabala (58) and daughter Neha (28) allegedly hung themselves from ceiling fans in two separate rooms at their residence in Nilkanth Apartments in east Delhi's Madhu Vihar on Tuesday.

Both the women left separate suicide notes, saying the CBI raid had caused "great humiliation" and they did not want to live after that. They, however, held nobody responsible for their deaths.

Bansal, an additional secretary-rank officer in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, was arrested by CBI on 16 July for allegedly accepting bribe from a prominent pharmaceutical company. CBI had carried out searches at eight locations in connection with the case during which the agency had claimed to have made cash recoveries.
Criminal case initiated on using violence against police officers - Investigative Committee

On July 20, 2016 materials on infliction of bodily damages to several police officers were received from Police in Yerevan Investigative Department of the RA Investigative Committee. Through examination of the prepared materials it was found that on July 19, 2016 at about 20:00 at the junction of Glinka and Vormnadirner Streets adjacent to M. Khorenatsi Street of Yerevan a group of persons used violence against police officers performing their official duties by throwing stones and other hard items towards them. In the result of violence 6 police officers with different bodily injuries were taken to medical center. Considering that in the materials there are apparent crime features envisaged by the Part 2 of the Article 316 of RA Criminal Code that is violence dangerous for health against a representative of authorities concerned with performance of his official duties, a criminal case was initiated in Yerevan Investigative Department. An investigatory-operative group was formed. 6 police officers were found as injured party and interrogated. During preliminary investigation of the criminal case the videos on the incident available on the internet were downloaded and examined, the relevant subdivisions of the police were tasked to take measures to identify the persons captured in the video who had inflicted bodily injuries to police officers, as well as to find and bring them to the investigative body. Urgent investigatory actions are conducted to provide the comprehensive, objective and complete investigation of circumstances of the case, the Press Service of the Investigative Committee reports. Note: Everyone charged with alleged crime offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law.
New Delhi: Rajya Sabha on Wednesday witnessed an uproar over alleged derogatory remarks by a BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh against BSP chief Mayawati, forcing Leader of House Arun Jaitley to condemn it and express regret.

The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad who said though his party had political differences with the BSP, it will not allow any such remark to be made against a woman, who is also a leader of a political party and has been a four-time Chief Minister.

He said the use of words by the BJP leader only reflected his mindset and a case should be registered against him under laws on atrocities against SCs/STs.

Azad demanded that the person be arrested and added that "someone with such a mentality should have no place in any party or hold any office in any party."

Jaitley on his part said he was not aware of the incident till Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi apprised him few minutes back.

"It is not right and I condemn the use of such words and I will look into this matter. I express personal regrets. I associate our dignity with yours and stand with you," Jaitley said.

Mayawati's responded in anguish saying "I did not marry and considered the entire country's oppressed as my family. I have always followed my mentor Kanshi Ram's advice to take (donation) from the underprivileged and not industrialists," she said, adding that the BJP was perturbed by the huge support her party was getting in Uttar Pradesh.

Observing that she was "grateful" to Jaitley and the opposition leaders for supporting her, Mayawati said "What that BJP leader (from UP) has said, he said it not to me but to his sister and his daughter because people treat me like their daughter and sister. The country will not forgive the BJP for encouraging such people."

She warned the government that she will not be responsible if people hit the streets over the issue.

The controversy came at a time when the opposition was trying to corner the government over the beating up of four Dalit men in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, with the House being repeatedly adjourned during the day.

BSP leader S C Mishra and Congress leader Digvijaya Singh also sought action against the BJP leader under SC/ST Act.

The opposition wanted passage of a unanimous resolution condemning the remarks. Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha P J Kurien said the entire house unanimously condemns the remark and asked the government to ensure that strictest action is taken against the person who made the statement as per the law.
It must be better to be a cow in Gujarat than being a Dalit.

In the western Indian state, believed to be the role model of almost everything for several Indians, a dead cow has more rights and dignity than living humans.

In Gujarat, Dalits can be flogged, humiliated and driven to desperation and death for doing what they have done for ages: skin a bovine carcass.

To paraphrase the famous Umrao Jaan song, Gujarat's Dalits must be praying: Agle janam mujhe gau hi kijo.

On 11 July, seven members of a Dalit family were thrashed by self-proclaimed gau rakshaks in Gir-Somnath district of Gujarat, for allegedly killing a cow. The victims claimed they were brutally assaulted by a group of vigilantes while they were skinning a cow that had died of natural causes.

Like deranged maniacs who love to humiliate their victims and showcase their crimes to the world, the vigilantes shot the entire incident, labelled ''Talibani attack" by Dalit groups, and later released it on social media, ostensibly to warn others against touching gau mata, dead or alive.

Since the BJP is currently on an overdrive to woo Dalits and idolise BR Ambedkar  with president Amit Shah trying to make its Dalit slant apparent with his luncheon politics in Uttar Pradesh  the logical thing to assume is that Gujarat's Chief Minister Anandiben Patel would have acted in haste against the gau rakshaks and assuaged the feelings of the victims.

But, as the unfolding events suggest, she took it lightly, leaving cops to deal with a political and social problem. Only after the flames spread across the region has the CM decided to visit the families and speak to the community.

Though cops arrested five men for assaulting the Dalits, they added fuel to fire by ordering an investigation into the cause of the cow's death, an idea ostensibly inspired by the course of action that followed Mohammad Akhlaq's lynching in Dadri, allegedly for eating beef.

The government allowed tension to simmer. A day after the incident, Dalits took out a rally and blocked traffic in the main square of Una town of the district. They later occupied a square in Una for an hour and dispersed only after demanding that the perpetrators be thrashed publicly.

On Monday, the Dalit angst exploded in the government's face when violent protests broke out throughout Saurashtra. Hundreds of Dalits came out on the streets of Giri-Somnath and adjoining areas, clashing with cops and vandalising public property.

To highlight their anger and desperation, seven Dalits consumed poison on Monday; one of them died the next morning. Protests and violence continued the next day when eight more persons attempted suicide.

The incident and its aftermath is a clear reminder of the perils of turning animals into symbols of a community's pride and religious identity. For the past few months, the political discourse in India has been dominated by pre-historic debates on what people should be allowed to eat and what could be the harshest punishment for violating the forced food code. Unfortunately for the BJP, what started as a diabolical strategy to castigate religious minorities for their culinary habits is now threatening to prise open traditional fault lines within Hindutva.

As pointed out by Firstpost, cows are a symbol of Hindu hypocrisy. While they are alive, upper caste Hindus milk them for nutrition and propaganda, without, of course, making any effort to feed or shelter them. Hundreds die daily after being abandoned on becoming dry. In India's gaushalas (cow shelters), money that is collected in their name is bungled and the poor animals are left to die of diseases and malnourishment. Ironically, when cows die, upper caste Hindus do not even bother touching them, forget giving them a decent burial.

Several sections of Dalits have traditionally dealt in skins of dead cows, which are an important raw material for the leather industry. For many rural families, dead cows are their only source of income and employment. Apart from surviving on their remains, these Dalits perform an important ecological function by removing carcasses, skinning them before they rot and ruin the environment, and leaving their remains out in the open to decompose. This arrangement has survived for ages.

The very idea of a group of thugs roaming around a state to dispense instant justice to those who harm cows is antithetical to a modern state with a functional law and order machinery. Somehow, they seemed to have not only organised themselves in vigilante groups in Gujarat, but have also become bold enough to act and then publicise their barbarity. If the BJP wants to assuage Dalits, it must not only ensure strict punishment to the guilty, but also outlaw such groups.

Since elections in UP are on the horizon and the BJP is wary of being seen as anti-Dalit, an impression it has tried hard to dispel since Rohith Vemula's suicide, it is now trying to control the damage. Its poll compulsions have forced the government, party, RSS and Hindu Mahasabha to unequivocally condemn the humiliation of Una's Dalits. Perhaps, a similar clarity of thought and unity of voice in the aftermath of Akhlaq's lynching would have discouraged gau rakshaks from striking in Gujarat and jeopardising the BJP's chances in Uttar Pradesh.
Founding Parliament member recalls the words of Jirayr Sefilyan

It is no secret that institutions necessary for normal survival of a democratic country have not been operating in Armenia for a long time. Neither the electoral system, nor the judicial system work in the country, says Vartan Hakobyan, a member of the Founding Parliament movement. He says the interests of the state - legitimacy and the rule of law, are not respected in the country and the aforesaid institutions today serve the interests of a small group, becoming servants of the clan system. We have had many occasions to believe that even the slightest problems cannot be resolved in courts, if they conflict with the interests of the power usurpers. When people find the legal methods exhausted they try to bypass them, says the conductor. Vartan Hakobyan says they have repeatedly said that the overuse of the state system, as well as the actions of the corrupt and criminal regime may result in a rebellion. Jirayr Sefilyan has spoken about it repeatedly and warned the authorities that when people find legitimate ways exhausted they stand up for their rights and demand with their feet. There was no other way to restore legitimacy and sovereignty for our country than to start a rebellion. People have the right to resist, the right to rebel and the human race has passed through it, he said. The FP member is not surprised at the reaction of the authorities as they have never give an adequate respond to problems. Instead of looking back on their path and reconsidering their actions they tried to strange the fury of people right from the very start by using unprecedented force against people, which, in fact, has always produced the opposite effect. " Vartan Hakobyan says only new elections can resolve the situation: it is necessary that Serzh Sargsyan resign and set up an interim government that enjoys the confidence of the people which will hold the new elections. The government is the only force that is ready to hand over Artsakh. We shall either create our independent country, or disappear as a nation. People have appeared between internal and external enemies and they is only one way out and that way is victory, he added.
The innumerable parodies, spoofs, stand-up comedy spots etc over the last five years stand as testimony to the fact that Rahul Gandhi's way of thinking has become a national joke.

An eminent barometer of this fact comes straight from the horse's mouth, so to say. One of the biggest beneficiaries of Dynasty largesse  and therefore its die hard votary  William Dalrymple, who Hartosh Singh Bal once characterised as the "pompous arbiter of literary merit in India describes how Rahul Gandhi razed the Congress party to the ground in 2014:

Rahul came across as conceited and dim, if not borderline messianic-delusional, as he talked about himself in the third personWhen not praising his own profundity, he parroted the same pre-prepared answers, irrespective of the question he was asked. What did he think about the Gujarat riots? "The real issue at hand here is empowering the women of this country." Why did his party protect corrupt MPs? "The issue at hand is bringing youngsters into the political system."

[] In all, he mentioned empowerment 22 times and finding a way to mend the broken political system no fewer than 70 times in 45 minutes.

[] Rahul would appear to be the very bottom of the Nehru-Gandhi barrel, tongue-tied and uncharismatic on campaign, conceited and slow-witted in private: in short, the complete electoral prophylactic, as Congress must sadly now realise to its despair.

Aldous Huxley's note that "a bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one; it comes as sincerely from the author's soul" is completely applicable to Rahul Gandhi's "escape velocity of Jupiter" politics: it can't be learned. One has to be a natural. And its also eminent fodder for much mirth. Indeed, most of his speeches on almost every campaign hes led so far have satiated our appetite for fun, and so, instead of condemning his political and leadership abilities, we must be grateful to him.

But then there's that Dynastic trait of entitlement that hes inherited that licenses him to talk down to a galaxy of the best minds of Indian business as his 2013 speech at the CII shows. This sense of entitlement in Sonia Gandhis hands had manifested colourfully as "maut ka saudagar" and "zeher ki kheti."

Of course, nobody raises an eyebrow  forget being outraged  at such crass campaign language because even worse has now become mainstream in our electoral grammar.

And so it was that on the 2014 Lok Sabha campaign trail, when Rahul Gandhi thundered that "RSS people killed Gandhiji and today their people (BJP) talk of him...They opposed Sardar Patel and Gandhiji," little did he anticipate that this had the makings of a mini-bomb that would explode two years later in the form of this Supreme Court reprimand: You can't make wholesale denunciation of an organisationIf you won't apologise, you will have to face trial.

The Pavlovian, secular-liberal response to this rebuke is to brand the SC bench as communal and fascist and anti-poor but well let that pass and focus on the content of Rahul Gandhis casual slur against the RSS.

False History as Electoral Weapons

First, the wording of the Supreme Courts admonition needs to be examined briefly: "You can't make wholesale denunciation of an organisation." In other words, a responsible political party doesn't casually label an entire organisation as murderers: it must establish proof that will stand up in court.

Its well-known that the false charge that the "RSS people killed Gandhiji" is as old as 1948-49. Equally well-known is the fact this canard has handsomely benefitted the Congress-Communist combine. Heres how the Belgian scholar, Dr. Koenraad Elst puts it in his meticulously researched Mahatma Gandhi and his Assassin:

Invariably, the so-called secularists call the RSSthe murderers of the Mahatma. As a Western researcher has remarked, this allegation is in defiance of the judicial verdict in the Mahatma murder trialThese [allegations]  come from the Congressor the Communists, are used as political slogans andshow a disregard for the legal decision of the case. (Page 17-18).

This observation is in keeping with the Congress tradition of disrespecting and overturning court verdicts.

Equally, the Kapur Commission formed on 21 November 1966 to conduct an inquiry into the conspiracy to murder Mahatma Gandhi noted thus (full report available here) after completing its work on 30 September 1969:

"RSS as such were not responsible for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, meaning thereby that one could not name the organisation as such as being responsible for that most diabolical crime, the murder of the apostle of peace. It has not been proved that they (the accused) were members of the RSS."

But then the mainstream Leftist discourse has ensured that the canard of blaming the murder of Gandhi continues to haunt the RSS. On its part, the RSS has continued to be defensive, issuing an unending stream of rebuttals and refutations.

To put things in perspective, by the mid-1940s, Gandhi had all but become inconsequential within the core Congress leadership who correctly sensed the winds of change and the chance to grab political power. Even earlier, Gandhis fitful policies were stridently criticised by his own contemporaries like Sri Aurbindo, Ambedkar, Annie Besant, Subhas Bose and others.

Had Godse not murdered Gandhi, the Congress wouldve perhaps rendered him irrelevant in his own lifetime. But his assassination gave birth to the myth that it was him and him alone that brought India independence with the accompanying taboo on critically scrutinising his legacy.

Gandhis mixed legacy was now in the complete thrall of a post-Patel-Congress dominated era by Nehru. Eventually, this legacy ever-so-slowly morphed thus: the Congress party alone got India her independence and became the Dynastys staple formula for winning polls.

Equally, our toxic education system ensured that few non-Congress freedom fighters found any place in our textbooks. Some textbooks even endorsed the British slur that Bhagat Singh was a terrorist. The consequence is that the current crop of intellectuals, mediapersons, etc simply lack any sense of history, and what theyve read is a jumbled and incoherent mass of opinion and Left ideology.

Persecuting the RSS

This sense of history tells us that the government used Gandhis assassination as a convenient ruse to ban the RSS on 4 February 1948 and arrested its chief, M S Golwalkar.

In September 1948, after countrywide investigations yielded nothing to implicate the RSS, Golwalkar demanded that Nehru and Patel lift the ban. This back-and-forth between Golwalkar, Nehru and Patel went on till 9 July 1949. S Gurumurthy best narrates what happened next:

On July 9, 1949 the government refused to lift the ban citing fundamental differences. It was then that T.R. Venkatrama Shastri, former Advocate General of Madras and head of the Servants of India Society, intervened. He wrote an anguished letter in The Hindu, met Sardar Patel and urged him to lift the ban Shastri added that with the suspicion of the RSS complicity in Gandhijis assassination recognised to be without any real foundation and the charges against the RSS in some cases having been found unsustainable, continuing the ban was untenable. Surprisingly the very day Shastris statement was sent to The Hindu namely on July 11 itself, the government lifted the ban. It must have been advised that the ban without evidence would be unconstitutional under the Constitution of India. The ban was lifted unconditionally. Here is the proof. In a written statement to the Bombay Legislative Assembly on September 14, 1949 (Proceedings p2126) the Home Minister Morarji Desai admitted that the ban on RSS was no longer considered necessary; it was lifted unconditionally; and the RSS gave no undertaking. If no undertaking was indeed given in 1949, where is the question of reneging on it in 2013?

This was the first of the three instances the RSS was banned in an Independent India.

It was also the beginning of the protracted record of unprovoked persecution it faced at the hands of the Dynasty. This persecution reached truly Stalinist levels as we observe in the case of the municipal school teacher, Ramashankar Raghuvanshi who was dismissed by the Madhya Pradesh government in 1974 for having taken part in the RSS activities. The teacher appealed to the SC, whose judgment is revealing:

"India is not a police statethe promise of fundamental rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution not become a forgotten chapter of historyseeking a police report on person's political faith amounted to the violation of fundamental rights. (State of Madhya Pradesh vs Ramashankar Raghuvanshi, 21 February 1983)

Equally, the Mysore Court (now Karnataka High Court)s judgment in the State of Karnataka versus Ranganathacharya Agnihotri is also worth quoting at length:

The RSS is a non-political cultural organisation without any hatred or ill will towards non-Hindus and that many eminent and respected persons in the country have not hesitated to preside over the functions or appreciate the work of its volunteers. In a country like ours which has accepted the democratic way of life (as ensured by the Constitution), it would not be within reason to accept the proposition that mere membership of such peaceful or non-violent association and participation in activities thereof, will render a person (in whose character and antecedents there are no other defects) unsuitable to be appointed to the post of a Munsiff".

The person in question was again a victim of the Congress governments unstated policy of hounding the RSS. And then, we of course theres the small matter of the horrors inflicted upon tens of thousands of Swayamsevaks during the Emergencywhich is too painful to recount and only too well-known.

Civilisational and Political Goals

And yet, to its credit, the RSS has never wreaked vengeanceviolent or otherwiseagainst this unprovoked and repeated assaults. This quiet confidence and fortitude stems from its underlying philosophy which is cultural and civilisational rather than political in the sense of election cycles. For the Congress and Congress-inspired parties, political power is an end in itself which is why the Congress today is thoroughly bereft of ideology, a core, guiding philosophy or even a roadmap for the foreseeable future.

At the end of a near-hegemonic rule of about 65 years, the Congress is today in a state of near extinction while the RSS has emerged far stronger despite said persecution. As Advaita Kala in one of the best pieces on the RSS observes, the consistently negative mainstream narratives on the Sangh has actually helped strengthen it. That this negative narrative is based almost wholly on falsehood and has persisted for over six decades should count as one of the greatest intellectual hoaxes of the previous century.

That said, theres also a small lesson for the RSS in this: it needs to be smarter, develop more intellectual sophistication at various levels and most importantly, improve perception in a generation that now forms its opinions based on nightly TV talk shows, two-minute sound bytes, tweets etc.

Tailpiece

Rajesh Kunte must be appreciated for his efforts. By filing the lawsuit, he has demanded that Rahul Gandhi be accountable to his words. And not just one, but two courts have dismissed his plea for quashing the defamation case that Kunte has filed against him.

And following the Supreme Courts stricture on Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi is trapped in a Catch-22 situation of epic proportions, which is of his own making. If he apologises, it makes him look weak and he surely does not look willing to face a trial. There is also precedent to such behaviour in the Congress. Rajiv Gandhis notorious "when a big tree falls, earth shakes" comment, where the former PM had justified the 1984 genocide of Sikhs by his own partymen.

In any case Rahul Gandhi cant shake off the past. We can only wait and watch how the defamation case will unfold. But in the future, perhaps Rahul Gandhi would do well to heed Iagos immortal words in advance:

Demand me nothing: what you know, you know:

From this time forth I never will speak a word
A day after the Supreme Court asked Rahul Gandhi to either apologise to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) or face trial in a defamation case filed by the latter, the Congress vice-president seems determined to take the latter route. He perhaps thinks that standing against the RSS and reopening one of the saddest events of independent Indias history  the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi  might fortify his secular credentials.

Rahul Gandhi should avoid this debate for at least two reasons: One, is that this is a debate the RSS wants because at the end of it, the law will come to the same conclusion that the Supreme Court came to yesterday. There is nothing on record to suggest that the RSS was involved in the conspiracy to kill the Mahatma and and a trial (in the defamation case filed by the RSS against Rahul) will not change that one bit.

On the contrary  and thats the second reason why Rahul Gandhi should avoid this adventurism with history  records show that a throwback to the times that created an atmosphere of hate for the Mahatma, might indict many stalwarts from the Congress party as well.

A brief detour in history is called for here.

Marta hai to marne doh (if he has to die, let it be so) was the full-throated slogan that rang in Mahatma Gandhis ears till his assassination on 30 January, 1948.

Crowds of refugees from Pakistan and Hindu-hardliners gathered outside Birla House in Lutyens Delhi where he put up in that winter and displayed uncharacteristic belligerence towards the father of the nation.

The Delhi Police used to cordon off the area to insulate Gandhi from the mob fury. Still they could not prevent some from hurling a stone or two at regular intervals to register their protests at Gandhis peddling for peace.

Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and deputy prime minister Sardar Patel were regular visitors. So was Governor General Lord Mountbatten but peoples fury knew no bounds. Gandhi was despised, booed and shunned by his own people for his adamant demand that India should help the new nation-state of Pakistan monetarily. Only a few days earlier  in the midst of all the mutual hatred that accompanied historys bloodiest partition  he had persuaded the Nehru-Patel combine to part with Rs 50 crore in assistance to Pakistan.

Ten days before his assassination on 30 Januray, 1948, Madanlal Pahwa, one such refugee from Pakistan, threw bombs at Gandhis prayer meeting. He missed the target. Gandhi was unfazed and had refused to criticise that 'bahadur ladka (bold boy)'. In true Mahatma style, he told his confidants: Bachche hain, abhi yeh samajhte nahin, maroonga tab yaad karenge ki buddha theek kahta tha (they are child, do not know what they do. In my death they will realize that the old man was right.

In a book titled The Men Who Killed Gandhi, writer Manohar Malgonkar, has chronicled the details of the events that preceded and culminated in Gandhis killing. He talked to those who were convicted and relatives of Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte, two convicts hanged to death for the Mahatmas assassination.

The reading of the book is quite instructive in light of the Supreme Courts direction to Rahul Gandhi to either apologise for making a sweeping accusation against the RSS for Gandhis killing or face trial. This book reveals that should Rahul Gandhi decide to face the trial, the can of worms from history will not leave the tallest Congress leaders of those times unscathed. The reality was that the Congress leadership had virtually isolated Gandhi and often found him as an obstacle that was barely tolerable.

Of course, Nehru and Patel were extremely fond of him and rushed to him to get counsel on issues as petty as their bruised personal egos. Yet there were all indications that Gandhi became a loner towards the fag end of his life. In this meticulously researched book, Malgonkar points out that Pahwas attempt to assassinate Gandhi and subsequent investigations paint a clear picture about second, successful, attempt on Gandhis life. According to Malgonkar, Pahwa revealed as to how Hindu Mahasabha members  Nathuram Godse , Narayan Apte and Vishnu Karkare  were determined to kill Gandhi. The Delhi police had all the evidence but chose to look the other way.

Ironically in post-independent India, Gandhis life was apparently less precious than during the time of colonial India. The country was so consumed by the atmosphere of hatred and violence that it deeply infected even the most ardent devotees of the apostle of peace and truth. Even the Congress leadership was constantly at loggerheads with Gandhis idea of India and Pakistan. His message of communal amity and peace was construed as lamentation of an old man refusing to reconcile with the idea that he had lost his charm. In such circumstances, it would not be wrong to say that Gandhi emerged as the most hated, despised and ridiculed figure in a nation craving for revenge and violence well before he was done in by Godse.

In fact Godses conduct after Gandhis assassination was quite fascinating. He gave up before the police and asked them to recover his Bretta pistol snatched by the crowd. His depositions in court displayed his conviction in his cause. Though his motive was fed by the concept of deep-rooted Hindu nationalism, throughout the trial, he singularly owned up the decision to kill Gandhi. He did everything to project himself as symbol of the nations collective conscience. Witness the self-righteous tone of this statement during deposition: "Had this act not been done by me, of course it would have been better for me. But circumstances were beyond my control. So strong was the impulse of my mind that I felt that this man should not be allowed to meet his natural death so that the world may know that he had to pay the penalty of his life for his unjust, anti-national and dangerous favouritism towards a fanatical section of the country."

Gandhis assassination plunged the nation into a catharsis of guilt. Savarkar was arraigned in the court but let off for want of evidence. There was a vertical split in the Nehru cabinet on the issue of implicating Savarkar and others on false charges. This was confessed to Savarkars lawyer by no less a person than the then Union law minister BR Ambedkar during a conversation with Savarkars lawyer LB Bhopatkar. The acquittal of Savarkar made the case even against the Hindu Mahasabha untenable in the conspiracy to assassinate Gandhi.

Perhaps the most appropriate summarization of the nations dilemma and mood on Gandhis assassination was scripted by high court judge justice GD Khosla who delivered the verdict. He said, "Had the audience of the day (in the high court) been constituted into a jury and entrusted with the task of deciding Godses appeal, they would have brought in a verdict of not guilty."

History has an uncanny tendency to reveal uncomfortable truths. In Gandhis assassination, Rahul Gandhi dabbled into a history which is bound to be unsavoury. Given the facts, it would be fooling ourselves to believe that Gandhis assassins belonged to a particular ideology. Far from it, we as a nation found the existence of Gandhi in Independent India too cumbersome and contributed in our own way to Godses plan.

Should Rahul Gandhi decide to ignore the Supreme Courts advice to apologise to the RSS and rest the case, he is sure to encounter truths that may not be palatable to him individually and his party collectively. Had Gandhi been alive he would have said in his inimitable style, bachcha hai abhi samajhta nahi hai.

Let us not kill Gandhi all over again.
Bamako: Seventeen soldiers were killed and 35 wounded in central Mali in an assault on their base that authorities called a "coordinated terrorist attack".

"The toll has increased: we have lost 17 men and 35 are wounded," Mali's defence minister Tieman Hubert Coulibaly said on Tuesday. Authorities had earlier announced that 12 soldiers were killed.

Coulibaly called the assault a "coordinated terrorist attack on our positions," but did not say who was responsible.

The gunmen's descent on the military camp in Nampala was earlier claimed by a group from the ethnic Peul community, calling themselves the National Alliance for the Protection of Peul Identity and Restoration of Justice (ANSIPRJ).

The group said it had killed eight troops and wounded 11 more, as well as making off with two trucks and five pick-up trucks.

"It was self-defence," Sidy Cisse, a senior ANSIPRJ commander, told AFP, adding three of his men were wounded.

Earlier Al-Akhbar, a Mauritanian news agency, reported that several soldiers had been taken hostage, and the base was set alight.

Senior figures within ANSIPRJ are also members of a Peul association that decried the murder of what it said were several Peuls falsely accused of supporting jihadists active in the area.

A Peul radical, Amadou Koufa, leads the Macina Liberation Front (FLM), a new group that emerged in 2015 and has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks, some targeting security forces in central Mali.

Several security sources in the region told AFP they doubted the veracity of the claim of responsibility from ANSIPRJ as the group was only founded last month following inter-communal clashes in the area and lacked the means to mount an attack.

Coulibaly said the government was aware "a group had issued a claim. We are being careful."

"One thing is sure, this was a terrorist action that targeted a military objective. So an appropriate military response is forthcoming," he added.

The Malian government said the attackers would be hunted down and punished, and that the military had control of Nampala.

Northern Mali 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.

But attacks are now becoming more frequent in the country's centre, close to its borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, both from criminal and jihadist elements.

Although Islamists were largely ousted by an ongoing French-led military operation launched in January 2013, sporadic attacks from desert hideouts are common.
Dhaka: At least 261 people across Bangladesh are missing, officials announced early on Wednesday, sparking fears many of them have joined homegrown Islamist extremist outfits or the Islamic State group in the Middle East.

The country's elite security force, the Rapid Action Battalion, published the list on Facebook around midnight and called on citizens to report the whereabouts of the missing.

"We have to find them," RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told AFP.

The Bangladeshi government ordered security officials to collate the list in the wake of two major terror attacks by suspected Islamist militants who had been missing for months.

Khan refused to comment on whether the people listed had joined local extremists or the IS group.

Suspected members of a homegrown terror group murdered 20 people including 18 foreigners after they attacked an upscale cafe in Dhaka earlier this month. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the attack  an assertion rejected by Bangladeshi authorities.

The gruesome murders were followed by another daring assault on the Muslim-majority nation's largest Eid prayer congregation in which three people and an attacker were killed in a massive gunfight in a northern Bangladesh town.

Police and parents said the five attackers at the cafe siege and at least two gunmen at the Eid carnage had been missing for months.

"If there are any missing family members, please tell us, don't be afraid that law-enforcement agencies will take your sons away," said RAB chief Benazir Ahmed.

"Their lives and other lives can be saved if they are found."

Local media outlets have reported that dozens of people including doctors, engineers and students from elite universities have travelled to the Middle East to join the Islamic State group.

In one case, engineer Najibullah Ansari had been missing for over a year when his parents reached out to the police after the government launched the campaign to account for the country's missing.

According to his family, Ansari last contacted his younger brother in January 2015 via Facebook, saying he was in war-torn Iraq fighting with jihadists.

"I have come to Iraq. Tell father and mother not to worry for me. I have come here for jihad," read the message according to a screen shot seen by local daily Dhaka Tribune.

"I will never return home," he added.
Dhaka: A Dhaka court on Wednesday charged five activists of a banned militant outfit for the 2015 murder of popular blogger Oyasiqur Rahman Babu, who wrote against the Jamaat-e-Islami and radical Islamists.

An additional metropolitan magistrate court indicted the Ansarullah Bangla Team militants and fixed 4 August for depositions by witnesses, bdnews24 reported.

Three of the suspects were presented in the court for the hearing, an official said.

The remaining two are absconding and will be tried in absentia, the official added.

On the morning of 30 March, 2015, machete-wielding religious fundamentalists hacked Oyasiqur to death near his home in Dhakas Tejgaon area.

Oyasiqur's attackers targeted his neck and head, similar to previous attacks on bloggers, Ahmed Rajib Haider and Avijit Roy.

According to bdnews24, one of the arrested is a madrassa student from Hathazari area of Chittagong and the other attends a madrassa situated in Dhakas Mirpur area.

Locals managed to nab two of the attackers and handed them over to law enforcers while the third suspect was arrested by police later.

According to the Dhaka Tribune, Oyasiqur worked as a travel agency executive and had over 2,600 friends on Facebook. The blogger wrote under pseudonyms on popular blogs.

On his Facebook account, Oyasiqur wrote several notes opposing irrational religious beliefs, superstitions and radical Islamists.

He was also an admirer of Avijit Roy, a US-based Bangladeshi  founder of Mukto Mona, a web forum for South Asian rationalists  who was hacked to death on 26 February, 2015.

Oyasiqur wrote against Jamaat-e-Islami and radical Islamist groups. He was also vocal against human rights violations on the religious minorities and indigenous people of the country.

Oyasiqur was member of eight Facebook group pages including Atheist Bangladesh.
France and the United States are preparing a coordinated strike against Islamic State on the militant group's stronghold in Mosul, Iraq, French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll said.

"Jean Yves Le Drian (French Defence Minister) is in Washington. He is preparing with the Americans a coordinated attack on Mosul," Le Foll said on France Info radio.

Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault spoke about a Washington meeting of the anti-Islamic State coalition in an interview with Reuters on Tuesday.

Le Foll said he could not confirm a report in Le Parisien newspaper, citing an Associated Press report, which said two French special forces soldiers had been killed in Libya on Sunday.

However, he confirmed that French special forces were present in the country.

"Special forces are there, of course, to help and to make sure France is present everywhere in the struggle against terrorists," he said.
Paris: France's National Assembly voted in the early hours of Wednesday to extend the country's state of emergency for six months following last week's massacre in Nice.

The state of emergency has been in place since the Paris attacks in November, and the extension would see the measures  which give the police extra powers to carry out searches and place people under house arrest  remain in place until the end of January 2017.

It is the fourth time that parliament has proposed prolonging the state of emergency, and the move now needs to be approved by the Senate.

President Francois Hollande had last Thursday announced a plan to lift the emergency security measures, but changed tack hours later after a truck driver ploughed through a crowd at Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, killing 84 people in an attack later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Hollande's Socialist government has been under heavy criticism from the right for its response to the slew of extremist attacks.

The fact the president was open to the six-month extension was seen as a concession to opposition Republicans who have demanded that the state of emergency be maintained through to the end of the year.

With elections due next year, the political unity seen after last year's attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has evaporated.

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve has defended the government, saying it has bolstered security notably by sending thousands of troops into the streets.

'Live with the threat'

French Prime Minister Manuel Valls warned Tuesday that the country must be prepared for more deadly attacks and will have to "learn to live with the threat".

But the Socialists have also said they will draw the line at some of the opposition's more controversial demands.

Republicans leader and former president Nicolas Sarkozy, eyeing another run for the top job next year, has called for anyone showing signs of being radicalised to be forced to wear an electronic tag, placed under house arrest or kept in a detention centre.

While some on the right think the six-month extension is not sufficient, there are also critics on the left concerned about civil liberties who say even with the state of emergency in place an attack occurred.

"We can't lock people up on the basis of mere suspicion, or suspicion of suspicion," minister for parliamentary relations Jean-Marie Le Guen said Tuesday.

Valls hit out at the Republicans number two, Laurent Wauquiez, after Wednesday morning's National Assembly vote.

"While this government is in place in France, there will be no detention of suspects for an indeterminate duration," he said.

Investigators say that 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, who used a 19-tonne truck to mow down revellers enjoying Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, had shown "recent interest" in jihadist activity.

Authorities found "very violent" photos on his computer, including of corpses, fighters posing with the IS flag and photos of Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden.

However, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said there was no direct evidence of the Tunisian's links to the Islamic State group (IS)  which has claimed him as one of their "fighters."
Wuerzburg: German authorities have cast doubt on whether a teenager who went on an axe rampage on a Bavarian train was really an Afghan refugee, saying on Wednesday he might have been from Pakistan.

The Islamic State group released a video on Tuesday purportedly featuring the 17-year-old, who was shot dead by police following the train attack in which he injured five people, two of them critically.

However, sources close to the German security services now think he might have pretended to be Afghan on arrival in Germany in 2015 in order to have a better chance at securing asylum, television station ZDF reported.

In the IS video the youth uses phrases of a dialect of Pashto spoken in Pakistan and not Afghanistan and experts have indicated that his accent is also clearly Pakistani, ZDF said.

A Pakistani document was also found in his room.

The name he used in the video, "Mohammed Riyadh", does not match the name under which he registered in Germany, Riaz Khan, the station added.

German authorities said they had authenticated the video.

On Tuesday, authorities said they had found a hand-painted IS flag and what they called a suicide letter among the attacker's belongings.

"The perpetrator of the stabbing attack in Germany was one of the fighters of the Islamic State," the IS-linked Amaq news agency said.

Locals described the assailant, identified in media reports as Riaz A, as "calm and even-keeled" and a "devout Muslim who did not appear to be radical or a fanatic", according to Joachim Herrmann, interior minister of Bavaria state.

"According to the investigation thus far, there was no evidence on site to point to him belonging to the Islamist network," Herrmann said.

Police however later found a farewell letter he apparently left for his father in which he said the world's Muslims "must defend themselves".

"Now pray for me that I can take revenge on non-believers, pray for me that I can get to heaven," the note said.

Prosecutors said he shouted "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) three times as he made his way through the carriage.

An eyewitness told DPA news agency that the train, which had been carrying around 25 people, looked "like a slaughterhouse".

Germany has thus far escaped the kind of large-scale jihadist attack seen in the southern French city of Nice last week, in which 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel used a truck to mow down 84 people.

That attack was also claimed by IS without the assailant having clear ties to the group.
United Nations: India has lashed out at the "subterranean universe" of the Security Council's sanctions regimes for not being transparent in their functioning and called for reform, months after China scuttled its bid to get Pakistan-based JeM chief Masood Azhar designated as a terrorist by the UN.

There "is the need for change of the processes followed in the subterranean universe of the Council's subsidiary bodies. The subterranean universe I refer to consists of 26 sanctions regimes acting on behalf of the Council," India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin said at a Security Council session on 'Working Methods'.

He said the 26 sanctions regimes cumulatively take 1,000 decisions every year but rarely does the Chair of any of these bodies briefs member states or the media about the proceedings after their meetings.

The Indian envoy questioned why efforts at transparency are not extended to the "subterranean universe, where more decisions are taken than in formal meetings or informal consultations".

"Why is it that we are blandly informed of positive decisions of this subterranean universe and never told about negative decisions when proposals are not acceded to," he said yesterday as he lamented that in the Council's sanctions regimes no explanations are given about how the members voted and what their positions are.

Akbaruddin further stressed that in the sanctions regimes no rationale is given for accepting requests for listing nor do the applications that are rejected surface in the public space.

"No one indicates who specifically is not supporting a request. Indeed, proposals that can't make it are buried without public acknowledgement that they were ever considered," he said.

"In the subterranean universe, all decisions are required to be taken by unanimity, a practice that is not in vogue in the Council itself. While the trend now is to consider means to curtail the use of the veto in the Council's own work and many here support such efforts, however, in the subterranean universe all council members have extended vetoes to themselves as members of Sanctions Committees," Akbaruddin said.

He stressed that in the "subterranean universe of subsidiary bodies, the adoption of principles of anonymity and unanimity has absolved individual members of accountability".

"Taking their cue from the membership of these bodies, other member states too perhaps have not been implementing many of the decisions taken by these bodies," Akbaruddin said, adding that implementation reports from member states indicates how outdated they are and in most cases are of 2003 vintage.

Previously, India has slammed the UN sanctions committee for taking a "selective approach" in tackling terrorism when a technical hold was put on its application to include the name of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar on the committee's list of designated terrorists.

India, in April, had slammed China's virtual veto to prevent banning of Pathankot terror strike mastermind Azhar.
Elyakhin, Israel: Shoshana Dugma says she still clearly remembers the morning 66 years ago when she went to feed her baby at an immigrant camp in Israel and discovered she had vanished.

"At six in the morning, I was the first person at the nursery, and there was nothing," the 83-year-old, who at the time had just arrived from Yemen, said of her 11-month-old daughter Mazal.

"Nothing in her bed."

Such stories of babies from immigrant families disappearing have been told in Israel for decades, but growing calls to unseal official documents on the allegations mean new light could soon be shed.

Activists and family members believe up to several thousand babies were taken in the years after Israel became a country in 1948, mainly from Jewish Yemenite families, but also from immigrants of other Arab or Balkan nations.

They allege that babies were stolen and given to Jewish families of Western origin in Israel and even abroad, mainly those who could not have children on their own.

According to their accounts, hospital officials would inform parents their baby had died, but would not hand over a body for burial.

Official inquiries have in the past found that most of the children whose cases were examined did indeed die, noting the poor health conditions and other complications at immigrant camps at the time.

Doubts have however persisted and activists call the investigations insufficient.

The allegations have put a spotlight on intra-Jewish racism, with Jews of European origin traditionally held up as Israel's elite and those from elsewhere alleging discrimination.

A lawmaker from the ruling Likud party, Nurit Koren, has formed a caucus dedicated to "reaching the truth  where the children disappeared to, who gave the order," she told AFP.

Politicians from across the political spectrum have backed her, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed support for opening files supposed to remain sealed for several more decades.

"It's a bleeding wound in the nation's heart," said Koren, who is of Yemenite origin.

'Honey, go home'

After Israel's founding, the country set up camps to accomodate the influx of immigrants from mainly Arab countries.

About 30,000 Jews arrived from Yemen around 1949, including those in poor health due to the arduous conditions of the journey, according to Esther Meir-Glitzenstein, a professor at Ben Gurion University specialising in Yemenite immigration to Israel.

In addition to language barriers, she argued that they also faced "paternalism" from Israelis of European origin, who may have reasoned that some of the children of Arab-speaking Jews would be better off with different families.

In 1950, Dugma was 17 and said she was living in a tent in a camp in northern Israel with her husband and older children.

Babies were kept in separate nurseries with better conditions.

"I put her to sleep around midnight," Dugma said in an interview with AFP, speaking in Hebrew peppered with Arabic at her home in the Israeli town of Elyakhin, near the Mediterranean coast.

"She wasn't sick. She wasn't weak. She was a great eater."

The next morning the baby was gone, she said, adding that she has had no word on what happened since.

There are many other such allegations.

Barood Jibli's seven-month-old baby girl Tziona was fine the last time she saw her in the nursery.

When Jibli, who had also come from Yemen, went to tend to her one morning in 1950, she was met by nurses instead, she said.

"They told me she wasn't feeling well" and was in a hospital in Haifa, the 86-year-old said.

Jibli and her husband rushed there, only to be turned away.

"We said, 'show me my child.' They said 'she's dead'," she told AFP on the balcony of her small house in Elyakhin.

"I said 'that can't be. I fed her yesterday. She's healthy and strong.' They said 'honey, go home, there's nothing we can do'."

Playing God?

A first state committee to examine the claims was formed in 1967.

The allegations came to light then in part because parents began receiving notices that their long-missing children were to report for mandatory military service.

That committee investigated the cases of 342 children, determining 316 of them had died.

Its findings were however later questioned, and a new committee was established in 1988, followed by a commission of inquiry in 1995.

Findings published in 2001 said that of the 1,033 cases of babies that went missing in Israel that had been examined, 972 had died.

The fates of 56 were impossible to determine, while another five had been located.

The commission rejected claims of baby theft.

"In the materials presented to the committee, there is no evidence for the claim of abductions, neither in its extreme form of the organised 'abductions by the establishment' nor in the more moderate form of 'intentional baby stealing'," its report said.

It said the explanation for most cases was that parents were not properly informed of their babies' deaths, with burials being conducted without them present.

The materials pertaining to the cases were classified for 70 years for privacy reasons.

Shlomi Hatuka, 38, is one of a group of activists seeking to document what he calls the "crime against humanity."

At age 16, he was shocked to discover his Yemenite grandmother had given birth to twins, one of whom was "abducted," said Hatuka.

Three years ago, he was one of the founders of a group called Amram, which set out to gather testimony.

Gil Grunbaum, 60, is among those who appear on its website.

Grunbaum spent the first half of his life as the son of European Holocaust survivors, only to discover he was adopted.

He managed to track down his biological mother, a woman from Tunisia, who told him she had been informed after giving birth that her baby  Grunbaum  had not survived.

"They told her the child died at birth," he said.

"I questioned her quite a bit. I couldn't understand how they didn't want to see their dead child, and there was no funeral. But they were naive, new immigrants. They didn't ask too many questions and just accepted the issue."

"Nobody should be able to play God," Grunbaum said.

"You can't decide where a child will be better off."
ROME Some 3,200 migrants were plucked from overcrowded boats off the coast of Libya on Tuesday and one dead body was recovered, Italy's coast guard said, as people smugglers operating in Libya took advantage of calm seas and warm weather.

A coast guard spokesman said the smugglers had sent at least 26 boats toward Italy, the latest in a tide of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Three Italian navy ships took part in rescues, picking up more than 1,000 of those brought to safety. British and Spanish ships operating within the European Union's anti-people-smuggling mission also conducted rescues.

The Doctors Without Borders charity and migrant rescue groups MOAS and Sea Watch also participated. An Irish navy ship and a private tug boat completed the cast of rescuers.

A deal struck between the EU and Turkey and border closures have helped to stem the flow of migrants from the Middle East and Asia coming through Turkey and Greece. But Italy has received about the same number of migrants setting off from North Africa this year as during the same period of 2015.

As of Monday, 79,861 migrants had arrived in Italy by sea, compared with 83,119 during the same period of last year, while the number of migrants arriving in Greece from Turkey was down 95 percent. [nB5N18F00F]

Almost 3,000 boat migrants have died or gone missing in the Mediterranean this year, according to the International Organization for Migration.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer and Isla Binnie; Editing by Kevin Liffey and James Dalgleish)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Moscow: The Kremlin confirmed on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan plan to meet in Russia in early August.

"A meeting between Putin and Erdogan is being prepared and worked out. They agreed that the meeting will be in the first 10 days of August," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

"It will be in Russia, but the city and the date are still being firmed up," Peskov said.

This will be the leaders' first face-to-face meeting since late June when Russia said Erdogan apologised for Turkey shooting down a Russian fighter jet in November last year.

The downing of the fighter jet on the Syrian border had shattered ties between the erstwhile allies.

Turkish state media had reported on Sunday that the leaders would meet in the first week of August without giving a location, quoting presidential sources.

Putin called Erdogan on Sunday to express his support after the end of a failed putsch in Turkey and the Kremlin said the two leaders confirmed plans to meet in the near future.

Turkey said Monday it has detained two pilots who played a role in downing the Russian plane over links to the failed putsch.
A Trump Organisation staff writer said she made a "mistake" in including passages from a Michelle Obama speech in Melania Trump's convention speech.

Meredith McIver said she offered her resignation, but Donald Trump rejected it.

McIver explained her role in the Trump plagiarism controversy in a statement issued Wednesday.

McIver said Melania read passages of Michelle's 2008 convention speech during the writing the process. She says her notes from that conversation made it into the final version.

She said she feels terrible for the "chaos" she caused.

The Trump campaign has said denied accusations of plagiarism, saying the similarities were coincidence.

Sen. Bob Corker said the controversy over the passages in Melania's convention speech has been "aggravated by the response" from the Trump campaign.

The Tennessee Republican told The Associated Press that he "can't imagine that from her part there was anything nefarious under way." Corker adds that he thinks the campaign should have found "a better way" to handle the situation "so that it's not kept alive. She's got to be mortified."

Two passages of Melania Trump's speech Monday night were nearly identical to passages from Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention eight years ago. But rather than acknowledge any error, Trump's campaign is in denial mode, blaming the media for creating a controversy and suggesting Hillary Clinton bore some responsibility.

In fact, Trump went to the extent of saying that the plagiarism charges are not necessarily all bad.

He tweeted, "Good news is Melania's speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!"

He also blamed the press for harping on the issue, saying the media "is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania's speech than the FBI spent on Hillary (Clinton)'s emails."
Washington: US President Barack Obama on Tuesday pledged US assistance to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the investigation into last week's attempted coup, the White House said.

During a phone call, Obama "strongly condemned" the violent uprising and "urged that the investigations and prosecution of the coup's perpetrators be conducted in ways that reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law," it said in a statement.

Obama "lauded the Turkish people's resolve against this violent intervention and their commitment to democracy," the White House said.

"President Obama made clear that the United States is willing to provide appropriate assistance to Turkish authorities investigating the attempted coup."

Turkey has launched a massive post-coup purge. The crackdown on military, police and the judiciary has now widened to include the media and schools. Thousands have been detained.

The statement did not say whether Obama discussed with Erdogan Turkey's request to extradite US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, Erdogan's bitter foe who the Turkish government alleges was linked to the coup attempt.

Turkish authorities earlier Tuesday scrapped all TV and radio station licenses linked to what they called the "Fethullah Terrorist Organisation," the government's derogatory name for the Gulen movement.

Last week's coup bid was the most serious threat to Erdogan since he took power first as prime minister in 2003, and saw rebel troops close down bridges in Istanbul, parliament bombed from the sky and protesters shot in the streets.

It has raised deep concerns about the stability of the strategic NATO partner, which has a key air base used in the US-led fight against the Islamic State group that has a large nuclear weapons stockpile.
London: Former BBC producer Owen Smith will be the sole challenger against veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn to lead Britain's opposition Labour Party after registrations for the race closed on Wednesday.

The Welsh MP has portrayed him as a leftist candidate and has praised Corbyn but has faced criticism for his past as a lobbyist for the pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and his support for the Iraq war.

Another challenger, Angela Eagle, dropped out of the race on Tuesday when it was clear she was short of endorsements from Labour lawmakers to continue.

Corbyn and Smith will now appeal to party members and supporters for their votes and the result will be announced on 24 September at the party conference.

Smith is barely known outside of Westminster and Wales but moderates in the Labour party are hoping he will dethrone the current Labour leader, who has been heavily criticised for lukewarm campaigning in favour of Britain staying in the European Union.

In a statement on his Facebook page, former Labour leader Ed Miliband urged party members to support Smith.

"I believe Owen can build a Labour Party and a country of which we can be proud. But he cant do it without your help.... It could be the most important political decision you ever make," Miliband said.

Smith served as Welsh spokesman under Miliband and was made work and pensions spokesman under Corbyn.

The Welsh MP has paid tribute to Corbyn for "helping Labour discover its radical roots" but said the party needed a new generation to take it forward.

Smith also announced he would offer Corbyn the role of party president if he wins.
JERUSALEM A Palestinian boy was killed on Tuesday during a clash with Israeli troops in the occupied West Bank on the outskirts of Arab East Jerusalem, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Muhey al-Tabakhi, 12, died in a Palestinian hospital of a wound inflicted by a projectile that struck his chest and caused heart failure, a ministry spokesman said.

An Israeli police spokeswoman said paramilitary Border Police officers used only tear gas and stun grenades in the clash at al-Ram after a petrol bomb was thrown at forces and that initial details at hand suggested there had been no firing.

Earlier, a Palestinian assailant who stabbed two Israeli soldiers and wounded them lightly in an incident near the occupied West Bank town of Hebron on Monday, died of wounds in an Israeli hospital, officials said.

Since October, Palestinian street attacks have killed at least 33 Israelis and two visiting Americans. Israel has killed at least 204 Palestinians, 138 of whom it said were assailants. Others were killed during clashes and protests.

Palestinian stabbings, shootings, rock throwing and car rammings against Israelis that began late last year and included almost daily incidents have tapered off significantly and attacks have become less frequent.

Palestinian leaders say assailants have acted out of desperation over the collapse of peace talks in 2014 and Israeli settlement expansion in occupied territory that Palestinians seek for an independent state. Most countries view the settlements as illegal. Israel disputes this.

Israel says incitement in the Palestinian media and personal problems at home have been important factors that have spurred assailants, often teenagers, to launch attacks.

Tensions over Jewish access to a contested Jerusalem holy site, revered by Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary) and Jews as Temple Mount, have also fuelled the violence.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi, writing by Ori Lewis, editing by Larry King)

This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed.
Merujan Soghomonyan believes his son was deceitfully taken to police station

Merujan Soghomonyan, the father of Edgar Soghomonyan, one of the members of the Sasna Dzrer armed group occupying a police building in Yerevans ERebuni district since Sunday, demands that Pavlik Manukyan return his son. I am ill and I have a disability. Only my son can look after me, Merujan Soghomonyan announced during a press conference convened by the police. The father says his son cannot be linked to the Sasna Dzrer armed group. My son has neither done military service, nor carried a weapon in his hands. Besides, he has poor vision, do not be hard on him, please. We had no information from him [Edgar] and all of a sudden we learn that he is among the attackers. My son has nothing to do with politics and cannot answer a single question, said the father. Merujan Soghomonyan believes that his son was deceitfully taken to the police premises. He was told that the authorities are surrendering the territories in Karabakh to Turks. They told him they were going to a demonstration and he joined them. The father says Edgar lived in Russia and came to Armenia on July 13. He was to return to Russia in a few days time. Like Merujan Soghomonyan , Marine Papikyan also demanded that her son be sent home from the seized police building. Garik lives in Russia and came to Rmenia to change his passport. I phoned him in the morning to know his whereabouts, Garik said he did not know where he was, he only said he was inside a building, Mrs. Papikyan said adding that she understood everything after hearing the news about the attack on the police premises. By the way, the police do not confirm that these two men are in the seized police headquarters. They say they only responded to the request of desperate parents who were looking for their sons.
United Nations: India has hit out at the "subterranean" cover given to terrorists at the UN by China which has vetoed action against Pakistan-based masterminds of attacks on India, and demanded reforming the process of imposing sanctions on terrorists and their protectors.

Deriding the Security Council committees that deal with sanctions as a "subterranean universe" because of their secrecy, India's Permanent Representative Syed Akbaruddin on Tuesday called for opening up their voting so that those vetoing action against terrorists are made to publicly acknowledge their role.

Speaking at a Security Council debate on it working methods, he diplomatically avoided naming China but it was clear his criticism was directed at Beijing that has used the secrecy of the sanctions committee, which is one of the so-called subsidiary bodies of the Council to veto action against Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohamed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar and against Islamabad for freeing Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

"When a Council resolution is voted upon all of us know who votes for what and member states explain their positions," Akbaruddin said, adding "However, in the subterranean world of subsidiary bodies there is no explanation given. No one says what is the rationale."

"Furthermore, a rejection does not even surface in the public space," he added. "No one indicates who specifically is not supporting a request. Indeed, proposals that can't make it are buried without public acknowledgment that they were ever considered."

While vetoes in the sanctions committee were ultimately leaked - as in the case of Beijing providing cover for Pakistan-based terrorists - the absence of a public record of the decision-making allows countries to avoid taking responsibility for their action.

Akbaruddin also criticised another aspect the decision-making system of the sanctions committee, where rulings have to be unanimous unlike in the Councila, where only the permanent members wield vetoes.

"While the trend now is to consider means to curtail the use of the veto in the Council's own work," he said, acein the subterranean universe all Council members have extended vetoes to themselves as members of Sanctions Committees."

"The adoption of principles of anonymity and unanimity has absolved individual members of accountability," he asserted.

When India asked the sanctions committee to add Azhar, the mastermind of the January attack on Pathankot air force base in its list of terrorists, China vetoed it even though all the other 14 members supported taking action. If the panel, popularly known as the 1267 committee after the Council's resolution number setting it up, had acted Pakistan and other countries would have been required to freeze his assets and ban his travel.

Last June, China also blocked India's demand for taking action under the Council's anti-terrorism resolutions against Pakistan for freeing Lakhvi, the Lashkar-e-Taiba mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people were killed.

Turning to another crucial area of interest to India, which is historically the largest provider of troops to UN peacekeeping operations, Akbaruddin called for regular and inclusive consultations between the Council, the Secretariat and the troop contributors.

The lack of such dialogues has "generated frustration on all sides and underminedathe implementation of mandates", he said citing the case of South Sudan where more than 2,000 Indian peacekeepers are deployed.

As conditions have worsened in the civil war-torn country, Akbaruddin said, "there has been talk and suggestions about increasing the number of troops; of possible expansion of mandate; deployment of a rapid action brigade; measures for protection of civilians; and calls for an arms embargo."

But "at no stage have there been efforts at institutionalised consultations" with troop contributors, he said.
Istanbul: Turkey sent the United States four dossiers on the Islamic cleric it believes was behind the weekend's failed coup attempt, according to news reports on Tuesday, as the government seeks his arrest amid widespread dismissals in state institutions.

Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Turkey had sent the files on Fethullah Gulen, an Islamic cleric living in self-imposed exile in the US, according to CNN Turk.

Turkey's post-coup purge continued on Tuesday, raising to nearly 29,000 the number of government employees who have been suspended in recent days, including more than 6,300 soldiers.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has promised Washington ample evidence linking Gulen, who lives in Pennsylvania in self-imposed exile, to the coup attempt, but asked why the US is demanding so much proof.

"Why do you insist on evidence when it is so clear and obvious anyway, while you did not ask for evidence for Bin Laden?" the premier said.

The US confirmed receipt of the Turkish documents Tuesday though declined to say they constituted a formal extradition request.

"I cannot confirm a formal request has been made, but Turkish officials have sent over electronic documents that the US is currently reviewing," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said.

"The US doesn't support individuals who conspired to overthrow democratically elected governments," Earnest said, adding: "There also is due process to which people who live in the United States are entitled to."

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by phone and condemned the coup attempt while lauding the Turkish people's "resolve against this violent intervention."

Obama however urged that the "investigations and prosecution of the coup's perpetrators be conducted in ways that reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law," the White House said.

He also said the US would provide "appropriate assistance" to Turkish authorities investigating the coup attempt.

The latest purges include 15,200 people at the ministry of education, 257 employees of the prime minister's office and 492 people at the Presidency of Religious Affairs, Turkey's highest governmental religious body, state news agency Anadolu reported.

Among the dismissals were nearly 3,000 members of the judiciary, with nearly 1,500 judges and prosecutors arrested.

Among the soldiers arrested were 115 generals. Anadolu reported 650 civilian detainments and 990 civilian arrests. Also, 210 police officers have been suspended.

The Council of Higher Education was also demanding the resignation of 1,577 deans.

Turkey's broadcasting authority has revoked the licences of 24 radio and television stations, accusing them of ties to the Gulenist movement. This follows the blocking of about 20 online news portals in recent days.

Anadolu updated the death toll, saying 173 civilians were killed in the revolt along with 67 members of the security forces. Nearly 1,491 people  loyalists and civilians  were reported injured.

The foreign ministry said on Sunday more than 100 mutineers had died in the failed putsch.

The office of the chief of staff of the Turkish armed forces vowed to punish "treacherous terrorists" who perpetrated the failed coup attempt at the weekend.

"Those scoundrels who caused this humiliation and disgrace to the republic of Turkey ... will be punished most severely," a statement read.

Erkan Kivrak, described as Erdogan's main military aide, has also been taken into custody, Anadolu reported. He is the second high-level aide to the president to be detained.

The coup attempt has opened up a debate in Turkey on reinstating the death penalty as a form of punishment for plotters.

Turkey's main right-wing party on Tuesday threw its support behind bringing back capital punishment.

The leader of the National Movement Party (MHP), Devlet Bahceli, said that if Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) were ready to put forth a constitutional measure, then MHP would back it.

Together, both parties would have enough votes to call a referendum on the death penalty, which Turkey abolished in 2004. The referendum would need only a simple voter majority to pass.

But UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein warned that Turkey has signed on to an international agreement aiming to abolish the death penalty, and that international law does not permit withdrawing from such pacts.

"I urge the Turkish government to refrain from turning back the clock on human rights protections," said Zeid.

Reinstituting capital punishment would be diplomatically troubling to many of Turkey's Western allies. The EU, which Turkey has sought to join since 1999, does not allow the death penalty.

Erdogan said on Monday in his first interview since the putsch attempt that he and legislators would discuss reviving the death penalty, saying that he would "approve any decision [on the issue] to come out of the parliament."
Washington: With jihadist attacks proliferating around the world, the United States has reassembled its coalition partners for meetings Wednesday and Thursday to review a two-year-old war that has so far failed to eliminate the Islamic State group.

The militant group may have lost ground in Iraq and Syria, but in recent weeks it has claimed horrific attacks in Nice, Istanbul, Baghdad and Dhaka that have left hundreds dead and injured.

The attacks are "going to be a primary focus, obviously, of the discussions," Brett McGurk, President Barack Obama's special envoy to the anti-IS coalition, acknowledged.

For two days, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will meet with about 40 of their counterparts in Washington, including France's Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

Echoing French Prime Minister Manuel Valls' warning of more attacks ahead and and more "innocents killed," McGurk also cautioned: "Nobody can say these attacks are going to stop.

"Unfortunately, I think we are going to see more of these," he said.

McGurk emphasized that the coalition, which has conducted 14,000 air strikes in two years, is "succeeding on the ground." But he added, "We have a lot of work to do on (jihadist) networks."

The problem, says Michael Weiss, an expert at the Atlantic Council think tank, is that "at the territorial level ... ISIS is down but not out." ISIS and IS are an alternate acronym for the Islamic State group.

"It has lost its ability to back and hold large swaths of terrain but it has not lost its ability to wage ... opportunistic attacks," he said.

Washington maintains that since its peak in 2014 IS has lost nearly 50 percent of the Iraqi territory it conquered and between 20 and 30 percent of its Syrian strongholds.

In Iraq, with the fall of the Sunni bastion of Fallujah to government forces, the coalition has turned its sights on IS-held Mosul, bent on keeping the pressure on.

"We are going to reinforce the coalition's means," Valls vowed Tuesday night.

Peter Cook, the Pentagon press secretary, also insisted: "There is a sincere interest  and you'll see it reflected Wednesday at this meeting -- that that effort will accelerate".

But Weiss, for one, doubts that Mosul or Raqa, IS's "capital" in Syria, can be retaken before Obama leaves office in January.

In Syria, where civil war has claimed 280,000 lives and uprooted millions of people, the Syrian Human Rights Observatory said nearly 60 civilians, including children, were killed Tuesday in coalition air strikes near an IS-held village in the province of Aleppo.

Kerry just returned from Moscow where he reach an agreement with the Russians to cooperate more closely in an attempt to salvage a failing truce and focus on the jihadists.

But Kerry said the concrete measures adopted by Russia and the United States would not be disclosed to allow the "quiet business" of peacemaking to continue.

Two billion dollars for Iraq

The coalition will also be discussing what comes after IS, particularly in Iraq, the subject of a separate donors meeting Wednesday.

The United States, Japan, Canada, Germany, Netherlands and Kuwait are hoping to raise two billion dollars in pledges, according to US diplomats.

Baghdad needs the money to rebuild in areas that have been retaken and enable the population to return.

"Today is the time" for "assisting Iraq in the post-liberation area," Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari pleaded in Washington Tuesday.

Iraqi forces that recently retook Fallujah are advancing through the Tigris valley toward Mosul. They have recaptured the Qayyara air base about 60 kilometers (40 miles) south of the city, which US military officials say will serve as a launch pad for offensive operations against Mosul.

Washington has also announced that it will send 560 more US troops to Iraq to help the government fight IS and recapture Mosul.

That will bring to 4,600 troops the US military presence in Iraq five years after the United States' 2011 military withdrawal.
SUBSCRIBERS OF UCOMS ALL TIME BEST OFFER TO ENJOY ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Armenia-Azerbaijan: EU sets up monitoring capacity along the international borders

PACE co-rapporteurs on Armenia concerned by reports of alleged war crimes or inhuman treatment perpetrated by Azerbaijans armed forces

There is still 35% gender pay gap: Sona Ghazaryan

Global Finance Names Ameriabank the Safest Bank in Armenia

Mikayel and Karen Vardanyans provided 136 million AMD support for the overhaul of the Myasnikyan statue, which was in unsafe state of disrepair

Believe me, as a representative of a country which uses the Schengen system very often, it is quite important. Vardanyan

I really look forward to having answers from the Azerbaijani side for these alleged gross human rights violations: Secretary General

I call on Armenian and Azerbaijani parliamentarians to use this Assembly as an agora of opportunities President Tiny Kox

UCOMS SPECIAL OFFER OF THE UNLIMITED INTERNET IS NOW TERMLESS

There is no place for the death penalty in a State that respects human rights: PACE General Rapporteur

EU and CoE call on two Member States that have not yet acceded to this Protocol  Armenia and Azerbaijan  to do so without delay

An urgent debate requested on "The military hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan".

UCOM AND PES-PES CONTINUE COOPERATION WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECT

The statement of the meeting between Prime Minister Pashinyan, President Aliyev, President Macron and President Michel of October 6, 2022

Largest Corporate Bond Program at the Securities Market of Armenia Completed Successfully

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The statement of the Defender on the video of the execution of Armenian PoWs by the Azerbaijani armed forces

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STATEMENT BY SECRETARY ANTONY J. BLINKEN

This criminal act is another proof that the Armenophobia policy. Tatoyan

Nikol Pashinyan, Nancy Pelosi discuss a number of issues related to the Armenian-American agenda and regional developments

Delegation by Nancy Pelosi Accompanied by Alen Simonyan Visits Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Yerevan

Armenian Revytech, global technology leader SAP and financial services software specialist SAP Fioneer sign a cooperation agreement

With 120 million drams donated by Mikael Vardanyan, the defenders of the homeland will be treated in a new building

OSCE Chairman-in-Office and OSCE Secretary General call for immediate cessation of hostilities along Armenia-Azerbaijan border

Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh

USA Embassy Message for U.S. Citizens

ANCA Issues National Call to Action to Stop Taxpayer Funding of Aliyevs Aggression
Scope: Construct approx 350 LF of water and sewer main and to restore the project site: Construct 6" PVC water main and 6" DIP restrained joint water main by Open-Cut Method including valving, fittings, services and appurtenances, as well as the required interconnection to the existing distribution system; construct 8" PVC sewer main by Open-Cut Method including manholes, service laterals, fittings and appurtenances, as well as the required interconnections to the existing transmission system; The CONTRACTOR shall restore sidewalks, curbs, trees, sod, sprinkler, and signs damaged during construction; restoration and replacement of Signs and Striping to meet standards at the time the restoration takes place; The CONTRACTOR shall retain the services of a certified independent soils and materials testing lab to provide all soils, concrete, asphalt, density and materials testing as required.
The issue was also raised in US Department of State - Ambassador Mills (video)

Violence can never be an acceptable option for making political changes in Armenia. We are closely following the events in Armenia, because one of the primary tasks of the U.S. Embassy is to keep citizens informed about issues related to safety and security, U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Richard Mills said in conversation with A1+ and Azatutyun. Ambassador Mills said they continue to urge U.S. citizens in Armenia to stay away from Erebuni district as long as the situation remains unsafe there. The U.S. Ambassador to Armenia says he has not communicated with the Armenian authorities since Sundy. Richard Mills, despite watching the situation, however, has not been in touch with the authorities of Armenia since Sunday. The issue was raised in the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday. There was an urge from our side to the Armenian authorities to resolve the situation professionally and with restraint. Now it is time that all Armenians display respect for the rule of law to be able to resolve the situation peacefully, which, in my opinion, is what everyone wants, Ambassador Mills said.
Lenovo was expected to launch the Vibe K5 Note smartphone in India today, but the company just announced the launch date of the smartphone in the country, which is set for August 1st. It is the successor of the Vibe K4 Note that was launched in the country earlier this year.

It packs a 5.5-inch 1080p screen and is powered by an Octa-Core MediaTek Helio P10 SoC. It was announced in China earlier this year, but the intentional variant packs 3GB of RAM and is expected to run Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box.

Lenovo Vibe K5 Note specifications

5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) IPS display

1.8 GHz Octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor with up to 550MHz Mali T860 GPU

3GBRAM, 16GB internal storage, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD

Android 6.0 (Marshmallow)

Dual (nano) SIM

13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, PDAF, f/2.2 aperture

8MP front-facing camera, 77.4-degree wide-angle lens

Dimensions: 15275.78.49mm

Dolby ATMOS, Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE, WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 4.1, GPS

3500mAh battery

Lenovo also released a teaser video for the Vibe K5 Note that highlights the TheaterMax feature. The Lenovo Vibe K5 Note comes in Silver and Gold colors. We should know the price of the smartphone when it launches next month.
The Marcellus Shale, which extends from upstate New York south through much of Pennsylvania and virtually all West Virginia, is believed to hold enough natural gas to meet the entire energy needs of the United States for at least 20 years. Because it is such a vast resource, producers flocked to it to unlock the natural gas trapped within its tight rock formations. That said, while dozens of companies are drilling into the Marcellus, five in particular are dominating thanks to their strong positions in the core of the play.

Marcellus Shale 101

The Marcellus Formation encompasses about 104,000 square miles throughout the Appalachian region. While geologists have known about the Marcellus for decades, it wasn't on the extraction industry's radar as an exploitable energy resource until the early 2000s. In 2002, the U.S. Geological Survey put out its assessment for the undiscovered oil and gas resources in the Appalachian Basin, calculating that it contained as much as 1.9 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, which is roughly enough gas to meet the entire energy needs of 1.9 million homes for the next 15 years. While that is a lot, it wasn't an earth-shattering number.

Then, a year later, natural gas driller Range Resources (RRC -1.46%) started experimenting in the Marcellus using a combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing after those extraction techniques proved successful in unlocking the gas trapped within Texas' Barnett Shale. Range's first well began producing in 2005, and its early success ignited a drilling boom in Pennsylvania.

As producers unleashed a torrent of natural gas from the Marcellus' tight rocks, it led geoscientists to ratchet up their estimates for the play's potential. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration's latest assessment, the Marcellus' central corridor contains 143.8 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable natural gas; other estimates peg that number as high as 480 trillion cubic feet.

The leading Marcellus Shale producers

The Marcellus' quick rise in prominence has been remarkable. It's now the largest natural gas field in the country, producing a fifth of the nation's output. Driving this stunning ascent, according to research by the Pittsburgh Business Times, are five dominant producers:

Marcellus Shale Producer Number of active wells Shale gas production in Pennsylvania in Mcf (thousand cubic feet) Range Resources 749 415,052,274 EQT 402 380,941,991 Rice Energy 137 200,717,636 Chevron 312 171,203,550 CONSOL Energy 254 161,604,556

It is probably no surprise to see Range Resources at the top of the list, given that it was one of the early leaders in developing the Marcellus. The company's first-mover advantage enabled it to lock up 625,000 net acres in the play, with its position concentrated in the supersaturated southwestern Pennsylvania region. According to Range's gas-in-place analysis, there is more than 300 billion cubic feet of gas per mile locked beneath that region of the state -- twice the amount of gas per mile in other portions of the play. Range's dominant position in the core gives it the resources it needs to defend its spot at the top.

EQT (EQT 0.23%), likewise, holds a concentrated acreage position in the core, consisting of 660,000 net acres. It's a position EQT used to fuel a compound annual production growth rate of 31% since it started developing the Marcellus in 2009. Despite that rapid rise, EQT still has plenty of room for growth: The company estimates that 31 trillion cubic feet of resource potential underlie its position. For perspective, that is more than enough gas to meet all the energy needs of Pennsylvania for more than three decades.

While Rice Energy (NYSE: RICE) has a relatively small acreage position in the Marcellus at 94,000 net acres, it's right within the core of the play. Not only that, but the company boasts the lowest drilling costs per lateral foot. With its edge on costs and its assets' prime location, Rice Energy can drill very economic wells at current prices. That is why it was able to invest the capital needed to drive 53% production growth from its combined Marcellus/Utica position last year.

Big oil giant Chevron (CVX 0.46%) holds a dominant acreage position in the play at 718,000 net acres. Unfortunately, Chevron's extraction costs are not quite as low as its rivals', which forced it to scale back drilling in the Marcellus after prices weakened. However, the company is working to get its costs down, and has the financial capacity to ramp up activities quickly when prices recover.

CONSOL Energy (CNX -9.57%) also halted growth-related drilling in the Marcellus in light of weak prices. Instead, it is focusing on completing recently drilled wells to drive production growth this year. That said, like Chevron, CONSOL Energy has a leading acreage position in the Marcellus that it can use to restart production growth once pricing improves.

Investor takeaway

Natural gas saturates the Marcellus shale, especially in southwestern Pennsylvania. Because of that, producers that staked out prime positions in that region are currently dominating the larger play. While some have backed down on drilling in light of recently weak prices, their leading positions mean they can quickly unleash a torrent of new supply when natural gas prices improve.
It is Longbow Finance S.A.s clear intention to stabilise the group and create the basis for a competitive and successful future, read a Sauber statement. This transaction also secures the continuation of the brand Sauber in Formula One and will open opportunities to further grow the engineering activities of the group.

Monisha Kaltenborn, who is to continue as team principal and CEO, commented: We are very pleased that by reaching an agreement with Longbow Finance S.A., we can secure the future of Sauber at the pinnacle of motorsport.

We are convinced that Longbow Finance S.A. is the perfect partner to again make the team competitive and successful in Formula One.

The deal means Sauber remain under Swiss ownership, with Pascal Picci, President and CEO of Longbow Finance S.A., taking over from Peter Sauber as team Chairman.

As a Swiss company, we are very pleased with having secured the future of a Swiss presence in a highly specialized and innovative industry, said Picci.

Peter Sauber added: I am very happy that my courageous investment to buy the team back, which I made six years ago, with the intention to secure the base in Hinwil and the place in Formula One has proved to be correct.

Sauber, who made their F1 debut in 1993, have been enduring a tough season as management worked on securing the teams future. They lie 11th in the constructors standings, having so far failed to score a point in 2016.
NO COMPARTIR CONTENIDO DE "OF" O SERAN BANNEADOS: Los representantes de "OF" han denunciado a varios foreros por compartir el contenido con derechos de autor de ellos por lo que para proteger a la comunidad se prohibe compartir contenido de esa plataforma.

La ley en Costa Rica ha cambiado y debemos informar sobre el Articulo 196 bis.- Violacion de datos personales que dice que "Sera sancionado con pena de prision de tres a seis anos quien en beneficio propio o de un tercero, con peligro o dano para la intimidad o privacidad y sin la autorizacion del titular de los datos, se apodere, modifique, interfiera, acceda, copie, transmita, publique, difunda, recopile, inutilice, intercepte, retenga, venda, compre, desvie para un fin distinto para el que fueron recolectados o de un tratamiento no autorizado a las imagenes o datos de una persona fisica o juridica almacenados en sistemas o redes informaticas o telematicas, o en contenedores electronicos, opticos o magneticos"

En FDCR somos respetuosos de las leyes y como ha sido costumbre todas las denuncias interpuestas en el OIJ seran tramitadas y los temas que asi solicite la autoridad seran eliminados.
Facebook really wants you to watch live video on its platform, so it's enlisting the help of your favorite YouTube stars and enticing them with cold hard cash.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Facebook will shell out about $2.2 million over the next several months to lure YouTube and Vine stars to its Live platform. Case in point: Facebook is paying Vine celeb Jon Paul Piques, who earned fame on Twitter's 6-secind video platform for his humorous and sometimes raunchy videos, some $119,000 to use Live at least five times a month through September, according to the report.

He's one of almost two dozen "YouTube creators, Vine stars, and internet personalities" on Facebook's payroll, the Journal reports. The list also includes Ray William Johnson, famous for his "The Equals Three Show" on YouTube (which is on "summer break" at the moment), who will make about $224,000 during 5.5 months for his efforts on Facebook Live.

In a statement to the Journal, Facebook's Vice President of global operations and media partnerships, Justin Osofsky, said the company hasn't specifically hatched some sort of "acquisition strategy to go after Vine and YouTube stars," but is just seeking to "encourage experimentation" on Facebook Live.

Meanwhile, the money going to these Internet celebs is just a fraction of what Facebook has budgeted to make Live a success. The Journal says the company has committed to pay 140 media companies and celebrities more than $50 million to create Live videos. Most of that money will go to media companies like BuzzFeed and New York Times Co.

For those of you already on Facebook Live, catch PCMag's live show, Random Access, every morning at 10 a.m. ET via Facebook.com/PCMag. This morning's episode is embedded below.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.
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Residents stay under open skies after being displaced from their homes because of police building standoff (video)

It is already the 4th day residents of Yerevans Burnazyan street cannot enter their homes. They were displaced after the attack on a police station in the neighbouring Khorenatis street for security reasons. I have nowhere to live. Call your boss I want to talk to him. I have been under open skies for four days now. Let them give me a room in a hostel or somewhere else. All my relatives live abroad, Aida Sahakyan, one of the residents of Burnazyan street, said the policemen on duty who did not allow her to enter her house. The residents are surprised that after forcing them off their homes the state did not provide them with temporary shelters. There are many families who really have nowhere to go. On the other hand, how long can you bother your relatives  a day or two? We do not know how long this situation will continue, said Arevik Harutyunyan, another resident of the street. The angered residents want to know who long they are going to live under someone else's roof. By the way, as a result of negotiations, one of the residents was able to enter her house to pick up the necessary items.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack have emerged as the top two choices to be Hillary Clinton's running mate on the Democratic ticket, campaign sources told Fox News Tuesday.

Kaine, long rumored to be on Clinton's shortlist of vice presidential candidates, still seems to be the leading contender. The former governor, who represents a key battleground state, is considered to be a safe choice for Clinton, someone who could help her appeal to moderates who have been turned off by Trump's rhetoric.

However, Vilsack, a former Iowa governor who is a longtime friend of the Clintons, is being described as a "strong" second choice.

Clinton senior adviser Karen Finney hinted in a CNN interview Tuesday that the former secretary of state would announce her running mate on Friday. However, Finney later tweeted that no date for the announcement had been set.

One person who appears to have fallen out of contention for Clinton's vice presidential slot is Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The liberal senator, who has consistently heckled Republican nominee Donald Trump on Twitter, is still expected to be a strong advocate for Clinton during the general election campaign.

Some Democratic sources have told Fox News that Trump's selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate has cleared the way for Clinton to pick a similarly low-key candidate for vice president.
Ahead of his speech at the Republican National Convention, former 2016 Republican presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson joined the FOX Business Networks Melissa Francis to discuss the U.S. economy.

We the people are still in charge. But we may not be in charge if we dont use the brain that God gave us and intelligently analyze whats going on. Also, I want people to recognize that its not about Democrats and Republicans -- its about Americans."

According to Pew research, from 2000 to 2014, the middle class shrank and incomes fell in 203 of the 229 U.S. metro areas examined including Amarillo, Texas, Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Grand Junction, Colorado.

Carson said there are many ways Trump could bolster the middle class if he were president, including the creation of a more business-friendly environment.

We have regulatory burdens that are outlandish for a small manufacturer to comply with all the regulations thats $34,000 a year per worker. It makes it untenable to be able to compete in the international market, he said.

He also explained why Clintons proposed infrastructure spending and a focus on green energy wont work.

Two-thirds of the people in America will tell you we are on the wrong track; we are in the wrong direction. And the third that thinks we are moving in the right direction are paying very close attention quite frankly, both Democrats and Republicans have been guilty of leading us down this pathway, he said.
With jobs and the economy front and center during Tuesdays Republican National Convention, Former McDonalds USA CEO Ed Rensi discussed why he believes Donald Trump will get Americans back to work.

Clearly weve got to get people back to work. The unemployment rate in the African American community is unbelievably high Their income is down $4,000 a year on average. I dont trust Hillary Clinton, certainly based on the Obama Administration, to solve that problem I trust Donald Trump to build jobs because the man has done it repeatedly over and over again -- he has a track record. Weve got to do it for the health of our country, he told the FOX Business Networks Deirdre Bolton.

Rensi also said that the U.S. needs to lower its tax rate on corporations.

We cant live with an all-in 39% income tax on corporations. Were competing against Canada, hit 15%, we just cant do it [and] weve got to lower the tax rate. That money will be reinvested in training and development of technology and put back into growth, he said.
If we stay with the one, one-and-a-half percent economic growth as the new normal, were in trouble, he said. We wont be able to create the jobs we need going forward. We wont be able to drive the innovation we need.

Donohue said he also worries by 2026 the U.S. will no longer be able to pay for entitlements.

Youve got to reduce this massive explosion of regulations, he said. You have to stop attacking and trying to destroy the capital markets that are key to creating jobs in small companies and big companies. Youve got to face the reality on trade.

Donohue said 95% of the people American businesses want to sell to live outside of the U.S. He emphasized the importance of using hydrocarbons, oil and gas to drive the economy and change the trajectory of growth.

He also said he remains skeptical about how Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump would act as presidentespecially when it comes to global economic issues.

The new president is always someone that you have to worry about until you get the beat of what theyre really going to do, Donohue said. Its when you walk in and sit down in that chair and understand that the phones ringing off the hook from all around the world with serious problems and that the economy is in the can, then you have to face a fundamental reality that your decisions coming next week or next year are going to determine whether or not that gets better or gets worse.

When asked what he thinks U.S. trade should look like, Donohue said its time for a policy makeover.

Weve had trade deficits all the way back to the beginning of the country because we have been so productive and so innovative and because we are trying always to open markets all around the world, he said. We need a trade deal that opens markets for us.

With the 2016 election quickly approaching and Americans feeling more confused than ever, Donohue told Bartiromo he wants three things to ring true at the Republican and Democratic conventions.

I want stability, I want people to believe in economic growth, I want people to realize America has a responsibility around the world and we have to exercise it.
Just hours away from taking the stage at the Republican National Convention Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker reminded folks he is more well-liked than the two front runners who are in line to win the White House.

aMy approval rating is higher than Clinton or Trumpas and one of them is going to win the state of Wisconsina, said Walker during an impromptu gathering with members of the media in Cleveland. He added, aI think it is pretty clear between now and November 2018 my approval rating was pretty low and I got it back up again.a

Walker was one of the 17 Republican candidates that ran for the White House this time around and according to recent reports, including The National Review, he is pondering another run depending on his future as the Governor. aIf I choose to run I think part of it is making it clear to voters, I think I have to be clear my intentions are to run full term.a

While campaigning last year Walker told voters he was the right candidate to jump-start the U.S. economy which he described as astagnanta. Last June, during an interview on FOX Business Networkas Cavuto: Coast to Coast, Walker said the economy can experience aanywhere upwards to 4.5% growth if we did dramatic pro-growth policies.a

Walkeras ideas at the time included apulling back on regulations, unleash innovation and technology in this country, repeal Obamacare, use all the abundance of the energy policies we have and have fair and open trade.a

One year later, the U.S. economy continues to limp along with 1Q GDP rising a puny 1.1%.

Walker ended his presidential run last September.
LONDON  National Geographic Channel and Britains Channel 4 are partnering on a four-part drama about ISIS from writer-director Peter Kosminsky, who helmed the award-winning television adaptation of Wolf Hall.

The as-yet-untitled drama, based on extensive research and firsthand accounts, will follow four British men and women who join ISIS in Raqqah, Syria, the radical groups declared capital. Produced by Archery Pictures, the drama is set to premiere next year on Channel 4 in the U.K. and on the National Geographic Channel across the rest of the world.

National Geographic has always been on the forefront of covering the complexities of war in our documentary features and series, said Carolyn Bernstein, National Geographics executive VP and head of global scripted development and production. Peters scripts take that same bold, unblinking approach to telling the fact-based stories of young ISIS recruits, and offer an authentic and nuanced look inside one of the most serious global threats we face today.

Kosminskys most recent drama, Wolf Hall, earned a string of awards, including a Golden Globe for television series and a BAFTA for drama series, as well as the leading actor BAFTA for Mark Rylances depiction of Thomas Cromwells rise to power through Henry VIIIs royal court.

Kosminsky has often been drawn to controversial subjects. His drama Britz looked at a British Muslim family who are pulled in radically different directions in post 9/11 Britain. This won a BAFTA for drama serial. Kosminsky also shot The Promise, a love story against the backdrop of the conflict between Israel and Palestine, which was BAFTA nominated. Kosminskys factual drama The Government Inspector was about the search for weapons of mass destruction in the lead up to the Iraq War and the death of Dr. David Kelly. It won a best drama BAFTA. Warriors, his two-part film about British peacekeepers in Bosnia, won the Prix Italia, and a BAFTA award. Kosminskys additional credits include White Oleander, No Child of Mine, and Shoot to Kill.

Executive producers on the ISIS drama are Liza Marshall and Kris Thykier at Archery Pictures, and Bernstein for National Geographic Channels.
Urban Outfitters (URBN) has a line of politically-branded merchandise that enables customers to show off their political views.

Unless the customers are pro-Trump.

The line includes slogans like IDK Not Trump Tho and Vote Trump 20NEVER. It also includes pro-Hillary Clinton and pro-Bernie Sanders merchandise, and a book titled Quotations From Chairman Trump, which is touted on the website as being Unfiltered. Unabridged. Unauthorized. Unbelievable.

The clothier says theyre not taking sides, theyre just having fun.

These t-shirts are novelty items, not a political statement on the part of URBN, a rep for Urban Outfitters said in a statement. We stock thousands of novelty products such as t-shirts and mugs with popular and/or humorous statements. We dont commission these products; they are designed by independent artists who submit them to our merchandise buyers. Our product selection rotates frequently and is largely driven by the demand of our customers.

But not everyone is buying it.

Business should stay out of politics as a tool of marketing, said Brad Blakeman, former member of President George W. Bushs Senior Staff and current Professor of Public Policy, Politics and International Affairs at Georgetown University. They should not support one party or candidate over another. I will never patronize a store because they are being political, but I am sure to never patronize a store that is.

Nicholas Sarwark, Chair of the Libertarian National Committee, told FOX411 that while a private business has the right to not support a specific candidate it is wise to represent all options to consumers, even those outside of the two major parties.

Americans are pretty diverse in their political decisions. If they want to maximize sales, they ought to offer both sides: the Democratic nominee and the Libertarian nominee, Gary Johnson, Sarwark said. After all, he's polling better than the Republican nominee among millennials, who are the core demographic for Urban Outfitters. It would be good for their bottom line.

Democratic strategist David Mercer wondered if URBN did research to learn what their consumers would buy.

Urban Outfitters has probably done their projections and from what they see would suggest a healthy, vibrant market for the goods that are anti-Trump, said Mercer. He continued that left out Trump supporters could use the gap as an opportunity to open their own kiosks selling pro-Trump merchandise.

Dan Gainor, VP of Business and Culture at The Media Research Center, said leaving out pro-Trump apparel is a bad business model although a seemingly deliberate choice on behalf of the clothing company.

Offending a huge chunk of your market makes no sense, he said. But they made a business decision that they dont want Trump supporters shopping there.

Scott Pinsker agreed such a move could have financial effects on URBN.

Obviously, not everyone who shops at Urban Outfitters is a committed leftist. Simply by offering a few pro-Trump items, even if theyre outnumbered by anti-Trump items ten-to-one, would shield Urban Outfitters from criticism and potential boycotts, he said. Political campaigns come and go, but alienating large portions of the public can haunt you for decades.


Legalized euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are mainly used by patients with cancer, but remain rare, according to a new analysis of such programs.

In the last year alone, California has legalized physician-assisted suicide, Canada legalized both physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, and Colombia performed its first legal euthanasia, said John Urwin, a study author from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "In order to inform current debates, it's imperative to understand current laws and practices."

Definitions of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide vary between countries, Urwin and his colleagues write in JAMA.

Generally, they explain, euthanasia is when a doctor takes action to end a patient's life. When patients take physician-prescribed pills to end their lives, it's known as physician-assisted suicide.

The researchers assessed the legal status of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide by reviewing polling data and published surveys of the public and physicians, official state and country databases, interview studies with physicians and death certificate studies for the period 1947 to 2016.

They found no evidence for widespread abuse of these practices, according to their report.

In addition to Canada and Colombia, the practices are at least partially legal in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Physician-assisted suicide is also legal in the U.S. states of Oregon, Washington, Montana and Vermont.

Overall, support for physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia varies around the world.

Support for physician-assisted suicide in the U.S. increased from 37 percent in 1947 to 53 percent in the early 1970s and leveled off around 1990, with two-thirds of people in the U.S. supporting the practice.

In Western Europe, they write, support for physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia is strong and increasing. Meanwhile, support is decreasing in Central and Eastern Europe.

Researchers need better data on practices in countries with and without legalized physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, Urwin told Reuters Health by email.

His team found that in countries where the practices are legal, 0.3 to 4.6 percent of deaths are attributed to physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Over two-thirds of cases involved patients with cancer, they write.

Urwin said people mainly request physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia due to "loss of autonomy and inability to enjoy life rather than pain."

Most people requesting those types of deaths are older, white, and well-educated, he added.

Data from California will be important, Urwin said.

"As the largest and most diverse U.S. state to have legalized (physician-assisted suicide), it will be interesting to see if the characteristics of those seeking (physician-assisted suicide) are similar to those of the other states that have done so," he said. "Depending on how (physician-assisted suicide) is received in California, other states may be more or less likely to pass similar legislation."
Children at the Memorial Hospital of South Bend stare out the south-facing windows at the construction site next door. Their mission, like that of many other school-age kids, is simple: find Waldo.

The South Bend Tribune reported that, in this case, Waldo the tall, brown-haired man with a white-and-red striped shirt and hat is an 8-foot-tall wooden cutout that construction worker Jason Haney hides around the construction site. Each time a child finds Waldo, a hospital worker informs Haney, he hides the cutout again, and the search starts over.

It gives us something to talk about, Tracy Byler, coordinator of the Child Life Program at Memorial Childrens Hospital, told the newspaper. A big part of what we want to do is build relationships, so anything that gives us a chance to talk, like Wheres Waldo, is great.

Haney, who is working for general contractor J.J. White on Memorials $50 million expansion, came up with the idea after hospitalized children and their families liked a snowman that Haneys team built last winter.

The South Bend Tribune reported that Haney also finds getting the childrens minds off treatment is rewarding. When his daughter Taylor was 3, she suffered a stroke. Taylor surpassed doctors expectations to graduate high school and plans to attend Ball State University. She helped her dad paint Waldo, the newspaper reported.

Some of the children follow Waldos journey on the Facebook page Wheres Waldo: Memorial Childrens Hospital, which the hospital maintains.

Once, Facebook followers had asked if Waldo was OK after the South Bend Tribune posted a photo of lightning striking a crane that Waldo had been placed on, the newspaper reported. Waldo was.


The Zika virus, which continues to wreak havoc in the Americas, is at the forefront of many travelers minds as we head into the summer months. There is currently no vaccine commercially available for the virus, nor is there a cure for those who become infected, but there are a few ways to stay safe.

We recently got this question from a viewer:

Dear Dr. Manny,

Im traveling this summer and am concerned about the Zika virus. I dont want to buy bug spray with chemicals in it. Are there any essential oils I can use to ward off mosquitos instead?

Thanks,

Gina

Before booking your vacation, familiarize yourself with the so-called Zika hotspots, which are areas where the virus is prevalent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a travel advisory to anyone headed to areas in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, the Pacific Islands, South America and Cape Verde.

Its also important to consider the risks involved with travel to such areas. The Zika virus is particularly dangerous for expectant mothers and women of childbearing age. The virus can cause severe birth defects in developing babies such as microcephaly, which causes abnormal brain development. The virus can be contracted either by being bit by an Zika-infected mosquito, or through sexual transmission.

Most people who are infected with the virus do not experience symptoms, but those who do may suffer from fever, rash, joint pain, muscle pain, headache or conjunctivitis. If symptoms present within two weeks of traveling to a Zika-infested location, it is important to see your doctor.

Although there is no vaccine, you can take a few steps to protect yourself from this virus. Practicing safe sex with condoms, and protecting yourself from mosquitos by avoiding low-lying areas surrounded by water and covering exposed skin can help. The CDC has said it is safe to use insect repellant that contains deet, but for those looking to avoid chemicals there are also essential oils you can use.

Essential oils are a really great way to keep mosquitoes away that could be carrying the Zika virus because theyre natural, toxin free and they smell really great, Lara Riggio, owner of The Lara Touch Wellness Center in New York, and an eastern healing and essential oils expert, told FoxNews.com. Its super easy: Get a three ounce bottle so you can actually travel with it, [and] fill it halfway with water and halfway with witch hazel.

Then youre going to take your essential oils I like to use citronella, eucalyptus and tea tree oil youre going to take 10 to 15 drops, drop them in with the water, shake it up, spray it all over your body, Riggio said. The mosquitoes will stay away, and youll smell great.

For the most up-to-date information on the Zika virus and travel notices, visit CDC.gov.

Do you have a health question? Tweet us at @DrMannyonFOX.


A group of firefighters in Riverside County, California wanted to honor police officers killed in Baton Rouge and Dallas.

So firefighter Eric Hille decided to display a pro-police flag on one of the fire engines at Sunnymead Ranch Station 48.

Click here to join Todds American Dispatch - a must-read for Conservatives!

Youve probably seen the flag  its black and white with a blue stripe through the middle  symbolizing the thin blue line.

He posted the flag on July 17 -- just a few hours after a gunman attacked officers in Baton Rouge, killing three.

We just wanted to show our support for law enforcement, Mr. Hille told me. We wanted them to know that we stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with them.

Police officers appreciated the goodwill gesture  but some people did not.

Click here to stop the war on traditional American values. Read Todds latest book -- God Less America

The following day the fire chief sent an email to the firefighters  telling them the flag had to come down.

And your friendly neighborhood columnist received an exclusive copy of the email written by Chief John Hawkins.



Our foremost concern was whether the flag could create a safety risk for emergency responders due to extremists targeting the fire engine or for people following the fire engine and not being able to see the warning lights, the chief wrote.

He also said the fire department had to look at the big picture.

How is this perceived by not only the public, but also those that would seek to do harm to those in public safety? he wrote. Some feel the flag is an attempt to incite further violence against those who, to our very core, have dedicated our lives to protecting all lives.

The fire chief called the decision to remove the pro-police flag a difficult and painful decision.

Should we potentially increase the risk for our firefighters by flying flags, banners or signs in this time of divisiveness, he asked. Sadly, in this unsettled time the danger is possible.

What a load of Grade-A fertilizer, folks.

Its pretty clear to me the fire department big wigs were more concerned with the feelings of the anti-police crowd.

The type of flag -- while strongly supporting our LE (law enforcement) family -- could increase tension or cause a negative response within the community, the chief wrote.

The fire chief went to great lengths in his email to defend the decision  and took great offense at the criticism that he has rightfully received.

It is beyond belief to suggest management isnt acutely aware of or sensitive to the attacks on our LE brothers and sisters, he wrote.

It seems to me that the fire department management is more concerned about the feelings of a bunch of anti-police agitators than they are about showing their public support for law enforcement.

Mr. Hille was so disturbed by the incident he decided to post a message on Facebook. His story created massive outrage  so much so  that the fire department asked him to remove photos of the flag from his social media accounts.

As you can tell, the pictures are still posted and will remain posted to show our support for our brothers and sisters in blue, he wrote.

As we say back home in the South  good on you, Mr. Hille  good on you.
My Fox News colleagues are in Cleveland, diligently interviewing Republicans. Next week, they'll interview Democrats. I'm glad they do it -- because I despise most politicians.

There are exceptions, of course, but after years of reporting, I've concluded that most politicians have little to say that's interesting, and many are craven opportunists, desperate to rule over others.

A few stand out, like former Congressman Anthony Weiner. Like many politicians, he's never held a real job. He's run for office or worked for politicians all his life.

Weiner married one of Hillary Clinton's closest advisers, passionately pushed leftists' bad ideas and was a member of Congress.

Then a photo of an anonymous man's bulging underwear was tweeted from his account. He ended up having to resign from Congress.

That embarrassment alone would send most mortals into hiding, but not Weiner. He decided to campaign for mayor of New York City, and New York's Democrats even forgave him. Polls showed he was the front-runner.

Then came more sleazy stuff. He sent out naked pictures under the name "Carlos Danger."

A new documentary, "Weiner," chronicles these events. "This really is a great movie," says Reason.com's Anthony Fisher. It illustrates "how sick this drive for elective office can be."

In the movie, NBC's Lawrence O'Donnell asks Weiner, "What's wrong with you?" Weiner doesn't even understand the question. O'Donnell elaborates, "you cannot seem to imagine a life without elective office?" Weiner still doesn't get it.

Maybe one needs to be sick to run for office. Weiner is a disciple of New York senator Chuck Schumer.

Schumer famously said, "I was born to legislate." This goes to the heart of the political sickness -- the need to tell others how to live. As economist Walter Williams puts it, "I respect ordinary thieves more than I respect politicians. Ordinary thieves take my money without pretense. (They don't) insult my intelligence by proclaiming that they'll use the money that they steal from me to make my life better."

In the next weeks, as cameras record every utterance burped up by politicians at the political conventions, I'll take comfort knowing that when politicians can't force us to do things, people often ignore them (remember, government is force; this is why politicians are important, and dangerous).

Here's another happy story about people ignoring them.

After Anthony Weiner sleazed himself into oblivion, another clueless socialist, Bill de Blasio, was elected mayor of New York. De Blasio embraces every leftist cause. After the restaurant chain Chick-fil-A was attacked by Democratic interest groups because its CEO opposes gay marriage, de Blasio told New Yorkers not to eat there. He said Chick-fil-A spreads a "message of hate" and "wouldn't urge any other New Yorkers to patronize them."

Now, there's nothing wrong with a boycott. Boycotts are free speech, a way to voice disapproval without getting government involved.

Some craven politicians misunderstand that concept. Boston's mayor declared that Chick-fil-A was "not welcome" in his town, and some Chicago politicians said they would deny Chick-fil-A the necessary permits. After the politicians were told that they don't have a legal right to ban businesses because of things the owners say, they backed down. They just pushed the boycott.

When politicians support boycotts without using the power of their office to boycott by force, we get to see whether the public really cares what politicians think.

So at lunchtime recently, I walked around to see if (mostly pro-gay marriage) New Yorkers were honoring our mayor's request.

Nope.

In fact, at two Chick-fil-A outlets close to my office, customers lined up to get sandwiches. At one restaurant, the line was so long that it extended outside the store and onto the sidewalk.

I asked waiting customers why they went to Chick-fil-A, since our mayor says the company is anti-gay.

"I didn't think that had anything to do with the sandwich," said one. Another made me smile by saying, "Too bad. I don't care about what the mayor says."

When we have a choice, Americans ignore politicians. That's usually a good thing.
Protests and vocal democracy are alive and well at the RNC. I headed into the scrum in Clevelands Public Square as several political factions squared off to call each other racist. There were the Bible Believers, the Revolutionary Communist Party, Black Lives Matter activists and a pod of random anarchists who appeared to have floated in from Santa Barbara.

I immediately stumbled upon a middle-aged white man with a plump head who was surrounded by Indiana State Troopers.

Who was this portly lightning rod? Was it Sheriff Joe, who was confronted by Code Pink protestresses the day before and was similarly shuttled into a gassed-up getaway car? Nope. It was Alex Jones, the mercurial Truther, who had worked the crowd into a lather. One of the protesters told me Jones had been punched in the face, and he wished hed been the one who punched him.

There were people screaming about racist cops, such as Hasheem, a Black Lives Matterer who seemed passionate yet disheveled for one reason or another. I tried to talk to a few more BLMers, but despite their public cries and banner waving they shied away from my camera and mic.

On this day, the anarchists had their shirts or pulled over their faces, and they also mostly refused to talk on camera. And they all smelled. Bad. Like hobo-in-a-port-o-potty bad. Dont they have moms? And laundry mats? And working olfactory bulbs?

As the Bible Believers (or Believing Biblers, I didnt get their card), salvation banners and bullhorn in hand, made their way to the makeshift stage, the Black Lives-ers started calling them racist and suggested the eager Christians do very untoward (and unrepeatable) things to themselves. The Bible folk shouted back and asked if black lives in the womb matter, to which the other half of the crowd yelled more uncomfortable suggestions for things one might do only in the safe confines of a trusting marriage, and certainly not to oneself in a public square.

The anarchists have been a ubiquitous protest presence since the WTO riots in Seattle in 1999, which I witnessed as a talk radio host in the Emerald City. They clump together in black-clad bands; they usually have black bandanas and poor dental hygiene (swollen gums, cracked teeth, putrid breath  why is that??); and they love drama and group rabble-rousery. On this day, the anarchists had their shirts or pulled over their faces, and they also mostly refused to talk on camera. And they all smelled. Bad. Like hobo-in-a-port-o-potty bad. Dont they have moms? And laundry mats? And working olfactory bulbs?

These gallivanting attention whores claim to hate media amplification, but if they so hate the limelight, why are they jiggery-pokering all over heck and back to get all eyeballs trained on them? Why not become nocturnal exterminators or lonely mountaintop astronomers?

Because they have no drive, discernible talent or even a common political aim, other than not bathing and standing around pretending to be important to eye-rolling cops who would probably choose to do anything over slapping zip-tie cuffs on lazy, unwashed hysterics whose collective smell singes unsuspecting nostril hairs.

The Westboro Baptists finally showed up. No one likes them. Not Black Lives Matter-ers, stinky anarchists, outdated communists, Bible Believers, cops, Christians, rationalists, military sympathizers  No one. I think they hate themselves! They stood on stage and chanted God Hates Fags, which in this day and age  with all the instability, terrorism, strained race relations, so-so economy and political absurdity  is the dumbest, most asinine thing you can possibly chant in a life-and-death climate thats ripping apart with every passing tragedy. No wonder everyone hates them. They put the bore in Westboro!

All in all, everyone was looking for something that never quite materialized. I celebrate political protest, it is necessary and protected for a reason, but make it good people! I didnt see any arrests, there were no shots fired, no mob clashes  just a bunch of falsely modest idiots who all need to take a breath and a shower.
Hillary has never lost to a Republican.

The Republicans have lost the popular vote in five of the last six presidential elections.

They lost California all six times.

They lost New York all six times.

In the last presidential election, the Romney campaign had a massive computer program called ORCA that was supposed to help them track voters on Election Day. It didnt work.

In the last presidential election, Karl Rove thought Romney was going to carry Ohio. He did not.

In this presidential election, the Republicans sent 16 candidates at Donald Trump. He beat them all. He crushed Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio in their home states.

And yet somehow, all of these Republican commentators claim to know how to beat Hillary Clinton? Hillary has been running circles around these people for years. She has never lost to them. Why would we take their advice on how to beat Hillary?
Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes, responding to a report based on unnamed sources, Tuesday denied suggestions that he had sexually harassed anchor Megyn Kelly a decade ago.



His lawyer, Susan Estrich, said in a statement: Roger Ailes has never sexually harassed Megyn Kelly. In fact, he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him.

Kelly has made no public comment on the matter. A New York magazine story, citing sources familiar with a review being conducted by the networks parent company, said Kelly has told those looking into the matter that Ailes made unwanted sexual advances toward her about 10 years ago when she was a young correspondent at Fox. The law firm hired by 21st Century Fox is Paul, Weiss.

The review grows out of a lawsuit against Ailes by Gretchen Carlson, filed after Fox declined to renew her contract as a daytime host last month.



Carlson alleged that Ailes made comments about her physical appearance, and once told her that he would pick her to be stranded with on a desert island and that they should have had a sexual relationship long ago.

Ailes said in a statement then: Gretchen Carlsons allegations are false. This is a retaliatory suit for the networks decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup. When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms. Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit.

A number of female anchors at Foxincluding Kimberly Guilfoyle, Martha MacCallum and Harris Faulknerhave said in interviews that Ailes treated them professionally and that they do not believe the allegations against him. Kelly has not been among them.

In an interview with the Associated Press in May, Kelly said: Im very happy with Fox. Roger has taken very good care of me for 12 years. So I think it would be tough to leave him. But having said that, I don't know what the future will bring. It's a fickle business and anything can happen."

There were conflicting reports Tuesday in several news outlets, some later withdrawn or toned down, that Ailes was leaving Fox News, the nations top-rated cable news network, which he helped found 20 years ago. In a statement, 21st Century Fox said: Roger is at work. The review is ongoing. And the only agreement that is in place is his existing employment agreement.

The New York Times reported late Tuesday that Ailes and 21st Century Fox, now managed on a daily basis by Rupert Murdochs sons, James and Lachlan Murdoch, "are in the advanced stages of discussions that would lead to the departure of Mr. Ailes as chairman of Fox News. While it is impossible to predict the outcome of negotiations, I can confirm that such discussions are under way.
Angry street protests created havoc Tuesday at the Republican National Convention, forcing the Secret Service to temporarily suspend transportation for lawmakers and other officials trying to get to and from events within the roughly 1.5-square-mile complex.

Among the most chaotic scenes was a tense, midday standoff at an intersection close to where GOP congressmen and others do interviews at the TV networks makeshift studios -- halting traffic and sending nearly a hundred police officers to the scene.

The incident involved Trump and anti-Trump protesters, Black Lives Matter members and self-described anarchists.

Police in riot gear and on bicycles diffused the situation by separating the groups before violence erupted.

There were a lot of crazy people, a lot of uniformed people, said 18-year-old Sam Ditzhazy, a protester from Michigan who was holding a Trump: Make America Great Again banner.

There were unconfirmed reports later in the afternoon of protesters breaking storefront windows near that scene.

Earlier in the day, a skirmish broke out in the citys Public Square when right-wing conspiracy theorist and radio show host Alex Jones started speaking. Police on bicycles pushed back a surging crowd, and Jones was whisked away.

Minutes later, more officers on bicycles formed a line between a conservative religious group and a communist-leaning organization carrying a sign that read, "America Was Never Great."

The demonstrators also include anti-government and anti-Muslim groups.

The crowds and the police presence were some of the largest and most raucous gatherings in downtown Cleveland since the convention got underway Monday.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams was talking to the crowd Tuesday before some of the skirmishes broke out.

In addition, three people were arrested and charged with criminal mischief for climbing flagpoles outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum early Tuesday morning and hanging an anti-Donald Trump banner.

More than 300 officers from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies have come to patrol the downtown on bicycles over the four-day convention.

Rallies on Monday, the first day of the convention, included a small number of demonstrators openly carrying guns as allowed under Ohio law.

But the violence and destruction that many feared could erupt, amid an exceptional year of violence in the United States and overseas, has yet to occur.

Williams on Monday evening said the protests have so far been peaceful with just one arrest.

FoxNews.coms Joseph Weber and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Republican congressional leaders, joined by vanquished primary candidates, immediately worked to rally the party behind Donald Trump Tuesday night after their national convention formally nominated him for president  with House Speaker Paul Ryan calling on voters to hit the polls like never before and see this thing through.

Our candidates will be giving their all, theyll be giving their utmost, and every one of us has got to go and do the same, Ryan said from the convention podium in Cleveland.

Night Two of the Republican convention contained plenty of rhetorical body slams against presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Chants from the crowd of "lock her up" were frequent. But the night was also an opportunity for the so-called GOP establishment to make a very public show of unity and close the book on the raucous primary season.

Perhaps more than any other GOP leader on Capitol Hill, Ryan has had his share of scrapes with Trump over the nominees controversial remarks and tactics  but he closed his address Tuesday night with a call to action, saying, Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way.

Fellow Republicans, what we have begun here, lets see this thing through, lets win this thing, lets show America our best and nothing less, Ryan said.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, a former primary rival turned supporter, later warned that the country may never recover from another Clinton presidency -- saying, Im proud to support Donald Trump.

Now is the time for us to rise up and take America back, Carson said.

The speeches came on the heels of Republicans formally nominating Trump for president, with Indiana Gov. Mike Pence named to the ticket as his running mate.

Trump afterward addressed the convention hall via video message, saying: This is a movement  but we have to go all the way.

While party leaders called for unity, many of the convention speakers focused heavily once again on Clinton.

Hillary Clinton has changed her position so many times, its impossible to tell where the conviction ends and the ambition begins, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was considered for running mate before Trump ultimately chose Pence, delivered one of the toughest speeches of the night on Clinton. His address was frequently interrupted by chants from the crowd of lock her up.

We cannot promote someone to commander-in-chief who has made the world a more violent and dangerous place with every bad judgment she has made, Christie said. The facts of her life and career disqualify her.

Clinton fired back on Twitter:

If you think Chris Christie can lecture anyone on ethics, we have a bridge to sell you. https://t.co/c1nkZojJFL #RNCinCLE  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 20, 2016

But Christie got a positive response inside the hall.

"The way he delivered the speech, I think, spoke to the undecided. He presented the case against Hillary Clinton in a way the average person would understand," said Phil Phillips, of the Alabama delegation.

Even as some of the addresses were more Clinton than Trump, the days proceedings as a whole served to restore a sense of party unity at a convention that faced some disruptions a day earlier, when anti-Trump delegates tried to force a roll-call vote on rules that bound many of them to back Trump. The bid failed, but the anti-Trump forces caused a commotion on the floor.

For the most part, protests were few and far between, and largely kept under control, during the roll call for the nomination Tuesday evening. Trumps home state of New York put him over the top in the delegate count, with Donald Trump Jr. delivering the news on behalf of the delegation.

Congratulations, Dad, we love you, he shouted, as the giant TV screen on the floor declared him Over the Top.

He and Trump daughter Tiffany later addressed the convention, continuing to give Republicans a better picture of Trump as a man and father.

Donald Trump Jr. touted his fathers drive to tackle challenges and described the look in his eyes when someone says it cant be done. He said he saw that look when his father was told he couldnt possibly succeed in politics.

He paused and said with a chuckle, Yes, he did.

FoxNews.com's Joseph Weber contributed to this report.
Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack have emerged as the top two choices to be Hillary Clinton's running mate on the Democratic ticket, campaign sources told Fox News Tuesday.

Kaine, long rumored to be on Clinton's shortlist of vice presidential candidates, still seems to be the leading contender. The former governor, who represents a key battleground state, is considered to be a safe choice for Clinton, someone who could help her appeal to moderates who have been turned off by Trump's rhetoric.

However, Vilsack, a former Iowa governor who is a longtime friend of the Clintons, is being described as a "strong" second choice.

Clinton senior adviser Karen Finney hinted in a CNN interview Tuesday that the former secretary of state would announce her running mate on Friday. However, Finney later tweeted that no date for the announcement had been set.

One person who appears to have fallen out of contention for Clinton's vice presidential slot is Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren. The liberal senator, who has consistently heckled Republican nominee Donald Trump on Twitter, is still expected to be a strong advocate for Clinton during the general election campaign.

Some Democratic sources have told Fox News that Trump's selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate has cleared the way for Clinton to pick a similarly low-key candidate for vice president.

On Friday, the Associated Press reported that Warren, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro met separately with Clinton in Washington D.C., a day after Clinton campaigned with Kaine.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Trumps wall has come to Cleveland  and its made of pickles.

The most popular drink on The Society Lounges brunch menu this week, The Trump, is a high-quality orange-tinted Bloody Mary garnished with its very own wall of pickles. The cocktail is one of several politically themed drinks at the restaurant on East 4th Street and among the myriad irreverent Republican-themed items being sold across Cleveland during the GOP convention.

Across the street from The Society Lounge, the Crossroads at House of Blues restaurant boasts a promotion for Sailor Jerry rum: Make America Tasty Again, playing off Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps famous slogan.

Just up the street, you can find an array of street vendors hawking hats, shirts, buttons and bumper stickers with the Make America Great Again phrase  and a variety of anti-Hillary Clinton messages, the most popular of which is Hillary For Prison and several others of a far more vulgar variety.

One of those vendors, Bob Alexander, journeyed from Detroit with his custom-made buttons.

Alexander estimated there were between 80-100 different limited-edition buttons with Trumps likeness. The art can take him anywhere from two hours to two weeks to finalize, he said. Alexander produces the buttons for a living, under the moniker Guard Frog Designs, and he came to Cleveland hoping for a brief surge in sales.

Sitting at his table near the curb for 12-14 hours each day, he said business has been good.

All the merchants FoxNews.com talked to said they were pleased with the weeks sales numbers, and two young entrepreneurs from St. Augustine, Fla., are banking on the bucks to help jump start an app business.

Hayden Whetstone and Chase Grause flew into Cleveland on Sunday to set up their Trumpy Socks stand. Whetstone and Grause claim the long black and white socks  bearing Trumps image  will Make Feet Great Again. And though they profess to have supported Trump since the beginning, they also said they drew inspiration from Airbnb, which sold politically themed cereals to raise cash to bail the then-burgeoning company out of debt.

Capitalism at work, Grause said.

Back at The Society Lounge, bar manager Leanne Kubiez has kept busy during convention week mixing up The Trump and other Bloody Marys. Theres a drink named for RNC Chairman Reince Priebus  The Priebus (The Establishment) is made with standard Ketel One Vodka and house Bloody Mary mix; New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has The Christie (The Strong), featuring overproof vodka; Ohio Gov. John Kasich is the star of The Kasich (The Local), made from entirely locally sourced ingredients.

The Trump? Well thats more of a build-your-own drink  but for a reason.

Hes kind of all over the place, Kubiez said.

Theres only one drink on the menu that hasnt been in demand.

The Rubio, Kubiez said, referencing a drink named for Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. I think weve sold zero.
Chris Christie wasnt the only one prosecuting the case against Hillary Clinton last nightBen Carson tossed out a reference to Luciferbut he was clearly the lead attorney.

The onetime federal prosecutor delivered a political indictment that roused the crowd here in Cleveland, and the media reaction was sharply divided.

Was the guy who missed out on being Donald Trumps running mate doing the time-honored task of slamming the opposing candidate? Or did he cross a line by rousing the delegates to chant for Hillary to be jailed?

Has there been another spectacle like this in American political history?

As the governor ticked off the case against Clintoneliciting roars of guilty! inside the Quicken Loans Arenaleft-leaning commentators were appalled. But keep in mind that there will be no shortage of Trump-bashing next week in Philadelphia.

Christie went beyond the email investigation that could have led to criminal charges against Clinton, but for the judgment of FBI Director James Comey, to include foreign policy controversies in building his case.

On mishandling classified information, he said: Lets face it: Hillary Clinton cared more about protecting her own secrets than she did about protecting America's secrets. Then she lied about it over and over again.

Its easy to second-guess Christies performance. He made a tough run for the presidencyremember how he took apart Marco Rubio in that debate?and then drew widespread mockery for the way he endorsed Trump.

He openly campaigned for the VP nod that went to Mike Pence and made no secret of his disappointment.

So perhaps he was seeking some measure of vindication with his speech, or trying out for attorney general in a Trump administration.

But can Trump build a winning campaign by demonizing his opponent? Remember, these are two candidates with sky-high negatives. And the Democratic nominee is just as aggressive in casting Trump as unfit for high office.

On the left, Slate was apoplectic over Christies performance:

Chris Christies prosecutorial jeremiad against Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night, and the baying bloodlust of the audience, might seem normal. It is not normal...

Christies speech was logically incoherent. Even if you buy his damning interpretation of Clintons foreign policy errors, it doesn't make sense to discuss them as matters of criminal malfeasance. Emotionally, though, thats in keeping with how Clintons bitterest foes talk about her: as a person of absolute corruption, who, through some sort of occult trick, moves through the world with intolerable impunity.

On the right, National Reviews Jim Geraghty was more admiring, saying Christie certainly remains one of the toughest attack dogs in the Republican party. Its not often a convention speaker gets a crowd of delegates to chant LOCK HER UP! Christie bit into his role with gusto, inviting delegates to do something fun tonight, to hold Hillary Clinton accountable for her performance and her character, and asking the delegates to decide whether she was guilty, or not guilty.

The media, which had painted Christie as a perpetually humiliated lackey ever since he endorsed Trump, had to give credit where it was due. The Washington Posts Paul Rucker called Christies speech a master class on how to prosecute a political opponent. Salina Zito of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review praised his gripping case to the American people on Clintons judgment.

Christie pulled it off, but there is a danger that some of this rhetoric veers into banana-republic territory. One Trump delegate, New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro, said yesterday: Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.

Its no secret this is a divided Republican convention. In an atmosphere where some delegates remain anti-Trump and party leaders like Paul Ryan are barely mentioning Trump in their speeches, Hillary Clinton is a unifying force.

The question now is whether Trump and Mike Pence, while taking their shots at Hillary, will be equally effective at building a positive case for their newly forged ticket.
TV channel closed in Azerbaijan - jamnews

Late on July 18, the National TV and Radio Council (NTRC) of Azerbaijan temporarily suspended the broadcast of the local ANS TV channel in view of the appeal of the General Prosecutors Office. It turned out on July 19 that the TV channel suspended operation for one month, Jamnews reports. As meydan.tv has reported, the next day the state agency officials conducted an inspection in the building, while the TV channel staff were waiting for the news outside. The employees assume that Vahid Mustafayev and Mirshahin Agayev, the heads of the TV channel, are now in the Prosecutors Office. As the NTRC pointed out in its statement, having expressed solidarity with the Turkish people, the Azerbaijani community and the civil society institutes strongly condemned an attempt to overthrow the legally elected government. However, ANS TV channel took a position contradicting the spirit of brotherhood and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Turkey, carrying out a propaganda against the Turkish state and the government, expressing support to Fethullah Gulen, an organizer of the coup in Turkey. The Council believes, ANS TV reports and interviews portrayed the developments in Turkey as the authorities staged show, aiming at discrediting the measures taken by the Turkish government. The TV channels reporter interviewed Fethullah Gulen (a religious and public figure), a suspected in attempted coup, in the USA. The TV channel was closed after this interview had been announced. The Council admits, the decision was made on the Turkish Embassys request: The Turkish leadership, through its Embassy in Azerbaijan, expressed deep concern over that fact and requested to take adequate measures. Erdogan (the President of Turkey) controls 70% of the TV broadcasting and I have written that this information hegemony may play against the ruling party at any moment and it has already played, says Natiq Jafarli, a politician and economist, a member of the ReAL movements board. Not to mention that closure of the TV channel, in itself, is a very bad situation. Its another example of vulnerability of the state that is dependent on many factors. This ANS is like a bride, who has been disliked: sometimes she is returned to the paternal home and then taken back again, Nijat Melikov, a journalist, wrote on his Facebook page. ANS TV channel was subjected to the governments pressure on a number of occasions. The channel was fined on the NTRCs demand. This agency also insisted on closing some of the programs, expressing indignation over the anchors vocabulary. In November, 2006, the TV channel was deprived its license and ceased broadcasting until the early 2007. Having returned back, it started demonstrating greater loyalty than before. The TV channel greatly changed for worse during those years, said Magerram Zeynalov, a journalist. Earlier, when there were problems somewhere, the trees were cut down and the houses were demolished, ANS would appear and become the nations voice. Its no longer so. Nevertheless, even now, when I go somewhere, people would ask: Are you from ANS?
The Hillary Clinton campaign sent out an email Wednesday trying to fundraise off New Jersey Gov. Chris Christies address to the Republican National Convention the prior night, likening the speech to a witch trial.

Christies fiery address put Clinton on trial as he laid out her scandals and foreign policy record and asked the Cleveland audience if she was guilty or not guilty. The crowd yelled back Guilty! and chanted lock her up on several occasions.

Deputy Communications Director Christina Reynolds said the address marked a dark turning point in American politics, writing if you closed your eyes, you could imagine it being a lot like a witch trial.

Reynolds asked voters to chip in because the GOP had crossed the line.

Click for more at The Washington Free Beacon.
While Republicans prepare to welcome Mike Pence as their vice presidential nominee Wednesday night in Cleveland, Hillary Clinton is facing a running-mate dilemma as Democrats get ready for their national convention next week.

For Clinton, her list of potential vice presidential picks once included a deep bench of feisty candidates all willing to take up the cause. But recent controversies involving several top contenders may be forcing the presumptive Democratic nominees hand in eyeing safer alternatives  namely Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and USDA head Tom Vilsack.

The hits came at a rapid clip this week for others on the short-list.

One candidate thought to be an early favorite was U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro. But Castro, who met with Clinton in Washington last week, was just cited for violating federal law when he touted Clintons candidacy in an April news interview.

The Wall Street Journal then published a potentially problematic report on another prospect, Labor Secretary Tom Perez, who regularly retells the story of grandfather Rafael Brache being forced to flee the Dominican Republic for opposing the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo. Perez has praised his grandfather as being on the right side of history.

What Perez didn't offer up as often is that his grandfather was one of the dictators champions during the first five years of his three-decade rule.

The Wall Street Journal said Brache also held a string of high-level offices in the Trujillo regime, including being ambassador to the U.S. Brache reportedly expressed great optimism for the regime as late as 1935 when political assassinations had been well documented.

Amid these reports, campaign sources told Fox News that Kaine and Vilsack have emerged as the top two choices for Clinton's running mate.

Kaine, long rumored to be on Clinton's short-list, still seems to be the leading contender. The former Virginia governor, who represents a key battleground state, is considered a safe choice for Clinton, someone who could help her appeal to moderates who have been turned off by Trump's rhetoric.

However, Vilsack, a former Iowa governor who is a longtime friend of the Clintons, is being described as a "strong" second choice.

This suggests Clinton may also be leaning away from Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the firebrand liberal icon who also has the potential to turn off independent voters.

Republican strategist Jim Dornan called Kaine a "safe pick" -- and not a bad idea.



Id be a lot more worried about Elizabeth Warren, said Dornan, senior vice president at Artemis Strategies. Pence and Kaine balance out the tickets very well. They are both the same in terms of temperament.

While a Clinton-Warren matchup might provide more political fireworks, Dornan warned it might be almost too combustible and says Kaine would be the better bet.

An Ohio-based Democratic strategist told FoxNews.com that the controversies popping up around Clintons list of candidates going into next weeks Democratic National Convention is actually making the job of finding the right fit for the ticket much easier.

The media is vetting the candidates for her, the strategist told FoxNews.com. They are doing her job.

Castro's problems stemmed from touting Clinton in an interview earlier this year.

Clinton is the most experienced, thoughtful and prepared candidate for president that we have this year, Castro had said. Though he said he was taking off his HUD hat for a second and just speaking individually, the Office of Special Counsel said he violated the Hatch Act.

The Act forbids anyone in the executive branch  other than the president and vice president  from using his or her official position to engage in political activity.

It doesn't get better for Warren, who was once thought to be a strong contender for the No. 2 slot. The popular liberal senator has in recent weeks engaged in Twitter tirades against Republican nominee Donald Trump and Pence.

On July 16, she tweeted: Of COURSE @realDonaldTrump  a guy who calls women fat pigs & bimbos  picked a VP who is famous for trying to control womens bodies.

A minute later she tweeted, @realDonaldTrump & @mike_pence are a perfect match: Two small, insecure, weak men who use hate & fear to divide our country & our people.

Dornan said: To be honest, the White House isnt big enough to house both [Clinton and Warrens] egos.

Some Democratic sources have told Fox News that Trump's selection of Pence as his running mate has cleared the way for Clinton to pick a similarly low-key candidate for vice president.

During an interview with Charlie Rose on Monday, Clinton emphasized experience would be key in determining who will be on her ticket.

When Rose specially asked about Kaine, who has called his own personality boring, Clinton responded: I love that about him. I mean, hes never lost an election. He was a world-class mayor, governor and senator, and is one of the most highly respected senators I know.

Fox News' Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.
A speechwriter for Melania Trump took the blame Wednesday for lifting passages from a 2008 Michelle Obama speech, admitting she made a mistake  while saying she offered her resignation, but it was rejected.

In a written apology put out by the Donald Trump campaign responding to the furor, a self-described in house staff writer at the Trump Organization named Meredith McIver said she worked with Melania Trump on her opening-night convention speech.

She said that she wrote down passages from the first lady's speech during planning discussions, after Melania Trump mentioned them as the kind of message she wanted to share.

I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech, she said. I did not check Mrs. Obamas speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant.

The statement comes after Trump campaign officials repeatedly denied plagiarism charges a day earlier, and downplayed the controversy over the strikingly similar passages.

The similarities were noticed shortly after Melania's otherwise well-received speech, and the controversy dogged the Trump campaign for much of the convention's second day. Even ex-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski urged his replacement, Paul Manafort, to find out who was responsible.

In her statement, though, McIver -- who also co-authored "Trump: How to Get Rich" with Trump -- said she offered her resignation to Trump and his family, "but they rejected it."

"Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences," she said. "I apologize for the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused."

Even as the campaign put out the statement, Trump complained on Twitter about how much attention the issue was getting from the media.

The remarks came toward the beginning of Melania Trump's speech, which was otherwise distinct from the address that Michelle Obama gave when her husband, then-Sen. Barack Obama, was being nominated for president.

"From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life, Melania Trump said in her speech in Cleveland.

In Michelle Obama's 2008 speech in Denver, she said: "And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: like, you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you're going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them and even if you don't agree with them."

Another passage with some similarities to the Obama address, which follows two sentences later in Melania Trumps speech, addresses her attempts to instill those values in her son.

"We need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow," she said. "Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

In the first lady's 2008 speech, she said, "Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values and to pass them onto the next generation, because we want our children  and all children in this nation  to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The Secret Service said Wednesday that it is investigating an adviser to Donald Trump's campaign who said Hillary Clinton should be "put in the firing line" over the Benghazi attack as well as her personal email server.

Secret Service spokesman Robert Hoback confirmed the investigation of Al Baldasero to The Daily Beast Wednesday.

Baldasero, a New Hampshire state legislator and convention delegate who advises the Trump campaign on veterans' issues, told a radio interviewer Tuesday that the presumptive Democratic nominee "is a disgrace for the lies she told those mothers about their children [in Benghazi] ... This whole thing disgusts me, Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason."

When asked Wednesday about his comments by the Daily Beast, Baldasero said, "Anyone that commits treason should be shot ... I believe Hillary Clinton committed treason. She put people in danger. When people take confidential material off a server, youre sharing information with the enemy. Thats treason."

New Hampshire GOP Chairwoman Jennifer Horn said in a statement that Baldasaro's comments are "appalling and have no place in public discourse." She added that she condemns his statements "in the strongest terms possible and urge him to immediately apologize."

New Hampshire House Speaker Shawn Jasper, a Republican, said Baldasaro's comments in no way reflect the views of the chamber.

He said that, like Hillary Clinton or not, "the idea that a New Hampshire lawmaker would suggest that a candidate should be executed is just outrageous."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Click for more from The Daily Beast.
A newly formed Senate Broadband Caucus is pushing the Federal Communications Commission to prioritize mobile broadband deployment in agricultural areas.

That caucus, founded by five senators from primarily rural states, sent a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler urging him to lean on the Universal Service Funds Mobility Fund to provide new mobile broadband in agricultural areas and preserve and upgrade mobile broadband where its currently available.

The caucus, recognizing that wired internet service is cost prohibitive in rural areas, is focusing its efforts on mobile internet as it seeks to close the high-speed gap.

More than ever before, U.S. farmers and ranchers are demanding reliable, high-speed mobile broadband services. Mobility is essential for new precision agriculture technologies to deliver productivity gains and environmental sustainability, the senators wrote. These technologies are transforming U.S. agriculture as American farmers and ranchers seek to feed, fuel, and clothe an ever-increasing global population using limited land, water, and other resources.

The letter was signed by a bipartisan group of 26 senators.

Click for more at Watchdog.org.
The Trump trains about to leave the station, and at least one question remains: will it leave without Ted Cruz, or will Trumps bitter rival climb on board?

The Texas senator is set to deliver his prime-time address in Cleveland  with no indication yet that he plans to endorse the Republican nominee. It is widely believed that Cruz is positioning himself for another presidential run, be it four or eight years down the road. And while his speech before the national convention Wednesday night represents a reconciliation of sorts with Donald Trump, the nominees campaign manager stopped short of predicting an outright endorsement from Cruz.

I think he'll say something and give a sign of where he is on Donald Trump that would be pleasing to the Trump campaign and Republicans, Paul Manafort told reporters Wednesday morning.

He said their operations have been talking back and forth about Cruzs planned speech. Manafort said he planned to look at a draft soon.

I'm comfortable that Senator Cruz is going to talk about his vision for America, he said.

While party unity was on display Tuesday night, Cruzs address could have an impact. He placed second in the delegate count during the nominating process on the floor, and still has plenty of loyal supporters in the convention hall  some of whom disrupted proceedings on Monday.

But come Tuesday night, after Trump and running mate Mike Pence were formally nominated, House Speaker Paul Ryan and other party leaders tried to bring the delegates and GOP voters together.

Our candidates will be giving their all, theyll be giving their utmost, and every one of us has got to go and do the same, Ryan said from the convention podium in Cleveland.

Perhaps more than any other GOP leader on Capitol Hill, Ryan has had his share of scrapes with Trump over the nominees controversial remarks and tactics  but he closed his address Tuesday night with a call to action, saying, Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way.

Fellow Republicans, what we have begun here, lets see this thing through, lets win this thing, lets show America our best and nothing less, Ryan said.

Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, a former primary rival turned supporter, later warned that the country may never recover from another Clinton presidency -- saying, Im proud to support Donald Trump.

Now is the time for us to rise up and take America back, Carson said.

Trump also addressed the convention hall via video message, saying: This is a movement  but we have to go all the way.

While party leaders called for unity, many of the convention speakers focused heavily once again on Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton has changed her position so many times, its impossible to tell where the conviction ends and the ambition begins, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who was considered for running mate before Trump ultimately chose Pence, delivered one of the toughest speeches of the night on Clinton. His address was frequently interrupted by chants from the crowd of lock her up.

We cannot promote someone to commander-in-chief who has made the world a more violent and dangerous place with every bad judgment she has made, Christie said. The facts of her life and career disqualify her.
Wednesday marks the 47th anniversary of when NASA astronauts first landed on the moon, a giant leap of an accomplishment that still resonates today, over four and a half decades later.

Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins blasted off from Earth on a massive Saturn V rocket on July 16, 1969. Four days later, the Eagle module landed on the surface with Aldrin and Armstrong inside; Collins stayed behind in the orbiting Columbia craft.

Millions of people back on Earth watched, captivated, as Armstrong was the first down the ladder, then uttered his now-famous line: Thats one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.

Armstrong described the moons surface as being very, very fine-grained as you get close to it its almost like a powder.

At this point 47 years ago we had begun our orbit around the Moon. #Apollo11 pic.twitter.com/LXupuCUFmO  Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 19, 2016

The astronauts eventually returned to Earth, splashing down four days later in the Pacific. On the moon, an American flag and a plaque that read, in part, We came in peace for all mankind, remained.

Wednesday, 47 years later, Aldrin took to Twitter, posting a short clip of the lunar landers descent, followed by Armstrong saying the Eagle has landed, as well as a GIF of the ship in orbit around the moon.

Aldrin, wearing a pair of red, white and blue suspenders, and a black T-shirt with an astronaut and an eagle on it, also appeared in a Facebook Live event commemorating the anniversary Wednesday.

Only 12 people have ever walked on the moon.

NASA also celebrated another important milestone on Wednesday: the 40th anniversary of the Viking 1 lander's arrival on the surface of Mars. Viking 1 and 2 were launched from Earth in 1975, and on July 20, 1976, Viking 1 landed on the red planet-- the first time an American craft had done so. (Its originally scheduled landing date was July 4, 1976.) Viking 1 beamed back pictures, analyzed the planet, and even kept transmitting information until November, 1982.

Follow Rob Verger on Twitter: @robverger
Mysterious radio broadcasts out of North Korea are raising Cold War concerns in South Korea, the AP reports. A woman read a string of meaningless numbers on North Korean state radio for two minutes on June 24.

It happened again last Friday; this time for 14 minutes. Popular Mechanics gives an example of what this sounded like: "On page 459, question number 35, on page 913, question number 55, on page 134..." and so forth.

The woman on the radio says the numbers are "review assignments in physics" or "practice assignments in mathematic lessons." But what they really sound like are the secret messages North Korea used to send to its spies in South Korea during the Cold War.

While some in South Korea believe North Korea is once again using the radio to pass missions along to its spies, experts aren't so sure. North Korea stopped using this method in 2000 with the advent of the internet and newer, better methods of hiding messages.

It would be odd for North Korea to go back to an outdated system that South Korea already knows about. Plus, broadcasting these kinds of messages immediately alerts everyone that you're doing something shady.

If it really is espionage activity, its pretty old school," writes Matt Novak at Gizmodo. "But I guess thats how North Korea operates these days anyway. Experts think it's possible the strange numbers are just North Korea's attempt at psychological warfare.

The country is currently upset with South Korea for hosting a US missile defense system. (It's not that happy with the White House, either.)

This article originally appeared on Newser: Strange North Korean Radio Broadcasts Raise Old Fears
If you haven't yet upgraded to Windows 10, you're not alone.

On July 15, Microsoft conceded to ZDNet that it will not reach its goal to have the operating system installed on 1 billion devices by mid-2018, as originally planned. The current tally is closer to 350 million.

In the year since the operating system's release, the company has been pushing hard to get consumers to embrace the product, peppering them with pop-up notices and even unexpected installations. A California travel agent whose laptop upgraded without her knowledge was recently awarded $10,000 in damages.

In theory, the Windows 10 offer should be a no-brainer: This $119 operating system that's packed with new features is free of chargeif you upgrade by July 29. According to Steve Gibson, host of the podcast Security Now, however, Microsoft breached the public's trust when it started using strongarm tactics to push the product on its customers as a security update.

"It became serious nagware," he says. "You can't get rid of it."

Spurred on by consumer complaints, Gibson used his coding skills to create a computer program called Never 10 that rewrites two files in your operating system's registry to halt the middle-of-the-night upgrades and disable the reminders. Never 10 has since been dowloaded from his website nearly 1.4 million times.

As it turns out, people aren't inclined to upgrade just because they can. "If there are that many people willing to be proactive about not accepting Windows 10," Gibson says, "that's a real punch in the eye."

To be fair, though, there are millions of users who like Windows 10. So how do you decide whether the free upgrade is for you?



Windows 10 or Never 10?

If you ask me, the operating system is well worth a try. I use it on my PC, and while the cumbersome tile interface occasionally leaves me frustrated, Im a fan of nearly everything else. Microsofts lightning-quick Edge browser, Xbox Play Anywhere (which lets you play compatible Xbox games on your PC), and voice-controlled assistant Cortana all made the upgrade worthwhile. And the guaranteed security updates, bug fixes, and online tech support until October 2020 are a welcome bonus.

If you rely heavily on certain applications to manage your finances, archive your music, or edit video, though, the upgrade might not make sense. If those apps are incompatible with Windows 10, they might not function properly orhorror of horrorsat all. The operating system does have a Compatibility Mode feature to accommodate older apps, but you're better off knowing your favorite app will function before you take the plunge.



If you have an aging PC you might want to skip the upgrade as well. Even if the hardware can run Windows 10, it might end up being sluggish. And your upgraded machine might be missing essential drivers or software that enables Windows 10 to interact properly with graphics cards or wireless adapters.

What If You Hate It

According to Microsoft, you can give Windows 10 a try without buyer's remorse. If you decide you don't like it within 30 days of the upgrade, you can restore your previous operating system at no extra cost.

Reinstating your operating system isnt as simple as it sounds, though. Gibson recommends backing up your data before attempting the upgrade and creating a copy, or system image, of your machines hard drive. That way, if anything goes wrong and the rollback is unsuccessful, you have an unsullied copy of your machine pre-Windows 10.

One more thing: When you perform the upgrade, even if you end up choosing the rollback, you receive access to Windows 10 indefinitely. (Microsoft calls it an entitlement). That's another reason to give the company's offer some thought.

Don't wait too long, though. The deadline's almost here.



Copyright  2005-2016 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. No reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission. Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this site.
Macys is harnessing artificial intelligence from IBMs Watson supercomputer for an in-store shopping assistant.

The Macys on Call shopping assistant is designed to help shoppers as they shop and navigate through Macys stores.

Accessed via a mobile browser, shoppers can enter questions about products, services and facilities in natural language and Macys on Call will provide answers, such as details on the where specific items and services are located.

Developed with IBM Watson partner, Satisfi, the initial Macys on Call is being piloted at 10 Macys stores across the U.S. A Spanish language feature is also incorporated into the service.

The retail industry has been among the earliest adopters of cognitive computing  and we truly believe that Macys On Call will transform the shopping experience for todays consumers by providing them with real-time information as they navigate their local Macy's store, said IBM Watson Platform Manager Jonas Nwuke, in a statement emailed to FoxNews.com. At the same time, by tapping into Watsons APIs for the pilot, Macys will gain better insight into customer behaviors, helping drive future product and service offerings.

Watson, which is famous for its appearance on the quiz show Jeopardy, is at the heart of IBMs efforts to expand its technologys reach across multiple industries. The supercomputer was recently used by fashion house Marchesa to develop a cognitive dress that made its debut at the Met Gala.

The supercomputer is also at the core of a new partnership between the tech giant and Under Armour. As part of a deal announced at CES earlier this year, Watson will power what IBM and Under Armour are touting as the worlds first complete health and fitness insights app.

The supercomputers ability to trawl vast troves of data has also been targeted at the healthcare sector via partnerships with insurance firm WellPoint and New Yorks famous Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care Center. In 2014 IBM announced an investment of more than $1 billion in its Watson Group in an attempt to boost development of cloud-based applications and services. IBM has also enhanced Watson in an attempt to speed up the pace of scientific breakthroughs.

Boston Childrens Hospital is also harnessing IBMs Watson supercomputer to help doctors identify possible options for the diagnosis and treatment of rare pediatric diseases. Earlier this year Hilton Worldwide teamed up with IBM to pilot Connie, a robot hotel concierge powered by the Watson supercomputer. And Watson is being used to help U.S. military personnel make the transition back to civilian life.

In the retail space, The North Face and 1-800-Flowers are tapping into Watson for online shopping systems.

Follow James Rogers on Twitter @jamesjrogers
Turkey has banned access to the WikiLeaks website, the group announced Wednesday, after the release of a trove of documents purportedly related to the countrys power structure.

The documents, which were published Tuesday, contain information from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans ruling AKP party, according to Wikileaks. The email dump comes hot on the heels of Fridays failed coup attempt against Erdogan.

Erdogan government officially orders WikiLeaks to be blocked after publishing 300k emails from his party, AKP, Wikileaks tweeted.

Erdogan government officially orders WikiLeaks to be blocked after publishing 300k emails from his party, AKP pic.twitter.com/spQfv9XFfk  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 20, 2016

There was no immediate statement Wednesday from Turkey's Telecommunications Board, a government agency that regulates access to websites.

WikiLeaks said that it was targeted by cyberattackers as it prepared to release the documents on Tuesday. The whistleblowing site tweeted Monday that its infrastructure was coming under sustained attack.

We are unsure of the true origin of the attack, it added, in a subsequent tweet. The timing suggests a Turkish state power faction or its allies. We will prevail & publish.

WikiLeaks tweeted that we appear to have won our 24h cyberwar, just before releasing the documents Tuesday. However, shortly after, the site tweeted that we are under more cyber attacks, which we are winning, on and off.

We appear to have won our 24h cyberwar. The AKPemails part one will be released imminently. #TurkyPurge  WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) July 19, 2016

The Turkish government has previously banned access to websites deemed to be carrying material critical of Turkey, including YouTube and Twitter. Some opposition media websites were blocked following Friday night's coup attempt, which was quashed by security forces loyal to President Erdogan.

WikiLeaks said on Twitter that Turks who are blocked from accessing its website can "use a proxy or any of our IPs" to get access to the documents on Turkey's ruling party.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Healthcare costs are out of control. Premiums and co-pays are doubling, and deductibles are increasing at an alarming rate. Employers no longer guarantee a comprehensive benefit plan when youre hired, forcing you to spend more money on healthcare, even though your wages remain the same.

Most people believe they cant manage their medical expenses. Its all too hard to understand, they think. Most of us just dont know how to break down and challenge healthcare costs, so we accept the fees without protest and millions of Americans are declaring bankruptcy thanks to medical bills. In fact, Americans listed healthcare costs as the biggest financial burden, ahead of Social Security and higher education.

The time has come for consumers to take control. Healthcare is a business, and we should be able to act like smart, savvy and informed shoppers. Here are six insider secrets to hack your healthcare costs.

1. Your doctor makes more when you pay less.

Your doctors are drowning in hefty paperwork thanks to bureaucratic nonsense. Thirty percent of every insurers dollar on the individual marketplace goes towards administrative costs. Pay cash for your next visit and watch your doctor offer a major discount. Healthcare providers prefer to be paid upfront to avoid the expensive process of chasing after claims and unpaid medical bills and youre only paying for your doctors time instead of the insurance companys flat rate, which includes its own administrative costs as well.

Related: 4 Hacks for Lowering Health-Care Costs While Improving Employee Health

2. Prescription pricing is volatile.

The same way prices vary across Amazon, Best Buy and Target, so do prescription costs at different pharmacies. Pharmacy pricing can be as volatile as the stock market. A pricing survey from Consumer Reports revealed that prescription drug prices can differ by as much as 10 times between pharmacies, even within the same city. So, the next time you fill a prescription, use one of the many online tools available like Lowest Med or SingleCare to compare prices or just ask at the counter Can I get a better deal? and watch yourself save.

3. Branded drugs arent better.

Whenever possible, ask your doctor for the generic version of your prescription -- theyre less expensive than brand-name drugs -- a lot less expensive. In fact, you can save up to 52 percent on the daily costs of your medications if you purchase generic drugs instead of branded ones. And dont worry, the lower cost doesnt mean the drug is less effective -- brand and generic drugs have the same standards of quality and clinical effectiveness.

Related: 5 Ways to Make Shopping for Health Insurance Easier

4. See your doctor for less without leaving home.

Welcome to the 21st century. Talk with a board-certified, fully-credentialed physician through the phone or video chat and save money. Telehealth is a cost-effective alternative to seeing your doctor in-person for those minor health concerns like a cold or fever. You can pay between $40 and $49 for about 70 percent of the issues you schedule office visits for and save up to half of what it costs for an in-person check-up.

You may not even need to pay extra for telehealth. Everyone has access to this service either through their insurance company or with telehealth providers like American Well, so why waste money and time on an in-person doctor visit when you can improve your health at a lower cost in the comfort of your own home?

5. Price shop before paying your deductible.

Insurance doesnt guarantee the cheapest price when you visit the doctor. In order to receive full benefits from the insurance company, you first have to meet your deductible, which could range between $1,000 to $5,000. As they continue to increase, youre more likely to summit Mount Everest than reach this inflated, expensive and arbitrary number.

Shop for the best price and avoid your insurances inflated rates and convoluted billing process by paying cash. As the Wall Street Journal reports, when one patient needed an MRI, she could pay $1,100 out of pocket using her insurance, or just $600 if she self-paid in cash.

6. Dental and vision insurance arent worth it.

When you sign up for dental and vision insurance through your employer, an extra monthly fee is deducted from your paycheck, but since those services tend to be used infrequently, for low cost check-ups and cleanings, youll never get the value for what you pay for. Most people can avoid dental and vision insurance entirely. Theres a cheaper and more effective alternative -- pay for your dental and vision check-ups out-of-pocket.

Related: Can We Turn to Our Smartphones During Mental Health Crises?

For example, the cost of dental premiums can range up to $400 annually according to NADP estimates. However, if you only visit the dentist twice a year, and he charges you a flat fee of $100 if you pay in cash upfront, thats $200 in savings per year. Vision insurance is very similar. You can also find better pricing on dental and vision networks by hitting up Google and doing some online research. Or you can negotiate your own prices if youd prefer, but we recommend using online tools like SingleCare or Healthcare Bluebook as a point of reference.

Seriously, dont make your way blindly through your medical expenses and wait until you receive a bill in the mail to find out how much that mole check-up or chest X-ray cost. Be a smart shopper and talk with your healthcare provider, asking if cash is an option for certain services or if there is a cheaper prescription. Healthcare should be more like a trip to the grocery store and less like a shot in the dark, so take control of your healthcare journey and watch your medical costs decrease dramatically alongside your stress levels.
A Yale University dining services worker who resigned after smashing a stained-glass window depicting slaves has gotten his old job back.

Patricia Kane, an attorney for Corey Menafee, told the Associated Press Tuesday that her client was "delighted to accept Yale's offer" and would report for work Monday morning.

Menafee's has said he destroyed the window inside Calhoun College with a broomstick because he found it offensive. The name of the residential college has sparked protests because it honors former Vice President John C. Calhoun, an 1804 Yale graduate and an ardent defender of slavery.

Menafee, who is black, resigned and apologized before asking through his union to have his job back.

Earlier Tuesday, Yale spokeswoman Karen Peart said the university had informed Menafee's attorney that "we are willing to grant his request for a second chance at Yale."

"We are willing to take these unusual steps given the unique circumstances of this matter, and it is now up to Mr. Menafee whether he wishes to return to Yale," Peart said.

The Ivy League school has already asked Connecticut prosecutors to drop criminal charges against Menafee.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An Alabama man is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly poisoning and killing his neighbor's dogs with anti-freeze.

According to the Gadsden Times, Chief Investigator Doug Jordan says 27-year-old Carlos Enrique Guzman, of Attalla, about 60 miles northeast of Birmingham, was seen pouring something out of a bottle onto food and feeding it to two Chihuahua dogs. Police say Guzman then threw the bottle in the woods. The two dogs became sick and later died.

Police say the bottle was found and sent for testing at the Jacksonville State University Center for Applied Forensics. Preliminary tests indicated it was anti-freeze, containing the poisonous component ethylene glycol. The dogs' bodies have been sent to a lab to confirm cause of death.

Guzman was arrested Thursday, charged with first-degree animal cruelty and released on $5,000 bond.

It was not immediately known if he has an attorney.
The man who ambushed and killed three law enforcement officers in Louisiana purportedly described his actions as a "necessary evil" in a self-described, handwritten manifesto that an Ohio man says was emailed to him by the gunman less than an hour before the shootings.

Photographs of the three-page letter show it was signed by "Cosmo," the first name of an alias used by Baton Rouge gunman Gavin Long, and the pictures were attached to an email sent from a Google address that Long used.

In the letter, Long said he expected people who knew him wouldn't believe he would commit "such horrendous acts of violence." He wrote that he viewed his actions as necessary to "create substantial change within America's police force."

The Associated Press obtained the photographs of the letter Wednesday from Yarima Karama, a Columbus, Ohio, musician who said he didn't know Long personally but received several emails from him after Long began commenting on Karama's YouTube videos in March.

The AP was not able to conclusively verify Long sent the photos himself from his Google account. Metadata reviewed from the three photos indicates they were snapped shortly before 8 a.m. on the day of the shooting using a Motorola Android cell phone, but both photos and time stamps can be modified. The photographs appear to have been taken from inside a car because a gearshift and a cup holder are visible.

Police have said officers first saw the shooter at a convenience store at 8:40 a.m. Sunday. Within two minutes, there were reports of shots fired. Police gunned down Long after he fatally shot three officers and wounded three others. It was 29th birthday.

The violence capped two weeks of turmoil for Baton Rouge that began with the killing of a black man, Alton Sterling, by white police officers after a scuffle at a convenience store. That shooting, captured on cellphone video, provoked widespread protests about the police treatment of the black community.

Karama said he provided a copy of the letter to FBI agents who interviewed him at his home Wednesday.

Todd Lindgren, a spokesman for the FBI office in Cincinnati, said he could not respond to any questions about the case "due to the Baton Rouge matter being an ongoing investigation," and the FBI's New Orleans office also declined comment.

Louisiana State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said law enforcement officers found an array of hand-written documents in Long's car and the hotel where he was staying, but that he did not know if the material included the letter Karama shared.

"It was all rants and raves," Edmonson said.

In the self-described manifesto, which was started off with the words "Peace Family," Long wrote about a "concealed war" between "good cops" and "bad cops," and said he felt obligated to "bring the same destruction that bad cops continue to inflict upon my people."

Long, a black military veteran whose last known address was in Kansas City, Missouri, spent five years in the Marine Corps. He served one tour in Iraq before being honorably discharged.

Before the Baton Rouge shootings, Long posted rambling internet videos calling for violent action in response to what he considered oppression.

He did not specifically mention Baton Rouge or detail his plans for an attack in the letter.

"I know I will be vilified by the media & police," it read. "I see my actions as a necessary evil that I do not wish to partake in, nor do I enjoy partaking in, but must partake in, in order to create substantial change within America's police force, and judicial system."

Karama read the letter in a video posted on YouTube. He declined to provide the AP with copies of the other emails he said he received from Long or with additional technical information about Sunday's email that possibly could help the AP conclusively verify Long wrote the letter.

Karama, who described himself as a hip-hop artist and community activist, said he provided other information about Long's emails to various news outlets.

"I'm about building my own brand at this point," he said. "I've given the information to who I need to."
A cake shop owner in Virginia who pleaded guilty to distributing more than 100 pounds of cocaine and laundering the proceeds was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years in prison.

Forty-three-year-old Vernon Norvell of Portsmouth also was ordered to pay $690,000 in criminal forfeiture at his sentencing in federal court in Norfolk.

The U.S. Attorney's Office said in a news release that Norvell ran a large-scale cocaine operation at his home, his business called G's Cake Shop, and a Food Lion parking lot in Portsmouth.

According to court documents, Norvell used the proceeds from his drug dealing to buy a home, several cars and expensive clothing.

He reportedly confessed to selling more than $60,000 worth of cocaine a week, The Pilot newspaper reported, citing court records.

His attorney asked for leniency saying Norvell was sorry for his actions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
High temperatures and humidity will bake much of the central U.S. this week, making it feel as hot as 115 degrees in some places and leading some cities to open cooling stations and take other precautions.

The high pressure system, sometimes called a "heat dome," will push conditions to their hottest point so far this summer, though record hot temperatures aren't expected, according to the National Weather Service. Authorities from Minnesota to Louisiana are warning people to take precautions and check on the elderly and other vulnerable neighbors and relatives.

The temperature in the South Dakota capital of Pierre reached 105 degrees Wednesday afternoon. Misty Black Bear, who works for the state, watched as her new chocolate ice cream cone immediately started melting in the sun. She said she's fortunate her office has air conditioning.

State workers Katie Hruska and Kelsey Weber ate ice cream in the shade but planned to head right back inside when they were done.

"I eat ice cream in the winter, too, because it's delicious," Hruska said. "But, did we pick ice cream today because it's hot? Yes."

A 4-year-old Illinois girl was hospitalized Tuesday after being found unresponsive in a hot vehicle in a suburb northwest of Chicago. Details on her condition weren't released. Investigators think the girl climbed into the vehicle without her parents' knowledge after overhearing conversations about going to her grandmother's home for dinner, the McHenry County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday.

In neighboring Missouri, officials blamed heat for the death last week of an elderly woman in St. Louis County.

And officials at the Canterbury Park track near Minneapolis canceled live racing on Thursday, when the heat index was expected to exceed 110 degrees.

Temperatures were forecast to reach the 90s for most areas of the central U.S. starting Wednesday and lasting into the weekend in some places. High humidity will make it feel anywhere from 105 to 115 degrees.

"We're not talking record-breaking heat by any stretch," said Andrew Krein, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Chicago-area office. "The only thing is it is the warmest it's been this summer, so in that respect people may not be prepared for it."

Excessive heat warnings put out by the weather service were in effect Wednesday for parts of Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois.

Thunderstorms and a cold front descending south across Lake Michigan could provide some relief Friday for parts of the Great Lakes region.

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, ahead of flooding, Krein said.

Cities around the region were opening cooling centers. Health departments put out safety tips advising people to check on the elderly, stay hydrated and avoid strenuous outdoor activity. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration urged employers to protect laborers doing construction, road and agricultural work.

Jerry Main, who plants corn and soybeans on about 500 acres in southeast Iowa near Fairfield, said farmers plan outdoor work in early mornings to avoid the hottest part of the day.

"As far as cutting weeds by hand or manual labor outside I would say most farmers will spend a good share of the afternoon in the house," he said.

This time of year, many Midwest farmers are spraying soybean fields to control weeds, a task likely performed from the cab of an air-conditioned tractor. Others are applying fungicide to corn, which is sometimes done by airplane.

Krein, the meteorologist, said the maturing corn crops this time of year are partly to blame for the sudden increase in humidity, along with the main source: moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.

"Corn is a very effective transporter of moisture from the ground into the atmosphere," he said, adding that that moisture is also then blown over urban areas such as Chicago.
Startup lore is synonymous with stories of genius founders whove bucked the system. The youngest tend to get into top schools, only to drop out and start world-changing companies. Bill Gates did that -- as did Mark Zuckerberg. Richard Branson didnt even complete high school. The stories show diplomas are no prerequisite for success.

But for some, these stories might be proving something else entirely -- and giving some young minds a wrong impression.

Related: How to Be Taken Seriously As a Young Entrepreneur

A recent study examined attitudes about the value of education in white, working class, young men in Britain. The research, from London-based think tank LKMco and King's College London, found that students who are raised in certain communities tend to question the return on investment that higher schooling could bring.

Unsurprisingly, for the students in the study, this doubt is fueled by a host of factors, including high costs and incurring potential debt. But interestingly, for some, exposure to successful entrepreneurs, even local ones, can make schooling seem like less of a sure bet. For these students, many living in agricultural communities, entrepreneurship employs their parents, their friends parents, and even their friends, and is a real ramp to success.

Related: How to Avoid the 3 Mistakes That Cost Young Entrepreneurs Credibility

Explained one researcher, its a lot more difficult to persuade students from traditionally working class backgrounds...that university is a sensible use of their time and money when everyone they know is working in a small business.

Additionally, researchers quoted in the report claim students receive two messages reinforcing the idea that schooling isnt really key to success. The first is friends who go to university and return to low-paying jobs. The second is high-profile stories of entrepreneurs whove made their way without degrees.

Related: 7 Takeaways in the Success of Elon Musk for Young Entrepreneurs

To be sure, the tie to entrepreneurship in this report was an anecdotal mention in very targeted research designed to answer why a certain group was underrepresented in higher education in England. It wasnt a study exploring global connections between college admission and startup mythologies -- but it does bring up an intriguing point about how and why we believe what we believe when it comes to self-made success.

In part, the most famous entrepreneurs are often the biggest successes. In those stories, early decisions can seem momentous. Bill Gates dropped out of school, but had studied computer programming since age 13. By the time Mark Zuckerberg applied to Harvard, hed already turned down an offer from Microsoft to buy a technology hed built for his fathers dentist office.

Related: Mark Cuban Has 3 Tips for Young Entrepreneurs

Dropout stories seem to have the same effect, freeing entrepreneurs to find their successful futures. After all, didnt Snapchat's Evan Spiegel drop out from Stanford? He sure did. But so did Theranos' Elizabeth Holmes. Had she stayed in school, would her technology be under fire now? Or would it still have happened, only later?

No one can ever know for sure. As usual, the most important bona fide for any entrepreneur is a product or service that works and a company that thrives.

We want to hear from you  what do entrepreneurs really need to be successful?
Sheriff's deputies in South Carolina say a man shot and wounded his son to prevent him from burning himself and a home in Columbia.

Multiple media outlets reported that 31-year-old Felton Wayne Swindler doused himself with gasoline and tried to set himself and the house on fire Tuesday morning. Richland County Sheriff's spokeswoman Brittany Scott says Swindler's father shot him to prevent the fires.

Deputies responded to the incident and took Swindler to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Scott says authorities arrested Swindler on charges of attempted arson and assault and battery. She says Swindler's father has not been charged.
This year, 2016, is shaping up to be a milestone for the cannabis industry, with its legal branches (both medical and recreational) continuing to show growing demand and increased revenues.

Related: This Incubator Is Helping Cannabis Businesses Blaze a Trail Forward in a Budding Industry

Just last year alone, market estimates for legal cannabis sales, including both medical and recreational (adult use only), were pegged at $4.4 billion. For 2016, estimates, according to the Ackrell Capital U.S. Canabis Investment Report 2016, show a 30 percent increase, to $5.7 billion , as the industry matures and new markets like Oregon open up.

Another growth indicator bears mentioning: With this year's election, well see a number of prominent states, such as California and Nevada, voting for complete legalization, and other large states like Florida voting to enact medical laws.

Despite all this market potential, however, the cannabis industry is not without its difficulties, and fund-raising is one of them. Certainly, there has been a significant positive trend of more active investment in the space, but instances of traditional VC financing are still few and far between, albeit with some notable exceptions.

The limitations of traditional fund-raising

The biggest limitation to investment in cannabis has been its federal legal status. The Drug Enforcement Agency classifies drugs into one of five different groups based on their potential for abuse; among those groups, "I" is classified as the most dangerous, and "V" is the least.

Currently, cannabis is listed as a Schedule I drug, alongside some of the worst offenders, like heroin and LSD. This classification means that the federal government regards cannabis as an illegal substance. It also means that many limited partners of VC companies won't go near a cannabis investment.

Another limitation for VC entry is the complex patchwork of state laws, which might result in scaling difficulties. Varying state legislation makes it complex for companies to operate in more than one region, and the result is a reliance on brand-licensing agreements with local players; that makes quality control and consistency of the product difficult.

This fragmented legal framework impacts those companies in particular that work directly with cannabis -- less so ancillary services. Because traditional VCs often make big bets, hoping for big returns, the inability to scale directly and rapidly puts a damper on investment interest.

Exceptions to the rule

Even with these limitations, though, there have been some notable exceptions. There was, for instance, the investment Founders Fund made in Privateer Holdings, a cannabis private equity fund (disclaimer: Privateer Holdings acquired my own previous company, Leafly).

The Privateer Holdings investment brought with it a flurry of media attention and was one of the first, big VC-structured deals in cannabis. Other traditional VC firms that have invested in cannabis-related companies include Tao Capital out of San Francisco, DCM Ventures in Menlo Park and Dutchess Capital in Boston.

Related: 8 Celebrities Getting (Financially) High Off of the Budding Legal Weed Business

Alternative fund-raising methods

With traditional VC investments few and far between, a new opportunity has arisen for cannabis-dedicated funds to step in and support the industry. These include groups like MJIC, Poseidon Asset Management, Tuatara Capital and Tress Capital (disclaimer: Poseidon and Tress are both investors in Headset).

These funds are laser-focused on building a portfolio dedicated to cannabis-based companies.

Other routes of financing which have worked in other tech verticals include accelerator and incubator programs. One newer entry is Gateway, based in Oakland, California which helps companies turn their initial ideas and products into something thats ready for prime time, in exchange for a small percentage of equity.

In addition to these accelerator programs, there are specific groups such as ArcView, which have the capacity to get your company in front of a group of cannabis-friendly investors for demo days and pitch competitions.

Individual angel investors have also shown a real interest in and willingness to invest, as shown by recent investments in Meadow. Meadow is a platform for dispensaries to manage delivery operations; involved with the company are Y-Combinator partners Justin Kan and Alexis Ohanian and Reddit CEO and co-founder Steve Huffman.

Family-office investments are another channel for investing, as illustrated by events like the Cannabis Private Investment Summit, which discusses and showcases cannabis investment opportunities for high net worth investors and family offices.

Investing in cannabis has come a long way

Just a short number of years ago, you would have been hard-pressed to find any investment outside of small family-office groups or the small angel investor willing to take big risks. That all changed once Washington and Colorado legalized and people saw a real way forward in the industry.

Today, in contrast, countless opportunities for investment capital exist, and with 2016 shaping up to be a pivotal year and more states looking at legalizing cannabis for medical and adult use, well undoubtedly see even more capital entering the market.

Related: How Companies Are Trying to Bring Marijuana Ads Online
When a burglary suspect burst into a home in California Tuesday, reportedly carrying a rifle, an 11-year-old girl was forced to hide in an upstairs closet and send panicked texts to her mom.

The girl was home alone at the time, Fox 5 reported. Her mother said some of the texts read:

Someone is robbing the house.

Has a gun.

Call 911 please.

Im in my closet. Help.

The girl's mother, who was at work, quickly called for help. Mom did the right thing, police Lt. Ed Varso told The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Still, by the time police arrived at the house in Escondido, they said the suspect was gone. Investigators said the man ransacked a few rooms in the home, but did not say exactly what he may have stolen.

The suspect was about 6 feet tall with a buzz cut and saggy jeans, police said. He reportedly took off in a dark-colored pickup truck with a chrome toolbox in the cargo bed.

There was no indication the girl was hurt. Investigators did not name the suspect or the family.

The suspect apparently got in the garage through an unlocked door, then broke into the house through a locked door, Varso added.

Escondido is about 30 miles north of San Diego.

Click for more from Fox 5.
A billboard in Indiana has caused some controversy in the wake of the high-profile police killings and officer-involved shooting deaths of African-American men.

The electronic billboard in Muncie caught the eyes of plenty of people around the town Saturday and one person described it as vulgar and discriminatory. It read Hate cops? The next time you need help call a crackhead.

Megan Thomas told The Star Press on Sunday that she noticed the sign while walking with her niece. She said she was offended by the message, which she alleged was "vulgar, discriminatory to many different classes of people in our city. She said it also seemed to have been up ahead of a police brutality protest.

"I was very ashamed that something so dividing was present in Muncie," she added.

Thomas shared the photo on Facebook and drew a ton of positive and negative responses. She said by the early evening Saturday the message was out of the rotation.

The Star Press reported that by Monday two other messages were up on the billboard: "Love, Respect, Support Law Enforcement and Love, Support, Support Law Enforcement."

The billboard is located in the parking lot of a liquor store in Muncie. Chris Johnson, the owner of the store, told the paper that he called the billboard company to tell them that he was hearing complaints about the messaging and he was told it would be taken down immediately and reworded.

Johnson said he was berated by complaints and told the paper that he didnt hear from anyone about the message on the sign before the controversy unfolded.

Muncie police Sgt. Chris Kirby said Saturday in a Facebook message that Muncie Liquors "had absolutely nothing to do" with the billboard message nor did any police in the town.

The people behind the billboard have yet to come forward.

Click for more from The Star Press.
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Rep. Mark Takai, a first-term Democrat from Hawaii, died Wednesday after battling cancer.

Takai, 49, died at home surrounded by his family. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer, said Rod Tanonaka, Takai's chief of staff.

Born on Oahu, Takai served in the state House of Representatives for 20 years before he was elected to Congress, first winning his statehouse seat at age 27. He served as a longtime lieutenant colonel in the Hawaii Army National Guard for more than a decade and was deployed to the Middle East as a part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Congress, he sat on the Armed Services and Natural Resources committees.

"Mark humbly and effectively served the people of his state House and Congressional districts," Hawaii Gov. David Ige said in a statement. "In the often tumultuous world of politics, he has been a shining example of what it means to be a public servant."

Takai was first diagnosed with cancer in October and initially expressed optimism that he would recover. But in May he announced he would not seek re-election after he learned the cancer had spread.

Takai's passing was mourned among his colleagues in Hawaii and Washington on Wednesday, with politicians recalling his gentle, kind nature.

"All of us were moved when he announced his cancer to Vice President Biden and the Members at the House Democrats' Issues Conference earlier this year," said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, in a statement. "Mark confronted his diagnosis with the spirit we all hope we would share when facing such an awful disease. As we mourn the loss of our friend, we draw fresh resolve to find cures."

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who served with Takai in the Congress, the Hawaii Army National Guard and the state Legislature, said Takai had "a servant's heart, full of aloha."

"No matter where he was, he always kept his service to Hawaii's people at the forefront of his actions," Gabbard said. "Mark's smiling face and ready laugh will truly be missed, but the impact that he made through his life of service to the people of Hawaii will always be remembered."

Hawaii Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Matayoshi remembered Takai as a staunch advocate for public schools who pushed tirelessly for education funding and resources.

Takai is survived by his wife, Sami, and two young children. "The Takai family thanks the people of Hawaii for their support during this difficult time," said a release by his office. His family requested privacy.

"This is the deepest of losses and one that I feel very personally because of my friendship with Mark," said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. "Throughout his life, he was all about serving the people of Hawaii. He gave so much, and had so much more yet to give."

Ige's office was researching next steps to determine whether the governor would appoint a replacement or if the Legislature would have to be called into a special session, spokeswoman Jodi Leong said.
The Kansas City, Kansas police officer shot and killed Tuesday never had the chance to return fire before the suspect in his killing fired several rounds into his patrol cars passenger window, investigators said Wednesday at a news conference.

Capt. Robert Melton, one of the police officers who responded to reports of a drive-by shooting, died from his injuries at around 2:55 p.m. inside the University of Kansas Hospital, about an hour after the shooting. He arrived at about 2:22 p.m. and did not have a pulse, doctors said.

Authorities said that Meltons death appears to be the result of a suspect desperate to escape and does not fall in line with the national narrative of planned attacks against law enforcement officers.

Kansas City Police Chief Terry Zeigler did, however, stress that "words matter." He spoke to reporters surrounded by religious leaders.

"Hate and anti-police speech has got to stop," Zeigler said. "Because the consequences are real. Our blue line got a little thinner yesterday with the loss of Capt. Melton."

Police did not release the suspects' names because charges hadn't been filed. A third person who had been taken into custody was determined not to have been involved and was released, police said.

Attorney General Loretta Lynch on Wednesday addressed the recent string of shootings killing police officers. "Law enforcement is feeling under siege because of these incidents, and they are tragic... They have continually borne this weight. And certainly we want to highlight the issues today, use them to start a conversation, but let's not forget that our brave men and women in law enforcement have always been engaged in an inherently dangerous undertaking."

This is the officer shot & killed today in Kansas City, KS. Capt. Dave Melton. Police still searching for suspect(s) pic.twitter.com/nLVPnVCaxt  Christa Dubill (@christadubill) July 19, 2016

It's the second time a Kansas City, Kansas, police officer has been shot and killed this year. In early May, detective Brad Lancaster was fatally shot near the Kansas Speedway, and Melton had served in the police honor guard at Lancaster's funeral. The shooting also comes as police departments across the country are on edge after ambush attacks left eight officers dead in Texas and Louisiana.

"There's a lot of pain and brokenness in our community and our nation right now, and we just want to ask everyone to be prayerful and thoughtful right now," Mayor Mark Holland of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County said.

Melton was a 17-year veteran of the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department. According to his LinkedIn profile, he had also served in the Kansas Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan from September 2010 to March 2012.

Outside the hospital where Melton died, local Baptist preacher Jimmie Banks  a friend of the city's mayor  sat dejected on a bench, head lowered, after attending the news conference announcing the officer's passing. He said it was painful to sit in that room and see the grief-stricken faces.

"The contributions that peace officers make to protect and serve  they deserve better," said Banks. "When they leave home, the family expects them to return. It's shameful this has happened."

Fox News' Catherine Herridge, FoxNews.com's Edmund DeMarche and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
A quick scan through the business media on any given day yields a vast number of how-to guides for hiring and maintaining a staff of millennials, as if they were exotic house pets that require special care. These tips usually recommend offering perks like happy hours, flexible working hours and of course, ping pong tables. If only it were that simple. The way we work today is shifting in some dramatic ways. This is driven by a number of factors and millennials are just one of them.

Each generation holds certain overarching views about hierarchy, corporate loyalty, necessary skills sets and what a good work ethic looks like. The question for managers shouldnt be, how do I deal with these confounding millennials, but rather how do I manage the stressors that occur when people of different generations are working under the same roof? Instead of focusing on the whims of the younger generation, managers need to look at the big picture to smooth tensions and reconcile the views and approaches of both groups.

Related: 7 Ways to Bridge the Boomer-Millennial Gap

Here are some common differences between millennials and boomers that todays managers need to recognize and how to balance them against each other to get the best out of your teams.

1. Tenure vs. merit.

For boomers and those who came before them, the thinking went, if you were loyal and put in your time, youd be rewarded by the company. Tenure was what drove increases in compensation and title promotions. Millennials have had to deal with a very different employment landscape, one affected by a sharp rise in temporary and freelance staffing that doesnt encourage, or even allow, workers to settle in for the long haul. Because of this, millennials believe that merit, not tenure should drive respect and upward mobility for workers. In their eyes, varied expertise, education, personal projects and career wins should count for more than the dates they signed their contracts. Managers should be open to taking into account the valuable experience and skill-sets one can build from working in varied industries, without dismissing the institutional knowledge and focus that comes with spending years and years at the same company.

2. The importance of hard skills.

Older generations saw the education to work pipeline as relatively straight. You went to school to gain a certain set of skills that you would then hone over the course of your career. In time, this highly developed set of technical abilities or industry expertise would be your most important asset. For millennials, the view is a bit more complicated. They value intangibles such as emotional intelligence, leadership qualities, communication skills and the ability to adapt quickly to new processes and technologies just as highly, if not more, than hard skills. Perhaps this is a result of growing up in a quickly changing environment that has a tendency to render some skills obsolete as fast as you can master them, or a byproduct of the way social media has trained the younger generation to think about self-presentation. The fact of the matter is theyre both right. Mastery of hard skills is only becoming more valuable as technology advances and more jobs become automated. Meanwhile, interpersonal skills and the ability to see the big picture in real time are crucial in an increasingly complex business environment. A strong, well-balanced team takes the best components of each view.

Related: When Your Employees Are Millennials and Your Customers Are Boomers

3. The definition of stability.

An increasing number of businesses are waking up to the fact that its often cheaper to hire freelancers or talent from the new breed of skilled flex workers we see emerging -- designers, coders, writers, etc. that companies can hire on an as-needed basis -- than hiring full-time staffers. This creates some friction between boomers who see full-time jobs with benefits as normal and preferable, and millennials who value the dynamism and increased knowledge that can come from working at a variety of companies on a short-term basis. Its not that millennials dont value stability; they view stability as gaining a diversified set of experiences and skills. They want to be able to rely on a paycheck just like everyone else, but many dont see full-time jobs with benefits as the best approach to achieving their career goals. This generational disparity is something recruiters need to keep in mind as they seek to attract talent and balance staffing needs between freelance and full-time.

Related: 4 Ways Millennials and Baby Boomers Make the Dream Team

In reality, millennials want the same things most workers want, including their older colleagues -- to grow in their careers, to balance their work and personal lives, to make a decent wage, to work in a positive office environment. The difference is their multi-tasking, diversification approach to achieving them. So, dont make changes to your business simply to appeal to millennials; make them to balance the ideals and work styles of all of your talent to optimize the common ground.
Maryland prison officials on Wednesday withdrew proposed regulations to impose the nation's first total ban on letters to inmates at state facilities, except for official legal correspondence and postcards.

The regulations were proposed to block inmate access to Suboxone, an addictive drug sold in thin strips that are easily concealed inside envelopes. The drug has been flooding the state's prisons. Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Stephen Moyer announced that a focus group would determine the best options for eliminating contraband.

"The group will also research the most effective procedures to ensure the safety of our staff and those in our custody," the department said in a statement.

Emergency regulations to limit inmate letters to legal correspondence were proposed last month to a state legislative panel by the department, but lawmakers got pushback from the American Civil Liberties Union about the impact on inmates' rights. The department had been planning to publish the regulations in the Maryland Register on Friday, but officials announced they were not moving forward, hours after The Associated Press exclusively reported on the proposed regulations.

The state says it intercepted more than 3,000 hits of Suboxone behind bars last year, roughly 44 percent of which were found in incoming letters. But the ACLU considers a ban on letters unconstitutional, and sent Moyer a letter Tuesday night urging him to reconsider.

"The proposal would rob families of one of the most profoundly significant forms of communication in our society," the ACLU said. "Under the new scheme, an ailing mother could not send her son a letter for him to hold onto after she is gone. A teen could not write her mom to tell her the things she can't say in a visit."

The ACLU argued that the very fact that so many doses of Suboxone have been recovered from letters is a testament to the effectiveness of the current system of mail vetting.

Also, maintaining close ties to friends and family outside prison is "one of the most critical factors in a person's success upon release," the letter said.

On Wednesday, ACLU staff attorney Sonia Kumar said the organization is "relieved" by the state's decision, but added that the proposal should have never been introduced.

"It's important to also step back and look at the broader context: This is one of several policy changes that have affected families' ability to stay in touch, and we're gratified that the department is planning to put together a work group of some kind to look at these issues, but we think any such group has to be done with meaningful partnerships with families who can really advise the department on coming up with solutions that do the least amount of damage," Kumar said.

While Maryland would have been the first state to enact such sweeping limitations on letters, local jurisdictions across the country have instituted similar bans. The ACLU sued the sheriff in Wilson County, Kansas, over its postcard-only policy. A Florida jail revoked its letter ban to settle a similar lawsuit.

Some state agencies have banned particular kinds of mailed material in an attempt to keep out Suboxone, which also can be soaked into certain materials. Utah in 2013 banned pictures made with crayons and markers or containing glue or stickers. Pennsylvania banned greeting cards that arrive in colored envelopes. The ACLU sued the New Hampshire prison system last year over a similar ban on greeting cards and artwork.

Teresa Hodge, co-founder of Mission: Launch Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to facilitating the re-entry of inmates into society, said her 70 months in federal prison for investment fraud would have been unbearable without letters.

"We want people to come home successful and self-sufficient and civically engaged, and part of that is staying in touch with the rest of the world and in your children's lives," she said. "My aunt, every other week she sent me a letter. She died soon after I was released. I still have the letters she sent me. I missed out on being able to be with her, but I have her letters."

Hodge added that she got a job before her release because a friend's letter described an opportunity.

"The biggest concern is, what condition will we return people in, and how will they connect post-incarceration?" Hodge said. "The fact that we'd make communicating with family, friends, support network even more challenging is really disturbing."
We all know how hard it can be to get through to teens, especially when it comes to as touchy a subject as the birds and the bees. Thats why public hospitals in New York are pioneering a way to alleviate the awkwardness and communicate with kids in a language they know well: emoji.

As part of a new NYC Health & Hospitals campaign to educate young people on sexual health and encourage them to take advantage of local resources, messages containing various emoji and the text, Need to talk to someone about it? are beginning to appear in teens Facebook and Instagram feeds. The eggplant and peach emoji are part of the campaign, as well as birds, bees and a monkey with its hands over its face.

The motive behind the ads is not only to educate teens about sex, but also to make them aware of the confidential care options -- from sexually transmitted disease testing to emergency contraceptives -- that the city provides at its 20 YouthHealth centers across the five boroughs. Clicking on one of the messages leads teens to the Health & Hospitals website, which provides information as well as a map with each YouthHealth center location labeled.

Were taking away all of the excuses for adolescents not to enroll in health care, Dr. Warren Seigel, chairman of the department of pediatrics and director of adolescent medicine at Coney Island Hospital, told The New York Times.

But before you roll your eyes and dismiss the hospital systems effort as an age-old attempt to jump the generation gap, think again. The campaigns design goes beyond embarrassingly co-opted slang and taps into the universality of emoji. By conducting focus groups with teenagers, Health & Hospitals found that using emoji would be the best way to communicate about sexual health with young people, according to the Times.

The campaign launched Monday and will appear in teenagers Facebook and Instagram feeds throughout the Greater NYC Area.
A manhunt was under way early Wednesday after shots were fired at two NYPD officers in Brooklyn.

Neither of the officers was injured.

According to the Sergeants Benevolent Association, the two officers were walking their patrol post Tuesday when someone in a dark-colored Nissan made some sort of remark about getting them and then fired shots at the officers.

Its unclear if the officers returned fire, according to WABC-TV.

The Sergeants Benevolent Association said authorities are searching for four black males. The post said that the car was dumped in the 67th precinct.
A U.S. Air Force lieutenant stationed in the United Arab Emirates was found dead in her room Monday and authorities were investigating the cause of her death.

An Air Force spokesperson identified the woman as 1st Lt. Anais A. Tobar, 25, according to the Miami Herald. The Department of Defense told the paper that Tobar was in the UAE supporting a U.S.-led operation against the Islamic State.

Tobar was assigned to the Fourth Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. According to the Air Force Times, the maintenance squadron is responsible for maintaining the equipment for the largest F-15E Strike Eagle fighter wing in the Air Force. The squadron contains 600 personnel.

She was in Abu Dhabi when she was found dead.

Mercy McGee, a longtime family friend, told the Miami Herald that six airmen told Tobars family on Monday of her passing.

There are not enough words to tell you what a loving and wonderful girl she was, McGee said. She was God-fearing, deeply devoted to serving others and her country.

Fourth Fighter Winger commander at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base Col. Christopher Sage released a statement, offering his condolences to the Tobar family.

The entire base joins me in sending our deepest sympathies to the Tobar family during this period of bereavement, he said. The bonds that tie the Air Force family together are strong, both down-range and at home station.

This tragedy affects us all; put your arm around those who are grieving, both personally and professionally.

Click for more from the Miami Herald.
The United States moved Wednesday to recover more than $1 billion that federal officials say was stolen from a Malaysian sovereign wealth fund and that was used for high-end real estate, fancy artwork and production of the Hollywood film, "The Wolf of Wall Street."

Justice Department civil forfeiture complaints seek the forfeiture of property including a Manhattan penthouse and a Beverly Hills mansion, a $35 million private jet and paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet.

The complaint, filed in Los Angeles, alleges a complex money laundering scheme that the Justice Department says was intended to enrich top-level officials of a government-controlled Malaysian wealth fund.

That fund, known informally as 1MDB, was created in 2009 by the Malaysian government with the goal of promoting economic development projects in the Asian nation. Instead, officials at the fund diverted more than $3.5 billion over the next several years through a web of shell companies and bank accounts in Singapore, Switzerland, Luxembourg and the U.S., the complaint alleges.

"In seeking to seize these forfeited items, the Department of Justice is sending a message that we will not allow the United States to become a playground for the corrupt," United States Attorney Eileen Decker, the U.S. Attorney in Los Angeles, said at a news conference. "And we will not allow it to be a platform for money laundering or a place to hide and invest in stolen riches."

Federal officials say more than $1 billion was laundered into the U.S. for the personal benefit of 1MDB officials and their associates. The funds were used to pay for luxury real estate in the U.S. and Europe, gambling debts in Las Vegas casinos, a London interior designer, expensive paintings and the production of films, including the 2013 Oscar-nominated movie "The Wolf of Wall Street."

The Justice Department said it was the largest forfeiture demand under an initiative that seeks to recover foreign bribery proceeds and embezzled funds.

The complaint identifies by name multiple Malaysian nationals that the government alleges profited from the scheme.

Among them is Riza Shahriz Bin Abdul Aziz, who co-founded Red Granite Pictures, a movie production studio whose films include "The Wolf of Wall Street." According to the complaint, eleven wire transfers totaling $64 million were used to fund the studio's operations, including the production of the movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

The complaint identified Riza as a relative of a Malaysian official, but did not name the official. He is the stepson of Prime Minister Najib Razak.

"Neither 1MDB nor the Malaysian people ever saw a penny of profit from that film or from any of the other assets that were purchased with funds that were siphoned from 1MDB," said Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell, head of the Justice Department's criminal division. "Instead, that money went to relatives and associates of the corrupt officials of 1MDB and others."

The Justice Department is seeking to seize any royalties and fees owed to Red Granite in the future.

A phone message at the movie studio on Wednesday morning was not immediately returned.

Malaysian government officials had no comment Wednesday in response to queries about reports of the Justice Department action.

But opposition lawmaker Tony Pua said Malaysia has become a laughing stock with the U.S. move as the government had insisted that no money was missing from the fund. He said the government must open up investigations into the fund and uncover the identity of the Malaysian senior official behind the money laundering.
The U.S. intelligence community is warning law enforcement agencies around the country of persistent terror threats posed by radicalized Western women.

In a Joint Intelligence Bulletin  or JIB  distributed Tuesday and obtained by Fox News, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and National Counterterrorism Center note a continued trend of Western female violent extremists engaging or attempting to engage in plotting against targets in the West, including their home countries.

The information was circulated after a review of recent arrests, as well as observations made following successful and disrupted plots.

The agencies find that extremist-sympathizing Western women are likely to continue to follow persistent calls by terror groups like ISIS and Al Qaeda to plot and/or carry out lone wolf-style terror attacks in their home countries or other Western nations.

Additionally, FBI, DHS and NCTC warn of the womens potential role in carrying digital surveillance of potential targets over the Internet through a practice known as doxing. Doxing leverages publicly available information on the web to plot attacks against specific individuals or locations.

Western female violent extremists have also demonstrated an ongoing interest in conducting supportive activities such as fundraising or traveling to marry foreign fighters, according to a body of court documents, press reporting, and public social media postings, the Joint Intelligence Bulletin went on to warn.

Since January 2015, fourteen women have been implicated in terrorism cases or charged with crimes related to terror attacks in the United States, according to data from the Justice Department.

The most recent charges came in April in an immigration fraud case against two women with family ties to San Bernardino gunman Syed Farook and his wife and co-attacker Tashfeen Malik.

In its latest assessment, FBI, DHS and NCTC also note the global trend of Western female violent extremists going down the path to terrorism at a younger age. The Joint Intelligence Bulletin specifically cites several cases in which European female teens either attempted or conducted attacks on behalf of a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) or tried to travel to ISIS-controlled territory in Iraq and Syria.

We remain concerned Western female violent extremists who are unable or unwilling to travel abroad could instead choose to engage in violence at home, the intelligence bulletin added.

Neither the FBI nor DHS would comment directly on the Joint Intelligence Bulletin.

In an emailed statement, an FBI spokesperson told Fox News, As part of the continuous dialogue with our law enforcement partners, the FBI routinely shares information about potential threats to better enable law enforcement to protect the communities they serve. We urge the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.


The persecution of Christians in Iraq and Syria has exposed a rift among the half-million Chaldeans in the U.S., igniting furious debate as to whether the religious minority -- subjects of ongoing genocide at the hands of ISIS -- should remain in their ancestral home or seek asylum abroad.

According to leaders within the Chaldean community, which is an Iraq branch of the Catholic Church, there are two opposing factions within the religious community. One is led by Baghdad-based Patriarch Sako, who closely aligns under the governance of Pope Francis and holds particular influence among the 250,000 Chaldeans located in the Detroit area. Sako urges Chaldeans to hold fast to their bloody homeland.

Then there is the other side helmed by Bishop Sarhad Jammo, who until last week presided over Southern California's 150,000-plus Chaldean community. Jammo advocated for Chaldeans to flee the war zone for their own survival. The two metropolitan regions host roughly 80 percent of American Chaldeans.

As ISIS began its onslaught, Jammo joined forces with Mark Arabo, a national spokesperson for the American-Chaldean community and founder of the California-based Minority Humanitarian Foundation, to work closely with the White House and Congress to advocate for Christians to be resettled in the U.S. as the ISIS threat spread. The two also sought to facilitate safe passage for the religious minority out of the war-ravaged region.

We wanted to ensure that people who wanted to leave had the means to do so, but we also supported those who wished to stay, Arabo told FoxNews.com.

Yet Sako has forcefully disagreed with such a stance on multiple occasions.

A Christian community that was born in these lands cannot organize exodus trips that will mark its distinction, he told the Vatican insider last year.

Patriarch Sako's opposing position prompted Arabo to last year compile a list of some 70,000 individuals in Iraq and Syria who sought to leave as refugees. But the Patriarch soon doubled down, and in an unprecedented move last September, issued a decree stating that any priests who were originally from Iraq and currently serving in San Diego were to return to the conflict-inflamed country immediately or risk excommunication by the Patriarch.

Sako insisted that the priests did not have permission to leave their posts in Iraq, and stated that their duty as church leaders is to live and die in the place where God calls us.

You cannot preserve a culture when the people are being systematically exterminated, Arabo argued. During genocide, politics must be an afterthought to the lives of Christian families.

Christians have been persecuted in post-Saddam Hussein Iraq, with numbers dwindling from 1.5 million in 2003 to less than 275,000 today, due in large part to the infiltration of ISIS. Several churches have been decimated, and priests have been particularly targeted. But for some being told to return, Iraq hasn't been home for decades.

One such leader ordered back to his birthplace was the popular Father Noel Gorgis, who is a naturalized U.S. citizen and has been living in America for more than 30 years. He served as a monk in Baghdad and has said he was granted permission to flee in an effort to avoid mandatory service in Husseins army. He and eight priests, all part of the Chaldean Catholic Diocese of St. Peter the Apostle in San Diego, were suspended for refusing to comply with a decree that they return to Iraq.

On Sunday, Gorgis told FoxNews.com that the leader of the Chaldean Church terminated his priestly service in the Chaldean Church, but vowed to remain a Catholic Church priest for life.

I am doing Mass at faithful homes in El Cajon, he said. The U.S.A. is my country to live and the Chaldean faithful are growing here. Here is our future.

Jammo and Arabo made an appeal to the Vatican requesting Pope Francis to overturn the decree, and in a somewhat surprise move in January, the Vatican sided with the Chaldean Church of San Diego over the Patriarch. Pope Francis invalidated the decree and affirmed that Gorgis and others did not need to return.

Sako issued a statement indicating that he does not accept the popes jurisdiction to rescind his directive. Earlier this month, Jammo was forced to resign and has since appointed an administrator to oversee current church affairs while continuing to demand other priests leave their positions in San Diego and return to Iraq.

Last week, Gorgis received his marching orders with a letter slipped under his door demanding he return to Baghdad, and that his communications with the diocese he has long served will be terminated Friday.

Where is justice? I am really sad. If there is no justice in the church, where can we find it? Gorgis told FoxNews.com. There is no church law to force me to leave my church where I was baptized and ordained.

Patriarch Sako, the Vatican and St. Peter's Church did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Within the Kurdish peoples rugged army is an elite unit that specializes in rooting out ISIS sleeper cells and responds first when the black-clad jihadist army strikes in northern Iraqs no-mans land. They are called the Black Devils by the terrorists they hunt, and they embrace the name.

Made up of 400 of the Kurdish forces known as Peshmerga, the Black Devils boast a high enemy body count, a Spartan regimen and the ability to induce panic in the dark hearts of their foes. Their fierce tactics and effective intelligence gathering make them as feared as they are despised.

"It is a special kind of hate they have for us," Major Raad, a former interpreter for the U.S. Army during the Iraq war, told FoxNews.com from the group's headquarters in Teleskof, just 8 miles outside of the ISIS stronghold of Mosul. "They never have mercy on us. They just kill us."

Hunkered down in their headquarters in the town seized May 3 by Kurdish and U.S. forces in a battle that claimed the life of U.S. Navy SEAL Charles Keating, the unit surveys the desert villages on the outskirts of Mosul, collecting information, preparing for a looming battle for Iraqs second-largest city and remaining ready to move at a moments notice.

"We look for anything that might be strange, Col. Mahmud Darwesh told FoxNews.com. When we see extra movements, it is likely an attack might be coming."

Led by Peshmerga Gen. Wahid Majid Mohammed, the exclusive unit was formed in May of 2014, just as ISIS  known primarily as the Da'esh in the Middle East  was becoming known to locals. Although it primarily engages in counter-terrorism in tandem with the Kurdish intelligence forces known as Asayish, the unit also serves as the armys quick reaction force.

"If anyone has a problem and gets attacked, we go there," said Raad.

Much of the Black Devils work is focused in cities recaptured from ISIS such as Kirkuk, Makhmour and Sinjar Mountain, where ISIS slaughtered hundreds of Yazidi two years ago. Liberated to rebuild, the cities are nonetheless plagued by sleeper cells and covert ISIS missions.

The unit routinely foils suicide bombers, including one whose story made international news as an emblem of the hapless desperation of ISIS deadly dupes. The would-be bomber was captured before he could detonate his vest, then begged his Black Devils captors to kill him because the "Prophet was waiting."

The Kurds listened in as the operatives handlers told him by cellphone to kill himself and make it to his celestial appointment. He was instead arrested, treated for injuries, interrogated and handed over to authorities.

Key intelligence Kurdish and U.S. forces gather about ISIS comes through the Black Devils. Members told FoxNews.com the terrorist army is deteriorating, increasingly younger and often fueled by amphetamines.

The unit  whose youngest member is 20 and oldest is 55  is tight-knit and includes fathers and sons, uncles and brothers, cousins and childhood friends.

To date, the Black Devils have seen seven members killed and 57 wounded in fighting against ISIS. Almost daily, their line is hit with everything from Soviet-style heavy weapons such as Doshkas, to 120-mm mortars and artillery launched from Katysha tanks. ISIS snipers often take advantage of darkness, dust and fog to creep close to their line and hide in ditches before striking.

Last year, members of the unit walked out to those ditches a few hundred meters away and proudly put up a Kurdish flag. When eight ISIS fighters finally took down the flag two weeks ago, each paid with their lives, Raad said.

In their makeshift barracks, members train with weapons and listen to classical and Kurdish music while sipping tea and smoking cigarettes. They've also dedicated countless hours to cracking codes used by ISIS in radio transmissions. Sources said ISIS communicates via a strange brew of military terms and odd phrases. For example, "visiting the farmer" for a time meant an airstrike was imminent and "taxi" referred to heavy fire.

When ISIS fighters sought to announce a mortar launched toward a Black Devils redoubt, they called it "sending a bird," Kurdish sources told FoxNews.com.

Teleskof serves as a crucial gateway to liberating Mosul, due to its close proximity to the city and symbolic importance as an ancestral home to Christians, regional allies of the Kurds. Two years ago, Christians fled in the face of a fierce ISIS advance and the town that was once home to 11,000 people has since been largely uninhabited.

This village is for all Christian people and we do want to protect them, said Col. Ziravan Bavoshky, manager of security in Teleskof, who operates in conjunction with the unit. Sometimes the people who lived here come just to collect things they need from their houses. We want to make it our duty to protect it for when they are able to come back when the Da'esh is gone."

Mylee Cardenas contributed to this report
Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate Raise Money to Build Five Schools in Impoverished Countries

July 20, 2016 // Franchising.com // SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate resale stores have partnered with buildOn, a non-profit organization that works with under-served communities around the world, to raise funds to build schools in impoverished countries. Store locations all across the United States have raised $164,158 through a Charity Fill-A-Bag event, earning enough to build schools in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nicaragua and Haiti.

To date, three of the five schools have already been completed in West Africa, and more than 250 students have been attending classes for several months. Each of the completed schools were built in communities with fewer than 50 percent literacy rates, and children were walking miles to attend schools made of little more than straw and sticks. Now, each new school accommodates up to 150 kids and features two classrooms, a sturdy roof, latrines, and classroom supplies.

The Charity Fill-A-Bag event is unique to Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate. The model converts products that would have otherwise been disposed of through a donation process into cash that can be used to fund philanthropic efforts by buildOn. Vendors selling clothes to either Kid to Kid or Uptown Cheapskate are given the option to donate their clothes to the sale. Then, for a $15 donation to buildOn, customers were given a shopping bag to fill with as much specially-marked product as they could stuff in the bag. These semi-annual events have been wildly successful in raising funds for the organization. To create an ongoing impact, the stores also offer customers the option to forgo a plastic bag in exchange for a $.05 donation to buildOn.

We sought an organization that made a lasting, tangible difference, and buildOn does just that. Weve sent team members out to participate in the construction of these schools, and theyve seen first-hand the impact, said Scott Sloan, CEO. Involving the communities in our stores through our Charity Fill-A-Bag has been a win for everybody. Community members recycle items they no longer need, our franchise locations convert that donation to cash through our Charity Fill-A-Bag event, and buildOn uses that money to transform under-served communities by providing lasting education opportunities for their children. We couldnt be happier with the results, he said.

BuildOn works in partnership with the ministry of education in each country and the local village to provide the new schools. Villagers work alongside skilled buildOn project supervisors and engineers to construct their school with materials provided by buildOn. The village must also agree to send girls to school in equal numbers with boys for gender balance and equality. The next school funded by Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate is scheduled to break ground in Haiti on August 8th, with another in Nicaragua on October 2nd.

Kid to Kid buys and sells new and gently used childrens and maternity clothes, toys, books, and baby gear. Uptown Cheapskate targets the young adult market and buys and sells new and like-new name brand clothes, shoes, jewelry and handbags.

For more information about Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskates work with buildOn, visit https://act.buildon.org/fundraise/team?ftid=44304. To receive additional information about Kid to Kid or Uptown Cheapskate, visit kidtokid.com or uptowncheapskate.com.

About Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate

Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate, both registered trademarks of BaseCamp Franchising, buy and sell gently used yet fashionable clothes, shoes, gear and accessories. For over 20 years, BaseCamp Franchising has been a leader in the resale franchise industry. With 52 Uptown Cheapskate stores and 120 Kid to Kid franchise stores throughout the U.S., Canada, Portugal, and Spain, BaseCamp Franchising is a leader in the resale franchise industry. BaseCamp Franchising is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. For more information about BaseCamp Franchising, call 801-359-0071. You may also visit www.basecampfranchising.com.

About buildOn

At home or abroad, buildOns goal is to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy and low expectations through service and education. Across the U.S., buildOn empowers urban youth to transform their neighborhoods through intensive community service and to change the world by building schools in some of the economically poorest countries in the world. Since 1991, buildOn has constructed 700 schools worldwide, with more than 92,000 children, parents and grandparents attending these schools every day. For more information, visit www.buildon.org.

SOURCE Kid to Kid and Uptown Cheapskate

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Sotheby's International Realty Brand Expands Presence in Rhode Island

July 20, 2016 // Franchising.com // Sothebys International Realty Affiliates LLC today announced that Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty in Rhode Island has acquired local brokerage Coleman Realtors, LLC. The acquired firm will now operate as Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty.

Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty now has a total of six offices and over 130 independent sales associates. The acquisition expands the firms presence into new markets including Barrington and East Greenwich while continuing to serve the luxury residential real estate markets in Charlestown, Narragansett, Providence and Watch Hill.

Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty is a highly respected company for service and excellence and Coleman Realtors, established in 1929, has built a strong reputation in Rhode Island over the past 87 years, said Philip White, president and chief executive officer, Sothebys International Realty Affiliates LLC. This acquisition supports the collaborative culture of Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty and their commitment to exceptional service.

Raymond Mott and Judy Chace serve as brokers and owners of Mott & Chace Sotheby's International Realty. David Coleman will remain as manager at the Barrington office of Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty. Michael Young, former president and principal broker, will be focused on the development of the East Greenwich office of Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty.

Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty represents some of the finest properties in Rhode Island and we are proud to join a team that complements our commitment to integrity and professionalism, said Coleman, former owner of Coleman Realtors.

Bringing our companies together positions us to continue to provide exceptional client service to our local communities, said Chace. Combined, we have 90 years of serving our local Rhode Island real estate market. Our experience is unparalleled, added Mott.

Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty is one of three independently owned and operated affiliates of the Sothebys International Realty brand in Rhode Island. Also operating in the state are Gustave White Sothebys International Realty in Newport and Sullivan Sothebys International Realty on Block Island.

The Sothebys International Realty network currently has more than 19,000 affiliated independent sales associates located in approximately 845 offices in 63 countries and territories worldwide. Mott & Chace Sothebys International Realty listings are marketed on the sothebysrealty.com global website. In addition to the referral opportunities and widened exposure generated from this source, the firms brokers and clients benefit from an association with the Sothebys auction house and worldwide Sothebys International Realty marketing programs. Each office is independently owned and operated.

About Sothebys International Realty Affiliates LLC

Founded in 1976 to provide independent brokerages with a powerful marketing and referral program for luxury listings, the Sothebys International Realty network was designed to connect the finest independent real estate companies to the most prestigious clientele in the world. Sothebys International Realty Affiliates LLC is a subsidiary of Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE: RLGY), a global leader in real estate franchising and provider of real estate brokerage, relocation and settlement services. In February 2004, Realogy entered into a long-term strategic alliance with Sothebys, the operator of the auction house. The agreement provided for the licensing of the Sothebys International Realty name and the development of a full franchise system. Affiliations in the system are granted only to brokerages and individuals meeting strict qualifications. Sothebys International Realty Affiliates LLC supports its affiliates with a host of operational, marketing, recruiting, educational and business development resources. Franchise affiliates also benefit from an association with the venerable Sothebys auction house, established in 1744. For more information, visit www.sothebysrealty.com.

SOURCE Sothebys International Realty Affiliates LLC

Media Contact:

Lindsey Scharf

Senior Manager, Brand Content and Communications

Sotheby's International Realty Affiliates LLC

(973) 407-5596

Lindsey.Scharf@sothebysrealty.com

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Not one, not two, but three new trials

The HVTN, working with its sister network, the HIV Prevention Trials Network, or HPTN, based in Durham, North Carolina, has just begun what is already being called a landmark study to test an experimental, so-called broadly neutralizing antibody that could potentially protect people from infection by almost all strains of the rapidly mutating virus that causes AIDS. Called the AMP study, it will enroll 1,500 sexually active women at 15 sites in southern Africa. A parallel study will enroll 2,700 men and transgender people who have sex with men at 24 sites in the U.S. and South America.

The HVTN will roll out a second large-scale trial in South Africa in November with 5,400 HIV-negative men and women, the first such trial to be in the field in a decade and one that could lead to the first licensed vaccine against HIV.

And on Wednesday, Corey said that the HVTN could add a third clinical trial of a vaccine being developed by Janssen, a research division of Johnson & Johnson, in partnership with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Medical School, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital and the U.S. Military HIV Research Program. Initial results of a smaller trial will be available later this year, and If they look good, a [large-scale] trial will be undertaken, Corey said.

The three trials would represent three distinct approaches to an HIV vaccine  a testament to how challenging it has been to develop a vaccine against a virus that mutates so rapidly even within a single person that antibodies cant keep up with the changes and against which no one has ever developed a natural immunity.

As difficult as the road has been so far, what for Corey has never waned is the conviction that a vaccine is needed.

The numbers behind the need for a vaccine

The AIDS 2016 conference has been a catalyst for Corey and others to take stock of what has changed  and what hasnt  since the last time HIV researchers and advocates met in Durban.

During an earlier conference address, infectious disease epidemiologist Dr. Steffanie A. Strathdee of the University of California, San Diego, laid out the numbers.

Before the 2000 conference, no one believed that the life-saving antiretroviral drugs that had transformed HIV from a death sentence to a manageable disease would work in poor countries. Today, South Africa, which has the highest HIV rates in the world, also runs the largest HIV treatment program in the world, with 3.4 million people receiving treatment. Mother-to-child transmission of HIV at birth or through breast-feeding had been close to 30 percent, or 70,000 babies infected annually. Now it has dropped to about 1.5 percent, or fewer than 6,000 infants a year. Life expectancy has increased an astonishing 10 percent in five years, from 57.1 to 62.9 years.

Thats the good news.

But only half of the estimated 6.3 million South Africans with HIV are on treatment. And of the 36.7 million people living with HIV worldwide, just 17 million are on antiretroviral drugs. Almost 2 million people a year are newly infected.

Sub-Saharan Africa shoulders two-thirds of the global HIV burden, and for both biological and socioeconomic reasons, a larger part of that burden falls on young women. Every week, 2,400 adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 15 and 24 are infected with HIV, usually via sexual transmission by older male partners.

The lesson here is clear, said Strathdee. We cannot simply treat our way out of this epidemic.

A demand for additional tools
Dr. Thomas Balshi Launches Intilight Skin Cream To Provide Safe and Efficient Skin Lightening

Dr. Thomas Balshi has developed an effective and skin friendly lightening cream to create a consistent, lighter skin tone across the body, without the need for harmful, aggressive bleaching ingredients.

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Skin lightening is something millions of people want to achieve. Whether it be uneven blotches on the skin or unsightly discoloration, evening out skin tone is a way for people to feel more flawless. Unfortunately, many skin lightening techniques require bleaching with harmful ingredients, like Kojic Acid, or even mercury. Dr. Thomas Balshi, an award-winning dermatologist from Delray Beach Florida, has created a fantastic new solution that doesn't require such astringent chemicals. Intilight is designed to offer affordable, effective and transformative skin lightening using natural, non-toxic ingredients.

Intilight Skin Lightening Cream therefore offers a skin-friendly skin lightening and bleaching solution. Prepared using special, non-toxic ingredients, Intilight was developed through years of laboratory research. It offers quick skin lightening and pain-free hair removal results, without any side effects on the skin.

Consumers can get the best deals and discounts for Intilight skin lightening cream on the website (http://Intilight.com/), where there is a special introductory offer to encourage people to see the results for themselves. Individuals can place an order for speedy delivery, with fast and secure payment options available.

The website also offers many resources designed to help people learn more about skin lightening creams, understand the risks and rewards, and see how Intilight stands apart in the industry as a unique solution.

Dr. Balshi explained Intilight cream, and his Excelite Booster collectively, "bring an outstanding result for any type of skin. The cream has shown impressive results for over 2,000 patients so far, and this number increases every month. It contains powerful ingredients that remove pigmentation and other skin blemishes, to offer a soft and beautiful skin tone that can be flaunted with pride in public. The product is something I am very proud of, and something that I believe will help many people feel more confident in themselves and their skin."

About Dr. Thomas Balshi

Dr. Balshi is a Board Certified and award-winning dermatologist who has treated a huge number of different skin care problems across his storied career. Merging his expertise in dermatology with the dedication of a passionate team, he has created an effective, affordable and high quality skin lightening solution called Intilight. The cream enables individuals to lighten their skin consistently and evenly.

For more information, please visit http://Intilight.com

Contact Info:

Name: Dr. Thomas Balshi

Email: info@balshimd.com

Organization: Balshi Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery

Address: 4665 W. Atlantic Ave. Suite B Delray Beach, FL 33445

Phone: 561-272-6000

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/dr-thomas-balshi-launches-intilight-skin-cream-to-provide-safe-and-efficient-skin-lightening/124253

Release ID: 124253

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TermsandConditionsEsq.com Introduces Custom Services

B2C and B2B sites and apps can now have a custom set of terms and conditions created specifically for their protection, reports http://www.termsandconditionsesq.com.

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TermsandConditionsEsq.com, a site dedicated to educating website and app owners on the legal and practical complexities associated with terms and conditions, has announced that they are now offering custom services for this niche. Those who own a website or app can get a custom terms and conditions document created for their digital property. This service helps to protect owners from potential lawsuits and other legal problems that may be brought by users.

Richard Chapo, the experienced attorney behind TermsandConditionsEsq.com, commented "These days, just about anyone can put up a simple website online or create an app and sell or give it away in one of the major app stores. Unfortunately, many webmasters and developers are unaware of the legal issues they could be creating for themselves when they fail to pay attention to their terms and conditions. Website terms and conditions act as a contract between website visitors or app users and the business. In light of that fact, customization of terms is critical in the current legal environment, and we want to help website and app owners protect themselves as much as possible."

At http://www.termsandconditionsesq.com, website and app owners can fill out a short contact form to inquire about having custom terms and conditions drafted for their site. Each document will be unique to the business owner's digital properties, as the terms for a dating site, for example, should be drafted much differently than those for an ecommerce site.

The team at TermsandConditionsEsq.com will review an online property before providing business owners with a flat fee quote. Once the quote is accepted, they will clarify policies with the site or app owner, create a custom draft, go over the draft with the client, and then perform an additional final review once the terms and conditions are posted.

As Chapo goes on to say, "The days of generic agreements are long gone. This is especially true given the passage of numerous state laws, recent court decisions, and cross-border conflicts between national laws. One lawsuit is all it takes to shut down a business forever, and we are proud to be offering a service that can help website and app owners avoid this fate."

About TermsandConditionsEsq.com:

TermsandConditionsEsq.com is a property of the Law Office of Richard A. Chapo. Mr. Chapo has more than 20 years of experience practicing law with the last 15 devoted to advising online businesses. The goal with this website is to educate consumers on the legal and practical complexities associated with terms and conditions. As needed, the law firm can provide custom solutions that meet the needs of businesses in an online legal environment that is forever growing more complex.

For more information, please visit http://www.termsandconditionsesq.com

Contact Info:

Name: Richard Chapo

Organization: TermsandConditionsEsq.com

Phone: (800) 966-1679

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/termsandconditionsesq-com-introduces-custom-services/124261

Release ID: 124261

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Internet Marketing Company In Dallas Texas Announces Launch Of Website

TrendiMarketing offers assistance to Dallas and Fort Worth area residents with internet marketing. The skills of the organization include SEO, Pay Per Click, and Social Media Marketing.

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TrendiMarketing and owner Kirk A. Lee are pleased to announce the launch of the Dallas internet marketing company. A range of skills are available to individuals and businesses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. The organization has the experience and knowledge to provide search engine optimization (SEO), Pay Per Click (PPC) and social media advertising projects to area customers. By using the experience of TrendiMarketing professionals, the business owner is free to concentrate on growing the business.

Using an internet marketing company in Dallas Texas allows for professional handling of the marketing aspects of the business. Google and Bing search engines focus on ranking the website with a local presence. It is critical to use good geo-targeted search engine optimization terms. TrendiMarketing can help with the enhancement of local recognition. The skills of the marketing team are well-utilized to know how to place the terms to obtain maximum benefit from the SEO efforts.

The Dallas marketing company has the skills to optimize the conversion rate. The conversion rating is the level at which visitors to the website become customers. The professionals at TrendiMarketing will perform an analysis of the company's website and prepare a conversion rate strategy. The methods that are used are those considered "white hat". The improvement in conversion levels may take some time to manifest, but customers are certain to be happy with the results.

According to Kirk Lee, speaking in a recent interview, "We offer real-time social media analytics. As part of the service we offer our customers, we produce bespoke reports and technical audits which can assist your business by offering specific areas of digital marketing. Social media is a critical element in marketing today. Businesses must include a recognition of the social media interests and various platforms which today's customers rely on. Optimization of social media efforts is an important part of what we offer our clients."

For more information, please visit http://trendimarketing.com/

Contact Info:

Name: Kirk A. Lee

Organization: TrendiMarketing

Phone: (214) 687-6993

Source: http://marketersmedia.com/internet-marketing-company-in-dallas-texas-announces-launch-of-website/124275

Release ID: 124275

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Miami Property Management Company Launches Luxury Real Estate Division

GHG-AM (Global Horizons Group - Asset Management) is a property management company in Miami, Florida, offering commercial and residential property management service of Single Family Homes, Townhomes, Condos, Individual Owners, Corporate Owned, Second Home Owners and more.

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Miami, Fl. - South Florida property management company GHG-AM (Global Horizons Group - Asset Management) has long been recognized as one of the few full-service property management companies in the Miami area. Their portfolio covers a wide range of services, property types, and sizes. These include single family homes, townhomes, condos, multi-family properties, commercial properties, individual owners, corporate owned, second home owners and more. Owners of these types of properties can also choose from a growing number of optional services comprising of maintenance and groundskeeping, tenant relations, complete asset services, accounting, bookkeeping, real estate sale and acquisition.

This last one, "real estate sale and acquisition" is the main reason for this new expansion. Buying and selling real estate in the South Florida area takes more than just having a real estate license. The successful agents who work this market must have extensive knowledge of the local trends and marketing capabilities to address the needs of both buyers and sellers participating in the never ending Miami real estate boom.

As a company who has dealt primarily with investment properties, the management team felt that they needed a specialized team to deal with the personal needs of not only investors, but also high-end clients looking for concierge real estate services throughout the South Florida area. For this reason, Luxe Capital Realty was assembled.

Under the management of Ynelis Luna, a real estate broker with more than ten years of experience in the Miami real estate market, Luxe Capital Realty will focus on developing a broader clientele throughout the South Florida tri-county area of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.

The mission is to address the needs of luxury real estate clients and investor looking in the South Florida market. Mrs. Luna looks forward to connecting buyers with all their real estate needs.

For more information about Luxe Capital Realty, please visit - luxecapitalrealty.com

For more information, please visit http://ghg-am.com

Contact Info:

Name: Ynelis Luna LCAM

Email: Luxecapitalrealty.com@gmail.com

Organization: Global Horizons Group - Asset Management

Address: 12301 NE 6 Ave Miami, FL 33161

Phone: 305.374.3529

Release ID: 124232

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SuccessBranding Reputation Management Online Business Booster Service Launched

SuccessBranding has launched a new business reputation management service, helping companies to establish and maintain 5-star ratings. It says that good reputation brings in more customers than Google rankings.

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A new reputation management service has launched on the basis that a good business reputation can attract three times more customers than Google page one rankings. Called SuccessBranding, it prides itself on helping local businesses to be more profitable by maximising their promotions, to get more customers walking in the door cash in hand.

More information can be found on the SuccessBranding website at: http://successbranding.com.au.

The site explains that the hardest part of creating and maintaining a solid 5-star reputation is getting customers to actually leave the reviews they promise. Customers may leave with good intentions, but too regularly they fail to get round to leaving a review.

To combat this, SuccessBranding underscores the importance of making it as easy as possible for a customer to leave a 5-star review. It says that too many companies require customers to fire up their computer, find the business's page on Google Maps, log in to their account, and then find the right place to leave a review.

By then they may have lost interest. SuccessBranding has announced a proprietary system, where customers sign in and within a few hours get a text message that they can answer in two taps, leaving a review with as little hassle as possible.

The SuccessBranding website service has also issued three tips to help new and established businesses to improve their existing reputation or forge a stellar one for themselves.

The first is to take notice. The company says that the first place potential customers research a business is online, so it's important to make sure that business owners are always aware of how their company's reputation stands, and to hold it to the highest standard.

The second is to take control. A good reputation means more to potential customers than who is first in Google's rankings. SuccessBranding recommends always asking customers for reviews.

The third tip is to take responsibility. Potential customers trust reviews and a company's responses to those reviews. SuccessBranding says a company should always respond to booth good and bad reviews, which can then help to further boost their reputation.

Any interested parties wanting to find out more can get in touch with SuccessBranding using the contact form provided on site.

For more information, please visit http://successbranding.com.au

Contact Info:

Name: John GilbertGrant

Email: john@successbranding.com.au

Organization: SuccessBranding

Address: 72 Musgrave Ave, Southport, Qld, 4215

Phone: +61 1300 331 691

Release ID: 124224

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UK financial services desperately needs someone to champion its cause, as Brexit leaves EU financial centres salivating at the potential new business to be won, the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investments has warned.

An editorial in its quarterly magazine suggested that since the vote to leave the EU, there had been a complete leadership vacuum in the financial sector, leaving the Citys 1 million jobs vulnerable to being picked off by European cities.

This was particularly galling given the importance of finance to the UK economy as a whole, it stated, adding EU financial centres were salivating at the real prospect of attracting business away from the UK.

The answer to this, according to the trade body, was a communicative leader who should be highly visible.

He or she should have been giving press interviews, appearing on TV and radio and exploiting social media to the hilt with a constant message: promoting financial services, calming nervous employees and customers, setting out what is needed in future negotiations and expanding on the positive opportunities ahead, it read.

Cisi stated the role former British Bankers Association boss Angela Knight played during the 2007-8 could serve as an example.

On some days she carried the industrys standard in more than a dozen media interviews. She was regularly on panels and live TV debates, always putting forward the industrys perspective and plans, giving direction and pushing the case for the sector, the editorial read.

Cisi chief executive Simon Culhane added that the sectors post-Brexit performance was not good enough and a loud, visible champion communicator was required.

James Baxter, managing partner of wealth manager Tideway Investment Partners, said such a spokesperson for the industry would be valuable, although he doubted it would happen, given the industry cant even organise a decent trade body.

He said that so far, Brexits main impact on his business came from the falling gilt yields - and their effect on DB transfer values - an area in which Tideway is a specialist.

However, Mr Baxter did not expect the referendum to have much effect on the advice and domestic asset management industries, with banks being the most at risk.

james.fernyhough@ft.com
Pimco has snapped up Emmanuel Roman, former head at Goldman Sachs, to fill its role as chief executive, as the current chief steps into a managing director position.

Mr Roman, who will join Pimco on 1 November, has a 30-year track record in the investment industry, having held executive roles at Goldman Sachs, GLG Partners and Man Group.

Pimcos current chief executive Douglas Hodge will move into a new role as managing director and senior adviser.

Last year, former UK prime minister Gordon Brown joined Pimcos advisory panel at Pimco, marking his first corporate role since leaving politics.

The Californian-headquartered company is currently undergoing an evolution as it looks to provide investment vehicles in a changing industry, which Mr Roman is expected to help drive.

Meanwhile, Mr Hodge will work with the new Pimco head to ensure the transition is smooth, providing continuity for clients, employees, and for the parent company Allianz, according to the company.

Daniel Ivascyn, group chief investment officer at Pimco, said Mr Roman - otherwise known as Manny - has a deep understanding of global markets and an appreciation of the firms focus on macro-based investment.

Most recently, he was chief executive of alternative asset manager Man Group, after working at Goldman Sachs for more than 18 years, where he was co-head of global securities and co-head of the European services division.

He also held co-chief executive and chief operating roles at GLG Partners between 2005 and 2010.

Mr Ivascyn said he is pleased Mr Hodge will remain with Pimco to provide counsel to the firm as the executives settle into their new roles.

katherine.denham@ft.com
A: We spend nearly a third of our lives at work, which can often make it feel like we spend more time with our work colleagues than with our family. As work can be stressful, fast-paced and demanding, it makes sense that we can come to depend on our colleagues and also sometimes come into conflict with them.

Managers need to set the tone for how we communicate at work. Notice if a colleague seems flat or if they have isolated themselves. Asking them if they are doing all right can be a simple way to foster a positive and open working environment for all. Normalising the idea that we all experience tough days and showing that it is okay to talk about this demonstrates understanding and helps people feel more accepted.

Similarly, if you become aware of a conflict or dispute among employees, it is your responsibility to openly address this. Again, normalising that sometimes we can be upset, angry, or emotional at work, taking this out on others, promotes a greater emotional intelligence and self-awareness at work. Giving employees a chance to voice their concerns in a safe space early on can give you a good opportunity to ascertain how a person is doing and what they might need. It can also give you a chance to be clear with them that during work they need to follow the set policies and any procedures that have been put in place about how to respect each other.

Of course, this means that as managers we need to be aware of our own emotional needs and monitor how we treat each other. Strong support between one another, checking in with other managers and being aware of when we have emotional seepage, get frustrated or are not feeling grounded, helps us be able to set the tone. As managers, having a chance to reflect on our communication style and how we feel about our staff can help us move on from an us and them dynamic to something more inclusive.

David Price is managing director of Health Assured
European banks remain a very, very dangerous sector to short despite the opportunities presented by the escalating difficulties of Italian institutions, long/short managers have warned.

In what has proved another difficult year for the sector, banks in Italy have become the latest cause for investor angst, as fears mount about exposure to bad loans.

Managers fear the situation could further deteriorate, with some speculating problems in Italys banks could spread across the continent. Some indicators, such as Euro Stoxx Dividend Futures index, appear to have priced in an extreme recession.

James Inglis-Jones, co-manager of Liontrusts European Strategic Equity fund, noted that the outcome of discussions about how to save Italian banks had become more of a political risk.

However, concerns about further pain in the sector have not been severe enough to persuade him to take short positions.

It could escalate dramatically, he said. Im not quite sure what the catalyst might be  we have got the forthcoming stress test on European banks. That could precipitate something quite serious.

[But] I see that sector as a very, very dangerous sector to be shorting. Things have got to improve slightly and share prices are so beaten up they could double  or more  easily.

[Financials] is an area brave people should be looking at [shorting]. You can sense theres a lot of negative views being taken. Share prices have suffered horribly. They are trading on discounts to book value because people question what the book is.

Share prices have already fallen significantly. Earlier this month Monte dei Paschi, Italys third-largest bank, saw its share price fall below 30 cents, having traded above 2 last summer.

Paul Casson, who works on the Artemis Pan-European Absolute Return portfolio, warned about the possibilities of a short squeeze, where a share price rise is amplified by investors subsequently closing short positions.

Do you know what I think the main opportunity is? Doing something else. So many people are focusing on this area  why not focus on other parts of the market? Mr Casson added.

He, instead, has been focusing on value opportunities in the energy sector, where expectations remain low because of recent oil price lows.

Others are more sanguine about the situation. Stephen Macklow-Smith, a strategist in JPMorgan Asset Managements European equity group, argued that while Italy was overbanked and requires more consolidation, a full-blown crisis appeared unlikely.

We are in the middle of a solution to an Italian banking problem, not at the beginning of a crisis, he said.

If there is a solution there could be a huge opportunity in Italian banks, as stocks are trading at a steep discount to book.

Mr Inglis-Jones said he came across few financial opportunities as part of the process deployed by his fund, but suggested some value plays could be found.

Theres a big difference in the valuations of stable institutions [and less-stable ones] in Italian banks. When that happens, it tends to be a sign of longer term valuation opportunities. That takes away the opportunities on the short side, he said.
The Court of Appeal has found that West Bromwich Building Society was not justified in raising rates for buy-to-let landlords on tracker mortgages, a ruling that is likely to encourage borrowers with other lenders who have been similarly disadvantaged to make a claim.

The complaint against West Brom dates back to December 2013 when, despite no movement in the Bank of England base rate, the lender increased rates on its tracker mortgages. Customers were outraged, given that they were under the assumption that a base-rate tracker would track bank rate and the lender could not make its own decisions as to what the rate should be. It proved to be an expensive move for customers, with many finding that their monthly mortgage payments doubled. However, following a long battle, the Court of Appeal found against the lender, a decision that could cost West Bromwich 27.5m. As well as a refund, borrowers will be returned to the lower rate, which the Court of Appeal ruled they should have been on all along.

West Brom was not the only lender to raise its rates, and those who did the same are bound to be watching the ruling with great interest because it inevitably sets a precedent. The Bank of Ireland, Skipton and Manchester building societies have all raised their rates in the past few years. In March 2013 the Bank of Ireland increased mortgage rates for 13,500 of its customers  both landlords and ordinary homeowners  on tracker deals. As with West Brom, these were substantial increases, with rates rising from 2.25 per cent to 4.99 per cent, almost doubling some customers monthly payments.

Meanwhile, Skipton Building Society raised its standard variable rate in 2010 from the capped level, which was 3 percentage points above bank rate. This meant customers ended up paying 4.95 per cent. Manchester BS also got in on the act, raising some rates from 0.99 per cent to 4.95 per cent on tracker mortgages for both residential customers and landlords.

Part of the problem is that none of this is straightforward as mortgage conditions vary from lender to lender so the case law can not be used. But Mark Alexander, who brought the case against West Brom, is crowdfunding to raise money to fund similar challenges to Bank of Ireland, Skipton and Manchester building societies. Meanwhile, these lenders are standing by their decision to hike their rates.

In response to complaints from borrowers, the Financial Ombudsman Service found in favour of these lenders, but has said since the West Brom ruling that it may now reconsider complaints against the Bank of Ireland. Much will hinge on the lenders small print as to whether they are within their rights to hike rates as, and when, they wish. The Bank of Ireland told the Daily Telegraph that its offer document and mortgage terms and conditions expressly stipulated that the tracking margin or differential could be varied, and the offer and mortgage conditions documents are consistent, allowing for the differential to be lawfully changed.

The problem is that we are living through particularly unusual times when it comes to interest rates, and lenders have been well and truly caught out. Nobody envisaged that rates could be so low for so long  a situation that shows no signs of changing. Many lenders have been losing a lot of money, hence their decision to change terms on lifetime products and raise rates. In the case of the building societies, they have argued they were forced to do this in order to protect their members best interests. These lenders will have taken legal advice before taking action and will have been advised that they were acting within their rights.
Markets  and ergo humans  love stability. Theresa May, who replaced David Cameron as prime minister last week, takes charge at a time when financial markets are craving security, as is much of the UK electorate. Comparisons have been made with the period in late 1990 when John Major was considered a safe pair of hands after taking over the leadership from Margaret Thatcher. But nothing is ever certain and it is worth remembering that a financial storm was already brewing when Mr Major took charge.

Already the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, is being urged to act fast to stop the impact of the Brexit vote on the UK economy.

Commentators have speculated that he could use debt issuance to help back private sector or government schemes for infrastructure projects; of course this would not help the budget deficit and the Conservative party has an aversion to spending its way out of recession.

Others have suggested the new chancellor could look to suspend stamp duty on homes valued at less than 500,000, or even cut corporation tax to 12.5 per cent or less, bringing it into line with Irelands rate. The reasoning is that it might tempt companies to stick with their British bases rather than move to our neighbouring EU member states. But one thing our industry is urging him not to tinker with is pensions.

After decades of reform and government intervention, such as the scrapping of dividend tax relief, pension freedoms and simplification, the message will surely be  please, please leave well alone  for now.

However, change is taking place in the world of pensions. Ros Altmann has stepped down as pensions minister and taken aim at the government over the decision to scrap her former role in favour of the new title under secretary for pensions. She fears the pensions brief has been downgraded. Let us hope these fears are unfounded.
Urgent government action to introduce legislation banning cold calls in the UK is needed as part of a wider crackdown on scammers, senior analyst at AJ Bell Tom Selby has said.

Unregulated firms are continuing to attempt to coerce investors to move their hard-earned pensions into risky investment vehicles, Mr Selby said.

Such schemes often promise huge returns which fail to materialise.

Cold-calling is a tactic used by many of these firms to target unsuspecting victims. On its website the Financial Conduct Authority warns being cold called about an investment opportunity usually mean its a high risk investment or a scam.

According to AJ Bell, making this activity illegal would create a valuable barrier between savers and those who want to take their money, particularly in the wake of pension freedoms.

Mr Selby said: History will reflect poorly on a government that introduced freedom and choice in pensions, but failed to do everything in its power to protect savers from fraudsters.

Many questionable transfer requests originate from UK-based call centres, so by banning this practice you could cut off at least one of the heads of what is a many-headed serpent.

The longer the government delays action, the more elderly and vulnerable people will fall victim to the tactics of these dodgy salesmen.

He added policy makers should also look again at reintroducing professional trustees for small self-administered schemes, legitimate savings vehicles often abused by fraudsters.

Additionally, Mr Selby argued a reintroduction of permitted investment lists for self-invested personal pensions, akin to those that existed last decade, would help combat pension fraud.

Mr Selby added: It is vital any interventions focus on stopping the activities of fraudsters rather than targeting perfectly legitimate pension vehicles such as Sipps and Ssas.

Ssas in particular often receive a bad press because they are abused by scammers, Mr Selby said, adding in reality the vast majority of Ssas are utilised by small business owners who want to invest in their company.

Bringing back a sensibly-structured permitted investment list would also help weed out some of the weird and not-so-wonderful investments currently being flogged to savers.

Daren OBrien, director at London-based Aurora Financial Solutions said: I fully agree with Tom Selby that the government should be doing more to outlaw cold calling in general.

Since pension freedoms were introduced it seems that the FCA and the government dont want to admit that there is an increased problem with scams regarding pension freedoms and transfers.

Were hearing about these scams and problems weekly, the general public must be protected from these scammers as there is no such thing as a free review.

ruth.gillbe@ft.com
On 23 June 2016, the UK held its historic referendum concerning its future membership in the EU. The result of the referendum, announced in the early hours of 24 June, took many by surprise with the UK voting by 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent to leave the EU after more than 40 years of membership.

The general consensus following the referendum vote is that there is an element of a journey into the unknown. This is in part a consequence of the economic and market uncertainties resulting from the referendum vote, although the Chancellor, the Bank of England and other policymakers have sought to move quickly to reassure markets and provide a message of stability. In addition, the route to eventual Brexit and the shape of the UKs post-Brexit relationship with the EU are both at a very early stage of evolution. Even the timing of the service of the Article 50 notice under the Treaty on the European Union, which triggers the two-year negotiation period for the UKs withdrawal, remains the subject of considerable political speculation. Until the EU and UK have agreed the nature of their post-Brexit relationship, it will be very difficult to assess with any certainty the impact on the financial services sector.

In the meantime, from a legal and compliance perspective, life goes on as before the referendum vote. Nothing has changed nor will it change until at the earliest the end of the two-year period triggered by the Article 50 notification. To this end, the FCA made an announcement on 24 June 2016 to make it clear that: Firms must continue to abide by their obligations under UK law, including those derived from EU law and continue with implementation plans for legislation that is still to come into effect. From a legal and compliance perspective, life goes on as before the referendum vote

So, for example, MiFID, the capital requirements directive IV, the capital requirements regulation and the European market infrastructure regulation are still, in effect, the same as before the referendum vote. The market abuse regulation that became applicable in all EU member states on 3 July 2016 also applies in the UK. UK firms can still passport under the EU single market directives.

The reference in the FCAs announcement to future EU legislation is interesting, but should not come as a surprise. One suspects that MiFID II and MiFIR, which now apply from 3 January 2018, were very much in the regulators mind. It would be a mistake for firms to simply down tools on their MiFID II /MiFIR implementation projects thinking that the legislation will not apply. Firstly, there is every chance that MiFID II/MiFIR will come into effect while the UK is still negotiating its exit arrangements. Second, many of the provisions in MiFID II and MiFIR were part of the international regulatory reform agenda that the G20 pursued following the 2008 financial crisis. Third, should the UK have exited the EU by 3 January 2018, depending on what may be negotiated, access to the single market will still be desirable. At the very least such access, for those within the scope of MiFID II and MiFIR, could be via the third country regime set out in the EU legislation and the equivalence of the UK regulatory regime will be an important factor.
Over the past year, many investment firms will have observed that the FCA is requesting more information about prudential risks. Most recently and in the wake of the EU referendum result, the FCA has been asking broker/dealers about their liquidity risk.

Banks are now familiar with the annual process of sending in their individual capital adequacy assessment process results (ICAAP document) to their regulator.

Other investment firms have been required to conduct the same process on an annual basis, but until recently, few were required to send their ICAAPs to the FCA for review.

What has changed?

The key change is that the regulators themselves are now under scrutiny. From 1 January 2016, all EU regulators have applied a new framework to their supervisory regulatory evaluation process (SREP) as indicated by the chart.

Consequently, the FCA has refreshed its own expectations of ICAAPs. The key change is that the regulators themselves are now under scrutiny

While the EBA categorisation of institutions means the FCA must focus on CRD IV market makers, broker/dealers and investment managers, the FCA has indicated it will apply this approach to commodity brokers and advisers/arrangers subject to the old CRD III rules.

It will also take a similar approach to other investment firms that are currently exempt from EU legislation.

What are the FCAs objectives?

The FCA wants a firms ICAAP to demonstrate that it has sufficient capital and cash to run its business and protect its customers.

The ICAAP should identify the major sources of known and potential risks inherent in implementing a firms strategy and assess their impact. It should then go further and consider the impact of potential adverse events and stresses on a firms risk profile and capital adequacy.

The ICAAP document is the evidence that a firm has a process to consider those risks and their impact on the firms solvency.

Although an in-depth ICAAP review only needs to be conducted annually, the FCA expects the ICAAP to underpin ongoing capital and risk management of the firm.

When early warning indicators are triggered, it is expected that decision makers will be notified and take action. If there are significant external market or internal changes during the year, then ICAAP assumptions should be reviewed and risk parameters reset.

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Clearly, more is expected of larger investment firms with greater market penetration and more complex products. However, most investment firms are expected to explain how the principles of capital and risk management apply to their business even if the FCA terminology is not embedded in their management practices.

All firms are expected to meet the FCA principle of maintaining adequate resources, including capital and cash, and the FCAs systems and control requirements. Standards applied to ICAAP have risen as regulators became familiar with them and incorporated the principles into their supervisory reviews

None of this is new. However, standards applied to ICAAP have risen as regulators became familiar with them and incorporated the principles into their supervisory reviews. The new SREP framework is only the latest supervisory approach.
The Financial Conduct Authority has said it will look into an issue which a former actuary has claimed could have cost policyholders with life insurance companies 2bn.

Chris OBrien, the former director of the Centre for Risk and Insurance Studies at Nottingham University Business School, said some life insurance companies are not paying policyholders enough on their pensions and claimed the FCA has not been taking action.

The problem has arisen, he said, because life insurers pay tax on the profits their shareholders make, but at many companies writing with-profits business, the policyholders bear the burden.

He said this was because of an FCA rule allowing companies to pay the tax from the surplus in the fund, even though around 90 per cent of that surplus is usually allocated to life and pension policyholders; meaning their bonuses are less than they should be.

Mr OBrien explained: Since 1990, when the tax rules changed, it could well have cost policyholders over 2bn, money that instead has gone to shareholders, and the problem is continuing.

Surely the FCA should be acting in the face of major customer detriment.

The rule dates back to the days of the Financial Services Authority, which admitted in 2011 that it has attracted considerable levels of opposition.

Among those to have voiced opposition to it in the past were the Treasury Select Committee, which in 2008 urged the FSA to review the policy.

Christopher Woolard, director of strategy and competition at the FCA, responded that the stance taken over a period of time by colleagues has been that this is an area where it applies to a range of historic with-profits policies, so in terms of newer contracts entered into, this particular issue does not apply.

Although there is obviously a range of issues that we can look at in this particular space, at the moment this is not of a relative priority, compared to a number of other things that are being looked into.

Im afraid I cant quite give you the comfort you are looking for, Mr Woolard said. What I will do though is go away and look at the historic correspondence there has been on this and look again at the issues you raise around our policies and our rules.
Farms are home to an abundance of kit and machinery  although you probably wouldnt expect to find an aeroplane lurking in the shed.

Yet for many farmers, they are as essential as a tractor and trailer, while others simply love the thrill of being able to escape up into the clouds.

Its this common interest in aviation which has led almost 400 farmers, foresters, landowners and others whose work is related to agriculture to join one of the countrys most adventurous flying clubs  the Flying Farmers Association (FFA).

As well as sharing mutual passions, members who own their own aircraft, airstrip or both, meet up several times a year for trips to places of interest such as Prince Charles Duchy Home Farm, vintage machinery museums and unusual diversification schemes, as well as annual European tours lasting several days.

Once youre up through the clouds into the blue, its just a different world.

Paul Stephens

People join for many different reasons, says secretary Paul Stephens.

There are those aeroplane/airstrip owners who want a bit of back-up and information about running an airstrip and who need access to our insurance scheme.

Others like to get the newsletters and just keep in contact and we have a core of about 150 members who enjoy the events.

The flying part is the basis of endless conversation in itself, with every flight being a story and an adventure. Flying entails controlling the aircraft, radio communications, navigation and most volatile of all  dealing with the weather.

The farming part comprises endless common subjects such as the crops, livestock, politics and again, the volatile weather.

Farming and flying

The great thing is that the two parts, farming and flying, complement each other. A big part of farming is observation  seeing the crops grow, checking on the sheep  and what better way of doing these tasks than from the air?

But what is it about flying that is so appealing to farmers? Our members use their aeroplanes for leisure and business, adds Paul, who grows wheat, rape and potatoes on 365ha near Malton, North Yorkshire.

For the business aspect, there is observations from the air, transport to other farms, going to events such as Cereals, picking up spares for that broken-down combine  all of which can be done in a fraction of the time it takes by road.

My aeroplane is my Land Rover  it can do everything the four-wheel drive does, except pull a car out of a ditch.

Of course, theres another aspect too. Farming can be a very stressful occupation and flying is a great relaxation; you can literally get away from it all and once you are up through the clouds into the blue, its just a different world.

1974 launch

The Flying Farmers held their first meeting in 1974 at a Farmers Weekly drainage event, after the magazine printed a letter of appeal from Surrey dairy farmer Tony Poulson.

He, along with a couple of peers, thought it would be great fun to form a group for like-minded people and about 90 farmers turned up to find out more.

We were surprised so many came, recalls Tony, who owns a vintage 1940s Stearman bi-plane and a two-seater Aviat Husky, which he describes as the perfect farm plane due to its quick take-off and short landings.

The group has certainly come a long way since those early days. Im retired now, but I still love flying and I have met some wonderful people through it over the years.

Its great for getting away, adds Tony. Back then I used to go straight out flying as soon as I had finished milking the cows. I loved my work, but flying was a break from the tediousness of it all.

Ive always had an interest in aircraft  my grandfather was in the Royal Flying Corps and my family has farmed in Farnham, which is under the circuit of many aircraft, so I have been surrounded by them all my life.

See also: Microlite flying brings farmers business benefits and fun

Its a discipline; you have to learn how to do it, but once you can, you never forget. However, it takes time and money.

Today the organisation has almost 400 members scattered across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales and, as well as enjoying several UK visits a year throughout the summer months, they also undertake European tours.

Adventure

The Flying Farmers is probably one of the most adventurous flying clubs in the country, says Paul, who owns a French Robin  a four-seater low-wing plane capable of 150mph (130 knots).

Over the years we have been to most European countries as well as venturing into north Africa.

Ive flown over the Alps, visited Norway, the Black Sea and been to Romania and just before the Libyan uprisings I flew into Tunisia and over the Sahara.

Ive also been to Australia. I didnt take myself there, but I flew around when we visited farmers with airstrips. It was a fantastic experience flying over the outback, where we met arable, sheep and cattle farmers that have their own aircraft.

Paul has been the clubs secretary for 20 years and is responsible for producing and emailing newsletters, updating the website and keeping all the databases up to date, tasks which he says have become much easier thanks to the advance of technology.

Typical member

Last year he used the information he collates to create a theoretical profile of the typical flying farmer.

He would be called Richard, probably be in his 60s, hail from Lincolnshire, own a second-hand aircraft such as a Cessna 182 four-seater and would probably be successful and adventurous farmer who has a bit of grass that he calls an airstrip, on which is a tin hangar, explains Paul.

Paul says he was inspired to learn to fly by his father, an RAF Lancaster pilot during World War Two.

Ive seen some very interesting things on the tours and visits  from snail farms in France, cork production in Portugal to turf production in Yorkshire and many other things I have never even heard of.

Martin Gosling

In reality though, our members are very diverse; both of the words  farmer and aeroplane  are very broad-spectrum terms.

The word farmer encompasses all levels of size and standing, from some genuinely hardworking, hard-up hill men struggling to survive, with endless problems, to some very big adventurous farming enterprises with land or livestock scattered all over this country and abroad.

Aeroplane is similarly diverse, encompassing everything from homemade, lightweight aircraft that cost very little to jet engine airliners. We have many vintage aircraft, microlights, home builds, a few twin-engined aircraft and some helicopters in the association.

Association chairman Martin Gosling says: Flying can be a time-consuming hobby  but like any pastime, if you want to do it badly enough, you will make time.

He is the only member to have been on all the groups European tours since the first one to France in 1983. He has also flown over Africa, Australia and central America.

I have always had an interest in aviation, inspired by the heroes of WWII, books, films and stories. I was 34 when I first started; I had never really imagined I would be doing it.

Diverse experiences

Ive had the most wonderful experiences  it really is a fantastic way of seeing the world, and I know Im incredibly lucky and privileged to be able to do it, says Martin, a retired arable farmer from Essex who also flies a Robin.

Ive seen some very interesting things on the tours and visits  from snail farms in France, cork production in Portugal to turf production in Yorkshire and many other things I have never even heard of.

We are a very member-oriented group and rely on members to make suggestions of where to go.

It has been notable over the years that the further afield we plan to tour, the more people are encouraged to go. The organisation and preparation is done for you, so there is no worrying about permits and hotel accommodation.

It gives an enormous range to our social life  my wife comes too and its lovely to be able to share it with her.

The camaraderie is great. I just get enormous pleasure out of it.

Ageing membership

With an ageing membership, the future of the group is a topic that crops up in discussion, but Paul and his peers are hopeful new members will continue to come forward.

When we started, the average age was 30s-40s, but today thats fast heading towards the 70s, he explains.

A lot of those members who joined at the start, when they were in their 30s, are still members today, so the average age of the Flying Farmers reflects the average age of farmers generally.

We question where we are going to be in 10 years time. Some follow in their fathers footsteps and join  but its amazing how many farmers sons do not have the interest.

But its great for forging friendships. Its always good to meet up with people and there are always three things in common  farming, flying and the weather.

For more information on the Flying Farmers Association, eligibility and how to join, visit the FFA website.
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This year's World Series of Poker November Nine Final Table has been determined as of the early morning hours Wednesday July 20.

Cliff Josephy  74,600,000  Seat 5  Chip Leader

Cliff Josephy from Syosset, New York is the oldest remaining player in the field at 51, but also the only one with a WSOP gold bracelet on his resume. In fact, Josephy has two, having won a $3,000 No-Limit Holdem event in 2013 and a $1,500 Seven Card Stud event at the 2005 WSOP. All told, Josephy has $810,358 in WSOP earnings entering this Main Event and has won $2,641,420 lifetime in live poker tournaments. He also has some history in this event. Josephy has cashed twice previously in the WSOP Main Event, in 2008 (386th place) and last year, in 956th place. In addition, Josephy has invested wisely in this event previously. He was a financial backer of 2009 WSOP Main Event winner Joe Cada. With his guarantee of $1 million for reaching this final table, Josephy will have his largest career cash.

Qui Nguyen  67,925,000  Seat 4  Ranked 2nd in Chips

Qui Nguyen is the only Las Vegas, Nevada resident. Hes a 39-year-old poker pro and gambler with just $9,029 in WSOP earnings  less than the $10,000 it cost to enter this event. He has just one previous WSOP cash and only $52,986 in lifetime tournament poker winnings. This marks Nguyens first time to cash in the WSOP Main Event. He entered three WSOP events this summer, his Main Event journey, marking his only cash. Nguyens best finish was his 54th place finish in the 2009 WSOP, in a $1,500 No-Limit Holdem event.

Gordon Vayo  49,375,000  Seat 7  Ranked 3rd in Chips

Gordon Vayo is a 27-year-old San Francisco, California resident and poker pro with 26 career WSOP cashes worth $608,136. With the guarantee of at least $1 million for reaching this final table, Vayo will nearly double his career $974,714 in earnings. In 2014, Vayo finished in second place in a WSOP $3,000 No-Limit Holdem 6-Handed event, winning $314,535, his biggest poker score prior to this accomplishment. This marks Vayos first time to cash in the WSOP Main Event, but hes had a good summer, playing 21 WSOP gold bracelet events and cashing in eight of them.

Kenny Hallaert  43,325,000  Seat 8  Ranked 4th in Chips

For the second consecutive year we have a Belgium-born player at the final table. 34-year-old Kenny Hallaert hails from Hansbeke, Belgium and hes amassed 22 WSOP cashes and $367,855 in winnings. Hes an accomplished poker tournament director with $1,317,530 in career live tournament winnings, including a sixth place finish at EPT Deauville in 2011 that paid him $210,962, his largest score prior to making this final table. Hallaert is no stranger to going deep in this event or other large WSOP events, as hes twice cashed previously in the WSOP Main Event (2015: 123rd) and (2011: 323rd). In addition, in the inaugural WSOP Colossus event, the largest live poker tournament in history with 22,374 entries, Hallaert finished in fifth place, earning $182,348 for his $565 investment. Hes now guaranteed to add at least $1 million more to his bankroll and is in good position at the final table.

Michael Ruane  31,600,000  Seat 6  Ranked 5th in Chips

Hailing from Hoboken, New Jersey, 28-year-old Michael Ruane is as big as a surprise to be at this final table as anyone. He has just $24,438 in WSOP earnings, all coming from three previous WSOP cashes. His biggest cash previously was for $17,244, so the $1 million he is guaranteed is by far the biggest prize hes earned in poker. This marks Ruanes first time to cash in a WSOP event, and he has lifetime live poker tournament winnings of $44,962. He only played two events at this years WSOP, and his deep run in the Main Event makes it quite a successful journey for Ruane who makes his living as a poker pro.

Vojtech Ruzicka  27,300,000  Seat 2  Ranked 6th in Chips

Vojtech Ruzicka entered the final day of play with the chip lead and managed to keep himself squarely in control. The 30-year old from Prague, Czech Republic becomes the first Czech to make the final table since Martin Staszko in 2011. Staszko finished in second place, and no player from Czech Republic has ever claimed the WSOP Main Event crown. In fact, Tomas Junek (2012) is the only WSOP gold bracelet winner from the Czech Republic. Ruzicka has 17 previous WSOP cashes totaling $138,585 and has won $1,149,027 lifetime on the live poker circuit. Ruzicka is a poker pro who played 18 WSOP events this summer, cashing in four. This marks his first time to cash in the WSOP Main Event. He has claimed a victory before, winning the 2013 EPT Deauville High Roller No-Limit Holdem event for $426,907. However, this $1 million he is guaranteed for reaching the WSOP Main Event Final Table will be his largest ever live poker cash.

Griffin Benger  26,175,000  Seat 1  Ranked 7th in Chips

Our only Canadian at this final table is 31-year-old Griffin Benger from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Benger has already won $2,395,406 in live poker tournaments, and even has a previous $1 million victory, claiming first place in the 2014 Shark Tank session in London. Benger has 13 previous WSOP cashes totaling $231,201 and his previous high finish at a WSOP event was twice finishing in 14th place, once in 2012 and again in 2013. Remarkably, this Main Event was the only event Benger entered at the 2016 WSOP, and hes done well in this event before. Hes cashed twice, once in 2014 in 90th place and prior to that in 2012 in 304th place. Benger also has a successful history with other games, having previously been a world champion in the Counter-Strike computer game, and was ranked as the No. 1 online poker player in 2011. Benger, a poker pro, looks to become only the second Canadian champion in this event and first since Jonathan Duhamel took the crown in 2011.

Jerry Wong  10,175,000  Seat 9  Ranked 8th in Chips

Brooklyn, New York resident Jerry Wong becomes the second New Yorker to be featured at this final table, alongside Josephy. The 34-year old poker pro has career WSOP winnings of $118,156 coming on 19 previous cashes. In total, Wong has won $1,317,539 in live poker tournaments, including a $725,000 prize for coming in third place in the 2013 PCA in the Bahamas. Wong played 16 WSOP events in 2016, cashing five times. His guaranteed $1 million payday is his biggest tournament prize. Prior to that, his biggest WSOP cash came in the 2012 WSOP Main Event where he finished in 309th place for $32,871, the only other time he has cashed in this event.

Fernando Pons  6,150,000  Seat 3  Ranked 9th in Chips

Hailing from Palma, Spain, is 37-year-old Fernando Pons, who is an account executive for a retail chain. He has never cashed previously at the WSOP and has only won a total of $10,589 in live poker tournaments  just a few hundred dollars more than the buy-in for this event. This was the only event he came to play at the 2016 WSOP and prior to the $1 million hes locked up in this event, Pons biggest live tournament cash was for $4,059 for finishing in 56th place in a $1,500 No-Limit Holdem event in Las Vegas in 2014. He is the first Spaniard to make the WSOP Main Event final table since 2014 when Andoni Larrabe finished in sixth place. He can follow in the footsteps of Spains legendary card sharp, Carlos Mortensen, who captured the WSOP Main Event crown 15 years ago, in 2001. Mortensen won $1,500,000 that year and Larrabe won $1,622,471 for his finish, so Pons just needs to finish fifth or higher to have the biggest Spanish score in WSOP Main Event history. Fellow Spaniard Adrian Mateos won the 2013 WSOP Europe Main Event title, taking home 1 million euros.

Josh Weiss from La Jolla, California was the tenth place finisher. Play ended at 11:53 pm Pacific Time in Las Vegas on Monday, July 18 when Michael Ruane in the small blind and Gordon Voya in the big blind called Weiss 850,000 all-in bet. Weiss Ace-Eight was racing against Vayos Queen-Seven and Ruanes Jack-Five. The board ran out Jack-Seven-Three-Five-Four, giving Ruane two pair and eliminating Weiss. Weiss walks away with a nice $650,000 consolation prize.

Prize money for the remaining nine spots is as follows*:

1st place: $8,000,000

2nd place: $4,658,452

3rd place: $3,451,175

4th place: $2,574,808

5th place: $1,934,579

6th place: $1,463,906

7th place: $1,250,000

8th place: $1,100,000

9th place: $1,000,000

When play resumes October 30, the players will pick up with 32 minutes and 50 seconds remaining in Level 35. The antes will be 75,000 and blinds will stand at 250,000 and 500,000.

Source: WSOP.com
Fifty Shades Darker Release Date, News & Update: Jamie Dornan Films Last Few Scenes With Dakota Johnson? Cast & Crew Lucky To Survive Nice Terror Attack?

Several fans are now excited for the upcoming release of the "Fifty Shades Darker" movie. Recent reports are claiming Jamie Dornan is now filming his last few scenes with Dakota Johnson at Palais Garnier in Paris, France.

Jamie Dornan films last few 'Fifty Shades Darker' scenes with Dakota Johnson

Celeb Dirty Laundry has reported that Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson were spotted together in Paris, France, filming for the upcoming "Fifty Shades Darker" movie. Previous reports have claimed that the husband of Amelia Warner had decided to leave the "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie franchise so he could spend more time with his family.

As a matter of fact, GamenGuide has previously reported that Zac Efron will be replacing Jamie Dornan in the forthcoming "Fifty Shades Freed" movie. Sources have claimed that Amelia Warner would really need the attention of Dakota Johnson's leading man in "Fifty Shades Darker" as she suffers from postpartum depression.

It can be recalled that Jamie Dornan and Amelia Warner had welcomed their second bundle of joy few months ago. Dakota Johnson's leading man had thought that everything will be okay after that, but it seems like his involvement in "Fifty Shades Darker" ha caused so much trouble on her wife and his family in general.

Though the departure of Jamie Dornan is quite possible, it should be noted that neither "Fifty Shades Darker" actress Dakota Johnson nor Amelia Warner's husband has confirmed any of these reports. Hence, fans should take everything with a grain of salt until proven true.

Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, 'Fifty Shades Darker' crew survived deadly Nice attack

Meanwhile, Celeb Dirty Laundry has also reported that Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson and the rest of the "Fifty Shades Darker" crew were very lucky to survive the deadly attack in Nice. Reports have it that the filming for the "Fifty Shades of Grey" sequel happened near the attack site.

"Production has confirmed that everyone working on location in the south of France is okay," "Fifty Shades Darker" producer Dana Brunetti has stated. "Everyone has been accounted for and it safe and sound."

"Fifty Shades Darker" is scheduled to premiere in Feb. 10, 2017. For more "Fifty Shades Darker" news and updates, stay tuned to GamenGuide!
See the latest titles that arrived on the 'Xbox One Backwards Compatibility' feature

The "Xbox one backwards compatibility" feature is not waning down. Contrary to rumors when, last week, Microsoft released Interpol, some concerned fans jumped to conclusions saying, Microsoft's important feature is slowing down.

Well today, that's not going to happen as the giant company releases three new titles on the "Xbox One backwards compatibility" feature mainly Flock!, HALF-MINUTE HERO - Super Mega Neo Climax and Tour de France 2009. Last week, the Interpol arrive on the feature and prior to that, the EXPRESS UK mentioned the arrival of Undead Nightmare and Red Dead Redemption: Game of the year Edition on the "Xbox One backwards compatibility" feature.

Rumor is that, the pending arrival of Skate 3, Bioshock, Bioshock 1 and Bioshock Infinite might be just around the corner and may come as a surprise just like when "Red Dead Redemption" came at the most unexpected time.

Meanwhile, there's no concrete information on just how many more games will arrive on the "Xbox One backwards compatibility" feature, but Microsoft previously said that they will release games at unspecified schedule and whenever a title is ready for the feature.

The latest triple A game that arrived on the feature has been the "Red Dead Redemption" and after it was announced, speculations about a sequel also came up. The latest games to arrive on the "Xbox One backwards compatibility" feature include:

Bloodforge

Go! Go! Break Steady

Grip Shift

Mars: War Logs

Blood Knights

Comic Jumper

Crystal Quests

Dungeons and Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara

I am Alive

Fallout: New Vegas

Joe Danger Special Edition

Brain Challenge

Flashback

Left 4 Dead

Portal 2

Anomaly Warzone Earth

Foul Play

Monopoly Plus

SEGA Bass Fishing

XCOM: Enemy Unknown

There are over 200 titles in the "Xbox One backwards compatibility" feature and just recently, Microsoft shelved at least 160 indie titles from the feature. Don't miss the latest "Xbox One backwards compatibility" titles by reading on GamenGuide.com.
'Dance Moms' Season 6 Latest Spoilers, News & Update: Maddie Ziegler Returns To ALDC And Fans Are Not happy About It?

Maddie Ziegler just can't seem to catch a break. Many were devastated when she and her younger sister Mackenzie Ziegler left "Dance Moms" and Abby Lee Dance Company (ALDC), but now that she has returned to ALDC she was criticized for it.

READ: Maddie Ziegler 2016 Latest News & Update: What Did Sia Teach 'Dance Moms' Star To Stop Doing?

Maddie Ziegler probably though that she was giving in to the fans' demands by returning to the Abby Lee Dance Company studio as a guest star at the "Dance to the Music" event earlier this month.

But "Dance Moms" terror teacher and Abby Lee Dance Company owner, Abby Lee Miller, posted a cryptic message on Instagram leading to speculations that Maddie Ziegler's return was not welcomed with open arms.

READ: Maddie Ziegler 2016 News & Update: 'Dance Moms' Star Chooses Career Over Family?

In the Instagram photo, Maddie Ziegler will be seen smiling with two of the Abby Lee Dance Company students, Elliana Walmsley and Areana Lopez.

The three of them did an amazing trio routine, so it was definitely shocking, especially to Abby Lee Miller to realize that there were unhappy people because of the presence of Maddie Ziegler.

"They dream of following in her footsteps, but will they ever fill her shoes? This is a cute pic! So sweet, so don't look for drama! These two performed with @maddieziegler in the 2016 dance concert 'Dance to the Music...' This was an adorable picture - why so hateful? Everyone's a critic," "Dance Moms" star Abby Lee Miller wrote.

A photo posted by Abby Lee Miller (@therealabbylee) on Jul 10, 2016 at 8:45am PDT

READ: 'Dance Moms' 2016 News & Update: Chloe Lukasiak Richer And More Popular Than Maddie Ziegler?

After leaving "Dance Moms" to focus on her career outside the Abby Lee Dance Company studio, Maddie Ziegler became one of the most sought after teen of her generation.

Given her talent ad perseverance, it's no surprise that Maddie Ziegler got the "So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation" gig.

Maddie Ziegler joins Nigel Lythoe, Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo in the judging panel of "So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation."

READ: 'So You Think You Can Dance: The Next Generation' Spoilers, News & Update: 'Dance Moms' Star Maddie Ziegler Joins Show
Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Latest News, Release Date & Update: 5 Features To Look Forward To

Samsung's phablet flagship, the Galaxy Note 7, is due for announcement and launch on August 2, at a Samsung event in New York City. Since then, there have been plenty of leaks and rumors surrounding its specifications. Here's a round-up of some of the best we've seen so far.

1. IP68 waterproofing.

The Galaxy S5 and S7 have both been equipped with some form of water resistance, allowing them to be wet or even submerged in water for some time. The Galaxy Note 7 is going to be the first of the Note series to also be waterproof, with most rumors suggesting IP68 certification that will allow for immersion in five feet of water for up to 30 minutes, as well as some dustproofing.

The S Pen active stylus of the Galaxy Note 7 is also said to be covered by the certification.

2. MicroSD slot.

The Galaxy Note 7 will be equipped with a microSD slot, just like the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, marking the return of expandable storage after the last generation of Samsung flagships dropped the microSD slot.

The Galaxy Note 7 may be equipped with a hybrid SIM and microSD slot, like the dual-SIM version of the Galaxy S7. It may also have support for Samsung's new UFS 1.0 cards, which offer vastly improved transfer speeds.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 will very likely be shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, though it's not clear whether it will support the Adoptable Storage feature of the latest version of Android, as the Galaxy S7 did not. However, you can use ADB to force it on the S7.

3. Iris scanner.

May reports suggest that the Galaxy Note 7 will be equipped with an iris scanner as an alternative unlock method to the fingerprint scanner. Leaked images have shown that users can unlock the Note 7 by positioning their eyes 25-35cm away from their phones.

Currently, the only phones on the market with iris scanners are the Lumia 950 and 950 XL, which use IR illumination, and the lesser-known Fujitsu NX F-04G. Samsung has its own patent for iris recognition, so it's likely that the Galaxy Note 7 will use a unique method.

4. Curved display and Always On.

The Galaxy S7 comes in a regular flat-screened version and the curved "Edge" variant, but the Galaxy Note 7 is said to come exclusively with a curved screen. It's expected to have the same Enhanced Edge features as the S7 Edge.

The Galaxy Note 7 will also be getting the Always On feature, which keeps the AMOLED screen active even when the phone is locked, to display a clock, notifications, calendar, patterns, and more.

5. USB Type-C.

The last time Samsung experimented with changing the classic charging point was with 2013's Galaxy Note 3 and its USB 3.0 port. The Galaxy Note 7 is expected to adopt the USB Type-C standard, which will allow for reversible connectors, much faster file transfers, and greatly improved charging speeds.

These are only some of the most exciting features that the Galaxy Note 7 will have. Only two weeks remain before the big reveal, and we're all excited to see how thing will pan out!
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Release Date, Gameplay & Update: Infinity Ward Releases Weapons and Spaceship Details

Before the "Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare" release date, details about the highly anticipated first-person shooter from Infinity Ward are starting to emerge. This time, new info regarding the Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare gameplay has surfaced that would surely be a delight to gamers.

With the Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare release date already slated this coming November, Infinity Ward held a live Facebook event that teasingly revealed to fans some details about the upcoming game. Hosted by the Sean Byers and Dan Savage, the two devs discussed an important as aspect about Call of Duty: Infinity Warfare gameplay - the exciting topic of weapons and spaceship details, reports VG 24/7.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Gameplay - SATO's Central Hub Design

Players of Mass Effect would feel right at home in the new Solar Associated Treaty Organization (SATO) central hub called Retribution; its bridge is touted to be similar to Normady. In addition, players will have an easier time navigating when Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare release date arrive because the upcoming game will use a similar map as the Mass Effect is using.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Gameplay - Dog Fights In Space

Players would be pleased to know that the upcoming game promises exciting dog fights and space battles ahead. When Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare release date comes this November, players will be able to pilot the Jackal, a fighter spaceship touted to be based on real life fighter jets such as the F-22 and F-35.

The Jackal follows a "Navy meets NASA" theme. As such, the incredible spacecraft would be equally maneuverable in space as well as in the skies.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Gameplay - Logistics (SATO)

A important part of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare gameplay is transport of personnel, equipments and even vehicles necessary in ground combat. When Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare release date arrives, players may use the capable Raven, a transport vehicle that can carry troops, equipments and even ground vehicles.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Gameplay - SDF Units

On the other side of the fence are the Settlement Defence Front (SDF) that will have their own units when Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare release date comes. Their answer to SATO's Retribution is a gargantuan command center named Olympus Mons, a super carrier that is said to drawf Retribution.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Release Date

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare release date is scheduled this coming November 4, 2016 for Windows, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

Stay tuned to GameNGuide for future updates on Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare gameplay.
CSULB alum wins gold at the 38th Long Beach Marathon  which was his first
A hazardous-materials investigation in downtown Corvallis closed Southwest Madison Avenue between Second and Third streets for more than an hour Wednesday as officials worked to remove chemical vials on an anti-theft device attached to a decades-old safe.

Officials said contractors at the former Coleman Jewelers at 255 S.W. Madison Ave. were in the process of remodeling the vacant store Wednesday when they found a commercial anti-theft device with a liquid vial attached to a safe, made by Halls Safe and Lock Co., that was believed to date back to the 1930s.

The Corvallis Fire Department, the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County hazardous materials team and an Oregon State Police bomb squad unit closed off the street and evacuated residents and businesses from the area shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday. The device was removed from the safe at around 2 p.m. and the street was reopened to the public.

Fire officials said Wednesday the potentially hazardous device appeared to be a commercial anti-theft attachment designed to explode or rupture  most likely with tear gas  in the event that the safe was compromised.

It looked like the safe was booby-trapped, said Patrick Rollens, Corvallis public information officer. There is no reason to think it was still active, but at the same time it was originally meant to ruin someones day if someone tried to break into that safe. So out of an abundance of caution they evacuated people from the area.

Coleman Jewelers, the landmark Corvallis business founded by Alfred Coleman, closed in December 2012. Rollens said that members of the Coleman family were not aware the safe was inside the building before its discovery Wednesday and they did not know the origins of the anti-theft device.

Andy Louden, Corvallis Fire Department battalion chief, said hazmat crews researched the device and believed that it was likely manufactured in the 1930s.

They can be additionally hazardous as they age, Louden said, noting that in some cases the chemicals could be deadly. And the device itself can become much more sensitive over time.

Louden noted that in his nearly 40 years as a firefighter, he had never heard of a similar safe protection device before he researched it on Wednesday.

Apparently it was a common practice in the 1930s to add all forms of security to a safe and a lot of times they used chemicals. Its really quite interesting, Louden said. And because they apparently get unstable as it gets older, I would assume most people removed them at some point. But this thing was still there.

Louden added that bomb squad officials later incinerated the device at an undisclosed location out of the downtown Corvallis area and that no attempt was made to remove the chemicals inside the device itself.

They just destroy them, Louden said. Well never know what actually was in there. Its safe, but its kind of unsatisfying, isnt it?

Tim Davenport, owner of The Shoe Hutch next door, said he was glad to hear that the device was removed, but added that the closure of the road and neighboring stores hurt business.

Its their call and I dont know the specifics but it seemed excessive, Davenport said. Its very annoying to have something like this happen. It takes us out of business a whole day and its costly. I hope our customers werent too inconvenienced.
Jon Gold is a native New Yorker, used to the hustle and aggressive nature of the big city, but he moved to Corvallis in 2003 and bought the Sunnyside Up cafe for a simple reason  the people here were nice.

And thats why he never expected what happened with this summer with the eatery, which specializes in breakfast fare.

Gold said that on July 5, he got notice that his building was being sold and he was given 30 days to leave. Sunnyside Ups last day in business, at least at 116 N.W. Third St., will be on July 31.

My lease happened to be up and they didnt want to renew it.  I was floored. Were practically a community institution here, he said.

The rent has always been paid on time. Ive been a good tenant and I feel like Ive been a good member of the community, Gold added. I know they have the right to do that. Its legal. But is it ethical?

Leftover baked goods are donated daily to the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center, while leftover soup goes to Linn Benton Food Share, Gold said. The eatery also provides the space for the Second Saturday concert series, which raises money for a variety of local nonprofits.

Gold said he wasnt sure what he was going to do, and that if he could find someone to finance him and a location, he would reopen the restaurant in a different spot.

He added that he was more worried about his 15 employees.

Its really sad, said Katrina Going, a single mother of two. I have 11 days to find another job. I might not get another interview that fast.

Shes been working for Sunnyside Up for seven months, and switched from a different restaurant job because the breakfast eatery gave her the opportunity to be home at night with her kids.

Gold was given the option of having Sunnyside Up stay an additional month at the location, but said he wouldnt have been able to staff the restaurant for that long, as all of his workers would essentially flee for other jobs.

There has been a cafe, in some form or another, at the location for about 20 years. Prior to Sunnyside Up, the Sunriver Coffee Co. did business at the site. The business became Sunnyside Up in 1999.

In 2003, when Gold bought the restaurant, it occupied about half the space that it does now.

A garage sale to sell the restaurants equipment and supplies is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 1 through Aug. 4.

The buildings and land from 110 N.W. Third St. to 128 N.W. Third St. currently are owned by Copper Gutter Properties, LLC, a Corvallis-based company. The company has owned the building for years, according to the Benton County Assessors Office. Representatives of the company could not be reached by telephone on Tuesday afternoon.

The real market value of the property and land is nearly $972,000, according to the Benton County Assessors Office.

Aomatsu, a popular sushi restaurant, is the only other business in the building. It has a new 10-year lease contract, with an option for an additional five years, said Elizabeth Kim, whose parents own the restaurant.
For those of you who like to start working through your ballot at the bottom  where important state and local ballot measures are located  there is some good news to report.

The number of ballot measures in November will not be quite as large as we earlier had feared. The rigors of gathering the necessary signatures to qualify a measure for the statewide ballot have winnowed down a potential traffic jam of initiatives to a more manageable number.

The exact number remains to be seen  and remember that your ballot likely will contain some local measures as well.

But some measures that earlier looked to be good bets to make the ballot have failed to qualify. For example, we were intrigued by Initiative Petition 49, a measure that would have made it harder for the Legislature to use the so-called "emergency clause," which allows legislation to go into effect immediately and prevents referendums. The measure failed to gather the necessary signatures.

Another measure that fell by the wayside would have prevented officials from disclosing voter information, such as someone's address and whether the person has turned in a ballot, unless the government obtained permission from the voter. Since voters already can prevent officials from disclosing their personal information if doing so would jeopardize their safety, the measure seemed unnecessary.

What's on the ballot for sure? Initiative Petition 28, the controversial proposal to slap a gross-receipts tax on 1,000 or so Oregon corporations, easily qualified for the ballot. Now, both sides are gearing up for what likely will be this November's signature state campaign. Opponents of the measure say they've amassed more than $5 million to fight the measure. You can bet that proponents, including Oregon's public employee unions, will be offering substantial financial support to help make their case.

The tax fight could well overshadow some of the other measures on the ballot. Those include a pair of well-meaning measures aimed at Oregon schools: One measure, intended to raise Oregon's anemic high school graduation rate, would allocate $800 per student to high schools, which would be required to use the money on additional college-level or career-oriented courses, tutoring services and other programs intended to boost graduation rates. That measure, which we still think is problematic, qualified for the ballot last week.

We should know this week if the other school-related measure will qualify: It would allow lottery funds to be used to support Outdoor School programs. We have concerns with this measure as well.

We'll also know this week about yet another possible measure: Initiative Petition 68, which would prohibit the sale in Oregon of products made from 12 endangered species.

Of course, the November ballot also will include other measures that just won't be able to garner much attention in the campaign: Consider, for example, Senate Joint Resolution 4, a legislative referral to remove the mandatory retirement age for judges in the state, which is 75.

But here's the good news: Not too long ago, it looked as voters would need to brew a couple of pots of coffee just to make their way through the ballot issues. Now, one pot might suffice.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2021.
Boat club refugee initiative : A carefree day on the Rhine

Beuel Sharing the beauty of the Rhine; refugee families were taken out for an excursion by the Beuel Boat Club.

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On a statue in front of the Boat Club Beuel 1862, there is a plaque which describes the purpose of the club. Its about promoting appreciation for the Rhine, tradition, custom, helping neighbors especially when flooding hits and about integrating the newly arrived. Reiner Burgunder and Claus Werner Muller have taken this purpose to heart. Before, when one spoke of the newly arrived it referred to those coming from Cologne; today its the aslyum seekers, commented Muller.

Together with three refugee families and their support person, Monika Mai, the two men from Beuel went out for the day on the Rhine to share the beauty of the river and points of interest with the new Bonners. Burgunder had already met one of the families at Karneval 2016. The young couple smile when they hear the word Karneval and their 8-month-old daughter Manessa smiles just because. There will be a repeat of this event as the club will invite more refugees for outings in the future.

Mai, a retired school teacher is especially engaged and is always on top of sharing these types of opportunities with the people she is looking after. They are making very good progress with the German language, says the project initiator. Especially the kids have the fewest problems. I wish for them for the future, that they quickly will have a good command of German, be able to find a job and an apartment so they can have a secure future, says Mai. Until now, this has been wishful thinking. The bureaucracy is just too slow. I give the German lessons on my own initiative, no one contacted me as a former teacher. Not only that irritates her but but she adds, These refugees are always so friendly and grateful, and still there are people who see them with hatred. The attitude of many people is a problem. You need to meet these people!

She acknowledges that the boat tours will not erase the problems. Of course the state is too immobile, we saw it on New Years Eve. Too many are let in uncontrolled, says Mai. The young families try hard to learn German and fit in. Hachim, a young father of three, exclaims I am very happy to be here. Bonn is so lovely. In the beginning, everything was new, its a big difference to my home in Iraq. For example, such a big boat like this we do not have in Iraq. The young mother is also enthusiastic as the wind blows at her back on the return ride, Its like the Titanic, she says.
18-year-old detained : Children molested at public pool

Remagen A young man observed touching children inappropriately at a swimming pool was reported and police were called.

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In a Remagen wading pool for youngsters, an 18-year-old was seen touching children in an inappropriate manner. He was observed by a staff member of the swimming pool, who informed the police. The young man from Afghanistan was taken into provisional detention on Monday and is accused of having molested several children.

The swimming pool staff member called police at about 5 p.m. with information that a man at the pool was apparently sexually harassing or touching more than one child in the pool. Police officers who were deployed to the pool were able to determine that the man hung around in the wading pool and repeatedly touched children aged ten to twelve years in the area of the buttocks and genitals.

The children had told the adult accompanying them, who then informed pool employees. The suspect is an asylum seeker from Afghanistan living in Bad Breisig. He was taken to the Remagen police station, questioned and finger printed. A criminal complaint was filed against him. After consultation with the Koblenz prosecutor, the 18-year-old was let go on a lack of available grounds for detention.
Article

Protecting the worlds oceans  an important goal of Germanys climate diplomacy

The worlds oceans are vital to our survival. They regulate the global climate and are a source of food and income for billions of people. Only a very small part of the seas enjoys legal protection, however. Our diplomats are working in New York right now to change this state of affairs.
Mobility Airmen remain committed to Army's airborne mission

By Jodi Ames, Headquarters Air Mobility Command Public Affairs / Published July 19, 2016

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (AFNS) -- Air Mobility Command aircrews participated in the 82nd Airborne Division's battalion mass tactical week at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, from July 11-15.

The joint readiness exercise, also referred to as Mass Tac, illustrated the mobility air force's ongoing commitment to support the Army and airborne training requirements at Fort Bragg.

During the exercise, Army paratroopers executed mass tactical parachute jumps from C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. This gave both Army and Air Force units the chance to practice large-scale airdrop missions for personnel and equipment. It also provided an opportunity to enhance interoperability for worldwide crisis, contingency and humanitarian response missions.

For AMC's aircrews, the week focused on providing efficient and productive training for all Army and Air Force personnel involved, said Lt. Col. William McDonald, who served as mission commander for the exercise.

In total, six AMC aircraft flying in three-ship formations made roughly 96 passes over Fort Bragg's Sicily Drop Zone, airdropping over 4,700 paratroopers, six howitzer artillery combos, two Humvees and several other pieces of heavy equipment and cargo, McDonald said.

"We had double the number of aircrews normally used for this type of exercise." McDonald said. "This highlights our commitment to the 82nd Airborne and their mission."

"We usually only bring one crew per aircraft," he explained. "For this exercise we brought two crews per aircraft, which allowed us to offer an additional three lifts and 1,377 jumpers per day."

While AMC conducts airdrop exercises each month, this iteration was unique as participants of Mass Tac were thrown a curveball that required them to rapidly shift their focus to an emergency deployment readiness exercise.

"We are doing some type of airdrop exercise every month," McDonald said. "However, this is the first time we have rolled a (battalion mass tactical week) into an (emergency deployment readiness exercise) in order to test our ability to plan and the Army's ability to support a large exercise inside of 96 hours."

Planning for the emergency deployment readiness exercise began July 12 while Mass Tac was still underway, and aircraft began launching on July 16, said Lt. Col. Ben Russo, the 18th Air Force deputy chief of combat operations.

The transition was significant because it doubled the teams' work and required them to plan a larger exercise while still running another, which is no easy feat according to McDonald.

"There is a lot of training that takes place in the mission planning cell," he said. "These folks start planning the exercise days before the crews arrive. It is a great change for them to work with the Army and gain a greater understanding of how we, as MAF Airmen, fit into the bigger operational picture."

The merging of the two exercises provided a wealth of experience for teams in the mission planning cell and aircrews alike, but the relationship building is the most important aspect from McDonald's perspective.

"The biggest thing is that it helps us make connections with people we will be working with for a real-world event," he said. "Having those contacts to reach out to makes a huge difference.

"Learning how the other services think and communicate really helps us understand what's important for their mission and ensures that we provide the best support available," McDonald continued.

Each of these exercises represented a touchstone for Air Mobility Command. By training as a cohesively integrated global response force, mobility forces are better prepared to provide combatant commanders with the critical options necessary to respond to rapidly evolving international crises.

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Reservists keep aircraft flying in huge Pacific exercise

By Master Sgt. Grady Epperly, 507th Air Refueling Wing / Published July 19, 2016

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) -- One of the few common threads interwoven between the 26 nations and more than 200 aircraft participating in the Rim of the Pacific 2016 exercise is the need for fuel -- and a lot of it.

This is where citizen Airmen from the 507th Air Refueling Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, come into play to support the world's largest international maritime exercise.

"When it comes to the air piece of RIMPAC, we are here to ensure aircraft have the fuel they need to complete their mission," said Maj. Jeff Milburn, the detachment commander for the wing's 465th Air Refueling Squadron.

The crews of the 465th ARS fly and operate the KC-135R Stratotanker. The KC-135 is not only capable of conducting aerial refueling; it can also carry cargo, personnel and equipment. For midair refueling it can carry more than 150,000 pounds of transfer fuel.

"The sights, sounds and sheer scale of RIMPAC are unlike any military exercise in the world," Milburn said. "Outside of the old-style operational readiness exercises, RIMPAC is one of the few opportunities we have to deploy operations, maintainers and support staff simultaneously."

RIMPAC is taking place from June 30 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California, with 507th ARW personnel working out of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

"RIMPAC provides our Airmen the chance to work with other branches, aircraft and nations," Milburn said.

The 507th ARW mission isn't all about flying. The bulk of work actually happens on the ground.

"The various systems in the aircraft are designed to be very efficient, but they have been in operation for a while and eventually things break or malfunction," said Staff Sgt. Kurt Weisel, an aircraft electrician with the 507th Maintenance Squadron. "Being an aircraft electrician is very interesting, because it gives me a chance to be involved in all the systems and solutions."

The Stratotanker has been in use by the Air Force for more than 50 years, and the airframe is a military version of the civilian Boeing 707 passenger jet.

Weisel said he takes pride in being part of the refueling mission and keeping the jets in operation.

"Getting to come to RIMPAC is a privilege, and I think the fact the 507th ARW keeps getting invited back to provide the Navy air boss the logistical support they need speaks to how well we integrate with active-duty and other branches," Weisel said. "It's nice to be appreciated."

RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. This year's exercise is the 25th one in the series that began in 1971.

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From Ship to Shore, 4th Tank Bn. Kicks off Annual Training

US Marine Corps News

By Cpl. Gabrielle Quire | July 19, 2016

4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, kicked off its main annual training event July 12, 2016, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

The exercise, which will run through July 22, focuses on conducting amphibious operations with mechanized assets going from ship to shore.

"The guys with 4th Tanks are very eager to learn and being able to conduct amphibious operations is part of what makes the Marine Corps completely unique," said Cpl. Nicholas Figueroa, crew chief for 3rd Amphibious Assault Bn., 1st Marine Division. "It's very important that Marines train with the amphibious assault vehicles and also the landing craft air cushions, so we have the capability to carry artillery, tanks, troops, supplies and ammo from ship to shore. The Reserve Marines don't get that training every day and it's my job to make sure they're at their peak readiness."

During annual training, forces utilize active duty Inspector-Instructor staff to ensure Reserve Marines meet training and readiness standards for worldwide deployment.

"Our training is important because there are a lot of crises around the world today and we need to ensure Marines are trained and prepared, so if the Reserves get called to go fight a foreign enemy overseas they're ready." Master Gunnery Sgt. Ishmael Castillo, I&I operations chief with 4th Tank Bn.

For the remainder of the exercise 4th Tank Bn. will conduct fire support training by calling in fire missions with the help of supporting units to set up for the culminating event, which consists of 36 hours of offensive and defensive operations. During the event, 4th Tank Bn. will engage a notional enemy with a company of 14 tanks. This is the first time in over a decade tanks have fired main gun rounds on Camp Pendleton.

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NATO and Russia: Balancing defence with dialogue - Opinion piece by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

19 Jul. 2016

European security is being challenged on many fronts. In the last week alone, we have seen another devastating terrorist attack in France and a failed coup attempt in Turkey. The threats posed by terrorism and instability are real and all NATO Allies are working together to keep our people safe.

But there is another challenge: a challenge from a more assertive Russia, especially following the illegal annexation of Crimea. I believe a key way to enhance our long-term security in Europe is to engage in meaningful dialogue with Russia, NATO's largest and most powerful neighbour. That is why we held another meeting last week of the NATO-Russia Council. It is also why NATO leaders at our recent summit in Warsaw reconfirmed our balanced, two-track approach to Russia: strengthening our collective deterrence and defence, while at the same time remaining committed to meaningful dialogue.

NATO has a long history of trying to build a cooperative relationship with Russia. In 1991, as the Soviet Union collapsed, NATO looked to move beyond the old Cold War rivalry.

In 1994, NATO launched the Partnership for Peace programme. Russia was the first country to join. The NATO-Russia Founding Act followed just three years later. In signing this landmark agreement, NATO and Russia expressed their determination to "build together a lasting and inclusive peace in the Euro-Atlantic area on the principles of democracy and cooperative security." Both sides agreed not to use force against each other or any other state; to respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states; and to settle disputes peacefully. Russian troops operated alongside NATO in both Bosnia and Kosovo to resolve conflicts there.

Progress continued into the new century. In 2002, NATO and Russia established the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) to enhance "our ability to work together in areas of common interest and to stand together against common threats and risks to our security." The NRC facilitated greater cooperation in a wide range of areas, including counter-terrorism, crisis management, arms control and theatre missile defence. In 2010, NATO and Russia agreed to move toward a true strategic partnership. Over the following years, we worked together in Afghanistan, conducted counter-piracy and submarine exercises, and discussed a joint military mission to help dispose of Syria's chemical weapons.

Then everything changed. In 2014, Russia used force to illegally annex Crimea and has continued to destabilize eastern Ukraine. In doing so, Russia has violated international law and undermined the European security order. These aggressive actions have triggered a robust response from the international community. The European Union, the United States, and others have imposed tough economic sanctions. Russia was suspended from the G8. And over the past two years NATO has delivered the biggest reinforcement of its collective defence in a generation.

Collective defence is NATO's primary responsibility. Our nearly one billion people expect that we will keep them safe. To further boost our security, NATO leaders agreed last week in Warsaw to enhance our military presence in the eastern part of the Alliance. We will deploy four multinational battalions in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland on a rotational basis. These forces will make clear that an attack on one Ally will be met by forces from the whole Alliance. And we agreed to increase our presence in south-eastern Europe, based on a multinational brigade in Romania.

Some fear these measures are leading toward a tit-for-tat escalation with Russia. I understand those concerns, but I do not share them. We want to prevent conflict, not to provoke it. All of NATO's measures are defensive, proportionate, transparent and fully in line with our international obligations. NATO is and will always be a defensive alliance. The core of our strengthened defence posture is aimed at countering security threats from all directions. NATO poses no threat to Russia or to any other country. We do not seek confrontation or a new arms race. The Cold War is history and it should stay history.

Despite our differences, it is essential that we engage constructively with Russia. After all, Russia is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Russia cannot and should not be isolated. Russia can play a constructive role in world affairs, as shown by the Iran nuclear agreement and the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons.

Dialogue with Russia is important to promote strategic stability, predictability and transparency. We need dialogue to clearly communicate our intentions, our initiatives and our expectations to Russia, and vice versa. We need dialogue to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents spiralling out of control. The downing of the Russian fighter plane over Turkey last year underlines how urgent this is. And I welcome the fact that Russia has signalled that it wants to pursue confidence building measures to improve air safety.

Dialogue is also important for communicating and reinforcing clear principles and international norms of behaviour, like the sovereignty of nations and the sanctity of internationally recognized borders. These values are fundamental for European security. That is why NATO will never accept Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and why we fully support Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

NATO and Russia should talk with each other and not past each other. The NATO-Russia Council provides a useful forum for meaningful dialogue. It also offers a potential platform for forging a more cooperative relationship, when Russia's actions make that possible.

Given the complex and challenging security environment we face today, I believe NATO's two-track approach toward Russia is the right one. We need more defence and more dialogue. NATO is delivering both.

The author is NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. This opinion-editorial was published in newspapers belonging to LENA (Leading European Newspaper Alliance)

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Department of the Navy, Dominion Virginia Power Agree to Develop More Solar in Virginia

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160719-04

Release Date: 7/19/2016 9:11:00 AM

From Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations and Environment

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Department of the Navy (DON) and Dominion Virginia Power (Dominion) announced plans today to build a 21 megawatt (MW) direct current (DC) (18 MW alternating current) solar facility at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

This is the second solar project that the DON has collaborated on with Dominion. On Sept. 15, 2015, the DON awarded a 10-year contract to purchase 25 MW DC, equivalent to six percent of Naval Station (NS) Norfolk's electricity needs.

In exchange for the use of DON land, NAS Oceana will receive in-kind consideration in the form of electrical infrastructure upgrades. Dominion will build, own, operate and maintain the 21 MW DC facility for 37 years.

"Renewable energy projects, like the one at NAS Oceana and others throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region, are win-win-win collaborations. They're good for the utility companies, good for our installations and good for the communities surrounding our installations," said Rear Adm. Jack Scorby, Jr., commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. "These projects increase the energy security, energy diversity and energy resiliency of our bases. Energy security, or having assured access to reliable supplies of energy and the ability to protect and deliver sufficient energy to meet mission-essential requirements, is critical to our installations' roles to support the Fleet."

NAS Oceana's Commanding Officer, Capt. Louis J. Schager, Jr., highlighted the value of this project for NAS Oceana and the local community. "We have a great relationship with the surrounding community and by hosting this facility we are helping to make the regional grid more diverse and, therefore, more resilient. Bottom line, this project will advance our mission to support the fleet while benefitting our Navy family as well as the community."

"Our thanks to the Department of the Navy for their partnership on this important solar installation," said Thomas F. Farrell II, Dominion chairman, president and CEO. "This collaboration shares common goals--investing in the growth of renewable energy and helping to make the military's energy supply more secure."

The project requires approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission. Dominion plans to submit that request this summer and anticipates the facility to be completed and operational in late 2017.

The Secretary of the Navy established a goal to bring one gigawatt of renewable energy into procurement by the end of 2015, which the DON surpassed by collaborating with industry to develop mutually beneficial energy resources. The DON is exploring the next level of energy technology advances such as battery storage, electrification, fuel cells and microgrids to further enhance its energy security, operational capability, strategic flexibility and resource availability.

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Bahrain clerics attend protest in support of Sheikh Qassim

Iran Press TV

Tue Jul 19, 2016 6:8PM

Clerics in Bahrain have attended a protest in support of the country's top Shia cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim as the Manama regime intensifies the crackdown on members of the religious community.

Hundreds of Shia clerics gathered at a main square of the village of Diraz, west of Manama, to back Sheikh Qassim in the face of the regime's mounting pressure on the cleric.

The protesters, clad in white shrouds to show that they are ready to die for Sheikh Qassim, held images of the cleric and chanted slogans against the ruling Al Khalifah regime.

Reports said security forces attacked the gathering. They also attempted to arrest two young clerics but escaped the scene after the protest intensified.

A statement issued at the end of the gathering said the clerics have felt the need to take to the streets to show their discontent with the regime's intensifying crackdown on religious figures.

Bahrain has issued an increasing number of jail sentences against notable opposition figures over the past months. The courts in the kingdom have also stripped many, including Sheikh Qassim, of citizenship, prompting concerns that the regime is pursuing a policy of ethnic cleansing.

Manama repealed Sheikh Isa Qassim's citizenship on June 20 amid an intensifying crackdown on the pro-democracy drive across the Persian Gulf country. Shortly afterward, the military surrounded Diraz, his native village, with checkpoints, stopping people from entering it.

Internet connections and cellular coverage at the village have also been disabled, making it impossible for the villagers to communicate with the outside world.

Bahrain has been cracking down on dissent ever since the popular uprising began in early 2011. On July 17, Bahrain's so-called administrative court ordered the dissolution of al-Wefaq, the country's main opposition group. The court also ordered the seizure of its funds.

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Manama's dissolution of al-Wefaq is deplorable: UN

Iran Press TV

Tue Jul 19, 2016 1:6AM

The dissolution of Bahrain's main Shia opposition group, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, is a deplorable move on behalf of Manama, says UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The dissolution is "the latest in a series of restrictions of the rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of association, and freedom of expression in Bahrain," said Ban in a statement released on Monday.

On Sunday, Bahrain's so-called administrative court ordered the dissolution of al-Wefaq and the seizure of its funds after the Bahraini Justice Ministry had suspended the opposition group's activities on June 14.

Ban added that Bahrain's latest move is similar to other actions such as the revoking of top Shia scholar Sheikh Isa Qassim's citizenship and extending the sentence of al-Wefaq's secretary general, Sheikh Ali Salman  all of which risk escalating the already tense situation in the Persian Gulf state.

Meanwhile, Bahrain's four main Shia Muslim clerics have warned over the government's widespread use of force against the nation, noting that it was not limited to political opposition.

"We, the Shia, as a main component of this homeland have become greatly convinced that we are being targeted in our existence, identity, beliefs, rituals and practices," said a statement published over social media and signed by Sheikh Abdullah al-Ghuraifi, Sheikh Abdul-Hussein al-Sitri, Sheikh Mohammed Saleh al-Rubaiyi and Qassim.

Less than a month ago, authorities in Manama revoked the nationality of Sheikh Qassim, accusing him of seeking the "creation of a sectarian environment" through his connections with foreign powers.

Salman has been in prison since December 2014 on charges of attempting to overthrow the regime and collaborating with foreign powers, charges he has denied. A court sentenced him to four years in prison in June 2015.

Since February 14, 2011, thousands of anti-regime protesters have held numerous demonstrations in Bahrain on an almost daily basis, calling on the Al Khalifah family to relinquish power.

The Al Khalifah regime is engaged in a harsh crackdown on dissent and widespread discrimination against the country's Shia majority. Scores of people have been killed and hundreds of others injured or arrested in the tiny Persian Gulf state.

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Strikes Continue Against ISIL Terrorists in Syria, Iraq

From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release

SOUTHWEST ASIA, July 20, 2016  U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Strikes in Syria

Bomber and fighter aircraft conducted three strikes near Manbij in Syria, striking three separate ISIL tactical units and destroying nine ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL command-and-control node and 12 ISIL vehicles.

Strikes in Iraq

Attack, fighter, and remotely piloted aircraft and rocket artillery conducted 13 strikes in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government:

-- Near Baghdadi, a strike destroyed three ISIL weapons caches.

-- Near Hit, a strike struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Kisik, a strike destroyed an ISIL supply cache and suppressed an ISIL sniper position.

-- Near Mosul, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and seven ISIL media sites and destroyed an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Qayyarah, two strikes destroyed an ISIL mortar system and an ISIL bomb factory.

-- Near Ramadi, two strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed an ISIL mortar system.

-- Near Sultan Abdallah, three strikes struck an ISIL tactical unit and destroyed two ISIL fighting positions and suppressed two ISIL mortar positions and an ISIL machine gun position.

-- Near Tal Afar, a strike struck an ISIL media site.

Task force officials define a strike as one or more kinetic events that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single, sometimes cumulative, effect. Therefore, officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIL vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against buildings, vehicles and weapon systems in a compound, for example, having the cumulative effect of making those targets harder or impossible for ISIL to use. Accordingly, officials said, they do not report the number or type of aircraft employed in a strike, the number of munitions dropped in each strike, or the number of individual munition impact points against a target. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations that have conducted strikes in Syria include the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

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Uganda army evacuates 38,000 people from South Sudan

Iran Press TV

Wed Jul 20, 2016 6:14PM

The Ugandan army has evacuated 38,000 civilians trapped by battles in South Sudan's capital of Juba since July 15, a military spokesman says.

"The total number of civilians evacuated from South Sudan by road under protection of the UPDF (Uganda People's Defense Force) since the start of the operation has reached 38,000," Ugandan army spokesman, Paddy Ankunda, said Wednesday.

He added that most of the evacuees were Ugandans but "they were joined by hundreds of Kenyans, Rwandans among other nationalities who wanted to leave South Sudan for their safety."

The evacuation operation, which started on July 15, was carried out by a heavily protected convoy of 30 vehicles, which have been transferring people to the Ugandan border, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) away from Juba.

About 10,300 South Sudanese sought refuge in Uganda from July 15 to July 19, according to estimates by the UN refugee agency.

The civilians have fled the violence that erupted in the youngest country on July 8 between supporters of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebels backing his deputy, Riek Machar.

The warring parties reached a shaky ceasefire on July 11 after four days of clashes that killed more than 300 people and forced thousands of others to flee.

The violence raised concerns about the revival of a civil war that gripped the nation in December 2013.

A bloody civil war in South Sudan began in December 2013, when Kiir accused his former deputy Machar of plotting a coup against him.

The two sides then got involved in a cycle of retaliatory killings that have split the impoverished country along ethnic lines.

Thousands of people have been killed and more than three million forced to flee their homes in the war. Nearly five million people are in need of food to survive famine in South Sudan.

The two sides eventually signed an agreement in August last year to bring the conflict to an end. As part of the deal, Machar returned to Juba in April to take up the post of vice president in a national unity government.

Despite the August 2015 peace deal, battles persist across the country as there are numerous militia forces that do not abide by peace agreements and are driven by local agendas.

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Yemen's Houthis demand direct talks with Saudi Arabia

Iran Press TV

Wed Jul 20, 2016 10:30AM

Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement says it should directly talk to Saudi Arabia because the kingdom's current interlocutors in peace talks have no authority of their own.

Last week, Houthis resumed peace talks with representatives of Saudi-backed Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in Kuwait after weeks of deadlock.

However, Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam said on Tuesday that the negotiations were a waste of time.

"The opposite side's problem is that it has no authority of its own and all decisions have to be made by Saudi Arabia," he told Lebanon-based al-Mayadin television.

Hence, "no time should be wasted in negotiating with Riyadh's representatives. Rather, we should directly talk to the Saudis," he added.

Abdulsalam said Saudi leaders have rejected any Yemen solution without their involvement while Ansarullah is opposed to any foreign interference.

The Ansarullah spokesman further dismissed Hadi as a party to peace, saying the former Yemeni president was in favor of the continuation of the conflict.

Hadi on Sunday warned that his side would boycott the talks if the UN envoy insisted on a roadmap stipulating a unity government that included Houthi fighters.

UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has said that this round of talks is the last chance to make peace.

On Sunday, Ahmed said any solution has to be based mainly on the Security Council Resolution 2216 which requires Houthis to withdraw from areas they have been controlling since 2014, including the capital Sana'a, and hand over heavy weapons.

Abdulsalam said the Houthis would hand over their heavy weapons to a government accepted by both sides.

He also said Houthis and their allies in the Yemeni army will cease their attacks on Saudi borders whenever the the kingdom halts its bombings.

About 10,000 have been killed in Yemen since March last year when Saudi Arabia intervened in support of Hadi after he resigned as president and fled the capital.

Another 2.8 million people have been displaced and more than 80 percent of the population urgently needs humanitarian aid, according to UN figures.

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US Hosts 30 Nation Coalition Against Islamic State

by Carla Babb July 20, 2016

Defense ministers from more than 30 countries have reviewed and agreed upon the next steps for taking on the Islamic State terror group in its final strongholds.

Following the counter-Islamic State meeting Wednesday at Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the coalition's next moves would culminate in seizing control of Mosul, the major IS hub in Iraq, and Raqqa, the terror group's self-proclaimed capital in Syria.

Officials said Carter used the meeting to determine strategies to accelerate the campaign in Iraq and Syria, especially now that the Iraqis are setting up their push to retake Mosul, the largest Iraqi city controlled by the terror group.

"With respect to Mosul, we shouldn't underestimate the amount of preparation necessary to take on an operation like that," said General Joseph Votel, head of U.S. Central Command, which overseas military operations in the Middle East.

Contributions

Last week, the United States committed an additional 560 troops to help shape the fight for Mosul, and Carter announced after the meeting that other countries in the room had indicated their intent to contribute additional requirements to help the battle against IS succeed.

"It was very encouraging to see so many countries be willing to do so much more across such a wide spectrum of capabilities," Carter said, pointing to new coalition commitments ranging from providing strike aircraft to conducting training and stabilization efforts.

A second counter-IS meeting of both foreign ministers and defense ministers will be held Thursday at the U.S. State Department. Officials said leaders would concentrate on "what comes after" battles are won, so that peace and stability can follow the fights.

"The biggest strategic concern of this group of defense ministers was that the stabilization and governance efforts will lag behind the military campaign," Carter said. "Making sure there's no such lag must be a significant strategic priority for us."

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry hosted a fundraising conference Wednesday at the State Department to try to raise at least $2 billion for Iraq as it retakes territory from the terror organization.

Kerry said that in order to eliminate the group from Iraq, "the government in Baghdad has got to be viewed as responsive to the needs of the people in all parts of the country, regardless of tribe, regardless of ethnicity, regardless of creed."

The coalition has established an "immediate stabilization" fund, which officials say contains about $100 million at any given time.

"This is kind of to get the lights on, to get police trained, to get them back in the streets, to allow people to return to their homes," Brett McGurk, special presidential envoy to the Coalition to Counter Islamic State, told reporters Tuesday. He highlighted the city of Tikrit as an example of the stabilization effort's success.

Nearly the entire Tikrit population has returned to the city since it was liberated last year  and overall in Iraq, more than 700,000 Iraqis have returned to their homes in areas that IS used to control, according to McGurk.

Diaspora IS fighters

The coalition also must worry about the large numbers of Islamic State fighters likely to disperse after the so-called caliphate is destroyed in Iraq and Syria.

"This isn't going to be some kind of absolute victory. Nobody's going to sign a surrender document," Anthony Cordesman, the Burke Chair in Strategy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told VOA.

The leaders at the counter-IS meeting extended their focus to Islamic State networks outside Iraq and Syria. IS has about eight self-declared affiliates around the world, from Afghanistan to Libya.

Cordesman cautioned that the rising threat against global society, however, was bigger than IS. Lone wolf attacks were the cause of nearly 50 deaths in Orlando, Florida, and more than 80 were killed in such attacks in Nice, France.

"We can't afford to become obsessed with an acronym. The broader threat of Islamic extremism has not diminished," said Cordesman.

Turkey turmoil

One noticeable absence from the meetings is Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Isik. Turkey's ambassador to the United States is representing Ankara instead as the country deals with the aftermath of a coup attempt carried out last week by elements within the military.

Carter said he spoke with Isik by phone Tuesday and reiterated U.S. support for Turkey's democratically elected civilian government. He said Isik assured him that Turkey remains a determined and committed partner in the fight against Islamic State.

Turkey is home to Incirlik Air Base, which houses U.S. refueling aircraft and attack aircraft used in the counter-IS fight. More than 3,000 U.S. personnel are based in the country as well.

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France Expected to Extend State of Emergency Rule

by VOA News July 19, 2016

Following last week's truck attack in Nice, France's National Assembly is expected to extend the state of emergency governed by a rule that gives police greater search-and-arrest powers, without advance clearance from judges.

French President Francois Hollande said ahead of Tuesday evening's parliamentary debate that his "responsibility" in the wake of Nice attack was "to extend by three months the state of emergency," due to expire on July 26, adding that he was open to extending it to six months as requested by several center-right opposition leaders, the presidential palace announced in a statement.

The move came as Nice's seafront boulevard, the Promenade des Anglais, reopened after Thursday's attack by a French-Tunisian, 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, who drove through crowds celebrating Bastille Day, killing 84 people, before being shot dead by police.

Several dozen people were injured and 19 people remain on life support five days after the attack that the French general prosecutor, Francois Molins, labeled a terrorist strike by a man who had expressed interest in extremist Islam.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack, although there is no hard evidence linking Bouhlel to the group. Molins said Monday that the slain attacker had shown support for the Islamic State group and searched online for information about the attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida.

France imposed emergency rule after the November 13 attacks carried by Islamist militants that claimed the lives of 130 people in Paris and left scores of other wounded.

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More People Killed in Terrorist Attacks in 2015 Than a Year Earlier

by VOA News July 20, 2016

The number of people killed in terrorist attacks throughout Europe rose in 2015 from a year earlier, according to the European Union police agency.

A report released Wednesday warned Islamic State may "put more emphasis on operations abroad" as a Western military alliance increases its pressure on the group in Syria and Iraq.

It says 151 people died and more than 360 were injured as a result of terrorist attacks in the European Union countries. Six EU member states faced 211 failed, foiled, and completed terrorist attacks, said Europol which is based in the The Hague.

Europol says 1,077 individuals were arrested for terrorism-related offenses, 424 in France. It says 94 percent of the individuals tried for terrorism were found guilty.

Operational difficulties

Europol also issued a separate statement on the four terrorist attacks recently carried out in France, Germany and the United States, (Orlando, USA; Magnaville and Nice, France; Wurzburg, Germany), saying they "highlight the operational difficulties in detecting and disrupting lone actor attacks.'' Such attacks remain a favored tactic by IS and al-Qaida.

Despite the attackers' pledges of allegiance to the IS group, "their actual involvement ... cannot be established," Europol said.

IS has often shown it trains minors to become "the next generation of foreign terrorist fighters, which may pose a future security threat,'' the report said.

Both IS and al-Qaida groups have repeatedly called on Muslims living in Western countries to perpetrate lone actor attacks in their countries.



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Report: Islamic State Exploited Local Grievances to Recruit

by Jeff Seldin July 20, 2016

It is one of the more vexing problems facing intelligence agencies across much of the world  trying to understand the phenomenon that has caused tens of thousands of people to leave their homes and take up arms for the Islamic State terror group.

But a new analysis of the terror group's own entry records suggests while those flocking to the self-declared caliphate come from diverse regions and from a variety of socio-economic background, many share a deep-seated resentment of where they live.

And the study suggests it is a sentiment that IS managed to expertly exploit once and could possibly exploit again.

"I think this grievance narrative is a common thread that you can knit across a lot of these places," said Nate Rosenblatt, an independent researcher and author of the New America Foundation report, All Jihad is Local.

"It's not just that these frustrations drive people to go join ISIS in these areas but that ISIS also actively recruits based on that same narrative," he said, using an acronym for the terror group.

Rosenblatt looked at more than 3,500 foreign fighter registration forms collected by IS officials along the Turkish-Syrian border from mid-2013 to mid-2014, and then leaked by an IS defector in 2016.

At first glance, they seemed to confirm just how little many of the fighters had in common.

"Foreign fighters from Bahrain are generally very young in this data set. They are on average 19 or 20 years old at the time of their joining," Rosenblatt said. "There are also very old fighters coming from China."

But as Rosenblatt broke down the demographics further, looking at the provinces within a country that were sending the most fighters to IS, a trend began to emerge.

"All the provinces that we looked at had some history of protesting the central government or even exhibited some signs of separatist movements," he said. "I think a lot of people in this sample see the Islamic State as an alternative state to the one that they currently live in."

Other studies have drawn similar conclusions.

A study published this past April by West Point's Combating Terrorism Center, called The Caliphate's Global Workforce and based possibly on some of the same records, found "many foreigners are presumably travelling to the Islamic State to live, not die."

Only the New America study found that IS was not content to simply rely on selling some generalized vision of an Islamic utopia. Instead, Rosenblatt said, the terror group seemed to focus on each group's particular set of grievances "and create a lot of very local advertisements."

One example is how IS marketed itself to China's Uighurs.

"The Uighur population has been oppressed and marginalized substantially. Head scarves or beard growth are heavily restricted," he said.

"They'll show classrooms for younger children learning about Islam and that's almost completely not allowed in China," Rosenblatt said.

Not surprisingly, the IS entry records indicate "people from China are much more likely to travel with their families," he said.

Similar patterns emerged with Bahrain and other countries.

While the sample size is small, there could be implications for the larger foreign fighter problem, which according to U.S. intelligence estimates has now encompassed more than 38,200 fighters from over 120 countries.

Intelligence officials have long worried that poor governance combined with tensions could create safe havens for extremist groups.

But Rosenblatt believes the same conditions may just as easily lead to "centers of recruitment for extremist groups who establish safe havens in other places."

"It suggests that ISIS, or a future group like ISIS, will still have ample fodder from which to recruit," he said.

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DPRK test-fires 3 short-range missiles in show of force

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 09:29, July 19, 2016

SEOUL, July 19 -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Tuesday test-fired three short-range ballistic missiles in a show of force against the decision between Seoul and Washington to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense(THAAD) to South Korean soil.

Yonhap news agency quoted South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff(JCS) as saying that the DPRK fired off three ballistic missiles, which are believed to have been a Scud-C type, from the western region of Hwangju in North Hwanghae province between 5:45 a.m. and6:05 a.m. local time.

The missiles were directed toward the East Sea, traveling about500 to 600 kilometers, which are a flight enough to reach the entire South Korean territory.

It marked the first time in about four months since March that Pyongyang launched Scud-type missiles.

The test-launch came six days after Seoul and Washington agreed to deploy one THAAD battery to the Seongju county, some 250 km southeast of Seoul, by the end of next year.

The DPRK's military threatened to take"physical measures"against THAAD when the deployment site is determined in response to the THAAD deployment decision.

THAAD is an advanced U.S. missile defense system designed to shoot down missiles at a relatively high altitude of 40-150 km using a hit-to-kill technology. The DPRK's short-range missiles are known to fly at a lower altitude of about 20 km incapable of being intercepted by THAAD missiles.

On July 8, military authorities of South Korea and the United States announced their decision to install the THAAD system to an unidentified region in South Korea.

A day later, the DPRK test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) off its east coast to protest against the installation decision. In times of military conflict, it is hard to detect and track missiles launched from a submarine with the THAAD's X-band radar.

Seoul's unification ministry said Monday that Pyongyang appeared to have been in a state of conducting another nuclear test at any time given increased activity in its main Punggye-ri nuclear test site where the country carried out four underground nuclear tests since 2006.

The move of many trucks and personnel reportedly started to be spotted in the test site since July 8, with the activity observed over the past week having been the most brisk in recent months.



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North Korea missile tests 'deeply troubling,' UN says

Iran Press TV

Tue Jul 19, 2016 4:46PM

The UN slammed North Korea Tuesday for its recent missile tests, saying the launches undermine efforts to reduce tension on the Korean Peninsula.

"The DPRK's firing of missiles is deeply troubling," said Farhan Haq, spokesman for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

"Such actions are not conducive to reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

Earlier on Tuesday, North Korea test-fired two SCUD missiles and a Rodong medium-range missile. Pyongyang's controversial move, which came heedless of mounting international criticism, was an apparent reaction to the planned deployment by the United States of a defense system in South Korea.

The United States said it would raise the case of the recent launches in the UN, saying its concerns regarding the North's tests are increasing. However, reports said the US mission to the UN has yet to call consultations at the UN Security Council.

Washington drafted a statement condemning an apparent submarine-launched ballistic missile earlier this month. Diplomats said the document is being discussed with China. On June 23, the UN Security Council condemned two medium-range missile tests by North Korea at the time.

The UN has generally imposed a ban on Pyongyang's developing of the ballistic missile technology. It has adopted five rounds of crippling sanctions on the North since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.

North Korea's main foes in the East Asia region have reacted to the recent tests, with Koro Bessho, Japan's envoy to the UN and the Security Council's president, saying discussions were going on between council members to prepare a response to North Korea's tests.

"We are talking to several friends," Ambassador Bessho told reporters, adding, "We are hoping that the Security Council will be able to respond in an appropriate way."

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North Korea launches 3 ballistic missiles off its east coast

Iran Press TV

Tue Jul 19, 2016 12:18AM

North Korea has launched three ballistic missiles just over a week after threatening a physical response to the US's deployment of a missile system in the South.

"The ballistic missiles flight went from 500 kilometers to 600 kilometers, which is a distance far enough to strike all of South Korea including Busan," said South Korea's military in a statement released shortly after the early Tuesday launch.

It noted that the missiles, believed to be SCUDs, were fired from an area in the North's western region into the Sea of Japan.

South Korea's Ministry of Unification recently warned that Pyongyang was "fully prepared" to carry out a fifth nuclear test.

Last week, the North threatened a "physical response" to the US's deployment of the sophisticated THAAD missile system in the Korean Peninsula.

"There will be physical response measures from us as soon as the location and time that the invasionary tool for US world supremacy, THAAD, will be brought into South Korea are confirmed," read a statement released by Pyongyang at the time.

Tensions have been flaring in the region since January, when North Korea said it had successfully detonated a hydrogen bomb, its fourth nuclear test, and vowed to build up its nuclear program as deterrence against potential aggression from the US and its regional allies.

A month later, Pyongyang launched a long-range rocket which it said placed an earth observation satellite into orbit. However, Washington and Seoul denounced it as a cover for an intercontinental ballistic missile test.

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India to Build Nearly 40 Strategic Roads Along Chinese Border by 2020

Sputnik News

15:12 19.07.2016(updated 15:18 19.07.2016)

India seems to be in no mood to lag behind China in the development of roads along the countries' mutual border.

NEW DELHI (Sputnik)  India has decided to expedite the delayed road projects along the Indo-China border. In an urgent bid to complete the projects, which it sees as having immense strategic significance, the India Ministry of Defense has empowered a committee with the task of removing various hurdles that have delayed the project. Given the revised schedule, India hopes to complete most of the projects by the end of 2020.

Answering a question in Parliament today, India's Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar said "the Government has revised the completion schedule of 39 Indo-China border roads."

They include: "5 roads in 2016, eight roads in 2017, 12 roads in 2018, eight roads in 2019 and six roads to be completed by 2020."

India has identified 73 strategic Indo-China border roads, out of which 22 roads with a combined length of 707.74 km have been completed, albeit with a delay of more than 4 years.

Issues related to land acquisition, forest /wildlife clearance, the allotment of quarries etc. are delaying the projects. Apart from resolving regulatory issues, the government has also allowed Border Road Organization to outsource in order to augment the capacity of the organization.

 Sputnik

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US Congress after creating discomfort about Iran ties: Zarif

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, July 19, IRNA -- The US Congress by adopting anti-Iranian measures, is trying to create discomfort among those countries that want to engage with Iran following the implementation of the JCPOA, Says Iran's foreign minister.

The US Congress is trying to persuade the world that their engagement with the Islamic Republic is going to be costly, Mohammad Javad Zarif said briefing members of the Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission on Tuesday.

But the fact is that the bills approved by the Congress in the United States should yet to be approved by the Senate, Zarif said.

Only then, US President Barack Obama is responsible to veto the bills against Iran, in accordance to the Joint Comprehensive Plan Of Action, Iran's top diplomat said.

The adoptation of the anti-Iranian bills are just a propaganda action, aimed at creating discomfort among countries willing to reestablish ties with Iran.

But our policy will be standing against the anti-Iranian psychological atmosphere, trying to demonstrate that the opposite is true and engagement with Iran is not going to be costly, the foreign minister said.

2044**

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Araqchi: Iran seeks explanations from US on regulating banking ties

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Vienna, July 19, IRNA -- Chief negotiator of the Iranian delegation Abbas Araqchi said on Tuesday that Iran sought explanations from the US on regulating banking ties with Iran.

G5+1 has no identical understanding of the issue and each country expresses its own views, he said.

Some believe that the US Treasury Department has created an ambiguous situation and avoids to shed light on the issue for the companies willing to do business with Iran, he said.

Explanations should help remove existing doubts and ambiguities in broadening economic and banking cooperation with Iran, he said.

The current meetings give all sides a good opportunity to mull removal of hurdles on the way of sound implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Araqchi said.

The Iranian agenda is to do its best to remove all concerns in reestablishing economic and banking cooperation with the outside world.

1430**1416

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US welcomes Iran's swift implementation of nuclear deal

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New York, July 19, IRNA -- US Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Samantha Power said her country acknowledges and welcomes Iran's swift implementation of July 14 historic deal.

Samantha Power made the remarks at the UN Security Council briefing session on Iran nonproliferation and the implementation of Resolution 2231.

'The world is safer because of this deal,' the US representative said at the UN briefing held in New York on July 18.

'The United States acknowledges and welcomes Iran's swift implementation of this historic deal, which has produced real, tangible change; change that, without question, has improved international peace and security.

'In the time since, Iran has dismantled two-thirds of its centrifuges and filled the core of its reactor at Arak with concrete. More than 98 percent of Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium has been moved out of the country,' Power added.

'It has been six months since the IAEA's verification that Iran completed its key nuclear-related commitments under the deal.

'And the United States will continue to implement its commitments, in good faith and without exception, under the JCPOA,' she stressed.

After the landmark deal between Iran and world powers on July 14, 2015, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) did verify Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

Then, Iranian Foreign Minster Mohammad Javad Zarif and the European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini announced 'Implementation Day' of the JCPOA on January 16, 2016, and anti-Iran sanctions were lifted.

1483**1771

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Iran defense prowess untouched by psychological warfare: Dehqan

Iran Press TV

Tue Jul 19, 2016 12:42PM

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan says the Islamic Republic is resolved to further boost its defense capability and deterrent power regardless of psychological warfare by the enemies.

Dehqan made the remarks in a ceremony in Tehran on Tuesday to mark the delivery of eight helicopters, manufactured and overhauled by Iran's Defense Ministry, to the country's civilian and military bodies.

He added that the move has been carried out in line with the ministry's plans to effectively support Iran's Armed Forces and make use of the country's defense sector to supply the requirements of the non-military sector.

He also indicated the high capabilities of Iranian defense experts and their determination to meet the country's needs by relying on domestic capacities.

"This process is underway constantly and with seriousness in all defense industries affiliated to Defense Ministry in sea, ground, air, air-defense, aerospace, missile, electronic and hi-tech industries sectors and with the purpose of improving the defensive capability and deterrent power of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Dehqan said.

He emphasized that the enemies' psychological warfare and propaganda campaign have never affected and will never influence Iran's defense capabilities.

Some Western officials have in recent days made efforts to link Iran's missile program to the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries on July 14, 2015.

In his first biannual report to the 15-member Security Council earlier this month, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon claimed that Iran's ballistic missile launches "are not consistent with the constructive spirit" of the JCPOA.

He called upon Iran to "refrain from conducting such ballistic missile launches since they have the potential to increase tensions in the region."

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Tuesday reacted to Ban's claims against Tehran and said, "The report has been compiled based on incomplete information and his (the UN chief's) incognizance of the [nuclear] negotiations."

On March 9, Iran successfully test-fired two ballistic missiles as part of military drill to assess its defense capabilities. The missiles dubbed Qadr-H and Qadr-F were fired during a large-scale drill, code-named Eqtedar-e-Velayat.

A day earlier, the country's Armed Forces had fired another ballistic missile called Qiam from silo-based launchers in different locations across the country.

The US claims that Iran's missile tests violate the UN Security Council Resolution 2231.

Resolution 2231, adopted on July 20, 2015, provides for the termination of the provisions of previous Security Council resolutions on the Iranian nuclear program and establishes specific restrictions that apply to all states without exception.

The resolution calls upon Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons, including launches using such ballistic missile technology.

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Top Moscow Investigators Detained Over Alleged Organized Crime Ties

July 19, 2016

by RFE/RL

Russia's main domestic security agency has opened a criminal probe into officials with the country's top investigative body over allegations that they received bribes from a crime syndicate and committed other official misconduct.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) said in a July 19 statement that its officers were searching the homes of the suspects from the federal Investigative Committee, Russia's analogue to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, and that they could be taken into custody.

Russian media reported that the FSB, the main successor agency to the Soviet KGB, had detained three senior investigators with the Moscow branch of the Investigative Committee suspected of taking protection money from criminals.

The FSB statement said the investigation was launched with the cooperation of the Investigative Committee, which is headed by Aleksandr Bastrykin, a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, and that the Russian president himself had been briefed on the matter.

The detentions could aggravate rivalries between Russia's law-enforcement agencies, which have regularly battled over resources and turf during Putin's 16 years in power. Most of those clashes unfold behind the scenes, though they have occasionally bubbled over and into the public eye.

Russian news outlets cited unidentified sources as linking the investigation to the recent arrest of alleged crime kingpin Zakharia Kalashov, also known as Shakro Molodoy (Young Shakro), and other purported underworld figures.

Kalashov was charged with extortion on July 12, and a video showing investigators combing through his ornately decorated residence -- featuring a well-stocked exercise room, a cache of top-shelf liquor, and stores of weapons and electronic communication equipment -- circulated widely on the Internet.

Three investigators targeted in the investigation were brought to Moscow's Lefortovo district court for hearings on their formal arrest, according to Russian media reports from the courthouse.

The suspects set to appear in court are Denis Nikandrov, deputy head of the agency's Moscow branch, and Mikhail Maksimenko, head of security, and his deputy Aleksandr Lamonov.

A lawyer for one of the suspects was quoted by the state-owned RIA Novosti news agency as saying that Nikandrov is suspected of receiving a $1 million bribe from Kalashov.

With reporting by RIA Novosti, TASS, Interfax, and zona.media

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-fsb-3-investigators-arrested/27867469.html

Copyright (c) 2016. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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New Naval Sonar Network to Allow Russia to 'Hear' Enemy Subs Via Satellites

Sputnik News

14:16 20.07.2016(updated 14:20 20.07.2016)

Russia develops a unique sonar system capable of detecting enemy ships and submarines at a distance of hundreds of kilometers via a satellite network, according to the newspaper Izvestia.

A state-of-the-art sonar system to protect Russia's territorial waters in the Arctic is already under development, the newspaper Izvestia quoted a Russian Defense Ministry source familiar with the situation as saying.

The system will be equipped with sophisticated sonar buoys and underwater sensors that will track the acoustic signals of underwater and surface objects and transmit the information to a ground control center via satellites.

The source said that "the project is due to be finalized in 2017 and after it is approved by the Russian Defense Ministry, the new sonar system will enter service." According to the source, the fully deployed system can cover an area spanning hundreds of square kilometers.

The Russian air defense manufacturer Almaz Antey was tasked with developing the project. The company cooperates with a whole array of enterprises within the Russian military-industrial complex.

Historian Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia that the new sonar system will most likely be deployed in the Arctic. He referred to the Cold War era, when American and British nuclear submarines were repeatedly tracked in the Arctic Ocean. In particular, they were detected in the seas bordering Russia's northern coast, he said.

"But currently, they are actively trying to track the ships and submarines of the Russian Northern Fleet, especially now that the Russian navy has the most advanced Yasen- and Borei-class nuclear powered submarines," he said.

Boltenkov also drew attention to the fact that US submarines can carry Tomahawks: long-range, all-weather, subsonic cruise missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers.

In August 2014, a high-ranking source within the Russian Navy's headquarters said that a US Virginia-class submarine was detected and "forced out" by Russian anti-sub forces after it violated the country's boundary waters in the Arctic.

In the mid-1960s, the US Navy started to deploy a global underwater sonar system, SOSUS (Sound Surveillance System), which was mainly designed to monitor Soviet submarines. SOSUS is still operational.

Installed at a depth of several dozen meters, the system's sensors form several chains along the Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom line, with separate sensors currently in place in the Pacific Ocean.

 Sputnik

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US-led air raids leave 56 civilians dead in N Syria: Monitor

Iran Press TV

Tue Jul 19, 2016 2:22PM

At least 56 civilians have lost their lives in northern Syria due to air strikes by the US-led coalition purportedly targeting Daesh terrorists operating in the violence-wracked Middle Eastern country, says a UK-based monitoring group.

The so-called Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said 11 children were among the victims of the coalition's Tuesday air raids near the Syrian village of al-Tukhar, situated close the Daesh-held city of Manbij near the Turkish border.

SOHR director Rami Abdel Rahman said the aerial assaults left dozens of civilians injured, including "some in critical condition."

According to the monitoring group, the civilians were hit as they were fleeing fighting in Tukhar.

On Monday, the observatory said 21 civilians had been killed in the coalition raids in the area, 15 of them in a northern district of Manbij and another six in Tukhar.

Manbij, situated in Syria's Aleppo Province, is a key point along Daesh's main supply line from the Turkish frontier to its Syrian stronghold of Raqqah.

Since May 31, the city has been the target of a US-backed offensive by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a coalition of Kurdish and Arab forces.

In June, the SDF broke into western districts of Manbij, but its advance has been slowed in the past month because of bombings and landmines planted by the extremists.

The so-called multinational task force against Daesh started its controversial mission in Iraq in late 2014 after Daesh seized control over territories west and north of the country. The air campaign was later expanded to cover areas in northern Syria despite criticism from the Syrian government that the attacks violate the sovereignty of the Arab country.

However, analysts say the air strikes have failed to cripple the extremists, who are engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their control.

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Syrian Airstrikes Kill Over 100 Daesh Fighters in Hama Province

Sputnik News

13:22 20.07.2016(updated 13:29 20.07.2016)

The Syrian Arab Air Force destroyed a convoy of vehicles armed with machine guns near the city of Salamiyah and killed about a hundred of militants, according to local media.

BEIRUT (Sputnik)  The Syrian Arab Air Force killed more than 100 militants of the Islamic State (ISIL or Daesh) terrorist group in a series of airstrikes conducted in the central country's province of Hama, local media reported Wednesday.

Syria's aircraft destroyed a convoy of vehicles armed with machine guns near the city of Salamiyah and killed about a hundred of militants, SANA news agency reported.

The Air Force shelled Daesh positions in Raqqah and Deir ez-Zor provinces as well, the media outlet added.

Syria has been mired in civil war since 2011, with government forces fighting numerous opposition groups, including the allegedly moderate factions, as well as terrorist formations, such as the IS, which is prohibited in many countries, including Russia and the United States.

 Sputnik

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Erdogan 'to approve revival of death penalty in case of parliament ratification'

Iran Press TV

Tue Jul 19, 2016 7:27AM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says he would approve the revival of the death penalty if the parliament opts to reintroduce the measure.

"This issue will be discussed in parliament. These villains bombed [places] and I believe that political parties at the parliament will give the best decision," Erdogan said, referring to those involved in a recent failed coup in the country.

"As the approval authority, I hereby announce my decision that if they make such a move, I will approve it," he added.

He was speaking to his supporters during a rally outside his residence in the country's largest city of Istanbul early on Tuesday.

The restoration of the death penalty, which was annulled in Turkey in 2004 under reforms aimed at joining the European Union (EU), would be meant to allow the execution of those believed to have been involved in the coup.

The crackdown that has been launched in Turkey following the coup, including the mass arrests of suspects and the talk of reviving the death penalty, has raised international concern.

Erdogan added that the government is making "critical preparations" to take an important decision in response to the Friday coup attempt, which claimed the lives of more than 200 people and left nearly 1,500 others wounded.

Officials said some 100 coup plotters were additionally killed until government rule was restored on Saturday.

"We will convene the National Security Council on Wednesday. After the National Security Council meeting, we will gather for a cabinet meeting. As a result of these meetings, we will announce an important decision," the Turkish president said in his Tuesday remarks.

Sources in Turkey's Interior Ministry said on Monday that a total of 8,777 public personnel had been dismissed from their official positions since the coup against the government was declared.

Turkish officials have launched a large-scale crackdown following the failed coup attempt.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim says over 7,500 suspects have been arrested over the coup attempt, explaining that more than 750 judges and prosecutors are among the detainees.

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Four Turkish Navy Warships in the Black Sea, Not in Russian Ports - Source

Sputnik News

13:35 19.07.2016(updated 14:18 19.07.2016)

At least four Turkish Navy warships are in the Black Sea, two of them on Romanian territory, a military and diplomatic source told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik)  British media claimed at least 14 Turkish warships on patrol in the Black Sea and the Aegean have not returned to their home bases since the failed coup Friday.

According to the Times newspaper, the ships' commanders may be one of the coup conspirators, who are seeking to avoid returning to Turkey.

Turkish navy commander Adm. Veysel Kosele has been also out of contact since Friday, the publication read citing its source. It is not clear, whether Kosele supported the coup or was taken hostage.

Greek media earlier reported that Turkish military coup supporters had seized Yavuz frigate and taken the head of Turkish fleet as a hostage.

Late on Friday, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. The coup attempt was suppressed by early Saturday. Nearly 300 people were killed and over 1,400 were injured, while thousands of people have been detained.

"At least four Turkish Navy ships are in the Black Sea now: two ships in the Romanian port of Constanta, one in the Bulgarian Burgas and one in the sea. There are no Turkish ships in Russian ports," the source said.

Late on Friday, the Turkish authorities said that an attempted coup was taking place in the country. The coup attempt was suppressed by early Saturday, with Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim stating that all coup supporters had been identified and would be apprehended as the country was returning to normal life.

Thousands of judiciary and senior civil service members have been removed from office in Turkey and thousands of military personnel were arrested.

 Sputnik

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Erdogan Declares 3-Month State of Emergency

by VOA News July 20, 2016

Turkey's president has declared a three month state of emergency following last week's attempted coup.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued the declaration in a televised address on Wednesday, after a cabinet meeting on stabilizing the country.

Earlier, Turkish state media reported authorities are acting to close down 626 private schools and other educational establishments, in the latest step of a crackdown after last week's attempted coup.

The schools are linked to exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, who set up a network of schools across Turkey to promote his teachings.

Also Wednesday, Turkey's higher education council announced a ban on academics traveling abroad and urged all of those currently abroad to return home quickly.

In addition, Turkey has banned academics from leaving the country and urged those traveling abroad to return home.

Turkish media reported that the education ministry fired 15,200 teachers across the country, while the interior ministry dismissed nearly 9,000 workers. Another 1,500 in the finance ministry were fired, as were hundreds more in the religious affairs directorate, the family and social policy ministry and prime minister's office. The country's higher education board demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans.

The firings came in addition to about 9,000 people Ankara has detained for suspected involvement in the attempted overthrow of President Erdogan's government.

US offers investigation assistance

U.S. President Barack Obama has offered to aid in the investigation of last week's attempted coup.

The White House said Obama and Erdogan spoke by telephone on Tuesday. Obama made clear that the United States will "provide appropriate assistance" to the investigation.

The two men also discussed Turkey's request that Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen be extradited from the U.S. to face charges that he was linked to the coup attempt. A White House spokesman did not give details about the U.S. position on Gulen's possible extradition, except to say the decision will be made according to a longstanding treaty between Ankara and Washington.

In his phone call with Erdogan, Obama strongly condemned the coup attempt and urged that investigations and prosecutions related to the uprising be conducted in ways that reinforce public confidence in democratic institutions and the rule of law, according to the White House.

In another telephone call Tuesday , U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter spoke with Turkish Minister of Defense Fikri Isik. The Turkish official assured Carter that Turkey remains a determined and committed partner and ally in the fight against terrorism.

Isik had planned to attend a ministerial meeting that Carter is hosting Wednesday in Washington on countering Islamic State, but now says he must remain in Turkey.

Request for Gulen's extradition

Turkey has sent files to the U.S. on Gulen, who has lived in the United States since 1999. In Washington, the State Department confirmed that Washington did receive some "materials" from Ankara, but that it is working with the Justice Department to review and analyze "whether they constitute a formal extradition request."

Gulen lives in Pennsylvania on the grounds of the Golden Generation Worship & Retreat Center, an Islamic facility founded by Turkish Americans. His philosophy mixes a mystical form of Islam with staunch advocacy of democracy, education, science and interfaith dialogue. His movement operates dozens of charter schools in the U.S.

Gulen continues to exert considerable influence in Turkey, with supporters in the media, police and judiciary.

Erdogan and Gulen were once allies, but had a falling out over 2013 corruption investigations in Turkey, which the Turkish leader blamed on Gulen.

The exiled Gulen has also criticized Erdogan's increasingly authoritarian rule, while the Turkish leader has carried out a broad campaign against Gulen's movement.

Erdogan said Sunday he is receptive to reinstating the country's death penalty in the aftermath of the coup attempt.But EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini warned that such a step may end Turkey's EU membership hopes.

"Let me be very clear," she said. "No country can become an EU state if it introduces the death penalty."

Turkey hasn't executed anyone since 1984, and capital punishment was legally abolished in 2004 as part of Turkey's bid to join the European Union.

State Department correspondent Nike Ching and London correspondent Luis Ramirez contributed to this report.

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New Ukrainian Mortars 'Got Rusty' in Less Than a Month

Sputnik News

19:32 20.07.2016

A shipment of Ukrainian-made mortars, which were recently delivered to the country's armed forces proved, to be virtually unfit for battlefield conditions.

According to a letter of explanation written by a mortar battery commander cited by the Ukrainian Military Portal, six M-120-15 Molot (Hammer) that were supplied to his unit on June 21 exhibited a number of defects, like the repeated jamming of the weapons' elevation mechanisms, during recent tactical exercises.

Furthermore, it also became apparent that due to the quality of metal from which these weapons were made, the mortars, which are worth approximately $19,500 each, rust pretty quickly, and the paint starts coming off when they are exposed to direct sunlight.

It should be noted that this is hardly the first case where the Ukrainian military has been supplied with faulty equipment by local subcontractors.

For example, a Ukrainian army encampment at the Yavoriv training range was left devastated after heavy rain because the army tents there  produced by local manufacturers, of course  proved to be no match for rainwater.

Also, the development of a new Ukrainian tank, Azovets, touted as an innovative armored vehicle designed for urban warfare, was put on hold indefinitely after it became clear that the tank's onboard video camera system, which is also the only way for the crew to perceive their surroundings, was in fact composed of parts typically used in house intercom units and completely unsuited for battlefield conditions.

 Sputnik

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On Wednesday, the Danville Family YMCA donated more than 7,000 bottles of water and over 100 cleaning products to Gods Pit Crew to help West Virginia residents impacted by flooding.

The YMCA held a member promotion recently for the donations. The Danville Family YMCA is proud of the great work that Gods Pit Crew does for our community as well as the work they do in disaster relief around the country, said YMCA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Folmar.

Were thankful to be able to help those impacted by the flooding in West Virginia.
Almost 20 Virginia localities  including Danville  will receive a total of more than $2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority will receive $47,271 from HUD, according to a news release from the offices of Sen. Tim Kaine and Sen. Mark Warner.

The funding will help Virginia families who receive federal housing vouchers and public housing residents reduce their dependency on welfare assistance and rental subsidies by providing tools and resources that will assist them in gaining job skills and increasing their earned income, according to the release.

These funds will help empower Virginia families to pull themselves out of poverty through educational opportunities, job training and counseling, Kaine and Warner said in a prepared statement. By giving individuals the tools they need to succeed, we help strengthen Virginias economy and reduce dependency on already-overburdened public assistance programs in our state.

The Family Self-Sufficiency program, whose goal is to increase earned income and decrease welfare program dependency, administers the funds to local government housing entities.

Once an eligible family is selected, a contract is established for a five-to-seven-year period that incorporates individualized training and outlines both short and long-term goals. Resources and special services such as childcare, transportation, education, job training, employment counseling, financial literacy and homeownership counseling are provided to families through service providers in the community.
In consecutive weeks, faith leaders and residents questioned a prominent figure in law enforcement about issues important to them and their community.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring discussed policing and de-escalation tactics, fatal shootings by police of African-American men and women, and recruitment of African-Americans to become police officers at a community meeting at Bibleway Worldwide Church on Grant Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Herring went to visit the Pittsylvania County Virginia Rules camp in Sutherlin, a weeklong slate of physical activities intended for strengthening relationships between youth and law enforcement.

He will be at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research at 9 a.m. Wednesday to address Danville police officers and other law enforcement members about safe, fair, impartial policing, according to a news release.

African-American men questioned how safe and impartial the policing have been at the community meeting.

Student minister of the Nation of Islam Malvester Muhammad began talking about African-Americans being fatally shot by police.

When there is no justice for us, people become angry, Muhammad said. Everybody is falling further apart and will continue to until justice happens.

The Rev. Avon Keen, president of the states Southern Christian Leadership Conference chapter, said there is a double standard in the public outcry in the aftermath of police shootings of African-American men and women versus the fatal shooting of police officers.

Police fatally shot Alton Sterling on July 5 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Philando Castile on July 6 in Falcon Heights, just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On July 7, five Dallas police officers were fatally shot, and 10 days later, three Baton Rouge police officers were killed in a shootout  both incidents involving lone gunmen.

No one is saying that its wrong for police to kill black men. But if a black man kills a police officer, everybody is saying its wrong  we have a double standard here.

The SCLC continues to spread its message of stop the killing of all people, Keen later said in a telephone interview.

Johnny B. Mayo Sr. said he has seen the relationship between police and African-Americans become a lot better, but there is still more to do.

Its all on them, Mayo said of the police. Treat everyone with civility and as a human being.

Were no different from the rest of the people. We expect the same treatment that you give the other residents, said Leo Roberts Jr.

The police work for us. We dont work for the police, Mayo said.

Herring listened as Keen, Muhammad and more talked about the fatal police shootings and recruitment of African-Americans by the police department.

Bibleway Bishop Lawrence Campbell Sr. said he has not seen the effort by Danville police to recruit more African-Americans to the department.

On Thursday, researchers from Virginia State University will meet with a small focus group at Bibleway to discuss recruitment of people of color to become police officers.

Herring said his office has no authority over individual police departments and their recruiting practices.

He did say a police department that reflects the diversity of its community is better for everyone.
RINGGOLD  Residents expressed their concern over a proposed solar farm in Ringgold during a question and answer session earlier this week.

About 25 neighbors attended the Monday evening meeting, along with Greg Sides and Matt Rowe representing Pittsylvania County.

Danville Utilities has agreed to purchase all of the energy from TurningPoint Energys proposed solar farm for the next 25 years, adding more renewable energy to its portfolio.

Jared Schoch, TurningPoint Energys representative, was unable to attend the gathering at the last minute, leaving many residents questions unanswered.

However, on Tuesday, Schoch said in via email the meeting was planned to gain feedback proactively and plans to work to address the concerns expressed in the coming months.

Schoch hopes to start the countys permitting process for the project located at the intersection of Kentuck and Kentuck Church road.

We are grateful for all that participated, take their feedback seriously and will work to address it as best we can, Schoch said.

Jon Frazier, one of the civil engineers working on the project, fielded questions and wrote down concerns from residents. He said he would be bringing their questions back to the team to try and answer as many as possible.

He told the crowd the plan would mean minimal land grading to be able to fit the most solar panels on the land. They plan to use tracking panels, which are low to the ground, but rotate to follow the sun during the day like a sunflower to get the most efficiency, he said.

The panels have a lifespan of 25 years, and Danville Utilities has committed to purchasing all of the power from the facility for the lifespan of the project. Jason Grey, director of Danville Utilities  who also attended the meeting  said the power generated at this substation would cost overall significantly less than power from the marketplace because of tax credits and lack of transmission charges.

Grey said this location was chosen because it is very close to the Kentuck substation, and 100 percent of power from the farm would go into the area. This would lead to helping Danville Utility to lower charges or keep from raising them in the near future.

The land is roughly 76 acres, which would hold around 1,300 solar panels and would be fenced in. The facility would be unmanned, with an access road and minimal equipment, according to Frazier.

Frazier said that fences around solar farms are usually 6- to 8-feet tall with three strands of barbed wire at the top in order to keep unwanted people and animals away from the solar panels.

Many residents were taken aback by the description of the fence, and explained to him they did not want to have to look at a barbed wire fence on their daily commute. One resident also worried aloud about the mental effects of having the solar farms so close to the schools and thought that it would leave residents and students feeling fenced out of their own community.

Frazier said he understood their concerns, and would definitely look into other fencing options, such as vegetation screens for the farms design to make it more visually appealing.

Solar panels arent much higher than an average door and would be set back from the road like most other structures that are built, Schoch said via email. We will also work on additional ways to minimize particular view concerns as much as practically possible.

Other residents were unimpressed with the six megawatts of power that the solar farm would generate for Danville Utilities, saying that it wasnt enough to be worth doing since that only accounts for 1.5 percent of the power used annually. When asked if there was a possibility to put this solar farm anywhere else within Danville Utilities footprint, Grey responded not anytime soon.

We are in communication with the schools and see ways to make this positive for the schools as a way to learn about solar energy, Schoch added in an email. TurningPoint Energys team has successfully developed more than 50 similar solar projects in 10 different states around the U.S. We compete for our utility clients business and work hard to be a good partner and community member on each project.

According to the Virginia Department of Transportations website, Kentuck Church Road has average annual weekday traffic of 2,900 vehicles, 95 percent of which are four-tire vehicles. Kentuck Road has average annual weekday traffic of 7,700 vehicles.

Pittsylvania County and VDOT, with funding from the Commonwealth Transportation Board, finished construction on Kentuck Road, including this intersection, in the early part of the year, widening the road, adding left turn lanes and repaving the road so that it is safer for the people who drive it regularly.

Frazier said they hope to get the plans and proposal submitted to Pittsylvania County by the end of the month, which would put it on the schedule for the planning commission, board of zoning appeals and board of supervisors meetings in September at the earliest.
VANCOUVER, July 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Lithium X Energy Corp. ("Lithium X", or the "Company") (TSX-V: LIX) (OTCQB: LIXXF) Executive Chairman Paul Matysek and Chief Operating Officer Eduardo Morales are pleased to provide the following operational update for the Sal de los Angeles lithium brine project (the "Project") in Salta province, Argentina.

Highlights:

New Resource Estimate expected by August 30, 2016

SRK Consulting has initiated pump tests to help upgrade the historical resource

Construction permits for the pilot ponding facility anticipated within 60 days; negotiations have begun for longer lead items

Several development activities are underway at the Project following the appointment of Eduardo Morales as Chief Operating Officer and Andres Barrientos as Project General Manager. Pump tests have been initiated, including two airlift pump tests and one long-term multi-day pump test on existing wells in the northern portion of the Project, where previous drilling intersected higher-grade lithium brine in predominantly sand and gravel aquifers. The results of these pump tests will be incorporated into the upcoming Resource Estimate, which is on schedule to be released prior to August 30, 2016.

The long-term pump test is being conducted at a prototype production well drilled near the anticipated well field. The pump tests are being conducted by SRK Consulting (Denver), which has been retained to update the Resource Estimate.

An Environmental Impact Assessment has been submitted to Salta's Ministry of Mines detailing the pilot ponding facility to be constructed as part of the Salta Exploraciones S.A. ("SESA") joint venture. The permitting process typically takes up to 60 days. Subject to approval of the EIA, construction is scheduled to commence on the pilot ponding facility. In anticipation of final receipt of construction permits, the SESA joint venture is negotiating the purchase of longer lead items and working on further advanced engineering details, factoring in the experience and recommendations of Mr. Morales and Mr. Barrientos.

"I am pleased to now be fully integrated with the Lithium X team, and up to speed on the ground with the Sal de los Angeles Project, where I have now assumed operational responsibilities," commented Mr. Morales. He continued, "I believe the Project has strong potential to become a world-class lithium asset, and we have the right team in place to effectively move forward. An updated Resource Estimate and the necessary approvals to build the pilot ponding facility are important steps in that direction."

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Will Randall, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101. As Vice-President Project Development of the Company, Mr. Randall is not considered independent.

About Lithium X Energy Corp

Lithium X Energy Corp. is a lithium exploration and development company with a goal of becoming a low-cost supplier for the burgeoning lithium battery industry. Lithium X owns 50%, and has the option to acquire up to 80% of the Sal de los Angeles lithium brine project in the prolific "Lithium Triangle" in mining friendly Salta province, Argentina. Sal de los Angeles is a well-known salar with positive historical economics, grade and size. Lithium X is also exploring a large land package in Nevada's Clayton Valley, contiguous to the only producing lithium operation in North America  Silver Peak, owned and operated by Albemarle, the world's largest lithium producer. Lithium X is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol LIX and on the OTCQB under the trading symbol LIXXF.

For additional information about Lithium X Energy Corp., please visit the Company's website at www.lithium-x.com or review the Company's documents filed on www.sedar.com. Join the Company's email list at http://lithium-x.com/subscribe.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Paul Matysek"

Paul Matysek

Executive Chairman

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

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects", "believes", "aims to", "plans to" or "intends to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including the business of the Company and the commencement of trading in the Company's shares. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE Lithium X Energy Corp.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jul 20, 2016) - Aurcana Corp. (the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:AUN) announces that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Silver Assets, Inc. ("SAI"), has entered into a term assignment agreement (the "Assignment") with a privately-owned, Texas-based oil and gas firm (the "Assignee"). Under the Assignment, three contiguous oil and gas leases (the "Leases") have been assigned by SAI to the Assignee for a three-year term, plus any further period during which oil or gas production takes place on the Leases. SAI has retained a Net Revenue Interest Royalty in respect of the Leases that may provide up to 25% of the net revenues therefrom. In consideration of the Assignment, the Assignee made a cash payment of US$374,469.41 to SAI. The Leases total 564 "mineral acres" and are located approximately 200 miles northeast of the Company's Shafter project, in the Permian Basin of West Texas, near Midland.

In 2008 the Company acquired SAI as part of a share purchase transaction to acquire an indirect interest in the Shafter silver project held by SAI's subsidiary companies. SAI has a long corporate history that can be traced back to 1932 through a series of predecessor companies. It was very active in the oil and gas industry from 1977 through 1995, at which time it sold most of its oil and gas assets, retaining only a few non-producing leases. At the time of the transaction to acquire the Shafter silver project, the oil and gas leases were considered non-material and have remained so.

Kevin Drover, President and CEO of the Company noted that, "This Assignment has presented the Company with the opportunity to access a potential near-term revenue stream by placing non-core assets with an established operator in the Permian Basin. It is anticipated that this transaction could assist the Company financially as it focuses upon the redevelopment of the Shafter silver project. We intend to continue our review of SAI's other oil and gas holdings and may complete similar transactions if and when opportunities arise."

About Aurcana Corporation

Aurcana Corp. owns the Shafter Silver Project in Texas, US. The Shafter Silver Project was put on care and maintenance in December 2013, in part due to depressed silver prices. A Preliminary Economic Assessment was initiated on May 31, 2016 on the Shafter project, completion is expected to be in August, 2016.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Aurcana Corp.

Kevin Drover, President & CEO

For further information, visit the website at www.aurcana.com.

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

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "intend", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. Forward looking statements in this press release include, without restriction, statements with respect to potential future revenues from the Leases, and statements with respect to the planned completion of the Preliminary Economic Assessment regarding the Shafter project. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) -

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S. OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES

Eastmain Resources Inc. (TSX:ER) ("Eastmain" or the "Company") announces it has completed its previously announced bought-deal private placement (the "Private Placement") for total gross proceeds of approximately $11.1 million.

Claude Lemasson, Eastmain President and CEO commented, "This financing strengthens our balance sheet by increasing our cash position to over $20 million. With our 2016 exploration programs for Clearwater, Eastmain Mine and Eleonore South JV now fully-funded, we are excited to commence drilling in the coming weeks."

As announced on June 15, 2016, Eastmain entered into an underwriting agreement with Beacon Securities Limited and Paradigm Capital Inc., as co-lead underwriters, and Cormark Securities Inc., Mackie Research Capital Corporation, Macquarie Capital Markets Canada Ltd. and GMP Securities L.P. (collectively, the "Underwriters"). Pursuant to the Private Placement, the Company has issued 9,803,000 flow-through common shares (the "FT Shares") at $0.918 per FT Share and 4,197,000 common shares (the "Common Shares") at $0.51 per Common Share (which includes 2,237,000 Common Shares issued upon full exercise of the Underwriters' option).

All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a hold period expiring on November 21, 2016. The subscribers in the Private Placement include directors and officers of the Company, who subscribed for an aggregate of 1,250,000 Common Shares.

The gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the FT Shares will be used to incur Canadian exploration expenditures that are "flow-through mining expenditures" (as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada)) on the Company's Quebec mineral concessions, which will be renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2016, in the aggregate amount of not less than the total amount of the gross proceeds raised from the issue of FT Shares. The remaining net proceeds from the Private Placement shall be used for (i) exploration on portions of the Clearwater Project that do not form part of the existing Eau Claire deposit, including exploration of recently acquired property interests of the Company which now form part of the Clearwater Project, as well as on other property interests of Eastmain outside of the Clearwater Project including the Eastmain Mine property, the Eleonore South JV property, and the Ruby Hill, Radisson, Lac Hudson and Lac Lessard properties; and (ii) general corporate purposes. There may be circumstances where, for sound business reasons, a reallocation of the net proceeds from the sale of the Common Shares may be deemed prudent or necessary.

The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

About Eastmain Resources Inc. (TSX:ER)

Eastmain is a Canadian exploration company with 100% interest in the Eau Claire and Eastmain gold deposits, both of which are located within the James Bay District of Quebec. Eau Claire, the Company's core asset, has superior infrastructure within a favourable jurisdiction and is royalty free. Eastmain also holds a pipeline of exploration projects in this new Canadian mining district, including being a partner in the Eleonore South Joint Venture.

Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Eastmain, including, but not limited to the use of proceeds from the Private Placement, details and timing of exploration programs of Eastmain currently proposed for 2016, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals and the availability of financing. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
DENVER; July 20, 2016 - Intrepid Potash Inc. (NYSE:IPI) plans to release its second quarter and first half 2016 financial results on Tuesday, August 2, 2016, before the market opens. Intrepid will host a conference call the same day at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results and other operating matters and to answer investor questions.

Management invites you to listen to the conference call by using the dial-in number 1-800-319-4610 from the U.S. and Canada, or +1-631-891-4304 from other countries. The call will also be streamed live on Intrepid's website, www.intrepidpotash.com.

A recording of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call at www.intrepidpotash.com or by dialing 1-800-319-6413 from the U.S. and Canada, or +1-631-883-6842 from other countries. The replay of the call will require the input of the conference identification number 00622. The recording will be available through September 2, 2016.

About Intrepid:

Intrepid Potash (NYSE: IPI) is the only U.S. producer of muriate of potash and supplied approximately 9% of the country's annual consumption in 2015. Potash is applied as an essential nutrient for healthy crop development, utilized in several industrial applications and used as an ingredient in animal feed. Intrepid also produces a specialty fertilizer, Trio, which delivers three key nutrients, potassium, magnesium, and sulfate, in a single particle.

Intrepid serves diverse customers in markets where a logistical advantage exists; and is a leader in the utilization of solar evaporation production, one of the lowest cost, environmentally friendly production methods for potash. After the idling of its West mine in July 2016, Intrepid's production will come from three solar solution potash facilities and one conventional underground Trio mine.

Intrepid routinely posts important information, including information about upcoming investor presentations and press releases, on its website under the Investor Relations tab. Investors and other interested parties are encouraged to enroll on the Intrepid website, www.intrepidpotash.com to receive automatic email alerts or Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds regarding new postings.

Contact:

Brian Frantz, Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

Phone: 303-996-3023

Email: brian.frantz@intrepidpotash.com




VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) -

Files NI 43-101 Technical Report for Silicon Ridge Resource Estimate

Continues to advance PEA Study with Met-Chem Canada

Radio Hill Option Agreement Amended to Maintain Iron Ore Rights without annual cash fee requirement

Rogue Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE: RRS) ("Rogue" or the "Company") is pleased to report that today it filed a technical report ("Technical Report") prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for its 100% owned Silicon Ridge Project ("Project"), located approximately 42 kilometres ("km") north of Baie-Saint Paul, QuAbec, and 4 km northeast of Sitec's operating silica mine.

The Technical Report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Silicon Ridge Mineral Resources - Quebec, Canada" has an effective date of June 7, 2016 and supports the disclosure made by the Company in its June 7, 2016 news release (the "News Release") announcing the results of a preliminary mineral resource estimate for it Silicon Ridge Project. There is no material difference in the Technical Report from the information disclosed in the News Release.

The Technical Report is available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and on the Company's website (www.rogueresources.ca).

With the filing of the Technical Report on SEDAR, the Company is focusing on the Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA"), scheduled for completion by Met-Chem Canada ("Met-Chem"), a division of DRA Americas, in September. As part of this focus, Rogue completed a Request for Proposals process with four (4) groups for the conceptual development and operating components of the project. The proposals will form the basis for the operating and capital estimates that will be incorporated into the PEA study.

Timmins-Radio Hill Property

As part of an ongoing review of non-core assets, the Company and the Radio Hill Optionors have executed an amendment (dated June 16, 2016) to the Radio Hill Option Agreement originally entered into on November 16, 2007, whereby the Company maintains its option on the iron ore mineralization, and now at the sole discretion of the Company, can either issue 100,000 shares of the Company or pay $50,000 to the Optionors on an annual basis. This amendment provides the Company greater flexibility in managing its cash reserves while continuing to maintain the option on the iron ore potential of the property. The TSX has provided regulatory approval to the amendment.

"Completing and filing this resource is another step forward for the Silicon Ridge project," said Sean Samson, President and CEO of Rogue Resources. "Work continues towards the PEA and I'm pleased with the detail and cost information we received from the contractors, all with direct quarry experience. Met-Chem's September PEA will now draw from quoted values for the major cost areas of the up-front capital expense (examples- road upgrading, site preparation) and ongoing operating expenses (examples- drill/blast, load/haul, crushing, sorting, road transfer). Discussions also continue with potential buyers of our material, as samples are being sent out this month for their analysis."

About Rogue Resources Inc.

Rogue is a mining company focused on generating positive cash flow. Not tied to any metal, it looks at rock value and good grade deposits that can withstand all stages of the metal price cycle. The current focus is Quebec's Silicon Ridge Project. For more information visit www.rogueresources.ca.

Qualified Person

The Silicon Ridge Exploration Project is under the direct supervision of Eddy Canova, P.Geo. (OGQ), and Senior Vice-President of the Company, a Qualified Person ("QP") as defined by National Instrument 43-101, assisted by Paul Davis, P.Geo., Technical Consultant to the Company and also a QP as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Both QPs have approved the scientific and technical content of this release.

On Behalf of Rogue Resources Inc.

Sean Samson

President & CEO, Director

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

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain disclosures in this release constitute forward-looking statements, including timing of completion of the PEA Report. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company, including that the Company is able to obtain any government or other regulatory approvals that the Company's capable of raising additional capital, that the Company is able to procure personnel, equipment and supplies required for its exploration and development activities in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis and that actual results are consistent with management's expectations. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, those matters identified in its continuous disclosure filings, including its most recently filed MD&A. Should any of such assumptions prove to be incorrect or such risks become actual events, than the value of the Company's securities may decline. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Keith Wommack is a Syndicated Columnist, Christian Science practitioner and teacher, husband, and step-dad.

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Hate is a cattle prod. It finally nudges some over the brink to commit the kind of violent acts that have shocked us recently, both foreign and domestic.

You and I might know wed never get pushed that far. But what if we are nursing some unyielding disdain of our own? Are we then helping to create a loveless environment ripe for justifying crime?

Experts and pundits might disagree on the answer to that, but what if we turned the question on its head and asked if rooting out hatred from our thinking can have a positive impact beyond our own peace of mind?

Besides it being a cattle prod, hate is a poison, and its antidote needs to be a remedy that reaches thought and radically transforms it. And I have found prayer to be such an antidote, for certain forms of prayer steer and mold thought in a way which can, in turn, heal the body.

A friends experience shows both hates disturbing effects and how prayer can trigger a transformation.

Pat was a Registered Nurse and a new mother. Unfortunately, her newborn son was paralyzed on his right side. He also had a large tumor on his neck. Doctors told Pat he wouldnt live very long. In order to care for him while he was still alive, Pat brought her son home.

But she also had something else on her mind.

During my pregnancy, I hated a family member whod spread lies about me - untrue drug allegations. The accusations could have had immediate consequences on my nursing career, Pat told me.

Every time Pat would answer a call from this woman, she would quickly pass the phone to someone else. I couldnt stand talking with her. I couldnt forgive her, she said.

Pats in-laws were Christian Scientists and they asked her if she would like them to pray for her. Wishing to be polite, Pat accepted their offer, although she had no idea of exactly what that entailed.

The next morning, however, she answered another call from the woman she couldnt stop hating and, this time, something was different. Rather than passing the phone off to someone else, Pat felt free to talk with her relative, who was also a new mother.

Pat told me, Not only had I hated her, Id been jealous because this woman had given birth to a girl. During my pregnancy, I had yearned for a girl, not a boy. So I was genuinely surprised to find myself asking about this womans baby.

After hanging up from what turned out to be an almost shockingly pleasant phone conversation, Pat started walking toward her sons room. As she was walking, the thought came to her, Go ahead, try. Try and hate her.

Pat tried, but suddenly she couldnt. The hate was gone. Then she opened the door and looked at her baby and was overjoyed to see that its suffering had also gone.

He was wiggling all his arms and legs. The paralysis was gone. I looked at his neck. The tumor was gone. My son was healthy, she recalled.

Experiences like Pats convince me that hate is not an intrinsic quality of our mental make-up. Our true nature is spiritual, and we inherently express Gods wisdom, dignity, and care. Therefore, we can reject hatred in ourselves and administer an antidote for hate to the world with a prayer strengthened by a doubledose of divine tenderness.

And its natural to look for opportunities to help instead of harm; to understand and love others, rather than judge and despise them. The ability to see another as God sees His child is inherent in each of us and helps everyone. Doing so transforms minds, improves bodies, and helps keep communities safe.

Paul, an apostle of Jesus, writing to a church in Corinth, wrote, Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (I Cor 13:4 NKJV)

If we are unaware or forget that we live to express divine love, we give room for hate, evil, to take on an apparent realness when there is no need to do so. On the other hand, an understanding of Gods allness and goodness can prevent evil from hijacking our thought and society as a whole. If we are willing to accept that evil is powerless because the infinite nature of divine goodness is becoming more real to us, then our desire, our prayer, is the beginning of the end of evil, therefore, the end of hate.

Mary Baker Eddy, a keen follower of Jesus teachings that led her to the discovery of Christian Science, wrote, True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection. Prayer is the utilization of the love wherewith He loves us. Prayer begets an awakened desire to be and do good. It makes new and scientific discoveries of God, of His goodness and power. It shows us more clearly than we saw before, what we already have and are; and most of all, it shows us what God is.

The cost of not loving our neighbor is extremely high. Since we are all Gods children, Gods individual self-expressions, we can learn to love by increasing our understanding of God through prayer each day. We can help the world by refusing to hate and loving more.

 Keith Wommack is a Syndicated Columnist, Christian Science practitioner and teacher, husband, and step-dad. He has been described as a spiritual spur (since every horse needs a little nudge now and then). Keiths columns originate at: KeithWommack.com
SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Sara Keys Keys bakes her sourdough bread in preheated Dutch ovens to get a fast oven spring and the perfect crust. Aimee Blume/Special to The Courier & Press Now that's a Reuben: thick-sliced sourdough rye bread from Slow Rise Bread Company with real long-simmered corned beef brisket, kraut and Emmental Swiss cheese. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/Sara Keys Sara Keys offers her slow rise bread and pastries at the Historic Newburgh Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. She and partner Sydney Zeigler bring crusty breads, pastries and sandwich loaves of different types, all risen with a natural sourdough starter.

Theres no loafing around at this company

By Aimee Blume, USA TODAY Network

Bread can take many forms. It began with the simplest, earliest recipes containing mashed grain and water baked on hot stones and grew into the elaborate industrial concoctions of the 20th century. Many people think there is a middle ground in bread that is best, and it usually falls on the side of simplicity.

Sara Keys, of Newburgh, Indiana, absolutely believes simpler bread is better bread. She is heading to Indiana University in August for a degree in chemistry with an emphasis on food. In the meantime, she's created Slow Rise Bread Company and is baking pure and simple, old-fashioned breads you can find at the Historic Newburgh Farmers Market.

"I was looking at the summer and thought, 'Gosh, what am I going to do all summer?' " Keys said. "I decided on making bread because I had got into sort of the conspiracy theory of bread making. I love to research and watch documentaries, and I read about a fiasco in the '20s and '30s when the FDA had to change the definition of bread to be inclusive to all the major corporations that were popping up and selling a 23-ingredient bread. I'm not gonna lie, I kind of like Wonder Bread, but the more I researched it, the more it freaked me out what was in the bread we know and love and make grilled cheese on."

This, decided Keys, is not the way bread is supposed to be. Stabilizers and dough conditioners and preservatives for long storage in plastic don't belong in your grilled cheese. She wanted to bring back a bread so old-fashioned she wouldn't even use commercial yeast.

"The research I did told me that a slow rise with the acids and enzymes and bacteria found in natural sourdough actually tempers the gluten in bread and makes it and the carbs much easier to digest," she said. "I like to read studies and fact check and cross check, and I found that when you eat sourdough bread the complicated digestion of carbs and gluten is reduced by about 90 percent. There is a little emerging research that when you put gluten through a sourdough fermentation process it gets broken down by the lactic and acetic acids which are formed and keeps the bubbly texture but becomes a different protein complex; but there is only a little information on that so far."

Keys and her partner, Sydney Zeigler, carefully put together their sourdough starter using only King Arthur unbleached and unenriched flour, water, yeast gathered from the air, time and scientific principals. To keep the starter lively and working properly, they must be very conscious of the temperature of the mixture, the pH level and the flour to water ratio. This also goes for the fermenting dough after it is mixed.

"I prefer a mixture of 50 percent whole wheat to 50 percent bread flour for baking bread," said Keys. "For pastries I use 50 percent bread flour and 50 percent white whole wheat because it's finer. We maintain that 50 percent ratio in the starter as well and keep it at 100 percent hydration which is half water and half flour. We have to feed it every day, day in and day out, like a little child or else it will whine and die really quickly. I'm always in a panic that the starter will die."

The baking itself is no less scientific. Keys autolyzes the dough by mixing the flour with all the water the formula requires and permitting it to hydrate for an hour before adding the starter and salt. Then the dough is kneaded by hand, 20 loaves at a time, in a big tub.

"My forearms are amazing," laughed Keys.

The gluten in the dough is allowed to develop naturally without too much kneading for about seven hours. When the dough is smooth and stretchy enough that you can see light through it when stretched thin, it is shaped, allowed to rest on the counter for 20 or 30 minutes to relax, then shaped into the final loaves. These go into proofing baskets in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours to retard the yeast action while the aforementioned acids and bacteria form and grow and do their thing, forming a wholesome, easily digestible bread with amazing flavor.

"The best bread is not convenient," said Keys, shrugging. "You work around its schedule, it doesn't work around yours."

The actual baking takes place in cast iron Dutch ovens preheated to 525 degrees for an hour. The dough is turned into the pot, quickly but carefully slashed, covered with the hot pot lid, and into the oven it goes. The sudden high heat causes the dough to quickly warm and rise into an "oven spring" which gives the interior a bubbly texture and causes the slashes to open up to permit expansion. The lid holds in steam, so there is no need to spray the dough or introduce water into the oven.

"I can only bake four Dutch oven loaves at a time in my home oven," Keys said, "partly because I only have four Dutch ovens. Each batch takes about 35 to 40 minutes to bake. I've been doing more sandwich loaves too, because the sandwich loaves bake in loaf pans and I can do 12 at a time."

At their first week at the Newburgh Market, Key and Zeigler, who handles marketing for the business, sold 60 loaves of bread between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m., so they've been trying to up their loaf count.

"I've been trying to bring more pastries and things that look good to get people over to the booth," Keys said . "The crusty bread has to be packaged in paper, so you can't see the loaves. If you put it in clear plastic it gets tough and awful. The pastries and sandwich breads can be in clear packaging so you can see them. Now we make at least 65 or more loaves a week of different types of bread."

Classic Reuben

Makes 1 Sandwich

INGREDIENTS

Sauce (optional)

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon ketchup

 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon minced onion

1 teaspoon pickle relish

2 thick slices sourdough rye sandwich bread

1 tablespoon butter, room temperature

5-6 ounces sliced corned beef brisket

3 ounces sauerkraut

2 slices Swiss cheese

DIRECTIONS

1 Heat a wide skillet to medium heat. Spread 2 slices of bread with butter.

2 On the unbuttered side of one slice of bread, place half the sauce if using, the corned beef, sauerkraut, and cheese. Top with remainder of sauce if using. Top with second slice of bread, butter side up.

3 Carefully place sandwich in the skillet. Turn heat to medium low, place a lid on the skillet, and toast the sandwich until it is golden on the bottom, being careful not to burn it. Turn and brown the other side. The interior should be hot and cheese melted.

4 Serve with pickles.

Braised Garlic Bread Dipper

Serves 10 as a bread accompaniment

INGREDIENTS

1 cup peeled garlic cloves

2/3 cup olive oil

2/3 cup dry white wine

1 sprig rosemary

1 sprig thyme

- Salt to taste

- Abundant coarse pepper

DIRECTIONS

1 Place all ingredients into a small sauce pan. The garlic should be completely covered by the wine and oil. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium heat until the wine has completely evaporated and the garlic has turned golden in the oil.

2 Remove herb sprigs and serve the soft garlic cloves and some of the oil as bread dippers.

Cheese and Garlic Bread

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

1 cup shredded Asiago or Parmesan-Reggiano cheese

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons fresh herbs of your choice, minced

6 slices crusty bread

DIRECTIONS

1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine the cheese, garlic, mayonnaise and herbs. Spread generously on the bread slices. Place on a sheet pan.

2 Bake 5-7 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm.
McCraw says DPS did not fail Uvalde

Uvalde shooting victims' family members called for Steve McCraws resignation in a tense meeting of the Texas Public Safety Commission on Thursday.
This photo taken April 18, 2016, shows the old city of Florence, Italy, flanking the River Arno as viewed from the Piazzale Michelangelo. The piazzale, a square in the hills above the city, is a great place to take in the views, especially at sunset. (Michelle Locke via AP)

SHARE In this April 22, 2016 photo, visitors to the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy, pause to admire and take photos of Michelangelo's David. The 17-foot-high marble statue is a Renaissance masterpiece and a must-see in Florence. (Michelle Locke via AP) In this April 22, 2016 photo, visitors peek through a doorway at the Tribuna of the Uffizi, a domed octagonal room displaying paintings and statues in Florence, Italy. (Michelle Locke via AP) This April 19, 2016 photo shows a view of the Ponte Vecchio from the banks of the River Arno in Florence, Italy. The bridge is home to several jewelry and souvenir shops and is an instantly recognizable landmark of Florence. (Michelle Locke via AP) In this April 20, 2016 photo, a glass of wine sits on a table on the terrace of the Romitorio di Serelle, a property in the wine country surrounding Florence, Italy, where you can rent apartments or stop for lunch. (Michelle Locke via AP)

By MICHELLE LOCKE, Associated Press

FLORENCE, Italy (AP)  The skies were clouding over as I strode briskly across that famous bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, ready for a productive day checking off Florentine must-sees.

Slight problem: The first museum on my list was open, but the ticket office was closed.

OK, then, on to the Uffizi Gallery. Except this time both ticket office and museum were closed; I had forgotten it was Monday.

A fine rain began to fall as I wandered listlessly past the open arches of the building next door, the statue-studded Loggia dei Lanzi. This wasn't going at all as planned.

And then it hit me. Wait. This was the Piazza della Signoria, where novelist E.M. Forster's adorable Lucy Honeychurch witnessed a stabbing moments after complaining about the dullness of life in "A Room With a View." And those had to be THE steps where the brooding George Emerson carried Lucy's fainting form.

Sunshine filtered through. I had found Florence. Or rather, it had found me.

If you're planning a trip here, you could do worse than wander until you find what you didn't know you were looking for. Here are a few starting points.

___

WHAT'S NEW

The Opera Duomo Museum, devoted to art created for the famous Florence duomo (cathedral), has been given a major makeover and expansion. A highlight is the exhibition hall featuring a replica of the former facade of the cathedral. A 15-euro pass (about $17) will get you access to the museum as well as the cathedral dome and bell tower, both with steps to the top. Open daily except the first Tuesday of the month, but check website for unexpected closures. Piazza del Duomo 9, http://www.museumflorence.com/museum .

The Central Market (Piazza del Mercato Centrale on Via dell'Ariento) has a bright and bustling remodeled second floor, home to food stands, a restaurant, pizzeria, wine academy, cooking school and more. Open daily, 10 a.m.-midnight.

___

CLASSIC ATTRACTIONS

If there is one must-see in Florence it's Michelangelo's David. Yes, there are lines, crowds and a forest of smartphones waving in front of you, but all that falls away as you round the corner to the long gallery and confront 17 feet of cool, concentrated, confident youth. Galleria del'Accademia, Via Ricasoli 58/60. Open Tuesday-Sunday, 8:15 a.m.-6:50 p.m., about $14.

The Uffizi Gallery, set in an imposing 16th-century building, is home to outstanding art, including Giotto's altarpiece, the Ognissanti Madonna, which revolutionized painting by portraying the human figure in perspective, not just two dimensions. Piazzale degli Uffizi 6. Tuesday-Sunday, 8:15 a.m.-6:50 p.m., around $10.

You can't miss the Duomo, the Gothic cathedral encrusted in pink, green and white marble that is a striking feature of the city. The inside is less impressive but is open most days 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and free.

The Ponte Vecchio isn't the most beautiful bridge in the world, but it is interesting, with its lineup of stores, mostly jewelers and souvenir sellers. It was big news in May when a sinkhole opened up, swallowing a score of cars on a stretch of road between Ponte Vecchio and the bridge immediately east, Ponte Grazie. The mayor of Florence vows to repairs completed by November.

Around sunset, head to the Piazzale Michelangelo, on a hill on the south side of the Arno, for terrific views of the city. You can get here by taxi, the No. 12 bus or by walking about 20 minutes from the Uffizi Gallery.

___

GETTING AROUND

Florence is a walking city; bring comfy shoes. If you have a car or hire a driver, consider emulating Miss Honeychurch and cousin Charlotte and head for the hills. You're in the middle of Chianti wine country with several estates to visit, including Poggio Casciano, a 14th-century villa that is part of the Ruffino wine company and about a 30-minute drive from the city. The estate produces Modus, a "super Tuscan" red blend of sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. By appointment only; reserve tastings and tours, http://www.ruffino.com.

Farther afield is the Romitorio di Serelle, about 24 miles from Florence, where you can rent apartments by the week or have lunch on the property's wide terrace perched above rolling vineyards. http://www.romitoriodiserelle.it/

___

TIPS

If you're planning on visiting museums, consider buying tickets online; book entrance times to skip long lines.

More into shopping than sculpture? Check out the Santa Maria Novella, an apothecary that traces its history back 600 years. Don't miss the displays of antique remedies such as anti-hysteria pills as well as the beautifully packaged perfumes and other products available for modern consumers. Via della Scala 16.

For a touch of local night life, the Piazza Santo Spirito on the south side of the Arno is lined with cafes and bars.

A hot spot for gelato is La Carraia, Piazza Nazario Sauro 25R. Work up a literary appetite and order something in honor of Miss Honeychurch, who "loved iced coffee and meringues." Enjoy your treats on the nearby Ponte alla Carraia where you'll have more room, and, naturally, a view.

___

Online:

http://www.firenzeturismo.it/en/

___

Michelle Locke tweets at https://twitter.com/Locke_Michelle
Human eye - Petr Novak, Wikipedia

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Sensitivity to tiny particles unprecedented

By Deborah Netburn, Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Your eyes may be more sensitive than you ever thought possible.

In a study published Tuesday in Nature Communications, researchers report that our warm, wet, multicellular eyes have evolved such a high level of sensitivity that they can, on occasion, detect a single photon aimed at the retina.

Even the most sophisticated man-made devices require a cool, temperature-controlled environment to achieve the same feat.

A single photon is the smallest particle that light is made of, and it is extremely hard to see.

"It's not like a dim flash of light or anything like that," said Alipasha Vaziri, a quantum physicist at Rockefeller University in New York City and the senior author on the paper. "It's more a feeling of seeing something rather than really seeing it."

He described it, poetically, as being "at the threshold of imagination."

"If you've ever looked at a faint star in the night sky and one second you see it but the next second you don't  it's kind of like that," he said.

Previous studies dating back to the 1940s have shown that the human eye can detect as few as five to seven photons. But whether a single photon would be detectable proved elusive.

Although scientists were able to create light sources that produced an average of one photon at a time, they couldn't know for sure whether one, two, three or zero photons were released each time the light source was fired.

To solve this problem, Vaziri's team used a process known a spontaneous parametric down-conversion in which a high-energy photon decays spontaneously in a crystal into two lower energetic photons. One of these photons is directed to a subject's eye while the other is sent to a detector. If the detector notes a photon, then the researchers know the other half of the pair had to be sent to the observer.

The study group was extremely small. There were only three participants  all male and all in their 20s. They all had excellent eyesight, although one subject had his contact lenses to thank for that.

Before the experiment began, each participant sat in a completely dark room for about 40 minutes to make sure his eyes were fully adapted to the dark. His head was held in place with a headrest and a bite bar to ensure that when the photon was released it would be directed at the most sensitive part of his retina.

When the subject felt ready he triggered the start of the experiment by pressing a button. Soon he would hear two acoustical signals separated by one second. Afterward, he was asked to indicate which signal he thought was accompanied by a photon and which one was a blank. Finally, he had to rate how confident he was in his choice on a three point scale.

Vaziri said the strategy of forcing the participants to make a choice  even when they weren't sure it was right  helped push the subjects to maximum sensitivity.

"It was key for the results of the study," he said.

Producing a single photon or any number of defined states of light is not easy. Only recently researchers, mainly working in the field of quantum optics and quantum information, have been able to generate such light states more routinely, Vaziri said. The setup requires special crystals and high-efficiency detectors, but even then the production rate of single photons is quite low.

In this case of 30,767 trials, only 2,420 were single-photon events, the authors wrote. However, those blank trials served as a control, allowing the authors to determine if the subjects were biased; for example, if they were more likely to think the second signal was accompanied by a photon. It also provided valuable information on participants' default confidence levels, Vaziri said.

The researchers report that the subjects were able to correctly determine when a photon had been fired 51.6 percent of the time, which may not sound that impressive, but is statistically significant.

"If it was really random guessing, there would be no way to explain this result," Vaziri said.

In addition, when the subjects expressed high confidence that they had seen a photon, they were right 60 percent of the time.

The authors also found that the observers were more likely to correctly detect a single photon when they had been exposed to another photon within the past 10 seconds.

Although they do not know what mechanism would cause this fleeting increase of sensitivity, Vaziri speculated that it could have an evolutionary advantage.

"If you are dealing with really dim conditions and you see one photon, seeing another shortly afterward would help your visual system recognize that it really is a light source," he said.

He added that while his group did not know just how sensitive the human eye could be before they started this research, it makes sense that our eyes have evolved to spot even the tiniest bit of light.

"People don't realize it, but if you are in nature, far from any city, on a moonless night and under a starry sky, the ambient light can get to the level of a single photon," he said. "In those conditions, the difference between being able to see a little better to escape predators could have an evolutionary effect."
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By Rashda Khan, Rashda.Khan@gosanangelo.com/@rashda_SAST

An outdoor burn ban in Tom Green County was reinstated effective noon today.

"We have had a fire a day for the last three weeks here in Tom Green County, " said Steve Mild, emergency management coordinator for the county and the city of San Angelo, at Tuesday's Commissioners Court meeting. "Surrounding counties are having more than that and getting bigger."

The area is heavy with fuel such as grass, and hot, windy days are drying everything out, including the soil, Mild said.

The ban prohibits all outdoor burning in the county for 90 days unless the court dismisses restrictions earlier.

The ban does not prohibit cooking stoves fueled by "white gasoline" or gasoline without additives, or outdoor cooking grills fueled by propane, natural gas or even wood.

"Just be sure you have some adequate water supply available nearby so that if you do have an unintended fire, you can put it out quickly," Mild said.

The ban also allows outdoor burning activities related to public health and safety authorized by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as well as agricultural burns under the guidance of a certified agricultural burn master. However, Mild said, agricultural burns must meet requirements such as a $1 million insurance policy, and the burn master must submit a written burn plan to the county judge for approval.

"The most effective and efficient agriculture burn usually is during the time when we have a burn ban in effect," he said. "There have been incidents  about eight or 10 years ago  where a supervised burn got away and caused some damage. That's where insurance policy comes in."

Mild emphasized that if people can avoid burns, that would be best in these dry conditions. The ban is an attempt to curb potential wildfires  a familiar hazard in West Texas.

A violation of the order is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500.

For more information, residents should call Mild at 325-657-4230 or contact the fire chief for their location.

Elected Officials pay raise proposed

The court also voted to raise the salaries and other compensations of elected county officials for fiscal year 2017 by a proposed 3 percent. The actual amount will be set at a later date and could be lower than the published rate, but not over it. Elected officials include county judge, the commissioners, the county clerk, constables, justices of the peace, the county attorney and the sheriff.

In other business, the court:

Approved the Concho Rural Water Corp.'s request to install about 2,200 linear feet of 6-inch after main along the east side of East Carlsbad Loop Road.

Awarded a Request For Statement of Qualifications 15-028  originally opened in September 2015  for professional engineering services for future improvements at Pugh Park in Christoval and the development of a Parks Master Plan for the county to Austin-based Naismith Engineering, Inc. However, no accompanying contract was approved.

Recognized individuals who have volunteered to be on the North Branch Library Task Force to assist in planning and developing a new North Branch Library: Craig Kinney with Kinney Franke Architects; Katie Jones with Angelo State University; Denise Barbour, library advocate; community activists Dudra Butler, Sue Mimms and Craig Meyers; library patrons Robert Feller and Patience (Be-Be) Cyphers; North Branch Manager Chelsea Preas and Library Director Jill Donegan.
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By Staff Report

It was Texas Sen. Ted Cruz's moment to shine Wednesday, the third day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

Cruz, the only candidate to seriously challenge Donald Trump for the GOP's presidential nomination during the primary contest, greeted thousands of supporters during a "thank you" luncheon event. He was one of the most anticipated speakers for the evening.

"Security is very tight," said Rhonda J. Lacy, a delegate from Midland who waited in line for more than 90 minutes to attend the luncheon with thousands of other Republicans.

For the Texas delegates, who overwhelmingly supported Cruz, the day was a high point of the convention even as they came to terms with the fact he would not be their presidential nominee this year.

Lacy said the Texas delegates agreed to unite behind Trump, who was officially named the presidential nominee Tuesday.

Lacy said the debate over Trump's nomination was "overblown by the media" and after the issue was decided, most Republicans at the convention quickly reunited.

"We're family, we're all on the same side," Lacy said. "We have are differences, just like any family does. But now is the time for unity."

Lacy and other West Texas delegates described the convention atmosphere as upbeat, with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's speech on Tuesday being a highlight.

"Chris Christie brought the house down with the facts about Hillary," Lacy said.

Lacy also blamed the media for attempting to "stir up controversy" regarding allegations that Donald Trump's wife, Melania, plagiarized part of her Monday night speech. Convention attendees are aware of the issue, but few people are talking about it, she said.

After initially vehement plagiarism denials by Trump staff and Republican loyalists, Trump staff writer Meredith McIver on Wednesday publicly apologized, acknowledging she had "inadvertently" lifted passages from a speech made by Michelle Obama eight years ago.

Lacy is one of three West Texas voting delegates attending the convention. The other delegates are Dennis Graham of Brownwood and Sherry Hurt of Ector County. Their group also includes three alternate delegates, including Geoff S. Connor from Runnels County, Thomas Mathis of Ector County and Theresa Mattingly-Close of San Angelo.
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By Gal Tziperman Lotan, Orlando Sentinel (TNS)

ORLANDO, Fla.  Orlando Police Officer Richard Fink could see a man lying on the floor of the Pulse nightclub, reaching out for help.

"He told me he could not stand or walk," Fink later wrote in a report. He could see that the man had been shot at least once, in his right leg.

"I grabbed both of his wrists, and he grabbed mine. I dragged him outside of the club through the patio, and away from the building," Fink wrote.

Then Fink went back in. Other people needed help.

Fink's report was part of a 71-page document made public on Monday, the latest in the city's ongoing release of public records related to the Pulse shooting. The June 12 shooting left 49 people dead and at least 53 injured.

Some public records requests have been denied by officials, who cite an ongoing investigation into the shooting and disagreements about whether the records fall under local or federal jurisdiction.

Some of the reports in the city's latest release are heavily redacted. The reports were filed on June 27, about two weeks after the shooting.

In the documents, Orlando police officers describe the harrowing things they saw and heard: Patrons running out of the club, covered in blood. People who were injured. People who had died.

Officer Felix Monroig Santiago could see the bodies inside the Pulse nightclub.

He had responded to the club at 2:05 a.m., just three minutes after the first reports of a gunman inside the club. He got there and, once more officers arrived, went into the club through the patio on its east side.

"While inside, I observed multiple casualties on the ground near the bar area and could still hear shots being fired," he wrote in a report released Monday night. "Once it was discovered (that) the suspect was barricaded in the restroom, I remained inside the club until SWAT officers arrived. I then remained on scene providing additional assistance."

Officers Michael Ragsdale and Joseph Imburgio found a closed door on the north side of the building, Ragsdale wrote.

"I tried to open the door but I felt something pulling back on it, holding it closed," Ragsdale wrote. "I announced that I was the Orlando Police Department and the door open(ed) freely. Once the door opened victims started running out."

Ragsdale went into the club and found what he described as a bathroom, which he cleared. The shooter was not there, he wrote.

He went back outside and met with another officer, Kyle Medvetz, who led him through an entrance on the south side of the club.

Together, they walked back inside.

"I remember (feeling) hands grab my ankles as I walked by the victims as they were asking for help," Ragsdale wrote.

Officer Kelvin Vidro found a man who made it out of the club with a gunshot wound to his stomach, but collapsed in the parking lot of a nearby auto shop, he wrote. Vidro said he helped the man get to the Orlando Fire Department's Station 5.

Officer Russell Sayer, who said he ran to the club's front doors, wrote that many of the people he saw were "blood soaked." As he tried to help them get to safety, blood "covered my pants, arms and boots."

A few officers wrote that they could no longer wear the uniform pants, shirts and shoes they had on the day of the shooting because they were covered in blood.
Michael Gerson is a Washington Post columnist. Contact him at michaelgerson@washpost.com.

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CLEVELAND  With precious little attention, the Republican Party's attitude toward international trade has officially shifted.

Gone is the 2012 platform's strong endorsement of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and trade in general. Instead, the new platform reflects Donald Trump's more skeptical attitude toward trade deals (Trump has referred to the TPP as "a rape of our country").

"I expected it to be contentious, and it wasn't," said a co-chairman of the platform subcommittee on the economy. "People all seemed to be going toward the same goal here, which is to get the candidate elected."

A minor thing. Unless you are actually an economic conservative who cares anything about jobs and economic growth.

A commitment to free trade is not an extraneous add-on to conservative economics; it is the application of conservative economics on a global scale. What Trump has proposed, according to GOP strategist Vin Weber, is "to reverse a Republican stance taken since World War II and embrace the notion of a state-planned economy."

In threatening a 35 percent tariff on many goods imported from Mexico and a 45 percent tariff on imports from China  and by pledging to punish specific American businesses for behavior he doesn't approve of  Trump is attempting to assume Hugo Chavez-like powers over global commerce.

What would be the result? A massive tariff is the equivalent of a massive, regressive consumption tax. Prices would rise for just about everything  especially the kind of products sold to working- and middle-class people at Home Depot and Walmart. Since about half of American imports are supplies used by firms to make other things, economic activity would slow. American jobs would be lost. (Some economic models predict that Trump's tariffs could cost more than 1.4 million jobs over the next four years.)

And the imposition of high tariffs would almost certainly provoke a broader trade war, which is a proven and reliable method to cause a global recession.

In the parlance of economics, this policy approach is "bonkers." According to many economists, the prime culprit in the decline of manufacturing jobs is technology rather than global trade. And Trump's promise to reverse globalization through his awesome negotiating skills is magical thinking, distracting attention from actual policies that might help educate and train American workers for a 21st century economy.

Republican leaders  at least those with ambitions in the age of Trump, such as Mike Pence and Newt Gingrich  have been quick to shed decades of economic conviction. (Pence was a champion of the North American Free Trade Agreement in the 1990s, arguing the "the right course is not to turn back the clock, to close our borders," but to recognize that "trade means jobs.")

And the current attitude of the party itself can best be described as supine. Some of the most basic conservative economic views, it seems, are expendable "to get the candidate elected."

This is the story of the Cleveland convention so far. Trump has pushed. Republicans have generally caved. Those who haven't  like a few on the convention rules committee  have been crushed without even the pretense of magnanimity.

The fate of those who come around to Trump's way of thinking is not much better. Trump used the announcement of Pence as his running mate as an opportunity to remind America that his pick had caved to "establishment" pressure and endorsed Ted Cruz during the primaries. It was as if Trump were saying that he knows what weak men are like, and enjoys seeing them finally crawl. Gov. Chris Christie has had his early loyalty to Trump rewarded with a handful of humiliation (including a joke about Oreos). Paul Ryan and Reince Priebus have been serially embarrassed despite their support.

All these leaders have been miniaturized by their contact with Trump. Which seems to be part of the purpose. Trump not only wants his former opponents to renounce past skepticism, but also to pay for it.

"It's almost  in some ways, like, I'm running against two parties," Trump explained last month. In Cleveland, one senior Republican official told me, "Trump is still settling scores." His goal is not party unity, unless it is the unity of unconditional surrender. On some issues, like global trade, this has involved the surrender of principle, with hardly a yelp of protest.

Meanwhile, Republicans are being asked to pretend that everything is normal, even as their leaders are being belittled and some defining Republican convictions abandoned. The balloons will drop as usual  but on a different and diminished party.

Michael Gerson is a Washington Post columnist. Contact him at michaelgerson@washpost.com.
State schools chief Randy Dorn has filed a lawsuit against seven school districts alleging that they illegally rely on local levies to fund basic education, including teacher salaries.The seven school districts, which the lawsuit says are named as examples, are Seattle, Everett, Bellevue, Spokane, Tacoma, Evergreen and Puyallup. The suit filed Tuesday in King County Superior Court also lists the state of Washington as a defendant.Dorn said last week that he doesn't fault the school districts but believes they don't have the authority to use levy dollars to pay for basic needs."This is not a step I want to take," Dorn, the superintendent of public instruction, said Tuesday.Dorn said the goal of the lawsuit is to put additional pressure on the Legislature to come up with a full plan to fund K-12 education.Under the 2012 Supreme Court ruling known as the McCleary decision, the state must fully fund basic education by 2018. For nearly a year, the state has been fined $100,000 a day for not making enough progress on a funding plan.Because the local school districts are not named as defendants in McCleary, they are able to rely on levies to pay for supplemental teacher salaries and other costs, the complaint states.The McCleary case dealt with insufficient state funding, and Dorn said his lawsuit addresses a consequence of that problem: local funding for basic education."The current system is unfair and illegal, and it leads to advantages and disadvantages," he said. "It must stop."The state provides a portion of teacher salaries, and school districts use local levy dollars to make up the rest through what's called TRI -- time, responsibility and incentives -- pay. The supplemental pay, while consistent with the quality and quantity of work performed, is illegal, and enables the Legislature to dodge its duty to fund education, the suit states.TRI pay can make up as much as 46 percent of a teacher's salary, according to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Across the state, the average percentage added was 26 percent, about $13,660 annually.Dorn noted that teacher pay varies widely throughout the state, allowing wealthier districts to offer higher salaries and therefore benefit from greater teacher retention. Jami Lund, senior policy analyst with the Olympia-based think tank the Freedom Foundation, said some districts "yield to the unions" and go overboard with local pay.The Washington Education Association, the state teachers union, disagrees."We think local communities should be able to retain the ability to pay their educators and staff according to local needs," spokeswoman Linda Mullen said.In Seattle, the supplemental contracts added 32 percent to the salary of a beginning teacher last year. The school district is reviewing the complaint and will work to coordinate with other districts named in the suit, Seattle Superintendent Larry Nyland said in a statement."Our district negotiates fair, competitive wages to attract and retain quality educational professionals," Nyland said. "We will continue to locally support and promote student achievement while we wait for the Legislature to fully fund education and fulfill their duty."Tacoma School Board President Karen Vialle and Superintendent Carla Santorno issued a joint statement saying they understand the goal behind the lawsuit but disagree with the approach.The districts "have been left with no other choice" than to use the levy dollars, they said.Tim Yeomans, superintendent of the Puyallup School District, said he was disappointed the district will be spending money provided by voters to defend itself in the lawsuit.Several district officials noted that the Legislature has authorized districts to use levy funding to fund a portion of the salaries."On a number of occasions, the Legislature has increased local levy authority rather than meet the obligation of paying fair and competitive wages at the state level," Yeomans said.Last week, the state Supreme Court ordered the state to appear in court and explain why its school-funding plan should be considered sufficient. The hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7.Dorn, who isn't seeking re-election after two terms, has been vocal about his support for education funding and disappointment with the Legislature. He argued in a court brief filed last month that the court should consider closing public schools until the Legislature makes additional progress to comply with the McCleary ruling.
On Libya

On Terrorism

Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, whom Donald J. Trump passed over to be his running mate, was one of the stars of the Republican conventions second night on Tuesday, delivering a detailed case against Hillary Clinton with a prosecutorial zeal.For about 15 minutes, he laid out one indictment of Mrs. Clinton after another, asking the audience after each one, Guilty or not guilty? It was part red meat, part courtroom procedural, and with each query, GUILTY! rang through the hall, interrupted only by an occasional, Lock her up!Like many indictments, the facts presented to the Republican jury were sometimes selective: not necessarily false, but often ignoring exculpatory evidence. Below is a closer look at Mr. Christies case.Mr. Christie started in North Africa, accusing Mrs. Clinton of being the chief engineer of the disastrous overthrow of Qaddafi in Libya. Pretending to be a prosecutor speaking to a jury, he urged the raucous crowd to render a verdict. The crowd roared, Guilty!Mrs. Clinton was secretary of state during the period in question, and she did make a humanitarian case for intervening to prevent Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi from taking over Benghazi in 2011, when it appeared that his forces might kill more than 10,000 Libyan citizens. President Obama has expressed regret that plans for the aftermath of the strikes were not well thought-out, and that the world was wrong to expect the rebels to build a stable government there.In Nigeria, Mr. Christie said, Mrs. Clinton amazingly fought for two years to keep an Al Qaeda affiliate off the terrorist watch list. He said her actions had led directly to the kidnapping of hundreds of young girls by the group, Boko Haram, and demanded a verdict for an apologist for an Al Qaeda affiliate.The Clinton State Department did decline to add Boko Haram to its list of terrorist groups, in part because Islamic scholars and regional experts had urged it to try other means of confronting the groups tactics. It did, however, put several Boko Haram leaders on other terrorist lists, and added the group in 2013.
As he studiously avoids the Republican convention in his backyard, where ex-rival Donald Trump has officially clinched the GOP presidential nomination, Ohio Gov. John Kasich is getting an earful from Trump supporters who consider him a backstabber for refusing to endorse the candidate. But at least Kasich can comfort himself with the knowledge that hes already made a bit of history: Kasich is the only sitting governor to lose a presidential nominating race in recent decades and emerge with his political reputation intact -- maybe even gleaming.In the 2016 Republican primary, three other sitting governors lost. But those three -- Louisianas Bobby Jindal, New Jerseys Chris Christie and Wisconsins Scott Walker -- all returned home to weak approval ratings.Of course, if history is any guide, thats to be expected. The list of sitting governors who have returned to diminished support after failed presidential campaigns is long and affects both Democrats and Republicans. For instance, Democrats Jerry Brown of California, Michael Dukakis of Massachusetts, Bill Richardson of New Mexico and Doug Wilder of Virginia, along with Republicans Rick Perry of Texas and Pete Wilson of California, all found their popularity at or near new lows once home.But not Kasich. His approval ratings back in Ohio have remained distinctly positive, generally reaching the high 50s or low 60s. "In Ohio, we've seen pretty much across-the-board pride in John Kasich's efforts," Douglas J. Preisse, a longtime Republican strategist in Ohio, toldearlier this year.There are a couple reasons why Kasich has so far managed to escape this curse.The biggest one is that Kasich acts as a counter to Trump, the most polarizing party nominee in generations who has also fractured support among the GOP. Trump critics inside and outside the party viewed Kasich as running a principled, clean, issue-focused campaign this year. In the debates, he got to be the adult in the room, said Vanessa Tey Iosue, president of Burges & Burges, a political consulting firm based in Cleveland.The other reason lies in Kasichs ability to navigate controversial issues, which can be traced back to his evolution as governor of Ohio.Initially, you could credibly argue that he was the most conservative elected governor of Ohio since the 1940s or 1950s, said Kyle Kondik, an Ohio native and University of Virginia political analyst who recently authored the bookKasich ran into trouble early in his first term when he sought to strip collective bargaining rights from public employees, a proposal that overjoyed conservatives and riled liberals. By the time voters blocked the effort at the ballot box, Kasichs reputation was in the dumps.After that, though, Kasich gravitated toward the center and -- buoyed by the national economic recovery -- began to rebuild his standing in the purple state. He realized that the Ohio electorate respects working people and wants to see policies that protect the most vulnerable, said Amy Hanauer, executive director of liberal-leaning Policy Matters Ohio.In particular, Kasich went against his own party to make more people eligible for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. This allowed him to paint himself as a pragmatist, and it won him kudos from the center and the left. Thats the image he tried to take into the presidential race, said Kondik. It was popular among the broader electorate, even if he was not the bomb-thrower the Republican base wanted.Indeed, Kasich seems to have polished his ideological balancing act. When he signed anti-abortion legislation this year, he did it quietly, out of the spotlight, satisfying the GOP base on substance but not making a high-profile issue of it, said Tom Sutton, a political scientist at Baldwin-Wallace University in Berea, Ohio.Episodes like this have left Kasich with a more nuanced reputation in the state than the one national voters know from the presidential race. A lot of us chuckle when we see him described as a centrist because hes as conservative as they come on [issues like] fiscal policy, said Sutton.Kasich remains especially maddening for some Democrats in the state, including labor unions, a significant Democratic constituency. "If you talk to labor, and also to state-level Democrats and the state Democratic Party, Kasich drives them absolutely crazy, said Kondik. It was really galling to a lot of Democrats in Ohio to see him portrayed as a moderate.So where does Kasich take this carefully crafted reputation next? His second term is up in 2018, which opens the door to a U.S. Senate bid or another presidential run in 2020.A Senate bid seems less likely at the moment, especially since it would pit Kasich against a major figure in the state: Democratic incumbent Sherrod Brown. By contrast, another presidential bid seems plausible, even though he would likely face ongoing resistance from a Republican base that finds him too pragmatic and not ideological enough.Convention week in his home state of Ohio has attracted attention to Kasichs approach. Breaking with tradition, Kasich has assiduously ignored official events at the convention. Instead, he has made appearances throughout the city to court delegates, laying out a distinctly un-Trump-like vision for the party.With changing demographics, we cant keep talking to the same old people, he told a group of Michigan delegates. Because theres not enough of us to talk to. It just wont work.This has prompted sniping between Kasich allies and the Trump camp. Kasich is hurting his state. Hes embarrassing his state, frankly, said Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort on MSNBC on the eve of the convention. This prompted Matt Borges, the Ohio GOP chair and a Kasich ally, to tweet back , Manafort still has a lot to learn about Ohio politics.Nevertheless, its clear Kasich is thinking long term. He recently told that he's "not closing any doors."Kasich has moved from job to job frequently -- from state legislator to member of Congress to the private sector to governor -- and hes been successful doing so. But whether the national Republican Party will be ready for him next time remains an open question.Maybe in 2020, if the Republicans have three straight presidential losses, the party will be looking for a more traditional candidate, said Kondik.
Gov. John Hickenlooper has made a short list of finalists for Hillary Clinton's running mate.The news that he was spotted Friday leaving Clinton's private residence in Washington, D.C., surprised some who considered Hickenlooper a long-shot for vice presidential candidate.But even those who are surprised Hickenlooper is in the running alongside Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Timothy Kaine admit Hickenlooper could bring unique qualities to the ticket."He's made it further during this process than I would have surmised," said Eric Sondermann, an independent political analyst and commentator. "I think his attraction is as a business-friendly centrist."Clinton is expected to announce her pick by the first days of the Democratic National Convention next week. Sources close to Hickenlooper and Colorado's Clinton campaign say there's a lot of excitement he has made the final list.Both groups are mum about the conversation between Clinton and Hickenlooper.Hickenlooper in many ways could play as the anti-Donald Trump.Trump is a billionaire who inherited a portion of his wealth.Hickenlooper's new book, "," brands the Denver millionaire as a bootstraps entrepreneur who risked it all in the brewpub business and struck liquid gold by renovating historic buildings to house restaurants."I can't think of a better profession to be in today than being a brewpub owner, if you're trying to get younger voters and millennials," said Floyd Ciruli, a Denver-based pollster and pundit. "It's just a job that's perfect."Ciruli said it has been rumored Clinton wants a running mate who will play well with younger voters. Hickenlooper, 64, has described himself as "no spring chicken," but Ciruli said that doesn't mean Hickenlooper, governor of the first state to legalize recreational marijuana, won't appeal to a younger crowd.His new wife, Robin Pringle, is 37.Sondermann and Ciruli say there are plenty of reasons for Clinton to pass over Hickenlooper in favor of another candidate, such as two of President Barack Obama's cabinet members who are said to be in the running: Julian Castro, secretary of housing, and Tom Vilsack, agriculture secretary.Hickenlooper is popular in Colorado, but the state has only nine electoral votes.And Ciruli noted recent polls indicate the Centennial State is not the battleground it once was."The battleground is probably in the Midwest, the Rust Belt," Ciruli said.In that scenario, Vilsack, a former governor of Iowa, or Kaine from Virgina would be the better move.Sondermann noted another weakness for Hickenlooper: his tendency to go off script or to not even have a script."The person you want in a vice presidential candidate is somebody who wakes up at 5 a.m., and the first words out of their mouth are, 'Where are my talking points,' and for the next 18 hours they stay on message," Sondermann said. "That is not John Hickenlooper. He's a free spirit. He says what's on his mind, and in a tightly controlled campaign like the Clinton machine, I'm not sure how well that plays."
Paring back the state's voter ID law four months before the presidential election, a federal judge ruled Tuesday that Wisconsin voters without photo identification can cast ballots by swearing to their identity.The decision by U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman in Milwaukee creates a pathway for voters with difficulties getting IDs who have been unable to cast ballots under the state's 2011 voter ID law."Although most voters in Wisconsin either possess qualifying ID or can easily obtain one, a safety net is needed for those voters who cannot obtain qualifying ID with reasonable effort," Adelman wrote in his 44-page decision.The judge issued his preliminary order because he found that those arguing for a pathway for some voter without IDs were "very likely" to succeed.The ruling will allow voters to use affidavits instead of IDs to vote in the Nov. 8 presidential election. But this new system will not be in place for the Aug. 9 primary for congressional and state legislative races because Adelman determined election officials needed more time to implement it.Adelman, a former Democratic state senator, was appointed to the federal bench by President Bill Clinton.Sean Young, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union who represented those bringing the legal challenge, praised the decision."Wisconsin's voter ID law has been a mistake from day one. This ruling is a strong rebuke of the state's efforts to limit access to the ballot box. It means that a fail-safe will be in place in November for voters who have had difficulty obtaining ID," said Young.Republican state Attorney General Brad Schimel said he was disappointed with the ruling but did not say if he would appeal it."We will decide the next course of action after Wisconsin Department of Justice attorneys have had time to fully review and analyze the court's decision," Schimel said in a statement.Tuesday's ruling marks the latest chapter in the saga over voter ID in Wisconsin, which was approved by Gov. Scott Walker and GOP lawmakers five years ago. The law was blocked for years by court decisions but took effect last year after overcoming those initial challenges.Adelman in 2014 ruled that the voter ID law was unconstitutional, but that decision was overturned on appeal. The case has stayed alive -- on narrower grounds -- as the two sides have argued over whether there should be a way for some voters to cast ballots even if they don't have IDs.A separate lawsuit in federal court in Madison is seeking to show that Republicans adopted voter ID and other laws over the past five years with the goal of benefiting their party and making it harder for minorities to vote.That lawsuit by two liberal groups, One Wisconsin Institute and Citizen Action of Wisconsin Education Fund, also challenges limits on early voting, a requirement that voters establish residency 28 days before voting, the elimination of straight-ticket voting and other changes to voting rules approved since 2011.U.S. District Judge James Peterson is expected to rule in that case soon. At closing arguments last month, he said there were few clear guidelines for how to rule on parts of a challenge to Wisconsin's voting rules and also questioned how much of an effect the state's voter ID law has had on elections.In Tuesday's decision, Adelman wrote he was trying to prevent disenfranchising "voters who cannot obtain ID no matter how hard they try," though his ruling would apply to a larger class of voters.Those who don't have IDs will be able to vote by going to polling places and signing forms saying they can't easily get IDs. The system is to be available to anyone who, to get an ID, "would have to do more than retrieve a birth certificate and related documents from his or her desk drawer and make a single trip to the (Division of Motor Vehicles)."That would include those who don't have birth certificates, have mistakes on their birth certificates or have health problems that prevent them from traveling to DMV centers. Voters themselves will determine whether getting an ID would require more than a reasonable effort.Adelman's decision described instances in which those who don't have IDs were caught in a bureaucratic limbo.One was directed by DMV officials to track down adoption papers and court papers from Tennessee. Another was told to request a name change through the federal Social Security Administration. A third voter over three months had to speak with a DMV investigator nine times, make two trips to a DMV center and call other agencies to locate documents.This spring, Walker's administration made changes to how it handles requests for IDs for those who have the most difficulty in getting them because they lack birth certificates or have trouble getting copies of them. That new system provides people with temporary documents that would allow them to vote.But Adelman found that system did not go far enough, saying bureaucratic mistakes were inevitable and that they would disenfranchise some eligible voters.The decision could provide the first big test for Wisconsin's newly created state Elections Commission, composed of three Democrats and three Republicans.Republican lawmakers created the commission to replace the state Government Accountability Board, a group of six former judges that has been responsible for running elections for the last eight years.The Elections Commission will be responsible for making sure local election clerks print blank affidavits and have them available at each polling place. The commission will also be responsible for making sure the public knows about the ability to vote by affidavit if they don't have IDs.Commission spokesman Reid Magney said the agency would consult with the state Department of Justice to ensure it complies with the court order. He said he expected the ruling to affect a relatively small number of voters.The decision by Adelman and the forthcoming one by Peterson could easily wind up before the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago, which has been equally divided when it comes to the voter ID law.A panel of three judges from that court upheld Wisconsin's voter ID law in September 2014 -- reversing Adelman's ruling that year that found the law was unconstitutional.The case then went to the full appeals court, which split 5-5 on whether the law should be overturned. That left in place the panel's decision that upheld the law.After that, the case returned to Adelman as voters bringing the case argued for creating a system to vote by affidavit.Adelman initially ruled against them in October 2015, but a panel of the 7th Circuit opened the door in April for such a system. All three judges on that panel were appointed by Republican presidents.
Virginia's legislative and executive branches took their fight over felon voting before the state's highest court Tuesday in a case that could redefine a governor's power to restore civil rights and sway the 2016 presidential race.Republican legislators called on the Virginia Supreme Court to keep more than 200,000 Virginia felons from registering to vote, arguing that Gov. Terry McAuliffe's sweeping executive order restoring some of their civil rights went so far that it threatens to brush away a section of the state constitution.McAuliffe's attorney pointed to the plain language of the constitution, which uses singular pronouns but doesn't specifically say Virginia governors can only restore rights on a case-by-case basis, as 71 previous governors have done when it comes to violent felons."There's no hook in that language where you can hang their arguments," Solicitor General Stuart Raphael argues before the state's seven Supreme Court justices.The stakes are high. Though only 11,662 people affected by McAuliffe's order had registered to vote as of Monday, Virginia's swing state status in a crucial general election leaves both sides fighting for every vote. Republicans have said McAuliffe, the long-time friend of presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, timed his restoration to help win her votes.From a floor fight with anti-Trump delegates to a widely criticized speech from would-be First Lady, Melania Trump, here's what happened during the first day of the Republican National Convention.From a floor fight with anti-Trump delegates to a widely criticized speech from would-be First Lady, Melania Trump, here's what happened during the first day of the Republican National Convention.Multiple state delegations stormed off the Republican National Convention floor Monday. Trump critics attempted to force a roll call vote on the convention rules package. This would enable them to vote for the candidate of their choice rather than the winner of the state primaries. Under existing Republican National Committee rules, the convention's 2,472 delegates must cast their first-round votes according to their state primary and caucus results. Convention officials dismissed the petition and passed the rules package by voice tally. The country hasn't seen a floor fight for the nomination in decades.Multiple state delegations stormed off the Republican National Convention floor Monday. Trump critics attempted to force a roll call vote on the convention rules package. This would enable them to vote for the candidate of their choice rather than the winner of the state primaries. Under existing Republican National Committee rules, the convention's 2,472 delegates must cast their first-round votes according to their state primary and caucus results. Convention officials dismissed the petition and passed the rules package by voice tally. The country hasn't seen a floor fight for the nomination in decades.McAuliffe denies that, saying he hoped to sweep away a vestige of Jim Crow by undoing felon disenfranchisements that inordinately affect black people.It's unclear when the state Supreme Court will rule, but it has expedited the case. Each side got 30 minutes of argument before the justices Tuesday morning.The court may never get to the merits of this case, leaving an open ended question about just how much power the governor has to restore the right to vote. There are procedural hurdles first, and several justices asked a questions Tuesday not about the over-arching disagreement in this case, but about legal technicalities.These boil down to three issues. First, do Speaker of the House William Howell, Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. "Tommy" Norment and the four Virginia voters who brought this lawsuit against the governor have standing to sue over this issue?Another way to ask that: Have they been harmed enough to justify the case?The other two issues are the more complex matters of prohibition and mandamus, which deal with the judiciary's ability to order the executive branch to act. Typically, the sort of actions Howell and Norment requested in this case are taken by a higher court to block the actions of a lower court, or they're used to compel government officials to perform a statutory duty.It's unclear, legal experts said, whether this case fits either of those molds."I think they're going to find standing, but mandamus and prohibition are the issue," former Virginia Attorney General Anthony Troy said after watching oral arguments. "It's called an extraordinary writ, and it's very unusual."
On Tuesday, in the morning, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC and Mrs Kaye de Jersey attended the Commemorative Service and Headstone Dedication at Fromelles (Pheasant Wood) Cemetery, France, where the Governor laid a wreath.

Following, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey toured the Battle of Fromelles Museum.

In the afternoon, the Governor and Mrs de Jersey attended the Australian National Commemorative Service at VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, France, where the Governor laid a wreath.
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GIS -20 July 2016: Mauritius enjoys a solid reputation for its respect for Human Rights not only on the African Continent but also internationally, said the Prime Minister, Sir Anerood Jugnauth, yesterday at the National Assembly in reply to question on combatting of trafficking in persons in Mauritius. An Inter-Ministerial Committee has been set up under the chairmanship of the Attorney-General to ensure proper coordination on issues relating to Trafficking in Persons, he added. Sir Anerood Jugnauth pointed out that measures to address the issue of Trafficking in Persons are in line with the recommendations contained in the report of the US Department of State Trafficking in Persons.

Since January 2015, measures taken by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Police Department as well as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Report include:

 setting up of a hotline to enable the public to report any alleged case of child abuse including child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children either anonymously or otherwise;

 joint interviews by officers of the Police and the Child Development Unit to avoid repeated narrations of incident;

 provision of assistance to victims of child trafficking for medical and Police medical examinations as well as HIV testing and pregnancy tests;

 provision of psycho-social counselling to victims and their families;

 close collaboration between the Brigade Pour la Protection des Mineurs and other stakeholders to assist in the identification of victims and providing them support. The Brigade Pour la Protection des Mineurs carries out raids in game houses, hotels, discotheques and also investigates in suspected/alleged cases of child trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children;

 setting up, on 26 May 2016, of LOasis Residential Drop-In-Centre at Grand River North West which presently houses 25 victims of sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation of children including child trafficking;

 establishment of a Protocol of collaboration by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare with other stakeholders by way of a Working Together Committee to ensure that a continuum of care is provided to children victims;

 setting up of a Community Child Watch Committee for surveillance of children exposed to any form of violence inclusive of commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking at local levels. It operates with the collaboration of a pool of volunteers, social workers, NGOs, community leaders and other key stakeholders;

 setting up of Child Protection Committees at district level for the implementation of Government policies related to the survival, development, protection and welfare of children through the adoption of a participatory approach; and

 preparation of a National Action Plan on Combatting Trafficking in Persons at the level of the Prime Ministers Office in consultation with all stakeholders.

Sir Anerood Jugnauth underlined that emphasis is also laid on capacity building for officers having to deal with cases of Trafficking in Persons at different levels. From January 2015 to date, five training sessions have been organised on Trafficking in Persons for Law Officers of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney Generals Office as well as Law Enforcement Officers.

According to Police records, only one case of Trafficking in Persons has been reported since January 2015 up to 15 July 2016, said the Prime Minister.

Government Information Service, Prime Ministers Office, Level 6, New Government Centre, Port Louis, Mauritius. Email: gis@govmu.org Website: http://gis.govmu.org
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GIS - 20 July, 2016: The University of Mauritius in collaboration with the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund is organising today various activities in the context of the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the Aapravasi Ghat on the World Heritage List. The activities include an exhibition, a seminar and a round table on the theme: The making of Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site: 10 years after. The exhibition which will focus on the Anatomy of a World Heritage Site 2002-2006 will trace the process that led to the listing of Aapravasi Ghat, from the setting up of the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund to the writing of the Nomination dossier. It is a way to pay homage to all those who contributed to the success of the nomination of the Aapravasi Ghat on the list of the World Heritage Site.

As for the seminar, it will cover the retrospective of the Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site for the period 2006 to 2016. The roundtable will bring together, in an informal and congenial manner, educators from private and public institutions, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to reflect on the challenges in teaching history in the 21st century.

During the course of the roundtable various sub-themes will be discussed namely: teaching History in a multicultural setting: problems and solutions; review of methodologies and resources in history teaching: strengths and limitations; teaching History through different mediums: using art, literature, song, music and dance; and educating the Global Mauritian: Visions and values for the future.

In the same context of the 10th anniversary of the inscription of the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund on the World Heritage list, a wreath laying ceremony was held on 16 July 2016 at the World Heritage Site in the presence of the Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Santaram Baboo and other eminent personalities.

It will be recalled that the Aapravasi Ghat was inscribed on the World Heritage Site list in 2006. The Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site, are the remains of an Immigration Depot built in 1849, where the modern indentured labour diaspora began.

It is also the first site chosen by the British Government in 1834 for the great experiment in the use of indentured rather than slave Labour, which is strongly associated with memories of almost half a million indentured labourers moving from India to Mauritius to work on sugarcane plantations or to be transshipped to other parts of the World.
(TNS) -- The New Jersey Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case brought by an open-government activist who contends that the public should be allowed to view electronic data and metadata kept by local government agencies.In summer 2013, John Paff requested a log of the emails sent by the Galloway Township police chief and the township clerk during a two-week period in June 2013, and then sued in an Ocean County court when his request was denied.A judge in 2014 ordered that the information be released to Paff, the chairman of the New Jersey Libertarian Party's Open Government Advocacy Project. For the last two decades, Paff has filed numerous requests for public records in his quest to test transparency in local government.The town's IT specialist had testified at the hearing, before Superior Court Judge Nelson C. Johnson, that retrieving the data would take about "two to three minutes," depending on the volume of emails that the search turned up. The data would include the sender, recipient, date, and subject.The 2014 ruling was reversed by an appeals panel in March 2016. The panel decided the log was off-limits because the clerk would have to create a record that did not already exist. The state Open Public Records Act (OPRA) only requires the release of records, not information or data, the panel said."If the Supreme Court doesn't reverse this, it restricts the public to a paper world while the government will be operating in an electronic world," Paff said in an interview Monday. On Friday, the Supreme Court decided to take up the appeal.The case pits Paff, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation against Galloway Township, the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.Galloway Mayor Don Purdy and Township Solicitor Michael J. Fitzgerald did not return calls for comment.Vito Gagliardi Jr., a Morristown lawyer who represents the chiefs of police, said, "A list of all the people a chief of police is communicating with could compromise investigations and reveal the identities of victims of crimes and witnesses while an investigation is unfolding. . . . There is a great deal of concern about citizens finding out who the chiefs of police are communicating with, and with what frequency."Gagliardi said that the emails themselves would be denied because of their sensitive nature, and that the log of the emails should also be kept confidential.Paff testified at the court hearing in 2014 that he did not recall a specific reason why he made the request. The police department's records custodian, however, testified that he believed the dates of the emails were tied to an internal investigation that was conducted at that time.Paff said in an interview Monday that sensitive matters may be redacted but that the public is entitled to information that does not involve an investigation, or that involves an investigation that is closed. "The government's natural tendency is to suppress information and then selectively issue press releases on what it wants the public to know. . . . I want to know if the public's right to know is keeping up with technology," he said.Paff said a public agency's "metadata is a public record," and that it only takes a few keystrokes to obtain information from the computer records and provide it to the public.But the appeals panel decision, written by Judge Richard S. Hoffman, cited the testimony of the Galloway clerk, who said she did not "have the resources to create records which are not required [by OPRA] and it would be entirely inappropriate to place an additional cost and tax burden upon the residents of the township to do so." The decision also noted that a police captain in the town testified that the creation of the log would "have a significant potential detriment to the department's ability to protect confidential information."
(TNS) -- The city of Wichita Falls and Wichita County have found out together is better when the entities can combine forces for area residents.Wichita County Commissioners discussed during a work session Monday commingling resources and revenue with the city when it comes to law enforcement, tax collection and other areas of business.City of Wichita Falls Information Technology Director Blake Jurecek spoke to the court about the possibility of the county coming onboard with the city's radio infrastructure.Jurecek said the county could purchase updated portable and mobile radios, as needed, and the city would allow access to their infrastructure at a certain cost annually.He said the city would have to add three more channels to allow for the surge in radio traffic and the county would pay an amount annually toward capital replacement of equipment, which is needed about every seven years.With the system, the city would have about 71 percent of the equipment and county would have 29 percent and each would pay for their share of usage and maintenance.The county was considering purchase of radios through another technology company, but they may wait until Jurecek brings back information to the court about financing and propagation of the system within the county. Working with the city, the county may be able to purchase radios at a lower cost.An upfront "buy-in" cost to the county would be about $800,000. The county could pay this amount up front, or pay over time through financing.Wichita County Judge Woody Gossom said the project would take time to work into the budget so they are considering socking away a certain amount and going forward with the team effort in two years.City and county already work together in other areas, such as housing jail inmates. Recent county figures show that it costs about $66 per day to house an inmate and the city chips in $15 of that amount for the county to take in their arrestees.County officials asked the city about using 4A or 4B tax board funds to go toward a new jail facility, but reportedly were told neither 4A, or 4B funds could be used for the project.A new shooting range was considered that both entities could use, but expansion of the current range is not possible due to a drainage pipe and high usage by both the police and sheriff's office proved difficult to arrange enough time for everyone.The city and some surrounding areas were hit with a steep increase from $1 to $2.85 per parcel for using the services of the county for their taxing needs. The cities of Wichita Falls and Electra pay the Wichita County tax office to provide for their taxing services.In 1993, it was decided that $1 was adequate per taxed parcel, to provide for running the offices. This year, the taxed areas were put on notice in March that the old contract for taxing services would end and there would be a new contract. Tax collection staff worked the numbers and found that $2.85 was a more accurate account of running the office, equipment and staffing to oversee these services.County and city will work together again as they hold a benefit 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Friday for scholarships to the children of one city worker who was killed and another who was gravely injured during an accident last week. The benefit will be at the Elks Lodge and lunch will be served for donation and is open to the public.
(TNS) -- Three years after beginning the process to obtain a new digital radio system, the Knox County E-911 Board of Directors on Tuesday unanimously approved an $8.7 million contract with Motorola Solutions.Ironically, Motorola's December 2013 proposal to provide Knox County's E-911 Center with a radio system was deemed nonresponsive to the needs of emergency agencies. An evaluation committee found Motorola's proposal as the weakest of three submissions.The E-911 board of directors is meeting at the E-911 Center on Bernard Avenue and approved a contract produced after negotiations by Knox County Director of Purchasing Hugh Holt."Through Hugh Holt's efforts, we've saved several million dollars," Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett said Monday before today's board meeting."He's an expert at these things," said Burchett, who serves on the board.Motorola critics repeatedly have referenced potential hidden costs and change orders that boost the price of a system significantly beyond the original contract. Burchett, however, said he was confident Holt "and his staff have carefully reviewed the contract for that.""The safety of our emergency workers is the main thing," he said.If approved by the 11-member board of directors, Knox County moves closer to joining the Tennessee Valley Regional Communications System based in Chattanooga. The board earlier this month approved joining the regional system, which operates on Motorola equipment.Holt said Motorola honored discounts on equipment purchases even though the company's June 30 deadline to sign a contract to get the price reductions had passed."We got all the discounts," Holt said Monday. "We got close to $7 million in reductions off the state contract. It's an average of 25 percent in cost reductions."Motorola, as well as other radio providers, has contracts with the state offering discounts on radios, programming and system equipment.Holt said if he bought Knox County's new system under the state contract, the cost would have been $13,051,459, with another $3.7 million required for equipment and programming to partner with the regional system.Under discounts negotiated by Holt and Jay Garrison, procurement coordinator, the radio system costs will total $7.3 million. The seven-year maintenance contract, which includes system upgrades and assures daily operation of the system, added $1.4 million to the contract, Holt said.Holt said installation of the digital system will take 14 to 15 months. Each of Knox County's five radio sites will be examined to assure towers are capable of holding new equipment.There are no monetary damages in the contract for missed deadlines, but Holt said no payments will be made to Motorola until installation milestones are reached. In addition, Holt structured the payment schedule to withhold money until the system is completed."I'm holding back 25 percent of the contract until the system is online and accepted," he said.Alan Bull, interim executive director of the E-911 Center, said questions about the Motorola system's ability to meet the needs of emergency agencies have been answered. The User's Committee had submitted questions to Motorola and requested clarification on some items before approving the system."They have signed off on the system and it meets all their needs," Bull said.Joining the regional radio system will be an incremental process, Bull said."It's not just a matter of flipping a switch," he said.As Knox County radios join the regional system, emergency agencies will pay $42.80 annually to Chattanooga for each radio. Chattanooga oversees operation of the regional system that also is governed by a five-member executive committee. Knox County has about 4,800 radios on its system.The new digital system will replace the analog system installed in 1985 by Motorola. That system is outdated and hard to repair because of a lack of replacement parts.Holt in 2013 oversaw a transparent procurement process in which the E-911 Center solicited bids for a new radio system. That process resulted in Harris Corp. selected as the best proposal for Knox County emergency workers.Holt negotiated with Harris to settle upon an $8.9 million radio system.But some board members  especially Knox County Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones and Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch  privately worked to thwart awarding the contract to Harris.Jones especially expressed a preference for Motorola radios and equipment. It was Jones who suggested Knox County partner with the Tennessee Valley Regional Communications System, which is equipped with Motorola equipment, radios and programs.
(TNS) -- Hyperloop Technologies Inc. is seeking at least $250 million in damages from four former high-ranking employees who the company says tried to incite rebellion within the Los Angeles startup.The firm says then-Chief Technology Officer Brogan BamBrogan and his co-conspirators knew their days at the company were numbered because of poor performance and erratic behavior, according to documents submitted Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.In a last-ditch attempt at grabbing power before being shoved out the door, the group launched a failed coup attempt and tried to form a competitor. BamBrogan went as far as registering Internet address hyperlooptoo.com, the documents say.Also in what attorneys for the company call the Gang of Four were William Mulholland, vice president of finance; Knut Sauer, vice president of business development; and assistant general counsel David Pendergast. Theyre accused of breaching non-disparagement and other employment contract clauses, along with their duty of loyalty to the company.The filing counters a lawsuit the four men brought against the company last week. In their version of events, they were either fired or forced to resign after complaining about how top investors in the company had breached their fiduciary duty. They claimed investors friends and family had been overpaid for company work, including a public relations consultant whose salary was boosted while dating investor Shervin Pishevar.Each of the dueling lawsuits accuse the rival side of greed  claims that have left a sour mood among the more than 150 employees left at Hyperloop Ones gray brick headquarters in an industrial yard along the Los Angeles River.The company wants to develop a system for thrusting levitating pods of people and freight through tubes with minimum air resistance. No projects are set, but studies are underway about potential routes. For example, a report this month promoted by Hyperloop One suggests a $20 billion project could carry people through the Baltic Sea between Helsinki and Stockholm, or about 300 miles, in 28 minutes.Most concrete is a goal to demonstrate a test system in the Nevada desert near the end of the year. Orin Snyder, an attorney for the company, said the plan remains on track and the company is stronger than ever.
(TNS) -- Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg's lobbying group for immigration reform has launched a website critiquing Donald Trump's immigration policies and exploring the cost of deporting all 11.3 million immigrants in the nation illegally.The debut of Trump365 coincides with the Republican party's presidential nomination in Cleveland this week and "reveals the astronomical economic and human costs if this 'plan' becomes a reality," according to the site."It's a big number," Todd Schulte, president of the lobbying group FWD.us, said in a statement. "We want to break it down so people understand this is going to hurt each and every one of us in America, whether they've ever met an undocumented immigrant or not."The group estimates that deporting all these immigrants could cost between $735 billion and $935 billion over the next two decades or about $11,442 per household.It notes that immigrants here illegally pay about $11.64 billion in state and local taxes every year so removing them would "deliver a devastating blow to government programs" supported by these funds. The group argues deporting these immigrants is a choice over other public programs such as building 18,700 new public high schools or improving 748,000 miles of U.S. roads.The U.S. agricultural industry would lose 48 percent of its farm workers and the restaurant industry 11 percent of its employees.The lobbying group on Monday also released the results of a poll of 600 likely November 2016 voters in the swing states of Colorado, Florida and Nevada. It found Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, leads Trump by 11 percentage points among registered independent voters. Overall, Clinton leads Trump by 3 percentage points in these battleground states.In such a tight race, the polls found roughly two-thirds of independent voters in these states oppose the real estate mogul's plan to round up and deport all immigrants here illegally and revoke citizenship from the American-born children of immigrants here illegally. The same amount, 67 percent, are against Trump's call to temporarily ban foreign-born Muslims from entering the United States and 65 percent disapprove of his idea to build a wall across the southern border.The survey was conducted from July 5-10 by the Democratic polling firm Global Strategy Group and the Republican firm Basswood Research and has a margin of error of 4 percent.
(TNS) -- Fewer than one in four Tennesseans have high-speed broadband connections for their internet service, even though broadband is now available to 87 percent of the state's households, according to a study released Tuesday.The study commissioned by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development found more than a third of the rural areas of Tennessee still don't have any broadband links for high-speed internet. And much of the existing broadband infrastructure isn't being fully utilized because consumers are opting to use slower and cheaper internet connections.Statewide, 13 percent of all households in Tennessee lack access to any high-speed broadband internet service. That's 834,545 Tennesseans unable to get the connection speeds the Federal Communications Commission says are preferred for today's e-commerce, education and work links.But even where faster options are available, a majority of households in Tennessee still get internet service through slower DSL, wireless or dial-up connections.The study of Tennessee's broadband services conducted by the Strategic Networks Group showed a wide digital divide.One in six Tennesseans, including 99 percent of those in Hamilton County, have access to gigabit-per-second internet speeds  some of the fastest broadband connections in America. But outside the "gig cities," broadband connections are not always available."Having access to broadband services is quickly becoming the most important differentiating infrastructure of our time," the 172-page study concludes. "Education, healthcare, business operations and innovation, workforce training and e-government applications all rely upon advanced broadband networks."The study defined high-speed broadband as at least 25 megabits per second download and 3 Mbps upload. To achieve such broadband service to all Tennessee homes, the study projected, would cost between $1.1 billion and $1.7 billion.Among Tennessee's 95 counties, Hamilton County had the greatest broadband penetration. At the other end of the spectrum, 99 percent of residents in Bledsoe County and 88 percent of those in Sequatchie County lacked any broadband access.Chattanooga's EPB, which launched the nation's first communitywide gigabit service in 2010, has applied to offer its high-speed broadband in other parts of Tennessee.State law restricts municipal power utilities from offering telecommunications services outside their power territories, but the FCC voted 3-2 last year to overrule that state law and allow EPB to expand its service. The state is challenging the FCC decision in the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.EPB President David Wade said Tuesday the new study "helps quantify the significant gap in broadband availability" across Tennessee and its impact on business recruitment."We were glad to see that the report included municipal fiber optic providers and electric cooperatives as having the strong potential to help address this challenge," Wade said. "If EPB is given legislative approval to expand, we stand ready to serve people in surrounding areas who have requested our services."But a spokesman for AT&T called the consultant's report "disappointing," because it appears to favor more government involvement in private business."It largely ignores private sector investment and focuses heavily on proposals that grow government with little reference to the associated costs and risks to taxpayers," spokesman Joe Burgan said.The Strategic Networks Group ranked Tennessee 40th among the 50 states in overall broadband availability and investment. Georgia ranked 37th and Alabama ranked 33rd.The study said 19 of the 20 states with the highest penetration of broadband had state broadband offices.But Sen. Mark Norris, R-Collierville, believes such an office would be a mistake. Norris led an effort for a comprehensive study of broadband by the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, which is due to release its findings this fall.Norris said he expects "there will be recommendations  and I anticipate legislative proposals in January  to help expand broadband and access to the internet.""But the technology and the laws are changing very quickly and this is not like rural electrification was in the 1930s. There are a lot of choices and options for people with broadband that we didn't see with electricity."Norris, who said he remains wary about municipal broadband based on the failure of Networx in his district near Memphis, said he hopes the push for more broadband is not an excuse for bigger government.Sen. Mark Green, R-Clarksville, vice chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, also expressed concern about allowing government-owned utilities like EPB to compete with private firms such as AT&T or Comcast."We want to look closely at this study, but in general, I am not for government and business competing in the marketplace," he said.Randy Boyd, the commissioner for economic and community development who commissioned the study, said "not every option included in the report may be the answer for Tennessee, nor is there one simple solution." He called the study "a starting point for meaningful conversations."Visit the Chattanooga Times/Free Press (Chattanooga, Tenn.) at www.timesfreepress.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
HB972, on Gov. @PatMcCroryNC's desk, would allow police to keep body cam footage secret. Calling on him to veto. pic.twitter.com/9qa53PzbSE  ACLU-North Carolina (@ACLU_NC) July 8, 2016

.@NCTroopers and @NCSheriffs100 praise law enforcement bill providing uniform guidelines: https://t.co/VE8svhnCqZ pic.twitter.com/WRjwrC4vQ4  NC Governor's Office (@GovOfficeNC) July 15, 2016

Since body camera technology exploded into the public safety environment, the devices have captured all manner of encounters between police and everyday citizens. From the all-too-common police shooting to heroic acts in the line of duty, the wearable technology has been there recording things the public might never otherwise see or hear about.But this glimpse into the seemingly mysterious world of policing isnt without its problems. The footage recorded during certain incidents, like the recent shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, La., July 5, have some in the state legislative space considering passing laws to make such footage inaccessible to the public.Prior to body cameras, police controlled the narrative around major incidents: whether a suspect had a gun or knife, how they acted when police approached their vehicle, and whether or not the citizen they encountered reached for something under the seat in a threatening manner. Whatever the case, the public would hear the police version of the story each time, every time.Today, however, police departments are relying more on video to prove their officers acted in accordance with the law, but sometimes video leaves more questions than it answers. And as The New York Times reported in April 2016, video is often difficult to interpret after the fact.The push and pull over police video led North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory to sign legislation that closed off police footage from public viewing. House Bill 972 , signed July 11, effectively cuts off access to the videos taken by officer-worn devices and those recording from police vehicles, otherwise known as dashboard cameras or dash cams. Additionally, it is at a law enforcement agency's discretion to allow the review or release of footage to those recorded during an interaction  and they can also deny requests at will.In this situation, a court order would be the only way to access denied footage.From the perspective of the North Carolina American Civil Liberty Union (ACLU), the new law is an affront to the basic premise of the body cameras: transparency in policing. The limitations outlined in legislation could create a gap in the larger narrative and make accessing the information exponentially more difficult, said Susanna Birdsong, a North Carolina ACLU policy counsel.I think what HB 972 does is foreclose the opportunity for body cameras to really be those tools for transparency and accountability here in North Carolina," she said, "because there is no minimum guaranteed amount of access to the footage by anyone except for the police.The law is slated to go into effect in October 2016. And while Birdsong said there is conversation around how to potentially repeal or amend the law, she noted that the North Carolina ACLU is interested in hearing from people directly impacted by the new rules.Were really wanting to know once this law goes into effect in October how its going to work, the counselor said. If there is something that happens that is in the public interest, such as an officer-involved shooting or a use-of-force incident, and there is no public access to the body camera footage that might show that event, we want to know about those things so that we can use those stories and instances to help in our advocacy work going forward.On the flipside of this argument, law enforcement organizations supported what they see as a much-needed clarification of the laws around body cameras. In a statement posted to Gov. McCrory's website, the North Carolina Troopers Association and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association said they supported the legislation.[Prior] provisions of law were dispersed in the General Statutes, were difficult to interpret and difficult to apply, often being subject to multiple and conflicting interpretations, the NCSA said in the statement. [House Bill 972] places all of the applicable law into one statute, that is written in easy to understand and easy to implement language, that provides far more disclosure than under the prior law. The new law also provides a simple procedure for viewing or obtaining a copy of a video in appropriate circumstances. If a difference of opinion exists about whether or not release of a particular video is appropriate, then the decision gets made by a neutral and detached judicial official (i.e., a judge) based on specific criteria clearly listed in the new law.But North Carolina is not the only state that has considered a move toward limited access to police footage. On July 11, Ohio legislators introduced House Bill 585 , which aims to place limits on the circumstances surrounding video before it is made.For example, video taken in a private home or property where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy would not be subject to public record requirement, nor would a conversation with a minor or victim of a sexual assault. Simply classifying all video as public record would not be permissible if the law passes.In Kansas, house legislation that would have limited access to body camera footage as public record died in committee June 15. The Kansas iteration would have only allowed access to the subject of the recording, victim of a crime or whose property has been seized or damaged, the parent or legal guardian of a subject or victim, or an attorney representing one of the aforementioned categories.While transparency advocates like Birdsong think there should be reasonable access to police footage, she said there also needs to be protections for people in sensitive situations such as violent crimes or sexual assaults.Not all jurisdictions are quite ready to decide the best course of action, such as the state of Vermont, where lawmakers and the governor signed off on legislation to study the circumstances, costs and considerations around the use of body camera technology. Senate Bill 174 was signed June 2.Similarly the New York City Police Department (NYPD) is soliciting input from the community in the form of an online survey around the proposed deployment of roughly 1,000 body cameras throughout the citys precincts.Under the terms of the proposed policy, officers would be obligated to record the following: any use of force; arrests summons, searches and arrests; responses to crimes in progress; transportation of a prisoner; when patrolling certain buildings; and interactions with persons experiencing emotional disturbance.Conversely they would not be able to record under the following circumstances: during internal police meetings or trainings; during sensitive interviews with confidential informants, victims of a sex crime or while conducting a strip search; while inside court or medical facilities; and during public protests or demonstrations. The department is soliciting input until July 31.
Stoner's presence at the Red Bull Ring test sessions had generated a great deal of interest and the Australian didn't disappoint. He was very fast, as demonstrated by his third place finish. If he chose to take part in a race, he'd be even more competitive, though this won't happen in Austria.

Who knows if there will be other occasions, but for now Casey is happy to ride his Ducati and make his contribution to development of the bike.

We had quite a positive day but really didnt get a lot of laps in because the Test Team had to put Michele Pirro on the bike to do some testing this afternoon - he explains - We did lots of short runs to change the bike all the time, did a couple of comparisons in the chassis, and we adjusted and moved everything around a bit to get the bike more stable under brakes on a good track."

The champion's instinct definitely hasn't left him though.

Overall Im happy and satisfied but also a bit disappointed towards the end because it was the first time I had to push in four years with a soft tyre and it didnt go well as I crashed at Turn 6 - he says - Im pretty happy with the hard tyre, and the bike felt good, even though in both days we were still using the previous chassis, but I think we can lap even better with the new version.

A different task, but an equally productive one, for Andrea Dovizioso who worked in preparation for the race. The Forli rider, 2nd, will surely leave Austria with a smile on his face.

These were two days of very positive tests for us, we worked hard on many different aspects of the bike, as well as preparing for the race in the best possible way - he explains - Here we have been really competitive, its great to do two days of testing before the race because it gives you the chance of working on fine-tuning aspects and I know that we can still improve there."

Dovi can now relax somewhat ahead of the race.

"I am very pleased with my Desmosedici GP on this track, because we can exploit our potential to the maximum and I believe that we can be really competitive in the race he concludes.
New Superintendent Paul Turner looks over one of the six abstract paintings that have been installed in Lake Roosevelt Schools. This one, showing two swans, is located in the stairwell on the elementary side of the school building. The abstract paintings are part of the Washington State Arts Commission efforts to provide approved art for the new building. Portland artist Lucinda Parker created the six works of art.  Roger S. Lucas photo

When students return to school this fall they will see six huge abstract paintings hanging in their school.

The paintings, by Portland artist Lucinda Parker, feature two birds or fish in an abstract setting, with sayings painted on the frames.

It will be a lesson, of sorts, to not only enjoy the painting but to understand and develop the meaning of the paintings.

Two paintings are located in each of the two cafeterias, and one in each of the landings of the two stairwells that serve the upper floor.

The paintings and sayings are:

 Two Owls - You can observe a lot by watching. Yogi Berra, and I rejoice that there are owls. Henry David Thoreau.

 Two Magpies - Who are we to feel so free? anonymous, and Bad magpies dance a spat against the sky. L. Parker.

 Two Swans - If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African proverb, and If a swan can swim a person can live. Mariah Boyd.

 Two Terns - Whatever harms the earth, harms me, harms its children. Chief Seattle, and Sharp terns far from home split the air. L. Parker.

 Duck and Fish My only drink is meaning from the deep brain, what the birds and the grass & the stones drink. Seamus Heaney, and With all its eyes, the natural world looks out into the open. Rilke.

 Two Turkeys - The eyes of the turkey are such that he can see a bumblebee do a somersault on the verge of the horizon. Rutledge, and I had to discipline myself, no one else could do it for me. Horace Axtel.

Painter Parker stated that the texts were carefully chosen to give students something to read worth pondering over.

Over the years, students will think differently about these words, Palmer said.

The six 5x9-foot paintings were hung by a professional crew from Portland, Tuesday, June 21.

The paintings were part of a Washington Arts Commission project to provide some $70,000 of art for the public school building.

I chose to paint pairs of birds and one lone fish in a matrix of water and sky, clouds and basalt escarpment, suns and moon, Parker stated. The choice of which birds to paint was for love of the shapes and colors they display against my cubist clouds, water and cliffs, and in admiration for their iconic presence in our world. How lucky we are to have owls, swans, terns, turkeys, magpies and ducks and fish to look at.
Toto Wolff has admitted that managing the transition between focusing on the 2016 and 2017 seasons is currently a major topic at Brackley.

The back-to-back world champions are once again leading the standings in 2016 but under increasing pressure from Red Bull and Ferrari.

But next year, the chassis and tyre rules are changing significantly, raising the prospect that teams who switch their focus early could get a head-start for 2017.

"Every week we are analysing how many resources we want to move in the direction of the 2017 project," Mercedes team boss Wolff told DPA news agency.

"It is a very tricky subject," he said ahead of the Hungarian grand prix, which will mark the half-way point in the current race calendar.

Wolff added: "Some teams stopped their development for 2016 very early. This gives them an advantage, because the learning curve at the beginning of a new set of rules is very steep."

(GMM)
WWF and Toyota Motor Corporation have entered into a five-year agreement aimed at accelerating the globes transition to sustainability. Through this partnership, the organizations will work together to promote biodiversity conservation, raise environmental awareness and accelerate the move toward a zero carbon society.

Toyota is the first car company and the first Japanese company to sign a Global Corporate Partnership agreement with WWF. The agreement went into effect on 1 July 2016.

As part of the partnership, Toyota will support the Living Asian Forest Project, a new series of existing and planned WWF activities to conserve tropical forests and wildlife in Southeast Asia. The project will take place in WWF priority places Borneo (Kalimantan) and Sumatra in Indonesia. In the future, the project will expand to the Greater Mekong region.

The project will also focus on increasing the sustainability of natural resources such as wood, paper and pulp, palm oil and natural rubber. Unsustainable production and use of these commodities are among the main causes of deforestation and increased threats to endangered species in these regions.

Toyota will donate US$1 million to the Living Asian Forest Project in 2016 and will continue its support for a total of five years. The support strengthens efforts toward achieving the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 goals of aiming to reduce Toyotas environmental footprint to zero, while creating value and producing benefit to society in the face of global-scale environmental issues. The Living Asian Forest Project will specifically help accomplish one of the six challenges: to establish a future society in harmony with nature.

With demand expected to rise for natural rubberthe main resource for car tiresthe partnership recognizes that the sustainable production and use of natural rubber is required for forest ecosystem conservation. Toyota acknowledges the environmental and social challenges surrounding natural rubber, and will collaborate with industries and stakeholders to contribute to international standard-setting as well as other related activities that WWF promotes.

Throughout the partnership, WWF and Toyota will also work together to help realize a zero carbon society. In order to successfully meet the companys Zero CO2 Emissions Challenges under its Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, Toyota has already joined the Science Based Targets initiative that is aimed at helping companies combat climate change.
I feasted on peaches for breakfast recently during a peach recipe contest that was part of Peach Day at the Piedmont Triad Farmers Market in Colfax.

Of course, it was peaches with a generous dose of sugar. All but one of the 19 entries  a peach salsa  were sweet.

Recipes included cobblers, pies, muffins, pound cakes, layer cakes, bread pudding and more.

Carl Wilson, the Short Orders columnist for the Greensboro News & Record, helped me judge the entries this year.

The first-place winner was a frozen peaches and cream pie that looked as good as it tasted. Donna Mayfield of Trinity won $200 for that pie. The filling was a simple combination of peaches, real cream, cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract. Mayfields use of crushed coconut macaroon cookies for the crust was a nice touch.

Mayfield got the idea from a favorite cookbook, then tweaked it to suit her tastes, adding cream cheese and vanilla to the filling.

My kids were my helpers on it, she said. I had bought some peaches from the farmers market, and I had them sitting out all week, waiting to ripen. They just happened to be the perfect ripeness (July 15). come pie time.

Second place and $125 went to Shelia Walters of Siler City for white peach delight. Making use of the distinctive  and some say, preferable  flavor of white peaches, Walters made a cool and refreshing dessert topped with toasted pecans.

Third place and $75 went to a classic cobbler from John Phillips of Greensboro. Phillips added a subtle, creative touch to his filling with the use of honey mixed with lime juice to sweeten and flavor the peaches.

He had another creative touch, too, but we didnt get to judge that one. Phillips said he made two different versions of the cobbler, one with mint. But the one without the mint looked better coming out of the oven, so I thought Id better submit that, he said.

Phillips said he liked the mint version better. I just love mint. I think it gives it a fresh summertime taste.
GREENSBORO  The City Council wont ask state legislators to repeal a new law governing who can see footage from police cameras  even though council members think the citys own policy was better for their constituents.

On Tuesday, the council voted 5-3 not to send a resolution to Raleigh opposing the new North Carolina law, one of the most restrictive in the nation in terms of public access.

About 150 people came to the meeting to ask for the resolution, which would have called for the repeal of House Bill 972  also known as the Faircloth Bill for its sponsor, Rep. John Faircloth (R-Guilford).

If need be, well go out and fill (the chamber) up again, over and over again, said the Rev. Cardes Brown, one of several speakers who urged the council to pass the resolution.

Yes, it would be a symbolic gesture, they said. But it would send an important message to the General Assembly about letting cities pass their own laws.

Plus, said Ezekiel Ben-Israel, if public servants are using public equipment to carry out the publics business, then the public should have access.

Councilwomen Yvonne Johnson, Marikay Abuzuaiter and Sharon Hightower supported the resolution.

Mayor Nancy Vaughan and members Mike Barber, Nancy Hoffmann, Justin Outling and Tony Wilkins didnt. Councilman Jamal Fox was absent.

But even those council members in opposition said the Faircloth Bill is far from perfect and doesnt offer the public as much transparency as the city provided in its own law.

Given the councils strained relationship with the Republican-led General Assembly, and given that the city has no authority over the state law, they said a resolution wasnt worth the political capital they would sacrifice.

Symbolic is meaningless now, said Barber. Substance is what matters now.

Sometimes when making symbolic gestures, you end up shooting yourself in the foot, said Vaughan.

The state law, which Republican Gov. Pat McCrory signed last week, puts North Carolina among about a half-dozen states that specifically exclude such recordings from open records laws.

A person who appears in footage can ask a law enforcement agency to view the recording. But the agency can say no, citing concerns about safety, reputation or an ongoing investigation. If that happens, then a judge would decide whether the person can watch.

The law starts Oct. 1.

The citys current policy, which it put into practice in May, is less restrictive  but still doesnt treat the footage as a public record. It let the city manager decide who could view such footage and and how much they could see.

The group at Tuesdays meeting also asked the council to make another symbolic gesture: passing a new law that presumes such footage is a public record unless someone can argue it shouldnt be.

Council members didnt vote on that request.

City Attorney Tom Carruthers said, and most council members agree, that any city employee who acted on that city law would be breaking the states law.

Johnson said the citys legal staff is smart enough to frame the goals and will of the people where theyre not charged with a misdemeanor.
So as I understand it, Greensboro City Councilwoman Sharon Hightower decided to boycott a recent ceremony to recognize a graduating class of Greensboro Fire Department recruits because only one of the 18 graduates was African American. That caused her to question the integrity of the fire departments recruiting and hiring processes.

I might have missed it, but I have not seen one Letter to the Editor supporting her concerns. However, I have seen many critical of her negativity toward the fire department. Collectively, the letters I read left me with the following two thoughts:

Ms. Hightower, does the adage open mouth, insert foot come to mind?

The race card got thrown by Hightower against the wall and bounced off hard and smacked her in the face.

We need to get the facts straight and then work positively toward the good of all concerned.

Robert Handlon

Greensboro
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A non-profit group that supplies music therapy to people on the autism spectrum has expanded its fund-raising palette.

Friends of Autistic People, which worked with the Harvest Wine Bar for a July 12 fund-raising dinner, will hold a summer-long fund-raiser at Meli-Melo Creperie and Juice Bar with the help of photographer Danielle OBrien.

Harvest Wine Bars FUN-raising dinner last week raised $750, enough to add one more student, 12-year-old William Davis, to the music therapy program. He has profound autism and through FAP will now be awarded five to six months of weekly music therapy classes, said founder Brita Darany von Regensburg.

His mother was overjoyed when he was accepted into the program, von Regensburg said. We will try through more fundraising to cover the other six months.

FAP has arranged to work with Meli-Melo for the summer. The restaurant has been supporting organizations in the area and local artists for 20 years through their artist program, said owner Marc Penvenne. Each month an artist is selected to showcase their work in the creperie and encouraged to donate a percentage of their sales to a local charity.

For us its fun, Penvenne said. Because its art. Its life.

This month, OBrien, a self-taught photographer from Rockland County, New York, has her work on display. Her black and white urban images hang in stark contrast to the restaurants brightly colored walls.

I love to go on adventures, OBrien said. The pieces that are there now are from New York City, my trip to the Smoky Mountains, and I also do a lot of abandoned buildings -- capturing the beauty of urban decay.

Von Regensburg, a Meli-Melo regular, said that usually the artwork on display is more vibrant with bright colors and notes the different style OBrien brings to the site.

Its lovely, she added. There is one I really liked, a spiderweb. Its sort of esoteric. I wish the artist luck to sell some paintings and be successful there.

Penvenne is also enjoying the change of ambiance.

I like the contrast of it, Penvenne said. And I love black and white photos. On the yellow wall it really comes out well and brings something else. (Customers) are always coming to a new place, because its the same food but new decor.

OBriens artwork will be on display until the end of August. More information about her work can be found at her website, (www.danielleobrienphotography.com).

More information about Meli-Melos artist program can be found on their website, http://www.melimelogreenwich.com/artist-program.
GREENWICH  The state Department of Public Health is calling for more soil tests at Western Middle School after initial tests found elevated levels of arsenic in a field there.

The middle schools grounds had been the favored spot for temporary classrooms for New Lebanon School students during construction of their new school. The committee in charge of that project has deferred a decision pending new tests.

DPH wants to understand whats there on the fields before they assess the draft plan by Langan, building committee Chairman Stephen Walko said. Theres no decision other than go back and test some more.

Soil testing by the environmental firm Langan confirmed what a private individual found when he did tests in the spring: elevated levels of arsenic in the soil.

Langan found arsenic above state limits in four of the 11 spots tested on the footprint where the classrooms would have gone.

Langan also told the New Lebanon Building Committee that the levels were not so high the soil needed to be cleansed, and contamination was deep enough that there was no health risk to students or staff, an assessment they said they passed on to the state health department for confirmation.

Wednesday, the health department told committee members it wanted more information.

Costs for the new tests would be paid for by the Board of Education. There were no initial cost estimates. Jim Hricay, the districts Managing Director of Operations, said he was still negotiating the agreement on expenses and a timeline with Langan.

We will deal with them directly so we dont have to deal with the mark up, Hricay said.

On Wednesday, the committee agreed to put the temporary classrooms off the table pending the tests and move up the idea of keeping students inside New Lebanon School during construction.

I think weve been talking about if there is a need for additional testing on the full property of Western, and now that DPH has said it needs more information, I think its wise the administration is proceeding with it, Board of Education Chairman Laura Erickson said. I think it makes sense. We all want to know the answer.

Erickson said she had not heard concerns from parents about the soil at Western.

When we first heard about the testing done last spring (by local land surveyor Michael Finkbeiner) ... there was enough comfort that we were able to keep the fields open with no risk posed to school children or other children playing there, Erickson said. Were going to proceed expeditiously with the testing so we get that answer.

The Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Aug. 2 to discuss the New Lebanon School project.

Certainly were going to get an update, Erickson said.

kborsuk@scni.com
Connecticut was not the "Nutmeg State" or the "Constitution State" at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland Tuesday night.

In the words of J.R. Romano, the state Republican Party chairman, Connecticut was the "land where we manufacture PEZ, nuclear submarines and the home of the WWE, where men are men and women are champions."
Prepare for some turbulence. Photo: Jupiterimages/Getty Images

Anyone easily frustrated by airlines delaying flights for ludicrous reasons should take a few deep breaths now  its maybe even worse than you thought: Industry insiders tell the New York Times that, for some reason, an inordinate amount of coffeemaker malfunctions are causing short delays on all three major U.S. airlines. Dumb as that sounds, it actually starts making sense in light of everything that has to go right for these clunky brewing devices, which cost up to $20,000, to operate successfully on planes. Per the Times:

They are electrical, so if one isnt working, the ground crew needs to make sure theres not a problem with the circuitry that could cause a fire or other hazard. 



Other special features include latches to ensure that the coffeepot does not shake loose during turbulence. These elaborately engineered details mean there is more that can go wrong.



Even the water is complicated and can contribute to breakdowns, since cleaning chemicals and minerals in the water leave residue that clogs lines. And if a machine breaks down with no spare parts on hand, the plane apparently cant take off until a mechanic comes aboard and disables both the water and power going into it. American Airlines chief of operations has gotten so fed up hes suggested upgrading all the coffee makers, but as an airplane repairman explains to the Times: You cant just put Mr. Coffee in an airline. You have to do all kinds of engineering and analysis and provide test results to the F.A.A. to get approval. Pour-over it is definitely not.



The alternative, though, is continuing to have embarrassing public Twitter exchanges like this with angry passengers stuck on the tarmac:



@DarrenMcGrady We'll get the coffee maker up and running so we can have you on your way!  American Airlines (@AmericanAir) April 22, 2016

@AmericanAir Oh yes. I can see technicians swarming around the coffee machine trying to fix it pic.twitter.com/d9bPaDKO0G  The Royal Chef (@DarrenMcGrady) April 22, 2016

@DarrenMcGrady It's all set now! You'll be wheels up soon.  American Airlines (@AmericanAir) April 22, 2016

@AmericanAir The coffee machine was broken before we took off and still broken when we landed. You are talking nonsense #AA #WeDontCare  The Royal Chef (@DarrenMcGrady) April 22, 2016

Of course, bad as this is, it could still get worse: Dutch airliner KLM just announced its going to start serving draft beer on flights. Surely, the safety issues for pressurized kegs at 30,000 feet will present no troubles whatsoever.


Must like yogurt. Photo: Chobani Food Incubator

Having a good (or great) idea for the next cult condiment is not always good enough. Running a successful food business means dealing with regulations, getting your products in front of the right people, and lots of other things that have nothing to do with getting that bacon jam just right. Now a new incubator from Chobani promises serious resources, mentorship, and programming for a select few natural-food companies  all without any strings attached.

Lest youre skeptical, remember that Chobani has a charitable history. Founder Hamdi Ulukaya donated $700 million to refugees, and the company gives 10 percent of its profits to charity and has made a point of investing in communities. Ulukaya also gave an ownership stake to his full-time employees, and invested in third-wave coffee company La Colombe last year.

Six to eight start-ups will be accepted into the six-month incubator, which will run from October to next March. Those who make it in will have a home at the yogurt-makers new Soho offices, where there will be a dedicated incubator space as well as access to monthly programs at manufacturing facilities. There will also be programming on important topics that arent related to actual food prep, including branding and marketing, nutrition and labeling, and the ever-vital food quality and safety. Likely most exciting for aspiring entrepreneurs, however, is the money: a $25,000 grant, travel and hotel expenses, and equity-free capital.

Along with access to company executives, including Ulukaya, incubatees will be given the opportunity to network with others in the food and retail industry. And at the end of the incubator, participants will be taken to the Expo West Natural Food Conference in Anaheim, California, where theyll be able to showcase their products.

So, why is Chobani doing this? The company wont take a stake in any of the start-ups, though itll certainly be building bonds with these start-ups, and if theyre successful and want to do an equity deal down the line, Chobani wont rule that out.

Chobanis chief marketing officer, Peter McGuinness, says Ulukaya has another motive as well: Hes is looking for natural food companies that want to take on the big guys, that want to challenge convention, and that want to help fuel the food revolution.

Those interested in applying should head to the incubator websites application page. All you need to do is fill out the form and explain your vision, product, and company team.
A sampling of Smoking Gooses charcuterie. Photo: Melissa Hom

At Chicagos Salone Nico, the dinner menus snacks section includes a charcuterie board with salumi, prosciutto, and mortadella. Its hardly an outlier. In fact, diners could be forgiven if theyve hit something of a cured-meat saturation point. Across the country, any restaurant menu that features casual, drink-friendly food (so, all of them, basically) offers at least a few varieties of salumi, either produced in house, flown in from Europe, or made domestically by brand-name producers like La Quercia (in Iowa) or Olympia Provisions (in Portland). Its easier than ever for Americans to find top-quality prosciutto di San Daniele (and di Parma), speck, saucisson sec, coppa, or soppressata. More and more, however, menus are also featuring cheekily named meats like the Hillbelly, Gin n Juice Salame, or the Delaware Fireball. The thing those last three have in common: Theyre all made by Smoking Goose, one of the newest and most original and unexpected meat specialists to come around in a while.

Smoking Goose founder Chris Eley admits that theres no old-world connection for his products, and that he doesnt come from some generations-long lineage of European butchers: Its nothing like that at all. Instead, Eley is an Indianapolis native who was working in Chicago as a fine-dining sous-chef when he decided he wanted a change. So he moved back to his hometown and opened a butcher shop in 2007, and he started producing small amounts of cured meat, enough to sell at his store and a few local restaurants. By 2010, demand outstripped supply, and he decided to go all in on meat production. The next year, Smoking Goose opened, and Eley began shipping nationwide.

The defining characteristic of Eleys products is diversity. Instead of specializing in a single product, or a single type of meat, he makes the most of everything thats available in Indiana. The small team  just 25 people in total  breaks down about 140 whole animals per month, bred at 23 different farms. In addition to pork, Eley uses rabbit, elk, and even lamb frequently, creating things like lamb ham or elk-and-blueberry salami. The group also produces tasso ham and slab bacon in its smokehouse, as well as super-moist smoked turkey that one fan describes as Boars Head Plus.

Smoking Gooses mortadella with fixings from Barano. Photo: Melissa Hom

I want to be different, Eley says matter-of-factly, explaining that authentic Italian salumi sprung up because of what was available in the regions where its produced. Hes not interested in re-creating something from another country, and instead says hes interested in taking the basic principles of what weve learned and applying it here.

The product that best captures Eleys gonzo tendencies is something called the Delaware Fireball. Based on a French crepinette, the patty-shaped sausage is made by wrapping finely ground pork in caul fat. Its seasoned with French pepper, hot paprika, and crushed chiles before being cold-smoked and fermented. The end result is sausage thats equally forceful with its blasts of heat and funk. Its unlike any other sausage available in the U.S., and its tremendous.

Its impressive that they manage to do such a good job with such a diverse product line, says Aaron Foster, who carries Smoking Gooses products at his Foster Sundry market in Brooklyn. And its also smart of them to make a bunch of stuff that appeals to a broad range of people.

Foster is hardly alone in his adoration. Smoking Gooses products are now for sale at influential markets around the country: In New York, youll also find Smoking Goose at places including Astoria Bier and Cheese, Eataly, Bedford Cheese, Marlow & Daughters, the Meat Hook, and even in the Italian combo sandwich at Mekelburgs. Its also at Vagabond Cheese in Los Angeles, Michigans much-lauded Zingermans, and Chicagos Little Bad Wolf, as well as Salone Nico, which carries the mortadella. (Smoking Goose also regularly posts pictures of restaurant dishes made with its products to its Facebook feed.) But if you cant get the tasso youve been craving, Smoking Goose sells their meats through their own online store.



Chefs are coming around to Eleys specialties, too. Its better than what Ive had in Italy, says Albert di Meglio, a Staten Island native who made his name as the chef at Manhattans Rubirosa and now runs Barano in Williamsburg. Di Meglio carries Smoking Gooses mortadella, which tweaks the classic Italian recipe with a healthy dose of cinnamon. High praise for a midwestern product from an Italian-American chef raised in New York, an area thats not exactly hurting for excellent cured meat. Theyre in Indianapolis  so what? says di Meglio. Theyre killing it.
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Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc. (Source: VNA)

During the stay, the Slovak leader held talks with PM Phuc, met Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, attended the Vietnam-Slovakia business forum, met the Vietnam-Slovakia Friendship Association and visited the central city of Da Nang.



On the occasion, the two PMs witnessed the signing of various cooperation deals across transport, information and communications, investment and education.



In bilateral meetings, both sides informed each other about the political and socio-economic situation, priorities in each countrys external economic policies, discussed specific measures to increase bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues of shared concern.



They agreed to refine legal framework to facilitate joint work across diverse areas, direct thorough preparations for the second meeting of the Vietnam-Slovakia Inter-Governmental Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation in Bratislava, Slovakia in early 2017, as well as intensify coordination across education and training, culture, tourism, law, science and technology.



As an active member of the European Union (EU), the Slovak PM expressed his willingness to push forward the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the EU, including the ratification and full implementation of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement.



Vietnam, in its role as an active member of ASEAN, is also ready to assist Slovakia in increasing cooperation with the bloc.



Both sides vowed to support each other in regional and global issues of shared concern, including climate change and water resources security, the management of Mekong-Danube water resources, and work closely together at the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).



They were committed to maintaining peace, promoting maritime and overflight security and freedom and legal trade in the East Sea, while settling disputes of territories and territorial waters by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea./.
Xiaomi has slashed the prices of its Mi 4 and Mi 5 smartphones in India, with the former receiving a permanent price cut of INR 4,000 (around $60), while the latter getting a temporary INR 2,000 (around $30) price cut.

#MiAnniversary: #Mi4 - permanent price drop from 14999 to 10999; #Mi5 -temp. price drop (3 days) from 24999 to 22999 pic.twitter.com/YuFgDQJKNL  Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) July 18, 2016

The price cuts were announced by Xiaomi India head Manu Kumar Jain in a tweet. With this, the Mi 4's price has come down to INR 10,999 (around $165) in the country, while the Mi 5 currently sets you back INR 22,999 (around $345).

These price cuts are part of the Chinese company's 2nd year anniversary carnival that runs through July 22. For more offers and discounts, head to the company's India website (Mi India link below).

Source | Mi India
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Singaporean

Senior Minister of State at the Prime Ministers Office Josephine Teo. (Source: VNA)

He made the suggestion while hosting Senior Minister of State at the Prime Ministers Office, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Transport of Singapore Josephine Teo in Hanoi on July 19th.



The Singaporean official is on a working visit to Vietnam.



Deputy PM Minh said he is delighted with the dynamic, efficient and trustworthy development of the two countries strategic partnership over recent years.



He repeated Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs invitation to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to attend the 20th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in southern Binh Duong province in this September.



He also recommended the ASEAN member country to continue developing the VSIP model as it proved a success here and encourage investments into hi-tech, aviation, infrastructure and seaport in Vietnam.



The host suggested both countries maintain mutual support at multilateral forums for the sake of their people and the entire Southeast Asian region.



Speaking highly of the practical contributions Singapore has made as the coordinating country of the ASEAN-China relations in 2015-2018, he affirmed that Vietnam will work together with Singapore and other ASEAN member states in preserving the blocs unity and centrality in regional issues.



Senior Minister of State Josephine Teo thanked the Deputy PM for his comments on the two countries cooperation.



She noted that Singapore has benefits in developing and deepening the strategic partnership with Vietnam and pledged to do more to step up the partnership in a more reliable, result-oriented manner./.
Published on 2016/07/19 | Source

Hyun Bin, Yoo Hae-jin, Kim Joo-hyuk's new movie "Confidential Assignment" finished filming.

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"Confidential Assignment" team said, ""Confidential Assignment" has wrapped up the four month journey on July 14th in Seoul".

The film is a blockbuster action movie about a classified cooperative investigation by detectives from South and North Korea to chase after North Korean organized crime gangsters, who fled into South Korea. The glamorous lineup of the cast drew much attention earlier.

Hyun Bin plays Lim Cheol-ryeong, a North Korean detective dispatched to South Korea. He is an elite member of a Special Forces, who shows off bold attitude in taking actions, instinct decision making skills and trained agility. Yoo Hae-jin plays Kang Jin-tae, a detective from a serious crime unit, who joins the South Korean team of the cooperative investigation squad.
By William Schwartz | Published on 2016/07/09

Seondal (played by Yoo Seung-ho) and his buddy Gyeon-i (played by Xiumin) are Koreans who have been conscripted to fight some random war in the desert to improve the international political standing of aristocrat Dae-ryeon (played by Cho Jae-hyun). Although the opening scene is fairly bleak it does not take long for Seondal and Gyeon-i to run into Bo-won (played by Ko Chang-seok), a man who specializes in survival through scamming. Soon enough, the whole gang is free to run increasingly elaborate con jobs on pretty much everyone.

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"Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River" is a comedy with exactly one joke- we get to watch Yoo Seung-ho put on a devilish smirk as he goes through with an elaborate plan that's designed for maximum humor rather than to be realistically effective. Which is fine by me. Seondal goes through a lot of costumes in pursuance of the latest scam, and the presentation ranges from regal to cornball to oddly enticing. The punchline to the scam is never as much fun as watching Seondal's team actually go through with it.

That, unfortunately, is also the movie's main downfall. There's no real dramatic tension. We know that even when the stakes seem utterly serious Seondal has planned for this eventuality somehow and everything will end up all right in the end- the only question is how. Some mild fun can be had paying attention to the clues, namely the specific skills demonstrated throughout that allow Seondal's later cons to work. Beyond that, though, "Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River" is a fairly basic heist movie.

There is one key distinction- set as it is during Joseon times, the requisite wacky comedy setpieces look very distinctive, and the rustic setting frequently makes Seondal's schemes seem disproportionately plausible. It helps that Yoo Seung-ho is consistently enthralling throughout the entire movie, such that it's easy to see why characters would rather think that Seondal is a random fun guy as opposed to someone who seems just a little too friendly.

But the more complicated the plot point, the harder it is to focus on the adventures of Seondal's crew. This makes the inevitable takedown of Dae-ryeon feel unearned if only because Seondal needed a lot of luck to get that far. Additionally, while Yoo Seung-ho is extremely effective as a smooth con artist he's much less compelling in more romantic or dramatic scenes. Which is probably mainly a matter of presentation. Seondal is more a one-man comic relief crew than he is a main character.

That much is able to get writer/director Park Dae-min a pretty long way in terms of making "Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River" decently entertaining even though there's not enough depth to support much in the way of strong content. "Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River" is a fairly funny movie that starts to drag when the main plot comes up. The creativity in the gags more than makes up for the relative staleness of the central storyline, though, so I can mostly reccommend it.

Review by William Schwartz

"Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River" is directed by Park Dae-min and features Yoo Seung-ho, Cho Jae-hyun, Ko Chang-seok, Ra Mi-ran, Xiumin and Jun Suk-ho.

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Seven missing after river cruise ship explodes and sinks in Peru

A luxury cruise ship exploded and sank in the Amazon River on July 16 at Iquitos in Peru and a number of crew and others are missing, feared dead. According to a company statement, the 24-passenger Aqua Amazon suffered a very serious accident that caused an explosion and resulted in the sinking of the ship.

Aqua Amazon - Image: Aqua Expeditions

Aqua Expeditions Founder and CEO Francesco Galli Zugaro issued the following statement on July 19: "It was first thought that four crew were unaccounted for, however, this figure rose to five on Sunday night when another crew member could not be located. In addition, there are two external suppliers who are also victims, bringing the total missing to seven people. As of 17:00 EST Monday, July 18, two of the victims have been identified and recovered. Five more remain to be found.



"There are an additional eight crew members in recovery in the hospital following the explosion. Three are in intensive care and the remaining five are receiving all necessary medical attention.

"The source of the fire and explosion is yet to be determined as preliminary investigations are still underway. We are supporting all efforts by the authorities and will continue to do so throughout the process."

There were no passengers aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. Divers and navy personnel are searching the river for the missing, according to local media reports.

One cruise ship employee reported that the explosion may have been sparked by crews doing welding work, according to AFP.

Aqua Expeditions specialises in smaller, luxury river cruises in South America and Southeast Asia. The Aqua Amazon ferried tourists to the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, a protected area in the Amazon known for its ecological diversity.

This is the second fire-related incident to occur on the Amazon River this year. In April, two American tourists died on an International Expeditions ship, after a fire broke out in their cabin and the couple were unable to escape.




chief executive and the chief operating officer of Viacom sent letters reserving the right to resign  a move that will potentially protect tens of millions of dollars in severance pay  it has emerged.Philippe Dauman, CEO, and Thomas Dooley, COO, sent letters reserving the right to resign in the instance that an action by Viacom mogul Sumner Redstone to remove five directors from Viacom's board  including Dauman  is approved by a judge.93-year-old Redstone made the move to remove the directors from the board on 16 June, through his privately held movie theatre company National Amusements Inc, which holds 80% of Viacom's voting shares.The response from Dauman and Dooley, which protects the pairs right to resign with good reason, is significant as it ensures that they would both be entitled to severance pay if they were to resign  which they would not be entitled to if they were removed from their positions.Both executives employment contracts are said to contain a clause which states that they can resign with good reason if there are changes to Viacoms board.According to the companys most recent proxy filing, Dauman could be set to receive more than US$90m in severance, and Dooley more than US$30m under their respective employment contracts, Reuters reported.The letters were filed according to a clause in their employment contracts which stated that an action must be made within 30 days of a good reason event in order to protect their severance packages.The developments are the latest in an ongoing saga over control of Viacom, which has seen a bitter split between Redstone and Dauman  who is the moguls former attorney and long-time associate.In June, Dauman and Viacom director George Abrams filed legal papers that sought to have Redstone medically evaluated, after the pair were ousted from the Sumner Redstone trust.The filing contended that Redstone was not mentally competent to remove them and was manipulated into doing so by his daughter, Shari Redstone.In the documents, the pair claimed that Redstone suffers from dementia, and is unable to stand, walk, read or eat on his own.Viacom and National Amusements declined comment, Reuters reported.
By Wes Saylors

The 15th Annual Martin and Doris Rosen Summer Symposium on Remembering the Holocaust will be held July 23-28 in Appalachian State Universitys Plemmons Student Union. This years symposium puts a particular emphasis on the roles and struggles of women in the Holocaust and explores the significance of gender in this genocide.

The week-long event is organized by Appalachians Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies and named for symposium benefactors, the late Doris and Martin Rosen. The symposium is free and open to the public.

The symposium features internationally and nationally acclaimed scholars, authors and educators. The events faculty and speakers include Professor Pamela Nadell (American University), Auschwitz survivor Dr. Susan Cernyak-Spatz, Rabbi Judy Schindler (Temple Beth El), Holocaust childrens book author Kathy Kacer (Toronto), Dr. Racelle Weiman (independent Holocaust educator) and Professor Michael Berenbaum (American Jewish University). For the first time, Appalachians Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies is collaborating with Yad Vashem, the World Center for Holocaust Research, Documentation, Education and Commemoration, in Jerusalem. Sheryl Ochayon, JD, from Yad Vashems International School for Holocaust Studies, will attend and give presentations.

The symposium provides information and insights about the victims, perpetrators and consequences of the Nazi genocide of European Jewry. In addition, the program widens the focus to explore Jewish religious and cultural life before the Shoah. The symposium explores how Jewish women have shaped Jewish religion and culture, struggled for survival in the face of Nazi onslaughts, and participated in the resistance against fascist forces. The symposium also shares knowledge on how the Nazis targeted Jewish women and how Gentile German women participated in this targeting on a larger scale than previous scholarship has established.

Contributing to the international reach and composition of the event, secondary-school teachers from Latvia, Hungary and Romania will be among the participants and discuss the teaching of the Holocaust in their countries.

As in years past, North Carolina teachers can receive continuing education units for attending the lectures, workshops, discussions and demonstrations.

This years events will also include Faces of Resistance: Women in the Holocaust, a powerful exhibit that explains how Jewish women across the continent resisted the Nazis and their many collaborators. The traveling exhibit, researched and compiled by Moreshet, the Mordechai Anielevich Memorial, in Israel, will be on display in Plemmons Student Union for the duration of the symposium.

The symposium is sponsored by The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany; the Martin and Doris Rosen Endowment; the Community Advisory Board and Friends of the Center for Judaic, Holocaust, and Peace Studies; Appalachians College of Arts and Sciences, Gender, Womens and Sexuality Studies program and University Bookstore; the Boone Jewish Community/Temple of the High Country; Havurah of the High Country; the Margolis Family; the Ruth and Stan Etkin Symposium Scholars Fund; the Leon Levine Foundation; the North Carolina Council on the Holocaust; Echoes and Reflections of Yad Vashem (in collaboration with the USC Shoah Foundation and the Anti-Defamation League); and the AJS Distinguished Lectureship Program at the Association for Jewish Studies.

For a schedule of events and complete list of speakers, visit http://holocaust.appstate.edu/2016_Schedule. To register for CEUs, visit http://holocaust.appstate.edu/events/summer-symposium/symposium-form.

About Appalachian

Appalachian State University, in North Carolinas Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls about 18,000 students, has a low faculty-to-student ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

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(Reuters) Hedge fund assets grew by $19.9 billion in the first six months of 2016 despite performance losses of $5.2 billion, industry tracker Eurekahedge said on Tuesday. Of $25.1 billion in investor money added to hedge funds, $7.2 billion went to computer-driven hedge funds who were up 3.3 percent in June and 4.33 percent in the first half of the year, the firm said in a statement.

To read this article:
The two companies have designed a seven-day itinerary that includes a one-night stay in Helsinki, a two-night stay in Rovaniemi and a two-night stay in Ivalo.

Finnair has announced that it has signed an agreement on a strategic partnership with Alitrip, a rapidly-growing online travel service in China, with the objective of bringing roughly 3,000 Chinese tourists to Finland during the winter months.

Finnair has thereby become the first strategic airline partner of this magnitude for Alitrip in Europe. Alitrip, a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, will also set up a service centre in Rovaniemi for tourists visiting the northern city, according to a press release from Finnair.

Juha Jarvinen, the chief commercial officer at the state-owned carrier, is confident that partnership agreement will serve as a gateway to the markets in China. Finland and Lapland have many great things to offer and this new co-operation between Finnair and Alitrip will be a great opportunity for Finland to showcase itself to the Chinese public, he says in the press release.

Our aim is to grow this long-term co-operation between both companies every year, he adds.

Alitrip is listed on the New York Stock Exchange as a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group, one of the largest e-commerce corporations in the world.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa  Lehtikuva

Source: Uusi Suomi
Kiesilainen calculates in a report he co-authored with Antero Vartia (Greens), a first-term Member of the Parliament, that annual medication costs would fall by 87 million euros in Finland, if the domestic pharmacy industry operated as efficiently as that of Sweden and lowered the prices of prescription drugs to a level comparable to Sweden.

The National Coalition Party has come under criticism for its apparent reluctance to increase competition in the pharmacy industry from Mikko Kiesilainen, an economist and a member of the Green League.

He reveals that the calls to de-regulate the industry have received support from Liisa Hyssala, the director-general at the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela), researchers at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and the Finnish Competition and Consumer Authority (KKV).

The National Coalition's choice as the Minister of the Interior, Paula Risikko, has dismissed discussion on the pharmacy industry by stating that medications cannot be sold like sausages. Meanwhile, the National Coalition has called strongly for greater competition in the health and social care sector while preparing the mooted care reform, highlights Kiesilainen.

He also draws attention to the traditionally close relationship between the Association of Finnish Pharmacists (AFP) and the National Coalition: the chief executive at AFP, Merja Hirvonen, previously served as the chairperson of the Student Union of National Coalition, while her predecessor, Ilkka Oksala, served as a state secretary for ex-Minister of Health and Social Services Paula Risikko (NCP).

The fact that the National Coalition is protecting a certain occupational group with very high earnings at the cost of the rest of society is a sign of age-old buddy capitalism that goes directly against the party's own principles, says Kiesilainen.

Vartia has submitted a written question to Hanna Mantyla (PS), the Minister of Social Affairs and Health, to determine the reasons behind what he argues is unwillingness to increase competition in the pharmacy industry and, thus, to create savings for the public sector and medication users.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT

Photo: Teemu Kammonen  Uusi Suomi

Source: Uusi Suomi
Marta Herda who is accused of murdering Csaba Orsos by driving him into Arklow Harbour

A woman charged with murdering her colleague by driving him into a harbour, where he drowned, told gardai that she had to 'fight for my life' under the water.

Portions of her garda interviews were played to the Central Criminal Court yesterday on the tenth day of her trial.

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Marta Herda of Pairc Na Saile, Emoclew Road, Arklow, Co Wicklow is accused of the murder of 31-year-old Csaba Orsos on March 26, 2013.

The 29-year-old Polish waitress has pleaded not guilty to murdering the Hungarian at South Quay, Arklow.

Fighting

The prosecution played the excerpts from her garda interviews yesterday, following the cross-examination of her interviewer, Detective Sergeant Fergus O'Brien.

She had told the gardai that they had been fighting in the car as they approached the harbour in her car.

"He was screaming. I want him to stop," she said on the video.

"We hit the barrier. Then I get the shock and look at him. I said a word. He said some word as well and water was already"

She said it was dark.

"Since that, I don't remember nothing. I'm feeling that I'm not in the car. I'm in the water. I was trying to, like this, all the time to get out of the water and I couldn't," she said, gesturing.

"I tried harder and harder. Then I feel something on my feet.

"I was screaming his name, but I knew there was no air.

"The waves were taking me down and up, down and up. I had to fight for my life."

The trial has heard that the accused and deceased had worked together, that he was in love with her, but that she didn't feel the same way. She told gardai he had spent two years following her, phoning her and sending her text messages.

Messages

The detective sergeant had been asked by the defence what he thought she meant when she said in her initial statement: 'When I drove into the water, I wanted this all to stop'.

"She wanted it to stop, all the phone calls and text messages she was getting," testified D Sgt O'Brien.

Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, defending, suggested that she was describing what was happening in the car when she said she wanted it to stop.

"I suppose, yes, it's one interpretation," said the witness.

"But, you think it's open to that interpretation," said the barrister.

"Yes," he replied.

The trial continues.
County cross country: Hubs sweep titles, boys score a perfect 15

North Hagerstown claimed both team championships and had both individual champions, with the boys achieving the first perfect score in meet history.
In a news release, Clearwater police spokesman Rob Shaw says 15-year-old Cameron Poimboeuf and 18-year-old Jansen Tabor were on Sand Key on Tuesday evening when a storm rolled in.

Tabor told police they ran for shelter as rain began falling. Tabor said the next thing he knew, he woke up on the sand after the lightning strike.

Shaw says both victims are being treated at Tampa General Hospital. Tabor, of Matthews, North Carolina, is in good condition. Poimboeuf, of Charlotte, North Carolina, is in critical condition.

Shaw says the younger boy was in Florida visiting his girlfriend's family. Tabor is a family member of the girlfriend.

Officials say the storms popped up quickly Tuesday evening.
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The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed two bills aimed at putting in place a single common examination for medical and dental courses that will bring even private colleges under its ambit.

The bill will give statutory status to the NEET. This will make the examination system fair and transparent and students wont face multiplicity of exams. It will also stop the exploitation of students in the name of capitation fees, health minister JP Nadda said while replying to the debate.

The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) was brought in for the first time by the Medical Council of India (MCI) in 2012 to hold a centralised examination for admissions to undergraduate and postgraduate courses in medicine. This would ensure merit-based admissions in a transparent manner and check the irregular admission processes prevalent in some of the private medical colleges.

However, NEET was set aside by the Supreme Court on petitions filed by private medical colleges. While the decision of the apex court was a setback, the court agreed to reconsider its split-decision. A few weeks ago, the court recalled its order of 2013, by which NEET had been set aside, and directed that NEET be conducted for the year 2016.

Read | NEET 2 on July 24: make the most of this last chance to get a medical seat

This was a welcome step. For an equal representation from states, the Government of India decided to promulgate an Ordinance, allowing the states to conduct their own medical entrance examination for the undergraduate course for this year. The Ordinance does not allow private colleges to conduct their own examinations.

NEET is urgently required in India as it will foster a sense of confidence in the admission process, and help in attracting the brightest talent to the medical profession. Moreover, students will be relieved of the burden of appearing in and paying for a number of entrance tests. However, there is criticism of NEET due to the divergence in its course content and standards. The syllabus for NEET was first based on the 10+2 level CBSE and other state boards course content. Issues from various quarters were examined by an expert group before finalising the course content and separate merit lists for each state were contemplated. Thus students from a particular state would compete with peers from their own state with no question of any urban-rural divide.

Read | NEET a must for private medical colleges, says Bombay HC

The ordinance does not affect NEET for postgraduate courses, which will be held in December this year. Of course, the timing of the exam could be revisited. Currently, the NEET for postgraduate courses is held at the end of the internship period. This results in students preparing for an entrance test during their internship, thereby compromising on the clinical training period. This adversely impacts the training of graduate doctors. In my view, the internship period should be properly utilised and the entrance process for postgraduate courses should include testing the students clinical skills.

Therefore, NEET is only the beginning. The next step should be to have a common exit examination, to ensure uniform standard of evaluation across the country. Presently the deemed or private universities conduct their own exit examinations. There have been murmurs regarding irregularities and the unfair means used in these exit examinations.

Other reform measures can include an increase in the number of postgraduate seats, adoption of a new undergraduate curriculum and adjunct faculty from basic science institutes and eminent clinicians from private hospitals. It is also necessary to review the minimum requirements required for setting up medical colleges. This would incentivise entrepreneurs whose prime interest is to create institutions of excellence providing quality education and training. Such reforms when met with the wealth of clinical material available can make India a world leader in medical education and healthcare.

KK Talwar is chairman, Department of Cardiology, Max Healthcare Institute Ltd, New Delhi and former chairman, Board of Governors, MCI

The views expressed are personal
Gujarat model of governance was instrumental in catapulting the BJP to power at the Centre in 2014, but the same now threatens to skittle its ambitions in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab.

Agitations in Gujarat over the flogging of four Dalits for skinning a cow have compounded the problems of CM Anandiben Patel who is already on a shaky ground. But, polls in Gujarat are still about 15 months away and Dalits constitute only 6.7% of the states population. The party may still hope to salvage the situation in PM Narendra Modis home state.

The BJPs immediate concern is the upcoming elections and, in the long term, the setback to its assiduous attempt for an image makeover  from a Brahmin-Bania party to an all-inclusive one.

The BJPs wishy-washy stance on the lynching of a Muslim man in UPs Dadri and Gen VK Singhs alleged reference to dogs in the context of two Dalit childrens murder in Haryana had undermined the partys Dalit outreach in the run up to Bihar polls. Suicide by Hyderabad university Dalit research scholar Rohith Vemula last January, in which some Union ministers role came under the scanner, also dented the image of the BJP that was already struggling to fend off allegations of being anti-reservation.

It (Dalit flogging) will go against the BJP in UP elections. Yeh BJP ke khilaf lahar banayegi (It will create a wave against the BJP) It has completely undermined the BJPs efforts to reach out to Dalits, says Professor Badri Narayan of the Centre for the Study of Discrimination and Exclusion at the JNU.

Read | Oppn protests attack on Dalits, Sonia says govt condones social terror

The BJP was hoping to eat into BSPs Dalit votebank by weaning away non-Jatavs from her. A fortnight ago, PM inducted Shahjahanpur MP Krishna Raj, who belongs to Pasi community, in his council of ministers. Another Dalit MP to be made a minister was Ajay Tamta from Uttarakhand. Recently, BJP president Amit Shah had a well-publicized meal at a Dalit familys home in Varanasi. Its the same party, which used to ridicule Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhis stay at Dalit houses.

Read | Gujarat govt acted fast in Una, Dalit atrocities under Cong rule too: Rajnath

Una incident might put paid to all these overtures by the BJP towards Dalits. BJP MP Udit Raj, the most prominent Dalit face of the party, however, believes the incident will not have any bearing on the partys prospects in other states as the (Gujarat) government has already taken action. But what happened in Una is very unfortunate... Its not a law and order problem; its a social problem, says the North-West Delhi MP.

But the way the BJP promptly reacted to the use of abusive words against by its UP unit vice-president Dayashankar Singh betrays the partys concern about its image. The party immediately expelled Singh and no less than finance minister Arun Jaitley expressed regret for his colleagues misconduct. The BJP still has a lot of firefighting to do.

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Indias membership to the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the UN tribunals rejection of Chinas claims to the South China Sea have created a degree of bilateral turbulence. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be involved in intense diplomacy with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang at the G-20, East Asia and BRICS summit sin September-October this year. Modi will be attending the G-20 summit at Hangzhou on September 4-5, followed by the East Asia summit in Vientiane on September 6-8 and will be hosting the BRICS summit at Goa on October 15, 2016.

External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj made the Indian position amply clear in Parliament yesterday when she said that India will never sign the Nuclear non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) but will continue to engage with China over its opposition to Indias entry into the NSG.

Read | India engaging with China over NSG, wont sign NPT: Sushma Swaraj

The leaders of the two Asian giants urgently need to sort out their differences after China, diplomatic optics apart, blocked India from becoming a member of the NSG at the Seoul plenary in June. Although the Chinese media called India a spoiled child of the West after the NSG bid, the fact is that New Delhi first reached out to Beijing through established diplomatic channels in April 2015 for support to enter the 48-member club. Approaching the US was natural as President Barack Obama had supported Indias NSG bid in 2010.

While PM Modi engaged with President Xi at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tashkent on the day the Seoul plenary began, foreign secretary S Jaishankar reached Beijing the day before to seek its support for the NSG membership. It is understood that Beijing first linked Indias membership to Pakistan despite the fact that Islamabad has still to separate its military and civilian reactors and adhere to the widely accepted NSG regime. India had no objections to Chinas support for Pakistans entry into the NSG, but the bid fell through since no one except Turkey was interested. It was at this time that China shifted diplomatic gears from linkage to blockage at Seoul with three other countries joining the chorus citing process and procedures. Matters apparently reached a head at the Seoul meeting when the French delegate forcefully pointed out to his Chinese counterpart that his country joined the NSG before signing the NPT as an example that there was limited correlation between the two.

Read | NSG door still open for India, next meeting to be crucial

While a section of retired Indian diplomats believe that New Delhi should not irritate Beijing by raising the NSG issue again with Core Leader Xi, South Block has no intention of giving up on the nuclear club but feels that China is a diplomatic hurdle to the high table of the NSG or even the SCO. During his visit to Uzbekistan in July 2015, President Nursultan Nazarbayev told Modi that had it not been for Russia, India would not have become a member of the SCO as China was supporting Pakistan. He also said other SCO members did not want India-Pakistan affairs to dominate the Central Asian forum.

While the situation along the 3,488 kilometre long Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China is stable, boundary resolution talks have been reduced to an exercise in optics with Beijing refusing to yield an inch on the protracted issue. The Special Representative dialogue which was started in 2003 has yielded no results beyond confidence-building with China wanting India to be flexible on its claims in the Eastern Sector with a specific eye on Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh. The ongoing Indian military exercises in Eastern Ladakh are to test its capabilities to deter any September 2014 Chumar-like intrusion by the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).

Read | Beijing blames Delhi for border intrusion, again

Even though Sino-Indian bilateral trade is heading towards the $100 billion mark, New Delhi wants cooperative mechanisms with Beijing in the political areas of the relationship if the 21st century has to be an Asian century. India is concerned over the China-Pakistan all-weather relationship whether it be in providing five more nuclear reactors, military hardware or building the economic corridor through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The fact that China exercised its veto on Masood Azhar, emir of the banned Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, in the UN speaks volumes about its sweetheart relationship with Islamabad.

Chinese charge daffaires in India Liu Jinsong has gone on record claiming that New Delhi has supported Beijings claim with regard to the International Tribunal Verdict rejecting the latters claims over the South China Sea on July 12. But Indias position leaves no ground for ambiguity as it has recognised that the Tribunal had been set up within the jurisdiction of the UNs Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and that this must be given the utmost respect. India believes that the Tribunal award will be legally binding on the Philippines and China since both are parties to UNCLOS. Each state party to UNCLOS has a duty to comply with the ruling under Part XV which deals with compulsory dispute settlement. Article 296 and Article 11 of annexure VII of UNCLOS are relevant in this regard. Armchair strategists believe that the Tribunals ruling will cast a shadow over Indias claims to Sir Creek vis-a-vis Pakistan. But land boundary disputes are outside the purview of UNCLOS.

Read | Facing the nine dashed line in the South China Sea

Taking a broad overview of Chinas aggressive moves in the South China Sea or at the NSG plenary accompanied by crude name calling, PM Modi and President Xi need to bring back the relationship to the 2014 Ahmedabad or the 2015 Xian days as the regional and global aspirations of both the countries cannot be fulfilled without the cooperation of each other. The Chinese notion of a weak India is not a reality in 2016.

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The thrashing of four Dalit men by alleged cow vigilantes in Gujarat has triggered a fresh round of tug-of-war between political parties to claim the lucrative vote bank ahead of crucial state polls next year.

Opposition parties have jumped in to blame the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruled governments at the Centre and state, outrage over the attacks has already forced adjournments in the Rajya Sabha and the issue is set to dominate the electoral landscape for the next few months.

But for the Dalit community, this political uproar is a bitter deja vu. For the past two decades, Indias scheduled castes, which form a little less than a fifth of the population, have witnessed numerous massacres and atrocities.

From Khairlanji in Maharashtra in 2006 and Mirchpur in Haryana in 2010 to Laxmanpur Bathe in 1997 and Dangawas in Rajasthan last year, atrocities against Dalits have occurred under almost every single partys rule in India.

In most cases, an inquiry committee is set up, the government makes conciliatory noises and compensation is announced. All this has already happened in Gujarat.

But as the memory of the atrocity fades from public memory, pressure to take action on the perpetrators lessens on the government.

Such action also has fallout  the perpetrators often come from influential communities, such as the cow vigilante outfits in Gujarat who are said to have the backing of Hindu groups. It is often easier for parties to hold out sops  naming a new construction after BR Ambedkar or announce a package  than press for conviction.

In case after case of Dalit violence, the want of evidence leads to acquittals, and this phenomenon cuts across party lines.

In Congress-ruled Haryana, no one was convicted of murder after a 70-year-old Dalit man and his disabled daughter were charred to death, and 18 Dalit houses torched in 2010 in Mirchpur.

In Bihar, ruled by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and later by Janata Dal (United)-BJP, every suspect accused in the 1997 Laxmanpur Bathe massacre of 58 Dalit villagers was acquitted.

In AIADMK-ruled Tamil Nadu, no one has been convicted for setting 200 Dalit houses ablaze in Dharmapuri in 2012 after an inter-caste marriage incensed dominant castes.

The massacres are part of a broader pattern of impunity in cases of crimes against the Dalit people. Data from the National Crime Records Bureau show crimes against scheduled castes form almost a quarter of all crimes recorded in India but the acquittal rate is almost 80%.

More than 100,000 cases are still before courts with a pendency rate of 85%. No political party has come forward to change this statistic.

The mounting crimes and poor conviction rates reflect the social exclusion of the community because of how caste influences public life in India. Dalits are almost never in influential positions in the media, writing or private sector, and excuses for the rank casteism range from lack-of-merit to unavailability of suitable SC candidates.

Despite constitutional safeguards, the government sometimes fares equally poorly. A government survey last year found Dalits made up just 7% of all teachers in higher-education institutions in India. In Gujarat, this stood at 5%.

The only two categories where scheduled castes are represented commensurate with their population appear to be safai karmacharis  a profession that Indias caste system has traditionally forced on Dalits  and prisoners.

Indias Dalit community carries with it a memory of trauma and oppression at the hands of the caste system that dictates who gets to go to school, get educated, escape poverty, become a leader or be remembered in death.

This continues to fester despite our claims of modernity and digital age. Massive public rallies by Dalit people never show up on national television channels, our literature is kept out of upmarket bookstores and our cultures are co-opted or erased. The only time a Dalit person makes the news is when they are thrashed or dead.

This has to change and the brave fightback from Dalit communities across Gujarat is one of many resistance movements across India.

In striking work, calling for shutdowns and leaving cow carcasses outside government offices, Dalit people are challenging caste oppressors, who force menial jobs on scheduled castes while simultaneously condemning them.

The BJP has been at the receiving end of Dalit ire in the past two years, be it the suicide of Rohith Vemula or the murder of Dalit children in Haryana. But there is little difference between them and most other political parties, which have a poor record of joining anti-caste fights. Other than the Bahujan Samaj Party, none have Dalit leaders at the helm.

If parties want the resurgent community to vote for them, mere words are not enough. Ensure timely prosecution of atrocities, crack down on caste in regions under your administration and ensure more Dalit representation in all spheres of public life. Promises and rallies will achieve little when Dalits are beginning to fight for their own right.

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Journalists working for Indian media houses have faced the wrath of the Kashmiris while reporting during the ongoing turmoil in the state following the killing of 22-year-old popular militant Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

The Kashmir coverage  often looking at things only from the perspective of the Indian State and avoiding the widespread secessionist sentiments or allegations of human rights excesses by security forces  by some television news channels does not go down well with the local populace and many of them perceive that all of the Indian media is the same, reporting a biased narrative of Kashmir.

Read | Kashmir newspapers refuse to resume publication, want govt to own up to ban

To hammer home the point that there are exceptions is very difficult  I have tried and failed, many a time.

Kashmiri Muslim journalists working for the Indian Express and The Hindu have written about how they were threatened during the unrest just because they belonged to an Indian media house  regarding which the mob formed an impression based on the content of television shows anchored in Delhi and Mumbai.

As a non-Kashmiri journalist living in the Valley and reporting from here for the last seven months, I encountered this fury months ago.

Read | Imran Khan says Pak, unlike Turkey, will welcome army rule, divides opinion

In May, a day after two suspected militants were killed in Srinagar city, I went to report at the house where the encounter took place. As I started talking to the locals, they explained why they thought the encounter was extra-judicial and staged.

But soon, a crowd gathered around me and someone yelled in Urdu: Whats the use of telling this guy? He must be a Sanghi or RSS-man, just like other Indian journalists who come on television. For you people, all Kashmiris are terrorists and ought to be killed.

My photojournalist colleague and I had to leave, chased by the irate mob.

Read | Sonia Gandhi criticises govt, advocates sensitivity in handling J-K protests

On the other side of this anger is the reaction to post-Burhan-killing narratives on social media by Indians who hold a rather coloured perspective on the Kashmir issue.

The trolling of reporters and questioning of media coverage over the Burhan Wani coverage  as journalist Rajdeep Sardesai pointed out in a recent opinion piece  has been severe.

On a Hindustan Times tweet with photographs of thousands of people at Wanis funeral, a Twitter user wrote to me: Should have dropped a bomb on the congregation, pack them off to their 72 hoors (sic). Another advised me: Kill all Kashmiri Muslims.

Read | A Kashmiri in Delhi: So much peace is unsettling

If these are the views held by the audience and television journalism plays to the gallery for them, then, its not difficult to understand why Kashmiris have developed an unprecedented hatred for the Indian media.

The author is HTs Srinagar correspondent and tweets as @saha_abhi1990

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After doing two Bollywood films in a span of four years (along with working for Tamil movies) Amy Jackson is slowly making her inroads into Hindi cinema. Her last film was with Akshay Kumar (Singh is Blling) and she will next be seen with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Sohail Khans upcoming directorial.

Amy Jackson will next be seen with Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Sohail Khans upcoming directorial.

A source says, A few portions of the movie are still to be shot, but Amy has already begun dubbing for it. She will be speaking Urdu in the movie. But since Amy isnt well-versed in Hindi or Urdu, she has sought the help of a tutor to help her with the dialogue.

Read:Ive been fascinated by short films: Amy Jackson

The tutor is also accompanying Amy to the dubbing sessions. Amy feels at ease when her tutor is around, so she decided to take him for the dubbing sessions too, adds the insider.

Amy remained unavailable for a comment.
Vidya Balan, who has portrayed a Bengali character in films like Parineeta, Kahaani and TE3N, feels she had her roots in Bengal in her previous life.

Vidya is currently shooting for Begum Jaan in Patjor on the West Bengal-Jharkhand border. I think I was a Bengali in my last birth, Vidya said in a statement.

Read: I admire Kangana for standing up for herself, says Vidya Balan

The Dirty Picture actor, who hails from Kerala and was also honoured with the Pride of Kerala Award, made her film debut in a Bengali film Bhalo Theko. Her big Bollywood debut was Parineeta, which was shot entirely in Kolkata.

Watch: Vidya Balan played a Bengali woman in Parineeta

Vidya says she feels a sense of familiarity with the state.

It is strange considering my family has no roots there, she added.
Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, who met Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday, asserted that politicians have their own limitations and they need the support of the common people to change the system.

Read: Madaari, Damini and more, the one-man fight against the system

Irrfan Khan calls on the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal at the Delhi Secretariat in New Delhi on July 19. (IANS)

Irrfan told the media that Kejriwal told him during the meeting that the common man will have to participate to bring the change. One man cannot bring the change. It doesnt happen like that. We all have to come together and understand the system and participate to bring the change, he said.

Read: Irrfan discusses the problems of a common man with Delhi CM

Irrfan also expressed his desire to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi.

Irrfan Khan meets Arvind Kejriwal in New Delhi. (IANS)

The 49-year-old actor also commented on his upcoming Madaari, which is based on the plight of a father who loses his son in an accident and then tries to get justice.

Watch Madaari trailer

Madaari movie is about many issues, it is also about accountability, accountability to the promises that are made to the common people, said Irrfan.

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Sushmita Sen has been living it up in Thailand with her daughters - Renee, 16, and Alisah, 7. The Bollywood actor has been vacationing in the country for over three weeks now, and has been keeping her Instagram followers updated through a series of photographs and videos.

Sushmitas first few photographs about her vacation came in even before the trio took off for their destination.

Funky #selfie #russianangle  the ladies have boarded safe n sound  time to #exhale begins!!!!!  A photo posted by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47) on Jun 24, 2016 at 11:13am PDT

The photographs show a scenic sea view, which will make you wish for a vacation. The mother and her daughters, who are referred to as water babies in the posts, have been unwinding by spending hours in the pool, indulging in sunset yoga, and lounging on the beach.

#laughingbuddha  #floating as it begins to #rain  #holiday #pictures #thailand #happiness  A photo posted by Sushmita Sen (@sushmitasen47) on Jul 15, 2016 at 7:17am PDT

Sushmita also took her kids to Tiger Kingdom, a centre for captive breeding of animals. The actor posted photographs of herself, along with her daughters, patting the tigers. The actor, in fact, admitted that she had wanted to do this for a while now.

The 40-year-old also marked her 100th post with a smiling picture.
Noted writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi continues to be on partial life support, her condition still being critical, said a doctor at Belle Vue Clinic, where she is being treated for age-related ailments, on Tuesday.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee visited the litterateur at the hospital where she is currently undergoing treatment.

She is responding to treatment and is on partial life support. There has been slight improvement in her condition but she is still critical. Her kidneys are not functioning properly, a doctor said.

Read: Author Mahasweta Devis health worsens, put on life support

Banerjee discussed the authors health issues and arrangements with her doctors.

The 90-year-old suffers from various ailments and was put on non-invasive ventilation earlier in July after her condition worsened.

The writer, who was honoured with the Jnanpith Award in 1996, has been undergoing treatment at a hospital here for about two months now.

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.
We have made 3G history. Not our values. Dont let an apology cover-up sexual harassment, reads a poster at telecom firm MTS Indias Gurgaon office.

Aveek Anand (name changed), a young employee in MTS India, passed inappropriate gestures to a female vendor. He never knew, approaching a vendor who is neither an office colleague nor on the companys payroll would amount to sexual harassment.

We verified the complaint submitted by our vendor partner with our employee and he confessed. He said he never knew that what he was doing is a form of sexual harassment, described Tarun Katyal, chief human resource officer at MTS India, which has registered at least three sexual harassment cases recently where employees were unaware that their gestures are part of sexual harassment policy at the workplace.

Companies such as Adidas, Dominos Pizza, BookMyShow (BMS), Dunkin Donuts, IBM, Coca Cola and Aviva Life Insurance, are also now deciphering sexual harassment policies, and are taking initiatives such as organising discussion about real-life case studies, circulating animated list of dos and donts, pasting slogan-based posters in office premises, and conducting e-learning classes for employees, among other things.

As per data by the National Commission of Women (NCW), 336 complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace were registered in 2014 with the NCW. There were 249 such cases registered in 2013, 167 in 2012 and 170 in 2011. The Commission is yet to announce figures for 2015.

Idea is to bring the content out of the theory. The trainer throws light on real-life situations, which gives the employee a better understanding of intricate and delicate aspects surrounding the subject, said the spokesperson at BMS, where employees are segregated in batches for the workshop of approximately 2.5 hours.

Employees did not know that stalking is now considered a crime under Indian Penal Code (IPC), and could land one in jail. We are trying to de-code the legalities attached with sexual harassment complaints in the workshops to introduce fear among culprits and encourage victims to raise the voice, said Katyal, who sends quarterly reports to all employees on what actions have been taken against the complaints registered, while maintaining confidentiality over the name of the parties involved.

Sportswear giant Adidas India also conducts workshops on real-life case studies.

Employees discuss the nuances of the case-studies such as how one would have acted immediately, how to document the incident, the victims response, eyewitnesses, reporting on the behaviour, among other aspects, said Arijit Sengupta, senior HR director, Adidas Group India.

Jubilant FoodWorks, operator of Dunkin Donuts and Dominos Pizza in India, has started communicating its anti-harassment policy through an e-learning, animated module.

We have also worked with a leading diversity firm to deliver interactive classroom sessions to further explain the concept , implications and redressal mechanism, said Biplob Banerjee, executive vice-president, human resource, Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd.

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The Chandrodaya Temple being built in Vrindavan is a tall order. At 700ft, the temple will be three times the height of Delhis Qutub Minar. But what is more unique about the project is that the temple is being constructed  both in terms of funding and logistical support  by people of several faiths and nationalities.

A project by Bengaluru devotees of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON), the temple is being worked on by 25 specialist consultants from across the world. The core architectural team itself comprises of people from different faiths.

Jagminder Singh, a Sikh, leads the principal architects team, while Misam Imam heads the structural design team. Chris Meering, a Christian, is in-charge of the team handling vertical transport.

Srila Prabhupada, while beginning the ISKCON movement in 1965, made clear that this was for an international society comprising of all caste, creed, religion, nationality and beyond boundaries. With this ideology, the temple at Vrindavan is coming up and is open for all, said Narsimha Dass, the senior vice-president and project director.

Explaining further, he said Krishna had never meant the message of Bhagavad Gita only for Hindus, and was for everyone who believed.

This has been the driving spirit of ISKON... (which is why) even in the construction of the temple, people from all faith including Muslim, Hindu, Christian or Sikh are involved and this makes it a structure of international acceptance, he added.

Planned at a cost Rs 700 crore, the temple will have four halls  one for Acharya Srila Prabhupada, the founder of ISKON, one for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda Prabhu, one for Radha Krishna and the Astha Sakhis, and one for Sri Krishna Balaram, Dass said. A devotee will have to walk 1.2 kilometer to reach the room for darshan.

Once constructed, it will be the tallest and largest religious structure in India covering an area of 5 acres. Piling work will continue till next Holi after which the work for raising the tower will begin, the project director said.

The temples foundation stone was laid by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav in March 2014. Later that October, President Pranab Mukherjee visited the site for the Ananth Sesh Sthapna poojan. Work for the temple finally began in 2015, with the deadline set for 2022.

However, working with such a diverse collection of experts on such a colossal project has many challenges. Not the least is adhering to local aspirations.

We are done with the concept phase and are now working on schematic details with focus on durability of the structure over several centuries, the Misam Imam said. As head of structural design, he says the trick is in figuring out solutions based on materials available in India.

Another challenge is to work with people who view it spiritually, he added.

One way around building a 700ft structure is to build it in components and then put it together. It is more of an assembled structure, hence all features are to be incorporated and ideas from 25 different specialist consultants are being clubbed for better results, said Singh, the principal architect who has been part of the project since day one.

Much like Misam Imam noted, for Singh, the project is more spiritual than religious.

The projects spiritual association reflects lot of energy and is a memorable experience for me.

Apart from the main temple structure, the compound will be surrounded by verdant forests, clear water lakes, waterfalls from hillocks  all recreated from descriptions in the Srimad Bhagvatam, Dass said. Other attractions will include a Yamuna Creek, Bhagvad Gita Expo and a Krishna Heritage Museum.

Architecturally, a capsule elevator is being included within the core temple structure that will take visitors through different planetary systems in the universe as it rises. The experience will be enhanced with sound, light and diorama. Once at the top, one will get a spectacular view of the Braj Mandal.

Touted as the first LEED Gold certified temple building, it is being designed to have minimum radiative heating of the internal environment. The structural design for this has been given to M/s Thornton Tomasetti, led by Leonard Joseph who is presently designing the Kingdom Tower at Jeddah, the worlds tallest upcoming structure. The fire safety system is being put in place by Sunil Sahani, who designed a similar system for the Burj Khalifa.

Given its height, the temple structure is being designed to withstand an ultimate wind load of 226 kilometer/hour. It is also being designed to withstand intense earthquake tremors. The worst earthquake Mathura faced was on September 1, 1803, which measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale. Once completed, the temple should be able to withstand almost twice that intensity.

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Confirming rumours that a few chief ministers were not allowed to carry mobile phones to the Inter-State Council meet on Saturday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said he had raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

They made few a chief ministers, including me, leave our phones outside. It was very strange. They kept phones of a few chief ministers outside while a few were allowed to take their phones inside. I raised the issue in my speech as well. I asked the prime minister whether a few chief ministers pose a security threat to him, Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal was speaking at the launch of a book, Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party, authored by Pran Kurup, his IIT Kharagpur batchmate.

He said West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee was among those who were barred from carrying their phones.

Kejriwal hit out at those who said governance was affected if he travelled to other parts of the country.

It does not suffer because of me going to Goa or Punjab. They say Kejriwal does not have right to suspend officers. Now if an officer is taking bribe I would not be able to suspend him or send him to jail. Delhi suffers because they stop all our initiatives, he said.

Kejriwal took a dig at the prime minister and said, in jest, that he wondered if Narendra Modi would let him work if he took back his psychopath comment.

Kejriwal had called Modi a psychopath and a coward when the CBI raided the chief ministers office to investigate corruption charges against his principal secretary Rajendra Kumar.
The government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan managed to withstand an attempted coup last week. As soon as the coup failed, the crackdown began. The government arrested at least 6,000 people  mostly military personnel dismissed nearly 3,000 prosecutors and judges, and sacked 8,000 police officers in a wholesale gutting of the nations military and legal apparatus. Supporters of Erdogan rallied in Istanbul advocating the re author is at ion of the death penalty, abolished in Turkey in 2004, for the coups supporters. This has been backed by Erdogan, suggesting that in democracies, whatever the people say has to happen.

The Turkish government has also accused Washington of directly helping to foment the putsch. Erdogan has claimed the conspirators were loyal to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Erdogan has accused of attempting to overthrow the government. A one-time ally of Erdogan, the Gulenists have become rivals in recent years and in May the Turkish government declared them a terrorist organisation. Turkey has demanded that Washington extra di te Gu len, something secretary of state John Kerry said is possible if enough evidence against him could be furnished. The Obama Administration has been very critical of the Erdogan regime s increasingly authoritarian tendencies.

The Turkish armed forces remain badly divided and it is clear that the country remains far less stable than had been thought. It is expected that Erdogan will use this opportunity top urge the military at all levels. The Turkish governments response to the failed coup has alarmed both the US and the EU, after it described the plotters as a cancer which had to be cleansed from public institutions. It is likely that the turmoil in Turkey won t be good news for the fight against Islamic State. Washington has long been openly critical of the limited role the Turkish military has played in stopping the flow of foreign fighters into Syria.

Europe, like the US, had long been concerned about Erdogans authoritarian tendencies, and now there is reason to believe that Erdogan will goal lout to consolidate his hold over the country. Johannes Hahn, European commissioner for regional affairs, suggested that Erdogan was ready for the crackdown. European officials underline that reinstating the death penalty would end consideration for Turkish accession to the EU.

Turkish democracy now seems on its death-bed with no major political player in the country having any incentive to prevent its terminal decline. Civil strife is likely to increase in the coming years. This can neither be good news for the Turkish people nor for a wider Europe.

Harsh Pant is professor of international relations at Kings College, London. The views expressed are personal.
PATNA: The Maoist attack in Bihar on Monday that killed 10 CRPF jawans not only left a trail of bodies and dismembered limbs but also stumped authorities in the state.

Security forces on Tuesday were busy scouring the hilly terrain close to the Aurangabad-Gaya border for evidence to piece together the chain of events that resulted in the heavy casualties.

The area where the encounter took place is close to the Lutma hill dividing Biharand Jhark hand and 3km south of Amas town on the Grand Trunk Road.

Police said the CRPF team had forayed deep into the jungles around Saundaha to track down Maoists who had reportedly gathered atop a hill. The first team set out at around 9am. Another team was to join them as reinforcements. It was then that the Maoists struck.

State police chief PK Thakur said the rebels hiding in the hills fired first at a group of 25 CRPF personnel as they were walking up the hill.

Around 11am, we got information about the Maoists engaging security personnel in a gunbattle. We sent a helicopter but it was unable to evacuate our people as the Maoists were firing heavily on the jawans, Gaya district magistrate Ravi Kumar said. Sometime between 11am and 6pm the duration of the gun battle the Maoists detonated IEDs, inflicting heavy casualties.

They had planted several IEDs along a narrow passage that the CR PF jawans were trying to negotiate on foot , Thakur told HT .They had specific information about the Maoist activity but were perhaps caught on the wrong foot due to the treacherous terrain.

The gunfight also left five men of the Commando Battalion for Resolute Action( Co BRA) injured. Three with serious injuries were airlifted to Patna Medical College and Hospital. The bodies of three Maoists killed in the gun fight have been recovered, Thakur said.

The region is typical guerrilla country, police said, where security forces either use motorcycles or patrol on foot to avoid landmines laid by Maoists. They also avoid concrete roads since the Maoists are known to plant bombs that they detonate at their convenience.

Hills and dense forests separate Bihar from Jharkhand and offer a safe hiding place to Maoists, who are well acquainted with the topography.

Police said the area has been categorized as disturbed since the 1980s, and especially after the advent of the Maoist Communist Centre, which merged with the Peoples War Group in 2004 to form the CPI-Maoist.

The Maoists use the hills to enter and exit Jharkhand after targeting security forces and their assets and police operations are mainly restricted to the day time due to lack of night vision devices and fear of landmines.
NEW DELHI: Five members of a highway-robbers gang were arrested for allegedly looting groceries worth Rs 30 lakh from a truck on the outer ring road in northwest Delhis Madhuban Chowk area, police said on Tuesday.

Yadram, Raj Kumar, Gaffar Ali, Brijpal and Gajender were caught from Okhla Industrial Area in Tughlaqabad by a team of Crime Branch while trying to dispose of the looted goods, said Ravindra Yadav, joint commissioner of police (Crime Branch).

They looted the truck loaded with tea bags, fruit jellies and other grocery items worth Rs 30 lakh by blocking it with a car and a delivery van on July 12.
NEW DELHI: Delhi University announced its fifth and last cutoff for admissions to undergraduate courses on Tuesday.

The university will start its academic session from Wednesday and Friday will be the last day for students to claim admission in the 61 affiliated colleges.

In the fifth list, Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) still had seats to fill. At SRCC, admissions to Economics (hons)  one of the most sought after courses  was open at 97.25%.

At LSR, admission have been closed for Economics (hons), Hindi (hons) , Political Science (hons) and Sanskrit (hons). Other courses, however, recorded a dip of 0.25 percentage points yet remaining above the 95% mark.

Economics (hons) was open in the fifth list in 21 of the 34 colleges that offer the course. Similarly, BCom (hons) was still available in more than 20 of the 54 colleges which offer the course. Among the colleges where seats were still available in these courses are popular North Campus institutions such as Hindu and Hansraj.

Ramjas College, which had announced the highest cutoff at 99.25 % for BCom (hons), still has slots vacant in most courses. The college has closed admission for BCom Programme, Sanskrit (hons) and honours in Botany, Chemistry, Physics, Statistics, Zoology and Life Sciences.

English (hons), which had received the maximum number of applications this year, is open for admission in 28 colleges of the total 40 which offer the course.

In the science stream course, most courses have closed admissions to Botany (hons) Chemistry and Life Science. Botany (hons) is offered in 18 colleges and after the fifth list seats are left only in two colleges.

In case, after the fifth list seats still remain vacant, the colleges will release the details of the vacancies. Students will then have to apply to college individually through the Delhi University website.

The website has a separate UG portal for undergraduate admissions. After the application process, the colleges will separately release the merit list and conduct admissions done accordingly.
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Ajay Maken told the Delhi High Court on Tuesday that the AAP government was violating the Supreme Courts guidelines on government advertisements by spending public money on ads criticising the Centre.

In an affidavit, Maken referred to recent newspaper advertisements taken out by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in other states, berating the Centre for transferring officers of GNCTD.

The ads say the Centre has not cleared bills of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), the affidavit, placed before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal, said.

The affidavit, filed in Makens plea, is one of four that have been moved against the advertisements issued by the AAP government. The petitions alleged that the advertisements have been issued in violation of guidelines.
NEW DELHI: An AAP volunteer from Narela, who had filed a police case against another party worker, committed suicide on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old woman, who had consumed some poisonous substance around noon, was rushed to Harishchandra Hospital in Narela by her neighbours and acquaintances, police officials said.

She was shifted to Lok Nayak Hospital, where doctors declared her dead at 8.30 in the evening.

According to police officials, in June this year, the woman had lodged a complaint against a local party official for allegedly verbally abusing her. An FIR was registered on her complaint.

Reacting to the news, Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay expressed grief over this unnatural death.

It may be recalled this girl had been raising issue of her harassment for months but AAP leaders ignored. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and local MLA Sharad Chauhan are responsible for her death. This incident has established anti woman character of AAP, Upadhyay said.

When contacted, AAP media coordinator Deepak Bajpayi said, This is an unfortunate incident and one should not indulge in politics over it. I have just heard about the incident.
NEW DELHI: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has suggested that extremely aggressive and bad tempered dogs should be euthanised or put to sleep but later clarified that it was a mistake and would be rectified soon.

The board officials said they meant only those dogs suffering and were terminally ill should be euthanised.

In its Module for Dog Population Management Rabies Eradication Reducing Man - Dog Conflict in India submitted to the Supreme Court early this month, the board suggested that euthanasia should be allowed for dogs prone to biting people and with a history of having bitten people.

Sources in the animal board said the suggestion was made on July 12. The next hearing is on July 20.

The Animal Welfare Board of India is a statutory advisory body on animal welfare laws and promotes animal welfare in the country.

The Bombay high court and the Kerala high court had okayed killing of stray dogs in 2008 and 2015, respectively. Both the orders were challenged in the Supreme Court. The apex court in March this year sought responses of the state governments and asked the AWBI to come out with a module by July 12.

Animal activists fear that such directions would encourage stray dog culling in the country.

The section essentially means that any dog, which the civic body thinks is dangerous or aggressive, should be put down. Also, the module is contradictory to the AWBIs earlier stand where it had objected to similar policies being implemented by several civic agencies of the country, said Rishi Dev, animal activist.

Dev questioned the error by the board and said, The module has been submitted to the Supreme Court by an agency whose primary job is to work for animal welfare. There should be no scope for error.

Others demanded immediate correction in the module. Such suggestions threaten the life of dogs. They may be misinterpreted to kill dogs with impunity. This has left a grey area and will encourage a blood bath, something similar to what happened in Kerala. This requires immediate rectification, said Geeta Seshamani, chairperson, Friendicoes SECA, an animal rights group.

The board maintained that it was correcting the module.

There was an error in the module and we have initiated the process to correct it. The board meant to suggest that only those dogs, which are suffering from incurable diseases or are paralytic and cant move at all or are suffering from rabies should be put down or euthanised, said Major General (Retd) RM Kharb, chairman, Animal Welfare Board of India.
SRINAGAR: The army on Tuesday expressed regret for the death of three civilians in firing by its troops and announced an inquiry into the incident, while a court directed the police to register a case against one of their own for the killing of a Srinagar resident.

The developments marked another day of tension in Kashmir as the toll touched 44, citizens had to go without newspapers despite the end of a three-day publication ban, and chief minister Mehbooba Mufti faced widespread criticism over her advisors claim that she had not approved the media blackout.

In Pakistan, Lashkar- eTaiba founder Hafiz Saeed led a Kashmir Caravan from Lahore to Islamabad to protest the deaths in Jammu and Kashmir, vowing to march to the Indian state. With the Nawaz Sharif government planning to observe a black day to express solidarity with Kashmiris on Wednesday, strict restrictions are expected to be imposed in the Valley .

Terming the civilian deaths on Monday in south Kashmirs Qazigund unfortunate, a defence spokesman said, The army deeply regrets the unfortunate loss of life in the incident where troops were forced to open fire when a mob turned violent, resorting to heavy stone-pelting, and attempted to snatch the weapons of soldiers. An inquiry has been ordered.

A man and a woman were killed in the firing while another woman succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday.

The police also felt the heat as Srinagar chief judicial magistrate Masrat Shaheen ordered an FIR against a deputy superintendent of police accused of killing Shabir Ahmad in cold blood in his house on July 10. Witnesses and sources claimed Ahmad was targeted as he had a history of stone-pelting. His family maintains he was shot at close range.

The court order quoted Ahmads father as saying a police party headed by DSP Yasir Qadri barged into his home, smashed windowpanes and assaulted his wife. When Ahmad intervened, the police officer took out his pistol and fired two shots at him, resulting in his death on the spot. Seeking an investigation, the court listed the matter for hearing on July 28.

Ten days after security forces killed militant commander Burhan Wani in a gunfight on July 8, the Valley remained on edge and curfew-bound. The annual Amarnath Yatra was suspended for the third time in the same period. And Srinagar-based newspapers have not printed since Saturday when copies were seized during midnight raids by police.

On Monday, Amitabh Mattoo, political adviser to the CM, told NDTV the gag order was imposed without Mehboobas knowledge and consent.

We want them to own up to the ban and want their assurance that there will be no hurdles in staff movement and distribution of newspapers, Rashid Maqdoomi, printer and publisher of Greater Kashmir, the Valleys largest circulating daily, said.

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NEW DELHI: The CBI suspects BK Bansal, a senior officer in the ministry of corporate affairs who is accused of taking a Rs 20 lakh bribe from a firm to not investigate cheating complaints, could have extended similar favours to others.

Bansal, whose wife Satya Bala and daughter Neha allegedly committed suicide at their east Delhi residence on Tuesday, was accused of taking the bribe in two instalments this month, including Rs 9 lakh on Saturday, from a city-based middleman representing the firm.

Bansal, the senior- most officer of the Indian Corporate Law Service, allegedly took the bribe to not refer a serious fraud investigation office probe against the firm as was recommended to him by a ministry team that inspected 1,000-odd complaints against it.

The firm was accused of cheating 24,000 investors of their savings worth Rs 150 crore  Rs 176 crore including interests. They had invested in short-term fixed deposit scheme that offered lucrative interests, 9.5% to 11.5%.

There are indications the officer indulged in more such irregularities since last year when he got elevated to the post of the director general. The CBI is ascertaining if he had been in touch with middleman, said the source.

Around 60- odd bank accounts will be checked, said the source.

Bansals son, in whose name many of the properties were bought, cant be traced, according to the source.
NEW DELHI: A Rajasthan police sub-inspector, a hacker who worked for Jaipur police and two private detectives were arrested for illegally accessing cell phone call detail records (CDR).

Police said sub-inspector Mukesh Kumar Meena, 38, posted with the Jaipur police cyber wing, used his departments email address to get the CDRs.

Meenas friend in the department, Jaipur resident Gajraj Singh, 23, a third-year BCA student and a hacker, was arrested along with private detectives Aniket Dhamle and Abhinav Kumar.

Singh worked part-time with Jaipur police and helped them solve white collar crimes. Dhamle and Kumar ran two different agencies in Mumbai and Pune.

Joint commissioner of police (crime) RS Yadav said a Delhi resident had filed a complaint about some men who illegally got his sons CDRs of the past six months.

Yadav said the complainant had received a text message, with the sender claiming to get any CDRs for a fee. Surprised if anyone could do that, the man called back on the number and fixed a deal for his sons call records.

Once he managed to get the records from Pune-based Dhamle for Rs 8,000, the man (identity being withheld) then filed a complaint with the crime branch.

We arrested Dhamle from Pune on July 15. His interrogation led to the arrest of his associate Abhinav Kumar, 35, in Mumbai and then Gajraj Singh from Jaipur. Singh told us that the CDRs were provided to them by sub-inspector Meena, after which Meena was also arrested, said Yadav.

The four reportedly confessed to have accessed at least 2,000 CDRs in the past six months. Police sources said the four were making so much money that Kumar had recently opened a restro-bar in Maharashtra.

Singh had recently bought a motorcycle.

Police said Dhamle and Abhinav promised their clients to conduct background checks, fraud investigation and surveillance. They depended mostly on the call detail records to note a pattern.

Abhinav said he is a hacker and met Gajraj during a hackers conference. On his Facebook post, he claims to be a security expert. Gajraj has posted articles about him published in regional newspapers on his Facebook wall.

Abhinav and Dhamle used to pass on phone numbers given by their clients to Singh who then sought the call records from Meena. Singh met Meena while helping the Jaipur police solve cyber crime cases.

Due for a promotion this month as an Inspector, Meena was undergoing training when he was arrested. Meena charged Rs 1,500-Rs 2,000 for providing details of one cell number. Abhinav sold it for Rs 3,000- Rs 5,000 while Dhamle and Abhinav charged their clients around Rs 10,000-Rs 100,000. They used to charge extra for background checks on prospective brides or grooms.
NEW DELHI: Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi may have to stand trial in a defamation case for blaming the RSS for Mahatma Gandhis assassination with the Supreme Court on Tuesday telling him, You cant make wholesale denunciation of an organisation.

The party said Gandhi will not apologise for his remarks and would substantiate them with historical facts and evidence before the court.

There is a difference between Nathuram Godse killing Mahatma Gandhi and the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh) killing him, a bench headed by justice Dipak Misra said, referring to the BJPs ideological parent. You must face trial; the case must be decided on merit, whether what you spoke was for public good or not.

The court made this observation on Gandhis petition seeking the quashing of proceedings against him in a Maharashtra court.

Rahul Gandhi has said he will not seek an apology over what he said and will fight the case as he wants to present his facts along with historical proof and evidence to prove his point and help bring out the truth, Congress spokesman Gaurav Gogoi said.

He is a mature politician with intimate knowledge of historical facts. The Congress and Gandhi will defend these remarks at appropriate forum, the partys chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said. Gandhis counsel Harin Raval also sought to justify the remarks: They are part of government records and also a judgment delivered by the Bombay high court.

But the bench responded, We have held it maybe historically correct, but the factor the statement has to meet the test of public good .

We have made it clear in our earlier judgment (upholding the defamation law in May) that there is a difference between denouncing an individual and an entity. You have denounced an entity.

The Congress had consistently been trying to spread lies and baseless allegations about the RS S. Today s SC ruling has exposed the Congress, said Manmnohan Vaidya, all-India prachar pramukh of the RSS.

RSS activist Rajesh Kunte had filed the complaint against Gandhi in a Maharashtra court in March 2014, alleging the Congress leader had told an election rally that RSS people killed Gandhiji. Gandhi challenged the complaint in the Supreme Court in May 2015.

Kuntes lawyer MN Krishnamani said his client would withdraw the case if Gandhi expressed regret for his remarks.

Fixing the next hearing for July 27, the top court turned down the 46- year-old Congress leaders request to defer the case for two weeks as senior advocate Kapil Sibal was unavailable. Let someone else argue the matter, it said.

When told Gandhi had made there marks against the RS S many times, the bench asked Raval if this was true. The counsel didnt respond, prompting the court to comment ,Possibly them an( Rahul) has said it.

Freedom is not crippled or cut. Every day, a writer, a politician will speak something. The purpose of law is not to turn people into litigants, the court observed, pointing out that the law couldnt be misused even thought the court had up held the criminal is at ion of defamatory speech.

Gandhi was one of the petitioners who had challenged the criminal defamation law.

When Raval tried to read out portions of the allegedly defamatory speech, the court cut him short: Please, for gods sake, no speeches .

But reading out from the speech itself, the bench inferred that Gandhi had in fact attacked the RSS, remarking, Inkey log (their peoples) what does it mean?
CHANDIGARH: Police have arrested three of the five men accused of gang-raping a Dalit woman twice in three years in Haryana.

The 21-year-old daughter of a charpoy-maker was assaulted by the five men first in Bhiwani in 2013, forcing her family to move to Rohtak. They allegedly abducted the woman from a local college a second time last Wednesday, and gang-raped her before dumping her near Sukhpura Chowk.

Haryana director general of police KP Singh said on Tuesday three of the accused have been caught in Rohtak, while the other two were on the run. The woman reportedly told police that she was raped again by the five accused because she was unwilling to withdraw the case against them. But one of the accused s wife alleged that the complainant demanded Rs 50 lakh to withdraw the case.

A rape case was registered against the three accused  besides absconders  on the basis of her complaint the next day, he added.

The DGP claimed it was police  not passersby  who found the victim lying unconscious near Sukhpura Chowk, and admitted her to a hospital.

The three arrested people approached police with CCTV footage as evidence that they were not in Rohtak on the day of the alleged incident.

While two showed footage proving that they were in Bhiwani on Wednesday, a third came up with evidence that he was in Ambala.

The family of the fourth accused reportedly approached the police with a mobile phone indication of his location that day.
A 70-year-old retired government employee from Kerala was found murdered at his flat in Samachar Apartments in east Delhis Mayur Vihar on Wednesday afternoon.

The elderly man, father of a producer in Rajya Sabha TV, was stabbed multiple times in his chest and abdomen.

The flat was ransacked and valuables were missing. Police suspect it to be a case of murder for robbery, though they have not ruled out the possibility of other motives. There was no sign of forced entry into the flat. Police suspect the involvement of somebody known to the victim.

Also read | Sacked domestic help held for killing elderly woman in Kalkaji

The deceased, Vijay Kumar, lived with his wife in their flat on the fourth floor. Kumars wife works with the income tax department. She was at her office when Kumar was murdered. The couple had moved into the flat four months ago. Before that they lived with their daughter, Ambali Vijay Kumars family in the same apartment, said police.

A senior police officer said that the crime came to fore around 2 pm when Kumars daughter returned from office and went to meet her father. Ambali used to visit her parents every day. She found the main iron and wooden doors of the flat ajar.

Ambali thought that her father had left the doors open as he knew she would be visiting him after work. She went inside and found the LED TV lying on the floor in the hall and other items lying upside down. She rushed to his fathers bedroom and found him lying in a pool of blood on the bed, said the officer.

Also read |Slapped, domestic help stabs elderly woman 22 times in Dwarka

The woman raised an alarm and alerted the security guards of the apartment. The police control room was informed about the crime. A police team along with forensic experts reached the flat and lifted important evidence from the murder scene.

The body has been sent to a government hospital for autopsy. We are waiting for the autopsy report to ascertain the exact cause of death, the officer said.

A case was being registered in connection with the crime. The police are also examining footage from the CCTV cameras in the apartment to ascertain if any suspicious person visited the flat before Kumars murder.

Kumars neighbours claim that Samachar Apartments is one of the most secure apartments in the locality.

This is the fourth case of murder of senior citizens reported within a fortnight in the city. The first two were reported from Kalkaji in south Delhi and Pachim Vihar in west Delhi. The third murder took place on July 15 in southwest Delhis Dwarka.
A rare bird species has vanished from Okhla Bird Sanctuary this summer. And birders are worried that an accident is behind this sudden disappearance. Last month, a grown up Oriental Darter got its beak entangled with a string on a tree and was later sighted dangling dead from a branch.

Seeing its unnatural death, the rest of the flock of darters got scared and left the sanctuary. It successfully bred this summer in the sanctuary but havent returned since this incident, ecologist TK Roy, who is the Delhi state coordinator of the Asian Waterbird Census, Wetlands International South Asia, told Hindustan Times.

Oriental Darter (Anhinga melanogaster) is commonly known as Snake Bird because of its long slim head and neck and dagger-like bill and long tail. Its long snake-like neck is the only visible part of its body when it swims underwater.

Read: Heres how you can help birds this summer in Delhi!

The darter presents a fascinating sight when it spears a fish and tosses it in the air before swallowing it. The bird, one among 173 listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as nearly threatened bird species in the Indian subcontinent, is also one of two existing darter species in Asia. It lives on fresh water lakes, rivers, reservoirs, bays and swamps and feeds on fish,

Its rare in Delhi region and breeds only at a few wetland habitats in Delhi-NCR (Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Sultanpur National Park, Surajpur Wetland, Najafgarh Drain or Jheel, and so on). This recent disappearance from the Okhla Bird Sanctuary is a very sad development, Roy said.

Read: Birds skip Okhla for Noida garden

During the monsoon breeding season, resident water birds of the Okhla Bird Sanctuary like Purple Heron, Little Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Cormorant, Black-crowned Night Heron, Spot-billed Duck, Bronze-winged Jacana, White-breasted Waterhen, Purple Swamphen, Indian Moorhen, Lesser Whistling Duck are usually sighted at Okhla.

The Okhla bird sanctuary attracts more than one lakh migratory birds belonging to 400 avian species in the winter  second only in the world to boast of such numbers. This eco-sensitive habitat, however, has been in the recent past under threat from human encroachment.

ENDS

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The Delhi government ordered a magisterial probe into the alleged suicide of a female Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker on Wednesday.

Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has asked North Delhis district magistrate to investigate the matter.

Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry, Sisodia tweeted.

Police said that the female worker, identified as Soni, committed suicide on Tuesday after a member of the party she had complained against over molestation was released on bail.

She had made a police complaint on June 2, about one of her party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for harassing her. We registered a case against him and arrested him on June 3. He was granted bail on June 4, a police officer said.

In her police complaint, Soni has alleged that Wadhwa harassed her continuously and asked for sexual favours. She said she had raised the matter in the party but no action was taken against him.
The 15-year-old struggle of Anand Lok residents against acute water shortage may finally yield some result as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has agreed to construct an underground reservoir (UGR) here.

The decision was taken during a meeting with Delhi water minister Kapil Mishra. The Residents Welfare Association (RWA) apprised the minister about the water troubles being faced for the last 15 years. After detailed discussions, senior officials of the DJB proposed a plan to construct a reservoir in the locality. They said that the project will help store the water in large quantity and improve the supply in the area.

To implement the project, the water utility will need a large chunk of land measuring nearly 350sqm. Representatives of the association have suggested that the space beneath the Central Park here may be used for the purpose.

DJB needs about 350sqm land. We have offered them a part of the Central Park. The officials have agreed to visit the site soon and have prepared a plan for the construction, said Sanjay Gupta, president of Anand Lok RWA.

A senior DJB officer said, The project has been given a technical approval by DJB chief engineer RS Negi. A team of officials will visit the proposed site on Thursday. Later, we will prepare the estimate for the project and other formalities will be completed after a meeting with minister Kapil Mishra.

Read: Amid crisis, precious rainwater goes down the drain in Gurgaon

According to the residents, several pockets in the area have been reeling under acute water shortage since 1999. They said that during the peak summer season some of the areas receive erratic or no water supply. House numbers 98-101 did not get water in May and June, while houses 102-108 did not get water for a week. We have no option but to call water tankers. We also had to paid extra to ensure these water tankers came on time, said Vinod Gupta, another RWA member. He said that while it costs Rs 700 to call a tanker, they had to pay an additional Rs 300.

To fix the problem, the DJB made a few temporary arrangements but failed to provide any relief to the residents. There was provision for a tube well but over a period of time the system fell flat. We didnt restore the bore well because till late 1980s we used to get sufficient water supply, a resident said.

It is ironical that the area has not been getting enough water as it is located barely 1.5km from the Greater Kailash-I water reservoir. I came to know that the main supply line from the GK reservoir has been diverted to other areas such as the HUDCO residential area. As a result, the supply to our colony was affected and houses at the tail end of the supply line do not get water during peak summers, Gupta said.

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Quack doctors continue to have a free run treating unsuspecting patients in the Capital thanks largely to police inaction, Delhi Medical Council data show.

Of the nearly 400 complaints filed by the council with police against unqualified people illegally prescribing drugs, only a fourth have been converted into first information reports (FIRs) needed to arrest the culprits. As a result, unqualified and unregistered medical practitioners continue to prescribe medicines that can harm patients and fuel antibiotic resistance through repeated use.

Over the past three years or so, Delhi Police have registered barely 100 FIRs on 397 complaints filed till March this year against people prescribing drugs they are not qualified or licensed to do. We have tried everything. Council members even met some senior officials in Delhi Police, who assured us of legal action against these quacks posing as doctors, but nothing has been done, council registrar Dr Girish Tyagi said.

A World Health Organization report titled The Health Workforce in India, based on 2001 Census data and published in June, said nearly a third of those calling themselves allopathic doctors were educated only up to Class 12.

Also, 57% of the practitioners did not have any medical qualification. Under the Indian Medical Council Act, only doctors of modern medicine registered with a state medical council are licensed to prescribe allopathic medicines.

The Capital has 10,932 doctors of modern medicine registered with the Delhi Medical Council, according to data with Indias Central Bureau of Health Intelligence for 2015. There are 3,617 registered practitioners of ayurveda, 2,074 of unani medicine and 4,354 of homeopathy.

People are certified as quacks by the council after a thorough investigation. We have documents and foolproof evidence on these people against whom complaints have been made for posing as doctors and prescribing modern medicine across Delhi, Dr Tyagi said.

The councils anti-quackery cell tracks people who are not authorised to prescribe allopathic medicines. After the council receives a complaint, it alerts the chief district medical officer of that particular zone, who conducts an inquiry.

The council then issues an order asking the person to shut the illegal clinic and stop practising. The order is shared with police to register an FIR against the person. The entire process takes two to three months.

Police sometimes do not even accompany our officials during raids,Dr Tyagi said.

Delhi Police in their response said they would act on the complaints soonest.

Since the matter has been brought to my notice now, I will ask all district DCPs to take necessary actions and submit their reports as early as possible. Whatever action needs to be taken will be taken as per law, said special commissioner of police (crime) Taj Hassan, also chief spokesperson, Delhi Police.
Eight days after four Dailt men (tannery workers, according to the police) were stripped, tied and beaten up with iron rods and pipes at Gir Somnath districts Una taluka in Gujarat for skinning a dead cow, the issue resonated strongly in Parliament on Wednesday.

Read: Attacks on Dalits in Gujarat: Sonia says govt condones social terror

The Congress, the BSP and other parties forced two disruptions within the first hour in the Rajya Sabha, accusing the government of not acting against Dalit atrocities. Home minister Rajnath Singh condemned the violence and said that we must get a permanent solution to such incidents. The mindset has to change.

Read: Una Dalit atrocity protests spread over Gujarat, cop dies in stone pelting

Indeed thats a commendable desire, but then it is easier said than done. Heres a reality check: According to National Crimes Records Bureau, crimes against Dalits are rising: 47,064 cases were registered in 2014, up from 39,408 in 2013 and 33,655 in 2012.

Read: Violence against Dalits on the rise

An International Dalit Solidarity Network report has a few explanations for the reasons behind such aggression against the community:

First, dominant castes are using violence against Dalits to reinforce the hierarchical caste-related power structures and suppress Dalit rights assertions and claims.

Second, the access to justice for Dalits is dismally low. For example, at the end of 2014, 85% crimes against Dalits filed under the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act were pending trial, while 25 % are awaiting trial investigations across the country. Convictions were awarded in only 28% of cases in 2014 that completed trial. So the law is not working as a deterrent.

Third, a severe lack of empathy on the part of administrators: Dalit human rights defenders, says the report, attempting to help victims of injustice, are found to be at the receiving end of police violence and torture, intimidation, harassment and in some cases are even murdered. The report stresses that the protection of Dalit human rights defenders is seriously lacking. Heres another example that illustrates the point: The BJP government in Maharashtra demolished a house where national icon and Dalit leader BR Ambedkar had a printing press. Which community would not be aggrieved if such a thing happens to structures they hold dear? Think about how Indians react when the Mahatmas photo is misused by people abroad.

Read: Rage trumps rain at Ambedkar Bhavan protest

While we do need a social and mindset change to end such gratuitous violence against Dalits, as Mr Singh pointed out, what India needs more is transformative politics that is ready to call a spade a spade and not try to exploit the Ambedkar legacy for political gains but actually fulfil the leaders dreams of a casteless society.
Hundreds of excited and nervous students, who managed to clear the high cutoff for admission in undergraduate courses at Delhi University, started their three-year college journey on Wednesday.

From worrying about what to wear on the first day of the new academic session to taking tips from elder siblings already studying at DU colleges, students are doing everything they can to make the most of it.

Im looking forward to my first day but at the same time, I am nervous as I am going to start a new life. Leaving Madhya Pradesh was not easy as I spent my entire childhood over there but nevertheless hoping for the best and expecting great placements after completing my graduation, Pallavi, who took admission in Miranda House, said.

First impressions are not the only things students are worried about. Some of them have already had a look at their syllabus to be more participative on their first day.

Read | A debate exclusive to Delhi University: North Vs South campus

I have gone through this semesters syllabus and the whole course structure. Just to make sure my basics are clear I am keeping myself updated. For the first day of college, some say keep it casual while others say first impression is the last impression. Im still confused, Vanshaja said.

She has opted for political science (Hons) course in Maharaja Agrasen College in east Delhi.

Students from outside Delhi are quite enthusiastic about beginning their journey at DU. And, those who have siblings already studying at DU say they have an advantage.

Heena, Vanshaja, Pallavi and Chongpi, along with hundreds of students, began their three-year college journey on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

I have my sister who is studying at Miranda House and she has been guiding me at every step. Being an out-station student, I was quite anxious about accommodation but now Im hoping things are going to work out for the best, Lucknows Heena said.

We dont usually get the opportunities back home and DU offers it in abundance. I am happy to get the course of my choice, which makes me more thrilled for my first day. Delhi University offers the exposure which we lack in the northeastern states, Chongpi, who is from Shillong, said.

Read | DU fifth cutoff list out, Eco(hons) still available at SRCC
The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi, has set up an incubation cell called KITTES (Knowledge for Innovation in Trade and Technology for Entrepreneurial Start-Ups).

The cell has been set up with active help of Mitsubishi Corporation India Pvt Ltd (MCI) and Metal One Corporation India Pvt Ltd (MOI). Kalraj Mishra, minister for micro, small and medium enterprises, was invited as the chief guest to inaugurate the cell. Masakazu Sakakida, CMD, MCI, and Yoshihija Fujiwara, CMD, MOI, were also present. The function was presided over by Dr Surajit Mitra, director and VC, IIFT. The KITTES website was also launched on the occasion. Mishra highlighted the importance of contribution of MSMEs towards the countrys growth, immense business opportunities available for MSMEs, and the challenges faced by them in starting their ventures. He insisted on the role of incubation cell at IIFT to impart training to MSME units towards developing zero defect products from this segment.

KITTES will be unique as we bring collective innovation and international experience to the table, said Dr Mitra. He emphasised the strong role of embassies across various export markets and export promotion councils across various MSME predominant sectors to enhance two-way efficient trade through strong knowledge support imparted by the centre. Although the initiative is being inaugurated in Delhi but the developmental activities of this centre will be extended to the state of Himachal through our newly set up regional centre for MSME at Shimla and to the North Eastern zone through IIFT Kolkata centre, said Dr K Rangarajan, head, Centre for MSME Studies and head IIFT-Kolkata Centre.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) declared the results of Paper-I of the re-examination for recruitment of sub-inspectors in Delhi police, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and assistant sub-inspectors in CISF Examination, 2016.

The re-examination was conducted on June 4, 5, 6, 7 and 11 for candidates who had appeared in examination conducted on March 20. Around 240,000 candidates had appeared for the re-examination.

Candidates can check their results by visiting the official website of Staff Selection Commission.

Steps to check results:

1. Go to the official website

2. Click on the link for Recruitment of Sub-Inspectors in Delhi Police, CAPFs and Assistant Sub-Inspectors in CISF Examination, 2016 - Result of Paper-I

3. Click on the link for results shown on the top of the page (separate for men and women candidates)

The list of candidates who have qualified in Paper-1 (roll number-wise) will appear on the screen.

Or

Click here to go directly to the link for results of men candidates/ female candidates

The candidates who have qualified in Paper-I will be called for a Physical Endurance Test (PET)/ Medical examination. Only the candidates who clear this will be allowed to appear in Paper-II.

Paper-II will be tentatively held in November-December, 2016, PET and medical examination are expected to begin in August.

Note: Please follow the websites of the Regional Offices of the Commission for issuance of admission certificate. For details, visit to the SSC website.

Read more: SBI PO main exam 2016 call letter to be released on July 21

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Pushpa, a vibrant account of Danish designer-turned writer Inger Solberg's experiences in India since over 15 years, is set to be adapted for the big screen. The makers are in talks with Australian actor Naomi Watts for the lead role and were keen to cast Bollywood star Ranveer Singh too.

Solberg's book traces the lessons she has learnt in India -- a country she describes as "incredible" -- and how she fought against money-hungry, uneducated goons, and bureaucracy. It's a story of hardships, faith and resolve of a woman who never lost her spirit.

The writer was initially apprehensive when offers came in for a film adaptation of the book.

Read: Nicole Kidman kisses Naomi Watts, fulfills life-long ambition

"Maybe I was afraid they would kill the story and use it differently. In film language, they call it 'killing your darlings'," Solberg told IANS in an email interview from Goa where she stays.

But an offer from celebrated Indian cinematographer Santosh Thundiyil -- who has movies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Pinjar and Rowdy Rathore to his credit -- changed Solberg's mind.

The book jacket of Pushpa, by Inger Solberg. (Facebook)

"He suggested that I should not sell the rights, but we should make the film together. Santosh also introduced me to the screenplay writer Suresh Nair," she said.

German director Franziska Buch has been locked in to direct the movie, for which the team is "in the process of finalising the negotiations with Naomi Watts's agents".

Read: It was really something staying in delhi! Naomi Watts

"They have already given us the dates of her availability," Solberg said.

Talking of why Naomi Watts suits the lead role, Solberg said: "She looks Scandinavian and could be a family member, so I thought her a perfect choice."

"Since the lead role is being negotiated subject to the script with a big Hollywood star, and since it is a women-oriented film, I have chosen to work with the European female director Franziska Buch who also is an India lover," added Solberg, who says she will work closely with the team to make the movie a reality.

The title of her book Pushpa comes from the name her Indian boyfriend used to call her by. He was killed in a motorcycle crash a few years ago.

Solberg wanted Bollywood's livewire star Ranveer for a key role in the film.

Read: Daisy Ridley will be seen with Naomi Watts as Hamlets Ophelia in a YA movie

"I had approached Ranveer Singh. I have also given him my book personally. Ranveer reminded me of one of the lead characters in the book, so he would have been the perfect artiste for that role."

"Unfortunately, he is not available before end of 2017, which is too late for us. We are now considering other options," she said.

This international feature film project is being proposed on the same lines as the successful multi-cultural collaborations like Slumdog Millionaire, Monsoon Wedding, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and Eat Pray Love.

The team has help from the Scandinavian Film Council and the International Brand Sponsors, and they have also approached a few production houses.

The author feels her book has potential to be made into a film as her stories are inspirational to women who need to live independently without fear.

"Lots of women, worldwide, live oppressed lives in bad marriages and other exploited situations," said Solberg, who came to India with $40 in her pocket, fresh from a messy divorce.

"My story, my film is applicable to every woman worldwide (and men too). I hope it will act as a conduit for empowering women to live in hope and not fear. After all, tomorrow is another day," said the optimist, who wears many hats as a business consultant, interior decorator, writer, real estate developer and a fashion designer.

The movie is likely to be shot in Delhi, Goa, Shimla, Risikesh, Jaipur, Varanasi -- and as Solberg puts it -- "the most beautiful places in my incredible India".

Through the film, she hopes they will "show the glory of India which I love and will always defend, as well as show the darker side of India which many people, not only foreigners are facing when it comes down to business activities".

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A female Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker committed suicide after her molester -- also a party member -- was released on bail, police said on Wednesday.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that the incident has exposed the anti-women character of the party.

The deceased has been identified as Soni, who resided in outer Delhis Narela area with her two daughters and other family members.

A senior police officer said, She had made a police complaint on June 2, about one of her party colleagues, Ramesh Wadhwa harassing her. We registered a case against him and arrested him on June 3.

He was granted police bail on June 4, the officer added.

The case was registered under Sections 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation)and 509 (Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said.

On Tuesday, she mixed something into her cold drink and tried to commit suicide around 2 pm, the officer said, adding She was rushed to hospital, but died around 7 pm

She was basically unhappy over her party for not initiating any action against her alleged molester, the officer said.

Police further said that Wadhwa had got stay on his arrest from the court on June 22.

In her police complaint, Soni has alleged Wadhwa for harassing her continuously and asking for sexual favours. She even raised the matter in the party but no action was taken against him.

Meanwhile, the family members of the woman had alleged that Soni went into depression after bail was granted to the accused.

Attacking AAP, Delhi unit BJP chief Satish Upadhyay said, The real face of AAP has been exposed and the suicide by the woman party worker has established the fact that it is an anti-women character party.

She raised the issue with the party leaders but they kept on ignoring her complaint, Upadhyay said, adding, And it is not the first incident, around six cases has been filed against AAP leaders for misbehaving with the women, who either work with them or go to their office to meet them.

Leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly, Vijender Gupta, also questioned Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwals silence on this sensitive issue while stating that he was aware about all the events.

This is a very serious matter and we are going to the National Commission for Women and will talk to them. Why is the Aam Aadmi Party silent on this issue? he asked.

(With ANI inputs)
An Air India flight from Kolkata to Kathmandu on Wednesday made an emergency landing here after the pilot informed the authorities that there was a problem with one of the engines of the plane, AI officials said.

The Kathmandu-bound flight took off at around 8.18 am with 56 passengers and seven crew members. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Kolkata at 8.31 am, after the pilot reported a problem with the right engine of the plane, an AI official said.

All passengers and crew members were safe and they were soon taken to Kathmandu in another flight, the official said. The plane had been grounded at Kolkata and was being examined by the engineers, he said.
Married barely a month ago, Kshama Priya had barely learnt to apply sindoor on her forehead, a vermilion dot that symbolises a Hindu womans marital status.

She will no longer. The sindoor was smudged on Tuesday and her bangles crushed  another macabre ritual that befalls a widow.

Her husband, Diwakar Kumar, was one of the 10 CRPF men who died in a counter-insurgency battle with Maoists on Monday night.

It was my husbands first job after marriage. It became his last, the wife said in Bihars Khagaria.

Priya and Diwakar  the lone brother to four sisters  got married on June 27.

Mother Sunita Devi, recuperating from a kidney surgery done a month ago, passed out when the news broke. So did a sister of the fallen CRPF soldier.

Read: Chain of events that led to heavy casualties in Maoist attack in Bihar

The entire home was bathed in gloom.

Grief engulfed Parmeshwar village in Buxar district too, the hometown of CRPF personnel Anil Kumar Singh. Meera lost consciousness when she was told about her husbands death this morning.

His father passed away when Anil was a kid. The responsibility of bringing up his four siblings was thrust on him. When he got the CRPF job, we were all happy that the familys bad days were over, said a villager. But we find solace that he did not retreat from a fight.

Singh married Meera in 2011 and the couple has two kids, too young to understand the loss.

Bodh Gaya was abuzz with curiosity, and anger, when bodies of the braves were brought from the jungles of nearby Aurangabad district on Tuesday. Hulking military personnel carriers and ambulances of the CRPF units and the Anugrah Narain Medical College Hospital zipped in and out through the day.

Early in the morning, doctors, nurses, and anesthetists were summoned out of their beds. Bleary-eyed, they waited until the first two bodies arrived.

Helicopters couldnt land because of Maoist fire in the jungles, said a police officer, clarifying the delay in evacuating the wounded, and the bodies.

Read: Forested area, series of landmines: CRPF men walked into death trap in Bihar

Information from the jungles was hard to come by too. But by 9 am, the number of casualties was clear: 10 soldiers killed, none missing.

Outside the hospital, a large crowd milled. Buddhist pilgrims kept a safe distance, fearing the worst as the sea of khaki reminded them of the Bodh Gaya blasts in July 2013, when 10 bombs exploded in and around the Mahabodhi temple complex.

Believe, there is a man, almost 6-feet tall, killed among the Naxalites. It could be Sudhakaran, quite high in the Maoist pecking order, said in officer, waiting at the hospital for the bodies.

Is Sandeepji among the casualty? someone else asked. Sandeepji, a Maoist commander active in Bihar and Jharkhand, carries Rs 5 lakh on his head.

The body bags kept coming till 4pm. Slogans muffled the officers chitchat, and the rumble of monsoon clouds: Long live our soldiers.


The BJPs vice-president in Uttar Pradesh was expelled from the party for six years on Wednesday for comparing Dalit leader and four-time chief minister Mayawati to a prostitute, a remark that triggered political outrage and a demand for his arrest.

Daya Shankar Singh, an upper-caste Thakur, called the BSP chief a vaishya for allegedly selling party tickets to aspiring candidates for next years state polls.

For her part, Mayawati demanded Singhs arrest. Otherwise, if in response to this, people get violent, it will not be on my conscience, she said in the Rajya Sabha.

In evening, senior BSP leader Naseemuddin Siddiqui had filed an FIR against the BJP leader in Lucknow.

Singhs remark comes as an embarrassment for the BJP, which has been trying to woo Dalit voters in the state.

Look at the way Mayawati is selling tickets. Even a prostitute keeps her commitment. But look at a leader like Mayawati who sells a ticket for Rs 1 crore, then after some time, if another is willing to pay Rs 2 crore, she will give the ticket to him. Mayawati has become worse than a prostitute, he said in Mau.

Singh, a former Lucknow University Students Union (LUSU) president who was promoted from a secretary to vice-president in the party unit, withdrew his statement later, and apologised.

I was referring to the crisis of credibility that she faces. In a different context, I had said that even prostitutes have some credibility, he tried to reason.

But the damage was already done. His comments came at a time protests were growing in Gujarat over an attack by cattle vigilantes on four Dalit men. Opposition MPs disrupted Parliament and accused the BJP-led NDA of condoning attacks on Dalits and pursuing a policy that keeled towards the upper caste.

The Congress came in support of Mayawati, and denounced Singhs comments. This man has to be arrested before sundown. This has to be made an example of, party leader Renuka Chowdhury said.

The uproar in the Upper House prompted senior BJP leader and Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to condemn Singhs remark and express regret.

I should tell Mayawatiji that the party shares her grief over this issue, I will look into this matter. We stand with her. I am personally hurt that a BJP party person used such derogatory words against her, he said.

The BJPs state unit chief, Keshav Prasad Maurya, too apologized and warned party workers to control their tongue. When criticising our political opponents, we must take care about the use of words. We can question our political rivals, but we have to be very careful about our choice of words, he said.

His warning follows Prime Minister Narendra Modis code of conduct for party leaders and workers in June, a seven-point guideline outlining how they should behave, work, and talk in public.

Modi is set to address a rally in Gorakhpur on Friday, part of the BJPs concerted effort to wrest power in the state where it did exceptionally well in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, winning 71 of the 80 seats.

The party has its eyes on the large Dalit electorate, which is known to be the BSPs core support base.

In April this year, the BJP had expelled Madhu Mishra, its UP womens wing president for making anti-Dalit remarks.

Read| Presstitutes and prostitutes: The language our netas use

(With agency inputs)
Sitting inside a dimly-lit room at the house of former Congress MLA Pushkar Dangi in Udaipur, Hardik Patel looks oddly calm as he speaks, clutching an iPhone in his hands. The firebrand leader of Patidars has just turned 23, but theres no trace of a celebration in the house. Patels birthday coincides with a day when Gujarat is simmering in the wake of a series of violent protests by Dalit organisations against atrocities by cow-vigilante groups.

I have asked all my supporters not to celebrate my birthday for what is happening with our Dalit brothers in Gujarat, says Patel in Gujarati, condemning the incident of flogging of a Dalit family by cow vigilantes.

In a conversation with HT, Patel spoke about the BJPs divisive policy, failure of the Gujarat model and how the ground is slowly slipping under the feet of NRI Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Excerpts:

Why are residents of Gujarat so angry? Last year there was the Patel agitation. Now it is violent Dalit protests.

It is all because of the primary motive of the BJP. The party aims to divide and rule the state by discriminating between people on the basis of caste and religion. The BJP doesnt believe in development; it just wants to incite caste-based violence. What is happening with the Dalit community in Gujarat is the result of the anger among people against the government. The BJP has always encouraged violence and the 2002 riots are a testimony to it.

Read | BJP rivals keen to rope in Hardik Patel ahead of Gujarat polls

Do you see any parallels between your Patel agitation and the current one by Dalits?

During our agitation, the police went for a merciless crackdown on the people who had taken to the streets, by slapping sedition cases against kids. Many lives were lost in police firing. A similar thing is happening today with Dalits.

Has the BJP-led state government failed? Is the government insensitive towards peoples grievances?

The BJP government has only sold false dreams to the people on the name of development. Today, villages in Gujarat dont have 24-hour electricity. Yet, the entire people of India are being fooled by creating a halo around the Gujarat model. The public doesnt care whether its a Ram Mandir or the Babri Masjid that will be rebuilt in Ayodhya. Incidents such as the one in Dadri (last year) are purposely fuelled by the BJP to divide people. People need development and the need is not for Make in India but Made in India.

Does Narendra Modi share any responsibility for the failings of the state government?

Selling farmlands to foreign industrialists is not development and under Narendra Modi, Gujarats debt increased from Rs 36 crore to 3 lakh-crore. Modi is not the PM of the country; you can call him the NRI prime minister who always remains out of the country. He is like that father who assures his son before exam that he will reward him if he scores good marks in exams, but goes back on his promise every time. This is leading to increased unemployment in unemployment in Gujarat which can have serious consequences like mounting usage of drugs among the youth, similar to what is happening in Punjab and Rajasthan.

Read | Una Dalit atrocity protests spread over Gujarat, cop dies in stone pelting

What is your view on the movement of cow vigilante groups? Should they be banned?

Everyday we see countless stray cows being beaten and left in bad condition. People are completely ignorant to it. If one wants to become a true gausevak, then why doesnt he put them in gaushala for proper care? The dadagiri of cow-vigilante groups never reaches the slaugterhouses. Its is the common people who suffer. Its tragic that lives are lost because of these self proclaimed cow-protection groups.

Is the BJP good or bad for Gujarat?

In the last two decades, the BJP has been cheating the people by making tall promises but never fulfilling them. I feel that every caste and community in India should be given reservation as per the percentage their population. If that means that the Brahmin population is 3 per cent, then they should get an equal percentage in reservation and same goes for all other castes and religions. Overall in the last two decades, the BJP has failed Gujarat.

Did Modi do no good in Gujarat?

What is development if all one does is to encourage foreign direct investment? How do the states people benefit from it if an American company makes a big profit by selling a phone that is not made in India? If the phone is made by an Indian company, then it will be generate revenue and also provide employment to locals.

How will the Patels respond in the Gujarat Assembly elections next year?

All I would like to say is that the BJP is losing the grip over Gujarat and it will meet a similar fate such as last years panchayat elections in the state. At the time of that polls, the Patels kept quiet but did their job silently. The result is for everyone to see.

Read | Mamata expresses concerns over organised crime against Dalits in Una
The BJPs vice-president in Uttar Pradesh was removed from his post after his remark comparing former state chief minister Mayawati to a prostitute on Wednesday triggered outrage among politicians who called for his arrest.

In the evening, the BSP lodged an FIR against Daya Shankar Singh for derogatory remark.

UP Police said the FIR was lodged under the SC/ST act and the matter will be investigated.

Attacking the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief for allegedly selling party tickets, Dayashankar Singh, an upper caste Thakur, called the Dalit leader a vaishya while speaking in Mau. Though he immediately withdrew his statement and apologised for the remark, it was enough for Mayawati to point out that Singhs manners were indicative of the saffron partys growing frustration.

Dayashankar Singh should be arrested otherwise, if in response to this people get violent, it will not be on my conscience, Mayawati said in the Rajya Sabha.

The Congress, too, attacked the BJP leader for his remark. This man has to be arrested before sun down. This has to be made an example of, Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said.

With the incident causing an uproar in the Rajya Sabha, senior BJP leader and Union minister Arun Jaitley immediately took cognizance of the issue, announcing his support for the Dalit leader.

I should tell Mayawati ji that the party shares her grief over this issue, I will look into this matter, we stand with her. I am personally hurt that a BJP party person used such derogatory words against her, he responded in the house.

Mayawati also attacked Singh in Parliament, calling for his arrest.

There are war of thoughts and ideas in the House, but never have I used derogatory words against anyone ever. Dayashankar Singh should be arrested otherwise, if in response to this people get violent, it will not be on my conscience, she said in the upper house.

Singhs comments come at a time when protests are growing in Gujarat over an attack on four Dalit men, with opposition MPs disrupting the Wednesdays parliament sessions, and accusing the BJP-led NDA of condoning the attacks.

In April this year, the BJP had expelled Madhu Mishra, the partys UP women wing president in the state for making anti-Dalit remarks.

Earlier in the day, the BJPs state general secretary Vijay Bahadur Pathak had apologised for the remark, stating the party would look into the matter.

But as far as the ticket-selling charge against Mayawatiji is concerned, even her former party members are openly levelling that charge, he countered.

A former Lucknow Union Students Union (LUSU) president, Singh was promoted from secretary to the state vice-president in UP BJP chief, Keshav Prasad Mauryas team.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Singh had said, I was attacking her for selling tickets. I said that she can do anything for money; sell ticket for Rs 1 crore in the morning, the same ticket for Rs 2 crore in the afternoon and for Rs 3 crore by the evening. I then referred to the crisis of credibility that she faces. In a different context, I had said that even prostitutes have some credibility.

Singhs comments also come two days before Prime Minister Narendra Modis rally in Gorakhpur.

The BJP has been upping its game in the state that goes to polls early next year, and has been locked in a battle with the BSP, among other parties.

Earlier in January, Modi had visited Lucknows Ambedkar University and Ambedkar Mahasabha to meet Dalits  an important vote bank in Uttar Pradesh. Modis visit came in the backdrop of a Dalit scholars suicide in Hyderabad, a death that was blamed on two of his ministers.

(With inputs from ANI)
A teenager was on Wednesday stabbed to death, while another was left injured in a clash between two groups of students near the bus stand in Karnal city, police said.

The boy, a student of class 12, was stabbed to death and another was injured in the incident, Deputy superintendent of police, Karnal City, Vivek Choudhary said.

The accused were at large and police have launched action to nab them, the DSP said.

The exact cause behind the clash is yet to be ascertained, he said, adding a case has been registered in the matter.
The assault on a group of Dalits by a vigilante cow protection group in Una in Gujarats Gir-Somnath district last week for allegedly killing a cow, has left the state government grappling to contain a violent backlash while both the opposition Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party are poised to make political capital out of it.

Chief minister Anandiben Patel will visit Una town on Wednesday to meet the victims and the family members.

Patel has condemned the incident and appealed the people to maintain peace.

It was indeed a despicable act, and no community can tolerate it. Local police was also at fault, as they did not act swiftly. Apart from arresting the culprits, we have also suspended such policemen. State government will provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to each of the victims, she said.

She has also ordered a CID probe into the incident and also announced setting up of a special court for speedy trial.

The Congress and the AAP are set use the latest atrocity on the Dalits to put the state government on the back foot.

While Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit to visit Una on Thursday, AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit the town on Friday.

Read | Una Dalit atrocity protests spread over Gujarat, cop dies in stone pelting

AAPs media coordinator Harshil Nayak said Kejriwal would meet the victims. The visit is aimed at expressing solidarity with the victims and sharing their pain, he said.

The Gujarat units of the Congress and the AAP have called for a protest rally on Wednesday.

I see a clear hand of the BJP in the Una incident, where the police were mute spectators even when the Dalit youth were being beaten up. We are demanding stern action against all the 35 people involved in the Una incident, Congress leader Shankersinh Vaghela, told reporters.

Vaghela along with the Gujarat Congress regional committee president, Bharatsinh Solanki, and other SC MLAs met governor OP Kohli and submitted a memorandum demanding strict action in the Una case.

The victims claimed that they were skinning the cow which had died of natural causes when they were attacked. The video of the incident which went viral, sparked protests that led to a policemans killing in mob violence while a Dalit committed suicide.

Several incidents of stone-pelting and road blockades were reported from many parts of Gujarat on Tuesday. The attacks on buses led to the cancellation of transport services in Saurashtra.

Official said that local bus services such as the BRTS were also affected due to stone-pelting in Malavianagar and Puneetnagar areas of Rajkot city. A local bus was damaged by protesters in Chandkheda region of Ahmedabad.

Buses from Jamnagar, Junagadh, Amreli and Porbandar leaving for Rajkot were cancelled on advice of the police, said JH Solanki, the chief traffic and chief commercial officer, Gujarat State Roads and Transportation Corporation (GSRTC).

Dalit protesters set on fire three state transport buses, including two in Dhoraji and one in Dhrol near Jamnagar, and vandalised a telephone exchange in Rajkot.

A 2,000-strong mob also attacked two state buses in Amreli town in Saurashtra region.

Read | Four Dalit men stripped, beaten by cow protection vigilantes in Gujarat
She is angry and depressed. Her daughter was allegedly gangraped by the same five accused who had raped her earlier in 2013. Her family had to leave their native village, Ghuskani, in Bhiwani district to settle at Rohtak to escape threats of the accused.

Read more: Three of five accused held in Rohtak rape

However, her daughter faced the same fate here as well. But this time shes not willing to let it go so easily. She says she wants justice for her daughter. I want death penalty for all the five men. Even that wont be enough. They deserve so severe punishment that I cant even express in words, she said while talking to HT.

A tailor by profession, she is leading her family from the front in this time of crisis. Things are getting very hard. My daughter is unwell. She hasnt eaten anything for the past two days. My sons education is suffering. He is in Class 12, she said.

Regarding the police claim that the accused were out of town during the incident, she said, I have no trust left in them. The police only arrested two of the accused in 2013. Even they came out on bail. The accused tortured us, made my daughters and rest of ours lives hell. But they have done enough harm. Im here to ensure justice for my daughter, she said. Whenever my daughter talks, she demands justice. Time and again, she says they were the same five men. Im willing to go to any extent to get her justice this time, she says with moist eyes.

Victim demanded Rs 50 lakh to withdraw FIR: Accuseds kin

Rohtak: While three of the accused in the gangrape of a 21-year-old girl for the second time in Rohtak joined the investigations on Tuesday, kin of the two accused have alleged that the victim had demanded money for withdrawing the case.

Talking to the media here, the wife of accused Sandeep, a 26-year-old marketing executive who was arrested by police on Tuesday, said, The girl demanded Rs 50 lakh from us for withdrawing the case. Our families lived in the same village and we have had some quarrels over small issues. But they falsely accused my husband of rape. Theyre playing the Dalit card to gain sympathy.

Two of the accused, Amit and Jagmohan, were chargesheeted by the police for raping the girl in 2013.

Making allegations against the victim, Amits family said they lived in front of the girls house. She had called Amit in 2013 asking him to accompany her to Chandigarh. Then she falsely accused him of rape and demanded money to withdraw FIR. He was arrested and came out on bail. But their family started demanding money again. Now, she has falsely booked my brother once more, Amits brother said.

Amits father said, My son has not even stepped his foot outside Bhiwani ever since he came out on bail. He is unemployed and deals in property.

The family members of the four accused have been collectively meeting the police, demanding an unbiased inquiry in the case.

The fifth accused, Akash, has however not been traced yet. The families maintained all the five accused were not friends with each other, as opposed to what claimed by the victims family.
The Delhi high court on Wednesday sought the response of the ministry of law and justice on a plea over an inconsistency in the amended rape law, which protects a husband from prosecution for the offence of unnatural sex with his wife.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Sangita Dhingra Sehgal also sought the response of the Delhi government on the plea that 2013 amendment in Section 375 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code was incorrect and inconsistent with Section 377 (unnatural sex).

The petition has raised a legal issue over the uncertainty in the two penal provisions as Section 375 has an exception that sexual intercourse or sexual acts by a man with his own wife, the wife not being under 15 years of age, is not rape.

The petition, filed through advocates Amit Kumar and Anand Ranjan, claimed the existing penal law was not certain as the act of sexual offence punishable under section 377 of IPC was non-penal under section 375, if committed by the husband.

The legal issue raised by the petitioner deserves to be settled/determined by this court in the interest of public at large as the said uncertain/unsettled position of law has been infringing the respective rights of the husband and wife, the plea said.

It claimed the alleged act of a husband being penal under one provision and non-penal in the other makes the law inconsistent.

The bench has sought the response of the ministry and the Delhi government by August 29, the next date of hearing.

The petitioner, who is facing trial for unnatural sex on his wifes complaint, said his prosecution under Section 377 of the IPC was contrary to the existing law, as his purported act was protected under Section 375 and the unsettled position of law infringes his rights.

In 2013, the man had married the 20-year-old girl, who later lodged an FIR against him for rape and unnatural sex. The trial court had discharged him for the alleged offence of rape but he was put on trial on the charge of unnatural sex with his wife.

The man was granted bail by the high court in January last year.
Before the end of the proceedings in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the Narendra Modi government swiftly moved the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Amendment Bill in the upper house.

The bill aims at unlocking of nearly Rs 41,000 crore earmarked for forest land which is lying unspent for about four years. Its passage will ensure expeditious utilisation of the accumulated unspent amounts available with the ad hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).

Its introduction was opposed by the Congress party, which has demanded some amendment to the provisions of the bill. It has also demanded a consensus on it before it was brought to the House.

The bill was passed by Lok Sabha in May.

After the Congress opposition to the provisions of the goods and services tax bill, the government has a different strategy in mind to stop the principal opposition party from hampering the passage of CAMPA amendment bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Read: Congress willing to let GST bill move forward with concrete solutions

The Congress party wants the rate of the goods and services tax capped at 18%, the removal of a proposed 1% additional levy on inter-state trade, and an independent dispute resolution mechanism for states.

The government is trying to isolate the Congress by spiriting the opposition and taking regional forces on board. PM Modi also dropped that hint when he asked senior ministers of his government in the last two days to reach out to regional parties to seek their support on the GST.

Unlike Congress, regional parties -- some of which are ideological rivals of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- are supporting the Centres move that will benefit states under their power.

The government has received a shot in the arm after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, a known baiter of PM Modi, came out in the open to support the goods and services tax bill. Kumar said the GST was in the best interest of the country.

The Janata Dal (United) chief even met Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday. After his meeting with Jaitley, Kumar said his party does not approve of capping the tax rate, a key demand of political ally Congress.

He said such a clause would prevent the government from taxing a section of the people  such as those buying high-end vehicles  in emergencies.

Read: Have faith in all parties: Modi sets the tone as monsoon session begins

Like Bihar, most of the states in India are consuming states and the GST is expected to benefit them hugely.

However, regional parties like the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which rules Kerala and Tripura, have been complaining about the Centres decision to engage with the Congress and taking others for granted.

So, the government has decided to tweak its approach and reach out to all other parties. Parliamentary affairs ministers Ananth Kumar and his other colleagues are expected to touch base with such regional parties to alley their fears.

Jaitley will travel to Andhra Pradesh and Telangana this week to meet their chief ministers. He will have lunch with N Chandrababu Naidu and dinner with K Chandrasekar Rao, a source said.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has six members in the Rajya Sabha and Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) has three.

Senior ministers hinted that the government was in no hurry to rush through the GST bill and will take up only after this round of consultation with the opposition was over.
A Delhi court granted three-day interim bail on Wednesday to senior official of the ministry of corporate affairs, BK Bansal, for performing the last rites of his wife and daughter who committed suicide on Tuesday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special judge Gurdeep Singh granted interim bail to Bansal till July 22.

The court asked him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 50,000 and a surety of like amount.

Upset over two CBI raids at their residence within three days, Bansals wife Satyabala Bansal, 57, and daughter Neha Bansal, 27, allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday noon here.

Both were found hanging from ceiling fans in different rooms of their first floor flat in Neelkanth Apartments in east Delhis Madhu Vihar area, police said.

The CBI had raided their flat on Saturday and Monday morning.

Bansal was arrested on bribery charges on Saturday and remanded to two-day custody by a special court on Sunday. He was accused of receiving Rs 9 lakh from Mumbai-based Elder Pharmaceuticals.

The CBI had also booked the companys chief operating officer Anuj Saxena.

During investigation, the CBI is said to have found that the senior officer owned 20 properties in Haryanas Sirsa, Gurgaon, Faridabad and Delhi.

All the properties were bought in the last two years and most were in the names of Bansal, his wife and son.
Hashim Ansari, the oldest litigant in the Ramjanmbhoomi-Babri Masjid case that over the years has become a flashpoint for Hindu-Muslim tensions, died at his home here early Wednesday. He was 96.

Born in 1921 in Panjitola Mohalla of Ayodhya, Ansari had been battling heart ailments for six years, his son Iqbal said. Earlier this month, he was admitted to the ICU of King George Medical University in Lucknow after complaining of chest pain and congestion.

A litigant in a highly divisive case that has dragged on for more than 50 years, Ansari was friends with his main opponents -- all of them senior Hindu community leaders. He often travelled to the court with them.

Hindus and Muslims are one and would stay like that. No dispute is big enough to drive a wedge between the two, he had said once.

Mahant Gyan Das, who along with Ansari had tried an out-of-court settlement, was among the many Hindu religious leaders and locals to visit Ansaris residence to offer condolences. Das said Ansaris passing was a personal loss.

Ansari, who had little formal education and continued to tailor well into his 80s, was the only surviving representative of the writ petition 12/1961. Filed by the Sunni waqf board on December 18, 1961, the petition sought possession of the disputed structure and the land around it in Ayodhya.

File photo of Hashim Ansari with Mahantha Bhaskar Das. (HT Photo)

Some Hindus believe the Babri mosque, demolished by a mob of kar sewaks on December 6, 1992, was built on the birthplace of Lord Ram, a claim contested by the Muslim community.

The promise of building a Ram temple in Ayodhya has been central to the BJPs rise in national politics. Hindu groups have often used the contentious issue to whip up communal sentiments in the country.

On several occasions, Ansari told HT he wished to see the temple tangle resolved. He had opposed the bringing down of the disputed structure. His house was gutted in the riots that followed the demolition.

Ansari often criticised Muslim community leaders for not making an honest effort to resolve the issue.

Through a majority verdict, the Allahabad high court in 2010 allotted one-third of the disputed site in Ayodhya to Nirmohi Akahara. The remaining two-thirds were to be equally shared between the waqf board and the side representing Ram Lalla, the young Lord Ram.

Soon after the verdict, Ansari had called for ending the dispute and making a fresh start. He and Das had tried for an out-of-court settlement, but the effort ran into stiff opposition. Das regretted that Ansaris wish to see the Ayodhya dispute resolved remained unfulfilled.
Member of Parliament KTS Tulsi sparked a heated argument in the Rajya Sabha over what he called the Great Indian Spit, demanding strict action against those spitting in public.

Claiming that the habit was causing the spread of communicable disease, Tulsi addressed health minister JP Nadda during the Question Hour, calling for measures to curb the practice and address the health hazards, the Hindu reported.

Sir, India is a spitting country. We spit when we are bored; we spit when we are tired; we spit when we are angry or we spit just like that. We spit anywhere and everywhere and we spit at all times and at odd hours. Sir, we know the harm of smoking. But, we are yet to find out the harm of spitting. Very few studies have been done, he said.

Besides asking for a scientific study into the matter, the MP further said that those caught openly spitting in public should be given a broom to clean up the area.

This is not a light issue. This has come to be known in the whole world as the great Indian spit. This is the ugliest of habits which cannot go with Incredible India, he said.

According to the news report, Nadda responded with a promise to issue an advisory on a ban on the practice across states. He further said an inter-sectoral meet would be held soon to address the matter.

However, amid severe criticism, especially from the Trinamool Congress, other MPs demanded more concrete action, including Odia superstar and MP from the Biju Janata Dal, Abhinav Mohanty.

Will the government ignore or deny that spitting is more because of eating or chewing of pan and tobacco? Will the government plan to ban tobacco and pan completely so that spitting decreases and the rising number of cancer patients decreases? Mohanty said.

Tulsi raised the issue again from a health point of view, saying, The largest number of TB (tuberculosis) patients are found in India. One-third of the total TB patients in the whole world are here. Even China is behind us.
A 24-year-old software engineer from Kachiguda was allegedly stabbed to death by his roommate in Austin in the US, his family said in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

According to the family, Sankeerth was murdered in his room in Austin, Texas on Sunday night.

Today morning, we got a call from our relatives and on of Sankeerths (victim) friends Pranith that he was stabbed by his roommate Sai Sandeep Goud, Sankeerths uncle Srinivas said.

Sankeerth died while being shifted to a hospital and the accused Sai Sandeep Goud has been taken into custody by the local police, Srinivas said.

Another roommate told police that Sankeerth had a quarrel with Goud.

Sankeerth had gone to US two and a half years ago for studying Master of Science programme and started working three months ago after completing his education. Goud had reportedly shifted into his room early this month.

Sankeerths father G Vijaykumar, a government employee and mother Ramadevi were shocked on receiving the news.

Relatives said they were making efforts to bring home the body by the weekend.
The European Union (EU) intends to consider a possibility of granting EUR 100 million to Ukraine for the needs of the State Energy Efficiency Fund.

The press service of Ukraine's Cabinet of Minister reported after a meeting of Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman with European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic that the latter said that the EU could help to replenish the fund.

"He [Sefcovic] noted that the EU would consider a possibility of providing support to the Energy Efficiency Fund in the amount of EUR 100 million at the account of both the budget of the European Union and contributions from its member countries," the press service said.

Groysman expressed confidence that in September Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada would adopt the laws concerning a national regulator and the electricity market elaborated jointly with the European Union.

The sides also discussed the support of the EU aimed at preventing Russia from use of the energy domain as a political weapon, especially in the context of Nord Stream-2 project, as well as the use of spare facilities to transport Caspian oil to Europe via the southern segment of the Druzhba pipeline.
Calling for a unique political solution in violence-hit Kashmir, former Union home minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said the government should revert to the original terms under which the state acceded to India in 1947 and allow Kashmiris to frame their own laws within the ambit of the countrys Constitution.

We ignored the grand bargain under which J&K acceded to India... we broke our promises, we broke our faith and we paid a price for 40 years... Turn the clock back all the way to 1947 and the original terms of accession to the extent that is today possible, the senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP said in an interview to India Today.

His remarks came as the Valley entered day 12 of a curfew imposed after protesters took to the streets against the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. More than 40 people have been killed in the ensuing clashes with security forces and scores have been admitted to hospitals with pellet injuries.

I think, I may be right or wrong, what is necessary is to give the people of Kashmir the assurance that the grand bargain under which they acceded to India will be fully honoured. They will be part of India, but the bargain will be honoured, Chidambaram said.

He also called on the government to practice what it had preached to Sri Lanka for Tamil areas and urged the devolution of asymmetric powers. He warned the situation in the Valley can sharply deteriorate if Kashmiris are not allowed a greater say in governance and administration.

Within hours, the BJP hit back saying it was the Congress-led UPA government which had failed to handle the Kashmir issue. Raking up the accession issue reflects the Congress mindset, the genesis of which began with Pt Jawaharlal Nehrus handling of J&K, which could not align with the rest of India like other states that merged under the leadership of Sardar Patel, BJP secretary Sidharth Nath Singh said.

During the interview, Chidambaram, referring to the act that gives the army special powers of detention, said: I must confess that we were not willing to overrule the defence establishment. Opinion within the government was sharply divided. There was hardly any support to repeal or amend AFSPA.

He, however, said the ruling BJP-PDP combine in J&K and the Centre were worsening the situation in the Valley. Now governments both in Delhi and Srinagar are mishandling it very, very badly. Kashmir is not about the land we are completely misunderstanding them.

Taking on the BJP, he said: If there is anything that the Kashmir people loathe, it is the BJPs ascendency. The legitimacy of the government does not take away from the fact that it sends a threat among the people, he said.

Asked whether his suggestions would receive a favourable reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said: I dont know what his fundamentals beliefs are. If his fundamental belief is that India must be a majoritarian state, whatever I said will be a complete waste on him.
Uneasy calm prevailed for the 12th day in curfew-bound Kashmir Valley on Wednesday where one more person succumbed to injuries, raising the toll to 45.

Although authorities had expected an increase in incidents of violence due to Pakistan Black Day call, the Valley remained largely peaceful.

Local newspapers, which were banned after unrest erupted on July 8 over the death of Hizbul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in south Kashmir, are likely to hit the stands on Thursday, editors and owners of several publications decided at a meeting here on Wednesday.

The decision to resume the publications came hours after chief minister Mehbooba Mufti met the editors, assuring independence of media. Muftis political adviser Amitabh Mattoo had earlier said there was no ban on the press and that it was a result of miscommunication. But editors had refused to publish on Wednesday asking the government to own up to the ban.

Meanwhile, Army chief General Dalbir Singh reviewed the security situation during his visit to the Srinagar-based 15 Corps and he complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation.

He also visited the Kupwara Division and Awantipur-based Victor Force where he was told about the initiatives taken by the army in collaboration with civil administration to tackle the unrest.

He (Singh) expressed his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians and security forces during the protests while making an earnest appeal to the Awaam to maintain peace and help the security forces serve them better, the army said in a statement.

Read | Pakistan observing black day against Indian atrocities in Kashmir

Read | Mehbooba convenes all party meet on Jul 21 to discuss law and order in Valley
No newspaper was printed in Kashmir for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday even as the state administration denied having gone for a three-day media ban--and blamed the non-publication on a miscommunication on the part of the police.

On Tuesday, Amitabh Mattoo, who is the political adviser to chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, said the government had not imposed any press gag--an argument the media in the Valley is not willing to buy.

The newspapers in Kashmir -- English, Urdu and Kashmiri -- have now refused to publish, saying the government must own up the ban it imposed on Saturday.

Just saying that it was some miscommunication is not enough. For, it has now become a question of our integrity being questioned, said Rashid Maqdoomi, printer and publisher of Greater Kashmir, the Valleys largest-circulating daily.

We want the government to own up the ban and get the assurance that there will not be hurdles in staff movement and distribution of the newspapers. We want it in black and white that a ban was imposed and it has been completely lifted, he added.

Earlier, Mattoo had sought to clarify that the government was only hinting at the practical difficulties in distributing newspapers amid the prohibitory orders. There was a curfew, people. The CM had just said that it would be tough to circulate papers; she hadnt called for a ban, he said, adding heads will roll as a measure against the ostensibly wrong implementation of the suggestion.

Read: First person: When a vacation in Kashmir turned into confinement

The result was soon to be seen: a senior police official was shunted out. Budgam district SSP Fayaz Ahmad Lone, who had ordered raids at media houses and printing presses, was transferred as a commandant of the State Disaster Response Fund.

The action notwithstanding, experts are questioning a glaring flaw in the entire episode: why did the administration choose to react late? For, the governments spokesman, Naeem Akhtar, had confirmed on Saturday that newspapers in the state would not be allowed to publish. In some places, the police raided media houses as early as on Friday and detained staff besides seizing print orders.

Hindustan Times tried repeatedly to talk to Akhtar; his phone remained unreachable all of Tuesday.

Sources close to the CM insist that the mix-up since Saturday happened after police officers acted on their own. This is Kashmir. Most of the times, officers here act on a second guess, a senior official said. They dont always wait to get a clear signal from bosses.

According to reports, union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had, in between, called Mehbooba Mufti, who reportedly told him that all is well with Kashmir media and there was no ban.

This is the second time the CM seems to have been kept in the dark about the goings-on in her state after violence erupted in the Valley following the killing of young militant Burhan Wani in a south Kashmir village on July 8.

Read: The Kashmir manifesto: Delhis policy playbook in the Valley

While on the day 21-year-old Wani died in Boomdoora of Kokernag area in Ananthnag district, senior police officials told a press conference that Mufti, as the CM, was aware of the joint operation that killed the Hizbul Mujahideen leader. Akhtar, however, claimed later Mebooba Mufti wasnt in the know of it--a stand that the CMs PR machinery has also maintained.

Mehboob Beg, MP, who is a senior leader of the PDP ruling the state, went a step further and said Mehbooba was betrayed by men in uniform.

Observers say the unclear statements and deeds from the ruling apparatus only show the CMs lack of control in the administration of the state.

The Opposition is irked. If she does not know whats happening in her government, she has no business to be in power, former CM Omar Abdullah told Hindustan Times. She is shying away from conceding that her government and its various wings have bought the state to this point. As the head of the government, the CM cannot absolve herself of the responsibility of what is happening in the state.

Substantiating, the National Conference leader said the state police first claimed the CM was told about the Wani encounter, only to later say it is not necessary to tell her everything.

Mehbooba Mufti, who made her political career and that of her partys by visiting homes of those killed by security forces, has not made a public appearance since Wanis killing--except for a brief appearance at the Martyrs Graveyard in Srinagars historical Naqshand Shahib shrine on July 13. She did issue a televised message, asking people to keep their children away from the protests.

Read: As if I was hit by electricity: Many may lose eyesight in Kashmir pellet firing

Experts insist the video lacked the touch of Mehbooba, known for her bold statements. She was not the Mehbooba Mufti that Kashmir has known. There was guilt writ all over her face, said senior journalist Shiekh Mushtaq.

These statements tell us who is ruling. Whether its a U-turn on the media ban or her knowing or not knowing the Wani operation by security forces, I think she is just following somebodys directives and not owning up. She is appearing very weak, said Mushtaq, a former Reuters bureau chief. It requires a cabinet meeting to decide on a ban on the media; so she has to own it up. Under the sway of a strong BJP in the centre, her stature appears totally diminished.

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Hitting out at the PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir for its failure on a range of issues, Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh on Wednesday said Kashmiri Pandits will be rehabilitated in Uttar Pradesh.

On Kashmir issue, the PDP and BJP government has failed. The Centre did not have any concrete policy for Kashmir. Whatever schemes are meant for it, are mired in corruption, he told reporters.

On the much contested issue of return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley, Singh said, Kashmiri Pandits will be rehabilitated in Uttar Prdaesh.

The SP leader also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for undertaking no development in his constituency, Varanasi.

In the name of development, there are broken roads and garbage scattered everywhere and as far as development of Assi Ghat is concerned, not even assi (80) stones were installed there. This is the PMs development, he said.

Singh said all the development projects announced by the Samajwadi government will be completed before the 2017 state assembly elections and the people will be able to see the results.

Singh was in Mirzapur along with actors Jaya Prada and Dimple Kapadia to pay obeisance at Vindhyachal temple.
Congress leader Narayan Rane told the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Tuesday that he was informed by a woman officer that a senior Cabinet minister engaged in immoral behaviour towards her.

Rane made the claim while launching a scathing attack on the BJP-led government over the gruesome gangrape and murder of a teenage girl in Kopardi village of Ahmednagar district last week.

The former chief minister said he was shocked to hear about the ministers immoral behaviour.

He, however, did not name the minister or the party to which he belongs.

The Class 1 lady officer later told another Cabinet minister she will never go to meet that particular Cabinet minister again because of his immoral behaviour, said Rane, who was recently elected to the Upper House.

Taking part in a debate over the Kopardi gangrape and murder incident, the Congress MLC said time has come to deploy policemen inside ministers offices at Mantralaya to keep a watch on their conduct.

Reacting to Ranes claim, Neelam Gorhe from the Shiv Sena asked him to disclose the ministers identity, saying that people will view all ministers with suspicion if the ministers name is not known.

Rane alleged that criminals were joining the BJP whose character, he claimed, has changed over the years.

Todays BJP is not the BJP of yesteryear, of the time of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and late Gopinath Munde. Most BJP members in Jalgaon and Nagpur are criminals, the Shiv Sainik-turned-Congressman said.

Most cases of hooliganism take place in Nagpur city, the home town of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Rane said.

If the chief minister cannot save Nagpur, how will he save Maharashtra? he said.

The Konkan strongman further remarked if a survey is done on parties having the maximum numbers of criminals in their ranks, the BJP will top the list.

Tomorrow fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim may surrender, join the BJP and may even become a minister, he said.

He said the Fadnavis, who also handles the Home portfolio, has no understanding of the sensitive department and this has led to the collapse of law and order situation in Maharashtra.
An Indian Muslim womens rights organisation is training women to be qazis, or judges, a role traditionally reserved for men, amid growing demand for more representation for women.

The Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan (BMMA) is training its first intake of 30 women in Koranic law, constitutional law and gender rights. The year-long programme aims to produce a steady stream of female qazis across India, its co-founder said.

The Indian constitution allows Muslims, the countrys biggest religious minority, to regulate matters such as marriage, divorce and inheritance through their own civil code.

The qazi, usually a hereditary title, plays an important role by solemnising marriage and finalising divorce and settlements.

Traditionally, qazis have all been men, and their judgment has never been questioned, even if many are unfair to women, said Zakia Soman, a co-founder of BMMA in Mumbai.

But its important to have women hear and represent women who are in a vulnerable position. Besides, there is no bar on women qazis as per the Koran, she said.

Read: Religious bodies say women Qazis in Jaipur cannot judge men

The move comes at a time of growing dissent against laws that activists say discriminate against Muslim women. A survey by BMMA last year showed more than 90 percent of Muslim women want to end the triple talaq divorce tradition and polygamy.

Last month, the Supreme Court said it would examine how far it could interfere in Muslim laws, as it heard a plea to end the practice allowing Muslim men to divorce their wives by saying talaq three times.

Muslims make up 13% of Indias 1.2 billion population, yet government data show they are among some of the most excluded and marginalised communities.

The women being trained to be qazis are largely community workers and activists from states including Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Bihar, Soman said.

There are some female qazis in Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia.

Women qazis in India can help prevent child marriage, ensure that a woman marries willingly, and that a divorce is only granted after a period of reconciliation, and with fair terms for the woman, Soman said.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board, a non-governmental institution that oversees the application of Muslim personal law in the country, has criticised the female qazis.

Women dont have the right to be a qazi, said Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahali, secretary of AIMPLB.

Read: Triple talaq: The inhuman practice that violates rights and dignity of women

Besides, there is no need - there are enough men who are qazis. So its completely unnecessary, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

But female trainee Safia Akhtar said there was a need for women qazis.

There are many grave injustices against Muslim women, and we deserve a say in matters that concern us, said Akhtar in the city of Bhopal.

If women can be prime ministers and pilots in this country, then why cant we also be qazis?
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said India has no option but to accept defeat in the face of a freedom wave in Kashmir as Pakistan observed a black day on Wednesday to express solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sharif personally mooted the observance of the day last week as part of his governments protest against the unrest in Jammu and Kashmir, where 44 people have died in two weeks of violence following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

The black day coincided with Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed leading a Kashmir Caravan from Lahore to Islamabad to protest against the situation in the Indian state. Saeed on Tuesday also vowed to march towards Jammu and Kashmir.

Observers said the posturing by the Pakistan government could be linked to elections to the assembly of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to be held on July 21. The Pakistan Peoples Party is currently in power in PoK and Sharifs PML-N party has launched a concerted bid to win the polls.

In a special message issued on Wednesday, Sharif said: The current freedom wave in Kashmir would not subside and when nations arose in such a way, nothing could stem their way towards freedom. India had no other option but to accept its defeat before the heroic struggle.

Pakistan, he said, is a stakeholder in the Kashmir issue and is observing the black day to protest against atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan stands with the Kashmiris in every hour of trial and this relation is not only based upon religion, civilisation and humanity but also related to blood, he said. We will never leave Kashmiris alone and their case would be fought at all the diplomatic, political and human rights fora.

Read | Hafiz Saeed leads Kashmir Caravan, vows to march towards J-K

The government has directed all officials to wear black arm bands and special prayers will be offered for the Kashmiris on Wednesday afternoon. All Pakistani missions abroad will organise special ceremonies to highlight the issue and Pakistani diaspora will join demonstrations in front of UN offices around the world.

Sharif and his government had recently angered India by referring to Burhan Wani as a Kashmiri leader and describing his death as an extrajudicial killing. Sharif and his cabinet decided last week to observe the black day on July 19 but as Pakistan observes the day as Kashmirs Accession day, the black day was moved to Wednesday.

India has dismissed Pakistans protests, asserting Kashmir is an internal matter. Foreign ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said last week, India completely and unequivocally rejects in the entirety the decisions adopted by the Pakistan cabinet on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

In his message, Sharif referred to continuous incidents of human rights violations in Kashmir, including depriving the children of their eyesight and said India had neglected two vital issues while dealing with the Kashmir issue.

Kashmir could never be regarded as (an) internal issue of India because the United Nations had already declared (Jammu and Kashmir) as disputed territory after India itself approached the UN and promised the world to honour Kashmiris right to self-determination and to hold plebiscite, he said.

Secondly, the human rights violations had a long history in (Jammu and Kashmir). Human rights violations are now an international issue.

Read | India rejects Pakistans black day call over Kashmir unrest

Meanwhile, The Kashmir Caravan organised by Hafiz Saeeds Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), comprising scores of trucks and buses and stretching for several kilometers, began making its way to Islamabad on Wednesday.

Members of the JuD, Jamaat-e-Islami and other religious parties joined it along the way.

Saeed, for whom the US has offered a $10-million bounty, told supporters in Lahore that the rally would have three phases.

In the first phase, the caravan would go to Islamabad to wake up members of the national assembly and senate so that they raise their voice for the rights of Kashmiris.

In the second phase, the caravan would travel to Muzaffarabad and Chakothi in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to campaign for the freedom of Kashmiris. And in the third phase, we will march into occupied Kashmir (Jammu and Kashmir) and we will continue marching till Kashmiris get freedom, Saeed said.

Like the Pakistan government, Saeed, too, has called Wani a freedom fighter and said his death would strengthen the jihad in Kashmir. Saeed wants the Pakistan government to suspend diplomatic and trade ties with India, expel the Indian envoy and recall its high commissioner from New Delhi.

Read | Stay out of our internal affairs: India tells Pakistan over Kashmir remarks
Pakistan raised the Kashmir issue with top UN officials and submitted letters to UN chief Ban Ki moon and Security Council president, expressing concern over alleged human rights violations in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhaan Wani.

Pakistans ambassador to the UN Maleeha Lodhi briefed president of the Security Council for July, Koro Bessho, Bans chief of staff and under secretary general for political affairs Jeffrey Feltman on the situation in Kashmir, saying fundamental human rights were being blatantly violated in the state.

A statement issued by Pakistans mission to the UN here on Tuesday said Lodhi also forwarded letters written by adviser to the prime minister on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz to the UN, expressing Pakistans serious concern at the alarming situation in Kashmir and drawing attention to the brutal killings of innocent civilians and grave violations of the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiris by the Indian occupation forces.

Lodhi also raised the killing of Wani in her meetings with UN officials, calling it an assassination of a Kashmiri youth leader.

Dubbing Kashmiris agitating for their right to self-determination as terrorists was a travesty of truth and was further inflaming passions, she said in the statement.

Lodhi had also tweeted that she briefed the president of the Security Council on the situation in Kashmir on Tuesday.

In another tweet, she said the letter written by Aziz to president of UN Security Council will be circulated as an official document of the UN.

Lodhi in her meetings called for an end to impunity and brutal repression against innocent civilians by Indian occupation forces in Jammu & Kashmir, the statement said.

Calling for an independent and transparent inquiry into the extra-judicial killings in Kashmir, Lodhi said the UN has longstanding commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir under several UN Security Council resolutions.

The Pakistani envoy was informed that the UN secretary-general was concerned about the situation in Kashmir and was ready to mediate peace talks between India and Pakistan provided the two neighbours accept his good offices, the statement said.
Opposition lawmakers shouted slogans and disrupted parliament repeatedly on Wednesday, accusing the government of doing little to protect Dalits after four members of the community were thrashed for skinning a dead cow in Gujarat.

Last weeks beatings by self-styled cow protectors have sparked the most serious protests by Dalits in Gujarat, posing a political challenge to Prime Minister Modis party ahead of a string of elections in states where the community accounts for a substantial size of votes.

The attacks fallout continued to reverberate in Gujarat, where a strike called by Dalit groups on Wednesday evoked overwhelming response in Saurashtra and north Gujarat.

In Delhi, Congress president Sonia Gandhi led the opposition charge, accusing the government of snatching the rights of Dalits, many of who earn a livelihood by skinning animals that die naturally.

The recent shocking incident in Gujarat is just one example of the social terror the government condones, Gandhi said, addressing party lawmakers.

But home minister Rajnath Singh sought to douse the political fire, calling the July 11 Dalit beatings as unfortunate and a social evil. The prime minister was sad and hurt (about the Gujarat incident), Singh told parliament.

Opposition parties, however, competed to take credit for championing the cause of the Dalit, who account for 32% and 21% of the population in politically crucial states as Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. The BJP has been trying to reach out to the community as part of its efforts to expand its support base beyond upper caste voters.

Violence against Dalits is not unusual in many parts of India, and the Gujarat incident has given opposition parties a potent weapon to attack the BJP-led central government, which has been struggling to tackle weeks of violent street protests in Kashmir. Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal are due to visit the state later this week.

In Gujarat, the government struggled to placate Dalits. Some 50 people were detained in Rajkot, and in Ahmedabad protesters were seen forcibly trying to shut down markets and schools during Wednesdays strike.

Chief minister Anandiben Patel, who tried to calm tensions by visiting families of those assaulted, said nine people had been arrested so far.

Faced with the opposition onslaught, Home minister Singh sought to argue that incidents of atrocities against Dalits were far higher in Gujarat before Modi took over as chief minister in 2001.

He also defended the state government, saying it had acted swiftly and effectively. He said authorities were also working to set up a special court to try the men, who are said to be members of a local cow vigilante group.

Congress MP K Suresh sought a joint parliamentary panel probe into the matter attack.

Violence is RSS agenda. RSS is trying for Dalit-mukt Bharat. The government has totally failed. It was a BJP-sponsored attack. What is going on? Is this the Gujarat model, Suresh said, as tempers ran high in the Opposition benches. Later, Congress and Trinamool Congress (TMC) members walked out of the Lok Sabha.

In Rajya Sabha, main opposition Congress, BSP and TMC sought to outdo each other to raise the Dalit issue more forcefully. The BSP had raised the issue on Monday too, forcing an adjournment.

At one point, opposition MPs stormed to the well of the house, shouting slogans against the government and its anti-Dalit mindset.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the ruling party of Jammu and Kashmir, on Wednesday rejected the contention that the unrest in the state is because of its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and blamed the actions by the Congress and National Conference since 1948 for the loss of trust in democracy among the people of the valley.

In a strong and emotional speech in Lok Sabha during discussion on the Kashmir situation, senior PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig said the Indian government should use its moral authority to resolve the problems of the state rather than using military authority.

Slamming Pakistan for its interference in Kashmir, he said people of the Valley are being misguided, and expressed faith in the Narendra Modi government, saying if you cant do it (resolve the problems), who can do it?

He wondered whether Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, whose killing in an encounter with security forces triggered the unrest, could have been arrested instead of being gunned down.

In this context, the former minister of Jammu and Kashmir cited examples of how some militants had earlier given up the gun and contested elections to join the mainstream.

Rejecting allegations by critics that the current unrest is due to the PDP joining hands with the BJP to form the government, Baig said, nobody can accuse them (BJP) of being traitors.

Seeking to turn tables on his opponents, Baig went back into history and blamed the Congress and the National Conference, without naming them, for repeated controversial actions since 1948 when Prajapati Parishad was not allowed to contest polls.

He said Kashmiris lost faith in democracy due to actions like installing un-elected governments and dismissing elected governments besides rigging elections.

He said the rigging of the 1987 polls, allegedly by the National Conference-Congress combine, was the deepest cut to the faith of Kashmiris in democracy as these elections had been contested even by those who did not believe in the Indian Constitution but wanted to repose trust in the poll process.

In this regard, he gave the example of the chief of militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, whose original name is Mohd Yusuf Shah, contesting the elections which were rigged.

Baig said Yasin Malik, now the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front chief, was Shahs polling agent and was tortured by police after National Conference-Congress came to power.

Taking objection to certain remarks of Baig against the Congress, party member KC Venugopal said the message should be given that the country is united on the Kashmir issue.

Referring to historical incidents, the PDP leader said a fraud had been played on Kashmiris by propagating that they are not pro-India and are pro-Pakistan.

Blasting Pakistan for interfering in Kashmir, Baig said the neighbouring country had become a victim of its own policies and as a result, it has Balochistan burning and faces problems in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Appreciating the efforts of the central government, Baig disapproved of the criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Kashmir situation, saying he should not be dragged into each and every issue.

He defended Modi over him playing drums during his Africa visit when Kashmir was burning, saying the Prime Minister was making history [in Africa].

According to him, a kind of romanticism is being made about terrorism, which has become a business.

Talking about Wanis killing, Baig wondered whether he could have been arrested. Was it possible to arrest or inevitable to kill?... He (Wani) was not an invisible ghost or an Osama Bin Laden... At least for the sake of having a good judgement, it should be looked into whether Wani could have been arrested, he said.

Taking objection to certain anti-Muslim remarks made by a leader whom he did not name, Baig said, Muslims are as good an Indian as the Prime Minister... and Kashmiris are as good an Indian as Rajnath Singh.

When Venugopal intervened, the PDP leader said, Aap logon ne hamari awaaz dabayi hai (you people have suppressed our voice).

Minister of state for parliamentary affairs SS Ahluwalia told Venugopal that if we dont allow him to speak in the tallest temple of democracy, then where is he going to speak.
Group DF has said that unfavorable investment climate in Ukraine is the main reason why no company filed a bid to participate in the tender to sell public joint-stock company Odesa Port-Side Plant, Group DF Managing Director Borys Krasniansky has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"It is sad that the privatization of Odesa Port-Side Plant failed at the first stage. On one hand, this is the result of investment climate in the country and on the other hand  this hits the country's investment climate. It was said at the investment forum of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine that the successful privatization of Odesa Port-Side Plant could be a signal for the change of investment climate. Unfortunately, this has not happened. It is clear that this is not a tragedy. New tenders will be announced, but the conditions of the tender and, of course, the price should be realistic," he said.

Krasniansky is confident that the starting price earlier announced by the State Property Fund is too high.

"In the current conditions, taking into account country's risks and reliability of raw materials supplies for the plant, it is a mistake to appraise the plant at $520 million This price is too high!" he said.

He paid attention to a ban to repatriate dividends in Ukraine.

"Actually, this ban halts investors from participating in the privatization of large facilities in Ukraine," he said.

Krasniansky said that the debt of Odesa Port-Side Plant to Group DF is not an obstacle for potential investors.

"Companies for sale almost always have debts. Moreover, often debts are the reason why they are sold. To speak that the tender failed due to this reason is wrong! It is often that the sum of the company's debt exceeds the appraised sum when large facilities are sold. Here they appraised the plant at $520 million, while the debt is $190 million plus fines [totally $250 million]. The debts are a normal state of companies for sale. Any investor understands that he will buy and he will have debts. He takes them jointly with the company," Krasniansky said.
At least half a dozen people, including three police officials, were injured in Lucknow on Tuesday night when an angry mob pelted stones on them over a religious programme, police said.

According to police, the incident took place in Vineet Khand of the posh Gomtinagar area after some people began a protest over holding a religious programme at a community park.

There was some tension between two communities over holding a religious programme at Pragya park on Sunday. The anger manifested itself in the stone-pelting incident, an official told IANS. Following the violence, a large contingent of police personnel was rushed to the spot.

Circle Officer (CO) Mohanlalganj, CO Gomtinagar, a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) and the additional city magistrate (ACM) sustained minor injuries. District magistrate Raj Shekhar and SSP Manjil Saini are on the spot to control escalation of violence, a home department official said.

Seven people, including two women, have been arrested for their role in the violence. The arrested people include a BJP youth wing leader and a BJP corporator.

We are maintaining vigil, situation is tense but under control. Tomorrow (Wednesday), a peace committee meeting of locals will be held to normalise things, an official told IANS. The area remained tense till late on Tuesday night.
The Congress denied on Wednesday Rahul Gandhi was sleeping during a Lok Sabha debate over attacks on Dalits after visuals of the party vice-president with his eyes shut were beamed by television news channels.

The Congress attacked the Narendra Modi-led government over a spate of violent protests that spread from Una following the assault on Dalit men on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow. The party has announced Gandhi will visit Una on Thursday.

(He) wasnt sleeping. Can anyone sleep through that ruckus? We (MPs) just close our eyes for relief (after coming from the sharp sun outside), Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said.

Television channels showed Gandhi resting his forehead on his palm and his eyes shut, while his fellow MPs protested during a statement being made by home minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament.

Chowdhury said the media should report bigger issues in the country.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi earlier condemned the atrocities against Dalits and minorities in the country and said her party will raise in Parliament the issue of a Dalit committing suicide in Una.

Addressing the Congress parliamentary party meeting, Sonia Gandhi said: The Modi government has snatched away the rights of Adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under the Forest Rights Act and is systematically weakening and subverting environment rights.
The activist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has filed a defamation case against Congress leader and former Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh in a Toronto court.

The law firm representing SFJ has sought CA $1 million in damages for Singhs statements in April, in which he alleged the pro-Khalistani group was backed by Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

We gave Indian MP an opportunity to prove his allegations of SFJ-ISI nexus, however, Capt Amarinder not only repeated the allegations, but he also alleged that anti-India elements in the Canadian government who support Khalistan are behind spoiling his political campaign, attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, SFJs legal advisor, said in a statement after the suit was filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on Monday.

Earlier this year, SFJ had blocked Singhs scheduled visit to Canada by first petitioning Global Affairs Canada against his alleged effort at foreign political campaigning on Canadian territory. Subsequently, it filed a case related to alleged tortured of an individual in Punjab while Singh was the chief minister of the state.

Singh and his aides have not responded to Hindustan Times request for comments.

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Congress chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday condemned atrocities against Dalits and minorities, saying the party would raise in Parliament the flogging of four Dalit boys in Gujarat by a cow vigilante group.

A statement issued by the Congress after their parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday quoted Gandhi as saying that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has snatched away rights of adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under forest right act 2006 and was systematically weakening and subverting environmental rights.

Brutal atrocities against SC, ST and minorities are continuing with impunity and shaming us all. The recent shocking incident in Gujarat where four Dalit youths were savagely beaten and humiliated publicly is just one example of the social terror this government condones, Gandhi said.

Gandhi also said recent incidents in Jammu and Kashmir were tragic and it required introspection as to what had driven scores of youth to such levels of anger, protest and violence.

Recent events in Kashmir pose grave danger to the country, Gandhi said. The Kashmir Valley has been battling unrest for almost two weeks that has left 44 people dead. The violence started after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani was killed in a gunfight with security forces on July 8.

A vigilante group had on July 11 stripped and thrashed some Dalit youth in Una town of Gir-Somnath district in Gujarat for allegedly skinning a dead cow, triggering protests across the state. A policeman has since been killed and a Dalit has committed suicide.

Read | Dalit backlash puts Gujarat on the boil; Rahul, Kejriwal to visit Una

She also accused the government of destabilising institutions and polarising society. The Modi government has mistaken parliamentary majority for a licence to impose narrow ideology on people, she said.

Addressing the media after the meeting, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi said Gandhi pointed to numerous failures of the government  on economic, social and political fronts.

For example, while Mr. Modi constantly talks about democracy, constantly sheds crocodile tears on principles and values underlining democracy, their government, their workers go around spreading Uttaranchals and Arunachal Pradeshs as far as instability is concerned. Only the judiciary has been able to stop their deplorable moves, he said.

Singhvi said Gandhi had asked party colleagues to take up diverse issues in and out of Parliament and to expose the government.

Read | Una Dalit atrocity protests spread over Gujarat, cop dies in stone pelting

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Berating the Modi government over attacks on Dalits in Gujarats Una, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said it was an example of social terror condoned by the ruling party.

While demanding an investigation by a sitting high court judge, the Congress accused the government of snatching the rights of Dalits and adivasis.

Read | Sonia slams govt over Gujarat Dalit atrocity; to raise issue in Parliament

The party was referring to the spate of violent protests that spread from Una following the assault on Dalit men on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow. While one person committed suicide on Tuesday, a policeman died during a stone-pelting incident as fellow community members protested the attack.

Read | Dalit backlash puts Gujarat on the boil; Rahul, Kejriwal to visit Una

Aside from the Congress, most parties in the opposition also attacked the BJP-led NDA inside the parliament, throwing both houses into an upheaval.

While the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for 10 minutes as MPs stood near the Chairmans podium shouting slogans, Question Hour in the Lok Sabha saw parliamentarians carry out a similar protest.

When the session resumed in the upper house, minister for social justice and empowerment, Thawar Chand Gehlot said the state government had acted and would take appropriate action.

FIR has been registered and action has also been taken under the act for atrocities against Dalits. Government is also providing financial assistance to the Dalit families, he said amid the sloganeering.

Gehlot further said that the report would be submitted in two months.

He, however, appealed to MPs to not politicise the matter.

Read | Una Dalit atrocity protests spread over Gujarat, cop dies in stone pelting

In the lower house, members of the Congress, Left parties, Nationalist Congress Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Trinamool Congress joined in slogans such as daliton pe atyachar band karo (stop atrocities against Dalits), Gujarat model shame shame and sarkar jawab do (government must answer).

Congress leader, K Suresh, further alleged that the BJP had created an emergency-like in some of the states where it was in power, calling it an RSS agenda.

Many Dalits have tried to commit suicide as they have no faith in the state government Violence is RSS agenda. RSS is trying for Dalit-mukt Bharat. The government totally failed. It was a BJP-sponsored attack. What is going on? Is this Gujarat model, he said.

Read | Parliament live: I condemn Una incident in strongest words, says Rajnath

Home minister Rajnath Singh attempted to back the government, saying Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in deep pain by what was happening in his home state.

The Prime Minister condemned the incident in strongest terms and I also found him in deep pain over the incident, Singh said, adding that incidents were unfortunate and reflected a social evil.

At the same time, he also tried to flip the argument on the Congress, claiming similar attacks had taken place during the UPAs time between 1991 and 1999. But the numbers came down significantly after 2001 and the state government (under the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi) deserves to be complimented, he said.

Modi was present in the Lok Sabha when the opposition carried out its protests.

Barring the AIADMK, members from virtually all opposition parties were on their feet protesting as questions were being answered in the Question Hour.

Read more | Gujarat CM orders CBI probe into Gir Somnath Dalit assault case
A delegation of CPI-M leaders led by its general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Wednesday met home minister Rajnath Singh and asked the Centre to reach out to the people of Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest.

We conveyed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should use the floor of Parliament in reaching out to the people of state and assure them of their safety besides expressing grief for loss of several lives in police firing, CPI-M MLA from Kashmir Valley Mohammed Yusuf Tarigami told reporters after the meeting.

Tarigmai, who was part of the delegation that also comprised an MP Mohammed Saleem, said he had urged the government for putting an immediate end to use of pellet guns in controlling the mobs.

I drew his attention to his speech in Parliament on Monday during which the Home Minister assured that security forces had been asked for restraint, the same evening army killed three people in Qazigund, he said and asked whether the assurances given by the Centre are actually translated into action on the ground.

The delegation asked the home minister to call for an all party meeting in Delhi which will select a combined delegation to travel to the Valley and talk to various sections of people.

This is important and the government should treat the situation in the state more seriously, Tarigami said.

The delegation told the home minister that gagging of media in the state was a sad day for democracy and also expressed wonder over the confusing statements being issued by the state government.

On one hand the education minister Naeem Akhther asks the newspaper owners to stop printing for two-three days, on the other Amitabh Mattoo, advisor of chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, apologises to the newspaper owners and also states that the chief minister was not aware that newspapers were not being published.

I asked the Home Minister whether he knew who was controlling the affairs in state on day-to-day basis where the chief minister was so ignorant, he said.

The unrest in the Valley erupted after the killing of young Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces on July 8 and has claimed 42 lives.
Students of IIT-Indore have been going anonymous on Twitter after the institution banned all social media on its campus to stop PhD scholars from taking their protest against proposed fee hike to the virtual world.

On Monday, Hindustan Times first reported about the ban on social media at the institutes campus in Simrol.

Students told HT on Tuesday that how they were being threatened by the administration of dire consequences if the matter continues to pop up on social media.

For the past 10 days, students were protesting the proposed tuition fee hike by the institution, which has been increased by 130% (from Rs 8,350 to Rs 19,900) for the old Ph.D scholars.

Amid all kinds of censure and pressure, students have taken anonymous route to keep the issue alive. The students also alleged about mismanagement of funds by some office bearers of the institute.

Twitter handle @St0pMoNoPoLy921 said: Help we are future scientist not future boot lickers #iitindore @PMOIndia @RashtrapatiBhvn @Swamy39.

Another Twitter handle @angry_ghajni said: #IITIndore @PMOIndia , @CMMadhyaPradesh @935redfm @NileFM @advpsuhyamitra WORST MANAGEMENT CRUEL DICTATORSHIP HELP. It also attached a photo of Adolf Hitler with a quote Give me money I change IIT to ITI.

Fee hike cannot be applicable for us, say students

The students said the fee hike cannot be applicable for them as they had joined the institution much before the proposal was floated. Whereas the institutes administration is of the view that the scholarship for the students has been increased, so the proposed fee hike was justified.

When we resisted the move by initiating Twitter campaign, the director, dean of student affairs, some professors and the administration started harassing us and encircling our names to take revenge later, a student told HT on the condition of anonymity.

As the campaign was getting stronger day-by-day, Abhishek Shrivastava, the dean of student affairs, on July 10 wrote a polite threat to all faculty members: This is regarding our PhD students many of whom taken to social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to express their dissatisfaction with regard to recent notification on their HRA and fee hike.

While discussions and deliberations on the issues are welcome in a democratic organisations like ours and have been conducted at various issues as well, anything that goes beyond the organisational premises is detrimental not only to its reputation, but also to the overall goals and ambitions of its students.

This is to request individual faculty members to kindly discuss these with their respective research groups and make PhD students cognisant of the potential negative implications of such initiatives..

Yesterday (Monday) we wanted to stage a protest on the campus before Board of Governors meeting. But to avoid any hassle, our mentors made us sit idle before them until 6pm, said a student.

On June 17, the institution announced to discontinue giving HRA (20% of stipend amount) for out stationed PhD scholars and asked the students to shift to hostel by July 31. However, after protests the administration decided to put the issue on hold.
The Allahabad district court has ordered a criminal case against US-based tech giant Google for Prime Minister Narendra Modis image appearing among the search results for the top 10 criminals of the world.

Additional district judge (ADJ) Mahtab Ahmed on Monday issued a notice to Googles chief executive officer and its India head while hearing a complaint filed by lawyer Sushil Kumar Mishra, who initially filed approached the chief judicial magistrate (CJM).

According to Mishra, an image of Modi appears among the results of an image search on the top 10 criminals of the world on Googles search engine.

Read | Google images show PM Modi in top 10 criminals

Mishra had first moved a complaint before the Civil Lines police station in Allahabad saying Google had to change this. He also wrote a letter to the company, which is based in Californias Mountain View, and requested it to remove Modis image. However, Mishra claimed he received no response from the company.

When the police didnt register a case, Mishra then moved an application before the CJM, requesting the registration of a case. However, the CJM dismissed the application on November 3,2015, noting that it was a civil matter.

Mishra then challenged the CJMs order by filing a revision application before the additional district judge, who, on Monday, allowed the revision application.

Read | This is how PM Modi showed up in Googles #Top10Criminals list

Google had apologised almost immediately for any confusion or misunderstanding caused by Modis image when the occurrence was noticed by social media at large last year.

This issue came up in June 2015 and we do not have a comment on this. Here is the statement we had issued at the time: These results trouble us and are not reflective of the opinions of Google. Sometimes, the way images are described on the Internet can yield surprising results to specific queries. We apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding this has caused. Were continually working to improve our algorithms to prevent unexpected results like this. according to a Google spokesperson.

The court set August 31 as the next date of hearing.
The BJP government is already facing the ire of the Dalit community in neighbouring Gujarat. But the communitys show of strength at a rally near CST on Tuesday to protest the demolition of Ambedkar Bhavan seems to have really rattled it.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced that the state government will restore Ambedkar Bhavan before July 30  the deadline set by Dalit outfits to begin rebuilding the demolished structure.

Fadnavis also announced a probe into the notices issued by the BMC to declare Ambedkar Bhavan a dilapidated structure and also the role of the states chief information commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad, who is advisor to the People Improvement Trust (PIT), which owns and demolished the structure to build a 17-storey tower. Ambedkar Bhavan had significance in Dr Babasaheb Ambedkars movement against untouchability. Several Dalit outfits, including the ones led by Dr Ambedkars grandsons Prakash and Anandraj, took part in a protest march in south Mumbai on Tuesday, demanding action against those who had demolished the structure. The issue was also raised in the legislature on Wednesday.

Speaking on the issue in the Legislative Council, Fadnavis called the demolition erroneous. He offered an olive branch to both Prakash and Anandraj. If Prakash and Anandraj have some plans, we will construct the structure using government funds, Fadnavis said.

The Ambedkar grandsons, however, did not seem convinced.

Anandraj has turned down the demand saying Ambedkar followers do not want charity from the government. We are capable enough of rebuilding the structure without any government help, he said. Our priority is that the guilty need to be punished, he said.

Prakash called upon the government to stay out of the controversy. It is the peoples monument and the people will restore it according to the original structure through Shramdaan [voluntary work], he said. Prakash said the mass mobilisation witnessed on Tuesday and reaction to the violence against Dalits in Gujarat had unnerved the BJP government. People had voted for the NDA government on grounds of development, but what we are seeing is freedom being curtailed. We have been exposing the government for the past seven months, he said.

Tuesdays rally capitulated Prakash to the centrestage after being sidelined by his bitter rival Ramdas Athawale, who is now Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, for decades.

The Dalits play an important role in the outcome of any elections and every party evoked Dr Ambedkars name to garner votes. However for years, the Dalit leadership remained divided, thanks to the state Congress and hence they were deprived of a major share in power. The BJP is wary of the negative reaction from the community ahead of the crucial civic and district council polls to be held next year. It is leaving no stone unturned to win the Mumbai civic body and is hoping the induction of Athawale as Union minister will garner some support from the citys sizeable socially backward class voters.

According to political commentator Tushar Jagtap, the mainstream parties ensured the Dalits are marginalised. Parties get votes by aligning with the Dalit parties, but ensure they do not get elected nor any new leadership is created. These bigger parties just keep the Dalit leaders happy with sops and make sure the benefits are not passed to the community, said Jagtap.
MUMBAI: France and Turkey may have been hit by multiple terror strikes, but continue to remain favourite destinations with Indians bound for Europe, according to travel operators. There were a few nervous phone calls after the recent attacks, but no cancellations so far.

Industry estimates showed that Indian travellers to France grew from 3.65 lakh in 2014 to approximately 5 lakh in 2015. Projections indicate an 18% increase in numbers this year. Similarly, Turkey saw 1.32 lakh Indian tourists in 2015 up from 1.19 lakh the year before. It might touch 1.50 lakh by the year-end, added travel experts.

As an industry we clocked 20 million total overseas Indian tourists in 2015 and this has not slowed down. Our experience does not lead us to believe that travel is severely affected by incidents in a few locations. For example, we have seen more people travelling to France this year and it is one of the most sought after destinations in the world, said Karan Anand, head of relationships with travel company Cox and Kings.

Other travel operators concurred that a section of vacationers might make small changes to the itinerary but nobody had called off their holiday bookings to Europe. Vishal Suri, Managing Director, SOTC Travel, said, The recent terror attack may have a short-term impact. Europe is the must-visit destination among the Indian travellers and they prefer to visit France during their Europe tour.

He added, Travellers might shift their destination for a certain period but it wouldnt stop them visiting France in the long run. Fortunately, we have not yet received any cancellation request from our customers or drops in fresh bookings.

Rajeev Kale, president and country head for leisure travel at Thomas Cook said that they had received a few queries following the attacks but there were no cancellations.

Europe holds a favoured destination status and we have witnessed a strong growth trajectory of more than 25% in the last three years. We see a continuous demand and expect to come ahead of our last years numbers.

A report released by Hotels. com in May had shown that terror-hit big European destinations had slashed hotel prices to draw tourists.

The Hotels Price Index report an annual comparison of actual travellers spends on stay by travel portal Hotels.com showed that hotels at tourists hubs such as Paris and Istanbul recorded healthy double digit fall in 2015 over the previous year.

For instance, the average per night room tariff at Paris fell from Rs13,068 in 2014 to Rs10,993 in 2015, a drop of 16%, the report stated. While Brussels (16%), Istanbul (15%) saw similar price cuts, Berlin recorded the highest slash  27% in room rates. From average per night room tariff of Rs9,440 in 2014 the rates fell to Rs 6,873 last year, the peak season price tourists usually pay at cheaper Southeast Asian destinations such as Thailand.

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Ukraine and Romania have signed an agreement to link their gas transmission systems, in order to ship gas from Ukraine through Romania to Bulgaria and in the reverse direction, Ukrtransgaz said in a statement.

The agreement covers the gas pipeline route used to transport gas from Ukraine through Romania to Bulgaria via the Negru Voda 1 interconnection point.

"The system operators plan to ensure continuous, uninterrupted gas transportation capacity in the direction from Ukraine to Bulgaria and uninterrupted capacity to transport gas in reverse," the statement says.
NEW DELHI: The government received a shot in the arm on Tuesday, with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar coming out in support of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill and opposing the Congress-mooted cap on tax rate.

Kumar met finance minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament and assured him that the Janata Dal (United) would support the bill when it is taken up for discussion. The GST is in the countrys best interests, and is beneficial for the state. We have always supported it, he told reporters after meeting Jaitley.

Kumar said the party does not approve of capping the tax rate, a key demand of political ally Congress, because such a clause would prevent the government from taxing a section of the people  such as those buying high-end vehicles  in emergencies.

Earlier in the day, Jaitley told BJP MPs that the government was trying to build a consensus on the GST Bill and would reach out to smaller parties for support. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed similar views on taking regional players aboard at an NDA meeting on Monday evening.

A senior minister said the select committees report on GST was already before the Rajya Sabha, and it was the draft bill that the government would improve upon in consultation with the Opposition. Even Congress MPs were panel members, but they did not voice their dissent note in the report, a Union minister said.

The Congress has maintained a non-committal tone on the bill, stating that it was yet to receive the governments response to its three demands in black and white. It wants the rate of the goods and services tax capped at 18%, the removal of a proposed 1% additional levy on inter-state trade, and an independent dispute resolution mechanism for states.

The government has said it accepts our demands, but we need to see how they formulate the three points into the bill. We are yet to receive it, a senior Congress leader from the Rajya Sabha said.
The Patna high court on Tuesday quashed the state governments notification prohibiting manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation and sale of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco or nicotine.

A division bench of acting chief justice Iqbal Ahmed Ansari and justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh delivered the judgment after hearing petitions challenging the validity of notification issued by the food safety commissioner on November 6, 2015.

M/s Prabhat Zarda Factory India Private Ltd and others had challenged the notification banning manufacture, storage, distribution, transportation and sale of any type of tobacco and areca nut (supari) in the form of pan masala, zarda, scented supari and other incidental activities for a period of one year from November 11, 2015.

Counsels for the petitioners contended that the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act 2003 (COTPA) was a special and comprehensive legislation for tobacco products which could not override a general law like Food Safety and Standards Act 2006.

Stating that executive power of the state should not extend to central legislations, they said sale of pan masala mixed with tobacco was regulated by COTPA Act, enacted by the Union government. They claimed that the state order banning these products was beyond its jurisdiction and fit to be set aside.
The conflict among councillors at the municipal corporation Jalandhar (MCJ) seems to have no end with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and senior deputy mayor, Kamaljit Singh Bhatia, now accusing his own party councillors of supporting mayor Sunil Jyoti for their vested interest.

Bhatia on Tuesday said the only reason that some of his party members had turned against him was due to their vested interests.

After 16 councillors of the Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) submitted their resignation to Jyoti and demanded action against Bhatia on Monday, eight SAD councillors resigned late in the evening to deputy mayor Arvinder Kaur Oberoi against Bhatias outburst against the mayor.

I respect all the councillors (both of the BJP and SAD) who have tendered resignations against me as they have been manipulated by the mayor, but there are some who are only doing it for their personal interest, said Bhatia.

Targeting Arvinder, to whom the SAD councillors had submitted their resignations, Bhatia said the former does not hold any power of accepting the resignation. I am senior to her. She should have consulted me before accepting the resignation letters in absence of the SAD district president, said Bhatia.

It is learned that the SAD district president, Gurcharan Singh Channi, is in Canada and was not even contacted by his party members.

Bhatia said Arvinder and her husband Kuldeep Singh Oberoi, also a SAD member, is constructing a commercial establishment near Rainik Bazaar, even though the plan was sanctioned for residential building.

He (Kuldeep Oberoi) with the help of the mayor is continuing illegal construction in the city, Bhatia added.

Bhatia has now threatened to hold dharma at Oberois ward, if the MC officials fail to take action against the illegal construction.

Along with deputy mayor, Bhatia also targeted SAD councillor Pritam and Raminder Kaur Dhindsas husband Iqbal Singh Dhindsa.

While Bhatia accused Dhindsa of carrying out illegal construction in Viraasat Haveli, he accused Pritam of making shallow promises.

Bhatia takes over MC work in mayors absence

As mayor Sunil Jyoti had announced not to attend the municipal corporation office or use his official vehicle as a protest against senior deputy mayor Kamaljit Singh Bhatia, on Monday, the latter has taken over the charge of looking over the works going on in the city.

Bhatia, who is usually not regular in the MC office and is only available during house meeting or finance and contracts committee meeting (F&CC), from Tuesday onwards will solve civic issues, with water logging in the city on priority.

I am not like Jyoti who leaves his official duties over one issue. Development works should not suffer due to the conflicts among of the leaders, said Bhatia, adding that since rain had become a terror for the city, especially the low lying areas including his wards, his first priority is to find a solution of water logging with the help of technical experts.

I have talked with municipal commissioner GS Khaira and have requested him to arrange meeting with deputy commissioner and environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal to find a solution to the matter.

While Bhatia carried out the work from the MC office, Jyoti worked from camp office (mayors official residence). Though the days work was less than that in the MC office, but I did carry out my regular official task, said Jyoti.

City industrialists demand mayors resignation

Jalandhar: The city industrialists, under the banner of Federation of Jalandhar Industry and Traders Association, have demanded resignation of municipal corporation Jalandhar mayor Sunil Jyoti, who is currently attending MC and carrying out his official duties from his camp office.

At a press conference, the industrialists said as the mayor has failed to live up to the expectations of the people, he should resign from his post.

Gursharan Singh, president of the joint action traders and industrial committee, said, Jyoti does not have the skill to run the office and always behaves rudely with the people who approach him for any kind of work.

The federation said they will soon approach the higher command and demand action against Jyoti.
Terming Navjot Singh Sidhu an opportunist, chief minister Parkash Singh Badal said his presence or absence wont have any impact on politics in Punjab. Sidhu had disappeared from Punjab a long time ago and was never a part of the states politics, Badal said about the BJP leader who resigned from the Rajya Sabha and is expected to join the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

About the suspension of party MLAs Pargat Singh and Inderbir Singh Bolaria, both of whom are said to be interested in joining AAP or Congress, Badal said, They were not showing any interest in party activities, and those who have no interest in the SAD have no place in the party. Badal was here for a sangat darshan (public interaction) in villages of Sherpur block.

On the sidelines of the event, Badal said uttering the word Congress repeatedly had made his throat sore for which I even keep a doctor with me. Congress has always taken an anti-Punjab stance.... and AAP is following that legacy to damage the state, he remarked.

Badal said Sidhu  who had been reportedly pressing the BJP to break with the SAD owing to his sore equation with the Badals  had left the party when he saw there is no opportunity. He added, Whether he joins the Congress or AAP, people do not believe those who switch parties. In Punjab, there is only the SAD that has good leadership and leaders who stay with one party. All those who switch parties are greedy opportunists, who take bites from wherever they get.

Read: Road rage death case: Sidhus political career hinges on appeal pending in apex court

He declared that he was was able to become Punjab CM five times only because of being with one party.

He reiterated that people have experienced Congress rule and they were never happy with them. AAP has no future in Punjab, the CM added. Kejriwals advocate submitted an affidavit against the state in the Supreme Court on the issue of Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal. Moreover, they are atheists and compare their two-page manifesto with Guru Granth Sahib... How can people expect goodness from them?

Urging people to exercise their franchise cautiously, the CM said it would make or mar the future of the state. Instead of being allured by fake promises, people should see actual development, said Badal. He added that the process of recruitment in various departments was on already and will be completed soon.
The Punjab Police are investigating their first case of financial fraud committed using the unregulated virtual currency Bitcoin to pay for information on the Darknet.

A gang of four fraudsters -- two operating in Punjab and two in the US -- managed to remit Rs 1.2-crore worth of US Dollars to India, using credit card information bought on the anonymous network.

The proceeds of the crime were shared by the Indian fraudsters with their accomplices abroad using Bitcoin, a digital currency used as the preferred mode of payment on the Darknet.

Main accused Baljit Singh and his accomplice, Amritpal Singh, both 27 years old and residents of Jalandhar, were arrested last week. Between December 2014 and February 2015, the two allegedly gathered $500 each from 400 remittances they showed as being done by Punjabis living in the US to their relatives back home through Western Union.

Western Union is a US-based money transfer company with hundreds of agents in Punjab. Its prime agent in the state, Paul Merchants, was the first to raise a red flag over these transactions, said Ananya Gautam, inspector general (IG), financial intelligence unit, Punjab Police.

How the gang was formed

Baljit had gone to the US with his uncle in 2003. There he came in contact with a Nigerian national, Olumu, who was already involved in internet frauds. Barely in his teens, Baljit joined him and allegedly committed some frauds and was detained by cops there. He came to India in 2014 and became friends with Amritpal Singh, a commission agent known to his uncle Jasvir Singh, who is also a commission agent.

Amritpal and Baljit allegedly planned the fraud and contacted Ankit Puri, a hacker in the US, whom Baljit then put in touch with Olumu. This is how the gang got together. They had planned the perfect cyber fraud. Had it not been for their growing greed they would have continued to do this their entire lives and no one would have come to know, said Gautam.

The modus operandi

Ankit and Olumu began with gathering details of Punjabi Indians living in the US. City directories came handy. They made a list of over a dozen names and addresses. Then they gathered credit card information of random persons living in the US. Credit card information can be easily stolen by those who know how to do it. The card is skimmed through a machine that catches all the numbers on it and stores them. The stolen information is available for a cost on the Darknet, and Olumu could have purchased it, said Gautam.

Also read: In a first, drug trafficking reported in India through Darknet, Bitcoin

Punjabi names and addresses were used to fill in remittance forms at the Western Union site in the US. A fake recipients name and address in Punjab were also entered. The payment was made using stolen credit card details. The amount was never more than $500, so that the credit card holder does not get suspicious. We are trying to find if the US police received any complaints, said the IG.

Baljit and Amritpal created fake identity (ID) cards of recipients (using names entered by Olumu and Ankit in the US), pasting their own pictures on forged driving licences, Aadhaar cards and voter cards. They visited Western Union branches across Punjab to collect the money.

The police have recovered at least 15 such IDs used by the fraudsters. Other than the ID card, the company asks for a unique code and the name and address of the sender before handing over the cash. That would have already been shared by Olumu while transferring the money. Other than his uncle, Baljit also involved his father, Gurmeet Singh, and another accomplice, Gagan, to collect the money.

Greed proved to be their undoing

Same pictures on multiple IDs finally came to Paul Merchants notice. A suspicious transaction report (STR) was sent to the financial intelligence unit (under the ministry of finance) by Paul Merchants. The information was shared with us in December 2015 and the first arrest in the case was made last week, said Gautam.

The proceeds of the crime were shared by Ankit and Olumu using Bitcoins. Baljit claims that Olumu was in touch with him only through the internet. There was rarely any direct contact. He wanted payment through Bitcoins. Baljit bought Bitcoins and transferred these to Olumu, said Gautam.

While Baljit, Jasvir and Amritpal have been arrested, Gurmeet and Gagan are yet to be apprehended. Also named in the FIR is Delhi-based Vijay Grover, who allegedly helped Amritpal get in touch with Ankit Puri.

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Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) wants some scenes hurting Sikh sentiments to be dropped from upcoming Hindi movie Flying Jatt.

In a press release issued here on Wednesday, SGPC additional secretary Diljit Singh Bedi said the objection related to the heros turban, attire, and Khanda sign on the back. Last November 12, the SGPC chief secretary wrote to the films producers about it.

Last December 30, SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar wrote to the producers of the Tiger Shroff movie again. But they are not bothered, said Bedi. If they release the film with the objectionable scenes, they will be responsible for the consequences.

Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures, the movie also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and professional wrestler Nathan Jones in lead roles.

Bedi accused the producers of trying to provoke Sikhs. The SGPC plans to take legal action.
Police busted an inter-district gang of robbers and arrested four people on Tuesday. The cops recovered a car and bike from their possession.

The accused were identified as Saraj Singh of Raiyawala in Ferozepur, Mandeep Singh and Kuldeep Singh of Kang Khurd village in Jalandhar and Paramjeet Singh of Bhagatpura in Kapurthala district.

Addressing a press conference, additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP-II), Amrik Singh Powar; assistant commissioner of police (ACP cantonment) Mukesh Kumar said a team, led by station house officer (SHO) Sanbir Singh laid a trap at Jagral village and stopped three youths, who were riding on a bike (PB08-CT-3779), for the checking.

They added during the frisking, the cops recovered 170-gm intoxicant powder from their possession and registered cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

During the interrogation, the accused confessed to robbing Maruti Swift Dzire (PB08-CC-1051) from a transporter outside CT Group of Institution, Shahpur, on June 6.

The car was recovered from the house of Paramjeet Singh.

Powar said Kuldeep, who was physically challenged, was the son of the former village sarpanch.

Meanwhile, senior officials claimed that except Paramjeet, the three were sent to jail six months back for another criminal case and were out on bail.

The accused had conspired to loot petrol pumps in the city.
The first lesson students receive at the government elementary school in Mokampura is about colours.

Courtesy: Different-coloured mats spread in the school compound, with each colour signifying a different class.

Red is for Class 2, green for Class 3 and blue for Class 4. Not only the furniture is missing at this school established in 1972, its students have to suffer the vagaries of weather in absence of a roof on their heads and power supply to the school.

Teachers, too, have to overcome all these difficulties while performing their duty. For 300 students admitted to the school, there are eight teachers besides the headmaster, Ranjit Singh.

These students are from underprivileged families, mostly of rag pickers, labourers and domestic helps. Unlike other children, they work before school hours, as they have to earn their living, said Ranjit Singh.

Also read: Only 6 classrooms for 1,266 students at Giaspura school

Despite the shortcomings and challenges, the resolve of students and teachers has remained steadfast. We might be working in a building-less school, but our dedication towards our students has helped in increasing the enrolment. Also, in the past three years, three of our students have been admitted to Navodaya Vidyalayas, says the headmaster.

Kids crouching on the floor while having a mid-day meal at the elementary school in Mokampura near Amritsar. (Sameer Sehgal/HT Photo)

Shelly and Neelam, who have been teaching at the school for years, said all their demands to the higher authorities have fallen on deaf ears. Still, the thought of leaving the school has never crossed their mind. If we run away from this responsibility, then who will think about their (underprivileged students) future? they question.

The teachers drive satisfaction from the fact that the kids are getting educated and the number of girls attending the school is on the rise.

Dreaming big against all odds

It is because of these teachers hard work that students can dare to dream of a better future. Ajay Kumar, who studies in Class 3, wants to become an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

I want to be a police officer and drive in a car with a light (beacon) on it, he says. But even Ajay knows he has to achieve it against all the odds. Kids like me cannot afford to study in private schools. I have friends going to good schools and they tell me about how they sit on a chair in a classroom with a fan protecting them from flies and heat. They also have a blackboard in every class, but I have never seen these things in my school, says Ajay.

Our children are bright and have big dreams like any other child. But the state government has failed to give them basic facilities they deserve. Even if we are uneducated and are washing utensils at others houses, we want our children to lead a better life, says Mandeep Kaur, a domestic help whose child studies in the school.

Will get details about all schools: DC

Deputy commissioner Varun Roojam told HT: These issues should have been brought to my notice by the district education department. Now that I have been informed about it, I will make sure the department provides me with details of problems being faced by all such schools.

Roojam also asked headmasters of government schools to come forward and meet him with their problems. The file with the list of schools and their problems will be sent to the state education department, and I am sure the issues will be resolved, he said.

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With only six classrooms to accommodate 1,266 students at Government Primary School, Giaspura, it has become difficult for the authorities to run the school properly.

Students are also a harried lot as they are forced to sit in corridors and in the open.

For past two years, our classes are being held in corridors. We have to bear with hot weather as corridors have no fans, said a Class-5 student, requesting anonymity.

A parent, Usha Rani, said, My daughter is studying in the school for past one year. Since January, Class-3 students are attending classes in open. This is not at all justified. The education department should provide funds for construction of more classrooms.

There are 60 students in pre-nursery, 177 in Class 1 and 364 in Class 2. Class 3 has 281 students, Class 4 has strength of 236 and there are 148 students in Class 5. And each class has three sections.

I have written to the district education officer, elementary, Ludhiana, that our school needs 26 more classrooms, said Prakashwinder Singh, school headteacher. We should provide basic facilities to the students. At present, we are taking classes of two sections of Class 2 in Patwarkhana (government land revenue record office) in front of the school.

Classrooms also lack infrastructure

The existing six classrooms in the school have two fans each. And three students are forced to adjust on one bench. The school has just two toilets for students and three water taps.

A teacher said, Over 65 students are accommodated in one classroom. Two sections of Classes 1 and 3 (two sections) are sitting in corridors and two sections of Class 5 are sitting under tree. It is a tough task to teach students in hot and humid weather.

School announces holiday when it rains

Whenever it rains, we face a lot of problem in accommodating students in corridors, so we announce holiday, said the headteacher. On other days, the students have no option but to sit in open. The only relief is students have benches to sit on.

He said, Two new toilets were built last year. They will be opened for students by next month.

Gurjot Singh, district education officer, elementary, said, We have written to the director general school education Pradeep Aggarwal, requesting for funds. We are also trying to tie up with private firms who are interested in providing funds.

Also read | Scholarship schemes for EWS, girl student: Chandigarh shows the way

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A standing committee of Panjab University (PU) has dismissed a woman professors allegations against registrar Col GS Chadha (retd). She had accused Chadha of making public her sexual harassment complaint, filed in 2015, against vice-chancellor Arun Kumar Grover. Her complaints have been on the agenda items of the Syndicate and the Senate since then.

In the first week of May, the standing committee comprising professor SK Mehta, professor Upinder Sawhney, professor Rajat Sandhir and assistant registrar (establishment) said in a report that it was of the considered opinion that there is no substance in the complaint filed by her. The panel added they had gone through the woman professors complaint and also recorded the statements of Chadha and V-C Grover.

The committees report also noted, ...After several reminders, she neither sent any representative before the committee nor she personally appeared on May 4, 2016.

Registrars reply

Chadha told the committee that it was his duty to present the agenda to the members of syndicate and senate. Her complaint came to the university from the office of chancellor, PU, the ministry of human resources and development, the UT Police and other authorities. There was a directive to examine the complaint against the V-C alleging sexual harassment. In compliance with PU policy, the complaint was referred to the Panjab University Committee Against Sexual Harassment (PUCASH) for examination. Then, whatever decision had to be taken, it would have to be taken ultimately by the syndicate and senate, the governing bodies of the university, he said.

He added that the documents were published in the media but he was not responsible as he had just sent them to members of governing bodies in sealed cover.

Prof Grover told the committee that he got the transcription done of the hand-written complaint of woman prof to UGC against him. He made it available to the warden of the Girls Hostel no 2 and Dean Students Welfare. They prepared a report related to happenings of March 31, 2013, to which sexual harassment charges pertained and handed it over to Chandigarh Police through the varsity security chief.

The PU registrar received a copy of these which had to be made available thereafter to the governing bodies of the university and MHRD, New Delhi. The registrar send these papers in sealed cover to the members of the syndicate and the senate, he said.

PUCASH says complaint not within its ambit

PUCASH chairperson prof Nishtha Jaswal wrote to varsity chancellor and the vice-president of India on June 9 saying that the womans complaint was not within the committees ambit. The woman professors complaint pertained to violation of Section 16 of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013, which did not come under PUCASH, the letter said. The letter adds that the registrar may be advised not to correspond with the committee, regarding the woman profs plaint.

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Ukraine on Wednesday increased the daily application for imports of natural gas from Slovakia  from 11.8 to 12.9 million cubic meters, according to data from the Slovakian gas operator Eustream.

In June and on July 1 through July 14 imports of gas from Slovakia amounted to around 500,000 cubic meters, on July 15  2.1 million cubic meters, on July 16 and July 17  8.8 million cubic meters, on July 18  7.8 million cubic meters and on July 19  11.8 million cubic meters.

Naftogaz Ukraine has bought up most of the outbound transport capacity on the Vojany-Uzhgorod gas pipeline from Eustream until 2019 for supplies of natural gas along the route from the European gas market to Ukraine.

Ukraine can import around 40 million cubic meters of gas from Slovakia to Ukraine.
A man died while eight other people, including three women and two children, were injured after a speeding car coming from the wrong side hit the auto-rickshaw they were travelling in near Gumtala bypass late on Monday night.

The victims, all residents of Civil Colony near the Amritsar international airport, had hired the

three-wheeler to reach the Amritsar railway station at around 11pm. They were to board a train at 12am to visit a temple at Jammu.

When the auto reached Gumtala bypass, the auto operator saw two cars coming from the opposite site, one on the wrong side of the road. Both were being driven rashly, said witnesses.

Although the auto operator stopped his vehicle and parked it on the side, a Skoda car, which was on the wrong side and bearing the registration number of Chandigarh, hit it head-on.

Both the vehicles were damaged badly. Passers-by gathered at the spot and managed to

nab one of the car occupants while the driver and others managed to flee, leaving behind the car (No. CH 01 AT 7161), said Vijay, victims neighbour.

The injured were rushed to Amandeep Hospital, where one of them, Deepak, 34, died. His wife, Chandni, and daughter Khushi, 3, were also injured in the mishap. Chandni is reported to be serious. The man nabbed on the spot was handed over to cops, who reached the spot after some time. He has been detained at the Civil Lines police station. During interrogation, he is reported to have named other occupants of the car.

Sources in police said some bottles of liquor were also recovered from the car. After registering a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, the police have started searching for the remaining accused. Victims kin also staged a brief protest outside Amandeep Hospital seeking strict action against the accused.
The Vietnamese capital was named the most affordable city in the world for travellers by TripAdvisors TripIndex on Tuesday after taking into consideration several factors including the cost of accommodation, food and tourist activities.

The cost of a three-night stay for two people in Hanoi totals about Rs 33,400.

Read: Want to travel like youre rich, but not spend a lot? Right this way

From Hanoi to New York, Berlin, Paris and Sydney, TripAdvisor has compiled price data for a host of the worlds must-visit cities, each with its own diverse options when it comes to accommodation, activities and food. The study compared the cost of a three-night stay in a four-star hotel, three visits or activities, one lunch or dinner out per day and a return taxi fare to the restaurant.

Hanoi Citadel is a must-see for visitors to the Vietnamese capital. (Istock)

The Vietnamese capital topped the list as the most affordable destination thanks to its low accommodation costs, at just US$237. Its no surprise to see other Asian destinations make the list of top cities for travellers on a shoestring, with Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in fourth place (total coming in at $627) and Thailands capital Bangkok in fifth ($645).

Read: Planning a family holiday? Asia and Oceania should be your top choice

Travellers looking for European destinations should consider Moscow, Russia (sixth), with a budget of $656; Madrid, Spain (eighth) at $733; Berlin, Germany (ninth) at $883; and Vienna, Austria (10th) at $978.

New York is the most expensive destination

Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan at sunset, New York. (Shutterstock)

At the other end of the scale, the Big Apple (the only US city included in the international survey) was named the most expensive destination for world travellers, with a wallet-busting budget of about Rs 1.2 lakh. Accommodation notably pushes up the cost of trips to the American city, accounting for Rs 74,000 of the total cost. Tokyo, Japan, comes in second place at about Rs 1 lakh with the UK capital London in third (Rs 95,000).

Read: Nows the best time to visit Greeces Cyclades

In the survey of US destinations, New Orleans came in as least expensive at Rs 77,000 while Las Vegas offers the least expensive accommodation, with hotel rates at around Rs 13,000 per night. Meanwhile, in the US survey, Orlando came in at most expensive with a three-day stay costing Rs 1.5 lakh.

Worlds most affordable cities for travellers

1. Hanoi (Vietnam)

2. Bombay (India)

3. Cape Town (South Africa)

4. Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

5. Bangkok (Thailand)

6. Moscow (Russia)

7. Bali (Indonesia)

8. Madrid (Spain)

9. Berlin (Germany)

10. Vienna (Austria)

Worlds most expensive cities for travellers

1. New York (USA)

2. Tokyo (Japan)

3. London (UK)

4. Cancun (Mexico)

5. Paris (France)

6. Singapore

7. Hong Kong

8. Sydney (Australia)

9. Rome (Italy)

10. Rio De Janeiro (Brazil)

Follow @htlifeandstyle for more.
United for a night, Republicans nominated Donald Trump Tuesday as their presidential standard-bearer, capping the billionaire businessmans stunning takeover of the GOP and propelling him into a November faceoff with Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trumps campaign hoped the formal nomination would both end the discord surging through the Republican Party and overshadow the conventions chaotic kickoff, including a plagiarism charge involving Melania Trumps address on opening night.

United we stand, divided we fall, said Johnny McMahan, a Trump delegate from Arkansas.

There were flurries of dissent on the convention floor as states that Trump did not win recorded their votes, but he far outdistanced his primary rivals.

Trump was put over the top by his home state of New York. Four of his children joined the states delegation on the convention floor for the historic moment and appeared overwhelmed with emotion.

Congratulations, Dad, we love you, declared Donald Trump Jr.

Read: Trump introduces wife Melania at Republican national convention

Some delegates emphasized the need for a televised display of party unity after the deeply divisive GOP primary. But Colorados Kendal Unruh, a leader of the anti-Trump forces, called the convention a sham and warned party leaders that their efforts to silence opposition would keep some Republicans on the sidelines in the fall campaign against Clinton.

This weeks four-day convention is Trumps highest-profile opportunity to convince voters that hes better suited for the presidency than Clinton, who will be officially nominated at next weeks Democratic gathering. But the rocky start raises fresh questions about his oversight of his campaign, which gives voters a window into how a candidate might handle the pressures of the presidency.

Delegates hold signs on the first day of the Republican National Convention at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. (AFP Photo)

The plagiarism accusations center on Monday nights speech by Trumps wife. Two passages from Mrs. Trumps address  each 30 words or longer  matched a 2008 Democratic convention address by Michelle Obama nearly word-for-word.

Trumps campaign managed only to keep the controversy alive on Day 2 of the convention by insisting there was no evidence of plagiarism, while offering no explanation for how the strikingly similar passages wound up in Mrs. Trumps address. The matter consumed news coverage from Cleveland, obscuring Mrs. Trumps broader effort to show her husbands softer side.

Clinton pounced on the tumult, saying the Republican gathering had so far been surreal, comparing it to the classic fantasy film Wizard of Oz.

When you pull back the curtain, it was just Donald Trump with nothing to offer to the American people, Clinton said during a speech in Las Vegas.

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump's children Donald Trump, Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump celebrate on the convention floor during the second day session. (AP Photo)

Top Trump adviser Paul Manafort said the matter had been totally blown out of proportion.

Theyre not even sentences. Theyre literally phrases. I was impressed somebody did their homework to think that that could be possibly done, Manafort told The Associated Press.

Read: Trumpocalypse Now: Fiction authors imagine Donald Trumps presidency

Conventions are massive organizational undertakings, with thousands of attendees to manage and dozens of speakers to oversee. But the weeklong gathering pales in comparison to the scope of a presidents responsibilities as head of the U.S. government.

Republican leaders hoping to leave Cleveland with a strong show of party unity also found themselves answering unwelcome questions. Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said he probably would have fired his own speechwriters under similar circumstances and acknowledged the matter was a distraction.

It was unclear whether the controversy would have any bearing on how voters view Trump. The businessman has survived numerous politically perilous moments that might have doomed other candidates.

Manafort, a longtime Republican operative, has emerged as a controversial and pivotal figure in Trumps Cleveland operations. He led efforts to successfully tamp down a rebellion on the convention floor Monday, though the campaign still had to contend with angry outbursts from anti-Trump delegates.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump gives a thumbs up while introducing his wife Melania on the first day of the Republican National Convention. (AFP Photo)

The campaign chairman also upended Republicans unity message by slamming Ohio Governor John Kasich in his home state. He called Kasich petulant and embarrassing for not endorsing Trump or attending the convention, drawing quick condemnation from other GOP leaders worried about angering the popular governor of one of the most important election states.

Following the roll call vote, a parade of Trumps former campaign rivals, Republican leaders who are lukewarm about his nomination and more family members are scheduled to take center stage. Republicans will be closely watching House Speaker Paul Ryan, who has endorsed Trump despite disagreeing with him on numerous issues.

Read: Trumpocalypse Now: Fiction authors imagine Donald Trumps presidency

Tiffany Trump, the candidates 22-year-old daughter from his marriage to Marla Maples, and Donald Trump Jr., his eldest son and an executive vice president at The Trump Organization, were scheduled to speak. Both were expected to highlight a more personal side of their father than is often seen in public.

Speaking to reporters on the convention floor ahead of the evening festivities, Trump Jr. said he was proud of Mrs. Trumps speech, but said he imagined there were people who should have cleaned it up better.

Mrs. Trump was widely praised for her success in doing just that, despite the plagiarism charges. She spoke of her husbands simple goodness and his loyalty and love of family  while noting the drama that comes with Trump in politics.

Read: 88% Republicans back Trump against Clinton, up from last years 1%: Pew survey
After a confident performance in her first Question Time in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Theresa May left for Berlin on Wednesday to hold Brexit-related talks with German chancellor Angela Merkel and later with French President Francois Hollande.

The Prime Ministers Office announced May had formally informed European Council President Donald Tusk that Britain will not take up the rotating EU presidency as scheduled from the second half of 2017.

A sharply attired Mays performance in the gladiatorial encounter in the House of Commons reminded many of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, as she took on Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and joked about the travails within the opposition party.

Britons voted to exit the EU in a referendum held on June 23, triggering a political crisis that cost former prime minister David Cameron his job.

Before the session, a Downing Street spokesperson said the decision not to take up the EU presidency was conveyed during a phone conversation between May and Tusk. May noted that until Britain left the European Union, it remained a full member of the 28-nation bloc.

In this context, the Prime Minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union, the spokesperson said.

May explained we will need to carefully prepare for the negotiations to leave the EU before triggering Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which covers the withdrawal of a state from the bloc. Donald Tusk reassured the Prime Minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible, the spokesperson added.

May, often called the British Merkel, is expected to convey to Merkel in Berlin that Britain needs more time to decide when to trigger Article 50, beginning a two-year process to leave the EU.

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Police backed by bomb disposal teams cordoned off part of central Brussels on Wednesday where they surrounded a suspect individual wearing a long coat with wires showing, the police and media said.

Following police intervention, a cordon has been established around part of the Place de la Monnaie and adjoining streets, Brussels police said in a tweeted message.

Brussels has remained on high alert since Islamic State-claimed suicide bomb attacks at the airport and in the metro in March that left 32 people dead.

Belga news agency, quoting a police spokesman, said the suspect was under control as the bomb squad waited to check if he had any explosives concealed under his coat.

Local media footage showed troops, police and firemen in and around the cordoned-off area, with the streets largely deserted in what is normally a very busy shopping district.
While Californians have mused for months about the mystery buyer of a Powerball ticket worth $528.8 million, the couple holding the lucky numbers was busy lining up lawyers and financial advisers to help them handle their enormous winnings.

Flanked by security, Marvin and Mae Acosta went to a state lottery office in Van Nuys on Friday to claim their share of a record $1.6 billion Powerball drawing in January, Alex Traverso, a California lottery spokesman, disclosed on Tuesday.

In a statement, the Acostas said they are dedicating nearly all of the prize money to a trust and charities. We are thankful and blessed for the rare gift that has been placed in our care, they said.

Their names are public record under state law, but Traverso requested that other personal information remain private.

Property records show a couple with the same names purchased a 5-bedroom home for $475,000 last fall in Eastvale, a Southern California community about 10 miles from the 7-Eleven where the winning ticket was purchased. A neighbor said the couple who lived there had two children and moved out last Thursday, a day before the prize was claimed.

Public records showed that Marvin Acosta is 39 years old and Mae Acosta is 40.

Many Californians might have difficulty understanding why the couple would sit on such a mega-prize for so long. But that kind of studied preparation is exactly what state lottery officials recommend for winners to avoid falling prey to scams or mismanagement.

We couldnt be happier for them and are thrilled they took the time to assemble the right team before coming in to claim, California Lottery Director Hugo Lopez said in a statement.

The Acostas will take their winnings in a cash option totaling $327.8 million before federal taxes, lottery officials said.

The Acostas bought their ticket six months ago at the convenience store in Chino Hills, California, a quiet community about 35 miles east of Los Angeles. It was one of three winning tickets sold for the Jan. 13 drawing. Winners in Florida and Tennessee came forward within days to claim their prize money.

Word that one of the winning tickets was sold in California brought excited crowds in January to the 7-Eleven. Gawkers crowded the store and parking lot, mugging for TV cameras and chanting the citys name in celebration of its sudden celebrity.
At least 260 people across Bangladesh are missing, officials announced earlier today, sparking fears many of them have joined homegrown Islamist extremist outfits or the Islamic State group in the Middle East.

The Rapid Action Battalion, the countrys elite security force, published the list on Facebook around midnight and called on citizens to report the whereabouts of the missing.

We have to find them, RAB spokesman Mufti Mahmud Khan told AFP.

The Bangladeshi government ordered security officials to collate the list in the wake of two major terror attacks by suspected Islamist militants who had been missing for months.

Khan refused to comment on whether the people listed had joined local extremists or the IS group.

Suspected members of a homegrown terror group murdered 20 people including 18 foreigners after they attacked an upscale cafe in Dhaka earlier this month. The IS group later claimed responsibility for the attack -- an assertion rejected by Bangladeshi authorities.

The gruesome attacks were followed by another daring assault on the Muslim-majority nations largest Eid prayer congregation in which three people and an attacker were killed in a massive gunfight in a northern Bangladesh town.

Police and parents said the five attackers at the cafe siege and at least two gunmen at the Eid carnage had been missing for months.

If there are any missing family members, please tell us, dont be afraid that law-enforcement agencies will take your sons away, said RAB chief Benazir Ahmed.

Their lives and other lives can be saved if they are found.

Local media outlets have reported that dozens of people including doctors, engineers and students from elite universities have travelled to the Middle East to join the IS group.

In one case, engineer Najibullah Ansari had been missing for over a year when his parents reached out to the police after the government launched the campaign to account for the countrys missing.

According to his family, Ansari last contacted his younger brother in January 2015 via Facebook, saying he was in war-torn Iraq fighting with jihadists.

I have come to Iraq. Tell father and mother not to worry for me. I have come here for jihad, read the message according to a screen shot seen by local daily Dhaka Tribune.

I will never return home, he added.
Istanbul-based AFP photographers Bulent Kilic and Ozan Kose had close calls during the long night they spent on the streets of Istanbul capturing Turkeys failed coup on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Bulent was set upon by an angry mob on one of the bridges crossing the Bosphorus, while Ozan found himself in the crossfire between soldiers and police near Taksim Square.

Here, in interviews carried out for AFPs blog, they recount their experiences and reflect on one of the most dramatic nights for the country in decades:

Kilic: Friday evening I was shooting one of the two bridges across the Bosphorus because they had a light show for the victims of the Nice attacks in France. They lit the bridge in the red, white and blue of the French flag.

As I was shooting, at one point I realised that the traffic on the bridge had stopped. This wasnt normal because it wasnt the regular rush hour. I got some calls from friends and colleagues that something was going on and then I called Ozan.

He said something was going on, too. So I took the car with two fellow photographers and we headed to the bridge.

We drove past a military school where apparently the coup had started. By this time we heard that the military had closed the bridge, so I was driving like a crazy person. A soldier flagged us down. I slowed the car down and shot pictures outside the window.

Why are you driving like this? he asked me.

A Turkish security officer stands on guard on the side of the road on July 15, 2016 in Istanbul during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge. (Bulent Kilic / AFP)

I should ask you why I am driving like this, I answered.

The military has taken over the government, he said.

When he told me that, I crashed into the car in front of me. My foot must have slipped off the brake and I forgot to press it again.

Ok, thank you, I said and drove off.

I drove even crazier to the bridge now. Along the way I saw people in uniform detaining some people. I took some shots. The people in uniform started to shout at me.

Ok, sorry! I yelled back and kept on driving. When I got to the bridge and saw so many soldiers around, I called the office. Its a coup, you have to send photographers before they close the airports, I told them.

Then I went home to take my flak jacket and helmet and more equipment because I was sure thered be clashes. Turkey has a history of coups. I was six months old when the last bloody one happened, but I have read books, Ive talked about it to my father. So I have an idea of what happens. And I was sure thered be clashes. Then I headed back to the bridge.

Suddenly they began to shoot at us.

Kose: On Friday evening I was at the French consulate shooting the commemorations about Nice. I left around 9 pm and went home. When I was home, I saw tweets that soldiers were blocking the two Bosphorus bridges and that they were detaining some police officers and that similar stuff was going on in Ankara. I knew something was wrong, but I didnt think it was a military coup.

I went to the prime ministers office. I figured if there was a coup, theyd try to take the prime ministers Istanbul office. I stayed there for an hour, but nothing happened, there were no soldiers there.

I saw some police stopping cars on the street and just taking their keys. After an hour, I heard that soldiers were in Taksim Square, so I headed there. First I walked -- there were no taxis or buses on the street. Then I managed to flag down a minivan that was heading in that direction, with eight people inside.

An injured man reacts as he goes to a hospital at Taksim square in Istanbul on July 16, 2016. (Ozan Kose / AFP)

The driver dropped us off near a military base near Taksim. So we got out of the car -- me and eight ordinary people, civilians. And suddenly they began to shoot at us. Police were on one side, soldiers on the other. And us in the middle.

One of the guys who was in that minivan with me was shot in the head. He was a metre away from me. I saw him drop to the ground. I heard bullets whizzing past me, I saw the spent ones falling at my feet. So I began to run.

I ran and ran and ran. After about 200 metres, I stopped next to a white car. The driver had been shot, slumped in the seat. I was shocked. I couldnt understand what was going on, what was happening.

I took some pictures of him and I ran to Taksim Square.

A man is shot in his car during clashes between Turkish solders and police near Taksim square in Istanbul on July 16, 2016. (Ozan Kose / AFP)

I didnt expect so many people would be ready to die

Kilic: When I got back to the bridge I saw some people starting to gather in front of the military. I was thinking about Egypt. In Egypt, the people started to march and the soldiers shot at the people. It happened just like this. People started to march on the Bosphorus bridge and the soldiers started to shoot into the crowd. And when I saw this, I thought this is something serious.

A man covered with blood stands near the Bosphorus bridge as Turkish military clash with people at the entrance to the bridge in Istanbul on July 16, 2016. (Bulent Kilic / AFP)

I took cover. I was shocked -- I didnt expect so many people would be ready to die. I could see the soldiers shooting. But they, the people facing off in front of them, they didnt stop.

I pulled back, sent some photos and went back. I saw a tank firing at the people. At the same time, you had jets flying low over the city, setting off sonic booms. I thought they would bomb the police station and made a mental note to stay away from it.

And then, I dont know how it happened, but it became morning. It was like in a film -- you go out for a normal day and suddenly its 24 hours later. Thats how I felt. I went out to shoot the bridge for the Nice commemorative service and then I realised that the sun was coming up.

By that point, the people who had gathered were pushing to get to the soldiers position. Word spread that the soldiers on the other bridge had abandoned theirs, which only spurred the crowd on.

Then suddenly the people were running toward the tanks. I ran with them.

Then someone next to me said, Theyre killing soldiers over there.

I went in that direction and saw a soldier, a simple rank and file, who was being attacked with knives and kicked. He was already dead. People around were shouting Throw him off the bridge!

And then, some guy pulled off my helmet and hit me with it. And then others started to hit me.

Throw him off the bridge! I heard. I thought they were going to kill me. And then out of nowhere some guy appeared, screaming, What the hell are you doing? And I started yelling Stop! Stop! Im from the prime ministers office! When I said that, they stopped.

There was gunfire everywhere

Kose: When I got to Taksim Square, I saw that there were about a hundred soldiers there. And there was a group of government supporters all around them, waving Turkish flags and and shouting Go back to your base! Go back to your base!

I took some pictures and 20 minutes later, the soldiers began to shoot into the air. The people continued to shout slogans. At that point, I didnt see anyone injured. After 10 minutes, they shot at their feet or directly at them. Some soldiers pointed their guns into the air and some point their guns at the people.

Turkish soldiers stay at Taksim Square as people protest against the military coup in Istanbul on July 16, 2016. (Ozan Kose / AFP)

Then there was chaos. Everybody was running, they were trying to protect themselves from the fire. At that point, two jets flew really low over the city, setting off sonic booms. The noise broke some store windows. At first I thought they were bombing somewhere.

I decided to change my position. It was a mess, there was gunfire everywhere. I saw helicopters flying above. There were people everywhere. Some were angry and protesting and some were just trying to go home. It was total chaos.

I saw lots of injured people. It was night, so you couldnt really see anything. You only heard gunfire. Whenever the gunfire was near, I tried to change my position and protect myself.

And thats how I spent my night, wandering from place to place. Around 3 or 4 am, I saw some people who were catching soldiers and taking them to the police. I saw about three or four soldiers like that.

In the early morning, I went to the office, took a helmet and flak jacket and went out again.

Everyone was shocked about this. Ive heard my father and my grandfathers talking about the coups that they lived through and they always said that they usually did it early in the morning because there were few people on the street and that there were always soldiers everywhere, they would just take over. And when I went to Taksim, there were those 100 soldiers facing off a larger crowd.

Nothing will be same after this

Kilic: Later I learned that journalists were beaten everywhere. They beat a friend of mine, they broke his nose. That was a big shock to me. Theyre clashing with the military, but they are also beating journalists. This is my home and theyre beating journalists.

And then I saw some of the things being put on Twitter. They were broadcasting how they were killing soldiers on Twitter. That soldier who was next to me? They apparently cut off his head. I saw the pictures on Twitter.

People take cover as jet fighters pass over near the Bosphorus bridge as Turkish military clash with people at the entrance to the bridge in Istanbul on July 16, 2016. (Bulent Kilic / AFP)

On that bridge, its the most scared that Ive ever been. And Ive covered wars. Ive been to Syria.

This is my country, this is my home, this is the bridge that Ive known since childhood. And the people were losing control on the streets. Nothing will be the same after this.

The images from the bridge... will change the country

Kose: The images from the bridge, they will change the country, nothing will be as it was before. The Turkish people have always had respect for the military and on that bridge, they actually killed soldiers and posted the images on social media. Everyone is shocked.

A injured man lies on ground after clashes at Taksim Square in Istanbul on July 16, 2016. (Ozan Kose / AFP)

I saw the eyes of the soldiers on Taksim. They didnt seem like they knew what they were doing. They seemed lost, totally lost.

This coup attempt has left so many people dead. Everything in Turkey will change. Now the people are divided into two sides -- those against Erdogan and those for Erdogan.
The blood stains have been removed. So has most of the debris. But some remnants of the blast that ended Micah Johnsons deadly police ambush in Dallas remain at El Centro College: a wall and door frame blown back several feet, and wires and metal dangling from a ceiling with no tiles.

Officials at the downtown community college on Tuesday showed reporters the damage left after Dallas police deployed a remote-controlled robot with about 1 pound of the explosive C4, set it off and killed Johnson early on July 8.

Johnson had opened fire on police officers working at a protest about recent killings by police of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota before making his way into the college. For about 4 hours, Johnson hid around a corner near the end of a long, narrow hallway of classrooms on the second floor of El Centros Building B, the colleges police chief, Joseph Hannigan, said. From there, Johnson fired about 200 bullets at officers, Hannigan said.

Theres no way for an officer to get in here and make an approach on the subject, he said, standing next to the spot where Johnsons body was found. Thats why the decision was made to do it mechanically.

Workers continued to make repairs as El Centro College Police chief Joseph Hannigan gives a tour to the media retracing the path Micah Johnson took once he entered the downtown campus. (AP Photo)

El Centro College Police chief Joseph Hannigan stands by a doorway with gun shot damage. (AP Photo)

In all, Johnson fatally shot five officers during the attack and wounded nine others, along with two civilians. Two of the injured were El Centro College officers who encountered Johnson as he tried shooting his way through some campus doors.

A photograph of the five police officers killed during a protest earlier this month in Dallas sits pasted onto a poster board with messages left at a makeshift memorial in front of the headquarters of the Dallas Police Department. (AP Photo)

Dallas Police Chief David Brown has defended using the robot, saying Johnson had told police negotiators he wanted to kill more officers and had planted explosives.

Johnson, 25, who lived in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite and had served in the Army Reserves, started the ambush around 9 p.m. on July 7. As the peaceful protest neared its conclusion, he pulled up in a black SUV, talked to two Dallas police officers and then shot them, authorities said.

A note left behind attached to a police cruiser at a makeshift memorial in front of the headquarters of the Dallas Police Department sits surrounded by law enforcement badges. (AP Photo)

Terrell Fallon, center, watches his father Sean, of Mansfield, Texas, sign a banner attached to an exterior wall in front of the headquarters of the Dallas Police Department. (AP Photo)

From there, Johnson began moving, seeking cover inside El Centro because he was coming under return fire, Hannigan said. There was no indication Johnson had previously staked out El Centro or made threats against it, he said.

My personal belief is that he was just going to wing it, Hannigan said. I dont think he had initial plans to enter El Centro. But I dont think he expected the response we had.

Johnson eventually shot way inside through an entrance on the other side of campus and left a trail of blood leading to a stairwell, Hannigan said. He fired back at officers who followed him into the stairwell and headed to the campus library. He found a window, shot it out and fired down at officers on the street.

A corner of a hallway wall and fire extinguisher station are shown at El Centro College. (AP Photo)

Law enforcement officers salute during the funeral service for slain officer Michael Krol in Redford Township. (AP Photo)

Johnson stayed on the move, Hannigan said. He wound his way back around to the other side of the building and about 10 or 11 p.m. ducked inside the doors of the same hallway where the standoff ensued.

He knew we were coming after him. He knew not to stay in one place for too long, Hannigan said. Asked why he hunkered down in the hallway, Hannigan said, I dont know if it was intentional that he barricaded himself in that zone or if it was an accident.
Naftogaz Ukrainy has backed the European Commission's idea to hold trilateral negotiations with Russia's Gazprom, the Naftogaz press service reported.

"Naftogaz confirms the readiness to resume trilateral negotiations with Gazprom in order to coordinate terms of buying Russian gas as proposed by European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic yesterday," the report said.

It said Naftogaz would take part in a meeting of the kind in the near future and in a place convenient for all sides.
Oskar Masco drops his backpack, pulls out a placard, holds it up over his head and gets to work, as he plans for the duration of the Republican convention. His placard read: Trump Terrorises.

He is a lone wolf in a sea of protestors, mostly at Public Square, which is close to the venue hosting the convention. Some arrive in small groups, some in hordes and still others in large rallies.

Most of them look well funded and organised, which is not illegal. Masco, a rickshaw-driver from California, is self-funding his protest, like the Republican nominee he is opposing.

A man in a large sun hat came by holding a man on a leash, walking on all fours and pretending to be a dog. He invited people to kick the human dog if they wanted Trump to win.

He was a Trump supporter, he said, and was soon yelling back at three anti-Trump protestors, joined soon by an African American man who said he was supporting Trump.

A member of the activist group Code Pink demonstrates during former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson's speech on the second day of the Republican National Convention at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. (AFP)

The debate underway in newsrooms and living rooms across the US has spilled out into the the streets in Cleveland, where Republicans started the process of picking their nominee on Monday.

Black Lives Matter activists walked around the citys main square, fists in the air on Monday, alongside activists representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and an assorted lot of others.

Masco slipped into the rally, to become part of the larger collection, make a larger impact, catch the eyes perhaps of a TV crew or enterprising stand-alone bloggers.

Trump is dividing the country, Masco said, turning people against people, against Muslims, against Mexicans. As a half-Mexican himself, its quite personal, he added.

As the man walking the human dog yelled back at a protestor, Masco walked around them and held up a hastily scribbled placard that said: This is what white privilege looks like.

Needless to say the man and his man-dog were both whites. And they looked a bit concerned when Pierre Nappier, a burly African American, came to their help.

Nappier is supporting Trump, he explained, during a break from the yelling match. He has brought out all the white supremacists from the closet, and out into the open.

That may be a good thing, but isnt it too cynical a reason to back the nominee? No sir, he countered. He said he is the founder of a local group he calls New Black Democrats.

And in this mix of protestors was Reverend Pamela M Pinkney Butts, a candidate herself for the White House, as she was in 2008 and 2012. Its about running, not winning.

She can yell, yell back and out-yell anyone. And when she was done, she walked away after offering her phone number and advice: Be safe. Things could turn ugly around here.

Though prepared for it any time of day, security officials, as well as local residents, are expecting trouble on Thursday, the day Trump is expected to accept the nomination.
Five Islamist militants were on Wednesday charged for the murder of a 27-year-old secular Bangladeshi blogger, who was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants in broad daylight in Dhaka last year.

An additional metropolitan magistrate court indicted the Ansarullah Bangla Team militants and fixed August 4 as the date for witnesses depositions in the murder case of Oyasiqur Rahman Babu.

Oyasiqur was stabbed to death in Tejgaon Industrial area of Dhaka in March last year.

Assistant public prosecutor Salauddin Hawlader said three suspects were produced before the court for the hearing.

The remaining two, who are absconding, will be tried in absentia, he was quoted as saying by BD News.

On the morning of March 30 last year, machete-wielding assailants hacked Oyasiqur to death near his home.

Locals managed to nab two of the attackers and handed them over to law enforcement officials while the third suspect was arrested by police later.

Police produced the trio  Zikrullah alias Hasan, Ariful Islam and Saiful  in court on Wednesday and all of them pleaded not guilty.

Madrassa students, Zikrullah and Ariful, were nabbed by locals from the spot while police arrested Saiful later. The fugitive suspects are Junayed Ahmed alias Taher and Akram Hossain.

Police said the arrested suspects confessed during interrogation that Oyasiqur was murdered for his writings on religious issues.

The blogger was working at a travel agency called Fareast Aviation as a trainer after completing his studies from the Tejgaon College in Dhaka.

Oyasiur hailed from Hajipur village in Lakshmipur district.

He was mainly active on the Facebook, where he used to write on religion, science and against communalism.

Oyasiqur was killed barely after a month after the murder of secular writer-blogger Avijit Roy on the Dhaka university campus also by machete-wielding assailants.

Protesting the killing, Oyasiqur wrote on the banner of his Facebook page  I am Avijit. Words cannot be killed.

Bangladesh in the past two years has witnessed deadly attacks on liberal and secular writers and activists, and religious minorities, including Hindus and moderate Sufis and Shiites.
Engineless space glider Perlan 2 departed for a record-breaking attempt to glide at 90,000 feet over Argentina, which, if successful, could pave the way for hypersonic travel and aircraft on Mars.

The projects goal is to set an altitude record for the unpowered craft of 90,000 feet (27,400 metres) in the frigid temperatures at the edge of space (-70 Fahrenheit, -57 Celsius), similar to the conditions on Mars.

The European aerospace firm Airbus has invested close to $4 million in the American group Mission Perlan 2, which developed the ambitious project and has tested the craft Saturday in the skies over Nevada in the United States.

(Picture courtesy: Picture courtesy: Perlanproject website)

If Perlan 2 manages to break the altitude record set in 1976 by the US Air Forces SR-71 reconnaissance plane, Airbus name will go into the history books along with those of other great aeronautics pioneers.

Heres all you need to know about the project:

The mission

The Perlan 2 will fly to 90,000 feet at the edge of space to explore the science of giant mountain waves that help create the ozone hole and change global climate models.

How it works

The plane does not have an engine and is instead designed to ride air currents that, in mountainous regions near the north and south poles, can reach into the stratosphere. The planes true speed at the edge of space is 400mph (643km/h).

Whats required?

This will require the engineering of a spacecraft with glider wings that can fly in less than 3% of normal air density and at temperatures of minus 70 degrees C, conditions approximating the surface of Mars.

Whats next?

If the plane breaks the 90,000ft barrier, the next phase will set a goal of exploring the stratosphere up to a height of 100,000ft.

Other plans

But this is not its only futuristic project. Airbus and Uber transportation company want to develop a helicopter-on-call service. Even more ambitious is a plan to build a flying car using artificial intelligence.
India and China could replicate military protocols set up during Sino-Russia border negotiations to minimise conflict as both countries continue protracted talks to resolve their boundary dispute, a top Chinese expert has said.

There are lessons in avoiding conflict to be learnt from the way China and Russia resolved their boundary issue after negotiating for decades.

China successfully solved the problem with the Soviet Union despite difficulties such as the collapse of the Soviet Union. All border issues have been solved except the ones with India and Bhutan, Xing Guangcheng, director general of the Institute of Frontier Science at the influential Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), told Hindustan Times.

Two military and disarmament protocols implemented by China and Russia in the mid-1990s could be replicated in the Sino-Indian talks to settle boundary differences.

From the negotiations, we built mutual trust with Russia and came out with two important protocols - the Border Area Military Trust Protocol in 1996 and the Border Area Disarmament Protocol. I think the protocols can also be applied to the Sino-India border problem, Xing said.

The negotiations between the Soviet Union and China were not moving forward, he said, till then President Mikhail Gorbachev came to China in 1989.

After that, the negotiations became more meaningful as both countries started to work pragmatically to settle the border issues. Soon after that in 1992, the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia joined the three countries of Central Asian and continued the negotiation in the 4+1 pattern, he said.

After several rounds of talks and the two protocols to maintain peace along the border, the problem was finally settled, he said.

Xing  an expert on Chinas border history and designated cultural elite by the government -- was in Lhasa to take part in the recently held Tibet Development Forum.

He said India and China currently have good mechanisms for communication but will have to focus on controlling flare-ups.

For one, the two countries have implemented the Border Defence Cooperation Agreement aimed at controlling incidents along the boundary.

There are three disputed regions along the frontier and tension in one can escalate tensions along the entire boundary, Xing said.

Unless completely resolved, the whole border issue would continue to be a sensitive status. There are three disputed areas along the Sino-India border, among them one stretch in Tibet and another in Xinjiang. The border issue is actually a whole, the tension in one area will stimulate pressure and tension (along the entire border), he said.

For now the most important thing is that both countries should implement effective border control in case of an emergency such as military conflicts. Some conflicts have taken place between China and India in recent years, for example the tent confrontation between Chinese and Indian armies, he said.

Xing said both countries lost early opportunities to settle the border issue after becoming independent during the late 1940s.

But now the two counties have fought a war and regional disputes also exist. We still have to work together to strengthen mutual trust and political ties to properly settle the border problem, he said.
The Brussels police on Wednesday detained a man in connection of a five-hour bomb alert in the Belgian capital, which turned out to be a language mix-up which the Iranian radiation student inadvertently triggered.

Police backed by bomb disposal teams cordoned off part of the Belgian capital where they surrounded the man, who aroused suspicion because he was wearing a long winter jacket with wires protruding from it on a hot day.

But Ghent University said he was in fact a student carrying equipment to compare radiation levels in the city and the countryside who was unable to answer police questions because he did not speak French or Flemish, which are Belgiums languages.

The apparent false alarm came as Brussels was on high alert ahead of Belgian national day celebrations and following the Islamic State groups bomb attacks on the airport and metro in March.

When the bomb disposal robot moved towards the person under surveillance he made some very worrying statements that led us to fear that he had explosives on him, Brussels police spokesperson Christian De Coninck told RTL-TVI television.

He was a student who was going to do his studies in radiation. So all the belongings he had on him, which were very suspect, were in fact harmless.

A spokesperson for Ghent University said he had been carrying a special prototype of wearable equipment to measure background radiation.

This instrument takes the form of a jacket containing cables and batteries, which was considered suspect, the spokesperson told Belga news agency.

The university said the student was Iranian and spoke fluent English but could not answer questions in French or Flemish. He also failed to immediately show police a document confirming his research.

Photographs in local media showed the man on his knees at gunpoint.

BREAKING: Man with 'wires coming out of coat' confronted by armed police in Brussels pic.twitter.com/THtWGlQlsD  Charles B. Anthony (@CharlesBAnthony) July 20, 2016

Footage showed troops, police and firemen in and around the cordoned-off area at Place de la Monnaie, with the streets largely deserted in what is normally a very busy shopping district near the Brussels opera house.

The latest apparent false alarm comes a month after a man with psychiatric problems who was carrying a fake suicide belt full of salt and biscuits triggered a major anti-terror operation at a Brussels shopping mall.

Last weeks deadly Nice lorry attack set off a fresh wave of unease in Belgium and the latest incident, even if it proves to be a false alarm, will add to nerves as the country prepares to celebrate its national day on Thursday.

Belgium is the main source per head of population of jihadist recruits going from the European Union to fight with IS in Syria, causing deep concern that they will return home battle-hardened and even more radicalised.
A drive by Nasa to stream climate data to West African nations using its earth-observing satellites could boost crop production in a region hit hard by climate change, experts say.

Nasa last week launched a hub in Nigers capital Niamey that will use space-based observations to improve food security and better manage natural disasters, said Dan Irwin, manager of the Servir project, named after the Spanish word meaning to serve.

The project, which will cover Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal and Niger, is one of four regional hubs worldwide, funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The model is demand driven, said Irwin, who describes Servir s vision as connecting space to village. Nasa performed a study in the region two years ago and found that governments either did not have good data, or were not using it, he added.

The Sahel is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change, where rising temperatures and increasingly erratic rainfall are wreaking havoc on farmers, disrupting food production, and fuelling widespread hunger and malnutrition.

The whole livelihood along the Sahel depends on a few main crops, namely millet and sorghum, UN World Food Programme analyst Matthieu Tockert told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

These crops are highly dependent on rainfall, so any data that allows for proper forecasts is key, Tockert said.

Farmers in Senegal say that traditional methods of predicting the weather are no longer reliable. A programme launched last month by the countrys aviation and meteorology agency aims to solve the problem by sending texts to farmers.

There is an immediate need to connect available science and technology to development solutions in West Africa, said Alex Deprez, director of USAIDs West Africa regional office.

In East Africa, Servir scientists have since 2008 built a system to track water in streams and rivers and predict when and where droughts or floods will occur, and created maps that show which land is the most fertile, and which areas risk erosion.

Servir could adopt similar programmes in West Africa, but the first step will be to identify the regions most pressing needs, with a priority on improving food security, Irwin said.
British Prime Minister Theresa May will on Wednesday inform German Chancellor Angela Merkel that she needs time to prepare for Brexit, as the former heads to Berlin for private talks with the latter.

May will fly to Berlin after facing her first Prime Ministers questions against Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, reports the Guardian.

Talks between Merkel and May is likely to be dominated by discussion of Britain leaving the EU, trading relationship between the two countries, the migration crisis and Islamist terrorism among others.

After Merkel on Thursday, May will hold talks in Paris with the French president, Francois Hollande.

The duo will likely hold talks on Brexit, where May would warn that the UK needs time to consult with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as different industries, before triggering formal negotiations to leave the EU.

The government lawyers at the opening of the first legal challenge to the process of Brexit, yesterday confirmed that May will not push the button on article 50 of the Lisbon treaty, which initiates the UKs departure, before the end of this year.

Prime Minister May who campaigned to remain in the EU, before the trip, said she had chosen to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after assuming office because she was determined to make a success of Brexit.

On Tuesday, she revealed of personally taking charge of three new ministerial committees - on Brexit, the economy and social reform - to implement her priorities for government.

She told her first cabinet meeting that politics is not a game and they must get on with the job.

Read: IMF says Brexit will drag down world economic growth
India should cancel the dated and restricted list of commodities it allows to be traded through the mountainous Nathu La pass in Sikkim, a top Chinese official has said, adding that new items should be added to increase the volume of trade through the land route.

Indias policies are not helping matters and the customs fluctuating rules that are occasionally loose and constricted at other times are pushing down trade through the route, Yang Guoliang head of the foreign trade department of Tibet Autonomous Regions (TAR) department of commerce, told HT in Lhasa during the recently-held Tibet Development Forum.

Trade through the route was kicked off in 2006.

Currently, India allows export of 29 items and the import of 15 items from China.

Read: Beijing says no incursion, troops were on Chinese side of LAC

In 2014, the volume of trade through the pass, closed between October and May because of climate, was around 28 crore. But clearly thats not close to the potential.

First, the two countries should improve the facilitation of border trade. Its not related to the governments only, but also to the customs. Second, we need to extend coverage of products, Yang said.

The Indian government has made a products list which is still the same as it was in the 1950s. Its not suitable to todays market environment. We hope Indian government will cancel the limit or we can have further discussion about it, so that we can provide products meeting peoples demands and increase trading opportunities, he added.

The Nathu La pass at an altitude of 4,545 metres and is located between TARs Yadong County in Xigaze prefecture, and Sikkim.

Read: Made in India boards in Chinese border town bring trade boost hopes

It is the shortest land pass for trade between China and India, and also the highest altitude land pass for trade; from 2015, it is also the second route for Indian pilgrims to head to Mansarovar Lake.

Yang said the development momentum of the border is good but both countries should pay more attention to it.

But is the Indian government keen to increase trade through the Nathu La? The answer is possibly: No.

Besides security fears, there is apprehension that if restriction-free trade is allowed, Chinese commodities will flood Indias northeastern states. Chinese good are available in the region even now but if a free flow of trade is allowed, it will be flooding at a different scale.

Land trade is not encouraged (by the Indian government) through the country. Be it Pakistan, Myanmar of China, sitting MP from Sikkim, PD Rai told HT from India.

We look at trade through Nathu La as a confidence-building measure; it is trading of goods available locally. But China is very keen to open up trade  let it flow, Rai said, adding: Their view of (land) trade is different from our over view of (land) trade.

As of now, it seems unlikely that those views will merge over the rough but picturesque Nathu La pass any time soon.

Read: Planning a road trip to south-east Asia? Heres a guide to the necessary permits
Several Labour Party members believe the outcome is known, but after weeks of debate, a single candidate  Owen Smith  has been put on the ballot paper to take on party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has faced much opposition since the June 23 Brexit vote.

The final candidate to challenge Corbyn was decided after MPs decided between Smith and Angela Eagle, who withdrew on Tuesday evening when the former got more votes. The election will be held over the next two months before the partys annual conference.

Given the overwhelming support Corbyn enjoys among party members  with many more joining in recent weeks  many believe his re-election is assured, putting a question mark over the gain for the party in going through the motion of holding the election.

Pitching himself as just as radical as Corbyn, Smith said, I will want to work side by side with Angela throughout this contest. I want to say to all members of the Labour party tonight, young and old, longstanding and new members: I can be your champion.

Smith toured television and radio studios on Wednesday morning, setting out his vision for Labour and Britain, and responding to concerns about his earlier roles in the pharmaceutical industry.

Reiterating the claim that people had lost faith in Corbyn, Smith said if he won the leadership contest, he would offer Corbyn the chance to become president of the party. Jeremy has still got a lot to say for the Labour Party, but I dont think Jeremy is a leader in parliament. But I would absolutely want him to take a role like president or chairman, he said.

Acknowledging the appeal for Corbyns radicalism in the party, Smith, however, said: For that to have a real effect in Britain, we have got to be a powerful opposition to the current Tory government.

And we have got to be a credible government-in-waiting in order to put those principles and that radicalism into practice, because without having a chance to win power its all hot air.

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Reiterating its call on Pakistan to stop terrorism from spreading roots on its own soil, the United States has reiterated that Islamabad must target all terrorist groups, particularly those that have their eyes set on its neighbours.

However, the US acknowledged that Pakistan is taking steps to counter terrorist violence, particularly focused on groups that threaten Pakistani stability

In a statement shared with Dawn, the US State Department noted that Pakistan was waging a serious and sustained campaign against violent extremism and had suffered greatly from terrorism.

It noted that the Pakistani military had made progress in shutting down terrorist safe havens through Zarb-i-Azb and other operations, and had restored government control to parts of Pakistan that had been used as terrorist sanctuaries for years.

These are important and meaningful steps for Pakistan; they have contributed to our interests in the region; and they have come at significant cost, in lives lost by both Pakistani civilians and security personnel, the State Department said.

While appreciating Pakistans efforts, the US also pointed out that it has been very clear with the highest levels of the government of Pakistan that Pakistan must target all militant groups -- including those that target Pakistans neighbours -- and close all safe havens.

Pakistans leaders have assured us of their intention to do so. In this regard, we welcome Gen Raheel Sharifs statement of July 6, in which he directed Pakistani military commanders, intelligence agencies and law enforcement agencies to take concrete measures to deny any militant group safe haven or the use of Pakistani soil to launch terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, the statement said.

The statement acknowledged that the broad, multi-faceted partnership between the two countries allowed the US to advance shared interests with Pakistan, including in the region.

The US further asserted that they have made no secret of their concern that the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network continue to operate from Pakistani territory.
Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President Pedro Agramunt has described journalist Pavel Sheremet's death in Kyiv as an attack on freedom of the media and called on the Ukrainian authorities to properly investigate it and punish those responsible.

"Murder of #Sheremet: deplorable attack media freedom & safety of journalists! Full investigation needed to bring responsible to justice," Agramunt said on Twitter on Wednesday.

The PACE president also offered his sympathies to Sheremet's "family and loved ones."
A car bomb killed well-known pro-Western journalist Pavel Sheremet in central Kiev on Wednesday morning, with crisis-hit Ukraines president demanding the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The 44-year-old, originally from Belarus but a Russian citizen who worked for the independent news site Ukrainska Pravda, died when an explosion tore through the car he was in.

Two eyewitnesses told Reuters television they had heard a loud blast and seen an explosion from underneath the car, which lay charred in the middle of the street.

The charred car, with all the doors open, stood on the cobbled street behind a police cordon as investigators worked at the scene, AFP journalists at the scene said.

Pavel Sheremets death is the result of an explosive device. Its murder, said prosecutor-general Yuriy Lutsenko on Facebook.

President Petro Poroshenko described his death as a crime and a terrible tragedy, saying that the guilty must be punished.

The interior ministry called Sheremets killing a brazen murder aimed at destabilising the country.

An aide to the interior minister, Zoryan Shkiryak, said on Facebook the explosive device was believed to be the equivalent of 400 to 600 grams of TNT, possibly set off remotely or on a timer.

All possible scenarios of this cruel crime are being looked into, Shkiryak said, adding explosives experts were working at the scene.

A taxi driver, who gave his name only as Petro, told AFP that Sheremet was driving along Ivana Franka street and stopped at the turn and then an explosion went off. The flames from the windscreen went up to the second floor.

We rushed to the car and opened the door, he was lying on the floor and groaning. He was in shock from pain and his legs seemed to be broken, the driver said.

He said witnesses called for an ambulance and started dragging Sheremet out because of the intense flames in the car. Sheremet was unable to speak but was moaning from pain. When the amubulance came, he was still alive.

The car he was driving was not his own but belonged to the founding editor at Ukrainska Pravda, Olena Prytula, the news outlet reported.

Destabilise the situation

Sheremet had worked for several years at Ukrainska Pravda, whose founder Georgiy Gongadze was murdered in 2000 after opposing then-president Leonid Kuchma.

Gongadzes killing was a national scandal, but while those alleged to have carried out the hit were jailed no one has yet been charged with giving the order for his murder.

The editor of Ukrainska Pravda, Sevgil Musaieva-Borovyk, told AFP he thought Sheremet was killed for his professional activity.

Why do they kill journalists in Ukraine? Someone wants to destabilise the situation in the country by doing this, the editor said.

Sheremet also worked on radio station Vesti, where he was due to host a show after leaving home on Wednesday morning. The station is criticised by some Ukrainians as being too pro-Russian.

Sheremet was born in Belarus and worked in television there before leaving due to a conflict with the repressive regime of Alexander Lukashenko. He founded the popular Belarussky Partizan opposition news website.

He then worked for Russias ORT television network and at one point was anchor on the countrys most watched news show, Vremya or Time.

He later worked for Russias state Obshestvennoye Televideniye, or Public Television, a channel set up in 2013, but resigned in 2014 in protest at Russias stance towards Ukraine in covering the upheaval in the country.

Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, wrote on Twitter that Sheremets murder was devastating news, calling for the perpetrators and masterminds to be brought to justice.

The killing comes as Ukraine is continuing to battle separatists in its east and is still struggling to reach stability amid political infighting and an economic collapse.

The separatist conflict in the east that Kiev and its Western allies accuse Russia of plotting and backing is now in its third year and has killed 9,500 people.
Five Taiwanese fishing boats set sail for Taiwans sole holding in the South China Sea on Wednesday in protest against a court ruling that deems it a rock rather than an island, limiting its rights to surrounding resource-rich waters.

Festooned with Taiwan flags, the fishing boats, loaded with eggs and instant noodles, left the south coast for a week-long trip to Itu Aba, about 1,600km (1,000 miles) away.

The move is largely symbolic as Taiwan has occupied Itu Aba, which it calls Taiping, for decades.

Taiwan refuses to recognise last weeks ruling in a case lodged by the Philippines in the Hague that denies Chinas vast claims to the South China Sea.

Taiwan, formally known as the Republic of China and deemed by China a renegade province, is also a claimant in the South China Sea. The maps China bases its claims on date to when Chiang Kai-sheks Nationalists ruled China before they fled to Taiwan in 1949 after losing the Chinese civil war to Mao Zedongs Communists.

An aerial photo taken though a glass window of a Taiwanese military plane shows the view of Itu Aba. (Reuters Photo)

The Philippines argued that no feature in the disputed Spratly Islands could be legally considered islands because they lack the ability to sustain human habitation or economic life.

This is to protest the demotion of Taiping from an island to a rock and zoning the waters to the Philippines, Lo Chiang-fei, spokesperson for the expedition, told reporters.

When they get there, they will land, get fresh water to show this place can sustain human life and bring it back.

Nearly 200 marine-trained coast guard personnel are stationed on Itu Aba.

Taiwanese fishermen display flags and placards before departing to Taiping island. (AFP Photo)

The court ruling under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea gave Itu Aba only 12 nautical miles of territorial waters. Only islands that can sustain human habitation are allowed a greater 200 nautical miles of exclusive economic zone.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Along with Taiwan, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam have rival claims.
For two nights in a row, the sea of humanity packed into the Republican National Convention has been overwhelmingly white with African American faces few and far between.

The party that gave the world the first black US secretary of state in Colin Powell and the first African American woman secretary of state in Condoleezza Rice has been accused of alienating black voters and one man in particular is getting the blame: Donald Trump.

I cant speak for the whole community but I can speak for me and he has turned me off, says black retiree and Hillary Clinton supporter Gloria Bivins attending a civil rights convention in Ohio.

The billionaire Republican nominee has insulted immigrants, Muslims, women and the handicapped, and been accused of playing coy with white supremacists, doing nothing to win over the descendants of slavery.

While a recent Quinnipiac University poll found Clinton and Trump neck and neck nationwide, it said whites back the business tycoon 47-34%and black voters support Clinton 91-one percent.

Read: Melanias plagiarism talk rife in Republican tent as Trump closer to GOP prize

The man whose job it is to change those numbers, Telly Lovelace, director of African American initiatives and urban media at the Republican National Committee, says it is too early to write him off.

For him to win the Republican nomination he had to appeal to white voters, Lovelace told AFP. Now that primary season is over, Trump will change tack and start to talk about minority issues, he said.

But Lovelace admitted he is still working out his strategy for how best to convey Republican messages in black communities.

Mr Trump has this bling factor which will attract a lot of African American and minorities to at least consider voting for him, he said.

Four years ago when the Republicans lost to Barack Obama for the second time, they commissioned a report that concluded that America had changed and to win power they must court minority voters.

Lovelace dismissed widespread criticism on the 2016 campaign trail that the party has not adequately reformed itself.

Read: Trump wasnt authorized to use We Are the Champions: Queen

While Mitt Romney won six percent of the black vote in the 2012, he said, Republicans got 10 percent of the black vote in the 2014 mid-term elections and Ohio Governor John Kasich 26 percent.

Yet the optics, at least, do not look good for Trump. Unlike Clinton, he declined to address black civil rights organization the NAACP, in what has become a rite of passage for US presidential candidates.

Of 71 prime-time speakers scheduled to speak at the four-day convention in Cleveland, Politico said only seven are black.

The most prominent of them, former presidential candidate and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, made no mention of currently tense race relations, fueled by acts of violence and police shootings.

Outside the arena, Eric Smith, an African American business owner from Maryland told AFP that he took time off work to travel to Cleveland to prove that there is a diverse amount of support for Trump.

Dressed in a campaign T-shirt, he said he was talking to political opponents in an attempt to prove that the nominee is not racist.

Read: Condoms, T-shirts a fitting tribute to Trumps entrepreneurial spirit
Turkey has blocked access to the WikiLeaks website, the telecoms watchdog said on Wednesday, hours after it leaked thousands of ruling party emails just as Ankara grapples with the aftermath of a failed military coup.

Around 50,000 soldiers, police, judges and teachers have been suspended or detained since the attempted coup on the weekend, and Turkeys Western allies have expressed concern over the crackdowns reach.

WikiLeaks on Tuesday released nearly 300,000 emails from the AK Party dating from 2010 to July 6 this year. Obtained before the attempted coup, the date of their publication was brought forward in response to the governments post-coup purges, WikiLeaks said on its website.

The source of the emails was not connected to the coup plotters or to a rival political party or state, WikiLeaks said.

Founded by Julian Assange, WikiLeaks publishes leaked material, mostly from governments. In 2010, the organisation published classified US military and diplomatic documents in one of the largest information leaks in US history.

Turkeys Telecommunications Communications Board said on Wednesday that an administrative measure had been taken against the website - the term it commonly uses when blocking access to sites.

Turkey routinely uses Internet shutdowns in response to political events, which critics and human rights advocates see as part of a broader attack on the media and freedom of expression.


A 25-year-old woman US Air Force lieutenant stationed in the United Arab Emirates supporting a US-led operation against the Islamic State has died from a non-combat-related injury.

1st Lt. Anais A. Tobar, of Miami, Florida, died on July 18 in Southwest Asia from a non-combat-related injury, the Department of Defense said in a statement.

She was found dead in her room on Monday in Abu Dhabi and authorities were investigating the cause of her death, the Miami Herald reported.

The Department of Defense told the paper that Tobar was in the UAE supporting a US-led Operation Inherent Resolve against the Islamic State militants.

Tobar was assigned to the Fourth Maintenance Squadron, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina.

According to the Air Force Times, the maintenance squadron is responsible for maintaining the equipment for the largest F-15E Strike Eagle fighter wing in the Air Force. The squadron has 600 personnel.

She was in Abu Dhabi when she was found dead.
The US treasury announced sanctions on three Iran-based senior al Qaeda officials on Wednesday for their alleged involvement in moving funds and weapons around the Middle East for the terror group.

The treasury said Faisal Jassim Mohammed al-Amri al-Khalidi, Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi and Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn have important logistics roles in al Qaeda, which is officially designated by the United States and the United Nations as a global terrorist organization.

The treasury said Khalidi, a 31-year-old Kuwait-born Saudi national, was part of a new generation of Qaeda operatives who in May 2015 participated in a senior leadership meeting as the military commission chief.

Egyptian Bayumi, 48, is a Qaeda veteran involved recently in raising and deploying funds for the group.

Ghumayn, a 35-year-old Algerian, took control of the financing and organization of Iran-based Qaeda members last year.

The sanctions seize any assets located in US jurisdictions of those named, and ban Americans and US-based companies from doing business with them -- effectively closing off their access to much of the global financial system.

Treasury remains committed to targeting Al-Qaedas terrorist activity and denying Al-Qaeda and its critical support networks access to the international financial system, Adam Szubin, acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said in a statement.
Boris Johnson did not exactly get good press during his first news conference as Britains foreign secretary - he ducked and squirmed while US secretary of state John Kerry winced when the leading light of the Brexit campaign was reminded of his outright lies.

The grand Locarno Room in the Foreign Office has seen many foreign secretaries and dignitaries, but perhaps no occasion was so uncomfortable as their joint news conference on Tuesday evening, which was telecast live.

So unsettled did Johnson appear that he often referred to the situation in Egypt, when he seemed to mean Turkey, which recently witnessed a bloody failed coup. He tried to bludgeon his way through with his usual bluster but was caught out by journalists.

Asked if he had taken the litany of controversial terms he had used to refer to international leaders in his new role, Johnson looked up and down, for once seeming at a loss for words, before finally insisting he was focussed on his job.

He was reminded by American journalists of his description of US President Barack Obama as half-Kenyan, of presidential candidate Hilary Clinton as a sadistic nurse in a mental hospital, and of outright lies (to Kerrys grimace) during the Brexit campaign  and asked if he would apologise.

A seemingly chastened Johnson said: We can spend an awfully long time going over lots of stuff that Ive written over the last 30 yearsall of which in my view have been taken out of context, through what alchemy I do not know  somehow misconstrued that it would really take me too long to engage in a full global itinerary of apology to all concerned.

He added: There is a rich thesaurus of things that I have said that have one way or the other, I dont know how, that has been misconstrued. Most people when they read these things in their proper context can see what was intended, and indeed virtually everyone I have met in this job understands that very well particularly on the international scene.

We have very serious issues before us today, we have an unfolding humanitarian crisis in Syria that is getting worse. We have a crisis in Yemen that is intractable and a burgeoning crisis on Egypt and those are to my mind far more important than any obiter dicta you may have disinterred from 30 years of journalism.

Columnist John Crace wrote in The Guardian: Its a bad day when Boris fails even to make himself laugh.

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July 20 - A female Pakistani police officer has been assigned to probe the murder of model Qandeel Baloch, officials said on Wednesday.

Qandeel, a social media celebrity, was strangled to death on July 16, allegedly by her brother in the name of family honour, in Multan, Punjab, Dawn online reported.

Central Police Officer (CPO) Azhar Akram deployed woman Inspector Attiya Jaffari to handle the investigation, following the suspension of two former investigating officers for showing negligence in the probe.

Meanwhile, Qandeels alleged killer, her younger brother Waseem, was sent on a 14-day judicial remand on Tuesday, as the police could not take him to a forensic lab in Lahore for DNA and polygraph tests to complete the investigation.

The police filed an appeal in the court to get physical remand of the main suspect, which will be ruled upon later on Wednesday, as noted by Dawn online.

According to a police official, the investigation requires DNA and polygraph tests to establish and evaluate the truthfulness of a suspects statements.

CPO Akram said the new Investigation Officer had already issued notices to various persons, including Mufti Abdul Qavi and the slain models former husband Ashiq Hussain, in the light of Qandeels mothers statement.

The police had obtained Qandeels mobile phone data and detained her brother.

We are preparing the case in a way that its trial should be concluded within three months, Akram said, adding that a letter had been dispatched to the Karachi corps commander to obtain a statement from Aslam Shaheen, Qandeels elder brother, who is serving in the army.

The CPO disclosed that suspect Waseem had made calls to some people soon after the murder.

Meanwhile, talking to Dawn, Qandeels father Mohammad Azam and mother Anwar Bibi said Aslam Shaheens name being included in the FIR was a mistake and they would request the court to exclude his name from the case.
Worried over his permanent residency status in Australia, a Punjab-origin man committed suicide in Melbourne last weekend, a media report said on Tuesday.

In his mid-30s, Deepak Singh was found dead in his car on July 17, sbs.com.au reported. He told me he was worried because he couldnt get a permanent residency in Australia due to change in rules, Jasvinder Sidhu, a prominent member of the Punjabi community in Melbourne and Singhs friend, was quoted as saying.

Singh, who arrived in Australia as an international student in 2008, got married to an Australian woman and was living on a temporary visa. He secured a diploma in community service and completed his placement at the Tarneit Sikh Temple in Victoria.

His application for a permanent visa on the basis of his marriage was rejected by the government on the grounds that the relationship did not seem genuine. An appeal in the Migration Review Tribunal was also subsequently rejected, the report said.

Singhs friends said he did not have enough money to hire a lawyer to fight his case. Afraid that he would be deported, Singh met Sidhu a couple of months ago and asked him to begin a programme to help Indian students who get stranded in such situations.
BEIJING: Vietnam has accused China of being untruthful about how much support it has on the South China Sea arbitration case, days after New Delhi dismissed a similar misinformation campaign by Beijing.

Late on Monday, Vietnam described as untruthful Chinese state media reports that said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told Premier L Keqiang he respects Chinas position on the South China Sea arbitration case during a meeting in Ulan Bator two days after an international court dismissed Beijings maritime claims in the region.

Phuc and Li met on the sidelines of the Asia-Europe-Meeting (ASEM) summit in the Mongolian capital on July 14.

China had dismissed The Hague- based Permanent Court of Arbitrations ruling as illegal and a piece of waste paper.

Following their meeting, Chinese state media, led by official news agency Xinhua and the Communist Party of China mouthpiece, Peoples Daily, apparently quoted Phuc and reported: Vietnam respects Chinas stance on the SCS arbitration case, which was unilaterally initiated by the Philippines, and maintains that such disputes should be solved peacefully through negotiations.

Phuc was further quoted as saying, Vietnam stands ready to push forward bilateral maritime negotiations and properly manage differences with China, in order to contribute to regional peace and stability.

A report i n Vietnams national daily, Vietnam News, said the version of events published in China was not true.

Vietnam refuted t he untruthful coverage by-Chinese media regarding the East Sea (the name Vietnam uses for the South China Sea) issue from the meeting between Phuc and Li.

The Vietnamese newspaper added: In fact, PM Phuc asked both sides to seriously implement agreements by senior leaders, including the agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of issues at sea between Vietnam and China signed by Party Secretary General Nguyen Phu Tr ng and his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao, in October 2011.

Phuc told Li the 2011 agreement was meant to promote mechanisms of negotiating sea-related issues, manage differences at sea and avoid further complicating the situation.
State concern Ukroboronprom excludes the military coup in Turkey could affect the plan to deepen bilateral military-technical cooperation, Ukroboronprom Deputy CEO Denys Hurak has told Interfax-Ukraine.

"Today we haven't received any information from the Turkish side regarding the suspension of the plan or clarification of the already implemented projects. Contacts with Turkish partners are carried out as normal, and this is a very dense, virtually daily communication," he said.

"Moreover, we even assume in case of a further aggravation of the situation in Turkey and the region, the implementation of our plans in bilateral military-technical cooperation could be accelerated by the initiative of the Turkish side," he added.

According to Hurak, a regular meeting of the Ukrainian-Turkish intergovernmental commission on military-technical cooperation is planned for autumn.

"Partnership in the key areas is going on with a good dynamics," he said.

The topical issues of bilateral Ukrainian-Turkish cooperation, including military-technical cooperation, were discussed during the visit of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to Kyiv in March 2015.
CLEVELAND, OHIO: The Republican Party platform released on Monday, the opening day of its convention, called for protection of all religious communities in India from violence and discrimination .

The platform, much like a partys election manifesto in India, skipped specifics, but could have been reflecting concerns over recent, and not so recent, incidents of religious in tolerance.

On Pakistan, the platform stressed a need to secure its nuclear arsenal and questioned its commitment to combating terrorism, if it punished people for helping the war on terror.

Pakistanis, Afghans and Americans have a common interest in ridding the region of the Taliban and securing Pakistans nuclear arsenal, the document said.

Pakistans nuclear arsenal, said to be growing at the fastest rate in the world, has been along time concern with worries about it falling into the hands of terrorists. Both Republicans and Democrats have raised concerns about religious violence in India  most famously by President Barack Obama in his Siri Fort speech in 2015, and then a few days later, on his return to Washington.

A semi-congressional body, largely aligned with religious conservatives in the Republican Party, has long been trying to send a delegation to India to inspect and assess the situation.

But India has pushed back historically, and firmly, arguing it is dealing with the issue on its own, and is willing to discuss it with the US as part of ongoing governmental dialogue.

The platform is considered a preview of the nominee s administration if elected, its policies and vision.

Platform 2016 is what a Trump administration could look like, more or less.

Could India then expect to get more heat from the US under Trump on religious freedom issues? The platform, which may indicate so, also made some assuring observations.

It called India a geopolitical ally , repeating the 2012 platform of then nominee Mitt Romney, which maybe heartening to some Indian seven though New Delhi is usually wary of being called an ally.
JAKARTA: Indonesias most wanted Muslim militant may have been killed on Monday in a firefight with security forces, police said, after a lengthy hunt for the Islamic State (IS) group supporter. Santoso, the leader of extremist group the Eastern Indonesia Mujahideen, is suspected to have been shot dead along with another militant in a jungle-clad, mountainous district on central Sulawesi island. There were indications the man killed was Santoso.

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BERLIN: German police shot dead a 17-year-old Afghan refugee on Monday after he attacked train passengers with an axe and a knife, seriously wounding four.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility on Tuesday for the attack, but authorities said the assailant appears to have self-radicalised and had no direct link to the extremists.

Police found a hand-painted Islamic State flag and a text written partly in Pashto in the room of the teenager, a state minister said.

Several other people were injured in the assault on a regional train near the southern city of Wuerzburg, police said, adding the teenager was killed as he tried to flee.

Joachim Herrmann, the interior minister of Bavaria state, said the assailant had arrived as an unaccompanied minor in Germany and had lived at first in a shelter and then more recently with a foster family in nearby Ochsenfurt.

During the attack, he shouted Allahuakbar ( God is greatest ), said a ministry spokesperson.

However, he stressed the investigation was ongoing and that the teenager appeared to have acted alone.

The attack happened on a train between Treuchlingen and Wuerzburg in Bavaria.

Four people were seriously injured. Fourteen people were treated for shock.

An eyewitness who lives next to the railway station told DPA news agency that the train, which had been carrying around 25 people, looked like a slaughterhouse after the attack, with blood covering the floor. The man said he saw people crawl from the carriage.
ISLAMABAD: The son of a Pakistani high court chief justice, who was kidnapped from a busy Karachi street in June, was rescued by the army in an operation near the tribal areas on Tuesday.

Awais Ali Shah was recovered from the custody of terrorists during the intelligence-based operation near Tank in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, Gen Asim Bajwa, the head of the militarys media arm, said in a tweet.

Three terrorists were killed during the operation, Bajwa said. Shah, the son of the chief justice of the Sindh high court, was reunited with his family in Karachi at 9.30 am.

I got a call from Gen Raheel Sharif at 3 am informing me my son has been rescued, chief justice Sajjad Ali Shah told the media after being reunited with his son. Gen Raheel told me he was personally monitoring the case and informed me of my son s safe recovery. The chief justice said the Pakistan Army is the only one to credit for the recovery of my son. Asked whether he knew who was responsible for the kidnapping, he said, All I know is that my son is back.

Army officials said the driver of the vehicle in which Awais was being transported was shot and died instantly. After the car came to a halt, two assailants emerged from the back and tried to intervene. Troops approached the car and questioned the person inside, who was wearing a burqa and said he was Awais Ali Shah.
SEOUL: North Korea on Tuesday fired three ballistic missiles into its eastern sea, which followed a week of verbal warnings against the South over its decision to deploy an advanced US missile defence system to better cope with North Korean threats, South Korean officials said. The short-range missiles were launched from inland and flew about 500 to 600 kilometers before crashing into the sea. It said the missile launches did not pose a threat to North America.

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ISLAMABAD: A special court trying former Pakistani military ruler Pervez Musharraf for treason passed an order on Tuesday freezing his bank accounts and confiscating his property, his lawyer said. The head of a three-judge panel, Mazhar Alam Miankhel, made the order in the absence of the former president, who left for Dubai in March for what was described as urgent medical treatment. The order came after authorities gave the court documentation on Musharrafs property. Charges on him include treason.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities barred murdered social media star Qandeel Balochs family from forgiving her brother for strangling her under an Islamic law, taking a rare stand against honour killings.

Police in Qandeels hometown of Multan confirmed that Section 311 of the Pakistan Penal Code had been added to her murder case, barring her family from pardoning the alleged killer under the Qisas and Diyat law.

City police chief Azhar Akram said the Islamic law, whereby the family or heirs of the victim can pardon the murderer, could not be applied in Qandeels case after police added Section 311, through which the state becomes the plaintiff.

Qandeels brother Muhammad Waseem drugged and strangled her on Friday in a murder that shocked the conservative Muslim nation, where the 26-year-old had titillated and outraged people with her racy social media photos and videos.

Waseem, after being arrested on Monday, said he had no regrets because his sister had dishonoured the family by making a controversial video with Mufti Abdul Qavi.

Qandeels father would not be able to forgive Waseem and other suspects if he decided to do so at any point, Akram explained.

Under Section 311, the discretion of accepting a pardon from the victims family is left to the judge handling the case.
They came as teenagers from every state in the Union, wearing every mode of dress from country homespun to tailored city surcoats. In their freshman were officially known as plebes (perhaps from plebeian, a commoner), though upperclassmen called them things, animals, reptiles, and beasts. Despite their differences, these young men were united by a shared distinction: each of them had passed stiff entrance requirements. Each had been appointed by a U.S. congressman, was no younger than 16 and no older than 21, measured at least five feet tall, had no deformities, and was fit for the rigors of military duty. Each one had demonstrated proficiency in fundamental arithmetic. And every one of them was single; even overtly having a girlfriend was grounds for dismissal.

They were the antebellum cadets of the United States Military Academy at West Point. And although these scrawny schoolboys could not foresee it, they would one day face each other in battle, leading rival American armies in a hard-fought civil war.

In 2002, West Point celebrated the 200th anniversary of its founding. But one period stands out as the golden age of the venerable academy along the Hudson River in southeastern New York. It is the period from the 1820s to 1861. Those years and the men they produced still color the way we look at West Point, and it was the legacy of this era that the Civil Wars professional officers embodied.

The future commanders of the Union and Confederacy came to the academy for all sorts of personal reasons. Some of them simply found the place irresistibly alluring. Teresa Viele, the wife of a graduate of the class of 1847, described West Point in 1858 as that mammoth trapwhere the couleur de rose of army life serves as a bait for the unsophisticated, where reality wears the gloss of romance, and military glory appears in the brightest holiday dress, accompanied by all the poetry of war. Most delusive spot, where even the atmosphere seems heavily freighted with martial music and martial association.

The cadets came, many of them, not looking much different from Tom Jackson, the country bumpkin from Virginia who would become the renowned Stonewall. In 1842, Jackson strode onto the north landing along the Hudson River, where the majestic river, flowing down the highlands, meets the foremost point of land on its west bank, elbows around it to the east, and continues southward to New York harbor and on to the Atlantic. The rough-cut Virginian threw his two worn saddlebags over his shoulders and toiled up the winding road that led to the Plain, the large patch of flat ground where cadets marched and camped. Four fellow Virginia plebes, future Confederate generals all, watched him coming, and one of them, Dabney Herndon Maury, saw the resolute look in his eye. Turning to the other three  Ambrose Powell Hill, George E. Pickett, and Birkett Davenport Fry  Maury said, That fellow looks as if he had come to stay.

West Point was a remote outpost on the river then, what the writer Henry Adams would one day call a high green stage, isolated in its grandeur from most of the rest of America, an incubator of chronic homesickness. George Brinton McClellan, Jacksons classmate, who would command all of the Union armies for a time and who had arrived at the academy earlier that same June, wrote home in dismay that he was as much alone as if in a boat in the middle of the Atlantic. Not a soul here cares for, or thinks of me. Not one here would lift a finger to help me; I am entirely dependent on myself  must think for myself  direct myself, & take the blame of all my mistakes, without anyone to give me a word of advice.

It did not get much easier anytime soon for the young plebes putting in at the West Point landing. They were thrust immediately into the academic and physical screening process. An empty blackboard at their front, a battery of frowning faculty at their rear, they were told to demonstrate ability in rudimentary arithmetic. For some the ordeal brought gut-wrenching terror. Fellow cadets watched with mixed amusement and sympathy as Jackson suffered through it. Single-mindedly intent on passing, but as much at sea in arithmetic as his classmate George McClellan wrote he was in the surroundings, Jackson labored at the board, sweat streaming down his face. As he labored he swiped at the perspiration with the cuff of his coat, first the right sleeve, then the left. Tension mounted in the room as he struggled to come to terms with vulgar and decimal fractions. His anguish, and the examining boards, ended only when he was allowed at last to sit down. He thankfully did so, and the examiners turned aside to hide the smiles they could no longer suppress.

At the hospital, on its quiet knoll overlooking the Hudson, the would-be cadets ran the gauntlet of three doctors, where their limbs were probed for ringbone and spavin, chests thumped for soundness, teeth examined for decay, feet inspected for bunions, and apparent deformities clucked over. To test their vision, a dime was held up at the far end of the examining room, and the cadets were asked whether it was showing heads or tails.

The survivors marched immediately onto the Plain to the summer encampment, where they began to learn to be soldiers. The Plain on which they marched is the same as todays Plain only in configuration. It is still a 40-acre terrace in a rock cradle high above the Hudson. But it was not pancake flat, grass-covered, sleekly manicured, and bordered by sidewalks as it is today. Rather, it was unlevel, dusty in summer, muddy or frozen in winter, and pitted in all seasons.

The plebes would march across it uncountable times on their way to becoming soldiers, though to call their movement marching was to stretch the definition of the word. As one of the young men later mused, they were a shuffling mob, as unused to marching as sheep, halting irregularly, bunching up, tramping on one anothers heels. What in the world is so awkward as a plebe? someone asked. The plebes contrasted utterly with the graduating class that marched onto the Plain every June in lock step with clockwork precision to cascading fireworks for their finest hour at West Point  the hour of leaving. One awed plebe wrote home that horse-drawn cannon boomed at graduation, balls & bombs flew about like hail. It seemed as if the earth would open. The music began to build from the distance, and the band marched on playing Auld Lang Syne and Home Sweet Home, leaving no dry eye on the Plain.

Through the summer, the encamping plebes manned bellowing artillery, standing in the melting sun, and were nearly deafened by the roar of the recoiling guns. It was a dirty business. I have changed my pants 4 times in one day & had my boots blacked as many times, one plebe wrote home. If you step out of our tent with your coat not buttoned with every button & hooked in the neck & with clean white gloves you are reported. It never seems a reality to me.

Every cadet soon learned that demerits dictated behavior at West Point and that they were parceled out with maddening liberality for a wide assortment of offenses. Two hundred demerits in one year bought irreversible dismissal. Many cadets nearing that fatal barrier found they had to bone, or work at, behavior as hard as they boned mathematics. To go demerit-free for a year, as Jackson did once, was exemplary. To go demerit-free for the entire four years, as did Robert E. Lee, the great commander-to-be of the Army of Northern Virginia, was a miracle.

If demerits dictated behavior, drums dictated the passage of time. Drums pounded everywhere. Drums were the heartbeat of West Point, always throbbing, beating out the changes of the day. Drums were the first sounds that the sleeping cadets heard at each days beginning. Drums were the last sounds they heard at days end.

The end of summer encampment, the last day of August, was a public event. The Plain swarmed with spectators, men and women, and the drums hammered as all tents were struck at the same instant, in one final tribute to precision and farewell to summer. The academic year that began the next day was to be the plebes crucible. They would start living like students rather than soldiers. They all dreaded it.

They moved, for most of the antebellum years, into two barracks on the south rim of the Plain, gray stone structures with 96 rooms to house up to 250 cadets. Light came from malodorous whale-oil lamps that emitted a dim yellow glow. In winter, the barracks were fearfully exposed to the icy wind that whistled down the river. Unheated but by fireplaces, the rooms were sometimes numbingly cold. One cadet, George Horatio Derby, penned this verse on the subject:

Cold Winters icy days have come / And bleak the northern snow storm pelts.

We want good fires to keep us warm / And we dont want anything else.

Within a few strides of the barracks, on the edge of the Plain, stood the mess hall, where the cadets were marched three times a day, sometimes against their will, in rigid silence to assigned places at the tables. The command Take seats! was followed by what one cadet calledsuch a 20 minutes of clawing jawing cursing calling masticating and hauling as is rarely seen. A wretched menu overloaded with boiled beef and potatoes that had to be chewed diligently triggered anguished letters home pleading for help. William Dutton, a cadet from Connecticut in the class of 1846, longingly mused, I would like to see Mecklenburg  & a field of corn  or wheat or some such thing & would above all things like to get into Aunt Dorcass cupboard a moment.

The mess hall would be remembered chiefly as the source for food smuggled out under hats and under jackets and cooked surreptitiously in rooms late in the evenings and called hash. The practice was a blatantly illegal but harmless depravity whose preeminent practitioner was William Tecumseh Sherman, the future Union conqueror of Atlanta and marcher to the sea. The mess hall is also remembered in West Point lore as the venue where Lewis Armistead, one of the Confederate generals killed in Picketts Charge at Gettysburg, broke a plate over the head of Jubal Early, another Confederate general-to-be, and was dismissed from the academy.

A few steps from the barracks buildings in another direction was the cadet chapel, centrally situated between the two academic halls and the library. Attendance on Sunday mornings was mandatory for every cadet  and every member of the academic staff. It still stands today, but was moved to the cemetery in 1911.

In the antebellum years, the cadets, in full uniform, sat starchily upright in the chapel pews and listened to the chaplain, the Reverend Martin P. Parks, preach of sin and redemption. Cadet John C. Tidball, a future Union general, remembered that Parkss sermons had a most profound soporific effect upon the cadets. In spite of every effort they could not keep awake. After a few minutes of Parkss eloquence their heads commenced wobbling.

Surely, the wobbling of heads was not confined to the chapel. The course of study was undeviating, an iron routine solidly grounded in numbers. A guidebook published in the 1840s referred to the academy as this nursery of military talent, this school of tactics, and prolific fountain of future glory & security. But cadets were there to be educated in mathematics and the sciences  called natural and experimental philosophy then  and engineering. War was a secondary subject. Military strategy and tactics would occupy but a small fraction of their final year.

The first two years at West Point were consumed by mathematics in all of its heinous incarnations: algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration (measurement of geometric quantities), descriptive geometry, analytical geometry, fluxions (rate of continuous change in variable quantities), calculus. Mathematics made up 70 percent of the curriculum, and it was the grim reaper. The casualties were appalling, worse than in any battle. Nine of every ten academic failures, a state euphemistically called being found, stemmed from that demon subject. God damn all mathematics to the lowest depths of hell!! one cadet wrote in his calculus book. May it be made capable of bodily suffering & undergo such torments that the veriest fiend in hell shall shrink in horror at the sight.

If a cadet survived mathematics, he survived West Point, for in the antebellum years, the institution praised by President Andrew Jackson as the best school in the world was exclusively dedicated to minting engineers and scientists, not just for the army, but for the country. One cadet wrote his fiance  whom he intended to marry after graduation, when dismissal would no longer be his penalty  that the whole idea of the place was to make efficient officers who are capable of performing any scientific task that may be imposed upon them.

Other subjects followed well behind math in importance. In the first two years, cadets took French, so they would be able to read, if not speak, the language of Napoleon, the worlds great military exemplar. In the second year, drawing was added, because engineers must know how to render. Ethics  a catchall for English grammar, rhetoric, geography, ancient and modern history, moral philosophy, and political science  was taught by the chaplain and made mere cameo appearances in the last year. Infantry tactics, use of the sword, and horseback riding (the one thing that Ulysses S. Grant, thought to be the finest horseman ever to pass through West Point, excelled in) eventually found their way into the curriculum. In the third year the sciences kicked in. It was then time to apply all that mathematics. And in the fourth and final year, civil and military engineering  the arts of field and permanent fortifications  and the science of war climaxed the cadets West Point years. It was what everything before had been leading up to, the end reason for it all.

Though rigid, demanding, and geared toward the long term, the West Point courses of study did present the young men with a few opportunities for instant gratification. Survey instruments, for example, could be fixed on the windows of homes and quarters on the post and in the nearby town of Buttermilk Falls (now Highland Falls). Cadets so inclined had the opportunity to peep at forms more compelling than logarithms. In the summer, there were the encampments, welcome respites where soldiering returned along with artillery training in its many guises: the art of moving guns, placing them, firing them, concocting cartridges, fuses, and gunpowder.

Academic subjects were jack-hammered into the cadets heads by way of an instructional method called recitation. Cadets boned their subjects by lamplight and came prepared the next day to be randomly called on to solve a problem. The chosen cadet rose and advanced to the accursed blackboard. When finished, he about-faced and explained his handiwork to the professor. Grades were assigned according to the quality of the work from three, the highest, to zero, complete failure.

Each year there were final mass recitations, one in January and the big one in June. Called the Inquisition and the Agony by their victims, they would in large part dictate class standing. Cadets were called to blackboards before the entire faculty to demonstrate what they had learned and remembered. In June, the examiners included the Board of Visitors, generally headed by the general-in-chief of the army himself, Winfield Scott.

Scott loved West Point, so much that he would retire, die, and be buried there. The great general was one of historys most imposing military specimens  six feet, five inches tall and 300 pounds, magnificent in physical proportions & swelling with graceful hauteur, one cadet wrote  and one of its brightest. His conquest of Mexico in 1847-1848 is considered a masterpiece of great battlefield generalship. Many of the West Point graduates who were to command armies in the Civil War learned the art of battle not at the academy, but at Scotts knee in the Mexican War.

When Grant first saw Scott at West Point, he thought he was the finest specimen of manhood my eyes have ever beheld & the most to be envied. The sight of him caused Grant to dream thatsome day I should occupy his place on review. As the world now knows, Grant would occupy that place, command the Union armies, and rise even higher in rank than the great general himself.

Another imposing figure at the academy was superintendent Sylvanus Thayer, who dominated the academys early antebellum years. Widely heralded as the Father of West Point, Thayer seized the reins of the school in 1817 at age 32, and over the next 16 years, he firmed the curriculum, set the priorities and procedures, and built the academy into the preeminent engineering and military school in the world. He shaped its character for a century to come.

After the War of 1812, Thayer, himself an early West Point graduate, son of a Massachusetts farmer, was sent to Europe to study the military schools of France, where he shaped his views of what a military academy ought to be. He was reserved, austere, and handsome, though he was a lifelong bachelor who appeared to love only the academy. His promptness was legendary, his appearance meticulous, his knowledge prodigious. He seemed omniscient, knowing everything about every cadet.

When he resigned in 1833 after what seemed to him unwarranted political interference in academy affairs by President Jackson, he strolled to the dock, shook hands all around, and abruptly and without prior announcement, boarded a steamship and left. He remained in the army for another 25 years, but never returned to West Point until the day he was buried.

The middle and late antebellum years at West Point belonged to Richard Delafield, who served two hitches as superintendent, from 1838 to 1845 and from 1856 to 1861. Delafield was a distinguished military engineer who had graduated first in his class of 1818. He was also a master of the pun, which inspired cadets to coin the nickname Dicky the Punster. Pudgy and sandy-haired, he had a nose like an eagles beak, on top of which was perched a pair of small Benjamin Franklin glasses through which he saw everything that went on. He was an omnipresent, ironhanded, and tireless seeker of petty infractions.

Delafield took pride in making changes. One of the things he changed was the cadet uniform. He transferred the buttons from the sides of the trousers and ran them up the front, fly-fashion. The alteration pleased the cadets but scandalized his wife and the other women of the post. In the end, Delafield was a gifted administrator who was generally unpopular with cadets and with much of the faculty. The day he left in 1845, the Irish janitor observed, When the Major went down to the wharf to leave the Pint he was followed by many a dry eye.

The third standout administrator of the antebellum era was Robert E. Lee, a member of the class of 1829. He was the best-behaved cadet in West Point history and went on to become easily the schools most popular superintendent. Under his watch from 1852 to 1855, the academy added greatly to its already considerable lustre.

These three premier antebellum superintendents were endowed with a faculty assembled mainly by Thayer. The cream of the crop was a quartet of academic giants known and respected worldwide in the disciplines of engineering, science, and mathematics. West Point graduates themselves, they were the heart and soul of the academy.

Dennis Hart Mahan of the class of 1824  the professor of engineering and tactics, and the guru of fortifications and the science of war  dominated the academic board. He ruled his classrooms wielding an intimidating accumulation of knowledge and a biting sarcasm. A disciple of Napoleon, he constantly preached the virtue of common sense in battle, though in his reedy, nasally congested voice, the term came out as something like cobbon sense. The cadets pounced on the opportunity to coin another derisive nickname: Old Cobbon Sense. Mahan authored his own textbooks and would lash out at any unfortunate cadet who admitted not understanding what he had written. He never experienced battle firsthand, but he possessed the most acute theoretical military mind of his time. Only Winfield Scott influenced the West Point-trained generals of the Civil War more than he.

Like Mahan, William H.C. Bartlett, who taught mechanics, optics, astronomy, and electricity, also wrote his own textbooks. He was considered by many to be the most brilliant cadet of the antebellum years. Graduating in 1826, he was first in his class from start to finish, and like Robert E. Lee, he never received a demerit. An elf-like creature with a mane of unmanageable hair, an out-of-control beard, and a nervous habit of jerking his head from side to side, he happened to be one of the worlds foremost astronomers, the first American scientist to use photography in astronomical measurements.

Jacob Bailey of the class of 1832 was a professor of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology. He pioneered the development of the microscope in the field of botany, and scientists all over the world consulted him on the most difficult points of analysis and general physics. He had a sensitive side that loved poetry and hated to flunk students. Naturally, the cadets liked him.

Albert E. Church, who graduated at the top of his class in 1828, the same year Jefferson Davis graduated toward the back of the pack, was one of the foremost mathematical minds of his time and the author of the seminal textbook on calculus. He was short, stocky, brown-eyed, and balding with only a ring of wild hair surviving on the sides and back of his head. Except for the hair, he was as precise as a theorem, and some said just as dry  an old mathematical cinder, bereft of all natural feeling, one cadet complained. As the mathematics professor, he was, by definition, the academys preeminent flunker of cadets. He had no sense of humor. When one cadet explained in recitation that the reason the plus sign (+) became a minus sign (-) on passing zero was that the vertical cross-piece got knocked off in passage, Church had him arrested.

Just as inspired as that cadets hypothesis was a concoction by cadet James McNeill Whistler, who eventually dropped out of the class of 1854. Asked to describe the properties of silicon, a nonmetallic chemical element, Whistler labeled it a gas. Church immediately halted him. Had silicon been a gas, Whistler later wrote, I would have been a major general. Instead, he went on to become merely one of the worlds preeminent artists.

There were infinite ways to court trouble, demerit, and dismissal at antebellum West Point, and Whistler and cadets of his kind had good command of most of them. One of the most dangerous, but most desirable and rewarding, if successfully executed, was making a nighttime run to Benny Havenss tavern in nearby Buttermilk Falls.

Benny Havens, the proprietor of the establishment, was a genial host, amusing raconteur, and friend of cadets who was gifted at flipping buckwheat flapjacks and mixing a coveted contraband drink called hot flip. The poet Edgar Allan Poe, a highly unsuccessful cadet in the early 1830s who was hopelessly swamped in demerits, considered Benny the only congenial soul in the entire god-forsaken place.

Sneaking off the post in the dead of night for Bennys place was asking for dismissal, but many cadets believed the excursion was worth the risk. Future political and military luminaries were virtually addicted to making the run. These young practitioners of cliff-hanging escapes and late-night returns to quarters included the likes of Jefferson Davis; future Union general Ambrose Burnside; his roommate, future Confederate general Henry Heth; and future Confederate generals Braxton Bragg and George E. Pickett, the latter of whom perennially courted dismissal.

Perhaps the strongest testament to the enduring lure of Benny Havenss tavern was that it had its own anthem. An army doctor visiting a cadet in 1838 wrote the original words to the tune of Wearing of the Green. Over the years, the song accumulated countless improvised verses that followed this first one:

Come, fill your glasses fellows,

and stand up in a row,

To singing sentimentally, were going

for to go;

In the Army theres sobriety,

promotions very slow,

So well sing our reminiscences

of Benny Havens, oh!

Over the years, the song came to be something of West Points anthem, too, an ode to a nostalgic time when young unheralded boys became men, officers, and brothers before squaring off to fight one another in a civil war and become household names. Many of them, like the irreverent song they sang, became immortal in our memory.

This article was written by John C. Waugh and originally published in the May 2002 issue of Civil War Times Magazine.

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When Hollywood turned stridently against the war and the men who fought it, Chris Noel stuck with the GIsand shes still with them.

A model turned actress in the early 1960s, Chris Noel was a young blonde bombshell with a number of movies and TV guest appearances under her belt when she first started entertaining the troops in Vietnam. She received the Distinguished Vietnam Veteran award in 1984 from the Veterans Network for her work during the war. In an interview, Noel recalls her life-altering experiences and her ongoing efforts in support of Vietnam veterans.

Vietnam: Tell us a little about your Hollywood career before Vietnam.

Chris Noel: When I first went to Hollywood, I was put under contract to Universal for one month, and then they fired me. Their head of casting said I had the worst voice in the world, and said to send that girl back where she came from, shes atrocious. So I cried a lot, until three weeks later I was under contract to MGM. In the first film I did I played the girlfriend opposite Steve McQueen, in Soldier in the Rain. Jackie Gleason and Tuesday Weld were in the film. I guest-starred in almost all of the television shows of that year. I did a lot of beach movies and motorcycle movies, and just a little bit of everything.

And before Hollywood?

When I was in Florida as a young girl, at the age of 16, I was on the cover of Good Housekeeping magazine with a little baby, posing as a young mother. I was also the Kodak girl. There were wonderful posters that were done on the beach with me in a hammock, and with a beach ball, and that sort of thing. But I just knew that I had to do something more with my life, so I went to New York. A television writer did an article where they picked the three top women in television commercials and three top guys, and I was one of the three girls. Then I was also one of the Rheingold [beer] girls in New York, and on the cover of the New York Post and New York Mirror. But I always wanted to go to California.

What was the turning point for you?

The 1965 Christmas tour that I made with Californias Governor Pat Brown and various celebrities. That year, my boyfriend was over in Vietnam with Bob Hope. Then I had the opportunity to go to the VA hospitals. When I went into the gangrene ward of double and triple amputees, I was stunned. I remember the very first guy I saw there said something really nasty to us. Then Sandy Koufax took and threw a ball to a guy who had only one arm, and he reached up and caught the ball. He was laughing, and the other guys were laughing. I thought, Wow, I have to find a way to learn to make them happy. My girlfriend and I sang Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend, and we were absolutely terrible, but it was kind of cute. When I walked out of the ward, I was still very, very stunned. Those moments changed my life and made me realize that I had to make a difference.

How did you get the disk jockey job with Armed Forces Radio?

My boyfriend came back from his tour and he had to put in Reserve time. He was at Armed Forces Radio and Television Service in Hollywood, and he found out that they were looking for someone to put on the radio. So I called, made my appointment, went in and did my interviewand they chose me. I started off doing a show called Small World with George Church III. I became really popular. The colonel called me in one day, and said, Well, Chris, I hate to tell you this, but youve been fired. I said, Fired? What did I do wrong? And he said, Well, youve been fired, but youve been hired to do your own show. It was pretty exciting. They came up with the name, A Date With Chris. They would record it to be put on 33-1/3 records, which would be sent to all the outlets throughout the free world.

Did you ever meet Adrian Cronauer?

During the Vietnam War, there were several people who had a radio show for the U.S. troops there. Adrian Cronauer was not the original. I met Adrian back here after his movie was done.

What did you think aout your radio show being called Americas answer to Hanoi Hannah and Saigon Sally?

Something that just blew me away was when Hanoi Hannah stated that she really didnt know how the GIs all felt about her until she got a video of the movie Good Morning, Vietnam! Isnt that weird? I never really knew what Hanoi Hannah looked like until 2007, when CSPAN was showing an interview with her. It was fascinating. I had heard just a little tiny bit of her voice a couple of times in Vietnam, but usually I was so busy that I wasnt really tuned in to her.

How did you get on Bob Hopes tour?

After I started my radio show, I knew that the holidays were coming and Bob Hope would be going back over again. I asked, Is there any way that you could get Bob Hope to let me go with him to Vietnam? The answer came back: No, I wasnt considered a big enough star to go with him. But a few weeks later I got a telegram from the Pentagon asking if I would go over and entertain the troops.

How was your first trip to Vietnam?

The first time I went over was in December 1966. I was very excited, but I didnt have the foggiest idea of what to do, because all I knew was how to be an actress on radio and television. I took a portable record player with batteries, and a little record case. I think I had the top 100, or maybe only the top 50 songs. They said, Youre going to be there at Christmas time, so take some kind of Santa Claus outfit. I was only being paid $200 a week by MGM, so I didnt have a lot of money. I went to Hollywood Boulevard and I saw a little silver miniskirt and little silver top, and thats what I bought for my Santa Claus outfit.

They sent me to one of the bases to get my shots, and I had to stand in this line, just like all the guys. I had never been anywhere outside of the United States except one time to Mexico. When we landed in Vietnam and I walked down the steps at Tan Son Nhut, it was stifling. They took my suitcase and we got into a van. The windows were open, but there was mesh on the windows, which they said was to keep grenades out.

What was it like being on Bob Hopes 25th Anniversary show in Cu Chi on December 25, 1966?

My escort officer said to me: Chris, Bob Hope is going to be doing a show on Christmas Day. How would you like to be in his show? I wasnt very far away from Cu Chi, so they just helicoptered me in. When I first got there so many cameras were clicking, it sounded like a field of locusts. We went to this tent, and they had fans going, and makeup artists, and hairdressers. Some GI had given me a poem, something about the Night Before Christmas, only it all had to do with the Vietnam War. It was that whole poem I did onstage.

I kept hearing all of these show business people complainingthey complained about everything! They complained about how hot it wasI cant go out there if Im sweating like this, and You must do something better with my hair. Im sitting there thinking, my gosh, I cant stand these people! Theyre all just prima donnas. They dont have the foggiest idea of what its really like over here. Theyre in air conditioning as much as they can, and theyve got the best of everything, and all they do is complain!

How was it to work with Colonel Maggie, Martha Raye?

I had been up north for several days and was back in Saigon, and I was very, very tired. I was so happy to think that I was actually going to have a bed, and could lie down behind a closed door. When I got to the hotel I remember being told that Martha Raye was there. I walked in, and there was Martha with three Green Berets. Someone introduced us and we talked for just a second, and she said, Get it together, girl, youre having dinner at the camp with the boys. I said: I just got here! Im not going to eat any dinner, Im not doing anything! She said: Oh, yes, you are! You get it together, because youre having dinner with the boys.

When we first got to Camp Goodman, we walked into a mess hall that had a kind of platform and a very long table. Nobody else was in the roomjust four of us. The food was brought in to us. I was talking a little bit, and then the captain sitting next to me very meanly looked at me and said: What are you doing here? We all know what Maggie is doing here, but what is it that youre doing here? I looked at him and was almost speechless. I said: Im doing the same thing Maggie is. Im here because I care. I was asked to be here.

Then a lieutenant who was there, Ty Herrington, said, Miss Noel, would you like to see our camp? I felt as if he was on a white horse saving me, and I said, Oh, yes, yes! He took me around and showed me the camp a bit, and then he opened the door to his room. There was a picture of a woman in a silver frame. I said, Oh, that must be your wife! And he said, My mother wishes she were. Shortly after that day he became my escort officer. After a couple of more tours we were in love and we got married. As it turned out, the woman in his picture was his wife! He had lied to me.

Some big acts were restricted to base camps for security, but you sometimes went alone to the more isolated firebases. What was that like?

Im so thankful that I was able to have that opportunityto just drop down out of the sky in a helicopter, and to see the guys come out of the boonies, exhausted, and already with that stare in their eyes. I feel really blessed that I could be there for a few moments with them, just to sign some pictures, just to say hello, just to let them know that, yes, people do care about you. Along with Maggie and a few female war correspondents, I was one of the only women who ever traveled the entire scope of South Vietnam. I really think I got to have one of the most incredible experiences, to see that it wasnt the same war for everybody.

You kept doing this even though the Viet Cong had a $10,000 bounty on your head and you had a fear of heights?

I didnt think theyd ever really get me. I felt really protected. And once I started getting into those helicopters, I just loved it. Whats weird is that now, when I get into helicopters, I freak. Back then, one time the hydraulic system went out in a helicopter and we went downthat was scary.

Did your helicopter ever come under fire? Were there any close calls on the ground?

I only remember one very serious time in a helicoper, while trying to leave a mountaintop. Being in places that were being mortaredmaybe three times. And groundfiremaybe twice.

You are a hero to GIs, but in show business, openly supporting the troops was the equivalent of professional suicide. How did you keep doing the hard right over the easy wrong?

Whenever I talk to young people, I always leave them with one thought: Do the right thing. Actually I never really thought of it that way, but when I started hearing it a lotdo the right thingI realized that thats how I went along in my life, just always trying to do the right thing. I cannot imagine anybody having grown up in this country ever betraying it. Yet Ive met so many people who are somewhat like that. And Ive had to endure their conversations and sit there politely, and excuse myself when the time was up.

Your book A Matter of Survival is subtitled The War Jane Never Saw. How could you and Jane Fonda, coming from the same Hollywood culture, see things so differently?

I went to see a psychiatrist in New York who was doing work with PTSD, and I was just hoping that maybe she could help me because I really needed some help from somebody. Something came up about Jane Fonda. The doctor looked at me and asked, How can you possibly even consider yourself in the same breath? She was born with a silver spoon, and you werent. Why would you even bring her up? You dont have anger against her, you just have anger, period, and your own hostility. Youre just using her as a catalyst.

I was in a pretty fragile state as it was, and I thought to myself, Man, then if I have these thoughts that are so misdirected, are you trying to say to me that all these thousands and thousands of men and women who know the truth about Jane Fonda and feel the same way that I dothat were all screwed up? That she was fine, but were all the ones who are screwed up?

Did you ever meet with Jane Fonda?

Yes. In the 1970s a girlfriend said, Come on, Im going to this eventJane Fonda is talking, at Warner Brothers Studio. They had it set up in a big room. She was talking, and I was thinking, I cant believe Im here listening to all of this. So finally, I stood up and told her: I dont even know where youre coming from. How can you say these things? You know, you went over to the enemy side in the Vietnam War, and I didnt. I stayed with our troops, which I felt was the honorable thing to do. How can you live with yourself, having done what you did? And how can you be saying today all the things that youre saying about our government and the oil industry? I can tell you right now, Im married to an independent oil producer, and its costing him more money to get the oil out of the ground than hes getting for it. Hes losing everything that he owns and hes going under. And Im sitting in this room, listening to these disgusting things that youre saying. You dont know what youre talking about.

She said: You and I need to talk. Would you come up afterwards? Because you and I just need to talk. Well, that went nowhere. Everybody in the room looked at me like I was some kind of lu-lu.

You married Ty Herrington, whom you met in Vietnam, but that went terribly wrong?

Ty Herrington was a very charming, good-looking guy. I was madly in love with him, and it was so incredibly romantic. I was this Hollywood star, and he was this warrior. He was able to slip out of Vietnam a couple of times. I met him on R&R in Hawaii.

Then we decided to get married, but things started happening right before we got married, things that scared me. I realized that something was very, very wrongbut I went ahead and married him anyway. It was a horrible mistake. He used to put a gun to my head, and a knife to my throat, and he used to strangle me until I passed out. He would get this look in his eyes. I was scared, but I didnt know how to get out from underneath it.

We moved to Nashville because he had a contract with Monument Records. They recorded him singing When the Green Berets Come Home and A Gun Dont Make a Manisnt that something? I was able to get him to go see a psychiatrist once. The psychiatrist told me that he was a paranoid-schizophrenic manic-depressive, and that he was very dangerous. Then one day he put a gun to his head and he was gone.

You have remained a tireless supporter of Vietnam vets, with projects such as the Vetsville Cease Fire House you founded in 1993 in Florida to help homeless veterans.

I was living in Palm Beach at the time and married to a lawyer. I would go to United Way meetings and talk about the fact that we needed to do something for homeless vets. People would laugh at me: Heres this movie actress talking about homelessnesswhat does she know? All they seemed to care about were all the people coming in from other countries. They didnt care anything at all about the homeless vets. I finally concluded that none of these people were going to do anything but make fun of me and I would just have to do it all by myself. I woke up one day and said: Thats it, todays the day Im going to do it. By the end of that week I had a house in Riviera Beach, the roughest area in the entire town. At our opening ceremony, a neighbor walked over to see what was happening. Then he offered me the use of a house he owned that was right next to ours, and he wouldnt take any money for it. Within about five months he went into foreclosure and lost all of his property. I went to the bank and made a deal to buy his two houses. So now I had three houses there. Thats how it all began, and then it expanded.

And now this project of yours has grown beyond Palm Beach?

Pretty soon we were in three cities, and I had people calling me from different places in the country, wanting me to help them. I dont take government money. I did in the beginningI applied for grants, and I did get them, but I dont have any grants anymore. I just work really hard and have a fundraiser and do a mail-out to try to raise some money to keep the program going.



We are now in another muddled war that the American people are turning increasingly sour on. But so far they havent turned against the GIs sent to fight it. Why do you think its different this time?

I dont think its different this time. I think theyre just keeping their mouths shut. I have found that if you ask anybody who tells you they were against the war in Vietnam, they will all deny having said anything bad about the GIs. Not one person has admitted to spitting on a GI or calling them names. I think thats because the Vietnam vets suffered so greatly from the attacks against them, and there was so much emphasis on the reality of PTSD. But I believe that people still have the same thoughts that they had during the Vietnam War.

The only difference is that now its become so politically incorrect to say anything negative about the warriorbut they dont really support the warrior. Theyre not the ones who are sending letters over; theyre not saying great things about them. They just pretend that they support the troops but not the war. They may not admit it, but deep in their souls thats the way they feel. Theyre not going to invite GIs to dinner, or invite them over to their home when they come back, or be really good friends with them, or go to any of the veteran functions. Anyway, thats my personal opinion. I really dont think its changed.

So many of those fighting this war are children or, in some cases, grandchildren of Vietnam veterans. What more can be done to ensure we take better care of these new veterans?

Just keep fighting for them. Just keep fighting for the veterans issues. Keep fighting to make Walter Reed a better hospitalwith more doctors. Sometimes our vets are fortunate, and they get a really good doctor; at other times, they are not so fortunate.

What enduring lessons did you gain from your experience during the Vietnam War?

I just think that war is hell, no matter who is fighting or where the wars are. But I think sometimes you have to have war in order to have peace. I mean, Im just a retired movie actress. What do I know? I just keep fighting for what is my truth, trying to make it a better world for as many people as I come in touch with. I try to give the best of myself whenever Im around other people, and try to be the best person I know how to be.

Claudia Gary is senior editor of Vietnam magazine. David T. Zabecki is senior military historian for Vietnam and all of World History Groups other magazines. For more about Chris Noel and her work, see www.chrisnoel.com.
The newly created Ukrainian airline Anda Air, which plans to perform charter flights, has received its first aircraft McDonnell Douglas MD-83.

Company co-founder Serhiy Shamenko told Interfax-Ukraine the aircraft arrived at Kyiv Airport on July 19.

Speaking about plans for the first flights, he said there are such plans, however the company needs to perform a number of procedures related to certification of the airline, perform a demo flight.

"We hope that won't take much time, because we have already done all that is necessary, we were just waiting for the plane. We hope we will be able to make the first flight within the next 10-15 days if there are no problems," he said.

In terms of destinations, according to him, Bulgaria will be first, the company also plans to operate flights to Albania, Georgia.

As reported, Anda Air Airline was registered in Kyiv at the end of 2015. It was founded by ex-head of Dart Airline Serhiy Shamenko and Heorhiy Avanesov. Shamenko is also the head of Anda Air.
Everyone is scared of Zika. But people believe that if you do not visit countries infected with Zika, and also do not have sex with patients, you are safe. However, one man in Utah mysteriously got Zika even though his state did not host infected mosquitoes, nor did he have sex with a patient that he was helping.

It has been identified that the 1,300 Zika cases in the US were contracted due to foreign travel. Earlier, it was known that the virus can sustain itself in urine, blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluid. Yet, there was no report of the virus spreading through any of these media.

"We have found no evidence that mosquitoes here in Utah are transmitting the Zika virus," said Dr. Angela Dunn, the deputy state epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health. The case does not threaten the public, she says.

As of now, the Utah man has come back to normal. However, the reason for his contracting the illness has still not been revealed. He looked after an older man from Salt Lake County, who had been afflicted with Zika due to travel. While he was affected by a number of other illnesses, it was not clear if the virus led to his death.

"We don't have any evidence that suggests Zika can be passed from one person to another by sneezing or coughing or kissing or sharing utensils," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director Dr. Thomas R. Frieden said.

The CDC is probing the point and is undertaking tests for anyone who contacted the Utah man. Still, the results are awaited.

Meanwhile, even reading or hearing about it does not transmit the disease----not yet, anyway. So do not fear too much!





@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Y ou might well be au fait with the likes of Boffi, Cappellini and Moroso, but what about more niche Italian brands Flou, MiniForms, De Padova and Scavolini?

Such smaller design brands are landing in the UK, and in particular London, because demand is growing for what Scavolinis UK branch manager Giacomo Meoli describes as our Made in Italy values.

Novelty and standing apart from the crowd is what everyone is looking for, explains Theo Mance, managing director of Kings of Chelsea, which distributes Roberto Cavalli Home in the UK. Standardisation is not the way forwards, and the niche Italian brands offer all this.

Add to this the fact many Italian brands want to tap into Londons major building projects with their high-end contract furnishings (FontanaArtes reason for opening with Moroso in Clerkenwell), coupled with a recent growth in interest in mid-century design, and you have a small Italian Renaissance at hand.

At Hub Kitchens in Battersea co-owner Daniele Brutto has just launched TM Italias latest kitchen, called Miuccia, which features rose gold handles and ribbed deep blue cabinetry. De Padova, now owned by Boffi, is seeking its own stand-alone store. Aram will host luxury bedroom brand Flou from August.

Poliform has introduced more niche accessories labels in store to compliment its furniture. These include CC-Tapis  rugs made in Nepal  as well as Nemo lighting. Scavolini showed its kitchens  including a collaboration with Italian fashion brand Diesel  at Birminghams kitchen fair this year, and architect Foster & Partners turned to Lumina, a small, family-owned manufacturer near Venice, for new minimal lamps.

The reason? As Foster & Partners head of product design Mike Holland says: The Italians are still makers with historic depth of skills and an open-minded approach to innovation that sets them apart.
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Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announces the appointment of George Terpilowski to Regional Vice President, Northeast United States, and General Manager, Fairmont Copley Plaza. In this role, Mr. Terpilowski will direct the operation of Fairmont Copley Plaza, a landmark hotel located in Bostons historic Back Bay, as well as oversee the operation of The Plaza in New York, Fairmont Washington, D.C. and Fairmont Pittsburgh. Mr. Terpilowski brings more than 35 years of hospitality experience to this position most recently as Regional Vice President, Caribbean, and General Manager, Fairmont Southampton. In this role, he managed operations at Bermudas premier resort, as well as Fairmont Royal Pavilion in Barbados and the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Active in the Bermudian community, Mr. Terpilowski served on the board of the Bermuda Hotel Association and as Chairman of the Bermuda Hotel Employers Board. Mr. Terpilowski joined Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in 2002 as General Manager at Fairmont Washington D.C., a 415-room hotel located in the citys West End. While in D.C. he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Destination D.C., Washingtons convention and visitors bureau and tourism council and also served on the Board of the Hotel Association of Washington D.C. Additional experience has included General Manager of the AAA Five-Diamond Jefferson Hotel in Richmond, Virginia; Managing Director of the Mobil Five Star and AAA Five-Diamond The Clift in San Francisco; and General Manager of Union Station Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee and The Brazilian Court in Palm Beach, Florida. He began his career at The Sheraton Washington D.C. and then joined the Potomac Hotel Group where he served in a variety of positions including General Manager. Mr. Terpilowski will reside in the Boston area with his wife and son.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the police to rapidly investigate the death of Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet.

"I have ordered the law enforcement authorities to immediately investigate this crime. The culprits must be punished," he wrote on Facebook.

Poroshenko extended condolences to the family and friends of the journalist. "An awful tragedy has happened in Kyiv. It is a shock; there are no other words to describe this. I personally knew Pavel. My condolences to the family and friends," Poroshenko said.

Journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed in a car explosion on Wednesday morning. There is preliminary information that a bomb went off inside the car.
Sean Mosher Named General Manager for the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai: From the sandy beaches of Samui to the ve https://t.co/sW2Gf2K2nF
Adidas is experiencing tremendous growth in North America and theyve recently announced an unprecedented 1st Quarter growth of +31%. That momentum is on the rise, and theyre currently seeing strong success in performance running, particularly with UltraBOOST and the AlphaBOUNCE, which we recently praised in our performance review.

The Three Stripes has revealed that the Adidas UltraBOOST Uncaged is their fastest selling performance shoe ever in the U.S, having sold more than 11,000 pairs in the first hour.

The recently unveiled UltraBOOST Uncaged with colored midsoles sold out in one day and their first shipment of AlphaBOUNCE sneakers were gone in just 48 hours- the mens collection sold out in under 12 hours.

From Paul Bowyer, senior director running, adidas North America:

The momentum we have in running is undeniable. adidas has the best innovations in the industry with BOOST, Primeknit and now BOUNCE. And today, with high style performance products and impactful execution, were connecting with consumers like never before. Were seeing runners switch brands, athletes choose adidas over our competitors and sneakerheads demand a performance shoe. adidas Running will continue to accelerate and were eager to share whats next.

Nike is still the top dog in The States, but Adidas rise thanks to the UltraBOOST, AlphaBOUNCE and the wild popularity of the Adidas NMD is creating a noticeable shift in the performance running department.

And theres more to look forward to with the Multicolor UltraBOOST and the Olympic Medal Pack coming soon.

Item #1
Unlike just about any other region, Bay Area hip hop is better known for its signature sound  melodic big booty bass and minimalist drums  than for the artists it produces. Kamaiyah is an exception; the exuberant 21-year-old Oakland native has emerged as one of hip hops most exciting breakout stars of 2016. The exuberant 21-year-old Oakland native has parlayed her acclaimed debut mixtape A Good Night in the Ghetto into a deal with Interscope and an appearance on YGs single Why You Always Hatin as well as Travis Scotts upcoming album.

Kamaiyah recently spoke to HNHH on the phone from her new place in Los Angeles (she splits time between Oakland and LA) to discuss her heavy 90s influence, love of Mario Kart, and rapid rise to prominence.

***

What was your household like growing up? Who were your early inspirations musically?

I grew up in Oakland, staying with my mom. Most of my music is inspired by old female hip hop pioneers like Missy, Aaliyah, TLC, stuff like that. Anyone whos on top when it comes to talking about their sexuality, they own it. Those were the people I looked up to.

What were you like as a kid?

I was full of energy just everywhere. Tryna find myself. Having fun, doing my own thing. An episode of Rugrats would describe me to a T as a child.

What was the first song you ever recorded?

The first song I ever recorded was called Shine. I was probably 11.

Do you still bang it in the whip?

Not really, I dont have a copy of it. I know my grandmother does because one day I was over there and I found a copy. I was like, Why do you still have this? (Laughs)

You recorded it at your house?

I recorded it in a real studio.

What was your studio connection?

What happened was, I was rapping at the Boys & Girls Club by my house, and this guy who worked at the Boys & Girls Club had a studio. He liked what he saw, and he was like Yo, I think you should come by, blah, blah, blah  with my grandmothers blessing, he eventually let me come through, and I recorded it.

You were a part of an organization called Youth Uprising.

Y.U. was a center that had studios. I utilized it until I felt like I outgrew it essentially. And then I started recording at other places. But it was a cool place at the time when I first started.

Your music has a distinctive 90s DJ Quik-type retro vibe. Why does the 90s appeal to you?

Because its when I grew up. Its a major influence on my craft simply because the colors, the aesthetic, the fun during that time, just everything. Maybe its gotta do with things I had in a past life. I dunno. (Laughs) Why am I so drawn to this? I dont know. Its not forced, its organic.

Bay Area rap is very provincial. Its a strong scene, but Bay artists dont often get much recognition outside of that region. Why do you think that is? How have you been able to buck that trend?

Because people from the Bay only make music for other people from the Bay. The way Ive done it, its a mix for everybody, not just one individual crowd. Thats why Im getting national attention versus immediate attention from a local area. I speak to thousands of different situations. If you take that [Bay Area] sound, and put a different message on it to where it correlates to everyone in every region, you can become an impacter. And I think that Ive been able to do that. God willing.

Female rappers are a minority in hip hop. Has been a woman in the hip hop industry been a challenge?

I dont feel like its a challenge. I feel like the biggest thing about it is the criticism because Im not overly sexualized. Thats the biggest problem with me in hip hop, because people will scold me for being a lesbian or whatever the thing may be just because of my look  it isnt the typical sexualized look that theyve pegged on female hip hop now. Im one individual who doesnt fit the norm of female hip hop standards. Its not like its the 90s when you had Queen Latifah and so forth. Youve now only got this one thing, so anything opposite of that is weird. Thats the only thing that kind of gets on my nerves. Why do I gotta be that just cause Im like this?

Im confident in myself, so it doesnt affect me too much. Remember, Nickis been here for almost ten something years. People who are young and listening  at this point, theyre like, This is what female hip hop is supposed to look like. This what female hip hop is supposed to sound like. So they see this new individual, and it rubs people the wrong way. I dont give a fuck. Im raw, Im tight. Im not gonna stop being me just because you feel like I should be something else. Nah, I feel comfortable so Im gonna stay like this.

Youre sipping champagne and playing N64 in the How Does It Feel video. Is that an accurate representation of your lifestyle?

Yeah, I actually own an N64. Thats mine that Im playing. We still play it to this day. Friends come over, we sit in the living room and play Mario Kart or whatever game it might be. And saddle it out until somebody feel like they dont wanna play no more, or somebody mad that they keep losing. Thats a pretty accurate depiction of my life. Thats what we do over here. We have fun.

Whos your favorite Mario Kart character?

Peach.

Peach! Shes fast.

Peach or Yoshi.

YG is the biggest feature on your tape and you appeared on his single. How did you guys connect?

We got the same management. When he first heard about me, he liked me, believed in me, rocked with me, and he ended up being on the tape.

Youre probably meeting a lot of people these days. Whos been the most exciting person youve been able to meet so far?

I havent had that experience yet because most of the people are just my co-workers. I just look at them like, This my guy, so I dont tend to get star struck. Most times I just walk right by people like they regular individuals because people expect you to fan out. People expect you to be a certain kind of way because of their stature. They let their egos make them who they are. I dont do that. Im gonna treat you like you a regular person. If you speak to me, I speak to you. You never wanna come off as thirsty. Thats my whole thing.

Word on the street is that you had to check the HotNewHipHop comments to know you were truly poppin.

Oh yeah. You guys have one of the toughest crowds to appeal to.

They can be brutal.

I dont really read comments, people tell you not to. One of my friends was like Kamaiyah on HNHH, oh my god, just look. Im like, Yo if they do not fucks, then I suck. (Laughs) So when I saw that it was positive and it was cool, I was like Yo, Im on to something. I feel like I made it. Normally that shit like the worst crowd.

You know, its crazy, because I wasnt really into social media, magazines, and things of that nature before I was poppin. I didnt know about Pigeons and Planes and what all these things were before I was getting posted on there. I remember the first time I was on Pitchfork, my manager was like Yo, you know youre on Pitchfork? And I was like What the fuck is that? This stuff is all new to me. Everything is a new experience. Everyday I learn something new.

I feel like thats an advantage for you. Youre just about the music, and thats a good way to be. Youre a purist.

Out here living life.

What are your goals for the rest of the year?
The documentary has been in the works since 2014 and is finally coming to fruition.

Written and directed by Wolf Hall creator, Peter Kosminsky the drama will be 'fact inspired'.

Stories of young British who are lured in and travel to Syria to join ISIS is another sad reality that is becoming ever-prevalent in UK society. Since 2014, Kosminsky has been extensively researching these journeys, why and how they take place, the consequences and devastating effects. The drama will recount the tale of four men and four women who undertake this journey, leaving their lives behind to become a member of this terrorist organisation.

"After a year of extensive research, Peter has written a fascinating fictional story that sheds light on an unknown and unimaginable world, Beth Willis, head of drama at Channel 4 explained, This is a deeply authentic drama through which we are able to question and confront an incredibly complex, divisive and urgent global issue.

The yet untitled drama will consist of four 60 minute episodes and will air on Channel 4 and National Geograpic Channel globally. The joint partnership between Channel 4 and Nat Geo is set to take to the airwaves at the beginning of next year with the respective broadcasters insisting that the drama is "timely and dramatic".

Carolyn Bernstein, head of global scripted development at Nat Geo explained their proud involvement in the ISIS project and their faith in Kosminsky's work; "National Geographic has always been on the forefront of covering the complexities of war in our documentary features and series. Peters scripts take that same bold, unblinking approach to telling the fact-based stories of young Isis recruits and offer an authentic and nuanced look inside one of the most serious global threats we face today.

An exact date for the drama is yet to be announced.
White intends to take vinyl to infinity and beyond!

White's independent record label is promising to make 'vinyl history' on July 30.

What could this 'history' be? Well, The Vinyl Factory reckons that this will be the realisation of White's ambition to be the first to play a vinyl record in outer space. Each to their own, eh?

In a video posted by the record company yesterday, a little caption reads; On 30th July Third Man Records is going to make vinyl history again.



White has been outspoken on his vinyl/space dream. In 2012 whilst interviewing astronaut Buzz Aldrin, White teased that he was working on a "secret mission" to get one of his Third Man Records to be the "first vinyl to be played in outer space".

Houston, watch this space.
The Hollywood star weighs in on one of 'Matt Damon's' most challenging roles

If you're a fan of Team America: World Police, no doubt one of your favourite characters was the very derpy, one phrase puppet Matt Damonnnnnn.

The 2005 masterpiece directed by the South Park duo, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, about a group of American puppets trying to take down North Korea's late supreme leader, Kim Jong-il, is a classic. However, hilarious as it was to watch, the making of was such an ordeal for Stone and Parker that they've claimed they'd never make a sequel.

During a Reddit AMA the actor was asked what he thought about his role in the movie?

"I was always kind of bewildered by Team America. I think because its hard for us to understand what our images are in public. I think were not good judges of that, and when I saw myself on screen just only able to say my own name and not really that well, I kind of wondered Wow, is that how people perceive me?"

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"At that point I just kind of was like, Im a screenwriter and an actor, and like really? I can barely say my own name? So I was always bewildered by that, and I never talked to Trey and Matt about that. And incidentally, I believe those two are geniuses, and I dont use that word lightly. I think they are absolute geniuses, and what theyve done is awesome and Im a big fan of theirs, but I never quite understood that one."

Although, the political activist Damon was happy about one thing his cameo represented. "But I will say this. Those of us who were parodied in that video were parodied because we were against the Iraq war, and we went on the record against that war, and so history is on my side not theirs."
Police will look into every theory of the death of journalist Pavel Sheremet, Ukrainian Interior Ministry communications department director Artem Shevchenko said.

"Investigators will consider every theory of this cynical crime," Shevchenko told reporters on the incident scene.

"According to the preliminary information, it is a bomb, but we cannot say yet whether it was improvised device. Experts are examining the crime scene," he said.

It is now important to collect all pieces of evidence and to find out every detail of this crime, Shevchenko said. "We will collect video files and material evidence," he said.

Shevchenko said that a criminal case would soon be open but did not say under which article of the Criminal Code. He assured media that law enforcers would focus on solving that crime.

The police have cordoned off the incident scene on the junction of Bohdana Khmelnytskoho and Ivana Franka Streets in Kyiv. Bomb experts are at work.
Cast expresses the importance of diversity to the Star Trek franchise

Star Trek's Simon Pegg asserted that the entire Enterprise crew would have voted Remain in the Brexit referendum.

"The whole Brexit thing was a decision made on shaky promises and lack of information", the Scotty actor elaborated.

Pegg went on to compare the Federation to the EU

Members of the cast spoke of Star Trek as promoting diversity and tolerance. They also expressed their approval of the decision to reveal Sulu's homosexuality in the next film.

Captain Kirk actor Chris Pine voiced his hope that the reveal would make young fans feel less alone.

Star Trek: Beyond is out Friday.
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BEIRUT - Rebel-held neighborhoods in the Syrian city of Aleppo have endured food shortages and devastating attacks throughout the civil war. Now pro-government forces have cut off the only road into those areas, leaving an estimated 300,000 people at risk of starvation.

U.N. officials and aid workers warn of deteriorated conditions in the divided city's opposition districts. Residents there say that food prices have doubled and that hours-long power blackouts have worsened as fuel for generators runs out.

"We're not starving yet, but we're all panicking now," said Maher Abu al-Walid, 25, who lives in a rebel area. He expressed concern about diminishing supplies of fruits, vegetables and milk for his wife and their 7-month-old daughter, Sham.

On July 7, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's army and allied militiamen from Lebanon and Iran seized parts of al-Mallah Farms, an elevated area in a northern neighborhood. That allowed them to use artillery and rockets to stop the use of nearby Castello Road, the last remaining route for supplies and weapons into rebel areas in the city's east.

This week, pro-government forces managed to place checkpoints on the road, further cementing their control over it.

Severing those neighborhoods from other opposition strongholds in the country threatens to deal a blow to the rebellion and its main outside supporters, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, which supply Assad's opponents with money and weapons. That scenario also signals another significant setback for U.S. policy in Syria, which backs the moderate opposition to Assad's government and formally calls for his departure as part of a transition to end the conflict.

Residents trapped inside the opposition areas could face even more horrific conditions. The government is already besieging hundreds of thousands of Syrians in multiple areas across Syria, and dozens of people have died from starvation and lack of medical care, according to U.N. officials and aid workers. Opposition forces have also besieged a handful of government areas.

This is "a massive tragedy in the making," said Emile Hokayem, a Middle East analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

In an interview with NBC News, the Syrian leader denied that his forces are imposing sieges. "How do we prevent them from having food and we don't prevent them from having armaments to kill us? What is the logic in this?" he said in the interview.

Control over all of Aleppo would nevertheless amount to a prize for Assad. Before the civil war reduced much of it to smolder and rubble, Aleppo was Syria's largest city - home to 2 million people - and a major industrial and trading hub.

Rebels invaded the city in 2012, dividing it between opposition areas in the east and government-controlled ones in the west. Back then, many expected opposition forces to capture the entire city and eventually overthrow Assad.

But this past February, pro-government militants backed by Russian warplanes nearly surrounded rebel neighborhoods and severed another key supply route leading northward to the Turkish border. That left Castello Road as the sole channel to Aleppo's rebels.

Moscow, a key ally of the Syrian leader, helped turn the tide in Assad's favor after intervening late last year.

Rebel fighters have intensified attacks since the Castello Road closure, firing intense artillery and rocket barrages in densely populated areas of government-controlled Aleppo. Those assaults have killed dozens of people, according to reports in Syrian state media.

Even though government-held districts have fared better relative to other areas of city, conditions have deteriorated. Rebel fighters and militants linked with Syria's al-Qaeda affiliate, Jabhat al-Nusra, indiscriminately shell government areas, causing many casualties.

Opposition forces have vowed to form a united front to prevent a prolonged siege.

They have stopped government forces from establishing checkpoints along Castello Road, which runs west to the rebel-held Idlib province, bordering Turkey.

"We are doing all that we can to open Castello or find a new way to reach the city. We must do this," said Adeeb Alsen, a member of the Jabhat Shamiya force that is part of the umbrella Free Syrian Army rebel coalition.

The rebels say that pro-government forces are bombing anything that moves on the road, named after an area restaurant and wedding hall that was popular before the conflict. It's so dangerous, they say, that they can't even retrieve bodies from bombed-out buses and passenger vehicles there.

"The situation is not good," Capt. Hassan Haj Ali, a leader of the Suqour al-Jabal rebel group.

Residents in the city's eastern areas say markets have shuttered since the road's closure, and people are hoarding food and goods. Streets are emptier because of a lack of gasoline, said Abu Hamza, 35, a father of three who lives in Aleppo's Fardos area.

"We started reducing the amount of food we eat and the number of meals we eat per day because we have to adapt to the new situation. This siege might last for a long time," said Abu Hamza, a nickname.

Tens of thousands of people in Aleppo's opposition areas rely on food and medical aid provided by outside donors. Complicating problems is the immense devastation already inflicted on the city's civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, which have been ravaged by Assad's warplanes.

"It's difficult, if not impossible, to resupply the city, and it's difficult, if not impossible, for people to leave the city," said Dominic Graham, the Syria-response coordinator for Mercy Corps. He was referring to rebel-held areas.

Residents say that charities and aid groups have stored supplies of food in case of a siege. Even so, people in the area accuse shop owners of attempting to profit from worsening shortages caused by the road closure.

"A lot of the groceries are closing, and the ones that are still open have no items for sale," said Ameen Alhalabi, a resident in Aleppo who supports opposition forces. "We all know they're hiding their food and goods so that they can sell them later at a higher price."

He added, "The situation was already so bad, and now this?"
NEW YORK - Maybe it's time to forgive Trevor Noah for not being Jon Stewart.

The new "Daily Show" host is finding his footing after a rough start replacing the man who made the broadcast essential. His comedy has grown sharper, he's becoming more comfortable with his adopted country, and he's finding an audience of his own, even if smaller than his predecessor's.

"Some people are still going, 'You're not Jon Stewart,' " Noah said. "Some people are still grading me accordingly  They're doing the wrong thing. They're grading me on something I'm not trying to do. Many of them have caught on, some faster than others. All I can do is make the show for the people who wish to watch it."

In recent weeks, Noah mixed comedy and forceful opinion by advocating for restrictions on gun access following the Orlando massacre and said it's possible to both support police and activists fighting against institutional racism. Praising House Democrats who used C-SPAN and the internet to spread news about their sit-in to support gun legislation, he said, "I haven't seen the young and old work that well together since the first 'Karate Kid.' "

Following a story about criticism directed at Justin Timberlake for appropriating black culture, correspondent Roy Wood Jr. tried to "outblack" Noah by noting he'd been born in Alabama, attended a black university and worked in urban radio.

More Information 'The Daily Show' When: 10 p.m. weeknights Network: Comedy Central See More Collapse

"I'm from South Africa," Noah replied, ending the argument.

A "black Trump" rap video used the candidate's own words for comedy. That and last fall's comparison of Donald Trump to African dictators, probably his first breakthrough segment, are examples of humor you couldn't imagine in Stewart's hands.

Comedy Central had installed Noah last September only five weeks after Stewart left, giving him a show with Stewart's writers, staff and format.

"You almost got the sense he was mouthing Jon Stewart's words," said Robert Thompson, head of Syracuse University's Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture. "And, actually, he was."

That invited comparisons and, inevitably, Noah was found wanting. In Slate, critic Willa Paskin wrote of a "Daily Show"-shaped hole in culture, despite a lesser version airing each weeknight. She wrote that Noah was too cautious, backing away from tough issues. "You may still laugh, but an inessential 'Daily Show' is a real loss," Paskin wrote.

Noah couldn't ignore the criticism, or the tweets urging him to shut up about Africa and wondering about his funny accent.

Sometimes he'd disarm the haters by tweeting back but, yes, there were adjustment issues.

"I was deferring to the old style of show because you're so afraid to tarnish an institution," he said. "You're afraid to be the person who destroyed the 'Daily Show.' Once you get that monkey off your back - you realize the 'Daily Show' with Jon Stewart is over. As Jon said to me, the show died when he left. The slot exists, the name exists, but the show has to start anew."

Besides incorporating new forms of comedy into the mix, Noah said he's making the show less about media coverage of events than the events themselves. He can't match Stewart's passion for politics, so he's tried to broaden the subject matter. The political conventions - Noah will be in both Cleveland and Philadelphia this month - will give viewers a new chance to see how he's adapted.

Comedy Central had no choice but to give Noah the existing show since there wasn't enough time to create something from scratch, said Kent Alterman, network president.

"We didn't hire him for his experience," Alterman said. "We hired him for his talent. We always knew it would be a long game, and it would take him awhile to find his way, find his voice, find his rhythm. If we take a step back and look at how he's growing, we're very happy."

Alterman points out that it took time for Stewart to mold the show in his image after replacing Craig Kilborn and said it's unfair to compare Noah to Stewart in his 16th year.

The Emmy Awards nominations last week spoke to the show's diminished presence. "The Daily Show" wasn't nominated for best variety show, a category that Stewart had dominated. The show was nominated every year from 2002-15, winning 11 times. The recently announced departure of Jessica Williams, who predated Noah and was the show's best-known correspondent, leaves a significant hole.

Stewart took a good chunk of the audience with him; "Daily Show" nightly viewership is down 35 percent since Noah took over, according to the Nielsen company.

Comedy Central says measuring Noah's show strictly on how many people watch each night is outdated. It claims Noah has increased the show's visibility online among coveted younger male viewers and internationally. The network said the show reaches 7.9 million people each week through multiple platforms, though it didn't have a figure for Stewart's last year.

"It's hard to change a rocket ship while you're flying it," Alterman said.

Paskin said she hasn't seen enough of the show to update her assessment on Slate. Syracuse's Thompson said time has helped Noah. Memories of Stewart's "Daily Show" are fading, the comparison less relevant.

"In the past couple of weeks, he seems to really have begun to do what I hoped and expected he would - and that is to find his own voice while still relying on the behemoth that is the 'Daily Show's' system."
The second rest day of a typically draining, bedeviling Tour de France couldn't have come at a more opportune moment for the "rookie" from Houston, Lawson Craddock. Kicking back Tuesday in Berne, Switzerland, Craddock conceded, "I'm pretty cooked."

However, he remains stoked, too.

What hasn't yet killed the 24-year-old Cypress Springs grad has made him stronger and, yes, more confident about his future in the sport. Although it has been a hard, humbling slog, he knows something today he couldn't have known 1,800 miles ago when the peloton headed off July 2 from Mont Saint-Michel on France's Normandy coast.

Craddock now knows he can survive the Tour, the world's most famous and hardest cycling competition. While he's hardly home free, pointing out how "we've still got something like 15 mountains to climb" over the next four days in the Alps, barring serious injury or a sudden illness, he's certain he has enough left in his tank to pedal into Paris on Sunday, where his parents, fiancee and a generous chocolatier will be awaiting his arrival.

"I have a friend there who owns a chocolate shop, and he told me I could have all the chocolate I could eat if I made it," Craddock said. "That's a pretty good incentive."

Making it through what the French call "La Grande Boucle" - Craddock's dream since childhood - must be judged an heroic sporting feat by any measure. After all, even Lance Armstrong didn't finish his first Tour.

No matter how prepared you think you are, Craddick explained, you aren't.

Nasty crash

"I didn't realize how big this actually was," he said. "It's at a whole different level from any other event I've done. People tell you that all the time, but you have to experience it for yourself  seeing the crowds, all the attention you're getting every day. You're in the spotlight 100 percent of the time. It's pretty cool. It's been a roller-coaster for me from the beginning. I had a couple of good days early, then crashed and lost it, then started feeling better again, then lost it again."

The net result?

He stands 109th among the 183 surviving riders (198 started), roughly 2 hours, 22 minutes behind the man in the yellow jersey, defending champion Chris Froome of Great Britain.

Craddock cracked the top 20 in back-to-back sprint stages, crossing 17th the third day and 13th the next, and he acquitted himself admirably on the long climb up the famous Col de Aspin in the Pyrenees. Riding near the front most of the afternoon, he helped keep his Team Cannondale Drapac leader, Pierre Rolland, with the yellow-jersey contenders, although Rolland has since fallen out of the picture after losing major time because of a wreck.

Craddock managed to cross among the top 100 in every stage except one through day 10 before near-disaster struck on the highway from Carcassonne to Montpelier. Buffeted by tricky crosswinds, nervous riders being pressed by their team managers to force their way to the front of the pack made crashes inevitable and Craddock was involved in a bad one, getting plowed into from behind when a pileup required him to brake suddenly.

"I landed hard on my knee," he said. "I almost couldn't put any weight on it when I stood up and had a really hard time getting (a shoe) clipped back in (to the pedal). There's so much stress in the peloton on those kinds of days. You've got 20 guys riding side by side on a road that's only wide enough for 15. I was just happy to finish. A crash like that affects your whole body."

An analogy?

"It's like jumping out of a speeding car in your underwear," he offered.

Craddock would be that day's Lanterne Rouge, rolling in by his lonesome 11 minutes after the next slowest rider.

"The peloton's doing 40 miles per hour and you're doing only 25.  A lot of stuff goes through your mind," he said, laughing. "But I fought through it. You put so much into this and so much pressure on yourself that it's hard to think (about quitting). So you just keep pedaling, and that actually made my knee feel better. It hasn't really given me a problem since."

The next day - July 14, France's national holiday - would bring a modest cycling reprieve but a different and far worse kind of angst. Hurricane-force winds at the summit forced Tour organizers to abandon the final 3.6 miles of the notoriously vertiginous ascent of Mont Ventoux in Provence, but even the safer finish on the lower slopes proved chaotic, with Froome frantically running toward the finish line on foot after his bike got smashed in a major pileup.

And that night, of course, came the horrific events in Nice, where a truck deliberately plowed into a crowd of revelers and resulting in 84 deaths.

"(The news) crushed me. It crushed a lot of us," Craddock said. "You looked at your phone in the middle of the night and saw that tragedy had struck again. A lot of guys live and train around Nice. It puts everything in perspective.

"We come back from a race like this, complaining about how hard it is, but it doesn't compare to what happened there, with so many people affected, losing loved ones, just because somebody's got hate in their heart."

Finding another gear

Craddock noted that the Tour's security presence, already extensive, has since been beefed even more. That's another aspect of the spectacle that he admits he wasn't necessarily expecting.

Fact is, he said, even the Vuelta de Espana, the last of the cycling season's trio of three-week grand tours and plenty grueling in its own right, pales in comparison to the race across France. Craddock completed the Vuelta in 2015 after failing to reach the finish in 2014, when he made his major-league cycling debut following an impressive run through the junior and under-23 professional ranks.

"You manage it at each level and, if you succeed, you move up," Craddock said. "Then you come to Tour. That's the top. Just getting through this year, understanding how hard it really is, will better prepare me mentally. Getting through your first Tour changes you physically, I think. It gives you another gear in your system."
CLEVELAND  Melania Trump's primetime speech at the Republican National Convention Monday night was supposed to provide a portrait of her husband far removed from the bombastic, shoot-from-the-lip TV personality that vanquished 16 other GOP presidential hopefuls. Instead, her remarks have been all but lost in a media frenzy over accusations she plagiarized some lines from a 2008 Democratic National Convention speech by Michelle Obama.

Critics from all sides have suggested the incident could harm nominee Donald Trump, or at the very least further expose his campaign's lack of discipline.
The Republican National Convention kicked off Monday in Cleveland with a theme of "Make America Safe Again," with a litany of speakers criticizing Hillary Clinton as a dishonest politician who, along with President Barack Obama, endangered Americans.

Beyond Benghazi, speakers from Congress, reality television and law enforcement stressed the need for better border security and supporting the police amid national protests.

Let's dive into the fact-checks.

Responding to the Benghazi attack

Mark Geist, one of six security officers who responded to the attacks in Benghazi, Libya, said they did so despite "stand-down" orders from higher-ups.

"There were more than 30 American lives that were saved that night," he said. "And it's because Americans never give up. We refuse to lose."

We looked at the final Republican-issued report on Benghazi, and found Geist's claim made several simplifications.

Technically, when a military force is told to "stand down," it means the force is no longer on alert or operational. This, however, is not what happened, according to the report.

The report cites a CIA base chief who was "adamant" that he never told the team to stand down and that no one was preventing the team from deploying. Although the term "stand down" could technically have been used, in reality the team was being asked to wait for intelligence and better equipment. That's not the same thing as being told not to intervene.

Geist's statement is misleading because it conflates waiting with "standing down."

We rated this claim Mostly False.

Combating illegal immigration

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani characterized Clinton's proposed immigration policy as "open borders."

"You know Donald Trump will secure our borders," he said. "His opponent has had her chance to do this and she has failed. Hillary Clinton is for open borders."

Clinton does want to make it easier for many undocumented immigrants to remain in the country, but she has also called for strong protections at the border. Some experts said Clinton's policies, as such, do not amount to "open borders."

Clinton's current strategies mirror an immigration bill she supported in 2013, which passed the Senate but not the House. This bill included a pathway to citizenship, but it was contingent on certain border security measures being satisfied first.

We rated Giuliani's claim False, because Clinton's policies do not support the type of free-for-all "open borders" he suggests.

Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., pointed to a high number of undocumented immigrants who he claimed enters America each year.

"There are about 350,000 people who succeed in crossing our borders illegally each year," Sessions said.

The most common way federal officials track illegal entry is border apprehensions. In fiscal year 2015, the border patrol made 337,117 apprehensions nationwide, a decline from the prior year and a significant drop from peaks in 2000.

The key point is that border apprehensions have been on the decline. Even then, the statistic measures the number of individuals stopped at the border, which is the opposite of what Sessions was talking about.

We rated his claim False.

Clinton's positions on trade pacts

Sessions went on to attack Clinton for her support of trade deals over the past two decades, which he said have been bad for Americans.

"She has been a champion of globalist trade agreements," Sessions said. "They are now pushing the disastrous 5,000-page 'Obamatrade' - the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement."

Sessions painted Clinton's support for trade with an overly broad brush, and he failed to note her most recent position on the TPP is against.

From 1993 to 2016, Clinton supported eight deals, opposed two, flip-flopped from opposing to supporting three, and flip-flopped the other way on two others. So her record is not as uniform as Sessions said. As first lady, Clinton did support the North American Free Trade Agreement. But she switched when she ran for president in 2008, calling her support for NAFTA a mistake.

Further, she flipped her position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership from when she promoted it as secretary of state. She said last fall, during her primary fight against Sen. Bernie Sanders, that her final decision is to oppose it.

We rated Sessions' statement Mostly False.

Obama's faith revisited

Another convention speaker - actor Antonio Sabato Jr. - questioned Obama's religion, saying the president is "absolutely" a Muslim.

"We had a Muslim president for seven and half years," he said in an interview with ABC News after his speech.

We've looked into claims about Obama's religion on multiple occasions, and have debunked several claims that Obama is a Muslim. There's no more truth to Sabato's claim than the inaccurate ones in previous years.

There is an extensive history of Obama's Christian past, including his conversion as a community organizer in Chicago.

We rated this Pants on Fire!

Read more ratings from the Republican National Convention at PolitiFact.com.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that republics decline into democracies, and democracies into despotism. For evidence of this sort of political decay, just look at Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is using the fallout of the failed July 15 coup to tighten his grip on the transcontinental nation and NATO ally. So far, his government has fired or detained nearly 20,000 state employees and suspended the annual leave of more than 3 million other civil servants, the Washington Post reported. This continuing campaign to route out traitors has targeted nearly 3,000 judges and prosecutors.

Erdogan also is pushing to revive the nation's now-defunct death penalty against coup plotters - a move that would undermine Turkey's attempt at joining the European Union.

The president's supporters say all this is necessary to restore the rule of law after a coup attempt that led to at least 232 deaths and wounded 1,400 others. However, the across-the-board purge of civil institutions, with little or no evidence, and calls for death against supposed traitors smacks more of an authoritarian purge than law and order. It is part of Erdogan's continuing fight to consolidate power, first as prime minister and now as president. He's clamped down on free speech, imprisoned his political opponents and dissenting journalists, and recently advocated for Turkey to change from a parliamentary system to a presidential one - which would conveniently give him even more control.

It is a dangerous moment for Turkey, which seems teetering on the edge of a democratically elected dictatorship. Ideally, Erdogan should be taking comfort in the fact that none of his nation's opposition parties supported the coup. But instead of embracing his countrymen in victory, he's lashing out in fear - or a hunger for power.

Ambassador Edward Djerejian, director of Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy, once said that the lesson for the Middle East is that democracy means one person, one vote, but not just one time. Representative political systems exist to allow a healthy transition of power from election to election.

But that's not how Erdogan sees it. Early in his political career, the Islamist political leader remarked that democracy is like a train - you get off when you're at your destination.

It looks all too much like that destination is slowly approaching.

This illiberal political movement isn't happening in some former Soviet republic or war-torn Middle East nation. Turkey is supposed to be part of the NATO alliance - a bulwark of nations that defended a free Europe against the oppressive communism of the Soviet superpower. It houses nuclear weapons and provides strategic bases for the U.S. military to launch missions across the region.

Turkey is a nation that wants to join the EU. There are even direct flights from Houston to Istanbul.

All these should be signs of a nation that values the ideals of liberty and representative government. At the end of the Cold War, plenty of academics and political scientists wondered whether those ideals had emerged permanently victorious. As the saying goes, the arc of history bends towards justice.

But we're learning that history does not write itself. The pendulum is swinging backward in Turkey, in Europe and across the globe.

It should be a warning that all the trappings of democracy will prove to be worthless if they're just gilding for those who value strength at the expense of liberty.
Ukrainian prosecutor general vows to do everything to solve journalist Sheremet's murder

Ukrainian Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has promised to do his best for solving the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet.

"It has been reported from the incident scene that Pavel Sheremet was killed by a bomb. It is a murder. I will do everything I can so that we solve this crime together with colleagues," he wrote on Facebook.

Lutsenko expressed condolences to the co-founder and head of the Ukrayinska Pravda online edition, where Sheremet worked, and all friends of the deceased.

National Police of Ukraine Chief Khatia Dekanoidze confirmed the death of journalist Pavel Sheremet in the explosion.

"It is a point of honor for Ukrainian police to solve this crime," she said.

Detectives will consider every theory of the journalist's death, the National Police chief said.

Anton Gerashchenko, People's Front deputy and advisor to the Ukrainian interior minister, said that professional activity would be the main theory of the death of journalist Pavel Sheremet.

"What has happened is a tragedy of the entire journalist community. [...] There is no doubt that a bomb planted by ill-wishers with the purposes of killing Pavel Sheremet went off," he said in a program aired by the 112. Ukraine television channel.

It must have been a radio-controlled or time bomb, he said, adding that the criminals most probably watched the journalist's daily routine.

Detectives are at work, in particular, they are examining videos from surveillance cameras, Gerashchenko said.

He did not rule out 'Russian trail' in the crime and compared it to the murder of journalist Georgiy Gongadze in 2000.

Journalist Pavel Sheremet was killed in a car explosion on Wednesday morning.
Cabool resident Scott Long was enjoying retirement after a 30-year career in education as a vocational-agricultural instructor and FFA adviser.

But when Houston High School found itself without a person in the position at a late date, Long decided to help by accepting the position for the 2016-2017 school year. Its his second stint with HHS, as he spent eight years there in the 1990s.

I actually got a call from a student who was looking for an ag teacher, Long said. I said I would try to help find one, so I called some friends of mine who head the ag-ed program at MSU. They said there just wasnt anybody out there and if Houston was going to have a quality teacher Id have to be it.

These kids deserve a quality teacher, so I said all right, Ill fill in for a year. Hopefully they can find some young person to come in next year who can do a great job.

Longs teaching career began with eight years in Seymour, and includes four years in Mountain View, two in Mountain Grove and eight in Cabool, as well as eight in Houston.

I sat with my FFA officers the other day, and I had a connection with all but one from when I taught here before, he said. Theyre either children of kids I taught or neighbors of mine, or something of that nature.

Long, 53, is co-owner of Cabool Kountry Meats in Cabool. He and his wife, Sheila, have five children and own a 163-acre tract east of Houston.

Long has been the public address announcer at livestock showing events in Houston for about 20 years, and was at the microphone last week during the Texas County Fair Boards Texas County Livestock Fair and Junior Livestock Sale.

Even when I was in Mountain View and Mountain Grove, I still came here and announced for them, he said.

Long doesnt foresee making any big changes to Houstons ag-ed program as he fills in for a year. Next spring, hell oversee the Missouri FFA Area 13 Competition thats annually staged in and around Houston.

I think the key is to continue keeping kids involved in things, Long said. You just have to say, lets go do this. Kind of sadly, I once had an ag teacher ask me how do you get so many kids to go compete? I said, by opening the door to the bus, and they get on.'

Long is a Wright County native who grew up in Manes and went to high school in Hartville. He said he has been in the right place at the right time throughout his lengthy career.

When I first started teaching, I wondered if that was really my calling, Long said. Then after I had been at it a while, it was like, why would I want to do anything else? Ive really been blessed doing this.

One thing Long has focused on over the years is making sure kids find relevancy in what he teaches.

I can teach algebra by figuring a ration for a steer that kid might be feeding and it becomes very relevant because they can use it, he said. Then theyll say, now I understand what Miss So-and-so was trying to teach me. Thats what makes my job so enjoyable  making things relevant to kids.

While doing it all again for one more year wasnt in his plans, Long said it doesnt sound bad.

Houston is a great community, he said, and some of my best years in teaching were right here. Its a great place to be, and this place has always been good to me and I think its important to give back sometimes.
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The worlds innovators are calling for reinvention and transformation of HR departments. Given that the majority of hiring responsibilities fall within HR and it is  in most cases  the entry into companies, reinventing HR must start with transforming the way leaders think about and behave about hiring. Many innovative leaders and early adopters are already operating highly effective, conscious hiring programs out of pure necessity. While some may advocate for the complete destruction of human resources departments, the proper solution is the complete destruction of old, outdated, unconscious and ineffective hiring techniques. Frankly, while people and business have remained virtually unchanged, human beings perspectives, outlook, attitudes about work and their ability to manifest what they want  when they want  has spurred a fundamental shift in the way people operate in and around business and work today. With a plethora of newly created job options coupled with a major change of the guard in the workforce, smart companies must equip themselves to navigate through these new employee/workplace paradigms. CEOs, business leaders and managers are acutely aware of the fiscal costs of a mis-hire, but there are some invisible  and potentially insidious  costs that can wreak havoc on your organization. Although it might not be on top of mind, when you hire a person who does not fit with your organiz...
Donbas militants conducted 54 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas in the past 24 hours, the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters wrote on Facebook on Wednesday morning.

Twenty-four violations of the truce were recorded in the Mariupol sector alone. Ukrainian army positions in the village of Shyrokyne came under attack of 122mm artillery, 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and large-caliber machine-guns. Mortars bombarded Ukrainian army positions in the town of Krasnohorivka, and the villages of Hnutove and Vodiane, and other types of weapons were used in the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Slavne, Starohnativka and Novohryhorivka.

Illegal armed formations used 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers, large-caliber machine-guns and small arms in the Donetsk sector. The village of Mayorsk came under fire of a 120mm mortar, and 82mm mortars were fired on the Butivka mine, and the villages of Opytne and Zaitseve.

Stanytsia Luhanska was attacked by use of 82mm mortars, various types of grenade launchers and large-caliber machine-guns, anti-aircraft guns were fired near the village of Novozvanivka, and an infantry combat vehicle was used near the village of Novo-Oleksandrivka in the Luhansk region.

What is more, the press service of the National Police of Ukraine in the Donetsk region said on Tuesday that a young man had been killed when militants opened fire on private houses near the industrial zone of the town of Avdiyivka.

"A young man born in 1997 was killed in his own backyard at about 16:00 Kyiv time. A bullet hit him in the head," Avdiyivka police department chief Lt. Col. Anatoly Kovalchuk said on Tuesday.

A civilian suffered injury in another attack in Luhansk region.

A 61-year-old local was wounded in the stomach in a militant attack on Popasna on July 18, press officer of the Ukrainian mission to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of ceasefire and stabilization on the Donbas contact line Lt. Col. Vitaliy Ivanov said.
A mother in Ohio could spend life in prison for trading her 11-year-old daughter to her drug dealer in exchange for heroin.

April Corcoran pleaded guilty last month to 10 felony charges after admitting that she sexually trafficked the girl to get drugs, according to WLWT.

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On Tuesday, she received 51 years to life in prison.

After the sex acts, some of which her dealer filmed, prosecutors say Corcoran would give her daughter some heroin as a reward. She also tried to make the girl look younger than 11, as her dealer liked younger children.

April Corcoran is seen in court on Tuesday, July 19.

Prosecutor Katherine Pridemore said Tuesday she could hardly believe that the 30-year-old had traded her child for a high, according to the New York Daily News.

"We all know drugs make you do things but at the same time, to offer up your child and you are the mother, it's unfathomable.

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Corcoran's lawyer, James Bogan, said his client rejected a plea deal because she wanted to take responsibility and didn't want her daughter to have to testify, WCPO reported.

But Judge Leslie Ghiz had little sympathy in court Tuesday, saying her heart broke for the girl, whose mother "threw her under a bus."

"She deserves to die in prison."

"It's just awe inspiring that you can stand here and in all of this, the one thing I haven't heard is asking for her forgiveness," she told Corcoran in court.

"She deserves to die in prison," Pridemore said, as quoted by WCPO.

The victim now lives in another state with family, according to WKRC. Ghiz said that she is taking medication and has suicidal thoughts.

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The 11-year-old's grandmother, Sylvia Corcoran, said in court that she had viewed video of the girl's rape and was stunned.

"I saw my granddaughter. I heard her small voice. It was horrific, very horrific. How could she do this? How could she do this? I don't know if my granddaughter is going to be able to have a normal life."

The alleged dealer, Shandell Willingham, also faces 26 felony charges including rape and trafficking in persons, according to the Daily News. He is set to appear in court August 10.

Corcoran has also been classified as a Tier III sex offender, according to WLWT.

Also on HuffPost
A graphic video released by an animal rights group allegedly shows hens in cruel conditions at one of Canadas largest egg producers.

The footage collected by an investigator for Mercy For Animals is at times graphic. A dead hen can be seen lying in its cage and being stepped on by other birds, as eggs move along a conveyor belt near its head.

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Hens are confined to battery cages at what an animal rights group says is at a Gray Ridge Farms barn in Listowel, Ont. (Photo: Mercy For Animals)

The video, which also shows multiple hens crammed into cages, was allegedly recorded over several months at the Gray Ridge Egg Farms facility in Listowel, Ont. earlier this year.

"I probably spent more hours cleaning dead corpses out of battery cages than anything else," the undercover investigator told The Huffington Post Canada.

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He requested anonymity as he works regularly as an undercover employee at factory farms and slaughterhouses. The investigator said his job at Gray Ridge mainly consisted of removing dead hens from cages with live hens, who were still laying eggs.

"You'd see the dead rotting birds decomposed beyond recognition, just left in cages with hens still laying eggs that all go for human consumption.

Cartons of Gray Ridge eggs are shown at a Toronto grocery store. (Photo: HuffPost Canada)

"You'd see birds with bleeding prolapses, extreme feather loss, and other serious afflictions, all of these birds denied proper veterinary care, he alleged.

Many of the hens would get their legs trapped in the sides of the cages, unable to reach food or water, and would be trampled by other hens, he said in an interview.

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Mike Walsh, vice-president of marketing for Gray Ridge Egg Farms, disputed the animal groups video being filmed at his company.

We are really struggling to recognize that as our barn, he said in an interview with HuffPost Canada. So it's probably offered more questions to us than you have for us.

He said battery cages are a common industry practice, but that no new ones were being built at Gray Ridge.

Battery cages banned in EU

The small battery cages are made of wire and used primarily for egg-laying hens. Theyre named after batteries, which follow a similar pattern of rows and columns connected with shared dividing walls.

Battery cages are banned in the European Union, Switzerland, and several U.S. states because of the negative impacts on the animals welfare.

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A 2006 study from Humane Society International that included Canadian researchers found that battery cages fostered abnormal behaviour including cannibalism.

Some hens step over other hens in order to move around in cages. (Photo: Mercy For Animals)

In Canada, about 90 per cent of egg-laying hens live in battery cages.

Mercy for Animals managing director Krista Hiddema said hens confined to such cages sit in them for virtually their entire lives.

"We certainly take the position that these are some of the most abused animals in the food industry because they literally never have the opportunity to even stretch their wings or flap their wings."

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Last year, a similar Mercy For Animals investigation uncovered cruel chicken slaughterhouse practices at Maple Lodge Farms.

The company was subsequently fined $80,000 for failing to humanely transport chickens. It was also forced to spend $1 million over three years to meet federal guidelines.

Egg Farmers of Canada, which develops national standards for egg farming in Canada, has pledged to end the use of battery cages by 2036. Grocers including Loblaws, Sobeys, and Metro have committted to only sell cage-free eggs in their stores by 2025.

Walsh would not commit to eliminating battery cages but said that Gray Ridge will provide what customers are looking for.

If Loblaws wants to be 100 per cent free run, then we will provide them with the free run. If Walmart want to be 100 per cent free run, we will provide them with the free run, he said.

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Most Canadians would pay more for cage-free eggs: poll

Mercy for Animals group commissioned a poll this spring by NRG Research Group about cage-free egg production.

A majority of Canadians (76 per cent) said it was unacceptable to keep egg-laying hens in cages nearly their entire lives, and 79 per cent agreed that the National Farm Animal Care Council should recommend cage-free systems for egg producers.

A greater number (83 per cent) said the government should enact laws to ensure the humane treatment of animals raised for food, and 81 per cent said they would be willing to pay more for eggs produced in a cage-free environment.

The poll surveyed 1,001 people across Canada over the phone from May 26 to May 31, 2016. The results are accurate +/- 3.10 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Also on HuffPost

Egg-Laying Hens In Battery Cages See Gallery
Retired Canadians really do have it better than their southern cousins do.

At least according to the 2016 Global Retirement Index, anway.

The index ranks various countries based on factors like residents' post-career finances, health, material well-being and quality of life.

Since 2013, Natixis Global Asset Management has used the index to study the lives of retirees around the world.

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This year, it focused specifically on 25 developed countries where retirement has been an important economic and social issue.

Canada ranked 10th with a score of 77 per cent, beating the United States by four places.

The Great White North achieved its strongest score (87 per cent) in the "Health" category, which measures "access to quality health services."

Canada had a "strong performance in health expenditure per capita, non-insured health expenditure and life expectancy," the index said.

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It also achieved high marks in the "Quality of Life" category, recognizing air quality and overall happiness. The index also said that Canada is generating lots of renewable electricity, "which is an encouraging sign for environmentally conscious retirees."

Canada did better in almost every respect than the United States, which achieved a score of 73 per cent.

America was Canada's equal only in the "Health" category, where it scored 87 per cent. The states ended up with the "highest health expenditure per capita" of any country in the index.

But it also ranked in the bottom 10 on the list for income inequality, despite having some of the highest levels of per capita incomes.

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America also lost a few points in the "Quality of Life" category due to its status as one of the world's leading producers of CO2 emissions.

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The parents who lost their two-year-old son, Lane Graves, in an alligator attack at Orlandos Walt Disney World last month are not planning to sue the resort.

On Wednesday, Matt and Melissa Graves released a statement: Melissa and I are broken. We will solely be focused on the future health of our family and will not be pursuing a lawsuit against Disney.

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Watch the video above for the familys full statement and to hear how theyre coping after their loss.

Please pray for this family on Sunday. For Matt Graves, this will be the toughest Father's Day he'll ever have. pic.twitter.com/GqjFYyKk5h  Dennis Bailey (@dbaileyauthor) June 18, 2016

Lane Graves was playing near the water of Disneys Seven Seas Lagoon on June 14, when an alligator snatched him. The toddlers body was found one day later. According to the medical examiner, the boy died from drowning and traumatic injuries.

Following the toddlers death, Disney released a statement saying: There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss. We are devastated and heartbroken by this tragic accident and are doing what we can to help them during this difficult time.

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The Azov civil corps is conducting a march jointly with the Ukrainian Independent Mining Union and mining industry workers to call for improvements in the energy sphere, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

Some 400-500 people gathered on Khreschatyk Street near Bessarabska Square on Wednesday morning. Then they began marching along the city's central street.

Activists from the Azov civil corps were carrying flags of this socio-political organization, miners were also taking part in the march. They have unfolded several banners calling for order to be brought to the energy sphere.

Azov, specifically, demands immediate public inventory of licenses, a contract on joint activities signed in the sphere of natural resources in 2005-2006, suspension of the permits and licenses issued in the interests of persons associated with the regime of disgraced former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

The rally participants intend to march in the direction of the government quarter to the Cabinet building. They are marching along the driveway, and therefore Khreschatyk is partially closed to traffic. Police officers are accompanying the arch participants.
We can all agree eyelash curlers are pretty damn scary  heck, one male editor here at HuffPost Canada once referred to it as a "medieval torture device" (and hey, we don't blame him).

Basically, putting anything that clamps near your eye  especially your coveted lashes  is terrifying because 1) you don't want to pinch your eyelid, and 2) you don't want to rip out your eyelashes.

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Well, unfortunately for one woman, the latter happened. And it was NOT pretty.

Reddit user Aub3912 was curling her eyelashes when she suddenly sneezed, ripping them out.

"I really thought i ripped my eyelid in half," she wrote on Reddit, sharing images of the horrifying experience.

Brace yourselves for the next couple of images (click through to see the second pic):

AHHHHHHH!

The worst part is, the pain and trauma of losing her lashes isn't the only aftermath the poor woman has to deal with. As other Reddit users note, eyelashes protect bacteria from getting in your eye, so she will have to take extra care to ensure her eyelid is always clean.

However, she did get this tidbit of advice: "When they start growing back, get a spoolie with a drop or two of castor oil on it and coat the lashes with it, it will prevent them from getting brittle and breaking off thus making them grow back 'faster.'"

We wish you the best, Aub3912, and we vow to learn from your unfortunate mistake.

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Parents often cover their strollers with a thin blanket to shade their babies from the summer heat, but according to one Swedish pediatrician, this is a highly dangerous mistake.

It gets extremely hot down in the pram, something like a thermos, Svante Norgren, a pediatrician at a Stockholm childrens hospital, told Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagbladet. There is also bad circulation of the air and it is hard to see the baby with a cover over the pram.

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To test Norgrens claim, reporters at the Swedish newspaper conducted an experiment of their own. After leaving a stroller outside, uncovered, for 90 minutes, the buggy reached a temperature of 22 degrees.

A stroller with a thin covering, on the other hand, heated up much quicker. In just 30 minutes, it reached a temperature of 34 degrees, and after an hour, that temperature rose to 37.

According to Swedish researchers, a covering placed over a stroller can create a furnace-like heat because of the lack of air flow, Kidspot reports. Even a covering as thin as a muslin cloth can cause this dangerous effect.

The results of this study do not surprise me, and illustrate the dangers of excessively covering during hot weather, Dr. Hamed Khan, of Londons St. Georges hospital, told The Huffington Post UK.

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Babies and children are very sensitive to heat, and their bodies can actually heat up three to five times faster than adults. Additionally, kids dont sweat as much as adults do, which means they cant cool down as quickly either. This, combined with the fact that babies and young kids cant communicate when they are hot, can result in dangerous consequences, especially if they are left unattended in a stroller.

As a result, Dr. Khan warns that parents should always be aware of their kids in the summer heat. Keeping a close eye on young children, checking up on them regularly, and making sure that they are well hydrated is extremely important, he said.

Additionally, the Government of Canada advises that children under the age of one should be kept out of direct sunlight. This is to prevent skin damage and dehydration. A safe and easy way to do this is to attach a parasol to your babys stroller, rather than use a covering.

Get more sun and heat safety tips for kids here.

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The CEO of one of Canada's major airlines says a national carbon tax could "kill" his industry if the government isn't careful.

At least one economist says he's "hilariously wrong."

WestJet CEO Gregg Saretsky told the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) conference on Tuesday that his company is working with the federal government on its plans for a carbon tax that will apply across Canada, The Calgary Herald reported.

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Saretsky said the airline industry already works with thin margins.

And while he prefers a national tax to a patchwork of rates in different provinces  B.C. and Quebec have their own taxes; Alberta will impose one starting next year, and Ontario is looking into one of its own  he said the federal government should tread warily in the course of instituting one.

"Our business makes $14 in profit per guest. So the minute you add any kind of outrageous carbon tax, it's very simple and easy to wipe out $14," Saretsky said, as quoted by the Herald.

But one Calgary economist is taking the CEO to task for "baseless hyperbole."

University of Calgary professor Trevor Tombe tweeted to Saretsky that airlines could just increase fares to accommodate for a carbon tax.

Going to file Saretsky's comments under baseless hyperbole. He's hilariously wrong; they'll increase fares. #ableghttps://t.co/IxWrhYAF4o  Trevor Tombe (@trevortombe) July 20, 2016

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He also tweeted a chart showing that a tax of 7.5 cents per litre on jet fuel purchases (which is less than what B.C. charges for jet fuel purchases on inter-province travel) is small compared to the cost of fuel itself.

Tombe also noted that WestJet's fuel efficiency has improved enormously over the past 16 years, and that a carbon tax could give the airline a "competitive advantage."

Westjet fuel efficiency improving substantially. CTax might even provide them a competitive advantage. #ablegpic.twitter.com/TM3wyWGgnc  Trevor Tombe (@trevortombe) July 20, 2016

Canada will put a price on carbon by the end of the year, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna told Bloomberg last week.

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The federal government will also release a plan this fall for reducing emissions, which could require private companies to disclose their emissions.

Her remarks came as provincial leaders met to discuss whether or not to back a national carbon tax.

McKenna hasn't said she would impose a price on carbon unilaterally if the provinces don't come to an agreement. But Prime Minister Justin Trudeau didn't rule out that possibility in an interview with CBC News.

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Tom Merton via Getty Images Sad woman looking out hotel window

We recently found in one of our surveys that one in four business travellers* experience travel stress and with business travellers spending an average of 8.9 hours by themselves in their accommodation each day (including sleeping) when travelling internationally, where you choose to rest your head can help to make or break your trip.

For many of today's road warriors, that means going beyond the traditional executive crash-pad of the past. While business travel can be exciting and full of opportunities, it can also at times feel lonely, with many of those surveyed saying they miss family, friends and general home life (34%). All the more reason to make sure your accommodation ticks all the right boxes. Especially if, like one in five business travellers, one of your favourite things about a business trip is extending it into a holiday.

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Leave it to Booking.com to reinvigorate your business trip with these alternative and unique stays, from cosy B&Bs to stunning apartments, all highly endorsed by fellow business travellers in some of the top cities around the world booked for business trips.

Out of this world

For something completely different that will take your business trip to a whole new level, try sleeping in a space pod! You won't be the first to step outside of the box--or pod, Booking.com business travellers are loving this futuristic feeling.

MET A Space Pod, Singapore, Singapore

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Hostel life

You certainly won't get lonely at this happy hostel where you can meet and mingle with travellers from all over the world. Kick back in the common room and taste a 'Good Cachaca'--one of Brazil's favourites drinks after a long day's work.

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Sao Paulo Lodge Business Hostel, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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Viva la villa

For a unique and more extravagant stay with first class business support, book Rocco Forte on your next work trip. Embrace a royal experience at a historic site that offers gourmet food. It's time to ditch the buffet and enjoy a grand stay!

Rocco Forte Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt, Germany

Photo Credit: Booking.com

The local Londoner

Whether you need to cool off and relax after a strenuous day, or you need a quiet place to keep working, Still Life Borough is a haven of peace in a busy city that's all yours. Hungry for something different but delicious while you work on that presentation? Head downstairs and take a stroll to nearby Borough Market to get a taste of some of the world's finest food.

Still Life Borough ,London, UK

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Serene in Switzerland

A busy work schedule can mean you never experience the serene side of Switzerland. But even if you don't have time to explore, you can get a snapshot of the area's splendour by staying at the beautiful Beauvilla Bern. This historic villa built in 1902 is lavishly unique and only a 10-minute walk from the old town, in case you want a quick peak at the enchanting surroundings.

Beauvilla Bern, Bern, Switzerland

Photo Credit: Booking.com

B&B in the heart of Milan

Experience a different side of Milan at a comfortable and quaint B&B in the heart of the city, close by but tucked back from the chaos you may have escaped after work. Time to rejuvenate on that next business trip!

Photo Credit: Booking.com

Book a boutique

Offering an exclusive experience and featuring beautifully upscale designs combined with all the technical support you need for that last minute meeting prep, it's no wonder that business travellers are booking more boutiques! Make your next trip to China one where you treat yourself after working hard to bring in the bacon.

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One96, Hong Kong, Hong Kong

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Home NYC

Live like a local New Yorker in a stylish home near Manhattan's famous Central Park. Plush bathrobes and slippers await at this sophisticated yet cosy pad with free Wi-Fi throughout. Head out to the charming patio at the end of your--probably very long and exhausting--day.

Home NYC, New York, USA

Photo Credit: Booking.com

Hostel or Personal Space?

Have you heard about Booking.com's lavish poshtels? Sputnik is a perfect example of the new 'posh hostel' trend. Whether you want your own private space or you're feeling social, you will make no mistake at this trendy traveller's paradise.

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Photo Credit: Booking.com

Brussels' top business B&B

How about a chic B&B on your next business affair in Belgium? The elegant rooms overlook Josaphat Park and feature high ceilings, crystal chandeliers and hardwood floors. Time to turn off the lights? These high tech rooms are operated by an iPad.

Photo Credit: Booking.com

*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among 4,555 people (18 -65) across USA, UK, Germany, France, Spain, Japan, China, Italy who had travelled internationally for business four times or more in the past year. Research took place between 29th of January through the 11th of February 2016.
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The recent deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile has once again raised the issue of police violence against members of the public. Sterling and Castile, both black men, were fatally shot by police in the U.S. and are now being used as rallying cries by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) social movement to illustrate the systemic violence police officers inflict against black individuals at an alarmingly high rate.

It has been two years since the high-profile deaths of two African-American men, Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and Eric Garner in New York City, at the hands of the police. The deaths of Brown and Garner resulted in protests and unrest, and it gave the BLM movement national and international recognition. Despite this massive movement and the continuous calls for police reform, police violence continues to happen.

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One the most important concerns of police violence, and one that several fail to even recognize, is how much we do not know about the police use of lethal force. For example, the Director for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) asked his staff to tell him how many African-Americans were shot and/or killed by police in the U.S. and to his surprise, they could not provide an answer. The reason? There is no national or centralized database on police shootings or other types of force.

Although lethal force by police is much less common in Canada as compared to the U.S., we are not immune to police violence.

The system used in the U.S. to track deadly force is the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program that has collected statistics on lethal violence since the 1930s. However, the 18,000 law enforcement agencies are not mandated by this program and participation is voluntary. There are other systems used for tracking police shootings but these are also inconsistent in collecting data.

Similarly, there is no national or centralized database for use of force statistics in Canada. A further problem is the fact that agencies do not normally release official statistics on use of force, and the way in which use of force data are collected varies greatly between jurisdictions. Although lethal force by police is much less common in Canada as compared to the U.S., we are not immune to police violence.

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The best data on the use of deadly force by police are generated by the media. For example, the Guardian initiated a project called "The Counted" in 2014 that tracks the number of people killed by police in the U.S. They rely on local media reports of police use of deadly force and operate a database that includes basic information about each incident. Relying on the media for accurate data is an issue because data are not verified, audited or confirmed. Despite this, the Guardian's database may provide the most information we have on police shootings.

A national database on police deadly force will not only inform the public and the police of how often it occurs, but it will also allow for agencies to identify problems and concerns at the local and national level, and address them in the most effective way towards reducing lethal force.

For this to work, agencies must collect and report: 1) all incidents police officers discharge firearms at civilians; 2) the agency employing the officer(s); 3) the location of each incident (i.e., neighbourhood, highway, cross-streets); 4) the demographic characteristics of the officers and civilians involved in each incident; 5) any injuries suffered by officers and civilians; 6) the weapon(s) used by police and civilians; and 7) the nature of the incident (e.g., vehicle pursuit, domestic call, etc.).

All agencies must regularly report this information to a centralized data collection body (e.g., National Institute of Justice). This information gives the police valuable insight into specific circumstances of when deadly force is used which can better assist agencies in changing protocols and policies around how they approach deadly force situations (whether it be through improved training, alternative policing methods or better relations with marginalized communities). Good data will necessitate positive change.

Hundreds of civilians have been killed by the police since the BLM movement mobilized after Ferguson. Protesting for more accountability of the police is important. The first step in ensuring meaningful police reform and reducing the use of lethal force by police is by mandating a national database on police shootings where all agencies must consistently and comprehensively report all cases of deadly force. This will force agencies to make changes. Until this materializes, we can only expect more of the same.

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As Canada's provincial premiers arrive in Whitehorse for their annual meeting, they will be joined by many groups interested in what happens at the meeting, from doctors to business people to academics to labour.

They must, and will, listen to all these groups -- but I urge the premiers to pay particular attention to the many labour leaders who will be in Whitehorse for their Council of the Federation meetings, including myself. Our members' hopes and dreams define what Canada is and what it will be, and deserve to be heard.

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For 10 years under the Harper government, these annual premiers meetings were a good place for the premiers to talk about the issues they confronted, but with little hope that much would, or could, come of it.

That's because former prime minister Stephen Harper refused to engage with the group. Where other prime ministers saw the value in listening to the country's other political leaders as they debated the issues of the day, Harper dealt only in the politics of division and had little use for the opinions of others.

Today, we have a new prime minister who is open to hearing what others think. Justin Trudeau won't be at the meeting, as is tradition, but will no doubt be listening carefully to what is being said. That means the meeting this week will likely have more impact than those of the last 10 years.

Which makes it all the more important that the voice of working people is heard in Whitehorse this week, where labour leaders will be raising several important issues.

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Top of mind for me and the Unifor Regional Directors - Joie Warnock, Katha Fortier and Lana Payne -attending the meeting will be health care reform and renegotiation of the Health Accord to ensure a strong health care system for all Canadians.

Medicare is one of the defining programs in Canada. More than a policy or a government program, medicare is a symbol of what it means to live in a country where we care for one another. When someone falls, we pick them up. When someone gets sick, we care for them. This week in Whitehorse, me and other Unifor activists will be working to ensure the premiers know how important a strong healthcare system is to working Canadians.

We will also be lending our support by efforts of the country's provincial federations of labour and the Canadian Labour Congress to push the premiers on boosting the minimumhttp://www.marketwired.com/press-release/canadas-labour-leaders-to-all-premiers-make-life-better-for-vulnerable-workers-2143061.htm wage, enhanced protections for precarious workers and improving access to Employment Insurance for those who lose their jobs.

These are issues that often affect young workers, whose futures are made all the more uncertain by low-paying jobs and an unstable work environment. To continue having the kind of strong and prosperous Canada we want for our children, and to continue to be able to provide a sustainable healthcare system for future generations, we need to push for good jobs with stable futures and a living wage.

That's why the work of the provincial federations of labour to push for the Alberta example on minimum wages to be spread across the country is so important.

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The Alberta government of Rachel Notley, one of the premiers at this week's meeting, has begun a process to gradually increase the minimum wage in that province to $15 an hour by 2018. It is a fair and reasonable program that deserves to be rolled out across the country.

Working people understand the importance of a decent job and a well-funded health care system, and the connection between the two. Labour leaders are in Whitehorse this week to make sure that message gets through to our provincial leaders, and through them to our prime minister.
Javed Ahmad Ghamidi is one of the most brilliant contemporary Islamic scholars from Pakistan. In a country festering with the hatred of minorities, he has upheld a rational approach to religion. Recently, in a seemingly Australia-based video, he argued against same-sex unions on the basis of purity and the protection of the family.

While he honours the classical scholars, he respectfully expresses his opinions on matters where he disagrees with them. It is in that same spirit of respectful dissent that I would like to state my reservations with this grand teacher.

Ghamidi argues that any sexual relationship must be based on pakeezgi (purity). He believes that homosexual intercourse is bereft of purity, as the same act is forbidden with wives. He opines that purity in sexual relationships is important, for the human soul must be purified to enter Heaven.

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According to him, sexual relations must be restricted between a husband and wife for the protection of the institution of the family. He argues that this institution is paramount for the rearing of children and that its sanctity can only be maintained through loyalty and iffat (chastity). He is also concerned that any leeway would compromise the sanctity of a great institution.

It is evident from Ghamidi's words that he is alluding to anal intercourse as the impure act that is even prohibited with wives. However, this act is irrelevant for many LGBT persons. There are many gay men who find it unappealing for a myriad of reasons including personal taste and comfort. This is true even for casual same-sex encounters in the freest of societies and spaces.

In contrast, with the proliferation of online pornography, this act is increasingly practiced within heterosexual relationships, to the extent that Islam FAQ websites list concerns of Muslim women whose husbands insist on it.

Past Muslim jurists deemed the act as impure due to pollution arising from excrement. They reasoned that vaginal intercourse is prohibited during menstruation due to temporal impurity but anal impurity is permanent. Regardless of this reasoning, minority Maliki jurists allowed for the act. While some Shia jurists deem the act strongly disliked to avoid harm to the wife, others allow it contingent on the permission of the wife. Infact, in one of his many opinions, Imam Shafi argued that there is no strong evidence for or against the act.

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However, the point remains that human relationships are not based on a single sexual act. So far as sexual acts other than anal intercourse are concerned, they are not viewed as inherently qabih (evil) but simply prohibited outside the boundaries of a legal contract. As such, the issue at stake is not the permissibility of a single sexual act. After all, those who engage in anal intercourse do not necessarily need a fatwa (legal opinion) on permissibility just as those who avoid it, do not need a fatwa on prohibition.

Scholars like Ghamidi are concerned about the protection and sanctity of the family in a culture of online hook-ups. Free flowing consensual relationships that traverse gender and sexual orientation are at loggerheads with the heteronormative family institution that has been culturally and jurisprudentially sustained. However, both Muslim culture and jurisprudence have also been able to accommodate sexual minorities without compromising on the sanctity of the family.

The recent fatwa on the marriage of transgender persons in Pakistan is an example of one such accommodation that has precedent in Islamic jurisprudence on the marriage of the khuntha muskhil (intersex persons). How much different would it be to accommodate constitutional gays and lesbians?

The concern on creating slippery slopes to all forms of polyamorous conduct is unfounded, for accommodating sexual minorities does not open the doors for the heterosexual majority to do as they please. After all, unorthodox relationships will be viewed through the strict lens of Islamic law and ethics. Moreover, those who partake in sexual licentiousness are not dissuaded even by the strictest of ethical codes enforced by fear of draconian punishments.

So far as tazkiyya nafs (purification of the soul) to enter Heaven is concerned, we need to understand what this concept really entails. Is it more pure to live an authentic life with affection and companionship or to live with the constant angst of the closet or sham marriages?

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There are other online videos, wherein Ghamidi blames the use of medicines in the past decades, childhood experiences and ensuing addictions for the cause of homosexuality. He feels that science has not provided a conclusive position on the matter and that from a religious perspective homosexuality should be treated as a test from Allah.

However, there is painstakingly detailed scholarship available to Muslim professionals and religious scholars that confirms that Allah creates whatsoever He wills, that something as beautiful as affection for others could not arise from something as ugly as sexual abuse and that Islamic law does not cause asr (undue hardships).

Lives are at stake. I receive messages for help from young Muslim females, whose affinity to their understanding of the Islamic moral code can be gauged by their wearing of the headscarf in times of increasing anti-Muslim bigotry. I also receive messages from highly educated men, around their forties, who not only face immense family pressure for marriage but also feel unwelcome in LGBT subspaces.

Religious leaders like Ghamidi are like shepherds in the Muslim community. It is their responsibility to watch over vulnerable members of the community. While social norms can inflict oppression on the marginalized, zulm (oppression) in the name of the sharia (Islamic law) is unconscionable.

Abandoning faithful Muslim gays and lesbians to trials and tests is oppressive. But can Ghamidi and other compassionate scholars affirm their legitimate human need for intimacy, affection and companionship?

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Head of EU Delegation to Ukraine Jan Tombinski has urged the Ukrainian authorities to "put all efforts behind an investigation" into the killing of Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet in Kyiv on Wednesday.

"I call on the authorities to put all efforts behind this investigation and swiftly bring those responsible for this atrocious crime to justice," Tombinski said in a statement.

He expressed sincere condolences to the family of Sheremet and to all his colleagues" whose work is at the heart of the independent and free media in Ukraine."
Steve Russell via Getty Images TORONTO, ON- MAY 25 - A train makes its way into Pearson International Airport as the Media get one more ride on the UPX - Union Pearson Express - before it is officially launched. This is the first official look at the Union Station terminal at Pearson International Airport in Toronto. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Progress without process gives you China.

Over the past couple of decades, China has made tremendous progress in improving the economic well-being of tens of millions, even creating a sizeable cohort of the uber rich Chinese. Yet, the Chinese sacrificed process for progress, which delivered economic prosperity but not the political, religious, and other rights of assembly and affiliation.

The Minister of Transport in Ontario, Steven Del Duca, recently declared his preference for progress over the process. I see his proclamation troubling, not just for the risks of wasting good money on bad transit infrastructure, but also for the process-driven democracy we have evolved in Canada over decades.

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Mr. Del Duca reacted to an editorial in the Toronto Star that offered a time-tested advice: keep politics out of public transit planning. The Star's editorial warned against the perils of wasting billions on special interest, non-essential public transit projects whose primary purpose appears to be political expediency.

Speaking on behalf of Ontario Liberals, Mr. Del Duca proclaimed: "Our government will continue to put progress ahead of process, and we will deliver the seamless and integrated transit network the GTHA desperately needs."

Why would the Minister think that a seamless and integrated transit network cannot be delivered unless the government sacrifices the process? I would argue that the seamless public transit can neither be planned nor delivered without following due process. Any deviation from it results in wasting billions of taxpayers dollars on transit that does not help address traffic congestion.

Adhering to the process requires all involved to explain how they determined what is the best use of the taxpayers' money.

Mr. Del Duca, in his response, also listed the planned and under construction public transit projects in the region. He reminded the readers that "the Union Pearson Express is also complete." The mere construction of a transport infrastructure doesn't make it complete and allows one to tick the checkbox. What about the fact that the UP Express, for its operating life and short of a miracle, will, on a per rider basis, continue to be the most subsidized transit infrastructure in the region.

A successful public transit project is one that achieves a sustainable and sufficient ridership that could not be served by less expensive modes. The mere provision of trains operating devoid of riders is not a success but a failure resulting from putting 'progress' ahead of the process.

The City of Stubways

By abandoning the process, Toronto is fast transforming into a city of Stubways. Instead of building smart, demand-driven public transit, Toronto is building a one-stop subway in Scarborough that has little chance of attracting sufficient ridership. It has already built a stubway, i.e., the Sheppard East line, which has failed to generate sufficient ridership. This is no progress for a city that needs public transit to address traffic congestion.

Adhering to the process requires all involved to explain how they determined what is the best use of the taxpayers' money. One needs to be on guard especially when the billions being invested are not coming from a surplus, but are borrowed funds that the future generations will have to return with interest.

Recent announcements by the City and Ontario leave much to be desired for due process. The Scarborough Subway Extension is being implemented not to address congestion or improve transit accessibility, but to hedge against political rivals who happen to favour subways for Scarborough. The Ontario's billion-plus dollar commitment for Hurontario LRT does not explain what other alternatives were under consideration for funding from which Hurontario emerged as the best alternative for taxpayers' funds.

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Mr. Del Duca is correct when he says that "we are in the midst of the largest transit infrastructure build out in Ontario's history." This affords the Liberal government a tremendous opportunity to equip the regional and provincial economies to meet our current and future growth. We can do this effectively and efficiently by following due process, not sacrificing it.

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bernie_photo via Getty Images Health care Cost statistics with stethoscope and Calculator

More than six in 10 Canadians say that the universality of the health-care system is their greatest source of pride in our country. The idea that people should have access irrespective of means has rightly become a Canadian political axiom.

Yet, as the premiers meet this week to discuss the future of Canadian health care and a new accord with the federal government, the reality is that Canada's present system is failing to live up to the principle of universality. Full public coverage is mostly limited to hospital and doctor services and otherwise Canadians are left to pay for uninsured services and treatments -- such as drugs, dental, and out-patient services -- through private insurance or out-of-pocket spending.

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Simply put: Canada's current system of public health insurance is a mile deep and an inch wide. Fairer, more sustainable health-care financing should be among the top priorities for the impending health accord discussions.

Canada's health-care financing is called "single payer" because provincial-based public health insurance covers all medically-necessary hospital and physician services and private financing -- in the form of cost-sharing or private insurance -- for these services is largely prohibited under sections 18-21 of the Canada Health Act. Public expenditures in these areas exceed 90 per cent.

This basically means that when a Canadian goes to the hospital or the doctor in any province or territory the costs are covered irrespective of one's income or wealth. But hospital and physician services are only a portion of health-care services and treatments. They only represent 45 per cent of health-care spending according to the latest data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Most other health-care costs must be borne by Canadians with limited access to public subsidies or support.

Drugs costs are the prime example. Total spending on drugs reached $33.8 billion or 15.7 per cent of total health-care spending in 2014 -- making it the second largest overall health expenditure after hospital services. Yet public financing only covers about a third and all other drug expenses are financed by private insurance or out-of-pocket spending.

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This mix of full public financing for hospital and physician services and mostly private financing for all other services produces a health-care system that's less universal and egalitarian than most might think. By subsidizing hospital and doctor costs for all Canadians we have little public monies left over to help low- and middle-income Canadians pay for uninsured services and treatments.

The result is that less affluent households, unattached individuals, and senior couples spend a disproportionate share of their disposable income on health care. And it's rising. Between 1998 and 2009, out-of-pocket spending increased by 2.9 per cent annually and the share of households spending more than 10 per cent of their after-tax income on health care climbed by nearly 60 per cent.

It doesn't have to be this way. Many countries are able to provide universal coverage for a broader range of health-care services than Canada, while minimizing the cost to taxpayers by relying on a different mix of patient cost-sharing and public subsidies for private insurance.

Canadian governments could enact a range of reforms to better leverage private financing to pay for health care, as we set out in a recent study. The goal of such reforms wouldn't be to undermine or replace public insurance but rather to target and expand it for those who need it. Why should a wealthy Canadian receive full public subsidies for a routine doctor visit while struggling families receive little or no support for drug purchases?

Such a policy shift would be consistent with the Trudeau government's recent changes to federal child-care benefits whereby means-testing was used to provide more generous payments for low- and middle-income families. The prime minister has frequently said that child benefits shouldn't go to wealthy families like his own. Ottawa could encourage similar reforms to health-care financing by repealing certain sections in the Canada Health Act to enable the provinces to experiment with different forms of cost-sharing for high-income Canadians.

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Allowing a greater role for private financing in Canada's health-care system would permit provincial governments to broaden public coverage for those who actually need support. The result would be a fairer and more universal system without added pressure on government budgets. That's something that Canadians can be proud of.

Sean Speer is a Munk senior fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and co-author of the recent study, "Toward a more fair Medicare: Why Canadian health care isn't equitable or sustainable and how it can be"
Sebastien Bergeron via Getty Images Two hands asking for help in a prison cell.

Over 50 black and brown men have been on a hunger strike since July 11 protesting their inhumane separation from their families. The hunger strikers have three simple demands: (1) to meet with Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale, to (2) end indefinite detention and replace it with limited 90-day detentions, and (3) an end to maximum-security imprisonment of immigration detainees.

Late on Tuesday afternoon, minister Goodale -- or likely his staff -- issued a press release that appears as a blog on the Huffington Post Canada.

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In it, the minister says he has heard the concerns and is working swiftly to remedy the problem -- but he just needs more time. Yet, under his watch as minister of public safety, three people have died in immigration detention in the last five months. This is a tragedy and a political crisis. These three, Francisco Romero Astorga, Melkioro Gahungu and an unidentified man, all ran out of time. And so has the minister.

Not only are the issues urgent, but if minister Goodale's blog is any indication, he is getting incorrect advice from Harper-era staff. As a result he has placed his name on a statement full of misrepresentations and myths. It is essential that the minister meet with detainees immediately in order to witness their conditions. These detainees are his legal responsibility. As they head into their second week of fasting, they do not have much time, either.

The minister is being told that these hearings are transparent and subject to review. They are not.

Minister Goodale -- or likely his staff under advice from the Canada Border Services Agency -- justify the treatment of detainees by saying that immigration detentions only happen when an individual "cannot be identified with certainty, is a flight risk or threatens the safety of Canadians."

The question of identity, flight risk or a threat to Canadian safety is determined at a detention review hearing conducted by a board member of the Immigration Refugee Board (IRB). The minister is being told that these hearings are transparent and subject to review. They are not.

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As my research with the End Immigration Detention Network has shown, release rates at detention review in Ontario are nine per cent, while release rates for the rest of the country are 25.5 per cent. IRB board members release rates vary from five per cent to 38 per cent. A detainee's chance of being released or jailed after being deemed a flight risk, security threat or having uncertain identity is based not on their circumstance, but where in the country they are jailed and which board member they appear in front of.

Ralph Goodale, now minister of public safety, speaks to journalists in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill, Ottawa in 2010. (Photo: REUTERS/Chris Wattie)

Once detained at a detention review by a board member -- who is neither a lawyer nor a judge -- one cannot have their full case heard in an actual court, ever. The case is almost impossible to bring to an actual judge, and these decisions are happening almost exclusively outside the courts.

Minister Goodale is being told that these detention reviews are independent. But lawyers for the Ministry of Public Safety are the ones contesting release. The minister has the power to instruct them to stop arguing against ending detentions of men who have been jailed for over three months, in some cases for five years, and finally bring Canada's immigration detention system up to modern international human rights standards. This is an easy, zero-cost, immediate fix.

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In issuing an opinion against Canada's immigration detention system, the United Nations wrote that "the inability of a State party to carry out the expulsion of an individual does not justify detention beyond the shortest period of time... and under no circumstances indefinite detention." Canada, following best practices internationally, can and should impose a limit. If someone cannot be deported within 90 days, they must be released. This is a first step to ending immigration detention.

Minister Goodale, go to Ontario and meet with the hunger striking detainees immediately. See for yourself how utterly and incredibly inhumane immigration detention is.

With a 90-day limit, the vast number of detentions in maximum security prisons will simply end -- no need to build expensive new facilities that the minister is being told to insist upon. No need for other costly alternatives that continue the legacy of these human rights violations.

The minister must firmly reject the Harper-era idea of "electronic surveillance." Putting ankle bracelets on detainees and having a private company monitor immigration detainees in community is not only expensive, it's a creeping in of U.S.-style private prison policies that have already failed.

The minister is putting his name onto a list of justifications and possible proposals that have been debunked many years ago. When it comes to honouring the human rights and dignity of these immigrant detainees, he is getting bad advice from his staff. And this bad advice continues to prolong the suffering and, at times, cause the death of immigrant detainees.

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Minister Goodale, go to Ontario and meet with the hunger striking detainees immediately. See for yourself how utterly and incredibly inhumane immigration detention is. The detainees who are starving not just for themselves -- as your staff keep insisting -- but for reforms within the immigration system. Act now before more people die.

Minister Goodale, do the right thing. You can end the deaths. All you have to do is do it.

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A 3D-printed prosthetic arm. (Photo: Trevor Williams/Getty Images)

When you think about the future of health care, what is it that comes to mind? Robots performing complex procedures? Holograms enabling a health-care professional to be in two places at once? Or maybe it's the integration of intelligent systems that can predict health issues early and help with prevention?

In an industry as important and as complex as health care, embracing innovation is the best way to improve patient care and safety. Integrating intelligent technology into the health-care system is essential to reduce costs and ensure a sustainable future.

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So, how can we do this in a meaningful way that will serve patients better and provide health professionals with the tools to achieve the best results? That is a question that we'll be asking at HealthAchieve, the Ontario Hospital Association's annual conference and exhibition.

As a thought leader in intelligent health and the future of health care, Harry Pappas, founder and CEO of the Intelligent Health Association (IHA), a HealthAchieve partner, is a true advocate for the adoption and implementation of new technologies in the health eco-system.

"From wearables to 3D printing, advancements in intelligent health technology are already being implemented in hospitals across North America," says Pappas. "To move health care forward, we need to see new technology used to its fullest potential."

Health-care Apps and Wearables

Today, there are many health-focused apps and wearables on the market. All you need is a smartphone or tablet to be able to effectively monitor things like weight, blood pressure, heart rate, pulse and fitness level. There are even apps that prompt patients to take medication at certain intervals, track food intake and blood sugar. The key to getting the most of these tools is to ensure this data is used properly. When transferred to a primary caregiver, the data allows the physician to eavesdrop on the progress of their patient, creating a broader picture of the patient's day-to-day health.

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According to Pappas, there is a direct link between wearable medical technology that can help both patients and clinicians monitor vital signs and symptoms, and improved health.

"It's making us all more aware of what we need to do to be healthier, to reduce cancer and heart disease risks, and to take better care of ourselves. Smart technology is putting us in control of our own health in a way never before possible," says Pappas.

3D Printing

When it comes to transformative technology, there's nothing quite as revolutionary as 3D printing. While currently in its infancy, tremendous strides have been made in the development of regenerative tissue and the printing of anatomical pieces. The applications of this incredible technology will be transformational, taking the guesswork out of surgeries like hip replacement, and providing medical teams with precise information and customized prosthetics and implants to help improve patient care.

In reality, the future of health care is already here, and some of Ontario's state of the art hospitals are leading the way. Check out what happening at Humber River Hospital or Makenzie Health. While it's not mainstream to see robots and holograms in the hospital yet, we have seen Canadians embracing health technology and making sure we use it to its fullest potential in our hospitals. At HealthAchieve, we hope to shed light on what is coming next.

Warren DiClemente, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President, Educational Services, Ontario Hospital Association (OHA). The OHA's signature conference and exhibition, HealthAchieve will run Nov. 7 to 9, 2016 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

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Bloomberg via Getty Images

This week I protested along with hundreds of others against the Higher Education Bill as it went through its second reading in the House of Commons. The Bill, if passed, would sound a death knell for education as we know it, opening up the door to rising fees and putting in place a new framework for measuring 'excellence' - based on a series of arbitrary metrics which will not properly assess the quality of teaching and learning.

As well as concerns raised about the content of the Bill in general, there have been loud calls this week for the changes to be shelved so that the government can first deal fully with the huge implications of the Brexit vote for higher education. It is clear that these will be huge and likely deeply damaging, and for the government now to simply press ahead with already highly unpopular changes would be foolhardy.

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It is not only in the sector of Higher Education that leaving the EU poses serious threats to young people's futures. The Resolution Foundation, in a report released yesterday highlighting the growing intergenerational inequality dividing our society, warned that a worsening economic outlook caused by Brexit could cause millennials to be the first generation to earn less than their predecessors; a similar warning was given by the IFS today as they released findings showing that young people's incomes have fallen significantly since the financial crisis while older generations have become better off.

Currently, the EU provides billions in funding for our Higher Education institutions; gives vital support to Further Education; enables young people to live and study across the continent; and creates jobs and training opportunities. Brexit does not need to mean the end for youth opportunity, but there is a great deal of work to be done to ensure that our futures are not damaged by it.

In the immediate term, there are urgent steps the government can take to do this. They must guarantee continued funding for Erasmus, student exchanges and EU-funded schemes targeted at young people. They must work for an exit deal which keeps us in the single market, so that the millions of jobs linked to it are not lost, and one which allows Europe's young people to continue to live and work freely across Europe. They must also, as Caroline Lucas has called for, secure associate status for the UK in EU research programmes in order to put an end to the uncertainty which has seen British academics and scientists asked to leave EU projects and British universities pressured to abandon collaborations with international partners.

But Brexit is only one of many challenges facing Britain's youth, and we must begin to tackle the long-existing malaise which has left too many of my generation struggling to cope with rising rents, limited job opportunities and growing debt.

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That means, first and foremost, investing in our society in cash terms: funding public services fully to create jobs and training opportunities, particularly in infrastructure and green energy; overhauling the welfare system so that unemployed young people are empowered to seek suitable and fulfilling employment, not forced into low-skilled low-paid jobs; and scrapping tuition fees so that there are no barriers to gaining a university education.

It also means giving young people a real say in the country's future. During the referendum, Leave campaigners spoke of 'taking back control' of our democracy - now we have the opportunity really to do that by introducing a voting system in which every vote counts. Today Caroline Lucas introduced a Bill to the House of Commons to bring in proportional representation - and to give the vote to the millions of 16- and 17-year-olds unjustly denied a vote on the future of their country in the EU referendum. Sadly, the Bill was voted down by a tiny majority - but support for a fair voting system is growing.

It's crucial now that as young people we don't just leave it to the politicians to carve out our future. After the referendum vote, thousands of people lined the streets to reaffirm their commitment to Europe; since then almost 50,000 have signed a petition calling for a progressive alliance to beat the Tories at the next election and bring in a more proportional voting system.
In 2009, I started producing a naked calendar featuring male university rowers who wanted to raise funds for boat repairs.

What began as a simple student fundraiser went on to become a expression of straight allies' support for LGBT rights, and a example of how diversity and inclusion can benefit us all.

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Now, through the work of Sport Allies, the charity we have helped to set up and fund, we have recognized that to challenge homophobia, we must examine and address the role of sport in perpetuating unhealthy models of masculinity.

Rigid and constricting models of masculinity, we have learned, are at the root of a range of problems far beyond the homophobia we set out to address.

Sadly, the shoots for our 2017 calendar have been bookended by two acts of bewildering violence that demonstrate the extreme and tragic results of fostering just such values.

As we celebrated the end of our last day of filming and photography in Spain, we were unaware that a few hundred miles north, in Nice, a man was driving a truck through a crowd of innocent bystanders who were celebrating one of the great milestones in the history of freedom and equality.

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Equally horrifically, our first day of photography took place in the immediate aftermath of the mass slaughter at a gay nightclub in Orlando. I want to share with you the message that I sent to the rowers at that time.

I am sure that, like me, you have been deeply affected by the horrific events in Orlando. On the eve of our first day of photography for our 2017 calendar, I think we can best honour the victims of Omar Mateen by reflecting on why this tragic waste of life makes our work more important than ever.

The media are describing Omar Mateen as a gay man. He was not.

People who are LGBT+ have made a choice. They have recognized that their sexuality or gender is different from other people's, and have gone through a process to make sense of that - one that includes rejecting much of what has been taught to them by everyone they have ever respected.

It can be both a lonely and a hazardous process but, if they succeed, these people can hope to come to terms with who they are, and embrace their difference, even if only in private.

In some parts of the Western world, these people may also feel able to share their identity publicly, and to go on to build a normal, healthy life within our society.

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But that happy outcome is not the case for everyone, not even in the most liberal of our cultures. Nearly half of LGBT+ people in the UK aged 16-24 have considered suicide, and more than half have self-harmed. These are shocking statistics in this culture at this point in time.

Sadly, Omar Mateen went further than most. His cultural conditioning was so at odds with his actual identity that for him it was not enough to harm just himself. As a result, fifty people are dead, and as many again are injured.

The horrible irony is that the people Mateen killed were the people who had successfully risen to the challenge of defining their own identity, along with the straight friends who had also not just accepted but embraced them.

Our project has received acclaim from professionals working in suicide prevention for its impact on young people struggling to come to terms with their sexual identity. You, as competitive male athletes at a top university, represent a world from which they feel excluded. It is a world that for centuries if not millennia has confined sexual freedom, power and legitimacy to heterosexual men.

To stand naked and vulnerable in front of people who have been historically disempowered is to make very clear, both to them and to the wider world, that you are committed to playing your part in creating a world that shows respect for everyone's gender and sexual identity. It is a more powerful weapon than anything that Omar Mateen was able to carry into that nightclub, and ultimately it will have a greater impact. Because if we can believe in anything, surely it must be that love is more powerful than hate.

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You will stand naked in front of me tomorrow, and so I want to share something very personal with you now. When I was a teenager, I twice tried to take my own life. Both attempts were a direct result of my inability to come to terms my sexuality or overcome a profound sense of failure to achieve the masculine ideals against which I felt I was being measured, particularly in school sport. These were not cries for help but the outcome of what felt like a rational thought process that led me to conclude there was now no place for me in the world as I knew it.

That experience, and my attempt to make some sense of the great pain that I felt then and, to some extent, am still processing now, is very much a part of the Warwick Rowers project.

The brave and selfless support of the many rowers who have contributed to the calendar over the years has helped me to heal, and has helped many others to do so, too. For me, it is part of the authenticity of the Warwick Rowers project that you and I are now working together to show that - in sport, in life, in everything - it's not where you start, it's what you become.

You are heroes to me, and to many others around the world. Orlando has now made it more necessary and more relevant than ever that you show the world that love is not the product or property of ideology, but the outcome of free will.

The rowers have told me of how profoundly this message impacted upon them and, as I sift through the images that we have captured over the last month in both England and Spain, I am proud of how powerfully and bravely these young athletes have used their naked bodies to restate their commitment to freedom and diversity.

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To chat to Paul Sohi is to geek out over all things 3D printed. He takes me on a journey from 3D printed mannequins (the subject of his PhD) to a new polycarbonate composite prosthetic leg he is developing with a team spanning half a dozen countries but centred at Autodesk in San Francisco, for an Olympic cyclist bound for Rio later this year. It's a helluva ride, so buckle up!

What initially prompted me to get in contact with Paul was a question I've been pondering whilst working at the fringe of fashion and technology for some time. Why aren't there robot models? And why don't I create the first robot modelling agency? It makes sense for so many reasons, but more on that in a later post.

Paul's research and development at the Royal College of Art in conjunction with the Makerversity at Somerset House centres on solving an immense problem in mannequin manufacturing. Mannequins are currently sculpted by hand before being moulded and cast - a time consuming process which imposes mass standardisation. As someone who has hired mannequins for London fashion week I can attest to the limited offer currently on the market.

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Consider a museum requiring a custom-sized mannequin to display historic clothing, and then consider a new technology allowing such a mannequin to be 3D printed in days rather than laboriously hand made in months. Then consider that currently, the best way of creating mannequins to display such costumes is to 3D scan the clothing to determine the volume inside of them when worn on which to then base a mannequin shape - requiring reverse-engineering of the mannequin to mimic someone that did actually live and wear those clothes at a point in historical time.

It's on consideration of these weird truths it's possible to begin seeing the benefit of Paul's creation of an algorithm designed to transform actual body (or garment) measurements into 3D printed mannequins, rather than relying on artistic creations inspired by - but anatomically untrue to - the human body. The key here is that measurements entered into Paul's program are manipulated and represented visually in line with actual metamorphic landmarks. For example, height has an impact on body proportions.

It is incorrect to simply scale a mannequin up or down directly proportionately - there are intricacies in height ratios that Paul's rigorous algorithm takes into account so that the mannequins he 3D prints are true to the human form, rather than a sculpted representation of an imagined ideal. Shorter people's legs are proportionately longer than their torso compared to taller people, for example, but you would not detect this by looking at them - both body proportions simply look 'right'. Herein lies the difficulty in artistically interpreting the human form where size and fit are concerned.

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Paul's 3D printed scale mannequins being printed in parts for later assembly

The motivation behind Paul's PhD was to find out if he could create a 3D printed mannequin using mass customisation algorithms built upon an immense amount of research underpinned by the International Standards. These standards provided all the necessary body measurements to create a digital mannequin which can then be 3D printed.

International Standards

An important point made by Paul during our conversation is that mass customisation via 3D printing is now possible on a production scale - it has evolved beyond prototyping. This means that standardisation of mannequins is no longer necessary and the skilled work required for each fashion retail market does not have to be localised. Since a 'standard' size small in Asia is nothing like a 'standard' size small in Europe, mass customisation shatters geographical boundaries and means standardisation - at best badly sized and limited in terms of body shape and at worst pushing damagingly unrealistic body ideals - is no longer necessary.

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The mannequins Paul is developing can be tailored according to cultural specificity. Regional cuisine radically effects body shape, size and proportion and genetics also has a considerable impact. These factors can be taken into account in Paul's algorithm.

A complete 3D printed scale mannequin

From an aesthetic point of view, every fashion brand has its own ideal mannequin which in some cases may be seasonal. These are made from master moulds and if done by hand using current methods, take months. 3D printing takes a fraction of the time, allowing greater flexibility and mannequin diversity.

Paul describes his work as creating avatars and body forms. He is currently working with the Victoria & Albert Museum, London to find rapid solutions for mannequin making for display of historic costumes. As an extension of this revolutionary development for display mannequins, Paul is looking at how the current mass standardisation of garment making mannequins relates to sizing within the fashion industry.

There is no datum on mannequins - no system for sizing and no standard approach to it across the industry. When creating clothing, we have anatomical landmarks (nape to waist, for example) but the way this is measured is still variable. Paul is determined to standardise measurement taking and sizing to put an end to what is a slow, laborious and repetitive process. He makes the point that, for example, three people in the fashion industry will measure the same dress and get three completely different sets of measurements . Compare that to Architecture - or any other creative industry - and you would be laughed at for not having and applying a set of standards. He makes a strong point and I have personally dealt with this often painful aspect of sampling and production in the fashion industry. Paul is confident that a set of standards can be extrapolated from the points mapped in his algorithm.

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Interestingly, Paul tells me that the standard nape to waist measurement of garment making blocks used routinely in the fashion industry came from 1920's military uniforms. Today's approach to garment sizing and pattern proportions has only marginally evolved since then. 'Standard sizes' are in truth specific to each individual fashion house and are not related to any actual standard, which to me makes sense because each fashion house/brand has it's own silhouettes and 'fit' which are part of its aesthetic, but I can see how this isn't customer friendly and how in an increasingly e-commerce driven industry sizing standardisation would reduce returns and help consumers make better style choices.

Returning to museum mannequins, the Alexander McQueen exhibition Savage Beauty at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York was one of the most successful exhibitions of all time, but despite this, when it ended it was not picked up immediately by another institution. The hand-sculpted mannequins, made specifically for the garments they displayed were destroyed. Shortly after, the V&A took on the exhibition, and set about hand-making the mannequins all over again. Almost a year later they were complete. If these had been created using Paul's 3D printing method this would have been simpler, quicker and less expensive.

The exception within the Savage Beauty exhibition was the Plato's Atlantis 3D printed mannequins which closed the exhibition. See the 3D rendering by Asylums FX and a photo I took at the exhibition below:

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Plato's Atlantis, Savage Beauty, Victoria and Albert Museum, London

When I ask Paul about the response so far to his work he says it has been met with distrust and caution from a number of museum curators and fashion designers who feel things are working just fine as they. The fashion industry is famously and paradoxically resistant to change (the out-of-synch seasonal cycles and some luxury brands still refusing to sell online are just two examples) but why isn't the way things are done being challenged? Why can't we do things better? Why can't we explore technology to do things in a better way? As long as we pose the questions, it appears technology will provide the answers.

Paul and I leave the Makerversity disagreeing over the recent Batman V's Superman film (he's a fan, I'm not) and agreeing on the amazingness of The Hulk. I wish him well on his bumpy but worthwhile journey to fashion mannequin disruption.

For more about Paul's work, click here and follow him on Twitter
Like millions of other Britons, on the 24th June I woke up to news I couldn't understand. Since then, according to my feeds, the world as I know it ended and season 7 of Game of Thrones was played out in Westminster, this time with more plot twists but mercifully less nudity.

Brexit. When the vote was announced my digital world echoed my thoughts; a reverberant chamber of fear and outrage. If so many people shared my thoughts, how could this have happened?

The reality is that social media presents us with the opinions and values we want to see. Twitter users actively choose who they want to follow. The Facebook algorithm encourages users to remain on Facebook for as long as possible by showing them information they are most likely to be interested in. This is a necessary (and understandable) business model to expose users to the advertisements which fund Facebook itself.

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In the run up to the referendum how could I have missed the voices of those worst hit by austerity, crying out for attention? I was within my own echo chamber. Presumably so were other voters and even political parties. Political leaders were not only detached from their constituents but also unable to access the private echo chambers of individuals' news feeds to gauge true sentiment.

We were unknowingly complacent. This is the darker side of digital: information walls built around those who don't challenge them.

A recent Reuters study found that 50% of people use social media as a news source, all of them being presented with coverage of news in a tone which matches their own beliefs. This is before we consider sentiments from friends adding their own reinforcement to a person's views. As Upworthy CEO Eli Pariser would say, we have a very large "filter bubble".

There has been much talk on healing the divides revealed during the referendum. How then does social media fit into this when it is designed to reinforce views?

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If you're looking for an immediate "quick fix" way of opening your own horizons you can do two things. Firstly, resist the temptation to unfollow those who have varying beliefs to you. Secondly, remember that humans are social animals. It's well documented that a person is most likely to be open to discussion when they don't feel threatened. Before embarking on a factual debate look to understand a person's view point; self-affirmation is a powerful tool.

What about ensuring world views are not narrowed on social media for those not actively seeking varied opinions? Presenting a user with the occasional story which has the opposite view to their own cannot solve the problem. We've all experienced that arguing against someone's view point causes the person to defend that view even more strongly. This is commonly referred to as the "backfire effect" - the mind's automatic defense to a contradictory view.

To avoid this effect, algorithms could use "nudge theory" to present unaware users with some stories whose sentiments are close to their own. How would social media providers decide which way to steer peoples' values? To be fair, everyone would need nudging. Inevitably a human programming the algorithm would need to decide the end goal of the nudge. This is far from ideal...

Could algorithms instead determine and openly tag the sentiments people are being presented with? The printed press have long been accepted as having particular affiliations to political parties or viewpoints. Is it socially responsible for social media providers to tag the news they provide in a similar way (e.g. "left", "right", "liberal", "green",..)?
'It looked like the apocalypse,' said one observer.

The massacre in Nice began shortly before 11pm on Thursday 14 July, as a 19-tonne white Renault lorry sped down the promenade and began mowing down men, women and children who were celebrating Bastille Day - an event symbolic of France's most sacred values, commemorating the first act of the revolutionaries that created the Republic. Among all the broken lives - the details almost too heartbreaking to bear: a girl's body, besides a treasured doll; a boy unvisited in hospital, his parents feared dead - one figure moves into focus: Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, the man behind the wheel.

Boulhel, a 31-year-old French-Tunisian delivery driver, was a divorced father of three who had become depressed following the breakdown of his marriage two years earlier, which is likely to have ended through his tendency to violence. He had made his wife's life a misery, said a neighbour, and was also violent to his children. Boulhel has been described by those who knew him as a loner, an aggressive man, with no particular interest in religion prior to this event, with a history of petty and violent crime. He had a record for armed assault, domestic violence, threats and robbery, although had never served any time in prison. Boulhel's lifestyle was far from Islamic, as many observers commented: besides his criminal background, he never attended any mosque, being more interested in women, drugs and mixed martial arts than his faith.

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The Islamic State have claimed responsibility for Boulhel's attack, adding yet more deaths to their bloody tally. Whether or not this massacre was planned with IS before the event it seems likely that it was inspired by its propaganda: chillingly, Isis leaders have previously encouraged supporters to 'run over' the 'filthy French'. In Nice, as in Boulhel's native Sousse (site of the massacre of 38 tourists by a gunman linked to IS), the ideologies behind jihadism have a powerful attraction to disaffected and violent young men. At the start of this year, 55 young men had left the Alpes-Maritimes department (which includes the city of Nice) to kill and die with IS in Syria and Iraq.

Boulhel's profile presents a conundrum for our existing understandings of terrorists, where we imagine them as either inspired by a particular understanding of religion, or 'blowback' for Western interventions overseas. While interviewing former extremists for Jihad, the documentary I made after conducting two years of interviews with Western born Muslim extremists, convicted terrorists, and former jihadis, I found that many other people I spoke to shared Boulhel's characteristics - a sense of personal crisis which leaves an individual vulnerable to extreme messages, feelings of fear, isolation, and a lack of control over their lives. For Boulhel, it was the final disintegration of his family; for others, the triggers have been experiences of violence and racism, abusive and hypercritical families, and a sense of failure and insignificance. A hedonistic lifestyle contrary to all the rules and expectations of Islam is not an unusual precursor to radicalisation: in fact, some young radicals see joining in the jihad as a way of achieving redemption for past sins.

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For many young men, joining in a radical movement is a way of feeling powerful, which is particularly intoxicating for men who feel their masculinity has been called into question, whether through victimisation or a failure to achieve the status that they feel they are entitled to. It is often easier to blame personal shortcomings on a malevolent 'other' - non-believers - than it is to accept responsibility for them. And the jihadi message is perfectly calibrated to play upon the insecurities and failings of damaged and violent men, like Boulhel, and like the Orlando bomber Omer Mateen, similarly a spouse abuser, who may have sought redemption for his own homosexual desires through conducting a massacre of people partying in a gay bar.

Questions have been raised as to why Boulhel was not on the radar of the French security services. The speed of his radicalisation certainly hindered identification. However, there is a broader issue which reverberates far beyond France, common to European and Arab cultures and that is the way that violence is considered an almost normal aspect to masculinity. Neither Mateen nor Boulhel were punished for their violence against their wives; neither received any intervention, despite clear evidence that they were dangerous to women. When a man beats his wife or girlfriend, some people are quicker to wonder why she doesn't leave, rather than why he beats her. It is as if violence is considered essential to masculinity. Our society constantly promotes role models for masculinity, from superheroes to politicians, where the concept of being a 'man' is based in their ability to be tough, dominant - and even violent when required.
On open letter to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Dear Nicola and Sadiq

I am sure you are as upset and worried about the fallout from our recent Brexit vote here in the UK, and I would ask you to join forces to form a new country called ScotLond and immediately ask the EU to recognise our right to remain as European citizens. The vast majority of our two polities want to REMAIN and I am sure in a plebiscite the totals would go up from 62% and 58% respectively.

Of course there will be problems and nay sayers, but lets look at the main objections. A recent article by Mark Dawson (Professor of European Law) in Euro Activ Deutschland argues the case for Scotland to remain - and so why not ScotLond? Theresa May has ruled out another vote on Scottish Independence, but not a plebiscite for a new country all together. Over 4 million people have petitioned for a second referendum on Brexit (also nixed by May), but what I now call for is true democratic freedom to chose who we wish to be governed by: little Britain or a greater ScotLond. I know what I want! Nicola you already have a nice new Parliament building so let's use that for our newly elected officials, however while I think you should immediately become acting PM, we would need a general election within a year. I am sure you agree this would be the most democratic. We might even use the current constituencies (weighted in Scotland's favour) to elect MPs but these are details.

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There would of course be the issue of a foreign parliament on our new soil, i.e the Westminster Parliament, but Italy seems to do fine with the Vatican State in its territory and our new country could charge them for the privilege. That said, they and all other citizens of the UK would need a passport to enter our country. We might even need to build a wall around London and the Scottish border to keep out all those UK economic migrants who would flood into our extremely successful country, but we can look at undocumented workers from the UK at a later stage, but border controls are a must.

Those in our two land masses who after the plebiscite, did not want to have a new ScotLond passport would be free to keep their UK passport, but would therefore not be able to vote in any future elections nor stand for elected office. We would want ScotLond for ScotLondoners, and of course our European sisters and brothers. In our negotiations we should promise to allow all EU citizens already living and working in ScotLond the right to continue to do so.

Then there is the tricky question of the titular head of state. At present Mrs Windsor and her family have, by the lottery of birth, a lifetime hold on this lucrative position. In the new ScotLond perhaps we can keep the idea of the lottery of birth, but make it more equal. I propose that every ScotLond adult aged 18 or older would be entered into such a lottery every year, and randomly by birthdate and hour, someone would be selected to hold the position for a year. Just to make it worthwhile, they should receive 1 million for the year long job, and a clothing allowance and a week of training. How hard can it be to smile and wave and drink Yak milk? If the selected person choses not to take the role the lottery will be rerun, and all the details (like the Brexit ones) can be sorted out after, it is the principle of the thing.

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So now we come to money in a bigger sense, I did mention 1 million because as an existing polity we should be able to keep our joint currency, as opposed to the Euro, but it would be a trade off I think I could reluctantly consider. It would not be a British pound for Britishers but a ScotLond pound and all the sounder for that, what with our joint oil, fish and financial markets, we would be very well placed to regain our spot as 5th largest world economy in no time. I am sure foreign investment would flood in once all those suspicious of immigrants, migrants and others, were no longer part of our fine new country. There would need to be some EU accommodation for London as a terminus for all of the EU migrants that might want to settle, as there will be a question of physical space and services, but again I am sure we can sort out those issues. This new form of freedom of movement might even serve as a model for all of the EU. Yes the EU is flawed, but we can only really hope to change it from the inside. Let those Brexit supporters launch a campaign of fear, we Scotlanders don't fear experts, nor are we tired of them. We recognise that they were right last time (the pound fell and where is that 350 million a week?) and I am sure we are smart enough not to be duped, like those in what will be left of the UK. So many seem to have have buyers regret, and they will be further let down by their new found Brexit sovereignty.

Lastly, as an artist and arts professional I want to point out that the present Scotland and London are truly European cultural capitals. People come from all over the globe to experience the visual and performing arts at the Edinburgh festival, as well as the many museums and performance spaces in London including the new Tate extension. These are the symbols of proud, positive, multi-cultural peoples who look forward - not back to some long lost country found only in the past. We dream of a brighter future where (with any luck) ugly nationalism will fade away as the next generation (who voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU) replace their elders. Oprah Winfrey took some stick (but she had a point) when she said in reference to old white bigots in the US that 'they just have to die' (she was not calling for their culling only the passage of time). Sadly for the children and grandchildren of the Brexiteers, they will have to suffer the consequences of the foolish action of their elders. Let's not allow them to affect our youth too!

SCOTLOND NOW!

Yours sincerely
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said he is satisfied with the progress of reforms in Ukraine.

"We are encouraging the Ukrainian government to pursue the reform process which is under way. We are satisfied with the speed and with the content of the reforms which are pushed forward by the Ukrainian government," Juncker said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman in Brussels on Tuesday.

"More has to be done. But when it comes to reforms everywhere in Europe, the reform process has to be accelerated. The same applies to Ukraine. But we are so far satisfied with what was undertaken by Ukraine," he added.
Jamaican poet Linton Kwesi Johnson will be making an appearance in Manchester this week. On Saturday 23rd July, 2016, he'll be introducing Upon Westminster Bridge, a film about another Jamaican poet, Michael Smith. His introduction will also feature a reading of his own work. For me this is a rare and special treat.

After arriving in the UK in 1963, Johnson proceeded to release three outstanding collections of patois-voiced poetry: Voices of the Living and the Dead (1974), Dread Beat An'Blood (1975) and Inglan is a Bitch (1980). Read any verse from these collections and you are treated to the confrontational rhythmic style Johnson is known for. In his early work his fight is with the oppressive British mother state of the 60s, 70s and 80s. With blunt observations, he tells a tale of defiance. And the defiance turns to celebration with the triumphs of social uprisings.

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His poems are direct reflections of his times, but they still speak volumes today. In Sonny's Lettah, a poem about the disproportionate violence directed at black people by police in 70s London, two black men are 'waitin pan a bus/ nat cauzin no fuss' when, 'out jump tree policemen/ di hole a dem carryin batan'. The patois is light, unofficial, humorous, but the message is brutal: Sonny and his brother are about to be beaten and arrested for no reason. You only have to look at the "Black Lives Matter" protests in the US right now to see that this work is still relevant. Sonny's Lettah could have been written right now, today, in 2016.

It is no surprise that Johnson is only the second living author to be published in the Penguin Classics series. His work has always been 'classic'. The Penguin anthology, Mi Revalueshanary Fren, which features Sonny's Lettah, traces Johnson's poetic exploration of race and class relations in Britain. It's a work I'll be recapping before the weekend.

Micheal Smith is the subject of Anthony Wall's film, Upon Westminster Bridge (1982). A contemporary of Johnson, Smith was another important dub poet of the time. In the film he can be seen performing in Brixton Market and on Westminster Bridge. After being murdered in 1983, Smith's work never reached the standing of Johnson's, so it will be wonderful now to see Smith perform in this 1982 film and to hear his friend and fellow dub master give the audience an introduction to the work.
It is hardly surprising that Black Lives Matter is a cultural and social imperative after the slew of media reports of black men and women being gunned down in the streets and being murdered at the hands of police officers in the USA. It would be a truism to state that Black Lives Matter is a necessity for anyone within the United States and it is shocking how many are still attempting to paint this movement as a "hate group" when the inverse, those claiming it is more likely fit that definition of "hate group" participant.

But when American actor, Leslie Jones, was met with an onslaught of Twitter abuse which consisted of racist and sexist slurs, directed by right-wing Breitbart technology editor Milo Yiannopoulos, @nero, one must wonder to what degree racism is a problem uniquely of the American police forces or uniquely that of white Americans. Even though Yiannopoulos had sent no abusive tweets directly to Jones, he had orchestrated the maelstrom of tweets this actor had to endure, breaking Twitter's rules ""prohibiting participating in or inciting targeted abuse of individuals." Breitbart has hit back but quite unconvincingly as it reported Milo's desperate hyperbole: "With the cowardly suspension of my account, Twitter has confirmed itself as a safe space for Muslim terrorists and Black Lives Matter extremists, but a no-go zone for conservatives."

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Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, personally reached out to Jones but the banning of Yiannopoulos does not address the larger problems of Twitter trolling that occur at far higher rate than other groups. And while five internet trolls a day are convicted in the UK alone, the overwhelming majority of these trolls are males which represent what is considered predominantly "male behaviour." While Yiannopoulos is certainly white, he is definitely not American. Just as the aftermath of Brexit evidenced, there is a hefty helping of racism and xenophobia within the UK, demonstrating that this is not a problem uniquely limited to the USA or the Tory Party but which pervades the entire geo-political spectrum.

But what was at stake for these Twitter trolls violently attacking Leslie Jones? A remake--albeit a woman-only cast remake--of Ghostbusters. Is this any coincidence that once a cultural symbol such as Ghostbusters could result in such harassment of the one actor of colour?

Jones bravely kept her cool throughout the attack where most of us would have lashed out with some reference to inbreeding or what not. In one of her tweets, Jones writes, "I feel like I'm in a personal hell. I didn't do anything to deserve this. It's just too much. It shouldn't be like this. So hurt right now." And bizarrely this woman who has worked her entire life at her craft found herself, quite differently than her male, white cohorts, having to defend her profession: "As much as you want to thinks actors ain't human I want to give you something to think about. I work off pure passion for this game." One can see how the limelight shines quite differently on actors of colour as compared to those who have never known such harassment for simply taking part of a film as an actor.

But even before the movie was released, Jones reported that she "got a picture of a guy shooting a black woman in the head," adding,"It was time to use silence as a weapon. I'm starting to learn that it's more deadly than saying anything." Others in the cast have responded to the more sexist critiques, such as Melissa McCarthy who responded to the males who claimed she was ruining a "beloved franchise": "I just thought, "Really? Are we still there?" First of all, they are fictitious characters, [and] so are the original. So to get into, "Well that can't be?" Well, the first ones weren't real either. It's a movie. I can't make heads or tails of it, and then I never gave it another thought." Director Paul Feig responded to the sexist backlash which has been brewing for months stating, "I have been hit with the most misogynistic stuff" both from outside and inside the film industry where a male producer warned him against making an all female reboot of the original 1980's film: "Oh boy, get ready. It's going to be tough, you're going to have catfights"

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Once again the Facebook-owned messaging service WhatsApp has been banned by a judge in Brazil. This time it's the courts in Rio and is now the third time in the last eight months that the service has been banned in Brazil.

During the last few bans it was live again after about a day of inactivity, but those bans were also for specific periods of time. On this occasion the judge has banned it indefinitely and asked Facebook to pay a fine of R$50,000 ($15,000) for each day that the ban continues.

Now the courts and Facebook are stuck in a Kafkaesque situation. The courts insist Facebook hands over information about user activity. Specifically, the police are interested in conversations taking place between drug dealers. Facebook has responded that ever since November 2014 the service has offered point-to-point encryption.

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So, without dwelling on the technicalities, the message sent from one phone to another is encrypted and although WhatsApp transports the message, the team at Facebook cannot read what is being sent.

There are no conversation records at Facebook. They don't see conversations in a secret central bunker. There is no 'Dr Evil' perusing the most interesting messages at Facebook HQ because they can't even understand the encrypted messages sent from one phone to another.

This continuous agitation by the courts in Brazil is tiresome, not only because the lawmakers clearly don't understand how encryption works, but because WhatsApp is deeply ingrained in the cultural life of Brazil. It is a service that can be used to chat with friends, but also to book a haircut, or make a hotel reservation. Businesses in Brazil are leading the world in integrating messenger apps into their customer service.

The $15,000 a day fine is peanuts for Facebook, but each time this happens public faith is shaken and users seek out alternative ways to communicate. Downloads of the Russian app Telegram soar each time these bans have taken place and the Belorussian app Viber is also a popular alternative.

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But the alternative apps also offer encrypted messaging, so what do the courts think they are doing by shutting down the most popular one? How long do the courts think that they can keep on playing whack-a-mole with Internet messaging platforms?

The judges and legal teams advising them are foolish. If they are doing this to punish Facebook for their inability to comply with an information request, the question remains: how can a business supply information that they do not even possess? Information that does not even exist?

If they think that encrypted conversations between drug dealers will cease because they ban apps like WhatsApp, they are just ignorant. The entire population of Brazil has already moved on to alternative encrypted systems - the drug dealers included.

These ridiculous bans do not help the police to manage crime and they make Brazil look like a South American backwater, where businesses cannot rely on global technology platforms to be up and running. How many businesses will lose out once again because they cannot communicate with their customers? Will the judges in Rio de Janeiro compensate them for that lost opportunity cost? Of course not.
It is estimated by the Muslim Charities Forum that British Muslims gave approximately 100million to charitable causes during the month of Ramadan this year. To give some context, that equates to approximately 38 a second.

As we often do at periods of increased charitable giving, we issued advice at the beginning of Ramadan on steps donors can take to make sure their donations go to legitimate charities, such as finding out more information about a charity before giving, and checking it is registered with us. However, even if donors are confident that their money will be wisely spent, they won't - in most cases - get to see the projects that they are supporting; the difference their generosity will make. Fortunately, charities are normally very willing to provide information about how donations will be used. With this in mind, I contacted some of the charities that are registered with us who had run Ramadan appeals to find out how the money they raised during the month will be spent.

Vast and varied work

The sheer scale of the work is immediately apparent. One Muslim-led charity (not one of the largest) estimates that its work last Ramadan had helped over 1 million people. Much of this work is helping people in the most severe hardship, like those living amidst the drought in Somaliland or the conflict in Syria. My contact also spoke keenly of their desire to help people affected by the floods in Carlisle, and to run soup kitchens for the homeless in Britain. Charity may begin at home, but it certainly doesn't end there; dozens of countries were named as areas of benefit, from Europe to North America, and right around the world.

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The charities' projects were as interesting as they were diverse. One was supporting people to start honey-bee farms in Palestine and Pakistan, another distributing hygiene kits and food in Haiti, another teaching hairdressers and beauticians how to sterilise their equipment to prevent the spread of hepatitis. In Mali, one charity was building 'micro-dams', harnessing water from flash floods to be consumed during the dry season. As with so much of the best charitable work, the focus was on sustainability: not just on helping those in need directly but providing them with the knowledge, skills and means to continue to support themselves.

Honey-bee farm funded by Ramadan giving, Pakistan

Not only delivering aid...

In speaking to the charities, I was reminded that all of this charitable work, this change, is reliant on generosity; that none of this would happen were it not for people choosing to spend money and time on something other than themselves. My contacts spoke of numerous people giving single donations of up to 30,000, as well as smaller - but no less valued - gifts and widespread, creative, community efforts to fundraise.

On one Sunday alone, one charity had 300 volunteers delivering chocolate fudge cakes to be eaten at Iftar, the meal which breaks the fast at the end of the day during Ramadan. The cakes, which had been ordered via a dedicated telephone hotline and website, cost 10 each. All of the proceeds will be used to provide humanitarian relief in Syria. A total of 22,000 cakes were delivered on long, hot Sundays during Ramadan by volunteers who were themselves not eating or drinking. "My own delivery took four and a half hours", my contact at the charity reflected "I went round with my family, we all really enjoyed it".

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That really is making a difference.

Delivering chocolate fudge cakes in Bradford during Ramadan

The Charity Commission has produced safer giving advice on how to give to legitimate charities. You can search for registered charities, and find out more information about them, via the online register.
The now-famous 28 pages redacted from the report of the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Community Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 11, 2001, have been released, and their contents should put an end to suspicions that officials of the government of Saudi Arabia were involved or complicit in any way with the attack.



My government had called for the release of these pages from the moment that they were redacted, back in August 2002. We were convinced at the time that the suspicions were unjustified, but our hands were tied as long as they remained classified. We could neither lay the suspicions to rest in the public arena nor pursue any leads those pages might have contained and prosecute anyone who might have been involved.



It is important to remember that the questions raised in those pages were posed by the joint Congressional committee 14 years ago, but not investigated. They were questions. In the intervening years, those questions were investigated exhaustively by U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies, including the CIA and the FBI, by the independent 9/11 Commission, and the Senate Intelligence Committee. All of these investigations have led to the same conclusion: That neither the Saudi government nor its officials were involved.



Had Saudi Arabia been presented with any evidence of al Qaeda connections to the Saudi Government in the 28 pages, we would have moved swiftly to pursue every lead, investigate and arrest them. However, as the FBI and the CIA found, there was no actionable evidence in the 28 pages. Yet the suspicions, innuendo and half-truths continued for 13 years.



Now, however, the matter is finished, and we should be able to focus more fully on the work at hand: strengthening our cooperation to hunt down the men, cut off the money and destroy the mindset that threaten the people of the United States and Saudi Arabia--and the entire civilized world.



There is no doubt that my country was shattered by the knowledge that 15 of our countrymen had fallen under the spell of Al Qaeda and participated directly in that heinous crime against the United States, a country that has been a most consistent and valuable friend and ally practically since the day of our founding more than eight decades ago.



We were also challenged when we discovered that terrorist groups were taking advantage of the generosity of our people and of the Islamic principle of charity to fund terror groups behind the facade of phony charitable organizations. And we determined then and there to understand why this was the case and to begin the difficult and long-term work of rooting out this activity and the beliefs, attitudes and myths that support it.



Since the tragic events of 9/11, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has taken major steps to confront terrorism and extremism. We have reviewed our textbooks, we monitor preaching in our mosques and teaching in our schools to prevent any attempt by extremists to influence our youth. We have an effective program to identify and engage people who might be susceptible to extremist messages. We have criminalized terror financing and adopted the world's most comprehensive financial-control mechanisms--including systems to control cash couriers.



We have shut down supposed charitable institutions that were raising funds to support extremist causes and terrorism. My government has convicted more than 226 persons in terrorism financing activities, prosecuted more than 240 suspects, froze and investigated more than 117 suspected bank accounts and closed all unlicensed charity collection locations. We now require all international charitable contributions to be channeled through one government-run charitable foundation. We have prosecuted and convicted a large number of people for supporting terrorist organizations or advocating terrorism.



And we have strengthened our counterterrorism capabilities so that today the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is in the forefront of countries that are fighting terrorism.
July 2016 saw the explosion of the global phenomenon Pokemon Go, where people walk around town (and often into traffic or ditches) trying to catch various animated creatures that look like they are actually sitting there in front of you. (If you really do believe they are in front of you and not just on your smartphone, please seek medical attention immediately.) While many welcome this as a fun way to get out off the couch and others see it as another Sign of the Approaching Apocalypse, truth be told obsession with video games has been around at least since the 1980s and has even affected high-ranking government officials who ought to know better.

Johnny Young served in The Hague, Netherlands as Counselor for Administration from 1985-1988; he was interviewed by Charles Stuart Kennedy beginning October 2005.

Go here for other Moments on Diplomats Behaving Badly. "We can't have the Ambassador down in the arcade playing Pac-Man with these kids"

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YOUNG: We finally got word that John Shad, who had been the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, would be visiting several European posts in order to find out which one he liked the best in order to be assigned as ambassador. He would be coming out with his wife who was ill and confined to a wheelchair. He visited Denmark, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands.

I made all the arrangements to receive him and take care of him and he looked all around and asked lots of questions. In the end he decided that the Netherlands was his post of choice. Before he arrived, we received a 25-section message with all of his holdings.

It was my job to check to see if there was any conflict of interest in his holdings and the U.S. Embassy relationship with the various companies and organizations listed in the stocks and bonds that he owned. There was none. At the time he was considered to be the richest man in the Reagan administration. He was very wealthy....

We got him settled in his new house and it became very clear to us right away that this was no skilled diplomat. That this was someone who would require a lot of handholding, a lot of direction if he was going to be seen in a positive light.

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Mr. Shad was quite a character, to say the least. He would fall asleep at meetings, public meetings, I don't mean just in the embassy. He would fall asleep in the embassy meetings, but he would fall asleep in public meetings. I'll never forget my next door neighbor who was a Frenchman said to me one evening, "Oh, I just met your ambassador at the Chamber of Commerce meeting. Oh, he fell asleep at the head table." That was the kind of start we were off to.

He was in his 60s at that point....Could have been early '70s as well, but he was an elderly gentleman....He didn't really want much to do with substance. A little bit, but not too much....The Dutch frankly didn't have much high regard for him. He certainly had the access that he needed as an ambassador.

My relationship with him was strained, very strained and I thought that frankly he was going to bring an end to my career. He was very wealthy, but very cheap. He was the cheapest man I've ever run into. He wanted all kinds of things to be paid for by the U.S. government and they were illegal and I couldn't do it....

I want to just tell you a couple of things. He had an obsession with video games and Pac-Man. He would go down to the local arcade and play Pac-Man with all of these kids. The DCM [Deputy Chief of Mission] and I said we can't have the ambassador down in the arcade playing Pac-Man with these kids.

We would go down there and rescue him out of the arcade and take him back to the residence. Then we had to find a Pac-Man machine that we had to put in the residence.... Pac-Man and Pokemon and whatever else they had at that time.

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We couldn't believe it. Here's a man filthy rich who would indulge in this kind of activity with no sensitivity to his position whatsoever and would be caught doing this kind of thing.

I said to the DCM, I can't believe it. Here I am making some $60,000 a year -- which was a lot of money at that time -- running around town here trying to find out where I can buy a Pokemon or a Pac Man machine to put in the residence to keep the ambassador confined to the residence instead of running downtown to an arcade. We did that.

Then one night while he was playing Pac-Man in his drawers, in his underwear, he locked himself out of the residence. We had to deal with that mess to get him back into the house and what have you. Oh, crazy stuff, just crazy stuff....

Another thing that happened concerned that the Secretary of Commerce, Malcolm Baldridge. He was killed when he was thrown from a horse.

Well, before the body was warm, Shad sent a cable to the President [Ronald Reagan] saying that he wanted that position to replace Baldridge because he only took his ambassadorship as a kind of consolation prize because there was nothing else at the time.

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He did the message and then he left the copy on his desk. He had sent it classified. Since I was the admin counselor, the Marine brought it to me because they issued him a violation. I saw the message and I couldn't believe that literally, within hours of Baldridge's death, that he sent this message to Reagan asking that he be appointed.
A man stands in front of a picture of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a rally at Kizilay Square in Ankara on July 20, 2016, following the failed military coup attempt of July 15. Erdogan on July 20 chaired a crunch security meeting for the first time since the failed coup, as global alarm grew over a widening purge that has seen around 50,000 people either detained or sacked. / AFP / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images)

Even before the failed military coup, Turkey's President Erdogan governed like a dictator who had the last word on all state matters. The botched coup was nothing but, as he put it, "a gift from God" to purge what is left of Turkey's democracy and cleanse the army and judiciary in order to ensure the total subordination of all institutions to his whims.

For Erdogan, being elected was akin to being granted a license to trample and dismantle all democratic tenets to consolidate his powers and promote his Islamic agenda.

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As a shrewd and highly skilled politician, Erdogan painted the coup as an assault on democracy, which was supported by a chorus of Western powers, knowing full well that Turkey under Erdogan is anything but a democracy.

His staying power, however, is attributed to his uncanny ability to appeal to the underclass and his success in delivering the "goods" that nearly half of the population was in dire need of, including access to health care, improved infrastructure, job opportunities, and the promotion of Islamic values (in a manner that was unacceptable in the past) with which ordinary Turks could identify.

The nearly 50 percent of the population who benefited directly from these reforms and became ardent supporters of Erdogan were not concerned about the trampling of democratic rule, even though he has systematically robbed them of any rights that a democracy provides. Nevertheless, tens of thousands heeded his call to go out to the streets to confront the military, and did so at grave risk to their lives.

In fact, one of the main reasons behind the coup was to stop Erdogan from completely destroying Turkey's remaining secular and democratic pillars, which were established by Turkey's founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in 1923.

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Ataturk sought to establish a Western-style secular democracy and made the military the custodian of Turkey's constitution. The armed forces exercised that prerogative four times before to prevent the country from sliding into disorder.

The first coup, in 1960, led to the overthrow and execution of Prime Minister Adnan Menderes due to his increasing Islamization of the country; the fourth coup in 1997 ended with the forced resignation and banishment from politics of Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan, also because of his degradation of secular principles of the country.

While affecting regime change through a military coup is certainly not the preferred method, given how Erdogan gradually and successfully pillaged the country of all its democratic substance, a segment of the military felt it had little choice but to stage a coup to change the perilous path that Erdogan is pursuing.

This entire tragic episode could have been prevented had Western powers, led by the US, been more vociferous in condemning the unruly way in which Erdogan exercised his power, especially in the past several years; instead, they kept emphasizing Turkey's strategic importance, which Erdogan fully exploited to his advantage.

Turkey's role in hosting nearly 2.5 million Syrian refugees and its ability to either stem the flow, or open up the gates to allow refugees to flood European cities further strengthened Erdogan's hand.

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He successfully exploited the EU's deep concerns over the refugee crisis by making a deal that provides Turkey several major benefits that outweighed its obligations. The keystone of the deal is that migrants crossing from Turkey into Greece will be sent back, and for each Syrian returned to Turkey, a Syrian refugee will be resettled in the EU.

In return, Turkish nationals would have access to the Schengen passport-free zone while the EU fast-tracked the allocation of 6bn ($6.6 billion) in aid to Turkey to help migrants, and to "energize" Ankara's bid to join the EU.

Although thus far the EU resisted Erdogan's threat to cancel the deal if it were to renege on its agreement on visa-free entry due to his post-coup threat to restore the death penalty, Erdogan remained defiant, believing that he can bully the West with impunity.

Moreover, Erdogan presumed Turkey's significant role in fighting ISIS and his consent to allow the US Air Force to use Turkey's Incirlik Air Base to strike ISIS targets gave him increased leverage against the US, which further muted any criticism for his continuing gross violation of human rights.

Those who had hopes that Erdogan might just take heed of the coup and show some restraint in dealing with those suspected of being involved in it had those hopes quickly dashed.

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He wasted no time in initiating a massive witch-hunt--nearly 9,500 are currently facing legal proceedings, and around 50,000 soldiers, judges, civil servants, and teachers have been suspended or detained. Hundreds if not thousands will languish in jail under emergency laws that permit indefinite administrative detention without formal charges.

More ominously, Erdogan 'raided' higher learning institutions by barring all academics from any foreign travel even for scholarly purposes, while the state education council demanded the resignation of over 1,500 university deans.

The vast number of people rounded up so quickly raises suspicions that these individuals had already been blacklisted; Erdogan was able to do so with a nearly 200,000-strong internal police force and intelligence units, who are extremely loyal to him.

Leave it now to Erdogan, who has emerged stronger than before the coup, to further intensify his brutal war against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Syrian Kurds, who are the US's allies no less, and continue to refuse to resume negotiations with Turkey's significant Kurdish community.

Perhaps the time has come for the EU and the US to reassess their relations with Turkey and stop enabling Erdogan to exercise free reign, when in fact his behavior has a direct and indirect impact on Western interests, both domestically and in the Middle East.

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The US cannot afford any member of NATO to squash all democratic rules with no consequences. Moreover, Erdogan has demonstrated time and again a lack of loyalty and commitment as a NATO member.

Turkey should be put on notice, as Secretary of State John Kerry recently stated that NATO has a "requirement with respect to democracy... Obviously, a lot of people have been arrested very quickly." He grimly added, "Hopefully we can work in a constructive way to prevent backsliding."

Moreover, Erdogan should be warned that Turkey's prospect of becoming an EU member will be a thing of the past if he continues to grossly undermine the principles of democratic governance, including the complete subordination of the judiciary to his political agenda.

Though the US and the EU need Turkey in the fight against ISIS, Erdogan should be reminded that ISIS constitutes an even greater threat to Turkey than to Western interests.

Finally, Turkey should be pressured to resume negotiations with its Kurdish minority and bring an end to the war against the PKK, which is further destabilizing the region at a time when the focus must be on defeating ISIS.

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In that regard, Erdogan must understand that there will be serious consequences if he does not end his assault against the Syrian Kurds under the pretext of fighting terrorism (he conveniently accuses their military wing, the PYD, of working in conjunction with the PKK).
My first placement was with Outreach. I was able to work on the distribution of our new film, Making a Killing: Guns, Greed & the NRA using a grassroots model. When I was in film school, all of the producers that I got to meet in class emphasized how the film industry is a business, so as an undocumented immigrant who is becoming more and more politicized, I felt discouraged to continue in film where money seems to be such an important driving force. Working with the BNF distribution team allowed me to see how there's an alternative to "show business" through a model that allows film to be a tool for community rather than profit. Particularly impactful for me during my time in this department were the phone calls I made to invite communities across the U.S. to host screenings. One of the most heartfelt conversations I had was with a pastor in Connecticut who was excited to hear about our film because one of their church members was a teacher who was killed in the Sandy Hook shootings.
Presidential spokesman for ATO reports no Ukrainian casualties in Donbas in last day

No Ukrainian soldiers were killed or wounded in Donbas hostilities in the last day, presidential speaker for Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) affairs Andriy Lysenko said.

"There were no killed or wounded soldiers in the past 24 hours," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Hostile activity markedly decreased in that period and only 54 provocations were observed, compared to 78 in the previous day, he said. "However, the militants continued to use heavy weapons, artillery, mortars and infantry combat vehicles," Lysenko said.

Twenty-four provocations were observed in the Donetsk sector alone, he said, adding that Avdiyivka remained the hottest spot and the hostile gunfire was on day and night. Fifty mortar mines were fired on Ukrainian army positions and machine-guns and grenade launchers were used in that area.
In the 1970s in New York City, dog poo was a whole to-do. A campaign to clean up the streets of excrement began when Fran Lee, an Upper West Side activist, started drawing attention to a purported link between feces on sidewalks and child blindness. What followed was something of a waste-management creativity renaissance: enthusiasts wrote up plans for everything from sidewalk dog toilets to poop-freezing sprays to city-funded "enviromaids" employed to pick up after dogs.

Ultimately, the solution was a simple mandate: Pick up after your dog. Many scoffed at the thought. My dad was among the dissenters. But, one day in the early 1980s when we were out together in SoHo with our dog Mabel, she went, we walked away, and then a stranger shouted at us for not picking it up. That moment changed everything.

Back then, our excrement removal routine depended on something once commonly found in most households: newspaper. Indeed, Fran Lee, the anti-poop crusader, specifically suggested people use The New York Times for this purpose. It was an exciting time for print media.

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In our home, newspaper served several purposes, not a few of which had to do with animal care and control; it lined the ground for Mabel when she was a puppy; it was bedding for the guinea pig. Once, when he was coming home with the Sunday Times, my dad spotted a rat on the stairs and slammed the paper down, killing it. He wrote to the Times to tell them of this alternate use of their publication. They published it as a letter to the editor.

This was not the first time my dad's work was seen in a major paper. He is a prolific political caricaturist, and his send-ups were frequently in the publications I'd bring on walks. Often, while walking the dog, I would find myself interested enough in something that I'd stand over Mabel's deposit for a minute, finishing a paragraph. It was a habit I probably picked up from my dad. "I remember reading a Times article on a piece of paper I was using to scoop," he once told me. "It was about some new discovery regarding the stars and planets. My deep thought was about living out, at that moment, the perfect conjunction of the glorious and the disgusting. Needless to say, I never finished the article."

Years later I would go on to write for some of the newspapers we used to for this purpose. Was my choice of career determined by these stolen moments of paper-reading? Hard to say, but I know the secondary use for newspaper never left my mind. In the pre-blog era, if I found myself obsessing about an article I was writing, I'd remember the ephemeral nature of the medium. It'd soon be covered in shit.

When I got my own dog in the mid 2000s, I realized that my family had been living in the dog-waste dark ages. Even the most functional use of print media was on the wane. Every pet store carried small plastic bag rolls especially made for the purpose of poop. The bags were cheap, but it seemed weird to me to spend any money on a plastic bag that would be used to place poop into another plastic bag.

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I wasn't a Times subscriber at that point, but, thanks to an abundance of takeout menus and old New Yorkers, I managed to resist the poop-bag craze for years. But seamless.com changed the volume of menus shoved under the door, and I eventually started to read magazines on my iPad. More recently I used supermarket plastic bags, but those are also in their golden years, thanks to online grocery delivery and increasing legislation across the country that imposes fees on their use.

So, I started to buy those darn rolls. Using them is part of a semi-daily ritual that is now about nothing but poop. To be sure, there are a few lines of decorative poop bags -- pink argyle, green stripes, etc. But... yawn. I dreamt of something that would tickle my intellect, not match my handbag.

This line of thinking led me to try to imagine a way in which we could embrace the ephemeral nature of printed content, while also injecting a bit of culture into a routine chore. Is there a way that turd-tidying could be, again, a time to take in a tidbit of art, or even literature? Could we use our dogs' waste to perhaps make a political statement? Is it possible that these small moments of civic duty (doodie!) could get us to look up from our phones and actually, in some way, alter the way we look at the world?

I brought the idea to my father. He has caricatured presidential hopefuls for many decades and has dabbled in unusual media before -- in the 1980s, he sculpted Ronald Reagan out of chopped liver.

Could I mine his talent to put something meaningful on a bag meant for excrement? Who would be the appropriate person for him to caricature for this purpose? It'd have to be someone in the news -- maybe someone generally disliked by the kind of people who would appreciate a bit of wit in an unusual place. The answer seemed obvious: Donald Trump. His name even contains the word "dump!" It was meant to be.

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Dad initially refused -- he did not want to be associated with poop. I argued the point: Is poop not one of the great equalizing factors of mankind? He complied.

I didn't have such luck in the other direction: Poop bag makers wanted nothing to do with Trump. There are only a handful of US-based factories that have the machinery to make the kind of small rolls I wanted, and all said they did not want to be involved in politics. After much searching, I finally found a factory in a place that was thrilled to print Donald Trump's face on a minimum of 5,000 poop bags. That place was China.

Call it a physical manifestation of editorial commentary: Experience the joy of smashing the presumptive GOP candidates face into excrement. But the fun doesn't end there! Tie it up and put it on display on the curb -- his head filled with your dog's shit.
Far from feeling lonely or abandoned, I feel very much part of what is taking place on the lunar surface. I know that I would be a liar or a fool if I said that I have the best of the three Apollo 11 seats, but I can say with truth and equanimity that I am perfectly satisfied with the one I have. This venture has been structured for three men, and I consider my third to be as necessary as either of the other two.

I don't mean to deny a feeling of solitude. It is there, reinforced by the fact that radio contact with the earth abruptly cuts off at the instant I disappear behind the moon. I am alone now, truly alone, and absolutely isolated from any known life. I am it. If a count were taken, the score would be three billion plus two over on the other side of the moon, and one plus God only knows what on this side. I feel this powerfully -- not as fear or loneliness -- but as awareness, anticipation, satisfaction, confidence, almost exultation. I like the feeling.
Q: Did the Bush committee have any policy about not using Mr. Horton's photograph?

A: I have no knowledge of that. I personally rejected the use of Mr. Horton in the advertisement.

Q: How is that?

A: A young researcher brought me a picture of him sometime and I tore it up and threw it in the wastebasket and said we're not going to do that.

Q And why is that?

A: I knew the issue would backlash because of the liberal media.

Q: And what was that about?

A: When Republicans see Willie Horton they see a criminal, and when Democrats see Willie Horton they see a black.
"Are we going to be safe? Is there going to be security?"

Those are the most common questions I've been asked by people as they consider coming to Israel on a trip with A Wider Bridge. The questions are understandable. Over the past six years there has been a fairly steady stream of news about violence in Israel, an onslaught of incidents of terror and warfare, and on occasion, assaults specifically targeted at the LGBT community. (I should note though that once our trips conclude, most of our trip participants report that they felt as least as safe in Israel as in their home communities.)

A Wider Bridge was born, in part, out of violence directed at Israel's LGBT community. In the summer of 2009, a masked gunman entered the Bar Noar, a gay youth lounge in Tel Aviv, and opened fire, killing two people and injuring many more. In the aftermath of that (still unsolved) attack, Israeli gay leaders came to the US to reach out for help and support. I was moved by their cause, but I wondered why we weren't working together on a regular basis. Why did two young people have to die for our communities to work together? As a gay man who cares deeply about Israel, who wants to see the country be a good place for LGBT people, I sought the framework for a relationship that would be sustainable and enduring, in good times as well as moments of tragedy.

I am proud of the relationships we have built, the friendships that have been created, and the markers of progress we have been able to celebrate together during the past six years. Examples of this progress are seen with the victory for marriage equality here in the US, along with the end of "Don't Ask Don't Tell," and the growing visibility and acceptance of the transgender community.

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In Israel, we have seen the growing visibility of LGBT people and same sex relationships in the periphery of the country. We have seen LGBT people organizing in communities where they were once invisible including in the religious community the Ethiopian community, and the Arab community. We have seen LGBT issues discussed openly in the Knesset in ways that might have been unimaginable a decade ago.

Yet in those passing years, it also felt as if we were constantly mourning violence in Israel, worrying about our friends and sending them messages of love and support. These tragic events included the summer of 2014 as rockets rained down across Israel during the Gaza war, the murder of Shira Banki at the 2015 Jerusalem Pride March, the wave of stabbing and murders that has gripped the country for much of the past year, and the very recent shootings at Tel Aviv's Sarona Market. "Are you safe? Are you OK? We are grieving with you."

And now, there is the massacre in Orlando. Our inboxes and Facebook pages are filled with messages of love and support from our LGBT friends and loved ones in Israel. In Jerusalem's Zion Square, vigils are held to honor our loss. People are crowding into Tel Aviv's gay bars to share a moment of silence with each other, to acknowledge our pain. Over the past several years, through our work together and sharing our stories, we have moved from being acquaintances to colleagues, then to friends and now what seems like family.

The American LGBT community can learn from the Israeli experience and its resilience in the face of tragedy. We at A Wider Bridge have been privileged this summer to be traveling around the US with the Israeli dance group c.a.t.a.m.o.n. The joy, humor and open heartedness of their performance has elevated our spirits at a time, in the shadow of the Orlando massacre, when we desperately needed it. Their founder and director, Elad Schechter, talked to us about what it has been like to dance in the open markets and streets of Jerusalem this past year, amid the almost constant stream of violence. He spoke of performances that needed to be cancelled because of violence, and other times when they went on as planned despite the risk. Elad spoke of "feeling an obligation to keep dancing with joy in the face of tragedy and tears."

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This article first appeared in my column on innovators doing well while doing good in Forbes.

The summer is heating up with reminders that the first anniversary of the launch of the 2030 Agenda is not far - and when it comes to implementing sustainable development worldwide, time passes rather quickly. The High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development is convening in New York, the first since the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It comes hot on the heels of businesses getting a reminder from Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, at the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York on June 22, who told those assembled that, "All businesses, everywhere, can and should play a role in improving our world." He also added, "That starts with integrity - doing business right."

Doing business right involves integrity at many levels, with commitments to ethical principles as well as commitments to shareholders. In the

current economic climate, balancing "improving our world" and "doing business right" can seem a tad challenging. After all, the state of the global economy is not helping. The Brexit vote may not be the last nail on globalization's coffin, but the pallbearers have been put on high alert, especially given the xenophobic rhetoric of the presidential campaign across the Atlantic. The world's two largest economies, China and the US are already at loggerheads on the disputes ranging from trade to issues of territorial encroachment by China. The EU and Japanese economies are struggling. Multiple crises -- political, security and humanitarian -- stretch across the globe. Even the formerly dynamic emerging markets are in a state of slowdown and crisis - many, such as Brazil, Russia and South Africa are in recession, while Turkey has just experienced a failed coup. Therefore, it should not be a surprise that the new SDG Index and Dashboard show that all countries face major challenges in achieving the SDGs by 2030. Even the top-ranked country, Sweden, scores an alarming "red" on several goals.

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The region I am most concerned about is Africa. While the continent enjoyed a short-lived "Africa rising" moment, it now struggles with slowing growth because of prospects for drought and dropping demand for its commodities. Capital Economics predicts growth of 2.9% for sub-Saharan Africa- a 17-year low for the region. A key indicator of worry is when multinational companies, with deep experience in the region, head for the exits: Nestle is cutting 15% of its workforce across twenty-one African countries, while Barclays is out altogether.

From the standpoint of the 2030 Agenda, Nestle's exit is particularly troublesome for many reasons. First, without demonstrable progress in Africa, the SDGs will fail. The retreat of a formidable player, such as Nestle, would cause us to question the realism of the 2030 Agenda as conceived. The second reason for worry stems from the business rationale offered by the company. "We thought this would be the next Asia, but we have realised the middle class here in the region is extremely small and it is not really growing," according to Cornel Krummenacher, chief executive for Nestle's equatorial Africa region. This suggests that the carrot that entices well-resourced businesses to invest in the developing world is, in reality, much shorter than previously anticipated. Nestle's actions would, naturally, be a signal to others. The third reason to be concerned is that Nestle is a standard-bearer among companies with a commitment to sustainable development. In its document, "The Nestle Commitment to Africa," the company highlights impressive examples of the steps it has taken to deliver against each of the Millennium Development Goals. In the case of the SDGs, Nestle has made 38 public commitments. Given its embedded experience and investment in an ecosystem for promoting sustainable development, Nestle's drawdown is a loss.

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Should we, therefore, assume that we are destined to fall behind on the 2030 Agenda and re-calibrate expectations? Not so fast. I have made the point elsewhere in an article, "Finding Competitive Advantage in Adversity" in the Harvard Business Review, that adversity often produces the best conditions for unlocking new opportunities, by tapping resources that may elude us during the good times.

To grasp how this might work in practice, consider the case of the agri-business giant, Olam International, and its counter-cyclical investments in Africa, facilitated by the downturn. As part of our Inclusion Inc. research initiative, I spoke with Olam's co-founder and CEO, Sunny Verghese for a broad perspective on the company's approach to investing in sustainable development. Olam's farmer network is now at 3.9 million across 65 countries, with over 80% in the developing world. Investing in this network is an essential part of its business strategy. As Verghese put it, "It is easy to get a license to operate in the country from the government. But the community will not give you a license- you will not survive if you do not help transform its means of livelihood."

Now consider Gabon, a country that has traditionally relied on its oil reserves for 85% of its exports and about 50% of revenue. The depressed price of oil and resulting collapse of oil revenues, presented a potential crisis for the government, with GDP growth dropping to about 3.2% this year, from 4% in 2015, according to the IMF. This crisis was also an opportunity to think differently about the Gabonese economy and break out of a "resource curse". The country can pivot by re-directing the unemployed resources towards new uses. Gabon's pathway to sustainable development could be through diversification by growing cash crops, such as palm oil and rubber; specifically, the government's plan was to boost agriculture's share of the economy from 5% to 20% by 2020.

Towards this end, Olam began working with the Gabonese government in a public-private partnership: the government of Gabon provides land, finance and logistics infrastructure for developing the smallholder plantations, while Olam lends expertise in palm plantation development and establishing rural investment models to develop and manage the plantations. Parcels of land are identified and allocated to Gabonese citizen cooperatives, whose members undergo plantation management training. Olam is also investing in the training: cocoa farming practices in Cote d'Ivoire, training in operating bulldozers in Morocco and modern farming techniques at palm-oil plantations in Malaysia.

In a speech, Verghese commented: "This is the first time a programme of this scale and nature has been undertaken in Africa - in Gabon where we now have the opportunity to promote the growth of the palm industry through local capacity building and supporting rural Gabonese in their aspiration to become business owners."

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Of course, all of these initiatives help Olam meet shareholders' interests, with integrity - and do business right. According to Verghese, "Our shareholders said we don't want management to spend on social activities. Just give the money back as dividends. In order to invest in doing good in the community - we need to make the business case. We only invest in areas where we have expertise and where there is mutual value for the company and the community."

No doubt, the global economy is going through a period of several overlapping challenges. In some parts of the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa, these may seem like the worst of times - at least in the last 17 years. However, with far-sighted leadership and some imagination, the worst of times may well turn out to be the best of times.


"For this back-to-school season, we are focusing on making communication, collaboration, resource sharing and discovery even simpler and more relevant at a local, regional and global level." -- Manish Kothari

Who hasn't heard of Edmodo, aka the "Facebook for schools" that boasts over 65 million users in 370,000 schools around the world; where teachers and learners experience classrooms without borders and without limitations - from local to global in just one click!

Resource-sharing collaborations and projects between like-minded educators on the Edmodo network are known to spark deeper learning engagement for students. One example we really liked was high school teacher in Italy Lucia Bartolotti's organic development of an Edmodo pen pal program with teacher Dimitris Pallas from Kalyvia near Athens to bring their global education project to life.

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"For this back-to-school season," says Manish Kothari, Edmodo's General Manager of Platform, "we are focusing on making communication, collaboration, resource sharing and discovery even simpler and more relevant at a local, regional and global level."

In this Global Search for Education interview with Kothari, he discusses the innovative new tools from Edmodo, the benefits of social learning and the additional value that teachers, parents and students can expect from his company in the upcoming school year.

Describe in a nutshell the major features offered by Edmodo's updated solutions and the additional value it provides for your users.

Specifically, we have introduced features such as threaded discussions, in-post translation (via Google Translate), public conversations and better search for our users. We now have integrations with both Microsoft's Office Online and Google's Apps for Education; this way, the platform serves as a neutral, nimble launch pad for any solution a school or district selects.

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For students, we have introduced Play, which encourages them to answer high-quality questions in a self-guided environment with no time pressure or grades, and learn through a positive social experience.

For administrators and district personnel, we have introduced Group Directories, which is an easy way for teachers in a district to see all available Groups, teacher Badges and instant PLC's to enhance the district's professional development to increase teacher capacity.

Finally, for parents, we have introduced new and more relevant forms of communicating so that they can participate in their child's progress at school.



"We now have integrations with both Microsoft's Office Online and Google's Apps for Education; this way, the platform serves as a neutral, nimble launch pad for any solution a school or district selects." -- Manish Kothari

How does the Microsoft Office integration work? What additional features does it provide users?

Our integration with Microsoft's Office Online allows users to create, open, edit and save any Office document from within Edmodo for free. Users can save their documents on OneDrive, or, in their Edmodo Library. Finally, users can login with their Microsoft O365 credentials.

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How does the Google integration work?

Users with Google Accounts can seamlessly create and login to their Edmodo Accounts with Google Credentials. Teachers and students can view Google Drive items directly from the Edmodo Library / Backpack and attach them to assignments and notes. We recently updated the look and feel of this integration so it's easier than ever to see and organize Google Folders. And soon, there will be improved ability to change permissions and create copies of Google Docs when sending them out.

How does Edmodo Topics help teachers?

Edmodo Topics are public conversations that allow teachers who are interested in a specific topic to easily and quickly set up and have a conversation (on that topic). These conversations can be ongoing; for example, the best ways to teach Shakespeare to middle school children; or ephemeral (around a specific workshop at a trade show). Topics are searchable.



"Continual Professional Development is a core use for many teachers on Edmodo."

-- Manish Kothari

What is the benefit of allowing Edmodo Topics to evolve organically? What kinds of connections does that allow for?

Since Topics are public, searchable and flexible, anyone can start or participate in a conversation. Once teachers participate in a Topic, they can request to connect with other members within that conversation/topic. Here we are promoting the importance of the connectivity among our network as teachers share insights that transcend classroom borders.

How can teachers to share their expertise with other teachers and students?

Primarily through resources that they can upload to share (or sell) on Edmodo's marketplace, Spotlight. These resources can be worksheets, lessons, videos, or apps.

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How does your new system change how professional development for teachers can be done? What is the future for teachers wanting to share resources and better hone their craft?

Continual Professional Development is a core use for many teachers on Edmodo. We have enhanced this experience in a few ways: districts can easily create Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to share/distribute specific resources, and award badges as certifications.

Teachers and publishers can upload professional development resources on Edmodo's marketplace, Spotlight, to share with (or sell to) other teachers. These resources can be worksheets, lessons, videos, or apps.

With budgets getting cut and teachers having limited resources, making it difficult to travel for professional development opportunities, there is a real need for interactive professional development.



"We believe that the social component of learning is significant in terms of boosting learning outcomes." --Manish Kothari

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What makes your platform better able to address the needs of users than other platforms available?

Edmodo is a comprehensive yet intuitive platform designed for connecting school communities at a local and global level. We provide schools with the ability to provide classroom instruction, communication outreach, and share resources with one another. We believe that the social component of learning is significant in terms of boosting learning outcomes, and Edmodo is the global social learning platform that comprises the largest network of students, teachers, and parents in K-12. Our network offers the safety and security designed to protect the privacy of students and teachers by providing a safe alternative to open, consumer social networking sites.

Where do you see platforms like Edmodo going?

We believe that social learning, where students and teachers learn by collaborating/learn by doing will increasingly be a strong driver for outcomes. Additionally, "implicit" signals that track activities like resources created, viewed, commented on, problems solved (to help others), etcetera will become more important proxies for learning than the "explicit" signals, such as grades, test/quiz scores, etcetera.

What's the future of communication on a platform like Edmodo between teachers who are from different countries and backgrounds, and who speak different languages?

As communication platforms such as WhatsApp and Slack have shown, communication is a core need for billions across the globe. Having a global network enhances the discovery of people and resources that are relevant. Tools such as Google Translate, which is enabled within Edmodo's stream, can help make global communication and collaboration more practical.

(Photos are courtesy of CMRubinWorld and Edmodo)



C. M. Rubin with Manish Kothari

Join me and globally renowned thought leaders including Sir Michael Barber (UK), Dr. Michael Block (U.S.), Dr. Leon Botstein (U.S.), Professor Clay Christensen (U.S.), Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond (U.S.), Dr. MadhavChavan (India), Professor Michael Fullan (Canada), Professor Howard Gardner (U.S.), Professor Andy Hargreaves (U.S.), Professor Yvonne Hellman (The Netherlands), Professor Kristin Helstad (Norway), Jean Hendrickson (U.S.), Professor Rose Hipkins (New Zealand), Professor Cornelia Hoogland (Canada), Honourable Jeff Johnson (Canada), Mme. Chantal Kaufmann (Belgium), Dr. EijaKauppinen (Finland), State Secretary TapioKosunen (Finland), Professor Dominique Lafontaine (Belgium), Professor Hugh Lauder (UK), Lord Ken Macdonald (UK), Professor Geoff Masters (Australia), Professor Barry McGaw (Australia), Shiv Nadar (India), Professor R. Natarajan (India), Dr. Pak Tee Ng (Singapore), Dr. Denise Pope (US), Sridhar Rajagopalan (India), Dr. Diane Ravitch (U.S.), Richard Wilson Riley (U.S.), Sir Ken Robinson (UK), Professor Pasi Sahlberg (Finland), Professor Manabu Sato (Japan), Andreas Schleicher (PISA, OECD), Dr. Anthony Seldon (UK), Dr. David Shaffer (U.S.), Dr. Kirsten Sivesind (Norway), Chancellor Stephen Spahn (U.S.), Yves Theze (LyceeFrancais U.S.), Professor Charles Ungerleider (Canada), Professor Tony Wagner (U.S.), Sir David Watson (UK), Professor Dylan Wiliam (UK), Dr. Mark Wormald (UK), Professor Theo Wubbels (The Netherlands), Professor Michael Young (UK), and Professor Minxuan Zhang (China) as they explore the big picture education questions that all nations face today.

The Global Search for Education Community Page

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Beware the demagogue taking advantage of a crisis.

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"It's time for our hostility against our police and against all members of law enforcement to end and end immediately, right now."

To keep the discussion honest and constructive---and to avoid a repeat of 1968: Nixon's racial politics won over "the silent majority" and left America's structural racism intact---it is vital that, rather than be silent, We the Conscientious People put our hand on the tiller of fast-moving events and declare:

"No, we can do both: We can support the police and address police violence."

For this is not an either-or question, it is both-and: We can both support our police, who---in the vast main---render valiant service by putting their lives on the line day and night to protect us. And at the very same time we can address the brutality of those lesser officers, far fewer in number, who too readily take a black life, as we have seen in too many horrific instances filmed by bystanders.

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But by demonizing a movement, law-and-order hard-liners ignore both the human tragedy of black lives lost, as well as the operational problem of police violence. Conscientious people must prevent the movement's stigmatization. As a B.L.M. leader, DeRay Mckesson, said after the Baton Rouge police killings: "The movement began as a call to end violence. That call remains."

It should be noted Trump's law-and-order call occurs in a period of major decline in crime rates. That bears repeating: We currently enjoy a decline in crime rates. One wonders, then, how Trump's motivation in calling himself the "law and order candidate" is anything other than political or his point anything other than racial. Demonizing a movement is a classic political tactic. (Black Lives Matter came into existence in 2012 in response to the Trayvon Martin murder.)

To be sure, some Black Lives Matter protesters use anti-cop language---and to keep the moral high ground, they should stop it, as President Obama urges. But it is also the case that some police officers have taken black lives in a manner conveying that, indeed, those lives did not matter. Can these points not be conceded, so real debate can take place? (Memo to B.L.M.: Since police reform is your objective, using anti-cop language only forces the police into a defensive crouch, not open to reform.)

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Still, bad cops exist, as the president of the Black Police Officers Association of Greater Dallas acknowledges on the PBS NewsHour. He calls on President Obama and Congress to pass laws that would purge bad cops across the country.

For his part, President Obama urges "mutual respect" on all sides to resolve this most obdurate of American problems, race. Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, Hillary Clinton, has spoken of "white privilege": Privileged as we are, we might acknowledge that, in any encounter with the police, a white American's first reaction is not likely fear, while a black American's first reaction is.

In passing, this positive note: At the march in Dallas that ended in massacre, before the mayhem started, Black Lives Matter protesters were taking selfies with the Dallas cops who were protecting them---a fleeting image of police-community solidarity. (Hold that picture.) The double irony is that the cops were protecting a march that was protesting police brutality.

And, bearing on law and order: Since Texas law allows guns to be openly carried, guns were openly carried by some Black Lives Matter protesters (and who knows how many guns were concealed), making the job---once the sniper's bullets were flying---of identifying friend from foe exceedingly difficult for the cops. Ohio, site of the Republican convention, also has open-carry laws, which Governor John Kasich declines to revoke---despite the urging of the Cleveland police. People: Should we not rethink these gun laws? (Memo to protesters: Leave the guns at home.)

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Finally, conscientious people need to insist on another both-and: Both black lives and blue lives matter. Everybody wants justice.

Public discourse in America has become simplistic and binary: Either you're for X or against it, no nuance allowed. In political campaigns, with the power to govern at stake, this binary tendency becomes sharper, even more so in a time of fear. And fear defines the present moment. Ominously, Trump predicts more protest violence this summer. Prominent black writer Jelani Cobb writes that, taken together, these new calamities---Baton Rouge, St. Paul, Dallas---"have the feel of a national turning point."

Donald Trump, breaking all taboos on race to appeal to beleaguered whites, has weaponized the divisive rhetoric and now claims the mantle of law and order. Conscientious Americans must jam Trump's one-note law-and-order hard line, by insisting we can do both: We can support the police and address police violence.
After several days of much maligning of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement with regard to recent police shootings, I think it is time to address the (blue) elephant in the room.

As a retired, twenty-year veteran sergeant of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and a black woman and a mother of four black young men, I come from both worlds.

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Let me say, because there is often a lot of speculation about my police career, I spent the majority of my LAPD career working in field operations. That is in uniform, in a black and white, in patrol or patrol related assignments. I was a police officer and a police sergeant - not a detective, behind a desk.

For more about my career my autobiography, The Creation of a Manifesto - Black and Blue details my journey.

Having said that, I too am saddened by the loss of life on both sides; police and community. I am frustrated that there seems to be no end in sight. I am concerned that one of my sons could be stopped for some minor traffic infraction and then killed by an over-zealous, drunk with power, ill-suited for the job police officer.

Our children, and in some cases our babies are being killed with reckless abandon.

So, let's not pretend that the horrific police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rogue were a direct result of BLM protests. Let's stop pretending the police don't have a role to play in all of this violence. Let's address the [blue] elephant in the room.

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Families of those killed by police whom I have spoken with, people who reach out to me on social media and my colleagues in the National Coalition of Law Enforcement Officers for Justice, Reform and Accountability will not be silent about the root cause of the violence.

I DO NOT condone violence against police. I DO NOT condone violence by the police.

It is further troubling for the black community when someone like Sheriff David Clarke and others try to blame BLM, which denounced the Dallas shooting. It continues to feel like a devaluation of black lives in pursuit of a scapegoat.

I think some black folks, especially those in law enforcement, think that they just took a test, passed it and somehow magically ended up on the police force. Some black folks in law enforcement have enjoyed the benefits of affirmative action, promoted up the ladder only to shut the door behind them.

I have worked with and for people who look like me on the police department who maintain the current system because it benefits them and theirs. There are some black police officers who sit in a position of comfort and convenience and are unwilling to not admit that someone of consciousness and color put their body on the line to create that opportunity for them to even become a police officer.

I am reminded that there was a time, not to long ago on the LAPD when two blacks could not even sit in the same police car.

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If not for the people of good will who stood, fought and sacrificed - Clarke could not speak the way he does. Harriett Tubman said, "I freed thousands of slaves. I would have freed more if they didn't know they were slaves."

So, I question the humanity of anyone who revels in the loss of life. Driving a car with a "busted tail light", "no front plate", "inoperable tail light" or selling items on a public street does not qualify as a death sentence.

When white police officers confront armed white men in open carry states or pursue a white fugitive who shot and killed an officer, as in Eric Frein, the outcome is very different. White police officers almost lay down and expose their soft under-bellies to a confrontational, armed white man as they patiently listen to the agitator explain his 2nd amendment rights.

Yet, we as a black community are repeatedly told that our black unarmed sons scare the police. We are tired of the police killing our children.

We are frustrated because police departments circle the wagons and protect errant officers. We want accountability when officers violate department policy or law, escalate interactions to a deadly force shooting [ Redel Jones, Ezell Ford] and then lie to us. And some of us don't have the skill set to deal with those outcomes.

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So let's take Micha Johnson at his word when he said during the Dallas standoff that he was NOT affiliated with any group and Gavin Long when he expressed on social media what appears to be his frustration with events occurring in the minority community.

To those who might act out similarly, I say don't. Killing police officers is not helping. Killing police officers is wrong. Let's not create an environment whereby police departments justify militarization of their force.

Let's address the elephant in the room. Let's have honest and candid discussions on how to re-build trust and improve the relationship between police and the minority community.

It's time to include police officers who don't speak code talk, who are honest in their assessments and have lived experiences as both a minority and police officer from which to draw. It's time to invite members of the National Coalition of Law Enforcement Officers for Justice, Reform and Accountability (NCLEOJ) to the table.

Cheryl Dorsey is a retired LAPD sergeant, speaker, and much sought after police expert on important issues making national headlines; as such she has appeared as a guest expert on the Dr. Phil and is a frequent commentator on CNN, Fox News, HLN TV MSNBC and KPCC. She is the author of The Creation of a Manifesto, Black & Blue; an autobiography that pulls the covers of the LAPD and provides an unfiltered look into the department's internal processes. Visit Cheryl's website www.cheryldorsey.net., listen to her on Soundcloud follow on Twitter @sgtcheryldorsey and BlackandBlueNews
Picture this. A Muslim leader reaches out to a group of Christians and invites them to his country. The Christians happily accept the invitation, while the Muslim leader prepares his people for their arrival. This is the first time the two communities have met in an official delegation. Matters of state, politics and religion are the topics of discussion. The two groups see eye-to-eye on most issues, but also agree to disagree on theological issues. If one phrase can best describe their meeting, it is "mutual respect".

At the end of their talks, the Christians tell the Muslims, "It is time for us to pray". The problem for the Christians is that there is no church nearby to worship. Instead of letting the Christians pray on the dirty street, the Muslim leader tells the Christians, "You are followers of the one true God, so please come pray inside my mosque. We are all brothers in humanity." The Christians agree to use the "Islamic space" as their own. A bridge between these religious communities is made in the name of peace and goodwill.

This story is not some fairytale. It is a historical fact (I did, however, make-up quotes based on how the interaction might have played out). The Muslim leader of the story is Prophet Muhammad and the Christians are from Najran, or modern-day Yemen. The event happened in Medina in 631 AD. This moment in time represents one of the first examples of Muslim-Christian dialogue, but more importantly, one of the first acts of religious pluralism in Islamic history.
Turkey's President Recip Tayyip Erdogan, fresh off putting down an inept military coup, looks set to accelerate his already speedy run toward autocratic control. Given Turkey's strategic geopolitical position, there's nothing the Obama Administration, entangled as it is with Turkey as an ally, will do about it.

And Erdogan knows that.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not generally in favor of military putsches. But turning back one set of anti-democratic bullies doesn't set Turkey on a path to expanded democracy. On the contrary, seeing as how Erdogan is seizing the opportunity throw a prosecutorial net over wide swathes of his opponents-something he was good at long before the coup-it looks like Turkey is soon to be run by a strongman of the non-military type. He is currently purging the education community of thousands of employees, all supposedly coup backers. You know, those math teachers who manned tanks during the coup attempt.

Maybe Erdogan is simply reaching for added presidential power. Or maybe he needs to clear the decks of opponents in order to resolve Turkey's long-running ethnic conflict with Kurdish citizens by re-imposing the old Ottoman Empire-style appeal to the country's common Islamic identity. IN short, a new sultan will reign in Istanbul.

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No matter. The Obama Administration would prefer a less authoritarian atmosphere in Turkey, but is in a bind. Military bases that date from the Cold War persist in Turkey, a NATO ally. The US uses one in particular, at Incirlik, to launch its air attacks on the Islamic state in Syria and Iraq. Is Obama likely to put this at risk by insisting Erdogan stop his drive to marginalize the opposition? Unlikely. He will give Erdogan a pass.

Obama faces the same conundrum with Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, a onetime general who rose to power through a successful coup against an elected, if unpopular Islamist government, three years ago.

Unlike Erdogan, Sisi upended the drive toward Islamic political control. Like Erdogan, Sisi has Obama over a barrel. The White House is unlikely to come down hard on the Sisi regime out and risk free maritime passage through the Suez Canal for warships, the use of Egypt air space for military over-flights, not to mention Egypt's peace with Israel out of concern for a few thousand political prisoners, hundreds of Egyptians who have disappeared without a trace, continuous use of torture and persecution of journalists.

Back in 2013, the Obama Administration groused briefly about the Sisi coup but soon thereafter, Secretary of State John Kerry praised Egypt for being on the "road to democracy." Rocky road.

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And then there's Qatar, well known for financing the Islamic State in Syria, arch-enemy of the US. No Obama complaints there-after all, the US has a major naval base in Qatar.

Similar inhibitions inhabit policies toward governments which Obama extolled as presentable no matter their evident faults and on board with US interests.

Take Iraq, for instance. Obama has repeatedly said, against all evidence, that the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad is reaching out to the restive minority Sunni Muslim population in order to draw it away from supporting the Islamic State. That has not happened. Moreover, Iranian-trained Shiite militias that have been involved in a government counteroffensive against ISIS and the rebels have terrorized Sunni civilians in towns that have been reconquered. Obama has been all but silent on militia atrocities.

Much the same goes for Iran. It is perhaps a tribute to Iran's negotiating skills and indicative of its long-term strategy that the nuclear proliferation deal freed up the Islamic Republic to carry on, and even intensify, its military interventions in the Middle East. Tehran no longer needs to worry about any kind of (Israeli?) attack on its suspected atomic weapons program at home. Iran's support of its cruel client militias and atrocious pro-government forces in Syria are especially destructive and has gone full speed ahead since the nuclear agreement. Obama has criticized Russian intervention in Syria, but not Iran's.

And Cuba? The Administration is more eager to present the reopening of relations with the island as a major diplomatic achievement than to complain about continued repression.

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Getting back to Erdogan. He also has Europe under his diplomatic thumb because he can turn off and on the flow of refugees who want to get into Europe. European leaders have clucked-cluck at human rights abuses in Turkey but are not going to do anything about them. Erdogan has already shaken down the European Union for 3 billion euros and a pledge of visa free travel in the EU in return for keeping the refugees away.

Perhaps Erdogan simply reads geopolitical reality well. The US and Europe seem to be returning to practices reminiscent of the Cold War, when they routinely overlooked the foibles of allied governments, however heinous, just because they were allies. In Erdogan's case, as well a Iraq's, are they really very good allies? Has everyone forgotten that Turkey facilitated the passage of Islamic State volunteers through its borders into Syria? And that Iraq is more beholden to Iran as to Washington?
President of the European Council Donald Tusk has highly assessed the Ukrainian Cabinet's performance in the first 100 days and assured Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman that the leadership of the EU institutions fully support Ukraine on the path of reforms.

Tusk and Groysman met in Brussels on Tuesday, the sides discussed urgent matters on the Ukraine-EU agenda, the information and PR department of the Cabinet's Secretariat reported on Tuesday.

Groysman called on Tusk to get involved in decision-making on the introduction of visa-free travel for Ukraine in the near future and the completion of the ratification of the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement and the signing of an agreement on a common aviation area between Ukraine and the EU.

"Ukraine has fulfilled all the necessary criteria for visa regime liberalization," the Ukrainian prime minister said.

The parties also discussed the situation in the east of Ukraine. Groysman told Tusk that Ukraine was abiding by the Minsk agreement.

In this context, the Ukrainian prime minister thanked the EU for the decision taken on July 1, 2016, to extend anti-Russian sanctions over Ukraine until January 31, 2017.

"The sanctions against Russia are effective. They should be maintained until the full implementation by the Russian Federation of the commitments foreseen in the Minsk accords," Groysman said.
All contenders to be our next president should be tested for Alzheimer's

My mother recently passed away after a three-year battle with Alzheimer's. Or should I say, after my horrible battle with Alzheimer's the past three years.

Mom had the disease for a lot longer than she ever let on. In fact, she was a master at hiding what was happening right under the noses of my brother, other family members, her friends, strangers, and me. Now that Mom is gone, and I have learned so much about Alzheimer's, I can almost pinpoint when it started. My mother hid the symptoms of Alzheimer's for close to seven years. Seven. Years. Count'em.

We are getting ready to select a president to lead our great country for four, maybe even eight years. The elected head of the most powerful country in the world could have the beginning signs of Alzheimer's right now and we would not know it for years. My mother made some bad decisions - too many lottery tickets, driving while lost, replacing an expensive built-in microwave on a house we were going to leave.

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She did not have access to the nuclear launch codes. She did not meet with world leaders. She did not make decisions on the national economy, education, LGBT rights, women's rights, when to go to war, immigration and more.

Many of the presidential candidates have released their medical records. All seem to be in pretty good shape, something I feel is a necessity to run our country.

But I don't see anywhere that any one of them has been tested for Alzheimer's. And if they have, where are the results? Once elected president, he or she will have a regular checkup and be monitored closely. But I still can't find any mention of testing for Alzheimer's. Ron Reagan Jr. has said many times that he is fairly certain his father, President Ronald Reagan, was showing signs of the disease his last year in office. That should concern you. Now.

I want to know that the candidate I choose not only supports my priorities but is also of sound mind - a mind that will last through four or eight years. I watched my mom go from making bad decisions and forgetting things to extreme bouts of violence, an inability to walk or talk, and total memory loss in less than three years. Three. Years. Count 'em again. Such a person in the White House would prove to be a catastrophe we could all have helped to avoid by insisting our candidates be tested for Alzheimer's disease and release the results to the voting public.

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If you are under the age of 50, Alzheimer's disease is probably not anywhere on your radar. It certainly wasn't on mine. I was blindsided by Mom's diagnosis. However, according to neurologist, Dr. William Justiz, "There most definitely is a way to test all the candidates. You can see amyloid in patients as young as 40 years of age by conducting a PET scan using flutemetoral, flobetapir or Pittsburgh compound B (PIB)."

That statement might as well be in a foreign language for the majority of us, but since such a test exists, it needs to be done on the candidates before they take office, before they are elected - and - continued while in office.

In the neurologist section of my forthcoming book, Surviving Alzheimer's' with Friends, Facebook, and a Really Big Glass of Wine, Dr. Justiz also says, "Even in the earliest stages of this disease the patient may not understand that they have an issue. They are either in denial, or the disease has affected the part of the brain that allows them to understand that there is truly a problem."

According to current statistics on the Alzheimer's Association website:

Everyone with a brain is at risk.

Every 67 seconds, someone in the United States develops the disease.

People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making.

Many people with early onset are in their 40s and 50s.

In the United States, it is estimated that approximately 200,000 people have early onset Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's is the only disease among the top 10 causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.

The No. 1 thing that scares me is I may have Alzheimer's and not know it. The second thing that terrifies me is the president of the United States may have Alzheimer's and none of us will know it.

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States can't tackle issues like climate change alone, and that's why global solution networks bring together corporations and stakeholders.

Historically, societies have attempted to solve global problems through states working together through institutions like the UN.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also helped through advocating change, mobilizing or through volunteerism. Companies went about their business of winning customers and making money. Some companies contributed through philanthropy or through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. But progress has been slow.

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However, in assessing the world of global conflict, growing social inequality, climate change, economic malaise and myriad other global problems, a growing number of corporate leaders understand that business can't succeed in a world that's failing. The good news is that there is a powerful new way that business can now effectively contribute to a better world by creating and connecting multi-stakeholder networks. Together, companies, NGOs, governments, researchers and other individuals are carving out a new and powerful way to effect global change.

Thanks to the internet and some big changes in the global economy, everyone can leverage the effects of networks to create a dramatically bigger impact than previously thought possible, while at the same time advancing their commercial interests. This is not only good, it's necessary -- over the past decade in particular it's become apparent that business can't succeed in a world that's failing.

There is something new on the scene and by the year 2025 this may in fact be the main way we seek to build a better world. A "Global Solution Network" (or GSN) is a group of independent parties who have been brought together by a world problem they all perceive to be important, and which no single group has the ability to handle on its own. They become a network when they begin communicating about and coordinating their activities to make progress, rather than working independently and competitively (as an "industry" in a market economy).

There are knowledge networks like Wikipedia, Galaxy Zoo and TED; advocacy networks like Kony 2012, mobilizing tens of millions of people to change policy. Then we have policy networks like the International Competition Network determining policy for global institutions and governments. Human Rights Watch and Transparency International are watchdog networks as they perform an oversight role, while networks that govern important resources -- like the ecosystem that runs the internet worldwide -- are called governance networks. Large global institutions like the World Economic Forum draw on vast networking capabilities from all 10 types.

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Cooperative, multi-stakeholder efforts to solve shared problems have arisen in the past. In business, the most apparent examples have been "standards networks."

Yet, historically, the world's biggest social and economic ills have been predominantly addressed by gatherings of countries. Remarkably, the model we still have and use for global political and economic cooperation was forged in the aftermath of WWII, when 42 countries convened at Bretton Woods, NH and created the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, G8, World Trade Organization, and more.

Once state-based institutions like these took hold, it became hard to imagine that there could be other ways to address territory-spanning social challenges. These are the human problems that, in the words of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, "do not come permanently attached to national passports." But over time, it has become clear that these institutions acting alone are unequal to the tasks we set them at Bretton Woods. Progress on many fronts has stalled.

Two major developments in recent decades have provided the basis for the new model. First, the advent of the internet has created the means for enterprises of all sizes down to the individual to communicate, contribute resources and coordinate action. We no longer need government officials to convene in order for the rest of us to align our goals and efforts.

Second, businesses have gained the ability, perhaps by virtue of a newly international consumer base or a growing eagerness to be forces for good, to play an important role in global cooperative efforts. There were no businesses at the table at Bretton Woods. But today, corporations routinely engage with other sectors to address issues in sustainability, social justice and public wellbeing.

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Consider the process of addressing global climate change by regulating greenhouse gas emissions. We're in the early days of a new approach that goes beyond national governments and engages all facets of society. At the annual UN Climate Change Conference taking part this fall in Paris, France, (COP21) talks may result in a successor agreement to the now-expired Kyoto Protocol. The Conference is particularly unique in that it will convene 750+ participants from across business, government, investors, NGOs, the UN and civil society. The Kyoto Protocol, on the other hand, extended the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, committing state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and engaging only states in the process.

Countries remain essential. They're needed to write and enforce the domestic laws required to give an international agreement teeth. But the overall battle can only be won if businesses, local and regional governments, power providers, transportation systems, other institutions and billions of citizens get involved. We need to mobilize the resources of humanity on a scale not dissimilar to what we saw during the two great world wars, but this time we will all be fighting together and for the same cause.

The combination of these developments yields a new model. Global Solution Networks, as opposed to state-based institutions acting in isolation, can achieve global cooperation, governance, and problem solving -- and make it a faster, stronger progress than non-networked state-based institutions ever could.
Japanese firms, like many from the United Kingdom and United States, are heavily invested in Bangladesh. An estimated 240 Japanese firms currently have a presence there. Bangladesh provides excellent opportunities for investors through numerous incentives such as (years-long) tax holidays, duty free importing of capital machinery, 100 percent foreign ownership and profit repatriation, reinvestment of profit or dividend as FDI, permanent resident or even citizenship upon significant investment, and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) -- amongst others. The range of sectors ripe for investment are diverse: from banking to telecoms, textiles to footwear, and petroleum to infrastructure development.

After the recent terrorist attacks in and around Dhaka, in which seven Japanese aid workers were murdered, Fast Retailing, the Japanese corporate parent of clothing brand Uniqlo, halted (temporarily) all non-essential travel to Bangladesh. Other Japanese companies, including Mitsubishi and Toyota, immediately began revising their security policies for expatriate staff.

The immediate response by corporations to the recent attacks illustrates the private sectors increasing concern over the growth of violent extremism in Bangladesh -- and beyond. From Baghdad to Brussels, in Beirut and Bamako, violent extremism affects every corner of the globe; it puts workers' lives at risk, disrupts supply chains, drains talent pools, and reduces return on investment. It can also decimate local economies, thereby adding to the pool of (unemployed) vulnerable youth at risk of radicalization, throwing many more people below the poverty line, and contributing to the ever-growing refugee crisis.

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But the attacks in Bangladesh also highlight the unique role that the private sector has to play in preventing violent extremism. One of the most striking features of the attack on the Dhaka bakery was the profile of the perpetrators -- reportedly young, middle-class, and educated. Radicalization to violent extremist agendas is a growing challenge among this demographic in Bangladesh; and one of the reasons is a lack of suitable job opportunities (additional drivers include a disassociation from traditional values and the sophistication of recruitment methods in some Universities, among others). Understanding this is critical, as the private sector is key to generating jobs, providing apprenticeships, and offering training that respond to both demand from investors and to the needs of young people. Such jobs also allow youth to gain status and assume a positive role in decision-making in their families and community.

Recent initiatives, ranging from two global summits to prevent violent extremism hosted by President Obama, to the UN Action Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism, have called upon the private sector to help prevent violent extremism.

The private sector should not be expected to take on this task alone, nor should they be expected to, (for example) strengthen law enforcement, reduce corruption, or police borders. Instead, corporations should work hand in hand with governments, local authorities, and not-for profit actors as part of a comprehensive response to violent extremism. Collaboration with governments also means that the private sector can leverage the results they create to get governments to address structural factors that create environments where extremist agendas are able to take root and grow.

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The opportunity has arrived for the private sector to play its part and assist in shaping holistic local, national, regional, and global responses to the rise of violent extremism, if for no other reason than the compelling business case. There is the potential to partner with national governments, the UN, and other international organizations to bolster the resources, skills, and technical know-how required to combat this threat. In the case of Japanese firms in Bangladesh, both the governments of Bangladesh and Japan are members of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), a public-private partnership established to support local initiatives to build resilience against violent extremism. GCERF has started to develop joint 'shared-value' initiatives with the private sector to address underlying causes of violent extremism. Rather than respond to the recent attack by scaling down operations or leaving the country, contributing to GCERF could be one way for companies to preserve and expand their investment and market share in Bangladesh and elsewhere in the world.
Environmental injustice and environmental racism are not new phenomena, and yet the scandal in Flint, Michigan shocked so many. As a result of the outrage in Flint, the Natural Resources Defense Council issued a report, What's in Your Water? Flint and Beyond, that noted Flint was not an isolated case. The reported highlighted that more than 5,300 local water systems are in violation of EPA's regulations, and states took action in 817 cases while EPA took up only 88.

One of the report's recommendations:

Address environmental injustice, allowing local communities who bear a disproportionate burden of polluted water to participate in developing solutions to drinking water infrastructure challenges.

This recommendation begs the question: where is the environmental movement in the face of all this injustice?

Yet, in 2016, in the richest country in the world, we are failing our neighbors by ignoring or not addressing the issue of clean water or environmental injustice issues. Rarely is there a larger meaningful policy discussion about these issues until it's a scandal or an outrage like Flint. While we can point fingers at every level of government, and we can argue about the enforcement of existing laws, or the jurisdictional issues that always comes into play between local, state, and federal officials, but what's worse about issues like this, are the numerous complaints that the regulators were complacent.



There is a perception that for too long there has been a cozy, compliant relationship with local authorities and federal officials and that perception has been exacerbated by the situation in Flint. The question for most laypeople is, how does this happen? One example of this cozy relationship is that federal regulators have allowed local and state regulators to use testing methods that allow them to cheat detection of lead above the legal limits. Case in point is the class-action lawsuit has been filed against the City of Philadelphia over this practice.

When regulators fail to do their jobs, community members and activists must be there to hold them accountable. But when over five thousand communities are being poisoned for years, and the authorities have gotten away with it all this time, the environmental movement must be introspective about our roles in standing up for unserved communities.

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A small activist group in Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico Limpio, has been leading the charge on what many have called the next Flint. For more than a year, the organization has been protesting about municipal landfills in the territory, with local residents complaining that toxic materials were poisoning the water and ground in their neighborhoods for decades and the authorities have yet to do anything about it. Their protest reminds me of similar local activism in my own community in Warren County, when I was a state appointed official.

Local residents from poor and underserved communities who face terrible threats from big utilities and lax regulators should not have to come begging for our help. We, those who care for the poor, the environment, and injustice, should be shoulder to shoulder with these communities from the beginning, embracing their agenda as our own and fighting the injustice of unequal protection from our government.
In a landmark speech in January 1999, the former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that the spread of markets was outpacing the ability of societies to adjust to them, that globalization is fragile and vulnerable to backlash from all the "isms" of our post-cold-war world: protectionism, populism, nationalism, ethnic chauvinism and terrorism. What these "isms" have in common is a fundamental exploitation of the misery and insecurity of those people who feel left behind. To counter this threat, he proposed a "Global Compact of shared values" and asked businesses to take the lead.

Today, many analysts and commentators realize that Brexit is a symbol for deeper changes that are enveloping Western democracies on both sides of the Atlantic, coinciding with a rise of nationalism globally. The "isms" that Kofi Annan warned about at the end of the 20th century have already been unleashed and are now influencing public discourse and policy-making around the world. The post-1945 order now seems to be unraveling. Power is fragmenting and the era of horizontal integration where interdependence was built on foundations of openness, and commerce based on rules, is giving way to protectionism, inward orientation and fear. Indeed, we are now facing the real prospect of destroying the very system that has enabled humanity to safeguard peace and spread economic opportunities on an unprecedented scale, without having a viable alternative in place.

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And so we must ask ourselves an important question. What can be done to avoid travelling down this road of self-destruction? Specifically, how can we re-set the dominant zeitgeist for a pathway that preserves the best of the lessons we have learned from the past, while tackling the most urgent challenges ahead including climate change, inequality and conflict? I believe there are four clear ways available to us.

Firstly, we need to acknowledge that economic inequality and the resentment around it lies at the heart of current tensions between markets and societies in Western democracies. Recent global structural changes facilitated through technology, innovation and automation have led to a massive increase in productivity. It has however been a shift that has inherently favoured the educated and socially mobile, whilst at the same time weakened the economic position of labour. Trade, on the other hand, is only a modest disruptor while its positive effect in the form of lower prices and diffusion of better products benefits all, helping millions of people to escape poverty. And yet, too many politicians and demagogues find it convenient to scapegoat trade and immigration in the current climate. By doing so, they not only distort facts and abandon common sense, they recklessly endanger the foundation of prosperity for all.

What we now need are courageous politicians and business leaders who can argue coherently with facts and not with fear. We should empower those who are willing to spell out what really needs to be done to tackle the root cause of inequality - the reinvention of a social contract that is fit for the future. And a good way to start is to significantly invest in quality education for everyone, to create a new culture of learning. To accomplish this, the privileged few would need to abandon old political dogmas and give up special privileges and tax loopholes to genuinely make the case for investing in education for all. Equal access to opportunities through education - the great equalizer that fosters merit-based outcomes and social cohesion - is arguably the best way forward to reconcile the tensions between markets and societies.

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Secondly, institutions created after WWII need to adapt better to our fast changing world. Whilst we are more interdependent than ever before, our collective ability to tackle urgent issues has deteriorated. The case for re-inventing multilateralism has to be made, as national interests are increasingly tied up with our collective ability to tackle challenges that don't respect borders and boundaries. Climate change, terrorism, child trafficking, illicit arms trade, humanitarian emergencies and mass migration can only be solved through co-operation and shared responsibility. Making the case for openness and unity may fly in the face of the current mood in many countries. But the argument for multilateralism is more compelling than ever.

Developing a new narrative around global partnership, and one that people everywhere can relate to, is paramount. So too is the need for governments to start delegating real authority in order to solve the world's greatest problems, and to invite emerging markets to play a greater role. Cynics will argue that it takes a war to bring about an act of creation and that institutions cannot be changed from within. But we must prove them wrong. As some of the global challenges become ever more urgent, the case for co-operation will get stronger and issues such as climate change may well become catalysts for a genuine shift in thinking and behaviour. Thirdly, business executives and investors have now a unique opportunity to earn a license to lead. The call that Kofi Annan put out in 1999 led to the launch of a global movement. A growing number of companies across all continents have started the journey of reconciling societal priorities with corporate missions, strategies and operations based on universal principles. Some prominent executives are already leading by example, and are speaking with voices of reason. However, we need greater corporate statesmanship to give markets a human face, to improve conditions for workers, the environment and across broader governance affairs, especially anti-corruption. These efforts now need to accelerate and the many fence sitters who still operate on the dogma of short-term profits need join the movement to make it more impactful.

Investors have been slow in realizing that the framework conditions for market success have changed. In an era of transparency, the societal and environmental implications of investor behaviour can no longer be externalized. They must be accounted for and priced. As empirical evidence grows that corporate responsibility and good economic performance are directly linked, there is hope that the world of finance will re-align with the real needs of societies. New investment methods are now available that are based on systematic assessments of societal implications and importantly, they can be scaled. Indeed, it is within our reach to change markets from within as more people can now direct capital towards sustainable companies that create the jobs, solutions and products we need. Markets genuinely now have a chance of becoming part of the solution.

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Lastly, we must all take personal responsibility in this new era of digital empowerment. More than ever before, there is a broad range of channels available to us through which we can express and shape opinion. Digital empowerment has already led to major disruptions and as this year's Edelman Trust Barometer showed, it has specifically led to an inversion of authority that has deep implications for trust in institutions and public offices. It has greatly accelerated the fragmentation of societies, even along ethnic lines. But as we are in the midst of this deep transformation where everybody can now construct their own echo chamber of beliefs and ideas, it is key that a fundamental sense of right and wrong becomes part of the new discourse. And while we cannot expect that everybody will learn the lessons of history, we can at least insist on basic decency and universal values of ethics which must include non-violence, the golden rule of reciprocity and respect for others. Religious leaders, teachers and parents must now step up their efforts to ensure that mutual respect, compassion and acceptance are values that are not lost in this brave new digital landscape.

And so the race is on. In this uncertain world with its changing climate, rising inequality and increasingly polarized politics, the future now depends on our willingness to re-invent public policies for the people, on the desire to make international co-operation work, and on the ability of markets to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. People have the power to make it all happen. We are the people.

Georg Kell
Trump's VP pick, Mike Pence, has a wife named Karen. Mrs. Pence developed a product called "THAT'S MY TOWEL!" I was first alerted to this by a piece published in Jezebel--a number of my readers sent me the link--about how Mrs. Pence decided the world problem she needed to fix was the fact that people might mix up towels.

Here's a line from her product's website: "I have had so many times where I was swimming at a friend's beach house, pool, or lake house, using their matching beautiful beach towels. Lo and behold, I would go in the water for a dip or up to the house for a beverage, and when I came back to my towel, it was gone! Someone else had grabbed my towel."

Karen Pence even had an amendment passed to use the space in the governor's residence to produce what are basically wine-glass tags (guess the wine-glass identifiers didn't have a "THIS IS MY IDEA!" charm tag attached) --except they are made to be inserted into the hems of towels--and then attempted, via the Internet and local TV, to sell these.

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When her husband was nominated for VP by Trump, the website for THAT'S MY TOWEL! was removed, which makes me wonder whether the Republicans are as pro-business as they claim. (Of course, as my friend Amy said, "Trump doesn't have this problem. Everything he owns has his name on it.")

It can't be easy to be married to a politician. But other women in the political spotlight have chosen their missions: Laura Bush worked on literacy; Lady Bird Johnson worked on making the American landscape beautiful; Michelle Obama works on getting American children to live more healthily.

Karen Pence has spent her time as a governor's spouse putting metal charms (I find the sailboat charms particularly terrifying) on coiled rings towels. That sharp-ish metal objects might put your eye out, scar your cheeks, or tear your nostril off your face as you dry off your face doesn't seem to matter; at least it's your own blood on the towel. (Also, left in the hot sun all day at pools and on beaches, wouldn't these metal object turn into miniature branding irons?)

More to the point, the Pences consider themselves deeply devote Christians. They are highly conservative, evangelical Christians and, in a 2013 interview, Mrs. Pence said "We've always been a team," said Karen Pence. "We've always approached it as a team."

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So are we to imagine that this how exemplary Christians behave? Do right-wing Christians mark all their belongings so that nobody else will be able to share?



When Jesus washed the feet of the poor, for example, to prove their significance, worthiness and humanity, did he then mark the towel with a special leprosy-charm?

"I can see it now: Jesus is done washing the feet of the poor," says my friend Julie Nash, who, like me, was raised Catholic "And Jesus reaches behind Him to grab a towel. But Saint Peter quickly admonishes Him, 'Not so fast, Light of the World, oh Holy One, Son of God. Your towel is over there! We're going to have to wait over 2000 years before this problem is solved.'"



Look, it's not about the charms: Any woman who believes, with her husband, that Planned Parenthood must be defunded, that funding against domestic violence should be lowered, that everybody in the LBGT is going straight to hell, that all fetal tissue needs to be ceremonially buried and that wages should be lowered is not a woman who deserves our praise.

The charms are simply an unsubtle reminder that what values are paramount to the GOP: Private ownership, territoriality and guarding the border, even if it's merely a plush terry-cloth border. Also, it is important to remember that other people are probably unclean and can contaminate you.

Her borrowed ideas are simply foolish and ridiculous--and anybody with money can try to sell anything they make (although the world won't pay for what it doesn't want and didn't ask for) so that's fine, but under Pence's Indiana law, a woman or girl cannot abort even a gravely and severely deformed fetus. Karen Pence is apparently in full agreement, given her "we-do-everything-as-a-team" mentality.

And this is where you need to remind me how many orphaned, abandoned adopted disabled orphans the Pence Family has raised alongside their three perfect offspring all these years, in their own home, at their own expense.

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Given recent stories about Pence paying his mortgage and car bills out of election funds a few years back, the definition of "their own expense" might be wobbly, but you know what I mean.

I understand Indiana is giving adoptive families a small monetary incentive and that there are "adoptive fairs" in Indiana, but I can't find any information about whether Mike and Karen have adopted disabled children.

Because surely the Pences have themselves raised children with severe spina bifida or severe microcephaly? Surely they've adopted the hopelessly deformed and disabled infants who were the product of violent rape by drug-abusing men on their barely adolescent step-daughters?
Jagdeep Singh Bachher

Chief Investment Officer, University of California

At the University of California (UC), we respect the beliefs of students and others who argue that only divestment from fossil fuels will prove that one of the world's best public university systems is 'on the right side' of the environmental divide.

We also respectfully disagree.

While symbolic gestures have a noble history of driving social change for the public good, reversing the effects of climate change demands much more than symbolism. At UC, we believe it demands strong and sustainable investments in the solutions, for the sake of our environment - and for the financial future of our stakeholders.

While we agree with the imperative to take a stand on sustainability - which UC has done, including through its groundbreaking steps toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2025 - respected studies have shown that exclusionary policies are ineffective in denying capital to 'sin' industries. Proactive investment in climate change solutions will have a bigger impact than simply avoiding certain industries, markets or asset classes.

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Access to long-term capital will be critical to the success of low-carbon fuels and emerging energy efficiency technologies; today's markets still suffer from a shortage of patient, early stage capital essential to transforming clean technology start-ups into enduring, profitable companies. Governments such as the United States, China and Germany have made significant financial commitments to promote innovation and opportunity, but public spending can only go so far. As world leaders have acknowledged in the planning for the UNFCCC Conference in Paris later this year, the private sector must also play a larger role in underwriting solutions.

To date, the venture capital industry and many pioneer investors have taken great risks to show us the kind of progress that can be made. While their successes have inspired us, the challenges they have encountered have demonstrated the magnitude of the task. And, as the experience of Tesla and First Solar demonstrate, even growth stage companies in this promising space sometimes lack access to project capital to execute first-of-a-kind Proactive investment in climate change solutions will have a bigger impact than simply avoiding certain industries, markets or asset classes. 76 demonstrations and deployments. The capital required to achieve price competitiveness at commercial scale is monumental.

In our view, the solution to the long-term capital problem is for major long-term institutional investors - pension funds, endowments, sovereign funds, family offices and foundations - to play a catalytic role. The success of large public pension funds in the infrastructure asset class is instructive: it was their entry that enabled this asset class to mature.

Catalyzing the resource innovation capital markets could be approached in the same way. There will be a set of new ventures in energy, agriculture, waste, and water that can scale to become the most profitable companies for generations to come. Long-term institutional capital has a unique opportunity to invest in such resource innovation companies and potentially reap large profits as these new green ventures and technologies reach millions (and billions) of consumers. The problem? Many long-term investors lack the in-house expertise to do this without assistance, especially in the United States.

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We believe that the creation of a new, aligned intermediary to help long-term institutional investors identify, screen, assess and invest in high-potential companies is the best way to promote meaningful - and profitable - solutions to climate change. Fortunately this has happened: the Obama administration, the US Department of Energy and longterm investors from around the world have launched such an initiative. Its role will be to serve as the not-for-profit platform that brings investors together as part of promising long-term partnerships in resource innovation.
Everyone knows a f**kboy. Maybe he's a friend of yours. Or you've heard about one from your friend. You may even have one of them on your call list for those late, lonely nights when you can't help yourself but send that 'you up?' text. Or, if by some crazy possibility, I'm the person to introduce you to this particular breed of gent, you're welcome and well, I'm sorry.

A lot of women have rom-com syndrome. We meet these men who seem flawed in oddly appealing ways. Cocky, handsome (often painfully so) and just the right amount of broken for us to want to fix them. But they're unfixable, or more accurately, don't actually want to be fixed. They're men who are taking advantage of their assets in the only way they know how -- making their way through every woman in the city with little regard for much other than their own satisfaction.

F**kboys come in all shapes and sizes. Old young, it doesn't really matter. They're men who troll the online dating world looking for dates without any intention of actually dating. They'll charm you at first; suck you into their sticky webs. They'll take you on a date or two, hold your hand, tell you the things you want to hear. But when you try to get close, to dive a little deeper, they'll pull back. They'll make you feel clingy or worse, crazy. Make you question yourself. Wonder what you're doing wrong. Why you're not the one capable of changing them or finally focusing that wandering eye of theirs.

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But hopefully, after spending time with them, you'll realize it has absolutely nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. They look around and see their friends coupling off, settling down and think they want that. But every time it's presented to them, often on a silver platter, they're forced to come to terms with the fact that committing means giving up their f**kboy status and they really just aren't ready to do that.

The good news is, once you've identified one of these men, you can proceed with the knowledge that you can and should only expect certain behaviors from them. You can compartmentalize them into their nice little 'for fun times only' box, bringing them into your life as needed. It seemed like we members of the dating world had all come to a consensus about this dynamic and were moving on full speed ahead with everyone being the wiser.

Recently however, I encountered a case of one such f**kboy trying to f**k with the system. We'd gone out a bit and after putting me through the above paces, I came to the understanding that he was not boyfriend material much less interested in anything of substance. I commend him for putting that out there early enough to not waste either of our times. However, in the conversation that followed, it became clear that he was interested in continuing to see me with the caveat that I wouldn't see anyone else. Huh? That seems mildly hypocritical I thought to myself and being the IDGAF type of gal I am,I decided to press him on it. So wait, I said, you're not interested in something serious but you're but you are interested in continuing to see me so long as I'm committed to you? Does that apply to you as well, I asked? No, he responded. I don't like thinking about someone I'm seeing, seeing other people. WTF? Calling him out on his hypocrisy, he continued to defend himself saying he didn't see it that way at all. I said I didn't understand and asked him to try to rephrase what he was attempting to say. After he could (obviously) not come up with any response, I politely explained that I was far from interested in any such sort of unbalanced relationship and that I ventured to guess he'd have a hard time finding anyone who would be. At this point, understandably flustered and probably more than a little pissed off on my calling him out on his BS, the conversation ended rather abruptly (not to mention rudely on his behalf.)

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Amused by the situation, I brought it up to a girlfriend who shared a similar story of her own. It seems that these men, through some crazy thinking, have come to the conclusion that they are such a prize catch that women would be lucky to date them exclusively while they go around doing whatever they want with whomever they want.
Colorado state senate candidate Nancy Doty praised Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's recent speech in Colorado, calling it "just spot on" and "very, very good."

Doty made the comments to KNUS 710-AM's Julie Hayden, who bumped into Doty at the Western Conservative Summit in Denver July 2.

"I thought Sarah Palin was right on, just spot on!" Doty told Hayden when asked for her "thoughts" on the speeches. "She was very, very good - brought a clear message that people need to get on board. And I really enjoyed hearing [Donald] Trump."

Given that she's a reporter for Fox 31 Denver, Hayden knows that people want more details about Doty's assessment of Palin. "Spot on" is exuberant and laudatory, but what really stood out for Doty, beyond the message to get on the Trump train? And what did Doty "really" enjoy about hearing Trump?

Doty, who's an Arapahoe County Commissioner running against Democratic state Rep. Daniel Kagan to represent Colorado Senate District 26, didn't return a call to explain, so I'm forced to speculate.

Palin's speech amounted to a semi-understandable endorsement of Trump. So it's not surprising that Doty, who's said she'll back Trump, would like it.

But Palin went beyond expressing support for Trump. She raved about him.

She derisively referred to Republicans who oppose Trump, the #NeverTrump people, as RATs (Republicans Against Trump).

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If you look at the folks who vote in Doty's district, you have to think Doty needs to win over a lot of ticket-splitting RATs to defeat Kagan. Is Doty worried about offending these voters by, well, saying it's spot on for Palin to call them vermin?

Then there was the part of Palin's speech when she said Trump "really connects." "We found a messenger!" said Palin.

That's "spot on" only if you're not a woman, not a Hispanic, not African-American, or not just about everybody.

I guess it's spot-on true, as Palin said, that Trump is a messenger for the Tea Party.

Trump, Palin said, is the standard bearer for a "grassroots, populist movement that's fertilized by the still passionate Tea Party, in all its glorious independence."

Does Doty think the Tea Party is spot-on in its "glorious independence," as in shutting down the federal government, denying global warming, blocking bipartisan immigration reform, etc?

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I could go on, but I won't.

And I haven't even touched on why Doty "really enjoyed" hearing Trump.
Many of Tennessee Williams' plays have cemented their status into American literary and pop culture. Since they were first written, they've been performed on stages both large and small with some degree of regularly through the decades. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Glass Menagerie, and A Streetcar Named Desire come to mind. Williams, however, has over 40 lesser-known one-act plays to his credit, dating back to the 1930's. Thanks to the many dedicated admirers and students of the troubled yet prolific playwright, these short plays are occasionally revitalized on stages across America and beyond. This summer, the author who was born Thomas Lanier Williams III gets the spotlight at New York City's St. Luke's Theatre with two of those one act plays: 27 Wagons Full of Cotton from 1946, and Kingdom of Earth (later renamed The Seven Descents of Myrtle) from 1968. They are presented together in the Write Act Repertory Theatre's 2 By Tennessee Williams, directed by Marilyn Fried. While neither of these two under-seen plays may sound familiar to non-Williams fans, they both featured characters and stories memorable enough to have had filmmakers expand them for the big screen. 27 Wagons Full of Cotton was adapted into the controversial 1956 film Baby Doll, and the 1970 movie The Last of the Mobile Hot Shots was based on Kingdom of Earth. While many of Williams' lines may have the audience giggling at their quaintness (One character declares, "Mr. Vicarro, you're getting awf'ly familiar!" during a protracted seduction scene; another recalls about having her "cherry popped"...), the raw, human emotions underneath are timeless.



27 Wagons Full of Cotton is set in 1946 Mississippi. The audience meets Jake (played perfectly by Mike Keller), a boorish cotton gin owner, and his wife Flora (Kathryn Luce Garfunkel), a pretty but childlike blonde with tousled hair and a lazy Southern drawl. Whether from her innate personality, her admitted affinity for the oft-mentioned "dope", or the mental domination by Jake ("A woman like you's not made to have ideas. Made to be hugged an' squeezed!), Flora is a vulnerable figure. In an act of arson, the shady Jake burns down the mill of his neighbor Silva Vicarro (played with tantalizing restraint by Justin R G Holcomb), a rival in the cotton business. He demands that his "baby doll" Flora provide his alibi. I doubt that I'd be giving too much away to future audiences by revealing that Jake indeed gets "busted". That priceless moment when Vicarro learns what happened, by the way, is an exquisite piece of wordless acting by Holcomb. It's also the turning point of the piece, when the audience knows that something is going to happen next-- and that it's going to be quite dramatic. That "something" turns out to be an unforeseeable twist which gives a darkly comedic meaning to the play's oft-repeated mention of "good neighbor policy"-- as well as a conclusion which proves that revenge is a dish best served, well... steamy. 27 Wagons is Ms. Garfunkel's show all the way. Her Flora seems aware of her own naivete ("You have to excuse me from thinking. I'm too lazy.") but leaves enough room for us to believe that her character just may be more complex than she lets on.
Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada Chairman Andriy Parubiy has called the law enforcement structures to punish the murderers of Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet, who was killed in a car blast in Kyiv on Wednesday, viewing the crime as a challenge to the Ukrainian democracy.

"I found out about the death of Sheremet this morning, I was shocked. The journalist's car was blown up cynically in downtown of Kyiv. They want to intimidate Ukrainians once again, to intimidate the Ukrainian journalists. A demonstrative, cynical murder of the journalist is a challenge to the Ukrainian democracy and law enforcement system," he said on Facebook on Wednesday.

"As the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada chairman I call the law enforcement structures to investigate this crime immediately and punish the organizer and perpetrators. The evil should be punished," he said.
Last Friday, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) published the first in a three-part series regarding military spouse employment, titled The Force Behind the Force: A Business Case for Leveraging Military Spouse Talent.

The purpose of the study was: "to outline some of the positive and potentially business enhancing characteristics of military spouses related to employment, the unique assets they bring to the workplace, and to describe the compelling business case to recruit and ultimately hire them."

Four key takeaways:

1.) Always a hot political topic, the gender wage gap is discussed each presidential election cycle (women earn between 79 and 94 cents for every dollar men make, depending on who you ask). For military spouses, it's not a "wage gap"; it's a "Wage Grand Canyon" and has nothing to do with gender.



According to the IVMF report, female military spouses earn significantly less than their civilian female peers, given their educational level, with the exception of those with less than a high school education:

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Doctoral: 45 cents for every dollar their peer married to a civilian makes.

Professional Degree: 55 cents

Masters: 53 cents

Bachelors: 60 cents

Associate: 65 cents

Some college: 64 cents

High School/GED: 69 cents

Less than HS/GED: $1.29

How these numbers haven't been reported by any media is beyond me as I think these differences should be considered a national embarrassment.

2.) Military spouses have a significantly higher unemployment rate, roughly 3 times that of their civilian peers, due to:

"transient lifestyle with frequent relocations"

"Erratic and unpredictable military work and training schedules"

"lack and cost of childcare"

"responsibilities of single-parenting" due to military demands (deployments and training) on their active duty spouse

3.) "As a group, military spouses are educated, motivated to work, and have attributes that employers value. Understanding the demographics of military spouses, their unique challenges and assets is essential to developing a persuasive and successful hiring strategy that both benefits spouses and meets the needs of business simultaneously."

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4.) The study lists ten steps employers can take to help ameliorate the issue. Each of the ten listed were excellent best practices, but I couldn't help but think that I would boil that list down to two:

Hire them &

Pay them what they are worth.

As IVMF moves forward into the 2nd and 3rd part of this series, I would recommend these two additional issues be addressed:



1.) The role of volunteer work military spouses accomplish and the value placed on it by potential employers.

In a recent interview, Kris Johnson, a former military spouse married 25 years to a senior Army officer convicted of bigamy, fraud and adultery, was profiled;

"She is in debt--a staggering amount of debt--to lawyers and to credit cards she used to stay afloat and take care of the couple's two children during her divorce. Now Johnson works in retail. The military loves to tell dutiful military wives how much their volunteer work, organizational management, and people skills translate as valuable resume builders. Johnson is a shining example of how untrue that is."

Many military spouses worry they may be the next Kris Johnson.

This issue of volunteerism hits home for me as well. It's what I've done for the better part of the last decade. While the recent experiences listed on my resume may not have a salary attached to it, I've worked on significant national level projects impacting military members and their families. Though I wasn't paid for that work, it doesn't make it any less valuable. From my perspective, it was work that needed to be done, and I felt it wouldn't be accomplished if I didn't step up.

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In the hiring process, it is my sense that employers, both corporate and government, value those contributions significantly less because I wasn't earning a paycheck at the time. It's ironic because I feel like I've made a bigger impact on the military community than I ever did when I was on active duty, helping tens of thousands of military families. If I had been able to work right after leaving active duty, I'm certain I could have found an excellent position just based on my Navy career, but, many years and a lot more experience since then, I am finding it difficult to find a job that pays anything near what I think my education and experience warrant (more than the $15/hour most military spouse programs seem to offer).

In a recent interview, I told the audience that if I had to do it again, I would have forgone that volunteer work and focused on finding paid employment instead. I also said I would recommend those just transitioning into the military lifestyle as a spouse to think very clearly before letting go of your career for any reason, much less volunteer work.

That's an unfortunate statement as military spouses provide exemplary volunteer service and billions of dollars worth of support to the Department of Defense and their local communities each year. My belief is that corporate America and the government appreciates your service, but not enough to give you appropriate credit for it. And while many groups tout that volunteer experiences count towards your resume, I fear that experience doesn't count for much or certainly less than you think it should.

It's in DoD's best interest to find a way to help employers understand the value of the contributions these military spouses provide. To their credit, they are trying on the employee side (check out Military One Source), but I fear it's not nearly enough, especially on the employer end. Failure to step these efforts up a notch will see military units going without support or DoD having to pay for those services as more and more spouses opt out of the volunteer network. Check out IVMF's reported "Ten Suggestions for Employers" on page 13 of their report for an idea where DoD can encourage employers (including the federal government) to take next steps.



2.) A better understanding of the family dynamic that these relatively low wages and lack of career options place on military families and subsequently military readiness.

For military spouses, their ability to start and maintain a career has a significant impact on their families and subsequently on military readiness and retention. To successfully understand the full picture, DoD must expand its understanding of the impact of the military lifestyle to include spouse careers and wages. No family I know of considers only one spouse's income or career in a vacuum and neither should DoD. As the IVMF report notes "Two incomes are often necessary for both civilian as well as military families, and there are intrinsic emotional, and financial benefits to consistent employment."

Over the last five or six years, the White House, DoD, and Congressional leadership, led by the bean counters in the Pentagon basement, have led a charge to reduce military personnel costs, in pay and benefits. In tandem (conveniently), defense think tanks across DC have noted how well service members are paid and how "luxurious" military benefits are, relative to equivalent civilian personnel (forgetting the inherent danger associated with military service).

In 2012, when Congress and the President voted to cut military retiree's benefits, the NY Times and other newspaper editorials (also conveniently) ran stories about how "overpaid" military members were, CNN ran a rebuttal piece by Army spouse, Rebekah Sanderlin, who spoke for many military families noting,

"in homes spread across the country and all over the world, [we] looked around, trying to find signs of opulence among our damaged furniture and broken dishes, casualties of previous moves. "Are we overpaid?" we wondered, mentally scanning our circles of friends -- solidly middle class, all of us. That is, those of us who've managed to climb that far."

In 2015, Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at The Brooking Institution, specializing in defense and foreign policy issues, noted the following at a symposium on military families:

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"there are a lot of big challenges, and reasons why we shouldn't be complacent about military compensation, or feel that we should cut it....having to move from base to base, from one part of the country to the other, means that spouses often can't get work; and we saw the statistics earlier, apparently more than half are unable to find work, and of that group that are unable to find work most of them would like to work....I'm wondering if the next time we do a quarterly review of military compensation, there actually should be an adjusted metric that tries to acknowledge this effect, and factor it into the calculation about how well off military families are, relative to other families."

I don't expect DoD to jump at this idea as it might disprove one of their primary talking points, but others in academia, the media and in leadership positions should investigate this idea further. If we are to have an honest conversation about compensation and its impact on readiness and fully understand the impact of the array of changes the President and Congress throw into each year's defense bill, it's critical to be considering all aspects of what it means to be a military family, including a better understanding of the difficulties military spouses have in maintaining a career while connected to Uncle Sam.

I do realize this is a complicated subject, with many moving parts, but this IVMF study should be a wake-up call for an issue that our senior leaders, both in government and in the corporate sector, have admired for too long. It's time to start thinking outside the box, some of which will require our leaders taking a hard look at some topics, like the military's relocation policy, the elephant in the room so to speak, and considering legislative initiatives that might make a difference.
Turkish soldiers, arrested by civilians, are handed to police officers in Taksim Square in Istanbul, Turkey, early Saturday, July 16, 2016. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told the nation Saturday that his government was working to crush a coup attempt after a night of explosions, air battles and gunfire across the Turkish capital of Ankara. (AP Photo/Selcuk Samiloglu)

Turkey may have thwarted a military coup d'etat on Friday night, but the result will almost certainly be the precipitous decline of Turkey's democracy, nevertheless.

As of this writing, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already taken 6,000 people in to custody. This includes the arrests of more than 3,000 members of the military, 2,745 judges, 198 high court judges, and two of the 17 judges on the Constitutional Court. And that's just within the first 24 hours.

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Erdogan has further made it clear that he will target the supporters and institutions of his archrival Fetullah Gulen, an exiled cleric now based in central Pennsylvania. The Turkish president's war on this "parallel structure," as he calls it, promises to be sweeping and devoid of due process. Indeed, the government has indicated that the coup has not yet been fully suppressed, opening the door for more arrests and raids across the country.

But arrests may be the least of it. The coup attempt comes amidst a campaign, now well underway, to erode the institutions that have made Turkey a proud democracy since 1923. Indeed, this campaign may have been a motivating factor for the mutineers.

In recent years, Erdogan has crushed Turkey's free expression. This includes the shuttering of opposition newspapers and other media outlets. Turkish journalists have been jailed for doing their jobs. Foreign journalists critical of Erdogan's have been booted from the country. Meanwhile, Erdogan has stifled social media (the government blocked social media during the coup attempt).

Erdogan has also crushed all attempts to investigate wrongdoing on the part of his government. Notably, a leaked prosecutor's report alleged corruption on an unimaginable scale in December 2013. Erdogan removed the lead prosecutor from the case. The government also purged police chiefs, magistrates, and other officials. The key figure from this corruption scandal is about to stand trial in the United States for Iran sanctions busting. The trial is likely to reveal more about this scandal than Erdogan was ever prepared to allow.

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As if the picture were insufficiently bleak, Turkey's strongman is also amassing power by manipulating the country's political system. When he hit his political party's term limit as prime minister he clung to power by becoming president. But even that wasn't enough for him. Erdogan is now working to change Turkey's parliamentary system (which grants greater powers to the prime minister) to a presidential one.

In the wake of Friday's coup attempt, Erdogan is now poised to exploit the crisis and finish what he started. The emergency powers he grants himself will make the job that much easier.

In short, the attempted coup was deplorable and anti-democratic. But now that it has been quashed, Turkey is likely to be dominated by a strongman who has as little regard for democracy as the coup plotters.

Washington is well aware of Erdogan's illiberalism. Ties between U.S. President Barack Obama and Erdogan have been strained since Turkey's vicious crackdown on the peaceful Gezi Park protests of 2013. Turkey's lackluster response to the Islamic State on its eastern border, due in part to Erdogan's pro-Islamist leanings, has also drawn criticism from senior Obama Administration officials.

The disturbing trends continue. Just one day after the coup was put down, a Turkish minister charged on TV that the United States was behind it. The State Department has fired back, stating that, "public insinuations or claims about any role by the United States in the failed coup attempt are utterly false and harmful to our bilateral relations."

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The Turkish government has cut power and closed the airspace around Incirlik airbase - a crucial U.S. and NATO military asset in Turkey - forcing operations against the Islamic State to grind to a halt. Operations have resumed, but it appears Erdogan wished to use the base as a bargaining chip to demand the extradition of Fetuallah Gulen. Turkey continues to press for this, even if the argument falls short of the legal threshold.
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission voted to approve a bold plan to help advance U.S. competitiveness in next-generation wireless. With a clear focus on the mobile future, Chairman Tom Wheeler's Spectrum Frontiers proposal will move the U.S. into the 5G pole position--making ours the first country to unlock high-band spectrum for next generation 5G wireless networks and applications. Building on the FCC's visionary proposal, the White House also launched a $400 million Advanced Wireless Research Initiative to enable the deployment of testing platforms for advanced wireless research over the next decade. The Initiative includes additional robust investments from Federal agencies, as well as private-sector companies and associations in the U.S. wireless industry.



The result is nothing short of a game changer. High-frequency spectrum bands were long considered unusable for wireless connectivity until innovation interceded. Network advances now make it possible to harness huge swaths of spectrum to meet consumer demand for ever stronger, faster and more mobile connectivity. As Chairman Wheeler tells it, "by opening up these higher-frequency bands, we are making available more licensed spectrum for mobile than in the cumulative history of mobile spectrum allocation."

With a nimble, timely combination of smart policy and smart technology, the potential is virtually limitless. But the 5G future--at least its first wave--will center around three inter-related advancements that represent not merely a step up from 4G but a paradigm shift:

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First, faster speeds: 5G connectivity will be 10-100 times faster than today's 4G LTE experience. Think about downloading an HD movie in a handful of seconds, rather than minutes.

Second, lower latency: Connectivity 'in the blink of an eye' is too slow for self-driving cars, robotic surgeons and virtual reality. Response times will move from one-hundredth of a second to an all-but-non-existent millisecond.

Third, significantly more usable spectrum: Mainstreaming high-speed, low-latency connectivity requires a massive influx of new spectrum--making Chairman Wheeler's work on higher spectrum bands mission-critical.

When it comes to unlocking this astounding new wireless potential -- and maintaining America's global mobile leadership -- the time to move is now. While the first 5G commercial deployments at scale are not expected until 2020, roughly a year after standards are expected to be issued, the race is indisputably on today with 5G trials already underway.

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AT&T and Verizon started testing last fall. Google and Facebook also are evaluating the technology. But international competitors are determined not to fall behind. Abroad, Korea has promised a form of the technology in time for its hosting of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Japan has made similar noise around the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Meanwhile, the European Union is pumping billions of dollars into research and development of 5G networks.

To give a sense of the scale of the challenge, one early use case being tested in the United States involves supporting one million Internet of Things devices within just one square kilometer. It's a jaw-dropping density until you factor in that when 5G becomes commercially available in 2020, Gartner forecasts a world populated by 25 billion networked devices.

Building a world of universal, uber-connectivity will require a private-sector led approach, which Chairman Wheeler has acknowledged. This is particularly crucial given that worldwide, carriers' ongoing 4G build-out may total $1.7 trillion through 2020, according to GSMA. And if past is prologue - it will be supportive policies at all levels of government that are essential to carrying this momentum into the 5G future.

The FCC's plan - reinforced by the Administration's research commitment and industry support - sets a bold course. With innovators in the private sector already heavily engaged and policymakers recognizing the urgency of the moment, it is warp speed ahead for our nation's 5G future.
Prior to shooting former Congresswoman and current Americans for Responsible Solutions co-founder Gabby Giffords and 18 others at a supermarket in Tucson in January 2011, Jared Loughner photographed his United States history textbook with a handgun lying on top of it. "You don't have to accept the federalist laws," he stated in his political manifesto on MySpace. His writings and posts painted a picture of a man deeply dissatisfied with government and determined to act. The resulting massacre claimed six lives and left Giffords and others catastrophically injured.

Now, five years later, insurrectionist violence continues to plague our nation. The mass shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge targeting law enforcement officers are merely the most recent examples of armed attacks against our democratic government.

In my 2009 book, Guns, Democracy and the Insurrectionist Idea, co-author Casey Anderson and I argued that the seeds of violence against our government have been sown and watered by the gun lobby and the GOP. We cannot look away from these latest shootings and say, "We never saw this coming." The National Rifle Association's dangerous philosophy--that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to commit acts of violence against government officials--has been inspiring acts of political violence for at least two decades. It is an idea embraced by both prominent conservative leaders and mass shooters, and it threatens to lead our nation to anarchy.

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My organization has been tracking insurrectionist violence since the 2008 D.C. v. Heller Supreme Court ruling, when the late Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for a 5-4 majority, mused that the Second Amendment was ratified to "assure the existence of a 'citizens' militia' as a safeguard against tyranny." The NRA has used high-profile Republicans like Newt Gingrich to reinforce this point. At the organization's 2010 annual meeting, Gingrich told NRA members:

The right to bear arms is not about hunting. It's not about target practice. The right to bear arms is a political right designed to safeguard freedom so that no government can take away from you the rights that God has given you, and it was written by people who had spent their lifetime fighting the greatest empire in the world, and they knew that if they had not had the right to bear arms they would have been enslaved.

In recent years, the militia movement and other right wing groups have internalized and acted on this insurrectionist philosophy. In 2014, we narrowly escaped a bloodbath in Bunkerville, Nevada during the siege of the Cliven Bundy ranch. Two individuals who had spent time protesting at the ranch with Bundy ended up killing two police officers in cold blood at a pizza restaurant in Las Vegas. The couple covered one of the officers with a yellow Gadsden flag and a swastika. They pinned a note on the other officer which read, "This is the beginning of the revolution."

In 2015, the Oath Keepers forcefully took over the Sugar Pine Mine in Oregon. Then, in January, the Bundy family once against rebelled, taking over the federal Malheur National Wildlife Refuge with a small militia.

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Many viewed these rebellions as the isolated political statements of a few fringe actors rather than the legitimate threat to democracy they are. The insurrectionists were mocked and called "y'all-Qaeda" and "yee-haw-dists." Few made the connection between their violence and the NRA and GOP's dangerous rhetoric. To this day, there has not been any high-level discussion among lawmakers about the threat of insurrectionist violence. In fact, Republicans have taken pains to discredit such conversation. For example, many Republican members of Congress suggested that a 2009 Department of Homeland Security report about the threat of homegrown terrorism was a conspiracy theory.

Sadly, prominent members of the GOP have continued to promote insurrectionist ideology. In a fundraising email last year, Senator Ted Cruz, who has become a mainstream voice in the Republican party, said, "The Second Amendment...is a Constitutional right to protect your children, your family, your home, our lives, and to serve as the ultimate check against governmental tyranny--for the protection of liberty."

We can only hope that the GOP will change its tune in the wake of mass shootings targeting police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge.

Both the Dallas shooter and the Baton Rouge shooter were troubled men who became angry, as many of us did, after watching videos of police officers killing Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Instead of seeking peaceful redress, they decided to retaliate with violence--to exercise their supposed individual right to combat government tyranny.



Both men benefited from policies advanced by the NRA and GOP. The Dallas gunman was armed with an SKS semiautomatic rifle and a handgun equipped with high-capacity ammunition magazines. He blended in at the rally because of Texas open carry laws, which allow citizens to carry long guns with no permit, background check, or training. Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings indicated that approximately 20 others were openly carrying long guns at the event, some wearing gas masks and/or body armor. Police apprehended multiple suspects because they were unsure which individuals with rifles were shooters.

Prior to the Baton Rouge massacre, the shooter, a self-proclaimed "sovereign citizen," walked down Airline Highway toting an assault rifle. Like Texas, Louisiana allows citizens to openly carry firearms with no screening whatsoever. The Baton Rouge gunman was behaving perfectly lawfully by strolling down the street with a loaded AR-15--right up until the moment he opened fire on law enforcement.

An America in which extremists are encouraged to resolve disputes by lethal force--and abetted in their pursuit of firepower by the gun lobby--is not the America our Founders envisioned. The toxic mixture of hate and unchecked proliferation of firearms is now actively undermining our democratic institutions and key freedoms. We have allowed the NRA to run roughshod over the basic tenet established in our Constitution: to "insure domestic Tranquility" by redressing our grievances through the myriad peaceful avenues defined in that document.
What was unthinkable a year ago today, when diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba were re-established, has now become the new normal. American travelers can stay at a Sheraton in Havana and some can even get cash from Cuban ATMs. They can stay in touch with friends and family via a relatively fast Internet connection and soon even mail back postcards. And when they get home, they can regale their loved ones with Cuban rum and cigars and suggest they book their future travel on a number U.S. carriers or cruise lines. The subplot of this rush to travel to Cuba is - better get there before we ruin it.

Though this concern looms large in the psyche of the American people-to-people engagers, the Cubans, so far, seem unfazed. For those living near tourist destinations or providing goods and services to this sector, normalization has been a bonanza. They are making the best of the island's new popularity while improvising solutions to rising food prices and electricity shortages.

As far as the Revolutionary government is concerned, the Ugly American is not going to reappear on their watch. They resisted U.S. 'imperialism' for more than half a century and they are not going to give in now. Moreover, they have the historical advantage of being witness to the ravages of 'shock therapy' in the former Soviet Bloc and of unbridled state capitalism in China.

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Meantime, back in Washington, pro-embargo members of the House and the pro-engagement members of the Senate are still haggling over the approval of measures that would end the travel ban and further free up commerce between the nations. With the 2016 presidential candidates on record to end the embargo and with broad public support in both countries for complete normalization of relations, these delay tactics are starting to feel like a scorched-earth retreat policy.

Given the apparent inevitability of the end of the embargo, perhaps Congressional efforts would be better spent thinking about ways to make this new relationship fruitful, peaceful and long lasting. One very powerful way to do so is to proactively, along with Cuban authorities, work to try to prevent the return of the kind of cowboy capitalism that led to radicalization of the anti-Batista forces and the push back against the U.S.

Cuban business due diligence is quite exhaustive. Officials regularly review the business press, financial advisor literature and in-company reports. What is less clear, however, is whether their analysis incorporates corporate responsibility and sustainability indexes and company reports.

While we would expect Cuban managers and state officials to enthusiastically scrutinize these sustainability records of their potential partners, given that the right partner could make a significant contribution to national sustainability policy objectives and the wrong partner could encounter official backlash, this does not appear to always be the case. Why is that?

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Trying to fathom the minds of Cuban officials is a fool's game. But some things are, nevertheless, quite clear. Allowing market forces to increasingly shape Cuba Inc. is simply a necessary evil and a means to foster a prosperous and sustainable socialism. Given this perspective, one possible reason for the omission of sustainability rankings analysis in the Cuban due diligence process is, most likely, the deeply held ideologically suspicion of capitalism and of corporate greenwash.

Another reason is that, ironically, Cuban officials seem to agree with Milton Friedman's assertion that "the business of business is business". Unfortunately, since the primary shareholder of the Cuban joint venture partner is no other than the Cuban state itself, it is very hard to determine where 'the Cuban business' begins and 'the City Hall' ends (and you really can't fight this City Hall).

The implication is that on the one hand, the American company will be expected to comply with Cuban state dictates on social and environmental issues; while on the other hand, they will have to do so without over-stepping their boundaries and wandering into territory considered the bailiwick of the Cuban state (education, health, community and social services, etc.). Off-the-shelf corporate responsibility strategies and programs won't work, but neither will the belief that they are off the hook in this respect.

To complicate matters even more, not only will the Cuban government scrutinize every major company move to make sure it 'fits' with the overall social and environmental mandates of the socialist state, but back home in the USA, many eyes - from the business press, to the pro embargo forces, to the social/environmental activists in the company's business sector - will be watching every move. Being an Ugly American is getting harder and harder at home and abroad.

Though corporate responsibility is still a bit of an oxymoron in Cuba, the Realpolitik of the U.S.-Cuba commercial rapprochement, in practical rather than ideological terms, requires that sustainability considerations be factored in every due diligence analysis of a potential partners, from the U.S. or from any other part in the world alike.

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Cuban and American partners will have to co-create new spaces where the ends of both partners (profitability and sustainability) can be met through different means (socialist state policy and corporate responsibility strategy). This will require a mutual learning curve where American managers learn to factor in the priorities of the Cuban national project, while Cuban managers and government officials learn how to leverage corporate sustainability best practices around the world.

There is some evidence to support the notion that Cubans are respond positively to the corporate responsibility/sustainability attributes of potential business partners. For example, their choice of Carnival's Fathom Adonia (a smallish vessel that targets 'impact travelers' interested in volunteerism, culture and social impact) as the first U.S. cruise liner to reach Cuban shores demonstrates that 'values' count. Similarly, Unilever's partnership with Cuba's Intersuchel has been aligned with the Dutch company's 'Sustainable Living Plan'. Hopefully, the kinds of contributions that these companies will make to national sustainability plans will demonstrate that, in some instances, it is not all greenwash.

Although President Obama's visit categorically improved relations between the U.S. and Cuba, suspicion of U.S. imperialism and of capitalist motives still runs very deep in Cuba (and for good reason given the history of bilateral relations). No sooner had the President left than Cubans were reminded by Fidel Castro and other members of the country's officialdom to beware of Americans bearing gifts. But rather than a total rejection of U.S. overtures, this time there was also a call for a finer discernment of what was on offer. As summarized by Juan Triana, an eminent Cuban economist: "It is true that in Obama's words there was an agenda based on the values of American capitalism, but it will depend on us to know what is useful and what is not. This will be our and no one else's responsibility."
Businessman looking out over the city at sunrise.

I was recently invited back to my alma mater to speak to a few classes about my career as an Author/Blogger/Writer, my 'success,' how I've gotten to where I am, lessons I've learned, and so on. When I was asked back, I was told I was a 'success story.' Admittedly, I laughed and thought to myself how I hope I don't let down these students with my subpar 'success story.'

This really got me thinking about success. What is success? What does it mean? What is it not?

1. Success IS NOT money



As a society, I think we are trained to believe that success equals wealth. If you make a lot of money, you are successful. If you don't, you're not. When thinking about success, initial reactions jump to dollar signs.

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However, in really thinking about it, money and wealth are truly such small slivers of it.

If you've followed your dreams, you're successful. If you're passionate about what you do, you're successful. If you are making a difference in someone's life or in the world, in general, you are absolutely successful. If you wake up every morning and kick ass at work, no matter what field you're in or how much money you make, you are SUCCESSFUL.

I think we tend to forget to think about success in these different ways. At first, I questioned why I was being asked back to speak at my college. While, yes, I have worked at some great companies, am building up a brand of my own, written a book...all great things, I don't really think of myself as a 'success story.' However, it was pointed out to me that it doesn't matter what's on your W2. I am a success, and I've now realized that.

2. Success IS NOT fame



It's easy to look around and compare yourself to others, whether it be a peer or a celebrity you look up to. And it's easy to start thinking that just because of the 'fame' and notoriety said person has achieved, they are widely successful. That then causes you to feel like you're just twiddling your thumbs waiting for your big break.

However, becoming famous doesn't necessarily mean you're successful. There are many out there who are famous and well known, but for the wrong reasons.

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Don't trick yourself into thinking that just because you haven't hit it big and become a household name that you aren't successful. You are successful in your own right, and how many people know your name has nothing to do with that.

Ok, we've discussed what it's not; now let's talk about what success IS. How do you become successful and find it in your own life?

1. Let's talk about your job. Do you like your job? No? Well, that's OK. Try to think of at least three things a day that have to do with your job that you DO like. Whether it be the view from your cubicle, your co worker, or the snacks offered at 3pm. Anything goes. When you think of those three (or more) positive things every single day, it will make your whole experience THAT much better, even if you absolutely can't stand your job. From there, you will find yourself doing better, working harder, being a better employee and colleague, and possibly working your way up the ladder. THIS is success. Even if you're not making the salary you want to be making or you haven't gotten the position you ultimately want, you are making the best of the situation and you're working hard every step of the way. That in itself is what you call success.

2. Now, think about your relationships. Whether it be with friends, your significant other, family members, colleagues, think about these relationships. Are you a good friend? Are you a good girlfriend/fiance/wife? Are you a good daughter/sister/granddaughter? Do you treat the people in your life with respect and how you'd like to be treated? Are you there for your loved ones? If you are nourishing your relationships and being the best you can possibly be within those, THAT is success.

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3. Let's talk about YOU and your relationship with yourself. In the end, this is what is most important. Are you the person you want to be? Not yet? That's totally OK, but are you heading in that direction? Have you conquered fears? Have you stepped out of your comfort zone? Have you grown (spiritually, mentally, emotionally) this past year? Are you happy with who you are? Knowing yourself (even if it's knowing that you aren't the person you want to be just yet) IS success.

Success IS what you make of it.

How you view yourself, in terms of success, is how others will view you. Believe you're a success and you'll be one (if you aren't already, which I'm sure you are and you might not even realize it). Go after your dreams, work hard, and believe in yourself. In the end, I truly think it comes down to achieving something you've wanted to achieve, even if it's something small. Those smaller accomplishments are just as important as the big ones. And we should all pat ourselves on the back from time to time to remind ourselves of that.
"Indian Point" is a film about the long problem-plagued Indian Point nuclear power plants that are "so, so risky -- so close to New York City," notes its director and producer Ivy Meeropol. "Times Square is 35 miles away."

The plants constitute a disaster waiting to happen, threatening especially the lives of the 22 million people who live within 50 miles from them. "There is no way to evacuate--what I've learned about an evacuation plan is that there is none," says Meeropol. The plants are "on two earthquake fault lines," she notes. "And there is a natural gas pipeline right there that an earthquake could rupture."

Meanwhile, both plants, located in Buchanan, New York along the Hudson River, are now essentially running without licenses. The federal government's 40-year operating license for Indian Point 2 expired in 2013 and Indian Point 3's license expired last year. Their owner, Entergy, is seeking to have them run for another 20 years--although nuclear plants were never seen as running for more than 40 years because of radioactivity embrittling metal parts and otherwise causing safety problems. (Indian Point 1 was opened in 1962 and closed in 1974, its emergency core cooling system deemed impossible to fix.)

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At Indian Point 2 and 3 there have been frequent accidents and issues involving releases of radioactivity through the years. The discharges of tritium or irradiated water, H30, which cannot be filtered out of good water, into the aquifer below the Westinghouse nuclear plants and also the Hudson River have been a major concern.

But it's not just Indian Point that "Indian Point" is about. The film emphasizes: "With so much attention focused on Indian Point, the future of nuclear plants in the United States might depend on what happens here."

"I would give the film an 'A.' I wholeheartedly recommend it for wide release throughout the United States," says Priscilla Star, founder of the Coalition Against Nukes: "It is a stellar learning tool. It depicts the David-versus-Goliath struggle involving those trying to close these decrepit nuclear plants and the profit-hungry nuclear industry. It shows grassroots activists fighting the time bombs in their community."

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last year. For the past two weeks it has been showing five-times-a-day at the Film Society of Lincoln Center, also in Manhattan. That run will go until Thursday, July 21. On Friday, July 22, it is to open in Los Angeles. After its theatrical release, it will air on the Epix cable TV channel.

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Among those in the film are anti-Indian Point activist Marilyn Elie and long-time environmental journalist Roger Witherspoon who has written extensively about Indian Point. And also Entergy employees appear. Meeropol and her crew were given full access to the nuclear plants.

The documentary provides a special focus on Dr. Gregory Jaczko. He was chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) when the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in Japan began in March 2011. As notes Meeropol, Jaczko sought to have "lessons learned" from the Fukushima catastrophe--which involved General Electric nuclear plants--applied to nuclear power plants in the U.S. And he was given "a really tough time." Pressure by the nuclear industry caused Jaczko, with a doctorate in physics from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, to be "pushed out" as NRC chairman and member. Meeropol tells of how "this guy, a decent person trying to do his job, was completely abused."

Meeropol, in an interview, said the NRC "is too closely linked to the nuclear industry. It's not going to do anything that the nuclear industry regards as too costly or onerous. I want that to be one of the biggest takeaways from the film--how a regulatory body cares more about the industry it is supposed to regulate than the public. And of all industries that should be regulated, it's the nuclear power industry." She said she found the nuclear industry and nuclear energy officials in the U.S. government "one and the same."

Meeropol began the "Indian Point" film project in January 2011. She had moved from Brooklyn up to the Hudson Valley "a decade ago when our son was born. Commuting in and out of the city on the Metro-North train, I went right past the plants. They looked so foreboding and odd there in that beautiful landscape."

Also, until she, her husband and son moved upstate, "having lived in New York City, I had no idea how close they were to the city."

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Further, in the community where they went to live, Cold Spring, 15 miles from the plants. "we could hear the [emergency] sirens" from the plants and she was unsettled receiving in the mail an "emergency preparedness booklet titled: 'Are You Ready?'"

So the experienced filmmaker started doing research on the "dangerous endeavor of making nuclear energy." With the Fukushima disaster beginning just a few months after she started on the film, that "broadened" its perspective.

She said the films she has made have always been "character-driven" and she was attracted to feature in "Indian Point" Marilyn Elie--"she knows her stuff"--and Roger Witherspoon. "I liked his dynamic. He is a journalist. She is an activist." She stressed to Entergy officials that she would be even-handed "and quite amazingly was given access" to the plants. Her connecting with Jaczko was crucial. It "became my crusade to redeem Greg Jaczko before the world."

She started making the film on a shoe string. "I ran out of money numerous times." But she was able to get financial support from the Sundance Institute, the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Catapult Fund, and individual contributions. And "partnering" with Julie Goldman, founder of Motto Films, was extremely important. Goldman is also producer of "Indian Point." A "very generous grant" was received from the MacArthur Foundation which also "opened up other doors."

Indian Point sits there on the Hudson, continuing with accidents and in emitting what the NRC says are "permissible" levels of radioactivity. They are highly likely candidates for a Chernobyl or Fukushima-level catastrophe in the most highly populated area of the United States. And the NRC, steadfastly ignoring Jaczko's warnings, in league with Entergy, seeks to let the decrepit time bombs run for another 20 years--just asking for disaster.
Many people are using the fun new "Pokemon GO" exercise application on their mobile devices. The application based on the classic Nintendo game uses groundbreaking augmented reality based on GPS technology to track a user's progress, and place Pokemon randomly in their path. Pokemon GO is especially popular at mapped Points of Interest, called Pokestops, at places like Museums, Libraries, Schools, Colleges, Parks and Churches, where "freebies" often appear such as Pokeballs, eggs, potions and other power-ups. Businesses can sign up for a Pokestop, and players can make in-app purchases of "Pokemon Lures" which allow other users to collect Pokemon wherever they're activated.

According to Apple, users are spending more time engaged with the new Pokemon GO application than even social media apps like Facebook and Snapchat. Many sites are offering so-called "tutorials" or "hacks" built in to unofficial Pokemon GO downloads. Even some of the well-known gaming websites are offering them, particularly for Android based phones.

Unfortunately for Android users in particular, many of these applications "side-load" malware applications that modifies their Android core security settings, allowing their device's OS to install other untrusted applications, or install rootkits such as Droidjack, a backdoor to your phone's operating system, or applications like Pi Network which locks your phone according to Anti-Virus company, Eset. Eset also reports that one popular 3rd Party Pokemon application, "Guide & Cheats for Pokemon Go" installs scareware, fake virus alerts, and possibly even ransomware.

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Since Pokemon GO accesses your GPS data, your Google account data (including address book) and even your payment information (if you make In-App Purchases,) it is also worth bearing in mind the following security concerns and taking steps to address them:

1.If you plan on installing Pokemon GO to your personal phone, make sure that you only download the authorized application from Google Play Store or iTunes.

2.Do not download any "Tips", "Tricks", "Instructions" or "Guides" to your mobile device. There are many useful tips available at reputable technology websites, especially since the craze has spread into the mainstream. If you want help, use your Google skills.

3.Read the application's terms and conditions and be extremely mindful of what you are agreeing to.

4.Do not use your personal Gmail account to log in. Either use a burner Google account or sign up as Pokemon Trainer at the application vendor site using the app itself with a burner email address.

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5.Do not use the Pokemon GO app when you are operating a motor vehicle or bicycle. Do not cross the road without checking both directions, and do not pause in a roadway to collect a Pokemon, no matter how rare it may be. The miracle of life is far more rare than any Pokemon you may be able to catch.

6.Do not trespass onto private property when trying to catch a Pokemon. Even if you see a Pokemon alert, you may be subject to arrest for criminal trespass.

7.Be aware of your surroundings when searching for Pokemon and do not just stare your phone without knowing hazards around you. Watch out where you are walking.

8.Always use caution when sharing your location -- strangers may be able to see your location data. Do not use the application at places you wouldn't want to become public; such as yoru doctors' office, your bank, place of work, your home, etc. Protect your identifiable information from would-be hackers with the same caution you use for protecting your financial data.

9.Do not walk at night in areas with poor lighting, and always travel in a group for safety. Groups are also more fun, and you can even make personal challanges with your friends!

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beautiful model girl sitting on the rock by the sea

"You can't fully heal until you become transparent with yourself." Kristin Meekhof

Along our grief journey we all struggle at various times with unexpected tearful moments: we find a special item belonging to our loved one, a vacation photograph falls out of a book, or we see someone who reminds us of the past. These are the times that there is a lump in our throat. Quickly the feelings of isolation and loneliness invade into our being.



How we manage our grief / loss the weeks, months even years beyond our loved one's death is just as important as the first days following their passing. Often after I speak about grief and loss, there is a question and answer period. It is during this time that I am often asked this: "How did you cope with grief?" What the person wants to know is what I did those initial weeks, months following the death.

When my husband, Roy, died from advanced adrenal cancer in 2007, I was 33 and truly was in unchartered territory. I was also painfully alone as we had no children together. The funeral was in early November followed by Thanksgiving, Roy's birthday and then the Christmas holidays.

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That particular Michigan winter was quite harsh. I ate nearly every dinner alone and read many books, magazine articles and binge- watched various shows on the Food Network channel. Then in the morning, I would hit the gym, run on the treadmill and some mornings I would show up at a local yoga studio. It sounds like I had a good grip on handling grief, right?

Well, one thing that I did not practice much of was self- compassion. This is not the same as being a narcissistic or thinking very highly of one self. Instead, it means being kind and gentle with yourself.

Self- compassion is not just some warm fuzzy platitude of giving yourself a hug. It is advice that you may struggle with at first because it sounds silly but it is can help you cope with a plethora of challenging emotions. Being hard on yourself only creates more anxiety.

So what exactly is self- compassion for those in their grief journey? This means that you understand and accept that there are still wounds to heal and you give yourself permission to treat yourself with love, respect and gentleness. This is not only healthy, but it also promotes healing. Being critical of your own grief doesn't leave room for authenticity. Part of being authentic is being honest and respectful about your struggles related to grief.

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Healing is a process. Last month, I was emotionally wiped out during part of Father's Day weekend . I deeply missed my father more than I had in a long time. Although, more than thirty years have passed since his death, Father's Day weekend found me especially tender this year.

For years, I denied to others that I missed my father. After all, my mother remarried about two years after my father died. I would feel guilty sharing my true feelings not only with others but also myself.



Transparency is not for the faint of heart. And becoming transparent with yourself in regards to grief can be painful. It takes a brave and earnest person to examine all that we would rather keep hidden. In doing the interviews for my book, I found that at times widows who lost their spouses to substance abuse or suicide struggled with sharing the cause of death with others. Due to the stigmas in our society about these issues, the widows would often say their spouse died from a heart attack. Repeating this over time became more painful because they knew they were covering up the truth.

None of this is easy because grief is often messy, complicated and scary; however, one can't fully heal until they become transparent with themselves. And only that person knows the truth. Being gentle with all of these emotions, regardless of when the loss happened is important. Nourishing yourself with kind words of understanding and compassion is not only healthy, it is also wise. Give yourself grace.


Pokemon Go has taken the streets with a wind storm attack. College students are walking into sign post, banking executives are shouting in Starbucks as they catch a Pidgey, and grandparents are just as confused as they were 15 years ago. Pokemon Go brilliantly enables you to catch virtual Pokemon in the real world.

As you walk around your local city, you have the opportunity to capture as many Pokemon as you can. If you happen to stumble upon one of the "wild" creatures, you can swipe up to throw the famous white and red ball to add this new creature to your collection of Pokemon.

While walking the streets of Seattle, I cannot help but notice people standing in the strangest of places flicking their screen. Throwing virtual balls at dumpsters, Starbucks baristas, and Uber drivers.

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The craze reminds me of the time Tinder took the dating world by swipe. College students swiping into parked cars, banking executives attempt to make their bio line actually interesting, and grandparents are pressuring, "Did you meet your husband yet? I want grandkids."

The problem with both the Pokemon and Tinder model is the collection mindset. The collection mindset states that we will be more successful with a larger collection. The more Pokemon you capture, the closer you are to becoming a Pokemon Master. The more matches you have on Tinder the more dates you'll get, in theory.



While this mindset can make us more successful, it often leaves us paralyzed. We can never relax and enjoy what we already achieved. At all times we have to be alert for the next big opportunity. The next Pokemon to capture. The next "soulmate" match.

Collecting without connecting is the disease of modern dating.

More than 25% of people who date online, stay online. The truth is we never know if Mr. or Mrs. Right is the right one on the screen. They become the right person when you meet them in person. It requires you to connect with them. To discover more about them over time. To be vulnerable and ask them out. To show you are human being with flaws. Not some well crafted walking Facebook profile.

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More than a quarter of Americans report being lonely. Loneliness seems to come not from being alone, but from a lack of intimacy. Intimacy is only possible between two people.

I want to encourage you to stop collecting matches and start connecting. Below are five tips I've given to people struggling to start a conversation on a dating app.

1) Say more than "hi," "hey," or "what's up."

As a man, my online dating inboxes are full of messages that say, hi and hey. That's it. I find it ironic that women tell me that they want me to create a message that shows I noticed something in their profile, but yet most women don't do this for me. If this is you, follow the steps below.

2) Find something in their profile to talk about.

Ask yourself, is there anything on their profile that sticks out? Do they have a dog? Do they have a picture with a boat in the background? Do they mention salsa dancing in their bio?

Pictures are worth 1,000 words. They give us insight into a person's values and life choices. The bios and questions people answer offer us even deeper insight. Take a moment to find a few things. It will make your first message that much more meaningful and noticeable. Be thoughtful and use this information to start a conversation.

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3) Turn a question into a statement.

The first conversation is full of the basics. Where are you from? What do you do? And so on. When asking these questions, it can feel like someone is interviewing for your heart. No one likes interviews. So mix it up.

Turn a few questions into statements. Turn "where are you from" to "I bet you're from Florida, you work with dolphins huh?" This is what psychics do. They make broad statements that use the confirmation bias to make it seem like they know you. Most of the time you will get this wrong, but it will get a laugh and start the conversation. Which is what you want.

4) Use storytelling.

For example: "Your first picture reminds me of that time I lived in Mexico and took a salsa class in Spanish. I had no idea what they were saying... Where was your picture taken?" All of us have unique stories and life experiences that others find interesting. What are some of yours?

5) Use an app that facilitates conversation.

One of the advantages of ever evolving dating apps is the solving of pain points. A dating app that I love facilitates the conversation for me. They use statements and questions in their Question of The Day to help you connect with someone.

The app is designed to show you more about a person than their pictures and Twitter size bio. To show you commonalities that you'd find attractive.

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Imagine answering questions like, "Describe your job as if you were talking to a 5 year old." Way more fun than saying, "hi, what do you do for work?"

Even the tagline - "Dating apps make you sell yourself, Siren let's you be yourself," - proves the counter-culture they are creating with their community focused on connecting in the real world. I highly recommend checking out Siren if you are seeking meaningful relationships.
Professional activity, personal enmity and 'Russian trail' are possible theories of journalist Pavel Sheremet's murder in Kyiv that are being considered in the preliminary inquiry, advisor to the Ukrainian interior minister Zoryan Shkiryak said.

"Of course, this is a premeditated, cruel felony. Main theories have been spelled out. First of all, professional activity of the journalist," Shkiryak told the press at the incident scene in Kyiv on Wednesday.

A theory of personal enmity between Sheremet and unknown persons is not ruled out either, he said. "This theory is always suggested; we cannot rule out anything," he said.

The interior minister's advisor supported the opinion of his colleague, deputy Anton Gerashchenko that 'Russian trail' could not be ruled out in that crime either.

"[...] We cannot rule out the involvement of Russian security services in that crime [the explosion of Sheremet's car]," Shkiryak said.
Blood in the Water: Art Stops Guns

Written by: Lin Evola

Edited by: Amanda Coppa

An uncontrollable epidemic of disastrous consequences is raging through our country and also throughout our world. Gun violence has no discrimination, not to race, gender, political affiliation, or religion. Every person in every corner of our world is hurting over the gun violence that has taken our world by storm.

As of 2009, an estimate number of firearms available in the United States of America was approximately 310,000,000: 114 million handguns, 110 million rifles and 86 million shotguns. There are no official numbers of AK47's, canons, knives, needles, hairpins, bombs or other explosives. While millions of people suffering from poverty and struggling to live, we are spending $17 trillion, globally, on producing these small arms and light weapons, which are used to kill.

In 2013 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logged 84,258 nonfatal injuries, 11,208 deaths, 21,175 suicides, and 786 accidental or undetermined deaths due to firearms. Since 2007 to now, wars have tripled in number, causing 60 million people to flee their homes and forcibly be on the run.

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What people seem to put past perspective is that we will always be a "developing" world. We will always face struggles and challenges in all aspects, but the more violence there is, the less sustainable our world becomes. Human Beings have reached a tipping point, the point where we must decide whether to come together or to continue to destroy each other. To combat gun violence, we must focus on the continuous killings of innocents that are happening worldwide. Society wants to focus on environment and economics, but what good is a sustained environment and a great economy if we have no population still alive to enjoy it? Gun violence continues to impact the lives of everyone and until action is taken to curb this trend, more innocent lives will be taken from us.

Oscar Arias, former President of Costa Rica and Nobel Peace Laureate was the first to take action to combat gun violence worldwide. Following the September 11, 2001 tragedy, he began a process that grew into the Biennial Meeting of States, a meeting in which United Nations Member States, International and Regional Organizations, and United Nations entities come together every two years to discuss the implementation of the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects. The goal is to reduce weapons through stockpile destruction, tracing weapons that become illegal, and identifying weapons trade globally. The problem presented at this year's sixth Biennial Meeting of States is that small arms related deaths have not gone down since the beginning of these meetings, in fact, the deaths have increased exponentially. We cannot implement change to actualize reduction of deaths by firearms globally, without the key word; implementation.

My attendance this year began a few days after the Los Angeles shootings and I completed my attendance just prior to the Orlando shootings. As I write this now, Nice, Baton Rouge, Turkey, and Dallas all have a different meaning than they did in June.

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I feel as if I have a responsibility as an artist to bring awareness to harm caused by guns. I believe that art has a function in our world, it shifts the consciousness and directly communicates with the human soul. For example, the art of Jackson Pollock wasn't about drips of paint, it was about shattering the psyche during a time when world wars exploded the exterior while psychotherapy was imploding the consciousness.

When asked why I wrote the Peace Angels Project in 1992, I answered that I read in the LA Times that 1,000 children had been killed the year prior in Los Angeles County and I looked down and saw the face of my 8-year-old son, as we had just moved to Los Angeles. Like any parent, I believe that when my son was born, my body created my heart outside of itself. To discover that all of these children are being killed is destructive to the parents and the community itself. This epidemic of violence would change the fabric of a people.

In 1992, I began aligning myself with heroes that worked throughout Los Angeles. While these heroes were busy saving lives, I was writing the Peace Angels Project and focusing on investigating what we could do to stop the epidemic of violence in its tracks. I traveled to various national and international locations, visiting cities and countries with stockpiles of firearms, as high and as wide as city skyscrapers.

The view people have on art is very unique, especially for people at war. Beauty cannot exist in an area full of destruction and that is something you can only see from the view of war. War and destruction undermine the ability to build. Destruction and peace do not exist in the same place. In order to build a society, a family, a school, a business, anything, the fighting has to cease. When people asked for the Peace Angels, they asked for the art in which peace is embodied, as art is invited into the realm of war and shifted into life affirming peace.

The use of art communicates directly to the subconscious. I decided to use art to spread the awareness of the enduring problems surrounding gun violence and tip the volition into the oxygen of life. The Peace Angels Project was created to interrupt the cycle of violence through creating visual representations the greatness of Human Beings in which the pain that is often overlooked is represented in the metal itself. Art is a form of direct communication to humans through the signs and symbols they embody. That is why artists, such as myself, have destroyed weapons throughout history and created works of art out of them. Some artists respond to the war, but it leaves me with the notion of blood in the water.

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The Peace Angels Project consists of figures of angels created out of the melted metal from weapons and ammunition from across the world. The Project transforms deadly and feared weapons into angelic figures that represent the potential of human beings to rise above violence and focus on peace. My young intern notes that: "You can't fight guns with guns, or else no one will make it out alive."

Weapon deaths will continue and increase as any epidemic does, that is an epidemic's nature. Discussed at the BMS meeting this year, it is estimated that arm sales from Britain to Saudi Arabia estimated at 3 billion pounds yearly, which is a violation of international law, yet, nothing has been implemented to stop this. Ukraine requested during the meeting for Russia to stop the continuous flow of illicit small arms, noting that many of the Iraqi and Syrian weapons that are being retrieved in conflict situations in the Middle East and Western Africa are coming across the Russian border, why? These are just two points of many that show how far the world has to go, on both national and international levels to combat gun violence and to stop fueling the issue at hand.

Tracks have been made to point the world in the right direction. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has distributed over $1 billion dollars to countries who destroy their stockpiles globally. However, not all stockpiles are governmentally owned and are often left behind unclaimed, which become a greater risk of being stolen for illicit trade.

We have a greater ability now to trace weapons back to where their components are made from. We know that many components are built in Brazil, China, India, the Netherlands, Romania & the Russian Federation. Most of the detonators, detonating chord, and safety fuses are being manufactured in India and sent to Lebanon and Turkey. Microcontrollers, which signal delays and transistors are manufactured in Japan, Switzerland and the USA. While all these countries manufacture and produce legal parts, components, and weapons, they also pose the risk of becoming illegal and illicit. We are able to identify weapons used in crimes and take them out of circulation through a global partnership of Interpol and Europol. The ITI (the International Tracing Instrument) has been formed to combat the flow of weapons. These markings can be made with alphabetical and numeric notations but also individualized symbols.

Higher levels of technology have both been a blessing and a curse in the 21st century. Many countries, such as Israel, requested at the BMS for higher technology to help combat terrorist who already have the higher technology. 3D printers are now being used to produce firearms, ammunition and other explosives and components. These items can be and are produced privately and so far, are untraceable; these are the weapons of greatest concern.

There will always be challenges and enormous amounts of effort still lie ahead to eradicate gun violence. The United Nations has a ground rule that documents can only be accepted through consensus meaning that every nation has to agree or stand aside on every issue in the document, in which Member States as a whole, come together. While the world is at a tipping point, this is just one small push in the direction of coming together.

The International Action Network on Small Arms sponsored the Peace Angels Project to hold a side event at the BMS6 this year. Attendants were delegates, representatives, Non-governmental Organizations, and journalists. Nonviolence International wrote a very concise and inclusive article on the Peace Angels Project and Reaching Critical Will wrote an article in the Small Arms Monitor showing a picture of the Renaissance Peace Angel, which is currently in the permanent collection of the National September 11 Memorial and Museum. These articles were the Peace Angels Projects own tipping point. The Peace Angels Project was able to ask, with authority, each government for a small amount of destroyed weaponry for the New York and the Los Angeles Peace Angel monuments.

At this time, the Peace Angels Project is producing the first two city sized monuments: The New York and the Los Angeles Peace Angel monuments, each standing at 64ft. tall. Nationally, obtaining destroyed weapons, has already begun in Los Angeles, where the idea of the Peace Angels Project began in 1992. In 2010, The Los Angeles Sheriff's Departments of California already gave the Peace Angels Project over 1,000 destroyed street weapons led by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and the Los Angeles Police Department with law enforcement from half the Great State of California. The following year, 2011, Commissioner Ray Kelly, New York Police Department gave over 1,000 destroyed weapons for the New York Peace Angel to be created and placed at One Police Plaza, in New York City. In November 2011 the Los Angeles Police Department gave over 10,000 destroyed weapons including guns and semiautomatic weapons for the construction of the Los Angeles Peace Angel monument. In 2012, 100 barrels of decommissioned nuclear stainless core was given to the Peace Angels Project.

A media campaign began in December 2015 to request 1 million firearms per monument, to be destroyed by law enforcement to build the New York and Los Angeles Peace Angel monuments at 64 feet each. The firearms will be delivered by rail to our shipping facilities where it is mixed metallurgically. With a combination of cutting edge technologies in Silicon Valley, the best production facilities in Los Angeles, and the finest historic art production foundry in New York, A Peace Angel monument will be produced for each coast. The monuments will inspire, provoke and affect the evolution of the human race by encouraging human beings to progress from conflict to cooperation.

Both American citizens and global citizens who were in the World Trade Center Towers the morning of September 11, 2001 lost their lives. This sparked the idea to expand The Peace Angels Project to international levels in addition to regional and national levels.
The blog is co-authored by Magdy Martinez-Soliman, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP | Omar Abdi, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF | Amir Abdulla, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director, WFP



Consultation with children and youth to hear their views on implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their country and contribute these ideas to the Moroccan Voluntary National Review at the High Level Political Forum in 2016 (Photo: UNICEF Morocco)

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), will guide the international community over the coming 15 years. It aspires to ensure prosperity and well-being for all people, while protecting our planet.

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Following the adoption of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development at the September Summit in 2015, countries around the world have turned their attention to implementation. The experience with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) tells us that leadership, effective and inclusive policies, national and global collaboration and local engagement can go a long way in implementing the SDGs for all people: children, youth, women and men; and in all countries: rich and poor, large and small, island and landlocked states, stable nations and vulnerable countries affected by climate change, fragility and conflict.

Achieving the SDGs will require very bold new approaches. Five elements are key:



National ownership on and leadership of the SDGs is vital--If they are incorporated into national policy frameworks, plans, and budgets, and if delivery capacity is built, the SDGs stand a good chance of being achieved.



Countries will need to follow a whole-of-government approach--The goals are interconnected - often the key to success on one will involve tackling obstacles and issues more commonly associated with another. For example, a decision made in one government unit about where to construct a road could positively or negatively affect other areas of government responsibility, such as access to services (like hospitals and schools) or to economic opportunity (such as markets and supplies). Integration of policies and development initiatives is key.



Building broad coalitions around the Goals will be crucial to achieving them--Government commitment is vital, but will not be enough on its own. People, communities, and civil society groups must be able to actively and meaningfully participate. The way in which business does business will have a big impact on whether development reaches everyone and can be sustained. Academia and science needs to help us think and measure. Media has to be an ally to showcase successes, to highlight progress or the lack thereof.

All available financial resources must be drawn on for the new agenda--domestic and international, public and private, and environmental and developmental. New finance is needed if sustainable development is to happen, and the gaps are bigger than the available resources and commitment.



Every country has relevant experiences to share and new things to learn--Co-operation between countries in the Global South is playing a growing role in generating and sharing new ideas, knowledge, and technologies, and investment, and is greatly valued by developing countries.

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The role of the UN system to support implementation is recognized in the 2030 Agenda as well as in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, the UN is requested by Member States to provide enhanced support. Governments are calling on the UN to help facilitate inclusive national dialogues with all members of society on SDG implementation and look to the UN for support for tracking and reporting progress towards the SDGs.

In order to better support the national SDG response, the UN Development Group in 2015 adopted a common approach "Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support--MAPS" which currently is being promoted through the UN Country Teams at the national level. Through this approach, the UN supports Member States to localize the global agenda at national level, to unblock bottlenecks to progress, and to source policy expertise from across the UN development system.

The 2016 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF, 11-20 July) provides a platform for the first global follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development since its adoption. The UN Country Teams have already supported 15 Member States for their first Voluntary National Reviews at the 2016 HLPF and the UN will continue to support the Member States in their national SDG reporting.

In an attempt to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences among Member States in implementing the SDGs, at the HLPF the UN Development Group launched "The Sustainable Development Goals are Coming to Life: Stories of Country Implementation and UN Support" which presents a snapshot of how 16 countries in different regions are bringing SDGs into life at country level. It is encouraging to see many countries have already actively and promptly engaged with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs and the UN development system has played a critical supporting role.
The innovative and fresh ideas needed to tackle the world's biggest challenges will likely come from youth. That's why the World Bank Group and the Wharton School sponsor the Ideas for Action competition. The Ideas for Action initiative, each year, invites hundreds of young people aged 18 to 35 from around the world to share their ideas for financing solutions to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals that seek to end poverty by 2030, promote peace, and preserve the planet for future generations. They were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, and dovetail with the Bank Group's own goals to end poverty and boost shared prosperity.

Youth engagement is key to successful implementation of the SDGs. For the nearly three billion young people, constituting half the world's population, the SDGs provide an inclusive, transformative, universal framework to achieve a better world by 2030.

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The 2016 Ideas for Action competition drew global interest, with entrants from 125 countries, who submitted 309 proposals from every region of the world. The winners were selected through a rigorous process based on the creativity, significance, feasibility, and clarity of the proposals. Reviewers included young development staff, as well as senior executives and technical experts from international organizations, academics, and the private sector representatives. Other competition partners included: the World Bank Group Youth to Youth Community (Y2Y), Young Americas Business Trust (YABT), and the Organization of American States (OAS).

The winning submission from 2016 from Team DLVR from Nigeria, proposed an innovative approach to a peer-to-peer service for local communities in Nigeria that seeks to tackle logistical challenges for low-income people in emerging market nations. It would create an online technology platform that connects people to complete scheduled and on-demand deliveries. This service focuses on logistics and supply chain bottlenecks, harnessing the knowledge of local communities to build an innovative distribution network at the "last mile" of the supply chain. It has numerous applications, from e-commerce, to agriculture, and medical service delivery.

The second-place team, OINCS from Uruguay, proposed a mobile crowdsourcing platform that enables users to report and share in real-time information about crimes and vehicle traffic in their cities. OINCS promotes a better city life experience by helping people travel faster and more safely. Community users inform and alert others of any adverse event or information related to traffic and citizen security, allowing them to react to events going on around them.

The third-place team, Naukri Search from the United States puts forth a dual platform employment service aimed at increasing transparency in the slum labor market of Mumbai by improving access to employment information and opportunities. Naukri Search emphasizes the readily available technologies of each segment of the labor market. The system enables slum residents to receive accurate, up-to-date information concerning potential employment opportunities within their region.

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The I4A competition offers the winners a platform to share their ideas and encourages young people to take ownership over implementation of the SDGs. It also provides them access to some of the leading professionals in the international development profession including in the private sector. The three winning proposals, the three runners-up, as well as the four honorable mentions will be compiled in the 2016 Ideas for Action book, which will be launched at the 2016 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Washington D.C. Click here for more information.
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 05: (L-R) America Ferrera, Maria Teresa Kumar, and Rosario Dawson attend Voto Latino's Purple Carpet Bash at All American Pub on September 5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Ken Charnock/Getty Images)

Within a span of five days in June, the Supreme Court ruled on two cases that will leave a lasting impact on Latino and immigrant communities across the country.

First, the justices deadlocked at 4-4 on two executive actions on immigration. DAPA and the expansion of the already-successful DACA program could potentially protect millions of immigrants from mixed-status families from deportation, but last month's decision meant that the programs would remain stalled.

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I thought of the millions of U.S. citizen children whose parents' lives remain in limbo, who continually live in fear that they could wake up to knocks on the door from immigration agents who have come for their mothers and fathers. My heart sank.

And now, our community awaits the response from the Supreme Court after the Department of Justice requested that it rehear the case once the vacant seat left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia is filled.

We must continue our fight towards pay equity and close the wage gap once and for all. And ever-optimists, Latinas are confident that we can get there.

Only days later, the Supreme Court would overturn a decision from the Fifth Circuit that severely limited Texas women, including 2.5 million Latinas, access to safe and high-quality reproductive care. It was a major victory for women across the country and it establishes a strong legal standard that will protect a woman's right to make her own health decisions without needless barriers.

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At the heart of both cases were families and communities. At the heart of these decisions are millions of Latinas, and the role they will have in shaping the future of our country.

In 2014, a little more than half of Latinas recently polled in a survey we collaborated on with American Women and iAmerica, said they did not vote. This year, 81 percent said they are very likely to participate in November's election.

Latinas are often the gatekeepers in our communities and are the ones who are most likely to turn out and vote. In 2016, they're driven to participate by the desire to protect their families and will vote for candidates and policies they believe will help them and their children advance.

And the responsibility, that all of us hold so dear, of caring for our family is also a major cause of stress for Latinas. The polling indicates that Latinas are more likely than others to identify caring for their family, their family's health, balancing caretaking and career responsibilities, and having reliable and affordable child care as big concerns and sources of stress in their lives.

This is of great concern to our community because as Latinas, we still only earn 55 cents to every dollar earned by our white male counterparts. The survey finds that 31 percent of Latinas and 45 percent of Latina millennials earn less than $15 an hour.

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It's difficult for anyone to balance life when there is uncertainty about our economic future, a future where Latinos are the second largest and youngest Americans. We must continue our fight towards pay equity and close the wage gap once and for all. And ever-optimists, Latinas are confident that we can get there.

This year's election is a referendum on our country's future. We as Americans have too much at stake to sit it out.

Nearly 60 percent of Latinas surveyed said they are optimistic that their financial situation will improve during the next five years, higher than any other group. But we won't get to where we need to be if we decide not to mobilize ourselves and our families to go to the voting booth in November.

We will no longer let others decide for us on the issues that matter most. Nearly 8 out of 10 Latinas say they would be "much more likely" to support a candidate who supports pay equity, college affordability, and reproductive health policies. And more than 90 percent support immigration reform and citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

Unlike ever before, we will have a say in the future of our country, one that is reflective of our community because not only will Latinas impact who goes to the White House, but we will decide who sits on our school boards, city councils, state legislatures, and yes, the Supreme Court too.

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An immense effort was made to remove Bill Clinton from the presidency in the late 1990s, culminating in the first impeachment trial of a US president in 131 years. Intimate details of his affair with Monica Lewinsky, about which Clinton was accused of lying under oath, were probed and published by the far-right prosecutor Ken Starr. This let loose a flood of jokes and salacious fodder for the tabloids. At one point it seemed as if the question of perjury might hinge on what constitutes "sexual relations"; whereupon the editor of the Journal of the American Medical Association decided to publish an article based on survey data showing that 59 percent of college students did not consider oral sex as having "had sex." He was promptly fired, after 17 years at the helm of the prestigious medical journal -- although some maintained that his overseers were taking advantage of the political situation to get rid of someone who had also published articles favoring universal, single payer health care and other things not dear to the hearts of the AMA.

The current attempt to remove President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil bears many resemblances to the Clinton impeachment episode. It is led by a group of politicians who seek to overturn the results of national elections and steer the nation in a different, right-wing direction; and the elected president has not committed an impeachable offense. Missing, of course, is the sex scandal -- and the charges are so unsexy that most people don't even know what the president is being impeached for, and it's not that easy to figure it out.

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Most importantly, a crime is missing; even Bill Clinton's enemies could at least come up with the alleged crimes of perjury and obstruction of justice. But Dilma Rousseff's impeachers have no such criminal violation to even allege. This was the conclusion last week of the federal prosecutor, Ivan Claudio Marx, who was assigned to investigate the offenses for which Dilma is about to stand trial in Brazil's Senate. He determined that Dilma did not break the law in her handling of the public budget. The impeachment centers around her decision to delay payments to the state banks, which allowed the government to maintain the appearance of staying within a targeted fiscal balance in its accounts. Marx determined that this was not a crime, because it was not a "credit transaction" that would require congressional approval.

In a society where the rule of law is in effect, that would spell the end of the effort to remove the elected president. But press reports -- inasmuch as they even bothered to report on the prosecutor's conclusion -- seem to indicate that pro-impeachment forces are acting as though the law, and the prosecutor's statement, are irrelevant. They are pressing full steam ahead for the Senate to reverse the results of the October 2014 presidential elections. And as we now know from leaked transcripts of phone conversations, some of the leaders are doing it to prevent further investigation of their own alleged corruption.

Can they get away with it? Much depends on whether the media -- and the public -- will now accept that a group of corrupt politicians can remove a democratically elected president, without any legal basis for doing so.
Last week's release of the Ghostbusters reboot recalls the original's classic scene where Dr. Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) gravely warns Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) not to cross their proton guns' particle streams, saying the result "would be bad." When Venkman nervously requests clarification of "bad," the deadpan scientist responds: "Try to imagine all life as you know it stopping instantaneously and every molecule in your body exploding at the speed of light."

A current trade proposal by Republican presidential nominee Donald J. Trump isn't quite that bad. But it's close.

September 14, 2015, American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

In a major speech in Dallas, Texas last September, the candidate pledged that, as "President Trump," he would impose a 35% customs duty on cars produced in Mexico, to deter U.S. automakers from shifting production to that NAFTA neighbor.

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It was among the promises that propelled him to the front of the large Republican field. And, though it's no longer news when a Trump proposal is ill-advised, or even absurd, this is an example of how bad an idea can be when developed by the scriptwriters of a political circus.

First, Mr. Trump's tariff would have to be an ordinary customs duty, because none of the three types of special customs duties can be imposed without the presence of specific economic conditions that have never occurred for Mexican cars exported to the U.S.

Then, there's that pesky federal Constitution, which authorizes only the legislative branch to impose an ordinary customs duty. So, "President Trump" wouldn't be imposing anything; he'd be trying to persuade Congress to enact the tariff. From there, his problems compound.

The 162 World Trade Organization (WTO) countries have all reciprocally bound themselves not to raise their ordinary customs duties above stated ceilings. The United States' tariff binding for cars is 2.5%. Technically, we're allowed to try to renegotiate that binding. But our WTO partners, which include Mexico, would never agree. The U.S. could get out of that obligation by withdrawing from the WTO and its agreements. But, that would be catastrophic to the U.S. and global economies. So, what Mr. Trump is really talking about is simply imposing the duty in breach of the binding.

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In addition to violating that tariff binding, Mr. Trump's duty would also breach several other fundamental WTO treaty rules. Not the least of these is the most-favored-nation (MFN) principle, which prohibits us from imposing a higher ordinary customs duty on a product made in a WTO country, than we charge on the same product made in a different WTO country.

If that's not enough, while the WTO agreements govern the normal trade relationships among 162 countries, our separate free trade relationship with Mexico and Canada under NAFTA prohibits any ordinary customs duty, on any product, from either country. Since that's a non-negotiable element, Mr. Trump was talking about either withdrawing from, or very fundamentally breaching, NAFTA. The following month, he talked plainly about breaching that agreement.

The U.S. and Canada have the largest trading relationship between any two countries in the history of the world. And Mexico is our second largest export market. The loss of NAFTA would be devastating to the U.S. economy. And, while the far better Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement might soon make NAFTA mostly redundant, Mr. Trump's duty would breach the TPP for the same reasons it would violate NAFTA.

Comparing Mr. Trump's proposal to the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, for example, the latter is a step-down from an economic union to likely a free trade relationship. For our trade with Canada and Mexico, Mr. Trump's proposal is a step down from a free trade relationship, past normal trade relations, into oblivion. And, while the UK proposes to withdraw legally from the EU treaties, Trump proposes a pull-down-the-pillars breach of both the free trade and normal trade obligations we have to our North American neighbors.

The potential consequences of all of these breaches of our global trade agreements and NAFTA cannot be understated. The reciprocal commitments within a trade agreement support one another like a house of cards, and many trade agreements stand in rows like dominos. At the same time, the United States is both the world's bedrock economy, and this trade-treaty system's principal architect. Such a blatant, contemptuous violation by the United States of the system's foundational principals could easily collapse the system and with it the global economy.

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It's also not an overstatement to say that collapse of the global economy could lead to the breakdown of civilization as we know it. And, with terrorists relentlessly attacking civilization worldwide, and successfully destroying rule of law in parts of the Middle East, we are even more vulnerable to such a breakdown.

As recently as 1930, during the Great Depression, the U.S. followed by other countries significantly increased customs tariffs, sparking a trade war that collapsed economies throughout Europe. Within three years, the Nazi Party had arisen out of the shambles and overthrown the Weimar Republic. Seven years later, an evil empire was conquering Europe and the world was at war. Three years after that, Europe had a network of human death factories, and a continent-wide rail system moving people into the death factories ... by the millions. Pretty sure that qualified as the end of civilization as they knew it.

After the war, the world came together to negotiate the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) to make certain that kind of trade war never happened again. To this day, the GATT is the foundation of the WTO's roughly 30 agreements. And the twin pillars of the GATT are its first two articles: the MFN rule and the tariff bindings.

Some might point out that, in the end, when the Ghostbusters' proton guns are ineffective against Gozer the Destructor, and all seems lost, Spengler suddenly realizes that crossing the streams is the only thing that can save the world. True. But, his idea is so reckless that Venkman must remind him of its risks, to which Spengler can only reply: "Not necessarily. There's definitely a very slim chance we'll survive."

Today, we stand at the precipice of a world whose unprecedented quantities of goods, services, and investment capital moving across international borders have created a global economy too interdependent to survive reintroduction of the trade barriers that 70 years of painstaking negotiations have profoundly reduced. Yet, while courageous Americans refuse to allow terrorism even to chip the walls of civilization, Mr. Trump's clueless pandering proposes to pull down its pillars.

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Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The world famous monument of Byzantine architecture. View of the St. Sophia Cathedral at sunset.

"Democracy is like a train," claimed Istanbul's 40-something mayor, "when you reach your destination, you get off." It was the mid-1990's, and that mayor was Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Now as Turkey's controversial, embattled, yet popular president, Erdogan said this past March that "democracy, freedom, and rule of law have absolutely no value" in Turkey. His administration has acted accordingly, often violently suppressing his countrymen's civil liberties over the years.

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The great irony is that it's these very liberties and freedoms that Erdogan himself desperately exercised in order to weather this latest challenge to his authority. Here's a look at how...

Freedom of Speech

Famously thin-skinned, Erdogan bristles at insults, filing more than 1,800 lawsuits against those he feels have slighted him. This includes journalists, bloggers, comedians, and ordinary users of social media. He especially dislikes Twitter, a frequent platform for criticism - he even tried to have it banned in Turkey.

But... during this latest coup attempt, Erdogan and his loyal Prime Minister, Binali Yildirim, took to Twitter to denounce the military plotters. So did Erdogan's civilian supporters. Erdogan also turned to iPhone's FaceTime feature to get the word out to the country and get his message to his followers.

He couldn't have accomplished this, though, without help from the media...

Freedom of the Press

Erdogan has systematically cracked-down on Turkey's free press. His lackeys have shut-down independent media outlets, seized control of others, and had journalists arrested, beaten, and prosecuted. Most of the media that remains is either state-run or friendly to his regime.

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But... in this latest challenge to his rule, Erdogan didn't use Facebook Live or Periscope to spread his video message to the masses. As previously mentioned, he used FaceTime - in this case, calling an anchor at popular CNN Turk and getting them to broadcast a statement live to the nation. Erdogan seemed only too happy to let the remaining independent media spread his message and help rally his base.

This led to another phenomenon that Erdogan hasn't always embraced...

Freedom of Assembly

Protestors have always frightened Erdogan, and he seems to have little tolerance for them. This past March, Erdogan paid a visit to Washington and gave a speech at the Brookings Institution. When some protestors gathered to denounce the Turkish leader, they were assailed by his security detail and Capitol Police were forced to intervene. Earlier, in 2013, thousands of Istanbul residents protested in the city's parks and squares over then-Prime Minister Erdogan's crackdowns on civil rights. He responded by unleashing police who used tear gas, batons, and water cannons to disperse the crowds.

But... giving his FaceTime interview to CNN Turk, Erdogan called for the people to rise up and take to the streets. He used his cohorts as a tool to stand-up to the military and show the country that he retains widespread popular support. In other words, Erdogan is more than willing to stomach dissent - as long as it's in his favor and on his behalf.

Delivering a speech to the country upon landing victoriously at Ataturk Airport, Erdogan sat before a large painting of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk - founder of modern Turkey and champion of democratic ideals. Erdogan declared that "this is not old Turkey, this is new Turkey."
I, and many people who support #blacklivesmatter, and are against white supremacy, never advocated for the murder of 5 police officers or killing cops in general. I hate the fact that I have to keep saying that as some sort of defense, just like when people bring up Alton Sterling's criminal past or the lack of one in the case of Philando Castile as if that is pertinent to them being shot to death. Condolences to the families of those police officers in Dallas.

But I will also let you know that I unequivocally and wholeheartedly believe in the cause of defeating white supremacy, police homicide, racism, and yes, I still believe that #blacklivesmatter. The deaths of those police officers does not change one thing. Alton Sterling and Philando Castile are still dead, police reform still needs to happen and we need the good police officers in America to be at the forefront of this and first apologize for their incompetence and acknowledge there is a systemic problem and unfair racial disparity within the police force, and then offer solutions and implement them.

Do not hang your head, do not be ashamed and do not become distracted. When people try to levy attacks against you, pretending as if protesting racism and police brutality is the reason why these cops died, pay them no mind. When they say all lives matter and blue lives matter but have no empathy whatsoever for the countless black men, women and children, Latino men, women and children Native American men, women and children, LGBTQ and countless more that have suffered and lost their lives because of these afflictions, pay them no mind. When you realize that peace and love aren't enough, and want more than thoughts and prayers and will propose measures that offer no compromise and demand that we are treated like human beings and be equal in the eyes of the law and beyond and they label you as irrational, emotional, angry, anti-cop or anti-white, PAY. THEM. NO. MIND.

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In the past weeks, the media have shown us vivid images of innocent Black men murdered by police officers and of innocent police officers gunned down in mindless retaliation. These horrific events have made many Americans acutely aware of a crisis that national, state and local leaders have long ignored: the huge racial divide between our police and communities of color and the systemic violence against Blacks and Latinos that exists in many police departments.

Yet amidst the violence and despair, there is also strong evidence that things can be different. In a number of cities, police and local leaders are coming together to change the culture of policing and getting results. The best way to protect our police officers as they do their important job of protecting us is to build police/community cooperation while forcefully speaking out against those who would harm the police. Violence is contagious, but so is the hope created when the police and communities of color work collectively for change. Unfortunately, that hope is rarely seen on television and in social media. Instead, the media contribute to the stereotyping that incubates killings.

Recently, I participated in a meeting at the White House to address building trust between the police and communities of color. It took place on the same day that funeral services were held for five slain Dallas officers and less than a week before three more police officers were killed in Baton Rouge. President Obama brought together long-time civil rights organizations, new national activists, police chiefs, clergy and elected leaders for a robust and honest conversation that addressed centuries of state violence against Blacks and Latinos. One value of the meeting was that we shared important information about what some cities are doing to end the culture of violence. Unfortunately, this critical dialogue received little media coverage.

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Since childhood, I have organized and participated in demonstrations against police brutality. As Mayor of Newark, I appointed a new police director whose mission is to bring police and community together. We've taken major steps to begin repairing a long relationship of mutual distrust between Newark residents and the police: the nation's strongest police civilian review board, putting police internal affairs under civilian supervision, training police in conflict resolution on the street and in domestic violence situations, initiating direct dialogue and mentoring between police and at-risk teens, recruiting Newark residents to become new police officers and much much more.

From watching television, you would have no idea that Newark has become a laboratory for implementing ways to eliminate brutality from policing just as you would not have known before the murder of police in Dallas that Dallas is a leader in community policing. You would not know that Newark's unique strategy involves total mobilization. We have brought together community organizations, clergy, our colleges and universities, businesses, neighborhood leaders, the public schools, ex-prisoners and former gang members to work with the police to deal with every aspect of public safety. Yet when PBS Frontline recently came to our city to produce their documentary "Policing the Police," they highlighted the violence of a few officers while leaving on the cutting room floor extensive footage and interviews about the substantial changes underway in policing Newark.

The decision by Frontline to focus on the brutality of a few rather than airing the many examples of how people are coming together to reduce police/community conflict is symptomatic of the larger media mindset in America, a very dangerous mindset. When you show only the systemic violence and don't broadcast how police and communities in a growing number of cities are working together to forge cooperative relationships, it contributes to stereotyping all police officers as racist and brutal. This is the mirror image of the police who stereotype Black teens walking down the street at night as criminals. Stereotyping is deadly. It encourages deranged people to believe they are serving justice by murdering random police officers or by killing anyone who looks middle eastern because they have stereotyped all Muslims as terrorists.

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If you want to do business internationally it can be tough getting started, but the upside can totally be worth it. You may lack the contacts you need to build global business relationships. it may be financially challenging to fly all over the globe to make those connections. What can you do to start selling to customers worldwide?

Go Global

Since the introduction of technology, the world is getting smaller. Your competition is global, but so is your opportunity. You may find a lot of competition here in the States. However, there are thousands of customers around the world that might clamor for your products or services. The state of the US economy might not always be as stable as it is today. Expanding your business overseas, is a proactive approach to protect your business from an economic downturn. Your opportunity is unlimited.

Finding the Right Network

The connections you need might be in your own backyard. There are organizations in your community that cater to doing international business. It's a matter of finding those groups and spending some time getting to know members of the groups.

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Your local Chamber of Commerce may participate in international trade missions with countries your city is trying to build bonds with. For example, in Mobile, Alabama (a major trade port), the Chamber has trade missions with Spain, Morocco, and Mexico. And the California Chamber of Commerce has held trade missions with Tokyo, London, and Frankfurt.

These are just examples; look to your Chamber of Commerce to see what alliances it's forging with cities and countries around the world. Typically there are workshops and networking opportunities for you to participate in, and getting even more involved through volunteering could help you get to know influential people or even give you the opportunity to travel to another country.

The US Commercial Service is another valuable resource to help you build your business internationally. Not only does this organization, with representation across the United States, offer trade missions, but it also provides webinars on useful topics like getting a letter of credit for international trade or working with a specific sector in another country. Additionally, its International Buyer program serves as a sort of business matchmaker, and you can find great business opportunities by participating in one of these events.

Investigate Internet Resources

Beyond networking, you'll also need ample information about how to start exporting or building your customer base overseas. Export.gov, a site hosted by the US government, provides a wealth of information and offers a variety of training opportunities, from webinars to trade fairs and seminars.. Their Discover Global Markets Business Forum Series is your opportunity to meet commercial diplomats, hear experts speak, and learn about US export programs.

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Becoming a member of the site will get you access to more information, as well as trade leads and market research. And if you live near one of the offices, you can receive counseling services in-person.



Travel Is Essential

If you're serious about growing your business in other countries, it is time to travel. But be strategic: if you're planning a visit to a potential customer, or manufacturing partner see what networking events there are in the area. You could also ask that potential customer or vendor to make recommendations; more than likely he will be happy to help you make connections in his country.

Add on a few days to get to know the city you're visiting. Not only will this help you better understand your place there, but you may also find other opportunities to get to know people and grow your network. A casual dinner -- even if business isn't discussed at all -- can be a fabulous launch pad for doing business in the future!

Determine What You Want to Accomplish

Attending these networking events and workshops is one thing, but unless you have goals in mind, they may not actually help you. It's imperative that you know what you want in terms of growing your business internationally.

Would you like to find US-based broker who can open you up to new markets overseas?

Are you looking for contacts in a particular industry or country to assist you?

Are you looking for a foreign manufacturer to lower your production cost? Do you need to deepen your knowledge of doing business in a particular country?

Once you decide what you want to accomplish, focus on those goals. For example, if your focus is on a particular market in China, you could target your networking efforts on events that cater to doing business with China, as well as conferences on that market. You could search for professionals who fit into both categories on LinkedIn and build relationships with them that could, over time, prove fruitful.

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Ukrainian police to retrieve videos from CCTV cameras at scene of journalist Sheremet's death in Kyiv

The Ukrainian National Police plan to retrieve and analyze all records from outdoor surveillance cameras installed around the scene of journalist Pavel Sheremet's death in Kyiv, National Police chief Khatia Dekanoidze, has said.

"We will take all files from all cameras installed around," Dekanoidze told journalists on Wednesday.

After that, police plan to analyze the videos, she said.

"This is a test for the efficiency of everyone's work, I mean policemen. I especially dislike this situation in the run up to the religious 'Procession of the Cross,'" Dekanoidze said.

Timur Filonenko, a Radio Vesti correspondent, reported from the scene of the crime that Sheremet, who routinely hosted radio programs on workdays, was scheduled to host a radio program at 08:00 a.m. Kyiv time on Wednesday.

Russia's Novaya Gazeta reported on its website with reference to Sheremet's friends that "Pavel Sheremet and his common-law wife Olena Prytula, the head of Ukrainska Pravda, had lately complained about being followed."
An illustration of a team of superheroes in silhouette. Characters are grouped on their own for ease of editing. :)

When I speak at conferences about LGBT+ issues within the Mormon church, I often get applause. This makes me acutely uncomfortable, because I am not a hero. I am a just a decent human being trying to do the right thing and sometimes getting it wrong. As an LGBT+ ally, I feel it is important to make sure that I remember I don't take attention away from the LGBT+ Mormons who are the real heroes, facing rejection and condemnation on a daily basis. So if you applaud in public or in private, please let it be for these people and not for me:

1.The gay Mormon teen who just came out to his parents, afraid they might kick him out of the house, but unable to pretend to be someone else any longer.

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2.The homeless Mormon teen who wasn't kicked out, but just couldn't live with the constant derogatory comments anymore and has decided that even living on the street could not be worse than living in a toxic home environment. This teen builds community with other homeless teens and finds Ogden Youth Futures is a place where he is at last treated with what he knows he has always deserved.

3.The bisexual Mormon teen who hasn't been able to be openly out, but defends the spectrum on every occasion when people say disgusting things about them, even when people question her sexuality in a jeering way.

4.The trans Mormon kid who is only able to be himself when the door is closed, but inside his room, is practicing bravery and being truly himself because someday, he's going to feel free to tell his truth.

5.The lesbian Mormon teen who wakes up every morning and thinks about suicide, but grits her teeth and chooses to live another day because today might be a better day, and because there are people around her she knows loves her and for today, she is strong enough to live for them.

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6.The asexual Mormon teen who listens to church talks about the joys of married sex and wonders if there is a place for him in Mormon heaven, and begins to invent that place for himself in his own mind, holding it in a special place in his heart and mind to retreat to for when things get really bad.

7.The intersex Mormon teen who has heard numerous times that kids like her are such a small number that a seminary teacher can dismiss them as a group undeserving of discussion or consideration, who has never told anyone the truth about herself and doesn't know if she ever will, but every day looks at her body and decides it is good enough.

8.The married gay Mormon who passes as heterosexual most of the time, is expected to go along with jokes about gay people and sly comments about how depraved gay people are, but who refuses to laugh along with them and then tells the truth in a brave moment in Elders Quorum, and ends up being told that he isn't "really" gay because he's married and therefore his whole life experience and perspective are erased. Except that he keeps insisting that gay people are real and they aren't depraved and not all of them should be forced to choose what he did in order to be accepted by the community.

9.The mother of a gay Mormon teen who defends her kid against all attacks, meanwhile never saying a word about her own sexual identity, something she found out so late in life that it seems like it makes no difference anymore to bring it up because it appears that she's lived the traditional, heterosexual Mormon life and to say anything now would only sound hypocritical.

10.The queer Mormon teen who pushes back against the insistence that her body is a spectacle for males and that her choice of dress should be always done with the male gaze in mind. She tells her own bishop he is being sexist when he uses an analogy about virginity with a licked cupcake and she deliberately wears sleeveless shirts to church, not because she feels comfortable in them, but because she is making a statement that her body is hers alone.

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Carson Kressley told me once that for him, "drag queens are the superheroes of our community." I would have to say that I completely agree. I have worked with these talented artists for many years, and am honored to include some of my favorite ladies in my #PrideSeries. These performers are artists in every sense of the world; they add color and shading (no pun intended) to our community, and without them, I think we all would have a little less sparkle. Now get out there, grab some singles, and watch these talented performers on a stage near you; and TIP!

Alexis Michelle is one of those queens that has what "drag" is down pat; the over the top hair and a personality to match, Alexis is making her mark on the New York Drag scene in a way that is very rare in this extremely competitive town.

For those that have never seen Alexis Michelle on stage, how would you describe your performance style and "drag" as a whole?

My style is definitely theatrical, given that's where I come from as a performer. I grew up acting and got my degree from the University of Michigan in Musical Theatre. I strive for authenticity on stage. Some drag performers go for the comedy first, or something that's fun, but isn't necessarily real. I try, even in comedy, to capture an authentic experience in a given moment. I realize that talking about "REALNESS" in a drag context can be taken solely on an aesthetic level, but what I mean is, I try to stay in the moment and live my truth for the audience.

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How did Alexis Michelle get her start in the extremely competitive New York City drag scene?

Well I had my first gigs as Alexis 13 years ago, but I never chased after my drag dreams in a full time way until about three years ago. I fell into my first weekly show with Schwa de Vivre, which we hosted together for over a year and that led to judging a singing competition as Alexis for several seasons. Then I competed in and won "So You Think You Can Drag" Season 5 and that put everything into motion.



It's so hard to stand out in New York City and in drag; how have you carved out your own niche?

I definitely consider myself a performer first; that's the excitement in drag for me. Even putting looks together is part of the performance, AAAANNNNDDD I can turn a LOOK hahahahahaha! I also strive to remain true to myself when selecting material; if I don't feel connected to something I won't perform it.

What are some of your career highlights so far?

"So You Think You Can Drag" was an amazing introduction to NYC's drag community. My winning Broadway/Disney week performance of the competition exposed me to more people online than I ever imagined possible from a local competition. Placing 2nd runner up in my first national pageant, Miss'd America last September was thrilling. I've had several opportunities acting in plays and readings this year also.

What is left that you want to achieve as Alexis Michelle? Any aspirations to be on "RuPaul's Drag Race" perhaps?

I will continue competing in pageant systems. I welcome doing more theatre and other acting projects in drag. As far as "Drag Race" goes, I'd love to do the show! Its an incredible opportunity and being a part of that legacy would be very meaningful to me. I've auditioned for every season after the 1st, so who knows, maybe Season 9 will be my lucky number!

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Speaking of "Drag Race" several NYC girls have won. How do you think the show as a whole has been for the drag community?

I think the greatest thing RuPaul's Drag Race has done for the drag community has been how it's increased visibility. Before the show, RuPaul was THE household name in drag in this country. There have been other greats who have had tremendous success; Charles Pierce, Lady Bunny, Hedda Lettuce, to name a few, but for many year RuPaul was the singular most famous drag queen in the world. I believe that's still a true statement, however RuPaul and the other producers of the show have brought one hundred drag queens into the spotlight, some of them achieving tremendous visibility. And as in any community, visibility is whats its all about.



What does Alex do when Alexis is not on stage?

The line between Alex and Alexis is very fine; I love attention out of drag too hahahaha, but when I'm not on stage, I like to relax. Spending time with friends is very important to me. Some of my best friends are actually my drag sisters; Dusty Ray Bottoms, Brita Filter and Tammy Spenks are like brothers to me. If I'm not hanging out with friends I also love riding my bike, swimming at the Y, yoga and cooking.

The gay community has had a very trying summer. What do you think are the biggest issues facing our community and what do you see as your part in helping to address them?

We can't control people's hate, or their own self hatred or even their acts of violence like those that lead to the tragedy in Orlando. What we can control is speaking our own truths, living with pride and NOT in fear, and fighting for equality; the gun control this country is so severely lacking. The greatest thing I believe our community needs, that ALL communities need, is for us to unify and come together. Separating ourselves into groups, pockets, or classes is the root of the problem. I wish for a country and a world where #BlackLivesMatter as much as #LGBTQLivesMatter as much as #MuslimLivesMatter and so on, until ALL lives actually matter equally. We have a LONG way to go, but I refuse to accept any less.

All of that being said, drag queens have the crucial job of bringing joy and levity into this deeply troubled world we're living in.

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What does "pride" mean to you?

Pride means living your truth. Whether thats doing drag, working in a bank or anything else you can dream up!

Most importantly-where can people see you perform?!

You can catch me Wednesdays from 8-10 at Boots & Saddle Drag Lounge. When it's in season, I host Drag Race at Boxers Chelsea. You can also find me guesting at Pieces for Frisky Fridays with Dusty Ray Bottoms, as well as Had It Happy Hour on Saturday afternoons. Throughout the summer I'll be making appearances at The Ice Palace in Cherry Grove on Fire Island.

You can follow Alexis @ Twitter: @alexislives
Shrimp is delicious, versatile and often (lovingly) referred to as the "fruit of the sea." Rising in popularity since shrimp farming took off in China in the 1980s, shrimp dishes can be enjoyed in a myriad of ways -- barbecued, boiled, broiled, baked, sauteed and more -- at restaurants across the country.

Shrimp, known to many as prawns or the "swimming crustacean" (typically aquatic invertebrate animals), differentiates itself from similar species like crabs and lobsters because of its developed pleopods (swimming limbs) and slender walking legs, making it better adapted for swimming than walking. Because shrimp live near the seafloor of most coasts, rivers and lakes -- they've adapted to both freshwater and marine environments -- they're easy to fish for and enjoy on plates around the world.

From kabobs to gumbo and sandwiches to burgers, no two shrimp dishes are made the same. Check out these 14 shrimp dishes that are hooking our attention:

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Photo provided by The Arthur J.

A classic preparation that allows the tastiness and freshness of the crustacean to shine, the chilled jumbo shrimp cocktail at The Arthur J is accompanied by spicy cocktail sauce with fresh horseradish, dill and cucumber.

Photo provided by ROOT. Photo by Brent Herrig.

A healthy, refreshing fish dish perfect for summer, the seafood a la plancha at ROOT is prepared with scallops, shrimp, squid and a lemon-aleppo (smoky, Middle Eastern pepper) vinaigrette.

Photo provided by Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar.

With a name that says it all, Willi's Seafood & Raw Bar has an entire menu section dedicated to the fruits of the sea, including peel-and-eat fresh Gulf prawns, chilled half Dungeness crab, chilled half Maine lobster and Alaskan king crab legs.

Photo provided by BISq.

Reflecting the popularity of shrimp in Cajun cuisine, BISq delivers a "N'awlins" barbecue shrimp toast with "sexy" scallions.

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Photo provided by Fiola Mare.

Offering a seafood-inspired menu, Fiola Mare (meaning "sea" in Italian) delights fish lovers with its Adriatic seafood brodetto with monkfish, branzino, red sea bream, clams, calamari, wild tiger prawn, potatoes and saffron broth.

Photo provided by ACME.

The Carolina shrimp appetizer at ACME is prepared with egg yolk, pickled turnip and celeriac chips, evoking bold, inventive flavors in every crunchy bite.

Sumi Robata Bar prepares a variety of vegetables (yasai), seafood (gyokai-rui) and meats (oniku) on the robata (Japanese-style barbecue), including shrimp with sea salt.

Photo provided by Fishing with Dynamite.

On its seafood-focused menu, Fishing with Dynamite offers jumbo shrimp from the raw bar, available by the half dozen or on an assorted shellfish platter, as well as shrimp ceviche with blood orange, black plum, radish, serrano pepper and avocado.

Photo provided by Farmhouse Kitchen.

Beloved in Thai cuisine, shrimp pops up frequently on the menu at Farmhouse Kitchen, including as an appetizer marinated in red curry paste, a stir-fried main dish with red curry sauce and as the protein in its signature pad Thai.

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Photo provided by Whetstone. Photo by Vanessa Beahn.

Whetstone brings the flavors and tastiness of traditional Southern cooking to the table with its Carolina shrimp and grits sauteed with shallots, peppers and ham, served over cheesy grits and topped with a poached egg.

Photo provided by Baco Mercat.

Baco Mercat offers chef Josef Centeno's trademarked baco sandwiches, a delicious, creative cross between a pizza, taco and gyro, including a fiery combination of crispy shrimp, Sriracha sauce and chive dressing.

Photo provided by La Sirena Clandestina.

Shrimp is a staple on La Sirena Clandestina's vibrant Brazilian menu, from the moqueca -- a clam and shrimp stew with coconut broth and cilantro risotto -- to the head-on prawns with charred serrano salsa.

Photo provided by Darren's Restaurant.

In its "below the horizon" menu section made for seafood lovers, Darren's Restaurant lists a delicious saffron seafood pasta including Maine lobster chunks, scallops, fin fishes, black mussels, Mexican white shrimp, lobster cream sauce and sugar plum tomatoes tossed with linguine.

Photo provided by Ditch Plains.

One of many small plates great for sharing with friends, the deviled eggs at Ditch Plains are topped with delightfully crunchy fried shrimp.

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Not all is well with the world. We have been bombarded with calamitous events around the globe that have made me question how our humanity is going to survive.

After the Orlando shooting, NPR's Hidden Brain podcast replayed its episode on the psychology of modern terrorism and what drives radicalization at home. I had downloaded it ahead of my family holiday, and found time on the plane ride to listen to this fascinating report on why young people join terrorist groups. The specialist who was interviewed spoke convincingly about the allure of believing in a higher cause that unites them, as well as the potential for glory and adventure. He explained that many young people joined the Nazis for the same reason. Peer pressure also plays heavily into the equation. Young people are mostly radicalized in university cafeterias, not mosques. Most strikingly, once radicalized, people are hardened in their beliefs and cannot be convinced otherwise.

We often hear that moderation is the antidote to radicalism, and that we must persuade these wayward souls to return to the rationality of the center. However, if you think you are fighting for a higher cause, who needs moderation? Your intention is to die as a hero! Talk of moderation is boring and lame. It is the lazy, tone-deaf stuff we spout from the comforts of our first world lives, in which we have the privilege to sip iced coffees while watching harrowing live footage on a television news channel.

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The podcast echoed in the back of my mind, as we woke up each morning to a new calamity: suicide bombers in Turkey, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia during Ramadan; senseless fatal shootings across the United States; a terrible act of violence on Bastille Day in Nice; and an attempted coup in Turkey. It dawned on me that the allure was not simply the glory and the adventure. These actors are drawn by the most primitive form of tribalism, which has been updated to masquerade as a modern-day panacea. It promises to be a noble cause that transcends daily existence. If this is true, then what is the higher calling for the rest of us?

During my travels, a conversation with a Turkish taxi driver in Berlin struck a nerve. He was a handsome man with a well-groomed hipster beard and an easy smile. We traded stories about our respective childhoods, and he told me about his job woes in this reunited city. He had recently been assured of a steady job as a bus driver after a successful phone interview, only to receive a call an hour later that suddenly there was no opening. He is convinced that his Turkish last name disqualified him. I don't know if his hunch is correct, but I do know why he would think that. He recounted an unpleasant encounter with a German passenger in his cab. Because of his beard, she asked him if he was a Salafist. Her question suggested that he might be a part of the Salafism radical group, an ultra-conservative reform movement that forbids men to shave their facial hair. He retorted, "What, because of my beard, you think I am a Salafist? And what about you, are you a Nazi?" I shuddered when I heard this story. Despite his aggressive conversational tactic, I could hear sadness in his voice. Being confronted with this kind of prejudice and condemnation on a daily basis is simply crushing. Even in the democratized West, we too cling reflexively to our own tribes, seeing others only in the stark relief of stereotypes.

A week later in Morocco, I came face-to-face with Syrian refugees for the first time. I was surprised to see them there, since all the images in the media depict them escaping in overflowing boats. They were begging at the intersections of a large boulevard, showing their passports open to their picture page. One man was cleanly dressed with a pressed shirt, as if going to an office, with his wife standing by timidly. Several women were visibly worn down with their children in tow, who were playing amongst the fronds in the median. Driving by one intersection, I made brief but deep eye contact with a woman. We were about three feet apart. I could see the wrinkles around her squinting eyes, the folds of her blue headscarf, and even the dirt under her fingernails that clutched the proof of her identity. I felt the depth of her despair and the injustice of the situation. While she was standing under the scorching sun under humiliating circumstances, I sat comfortably in a passing car. I felt completely helpless about what I could possibly do in this world to make a difference.

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Isn't it high time that we inject our lives with the kind of meaning that serves as the strongest possible remedy to the world's ills? We need big ideas that quench our thirst and sate our hunger for something that transcends and unites us all. We must shed our own small tribalism that is evident in our nation's racial tensions and in our divisive politics. Instead, we should embrace our innate desire for connection and community.
"So remind, [O Mohamad]; you are only a reminder. You are not over them a controller." (Verse 21 Al Ghashyia, Holy Quran).

This is perhaps one of my favorite verses of the Holy Quran as it reflects the true meaning of spiritual leadership, it implies that spiritual leaders should in essence serve to "remind" us of our infinite potential, guide us to establish a higher connection with ourselves and our spirituality rather than control our actions and our ways of life. Spiritual leaders at all times should serve as role models for us to follow, through their own lives, deeds and actions. It is then up to us to follow their paths by understanding the meanings in their actions.

Social media today pours with quotes from various spiritual leaders; Buddha, Christ, Mohamed and many others. It seems that in this day and age we have become so fixated with the minute details of what these leaders have actually said, what they ate, how they spoke and sometimes even how they dressed, forgetting the spirit of their teachings which is derived from their actions. Sometimes the deep respect with which we hold our spiritual leaders makes us forget they were also human beings, they emphasized their spirituality in their actions and approach to life but they were also human beings who had their moments of weakness. The majority of spiritual leaders who have actually contributed to world history were not only preachers of God; they worked, earned a living, encountered life with all its contradictions, and embraced it on so many levels.

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Prophet Mohamed is the spiritual leader of a quarter of the world's population, the Muslims' messenger, their role model, praised for his greatness, his strong ethics and profound wisdom his name whenever written or spoken follows the phrase Peace Be Upon Him (PBUH).

Mohamed was a 40 year old man when, in 610 AD, he heralded a new faith pillared on worshiping only one God as well as the fundamental equality of all human beings: "there is no virtue of an Arab over a foreigner nor a foreigner over an Arab, and neither white skin over black skin nor black skin over white skin, except by Righteousness." Mohamed himself emphasized the essence of universal human equality, breaking key social and economic taboos at the time, banning slavery and allowing all human beings the freedom to worship one God and giving them the ultimate choice to do so. Unlike other religions, Islam was given its name from the start, adopted by Mohamed and his growing followers; the literal translation of the word Islam in English is "Surrender" with this immaculate definition of the faith in the Holy Quran: "Whoever surrenders themselves entirely to Allah, and is a doer of good, their reward is with their Lord; no fear shall be upon them, nor shall they ever grieve." (Verse 112 Al Bakraa, Holy Quran).

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Like so many other spiritual leaders, Mohamed was the subject of much controversy in his days, and is perhaps even more controversial today. To some in the West, Mohamed may be viewed as a man who married a much younger woman, preached violence and stands in a way responsible for the Islamic militants' actions in today's global affairs. But to a large section of the world's population he was a man of God and preserves a natural right to be respected like all other spiritual leaders.

The history of Islam and various biographies of Mohamed indicate that he was a merchant who traded with integrity and honesty till the end of his days and was always described, even by his opponents, as "an honest man who only spoke the truth." He was a supportive and loyal friend who gave advice to his friends and praised them publicly, he was also a foster father who adopted and raised a boy with generosity and compassion. He cleaned his house himself and was often seen arranging the entrance of his house with much modesty. He was kind and gentle with animals and once told a story of a woman who was promised heaven in the afterlife just because she gave water to a thirsty stray dog. He respected all other faiths and coexisted with them. He fathered girls in an era that honored sons over daughters and valued men over women. He respected his wives immensely, appreciated his daughters dearly and never shied away from publicly displaying love and affection. He was a grandfather who allowed his grandchildren to ride on his back and played with them tirelessly. He was a wise man who guided women about raising their children, cherishing their families, treating their neighbors and gave tips to men on communicating with their wives. He was an illiterate man yet Mohamed strongly valued education and asked his opponents in Mecca to teach illiterate Muslims to read and write as a truce of peace.

But Mohamed was still a mortal man and like all human beings he had some flaws, he won battles, lost a few, he argued with his wife, he sometimes argued with his friends, he liked and disliked certain things and foods "I am only just a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God." (Verse 110 Al Kahf, Holy Quran). He walked the streets, bought and sold merchandize, rode a camel and fed it. The Quran describes some of his contemporaries' bemusement by most of his human actions as "And they say, "What is this Messenger who eats food and walks in the markets?" (Verse 7 Al Farqan, Holy Quran). He lived a life that was beyond political conquests, conflicts, preaching and teaching, he lived a full life just like all other human beings.

We look at the life of Prophet Mohamed, an illiterate man, and see so much wisdom which makes us wonder whether perhaps awareness and wisdom are indeed gifts from above. This wisdom reminds us that spirituality seldom means denouncing material possessions; it means acknowledging life just as it is, embracing it with grace and detachment and simply surrendering to the love in our hearts and the wisdom of our souls. His life implies that spiritual leaders sought to inspire us by their actions more than by their words. They preached what they first practiced, promoted love by being great fathers and husbands, rejected hate by being loyal friends and good neighbors, and advanced humanity by simply being real and authentic people, so they reminded us that life is a learning journey for us to grow, refine our thoughts, feelings and actions with the objective of becoming the best possible manifestation of our pure selves. The Buddhists call this state Enlightenment, the Sufi call it Fan'aa and Mohamed himself called it Jihad Al Nafs (Challenge of the Self).

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So Mohamed, like all inspiring and great spiritual leaders, was a "reminder", a preacher who lived like any mortal man. He set an example with himself, through his everyday actions and his approach to life more than with anything else. It is a fallacy to think that the purity of spiritual leaders is synonymous with their detachment from living and from life in general. We often unintentionally place our spiritual leaders on a pedestal, worshiping and idolizing them second to God, believing that this implies their holiness and hence spirituality, when in fact it is their approach to life, their authenticity that is the true essence of their leadership and their humanity the very core of their spirituality.

Prophet Mohamed was a Messenger of God and an inspiring spiritual leader by all means, but he was also a father, a husband, a friend, a neighbor, a merchant, a political activist. He was all that, but more importantly, he was a man - and a great one indeed.
Feel like a co-worker is subtly trying to sabotage your career? The mole from the Netflix show has the perfect advice for that, actually.
President Barack Obama only has about six more months in office, and before he leaves, he has a message for college students and student loan borrowers.

In a report released this week, the White House describes America's skyrocketing college costs and student loan debt and points out helpful tools and updates.

Here's what the White House says you should know about affording college.

1. College is still a worthwhile investment -- if you graduate

College is more expensive than ever, but you're

. College graduates -- even those with student debt -- are more likely to be employed and earn much more in their lifetimes than graduates of associate's programs. The value of college graduates' additional lifetime earnings far exceeds the typical amount of student debt they take on, according to the report. In fact, this graph from the report shows that additional earnings eclipse college graduates' typical debt load by more than $400,000.

College isn't a worthwhile investment for students who take on debt but don't graduate. They're much more likely to default on their debt, the report says.

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2. The FAFSA is getting easier to fill out

The

-- a form college applicants and students must fill out to be considered for federal student loans, work-study programs, and many grants and scholarships -- is notoriously complicated. But it won't be as much of a headache starting with the 2017-18 school year.

New rules will allow students to fill out the 2017-18 FAFSA in October 2016 using their 2015 tax information. This better aligns the financial aid process with the college application process.

3. Choosing the right school can pay off

To get the best bang for your tuition bucks, choose a college that you can afford and that has a track record of helping students be successful after graduation. There are two tools that can help you pick: schools' net price calculators and the Department of Education's College Scorecard.

Net price calculators

A school's net price is the amount you'll actually have to pay for tuition, room and board, taking financial aid into account. It's more telling than a school's sticker price, because an expensive school could be less pricey if you qualify for enough grants and scholarships.

Most schools have a net price calculator. Use it to estimate your out-of-pocket costs for each school before you receive your financial aid award letters.

College Scorecard

The

offers insights about different colleges and universities, including their graduation rates, students' average salaries after attending, students' median debt loads and the percentage of students successfully paying back those debts.

4. Switch repayment plans if you need help managing debt

The typical 10-year repayment period for federal student loans can be tough for people whose careers start out slow. If this sounds familiar, there are four

that can help by capping your monthly payment at a percentage of your income and forgiving any remaining debt after 20 or 25 years.

The concept of income-driven plans has been around since 1994. But you now have more options, including Pay as You Earn or Revised Pay as You Earn plans. To find the best option for you, try the Department of Education's simple repayment quiz.

5. You'll get a tax cut to offset your tuition costs

The

became a law in December 2015. It allows you -- or your parents, if they pay your tuition -- to take up to $2,500 off your taxes for each of the first four years you're in college.

More plans underway

The Obama Administration has more plans to help borrowers saddled with unmanageable student debt. Earlier this month, the Department of Education launched a

for federal financial aid. The department is expected to release an initial report about the feedback in October 2016.

The White House is also improving the process by which borrowers who have been misled by unscrupulous, often for-profit colleges can get federal loan forgiveness. It's expected to finalize the process by November 2016.

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Like so many other things about the Trumps, their claims to be "populists" are absurd on their face. They have, however, repeated populist phrases enough so the witless media talks about it.

And, what political advisers do not realize is that people judge statements based upon their own set of ethics. It is not gullibility so much as judging what others are saying as if one is saying it one's self. If a listener would never dream of making a claim he or she could not back up, they tacitly assume that is true for the Trumps, too. It isn't.

So, let us be very clear: if you eliminate (or even reduce) inheritance taxes, you are not populists. Period.

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Leveling the playing field is the heart of populism. Eliminating the inheritance tax makes the slope of that playing field steeper and steeper. It is a slap in the face to democracy and meritocracy.

But, that is what Trump proposes to do.

Oh, how badly the Trumps want to portray themselves as populists, interested in "the people". It does not matter, you see, that Trump spent his entire life servicing the rich, stiffing investors and defrauding "the people".

Donald Trump, Jr., who has never held a job that his daddy did not give him, complained about fancy schools and elitism, with a straight face!

They are only populists because, well, they say they are. Daddy Drumpf used his influence to get Donald into Wharton -- not the business school, but just undergraduate. Donald claims he is "very smart", but we have never seen his transcripts. And, if he were really smart, why did he need Daddy's influence to be admitted in the first place?

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That's not populism, that's privilege.

Donald Trump likes to say that Daddy Drumpf "only" gave him a $1 million loan to get started. Well, $1 million when Daddy did that is about $6 million in today's dollars. Any one of "the people" out there whose daddy has $6 million to give him? Or, even $1 million? This is not to mention the $40-200 million that he inherited.

One cannot even begin to speak of being populist without a significant inheritance tax. Otherwise, wealth remains hoarded by people whose only "merit" is the luck of being born to someone wealthy, and it is perpetuated and exacerbated with each generation.

That's not populism, that's privilege.

Trump says that China is manipulating its currency. So, he rewards them with American jobs. That's not populism, that's appeasement.

So, media. Rather than regurgitating what Trump tells you about himself, why not do some reporting (yikes)? Trump wants to eliminate the inheritance tax. So, he cannot be a populist.

And, you cannot speak of him as being a populist. Ever.
A lot of President Obama's opponents have said that he is inciting racial tensions with the recent wave of high profile police shootings of young black men, and subsequent retaliatory shootings against police officers. I disagree. President Obama openly talks about these issues. He is basing his arguments on years of empirical research on the issue. Not talking about the role of race in the criminal justice system would be to ignore a glaring problem in American.

I used to work in jail in Philadelphia and in Prison in Massachusetts. While in the Philadelphia jail, I used to walk to my office in the inmate intake quarantine section. Everyday, I would walk past 100 new inmates, almost all of whom were a person of color.

Based on a 2011 scholarly research article in the academic publication "Prison Journal", the ACLU notes that "racial disparities result from disparate treatment of Blacks at every stage of the criminal justice system, including stops and searches, arrests, prosecutions and plea negotiations, trials and sentencing." There are more than enough examples to back up what academic researchers find in practice. And just because a reader of this column doesn't observe a racial bias going on, it doesn't mean it is not going on.

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The Death Penalty Information Center cites research that shows that:

Jurors in Washington state are three times more likely to recommend a death sentence for a black defendant than for a white defendant in a similar case. (Prof. K. Beckett, Univ. of Washington, 2014).

In Louisiana, the odds of a death sentence were 97% higher for those whose victim was white than for those whose victim was black. (Pierce & Radelet, Louisiana Law Review, 2011).

A study in California found that those who killed whites were over 3 times more likely to be sentenced to death than those who killed blacks and over 4 times more likely than those who killed Latinos.(Pierce & Radelet, Santa Clara Law Review, 2005).

A comprehensive study of the death penalty in North Carolina found that the odds of receiving a death sentence rose by 3.5 times among those defendants whose victims were white. (Prof. Jack Boger and Dr. Isaac Unah, University of North Carolina, 2001).

In 96% of states where there have been reviews of race and the death penalty, there was a pattern of either race-of-victim or race-of-defendant discrimination, or both. (Prof. Baldus report to the ABA, 1998).

Before you criticize academic journal publications as liberal in bias, good academic research is a published transparent measurement of the real world that can be replicated by others. It is not liberal or conservative. Good research is methods driven, not driven by outcomes.

None of this justifies violence against police. It seems that this recent wave of violence against police may be a crisis of the perception of police legitimacy. With the increase of the use of social media circulating videos that bring awareness to police killing black suspects, the legitimacy of the police has been called into question by citizens. Police legitimacy is one of the most important variables in crime prevention. When people don't view the police or government as legitimate, they take matters into their own hands. No police officer should be targeted no matter what. Grievances against police have a legitimate appeal process. Targeting police officers undermines the very fabric of a civilized nation.

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It is pretty clear to any observer of American history that there have always been race problems in America. The criminological and sociological research has been clear for years that there is a racial bias in the criminal justice system. Books, scholarly articles and research by academics are full of incontrovertible data to support that there is a racial bias in the criminal justice system. To suggest otherwise is akin to suggesting that men and women are paid the same for the same work when, in fact, in high level professional jobs women are paid about 80 percent what men are paid. Moreover, people of color are paid 60 percent for the same work of what white men are paid for the same work.

The research and real world experience is very clear: there is a racial bias against people of color in our criminal justice system. President Obama talks about the real world. To not do so would be negligent. President Obama has condemned attacks on police and encouraged patience in investigating cases of alleged police abuse.

Overall, statements made by critics of the President of the President probably reflect more about their own attitudes towards the President and possibly their own complicity in an imperfect criminal justice system than anything than the President has done or anything he is promoting.
Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (R) stands along side US Senator Elizabeth Warren at a campaign rally in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. June 27, 2016. REUTERS/Aaron Josefczyk

Word is that Hillary Clinton will announce her vice presidential choice on Friday, and rumors that she's going with a "safe" pick should worry Democrats. In this political climate, a search for "safety" could put her candidacy in serious danger.

Change vs. the status quo.

The GOP chose Mike Pence in part because his extremist views will reassure the Republican base. Pence is also an seasoned politician whose nomination is meant to reassure voters who worry that Trump has no experience in statecraft or governance.

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(Note to readers: Yes, I just used the words "Trump" and "statecraft" in the same sentence. It feels as strange to me as it does to you.)

Clinton's needs are different. She has to energize and excite the Democratic base, along with millions of millennials who have never voted. She needs to bring excitement, and a sense of the new, to a campaign conspicuously lacking in those qualities.

Voters remain deeply dissatisfied with the status quo. Clinton's biggest problem, and the greatest threat to her candidacy, is the fact that she's seen as the candidate of the status quo.

Boring is as boring does.

That's one reason why "safe" picks like Tim Kaine, Mark Warner, or Tom Vilsack are so dangerous. Former Iowa Governor and current Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack has been described as "boring." So has Virginia's Kaine, who acknowledged the fact but added that "boring is the fastest-growing demographic in this country."

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That's a good line. Unfortunately, by her own admission, Hillary Clinton is "not a natural politician," which means that this particular demographic may already be represented on the ticket.

Kaine and Vilsack have forged bland political profiles that lack progressive fire or conspicuous leadership. Both supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the latest in a series of job-destroying and corporation-empowering trade deals. So did Virginia senator Mark Warner.

Clinton claims to oppose the TPP, but she has a credibility challenge on the subject. She helped negotiate the deal as Secretary of State and frequently spoke in favor of it before running for president. Prospects like Kaine, Vilsack, and Warner are liabilities for a ticket that must confront Trump's faux populism on trade.

Warner is also a longtime advocate for destructive budget cuts. He backed the unpopular and impractical "Bowles Simpson" plan, pushed austerity economics measures as part of the Senate's misguided and self-promoting "Gang of Six," and even urged business elites to get more involved in politics - at a time when we need campaign reform to reduce their political power.

That may be an effective way to flatter rich donors, but it is a poor way for a Democrat to win votes in 2016.

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Booker, the Wall Street favorite.

What about Cory Booker, former Newark mayor and current New Jersey Senator? His political career has been lavishly financed by financial interests from the beginning, including $585,000 from Bain Capital and other financial industry sources for his 2002 mayoral run.

They got their money's worth. In 2012 Booker undercut Barack Obama, whose re-election campaign he was serving as a surrogate, by lambasting him for an ad criticizing Mitt Romney's association with Bain. Some excerpts: "... they've done a lot to support businesses ... this kind of stuff is nauseating to me ... stop attacking private equity."

So much for loyalty.

Booker's feeble attempt at a retraction did little to impress progressives, but Wall Street seemed to appreciate it. Contributions from hedge funders and other investors helped Booker outraise his Republican senatorial opponent by a factor of nearly 10 to 1 in 2013, when he ran in a special election.

Booker received more money from the securities and investment industry than any other senator in his next election, raising nearly 50 percent more money from that industry than second-place finisher Mitch McConnell. He also received more money from real estate, tech, and accounting industry groups.

Voters won't like Booker's record on education. Disturbing questions were raised about the millions contributed in Newark when he was mayor for education "reform," which for Booker means privatization through charter schools. Wall Street interests, including those close to Mitt Romney and Bain Capital, also contributed heavily to his "reform" projects.

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Booker's presence on the ticket would remind voters of Clinton's own Wall Street associations. It would highlight big money's outsized role in politics, and would help Trump paint Clinton as the bankers' candidate.

The progressive choices.

Nor should Clinton look for "national security experience," as a recent trial balloon hinted she might. She brings that to the ticket herself, and her hawkish record will already be a mixed blessing in the current political mood. That makes a choice like retired admiral James G. Stavridis, one of the names floated, superfluous and potentially risky.

Who are the progressive alternatives? There's Elizabeth Warren, of course. She would bring the excitement of a two-woman ticket, she has good chemistry with Clinton, and she is a dynamic public speaker. Even more importantly, she represents the real political and economic change that voters crave -- and that Clinton could never offer on her own.

Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio is considered a strong progressive, and carries some of Bernie Sanders' rumpled "anti-politician" vibe. Al Franken would be an unorthodox choice and, while not conspicuously progressive, would bring excitement to the ticket. There are also many accomplished activists and organizers outside the world of electoral politics who could bring a fresh perspective and new energy.

Hillary Clinton needs to show voters that she can make bold choices. She must embrace the populist moment and the electorate's yearning for change if she is to fend off Trump's insurgent challenge. That's not just the smartest course. In the end, it's also the safest.
The supply of water and electricity in town of Avdiyivka in Donetsk region was cut off, and the Avdiyivka Coking and Chemical Plant was forced to suspend production after militant shelling last night, the press service of the National Police for Donetsk region has said.

According to the police, last night the enemy brought down fire at a residential area, four houses were significantly damaged, there were no injuries.

An investigative and operational team is working on the site; it records all the facts of the shelling and provides assistance to the local residents. All the information on these facts is put on the National Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under Article 258 'Terror Attack" of the Ukrainian Criminal Code, the police said.
When a public figure is deposed in some way, be it beaten in an election, or in the case of Roger Ailes, forcibly retired, there is a natural human tendency toward sympathy.

Let's not do that for Roger Ailes. As we wait for official confirmation of what his press release and parachute will look like, let us remember Roger Ailes for what he truly was -- and wasn't. Though some will call him a "newsman," Ailes was nothing of the sort. Roger Ailes was a ruthless propagandist whose legacy is being felt today in the ascendance of Donald Trump and the no-holds barred bigotry, lies and fear mongering that passes for his political platform.

For years, he got away with this with censure by hiding behind the label of news and the laughable "fair and balanced" slogan. Twelve years ago, before we made OUTFOXED, even the Democrats were going to allow Fox to broadcast one of the presidential debates, on the theory that it was a legitimate news outlet.

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OUTFOXED proved otherwise. The film detailed how we uncovered memos from Ailes to his anchors, telling them how to frame their delivery of "news," to legitimize the most scurrilous of rumors - to stick the weak disclaimer "some people say ..." before ridiculous claims that, for example, then-Senator John Kerry was French.

When I interviewed former Fox employees for the film, I disguised their faces and voices because they feared repercussions. And yes, I did learn of a toxic atmosphere of sexual harassment, but did not find anyone who was willing to talk about it publicly.

A lot has changed since the film came out. Any pretense of fair and balanced -- of being a real news organization -- has evaporated. Journalists, pundits, elected officials, political parties, have given up on the claim that it was just a few biased commentators, but overall, Fox was a news station and instead recognized that Fox is as much a part of the Republican party as the elephant logo. Finally, a few brave women felt they could come forward and speak out against the boss' repulsive behavior.

That's the good news. That bad news is that the damage has been done. We have a generation of voters now who know exactly where to go to have their deepest resentments stroked, their worst instincts catered to and their burning need to blame someone directed. They have a broadcast home where they feel the warm embrace of coded racism. It has been so long since they exercised the skepticism muscle that it has atrophied entirely. They are willing to believe what they are told so long as it reinforces their own sense of something vague being wrong and someone else, also vague, being at fault.

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This is where Donald Trump the Politician was born, and raised.

So I sincerely congratulate and thank the women who were willing to take a stand against Ailes and the Murdoch brothers for seeing the light -- words I am shocked by even as I write them.

May they use this opportunity to make other substantive changes, to reshape their station into a vehicle for real democratic debate and for actual news coverage. May the actual facts matter, once again, on all our networks. It's a long shot, of course, but a person's got to dream.
On June 20, Defense One reported that Michele Flournoy, whom it described as "the woman expected to run the Pentagon under Hillary Clinton," said she would "direct U.S. troops to push President Bashar al-Assad's forces out of southern Syria and would send more American boots to fight the Islamic State in the region."

Flournoy disputed the report, denying that she advocated "putting U.S. combat troops on the ground to take territory from Assad's forces or remove Assad from power." But Defense One stood by its report:

[Reporter Patrick] Tucker told The Intercept that Defense One did not issue a correction because they felt they accurately reported Flournoy's policy position. "Strike weapons at standoff distance is troops," said Tucker. "Those are military personnel. That is U.S. military power -- at war with the Assad regime. There is just no way around it." He added, "We took a very inclusive use of the word 'troops,' one that matched the literal definition of 'troops,' but nowhere do we ever suggest or say 'ground troops.'"

Flournoy is indeed advocating that direct U.S. military power be used to overthrow the Syrian government - exactly what many advocates of more direct U.S. military intervention for regime change in Syria hoped would be accomplished in September 2013, in the proposed U.S. military intervention that was rejected by Congress.

A natural question is: if Congress rejected such a military intervention in 2013, why would one assume that Congress would approve such a military intervention in 2017?

Advocates of more direct U.S. military intervention for regime change in Syria like Flournoy may assume that once they are ensconced in power, they will control the timing of events; they'll be able to create provocations and escalations, and at a time of their choosing, they'll be able to cross the bridge of Congressional authorization for the use of force - or evade it.

It would thus be salutary for the Republic if Michele Flournoy would be sharply challenged on her views of Congressional war powers before assuming the position of Secretary of Defense. A natural place to do this would be in her confirmation hearing before the Senate.

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This is where a Senator Alan Grayson could be very useful. Grayson was one of the most vocal members of the House in opposing the proposed U.S. military intervention in Syria in 2013. As a Senator, he would participate in Flournoy's confirmation hearing.

Of course, any Senator can ask Flournoy to testify under oath concerning whether she agrees that the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution are good law. But having one who does so with spectacular vigor, drawing media and public attention, could be especially salutary.

Recall that when John Brennan was nominated to head the CIA, Senator Rand Paul filibustered the nomination, using the opportunity to successfully press the Administration to clarify the legal authority it was claiming to target U.S. citizens with drone strikes.

To my knowledge, no Democratic Senator has in recent memory challenged a national security nominee with such vigor in the direction of less war. Until now, the process of creating Democratic Senators has seemed to select against this kind of vigor in challenging national security nominees in the direction of less war. A Senator Grayson could change this dynamic.

Note that lying to Congress under oath is a serious federal crime, which has been prosecuted in the past.

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After watching last night's Republican National Convention, I made up my mind. I am moving out of the United States. Don't get me wrong, I love this country. My family and I are all immigrants from around the world - Cuba, Sweden, and China - and the United States has offered us many opportunities. But the United States today is so far removed from ideals coined by our Founding Fathers who provided that all people are given the rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." What I have seen this summer refutes that.

This summer has been fraught with contentious politics and unprecedented violence stemming from mass shootings, police brutality, and terrorist attacks around the world. The senseless murders of POC at the hands of police and the killing of police officers exemplifies this changed America. Anyone who knows their American history should recall the violence that characterized race relations in the 19th century. Have we really progressed since then?

When the Republican National Convention rolled around, I did not want to watch it. After seeing and hearing Donald Trump ad nauseum since the beginning of the campaign season, I was tired of him and did not want to hear what his supporters or his wife had to say about him. But, my mom turned it on, and I watched because I figured it would be an interesting experience. I was not disappointed.

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The fact that one of the stars of Duck Dynasty was one of the first speakers on the docket speaks for itself. After that, it was basically a laundry-list of every person who is angry with the Democratic establishment and is now throwing their support behind Trump who will [supposedly] "Make America Great Again!"

According to the GOP website, last night's program dealt with the topic of "Make America Safe Again" and cited the following as the description for the night's events:

From attacks on our own soil and overseas to the tragedy in Benghazi, the policies of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have left us vulnerable. Our immigration system is broken, leaving our country open to security threats and the negative consequences of illegal immigration. A Donald Trump administration will listen to and learn from our nation's heroes who have put themselves in harm's way and pursue a national security strategy and foreign policy that will strengthen our military and make America safe again.

But the real kicker was when Melania Trump gave her speech, which was good before it was discovered that she plagiarized part of it from Michelle Obama's speech. Oh right. That. To which the Trump campaign says that she only copied "fragments of words" Last I checked, even using "fragments of words" is grounds for plagiarism in most schools and academic circles. But I guess they do things differently in Trump's world.

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Kashmir's concerns need to be dealt with sensitivity and compassion, rather than aggression and chest-thumping nationalism.

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Situation check: A groundswell of public protests. Nearly 40 dead and over 2,000 injured. Hundreds -- including children -- lying injured in hospitals, scarred and blinded for life, having been shot with pellets by security personnel. Gag on internet services and newspapers. Thousands of youth up in arms. Ineffective political response. And a state standing at a crossroads.

With multiple questions and no ready answers, these are dark times indeed for India's Kashmir Valley. Nearly a fortnight since security forces killed Burhan Wani, a 22-year-old militant who enjoyed immense popularity among a sizable section of the youth, the region remains on the boil. Wani's killing has once again embroiled the people of Kashmir in a dangerous cycle of socio-political unrest and violence. Calls for peace and appeals to restore normalcy by many--including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi--have not restored normalcy. The narrative of the mass uprising remains the same as in the past. So do the expert commentaries and opinions doing the rounds in televised debates, op-eds and seminars.

However, one thing remains unclear in the smokescreen of the prevalent rhetoric: that for the youth, what exactly is this "Kashmir issue" ? Some call it an "emotional affair that New Delhi does not get"; others deem it "a political issue that needs a definite political solution." But not many can clearly articulate the precise problems that have led to the crisis in Kashmir, and even fewer can understand them. It seems we are looking for solutions without knowing the problem(s) at hand.

Casual conversations with Kashmiri youth and their families reveal a palpable sense of collective angst and alienation, which stems from a plethora of reasons: underdevelopment, alleged state excesses, radicalization by extremists of all hues, and political doublespeak, among others. First and foremost, there is a deep-rooted and widely prevalent pain of historical "wrongs" committed against Kashmiris, a narrative that finds validity whenever errant security personnel commit excesses--ranging from alleged fake encounters and reported rapes. Though these are largely aberrations, a popular claim that strongly resonates with many locals is that everyone in Kashmir can recount at least one case of human rights violation committed against someone they know.

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Significantly, most such stories of conflicts and pain have been internalized by children and youth alike. This radicalization of young minds has been further accentuated by the presence of hardliners and strife-makers, who often feed on imagined fears and insecurities. The widespread outrage and mourning that followed Wani's killing is evident of the adulation enjoyed by several radical and divisive elements in Kashmir.

Then there is the rising frustration among those wanting to break the generational cycle of poverty and conflict by acquiring quality education and decent jobs, which are not forthcoming. The glaring mismatch between growing aspirations and inadequate educational and employment opportunities is an immediate trigger of a sense of deprivation and hopelessness. Moreover, political opportunism (generally high on optics and low on substance), rhetoric-laden political speeches (primarily aimed at generating media coverage than lending a healing touch) and lofty promises that are never brought to fruition has also caused widespread public mistrust towards parties and governments.

Clearly, the so-called "Kashmir issue" isn't one single issue at all. It is, in fact, a complex mix of local political, social, religious and economic grievances that, in the absence of requisite corrective measures by successive governments, have evolved into a festering wound. The hurt runs so deep in Kashmir's veins that now, every perceived excess and even the slightest of slights conjure memories of a painful past and trigger public outrage.

However, since the protests of 1989, much of mainstream India, the political elites and the media have looked at Kashmir mainly from the security angle rather than focusing on the local flash points mentioned above. General responses have so far followed a standard formula that not only dilutes the centrality of socio-economic issues in the Valley but also brings in nationalism into the debate, thereby vilifying anyone taking to the streets.

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Looking at Kashmir through the narrow prism of self-serving nationalism and communalism only adds fuel to fire, and creates a gulf between Kashmir and the rest of India. This way, contentious issues such as the draconian Armed Forces Special Forces Act (AFSPA) and cases of reported excesses by security personnel are brushed under the carpet, and the voices of the locals drowned in the din of tangential issues. This has made the region a tinderbox waiting to explode, with armchair patriotism and political nonchalance only worsening the situation and giving credence to extremists on both sides of the border.

The Valley's concerns, therefore, need to be dealt with sensitivity and compassion, rather than aggression and chest-thumping nationalism. Greater political engagement is an imperative: Indian political parties must now join hands instead of trying to score brownie points over one other, and engage in extensive public outreach in Kashmir to calm the tension and defuse the situation. Perhaps a special parliamentary session dedicated to Kashmir, along with a multi-stakeholder representation of Kashmiri politicians, youth and social influencers would help address the flash points and frame a generally accepted roadmap for the future.

Bringing in the youth into the decision-making processes, and boosting education and employment opportunities -- by setting up new institutions, facilitating a spirit of entrepreneurship, creating centers of excellence in diverse areas and directing Indian corporates to proactively pursue locally-specific CSR initiatives -- would foster development in the region as well as discourage young adults from joining extremist forces.

Of course, strengthening border security and bolstering internal security through more effective policing would be essential to create an enabling environment for any fresh paradigm to succeed. However, excesses must be checked with timely punitive action in accordance with the law. And not only must justice be done; it must also be seen to be done. Looking for peace through the barrel of a gun and wounds of the oppressed does not help anyone anywhere, after all.
In this piece I hope to speak to all who view with horror Trump's candidacy and any possibility of a Trump presidency. I hope to speak to Republicans who are considering supporting Trump but remember that theirs is the party of Lincoln. They need to follow the example of George Will, Hank Paulson, Senator Jeff Flake and others who have announced that they cannot support or vote for Donald Trump for President. It beggars the imagination that any fair minded Republican can support or vote for or enable the election of someone who demonizes all people of Mexican descent and all Muslims, trades in anti-Semitic symbolism found on white racist websites and objectifies all women including his own daughter. I hope also to speak to independents and to Bernie Sanders' supporters who share Bernie's values. It beggars the imagination that they would sit on their hands or vote for minority parties, and risk letting Trumpism prevail.

Trump says that if elected he will build a wall between the United States and Mexico and make Mexico pay for it. What would Abraham Lincoln say about that? As a junior Congressman from Illinois, Lincoln raked President James Polk over the coals for starting the Mexican American War to accomplish one of the world's most successful land grabs since the beginning of the 19th Century. Years later, President Lincoln invoked the Monroe Doctrine to force Emperor Napoleon III of France to withdraw his troops from Mexico, resulting in the collapse of the French installed Emperor Maximillian regime and return to power of the elected Mexican President Benito Juarez.

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Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that "a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." Is it "a foolish consistency" to ask Trump and his supporters if their call for a wall squares with Ronald Regan's June, 1987 call out to Mikhail Gorbachev that he "tear down this [Berlin] wall?" How do Trump's absurd rants about building a wall square with Robert Frost's quintessential rejoinder to his neighbor's repeated but unexplained declaration, "good fences make good neighbors?" "Before I built a wall," wrote Frost, "I'd ask what I am walling in and walling out, and to whom I was like to give offense. Something there is that doesn't love a wall, that wants it down."

Trump and his supporters double down on his call to build a wall between Mexico and the United States when he declares he would keep Muslims out of the United States and essentially ghettoize Muslims already in the United States, including citizens and green card holders. His rants stir memories of Nazi Germany.

As an American Jew whose East European grandparents had the good sense to relocate to the United States in the early 20th Century, and whose late wife's family had to flee Europe ahead of the Nazis, I am steeped in the pathology of walls and of governments singling out people because of their religion. Countless tens of thousands of Jews and other victims of the Nazis went to their early deaths because the United States and the European countries west of greater Germany refused them refuge, and even sent many who escaped back to Germany.

Too often the United States has given in to nativism, xenophobia or ideological hysteria. In addition to centuries of enslaving blacks, our most notable such descents into darkness include, just to name a few: The Alien and Sedition laws enacted during the John Adams Administration, the Trail of Tears forced on the Cherokee nation during the Andrew Jackson Administration, the Palmer Red Raids during World War I, imprisoning Japanese Americans in concentration camps during World War II, and the McCarthy anti-communist witch hunt during the Cold War. History has judged each of these and other such outrages to be abominations. All these could pale if the country were to elect Donald Trump, a narcissist, who says he will wall out our southern border, round up and expel all undocumented aliens, keep all Muslims from entering the country, put all Muslims including citizens under intense government surveillance and detain or expel many.

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The recent pro-Brexit vote in Great Britain was fueled in large measure by nativism, not economic issues. Many who voted for Brexit did not think it could pass; they now suffer buyer's remorse as they face an uncertain future in which dark forces have been unleashed. Brexit's aftermath is littered with racist and xenophobic incidents. Some of my extended family who live and work there due to their citizenship in other European Union countries have experienced first-hand the sting of taunts directed at their grade school children by British schoolmates. A Trump election would legitimize such bigotry in the United States.

Some who appear to oppose Trump say that comparing him to Hitler is inapt because a president Trump would be hemmed in by the Constitution, the separation of powers and political realities including political deadlock. Other muse that he does not really mean what he says, even though he has been saying much of it for decades, starting no later than his Playboy Magazine interview published in March of 1990.

My late wife's grandfather read Hitler's Mein Kampf as soon as it was published in 1925, and understood that Hitler meant and would implement every idea in it. He started right away making plans to move west. There is no reason to think that Trump is any less forthright than was Hitler. So I stand with Meg Whitman who reportedly compared Trump to Hitler.

In Trump we have a man who unapologetically borrows slogans from Mussolini and anti-Semitic imagery from white racist websites, and who refuses to disavow support from self- declared Nazis. In Trump we have a man who encourages his bully boys to beat up opponents and reporters, and who rides a tide of support from the most hating in our society.

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I stand with Sinclair Lewis whose 1935 novel "It Can't Happen Here," published a few years after the rise of Hitler and Mussolini, posited a near future in which fascism takes over in the United States. The Brexit vote unmooring Great Britain from the European Union and the rise of extreme right wing parties and politicians in much of Europe make all it all too clear that tribalism, xenophobia, and racism remain at large in the world, even in western democracies.
In June, President Obama signed landmark legislation--the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act--to ensure the safety of commercial chemicals found in countless everyday products from furniture to clothing to cleaning supplies.

The bill requires safety findings for any new chemicals before they're allowed to be used in consumer goods, updating the Toxic Substances Control Act.

This law--the country's most significant chemical-safety law--had not been updated since 1976.

However, there is a glaring gap in this law. It does not cover the thousands of personal care products on the market, including lotion, make-up, shampoo, shaving cream and perfume. Americans all of ages use these products every day.

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These ingredients fall under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration, not the Environmental Protection Agency. The law governing their safety--the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act--has not been updated since 1938.

The products on the market today are much different than those on the market in 1938. Our laws need an urgent update to ensure personal care products are safe and provide industry with rules of the road.

Due to these outdated safety rules, the FDA has prohibited or restricted only 11 substances, including mercury and chloroform, from use in personal care products. By contrast, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals from personal care products and restricted an additional 256.

The FDA is also unable to set limits on the concentration levels of chemicals in products.

The ingredient lists that appear on packaging don't have to be posted online. The FDA doesn't even have mandatory recall authority for products that may cause serious harm.

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Many companies have voluntarily taken action to make the industry safer by eliminating or reducing the use of certain ingredients but a uniform safety standard is needed.

The Personal Care Products Safety Act would finally address these glaring safety loopholes. Consumer and health groups, including the Environmental Working Group, Endocrine Society and Good Housekeeping Institute, and a wide range of companies, including Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, L'Oreal and Revlon support the bill. This marks the first time federal legislation on this issue has earned the support of both consumer and industry groups.

A key component of the bill is an FDA review process for ingredients frequently used personal care products. FDA would review at least five chemicals per year, chosen based on input from consumers, medical professionals, scientists and companies.

An ingredient-review process is already in place in the European Union and companies are required to use only pre-approved colors and preservatives.

This process would address whether chemicals can continue to be used in personal care products, and if so, what the concentration limits should be.

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FDA may determine that some chemicals, particularly endocrine disrupting chemicals, are not appropriate in any products, or are only appropriate in small amounts.

The key for many chemicals may be how much is used. We need to know at what concentration these chemicals are unsafe.

For example, after conducting a scientific review, the FDA may determine that a particular chemical is only safe at a concentration of one part per million. Going forward, all companies would need to reformulate their products so they contained no more than one part per million of that ingredient.

Companies would still have the power to adopt a stricter standard. They could use less of a particular ingredient, or not use certain ingredients at all, but the ingredient review process would finally create a uniform safety standard.

The bill would also require companies to register with FDA and provide a list of their ingredients with a range of concentration for each one.

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Warning labels would be required for products not appropriate for children, and complete label information, including ingredients and product warnings, would be posted online to ensure parents can make informed decisions.

Lastly, FDA would be given the authority to recall products that cause serious harm.
I was going to write about the Boston Celtics today. I was going to wake up and write about how Boston was rising, not unlike a Phoenix from the ashes of Brooklyn, in the East. I was going to tell you how Boston could stay pat or make upwards of three possible trades and propel themselves in to elite conversation this very season. It was a great article. It was going to have many words. Great words. One might even say the best words. Instead my Twitter is full of Melania Trump and this idiotic focus on her plagiarism of Michelle Obama's speech. So now I have to talk about that, or to be more accurate, avoid in all living hell talking about that and talk about other things at the truncated clown show that was the Republican Convention.

Here's the thing. You can play the speeches side by side ad nauseam. You can pull out all of the words they said the same. You can compare tone of voice, cadence, delivery technique, the pen they wrote the damn thing with and none of it (and I want to repeat this for the back rows with more emphasis here: NONE!) of this will matter. Do you think the electorate that supported Trump through open lies and advocacy of genocide on live TV, the electorate that cheered for imprisonment of a democratic presidential nominee and reached euphoria in a near sexual climax to 4 hours of Benghazi grief-porn is going to look at this and say "plagiarism is where we will draw the goddamn line here!" They will not.

The only thing, and I cannot understate this enough, THE ABSOLUTE ONLY THING, you have done is put Melania Trump's name in the media for the next 24 hours.You put her name next to Michelle Obama's for the next 24 hours. You put her name on the top of all social media trending topics for the next 24 hours. Say what you say about Donald Trump, but the man just gave America what it consumes best, unabashed, irrelevant and inconsequential reality TV drama. For the next 24 hours.

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Seeing how I already spent three paragraphs too many discussing this footnote of a non-issue that we all insist to blow up into front page news, here are some of the other, significantly more notable things that took place at the RNC:

The "Law & Order Party" broke party's laws and abandoned order

The Republicans appeared to have enough votes for a roll call which would, if not threaten, then at least impede Trump's path to eventual nomination. That vote quickly got overlooked, despite obvious arguments. Instead, we had a circus show to drown out the noise. Representatives of key states either walked out or were visibly displeased at the decision to block the vote. With the Republicans needing to really mobilize their electorate in key battleground states, any party dissent can be fatal to this campaign before it even starts. But, I mean, it's not like Colorado, Iowa or Ohio are important, right?

Steve King puts racism in overdrive on live television

That's pretty much all that needs to be said on the topic. We don't need to say anything else on the topic. These are your republican representatives.

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Benghazi grief porn

For about 2 hours, the convention turned into an aftermath of a Michael Bay movie. We had accounts of the attack, the blame game where Hillary Clinton was always, and I mean always, the villain. While I command men and women of the U.S. armed forces for their service, demeaning their contribution and disrespecting lives lost for cheap, political melodrama is the basest low of U.S. politics, but that's where we are now. At no point during this did any of the speakers bother to differentiate fact from statements already proven to be fictitious.

The republicans call for imprisonment of the Democratic Presidential Nominee

As the "WE WANT TRUMP" bleating subsided, it got replaced by calls to imprison Hillary Clinton, a major political figure and the opposing party's nominee. There was only one time in modern politics that mirrors this. When the Ukrainian election (which was rigged) was won by Victor Yanukovich, he quickly imprisoned his political opponent Yulia Tymoshenko. And if you need a quick brief up on political history of where that presidency went: there was a national revolution, the president was ousted, the country is in an open economic tailspin and an even worse political and social turmoil. Welcome to your future United States.

A group of rich white men openly cheered for acquittal of a murderer

A Baltimore policeman, Lt. Brian Rice was directly responsible for a death of a young man -- Freddie Gray. He was acquitted, much to the delight of a party that hopes to be in power in a country that is in the middle of a very serious civil and social conflict. The one that needs trust, transparency and accountability. Instead, they choose the celebrate the plight of its citizens.

Absolutely zero insightful or remotely political discourse took place

Remember when politics was about the art of the compromise, open dialogue and discussion between opposing viewpoints. It's about offering alternative solutions that benefited the country as a whole and moved the needle forward in both social and economic issues. Yeah, one of that happened, instead we got angry Guiliani screaming at us for about 10 minutes.

"THERE'S ALWAYS MONEY IN THE BANANA STAND!!!" pic.twitter.com/4kDVZjWq1J  joon (@joonlee) July 19, 2016

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Donald Trump entered to a wrestling montage

Now do Formation!

These are some of the things you should be discussing ahead of the Melania Trump plagiarism. You don't need to discuss it. Someone made a damn video that should speak for itself. That should be the end of discussion.

I taught speech for ten years. Even my worst students would not have done this: https://t.co/QhPPC8ENUA pic.twitter.com/co5VveF5cq  Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) July 19, 2016

At this rate I wouldn't be surprised if over the next few days:

George Zimmerman speaks at the convention

Trump descends on a helicopter/jetpack combination draped in heavenly light

A book burning takes place outside of the Quicken Loans arena

Someone proposes stoning to be reintroduced specifically for democratic political representatives

The ground breaks open and swallows up the convention in a flame of hellish fire

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Zooming through the skies at up to Mach 0.90 and a maximum cruising altitude of 51,000 feet, the Gulfstream G500 business jet headed out from from the company's Savannah, Georgia base to the 2016 Farnborough International Airshow in England, where it ultimately made its European debut last week.

The new jet -- expected to attain United States and European certification next year and to enter into service by 2019 -- made smashing time, flying nine tenths the speed of sound in six hours and 55 minutes. That's about an hour less than its infinitely less fabulous commercial airliner cousins. Those are 60 crucial minutes if you're a sleep-deprived CEO or a billionaire entrepreneur with a penchant for fast modes of transportation like proud Gulfstream (G650ER) owner Sir Philip Green.

The G500, along with the G600 represent a duo in development -- the latest of the company's brand new best in class business jets. The former -- which I had the chance to see with my own eyes in a private viewing ahead of the public air show -- was all sleek pomp and circumstance on the outside and an exposed network of colorful wires on the inside (which had yet to be kitted out as it is in its testing phase). The possibility inherent in its wildly unglamorous pre-fab state is poised to thrill any future owner -- as the ultimate blank canvas.

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The G500 and G600 are slightly smaller than the popular G650 and G650ER -- which boasts the longest range at the fastest speed and the largest purpose-built business jet cabin out there. But similar design options are of course available.

Although the grounded G650ER which I visit at the air show has a fairly standard configuration and universally palatable cream leather seats -- unsurprisingly, the Fortune 500 companies which make up approximately two thirds of Gulfstream's clientele, are often keen to brand their jets with corporate logos and color schemes.

Sporting brand Nike, which apparently acquired its Gulfstream (G550) from The Prem Rawat Foundation, famously went all out to create eye-catching flamboyant looks for its corporate Gulfstream jet -- with a bespoke swoosh tail and custom-painted trainer soles beneath the aircraft's wings.

Gulfstream however is well-reputed for its own interiors customization, which its Europe and Africa-based customers can plan and order at the company's relatively new (2013) London base in well-heeled Mayfair.

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High-end corporate branding notwithstanding, there are also naturally private buyers attracted to more personal customization -- a-la Paris apartment in the sky, complete with cushion-festooned divan and dark wood panelling -- explains Gulfstream Interior Design Director Tray Crow. He reveals that -- taking jet design cues from their homes -- buyers have come up with a range of interiors strategies, including one instance of featuring Old World master paintings on bulkheads.

Understandable, considering the natural lighting in the G650ER, and its 'offspring' jets, is fit for the likes of a Mario Testino studio. The degree of sunlight streaming through its over-sized (28 by 20.5) oval windows can be adjusted via three electric horizontal shade settings -- open, closed and screen. The latter, which recalls a rich-hued Japanese rice paper screen, casts a soft light over bleary-eyed high-net-worth travelers, nestled under their camel-hued woolen blankets by Loro Piana (one of the designers whose wares are on offer to buyers when they customize their new jets).

As the G650ER flies long distances -- between New York, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and London -- passengers are also likely to be found slumbering in a fully flat sky bed. Gulfstream claims that a mix of low interior altitude and clean refreshed air in the plane mitigate the effects of jet lag. The inadvertent 'light therapy' provided by the panoramic window shades may well be another time-adjusting side benefit for long-haul jet setters.

Asia Pacific in fact now makes up Gulfstream's biggest international market, says Heidi Fedak, the aerospace company's Senior Manager, Social Media and External Communications. If recent news is any indicator, Southwest Asia is also gaining ground: this month Qatar Airways -- which had already signed a 30 Gulfstream jet deal in May -- announced that it was activating three of its G650ERs options.
"The infamous Salem witch trials began during the spring of 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. As a wave of hysteria spread throughout colonial Massachusetts, a special court convened in Salem to hear the cases; the first convicted witch, Bridget Bishop, was hanged that June. Eighteen others followed Bishop to Salem's Gallows Hill...the painful legacy of the Salem witch trials would endure for centuries.."

Note to Melania -- the quotation marks above indicate that this writer took his quotes from another historical source. We use them in English -- quotation marks that is -- I can't speak for Slovakia-Slovenia-Slabovia. The writer's own thoughts begin below.

Last night as I watched the GOP convention, with Hillary called "Satan" by a deranged brain doctor - the hysteria created in the crowd reminded me of the Salem witch trials - at least as I remember them from the movies of my childhood. No, I am old but not so old as to have witnessed them in my youth. There was one with the wicked Bonita Granville called something like "Witches Burn in Salem..." Correct me on the title - I had snuck into the local theater as a small boy to see it -- my slightly older sister leading the way -- disobeying our parents -- and it haunted my dreams for weeks to come. I fear that the GOP convention will do the same.

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If the mad doctor had not called her Satan surely someone would have called the candidate Beelzebub. They did not merely want to defeat her, they wanted to destroy her - and burning at the stake would have been the preferred remedy for eliminating the woman if allowed. Trump's "crooked Hillary" had now become the Devil's handmaiden -- and if fire regulations permitted someone would have created a stake and brought a fiery torch to ignite it -- burning the woman in effigy.

I believe it took a few centuries for the witch Joan of Arc to become Saint Joan. I don't see the sanctification of Hillary -- but I do see the experience and value of this woman widely appreciated over time -- when she survives this election and wins the Presidency. The tone of demonizing his opponents has been set by Trump himself, and I don't give a damn how many pretty young daughters can testify to what a good Daddy he has been -- he can never be a father of this country -- he is its designated undertaker -- should he win.

But he won't win -- not as long as this old guy can wrangle people in Central Park and on the streets while out walking with Sam -- and tell them that Trump will destroy our centuries of imperfect freedoms and replace them with perfect Trump concentration camps. Hyperbole? I hope so -- but the part of me that has not been horrified by what the GOP hath wrought knows in my bones that this shall not come to pass -- and the good, common sense of the country will emerge and defeat him. Any young voter who refuses to vote for Hillary because he is disenchanted with the system, advise him that disenchantment will be the least of his or her troubles should he not work to defeat a menace to our freedoms. Let us pray for the soul of poor Bridget Bishop and all those who have been the victims of the eternal Trumpian mendacity -- a cruel ignorance which flows like a stream through our history -- but is always defeated by men and women of good will.
Two teenagers ran away from our small town in Virginia a couple of years ago, headed for New York, rumor had it. They made it as far as Connecticut--perhaps overshooting their mark--where they turned themselves in.

Ah, teenagers. New York I get, but drag racing with ATVs? Copulating behind a billboard during Spring Break? Vaping Molly? Why do teenagers seem so ready to jump into the abyss?

I talked with Kayt Sukel, author of The Art of Risk: The New Science of Courage, Caution and Chance, to find out. Sukel talks a lot about teenagers in her latest book; her first talked about the brain science behind love and sex. Turns out it's not that teens are brainless; in fact, their brains are primed for risk-taking. Taking chances is important to being a competent--let alone interesting--adult. And giving teens some space may be the best way to keep them from making catastrophic mistakes while they get there.



Why do teenagers so often do dumb things? I don't think they're all playing chicken or hanging between two cars like in the original Footloose, but from what I hear from my teens, shenanigans happen.

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Sukel: Shenanigans absolutely happen. Even your most reserved book nerd type teen is going to take more risks in the teen years. But I don't know that I'd classify them as "dumb." We like to say that teens are immature, or stupid, or just don't think. But, the truth is, teens brains are going through some pretty amazing changes to help them (eventually) become more thoughtful, capable adults. While those changes may not make them the easiest beings to co-habitate with at the time, they do allow for unprecedented learning and skill-building. Taking those risks is critical to helping teens gain the experience they need to grow up and make their way in the world.

Is it good for them on some level?

Sukel: Definitely! Because if teens weren't prone to a little more risk-taking--and, in turn, didn't get that crucial life experience--they would probably live in our basements for their entire lives. Adolescents need to push the envelope a little to learn all manner of skills. How to better sync up their bodies with the world around, how to problem solve, how to work well with others, how to emotionally regulate--really, just generally, how to move about the world independently and to be decent people as they are doing it. They will never learn those skills unless they gain some good experience. And as the saying goes, good decisions come from experience, good experience comes from bad decisions. That's what the teen years are for.

Would teaching kids about their brain help them make the best of these years?

Sukel: I'm of the opinion that learning about the brain is important for everyone. So, yes, by all means, educate teens on how the brain is changing. But I wouldn't expect it to make them any less dramatic. They have to get out there and learn it themselves, unfortunately.

Are boys riskier than girls?

Sukel: Historical studies would tell you, yes - boys tend to be more risky than girls. However, it's hard to tease those old studies apart from new ones. After all, it wasn't that long ago that women were told it was unladylike to participate in business, finances, extreme sports, or anything outside the sphere of the home. New research suggests that girls can be just as risky, especially if we are talking about partying, sex, and the like. Even though they may perceive certain activities as riskier than boys do, they are still taking part. How much of that is biology and how much is societally transmitting information about what a girl "should" be like is extremely difficult to measure.

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Can you train them to take risks? As in: Start with smaller things and move up to something big? Or have them get it out of their system in safer ways?
Investigators currently do not have any information about the organizers of the murder of journalist Pavel Sheremet, Ukrainian National Police Chief Khatia Dekanoidze said.

"We have to understand the motive and who ordered the killing. We don't have such information," she told a briefing conference in Kyiv on Wednesday.
It's amazing how America has changed in just one year, as today, the Republicans will begin their convention, in which an outspoken and out-of-control businessman will accept the party's presidential nominations, and Americans are more outraged than ever before.

In restaurants, bars, stores and many other places, many Americans are much more uptight and edgy than they were just a year ago today. In the last year, Americans have warmed up to fascist ideas, such as deporting 11 million immigrants and suspending immigration from certain Muslim countries.

It's not just the far-right that's outraged. The far-left is outraged and uptight as well, especially those of hispanic decent and those of the Muslim faith. They now fear on a daily basis that their lives will be dramatically changed in six months.

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Throughout the primary season, many protests against presumptive Republican Nominee Donald Trump became violent and led to arrests. On June 12, a deranged gunman gunned down 49 innocent people at the 'Palm Night Club' in Orlando, Florida. On July 7, Michael Xavier Johnson murdered five police officers in an ambush at the end of a Black Lives Matter rally in Dallas, Texas. Then, on Sunday, another gunman ambushed and murdered police officers, this time in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The culmination of these events and Trump's ideas have riled up Americans on both sides of the political spectrum like never before. A large group of people want a man, who is known to have a very short temper, a man who openly mocked a disabled reporter, a man whose campaign manager physically assaulted reporters and a man who has passive-aggressively promoted violence against his protestors with quotes such as "I love the old days. You know what they used to do to guys like that when they were in a place like this? They'd be carried out on a stretcher, folks." to have his hand on the button. This is precisely why I have labeled this summer as 'The Summer of Rage.'

A lot of the tragic events that have transpired throughout the country this year have been inspired purely by fear. People of non-white descent fear what is going to happen to them if Trump is elected president. People on the right fear what is going to happen if Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is elected, because of Trump's rhetoric and the right-wing witch hunt that has been out against her since the end of the 2012 Election. I have had two people, two normal and everyday people, tell me that they would personally assassinate Secretary Clinton if they saw her in person. That is how dangerous this election has made things, and this is exactly how much this election has changed the American way of life. When people talk about wanting to assassinate politicians, while they're in public, something is very wrong.

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In my opinion, this is probably the worst year for our country since 1968, when another presidential election riled up many Americans. That year, there were many race riots following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Just two month's after King's assassination, on June 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy, a Democratic presidential candidate and the brother of the late President John F. Kennedy, was shot at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, following his primary victory in California. Kennedy died the next day. During the Democratic National Convention in Chicago that year, police clashed with many anti-war protestors.

With the Republican National Convention set to begin in Cleveland today, police from other departments have been sworn in to the Cleveland Police Department in anticipation of potential unrest. The Cleveland Police Department also asked Ohio Governor John Kasich, a former presidential candidate himself, to suspend the state's open carry laws through the convention. Governor Kasich claimed he was not able to do so.
This commentary was co-written with Irfan Al-Alawi, International Director of the Center for Islamic Pluralism.

On July 15, the U.S. Congress released the appendix, redacted since 2002, to the governmental inquiry regarding American intelligence failures in the period leading to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The "28 pages" kept out of the public eye for 14 years have stimulated widespread speculation. One thing, however, came to be accepted widely: that the 28 pages had to do with the involvement of Saudi Arabian subjects or officials in the terrorist atrocities.

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Now that the controversial section of the 9/11 report is available for scrutiny, the suspicion that it dealt with Saudis is confirmed.

But the 28 pages do not offer significant evidence of official Saudi support or approval for Al-Qaida or the 9-11 conspiracy.

Rather, the 28 pages, headed as Part Four of the report, the "Finding, Discussion, and Narrative Regarding Certain Sensitive National Security Matters," recapitulate matters mainly reported publicly soon after 9-11.

The 28 pages admit that U.S. intelligence agencies failed to assess adequately the relationship of Saudi Arabia to radical Islam, because of the kingdom's status as an American "ally" [qualifying quote marks appear in the text of the Report]. That link was, however, known throughout the Muslim world.

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A review of information that had been collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency dredged up a range of names of Saudis connected both to the country's rulers and diplomats and to participants in the 9-11 plot.

The most information concerned Omar Al-Bayoumi, who according to the Report was believed by Muslim informants to be an agent of Saudi intelligence. Al-Bayoumi met in San Diego with two of the 9-11 hijackers, of whom 15 of 19 were Saudis.

The two individuals were Khalid Al-Mihdhar and Nawaf Al-Hazmi. Al-Bayoumi received financial aid from Saudi sources, and the money he was paid went up when he contacted Al-Mihdhar and Al-Hazmi.



Al-Bayoumi additionally had reputed contacts with the Holy Land Foundation (HLF), a fundraising front for the Palestinian extremist group Hamas. Leading HLF officers were convicted in 2008 of conspiracy to provide material support to a terrorist organization and related charges. Al-Bayoumi is described in the report as "providing guidance to young Muslims [through] writings [that] can be interpreted as jihadist."

A second Saudi figure described in the 28 pages is Osama Bassnan. According to the Report, Bassnan was an associate of Al-Bayoumi and "may have been in contact" with Al-Mihdhar and Al-Hazmi. Once again, Muslim informants suggested to American officials that Bassnan was a Saudi intelligence agent. Bassnan was said to be considered an Islamic "extremist" and adherent of Bin Laden.

The 28 pages appear most significant when they discuss relations between Princess Haifa Bint Sultan, the wife of then-Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bandar Bin Sultan, Al-Bayoumi, and Bassnan. The wife of Bassnan received $2,000 per month from Princess Haifa. The money was transferred in payment for "nursing services," but no such work was performed, according to the Report. Bassnan's wife was sent more funds, and Prince Bandar disbursed $15,000 to Bassnan.

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Several more Saudi names appear in the 28 pages. A Muslim cleric known as "Shaykh Al-Thumairy," from Culver City, Cal., may have been in contact with Al-Mihdhar and Al-Hazmi. Saleh Al-Hussayen, reportedly a Saudi Interior Ministry official, stayed at the same hotel in Herndon, Va., when Al-Hazmi was there. Al-Hussayen denied knowing the hijacker but was considered "deceptive" when questioned the FBI. He left the U.S. for Saudi Arabia before the FBI could conduct a followup interview.

Abdullah Bin Laden, the half-brother of Osama Bin Laden, was employed by Saudi-backed agencies in the Washington, DC, area. He was said to be a "close associate" of two more 9-11 hijackers, Muhammad Atta and Marwan Al-Shehi.

Other data in the 28 pages reveal that telephone numbers in the U.S. were found in the personal directory of Abu Zubaida, a high Al-Qaida leader, including those of Prince Bandar's residence in Aspen, Colo., run as a corporate entity titled "ASPCOL."

In addition, the 28 pages comprise clues and reports about other Saudi-backed Islamic charities and Saudi individuals. Saudi authorities are criticized for their reluctance to assist the U.S. investigation, including a refusal to admit that 9-11 hijackers identified by their passports were present in Saudi records.

To emphasize, very little of this could be reasonably described as new or even as sensitive. The web tying Prince Bandar and Princess Haifa to Al-Mihdhar and Al-Hazmi was described in detail in reportage in 2002. An explanation of the case is simple enough, but does not prove that the Saudi royal family supported Al-Qaida knowingly or directly.

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The association of high Saudi diplomats with Islamic radicals, however tenuous, reflects the nature of fundamentalist Saudi Wahhabism, the sole Islamic interpretation permitted in the kingdom, which is the ideological backbone of Saudi rule and, at the same time, inspires frenzied fanatics in all the world's Muslim countries and Muslim minority communities. Some, like the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS) fight against the Saudi state.
After Monday's acquittal of Lt. Brian Rice in the ongoing Freddie Gray saga, lead prosecutor Marilyn Mosby is batting a perfect 0-4. The three previous defendants were similarly acquitted, with two (and perhaps three) more officers to take the stand in the future.

It appears that Marilyn Mosby's prosecutions have been politically motivated and without foundation. The big problem, however, is that Freddie Gray has taken the focus off of Baltimore's long and painful economic plunge - a plunge that can be laid squarely at the feet of Charm City's long embrace of anti-market economic policies.

My colleague, Prof. Stephen J.K. Walters, and I wrote about this in the Investor's Business Daily on April 22, 2016: "One Year After: Freddie Gray and 'Structural Statism'."

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Here is some of what we wrote about how the path of structural statism has contributed to Baltimore's poverty and associated problems.

"When Freddie Gray was born in 1989, Baltimore hosted 787,000 residents and 445,000 jobs. By the time his fatal injuries in police custody provoked riots last April, the city's population had fallen by one fifth, to 623,000, and its job base had shrunk by one quarter, to 334,000.

Little wonder that throughout his life, Mr. Gray had never been legally employed. Nevertheless, friends and family considered him "a good provider," according to The Baltimore Sun.

This was because he worked in the drug trade, which filled his city's economic vacuum. An average day on the corner can yield take-home pay ten times that available in the low-skill warehousing or service jobs sometimes available to high-school dropouts like Gray.

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The catch, of course, is that such rewards carry two great risks. The lesser of these is regular involvement with the justice system. Gray was arrested 18 times and served three years behind bars in his tragically brief life.

Far more dangerous is how competition works in illegal markets. When selling contraband, one does not pursue market share by advertising high quality or low prices. Sales are increased by acquiring territory from rivals, often violently.

For Baltimore's drug cartels, the post-riot disequilibrium provided an opportunity for market expansion. Inevitably, each strategic assassination produced reprisals and collateral damage.

As a result, 2015 saw the highest homicide rate in Baltimore's history, at 55 per 100,000 residents -- over 13 times New York's rate. This horrific suffering was concentrated in the African-American community: 93% of victims were black, of which 95% were male and 65% aged 18 to 34.

In Freddie Gray's demographic, then, the homicide rate was 450 per 100,000 -- higher than the peak U.S. combat death rates recorded in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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The prevailing narrative is that all this is a by-product of structural racism and exemplifies a society "built on plunder" (according to the celebrated black radical Ta-Nehisi Coates). This is a myth.

It is not that racism doesn't exist but rather that it is relatively constant. When explaining variations in economic and social outcomes, constants have little power.

It's the application of destructive public policies that explain why neighborhoods like Gray's Sandtown-Winchester are deprived. If one had to put a label on this malignant force, it might be structural statism: an addiction to market-unfriendly governmental approaches to every problem."
When I was in high school, I was obsessed with the musical, Hair. I had the original cast album, and it's surprising that I didn't wear it out. In 1970, I could usually be found dancing barefoot around the living room in a peasant blouse and a long woven belt that hung down to the frayed hems of my bell-bottoms. I'd be whipping my long, straight hair around and vocalizing into the hairbrush that subbed for a microphone. If I was in a good mood, I would be performing "Donna" or "I Got Life." If there had been what passed for drama in my nascent love life, I would be on my knees, wailing "Easy to be Hard." From my 2016 vantage point, I admire my mother's tolerance and endurance.

When I learned that Matt Hawkins, a director whose work I admire, was mounting a new production of Hair at Northwestern University, I knew I had to get up to Evanston and see it. En route, I reflected that the show was sure to be dated. It was so quintessentially of its era - hard to imagine that hippies and "make love, not war" and "hell, no, we won't go" could possibly translate in the 21st century. How could adults who have absorbed anti-drug messages since the cradle possibly understand "turn on, tune in, and drop out"? How could people accustomed to this era's freedoms possibly understand the context for - or the radicalism of -- a "love-in" that made sense, to the extent it ever did, forty-five years ago?

I was overcome by Hawkins' production. The first act could have been a time machine, so effectively did it transport me to the days when we thought nothing of running around town in filthy bare feet. The overalls, the matted hair, the tattered shawls, the exuberance of defying 1950's mores, even the smell of the actors' sweat reminded me of the days when I would see Haight-Ashbury on TV and think it must be amazingly vital to be there and fully caught up in the revolution. I was, of course, a little too young to have been an actual hippie. I was, instead, a conventional kid and a good student, a virtual, long-distance, wannabe flower child.

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I did, however, grow up in Madison, Wisconsin, where the university was a nucleus of antiwar activity. I remember when we got the news that, only a mile or two from my home, Sterling Hall was bombed by activists, killing a physics professor. I was there when the National Guard was camped out on the library mall to quell student uprising. My eyes burned from tear gas as I made my way home from the UW Humanities Building, where I studied piano. I saw the guardsmen with their nightsticks and riot gear, and felt afraid.

As the second half of Hair began, I realized that the real challenge in bringing the 1968 show to 2016 was manifesting the angst and fear that underlay all that rebellion. I remember the anxiety with which my friends and I waited to learn what our brothers' draft lottery numbers would be. How could people who had never lived with a draft possibly relate to the foreboding of someone you loved being called up and sent to the other side of the world? With today's luxury of war being mostly foreign and abstract and something that happens to other people, how can we relate to the horror of seeing body bags unloaded from planes, of wondering whether one of ours would be next?

To my amazement, Hawkins' production managed to cut through the decades of life (and death) altering change between 1968 and today. The show revived the disquiet, fueled by terror and shock, that was the timbre of those years. The final scene brought me to tears.

And then I thought of Donald Trump, who advocates military force as the solution to all international complexities. Who, despite having graduated college at the height of the Vietnam War, managed to avoid military service.

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Donald Trump, who says he would force the military to commit war crimes. Donald Trump, who advocates waterboarding because "if it doesn't work, they deserve it anyway." Who advocates plundering oil from oil-rich countries, in violation of the Geneva Conventions. Who disparaged John McCain's war service because he was captured by the North Vietnamese. Who rallies his supporters with name-calling and chest-beating about vanquishing all foes and being bigger and tougher and more ruthless and never apologizing or backing down. Who promises to bring those same traits to his foreign policy.

I wish all the people out there who are getting high on Trump's cocktail of testosterone, thuggishness and obfuscation could see Matt Hawkins' Hair. We need to be reminded that, in global geopolitics, the cost of having only force as our approach to the most complex situations is paid in the blood of our sons and daughters, and in their desperately destroyed serenity.
Paying attention to this U.S. presidential campaign and commentators' efforts to make sense of it can be a painful undertaking. Aside from the hateful rhetoric and incitement to violence that Donald Trump has unleashed on society, our tired conceptual short-hands that we try to impose on people and ideas are outdated. Among the most abused words are "left," "right," "liberal," and "conservative." These are powerful identity labels for a lot of people, but insofar as we use them to describe modes of thought, policy frameworks, and life philosophies, they no longer mean much by themselves.

When we slap one of a narrow collection of labels on a host of unrelated issues, we are doing a disservice to ourselves and to our country because it constrains our ability to see nuance and narrows our perceived set of options. The left-right political dichotomy was an invention of revolutionary France in the late 1700s. The labels may have made sense in that period and subsequent ones, but they are an inadequate means of understanding today's world. This simplistic analytical framework from over 200 years ago cannot begin to capture the socio-technical complexity and knowledge base of the 21st century and its associated political debates. When we describe people and groups as "extreme right" or "extreme left" (or "populist," for that matter), we distract ourselves from the more relevant reality that they are often angry, frustrated, worried about their place in society, and scared about their own future. This patronizing and incurious labelling merely alienates fellow citizens from each other and distracts from the need to dig deeper, ask more questions, and learn how our rapidly changing world is causing pain for many people. Democracy requires active listening, starting from the assumption that no one has a monopoly on wisdom.

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The terms "liberal" and "conservative" have been used across the centuries in different contexts by economists, political theorists, ideologues, philosophers, and political parties to mean completely different and often contradictory things. We have tried to imbue these words with so much meaning that by themselves they confuse more than they elucidate. Today, the word "liberal" means something very different in Europe, the United States, and Latin America. In parts of Europe, it is more connected with an entire socio-political system based on tolerance and freedom of thought, whereas in the United States it tends to be associated with specific types of people and a vague ideology of "progressivism" linked to the Democratic Party. As such, "liberal" is often a dirty word in the United States when used by "conservatives," which itself has become a proxy for the Republican Party and no longer has much connection to a conservative mindset based on caution, tradition, and a reliance on evidence. In Latin America and parts of Europe, "liberal" tends to be associated with laissez-faire, free market economics. As such, Americans who identify as economic "conservatives" in the U.S. political context suddenly find themselves on the side of "liberals" when they're in other countries by way of supporting identical policy frameworks. Am I the only one experiencing cognitive dissonance here?

Resisting the Binary

As we contemplate our national direction beyond the 2016 election, I propose that we stop trying to categorize collections of political positions in a simplistic binary. There is no coherent reason why a concern for high levels of debt and desire for efficient management of our resources need be accompanied by a dislike for those who are different from us or a fear of the "other." It is does not logically follow that believing government is ill-equipped to handle certain challenges means that one does not care about resolving them as concerned citizens. A deep passion for justice and social inclusion need not be linked to a disregard for honest debate about the effectiveness of legal mandates versus normative social change. Believing we should do our best to help those less materially fortunate does not have to be decoupled from an appreciation of economic incentive structures that encourage hard work. A belief in God or simply being awestruck by the vastness of a universe beyond our comprehension is not necessarily connected to intolerance or the impulse to impose specific beliefs on others. Desire for a level of order and predictability in society shouldn't preclude one from arguing that we should change and improve on certain things. What purpose does it serve to try to categorize this multiplicity of unrelated concepts into an antiquated binary rather than debating them on their merits, aside from saving us the trouble of engaging in genuine discourse?

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Our collective delusion that "liberal," "conservative," "left," and "right" are useful ways to meaningfully communicate mutually understood concepts today is part of why our political discourse is such a disaster. If specific people self-identify with one of these labels, it is perfectly appropriate to call them by that name, but more information is still necessary to find out what the word means to them.

The path dependencies of the brain become deeply ingrained in our neural circuitry through a lifetime of repetition. As such, these words will continue to be used, but they are highly problematic for describing political positions because as deeply held personal identifiers they tend to immediately evoke strong emotions and sets of assumptions in our brains simply upon hearing or reading them, which can put us in an agitated state and blind us to the content of an argument. Emotions are an important part of discourse because they signal passion and commitment, but too often we focus on the identity labels and don't take the time to understand where our views actually converge and diverge. Given that people bring their own specific sets of assumptions to the terms and there is no widely understood definition of them, without clarification they serve primarily as empty rallying cries. And throwing a "neo" in front of "liberal" or "conservative" does not make them any clearer as a means of explaining mental frameworks, policy agendas, identities, or life philosophies. Our highly interactive, globalized communications environment further complicates an already muddled American understanding of what these words mean.

New Thinking and More Words for a Changed Political Landscape

The complexity of today's world can be overwhelming and scary. The technological, ecological, and associated social changes we are collectively experiencing are highly disruptive and deeply unsettling, even as there is great potential for a better future. In order to confront the challenges of today, we would benefit from a renaissance of thought, especially in our public life.

Many are not aware of it, but we are living through a paradigm shift in science based on deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us -- which tends to be articulated in terms such as "complex systems" and "emergent properties" (for my fellow nerds out there, this is what Thomas Kuhn talked about in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions). Our language must adapt to better account for the complexity and nuance that we know to be present from meticulous observation, measurement, experimentation, and perceptual attentiveness, but which we struggle to communicate with each other in words. The call for improving our lexicon has been made by people such as renowned neuroscientist Mike Gazzaniga, whose 2011 book, Who's in Charge? Free Will and the Science of the Brain, is one of many works that illustrate this paradigm shift. As Casey Schwartz has summarized his argument, "Gazzaniga is calling for a new 'vocabulary' -- one that doesn't yet exist -- that captures the dynamism between the brain and the mind, between the individual and the group, between the group and the environment. All of these relationships are two-way streets; none a matter of simple, linear cause and effect."

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Political spectrums are useful analytical frameworks for where one's views fall relative to the rest of society on specific political issues such as different aspects of the climate change debate; the importance of material social equity as an absolute and when weighed against incentives to innovate and work hard; the different mechanisms government should use to shape the structure of our economic system; how broad our notion of social inclusion should be; how much we should allow predictive computer algorithms to guide policing and other government decision-making; the degree to which we should regulate electronic data collection and processing by corporations and government; and how to adapt our policies to the rapid social reconfigurations and displacement brought about by modern networked electronics and computer-robotics, such as increased automation, the "sharing economy," and the "gig economy." On questions such as when it is appropriate to genetically engineer human beings, we have not begun to scratch the surface. It seems fraught with risks of unintended consequences and nefarious uses as well as significant benefits, but how many of us have weighed all of the different arguments for and against?

Our political landscape has changed, but our political discourse has not kept pace. Trying to compress the kaleidoscopic enormity of the political and ethical questions we face in an increasingly complex world into a simplistic "left-right" or "liberal-conservative" binary needlessly constrains debate, especially given the vagueness and overuse of these terms. Moving past the words themselves and rearticulating the core concepts that we seek to convey is a much-needed exercise. Using them as standalone words without any clarification is little better than grunting at each other.

We need political parties, and politicians will tend to simplify and use slogans in order to communicate to broad audiences. They are necessary for our society to function, and the structure of our hyper-connected, high-speed world imposes pressures on politicians that would break the average person. Parties must also craft platforms and build coalitions out of disparate groups and ideologies. But we as citizens need not be bound by the antiquated discourse of the parties, not trapped by their factionalism.

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Abdul Sattar Edhi -- a man widely dubbed as "Father Teresa" -- recently lost his hard-fought battle against renal failure. Revered as a national and international hero, Edhi established an empire of heartfelt philanthropy from scratch. In 2013, Take Part stated that Edhi might be the world's greatest living humanitarian based on his remarkable efforts to alleviate the strains plaguing the mendicants along with many other hopeless widows, orphan children, and other needy people for whom nothing but grave clouds of oblivion seemed to hover over their futures. But what is astounding is that Edhi established this eon of prosperity out of nothing. A man with exceedingly humble means -- but a passion to help that knew no bounds -- Edhi conceived and gave shape to the Edhi foundation, which is now Pakistan's largest welfare organization. Since its inception, the Edhi foundation has rescued over 20,000 abandoned infants, rehabilitated over 50,000 orphans and has trained over 40,000 nurses. The foundation also actively runs 330 help centers, no less, in remote areas of Pakistan. But with that said, how exactly do Edhi's mind-boggling struggles affect us as individuals?

Pakistan has been undergoing turmoil since a long time now. Target killings are now a most commonly feared and known phenomena in Pakistan, from whose mischievous aftermath not even the celebrities are exempt. Recently, Pakistan's internet sensation -- Qandeel Baloch -- was heartlessly killed in cold blood by no one other than her brother. No assailant, no critic, and no nemesis sought revenge against Qandeel; instead, her own brother -- with whom she must have kicked pebbles in her childhood days -- strangled her to death in the name of "honor." I might not be well aware of such a patriarchal, bigoted and biased mentality personally, but which honor do these ruthless, depraved and obtuse-minded goons talk about, dare I ask? Is it the honor that leads them to slut-shame women who express their personal opinions regarding who they love and who they marry? Or is it the honor that has, without a single shadow of doubt, orchestrated what now seems to be inveterate fear and apprehension in women of pursuing their ambitions?

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I will not go into all the know-how-why-and-what of "honor" killings in Pakistan for now -- that's for another time. But why I highlight this topic today is to acknowledge that in these gloomy times of illiteracy, intolerance and elusive self-righteousness, Edhi was a ray of hope, a rabbit-hole to a thousand smiles. For women like Qandeel, for brave, strong girls like Malala, and for million other hopeless orphans that no one cares enough about, Edhi was a father figure, a role model, and an ultimate source of glittering hope. And Edhi's contributions do not end just here. Be it a bomb-blast or be it a funeral in a local, obscure village in a forsaken corner of Pakistan, Edhi's and Edhi foundation's pristine efforts to ameliorate the almost non-existent welfare system in Pakistan are all to be lauded. In today's world, where not even our blood-relatives come to our rescue in times of dire need, Edhi's selfless demeanour, his wide, congenial smile, and his myriad contributions strike as even more noteworthy.

All of this is to say that for Edhi, religion was humanity, and humanity was his religion. A self-made man, who took to his grave merely a single shalwar kameez that he wore daily, Edhi is our true hero. Edhi's demise, although it has elicited innumerable tears, cries, wallow, and sorrow, also sheds light on a flickering possibility of improvement. But mind you, this improvement will be all but ubiquitous until and unless humanity becomes our unblemished priority rather than choice. Until and unless Edhi's religion of humanity binds us as one, until and unless we retreat from a war that has no enemy but intolerance and provinciality, until and unless we, rather than succumbing to our godforsaken "honor" and self-righteous rationale, emerge as compassionate, tolerant and empathetic people, we will remain tied under bloodshed and oblivion.

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Ebola. Zika. Superbugs resistant to antibiotics.

The headlines brim with news of infectious threats. Our lawmakers just battled over more than $1 billion in funding for Zika, the mosquito-borne virus that has caused serious birth defects in at least nine babies born in the U.S. and has been diagnosed in at least 1,306 Americans.

But far more mundane infections kill thousands of Americans each year - infections that patients caught in the very hospitals they've trusted to make them better. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hospital infections affect almost two million Americans every year. About 99,000 die each year as a result.

Take urinary tract infections, or UTIs. About 12 percent of hospital-acquired infections are UTIs. Such infections often start from microbes that attach and grow on the urinary catheters that medical teams insert into the bladders of countless hospital patients every year.

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A cause of infection - and of discomfort









From www.shutterstock.com





These catheters - which are a major source of infection - have an interesting history. Benjamin Franklin is said to have invented one for his brother, who suffered from kidney stones. And while catheters can help some patients, too many lead to harm. About 80 percent of all hospital-acquired UTIs are due to catheters.

To add insult to indignity, about 30 percent of physicians don't know which of their hospitalized patients have a catheter - even though it takes a doctor's order to insert one. No wonder they're such a source of infection.

About one in five hospitalized patients receives a urinary catheter, enduring discomfort for the sake of easier urine collection. Studies have found that in about one of three instances, the urinary catheter in hospital settings is not even necessary.

Fortunately for patients, new results from a national study involving 603 hospitals reveals we can make a difference in infection rates and the use of catheters. To do so, we must address both technical and cultural aspects of health care.

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Over an 18-month period, UTI rates among hospital patients in general wards dropped by a third. Catheter use dropped too. And it happened at a time when hospital UTI rates rose nationwide.

The hospitals in the study used something called a "Bladder Bundle" - a combination of protocols, checklists and training modules. The tools encourage:

Daily checks on which patients have a catheter and whether they need it





Less indwelling catheter use, by using safer urine collection methods





Regular training and use of infection-prevention techniques - including handwashing - for catheter placement and maintenance.









From www.shutterstock.com.





Their success also was based on convincing enough hospital workers to alter their behavior given the emotional weight of old habits. Once a new process gains a level of group approval, nurses and doctors are more likely to change their old habits.

One way to effect change is by using the universal concept of conformity, which is behaving how people around us behave.

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Cleanliness is key, but a dirty look doesn't hurt

An example is my wife and her shopping habits. She and I tend to shop at two places for groceries: a large chain that boasts discounted prices but no special focus on the environment, and an upscale store that clearly focuses on sustainability. At the first, she opts for the store's plastic bags. But at the other, she brings her own reusable bags. Why does she behave differently? To avoid "dirty looks" from customers at the second store.

How can we use conformity to improve outcomes in a healthcare setting? Buy-in from medical staff leadership or involvement by a key physician or nurse is key. So when a surgeon doesn't wash his or her hands before checking a wound site at the bedside, or a nurse forgets to wash his or her hands before putting in a urinary catheter, they will feel that same "normative social pressure" that my wife does when shopping.

In short, they will get dirty looks from their colleagues. And the anticipation of such looks over time would prompt them to behave safely in the first place.

Leadership is crucial, since a hospital's culture is heavily influenced by the worst behavior a leader allows.

Just paying attention can help, too

But beyond a top-down approach, there are more personal approaches - such as mindfulness, the practice of "paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally"- that could prove helpful. It's self-driven, performed quietly inside the mind during ordinary activities such as washing one's hands.

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Since key prevention strategies are often more cognitive and behavioral than technical, mindfulness requires no new equipment.

For example, if I was caring for a patient with urinary incontinence, before I consider using a catheter I first need to understand the possible causes of the incontinence and what approach will produce the best long-term results for my patient.

By having a flexible state of mind, I give more thought about the patient's present and future well-being - and think twice about ordering a catheter to be put in. At the same time, if I decide to order one for the sake of the patient's broader care, my hospital might institute a reminder in the patient's electronic chart, to prompt me and my colleagues to remove it as soon as we can.

Preventing infection is a team sport. Cooperation - among doctors, nurses, microbiologists, public health officials and patients - will be required to control the spread of Zika. Such teamwork is required to prevent more mundane infections as well.




In light of increased breakfast consumption in America, as well as more frequent morning meal visits to quick service restaurants, Chick-fil-A has introduced a new breakfast menu item, its first in six years.

The Egg White Grill is described by the chain as a "protein-packed breakfast sandwich," featuring grilled chicken breast, grilled egg whites, and American cheese, on a toasted multigrain English muffin. It has 300 calories and 25 grams of protein, and was created "to meet the demands of those seeking a healthy breakfast on-the-go," according to a release.

MORE ON CHICK-FIL-A

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"At Chick-fil-A, we're constantly looking for innovative -- and delicious -- ways to meet the needs of our guests," said David Farmer, vice president of menu strategy and development. "We understand the importance of breakfast and the impact it has throughout the day."

The sandwich starts at $3.35, and joins Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit, Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis, Greek Yogurt, and more on the chain's breakfast menu.
Hate is in the air.

In the run up to the recent Brexit vote, the UK Independence Party's Nigel Farage trotted out a poster of thousands of brown-skinned people massing toward England. The photograph used in the poster was of Syrian refugees, fleeing war, crossing the Croatia-Slovenia border in 2015.

In a remarkable coincidence, the poster was virtually identical to a scene from a Nazi propaganda film, part of the Third Reich's own anti-immigration campaign:

The film warned Germans of the threat of "Eastern Jews" flooding into the country, bringing with them "crime, corruption, and chaos."

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Sound familiar?

On the other side of the Atlantic, presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump opened his presidential campaign last June by promising to build a Great Wall to block hordes of Mexican criminals and rapists from entering the country.

Expanding his anti-color commentary to stoke fear of Muslims, Trump asserted that between 27 percent and 35 percent of all Muslims worldwide are "militant" according to Pew Research.

Pew Research has no knowledge of the statistics quoted by Trump. Angel Rabasa, a senior political scientist at the RAND Corporation, said, "I don't know where Mr. Trump got the figure of 27 or 35 percent of Muslims that want to go to war with the U.S. As far as I know there is no scientific basis for that statement."

35 percent of the worldwide population of Muslims equals a number that exceeds the population of the United States by nearly a quarter billion people. If Trump is right, we're in serious trouble:

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As scary as a half billion bloodthirsty terrorists may seem, the data suggests that the terrorist threat level may not be quite as severe as Trump's hyperbolics indicate. As it turns out, lightning kills more Americans than Islamic terrorists:

Facts notwithstanding, Trump declared the United States would have "absolutely no choice" but to close down mosques and require American Muslims to register in a database. In a Yahoo News interview, Trump said he would not rule out "a special form of identification that noted their (Muslims) religion."

According to Trump, it's not only ok to be racist; it's a civic responsibility. That message has been received loud and clear by 21st-century Brownshirts, who are perpetrating hate crimes in record numbers. In 2015, there were 29 attacks on mosques in the United States, more than triple the number in 2014.

Dozens of other incidents include:

On December 11, 2015, a few days after Trump called for a ban on Muslims entering the United States, a man ripped off a Muslim woman's hijab and screamed "This is America!" during a Southwest Airlines flight from Chicago to Albuquerque

On March 11, 2016, two Wichita State University students were beaten by a man who shouted "Trump will take our country from you guys!"

On April 29, 2016, a woman dumped a foul-smelling liquid over the head of a Hijab-wearing woman at a Washington, DC Starbucks, saying "F-ing Muslim. Trash, worthless piece of Muslim trash... I'm going to vote for him (Trump) so he can send all of you all back to where you came from."

Trump's dire warnings have received a generous boost from major media outlets, which have provided the leader of the Republican Party with $1.9 billion in free television coverage. Nine out of 10 stories by news media outlets portray Muslims as either terrorists or warlords. If this reporting is truly representative of the mindset of Muslim people, it suggests that over 1.4 billion Islamic terrorists are hell-bent on destroying the west. A more likely explanation is that news networks are chumming the troubled water, driving ratings and ad revenues through the roof.

At the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference earlier this year, CBS executive chairman, president, and CEO Les Moonves said the Trump campaign "may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS."

"Man, who would have expected the ride we're all having right now?" Moonves said, "... The money's rolling in and this is fun."

"Fun" does seem like a much more constructive way to view racism compared with the more traditional "abominable" perspective. Maybe those on the receiving end of hate simply need a silver lining playbook to fully appreciate the many benefits of racism. In addition to being fun, racism can be profitable -- even patriotic. Sure, getting beat up by a skinhead can be painful, but consider the greater good of serving CBS' bottom line and Donald Trump's ego. Sometimes, you just need to take a hit for the team -- literally.

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In the sequel to The Oasis Within, my new book The Golden Palace, Chapter 16, there's a brief discussion of the unconscious mind that's been revolutionary for my own recent thinking and work. I'd like to share it here. The setting is a beautiful room in the royal palace, in a reimagined Cairo, Egypt, in 1934. The king is speaking to his nephew, Walid, and Walid's best friend, Mafulla.

Ali leaned back on the sofa cushion. He said, "Something just occurred to me. Have you boys ever heard of the unconscious mind?"

"Not really," Mafulla said, "I mean, I know my mind's unconscious when I sleep, and sometimes in class."

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"Maybe I've heard the expression once," Walid said, as he smiled at his friend.

"Well, there are many things stored in our minds, like information learned in the past, of which we're not at this moment consciously aware. It's in our minds for retrieval, but is not now conscious. There are also habits and dispositions that exist in the mind beyond our introspective self-awareness. You can consciously gaze within and not see them. And this is true of many other things that we take in about the world around us but that remain beneath the sweep of full awareness. We have huge resources in the unconscious mind that are not always quickly or easily available to consciousness."

"I hadn't thought about it like that, but this makes sense," Walid said.

"What's most important to realize is the perhaps initially surprising truth that the unconscious mind represents the vast majority of our mental possessions and abilities. Our conscious experience is like the very top few stones of the Great Pyramid. The rest of our mental ability is like the remainder of that huge structure, except that, in reality, the difference in the size and scope of those mental areas is much, much bigger."

"I'd never really thought about that, Your Majesty," Mafulla said. The king nodded and continued.

"Many things go on in our minds that we never consciously realize. There are patterns and indications picked up by deep processes of recognition within us that may or may not enter our explicit thoughts. But we can train ourselves to be more open to this deeper part of our mental activity. We can get to a point where we allow those otherwise hidden thoughts and hints to flow upward. That way, we become aware of much more than most people ever realize. Inventors do this. So do all great explorers and artists and scholars, and athletes. The most innovative scientists are very good at it. The best warriors like Masoon rely on it. Creativity in any walk of life requires it."

Walid spoke up. "That's connected to what we were talking about so much in the desert--the power of our minds."

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"Correct. And, Mafulla, in case you and Walid haven't spoken of this, he and I talked much about the mind on our trip across the desert. Most people live in a terribly constricted and reduced circle of being. They're in self-imposed exile from the best that life has for them. They can't make the right decisions or even see the true possibilities that our world offers unless they access this deeper level of the mind. Exiles from their own greatness, they choose unhealthy relationships, pursue the wrong paths, and generally end up living in various levels of either misery, or emotional deadness. They exist on the most basic level as human beings, but they're not fully alive."

The king went on, as he looked over at Walid. "I've talked with you a great deal about the power of the mind. But it's not just that our normal conscious awareness can be powerful. In fact, if it's cut off from the deeper sources of thought and feeling, it will not be powerful at all. Only when we allow the deep parts of our minds and hearts to percolate upward into consciousness, and also directly touch our actions, can we tap into our true power. And only when conscious thought resonates with these deeper resources will it have its proper impact."

He sat for a moment in silence, then said, "We have to get beyond the superficial chatter of our normal consciousness. We need to access all that's available to us beneath the clutter, beyond the chattering voices and distractions of normal thought." The king smiled. "We need to experience what I like to call the thought beyond thought. That's where the deep power is."

"How can we do this?" Walid asked.

"We calm our conscious minds. We relax our bodies and release whatever ordinary thoughts or feelings might be impinging on us. We then become open to allow deeper insights to appear. And they're always near us, available to us, if we'll just notice them and take them in. We'll talk more about this in days to come, but for now, learn to listen carefully to any small thoughts that might seem to play about beneath the surface of your normal consciousness. When one appears, invite it to linger and develop in your mind."

"This is what you do, Your Majesty?" Mafulla asked.

"Yes, it is. All the time. I want you boys to do this as well, to be sensitive to your inklings and feelings about the situations that develop around us. Never just dismiss these hints that sometimes fleetingly appear from the realm of the unconscious mind. Pay attention to them. They're worthy of your notice. And then tell each other and me. That way, we can work together powerfully to resist and restrain those who have given in to the downward pull of evil. And that way, we can also make some very good and creative things happen."

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"Ok," Walid said. "This sounds really important."

"It is."

"We'll try to do exactly as you say."

"Sure thing, Your Majesty," Mafulla answered.

"As you seek to tap into your deeper potential, you'll progressively grow in your ability to do so. It's like any skilled behavior."

"I'm sure you're a master at it, Your Majesty," Mafulla said.
Ukrainian law enforcement and security agencies are putting together a task force to investigate journalist Pavel Sheremet's killing, and this task force will include officers from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Ukrainian National Police chief Khatia Dekanoidze said.

"The Security Service chief, the prosecutor general, and I, as the National Police chief, have received clear instructions from President Poroshenko: we are putting together a task force," Dekanoidze said at a news briefing on Wednesday.

The task force will include FBI officers, she said.
For the past two decades, America's leading environmental analysts, including Lester Brown, Joseph Romm and Thomas Friedman, have written of the need for a World War II-scale mobilization in response to the global climate and sustainability crisis. This election season, the advocacy has finally gone mainstream. Bernie Sanders called for a WWII-scale climate mobilization at the April 14 CNN Brooklyn debate, and on July 9, the Democratic Party platform committee overwhelmingly voted in favor of an amendment calling for a "WWII-type national mobilization to save civilization" from "the global climate emergency."

Many of us have known for years that such a mobilization will be required to save America, and indeed, all of human civilization from catastrophe. In 2007, Secretary Clinton referenced the need for a WWII-scale mobilization to address the climate crisis in a major speech on energy and climate. After the 2012 election, Susie Tompkins Buell urged President Obama to address the challenge of climate change by appointing officials to "galvanize the equivalent of the Roosevelt-led mobilization for World War II."

Now the Democratic Party at large has taken up the mantle of a Rooseveltian climate mobilization. In 2016, the idea of a World War II-equivalent mobilization to restore a stable climate -- not simply a commitment to clean energy -- is what demonstrates to Americans a serious commitment to overcoming the climate crisis.

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Secretary Clinton's acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention provides a momentous opportunity for her to double down on her advocacy of a WWII-scale mobilization to restore a safe and stable climate. If the Secretary champions a WWII-style climate mobilization, it will provide an inspiring contrast to Donald Trump's neo-isolationist "America First" approach to energy policy and global affairs. Furthermore, if she commits to holding a climate summit in the first 100 days of her administration, it will demonstrate a concrete commitment toward overcoming the climate crisis.

A principled call for a heroic mobilization to save civilization can unite Americans of all political persuasions -- including those who genuinely want to make America great again.
Ray Wang, bestselling author and CEO and founder of Constellation Research, and I are greatly fortunate and have the privilege of speaking with some of the best and brightest business leaders and entrepreneurs on our weekly show called DisrupTV. Our guests include Fortune 1,000 CXOs, startup CEOs, venture capitalists, and technology and media thought leaders. Our goals is to identify business, leadership and innovation disruptive macro and micro trends and to give our audiences direct access to the most influential change agents in the world.

Here are 20 entrepreneurship lessons that we learned from some of our recent DisrupTV guests:

Anshu Sharma is Executive in Residence and Venture Partner at Storm Ventures where he is focused on building software companies that leverage the power of SaaS, mobile and cloud by working with closely with early stage entrepreneurs. His motto is "your company is an App now" - as he envisions industries ranging from healthcare to banking being redefined by everything as a service delivered on the supercomputer in our pockets.

1. Blogging is a very lonely experience, but worth doing. Sharma is most famous for writing a post about the 'Stack Fallacy' - a false belief that the higher you go up the technology stack, the easier it is to build solutions. Sharma notes that after running 250 blogs, it was this post that described why big companies fail to innovate that hugely propelled his thought leadership throughout the industry.

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2. The future of apps should be better apps. Sharma invites companies and app developers to focus on improving the functionality and user experience of mobile apps. "We can fix the gaps in apps so that they become seamless and easy to use," said Sharma.

3. The most important startup key performance indicator is 'number of users'. It's never been a better time to be a SaaS company. If you really have real usage and adoption, then your company will grow and survive. What good companies obsesses about is number of user logins, customer objects, and usage. Strong VCs look at product demos and research real product usage trends. The user adoption curve will be far ahead of the product revenue curve.



Deb Mills-Scofield - Partner at Glengary Venture Capital, Business Innovation & Strategy Expert and Harvard Business Review blogger. Deb Mills-Scofield helps companies create and implement actionable, adaptable, measurable, and profitable innovation-based strategic plans. Deb has been doing this successfully for 25+ years with service, manufacturing, and high-technology companies from large global companies to early-stage. She has also done some carve-outs, start-ups and start-downs.

4. Doing well, and doing good, are not mutually exclusive, but mutually reinforcing. If you are not doing well, you don't the money to keep doing good. Is your company doing the work for the right reasons - can it create meaning and money, purpose and profit?

5. Customers want meaning, value and purpose for them. If you don't have your value proposition done, you don't need to worry about the business model. This means deliver value in the context and constraints of the customer, not what you would like it to be. This means understanding your customer's customer needs from their perspective.

6. Humble confidence is key to success. Humble companies ask for help and they give their employees the freedom to fail and try stuff. Companies that trust their employees will be more innovative. Business leaders must walk the talk and give their employees the freedom to experiment. According to Scofield, good leaders take all of the blame and none of the credit. Good leaders also promote and celebrate cross-collaboration across the lines-of-business.

7. The 'no shmucks' policy. The first thing that Scofield's VC firm looks for is matching the startup's domain expertise with firm's partners. The second is the people. No investing in jerks, no matter how good the idea or business model.

8. When you don't ask, the answer is no. Scofield encourages people to consider asking for help or well-deserved promotions or pay raises. She also encourages change agents to ask for forgiveness, not permission. Throughout her career, Scofield defined her work responsibilities and actively led her career direction.

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Alex Osterwalder - Co-Founder of Strategyzer, Bestselling Author, and Thinkers50 2016 Most Influential Business Management Thinker. Dr. Osterwalder's twitter bio it reads: "Won't rest until executives and entrepreneurs operate like surgeons!" Strategyzer helps companies build better business models with practical tools to help businesses better understand their customers, design better value propositions and find the right business models. Osterwalder is also an international bestselling author with books translated in 40 languages and sold over million copies. In fact over 5 million people have downloaded the Business Model Canvas.



9. Why is it harder for larger companies to innovate? Organizational structures today are designed to execute a known and proven business models. But trying to do something differently, something outside of your execution engine, is hard. An ambidextrous culture - one that is focused on both execution and innovation - is required to minimize exposure to disruption. We are at a point that companies need to be redesigned. You cannot reinvent yourself by cutting costs - some companies are dying efficiently based on continuous cost cutting programs. Company reinventions require active board involvement and a dedicated business executive - a chief innovation officer.

10. Business models are like yogurt - they all have an expiration date. Companies have to invest time and energy to combat against learning decay. Companies also have to invest in best-in-class tools and technologies to stay relevant. Acceptance and usage of business model tools began in the startups and then emerged in industries that had accelerated business model expiration. Today, chief technology officers (CTOs) and chief marketing officers (CMOs) are leading business model innovation programs within larger corporations.

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11.Innovation is not expensive. Technology R&D is expensive (technology decision is about can we do it?). Innovation answers a different question: 'should we do it?' Innovation is not expensive in the early stages but it does get expensive when it is time to scale. Companies need to recruit and empower a chief innovation officer (CIO) or corporate entrepreneur in order to survive. 52% of the Fortune 500 companies have disappeared since the year 2000.

12.Today, most companies use PowerPoint and Excel to manage their company's strategy. Businesses need to utilize more sophisticated tools to manage strategy. Innovators need to maintain a long-term vision but also be able to manage their tactical and operational assignments with tools that help improve execution velocity and business outcomes by leveraging systems, methods and structures.

13.Business is not about making money, business is about creating value for customers. Money is simply a metric to measure success. If you create value for customers with a great business model, then the money will come on its own.

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Clara Shih is CEO and founder of Hearsay Social, whose predictive analytics technology helps salespeople reach out to clients at the right time with the right message. Shih is the author of New York Times-featured best-seller, The Facebook Era and her new book The Social Business Imperative. Shih has been named one of Fortune's "Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs," Fast Company's "Most Influential People in Technology," BusinessWeek's "Top Young Entrepreneurs," and both Fortune's and Ad Age's "40 Under 40." Shih was also named a "Young Global Leader" by World Economic Forum, Shih is a member of the Starbucks board of directors and previously served in a variety of technical, product, and marketing roles at Google, Microsoft, and Salesforce.com.

14.Social and digital is a board room issue. Most companies have not seen wholesale transformation results from their social networking activities because they have delegated this work to interns and junior staff. This is a huge mistake. Social and digital have become too strategic and important to completely delegate. CEOs, board of directors and senior management have to personally take responsibility to both understand and apply and determine the strategy for digital to go beyond marketing and communications. They must incorporate a digital strategy into their core business model.

15.The constantly connected customer is disruptive traditional businesses. The always connected customer is more loyal to companies that are always engaged and frequently engaged. The smartphone and mobile and social revolution has created a digital divide for companies that have yet developed a business model that enables them to be always-on and always connected.

16.Business leaders must better understand the impact and experience of social networking. CEOs must understand how their customers and employees experience the world. Even if the CEO does not have a social presence, they must understand emerging social technologies and engagement models. Shih's new book 'The Social Business Imperative' very strongly articulates the importance of business leaders understanding the constantly connected, mobile and social stakeholders - customers, employees and partners.

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Seth Godin is the author of eighteen international bestsellers that have been translated into over 35 languages, and have changed the way people think about marketing and work. For a long time, Unleashing the Ideavirus was the most popular ebook ever published, and Purple Cow is the bestselling marketing book of the decade.

17.We live in a permission economy. So how does a business lead in the permission economy. Permission is the privilege of talking to people who want to talk to you, and not because it's important to you. It is about being missed if you don't show up. Are you doing something worth following? If you're not, then you're not leading.

18.The world is changing. What does it mean to live in a world that is changing? The key element to being a CIO or a CMO is to be a chief learning officer (CLO). To be an artisan - not a craftsman, because a craftsman does the something again and again - is to learn to do it different the next time, to do it better the next time. To be an artisan, you have to be willing to listen and learn. What it means to learn is to fail

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Gary Veynerchuk is the CEO of @vaynermedia and bestselling author of Crush IT, The Thank You Economy, Jab Jab, Jab Right Hook and #AskGaryVee. Gary also currently hosts The #AskGaryVee Show, a way of providing as much value as possible by taking questions about social media, entrepreneurship, startups, and family businesses and giving his answers based on a lifetime of building successful, multi-million dollar companies. Gary is also one of the best follows on Twitter at @garyvee.

19.Your word is bond. Your honor is everything.

20.Be patient and invest in your future. Try to live your life in a way that you actually realize that you'll be around in five years. Do the right thing, for the right reasons, and most importantly be patient.

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This summer, taxi drivers have become the government's new public enemy. (14ymedio)

14ymedio, Yoani Sanchez, Havana, 20 July 2106 - At the beginning of the year evil was incarnated in the intermediaries, who were blamed for the high food prices in the produce markets. At the end of 2013, the boogeymen were those who worked for themselves selling imported clothes and other merchandise. In February of this year the war against the pushcart vendors reached its height, and today the enemy drives a shared taxi, a person who in common parlance is called a "boatman."

If there is anything that has characterized the Cuban system of the last 57 years it is its ability to find a scapegoat. When the agricultural plans are not met it is the fault of the drought, the indiscipline of the workers or the poor organization dictated by some low-ranking bureaucrat. If in times of heavy precipitation the water supply remains unstable in towns and cities it is because, "the rain is not falling where it should," as was explained to us in recent statements by an official of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH).

Urban transport does not work well due to "vandalism" and because "the population doesn't treat this equipment as it deserves," they tell us. Meanwhile most road accidents are because of the "recklessness of the drivers," and not because of the poor state of the roads and highways, the terrible signage or the inventive measures taken by drivers to keep their obsolete vehicles running.

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The powers-that-be point their index fingers in all directions to accuse others, but never turn it back on themselves. From time to time, to display a certain tone of self-criticism, they come down on Communist Party members themselves, and accuse them of not voicing their opinions "in the right place and at the right time," or they make some minister take the fall for the failed policies in the areas of public health, education or some other sector.

We citizens are the main culprits, according to what state television tells us, for the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that, for years, has failed to yield to spraying or campaigns against it. Our homes are the "main foci" of the mosquito, they spit at us from the press, as if state and government entities were untainted redoubts of cleanliness and order.

Emigration is also among our sins, because we go in search of "siren songs" and let ourselves fall "into the hands of the coyotes," declares the Castro regime's discourse. In this script it is third parties who are always to blame; the migrants who protested in front of the Cuban embassy in Ecuador were 'scoring points' with the United States and some of them, once they are settled in our neighboring country to the north, will end up sending "illicit funds" to their relatives on the island to support a private business.

The easiest to find are the external enemies, like imperialism, "the criminal United States blockade," the conspirators "from the Latin American right," and even the "historic betrayal" of the old comrades of Eastern Europe. This scarecrow to install fear is accompanied by the demonized "counterrevolutionaries" in our own backyard, who are targeted by all the insults the rude government machinery has created over almost six decades.

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If products are missing on market shelves, television reports accuse the "profiteers." If a papaya has come to cost an entire day's wages for a professional, it is "the fault of the unscrupulous" who want to "profit at the expense of the people," or so they lecture us from the little screen. In this apportioning of blame we have all been placed in the center of the allegations.

Right now the government propaganda apparatus is taking on the drivers of shared taxis, but tomorrow it could be the proprietors of private restaurants, the teachers who offer private tutoring, or the water carriers who sell their precious commodity in neighborhoods where the pipes have run dry for weeks now.

There will always be an "evildoer," an "irresponsible" or an "enemy" that keeps the system from working in all its great manual-guided humanity, its never demonstrated efficiency, or it supposed but still un-proven capacity to make Cubans happy.
By Kendra Mallory

Mark and I had started dating when I was very young. When we met, I was a 20-year-old girl with a desperate desire to be loved. Mark was a 30-year-old bartender with a penchant for writing me poems and professing his love to me via late night text messages. Apparently, when you repeatedly tell a young girl with a fragile ego that she's beautiful and great, she will fall in love with you and even marry you.

As I got older and more self-assured, our relationship evolved into nightly screaming matches and I began to have panic attacks over the thought of being with Mark forever.

Mark and I moved in with my parents in September, and by the time the leaves were falling off the trees, I was ready for a shedding of my own. Mark became a whiner, a martyr, and a textbook example of Peter Pan complex at its peak.

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Our relationship devolved to the point where I avoided ever being alone with him and where the mere thought of his skin touching mine made me physically ill. By October, I spent most of my nights on the couch, making up excuses in the morning as to why I couldn't make it to our shared bed.

As Mark and I were falling apart, my sister temporarily moved back home for her winter break from college. With my sister came her troop of friends, always ready to raid my parents' fridge and crash on their ten-year-old couch.

One of my sister's friends, Sean, happened to be the man I eventually married. I had known him since he was 15. I shared my family's dinner table with him many times and always noted that he was cute, but I never gave it more than a passing thought.

When my sister's winter break came around, I hadn't seen Sean in several months, and during that time of estrangement Sean had went from a boy to a strapping 18-year-old man. He came over during one of the first days that my sister was home. I don't want to say that he took my breath away because I'm not in the business of cliches, but that first time I saw him again, my lungs decided they would cease to perform their normal functions.

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Sean was tall, dark, and handsome -- literally. His Syrian ancestors blessed him with a golden brown complexion, dark eyes that danced, and a smile that could make the darkest room seem bright.

Since Mark worked as a bartender, he was rarely home when I was home. Living with my parents also put a damper on my social life, so I ended up hanging out quite a bit with my sister and her friends, and fortuitously, Sean. It often ended up that my sister and her friends would migrate elsewhere and Sean and I would be left alone watching movies, sharing jokes, and talking long past the time that everyone around us fell asleep.

I felt like a maniac! I was 25 and fresh out of law school and he was 18 and mostly fresh out of high school. But chemistry is a science that can't be denied. Our connection could have lit up a city grid. It was electric and it charged me with new life.

My thoughts focused on him and him alone. My skin glowed with the light that only new love can give it. An 18-year-old gave me my first insight into what it felt like to really see someone and to really be seen.

This carried on for two weeks, and my already tenuous relationship with Mark began to hurtle rapidly towards destruction. On New Year's Eve, Mark and I had a blow-out fight, one that shook the walls of my home, caused my Dad to run interference, and left me in tears.

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When Mark came home from work that night, I told him he had to leave. Forever. He cried while packing his bags. I impatiently watched him fumble with his things while wondering what Sean was doing in that moment.

Two nights later, Sean and I shared our first kiss. We were virtually inseparable for the next two weeks. I ended my very adult relationship with a 30-year-old to carry on what should have been a very passionate fling with an 18-year-old. A fling that I would look back upon fondly and tell stories of to my children in an effort to prove to them that their mother had been a rebel.

Friends and family expressed concern about my life and recent choices. Mark, who grew jealous of Sean, sent me hateful text messages late at night, alternating between calling me names and asking me to seek counseling. Not a piece of me cared. I spent my entire existence doing things the right way and catering to socialized norms. None of that ever made me feel as weightless and alive as Sean did.

After our blissful two weeks, Sean left to join the Navy. It was the detail that I had been trying to forget for our entire romantic interlude. As I drove him to his recruiter's office, we agreed that we would give a long-distance relationship a try.

"So I guess you're my girlfriend then?" he murmured to me in the car.

"Yup. I guess so," I replied happily as I squeezed his hand above the car's console.



My mind was panicking, internally screaming, "YOU'RE 25!" over and over again. For the first time in a very long time, I completely ignored my brain and just did what felt good.

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When I pulled up to the recruiter's office, he leaned in and gave me a long kiss and his eyes lingered on my face as he pulled away and said, "See you at graduation?" I nodded and smiled. I didn't know when his graduation was or what bootcamp graduation entailed, and I was dead broke, but I would be there.

For the first time in my young adult life, I was going into something blindly without any plans or any insight into our future. The 25-year-old law grad and the 18-year-old future sailor were dating. Social mores be damned.

I won't say that our relationship was easy. There was lying and cheating and heartache. There were late night phone calls that involved a symphony of sobbing and screaming. Sean and I spent the next two-and-a-half years breaking each other's hearts over and over again. But after the shattering, we always came back to one another, and as we put each other back together, we became intimately familiar with the other's pieces.

We both grew up together and our relationship was a cycle of growth and destruction, our individual pieces becoming a consummate whole every time we worked together to rebuild.

After three years of dating, I finally quit my job, moved to San Diego and married Sean. He asked me to do all of these things, of course. There were a lot of opinions on my decisions, and I still get looks full of judgment when people hear the distance in time between our birth years. But I'm happy.

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I can't begin to define how Sean makes me feel but he's my best friend, my late night movie buddy, my biggest fan, my most honest critic, my secret keeper, and the great love of my life.

He just happened to be born in a different decade.

This article originally appeared on YourTango.

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Public Square, Cleveland:Police in tactical gear circle around downtown Cleveland. Their set up makes them hard to actually identify, at first we mistook them for miltia members. (Noah Neslon/Youth Radio)

By Andrew Meyer, Youth Radio

Things have been relatively calm here in Cleveland the past few days, I even appeared on San Francisco's KALW Tuesday morning to talk about how the protests so far have been small scale and serene. Well, as serene as an event featuring people yelling into megaphones can be. Today, as I was leaving Quicken Loans Arena and the convention proper, the word on twitter was that there was a bit of a commotion going on in the downtown's Public Square, where the day before had seen almost as many cops as protestors. Upon hearing that noted agitator Alex Jones was involved, my producer and I headed down, and the scene before us was, well, unexpected.

The first thing we saw, or the first thing we thought we saw, were the familiar faces of hate otherwise known as the Westboro Baptist Church. However, in what ended up being a good set up for the next hour, we soon realized that they were a parody group of the church, with their signs referencing Mermen, bangs, and other such issues. Upon taking the Square in, it quickly became apparent to me what was going on was not a protest, but a mixture of a carnival and tumblr coming to life. There was a supreme leftist yelling about the ills of capitalism to a man very proudly open carrying an assault rifle, while his friend asked all those around, including me, if "y'all ever see one of these before?"

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There were clowns, actual clowns, performing as Trump and members of his family. A few hyper evangelicals hoisting their signs that have the same language they always do, and a lot, oh boy a lot, of cops on bikes. Nothing was really happening while we were there however, and we were almost ready to leave, when we saw a whole host of cops on bikes, and cameras crews following them, as they moved down the block, away from the Square and downtown proper. So we, the studious members of the press, followed them to see what was going on.

On the way we quickly passed by a flummoxed Chair of the Democratic Party, Debbie Wasserman Shultz. (My producer proclaiming "It's Debbie!" loudly probably didn't help.)

Eventually we decided to turn around, as there really was no fire to chase, so we headed back to the Public Square and were then surprised to find that area was now almost entirely filled with police. They were about 120 officers standing in the middle of the Square as a group, as if they had launched a silent protest of their own, so we began to head back in the direction of our de facto home base while we're here in Cleveland, only to run into what appeared to be the original group of protesters. The police had stopped them, and the first real tinges of anxiety were in the air, as everything crashed to a halt. However, as we were debating bringing out our cameras to cover what was unfolding in front of us, the police started letting people continue down the road, slowly at first, and then eventually letting everyone through. The group itself erupted in a few soft, unintelligible chants, but for the most part just walked the streets as well. By the time we got back to write our daily stories, we had quickly come to the conclusion was that this whole thing was, well, lame.

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Though the overall atmosphere has been calm so far in Cleveland, which might be because why there are over five thousand cops gathered from all over the country, I would estimate there are fewer than five hundred protestors here. In the end, the expectations from the media and our own painfully recent history appear to have created a paper tiger, where worries of violence in the streets have created an environment eager to find it. But really, so far this week, you are more likely to find LeBron here in Cleveland, than the uncomfortably familiar imagery of police clashing with the populace.

We want to thank our partner -- WCPN ideastream -- for sharing their space with us this week.
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Aim of Sheremet murder may have been to 'destabilize' situation in Ukraine ahead of 'other events'

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said he does not rule out that the murder of Belarusian journalist Pavel Sheremet was carried out with the aim of destabilizing the situation in the country.

"I think it was done for one single reason  to destabilize the situation in Ukraine, perhaps, ahead of other events," Poroshenko said at a meeting of law-enforcement agency heads on Wednesday.

The president tasked law-enforcement agencies with investigating the murder as comprehensively and quickly as possible.

"Don't omit any version. I want to ask everyone in these conditions, in these conditions of war and aggression  and I also don't rule out the involvement of foreign interests [in the murder]," Poroshenko said.

The president said the authorities and society must now come together in order show those who ordered the killing that the murder will not achieve their goal.
Hutchinson Zoo confirms avian flu in geese in its bird rehab center

The virus was in geese being treated at the center. One animal was euthanized. The zoo's exhibit birds are being isolated indoors to protect them.
Journalist of the Ukrainian version of the Forbes magazine Maria Rydvan was attacked in the park of Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.

She wrote on her Facebook page that she was stabbed three times in the park, after which she received medical care in an emergency hospital. "In park for no apparent reason a man ran to me and stabbed me three times... It's all very strange," Rydvan wrote on Tuesday.

According to her, she was seriously wounded in the arm, "the cheek was only scratched." "It is not clear how much time it will take the arm to heal," Rydvan wrote.

The National Police branch in Kyiv told Interfax-Ukraine that this information is being verified.

The police communications department in Kyiv said they had received information about the incident from the doctors, according to which on Tuesday a 25-year-old woman sought medical treatment for cut wounds of the left arm and shoulder, and said she works as an editor in a publication. In her words, the incident took place on Peremohy Avenue in Solomiansky district in Kyiv.

"At the moment, the young woman is in Solomiansky district police department, where she is giving a statement about the attack. The investigation department has launched criminal proceedings into the incident under part 1 of Article 125 (intentional infliction of slight bodily injury) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The police are establishing all the circumstances of the incident and taking steps to identify the offender," the statement reads.
The pilot project of marriages registered on a simplified manner within one day will start working in six Ukrainian cities: Kyiv, Odesa, Lviv, Kherson, Mariupol of Donetsk region and Severodonetsk of Luhansk region, Justice Minister Pavlo Petrenko has said.

"We are giving rise to a pilot project that will allow Ukrainian citizens to register their marriages during one day without bureaucracy, queues and any remnants of the Soviet Unoin, in particular, 30 days standby for marriage registration," Petrenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday.

Petrenko noted that the project will be carried out in Mariupol and Severodonetsk so that the IDPs from the occupied territories could receive the Ukrainian legal documents during one day period, as well as Ukrainian soldiers could quickly get married at the place of their military units and formations dislocation.

This pilot project will be implemented in Kherson in order to facilitate the passage of the relevant procedures and documents for Ukrainian citizens from the occupied Crimea. Kyiv, Odesa and Lviv are chosen as major tourist cities, where many people may want to use this service.

The minister stressed that the provided innovation will remove the need to contact the Civil Registry Office several times, which are planned to be abolished in the course of time. Organization of the solemn part of marriage registration will be provided by the local authorities, public utilities or by state-owned enterprises working with them. Funds gathered for these services will go to local budgets.

In addition, the Ministry of Justice plans to transfer the function of civil registration to local authorities next year and within the framework of this project the minister wants to see how they will cope with this job.

Speaking about the divorce procedure, the head of the Justice Ministry said that the government intends to simplify the procedure for those cases when there is a mutual consent of both spouses and there are no unresolved disputes between them.

Petrenko said married couples who today want to get divorced must come to the Civil Registry Office three times: at first, to apply, and then to confirm their intention after 30 days, and only then come together to take the certificate of divorce.

Petrenko pointed out that the state will not hastily simplify the divorce procedure, introduce the possibility of breaking a marriage unilaterally in cases when there is no final decision of both sides to dissolve a marriage. The state should provide enough time and an opportunity to revise this decision, since the family is the basis of the Ukrainian society, and, if there is a chance for the preservation of a marriage, it should be provided.
A recent study by global email security firm Mimecast indicates that about 45% of cyber policy holders are uncertain as to how up to date their policies are, but with threats changing daily it is hard to imagine how any policy is completely up to date at any given time.In fact, in commentary released with the study, Mimecast said that with the rapidly evolving threat landscape, many cyber insurance policies are out of date the minute theyre signed.Steve Malone, director of security product management for Mimecast, said it is common for companies to not know all the details about their coverage, even with traditional policies, but the thing that is dangerous about cyber insurance is that it is trying to provide coverage against a very fast moving target. Traditional insurance provides coverage of known situations, scenarios and risks, a car crash for instance.But cyber provides coverage of evolving risk, with threats that change and evolve daily. How can a policy taken out today provide coverage in six months or even tomorrow? he asks.Malone said Mimecast provides organizations with email security through cloud-based services designed to help organizations secure their emails from data loss--accidental or intentional--and from inbound attacks, spam, viruses and more advanced attacks. He said a recent study by Verizon found that 95% of corporate security breaches were through email. Email is absolutely the frontline for security, he said.Mimecast has about 600 employees and 18,000 clients in more than 100 countries.He said most cyber policies spell out steps that companies need to take in order for the policy to be in force. When you read policy terms and what they are covering and what they require you to do, many of them are very dated. They require you to install antivirus software, but that is almost a 1980s approach to security.He said companies and their insurance agents need to be really clear when selecting a policy. People need to ask what exactly are you covering me for? How will the coverage evolve in reponse to the changing threat landscape. Ask the insurance companies whether you will be covered for W2s or business plans that are stolen through social engineering.My concern is that policies are very static. Insurance is a very traditional product and it covers only what it says it covers, but the things that need to be covered change on a daily basis, he said.With social engineering, Malone said having good technical security is not enough, organizations need to teach employees what to look for, and to be suspicious anytime another employee asks for data that could compromise the company if it got into the wrong hands. They need to call the person or otherwise confirm that the request is legitimate.You have to make your people part of the solution, he said.
Fortune recently unveiled its list of the 30 best workplaces in the finance and insurance industries, revealing that a fair number of the nations top insurers made it to the list.The list was constructed based on data from a poll Fortunes Great Places to Work recognition program conducted, surveying 41,000 employees in the financial services and insurance industry.Employees answered questions about how frequently they experience the behaviors that create a great workplace, which include managements honesty and ethics, camaraderie among employees, and fair and respectful treatment and clear expectations from management, the business magazine comapny stated, describing its methodology for the survey.Of the insurers that made the rankings, ACUITY Insurance placed the highest at 3One ACUITY employee told Fortune that upper management diligently notifies the entire company of their current situation and what direction the entire company must take. The employee also said that ACUITY celebrates all accomplishments, whether big or small, and rewards workers wellmaking them feel like they are a part of something big.National Mortgage Insurance is the next highest-placing insurer on the list, at 15place.National MI is an innovative and modern company in a more old fashioned industry. Its exciting to be a part of a game changing organization and being a part of the process as we continue to mature as a company, a National MI employee told Fortune.At 20place is PURE Insurance, the third highest ranking insurer.According to an employee, PUREs management is heavily invested in its workersso invested, that an employees direct manager all the way up to the CEO knows who he or she is, and constantly checks in with him or her. The work environment, the employee interviewed said, is such that you could talk to anyone regardless of position and feel like you have a voice.Other insurers that made the list include: SECURA Insurance (21), West Bend Mutual Insurance (22), On Deck Capital (23), Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (24), American Fidelity (29), and Hausmann-Johnson Insurance (30).
In the 1960s, Tele-Trip Insurance sold life insurance policies for $2.50 a piece, paid in quarters to a vending machine in airports throughout North America. Now, however, the sight of such self-service kiosks is less common.Because air travel came to be perceived as much safer and routine, the business model depreciated as Americans saw less of a need for such eleventh hour coverage.Yet elsewhere in the Western world, these services may be making a comeback.Travel insurance specialist Columbus Direct is installing digital, self-service kiosks in 30 major airports across the UK to score last-minute deals with hurried customers. Travelers can purchase insurance in just three minutes through the insurers kiosks, which will offer the same prices as online quotes with no extra costs.The kiosks will be rolled out in eight more UK gateways following a trial launch at the London Gatwick Airport last year, the Actuarial Post reported.The service will be offered in London, Luton, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Southampton and Edinburgh. More airports are expected to be added to the roll-out plan in the coming months.Columbus Direct marketing head Alison Wild said they have identified a rise in the number of customers buying insurance at the eleventh hour  those who know that they need travel insurance but failed to shop around in advance.Travelers have long been buying foreign currency or picking up rental car at airports, so offering them the opportunity to purchase last-minute travel insurance just makes sense, Wild was quoted as saying in the report.We have introduced the kiosk-led solution to make insurance purchase a hassle-free, simple process for busy people as well as for those who might not have given much thought to the matter prior to their trip, she added.
Two pilots with Montreal-based airline carrier Air Transat have been arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol.The men were set to operate a flight from Glasgow International Airport to Toronto on Monday morning, but local police officers pulled the two from the cockpit just moments before takeoff.Both pilotsaged 37 and 39were scheduled to be charged Tuesday in Paisley Sheriff Court.Due to the arrest, the flight was delayed for more than 20 hours, according to passengers who shared details on Twitter.A Police Scotland spokeswoman, who chose to remain anonymous, told The New York Times that under Scotlands law, even a wee bit of alcohol could result in prosecution. She elaborated, saying that a pilot cannot exceed nine micrograms of alcohol in 100 millimetres of breath on a breathalyzer test. Those who violate the law could face up to two years in prison, she said.We will await the results of the investigation and judicial proceedings before commenting on the matter, before making any further comments, said Air Transat in an official statement. The safety of our crews and passengers is, and will remain, a top priority at Air Transat.Safety and insurance director Paul Hayes of aviation consultancy Ascend said that alcohol has hardly been cited as a reason for plane crashes.Prior to this incident, there have only been two cases in recent memory where pilots were convicted of flying under the influence, reported The New York Times.Russian prosecutors determined in 2010 that a pilots inebriety contributed to the 2008 crash of a Boeing 737 in Russia. The accident claimed the lives of all 88 passengers and crew.In 1990, three former Northwest Airlines pilots were convicted by a federal jury in Minneapolis of operating a jet under the influence of alcohol. This case appears to be the first documented conviction for drunken flying.
Despite concerns over rioting and political violence during the official nomination of Donald Trump for president, the Republican National Convention has proceeded in Cleveland this week relatively calmly.Its a far cry from the fears that prompted the city to up its liability insurance to $50 million  a quintupling of the coverage originally planned for the event. A full $9.2 million of that went to securing an additional insurance policy for the increase in police presence in Cleveland.Colloquially known as protest insurance, the policy covers potential lawsuits related to police conduct for the event, including mistreated protestors and resulting injuries.Yet it wasnt enough to attract the kind of police force Cleveland wanted. Concerns over liability and lack of workers compensation, coupled with a rise in violent attacks against law enforcement officers, prompted police from Cincinnati and Greensboro, North Carolina to decline to come to Cleveland.I was made aware of short time ago that the city of Cleveland will not provide workers compensation insurance for our officers should they suffer an injury during this event, Brian James, Greensboro Deputy Chief of Police, wrote in a letter to his counterpart in Cleveland.In 2012, we assisted the city of Charlotte, North Carolina with the Democratic National Convention and Workers Compensation Insurance was provided to our officers working this event. This will cause the city of Greensboro to assume responsibility for any reported injuries for our officers serving in their normal capacity but outside of our jurisdiction.James added that police administrators in the city expressed a lack of confidence in Cleveland and its preparedness for the RNC.Due to this reason, they declined to send officers from their jurisdictions, he said.Franklin County Sheriff Zach Scott also withdrew his offer to send 30 deputies over concerns about the amount of insurance available to police.Yet so far, Cleveland law enforcement officers have arrested just five people: three for climbing a flag pole at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, one for a felony warrant and another for stealing a gas mask from an officers vehicle.Police even report being treated warmly for the most part, with people thanking them for their presence downtown.Ohio Highway Patrol Sergeant Aaron Belcher said he got goosebumps when a crowd outside a Downtown hotel applauded and cheered when he and three colleagues walked by.They were [yelling] thank you, Belcher told the Columbus Dispatch. It makes us feel good.
Town crews are still cleaning up the mess left by Monday's severe weather.

Cheshire Continues Storm Clean Up

CHESHIRE, Mass.  Public Works Director Peter LeFebvre said the DPW will be busy cleaning up after Monday's storm for some time.

LeFebvre updated the Selectmen on Tuesday about the tree limbs, brush and damage caused by the storm that left most of the town without power.

"It's going ... we will put it that way," he said. "We will be chipping brush for quite a while now."

The storm system swept through the town early Monday afternoon bringing high winds and heavy rain. It knocked down trees and branches and snapped utility poles. It took National Grid hours to restore power to some 1,400 customers.

LeFebvre said 90 percent of the damage was near the town shed, Meadow Brook Lane, East Main Street and Furnace Hill. There was minor damage at Willow Cove Lane and Shadowland Cove Road.

Town Administrator Mark Webber said he contacted the state Emergency Management Agency, which will send someone to survey the damage. If the damage is significant enough, the town may be eligible for disaster funds.

"Whether or not MEMA hits a critical mass on this is questionable," Webber said. "I kind of doubt it but they will at least come out and take a peek."

He added that there are some downed trees that have to be pulled out of the river.

In other business, the town will not buy a replacement police cruiser this year after the failing debt exclusion vote last week. The town slimly voted down the $40,000 police cruiser, 84-90.

Police Chief Tim Garner said he would make do with the two vehicles the department currently has. However, one of the cruisers needs immediate attention.

He requested that the fiscal 2016 police operating funds be carried forward to make these repairs.

Although rejecting the cruiser, the town did approve the purchase of a $125,000 DPW truck, 99-70.

Because of a shortfall in the budget, the town needed to borrow to buy the two new vehicles. Both warrant articles that approved the borrowing sailed through town meeting last month, but did not fare so well at the subsequent debt-exclusion vote.

Out of the 2,318 registered voters in Cheshire, 176 made it out to vote.
Ukraine's Prosecutor General Yuriy Lutsenko has proposed to promptly enhance security during mass events in Kyiv.

"I don't think that we have to prohibit something but mass events of any kind should be held in the short term with the use of metal detection arches. We receive too much information about provocations that can possibly happen within the next few days, and given today's horrific incident with Pavel [Sheremet, who was blown up in the car he drove], this may be part of some kind of an actually big plan," the Ukrainian presidential press service quoted Lutsenko as saying on Wednesday.
John Rogers of Berkshire Health Systems moderated a panel discussion with Sheriff Thomas Bowler, Police Chief Michael Wynn, Mayors Linda Tyer and Richard Alcombright, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, film producer Lisa King, RSYP director Amanda Timpane, Dr. Alex Sabo of BMC and Christine MacBeth of the Brien Center.

Panel Discussion, Film Screening Sheds Light On Heroin Epidemic



Congressman Richard Neal headed the effort to bring the screening to BCC. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Berkshire County has seen 105 people so far this year taken to the hospital after overdosing.

That's on pace for more than 300 in a year.

Last year, there were 158, a sharp increase from the average of 40 to 60 from 2011 through 2013. There were 36 deaths in 2015 from overdoses and so far in Pittsfield alone there have been nine. A total of 36 out of 800 babies born this year have been exposed to opioids while in utero.

Those statistics come from John Rogers, vice president and general counsel for Berkshire Health Systems. He detailed those numbers after a screening of the documentary "Heroin: Cape Cod, USA" on Tuesday night at Berkshire Community College. The HBO film followed a number of young heroin addicts on Cape Cod, giving a face and personality to those struggling with addiction. Many of them have since died.

"We want to 'other.' We want to say this isn't happening in my family, this isn't happening in my neighborhood or this isn't happening in my community because it is so damn scary," the film's producer Lisa King said. "When you talk to the parents they tell you what it is like to lose a child and that sense of helplessness and that loss and it seems so needless ... I lose count of how many people I've said 'I'm so sorry for your loss.'"

"One of the purposes of the film is to get you out of the space of 'othering' and get you into the space of relating and saying this could be my kid, my friend's kid, my child's friend, etc. This is a community problem for all of us. This is not just a Cape Cod problem, it is not just a New England problem."

The film is being shown all over the globe and screenings and conversations are being held across the nation because while the film is set in Massachusetts, every town across the country is dealing with the heroin epidemic. Overdose deaths from opioids have quadrupled since 2001 and continues to rise.

"One of the reasons this has gained such a broad constituency across America, the issue of addiction, is because every one of us here knows a family member, knows of somebody else's family member who is battling addiction," U.S. Rep. Richard Neal said. "We could just change the name at the end to Heroin, Berkshire County."

Locally, District Attorney David Capeless said there have been 86 suspected overdose deaths in Berkshire County in the last 2 1/2 years and 2/3 of those were from heroin. Sheriff Thomas Bowler says 90 percent of the inmates at the Berkshire County House of Correction have substance abuse problems. And Brien Center Executive Director Christine MacBeth says more people now enter treatment programs for opioid addiction than alcohol.

"For the person who is hijacked by this substance, every day for them is a day of lost potential," Mayor Linda Tyer said.

"Our mental health and health-care community work furiously to save lives and they see this every day. It is not easy for them to witness or experience the most powerful crisis in a person's life. Yet, resignation to this devastating condition is not an option for us. There are many organizations in Pittsfield and the Berkshires that are dedicated. They dedicate their time, energy, and resources to ending this life altering and devastating cycle."

Tyer and Neal teamed up to put on the screening of the film at Berkshire County College. The mayor said she hoped it would "broaden the network and community outreach in ways that improve outcomes for those who struggle with addiction."

Following the showing a panel discussion was held with Bowler, Police Chief Michael Wynn, North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, Neal, King, Railroad Street Youth Project Executive Director Amanda Timpane, MacBeth and Dr. Alex Sabo from Berkshire Medical Center, each providing their own insight on the issue and explaining what they have to offer to combat it.

"We also need to rid our communities of the source of that addiction on the streets and unfortunately in our doctor's office," Capeless said, adding that it isn't just the individuals dealing with addiction who suffer but also family and friends.

Capeless says much of it derives from doctors overprescribing opioid pain medications. That has led to patients of all ages and demographics falling into addiction. Heroin becomes a more inexpensive way to feed the addiction. Many of those featured in the film started exactly that way  first with a prescription and then falling deeper into abuse.

One character was a small-time heroin dealer, dealing just enough to pay for his habit. That's the type of dealer Wynn said is operating in Pittsfield  a type that is much more difficult to infiltrate and arrest. The focus of the Police Department is to find the users and then hope to find out who the dealer is to stop the distribution.

"It is not the same type of drug enforcement we did when we did cocaine or crack enforcement. It is not organizational based," Wynn said.

Police may have the least effective role because mostly the officers are dealing with the "end user," he said. So far this year, there have been 64 recorded overdose responses by the Police Department with seven deaths.

"We're really at the front end of the problem. We are only one potential aspect in trying to deal with it," Wynn said.

Neal was joined by others is rejecting the "war on drugs" and focusing on treatment efforts. Neal said it is clear that "punishment is not working very well."

"If people really want solutions, they can't turn their backs on anything," Alcombright said, saying there needs to be a number of resources to help treat those struggling with addiction. "The war on drugs, in my opinion, has never truly worked."

In North Adams, Alcombright has worked with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition's heroin and prescription drug work group to encourage more resources. He sat on a Massachusetts Municipal Association's opioid abuse task force to outline what communities need to go after the problem. Simply put, the community needs to use every resource it has to help to treat addiction  "you can't look the other way," Alcombright said.

Those resources are still too few. MacBeth outlined a number of options the Brien Center offers, from running 24 beds at Keenan House, where patients can stay for up to six months, to a supportive living program with 20 people being placed in subsidized housing for recovery up to a year, to a Safe Harbor Program to connect women with children to resources, to treatments and outpatient services.

But they are overwhelmed. MacBeth said there is a waiting list for Keenan House.

"I truly believe that treatment works, it is effective, and people can and do recover," she said.

The organization recently was approved to open another house to increase the number who can be treated in sober housing but the funds haven't been approved. MacBeth said at least, if not more, recovery houses need to be opened.

At Berkshire Medical Center, a new Clinical Stabilization Services Center opened just two weeks ago and is already full. The center is a step down from the more intensive McGee Unit, which is a detoxification program for just a few days. In the new unit cover, a patient will get help for up to 30 days in coping with addiction and restoring stability in their lives.

At the Berkshire County House of Correction, Bowler said a number of programs have been rolled out to provide those re-entering society more stabilization in their lives. But, they can only do so much. He said if there were as many case managers outside the facility as they have inside, the county could make an even bigger dent in the problem.

"This is not a short-term fix, it is a long-term fix. And unfortunately, it is an expensive fix," Bowler said.

Inside the House of Correction, there is a partnership that brings Brien Center workers into help with re-entry and a smooth transition into the center's outpatient programs. There is a residential substance abuse treatment. There is a program for those on bail and awaiting trial. There is a program for Vivitrol (naltrexone), which blocks the sensors in an addict's brain from accepting drugs and alcohol.

"Our job is to reintegrate these people into the community as better people than when they came in," Bowler said. "We have to really take a look at what we are going to do as far as weighing the cost to human life."

Tyer said the city has equipped firefighters with the overdose reversal drug Narcan and has started to look into a needle exchange program.

All of it stems from one concept, which Timpane described best as "We have to know, really know, that [recovery] is possible. We have to change the narrative locally and nationally from the war on drugs to how can we heal."

Timpane knows people can recover because she's seen it. When she was just 18 one of her childhood friends overdosed. But, that friend is now living a happy life after years of recovery attempts. The Railroad Street Youth Project was formed to help grow prevention programs.

"We want to prevent people from ever becoming addicted and dying from addiction," she said. "We have restarted a community conversation around preventing substance abuse among youth."

The organization runs Learn to Cope programs, and focuses on inspiring and empowering the community to come together to prevent it. The group is also launching a new pilot program to help doctors be more clear about the addictiveness and change the way prescriptions are being issues  a similar effort is being introduced at Berkshire Medical Center. And the Railroad Street Youth Project is advocating for fire responders to have Narcan.

But there is still a lack of resources. Timpane said one individual struggling with addiction doesn't have a driver's license to get to the treatment programs in Pittsfield. The lack of resources in South County is making it difficult for those residents to have access.

Despite the challenges and the severity of the issue, the entire panel felt that the problem can be solved. Neal said Congress was able to pass a Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act aimed to bring additional resources to combat the epidemic.

"What Congress has done with the president is established authorization. Authorization simply puts in place the infrastructure of what will be the spending priority once the appropriation is met. We're still trying to go through the details of the legislation in how the money will be parceled out but we believe it will be parceled out. We believe it will be on a competitive basis and I believe Berkshire County is well positioned, based upon the experiences I've had in the last couple of months in talking to people and you've already got out in front of it," Neal said.

That panel's focus and optimism is what King hoped for when the documentary was released. She said it was difficult to be filming those in the movie shooting heroin and struggling. And she has received "flack" from those who live on the Cape for making it public. But, she feels it is worth it if it leads to focused efforts to combat the issue.

"I stand by the film to say I am proud we've taken a leadership role in the state many times on the toughest social issues," King said. "It's OK to stand up and be counted and say yes, we have this problem here at home."
We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector

We work towards an equitable,

gender-just, self-reliant and

sustainable fisheries,

particularly in the small-scale,

artisanal sector
Talks between Ukraine and Canada on visa regime liberalization will not be easy, will take years

Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko forecasts the negotiations between Ukraine and Canada on the visa regime liberalization will take years.

"It is difficult to predict something, this is the task for years and I hope not for decades. We are working to make this happen as soon as possible," he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Shevchenko said at present this issue is especially relevant.

"We have a large number of refusals to Ukrainian citizens during formalization of Canadian visas. Last year the number of failures reached 30%. This means that every third Ukrainian who applied for a Canadian visa has not received it. In comparison, all the Schengen countries have a figure of about 3.4% for the previous year. That means this is an inadequate figure for us. I would like to remind Ukraine has made a visa-free regime for Canadians. Therefore we've raised the issue," the ambassador explained.

According to him, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko at a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed launching the process of assessment of Ukraine's compliance with the criteria Canada now has.

"Right now Canada is making decision on a visa-free regime on the basis of seven criteria: the socio-economic situation in the country, immigration statistics, quality of documents, security, border control, human rights and the so-called bilateral issues. This is quite a serious matrix according to which we should work," Shevchenko said.
Ukraine and Canada will soon sign an agreement on cooperation in the field of security, Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Andriy Shevchenko has stated.

"We hope in the next few months we will sign a security cooperation agreement. This is an agreement on cooperation between the defense ministries of Ukraine and Canada. Work on the text has been actually completed, we are at the finish line, the text is ready to be signed," he said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

According to the ambassador, this is a framework document to be filled with concrete areas of cooperation.

"Also, our officers are trained at Canadian military colleges, which is very important because they learn to think together with Canadians, with their NATO partners in the same way. We hope we will work with Canadian military men in the Black Sea, because a very ambitious program for the Black Sea was planned at the NATO summit," he added.

Asked whether Canadian political circles discuss the issue of providing Ukraine with lethal weapons, Shevchenko said "I have no news on the issue."
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Bar-S Foods Company Recalls Chicken and Pork Hot Dog and Corn Dog Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

Washington, DC - Bar-S Foods Company, an Altus, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 372,684 pounds of chicken and pork hot dog and corn dog products that may be adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The ready-to-eat, chicken and pork hot dog and corn dog items were produced on July 10, 11, 12, and 13, 2016. The following products are subject to recall:

16-oz/1-lb. packages of BAR-S Classic BUN LENGTH Franks MADE WITH CHICKEN, PORK ADDED with Use By date of 10/11/2016 and case code 209.

12-oz. packages of BAR-S CLASSIC Franks MADE WITH CHICKEN, PORK ADDED with package code 6338, Use By date of 10/10/2016 and case code 6405.

24-oz./1.5-lb. cartons of SIGNATURE Pick 5 CORNDOGS  8 Honey Batter Dipped Franks On A Stick with a Use By date of 4/6/2017 and case code 6071.

42.72-oz./2.67-lb. cartons of BAR-S CLASSIC CORN DOGS  16 Honey Batter Dipped Franks On A Stick with Use By dates of 4/7/2017 and 4/8/2017 and case code 6396.

48-oz./3-lb. cartons of BAR-S CLASSIC CORN DOGS  16 Honey Batter Dipped Franks On A Stick with package code 14054, Use By dates of 4/6/2017 and 4/9/2017, and case code 14038.

The products subject to recall bear establishment number EST. P-81A inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.

Bar-S Foods notified FSIS Dallas District Office on July 19, 2016, of its intention to recall five chicken and pork hot dog and corn dog products that could potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The firm has not received test results for Listeria monocytogenes in connection with the recalled products, but due to recurring Listeria species issues at the firm, it has decided to remove the products from commerce as a precautionary measure. There have been no confirmed reports of illnesses or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Less commonly, persons outside these risk groups are affected.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. An invasive infection spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract. In pregnant women, the infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of the newborn. In addition, serious and sometimes fatal infections in older adults and persons with weakened immune systems. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics. Persons in the higher-risk categories who experience flu-like symptoms within two months after eating contaminated food should seek medical care and tell the health care provider about eating the contaminated food.

FSIS and the company are concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers' freezers.

Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.

FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls .

Members of the media with questions regarding the recall can contact Manuel Rivera, Bar-S Foods Vice President of Marketing, at 1-888-241-6102. Consumers with questions regarding the recall can call the Bar-S Foods Consumer Hotline at 1-888-965-6134.
Energy Department Releases Draft Updated Best Practices for Residential PACE Financing Programs

Washington, DC - As part of the Obama Administration's Clean Energy Savings for All Initiative, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today released best practice guidelines for Residential Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) programs. PACE is an innovative mechanism for financing energy efficiency, solar, and related improvements. DOE's updated best practices guidelines will enable more states and communities to adopt and implement residential PACE programs, unlocking access to affordable financing to reduce homeowners' energy bills, achieve more resilient homes and communities, and create jobs.

DOE will also provide technical assistance to make it easier for states and communities to stand up effective PACE programs.

PACE programs allow state and local governments, where permitted by state law, to offer innovative financing options for homeowners to fund energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation improvements to their homes. Homeowners will benefit from these improvements immediately and pay back the cost over time through their property taxes. When the property is sold, the remaining PACE loan stays with the property and the next owner is responsible for repaying the loan. As of May 2016, nearly 100,000 homeowners have used PACE to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to their homes, representing over $2 billion in investment.

DOE Best Practice Guidelines

The revised Best Practice Guidelines for Residential PACE Financing Programs focus on best practices for program design, including protections to both consumers who voluntarily opt into PACE programs, and to lenders who hold mortgages on properties with PACE assessments; compatibility of PACE with other energy efficiency programs and services; and evaluation of program outcomes, including cost effectiveness, energy savings, and non-energy benefits such as improved health and comfort. The guidelines can also be used by PACE program administrators, contractors and consumers to plan, develop, and implement programs and improvements that effectively deliver home energy upgrades. DOE developed these revisions to the original "Guidelines for Pilot PACE Financing Programs," initially issued on May 7, 2010, to reflect the evolving structure of the PACE market, and to incorporate lessons learned from various PACE programs that have been successfully implemented since the original guidelines were issued.

DOE is now seeking input on the draft revised Best Practice Guidelines for Residential PACE Financing Programs; to learn more and submit comments, visit the State and Local Solution Center. The comment period will be open from July 19, 2016 to August 19, 2016.

In addition to the guidelines, DOE will provide limited technical assistance to support the design and implementation of effective PACE programs. This assistance will include:

Conducting a series of webinars and online workshops to facilitate peer exchange and provide access to PACE experts (register for the first webinar, on July 21);

Conducting research on the lessons learned from residential PACE programs implemented by state and local governments, including analysis of the impact of PACE on community adoption rates of energy efficiency improvements and per household energy consumption, and various program design strategies, and the effectiveness of PACE relative to other financing mechanisms;

Working with State Energy Offices, local government representatives, PACE industry representatives, and subject matter experts to focus on PACE program design (including consumer protection options) and the development and dissemination of detailed program best practices.

Lender Guidance from the Federal Housing Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs

In coordination with the DOE Best Practice Guidelines, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released guidance outlining how properties with PACE loans can be purchased and refinanced with an FHA insured mortgage. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) also issued guidance on the use of PACE financing for VA-insured mortgages, which will provide a new opportunity for veterans to participate in the clean energy economy and lower their energy bills.

Together, the draft DOE guidelines and new guidance from FHA and VA will enable more households, including low and moderate income Americans and veterans, to use PACE financing to make energy and water efficiency, renewable energy, and other improvements that save energy and improve the resilience of their homes.
National Privacy Research Strategy outlines US privacy research agenda

Washington, DC - The White House recently released the first ever United States National Privacy Research Strategy, which identifies priorities for privacy research funded by the Federal government. While focused on government, the strategy is also intended to spur similar private sector efforts. I participated in the working group that developed the strategy and am excited to see it published.

The NPRS makes the case for why privacy research is important. It calls for funding for privacy research, coordination across government agencies, and mechanisms to facilitate the alignment of privacy research with real-world requirements. The NPRS outlines seven national privacy research priorities and provides a set of research questions in support of each priority.

Foster a multidisciplinary approach to privacy research and solutions. This priority recognizes that privacy research is multidisciplinary. Protecting consumer privacy requires technical research to understand privacy threats and develop tools to combat them, as well as social and behavioral science research to understand consumers privacy expectations and goals and the impact of privacy events on people. Multidisciplinary approaches are needed to understand when privacy protections are best implemented through technology, ethics and policy, or a combination of methods.

Understand and measure privacy desires and impacts. This priority addresses the need to both understand consumer privacy desires, and also to find ways to quantify the impact of privacy events. Research questions in the first area focus on understanding privacy desires, expectations, attitudes, beliefs, interests, and knowledge among different populations and how they impact behavior. Research questions in the second area focus on ways to define and measure privacy objectives and impacts.

Develop system design methods that incorporate privacy desires, requirements, and controls. This priority focuses on research into how to build systems that operationalize privacy. Research questions in support of this priority examine ways to use design patterns, cryptography, and other tools to implement privacy controls, as well as metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of these controls. In addition, this priority recognizes that there may be tradeoffs between privacy and system utility, and calls for research on how to maximize both.

Increase transparency of data collection, sharing, use, and retention. This priority focuses on research on improving privacy disclosures through the use of more effective language and formats, standardization, and automation. Additional research questions look at how to evaluate the effectiveness of transparency approaches, and where privacy disclosures should be supplemented with other types of protections.

Assure that information flows and use are consistent with privacy rules. This priority focuses on research to apply privacy rules to information and ensure that those rules are enforced as information is processed and flows within and between systems. For example, techniques are needed to allow data collectors to apply tags to data elements that will not only specify restriction on how those elements may be used, but also allow for automated enforcement of these restrictions.

Develop approaches for remediation and recovery. This priority focuses on developing and evaluating mechanisms to facilitate remediation and recovery from data breaches and other privacy events.

Reduce privacy risks of analytical algorithms. The increasing use of predictive analytical algorithms combined with big data has led to a range of privacy concerns: algorithms may rely on inappropriate or inaccurate data, result in incorrect decisions, impact individual autonomy, and operate in contexts where there is no reasonable means of redress. This priority focuses on understanding the impact of analytical algorithms, how they may adversely impact some groups of people, and how to increase the transparency and accountability of these algorithms.

Many of the research questions discussed in the NPRS are similar to questions the FTC has asked as we consider privacy issues. We remain interested in questions that will further our work protecting consumers. Privacy research helps us to, among other things, identify potential areas for investigation and enforcement and fashion remedies.

At our first PrivacyCon event last January we showcased privacy research on topics such as data security, online tracking, consumer perceptions of privacy, privacy disclosures, big data, and the economics of privacy. We are currently seeking research submissions for our second PrivacyCon event, to be held January 12, 2017. We are especially interested in research on quantifying consumers privacy and security interests, attack trends and responses, transparency and control, and tools.
Ministerial Meeting of the Expanded Small Group of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of State Kerry and U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter will host foreign and defense ministers of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL in Washington D.C., on July 21, 2016, for the first joint ministerial of the Counter ISIL Coalition.

More than 40 members of the Coalition will assemble to review the campaign to date, and strategize how to further accelerate ISILs demise.

It will include a detailed discussion of priorities for the Coalitions multiple lines of effort, including its working groups on political-military coordination, combatting foreign terrorist fighters, counterterrorist financing, counter-messaging, and stabilization of liberated areas, to increase the momentum of the campaign.

With the recent liberation of Fallujah and other parts of Anbar Province in Iraq, as well as the advances around Manbij in Syria, this is a key moment to continue to set core ISIL on a lasting, and irreversible, path to defeat.

The Coalitions Small Group regularly meets to synchronize and enhance combined efforts to counter ISIL. The last meeting of Coalition foreign ministers took place in Rome, Italy, on February 2, 2016, and the last meeting of defense ministers took place in Brussels, Belgium, on February 11, 2016.
Zimbabwe Man Who Started 'Pak Bean' Rivalry Had This to Say After Pakistan's Defeat
Ukraine to request assistance of EU, U.S. experts in investigation of journalist Sheremet's murder

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin to make a request to the European Union representatives to provide the assistance in the investigation of journalist Pavel Sheremet's murder.

"President ordered foreign minister to contact the EU partners for the purpose of inviting the experts for the investigation of journalist's murder," the presidential press service said.

According to the press service, president also requested the assistance of the international experts and discussed with the United States Embassy in Ukraine the involvement of the investigative team of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, forensics experts of which possesses unique methods of examining the explosive devices.

Poroshenko noted the importance of transparency of the investigation and called not to reject any leads.

"I demand to create the operative group. Khatia [Dekanoidze], I request you personally to head this group," president said addressing the Ukrainian National Police chief.

President also requested the Prosecutor General and the Security Service of Ukraine chief to direct the best experts and investigators to this group.

"This is a matter of our honor to take all the measures to solve this crime as soon as possible," he said.

Journalist Sheremet was killed in a car explosion committed by the unknown individuals in Kyiv on Wednesday morning.
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The BFG (3D)





Dir: Steven Spielberg, 115 mins, starring: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Rebecca Hall, Bill Hader

It is easy to see why Steven Spielberg might identify closely with Roald Dahls Big Friendly Giant. This 24ft tall runt specialises in blowing dreams, which is what Spielberg himself has been doing over the 40 years of his filmmaking career.

At certain moments, The BFG is utterly enchanting but it is missing one key ingredient possessed by all of Spielbergs best films. That is a decent storyline that can sustain a full-length feature film. Dahls much loved 1982 childrens book may have sold millions of copies but its plot is as whimsical and insubstantial as the reveries that the BFG keeps in jars and transports into the bedrooms of sleeping children.

This is a film of extraordinary visual richness but Spielberg is forced to rely far too heavily on the production design, cinematography, music and special effects because the narrative itself just doesnt cut it.

The BFG is arguably the most British film that Spielberg has ever made (although several of his previous movies have been based on books by British authors, JG Ballard, Michael Morpurgo and HG Wells among them). It offers a quaint and very quirky vision of Britishness. The films opening scenes have a Dickensian feel.

We see the Thames by moonlight. Its the witching hour, 3am, somewhere in central London, and, in the orphanage dormitory, 10-year-old Sophie (Ruby Barnhill) cant sleep. Youre bladdered, the lot of you, she yells at some drunken spivs who are making a racket on the cobbled streets below.

This is when the BFG (Mark Rylance) glides into sight for the first time. He is taller than the lamp posts and has an uncanny ability to melt into the shadows whenever a passer-by looks likely to spot him. With his sideburns, waistcoat, rustic breeches and west country accent, he looks like one of the Wurzels. Instead of cider, he drinks frobscottle. The bubbles of this fizzy green liquid go down instead of up. It makes him blissfully happy to gulp it down and then let off enormous farts.

When the BFG whisks Sophie away to his home in Giants Country, Spielberg is able to introduce her (and the audience) to the giants lair. It is exactly as you would hope a sorcerers den to be - crammed to bursting with jars, pulleys, potions, bric a brac and rotting vegetables. Theres a wonderful rapport between Barnhills Sophie and Rylances giant. She is very bossy. He has a mournful, gentle demeanour and uses language in an eccentric way, cracking neologisms and mangling his syntax.

 BFG: Mark and Ruby

Rylances performance is as striking as the Oscar-winning one he gave for Spielberg last year in Bridge Of Spies. He knows just how to squeeze out the humour in a line but also how to elicit the pathos. He has a knack of pausing and slowing down his delivery so that we wait on his words.

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From its enrapturing early scenes, the film slowly begins to stall. The BFG may be a giant in human terms but he is considered very puny by the other denizens of giant country, who bully and mock him relentlessly. Led by the very uncouth Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement from Flight Of The Conchords), theyre an unpleasant bunch of troglodytes with dirty feet and hairy noses who would very much like to eat Sophie. The film, though, doesnt make any convincing argument as to why these giants need to be turfed out of their own homeland.

Spielberg doesnt really do bawdy humour or vulgarity. When Queen Elizabeth II (Penelope Wilton) drinks some frobscottle and begins to fart at a tea party with the BFG, the scene is therefore far less uproarious than you might expect it to be.

Nothing very much here seems to be at stake. Sophie isnt on a desperate quest for her mother (like the robot kid in Spielbergs AI) or returning home like the alien in ET. Theres no real emotional urgency. Thats why The BFG is ultimately such an anticlimax in spite of the ingenuity and formidable craftsmanship behind it.

Born To Be Blue (15)





Dir: Robert Budreau, 98 mins, starring: Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo, Callum Keith Rennie

Posterity offers two wildly contrasting images of jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. This partially fictionalised biopic from Canadian writer-director Robert Budreau does justice to both of them. On the one hand, there is Baker as the James Dean of jazz, moody, charismatic and with the tousled hair and film-star good looks.

Then theres Baker the emaciated junkie, his teeth missing, his cheeks shrunken and the patience of his friends fast evaporating. Ethan Hawke gives an engaging, soulful and deeply layered performance as the troubled musician who can seem like a sweet-natured kid one moment and a self-pitying monster the next.

Baker here is first encountered in the mid-1960s, in an Italian jail and hallucinating about gigantic spiders coming out of his trumpet. Hes let out of prison because a Hollywood director wants to make a movie about his life. Budreau shows scenes from this film within a film. The effect is intended to be disorienting: we are seeing Hawke playing Baker playing himself. To add to the confusion further, Carmen Ejogo plays Jane, a (fictional) actress in the movie who becomes Bakers girlfriend and de facto nurse.

Certain scenes are true to life. Baker really was very badly beaten up and had his teeth knocked out  something that made it agonising for him to play, even after elaborate dental work. Baker is shown trying to blow his trumpet although his gums are bleeding and he is in evident pain.

Trouble is good for you, seems to be Bakers mantra. At times, the film rehearses the old cliche of the tortured, suffering artist, embracing his own degradation as a badge of authenticity. The main focus here is on Bakers relationship with Jane and his attempts to clean himself up. They live in her camper van beside the beach. The drama hinges on whether his love for her will outweigh his addictions and self-destructiveness.

By the mid-Sixties, jazz is said to be dying. Bob Dylan has gone electric and jazz musicians are no longer as revered as they had been in the 1950s. Nonetheless, Bakers commitment to his craft hasnt wavered. He yearns to play Birdland in New York and to earn the respect of jazz greats like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis (who appears to regard him as a white dilettante.)

The film is an interpretation of Bakers life, a riff on it, that isnt bound by the usual constraints of biopics. Instead of slavishly taking us from cradle to grave, Budreau opts for a more impressionistic approach. There is plenty of music and performance  and between times, biographical episodes are sketched in.

We see Baker and Jane visiting his parents on a farm in the midwest. His father, a failed musician, is brutal with him, accusing him of shaming the family. Hawke, though, is able to convince us of Bakers talent  and of his charm, even when his behaviour is at its most erratic. He is convincing, too, when he sings, performing the songs with such heartfelt intensity that we scarcely notice when he is off key.

Chevalier (18)





Dir: Athina Rachel Tsangari, 105 mins, starring: Panos Koronis, Efthymis Papadimitriou, Giorgos Pyrpassopoulos, Sakis Rouvas

There is a wry old British comedy called School For Scoundrels, based on Stephen Potters writing and starring Terry-Thomas and Ian Carmichael, about one-upmanship. The two male leads desperately try to out-do each other. The six characters in this invigorating Greek-made art house comedy-drama are engaged in a similar battle. Theyre affluent, middle-class types, aboard an expensive yacht on what should be an enjoyable holiday. The mood, though, turns very tense indeed when they start a competition to decide who is the best in general.

Tsangaris storytelling style is very dry and deadpan  and that only adds to the absurdist humour. The six men are capable of being very nasty indeed to each other. Your syntax is shit and your penis is very small, is a typical insult.

They measure everything about each other, from posture to shoes to what they look like sleeping, how long they can hold their breath and whether or not they can sustain an erection. At one stage, they race to put up some shelves. The competition is inherently pointless (as one man hisses at a rival: Even if you win, it doesnt mean youre the best in general.)

The film is satirising aspiration, snobbery and the way that competition seeps into utterly trivial areas of its characters lives. What makes it unsettling is the sense that, maybe, the film isnt so far-fetched after all. Tsangari is laying bare the conceit and machismo of her male protagonists. They cant even have a conversation or enjoy a meal together without it turning into a ferociously competitive experience.

Ming Of Harlem: Twenty One Storeys In The Air (U)





Dir: Phillip Warnell, 71 mins, featuring: Antoine Yates, Rajiv, Brianna, Johnny Jarrett-Graham, Willow Samuel, Mabel Stark

This is a far cooler and more detached film than might be expected from its subject matter. Its a documentary telling the jaw-dropping story of a New Yorker called Antoine Yates who kept a tiger and an alligator in an apartment in Harlem. The existence of these unlikely flatmates became public knowledge after the tiger turned on Yates.

Rather than concentrate on the sensationalist elements of the story, director Warnell treats it as if it is an academic case study about the relationship between humans and animals. There are some intriguing insights about what the tiger ate (a mix of meat and chicken, depending on supermarket prices).

The director also has an eye for an incongruous and poetic image. The footage of a fully grown tiger wandering around a reconstruction of the apartment, snuggling up on a bed or strolling through a bathroom, is fascinating precisely because it is so unexpected.
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Did Valery Gergiev dictate the menu for his Prom with the Munich Philharmonic? It was a strange idea to place Galina Ustvolskayas Symphony No 3 between Rachmaninoffs Third Piano Concerto and Rodzinskis Rosenkavalier arrangement  two crowd-pleasers sandwiching a crowd-confuser, judging by the muted audience response. This little-heard Soviet composers sound-world of painfully scrunched dissonances radiated a frozen desperation  mirroring, we are told, her defiant isolation in life  but it had magnificent integrity. And it absolutely needed setting in a meaningful context, alongside other Soviet works from the same period.

For the rest we got a meticulously controlled account of Ravels Bolero, and a performance of Rach Three by a young Uzbek born to play it. Behzod Abduraimov brought a singing tenderness to the opening, sensitively commanding leadership to the piano-and-orchestra conversations, and infectious brilliance to the finale.

From the heart  may it return  to the heart, wrote Beethoven of his Missa solemnis. And under Gianandrea Nosedas direction the BBC Philharmonic plus the Halle Choir and the Manchester Chamber Choir provided a lovingly focused backdrop against which four solo vocalists (tenor Stuart Skelton and soprano Camilla Nylund both superb) could shine even from their awkward position behind the orchestra. The switchback momentum of this ecstatically wayward work took a while to establish itself, but finally all the strands were pulled together triumphantly.
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Quinoa  the supposed superfood from South America beloved of foodies  can now be grown as a viable cash crop in the UK, according to new research.

The grain contains twice the protein of rice and barley and is also a good source of calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, several of the B vitamins and fibre. The United Nations declared 2013 to be International Quinoa Year to highlight its nutritional benefits.

Parts of Cornwall have been officially sub-tropical since 2000 as the temperature has increased, allowing a number of new plant species to be grown.

A study by academics at Exeter University found the climate was suitable to grow quinoa and other exotic crops like Japanese persimmon.

Cornish agriculture has been hit by a price crisis that prompted hundreds of farmers to protest in London earlier this year.

Dr Ilya Maclean, who led the research, suggested farmers could make more money by taking advantage of the changing climate to grow newly viable crops like quinoa.

In terms of temperatures, quinoa could be farmed in temperatures today. It doesn't like frost," he told the Plymouth Herald.

The next stage is working with farmers to work out what is possible.

One example of this is how well the wine industry in Cornwall is doing. Vineyards are enjoying more and more success each year.

Products such as quinoa tend to be more profitable than more traditional forms of agriculture, per hectare, compared to something like dairy farming.

Food trends in 2016 Show all 11 1 /11 Food trends in 2016 Food trends in 2016 Celeriac root We had a kale obsession in 2015, but 2016s vegetable sine qua non is predicted to be the knobbly celeriac root. Celeriac milk (Tom Hunt at Poco in Bristol serves it with winter mussels and wild water celery), celeriac cooked in Galician beef fat (from Adam Rawson of Pachamama, hot new chef in the capital) and salt-baked celeriac (to be found in Matthew and Iain Penningtons kitchens at The Ethicurean in the West Country) are just a few examples. Getty Images Food trends in 2016 Middle Eastern food The Middle Eastern Vegetarian Cookbook (24.95, Phaidon) by grand-dame Salma Hage, author of the bestseller The Lebanese Kitchen (whose halva is pictured here), is out in April  Liz & Max Haarala Hamilton Food trends in 2016 Non-alcoholic cocktails Grain Store mixologist Tony Conigliaro has created Roman Redhead, a riot of red grape juice, beetroot, pale ale and verjus, and Rose Iced Tea (black tea, rose petals, anise essence, pictured here) Food trends in 2016 Gin The discerning will be slurping Hepple gin  from chef Valentine Warner and cocktail guru Nick Strangeway  which is punctuated with bog-myrtle nuances Food trends in 2016 Argyll and Bute Restaurant followers are getting in a froth about Pam Brunton in Scotland, who opened the Inver restaurant in Argyll and Bute to acclaim last year Food trends in 2016 Andy Olivers Som Saa One of the most eagerly awaited restaurants of 2016 will be the permanent incarnation of Andy Olivers remarkable pop-up Som Saa opening very soon in east London. Oliver, who worked at Thai god David Thompsons Nahm in Bangkok, raised a whopping 700,000 through crowdfunding, and is renowned for his piquant Thai flavours and obsessive attention to detail, including in his home ferments and DIY coconut cream  Adam Weatherley Food trends in 2016 Venison Another ruminant in vogue is venison, with Sainsburys doubling its line for 2016. It provides a protein-packed punch, with B vitamins and iron, and its low in fat. Its entry into the mainstream is in part thanks to the Scottish restaurant Mac and Wild, just opened in London, whose Celtic head chef Andy Waugh (who also runs the Wild Game Co) has been touting it as street food for years (his venison burger pictured here) Food trends in 2016 Goat From Brett Grahams The Ledbury to Angela Hartnetts kitchens at Lime Wood Hotel in the New Forest, Cabrito is the go-to goat supplier among the chef cognoscenti (roasted loin of kid pictured here)  but this year, domestic cooks can get in on the action, as Sushila Moles and James Whetlor of Cabrito offer their meat through Ocado Mike Lusmore / mikelusmore.com Food trends in 2016 Coffee Coffee sage George Crawford is launching the much-anticipated Cupsmith with his partner, Emma. Crawford believes that 2016 is the year purist coffee will finally meet the masses; Cupsmiths mission will be to make craft coffee as popular as craft beer on the high street. The company roasts Arabica beans in small batches, improving its quality  but sells it online, at cupsmith.com, in an approachable way: expect cheerful packaging and names such as Afternoon Reviver Coffee (designed for drinking with milk  no matter how uncouth, most of us want milk) and Glorious Espresso Julia Conway Food trends in 2016 120-day-old steak Hanging meat for extremely long lengths of time has become an art. In Cumbria, Lake Road Kitchens James Cross is plating up 120-day-old steak (pictured here). The beef is from influential ager Dan Austin of Lake District Farmers, who is currently investigating the individual bacterial cultures that go into this maturing process Food trends in 2016 Lotus root Diners can expect root-to-stem dining - cue the full lotus deployed by the Michelin-starred Indian Benares in its kamal kakdi aur paneer korma Getty Images

Some pioneering farmers have already been growing quinoa in limited amounts in Britain  and they have been struggling to keep up with demand as the popularity of the grain has surged.

One farmer in Shropshire started trying to grow it in 2005, but only got his first commercially viable crop in 2013.

However, Dr Maclean also warned the warmer weather could bring problems.

While sub-tropical conditions may create opportunities to grow exotic crops, the lower frequency of frosts is also making Cornwall more susceptible to invasive species, he said.

As the temperatures continue to warm, we need to ensure we manage the risks carefully as well as capitalising on the opportunities.

Recommended Read more Eating quinoa and whole grains every day could help you live longer

This will require scientists to continue to work hand-in-hand with the horticultural sector.

A paper about the research, called Climate change impacts and adaptive strategies: lessons from the grapevine, was published in the journal Global Change Biology.
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During a lifetime when the term psychic gained as much widespread acceptance as a variety of definitions and practitioners  often caricatured on film and not always so far removed from real life  Betty Balcombe could be relied on to give the profession a good name.

Bettys way of working was un-fanciful and earthed in common sense. For nearly 40 years her self-taught philosophy benefited an audience of thousands, all of whom she treated, taught and charged in exactly the same way. She arrived at her personal notion of being a psychic by a long searching of her inner self and questioning avidly everyone she met who had a theory about psychics and spiritual awareness.

Her definition of psychic was the ability to give healing energy to people and to tune into their aura field, translating what was received to help anyone in trouble understand and realise their choices in life. People would often come to her mentally in tatters and she would sew them up again. Her proviso was that rather than heal people, she merely helped them heal themselves. She was extremely effective at it, but she was neither a showman nor had any interest in fame.

The concept of celebrity was not within her radar for others either. Seldom did she recognise famous people. When an outstanding member of rock royalty came for a reading and she asked what he did, he modestly ventured, Im a drummer, so she said, Thats nice, and they carried on from there. When actual royalty visited, Betty did engage animatedly, but only to insist that the waiting chauffeur move from waiting conspicuously outside to around the corner.

Politicians, actors, entertainers and people of all kinds came to see her  often in waves of professions as her reputation spread by word of mouth  and many flew in especially, while others came from ordinary walks of life. Her diary was full for months in advance and luckily she didnt like going on holiday. When she travelled it was to see friends or family who lived abroad. One of her later trips was to the US early in 2001, when she had lunch in the World Trade Centre, hinting afterwards said that it smelled of decay.

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An important part of her creed was psychic responsibility: not venturing an opinion or message unless it was asked for. She knew instinctively when to hold back from giving clients information that they were not ready to receive. Instead she waited for another time to present itself. She would then seize the moment and tell them what they needed to know and were ready to hear.

Each person was given an hour for their reading. More was not an option, as she felt it would only be a diluted repetition of whatever insight had already been given. During that hour there would be plenty of humour, because laughter was for her a great conduit to healing and she was apt to see the funny side of life.

The force of her energy occasionally astonished first-time visitors whod only spoken to her on the phone, because from her frail telephone voice, they expected some little old lady to open the door. Instead, a tall, good-looking figure with raven hair would arrest them with a kindly blast of her penetratingly dark eyes. Easy in her movements, she appeared far younger than she was. Forget about the numbers and live the year youre in was her advice on ageing and sitting on the floor was as comfortable to her as a chair.

She was partially deaf from childhood measles, but a botched ear operation later exacerbated the condition. She had an antipathy to doctors  who were often less effective at diagnosis and healing than she was  that was often apparent, although her deafness wasnt, because she had learnt to lip-read. A simple summation of her philosophy was to turn shit into sugar or to create harmony and growth where there was none. In 1984 she was instrumental in setting up the GAIA Foundation, intent on restoring a respectful relationship with the Earth.

For many years Betty opened up her psychic philosophy to weekly learning classes, and everything she taught had been tried out and tested by her, although she was always keen to debate. One of her many hundreds of pupils, was the astrologer and prize-winning novelist Reina James, who said the experience was a turning point in her learning. She recalled being the recipient of Bettys Order of the Frog which meant being dubbed with a toy frog  of which Betty had a vast collection  in response to having gone mute in fear of answering some question.

Betty termed fear as the great destroyer where knowledge was the bridge to understanding. The myriad frogs were received as gifts and were an example of how people hung on to her words  shed once mentioned that she liked them and it snowballed.

She had to be very careful about what she said. Her two books As I see It and The Energy Connection  guides to developing peoples psychic abilities  were written in clear, unadorned language that allowed for no mistake in understanding. She was asked by an admiring prospective publisher of one of them if she would only re-write it to claim that the information it contained had been channelled by an ancient native American spirit guide, because it would then sell thousands of copies. She refused. Piatkus eventually published both books. Writing later became more of a passion  she co-wrote several screenplays  and helped to combat her increasing deafness.

Born in 1936, Betty was brought up in Pimlico, London, the daughter of a master carpenter and a lampshade maker respectively. Her childhood ability to read the world around her was what distinguished her in an otherwise unremarkable upbringing. She left school early and worked as a secretary, married her husband when aged 20 and had her first child at 21.

In 1968 she started tapping into her psychic abilities. Before she had started to see clients after work, she booked to see two psychics to see how it was done: the first was dressed in a turban with hoop earrings and Betty was perplexed by her choosing theatrics like that. The second she grew concerned about, because she sensed there was something wrong with the so-called psychic and the whole situation reversed so that Betty was the one giving the reading. Her first proper client was a nurse, and it grew by personal recommendation from then on. She never advertised.

After her husband died suddenly in 1992, Betty moved to north London to three consecutive flats, moving uphill to Hampstead. She liked moving house. She also liked living on a busy road and traffic noise didnt bother her. A more relaxed lifestyle prevailed. She formed a new relationship with a young musician and evenings were spent in jazz clubs: loud, smoke-filled and dark.

A number of good years followed, but in 2006 she was officially diagnosed with Alzheimers. She moved to Greenwich to be nearer her eldest daughter. Her teaching had already stopped, but now she could no longer give readings. The extraordinary and free-ranging intellect that could approach any subject, however complex, with a pure and productive insight, was stilled. Luckily her books remained, concisely written about psychic development and spiritual awareness. They were partly written for those who had attended the classes and might pass on her knowledge, but for others the books helped to remove fear and prejudice about a natural and normal phenomenon  the giving and receiving of energy.

Betty Balcombe both raised the bar and the profile of psychic work. She used to say that the most anyone can hope for from the ending of a human life is to be remembered with a smile.

Betty Frances (nee Tancock), born Blackfriars, London, 30 October, 1936. Married Douglas H Balcombe (died 1992) and had two daughters. Died 9 July, 2016.
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Caitlyn Jenner has said that it was easier to come out as trans rather than admit to being a Republican.

Speaking at the Republican National Convention, the quip made the audience laugh, but she had a serious point.

I get it. The democratic party does a better job for the LGBT community, the trans community, all that kind of stuff, she said, praising the Obama administrations move to let openly transgender people serve in the military.

But she insisted that she remained on the Republican side due to her father having served in the military.

[] if my dad knew what was going on in this country [with terrorism and employent] when he fought so hard, I think he'd be very disappointed, she said.

Because of that, I feel like our best hope to get back to a constitutional government... is a Republican Party... I'm not giving up on this country. I'm not giving up on this constitution. I want jobs for everybody.

People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Show all 10 1 /10 People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Caitlyn Jenner People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Miley Cyrus Getty People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Kristen Stewart People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Cara Delevingne People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Keegan Hirst People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Ruby Rose People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights St Vincent (who's in a relationship with Cara Delevingne) People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Annie Lennox People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Ellen Page People who made 2015 a landmark year for LGBT rights Justice Anthony Kennedy

Ms Jenner came under fire for publicly supporting former presidential candidate Ted Cruz, who was a strong advocate for states adoption of the so-called bathroom bill, which forces transgender people to use the bathroom of their birth gender.

I like Ted Cruz, she told the Advocate. I think hes very conservative and a great constitutionalist and a very articulate man. I havent endorsed him or anything like that. But I also think, hes an evangelical Christian, and probably one of the worst ones when it comes to trans issues.

Ms Jenner insisted at the American Unity Fund event, however, that the trans community was for safety, and any criminal, trans or otherwise, should be prosecuted.

I haven't used a men's room in a year and a half, she said. And thank God because theres some great conversations going on in the ladies room, OK? And I just want you to know, girls, I follow the rules. I never flush a feminine product down the toilet.

She said that the party needs to change and note its trans members, many of whom the party would not even know are transgender.

Asides from Republican nominee Donald Trump, Ms Jenner is reportedly the most famous celebrity to attend the convention.

She is the star of reality television show I Am Cait which documents her transgender journey and where she argues that both president Obama and Hillary Clinton were against gay marriage.

Her message for Mr Trump and his party would be to protect the next generation.

I would tell Donald that there are people out there that have been marginalized for so many years, she said.

Its about the next generation coming up. We have to provide a safe environment for them.
On Thursday, July 21, at 13.30, the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency's press center will host a press conference entitled "'Is Ukraine's Constitution Meant to Protection Rights and Freedoms or Just a Declaration of Intent?" The participants will include Polish citizen, who works as journalist in Ukraine, Aleksander Orlov, who was held in Odesa ore-trial detention center for five years; an entrepreneur who fell victim to organized criminal groups, which included high-ranking officials of Odesa regional prosecutor's office, investigators and judges Oleksandr Lapchyk; head of the human rights movement "For the Whole of Odesa!" Andriy Sydorenko; and lawyer of the "For the Whole of Odesa!" movement Neonil Tkachenko (8/5a Reitarska Street). Registration requires press accreditation. More information by phone: (095) 589 8734.
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For weeks, the cast of the new, all-female Ghostbusters reboot has fired back at sexist critics and misogynist trolls who apparently feel deeply aggrieved to see their fictional childhood heroes portrayed by female actors. But as the movies only black star, comedian Leslie Jones has been subjected to a particularly vile level of abuse. On Monday, she decided she wanted everyone to understand just how bad it had become.

As her Twitter feed filled with racist slurs and memes, hateful messages and images comparing Jones to apes  particularly Harambe, the gorilla killed at the Cincinnati Zoo after a child fell into his enclosure  Jones decided to fight back: You know Im gonna stop blocking so yall can go through my feed yourself, she tweeted to her 189,000 followers. You wont believe the evil.

She retweeted a lengthy barrage of hateful images, messages and videos, and pleaded with Twitter to help her  a request that grew especially urgent after someone created a fake account under her name and used it to tweet homophobic slurs.

Over hours, Jones made her mounting frustration and devastation clear.

But her efforts to gain wider attention worked. Hundreds of fans and celebrities, including Elizabeth Banks, Margaret Cho, Anna Kendrick, William Shatner, John Boyega and many others, tweeted praise and support to Jones. Using the hashtag #LoveforLeslieJ, many joined her in demanding that Twitter take action to stop the harassment.

Twitter has long faced complaints that its abuse policy is insufficient and inconsistently implemented. Earlier Monday evening, Twitter offered this statement: While we dont comment on individual accounts, heres an explainer on our content boundaries here with a link to its rules. But late Monday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey took notice of Joness situation, and tweeted at her to ask that she message him directly.

In a updated statement to Buzzfeed Monday night, Twitter said it had responded to the situation.

This type of abusive behavior is not permitted on Twitter, and weve taken action on many of the accounts reported to us by both Leslie and others, the statement said. We rely on people to report this type of behavior to us but we are continuing to invest heavily in improving our tools and enforcement systems to prevent this kind of abuse. We realize we still have a lot of work in front of us before Twitter is where it should be on how we handle these issues.

It wasnt the first time that Jones has brought attention to the discrimination she faces. In June, the 6-foot star revealed that she was struggling to find a designer to make a dress for her for the Ghostbusters premiere. Project Runway alum Cristian Siriano ultimately created the off-shoulder, scarlet gown that Jones wore to the premiere. Siriano rejected the praise hed received for what he said was simply doing his job.

Jones has consistently been tough on trolls and critics, often firing back with insults of her own (I dont care how famous or how popular I am, Jones told Seth Meyers during a May appearance on his show, if you call me a gorilla Im gonna call your momma one). Not all her fans are on board with this approach. On Monday, some supporters implored her to stop re-tweeting and insulting her haters, but Jones wasnt having it.

For the problem to be fixed, she argued, it had to be visible first: Im tired of everybody not believing they can change something, she tweeted. We can change anything if we want.

But despite her determination, it was clear that the cumulative toll of the relentless hostility was heavy: I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart, she tweeted as she signed off for the night. All this cause I did a movie. You can hate the movie but the s I got today wrong.

Copyright: Washington Post
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Mila Kunis has condemned the culture of shaming those who breastfeed in public, explaining that she has been degraded for feeding her child in a public place.

Kunis, 32, who is known for her roles in That 70s Show and Ted, explained that some members of the public looked at her in a shameful way for breastfeeding in public.

The actor criticised the over-sexualisation of breasts in society and argued that it was partially this which was to blame for the social taboo.

It always made my husband and I feel a little weird. It took us a little back because people actually looked at us in a shameful [way], and we were like, Oh my God, because its so not a sexual act, she told Vanity Fair.

People news in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 People news in pictures People news in pictures 7 October 2015 Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in an ice hockey match between former NHL stars and officials at the Shayba Arena in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Vladimir Putin spent his 63rd birthday on the ice, playing hockey with NHL stars against Russian officials and tycoons EPA People news in pictures 6 October 2015 German designer Karl Lagerfeld (R) and model Cara Delevingne (C) appear at the end of his Spring/Summer 2016 women's ready-to-wear collection for fashion house Chanel at the Grand Palais which is transformed into a Chanel airport during the Fashion Week in Paris, France Reuters People news in pictures 5 October 2015 Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne addresses the Conservative party conference in Manchester. The Chancellor argued that reducing the payments to people in low paid jobs would give them economic security by reducing the Governments spending deficit Getty Images People news in pictures 4 October 2015 Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston takes a moment in the centre of the field with his daughter Frankie Thurston, holding dark-skinned doll, after winning the 2015 NRL Grand Final match between the Brisbane Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. The image quickly became the talking point of Australias National Rugby League Final and provoked a strong reaction on social media, with many praising Thurston for giving his child a toy that promotes inclusiveness and diversity Getty Images People news in pictures 3 October 2015 Pope Francis gives a thumbs-up as he greets people at the end of an audience to the participants of a meeting organized by the "Food Bank" at the Paul VI audience hall in Vatican Getty Images People news in pictures 2 October 2015 Britain's Finance Minister George Osborne (L) throws an American football as he meets with former American football players Dan Marino (2nd R) and Curtis Martin (not pictured) at 11 Downing Street in London, ahead of the New York Jets playing against the Miami Dolphins at London's Wembley Stadium on 4 October Getty Images People news in pictures 1 October 2015 An honor guard opens the door as Russian President Vladimir Putin enters a hall to attend a meeting with members of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia People news in pictures 30 September 2015 Former Mrs America Lisa Christie, who alleges misconduct by Bill Cosby, holds up photos of her younger self during a news conference at the law office of attorney Gloria Allred in Los Angeles People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Matt Damon has defended himself against claims that he instructed gay actors to remain in the closet. He had said I think youre a better actor the less people know about you and sexuality is a huge part of that. Whether youre straight or gay, people shouldnt know anything about your sexuality but an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres show said, I was just trying to say actors are more effective when theyre a mystery. Right? Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Marion Cotillard has said that there is no place for feminism in Hollywood. Speaking to Porter magazine, she saidFilm-making is not about gender/ You cannot ask a president in a festival like Cannes to have, like, five movies directed by women and five by men. For me it doesnt create equality, it creates separation. I mean, I dont qualify myself as a feminist." Getty People news in pictures 29 September 2015 Actor Paul Walkers daughter, Meadow, is suing Porsche over her fathers death in a lawsuit that claims he was trapped in the burning car because of design flaws and the seat belt. The Fast and Furious star was killed when the Porsche Carrera GT he was a passenger in hit a pole in California in 2013. The driver, his friend Roger Rodas, also died when the vehicle burst into flames. AP People news in pictures 28 September 2015 Robert Mugabe waits to address the United Nations General Assembly. The leader of Zimbabwe reportedly exclaimed 'We are not gay!' as he criticised Western nation's "double standards and attempts to prescribe new rights that are contrary to our values, norms, traditions and beliefs. In 2013 he described homosexuals as worse than pigs, goats and birds. Reuters People news in pictures 28 September 2015 South African comedian Trevor Noah hosts the first 'Daily Show' since taking over from Jon Stewart as host. Stewart had presented the US satirical news show since 1999 and was described by Noah during the show as a 'Political father' 2015 Getty Images People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Sir Elton John may have received a phone call from the real Vladimir Putin. Mr Putin's spokesman announced he had made contact weeks after the singer was duped by pranksters pretending to be the Russian President. Getty People news in pictures 25 September 2015 Actor Leonardo DiCaprio was mistakenly declared as the artist who produced the Mona Lisa by Fox News anchor Shepard Smith. It was in fact Leonardo da Vinci. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 A new biography claims Donald Trump expected to be dead by 40 and never marry. The Guardian says the a new book also claims that in 1980, Mr Trump manufactured a fake vice-president of his real estate conglomerate, whom he called John Baron. People news in pictures 24 September 2015 The Dalai Lama has said that Britain's policy towards China is just about 'Money, money, money.' And asked 'Where is morality?' People news in pictures 24 September 2015 Puff Daddy secured the number-one spot on the Forbes Hip Hop Cash Kings list, with the publication calculating he made an estimated $60million (39m) between June 2014 and June 2015.

It didnt matter to me what other people thought, she continued. Thats what I chose to do, but I think its unfortunate that people are so hard on women who choose to do it and do it in public. In the States and in our culture, we sexualize the breast so much that theres an aspect of it that people just dont know how to wrap their head around the idea of showing your breast in public. But I respect the opinions on both sides. If its not for you, dont look.

Kunis, who has a one-year-old daughter, Wyatt, with husband Ashton Kutcher, said women were entitled to their personal choice about the matter. Nevertheless, Kunis, who is currently pregnant with her second child, explained that she herself chose to breastfeed it virtually all public places: "I just did it in a restaurant, in the subway, in the park, at airports, and in planes".

US legislation governing whether breastfeeding is legal varies from state to state in the US. However, in the UK it is illegal to ask a mother not to breastfeed in public, with the Equality Act formally protecting breastfeeding in public since it came into force in 2010.

Despite this, public attitudes towards breastfeeding in public remain divided throughout Britain. According to a poll conducted by Public Health Englands Start4Life campaign last November, 43 per cent of people do not think breastfeeding is acceptable in restaurants, while 49 per cent think its unacceptable on public transport. What's more, just over half of those surveyed did not agree with the statement that, Women should always feel comfortable breastfeeding in public.
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For those outside of Westminster, Owen Smith is a name likely to prompt blank stares. The man challenging Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership is far from a household name and remains relatively unknown outside of political circles.

However, this is quickly changing. Since Angela Eagle decided to pull out of the leadership race on Tuesday after receiving 20 votes less from MPs and MEPs than him, Mr Smith has become the sole contender to take on Mr Corbyn.

The MP for Pontypridd in Wales and former Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary put himself forward as the unity candidate, arguing he was the person to bring Labour forward and heal the partys deep divisions.

Mr Smith, who has been labelled as a soft left candidate, previously said that while he shares many of Mr Corbyns values, he is more of a moderniser and is pro-prosperity. But who is the 46-year-old politician who has called himself the people's "champion"?

Brexit reactions  in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit reactions  in pictures Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In campaign look at their phones after hearing results in the EU referendum at London's Royal Festival Hall AP Brexit reactions  in pictures Leave supporters cheer results at a Leave.eu party after polling stations closed in the Referendum on the European Union in London Reuters Brexit reactions  in pictures Mr Cameron announces his resignation to supporters Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Donald Tusk proposes that the 27 remaining EU member states start a wider reflection on the future of our union Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Ukip leader Nigel Farage greets his supporters on College Green in Westminster, after Britain voted to leave the European Union PA Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as referendum results are announced today Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Boris Johnson leaves his home today to discover a crowd of waiting journalists and police officers Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Leave EU supporters celebrate as they watch the British EU Referendum results being televised at Millbank Tower in London Rex Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as results of the EU referendum are announced at the Royal Festival Hall Reuters Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In campaign react after hearing results in the EU referendum at London's Royal Festival Hall PA

He comes from an ordinary background

Born in Morecambe in Lancashire, a Northern seaside town close to Blackpool, Mr Smith comes from a fairly ordinary background. He was state educated at Barry Boys' Comprehensive School in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales. It was here that he first became involved in politics, joining the Labour party at the age of 16 while he was still a pupil. He has since credited the 1984 miners' strike as his political awakening.

Like his father Professor Dai Smith, a Welsh historian, he went on to study History and French at the University of Sussex.

He worked for a pharmaceutical giant lobbyist

Despite being involved in the Labour party from a young age, Mr Smith undertook a number of jobs before deciding to embark on a political career. After leaving university, he joined BBC Wales as a radio producer in 1992. His father was appointed editor of BBC Wales and head of programmes in the same year.

Mr Smith spent a decade working on network radio and television programmes, including BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, and has been described as a member of the Taffia - the Welsh political and media establishment.

As an overzealous young BBC producer, he once called 999 demanding he was put through to a chief constable, a mistake which prompted an official complaint from the Metropolitan Police. The incident is something he has since described as really stupid and very embarrassing.

Following this, he worked as a special advisor to Welsh Secretary Paul Murphy and later as Head of Government relations for lobbyist pharmaceutical giant Pfizer on a lucrative salary reported to be in the region of 80,000 a year.

His seat was previously held by a friend of his fathers

Mr Smith became the Labour MP for Pontypridd in 2010 and won the safe seat with a reduced majority. It was previously held by Kim Howells, a friend of his father. He tripled his majority in 2015 and was re-elected to the seat.

In May 2012, the former Labour leader Ed Miliband appointed him to his Shadow Cabinet as Shadow Secretary of State for Wales. He went on to become the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary last September.

He has previously harboured hopes of becoming leader

There had been talk that Mr Smith would become leader in the wake of Ed Milibands departure but this quickly blew over when Mr Corbyn was elected. Speaking to the New Statesman in January, he said it would be an incredible honour and privilege to lead Labour but said there was not a vacancy at that time.

He stirred controversy for his description of his nuclear heterosexual family

Mr Smith recently found himself on the receiving end of a Twitter backlash after talking about his own family in a TV interview. In the interview, he appeared to claim he was normal because he has a wife and children. After a journalist described him as normal, Mr Smith perceived the term as a compliment: I'm glad you think I am normal. I am normal. I grew up in a normal household. I've got a wife and three children. My wife is a primary school teacher. Critics accused him of being homophobic towards his former competitor Eagle who is in a civil partnership.

His "guilty pleasure" is "too many beers"

The politician lives in Pontypridd with his wife Liz and three children and enjoys watching rugby at his local club and is a Bruce Springsteen aficionado.

He has previously described his guilty pleasure as too many beers.
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Police investigating the stabbing of three people in Hyde Park have released the photos of five suspects they want to identify.

Three people including a police officer were stabbed in Londons Hyde Park on Tuesday evening after a water fight near the Serpentine lake turned violent.

The London Metropolitan Police said the crowd, which peaked at around 4,000 people, gathered for a largely peaceful water fight as temperatures soared, but as the evening wore on a significant minority became hostile towards officers monitoring the scene.

Bottles were thrown at police officers after the mob became violent at around 8:40pm.

The police officer, who was stabbed in the hand, and four colleagues who were injured by bottles were taken to a local hospital for treatment but have since been discharged.

Two members of the public with stab wounds remain in hospital but their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Scotland Yard said four of the men captured in CCTV footage are believed to have taken part in violent disorder in Hyde Park and the fifth at Marble Arch.

Met Police Commander Nick Downing said: We are asking for the publics help to identify these five men, to give us any information they may have about anyone else who was involved in the disorder last night and, looking ahead, any information about future plans for such disorder.

A lovely day in the capital turned violent last night after spontaneous events turned nasty and people attacked each other and the police.

Tonight weve increased the number of police officers on duty, and cancelled anymore leave so we keep extra officers out on our streets right through until the weekend.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA 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

The incident was one of several in the city overnight on what was the hottest day of the year so far.

In Burgess Park, south London, two 16-year-old boys were stabbed as disorder broke out among 500 to 600 young people taking part in an end-of-term water fight in the sun, while a nearby supermarket was ransacked.

There was further disorder well into the night when police were pelted with missiles as they moved hundreds of revellers from an illegal block party in north-east London.

And a 15-year-old girl was taken to hospital on Monday evening with suspected knife wounds to the head after hundreds gathered for a street party in St Mary's Road, Harlesden, north-west London, police said.

Two women, aged 31 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of GBH at a nearby flat and taken to a north London police station.

The investigation is being led by detectives from the Specialist Crime and Operations Homicide and Major Crime Command.

Anyone who has any information or who witnessed the crime taking place is asked to call 020 8785 8244.

Additional reporting by PA
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The UKs equality watchdog is calling for the everyday rights of disabled people to be strengthened and protected after claiming they are not being treated as equal citizens.

David Isaac, the chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said the lack of progress in strengthening legislation, especially in terms of accessibility, is a badge of shame on British society.

Mr Isaac told the BBC: "Disabled people currently are treated like second class citizens.

The everyday rights non-disabled people take for granted, such as being able to access transport, housing, restaurants, theatres and sporting events, are still being denied.

Selina Mills, a writer who is visually impaired, described her difficulty at struggling to get a taxi in London despite law instructing black cabs to be accessible.

UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 27 October 2022 98-year-old D-Day Veteran Bernard Morgan, whose story is among those featured on the giant poppy wall, during the launch of The Royal British Legion 2022 Poppy Appeal, at Hay's Galleria in central London PA UK news in pictures 26 October 2022 A meerkat explores a pumpkin in the enclosure at Wild Place, Bristol, where some of the animals are having pumpkin treats as part of their environmental enrichment PA 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

You can quote the Equality Act 2010 all you like, but people can still drive away, there's no way of enforcing it, she told the broadcaster.

Mr Isaac was speaking after a report by the House of Lords found disabled people are let down across the whole spectrum of life, including in terms of access to public buildings and on public transport. The report, published in March, said disabled people are just an afterthought for the Government.

In response to the report, the Department for Work and Pensions said: We're committed to ensuring disabled people live their lives free from discrimination.

That's why we've strengthened the Equality Act to create a level playing field and ensure that the law properly protects them.
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Relatives of British soldiers killed in the Iraq war have launched a crowdfunding appeal to raise funds towards legal action against Tony Blair for his role in the war.

The Iraq Families War Campaign Group (IWFCG) aims to raise 150,000 to pay for a legal assessment of the 2.6million word report, determining whether the families are able to pursue private prosecution of Mr Blair.

The Chilcot report, released earlier this month, was damning of the former prime minister and other leading politicians of the time, but fell short of stating whether those responsible for the Iraq invasion had acted unlawfully.

Parents of the soldiers killed said they were sickened to their stomachs, however, to learn that Mr Blair was indemnified under Cabinet Office rules  meaning Mr Blair is covered for all court costs in relation to allegations that he abused his power to invade Iraq.

The Crowd Justice appeal is led by Reg Keys and Roger Bacon, two fathers whose sons Lance Corporal Tom Keys and Major Matthew Bacon were killed along with 177 other British service personnel.

Mr Keys said: It is very, very disappointing if Tony Blair is indemnified against any financial punishment. It is nauseous to think he will have the taxpayer fund him while we are trying to raise funds to sue him.

The IWFCG said they had launched their appeal to seek justice where there has been none.

In a statement on the appeal website, the group said: The long-awaited Iraq Inquiry (Chilcot) Report has confirmed that there were serious failings in the lead-up to, planning and conduct of the War, which led to so many unnecessary deaths.

Our armed forces must never again be so callously sacrificed by political ambition and the irresponsibility and failings of Government and Whitehall.

Those responsible should be held to account. Now it is down to us, the families, to ensure that justice is done.

Just 12 hours after its launch on Tuesday, the appeal had raised almost half its initial target of 50,000, which Mr Keys described as humbling.

He said: "I hope that we will continue to raise our full amount just as fast... Sir John Chilcots findings need to be acted upon  and so we thank [the British public] for their massive help.

Sir John Chilcots report concluded that Mr Blair had overstated the case for military action in March 2003 as there was no imminent threat posed by Saddam Hussein and it was not the last resort.

Mr Blair insisted he had acted in good faith in launching the invasion.

Matthew Jury, the lawyer representing the families, said: The report told us what went wrong and who was responsible, but it was not a court of law. If they can, the families are determined to hold those individuals to account by bringing them to trial to answer for their actions, he said.

Not just for them or their loved ones but to ensure that never again will our politicians act with such impunity in taking our country into an unjust war with such tragic consequences.
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The husband of a couple who won over 14m on the National Lottery has said he is not planning on giving up his work as a plumber, despite the familys newfound wealth.

Alison and John Doherty, from Elderslie in Renfrewshire, realised they had won 14,671,343 in the Lotto draw on Saturday 2 July but waited for two weeks to have their ticked validated while they went on a pre-booked holiday to Florida to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.

Mrs Doherty, 50, said: "My iPad was lying on the table so I decided I better check my ticket. When the first three numbers matched I actually thought 'Oh good I've won 25'. Then the fourth number matched, and the fifth.

"When I realised I had all six numbers, I couldn't believe it. I was screaming, lying on the floor, shaking like a leaf - just in complete shock."

Mr Doherty, who runs his own plumbing business, received a call from his wife telling him to come home from work.

She then called her husband, 52, who has his own plumbing business, to come home from work and she broke the good news.

"He made me get on the phone to Camelot straight away. Waiting for the winner adviser to call me back was the longest hour of my life. When they did I was screaming again when the phone rang, she said.

Cambridgeshire couple win 101m lottery prize Show all 1 1 /1 Cambridgeshire couple win 101m lottery prize Cambridgeshire couple win 101m lottery prize 656411.bin PA

The couple hid their winning ticket inside a hurricane lantern holder in their bedroom until they got home again, while Mrs Doherty took a photocopy of the ticket and hit it in the box where her husband keeps his work boots. I wasnt taking any chances, she said.

Both Mr and Mrs Doherty are Formula 1 fans and are hoping to treat themselves to a trip to the Grand Prix. They are also planning on buying a house, while their 20-year-old son is after a new. Their 11-year-old daughter has said she simply wants a goldfish.

But Mr Dohertys customer will still be able to call on his services, as he said he has no intention of giving up his job.

I enjoy my work. Ive dont it for 33 years and Ive got a lot of customers that Im loyal to. I was out working yesterday and Ill be out working tomorrow. Its quite hard to give up, he said.

Additional reporting by Press Association
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Jeremy Corbyn has won the right to personally contest a legal bid aimed at taking his name off the Labour leadership ballot.

Labour donor Michael Foster had launched a High Court challenge against the party's decision to automatically include Mr Corbyn in the upcoming leadership election.

That decision had been agreed by Labour's National Executive Committee after conflicting legal advice suggesting that Mr Corbyn should be both included and not included.

Recommended Read more Jeremy Corbyn increases dominant lead over Angela Eagle and Owen Smith

Other candidates in the election will have to seek nominations from MPs and MEPs in order to appear on the ballot paper. Mr Corbyn's limited support in the parliamentary party means this would likely be difficult.

Labour's NEC decided that as an already leader Mr Corbyn would not have to seek nominations in order to stand; the party's rulebook was ambiguous on the subject.

The legal challenge against the decision by Mr Foster had named Labour's general secreatry Iain McNicol as the defendent in the case.

However, Mr Corbyn launched a legal bid to get himself included as a second defendant. That bid has now been successful, with the High Court ruling on Wednesday morning.

His lawyers had argued that his own personal interest in defending the litigation was "pressing and obvious" and that he was not adequately represented in the same way as other Labour members by Mr McNichol.

The case of Mr Foster's challenge is now expected to be heard next week on Tuesday July 26, with Mr Corbyn attending court on that date.

Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Show all 12 1 /12 Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn's reshuffle Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn and the Syria bombing vote Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn asks questions from the public at PMQs, meanwhile backbenchers plot to oust him Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn is unavailable to attend the Privy Council Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Conference rejects Corbyns call to debate Trident Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn At Labour conference Corbyn and McDonnell press for a Robin Hood tax Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyns hopes for a new politics look optimistic in the face of a media barrage Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn enters Labour leadership race

The court decision comes a day after former shadow business secretary Angela Eagle dropped out of the Labour leadership race, leaving Owen Smith and Mr Corbyn as the only candidates.

MPs and activists critical of Mr Corbyn and who want him removed believe a unity candidate would be better able to tackle the leader.

 Jeremy Corbyn questions appointment of Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary

A Times/YouGov poll of Labour members however shows the sitting leader with a significant lead.
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Owen Smith has denied advocating privatisation of the NHS, arguing that claims he did are a gross exaggeration.

The Labour MP, who is challenging Jeremy Corbyn for his partys leadership, previously worked as a lobbyist for pharmaceutical company Pfizer.

During his time there he wrote a press release advocating increased choice in the National Health Service  a term generally interpreted as arguing for more private provision in the service.

But on BBC Radio 4s Today programme Mr Smith denied he had advocated privatisation.

Thats clearly not true, and it is a gross exaggeration of one comment in a press release about a report commissioned by Pfizer while I worked there, at a period when the last Labour government was using the word choice to do hip, and knee, and cataract operations, he said.

Ive never advocated privatisation of the NHS, its been one of Labours proudest achievements.

He said he had not commissioned the report he had written a press release on, and that he now believed the last Labour government had made a mistake in introducing choice into the NHS.

Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Show all 12 1 /12 Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn's reshuffle Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn and the Syria bombing vote Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn asks questions from the public at PMQs, meanwhile backbenchers plot to oust him Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn is unavailable to attend the Privy Council Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Conference rejects Corbyns call to debate Trident Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn At Labour conference Corbyn and McDonnell press for a Robin Hood tax Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyns hopes for a new politics look optimistic in the face of a media barrage Dave Brown on Jeremy Corbyn Corbyn enters Labour leadership race

My position is what its always been that I believe 100 per cent in a publicly owned NHS free at the point of use, he said.

There are obviously already many services in the NHS provided by private providers, there are a hell of a lot more of them now because of the way the current Tory government has, I think, twisted the words of the last Labour government.

Mr Smiths denial comes as he this morning receives the backing for former Labour leader Ed Miliband. Mr Miliband called for supporters to register to vote in the leadership election.

Labour isn't fated to be a disunited party arguing with each other. Turning inwards not outwards, he said in a statement.

We can be a strong party, putting forward progressive ideas, challenging the Tories, and being in a position to win an election, reaching out to voters across the country, not talking to ourselves.

Mr Smith now remains the sole challenger to Mr Corbyn after Angela Eagle dropped out of the internal party race on Tuesday.
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A Labour MP has used his question at Prime Minister's Question to thank Theresa May for defending the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Jamie Reed, a figure on the right wing of the Labour party and a vocal critic of Mr Corbyn, is a staunch backer of building more nuclear weapons after Trident expires.

Addressing the Prime Minister at her first PMQs from the dispatch box, Mr Reed had warm words for the Tory leader.

"Can I thank her too for her wholehearted support and endorsement of the official Labour party policy on Trident," he said.

He added, in a swipe at Mr Corbyn: "Its such a refreshing change to hear that front the dispatch box."

Mr Reed's question was greeted noisly by the House of Commons benches.

Ms May did not respond to Mr Reed's comments. She however said at the beginning of the PMQs session: "Can I thank those 140 Labour MPs who put the national interest first and voted to renew the nuclear deterrent."

Labour yesterday was split on whether to support renewal of the Trident nuclear weapons system.

Jeremy Corbyn is against building more nuclear weapons, arguing that they are not suitable for the kind of national threats Britain faces.

Ms May, her party, and many Labour MPs however say nuclear weapons help improve Britain's national security.
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The top economic planner issued China's latest national railway plan Wednesday, with the target to operate a 175,000 km rail network by 2025.

China expects to have 38,000 km of high speed railway (HSR) by 2025, according to the plan issued by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

By 2020, China will have a 150,000 km railway network, of which about 30,000 km will be HSR, covering over 80 percent of major cities nationwide, said the NDRC.

By 2030, the inter-city rail network will have been improved, reducing the travel time between neighboring major and medium-sized cities.

The new plan also emphasized boosting rail construction in central and western areas to achieve a more balanced development among regions.

NDRC statistics show that China had an operating rail length of 121,000 km by 2015, of which 19,000 km was high-speed rail.
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MPs are to debate a motion on whether to declare Tony Blair in contempt of Parliament because of his role in the Iraq War.

The Speaker refused immediate parliamentary time for the motion, which was proposed by MPs from across seven parties, on Wednesday.

So the debate will happen in September, on an opposition day debate allocated to the Scottish National Party, according to the Guardian newspaper.

The landmark Chilcot inquiry, which, since 2009 had been investigating the circumstances of the invasion, said earlier this month that Mr Blairs intelligence case for the attack on Iraq was not justified by the facts.

Figures to back the motion include Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

Dame Margaret Beckett, a close supporter of Mr Blair, said: The Chilcot report was never going to settle the arguments about the war.

The people behind this contempt motion were always going to use the Chilcot report for their own ends. It is, however, very clear from the Chilcot report that Tony Blair did not lie, did not falsify intelligence and that the Cabinet was not misled on the presentation of the legal advice.

In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives and friends of the military personnel who died in Iraq, leave the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre PA In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Dawn Holmes, the mother of L Cpl Sarah Holmes who died in Iraq, is consoled by solicitor Matthew Jury as she leaves the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre PA In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report A family member holding a photograph of Stephen Robert Wright (R), outside the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, after the publication of the Chilcot inquiry into the Iraq War PA In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Families of soldiers killed in the Iraq conflict stand together outside the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre after the outcome of the Chilcot report Getty Images In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives of military personnel killed during the Iraq War talk at a news conference after listening to Sir John Chilcot present The Iraq Inquiry Report at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster Getty In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives of military personnel killed during the Iraq War react after listening to Sir John Chilcot presenting The Iraq Inquiry Report at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London AP In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives and friends of military personnel killed during the Iraq War attend a news conference after listening to Sir John Chilcot present The Iraq Inquiry Report at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster Getty Images In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Family of those who died in Iraq speak to the media as they leave the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London PA In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Relatives and friends of military personnel killed during the Iraq War attend a news conference after Sir John Chilcot presented The Iraq Inquiry Report at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster Getty Images In pictures: Families of Iraq War victims react to Chilcot report Victoria Jones (L), a relative of a British soldier killed in Iraq, holds a copy of The Report of the Iraq Inquiry, by John Chilcot, at the Queen Elizabeth II centre in London Reuters

As a member of the Cabinet at the time, I am clear that the Attorney General provided a clear legal basis for military action which was consistent with all the information with which Cabinet had been presented on a regular basis over the previous weeks.

A spokesperson for the group of MPs organising the censure motion said parallel legal action threatened by families of soldiers who served in the Iraq War could proceed separately to their efforts.

This initiative does not interfere in any way with legal action either by the authorities in terms of criminal law or by the service families in the civil courts. However, there is a specific parliamentary matter of holding the former prime minister to account given the revelations in Chilcot, the spokesperson said.

Most damning of all is the detailing of what Blair was promising US President George W Bush in private memos while he was telling Parliament and people something entirely different in public statements.

If we are to prevent such a catastrophe happening again it is essential that parliamentarians learn to hold the executive to critical examination in a way that Parliament failed to do in 2003.

Holding Blair to account will be an essential part of that process of parliamentary accountability. The case has been made by Chilcot and any Parliament worth its salt is duty bound to take action.
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Theresa May has refused to be drawn on questions about the Foreign Secretarys use of racial slurs against black people.

Boris Johnson has repeatedly caused controversy by referring to black children as picanninies, and earlier this year suggested Barack Obamas part-Kenyan heritage gave him an ancestral dislike of the British Empire.

At her first Prime Ministers Questions in the House of Commons Ms May was asked by Jeremy Corbyn about how Mr Johnsons attitude squared with her stated mission to reduce racial inquality.

Recommended Read more Comedian Boris Johnson savaged by hecklers from the US press

The Prime Minister is rightly concerned  and she said this  if youre black, youre treated more harshly than if youre white.

So before appointing her new Foreign Secretary did she discuss with him his description of black people as picanninies and why he questioned the motive of the US question Obama on his part-Kenyan heritage?

Mr Johnson was seen to remonstrate with Mr Corbyn from his position on the Government benches.

Ms May would however not be drawn on the issue, giving a tangential answer.

He refers to the remarks I made, and it is correct that if youre black you will be treated more harshly in the criminal justice system.

Its exactly why as Home Secretary I dealt with the issue of stop and search, I was concerned to make sure that nobody should be stopped and searched on the streets of this country because of the colour of their skin.

I did that as a Conservative, 13 years of Labour did nothing on it.

Mr Corbyn replied: My question was actually about the language used by the Foreign Secretary.

Mr Johnson earlier this week declined the opportunity to apologise for the comments about Mr Obama during a joint press conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry.

We can all spend an awfully long time going over lots of stuff that Ive written over the last 30 years... all of which in my view have been taken out of context, but never mind, he told reporters.

Im afraid that there is such a rich thesaurus now of things that I have said that have been one way or another, through what alchemy I do not know, somehow misconstrued that it would take me too long to engage in a full global itinerary of apology to all concerned.

And I think most people who read these things in their proper context can see exactly what was intended  and indeed I find that virtually everybody Ive met in this job so far understands that very well, particularly on the international scene.
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Theresa May took her first session of Prime Minister's Questions from the dispatch box today.

Though her performance was praised by pundits, the PM dodged a number of questions from MPs on a variety of subjects.

Here are the questions Ms May dodged, laid out in full alongside her answers.

Leaving the single market

Currently UK firms can import goods from EU without having to pay VAT (Getty Images)

Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh asked whether Ms May was prepared to reject staying in the regulated single market and offer instead friends in Europe a free trade very much in their own interest?

Theresa May replied, without answering whether she would reject staying in the single market: Can I assure him that as we look at the result of the referendum I am very clear Brexit does mean Brexit.

|s he says we will make a success of it. What we need to do in negotiating the deal is to ensure that we listen to what people have said about controls on free movement but we also negotiate the right deal and the best deal on trade for British people.

Scotland staying in EU

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is welcomed by European Parliament President Martin Schulz (Reuters)

Angus Robertson asked: The German Vice Chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel, has already confirmed how Scotland is able to remain in the European Union. Did the Prime Minister discuss that when she met First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh, and will she do everything to ensure that remain means remain for Scotland?

Theresa May replied by saying she had in fact discussed a different issue: I did discuss the arrangements in relation to the negotiations for the United Kingdom leaving the EU with the First Minister. I was very pleased that my first trip was a trip to Scotland and that I was very clear to do that so early in my premiership.

Boris Johnsons racial slurs

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson leaves his home in London yesterday morning (AFP/Getty)

Jeremy Corbyn asked Theresa May about her new Foreign Secretary: The Prime Minister is rightly concerned  and she said this  if youre black, youre treated more harshly than if youre white.

So before appointing her new Foreign Secretary did she discuss with him his description of black people as picanninies and why he questioned the motive of the US question Obama on his part-Kenyan heritage?

Ms May replied without mentioning Mr Johnson at all: He refers to the remarks I made, and it is correct that if youre black you will be treated more harshly in the criminal justice system.

Its exactly why as Home Secretary I dealt with the issue of stop and search, I was concerned to make sure that nobody should be stopped and searched on the streets of this country because of the colour of their skin.

Honour killings

Brent Patrick Ahlers, 25, was afraid he'd lose his job as a security guard if he admitted what he did (Tony Webster/Flickr)

Nusrat Ghani asked the Government to stop using the term honour killings: Does the Prime Minister agree that such crimes are in fact acts of terror, not honour? Will she therefore direct her new Government to choose to lead and end the use of the word honour to describe these vile acts in order to stop giving any legitimacy to the idea that women are the property of men?

Ms May did not say whether she would stop using the term: My hon. Friend raises a very important issue, one that I think resonates across the whole House. She is absolutely right: extremism does take many forms. That is why, in the Governments counter-extremism strategy, we are looking very widely across the breadth of issues of extremism, including tackling the root causes of some practices within communities, such as so-called honour-based violence. I absolutely agree with her that there is absolutely no honour in so-called honour-based violence. It is violence and a criminal act, pure and simple.

Heathrow expansion

Protesters hold signs during a rally against a third runway at Heathrow last year (Getty)

Catherine McKinnell asked on the timing of a decision on whether to expand Heathrow airport: The Prime Minister knows that Britain needs to be open for business, so will she do better than dithering Dave and give us a decision without delay?

Ms May would not be more specific than in due course: Our position on Heathrow has not changed. Obviously, there was the Howard Davies review, and further work has been done on the question of air quality around the proposals put forward. The Cabinet and the Government will take a decision, in the proper way, in due course.

Immigration targets

The Home Office advert scheme urged illegal immigrants to 'go home' (PA)

Conservative MP Philip Davies asked: Can the Prime Minister reassure them that when we finally do leave the European Union, she will insist on keeping her original promise to bring the immigration figures down to the tens of thousands?

Ms May did not commit to keeping any such promise, instead saying she believed sustainable levels had to be reached in some way: The vote that took place on 23 June sent a very clear message about immigration. It sent the clear message that people want control of free movement from the European Union, and that is precisely what we will ensure that we get in the negotiations that we will undertake.

I also remain absolutely firm in my belief that we need to bring net migration down to sustainable levels, and the Government believes that that means tens of thousands. It will take some time to get there, but now, of course, there is the added aspect of the controls that we can bring in relation to people moving from the European Union.
Theresa May speaking during Prime Ministers Questions at the House of Commons in London (AFP/Getty Images)

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Main headlines:

Theresa May took her first Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, clashing with Labour's Jeremy Corbyn who is himself facing a leadership challenge.

Ms May had never before taken to the despatch box for the weekly noon session in the Commons, with David Cameron previously deploying George Osborne as his deputy when required.

After the clashes in the Commons, Ms May was due to make her first overseas visit as Prime Minister to meet German chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, ahead of a trip to Paris on Thursday for talks with French president Francois Hollande.

Speaking before her departure for Berlin, the PM said she aimed to deliver a clear message to Ms Merkel and Mr Hollande that Britain wants to maintain - and even strengthen - its close relations with their countries even after it has quit the EU.

She said: "I am determined that Britain will make a success of leaving the European Union and that's why I have decided to visit Berlin and Paris so soon after taking office.

"These visits will be an opportunity to forge a strong working relationship that we can build upon and which I hope to develop with more leaders across the European Union in the weeks and months ahead.

"I do not under-estimate the challenge of negotiating our exit from the European Union and I firmly believe that being able to talk frankly and openly about the issues we face will be an important part of a successful negotiation."
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Theresa May has prompted a barrage of comparisons with Margaret Thatcher following her first appearance at Prime Ministers Questions.

Responding to a question from Jeremy Corbyn about workers with unscrupulous bosses, Ms May suggested the embattled Labour leader may have many members on the opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss.

Warming to her theme, she suggested: A boss who doesnt listen to his workers?

A boss who requires some of his workers to double their work load?

Maybe even a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career.

Leaning into the despatch box, Ms May then raised her voice and - in a manner eerily reminiscent of party's previous female premier - asked Mr Corbyn: Remind him of anybody?

Though she was alluding to the fracturing of the Labour party under Mr Corbyns leadership, the figure who many people were most reminded of was Margaret Thatcher when she was in her full rhetorical stride.

Many people rapidly made the comparison between the two Conservative leaders, while others said the association was only being made because they are both women.

In a final jibe at Mr Corbyn, Ms May again highlighted Labours internal strife and leadership contest. The Labour Party may be about to spend several months fighting and tearing itself apart, but the Tories will be spending those months bringing this country back together.
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Theresa May has given the Conservative Party an immediate bounce in the opinion polls which, if sustained, could revive speculation that she will call an early general election.

Ms May made an assured debut at Prime Ministers Questions when she ridiculed Jeremy Corbyn after he raised the issue of insecurity at work. She told him: I suspect that there are many members on the Opposition benches who might be familiar with an unscrupulous boss. A boss who doesn't listen to his workers, a boss who requires some of his workers to double their workload and maybe a boss who exploits the rules to further his own career. Remind him of anybody?

Tory MPs declared game, set and match over Mr Corbyn after she echoed Margaret Thatcher by defining what he called austerity as living within our means.

Ms May revived memories of Baroness Thatchers battles with Britains EU partners by telling Chancellor Angela Merkel at their first meeting that she would not be rushed into negotiations on the UKs exit from the EU. She said in Berlin that she would not invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty until after the end of this year, admitting that the other 27 EU leaders would not be pleased by the delay. They hoped they would start the process this year after Ms May entered Downing Street two months earlier than expected.

On her first foreign trip as Prime Minister, Ms May said: All of us will need time to prepare for these negotiations and the UK will not invoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear. After the two leaders held constructive get to know you talks, the German Chancellor said it was understandable that the UK wanted to delay the formal process but warned: No one wants things to be up in the air.

According to YouGov, the Tories have opened up an 11-point lead over Labour, which was three points ahead in its last voting intention survey in April. The Tories are now on 40 per cent (up 10 points); Labour 29 per cent (down four points); Ukip 12 per cent (down eight points) and the Lib Dems nine (up three points).

Although bitter Tory divisions were displayed during the EU referendum, Labour appears to be paying a price for its in-fighting. Some 90 per cent of people who voted Conservative in 2015 plan to do so again, while only 76 per cent of Labour voters remain loyal to the party. The Conservatives are now ahead of Labour in every region of the country except the North, and among the key C2DE social group.

Ms May has ruled out an election before the one due in 2020. But if her honeymoon continues and Labour remains divided, some Tory MPs believe she could be tempted to seek her own mandate from the voters next spring. An election before then is thought unlikely because it would add to the uncertainty following the Brexit vote.

 Theresa May accuses Jeremy Corbyn of being an "unscrupulous boss"

It is unclear how the Prime Minister will square her desire for the closest possible economic links with the 27 EU countries with the public demand to limit immigration. EU leaders have made it clear that full access to the single market would mean the UK keeping current free movement rules, which would be politically impossible for Ms May.

Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Show all 27 1 /27 Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Andrea Leadsom Andrea Leadsom has been appointed Secretary for Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Priti Patel Priti Patel has been appointed International Development Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Alun Cairns Alun Cairns will stay on as Welsh Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Karen Bradley Karen Bradley is now Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Rex Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Greg Clark Greg Clark has been appointed Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? James Brokenshire James Brokenshire has been appointed as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Stephen Crabb Stephen Crabb has resigned as Work and Pensions Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Theresa Villiers Theresa Villiers will not return as Northern Ireland Secretary. She was reportedly offered a role by Theresa May, but turned it down, saying it was not one she felt could take on Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Chris Grayling Chris Grayling has been appointed Transport Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Damien Green Damien Green has been appointed Work and Pensions Secretary Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Liz Truss Liz Truss has been appointed Justice Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Patrick McLoughlin Patrick McLoughlin who was Transport Secretary has been appointed Tory Party chairman and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Justine Greening Justine Greening has been appointed as Education Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Gavin Williamson Gavin Williamson is to become the new Government Chief Whip Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Hunt will continue as Health Secretary Getty Images Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Nicky Morgan Nicky Morgan lost her job as Education Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Michael Gove Michael Gove has been sacked as Justice Secretary Reuters Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? John Whittingdale John Whittingdale left his job as Culture Secretary EPA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Oliver Letwin Oliver Letwin, the Chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, has been sacked from his role in the cabinet PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Philip Hammond The former Foreign Secretary has been made Chancellor EPA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Boris Johnson Leading Brexit campaigner is given the role of Foreign Secretary Getty Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Amber Rudd Leading Remain campaigner takes Theresa May's old job of Home Secretary PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Michael Fallon Stays as Defence Secretary AP Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? Liam Fox The former Defence Secretary is named as head of new Department for International Trade PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? David Davis The former shadow Home Secretary and leadership rival to David Cameron is named Secretary of State for Leaving the European Union - aka Brexit minister PA Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? George Osborne Gone as Chancellor - and fails to secure any new role in May's government GETTY Theresa May's Cabinet: Who's in  and who's out? David Mundell The Conservative Party's only Scottish MP retains his role as Scottish Secretary Getty Images

The Prime Minister told MPs she was not abandoning the Governments target to bring net migration below 100,000 a year. She remained absolutely firm in my belief that we need to bring net migration down to sustainable levels. The Government believes that that is tens of thousands. But she admitted that would take some time, even though EU migration will eventually be reduced. Her officials declined to say that the target would be hit by 2020, describing it as an ambition and priority without a timeframe.

Ms May rebuffed a call from the senior Tory MP Sir Edward Leigh for the UK to leave the European single market. She replied: In negotiating the deal, we need to ensure that we listen to what people have said about the need for controls on free movement, and that we also negotiate the right and best deal for trade in goods and services for the British people.

Mr Corbyn quoted back at Ms May her statements outside Downing Street on becoming Prime Minister about extending opportunity to all, contrasting her warm words with the record of the Government in which she served. The Labour leader said: Six years of government austerity has failed, the long-term economic plan is clearly dead. Is there a new one? He added: Austerity actually means people being poorer, services being cut and local facilities being closed. Ms May told him: It's about not saddling our children and grandchildren with significant debts to come.

She sidestepped Mr Corbyns question about comments by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson calling black people piccaninnies and questioning the motives of US President Barack Obama because of his part-Kenyan heritage.
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Britain will not take up its scheduled presidency of the EU Council next year and will instead focus on its preparations to leave the bloc, Theresa May has said.

The announcement is the first key responsibility relinquished by Britain in the wake of the EU referendum result.

The move came to light in a phone call on Tuesday between the new Prime Minister and the council president Donald Tusk.

The presidency of the council rotates on a six-montlhy basis, offering each of the EU's 28 member states the opportunity to shape the EU's agenda. Slovakia is the current president, with Estonia set to follow the UK's slot.

Functionally it chairs meetings of the Council, where ministers and heads of states meet. It also determines its agendas, and sets a programme of work for the six month period.

The UK was due to take over for the second half of 2017, but it is possible that Ms May will by that point have triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, beginning the formal multi-year process of Brexit.

The country that will take Britain's vacated place in the presidency is yet to be determined. The presidency is not individual and is held by the whole country, with a different representative depending on the particular sitting of council.

In a statement, a Downing Street spokesperson said: The President of the European Council Donald Tusk called the Prime Minister yesterday evening to congratulate her on her appointment.

The Prime Minister thanked President Tusk for the clear message he has given that the UK remains a full member of the EU until such a time as we leave and the Prime Minister underlined that she wants to approach the negotiations on the UKs exit from the European Union in a constructive and pragmatic spirit.

 David Davis - Brexit to be triggered early next year

In this context, the Prime Minister suggested that the UK should relinquish the rotating Presidency of the Council, currently scheduled for the second half of 2017, noting that we would be prioritising the negotiations to leave the European Union.

Donald Tusk welcomed the PMs swift decision on this issue which would allow the Council to put alternative arrangements in place.

Finally, the Prime Minister explained that we will need to carefully prepare for the negotiations to leave the EU before triggering Article 50. Donald Tusk reassured the Prime Minister that he will help to make this process happen as smoothly as possible.

They concluded by looking forward to a strong working relationship and agreed that they should meet soon in Brussels or London.

Brexit reactions  in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Brexit reactions  in pictures Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In campaign look at their phones after hearing results in the EU referendum at London's Royal Festival Hall AP Brexit reactions  in pictures Leave supporters cheer results at a Leave.eu party after polling stations closed in the Referendum on the European Union in London Reuters Brexit reactions  in pictures Mr Cameron announces his resignation to supporters Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Donald Tusk proposes that the 27 remaining EU member states start a wider reflection on the future of our union Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Ukip leader Nigel Farage greets his supporters on College Green in Westminster, after Britain voted to leave the European Union PA Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as referendum results are announced today Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Boris Johnson leaves his home today to discover a crowd of waiting journalists and police officers Getty Brexit reactions  in pictures Leave EU supporters celebrate as they watch the British EU Referendum results being televised at Millbank Tower in London Rex Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In Campaign react as results of the EU referendum are announced at the Royal Festival Hall Reuters Brexit reactions  in pictures Supporters of the Stronger In campaign react after hearing results in the EU referendum at London's Royal Festival Hall PA

The call was Ms May's first conversation with the European Council president since becoming Prime Minister.

It comes days after the new Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson paid his first overseas visit to Brussels.

Mr Johnson met European leaders and US secretary of state John Kerry. They discussed the current situation in Turkey, the Nice attacks, as well as the fundamentals of Britain leaving the European Union.
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President Francois Hollande has said that three French soldiers have been killed in a helicopter accident in Libya during an intelligence-gathering mission.

The announcement of the deaths is the first official confirmation that French special forces are operating on the ground in Libya.

At this moment we are carrying out dangerous intelligence operations [in Libya], Mr Hollande said in a speech. Three of our soldiers, who were involved in these operations, have been killed in a helicopter accident.

French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he deplores the loss of three soldiers.

Paris took a leading role in the Nato air campaign that helped rebels overthrow autocratic leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

French special forces in conjunction with Britain and the United States have been advising forces loyal to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, which have been battling Islamists and groups with affiliation to Isis in Benghazi for more than two years. French aircraft have been conducting reconnaissance flights since December.

A spokesman for Mr Haftar's forces, Ahmed Masmari, said a helicopter carrying three Libyans  a pilot and two technicians  as well as the three French, had crashed on Sunday in the Magrun area about 47 miles south of Benghazi.

Libyan officials had earlier said four people died in the crash, all of them Libyan. Mr Masmari said the French had been gathering intelligence on fighters from Boko Haram, after some Malian militants loyal to the group had arrived in the area.

It was probably a technical problem but the investigation has not finished yet, Mr Masmari said.

However, the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB), a recently formed force of Islamists and other fighters, claimed after the helicopter crash that it had shot the aircraft down, killing four people, according to a statement posted on social media accounts close to the group. Pictures purporting to show the wreckage of the helicopter were also posted by the group.

The BDB includes fighters pushed out of Benghazi by Mr Haftar's forces. The group launched a fresh campaign last month, south of the eastern city, to regain lost ground.

Western powers have been backing Libyas unity government, hoping it will seek foreign support to confront Isis, deal with migrant flows from Libya to Europe and restore oil production to shore up the Libyan economy.

The news came as defence and foreign ministers from more than 30 nations gathered on Wednesday to plan the next steps in the fight against Isis. US Defence Secretary Ash Carter met with his counterparts to discuss how they can accelerate the campaign and build on some of the momentum, particularly in Iraq.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State John Kerry will host a joint meeting of defence and foreign ministers in the anti-Isis coalition. They are expected to talk about the coordination of political and military efforts, including counter-terrorist financing, combating the flow of foreign fighters, and the stabilisation of cities and towns that have been freed from Isis control around Syria and Iraq.

We are succeeding on the ground in Iraq and Syria but we have a lot of work to do, said Brett McGurk, US President Barack Obamas special representative to the anti-Isis coalition. This is an enormous challenge that will be with us for years to come.

He told reporters that the situation in Libya and a rise in the number of foreign fighters there will be one major focus of the meeting on Thursday.

Libya is incredibly complicated to say the least, he said, noting that until six months ago the country was without a functioning central government. We have some momentum, the discussion will be how to build on this momentum.

Reuters and Associated Press
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An Italian restaurant was forced to changed its marquee after sparking outrage over a Black Lives Matter pun used to advertise a nightly special.

Black olives matter  Try our tapenade, the Paisanos marquee read, seemingly making light of the national movement against police violence that has claimed the lives of black people in the US.

We thought it was a cute play on words to promote our special Ahi tuna tonight, owner Rick Camuglia told KRQE. We didnt think anybody would be offended by that. It was not our intent to offend.

Mr Camuglia reportedly posted an image of the marquee on Facebook, where he says it was met with anger as the photo went viral. He eventually deleted the post.

According to the Washington Post, one commenter, who said she was a person of colour, said, The civilised world no longer has any tolerance for your hateful public display of what passes to you as humour. Young men and women are dying. Have a shred of humanity.

Another said, I love a good joke, but there are things that you just dont joke about.

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A number of commenters came to Mr Camuglias defence.

As a chef I understand that you werent trying to be offense, they wrote. In our industry humour is the only thing that takes the stress away from our job. Its unfortunate the only people who work in the trade will understand.

After taking the post down, Mr Camuglia had a suggestion for offended parties.

I think if that offends people, a statement about black olives, that somebody needs to reevaluate their politically correct meter, he said.

Harold Bailey, president of the Albuquerque branch of the NAACP, told KRQE that while the sign was a good marketing idea, he hopes the restaurant learns from this experience.

[W]ith all of the national uproar, demonstrations, and marches regarding the shooting of African American men and youth by police officers, the Albuquerque NAACP feels that [the sign] was in bad taste, he said. The decision to take it down is appreciated.

Unjustified killing of innocent Black men is nothing to joke about, Mr Bailey added. Whether it was intentional or not, it sent the wrong message to many.

Paisanos issued a statement after the controversy on its Facebook page thanking patrons for the outpouring of support.

Many have shown a unique way to show solidarity, the post read. I can't count the number of customer's orders who've included adding Black Olives to every dish ordered. Pizzas, Sandwiches and pasta dishes with double Black Olives Please! all day long.

So much that we almost ran out and ordered more.
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The House Democrats have posted pictures of their Capitol Hill interns, showcasing the ethnic diversity amongst the group compared to similar pictures from the Republicans.

House speaker Paul Ryan was heavily critcised for posting a picture on Instagram with a group of mostly white young men and women who were doing internships in Washington DC.

"I think this sets a record for the most number of #CapitolHill interns in a single selfie," Mr Ryan wrote.

The photo raised questions about the procurement of interns and the ethnic diversity within the Republican Party.

Conversely, pictures of democratic interns at Capitol Hill showed many faces of colour.

House Democrats chairman Xavier Becerra posted one of the pictures, adding: Thank you to all my hardworking #CapitolHill interns! We had a great group this summer.

Interns also uploaded their own pictures, with one comment reading: What diversity on the Hill should look like."

Democratic Alabama congresswoman Terri Sewell quoted writer and civil rights activist Maya Angelou: In diversity, there is beauty and there is strength.

The pictures come as the Republican convention is underway and where Donald Trump has been formally announced as the partys nominee.

Earlier in the 2016 presidential campaign it was discovered that Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator, was the only candidate to pay his interns.
BEIJING, July 19 -- As the Chinese government and people's stance on the South China Sea issue wins increasing support worldwide despite the so-called arbitration initiated by the Philippines, the expectation of isolating China has proved unrealistic.

Domestically, China's legislature, non-government organizations, citizens and media outlets have overwhelmingly backed the government's rejection of the arbitration award and call for negotiation and consultation between the states directly concerned to resolve disputes.

In addition to the outcry on the Chinese mainland, Taiwan has also said it "absolutely will not accept" the decision in the South China Sea arbitration. The island's leader's office said the award"is not legally binding."

Internationally, a wider range of nations, including members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), have voiced their recognition of China's position.

The 11th Asia-Europe Meeting last week became one of the latest arenas where China's arguments gained traction.

Thongloun Sisoulith, prime minister of Laos, which holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship this year, said that Laos supports China's stance over the South China Sea issue, and stands ready to work with China to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said his nation respects China's position on the arbitration, adding the disputes should be solved peacefully through negotiations.

Russia opposes the internationalization of the South China Sea disputes or any interference by forces outside the region, said Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

Notably, the attempt by Japan, a country not directly involved in the South China Sea, to include the arbitration case into the chair's statement of the summit was defeated, according to a Chinese diplomat.

China has clarified the merits of its stance, but the country's proven track record in resolving disputes concerning territory and maritime rights and interests with neighboring countries through negotiations and consultations is more convincing.

China borders 14 countries on land and has a land boundary of about 22,000 km. China has signed border treaties with 12 land neighbors, with over 20,000 km of delineated and demarcated borderlines.

After more than 20 years of negotiations, China and Vietnam completed the delimitation of maritime boundary in the Beibu Gulf. Such tremendous progress would not have been possible without China's observance of international law.

In the case of the South China Sea, "friendly consultations and negotiations by sovereign states directly concerned" were the form of resolution agreed upon in case of territorial and jurisdictional disputes in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea signed by China and ASEAN member states in 2002.

Encouraged by the governments of China, the Philippines and Vietnam, oil companies in the region signed the tripartite Agreement for Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking in Certain Areas in the South China Sea in 2005 to facilitate joint oil and gas development.

If history is any indication, China is a reasonable partner in such matters. Negotiations and consultations can best represent the principle of equality among sovereign states and are the most effective way to settle disputes.
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During hot and humid summers, New Yorkers often catch the ferry to Governors Island to take pictures of the Manhattan skyline or eat an ice cream as they saunter around the promenade.

Now 10 acres of greenery have been added to the island, the first time in recent years that such a large space has been opened to the public in the proximity of Manhattan.

In a city of eight million people, any new green space has to be a welcome development.

Recommended Read more Summer in Central Park

Even more exciting, perhaps, is that the island now boasts the citys longest slide at 57 feet, open for free to both children and adults.

This is an incredible park project that has spanned two administrations. No other city boasts anything quite like it, said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement.

So-called Slide Hill has four slides.

Among the newly-built grassy mounds at the southern side of the island is Outlook Hill, which is even taller at 70 feet high, offering views of Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey and the Statue of Liberty.

(New York City Hall / Flickr)

Various officials gathered at the ribbon-cutting ceremony including former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.

The work to transform the 170-acre island has taken 13 years, since it was re-opened to the public in 2003.

Various elements of the island, including the historic Fort Jay eagle statue on top of the military fort, were badly damaged during Hurricane Sandy and have since competed with countless other National Parks for grants.

Officials hope the former abandoned military base will eventually become a year-round destination for visitors, with modern art, plays, picnic spots and other forms of recreation.

It is open every day until 25 September, with free daily ferry rides until 22 July.

The island was a military fort for decades (New York City Hall / Flickr)

The island in 2016 with views of Manhattan (New York City Hall / Flickr)

The island began as a colonial military fort in the mid-18th century and was not shut until 1996.
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I can honestly say that, in three-and-a-half years on the bench, this is by far the worst thing that has come before this court. So said Judge Leslie Ghiz of Ohios Hamilton County Pleas Court as she sentenced April Corcoran to 51 years to life in prison Tuesday, reported the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Her crime: Corcoran, 32, had pleaded guilty in June to raising money to feed her heroin addiction by loaning out her 11-year-old daughter to her drug dealer, who, with the mothers blessing, raped, sodomised and abused her, sometimes video-taping it, according to the indictment against Corcoran.

The child was being forced to have vaginal, anal and oral sex with a 40-year-old man. The mother pleaded guilty to multiple counts of complicity to rape, human trafficking and child endangerment.

Because he preferred children younger than 11, prosecutors said, the mother dressed her up to look even younger, reported WLWT TV. Little did we know, I guess, her drug dealer had a propensity to film little kids when they are performing sexual acts on him, Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Katie Pridemore said at the time of the plea. She didnt have the means or the cash to buy her heroin anymore from her drug dealer, said Pridemore. .So she offered up her child in return.

You showed no kind of mercy, the judge told her, according to the Enquirer.  . I dont know that you grasp the damage that has been done to this poor child.

The alleged dealer, Shandell Willingham, was also charged and is awaiting a hearing.

Corcoran had a special routine after her daughter was brutalised. As a reward, she gave her daughter heroin, the court was told. Sometimes this defendant would give a little bit of heroin to her daughter, Pridemore told the court. The daughter didnt want it but she said, youre a good girl. You did the right thing.'

The school pupil vomited each time.

This happened four times between February and June 2014. Corcoran has not expressed any apologies to her daughter, the judge said in court Tuesday.

Now 13 years old, the girl is living out of state with her father and stepmother. She is taking medication, has had suicidal thoughts and is undergoing medical care, Ghiz said in court Tuesday. Theres doubt she will be able to cope.

I saw my granddaughter. I heard her small voice, the girls grandmother said in court. It was horrific. How could she (Corcoran) do this? I dont know if my granddaughter is going to be able to have a normal life.

The authorities learned of the case in June 2014, when the girl moved in with her father, who reported it.

World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. 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The girls plight didnt shock locals in the rural area of Ohio where Corcoran lived, the paper reported at the time of her arrest. I mean, things like this happen a lot down here, resident Keith Benson said. Probably not to this degree, but theres constantly being reports of animal abuse and fights breaking out around. Its a little bit surprising but not entirely unexpected.

As a parent, it is hard to imagine how you could use your child to satisfy your drug addiction, Hamilton County Prosecutor Joseph T Deters said at the time of the indictment. Even after all my years as a prosecutor, I continue to be amazed at how badly parents treat their children. What this little girl endured is unimaginable, and I can only hope that mom and drug dealers prosecution and intense counseling will help this child regain some trust in the world. This case is Exhibit A for how devastating heroin is to our communities.

They tell me before she became hooked on heroin, James Bogen, Corcorans court-appointed attorney told the paper, she was a very loving and attentive parent.

Washington Post
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The US military has a huge problem with the mental health of the soldiers it sends to war.

Research suggests that anywhere up to 40 per cent of soldiers that have returned from combat deployment overseas experience psychological problems that can affect their work and social life. Their post-deployment experience is often associated with anger and aggression.

As the US reels from the shooting deaths of police officers in Louisiana and Texas - incidents that were carried out by military veterans who had served in Afghanistan and Iraq - the Pentagon is trying to better understand the extent of the problems, and find solutions.

(REUTERS)

Were trying to nail down who is prone to aggressive behaviour. We think it affects a small number of people who are predisposed, Phil Quartana, an Army research psychologist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, told The Independent.

Its a tendency to become angry under stressful situations. If we can identify those people earlier

Police investigating the shooting deaths in Baton Rouge and Dallas say that the gunmen - Gavin Long killed three officers in Louisiana and and Micah Johnson killed five policemen in Texas - were apparently motivated by rage and anger.

Shooter Gavin Long speaking as his online persona Cosmo Setepenra on social media (AP/YouTube)

It it not yet clear whether their military service contributed to that anger. But reports have said both Long, who served five years in the Marine Corps, and Army reservist Johnson, both suffered with mental health problems. On Wednesday, CNN said that investigators in Louisiana had determined that 29-year-old Long was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

The news channel said that Long had filled a prescription for Ativan, an anti-anxiety drug, as recently as June. He also had prescriptions for Valium and the sleep aid Lunesta.

USA Today said that Long, who was deployed to Iraq for eight months in 2008 and rose to the rank of sergeant, had previously posted a video on the internet, describing protests against police as futile.

(AP)

He said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Nat Turner, who led a slave revolt in 1831, and Malcolm X, the black Muslim civil rights leader.

Meanwhile, Johnson, a black Army reservist who served seven months in Afghanistan, told a negotiator that he was angry over recent police shootings of black people and wanted to kill white officers.

 George W. Bush Dances to Battle Hymn at Dallas Memorial

In May 2014, six months into his Afghanistan tour, he was accused of sexual harassment by a female soldier and the army sent him back to the US. His lawyer, Bradford Glendening, told the Associated Press that the case was highly unusual and the woman he was accused of assaulting requested that he receive mental help

The US military has been leasing with researchers in Israel who have been looking at ways of tackling PTSD in Israeli soldiers. Researchers at Tel Aviv University have been working for several years to see if anger levels in soldiers could be identified and reduced.

Yair Bar-Haim, a professor and research leader, has led the development of a computerised treatment programme that has helped reduce the rate of PTSD among Israeli soldiers by up to two-thirds.

Speaking from Tel Aviv he said: Obviously, there is a correlation between anger and aggression. But most people have their anger under control.
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As the figurehead for a group of frustrated nationalist voters, and as a man not infrequently accused of racism, Nigel Farage might appear to be a natural bedfellow for Donald Trump. But, speaking during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, the former UKIP leader admitted even he found Mr Trumps presidential campaign a touch coarse at times.

Hes prepared to talk about issues that perhaps other people find a bit awkward, a bit uncomfortable, Mr Farage told an audience at a breakfast event organised by McClatchy, saying he admired the billionaire property moguls ability to reach out to angry, blue collar voters. I can see what hes trying to do, but occasionally the style of it makes even me wince a little bit.

Recommended Read more Trump peddles fear and loathing and exploits private grief

In the past, Mr Farage has spoken positively of Mr Trumps irresistible rise, and he said he was not in the least bit surprised by the result of the Republican primaries. But he insisted he was at the convention simply as a fascinated observer and did not intend to endorse the Apprentice star or campaign on his behalf, nor did he have any plans to meet him.

Its a big mistake for foreign politicians to tell people how to vote and and how to think, Mr Farage said, recalling President Barack Obamas controversial intervention on the Remain campaigns behalf during the Brexit referendum. Calling Mr Obama the most anti-British President there has ever been, the Leave leader nevertheless said he would always be grateful to Obama," whose comments arguably backfired, creating a poll bounce for Brexit. "Without him we would never have won the referendum.

Though he declined to declare his explicit support for Mr Trump, Mr Farage did also say he would never vote for Hillary Clinton, and accused the Democrat of harbouring a sense of entitlement.

Mr Farage had been invited to attend the convention because there was a genuine hunger among Republicans to understand the success of the Leave campaign, he said. Suggesting Brexit held lessons for the party of Trump, he went on: If the little people, the ordinary people whove completely given up on politics and dont believe anyone speaks for them  if you can inspire those people to go out and vote, you can change the world.

The erstwhile UKIP boss was not the only right-wing European politician to draw a crowd in Cleveland this week. On Monday Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam Dutch Freedom Party, told Republicans at a fringe event that Europe was exploding as a result of Muslim immigration.

The situation in Europe today is worse than ever. Europe, as a matter of fact, is collapsing, is imploding, is exploding. We have terror attacks by the jihadis almost every week, Mr Wilders said, in a speech reported by Politico. The reason for all of this of, course, is a policy decades-long of open borders and cultural relativism; the biggest disease in Europe today.

Mr Wilders message, which has fuelled his party's rising poll numbers in the Netherlands, will likely resonate with Trump supporters who back the Republican nominees proposal for a temporary ban on Muslims entering the US. Mr Farage thought the ban a bad idea, however, saying it would be very difficult to enforce.

Mark McCaig, a Republican delegate from Texas, told The Independent he had long been an admirer of Mr Farage. He really is one of my favourite British politicians, he said. I admire that hes a very independent-minded man whos willing to fight against the establishment.

The 33-year-old lawyer, who had his picture taken with Mr Farage following the event, saw parallels between Mr Trumps victories and the Brexit campaign. The success of Brexit was because they were able to reach out and motivate a lot of folks, who had become so angry with politics as usual that they had refrained from voting for many years, Mr McCaig said. Mr Trumps style of politics has also motivated a lot of people to come out and vote, who havent voted in many years because they were so disgusted by what theyve seen out of Washington.
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Several staffers at the Republican convention in Cleveland have been feeling rather queasy  and not because of Rudy Giulianis speech. At least a dozen staff members for the California GOP delegation have been quarantined in their hotel rooms after falling ill from a contagious norovirus, state officials said on Tuesday.

Recommended Read more Trump peddles fear and loathing and exploits private grief

So far, none of the Golden States 550 delegates have contracted the illness, which looks like norovirus, Erie County Health Commissioner Pete Schade told the Los Angeles Times. Mr Schades team had reportedly collected fecal samples from the unwell staffers to be tested.

Apparently brought to Cleveland from California, the virus broke out over the weekend at the African-themed Kalahari Resort near Sandusky, Ohio  some 60 miles from Cleveland  where the delegation is being accommodated during the convention.

The virus spreads via the so-called fecal-oral route, and California delegates were warned that if they began to suffer any symptoms, they should stop shaking hands or sharing food. Those symptoms include explosive diarrhoea and vomiting. In an email to delegates seen by the Sacramento Bee, the California GOPs executive director Cynthia Bryant said, simply, Youll know if you have it.

Known as the cruise-ship virus, the bug often breaks out in crowded environments such as old peoples homes and weddings. But who knew a political convention could make people sick?
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First Chris Christie was a fierce primary opponent, who mocked and criticised Donald Trump when it still seemed unthinkable that the property mogul could become the Republican presidential nominee. Then he was a sidekick and a wannabe VP, who reportedly begged Mr Trump to put him on the ticket in an 11th-hour phone-call. Now, it appears, the Governor of New Jersey has been tamed, trained and unleashed as the Trump campaigns attack dog.

Speaking at the Republican Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday night, Mr Christie invoked his past as a federal prosecutor to press the Republican case against Hillary Clinton. As chants of Lock her up! raced around the two-thirds-full Quicken Loans Arena, Mr Christie depicted the former Secretary of State as a liar, a fool and an incompetent in a fiery address that he claimed would hold Hillary Rodham Clinton accountable for her performance and her character.

Recommended Read more Donald Trump secures the votes to become Republican nominee

Ms Clinton, who is set to accept the Democratic nomination in Philadelphia next week, was the chief engineer of the disastrous overthrow of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Mr Christie claimed. She was an apologist for Boko Haram, somehow responsible for the Nigerian terror groups kidnapping of hundreds of schoolgirls, he said. She was, he went on, the inept negotiator of the Iranian nuclear deal, AKA the worst nuclear arms deal in American history.

Insisting that every region of the world has been infected with her flawed judgment, Mr Christie turned to the controversy over Ms Clintons private email server, which recently earned her censure  but, crucially, not an indictment  from the FBI and the US Department of Justice. As Secretary of State, the New Jersey Governor alleged, Ms Clinton had cared more about protecting her own secrets than she cared about protecting Americas secrets.

Amid the assaults on Mr Trumps opponent, Mr Christie also found time to compliment his own partys nominee, whom he described as a strong leader and a caring, genuine and decent person who understands the frustrations and aspirations of fellow citizens. Yes, he was talking about Donald Trump.

That was more than Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell could manage, when the GOPs congressional leaders took to the stage earlier on Tuesday evening. Both had been slow and somewhat reluctant to endorse Mr Trump, and both declined to give him more than a passing mention in their convention speeches.

Urging party unity, Mr Ryan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, warned Democrats were offering a third Obama term, brought to you by another Clinton. He went on: This year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way,  not necessarily with a Trump presidency  but when America elects a conservative governing majority.

Meanwhile, the best that Mitch McConnell could say for Mr Trump was that he would sign Republican legislation into law. Listing, one by one, a selection of GOP-authored bills that President Barack Obama had vetoed, the Senate Majority Leader repeated the simple, uninspiring mantra: Donald Trump would sign it."
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One by one, representatives of the 50 state delegations at the Republican Convention grasped a microphone, offered a little commercial about the special virtues of their homes - oil in Alaska, potatoes in Idaho - and then announced who they wanted to take up battle for the White House.

The whole country - the whole world - knew it already, but as the name Donald J. Trump tripped successively from their lips in the traditional convention roll call and echoed around the arena, there were surely not a few inside it - and outside - whose heads were still spinning in wonder.

Not that everything seemed exactly transparent. There was some bafflement when Washington DC announced it had 10 votes for Marco Rubio of Florida and and 9 for John Kasich, the Governor of Ohio. But the convention secretary then said all 19 votes would be going to to Mr Trump anyway.

Recommended Read more Trump campaign blames plagiarism controversy on Clinton

Chip Nottingham, a Washington DC delegate, was not impressed. The chair, in a power play, just deemed that all 19 would go to Trump 'cause they don't want any dissent even though they clearly have a majority of votes that they need.

"Congratulations Dad, we love you!" And so it was, at 7.11 in the evening, that Donald Trump Jr stood with his delegation, New York, and announced that the 89 votes it was giving to his father had formally put him over the toop. It was done. Over. Those fired: Cruz, Jeb, Marco, Kasich, Carson, Huckabee, the list is long. The lights played on the crowd and the band struck up 'New York, New York'.

Donald Trump Jr. announces the New York delegation's votes during roll call at the Republican Convention (Getty)

Thus the luxury of dreaming that the braggadocious billionaire with honey-spun hair, a punchline for far longer than a politician, didnt really mean it when he asked to take charge of the party of Abraham Lincoln could no longer be sustained. He had done it.

Next stopthe office of POTUS, President of the United States. That remains to be seen, of course, and when the Democrats end their convention in Philadelphia next week presumably with Hillary Clinton carrying their standard, the battle for that high office will really begin.

A sign against the Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is held aloft at the Republican convention (Getty)

Mr Trump will formally accept his partys nomination on Thursday evening. It will be his coronation and the climax of a convention that so far has been marked by some tension and also controversy, notably allegations that the speech of his wife, Melania Trump, on Monday was partly lifted from a Michelle Obama speech at the Democrats confab eight years ago.

And when there hasnt been controversy there has been a clear dearth of the usual happy hoopla and energy seen at past conventions of either party. From the perch of The Independent it was hard not to notice that the arena on Tuesday night was perhaps barely 60 per cent full.

Before the roll call had started, the task of formally nominating Mr Trump had fallen to one of the few members of the US Senate to have consistently and enthusiastically championed him, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, not a figure known on Capitol Hill for his rhetorical scholarship.

Security teams on the floor of the Republican convention in Cleveland (Getty)

Our political system is not working. We operate like the trench warfare battles of WWI, Senator Sessions attempted. Crime is rising and the president, he blames the police. Adding that the Washington and corporate establishment always demands that no one rocks the boat, he said Mr Trump hadnt been intimidated. He would not be silenced. He spoke the truth.

Off to a good start, Paul Ryan, the House speaker, offered when Mr Sessions had done, acknowledging tacitly that he and the rest of the party had not been certain going into the evening if the handing of the nomination to Mr Trump would go smoothly or expose the fractures that still lurk below.

There was a brief but startling ruckus on the convention floor on Monday when the remaining anti-Trump dissidents made one last try to force a floor vote on changing the rules in a way potentially to draft an alternative nominee only to be thwarted. There was about five minutes of confusion and chaos before it was clear that the rebellion had been put down.

Throughout the roll call process in the Quicken Loans Arena chants of Trump, Trump, Trump and We want Trump, would occasionally break out in different parts of the hall. Maintaining order during the roll call is extremely important, Mr Ryan admonished the delegates just in case of last-minute tumult.
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Protesters from India's low-caste community attacked government buses and blocked roads in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state on Wednesday in demonstrations over the flogging of four men accused of skinning a cow.

The four members of the Dalit community were last week tied to a car in Gujarat state, stripped and flogged with sticks by self-styled hardline Hindu cow protectors who then published a video of the attack as a warning to others.

Hindus consider cows to be sacred, and the slaughter of cows is banned in many parts of India, including Gujarat, where Mr Modi ruled as chief minister for a decade and spearheaded a 2011 ban. Dalits usually carry out undesirable tasks such as skinning dead animals, and many work in tanneries and in the leather industry.

The four men who were attacked by vigilantes in Una town last week worked in a tannery. In the video, they were seen pleading that they were tannery workers who were only skinning the dead animal. Dalits in the state say they earn their livelihood from skinning cows that die naturally, buffalos and other animals, and vowed to fight anyone trying to stop them from doing so.

We are the poorest but we are not cowards, Mayur Dabhia, a leader of the Dalit campaign group in Ahmedabad.

The beatings sparked the most serious protests by Gujarati Dalits in years, with seven youths trying to kill themselves in protest by taking pesticide in different parts of the state, an act that further inflamed emotions.

A police officer was killed on Tuesday during clashes in Una, 210 miles from Gujarat's main city, Ahmedabad, where the tannery workers were attacked.

Dalits are at the bottom of India's ages-old social hierarchy, making them vulnerable to attacks perpetrated by self-styled cow-protecting vigilantes.The vigilantes chase trucks transporting cattle and raid slaughter houses.

Several people accused of eating beef have also been attacked, including a Muslim man who was last year beaten to death by a mob in a town near Delhi.

India's Parliament was in an uproar on Wednesday over the attacks, with MPs from the opposition parties shouting slogans while accusing Mr Modi's government and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of failing to protect the Dalits.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh told MPs that the victims were attacked by a group of men who hit them with metal pipes and wooden rods. Mr Singh said nine people involved in the attack had been arrested.

On Tuesday, Gujarat's top elected official, Chief Minister Anandiben Patel, promised that her government would take strict action against those involved in the attack. Four police officers who failed to take action have been suspended for dereliction of duty, she said.

Several towns in Gujarat have been rocked by protests since last week's beating incident. Dalits are being oppressed in Gujarat and we have to raise our voices to get the government to act, said Derek O'Brien, an MP from West Bengal state. This is an organised crime that is happening in Gujarat.

Although caste discrimination was banned soon after India's independence from Britain in 1947, the practice persists. Successive governments have set quotas for jobs and university spots to level out disadvantages faced by lower castes, but it has been difficult to change social attitudes.

In Parliament, Mr Singh condemned the attacks and called on all political parties to help end discrimination against Dalits.

Atrocities against Dalits are a social evil, he said. I appeal to all political parties to take this as a challenge and wipe out this problem.

Reuters with Associated Press
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North Korea says it has been practicing to blow up South Korean ports and airports with nuclear warheads during its most recent ballistic missile launches, the latest sign of Pyongyang's anger over attempts to contain it.

North Korea launched three missiles  two short-range Scuds and one medium-rang Rodong  from a launch site south of the capital Pyongyang early on Tuesday morning. They flew about 350 miles across the peninsula to land in the sea off the east coast.South Korean military officials said they had the potential to hit even the southern most parts of their country.

The launches were part of a drill overseen by Kim Jong-un, the third-generation leader of the country who bears the official title of Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army.

The drill rehearsed making preemptive strikes at ports and airfields in the operational theatre in south Korea, where the US imperialists nuclear war hardware is to be hurled, the North's official Korean Central News Agency said.

In response to North Korea's previous provocations this year  January's nuclear test and the steady stream of missiles that have followed it  South Korea has agreed to host a sophisticated anti-missile system, despite the strong objections of China, a key trading partner.

The US and South Korea this month finalised the details for deploying a terminal high-altitude area defense (Thaad), battery to South Korea that would be operated by US forces stationed there. It is designed to intercept incoming missiles.

Han Min-goo, the South's defence minister, told politicians in an emergency session held on Tuesday afternoon that North Korea's missiles constituted a sort of protest against the planned Thaad deployment.

The decision has also been controversial in South Korea, particularly in the rural area of Seongju, about 130 miles southeast of Seoul, which has been chosen as the site for the battery. Residents pelted the South Korean Prime Minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn, with eggs when he visited last week to try to alleviate their concerns that they would become a target for North Korea.

Inside the daily life in North Korea Show all 19 1 /19 Inside the daily life in North Korea Inside the daily life in North Korea People reading a newspaper at the metro station Inside the daily life in North Korea Thoughts of the leaders on the tram. They have about a dozen of these on every tram, all with different thoughts Inside the daily life in North Korea Young people training for a big upcoming festival Inside the daily life in North Korea People at the Pyongyang's annual marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea Many stars on one of the trolleys in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea An intimidating poster in a primary school in North Korea. Inside the daily life in North Korea Solar panels installed on a street lamp. Inside the daily life in North Korea A poster on the window next to one of the venues we visited in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Kids playing football next to the Arch of Triumph. After a while tourists were allowed to join, so some of us did Inside the daily life in North Korea Class in an educational center in Pyongyang (where people over 17 years old can attend any classes they choose after school, for free) Inside the daily life in North Korea People waving at me during the Pyongyang marathon Inside the daily life in North Korea People having a great time dancing at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea A metro driver in a metro station in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea Fireworks to mark the birthday of the Eternal President Kim Il Sung on our last night in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea My wonderful tour guide at a public park Inside the daily life in North Korea One of the parks in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea A person rowing some boats for the day at a river in Pyongyang Inside the daily life in North Korea The National War Museum Inside the daily life in North Korea Public park in Pyongyang

The North has been putting out a steady stream of invective over its neighbours increasingly assertive response, at the same time as boasting of making technological breakthroughs in its nuclear weapons program.

Tuesday's drill simulated detonating nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area, KCNA said.

North Korea has proven it has nuclear devices and has also shown advances in its missile programme, although progress hasn't always been smooth. Most of the six intermediate-range Musudan missile tests carried out in recent months have been failures.

Despite its boasts, there is considerable doubt about whether North Korea has mastered the next, difficult steps: making nuclear warheads small enough to mount on a missile, and then being able to deliver it. While many analysts, and a considerable number of American officials, think that it's just a matter of time until the North can do this, there's been no evidence to suggest they're there yet.

But North Korea has continued to pump out statements that increase tension on the peninsula, where the two sides remain technically at war, more than 60 years after the end of the Korean war.

Kim Jong-un expressed great satisfaction over the successful drill, the KCNA statement said, and he praised the soldiers for being fully ready to carry out any order issued all of a sudden.

Washington Post
WINDHOEK, July 19 -- Namibian national Benizo Smith Junior, 24, is aboard the floating book fair, Logos Hope, that docked at Walvis Bay port, Namibia on July 15.

The 132-meter-long ship is laden with more than 5,000 titles and manned by 400 volunteers from 60 countries. Most of the books are rare educational and Christian titles.

Operated by Gute Bucher fur Alle charity of Germany, Logos Hope GBA Ships.

Derived from the ancient Greek thinkers, the name Logos can loosely be translated into "God Working in the World."

The floating book fair has been sailing around the world since1970, during which time it has docked in 160 countries and saw more than 45 million people access it.

Although this is the first time Logos Hope has docked in Namibia. Its sister ship - the Doulos - was here in 2002 when more than 12,000 people went aboard to view the literature in six days.

Nazareth Bonilla of Spain, who is one of the volunteers, said the crew will assist Namibia in a variety of goodwill projects.

She listed eye testing, renovating as well as equipping a school library apart from supplying water purifiers.

Namibia's vice president Nickey Iyambo, who officially welcomed the floating book fair, could not have put it any better when he referred to the crew as "friends."

"Namibia is a friend to all and an enemy of none. We welcome you as friends. You are not visitors, but we declare you as friends," Iyambo said.

So impressed was Iyambo that he lauded the diversity of the crew that is "working together for the common good of the mankind", which he likened to the Namibian tribes that are co-existing.

"Usually, youngsters hang around and wait for things to happen, or they try and make a living. Instead, here we have hundreds of them volunteering their labour and life to help others around the world. This is extraordinary," he said.

But Smith Jnr, a youth pastor with the Living Water Family at Walvis Bay, is not one of those who wait for things to happen.

Smith Jnr joined the Logos Hope crew in May this year as one of the book fair workers.

He got the opportunity to be part of the 400 crew through his father who also brought him a brochure about the world's largest floating book fair.

"When my father got the brochure about the ship, I knew this was my opportunity," he said. "Serving on board is the best experience of my life."

Saying he enjoys working among people from different walks of life, Smith Jnr also said the fact that the Logos Hope docked at his home town is very exciting.

On the first weekend, more than 7,000 visitors visited the Logos Hope after hundreds others had welcomed the ship when it docked.

The Logos Hope will depart Walvis Bay on July 28 for Libreville, Gabon.
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Whatever it was that Prime Minister May came to Berlin hoping to get, she will leave without it. The message from Chancellor Merkel was clear: If you wish to take your time over leaving the European Union, then do, but dont expect anything in the meantime.

Never before have two more powerful stateswomen met for bilateral discussions, but those discussions were defined by what was off the table, rather than what was on it.

At a joint press conference with the two leaders at the German Chancellery, Ms Merkel repeatedly made clear that Germany will not enter into any discussions with the UK until it invokes Article 50, and formally begins the two year process of leaving the EU.

In recent weeks Ms Merkel has been more patient with the UK than other European leaders have been, who have called on the UK to invoke Article 50 immediately, but her position was no less decisive.

The people in the majority in the UK voted for leaving, she said. We have not asked them to leave. I think its understandable that a new government will have to take a moment and seek to identify its interests. So we will wait for the moment when the UK invokes this and applies for this and then we will put our guidelines on the table as to how we see the future relationship.

Article 50 is designed to give the EU the upper hand over an exiting member state. The two year deadline serves as a ticking clock, weakening the leaving countrys position. It would be in the UKs interests to be given informal guidance on what position Germany might take in negotiations with it, prior to Article 50 being triggered. Ms Merkel will not be doing so.

The British Prime Minister will not sit at the table of the European Council. It doesnt make sense now to engage in speculation in what might happen. 27 countries will be giving you different views. Thats not in the British interest. And its not in our interest.

Despite years at the top of politics, the meeting was the first time the two women had ever met.

The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Show all 6 1 /6 The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Brexit The big one. Theresa May has spoken publicly three times since declaring her intent to stand in the Tory Leadership race, and each time she has said, Brexit means Brexit. It sounds resolute, but it is helpful to her that Brexit is a made up word with no real meaning. She has said there will be no second referendum and no re-entry in to the EU via the back door. But she, like the Leave campaign of which she was not a member, has pointedly not said with any precision what she thinks Brexit means Reuters The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address General election This is very much one to keep off the to do list. She said last week there would be no general election at this time of great instability. But there have already been calls for one from opposition parties. The Fixed Term Parliaments Act of 2010 makes it far more difficult to call a snap general election, a difficulty she will be in no rush to overcome. In the event of a victory for Leadsom, who was not popular with her own parliamentary colleagues, an election might have been required, but May has the overwhelming backing of the parliamentary party Getty The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address HS2 Macbeth has been quoted far too much in recent weeks, but it will be up to May to decide whether, with regard to the new high speed train link between London, Birmingham, the East Midlands and the north, returning were as tedious as go oer. Billions have already been spent. But the 55bn it will cost, at a bare minimum, must now be considered against the grim reality of significantly diminished public finances in the short to medium term at least. It is not scheduled to be completed until 2033, by which point it is not completely unreasonable to imagine a massive, driverless car-led transport revolution having rendered it redundant EPA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Heathrow expansion Or indeed Gatwick expansion. Or Boris Island, though that option is seems as finished as the man himself. The decision on where to expand aviation capacity in the south east has been delayed to the point of becoming a national embarrassment. A final decision was due in autumn. Whatever is decided, there will be vast opprobrium PA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Trident renewal David Cameron indicated two days ago that there will be a Commons vote on renewing Britains nuclear deterrent on July 18th, by which point we now know, Ms May will be Prime Minister. The Labour Party is, to put it mildly, divided on the issue. This will be an early opportunity to maximise their embarrassment, and return to Tory business as usual EPA The 6 most important issues Theresa May needs to address Scottish Independence Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP are in no doubt that the Brexit vote provides the opportunity for a second independence referendum, in which they can emerge victorious. The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood has the authority to call a second referendum, but Ms May and the British Parliament are by no means automatically compelled to accept the result. She could argue it was settled in 2014 AFP/Getty

Ms May said: We have two women here, who have had a very constructive discussion, who get on with the job and want to deliver the best results for the people of the UK and the people of Germany.

Asked by a German journalist whether the appointment of Boris Johnson as Foreign Secretary was like putting a player on the pitch who doesnt want to play, Ms May said: I have appointed a team of ministers, and we will be looking to build good relations. Those positive relations will underpin everything I do.
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When two police officers attended a party on Sunday night over the report of a disturbance, its doubtful they expected to be mistaken for being strippers.

The officers arrived at marquee in Bendorf in Rheinland-Pfalz, south western Germany, and found themselves swamped by around 10 women who were celebrating a 50th birthday party.

The women assumed the officers were strippers, and started hugging the two men and taking pictures of them, The Local reported.

Recommended Read more Uniformed PCSO mistaken for stripper at birthday party

According to a statement filed by the officers, one of whom was in his 20s and one of whom was in his 50s, they made several attempts to tell the women they were real policemen, but were totally unsuccessful in getting their message across.

The party-goers then became amused immeasurably when the officers asked for the phone number of the woman whose birthday it was, despite this being standard police procedure.

The women finally realised their mistake when they spotted the police car in the distance. They duly turned down their music and the officers took the mistake in good humour, wishing the woman a happy birthday.
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A Swedish man has had his conviction for raping a teenage girl overturned - because he was asleep at the time.

The unnamed man from central Sweden said he was unaware he had had sex with the girl until DNA tests proved he was the father of the baby she conceived.

The girl confirmed the man in his 50s was asleep at the time, but said she had allowed the intercourse to take place in the hopes that his wife, who was sleeping next to them, would wake up.

In March, the district court rejected this explanation and sentenced the man to two and a half years in prison for raping a minor.

It concluded that the girls story was probably an afterthought - as the position she said the rape had happened in would have been impossible for a sleeping person.

An expert also gave evidence to the court saying it is highly unusual for someone not to wake up during sex if they are not suffering from sexsomnia - a rare sleep disorder which makes the suffer attempt to have intercourse while in deep sleep.

The man has not been diagnosed with the disorder.

But the central appeals court, the Svea Hovratt, threw the verdict out on Tuesday saying the prosecution had not proven beyond reasonable doubt that the man was awake when the incident took place.

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 mans lawyer, Jimmy Schiold, told Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet: "My client is of course very relieved. He has, from day one, professed his innocence and it has been an uphill fight for us.

When you're accused of this type of crime, which is very serious, you almost have to prove your innocence rather than the other way around,which is how it felt in the District Court".

He said his client was now a free man after four months in prison and that he just wanted to move on with his life.

Recommended Read more Campaign aims to demystify criminal system for teenage rape victims

A courtroom assistant acting on behalf of the victim declined to comment.

The prosecutor also declined to comment on whether she will appeal the case in the Swedish Supreme Court.

There have been several cases of defendants claiming sexsomnia in Sweden over the past decade - a suspected sleeping rapist was cleared by an appeals court in 2014 - prompting a Gothenburg prosecutor, Ginger Johannson, to put together guidelines earlier this year, the Local reports.

Her report said courts should call on sleep experts to discuss the condition and focus on whether the defendant appeared groggy or alert to the victim at the time of the attack.
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A woman reportedly asked a tattooist to draw a Yin Yang symbol on her back only to discover he had instead created an image of a penis alongside the word f***.

An Austrian court heard the 21-year-old woman asked the man, who was a hobby tattooist, to draw the Chinese symbol onto her.

He reportedly said he was happy to do so, and designed a template for the design which he showed her, according to The Local.

But once he began applying the ink to her back, he apparently disregarded the template, and instead drew an impromptu phallic design and a swear word.

The woman reportedly only realised what he had done when she went home and looked at the tattoo in the mirror.

Appearing in court in the small city of St. Polten, where the incident occurred, the man was asked by the judge why he had drawn the penis, to which he replied: Just because.

The man, who is also 21-years-old, faced a charge of bodily harm, along with several other charges, relating to burglary and violence.

He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail and will be held in a facility for mentally ill offenders.

 Venezuelan tattoo fest

It is not the first time a tattooist has been given jail time for etching a penis in place of a Yin Yang on to an unsuspecting victim.

In 2014, two men were jailed after a hobby tattooist in Australia drew a 40cm-long phallus and an obscene phrase onto the back of man who believed he was having a Yin Yang design drawn.
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An award-winning journalist working for the online investigative website Ukrainska Pravda was killed by a car bomb in central Kiev on Wednesday, in what Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said was an attempt to destabilise the country.

Pavel Sheremet, a Belarussian known for his criticism of his home countrys leadership and his friendship with the slain Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, was driving to work in the car of the websites owner when it was blown up.

The killing was a throwback to the days of violence against journalists that Ukraine, under a pro-Western leadership since the 2014 Maidan protests, hoped to have shed.

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It seems to me this was done with one aim in mind  to destabilise the situation in the country, possibly ahead of further events, Mr Poroshenko said in televised comments.

He has asked experts from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation to join the murder investigation in the interests of maximum transparency.

Earlier, senior Interior Ministry officials said they could not rule out Russian involvement in the murder.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: The murder of a Russian citizen and journalist in Ukraine is a very serious cause for concern.

Mr Sheremet, who was given Russian citizenship after fleeing political persecution in Belarus, had told Reuters in October that he no longer felt comfortable visiting Moscow, where he worked for 12 years as a TV journalist.

Tributes in Kiev to journalist Pavel Sheremet (AP)

Im threatened often and given hints. Every time I go to Moscow, its like Im in a minefield, he said in an interview. He also said Ukraine needed strong, independent media.

Now the problem of freedom of speech and objective journalism is becoming again a serious issue, he said. As far as internal politics is concerned, I can see... the use of media to settle scores and solve political problems.

Sevgil Musayeva-Borovyk, the editor-in-chief of Ukrainska Pravda, which has made its name exposing corruption, called him very brave.

It was not clear whether the bomb had been set off by remote control or a timer.

Mr Sheremets friend, Mr Nemtsov, a vocal critic of the Kremlin, had been working on a report examining the Russian militarys role in the Ukraine crisis when he was shot dead in central Moscow last year. Mr Sheremet led tributes at his memorial service.

The last time we met was at the funeral of Boris Nemtsov, and of course I couldnt have known that a similar thing would happen to Pavel, Anatoly Lebedko, leader of the Belarussian opposition United Civil Party, told Reuters.

In 2002, Sheremet won a journalism prize from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) for his reporting on human rights violations in Belarus, including the disappearances of opposition politicians and journalists.

On Wednesday, the OSCE called for action to address the safety of journalists in Ukraine.

The founder of Ukrainska Pravda, Georgiy Gongadze, was an investigative journalist who was murdered 16 years ago, his decapitated body discovered in a forest outside Kiev.

The incident helped to precipitate the Orange Revolution of 2004 and 2005, which resulted in an election re-run and the victory of an opposition presidential candidate.

Reuters
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More than 58,000 soldiers, police, judges, teachers and government workers have been detained, suspended or placed under investigation since the recent failed military coup.

In the wake of the botched uprising, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has swiftly moved to entrench his power, arresting, sacking and suspending swathes of Turkeys workforce.

The president said the aim of the crackdown is to cleanse all state institutions of those suspected of involvement with the coup or with what he calls the parallel state  a reference to the movement run by Mr Erdogans former ally and current nemesis Fethullah Gulen. The Turkish government blames the coup on the Gulen movement which it says has infiltrated Turkeys military and civilian infrastructure.

Mr Gulen and his supporters have denied involvement in the coup.

On Tuesday the President refused to rule out the reintroduction of the death penalty for the terrorists who plotted the coup. No one has been executed in Turkey since 1984, and the penalty was officially abolished in 2004. But the president has signalled he may be willing to backtrack amid the crackdown on those who launched the coup.

Why should I keep them and feed them in prisons, for years to come? That's what the people say, Mr Erdogan said.

Human rights organisation Amnesty international has warned that bringing back the death penalty is not justice.

In a statement the organisation said: The sheer number of arrests and suspensions since Friday is alarming and we are monitoring the situation very closely.

The coup attempt unleashed appalling violence and those responsible for unlawful killings and other human rights abuses must be brought to justice, but cracking down on dissent and threatening to bring back the death penalty are not justice.

But the Presidents spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said all the arrests had been legal. He said: Theres nothing exceptional or surprising that several thousand people would be arrested, the Guardian reports.

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters

Various senior military figures have been arrested, including the Presidents chief military aide Ali Yazici, and the Second Army commander, General Adem Hudati.

According to the BBC, current estimates for those who have been detained, suspended or thrown out of their jobs include:

7,500 soldiers detained

More than 100 generals and admirals detained

8,000 police suspended, including 1,000 arrested

3,000 members of the judiciary suspended including 1,481 judges and 262 military judges and prosecutors

15,200 education ministry officials sacked

21,000 teachers in private institutions have reportedly had their licences revoked

1,577 university deans (faculty heads) forced to resign

1,500 finance ministry staff sacked

492 clerics, preachers and religious teachers sacked

393 social policy ministry staff sacked

157 prime ministers office staff sacked

100 intelligence officials suspended
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Attacking the Turkish president for the reaction to the failed military coup is comparable to criticising the US government after 9/11, according to the leaders spokesman.

Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said international criticism of Turkeys response to the coup is similar to speaking to the US about failures of foreign policy shortly after the 2001 terrorist attacks.

We expelled this coup in the name of democracy. We got on to the streets and shed our blood. This should be underlined, he said.

Turkey is facing ongoing criticism for its response to the military uprising last Friday night, as fears of a second violent coup continue to grow.

Mr Kalin continued: Our allies have unequivocally condemned the coup. When [other countries] start talking about how the law should be upheld, it sounds as if a coup didnt happen.

President Erdogan has refused to rule out the reintroduction of the death penalty in Turkey for those who committed treason through their involvement in the coup.

Overall more than 58,000 people have so far been detained or suspended from the military, judiciary, police and education systems on suspicion of involvement in the coup.

US-based Islamist cleric Fethullah Gulen has been accused by the Turkish government of organising the coup attempt, something he and his su.

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters

Mr Kalin meanwhile confirmed the government requested Mr Gulen be extradited back to Turkey, questioning why America should bother with him as he is not even a US citizen.

Mr Gulen has been accused of building a network of opposition against President Erdogan, encouraging goverment officials to oppose his leadership. Last night, he released a statement appealing to the American government to reject the extradition request.

Several Turkish navy ships remain unaccounted for, amid suspicions their commanders were among the coup plotters.

Turkeys Nato membership could be under threat if it fails to uphold the rule of law in the wake of the uprising, US Secretary of State John Kerry warned on Tuesday.
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Turkey has banned all academics from leaving the country, and has ordered all those who are abroad to return immediately, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan implements a far-reaching crackdown following the failed coup to oust his government.

All teachers annual leave has been cancelled, and those abroad have been given hours to return to Turkey where they must report for work at 8.30am on Thursday.

Many are abroad as teachers at universities and schools are on their summer break.

The orders follow the cancellation of the licences of 21,000 school teachers, and the forced resignation of 1,577 university deans.

More than 58,000 people in public sector roles are now estimated to have been arrested or thrown out of their jobs. Over 9,000 are in state custody.

The Turkish government confirmed that 6,500 employees at Turkey's education ministry had been suspended.

Senior Turkish officials said the travel ban for academics is a temporary measure, the Telegraph reports.

 Turkey rounds up thousands after failed coup

A spokesman said: As you surely know, universities have always been crucial for military juntas in Turkey, and certain individuals are believed to be in contact with cells within military.

Over 7,500 soldiers along with 85 generals and admirals are estimated to have been detained following the coup in which over 290 people were killed, according to the latest figures from Turkeys foreign ministry.

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters

Amnesty International has condemned the state crackdown. In a statement the organisation said: We are witnessing a crackdown of exceptional proportions in Turkey at the moment.

While it is understandable, and legitimate, that the government wishes to investigate and punish those responsible for this bloody coup attempt, they must abide by the rule of law and respect freedom of expression.
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Turkey's president has declared a state of emergency for three months following a failed coup to oust his government.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the measure was being taken to counter threats to Turkish democracy. He said the move was not intended to curb basic freedoms.

Speaking after a meeting of the National Security Council in Ankara lasting nearly five hours, he said the state of emergency was needed "to remove this threat as soon as possible".

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters

He said: "The purpose of the declaration of the state of emergency is in fact to be able to take the most efficient steps in order to remove this threat as soon as possible, which is a threat to democracy, the rule of law and to the rights and freedoms of our citizens in our country."

"This measure is in no way against democracy, the law and freedoms," he added. "On the contrary it aims to protect and strengthen them."

The state of emergency, which comes into force after it is published in Turkey's official gazette, will allow the president and cabinet to bypass parliament in passing new laws and to limit or suspend rights and freedoms as they deem necessary.

Mr Erdogan said regional governors would receive increased powers under the state of emergency, adding that the armed forces would work in line with government orders.

"Europe does not have the right to criticize this decision," Erdogan added, seemingly anticipating concern from the European Union, which has become increasingly critical of Turkey and has urged restraint as Ankara purges its state institutions since the coup.

In his speech, Mr Erdogan expressed his deepest gratitude to citizens who took to the streets during the unrest in the country to show their support for his administration.

He described those who were killed fighting against the coup as martyrs, praising their heroic bravery.

An insurrection by some military units was launched on Friday, however it was quashed by security forces and protestors loyal to the government.

 State Deptartment Denies US Behind Failed Coup in Turkey

The pro-government death toll in the botched coup has been estimated at 246. At least 24 coup plotters were also killed.

Mr Erdogan has warned of further arrests, sackings and suspensions as part of a far-reaching crackdown by Turkish authorities on those suspected of involvement in the coup.

Earlier on Wednesday, Turkey banned all academics from leaving the country, and ordered all those who are abroad to return immediately.

All teachers annual leave has been cancelled and those abroad have been given hours to return to Turkey where they must report for work at 8.30am on Thursday.

The orders follow the cancellation of the licences of 21,000 school teachers, and the forced resignation of 1,577 university deans.

More than 58,000 people in public sector roles are now estimated to have been arrested or thrown out of their jobs. Over 9,000 are in state custody.

The Turkish government confirmed that 6,500 employees at Turkey's education ministry had been suspended.

Additional reporting from agencies
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Turkey has blocked access to WikiLeaks in the country after the whistleblowing organisation released nearly 300,000 secret emails from the incumbent Justice & Development Party (AKP).

The Telecommunications Communications Board, Turkey's Internet watchdog, said it had taken an "administrative measure" against the website  a term it commonly uses when blocking access to sites.

As many as 294,548 emails regarding Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogans AKP Party were published in response to the Ankara governments widespread post-coup purges, despite an orchestrated cyberattack on the WikiLeaks website.

The most recent email in the trove released by the whistleblowing organisation on Tuesday was sent on July 6, 2016, a week before the coup, backdating to 2010.

It said in the release: "It should be noted that emails associated with the domain are mostly used for dealing with the world, as opposed to the most sensitive internal matters.

WikiLeaks has moved forward its publication schedule in response to the government's post-coup purges.

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We have verified the material and the source, who is not connected, in any way, to the elements behind the attempted coup, or to a rival political party or state.

Insisting it is neither pro- nor anti-government, WikiLeaks said its goal was to serve "the truth".

WikiLeaks said the release of 300,000 emails, with several thousand attached files, is just the first in the series and encompasses 762 mailboxes from "A" to "I".

One of the emails reportedly contains a database of the phone numbers of AKP deputies.

A few hours after the release, WikiLeaks tweeted a screenshot showing the database to be blocked in Turkey, claiming that Ankara "ordered [the release] to be blocked nationwide".

Appealing to the public for its support, it asked for people to share the documents widely.

It said on Monday: We ask that Turks are ready with censorship bypassing systems such as TorBrowser and uTorrent. And that everyone else is ready to help them bypass censorship and push our links through the censorship to come."

 John Kerry: Turkey coup could threaten country's Nato membership

The Anonymous hacktivist group released a statement of support for the latest Wikileaks exposure of AKP files, saying that it suspect[ed] the Turkish government to be behind the latest Wikileaks Ddos attacks.

Opposition should always have a voice and the free flow of information should be encouraged. Wikileaks has sustained DDos attacks after announcing they will release e-mails (300,000), docs (500,000) of the Turkish government, and we suspect the Turkish government will try to censor any information Wikileaks will release.

In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Show all 17 1 /17 In pictures: Turkey coup attempt In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Erdogan attends the funeral service for victims of the thwarted coup in Istanbul at Fatih mosque on July 17, 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey Burak Kara/Getty Images In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soldiers involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge with their hands raised in Istanbul on 16 July, 2016 Gokhan Tan/Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A civilian beats a soldier after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 REUTERS/Murad Sezer In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Surrendered Turkish soldiers who were involved in the coup are beaten by a civilian Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Soliders involved in the coup attempt surrender on Bosphorus bridge Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wave flags as they capture a Turkish Army vehicle Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt People pose near a tank after troops involved in the coup surrendered on the Bosphorus Bridge in Istanbul, Turkey, 16 July, 2016 Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers block Istanbul's Bosphorus Brigde Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt A Turkish military stands guard near the Taksim Square in Istanbul Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Pierre Crom/Twitter In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers secure the area as supporters of Recep Tayyip Erdogan protest in Istanbul's Taksim square AP In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Murad Sezer/Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish soldiers detain police officers during a security shutdown of the Bosphorus Bridge Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish Army armoured personnel carriers in the main streets of Istanbul Getty In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Chaos reigned in Istanbul as tanks drove through the streets EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks to media in the resort town of Marmaris Reuters In pictures: Turkey coup attempt Supporters of President Erdogan celebrate in Ankara following the suppression of the attempted coup Reuters

We ask of the people in Turkey to take interest in the material Wikileaks is about to release and to not dismiss it because a leader tells them. We advocate the use of anti-censorship tools as Tor, I2P or VPN.

"We will do our best to translate those e-mails and documents for the international community to read and to provide a better understanding of the ongoing situation in Turkey."

At least 50,000 people have been rounded up, sacked or suspended from their jobs following last week's attempted coup.
Private and semi-public businesses are being encouraged to invest in the key projects to be launched during China's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), and the interests and legitimate rights of investors should be protected, Premier Li Keqiang has said.

"Conditions permitting, we should innovate methods to attract 'social investment' to these projects," Li told a meeting on Monday in Beijingattended by senior officials of some provinces and State Council departments.

The premier's remarks reflected his solutions to the knotty issue of the slowing growth momentum of investment by private enterprises. Officials have blamed the slowdown on the sluggish world economy, downward domestic pressure and overcapacityin some industries.

Private fixed-asset investment, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the country's total investment, slowed to a record low in the first half of the year, with growth sliding to 2.8 percent from double digits last year.

Li cautioned that a continued slump in private investment growth could spoil the country's efforts to maintain economic growth within the targeted range  6.5 to 7 percent for the year  and to optimize the economic structure in coming years.

He called for innovation in investment modes and a ramping up of price reforms.

In particular, he said the Public-Private-Partnership financing mode should be promoted to divert more social funds to education, medical care, elderly care and other service sectors, as well as to infrastructure.

"While making use of the government funds, which are limited in amount, we must enhance the guidance of the flow of social funds," he said, adding that efforts must be made to prevent such funds from going to sectors that are beleaguered by overcapacity and are polluting the environment.

Boosting effective investment will have a wide range of influences, including promoting consumption and creating jobs, the premier said.

Li Jinbin, governor of Anhui province in East China, said at the meeting that many private enterprises had intended to invest in strategic new industries and public services that promise stable or high returns. However, Li said, investor access to these sectors remained difficult.

In response, the premier said market entrance barriers of all forms must be removed, discrimination eliminated, and costs cut for private and semi-public companies to invest. He also asked governments to repay their debts to companies.

In addition, stronger financial support should be given to small and micro enterprises.

The premier also said there is enough space for investment in China, given the enormous domestic demands.

Overall fixed-asset investment, a gauge of infrastructure spending, slowed further in the first half to 9 percent, the lowest growth rate in years.
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The tiny South American republic of Costa Rica has been named the most sustainably happy country in the world.

The Happy Planet Index report, published by the New Economics Foundation, seeks to move away from purely economic measures of happiness and instead ranks countries by how much happiness they get from the amount of environmental resources used.

Happiness is calculated by measuring a countrys happiness in relation to the wellbeing, life expectancy and social inequality and then dividing it by its ecological footprint.

While the list is topped by many Latin American countries, larger western countries perform less well. The UK comes in at just 34, while the USA ranks at 108.

Costa Rica sealed first place, with 99% of its electricity coming from renewable sources - meaning its population uses a fraction of the resources used by other countries in the West.

The report noted it also abolished its army in 1949 and reinvested the money in health and education programmes.

In second place is Mexico despite the country being plagued by growing corruption and gang violence.

Colombia was named in third place on the list, with good scores for both happiness and eco-footprint.

The top 10 happiest countries in pictures Show all 10 1 /10 The top 10 happiest countries in pictures The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 1. Costa Rica AFP/Getty Images The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 2. Mexico AFP/Getty Images The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 3. Colombia AFP/Getty Images The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 4. Vanuatu AFP/Getty Images The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 5. Vietnam AFP/Getty Images The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 6. Panama Getty The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 7. Nicaragua AFP/Getty Images The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 8. Bangladesh AFP/Getty Images The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 9. Thailand AFP/Getty Images The top 10 happiest countries in pictures 10. Ecuador AFP/Getty Images

But at the other end, Chad comes out at the bottom.

This is due to its large ecological footprint as an oil-producing nation and the fact that it suffers from a high poverty rate and inadequate infrastructure.

Internal instability is also a factor with the Muslim north often clashing with the Christian south - tensions which have been exacerbated by attacks by Boko Haram insurgents as they are pushed out of neighbouring Nigeria.

According to the UN, life expectancy is 49 years for men and 52 years for women.

It was ranked as marginally worse than 139th-placed Luxembourg, which despite being one of the wealthiest per capita countries in Europe has seen a marked decline in what economist Francesco Sarracino calls "social capital" - the quantity and quality of relationships which allow society to function properly.

Saamah Abdallah, Senior Wellbeing Researcher at the New Economics Foundation, said: The Happy Planet Index provides a compass to guide nations towards genuine progress, and shows that it is possible to live good lives without costing the Earth. We can learn much from smaller, often overlooked economies  making huge strides for their populations with limited resources.

Too often governments prioritise accelerated economic growth above all other concerns. They lose sight of what truly matters  long, happy, sustainable lives for people around the world.

Top 10 happiest countries

1. Costa Rica

2. Mexico

3. Colombia

4. Vanuatu

5. Vietnam

6. Panama

7. Nicaragua

8. Bangladesh

9. Thailand

10. Ecuador

Top 10 unhappy countries

131. Burundi

132. Swaziland

133. Sierra Leone

134. Turkmenistan

135. Cote DIvoire

136. Mongolia

137. Benin

138. Togo

139. Luxembourg

140. Chad
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Israels official Army Radio has come under fire by senior government ministers for featuring a piece about a renown Palestinian poet on an education programme about fundamental Israeli texts.

Defence Minister Avigdor Liberman summoned the station director Yaron Dekel to explain why the Palestinian nationalist Mahmoud Darwish was featured on the station which is controlled and funded by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).

Mr Liberman said: It is a serious matter that the works of a man who wrote anti-Zionist texts that are used to fuel terrorism against Israel would be included in the Army Radio programme.

Its clear this should not have happened, and it will not be ignored.

Culture minister Miri Regev accused the broadcaster of going off the rails, saying a state broadcaster must not be allowed to highlight and glorify an anti-Israeli narrative.

She told Israeli news website NRG that the radio station is providing a platform to the Palestinian narrative that opposes the existence of Israel as a Jewish democratic state.

Darwish isnt Israeli and his writings are not Israeli and are essentially in opposition to the core values of Israeli society.

She called on Mr Liberman to defund the station.

The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Show all 10 1 /10 The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Medics evacuate a wounded man from the scene of an attack in Jerusalem. A Palestinian rammed a vehicle into a bus stop then got out and started stabbing people before he was shot dead AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Israeli ZAKA emergency response members carry the body of an Israeli at the scene of a shooting attack in Jerusalem. A pair of Palestinian men boarded a bus in Jerusalem and began shooting and stabbing passengers, while another assailant rammed a car into a bus station before stabbing bystanders, in near-simultaneous attacks that escalated a month long wave of violence AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Getty Images The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians throw molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli troops near Ramallah, West Bank. Recent days have seen a series of stabbing attacks in Israel and the West Bank that have wounded several Israelis AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Women cry during the funeral of Palestinian teenager Ahmad Sharaka, 13, who was shot dead by Israeli forces during clashes at a checkpoint near Ramallah, at the family house in the Palestinian West Bank refugee camp of Jalazoun, Ramallah AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A wounded Palestinian boy and his father hold hands at a hospital after their house was brought down by an Israeli air strike in Gaza Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinians look on after a protester is shot by Israelis soldiers during clashes at the Howara checkpoint near the West Bank city of Nablus EPA The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies A lawyer wearing his official robes kicks a tear gas canister back toward Israeli soldiers during a demonstration by scores of Palestinian lawyers called for by the Palestinian Bar Association in solidarity with protesters at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem's Old City, near Ramallah, West Bank AP The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Undercover Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian in Ramallah Reuters The IsraeliPalestinian conflict intensifies Palestinian youth burn tyres during clashes with Israeli soldiers close to the Jewish settlement of Bet El, in the West Bank city of Ramallah, after Israel barred Palestinians from Jerusalem's Old City as tensions mounted following attacks that killed two Israelis and wounded a child

Army Radio is considered a part of the IDFs Education and Youth Corps which is responsible for the education of soldiers, and the station controller is a civilian appointed by the defence minister for a three to five year term.

The station, which began broadcasting in 1950, has defended itself against the criticisms telling the Times of Israel: We believe that academic freedom obligates us to offer our listeners a wealth of ideas.

It said the job of their educational broadcasts is to enrich and engage their listeners with new ideas.

On this platform weve hosted programs on various topics including the literary works of Rabbi Kook, Zeev Jabotinsky, Theodor Herzl and Naomi Shemer, as well as the text of the US Declaration of Independence, it added.

Mr Darwish, who died in 2008, is considered one of the founding fathers of the Palestinian liberation movement as well as a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO).

In addition to living in several countries including Lebanon, France and Jordan, he spent much of his later life living in Ramallah on the West Bank.

He was an outspoken critic of Israel and of Hamas which currently controls the Gaza Strip.
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Thousands of nursing students have been caught cheating their way through their studies, something which has worrying implications for public health, according to an investigation.

The Times has obtained figures from over 60 British universities via Freedom of Information requests to find more than 1,700 nursing students have been caught cheating over the last three years.

The most common plagiarism method being undertaken is the use of bespoke essay writing websites, one of which offered to produce a first-class nursing essay on national and international health policies for 195 for a Times reporter posing as a student.

Recommended Read more Plagiarism investigations at Welsh universities on the rise

The site also adds that, while many of the sites seem to be based in the UK, they are being run out of Pakistan by companies controlling dozens of essay mill websites.

The data has shown almost 300 nursing students were caught cheating between 2010 and 2013 at Edinburgh Napier University.

An Edinburgh Napier spokesperson told the Independent the university had more nursing students than any other provider in Scotland, adding: We take incidents of plagiarism seriously, and strive to educate all our students about how to avoid it from first year onwards.

Often, plagiarism owes much more to naivety than dishonesty, and so we focus on educating students on good practice in their written work, particularly around highlighting citations and references correctly.

The university also uses Turnitin software to detect more elaborate cases of plagiarism, as well as using dedicated academic conduct officers to handle cases in each of our schools. That vigilance has led to higher plagiarism detection rates and allowed us to intervene early, so students dont go on to make the same mistakes later in their studies.

The Times figures have also shown almost half of all students caught cheating at Dundee University, around 155, between 2010 and 2013 were nurses, while 126 were caught at Brighton University.

Dundee University told the Independent instances of plagiarism can arise because of poor academic practice or naivety, in the instances of not referencing properly as opposed to malicious intent, and explained how 123 assignments were considered over a three-year period in which 17 were found to have no case to answer. The action taken in each instance depended on the severity of the offence and, in a further 15 instances, the original grade remained.

Professor Margaret Smith, dean of the school of nursing and health sciences at the institution, said: Our anti-plagiarism measures are among the most robust of any UK university, reflecting the seriousness with which we view this issue.

All our students are aware that plagiarism is professional misconduct and every piece of coursework is processed through plagiarism-detection software. Penalties apply to students where academic dishonesty is detected, but, often, plagiarism results from naivety and we provide advice and support on how to avoid it.

Assessments are designed in such a way that essay mill products are unlikely to be any benefit and, as a result, employers and patients can have confidence our graduates obtained their qualifications honestly.

Brighton University said the numbers are very small in comparison to the overall number of its nursing students. A spokesperson added: That being said, we take all such cases seriously. Its important to stress Academic Misconduct Reports refer mainly to poor academic practice, where a student has forgotten to reference a source or has done so incorrectly, rather than cheating. Half of these cases concern students in their first year and we pick up on these problems to ensure they do not repeat the mistakes.

The instances of such cheating at this university are few and far between, and our experience shows the vast majority of students are focused on benefitting as much as possible from their courses.



The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the professional regulatory body for nurses and midwives in the UK, says its role is to protect patients and the public through efficient and effective regulation. However, it does not look into cheating cases because those caught plagiarising are immune from being investigated while they are unqualified.

A NMC spokesperson, though, said in a statement that there is no place for cheats in nursing or midwifery, and added: It is the responsibility of academic institutions to ensure individuals have legitimately passed all parts of their course before they are awarded a qualification and can apply for registration.

In addition to the rigorous registration processes we have in place to check everyone who joins the register is fit to practise safely in the UK, academic institutions must have systems in place to identify and swiftly address concerns about the conduct of any nursing or midwifery student, including cheating and plagiarism.

Recommended Read more Half of students unknowingly being affected by plagiarism

The revelation has come in the same week BBC Wales Today revealed plagiarism to be rife among universities in Wales, with cases having risen considerably since 2010.

One of the institutions, Swansea University, investigated some 175 cases of cheating last year, compared to around 60 in the 2010/11 academic year. Professor Mary Paget, director of student experience at the university, told the Independent that, although the university has seen a rise in the numbers of cases of plagiarism in the last few years, this can be directly attributed to the rise in student numbers and the more widespread use of plagiarism detection technology, such as Turnitin.

She did, however, say cracking down on the use of bespoke essay writing sites is proving more difficult to tackle, but added: Even so, a number of cases are detected and processed every year. The penalties - where an allegation is upheld - can be severe, up to and including disqualification from the university. Staff are vigilant to the issues and where there are concerns about the authenticity of the students work, staff will double check the assessment whilst marking.

The universitys learning and teaching committee is actively working to enhance still further its arrangements to promote academic integrity, and the university is proactive within the higher education sector at large in identifying and promoting best practice.
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Q My partner and our daughter booked to fly on 21 July from London to Ibiza with British Airways. They were booked on the 6.55am, landing at 10.20am. Yesterday, I received an email from BA which read, "We are very sorry to advise you that your flight BA8467 on 21 July 2016 has been cancelled. We have rebooked you on to the best alternative flight, which is the 10.50am on the same day, landing at 2.15pm.

I'm not going with them (work commitments, so I would have driven them to the airport). Because of the new time, I can no longer take them and they will need to take a taxi from Enfield. In addition, the arrival time was such that they were meeting friends from another flight (Ryanair from Stansted departing 7am) and they were sharing a cab to their accommodation.

BA's Customer Relations have put up the brick wall, I'm afraid, and completely refused any sort of goodwill gesture, citing the fact that it is over two weeks to the travel day. But having spent 800 on return flights, I'd expect a little better, frankly. If you have any advice I'd be grateful.

Dave Whitehouse

A Quick: cancel the booking with British Airways, as you are entitled to do because BA has actually cancelled the flight; if it had merely moved the departure time, you would not have this option.

Re-book on that 7am flight on Ryanair from Stansted. I am looking at return flights around the 200 mark, which means you would pay 400 for your partner and daughter, and will be able to pocket around 400 (though you will have to pay extra for any checked baggage).

I reckon Enfield-Stansted should take about 45 minutes, the same time as Enfield-London City on a weekday morning, so you can fulfil your chauffeur duties.

Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a readers question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder
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News of an Afghan teenager attacking passengers on a train in Germany with an axe and a knife has led to fears it will fuel anti-migrant and refugee sentiment in the country.

Germanys Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has been a staunch defender of the countrys open-door policy toward refugees. Migrants registering in Germany reached a record high last year, totaling over 1.1 million. This marks a 49 per cent increase from 2014. The UK pales in comparison, taking in less than half of the 38,000 migrants who requested asylum last year.

However, the tone in Germany is beginning to change following the New Years Eve attacks on women by migrants in Cologne. The events led to widespread calls for Germany to close its borders, demands for civil patrols, and a rise in the sale of pepper spray and non-lethal gas pistols among locals. Merkels CUD party suffered massive losses in the countrys three regional elections in March this year, which was widely interpreted as disagreement with her open-door policy.

 ISIL claims responsibility for Germany train attack

The pressure mounting on Merkel led to a sharp and unexpected departure from her liberal approach to immigration. Earlier this year she proposed plans to ban EU migrants from unemployment benefits for five years after entering Germany.

But Germany  like the rest of Europe  shouldnt let itself be swayed by these isolated incidents involving migrants. Across Europe our reaction to these events shows how fickle we are when it comes to the movement of people.

Last year the image of two-year-old Alan Kurdi from Syria, washed up on a Turkish shore while his family was trying to flee to Canada, led to impassioned calls for the government to do more for migrants.

In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugee children at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees queuing for food at the Kara Tepe camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees' tents at the Kara Tepe camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees at the Oxy transit camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees waiting to board ferries to the Greek mainland in Mytilene, Lebos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos The graves of drowned refugees in Mytilene, Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos A building used to house unaccompanied children at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees queuing to register at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees at the Moria camp in Lesbos In pictures: Refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos Refugees arriving on smugglers' boats from Turkey in Lesbos

The public must be more measured in its response to attacks involving migrants. Any conflation between the attacker in Germany and the millions of displaced migrants around the world is problematic. In the minority of cases were migrants are aggressive  we should apply the forward-thinking approach we take with our own citizens. Research has found that almost a third of the prison population have suffered childhood abuse, and almost half came from homes in which they either experienced or witnessed violence. The UK government has invested millions in the recognition of early intervention to prevent problems later in life.

Crime, mental health and unemployment  these are all the product of social problems. Trauma in our formative years is well understood to be a catalyst for misbehavior, crime, drug and alcohol abuse and much more. The trauma experienced by any young migrant to Europe should be taken into account as much as we use childhood experience to understand the behavioural problems of our own citizens.
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Kelvin Mackenzies controversial column in the Sun this week about Fatima Manji wearing a headscarf while presenting Channel 4 news coverage of the Nice attack has, unsurprisingly, sparked outrage. However, perhaps we shouldnt seem so surprised: the sentiments he voiced have become increasingly common in British society today.

Kelvin Mackenzie questioned in his column why Channel 4 had a presenter in a hijab fronting coverage of Muslim terror in Nice.

The answer to his burning question is pretty simple; Fatima Manji was due to carry out her profession normally that evening, and did so. Surprisingly enough, her headscarf wasnt a visible display of support for terror; it was a personal choice to do with her religion.

 Kelvin Mackenzie's comments about Muslim news presenter are 'tantamount to religious hatred', says Channel 4

Recommended Read more Kelvin Mackenzie column sparks 800 complaints to press regulator

MacKenzie's view that Manji's presence in Nice was massively provocative and a sign of editorial stupidity was rightly called out by Baroness Warsi as gutter journalism, and widely condemned by the public on social media.

Since 9/11, its become common to hold all Muslims accountable for the actions of fundamentalist Islamist terrorists. This is why, every time an atrocity is committed, there are calls for the ordinary Muslim community to come out en masse and apologise, or at least declare openly that they dont sympathise with terrorism themselves.

The irony of Kelvin MacKenzies remark is that Muslims are targeted by terrorist attacks more than any other group in the world right now; Sunni and Shia Muslims are being killed and enslaved in their thousands in Iraq and Syria, and many died at the hands of terrorists in Afghanistan and Turkey. Even when terror strikes in the West, Muslims are often in the firing line; let us not forget that Muslim police officer Ahmed Merabet was shot at point blank range by terrorists during the Charlie Hebdo attacks after heroically trying to stop the heavily armed killers from fleeing the scene. Indeed, what Kelvin MacKenzie failed to note was that a Muslim mother was one of the first victims of the Nice terror attack.

Even while they are victims of terrorist attacks, Muslims in the West are subject to Islamophobic attacks more frequently than ever before. Pigs heads left outside mosques, far-right protesters calling for the ejection of Muslims from Europe and politicians suggesting Muslim immigration should be halted altogether have become sadly commonplace news stories.

In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A man reacts near bouquets of flowers near the scene where a truck ran into a crowd at high speed killing scores and injuring more who were celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday in Nice Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A woman arrives with a toy and a bouquet of flowers as people pay tribute near the scene where a truck ran into a crowd in Nice Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A woman reacts as she places flowers in front of the memorial set on the 'Promenade des Anglais' where the truck crashed into the crowd during the Bastille Day celebrations in Nice EPA In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack People gather to view the floral tributes near the site of the truck attack in the French resort city of Nice AP In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A man reacts near bouquets of flowers as people pay tribute near the scene where a truck ran into a crowd at high speed killing scores and injuring more who were celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday, in Nice Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Floral tributes are laid out near the site of the truck attack in the French resort city of Nice AP In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A child's toy is placed among the floral tributes laid out near the site of the truck attack in the French resort city of Nice AP In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Investigators continue at the scene near the heavy truck that ran into a crowd at high speed killing scores who were celebrating the Bastille Day in Nice Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Crime scene investigators work on the 'Promenade des Anglais' after the truck crashed into the crowd during the Bastille Day celebrations in Nice EPA In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A forensic expert examines dead bodies covered with a blue sheet on the Promenade des Anglais seafront in the French Riviera city of Nice Getty Images In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A forensic expert evacuates a dead body on the Promenade des Anglais seafront in the French Riviera city of Nice, after a gunman smashed a truck into a crowd of revellers celebrating Bastille Day Getty Images In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A man reacts as he sits near a French flag along the beachfront the day after a truck ran into a crowd at high speed killing scores celebrating the Bastille Day in Nice Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Discarded items are left on the beach, not far from the site of the truck attack in the French resort city of Nice AP In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Bullet holes in the windscreen of the lorry that was driven into the crowd at high speed Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A man walks through debris on the street in Nice, France, the morning after a lorry ran into a crowd, killing at least 84 and injuring 50 Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Rescue workers help an injured woman to get in a ambulance AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Authorities investigate a truck after it plowed through Bastille Day revelers in the French resort city of Nice, France AP In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Celebrations of Bastille Day were targeted by the lorry driver AP In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack People cross the street with their hands on thier heads as a French soldier secures the area after at least 84 people were killed along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A paramedic attends one of the dozens of people injured in the Nice Bastille Day attack In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Soldiers march on street where the lorry crashed into the crowd REUTERS In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A man sits next to a body seen on the ground after at least 84 people were killed in Nice, when a truck ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Bodies are seen on the ground after at least 84 people were killed in Nice, when a truck ran into a crowd celebrating the Bastille Day national holiday Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Children were among the 84 killed in the atrocity, with around 50 more hospitalised Reuters In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve (2nd L) speaks to the media in Nice AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack A man walks with his hands up as police officers carry out checks on people in the centre of French Riviera town of Nice AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack With injured people laying in the street police and onlookers react near to a truck in Nice AP In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Police officers, firefighters and rescue workers are seen at the site of the attack AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Police officers speak with a soldier after a truck that ploughed into a crowd leaving a fireworks display in the French Riviera town of Nice AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Bastille Day Nice attack Police shine a light into the cab as they approach the driver's cab of a truck, in Nice AP

In his poisonous column, MacKenzie is not only making a gross generalisation about Muslims, but he is also suggesting that Manji should have been prevented from doing her job because of her religion. Not so long ago, he also suggested that white people shouldn't be searched at airports because terrorists will be Muslims from Middle East or Africa. The fact that we didnt even find it that outrageous is a sad reflection of how normalised these attitudes have become.

Just last year, the Sun misrepresented research findings to suggest that a fifth of British Muslims are jihadi sympathisers. And this week, Mackenzie continued to spread hatred and distrust of Muslims by implying that they are all in some way connected to the Nice attack.

The notion that Fatima Manji cannot represent the general publics fears is perplexing. Yet there is no valid reason why she, just like many other Muslims in Europe, would not fear the prospect of an attack or be deeply affected by terrorism. What disqualifies Fatima Manji from expressing our fears and sorrow? And having criticised Fatima Manji, why didnt MacKenzie make similar comments about white Christian journalists anchoring and reporting after the attacks by Anders Brevik?

MacKenzie has to realize that the presence of a Muslim woman appearing on our TV screens undermines groups like Isis narrative and authority  while his own column promotes it. His response to a talented, hijab-wearing Muslim journalist has no place in British society today. And as we remember Jo Cox just a few days after her burial, another victim of a random attack, we should heed her final words: We are far more united than the things that divide us.
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The terrorist atrocity in Nice has already generated the now regular tweets along the lines: you care about France, but where were you for Syria or Bangladesh?, or: Why are you silent on Somalia, Kashmir and Gaza? Those putting a French flag on their Facebook page or Twitter are characterised as imperialist apologists or Uncle Toms who wouldnt even know the colours of the Iraqi flag.

The inference is that westerners grieve the loss of life on their doorstep, whether its Brussels or Paris or Nice, but are indifferent to the carnage wrought in Dhaka or Baghdad. Worse, they are engaging in an Islamophobic narrative that ignores the foreign policy of countries like France and the UK.

Recommended Read more I used to be an Islamic extremist like the Nice attacker

Those tweeting these kinds of sentiments tend to be a mixture of Islamist sympathisers and liberal-minded folk. But they are deliberately or unintentionally missing the key point  all the victims of these various attacks from Dhaka to Nice have been killed by people following the same basic ideology. Whether its a child mown down by a truck in Nice or a shopper blown up in Baghdad, their killers subscribed to a very similar world outlook.

The terrorist ideology and tactical implementation has gone global. The response from those who oppose terrorist outrages must be similarly globalised through social media, mainstream TV and press and community intervention. Showing support for the victims of the Nice attack is not synonymous with supporting French foreign policy. It is synonymous with supporting the victims of the Ramadan attacks in Baghdad, Medina and Dhaka. It is synonymous with supporting those victims of human rights crimes and atrocities in Gaza and Kashmir.

 ISIL claims responsibility for Germany train attack

Islamists on social media are guilty of a certain calculated cynicism when they try and emotionally blackmail people into not putting up French or Belgian flags on their pages. They play on a sense of guilt that maybe, somehow, we are to blame for these terrorist outrages. The fact is, of course, that were not. This brutality is born of an ideology that should be abhorrent to people across the globe as it takes lives from Mali to Indonesia; Iraq to Belgium. Supporters of Islamist ideologues are conditioned to feel they are right in celebrating and encouraging such heinous acts against humanity, and in doing so will be rewarded. It is this very warped misconception that has gnawed through the very core of compassion and mercy which is emphasised throughout Islamic teachings. They ignore the teaching of the Quran, which clearly states: "And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide eternally therein, and the Wrath and the Curse of Allah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him." (An-Nisa [The Women]: 93).

According to Quranic exegesis, the believer is construed to be any person who is righteous in their deeds, who lives not to harm others, and upholds humanity, compassion and mercy, values which these barbaric monsters have destroyed in themselves.

The countries most impacted by global terrorism Show all 11 1 /11 The countries most impacted by global terrorism The countries most impacted by global terrorism Thailand Thailand The countries most impacted by global terrorism Libya Libya The countries most impacted by global terrorism Somalia Somalia The countries most impacted by global terrorism Yemen Yemen The countries most impacted by global terrorism India India The countries most impacted by global terrorism Syria Syria The countries most impacted by global terrorism Pakistan Pakistan The countries most impacted by global terrorism Nigeria Nigeria The countries most impacted by global terrorism Afghanistan Afghanistan The countries most impacted by global terrorism Iraq Iraq The countries most impacted by global terrorism France

This is not a blowback or revenge for the killing of Muslims in the Middle East. It is a cynical strategy to drive a wedge between Muslims and the rest of the population. Nobody should feel conflicted about putting a French or German flag on their social media page this week. Because we are all united across the world in defence of every life taken by terrorism, wherever they strike. This is a show of global humanity, compassion and strength. Let us all unite against terror in every possible way.
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Qandeel Baloch was like any other 26-year-old woman. Confident, courageous and ambitious model and actress Qandeel strove to be outspoken in her native Pakistan and refused to accept that her behaviour should be policed by default  but this progressive perspective would ultimately cost her her life. Her death hit the headlines this week when her own brother proudly admitted drugging and strangling her because he felt she was damaging her familys reputation with her controversial social media posts expressing her sexuality in sometimes risque ways that angered religious conservatives. Unsurprisingly, Qandeels brother showed no shame at all for his actions, for he believed his honour  and the honour of his family  was still intact. The press referred to it as an honour killing.

I have always considered the term honour killing an oxymoron.

Recommended Read more What Qandeel Baloch was trying to tell the world

How can something as senseless, violent and unjustified as premeditated murder be in any way honourable? The term in itself almost defies comprehension in any right-thinking mind, yet society continues to give importance to its reluctant definition.

So-called honour killings are a primitive practice fostered in patriarchal societies, where women and girls are subjected to extreme domestic violence, abuse and, in particularly heinous cases, death due to the flawed perception that their actions have brought shame upon their family. Rooted in male privilege and a womans subordinate social status, honour killings are incredibly prevalent in countries within South Asia and the Middle East, where thousands become victims each year.

Cases are usually committed by family members close to the victim, giving weight to the claim that by taking matters into their own hands, these families have restored the honour they have lost  a concept which is as ridiculous as it sounds. How can murder be anything other than dishonourable? I for one refuse to dignify it with any term that makes it sound any more accepting, and I feel as if by continuously referring to them as such, we are justifying and legitimising the murders and accepting the climate that allows chauvinistic and patriarchal mentalities to breed. Why do we accept so-called honour killings as part of another culture or tradition? Is murder not just murder?

 'Honour killing' confession

Being half-Indian and half-Pakistani myself, although born and bred in Britain, Im lucky to have a supportive family who would never put me through the same, for they do not perceive women through a window glazed with deep-rooted misogyny  but not every girl is as lucky, and in both countries of my heritage, women are being killed in their thousands. Each incident makes me feel sick to my stomach.

According to the Honour Based Violence Awareness Network, 12 women per year are killed in the UK for the sake of honour but the number of attacks and attempted murders is thought to be much higher, with almost 11,000 cases of violence being reported between the years of 2010 and 2014.

Throughout the years, I have heard of numerous cases within the community of girls being either forced into marriage, or pressured into submission and letting go of their ambitions because of threats from their families. There are women who have been raped, abused or attacked who have effectively been prohibited to speak out. When did honour become more important than a life? It should also be noted that although predominately a gender-based issue, a small minority of men are also subject to this violence.

The ordinary everyday superstars of YouTube Show all 6 1 /6 The ordinary everyday superstars of YouTube The ordinary everyday superstars of YouTube Pg-30-youtube1_1.jpg Sam Pepper, a former Big Brother contestant who specialises in comic monologues and hidden-camera pranks. The ordinary everyday superstars of YouTube Pg-30-youtube2.jpg The ordinary everyday superstars of YouTube Pg-30-youtube3.jpg The ordinary everyday superstars of YouTube Pg-30-youtube.jpg The ordinary everyday superstars of YouTube Pg-30-youtube5.jpg The ordinary everyday superstars of YouTube Pg-30-youtube6.jpg

The world has failed women like Qandeel, and the thousands of others who are named as case files alongside her. Women should be entitled to live free, fulfilled lives, safe from the threats of violence and false morality. Whether they bend to the rules of a culture or not, surely we can come to an agreement that nobody has the right to kill them.

A life should never be worth less than honour. Preventing another case like Qandeel Balochs might be difficult  but we can start by calling these misogynistic murders honour killings.
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A ruling by the Independent Press Standard Organisation has criticised the Mail Online for a headline which speculated that the death of a woman in Luton earlier this year might have been an Islamic honour killing. While it appeared that the police were investigating the possibility that the woman may have been the victim of an honour killing, IPSO concluded there was no basis for imputing a religious motive.

The verdict in this case comes a day after an incident in which a French woman and her three daughters were apparently stabbed while they holidayed in the Alps. As news of the attack broke, it was noted that the alleged perpetrator was a Muslim man, born in Morocco. Not only that, but early reports suggested that the deputy mayor of the locality had referred to the attacker being motivated by distaste of the victims clothing  said to be shorts and T-shirts.

It was unclear where the information about the deputy mayors remarks had come from. Copy from newswires did not contain any direct quotes, nor any explanation as to why he might have come to know about the attackers state of mind. Given that the detail was likely to lead some readers to infer a religious motive, The Independent hesitated to repeat it until clearer information emerged.

Sure enough, further reports from news agencies in France indicated that the deputy mayor had subsequently indicated there was no evidence that the victims clothing had inspired the attack. The local prosecutor told journalists that there was no firm answer as to motive. No doubt more details will emerge through the necessary legal enquiries.

Nobody would dispute the fact that many acts of violence have been perpetrated in recent months by individuals claiming to act on behalf of Isis and more broadly in the name of Islam (however distorted their vision of the religion). In the last week we have witnessed appalling carnage in Nice, claimed by Isis to have been committed by a soldier of the group  though even in this case the actual reasons for Mohammed Lahouaiej Bouhlels hideous actions remain hard to determine. And in Germany, investigators found an Isis flag in the room of an Afghan asylum seeker who injured five train passengers with a knife and an axe.

Even so, the unrelated incidents in the Alps and in Luton show that clearly there is a real imperative for care when reporting crimes which happen to involve people of faith; and especially, in the current climate, those involving Muslims, whether as victim or culprit.

Readers will always seek to impute particular motives  it is human nature to try to figure out why somebody has fallen prey to a heinous crime, or why an alleged perpetrator has acted in a way so at odds with social norms. But that is all the more reason for the media to be cautious about jumping to conclusions; or even including unverified information that will lead an audience to draw inferences which may not be sustainable.
Refugees should be given poverty-proof grants to set themselves up in a home once they get their papers, campaigners have said.

The Irish Refugee Council warned that asylum seekers are being abandoned when told they can leave state-run Direct Provision accommodation and its weekly payment of 19.10 euro.

Its research found refugees are forced into huge debt to pay for rent and basic household items and almost half of them wait another three months to secure a new place to live.

Blessing Moyo, a former asylum seeker who worked as a peer researcher on the project, said asylum seekers and refugees face routine discrimination which is compounded by the housing crisis.

"If you mention to the landlord that you're on rent supplement they want nothing to do with you, which to me is discrimination," she said.

"We all need houses for our family. It's not my fault that I am not working. I have been denied the right to work for seven years now. The government have to do something about this or it will get worse."

Some 837 people applied for refugee status in Ireland up to the end of May this year, compared to 3,276 over the course of last year.

At the end of May, more than 5,300 people , including at least 1,100 children, were living in Direct Provision, including one of the 35 accommodation centres spread across 17 counties and the reception centres.

Some 500 people who have been given papers to stay in Ireland cannot afford to move out of the state-run system.

Dr Muireann Ni Raghallaigh, one of the report authors, said the damage done by long stays in Direct Provision is now being seen.

"This system impedes integration and has in some cases created a legacy of dependency and difficulty in terms of transition," she said.

She added: "There is immense resilience within the refugee community. This resilience can be harnessed with the help of designated supports throughout the asylum process, at the point of transition from Direct Provision, but also beyond that, if necessary."

The Irish Refugee Council held interviews with 22 former asylum seekers, 12 of whom were out of Direct Provision and 10 who were trying to find new accommodation.

It repeated its call for an end to Direct Provision but said in the meantime refugees should get a resettlement grant large enough to pay a deposit to a landlord, one month's rent and the essentials for moving in, such as bedding and kitchen utensils.

Asylum seekers spend three years on a verage in the system and the council said it is a life of poverty and it leads to mental health problems and children's well-being suffers.

The Irish Refugee Council called for successful asylum seekers to get the same state support as refugees who come to Ireland under Government supported resettlement projects, including a grant and a specific point of contact for information and support.

It also said they should get immediate access to t he back-to-education allowance and get clear guidance on how to reunite their family.

The organisation called for Direct Provision to be modernised while a plan for housing asylum seekers is drawn up. It said they should have self-catering facilities, increased payments, quicker asylum processing, permission to study and to work, increased psycho-social supports and more support for cultural integration.

It also called for rent supplement payments to be made in a timely manner and any other welfare allowances to be made available as soon as people get their papers.

The Department of Justice later said the most up-to-date figures showed 4,250 people living in Direct Provision centres at the start of this week.
French president Francois Hollande and Taoiseach Enda Kenny during a press conference at Government Buildings in Dublin

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is holding talks with French president Francois Hollande less than a week on from the Nice terror atrocity.

The fallout from Brexit and security and counter-terrorism measures are expected to dominate discussions at Government Buildings in Dublin.

Eight-four people were killed when Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiyej Bouhlel drove a truck into crowds enjoying Bastille Day celebrations and fireworks over the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.

Another 15 people remain critically ill in hospitals.

Mr Hollande's trip to Dublin had been arranged before the terror assault and has since been scaled back, but he has retained a commitment to meet president Michael D Higgins.

He will be back in Paris for talks with British Prime Minister Theresa May this evening.

The discussions in Dublin will be attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan and by Dara Murphy, junior minister for European Affairs.

President Hollande, who has already visited Portugal this week, will be accompanied by Harlem Desir, France's Secretary of State for European Affairs.

On the ramifications of Brexit for Ireland's so-called soft border with Northern Ireland, Mr Kenny reiterated that it should remain.

"We do not favour a hard border. Obviously we do not want to see a European border from Dundalk to Derry, that would not be acceptable," the Taoiseach said.

"We'd be vigilant in terms of people moving through who might have tendencies to be involved in terrorist activities."

Mr Hollande called for greater sharing of information between countries facing the terrorism threat.

"We have to exchange as far as possible information to track a certain number of individuals and avoid any doubt setting in," the French leader said.

On the Irish border, Mr Hollande said he understood the concerns about ensuring the peace process is not damaged by Brexit.

"I do recognise there is a special situation here for Ireland," he said.

"It's a special situation and it has to be found a special place in the negotiations."

The discussions in Dublin also focused on international and domestic security, the economies and issues relating to energy.

Mr Kenny said Ireland was working on laws which may allow data and information on terror suspects in Ireland to be shared with Britain.

"Obviously where information might be available, which might be tracking terrorist activities or communications, this is an important priority for Ire to assist in preventing terrorist activities," he said.
The British vote to leave the European Union "has thrown a spanner in the works" of IMF global growth projections, forcing the Fund to cut its European economic forecasts.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday cut its global growth forecasts for the next two years. The Washington-based body cited uncertainty over Britain's looming exit from the European Union as a key factor, although its had to cut its forecast four times already over the past 15 months.

The latest move included a nearly full percentage-point cut in the UK's 2017 growth forecast.

The IMF now expects global GDP to grow at 3.1pc in 2016 and at 3.4pc in 2017m, down 0.1 percentage point for each year from estimates issued in April.

The latest figures don't include a breakdown for Ireland. Here, the head of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) admitted yesterday that standard growth measures are no longer useful in assessing the size of the economy here.

"Standard GDP and GNP measures no longer provide a sufficient understanding of the Irish economy," Padraig Dalton, director general of the CSO, told delegates at the McGill Summer School.

He was responding to the widespread disbelief at figures published last week that showed the economy here had grown by 26pc last year. An expert group is being convened to look at alternatives and will be tasked with preparing a report to be published later this year, he said.

However, Mr Dalton stood over the figures themselves.

The revisions published were based on hard data and attributable to the globalisation activities of a very small number of companies, he said. Growth here is expected to take a hit next year in real terms, as a result of the anticipated slowdown in the UK.

The IMF said the UK's Brexit vote had created a "sizeable increase in uncertainty" that would take its toll on investment and market and consumer confidence.

On the day before Britain's June 23 EU referendum, the IMF was "prepared to upgrade our 2016-17 global growth projections slightly", IMF chief economist Maury Obstfeld said in a statement. "But Brexit has thrown a spanner in the works."

The IMF said that the impact will hit hardest in Britain itself, where the institution cut its 2016 growth forecast to 1.7pc, down 0.2 percentage points from its April forecast. It cut the 2017 UK forecast more sharply, by 0.9 percentage points, to 1.3pc.

The IMF lifted its Eurozone forecast slightly for 2016, but cut its 2017 outlook by 0.2 percentage point to 1.4pc for 2017.

It said last week that Brexit would have a "negligible" impact on the United States.

The IMF noted that its latest forecasts were made under relatively benign assumptions of a settlement between the EU and Britain that leads to limited political fallout, avoids a major increase in economic barriers and prompts no major further financial market disruptions.

Under a more "severe" divorce, the IMF sees a UK-EU trading relationship reverting to World Trade Organization rules, and London losing a large portion of its financial services sector to continental Europe.

Under that scenario, Britain would fall into recession and global growth would slow to 2.8pc in both 2016 and 2017, the IMF said.

Yesterday, the European Commission's economic arm gave its first assessment of the post-Brexit economic outlook.

For the euro area, including Ireland, the Commission expects growth could slow from an expected 1.7pc in 2016 to between 1.5pc and 1.6pc, and from 1.7pc in 2017 to between 1.3pc and 1.5pc.

Britain itself faces a sharper slowdown with growth reduced by 1pc to 2.75pc by 2017, it said.

"The referendum has created an extraordinarily uncertain situation. Due to the lack of information about the new equilibrium after the UK's exit, many elements have not yet entered the assessment but nevertheless constitute substantial risks to the outlook," the commission said.
A huge rise in the number of non-EU citizens seeking Irish visas on the back of relatives already living in another EU member state has been linked to Brexit.

Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald has alerted the Cabinet to the trend, which began last year.

The Irish Independent understands Ms Fitzgerald told her colleagues the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has noticed a spike in applications from "qualifying family members" who wish to travel to Ireland under the terms of a 2004 EU Directive.

If granted, the visa allows a person to reside freely within the territory of the EU.

Just 1,763 applications of this nature were made to the INIS in 2014, but this rose to 10,000 last year. So far in 2016, there have been 5,000 applications. The "significant increase" is likely to be linked to the UK referendum on leaving the EU.

The Justice Minister raised her concerns on a number of occasions in discussions with the UK Home Office. Ms Fitzgerald spoke to the former UK Immigration Minister James Brokenshire on the margins of an EU meeting on June 9. Mr Brokenshire has since been appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Irish agri-tech firm BHSL is set to team up with the US State of Maryland in a 3m pilot project which will result in chicken manure being transferred into energy.

The pioneering project is aimed at reducing the global environmental impact of chicken poultry industry.

The patented technology was shipped from BHSLs Limerick base last week and it is thought the scheme will be fully operational in the US by October. The State of Maryland paid $1m towards funding the project, with BHSL providing the other 2m.

BHSLs system is the only one that meets both US and EU environmental regulations.

The area in Maryland in which the technology will be used is intensively used for poultry farming, with the production of an estimated 1.2m tonnes of manure causing pollution in nearby Chesapeake Bay and damaging fish stocks.

Speaking on the initiative with the State of Maryland, Declan O Connor, BHSL chief executive said:The potential size of the US market opportunity for BHSL is conservatively estimated at over $500m. In the Chesapeake Bay region alone over 1bn chickens are reared each year and state governments are increasingly aware of the environmental challenges the poultry manure by-product poses for the Bay and the water sources that flow into it. Our unique solution can both reduce costs and increase revenue for the farmers while solving the environmental challenge they face.

The news represents a remarkable turnaround for a company whose very survival was at risk just a few years ago.

BHSL Chief Technical Officer Jack O Connor said:Ten years ago our family poultry farm in Limerick was on the verge of closure as it couldnt operate within strict new EU regulations on ground water pollution. That gave me the idea to develop this miniature fluidised bed technology which has now been tried and tested, with over 110,000 hours of successful operation on farms in Ireland and the UK.

BHSL say their technology can result in a potential 95pc reduction in energy costs through using heat from the manure as a source to heat a new batch of chicks. The company also says its product improves animal welfare and results in chickens reaching their target weight three days faster than they would using traditional methods.
A move from sucklers to dairy calf to beef systems and linking dairy expansion to forestry and agro-forestry are among the key measures being proposed to tackle Ireland's greenhouse gas emissions.

A joint report on climate smart agriculture from Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA) and the RDS recommends providing incentives to encourage farmers into dairy to beef systems.

"There is going to be an output from the dairy sector in terms of calves that will not be needed in the dairy sector," said report co-author and IIEA director Tom Arnold.

"The levels of profitability in the suckler cow herd are also very low and so I think this may be an opportunity to begin to address that issue."

The report points out that up to 400,000 additional calves will become available because of dairy expansion

However, the ICSA said the report makes little contribution to the fundamental question of how to ensure viability for Ireland's family farms.

Carbon sink

ICSA president Patrick Kent said the report's scenarios on the beef and dairy sector were compromised when there seems to be "little will to account for sequestration in grass and to offset it against emissions.

"Advising that farmers should abandon one low paying enterprise (sucklers) for an even worse one - trying to rear dairy calves that won't even grade to achieve the QPS bonus - is unlikely to impress farmers," he said.

"A debate is required on the cost of expansion and greater intensification which has been sadly under-estimated especially when we see the impact on milk price of extra production."

IIEA/RDS report also highlights the potential of linking dairy cow expansion to forestry and agro-forestry as part of a move towards carbon neutral agriculture.

Mr Arnold said there were many legitimate reasons, including carbon sinks and income potential, to support the expansion of forestry.

"But there are very legitimate concerns about the future of rural communities and social infrastructure," he added.

"We are going to have to face up to and talk about those concerns," he said.

ICMSA president John Comer said any moves to restrict food production in carbon efficient countries like Ireland would make "no sense".

It comes as the European Commission is due to publish its proposals on climate change to all member states tomorrow.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed said it was predicted Ireland would fall short of its targets for 2020. He said they were working to ensure the commission understood Ireland's unique position in terms of the size of its agriculture sector.
FARM families need Government "clarity and certainty" on plans for solar powered energy in Ireland, IFA president Joe Healy has warned.

Speaking at a seminar on solar opportunities in farming, the IFA advised farmers to "exercise caution" when approached by privately owned solar development companies interested in leasing their land - often for up to 30 years.

The farm body stressed solar energy panels may provide an income to some struggling farmers, yet they fear some "too good to be true" leasing contracts contain red-tape that could potentially leave farmers, and their families, vulnerable and exposed for generations.

Addressing a crowd of more than 200 farmers in Portlaoise, Mr Healy highlighted the IFA's commitment to identifying opportunities that will strengthen farm incomes in the long-term.However, he is concerned that the Government is leaving farming communities in the dark when it comes to policy around solar energy.

"I want to see the necessary clarity around solar development so that farm families can make informed decisions as to whether this represents a real opportunity to diversify their farm enterprises and maximise the income that they can generate," he said.

"Developer led renewable projects in Ireland must end if we are to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated," he added. Although Mr Healy believes that solar energy has a bright future in Ireland - pointing out that the technology is working in other European countries, including Italy, Germany and the UK - he says many legal, taxation, and contractual consequences remain unanswered.

REFIT

The IFA are particularly concerned about the Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff (REFIT) to be applied to solar projects.

Bob Hanna, a spokesman for the Department of Communications, told the seminar that while Ireland is "well on track" to meet 2020 EU renewable energy targets in electricity, "we will probably fail to meet targets in heat and transport, which will bring financial implications". He says there is huge solar potential in Ireland.

Up to 15,000ac of farmland are currently under some form of solar contract. ESB Networks are currently processing a backlog of more than 480 ground mounted solar applications to supply the national grid - almost 30pc are for locations in Cork and Wexford.

Typically 25 acres of land is required for every five megawatt solar panels. The financial incentive on offer to the landowner for entering into a lease agreement can be anything from 750 up to 1,400 per acre annually.

The Government is reviewing REFIT supports designed to incentivise the development of renewable electricity generation to ensure Ireland meets its goal of 40pc of electricity coming from renewable sources by 2020. Communications Minister Denis Naughten has indicated that further consultations on the tariff will take place in Autumn, with a figure anticipated to be announced by the end of the year.

However, the IFA says this time-frame is disappointing as farmers are signing contracts without full knowledge of how much financial support the development company will subsequently receive for constructing the project on their land.

James Murphy, IFA renewables project team chairman said: "The Government unfortunately wasn't able to bring any great clarity on the issue of the REFIT and that is creating a vacuum of uncertainty for those currently looking at a lease agreement of a contract offer.

"The companies, to be fair to them, are 'guestimating' what that tariff will be," he said, adding the tariff should be used to support policy and that a "top-up" should be in introduced where there is clear community involvement.

"Good policy guides and drives developers and we'd like to see the ring-fencing of some grid capacity towards community projects," he said.

The IFA encourage all those considering the solar option to "actively engage" with solar development companies and to "get professional advice as soon as possible".

The Irish Solar Energy Association (ISEA) says the sector can create 7,300 jobs and save more than 300m in EU fines annually, but first they need "modest support from the state".
Establishing a new paddock system has been the single most important factor in "turning the farm around" in terms of grass production.

Conor Greene, who also works as a carpenter, returned to Ireland in 2012 where he took over the family farm, having spent five years in Australia, working mainly outside of agriculture.

Conor's dad, Tommy, who passed away three years ago, traditionally fattened 50-60 Friesian steers at about 30 months of age. "It was a nice simple set-stocked system that worked fairly well," says Conor who hosted a Teagasc Green Acres event on his Co Westmeath holding.

He decided to stick with rearing calves. "I had milked a few cows but a few was enough and we never had sheep," Conor says succinctly.

But he has increased numbers steadily, up to 70 before joining the GreenAcres programme. He has increased herd numbers to 112 this year and next year he plans to move to 120.

The 66ha farm is laid out in a single block. Like many people, he first laid out temporary paddocks using wire and pigtail holders but has since gone down the permanent route, using the Clipex system which attracted a lot of interest from other farmers on the day.

Conor had seen it in operation in Australia where it is made and decided to use it himself when he found out it was available here, his local supplier being James Geoghegan of Tyrellspass.

The system is comprised of galvanised steel poles of varying lengths which have a clip-in system for wires and can be used with various wire types, high tensile, barbed and even sheep wire.

Conor believes the Clipex will last longer than standard timber fencing and says it was also easier to erect. He needed to use a loader to drive the long straining posts but was able to drive the others manually.

However, he conceded that it's not easy to manage a paddock system and work at the same time "there are lots of long days".

Though he is hoping that it will become more manageable when it is fully established as he is eager to run an off-farm business alongside his farm work.

Demands

The substantial demands in terms of labour, management and financial costs of a dairy calf to beef system were a recurrent theme at the farm walk.

While the entry point is modest in terms of buying the calf, Pearse Kelly pointed out that this is otherwise not a low cost system.

Local drystock adviser Bernard Dooley said herd health is critical, citing a client of his who had encountered a complication across his calves this year, wiping out any potential profit.

A key issue is the sourcing of calves. On different farms there are different plans and, obviously, one of the first questions is whether cows have been vaccinated to boost immunity.

"If you have multiple sources, you need to be extremely careful," he warns. Conor has been fortunate up to now in that he has been able to source most of his calves from his dairy farmer brother Richard but, now that he is increasing numbers, he is going to have to look to additional sources.

Regular feeding is also critical and, on this front, Bernard believes that the automatic milk feeder, which Conor bought to reduce workload, eliminates much of the risk on this front. Another factor is the quality of the milk replacer.

Joanne Cregg, a vet with MSD Animal Health, told farmers that this particular system creates a lot of pressure on the health of calves at grass. "Where you see increased numbers of youngstock, you get a lot of problems with parasites," she said.

The most common issues are roundworms; stomach, intestinal and lungworm.

"A particular problem is when you have a staggered turnout, so early calves get infected and then become a multiplier," she said. "If there is a staggered turnout, you see more in the calves turned out later."

Lungworm is very topical, as it is a particular issue on heavily stocked pastures, especially where there is continuous grazing of young stock. "A paddock system does reduce contamination but the parasite can overwinter."

She also advised trying to avoid turning young calves out in the same couple of paddocks every year.

Ms Cregg said there is renewed interest in a lungworm vaccine, called Bovilis Huskvac. It is administered orally, in two doses, before stock are left out to grass.
File photo shows East Turkistan Islamic militants. [Photo: guancha.cn]

The British government has officially listed the East Turkistan Islamic Movement as an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization.

The latest list has officially listed the Turkistan Islamic Party as a terrorist group.

The TIP is also known as the East Turkistan Islamic Party and the East Turkistan Islamic Movement.

In describing the group, the UK's Home Office describes the Turkistan Islamic Party as a separatist organization founded in 1989 by Uygur militants in western China.

The document suggests the TIP hopes to establish an independent caliphate in Xinjiang, with the hope of creating a separate state known as East Turkistan.

British intelligence analysis says the group has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in China, the latest of these being in April 2014.

It also says the TIP has links to a number of terrorist groups, including al-Qaida.
From the centre of Bantry town to a busy office at the Irish Farm Centre, you would not expect a woman with no background in farming to end up as secretary of the Irish Charolais Cattle Society.

However, this is the lovely story of Nuala Hourihane, who has recently stepped down from a role which she served with great pride for 40 years.

By nature a large majority of farmers' daughters tend to fall back into the rural way of life at some time in their lives, either by farming itself, or through horses, with many others going on to marrying farmers in adulthood.

Not so for Nuala, who had absolutely no experience of the farming way of life before being completely immersed in the world of beef cattle in her early 20s.

"When I finished school I wanted to travel so I headed to Australia with my friend Norma. On the flight we met Holy Ghost missionaries on their way to Papua New Guinea. From that contact we ended up working on coffee plantations there for two years.

"Norma then returned home alone and on her way back she met the late John Mooney who told her about a vacancy for an office job in the Irish Farm Centre.

"She took the job for six months and when I returned home, I basically took over. I had already completed a secretarial course so it came in very handy."

Within a short space of time Nuala's role as secretary with the Irish Charolais Cattle Society developed into one of liaison officer, show co-ordinator and even overseas representative.

"When I started, we had just 76 members but that was in the 1970s and the society was just beginning to grow.

"There were a lot of imports from France in the 1990s and the grading-up system was also beginning to take effect."

With members on the increase, and cattle standards continually improving, it did not take long for the Charolais to become one of Ireland's most popular beef breeds, a status which it has held for many years.

Today, the Irish Charolais Cattle Society has close to 2,500 members, with some 7,500 cattle registrations on the books. Through her valued role, Ms Hourihane always ensured that the farmer had the support of the society, and seeing them get better prices for their cattle gave her immense satisfaction.

"I loved the job from the day I started and met some wonderful people.

"Farmers work so hard but everyone was so helpful to me and always gave me guidance."

In 2015, Ms Hourihane was honoured for her contribution to the society and the breed by winning the FBD Women and Agriculture Lifetime Achievement Award.

Last month, she made the difficult decision to retire and hand over the mantle after 40 years. "I never planned on being there that length. I loved it so much and I had been putting it off for a long time, but finally decided it was time to bow out.

"I never married, instead I fell in love with the Charolais cattle, but I am sure I will find plenty to do now that I am retired. I'd love to do more travelling," she added.
IRELAND has been allocated 11m from the latest EU farm aid package which contains measures to curb milk production.

But while some countries - including France and Germany - have been pressing strongly for milk supply controls, the bulk of the 500m package announced yesterday will be allocated to individual countries to put their own relief measures in place.

Ireland will get 11.1m from the package which is mainly focused on milk producers - but there is also scope to assist other livestock sectors.

The aid deal comes as Irish dairy farmers are facing a 3m hit due to a significant drop in milk protein levels through June. Milk prices remain in the low 20c/l range.

Agriculture Minister Michael Creed said the two-pronged approach to dealing with the milk price was important as Irish officials had vigorously contested moves to link the aid package solely to milk supply control measures.

"We did not want the package to be focused exclusively on production discipline, although there were strong demands for that from member states," said Mr Creed.

"I think it is important recalling that over 40 years quotas didn't serve us well," he said, pointing out the price collapse in 2009 occurred despite quotas. "Quotas are themselves not an insulation against market forces."

He said the flexibility built into the aid package would allow the Department of Agriculture provide relief to farmers suffering cash flow issues.

The main measures in the EU aid package include:

150m to support voluntary reduction of milk output. This measure will be administered from Brussels and can be accessed by dairy farmers in any EU country

350m conditional aid measures to be administered by member states

An extension of the private storage aid schemes to February 2017 to take more skimmed milk powder off the market

Fast-tracking 70pc of direct payments and 85pc of rural development payments to farmers from October

It is understood the Agriculture Department plans to hold discussions with farm organisations and stakeholders on the best ways to spend the 11.1m conditional aid package.

This latest move brings to 1bn the amount allocated by the EU in farm relief measures over the last year.

The 13.7m allocated to Ireland in the last round was matched by national funding to provide the dairy and pig sectors with 27.4m in aid.

EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan confirmed member states would be allowed to match the latest funding with national funds. However, it is unclear at this stage whether Ireland will be committing to match the latest 11.1m cash injection.

Recovery

"Our ultimate goal is to see the much needed recovery of prices paid to farmers, so that they may make a living from their work," said Mr Hogan.

ICMSA president John Comer said the success or failure of the package would ultimately depend on the delivery of an increased milk price.

He called on the Irish Government to fully match the EU package and support dairy farmers in an extremely difficult time.

Mr Comer said that as the 150m voluntary supply reduction scheme operated at EU level, all farmers would have the option to take part in the scheme without preventing others from expanding if they wished.

IFA president Joe Healy urged Minister Creed to match the 11.1m funding and to use it to reduce the cost of short-term borrowing for farmers in all sectors.

The IFA's dairy chair Sean O'Leary said the 150m to incentivise production reduction must not disadvantage Irish farmers who have expanded.

"The extension of skimmed milk powder intervention and storage aid should send a positive message on markets at a time when prices are already starting to firm in response to easing global and EU output," said Mr O'Leary.

However, the ICSA president Patrick Kent questioned the delivery of a further rescue package for dairy farmers while beef farmers continue to seek equal treatment for their own sector.
AGRICULTURE Minister Michael Creed has requested legal advice after a recent High Court case ruled the Department's inspection procedures were "flawed".

The findings in the case could potentially leave the Agriculture Department open to thousands of appeals against inspection decisions that saw penalties applied to EU farm payments.

"I've asked for the Department to get legal advice and I understand the Judge will deliver his final judgements or observations on the case on July 28," he said.

"Until we get the final detail of his judgement we'll not be in a position to interpret what its reach or impact is on the case in question or whether it has spillover. We await the detailed judgement and the legal advice which I have requested."

Questions have been raised over the level of costs incurred by farmers who move to appeal penalties applied on foot of inspections.

Galway-based agricultural solicitor John Cuddy said in many cases an appeal can cost in the region of 1,000. "Due to the increasing complexity of these cases, as highlighted by the ruling in the O'Connor case, the legal fees, while initially reasonable for the appeal, can escalate very quickly, particularly if High Court action has to be considered," he said.

Vincent Roddy from the hill farmers association INHFA said they believe the expert costs such as legal witnesses and environmental reports should be covered by the Department.

"For most farmers the cost of hiring in expert assistance is cost prohibitive due to their costs not being covered even if the farmer wins," he said. "It is vital the farmer continues to get all payments until a final decision is reached."

The precedent-setting case saw a Co Tipperary farmer take a High Court action over the decision of the appeals officer after his 2010 single farm payment application was rejected. The judge found a 'control report' detailing the checks should have been provided to the farmer under EU regulations and described the inspection procedures as "flawed".

Sligo-Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny said that there were hundreds of other farmers in the same situation who did not receive control reports.

In 2014 there were 610 appeals lodged with the Independent Appeals Board across the various schemes, with 727 appeals finalised. Some of the appeals finalised in 2014 related to appeals lodged as early as 2011, which is well outside the set target of three months.

Out of the 323 appeals finalised in relation to 2014, there were 110 or 34pc allowed, partially allowed or revised in favour of the farmer. A further 69 or 21pc were withdrawn, deemed invalid or out of time. In 144 cases, or 45pc, the appeal found in favour of the Department.
Combines have been working around the clock since Sunday as this year's harvest ratcheted up a few gears in the south.

Excellent harvesting conditions are reported, with crop moisture levels expected to drop significantly on the back of higher temperatures.

James Irish of Brett Brothers in Callan, Co Kilkenny said small areas of winter barley had been cut but the strongest crops had yet to be harvested.

While it's too soon to give an accurate prediction on yields, Mr Irish said early crops were averaging around 4t/ac, with good fields getting up to 4.5t/ac.

Two-row and six-row varieties such as Escarde were bushelling in the mid to high 60s, while hybrids were coming in around 60-62kph. Moistures generally ranged from 18pc to 21pc, with some crops as low as 16pc.

South Tipperary grower, Willie John Lonergan, has cut a small area of the six-row variety, Hyvido Volume. It came in at 19pc moisture and 67-68kph. He hadn't the yield calculated but was confident it would hit around 4t/ac to 4.5t/ac.

Mr Lonergan, who farms near the village of Ardfinnan, said crops were generally looking good.

Further north, Bobby Miller from the Irish Grain Growers Association said early reports suggest that yield is back half to one tonne an acre from 2015. However, the Stradbally, Co Laois farmer said yields were averaging 3.3t/ac to date from the few fields that are cut, with bushel in the low 60s.

"Moisture is running between 16 and 19pc for ripe crops," said Mr Miller.

"There is very little straw baled but yield is also back on last year."

He added: "At this rate the merchants accounts won't be cleared."

On price, Mr Miller said 120/t delivered had been reported in the midlands for green barley.

Carlow agricultural advisor Pat Minnock predicted that prices for green barley would struggle to reach 130/t. The 2015 equivalent was 135-140/t.

Mr Minnock said they were expecting lower yields this year, with straw yield also back.

Frustration

Meanwhile, a number of grain growers at a meeting in Corrin Mart, Fermoy, Co Cork called for changes to the IFA's grain committee.

IFA president Joe Healy said it was a "robust" meeting with a lot of frustration at a fourth year of bad prices for the sector.

He said they would be putting more emphasis on the grain representatives at county level to ensure all key material is communicated from the national grain committee to county level and to take on board the information gathered from county to county.

Mr Healy said they wanted Irish merchants to increase the percentage of Irish grain in their rations and many farmers also felt more Irish grains should be used in our growing whiskey industry.
EU and US negotiators gathered in Brussels last week for a 14th round of talks on a transatlantic trade and investment partnership (TTIP).

The aim is to finish talks by the end of the year, but given the lingering impasse over access to public procurement and agri-food markets, protections for workers and the environment, and the trade in services, it seems highly unlikely.

The UK's decision to leave the EU has also thrown a spanner in the works.

"Obviously a withdrawal of the UK from the EU market would affect the value of the EU market," said US ambassador Dan Mullaney after the talks.

"Imagine if the United States, for instance, said: 'Well, maybe TTIP will not apply to California'. There is a certain reflection that the parties need to have on those kinds of developments."

The US side is eager to get the negotiations finished before presidential elections in November, and is pushing the EU to put its most powerful bargaining chip on the table: agricultural tariffs, which make up 3pc of the tariffs both sides are seeking to eliminate.

EU negotiators are not budging, indicating talks have not yet reached their end game, said Liam McHale, director of the IFA's Brussels office.

"If you want a deal done by the end of the year, as the US side have said, you need to be negotiating on the 3pc right now, and that's not happening," Mr McHale said. "So you have got to believe there's still a distance to go before that can actually happen."

Negotiators on both sides have tabled proposals in almost all of the up to 30 areas covered by the deal, citing progress on textiles and small businesses.

But there is still masses of technical work needed to bring the two sides together, and new texts have only just been tabled on how to align standards on chemicals, cosmetics, engineering, medical devices, pharmaceuticals and cars.

Agriculture ministers were briefed on the state of play of TTIP at their meeting on Monday, and several EU countries - particularly Germany, France and Austria - are still sceptical about the US deal over fears it will lower European standards.

TTIP also caused a public showdown last week between Irish MEPs, with Sinn Fein's Matt Carthy hitting out at comments by Fine Gael's Brian Hayes that "populists" were the main stumbling block to an agreement.

Mr Carthy claimed the comments were "dripping with arrogance and elitism" and added TTIP would damage food safety and environmental standards, and endanger the rights of workers and consumers.

Energy chief in the firing line

Energy commissioner Miguel Arias Canete, was questioned by MEPs last week from parliament's legal affairs committee on his financial interests.

Mr Canete, a former Spanish environment and agriculture minister, has firmly denied any conflicts of interest, but MEPs brought up a mention of his wife's name in the Panama papers and family ties to two energy companies.

Spanish socialist MEP Iratxe Garcia Perez alleged the commissioner had "not acted in a morally acceptable or transparent way for someone in his position".

Green MEPs called on him to testify in front of Parliament's special inquiry committee on the Panama Papers.

The committee meeting came the week before Mr Canete reveals his plans for how sectors such as agriculture and forestry can contribute to reaching the EU's climate change targets.

EU leaders said in October 2014 that they would take into account the "lower mitigation potential" of agriculture and look at how forests could offset the sector's contribution to the climate goals.

And the Paris climate accord this year stated that emission reduction should be done "in a manner that does not threaten food production".

Ireland also wants to see a change to the way the EU measures carbon emission reductions, given the negative effects of the financial crisis on Ireland's GDP and ability to spend on climate change mitigation measures. Irish ministers and officials have met repeatedly with the Commission to press their case.
FARMERS are expected to benefit from lower cattle tag prices after the Agriculture Department moved to withdraw the 20m tender for a single supplier.

Under the new system, multiple suppliers will be permitted to supply ear tags.

The Department decision came on the day that Cormac Tagging were preparing to lodge High Court proceedings against the single supplier tender system.

"It has been our campaign that farmers deserved a choice of tag - the winner today is the farmer," said Ursula Kelly from Cormac Tagging, which is one of the three main suppliers of sheep tags in the country.

"Farmers will pay less for their tags next November because of competition."

Multiple suppliers are approved to sell sheep tags throughout the country.

The existing supplier Mullinahone Co-op's Eurotags division run by former IFA county chairman Liam Egan had won the past four contracts over the last 14 years.

It has used the French tag manufacturer Allflex to supply the cattle tags, with a loss rate of 4pc, and has previously stressed they set the price for the market at the lowest possible rate.

All farmers have been charged one price for cattle tags to date, with figures showing over 3,000 farmers order one a tag a year, while a further 39,425 individual herds ordered up to 19 tags last year.

The Department had previously stated it felt a single supplier is the best way of supplying tags at a "competitive price".

However, in recent days it confirmed the decision to withdraw the move to tender for a single supplier that was published in May after receiving representations from a number of interested parties.

It stated the issues raised could potentially have delayed the decision on the tender beyond the date on which the current contract was due to expire.

Standards

The Department said a "robust" approval system would be set up for suppliers meeting standards and conditions to supply the bovine ID ear tags.

Among the key issues will be quality of tags and service and standards on birth registration documents to ensure there is no drop in standards.

ICSA president Patrick Kent said competition between a number of suppliers that meet the standards can "only be a good thing leading to better value for money for farmers".

He said the ICSA had backed calls by firms for multiple suppliers similar to other countries including the UK.

Galway East TD Sean Canney said the introduction of multiple suppliers for sheep tags resulted in better prices for farmers and this could "ultimately result in more competition in the cattle tag market".
IRISH exporters have been examining the potential of shipping stock to Turkey amid questions over the viability of the business with batches of 10,000 head being sought.

It is unclear how many Irish firms tendered for contracts to export live cattle to Turkey ahead of yesterdays deadline.

Completed tenders had to be submitted by 2pm local time by July 18, with the successful parties required to ship stock within 50 days of the signing of contracts.

The contracts are being handled by Turkeys Meat and Milk Board which recently sought tenders from Europe for 50,000 cattle. A similar number are being sourced in South America.

The European stock must be delivered in five batches of 10,000 head. All stock have to be continental, be under 12 months and less than 300kg.

Payment for the cattle will be made after they have been delivered to Turkey, and successful bidders must lodge a bond with Turkish authorities equal to 3pc of the value.

One source in the export business said the tender requirements were crazy. He questioned whether a single Irish exporter would be able to purchase 10,000 cattle and meet quarantine requirements within the timeframe outlined.

Price could also be a real obstacle. Light continental weanlings suitable for the Turkish contract are currently making 2.60-3.00/kg in the marts.

Youd need a good price in Turkey to make the trade feasible at those levels, an industry source said.

However, one shipper maintained that making a margin on the business would not be an impossibility. It wont be an exciting proposition but if the price is right then it could put a floor on the weanling trade this autumn, he said.
The UK government has already changed planning rules to speed up shale gas projects by giving the communities minister ultimate decision-making power on planning applications

After Brexit, the UK is being tipped to shift energy policy to favour domestic production including so-called fracking for gas.

A temporary ban was introduced in 2011 on the hydraulic fracturing - or "fracking" - technology used to extract gas from shale rock, but sections of the industry hope for support from new prime minister Theresa May.

Stephen Bowler, chief executive of London-listed shale gas developer IGas, told Reuters that Brexit made the case for shale more vital: "An independent Britain needs an independent supply of energy. Security of supply becomes even more important now."

Shale gas had a poor start in Britain. The first well to be fracked, near the seaside city of Blackpool in Lancashire, was abandoned when some of the work there triggered an earth tremor that resulted in an 18-month ban on the technology.

More recently, low energy prices have added to strains. "The weak gas price certainly doesn't help the economics. But there's still a lot of potential there," said David Round, analyst at BMO Capital Markets.

"You'd expect costs to come down once you get a few years into the development."

Two months ago, Third Energy received the first planning approval for a shale gas fracking well since 2011. It says it will start hydraulic fracturing at its Kirby Misperton site in North Yorkshire before the end of the year.

Environmental group Friends of the Earth and a residents' anti-fracking group have applied for judicial review of the decision at London's High Court.

Other shale gas developers, including Ineos, IGas and Cuadrilla Resources, are now banking on government support for domestic energy sources and an offer of compensation to landowners to reinvigorate their campaign.

Cuadrilla aims to produce gas next year in the northwest, subject to planning approval, and Bowler's IGas plans to test first gas in northern England by 2018.

The UK government has already changed planning rules to speed up shale gas projects by giving the communities minister ultimate decision-making power on planning applications. A decision on whether to grant a permit under these new rules to Cuadrilla is due by October 6 and will be a first indication of government support for shale gas under the new prime minister. Australian engineer AJ Lucas owns 45pc of Cuadrilla.

Coal-fired plants are due to close in coming years, making Britain more reliant on natural gas. Britain's network operator said last week that the country may have to import 93pc of its gas by 2040 if economic growth slows and domestic gas production is not supported.

Shale supporters say relying heavily on imports would make Britain more vulnerable to events out of its control that could divert supply.

Still, environmental campaigners intend to challenge shale gas, which they say would undermine Britain's target to reduce carbon emissions by at least 80pc below 1990 levels by 2050.

"Theresa May should not be under the illusion that fracking is the answer to the UK's energy needs," said Daisy Sands, head of energy at Greenpeace.

In a 2013 protest at the Cuadrilla-managed Balcombe oil exploration site south of London, demonstrators chained themselves to gates. Some were arrested, including Caroline Lucas, the Green Party's only MP. (Reuters)
Thousands of workers will end up paying more income tax if Finance Minister Michael Noonan goes ahead with plans to remove a key tax credit for middle and higher earners, a leading tax body has claimed.

Mr Noonan said recently he planned to restrict the PAYE tax credit for earnings over 70,000.

But the Irish Tax Institute said this would see 270,000 workers being hit with a marginal tax rate of 70pc - one of the highest in the western world. The marginal rate is the income tax you pay on higher amounts of income.

The tax body said this would mean workers earning more than 70,000 would end up facing higher income tax bills than workers in Paris, London, Madrid and Stockholm.

IDA Ireland recently warned that high income tax was making it difficult to attract foreign investment and hitting job creation, which was especially important in light of Brexit.

The PAYE tax credit is a deduction from income tax for those in employment.

It is worth 1,650 per taxpayer. Last month, Mr Noonan said he intended to gradually remove the universal social charge (USC). As part of this, the existing PAYE tax credit for high earners will be removed "to further enhance the progressivity of the income tax system", he said, when explaining the Summer Economic Statement.

Workers with a salary of 70,000 upwards will be subjected to a 'solidarity levy' to ensure low and middle-income earners gain most, he said.

If the PAYE tax credit is removed, it will probably be done on a sliding scale.

Irish Tax Institute president Mary Honohan said that if the PAYE tax credit is removed at a salary of 70,000, and is tapered out for income earned between 70,000 and 80,000, the marginal rate of tax on every euro of income earned in this 10,000 band will be 68.5pc.

This is more than 10pc points higher than the current marginal rate of 53pc.

A Department of Finance spokesman said middle and high-income earners would benefit from USC reductions.
It is perhaps the world's smallest drone. Weighing about a 10th of gram, the little flying machine, dubbed RoboBee, is two centimeters in height. At first glance, it looks just like a mosquito, and a magnifying glass is needed to observe any details.

But the coin-size robot is ready to fly as well as real-life bees. It can flap its two tiny transparent wings at 120 times per second, perch on the underside of a leaf and even "swim" under water, when connected with a nearby power source.

RoboBee is the brainchild of a microrobotics lab at Harvard University. Though still in development, Chen Yufeng, a member of the research team, said it holds huge promise.

"In the future, it can replace wild bees to pollinate crops and be used in rescue operations where large equipment and human beings are too big to enter," Chen said.

The team started to work on the project in 2008, when the United States saw a huge and rapid decline in the number of wild bees. They obtained $10 million from the US National Science Foundation to finance the research and aim to achieve breakthroughs in autonomous flying, miniaturized chips and other cutting-edge technologies.

After trial and error, they managed to use micro electromechanical processing technology to produce extremely small components that measure only 10 microns.

Chen, who joined the project in 2012 and is studying for his engineering science doctorate at Harvard, is in charge of the research and study of how insects flyto ensure that RoboBees flap their wings at the same frequency as that of wild bees.

But much work remains to be done to tackle the power problem. These micro aerial vehicles are driven by electricity.

"We have not found batteries that suit RoboBees, because the smallest battery in the world weighs 300 milligrams, about three times the weight of RoboBee," said Chen.

"Also, we have yet to figure out how to put image sensors into the tiny body. "The near-term target is to overcome theses technical difficulties."

But Chinese consumers and companies are already get excited by the idea. "Many companies are interested in our product. When the technology matures, we will definitely promote RoboBee in China," Chen added.

Potential commercial users are looking forward to seeing them released into the marketplace.

"The RoboBees are quite impressive," said Wang Hailin, marketing director at Shanxi Ruihua Agricultural Development Co Ltd. "I am looking forward to its commercial application. But it is important to achieve a balance between price point and technology."
Renting was once seen as a step towards the property ladder and owning a home.

But now people of all ages are finding themselves tenants, for indefinite periods of time. The high costs involved mean that a mortgage remains a pipedream for most.

Paula Saul (28), from Clondalkin, Co Dublin, is struggling to make ends meet in private rented accommodation. She works part-time as a care assistant in a nursing home and is a single parent to a four-year-old daughter.

"Before I had my child I worked full time. I would have liked to save for a mortgage but there's no possibility of that now," said Paula.

"I don't think I'll ever be able to buy my own home. I'd like to imagine that I would, but I'm paying rent. I'd never be able to save anything."

Although she is on the waiting list for a council house, Paula and her daughter are going down in the list of priority rather than up.

"I went to them before I started renting to see how long I would be waiting, and they said that 250 people were in front of me.

"Then I went back six months later and there were even more people in front of me that had been prioritised," she said.

Paula searched for over a year to find housing that would accept rent allowance. "I viewed over 50 properties and I just never got a call back," she said.

Read More

"I saved the deposit over the year while I was looking, so it wasn't that I hadn't got that - there was no reason for them not to accept me."

Her four sisters live in a two-bedroom house with their mother because they can't afford to move out. Some of her friends have even been made homeless.

"I don't know if I'm going to be one of them," she said. "I can't do this forever. I can barely pay rent; it's constantly playing catch up all the time. If I get sick and I can't work and can't pay my rent, what do I do then?"

Noel Cummins (51) is in a different living situation - but he can't afford to buy his own home either. "I'd like to buy a place, but I can't," he told the Irish Independent.

"I just don't have the money, it's as simple as that."

He has a steady job as a legal executive and his partner Anne works part-time in insurance. The couple are currently living in Rathgar, Dublin, with their 10-year-old son. But Noel believes he'll be renting for the rest of his life.

"Bottom line is that unless you can save up a fortune every week, you're not going to be able to get on the property ladder," he said.

"With the exorbitant rents to pay, it's impossible to save. It's a never-ending spiral of working to make ends meet, so how can you ever save for a deposit to buy a property?"

Read More

The family are now being forced to move from their rented home of seven years by their landlord, who is selling the property. The couple are looking for a long-term lease to give their son a steady place to live.

"We try to settle down in an area, it's necessary for children to have a solid place to grow up in. Obviously one would like to buy a property so that you can have that, but it's impossible," said Noel.

He believes that the lack of available housing, combined with poor regulation of the sector, has resulted in a market where some landlords are exploiting their tenants.

"Landlords continue to abuse tenants and are letting out substandard properties," he said. "If a landlord wants to up the rent and you have an issue with it, the next thing you'll get is a notice to quit so he can put someone else in who will pay extra. I can understand business, but that appears to be an abuse of the whole process."

Noel says that at his age, it is unlikely he will ever be able to afford to pay for a house. "I'm 51 now. Banks won't be rushing to give me a mortgage.

"As you get older, it gets harder to get on the property ladder because you haven't got 100 years to live where you can pay back the mortgage, so you're obviously going to be paying exorbitant mortgage repayments.

"That obviously is a huge difficulty for middle-aged people," he said.
The new housing strategy, called Rebuilding Ireland, contains just one paragraph on first-time buyers Stock Photo: PA

Aspiring home buyers hoping to see concrete proposals from the Government to help them get a set of front-door keys have been let down.

The new housing strategy, called 'Rebuilding Ireland', contains just one paragraph on first-time buyers.

And significantly, there is little or no detail in that one paragraph. Certainly nothing that would ease the worry and help the financial situation of those limbering up to buy a new home.

Despite the spin put out in the past few days, it seems that first-time buyers will have to wait a while before anything is forthcoming to help give them a foothold on the housing ladder.

That is because the housing strategy contains vague comments about recognising the difficulties faced by first-time buyers in securing a mortgage. This is mainly due to the requirement to have a large deposit, courtesy of the Central Bank lending rules.

This has given rise to a situation where the average first-time buyer in the Dublin region is now coming up with a 50,000 deposit when they get a mortgage. This is a crazy situation in a nation that values home ownership.

Expectations were raised that a scheme was on the way, but the 'Rebuilding Ireland' document makes nebulous references to the Government working with the Central Bank, as part of its review of its mortgage lending limits, to develop a new "help-to-buy" scheme.

This, the document states, is to ensure the availability of adequate, affordable mortgage finance, or mortgage insurance for new buyers.

More details will be announced in Budget 2017, we are told. And that is it.

The reference to mortgage insurance indicates that little, if anything, has been decided. Mortgage insurance is used in some jurisdictions to allow banks accept deposits of less than 20pc without increasing the risk of the loan. The product allows a bank to insure against a fall in the value of a property, typically 20pc, reducing the prudential risk faced by the bank.

This insurance idea has been raised before but was rejected by the Central Bank.

The fact that the Government says it is working with the Central Bank on financing or a mortgage insurance product shows that little or nothing has been agreed for first-time buyers, despite 'Rebuilding Ireland' being three months in the making.

Then there is the not inconsiderable problem of one arm of the State coming up with a funding plan for first-time buyers (the Government) that directly neutralises measures put in place by another arm of the State (the independent Central Bank). That probably explains the lack of detail in the document.

The Government has stressed that any first-time buyer measures will be announced in the Budget. Housing Minister Simon Coveney said any initiatives will be "back-dated" to now so there is "no need to stall".

The minister said that you can't expect first-time buyers to "magic up a mortgage".

Mr Coveney said that Finance Minister Michael Noonan "will design and decide" on the package to be announced in October.

It is all rather vague.

As far as potential first-time buyers are concerned, there is much spade work to be done before something solid emerges.
The High Court has accepted the US government as a "friend of the court" or "amicus" in an ongoing case involving the Irish data protection authority and Facebook.

However, applications by employers group Ibec and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties to be joined to the case were rejected.

The case has arisen after Irish Data Commissioner Helen Dixon said her office has doubts over the legality of so-called "model contract clauses", data transfer protocols relied upon by many businesses in their transactions with US firms.

Ms Dixon, who is the primary European data regulator of the world's biggest social media firms because of their Irish bases, is seeking to refer the question to the European Court of Justice.

Any decision to strike down model contract clauses down could leave thousands of European companies in limbo over their data transfers to the US despite last week's 'Privacy Shield' agreement between the EU and the US.

Read More: EU court backs limited data retention in serious crime cases

In court yesterday Mr Justice Brian McGovern said he was satisfied the US government has a "significant and bona fide interest" in the outcome of the case.

He was giving judgment on applications by the US government and several other parties to be joined as amicii curiae (literally friends of the court) to the action by the Irish Data Protection Commissioner aimed at deciding the validity of channels, known as Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs), being used for daily EU-US data transfers.

An amici curiae is not a party to a legal case, but is recognised has having a particular interest or understanding of the case at issue. The Data Commissioner wants the validity of the channels referred by the High Court to the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) for determination.

Unless a party has been joined by the Irish High Court, it cannot participate in any reference to the CJEU.

The judge said at issue is the assessment, as a matter of EU law, of the US' law governing transfer of EU citizens' data to the US.

The imposition of restrictions on the transfer of such data would have potentially considerable adverse effects on EU-US commerce, could affect US companies significantly and he was satisfied the US could bring "added value" to the case.

He also joined US-based data privacy watchdog, EPIC (Electronic Privacy Information Centre), saying he considered it could offer a "counter-balancing perspective" from that of the American government.

Also joined to the case was the Business Software Alliance (BSA), a global trade association whose application was supported by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.

The BSA's members include businesses that stand to be affected buy any ruling, including internet giants such as Apple and Intel, as well as smaller entities, and he considered it could provide relevant views not otherwise available to the court.

Joining Digital Europe, the judge said it is the principal representative body on matters for EU policy for members of the digital technology industry in Europe.

He refused to join the Irish Business & Employers Confederation, the Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission (IHREC), American and Irish Civil Liberties organisations, Electronic Frontier Foundation or UK-based data privacy campaigner Kevin Cahill.
When this man decided to propose to his girlfriend, he wanted to make it memorable.

Patrick Marsden planned the ultimate proposal to his girlfriend Molly at 35,000 feet.

The pair were flying with United Airlines from Washington D.C. to Sao Paulo, Brazil. But without Molly knowing, Patrick installed a GoPro camera in their seats.

He then handed Molly an iPad, telling her it was an airline promo video.

However, the footage was interrupted with Patrick popping up onscreen.

He told her: What it is is a fairly elaborate way for me to ask you a question that Ive been wanting to ask you for a long time.

Molly, who was clearly caught off-guard, burst into a fit of laughter while Patrick took off her headphones and produced the ring.

The crew on board gave the couple a rapturous applause as Molly accepted.

"When Patrick came to us, his idea really was fully formed," said Dulles Airport Operations Supervisor Chris Woods. "We just made sure that everything went off without a hitch. It was a great idea and a cool proposal."

"We made sure that we had a nice bottle of champagne to give them onboard, and the flight attendants always do a wonderful job of making these experiences memorable for the customer," said Managing Director of Food and Beverage Planning and Design Todd Traynor-Corey.
Independent.ie took to the streets of Dublin yesterday to see which weather presenter the nation most trusted and adored.

It appears Martin King has won the heart of the nation with his funny jokes, birthday shout-outs and dad jokes.

I think he makes the weather more interesting than it should be. He has a good sense of humour, said Keith from Dublin.

Martin King is my favourite. Hes just so jolly and he comes across so well. You get the weather and you also get a personality with it, said Trisha from Stoneybatter.

He makes even the dullest days brighter, said Carmel from Tallaght.

Martin King is my favourite because he never wears ridiculous dresses at Christmas and his clothes fit him, said Cait from Limerick.

Today, the TV3 weather presenter thanked his fans for their comments.

"Thank you to all who were so very kind their comments. It means a lot. #happy," he tweeted.

Evelyn Cusack was also very popular with the public.

No.1 Evelyn Cusack, said Mary from Limerick. She gives a very concise interesting description of the weather and I like the way she presents it with the facts but always with a bit of a twist of hopefulness that the weather will get better.

Evelyn has a great personality and she speaks fantastic, said William from Shankhill.

While Joanna Donnellys honest report on the weather last night helped grow her fanbase.

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Yesterday she predicted that it would go to thirty degrees and she said she hadnt seen it in her personal career in the last five years. Her honesty should be awarded, said Mark Daly from Kerry.

Joanna Donnelly is my favourite. I like the way she signs off with a bit of a wink, said Mary from Galway.

Jean Byrne also seemed to be quite popular - but not necessarily for her weather presenting.

I like the clothes she wears, said Laura from Meath.

Im a fan but not for her weather reporting. Shes very easy on the eye, she brightens up the weather, said a father in St. Stephens Green.

She looks lovely, shes very sexy, said Morris from Dublin.

So there you have it, while presenting Irelands weather might be an often dull job, our national weather presenters seem to have won over the hearts of our nation at least while the weather is good anyway!
Republican US presidential candidate Donald Trump with his wife Melania after she concluded her remarks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio

Republican candidate Donald Trump walks off the stage with his wife Melania during the Republican National Convention. Photo: John Locher/AP

Melania Trump, wife of Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump, waves as she arrives to speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives a thumbs up after his wife Melania spoke during the Republican National Convention

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gives his thumb up as he walks off the stage with his wife Melania during the Republican National Convention

The Taoiseach said that the current agreement with Fianna Fail has been put together 'in good faith' and that he is determined to ensure that three budgets are passed

Wing woman: Enda and Fionnuala arrive onstage at College Green before US President Barack Obama speaks on May 23, 2011.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Barack Obama during the US presidents 2011 visit to Ireland. Our history of lowering barriers and deepening ties with the USA strongly favours a proposed EU-America trade deal

Remember when Enda Kenny 'borrowed' part of President Barack Obama's famous victory speech in 2011 during the US Presidents visit to Ireland?

Mr Kenny's rousing speech sparked applause and cheers from the crowd at College Green in May 2011 but the opening section was strikingly similar to Mr Obama's 2008 speech at Grant Park in Chicago.

This week Melania Trump has been accused of lifting parts of Michelle Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention eight years ago.

Here in 2011, the controversy over Enda Kenny lasted for days, but Kenny insisted he was merely tipping his hat to America's president.

The first 40 words of his 470-word address introducing the president were deliberately from Obama's speech, he said.

"It was a tribute to the president of the United States as distinct from anything else," the Taoiseach said at the time. "That's one of his most famous speeches and it hangs in my office."

At the time, a government spokeswoman also denied he was plagiarising Mr Obama and said Mr Kenny merely echoed the sentiments expressed in the now world-famous speech to make it relevant for an Irish audience.

"I think what the Taoiseach was doing was drawing on a very well-known speech by Barack Obama and just putting it into an Irish context and an Irish setting," she said. "There was no plagiarism, he was just drawing on it."

In his speech, Mr Kenny said: "If there's anyone out there who still doubts that Ireland is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our ancestors is alive in our time; who still questions our capacity to restore ourselves, to reinvent ourselves and to prosper, well today is your answer."

While Mr Obama told Chicago in 2008 said: "If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer."

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To be healthy and happy, children need lashings of love and plenty of good food, fresh air and exercise - and that includes exercising their 'imagination muscle'.

"The imagination is a muscle that needs to be exercised - and reading does this," explains Sarah Bannon, head of literature at the Arts Council, which supports writers and publishers of children's literature and a variety of children's literature initiatives and events.

"Literature is actually the art form that does it best," she adds.

"When you read you're entering someone's life," Bannon explains, urging parents to encourage children of all ages to read, to become familiar with their local library.

Reading also helps children understand the world around them and provides tools to help them deal with problems in their day-to-day lives, explains Jenny Murray, acting director of Children's Books Ireland.

"Accessing books and stories can give them tools to understand their world better and let them know they are not alone when it comes to issues such as bullying, friends not talking to them, death of a sibling, family illness or parental separation," she explains.

Reading can also help with parent-child bonding, so parents should read aloud to babies and young children, suggests Bannon.

As a result, children "are learning orally and experiencing the musicality of the language and the rhythms, which is great fun and it's a great bonding time.

"That bonding time between the parent and a young child is reinforced by reading aloud," she says.

For more information on books, events in the world of children's literature, the Children's Laureate, plus reviews of children's books, visit childrensbooksireland.ie, children'slaureate.ie and artscouncil.ie.

So what to read? Murray makes some suggestions...

Classics

The Jungle Book

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by Rudyard Kipling, reimagined by Robert Hunter, Frances Lincoln Children's Books, 15

Originally published in 1894, this is the story of a young boy raised by wolves in the Indian jungle and his growing understanding of bravery, compassion and respect. There are numerous new editions of this title around but this is a beautifully illustrated retelling for a slightly younger age group than the original. (Age 5+)

The White Cat and the Monk

by Jo Ellen Bogart, illustrated by Sydney Smith, Walker Books, 9.36

This is a re-telling of the classic poem 'Pangur Ban', depicting the quiet companionship between a Monk and his cat. One pursues knowledge, the other hunts for mice! Elegant illustrations showcasing the symbiosis of true friendship and the wonder of the natural world. (5+)

Asterix I dTir na Sasanach

by Rene Goscinny, illustrated by Albert Uderzo, translated by Antain Mac Lochlainn, DalenEireann, 9.95

This is the most recent in a series of translations of the 'Asterix & Obelix' comics. Julius Caesar has invaded Britain and our heroes, from a small village in Kent, must travel to Gaul to find a barrel of potion to help the rebels overthrow the invasion. These comic classics are a great fun way to read Irish for anyone aged nine to 99. Translations of 'The Adventures of Tintin' are also available. (9+)

Fantasy/ Adventure

Gold

by Geraldine Mills, Little Island Books, 9.99

Poet Geraldine Mills brings us her debut children's book, a dystopian tale in the guise of a classic adventure story. After discovering an old manuscript in their apartment telling of forbidden islands and gold, twins Esper and Starn head off on an adventure after volcanic eruptions have left ecological devastation in their own world. (9+)

Knights of the Borrowed Dark

by Dave Rudden, Puffin, 9.99

A classic children's fantasy story where a young protagonist is thrown into a great battle between good and evil and everything in-between. At the heart of the story is an orphaned boy who has to deal with his world being turned upside down. A rip-roaring adventure read and luckily for us the first in a series. (12+)

Dialann Durdan

by Jeff Kinney, translated by Mairin Ni Mharta, Futa Fata, 9.99

A fun read about the hazards of growing up before you are ready, illustrated through Greg's own words and drawings from his 'diary'. I fully expect Dialann Durdan to repeat the success of the original and create a generation of avid readers, this time in Irish. (9+)

New Titles

Goodnight Everyone

Chris Haughton, Walker Books, 15

Chris Haughton has woven his magic yet again. The master of the 0-4 age group, Haughton has produced an absolute classic bedtime read. Perfectly pitched for parents and youngsters who are most definitely not sleepy, this gentle story and 'Goodnight' refrain is guaranteed to put even the most adamantly awake of children to sleep. Out in a few weeks, I cannot wait to give it to every parent I know. Stunning. (1+)

Anna Liza and the Happy Practice

Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Matt Robertson, Barrington Stoke, 8.19

This first-chapter book is the story of Anna Liza Madigan, a young girl who loves helping people struggling with their feelings. She sets up her own 'Happy Practice' in the waiting room of her exasperated mother's psychiatry office and when jokes and singing just won't do Anna Liza is always ready with a plan to get things moving along. Charming. (5+)

Raymie Nightingale

Kate DiCamillo, Walker Books, 11.70

Raymie Clarke has a plan. If she can win the Little Miss Central Florida Tire competition, then her father will see Raymie's picture in the paper and (maybe) come home. However - she has competitors. This is warm, funny, sad and so much more. When I finished, I went right back to the beginning, I cannot recommend it highly enough. (9+)

One

by Sarah Crossan, Bloomsbury Publishing

Sarah grew up in Britain but is Irish by background, and was the winner of the Children's Books Ireland Book of the Year 2016. This is a story of family life and sisterly love. Okay, so the sisters are conjoined ('Siamese') twins, and that is certainly a major issue, but above and beyond this medical anomaly these are ordinary, likeable, irritating, interesting girls just growing up like anyone else.(11+)

The Best Medicine

by Christine Hamill, Little Island Books

All about how ordinary life keeps on going through an extraordinary and stressful medical situation. Also hilarious - always a great thing in a book. 10+

The Butterfly Heart

by Paula Leyden, Walker Books

The story is set in Zambia and is the story of young girls growing up and learning how the world about them works and what they can do to change things. 10+

Astronaut Academy: Are You Ready for the Challenge?

by Steve Martin, illustrated by Jennifer Farley Ivy Press

As an illustrator, choosing a picture book is firstly all about the pictures for me, says Children's Laureate PJ Lynch. I loved anything to do with space when I was little, and this a books out now with brilliant artwork by an Irish illustrators. 1+
A new app has been developed to show Pokemon Go hunters where exactly they can find various forms of Pokemon within specified areas of the country.

The app, developed by Irish start-up Mawla, has created a series of maps which show users where they can find Pokemon within particular areas of the country

So far, they've developed one that focuses on Dublin City Centre, as well as maps for Malahide, Swords, Portmarnock and Drogehda.

Speaking to Independent.ie, developer Dan Malone explained how it works: "It works by spoofing the PokemonGo servers, essentially pretending to be an app. We give a starting location and then mimic the location and data of 'steps' so it looks like we are walking around/away from the starting point.

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"The server returns data about the surrounding location like gyms/Pokemon/points of interest. This includes how long a Pokemon will be visible, once the timer runs out we remove it from the map."

The maps are updated every five seconds "with real server data, not user-gathered data" to keep it accurate.

Some might say it's cheating but there are no rules to the game, it's just luck of the draw and according to the developers, "it doesn't do all the work for you, you still need to find the Pokemon and catch it".

So it's a dream come true for trainers who struggle to "catch 'em all" with busy work schedules. Instead of wandering around aimlessly hoping for Pokemon to show up, you'll know where to find them - the best Pokemon hang-out spots.

They even created an exclusive map for Independent.ie and we've been chasing Pokemon all afternoon.

They are going to run a poll shortly for the next two map locations. Keep an eye on their Facebook and Twitter to vote.
A pit bull was shot dead by police after it repeatedly mauled its owner on the street in Yichang, Hubei Province on July 18, The Paper reported.

The man, surnamed Rao, was seriously injured while taking the dog on a walk before he was attacked by it in the morning on that day.

A video shared online shows a passer-by trying to help him with a stick.

When the police officers arrived at the scene, the dog had run away to its former owner's yard.

Policemen shot it to death after they asked for the owner's permission.

According to the report, the former owner of the dog was Rao's friend.

Rao had surgery at a local hospital and is not in critical condition. The two sides dealt with the compensation in private.

Police explained that the dog was in heat so it went crazy and attacked its owner.
Netflix users will soon be able to watch new episodes of Making A Murderer

Steven Avery is shown in a booking photo from the Netflix documentary series 'Making a Murderer'. Photo: Reuters

Making A Murderer will return to Netflix with new episodes.

The original Emmy-nominated series explored the story of Steven Avery and his co-defendant Brendan Dassey as they were tried and convicted for the murder of 25-year-old photographer Teresa Halbach.

The new episodes, from creators Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos, will follow "the high-stakes post-conviction process" as Avery and Dassey's legal teams attempt to overturn the killers' convictions and life sentences.

They will feature exclusive access to Avery's new lawyer Kathleen Zellner and Dassey's legal team, led by Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin, as well as intimate access to the families involved in the case.

Ricciardi and Demos said: "We are extremely grateful for the tremendous response to, and support of, the series.

"The viewers' interest and attention has ensured that the story is not over, and we are fully committed to continuing to document events as they unfold."

Season one of the show earned six Emmy nominations including outstanding documentary or non-fiction series.

No date has been announced for the new series.
Minister Paschal Donohoe and Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the launch of the Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. Photo: Colin ORiordan

A new register of builders is required in order to get "the cowboys out of the industry", according to the organisation that lobbies on behalf of builders.

Director General of the Construction Industry Federation (CIF) Tom Parlon said there has been a lot of "ills within the industry in the past", pointing to what he described as the "poor and shoddy work by some developers".

Mr Parlon told the MacGill Summer School in Glenties, Donegal, that a new register of builders is required in order to police standards in construction.

"It's the way of getting the cowboys out of the industry," he said.

Mr Parlon said the industry has been "excluded" from the formation of housing policy in recent years because of the blame it received for the economic collapse.

The former Progressive Democrats politician said it has been "very difficult to get the ear" of ministers as a result of the negative sentiment towards builders.

Mr Parlon added that politicians and the civil service "don't want to be seen supporting house builders".

"There is no line department in Government for the construction industry.

"The Department of Housing is doing more monitoring than they do helping the industry."

Mr Parlon also criticised the media, who he says get on the backs of TDs when initiatives are announced asking, "Is this back to the days of the Galway tent?"

The CIF boss said the Government's new housing strategy has been published five years too late.

He told the MacGill Summer School one of the big issues facing builders is obtaining credit, and added that big firms such as Apple are concerned about the lack of accommodation available for staff.

But he said it is absolutely essential that the Government has a vision for housing over the next 20 years, particularly given the rent costs in Dublin and the difficulty for first-time buyers in affording a deposit.

Mr Parlon said his organisation analysed the ability of workers such as gardai and teachers to get on the property ladder and that it is quite clear the current rules required tweaking.

Also addressing the debate on housing, Dr Lorcan Sirr of Dublin Institute of Technology flagged the issue of housing obsolescence.

Dr Sirr said 6,400 houses become obsolete every year in Ireland, and that the problem is particularly serious in urban areas.

He said this can happen for a range of reasons, such as a family dispute or simply because people "just can't be bothered" to look after their properties.

"This obsolescence is a serious issue around the country and it's something we need to tackle," Dr Sirr said.

The housing expert said that estimates that we need 20,000-30,000 houses per year are too low.

He said he believes the real level of need could be as high as 50,000 per year.

"What we have failed to do over the years is to account for all the houses falling out of use and falling out of stock," Dr Sirr told the debate.
Dinah Loughlin: The Westmeath camogie player was named as a Soaring Star in 2014. Photo: Inpho/Cathal Noonan

A GAA star has been given a suspended sentence for stealing more than 28,000 from a barrister to use for online shopping.

Dinah Loughlin (30) stole the money over five years working as a legal secretary for Marguerite Bolger, a senior counsel specialising in employment law.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that during the period Loughlin, of Kilbeggan, Westmeath, undertook transcription work for other barristers. However, she then used Ms Bolger's account to pay a stenography service to complete the work.

She also shopped online at Asos, River Island and Amazon, and spent hundreds of euro on 'One for All' gift cards from an office supply website.

Loughlin, who plays inter-county camogie for Westmeath, has since repaid her former employer with money she and her partner were saving for a wedding. She also sold her car.

Loughlin pleaded guilty to 20 sample counts of theft at the Law Library, Dublin, between 2009 and 2014.

The court heard Ms Bolger has taken a "very benevolent view" of the offending. The barrister reported the matter to gardai only for professional reasons and to ensure it never happened again, prosecuting counsel Anne Rowland said.

Breached

Judge Melanie Greally said Loughlin had breached the trust of her employer even though she didn't seem to be under any financial pressures at the time. In mitigation, the judge noted Loughlin's repayment of the money.

Judge Greally said Loughlin was "perilously close" to going to jail. She imposed a two-year sentence, suspended for two years.

Garda Stephen Faulkner said Ms Bolger trusted Loughlin with her credit cards and account details. The barrister would ask Loughlin to make personal purchases online on her behalf. Sometimes Loughlin would be allowed use the accounts to make purchases for herself on the understanding she would repay Ms Bolger.

Ms Bolger had a good relationship with Loughlin and never checked these accounts.

However, in 2014 she was alerted to a strange transaction. When she asked her assistant about it, Loughlin assured her it was a mistake.

In August 2014 the barrister noticed another unauthorised payment. Loughlin again said it was a mistake but Ms Bolger decided to spend the weekend going through her various card and online accounts.

When the thefts were uncovered Loughlin was suspended. She claimed she had bought the items unintentionally because she was so used to using Ms Bolger's cards. She resigned a short time later via text message.

Defence counsel Oisin Clarke said Loughlin, who was named on the Camogie Association's 2014 'Soaring Stars' team, suffered great stress when the theft was uncovered.
A convicted killer has been found guilty of a "bizarre act" after he was arrested for trying to attack a Garda at a Dublin station, a court has heard.

Mark Bissett's began eating his own faeces after he turned violent during a drink and drug fuelled outburst at Store Street Garda station in the city-centre.

Bissett (31) with an address at Loughlinstown Park, in Loughlinstown, Dublin, was jailed for six years in 2005 for killing his uncle David Sutherland in Sallynoggin, Dublin, on December 20, 2003.

Mr Sutherland (54), from Ballybrack, Dublin, was beaten and kicked to death in a drunken row following an accusation by Bissett that Mr Sutherland had killed his aunt.

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Bissett pleaded guilty on Tuesday to breach of the peace, being intoxicated to such an extent he was a danger to himself and others, criminal damage and violent behaviour at Store Street Garda station, on March 3 and March 18 last.

Sentencing was adjourned until October.

Garda James Seymour told Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court that on March 3, Bissett, who has 47 prior criminal convictions, was acting aggressively at the front counter in the station.

The father-of-three attempted to assault the sergeant in charge and he struck Gda Seymour and his colleagues. Judge Smyth was told Gda Seymour had to strike him twice with his baton before they placed him in a cell.

Gda Seymour said Bissett defecated in the cells and consumed his own faeces causing a health hazard and damage to cell walls which were covered with excrement and had to be cleaned at a cost of about 400.

The second incident on March 18 happened when Bissett returned to the station in an intoxicated state. He lay on the floor and when asked to leave he began hurling abuse at gardai calling them faggots and c***s.

The court was given a breakdown of his criminal record: 26 convictions for breach of the peace and being drunk in public; one for obstructing a drug search; one for affray; two for possessing knives; two minor assaults, one for assault causing harm, another for assaulting a garda, three thefts; five robberies; one conviction for manslaughter, one for failing to comply with a Garda's public order caution to leave the vicinity and two for criminal damage.

Defence counsel Emmet Nolan said his client now has mental health issues but is aware that his "bizarre behaviour" at the garda station was unacceptable. He had taken a large quantity of benzodiazepine tablets and alcohol and has no recollection of the incident but is deeply ashamed, the barrister said.

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The court was told he has little contact with family and he left school at the age of 13.

Mr Nolan said Bissett was using hostels from the age of 15 and has become addicted to benzodiazepine and alcohol. He is currently getting assistance from the Fr Peter McVerry Trust and is receiving treatment for his issues, the court heard.

He has already been referred to the Probation Service for less serious public order charges. He gets 139 a week and wants to pay for cost of cleaning the cell, Mr Nolan said.

Judge Smyth ordered him to pay the compensation and sentencing was adjourned for a probation report to be prepared to see if he is suitable for community service.

Actually I'd like to do something like that, Bissett, who was dressed in a T-shirt, runners and shorts, told Judge Smyth.
A former professional boxer is to be sentenced next November for breaking a bus driver's nose during a row over driving behaviour.

Anthony Fitzgerald (32) of Gloucester Place, Dublin city pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Toufik Slali on North Circular Rd., on November 18, 2014.

The victim was driving to a school when a Mini pulled out in front of him with no signal, Garda Robert Tomkin told the court. The bus driver had to brake hard and beeped his horn.

Fitzgerald jumped out from the driver's side of the car and started shouting that his children were in the car. When the driver didn't respond the accused got on to the bus and told Mr Slali: You fucking foreigner, talk to me when I speak to you.

The victim said that Fitzgerald then head-butted him on the nose and he fell back into a seat. The victim told gardai that Fitzgerald then punched him.

Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe BL, defending, said his client disputed this version of events. He said Fitzgerald denied head-butting or punching him but admitted striking the victim with an open hand.

Judge Melanie Greally said the use of the palm to administer a blow was of a different degree than it would be if Fitzgerald were not a professional boxer. She said given this fact, whether he inflicted the injuries using his hand or a head-butt would have little effect on her sentence.

She said she would impose sentence next November.

Gda Tomkin told Cormac Quinn BL, prosecuting, that Fitzgerald has 31 previous convictions including assault, criminal damage and two firearms and offensive weapons offences. He has 23 road traffic offence convictions and was disqualified from driving for ten years.

The victim experienced ongoing dizziness, blurred vision and headaches after the attack. A fracture of his nasal bone was fixed in surgery.

Mr O'Keeffe said Fitzgerald told gardai that he saw something in the victim's hand and believed he was going to hit him so he attacked first.
Paul Kelly and his wife spent 10,000 on a car for their daughter's 18th birthday, and splashed out 37,500 on a horse.

But now a freezing order on one of the bank accounts of the Console charity founder and his wife Patricia has been lifted - to enable them to cash their 300-a-week social welfare cheque.

Apart from 6,700 in another savings account, both of which are with Permanent TSB in Finglas, Dublin, the Kellys have no other cash assets, their solicitor James MacGuill told the High Court.

There is an outstanding mortgage with EBS of 428,000 on their home at Alexandara Manor, Abbeylands, Clane, which is worth about 600,000.

There is also an outstanding 225,000 charge in favour of EBS on a home at Whitethorn Grove, Celbridge, which was later turned into a Console office.

Total monthly payments on these properties amount to 5,300.

As well as the two PTSB accounts, Mr Kelly has an account with AIB in Celbridge as well as the two mortgage accounts with EBS. He also has two pension policies with New Ireland Assurance and, in 2014, he says he transferred 37,500 from one to his wife so she could buy a horse, called Ecapitola.

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In January 2015, on his daughter Robyn's 18th birthday, he and his wife gave her a 2013 Fiat 500 car worth around 10,000.

He also says he has an interest in 10 companies related to Console, five of which are involved in suicide prevention.

Mr MacGuill told the court that Mr Kelly, pictured right, and his wife were seeking access to the Finglas PTSB current account, which is overdrawn by 160, so they can cash their supplementary welfare cheques, of around 300 per week. They needed 396 per week for expenses including heat, light, food and transport.

The monthly mortgage repayments on their home and the Console premises can simply not be met, Mr MacGuill said.

Keith Farry BL, for Console, objected to the Kellys having access to the account with 6,700 in it because his client believes that money came from Console.

Mr Farry also responded to an earlier request from the judge for more information from provisional liquidator Tom Murray. He said the liquidator had written to the Kellys asking that they meet him, but there had been "no engagement".

Mr Justice Gilligan said he was prepared to lift the freezing order in relation to the overdrawn PTSB current account to allow the Kellys to cash their social welfare cheques and pay out expenses. However, he was not prepared to unfreeze the PTSB savings account without evidence as to where the money in it came from.

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He adjourned the matter to July 28.

Earlier, the judge agreed to an application from counsel for Mr Kelly's sister, Joan McKenna, for temporary freezing orders against her to be vacated.

The court heard she has provided sworn statements saying her signature on companies office documentation had been forged. However, the judge refused an application that Ms McKenna be taken out of the proceedings as a defendant altogether.

A lawyer for the Kellys' son Tim consented to interim freezing orders to be continued until the end of the month.
A woman died after she sustained a tear in the abdominal aorta while undergoing surgery for an ectopic pregnancy at the National Maternity Hospital, an inquest was told.

Malak Kuzbary Thawley (35) of Brusna Cottages, Blackrock, Co Dublin, died on May 8.

She was seven weeks' pregnant at the time.

An inquest into the tragedy opened at Dublin Coroners Court to hear the post-mortem results.

Ms Thawley's husband Alan, who is from the United States and working in Dublin, was not present for the short hearing.

Dr Rhona Mahony, master of the hospital, sat in the public gallery. The Thawley family were represented by solicitor Caoimhe Haughey and senior counsel Liam Reidy.

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Ms Thawley, a teacher who was originally from Syria, was told she needed urgent surgery after a scan found she had an ectopic pregnancy.

Read More: Hospital 'put every obstacle in widower's way' - solicitor

The inquest heard that Dr Charles Goh identified the woman's body to Garda James Verner of Pearse Street Garda Station on May 9, 2016.

A post-mortem was carried out the following day, May 10, by consultant pathologist Dr Thomas Crotty at St Vincents Hospital. Dr Crotty gave the cause of death as a tear in the abdominal aorta during the course of laparoscopic therapy due to an ectopic pregnancy in the right fallopian tube.

The hospital is carrying out an internal inquiry into the case and the report is now at an advanced stage.

Mr Reidy said the stated purpose of this internal inquiry was to establish the facts, identify systems failures within the hospital and make recommendations to prevent any identifiable future risk.

Read More: Call for external reviews of baby and mother deaths in hospitals

"The National Maternity Hospital set up its own internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death with the stated purpose to identify systems failure within the hospital," Mr Reidy said.

Ms Thawleys husband has requested all documentation from the hospital that the inquiry has generated to date but this has been refused.

"We have been denied access to that," Mr Reidy said. Barrister Simon Mills, for the hospital, said he did not accept that characterisation of matters and said the investigation was ongoing.
On-demand food delivery service Deliveroo is expanding into alcohol delivery.

Following a successful trial earlier this year, the Irish branch of the start-up has launched a wine and beer delivery service that operates in the same way as the existing food delivery service.

The prospect of home alcohol delivery raises concerns over people under the age of 18 exploiting the service and purchasing alcohol illegally.

Deliveroo has said that its staff will be asking for ID from all customers that appear under the age of 25.

While home delivery of alcohol is legal, the acceptance of cash payments for such deliveries is an illegal practice.

A report compiled by the Government Alcohol Advisory Group in 2008 noted that services which involve payment on delivery of alcohol products are illegal and the offending licensed premises should be prosecuted.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald cited the report in response to a parliamentary question last year, adding that payment must be made in such cases as part of the transaction, e.g. on-line shopping, and not later on delivery of the product.

The Department of Justice has described it as a complex area because it is extremely difficult for An Garda Siochana to detect an offence when it occurs at a private property.

However, Deliveroo has said they will not be accepting cash payments for any of their deliveries, alcohol or otherwise.

Customers will be able to pay for alcohol orders through our website and app, like they would our normal delivery service, a spokesperson for the company told Independent.ie.

We won't facilitate cash transactions for these orders or our traditional food orders.

Deliveroo customers can select from a range of wine and beer merchants including Baggot Street Wines, Fresh supermarkets and Galway Bay Brewery.

The service is currently limited to customers in Dublin, but Oliver Dewhurst, country manager for Deliveroo Ireland, said the company plans to expand their service across Galway, Cork, Limerick and Belfast in the coming months.
As soon as the government is shown to be ineffective, the public becomes angry. Once the public becomes angry, the political situation descends into chaos. Once the political situation descends into chaos, the government becomes even more ineffective.

In the wake of recent gun violence, ongoing protests and troubled race relations in the U.S., a senior fellow with the Brookings Institute, Jonathan Rauch, has offered an explanation of sorts for the countrys descent into madness. He calls this chain of events chaos syndrome.

Thousands of protesters from over 300 organizations gathered by the Capitol Hill in the Washington, D.C., the U.S., during April 11 to 18, 2016, as part of a week-long protest in the U.S. national capital against big money in politics. (File Photo)

When it comes to handling domestic affairs, Washington has not yet lost all reason. The forces behind chaos syndrome are complicated and not easily resolved. Whoever holds political power must contend with self-interested political parties and unmotivated politicians, not to mention a complex modern society often full of contradictions.

However, in the field of international relations, can Washington still be counted on to stay reasonable and rational? The truth is, its difficult to say. Even though the U.S. is still the worlds number one power, its increasingly obvious that the countrys ability to defend and maintain that position in the world is weakening. American policymakers have not only failed to maintain stability in their own country, they have intentionally leaned on their internal crisis to manufacture chaos beyond their borders. In fact, chaos obsession is really the only way to properly describe the syndrome currently afflicting Americas foreign affairs.

Just like the self-reinforcing nature of chaos syndrome, chaos obsession is also a chain reaction. Insufficient public goods lead to a weakening of the dominant power. The weakening of the dominant power leads to still more chaos. The increased chaos leads to international influence that is more problematic with each passing day.

The causes of these two chainschaos syndrome and chaos obsessionhave different origins. Chaos syndrome is caused by a corrupt system and a society riddled with deep-seated contradictions. The cause of chaos obsession, on the other hand, is its habitual hegemony. However, the common trait these two chains share is that they can both be classified as vicious circles, heightening and worsening as they go round and round.

U.S. strategic pivoting to Asia-Pacific, and especially its behaviors on the South China Sea issue, perfectly reflects the vicious circle of chaos obsession.

What kind of crisis in the Asia-Pacific region truly necessitates the U.S. rushing all the way over from the opposite side of the ocean to intervene? Is this really necessary? What merchant vessel in the South China Sea is so utterly deprived of its freedom of navigation that it requires the escort of an entire U.S. aircraft carrier fleet? Just because the U.S. now faces its own decline as a global power, it does not have the right to re-label cause and effect at will.

All countries must be honest. Otherwise, no matter how justified an action may seem, and no matter how glamorous an explanation may sound, such lies and interventions constitute an unforgivable and a departure from polite civilization.

As the global economic center has gradually shifted from the Atlantic to the Pacific, a new, win-win model of regional development has emerged. Since the 1990s, China and Southeast Asian countries have experienced 20 golden years of economic cooperation. Many economic achievements were made thanks to the joint efforts of China and Southeast Asian countries. China has exercised great restraint over the past few decades after the South China Sea issue emerged, always making honest efforts to solve problems through peaceful negotiation.

However, such a positive situation, which should be cherished by all countries involved, has instead constituted the state of affairs that birthed the chaos obsession in the South China Sea. Why is this? The reason is simple: the first two links of the chaos obsession chain are insufficient public goods and weakening of a dominant power. As a result, the third link, additional chaos, leads to the fourth link, problematic international influence.

Washington, who habitually makes rules for others, should realize that in todays Asian-Pacific region, common development is the basic rule. If the U.S. doesnt make and implement strategy in accordance with this rule, then it cannot avoid chaos obsession.

Nobody wants to see the worlds biggest power losing its rationality, which can only negatively impact global peace and stability. However, if such a situation does occur, we must deal with it calmly and strongly. After all, China has to safeguard its core interests as well as global justice. History tells us: more chaos would be triggered once the manipulator succeeds.

(This article is edited and translated from  source: People's Daily)
UNIONS have warned there is a "strong possibility" of industrial action at Dublin Bus after they were offered a 2.75pc a year pay rise that falls well short of their demands.

The Labour Court has recommended an 8.25pc pay rise over three years, or 2.75pc a year, to January 2018 in a decision just issued.

And it says each grade of staff should enter talks with Dublin Bus with a view to increasing their pay further in return for productivity measures.

But the two main unions at the state-owned company, SIPTU and the NBRU, have warned that industrial action may be imminent as the pay rise is far short of expectations. The NBRU sought a pay hike of 31pc to take account or a pay rise recently awarded to Luas drivers and an increase under a previous social partnership deal that was not paid.

SIPTU Organiser John Murphy said is a "strong possibility" of industrial action if Dublin Bus does not make a better offer as the proposed pay hike is likely to be rejected by his members.

And the General Secretary of the National Bus and Railworkers Union, Dermot O'Leary, said he could not rule out "the spectre of industrial action".

Mr O'Leary said his 1,450 members are unlikely to be happy with the award as they had sought a similar increase to Luas drivers, which was worth almost 4pc a year.

The unions will now ballot their members on the recommendation.

Given the eight year hiatus since bus workers last pay increase and pay cuts that were foisted on staff in the intervening period, it is disappointing that the court has apparently decided not to follow its own guide in not awarding a similar increase of at least 3.8pc per year which it awarded to others in the same transport sector as recently as last month in settling the Transdev dispute," said Mr O'Leary.

"We went on record in advance of the resolution of the Luas dispute indicating quite clearly that we would expect similar treatment with regards to bus and rail workers.

"We also said that we required the pay gap between bus and tram drivers to be addressed as a component of our members' pay claim.

"We cannot rule out the spectre of industrial action in the coming weeks and months should they reject this recommendation".

The recommendation, signed off by Deputy Chairman Brendan Hayes yesterday, says the pay deal should be backdated to January 1 this year and expire on December 31 2018.

Pay increases of 2.75pc should be given on January 1 each year from this year to 2018.

It says the pay rises reflect "the acknowledged contribution of the workers, by way of cost-saving measures to the company's recent recovery".

The recommendation says the company is emerging from a deep recession during which the number of workers was cut, wages were "suppressed" and productivity increased significantly to ensure the survival of the business.

But it said passenger numbers are increasing after a period of continual decline and fares had gone up, boosting company revenue. It says this recovery is in its infancy and must be allowed to develop further before the company could support significant wage increases.

Mr Hayes says that the parties should meet in the second half of 2018 to agree a new pay framework following the expiry of the agreement.
The car is removed from the crash site Picture: Damien Eagers

A father who assaulted his ex-partner before driving their son to his death was "not himself" recently - sources have revealed.

Marco Velocci (28) assaulted his former partner Jodie Power at her home in Oola, Co Limerick before taking their son Alex.

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Moments later the father and son were killed in a horrific head-on crash with a truck near Brooks Bridge, Limerick.

Sources have revealed that Mr Velocci, who worked as a plumber, was "not himself" over the weekend. He was due to attend work on Monday but he didn't show up.

It is believed he was also due to work on Tuesday morning and made contact to say that he was on his way.

Instead he travelled to 26-year-old Jodie's home in Oola where an assault took place. The mother-of-two's arm was broken and she suffered serious cuts as she fought to save her son from being driven to his death.

Gardai are now investigating if Mr Velocci "deliberately drove" into the truck in a suspected murder-suicide.

A senior source said: "Gardai are hoping to interview the driver of this truck today. From preliminary enquiries it would appear that this truck driver was not at fault in any way."

Detectives are also hoping to interview Ms Power later today. The grief stricken mum is due to undergo surgery at University Hospital Limerick this afternoon for her broken arm.

Post-mortem examinations are being carried out on the remains of Velocci and his son Alex at the same hospital by Acting Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan this afternoon. Preliminary results are expected later today.

A senior source said: "Gardai are not jumping to any conclusions on this case yet. This is a complicated case with multiple witnesses and scenes.

"Every aspect will be forensically examined."

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According to sources, Mr Velocci arrived at the house of his former partner, Ms Power, at about 8am on Monday.

He became involved in an argument with Ms Power - who is also a mother to a nine-month-old baby - and attempted to take his three-year-old son Alex from the house.

"It appears as if Ms Power did everything she could to stop him from leaving and a struggle ensued," a source said.

During the struggle, Ms Power's arm was broken and she received a number of stab wounds. Mr Velocci (28) then left the property with Alex in his black 2005 Audi.

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Ms Power contacted the emergency services, informing them her son had been "abducted" and she had been injured, sources said.

Gardai and emergency services rushed to Ms Power's home. On their way to the house, they came across the scene of the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Mr Velocci and his son.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

On Monday night, officers were hoping to speak to witnesses to determine what caused the fatal road smash at Brooks Bridge between Pallasgreen and Oola on the Limerick-to-Tipperary stretch of the N24 at 8.30am yesterday.

A male motorcyclist who witnessed the fatal collision was too distressed to make a statement.

Ms Power rents a modest 1950s bungalow at Glebe, Oola, where she lived with her two sons. She had been separated from Mr Velocci for more than a year, neighbours said.

Gardai have yet to speak to Ms Power, as she required surgery at University Hospital Limerick.

Ms Power's family - her parents Elizabeth and Perry, from Oola, and two brothers James and Perry Jnr - were being comforted by family and friends last night.

Her brother James, who lives in Australia was "on a plane home", a neighbour said.

Mr Velocci's father, Onorio, is a well-known Italian native, who has worked all his life in chip shops in Limerick City.

Marco Velocci, who was a member of the Emily Lattin- Cullen Oola (ELCO) gun club, was originally from Oola, but had been living in Lattin, Co Tipperary.

Paying tribute, his best friend Jonathan Ryan said: "He was fierce kind-hearted. There was no badness whatsoever in the man, nothing like that. I'm shellshocked by it

"He was a very quiet, genuine person. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He kept to himself."

Philip Ryan, who lives just a couple of doors away from where the alleged stabbing took place, described the area as a "small and quiet community".

Local Fianna Fail councillor Noel Gleeson described the road where the collision took place as a busy stretch.

"It's an awful tragedy. We read about these tragedies in the paper every day, there is no answer to them really," he said.

"It is a terrible tragedy... and my condolences are with them."
A teenager missing from Bray has been located safe and well.

He been missing from the Co Wicklow since last Wednesday, July 13.

Gardai say he has been "located safe and well".
Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald at her desk in her office in Government Buildings, Merrion Street, Dublin. Picture: Caroline Quinn

Ireland is at moderate risk of a 'lone wolf' terrorist attack, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has told the director of Europol, sources say.

The Tanasite held a private meeting with the director of Europol Rob Wainwright and Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan yesterday.

They discussed a variety of issues including the risk of jihadi attacks in Europe and gangland crime.

Europol is the European Union's law enforcement agency and assists member states in their fight against serious international crime and terrorism.

Ms Fitzgerald and Ms O'Sullivan are understood to have outlined the background to the ongoing feud involving the Kinahan and Hutch gangs in Dublin's north inner city.

The meeting with Mr Wainwright came ahead of the announcement of a new North Inner City Forum today.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to travel to the area where families have been most affected by the seven murders linked to the gangland warfare where he will announce details of the forum.

It will consist of local community representatives, politicians and be chaired by an independent person.

In the Dail yesterday, Mr Kenny said: "It is important to reflect on the benefits of a rising economy on social injustice, unfairness and inequality and to demonstrate that Government does care about the quality of people's lives.

"My visits to the north inner city are a case in point. Within 100 yards of the IFSC, I witnessed people who deal in misery for money on the streets.

"Garda resources and facilities are needed to deal with these things and clean up these places. We also need to help those who have been waylaid," he said.

It is understood that during the Europol briefing Ms Fitzgerald detailed the Government's attempts to combat organised crime.

She told Mr Wainright the issue was a particular concern for Ireland at the moment given the gangland killings of recent months.

While she said it required a robust response locally from Gardai, the State saw organised crime as an "international phenomenon" and welcomed ongoing support from authorities across Europe.

In relation to terrorism, the three officials discussed the ongoing need for vigilance on the EU-wide scale, acknowledging that the Nice attack was a further sign of a growing problems.

Ireland's threat level is rated as "relatively low" but no State is considered immune.
An Irish citizen is in a stable but dangerous condition in a South African hospital after he was shot in the head two weeks ago.

Bill Brogan was on his way to work at around 6:30am on July 6th when he was approached by three men outside his home in Walkerville, Johannesburg.

One of the men then shot Mr Brogan in the face and stole a number of items from him, including his wallet and car keys.

Mr Brogan passed out for a short time but when he regained consciousness he managed to get back to the doorway to his home.

He was discovered there by his wife Mary and son Conor at approximately 8am.

However Mr Brogans car was inaccessible and as a result Conor had to run to a neighbours house and ask them to come to the Brogans home with a car.

Mr Brogan, a 66-year-old grandfather, was taken to Johannesburgs Netcare Union Hospital, where it was discovered the gunshot had shattered his cheekbone and the bullet had entered his brain.

Speaking to Independent.ie, Mr Brogans son-in-law Denis Kaye described his condition as improving daily but incrementally.

During his first operation bullet fragments and the bullet jacket were removed and the wound cleaned.

A second surgery has also seen bone fragments removed, however the bullet itself remains inside Mr Brogans head.

Mr Kaye said the family does not know if the bullet will be removed due to the sensitive nature of its location.

He told Independent.ie: Theres a possibility they might remove the bullet .

However he said Mr Brogan was in very good care and that the doctors are impressed with his progress.

He said Mr Brogan is still in the Intensive Care Unit at the hospital and despite being in a very dangerous position he was also showing signs of improvement.

Mr Kaye added: We are hopeful that he will recover. We are cautiously optimistic.

He seems to recognise his familys voices and is trying to engage.

Mr Kaye explained however that Mr Brogan does not have medical cover and as a result they have appealed to the public for help.

The now cross-continental fundraising effort by family and friends of Mr Brogan is gathering tens of thousands for his medical treatment.

To date, through its online Go Fund Me campaign page a staggering 19,400 has been raised of the 65,000 the family estimates will be needed.

However, due to charges Mr Kaye estimated the actual money available for use so far would be approximately 18,000.

Mr Kaye also said theres a separate fundraising effort underway in South Africa which is being led by one of Mr Brogans sons.

Further efforts are also underway to cover Mr Brogans costs, with fundraising events being planned by locals in the area where Mr Brogan lives.

The events, Auction for Walkerville's Gentleman and the Bill Brogan Fundraiser Dinner will take place on Saturday, July 23 at Johannesburgs Route 82 cafe.

They are being organised by local women Lillian Velden, Colleen McAusland and Elsa Zurich and will involve an auction, dinner and raffle.

Mr Kaye also confirmed to Independent.ie that Mr Brogans attacks have not yet been apprehended but that local police had launched an investigation.

Mr Brogans family had originally emigrated from Ireland and he had also spent time in Ireland when he was younger.

He met his wife, Mary in Ireland and later the pair emigrated to Johannesburg and were considering a move back to Ireland in the near future.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny inspects a Guard of Honour drawn from the LE James Joyce's company before the naming and commissioning ceremony for the Irish naval vessel in Dun Laoghaire Photo: Frank McGrath

An Irish navy vessel rescued more than 60 more migrants from rubber crafts near Tripoli on Wednesday.

This brings the total number of migrants rescued in the Mediterranean by the Irish Naval Service since May 2015 to over 10,000.

The LE James Joyce was deployed to assist in the rescue following a request from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre.

The Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe praised the Irish Naval Service for its assistance with the current migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.

I wish to congratulate the Naval Service for the excellent role they have played in saving the lives of so many migrants since Naval Service vessels were first deployed in May 2015. The Government and I are very proud of [their] efforts, Minister Kehoe said.

He added: The deployment of Irish Naval vessels to the Mediterranean to engage in humanitarian search and rescue tasks is an important element in Ireland's response to the migration crisis in the Mediterranean.

The success of these operations demonstrates clearly the value of Irelands participation in this important work.

Unfortunately thousands of people continue to make the very dangerous journey across the Mediterranean.

He concluded: The requirement for humanitarian search and rescue operations in this part of the world remains and Ireland will continue to play its part.

The LE James Joyce set out just after 9am on Wednesday morning and the 63 rescued people were then transferred from two rubber crafts to the ship.

The 63 people were then given food and water, as well as receiving any required medical treatment.

They were then transferred to the MV Phoenix, which transported the migrants to a designated port of safety.

The Department of Defence has said 8,592 people were previously rescued by the Irish Naval Service in the Mediterranean from May to November 2015.

It said that since May this year, another Irish ship, the LE Roisin had rescued a further 1,264 people.

The LE James Joyce replaced the LE Roisin earlier this month, with a further 162 people being rescued on Tuesday this week.
A young mother-of-two has been forced to flee her home after she and two of her pals were subjected to a brutal early morning attack.

Kevin Street gardai are investigating the disturbing incident which unfolded at around 8am on Sunday in the Oliver Bond flats complex in Dublin's south inner city.

Two men wearing balaclavas and armed with wooden implements kicked in the door of the flat and then brutally assaulted the three people who were in the property.

The victims were a man aged 30 and two women aged 29 and 30.

Sources have revealed that the suspected attackers are known to one of the victims, and the violent incident is linked to a "personal dispute".

Both suspects are known to gardai and are from the south inner city area.

In the mayhem, one of the women attempted to flee the assailants by climbing out a window.

The attackers fled the scene before gardai arrived.

It is understood that the crime is being investigated as an aggravated burglary and no arrests have yet been made.

Sources have revealed that the targeted female "no longer feels safe" in the flat and moved her belongings out of the property on Sunday evening. It is understood that she suffered facial injuries in the attack.

The incident is not linked to the city's gangland feud.

Patrols

Gardai continue to mount regular armed patrols in the Oliver Bond area as a number of key players linked to the Kinahan cartel are based in that locality.

These include Gerard 'Bra' Brady, the father of notorious heroin trafficker Greg Lynch, who considers the flat complex his "stronghold".

Brady (56) is a close pal of godfather Christy Kinahan, who also lived in the Oliver Bond flats for years.

He has 18 convictions for crimes including theft and possession of dangerous weapons

In February, Dublin City Council repaired and upgraded CCTV cameras in the flats as tensions in the capital's gang feud spiralled out of control.
THE Irish Naturist Association has asked Wexford County Council to set aside a section of beach at Curracloe as a designated nude bathing area.

Pat Gallagher, President and PRO of the association, told the Wexford People the submission followed publicity surrounding a recent visit to the area by some of his members and remarks by then-Mayor Cllr Ger Carthy that he would be in favour in allocating a designated section of the beach to naturists.

Mr Gallagher suggested an area of the beach, near the Raven, could be designated as naturist or clothing optional 'where naturists could swim and sunbathe nude'.

'We suggest that a portion of the Reserve parallel to the beach be included in the designated area. It is secluded and can only be reached after a long walk. We suggest that signs such as "Nude bathers may be seen beyond this point", be put up to ensure that any member of the public visiting the area will not be shocked or offended,' Mr Gallagher says in his letter to the council, which was sent to Cllr Carthy.

When news of the last naturists visit to Curracloe broke in May, Cllr Carthy said the bottom line was that; 'If I went naked on the streets of Wexford, I would get arrested.. it's against the law to go naked in a public place in Ireland.'

He said that despite the legal issues, he was sure he would be able to find the naturists a more isolated spot on the county's coastline than at popular beauty spots like Curracloe.

Mr Gallagher said the associated wanted to stress that 'we would never seek to cause offence or to impose our views on those who would be offended by nudity in a public place'.
Amid high tensions over the South China Sea, several Chinese cities have witnessed protests against KFC restaurants and other foreign imports. Although protesters are voicing support for Chinas sovereignty in the South China Sea, the demonstrations have nevertheless been widely criticized as irrational and disruptive, particularly by state media.

Any action that promotes national development can rightfully be called patriotic. But so-called patriotism that willfully sacrifices public order will only bring damage to the nation and society, Peoples Daily expressed in a op-ed.

The article noted that patriotism implies the ability to think rationally, and that it calls for pragmatic actions and an inclusive mindset.

Chinese social media reacted quickly after The Hague arbitration tribunal ruled against China on July 15. After a widely circulated online post called on the public to boycott KFC and McDonalds on July 15 and 16, some Hebei province residents took it upon themselves to coordinate a formal protest.

According to photos allegedly taken on July 17 in the city of Laoting, several people rallied outside a KFC restaurant with banners reading Boycott U.S., Japan and the Philippines! You are eating KFC from the U.S. and bringing shame on China! Similar protests soon spread to Hunan, Shandong, Jiangsu and Anhui provinces. Meanwhile, videos cropped up of a protest in Gansu province, during which some citizens were seen holding banners that protested The Hague decision.

Some social media posts also called for Chinese citizens to stop purchasing mangoes from the Philippines and using American iPhones. A Hangzhou-based company even issued a notice forbidding its employees to buy the new iPhone7, which is expected to be unveiled soon. The notice encouraged employees to instead buy Chinese smartphones, even going too far as to advertise purchase subsidies, thepaper.cn reported.

The Ministry of Commerce denied the existence of a boycott against Philippines-made products on July 19, saying that no such movement is occurring.

Xinhua News Agency argued that to link the word "patriotism" with recent events simply constitutes a misuse of the term. Patriotism, the news outlet said, should not consist of illegal actions that disturb the social order.

In the farce of the South China Sea arbitration, we take a tit-for-tat approach, but still hold the moral high ground. We have passion and rationality in equal measure. The government and society voice the same staunch position, based on reason and evidence. Together, this provides a foundation on which China can build a new type of patriotism, Peoples Daily said.

Large-scale protests also broke out in China in late 2012 when tens of thousands of angry citizens took to the streets to protest the "nationalization" of the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. Some protesters smashed Japanese cars and even injured Chinese drivers.
DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr said Enda Kennys calls for a united Ireland referendum were intended solely as a diversion Photo by Clodagh Kilcoyne/Getty Images

The Government will use fears of threats to the peace process to defend the North's interests in upcoming Brexit negotiations, the Taoiseach has signalled.

Enda Kenny told the Dail he did not believe a referendum on Irish unity, which he mooted for the first time ever on Monday, was likely to happen in the near future.

He said Dublin had no mandate to negotiate for the North - but had obligations as co-guarantor with London of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

"It's very important that we have a responsibility as co-guarantor to understand the challenge Northern business people and entrepreneurs face arising from Brexit," the Taoiseach said.

A government source later said: "Peace is fragile up there. The economic situation is one of the root causes of instability. The Good Friday Agreement is an important factor in any Brexit negotiations."

The Taoiseach said he had spoken of the potential built into the 1998 agreement for a border poll, because he wanted to defend Northern Ireland's long-term interests in upcoming Brexit talks at EU level.

If Brexit went ahead, when a majority in the North had voted against it, there was the prospect of a majority in the North opting to stay with the European Union and joining the Republic.

Read More: Analysis: Stress on peace and the border seen as better approach to UK-EU negotiations

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In that eventuality, he wanted to avoid a situation where Northern Ireland would be left in the back of a long EU membership application queue.

"The only point I'm making is that the discussions should be long-sighted enough and visionary enough to cater for that situation," the Taoiseach said.

Mr Kenny got strong support from Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin for his actions since the UK vote on June 23 to leave the EU. A spokesman for Mr Martin stressed the need for cross-party consensus in Ireland's post-Brexit response.

Mr Kenny was criticised by a leading Unionist politician who described the border poll remarks as "foolish" and "mischievous".

Crisis

DUP MP Ian Paisley Jnr said the public in Northern Ireland from both nationalist and unionist communities had "no interest whatsoever" in a united Ireland.

Speaking on the RTE radio's 'News at One', Mr Paisley said calls for a referendum were motivated solely by causing "diversion". He singled out Mr Kenny and Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams, saying both leaderships are in crisis.

"I think we can dismiss it gently. We can recognise the fact there isn't going to be a border poll," Mr Paisley said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan brushed aside suggestions that the Taoiseach's comments stoked up tensions in relations with Belfast and London. "A border poll now would be divisive and unhelpful and I see no evidence that it would change the status of Northern Ireland," Mr Flanagan said.

"But as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement we have an obligation to take account of Northern Ireland citizens' concerns in Brexit negotiations. We are obliged to remind our EU colleagues of this."

Mr Martin said the evidence from opinion polls was that support for a united Ireland was declining. But he said there was scope for an "all-island forum", uniting politicians, citizens and business interests, to discuss the vast implications of Brexit.

When Mr Kenny suggested such a forum a fortnight ago, he was publicly rebuffed by Northern Ireland First Minister, Arlene Foster. But he told the Dail he was considering how to advance things and would attend a British-Irish Council meeting in Cardiff on Friday.
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has condemned the Governments 5.5bn saying it is not ambitious enough.

Mr Adams said thousands of homeless people will not get a remedy for their plight. He said the plan does not include enough State input into home provision and there was too much dependence on the private market.

Why did you ignore the Dail committee report on housing which called for a moratorium on home re-possessions? Mr Adams asked.

The Sinn Fein leader said other Dail committee has also been ignored including efforts to help people in mortgage and buying homes to house homeless people.

The Taoiseach strongly rejected Mr Adamss criticisms saying the Government was now trying to remedy problems which occurred as a result of the economic crash.

Mr Kenny said the entire package was worth 5.5bn and was tackling a range of serious problems including building 47,000 social houses. He said there were opportunities for a rapid building programme to house homeless people.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said third level education was on a cliff for the past five years and its problems threatened to undermine Irelands economic recovery.

Mr Martin wanted to know if the Taoiseach accepted the Cassells Report on third level education funding which called for 5.5bn in capital spending over the next six years, and an extra 125m per year for five years to cover day-to-day costs.

The Taoiseach said that the Cassells Report would go to the Oireachtas Education Committee which would begin serious consideration of it and he could not comment before that was completed. Mr Kenny agreed that investment in education was vital to economic and social development and the Government would give it priority.
Fianna Fail has starkly warned the Government it will pull the plug if the most ambitious housing plan in the history of the state results in failure.

The party has cited "glaring omissions" in Housing Minister Simon Coveney's 'Rebuilding Ireland' document.

It warned the minority Government that the plan fails to adequately address the rental crisis and the challenges facing first-time buyers, or impose a moratorium on repossessions.

However, Mr Coveney says that he is staking his reputation on the plan getting the housing market back to "some sort of normality" by 2019.

'Rebuilding Ireland' sets out its main target as "ramping up" the delivery of housing to a point where 25,000 new homes are being built every year.

The minister has promised to end the practice of homeless families staying in hotels next year.

However, Fianna Fail's housing spokesman Barry Cowen has warned the 115-page plan does not go far enough.

"The plan is not complete, that's for sure. The rental sector and first-time buyers have been long-fingered," he said, adding that the establishment of a review into student accommodation was pointless.

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"There are gaps in this strategy that have to be filled. We will make proposals to fill them in the event of them not doing so.

"If after that process we still feel this government can't address this crisis of course we're going to have to look for another government to do it," Mr Cowen said.

Read More: Analysis: Minister has all the responsibility - but without the authority

Speaking in the Dail last night, Mr Coveney responded to criticisms, saying: "It's not the perfect article. If there are mistakes in it we'll correct them. But it's a very good start."

The plan is divided up into 'five pillars' dealing with homelessness, social housing, construction, the rental sector and vacant properties.

The minister said 47,000 social housing units will be built over the next five years - although this factors in 35,000 units promised by former minister Alan Kelly in 2014 under the Social Housing Strategy. Just 75 of those have been built to date.

"The biggest new idea in this whole plan, apart from money and house delivery, is an ambition to create mix-tenure development," Mr Coveney said.

"You're not going to be able to spot the difference between what is social housing and private. That is how we create diverse, vibrant communities with different incomes levels and different needs."

Read More: Minister is accused of 'playing with figures' in action plan

The minister added that for a period, construction rates will have to rise to between 30,000 to 35,000 new houses a year in order to make up for the deficit of recent years.

Nama will be charged with providing at least 20,000 new homes.

"It's a really important ambition, and we're going to go after it," Mr Coveney said.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe confirmed that his department has sanctioned a 200m infrastructure fund to fast-track roads, bridges and other amenities.

A total of 5.3bn has been set aside for capital expenditure over five years.

"This is the number one priority for government in terms of spending and it's my job to deliver on that," Mr Coveney said.

His department is currently "head-hunting" 10 people who will oversee different aspects of the plan.

Mr Coveney refuted the suggestion that the construction sector - which is still reeling from the economic collapse - does not have the capacity to hit the targets.

"There was a time when we were building 90,000 housing units in Ireland. Since then we've seen the numbers working in construction dramatically decrease but many of them haven't gone that far.

"Many are in the US, they're in the UK. Some are a long way away like Sydney and Canberra. But certainly the industry tells me that if it makes financial sense for them to build houses they'll build them again," said Mr Coveney.

President of the Construction Industry Federation Tom Parlon told the Irish Independent there are "thousands" ready to take up work.
Enda Kenny's suggestion of a future referendum on the status of the North was a big first step. But yesterday he was furiously explaining.

No, he did not believe the citizens of the North would be voting for a united Ireland any time soon. But it was time to remind the newly-appointed ministers in London, and counterparts in other EU capitals, about the realities of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

Dublin and London are co-guarantors, and this for Mr Kenny meant he had obligations to the people in the North in the upcoming mammoth Brexit negotiations.

Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan had another point to make in this. "The Good Friday Agreement recognises the right of the people in the North to be Irish or British - or, indeed both," he argued.

We were witnessing the opening bouts of what will be a very long battle to bring home to the rest of the EU just how perilous and unique our position is. The existence of the border - a de facto singular land border between the UK jurisdiction and the rest of the EU - puts us under serious pressure to make a meaningful case that will command attention.

Bleating on about Ireland's very real upcoming trade problems will only cut so much ice. Many other EU states have similar problems. But Germany, which was divided from the aftermath of World War II until October 1990, does know about the realities of partition and the crazy anomalies it throws up. The realities of Ireland's border has some potential for making a case which may get some attention.

Enda Kenny has had some bad days since his first reactions to the shock Brexit result broke upon all of us on June 24 last. In his first reaction, he blew away a Sinn Fein proposal to hold "a border poll" as provided for under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

He had further difficulty in publicly trailing an "all-Ireland Forum" to deal with Brexit fallout before consulting Northern Ireland First Minister, "Leave" campaigner, and Democratic Unionist leader Arlene Foster. It gave her the chance to publicly rebuff the idea.

By Monday, Mr Kenny appeared to be back-tracking on the question of a border poll. Speaking in Donegal, the Taoiseach suggested the prospect of a united Ireland, as part of the EU, should be factored into the Brexit negotiations.

Read More: Government to use fears over peace process in Brexit talks

What he is saying appears a bit more complex than it is. And Mr Kenny's tortured language yesterday was not entirely helpful.

But he is in essence making two points. Firstly, the Good Friday Agreement does give Dublin some standing in talks on what happens the North post-Brexit.

Secondly, future scenarios include the prospect of the people in the North opting to stay with the European Union, along with the Republic. And that should be added to the post-Brexit negotiation mix.

The interesting thing is that Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin is backing Mr Kenny to the hilt on this. Yesterday, he even went out of his way to compliment the Taoiseach for defending Scotland at the EU leaders' summit in the aftermath of the Brexit vote.

Mr Martin's spokesman said the Taoiseach's words "mirrored" Fianna Fail's take on Brexit. For now, Mr Martin is wearing green.
Loads of us resemble Family Guy's Stewie after yesterday's sunshine

As temperatures reached to an astonishing 30C yesterday thousands of us took to beaches across the country in disbelief and stripped down to lap up temperatures hotter than those in Rio de Janerio.

Yet, in our eagerness to get to the seaside and make the most of the dream circumstances, there were a few poor souls who got a little more than roasted beneath the blare of the sun yesterday.

Images of red-hot burned and blistering skin filtered through to Twitter and Instagram this morning as ill-prepared sun-worshipers shared photographs of their sunburn.

In absolute agony never usually burn always just tan but by Jaysis I sizzled yesterday, said Joanne Driver from Dublin, sharing a photograph of her angry red skin on Twitter

The heat coming off my sunburn right now could heat a country, said Sinead Dolan on Twitter

Me shoulders are in bits with sunburn! Thats the end of the sun for the year now, Vincent Galvin said.

Dubliner Roisin admitted she learned a valuable life lesson yesterday.

Don't sit in the sun in fishnet tights again you will get sunburn on your legs in the shape of tiny squares, she tweeted.
LONDON JUL. 19 (Peoples Daily Online) - Chinese ambassador to the United Kingdom Liu Xiaoming held a press conference on South China Sea Arbitration. Here is the opening remarks of the Ambassador.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Good morning. Welcome to the Chinese Embassy. Today's press conference will focus on one subject. That is China's position on the South China Sea arbitration ruling.

On 12 July, the so-called tribunal for the South China Sea arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines announced its award. The Chinese government immediately reaffirmed its solemn position that China does not accept or recognize the award.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the following points:

The relevant islands and reefs in the South China Sea have been China's territory since ancient times.

China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests will in no circumstances be affected by the ruling of the Philippines' initiated arbitration.

China will not accept any proposition or action based on the ruling.

China remains firmly committed to safeguarding peace and stability of the South China Sea.

China remains committed to settling the disputes with countries directly involved through peaceful negotiations based on the recognition of historical facts and in accordance with international law.

To further elaborate on China's position, the Chinese government issued two statements and a white paper and interpretations of these documents by senior officials have also been released.

The Chinese Government issued the Statement on China's Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued the Statement on the Award of 12 July 2016 of the Arbitral Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration Established at the Request of the Republic of the Philippines.

China's State Council Information Office published a white paper entitled China Adheres to the Position of Settling Through Negotiation the Relevant Disputes Between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea.

The Statements and Whitepaper provide authoritative, comprehensive and clear-cut elaborations on China's position.

In-depth readings of these documents have been provided by State Councilor Yang Jiechi in an interview, by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his remarks and by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhengmin in a press briefing on the Whitepaper.

Here, I would like to talk very briefly about these documents.

The Statement by the Chinese Government reaffirms China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

The Statement underscores the facts that China is the first to have discovered, named, and explored and exploited Nanhai Zhudao, or South China Sea islands, and relevant waters. China is the first to have exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively.

The Statement explicitly points out that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea include its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao.

China has internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, based on Nanhai Zhudao.

China has historic rights in the South China Sea.

The statement also emphasizes that China is always firmly opposed to the invasion and illegal occupation by certain states of some islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao, or Nansha Islands, and firmly opposed to activities infringing upon China's rights and interests in relevant maritime areas under China's jurisdiction.

At the same time, China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned. China is ready to to work with them to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and to ensure the safety of and the unimpeded access to the international shipping lanes in the South China Sea.

The Statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry focuses on the arbitration.

It points out that the subject-matter raised by the Philippines for arbitration are beyond the jurisdiction of UNCLOS.

The arbitration infringes on China's right as an UNCLOS state party, namely the right to choose the procedures and means for dispute settlement on its own will.

The arbitration also violates a series of bilateral agreements between China and Philippines and the commitment made by China and ASEAN member countries to resolve relevant disputes through negotiations.

The tribunal has in essence expanded its power, exceeded its authority and abused arbitration proceedings. Its ruling is therefore null and void and has no binding force.

China will neither accept nor recognize it.

The White Paper offers an overall elaboration on how China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao was established in the course of history, and what China has been doing to uphold its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

The White Paper shed light on the origin and development of the disputes between China and the Philippines.

It aims to get to the root of the issue and set the record straight.

At the same time, the White Paper reiterates China unchanged commitment to negotiation and consultation as the right way to settle disputes.

China believes only a negotiated result can gain understanding and support from people of countries concerned.

Only a negotiated result can be effectively implemented.

And only a negotiated result can be enduring.

As State Councilor Yang Jiechi said in his interview, as long as China and the Philippines stay committed to the principles and spirit of the DOC, stay committed to dialogue and consultation to manage differences properly, and stay committed to friendly and win-win cooperation, Sino-Philippine relations will have a bright future.

(Bai Tianxing)
The numbers of dangerous Lions Mane jellyfish present in waters along Irelands east coast will reduce by next week, an Irish Water Safety spokesperson has said.

The dangerous creatures, which give a particularly nasty sting and can send swimmers into analphylatic shock, descended on the easts seaside hotspots this week after they were brought in by the spring tide.

The giant jellyfish have been pictured in Templetown and Bettystown this week, and Irish Water Safety has urged swimmers to beware of the creatures until the tide takes the majority of them out to sea by next Tuesday.

John Leech of Irish Water Safety said: The tide will slowly recede from today until next Tuesday when we will have neap tides. So we will still have strong rip currents until about Friday or Saturday.

Expand Close The Lion's Mane jellyfish can reach a diameter of 2m, but are normally much smaller. They have 150 tentacles each and their colour ranges from deep red to yellow. Photo: IWS / Facebook

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Whatsapp The Lion's Mane jellyfish can reach a diameter of 2m, but are normally much smaller. They have 150 tentacles each and their colour ranges from deep red to yellow. Photo: IWS

The number of jellyfish in the water should ease off when the tide goes out again, there will be fewer of them, he said.

Although the numbers of Lions Mane jellyfish in the water will reduce by Tuesday, the water safety expert said swimmers should still be prepared for a run-in with a hanger-on, as their stings are particularly painful and can be the cause for a trip to A&E.

"Everyone who is swimming this week in beaches along the East coast should be conscious of these Lions Mane jellyfish, which have been brought in with the spring tide in their numbers, he said.

They have the potential to cause an anaphylactic reaction in someone who is stung, if they should be allergic, but much like a bee sting, you dont know until youve been stung.

Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Three year old Saoirse Gallagher with Alex [8] and Evie [5] Doyle from Cabra, cool down the water on Dublin's Dollymount Strand. Picture Credit : Frank Mc Grath 18/7/16 18/07/16 People out enjoying the good weather at Forty foot, Sandycove ,Dublin this afternoon..Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 18/07/16 People out enjoying the good weather at Forty foot, Sandycove ,Dublin this afternoon..Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 18/07/16 People out enjoying the good weather at Forty foot, Sandycove ,Dublin this afternoon..Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 18/07/16 People out enjoying the good weather at Forty foot, Sandycove ,Dublin this afternoon..Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 18/07/16Enjoying the good weather at Forty foot, Sandycove ,Dublin this afternoon..Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos 19/7/16 Kara Hinch, age 4 and Ryleigh Coulahan, age 3, Tallaght, enjoying the great weather at the Forty Foot in Sandycove, Dublin. Pictures:Arthur Carron 19/7/16 People enjoying the great weather at the Forty Foot in Sandycove, Dublin. Pictures:Arthur Carron 19/7/16 People enjoying the great weather at the Forty Foot in Sandycove, Dublin. Pictures:Arthur Carron 19/7/16 Eve Craven, age 5, and her brother Isaac, age 2, Killiney, enjoying the great weather at the Forty Foot in Sandycove, Dublin. Pictures:Arthur Carron Sun, Sea, Sand and an Ice Cream... Two and a half year old Callum Mulholland from Finglas cools down with and ice cream on Dublin's Dollymount Strand. Picture Credit : Frank Mc Grath 18/7/16 Ten year old Ella Troy jumps off the sandunes with Aidan [7] and Cian [6] Cullen from Santry, on Dublin's Dollymount Strand. Picture Credit : Frank Mc Grath 18/7/16 Demi Ryan, 4, from Crumlin enjoys the good weather on Sandymount beach in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 18/7/2016 Demi Ryan, 4, left, and Maya Courtney, 4 from Crumlin enjoys the good weather on Sandymount beach in Dublin. Picture credit; Damien Eagers 18/7/2016 Tuesday 19 July 2016. Photo: Douglas O'Connor. Portmarnock Beach. Enjoying the sunshine: Ava Moran (3) Isabella Dodrill (7) Harry Moran (7) from Blanchardstown. Tuesday 19 July 2016. Photo: Douglas O'Connor. Portmarnock Beach. Enjoying the sunshine. Tuesday 19 July 2016. Photo: Douglas O'Connor. Portmarnock Beach. Enjoying the sunshine. Shay's Burger Van. Tuesday 19 July 2016. Photo: Douglas O'Connor. Portmarnock Beach. Enjoying the sunshine: Kate Spila from Maynooth with her son Adam (3) and her nephew Daniel Spila (4) / Facebook

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Whatsapp Three year old Saoirse Gallagher with Alex [8] and Evie [5] Doyle from Cabra, cool down the water on Dublin's Dollymount Strand. Picture Credit : Frank Mc Grath 18/7/16

We have seen a number of people hospitalised from this jellyfish and its sting is quite painful and different to other jellyfish found in Irish waters.

The sting from their tentacles may last for days after they have died, he said.

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The Lions Mane jellyfish can have a diameter of up to 2 metres and has more than 150 tentacles. The creatures range in colour from deep red to yellow.

Swimmers in Galway and Mayo need not think they are totally safe from a nasty sting from a Lions Mane either, as they have also been spotted on the West coast, albeit in much smaller numbers.

Meanwhile, the Irish Water Safety spokesperson also revealed that peeing on a jellyfish sting is an old wives tale and will not alleviate the pain.

If you get stung, you need to wash it with salt water and remove the tentacles as soon as you can. Place a dry cold pack against it. As with anything, if the pain does not die down or the sting appears particularly bad, seek medical attention and go to A&E, he said.
Birds of prey and falconry experiences have seen a whole new tourism niche take flight, says Pol O Conghaile.

Have you ever seen an eagle in full flight?

I think it's a breathtaking sight, similar to a lion on safari, or a manta ray in the ocean. And thanks to reintroduction programmes, it's a sight that can be enjoyed in Ireland once again, from golden eagles in Donegal to white-tailed sea eagles in Kerry and Lough Derg... with tangible tourism boosts.

You don't have to get lucky in the wild to see a bird of prey, though. My family joined a falconry experience with Jurgen Hick (munsterfalconryservices.ie) at Galway's Glenlo Abbey Hotel recently, and loved it.

We got to hold owls and hawks (with leather gloves, of course), and even stroke them. Jurgen was like a bird whisperer, gently talking to the birds as he told us about their extraordinary hearing, sight and hunting abilities.

Did you know peregrine falcons can dive at over 200mph? That owls can turn their heads 270-degrees? We met a 110g tropical screech owl called Tiny, and took a walk around the hotel estate with a Harris's hawk called Ben, watching him fly off and take a perch, before zooming back to pluck chunks of chicks from our gloves.

More and more birds of prey experiences are cropping up around Ireland - from Aillwee Cave (aillweecave.ie) in the Burren and Eagles Flying (eaglesflying.com) in Co Sligo, to resort-based hawk walks and educational experiences like those at Glenlo Abbey (see below) and Ashford Castle (falconry.ie).

They're not cheap, but they are an intimate, and exhilarating, close encounter that curious kids and adults alike will cherish.

Fantastic falcons

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Glenlo Abbey's falconry encounters cost 75pp. The best value comes when you book as part of a package, however - a 'Fantastic Falconry' deal bundles two nights in one of the hotel's newly-refurbished rooms, a four-course dinner in the River Room Restaurant, and a 1.5-hour falconry session with Jurgen from 294pp (falconry must be pre-booked). An 'Olympic' package includes the above, with falconry just one activity option, along with dinner in the restored Pullman Restaurant (above), from 349pp. See glenloabbeyhotel.ie for more.

Eagles have landed

Expand Close Fionn Crombie Angus and his dad Jonathon Angus (from Mountshannon) taking in the views from the White-tailed Sea Eagles Viewing & Information Point at Mountshannon on Lough Derg. Photo: Sean Curtin / Facebook

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Whatsapp Fionn Crombie Angus and his dad Jonathon Angus (from Mountshannon) taking in the views from the White-tailed Sea Eagles Viewing & Information Point at Mountshannon on Lough Derg. Photo: Sean Curtin

Think of tourism in Co Clare, and it's typically the Burren and Cliffs of Moher that come to mind. West Clare, in other words. Caimin and Saoirse could change that, however. This pair of white-tailed sea eagles, who made history when they reared the first chicks of their kind to fly from an Irish nest in 100 years, have brought thousands of tourists to Mountshannon, where a viewpoint features telescopes, information and displays. The birds' nest is on Lough Derg's Holy Island - not a bad place to lay down roots. See mountshannoneagles.ie.
Valyssa Monterg ridden by Ruby Walsh go on to win the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle during day six of the Galway Festival at Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit

Pol O Conghaile has 10 great reasons to go west, from casual food to craft beers and Connacht rugby.

Galway. Just say the word. See how people react.

This city is special. Its like that album you listened to at a magical time in your life, a place that always seems special  weather, traffic and sprawling suburbs be damned.

Galway inspired Steve Earle to song. The New York Times said it may be our  most charming"city. When I tweeted for tips ahead of this feature, I received the most replies Ive had to any tweet, ever... Galway mixes coastal flair, student swagger, continental confidence and hippie heart in one thrilling West of Ireland cocktail.

From bright potential to broken dreams, its the real deal.

1. Coffeewerk + press



Photo: Facebook.com/coffeewerkandpress

Its the coolest little coffee shop west of the Shannon... and so much more besides. Daniel Ulrichs cafe, gallery and design store, sandwiched between the kitschy shopfronts of Quay Street, is Galway in a nutshell. Purist-friendly, pick-me-up coffee catches your attention downstairs. A dilly of a design shop surprises on the first floor. Its a perfect fit for Instagram, curated in a completely different way to the brilliantly cluttered Charlie Byrnes Bookshop (charliebyrne.com), for example, but theres substance behind the style  in everything from the Copenhagen Coffee Collective brews to beautiful ceramics, candles and specially-commissioned postcards (yes, postcards). Pop in for a nose; pop out with a new favourite shop.

Details: 4 Quay Street; facebook.com/coffeewerkandpress

2. Padraics place

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Older visitors to Galway may remember the modest little statue of local writer, Padraic O Conaire, that once sat in Eyre Square. Its head was knocked off by vandals in 1999, in a crime the presiding judge at a subsequent court case equalled to the Mona Lisa being taken from the Louvre in Paris. The statue (with head reattached, thankfully) now resides at Galway City Museum, although it has been as lathair of late, due to a cast being taken of it for a bronze replica  shortly to be unveiled in the square.

The little museum, tucked away behind the Spanish Arch, is the perfect spot to get your historical bearings. Exhibitions range from an actual Galway Hooker (the boat, that is) to the countys links with the Great War and life in the medieval city. There are champion views over the River Corrib from the upper storeys, and its foodie pitstop, The Kitchen, is surprisingly good, too.

Details: galwaycitymuseum.ie; admission is free.

3. Saucy Salthill

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Theres a lot more to Salthill than the prom.

And in truth, institution though the walk is (dont forget to kick the wall at the Blackrock end), the seafront isnt a patch on what lies further along the Connemara coast.

My advice? Bring an appetite instead of the bathing trunks, pop into the Gourmet Tart Company for Sunday brunch (blueberry buttermilk pancakes, anyone?), nab picknicky bits in Mortons (one of the most masterly examples of culinary editing in Ireland, according to John and Sally McKennas Where to Eat and Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way  guides.ie; 12), and grab a whiskey in OConnors or a craft beer in Oslo, one of the Galway Bay Brewerys expanding empire of pubs. Bliss.

Details: gourmettartco.com; oconnorsbar.com; galwaybaybrewery.com

4. Festival fever

Expand Close Valyssa Monterg ridden by Ruby Walsh go on to win the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle during day six of the Galway Festival at Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit / Facebook

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Whatsapp Valyssa Monterg ridden by Ruby Walsh go on to win the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle during day six of the Galway Festival at Galway Racecourse, Ballybrit

Every weekend feels like a festival in Galway. The city bid successfully to be European Capital of Culture 2020, and with shindigs including the Galway Races (galwayraces.com, above), Galway Arts Festival (July 11-24; giaf.ie), Galway Oyster Festival (September 23-25; galwayoysterfestival.com) and the ever-improving Galway Food Festival (Easter, galwayfoodfestival.com), youd be a brave soul to bet against it. Remember that Galway is a pretty cosy city, so hotels, bars and restaurants fill up in jig time around festivals... theres a little more elbow room on non-festival weekends, and often just as much fun.

Details: galwayfestivals.com

5. Connacht abu!

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John Muldoon & Bundee Aki. Photo: Sportsfile.

You couldnt have made up Connachts 2015/16 season. Total rugby. Team spirit. Big scalps. Bundee Aki. Pro 12 Title. Bam! Of course, this overnight success was years in the making, with Pat Lam, his squad and backroom team getting up just as early for poor performances over the years. But the year of the underdog, and the teams likeability, has turned the windswept Sportsground into a fortress  and an excellent excuse for a weekend in Galway. Toulouse and Wasps will be coming to town thanks to the Champions Cup next season... and thats not even starting on John Muldoons beard.

Details: connachtrugby.ie

6. Tigh Neachtain

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Its the obvious choice for a pint and people-watching, and theres a whiff of touristy shtick, but still. Hosting cosy conversations and barnstorming craic since 1894, theres nowhere better for an old-school pint in Galway. Tigh Neachtains isnt a complete time warp, either. An exclusive range of Galway Hooker beers, a whack of whiskeys and a decent food menu (try the crusty Irish pastrami baguette, or the lamb and goats cheese burger at 10.95) complement the dyed-in-the-wool atmospherics nicely. Slainte.

Details: 17 Cross St; tighneachtain.com

7. Irelands sweetest small city stroll

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You know the one. You start out towards Shop Street, making your way past institutions like McCambridges, easing down the lane by St Nicholass Church for a gander at the Saturday market. You mosey into the Latin Quarter, along High Street and Quay Street, smiling at landmarks like O Mailles and Tig Coili. The streets get narrower and more psychedelically colourful as you go. Foodie aromas float about, from Sheridans cheese to McDonaghs chips. Its all pedestrianised, and you feel your pulse slowing with every step. By the time you reach the Corrib, youre basically Galwegian yourself.

Details: See @galwaygaillimh and galwaytourism.ie for things to do.

8. From Michelin stars to McDonaghs chips



Loam, Galway. Photo: Facebook.com/Loamgalway

Food, glorious food. Galway now has two Michelin Star restaurants to its name (Aniar and Loam)  a situation that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. JP McMahon and Enda McAvoys concepts are two of the purest expressions of terroir youll find in Ireland, but its the casual end where things really click. Dont let the rustic, laid-back settings of cafe-restaurants like Kai (kaicaferestaurant.com), Dela (dela.ie) or Ard Bia at Nimmos (ardbia.com) fool you. These specialise in ambition by stealth, with a gra for ingredients, a flair for flavour combinations and an appreciation for simplicity shining through in dishes like Kais Sea Road Fishfingers (hunks of pollock with buttermilk and panko crumbs, served with kohlrabi and cucumber salad at 12.50).

Cava Bodega (cavarestaurant.ie) is JP McMahon and Drigin Gaffeys other masterpiece, a buzzy restaurant and tapas bar that evokes Galways ancient links with Spain in a space that somehow feels both timeless and bang on-trend (last time I was here, a Flamenco dancer hit the boards, and the salted cod cakes with lemon mayo were the devil). Theres lots of Twitter love for The Dough Bros (thedoughbros.ie) and An Pucan (anpucan.ie)  which Ive chalked for the next visit  and, of course, the legendary McDonaghs (mcdonaghs.net), where the late, great Paolo Tullio once found Irelands best bag of chips. Perhaps the best way to get your foodie bearings is by joining one of Sheena Dignams Around the Marketplace tours, a whistlestop, two-hour snack-fest ranging from sushi to oysters and sweet treats.

Details: aniarrestaurant.ie; loamgalway.com; galwayfoodtours.com

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9. The G Spot

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Its a love it or hate it kind of place. Or maybe love it or dont get it is a better description. Entering the g hotel is like walking on to a film set, as its designer, Galway native Philip Tracey, once said. A film set overseen by Tim Burton and Sofia Coppola, maybe. Swirling carpets, Swarovski crystals and real, live Connemara sea horses are just the start of its Mad Hatter maximalism. Over a decade since its launch, the ground floor sequence of lounges remains one of the most impressive hotel set-pieces in Ireland.

Details: theghotel.ie; B&B plus dinner from 270 per room.

10. Roisin Dubhs & Dominick Street

Nightcap, folks? One of the greatest gigs of my life was in Roisin Dubhs. I dread to think how long ago it was, but Canadian post-rockers Godspeed You! Black Emperor were in town, and I got so close, I could rest my pint on the guitarists Fender Twin. Sometimes magic, sometimes messy, summer listings range from silent discos to Mmoths and Mary Coughlan  not on the same bill, mind. After a craft beer at The Salt House nearby, and perhaps a bite on Lower Dominick Street, end your night in the lap of the Galway gods.

Details: roisindubh.net

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Where to stay

Nox (noxhotelgalway.ie) has a Date Night package including B&B, a cocktail and 3-course dinner from 129pp. The Herons Rest (theheronsrest.com) is a chic guesthouse on the Long Walk. B&B from 80pp, which is worth it for the slap-up, gourmet breakfast alone.

Read more:
A teen reads from the Koran during a pro-government protest against the attempted coup in Istanbul. Picture Credit: AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis

Last Friday night my Ryanair flight arrived into Zadar airport in Croatia just before midnight. The plane was full of young Irish people pretty well tanked up on their way to the Ultra Music Festival in Split.

Everyone was in good spirits despite the rocky descent. The unexpected Adriatic storm is part and parcel of summer in this part of the world. The storms are both violent and swift. The burst of applause as we slammed, rather than touched, down was tinged more with relief than celebration.

My phone immediately started to beep with WhatsApp messages from a dear friend in Turkey. She was distraught.

"What are you hearing outside?"

"What?"

"There's been a coup here. We don't know what to do."

"I'm so afraid for us."

This woman is a very successful businesswoman in Istanbul. She doesn't particularly like President Erdogan. Her hero is the remarkable Kemal Ataturk, the man who modernised Turkey and made it secular.

Even though the Turkish army regards itself as the upholder of the Kemalist tradition, and although she would normally side with anything secular against the increasingly Islamist government of Erdogan, she realised that once a country falls into the hands of the military, a civil war isn't far off. And a religious civil war is part, but not all, of the awful story of Syria.

The news of the coup and the realisation that it had failed - but only just - is a huge shock to anyone who has experienced modern Turkey, especially those of us who have worked in Istanbul in recent years.

Last year, I had the opportunity to work there for a large international company and was beguiled by the place. Istanbul is one of the world's great cities and there is evidence everywhere that this place has been at the centre of the world for close to 2,000 years, stretching down the ages from the Roman Eastern Empire to the days of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans were eventually deposed and replaced by Ataturk and his extraordinary secular vision in the early 20th century. He fashioned the new Republic out of the twin ingredients of science and nationalism.

Over the years, the city has been home to Jews, Greeks, Slavs, Armenians and Georgians, as well as the Muslim Turk population.

It has been one of the three great Muslim caliphates, the centre of the flourishing sophistication of the Christian Orthodox Church at a time when Rome was home to barbarians, and it was also the site of Judaism's finest synagogues.

You can see the imprint of all these great tribes in the architecture, the places of worship and the markets. You can feel the 19th-century European aspirations of the Ottoman merchant class in the wide, French-designed boulevards, but its narrow, higgledy-piggledly lanes tell you this isn't Paris, London or Berlin. It smells of the Orient, yet large parts look like the West. This is the echo of all who have passed through, set up home and then moved on again.

Most of the Greeks, Jews and Armenians left in the 20th century.

However, one constant has been the Bosporus Strait, linking the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. For thousands of years, this was the single most important trading route in the world, and even today it still feels like this. Every morning from my hotel, I looked out over the strait watching massive Russian cargo ships relentlessly ploughing through it, heading from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.

This is where East meets West.

Is it any wonder that the coup plotters' first move was to close the Strait?

The congestion on the Strait is amazing to see. Just outside its mouth, close to the Dardanelles, where thousands of Irish troops died 100 years ago this year, there is a daily queue of ships waiting to get through.

The Irish were the first troops who landed in Gallipoli. To put the futility and slaughter in context, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Royal Munster Fusiliers were the first to attack the Turks from the SS River Clyde. Of the first 200 men to leave the ship, 149 were killed and 30 wounded immediately.

This was always a strategic spot.

From that point in Gallipoli to the far side in the Black Sea, there is a constant flow of enormous, laden-down hulls carving slowly through the waters, reinforcing the proximity of the eastern part of Europe and the West. All sorts of Russian, Ukrainian, Crimean and, of course, Romanian and Bulgarian cargo ships use the Black Sea. And coming the other way are all sorts of manufactured products from southern Europe and North Africa.

Here you appreciate that this massive country of 80 million people is a huge regional power. Istanbul is Europe's largest city, home to close to 17 million people. Turkey's military is the largest in the region and there will be no settlement in Syria and Iraq without Ankara's imprimatur.

Under Erdogan, the economy grew strongly, inequality shrank and Turkish companies became regional powerhouses. Erdogan has restructured the economy and attracted more foreign investment in a decade than in the entire 90-year history of the Turkish Republic.

But two years ago, the Turkish economic miracle came to an abrupt end with political violence in the streets of Istanbul, Izmir and Ankara. The currency went into free-fall, as did the stock market.

Once the economy fractured, old alliances went the same way.

For years, Erdogan had as an ally an Islamist power base known as Gulenists - followers of a cleric called Fathullah Gulen, who is in self-imposed-exile. To the outsider, it seems a bit like an Islamic version of Opus Dei.

Originally, Gulen set up an educational system of strict religious schools, which taught a mixture of self-discipline, Islam and societal responsibility.

Many thousands of graduates of these schools - Gulenists - are now in powerful positions. Until recently, they were in cahoots with Erdogan in his 'soft Islam' project. This is the aspiration to combine an Islamic society living side-by-side with democracy and the constitutional protection of secularism.

Like all aspirations, the success of such a venture depends in significant measure on the economy being strong, offering opportunity and generating wealth.

As the economy turned down, this alliance turned sour.

Many believe that Gulen was behind the coup, signalling to his fifth column of supporters in the military to rise up. Others think it was a set-up by the government to bolster its own position. Whatever the real cause, Turkey won't be the same again. Turkey is the key country in the region. The US and the EU should be worried because if Turkey fractures, so too does the West's biggest regional ally, which stands between Russia, Iran and the unravelling Middle East.

The stakes couldn't be higher.
Yesterday's ambitious plan, 'Rebuilding Ireland', envisages the construction of 47,000 social housing units over the next six years. While the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Simon Coveney has set out a framework for ending the crisis, which is to be welcomed, he faces a number of obstacles in the immediate aftermath of launching his blueprint.

The most pressing may be the minority Government retaining the support of Fianna Fail. Within hours of its launch, Fianna Fail environment spokesman Barry Cowen warned there were "significant gaps" in the plan and re-iterated that unless adequate action was taken it may fall to a new government to fill such gaps.

Tom Parlon, of the Construction Industry Federation, also asked the pertinent question of where the construction workers are going to come from.

Local authorities built just 72 houses last year, so who is going to build between 15,000 and 20,000 houses a year for the next five years?

The lack of houses, both social and private, in the right areas is a major problem and it is to be hoped that the creation of a new housing delivery office is the right way to proceed in clearing up the mess.

The other two problems that have become unfortunately entwined in the housing shortage are the rental and homelessness issues. Both will require a multi-faceted rather than a simplistic approach, if they are to be solved.

But 'Rebuilding Ireland' is a worthy start. It is now up to Mr Coveney and his officials to ensure the plan quickly becomes a reality; that the houses are built where they are needed and that we don't repeat mistakes of the past with urban sprawl.

Rethink needed on 68pc tax on higher earners

At a time when it is important for Ireland to retain well-educated and skilled workers in all sectors of the economy, it seems the Minister for Finance intends to remove a key tax credit for middle and high earners that will see them taxed at a marginal rate of 68.5pc.

This will hit 270,000 middle- and higher-income employees earning more than 70,000 a year and is part of Michael Noonan's plan to raise additional income while reducing the rate of the Universal Social Charge (USC), which was introduced as an emergency measure during the financial crisis.

If Mr Noonan goes ahead with the proposal, it will put him in direct conflict with IDA Ireland, which has warned that high income tax rates were making it difficult to attract foreign investment and hitting job creation.

In the light of the likely departure of Britain from the EU, it would seem short-sighted in the extreme to frighten off foreign investors who may be looking at Ireland as an alternative destination.

The Irish Tax Institute has said that the removal of this key tax credit would see workers earning more than 70,000 a year facing higher income tax bills than workers in cities such as London, Madrid, Stockholm and London.

If Ireland intends to keep attracting high-profile industries, where 70,000 is not regarded as a 'big' salary, then the Minister for Finance may need to rethink this measure.
Mila Kunis has kept a low profile since the birth of her first child.

But the Ukranian-born actress made an elegant public appearance on Thursday night at the CinemaCon event in Las Vegas.

The actress, who has an 18-month-old daughter Wyatt with husband Ashton Kutcher, stunned in a monochrome empire line dress.

She was joined by Bad Moms co-star Christina Applegate, Annie Mumolo and Kathryn Hahn as they accepted the award for Female Stars of the Year at the event, thrown by movie theater owners.

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Whatsapp Actress Mila Kunis, one of the recipients of the Female Stars of the Year Award, attend the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Since the arrival of Wyatt in October 2014, life has changed for high-flying couple Ashton and Mila, and parenthood has seen them cut back on red carpet appearances.

"[Motherhood] is awesome,' the Black Swan actress revealed at the CinemaCon panel.

Expand Close (L-R) Actress/screenwriter Annie Mumolo, actresses Kathryn Hahn,Kristen Bell, Mila Kunis and Christina Applegate, recipients of the Female Stars of the Year Award, attend the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) / Facebook

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"I feel like that's all we ever talk about when we get together. We talk about kids. We're all very lucky though. We all have little ones. It's great."

Mila described little Wyatt as "crazy" and joked: "If she was here, she would just walk off the ledge. She has no concept of depth, which to me, I just don't get it."

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The two-time SAG nominated actress admitted, soon after the birth of her daughter, that she found it hard to be away from her.

I have to be honest, because I was with her every day for the first four months of her little life. I cried, I did, its weird. If youre a stay at home mom, its a very weird feeling to all of a sudden leave your child. Its not that I dont trust who shes with, its just the idea of not being with her.

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The low-maintenance and down-to-earth star doesn't play up for the paparazzi in her free time and is often seen in sweatpants and no make-up when moving about Hollywood with her family.

However, she has said that she finds the public scrutiny intrusive.

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"I think when you are a young actor couple you are screwed. It got to a stage where I couldn't leave the house. I love what I do, but the reality is that my privacy is gone.

"I'm not complaining, I just don't like the idea that my child can't go to the park with her mother. And if she does, then I have to trail a sh*tload of paparazzi with me."
China will have the upper hand in the bidding for high-speed rail construction project between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, according to various media reports. Many have arrived at this conclusion because of China's acquisition of the Malaysian government investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). China has invested more than $4 billion in the project.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, along with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the high-speed rail project on July 19, according to a statement on the official state website. The MoU was signed by Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan and Malaysian Minister in the Prime Ministers Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan.

Construction of the new rail will boost connectivity, strengthen economic ties and forge a closer link between the two nations, the statement read. The MoU laid the foundation for a bilateral treaty, which will be signed at the end of 2016. Malaysian Minister of Transport Liow Tiong Lai said that the bidding will start within a year.

Both Singapore and Malaysia hope to start operation of the high-speed rail by 2026. A report in the Jakarta Post said that the rail is expected to trim travel time between the two countries to just 90 minutes, compared with the four to five hours currently needed to make the trip by road. The 350-kilometer railway line will contain eight stations, seven of which will be in Malaysia, the report said.
Pippa Middleton and James Matthews attend day nine of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at Wimbledon on July 06, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and her sister Pippa Middleton (L) watch from the Royal Box before the men's singles final match between Britain's Andy Murray and Switzerland's Roger Federer on Centre Court on day 13 of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships

Her sister might be the world's most famous bridesmaid, but Kate Middleton isn't keen for the roles to be reversed when it comes to Pippa's big day.

It's uncertain whether the Duchess of Cambridge will feature in her younger sister's bridal party when she weds hedge fund manager James Matthews next year. The socialite and hotel heir became engaged earlier this month after he popped the question during a romantic stroll in the Lake District.

But according to royal expert Judy Wade, it's unlikely the future Queen of England will act as matron of honour for Pippa so as to not steal the spotlight from her sister.

"Kate would upstage her sister. It's a tricky situation for Pippa. She would want her sister by her side, as who else would she trust to make things go well," she told People.

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"But if your sister is a future Queen, she is going to upstage the bride and draw attention. Kate would want to be in the background as much as possible."

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Wade speculates their youngest brother James will step up as a groomsmen and Pippa's niece and nephew Princess Charlotte and Prince George might feature as well.

After speculation of an engagement, the pair confirmed the news to the Press Association tn a statement, saying they will wed in 2017 in what will undoubtedly be the celebrity and society wedding of the year.

"Miss Pippa Middleton and Mr James Matthews are delighted to announce they became engaged on Sunday 17th July and plan to marry next year," they said in the statement.

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Pippa and James have only made two public appearances together during their eight month courtship - during a ski trip in Lillehammer and at Wimbledon earlier this month.

The Matthews family own the exclusive Eden Rock Hotel & Villa resort on the island, frequented by wealthy jet-setters, while James' younger brother is reality tv lothario Spencer, who is confirmed for the upcoming season of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!

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An Iraqi man cools off in an open-air shower in Baghdad as temperatures rise above 50C (AP)

Temperatures have soared to 51C in Baghdad as Iraqis endure the hottest day of the year so far.

The government has given its workers Wednesday and Thursday off because of the heatwave, which is expected to break over the weekend.

Iraq's summers are known for their merciless heat, but the government's chief weather forecaster Hassan Abdul-Karim said this week's highs are well above average for this time of year. A similarly unforgiving heatwave is also expected next month, he said.

High summer temperatures routinely compound the woes of Iraqis, who have since the US-led invasion 13 years ago had to cope with almost daily violence, political instability, poor services, a massive exodus abroad of professionals, and high rates of serious crime like kidnappings for ransom, armed robberies and contract killings.

The current heatwave is scorching Baghdad as the city continues to reel from the deadliest single bombing in 13 years on July 3 when nearly 300 people were killed.

Power cuts leave most homes without electricity for a total of 12 hours a day, forcing them to buy power from privately-owned neighbourhood generators.

But just as Iraqis have shown resilience and ingenuity in dealing with the violence, they do likewise when it comes to exceptionally hot days.

"There is no electricity and temperature is very high, so we came to this swimming pool as it is the only way to cool ourselves," said Ammar Adnan, sitting on the edge of the recently opened indoor pool in Baghdad's al-Azamaiyah district.

"We will stay here until the evening, when we hope the temperature will get down," he said.

A few miles away in central Baghdad's busy Sinak market, Kazim Ali was doing a brisk business, selling sweaty shoppers cocktails of a fizzy drink mixed with a syrup of sugar, vinegar and mint.

"I never raise my prices when it is this hot, but the guy who sells me the ice charged me 50% more today," he said.

Street hawkers, some covering their faces with handkerchiefs to keep off the heat, sold slices of cold watermelon or broke a sweat pumping air into children's plastic pools they hoped to sell.

Some shopkeepers were merciful to customers, setting up showers on the pavement that men stood under without hesitation to cool off.

AP
Welcome to the Trump convention. Not the Republican convention: the Trump convention. And all he hath wrought.

On Monday night we watched a former Calvin Klein model warn us against socialism, Rudy Giuliani transform into Grandpa Simpson, and Donald Trump emerge from the smoke machine fog like a contestant off 'Stars in their Eyes'. "Tonight, Matthew, I'm going to be... a presidential nominee!"

He introduced his wife, Melania. Yet another former model. She was as beautiful as this convention is ridiculous.

Some things you need to know. It's hot here in Ohio. Really, really hot. Cleveland's outskirts, where I'm staying, are a queer mix of industrial and rural; I spotted a deer wandering across the railway tracks.

As you enter downtown, the buildings shoot up to the sky and the temperature grows more oppressive. Sunday night there was a terrible storm. Monday morning, the air was close and wet.

The entrance to the convention hall is down a long, narrow alley full of TV cameras and pork rib restaurants. It's filled with preachers screaming about Jesus. I met a fat man with a thin man on a dog leash - the thin guy was walking around on all fours, barking.

The fat guy screamed: "Kick ma dawg for Trump! Kick him, y'all!" I have no idea what the point was. There doesn't have to be one. People have come here to be heard, no matter what they're saying.

I took a detour down to the riverside, where there was an America First Unity Rally. Trump rallies are unusual because even the pro-Trump speakers get shouted down by the pro-Trump audience.

The host, a large Iowan in a cowboy hat called Ken Crow, was trying to talk and a black guy started drowning him out by yelling: "Build that wall! Build that wall!" Mr Crow shouted back: "It's a long day, patriot. Don't go horsesh*t."

Mr Crow was joined by a lady with an extreme tan and very blonde hair in a small skirt that kept lifting in the breeze. "I can feel a Marilyn Monroe moment coming on!" she joked. Luckily, she said, she was wearing panties underneath.

These are people who were with Trump from the very beginning, the people who - in their own words - cling passionately onto guns and bibles. Nothing wrong with that.

I go to Mass every Sunday and I'm pretty smart with an air-gun. What's striking among the America First crowd, is their sense not of potential - that old American dream - but of anger at the attempt to take away what little they have.

Mr Crow told us about his first meeting with The Donald. He'd asked Trump why he was running and Trump said: "Why do you think I'm running?" Crow replied: "To preserve what you've built." And Trump said: "To preserve what everybody's built."

Note: preserve. Not build more, not expand, not create - but preserve. You might argue that Trump is conservatism in its purest sense, the sense of being about conserving the best of the past.

I've been a US conservative convention-goer for eight years and I can tell that a change has come over them. You used to hear a lot about defending the Constitution and shrinking the government. Not any more.

The people who are interested in those things are here. On Monday afternoon, God bless them, they tried to kick Trump off the ticket with a rules challenge on the convention floor. They failed and stormed off. They never had the numbers necessary to do it and the Republican establishment has reconciled itself to Trump anyway - so no dice.

I visited the Never Trump HQ and it was, at that particular moment, just two guys with laptops. Nevertheless, while the anti-Trump forces are small in number they are powerful with the punditocracy and the talk shows are brimming with movement intellectuals denouncing the nominee of their party.

This creates the false sense that the Republican opposition is way bigger than it really is. For a sense of how Trumpism has captured the heart of the GOP, one only had to watch Rudy Giuliani's remarkable speech - which capped an evening of anti-foreigner rhetoric that included two army guys detailing how to kill an enemy combatant. Giuliani was all teeth and fists. Mad as Hell. Not. Going. To. Take. It. Any. More. The convention loved it.

How strange to see people I know, and rather like, transformed suddenly into an audience of pure rage - people who are middle-class, small town, hard-working, Christian. I cannot stress how pleasant the Trump supporters really are to speak to.

But presented with the possibility of Hillary Clinton entering the White House they become wild and angry. One can feel the philosophical disagreements with Trump just melting away.

So any real opposition will come from outside the convention, and that's where things get scary. The cops are policing the demos with a rapid response team that rides around with guns and mace on black bicycles - like postmen in the age of the apocalypse - and they generally outnumber the protesters.

The saddest sight in the world was an individual Muslim woman in the main square pleading through a microphone that she was an American, too. Around her was a ring of cops on bikes, holding back about 12 Christians shouting that Mohammed is the Devil.

Back down the alley leading to the convention hall, I ran into Geert Wilders - leader of the Dutch far-right. He said Trump was the kind of "strong leader" that Americans and Europeans are looking for.

What happens when the Black Lives Matter folk arrive in big numbers? The liberals, the hippies, the environmentalists, the people who believe they can bring down Trump by showing him up by encouraging violence?

I await their arrival with genuine fear, and with - dare I say it - nervous excitement.

Someone has to dissent seriously in Cleveland. Someone has to say Trump is wrong. ( Daily Telegraph, London)

Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022]
Republican candidate Donald Trump walks off the stage with his wife Melania during the Republican National Convention. Photo: John Locher/AP

After vanquishing 16 party rivals, warring with much of the Republican establishment and provoking controversy at the party convention, Donald Trump last night secured the party's 2016 nomination for the White House.

His son, Donald Trump Jr, announced the support of New York, their home state, during a roll-call vote at the Republican National Convention, ensuring Mr Trump had the majority of delegates - 1,237 - needed to contest the November 8 US presidential election.

Expand Close Donald Trump Jr (left), along with Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump take part in the roll-call in Cleveland yesterday. Photo: Getty / Facebook

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Whatsapp Donald Trump Jr (left), along with Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump take part in the roll-call in Cleveland yesterday. Photo: Getty

With three of Mr Trump's other children at his side, his son said: "It is my honour to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight."

The state-by-state vote to put Mr Trump's name in nomination took place a day after opponents staged a failed attempt to force a vote opposing his candidacy, and after a speech by his wife, Melania, drew accusations of plagiarism.

Senator Jeff Sessions, an early backer of Mr Trump, placed the New York businessman's name in nomination, calling him "a warrior and a winner".

House Speaker Paul Ryan, the highest ranking elected Republican, ran the meeting and launched the nominating process.

Despite threats of another chaotic day, anti-Trump Republican US Senator Mike Lee said efforts by some delegates to block Mr Trump's nomination appeared finished.

Mr Trump's campaign has been marked by frequent controversy over his rhetoric on Muslims, Hispanics, illegal immigration and trade, alarming many in the Republican establishment. Party officials are hoping to use the four-day convention, which began on Monday, to smooth out some of his rough edges and present him as a job creator and a strong hand to combat security threats at home and abroad.

The theme of yesterday's convention was 'Make America Work Again', and speakers were to take aim at US President Barack Obama's record on the economy.

Read more: Mysterious Melania gets chance to introduce herself

Read more: Be in no doubt, we could be just months away from saying 'President Trump'

However, the second day of the Republican National Convention opened with an onslaught of accusations that Mr Trump's wife's speech lifted phrases from one delivered by Michelle Obama in 2008. The rare public speech by Melania Trump was intended to draw a more intimate portrait of a man who has built a blustering persona over years in the public eye. Instead, it created a headache for the presidential candidate and his party after it was discovered her words strongly echoed Ms Obama's.

The Trump campaign sent its chairman on a round of media interviews to deny any intentional plagiarism by the would-be first lady.

"To think that she would be cribbing Michelle Obama's words is crazy," Paul Manafort said on CNN. Mr Trump's wife used "common words and values".

"There's no feeling on her part that she did it," Mr Manafort said, adding that he blames Hillary Clinton's campaign for trying to "take her down" because Melania Trump threatens the presumptive Democratic nominee.

Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said at a Bloomberg Politics breakfast yesterday that Melania Trump wasn't to blame and that he would "probably" fire the speechwriter responsible, if it were up to him - at odds with Mr Manafort's assertion, in another interview on CBS, that "I don't think Donald Trump feels that there's anything to fire someone about."

Several people - including some outside the campaign - were involved in the speechwriting process, said a senior Trump aide, who asked not to be named, in a signal that the campaign was looking to assign blame elsewhere.

"From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say," Melania Trump (46), said as she told her life story in the speech on Monday night.

Eight years ago, Michelle Obama told her own story: "Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond," she said in Denver.

Michelle Obama then spoke of setting "out to build lives guided by these values, and to pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children - and all children in this nation - to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Ms Trump tracked those lines closely as well. "We need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

In an interview with her husband and NBC's Matt Lauer before delivering her remarks at the convention, Ms Trump said, "I wrote it, with as little help as possible.''

The comparison between the speeches was first made on Twitter by Jarrett Hill, a television and radio producer in California.
Chinese experts dismissed reports in Vietnamese media that, in the wake of The Hague tribunals ruling against China, Vietnam will no longer stamp Chinese passports that feature the South China Sea demarcation commonly referred to as the nine-dash line.

According to Vietnams Tuoi Tre newspaper, the Mong Cai International Border Gate in the northern Vietnamese province of Quang Ninh has been doing just that, refusing to stamp Chinese passports issued after 2012, all of which feature a new design that includes a Chinese map, complete with the nine-dash line on several pages.

[Holders of such passports] have to agree to use a separate visa issued by Vietnam, and they won't receive an entry stamp on their passports, said Tran Ngoc Tuan, director of a travel agency in Mong Cai. We simply explain to them that Vietnam will not stamp their passports because the nine-dash line has no legal value.

According to Du Jifeng, an associate research fellow with the National Institute of International Strategy (NISS) at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Vietnam is trying to exacerbate the South China Sea issue so as to help its own interests in the region. Du made his comments during an interview with China Radio International (CRI).

[The passport controversy] is pure provocation from Vietnam. They are trying to challenge Chinas resolution to safeguard its sovereignty in the South China Sea, said Xu Liping, another NISS research fellow.

Du added that Vietnams manufactured controversy will not have any effect on its claims in the South China Sea, and China will not make any concessions. Nevertheless, such actions do add obstacles to peaceful bilateral relations, CRI reported.

The post-2012 passports already stamped by Vietnamese border control officers will be voided upon re-entry, the report in Tuoi Tre noted.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said during a press conference in November 2012 that China's standard electronic passports are issued in accordance with international civil aviation standards, and they are not intended to target any specific country.
A prominent journalist has been killed in a car bombing in Ukraine's capital Kiev, sending shock waves through the country's media community that was shaped by the gruesome killing of the publication's founder 16 years ago.

Online news website Ukrainska Pravda said its journalist Pavel Sheremet died in an explosion early on Wednesday as he got into his car to drive to work to anchor a talk show on a local radio station.

The publication said the car was owned by its editor-in-chief Olena Prytula. Images from the scene showed the charred car stranded in the middle of a cobbled street.

Zoryan Shkiryak, adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, said in a Facebook post that an improvised explosive device was planted underneath the car. The device was either a delayed-action bomb or was remotely operated.

Interior minister Khatiya Dekanoidze said in televised comments at the scene of the crime that she will personally supervise the investigation.

"We are looking at all theories," she said, adding that solving the murder is "very important, a matter of honour" for the Kiev police.

Russia's Novaya Gazeta quoted several friends and family of Mr Sheremet and his partner Prytula as saying they had complained about being followed.

Ukraine's media community was deeply affected by the brutal killing of Ukrainska Pravda founder Heorhiy Gongadze in 2000.

Thirteen years later, an Interior Ministry official was convicted for the killing but the probe never formally determined who ordered it.

Rights groups accused Ukraine's then-president of involvement in the murder based on tape recordings made by the president's bodyguard.

Current president Petro Poroshenko offered his condolences to Mr Sheremet's friends and family and said he has instructed law enforcement agencies to conduct "a speedy investigation into this crime".

The 44-year-old Belarusian-born journalist irked officials in Belarus and Russia before he moved to Ukraine, where he said there were fewer hurdles to independent reporting.

In 1997, Belarus convicted Mr Sheremet of illegally crossing its border and sentenced him to three years in prison for his investigation on the porous border between Belarus and Lithuania.

He served three months in prison before he was released. Mr Sheremet faced threats and harassment in Belarus and was badly beaten in 2004 while covering an election. Several years later he moved to Russia to work in television.

In a media landscape sanitised by the authoritarian Belarusian government, Mr Sheremet - while living abroad - founded Belaruspartisan.org which went on to become one of the country's leading independent news websites.

He moved to Ukraine in 2014 after what he said was pressure from his Russian television bosses over the reporting of ongoing opposition protests in Kiev.

Following his death, there have been outpourings of grief from politicians and journalists in all three countries.

In Moscow, prominent journalist Konstantin von Eggert described Mr Sheremet as a "pioneer of investigative reporting".

He said: "His famous report about the 'illegal crossing' of the Belarusian border was a major television sensation of the 1990s.

"It was the time when a journalist tried a thing out himself and had to pay for it, facing charges in his own country."

Mr Sheremet is survived by a son and a daughter who live in Minsk, Belarus, where he will be buried.

AP
French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed the deaths of the soldiers

Three French soldiers have been killed in Libya.

French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said he "deplores the loss of three soldiers" on duty in Libya, but gave no further details.

Officials in Libya said the Islamist militia shot down a helicopter near Benghazi on Sunday.

French government spokesman Stephane Le Foll on Wednesday gave a rare acknowledgement that there are French special forces operating in the North African country, which has slid into chaos after the uprising that led to the downfall and killing of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The deaths apparently reveal secretive Western military co-operation with the anti-Islamist eastern forces opposed to the UN-brokered, Tripoli-based unity government.

AP
The Turkish president has declared a three-month state of emergency following the failed coup.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the measure is being taken to counter threats to Turkish democracy and was not intended to curb basic freedoms.

He spoke after a meeting with Cabinet ministers and top security advisers.

The insurrection by some military units was launched late on Friday, but security forces and protesters loyal to the government quashed the rebellion.

Mr Erdogan said the pro-government death toll in the botched coup was 246.

AP
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The Bart Garrison Agricultural Museum in Pendleton is hosting its annual three-day summer camp.

The camp, "Farm Life Through the Ages," is for students who will be entering four through seven in the coming school year.

The children will have the opportunity to participate in different hands-on activities such as Native American cooking, learning about farm machines, tending to animals, and making stone and wooden tools.

The camp will happen July 25-27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The cost is $35 per day or $90 for all three days.

To register for the camp, email nsaylors@bgamsc.org or call 864-646-7271.

Staff report
photo by PAUL BROWN Curt and Yolanda Austin, parents of fallen soldier Barrett Austin, look at a memorial for their son at Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens.

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By Ron Barnett, rbarnett@greenvillenews.com

The third year has been the hardest for Yolanda Austin.

Her son, Barrett, was killed in Afghanistan in 2013, and she has found herself in a difficult place along the path to healing.

The wounds are still fresh in Barrett's father, Curt, whose sense of loss is written deeply on his face.

The couple is taking some solace, however, in a photographic memorial called Remembering Our Fallen, part of a nationwide project to collect photos of all the members of the military who have lost their lives since Sept. 11, 2001.

The collection of photos has been completed in 16 states, including South Carolina.

"I'm just glad to know that people want to keep his memory alive," Yolanda Austin said.

The memorial will be on public display at Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens through the end of August.

It includes photos and information about 93 fallen South Carolina servicemen and women, including two from Pickens County  Barrett Austin and Kimberly Hampton, both of Easley.

Hampton was the first female pilot killed in combat in U.S. history. Her helicopter was shot down over Fallujah, Iraq, on Jan. 2, 2004.

Some families have provided photos of their loved one as a child. The Austins posted a picture of their son as a smiling, sandy-haired 17-year-old, full of life and mischief and possibility.

Beside his military photo is a note on a yellow sticky pad from his mother: "Sweetpea, Forever mama's Hero."

The Austins visited the memorial for the first time Tuesday and spoke with The Greenville News about their memories and emotions.

Why the third year after his death to an improvised explosive device has seemed more difficult, Yolanda isn't sure. Maybe it's part of moving through the five stages of grief, she said, or maybe it's fear that his memory is slipping away as the wars in the Middle East rage on.

The Austins have clear memories, though, of the pain they felt during the days after their son's vehicle was blown up on a road in Wardak Province.

It was on a Wednesday, his father remembers. April 17, 2013. Barrett was an Army combat engineer, and he had taken on one of the most dangerous assignments in the war: clearing the roadways of IED's so troops could move to their target area.

On that day, the soldier who was supposed to be driving felt sick, so Barrett volunteered to take the wheel. The team had successfully swept their designated route and was returning to base when the vehicle struck an explosive that had been planted after the road had been cleared.

The blast's impact ripped through the driver's side door. Other members of the team were injured, but Barrett was the only one killed.

He had been in Afghanistan only a month.

Curt Austin was at work at aeSolutions in Greenville when he got a call that day. His son had been wounded, "and it didn't look good," he was told.

Because it was thought he might be helped in a more advanced medical facility, he was flown to Germany. His parents rushed to Ft. Stewart, Georgia, where Barrett had been stationed, to await word.

"It was three days of hell waiting to hear, trying to get information," Curt said.

Finally, they were given a flight to Germany, still unsure of their son's condition.

When they arrived, they found him on life support, with no brain activity.

"They told us there was nothing they could do," his mother said.

His wife, Heather, was with him when he passed, along with his mom and his dad. It had been four days since the explosion.

His body was flown back to the Upstate, and a military guard solemnly loaded his remains in a hearse at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in front of family and scores of supporters for the journey to Dillard Funeral Home, the same place where the memorial is now displayed.

In the days and weeks after his death, the family received an outpouring of support from the community that helped them through those dark hours.

Now, three years later, the pain is still there, and in some ways even harder to bear than before.

"Our lives have pretty much been turned upside down for all those three years," Curt said.

Yolanda is now able to laugh at funny stories about Barrett told by her son's friends and to talk about him. Curt finds it harder to think about the loss of his only son. Both take comfort in their faith, and the belief that they will see him again.

Their story is one of 93 memorialized in the Remembering Our Fallen display, and one of thousands in similar displays in other states.

The memorial was established by Bill and Evonne Williams, a Nebraska couple who read a newspaper story about a father whose pain and grief were even greater four years after his son had died in Iraq, because he felt his son had been forgotten.

In November 2010, with the backing of the local newspaper and financial support from several sponsors, including Bellevue University, the couple established the Remembering Our Fallen memorial for Nebraska service people killed since 9/11.

They went on to establish a nonprofit organization called Patriot Productions to support similar efforts in other states. The goal is to create similar memorials in each state and eventually to move all the state displays to one permanent location.

In the meantime, they are circulating from place to place, with Dignity Memorial, being the sponsor and custodian of the display in South Carolina, according to Andy Cone, area general manager. It was unveiled at the Statehouse in Columbia and has spent time in Greenville before coming to Pickens.

A placard set up at the display eloquently expresses the purpose and vision of the memorial.

"We cannot all pick up the sword  nor should we  but we owe our support and gratitude to those who do, and to their families," it says.

"Each Fallen Hero, shown here, left behind family and friends who will never forget them and we must be there to support them.

"Remember their loved ones, continue to pray for them and speak their names  most importantly, speak their names."
PHOTOS BY KEN RUINARD/INDEPENDENT MAIL Jenny Young (left), a cashier at Roses, helps Carolyn Banks of Anderson with purchases at the business' new store at 3219 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Anderson, between the North Pointe Shopping Center and the Anderson Mall. Roses, headquartered in Henderson, North Carolina, operates more than 160 stores in 16 states, primarily in the South.

SHARE Michael Norris of Anderson looks around school supplies while shopping at the new Roses store in Anderson. Roses has headquarters in Henderson, North Carolina, and operates more than 160 stores in 16 states. Roses is open at 3219 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Anderson.

By Abe Hardesty of the Independent Mail

Michael Norris made a brief shopping excursion Tuesday morning to the new Roses store in Anderson.

That's the kind of shopping trip he likes best.

The discount retail in North Pointe Shopping Center on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard brought back old memories for the Pendleton resident.

"It reminds me of the one in Seneca that I went to as a kid. I got the nostalgia thing," Norris said.

More importantly, he wasn't in the store long.

"The big-box stores are too big and too much of a hassle. Even for a few things, I'd be in line for 30 minutes," Norris said. "Here I can get what I need, check out, and be on my way."

Roses associate manager Sheena Jones, one of 45 employees at the new store, also gets a dose of nostalgia.

"It makes me think of the Super 10 I went to with my grandmother," she said, referring to a discount store that is owned by Variety Wholesalers, the parent company of Roses.

Those stores  along with J.M. Fields, Kresge, Top Dollar, W.T. Grant, H.L. Green, S.H. Kress, Sky City and Woolworths  were unable to survive the arrival of the big-box stores in the 1980s.

They were among 13 discount stores in Anderson in 1975, but only six remained a decade later.

Roses is a discount store offering apparel, home furnishings, electronics, toys, health and beauty products, and groceries.

"The competition from Walmart changed the complexion of the retail industry," Roses Chief Operating Officer Wilson Sawyer said Tuesday. "Now, people have adjusted to what works, and we're better able to compete."

The Anderson location is one of four new Roses scheduled to open in South Carolina in 2016, one of "15 to 17" new stores expected to open nationally.

Most of those will be in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, said Sawyer, who expects to have 160 Roses stores (30,000 to 40,000 square feet) and 140 Roses Express stores (under 30,000 square feet) in operation by the end of the year.

No additional stores are planned for the Upstate.

Although decades removed, familiarity with Roses seems to help at stores such as the one at North Pointe, where Sawyer said traffic "has been better than we expected" in the early weeks of operation.

"With the (Bi-Lo) grocery store closed, we were not sure how many people might be there for the grand opening," Sawyer said. "But that morning, we couldn't believe how many were waiting to get in before we opened.

"We had a big crowd, and I'm told it was steady the whole weekend."

Predicting sales in early months of a new store is difficult, Sawyer said. "On one hand, you've got something new and different, but on the other hand, it often takes four or five months for people to know you're there."

The store's policy to renovate, rather than build new structures, adds to the mystery.

"It's much more cost-efficient to go into an existing property. But that means you're opening where somebody else closed," he said. "Honestly, I've been a little surprised at how many people we've had there in the first few weeks."

Variety Wholesalers is a family-owned business that began in eastern North Carolina in 1949, when John W. Pope took over his family's five "Five and Dime" stores. Art Pope, son of the founder, serves as chairman of the company, which is headquartered in Henderson, North Carolina.

Follow Abe Hardesty on Twitter @abe_hardesty
By Dezan Shira & Associates

Editor: Tracie Frost

The Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) of the Government of India recently announced its intent to establish a new National Education Policy (NEP). The current policy has been unchanged since 1992. MHRDs document, Some Inputs for Draft National Education Policy 2016, is open for public comment until July 31, 2016. The higher education aspects of the policy are of particular interest to foreign educational institutions.

According to a report written for MHRD, nearly 300,000 Indian students study abroad, mostly in post-graduate and doctorate programs, spending about US$ 9 billion per year. Nearly half of those 300,000 students go to the United States, with the United Kingdom and Australia accounting for most of the other destinations for studying abroad. Annual spending by Indians for foreign studies is twice the amount allocated in the central government budget for higher education, and nearly 20 times what Indian higher education institutions spend on research collectively. In contrast, only 75,000 foreign students come to India, many only for short duration study programs; less than 20,000 international students are enrolled in degree programs, most of them undergraduate students from South Asia.

In recognition of the fact that many of Indias best students go to foreign universities, the report recommends that India encourage high quality foreign universities and educational institutions to collaborate with Indian partners and establish an Indian presence. The report further suggests that while the nature and cooperation and collaboration may vary, the foreign university should be in a position to offer their own degree to the Indian students The key essential would be the collaborating foreign partner would be among the top 200 Universities of the world The opportunity should be used to globalize Indian higher education without compromising the basic needs of access, equity and quality for the Indian student.

The Indian government has long resisted allowing foreign universities to offer degrees to Indian students in India. Yet, given that only a small percentage of Indian students have a chance to be admitted into the ultra-competitive top-tier Indian degree programs, it is understandable that so many Indian students see value in studying abroad. Indias educational system currently lacks the robust institutions at national, state, and district levels that are necessary to provide and manage quality colleges. The NEPs proposals for foreign universities seek to close the gap in creating such institutions while reforming the existing ones.

Observations

While the NEP is yet to get adopted, MHRDs recommendations are significant for foreign educational institutions interested in investing in the Indian educational market. The draft NEP is not clear regarding how the top 200 Universities of the world will be defined. What is apparent though is that India may likely be selective in choosing which educational institutions are allowed to confer degrees in India. Following the adoption of the NEP, the Government may seek to codify the new policies into law through legislation. However, there is some doubt as to whether the Modi Government has sufficient support in the upper house of parliament to ratify such changes. Many interested parties, including foreign governments and higher educational institutions, have made or are planning to make comments during the comment period to encourage the adoption of the NEP.



About Us Asia Briefing Ltd. is a subsidiary of Dezan Shira & Associates. Dezan Shira is a specialist foreign direct investment practice, providing corporate establishment, business advisory, tax advisory and compliance, accounting, payroll, due diligence and financial review services to multinationals investing in China, Hong Kong, India, Vietnam, Singapore and the rest of ASEAN. For further information, please email india@dezshira.com or visit www.dezshira.com. Stay up to date with the latest business and investment trends in Asia by subscribing to our complimentary update service featuring news, commentary and regulatory insight.





Managing Your Accounting and Bookkeeping in India

In this issue of India Briefing Magazine, we spotlight three issues that financial management teams for India should monitor. Firstly, we examine the new Indian Accounting Standards (Ind-AS) system, which is expected to be a boon for foreign companies in India. We then highlight common filing dates for most companies with operations in India, and lastly examine procedures and regulations for remitting profits from India.

Using Indias Free Trade & Double Tax Agreements

In this issue of India Briefing magazine, we take a look at the bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that India currently has in place and highlight the deals that are still in negotiation. We analyze the countrys double tax agreements, and conclude by discussing how foreign businesses can establish a presence in Singapore to access both the Indian and ASEAN markets.

Passage to India: Selling to Indias Consumer Market In this issue of India Briefing magazine, we outline the fundamentals of Indias import policies and procedures, as well as provide an introduction to engaging in direct and indirect export, acquiring an Indian company, selling to the government and establishing a local presence in the form of a liaison office, branch office, or wholly owned subsidiary. We conclude by taking a closer look at the strategic potential of joint ventures and the advantages they can provide companies at all stages of market entry and expansion.
ENTEBBE, Uganda, July 20 -- Chinese government on Tuesday airlifted 25 of its citizens it evacuated over the weekend from the conflict-hit South Sudan back to Beijing for security and safety reasons.

The citizens who were evacuated last Saturday from the capital, Juba to neighboring Uganda aboard a Special chartered plane sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Maj. Gen. Su Guanghui, acting director of the Peacekeeping Affairs Office and Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who had flown to Juba to handle the aftermath of the attack and killings of the peacekeepers evacuated the citizens.

The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhao Yali oversaw the send off of its country citizens back to Beijing at Entebbe International Airport, about 40 kilometers, south of the capital, Kampala.

The evacuation is part of the emergency measures the Chinese government is taking to protect its citizens in the recent fighting between government troops of President Salva Kiir and forces loyal to Vice President Riek Machar in Juba.

A number of other countries and organizations, including the UN have evacuated some of their staff from the world's newest nation as part of security and safety measures following last week's fighting.

Although a fragile ceasefire has held since last Monday, the UN has warned of the possibility of fresh fighting in Juba.

The remains of two Chinese UN peacekeepers, Corporal Li Lei, 22 and Master Sergeant Yang Shupeng, 33 who were killed after a mortal shell hit the armored vehicle they were moving around the UN compound were lifted back on Tuesday.

The UN estimates that at least 300 people were killed and over 10,000 fled their homes after the violence in Juba.
Prevent Unauthorized Transactions in your demat / trading account Update your Mobile Number/ email Id with your stock broker / Depository Participant. Receive information of your transactions directly from Exchanges on your mobile / email at the end of day and alerts on your registered mobile for all debits and other important transactions in your demat account directly from NSDL/ CDSL on the same day." - Issued in the interest of investors.

KYC is one time exercise while dealing in securities markets - once KYC is done through a SEBI registered intermediary (broker, DP, Mutual Fund etc.), you need not undergo the same process again when you approach another intermediary.

No need to issue cheques by investors while subscribing to IPO. Just write the bank account number and sign in the application form to authorise your bank to make payment in case of allotment. No worries for refund as the money remains in investor's account."

www.indiainfoline.com is part of the IIFL Group, a leading financial services player and a diversified NBFC. The site provides comprehensive and real time information on Indian corporates, sectors, financial markets and economy. On the site we feature industry and political leaders, entrepreneurs, and trend setters. The research, personal finance and market tutorial sections are widely followed by students, academia, corporates and investors among others.
BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) lawmakers should grant China market economy status (MES) as the excuses put forward to choose otherwise are untenable.

The European Commission is set to debate its stance on China's market economy status on Wednesday, the latest move after a non-binding vote in May rejected the loosening of trade defenses.

The EU Parliament said in a resolution in May that China's excess production capacity and cheap exports are hurting EU employment, urging that China not be granted MES.

Facts speak louder than words, however, and, taking the much debated steel industry as an example, China's steel exports to the EU are small compared with other countries and its low value-added steel products are complementary to the EU's steel market portfolio.

Trade with China is by no means a zero-sum game. Without exports from China, the EU would still have to import similar products from other countries. That will not stem job losses in the EU.

Instead, China created 12,000 local jobs in Europe in 2014 as its investment projects in the region rose 40 percent year on year to 210 in total, according to a survey made by Ernst &Young in 2015, noting that it did not include mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in its survey.

Trade with China is key to helping the embattled EU recover from the financial crisis and a debt crisis, especially as the EU has problems enough of its own making. Excessive regulation has stifled any enthusiasm for European innovation and investment.

China is the EU's second-largest trading partner, with daily bilateral trade exceeding 1 billion euros (1.13 billion U.S. dollars).

Cooperation benefits both sides, while contradiction hurts. Clearly, MES for China would help the EU attract investment and find new business as China's industrial landscape transforms.

Besides, according to the international rule, the protocols for China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 dictate that China will automatically switch over to market economy status when the Surrogate Country approach expires on Dec. 11, 2016. By then, the legal foundation for treating China as a non-market economy is gone.

When the Surrogate Country approach is in effect, a third country or region's prices can be used to assess if a certain country is exporting below market value or dumping.

Failing to grant China the MES may facilitate the EU to arbitrarily impose anti-dumping measures, given the bloc already has a track record of turning to protectionist measures against Chinese products. Among 73 anti-dumping measures that the EU is currently employing, 56 apply to imports from China.

But EU policy makers should understand that China neither caused nor can solve the problem of declining EU competitiveness. European lawmakers' bias is nothing more than the heavy hand of trade protectionism squeezing the world economy.

China's exports to the European Union dropped 4.4 percent year on year in the first six months, Vice Commerce Minister Gao Yan said at a news conference on Tuesday.

China advocates free, fair and open trade and has done a lot to free up the market at home. The rise of the world's second-largest economy benefits from its support for fair competition and reduction of administrative barriers.

A case in point is that the Chinese government has decided to further ease investment rules in four free trade zones, temporarily allowing foreign investors to found wholly-owned enterprises in a number of fields,including iron and steel production and gas station operations, a central government statement said on Tuesday.

Either by law or by facts, it should not be difficult for EU policymakers to make the right decision -- to grant China the MES.
Photo taken on April 5, 2016 shows the lighthouse on Zhubi Reef of Nansha Islands in theSouth China Sea, south China. (Xinhua file photo)

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Coastal countries bordering the South China Sea have long established rules and principles regarding how to manage their disputes, which should not be overturned by outsiders with private interests and hegemonic pursuits.

Throughout history, the South China Sea, described as "the Asian Mediterranean" by a French expert on China, Francois Gipouloux, has been a central point of trade between Europe and Asia.

According to Gipouloux, before Western colonialism began its domination over Southeast Asia, three features were present in the South China Sea. First, regional trade was carried out by Chinese ocean-going ships. Second, all officials and crew members aboard these ships were Chinese people. Third, China guided the order of trade.

Though freedom of navigation and safety were jeopardized under Western intervention in the 1600s, Chinese merchant ships regularly sailed to countries in the region to carry out trade. Chinese traders were described by their counterparts as just, fair and civilized.

Navigational rules in the South China Sea were formed long ago. It was the Chinese who taught their neighbors how to build and steer ships, leading to an increase in ship-going activity in the South China Sea.

It was the rules of equality and sharing and setting up a joint defence against looting and plundering written by Chinese traders that helped maintain long-term peace and prosperity in the South China Sea, which remains to this day.

Furthermore, the rules governing the South China Sea are open to change. China and the countries of the region continue to alter rules and regulations in the Sea in accordance with the changing times.

In 2002, China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations signed the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, which is a modern example of how China and Southeast Asia have come together to establish the region's rules of order.

In a word, there's no need for countries outside the region to forcibly dictate how affairs should be managed in the South China Sea. That should be left to the countries of East and Southeast Asia.

Western countries have a long history of failing to establish orderly rule over parts of the world. The Middle East is a classic example. Their intervention has led to chaos in Syria, Iraq and Libya.

The Asia-Pacific has become a rising global economic power because of decades of regional peace and stability. Should Western countries intervene in the South China Sea and its surroundings, that stability would quickly come to an end. The Asia-Pacific would likely become another Middle East.
Yes, you read the headline correct and no, we are not playing a prank on you?

Cocktails and mocktails have some bizarre names at fancy cafes but trust me you wouldn't have heard about this one.

An Italian-themed restaurant and bar in Singapore has a name that will make you SHOUT BC! Yes, no kidding.

No, this isn't a joke. We have a proof too.

Indian: Do you know what is "Madarchod"

American: Yes, it's a dish with enticing flavours of India and costs $23 pic.twitter.com/jSeijaKBFg  leaked- (@DadaThaakur) July 19, 2016

A blend of chai latte, bourbon, hazelnut syrup, and honey water, you can buy SGD 23 (approximately INR 1140). Yes, BC!
bollywoodlife

Radhika Apte has earned probably thousands of girls' envy. After all the girl is all set to star with superstar Rajinikanth in the upcoming film Kabali. Yes, the same film which has already garnered so much publicity and support from fans even before its release. And talking about her experience of working with him, of course, Radhika said that she could have never dreamt of it, "To be honest Id not even dreamt of it." Oh, we get you Radhika!

She remembers how she met him for the first time during a photo shoot. He was in his vanity van, so Radhika asked his manager if she could meet him. Rajinikanth was told about her request and he immediately came out to receive her. It was a great gesture. We chatted, had random conversation, we chilled right from first connect. He spoke to me in Marathi on the first day of the shoot,  she adds.

yahoo

She also spoke about Thalaiva's humble nature, "He speaks to you as if youre his equal so theres no pressure and you dont feel stressed. He would acknowledge them with a smile and a wave and I would absorb the fan worship.

When she was quizzed about the reports of Kabali leaking online, she was really shocked. She said, "It's sad but watching a film on your laptop is not the same as watching a film on screen. Those who want to experience the magic of cinema, will go to the theatre."

True that!
One of the most complicated things about being a grown-up has to be the pain of filing taxes. Seriously, people say it's pretty straightforward but then there are these one thousand and one steps to remember and follow. So, just to make things a little easier to grasp, I tried breaking the whole process down into smaller steps. Along the way, you will learn how to file your taxes in the simplest way possible, along with things to remember, answers to frequently asked questions including the most important one - why do you need to file taxes in the first place? In fact, let's start with just that.

cpashah.com

Why should we be filing taxes in the first place?

Fair question. Especially when you know that shockingly only one percent of our population pays its dues. In a data recently released by the government for the assessment year 2012-2013, out of the 1.2 billion+ population we have, only 2.87 crores filed their income tax returns that year. Out of the 2.87, 1.62 crores of them didn't have to pay any tax at all, leaving only 1.25 crore people paying their taxes. Which kind of explains why we are still behind other countries in providing basic amenities to people.

File your taxes because you're not a criminal. File your taxes because as a responsible citizen of the country it's your duty to. Because the tedious task of eradicating corruption needs to start at home first. Apart from the moral standpoint, filing your taxes on time is a proof of your standard income. Not just in India but globally, your ITR (Income Tax Return) is held as a proof in case you're seeking employment or higher education abroad. It speeds up your loan application process, apart from making mutual fund and property investments easier. Oh, and did I mention that ITR helps in claiming a tax refund from the government?

bask.com

A few things to remember

Okay, the best thing about ITR is that you can file them online now. You don't need to stand in a line or bribe a tout to do it for you. But before you e-file your taxes, make sure you need to file at all.

Start by collecting your payslips and figure out your total taxable income. Some investments get a tax rebate. Make sure you cut them off your list before calculating the payable amount. Put together the list of payslips you have received in the financial year. Doesn't matter if you've switched jobs, make sure you put all your payslips. Second, calculate the TDS cut by your employer over the year and match it with your form 26AS. Form 26AS can be downloaded online and contains information like - Details of tax deducted on your income by deductors, details of tax collected by collectors, advance tax paid by the taxpayer, self-assessment tax payments, regular assessment tax deposited by the taxpayers (PAN holders), details of refund received by you during the financial year, details of high value transactions like shares, mutual funds etc. Make sure the TDS amount calculated and the one mentioned in form-26AS is the same. If not, get in touch with your employer. See why the error is happening. Get it rectified. You would also need to upload/submit your Form 16 (more on which is answered in the FAQs).

Also, a lot of employees have a House Rent Allowance (HRA) component in their CTC. If you do, make sure you claim it by submitting the rent slips to your company's accounts department. In case you missed out on filing your HRA, you can always claim it while filing your returns.

ibtimes.com



Now that we are done with the 'Why' and the things to remember, let's get down and dirty with the , 'How?'

To e-file your income tax return:

- Go to the official government website and sign in. If you don't have an account, sign up.

- On the homepage, go to the 'Downloads' section and select the IT return form that applies to you for that financial year.

- Download the excel utility of the Income Tax Return.

- Fill the excel utility and validate.

- Generate an XML file and save on your computer.

- Login to the e-filing application and got to e-file -> Upload Return.

- Select the Income Tax Return Form and the Assessment Year.

- Browse and select the XML file.

- Upload the digital signature certificate. This isn't for everyone. Do it only if you're applicable and the certificate is available to you.

- Click on Submit.

- An acknowledgement message with be displayed after it is successfully uploaded. Click on the link given to take a print of the Acknowledgement/ITR-V form.

That's it. Believe it or not, things have really been made simple with the e-filing system with help available on each step. However, it is suggested that you still run it past a professional before you click on 'Submit'.

consultlane.com

Now for the FAQs

Do you need to do it yourself?

Absolutely not. Anyone can do it for you. In fact, a number of companies offer ITR filing services for a nominal amount. Look out for them.



Tax gets cut from my salary anyway (TDS). Do I still need to file my ITR?

Yes, you do. Filing your returns is compulsory for everyone with gross total income, that is the income coming in from these five sources - salary/job, property, capital gains, business income and others. All this is only if it exceeds the basic IT exemption limit.

What if I miss the 31st July deadline?

If there is no outstanding balance tax to be paid by you, no interest or penalty will be charged if you file the return before the end of your relevant assessment year (AY). But if you even miss that day, there's a fine of Rs 5000. If there are any tax arrears a penalty of 1% per month is charged as interest on taxes due.



Is a PAN card necessary for filing returns?

Yes, a PAN card number is compulsory for filing ITR. It won't be possible if you don't have one so apply for one right now if you don't have one.

iacpublishinglabs.com

What is advance tax? Is it the same thing?

Advance tax is nothing but payment of your taxes in advance. Advance tax is necessary for everyone on the income earned during the financial year. Non-payment of which will attract a penalty. But if your amount of tax to be paid does not exceed Rs 5,000 you don't need to pay advance tax. Also, if your TDS is being cut by your employer from your salary, you don't need to bother about advance tax.



What is a Form 16 and how do I get one?

Form 16 is a certificate that you get from your employers that states that your TDS is being cut by them. Even if you have left the job, you are entitled to a Form 16. In case you don't have a Form 16, you can still file your taxes. If your TDS didn't get cut, you might not get a Form 16. The worst bit, you cannot download this online so you might have to do a little running around the HR manager of your company.



After reading all this, should I try doing it on my own or get myself a CA or someone who can guide me step by step?

Yes, you must get yourself a CA or tax consultant. Even though the steps are largely straightforward, there might be some complications and having a chartered accountant looking out for you always helps. He/she will guide you all the way, if not, do it for you. Apart from filing taxes, having a CA will also help you manage your money better. To top it all, you will be saving yourself a lot of time. If not, there are also a number of websites out there willing to do the dirty work for you. Seek help.

Reuters

Hope this will make things simpler and helps you file your taxes. That number needs to go beyond 1%. Trust me guys, it's only going to end up benefiting us eventually.
It has been a mixed bag for Indian education institutions in the 2016 edition of the QS World University Rankings for BRICS nations  Brazil, China, India, Russia, and South Africa  released on Wednesday.

BCCL

While India expanded its base in the rankings with 17.6 per cent of the 250 universities from the country, its highest ranked university, the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bengaluru, fell one place from last year's rankings.

Apart from that, six of the top 10 Indian universities in the rankings also lost positions. Also, India has one fewer university in the top 20 when compared to the 2015 rankings.

Also Read: India's IISc Bengaluru And Four IITs Among The Top-50 Universities In Asia

Still, India has eight universities in the top 50, same as Russia and one more than Brazil. QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education analysts and compilers of the QS World University Rankings, releases a ranking of the best universities in the BRICS nations every year. This year it expanded the survey to the top 250 universities in the bloc. The expanded ranking results showed an increased proportion of Indian universities.

BCCL

In 2015, Indian universities took 31 of the 200 available places  or 15.5 per cent. This year, it was 44 out of 250 or 17.6 per cent. But India's representation remains below that of China (86 universities), Russia (55 universities) and Brazil (54 universities).

Ben Sowter, head of research at QS, said, "The expanded rankings demonstrate India's increasing strength in depth, successes that are based primarily on its research excellence. Twelve of their universities score 90 or above for our citations per paper indicator, highlighting that India's research output is able to compete with the best produced by China, Brazil, and Russia."

BCCL

"The data we use to compile the rankings shows that 21 Indian institutions achieve full marks for hiring staff with PhD qualifications," he added.

The top five places went to Chinese institutions. IISc, Bengaluru, came in sixth. Delhi University rose from 46th place to 41st place this year. This follows a sharp rise from 91st to 66th in the latest QS University Rankings: Asia.
An Allahabad court has issued a notice to search engine giant Google after PM Narendra Modi's image propped-up in the search for top 10 criminals of the world.

google

Issuing the notice to Google, its CEO and Google India head, the court also ordered a case to be filed against them.

The court action came in a petition filed by advocate Sushil Kumar Mishra who claimed that despite him writing to Google, the search engine giant refused to correct the mistake. The mistake was first noticed in 2015.

Google in its part said the result was due to its search algorithm.

These results dont reflect Googles opinion or our beliefs; our algorithms automatically matched the query to web pages with these images.

Google
Tourists visit the Forbidden City in rain in Beijing on July 20, 2016. [Photo: Xinhua]

Beijing's Meteorological Center issued a yellow alert for heavy rain on Wednesday, advising against nonessential travel and to be wary of landslides in mountainous regions.

The rain will last till late Wednesday night, and some parts of the city will also experience rainstorms, according to the center.

The center issued a blue alert on Tuesday. From 1 am on Tuesday to 8 am on Wednesday, the average precipitation across the city reached 47.3 millimeters, and the urban area recorded the precipitation of 51.0 millimeters, the center said.

Heavy rain has delayed some train service and around 200 flights have been postponed or suspended in Beijing.

The National Meteorological Center raised its storm alert from yellow to orange on Wednesday. China has a four-tier color-coded system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

Downpours will hit Hunan, Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, Liaoning, and Yunnan provinces, Beijing and Tianjin municipalities, and Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region from 8 am Wednesday to 8 am Thursday.

Hebei, a province around Beijing, issued a red alert for heavy rain on Wednesday, and Tianjin also issued an orange alert.

Heavy rains hit large part of China on Tuesday, and an area of around 635,000 square kilometers covering North China, Central China and East China have seen daily precipitation of more than 50 millimeters.

Some places in Hebei, Henan and Hubei provinces saw precipitation reach 250 millimeters on Tuesday. About 17 counties in Shanxi, Hebei and Hubei provinces recorded highest daily precipitations.

In Linzhou, Henan province, downpours caused 423 millimeters precipitation in six hours from 10 am to 4 pm, and 607 millimeters a day on Tuesday.

Tuesday's heavy rain killed one person and left at least six missing in Cixian county, North China's Hebei province that encircles Beijing, according to local government.

In Central China's Hubei province, heavy rain killed five residents in Enshi Tujia and Miao autonomous prefecture on Tuesday, bringing the death toll in Hubei to six, according to the provincial bureau of civil affairs. One remains missing.
Infosys shocked the stock markets with its weak performance during the first quarter. The company which has been impressed both the analysts and investors in the past few quarters with its blistering growth also lowered its full-year guidance to 10.5-12%, from the 11.5-13.5% it gave in April.

AFP

Commenting on the results, CEO Vishal Sikka said that it was an execution failure in certain segments of the business and he is taking steps to fix those.

In an email to employees, Sikka announced all these changes, while confessing himself "disappointed" with Infosys's first-quarter debacle. Here's the letter (verbatim) Sikka sent to the company's employees.

Friends,

The first quarter of our new financial year was a revelation in many ways. I view the reaction by the markets and the media as a clear sign of the high standards our company is held to, the expectations we carry, even though everyone understands that a 90 day cycle means little on a long journey. I am disappointed. Disappointed that our revenue performance was not what we could have delivered, but even more so, that this overshadowed the many strong strides we made on executing our strategy.

Our revenue growth of 2.2% to $2501M, included a shortfall in consulting revenue, some declines in package implementations, and small declines in our India business and Finacle. But at the same time, we made great progress in both, renewing our core, AND in the new areas of our business, as well as in our culture of enabling this continual renew-new improvement. Our core business, delivery, under Ravi's great leadership, grew by 3.4%, improved its utilization, lowered its dependence on subcontractors, delivered ever higher benefits from automation, and derived tangible gains from both Zero Distance and Zero Bench.

Reuters

Equally importantly, if not even more so, our New business grew extremely well, under Sandeep's stewardship. Gains in our newly introduced Mana, as well as in Skava, EDGE, design services and other new areas, accounted for more than a fifth of our growth! On Mohit's watch, large deal wins crossed the $800M mark in TCV, our top 5, top 10 and top 25 clients, all grew faster than the company, the number of our $100M clients grew by 3 to 17, and we added 95 new clients.

Ranga and his amazing finance team, helped improve the overall health of our company's profitability and financials. We are close to 100k Infoscions having been exposed to design-thinking, the number of ZD ideas crossed 11k, and more than 5k of these have been discussed with clients, and the first ones already monetized, thanks to a simple new process Ravi and Ranga have enabled, and ZB now has more than 20k jobs, and, in a year since its launch, this initiative got us to the point that more than 99.5% of the bench colleagues have been engaged, thus helping them deliver value and break the cycle of being on the bench not helping them get the experience they need to get off the bench. And there were many others.

Reflecting on this on my trip back home, mainly I learnt this: those areas which receive "the flame of our attention" in Jiddu Krishnamurti's words, show progress. And when running an operation as large and complex as ours, we must attend to each cog, every piece of our spectrum, to prevent a few negatives from overshadowing the many great positives. We cannot take our eyes off any important aspect of our business, each area of our large and diverse portfolio of services, products and platforms. In Q2, and beyond, we must accelerate our work in all the key strategic aspects of our work, AND we must address the weaknesses of Q1.

Our stock incentive rewards program, back after 13 years, is a great celebration of our people, our potential, and our commitment to recognize performance, and to have us participate in our collective work, and its outcomes, for Infosys is no more and no less than us, each one of us, and all of us. To help us lead from the front, Pravin and I are making some changes to the team. In Consulting, we had already announced that Rajesh Murthy would take over going forward.

AFP

Reporting to Rajesh, Michael Pesch will continue to run Europe, LATAM and APAC, and Kenneth Toombs, who recently joined Infosys, will run North America and India. Sanjay Purohit will join Pravin to work on strategic initiatives in bringing Design Thinking to our clients at scale. Ritika Suri will take over our large deals work, including SGS, from Anup Uppadhayay. Anup has decided to leave Infosys, and I would like to thank him for his tremendous loyalty and service to Infosys over the last 23 years. I have been privileged to work with Anup since I started my journey almost two years ago, and we wish him all the best.

Ritika brings a strong background in sales, particularly in driving large deals for products and platforms, and this is exactly the kind of experience we need to help transform our large client engagements with a focus in our renew-new strategy. M&A will move to Deepak Padaki, while Ritika continues to lead the Innovation Fund and our work with startups. She will continue to report to Ranga and Mohit will continue to sponsor our large deals work. In CIS, we will focus on renewing the existing business and bringing Mana to every aspect of it.

This will be led by Narry (Narsimha Rao) who will take over from Samson David. Narry has been with Infosys for 15 years, and has been running IVS for the last 1.3 years with great success and excellence. Narry and the entire delivery team under Ravi's leadership, will work closely with Navin Budhiraja on the Mana platform. I am very happy that Sudhir Jha has joined us from Google to help with product management and product marketing for Mana and for bringing a product discipline to all our work.

We thank Sam for his great work in growing the infrastructure business over the last few quarters, and his great contributions to Infosys for more than two decades, and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Our success will be the result of our endeavor. The work of our people. The amazing individuals I meet every single day. I learnt that a million folks wanted to join the Infosys family last year! Our people focus will continue, and will be at the core of all that we do.

My belief in each one of us was redoubled last week, when I spoke to a few PMs at Bangalore. One Infoscion from Chandigarh, with her zeal and her team's proactive ZD ideas for banking, represented the vision of unleashing the innovator within each of us, more than any words can express. But it will take the very best of the very best in us. At a time when the world around us seems ever more influenced by the baser instincts and tendencies, we must bring the best of our intentions, and the best of our imagination, our knowledge and our conviction, to all that we do.

When Krishnamurti spoke of the flame of attention, he spoke of a compassionate attention, to what matters, to the long-term, purposeful, vision, to a fun, rewarding journey along the way. Over the weekend, a friend of mine wrote to me, asking me to "stay healthy, stay in the moment, focused on your actions, even as you work hard to let your achievements outshine your aspirations...".

Here's to a strong Q2, and a strong remainder of the year, one that not only exceeds the high standards we are held to, but does so purposefully, in moving forward on the long haul, one that shows what we as Infoscions are capable of. Here's to our actions, our flames of attention, outshining our aspirations and others' expectations. Let's do it!

Best, V
Bishahra village near Dadri is simmering with hatred for Mohammad Akhlaq. He was lynched to death on September 28, 2015 for allegedly slaughtering a cow and storing its meat for consumption. No sympathy. No remorse. This is the situation in the village he once called home. Shockingly, his gruesome killing is being justified. The argument being - he was punished for 'hurting the religious sentiment of Hindus'. There is communal hostility and it's expressed without hesitation.

indiatimes

Slaughter of the holy cow

With the registration of FIR against murdered Akhlaq and six of his family members under U.P. Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, and the Animal Cruelty Act following a court order recently, the collective conscience of the highly polarised society appears to have been satisfied. The majority population says it is 'happy' and now demands that the 'slaughterers of holy cow' be arrested and thrown behind bars, and the compensation given to them be taken back.

Slaughter of a cow is an offence that carries imprisonment of up to seven years in Uttar Pradesh as well as a fine of Rs.10,000.

BCCL

Has the communal fabric of the Western UP village been ruptured after alleged cow slaughter or was it boiling for a long time and needed just a spark to ignite?

Locals say Hindus and Muslims have lived here in harmony for generations and the village had no history of any communal tension even during the days of partition. No tension was reported after the demolition of Babri Mosque either. Things suddenly changed in 2015.

Saved by Hindus

Though Hindus still organised marriage of Muslim girls in the village, since the lynching, the bonhomie which was the hallmark of the village is now gone.

Akhlaqs family members were saved by a Hindu family when the mob rushed to his house to kill him. As the mob approached, Akhlaq frantically called up his childhood friend, Manoj Sisodia, a Hindu, for help. Sisodia ran to his aid, but it was too late. When Akhlaq and his son Danish were targeted, a Hindu family in the neighbourhood saved the rest of the family (three women, one man and one child of his family).

indiatimes

Why did the villages 'secular' Hindu population suddenly turned against their Muslim brothers? Muslims, constitute only six-seven percent (30-40 Muslim families in a village of over 6,000 people) and perform tasks like woodwork, tailoring and fitting bangles during weddings.

A handful of people in the village do not see any communal angle attached to the incident, though they consider the brutal killing a 'heinous crime' and say 'guilty must be punished'. They argue things became tense only after media and politicians highlighted the issue.

indiatimes

A one-off incident?

Nobody is communal here. We all are living in peace. We appeal the politicians and media not to communalise and sensationalise the issue, which will disturb peace in our area. The incident should be considered as a heinous crime and the guilty must be punished without exception, Vishnu, who gave refuge to Akhlaqs family, told Indiatimes.

This is the first instance of communal violence here in centuries and this will be the last. It wouldn't have happened, had the holy cow not been slaughtered, said another local, who runs a dhaba near the village.

indiatimes

Claiming there is no hatred or animosity towards other Muslims living in the village, a man in his late 70s said, We organised marriage of a poor Muslim girl a few days back. What happened was spontaneous and not planned. The issue, he said, had snowballed into a big controversy after media, politicians and some intellectuals added communal colour to the incident and triggered passion and tension across the country.

But for a majority of population, the reason for hatred and animosity towards the entire Muslim community is 'betrayal' by Akhlaq, the huge compensation paid to his family, 'wrongful' arrests of 'innocent' Hindu men and the new forensic report that said the meat sample sent for analysis was that of cow or its progeny and aggressive reporting in the media against the brutal killing.

Killing a cow is like killing a man

We let Muslims in our village live peacefully, but Akhlaq back-stabbed us. He was a traitor. He was punished for what he did, said Om Kumar, whose two sons (Vivek and Sachin) are in jail for their alleged involvement in the crime.

indiatimes

Everyone is crying for Akhlaq, but not for us. Our children are named in the FIR and they are in jail for a crime they have not committed. But you (the media) will always write in favour of Muslims and always against Hindus. If his family was given compensation for the loss, we the Hindus should also be given the same because our children have wrongly been framed he said. He also demanded that since it has now been established in the forensic report that the meat found in Akhlaqs home was beef, the amount given to his families be taken back.

Clearly, the murder had polarised the village, and though there are still a few sane voices, they are being drowned by the communal noise. We hope the peace prevails.
Whether it's a tiring night of Pokemon Go adventures or a binge-watch of Chota Bheem that left Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi in sleep mode during the big debate on the public flogging of Dalits in Gujarat that had the opposition up in arms!

NDTV

While the entire world is going cray-cray over RaGa's inopportune napping, we wish to remind them that it's not just RaGa who is prone to doze off the in house.

Congress VP Rahul Gandhi caught napping in Lok Sabha againhttps://t.co/Tqe7kHiLfd  Times of India (@timesofindia) July 20, 2016

We are damn sure that he was not trying to repeat his earlier antics from July 2014 but may be he was trying to emulate former PM HD Deve Gowda who would often sleep off during debates in the parliament during his tenure in 1996-98.

daijiworld.com

Or may be he was trying to match up to our most charismatic PM Shri Narendra Modiji, who was caught sleeping last year during the Constitution day hoopla.

Narendra Modi Caught Sleeping During Parliament Session, #PMJetLag Becomes Hottest Topic Around Town pic.twitter.com/3ebpx9n5CV  Swachh Politics (@SwachhPolitics) November 26, 2015

Recently anointed Textile Minister Smriti Irani has real trouble staying awake during her days as the IHRD Minister.

@hardikssanghvi @narendramodi sad smriti irani sleeping in parliament witout any yojna pic.twitter.com/7jpVZjypbT

 Sandeep Deokar (@SandipDeokar1) July 10, 2014





How about another of Modiji's minister Santosh Gangwar:

india today

And not to forget Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh's whose favourite place to sleep is also Lok Sabha.

India today

...and btw is that Manmohan Singh medidating in front of him? Hmm....
The Indian Air Force had drawn up extensive plans to bomb tactical as well as strategic targets deep inside Pakistan during the 1999 Kargil conflict, while the Navy had the Karachi harbour in its cross-hairs.

AFP

But the orders to execute the plans never came from the then NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Instead, the cabinet committee on security on May 25 clearly instructed then IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis that his fighter jets must not cross the Line of Control under any circumstances, leave alone undertake deep strikes into Pakistan.

Tipnis, by his own account, did ask for permission for his fighters to slightly cross the LoC for better attack options against the well-fortified positions established by the Pakistan Army regulars on the Kargil heights after intruding into Indian territory in April-May that year.

BCCL

The IAF's request to cross the LoC slightly during the Kargil conflict had been categorically rejected by the then government.

"The PM (Vajpayee) straightened up in his chair and said firmly, 'Please don't cross the LoC. No crossing the LoC'," recalled then IAF chief A Y Tipnis later.

BCCL

This restraint shown by India in not escalating the conflict into a full-blown war, in fact, put tremendous international pressure led by the US on Pakistan to finally withdraw from the Kargil heights.

AFP

IAF's own "offensive air operations" under Operation Safed Sagar, in support of the ongoing Army operations on the ground, began on May 26. But all throughout the conflict, the Indian MiG-21, MiG-27 and Mirage-2000 fighters fired rockets and missiles at the "fortified enemy positions" only from their "own side" of the LoC.

BCCL

While the Kargil conflict was its peak, the Srinagar airbase was put on high alert for a pre-emptive deep strike inside Pakistan at dawn on June 13, as per an NDTV report. The MiG-21 pilots from the "Golden Arrows" squadron were all geared up, with targets being assigned, and equipped with revolvers and Pakistani currency to escape in the eventuality of being shot down over Pakistan or Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as is customary. They had also written "letters home" if they did not return from their missions.
Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed bullet rail corridor would be completed by 2022, and will cost less than airfare, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said.

BCCL

Maintaining that the ambitious project is doable, Prabhu said in Lok Sabha during Question Hour that the high-speed train project would be cost-effective.

The high speed bullet train is expected to cover 508 km between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in about two hours, running at a maximum speed of 350 kmph and operating speed of 320 kmph. At present, Duronto Express takes about seven hours to cover the distance between the two financial centres.

When it was pointed out that huge funds has been given for the project which might hamper those in other parts of the country, Prabhu said "there was no regional bias. Every state has got more than double than earlier."

BCCL

The high speed rail project has been sanctioned with technical and financial assistance from the government of Japan and the joint feasibility study of the project has already been done by Japanese International Agency.

Estimated to cost about Rs 97,636 crore, 81 per cent of the funding for the 508 km long Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed rail corridor project will come in form of a loan from Japan. The project cost includes possible cost escalation, interest during construction and import duties.

The project is being funded by Japan with a soft loan for 50 years at 0.1 per cent annual interest with 15 years' moratorium. Rolling stock and other equipment like signalling and power system will be imported from Japan as per the loan agreement.

Reuters

Railways has spelt out its policy with regard to running of high speed and semi-high speed trains by identification of potential routes for both kinds of train services. Prabhu said feasibility studies for other high speed corridors have been awarded to various railway companies.

Delhi-Mumbai high speed corridor has been awarded to the consortium of the Third Railway Survey and Design Institute Group Corporation (Chinese consultant) and Lahmeyer International from India. Feasibility study of high speed corridors on Mumbai- Chennai, Delhi-Kolkata, Delhi-Nagpur and Mumbai-Nagpur have also been awarded to diffent global consultants.

Prabhu said railways have identified nine corridors for feasibility of semi-high speed rail. The semi-high speed routes are Delhi-Chandigarh, Chennai-Bengaluru-Mysore, Delhi-Kanpur, Nagpur-Bilaspur, Mumbai-Goa, Mumbai-Ahmedabad, Chennai-Hyderabad and Nagpur-Secunderabd.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Will Need To Make 100 Daily Trips For India To Afford It

However, The proposed bullet train will reportedly need to tranport 88,000 - 118,000 passengers per day, the equivalent of 100 trips daily, for the Railways to keep it financially viable, according to Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A) calculations.

The train, that would run at speeds of 300-350 kmph, would be mostly funded by the Japan Investment Co-operation Agency (JICA).

Work on the high-speed rail corridor will start by late 2017 or early 2018. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high speed corridor is one of the ambitious projects promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government and is on the priority list.
When Amit Chauhan decided to turn his National Institute of Fashion Technology project on prostitution into a larger effort to legalise it in India, he was not sure of what he would find in the dark alleys of the famous brothels in northern India. In an exclusive interview with Indiatimes, Chauhan talks about what he found when looking for case studies for his research for an upcoming book and now Facebook page, Nath Utrai.

"The page is named after the girl's puberty festival in Khakranagla of Rajasthan. The project was inspired by the cultural reference to prostitution in the village which is one-of-a-kind in India," shares Chauhan. "Many parts of India celebrate a girl's attaining puberty but it is largely a celebration at home or with near and dear friends. In Khakranagla, after a girl has her first period, she has a ceremonial bath and then married. The first night is celebrated as the 'nath utrai' or losing of virginity."

Amit Chauhan

Chauhan first visted this village as part of his project on using prostitutes as models for his designs. After returning from the trip, he found himself thinking of a larger possibility for empowering prostitutes across India. He teamed up with six other students from his college in Kangra and started a larger project documenting the lives of prostitutes in Delhi and Rajasthan.

ALSO READ: A Rajasthan village where prostitution is tradition

"We chose three case studies from Delhi and Rajasthan respectively. Although we went armed with questions on their choice of profession and what they would do if they could escape, we were shocked to find that most women in the profession do not want to leave the job," he shares.

"These prostitutes are the bread winners for their entire family."

Amit Chauhan

"Six months ago, we went to GB Road in Delhi which is a well-known red light district in the Capital. We were led to the police station by a tout where we were instructed not to take any photographs or video footage," he shares. "We spoke to a lot of the women there. They were clear that they did not want this life for any of their children but for most, there was no alternate job options."

"My family knew about the project I have been working on and they had valid concerns as the crime rate around these places is quite high. They are still nervous when I am on the field but they support me," he shares.

Amit Chauhan

"These women get 100-200 rupees per customer and have to split the profits with a middlemen. If prostitution was leganlised in India then they would not be exploited," Chauhan says. "The objective in my mind is to fight for legalising prostitution in India. I feel that by doing this, we can help bring down crimes against women in the country. If men have a legal space to satisfy their sexual needs, women of the country will be at a lesser risk."

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has stated that the number of prostitutes in India, despite its illegality, has risen by 50 per cent between 1997 and 2004.

Amit Chauhan

The ministry also has recorded over 3 million sex workers across India in 2009. However, these numbers have risen drastically. Prostitution is legal in India however, owning or running a brothel is not. Countries like Germany, Greece and Indonesia have benefitted deeply from legalising prostitution with clear laws in favour of the sex workers. However, in countries like Canada and Bangladesh, legalising prostitution has added to trafficking and other crimes. India needs to develop a strict set of laws governing the trade to avoid crimes against women.

Amit Chauhan

The Nath Utrai project now has support from a Scottish activist, Mekhala Dave, who is be visiting India next year to help the students bring out a book and file a petition for the legislation. "Right now, we are doing a lot of shoots with models and college students on the basis of the research that we have. We are trying to create more awareness on the issue on a national level."

FB/Amit Chauhan

The Facebook page gets a lot of hits but has less than 400 likes so far. Chauhan laughs, "I understand that people want to know about it but do not wish to be seen publicly talking or participating in such an event." More solemnly, he adds, "This needs to change. Every person has human rights and these women have been deprived of dignity and have ended up as victims of a failed society."
Saudi Arabia is just one beheading away from a century, as it carried out the 99th execution of the year in the ultra-conservative Muslim kingdom, putting a man to death for murder.

The Islamic kingdom is in the top-five countries in the world for putting people to death, rights groups say.

It ranked number 3 in 2014, after China and Iran, and ahead of Iraq and the United States, according to Amnesty International figures of 2015.

Hassan bin Mubarak al-Amri was convicted of stabbing to death fellow Saudi Jahran al-Issa following a dispute, the interior ministry said in a statement carried by the SPA state news agency.

He was executed in the southwestern coastal city of Qunfudah, it said. Saudi Arabia imposes the death penalty for offences including murder, drug trafficking, armed robbery, rape and apostasy.

Most people executed are beheaded with a sword. There were no beheadings during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which began in the kingdom on June 6.

dailymail

However, executions resumed on Sunday when authorities put a Saudi murderer to death. Human rights group Amnesty International says the kingdom carried out at least 158 death sentences last year, making it the third most prolific executioner after Iran and Pakistan. Amnesty's figures do not include secretive China. The London-based watchdog says the Saudi rate of executions this year is "higher than at the same point last year".

Murder and drug trafficking cases account for the majority of Saudi executions, although 47 people were put to death for "terrorism" offences on a single day in January. They included prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, whose execution prompted Iranian protesters to torch Saudi diplomatic missions, leading Riyadh to sever relations.

Saudi authorities have not said why the number of executions has increased so rapidly, but diplomats have speculated it may be because more judges have been appointed, allowing a backlog of appeal cases to be heard.

Political analysts say it might also reflect a tough response by the judiciary to regional turbulence. A downloadable PDF application form for the executioner jobs, available on the website carrying Monday's date, said the jobs were classified as 'religious functionaries' and that they would be at the lower end of the civil service pay scale.

Saudi Arabia has actually been quite upfront about its execution punishments - earlier this year, they had even advertised for executioners.

Also Read: Pakistan Is The World's Third Largest Executioner, But It's Not The Militants It Is Hanging!
BEIJING, July 20, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Tourists visit the Forbidden City in rain in Beijing, capital of China, July 20, 2016. Beijing's meteorological bureau issued an orange alert for rainstorm Wednesday noon. (Xinhua/Luo Xiaoguang)

BEIJING, July 20 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authority on Wednesday maintained its orange alert, the second highest of its four-tier warning system, for rainstorms across the country.

Torrential rain will hit parts of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan and Yunnan from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon, with rainfall of up to 240 millimeters in some places.

The National Meteorological Center advised people living in the affected areas to prepare for possible floods, landslides and mud and rock flows, and those that live in mountainous areas should move to safe places.

Heavy rain across China since June has resulted in heavy casualties, while a powerful tornado along with hailstorms in Yancheng City in China's Jiangsu Province on June 23 left around 100 dead.

China has a four-tier color-coded system for severe weather, with red being the most serious, followed by orange, yellow and blue.
Were excited to announce that indmin.com is now part of fastmarkets.com.

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SHANGHAI, July 20 -- Five people were killed when an amphibian plane hit a bridge in Shanghai on Wednesday, a local hospital said.

The B-10FW plane, carrying 10 people, was on its maiden flight from Shanghai's Jinshan District to Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province, when it hit the bridge around midday.

The five fatalities died in hospital, one person with serious injuries is undergoing surgery, and four others sustained injuries, which were not life threatening, according to a doctor with Jinshan Hospital, Fudan University.

Rescuers are retrieve the wreckage from the water.

According to Shanghai municipal government information office, the plane is owned by AVIC Joy General Aviation Co. Ltd., an affiliate of the Aviation Industry Corp. of China.

It is the first amphibian plane operator approved to carry passengers in east China. Its business scope includes medical rescue, aviation exploration, air tours, private and commercial pilot training, aviation photography, air advertising and charter flights.
Sources at the Greek defense ministry on Wednesday evening denied press reports out of Turkey claiming that Turkish warplanes were closely monitoring two Turkish coast guard vessels in Greek territorial waters. The media report, circulated on the website of the mass Turkish daily Hurriyet, implied that the Turkish vessels were attempting to flee to Greek territory.
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Brzezinskis Nightmares:

Russia, China & the Perspective of the Real War

By Umberto Pascali The US shall make sure that the Arab Springs and civil wars will continue and escalate in order to get two birds with one stone. - Continue

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President Assad: Aleppo Battle Last Card Played by Turks, Qataris & Saudis

By Editor The United Nations is now an American arm, where they can use it the way they want. - Continue

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Turkey The Purge Continues

Thousands of Judges Under Arrest

By Pierre Barbancey - Translated By Henry Crapo It was Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans dream. - Continue

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In The US, Money Talks When It Comes To Israel

By Jonathan Cook We reject the false notion that Israel is an occupier.  Support for Israel is an expression of Americanism.. - Continue

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RNC War Party, DNC War Makers

By David Swanson Trump is almost guaranteed to continue, escalate, and launch new wars, just like Clinton. Continue

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Is the Saudi 9/11 Story Part Of The Deception?

By Paul Craig Roberts The revelation that the 9/11 attack was financed by the Saudi government has the effect of bolstering the sagging official story. - Continue

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Volatile America

By Robert C. Koehler In a flash I thought, oh God, the civil war has started. - Continue

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Cruz Gets Booed For NOT Endorsing Trump

Video The crowd chanted endorse Trump as Cruz went through his prepared remarks - Continue

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Syrian Democratic Forces kill over 100 ISIS jihadis in fresh offensive : Backed by the US-led coalition forces, the SDF bombed ISIS positions in central Manbij, north of Aleppo.

US allegedly kill at least 73 civilians in northern Syria : US airstrikes on a Syrian village have killed at least 73 civilians, a majority of them women and children, activists say, in the deadliest coalition attack on non-combatants since the start of the bombing campaign against the Islamic State.

Nusra Front executes captive pro-Syrian government soldiers : A video distributed by the group showed at least 12 men who gave their names before kneeling down in a line and being shot simultaneously in the back of the head.

Syrian opposition asks US-led coalition to halt attacks on Isil after dozens of civilian deaths : The head of the opposition Syrian National Coalition called for a suspension of the US-led air campaign against Islamic State (Isil) in Syria while reports of dozens of civilian deaths from air strikes around the northern city of Manbij are investigated.

U.N. calls for 48 hour ceasefires to aid besieged Syrian zones : The United Nations called on Thursday for Syria's warring sides to observe 48-hour local truces to let aid reach eastern Aleppo and other besieged zones where civilians may be starving.

Daesh given 48 hours to leave Syria's Manbij : Syrian forces have given Daesh 48 hours to abandon the embattled northern city of Manbij near the Turkish border. The Manbij Military Council, issued the ultimatum on Thursday in an effort to protect civilian lives in Manbij.

Iraq: 20 ISIS operators plotting external attacks killed : "Today we reviewed and agreed on the next plays in our campaign, which of course we won't discuss publicly yet. But let me be clear: they culminate in the collapse of ISIL's control over the cities of Mosul and Raqqa," he said.

Al-Salam Brigades: We are thirsty for Americans blood: Al-Salam Brigades, the revitalized form of Muqtada al-Sadrs Mahdi Army, announced on Wednesday its insistence on targeting American troops that Washington plans to send to Iraq and said that its members are thirsty for the blood of Americans.

Iraq War Families smash crowdfund target to put Tony Blair on trial : The online fundraiser hit its first target of 50,000 (US$66,000) within a day of launching on Tuesday, and it is now rapidly approaching its secondary target of 150,000.

Turkey to suspend European human rights convention following failed coup : Under the emergency measure, the Turkish president and his ministers are allowed to bypass the parliament in passing new laws.

Global alarm grows as 50,000 hit by Turkey purge : Turkey faced fresh accusations it was flouting the rule of law with its purge of 50,000 people after an attempted coup, as the president gathered security chiefs Wednesday for the first time since the putsch.

Erdogan Warned of Incoming Coup by Russian Alert : Arab media outlets quoted diplomats in Ankara as disclosing that Turkey's President Erdogan was alerted by Russia against an imminent army coup hours before it was initiated on Friday

Chill in US-Turkish Relations May Signal Ankara's Shift Toward Moscow : Signs of tensions growing between the US and Turkey continue to emerge, prompting some to question whether Ankara has reviewed its geopolitical priorities and made a shift from Washington toward Moscow.

Palestinians buried after Jerusalem killings: Muhyee Sidqi al-Tibakhi, 12, died after he was shot in the chest and head on Tuesday, the Palestinian health ministry told media.

U.S. warns of potential imminent threat to citizens in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: The U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia said on Thursday it had received reports of a "potential, imminent threat" against U.S. citizens in areas of the city of Jeddah frequented by Westerners.

Iran forfeiture order benefiting Sept. 11 victims' families reversed on appeal : A record terrorism-related forfeiture order benefiting families of some Sept. 11 victims and others was reversed on appeal Wednesday, leaving in doubt what will happen to a $1 billion Manhattan office building at the center of the legal case.

French government acknowledges 'secret war' in Libya as three soldiers killed fighting Isil militants : France had previously admitted that its warplanes were carrying out reconnaissance flights over the restive north African country, where Islamic State jihadists have a foothold

Libya unity government denounces French military involvement: The acknowledgment was also an embarrassment for France because it exposed that the French forces are in eastern Libya, fighting alongside Brig. Gen. Khalifa Hifter  a bitter opponent of the Tripoli-based U.N.-backed unity government.

At Least 50 Daesh, Taliban Militants Killed in Eastern Afghanistan : Afghan military and security forces have killed 50 militants from the Taliban Islamist movement and Daesh terrorist group in the country's eastern province of Nangarhar, local media reported Thursday.

Taliban militants overrun district in Afghanistans Kunduz province : The Taliban have reportedly overrun a strategic Afghan district bordering with Tajikistan overnight Thursday, after four days of fighting.

US Justice Department aims to seize one billion dollars in Malaysian assets: The US Justice Department has filed lawsuits against a state fund in Malaysia over alleged money laundering. The scandal has embroiled a number of high-profile government officials both inside and outside Malaysia.

US Navy to return to New Zealand after 30-year rift over nukes : The Navy will make a port call in New Zealand for the first time since 1985, when the South Pacific nation banned visits by ships carrying nuclear weapons.

Refugee boat found with 22 dead bodies off Libya coast: The bodies of 21 women and one man have been found "in a pool of fuel" at the bottom of a rubber dinghy adrift near the Libyan coast, just hours after they had set sail for Italy, according to the humanitarian group Doctors Without Borders (MSF).

Moscow to consider Germany's change of policy in viewing Russia as factor of instability : "Assessing and analyzing this document, we leave it on the authors conscience," Zakharova said. "It has nothing in common with true values and goals of the Russian foreign and security policies."

Trump says US may abandon automatic protections for Nato countries : Members of Nato have all signed a treaty that says they will come to the aid of any member that is attacked.

Transcript: Donald Trump on NATO, Turkeys Coup Attempt and the World: How are we going to lecture when people are shooting our policemen in cold blood. How are we going to lecture when you see the riots and the horror going on in our own country.

Russia Calls Rio Olympics Ban Ruling 'a Crime Against Sport' : The decision by the CAS increases the possibility that the International Olympic Committee, or IOC, will now exclude Russia from all sports, not just track and field, in Rio de Janeiro.

UK could lose permanent seat on UN Security Council: In the memo, seen by Reuters, UN officials questioned whether Britain is worthy of being a veto-power on the council after we recently withdrew police officers from a peacekeeping mission in conflict-stricken South Sudan without consulting the international body.

Climate change department closed by Theresa May in 'plain stupid' and 'deeply worrying' move : On Monday, Government advisers had warned of the need to take urgent action to prepare the UK for floods, droughts, heatwaves and food shortages caused by climate change.

Sign this petition: Parliament should hold Tony Blair to account for the war in Iraq Parliament should now agree a process by which it can hold the former Prime Minister to account.

In Spite of Public Opposition, France Passes Regressive Labor Reform : Organized labor and student groups have long contended that the law will only serve to lower the French standard of living, one of the highest in the world.

Brazil arrests 'amateur' group accused of Olympics terror plot: Brazil arrested 10 people on Thursday suspected of belonging to a poorly organized group supporting Islamic State (IS) and discussing acts of terrorism during next month's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Guantanamo Diary Author Cleared for Release After 14-Year Imprisonment : Slahi was arrested in his native Mauritania in 2001, and was held and tortured in secret prisons in Afghanistan and Jordan before being secreted to Guantanamo. He has been imprisoned for over 14 years without being charged with a crime.

Federal Debt Tops $19,400,000,000,000: The federal debt moved above $19,400,000,000,000 for the first time as of the close of business on Tuesday, according to the data released today by the U.S. Treasury.

US Credit Conditions Drop to Worst Level since Q3 2009, Markets Soar : Companies are buckling under their load of debts in an environment of slack demand and declining sales. The Standard & Poors default rate has been rising relentlessly, and in June, hit 4.3%, the highest rate since the Financial Crisis.

Flight Attendant Tells Muslim Man Ill Be Watching You, Then Kicks Him Off The Plane : A Muslim man was kicked off an American Airlines plane after a flight attendant announced to other passengers his name and seat number, warning him Ill be watching you.

Police Shoot Unarmed Therapist, Pleading For His Life While Helping Patient: Video - And Im saying, Sir, why did you shoot me? and his words to me were, I dont know, Kinsey said.

RNC Protesters "Wall Off Trump" and Confront Police Violenc e: On Wednesday, hundreds of immigrants' rights protesters from across the US erected a wall with several fence- and wall-like banners that stretched for several blocks outside the Quicken Loans Arena, where the RNC is taking place.

FBI visits homes of Cleveland activists amid Republican National Convention protests : The Ohio chapter of the National Lawyers Guild told the Los Angeles Times that this is only the latest in the FBIs series of raids meant to intimidate protesters since the beginning of the summer.

How Much Is Donald Trump Worth? An Examination Of The Evidence : Trump says one thing, records say another

Cheney says he will support Trump: The announcement makes Cheney one of the few Republican Party elders to announce their support of Trump and comes a day after House Speaker Paul Ryan told CNN he is "just not ready" to back Trump.

Filmmaker Michael Moore: 'Sorry,' but Trump likely to win : "People are in denial of this, but the chance of winning is really, really good."
The Coup in Turkey has Thrown a Wrench in Uncle Sams Pivot Plan



By Mike Whitney



July 20, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " Counterpunch " - A failed coup in Turkey has changed the geopolitical landscape overnight realigning Ankara with Moscow while shattering Washingtons plan to redraw the map of the Middle East. Whether Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdogan staged the coup or not is of little importance in the bigger scheme of things. The fact is, the incident has consolidated his power domestically while derailing Washingtons plan to control critical resources and pipeline corridors from Qatar to Europe. The Obama administrations disregard for the national security interests of its allies, has pushed the Turkish president into Moscows camp, removing the crucial landbridge between Europe and Asia that Washington needs to maintain its global hegemony into the new century. Washingtons plan to pivot to Asia, surround and break up Russia, control Chinas growth and maintain its iron grip on global power is now in a shambles. The events of the last few days have changed everything. This is from the Daily Sahbah: Turkeys changing rhetoric toward Russia is also a direct consequence of Ankaras unmet expectations regarding the Syria conflict. Turkeys disappointment with the United States policy in Syria has increased with time, especially considering Washingtons continued support for the Kurdish fighters of the Peoples Protection Units (YPG) in Syria. Ankara sees this group as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorist organization (Daily Sabah, 12 June).

(A Change in Turkish-Russian Relations: What Sort of Rapprochement?, The Jamestown Foundation) Obama can only blame himself for the debacle that is now unfolding. Erdogan was completely clear about Turkeys red lines, the most important of which is preventing the Kurdish militias from moving west of the Euphrates and creating a contiguous state along the Syrian side of Turkeys southern border. Heres Erdogan commenting on developments a few months ago: Right now, there is a serious project, plan being implemented in northern Syria. And on this project and plan lay the insidious aims of those who appear as friends. This is very clear, so I need to make clear statements. Instead of addressing Erdogans security concerns, Obama brushed him aside in order to pursue the US goal of establishing bases and seizing territory in East Syria that will eventually be used as pipeline routes from Qatar to the EU. Naturally, Erdogan responded in kind, forming alliances with former enemies (Russia, Syria, Israel) in order to reset Turkish foreign policy and address the growing threat of an emerging Kurdish state on his southern flank. Keep in mind, Turkey believes that Americas new proxies in Syriathe Kurdish YPG are linked to the PKK, which is listed as a terror organization by the U.S. and EU. Had Obama committed US troops to the fight, (instead of using the YPG) Erdogan would not have reacted at all. But the fact that Obama was deliberately strengthening Turkeys traditional rivals in their westward move, was more than Erdogan could bear. Erdogan Apologizes At the end of June, Erdogan apologized to President Vladimir Putin for the death of a Russian pilot who was killed when Turkey downed a bomber flying over Syrian territory last November. The shootdown prompted Putin to break off relations with Ankara ending all communication between the two countries. Then, in the last week of June, Erdogan sent a letter to Putin expressing his deep sympathy and condolences to the relatives of the deceased Russian pilot. He added that Russia was a friend and a strategic partner with whom the Turkish authorities would not want to spoil relations. (The Turkish pilots who shot down the Russian Su-24 have since been arrested and charged as members of the Gulenist coup.) The White House inexplicably never commented on this thawing of relations which posed obvious risks to US ambitions in the region. Why? Then, just two weeks ago, reports began to emerge that Erdogan was making an effort to normalize relations with Syrian President Bashar al Assad. The news wasnt reported in most of the western media, but the Guardian ran an article titled Syrian rebels stunned as Turkey signals normalisation of Damascus relations. Heres an excerpt: More than five years into Syrias civil war, Turkey, the country that has most helped the rebellion against the rule of Bashar al-Assad, has hinted it may move to normalise relations with Damascus.

The suggestion made by the Turkish prime minister, Binali Yldrm, on Wednesday, stunned the Syrian opposition leadership, which Ankara hosts, as well as regional leaders, who had allied with Turkey in their push to oust Assad over a long, unforgiving war. I am sure that we will return [our] ties with Syria to normal, he said, straying far from an official script that has persistently called for immediate regime change. We need it. We normalised our relations with Israel and Russia. Im sure we will go back to normal relations with Syria as well.

(Syrian rebels stunned as Turkey signals normalisation of Damascus relations, Guardian) Youd think that would set off alarms at the White House, after all, if Turkey wanted to normalize relations with Damascus, then clearly it had abandoned the war it had supported (through its proxy militants and jihadists) for more than five years signaling a fundamental shift in policy that could have broader implications for the US effort. But did the Obama team show any interest in the announcement or make any attempt to keep Erdogan in the fold? Of course not. Washington gives orders and everyone else is expected to click their heels and stand at attention. Obama and Co dont bother with the incidentals like the fear of the nascent Kurdish state that could pose a direct threat to Turkeys national security. Why would they bother with something as trivial as that? They have an empire to run. Then came the coup which, by the way, Erdogan may have been tipped off to by Russian intelligence agents who have a strong presence in Turkey. By informing Erdogan of the coup, Putin might have hoped that Erdogan would return the favor and block NATOs plan to deploy permanent fleet to the Black Sea that will further encircle and threaten Russia. (And, yes, Putin knows that Erdogan is a ruthless autocrat and a backer of terrorist organizations, but he also knows he cant be too picky when NATO is making every effort to surround and destroy Russia. Putin must take his friends as he finds them. Besides, some analysts have suggested that Putin will require Erdogan to abandon his support for jihadists in Syria as a condition of their new alliance.) In any event, Putin and Erdogan have settled their differences and scheduled a meeting for the beginning of August. In other words, the first world leader Erdogan plans to meet after the coup, is his new friend, Vladimir Putin. Is Erdogan trying to make a statement? It certainly looks like it. Heres the story from the Turkish Daily Hurriyet: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin may meet in a face-to-face meeting in August as part of mutual efforts to normalize bilateral ties following months of tension due to the downing of a Russian warplane by the Turkish Air Forces in November With the normalization of ties, Russia removed some sanctions on trade and restrictions on Russian tourists, though it will continue to impose visa regime to Turkish nationals. A deeper conversation between the two countries over a number of international issues like Syria and Crimea will follow soon between the two foreign ministers before the Putin-Erdogan meeting. (Putin, Erdogan to meet soon in bid to start new era in Turkey-Russia ties, Hurriyet) Is it starting to sound like Turkey may have slipped out of Washingtons orbit and moved on to more reliable friends that will respect their interests? Indeed. And this sudden rapprochement could have catastrophic implications for US Middle East policy. Consider, for example, that the US not only depends on Turkeys Incirlik Airbase to conduct its air campaign in Syria, but also, that that same facility houses roughly 90 US tactical nuclear weapons. What if Erdogan suddenly decides that its no longer in Turkeys interest to provide the US with access to the base or that he would rather allow Russian bombers and fighters to use the base? (According to some reports, this is already in the works.) More importantly, what happens to US plans to pivot to Asia if the crucial landbridge (Turkey) that connects Europe and Asia breaks with Washington and joins the coalition of Central Asian states that are building a new free trade zone beyond Uncle Sams suffocating grip? One last thing: There was an important one-paragraph article in Moscow Reuters on Monday that didnt appear in the western press so well reprint it here: MOSCOW (Reuters)  Russias joint projects with Turkey, including the TurkStream undersea natural gas pipeline from Russia to Turkey, are still on the agenda and have a future, RIA news agency quoted Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich as saying on Monday. (Russian Dep PM says joint projects with Turkey still on agenda, Reuters) This is big. Erdogan is now reopening the door the Obama team tried so hard to shut. This is a major blow to Washingtons plan to control the vital resources flowing into Europe from Asia and to make sure they remain denominated in US dollars. If the agreement pans out, Putin will have access to the thriving EU market through the southern corridor which will strengthen ties between the two continents, expand the use of the ruble and euro for energy transactions, and create a free trade zone from Lisbon to Vladivostok. And Uncle Sam will be watching from the sidelines. All of a sudden, Washingtons pivot plan looks to be in serious trouble. Mike Whitney lives in Washington state. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion (AK Press). Hopeless is also available in a Kindle edition. He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com.
How Donald Trump Will Follow the Money



Behind all the noise and theater of the Trump campaign is the banal logic of a businesman



By Pepe Escobar July 20, 2016 " Information Clearing House " - " RT " - Imagine hordes of American theocrats, white supremacists, nativists, NRA worshippers, all in an 'open carry' orgy, descending on the Republican convention in Cleveland in the wake of Orlando, Dallas, Nice and Baton Rouge. What could possibly go wrong? Welcome to a fully armed and dangerous spectacular featuring, for instance, the

Traditionalist Worker Party (TWP)  allied with the Golden State Skinheads (GSS) - sending a posse to the GOP show tomake sure that the Donald Trump supporters are defended from the leftist thugs. Clevelands courts are ready to process up to 1,000 arrestees daily, and stay open 20 hours a day. Strip clubs are pumped for Trump. Certified mayhem overall is bound to add another meaning to the rock 'n' roll mantraCleveland Rocks. Trouble at the Trumpence joint Compounding the mayhem, theres the Trump-Pence (Trumpence) fracas. Donald Trump remains visibly frustrated by his own appointment of Indiana governor Mike Pence as his running mate. He reportedly spent last Thursday night frantically trying to back down. He was furious that the news leaked before he had a chance to personally tell his double-trouble favorites  pompous twat Newt Gingrich and over-sized blowhard Chris Christie  about his decision. And even in the first Trumpence joint interview this past Sunday, the best exchange was actually this one: PENCE: Donald Trump, this good man...will be a great president of the United States. TRUMP: I love what he just said. Its been fascinating to watch how Trump is visibly bored to tears with his dull as a stale cheeseburger new friend, who has called himself a Christian, a conservative, and a Republican, in that order. 'Lil Mikey', as hes widely known, is not exactly the brightest bulb in the room  any room. The fact that he was a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee does not exactly give him foreign-policy cred. After all, what really matters to Lil Mikey is to install an evangelical Sharia in the United States of America. Pence was imposed on Trump by his Richelieu, Paul Manafort, as well as Trumps family, for purely realpolitik reasons. The small town boy from Indiana will do well in the Rust Belt states; allegedly transfer Ted Cruz voters to Trump; appease Republican right-wing fanatics who see The Donald as a depraved, gay-hugging, pro-choice, end of days hedonist New Yorker; and if the ticket makes it, teach The Donald about Washingtons beyond-byzantine ways. Trump though couldnt care less about all these alleged pluses because hes governed by his guts, not realpolitik. A much juicier Trump appointment would have been retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn, who was fired as Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) chief (2012-2014) because - correctly  he predicted that Obamas covert war in Syria would spawn the ISIS/ISIL/Daesh Frankenstein. And then he doubled down, saying that the flourishing of Daesh was in fact a willful decision taken by the White House. Not only Flynn was against Team Obamas obsession in weaponizing moderate rebels in Syria but he had warned that getting rid of Gaddafi via NATO would open a Northern African Pandoras box. The problem with Flynn is that he is not a Paleolithic supporter of evangelical Sharia; the GOP badly needs those millions of evangelical Christian votes. Additionally, hes in favor of a partnership of interests with Russia  spanning all hot spots from Ukraine to the Middle East. This, of course, is anathema in the Beltway. People beginning to gather at Cleveland's Settlers Landing for pro #Trump rally. pic.twitter.com/cfqNP8oOxS  mark naymik (@marknaymik) July 18, 2016 Yet Flynn also did himself no favors, when, promoting his new book The Field of Fight, he insisted that, Were in a global war, facing an enemy alliance that runs from Pyongyang, North Korea, to Havana, Cuba, and Caracas, Venezuela. Along the way, the alliance picks up radical Muslim countries and organizations such as Iran, al Qaeda, the Taliban and Islamic State.Thats a formidable coalition, and nobody should be shocked to discover that we are losing the war. This mind-boggling nonsense was penned by his mentor and co-writer, neocon nullity Michael Ledeen. Still, Flynn is now on Trumps shortlist for head of the Pentagon. At least, unlike The Three Harpies (Clinton, Flournoy and Nuland), he wont be gunning to start a simultaneous war against Russia and China. What makes Donald run Some powerful, well-connected business interests supporting Trump from New York to the Midwest have outlined their reasons to me, off the record. The fact that their reasons run completely opposite to the Beltway consensus speaks volumes. Why Russia? Because Russia does not rig their currency against us to destroy our industries, and is therefore a natural ally rather then Germany and Japan, who still rig their currencies against the United States and have destroyed much of our industrial power. These self-described American patriots are adamant that, We should repatriate our industries that support the weapons for our military industrial complex and all other industries lost to currency rigging. This is doubly necessary as Russian and Chinese advanced submarines can disrupt the mainland production of our weaponry by blocking shipping from Asia of our components. The United States weapons production could, therefore, collapse in a war. For these business interests, illegal immigration, rigged currencies, and the unnecessary war against Russia are the biggest issues of the presidential campaign. We are going to have a great time in Cleveland. Will lead to special results for our country. We will Make America Great Again!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 17, 2016 So, in a nutshell, why the support for Trump? We need a fresh look at these problems that Donald J. Trump brings to the table. Our problem with Mitt Romney was that he made his money taking advantage of the tax treatment for takeovers and currency rigging that shifted so much of our industry abroad. If anything, favorable tax treatment should encourage the building of productive investment as we repatriate our industries lost to currency rigging and not the creation of debt to finance speculative takeovers or speculation in general. Speculative profits should face the highest form of taxation. This business crowd is distinctly anti-war: When Mr. Trump talks about war having to have rational profit and loss expectation, he is sounding as a logical businessman. They also stress that, the war against Russia is also destroying our oil industry as the US ordered the Gulf States to dump their shut-in oil production capacity on the oil market to bankrupt Russia. It should be noted here that oil happens to be a large component of the multibillionaire Koch brothers wealth; Charles and David Koch control the $115 billion-a-year energy and industrial behemoth Koch Industries. And that brings us back  not unexpectedly - to Lil Mikey. #RepublicCon Roll Call: Inside the process that will officially make Trump presidential nominee https://t.co/XevMI6kFcz  RT America (@RT_America) July 18, 2016 Follow the Money Its been a while since the Koch brothers promised to spend nearly $1 billion to get the right man at the White House. Now, with his nomination in the bag, Trump the consummate businessman obviously smells blood. Its no accident that Lil Mikey later this month will be a prominent guest at a monster donor semiannual policy and fundraising retreat in Colorado hosted by, who else, the Koch brothers. Hes done it before. In 2014, in Palm Springs, Pence effusively explained how states such as his own, Indiana, can be the perfect labs for the GOP (and Koch) dream of small-to-non-existent government, ultra-low taxes and total deregulation. Arguably, this is what Trumplandia would also be about. Adding to the multi-billionaire front, another close pal of Lil Mikey happens to be casino schemer Sheldon Adelson, who was backing New Gingrich as Trumps running mate. Yet as soon as Lil Mikey was confirmed, the Republican Jewish Coalition  financed by Adelson  totally endorsed him, describing him as a critical leader and important voice regarding Israel. Adelson has been on the record saying he will shell out as much as $100 million to get Trump into the White House. And he happens to be one of those Koch monster donors as well. So heres how the playing field is shaping up: the neocon/neoliberal/Wall Street candidate, Hillary Clinton, featuring The Three Harpies itching for a war, against the wall-to-wall multibillionaire Four Amigos - Trump, Charles and David Koch, and Adelson. This, in the US, is what passes for democracy. Those who are about to die of despair  we salute you. Meanwhile, Cleveland rocks.
In what can only be a strong message to members of the House of Representatives, who abuse their positions that it will no longer be business as usual, Speaker Yakubu Dogara has removed Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC, Kano) as Chairman of the Committee of Appropriation.

Jibrin, an ally of the Speaker, was enmeshed in controversy following revelations that he padded the 2016 budget with projects worth over N4 billion to his Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency of Kano State.

Following the revelations, several lawmakers, including members of his committee, demanded for his resignation but Dogara prevailed on them to sheathe their swords.

In both chambers of the National Assembly, the committee on appropriation is considered the juiciest of all the committees as it is saddled with the responsibility of appropriating funds for the running of the country.

Rep. Jibrins removal was announced on the floor of the House on Wednesday by Mr. Dogara, who announced Rep. Mustapha Bala Dawaki (APC, Kano) as the new chairman of the committee on appropriation.

Dawaki hitherto chaired the committee on housing.
5 people have appeared before a Chief Magistrates Court in Katsina state for allegedly killing and feeding the corpse of a newborn baby to a dog.

The incident occured at Saika village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina state.

The Police Prosecutor, Inspector Altine Ragiji explained to the court that a traditional ruler in the town reported to the police of a 15 year-old girl giving birth out of wedlock.

The teenage girl, her mum, and 3 others were later arrested in connection with the case. They were Muhammad Bello, 45; Musa Bello, 35; Umar Bello, 27.

Ragiji said the teenage mother told the police that she was lured by one Musa Garba, 30, to his farm and forcefully had a sexual intercourse with her about 10 months ago.

The people arrested confessed to the crime, claiming assistance from the girls mother, Faiza Umar, 30.

The accused persons were charged for an act done with intent to prevent child being alive after birth contrary to sections 85, 235 and 387 of the Penal Code.

They have been ordered by the Chief Magistrate, Mr. Nura El-Ladan, to be remanded in prison custody.

El-Ladan further directed the police to conduct further investigations on the matter.

The court adjourned the case to Aug. 8 for further mention.
LONDON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese government's two recent statements and a white paper regarding the South China Sea provide"authoritative, comprehensive and clear-cut elaborations on China's position," Chinese Ambassador to Britain Liu Xiaoming said Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in London, Liu said the Chinese government immediately reaffirmed its solemn position that China does not accept nor recognize the award, after the so-called tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration unilaterally initiated by the Philippines announced its award last week.

"To further elaborate on China's position, the Chinese government issued two statements and a white paper, and interpretations of these documents by senior officials have also been released," he told journalists.

After the tribunal released its so-called award, the Chinese government issued the Statement on China's Territorial Sovereignty and Maritime Rights and Interests in the South China Sea, and the Chinese Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the award.

China's State Council Information Office published a white paper entitled "China Adheres to the Position of Settling Through Negotiation the Relevant Disputes Between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea".

"The statements and the white paper provide authoritative, comprehensive and clear-cut elaborations on China's position," Liu said.

"In-depth readings of these documents have been provided by State Councilor Yang Jiechi in an interview, by Foreign Minister Wang Yi in his remarks and by Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin in a press briefing on the white paper," he noted.

The statement by the Chinese government, the ambassador said, reaffirms China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.

"The Statement underscores the facts that China is the first to have discovered, named, and explored and exploited Nanhai Zhudao, or South China Sea islands, and relevant waters. China is the first to have exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over them continuously, peacefully and effectively," he explained.

"The Statement explicitly points out that China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea include its sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao," he stressed.

He noted that China stands ready to continue to resolve the relevant disputes peacefully through negotiation and consultation with the states directly concerned.

"China is ready to work with them to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and to ensure the safety of and the unimpeded access to the international shipping lanes in the South China Sea," said the diplomat.

The Statement by the Chinese Foreign Ministry points out that the subject-matter raised by the Philippines for arbitration is beyond the jurisdiction of UNCLOS (the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), Liu said.

"The arbitration infringes on China's right as a UNCLOS state party, namely the right to choose the procedures and means for dispute settlement on its own will," he further argued.

"The tribunal has in essence expanded its power, exceeded its authority and abused arbitration proceedings. Its ruling is therefore null and void and has no binding force," he added.

According to Liu, the white paper by the State Council Information Office "offers an overall elaboration on how China's sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao was established in the course of history, and what China has been doing to uphold its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

"The white paper sheds light on the origin and development of the disputes between China and the Philippines. It aims to get to the root of the issue and set the record straight," the ambassador continued.

At the same time, Liu noted, the white paper reiterates China's"unchanged commitment to negotiation and consultation as the right way to settle disputes."

"China believes only a negotiated result can gain understanding and support from people of countries concerned," he concluded, adding, "only a negotiated result can be effectively implemented and only a negotiated result can be enduring."
The acting Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris on Tuesday visited the Director General, Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura, in Abuja in continuation of his familiarization visit to security agencies.

During the visit to the DSS, Idris told Daura that he was seeking the cooperation and collaboration of the service in tackling the security challenges facing the country.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don N. Awunah, said the acting IGP told the DSS boss that it is only through synergy with relevant security agencies that the current security challenges can be overcome.

In his response, Mr. Daura assured the acting IGP that the DSS will give maximum support and cooperation to Mr. Idris in ensuring that the country overcomes its security challenges.

He further said the cooperation is incumbent on the DSS, because it has historical link with the Nigeria Police.

The DSS boss also said that the country is expecting more from Mr. Idris, having seen his track record in policing that span within Nigeria and abroad.
The woman leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lagos State, Chief (Mrs.) Kemi Nelson, has denied receiving N75 million from Senator Oluremi Tinubu to organise a rally against Senator Dino Melaye for reportedly assaulting the former Lagos First Lady during the Senates executive session last week.

A civil rights movement, Committee for the Defence of Womens Rights, CDWR, had alleged that Senator Tinubu released N75 million to Mrs. Nelson through one of her sisters identified as Funlola to organise a protest against Melaye in Abuja today.

The National President of CDWR, Prof. Taibat Majekodunmi, had made the allegation against the APC chieftain in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.

But Mrs. Nelson described the allegation as a figment of the imagination of the committee.

In a statement she personally signed and issued to journalists yesterday, the APC woman leader said that she didnt need to collect a dime from Senator Tinubu or her husband, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to organise such a rally.

According to her, the Tinubus were her mentors, who she was ready to support without any pecuniary gain.

The politician insisted that she would participate in a rally that would be staged by a women group today in Abuja to protest the alleged assault on Mrs. Tinubu by Melaye.

We are moving to Abuja in full force to be part of this protest against Melaye for harassing a woman of substance like Senator Tinubu, whose family paid a huge price for our democracy.

Our democracy is still nascent and we must do everything within our power to protect it.

We should not allow people like Melaye to rubbish what took years and cost us several lives to achieve. What Melaye did was not just against Senator Tinubu, but against all women and against our democracy. We will not behave like Nero, who sleeps, while Rome burns.

All right thinking members of the society must rise against this oppression and an open insult against women by a man that has done little or nothing for our democracy. We cannot pretend that nothing is happening, when such a sacrilege is being committed in our country.

With what Melaye has done, he has been demystified and he should be recalled by his people without any delay. We cannot keep quiet at this material time. As Professor Wole Soyinka would say; the man dies, who keeps silent in the face of tyranny, the statement read
Members of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Rivers State, took to the states House of Assembly complex yesterday to stage a peaceful protests demanding the swearing-in of Victoria Nyeche, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Andrew Miller, representing Opobo/Nkoro constituency as members of the Assembly.

Speaking at the protest, an APC Chieftain Mr Charles Aholu, said the action was to demand for equity and fairness in the state judiciary, wondering why the duo of had not been administered the oath of office as members even after they had been issued certificate of Return by INEC.

It would be recalled that while Miller was absent on April 21 for the swearing-in ceremony of other members, Nyeche could not be sworn in because Mr Livingstone Wechie, a political activist in the state had approached the Rivers State High Court to restrain the assembly from administering the oath of office on her as member.

The interim injunction which was granted by Justice Adolphus Enebeli of the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt would still be maintained until the issue before the court is resolved.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chairman in the state, Mr Felix Obuah, in his reaction to the protest, accused the APC of trying to destabilize the re-run elections in the state.

He said: It is now very clear that the APC has devised a new strategy to put the rescheduled re-run elections in the state perpetually on hold to make up for its unpreparedness.

The ploy include cooking up fallacies and spurious allegations, and using such as basis for state-wide protests against the July 30, 2016 concluding re-run elections in the remaining eight local areas of the state.
The Kastina State Police Command is holding a family of five in its custody for allegedly feeding a day-old baby boy to a dog as meal.

The incident happened at Saika village in Batsari Local Government Area.

The suspects include 15-year-old Wosila Halilu, her three stepbrothers and her mother.

It was alleged that Wosila, who is the mother of the baby, got pregnant after she was raped by a 27 year-old farmer, Musa Garba. She alleged that the farmer lured her into his farm where he committed the act.

Police sources said the family viewed the pregnancy and subsequent delivery of the baby as shameful, since she was not married.

They, therefore, held a meeting where it was alleged that Wosilas mother and her step brothers decided that the baby should be fed to a dog.

The village head of Saika, known as Dakacin Seika, reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of the family and the the farmer.

Garba is in police custody for alleged rape.

The culprits were brought before a Kastina Magistrate Court on three count of culpable homicide, criminal conspiracy and rape. The prosecution said the offences were in contravention of sections 235, 387 and 85 of the Penal code.

Magistrate Nura Ladan ordered further investigation into the incident. He directed that the suspects be remanded in police custody until the case comes up for further hearing on August 8, 2016.

Source: Punch
The speaker of Zamfara State House of Assembly, Alhaji Sanusi Garba Rikiji, his deputy, Muhammad Abubakar Gumi, the majority leader, Isah Abdulmumini and the chief whip, Abdullahi Dansadau have been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and detained in Abuja over their alleged plan to impeach Governor Abdulaziz Yari.

Our correspondent reliably gathered that the remaining 20 members of the Assembly have fled to Kaduna, where they issued a statement, last night, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in what they described as abuse of office by Governor Yari.

Though the legislators were short of saying they would impeach the governor, they accused him of misappropriating financial allocation to the state, and failing to implement the budget in the last five years.

The statement, which was signed by the House Committee Chairman on Information, Mannir Aliyu Gidan Jaja, also accused the governor of corrupt usage of local government funds for state purposes.

Other charges against the governors by the legislators include Inadequate explanation of N1 billion commercial agriculture (CBN) loan, non-remittance of pension funds to pension administrators, non-remittance of 5 percent emirate councils funds, the gross misappropriation of bailout funds to the state by the federal government to settle workers salaries, including N10b for 2014 and N1.46b in 2016.

The assembly members also accused Governor Yari of crippling governance in the state through his constant travelling abroad and his refusal to address the issues raised by them.

Rather he resorted to political intimidation, arrest and detention of principal officers of the House and other supporting staff.

The statement, therefore, called on President Buhari to give directive for unconditional release of the affected officers.

Meanwhile, the Zamfara State Police Commissioner, Mr Istifanus Shattima, has said that he has deployed additional operatives to stop miscreants from disrupting normal activities at the House of Assembly.

Shattima told Daily Trust that deployment of troops to the Assembly was in response to the action of a mob which attacked the private residence of the speaker.

The attack at the speakers residence followed a rumour circulating in the state and the social media, to the effect that members of the House of Assembly were planning to impeach governor Yari.

When contacted to comment on the development, the state commissioner of information, Umar Jibo Bukuyum, did not pick his call or respond to a text message.

Source: Daily Trust
A former President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Peter Esele, has appealed to members and supporters of the party in Edo State to join forces and support the partys candidate in the September 10 governorship election, Dr. Godwin Obaseki, so that he will emerge victorious.

He made the appeal while speaking with reporters in Benin City, the Edo State capital, yesterday.

Esele, who contested the June 18 governorship primary election in which Obaseki was declared winner, appealed to his co-contestants to jettison the idea of working against the APC because the primaries did not go their way.

He said: I think the most important thing is that we have listened to our flag bearer. For everyone to be at the stadium, it actually showed we want to see our party succeed. The party is bigger than individuals.

Just like my training in the labour movement, the way I am wired is that; we can slug it out, we can debate, we can argue, but at the end of the day we must not lose sight that we need the platform, the APC.

The former unionist also disclosed that his compatriots from Edo Central District are not comfortable with certain developments in the state.

I think it is something we have to address, but my appeal to most of them is: politics is not a race. So, the fact that you did not get what you wanted today does not mean you wont get it tomorrow. What I have always said is that when you see a society where people are still preoccupied with primordial sentiments, such as it is our turn, it means there is no equity in development. If there is equity in the developmental state, you wont hear people saying that.

So, those who are complaining in Edo Central have the right to do so. Their complaint is justified. So, it is now left for the party leadership to look at these complaints objectively and see how to assuage their feelings. For me, I think that is key, he stated.

Esele also decried the attitude of politicians who put themselves first and not how to put food on the table of the people, saying the trend is dangerous for Edo State and Nigeria in general.

According to him, A society where politicians reduce governance to individual interest will sooner or later fall apart. I think the challenge right now is for people to look beyond that narrow angle. It is also up to the party to assuage the feelings of the people of Edo Central.

Sincerely speaking, I have always looked at things from a broader perspective. But I find out that in politics it is a different ballgame.
The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, has rubbished a claim by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that he was using the states fund to pay his defence team in his legal case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The Ekiti APC spokesman, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, had in a statement issued yesterday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, claimed that a warrant for the payment of N22million, being the cost of chartered aircraft that flew Fayoses lawyer, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) twice from Lagos to Akure, was issued and the money released almost immediately by the office of the Accountant General of the state.

The opposition partys spokesman in the state pointed out that the N22m was excluding the legal fees, which he further alleged, was paid to Mr. Ozekhome by the state government.

Reacting to the allegations in a statement last night by his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the governor noted that the allegation is a continuation of the APCs life of disparaging eminent Nigerians that are not dancing to the destructive tunes of the party.

He also challenged the APC in the state to publish their facts.

The APC beer parlour jesters in Ekiti must have taken their lamentation over their loss of power to a psychotic level that anything will make meaning to them no matter unreasonable, he said.

Mr. Olayinka maintained that the Fayose-led administration in the state did not, and will not spend any N22 million on the eminent lawyer because the present government is not being ran like the immediate past APC government of Dr. Kayode Fayemi that plunged the state into debt.

The reality is that, those evil men in the APC that wont even mind to malign God are seeing Chief Ozekhome as an uncompromising lawyer, who will not blow hot and cold at the same time. They see Chief Ozekhome as a lawyer that will not join them to defend their regime of impunity and for that they have opted to malign him as they have done to others.

While we are confident that Chief Ozekhome will take them one legally, we make bold to say that at no time was the eminent lawyer travelled to Ekiti by air, not to talk chattered flight, the statement asserted.
An 86-year-old British woman defended herself from a would-be robber in a supermarket by beating her over the head with a packet of bacon

According to Greater Manchester Police Trafford South, that the 86-year-old woman was followed by an unidentified female into a grocery store after withdrawing a large amount of money from an ATM.

Whilst shopping, the lady was challenged by an unknown female who grabbed her trolley and demanded the money she had withdrawn, Police wrote.

The elderly woman quickly looked to her surroundings for a defense by using a packet of bacon to fend off the would-be robber.

The 86 year old lady then defended herself by repeatedly hitting the female offender over the head with a packet of bacon, police wrote. The offender then retreated and made off from the supermarket.

Police reported the woman to be safe after the encounter but remained shaken up.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Board of Trustees have asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to stop harassing Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

Mr. Ekweremadu is standing trial alongside the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and two others for alleged forgery of the Senate standing rules.

The BoT described the trial of Ekweremadu, who is the highest ranking PDP member in the current dispensation, as a deliberate plot to tarnish his image.

The BoT Chairman, Senator Walid Jibril, spoke when he led members of the board to a solidarity meeting with the PDP caucus in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

We are here to show solidarity and recognise the leadership of Senator Ekweremadu, especially when we hear stories of what is happening to him. We are here to give our total support to him over the recent framing of him in an alleged forgery case, because we cannot, as fathers and conscience of the party, sit down and just watch, Mr. Jibril said of the purpose of the visit.

The BoT chair insisted that the Deputy Senate President is a man of integrity with a high record of performance, warning that nobody should try to tarnish his personality.

He also called for fair hearing and justice in what he said was the attempt by the APC-led federal government to rope-in Senator Ekweremadu for political reasons.

He was elected Deputy President of Senate by 48 PDP senators with the support of APC Senators, which is a good ingredient of our democracy. No attempt should be made to rope him in. He should be left alone to continue the good service to the country, Senator Jibril pleaded.

In his response, Ekweremadu thanked the BoT members for the visit, disclosing that many of his colleagues in the National Assembly, who dumped the PDP for APC are now regretting their actions and are prepared to retrace their steps.

Today, I believe and I am speaking the minds of my colleagues, that so many members of the National Assembly from the other parties are prepared to return to the PDP because they have seen that they made a mistake in the last election by voting APC and they are also seeing that PDP remains the biggest, greatest and the most focused party in Nigeria, he said.
The embattled former deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has welcomed the reported directive of President Muhammadu Buhari that the case of the slain former Attorney General of the Federation, Bola Ige, be revisited, saying he is confident that his name will be cleared at the end of the investigation.

Mr. Ige, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, and Minister of Justice under the then Olusegun Obasanjo administration, was shot dead in his bedroom, in Bodija, Ibadan, on the night of December 23, 2001 by suspected assassins.

Mr. Omisore, who is currently in EFCC custody for corruption charges, was a key suspect in the case and was detained for months as the Obasanjo administration tried to no avail to apprehend the killers.

A national daily yesterday quoted credible sources as saying that Mr. Buhari had also directed the acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to investigate the killing of the ex-Deputy National Chairman, South-South, of the Peoples Democratic Party, Aminasoari Dikibo.

Mr. Dikibo was returning to his base from Abuja after a meeting when he was ambushed by suspected hired killers as he arrived Delta State. He was killed near Asaba, the state capital on October 22, 2004.

The deaths were some of the high profile political killings that took place under the Obasanjo administration between 1999 and 2007.

Omisore, who won election into the Senate on the platform of the PDP while in detention in connection with the assassination of Ige, described the decision of the Federal Government to revisit the killing of the former Minister of Justice and Dikibo as a good and a welcome development.

He, however, urged the FG to extend its search towards unraveling the killers of late Funso Williams and Oduayo Olagbaju.

Mr. Omisore also advised the government and the acting IGP to widen the scope of their investigation to all areas, rather than limiting themselves to a particular area or section.

I am particularly happy that fresh investigation will further exonerate me and others who were wrongfully framed up, suffered untold hardship before we were finally acquitted and discharged by the court, Omisore said in a statement by his media aide, Diran Odeyemi, on Tuesday.

I pray that God will expose all the people and whoever is connected to all the killings under investigation while I wish the new IG the best of luck in the task, he added.
A resident ride a motorcycle on a flooded road in Tianjin, north China, July 20, 2016. Tianjin was battered by torrential rain on July 20 and local meteorological bureau has issued a yellow alert for a rainstorm. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

From July 18 to 19, many places in northern China received heavy rainfall. China's Central Meteorological Observatory updated its rainstorm warning to the orange level at 10 a.m. on July 19, and the China Meteorological Administration raised its emergency response level from four to three. From July 19 to 20, central and southern parts of northern China, most of the Huang-Huai area, the central part of Hubei province and the northwest part of Hunan province have experienced severe rainstorms.

The rain band is now predicted to move eastward and extend to the northeast from July 20 to 21. Most of northern China will continue to receive heavy rainfall. According to the Central Meteorological Observatory, this is the widest range of precipitation northern China has seen so far this flood season.

Ma Xuekuan, chief meteorologist with the Central Meteorological Observatory, explained that rainfall at this time of year is typically both wide-ranging and intense. Because of the climate and geographical differences between Chinas north and south, precipitation in the north is less severe than in the south, but weather-related financial losses can be serious in both regions.

Authorities advise the residents of rain-affected areas to take strict precautions against secondary disasters caused by heavy rainfall, such as torrents, landslides and debris flow. These precautions are especially important in areas near Taihang and Tongbai Mountains. Meanwhile, urban residents should pay extra attention to proper drainage.
Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, has said his agenda on taxation, youth employment, housing urban development, human capital development, and security will transform the state into a mini-country, especially with its rich natural resources.

Obaseki, who made this known at a Mass Meeting organised by the Godwin Obaseki Support Group, GOSG, in Benin City yesterday, however, tasked people of the state to ask his opponent in the September 10 governorship poll, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, how he hopes to create jobs as governor, when he has never worked or given jobs to any indigene of the state.

The APC flag bearer, who reaffirmed his campaign promise that he will create 200, 000 jobs in four years, said the combination of the states natural endowment will enable the creation of jobs which will grow the state economically.

He added that it would be possible if Edo people elect him as governor, promising that the value of the states revenue will be put to develop the three senatorial districts of the state.

Mr. Obaseki also stressed that his reason for contesting the governorship seat of Edo is to provide better life for the people.

According to him, With the combination of our location, the land we have and the people that God has placed in it, we can be whatever we want to be in this world. The way I see Edo, I dont see it as a state, I see Edo as a country. We can survive: There are many African countries that are not as big as Edo or even have our population so we have to see ourselves as a country in a country.

First we must make sure that we elect people that are not thieves in government because when you elect thieves; you will not see any money. So that is why this election and the quality of people we elect are important. We promise you, any money that we will get will be to work.

Dont be deceived, someone who has not created job, can he give job to other people, someone that has never worked but has made it somehow, can he create work. Ask some people who want to be governor, what they have done before, where have they worked and which company have they created. So the quality and experience of the person matters because they can come and lie that they would do road, but ask them what they have done with their lives. If you have made it through deceit, why must that person be trusted with the state fund? he queried.

Earlier, the Convener of the GOSG, Mr Taiwo Akerele, said the fundamental nature of the meeting was to x-ray the issues raised by the governorship candidate during the formal launch of his campaign last Saturday with a view to finding a solution to them.

Mr Akerele identified taxation, youth employment, housing, urban development, human capital development, and security as among the issues which the people will have a one-on-one discussion with Obaseki about since the opportunity was not created during the flag-off.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, on Wednesday condemned the killing of a first class traditional ruler in Plateau State.

Gunmen suspected to assassins on Monday attacked and killed Lazarus Agai, the Saf Ron Kurele, while returning to Bokkos from a visit to his farm in Sha District. His wife, son and police orderly were also shot dead by the unknown gunmen.

Indigenes of the area blamed the murders on their Fulani neighbours, saying the praramount ruler of Bokkos was killed because of his opposition to the state governments plan to create grazing reserves in the area.

The killings sparked protests in the area on Tuesday as youths blocked roads and reportedly destroyed buildings.

The Sultan, who visited the State on Wednesday, pleaded with the media to stop jumping into conclusion that herdsmen were responsible for the murder.

Journalists who reported the incident just jump into conclusion and said it was herdsmen who killed the traditional ruler, the Saf Ron Kulere, without waiting for investigations from security agencies to provide details on the incidents. That is not fair, he said.

Mr. Abubakar, however, called on security agents to fish out the killers of the traditional ruler, his wife, son and police orderly.

The Sultan, who spoke at the palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos and Chairman of the Plateau State Council of Traditional Rulers, Gyang Buba, while paying his condolence over the death of the Saf Ron Kulere, also sued for peace among Nigerians.

People should not take laws into their hands, whoever is a bad element in any community should be exposed, he said.

He also said he was in Jos for a two-day meeting of northern traditional council of chiefs to discuss primary healthcare in the region.

We are enjoying peace on the Plateau now, we should maintain the peace, lets go back to the old days of peaceful coexistence, religious harmony, by so doing we should respect one another, our unity is of paramount importance, the Sultan said.

In his response, the The Gbong Gwom Jos described the death of late Saf Ron as unfortunate, and urged security agents to wake up to their task of providing adequate securities to all citizens.
Five days after the traditional ruler of Iba Community, Oba of Iba land, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni, was kidnapped from his palace and his wife shot, the Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday said they are already tracking down the suspects.

Oseni was kidnapped from his palace by some armed men suspected to be either vandals or militants, and they made away with him on their speed boats.

THISDAY gathered that already the police have been able to narrow down the location of the suspects and would pick them up once they get their actual location.

Confirming the incident, the state Police spokesperson, Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent of Police, said rescue operation is in progress.

She said, Rescue is in progress. We are tracking down the suspects. I cant divulge operational strategy and you cant expect us to reveal that to you. This is because of the safety of the monarch is paramount to us.

In another development, a tanker driver at Boundary Market, at the Ajegunle area of the state crushed a 12- year- old girl, a fish seller, yesterday evening.

The deceased, who selling her wares, was unaware that that the tanker was approaching, was run over from behind and was crushed to death.

According to a police source at Ajegunle police station, the vehicle was said to have had brake failure and all efforts by the driver to control it proved abortive.

It took the efforts of the police to apprehend the driver and conductor and they have since been detained at the police station.

The deceased was also moved to a general hospital mortuary , while police have impounded the vehicle which was parked in front of Ajegunle police station.

Source: Thisday
Lagos State Government has said that it would engage graduates of its technical colleges in a Maintenance Gang initiative to be unveiled in August this year for maintenance and renovation works of public schools across the State.

The State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Idiat Adebule disclosed this at the graduation ceremony of NECA-ITF Technical Skills Development Project for Students of Government Technical College, Ikorodu at NECA Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja.

The Deputy Governor said that aside from the opportunities available to graduates with Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, to render minor repair and maintenance services, government will further engage the 30 companies incorporated by the graduands and graduates of the other four technical colleges in the State.

According to her, the present administration in the State is determined to explore all available avenues to encourage the growth of young entrepreneurs and as such has decided to engage graduates of its colleges as against awarding renovation and maintenance works that could be handled by these sets of young entrepreneurs to contracting firms.

Dr. Adebule commended NECA -ITF for creating the platform for graduates of the state technical colleges to be competently skilled and for giving them adequate entrepreneurial trainings that would make them actualise their dreams as entrepreneurs, while also enjoining the graduands to make the best of skills acquired by justifying the huge resources that have been invested in them.

The Deputy Governor also used the occasion to advocate more support from successful entrepreneurs and business moguls in bridging the large skills deficiency gap.

I therefore call on people of goodwill, High Net Worth individuals, Non -governmental organisations to please partner with this administration in addressing the problems of youth unemployment, restiveness and mis-directed agitations. she added.

Adebule promised that the state government will continue to work with the private sector in delivering a robust Technical and Vocational Education aimed at producing High Quality Technical skills for them and provision of excellent services to Lagos residents.

Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi Etti, urged the graduants to translate the knowledge acquired into reality by harnessing opportunities available to them in the competitive world of business.

The Commissioner also called on them as entrepreneurs and other skilled individuals across the State to access the 25billion Naira Empowerment Trust Fund created by the State Governor for young entrepreneurs to grow and sustain their businesses.

The Executive Secretary of Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB) Engr. Olawunmi Gasper, while delivering a welcome address at the event said that the graduation ceremony symbolises a successful private and public partnership between the State Government, NECA and ITF.

According to him, This is an example of sharing responsibilities between the public and the private sector for the vocational education and training sector. Government and the private sector are working together for the provision of qualified, competent and skilled youths in the three selected areas  carpentry, plumbing and bricklaying/tiling.

The Executive Secretary said that the micro-enterprises will now be the new face of providing quality services in some residential estates in the State, stressing that innovative solution that can transform the economy remains indispensible considering the present situation of things across the country.

For us in LASTVEB, we have targeted the youths by promoting youth-led businesses and the special graduation of today lends credence to this. By engaging the youths early enough in youth entrepreneurship, strong economic and business sense is being developed. Engr. Gasper added.

The Director-General of NECA, Mr Olusegun Oshinowo described the graduands as individuals with double edged sword who have been trained as skilled individuals as well as entrepreneurs.

He expressed optimism of a very bright future for the graduands, saying that the future of the country lies in skilled vocation and wealth creators.
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has assured people of the State that his administration is putting in place strategies to develop the tourism and hospitality potentials available in the five administrative divisions of the State.

Mr. Ambode stated this recently at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja,during the second festival colloquium organized by the Ikeja Division planning committee for the Lagos @50 celebrations, canvassing for the development of the hidden culture and heritage of Lagos State.

The Governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Housing, Mrs Aramide Giwanson, said the forthcoming celebration is certainly not about glamour or razzmatazz, but to elevate and promote the rich potential of Lagos cultural heritage.

According to him, Lagos @ 50 is a veritable takeoff point to achieve the goal of enhancing the investment and job creation opportunities available in the tourism and hospitality sector in Lagos State, adding that, we have a very rich culture repertoire of traditional and cultural activities which will be in full display during the period. I am sure the youth, who are at the center of our development agenda, will be opportune to experience and key-in to the rich background of Lagos and the reason for the appellation of `Eko for show`.

In her remarks, Special Adviser to the Governor on Arts and Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the event, urged parents to communicate with their wards in their indigenous languages because culture cannot be separated from language and that any nation that loses her culture loses her identity.

Also speaking at the colloquium, themed Hidden Cultures and Multiple Identities in Lagos, Dr. Wale Adeniran pointed out there are lots of hidden heritages and cultures across Lagos metropolis, especially in Badagry axis of the State, stressing the need for the State and Federal governments to develop a world class tourist attraction in Badagry and make Lagos a preferred tourist destination while further deepening the state internal revenue generation base.

The celebration of Lagos @ 50 is to further showcase the progress and development of the State since its creation and project the potentials for its development. The colloquium was attended by dignitaries from all parts of the State, while various traditional and cultural activities were displayed to the admiration of the guests.
Nigerians in diaspora in the last one year remitted home the sum of $21 billion, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, said on Wednesday.

He made the disclosure in Abuja during a press briefing to mark the 2016 Diaspora Day.

Lawal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs, Office of the SGF, Olakunle Bamgbose, also said the Federal Government is partnering with Nigerians in Diaspora on meeting the needs of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.

To this end, he said government has approved waivers for drugs, roofing sheets and other items imported by Nigerians in Diaspora to aid youth empowerment.

He said, This years conference will be a complete departure from our past experiences, when our nationals come home only to highlight the challenges that confront our nation. The government and citizens of Nigeria at home are not ignorant of our challenges as a nation. What our nation requires are solutions to specific problems.

This years conference, in essence, will focus on obtaining firm commitments from Nigerians in the Diaspora, directed at solving some of our national challenges. This administration is ready to partner with Nigerians in Diaspora on how they can assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the Northeast; on how through medical interventions they can improve healthcare delivery across the country and on how they can assist government in youth empowerment and employment generation.

I am happy to confirm that already, we have received commitments from Nigerians in line with the new thinking. We intend to obtain more commitments during the conference and as follow-up to ensure that such commitments are redeemed.

According to the SGF, this years conference will be declared open by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs will make presentations amongst other speakers.

Let me assure you that the Federal Government will continue to partner with our compatriots outside the country. This is because we appreciate the invaluable contributions they continue to make towards the growth and development of the nation. This partnership is more critical today that we pursue a total national rebirth, Mr. Lawal said.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has debunked speculations in some quarters that the fight against corruption under the current administration is one-sided.

The vice president, was quoted in a statement issued on Tuesday night by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, as debunking the speculation while speaking with journalists at the end of the 27th Ordinary session of the African Union (AU) in Kigali, Rwanda.

According to Osinbajo, corruption in the country is being looked at from all possible facets.

He said: I think its entirely absurd, I think that view is absurd and without foundation or basis whatsoever. We look at corruption from all possible facets.

If you look at for example, corruption on the military, from military procurement, obviously the only individuals responsible for that could be persons who had held office within the period in question and that has been done and clearly the opposition was not in the office at that time.

Those who were in the office were not necessarily opposition individuals. These were Service Chiefs and other personnel who had served for a while.

The other issues for example is the fraud and the corruption that is associated with large sums of money given out by the past National Security Adviser which went to several political figures and again these were large huge sums of money, over 2 billion US Dollars and the sheet size and the enormity of what we are talking about, must not be diminished in anyway or trivialised in anyway by any suggestion that it is partisan. How? In what way? he queried.

The vice president stressed that those who made the suggestion that the anti-corruption fight is one-sided only want to trivialise a very important programme of the government.

The allegation, he added, is aimed at working against the strong effort of the government to recover huge sums of money that have been stolen from Nigeria.
The police in Kano on Tuesday vowed to arrest those behind the murder of a newly-wed bride in Shaiskawa village of Danbatta Local Government Area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the state Police Command, Magaji Majiya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the command had already commenced investigation into the incident with a view to arresting perpetrators of the dastardly act.

The victim was stabbed to death on Saturday night in her room few days after her wedding and the husband had returned to Abuja where he runs his business.

The police spokesperson, however, did not release the name of the victim.

After we received the report of the incident around 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, the Crime Investigation Department swung into action.

As the Police reported to the scene, they found that the late bride was raped before she was stabbed to death in her matrimonial room.

We have so far launched an investigation into the incident and that will lead us to the arrest of the assailants, Majiya said.

He, however, said that the command had yet to make any arrests, but that the knife used in killing the woman had been recovered.

He reminded members of the public on the need to always be security conscious.

It would be recalled that a similar incident happened last year when a teen bride was reportedly raped and slaughtered by hoodlums at Bachirawa quarters in Kano metropolis.

(NAN).
Former Presidential spokeman to Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati and his wife were in the U.K yesterday (July 19) to support their daughter, Elizabeth Eyitope at her graduation from the University of Bristol.

ALSO READ: Reuben Abati Ties The Knot with wife For A 2nd Time

The former media aide shared the photo below with his daughter who graduated with a First Class in Law.
inside details of King & Princes intense rivalry

Before now, the world hardly knew of the intense rivalry between Ooni of Ife, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and Prince Iyiola Omisore.

But thanks to the current travails of the former Senator from Osun state and attempts by those labelled political opportunists to cash in on the situation  the deep contention between the two gladiators has been revealed.

According to SocietyNowNG, the depth of their raging fight was put on record recently by the Ooni, when he publicly declared that the former Deputy Governor has refused to pay homage since his coronation seven months ago.



According to a knowledgeable source on the customs and traditions of Ife indigenes this is a great deviation from laid down principle that goes beyond the quarrel between the two.

The custom and traditions state that no matter how fierce the battle for the throne is or quarrel with an Ooni before he became an Oba of the source of Yorubas, once he is crowned  everybody fall in line, identify with him and give him all require support.

Omisore by the action alleged by the Ooni has outrightly gone against the custom and traditions of Ife, pointed out the source.

The fact remains that Omisore, a close ally of the immediate past Oonirisa Oba Okunade Sijuade is said to be totally uncomfortable with the manner the new Ooni Ogunwusi emerged.

According to another source, Omisore is one of the frontline splinter groups in Ife and Osun state in general that holds the view that Ooni Ogunwusis emergence is traced right to the door step of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos state.

They view his emergence as desecration of the long held sacred customs and tradition of Ife.

If you have been following political alignment and realignment in the South-west region since 1999, you will agree that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Prince Iyiola Omisore are fierce opponents.

And to make matters worse, the Ooni visited Asiwaju in Lagos and not the other way round give room for more speculations.

the truth is that Ooni is yet to enjoy all required support within his domain..he is engaged in moves that makes him popular outside his terrain, especially on social media but withinhe still has a lot of work to do..Omisore is just one of many others another insider revealed.

Omisores refusal to visit the Ooni is his way of protesting his emergence as the new paramount ruler on the throne of Ife.

Visiting Ooni means endorsing him either publicly or privately and that comes with accepting him and the process that produced himOmisore opted not to do that the source explained.

Like Omisore, the Ooni also knows the implication of what is playing out between the two, because he knows a visit would eventually mean an endorsement to curtail what he is quietly contending with in Ife and Osun state in general.

Whatever is current political status or travails is..one thing you cant take away from Omisore is that he is a major factor in Osun state, especially in Ifehe has a lot of sway with the traditional institutionhe was a long term strong ally of immediate past Ooni Sijuadeis current position on Ooni Ogunwusi is in reality an outright threat to the throne, so they can never be friends as things are another source privy of the matter added.

Further divide between the two heavyweights played out recently, when some prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in Osun state visited the Ooni to plead with him to forgive Senator Iyiola Omisore, and help facilitate his release over allegations of N700m fraud involving the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki.

At the meeting, Ooni said he was not offended by the actions of the former deputy Governor, adding that Omisore is a prominent Ife son. I dont have any grudges against him whatsoever over his refusal to visit my palace since I became the Ooni. You all must know that he is entitled to his right of choice on whom and where to visit at anytime.

Dont also forget he is undergoing a procedural investigation and laws of the land must be respected. But I promise to assist you on this matter within my limited capability legally guided.

I heartily pray God should quickly set him free if he has no skeleton in his cupboard.

In a swift response to the Oonis comment, the embattled former Osun state gubernatorial candidate distanced himself from the Peoples Democratic Party emissaries led by the Chairman of the party in Osun State, Mr. Soji Adagunodo.

A close ally of Omisore, who is also the spokesperson for the party in the state, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, in a statement lastweek said Adagunodos action was tantamount to a mockery and a pretense.

Odeyemi stated, When EFCC came after Omisore, it is logical to assume that Adagunodo group will be happy that their enemy is now out of the scene and away from their sight.

It is also likely that the open display of sympathy and latter-day affection may not be genuine. How can we explain the sudden love for a man you so much hate while in freedom? Their actions and utterances may be Oju aye (eye service.)

The statement added, In their attempt to register the group as supportive of the man they despise, they started crying more than the bereaved, running around to nowhere and with no justifiable reasons for their actions and utterances.

Odeyemi said although the Ooni did not give the PDP chairman and his followers the normal respect he always accord his valued guest, he stated that the monarch used the opportunity to vent his anger on Omisore,

He said, Oba Ogunwusi was presented a veritable opportunity to stylishly vent out his subtle anger on Omisore. Kabiyesi in his wisdom complained of not being visited by Omisore. His prayer for Omisore is loaded and more or less sounded neutrality in his matter. It is normal and expected. Kabiyesi scored a good goal from a loose ball passed to him by Adagunodos group.

Unconfirmed sources however claim that apart from issues of recognition, acceptance, both Omisore and Ooni have personal grievances with roots in business dealings.

Also said to be involved in the volatile mix is said to be issue of age and inherent respect, with Omisore obviously the older.
Yang Jie in his medical ward.

In order to save the life of his 23-year-old son, Yang Xitai fell to his knees on a street in Zhengzhou, Henan province on the morning of July 18. As he knelt, he held a board saying that he would dedicate himself heart and soul to serving any person who gave money to help save his ailing son.

The 49-year-old sobbed, "This is the first time I have ever knelt down in public. I am doing this for my 23-year-old son who has just graduated from university and has such a bright future. I cannot let him die without doing anything." Yang also explained that his son, Yang Jie, was always an excellent student, and he had just returned home after graduating in June. According to Yang, his son sat for a written bank recruitment examination, which he later passed.

On the afternoon of June 3, Yang noticed that his son was extremely pale. He asked Yang Jie to go see a doctor, and the Henan provincial tumor hospital quickly diagnosed the young man with severe aplastic anemia.

The head doctor explained that Yang Jie's marrow was incapable of creating red blood cells. Yang Jie is an only child and it is almost impossible to find a match among his family members. Neither could doctors find a match through the China Marrow Donor Program. Therefore, doctors have decided to treat Yang Jie with medicine. It will take a long time to cure him using this method, and the medicine is extremely expensive.

Yang Jie's mother, Du Hongxian, said they have already sold all their valuable belongings, but they still need 900,000 yuan to pay for the treatment. They have also borrowed money from friends and relatives.

The medical expenses currently amount to over 10,000 yuan each day.
A source of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed that the agency got requests from three prominent Nigerians standing trial for allegation bothering on money laundering to refund those monies in order not to go to jail. INFORMATION NIGERIA brings them to you here.

Olisa Metuh

Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh, who is standing trial for allegedly receiving N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki. The cash is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion security fund that was allegedly diverted has made an offer to the EFCC to refund funds in order to avoid going to jail.

Adeshola Amosu

Next on the list is ex-Chief of Air Staff Air Marshals Adeshola Amosu. Amosu, who was arraigned at a Federal High Court in Lagos alongside Air Vice marshal (AVM) Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga, on a 26-count of stealing about N50 billion has also made an offer to return stolen money.

Mohammed Dikko Umar

Lastly we have ex-Chief of Air Staff Mohammed Dikko Umar. Umar was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption of about N9.7billion.
According to an FRSC official, Ogere who shared the photos,a fully loaded tanker caught fire during the process of trans-loading into another tanker at Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

He wrote;

The scene of the fully loaded tanker carrying PMS that caught fire during the process of trans-loading into another tanker at the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.(Isaara, Straightgate College).

Source: Trezzy blog
Pandemonium broke out at the Lagooz Schools on Omotoye Estate in the Orile Agege area of Lagos State after some hoodlums invaded the school premises.

PUNCH Metro learnt that some Hausa teenagers, numbering about 100, stormed the school with machetes and other weapons.

They were said to have attacked the schools principal and a teacher, identified as Uncle John, during a free-for-all which lasted for about two hours.

Our correspondent was told that the rampaging youths, aside damaging some property of the school, allegedly made away with N1.5m.

Policemen from the Elere divison, operatives of the Special Anti-robbery Squad and some members of the Oodua Peoples Congress, were said to have repelled the attack as residents fled the area.

Our correspondent was told that seven of the hoodlums were arrested, while others escaped after SARS operatives opened fire on them.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said trouble started when the school finished its valedictory service party on Saturday, but the teenagers refused to leave the school premises.

He said, They were actually relatives of some of the school-leavers. The valedictory service party ended around 5pm, but they refused to leave. A teacher, Uncle John, tried to force them out. One of them abused the teacher and ran away.

The teacher, who was embarrassed by the abuse, held one of the Hausa teenagers. There was a struggle between them. As the teacher hit the man, he also fought back and held the teacher by the neck, almost strangulating him.

The principal, who wanted to settle the fight, was held by the tie by one of the intruders and beaten up. The principals brother, who wanted to rescue him, was given a fist blow in the eye.

Our correspondent was told that the teenagers damaged about four dozen of the chairs used for the party. Three of them were later apprehended by the school.

Those apprehended were reportedly held hostage in a classroom, while the others wreaked havoc on the school premises.

A source told PUNCH Metro that the apprehended teenagers, however, mobilised more gang members into the community on the telephone.

He said, Those boys had their phones and they started calling their friends, who trooped into the school with cutlasses and weapons.

Policemen at the schools gate prevented them from gaining entrance as they shot into the air. The hoodlums, however, grew in number, which overwhelmed the security agents.

Despite the gunshots, the teenagers refused to go. In fact, while some of them knelt, others prostrated and were begging the police to shoot at them. They were saying, Please shoot us; we want to die.

It was gathered that some OPC members later came out with weapons and engaged the hoodlums.

The proprietor of the school was reported to have called for reinforcement from SARS operatives, who stormed the community.

The SARS operatives started shooting into the air. They chased the teenagers and arrested seven of them. They also seized their motorcycles and recovered some of the weapons they brought, another source said.

It was learnt that some Hausa leaders had visited the school and held a truce meeting with the management.

The Proprietor of the school, Chief Yomi Otubela, said it was only a minor disagreement among pupils of the school.

He said, The issue was about some teenagers who had issues with themselves on where to park their cars. The police that were on duty at the school gate actually mediated. No school property was damaged; nothing happened during our valedictory service.

But the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the attack, adding that seven suspects had been arrested.

She said, Some hoodlums entered the schools premises and destroyed some property. They allegedly made away with N1.5m.

Our operatives from the Elere divison were contacted and they swiftly moved in and arrested seven of the suspects. The suspects have been handed over to the Area G headquarters for further investigation.

Source: Punch
Women numbering about 50 on Wednesday stormed the National Assembly, protesting the reported verbal assault of Senator Dino Melaye (APC, Kogi West), against Senator Oluremi Tinubu (APC, Lagos Central).

Melaye and Tinubu were reportedly engaged in a heated verbal altercation during a closed door session of the Senate last week. It was alleged that Melaye threatened to beat up and impregnate Mrs. Tinubu during the session.

He denied the allegations, claiming the Lagos senator called him a thug and a dog. His denial did not stop several women groups from protesting against him for his unruly conduct, which they say is an insult to women.

The protesters, who wore T-shirts with inscriptions that reads: No to impunity for gender based violence, were heard chanting, Stop violence against women.

They also carried placards that reads, Real men raise their minds, not their fist, Support gender equality opportunity bill, A Senator is a Senator, women are not threat object, Senate Leadership silence in the face of violence against women is conspiracy, Say no to impunity, among others.

Addressing newsmen, a woman leader of the APC, Mrs. Kemi Nelson, who earlier denied the claim by a civil rights movement that she collected N75million from the Tinubus to organize women to protest against Melaye, said enough is enough!

She called on the Senate to take a disciplinary action against Senator Melaye to serve as deterrent that violence against women will not be tolerated.

This is impunity and it has to be stopped, we must be accorded our right, she said
On this day in 2002, a huge fire broke out at ChevronTexacos main oil terminal, days after unarmed village women ended a 10-day siege that crippled the oil giants local operations.

The blaze at the multimillion-dollar Escravos terminal in southeastern Nigeria was ignited by a bolt of lightning during an early morning storm, the company said in a statement.

The lightning set fire to a storage tank containing about 180,000 barrels of crude oil, the company said. About 80,000 barrels were pumped out of the burning tank.

Also on this day in 2002, dozens of villagers were killed, many hacked to death, in three days of clashes between rival political factions battling for influence in an oil-rich area of the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian Army says its troops have arrested a suspected supplier of fuel to Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

A statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Army spokesman, Col. Sani Usman, said the suspect was arrested at Molai check point in the outskirt of Maiduguri at about 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

He added that the suspect was arrested with a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of petrol and other goods cleverly covered in cartons.

Usman said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had for long engaged in supply of fuel and other goods to terrorists in Sambisa.

He said: the Quick Response Force (QRF) of 251 Battalion, 7 Division Garrison on routine check arrested a truck loaded with 25 jerry cans of PMS and other goods.

The PMS and other goods were cleverly covered and concealed in the truck.

The driver of the vehicle, Muhammadu Adamu, claimed ignorance of the contents of the vehicle and called the owner of the goods, Tijjani Gambo to explain.

He too denied supplying the terrorists fuel and other items. Rather he claimed to be a mere trader that supplies goods to customers in Damboa based on demand.

However, preliminary investigation revealed that he has been sending PMS and other goods through the same route at regular intervals without an identifiable corresponding recipient in Damboa.

Although investigations are still ongoing, it is suspected that it could be the means through which he had been supplying the terrorists with dire logistics in Sambisa forest.

Usman said authorities in the region had banned the purchase and transportation of petrol in containers in Borno and its environs.

He said both suspects and the exhibits had been handed over to Joint Interrogation Centre for further investigation.

Source:TheNation
Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode has vowed to rescue the Oniba of Iba, Oba Yushau Goriola Oseni from the hands of his abductors.

The governor in an emergency Security Council meeting on Monday, said efforts were on to make kidnapping a thing of the past in the state and the criminals would be made to face the wrath of the law.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, told reporters at the end of the meeting that government and the security agencies were bothered about the rates of crime especially kidnapping, adding that efforts are on to rescue all those kidnapped recently including Oba Oseni.

What we want to assure the people is that we are putting efforts together to ensure that not just the monarch is rescued but also other victims of kidnapping and we will bring those criminals to justice.

He said: All of us are bothered. As the people are bothered, government is bothered and law enforcement institutions are bothered. We are looking at the issue of kidnapping and the only thing we can tell the good people in Lagos is that government is doing everything possible and is deploying all arsenal of the state towards ensuring that we put a stop to all these and at the same time seize this opportunity to tell the fellows engaging in these activities to channel their energy to lawful conduct because there is no excuse to say that because they cannot vandalise the pipelines again, that is why they are resorting to all these soft targets kidnapping.

They should divert their energy into productive use, he added, The government has opened up lots of opportunities for people that want to access soft loans for small scale businesses and industries; the Bank of Industry (BoI) for instance is there, they have been putting up adverts, let them have a change of mind, drop their weapons, access these funds that government at the state and federal levels had created and for those of them that have certificates and saying that yes we have stopped bunkering and there is no other thing for us to do, there are platforms that have been created by government for them to be meaningfully employed.
Three high profile accused persons on trial for alleged corruption, are eager to refund their loot, in order to stave off likely conviction.

The accused are willing to refund cash and give up property acquired with their illegal wealth, it was learnt yesterday.

Those that fall under this category are the erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh, ex-Chiefs of Air Staff Air Marshals Adeshola Amosu and Mohammed Dikko Umar.

The trio are being separately prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Metuh is standing trial for allegedly receiving N400 million from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki. The cash is believed to be part of the $2.1 billion security fund that was allegedly diverted by the ex-NSA.

Umar was arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption of about N9.7billion while Amosu was docked before a Federal High Court in Lagos alongside Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jacob Adigun and Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga, on a 26-count of stealing about N50 billion.

An inside source at the EFCC familiar with the trials of the accused persons, said: We have formally received letters of plea bargain from three accused persons  Metuh, Umar and Amosu  we are studying their terms.

We may enter into a plea bargain with the accused persons if it will serve the public interest. The interest is getting back the stolen funds. If they can fulfill this condition (public interest), we may accept their offers.

But he did not specify the details of the request from the accused persons because we are still studying them.
A government worker died yesterday (Tuesday, July 19th) in Kogi State after falling and injuring himself during a protest by state workers over their owed salaries (for a period of six months). The deceased identified as Alhaji Sali Ndarusa, worked with the Ministry of Education, at the state capital Lokoja .

According to Rariya, he died at his home as a result of lack of money to buy food and medicine. He has been laid to rest according to the Islamic rites.

Source: National Helm
Despite our best efforts, sometimes new network configurations can become confusing to users and, yes, techs alike -- though we don't like to admit it.

We recently upgraded our systems and last week had a problem involving printing from a remote site that the user had connected to through a terminal server. A system like this functions by a local user logging onto a server in their building that then is granted access to another network at a remote location. Once the user is connected they can run applications installed at that site.

Generally, running the application isn't enough and the users wish to print reports generated at the remote site to a printer in their location. It's not a complicated task, but there are a few factors to keep in mind when working remotely. This is where the problem arose.

So many choices

One of our users logged into a remote site and generated a massive report (more than 3,200 pages) that she needed to turn in to a third party. She had intended to send the report to a PDF file to save paper, but somehow the report directed itself to her printer on her desk all by itself! (Of course, it's a common complaint when a user doesn't notice the printer location setting.)

Needless to say, the printer soon displayed an error alert on her PC and stopped printing. She was tired, and it was the end of the day, so she decided to leave it alone and left for the night.

Morning arrived, and the user told a tech only part of the problem -- the report had stopped printing. The tech started with the basics: The printer was out of paper, so they reloaded it, and voila, it commenced printing again. At that time -- and only then -- did the user inform the tech that the report is no longer necessary, so stop the printer from printing.

The tech logs onto the local file and print server and deletes the job, then unplugs the printer to clear anything left in memory. Reloading the paper into the printer he then turns it back on and starts to walk away. Amazingly, the printer resumes printing. We are now approaching 300 pages!

The job is again deleted and verified it is gone. Print spooler on the server is restarted to clear it and the printer unplugged, reloaded with paper, and restarted again. Here we go again with the job resuming! Is this thing possessed?

Oh, that setting

The tech powers the printer off and commences further investigation. It is then revealed that the print job is coming from the remote site and not a local application. Of course! It all makes sense now.

A report is generated at a remote site, and when it is told to print locally, it first gets queued to the remote file and print server. Once it has the job in its memory it passes it to the local file and print server. Thus every time it was killed locally, the remote site could see it was not completed and passed another copy to reprint. The system was working perfectly; we had missed an important point.

It was a good lesson to get all the facts before attempting to solve a problem -- a lesson that will not soon be forgotten. By the way, there is now a stack of more than 500 pages of scratch paper in the print room.
Its Five OClock Somewhere Stock Market (and Sentiment Results) HedgeFundTips.com - 10 minutes ago While the Hang Seng plummeted, U.S. equities rallied and we wound up +1.5% on the day. How the hell that happened, Ill never understand, but its far different from the outcome I expected coming...

RFD-TV Interview: Grain and Livestock Markets Blue Line Futures - Thu Oct 27, 5:19PM CDT Will the South American weather be the catalyst, or will the US Dollar take the cake? Oliver Sloup, Vice President of Blue Line Futures, explains the grain markets to RFD TV.

Hogs Fall Triple Digits on Thursday Barchart - Thu Oct 27, 4:48PM CDT Front month lean hog futures worked lower on Thursday with Dec futures getting within 20c of a limit drop on the days low. Dec hogs ultimately closed down by $3.37, with $0.87 to $2.85 losses in the... HEZ22 : 85.125s (-3.81%) HEJ23 : 92.125s (-2.18%) KMZ22 : 95.775s (-0.98%)

Cotton Weakens Triple Digits Barchart - Thu Oct 27, 4:48PM CDT Cotton futures closed off their lows by ~20 points, but were still down by 142 to 271 at the bell. The ($DXY) was higher on Thursday after a GDP growth of 2.6% for Q3. Cotton export sales were 68,437... $DXY : 110.64 (+0.07%) CTZ22 : 75.11s (-3.48%) CTH23 : 74.81s (-3.32%) CTK23 : 74.53s (-2.89%)

Wheats End Red on Thursday Barchart - Thu Oct 27, 4:48PM CDT The KC HRW futures market pulled back on Thursday and closed with 5 1/2 to 8 3/4 cent losses despite improved export sales. CBT futures ended the day firmer with losses limited to 2 cents in the front... ZWZ22 : 835-0 (-0.42%) ZWH23 : 854-2 (-0.44%) ZWPAES.CM : 7.7193 (-0.26%) KEZ22 : 928-0 (-0.46%) KEPAWS.CM : 8.9049 (-0.94%) MWZ22 : 947-0 (-0.37%)

Cattle Close Red on Thursday Barchart - Thu Oct 27, 4:48PM CDT The ($DXY) strengthened on Thursday after a positive GDP growth reported at 2.6% for Q3. Cattle futures spent the day in a tighter $0.95 range, but ultimately settled with 5 to 32 cent losses. December... $DXY : 110.64 (+0.07%) LEV22 : 151.400s (-0.03%) LEZ22 : 153.425s (-0.10%) LEG23 : 156.850s (-0.11%) GFV22 : 175.975s (-0.26%) GFX22 : 178.125s (-0.39%)

Fractionally Indifferent Soybean Trade Barchart - Thu Oct 27, 4:48PM CDT The soybean futures market stayed in a 16c/bu range (Jan), from -4c to +12c, but ultimately settled with a fractionally mixed board. New crop prices were weaker on the day. Meal futures rallied on Thursday,... ZSX22 : 1384-0 (+0.13%) ZSPAUS.CM : 13.4145 (+0.29%) ZSF23 : 1394-6 (+0.09%) ZSH23 : 1403-6 (+0.12%)

Corn Weakens on Thursday Barchart - Thu Oct 27, 4:48PM CDT Corn futures fell by 1 3/4 to 3 cents in the front months on Thursday. The Fed announced real GDP grew by 2.6% in Q3, and the ($DXY) recovered  rallying back to $110.453. The weekly Export Sales report... $DXY : 110.64 (+0.07%) ZCZ22 : 680-2 (-0.29%) ZCPAUS.CM : 6.7296 (-0.47%) ZCH23 : 685-4 (-0.33%) ZCK23 : 685-0 (-0.29%)
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

Trend:

OSCE is expected to monitor the line of contact between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops July 21, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said July 20.

It is planned to hold the monitoring under the mandate of the OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative on the contact line to the west of the Azerbaijani Terter town, the ministry said.

On the Azerbaijani side, the monitoring will be held by the field assistants of OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Jiri Aberle and Peter Svedverg.

On the opposite side, the monitoring will be carried out by the field assistants of OSCE chairperson-in-office personal representative Hristo Hristov and Simon Tiller.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
Last week, JPMorgan Chase announced that it will raise the minimum wage it pays workers from around $10 to a range of $12 to $16.50 depending on local cost of living. Never mind that Chase also recently announced it was eliminating thousands of jobs through automation; the point, here, is that this is one more big bank giving a major nod to the rising national clamor around inequality.

We keep tabs on such things, because philanthropy is a primary way that banks send political or social signalsas well as engage in mea culpas or enlightened self-interest. Bank foundation initiatives for poverty reduction, affordable housing and workforce development have been coming fast and furiously lately from a financial services sector that (a) has lot amends to make; (b) doesn't want to seem out of step with pressing public concerns; and (c) has come to see that it has a major long-term interest in more broadly shared prosperity, which will translate into greater demand for its products and services.

All of which brings us to Bank of America's latest big give. The bank just put $40 million into youth employment initiatives, including its existing Student Leaders program, summer jobs, grants for workforce development and education, and partnerships with organizations like Urban Alliance, Jobs for the Future, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

The banks press release cites a Brookings statistic that 7.6 percent of American young people ages 16 to 24 are totally disconnected from any pathways to successthat is, out of work or school. As is the case for other big banks, youth opportunity and workforce development is a major focus of BoA philanthropy. (Housing and direct relief for the hungry and the homeless are other priorities. See more on the banks funding priorities here.)

The youth programs that Bank of America is funding with the new $40 million are many and varied. Its flagship Student Leaders program provides high school juniors and seniors with paid internships reflecting their interests in community development. A trip to D.C. is part of the package. BoA also works with mayors to connect with nonprofits providing summer jobs and skills training on the ground.

Another angle from BoAs announcement may be more self-interested. In partnership with organizations like the Posse Foundation and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, BoA is committed to recruiting a diverse body of workers to its own ranks. Some of these funds will likely go toward channelling promising youth into BoA's hiring department. And considering the bank has over 200,000 employees, the potential impact on local economies isnt nothing.

As we've noted in the past, banks are among the top employers of entry-level service workers in America's top urban areas. Which means these institutions know first hand the strengths and weaknesses of today's increasingly diverse young work force. Bank of America is just one bank cultivating career readiness and pathways to the middle class for at-risk youth. Many of those young people might even end up working for the company that helped them. This enlightened self-interest parallels a growing focus of bank foundations in helping in low-income people better save and manage money. After all, those savers are potential customers.

Within the banking industry, Bank of Americas $40 million outlay to youth employment is impressive, but not unprecedented or unmatched. Back in 2014, JPMorgan Chase dedicated $250 million to workforce development. Citi followed that with $50 million the same year.

Related:
Weve not seen much private funding for study of volcanoes, but the Northwest sure is an appropriate place for it, and UO just landed $10 million.

The Moore Foundation has been a big backer of work on earthquake early warning systems. Theres quite a lot of disaster response philanthropy. There are even some donors on high alert for asteroids.

Related:Earthshaking Support from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

But the recent $10 million grant to the University of Oregon is a rare, big private gift to the study of volcanic activity. The grant comes from Gwen and Charles Lillisone the former chair of the UO Foundation Board and the other the current chair of the schools Board of Trusteeswho have been longtime donors pushing to secure UOs prominence.

The university has been a leader in volcanology since the 1960s, which is fitting, considering that there are four volcanoes in the region with potential for eruption. But developing a volcanology cluster of excellence is one tenet of the universitys $2 billion funding campaignone of many such large funding drives happening at schools across the country. The Lillises grant moves the university closer, funding two new faculty positions and issuing a $2 million challenge.

The couples wealth comes from telecommunications, and both are currently in investing. Theyve given to universities in the region before, including $12 million toward a new business complex at UO in 1999, and $8 million to the University of Puget Sound in 2011.

While I struggled to come up examples of other private philanthropy to volcano researchthe USGS, NASA, and the NSF do fund the subjectits a more pressing cause than you might initially assume.

Volcanoes, particularly in the U.S., dont often erupthundreds or even thousands of years can pass between events. These spans can lull our human-scaled minds into denial. Bobby Jindal famously mocked volcano research spending in a national speech, sending geologists and Northwesterners alike into a fury.

Related:Why Keck is Funding Green Architecture at a State University

But according to head of the volcanology cluster at UO, 600 million people are at direct risk from eruptive activity, especially in developing nations where farmers are often drawn to soils near volcanic activity. Theres also potential for global economic impactsthe closing of airports in Europe cost $1.7 billion after Icelands volcanic eruption in 2010.

And let's not even contemplate the climate changes and widespread famine that could be caused by another eruption on the scale of Mount Tambora in 1815 or Krakatau in 1883.

Population growth and globalization makes the risk increasingly severe. Improving monitoring technology means longer time to prepare for activity. The research center will also study the potential for geothermal energy. The field seems to be ripe for an opportunity in which attention from private donors can kickstart larger funding, either from other private or public sources. Aside from the matching element, part of the intent of the recent gift is to make the school more attractive for government grants.

So while the gift came from a drive to boost the university, maybe it will also nudge forward other funding to make the world, and all those living in the shadows of rumbling giants, a little safer.
Pasadena is famous for its annual Tournament of Roses and the Rose Bowl. At the cutting edge of tech, its home to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the California Institute of Technology. Once upon a time, many imagined that Pasadena would be the leading city in southern Californiaa role that, instead, Los Angeles ended up playing.

And while outsiders tend to think of Pasadena as a mere satellite of L.A., or simply part of its same endless urban sprawl, this ethnically diverse city of 141,000 has a strong sense of its distinctive identity and quite a bit of civic pride.

Tapping into this pride is a key to the fundraising strategy of Pasadena City College, which has been around since 1924. Bobbi Abram, the executive director of the Pasadena City College Foundation, shared her insights with Inside Philanthropy on how it funds its mission to support the schools 30,000 students.

"People are just as likely to give to their local community college based on the fact that they live in the community as if they actually attended college there, so we do as much with a community fundraising program as we do an alumni fundraising program," Abram said.

That is not a thought you'll hear often from campus development officers, who tend to be laser-focused on hitting up grads. But you do hear it sometimes, and we've written quite a bit about local non-alum donors stepping up to support colleges and universities that they see as boosting their community economically and culturally.

Community colleges, which are getting lots of play lately as critical ladders for socio-economic mobility, are especially well-positioned to tap into that sentiment. And all the more so if they're long familiar institutions in a civically engaged town like Pasadena.

"Pasadena itself probably has more nonprofit organizations per capita than just about any city of the country, so its a very philanthropic community," Abram said. "Weve done a lot of work to make sure that Pasadena City College feels accessible and approachable by the community. Weve had a lot of community involvement in the campus which has increased our ability to go straight to the community.

Like many community colleges, PCC has an active schedule of extension classes that are popular with locals, and it also has a pool that's open to the public. In addition, an NPR affiliate, KPCC-FM, is licensed to the college, which Abram said raises its community profile, along with the Tournament of Roses. The Tournament of Roses and Pasadena City College have always had a mutually beneficial relationship. Our band is the honor band in the Tournament of Roses. A lot of our employees and executives are volunteers and are part of the leadership of the Tournament of Roses.

So what's the actual funding model that pulls in support for PCC? Our funding actually comes from couple of sources, one of which is unrestricted gifts, which is basically our annual fund, Abram said. And through the years, that has continued to grow."

There's also been a bigger push around planning giving lately. Before Abram arrived at PCC, the foundation got a grant to focus in this area. We have been the beneficiary of a lot of hard work which went into a planned giving program. We are about to move into another campaign in which planned giving is very important.

The foundation offers a range of planned giving programs from charitable gift annuities tocharitable trusts. Abram sees planned giving as the most effective way of raising funds for the foundation but acknowledges that the payback is long-term.

Along with alumni, the foundation taps the largesse of former faculty, Our retirees are probably the biggest group of donors to make planned gifts, Abram said. This success underscores a point we often make at Inside Philanthropy, which is that current and former faculty members can be a surprisingly strong source of gifts.

Related: University Professor as Donor: A Case Study at Villanova

As for other funding streams, Abram said that grants have not been a huge part of the picture, "although that is something we will be concentrating on as the years go by." She said grants often focus on specific programs, like a three-year, $300,000 grant that PCC landed from a nonprofit, Los Angeles Universal Preschool, to train child development workers. One program that has attracted ongoing support from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is the James R. Galbraith Endowed Speech Scholarship Endowed Journalism Scholarship. Galbraith is an alumnus and matches the Hilton gifts himself.

About 90 percent of outlays from the Pasadena City College Foundation go to student scholarships. And Abram and her team have been keen to showcase how such funding is changing lives. One thing that we have done recently is to pull our scholarship recipients together to be greeters, ushers or speakers at some of our donor events so that donors have the opportunity to see some of the students they have helped, Abram said. "The more we find that connectedness can happen, the deeper the relationship the more meaningful that donation becomes.

This is a point we've heard a lot from other savvy fundraisers, who devote considerable attention to ensuring that donors and their beneficiaries get to know each other.

Meanwhile, Abram and her team are also focused on the bread and butter of all campus development departments, which is ensuring that PCC is building relationships with current and future donors. One thing she's concluded is that ultimately a schools fundraising success is dependent on what happens in the classroom. If the student has had a great experience at PCC if a faculty member has had a great experience, you are building two donors there.

Meanwhile, she feels that, as with all organizations asking for funding, PCC has to show the return that donors are getting on their investment. Just to say you have a great cause is not enough. You have to prove that youre effective in moving the needle with your organization, Abram said. We really have to focus on the outcomes and be able to articulate that message when we are raising money.

Related: What's the Secret to This Community College's Fundraising Success?
@sswracing @Autism Halifax, NS. (July 19, 2016) Scotia Speedworlds Weekly Racing Series is proud to present KIDS RACE on behalf of the Canadian National Autism Foundation (CNAF). The CNAF will be at Scotia Speedworld on Friday night with information on their foundation as five divisions of race cars battle in the Weekly Racing Series. On track this week are the Hydraulics Plus Bandoleros, Toursec Thunder cars, Strictly Hydraulics Legends, Coors Light Trucks and Affordable Fuels Sportsman. Adult admission for the Weekly Racing Series is just $14.00; Youth (8-15) are $4.00 and children 7 and under are freeall summer long! Tickets are available at the gate on race day (cash only). Grandstand gates open at 5:00 PM with racing action slated to get underway at 7:00 PM.

KIDS RACE was started in 2010 as an idea to create a new platform for autism research and awareness said the President of the CNAF, Tina Fougere. It wasnt too long after speaking and working alongside track owners, officials, drivers, crews and fans across the country that a common bond was formed. We realized that passion, dedication, family and the love for what we do, was something we all shared. KIDS RACE is all about having family fun for a great cause and accepting our loved ones with autism. We couldnt ask for a better place in Nova Scotia to host our family event than with the wonderful people at Scotia Speedworld who have opened their doors, but most importantly their hearts, to our cause.

Fans will also be treated to an additional 25 lap Strictly Hydraulics Legends feature, which was held over following qualifying on May 22nd due to weather.

Please note Kids Race is not an actual race, it is just a name the CNAF uses to brand their events at race tracks across the country. On track action will be the same as every other Weekly Racing Series event.

About the Canadian National Autism Foundation:

The Canadian National Autism Foundation (CNAF) promotes the positive enhancement and quality of life for people with autism in Canada. The CNAF was formed in June 2000, by parents of children with autism. The foundation is completely run and administrated by unpaid volunteers. Our foundation is funded by donators, and fundraising events put on by others as well as the foundation. The CNAF has been formed to provide funding for: Educating the general public and professionals; Providing information and resources to families of people with autism; providing funding for Canadian based research and development; Promoting national autism awareness.

About Scotia Speedworld:

Scotia Speedworld (SSW) is a 3/10-mile asphalt oval racing facility. SSW is the only track in Nova Scotia to host a weekly racing series, which runs May through September and features six different classes of racecars. SSW also hosts special events, including Monster Jam and the Parts for Trucks Pro Stock Tour. SSW is located at Exit 6 on Highway 102, across from the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. For more information please click on www.ScotiaSpeedworld.ca or call our Event Hotline at (902) 873-2277 or our office at (902) 481-2514. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sswracing and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/sswracing

Media Contact:

Tara Foster

902.429.4069 office

902.488.0809 mobile

Media@scotiaspeedworld.ca
Geopolitics continued to overshadow economic and financial news for market-risk narratives after U.S. real estate mogul Donald Trump officially secured the Republican Party presidential nomination in Cleveland and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pursued massive reprisals after a failed coup attempt that drew protests from global leaders. Meanwhile, reverberations of the Brexit vote continue to cause concerns, with a report issued today by the International Monetary Fund that included lowered global growth projections. The IMF cut its target for total gross domestic product in 2017 from 3.5 percent to 3.4 percent as the United Kingdoms departure hits Europes economies. Despite concerns cast by these factors, few investors in U.S. markets have rushed to the exits as earnings season continues with results that are generally better than diminished expectations.

Despite Brexit fears, employment situation improves in the U.K. New figures released today by Britains Office for National Statistics revealed that unemployment in the U.K. declined to the lowest level since 2005 during the three months ending in May, at an average of 4.9 percent. Separately, on Wednesday the Bank of England released sentiment data that indicated the Britains vote to depart the European Union has not yet affected the decision making of business managers with respect to new hires.

Volkswagen profits rebound as company moves beyond scandal. Financial results released on Wednesday by Volkswagen included an operating profit of $7.5 billion for the first half of 2016, versus $7 billion during the same period in 2015, exceeding consensus analyst estimates. Despite the rebound in profits, the German automaker also announced more than $2 billion to be set aside to handle legal costs globally because of the ongoing emissions-testing scandal. A full earnings release by the company, which will provide greater details, is due on July 28.

Monsanto rejects second Bayer offer. On Tuesday, Monsanto announced that it would decline the second offer in as many months by German health care and chemical giant Bayer. In the statement, the ST. Louis-based company said it would continue talks with Bayer while exploring other options. The offer, at $125 per share, was the largest all-cash acquisition bid in history.

Singapores sovereign wealth fund to buys its SMRT stake. In a deal announced on Wednesday, Temasek Holdings, Singapores state investment arm, announced it would acquire the remaining minority stake in SMRT Corp. that it does not already own. The transaction, valued at more than $800 million, will value the Singapore mass-transit operator at more than $2.5 billion. SMRT has been heavily criticized in recent years for frequent service outages which have drawn the scrutiny of government regulators.

Dollar Shave acquired for $1 billion. On Tuesday, Unilever announced the acquisition of Dollar Shave Club in a transaction reported to be worth $1 billion. Dollar Shave, which built its franchise through quirky online viral advertising featuring the companys boot-strapping origins, will continue to be managed by founder and spokesman Michael Dubin. With the deal, Unilever has entered into more direct competition with Procter & Gamble and Edgewell, makers of Gillette and Schick brand razors, respectively.
Many people either fall into insurance or it is in the blood and for Rhys Mills , managing director of Solution Underwriting , it was the latter.For me, I began in insurance when I was all of 19-years of age, mills told Insurance Business.I think a lot of people would say that the only way into insurance is that you fall into insurance but you either fall into it or it is in the family and for me it was in the family, it was in the blood for me.Mills father was also a loss adjuster but the younger generation had his sights set on one goal in particular.My goal was to have my own agency by the time I was 30 and in 2010, I started Solution when I was thirty so I just snuck in there, Mills said.Solution has gone from strength to strength since then, snagging three medals in the Brokers on Underwriters awards ran by Insurance Business last year, but Mills said the industry at large face a million dollar question on attracting talent to the industry.That is the toughest thing that the industry faces and would be a complete change in peoples opinion or mindset of the insurance industry, Mills continued.Most people, unfortunately if you tell them you work in insurance, the first thing they will say is they had a bad experience with a car insurance claim or a house insurance claim and insurance companies are just out there to take your money.Generally, the usual man on the street as it were, that is the extent of their experience with insurance is paying their car insurance renewal. As somebody that has worked in insurance my whole life, I dont like paying my car insurance renewal either but nobody has got a gun to my head as it were to pay it, it is a choice that I make and I certainly wouldnt have it any other way.Is there a way to completely, wholesale change peoples opinion of insurance? No, there is probably not.Mills, who was one of the last recipients of an undergraduate degree in insurance from Deakin University, said that education of the general public could help the industry attract new talent.There is only one way to eat an elephant and that is in very small bites so if you can keep chipping away at people, get in the mindset of it being one of those forefront financial services careers that people can actually have and its just so varied, Mills said.I think people are unaware of the fact that there are so many different jobs that you can do in insurance rather than just as people think insurance, people think going door-to-door selling insurance but gone are the days. It is actually a very skilled area with very specialist fields within insurance that people can get involved in.As a second generation member of the insurance family, Mills stressed that he would welcome a decision by his children to join the family trade.I would absolutely encourage it, if my kids decided that they wanted to get into insurance, it has been absolutely fantastic for me and I think it is a great industry, Mills said.My very best of friends, Ive met through insurance, my partner Ive met through insurance if they said one day that they wanted to, I couldnt support them anymore, I think it would be absolutely fantastic.
Brokers have only until midnight to put themselves forward
New Zealand-based insurer Tower Limited has announced the resignation of its chief financial officer, Brett Wilson. The outgoing executive has agreed to remain in the role until a new CFO is appointed.Wilson, who has resigned 16 months after he joined Tower in March 2015, was the person in-charge of risk and finance functions of the general insurer.Wilson has some 20 years experience in the financial services. Prior to joining the general insurer, he was CFO and secretary from Seniors Money International Limited; and also held posts for ASB, Sovereign, and Metropolitan Life.Richard Harding, Tower CEO, thanked Wilson for his hard work and commitment: Over the past two years. Brett has made a considerable contribution to the Tower group. One behalf of the Tower management team, I would like to thank him and wish him well for his future endeavours.Tower Limited has already commenced an executive search and will advise the market when a new appointment is made.
Massachusetts House and Senate negotiators are set to begin hammering out a final version of a bill aimed at regulating ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft.

A six-member conference committee was scheduled to begin negotiations this week.

The bills would require that drivers undergo criminal background checks and carry insurance policies of at least $1 million.

The Senate version of the bill would let drivers pick up passengers at Bostons Logan International Airport. The House version bans the practice to appease a struggling taxi industry.

The Senate bill would also create a trust fund paid for by an assessment on ride-hailing companies of not more than 10 cents per ride. The money would be distributed to municipalities based on the proportion of rides originating in a city or town.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation Massachusetts
The town of Newtown, Connecticut has rejected an offer from two Sandy Hook parents to settle a lawsuit over the 2012 school shooting that claimed the lives of 26 students and faculty.

The Hartford Courant reported that a deadline passed this week for the town to accept the motion to settle the case brought by estates of 6-year-olds Noah Pozner and Jesse Lewis for $11 million.

The lawsuit, filed in state Superiour Court, alleges security measures at the school werent adequate when Adam Lanza fatally shot 20 first-graders and six educators in 2012. The other victims parents arent part of the lawsuit.

Attorney Donal Papcsy, who represents the Pozner and Lewis families, says the $11 million figure matches the maximum amount they can recover under the towns insurance coverage.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

By Azad Hasanli - Trend:



Armenian armed forces have nine times violated the ceasefire on the line of contact of the Azerbaijani and Armenian troops over the past 24 hours, said Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry July 20.

Armenian armed forces, stationed in the village of Barekamavan of Armenias Noyemberyan district, Aygepar village of Berd district opened fire at Azerbaijani positions located in the village of Bala Jafarli of the Qazakh district and the village of Alibayli of the Tovuz district.

Moreover, Azerbaijani positions underwent fire from the positions located near Qarakhanbayli village of the Fizuli district and nameless heights of the Goranboy district.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
A lawsuit seeking to force Prime Minister Theresa May to consult parliament before beginning Britains exit from the European Union will be taken very seriously and may reach the Supreme Court by December, Judge Brian Leveson said.

The court takes this litigation very seriously and will move expeditiously, Leveson said during a hearing Tuesday. The case is of such constitutional importance it is difficult to see why it wont move quickly to the Supreme Court after a two-day hearing that starts Oct. 15.

The lawsuit seeks to force the prime minister to obtain an Act of Parliament before initiating Britains exit from the E.U. by invoking Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. A vote in parliament would give lawmakers a chance to derail Brexit as economists cut forecasts for U.K. economic growth. Though most MPs advocated remaining in the EU before the referendum, a vote could make them choose between placating financial markets and carrying out the will of their constituents.

Gina Miller, who Leveson called a concerned citizen, will be the lead claimant. Hairdresser Deir Dos Santos, a group of unnamed U.K. citizens living in France and other expatriates, will also be party to the proceedings, he said. The government, which has yet to provide a detailed response to the lawsuit, must file its defense by Sept. 2, Leveson said.

The tensions from the often bitter Brexit campaign spilled over into the High Court case, with some who had planned on joining the lawsuit put off by racist and antisemitic abuse, said David Pannick, Millers lawyer.

A minority has been regressive, abusive and threatening, said Leveson, who will redact names from documents. The court will deal severely with anyone who intervenes with the course of this litigation.

Oliver Letwin, the minister overseeing the task force preparing for the exit negotiations before May appointed David Davis to head a new Brexit department, said its the prime ministers responsibility to trigger article 50, citing advice from government lawyers. May has pledged to respect the will of the people and carry out Brexit, despite backing Remain before the June 23 vote.

The current position is notification will not occur before the end of 2016, Jason Coppel, a lawyer representing the government, said during the hearing.

The governments willingness to wait before invoking Article 50 is welcome news for businesses, said Ros Kellaway, a lawyer at law firm Eversheds in London.

Businesses could be forgiven for being fearful of protracted Article 50 negotiations, but the reality is, a longer wait to get things right will be very much in their best interests, said Kellaway, who is head of the firms competition and regulatory unit. Especially so given the staggeringly complex and multi-faceted nature of Brexit.

The case is Santos v. Chancellor for the Duchy Lancaster, CO/3281/2016, High Court of Justice, Queens Bench Division, Administrative Court (Jul 19, 2016)

Related:

London Re/Insurance Market Will Weather Brexit Storm: Execs

Legal Expert Assesses 4 Scenarios to Put Brakes on Brexit

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits Europe
The steady advance of the internet of things (IoT) presents a huge number of opportunities for insurers  as well as threats, according to a digest published by Efma*.

The rise in connected homes, connected cars and the use of health and fitness tracking technology will change the nature of insurable risk and insurers need to prepare to remain relevant and benefit from the IoT phenomenon, said the digest, which provides a compilation of some of the latest research and analysis about IoT.

With IoT, insurers have the chance to create a new, more profitable business model that leverages data to create a more personalized offering and, in turn, facilitates better customer relationships, said Vincent Bastid, Efma CEO, in a statement in the report, which is titled The internet of things: Disrupting insurance models.

Bastid emphasized, however, that success wont come easy. Its likely that premiums will reduce quite significantly and there are significant implications in terms of data management, privacy and security, he said.

Laden down with traditional processes and archaic systems, traditional insurers will have to think outside of the box in order to avoid being disintermediated or attacked in their market by newcomers or incumbent players who manage to capitalize on the potential of IoT first, cautioned the Efma Digest.

Unprecedented Growth

The speed of the growth of IoT shows no signs of abating. Analyst firm Gartner predicts that 20.8 billion things will be connected to the internet by 2020, which equates to approximately six devices for every person on the globe (according to a Munich Re report, titled The Internet of Things and Life/Living Benefits Insurance.)

By 2035, it is expected that there will be one trillion connected things, with 100 million supporting apps, said the Efma report, quoting The Insurance Implications of the Internet of Things, published by the Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS).

With such numbers in mind, the report said, it is understandable why many companies are looking to IoT as a potential new profit stream, investing billions to develop new systems, Efma said.

New Source of Revenue

Connected insurance is one of the fastest growing sectors of the personal lines business, added the report, which quoted Accenture, saying that over the past 12 months, insurers throughout the world have launched a multitude of connected products and services interlinked via IoT.

Our research shows that 45 percent of insurers believe this trend will be a major driver of revenue in the next three years, said Jean-Francois Gasc, managing director of Accentures strategy for insurance in Europe, Africa and Latin America, in a recent blog post.

Nearly half of the more than 300 property and casualty, as well as multiline, insurers we canvassed already have connected telematics solutions on the market or in development, Gasc continued. Over a third of the more than 100 life insurers we interviewed offer their customers connected solutions using wearables, or plan to do so.

The Efma report showcases some innovative and collaborative approaches that insurers are using to rise to the IoT challenge. Some, such as BNP Paribas Cardif, Europ Assistance Group, and Desjardins Assurances Generales, are using telematics to provide a proactive approach to home, health and vehicle insurance, according to a press release issued by Efma with the report.

Others have developed intelligent virtual assistants  such as USAA, which provides intuitive responses to customers requests, and Credit Agricole Assurances  Pacifica, which has harnessed geolocation and tracking technologies to enable customers to request assistance in the event of a vehicle accident or breakdown, Efma continued.

Other companies, such as Allianz France, are using drones to quickly and safely assess the damage to large structures.

Challenges and Threats

The Efma Digest said there is no question that the IoT will disrupt the insurance industry, creating a series of threats and presenting a number of challenges that insurers will have to work hard to overcome.

The biggest threat is that of disintermediation. Retail giants, such as Google, Amazon and Rakuten, have already made advances into insurance or are expected to do so, said Efma and Capgeminis 2016 World Insurance Report.

Of all the possible threats, insurers view Google to be the most significant (40.8 percent), followed by self-insurance by product manufacturers and Amazon, said the World Insurance Report.

These companies have unparalleled expertise in catering to customer preferences, building up their brand value, and analyzing vast amounts of data, making them potentially formidable players, especially in the customer-facing end of the insurance business.

Efma quoted an Oliver Wyman report, which explained that companies like Google, Apple, Facebook and Amazon are able to collect increasingly refined data, generate new relevant data and ultimately extract the intelligence required to feed their business models in real time. (The Oliver Wyman report is titled The Internet of Things: Disrupting Traditional Business Models.)

Players like Google will very soon be able to calculate the cost of risk precisely, said the report. In this scenario, insurers would lose control of pricing and be relegated to the low-value-added role of risk holder.

The Efma report listed some of the additional threats resulting from the IoT phenomenon including:

Reduced premiums. Advances in safety techniques will impact accident frequency, reducing losses and, thus, premiums, said Efma, quoting a report published by A.T. Kearney (which is titled The Internet of Things: Opportunity for Insurers.)

Losing control of data. Efma quoted the Munich Re report, which asked the question: Who owns the data? Is it the device that emits the data, the service provider that transmits the data, or the company that uses the data to improve customer service?

Determining who owns the data will go a long way in determining who is responsible for data security and privacy issues, said Munich Re. In addition, as more and more devices become connected, the likelihood of a company using this data becoming a target of a cyber attack also rises.

Privacy and security. To transform their business to leverage IoT, insurers must ensure that data privacy and security needs are met in terms of protection of data, and issues dealing with errors and device failures, said the Efma Digest, quoting a whitepaper from Tata. As the IoT gets personal, insurers need to have access to all information on customers to calibrate and arrive at the personalized cover and cost, said the whitepaper, emphasizing, however that privacy and security of the data will be critical to get customers to share data.

Internet-based connectedness offered by smart devices across connected homes, auto and health increases the potential of a cyber attack, which can inflict property damage and physical injury on the consumer and outweighs any benefits provided in terms of risk prevention, continued the Tata whitepaper. (The paper is titled Re-Imagining Insurance in the Connected Era of Internet of Things.)

A New Value Proposition

Insurers must thoroughly rethink their value proposition to take account of the unprecedented disruption of the industry that IoT will cause, the Efma report said.

The value proposition, which covers not only products and services but also the customer experience, must be fundamentally changed to migrate to more personalized, on-demand service while improving the core business of the insurer, Efma continued.

The report published by A.T. Kearney suggested that insurers long-term success will be their ability to differentiate themselves in an increasingly commoditized market  and the IoT is one way to achieve that differentiation.

A.T. Kearney suggested adopting a mindset of continuous renewal because the less predictable business environment will favor players that can execute strategies quickly and flexibly. The business environment will change, while the innovation journey will take years, the A.T. Kearney report suggested.

It is crucial that insurers develop strategic plans to address technological disruptors such as IoT and their related risks and opportunities, said the Efma report, quoting A.T. Kearney. The winning plans will define an overall path for each asset (car, home and self), allowing for differentiated approaches, the ability to be informed and adjust direction, and flexible investment and resource planning to navigate a new and evolving landscape.

* The entire Efma Digest is available only to members of Paris-based Efma. Established in 1971 by banks and insurance companies to facilitate networking between decision-makers, Efma has a membership of more than 3,300 brands in 130 countries.

Source: Efma

Topics Carriers Cyber InsurTech Tech Google
The storms that hit Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario in Canada on June 24 and 25 caused more than C$34 million ($25.9 million) in insured damage, according to estimates from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ).*

Wind, flash floods and hail hit several areas, resulting in nearly 3,500 insurance claims being filed for damaged homes, vehicles and businesses.

Storms such as these have been happening more frequently and with greater severity, said Bill Adams, vice president, Western & Pacific, Insurance Bureau of Canada.

In Saskatchewan and Manitoba, hail, strong winds and flash floods caused most of the damage. In Ontario, flooding in the Thunder Bay area caused the greatest damage. Isolated hailstorms across the region also caused significant damage to homes and vehicles.

* Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) delivers analytical and meteorological information on Canadian natural and man-made catastrophes.

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada

Topics Carriers Windstorm Canada
By taking advantage of legal appeals processes, an Illinois managing general agency has been able to continue operations for more than a year despite having its license revoked or non-renewed by two separate state insurance departments.

Northern Illinois Insurance Agency, which is headquartered in Rockford and now operates under the name of Northern Underwriting Managers (NUM), had its licensed revoked twice by the Illinois Department of Insurance, first in 2014 and again in 2015, and non-renewed by the Missouri Department of Insurance in 2015. It appears that appeals of the insurance departments orders and other legal motions have allowed NUMs doors to remain open, however.

According to Anjali Julka, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Insurance, while the licenses of NUM and that of its owner Todd Jeremy Fendler were revoked, the revocation orders have been stayed by operation of law. The revocation hearing is still in discovery.

Neither Julka nor Yaryna Klimchak, a spokesperson for the Missouri Department of Insurance, gave any indication as to when the administrative appeals might be resolved.

A map on NUMs website indicates that the company does business in all states except Alaska.

The complaints against NUM largely stem from its method of securing premium payments via Automated Clearing House (ACH), or electronic payment, withdrawals from client accounts.

Were an ACH only company, Fendler said when asked in April 2016 about the billing complaints. We only bill in two ways. We bill pay in full or via the ACH. So if we allow someone to do monthly payments, were going to do it via ACH.

State regulators in both Illinois and Missouri allege, among other things, that NUM and Fendler habitually defrauded customers by removing money from their accounts ostensibly for payment of premium for the placement of insurance. However, in some cases insurance was never bound or money continued to be removed from clients accounts after coverage was canceled, insurance department investigations found.

Insurance Journal became aware of the situation with NUM, which has advertised with Insurance Journal in the past, through mostly anonymous complaints posted on IJs MyNewMarkets.com website. The bulk of the complaints received by IJ mirror those described in two orders of revocation issued by Illinois, which Insurance Journal obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request.

The license non-renewal order issued by the Missouri Department of Insurance, which Fendler has tried but so far failed to have removed from the Missouri DOI website, cites both the Illinois documents and the results of its own investigation.

The order from the Illinois DOI dated July 14, 2014, shows that the department reviewed NUMs Premium Trust Fund Account (PTFA) from April 3, 2013, through Sept. 22, 2013, and found instances of misappropriation of premiums. During that time the balance in the PTFA was deficient in respects to those premium monies under examination on 118 days, the order states. The review covered 42 premiums collected from customers. The deficiency ranged from $364.55 to $78,067.51 with an average deficiency of $25,559.98.

The department also sampled 25 commission withdrawals by NUM from Jan. 1, 2012, through July 31, 2012. Of the 25 commission withdrawals sampled, 16 were not matched and identified with premiums deposited into the PFTA. Additionally, the 16 were not supported by a written record documenting the name of the insured, policy number, gross premium, net commission and check number, the order states.

In both reviews, regulators found that Fendler and NUM violated insurance rules and have demonstrated incompetence and financial irresponsibility in the conduct of business.

The 2014 Illinois order describes instances in which money was taken from client accounts but insurance was not placed or the insurer was not paid, which resulted in the client being unknowingly uninsured. The department also found that in some cases money continued to be withdrawn from client accounts after the customer and/or insurer had cancelled policies.

An amended order of revocation issued by the Illinois DOI dated July 28, 2015, states that Fendler and NUM processed unauthorized ACH and EFT withdrawals from the accounts of retail agents and customers. It also states that on two or more occasions, NUM billed and collected premiums from consumers for insurance that was placed but failed to disclose that the billed premium was in excess of the premium owed on the policy. In addition, some cases premium monies owed to consumers was never returned, according to the July 2015 order, which assessed a civil penalty of $100,000 against Fendler.

The Missouri non-renewal order describes various complaints received by the DOI that are similar to those received by the Illinois DOI.

One of Fendlers attorneys, Jim Allen, with Hinshaw & Culbertson LLC in Rockford, Ill., said he could not comment on administrative matters that are pending with NUM except to say that they are pending and were hoping for good outcomes on those matters.  Were certain well resolve them.

Allen added that NUM is a smaller company thats had some growing pains over the last number of years and is trying to get all the issues worked out. As you grow sometime companies experience issues. Were confident we will work these things out.

Complaints Continue

When asked about the many complaints regarding his company and the actions taken by both the Illinois and Missouri DOIs, Fendler attributed them to customers who just dont want to pay the premiums they owe.

There have been some people that are upset when they have a policy that may have canceled a year ago and theyre having funds ACHd from their account. Well, thats because they have funds that are due.  Those people filled out EFT or ACH papers with us that we have on file. Our contract states that if you have a balance that is due and youre on ACH, the balance thats due will be ACHd. If you stop payment or you dont have enough funds in there, we will send it to our collections company. And our collections company will attempt to ACH you, Fendler said.

He added that in the last six months through our collection efforts we have filed close to 90 lawsuits for around half a million dollars in very aged receivables. People that havent paid or people that owe for endorsements. People that owe for workers comp audits and havent paid or whatnot.

Fendler said he set up the ACH system, which he says is unique for a managing general agency, as a courtesy to customers. Your typical MGA binds a policy and bills the agent 100 percent of the premium right there on the spot. Its a value-added service that we offer, allowing the agents to be able to sell a policy to their client that allows them to make monthly payments. Its not something that many MGAs do, Fendler said.

Despite Fendlers claim that the bulk of the ACH withdrawals in dispute are in regard to overdue premium payments, the complaints against the company continue.

According to the Better Business Bureau of Rockford, Ill., 14 complaints have been filed against NUM in the last 12 months alleging that the business made unauthorized drafts from consumers bank accounts.

The Rockford BBB indicated that a June 8, 2016, review of newly closed complaints found that while NUM said it has provided customers with details of the procedures the company will use to address their concerns, the pattern of allegations has continued. At this time the BBB has found that Northern Underwriting Managers, Inc. has failed to alleviate the pattern of complaints and will continue to monitor complaints against the business.

Topics Insurance Wholesale Illinois Missouri
More U.S. employers are taking steps to make Muslims feel accepted and safe at work, as their faith comes under scrutiny with the rise in terror attacks and calls by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump for a ban on Muslim immigrants.

Companies are setting aside rooms for prayer, organizing group discussions about the religion and planning office parties without alcohol. The motivations may be principled, but the moves are practical. Managers want to keep talented workers and avoid conflict, and litigation.

Office rules and constitutional rights have collided for decades, but the tension takes on new weight in an era of heightened apprehension about Islam, especially after the slaughters in Nice and Orlando and as some Republicans, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, suggest Muslims be vetted to determine if they should be allowed to stay in U.S.

The atmosphere is so toxic now that even having constitutionally protected religious accommodation in the workplace can somehow be controversial, says Ibrahim Hooper, communications director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which filed complaints on behalf of Muslims fired in January from a meat-packing plant after they staged a walk-out to protest what they said were restrictions on their ability to take prayer breaks.

EEOC and Courts

Simple things that companies do  Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Jersey held a Q&A session about the religion with staff after the Paris attacks last year  can make a big difference, says Michelle Phillips, an employment law attorney.

The value you get back from an employee who feels welcome and accommodated for their religious practices is immeasurable, she says. If employers dont start taking these issues seriously, and put in measures to ensure that no one is subject to harassment, were going to see more claims.

While people who practice Islam make up only about 1 percent of the U.S. population, some 40 percent of religion-based workplace complaints filed with the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission last year were related to Muslims. The agency has pursued a wide range of disputes, including whether Muslims can be fired for refusing to handle pork or alcohol at work. In many instances, the courts have said they cannot.

Undue Hardship

In EEOC cases settled with companies including AutoZone Inc. and United Parcel Services Inc., workers said they were taunted by colleagues, referred to as terrorists or called Bin Laden, or werent allowed to change schedules so they could go to the mosque. Last month, a Muslim officer was suspended by the New York City Police Department because he wouldnt shave the beard he wears for religious reasons; he was temporarily reinstated after he sued.

After the San Bernadino terror-attack linked to Islamic State last year, the EEOC added a page to its website: Responsibilities Concerning the Employment of Individuals Who Are, or Are Perceived to Be, Muslim or Middle Eastern.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act forbids considering religion in making employment decisions and requires reasonable accommodation for religion-based requests, so long they dont cause undue hardship. The courts have tended to side with workers when it comes to religious garb or facial hair.

Many businesses have liberal dress-code policies that make such matters non-issues. Umar Latif, recently named a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, wears a prayer cap called a kufi that he says makes me identifiably Muslim. The firms laid-back broadmindedness made his ascent through the ranks easy, he says. Theres flexibility here.

Today, the level of acceptance at some of the best companies is significant, says Subha Barry, vice president of Working Mother Media, which publishes Diversity Best Practices. Even a few years ago, Muslims who wore prayer caps or head scarfs or wanted to pray several times a day would have thought, If I do that I wont have any chance for upward mobility. They would have felt they had to check their beliefs at the door to avoid harassment.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. provides transportation to mosques, and other places of worship, for employees in offices not big enough to have prayer rooms. Alcohol wasnt served at a recent party at a New York architecture firm because a new staff member whos Muslim wouldnt feel comfortable attending if it were, according to the office manager, asking not to be named because hes not authorized to speak publicly about the firm. At Accenture Plc, the corporate calendar is organized to prevent events from conflicting with Muslim holidays, as well as those of other faiths.

Sometimes businesses are shocked into re-examining attitudes, says Joyce Dubensky, chief executive of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding. She says one financial-services firm reviewed its policies after learning a Muslim job candidate decided to work at an office perceived as more friendly to women who wear the hijab.

Divisive Climate

We see more and more companies ready or asking to address issues involving religion and how to manage it, Dubensky says. The number of Tanenbaums corporate partners, which include Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Walt Disney Co. and Merck & Co., has doubled to 24 in the past three years.

One goal of the Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield Q&A session in Newark last year was to dispel concerns that Islam is a dangerous faith, says Mark Barnard Sr., senior vice president of the service division at the health insurer and chairman of its diversity council. It was cathartic for everyone.

Hadiyah Muhammad, an auditor and 41-year Horizon veteran, says it helps that her bosses encourage her to explain her beliefs and practices. When colleagues asked whether Islam expects women to be subservient to men, she organized a lunch meeting to dispel what she called that mistaken belief.

How employers treat Muslims, who are on track to be the second largest non-Christian group in the U.S. by 2035, will be a critical factor in years to come, says Terry Howard, senior associate at the consulting firm DiversityWealth and the former global director of diversity at Texas Instruments Inc. Its a divisive climate politically, and thats painful, he says. Muslims, like everyone else, just want to be respected.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics USA Commercial Lines Business Insurance
U.S. antitrust officials are poised to file lawsuits to block Anthem Inc.s takeover of rival health-insurer Cigna Corp. and Aetna Inc.s deal to buy Humana Inc., according to a person familiar with the matter.

Justice Department officials, who are responsible for protecting competition, are concerned that the deals, which would transform the health-insurance industry by turning its five biggest companies into three, would harm customers, according to several people familiar with the situation. While the companies may offer to sell assets to gain approval for the deals, thats unlikely to sway antitrust officials, one of the people said.

The final decision on whether to sue to block the deals could come this week or next, another of the people said. The companies could settle a lawsuit before or after one is filed.

Shares of all four companies fell following the news. Humana dropped 3.9 percent to $153.38 at the close in New York and Cigna fell 2.1 percent to $130.30. Anthem lost 2.2 percent to $132.06, and Aetna slid 2.7 percent to $115.15.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the review.

We are steadfast in our belief that this deal is good for consumers and the health-care system as a whole, said T.J. Crawford, an Aetna spokesman.

Alex Kepnes, a Humana spokesman, didnt respond to requests for comment. Matt Asensio, a Cigna spokesman, declined to comment, as did Bonnie Jacobs at Anthem.

Deal Skepticism

Any lawsuit would continue a string of merger challenges by antitrust enforcers looking to stop industry consolidation and would deal a blow to bids by Anthem and Aetna to gain scale by snapping up rivals. According to the terms of both tie-up deals, the companies have agreed to fight any government lawsuits in court. Such a move would likely require months of litigation to rescue takeovers that were struck last year amid a wave of deals that swept the industry.

Aetna and Humana will probably fight any lawsuit in court, while Anthem and Cigna are less likely to litigate against the government, said Ana Gupte, an analyst at Leerink Partners.

Theyre obligated by the terms of their merger agreement, but they both may decide to walk away, she said about Anthems bid for Cigna. They recognize the probability is low, and theres also been a lot of conflict between the two companies.

For antitrust officials at the Justice Department, its standard practice to prepare complaints against deals even in cases that are ultimately settled with remedies like asset sales. But in recent years, the department has shown an increasing willingness to go to court to block deals it believes could stifle competition, and for months antitrust officials have signaled their skepticism about the insurer tie-ups.

The Justice Departments No. 3 official, Bill Baer, who previously ran the antitrust division and is overseeing the investigations into the insurer mergers, said this year that the two deals were transformational and represented a game changer for the industry.

Competition Concerns

The governments concerns echo a broader sentiment within the Obama administration that competition must be protected among health insurers in order to deliver quality health care to Americans. This month, President Barack Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell both cited the importance of competition in insurance markets.

In addition to the Justice Departments antitrust division, state attorneys general also have raised concerns about the mergers and may join any Justice Department challenge, two people said.

The insurers need approval from state insurance regulators in addition to the Justice Department. Aetna has secured far more state approvals for its deal than Anthem has, according to analysts at Wells Fargo & Co. Aetna has gotten approvals from 18 of 20 states where regulatory sign-off is needed, while Anthem has regulatory approvals in just 10 of 24 states, analysts led by Peter Costa said in a July 14 research note.

Fight Lawsuits

The combinations faced criticism from the start from consumer groups worried about higher premiums as well as from hospitals and doctors, who risk seeing lower payments from insurers that have more bargaining power. In June, a group of Democratic senators called for the Justice Department to stop the transactions.

Americas Health Insurance Plans, which represents the health-insurance industry, has said that insurers can counter the growing pricing power of hospitals, which themselves have grown larger through mergers, and deliver benefits to consumers. Combinations must still be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, AHIP has said.

The $48 billion combination of Anthem and Cigna would create the biggest U.S. health insurer by membership, topping UnitedHealth Group Inc., with total revenue of about $117 billion. The bulk of the companys revenue  about 66 percent  would come from administrative services sold to self-insured employers. The combined company would have about 29 percent of that market, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Aetnas $37 billion takeover of Humana would make it the biggest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the government insurance program for the elderly. The combined company would have about 25 percent of that market, according to Bloomberg, with about half its $115 billion in revenue coming from Medicare plans, Aetna has said.

Bloomberg reported this month that Aetna was preparing to sell assets worth several billion dollars to resolve competition problems.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits Carriers USA
Cybersecurity is the biggest concern for companies evaluating risk in the nascent self-driving vehicle industry, according to a survey conducted by Munich Re.

The worlds second-biggest reinsurer found that 55 percent of corporate risk managers surveyed named cybersecurity as their top concern about self-driving cars. Cybersecurity included the potential hacking of an automated cars data systems as well as the failure of smart road infrastructure, Munich Re said in an e-mail.

Cybersecurity is a new exposure when it comes to automobiles, Mike Scrudato, head of Munich Res mobility operations, said in a telephone interview. One of the factors that could increase premiums is the cyber exposure because there is no real cyber product being purchased in relation to auto today.

The question of how to allocate liability when autonomous and non-autonomous vehicles share the roads was the main concern for 27 percent of respondents. The risks of autonomous cars have grown more prominent after several crashes involving Tesla Motors Inc. vehicles Autopilot feature, including the first fatal wreck when a Model S slammed into an 18-wheeler crossing a Florida highway.

Safety was the top concern of six percent of the risk managers surveyed.

Most companies arent yet prepared for the rollout of self-driving vehicles, reflecting skepticism that the cars will arrive on American roads inside the next five years. Some 64 percent have done no preparation for autonomous vehicles hitting the market, according to the survey of more than 100 of corporate risk managers across all industries conducted by Munich Re at a risk and insurance conference in San Diego in April.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Trends Cyber Risk Management
A Texas lawyer and six co-defendants are now facing a reduced indictment of 73 charges, instead of 95, at federal trial on accusations that they faked more than 40,000 damage claims after the BP oil spill in 2010.

Online court records show that prosecutors dropped 22 counts of identity document fraud before jury selection began July 18 in Gulfport, Miss., in the case involving litigation arising from the 2010 spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. had said earlier that the charges that were dropped appeared to be the same alleged offenses as the indictments 22 counts of aggravated identity theft.

Prosecutors said attorney Mikal Watts of San Antonio, Texas, two non-attorney members of his law firm and four contract field workers invented victims or used real peoples names without permission to land Watts a spot on the lucrative BP litigation steering committee and inflate legal fees he might collect.

The judge has said trial is expected to take six to 10 weeks. He planned a short first day in court for the 70 to 80 prospective jurors. They were being asked to fill out a questionnaire and then take the rest of the day off while government and defense lawyers reviewed the questionnaires in hopes of whittling down the pool of candidates as quickly as possible.

Prosecutors wanted to begin questioning prospective jurors Monday, but Guirola said he thought theyd need more time.

Watts, an attorney who has earned millions suing corporations over client injuries, has pleaded innocent along with the others.

The co-defendants are his brother David Watts as well as Wynter Lee, both of whom worked in his law firm; and BP claim field representatives Hector Eloy Guerra of Weslaco, Texas; Gregory Warren of Lafayette, La.; and Thi Houng Le and her sister-in-law, Thi Hoang Nguyen, both of Grand Bay, Ala.

The indictment alleges that the contractors were paid more than $10 million to get names and other information about clients for the BP litigation. They allegedly used many names and Social Security numbers without authorization and Lee allegedly filled out a form listing a dog as a deckhand, according to the indictment.

Watts inflated numbers prompted BP PLC to agree to pay $2.3 billion to shrimpers, fishermen and others who lost money in the seafood business because of the oil spill, and fraudulently increased the settlement amount and inflated the amount of compensation due to legitimate plaintiffs, the 56-page indictment alleged.

It also says Watts used the numbers to win a seat on the committee of lawyers that negotiated that settlement in 2012, making him eligible for money over and above any money he might make on attorney fees. Watts resigned from the steering committee during the federal investigation.

BP made similar allegations in a lawsuit filed in 2013 against Watts and his San Antonio law firm. Its on hold until the criminal case is over.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas Fraud Energy Oil Gas
A U.S. judge on Tuesday wrestled with whether a lawsuit could proceed against the city of Seattle, Wash. over a local law which allows Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize.

The litigation is unfolding amid a national debate over what level of benefits are owed to workers in the so-called gig economy.

Seattle last year became the first U.S. city to pass a law giving drivers for ride-hailing apps, as well as taxi and for-hire drivers, the right to collectively negotiate on pay and working conditions.

Both Uber and Lyft vigorously opposed the measure, arguing that existing federal labor law trumps local legislation. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a federation of more than 3 million businesses, filed its lawsuit in March and asked a Seattle federal judge to suspend the ordinance.

At a hearing on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik questioned lawyers from both sides but did not rule from the bench.

Its a great issue and certainly involves both new technology, and cities all over the country that are reacting to it, the judge said.

Seattles ordinance was approved unanimously by the city council but opposed by Mayor Ed Murray. The Teamsters union also organized in favor of it.

The city argued that the lawsuit was filed too early because the ordinance had not yet taken effect, according to court filings. It also said the chamber did not have legal standing to sue because it is not directly impacted.

In response, the chamber said Uber is one of its members so it has standing, and that the city had concrete plans to begin implementation of the law this year so it is not too early.

Lasnik said he would try to issue an opinion sometime in the first part of August, if not sooner.

(Writing by Levine; Editing by Alan Crosby)

Related:

Topics USA Legislation Washington
A Washington woman injured in a robbery at her workplace pleaded guilty this week to felony theft.

Yurizan Cuevas, 33, of Federal Way, reportedly worked full time as a nanny while claiming she was too disabled to work

Cuevas was ordered to repay the Department of Labor & Industries $24,847. Thats the amount she reportedly received in wage-replacement payments over a period of nearly two years.

King County Superior Court Judge Bruce Heller also sentenced Cuevas to 20 days in jail, which was converted to 160 hours of community service.

Cuevas was a baker and cashier at a cafe in the White Center neighborhood of Seattle when it was robbed in November 2010. While running from the robber, she hit a wall and injured her back.

Healthcare providers verified Cuevas couldnt work because of injuries from the incident, allowing her to receive wage-replacement payments from L&I.

An L&I investigation later found that Cuevas worked as a nanny for nearly two years while stating on official forms that she was unable to work because of her injuries.

Workers compensation is intended to help employees heal from on-the-job injuries so they can return to work, Annette Taylor, deputy assistant director in L&Is Fraud Prevention & Labor Standards, said in a statement. People like Ms. Cuevas who try to game the system are cheating their employers and fellow employees.

The Washington Attorney Generals Office prosecuted the case based on an L&I investigation.

Topics Legislation Workers' Compensation Washington
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

Trend:

The meetings on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement, scheduled to be held in Turkey with participation of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs, have been postponed, James Warlick, the Minsk Groups US co-chair, told RIA Novosti.

Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a press-conference in Baku that the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairs will visit Ankara July 18, where they will inform the Turkish side about the negotiations on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflicts settlement.

At present, we are considering the date of the next meeting, said Warlick.

The conflict between the two South Caucasus countries began in 1988 when Armenia made territorial claims against Azerbaijan. As a result of the ensuing war, in 1992 Armenian armed forces occupied 20 percent of Azerbaijan, including the Nagorno-Karabakh region and seven surrounding districts.

The 1994 ceasefire agreement was followed by peace negotiations. Armenia has not yet implemented four UN Security Council resolutions on withdrawal of its armed forces from the Nagorno-Karabakh and the surrounding districts.
A Southern California man has been sentenced for grand theft for posing as a licensed insurance broker, selling insurance to commercial truckers and then pocketing premiums.

Cristian Raul Videla, 34, of Van Nuys, Calif., pleaded no contest this week to one felony count of Penal Code  487(a), grand theft for defrauding his customers by misrepresenting to them the amount of insurance coverage they purchased from him.

Videla was originally charged in June on five felony counts of grand theft. He surrendered to California Department of Insurance detectives and bail was set at $100,000.

CDI investigators reportedly discovered Videla assumed the identity of a licensed insurance broker, sold cargo insurance to commercial truck drivers, misrepresented the amount of coverage provided, and then pocketed a portion of the consumers premium for his own use.

Victims were evidently unaware that Videla was providing less coverage than they paid for because he issued fraudulent insurance certificates that indicated the victims had full coverage. The scheme was revealed after one of Videlas victims had a loss and was informed by the insurer that he did not have enough coverage and was responsible for the remaining $50,000 of the $100,000 loss.

Videlas crimes left his victims without the coverage they needed and at great financial risk, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a statement. The best insurance is to verify your coverage with the company issuing the insurance policy.

Videla on Monday was sentenced to five years of probation, 120 hours of community service and ordered to pay full restitution to his five victims. A restitution hearing is set for Aug. 30. The case is being prosecuted by the Los Angeles District Attorneys office.

Topics Agencies Fraud
Ford vs. General Motors: An Overview

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) and Chevrolet, which is owned by General Motors Company (NYSE: GM), are the two largest automobile brands in the United States. Both Ford and GM are leaders and fierce competitors in the global automobile industry. Fords largest brand is its namesake, Ford, while GMs largest brand is Chevrolet.

At first glance, the two large car makers may appear to have similar business models. However, potential investors who dive deeper will find key differences as well as many similarities between the two companies. The following is a comparison of Ford and GMs business models, which describes critical factors for potential investors.

Key Takeaways Ford and General Motors are the two biggest automakers in the United States and are also big players on the world stage. General Motors leads in US market share.

Both companies were hit by the credit crisis of 2008. GM took a government bailout, while Ford declined; both companies have recovered in the years since.

Ford's brand strategy has been to scale back; Ford and Lincoln are the automaker's only significant brands globally.

Ford and GM have both produced electric vehicles, but GM has more fully embraced the technology.

GM Leads U.S. Market Share

GM remains the largest market shareholder in the United States, controlling 17% of the industrys total sales as of 2020.

In terms of the worldwide market, neither Ford nor GM lead the way. In 2019, Toyota held the largest global market share at 10.24%, followed by Volkswagen Group at 7.59%. Ford was third with 5.59%.

The global market is highly competitive and diversified. As emerging economies with large populations such as India, China, and Brazil continue to develop, establishing a significant presence in these areas is critical for the future growth of both Ford and GM.

GM vs. Ford: Recent Performances

GM is a smaller company than Ford. GMs total revenue for 2020 was $122 billion, a 10.75% decrease from the previous year. Fords total revenue was $127 billion, an 18.45% decrease from the previous year.

Both companies have achieved significant revenue growth since the economic crisis of 2008 and 2009, but neither has returned to its previous total sales volume. Each company has experienced serious financial difficulties in the past 10 years.

Fords product line fell behind its competition in the early 2000s, and it began losing market share. It reported substantial net operating losses in 2006, 2007, and 2008. During this period, under the leadership of CEO Alan Mulally, Ford began initiatives to consolidate operations and create more appealing car models. These plans to become more efficient and innovative were already in process when the economic recession hit in 2008.

Although the decreased demand for cars during the recession hurt Ford, the company refused a government bailout offer, avoided bankruptcy, and generally emerged from the recession a stronger company.

GM became insolvent in 2008 and required government bailout assistance and a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in 2009 to keep the company operational. The company has since fully repaid its bailout loan and returned positive net income to shareholders since then. GM is making strategic investments to produce more innovative, efficient, and technologically savvy vehicles, which it believes drive future growth. It is also investing significantly in emerging markets such as China.

Revenue and profit generation through vehicle financing and leasing arrangements are critical to both Ford and GM's business models. Ford runs Ford Credit and GM owns the General Motors Financial Company.

Ford vs. General Motors: Brand Strategy

One of the main differences between these two competitors is the number of brands owned and marketed by each company. Fords One Ford plan, which was implemented during difficult years for the company leading up to the economic crisis of 2008, included reducing the total number of brands it owns and operates worldwide.

Fords only significant brands on the global market are Ford and Lincoln. Recent divestitures or discontinuations of brands include the following:

Aston Martin (sold in 2007)

Jaguar (sold in 2008)

Land Rover (sold in 2008)

Volvo (sold in 2010)

Mazda (controlling interest sold in 2010 (minority interest remains)

Mercury (discontinued in 2011)

Fords belief is that by reducing the number of brands and consolidating the number of vehicle platforms upon which various models are built, it can become more efficient and more innovative. In 2007, Ford had 27 different vehicle platforms across the world; in 2015, it had 12, and as of 2021, it only owns two: Ford and Lincoln.

General Motors owns and operates a plethora of automobile brands across the globe. These brands include Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, and Hummer. GM, similar to Ford, has divested or discontinued several brands, including the following:

Oldsmobile (discontinued in 2004)

Pontiac (discontinued in 2010)

Daewo (discontinued in 2011)

Saturn (discontinued in 2010)

Saab (sold in 2010)

Hummer was discontinued by GM in 2010 but has since returned.

Although GMs actions in previous years pointed towards a belief is that its different brands are essential to serving different market segments, its continuing divestment in the global markets shows GM is following Ford's strategy.

Many of its discontinued brands were shut down due to poor performance rather than strategic planning. In mid-2017, after 16 consecutive yearly losses in Europe, GM sold its European division to French automaker PSA Groupe.

Fuel Efficiency and New Technologies

Both Ford and GM recognize the importance of improving fuel efficiency and leveraging technology to keep their product lines popular among customers. Many countries, including the United States, have strict laws requiring improvements in fuel efficiency and the amount of environmental pollution created by vehicles. Both companies have significantly reduced the fuel consumption of their overall fleets.

Both Ford and GM have also embraced the movement towards all-electric vehicles. As of June 2021, Ford offers two fully electric vehicles: the 2021 Mustang Mach-E and the 2022 F-150 Lightning. It also manufactures six hybrid vehicles. Hybrid versions are available of all three of the company's most popular models: the Fusion, Escape, and Explorer.

GM was one of the first auto manufacturers to jump on the hybrid electric vehicle trend when it produced the Chevrolet Volt, which was since been discontinued.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the miles per gallon for all motor vehicles have slowly risen from 2000 to 2020. In 2000, the average stood at 16.9 mpg; in 2020, it stands at 18.1 mpg.

Though the Volt was discontinued, GM has not slowed down in its commitment to producing electric vehicles. In fact, GM has been praised for spearheading the movement. The company announced it will be offering 30 new EVs by 2035, helped by a new technology it produced named the Ultium Platform. According to GM's website, the new technology has been "engineered for range, power, and flexibility to charge fast, run long, and fit every type of vehicle."

The Bottom Line

As the two largest automakers in the United States, Ford and GM are incredibly powerful companies with an immense responsibility to shape the future of global auto manufacturing. Just as the industry had to adapt to new safety regulations such as the seat belt, the success of either company moving forward will lie in how it can appease consumers who worry about climate change.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 21

Trend:

The media reports suggesting that a foreign military base was established in Azerbaijan are groundless and untrue, said Ramiz Tahirov, deputy defense minister, commander of Air Force of Azerbaijan, July 21.

He was commenting on some media reports which said that allegedly a military base of Turkish Armed Forces was created in the territory of Azerbaijan.

Tahirov said that according to the protocol earlier approved by Azerbaijan's president, a building located in the Gyzyl Sherg military town, used since '90s, was rented to the office of military attache of Turkey in Azerbaijan.

The protocol makes it possible for the renter to carry out repair and reconstruction works in that building, added Tahirov.
Unilever PLC (UL) is a consumer goods holding company headquartered in the U.K. Through its subsidiaries, the company manufactures and sells beauty and personal care products, foods and refreshments, and a range of home care products. Unilever owns more than 400 brands in over 190 countries. Some of those brands include popular names like Dove, Vaseline, Lipton, Hellmann's, Ben & Jerry's, Seventh Generation, and Sunlight.

In order to compete in the highly competitive global consumer goods market, Unilever has structured its business model around building well-known, high-quality brands that consumers trust. Some of the company's major rivals include Switzerland-based Nestle S.A. (NESN), Procter & Gamble Co. (PG), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), PepsiCo Inc. (PEP), and Colgate-Palmolive Co. (CL).

Key Takeaways Unilever is a global consumer goods company, offering beauty and personal care products, food and refreshments, and home care products.

The beauty and personal care segment generates the most profit, but the food and refreshments segment is currently growing the fastest.

Unilever is looking to accelerate growth in the U.S., India, China, and other key markets.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on some of the company's key markets.

Unilever recently acquired digital-led skin care brand Paula's Choice.

Unilever's Financials

Unilever announced in late July results for the first half of its 2021 fiscal year (FY), the six-month period ended June 30, 2021. The company reported net profit of 3.4 billion ($4.0 billion), down 4.1% from the year-ago period. Revenue, which the company refers to as "turnover" and defines as sales of goods after deducting discounts, sales taxes, and estimated returns, rose 0.3% to 25.8 billion year-over-year (YOY). Turnover, also referred to as "overall turnover," is a term for revenue commonly used in Europe and Asia.

Unilever's underlying sales growth, which excludes the impact of acquisitions, disposals, currency fluctuations, and excessive price growth in hyperinflationary economies, was 5.4% compared to the first half of FY 2020. Operating profit for the period, meanwhile, was 4.4 billion, down 5.3% YOY. Excluding certain items, the company's non-GAAP underlying operating profit for the first half of FY 2021 was 4.8 billion, down 4.7% YOY.

Unilever warned that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on its operating environment. Management said renewed restrictions in India have had a significant impact in the second quarter, albeit not as severe as in the year-ago period, and that China is returning to normal but is still below pre-pandemic levels. Elsewhere, the company's markets in North America and Europe were weaker in the first half of FY 2021 compared to the same period in FY 2020when there was a surge in demand for in-home food and hygiene products.

Unilever's Business Segments

Unilever has three main business segments: beauty and personal care; foods and refreshment; and home care. It provides a breakdown of revenue (i.e. turnover) and operating profit for each of these segments, which we look at in closer detail below.

Beauty & Personal Care

The company's beauty and personal care segment is primarily comprised of sales of the following products: skin cleansing, such as soap; hair care, including shampoo, conditioner, and other styling products; skin care, such as face, hand, and body moisturizers; and deodorants. In the first half of FY 2021, revenue for the beauty and personal care segment fell 1.9% YOY to 10.4 billion, comprising about 40% of companywide revenue. Meanwhile, the segment generated an operating profit of 2.1 billion, down 13.1% compared to the year-ago period. It accounted for about 47% of the company's total operating profit.

Foods & Refreshment

Unilever's foods and refreshment segment is primarily comprised of the following product categories: ice cream; savoury, such as soups, bouillons, and seasonings; dressings, including mayonnaise and ketchup; and tea. The segment's revenue for the first half of FY 2021 rose 4.4% YOY to 10.2 billion, accounting for nearly 40% of total revenue. Operating profit, meanwhile, was up 10.3% compared to the year-ago period to 1.7 billion, comprising 38% of the total.

Home Care

The home care segment is primarily comprised of sales of washing powders and liquids, rinse conditioners, and a range of various other cleaning products. Unilever's home care segment posted revenue of 5.2 billion in the first half of FY 2021, which represented a 2.7% drop YOY and about 20% of the companywide total. Operating profit, meanwhile, was down 12.0% compared to the year-ago quarter to 655 million, comprising nearly 15% of total operating profit.

Unilever's Recent Developments

On Aug. 2, 2021, Unilever revealed that it had completed its acquisition of Paula's Choice, a digital-led skin care brand, having first announced its intention to buy the company on June 14, 2021. Unilever acquired Paula's Choice from TA Associates, a private equity firm. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
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REE Stock News - Defense Metals (TSX-V: DEFN.V) (OTCQB: DFMTF) Drills 113 metres of 2.50% Total Rare Earth Oxide at Wicheeda

Vancouver, British Columbia - October 26, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mining / Metals / Green Energy Stock News - Defense Metals Corp. (TSX-V: DEFN / OTCQB: DFMTF/ FSE:35D) is pleased to announce high-grade Rare Earth Element ("REE") assay results from one additional core hole, totalling 383 metres (m), collared within the northern area of Defense Metals' 100% owned Wicheeda REE Deposit.

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Health and Wellness Stock News - Endexx (OTCBB: EDXC) Secures Third Order for Non-Nicotine Vape Product HYLA Worth Approximately $1.5M in Revenue for First two Fiscal Quarters of 2023

CAVE CREEK, Ariz. - October 27, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Endexx Corporation (OTCBB:EDXC), a provider of innovative, plant-derived, and sustainable health and skincare products, today announces it has secured three key significant orders for its newly acquired, non-nicotine plant-based vape product, HYLA.

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Breaking EV Stock News: Mullen (NASDAQ: MULN) FIVE 'Strikingly Different' EV Crossover Tour Starts Tomorrow, Oct. 27, in Pasadena, California; New Los Angeles Area Stop Added

BREA, Calif. - October 26, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Mullen Automotive, Inc. (NASDAQ: MULN) ("Mullen" or the "Company"), an emerging electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, announces today the beginning of the Mullen FIVE Strikingly Different EV Crossover Tour, which will commence on Oct. 27 in Pasadena, California. Due to overwhelming interest, new dates have been added for Nov. 1 and 2 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California.

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Breaking AI Stock News: FatBrain (OTCQB: LZGI) Acquires Confidential Computing Platform ZeroTrust to Protect Data Privacy and Accelerate Innovation for Millions of Growth Businesses

NEW YORK, NY - October 19, 2022 (Investorideas.com Newswire) FatBrain AI (LZG International, Inc.) (OTCQB: LZGI), the leader in powerful and easy-to-use artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for star enterprises of tomorrow, has acquired the confidential computing and privacy intellectual property (IP) plus software assets of Zero2A PTE LTD ("ZeroTrust Platform"), a software company based in Singapore.

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan, July 20



By Demir Azizov  Trend:

Uzbekistans Akhangarancement JSC increased cement output by 5.3 percent to 918,800 tons in 2015 as compared to the same period 2015, said the enterprise in a message.

Clinker output increased by 11.7 percent  to 662,295 tons in H1 2016.

The enterprise sold 920,825 tons of cement (an increase by 5.1 percent) since early 2016.

Akhangarancement increased cement output by 4.1 percent to 1.771 million tons in 2015 as compared to 2014, while the clinker production increased by 3.4 percent to 1.282 million tons.

Akhangarancement JSC is the largest cement producer in Uzbekistan. The enterprise exports products to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
Julianne Murphy felt she was one of the lucky ones when she managed to secure a teaching job at a school in her home of Donegal after graduating from college five years ago. But now shes joining the hundreds of Irish teachers quitting Ireland for a teaching career in the United Arab Emirates.

Murphy was one of the more fortunate young teachers. She got a job in a school in Ballyshannon, which is only 15 minutes from her home in Donegal Town, not long after she'd left college. Despite this, she yearned for something else.



Early next month Murphy will travel with a group of 50 teachers, who are all heading to the Abu Dhabi and Dubai to begin one to two year contracts with UEA schools. The Irish teachers have been lured by the attractive wages, free accommodation, free health insurance and the chance to experience a new culture and to do some traveling.

I'm taking a career break so I've wanted to get away for a while, to be honest. I feel now I should have done that year away first, maybe after college, Murphy, 27, told IrishCentral.

I'm kind of at the stage now I'm itching to get away and do that year or two away. So a change of scenery really is the main thing.

I love traveling. I've been aboard five times since January, so I'm just hoping while I'm over there that I'll get to see that part of the world as well. Money wasn't a major push for me. Initially, it was just a change of scenery that was the main thing. I was just so bored in Donegal.

The Physical Education and Geography teacher secured her new job with Irish recruitment agency Teach and Explore, founded by Garret ODowd and Eoin Bolger, both of whom were teachers. O'Dowd and Bolger had identified the opportunity for Irish teachers to go to the UAE after they had spent time there. The pair knew that UEA schools, which were looking to hire foreign teachers, would be a good match for Irish teachers, many of whom were unemployed or unemployed or simply dissatisfied with their work life.

Since last October/November I've been applying like mad for everything. I applied directly to schools, but that doesn't seem to work. I had no luck. I got no word back that way, Murphy said. She believes its becoming harder for Irish teachers to secure jobs in the UAE straight out of college because of the large numbers now applying.

Read more: How speaking Irish saved my life on the run from United Arab Emirates police

Young teachers moving to UAE to teach, cite high cost of Irish living as main driver https://t.co/B7oslVW0K3 #edchatie #teachers  primaryschools . ie (@ SchoolEnrolment ) July 15, 2016

Great opportunities out there partic if you have a guaranteed job back home at the end of it https://t.co/XkgE9AJ8jN @GenEmigration  Paddy Logue (@ paddylogue ) July 13, 2016

For younger teachers the sense of adventure is the biggest draw of the Middle East, while for others it's the chance to save money.

Myra Reddington is among those who will travel to Dubai in the next few weeks accompanied by her husband Kieran.

"As a couple, my husband and myself have been working 11 years as teachers and in all that time we've barely been able to save towards our future," she said.

"We're actually going to be paid a little bit less than what we're earning here [in Ireland], but with nothing going to the tax man and our accommodation paid for, between us we'll be coming out almost 2,000 ahead each month."

The large numbers of teachers now leaving the country may lead to difficulties in the future, however, as schools in Ireland may struggle to find teachers in certain subjects.

The only thing is this  now in Ireland you can have your job. Your job is safe now going into your second year so you can get your career break in the third year. It means loads more teachers will head off when they're young, Murphy explained. She is now eligible for a five-year career break after spending five years in an Irish school.

Down the line that means, when I come back, the girl who has my job has to be deployed. It could cause loads of problems that way, with deployment and trying to give people jobs down the line when we're all coming back. I don't know what's gonna happen that way.

In fact, The Teaching Council has raised concerns about the large number of teachers leaving the country for more enticing prospects in the Middle East and UK at a time when class sizes in Irish schools are rising consistently and elementary schools are struggling to find substitute teachers.

Speaking before the annual conference of the teachers unions in March 2016, Tomas O Ruairc, Director of the Teaching Council addressed the factors that are currently driving up demand for more teachers in Ireland: the school-going population of children is increasing; pupil-teacher ratios and government decisions to increase the number of teachers in specific areas; the numbers retiring or leaving the profession; and career breaks, illnesses and secondment.

Many of the younger teachers  those under 30  are now only able to secure one-year contracts or temporary hours. This is the result of a measure taken at the height of the financial crisis in 2009, but the Irish government has indicated that there will be no change in this situation for the foreseeable future. Many of these new teachers are angry at the differences in pay when compared with their older colleagues, differences caused by the simple fact that they graduated a year or two later. This is a problem they will not have overseas.

It is broadly accepted that matters have now reached a point where there is a danger that the teaching profession will be downgraded, said a 2014 report commissioned by the Department of Education.

The lack of full-time, secure positions operates as a significant disincentive to those considering entering the profession. There has been a loss of morale in the sector.

According to data from 2014, the teaching profession still provides the highest rate of employment among graduates in Ireland with 90 percent qualified teachers in a job nine months later, although many have had to travel overseas to do so.

Ireland's abundance of well-trained, English-speaking teachers is not going unnoticed in countries experiencing teacher shortages. They are now looking to Ireland as a supplier of teachers. To that end, Teach and Explore has placed 300 Irish teachers in international and public schools in the UAE in the past few years.

There is a growing middle class in Asia and the Middle East and these middle class parents increasingly want their children educated through English.

Concern has also been shown in the UAE about the high turnover of teachers the country is experiencing and the effect this will have on education in the country.

18 teachers from one small Irish town have emigrated to the Middle East http://t.co/ZcyMBZudys  EVOKE. ie (@ EvokeToday ) September 21, 2014

With 15 new schools opening in Dubai alone this September, the education system has become one the the countrys biggest industries, although foreign teachers only stay for three to four years.

Theres a lot of interest from teachers looking to work in the UAE, particularly because of its strategic location and it offers a certain lifestyles, said Sanjay Mankani, the Managing Director of Fortes Education and Director of Fortes Holdings, a school in Dubai.

A lot of teachers stay for three or four years and move on to their next destination and a lot of them are single. But the ones who get married stay.

Some parents have also voiced concerns that foreign teachers will be distracted by their new country, and trying to settle into a new lifestyle at the expense of their students.

Its a negative if the teacher is new to the country because it will take her time to set her own footprint into the country, Kanika Sinha, a mum of a six-year-old in grade 2, told website 7 days.

For example, a class of 25 students will look up to a teacher. She has to have some knowledge of the country and an established relationship with students.

Read more: Irish teacher jailed in ISIS plot to join terror group with her children
Throughout the 1870s, the Canadian town of Smiths Falls, Ontario could boast that a massive half of its population was Irish. Today, the town is reconnecting with these Irish roots by exploring the establishment of an official link with their ancestors home place.

At a town meeting last week, Smith Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow spoke of the process of formally twinning with Carnew, Co. Wicklow as part of the Coollattin Canadian Connection. Coollattin is the name of an estate near Carnew. During the mid 19th century thousands of tennants on the estate left for the New World, often with the assistance of the estate's owners.



The Coollattin Canadian Connection is a local Carnew initiative to help reestablish the links between those Canadian towns where many of the estate's former residents settled with the Carnew area.

Calling the twinning a natural fit, Mayor Pankow said it was an exciting prospect for the Ontario town which has an extensi ve Irish history.

Many of those who found themselves in Smiths Falls came from Coollattin Estate, which was owned by the Fitzwilliam family. In 1847, the most harrowing year of the Irish Famine, the British Parliament passed legislation that transferred all responsibility for the welfare of Irish tenants living on estates from the government and to the landlords. Many of these landlords were absentee, meaning they mostly lived in England, and agents collected the rent from their tenants and would managed the estate in their stead.

Several of these landlords decided it was best to rid themselves of these tenants and the responsibility of looking after them by aiding their passage to the USA or to Canada. During the years 1847 to 1856 6,000 Wicklow tenants who lived on the Coollattin Estate found themselves forced to relocate with the 'help' of the Fitzwilliams.

Many of the Irish immigrants from Coollattin ended up in Smiths Falls or the surrounding areas. Speaking at the Smith Falls town council meeting on July 11, Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator, Ingrid Bron stated that the town was approached by Kevin Lee, an Irish historian of the Coollattin Estate and Carnew, and the project leader of the Coollattin Canadian Connection. Lee had previously visited Smiths Falls in 2014, noting that many of the last names on the cemetery's headstones matched the last names found in Co. Wicklow.

Among these names were Byrne, Carr, Clare, Coghlan, Dagg, Doyle, Eagers, Jackson, Kenny, Lowman, Murphy, Pearson, Pierce, Rickby, Tallant, Tallon, Timmons and Whelan.

Read more: Montreals Irish fight for memorial to the 6,000 famine immigrants who died of typhus

The Carnew twinning will give Irish descendants in Canada and Ireland something to gravitate around, stated Bron. That desire to strengthen ties between Canadian towns and Irish towns that they have historical links with is growing across Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec, including a concerted effort among the Irish in Montreal to secure an Irish Famine Memorial park.

Ive been around council for a while, and I havent seen anything like this coming forward, stated Smiths Falls Councillor Dawn Quinn, referring to a nearby towns link with the Scottish town of Perth that saw that Smiths Falls neighbor entice 4,000 kilted people into breaking a Guinness World Record last year.

Imagine what we could do in Smiths Falls, Quinn said.

Our community here would feel very honored to build a bridge with the town and community which reached out and offered a new home to thousands of our people who were assisted in immigrating to Canada by Lord Fitzwilliam, the 19th century owner of the 90,000-acre Coollattin Estate in South Wicklow, said Wicklow historian Lee.

Read more: Bravery of the Grey Nuns of Montreal during Great Famine honored

Mayor Pankow will further explore the opportunities presented by the partership with Carnew when he travels to Wicklow later this summer on a family vacation. A resolution will be passed in support of the twinning project at the next town council meeting.

As many as 100,000 Irish people traveled to Canada on 'coffin ships' in 1847 through choice or by forced migration. They arrived at a quarantine station in Grosse Ile in Quebec. While the journey ended there for some, others stopped in Montreal where thousands more lost their lives in a severe typhus-outbreak that killed both immigrants and the Canadians who attempted to help them.

Others made their way along the St. Lawrence River traveling further inland toward Toronto, landing in areas such as Smiths Falls.
The County Antrim tailor who stole secrets from New York's rich and saved America's first president's life twice.

Although essentially unknown before his remarkable story was highlighted in the Broadway smash Hamilton, Irish-born Hercules Mulligan was not only an incredibly influential mentor to Alexander Hamilton, but he also saved the life of George Washington twice while working as a spy against the British.

Irish immigrants to New York spy

The Mulligans were a great example of an immigrant family living the American dream. Hercules' father had already established himself as a successful accountant before his son made his name as a tailor to New York's rich, whose military secrets he stole while he measured up their new suits.

Hailing from Coleraine in Co. Antrim, Mulligan immigrated to New York when he was about six years old in 1746, a time when the Irish people were suffering greatly under the cruel Penal Laws. Although the Mulligans were devout Episcopalians and not Catholics (the religious group most targeted by the Penal Laws) the laws may have had an effect on Mulligans political views later in life as he moved from one country suffering at the hands of the British to another where there was a growing desire for independence from England.

Mulligan graduated from Kings College (now Columbia University) in New York, and for a time he worked in his fathers accounting business as a clerk before he established his own custom tailoring and haberdashery business. Mulligan the tailor catered to New Yorks creme de la creme as well as many British officers. Mulligan is believed to have been an ambitious and gregarious young man and he quickly became known by the citys upper class. For this reason he was able to marry Elizabeth Sanders, daughter of John Sanders of NY and niece of Admiral Saunders of the British Navy.

His apparent camaraderie with British officers, however, did not align with his own political leanings  he was an active member of the Sons of Liberty, a secret revolutionary committee looking to bring about American independence.

Read more: Hamilton teaches a great lesson on the power of immigrants

Alexander Hamilton

It was in 1772, when Mulligan was 32, that he would meet with the 17-year old Alexander Hamilton and take him under his wing after Hamiltons arrival from the West Indies. Hamilton also attended Kings College and he lived in the Mulligan household throughout his first year there.

During this time, Hamilton's views of the British changed radically, in no small measure due to the influence of Mulligan, who convinced the young student that the cause of the British was not just. Hamilton was persuaded and he too joined the Sons of Liberty.

"Talkative Irishman" spy

By the spring of 1777, Hamilton was serving as Washingtons aide-de-camp when he recommended Mulligan to undertake espionage in New York City. With access to many of the citys military elite, the talkative Irishman could easily encourage officers to let slip some vital information unbeknownst to themselves, which he would then pass onto General Washington.

He met his customers at the front door and personally took taking their measurements despite his own social stature. Mulligan often offered a glass of whiskey to keep the conversation flowing.

Saving George Washington's life

It was through these means, and with the help of his brother Hugh Mulligan, who supplied him with information on British supplies and shipping schedules through his work with the British commissariat in New York, that Mulligan learned of two separate plots to capture George Washington. Each time he was able to warn Washington before the plots could bear fruit.

In one of the incidents, a British soldier came to Mulligan in order to buy a new watch coat. While with Mulligan, the soldier outlined an important mission through which a rebel general would soon be in British hands. Mulligan quickly sent word to Hamilton.

The second incident occurred in 1781 when his brothers import-export firm received a large rush order which revealed plans to capture Washington in Connecticut. Mulligan, who had been interrogated twice by the British and narrowly escaped prison after betrayal by Benedict Arnold, once again sent the warning, saving Washington's life for the second time.

Although interrogated on more than one occasion, Mulligan hid his spy work was so well that most patriots in New York city believed him to be a friend of the British. After the Colonists' victory, Mulligan worried that he might fall victim to a revenge attack by his fellow patriots.

A true friend of liberty

To publicly demonstrate the Mulligan's loyalty to the cause of freedom, Washington declared the tailor a true friend of liberty when he stopped at his store on 23 Queen Street (today 218 Pearl Street) to share breakfast with the man to whom he owed his life.

Throughout everything, Mulligan was helped by his slave Cato, who was the one who delivered messages to Hamilton. It is uncertain what happened to Cato, but Mulligan became a founding father of the New York Manumission Society, an early American organization founded to promote the abolition of slavery.

Mulligan himself continued his work as a successful tailor, only retiring when he was 80 years old. Mulligan died in 1825.

Hercules Mulligan is believed to be buried in the churchyard of Trinity Church in New York in the Sanders tomb, just feet from his close friend Hamilton.

Read more: The Irishmen who fought in General Washington's army

* Originally published in 2016.
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, July 20

By Demir Azizov Trend:

Uzbekistan signed 270 contracts on the export of fruits and vegetables worth more than $2 billion during the first international fruit and vegetable fair in Tashkent on July 12-16.

Uzbekoziqovqatholding said that some 27 percent of the total volume of products for exports will account for vegetables, 25 percent - grapes, 20 percent - fruits, 17.6 percent - dried and processed products, 8.4 percent - legumes, two percent - melons.

More than 170 companies from all regions of Uzbekistan presented fruits and vegetables at the fair.

Over 300 representatives of business circles from the US, UK, UAE, South Korea, Japan, Italy, France, Malaysia, India, Russia, Latvia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and other countries also participated in the fair.

The fair was organized in accordance with Uzbek President Islam Karimovs decree signed in early June 2016.

As of 2015, the volume of fruit and vegetable production in Uzbekistan increased by 6.7 percent up to 12.6 million tons, melons and gourds - by 5.9 percent up to 1.8 million tons, grapes - by 11.4 percent up to 1.56 million tons.

According to the Uzbek side, some 1.2 million tons of fruits and vegetables are planned to be exported in 2016, which is 2.5 times more compared to 2015.
A 16-year-old boy has been spared detention after launching cyber attacks on websites across the world and sending bomb hoaxes to airlines via Twitter.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, attacked 12 websites including his local police force and SeaWorld when he was aged 14 and 15.

He targeted government and pro-hunting sites in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America from the laptop in his bedroom at home in Plympton, near Plymouth, Devon.

Devon and Cornwall Police was affected for 44 minutes after the distributed denial of service attack (DDoS), while his actions cost SeaWorld almost US$600,000.

The boy admitted three offences under Section 3 of the Computer Misuse Act, relating to the DDoS attacks, and was convicted of two charges under Section 51 of the Criminal Law Act.

These related to bomb hoaxes he sent through Twitter to American Airlines, the White House and Delta Air Lines on February 13 last year.

District Judge Diane Baker told the boy, who sat next to his mother at Plymouth Youth Court, that she had been minded to sentence him to a 12-month detention and training order.

She instead handed him a two-year youth rehabilitation order, along with 120 hours reparation and to attend courses, after deciding that custody would "destroy" him.

"Your offending, in my mind, crosses the custody threshold - I say that because the offending involved significant planning," the judge said.

"The DDoS attacks were sophisticated. On your own admission you became a person to whom others came for advice on how to carry them out.

"With the bomb hoaxes, again, a significant level of planning - in particular sophistication in ensuring that your actions were not traced.

"These were a whole series of offences over a period of time. There's no doubt that you knew what you were doing. You knew it was serious.

"I don't think there would be any positive outcome for you going into a youth detention centre - I think it would destroy you.

"If it would destroy you how could I come to the conclusion that I am concerned with your welfare and rehabilitation as well as punishment?"

The boy's mother was ordered to pay 620 in prosecution costs.

"You have put your family through hell during this period of time," the judge told the teenager, adding that his laptop will now be destroyed.

"I have to say I think it is very unhealthy that a young man of this age spends so much time alone on the computer.

"I don't think there's anything that Mum could have done in the circumstances because she had absolutely no idea at the involvement he had."

The boy committed DDoS attacks on 10 websites between November 2014 and January 2015.

These included the Republic of Iraq Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards in Thailand in January 2014.

The Ministry of Public Security, the principal police and security authority of the People's Republic of China, was attacked in September 2014.

A site for Taiji in Japan, where a dolphin hunt takes place each year, was hit by the teenager in November 2014, as well as international hunting sites.

Ben Samples, prosecuting, said SeaWorld received threats and DDoS attacks on 11 of its websites on numerous occasions between November and December 2014.

One attack caused three hours of disruption, while another resulted in the site being impaired for almost three days.

The teenager then posted on Twitter: "... manning the servers up and firing again @SeaWorld you won't see the end of this".

SeaWorld put the direct cost of the attacks at $465,000, with the annual cost of protecting its system from them at $128,472.

In January 2015, the boy attacked Devon and Cornwall Police's website after being stopped by an officer and taking offence to it.

He took a screenshot showing the site was down and posted it on Twitter with the caption: "fecking pigs #tangodown" - a reference to video game Call Of Duty.

At 2.40am UK time on February 14 last year he tweeted Delta Air Lines: "There's a nice tick tick in one of those lovely Boeing planes. Hurry gents the clock is ticking."

He also tweeted American Airlines and the White House: "One of those lovely Boeing airplanes has a nice tick tick in it. Hurry gentlemen, the clock is ticking. High quality."

"The FBI were notified and the investigation was passed to the UK authorities," Mr Samples said.

"He was arrested on February 25 2015. Analysis of a laptop found at his address revealed conversations using Skype between him and another user.

"During the conversation on February 14 the boy described hacking as a hobby. He also discussed the possibility of hacking Snapchat and leaking nude images."

Mr Samples said the other user told the boy he could become famous and urged him to set up a Twitter account and send bomb threats to airlines from it.

The boy, who has no previous convictions, told the user: "Say like we are Isis, that will make it", later adding "If the police come through my door I'm f*****."

He then searched on Google for "charges for terroristic threats".

Mr Samples said the airlines investigated the threats but did not view them as credible.

Ken Papenfus, representing the boy, told the court: "What concerns me is how it was that such a young man effectively withdrew into his own bedroom and through this computer into his own little world.

"This was because his friends and his peer group at the time were, as they got older, getting involved in using drugs, using substances, getting into trouble with the police.

"None of this, rather ironically, appealed to him. That is what found him isolated with time on his hands and the computer. He comes from a good family who support him."

Mr Papenfus said the boy had become involved in DDoS attacks through meeting people online by playing video games.

"He just thought that everything he was doing was abstract - that it didn't impact on the real world," he added.

"He is someone who is intelligent, he is obviously very capable. He has experience that could be shared with other people and could be used positively."

The boy, wearing a white shirt and black trousers, told the court: "I just want to say that I am really sorry for everything that I have done.

"I didn't really know how serious it was. I am sorry to my family."

His school has offered to work with the boy to use his skills "positively and proactively and not illegally", the judge said.
Laboratory animals were used in more than four million procedures in the UK last year, according to new figures described as "shocking" by anti-vivisection campaigners.

The annual animal testing report from Britain's Home Office also revealed a 19% increase in experiments involving Old World monkeys since 2013, partly due to the development of "smart" drugs.

Since new European rules were introduced in 2014, only completed animal testing procedures have been recorded.

Procedures are also now rated according to the amount of suffering, distress or lasting harm they cause.

In 2015, a total of 4.14 million procedures were completed, about half of which involved actual experiments. The other half related to the creation or breeding of genetically modified animals that were not used in further tests.

Because of the change in data collection, figures for 2014 were likely to have been "artificially low", said the Home Office - which regulates animal testing.

For this reason, the latest statistics were compared with those for 2013, before the new rules came in. Between 2013 and last year, the total number of recorded procedures was said to have risen by 1%.

Of the 2.08 million experimental procedures carried out, 6% (123,000) were categorised as "severe" in terms of suffering. This proportion had fallen by 2% since 2014.

Almost a quarter of experiments (502,000) fell into the "moderate" category, which includes non life-threatening surgery conducted under general anaesthesia.

Specially protected species - dogs, cats, horses and non-human primates - were used in 0.8% of experimental procedures, birds in 7%, rats in 12% and fish in 14%.

More than a million experiments involved mice, accounting for 61% of laboratory tests.

Old and New World Monkeys were used in 3,600 procedures, dogs in 4,600 and cats in 210.

Anti-vivisection group Cruelty Free International said the figures reflected "unacceptable levels of suffering" permitted by the British Government.

Michelle Thew, chief executive of the animal rights group - formerly the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) - said: "The public will find the increase in animal suffering in British laboratories shocking and sickening.

"The UK should be leading the way in reducing animal testing, yet we remain one of the world's largest users of animals in experiments.

"This lack of progress is completely unacceptable, and with recent changes in Government, it is disappointing that there is as yet no minister responsible for animal experiments."

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) described the statistics as "staggering", and the group Animal Aid said they were a "scandal".

A sharp rise in the use of Old World primates, such as macaques and rhesus monkeys, has occurred since 2011 when there were 2,100 procedures involving the animals.

The figure rose to 2,900 in 2013 and continued to rise to 3,500 last year. The number of procedures using New World Monkeys, such as marmosets, fell from 310 in 2013 to 130 in 2015.

Just over a quarter of primate procedures last year were classified as "moderate" and less than 1% "severe".

Animals such as monkeys and dogs may be used in tests because of regulations which stipulate that all medicines must be administered to two non-human species before being given to humans.

Advances in the field of targeted "biologic" drugs, which include a number of new cancer therapies, have also led to an increase in primate use.

Many of the drugs are based on antibodies generated by the immune systems of monkeys.

Speaking to journalists, Home Office chief inspector Sue Houlton said: "One reason they (monkeys) have become more relevant is because of the use of novel compounds, biologicals, which are antibody based."

Professor Roger Lemon, from the Institute of Neurology at University College London, said work involving primates was vital to tackling human brain disorders.

"It's the cornerstone of a lot of our understanding of how the brain works and how brain diseases occur," he said.
IFA president Joe Healy said Agriculture Minister Michael Creed must optimise the value of Irelands 11.1m share of the funds announced.

The minister must provide national matching funding and use this to reduce the cost of short-term borrowing for farmers in all sectors.

Mr Healy said he IFA has proposed a State-Aid backed loan package allowing farmers to deal with merchant credit, superlevy and other bills. The EU package could be used to enhance the proposed loan scheme and must be delivered urgently, he said.

Sean OLeary, IFA Dairy Committee chairman, said a fast rising number of dairy farmers are struggling to meet their daily family needs, never mind pay business bills.

ICMSA president John Comer said the success or failure of the EU package will depend on its delivery of an increased milk price.

It is essential the Government fully matches the package that Ireland had received and that these funds are used to support dairy farmers in an extremely difficult period, he said.

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association president Patrick Kent questioned the granting of a further rescue package for dairy farmers while beef farmers continue to seek fair play for their own sector.

We are simply looking for equal treatment for the beef sector. However, yet again we are seeing aid flooding to the dairy sector, he said.
Avenue opened in Temple Bar in April of last year to glowing reviews and much anticipation with the opening day of service booked out.

Accounts for Munier Ltd, the upmarket French eaterys holding company, show the accumulated losses for the period between its establishment in October 2014 to the end of last September.

Mr Munier  a co-host of the Irish version of television show Masterchef  is 100% owner of the business, following the resignation of former co-director Enda McCabe in February of this year.

In the period under review, the directors ploughed 193,449 into the business via interest free loans, with 81,000 of that having been repaid.

The accounts show that the directors took no pay from the business during its first year.

The funding of the business by the directors has also resulted in the companys exposure to bank loans being limited to 26,968.

Numbers employed by the business at the end of September last totalled 26 with staff costs for the year totalling 307,874.

After Mr Munier first came to attention, through his appearance on the UK television show Hells Kitchen, he made his name here with the success of Dublin restaurant Pichet, which opened in 2009.

A deal that resulted in the exit of Mr Munier from Pichet last year was valued at 218,410.

In December 2014, Mr Munier initiated High Court proceedings aimed at having a deal to buy out his shareholding in Pichet implemented.

Four days after the High Court proceedings were initiated, Pichet and Mr Munier struck a deal valuing Mr Muniers shareholding at 218,410 with the company buying his share out.

The detail was revealed in documents lodged with the Companies Office relating to the contract between Mr Munier and Pichets firm, Dillmel Ltd for the off-market purchase of the shares.

Mr Munier co-founded the restaurant on Dublins Trinity St with chef Stephen Gibson and the two together built up a vibrant business.

Pichet opened up in July 2009 and within six weeks was breaking even.

It quickly securing a Bib Gourmand from the esteemed Michelin Guide.

Mr Munier could not be reached yesterday for comment.
If BT fails to offer the reforms and investment assurances necessary to satisfy our concerns, telecommunications regulator Ofcom should move to enforce full separation of Openreach, the panel said in a report.

Ofcom is expected to issue recommendations for accelerating investment in the countrys broadband grid within days.

Rivals such as Vodafone and Sky have called for the creation of a separate entity in order to give them improved access, saying the current system hampers service quality and broadband speeds.

BT has exploited its position to make strategic decisions that favour the groups priorities and interests, the panel said. It said BT was under-investing in the network by as much as hundreds of millions of pounds a year.

BT increased investment in Openreach by 30% from two years ago and will step up spending on the network again this year, it said in a statement.

The company said it is in discussions with Ofcom in an effort to reach a settlement to increase the autonomy of Openreach without a full separation.

Separating Openreach from BT would lead to less investment, not more, and would fatally undermine the aims of the committee, BT said.

The company said in May that it would invest 6bn to roll out super-fast fibre and 4G mobile connections by 2020, provided that Ofcom lets it keep control of Openreach.

In preliminary reports on its review of the UKs network infrastructure, the regulator has stopped short of recommending a break-up.

BT also said it was disappointed to be criticised for having invested more than 1bn a year in infrastructure when the UK was emerging from recession and rival companies invested little.

* Bloomberg
Uber, which allows users to book and pay for a taxi by smartphone, says its more than 30,000 London drivers enjoy the flexibility of being able to work when they choose and receive on average more than the minimum wage.

The firm, whose investors include Goldman Sachs and Google, has grown rapidly around the world and is valued at $62.5bn (56.5bn) but has faced protests, bans, and restrictions in a number of cities.

Last month, Uber agreed to pay $7.5m to settle a lawsuit brought by drivers over background checks at the Federal Court in San Francisco, where the app is based.

In London, it has fended off attempts by drivers of the citys famous black cabs to have the app ruled illegal, and transport bosses decided earlier this year not to impose tough new rules on the app.

But a ruling in favour of the two drivers bringing this test case could lead to dozens more coming forward and affect the firms reliance on the self-employed.

This claim is vital for the thousands of Uber drivers who work in England and Wales and has implications even wider than that, Annie Powell, employment lawyer at firm Leigh Day, said.

We are seeing a creeping erosion of employment rights as companies misclassify their workers as self-employed so as to avoid paying them holiday pay and the national minimum wage.

Drivers are also unhappy at pay being docked for customer complaints but Uber said that is rare for pay to be reduced and would only occur in rare circumstances where the route taken by the driver was deemed to be excessively long, for example.

The tribunal could last until next week but the judge is unlikely to deliver a decision for several weeks.

Earlier this week, Uber said it had completed more than 2 billion trips on its app, a milestone that arrived just weeks after it added another $4.7bn to its warchest. Last month it raised $3.5bn from Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund, part of a funding round that valued the company at $62.5bn.

* Reuters
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:

National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support under Azerbaijans Economy Ministry has started to receive investment projects from entrepreneurs for priority areas of development of Bakus Garadagh district.

A business forum dedicated to issuing preferential loans to entrepreneurs was held in Lokbatan settlement of Bakus Garadagh district July 15, read a message from the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support.

During the event, there were held discussions with entrepreneurs for the effective use of the districts economic potential.

Moreover, the meeting participants noted that it is expedient to receive proposals from business entities for financing investment projects on creating enterprises for meat cutting, production of plastic dishes, roofing and confectionery.

In accordance with the rules of using the funds of the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support, the business entities can appeal to the Fund through the authorized credit organizations. At the request of entrepreneurs, small projects can be fully financed by using preferential loans.

National Fund for Entrepreneurship Support was created in 1992. The loans are issued to entrepreneurs through the authorized banks and non-bank credit organizations, the total number of which is 59.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @Anvar_Mammadov
Agriculture Minister Michael Creed welcomed the move by the US Department of Agriculture.

While it is still early in the process, he said it potentially provides an opportunity for Ireland to penetrate a sector of the US market.

This can reward top quality, sustainably produced sheepmeat and add the US to the list of third country markets buying Irish product.

The onus now is on the Irish sheepmeat sector to prove its credentials in areas such as traceability and secure market access as soon as the decision is formalised, he said.

He said his Department is already working to complete veterinary technical documentation demanded by the US so Irish sheepmeat can take advantage of the development.

This would help to boost the existing 230m of exports to a wide range of EU and third country markets.

Along with the current proposal for a 25m sheep scheme, as well as the various other supports and market developments, the future looks very much improved for the Irish sheep sector, he said.
That is according to the European Commission in its first assessment of the economic impact of Brexit. The IMF, meanwhile, has cut global growth projections following Britains decision to leave the EU.

Last week economic affairs commissioner Pierre Moscovici said the cumulative negative impact for UK GDP would be between 1% and 2.5% by 2017.

Estimates prepared by the commission staff and released yesterday give more precise figures than those provided by Mr Moscovici and add a breakdown for this and next year.

Britain is expected to endure a substantial slowdown which will limit its economic growth to between 1.3% and 1.6% this year, lower than earlier estimates of a 1.8% growth.

The commissions simulations project a much worse situation for next year, when Britain may experience a 0.3% contraction in the worst scenario.

In the most optimistic scenario Britains GDP would grow 1.1% in 2017, still much less than the previously forecast 1.9% rise.

The Brexit vote will affect not only the UK but also the rest of the EU economy through several transmission channels, mainly uncertainty, investment, trade, and migration, said the commission.

It estimated that GDP growth in the eurozone would moderate marginally in 2016 to 1.5% and 1.6%, and slow further in 2017 to between 1.3% and 1.5%.

In the commissions latest economic forecasts released in May, the eurozone was expected to grow 1.6% this year and 1.8% in 2017.

The commission said that this assessment of the Brexit economic impact could change since the referendum had created an extraordinarily uncertain situation.

However, it said Brexit had generally increased risks to the outlook, particularly on the downside.

In forecasts also released yesterday, the IMF scrapped its forecast for a pickup in global growth this year, citing Britains decision to leave the EU.

The IMF sees global GDP rising 3.1% this year, down from Aprils 3.2% projection and equal to growth in 2015, according to the funds quarterly World Economic Outlook. The 2017 forecast was cut to 3.4% from 3.5%.

The IMFs new forecast is based on the assumption that British and EU officials reach new trade agreements that avoid a large increase in economic barriers.

However, if talks break down, Britain will slip into recession as more financial institutions relocate to the eurozone and consumption and investment contract more than expected, the fund said.

Meanwhile, figures showed sales of London homes under construction slumped 34% in the second quarter as the prospect of a vote to leave the EU damped demand already hurt by higher taxes.

The number of residences sold before completion fell to about 4,600 from 6,974 a year earlier, according to data compiled by researcher Molior London. A spokesman for Molior declined to comment.

The approaching referendum added more layers of uncertainty, said Tom Bill, head of London residential research at broker Knight Frank.

Thats adding to the two-year slowdown from the December 2014 tax increase, which is still the biggest damping factor, he said.

* Reuters and Bloomberg
Barrister Conor Kearney told the court that in July 2007, Calum Lawless was at the Happy Days Creche, Hansfield, Clonee, Dublin, when he fell on an uneven floor.

Mr Kearney said Calum hit his head in the fall, lacerating his face close to his right eye. Calum, who was three at the time, had been shocked and shaken.
Kerry celebrated the 150th anniversary of the start of global communications on Valentia island with the transatlantic cable this week  and it is fitting that financial services company Fexco should be honoured at this time, chief executive Moira Murrell said.

There is a huge decline in population in the south of the county and this is why Fexco is so important in sustaining the economy in this part of the world, Ms Murrell said.

Brian McCarthy  who has been fascinated by the Valentia transatlantic cable story for many years and keeps a piece of the original Valentia cable in his office  revealed how, co-incidentally, it was a pilot programme of the first fibre optic cable in Kerry running through Killorglin which enabled his small operation to take off.

He arrived in Killorglin on the second day of Puck Fair in 1974 as an assistant manager with the AIB; and in 1981 started a small foreign exchange company in the town, exchanging dollars and sterling for punts and vice versa.

He asked Western Union in Britain if he could have a proposed call centre in Killorglin.

As it happened the first fibre optic cable in Kerry was running through Killorglin and this was what enabled the Western Union centre in Killorglin.

I never thought I would become Kerry person of the year, Mr McCarthy said.

Born in Dublin, Mr McCarthy grew up in Cork city and earlier this year became the first Cork man to receive the Kerry person of the year award, the reception heard.

Council chairman Cllr Michael OShea (FF) said he was delighted that one of his first official functions as Mayor of Kerry was for a man who represents the very best of Kerry.

Brian McCarthy is one of lifes gentlemen. He is a quiet, polite and humble man  but that humility disguises a sharp brain, a steely tenacity and a strong determination to achieve goals. A small financial services business founded in Killorglin in 1981 would not have become the international success story it is today without that tenacity and determination, Cllr OShea said.
The film, the only resource of its kind in Ireland, was developed for Temple Street Childrens University Hospital in Dublin.

Called Ben and Taras Visit to the Hospital, the film will be used to help prepare younger children coming to the hospital for surgery.

The film explains very simply what happens when a child arrives at the hospital for surgery and opens with relaxing guitar music and bird song.

Its a lovely morning here at Temple Street Childrens Hospital, says ODowd, who introduces Ben and Tara.

Hello, everyone. This is us lying on a bed in the ward. You will have a bed like ours too, says Ben.

Ooh, that is a comfy looking bed alright, says ODowd, who shows the viewer some things they might see at the hospital while Ben and Tara settle in.

The viewer then sees Ben getting ready for surgery.

That is a theatre gown. Isnt it cool? A funny looking hat. Ooh, a TV! No, its not a TV. Ah, its a blood pressure monitor says ODowd.

Afterwards, when Ben and Tara are feeling better, they go home with their mammy for a nice, well-deserved treat. Yum, yum, says ODowd.

Chris ODowd

Cartoon Saloon is the company behind Oscar-nominated films The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, as well as the TV series Puffin Rock.

The Kilkenny-based company donated its time and expertise over the past year to develop the film.

Ben and Taras Visit to the Hospital will be screened at Temple Streets pre-admission club, held every month so children will know what to expect.

Ben and Tara, the hospitals mascot dolls, are also used as a visual aid so that children will feel comfortable with stethoscopes, blood pressure machines and thermometers.

Temple Streets senior play specialist, Caroline Flynn, said they were hugely grateful to the team at Cartoon Saloon for taking time out of their hectic schedules to develop the video.

It is a fantastic tool for children to demystify the whole process of having an operation and help allay their fears before coming to the hospital, said Ms Flynn.

By explaining the process in clear and understandable terms to children, it not only greatly reduces their anxiety in advance of the operation but also improves co-operation during procedures.

Ms Flynn said they wanted to express their warm thanks to ODowd for narrating the film.

We are absolutely thrilled that he lent his voice to the project, she said.

Cartoon Saloon chief operations officer Catherine Roycroft said they were delighted to help children prepare to have an operation.

For us, working with Caroline and the teams in the hospital to make the whole operation process even a little bit easier has been inspirational and educational, said Ms Roycroft.

We are lucky to have had the chance to see the great work the Temple Street team are doing each day for the children of Ireland and be able to support them in the best way we know how.

The video will also be available at www.cuh.ie so children all over the country can see it.
Judge Francis Comerford, in the Circuit Civil Court, said the open window was a temptation to Garda Kevin Lawless but he had no idea who was in the flat for which the gardai had no search warrant. He said there was a warrant to enter other apartments in the building.

Barrister John Ferry had earlier told the court that Department of Justice civil servant Gerard Forbes had been wakened by a torch shining in his face and heard raised voices from the window used to gain entry.

Mr Ferry, who appeared with Frank Ward solicitors, said it was two-and-a-half years after the November 2011 incident that Mr Forbes had been supplied with a warrant, albeit for other flats in the complex.

Judge Comerford said in a reserved judgment that Mr Forbes had been given the run-around by the authorities and the fact that there had been a lack of co-operation which reflected badly on the gardai.

Peter Leonard, counsel for the Garda Commissioner and the State, told the court that the gardai had a warrant to search a number of flats at No 10 Bessborough Parade, Rathmines, Dublin, (not including Mr Forbess studio) and an arrest had been made of a female target in another area of the building.

Judge Comerford said he accepted that after Garda Lawless had gained entry through the window he had been given consent by Mr Forbes to continue through his studio to open the front door of the building to allow other gardai gain access.

The judge said that Garda Lawless had entered Mr Forbess flat before that consent had been given and on the gardas own evidence there was a significant trespass into Mr Forbess dwelling place.

He said the gardai didnt have sufficient regard for a private dwelling place they were seeking to use to gain access to another flat for which they had a warrant. The initiative shown by Garda Lawless had gone too far.

Judge Comerford said he did not accept evidence by Mr Forbes that a second garda had entered his room after Garda Lawless and had assaulted him by pushing him or throwing his mobile phone across the room when he had attempted to phone his local garda station.

Awarding Mr Forbes 9,000 damages for a trespass of a very transient nature, Judge Comerford said it had nevertheless been more than a technical trespass heightened by the fact that the entry had been into a bedroom.
It is known as watering hole hacking and involves planting a bug on a website popular with employees  such as an eatery near a major office.

Chris Furlow works with companies around the world to help them focus on cyber-risk and called for better international co-operation to track down criminals.

He said: These folks are thinking very clearly who they would like to target and how they are going to go about doing that.

Mr Furlow said spear phishing emails targeting particular organisations for information like passwords or bank account numbers are a digital deception threat which was more developed than a decade ago.

He added: They may be coming after a specific individual because they have inside information about what is going on within your organisation. We still are not mature enough as civilised societies in terms of getting all the protocols in place to go after these individuals because there are no borders in the cyber domain and it makes going after them much more difficult.

British GCHQ intelligence has already identified a watering hole attack against a web design company which hosts sites for a number of British businesses in the energy sector.

By adding code to one website, the attackers were able to redirect visiting users browsers to one of three sites controlled by them, in what GCHQ believed to have been part of a continuing commercial espionage campaign.

Mr Furlow is president of US risk company Ridge Global. He outlined the watering hole threat during a meeting of the World Credit Union Conference in Belfast.

He said: Sometimes, especially near organisations that are targeted, lets say there is a major corporate office near this restaurant, they may infect the restaurant and when you download the PDF version of the menu it is infected. These are the types of threats we are dealing with on a daily basis. They are leveraging this human element of cyber-security, they are carrying out digital deception.

Mr Furlow said a report published by computer giant IBM this year on the cost of data breaches said a quarter involved human error.

He added:  This is about employees or third parties like contractors who are in some way negligent.

I think that is a tough term in the environment today, negligent, because there are some people who just dont have the resources or they have not had the training in order to understand what they need to be doing.

But negligence is a really important term because as you look at the regulatory environment this is something that is advancing very quickly in the 21st century.
The Fine Gael leader was speaking before an emotional Dail minutes silence in memory of those who died, and before the visit of French president Francois Hollande to Dublin tomorrow.

Speaking to the chamber during a 20 minute period of statements on the horrific scenes last Thursday, Mr Kenny said what happened follows Bataclan, Charlie Hebdo, and other bloody scenes, noting poignantly: We have been here before.
Almost three months after the US Department of Transportation (DoT) granted tentative approval to Norwegian Air Internationals (NAI) foreign carrier permit application, there is still no sign of a final decision.

The airline, an Irish subsidiary of low-fares giant, Norwegian, wants to launch a Cork-to-Boston service this year, followed by a New York service next year.

It can not announce schedules or start selling tickets until US transport secretary Anthony Foxx signs off on its permit. Last month, the US authorities decided to further delay a similar application from Norwegian Air UK (NAUK) to fly to the US.

Ireland South MEP Deirdre Clune said the time has come for EU transport commissioner Violetta Bulc to ramp up the political pressure and end the impasse threatening the future of NAIs flights from Ireland.

Deirdre Clune

It is now clear that there is no timeframe within which the US Transport Secretary has to make a decision, said Ms Clune. The nicely, nicely approach, and waiting for Mr Foxx to make a decision isnt working. Its just drifting and drifting. I am hoping now that the commission would move to arbitration.

Arbitration would trigger a complex resolution process but could see a final decision made within four months.

Ms Clune said NAIs application has been found by the US DoT to satisfy the EU-US Open Skies Agreement.

Despite US and EU union opposition, she said, NAI has been certified by the Irish Aviation Authority from a safety perspective and in relation to its terms of employment.

Competition in the aviation sector has, over the last 30 years, reduced fares for consumers and provided more services, said Ms Clune. Its been very good for everybody. The Norwegian application stacks up.

She said she has asked the European Commission to immediately exhaust all avenues, including legal arbitration, to put political pressure on the US authorities to grant NAIs licence.

Norwegian Air plane

If we need to move into arbitration, then so be it, said Ms Clune. We need a decision and political events in the US seem to be stalling such a decision as opposition mounts from US unions and established airlines who are unwilling to accept new competition in the marketplace.

Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, European Commission spokeswoman for transport, told the Irish Examiner yesterday that the commission works to ensure that EU-level aviation agreements are fully respected and that EU companies are not subjected to unfair treatment.

That is why the Commission informed the US authorities that they are in breach of the EU-US Air Transport Agreement, regarding the requests of NAI and NAUK to fly to the US, she said. The commission expects the US authorities to take a final decision on both requests without further delay.

Currently, the commission is considering all available options under the agreement to ensure that a decision is taken swiftly.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

By Azad Hasanli  Trend:

Azerbaijan reduced goods import from Georgia by 3.2 times to $40.76 million in H1 2016, said Georgias National Statistics Office (GeoStat) in a report July 20.

The report says that Azerbaijans share in Georgian export is 4.3 percent. The country was a leader for goods import from Georgia for a long time.

Azerbaijan ranked the sixth in Georgias export in H1 2016.

In 2015, Azerbaijan was a leader for goods import from Georgia ($131.3 million).

The country mainly imports pipes, iron alloys and others commodities from Georgia.

Major part of goods is exported to Turkey from Georgia - $105.57 million with a specific weight of 11.1 percent. China with $89.76 million (9.4 percent) and Russia with $82.2 million (8.7 percent) follow Turkey.

Trade turnover between Georgia and Azerbaijan amounted to almost $264.3 million in January-June 2016.

Specific weight of Azerbaijans trade turnover with Georgia is 4.5 percent of the countrys total foreign trade operations.
Judge Olann Kelleher imposed a six-month suspended sentence on David Cooper for causing criminal damage to the headstones in March 2013.

The judge said although he was only dealing with the offence of causing criminal damage, he had to be conscious of the worry caused to other people by the nature of the graffiti, which was designed to put them in fear.

Inspector John Deasy said the man whose name appeared with the graffiti on the headstones at St Finbarrs cemetery had absolutely nothing to do with the matter.

This person was a HSE manager who suggested to investigating gardai that Cooper, who was previously employed by the HSE, might have been involved in it.

Cooper, aged 52, who lives at an apartment at 7 Southern Rd, Cork, pleaded guilty to causing the criminal damage shortly before the Easter commemorations three years ago. The case was significantly delayed for clarification in the Supreme Court on the issue of ownership of national monuments.

While Cooper pleaded guilty to causing the criminal damage at St Finbarrs cemetery, he was before Cork District Court yesterday accused of assaulting a TV3 cameraman, a charge which he had denied.

The cameraman, Rory Fuller, was filming Cooper walking out of Cork District Court for a story being reported on by TV3s Paul Byrne on February 5, 2013.

Judge Kelleher said he did not believe Cooper was under half the strain he claimed and that he appeared on the footage to be running along in a very unusual manner. He found him guilty of assaulting Mr Fuller and fined him 500.
It emerged yesterday at Cork District Court that as the woman was making a formal complaint to gardai of the upsetting and threatening material being posted to her, a picture of the culprit involved in a lewd act was posted to her Facebook page.

Inspector John Deasy said that particular image appeared on the page as the complainant was making her statement to gardai.

An image appeared on the screen of him performing a sexual act as she was making her statement, said Insp Deasy.

As well as the sexual content, there was the threatening message on one text where the words death and meet the gods were used.

Insp Deasy said the messages were upsetting and offensive in nature.

The complainant had a safety order against her ex-partner that had been in place for two and a half years before these messages and texts were sent recently.

Judge Olann Kelleher noted that the complainants safety order was for five years  the longest time for which a district court could grant such a safety order.

Recent bail conditions also required the man to stay away from the complainant, prompting Judge Leo Malone  who dealt with the case when the culprit was first arrested  to remark that he had committed a double-whammy of contempt of court.

Judge Olann Kelleher, who dealt with the sentencing, said a four-month jail term was appropriate.

Frank Buttimer, defending, said previously that the culprit had been crying in the custody area of Cork District Court, realising how much he had to lose both in terms of family and employment.

The woman was at home on June 10 when she began to get a series of calls and texts for more than three hours, from 8.20pm to 11.30pm. She contacted her local Garda station at Mayfield and Garda Michelle McNamara called out to her home.

Garda McNamara saw there were 24 missed calls, 23 picture messages, and 29 written messages.

The written messages were in Polish and the complainant said they were all the same and were of a sexual nature. The complainant did not reply to any of the calls or messages.

Mr Buttimer said of his client: He is remorseful, he is sorry for himself, no doubt, but sorry also for other losses he faces. He tells me he absolutely intends to do something about his drink problem.

He said the spiral of behaviour tended to begin with excessive drinking followed by the culprit engaging in this behaviour and then stating that his memory of the behaviour had been obliterated by alcohol.

Judge Kelleher said the breach of the safety order, by threat and by messages and images with a sexual content, was extreme.
Dinah Loughlin, aged 30, stole the money over a five-year period as she was working as a legal secretary for Marguerite Bolger, a senior counsel specialising in employment law.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that, during the period, Loughlin undertook transcription work for other barristers. However, she then used Ms Bolgers account to pay a stenography service to complete the work.

Other purchases included online buys at Asos, River Island, and Amazon. She also spent hundreds of euro on One4All gift cards from an office supply website.

Loughlin, who plays camogie for Westmeath, has since repaid her ex-employer with money she and her partner were saving for a wedding. She also sold her car.

Loughlin, of Kilbeggan, Westmeath, pleaded guilty to 20 sample counts of theft at the Law Library, Dublin, between 2009 and 2014.

The court heard Ms Bolger has taken a very benevolent view of the offending. The barrister only reported the matter to gardai for professional reasons and to ensure it never happened again, said Anne Rowland, prosecuting.

Judge Melanie Greally said Loughlin had breached the absolute and implicit trust of her employer even though she didnt seem to be under financial pressures at the time. In mitigation, the judge noted Loughlins previous good character and her repayment of the money.

Judge Greally said Loughlin was perilously close to going to jail. She imposed a two-year sentence, suspended for two years.

Oisin Clarke, defending, said Loughlin suffered great stress when the theft was uncovered. He said she always knew she was going to get caught.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) found that a number of hospitals need urgent support from the HSE in addressing antimicrobial resistance.

Hiqas acting head of healthcare regulation, Sean Egan, said the hospitals do not have an antimicrobial stewardship programme in place and lack specialised resources.

This is a significant patient concern and should be reviewed as a matter of urgency by the HSE, said Mr Egan.

A Hiqa report points out the national plan to deal with the problems has not been updated since 2001, with a new one urgently needed.

Millions of lives have been saved or improved since the discovery of penicillin and other antimicrobial medicines.

However, resistance to antimicrobials has begun to outpace the discovery of new drugs, and more highly resistant infections are emerging.

Hiqa examined how public acute hospitals were dealing with the threat, and, while progress had been made, it varies across the country.

In particular, it found that some of the smaller hospitals do not have safe and sustainable measures in place to protect patients.

More needs to be done to ensure that good practice in this area becomes the routine norm, said Mr Egan.

On any given day in Irish hospitals, about one in three patients receive antimicrobial medicines to treat or prevent bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile rates have fallen in Ireland, but the incidence of multi-drug resistance among another bacteria group is increasing.

Mr Egan said Gram-negative bacteria are highly resistant and are associated with severe infections, up to and including life-threatening sepsis and, unlike MRSA, patients who carry these bacteria can not be treated to eradicate them from their bodies.

Antimicrobial prescribing and infection control practices in hospitals and, equally, in community health and social care settings need to be of a high standard to fully address this emerging problem, said Mr Egan.

He said there are pockets of excellence in some hospitals, but others lag behind, while progress in non-acute settings, such as nursing homes, has been limited.

The Hiqa review began in June last year but the report, published yesterday, does not identify the hospitals where significant shortcomings were found.

There was confusion at the start of the review as to the person in the HSE who held overall responsibility for infection prevention and control and antimicrobial stewardship  the prudent and safe use of antibiotics.

The HSE later clarified to Hiqa that the national director for health and wellbeing holds overall governance responsibility in the area.

The HSE said it will actively address opportunities for improvement identified by Hiqa.
This allocation is an increase of 2.2bn on what was already committed to social housing initiatives in Ireland.

This funding is specifically going towards the aim of having 47,000 more social housing units available by 2021.

In the private sector, 200m will be put into an Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund.

This fund is aimed at opening up large sites in areas where people need homes.

This is to relieve critical infrastructural blockages to allow for the delivery of homes on key sites.

This also aims to improve the economic viability and purchaser affordability of new housing projects.

In terms of homelessness, a total of 6m will be allocated in the next budget to address the mental health needs of people caught up in the cycle of sleeping rough.

Another fund being put in place is the Housing Agency Fund, with a budget of 70m, to accelerate social housing.

This fund is specifically being used to deliver 1,600 units by 2020.

The plan says this is to complement, but not displace, ongoing purchasing activity by local authorities.

Also under the pillar of accelerating social housing is a funding to assist people living with disabilities.

A total 10m will be provided in 2016, to support community-based living for people with disabilities in congregated settings.

More funding will be made available for this objective in 2017 and 2018.

However, the amount was not specified in the housing and homeless plan.
The Irish Council for Social Housing welcomed its publication, but CEO Donal McManus said a continued high level of political leadership will be required for it to make a real impact.

We particularly welcome the measures to underpin the work of housing associations including development of a co-ordination unit to assist housing association supply, the commitment to provide state land to housing associations and to support an SPV [Special Purpose Vehicle] for the sector to utilise finance from non-state sources, he said.

Simon Brooke, head of policy at Cluid Housing Association, said delivery of the details of the plan was key and that needed cross-party support so the proposals are delivered, even if there was a general election in the near future.

It represents a significant step forward and the target of 47,000 units by 2021 is ambitious but achievable if we all put our shoulder to the wheel, he said. On the issue of a provision for 10% of new housing estates to be reserved for social housing, he said it should be significantly increased to 20%.

He said previous plans set targets in the earlier years that were too high, whereas the new plan seemed more realistic, adding: We dont want the next minister for housing ripping this up.

The Phoenix Project welcomed the provisions on tackling mortgage arrears, with the organisations chairman, John McGrath, claiming that the provision on mortgage to rent means that the Government is putting a viable solution to the mortgage arrears crisis at the heart of official policy.

Those in the construction sector also welcomed the plan, with the director general of the Construction Industry Federation, Tom Parlon, stating that the plan was a welcome step in tackling housing supply shortage.

Referring to elements of the plan such as the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund of 200m, he said: These are all very helpful measures to assist in shortening the time involved in bringing new residential developments online.

The director of the Irish Home Builders Association, Hubert Fitzpatrick, said there was a whole generation of young couples currently locked out of home ownership.

Kevin Johnson, CEO of Credit Union Development Association, also welcomed the plan and said: We are cheque-ready  we have the money and were ready to push ahead with this immediately.
August 2008:

The Way Home: A Strategy to Address Adult Homelessness in Ireland 20082013. Targets in the plan, introduced by then-Environment Minister John Gormley included eliminating long-term occupation of emergency homeless facilities; eliminating the need to sleep rough; and preventing homelessness, as far as possible.

May 2014:

The Construction 2020 Strategy was published in May 2014, with targets that included a return to a sustainable proportion of GDP (10%) from the low of (5%) in 2012 for the sector; an increase in construction jobs by up to 60,000, and an increase in output to the 25,000 houses required annually.

November 26, 2014:

Social Housing Strategy 2020 launched. It proposed supplying 35,000 additional social housing units at a cost of 3.8bn over six years, creating an estimated 29,000 jobs in construction.

December 2014:

Following the death of homeless man Jonathan Corrie in a doorway yards from the entrance to Leinster House, then Minister for Environment and Community Alan Kelly convened a forum on homelessness in Dublin. The Plan to Tackle Homelessness provided immediate actions to address rough sleeping and homelessness, including 260 additional emergency beds, a Nite Cafe to provide a contact point for homeless people, an order that the four Dublin housing authorities ensured 50% of all housing allocations went to homeless households and other vulnerable groups for the following six months.

February 18, 2015:

Mr Kelly and Paudie Coffey welcomed a new 300m fund for investment in social housing, with the programme jointly backed by the Housing Finance Agency and the European Investment Bank, and targeting an additional 2,000 social housing units over the next three years.

April 1, 2015:

Mr Kelly and Mr Coffey announced housing targets for each local authority area out to 2017, with over 1.5bn to be invested in a combination of building, buying, and leasing schemes by local authorities designed to accommodate 25% of those on the waiting lists in social housing.

May 5, 2015:

The first major direct-build social housing programme gets underway with over 100 separate housing projects, the first phase of direct-build under the social housing strategy.

July 17, 2015:

The Urban Regeneration and Housing Bill 2015 was passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas, with the aim to tackle vacant and idle land and improve housing supply.

October 2015

: Investment in housing infrastructure outlined in the Budget provides for over 17,000 housing units to be delivered in 2016.

October 21, 2015:

Delivery of modular housing, first mooted in late 2014, was approved by Mr Kelly, with 500 units getting the go-ahead. The first units were to have been finished by last Christmas, but work was suspended over a wrangle regarding the chosen site for the first 22 units at Poppintree in north Dublin. Work resumed, but costs have ballooned: Mr Kelly said each would cost up to 100,000, but last April it emerged the cost was closer to 240,000 each.

November 10, 2015:

A New Deal for Tenants unveiled, with Mr Kelly announcing a series of reforms to the private rental sector to provide rent certainty for tenants and landlords, such as an increase in rent review periods.

April 2016:

As he prepared to leave office, Mr Kelly published Laying the Foundations: Housing Actions Report, which set out the 31 actions taken across the housing spectrum to date.
In relation to social housing, the Government plans to have 47,000 new social housing units on stream by 2021.

A major goal is to remove the reliance on hotels and B&Bs for emergency accommodation, currently being used to house homeless people.

The plan says it ensures that, by mid-2017, hotels are only used in limited circumstances for emergency accommodation for families.

Separately, 1,500 new units are planned for moving the existing group of families out of emergency accommodation. The timeline for this is 200 by the end of 2016, 800 in 2017 and a final 500 units in 2018.

In relation to a fund to activate construction at large-scale sites, projects for this objective will be approved by the end of 2016 and initiated in the first quarter of 2017.

The National Treasury Management Agency is to develop competitive financing for developers and this goal is to be completed by the end of this year.

Also happening in 2016 is legislation aimed at fast-tracking large-scale development planning applications.

Involved in this process is An Bord Pleanala. The authority has to come up with a system to prioritise the determination of all planning appeals within an 18-week period. This plan must be in place by the end of September 2016.

In terms of reviewing the rental sector so as to increase supply, a strategy is to be in place by December of this year.

Another strategy being developed is the National Vacant Housing Re-Use Strategy, as informed by Census 2016. This will see a register being compiled of all vacant units across the country. This is due for delivery in the first quarter of 2017.
His commitment came as Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin claimed yesterday that it was a scandal that there were empty houses in local authority stock given the housing emergency.

Opposition TDs also argued 100,000 families had rotted on social housing lists for 15 years but that the Governments new housing strategy was just a bow to developers and their demands.

Mr Coveney said efforts to tackle the homelessness and housing crisis was now the Governments number one priority.

Up to two thirds of new social housing units would be built by local authorities, he told RTE, after Taoiseach Enda Kenny earlier could not answer in the Dail how many authorities might build.

Mr Coveney also revealed that just 72 housing units were built by all local authorities last year.

This number would eventually be ramped up to 12,000, he said, when the annual target of 25,000 new units a year are possibly met by 2019.

The Government also intends to meet the EUs statistics unit, Eurostat, in the coming weeks to assess how Ireland can fund social housing units off balance sheet through a special structure under the watch of the National Treasury Management Agency. It is estimated that this method would allow a build of 5,000 social housing units, which would not officially go down as part of the Governments spending figures.

Mr Martin noted that the numbers of homeless families presenting had jumped from eight per month in 2012 to 70 a month this year.

He also criticised local authorities for failing to build enough homes and called for a new agency to be put on a statutory footing to oversee the new strategy.

It is a scandal that there are any empty houses in local authority housing stock given the emergency.

But Mr Coveney says a unit in his department will oversee the strategy.

People Before Profits Richard Boyd Barrett claimed the plan was a bow to developers: For the more than 100,000 families and households rotting on housing lists for 15 years and longer and the thousands of families suffering the cruelty and hardship of homelessness, I regret to give my opinion that this document is an incredible disappointment.

Meanwhile, Tom Parlon, director general at Construction Industry Federation (CIF) also claimed developers were excluded from the housing plan.

Speaking at the MacGill Summer School, Mr Parlon said the Government had been inclined to exclude the construction industry because of the blame that they chose to give the industry.

He called for a statutory register to get rid of cowboy builders and said CIF has been working with the Department of Environment to root out builders who do not meet the proper standards.

Mr Parlon said the ambitiousness of the housing plan was very good but at least five years too late.
Bill Maher, former CEO of the Saolta University Healthcare Group (SUHG), still had a business involvement with Northgate, a private company specialising in public service contracts, when it was hired to provide a clinical information management system (CIMS) worth 151,500 for what was then the Galway Roscommon University Hospital Group.

His involvement had not ceased when an IT manager was seconded from Northgate to SUHG at a cost of 148,445 and when catering and cleaning contracts, each worth 4m, were drawn up in 2012, with Northgate assisting in drawing up specifications at a cost of 38,171.

Mr Maher, appointed chief executive of SUHG in December 2011, told the audit team he did not end his contract with Northgate until March or April 2013. Asked if he had benefited in any way from Northgate prior to and/or during the procurement of the CIMS contract, he replied yes, that he received consultancy fees, but declined to state the benefit in money terms as he stated this was commercial in confidence, said the auditors.

Mr Maher defended his position to the HSE internal auditors, who, in a report released yesterday under the Freedom of Information Act, said they could find no evidence of a competitive tendering process for CIMS, contrary to regulations.

Mr Mahers claims he was not involved in any aspect of procurement of Northgates CIMS, that it was essentially a matter for then chief operations officer Tony Canavan, were rejected by Mr Canavan.

The decision to purchase CIMS was not taken by me and I did not contribute to it. As far as I am aware the service was sourced by the CEO and the decision to purchase CIMS was taken by the CEO, said Mr Canavan.

He said his role was to process invoices for payment. He also claimed he was not aware at that time that the CEO had any connection with Northgate and that it was Mr Maher who introduced him to the company. Mr Maher and Mr Canavan both made the point that at the time, no other supplier was able to provide the service provided by Northgate.

The auditors concluded that Mr Mahers business involvement with Northgate was ongoing when three of six contracts (totalling 393,000) were awarded to the firm, noting his claim that he was not involved in the initial sourcing of Northgate... or in the subsequent approval of payments.

The auditors also noted Mr Mahers claim that he verbally disclosed his business interests to the former chair of the SUHG board but that in their opinion, he should have disclosed it to senior HSE management.

The audit team made six recommendations including that a register of interests be established for senior management in all hospital groups and that this be reviewed when sourcing potential suppliers.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 19

By Aygun Badalova - Trend:

Despite the willingness of Turkey and Russia to implement the Turkish Stream gas pipeline project, the position of the EU may be the main constraint for it, Cyril Widdershoven, Middle East geopolitical specialist and energy analyst, partner at Dutch risk consultancy VEROCY and SVP MEA-Risk, believes.

The current situation indicates that Russia wants to restart the overall project. Some discussions already have been held, but outcome is unclear. Full scope of discussions is also not clear, but it seems that both parties are willing to restart the project, as Ankara and Moscow are again on speaking terms, Widdershoven told Trend July 19.

The Turkish markets need for additional gas is clear, but the projects full success, however, will depend also on the ongoing price discussions and possibility to transport part of the volumes to European countries, the expert believes.

Main constraint for both parties will, however, be the position that the EU will take, said Widdershoven.

In the light of Gazprom's growing hold on European gas imports, this could be the main issue. It also could conflict or constrain ongoing discussions on Nord Stream 2, as both projects are filling in some of the European gas demand, while both also are blocking parts of current gas transport via Poland or Ukraine, he added.

The Turkish Stream project, which is meant to take the Russian gas to Turkey across the Black Sea, was suspended due to sharp deterioration of relations between Moscow and Ankara after the incident involving the downed Russian air bomber in November 2015.

After normalization of the bilateral relations in June, Russian Gazprom spokesman Sergey Kupriyanov said Gazprom is "open for a dialogue" on the Turkish Stream project.

Widdershoven believes that the current situation in Turkey is not positive for the project.

The recent military coup attempt in the country, threat of death penalties, or other issues will not be taken very lightly in Brussels and other European capitals, expert believes.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country. Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them. However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed. Over 200 people have been killed in Turkey as a result of the coup attempt.

A new rapprochement between Moscow and Ankara is foreseeable, but could dent the already fledgling support from Brussels and European leaders for further cooperation, said Widdershoven.

He added that the Turkish Stream is among the projects that are expected to be a part of the discussions in Germany, France, the Netherlands and other countries during upcoming elections.

The coup attempt of last weekend doesnt bode well, he said.
The audit, issued internally within the HSE last November and released to the Irish Examiner under the Freedom of Information Act, found control and compliance issues with Tuslas payroll process; its management of staff working time; and with personal allowances issued to employees.

The majority of the audits 50 recommendations were classified as medium ranking, meaning that the issues identified posed a moderate risk of financial loss, and/or of accounting error, and/or of non compliance with policies or regulations.

Payroll issues identified at three Tusla locations included a lack of written local payroll procedures or payroll sign off checklists; no records of training for payroll staff; and incomplete staff details on time sheets.

The report warned Tusla of confusion and inconsistencies regarding the issuing of personal allowances to staff which may lead to incorrect payments and unclear management information.

It found that Tusla and the HSE did not have supporting documentation in relation to the payment of allowances to 117 employees.

The allowances were described as personal allowances which, auditors said, could not be identified on the [Department of Health and Children] consolidated salary scales.

Auditors found that a Gaeltacht Allowance was paid to 44 members of staff who are required to work through Irish. However, in four of these cases, auditors were unable to find any written decisions signing off on the awarding of these payments, which ranged from 156.90 to 427.58 per fortnight.

Nine staff received a Dual Responsibility Allowance of either 3,731 or 4,001, but written decisions were only found for three of these, and of these three, one decision was due for renewal and another was of an indefinite nature. The report reveals that auditors also found inconsistencies in the recording of staff time off, sick leave, and time in lieu.

Tusla management should review the current process for recording attendance for employees who are not utilising the flexitime system to identify if a more robust/reliable method of monitoring and recording attendance on and off site can be implemented, it recommended.
The agency took over the site in Fermoy, Co Cork, from the Department of Defence after the closure of the armys Fitzgerald Camp.

In 2002, the IDA created a new road into the site and serviced it with mains water, sewerage, and public lighting.

The IDA move created huge hopes of new industry locally.

However, Fine Gael councillor Noel McCarthy told a meeting of the councils northern division nothing happened. Along with colleagues in Fermoy Town Council, they had eagerly awaited good news.

In light of Brexit I think the IDA now surely has an ideal opportunity to get some foreign investment in there, said Mr McCarthy.

Its an ideal site, very close to the motorway. Its a fully serviced site but unfortunately has been unoccupied for some time and all its used for is grazing.

I want us to write to the IDA and ask them to come and attend a meeting. We should also get our TDs to lobby the IDA.

Fianna Fail councillor Frank OFlynn said he was aware the IDA brought companies to examine the site, without success.

He believed it would be ideal for a food- or dairy-related industry because one of the countrys premier agricultural research stations was situated closeby at Moorepark, Kilworth.

Fermoy has tremendous facilities for people, such as sporting organisations, amenities and shops, and it would be an ideal location for a new industry, he said. Its only two hours from Dublin and less than half an hour from Cork. It should be a place new industry would be attracted to.

Fine Gael councillor Kay Dawson said Fermoy and adjoining villages were crying out for job creation.

Fianna Fail councillor Ian Doyle said the estate must be utilised and not be allowed to continue unoccupied.

He said that, as chairman of the councils northern division, he would write to the IDA seeking a meeting and to the minister in charge of job creation.
Mr Justice Colm MacEochaidh was told yesterday discussions concerning access to the documents had resulted in an agreement on discovery. California-based Dropbox Inc is an internet file hosting service. Counsel for Mr OBrien said the material it sought to discover, described in court as being related to the distribution of a dossier, would be provided by Dropbox to the defendant. The material would then be subject to any discovery order made by the court. The discovery motions against Dropbox Inc and Dropbox Ireland, could be struck out. It was agreed Mr OBrien would provide an indemnity towards Dropboxs costs.

Lawyers for Red Flag, which had opposed the motion, said it did not accept the description of the material by Mr OBriens side .
Anthony Walsh, aged 62, committed the offence at a time when the maximum penalty for this offence, then legally termed indecent assault, was two years. But yesterday Judge Elma Sheahan used her discretion to impose consecutive sentences.

The Criminal Law (Rape) Amendment 1990 increased the maximum penalty to 14 years for sexually assaulting a child under the age of 17.

He forced the child to have sex twice, once in the parochial house in his parish and on another occasion in a tunnel under the Phoenix Park. He also used a crucifix to rape the boy.

Walsh told the jury during the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last month he never knew the boy and that he never assaulted him.

Walsh, formerly of North Circular Rd, Dublin, had pleaded not guilty to five counts of indecently assaulting the boy on dates between January 1980 and December 1982. The boy was aged between 10 and 13 at the time.

Following a three-day trial the jury returned verdicts of guilty on all counts after an hour of deliberations.

Garda Tara Corrigan told Fiona McGowan, prosecuting, at a sentence hearing earlier this month, that Walsh has 17 previous convictions, from 1995 to 2015, for indecently assaulting young boys and two girls.

Walsh fought two trials and pleaded guilty to the other offences. He is currently serving a sentence and is not due for release until 2021.

Judge Sheahan said yesterday that the rape charges were the most grave and warranted the maximum penalty of two years. She imposed a further 15 months on the two remaining indecent assault charges and ordered that all of the sentences should run consecutively.

Judge Sheahan said she would reduce the total sentence of eight-and-a-half years by one year, taking into account the totality of the prison sentence served and to be served by Walsh. She backdated the sentence to Walshs conviction last month, meaning he is now due for release in June 2023.

The judge said Walshs abuse of the victim had long-lasting consequences for the man in his childhood and into his adolescence and adulthood which had plagued his life to date. She said the accused had violated his position of trust in a grievous way and it was difficult to find any mitigating factors considering that he ran a full and complete defence of denial.

There is no indication that he accepts the jurys verdict and he has shown no expression of remorse, said Judge Sheahan.

During the trial Walsh told the jury that his offending in relation to children started in 1980 and continued to 1986. He said a number of the children told their families what was happening and he was called in by the archbishop in 1986.

He said he was sent for six months treatment in Britain and on his return home he was made a hospital chaplain. He said he first came to Garda attention in 1995 in relation to one incident. In 1997 he pleaded guilty to offences involving five boys in the period 1980 to 1986.

He was sent to prison for ten years initially and this was reduced to six years on appeal. He was released in 2002. In 2010 he pleaded guilty in two further cases and not guilty in one case, but was convicted by a jury. In 2013 he pleaded guilty to two more cases. Walsh said that in 2015 he was convicted by a jury in relation to the sexual abuse of a girl.

He said that in 2002, four months after his release and like a bolt out of the blue he was featured on the TV programme, Cardinal Sins.

The victim told the jury that on the first occasions Walsh had sat him on his knee and pulled him backwards with a gyrating motion.

On further occasions Walsh sat him on his knee and pulled down his trousers and underwear before fondling his genitalia. He also recalled being bent over a sofa by Walsh who then put what he believed was his finger into his anus before putting his penis into him. He said on another day he felt something being put inside his bottom and afterwards saw a crucifix on the ground behind him.

He said on the final occasion Walsh asked him to go for a walk and brought him to Phoenix Park. They went for a walk and into a tunnel where there was a mattress on the ground. Walsh pulled down his underwear and put his penis inside him again.
Government sources confirmed the plan of action last night after a 48-hour period in which Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin raised the prospect of border poll in the future.

Speaking at the MacGill summer school in the Glenties, Co Donegal, on Sunday and Monday, the two rival leaders openly stated a united Ireland referendum could now take place in the near future due to the fact Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU.

However, while the comments have led to a blunt rebuke from Unionist figures, it is understood the Governments real intention is to increase pressure on the EU to ensure Ireland is given special post-Brexit supports.

During a bilateral meeting in Berlin last week, German chancellor Angela Merkel appeared to rule out any prospect of preferential treatment on issues such as financial aid and again suggesting a hard border may be needed between the north and south.

However, it is understood Mr Kenny has not given up on a deal being struck, and is prepared to use the unique selling point of the border issue and the difficulties a future referendum could cause to force EU officials to re-think their position.

Mr Kennys suggestion of a possible poll has been branded pathetic and deliberately mischievous by Ian Paisley Jnr.

He said he expected better from Mr Kenny. Referring to recent intense scrutiny of his leadership of the Fine Gael, the Democratic Unionist MP said the Taoiseachs time would be better served concentrating on his own future.

Its quite pathetic  one would have expected better from him, said Mr Paisley.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said the debate on a unity vote was a chance to look at relations on the island. You are never going to get a border poll unless the Irish Government is for it, he said.

The Taoiseachs language was qualified insofar as he said it wont happen at this time, thats fair enough, the fact is he has raised the concept and he has said he is going to make this part of the Brexit negotiations and that is good.

Under the terms of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, the power to call a border poll rests with the Northern Ireland secretary of state. But the accord stipulates that such a vote can only be called if there is evidence of a clear shift of public opinion in favour of Irish unity in Northern Ireland.

The issue of a poll has been the subject of renewed debate after Northern Ireland voted to remain in the EU in the face of the UKs decision to leave.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire has insisted the referendum outcome did not provide grounds for triggering a vote on Irish unity.

Ulster Unionist Assembly member Jenny Palmer described Mr Kennys comments as much ado about nothing.

Everyone who approaches the border poll issue with an ounce of sense recognises, as the Taoiseach did yesterday, that there has to be evidence that a majority is likely to vote to change our constitutional position before a border poll can be triggered, she said.

The bottom line is that the evidence simply does not exist.
WHEN The BFG made its debut in Cannes in May, Steven Spielberg explained he doesnt often make friends on his movies. Yet as with Tom Hanks in the past, the three-time Oscar winner became buddies with the retiring, soft-spoken Mark Rylance when they made Bridge of Spies.

We were kind of friendly right from the start, recalls Rylance, but Stevens pretty friendly with everyone. When he first handed me the script of The BFG I thought he was just asking my opinion. I was already assuming a friendship of us talking about films and scripts in general, but I had no idea he was offering me the part.

Spielberg prides himself on his casting and had long wanted to work with the accomplished British stage actor, who had won three Tonys and two Oliviers before taking out the supporting actor Oscar for Bridge of Spies this year.

We got a chance to do two films in a row, notes a grinning Spielberg, and seeing Mark go from the tight-lipped and close-to-the-vest and yet very emotional Rudolf Abel, to suddenly become the expansive and generous and sometimes cowardly and always courageous BFG, was one of the most astonishing things Ive witnessed in my entire career.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

Adapted by the late Melissa Mathison from Roald Dahls book about a 10-year-old orphan girls friendship with an outcast giant, The BFG transports us to the outsized world of giants, which recalls the environment of the hobbits in The Lord of the Rings  only in reverse. Its probably no coincidence that Peter Jacksons effects house WETA conjured a lot of the magic, including transforming Rylance and Kiwi comedian Jemaine Clement (playing the bad giant, Fleshlumpeater) in motion capture.

Its no coincidence either that Spielberg returned to work with Mathison, his screenwriter on 1982s ET: The Extra Terrestrial, as he wanted to reclaim some of his earlier films gentler tone after directing darker films like Bridge of Spies, Lincoln and War Horse. Kathleen Kennedy, his regular producer since ET, together with her producing partner and husband Frank Marshall, had first optioned Dahls 1982 childrens classic in 1993. Spielberg only came onto the project later, but was a natural fit for the story.

In the years weve been working together Steven has consistently told optimistic, hopeful stories, Kennedy explains. I think its odd that that has become something we dont often find in movies now, so were all very lucky that hes telling those kind of stories. Wed been talking about the film for many years and had to wait for the technology to catch up so we could tell the story in the way we did.

I felt liberated like I could do anything on this, Spielberg says of the new technology. It brought back feelings I had as a younger filmmaker. When I heard my good friend Melissa Mathison would adapt the film, it also became a wonderful reunion though a very bittersweet time as it turns out for us.

(The film was dedicated to Mathison, the ex-wife of Harrison Ford and mother of his two children, who died last November from cancer at the age of 65.)

Although old-fashioned in its tone, the film has a modern message, notes Spielberg. This is a story about embracing our differences. The values in the book and the values in the film are the values I wanted to impart in the telling of the story.

He also wanted to impart those values to his kids as they were growing up. The BFG became one of his favourite stories he read to them.

I have seven children and I became the BFG when I was the storyteller. So I sort of know what it feels like to be the BFG, at least with my kids below me and me above them with the book between. I remembered how beautifully my kids responded to the book and thought, This is something that speaks to me and I can illuminate it a bit more.

The team enjoyed the full co-operation of the Dahl family who supported their choices. Spielberg really wanted to go big with the Queens breakfast and says it was a nice way to end the film.

We felt the Queen should have equal time with everyone else during that sequence, he says of the character loosely based on Queen Elizabeth II (and played by Penelope Wilton from Downton Abbey). We think she has a good sense of humour.

READING TO CHILDREN

Again it all harks back to reading the book to his kids. Youre of course watching for the reaction they are having. I remember when the story returned to London from the foreign-ness of Giant Country my kids got really excited every time there was something describing how tall BFG was and how small everybody was at the Palace.

Spielberg exudes a childlike wonderment as he recalls his excitement at creating two very different worlds.

It was so exciting because we were shooting with all these abstract sets. Everything was created, like the BFGs cottage, while Ruby [newcomer Ruby Barnhill] was on the only live action set in the cottage. She was at an oversized table with huge jars and nothing was in the jars except lights. The dreams would later be placed in there.

Then when we finally came to the Palace we were on a normal-sized set. But suddenly heres Mark 25 feet in the air lording it over all of us, once again in his motion capture seat giving these wonderful reactions.

Spielberg has now hired his good buddy for his two upcoming films.

Mark Rylance with Tom Hanks in a scene from Bridge of Spies

Rylance, 56, admits hes a little overwhelmed by it all. After Cannes he headed to the set of Christopher Nolans Dunkirk, which is being filmed 300 km north of the location of Spielbergs Saving Private Ryan.

Then the actor will appear in Spielbergs Ready Player One, based on Ernest Clines 2011 dystopian virtual reality-themed novel.

Though Spielberg stresses his casting was not because we are buddies, but because theres nobody better to play Halliday than Mark Rylance, if you know the book.

The actor is also set to take on the robes of Pope Pius XI in Spielbergs recently announced 19th century drama, The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara, which follows the true story of a little Jewish boy kidnapped by the Catholic Church in Italy.

Incredibly, Rylance could have worked with the hard-working director much earlier  only he turned down a part in 1987s Empire of the Sun, as he wasnt ready and says he lacked the confidence for such a big movie. Hes certainly ready now.
Parents frequently talk about having rough days but few have the challenges that face Sheila Devlin Mulligan.

Her two beloved boys Shane (18) and Conor (11) have Angelman syndrome a rare neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by severe intellectual and developmental disability, sleep disturbance, seizures, jerky movements, frequent laughter or smiling, and usually a happy demeanour.

Sheila recently spoke on radio to Neil Prendeville on Red Fm about her sons condition as she was alarmed about the possibility of huge bin charges with the introduction of the pay by weight scheme. Her boys go through around fifty nappies a week and much of their medical paraphernalia is not disposable.

Visiting Sheila at her in her house in Cobh I was met by a woman who has a profound love for her boys. She has been living with the condition for eighteen years and says it is normality for her.

Sheila had Shane when she was just twenty years old. He failed to reach the developmental milestones yet doctors repeatedly told her it was just late development.

Sheila said she instinctively knew that there was something more serious coming down the line.

Shane wasnt meeting the milestones. He never slept as a baby. His feeding was horrendous. He just wasnt a typical little baby. We were going to doctors for seven years before Shane was diagnosed with Angelmans. I was told the chances of this happening again were fifty-fifty. The advice was not to have another child. I went on to have another child and I was told before Conor was born that he had Anglemans.

Sheila says whilst both boys have Angelmans Conor was a completely different baby to his older brother. Conor had dozens of seizures a day and his parents quickly realised that he was going to have more issues than his older brother.

He has had a lot more setbacks than Shane and is currently being peg fed, which breaks Sheilas heart.

I really hate that he is being peg fed. I hate that he cant eat foods orally. He is standing there at four oclock screaming for food because he ate for ten years. So he knows when you have chips on and he wants a chip. I have often got so frustrated. I often give him a taste of yoghurt. It is wrong but it comforts him. Or we can be sitting in Nandos as a family and everyone is eating and poor Conor is sitting there. You are breaking a piece of chip praying it will go the right way. It is like the Last Supper. And then people are looking at you as you are not feeding one child.

The family has a wonderful home help who comes for two hours a day five days a week. However, life can be very tough.

Sleep is an issue in every family with Angelmans. Conor could get up at 2am and thats it. If he is up, I am up. If Conor wakes Shane he is up as well. A typical night is very little sleep. I adore respite cos I get in to my bed and stay in it for eight hours uninterrupted sleep. On a typical night I go from bed to bed with the boys. My only problem is that we are going to lose the respite for Shane now that he is eighteen as there is no adult respite services available.

Sheila and other parents in her situation have got together to fight for respite for adult children with disabilities but the Government is failing to pay attention to their concerns.

Its a shut door. Shane is finished in August so I have respite for just one more month. I will have it for Conor but it wont work unless both boys are gone. You need the respite for your marriage. You need it for yourself. The kids need it too as they get to socialise. Conor spends a lot of time in the Mercy Hospital, which is a home away from home for Sheila. The staff onsite have helped her tremendously over the years and she has been known to have a Chinese meal ordered in late at night. She is also hugely thankful for the assistance of staff at the Cope Foundation.

Sheila says her boys will never live independently. She is concerned for their future and knows residential care will have to come in to play when she becomes too old to mind her sons.

I dread the day I wont be able to lift and pull and look after them. They dont speak. But they are aware of what goes on around them. When you read all these stories about abuse in the care homes and you know that is where your kids are going it is a black place to be. I try to block it out but it is always there. I wonder if they are better off in care before I pass away. I want them to stay together.

As there isnt a huge deal of awareness about the syndrome people seldom understand what exactly is going on in relation to the boys other than they are in wheelchairs. By and large Sheila has received nothing but kindness from the people of Cobh. However, there have been a few isolated incidents in Cork over the years.

In Cobh people just know my kids. They know I have two boys in the chairs. I was in the train station one day and I had Shane with me and this woman sat beside me and she said Were you taking drugs when you were pregnant? I was very upset. I was only about 23 at the time. I rang my husband crying. We have met really ignorant people who just stare. If we go for something to eat Shane might have a hissy fit and slap me and that draws attention.

The boys, Sheila stresses, are a bundle of joy despite the myriad of challenges they face.

They are my life. They are really happy kids. Happiness comes with the syndrome. They dont cry tears unless they are really in a bad way. They do this fake crying like babies do. One lady said to me one day I can see the world through his smile. Conor catches peoples eyes and he just smiles at them and he is able to draw people to him. Even when we are in a shop I will be standing in a queue and people will comment on how happy he is.

She is keen to dispel the notion that what she does for the boys is anything other than the ordinary. She particularly hates this notion of God giving special kids to special people.

Or people say things like God gives a cross for people to carry. I look at normal families and I dont know how they do it. I dont have worries that other people have. I dont have teenagers out getting drunk or drugs. I dont have the stress of Leaving Certs or Junior Certs. I see a typical child and then I look at mine and I think how lucky am I? I have two beautiful kids with big smiles.

Colin Farrells life has been enriched by special son
The owner of a Vietnamese tech blog and electronics store shared what he claims is an official shot of the phone and the S Pen. The image shows off a USB-C port, an oblong home button, and the iris scanner. And the phone itself features a Blue Coral colour scheme.

While its unlikely that Galaxy Note 7 users are going to be writing out notes while underwater, it may make it easier to interact with the phone when its raining.
THE consequences of American foreign policy are often catastrophic. Think of Vietnam, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Syria. And yet the lessons of history are continuously ignored.

The foreign-policy elites in Washington DC are animated by two assumptions: (a) the rest of the world wants to be like us (Americans), and (b) therefore, we (Americans) have a God-given duty to reshape the world in our image.

Its the doctrine of manifest destiny, and, as William Pfaff explained in his book, The Irony of Manifest Destiny, it is a political ideology based on faith in universal human progress toward democracy, validating the superiority of American institutions, ideas, and practices.

Belief in American exceptionalism is usually traced back to the pilgrim fathers who sailed from England aboard the Mayflower, and other ships, in the 17th century, to settle in what became New England. They provided the United States with its founding myth  that of a City on the Hill. The words were spoken by John Winthrop aboard the Arabella, in 1630, as it approached Massachusetts Bay: For we must consider that we shall be as a city on a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us . . . . America, from the start, saw itself as Gods own country.

This sense that the United States was Gods chosen instrument in His salvation plan would become so embedded in its culture that by the time of the invasion of Iraq, in 2003, president George W Bush publicly identified the war as a divine commission, something God wanted him to do. Bush, reacting to the terrorist challenge after 9/11, redefined the doctrine of manifest destiny, so that the American mission in the 21st century was now to abolish evil.

But the passionate attachment to the doctrine has a long history. The American concept of manifest destiny, originally seen as transcontinental expansion, has been recast, since the time of Woodrow Wilson, as the creation of a world order that is nominally pluralistic, but under ultimate American leadership  which, it is taken for granted, would be welcome to nearly all, says Pfaff.

Pfaff, who, for 25 years, wrote a column for the International Herald Tribune (he died in April, 2015), along with Noam Chomsky, Gore Vidal, John Pilger and others, warned of the dangers of an unwavering commitment to a political ideology that was implicitly a project to control the world. The implications of this are dangerous to the United States, to its allies, and to international peace, because of its lack of realism, Pfaff wrote in 2010.

The American project to bring democracy to a recalcitrant world has already, under the Clinton and two Bush administrations, produced, in the first decade of the new century, a series of unsuccessful military interventions.

What if there is a second Clinton administration? What foreign policy objectives would Hillary Clinton have, if she became commander-in-chief later this year? Thats a vitally important question, not just for Americans, but for the wider world. And it is the starting point for an investigation undertaken by Mark Landler, White House correspondent for the New York Times.

In his new book, Alter Egos  Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and the Twilight Struggle over American Power, he tells the inside story of the fraught and fascinating relationship that has shaped American foreign policy for the past decade. He also seeks to answer key questions about a new Clinton presidency by contrasting her approach to the big foreign-policy issues with Barack Obamas.

The president, now nearing the end of his second term in the Oval Office, is often restrained, inward-looking, and aware of the dangers of overcommitment, whereas Hillary Clinton is typically hard-edged, pragmatic, and unabashedly old-fashioned.

By describing her as old-fashioned, Landler means that, as regards the use of American power, the woman who could well be the next US president is much more hawkish and interventionist than the man she may replace. It has not been forgotten that, as a senator, she voted in support of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, whereas Obama had been making anti-war speeches.

As the new president, Obama, says Landler, attempted to play the peacemaking role in the Middle East.

His chief emissary in that effort was his secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. Despite their combined celebrity and skills of persuasion, the two failed to bring together the suspicious Israelis and Palestinians  a result that seemed to vindicate Obamas conviction that Americans habitually overestimated their ability to shape events in distant lands.

Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, believed that the failure of Obamas foray into Middle East peacekeeping hinged on tactics, not on any reservations about the capacity of the United States to be a force for good in the world. For a person of her generation and upbringing, that was an unspoken assumption, says Landler.

While at college in Los Angeles, a young Obama had written a paper in which he criticised what he called a naive faith in American ability to control the world according to its whims.

Years later, he brought this scepticism with him to the White House. Obamas foreign policy was, sometimes to an extreme, a repudiation of the blunders of Bushs military campaign, writes Landler.

In the summer of 2015, he lashed out at those who opposed his nuclear agreement with Iran, accusing them of the same blindness that led America into the sand trap of Iraq.

As secretary of state, Hillary Clinton has very different instincts about the use of military power and the role of the United States as an agent of change in the world. Her muscular brand of foreign policy is in marked contrast to the man she is hoping to succeed. Landler has one telling quote from Obama: Just because we have the best hammer does not mean that every problem is a nail.

In May, 2014, he gave a speech at West Point on the limits of American power. It contained this passage: Since World War II, some of our most costly mistakes came not from our restraint, but from our willingness to rush into military adventures without thinking through the consequences  without building international support and legitimacy for our actions; without levelling with the American people about the sacrifices required.

As a key member of Obamas White House team, Hillary Clinton showed far more hawkish proclivities.

Whether that will still be the case, if she is elected to the White House, remains to be seen. As secretary of state, hers was just one voice among several in the Oval Office.

Presidents take advice from many quarters, and, in addition to the secretary of state, there is the national security adviser, the head of the CIA, the military chiefs in the Pentagon, and the White House chief of staff. As president, Hillary Clinton  on whose desk the buck will stop  may become more acutely aware of the limits of American power. Well have to wait and see.

But what if she doesnt win in November? What if Donald Trump is elected president? Thats not now nearly as unlikely a prospect as it was six months ago, or even three months ago.

Trump knows nothing about politics, but thats part of his appeal. He is tapping into the frustration and anger of millions of disenchanted Americans for whom the American dream has gone sour.

The recent observation of one White House correspondent is very pertinent: His self-belief helped him to sweep aside 16 rivals, including governors and senators, to become the first non-politician in decades to win a major partys nomination for president.

And Trumps foreign policy? What objectives will that have, what ideology will drive it?

In politics, there are known unknowns and unknown unknowns. Donald Trump certainly belongs in the latter category.

Alter Egos  Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and the Twilight Struggles over American Power, by Mark Landler, is published by WH Allen, at 16.49
"And the duck that they stole, it can swim is the half-hopeful but dire prediction of the sister in The Magic Sovereign, a film written by Brian Friel shown yesterday at the MacGill Summer School.

Two men, charming chancers, row away from shore in the boat they bought with the magic sovereign of the title.

Gleeful at the gullibility of the brother played by Joe McPartlan  and they think of his sister too, played by Rosaleen Linehan  the boyos pull on the oars with gusto.

Standing, looking at the pair disappearing over the water, the brother who is a gormless layabout is alarmed because that boat will never take them to the far side.

But it will carry them half way wont it says Linehans character with the deadpan, of a woman who has sold a coffin ship for a sovereign to strangers, who thought they had swindled her. And she has unfinished business. The duck they stole will swim home.

Like Boris Johnson, who pronounced that he was in favour of having his cake and eating it, Rosaleen Lenihans character may look harmless but she is hard, and happy to send men who underestimated her to a watery grave. She has their sovereign, and she will have her duck as well.

There is something of that pair of sauntering, singing lads, palming magic sovereigns off on peasants that characterise several classes of politicians this sweltering hot week. The MacGill proceedings would usually succeed the Dail, but in a burst of not being told what to do by Government, the latter sat on regardless.

I am glad they arent told what to do by the Government any more, but they should have had the cop-on to make the point and then go home, promptly. The quality of Government is inestimably better, after a few days paddling at the waters edge, in sunshine. But it was not to be. Enda Kennys so-called leadership crisis was caused by too long an enclosure in Leinster House. If the man had been allowed out, surely he wouldnt have appointed James Reilly to anything? But thankfully, tomorrow will be the finale. Then no more until September.

Long periods of reflection, including times of complete rest, are essential.

Amidst the speeches, in all the summer schools this year, MacGills exposition of the too-often overlooked short stories of Brian Friel, bring an alacrity, unmatched by most modern orators.

Brian Friel

Seemingly a comedy, the 1979 BBC production of The Magic Sovereign is an image of Ireland, after a John Hinde postcard. We are unprepared for the brutal cynicism and raw survival instincts of the sole female in the cast of characters. What could be more charming, more stage-Irish than Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem as the stage Irish wide boys? Were we ever so gullible? Were we ever really so top o the mornin?

The magic sovereign  like Leprechaun economics  goes back a long way. People like that required representation, and it is a tribute to our democracy that they usually got what they deserved and still do.

The twist in Friels tale, as more satire than comedy, is that you cant think of the magic sovereign without remembering apartments bought off the plans in Bulgaria. And he wrote that story 37 years ago.

Twenty years before that, before his great plays were staged, he was writing short stories for The New Yorker, bringing universal meaning to local tales.

As our leaders fan out across the country to opine, we should remember that there is nothing especially new, or singular in our current condition. Those four characters, in the 17 minutes of film, are as good a summary of several of the national archetypes, as I have seen.

Unseemly rameis has been coming from the grandstands of the Irish establishment about the limitations of new politics. These are people, in essence, who traded on the passing off of magic sovereigns for years, on peasants, and are now utterly incandescent that the boat they are rowing is rotten and sinking.

Even the damned duck they tucked under their oxter in the get-away, is clamouring overboard and swimming for shore.

The bitterness of the invective about the folly of a legislature that cannot be controlled by a government, is comical. It exposes  in both left and right  a common theme. There was always a better sort to tell the rest what to do. The more successful marinated their authority in syrup and storytelling. Others, more self-believing and less willing to condescend, simply carried on the tradition of their formative influences from the pulpit, albeit for ends unauthorised in any catechism.

The harrumphing about the need for authoritative government, the shambles so-called of what they call new politics in disparaging tones, is a joke.

But the joke is on them.

The people voted as they did and, like Rosaleen Linehans character, cast a cold eye on the consequences, because trust was a debased coin.

The institutions of the State, at a critical moment, were shown to be deeply inept at best, and complicity indolent at worst. The idea of a better before-the-here-and-now is preposterous. As preposterous as the smug, too-confident chancers played by Clancy and Makem.

Of course these characters are composites. We should not allow ourselves the false self-satisfaction of neatly, morally dividing them up into a them and us. No, that would be to believe old rhetoric that continues on as part of new politics. A lot has changed, but not everything. Make-believe is endemic in every generation. Buying apartments off the plans in Bulgaria, or several nearer home, and blaming banks now for giving you money then, is part of that.

The magic sovereign as currency, is eternal myth, but widely believed. So are the assumptions of charlatans who, being so successful for so long, come to believe in their own luck.

That is the indignation you hear in their voice now. The lucky general of lore, is usually just lucky.

Hard currency keeps its true value. The gormless brother happily believed that the sovereign would keep its magic charm and return to his pocket every time he spent it.

On water charges, we have signed up for a similar economic programme. Brexit is just a bigger pile of the same fools gold. Its a recurring condition in which, like a troupe of jobbing actors in a fit-up company, we play different roles at different times.

But the insight of the master, as they call Friel in Donegal, is unsurpassed. On Sunday last, Linehan, with Brid Ni Neachtain and Brid Brennan  the three Mundy sisters in the original Field Day production of Dancing at Lughnasa  recalled its making.

I remember viscerally the explosive moment when those Ballybeg women ignited in dance on the stage. It doesnt fundamentally change anything, but the prism of the storyteller makes everything fundamentally more understandable.
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, July 20

By Huseyn Hasanov  Trend:

Tasks on developing a procedure for implementing infrastructure projects with an aim to ensure the long-term supply of natural gas to European markets was discussed in Turkmenistan, read a message from Turkmengas state concern.

The discussions were held during a reporting meeting of heads of industrial enterprises of Turkmengas state concern in Ashgabat.

The meeting participants summed up the results of the production activities in H1 2016, and set the priority tasks for coming months as part of implementation of the plans for developing Turkmenistans oil and gas industry until 2030, said the message.

The meeting participants focused on the measures aimed at accelerating the development of large gas fields, and intensifying the settlement of the issues related to diversification of the routes of Turkmen natural gas supply to world markets.

The talks between Turkmenistan and the EU on supplying Turkmen gas to Europe have been going on since 2011.

A project for laying a 300-kilometer gas pipeline across the Caspian Sea to the coasts of Azerbaijan is considered as the best option for delivering Turkmen resources to the European markets.

Turkmen gas can further be delivered to Turkey, which has borders with European countries.
The Wallasey MP was the first to mount a public challenge to the Labour leader, but decided to withdraw after it became apparent Mr Smith had secured more nominations from party MPs and MEPs. Former shadow work and pensions secretary Mr Smith will now go forward to fight Mr Corbyn in a ballot of party members and supporters which ends on September 24.

Speaking at Westminster, Ms Eagle said she would be backing Mr Smith, adding: We are in lock-step together, arguing for a united Labour Party.

Meanwhile, a legal challenge over Brexit is to be heard by the High Court in October, two judges decided.

Government lawyers told the court in London that Prime Minister Theresa May had made clear she did not intend to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty before the end of 2016.

That would give the High Court time to make a ruling, and for the Supreme Court to hear any subsequent appeal before the start of the formal process for Britains departure from the EU. The judges were assured that if the Government position changed the parties bringing the legal challenge would be warned.

Many concerned citizens have joined the legal action over Article 50, and it has been described as the most important constitutional law case in living memory.

The judges heard that one of the law firms involved, Mishcon de Reya, had received letters of abuse which led to potential clients who had wanted to join the action withdrawing their names.

David Pannick QC, instructed by Mishcon, told the court publicity generated by the case has provoked a large quantity of abuse directed at my solicitors.

He asked that the names of persons who had been intending to join the action but were no longer claimants should be redacted from pre-action protocol letters to protect their identities.

Brian Leveson, president of the Queens Bench Division, sitting with Mr Justice Cranston, agreed to the request and warned there was a real risk that individuals acting in an abusive and threatening manner would be guilty of contempt of court.

The legal challenge will be heard over two to three days in October
Under fire from opposition politicians and jeered by crowds at a remembrance ceremony on Monday, prime minister Manuel Valls wants lawmakers to back a three-month rollover of the emergency regime imposed after the Bataclan attack last November.

The move comes as the Promenade des Anglais along the seafront of the Riviera city reopened after last weeks attack in which Tunisian Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel ploughed a truck into crowds of Bastille Day revellers, killing 84, before being shot dead.

Two members of the government sounded a conciliatory note ahead of last evenings parliamentary debate on the matter.

Justice minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas left the door open to a six-month rollover of emergency rule in line with demands from right-wing politicians, saying the demand was not incongruous given that it would encompass the anniversary of the attacks of last November.

Defence minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said Mr Valls was ready to take other proposals on board concerning the specific powers emergency rule would comprise.

This is not just symbolic, said Mr Le Drian. We can see from what happened in Germany that the threat is everywhere, the minister said, alluding to news of yet another attack overnight in Germany in which a man hit train commuters with an axe, seriously injuring four.

The number of French people who believe Francois Hollandes government is up to the task of tackling terrorism plummeted to 33% after the attack in Nice, from confidence ratings of 50% or more in the wake of the two other major attacks in early and late 2015.

France imposed emergency rules after the November 13 attacks in which Islamist militants killed 130 people in Paris, giving the police powers to search homes and place people under immediate house arrest without advance clearance from judges.

The Interior Ministry said hundreds of unlicensed weapons were unearthed, helping foil several terror plots. The bill to be debated in parliament last night was also intended to grant police and spy services greater powers to dig into suspects computers and mobile phone communications.
In apress conference at the Foreign Office, he was challenged by US journalists about outright lies he had told and articles he had written about the current president and his potential successor.

Johnson joked it would take too long to issue an apology for all the things he had written which had been misconstrued.

He said: We can all spend an awfully long time going over lots of stuff I have written over the last 30 years... all of which, in my view, has been taken out of context, but never mind  but there are some serious issues before us today.

He was asked about his reference to Obamas part-Kenyan ancestry during the EU referendum campaign, and his comparison of presumptive Democratic nominee Clinton to a sadistic nurse in a mental hospital or Lady Macbeth.

He said: Im afraid there is such a rich thesaurus now of things that I have said that have been  one way or another, through what alchemy I do not know  somehow misconstrued that it would really take me too long to engage in a full global itinerary of apology to all concerned. Most people who read these things in their proper context can see exactly what was intended and indeed I find that virtually everybody I have met so far in this job understands that very well, particularly on the international scene.

He said it was far more important to focus on the challenges facing the world.

We have some very serious issues before us today. We have an unfolding humanitarian crisis in Syria, which is getting worse and worse, we have to come up with some answers there.

We have real problems in Yemen, which are currently intractable, and we have a burgeoning crisis in Egypt.
Mrs Trump spoke at the Republican National Convention on Monday night, and the passages in question focused on lessons she learned from her parents and their influence in her experience as a mother.

Trumps campaign manager Paul Manafort told CNN: Theres no cribbing of Michelle Obamas speech.

Certainly, theres no feeling on her part that she did it. What she did was use words that are common words.

Mr Manafort said Mrs Trump was aware of how her speech was going to be scrutinised and said any notion that she picked up portions of Mrs Obamas talk at the Democratic National Convention was absurd.

The White House declined to comment on similarities between the speeches.

The passages in question came near the beginning of Mrs Trumps roughly 10-minute speech. Her address was otherwise distinct from the speech that Mrs Obama gave when then-Senator Barack Obama was being nominated for president.

In Mrs Trumps speech in Cleveland, she said: From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily life.

In Mrs Obamas 2008 speech in Denver, she said: And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: like, you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say youre going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you dont know them and even if you dont agree with them.

Another passage with notable similarities followed two sentences later in Mrs Trumps speech addressing her attempts to instill those values in her son.

We need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow, Mrs Trump said. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.

In Mrs Obamas 2008 speech, she said: Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values and to pass them onto the next generation, because we want our children  and all children in this nation  to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.

Mr Trumps campaign initially responded that Mrs Trumps immigrant experience and love for America shone through in her speech.

The statement did not mention Mrs Obama.

In writing her beautiful speech, Melanias team of writers took notes on her lifes inspirations, and in some instances included fragments that reflected her own thinking, Trump spokesman Jason Miller said.

In an interview with NBC News ahead of her convention appearance, Mrs Trump said of her speech: I wrote it, adding that she had a little help.

On the whole, Mrs Trump said her husband presented a softer and gentler candidate. She said: He is tough when he has to be, but he is also kind and fair and caring. This kindness is not always noted, but it is there for all to see. That is one reason I fell in love with him.

The Slovenian-born former model, 24 years her husbands junior, also reintroduced herself, showing poise as well as devotion to her adopted country and to her husbands cause.

Mrs Trump, appearing in a striking white dress, spoke after an uncharacteristically brief introduction from her husband, who kissed her and called her my wife, an amazing mother, an incredible woman.
The American actress said she felt numb as she shared a string of racist tweets she had been sent on social media.

Im not stupid to not know racism exists, she wrote on Twitter. And I know it will probably live on way after me. But we have to make people take responsibility.

Twitter I understand you got free speech I get it. But there has to be some guidelines when you let spread like that. You can see on the profiles that some of these people are crazy sick. Its not enough to freeze Acct. They should be reported.

The Saturday Night Live star said she now understood why some celebrities did not have Twitter accounts and insisted trolls must take responsibility for the hate they spew.

Stop letting the ignorant people be the loud ones, she wrote. Yall I got more love than hate but they louder. F*** that be louder.

I feel like Im in a personal hell. I didnt do anything to deserve this. Its just too much. It shouldnt be like this. So hurt right now.

The hashtag LoveForLeslieJ began trending on Twitter after Jones highlighted the abuse she was suffering online.

Ghostbusters director Paul Feig tweeted: Leslie Jones is one of the greatest people I know. Any personal attacks against her are attacks against us all.

A Twitter spokesman said: This type of abusive behaviour is not permitted on Twitter, and weve taken action on many of the accounts reported to us by both Leslie and others.
The horror unfolded near Castle Swimming Pool in Spalding, Lincolnshire, when Lance Hart, 57, killed partner Claire, 50, and 19-year-old daughter Charlotte with a shotgun, before turning the weapon on himself.

Officers and paramedics battled to save the two women who they found gravely injured at around 9am yesterday. Mr Hart was already dead, and no shots were fired by police.

Investigators raided the family home in Hatt Close, Moulton, where one neighbour described Mr Hart as a very nice guy.

The resident, who gave his name as Peter, said:

Last time I spoke to him, he had put the house on the market because they were hoping to downsize, buy somewhere in the village. He was a very nice guy, he went out of his way to be helpful so it comes as a great shock.

The local community reacted with shock.

District councillor Gary Taylor, who represents Spalding Castle ward, said: Its terrible news and local people are very shocked. Its a very quiet place, gun crime does not exist in this area at all. Its shocking news.

Witnesses reported hearing dozens of police cars and an air ambulance heading to the scene.

Speaking to journalists outside Spalding police station, Temporary Superintendent Paul Timmins said officers found a dead man and two gravely injured women when they were called to the scene at around 9am.

He said: We confirm that we are not seeking anyone else in connection with this tragedy. I can also confirm that no shots were fired by police.
Staff are understood to have raised concerns over the pilots behaviour before the Air Transat A310, carrying up to 250 passengers on board, was due to depart from Glasgow to Toronto on Monday afternoon.

Officers arrested the men, aged 37 and 39, on suspicion of being impaired through alcohol before they were due to take off at 1pm.
It has also demanded the resignations of 1,577 university deans.

Turkish media, said the ministry of education fired 15,200 people across the country, while the Interior Ministry fired 8,777 employees and Turkeys board of higher education requested the deans resignations.

In addition, 257 people working at the office of the prime minister were dismissed and the Directorate of Religious Affairs announced it had sacked 492 staff including clerics, preachers and religious teachers.

The firings come on top of the roughly 9,000 people who have been detained by the government, including security personnel, judges, prosecutors, religious figures and others.

Turkeys state-run Anadolu news agency said courts have remanded 85 generals and admirals in custody ahead of trials over their roles in the coup attempt. Dozens of others are still being questioned.

The violence surrounding the coup attempt claimed the lives of 208 government supporters and 24 coup plotters, according to the government.
In an open letter to the nations law enforcement officers, Obama sought to reassure police, saying: We have your backs.

The letter was released the day after two police officers and a sheriffs deputy were killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after being ambushed by a lone gunman.
Jean-Marc Duprat, deputy mayor for the town of Laragne-Monteglin in the Hautes-Alpes region, said the mother and her girls, aged eight, 12 and 14, were on holiday at a nearby resort when a man from a neighbouring apartment attacked them yesterday morning.

Mr Duprat initially said the suspect was upset by what the girls were wearing, but later said that did not appear to be the case and the motive was not known.

The youngest victim is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering a punctured lung.

The injuries suffered by the other three victims are serious but not life-threatening, hospital sources said.

Laragne-Monteglin is 110 miles north-west of Nice, where a Tunisian man killed 84 people last week by driving through a crowd on Bastille Day.

The suspect was named by police as Moroccan-born Muslim Mohamed Boufarkouch, 37, who lives in Yvelines, France. He was holidaying with his own wife and two children.

He fled after the attack, leaving behind his family and his wife who was in tears, before police later caught him.

It is understood the man was well known to police.

Despite Mr Duprats denial that clothing was a motive, various media outlets reported that the woman and her daughters were wearing shorts and T-shirts at the time of the stabbing. Reports said Boufarkouch attacked the women because they were scantily dressed.

A French prosecutor, however, told the AFP news agency the motive of the attack is very blurred.

French television channel TF1 reported the victims may have acted out of religious motives.

French media also said the man was not on the so-called Fiche S list, associated with radicalised individuals.

TF1 also reported that the stabbed mother had helped the attacker when he became ill a day earlier.

It is understood he first stabbed the girls while they ate breakfast on the terrace of their chalet and then went inside and stabbed their mother in the chest.

Media outlets said the attacker was on holiday with his pregnant wife and two children. The assailants wife is devastated, the mayor said. Local newspapers reported that the youngest girl was helicoptered to hospital in Grenoble as an emergency case.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

By Emil Ilgar  Trend:

Iranian government sets the environmental concerns as a priority in development projects, says President Hassan Rouhani.

Once the environmental plans were considered as matters of luxury, but now the government sets the environmental concerns as a priority in development projects, IRNA news agency quoted Rouhani as saying July 20 at an event in Tehran.

Lake Urmia

Rouhani was also quoted as saying that the Lake Urmia, which has suffered from rapid drought during past years, has reached a stable situation finally.

Government has been attempting to prevent the lake from drying up, which would put the life of 14 million citizens under danger of salt storms, he said.

Lake Urmia is in the northwest of Iran. Over 70 percent of its area has dried up. The water level has been declining since 1995. The lakes area is about 6,000 square kilometers.

Lake Urmia needs 3.1 billion cubic meters of water per year to survive.

Euro 4 gasoline production

Rouhani also said that Irans Euro 4 gasoline production has increased by 10 times to 25 million liters per day, while gas production increased by 140 million cubic meters since mid 2013.

He said that increasing gas output led to lower liquid fuel consumption in power plants.

In 2013, the share of liquid fuels in power generation was above 40 percent, while the figure decreased below 20 percent the last year.

Rouhani also said the share of liquid fuels in power generation will decrease to 9 percent this fiscal year, which started on March 21.

Iran has increased gas deliveries to power plants from 36 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2013 to 58 bcm last year. The country has planned to supply 65 bcm of gas to power sector in the current fiscal year.

Nuclear deal

Elsewhere in his comments, Rouhani said Iran has become closer to international community after the nuclear deal reached July 14, 2015, between Iran, the P5+1 (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States, plus Germany) and the European Union.

He said that for reaching a global peace we should respect the various opinions and cultures, and demonstrate more tolerance.
Burma Amnesty International Calls for Relocation of Toxic Factory

The human rights group calls on the Burmese government to relocate a sulfuric acid factory situated perilously close to a village in Sagaing Division.

London-based human rights group Amnesty International has called on the Burmese government to immediately relocate a sulfuric acid factory situated close to a village, which continues to operate despite adverse impacts reported on public health and the environment.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Amnesty said that, during fieldwork conducted last month, residents of Kankone Village in Monywa Township of Sagaing Division told of respiratory, skin and eye ailments linked to the strong-smelling factory emissions, as well as damage to crops.

Village residents said the air had become so toxic that youth had stopped attending the local school, located only 50 meters from the factory.

A 2013 examination by the government and an environmental organization identified high levels of sulphates in the soil.

[Burmas] government must intervene immediately and stop the operations of the sulfuric acid factory. The factory must be relocated to an area where it cant endanger anybodys health, said Amnesty International Business and Human Rights researcher Mark Dummett.

The Thunder Sulphuric Acid Factory was built in 2007 under Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited (UMEHL), a major military-owned conglomerate in Burma.

An investigation led by then-opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in 2013 discovered that it had been constructed without the required permission from local authoritiesa criminal offence.

UMEHL acquired official permission to run the factory shortly afterwards, in July 2013, and faced no sanctions for illegally operating over six years.

The factory supplies two major, and controversial, copper mines located nearbyLetpadaung, and Sabetaung and Kyisintaung (S&K)run jointly by UMEHL and Wanbao Mining, a Chinese company. Letpadaung mine began producing copper in May 2016, amid sustained opposition from local farmers who claim their land was seized for the mine without adequate compensation.

Last month, municipal authorities chose not to renew the factorys annual operating license pending a health and environmental impact assessment.

However, local residents said that the factory resumed operations after little more than a month. A local official said a central government body was allowing it to run despite not receiving a renewed license.
Burma Burma Army Claims Responsibility for Five Civilian Deaths in Northern Shan State

A lieutenant general speaks at a press conference in Rangoon, stating that the army will take action against troops who have killed civilians.

RANGOON  The Burma Army has said it will take action against troops accused of killing civilians in a rural area of northern Shan States Lashio Township in late June.

Lt-Gen Mya Tun Oo spoke at a press conference on Wednesday in Rangoon, and said that his army would punish soldiers who had violated laws.

We did an investigation, met the victims families, and even offered support to them. We found from our investigation that our troops violated laws and killed people. Therefore, we will take action against our troops, the lieutenant general said, without elaborating on what this action would entail.

Local sources have said that a total of seven people were killed in Lashio Townships Mong Yaw village on June 25: two men were reportedly shot while riding motorbikes, and five more bodies were found buried by a corn field after the individuals were detained by members of Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 362.

However, Mya Tun Oo said the investigation revealed that Burma Army troops had killed five peoplethe individuals whose bodies were found in the fieldbut said he did not know who was responsible for murdering the two men traveling by motorbike.

He told reporters at the press conference that his troops went to Mong Yaw after the Burma Armys Northeast Regional Command Center, based in Lashio, allegedly received information indicating that 200 armed rebels were attempting to recruit locals in the area.

The Northeast Regional Command Center allowed LIB 362 to go to the area; Mya Tun Oo said there was fighting between ethnic armed groups and the Burma Army near Mong Yaw village in the location where the two men were shot on their motorbikes.

They drove motorbikes through the middle of the fighting. Their motorbike fell down after they got shot, but we do not know which side shot them, he said, adding that the men had died by the time Burma Army troops reached them and buried them beside the road. He also said that two packs of amphetamines were found near the bodies.

Our troops drew the conclusion that those two persons deaths were related to illegal drugs, Mya Tun Oo said.

At the time of their death, locals told a different account of the events: the men had been traveling through a rural area and were ordered to stop by the Burma Army. They were then shot when they refused to do so.

Regarding the additional five victimsof whom four were ethnic Palaung (Taang) and one was ShanMya Tun Oo said his troops detained five people working on a corn farm. He said the soldiers allegedly found a phone on one of the detainees that held a photo of him with the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA), an ethnic armed group with whom the Burma Army is engaged in active conflict.

Mya Tun Oo also said that the troops found documents stating that the farmers were members of the TNLA.

Our troops drew the conclusion that they had links to the TNLA, he added, continuing that, whether they were insurgents or not, our army needs to respect the law. We have to punish persons who violate the law.

After the civilian deaths, rights groups and community leaders in northern Shan State accused the Burma Army of involvement in the murders and called on the government to take action against the military.

We wanted the government to take action against those who violate human rights. We want this government to be a government who can protect the peoples lives and property, said Sai Wann Lern Kham, an Upper House lawmaker representing Lashio and nearby townships through the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD). If not, our locals feel that they have no security anymore.
Burma Dozens Treated After Fainting at Martyrs Day Events

With record crowds present at Rangoons monuments, volunteers treated 36 people for fainting, but point out there were no other major injuries.

RANGOON  With record crowds present at Rangoons various martyrs monuments on Tuesday, volunteers administering emergency first aid at the sites said that dozens of people were treated after fainting and some were sent to hospital.

Over 169,000 visitors gathered at the Martyrs Mausoleum, the Secretariat building and the Bogyoke Aung San Museum on Tuesday to salute Burmese independence leader Gen Aung San and his eight colleagues, all of whom were assassinated 69 years ago on July 19.

Tun Tun Win from the Rangoon-based social outreach group Free Funeral Services Society said that the organizations emergency rescue teamas well as four ambulanceswere put on standby at the memorial sites during Tuesdays events.

As thousands of people stood in line for hours in the rain before crowding to get inside the historical sites, some visitors fainted and suffered minor injuries, he explained. The team administered first aid to 36 such individuals. Four people, including three elderly visitors, were sent to Yangon General Hospital where they required further treatment.

Yet overall, he felt that the events went smoothly.

Though there were big crowds, there were no major injuries or violence, as people were well-disciplined and followed instructions, Tun Tun Win said, describing his organizations participation in the first aid efforts as a very meaningful experience.

It was really great to view [the proceedings] yesterday. All of countrys top leaders paid respect to fallen national heroes, including the army chief, which happened for the first time, he added, referring to Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaings attendance at the Martyrs Mausoleum commemoration ceremony; he was the first head of the Burma Army present the event since after the student-led uprisings of 1988.
Business Rangoon Property Developers to Petition Suu Kyi, Htin Kyaw

Property developers aggrieved at government orders to modify their construction projects are submitting a letter to the State Counselor and the President.

RANGOON  Rangoon property developers, whose high-rise projects have been suspended pending modifications in line with newly enforced urban planning standards, will submit their grievances in a letter to President Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi.

The aggrieved property developers have already submitted a letter to Rangoon Mayor Maung Maung Soe, who is chairman of the Yangon City Development Council (YCDC), Rangoons municipal authority.

A 13-member committee appointed by the Rangoon Division government to review high-rise building projects (defined as structures with nine or more stories) ordered that 12 buildings currently undergoing construction be reduced in height, adhere to original designs for car parking, and improve their safety standards.

The committeewhich includes architects, engineers, heritage experts and a divisional government ministerstarted inspecting the buildings in June, which range in height between 12 and 29 stories.

We have submitted a letter to the mayor stating how much money each construction project stands to lose [due to the decision], said Myo Myint, managing director of the MKT construction company.

The letter, which bore the signatures of affected property developers, claims an average loss of US$20 million per project. The letter claims that the construction projects had already received final approval from the YCDC, according to Myo Myint.

The aggrieved developers are preparing to insert more data in their forthcoming letter to President Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, as well as the signatures of more developers, according to Myo Myint.

Were not opposing the [high rise review] committee, we just want them to know what is happening here, he said.

Since May, the YCDC has ordered the suspension of more than 200 high-rise buildings, many of which had received only initialand not finalapprovals from city authorities.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

By Emil Ilgar  Trend:

There is no ground for Islamic State (IS, aka ISIS, ISIL or Daesh) to become active in Iran, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), said July 20.

He added that the arrested terrorists in Iran are not entirely IS members, IRNA reported.

Irans Ministry of Intelligence said June 20 that security forces averted one of the biggest terrorist plots of Takfiri and Wahhabi groups to bomb the capital city of Tehran and a number of other places across the country.

Iranian officials refer to the extremist armed groups, in particular in Syria and Iraq, as Takfiri.

In early 2016, Tehran residents saw an unprecedentedly noticeable presence of special forces at public places under the increasing threats of terrorist groups around Iranian borders.

To its west, Iran has been threatened by terrorists since the IS spread across Syria and Iraq in 2014.

Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari also said that Iranian Sunni citizens are also against radical groups such as IS.
Wednesday, July 20th, 2016 (2:30 am) - Score 337

The UK Governments Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales, Guto Bebb MP, has warned that Welsh homes and businesses risk being left behind by poor mobile (3G, 4G) network coverage if the industry doesnt work together on a solution.

In keeping with that the MP for Aberconwy has setup an early autumn conference, which will bring together Ofcom, Mobile Network Operators (O2, EE (BT), Three UK and Vodafone), farming unions, business groups, local authorities and landowners as part of a new drive to tackle the issue.

At least one of the changes on the table is a plan to mirror the recent tweak in England, which relaxed the rules so that mobile operators could build masts up to 25 metres tall without needing planning permission (the current rule for Wales is still 15m). It is absolutely right that communities are consulted about the impact of masts, but the lack of coverage needs to be addressed if Wales is to get the best possible mobile coverage, said Guto.

Guto Bebb MP said: I dont need surveys to understand the need for decent mobile connectivity right across Wales. It is vital for small and medium size companies and home-based enterprises to develop and grow their business in the rural Welsh economy. And I absolutely recognise that we are not quite there yet, but we are continuing to take steps to improve it. We need to ensure Wales is not left behind. We now rightfully expect our mobile devices to work reliably wherever we are, be it at home, at work, in a car, or in the fields of Powys.

Guto hopes to ensure that operators find it at least as easy as England to invest, which is a fairly low bar to set. On top of that one of the biggest issues stem from the problem of gaining affordable access to install new infrastructure on private land.

Some of these challenges are being addressed by a major update to the Electronic Communications Code (ECC), but private land owners are bitterly opposed to that (here). No doubt Guto will learn about some of these challenges for himself in the autumn.

At the end of last year Ofcom revealed that 84% of premises in Wales could access a 2G mobile service, while 67% could get 3G and only 20% were able to benefit from the latest 4G networks. No doubt this has improved a lot since then, but theres still plenty of work left to do.
Thursday, July 21st, 2016 (12:10 am) - Score 397

The ITS Technology Group, which has built several fibre optic and wireless broadband networks around the United Kingdom, has appointed Kevin Gaskell to be its new Group Chairman in order to help attract further investment.

Kevin has previously worked for a number of major automotive brands (e.g. Porsche, Lamborghini and BMW) and so his move into broadband perhaps represents somewhat of a new challenge. Its worth pointing out that Kevin is also investing in the business itself.

I have been involved in founding and growing a number of successful companies and I am delighted to be joining ITS. This is a business with a first class team, an energetic and innovative approach to the market and the clear objective to become the UKs leading independent alternative communication network provider, said Kevin.

Roy Shelton, CEO of ITS Tech, said: We are thrilled to have been able to attract Kevin as an investor and also have him join ITS as our new Chairman. The growth we have experienced over the past two years has been phenomenal. As we continue to scale at pace Kevin brings a whole new level of drive and energy to ensure we focus on becoming a world class network infrastructure and managed services company. On behalf of the whole company, I also want to thank Paul Ruocco, who has now stepped down as Chairman for his support over the past 4yrs. I look forward to continuing to work with Paul as an advisor and mentor to our team.

The move comes shortly after ITS appointed Pip Shelton to be their new Group Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Hundreds of protesters clash with police in the Armenian capital as the hostage crisis at a police station in Yerevan enters its fourth day, Sputnik reported.

At least four protesters rallying near the seized police building in Armenian capital, Yerevan, were injured during clashes with police on Wednesday and required emergency medical assistance.

According to the report, the protesters were throwing rocks and pieces of heavy debris at police, while law enforcement officers responded with warning shots and flash-bang grenades.

At this point, police pushed the crowd to a distance of about 80 meters (some 260 feet) from the building, the correspondent said in a phone call.
The definition of artificial intelligence (AI) is a bit fuzzy, so when AT&T claims that it has been using AI for more than 20 years, it should be kept in mind that the AI of 1996 is a lot different from the AI of 2016.

The bigger point is that the newer version is doing a lot for the carrier. AT&T is settling on an AI platform that can be used for different things instead of developing one-off solutions every time a task requiring the predictive capabilities and massive number-crunching abilities of AI presents itself. AI can be leveraged to anticipate rather than simply react to events, as less sophisticated AI platforms have done in the past.

The driver is software-defined networks (SDNs), according to Computerworld. SDNs are monstrously complex endeavors:

That foundation is about two million lines of the code that powers AT&Ts Domain 2.0 software-defined network, which the carrier built so it could roll out new services more quickly and efficiently. Along with its own A.I. code, much of which is open source, the company is using open-source components from partners including universities and third-party vendors.

Telecommunications networks seem to be perfect for AI. They have millions of users, thousands of elements, and an assortment of technical and business parameters that are simply overwhelming. In a long feature at Pipeline, Wedge Greene and Trevor Hayes essentially say that the sci-fi future, the one in which the machines take over, has arrived. (Hopefully, the usual way in which these films play out will be avoided.) AI is a must for carriers:

Networks exponentially grow in scale and complexity. With the advent of the Internet of Things, the size of networks will grow at least 10,000 fold. We are long, long past the point where humans can manage this network expansion. Our network management systems, billing systems and customer management systems cannot do this job the way we want it done. For some time we have needed products that help manage the management systems themselves. And despite corporate consolidation trends, buying up and bundling more and more product lines, we cannot merge ourselves out of this problem.

The full AI/telecom future may arrive more quickly than many people realize. SoftBank said this week that it is buying chipmaker ARM for $31.4 billion. SoftBank is a major player in telecommunications in Japan and the United States. Its founder and CEO, Masayoshi Son, is a believer in the key role that AI will play going forward.

SoftBank almost certainly has other goals, from both the product and financial perspectives, for ARM. But the presence of a major chipmaker and telecom companies in the same AI-friendly portfolio makes it seem likely that deep attention will be paid to the topic.

Carl Weinschenk covers telecom for IT Business Edge. He writes about wireless technology, disaster recovery/business continuity, cellular services, the Internet of Things, machine-to-machine communications and other emerging technologies and platforms. He also covers net neutrality and related regulatory issues. Weinschenk has written about the phone companies, cable operators and related companies for decades and is senior editor of Broadband Technology Report. He can be reached at [email protected] and via twitter at @DailyMusicBrk.
Just recently, WhatsApp was once again suspended in Brazil for being unable to cooperate in a criminal investigation. It was brought back up a while later since the company really could not provide the information the police was trying to acquire.

This has been the fourth time in two years that WhatsApp had conflict with the Brazilian authorities. There was a 19-page long ruling made by the Brazilian court demanding to suspend the services of WhatsApp until further notice. According to Jamaica Observer, Facebook owns WhatsApp and Brazilian courts demanded the company turn in information over to the police for an investigation. If the company was not able to comply, it would have to pay a fine of $15,265 for every day that passed by in the investigation.

In a statement made by WhatsApp, the company claims that the court ruling was not fair and was disrupting the people's chance to communicate and go on with their everyday life. The company's argument was that it is protecting the privacy of their users and their freedom to communicate.

The last suspension of WhatsApp lasted for a day, this happened back in May. In the latest ruling, Judge Daniela Barbosa said that Facebook had been irresponsible in not providing any information that could lead to the success of a criminal investigation.

Just last April, WhatsApp launched a new update of end-to-end encryption. This meant that any conversation between people is only to their knowledge, that not even WhatsApp gets the information between messages as reported by BBC News. With that on point, WhatsApp then claimed they could not provide the information that was asked of them from the court.

A representative of WhatsApp had said that they could not give out any information that even they do not have access to. This end-to-end encryption feature was launched to provide the users the benefit of privacy in communication.

The frequent blockage of the app during these circumstances could lead to WhatsApp losing users and subscribers. These incidents have already angered many users.
The most visible star of the hit movie "Ghostbusters," Leslie Jones, left Twitter after receiving racist and sexist tweets. Jones was a victim of online trolls who attacked her after the release of her movie.

Jones' last tweet read "I leave Twitter with a very sad heart. All this because I did a movie." Many tweets sent to had pornographic images, hateful and racist comments recently.

One tweet even compared her to Harrambe, the male ape which was shot dead in a zoo in Cincinnati. There was a photo sent to her with semen on her face. Another troll created a fake account under her name which was tweeting hateful language.

The Saturday Night Live (SNL) comedienne reacted to this and tweeted, "You have to hate yourself to put out this much hate. I mean on my worst day I can't think of this much hate to put out."

The director of "Ghostbusters," Paul Feigg, defended Jones on Twitter. He said that she is one of the greatest people he knows. The director stated that personal attacks against the actress was a "personal attack on us all."

A wave of support came for Jones. A new hashtag, #LoveforLeslieJ was created in support of Jones. Sony and Feigg managed to suspend some of the accounts.

Fellow actors also tweeted in support. These are Brie Larson, Judd Apatow, Josh Gad, Olivia Munn, John Boyega, Damon Wayans, Jr., Anna Kendrick, Margaret Cho, Kristin Davis and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Amy Poehler, fellow "SNL" member, posted a message of support in her Instagram fan page. She called others to show love for Jones because this is "what she truly deserves."
Rendered images of the upcoming Samsung flagship smartphone Galaxy Note 7 show a Coral Blue color variant.

There are just two weeks left until the expected release date of the next-generation Galaxy Note phablet from Samsung, according to company's website. The Note 7, this year's upcoming model, has enjoyed even more interest than usual. This is due to Samsung's decision to skip Galaxy Note 6 branding, as well as to its revolutionary iris scanner technology.

According to Venture Beat, one of the most interesting aspects of the next-generation flagship device from Samsung is the fact that it will be the first handset designed and produced by a major manufacturer that features exclusively a non-traditional form factor. The upcoming Galaxy Note 7 model will come with curved screen and there is no "flat" Note 7.

This move from the South Korean high-tech giant could have major implications for the rest of the mobile industry. Nontraditional handset designs were released before by other manufacturers. But not of, except maybe the curved-edge BlackBerry Priv, had such big ambitions as the Note7 from Samsung.

While other nontraditional handsets were largely niche models, Samsung's Galaxy Note is not a product with which the company can afford to experiment too much. If the next-gen Note 7 comes with curved screen it can only mean that Samsung is confident to sell well its higher-priced flagship model.

For Samsung, differentiating on design is more than just about sharing a bigger pie from the niche market. It is also a critical factor in keeping a high-margin manufacturer from following the bad examples of brands such as BlackBerry and Nokia. According to a Twitter blog post from tech expert Evan Blass, the Samsung bets big on the upcoming Galaxy Note7 and this "may pay off for the entire industry."

In this context, is of no surprise that Galaxy Note 7 will come with lot of changes and upgrades. Samsung will also add more colors to the lineup this year. According to the specialized website wccftech.com, one of these new colors will be Coral Blue. Some images that show renders of the device in this color option have leaked online on Tuesday, July 19.
After a U.S. judge refused on Tuesday, July 19, to extend protections shielding Nick Denton from liabilities resulting from a lawsuit over the invasion of privacy of Hulk Hogan, the founder of the Gawker Media LLC risks personal bankruptcy.

New York Daily News reports that Denton's request for extended protections against paying his part of the amount awarded to Hulk Hogan was denied by a judge. The judge's decision will likely led to Denton's bankruptcy.

According to Reuters, the judge's decision represents a victory for the billionaire investor Peter Thiel as well as for Hogan, former professional wrestler. Following the publication of an article by Gawker about Thiel's homosexuality, Thiel, an early board member of Facebook Inc, has helped fund Hogan's lawsuit.

Denton said in a statement that Gawker Media's popular brands will come under a new ownership. He pointed out the importance of a free press and added that the Facebook board member will have nothing to win in the end for other than "a reputation for thin skin."

After Hogan won a $140 million judgment against the company over the publication of sex tape excerpts, in June Gawker Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According to court fillings, from the $140 million judgment, Denton is liable for an amount of $125 million.

Gawker Media attorneys had asked the court for the same protections for the company's founder. The court refused to give Denton a shield from lawsuits and had only agreed to give him temporary protections.

Attorneys for Gawker Media argued that Denton would be distracted by his own personal bankruptcy process without the shield. They also said that Gawker Media's plan to sell itself in bankruptcy would suffer.

Denton said prior to the ruling that a personal bankruptcy process would affect his ability to navigate Gawker Media through its auction. But Hogan's attorneys argued that a personal bankruptcy process of Denton would not weight on Gawker Media, because the company already has in place outside professionals and an executive team that would be able to execute the sale.
Apple officially released the iOS 9.3.3 on July 18. However, Pangu has yet to release a jailbreak tool for the latest iOS version.

The Pangu site has yet to place an iOS 9.3.3 jailbreak tool available for download. The Chinese hacking group has not yet made an announcement on when they will release a jailbreak tool for the iOS 9.3.3 or even the iOS 9.3.2

Apple released the iOS 9.3 on March 2016. The iOS 9.3.3 underwent five beta stages before the final version was released. The latest iOS update contains patches for known bugs, a few improvements and a security update, according to Forbes.

However, iOS users will only have a few months to enjoy the upgrade. In three months' time or less, the new iOS 10 is going to be released, including presumably the new iPhone 7. Apple promised more new advanced features from the upcoming iOS 10.

Incidentally, Pangu showed an iOS 10 jailbreak demo at MOSEC in Shanghai. There was a rumor back then that the Chinese hackers would soon release jailbreak tools for the iOS 9.3.2 and iOS 9.3.3. Unfortunately, no such tools are forthcoming at this time.

There are jailbreak tools out there ready for download, but are mostly for the iOS versions. Apple has also taken the step of preventing iOS users from downgrading to earlier versions. For example, iOS 9.3.2 users could no longer downgrade their systems, according to Value Walk.

More than a month ago, Italian iOS jailbreak expert Luca Tedesco posted a video showing how he supposedly jailbreaked an iOS 9.3.2. However, he also is known for his unwillingness to share the jailbreak tools he used to the public.

He did tell the public that he took advantage of the "GasGauge 0day exploit" in order to jailbreak the beta versions. However, Apple has patched up that exploit.
Microsoft reported net profits of almost $5.5 billion on July 19. The news surprised investors in view of the Nokia cellphone disaster and loss of revenue for the Windows 10.

The business segment that pushed Microsoft to profitability is Azure, its cloud service component. The financial statement reported a revenue loss of four percent in its Personal Computing segment, according to The Verge. The largest losses however were incurred by its mobile phones division. The Windows OS or its license is usually sold to the public. However, with Windows 10, Microsoft decided to offer it as a free upgrade. The free upgrade period is set to expire by the end of this month.

Its cloud service revenue however, continues to double over the years. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is pleased that Azure provided a very big silver lining for the company. Microsoft's cloud services however, are not as large as Amazon, according to the Wall Street Journal. Still, the report indicates that the Redmond Company is achieving great success in selling cloud services.

Aside from cloud service, incomes from other Microsoft products like Surface and Xbox One have also risen. Compared to last year, Surface sales rose by almost ten percent. Xbox Live saw the number of tis customers increasing by more than 30 percent this year.

Microsoft CFO Amy Hood explained that the increase in income was due to the company's expansion to markets all over the world. She also said that focusing their promotion on certain key products also made a positive effect. Hood also thanked their sales people for a job well done.

Still, providing cloud services is seen as the major source of revenue not only for Microsoft but also for other big companies such as Amazon and Google. Competition among the three is expected to be fierce. All of them are expected to invest heavily in providing cloud services to a growing base of eager customers.
Lieutenant Colonel Levent Turkkan, the aide of Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar, who was detained under the scope of the failed coup attempt, confessed that he is a member of the Gulenist Terror Organization (FETO), which he said was behind the deadly July 15 coup attempt Daily Sabah reported.

According to testimony records, Lt. Cl. Turkkan actively participated in the coup attempt, which was carried out by FETO members within the military.

He said that Major General Mehmet Disli, who also took part in the coup attempt, is a member of FETO.

"On July 15, I went to Major Gen. Mehmet Disli's room, he is a Gulenist too. He told us that he would ask Chief of General Staff Akar if he would like to be 'Kenan Evren or not," Turkkan said, and added that Disli expected Akar to accept the offer. He continued by saying that Akar and other force commanders declined.

Hulusi Akar reportedly kept telling Turkkan and his partners that they were 'making a mistake,' until he was taken by Special Forces.

"I stayed there, and Gen. Disli called me to tell me to call Gen. Akar's wife" Turkkan said, and added that Hulusi Akar's wife burst into tears when she heard the news.

Turkkan claimed that he regretted participating in the coup when he learned from TV that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey was being bombed and civilians were being killed by junta troops.

Speaking about his background, Turkkan said that he comes from an impoverished family and met with the Gulen Movement during adolescence. He confessed to being a member of the Gulen Movement, and said that he started acting based on the orders of Gulenists after he started working at the adjutancy.

"Since I was five, my biggest dream was to become a military officer" he said, and added that he entered the military school entrance exam in 1989.

In his testimony, Turkkan noted that he was sure he would pass the exam as he was a bright student with high marks and dedication, but the Gulenists gave him the answers to the exam in a house belonging to them in Bursa province, the night before the exam.

Turkkan also said that he used to wiretap former Chief of Staff Necdet Ozel on a regular basis, upon orders by the Gulenists. He noted that he would deliver the wiretapping device to a Gulenist working for Turkish telecommunications authority on a weekly basis.

"I used to put the wiretapping device in Chief of Staff Ozel's room every day, and would take it back at the end of the day" Turkkan said, and added that he would refrain from putting the device in Ozel's room on days when the room was searched for wiretapping devices, as he was informed when these would occur.
Gendarmerie Forces Commander Gen. Galip Mendi, who was held hostage during the July 15 failed coup attempt, was hospitalized late on July 19, prompting the appointment of a new acting commander, Hurriyet reported.

Mendi had been suffering from heart disease and was taken to Gulhane Military Hospital (GATA) on July 19, as Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Yasar was assigned to his position as the acting commander, according to Dogan News Agency.

The assignment of Yasar was carried out after it was understood Mendi would be receiving long-term treatment.

Earlier reports on July 19 said he had been suspended from his position.

Mendi was held hostage by the coup attempting soldiers at the Aknc Base in Ankara. He was later rescued and returned to his post.
The new range includes new names and branding  a 10TB BarraCuda Pro desktop drive, Seagate IronWolf for NAS applications and Seagate SkyHawk for video surveillance. They are designed for a wide range of markets, including personal, creative and design computing, online gaming, small- and medium-sized businesses and large-scale surveillance systems.

Innovative capabilities in the new 10TB drives include multi-tier caching technology (MTC Technology), an intelligent caching architecture for maximised performance; AgileArray, designed to optimise drive performance through error recovery control, dual-plane balancing, and power management; and ImagePerfect for surveillance, supporting more high-resolution cameras than any other industry drive.

Matt Rutledge, senior vice-president of client and consumer storage at Seagate, said, Consumers and organisations face a similar challenge  what to do about the massive deluge of data and video they confront every day. Whether its dominating in the latest game, producing compelling multimedia content, mining data to help create new apps and business services, helping to protect people and places around the world against new threats, and more, the Seagate Guardian Series is designed to preserve your most critical data and move it where its needed fast so you can make the most of it. By incorporating powerful new features and capabilities, our 10TB products also make it easier for everyone to create, consume and use data.

BarraCuda Pro 10TB Desktop Drive

BarraCuda offers high-capacity storage at an affordable price point. BarraCuda Pro combines 10TB at 7200 RPM, power-saving features, and a five-year limited warranty.

IronWolf 10TB for NAS

NAS-optimised with AgileArray, it is built with drive balance, and is the first in its class of drives to have rotational vibration (RV) sensors to mitigate vibration in multi-drive systems, RAID optimisation for best performance with error recovery control, and advanced power management providing power savings in NAS. It has an 180TB/year user workload rate.

SkyHawk 10TB for Surveillance

It is a large storage solution for network video recording (NVR). It uses rotational vibration sensors to help minimise read/write errors, and can support up to 64 cameras. Ideal for modern, hi-resolution systems running 24/7, SkyHawk drives also come with a data recovery services option for additional peace of mind.

IronWolf and BarraCuda Pro are now shipping worldwide, and SkyHawk is sampling to select customers with wide-scale availability to be announced shortly. For more information on the Seagate Guardian Series and all Seagate products, please click here.
There is a significant level of adoption of key digital technologies, with clear business drivers and expected future growth and investment in digital transformation. Often security implications are an afterthought.

Recent research by Dimensional Research, (registration required for a free report) sponsored by Dell, reveals that 97% of large companies  who have from 1000 to more than 5000 employees  are investing in digital technologies to transform their business. Those technologies include mobile, cloud apps, cloud infrastructure, Internet of Things (IoT) and self-service initiatives.

Mobile led the field with 72% adoption, cloud applications (SaaS) at 68%, cloud Infrastructure (IaaS) at 59%), IoT at 37%, and self-service at 33%. The main area of growth will be IoT where 55% have plans to implement it.

Digital transformation (DT), a much-abused term, means the profound and accelerating transformation of business activities, processes, competencies and models to fully leverage the changes and opportunities of digital technologies and their impact on society in a strategic and prioritised way.

It is driven by many imperatives. Top of the list was increasing employee productivity (75%), business growth (67%), reducing IT cost (59%) and competitive pressures (37%). Australia, being a smaller market, was more focused on the competitive pressure at 47%.

Ironically, it found that many enterprises dont realise that they are in the middle of digital transformation which tends to reflect the siloed nature of marketing, line of business delivery, IT, and the board.

Dell, as the research sponsor, was interested to find out about the security implications of digital transformation. The research found that 75% felt that security came too late to the process, and 85% felt the process would be improved if it was involved earlier. Only 11% are confident with security.

The key message was that security teams need to be enablers, not blockers, of digital transformation. However, 91% said that it was probably a resource issue.

John Milburn, vice-president and general manager, One Identity Products, said, This survey produced some eye-opening results and reinforced what weve heard directly from our customers. Organisations face challenges securing their digital transformations and recognise that their current security measures are exposing the business to risk. When done right, security can enable organisations to aggressively adopt new technologies and practices that can have a direct, positive impact on revenue, profits, employee productivity, and the customer experience. Done right, security also helps CISOs open their own department of yes, empowering them to deliver the strategic projects and innovative initiatives that drive businesses forward.
HR technology company, Xref, has extended the capabilities of its candidate referencing for employers online platform and integrated it with applicant tracking systems and other technologies.

Xrefs continuing development of its platform, which automates the candidate reference process for employers, comes on the back of expansion into overseas markets with clients in the UK and Canada.

Newly listed on the ASX in February through a reverse takeover and a successful $4 million capital raising, Xref (ASX:XFI) reports that sales for the second quarter of 2016 increased by 51% compared to the previous quarter.

Executive director and chief executive, Lee-Martin Seymour, says sales for the quarter were 132% above the previous corresponding quarter, including a new record month in May.

Our growth rate continues to exceed 100% year-on-year. Xref has made considerable progress through increasing technology and sales resources to drive customer growth while carefully allocating resources. This has broadened our potential market.

Xref has delivered on the goals it set at the time of its ASX listing to develop products, integrate with major software platforms and expand globally, and we now serve customers on three continents. We have a dynamic growth trajectory and are expanding to meet our strong pipeline of opportunities.

Seymour says the UK market represents a significant sales opportunity for Xref, citing Office for National Statistics showing that the UK population is 64.1 million and the size of its labour market is approximately 31.6 million, including 23.1 million full-time positions and 8.4 million part- time.

Xrefs chief technology officer, Tim Griffiths, says significant progress is being made to extend the capability of the Xref platform, including conducting trials with the new UK and Canadian clients.

We believe the future of human resources technology is in open platforms, which integrate with marketplaces, applications and applicant tracking systems, Griffiths says.

Our successful integration with the worlds largest applicant tracking system, Oracle Taleo, is one example of how Xref is broadening its technology platform to assist customers.

By integrating technology from leading peers, we help clients to improve the candidate experience during recruitment. This extends the value of Xrefs services and helps embed Xref in companies' recruitment processes.

Griffiths says several Xref clients, including Qantas and Westpac, are now using Xref in combination with the Oracle Taleo applicant tracking system, which is used to manage staff recruitment internationally.

And, he says that by leveraging data accumulated over the past five years, Xref has also improved its predictive analytics which enable human resource directors to make data-driven decisions.
Travelling around remote and isolated areas of Australia for sightseeing or for work often means no mobile phone network signal and the average Joe doesnt have access to a satellite phone, let alone something which can actually transform the mobile into a satellite phone.

Optus, however, has now expanded the availability of satellite sleeves from online-only to its stores in Queensland, New South Wales and the Northern Territory which transform a range of compatible smartphones into a satellite phone.

The Optus Thuraya SatSleeve was previously only available online, or through an external dealer network for outright purchase, but is now stocked in the telcos selected stores in the two states and the Top End  and is now available on a 24-month payment plan or for outright purchase.

Optus has flagged that more stores will be stocking the SatSleeve in coming months.

The SatSleeve works with compatible Android and non-Android smartphones.

It works by creating a Wi-Fi signal to connect with the smartphone and is controlled through a SatSleeve Hotspot app. Once the device and sleeve are connected, if users are out of mobile range, incoming calls can be diverted to the satellite phone, free of charge for existing Optus mobile customers.

And, you can make outgoing calls or send SMS via your Optus smartphone using the satellite connection.

With the SatSleeve, Optus customers no longer need to rely on being within close proximity to a mobile base station for coverage. As long as they have a SatSleeve and a direct line of sight to the sky, they can make calls, send SMS or check their emails across Australia, says Steve Long, director of local markets at Optus.

The SatSleeve represented a fantastic solution for customers travelling in Australia, whether its sight-seeing in Kakadu, The Kimberley or the Cape York Peninsula.

With our 4G mobile network expanding rapidly, we know this is a product that isnt necessary for most people. But for fly-in fly-out workers in mining or gas exploration locations, to grey nomads and tourists traversing our expansive country, the SatSleeve provides coverage to even the most isolated parts of Australia.

By rolling out the Optus SatSleeve to our retail stores and providing a pay-over-time option, we are hoping to make mobile connectivity in remote locations easier and more accessible than ever before.

Long says satellite phone technology and plan pricing have come a long way in recent years, providing added flexibility for customers who want to bring their own device.

Traditionally, satellite phones have been a bulky standalone handset which meant customers often had to carry two phones  their personal phone and their sat phone. With Optus SatSleeve, compatible devices can simply click into the sleeve and continue to work as they normally would.
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani made a surprise appearance at the BlackBerry Security Summit, warning of the rapid growth of cybercrime and cyberterrorism.

Cybercrime and cyberterrorism are both growing at rates between 20% and 40%, said Giuliani, who made a brief return from the Republican National Convention in Cleveland to speak at BlackBerry's New York event.

"Think of it like cancer. We can't cure it... but if we catch it early we can put it into remission," he said. The quicker you can spot an attack, the less chance there is of loss.

Furthermore, systems designers are not starting with security in mind, Giuliani said.

Improving cybersecurity so it is the best it can be "is like my last crusade," he said. "I want to get to 100% [security] because I hate crime and I hate criminals."

"This is going to be the challenge of our next 10 to 15 years."

Giuliani suggested that state-sponsored attacks aren't the problem, because the MAD (mutually assured destruction) doctrine applies just as it did in the old war. If China tried to put the lights out in the US, the US could do the same to China.

And nations with "insane" leaders are largely kept in check by their military and technical people

Terrorist groups are a different issue, because MAD does not apply and it takes time to track them down.

"We didn't pay him a dime" to speak at the summit, said BlackBerry executive chairman and chief executive John Chen. "He believes in what we do."

Disclosure: The writer attended the BlackBerry Security Summit as a guest of the company
Remy Cointreau, one of the worlds leading alcoholic beverage brands, has chosen Centrify as its core identity management and mobile management platform.

It needed to respond better to the changing work habits of its 1800 global employees, who access, on average, 20 different cloud and Web-based applications per day. The company wanted to increase productivity by allowing employees to access apps securely from any device, anywhere and at any time.

Its previous single sign-on system, in French of course (bien sur), was too expensive (trop cher) to maintain, and adding new apps was not easy (pas facile).

I suppose we could be trite and say that if you have a few too many excellent Cointreaus, you may forget passwords and security.

The new security platform needed to be simple for employees to use. Forgotten passwords, password resets, and account lockouts and reactivations were an ongoing problem for Remys 50 strong IT department, accounting for 30% of all help-desk tickets. With the industry average cost of a help-desk call running anywhere from $25-$30, these calls slowed productivity and consumed valuable IT time.

Sebastien Huet, chief technology officer at Remy Cointreau, said, We have many cloud apps from many different vendors and Centrify provides a portal through which users can get access to all those applications with a click or tap, from any device. Centrify ties all the apps together and gives them the feel of one large, unified solution. Centrify wasnt a financial decision; it was a strategic move based on the agility it would deliver the company.

Since implementing Centrify identity service (CIS), Remy has simplified the onboarding of new employees and driven increases in productivity. New employees are productive more quickly after joining the company, and existing employees are more efficient as well, added Huet.

Remy also benefits from Centrifys enterprise mobility management solution which is part of CIS. By consolidating identity management in one place, Remy can alleviate pressure on IT with one less product to manage, saving the company the cost of a separate security solution. Remy also plans to implement multi-factor authentication, thus further leveraging the power of CIS.

Centrifys unique approach to securing the rapidly shifting corporate perimeter has set us apart as a proven leader in the identity and access management sector. We are excited to help Remy Cointreau transition to the cloud while successfully navigating todays complex threat landscape, said Bill Mann, chief product officer at Centrify.
Turkeys higher education authority on Wednesday demanded all universities in the country suspend academic assignments abroad until further notice, Anadolu Agency reported.

In a notice sent to universities across Turkey, the Council of Higher Education (YOK) also demanded the recall of those academics already on assignment outside the country unless it is deemed absolutely necessary they continue their work.

YOK has also demanded an investigation into all academic and administrative staff linked to the Fetullah Gulen Terrorist Organization, the so-called parallel state. Results of these probes must be submitted by Aug. 5.

On Tuesday YOK had demanded the resignation of every university dean in the country in the wake of Fridays attempted coup, including 1,176 state and 401 private university deans.

The attempted coup has led to a wave of arrests and suspensions of military, judicial, police and civil service members.

Turkey's government has said the failed coup, which claimed the lives of at least 240 people, was staged by supporters of U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen, who is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state.
A senior official from the security services company Forcepoint has welcomed the appointment of Dan Tehan as the minister assisting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull for cyber security, but says that, given Tehan's numerous roles, the appointment of a "cyber ambassador" will be key to co-ordinating Australia's efforts in this direction.

Guy Eilon, senior director and general manager ANZ, told iTWire that Tehan's appointment was a sign the government was taking cybercrime seriously and "an important step in fulfilling the long-awaited national cyber security strategy".

But, at the same time, he added, that given Tehan was appointed to fulfil cyber strategy it raised questions of whether he would be able to critically evaluate and amend the programme with growing cyber security threats.

Tehan wears a number of hats in Turnbull's ministry: he is minister for defence personnel, minister assisting the prime minister for the centenary of ANZAC, minister for veteran's affairs and minister assisting the prime minister for cyber security.

"For example an important consideration not addressed in the cyber security strategy is the upcoming skills shortage which will leave businesses unable to adequately protect their data," Eilon said.

He said another area of consideration was the lack of a proper data breach notification scheme in the country.

"If companies are under no obligation to disclose breaches they're unlikely to be held accountable for their actions. In turn, this has a negative flow-on effect, with cyber criminals themselves being less likely to be brought to justice without public scrutiny encouraging businesses to adequately protect their personal information."

Eilon said the updating of data breach notification laws should be a priority as it would benefit both consumers and businesses; data protection reform would help companies to regain consumers' trust and in turn promote use of their (the business) services.

"As Australian companies aren't under obligation to disclose data breaches they can under-estimate the impact such leaks have on operations and take on more risk than they would otherwise," he said.

"Organisations that aren't required to disclose data breaches often don't have an established data breach plan to limit the effect of cyber-attacks. They may also not have the relevant people, process and technology in place to deal with recovery."

Eilon said this showed the reluctance of the C-Suite (top executives in a corporation) to acknowledge the true cost of cyber breaches, despite evidence to the contrary.

"Australia can learn from our European counterparts who by 2018 will put a much stricter focus on data protection," he said. "Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) European companies are required to notify supervisory authorities in the case of a data breach within 72 hours."

The updating of these laws was a national priority, according to Eilon.

He added that while government bodies were taking steps to address information security concerns, more emphasis was needed on data protection. "Today, information needs to take a 360 degree approach that incorporates people, processes, and technology across the organisation, rather than relying on the reactive defending of data."



Eilon said right now, Australian government agencies were operating with small budgets and could be hesitant to take steps needed to protect citizens, networks and sensitive data. "However, given the cost of fraud and cyber-attacks will reach $70 billion by 2020, as forecast by the Australian Computer Society, security across government should be more of a focus."

Forcepoint was formed in January this year by the amalgamation of three companies: Websense, Raytheon Cyber Products and Stonesoft.
Freshly ASX listed Sprit Telecom has issued a market update  and it's up, up and away for this niche, ultra-fast Internet access and telephony services, telecommunications carriage service provider.

Spirit Telecomsoperates in a niche, supplying fibre-based broadband services to multi-dwelling user locations including residential, business, student accommodation, community housing and business parks.

It provides ultra-fast internet at individual connection speeds up to 200/200Mbps and unlimited data to high-rise and apartment buildings. Sure, speed costs but the prices for symmetric bandwidth range from 25/25 at $67 per month to 200/200 at $169 per month.

It also delivers business Fibre Optic data and voice solutions to businesses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide CBD and surrounding areas offering unmetered bandwidth up to 1 Gbps.

There is a small catch  a building must sign up and be provisioned to the basement. At launch, it was supplying 38 buildings in or around central Melbourne. It has announced over 50 additional buildings since then  a 25% growth in the first half of 2016. It has 200 buildings (online or in the provisioning process) not including any for which it resells NBN.

Spirit says that its UFi may increase the value of the building citing similar increases in the US after Google introduced Gigabit fibre to dwellings.

Some of the recent buildings in the provisioning process include Vogue (500 apartments), Maxx Apartments (130) and Yarras Edge Towers 2 & 3 (280). The latter expands existing Spirit-serviced Yarras Edge Towers 1 & 4, delivered last year.

Spirit has gone one further by launching 400/400Mbps into Freshwater Place, one of Melbournes premier residential apartment buildings. Aside from making it the fastest residential Internet building in Australia, Spirit continues to demonstrate its market leading deployment, creating the fastest residential deployment of symmetrical superfast Internet to date.

Spirits commercial customer growth has included the rollout of the Marriner Group, including Melbournes Princess, Comedy and Forum Theatres; hoteliers Punt Hill in Brisbane and Melbourne and the awesome student accommodation group Iglu, in Sydney and Melbourne.

It has upgraded its points of presence. It will expand its network to NextDC in Brisbane and is in the process of upgrading Melbourne (NextDC) and Sydney (Equinix), to accommodate the increase in demand and maintain current network performance.

Finally, it's looking for suitable acquisitions to complement its directions.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is seeking industry submissions to a consultation paper on proposed changes to the regulatory framework governing NBN Cos Special Access Undertaking.

The Special Access Undertaking (SAU) governs the prices and other terms under which NBN Co supplies wholesale services over the National Broadband Network to retailers.

In May NBN Co lodged a proposal to the ACCC to incorporate fibre-to-the-node (FttN), fibre-to-the-basement (FttB) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) technologies into the special undertaking.

The proposal also includes changes to reporting by NBN Co.

The company wants to expand the service description to reflect the additional technologies, add new clauses to address specific matters relating to FttN and FttB services during the NBN rollout. It also wants to change the nature and extent of commitments to report rollout progress information, now proposing to publish rollout progress only in its yearly construction plan rather than in quarterly updates which are currently published and released publicly.

Changes to the SAU are necessary due to the NBNs multi-mix technology (MTM) network plan.

NBN Cos current SAU, which it proposes to vary, was accepted by the ACCC in December 2013, and is in place until June 2040.

In the consultation paper released on Wednesday, the ACCC says it is especially interested in receiving feedback on industrys experience in accessing and re-supplying NBN services to date.

ACCC commissioner Roger Featherston said: changes to the Special Access Undertaking are needed to accommodate services under the multi-technology NBN model.

We want to be sure the commitments in the undertaking continue to promote competition in NBN markets and remain in the long-term interests of consumers.

The ACCC is required, under the criteria set out in the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, to decide whether to accept or reject the variation to the Special Access Undertaking.

And the ACCC says stakeholder feedback to the consultation paper will be important when considering whether the proposed variations to the undertaking meet the legislative requirements.

The closing date for submissions is 26 August and the ACCC has said it will give its final decision on the NBN Cos proposals later this year.

The ACCC consultation paper, NBN Co's proposed variation to its Special Access Undertaking, and related documentation are available on the ACCC website.
Google's intelligent cloud developer tools are expanding with the launch of a new Cloud Natural Language API on Wednesday. The service is aimed at helping developers create applications that understand human language.

It's an important move for Google, as public cloud providers are racing to host new applications built with intelligent capabilities. Natural language processing allows developers to build apps that can tackle the challenging task of understanding how humans communicate, and it is key for things like building intelligent assistants and chat bots.

This API can provide a bunch of information about a block of text back to an application, including the overall sentiment of a passage and an analysis of the structure of a sentence. The system can also identify entities mentioned, including people, organizations, locations, events, and products.

The API is based on the same research that Google used to create Parsey McParseface, an open source parser for English text that the company released earlier this year.

The natural language API entered public beta alongside Google's already-announced Speech API, which lets applications take in recorded voice clips and get text back. By connecting the two APIs, it's possible for developers to build an app that can listen to a user's voice and then understand what that person is saying.

By launching these two services in beta, Google continues its competition against the likes of Microsoft, Amazon, and IBM, which are also launching intelligent capabilities in their public cloud platforms.

On top of all that, Google also launched one of its cloud platform regions in Oregon, a significant expansion of the company's public cloud capabilities. At first, customers will be able to use the company's Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and Container Engine services, with more capabilities coming later.

Users in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles will see a 30 to 80 percent reduction in latency when using applications hosted in the US-West1 region compared to those hosted at Google's US-Central region in Iowa, the company said.

It's all part of Google's continuing push to increase its relevance in the rough-and-tumble public cloud market, where it faces fierce competition.
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Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

By Orkhan Guluzade  Trend:

A meeting of Turkeys Security Council has kicked off under the chairmanship of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, TRT Haber news channel reported July 20.

Situation in Turkey after the attempted military coup will be discussed at the meeting.

Then, a Cabinet of Ministers meeting will be held, which is expected to make important decisions on identifying and fighting rebels.

The meeting participants will also discuss reinstating the death penalty in the country.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country.

Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them.

However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed.

More than 200 people have been killed as a result of the coup attempt.

---

Follow the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

Trend:

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet in Russia in early August, TASS reported July 20.

The presidents agreed that the meeting will take place in the Russian Federation in early August, but the city and the exact date are being specified," Russian presidents spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

President Putin had a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart July 17.

The conversation was initiated by the Russian side.

While commenting on the coup attempt in Turkey, President Putin stressed Russias fundamental position on the inadmissibility of the anti-constitutional actions and violence in the country and expressed his condolences over the casualties.

In his turn, President Erdogan told his Russian counterpart that all measures will be taken to ensure security of Russian tourists in the Turkish resorts.
Nation of Islam follower selected to fill St. Pete Council vacancy By a 4-3 margin, the St. Petersburg City Council voted to fill a vacant council seat with the appointment of Brother John Muhammad, a member of the Nation of Islam which is headed by Louis Farrakhan. Prior to the deliberations, council members received calls and emails from the Jewish community...

Community Hanukkah party planned A communitywide Hanukkah celebration is planned for Sunday, Dec. 18, featuring a concert by Noah Aronson, a musician, recording artist, composer and self-described intentional mover. The Jewish Federation of Floridas Gulf Coast is hosting the party at the 600-seat Pinellas Park Performing Arts Center, 4951 78th Ave N, Pinellas Park,...

Israeli military officers to give Tampa briefing A change in the U.S.-Israel military relationship that took place last year and has brought Israeli military brass to Tampa is reaping benefits for Israelis defense, an official in Israels Embassy to the U.S. says. The change, which took effect on Sept. 1, 2021, was for Israels military to be...

Jewish Federation of Floridas Gulf Coast statement The Jewish Federation of Floridas Gulf Coast (Federation) and its Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) does not endorse candidates but does speak out on issues of concern for our community. We believe people of all faiths and no faiths should be treated with dignity and respect. We believe we have...
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Turkey on Wednesday cancelled the pension benefits of Fetullah Gulen, the U.S.-based head of the group accused of plotting last weeks attempted coup, the Social Security Institution said, Anadolu Agency reported.

Gulen, 75, has lived in Pennsylvania since 1999 and is said to be the head of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization behind Fridays attempt to overthrow the government.

As a former preacher who worked for the state-run Religious Affairs Directorate between 1965 and 1981, he was previously entitled to pension payments and other benefits.

An official with the Social Security Institution, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media, told Anadolu Agency that his rights had been annulled and that the pension rights of others involved in the coup plot would also be abolished.

The failed putsch resulted in the deaths of at least 240 people.

Gulen has been accused of running a long-standing campaign to overthrow the Turkish government through supporters within state institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
Baku, Azerbaijan, July 20

Trend:

The aide-de-camp of Turkeys former President Abdullah Gul, Brigadier Ismail Guneser was arrested over the military coup attempt in the country, the Haber7 TV channel reported July 20.

Guneser was the Bolu 2nd Ranger Brigade Commander.

He is accused of breaking the constitution and being a member of a terrorist organization.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country.

Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them.

However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed.

More than 200 people have been killed as a result of the coup attempt.
An official at Turkey's prime ministry was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly leaking government information to the FETO terrorist organization, Anadolu Agency reported.

Akif Mustafa Kocyigit is suspected of having links to Friday's deadly coup attempt, sources from the prime ministry said on condition of anonymity.

Kocyigit had reportedly been demoted to a lower status at the prime ministry because he was a suspected member of FETO, headed by the U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen.

The Turkish government said the Gulenist Terror Organization or Parallel State Structure (FETO/PDY) is behind the failed coup, which aimed to overthrow country's democratically elected government.

So far, 257 people have been suspended from their duties at the prime ministry for alleged links to FETO.
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A meeting of Turkeys National Security Council has wrapped up.

The meeting lasted for four hours and 40 minutes, said a source close to the presidency, on condition of anonymity, Anadolu Agency reported July 20.

Following the meeting, the Council of Ministers is expected to gather.

Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said July 19 "an important decision" will be announced after the meetings.

On July 15 evening, Turkish authorities said a military coup attempt took place in the country.

Meanwhile, a group of servicemen announced about transition of power to them.

However, the rebelling servicemen started to surrender July 16 and Turkish authorities said the coup attempt failed.

More than 200 people have been killed as a result of the coup attempt.
John Bass, the US ambassador to Turkey, said Wednesday the case of Fetullah Gulen, the expatriate cleric accused of being behind last weeks failed coup, would be a very high priority for Washington, Anadolu reported.

It will depend on the scope and quality of evidence that is provided and how compelling that is. But I can assure you that we are committed to reviewing quickly as soon as we receive materials. It will be a very high priority for the US Department of Justice, Bass told a group of reporters before a July 4th reception US consulate general in Istanbul, commenting on how long it might take US officials to review the documents.

Turkey accuses U.S-based Gulen of being behind the coup attempt and has demanded that he be extradited to face trial.

Materials related to the extradition of the cleric, who lives in self-imposed exile in the US state of Pennsylvania, have been submitted to US authorities.

Last Fridays attempted coup by rogue elements of the military resulted in the martyring of at least 240 people and the injuring of nearly 1,500 others.

Bass declined to comment on the future of Turco-American relations if Washington does not hand Gulen back to Ankara.

The United States government is focused on what we can do together between two countries to help Turkey pursue this investigation, he stressed.

Bass also raised concerns about Ankaras steps to dismiss tens of thousands of public employees in the military, police, education sector, and civil service.

We see mass arrest or detentions and mass firings of people from positions of employment in a very rapid period [of] time without a lot of evidence having been presented for those actions, that creates concerns, he said.

On how the thwarted coup affected operations against Daesh from Incirlik Air Base in Adana, southern Turkey, Bass said that there is still no electricity at the base.

He said the Turkish government cut electricity at all air bases in response to the coup attempt.

The longer it continues, the more impact it will have on operations, which is not to benefit either Turkey or the United States or the other countries that are threatened by Daesh terrorism, he said.

The defense ministers of Turkey and the United States also discussed over the telephone the situation at Incirlik Air Base on Tuesday.

Turkish authorities have said coup plotters used the air base as main station for the takeover attempt. Air refueling tankers used in the coup were launched from the base, where 3,000 US troops and US aircraft are stationed in anti-Daesh operations.
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The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to decide whether a fired Walgreens worker is entitled to unemployment compensation.

A ruling could help define the limits of when "substantial fault" by a worker bars them from the payments under a law passed in 2013 meant to save money for companies that felt too many fired workers were collecting unemployment.

The state's Labor and Industry Review Commission had decided Lela Operton could not collect the compensation, but in a sharply-worded April decision, the Court of Appeals in Aprial rebuked the LIRC's expansive reading of the new standard.

Operton was a full-time clerk for Walgreens in Madison for more than two years. Over a 20 month period, she made eight "cash handling errors," six involving Women, Infant and Children's checks, and two for failing to check a customer's ID before accepting a credit card as payment.

Operton blamed her errors on her family situation, that left her homeless during the time. The Department of Workforce Development denied Operton's claim for unemployment compensation on the grounds of "misconduct." An administrative law judge found the errors "substantial fault," not misconduct, but agreed Operton was ineligible for payments.

The LIRC and then a circuit court judge also affirmed that under the Legislature's updated definition, Operton's errors amounted to "substantial fault" that prevented collection of benefits. The LIRC found Operton's failure to check ID for a credit card was "a major infraction," a conclusion not reached by the administrative law judge.

The commission argues that its decision deserves "great weight deference" from the Court of Appeals.

The court said because the question of what amounts to substantial fault is new, it could decide without any deference to prior administrative findings.

Wisconsin law clearly states the kind of job misconduct that bars a fired worker from compensation, things such as theft, drug use, excessive absenteeism or tardiness, or harassment.

The new law added "substantial fault" as a reason to deny compensation, only identified behavior that would not meet the standard: One or more inadvertent errors; one or more minor rules infractions, unless the infraction is repeated after a warning; and a failure to perform because of insufficient ability or equipment.

Operton has since moved to Chicago and works at Walmart, her attorney said in April.
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Cleveland  GOP Cong. Jim Sensenbrenner warned Republican delegates from Wisconsin Wednesday that lingering divisions from the nominating fight could depress turnout and threaten Sen. Ron Johnsons re-election.

I read polls a lot  I do a lot of retail politics, said Sensenbrenner, who represents Wisconsin's Fifth Congressional District. We Republicans have a turnout problem this year.

Sensenbrenners southeast Wisconsin district contains many of the highest-turnout Republican communities in the state, but its also where GOP nominee Donald Trump did his worst in the states April 5 presidential primary. In a statewide poll released this month by the Marquette Law School, Trump was getting less support from GOP voters in Wisconsin (80%) than Hillary Clinton was getting from Democratic voters (93%).

Sensenbrenner told delegates that coattails can work up as well as down, suggesting that if GOP voters turn out in large numbers for Johnson that can help Trump at the top of the ticket.

But referring to GOP voters who havent gotten behind Trump, he said, an angry Republican who stays home is casting a vote for Russ Feingold, Johnsons Democratic opponent.

Johnson also spoke to Wisconsin delegates Wednesday morning and touched on the same concern.

We have to save the Senate seat  we cannot let Russ Feingold take a fourth term, said Johnson. We have not been a unified party. We must unify.
The site of the Radisson Hotel Milwaukee North Shore was the first of nine tax financing districts Richard Maslowski helped create. Credit: Tom Daykin

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Retiring Glendale City Administrator Richard Maslowski oversaw the creation of Glendale's first tax incremental financing district in 1981.

It was used to help redevelop the site of a former elementary school into the Manchester East Hotel & Suites, now the Radisson Hotel Milwaukee North Shore, 7065 N. Port Washington Road. It was the first of nine such tax financing districts Maslowski helped create during his 36 years on the job.

Additional tax districts were developed during the early and mid-'80s near the hotel site: one to replace a former city public works facility with Northeast Corporate Centre, a small office park at 7020-7080 N. Port Washington Road, and another to build Coventry Apartments, 255 W. Coventry Court, and the neighboring four-story office building that now houses BVK advertising agency, as well as North Shore Library.

In 1992, Glendale used a tax financing district for environmental cleanup costs  a then-unusual tactic that is now common. That was needed to help convert a closed Holiday Inn, built on the site of a former dump, into what is now a La Quinta Inn & Suites, 5423 N. Port Washington Road.

Maslowski said that district also became perhaps the first in Wisconsin where the developer, Marcus Corp., instead of the city, paid the costs upfront. Marcus then received property tax rebates to compensate the company for the environmental cleanup costs.

Known as developer-financed districts, those also are now common.

Maslowski said the developer-financed district was used in Glendale because city officials were concerned about spending too much money upfront on other tax financing districts, including one for Estabrook Corporate Park.

That business park, located east of N. Port Washington Road, about one-half mile south of W. Hampton Ave., in the early 1990s replaced a former Schlitz Brewing power plant and other industrial buildings. Its anchors today include Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Inc.'s corporate offices.

Another business park, Glendale Technology Center, was developed starting in 1996 just south of Estabrook Corporate Park. It replaced a former beer can factory, and the former Schlitz Brewing grain elevator.

As with Estabrook, the city used a tax financing district to buy and demolish vacant buildings, do environmental cleanups and construct new streets.

Glendale Technology Center's largest user is shoe manufacturer Weyco Group Inc. That business park's TIF district was used to help finance other nearby projects, most notably the conversion of the former Scott Paper Co. factory into Eastlake Towers Corporate Center, a large office building at 4425 N. Port Washington Road.

Other districts include one on W. Silver Spring Drive, from just east of N. Green Bay Ave. to N. 27th St. It helped replace used car lots and other blighted properties with new developments, such as Silver Creek Village senior apartments, built in 1999 at 2455 W. Silver Spring Drive.

The city's newest TIF district helped finance Glendale Market, a shopping center anchored by Pick 'n Save, 6969 N. Port Washington Road. It replaced a closed nursing home and three small shops in 2004.

Glendale's largest tax district helped finance the transformation of Bayshore Mall into Bayshore Town Center, north of W. Silver Spring Drive and east of N. Port Washington Road. The project was years in the making, and resulted in Bayshore Town Center's 2006 opening.

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Richard Maslowski, retiring Glendale city administrator, stands at the Bayshore Town Center. Maslowski oversaw creation of nine tax incremental financing districts. The projects include hotels, business parks, apartments and Bayshore Town Center. Credit: Sable Martin

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Glendale  When Richard Maslowski started working as Glendale's city administrator in 1980, the community's most visible properties included Bayshore Mall and Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co.'s massive grain elevator.

More than three decades later, the mall has been redeveloped as the mixed-use Bayshore Town Center, while a business park has replaced the grain elevator. They're among the many commercial developments Maslowski helped create through the city's use of tax incremental financing districts.

Without Maslowski, much of that construction might not have happened, said Jay Hintze, who served as mayor of Glendale from 2000 to 2005.

"He has the ability to look at a project and formulate a path" for development to occur, Hintze said.

Also, Maslowski's ability to help guide complicated projects and his reputation for treating developers with fairness and respect helped attract investment to Glendale, Hintze said.

"He has expertise, and people knew he could get things done," said Hintze, managing director at Sperry Van Ness/The Hintze Group, which provides commercial real estate brokerage and development services.

Maslowski, 66, recently announced his retirement, effective Aug. 31, after 36 years in the Glendale job. He may be the longest-serving city administrator in Wisconsin, giving Maslowski an unusually broad influence on the city, which has only around 13,000 residents.

"I don't know that you can look at any other city administrator who's completed as many projects and re-created a city," said Bruce Westling, a Glendale Community Development Authority board member and a commercial real estate broker at MLG Commercial.

The state law that allows Wisconsin communities to create tax incremental financing districts was just 5 years old when Glendale hired Maslowski, who previously held similar jobs in West Bend and Butler.

A community typically creates a TIF district to pay for new roads and other public improvements connected to a commercial development, as well as private expenses such as demolishing obsolete buildings.

The new property taxes generated by the development pay back those city funds over time. Once that debt is repaid, those property taxes then go to the city's general fund, its school district and other local governments.

Under Maslowski, Glendale created its first such district in 1981, for a hotel project. Eight more districts followed during Maslowski's tenure, with the largest used to help convert Bayshore Mall into Bayshore Town Center.

Bayshore's redevelopment was several years in the making. Those efforts included persuading Bayshore's owner, then Corrigan Properties Inc. of Dallas, that big changes were needed for the aging mall to compete with newer retail projects, Maslowski said.

"He recognized that the center needed to be rebuilt," Westling said.

The alarm sounded when Alabama-based Bayer Properties Inc. disclosed plans in 2001 to create a high-end retail center in Grafton, Maslowski said.

Bayer eventually dropped those plans. Other developers instead created Grafton Commons shopping center, which features Costco, Dick's Sporting Goods and other big box stores.

But Bayer's proposal created urgency for Bayshore's owners, especially when the Boston Store chain said it would relocate its department store from Glendale to Grafton if the new shopping center was built, Maslowski said.

By the end of 2001, Corrigan unveiled a proposal to expand Bayshore. Those plans were refined in 2003, when Columbus, Ohio-based Steiner & Associates joined the project.

Steiner had done similar developments in the Cincinnati area, Kansas City and Columbus, Ohio, that mixed restaurants, stores, offices and apartments in a format that used a traditional street grid. The design, including a public square, was a turn away from the traditional enclosed malls of the 1960s and '70s.

"It was like a revelation," Maslowski said.

Bayshore Town Center opened in 2006. The project included the Glendale Community Development Authority buying and demolishing properties next to the mall to accommodate its expansion, while also financing new parking structures and other improvements.

Some of those acquisitions involved eminent domain, a controversial tactic cities sometimes use to force the sale of blighted properties for development projects. There also were criticisms of Bayshore's design and complaints from neighboring residents in Whitefish Bay about the expansion creating more traffic and noise.

Maslowski was skilled at resolving disputes, while also taking "aggressive steps" to move the project forward, Westling said.

That included working with U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) to obtain a federal grant to help finance an off-ramp from I-43 to Bayshore's main parking structure on N. Port Washington Road.

Maslowski said city officials turned to Moore, who had previously represented Glendale in the state Senate, after Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner, whose congressional district then included Glendale, declined to lobby for the grant because he believed it amounted to pork barrel spending.

Maslowski was skilled and professional in his negotiations with Steiner & Associates over the city financing, said owner Yaromir Steiner.

"There was no game-playing, no politics, no complications," Steiner said. "But, at the same time, if he said 'no,' it was 'no.'"

Bayshore Town Center is today valued at $325 million, compared with $74 million for Bayshore Mall, Maslowski said. The Bayshore tax financing district's debt, which once totaled $62 million, will be paid off in 2024, he said.

And, after a long wait, Bayshore Town Center is moving to its final development phase: demolishing the long-vacant Sears store and replacing it with buildings that have retail space on the street level and upper-level apartments, while also building townhouse-style apartments along N. Lydell Ave.

Maslowski acknowledges a twinge of regret that he won't be presiding over those projects. Bayshore's owner, New York-based Olshan Properties, is expected to present detailed plans to city officials by September.

"I did think of that," Maslowski said. "But the truth of it is, life is short."

Maslowski had a health scare in April, spending time in the hospital. He suffers from a chronic lung disease, which also affects his heart. Maslowski will be moving to the Chicago area, where the South Milwaukee native can be closer to one of his adult children and some of his grandchildren.

Maslowski never planned to stay more than three decades in Glendale. He figured after about five to eight years he would move on to a bigger city, the typical career path for municipal administrators.

But his family stayed put, in part because of the good schools, he said.

Maslowski now leaves behind a city that has undergone major changes  influenced to a great degree by his leadership.

"I've been fortunate," he said.

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SHARE Timothy G. Schaefer, Northwestern Mutuals executive vice president for client and digital experience.

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In early 2015, when nearly 160-year-old Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co. announced it was acquiring 6-year-old online financial planning firm LearnVest Inc., it wasn't clear to observers how the old and new would mesh.

Would LearnVest and its employees be completely absorbed into the much bigger parent company?

Would Northwestern Mutual let LearnVest and its technology team operate entirely as a separate company, without efforts to integrate its expertise into the insurance side of the business?

Would LearnVest just become a product that agents could offer to their clients?

It turns out that none of the above scenarios has occurred.

Instead, Northwestern Mutual has used the technology and employee know-how of LearnVest to create a new online platform that helps policy owners craft and monitor  with advice from their financial rep  a personal comprehensive financial plan.

The new client website, which can include up-to-date data on personal financial accounts, insurance coverage and other information, acts as sort of a financial GPS  global positioning system  to help keep a financial plan on course, said Timothy G. Schaefer, Northwestern Mutual's executive vice president for client and digital experience.

"It allows the adviser to really spend time thinking about the right paths and strategy for the client," Schaefer said. "It allows the client to really engage in conversations about what it is they're trying to achieve."

As Northwestern Mutual financial representatives come to Milwaukee this weekend for their 136th Annual Meeting of the Association of Network Representatives, the complementary relationship of people plus technology in the insurance business is likely to be a topic often discussed.

Northwestern Mutual recently published results of a survey that asked consumers how they would prefer to receive financial advice. The majority  54%  said the ideal solution combines a human relationship with technology.

That's what Northwestern Mutual now is offering and working to enhance.

While so-called robo-advisers  inexpensive online financial planning tools that invest and rebalance in line with a customer's risk tolerance and growth targets  are expected to increase greatly over time, both Northwestern Mutual and LearnVest value human interaction as well as financial technology.

LearnVest, which still offers its financial planning software to consumers for a $299 setup fee and then $19 a month for ongoing support, starts out with a consultation with a human financial adviser.

In seeking collaboration and integration after the merger, Northwestern Mutual and LearnVest teams launched two efforts designed to help them make sure they're giving financial reps and clients what they need and want from the company's online financial planning platform.

The Digital Experience Lab includes 700 advisers and staff who give the company feedback on the platform, while the Client Insight Community generates feedback from policy owners.

Schaefer said the ability of Northwestern Mutual policy owners to log in to the company's personal finance website can help "make it relevant to them every day and get them connected with their money" on a daily basis.

"It allows them to both understand when they're making great choices and building the right financial habits, but also help guide them back to the right path that they've planned out on those occasions where people make a decision to be impulsive and spend some money on something that they haven't planned," he said.

Among benefits of Northwestern Mutual's human-plus-technology offering is that it's available for people at all ends of the income spectrum, Schaefer said.

Many financial advisory firms only want clients who already have accumulated substantial assets, he said.

"We really focus on meeting people early in life and helping them realize their potential by better financial habits, better financial planning  so we really see an opportunity," Schaefer said.

The annual meeting of financial representatives starts Saturday in Milwaukee and continues into Wednesday.

The event is expected to draw 10,000 people  reps, family and staff  from across the U.S. and have an estimated economic impact of $12.9 million locally, according to Visit Milwaukee.

"We are thrilled to welcome Northwestern Mutual back to Milwaukee once again," Paul Upchurch, president and chief executive of Visit Milwaukee, said in a statement.

"Northwestern Mutual represents the largest convention of our year and has a tremendous impact on our area's economy."

Northwestern Mutual will be conducting events and seminars at the Wisconsin Center, BMO Harris Bradley Center and metro hotels such as the Hilton Milwaukee City Center, Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel and Pfister. Gatherings and events also are planned at Discovery World and the Milwaukee County Zoo.
Paid family leave was a godsend to Chuck and Liz ONeill, shown with their son Mason. Credit: TNS

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Pittsburgh  When the Pittsburgh Paid Family Leave of Absence law passed in spring 2015, Chuck O'Neill assumed the rule granting six weeks of paid leave for public-sector employees applied only to mothers.

A few weeks later, he read an article about the policy and realized it included fathers as well.

"Holy heck, this is amazing," he thought, realizing that he would be able to spend six weeks at home with his son Mason, who was then a few months old.

The rule for Pittsburgh's public workers, however, turns out to be an exception: Only about 12% of private-sector workers in the U.S. have access to paid family leave through their employers, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The 2014 National Study of Employers, a private study of large employers, found 58% reported providing some pay during maternity leave, but only 14% reported providing some paid paternity leave. A Department of Labor survey shows nine in 10 fathers take some time off work for their newborn, but 70% take 10 days or fewer.

For many Americans, the costs associated with taking time off work mean that paid leave  a rarity  is the only way they would be able to afford it.

"Having a baby is one of the most financially significant times of your life and can result in serious financial hardship," said Ashleigh Deemer, chief of staff for Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak. Rudiak introduced the legislation giving city employees six weeks of fully paid leave. "For a lot of people, unpaid leave may not be an option."

A growing number of corporations  many of them large  have implemented paid leave policies in the past year. Facebook has extended its leave program from four weeks to four months. Amazon is up to six weeks from zero. Twitter has doubled its leave time from 10 weeks to 20.

Yet while the concept of a more balanced work-family life is gaining recognition, the U.S. remains the only developed nation without a federal parental leave policy.

"We're very, very behind the eight-ball in terms of supporting both parents for paid leave nationally," said Beth Brascugli De Lima, CEO of HRM Consulting, a San Francisco human resources consulting firm.

Had the Pittsburgh policy not been passed, O'Neill, 36, said he wouldn't have gotten the six weeks with his son that, as he said, changed his life. During their time together, he took Mason, now 20 months old, to the park. They swam in the family pool in the backyard. Instead of waking up at 5:45 a.m. to spend nine hours a day at day care, Mason could sleep in, hang out in his pajamas and play with his dad.

The leave capped an emotional year and a half for O'Neill and his wife, Liz.

When Liz O'Neill was 24 weeks pregnant, doctors said Mason was at risk of being born early. She visited the doctor three days a week. Her stress levels rose to the point where her blood pressure was 170 over 110.

Cramps when she was six months pregnant began to hamper her ability to stand or walk. So she went on bed rest, only to find out later that those cramps were contractions. For the month leading up to Mason's birth, she was in the hospital.

Mason was born Oct. 10, 2014, six weeks premature. After a month in the hospital, Liz O'Neill had only two weeks of paid leave left. Mason had to go to day care at 8 weeks old, weighing just 41/2 pounds. He had a rare condition in which the neck muscles contract, causing the head to twist to one side.

"Every day I struggled with, 'Why am I working?'" Liz O'Neill said. "I wanted to stay at home, but I couldn't. So for Chuck to be able to do that was just awesome. Mason deserved that."

"I thought about what it would have been like if I hadn't had (the time off)," Chuck O'Neill said. "I can't answer that; I don't know. He and I know each other a lot better, exponentially more than we would have if I hadn't had those six weeks.

"It made me realize just how important it is to be there for him on a day-to-day basis. It made me realize he's the No. 1 priority in my life. If something seems like it's not going well at work, or my team didn't win a game, it makes all that seem much more meaningless."

As for Mason  a year removed from a time when he was on neither the height nor weight percentile chart  he's caught up physically with the rest of kids his age. At 20 months old, he's right where he should be.
Details about Friday's failed coup have come to light through documents found on the person on one of the accused plotters, former Aegean Army Command Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Memduh Hakbilen, Anadolu reported.

A 27-page document entitled Special for Service was found on Hakbilen, who tried to carry out the coup in Izmir and was detained after the coup attempt, security sources said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The document shows that the coup plotters were planning to seize power on Saturday, July 16, at 3.00 a.m. (0000GMT), to take control of all airports, ports, and customs gates at 03.00, and to impose a curfew across the country as of 06.00.

If the coup had succeeded, the document would be sent from the General Staff to the Turkish Land Forces Command, Air Forces Command, Naval Force, Gendarmerie General Command, and Coast Guard Command.

The document also called on military personnel that were on leave to return to their units.

It also says that headquarter managers were assigned to all service commands and that the 1st Gendarmerie Commando Brigade Command in the southeastern province of Sirnak's Cakirsogut region and suitable troops of the Special Forces Command would go to Ankara without delay as part of rapid developments across the country.

Martial law

If the coup attempt had succeeded, a document called Martial Law would have been sent to all ministries.

The document included the coup plotters' plan to seize power and proclaim martial law on July 16 at 3.00 a.m. while taking control of all airports, ports, and customs gates, and impose a curfew at 6.00.

The documents say that a ban on leaving the country would be imposed, all governors would be discharged, and that the offices of the governors and mayors for Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and Kayseri would be quickly filled by The Committee of Peace at Home.

On Friday night, a news anchor of the state broadcaster TRT was forced to read a declaration live from coup leaders claiming to have taken control of the nation as the Committee of Peace at Home.

Among the martial law restrictions would be halting the activities of all political parties and prohibiting any activities which would disturb the public order such as meetings, demonstrations, and marches.

Commanders list

The documents also include martial law commanderships lists and the roster of military commissions.

Under the document, the Istanbul martial commander would be Lt. Gen. Erdal Ozturk, Ankaras martial commander would be Maj. Gen. Osman Unlu, and Maj. Gen. Memduh Hakbilen would be Izmir and Manisas martial commander.

The names of 413 military personnel are on the assignment list for military commissions.

In addition, according to the documents, if the coup succeeded, 450 military personnel on the list would be assigned to the Prime Ministry Undersecretariat, several ministries, and general directorates of state institutions and organizations.

At least 240 people were killed and around 1,500 injured in the attempted coup, which has led to a crackdown on potential supporters of Fetullah Gulen believed to be behind the takeover bid.

A wave of arrests and suspensions has hit the military, judiciary, police, civil service, and schools. The government has said the plot was organized by the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, which is accused of a long-running campaign to overthrow the state.
The Sandia Peak Inn in Albuquerque, N.M., is one of many motels along the historic Route 66 installing charging stations for electric cars. Route 66 was famous for attracting gas-guzzling Chevrolet Bel Airs and Cadillacs traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles. Credit: Associated Press

SHARE Bella Roma Bed & Breakfast innkeeper Laura Ferrary stands next to a Tesla charging station outside her Albuquerque business near Route 66. More stations are popping up along the 2,500-mile path. Associated Press

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Albuquerque, N.M.  Route 66, the historic U.S. highway made famous for attracting gas-guzzling Chevrolet Bel Airs and 1957 Cadillacs traveling from Chicago to Los Angeles, is turning green.

The Mother Road has seen in recent months a growing number of electric car charging stations along the 2,500-mile path, and some states even are pushing for solar panels and electric buses.

In Illinois, where Route 66 begins, the state has installed a network of electric vehicle charging stations from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River. BMW, Mitsubishi and Nissan are supporting the $1 million effort with technical help from the University of California at Davis. Officials say the project will cover eight cities, and each site will have at least one fast-charging station.

"This infrastructure has the clear potential to save drivers money while delivering environmental benefits to the state and the nation," Gustavo Collantes, with the UC Davis Policy Institute and lead of the Zero Emission MAP initiative, said at the time of the project's announcement.

Earlier this year, Missouri's highway department announced it was considering a project to cover a portion of its Route 66 with road-ready solar panels. Under the experiment, roadways would be embedded with solar panels to provide energy to nearby rest stops.

The electronics of the panels would be inside glass-covered, hexagonal sections weighing about 70 pounds each. Solar Roadways, an Idaho-based company developing solar panels, said the formulated tempered glass would support the weight of semi-trucks and has a traction surface like asphalt.

Solar Roadways also said this month it was in talks with a Ramada hotel in Kingman, Ariz., along Route 66 about placing solar panels in a parking lot.

The hotel isn't the only one trying to get in the action.

Bella Roma Bed & Breakfast innkeeper Laura Ferrary said she installed a Tesla supercharger at her Albuquerque spot after seeing an offer from Tesla seeking motel charging stations. She also anticipates more environmentally conscious travelers in the future.

"It's just something I thought would be perfect for us since we like to be eco-friendly and those who drive Tesla cars are high-end travelers," Ferrary said.

In the six months her upscale bed and breakfast has had the charger, it's been used only twice, she said. "But I bet that changes soon," she said.

This past week, the city of Albuquerque announced it would purchase a fleet of 60-foot articulated battery-electric transit buses for a planned rapid transit project along Albuquerque's Route 66 in the Nob Hill neighborhood. That project has drawn strong opposition from some business owners who feel it will disrupt the character of the area and the construction would hurt businesses.

However, Albuquerque Mayor Richard Berry said the city would be better off. "The selection of electric buses makes the (transit) project an even more sustainable project for Albuquerque's future," Berry said.
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Tenth and Blake Beer Co., the craft and import division of MillerCoors, says it has agreed to acquire a majority interest in Terrapin Beer Co., of Athens, Ga.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Tenth and Blake had previously purchased a minority interest in Terrapin in 2012.

Terrapin, which has an 84,000 square foot brewery and 100-barrel brew house, will operate as a business unit of Tenth and Blake. The transaction is expected to be finalized in August, according to Tenth and Blake, which operates a brewery in Milwaukee and Leinenkugel Brewing Co. in Chippewa Falls.
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An Indiana warehouse worker has been sentenced to a year in prison and ordered to pay $353,000 in restitution for stealing Harley-Davidson Inc. motorcycle parts and selling them on eBay.

Douglas Castle of Winchester, Ind., was convicted of theft of interstate shipments, according to the U.S. Department of Justice office of southern Indiana.

Castle stole and diverted shipments from his then-employer, a logistics and warehousing company in Greenwood, Ind., that handled Harley parts and accessories.

He started out small, pilfering Harley brand jewelry, clothing and other merchandise by concealing the items in baggy pants on his way out of the warehouse, according to the Justice Department that prosecuted the case.

Over time, his scheme grew in scope and sophistication. Eventually, he began diverting whole shipments of motorcycle parts that retailed for roughly $450 apiece.

Castle used his position at the warehouse to create fraudulent shipping labels and affix them to packages of motorcycle parts, which caused the shipping company to deliver the packages to Castle's home instead of Harley-Davidson dealerships, the department said.

Each package contained dozens of expensive parts. Then, pretending to be an official online retailer of Harley products, Castle sold the stolen items to unwitting buyers on eBay, according to the Justice Department.

Castle perpetuated the scheme for more than 18 months until he was caught and fired by the warehouse company. Once caught, he cooperated with the government's investigation, which was led by the FBI.

In total, Castle diverted, stole and sold approximately $353,000 worth of Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts and apparel, the Justice Department said.

In addition to his prison sentence and restitution, Castle was ordered to serve one year of supervised release following his incarceration.
'This is the right time to exhale': David Stearns ends seven-year run

The 37-year-old cited a desire to spend more time with family in stepping back to an advisory role, but the New York Mets are sure to be interested.
Gloria Speed, aunt of Jay Anderson, who was shot and killed in Wauwatosa early morning hours of June 23, took part in a Coalition for Justice rally at Red Arrow Park last week. Credit: Calvin Mattheis

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About 30 community activists crowded into Milwaukee District Attorney John Chisholm's office Tuesday to press for the disclosure of information on the killing of Jay Anderson by a Wauwatosa police officer.

The officer, whose name has not been made public, shot Anderson on June 23. Anderson had been sleeping in his car in Madison Park. The Wauwatosa police department said the officer feared for his safety when he saw that Anderson had a gun.

The group of activists, which included representatives from various community organizations and Sen. Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee), presented a letter to Chisholm demanding that he release the dashboard video of the shooting and other info.

"They had no right to do that to [Anderson]," activist Rodney Robbins said.

Chisholm told the group that he has not yet received all findings from Milwaukee police, who are investigating the shooting to comply with a state law requiring that outside agencies investigate police-related deaths.

"Everyone wants to get all the information to us as quickly as possible," Chisholm said. "They do and I do, too."

Chisholm is meeting with the lawyer for Anderson's family later in the week and expects by then to have a better idea of when the information will be released.

The activists, however, were not pleased.

"It was very standard,"Vaun Mayes Bey said. "We are not satisfied because it was copy and paste."
In this Oct. 20, 2015 file photo, the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Credit: Associated Press

It is perhaps serendipitous that the city in which a divided Republican Party is holding its national convention was once called "Cleaveland." Founded in 1796, the city of Cleveland was named after land surveyor Moses Cleaveland, a man for whom there is no known likeness. Paintings of Cleaveland exist, but they are all based on written descriptions of his appearance.

It is apt that another person is dominating the RNC this week for whom no likeness exists. While Donald Trump commands most of the headlines, there is a secret, unknown man or woman out there who is profoundly affecting the presidential race. In fact, this person is so unknown, he or she doesn't even know they are altering the course of American politics.

That person is, of course, whomever President Donald Trump might eventually appoint to the U.S. Supreme Court. And that person's profile looms heavy at the RNC  it seems the most important person to the convention isn't actually in Cleveland. He or she has been mentioned frequently in convention speeches; on Tuesday night, Ben Carson warned that Clinton "would appoint Supreme Court justices, she would appoint federal judges, and that would have a deleterious effect on what happens for generations to come." Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell urged voters to let Republicans "put justices on the Supreme Court who cherish our Constitution."

Of course, courts have featured heavily in the past. In the tumultuous 1968 campaign, Richard Nixon openly criticized the excesses of the liberal Warren Court, believing the court too often sided with society's "criminal forces" against its "peace forces." Nixon sought more conservative justices, which would see "their duty as interpreting law and not making law" and not serve as "superlegislators with a free hand to impose their social and political viewpoints upon the American people."

But 2016 is perhaps even more urgent than 1968. With a tenuous 4-4 conservative-liberal split (depending on how many energy drinks moderate conservative Anthony Kennedy has had on any given day), the American people will be voting on the direction of the Supreme Court when they pick their president. And they won't be deciding how they want their court to operate in some undefined future  they will shape the court right now.

And despite the rampant dyspepsia at the RNC about Trump as the nominee, there is one thing upon which every attendee can agree: Even if America can tolerate four years of Hillary Clinton as commander-in-chief, the nation cannot bear a progressive Supreme Court for the next quarter-century.

Forget the seat vacated by Justice Antonin Scalia's death; three other justices are nearly 80 years old or older. The next president could be picking four new justices during his or her next term.

That is not to suggest, however, that we know anything about who Trump might appoint to the nation's highest court. In May, Trump released a list of possible candidates he would consider for the Supreme Court, likely an attempt to allay the fears of conservatives who would welcome a judge such as Diane Sykes of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. But given that the list also included names of jurists who had also openly mocked Trump on social media, it is worth a pause to wonder how deeply researched the list may have been.

Further, it was Trump who earlier this year said judges "sign bills," and who called into question the impartiality of a judge overseeing his Trump University case because of the judge's Mexican heritage. As the joke goes, it seems Trump's primary knowledge of the judiciary has come from his experience in divorce and bankruptcy courts.

If Trump wants to make the Supreme Court an issue, he has to hope two conflicting ideas merge. He has to hope that a nation serious enough to care about its judicial branch is also unserious enough to elect Donald Trump to lead its executive one.

Christian Schneider is a Journal Sentinel columnist and blogger. Email cschneider@jrn.com. Twitter: @Schneider_CM
Former U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold (left), a Democrat, is challenging Republican Sen. Ron Johnson in this falls election. Credit: Journal Sentinel files

By of the

Madison  A day after U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin spoke at the Republican National Convention, a group affiliated with the conservative Koch brothers pulled more than $2 million in ad time in the Badger State.

The move came a day after the National Senate Republican Committee modified its planned help for Johnson, pushing back an ad campaign that was to start next month until October.

Wednesday's development provides another sign Johnson could get less outside support than had been expected. Johnson faces former Sen. Russ Feingold in one of the most closely watched Senate races in the country.

Freedom Partners Action Fund began an ad campaign in May attacking Feingold about the handling of the over-prescription of opiates at the veterans clinic in Tomah. Freedom Partners is funded by the billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch.

A spokesman for the group, James Davis, said in a statement it was "realigning" its ad buying strategy "to ensure maximum impact across key Senate races." He made the comment after three Democratic sources that track ad buys confirmed Freedom Partners had dropped $2.2 million in ad time it had reserved in Wisconsin in August and September.

Johnson spokesman Brian Reisinger downplayed the move by Freedom Partners.

"We just had our strongest fundraising quarter ever and the polls show this race tight," he said in a statement. "We are comfortable and confident and believe we have the support to run a winning campaign. The voters already fired Senator Feingold once, and they will reject him again."

Feingold spokesman Michael Tyler said in a statement his campaign is focused on Wisconsinites and "not a couple oil billionaires from Kansas."

"Senator Johnson has always relied on the Koch Brothers and these outside groups to run his campaign for him, so this must come as a disappointment for their model legislator," Tyler's statement said.

Freedom Partners did not respond to requests for comment.

The dropped ads come at a time when Johnson had hoped to get more attention because of the national exposure he was getting from speaking at the convention in Cleveland. Johnson for weeks had said he would not attend the convention but reversed course in recent days.

In a poll this month by Marquette University Law School, Feingold led Johnson 49% to 45% among likely voters.
By of the

Cleveland  The man who presided over the GOP convention on the night it nominated New Yorker Donald Trump is a collegial, conservative Wisconsinite who was slow to endorse Trump, has criticized his tone and rhetoric, and personifies for many an entirely different Republican style and vision.

But House Speaker Paul Ryan was not only on board, he was at the helm when his party made Trump its unlikely standard-bearer Tuesday after an ugly nominating fight.

If that seems like a contradiction, it's one that Ryan has clung to all summer.

In his speech to delegates Tuesday night, Ryan dismissed the Obama years as "almost over" and the Clinton years as "way over."

He said, "Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way."

And he put the best face on his party's turmoil.

"Have we had our arguments this year? Sure we have  and you know what I call those? Signs of life. Signs of a party that's not just going through the motions," he said.

Ryan has had a whirlwind convention here, publicizing the GOP House agenda, promoting Republican candidates and serving as the gathering's "permanent chairman," a ceremonial role that hasn't entangled him in the event's thornier moments.

It's been a different spotlight than the one Ryan experienced four years ago as Mitt Romney's running mate.

"Students of trivia will recall that last time around I was your nominee for vice president. It was a great honor, even if things didn't work out quite according to plan," Ryan told delegates. "But, hey, I'm a positive guy. I've found other things to keep me busy."

At this convention, the Janesville congressman has walked the same tricky path that he embarked on in early June, when he endorsed Trump without burying his disagreements with him.

"We're different people," Ryan told reporters Monday at a lunch hosted by The Wall Street Journal.

Trump is "not my kind of conservative," Ryan said, but "there are different kinds of conservatives" in the party.

"He's in a very difficult position because he is the top elected Republican in the country (and) he has never been on the same page as Trump, intellectually or otherwise," said his Wisconsin colleague, Republican Jim Sensenbrenner.

Ryan also has interests that don't always align with Trump's: winning House elections and advancing his own vision of the GOP's future.

Once the first-year speaker decided last month that opposing Trump wasn't an option, that never criticizing him wasn't an option, that refusing to talk about him wasn't an option, and that scaling back his almost daily media appearances wasn't an option, it guaranteed at least three things would happen.

He would be asked constantly about Trump. His disagreements would get lots of attention. And that would sometimes irritate or anger pro-Trump Republicans.

But seven weeks after his awkward endorsement, Ryan's comfort level with the situation seems to have grown. Despite occupying a position that some think untenable, he shows no signs of retreating or rethinking it.

At Monday's lunch with journalists, Ryan mused about Trump's volatile political impact on his party, wondering whether the new GOP voters he attracts will outnumber the traditional Republican voters he drives away.

"Are we adding? Or are we adding and subtracting?" he said, sounding more like an election analyst than someone whose party's future is in the balance.

When he was asked if the House would give a President Trump the funds to build his border wall, Ryan joked, "I think he's going to go to Mexico" for that.

"We have frank exchanges. ... He does listen. I just want to make sure he knows where we're coming from," Ryan said of Trump.

Without criticizing Trump directly, Ryan told reporters he feared the growth of "identity politics" on the right. He called for politicians to stop pointing fingers over the recent police shootings, saying it's the "last thing leaders should be doing."

There is "nothing abnormal" about Ryan having disagreements to sort through with his nominee, said longtime conservative activist Dave Keene. Keene said what's different is that "they don't always do it on television," a development he blamed on the modern media environment, not Ryan.

Another Wisconsin colleague of Ryan's, Trump supporter Sean Duffy, said he thought Ryan had struck the right balance on Trump, even if it leaves some on both sides unhappy.

"Some who are 'all Trump' might go, 'Hey why is Paul saying this?' And those who are 'never Trump' are like, 'He should be saying it more,'" said Duffy, referring to Ryan's criticisms of the candidate.

In a brief interview in the convention hall Monday, Trump pollster Kellyanne Conway suggested the Trump-Ryan drama was overplayed by the media.

"Where do you see the real disunity in the parties: Sanders and Clinton or Ryan and Trump? He's endorsed him. What else is there to say?" said Conway.

Conway said the greatest contribution Ryan can make is "to influence other members of the (GOP) conference to also endorse Donald Trump" and help his campaign.

Ryan, however, has said his GOP colleagues are free to follow their conscience when it comes to Trump.

Conway said it was in Ryan's interest to "to continue to help with issues and substance and to work together, because you need a Republican president to help with Paul Ryan's vision and agenda."

She added: "And when he's asked ridiculous, repetitive questions about what Donald Trump said this moment or what Donald Trump said that moment, he should get back to where voters want this campaign to go, which is away from a content-free cacophony of sound bites into the substantive debate on the issues."

Ryan's convention speech contained two mentions of Trump's name. It was far less a case for Trump than a case for conservative ideas and against Democratic policies and leadership.

"This year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way  when America elects a conservative governing majority," said Ryan.

"So what do you say that we unify this party at this crucial moment," he said, "when unity is everything?"
Anti-terror drill held in Chongqing. (Photo : Getty Images)

The Chinese government ordered the evacuation of embassy personnel and two seriously wounded Chinese U.N. peacekeepers last Sunday. The evacuation was due to intense fighting between opposing forces in Juba, the capital city of South Sudan.



About 17 embassy staff, 12 medics and 20 employees of Chinese entities were evacuated. The operation was led by Major General Su Guanghui, acting director of the defence ministry's Peacekeeping Affairs Office.



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Chen Ying and Huo Yahui, two critically injured peacekeepers, were flown to Beijing aboard a military medical rescue plane.



Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Zhao Yali greeted the Chinese nationals at the Entebbe International Airport, 40 km south of the Ugandan capital Kampala.



This is the third Chinese group that was evacuated. In the face of heightened tensions last week, over 300 individuals were also rescued.



They are employees of the China Communications Construction, which is responsible for building the extension of the airport in Juba. All of the evacuees are staying in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.



The Chinese government is now implementing measures to safeguard its citizens in Juba. The tension is getting worse and the Chinese casualties are increasing.



To date, there are already 300 dead and many are injured. Two Chinese peacekeepers were also killed during an attack to the U.N. compound.



Many fear that the conflict will lead to another civil war in Africa. There is widespread chaos and many South Sudanese citizens are looting foreign aid to survive.



Herve Ladsous, chief of the U.N. peacekeeping team, said that the casualties might even be graver than what is being reported.



"I would believe that this is only the tip of the iceberg given alarming reports indicating over the last few days many civilians were barred from reaching safer grounds, including the compounds of the United Nations," he said.


By of the

Cleveland  Returning to the national stage for the first time since his failed presidential bid, Gov. Scott Walker ripped Hillary Clinton as the "ultimate liberal Washington insider," saying "if she were any more on the 'inside,' she'd be in prison."

The Wisconsin governor, who was pummeled by Donald Trump during the GOP primaries, completed his journey here toward full-throated Trump backer, calling the party's new nominee "a leader who is not afraid to take on the mess in Washington."

But like many of the speeches at the Republican National Convention, his address, complete with prison reference, was more fiercely anti-Clinton than pro-Trump

Last August, "I said that any of the Republicans running would be better than Hillary Clinton. I meant it then, and I mean it now. So let me be clear: a vote for anyone other than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton," said Walker, one of three former Trump rivals to speak Wednesday.

Walker said that after hearing the FBI director's recent report on Clinton's private email system as secretary of state, "I wouldn't even give Hillary Clinton the password to my iPhone  let alone access to classified information," Walker said. "This isn't just another Clinton scandal. Hillary's scandal put our national security at risk and that, ladies and gentlemen, makes Hillary Clinton unfit to be president of the United States. It's time to tell Hillary: enough is enough. No more double standards for the Clintons. Why? Because America deserves better."

Those last four words were a refrain that the governor repeated through his address, and signs with those words were handed out to delegates, who chanted the phrase along with Walker.

The governor, who almost shouted parts of his speech, seemed determined to live down the rap he got during the campaign of being a bland or low-wattage personality.

Walker returned to the core themes of his presidential bid, including his bitter recall fight and his political and policy victories in a Democratic presidential state.

"They tried to intimidate us with threats and mobs, but we didn't back down. And we won. Then, they spent tens of millions of dollars to try and defeat us in a recall election, but we didn't back down. And we won. Three times they came at us. Three times we won," said Walker, referring to his first election as governor in 2010, his recall victory in 2012 and his re-election to a second term in 2014.

But this was a much different convention for Walker than the one he spoke at four years ago in Tampa, when he was a freshly crowned conservative hero for winning his recall fight, and was interrupted by ovations from the hall when he announced Wisconsin's votes for Mitt Romney during the roll call of the states.

Walker is still a popular figure with most delegates here. But instead of a soaring star, he is one of 16 presidential casualties in his party and a second-term governor saddled back home with weak approval ratings.

Talking to reporters Wednesday before his speech, the governor said he believes those ratings are still suffering because of the public's frustration that he ran for president while trying to govern his state.

He said he learned you couldn't do both things well.

"You see where the changes were in (my) polling, it was directly reflective (of) people being frustrated, I guess, in terms of our decision to run for president," said Walker, referring to his plunge in the polls while he was campaigning around the country last year.

Walker's trip to Cleveland was in some ways a chance to reintroduce himself to Republicans from around the country after the GOP nominating fight. He spoke to delegates from numerous states, including those with early primaries and caucuses, such as Iowa and New Hampshire.

It also marked a return to the city of the first GOP primary debate last year, where Walker's quiet performance and lack of speaking time contributed to his free fall in the polls. He would withdraw after the second Republican debate.

As Walker mingled with GOP convention-goers at a party Sunday at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he was greeted warmly.

"I absolutely miss Governor Walker," said a delegate from Georgia, Rachel Little, who became Walker's campaign coordinator in that state. Little said she would love to see him run again.

"When he pulled out, that whole day was painful," she said.

Trump delegate Robert Burns of New Hampshire called Walker a "great guy" and a good candidate whose campaign "was absolutely awful. He got totally shut down by a whole bunch of political hacks who just wanted to take as much money as they wanted out of it."

Others shrugged off Walker's demise as a case of "peaking too soon" or being overwhelmed by the Trump phenomenon.

While Walker hasn't closed the door on another national campaign, he repeated a vow that he would not run for president in 2020 if he seeks and wins a third term in 2018.

"I just learned you cannot be an effective candidate for president and be the kind of governor that I think the state deserves and that I have expected out of myself," Walker said at an impromptu news conference with home-state reporters outside the hotel where Wisconsin delegates are staying.

Walker's approval ratings were consistently in the low 50s or high 40s from 2012 through his re-election in 2014. They dropped sharply in 2015 while he embarked on his presidential run.

But even though it has been 10 months since he ended his bid for national office, his approval rating still lags at 38% in a statewide poll released this month by the Marquette Law School.

"He has got to build his popularity. If he builds his popularity, anything can happen. But you don't run for election when you're at 35% approval rating," former GOP Gov Tommy Thompson, a Wisconsin delegate, told reporters here.

Asked about that comment, Walker said, "Well, my approval rating's higher than Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's and one of them is going to win the state of Wisconsin."

Only 36% of registered voters in Wisconsin view Clinton favorably in the July poll by Marquette; just 29% view Trump favorably.

Thompson said he thought Walker has been doing what he needs to do to improve his numbers, "go around the state, listen to the people and rebuild his reputation and his credibility."

Thompson also offered a different view than Walker did about the tensions between running for president and governing a state.

"All I know is my own (situation). I should have run in '96 when I was governor," said Thompson, who ran instead eight years after leaving office in 2008 and went nowhere.

"There is an aura about it," he said of being in office. "You got your state control working for you, you got people driving. (People say) 'Oh, the governor!' It's different between being 'Governor Scott Walker' and 'former Governor Scott Walker.' "

Walker said Wednesday, "If I'm going to run for anything in the future, it's for governor."
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By of the

A woman was killed and three people were injured in a four-car pileup Tuesday that left state Highway 60 closed for nearly seven hours east of Jackson in Washington County.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to the crash scene about a mile east of county Highway M in the Town of Jackson about 2:30 p.m., where a deadly chain of events ensued when a 21-year-old driver tried to pass two vehicles using the gravel shoulder, then lost control and careened into oncoming traffic.

The 21-year-old male driver was eastbound when he entered the shoulder, lost control, went back onto the highway, crossed the centerline into the westbound lane and struck a westbound vehicle driven by a 60-year-old Hartford woman. As the westbound vehicle spun off from the impact it hit a parked vehicle in a yard next to the highway.

The 60-year-old woman had to be extricated from her vehicle then died en route to Froedtert Hospital via Flight for Life.

The 21-year-old driver was ejected from his vehicle and transported to Froedtert Hospital with significant injuries.

Another eastbound vehicle swerved to avoid the crash and entered the south ditch next to the highway. The driver, a 16-year-old Jackson girl, and a 17-year-old female passenger suffered minor injuries.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office crash reconstruction team is investigating. Identities of the people involved were not released.

The death of the Hartford woman was eighth traffic fatality in Washington County this year.
By of the

A 16-year-old transgender student sued the Kenosha Unified School District and its superintendent in federal court Tuesday, alleging they discriminated against him on the basis of his gender identity, in violation of Title IX and his constitutional right to equal protection under the law.

Ash Whitaker and his mother, Melissa, filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee, saying Superintendent Sue Savaglio-Jarvis and others "have repeatedly refused to recognize or respect (Whitaker's) gender identity and have taken a series of discriminatory and highly stigmatizing actions against him."

Whitaker was born a girl, but identifies as a boy.

The lawsuit says district officials among other things denied him access to the boys' restrooms, intentionally and repeatedly used his birth name and female pronouns to identify him; instructed guidance counselors to issue bright green wristbands to Whitaker and any other transgender students to more easily monitor their bathroom use; and required him to room with girls on overnight school trips.

It is the latest in a series of lawsuits filed across the country aimed at securing federal and constitutional protections for transgender students.

"These lawsuits are about the equal treatment of transgender students and making sure they are treated just like every other student in their schools," said Alison Pennington, a staff attorney with the Oakland, Calif.-based Transgender Law Center, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Whitakers.

Efforts to reach the Kenosha School District and Savaglio-Jarvis were not immediately successful.

Whitaker drew national attention last spring after the school district refused to allow him to run for prom king. The district later reversed itself. But Whitaker and his mother filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Civil Rights division alleging that and other policies discriminated against him on the basis of his sex and gender identity.

That complaint was withdrawn last week in anticipation of Tuesday's lawsuit.

In May, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education issued a letter to school districts saying that limiting transgender students to bathroom facilities consistent with their birth sex or to single-stall facilities not required for other students violates Title IX, the 1972 law that prohibits discrimination based on sex, and that failure to comply with the directive would jeopardize districts' federal funding under the law.

Wisconsin is among 11 states that are suing the Obama administration over the DOJ-DOE guidance.

Many school districts around the country, including several in Wisconsin, have adopted policies to address the treatment of transgender students.

But few of those would meet the provisions of the federal directive, transgender advocates have said.

Several states, including Wisconsin, have pushed legislation aimed at limiting transgender students' access to restrooms. Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin attempted to pass such legislation last year, but it failed.
Credit: National Weather Service Milwaukee

By of the

Potentially deadly heat indexes in excess of 100 degrees are expected in some areas of south-central and southeastern Wisconsin Thursday and Friday, according to an excessive heat warning issued Wednesday by the National Weather Service in Sullivan.

Daytime temperatures in the low-to-mid 90s are expected Thursday and Friday. However, the heat index, which factors in relative humidity, is expected to top out at 104 to 110 on Thursday and 98 to 103 on Friday, according to the weather service.

"Take precautions if you need to be outdoors, especially with physical activity," said Sean Miller, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sullivan.

"Stay hydrated, seek shade and never leave kids or pets in vehicles because vehicles can get so hot so fast."

The last time an excessive heat warning was issued for the region was in July 2012.

The weather service warned of possible heat-related illness and said people on certain medications will be more affected by the heat and should take extra precautions to remain cool.

People should drink plenty of fluids and check on relatives and neighbors, especially the elderly and young children. Any strenuous activities should be rescheduled to early morning or evening hours, according to the weather service.

The weather service also urged residents to know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke and wear lightweight loosely fitting clothing.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating; a weak pulse; vomiting; nausea; and cold, pale skin. Signs of heat stroke include a body temperature above 103 degrees; hot, red skin; a rapid pulse; and in some cases unconsciousness.

Milwaukee public libraries will remain open until 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and the Milwaukee Water Works has made water sprinklers available at "Cool Spots" at several Milwaukee Public Schools playgrounds.

The Cool Spots are open from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays when temperatures are predicted to hit 85 degrees or higher, or when the city issues a heat advisory. They can be found at:

 Ben Franklin Elementary School, 2308 W. Nash St.

 Carmen Playfield, 7320 W. Carmen Ave.

 Clinton Rose Park, 390 W. Chambers St.

 Franklin Square, 2643 N. 13th St.

 Columbia Playground Cool Spot, 1354 W. Columbia St.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services also is designating dozens of "cooling centers"  public buildings and other facilities residents can go to cool off  throughout the region. Centers in Milwaukee County include:

 The Brown Deer Library, 5600 W. Bradley Road, (414) 357-0160.

 The Kelly Senior Center, 6100 S. Lake Drive, in Cudahy, (414) 481-9611.

 The Greenfield Public Library, 5310 W. Layton Ave., (414) 321-9595.

 The Shorewood Public Library, 3920 N. Murray Ave., (414) 847-7620.

 The Salvation Army, 8853 S. Howell Ave., in Oak Creek, (414) 762-3993.

Cooling sites in Waukesha include the Hebron House shelter at 812 N. East Ave and Jeremy Safe Haven at 1301 E. Moreland Blvd. Both will remain open all day Thursday and Friday.

The complete statewide list of cooling centers is available online at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/preparedness/cooling-sites.pdf. Residents also can call 211 for heat-related health and safety information.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reminded drivers Wednesday of the potential for pavement buckling during the hot and humid weather. The agency asked drivers to call 911 to report serious pavement issues, and to move over for highway crews repairing damaged roads.

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin also advised residents to keep temperatures low and save energy by closing blinds, unplugging electronics when they are not in use, washing clothes and dishes in the morning before it gets too hot and making sure air conditioners are clean.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection also warned residents that heat strokes can be fatal for pets and livestock. Signs of heat stroke in small animals include panting or breathing difficulty, a rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and collapsing, it said.

Jessie Bekker of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) -

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE US OR THROUGH US NEWSWIRE SERVICES

Neo Lithium Corp. ("Neo Lithium" or the "Company"), a company with 100% ownership of the Tres Quebradas Lithium Project (the "3Q Project"), a newly discovered and unique lithium salar and brine reservoir complex in Catamarca Province, Argentina, is pleased to announce that effective July 20, 2016, the Company's common shares will commence trading under the ticker symbol NLC on the TSX Venture Exchange.

"I am extremely pleased with the strong support and confidence of our investors as they clearly see, and believe in the strength and quality of the 3Q Project," said Dr. Waldo Perez, President and CEO of Neo Lithium Corp. "Our team is confident that this new discovery has the potential to be a large high grade discovery - The brine found in an open reservoir has the right chemistry for a low cost evaporation process, contains potash as a valuable by-product, and lithium grades are equal or superior to most other known undeveloped projects and many producing mines."

A High Grade, Low Impurity Discovery

The 3Q Project consists of a salar and brine reservoir complex. Brine reservoirs are open lakes filled with hyper saline high density brine (instead of water). Brine sampling results at surface in the salar and at surface and depth in the reservoir show values comparable to and in most cases higher than current producing mines or projects in construction. The reservoirs are contiguous to larger salars that also host high grade lithium brine at surface.

The whole area registers anomalous lithium and potassium, but the northern portion of the 3Q salar and brine reservoir complex encompasses a high grade target that extends for approximately 14 km in length and 2.8 km in width. The preliminary brine sampling results in the northern brine reservoir (28 in total) contained an average Lithium concentration of 895 mg/l and Potassium of 7,694 mg/L. Surface samples in the northern salar (32 in total) contained an average Lithium concentration of 784 mg/l and Potassium of 6,796 mg/L (lithium concentrations in both zones range between 400 to 4,000 mg/L and Potassium concentrations between 5,100 to 18,000 mg/L).

The preliminary brine sampling results also indicate that the northern target contains remarkably low levels of critical impurities, which when compared to lithium brine projects around the world are among the lowest in the industry. The average Magnesium/Lithium ratio is between 1.58 Mg/Li in the brine reservoir to 1.87 Mg/Li in the salar and the average Sulphate/Lithium ratio is between 0.46 SO4/Li in the salar to 0.67 SO4/Li in the brine reservoir. Sulfate and Magnesium are critical impurities in the Lithium industry because they could increase operational costs significantly and many projects become uneconomic at high impurity levels. As a reference no producing project in the world today has a Magnesium/Lithium ratio higher than 7 and a Sulphate/Lithium ratio higher than 55.

The Right Location

The 3Q Project is located in Catamarca, the largest lithium producing province in Argentina, in the southern end of the "Lithium Triangle" of the Puna Plateau. The area is characterized by high altitude salt flats, some of which contain elevated lithium concentrations. The largest brine lithium mines and projects in the world are located in salars in the Lithium Triangle.

There are no aboriginal communities or inhabitants in the area and the 3Q Project is only 25 km from the border with Chile, where the Maricunga Salar is located. The Maricunga Salar is another high grade lithium brine project that is located over a highway 250 km away from the Chilean port of Caldera (Copiapo). That means that with potentially minimal infrastructure improvement, 3Q could be the closest Argentinean project to a Chilean port.

Large Footprint

The 3Q Project extends for over 160Km2 of salars and lithium reservoirs. The Northern Target alone extends for over 14x2.8 km of high grade low impurities brine. Only drilling will be able to determine the size of the 3Q Project, but the footprint is comparable to other large lithium deposits. About 1/3 of the 3Q footprint is formed by a brine reservoir (i.e. lake) and 2/3 by the salar.

100% Ownership of Property, Salar and Brine Complex

Neo Lithium is in a very enviable position and benefits from a 100% ownership of the entire salar complex. The ownership structure allows the Company to have no boundaries and limitations concerning the timely execution of its 3Q Project development strategy. The three largest producing salars in the world are all shared by two or more companies. Atacama Salar (Chile) is a shared resource between SQM and Albermarle, Hombre Muerto salar (Argentina) is shared between FMC and Galaxy and Cauchari-Olaroz salar (Argentina) is shared between Orocobre and Lithium Americas. Other minor projects also have shared salars, the 3Q Project would be one of the few cases where one company controls the whole salar.

Strong Balance Sheet

Neo Lithium is well funded with approximately $17.5 million in net cash to see the Company through its exploration and development activities leading to a Lithium Carbonate PEA Report, which is expected to be ready during the first half of 2018. Clarus Securities Inc., GMP Securities L.P. and PowerOne Capital Markets Limited acted as agents in completing the Company's recent private placement resulting in the issuance of an aggregate of 11,700,000 common shares at a price of $1.00 per share for total gross proceeds of $11,700,000.

"The enviable qualities of the 3Q Project provide us with an outstanding opportunity to become a leader in the lithium market," noted Constantine Karayannopoulos, Chairman of Neo Lithium Corp. "We are remarkably well positioned with a strong balance sheet, an exceptional property and a precise business plan. Our board and management team bring extensive Lithium industry know-how to our Company, with a proven track record in global exploration, project execution, market development and capital markets."

Technical Information

The technical contents of this press release have been reviewed and approved by Dr. Waldo Perez, Ph.D., P. Geo., a qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). Dr. Perez is CEO and President of the Company, and is a geologist with a technical background in mineral exploration, including lithium brines.

The results for the 3Q Project stated herein are based on the analysis of surface brine samples in the salar and surface and deep samples in the lake (reservoir). The reservoir was sampled using an inflatable boat with a 2 L vertical-type Alpha water sampler with a 2.2 L capacity. Vertical samples down the lake were collected every one meter depth. Surface samples in the lake were collected in a 1x1Km regular grid. Surface samples in the salar were collected in a 1x2Km regular grid digging a 1 m depth hole in the salt crust.

The brine samples collected in the field were delivered by Company personnel to Andesmar Transport Company ("Andesmar") in La Rioja, in the province of Rioja. Andesmar delivered the samples by truck to ASL, an ISO 9001-2008-certified laboratory in Mendoza, Argentina. ASL used the following analytical methodologies: ICP-OES (inductively-coupled plasma-optical (atomic) emission spectrometry) to quantify boron, barium, calcium, lithium, magnesium, manganese, and potassium; an argentometric method to assay for chloride; a gravimetric method to analyze for sulfate; a volumetric analysis (acid/base titration) for the evaluation of alkalinity (as CaCO3); a gravimetric method to determine density and total dissolved solids; and, a laboratory pH meter to determine pH. All analytical work is subject to a systematic and rigorous Quality Assurance-Quality Control. A reference ("standard") sample was inserted into the sample stream at a frequency of approximately 1 in 15 samples; a field blank was inserted at a frequency of approximately 1 in 15 samples; and a field duplicate sample was inserted at a frequency of approximately 1 in 15 samples.

Additional information on sample results and estimates at 3Q are available in the Company's technical report titled "Technical Report on the Tres Quebradas Lithium Project Catamarca Province, Argentina" with an effective date of June 6, 2016.

About Neo Lithium Corp.

Neo Lithium is a company governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, which holds mineral and surface rights over a newly discovered and unique lithium salar and brine reservoir complex in Catamarca Province, Argentina. The technical team that discovered this unique complex is one of the most experienced in the modern era in lithium salars, having discovered and lead the technical work, including resource definition and full feasibility study that established the Cauchari lithium salar as one of the largest and highest quality lithium salars in the world.

Additional information regarding Neo Lithium Corp., its business activities and the Transaction are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com under the Company's profile.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the disclosure document to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

Forward Looking Statements - Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.
TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 19, 2016) - Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN)(OMX:LUMI) ("Lundin Mining" or the "Company") announces that Lundin Mining, Freeport-McMoran Inc. ("Freeport"), and China Molybdenum Co., Ltd. ("CMOC") have agreed to extend the period in which the Company has the right to acquire Freeport's indirect interest in TF Holdings Limited ("TF Holdings") to September 15, 2016 at 11:59 pm.

TF Holdings is the holding company that indirectly owns an 80 percent interest in Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A.R.L. ("Tenke"). Freeport and Lundin each hold a 70 and 30 percent interest, respectively, in TF Holdings.

As previously announced on May 9, 2016, Lundin Mining received a notice from Freeport offering Lundin Mining the right to acquire Freeport's indirect interest in TF Holdings at the same purchase price and on the same terms and conditions offered by CMOC.

Lundin Mining, in consultation with its legal and financial advisors, continues to evaluate all its options in connection with its ownership interest in TF Holdings.

About Lundin Mining

Lundin Mining is a diversified Canadian base metals mining company with operations in Chile, the USA, Portugal, and Sweden, primarily producing copper, nickel and zinc. In addition, Lundin Mining holds a 24% equity stake in the world-class Tenke Fungurume copper/cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in the Freeport Cobalt Oy business, which includes a cobalt refinery located in Kokkola, Finland.

On Behalf of the Board,

Paul Conibear, President and CEO

The information in this release is subject to the disclosure requirements of Lundin Mining under the Swedish Securities Market Act and/or the Swedish Financial Instruments Trading Act. This information was publicly communicated on July 19, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
A hand-picked Aids patient receives a gift from students during a media event in Ditan hospital to demonstrate China's concern for HIV November 30, 2003 in Beijing, China. (Photo : Getty Images)

Personal information of HIV/AIDS patients were leaked out of China by a nationwide telephone scam.



Outraged patients blamed the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for leaking their personal data such as nature of disease, phone numbers, addresses and office contact details.



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There were at least 275 HIV/AIDS patients who were phoned by scammers since Friday. The callers promised to give them subsidies in return of payment of commissions to the authorities.



The scammers also have extensive knowledge of the patients' medical records, and the callers even knew where they were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.



The National Health and Family Planning Commission said that the CDC has already informed the public safety officials. The commission stated, "The authority also has informed local CDC departments to be wary of similar scams and to remind patients in their areas to be on alert."



The law protects personal and medical information of all patients, including those who are infected with HIV/AIDS. Leaking of information without patients' consent is illegal.



Only the CDC is responsible for collating and storing of patients' data. If an HIV/AIDS patient refuses to register with the CDC, he will not receive free treatment.



China has been ostracizing patients with HIV/AIDS. Last December, 200 people signed a petition to expel an infected 8-year-old boy from his village.



The World Health Organization criticized the government for "infringement of patients' rights." According to the WHO, this kind of incidents will discourage patients from seeking treatment or getting tested.



In a statement, the WHO said, "The confidentiality of the personal and health information of anyone seeking HIV or other medical services must be safeguarded. The leak of personal information of people living with HIV is a violation of this fundamental right to patient confidentiality."


VANCOUVER, July 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Taseko Mines Limited (TSX: TKO; NYSE MKT: TGB) ("Taseko" or the "Company") today announced that the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office is proceeding with Taseko's request to amend the environmental assessment certificate for its New Prosperity Gold/Copper Project in central British Columbia.

In addition to this undertaking, Taseko will be filing a Notice of Work (NOW) with the Ministry of Energy & Mines which will allow the Company to gather information to advance mine permitting under the British Columbia Mines Act. Taseko looks forward to working with the six local Tsilhqot'in First Nation bands as represented by the Tsilhqot'in National Government on the consultative and substantive aspects of the NOW as per the terms in the 2012 settlement agreement.

"Ownership and development of mineral resources are explicit areas of provincial jurisdiction and responsibility, granted under The 1982 Amendments to the Constitution Act 1867," commented Russell Hallbauer, President and CEO of Taseko. "The New Prosperity environmental assessment process has been unduly influenced by the actions of the federal government. The fact that the Government of British Columbia is moving forward with the certificate amendment process indicates the importance it places on the development of the New Prosperity Mine."

Mr. Hallbauer continued, "The Government of Canada's position, regarding the federal authorizations required for New Prosperity, can be rectified if discussions around the salient issues raised by the Federal Panel in 2013 are objectively and scientifically reviewed. The information we will gather from the Notice of Work field program will aid those discussions."

New Prosperity is the largest undeveloped gold/copper porphyry in North America and contains 11 million ounces gold and four billion pounds of copper and, when in production, will produce 250,000 ounces of gold and 110 million pounds of copper annually for 20 years.

Mineral Reserves @ C$5.50 NSR/t Cut-Off Size M

Tonnes Grade Recoverable Metal Contained Metal Au (g/t) Cu (%) Au (M oz) Cu (B lbs) Au (M oz) Cu (B lbs) Proven 481 0.46 0.26 5.0 2.4 7.1 2.8 Probable 350 0.35 0.18 2.7 1.2 3.9 1.4 Total 831 0.41 0.23 7.7 3.6 11.0 4.2

Note: Recoveries for Cu and Au are 87% and 69% respectively.

Remaining measured and indicated resources are grading 0.40 g/t gold and 0.30% copper containing 2.3 million ounces of gold and 1.2 billion lbs of copper (no recoveries applied).

The mineral resource and reserve estimations were completed by Taseko staff under the supervision of Scott Jones, P.Eng., Vice-President, Engineering and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Jones has verified the methods used to determine grade and tonnage in the geological model, reviewed the long range mine plan, and directed the updated economic evaluation. The estimates for the reserves used long term metal prices of US$1.65/lb for copper and US$650/oz for gold and a foreign exchange of C$0.82 per US dollar. Mr. Jones has reviewed this release. A technical report is filed on www.sedar.com.

Russell Hallbauer

President and CEO

No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This document contains "forward-looking statements" that were based on Taseko's expectations, estimates and projections as of the dates as of which those statements were made. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook", "anticipate", "project", "target", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "should" and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These included but are not limited to:

uncertainties and costs related to the Company's exploration and development activities, such as those associated with continuity of mineralization or determining whether mineral resources or reserves exist on a property;

uncertainties related to the accuracy of our estimates of mineral reserves, mineral resources, production rates and timing of production, future production and future cash and total costs of production and milling;

uncertainties related to feasibility studies that provide estimates of expected or anticipated costs, expenditures and economic returns from a mining project;

uncertainties related to our ability to complete the mill upgrade on time estimated and at the scheduled cost;

uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary licenses permits for development projects and project delays due to third party opposition;

uncertainties related to unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings;

changes in, and the effects of, the laws, regulations and government policies affecting our exploration and development activities and mining operations, particularly laws, regulations and policies;

changes in general economic conditions, the financial markets and in the demand and market price for copper, gold and other minerals and commodities, such as diesel fuel, steel, concrete, electricity and other forms of energy, mining equipment, and fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly with respect to the value of the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, and the continued availability of capital and financing;

the effects of forward selling instruments to protect against fluctuations in copper prices and exchange rate movements and the risks of counterparty defaults, and mark to market risk;

the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover mining risks;

the risk of loss of key employees; the risk of changes in accounting policies and methods we use to report our financial condition, including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates;

environmental issues and liabilities associated with mining including processing and stock piling ore; and

labour strikes, work stoppages, or other interruptions to, or difficulties in, the employment of labour in markets in which we operate mines, or environmental hazards, industrial accidents or other events or occurrences, including third party interference that interrupt the production of minerals in our mines.

For further information on Taseko, investors should review the Company's annual Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission www.sec.gov and home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE Taseko Mines Limited
[JURIST] The Supreme Court of the Philippines [official website] on Tuesday ordered the immediate release of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo [JURIST news archive], who has been kept in hospital detention for nearly five years on charges of election fraud, plundering, and corruption. The Court, in an 11-4 decision [AP report], dismissed the charges citing a lack of sufficient evidence. Arroyo expressed [press release] her appreciation of the decision saying, I sincerely hope that everyone will respect and recognize the truth that has been established[.] She also urged people to [k]eep faith in the justice system.

Philippine authorities filed a second criminal complaint [JURIST report] against Arroyo in late 2011 for previous charges of corruption and electoral fraud. The second complaint alleged that Arroyo approved a $329-million national broadband network deal with the Chinese company ZTE Corporation in return for millions of dollars in kickbacks in 2008. Arroyo abandoned the deal in 2008 as a result of public pressure. Prosecutors also charged Arroyos husband Jose Miguel Arroyo, the former Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza and former Commission on Elections Chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. on related charges. Arroyo was formally charged in November 2011 with corruption and election fraud during her presidency and was arrested the next day on a warrant issued for the charges. Earlier that same week, Arroyo and her husband tried to leave the country after the Philippine Supreme Court allowed them to travel [JURIST report] despite the pending charges, but were denied transit until they received an official copy of the court order. In July 2010, then-President Benigno Aquino signed an executive order [JURIST report] to set up a truth commission to investigate allegations that the outgoing administration engaged in corruption and rights violations.
A Wisconsin court on Tuesday ordered [order] the state to allow voters who do not have identification to vote in Novembers general elections. Judge Lynn Aldermans order implemented an affidavit option sought by the plaintiffs, in which voters who are not able to obtain ID can still vote if they sign a declaration explaining why they were unable to do so. The judge believes this will prevent the disenfranchisement of some voters as well as preserve Wisconsins interests in protecting the integrity of its elections. Some voters, the court found, will be unable to obtain a state ID without going to unreasonable lengths if, for example, they are missing documents, the ID-issuing office makes a clerical error, or they cannot physically travel to one of these offices. This temporary injunction will remain in place [Reuters report] until a lawsuit originally filed in 2011 is finalized.

Voting rights remain a controversial legal issue in the US. In May a federal judge ruled that Kansas cannot require voters to provide proof of citizenship [JURIST report] when registering to vote. A federal judge upheld [JURIST report] North Carolinas voter ID law in April. Earlier that month a federal appeals court held that the Wisconsin voter ID law needs to be re-examined [JURIST report]. In March a federal appeals court agreed to reconsider [JURIST report] Texas voter ID law before the entire court. Last May the New Hampshire Supreme Court struck down [JURIST report] a 2012 law requiring voters to be state residents, not just domiciled in the state.
The automotive industry in Asia is busy weighing up the implications of last months decision by the UK to leave the EU  whether the outcome of the referendum represents an opportunity for their businesses or in fact a threat. The impact so far in terms of currency fluctuations has been significant.

The first question asked is whether there will be a significant fall in vehicle demand in the UK and Europe in the coming months and years as a result of Brexit. Political leaders worldwide, international institutions and global companies in the months leading up to the referendum were quick to warn of the hugely adverse economic implications a Brexit vote would have on the UK and EU economies, and even beyond.

Economic growth in the region no doubt will be affected by the uncertainty surrounding future UK trade relationship with the EU, particularly if it takes between 5-10 years to reach the necessary trade agreements as feared.

Domestic and foreign direct investment (FDI) in particular will likely slow during this period of uncertainty, with inevitable implications on corporate spending, employment, consumer confidence and ultimately consumer spending.

To better analyse whats at stake for the Asian automotive industry, it is necessary to dive into some essential stats. Last year a total of 15.8 million new motor vehicles were sold across the 28 EU states, according to data collected by the association of European automobile manufacturers (Acea).

The UK market alone accounted for almost 3.1 million units, or close to 20% of the EU total, and was second in size only to Germany  where some 3.5 million vehicles were sold last year.

Almost 2 million Japanese branded vehicles were sold in the EU last year. South Korean companies sold a further 374,000 vehicles, while sales of other Asian brands, including Chinese, were negligible.

Vehicle manufacturers such as Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Hyundai-Kia have already invested in significant production capacity in the EU. But overall, Asian manufacturers still depend heavily on exports from Asia.

A total of 1,292,000 vehicles where imported into the EU from Asia last year, including 480,000 from Japan; 376,000 from South Korea; 242,000 from China; 99,000 from India; and 95,000 from Thailand. A large part of exports from Thailand were also Japanese brands, while exports from India were largely Japanese and Korean brands.

This dependence on exports leaves the Asian automotive industry highly susceptible to swings in currency valuations, with consequences for revenues, local competitiveness and earnings. Long-term investment planning and purchasing strategies are important parts of currency hedging.

Japanese vehicle manufacturers have been caught out by the rising value of the yen. The yen has appreciated by over 20% against the British pound since the beginning of the year, including a 14% jump immediately after the Brexit result was announced. Against the euro, the yen is up just 10% year-to-date.

Exports from Japan account for around 25% of Japanese brand sales in the EU. This is down from around 32% just five years ago, but still significant nevertheless. Some Japanese manufacturers are more exposed than others to the strong yen and will be under significant pressure to localize production in the EU.

For other major vehicle exporting economies, currency fluctuations have been more muted. The Chinese yuan, Korean won, Indian rupee and Thai baht are up by around 10% on average against the British pound year-to-date, but are largely flat against the euro.

On the recent currency valuation alone, the UK has become a more attractive investment location for Asian vehicle manufacturers since the beginning of the year. If most of the doomsayers are correct, and the pound continues to slide, the UK will become even competitive in the coming years.

Access to the EUs markets remains a key factor affecting decisions, however. Potentially, the EU could impose a post-Brexit 10% duty on imports from the UK, the current tariff applied to non-EU countries, which would no doubt be reciprocated.

Europe automakers have the most to lose if tariffs are applied, particularly if the pound depreciates further against the euro. Last year, more than 2.1 million EU-made vehicles were sold in the UK, according to the UKs Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), including 962,069 vehicles from Germany alone.

On the other hand, the UK exported a total of 747,000 vehicles to the EU last year, or around 60% of its total exports. A further 480,000 were exported to markets outside the EU. The weak pound has made UK products more competitive globally  in the UK, in the EU and further afield in markets such as China and the USA.

If import tariffs are applied between the UK and the EU, Asian automakers may see this as an opportunity to gain some useful market share both in the UK and in the EU. Given the size of the UK vehicle market within the EU, the likes of Hyundai-Kia and some of the smaller Japanese brands, for example, along with their suppliers may find it necessary to hedge their European operations with production facilities in the UK.

Local content of UK vehicles already has increased significantly in the last five years, according to some reports, which means more component production in the UK. This trend will no doubt continue if the pound continues to slide.

On the flip side, currency swings are unpredictable and if the UK does well out of Brexit the British pound could well appreciate against the euro in the medium and long term. Hence the need for an effective hedged production strategy.
To the astonishment of some, Hyundai Motor Groups high priced Genesis G90 is outselling many similarly sized luxury cars worldwide. This includes the Porsche Panamera, Audi A8/S8, Jaguar XJ and Maserati Quattroporte.

HMG now says it is close to having delivered 20,000 units of the huge sedan since its release last December. The news is carried by the South Korean daily Herald Business. This number means the model is now a significant rival for the segments traditional number two and three models, the BMW 7 Series and Lexus LS, respectively. At a combined more than 100,000 deliveries per annum, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Mercedes-AMG S 63 & S 65 and Mercedes-Maybach/Pullman sedans are far and away the best sellers in the full sized luxury sedan category.

The newspaper states that 17,069 units of the G90, which is badged EQ900 in the home market, have been sold worldwide as at 30 June. The cars main markets are South Korea, the US, Canada, China and certain countries in the Middle East.

Hyundai says it now sees the 20,000 milestone being reached by end of July. Previously, the target date, which has recently been lifted to 30,000 cars for CY2016, had been 31 December.

Depending on the market, the car is available with up to three petrol engines  a V6, a turbo V6 and a V8  and an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. An EQ900 diesel will be launched in South Korea in 2017, Hyundai told the local media in June 2016. It will also begin selling a diesel version of the smaller G80, formerly known as the Genesis Sedan.

A recent just-auto.com report, which summarises the anticipated full range of future Genesis models, also notes that HMG is planning to add EVs to the line-up.
Huge consumer demand for organic food products in the US is now exceeding domestic supply, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has said.

The administrator of the USDAs agricultural marketing service (AMS) Elanor Starmer said the department is also seeing a lot of companies interested in selling organic products that are having trouble finding farmers to supply them.

That to us is a signal that there is a real opportunity here for American farmers and we want to make sure they have the tools to take advantage of it, Starmer said in an interview for the USDAs blog.

Starmer said the USDAs sound and sensible initiative is one effort the AMS has made to help support farmers who are interested in getting into organic production. We provided funding to organisations that then did outreach to farmers to talk about things like what does it takes to become certified organic, what the process looks like, what are the tools you can access to help you understand how to farm organically. This has helped demystify the process and provides a better understanding of the needs of the farming community.

We know that the international market for organics is enormous, Starmer said. Global sales of organic food reached US$80bn in 2014 and that is only expected to grow over the next five to 10 years.

Consumers are more interested than ever in understanding where their food is coming from, how its being grown and the different things being used in the course of growing that food or raising that animal, Starmer said. Its a growing trend were seeing in the marketplace and its creating a lot of opportunities for everything from organic to grass-fed beef to locally grown.

The USDA is now looking to expand equivalency agreements with other countries to streamline organic trade and make it easier for producers of organic products. That means organic farmers and businesses can have access to international markets without having to obtain multiple certifications, Starmer said. Without the agreements, organic farmers and businesses may need to fill out two sets of paperwork, have multiple inspections and frankly thats a lot of work; so thats why these agreements are important to the producer.

Over the past seven years, Starmer said the USDA has established equivalency agreements with the EU, Japan, Switzerland, South Korea, and Canada. The USDA is currently in talks with Mexico about establishing an equivalency agreement, she said.

Earlier this month, the Organic Trade Association said organic produce sales in the US had increased by over 25% in the past five years, with more than half of all American households now buying organic fruit and vegetables.
2007 Beijing 798 Art Festival (Photo : Getty Images)

The Beijing Academy of Social Sciences and the Social Science Academic Press released in June a blue paper suggesting legalizing prostitution because it actually exists everywhere in China.



NewsChina reported on Tuesday that a prostitution ring made of high school students was recently broke in Shanghai and Chongqing. The members, who are young and educated, are part of the ring voluntarily and have not been coerced into the sex trade.



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Some of them could be seen on the dance floor of Richbaby, wearing very short skirts to attract male clients. Because Shanghai is now strict when it comes to minors entering those kinds of establishments, three girls with schoolbags were recently seen being asked to leave the premises by the security staff of the club because they are under 18.



The nightclubs are now enforcing age restrictions after an incident in November 2011 when 20 high school girls were caught engaged in the flesh trade, and their pimp, ironically, was a 13-year-old girl.



But unlike in the past when some of the prostitutes were forced by their family circumstances, such as poverty, to walk the streets, only few of the 20 juvenile sex trade worker come from broken families. One was from a single-parent family, another was adopted and three were abused or spoiled by their parents, revealed Han Konglin, the prosecutor responsible for the cases.



Social researcher Tong Xiaojun of the China Youth University for Political Science interviewed the girls and was struck by the story of one, Xiaoba, who went into the flesh trade because of love for eating that she spends daily about 100 yuan on snack foods, while her allowance from her parents is only 20 yuan.



But not all walk the streets. Some offer their services through the internet, like three members of a gang sentenced by the Xuhui Peoples Court on Wednesday to 11 years in jail, reported China.org. The three set up a website from Thailand but with a server in the US. It had 3 million members.






Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin make a joint statement during the latter's state visit in Beijing. (Photo : Getty Images)

The unfinished steel rail bridge jutting from the Chinese side of the Amur River for almost a decade has become the symbol for Sino-Russian strategic partnership, according to an article published by The New York Times.



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Russia had failed to build its part of the project, which left a gap between the bridge and the riverbank of the Russian shore at Nizhneleninskoye, about 4,000 miles from Moscow.



Since 2014, there had been numerous agreements for joint projects between Chinese and Russian leaders, supporting Russia's "pivot to Asia," but the unfinished rail bridge represents the more realistic picture of the division between the two countries.



Had the bridge been completed, it would have reduced the cost of transporting iron ore from Russia to China from 646 miles to 145 miles.



But a decade after the two countries have agreed to start the project, Russian officials have yet to announce that construction work will start on the bridge and it will be operational within two years.



According to the report, the gap between expectation and reality has been a recurring characteristic of the relationship between the two countries.



The leaders of the two countries have promised to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion this year and $200 billion by 2020, but the two-way trade dropped by 28 percent last year.



The 30-year gas deal worth about $400 billion, signed by Putin during his China visit in 2014, also suffered delay after construction of the pipeline stalled.



In May, Li Fenglin, a former Chinese ambassador to Moscow, complained about the slow construction pace on the Siberian pipeline and other projects.



"Don't just drag your feet. You should start working energetically," Li said, adding that the partnership will work if both countries will move away from large state-sponsored projects and shift toward cooperation with small and medium-sized firms.



On the other hand, Russian businessmen have also expressed their frustration on the Chinese markets.



Viktor F. Vekselberg, the billionaire chairman of the Russian chapter of the Russian-Chinese Chamber for Commerce in Machinery and High Technology Products, said during the Moscow conference: "What should be noted from the results of our work of the last year is that there has been a catastrophically low level of cooperation between the two countries."



However, the relationship between China and Russia may go beyond this and both have what each other needs--Russia has its natural resources and China has the market and the capital.


U.S. Presidential candidate Donald Trump is speaking at the Republican National Convention. (Photo : Getty mages/John Moore)

"Trump: The Art Of The Deal" co-author Tony Schwartz has come out to say that Donald Trump isn't smart at all as people think, and that he wouldn't have written the book in 1987 had he known that Trump will be running as the president of the United States.



Schwartz went out to say everything negative about the presidential candidate and business magnate when he was writing the book in an interview with Good Morning America posted by The Huffington Post. He claimed to have written everything in the book and that he regrets his involvement with him.



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Schwartz went as far as to call Trump a man who had no attention span, a sociopath, and the worst and most dangerous candidate to run for the presidency for his whole adult life. "He is very insecure and not nearly as smart as people imagine him to be," he was quoted as saying.



With someone like Putin, who is much smarter than Trump, provoking him cleverly, he is worried for the future and even claimed that Trump would end civilization. Schwartz claims to haven't slept a night through ever since the business magnate announced his presidential candidacy last year.



Before "Trump: The Art Of The Deal" was published, Schwartz spent 18 months with the presidential candidate and called the process as being draining and deadening. His claim of being the sole author of the book was backed up by Howard Kaminsky, who was the former head of Random House, the publication that published Trump's book.



Being #1 in the New York Times best selling books for 51 weeks in 1987, Schwartz said that he had put a lipstick on a pig, referring to Trump. Furthermore, he also said that he would call the book "The Sociopath" had he written the book today, he was quoted as saying in an interview with The New Yorker.



Trump has been one of the most controversial candidates to run for the president position of the U.S. He has received widespread criticism for his harsh plans for Mexicans and Muslims, barring them from entering the country if he wins the position.






The cake given to former WeChat executive Dan Grover that announced his move to Facebook. (Photo : Twitter/Chenyu Zen)

Facebook is reportedly eyeing to enter China after hiring a former executive from Chinese Internet company Tencent.



The news of the social media giant hiring former Tencent product manager Dan Grover first broke out when Uber employee Chenyu Zen posted a photo of a cake that bears Grover's name. The cake was also adorned with the logos of both Facebook and Tencent, Digital Trends reported.



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Zen's caption for the photo, which read "Wow! This should be news! FB hired Dan Grover from WeChat . . . Now all the China knowledge will be with FB?!" also fueled speculations.



Grover worked at the Chinese instant messaging giant for two and a half years, serving as one of WeChat's managers for its push to expand to the global market during that time. However, the company's effort to enter the U.S. market failed, even with its parent company providing it with a $300-million funding.



Nevertheless, experts believe that Facebook is hiring Grover not for his expertise in the international market, but rather for his knowledge of how the Chinese Internet market works, Forbes reported.



Grover has previously written several lengthy essays on his personal blog about how foreign messenger apps like WeChat have managed to succeed in the Asian market compared to Western apps. In particular, he cited WeChat providing extensive solutions to work around OS limitations, as well as its early adoption of bots as some of the keys to its success.



Facebook has reportedly been trying to replicate some of the most successful features of the Chinese app for its own Messenger app.



While there is still no official confirmation as to what position will be given to Grover, his hiring is the latest in a series of moves that are seen as highlighting Facebook's interest in getting into the Chinese Internet scene. In 2015 alone, the company's founder Mark Zuckerberg has made several trips to the country, speaking to top Chinese officials.


DN-2 test launch.

There's currently no planet-wide missile defense against unidentified flying objects (UFOs) but what the world has at its disposal in case UFOs turn nasty and attack us are China's anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles, currently among the most modern in the world.



To blast UFOs out of Earth orbit, China can call on three of its new direct-ascent missiles: Dong Neng-2 (DN-2), Dong Neng-3 (DN-3) and HongQi-19 (HQ-19). All these missiles were developed as anti-satellite (ASAT) missiles under the guise of anti-ballistic missile systems.



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DN-2 is an ASAT designed to destroy U.S. satellites in geostationary orbit 36,000 kilometers above the Equator by high-speed kinetic impact. It was tested in May 2013 in a geosynchronous orbit, demonstrating a new high-altitude anti-satellite capability. This ASAT might be fully deployed by 2020.



On the other hand, DN-3 is a direct-ascent missile designed to ram U.S. satellites in low Earth orbit (160 kilometers above Earth's surface) and destroy them. It's another of China's new generation of midcourse interception ASATs.



HQ-19 is China's counterpart to the U.S.' Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile defense system, two batteries of which will be deployed to South Korea by 20-18 to counter persistent North Korean ballistic missile tests.



Little is known of the more secretive HQ-19, which is a development of the HQ-9 surface-to-air missile widely deployed by the People's Liberation Army. What is known, however, is the HQ-19 is armed with a dual purpose exosphere kinetic kill vehicle (kkv) that collides with its target. Its first flight took place in 2003.



It was designed to counter ballistic missile and satellites in Low Earth orbit and can be fired at ballistic missile warheads or satellites.



These three ASATs could conceivably be used against UFOs given their capabilities. China has conducted more ASAT tests over the past few years than the U.S. and Russia combined.



China disguised its ASAT tests in 2010, 2013, and 2014 as land-based missile interception tests. It claimed each test involved a high-speed interception of a dummy warhead launched by a ballistic missile and not a satellite.


Whales, dolphins and walruses cannot eat or mate and can even get separated with their young due to powerful navy sonar signals. (Photo : Wikimedia)

After United States federal courts ruled a decision for tighter and stricter restrictions for the use of powerful sonars from the U.S. Navy, environmental groups are now rejoicing since these sonars can disrupt and harm whales and other marine creatures.



In San Francisco's Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, three judges unanimously ruled last Friday and decided that current federal rules apparently have not provided enough protection for the world's oceans.



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To date, the Navy uses extreme low frequency sonars to detect the most silent submarines lurking from foreign origins, spanning a distance of hundreds of miles. However, these powerful sonars are dangerous for marine animals such as whales, dolphins and even walruses, since these creatures navigate their environment though sounds underneath the ocean.



Now, the court believes that these rules that were originally devised by the National Marine Fisheries Service based on a law passed by Congress, does not meet the law's requirements for the "least practicable adverse impact" on marine ecosystems.



According to the Natural Resources Defense Council's Michael Jasny, this is because the U.S. Navy was allowed to roam and to operate in more than 70 percent of the planet's oceans, as if the oceans did not possess any marine life. The Natural Resources Defense Council is one of the groups that aims to block these current sonar rules.



One of the effects of submarine sonars is that these signals can cause the marine creatures to stop communications with each other, where it can lead to the animals stopping to forage for food and even separate them permanently from their offspring, and even interrupt mating and breeding season.



The ruling also insisted that the Navy has been deliberate and thoughtful in following federal regulations however, the court firmly believes that the agency did not exert enough efforts for the protection of these marine creatures.



The ruling also states that the result of this is that a meaningful proportion of the world's marine mammal habitat is clearly under protected.



In a 2012, 5-year ruling from a lower court judge, this new decision that was announced last Friday reversed these rules of covering peacetime operations that would span the Pacific, Atlantic oceans including the Indian ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The case was sent back to the judge to reconsider for more restrictions when it comes to sonar usage and rules.


LEXINGTON  Eric McCain will have to wait until August to get a hearing on vacating his life sentence for killing an officer.

McCain was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole Oct.16, 1990 in the killing of a Gothenburg police officer. McCain was 17 at the time.

In 2010, the U.S. Supreme Court found that it was unconstitutional to sentence a minor to life without the possibility of parole, but the court failed to stipulate if the ruling was retroactive.

In Dawson County District Court Friday, Judge James E. Doyle postponed an evidentiary hearing until Aug. 22 in the hope that the U.S. Supreme Court clarifies its 2010 ruling

In 2013, the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill changing the sentencing requirements in such cases to 40 years to life, to comply with the Supreme Courts decision.

McCain was sentenced under the old law and has served 23 years. With credit for good time, McCain could be released from prison under Nebraskas good time sentencing provisions.

The Nebraska Public Advocacy Commission filed for post-conviction relief for McCain.

On July 2, 1990, McCain entered the Gothenburg police station with a rifle and shot and killed Gothenburg Police Department Sgt. Glenn Haas.

Dawson County Attorney Liz Waterman said after the hearing Friday, This is a huge deal. Its not just one guys concern, referring to the families affected by the officers death. She likened the delay to picking a scab.

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Children's book illustrator Jerry Pinkney, left, signs a copy of his book AuThe Lion and the MouseAu as Philadelphia's first deputy city representative, Margaret Hughes, watches Tuesday, July 19, 2016, at City Hall in Philadelphia. As Pinkney was honored by Philadelphia city officials Tuesday, July 19, 2016, he said his hometown of Philadelphia and African-American history play powerful roles in his career illustrating more than 100 children's books. (AP Photo/Dake Kang)
Apple Pay Launches In The UK (Photo : Getty Images)

Five months after its launch in China on Feb. 18, Apple Pay debuted simultaneously in France and Hong Kong on Tuesday, July 19.



Apple Pay in France is compatible with Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards issued by Carrefour Banque, Ticket Restaurant, Banque Populaire and Caisse dEparge. The Caisse is a group made up of the second-biggest banking group in France which holds over 20 percent of payment cards in circulation.



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Two other French issuers, Boon and Orange, would also provide credit card support to Apple Pay soon, reported cnet.



9to5Mac reported that the launch in France was delayed while Apple was negotiating with French bank over fees that the Cupertino-based company would charge for each transaction. Reports said that the French banks wanted to get the same rate as Chinese banks which reportedly got Apple to agree to halve its share.



French users could use their iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, Apple Watch, iPad mini 4, iPad Air 2 and iPad Pros to transact using Apple Pay.



For Hong Kong, Apple Pay works with American Express, Visa and Mastercard credit cards from seven banks. Initially, it would be HSBC, Bank of China (Hong Kong), Hang Seng, DBS and Standard Chartered. HKT and the Bank of East Asia would follow soon.



Hong Kong and France are the second and third regions for Apple Pay in July after it launched earlier in Switzerland.



More French retailers have agreed to take payments using Apple Pay, while in Hong Kong, over 25 merchants are now accepting Apple Pay, including 7-11, Wellcome and Pizza Hut. Soon, Hong Kong residents could also use Apple Pay in Cathay Pacific Mobile, Deliveroo and Foodpanda.






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Egypts prosecutor-general Nabil Sadek is set to travel to Moscow next week to brief Russian officials on the latest investigations into the deadly October crash of a Russian airliner over Egypts Sinai.

According to an official statement by Egypts civil aviation ministry on Tuesday, Egypts Civil Aviation Minister Sherif Fathy stressed to Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov during a Monday meeting that the countrys top prosecutor will present an update of the criminal investigations conducted by the general prosecution over the crash that killed all 224 people on board.

On Sunday, the Egyptian minister travelled to Moscow for a three-day visit to discuss resuming direct flights between Egypt and Russia.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, Russia suspended direct flights to and from all Egyptian airports over security concerns, classifying the plane crash as a terrorist attack.

The United Kingdom and Germany also suspended flights to Sharm El-Sheikh airport.

An affiliate of the Islamic State group in Sinai claimed responsibility for the attack,

In earlier statements to media, the Russian transport minister said that air service will resume after Egypt fully ensures security at airports.

Egypt had said it has fulfilled 85 percent of Russias demands regarding aviation safety and was now expecting steps to be taken by the Russian side towards resuming flights.

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Forty-three countries are set to take part in the anti-Islamic State group coalition in Washington

Egypts Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry flew to Washington on Tuesday evening to participate in the ministerial meeting of the international anti-Islamic State group coalition hosted by the United States, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry announced.

According to statements by foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid, Shoukry is set to attend the meeting held in Washington with the participation of 43 countries for the international coalitions against the Islamic State group.

Several defense ministers from countries participating in military strikes against the group in Syria and Iraq will also be taking a part in the summit along with the foreign ministers of the anti-IS group alliance.

Egypt is a major supporter of the US-led coalition against the IS group.

Egyptian security forces have been fighting a decade-long Islamist insurgency in parts of North Sinai that spiked following the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, with the Islamic State groups Egyptian affiliate claiming responsibility for most of the attacks.

Shoukry is also expected to attend a quadrilateral meeting held by the US that will also be attended by Egypt, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the latest developments in the Libyan crisis.

Libya plunged into chaos following the 2011 toppling and killing of dictator Muammar Gadhafi and is now torn between a U.N.-backed unity government and rebel Islamist government.

Egypt has repeatedly expressed its faith in the inevitability of a political solution to the Libyan crisis.

The Egyptian minister is also set to attend another ministerial meeting on Thursday called for by the European Unions Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini to discuss updates on the Palestinian cause and the efforts being exerted to push the peace process between Palestinians and Israelis forward.

Egypt, Jordan, the European Union, and Saudi Arabia are expected to participate in the meetings.

Egypt is currently supporting the Paris peace initiative aimed at reviving negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.

According to Abu Zeid, a bilateral meeting is set to take place between Egypts Shoukry and his US counterpart John Kerry, where both sides will discuss all aspects related to their mutual ties, according to the statement.

Shoukry and Kerry will hold talks about regional issues, including developments on the Palestinian cause and the situation in Libya and Syria.

Last week, following his return from a first time visit by an Egyptian foreign minister to Israel since 2007, Shoukry received a phone call from Kerry where the US official discussed with him the outcomes of his visit and the efforts made to encourage the Palestinians and Israelis to resume the peace process.

During the Israel visit, Shoukry reiterated to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Egypt is a "steadfast and unwavering" supporter of the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Egyptian foreign minister stressed that the two-state solution is supported by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and other state officials.

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.

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I find it amusing to be accused of being an unsuccessful practitioner of naturopathic medicine. I graduated with high grades from Bastyr University. I landed a highly competitive naturopathic residency. Had I remained in practice, I would currently be eligible to take the naturopathic pediatrics board-certification exam offered by the Pediatric Association of Naturopathic Physicians.

I was making decent money at my practices in Seattle and Tucson. By all accounts, I was a successful naturopathic doctor. My bosses at the Tucson clinic had even asked me if I were interested in becoming their business partner!

I walked away from my practice because my boss was committing a federal crime by importing and administering a non-FDA approved medication to his cancer patients. I decided to leave naturopathic medicine for good after a former president of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians urged me not to report my bosss criminal activity to the authorities.

These wounds still hurt. I lost dozens of friends. I lost eight years of my life. I lost my livelihood. The ND degree does not have any value in the academic community. It is a tarnish on my permanent record. It would have been in my financial interest to move to another practice and continue being a successful naturopath.

One problem with naturopaths is that they measure success by how much money one collects from patients, yet they fail to understand that naturopathic services are quackery. So by their logic, being a successful naturopath is dependent upon profiting by fooling patients and fooling oneself. If they want to describe me as an unsuccessful naturopath, then success has no useful meaning.

I am not employed to write about anything in particular about naturopathic medicine or with any particular tone. I am an independent blogger who wants to share my insights. I created my own opinions on naturopathic medicine by looking at the profession critically. This kind of task is fundamental to the scientific process, which I only learned after leaving naturopathy and engaging with the academic community.

Naturopaths want to be recognized as primary care physicians in the U.S. and Canada. This is a big deal. We all should be skeptical. This profession is claiming to have established a comprehensive education that trains competent medical practitioners, yet they rely upon unproven methods at best and debunked ones at worst.

Essentially, naturopaths want to be allowed to take shortcuts. Instead of attending medical school, naturopaths attend their own, self-accredited programs with low acceptance standards and faculty who are not qualified to teach medicine. Instead of a standardized and peer-reviewed medical licensing exam, naturopaths take their own secretive licensing exam that tests on homeopathy and other dubious treatments. What little medical standards that seem to be tested on the exam have been botched, like the one question in which a child is gasping for air, and the correct answer on how to treat is to give a homeopathic remedy.

Naturopaths have called me a liar, but have been unable to identify any specific fabrications. They say I am omitting facts and evidence, but they cannot show what information I allegedly missed. Perhaps for naturopaths, the only way to deal with fair, honest criticism, is to undermine my integrity.

My blog harbors no hidden agenda. I write to prevent current and prospective naturopathic students from being duped into thinking they are being adequately trained as a primary care physicians. I write to protect patients from the poorly trained practitioners that these programs produce. I write because I have seen both worlds, and the naturopathic one is terrifying.

Britt Marie Hermes is a former naturopathic doctor who blogs at Naturopathic Diaries.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com
An anti-Islamic State group coalition is convening in Washington that will help create strategies to defeat the militant organisation

An Egyptian delegation is set to participate in a Wednesday meeting that aims to combat extremist thoughts and draft media strategies for the international anti-Islamic State group coalition in Washington, a statement by Egypts foreign ministry read.

The statement comes just hours before the arrival of Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry to Washington who will take part in the main foreign ministers at a later time.

In the statement, foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said he would be heading the Egyptian delegation, which will include the Grand Mufti's aide, Ibrahim Negm, and will be the first time the country's Dar El-Ifta has been included in a delegation for such meetings.

According to Abu Zeid, efforts exerted by Dar Al-Ifta in the field of fighting extremism, resisting extremist ideologies being spread on social media, and the posting of edicts that aim to falsify militant Islamic groups' religious discourse would be presented.

In 2015, the country's religious authority established a unit that focuses on monitoring jihadist and extremist edicts through their media outlets

In May, Egypt's Dar Al-Ifta warned against a reported android application that was made by the Islamic State group that is geared towards children. The religious authority said the application aimed to recruit children from an early age.

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has previously stressed the importance of countering terrorists' use of social media and electronic websites to promote extremist ideas and attract new members.

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A third man is arrested in connection to a series of robberies in town.

Luis Principe had been arrested for the armed robbery of a hair salon and Family Dollar earlier this month.

Now Principe, along with his brother Johnny Principe and Gary Pruneda, will be facing charges for armed robberies of five finance companies.

All three men are facing charges of aggravated robbery. More arrests are pending in these cases.
Police are asking the community for help in tracking down a man seen on camera taking a wallet at a local convenience store.

It happened on July 8, at the Sunrise Convenience Store in the 1500 block of Market Street.

A customer left behind a wallet at the counter, and surveillance footage shows a man in a white shirt grabbing the wallet and taking it with him.

According to reports, the wallet had about $600 in cash.

If you have any information on this case, you are asked to call police at 795-2800.
Late last summer, William Senior, of Reston, Va., put down $2,000 to get on a waitlist for a two-bedroom assisted-living apartment at a nearby continuing-care community for himself and his wife. His children had urged their parents to move into assisted living, a step between independent living and nursing-home care, ever since their mother, Lorraine, 85, began requiring consistent home care in January 2015 for back issues that limited her mobility. After waiting nearly a year and twice getting bumped from the top of the waitlist by current independent-living residents in need of assisted-living care, Lorraine fell on Thanksgiving weekend and broke two vertebrae and two ribs.

I should have followed my son and daughters advice and moved more quickly, said Senior, 89, the Retirement Reports founding editor. After his wife spent 10 weeks in a rehabilitation facility, Senior moved her to a temporary one-bedroom flat at a less-than-ideal assisted-living facility while he continued to search for a residence they could share. Finally, after trying to get into three different communities, the Seniors plan to move this summer into a newly built one just a few miles from the home they shared for 50 years.

The Seniors experience is a lesson for those considering assisted living: Start your search early. Doing so can help avoid delays, frustration, wasted money and even buyers remorse. But, often, assisted living is far from top of mind until a crisis strikes. It is usually a crisis-driven decision, says Maribeth Bersani, chief operating officer of Argentum, the national association representing assisted-living facility operators.

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There is a lot to consider when it comes to assisted living. First is figuring out when the time is right. Most of us want to stay in our homes as long as possible. But if assisted living may be in your future, do some preliminary shopping both locally and in an area to which you may move, to be near your children, for example. Assisted living is geared to those who are healthy enough to live on their own but may need some help to live independently, perhaps with bathing, dressing or managing medicines.

Of the one million seniors living in some 31,000 assisted-living centers across the U.S., more than half are age 85 or older, and nearly 40% require assistance with three or more activities of daily living, according to Bersani.

Seeking Assisted Living

When you start your search, consider only state-licensed facilities. Your Area Agency on Aging (opens in new tab) is a good place to get a list of options in your area, says Catherine Seal, a Colorado Springs, Colo., elder law attorney. You really have to physically visit, advises Seal. Have a meal at the facilities on your list, and talk with residents about their experiences. Walk around, see if the residents look clean and attended to, she says.

Another consideration: the type of facility. Assisted-living arrangements vary widely, from a handful of residents in a home-like setting to a high-rise building with hundreds of neighbors to a campus-like atmosphere, with high-end services. In some locales, assisted living is called an adult home, retirement residence or residential care facility. Residents typically lease apartmentswhich can range from studio-like digs to two-bedroom spreadson a monthly basis and eat in a common dining area.

Care services and amenities also vary widely. For example, some facilities may provide a resident doctor, skilled-nursing care and physical therapy, whereas others provide little care. Some communities have concierge services, in-apartment dining, happy hours and top-notch fitness centers; others dont offer much more than transport to doctors appointments. Argentum has developed a set of voluntary standards on a range of issues from resident rights, care, staff training and qualifications, medication delivery and memory care. (Find a checklist of the standards at alfa.org (opens in new tab).)

According to Argentum, typical services include access to health care and medical services customized to specific needs, 24-hour emergency call systems for residents, three daily meals served in the dining area, housekeeping and laundry services, assistance with eating, bathing, dressing, toileting and walking as needed, as well as shuttle buses, and exercise and wellness programs. Some assisted-living communities have specialized assistance for residents with dementia.

Its important to read the fine print of the contract, which outlines services, pricing, extra charges and staffing. Inquire about how much and what time help is available and the level of care. There is a price for every package, says Seal. Getting escorted to dining and back comes at a higher price than going on your own, for example, as does medication management. Make sure the facility conducts criminal background checks on employees. Inquire about employee turnover rates and the staff-to-resident ratio.

Like services and amenities, costs vary widely. The median monthly cost for a single, one-bedroom apartment in an assisted-care facility nationally runs $3,628 a month, according to the Genworth 2016 Cost of Care Survey. In the Washington, D.C., metro area where the Seniors live, the median runs $4,400 for one person. They will pay $10,000 a month for a spacious two-bedroom, two-bath apartment. The facility will have a better-than-average caregiver-to-patient ratio, says Senior, adding that his wife will get help getting out of bed, dressing and showering, and managing medicines.

The cost includes laundry and housekeeping services, an exercise facility, a small theater, transportation to medical appointments and events, plus a pub offering coffee and snacks throughout the day, in addition to three meals a day. If either of the Seniors need nursing-home care, it will be available next door.

Dining will be restaurant-style. Eat when you like between certain hours, no assigned tables, says Senior. At some facilities, you have an assigned seat and everyone gets served at the same time. I figured, hell, you dont even have assigned seating in the Army. Before you sign a contract, consider having an elder law attorney review it. Seal also stresses the importance of being honest upfront about the care needed or behaviors of a loved one, such as combative behavior. Be certain such issues are addressed in the care plan, rather than left as a potential cause for eviction.

Finally, ask to review complaints made to state agencies, as well as inspection reports. You can do some initial facility comparisons at alfa.org (opens in new tab). Find a states ombudsman through the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (opens in new tab).
(Kitco News) - Silver prices are in a new uptrend with limited downside risk but mining companies still need to demonstrate strong discipline, warns one sector executive.

The rally in silver has lit a fire under the share price of Coeur Mining (NYSE: CDE), driving the stock price up more than 400% on the year and has recently ourperformed the general mining sector.

Wednesday morning, silver it seeing some renewed selling pressure and is the worst peformer among the precious metals. September Comex Silver futures last traded at $19.55 an ounce down $0.457 on the day.

However, in an exclusive interview with Kitco News, Mitchell Krebs, CEO of Coeur Mining Inc., said that he is not trying to focus too much on prices and instead looking at what the company can control and take advantage of the seismic shift in the marketplace.

Earlier this month, Coeur reported its second quarter production results, producing 4 million ounces of silver and 92,726 ounces of gold in the period between April and June. Total silver equivalent ounces in the second quarter hit a record at 9.6 million ounces.

But our big theme is really the quality versus the quantity of the ounces produced. For us, that is really a cost question. How much money are we making on the ounces produced? he questioned. Im proud to say that in the last three years our costs have come down by almost 30%, unmatched by anybody else in the industry.

Krebs said the company has spent the last five years growing its portfolio of mines, reducing costs and increasing cash flow; and, with the market in a new uptrend, the company is seeing the rewards of all its efforts.

I think we are set up for a strong second half of the year. 2017 is going to be a very strong year for us, he said. We have only really started see the potential of what the cash flow this portfolio can create on a collective basis.

Looking to the future, Krebs said that higher prices and increased cash flows has allowed the company to look at increasing production at their current properties and further investigate some projects that have been on the backburner. Two projects Krebs said could get more attention as the company refocuses its priorities are La Preciosa property in Mexico or its Joaquin property in Southern Argentina.

We are lucky that we have the opportunity to invest in properties we already own, we already control, he said. Growing from within is usually a higher return way of growing the business.

Coeurs focus and market approach appears to be attracting investor interest as its share price has risen more than 420% since the start of the year, settling Tuesday's trading session at $13.61 a share.

Early last month, the company was also able to raise $75 million in an at the market offering.

Krebs said that Coeur is expecting to be free-cash flow positive by 2017, with the current price helping the company reduce its debt.

This market has allowed us to be more aggressive in shoring up our balance sheet, he said.

By Neils Christensen of Kitco News; nchristensen@kitco.com

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Centerra Gold Inc. (TSX: CG) announces completion its previously announced bought deal offering. Earlier this month, the company entered into an agreement with BMO Capital Markets, Credit Suisse Securities Canada and Scotiabank under which they agreed to purchase and sell to the public 23,130,000 subscription receipts at C$7.35 each. The underwriters exercised in full their over-allotment option to acquire an additional 3,469,500 subscription receipts, so that a total of 26,599,500 were issued for gross proceeds of C$195,506,325. The net proceeds of the offering of approximately C$185.7 million will be used to partially fund the redemption of the secured and unsecured notes of Thompson Creek Metals Co. Inc. in connection with the companys previously announced acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Thompson Creek, Centerra says. Upon completion of the transaction, existing Centerra and Thompson Creek shareholders are expected to own approximately 92% and 8% of the pro forma company, respectively, on a fully-diluted in-the-money basis. The company expects the transaction to close in autumn.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Goldcorp Completes Acquisition Of Kaminak Gold Corp.

Goldcorp Inc. (TSX: G, NYSE: GG) announces the closing of the previously announced acquisition of Kaminak Gold Corp. (TSXV: KAM) under a court-approved plan. "The acquisition of Kaminak and its Coffee project in the Yukon is consistent with our strategy of populating our asset pipeline with opportunities that are accretive to net asset value per share," says David Garofalo , Goldcorp president and chief executive officer. "With a large, geologically prospective land package in a mining friendly jurisdiction, the Coffee project has the potential to grow into a camp to deliver long-term significant sustainable value for our partners and stakeholders. Under terms of the acquisition, Goldcorp acquired all outstanding common shares of Kaminak, with an exchange 0.10896 of a common share of Goldcorp for each outstanding Kaminak share. Goldcorp now owns 100% of Kaminak shares. Goldcorp issued a total of 20,997,312 of its shares to former Kaminak shareholders, including former holders of Kaminak options, who now hold approximately 2.5% of outstanding Goldcorp shares.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Asanko: Second-Quarter Gold Production Within Guidance At New Mine

Asanko Gold Inc. (TSX, NYSE MKT: AKG) reports that after commercial gold production was declared a quarter ahead of schedule on April 1 from the first phase of the Asanko Gold Mine in Ghana, second-quarter gold production was 36,337 ounces. This was in line with guidance of 35,000 to 40,000 ounces. Gold sales totaled 35,074 ounces at an average realized price of $1,231 per ounce for gross revenue of $43.2 million. Asanko reiterates second-half guidance of 90,000 to 100,000 ounces. We are now mining the main Nkran ore zones, with dilution and gold losses normalizing in the last few weeks of June, and there are early indications of the mineral reserve reconciling well with the ore mined, says Peter Breese, president and chief executive officer. June was an encouraging month with 265,000 tonnes of ore at 2.0 g/t (grams per tonne) gold processed.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

Lundin Mining Gets Extension To Bid On Freeport Stake In Tenke Fungurume

Lundin Mining Corp. (TSX: LUN) has received an extension until Sept. 15 to make a bid for Freeport McMoRan Inc.s indirect interest in TF Holdings Ltd. This is the holding company that has an 80% interest in Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A.R.L. in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The deadline had been Aug. 8. Freeport and Lundin hold a 70% and 30% interest, respectively, in TF Holdings. Back in May, Lundin received a notice from Freeport offering Lundin the right to acquire Freeport's stake in TF Holdings at the same purchase price and on the same terms and conditions offered by China Molybdenum Co., Ltd.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com
The defendants were arrested in May 2015

An Aswan military court sentenced five people to seven years in prison for destroying electricity pylons in Aswan earlier Wednesday.

Another 10 people were sentenced to life in prison in absentia. Egyptian law stipulates that defendants found guilty in absentia recieve the maximum sentence.

The defendants were accused of destroying electricity pylons in an Aswan village in April 2015.

In May 2015, security forces arrested five people on charges of forming a terrorist cell that targeted electricity pylons and police stations

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(Kitco News) - Allegations of manipulation are once again front and center in financial markets Wednesday after Bloomberg reported that a senior manager at HSBC was arrested in New York for potentially playing a role in foreign exchange manipulation.

According to the news agency, Mark Johnson, HSBCs global head of foreign exchange cash trading in London, was arrested at John F. Kennedy International Airport Tuesday. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Brooklyn Wednesday morning.

The agency used unnamed sources as the charges have not been made public yet. The sources said that Johnson has been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Johnsons arrest came as markets can still feel the impact -- more than a year later -- after five global banks pleaded guilty to charges related to the rigging of currency benchmarks.

Citigroup Inc, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Barclays Plc, UBS Group AG and Royal Bank of Scotland Plc were fined a total of $6 billion for trigging currency markets.

Although never charged in currency manipulation, HSBC was one of several banks being investigated for precious metals manipulation and faces lawsuits for allegedly rigging gold, silver and PGM benchmarks.

In February 2015, The Department of Justice and the Commodity Futures Exchange Commission announced that it was investigating 10 banks in connection with potential precious metals price rigging. The banks in question were HSBC Holdings Plc, Bank of Nova Scotia, Barclays Plc, Credit Suisse Group AG, Deutsche Bank AG, Goldman Sachs Group Inc, JPMorgan Chase & Co, Societe Generale, Standard Bank Group Ltd and UBS Group AG.

Earlier this year, the civil lawsuits saw an intriguing twist after Deutsche Bank settled its dispute with gold and silver investors. The bank also agreed to help the plaintiffs in their claims against other banks.

"In addition to valuable monetary consideration to be paid into a settlement fund, the term sheet also provides for other valuable consideration such as provisions requiring Deutsche Banks cooperation in pursuing claims against the remaining defendants," the German banks attorneys said in the settlement letter.

By Neils Christensen of Kitco News; nchristensen@kitco.com

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Sean Lusk, director of commercial hedging with Walsh Trading, cites potential for profit-taking in gold futures. Even with a slight retreat in net-long positioning of speculators, as reflected by the most recent data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, gold futures are still somewhat overbought with non-commercial and non-reportables long 329,268 contracts entering this week, he says. This obviously speaks to the lack of abandonment concerning the global economy on the safe-haven trade. Still, gold has retreated some since the highs after the U.K. Brexit vote in the face of a rising U.S. dollar and U.S. equities trading to all-time highs, he says. Key events next week are a two-day meeting of the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee, Comex August options expiration and first-notice day for the August futures. Bulls will argue that the potential seasonal buying pattern for metals begins in earnest late July through August, Lusk says. It is my contention that if the market is going to break with more liquidation from longs going forward near term, it could happen in front of or immediately following the two-day Fed meeting next week. Also liquidation could be seen before month-end with options and first-notice day for the August contract. Should prices correct, they often target retracement levels, he notes. A 50% retracement in the December futures comes in at $1,295 an ounce, based on the June low to the recent July highs, Lusk adds.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

UBS: Gold Consolidation 'Healthy'; Investors Look To Buy At $1,300

UBS describes golds recent consolidation as healthy and says any pullback to $1,300 an ounce could trigger buying. Analysts say there is considerable interest to buy dips in order to build strategic gold positions, and the buoyancy of prices is a reflection of this. Many seem to be looking at the $1,300 level as a good area to get in  we tend to agree and expect decent support around this level. However, as is often the case, the risk here is that if buying a dip to $1,300 is consensus, then strong enough interest could mean that the market won't even get down to that level as the fear of missing out would prompt market participants to act. As of 8:05 a.m. EDT, spot gold was at $1,318.65 an ounce, down $13.10 for the day.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

UBS, HSBC: Gold In Seasonally Quiet Summer Trading Period

Gold appears to have entered into a quieter summer trading period, say UBS and HSBC. UBS points out that the yellow metal has been in a narrowing range since last months U.K. referendum to leave the European Union and the number of futures positions is declining. With the Northern Hemisphere summer well under way, the gold market seems to have entered its usual summer lull for now, the bank says. Comex positioning data as of July 12th tends to corroborate this view; net longs declined by 1.46moz (million ounces) to 35.74moz and a closer look at the data reveals that this was caused by both longs and shorts cutting back positions. This paring back of open positions could suggest the desire to be flat before going off on summer holidays. HSBC cites thin trading volume lately. Gold may be entering the summer doldrums and it is hard to see what might motivate prices in the immediate term.There is always the possibility of a geopolitical event shaking the market up, but short of that things look quiet and likely to continue to be subdued, HSBC says. Investor buying appears to have eased, with the ETFs (exchange-traded-fund interest) flattening out and net-long positions on the Comex being pared.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com

BNP Paribas: Rate Expectations May Nudge Dollar Higher Ahead Of Fed Meeting

The U.S. dollar has scope for more gains this week following Tuesdays Wall Street Journal story suggesting that Federal Reserve officials are gaining confidence they can raise rates this year, possibly as early as September, says BNP Paribas. While the article provides little new insight as (it) appears to draw on previous public comments, with rates markets pricing just 10% chance of a rate hike in September now, we would expect some upward pressure on Fed expectations as we approach the July meeting, which could provide some temporary further support for the USD and pressure on the risk environment, the bank says. Still, BNP Paribas says, next weeks Fed meeting is probably too soon to expect a hawkish signal from the Fed given continued uncertainties on the domestic and global outlooks.

By Allen Sykora of Kitco News; asykora@kitco.com
Spike O'Neill fronts Spike & The Impalers, who play July 22 at the Admiral Theatre. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

SHARE CONTRIBUTED PHOTOs Kitsap Garage Band players (from left) Paul Fessenden, Greg Hanenburg, Christina (Stolicky) Kelly, Pat Boyle, Tom Drouin, Ron Cain, Brian Swanson, Ted Orwiler and Bryce Cain. Not pictured are Jon Mutcheler and Daryl Barnes.

By Michael C. Moore, mmoore@kitsapsun.com

A few years ago, "Twisted Tunes" took a twist. The result is one of the most popular cover-band attractions around the Puget Sound, Spike and the Impalers.

"It started with the stuff Bob (Rivers), Joe (Bryant) and I did on the radio," said Spike O'Neill, the frontman who leads the Impalers to Bremerton July 22 to make their Admiral Theatre debut in a benefit concert for the Max Hale Center organized by former Bremerton resident Tom Drouin.

"We were making dozens of 'Twisted Tunes' (song parodies) a year," O'Neill said of the morning radio show Rivers hosted for more than 25 years on the Seattle airwaves, first on KISW, then KZOK and finally KJR-FM. O'Neill, who followed Rivers to the Northwest from Baltimore, where they first collaborated on WIYY, and Mississippi native via Bellevue Bryant was added shortly thereafter. "One day, Bob said, 'We should do this in front of people.'"

Thus were Spike and the Impalers born. O'Neill  a gifted impressionist among his other talents  would be the frontman, and a roster of heavy-hitting Northwest musicians, most of them packing serious resumes and industry cred, were recruited and/or volunteered to fill out the lineup.

"Jeff (Kathan, drummer from the Paul Rodgers Band and Northwest cover band Magic Bus) and Lynn (Sorensen, bassist for Rogers' band and Bad Company) came to us and said, 'We'll be your rhythm section. We'd love to be your band.' "

Kathan and Sorensen have been constants in the lineup, which currently includes guitarist Steve Hanna, saxophonist Scott Adams, guitarist Manuel Morais and vocalist Susan Kendall-Morais. Rivers, who retired from radio last year, still plays occasional gigs with the band on keyboards.

"The first year or so, it was just bananas," O'Neill said of fronting what amounted to a Northwest supergroup. "I couldn't believe I was doing this, with all these amazing guys. I felt really blessed, and nothing really has changed."

The Impalers play rock covers, with Kathan and Sorensen ("They're our musical directors," O'Neill said) choosing songs that fit O'Neill's abilities.

"Bob liked to do the big, monster hits," O'Neill said. "But we want to try to get back to melt-your-face stuff, stuff that plays well to a live audience. Jeff and Lynn know all about what works live. I'll make them learn something I love, like Springsteen, but we do Nazareth, we do a ton of AC/DC."

As the band gained notoriety  fueled in large part by the huge audience for Rivers' radio show  the hardest part of gigging was finding times when none of the members had anything else going on with their other bands.

"Lynn's in an L.A. band called Heaven and Earth, or he might tour with Bad Company," O'Neill said. "Coordinating with the venues is difficult. We've had to turn down gigs because somebody's touring in Europe. The demand has gotten huge."

The Impalers have built a huge fan base, which in a way led to their upcoming Admiral gig. Drouin, a West Bremerton (Class of 1975) graduate, was working on a fundraiser for the Max Hale Center as a way to honor his late father, Phil Drouin, who was among the linchpins of the center's establishment. A musician and an Impalers fan (who also auditioned and won the opportunity to sing onstage for a couple of Impalers gigs), he floated the idea of a possible concert, and the July 22 date proved to be open for all parties.

"Actually, I blame my sister Donna (Downum, still a Bremerton resident)," Drouin said. "She's a big fan of Spike and the Impalers, too, and she said she had so many friends who would go and see them if they played over here."

To open the show, Drouin put out the call to 1970s-era Kitsap County (and North Mason) high school graduates to form a one-off band to play '60s and '70s covers to warm up the crowd. The Kitsap Garage Band (KGB) ended up as an 11-member outfit that have been rehearsing everything from Beatles and Stones to Billy Joel.

"We're coming from Ferndale to Maple Valley, Spokane to Port Ludlow," said Drouin, who now lives north of Seattle. "Most of us never knew each other back then, but I think we've come together pretty well."

The Impalers, who started out playing street fairs and have gigged since, in O'Neill's words, at "everything from dive bars to the Paramount, the Moore and the 5th Avenue," have played west of Puget Sound before.

"We played The Point, partly because it's the closest building to my (Edmonds) home," he said, neglecting to note that the Impalers will be back at the Kingston casino Sept. 16 and 17. "I haven't been to the (Admiral), but it sounds like a pretty classic place, lovingly restored to its former glory. I love old buildings like that."

PREVIEW

'SPIKE AND THE IMPALERS'

Where: Admiral Theatre, 515 Pacific Ave., Bremerton

When: 7 p.m. July 22 (doors open 6 p.m.; Kitsap Garage Band (KGB) open

Tickets: $40-$20 (proceeds benefit the Max Hale Center)

Information: 360-373-6743, admiraltheatre.org
RICHARD THORNTON/JEWEL BOX THEATRE The cast of the Jewel Box's "Don't Dress for Dinner" includes Alix Black (from left), Scott Ventrice, Ali Budge, Joe Prevost, Phil Conifer and Nicole Schneider.

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By Michael C. Moore, mmoore@kitsapsun.com

POULSBO  The last time the French farce "Don't Dress for Dinner" was produced in Kitsap County, in 2004 at Bremerton Community Theatre, Sharon Greany was one of the costumers.

Twelve years later, she remembered the play by Marc Camoletti when the Jewel Box asked her for ideas for a light, fluffy, summertime comedy.

"I made a couple of suggestions, but this one just seemed right," said Greany, who most recently directed in the little Poulsbo playhouse in 2012, the holiday chamber musical "Winter Wonderettes." "People want to laugh in the summertime, and this is really funny."

A reviewer for the Guardian in London, where the show opened in 1991 (four years after its French debut), would agree: "Hurtling along at the speed of light, (the) breathtaking farce is a near faultless piece of theatrical invention." The play turned up in theaters around the U.S. (including the 2004 BCT run), earning mixed reviews, but didn't have its Broadway premiere until 2012.

"It's one of those shows that just gets more and more ridiculous as it goes," Greany said. "They lie, and then they have to lie some more to cover up their lies, and the whole thing escalates."

In the shell of a half-dozen nuts, the six-character farce centers around a doctor, Bernard, who thinks his wife's trip to visit her mother provides the perfect opportunity for a weekend getaway with his mistress. But the wife, Jacqueline, doesn't make the trip, and the logistics at Bernard's love nest in the country turn complicated when she and her own lover  Bernard's friend Robert  turn up.

Hiding lies and lovers, in increasingly ridiculous ways, turns into the weekend's sole pastime.

"It's not heavy drama," Greany understated. "It's just crazy fun."

Ali Budge, most recently in Bremerton Community Theatre's "Romeo and Juliet" but busiest of late at Port Gamble Theatre, will be familiar to many Kitsap theatergoers in a cast of six that leans heavily on Jewel Box newbies. She plays Suzette, the cook. Scott Ventrice (Robert) is a JB veteran, from last season's "Arsenic and Old Lace," and Joe Prevost (George, the cook's husband) has several credits there.

But Phil Conifer (Bernard), Nicole Schneider (Jacqueline) and Alix Black (Suzanne) all are making their Jewel Box debuts.

"They've all done theater," Greany said, "just not here."

Greany said she decided against doing the show with French accents.

"We don't really need to," she said. "It's funny enough without them, so we're just going normal.

"Ali has an English accent," she added, shrugging, "but she's from England, so that's normal for her."
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By Brynn Grimley

It's a chilly Tuesday in early December and Department of Fish and Wildlife Sgt. Ted Jackson is standing beside his gold-colored pickup truck, filling his mobile office with gasoline.

Inside the cab, a laptop fastened to the center console sits closed; a radio crackles.

A 12-gauge shotgun and an AR-15 semi-automatic rifle are locked upright between the front seats. The backseat, overflowing with equipment, holds a tranquilizer rifle to euthanize injured animals.

Wearing a tan uniform and rugged black boots, Jackson prepares for his day. In the mornings, he does administrative work, sometimes from the laptop in his pickup, responds to dispatcher calls and patrols fish and wildlife lands.

By the evening's low tide, he positions his truck out of sight along the shorelines of Hood Canal. The engine of his four-wheel-drive is turned off as he listens and watches for shellfish harvesters. If they're gathering too many oysters or clams, Jackson will let them know.

This day he plans to patrol Lost Highway, a road that connects Kitsap to North Mason through roughly 40 square miles of forest. The land includes property owned by Pope Resources and the state's Fish and Wildlife and Natural Resources departments.

Traveling unpaved roads that every few miles fork in different directions, Jackson looks for things out of the ordinary.

Some days he'll spend a couple hours in the woods. Others, it's six to 10 hours there.

On the longer days he'll park his truck and walk, looking for tree stands, illegal bear bait stations and illegal brush pickers.

Watching the clouds sweep over the Olympics, the outwardly stoic-looking sergeant regularly checks his review and side mirrors. His years of being in law enforcement have trained him to be alert, even in seemingly isolated areas.

Because of the large area they have to cover  including Pierce, Kitsap and North Mason counties  Jackson and the six wildlife officers he oversees work alone unless dispatched to a major incident.

While the roads he patrols appear abandoned, he regularly runs into people  probably more than he runs into wildlife. He stops them to chat. If they're hunting, fishing or cutting salal, he makes sure they have the right permits.

KEEPING A BALANCE

Jackson has 20-plus years of law enforcement experience and a degree in criminal justice, which he said prepared him well for the wildlife job.

He jokes that he doesn't have to worry about the animals he encounters, it's usually the humans that cause the most trouble.

A fish and wildlife officer for 14 years, Jackson's job requires him to balance nature with civilization to make sure both are protected.

In the last 10 years, that balance has become increasingly difficult to maintain as people move into areas where animals once lived with few interactions with humans.

Kitsap County residents have made headlines because of their encounters with wildlife.

Two were attacked by black bears. Earlier this year, a hunter killed a bear that might go in the record books as being the largest bear harvested in the county.

Members of the public made their opinions known about how humans and wildlife should co-exist in public forums and to Jackson, who was put into the local media spotlight as he answered media questions and responded to public concerns.

After Seabeck resident Dennis Durbin shot an almost 600-pound bear off Anderson Hill Road between Silverdale and Seabeck, Jackson received calls from people wanting to make sure Durbin shot the bear legally. He called the hunter, who verified he had a bear tag.

Jackson said he wished there were more hunters like Durbin out there.

"Hunting is our only effective way of controlling our animal populations," Jackson said.

CONTROLLING ENCOUNTERS

The bear population in Kitsap is high, according to Jackson and Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Dan Brinson.

To keep the overall population in check, the department extended the state's bear hunting season this year.

Kingston, Poulsbo, Olalla and Seabeck are home to the majority of Kitsap's bears and cougars. As more people unfamiliar with wildlife move into these rural areas, interactions with and responses to wildlife vary.

A majority of the encounters are harmless, Jackson said, but warned that if people don't change their habits  bring in garbage cans, take down bird feeders  the animals will return.

When a bear or cougar is repeatedly spotted in a neighborhood, and residents have removed all food from outside, fish and wildlife officers take action.

The easiest solution is to shoot the animal, but that doesn't always go over well with the public. Instead officers attempt to trap and relocate it.

Last year fish and wildlife trapped 14 bears in Kitsap. Of those, a handful had to be euthanized.

In most cases when bears are relocated  often the politically correct solution  they don't last longer than three months in their new surroundings.

"We're dumping one animal into another animals' area," Brinson said. Relocating a bear from Kitsap  usually to the Olympic Peninsula  affects the dynamics of the bear population, he said.

"There's no magic place in the United States, except maybe Alaska, to take these bears," Jackson said.

As more people move into rural areas, bears are forced to live with humans, or move away. With the need to keep a roughly 5-mile radius as their territory, when bears encounter one and other, the end result can be deadly.

"Fourteen years ago there were a lot of hunters out there," Brinson said. "Now those numbers are significantly less.

"Our culture has changed and many people have lost sight of the balancing issues," between hunting and animal control, he said.

'A FUN JOB'

Winding his way out of Lost Highway, Jackson rounds a bumpy corner and comes across two men with fishing poles.

The men look surprised to see someone else in the woods, especially a wildlife officer. Wearing their fishing licenses around their neck, the men hand them over to Jackson. He talks to them briefly before they head a mile down the road to a small lake, ripe for fishing.

One of the men, Jason Luna from Silverdale, said he doesn't mind being stopped.

"We love it that they're out here because it means that we can be out here," Luna said. "There's stupid people out there and it helps to keep things regulated."

As Jackson drives down the descending highway, he continues his duties, checking license plates of cars left at trail heads and watching for illegal brush pickers.

He heads up a private road in Dewatto to an overlook with sweeping views of the Olympics and Hood Canal. During shrimp season this is one of Jackson's favorite places to sit. From this vantage point he can see the boats on the canal and if they're running ashore to dump their catches at cars parked along Highway 101.

When it's not shrimp season, Jackson still visits the lookout, saying it's a good place for paperwork. The view certainly tops that of a desk, which is one reason why Jackson chose this line of work.

"When you're moving and doing all kinds things, it's a fun job," he said.
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Colleen Marie Wolfe

of Bremerton

April 8, 1935

to July 19, 2016

Colleen Marie Gaffney Wolfe, "Teen", peacefully passed away surrounded by her children on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. She was born to the late Mildred and Theodore Gaffney on April 8, 1935. She grew up in Tacoma, graduating from Holy Names Academy and attended Marylhurst College in Oregon.

Colleen was vivacious, caring and valued family and friends above all else. As the mother of seven children, she had a constant deep and loving involvement with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren's lives. Attending births, baptisms, holidays and special occasions, she gave a helping hand and joy to life's celebrations. Answering the call of caregiver with grace and love for all, she was especially dedicated to the care of her eldest daughter, Claire Michele, born with cerebral palsy and her second husband, Charlie Wolfe, after a brain stem injury.

As her family grew, Colleen worked professionally in roles that took advantage of her analytic and people skills working as a receptionist at Green Mountain Rehabilitation, Executive Director at the March of Dimes, sales at Spot Reality and an Analyst and Technician at Honeywell.

Faith was the cornerstone of Colleen's life. A longtime member and daily attendee at our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton, Washington, Colleen believed strongly in helping those less fortunate, by volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul, delivering homebound communion and serving in the parish soup kitchen.

She is survived by her devoted children: Dawn (Charlie) Montgomery, Valerie (Pietro) Burns-Rossi, Patricia (Jeff) Burns Elmer, Ted (Lourdes) Burns, Lisa (John) Gyori and Terri (Tom) Kennedy; 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and siblings: Patricia Gaffney, Sharon (Kip) Coy and Larry (Ellen) Gaffney.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, July 22nd at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Star of the Sea, Bremerton. Rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. prior to Mass. Interment at Miller Woodlawn Cemetery.

Gaffney Funeral Home in Tacoma has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.GaffneyCares.com Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Stuff reports:

And then there were eight. Veteran city councillor Andy Foster has added his name to what is becoming a very congested field in the race for Wellingtons mayoralty. Foster, the councils transport and urban development committee chairman, said he threw his hat in the ring because he felt the capital had lacked leadership for some years, and had been making too many ad-hoc decisions. When he looked at the other seven people who have publicly declared they will run for mayor, he did not see a lot of those required leadership qualities, he said.

So Andy is saying the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Wellington dont have leadership qualities, nor does the Mayor of Porirua.

Foster said he had been contemplating a mayoral run for the past couple of months. The Karori-based councillor will also contest a council seat in Onslow-Western, a ward where he has held a comfortable vote margin for some time. Foster has stood for the mayoralty once before, in 2001, but has been largely content to act as a councillor during his 24 years of serving Wellington city. Personal reasons played a part in his decision to challenge for the top job once again, he said. Fosters son and daughter are now aged 13 and 11, and are old enough for him to be able to devote a bit more time to his political career. Six of the eight mayoral candidates currently occupy a seat around the Wellington City Council table, meaning more than the third of existing councillors are now eyeing up a promotion.

When a third of the Council challenges the Mayor for the top job, it shows things arent good.

Im just glad we have STV so we can rank our candidates  otherwise someone might win on 15% of the vote!

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Stuff reports:

A stoush is brewing between Wellington bar owners and police over lockout laws. Bar owners around the Courtenay Place nightlife hub have accused police of trying to force a one-way door policy on the capitals party precinct by objecting to every 4am licence renewal. Hospitality New Zealand Wellington regional manager Dylan Firth said police had approached many licensees and indicated that, if they did not accept conditions, police would oppose the licence renewal, and the licensee would have to go to a hearing, racking up considerable legal costs.

More outrageous behaviour from the Police. Their submissions on licences should be focused on the track record and behaviour of the licensee, not on what hours they open.

The Police submitted to both Parliament and the local Council wanting an earlier closing time for bars. Their views were heard, and the democratically elected MPs and Councillors voted for a 4 am closing time.

But not content with this, the Police are effectively trying to bully bars into closing earlier, trying to have their licenses removed unless they comply. This is awful behaviour. Again the Police should only be submitting on how well the licensee complies with the law.

Police had made it clear they intended to seek a one-way door condition on each new on-licence application, and each on-licence renewal, in the Wellington CBD, he said. A one-way door policy would stop anyone entering a bar after a set time, such as 2am or 3am. Those already inside at the cutoff time would be allowed to stay until the 4am closing time.

An issue which was again considered carefully by Parliament and the Wellington City Council. They heard all the evidence and decided that a one way door policy would cause more harm than good. But the Police know better than the law makers, so they use their special position to try and have their will imposed.

Nick Mills, whose family employs 160 people in its group of businesses including Bettys, Public, Hummingbird, Boston, Edisons Superette, The Tasting Room and Spruce Goose, said Courtenay Place was nothing like it used to be, and a one-way door policy would be detrimental to business, as it had been in Sydney. No-one is thinking about the hundreds of workers who will have to start again when a business shuts. The legal battle to renew a licence for Siglo saw him spend eight times more than it would usually cost for a licence, he said. Places like Edisons only open two nights a week, and paying for the legal fees for a licence would cost at least 50 per cent of its profit for a year. Its ludicrous. He never had a problem with the police before, and thought of them as allies. I dont think they should oppose [bar] owners trying to renew a licence when they have an exemplary history in the industry. They are trying to change the law by force.

I think it is time for the Police to be hauled into line. If necessary the law should be changed, so the only issues they can submit on to licensing authorities is the track record of the licensee in obeying the law.

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Turkey's higher education council has banned academics from work trips abroad and urged those overseas to quickly return home, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported on Wednesday.

Turkey has widened its massive post-coup purge from the military and police to the education sector to root out supporters of US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom it accuses of orchestrating the attempted putsch.

The council asked university rectors to "urgently examine the situation of all academic and administrative personnel linked with FETO" -- or the "Fethullah Terrorist Organisation", as it labels Gulen's supporters -- and report back by August 5.

It also told universities that academics who are already abroad on work or study missions should return home "within the shortest possible time".

On Tuesday, the government suspended 15,200 state education employees and demanded the resignation of almost 1,600 deans from private and state universities over alleged links to Gulen.

Gulen lives in Pennsylvania but retains vast interests in Turkey ranging from media to finance to schools and wields influence in various apparatus including the judiciary and police.

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Some people say there will be less terrorism is there is less easy access to guns  especially in the US. While I do support greater gun control restrictions in the US, I dont think it will make it greatly harder for people to do mass killings. We saw around 80 killed in France with a truck and now 18 injured in Bavaria with an axe.

Stuff reports:

An axe-wielding attacker who went on a rampage on a train in Germany, injuring up to 18 people, was a 17-year-old Afghan youth, authorities say.

The attack occurred in Heidingsfeld in the German state of Bavaria late on Monday (local time), injuring some passengers critically, a police spokesman said.

Eyewitnesses said the youth attempted to run from the scene after the attack, according to reports. It was understood he was shot and killed by police. 

The youth shouted Allahu Akhbar- Arabic for God is great  before he was shot, two German security officials said.

Bavarian Interior Ministry officials described the attacker as an Afghan national who had arrived in Germany as an unaccompanied refugee.

The officials said it was not yet clear whether the incident was an act of terrorism.
Yemeni security officials say a suicide bomber has blown himself up at a checkpoint in the country's south, killing four soldiers and wounding six.

The officials say the bomber approached the checkpoint in the area of al-Mansoura in the southern city of Aden on Wednesday and detonated his explosives among the soldiers, some of whom were having lunch.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

Aden, which has been the seat of Yemen's internationally recognized government since April last year, has been hit by a series of suicide bombings and other deadly attacks that were carried out either by al-Qaida's Yemen branch or the country's Islamic State affiliate.

In 2014, Yemen's Shia rebels known as Houthis captured the capital, Sanaa.

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Shenandoah, IA (51601)

Today

A shower is possible early. Some clouds. Low near 35F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A shower is possible early. Some clouds. Low near 35F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
The Nusra Front terrorist group targeted the Syrian city of Al-Baath in Quneitra province in the Golan Heights with high explosive yield rockets, resulting in the death of civilians, an informed source told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"Jabhat al-Nusra [Nusra Front] has launched two rockets with a substance that provides a high explosive power. Several civilians were killed in the assault on the town of Al-Baath," the source said.

Earlier in the day, it was reported in the media that the Israeli military had shelled Syrian army positions near the Golan Heights. Later, the Lebanese movement Hezbollah said the explosions in the Golan Heights were caused by the Nusra Front, denying reports of an Israeli strike.

The incident comes days after Israel said it had fired missiles targeting a drone that reportedly came from Syria.

Earlier on Wednesday, US Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State Brett McGurk said that the Nusra Front terrorist group was increasing its militarily capabilities, leading to a series of attacks and violence in Syria.

The UN Security Council defines the Golan Heights as an occupied Syrian land.

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SHARE A large crowd squeezed into the shade of a large tent set up in front of Oak Ridge Mall to celebrate Wednesday's ceremony marking the demolition of the old mall, which will be replaced by the Main Street Oak Ridge development. (BOB FOWLER/NEWS SENTINEL) Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch on Wednesday spray-paints a large X over the word "skeptics" on the side of a wall of Oak Ridge Mall in response to citizens questioning whether anything would ever occur on the 58-acre property. The mall is being torn down to make way for Main Street Oak Ridge. (BOB FOWLER/NEWS SENTINEL) Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson, left, laughs at a remark while RealtyLink executive Neil Wilson, center, and Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch discuss Wednesday's ceremony marking the start of the demolition of the Oak Ridge Mall and its replacement with RealtyLink's Main Street Oak Ridge. (BOB FOWLER/NEWS SENTINEL) Related Coverage Hotel, eatery site plans filed in Oak Ridge

By Bob Fowler of the Knoxville News Sentinel

OAK RIDGE  This was one sizzling ceremony, finally marking the end of what Mayor Warren Gooch referred to as a "long, frustrating and torturous journey."

With the temperature edging up into the mid-90s, more than 200 people crowded into the shade under two tents in front of the former Oak Ridge Mall on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate the pending demolition of that all-but-empty property.

It will be replaced by Main Street Oak Ridge, the moniker for the $41 million first phase of an ambitious renaissance of the city's center.

That development will be the "largest multi-tenant capital investment in our city's history," Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce President Parker Hardy said.

And with Hardy's remarks wrapping up a lineup of comments from those involved in the project, Councilman Chuck Hope got behind the controls of a large excavator, maneuvered it in front of one mall wall, and sent it crashing down with a flick of the earthmover's bucket.

Then, armed with a can of spray paint, Gooch applied a large X over the word "skeptics" painted on another wall of the blighted building, sending a message to residents who for years doubted anything would ever happen to the 58-acre property.

It has, indeed, been a long journey in efforts to restore a vital retail district to the heart of the Atomic City, and that voyage has seen more than its share of drama and disappointment.

Chattanooga developer Steve Arnsdorff bought the mall for $6 million in 2003 from Crown American. For years, he struggled with efforts to turn the property around.

But tenants departed, first gradually and then in a flood, leaving only the J.C. Penney and Belk department stores on the property.

Arnsdorff and partners in Oak Ridge City Center LLC ultimately put the property on the market, and a North Carolina development firm, Crosland Southeast, entered the picture.

But that firm's efforts abruptly and mysteriously ended after it spent two years and reportedly more than $1 million on the project.

Enter RealtyLink of Greenville S.C. After more delays and setbacks and a crucial 11th-hour agreement to get first dibs on coveted nearby Department of Energy property, RealtyLink purchased the property from Arnsdorff and company in late June for $6.25 million.

J.C. Penney and Belk have extended their respective leases and will remain open during the three- to four-month demolition of the mall's common areas.

RealtyLink executive Neil Wilson said construction of stores for T.J. Maxx and Dick's Sporting Goods, which will be located near the former site of Sears in the mall, will begin in October.

Other retailers that have signed leases include Ulta Beauty, PetSmart, Rue 21, Rack Room Shoes and Electronic Express, and those tenants should be open for business by May, Wilson said.

And that's just the start, especially if local shoppers give the new stores a rousing welcome, he said. A restaurant district and a community, small-town shop space district are also on the drawing boards for the second phase of the development.

Wilson said he and his partners have anted up $9.5 million for the first phase, coupled with a $13 million Tax Increment Financing package cobbled together by local banks, and a $28 million loan.

Oak Ridge is putting up $1 million for infrastructure improvements, and the city's Industrial Development Board is chipping in $500,000.

"A vibrant Main Street will be a catalyst in enhancing the image of our city, which will, in turn, help us attract new families," the mayor told the crowd.

"Never underestimate the resilience of our city," Gooch said.
SHARE The Asheville, N.C.-based Fox & Beggar Theater presents "Tarocco: A Soldier's Tale" at 7:30 p.m. July 28 at the Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St. Set in World War I in Italy, the performance incorporates story, dance, circus arts, masks, puppets and animation. Butterflies are the focus of the University of Tennessee Arboretum's upcoming Butterfly Festival.

Summer music in Townsend

Summer music continues at the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center in Townsend with a 7 p.m. July 22 performance of country and bluegrass music by the group WestWend.

The series continues on July 29 with a 7 p.m. concert by EmiSunshine and the Rain.

Admission to each concert is $8. Children age 5 and younger and GSMHC members are admitted free. Tickets are available at the door. Concertgoers are welcome to bring lawn chairs. Coolers, food, drink and pets aren't allowed at the event.

The heritage center is at 123 Cromwell Drive in Townsend.

UT Arboretum hosts butterfly festival

The University of Tennessee Arboretum in Oak Ridge hosts a Butterfly Festival July 30.

The festival is 9 a.m.-2 p.m. July 30 at the arboretum, 901 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge.

The family event includes two local native plant vendors along with artists and speakers. A highlight is the 2 p.m. release of 100 monarch butterflies on the patio outside the arboretum auditorium. Children can help release the butterflies at a cost of $10 per butterfly. The UT Insect Zoo will be on site and show preserved and live insects and creatures like scorpions and tarantulas.

Writer, photographer and butterfly expert Rita Venable will speak about "A Home for Butterflies" at 9 a.m. and about "Monarchs and Milkweeds of Tennessee" at 1 p.m. Other speakers will discuss butterflies at 10 and 11 a.m. and at noon. Vendors will sell food. Art demonstrated and sold includes chain saw art, concrete leaf prints and nature-themed jewelry.

'Tarocco: A Soldier's Tale' comes to Bijou

The Asheville, N.C.-based Fox & Beggar Theater presents "Tarocco: A Soldier's Tale" at 7:30 p.m. July 28 at the Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St.

Inspired by the Italian tradition of commedia dell'arte, "Tarocco: A Solider's Tale" incorporates dance, circus arts, masks and puppet and animation. Set in Italy during World War I, the story tells of an infantryman trapped behind enemy lines. The soldier comforts a dying comrade with stories using an ancient deck of playing cards.

Tickets are $26 general admission or $66 for a VIP ticket that includes a preshow reception.

"Tarocco" contains dark, sometimes disturbing, content and is not recommended for children under age 12. Tickets are available at http://foxandbeggar.com.

'Breakfast at Tiffany's' at Tennessee

The Tennessee Theatre's next film in its Summer Movie Magic is "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Shows are at 8 p.m. July 29 and 2 p.m. July 31 at the 604 S. Gay St. theater. Based on Truman Capote's novella, the film stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for children ages 12 and younger or senior citizens ages 65 and over at 865-684-1200, www.tennesseetheatre.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

Human trafficking subject of student art

Art created by Central High School students about the problem of human trafficking is now on exhibit at the Knoxville Museum of Art.

The exhibit is at the museum's community gallery through July 31. It then moves to Knox County Schools office at the Andrew Johnson Building on Gay Street.

The 15 pieces of art were created by Central's National Art Honor Society to bring awareness of the problem of human trafficking.

The museum is at 1050 World's Fair park Drive and open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday.

By Amy McRary

Go Knoxville staff writer
SHARE Brooks Benjamin

By Rebecca D. Williams, Special to the News Sentinel

Although he long ago hung up his dancing shoes, Brooks Benjamin still has a soft spot for dancers.

The fifth-grade reading and language arts teacher at Midtown Elementary School in Harriman recently joined with local youth dancers to promote his first published middle-grade novel, "My Seventh-Grade Life in Tights," (Delacourt Press, 2016), inspired by his own experience dancing in a hip-hop group in middle school. They joined Kathryn Holmes, another local middle-grade author with a new dance book out, and met at Van Metre School of Dance in Maryville for a book signing on Saturday.

"It was in Kingston, Tennessee, in the early 1990s, and I loved dancing," Benjamin told the group. "My sister was 10 years older than me, and she listened to (boy band) 'New Kids on the Block' constantly. I saw some videos of them dancing, and thought, 'That's cool.'"

So Benjamin gathered some friends and worked up a routine, which mostly involved karate moves set to music. "It was a lot of chopping and kicking," he said with a laugh. The group never performed at the school's talent show as planned. "We chickened out."

That embarrassing middle school episode was the inspiration for the book, and probably a help in Benjamin's teaching job. Midtown Elementary School Principal Kendra Inman said that Benjamin is an exceptional educator.

"The one thing that stands out is the way Brooks connects with his students. He creates these relationships with them," said Inman. "They read novels and chapter books, and he always looks for what interests them. He has lots of hands-on activities, movies, games, and he enjoys writing and encourages students to be creative and the best they can be."

Benjamin said he has always enjoyed reading. "My mom was never without a book in her hand. I think the best thing parents can do is to let your children see you enjoy reading. And being able to read with a kid, that's a wonderful way to share a love of books."

Never intending to be a teacher, Benjamin went to Middle Tennessee State University to get into the recording industry. He took an education class to fulfill a requirement and liked it so much he switched his major. This will be his 15th year at Midtown, where he has about 60 students over the course of the day.

"I love teaching fifth grade," he said. "They're becoming who they're going to be. You see their sense of humor, and it's fun to see them grow into almost teenagers during the year. They're very sweet, they're humorous, intelligent. It's a great age."

He said the state politics of teaching can be a frustration. "I hate that it comes down to feeling like the student is seen as a number, rather than this human being who's there to learn and grow," he said.

But the joy of teaching comes in helping transform a child who doesn't like to read into one who loves it.

"Sometimes you have these hardcore anti-readers, and you find a book they devour. I love to see students excited about learning something they didn't think they needed to learn," he said.

Benjamin was quick to point out that not every kid would love his own book. "No, I would never assign it. I don't ever make them read particular books. There's nothing that kills a kid's love of reading than being told, 'You have to read this!' Although some of them came to school to ask me to sign it, which was sweet."

When he's not teaching, Benjamin said he's working on one of the other five novels he has in the pipeline, all middle-grade novels.

"That's the great thing about stories," Benjamin said. "It's a vast, endless field of possibilities. If the imagination is truly limitless, so are the stories that can be told."

Read more about "My Seventh-Grade Life in Tights" at www.BrooksBenjamin.com.
SHARE Three-year-old Aspen Cloninger floats on her back during a swimming lesson with Ed Pemberton of Adventure Swim. Aspen Cloninger, 3, retrieved brightly colored rings from the bottom of the pool with Ed Pemberton's instruction.

Ed Pemberton of Adventure Swim in Knoxville is able to convince children and adults alike to follow his lead into the water.

"He is amazing," said Julie Cloninger. "He taught my 14-year-old to swim when no one else could."

Now Cloninger's daughter Aspen is learning as well. On just her third lesson, she moved from being a bit apprehensive at the beginning of her lesson to jumping into the pool, picking up colored rings from the pool floor, and learning to kick and move her arms, swimming almost the width of the pool. She's 3 years old.

Pemberton teaches infants too. "From birth to 3 months old, infants naturally hold their breath underwater, so it's easy to teach them to swim," he said. "It also stimulates their brains to learn. Their brains double in size from birth to one year, so there are other benefits as well."

He encourages parents to teach their children as early as possible both how to swim, and that swimming is fun.

One of the first things he did during Aspen's lesson was to have her repeat after him. "Say swimming is fun," he told her. "Swimming's fun," she repeated. "Say swimming is easy," he directed. "Swimming is easy," came the reply.

Then he spilled water from a small bucket held over her head onto her head and face as she sat on the side of the pool. "Say it's no problem," he directed. She shook the water off and repeated, "It's no problem."

"Good job!" said Pemberton, who uses large helpings of encouragement and a few well polished techniques that playfully encourage her to do what he wants her to in the water.

About 45 minutes later, Aspen was jumping into the pool without hesitation, opening her eyes under water to look at the painted dolphin on the pool wall or floating on her back with very little assistance.

She was wearing both a swim cap to keep her hair out of her eyes and what Pemberton calls swim-assist shorts that help her to float in the water. These and many other items, most of which have been designed or invented and patented by Pemberton, are available through his company, AdventureSwim.com, which operates next to his home in Rocky Hill.

Pemberton has developed and polished a system that he says works for just about anyone, even if they are fearful about the water to begin with. He's committed to making swimming fun, and uses a lot of humor with both children and adults. He calls his method the Fast and Fun Swim System.

Michelle McDowell, his assistant for the past three years, says Pemberton has a reason for absolutely everything he does, even though it seems like playing and sometimes being silly. For instance, he has brightly colored umbrellas on the ceiling, so he can talk to nervous back floaters about the colors, taking their mind off any discomfort they may have about letting the water support them.

Pemberton has always worked with either water or children or both. Since moving to Knoxville in 1978, he has taught swimming at UT and in the Clinton school system, and health at Farragut Middle School. He also owned a swim and scuba store for many years and is a certified scuba instructor and avid scuba diver.

He began swimming at 8 years old and was teaching at his local YMCA in Kentucky by the time he was 12. He says he's now been teaching swimming for over 50 years and still conducts a full schedule of classes and private lessons.

One of his Rocky Hill neighbors figured that "he must have taught half the kids in west Knoxville how to swim." Maybe more. According to McDowell, some even come from out of town and stay for a week of intensive lessons. That's a pretty swimmingly great following.
Alonzo Adam Bransom (CAMPBELL COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

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By News Sentinel Staff

A 62-year-old East Tennessee man interrupted his jury trial Wednesday to plead guilty to sex and drug charges, prosecutors said.

Alonzo Bransom of LaFollette had been charged in April 2015 with trying to use narcotics to lure children for sex.

According to the Campbell County Sheriff's Office, deputies executed a search warrant at Branson's home on April 21, 2015, after an investigation into the man's activities. Branson admitted to investigators he was trying to trade drugs for sex with children, ranging in age from 9 to 12 years old, authorities said.

According to the 8th Judicial District Attorney General's Office, Bransom amid his trial Wednesday decided to plead guilty to eight counts of trafficking for a commercial sex act, two counts of solicitation of a minor to commit rape of a child, and possession of a schedule II controlled substance (morphine) with the intent to sale and deliver in a drug free zone.

Criminal Court Judge E. Shayne Sexton sentenced Branson to 13 years in prison. He will also be placed on the sexual offender registry.
SHARE Rickey Dale Sikes (Knox County Sheriff's Office)

By Jamie Satterfield of the Knoxville News Sentinel

The way this federal prosecutor sees it, Rickey Dale Sikes Jr. is a man tailor-made for the federal system's worst-of-the-worst label of armed career criminal.

"This individual has a long pattern of violent behavior," Assistant U.S. Attorney Bart Slabbekorn said Wednesday.

Sikes' crimes include terrorizing a couple and their eight-year-old child at gunpoint in a road rage incident, setting fire to the Jefferson County Courthouse, trying to run over a deputy in a traffic stop, punching a driver in another road rage incident, kicking in a woman's door, twice escaping custody, lying about his status as a felon to try to buy guns and conning his girlfriend into buying high-powered rifles for him.

Sikes, 35, was already deemed an armed career criminal under federal law in 2012 and sentenced to 15 years. But a decision last year by the U.S. Supreme Court upended Sikes' case  along with dozens of others in East Tennessee  when the high court struck down as unconstitutional the use of qualifying crimes that were not specifically labeled violent or involved drug trafficking.

Because one of Sikes' prior convictions  evading arrest in 2006 by trying to run over a deputy  no longer qualified, Sikes earned a new sentencing hearing Wednesday in U.S. District Court. Since the Supreme Court decision, the Federal Defender Services office has been seeking lowered sentences for qualifying defendants, and the U.S. attorney's office has been deciding which bids to aggressively fight. Sikes rated high on Slabbekorn's list of criminals federal prosecutors believe are dangerous offenders even if stripped of armed career criminal status.

"It's easy, years later in the quiet of a courtroom, to forget about (Sikes' crimes), but there was a time when the Jefferson County Courthouse was set on fire," the prosecutor told Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas Phillips. "There was a time when a law enforcement officer was almost run over by this defendant. You see violence against law enforcement officers today. We have to be vigilant."

But Assistant Federal Defender Paula Voss argued many of Sikes' crimes occurred more than a decade ago when he was a foolish young adult. Sikes himself cited childishness and selfishness as cause for his misdeeds. Voss said Sikes has completed various educational and rehabilitation programs while in prison and works on a prison landscape crew, teaches a drumming class and attends Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

"He's been working very hard," she said.

Slabbekorn urged Phillips to reject Sikes' new penalty range of 77 to 96 months and instead sentence him to 10 years. Sikes will receive credit for more than two years already served in his latest crimes involving the acquisition of guns while a felon. Voss asked for the minimum.

Although Phillips carefully listed all of Sikes' crimes and the half-dozen parole and probation violations he committed, the judge turned aside Slabbekorn's request and ordered Sikes to serve the minimum 77-month term.

"Mr. Sikes, you've been doing very well (while) you've been incarcerated," the judge said.

Prosecutors have not said whether they will appeal.
SHARE A gavel rests on the bench at the Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013, at the Historic United States Post Office and Courthouse. (Paul Efird/News Sentinel)

By Jamie Satterfield of the Knoxville News Sentinel

A federal judge is allowing a doctor who confessed he was nothing more than a drug dealer for hundreds of pill-seeking patients to continue to dole out prescriptions for drugs, including narcotics, over the objection of prosecutors.

In an order filed Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Pamela Reeves is refusing to budge on her decision to allow James Brian Joyner  who no longer has authority to serve as a physician in Tennessee  to practice medicine in Virginia and write prescriptions under another doctor's supervision.

Joyner was paid as much as $1,300 a day to serve as a supervising physician at a Maryville pain clinic that had no medical equipment in the entire facility and traded cash for prescriptions for painkillers with no questions asked. His plea agreement, filed in May in U.S. District Court, says he personally prescribed painkillers to more than 500 pill-seeking patients at the now defunct Breakthrough Pain Therapy Center in Maryville in three months in 2010. As supervising physician, he also vouched for other medical professionals at the clinic who wrote prescriptions for hundreds more patients.

Joyner pleaded guilty to a drug-trafficking conspiracy charge. Federal law mandated that Joyner  like every convicted drug trafficker  be jailed pending sentencing. But Reeves deemed his situation "exceptional," court records show, after receiving a letter from the Pioneer Hospital in Patrick County, Va., where Joyner has been working as the sole emergency room physician in that rural area.

"It is in some way surprising to me that Virginia does allow you to continue practicing medicine, but I am very familiar with those rural areas of Virginia, so I know that there is a problem for these counties to find people who will practice medicine in those small areas," Reeves is quoted in a transcript as saying.

Joyner surrendered his Tennessee medical license after Breakthrough was raided and shut down, and its owners, who were not medical professionals, imprisoned. But Joyner continued even after being indicted in 2014 to practice medicine and prescribe narcotics in Virginia. The only nod to his Tennessee criminal woes came when U.S. Magistrate Judge Clifford Shirley ordered that his prescribing practices be monitored by another doctor at the Patrick County hospital.

Joyner's defense attorney, John Eldridge, convinced Reeves to allow Joyner to go free pending sentencing in November by arguing Joyner was being supervised by two physicians, neither of whom reported any problems to his probation officer, and Pioneer Hospital would be forced to close its emergency room without him. Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank Dale resisted the move but lost.

In a rare move, the U.S. Attorney's Office late last month publicly challenged Reeves' decision, with Dale filing a motion asking her to reconsider.

"In essence, the terms of Joyner's release permit him to continue the very same conduct that led to his conviction," Dale wrote. "This creates an untenable situation under which Joyner retains his ability to prescribe narcotics and is relied upon to make an honest reporting of his prescribing practices to a supervising physician."

Dale argued it is unlikely Joyner is being closely supervised given the "dearth" of doctors in rural Patrick County. Court records list Joyner's supervising physicians as the director of the hospital and a family doctor who helps out at the emergency room.

"It is inconceivable that Joyner would receive any meaningful supervision of his prescribing decisions under this arrangement, and the potential for abuse is significant," he wrote. "The legitimate need of patients for medical care is not adequately served through providing them with the services of physician who, by his own admission, abused his education, his prescribing authority, and the tremendous trust placed in medical professionals, for monetary gain. Indeed, allowing Joyner to prescribe controlled substances creates an undue risk for patients in Patrick County."

But in her Tuesday order, Reeves called Dale's argument a rehash of his earlier objection at Joyner's plea hearing.

"Without Dr. Joyner's services, there would be periods of time that the emergency room would be closed due to lack of physician coverage," she said. "As long as Dr. Joyner continues to prescribe under the supervision of another physician, the court finds that the government has failed to show that Dr. Joyner should be restricted from prescribing controlled substances."

Joyner is one of eight medical professionals who have pleaded guilty to drug-trafficking conspiracy charges in the Breakthrough case, which represented the first time federal prosecutors in East Tennessee took direct aim at prescribers at pill mills by labeling them as drug dealers.
Anderson County Courthouse (MICHAEL PATRICK/NEWS SENTINEL)

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By Bob Fowler of the Knoxville News Sentinel

CLINTON  Judging from early interest, one of the hottest down-ballot elections in Anderson County on Nov. 8 will involve races for eight seats on an Anderson County charter commission.

That commission would be charged with studying and then recommending proposed changes to county government that would go before voters in a countywide referendum.

Sixteen would-be candidates have already picked up qualifying petitions for charter commission elections, and the deadline for filing those documents with the election commission is noon Aug. 18.

Among those obtaining petitions are five current Anderson County commissioners  Steve Mead, Chairman Steve Emert, Robert L. McKamey, Theresa Scott and Tim Isbel.

Residents who spearheaded the successful drive to put the charter commission election on the ballot are eyeing several changes that would affect the Anderson County Commission, including reducing the size of that panel from 16 to nine members and setting term limits.

Voters will elect eight members of the charter commission  one from each county commission district. That group would then have nine months to draft a series of proposed changes to county government. Those proposals would then be put to a referendum vote in 2018.

Mark DeVol, identified as one of the main leaders of the charter commission effort, has said there's a "fundamental problem" with the current form of county government and urges a shift to home rule, or charter government.

Knox and Shelby counties operate under home rule, while most of the rest of the state's counties have a constitutional form of government.

Along with imposing term limits on commissioners and the county mayor, DeVol said other possible changes include staggered elections of commissioners, eliminating health insurance benefits for commissioners and requiring the county attorney to be an elected position.

County Mayor Terry Frank has gone on record in support of home rule government even though it would set term limits for her position.

Current county commissioners have expressed concern about some of the goals sought by those who led the charter commission petition drive.

Reducing the county commission to nine members could result in five commissioners having total control, Commissioner Steve Mead has warned.

Law director Jay Yeager, appointed by a committee, contends having an elected county attorney would result in that position being "polluted by politics."

Yeager and Frank have been at odds for years, and many of the people involved in the petition drive for charter commission elections were also backers of an unsuccessful legal move to oust Yeager.
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By News Sentinel Staff

KNOXVILLE  The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been called to investigate the death of a person in a "workplace incident" in Monroe County, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

No further details have been released about the incident.

"There was a worker killed in some type of workplace incident. We are not doing any type of investigation so I don't have any information to share with you other than there was an incident, and someone was killed," said THP Lt. Don Boshears in an email.

Boshears said the Highway Patrol's reconstruction team is on scene to map the area and that TOSHA is investigating.

A spokesman for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development said that TOSHA is aware of the incident and has dispatched an inspector to the scene to collect information.

"That is all the information TOSHA has at this time," Chris Cannon said in an email. "It typically takes six to eight weeks before an incident investigation report is completed and TOSHA can release more details."

More details as they develop online and in Wednesday's News Sentinel.
Related Tunisia extends emergency rule by two months

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid on Wednesday asked for a parliamentary vote of confidence on his government, officials said.

Defeat in the vote would force Essid to stand down after just a year and a half in the job.

A government official, who did not wish to be named, told AFP that Essid had officially requested the vote of confidence following weeks of pressure to resign.

The vote is expected to take place next week, said a source in parliament.

Essid was already forced into a broad reshuffle in January, when the country witnessed its worst violence since the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 that toppled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The premier took another blow in early June when President Beji Caid Essebsi criticised his government on local and said he would consider proposals to create a new government of national unity.

Essid said in June that he would be ready to resign the post "if the country's interest demanded it".

Sources close to the prime minister say he is prepared to stand down but refuses to leave under pressure without a vote of confidence.

If Essid's administration loses the vote, the president would be required to choose the "most suitable person" to form a new government.

Political parties, unions and employers would then negotiate the formation of a new administration.

His supporters have condemned "pressure" from supporters of Hafedh Caid Essebsi, the president's son who is among the leaders of the Nidaa Tounes party.

"If we want a real democratic transition, we must install democratic traditions," an official close to the prime minister told AFP.

Tunisia's current government is composed of four groups including the party Essebsi founded in 2012, Nidaa Tounes, and the Islamist Ennahda party.

Last week, on Essebsi's initiative, political groupings including Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda listed the priorities of a new unity government.

The "Carthage Accord", which was also signed by Nobel Prize-winning groups the UGTT union and UTICA, painted a sombre picture of Tunisia's economic, social and security situation.

Fighting terrorism, corruption and unemployment, as well as addressing regional disparities, would likely remain the priorities for any new government.

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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump waves to supporters after arriving in Cleveland on the third day of the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (DOMINICK REUTER / AFP / Getty Images)

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By Dave Boucher And Joel Ebert, USA TODAY NETWORK  Tennessee

CLEVELAND  Republican National Conventions run in the family for Susan Richardson Williams.

She attended her first more than 50 years ago, when she worked as a page while her mother served as a delegate at the 1964 convention. Cleveland marks the ninth convention for the former Tennessee party chair, and there's a clear difference between this year and many in the past: the people.

"Normally in times past I would know 90 percent of the people who were delegates. This one has 70 percent who are new to the delegation, have never been to a convention. And you know what, that's a (testament) to Donald Trump, of all the new people that he brought in to the party," Richardson Williams, 70, said Wednesday morning.

Convention veterans Chris Devaney and Bob Davis, both former party chairmen, agreed Trump's rise to power brought with it many new Tennessee delegates. Both said newcomers are turning to them for questions on what to expect.

Those newcomers are able to sit on the floor of Quicken Loans Arena to experience a convention, a feeling Devaney and Davis likened to walking into the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium.

"When you walk down onto that floor and come in down the stairs you think 'Wow this is really cool,' " said Devaney, who has been to four conventions, with his first being in 1992.

"You still feel like a kid," said Davis, who has attended a total of eight conventions since 1988.

When asked if Trump's candidacy has resulted in a different sort of political convention, Devaney said, "When you see someone walk out with smoke and backlit with 'We are the Champions' that's a new one."

Logistically, enjoying the city of Cleveland is a little more difficult than in the cities that previously hosted the conventions, said Steve Gill, a former talk show host and conservative activist who's been to six GOP conventions and two Democratic conventions.

"For example in New Orleans, you could walk back and forth to the convention facility. In New York, Boston, some of these bigger cities where they can put 50,000 people in town, it's a lot easier than when you're in somewhere like Cleveland where it's not quite as big and you've got people staying 30, 45 minutes  I think the California delegation is like almost an hour away from the facility. It makes it a little more difficult," Gill said.

The Tennessee delegation is staying at a hotel that's about a 20 minute drive from downtown Cleveland. Once near the arena though, Richardson Williams said she believes convention and city organizers did a good job.

Inside the arena, the atmosphere isn't quite shaping up like it has in the past, said Gill, who's a delegate for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. He said that difference has little to do with the arena and more to do with the party's contentious primary.

"I think the Democrats are going to see the same thing next week. When you go in still with a divide and a contentious aftermath, it's a little bit more difficult to have just kind of the 'we're going to put on a show, showing the country we're all unified and how we're all enthusiastic for our candidate,' " said Gill, attributing the difference to the long and "bitter" primary process.

Bitter or not, it's definitely busy. From sunrise to well past sundown, delegates move around Cleveland from event to event with agendas that stretch beyond 12 hours.

"You try to grab a cup of coffee and you try to hang on and you gotta go to all the different events," said Davis. "You just gotta hold onto your hat and know that you can get a lot of sleep after Thursday night."
SHARE Jul 19, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Delegates in the hall say the Pledge of Allegiance during the 2016 Republican National Convention at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY NETWORK

By Victor Ashe

Victor Ashe, former Knoxville mayor and U.S. ambassador to Poland, will be writing a "Delegate Diary" for the News Sentinel from the 2016 Republican National Convention.

CLEVELAND  Now that the 2016 Republican National Convention is in full swing, that leaves most days without officially planned activities as the convention itself didn't meet until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and isn't expected to be back in session on Wednesday and Thursday until 7-7:30 p.m.  to accommodate prime time for national television.

That is why most state delegations plan social activities for the delegation each day  like Tuesday's boat cruise on Lake Erie. On Wednesday, there is a luncheon at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Cleveland honoring the Tennessee congressional delegation. Gov. Bill Haslam, a delegate, will be attending a luncheon at his brother Jimmy's home for the Republican Governors Association on Wednesday. Gov. Haslam is past chair of the RGA.

Because of past associations and networking I was fortunate to be invited to various groups that are hosting events outside of the RNC convention activities, such as The Wall Street Journal, the Atlantic, the International Republican Institute and the Bipartisan Coalition.

Tuesday I started off with The Wall Street Journal hosting a breakfast during which three of my favorite columnists conducted a panel. Paul Gigot, editor of the WSJ editorial page, conducted a conversation with columnist Peggy Noonan and Kimberley Strassel, who writes the weekly Potomac Watch political column. The key take from these right of center columnists was the polarization of American politics. Gigot reminded the audience that the WSJ had not endorsed a presidential candidate since 1932 when "we endorsed Herbert Hoover. And that did not turn out too well."

He stated The Wall Street Journal both differed and agreed with Trump on many issues, and the newspaper thought that would continue into the fall.

On Monday morning, I chaired a panel on Europe and trans-Atlantic relations for visiting foreign ambassadors in Cleveland. The event was sponsored by the Heritage Foundation. Many of the same ambassadors will be in Philadelphia for next week's Democratic National Convention. More than 80 ambassadors are here out of a possible 183 accredited to the United States.

On the panel were Congressman Tom Marino of Pennsylvania, former Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky and Herman Pirchner, president of the American Foreign Policy Council.

Much of the discussion focused on Russia's incursions into Ukraine and Georgia. The unanswered question was what the world will look like on Jan. 20, 2017 when GOP nominee Donald Trump or Democrat Hillary Clinton becomes the 45th president.

Several ambassadors asked for names of people who might impact foreign policy under Trump. To be honest, the panelists could only guess and speculate with the name of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas and U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee being the three names mentioned for secretary of state.

Later in the day, I attended a high-powered meeting sponsored by the International Republican Institute, where Cotton and fellow U.S. Sens. David Perdue of Georgia and Joni Ernst of Iowa spoke. House Speaker Paul Ryan wrapped up the session with a strong outline of House GOP policy positions on military, veterans, jobs, foreign policy and infrastructure.

He criticized President Barack Obama "for filling the world with questions. Allies are not sure they can trust us. The House GOP will show what a good foreign policy can mean. There is no substitute for leadership." Ryan said. Interestingly, in his 12 minutes of remarks he did not mention Donald Trump once.

Ryan plugged the notion that the GOP "wants to win the battle of ideas."

Ohio Gov. John Kasich also spoke at the same meeting and voiced similar thoughts.

"The USA must lead. If not us, then who?" he asked. "We must have strategic investment in the country."

Frankly, these meetings are much more interesting than the official proceedings in Quicken Loans Arena because they are much smaller and allow dialogue that is more interesting than that more geared for national television.
SHARE Former Knoxville Mayor Victor Ashe, left, with Donald Trump Jr. on Wednesday in Cleveland during the 2016 Republican National Convention. (VICTOR ASHE / Special to the News Sentinel)

By Victor Ashe

Victor Ashe, former Knoxville mayor and U.S. ambassador to Poland, will be writing a "Delegate Diary" for the News Sentinel from the 2016 Republican National Convention.

CLEVELAND  With Wednesday's schedule for the Republican National Convention not starting until 7 at night for maximum television impact, there were lots of daytime panels, forums and activities for delegates attend.

The first one was the most memorable.

Donald Trump Jr., 38 and oldest son of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, was the speaker at a forum sponsored by The Wall Street Journal. Monica Langley, daughter of Knoxvillian Fred Langley, and Webb School classmate of Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, arranged for me to be invited to the events.

Trump Jr.'s appearance and presentation is very different from his father as was demonstrated in his speech Tuesday night to the convention. In fact, if he were the candidate I suspect 65 percent of the misgivings and doubts many have about his father would vanish. He is that good.

The father of five and articulate, Trump Jr. talked about 'streamlining the system and getting rid of the hangers-on and nonsense." He said his father is "the most famous man in the world who so few know."

He went on to repeat many GOP complaints and attacks on President Barack Obama and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton  but in a more reasonable manner.

He emphasized that his father is not a "panderer."

"Our allies (in the world) do not know where we are," but they will with a President Trump, he said.

He said the three finalists for the vice presidential choice were former House Speaker Newt Gingrich of Georgia, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. He said with Gingrich and Christie, there was the risk that there would be two Trumps in office  and that was one too many. He said Pence "was a good model for what he has done."

Asked if his father can unify the country, Trump Jr. said "it will be easy to unify the country when people have jobs." He argued joblessness triggers discontent.

Knoxvillians Jimmy and Dee Haslam hosted a luncheon Wednesday for the nation's Republican governors and large donors to the Republican Governors Association at their large home on Lake Erie east of Cleveland. Twenty governors attended, including Gov. Haslam and Pence, who pledged that "federalism" would be a hallmark of a Trump administration, according to sources.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich was not present, although Jimmy Haslam had been a donor to his presidential campaign.

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd of Knoxville, who is being mentioned as a possible 2018 candidate for governor, attended the luncheon as well as a delegation breakfast at the Radission. Boyd, who is sponsoring a luncheon for the delegates on Thursday, said he backs Trump for president.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee delegation and alternates attended a luncheon at Cleveland's Museum of Contemporary Art, which featured speeches by Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., and four members of the state's congressional members  Phil Roe, Marsha Blackburn, Chuck Fleishmann and Scott DesJarlais.

Wednesday afternoon the International Republican Institute sponsored a panel on young people with pollster Frank Luntz. Luntz pointed out that several countries have a majority of their population under 30 years old, including Cambodia, Egypt, Jordan and the Philippines. He said recent polls showed a majority of young people favor socialism over capitalism, which may account for the substantial support Sen. Bernie Sanders received over Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries. Nevertheless, the Statute of Liberty in New York City remains the most powerful visual in the world in terms of inspiring and being admired. On the other hand, a majority of young Americans no longer consider America 'exceptional." which is cause for real concern.
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch discuss the recent protests and unrest locally and across the country at the City County Building in Knoxville on Tuesday, July 12, 2016. (CAITIE MCMEKIN / NEWS SENTINEL)

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By Megan Boehnke of the Knoxville News Sentinel

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero expressed sympathy Tuesday for the "citizens and the police officers" killed in recent weeks and called for an end to heightened rhetoric on both sides.

"I am concerned about some heightened rhetoric among some small groups against our police officers and government, and there's heightened rhetoric I've read against the protestors," Rogero said. "Both of those, in my opinion, are irresponsible."

The mayor, in a four-minute statement delivered at the beginning of the regular Knoxville City Council meeting, said she wants to see full investigations and to see justice served in those cases. Her remarks came after council members held a moment of silence for the recent violence against police officers "and others" before the invocation that begins all council meetings.

"As our thoughts and prayers have gone out to all of these communities, people here and across the country are feeling hurt and angry, sorrowful and afraid. In this difficult time, I appreciate the great care and thoughtfulness we have seen across our city," Rogero said.

Rogero said she and Police Chief David Rausch visited Knoxville Police Department officers during roll call at the beginning of their shifts Friday to thank them for their service and let them know "we do understand, and it's been so evident in recent weeks, the personal risk they take in serving our city."

She also lauded the department for working to build trust with the community and said she has reached out to the city's black pastors to continue the conversation.

"Obviously we can't know what might happen on any given day or night, and anything that happens anywhere can have an effect us here," Rogero said.
It's stuck in my mind ever since I read it, an article in The New York Times headlined "Proof that gun control can work." And it sent me to the history books.

Back in the early 1930s, lawmakers decided they'd had enough with the recent rise in gun violence: the St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929; the near assassination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933; wholesale gangster wars on the streets of New York and Chicago.

They decided to do something about it. They passed the National Firearms Act of 1934, which required owners of firearms to be checked and registered, as well as be severely taxed at $200 (in today's dollars, that would be $3,538).

Weapons specifically mentioned as needing to be "regulated" by government included machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, grenades and  get this  other military-type "destructive devices."

Back then, of course, the NFA didn't mention assault rifles, rapid-fire pistols or AK-47s, but if they could've, they would've, don't you think?

Exactly what they were trying to say for the good of the country is certainly much clearer than what our Founding Fathers had in mind with their "well-armed militia" back when shooting a gun meant loading and reloading each time, taking out a pouch, pouring in powder and stuffing it down the barrel.

The National Firearms Act of 1934, as Alan Berlow writes in the Times article that set me off on all this, seems to impose precisely the kind of practical  and constitutional  limits on gun ownership and usage (registration, background checks, etc.) that the National Rife Association has its enthusiasts and their in-pocket lawmakers insist would desecrate the Second Amendment.

The 1934 Firearms Act came in response to mass shootings, street violence and people using guns to take the law into their own hands and settle personal grievances.

The law mandated that to own weapons designed for murder and mass killings, a man or woman must pass FBI background checks, pay a stiff tax, have their mug shot taken, submit fingerprints, and have the serial number of the weapon entered into a national data base.

According to recent statistics from the Gun Violence Archives, so far this year there have been 28,923 reported incidences of gun violence. The number of incidences in which guns were used for personal protection? Eight hundred eighty-two.

So far this year, 7,456 Americans have died from gunshots, and 15,444 have been injured. There have been 194 mass shootings. So far. And not counting the five shot dead and others wounded in the two Sunday outbursts in Florida and Louisiana or the 49-and-still-counting killed in Orlando.

So what do you think? Are we still going to offer empty prayers and sound bites of sympathy and sell our souls to the NRA? Or it is time to use common sense and run-of-the-mill sanity?

I admit, my idea of a good time is not going out to shoot birds or deer, but I believe in an American's right to hunt for sport. If target shooting turns you on, you ought to be able to do it.

And if you really believed President Barack Obama was coming after your guns with his talk of sensible gun control, you must be right embarrassed by now to have been so gullible to the hate-speak.

All poll studies and news reports I know about suggest most Americans do believe the time has come to admit, to recognize and to deal with the problem of guns in this country.

Isn't it ironic  funny really, in a sick kind of way  how no firearms are allowed at the Republican National Convention? Somebody might get hurt!
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As the national Republican and Democratic conventions over the next two weeks attest, elections present Americans with choices.

Unlike in politics, however, there should be no picking sides in the response to the spate of racially charged killings that has gripped the country this summer.

Instead, Americans need to find common ground in addressing both the root causes of the violence and the immediate triggers.

Acknowledging that black Americans continue to encounter racism and that the vast majority of police officers enforce the law appropriately would be a good place to start.

Though the circumstances varied, the bloodshed in Falcon Heights, Minn., Baton Rouge, La., and Dallas, Texas, was the result of individuals acting with inexcusable violence. The danger lies in the general fear and anger those actions generate.

In Knoxville, both the police and the black community are taking the right approach to defusing tensions, allowing for peaceful protests in a secure environment.

Black Lives Matter held marches downtown on July 8 and July 10. On both occasions, Knoxville Police Department officers accompanied the protesters instead of confronting them. During the first march, protesters blocked traffic on Gay Street for a short time, but police did not intervene and the activists moved on. The rapport established between officers and protesters enabled the freedoms of speech and assembly to peacefully coexist with the principles of law and order.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Police Chief David Rausch have made working with the black community a priority.

"This is not a matter of choosing sides," Rogero said. "We can address these challenges only through mutual respect, understanding and dialogue."

Rausch says the Knoxville Police Department has shifted its approach in recent years, with regular training in de-escalation tactics, cultural understanding and communication.

The Rev. John Butler, president of the Knoxville branch of the NAACP, and Andre Canty, former president of 100 Black Men of Knoxville, say conditions are improving but that the relationship building needs to be continual.

Derek Alderman, a University of Tennessee professor who studies the black experience, told the News Sentinel that the wounds of racism need active treatment. "Race relations are not something that are going to simply evolve and get better," he says.

Trust, communication and cooperation are not enough to inoculate Knoxville against racially motivated violence. The Dallas and Baton Rouge ambushes targeting police officers were carried out by disturbed lone assailants who were not affiliated with Black Lives Matter. The Baton Rouge shooter, Gavin Long, apparently claimed to be part of the "sovereign citizen" movement, a decentralized anti-government fringe group.

During this hot, violent summer, Knoxville has been relatively peaceful. The city's residents, regardless of race, need to work together to resist the fear, suspicion and hatred that violence sparks.
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"We as a country need to take a stand to consider the effects of gun violence on families throughout America." Zenobia Dobson made this powerful statement on July 13 at the ESPY Awards where she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on behalf of her son, Zaevion Dobson. We all know why he was being honored. We all know he gave his life to save the lives of his friends. We know he threw his body over theirs when gunfire rained down on them in a Knoxville neighborhood. But do we know how to respond to her call to action?

President Barack Obama famously said, "Zaevion Dobson died saving three friends from getting shot. He was a hero at 15. What's our excuse for not acting?" It seems that sometimes our excuse is that we don't know how to help. We feel powerless. Well, we are wrong about that. We are powerful. Our voices are powerful. As a volunteer with the local Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America chapter, I know that together our voices are strong and they can lead to change. But we need you. We need all of you. We are the majority, but we need to step up. A July 2014 Quinnipiac University poll found that 92 percent of Americans support requiring a background check on all gun sales, including 92 percent of Democrats and 86 percent of Republicans. A 2012 survey by Republican pollster Frank Luntz found 82 percent of gun owners  including 74 percent of National Rifle Association members  support background checks on all gun sales. Zaevion asked his mother to fight for him. Will you fight for him, too? Join Moms Demand Action, a nonpartisan, grass-roots effort made up of both gun owners and non-gun owners working for gun violence prevention.

Kendra Straub, Sevierville
Art Therapy Helps Marine Heal from From Traumatic Brain Injury

By Shannon Collins, DOD

JULY 20, 2016 at 12:06 p.m.





Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Tony Mannino deployed for eight months total to Iraq in 2007 and 2008. For four months, he was in Diyala province in the city of Ashraf on the border of Iran,

and then he went to Ramadi.





Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Anthony Mannino performs art therapy with guidance from art therapy intern Adrienne Stamper as part of his traumatic brain injury treatment and recovery at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md., March 1, 2016. DoD photo by Marvin Lynchard



WASHINGTON, July 19, 2016  As each brushstroke touches the page, blending the shades and drawing out the lines, the Marines shoulders relax. This is something he can lose himself in, pouring his thoughts and emotions into his art.



For Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Tony Mannino, art and music therapy at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Maryland, is a way for him to recover from his traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.



I choose to work with water colors primarily, because it makes it very hard to get the fine details perfect, he said. So for someone who has struggled with perfectionism and has always wanted to be in control and remain in control in any situation, it really helps to release, to relinquish the reins and let the colors do what theyre going to do on their own. Thats very therapeutic.





First Injury



Mannino joined the Marine Corps in May 2003, along with his sister, Angela, so that he could get an education. We decided to join the Marine Corps because it was the most difficult, because we were young and in shape, just looking for a challenge, he said.



His sister went into the Marine Corps Reserve and deployed to Ramadi, Iraq, as a field radio operator in 2004. Mannino initially went into the Reserve and switched to active duty. He started in the administration career field, but was sent to the division machine gunners course and deployed in that role.



It was my favorite time in the Marine Corps, he said smiling. I loved the heavy guns. I was on the 50-cal. I was pretty much in the turret my whole deployment.



He deployed for eight months total to Iraq in 2007 and 2008. For four months, he was in Diyala province in the city of Ashraf on the border of Iran, and then he went to Ramadi. Originally, I was trained to do detainee operations and route recon, but that was completely different once we got to the city, he said. Our camp was the actual hospital for the region, so we had to triage a lot of patients, both good and bad, so it was interesting.



He said the first half of the deployment was in a small, rural flat town, mainly working in the hospital, and the hardest part was working on the wounded, especially the children. The second half was in a larger city, where they had to drive in traffic and in markets, where the sniper threat was real.



Sniper fire was going on constantly; we were going to the government center on a weekly basis, he said.



Throughout his time there, his vehicle wasnt hit directly, he said, but he was exposed to improvised explosive device blasts. There was one when we were going across the bridge over to the government center that was pretty big that really rattled me, and I [ended] up getting a bloody nose from it, Mannino said. But I wasnt knocked unconscious -- just really dazed, just trying to find anybody on the rooftops and just trying to scan and take control of the situation. It really screws you up.



Luckily, I wasnt hit directly by one, but at least we found the bombs, he continued. Thank God we didnt drive over them, so we got pretty lucky with that. I did dislocate my shoulder, but thats a minor injury compared to what others have going on. Its all cumulative, so as you sustain different head traumas, I guess it just adds on to the effects of TBI and any kind of concussive disorder.





Second Injury



While stationed in Hawaii in January 2013, Mannino was running along a city street when he was hit by a truck. A pickup truck went right through the stop sign, and there was crossing guard in the crosswalk, and it just drove into the right side of me, he said. Initially, I was on the hood and got thrown to the ground. I woke up with the crossing guard and the driver helping me up.



He said he went to the emergency room, but didnt have any X-rays taken. There were no apparent broken bones, he said, but the impact did break one of the discs in his spine, which leaked into his nerve canal.



It really didnt affect me until about five weeks after the accident, Mannino said. I wound up getting sciatica and had a concussion. It snuck up on me after the accident.





Road to Recovery



The 32-year old said he was hypervigilant and had a rough time adjusting when he returned from his deployment. When he returned home to West Islip, New York, he said, he realized his drinking had been getting out of hand, so he quit drinking on his own in December 2013.



I didnt realize how much drinking was helping with some of the symptoms, he said, noting that without the alcohol, he was having trouble fighting his symptoms. But he didnt realize he had post-traumatic stress disorder or a TBI, he added.



I just knew I was having a hard time mentally, Mannino said. I talked to the command and told them I need to get some help. Thats when I started to get some treatment.



His first treatment was an inpatient PTSD residential program for 120 days. Then he was accepted into NICoEs four-week intensive TBI program. NICoE, a directorate of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, helps service members and their families manage their TBI and psychological health conditions through diagnostic evaluation, comprehensive treatment planning, outpatient clinical care and TBI and psychological research.



Our experience is that people dont get better unless we treat the whole person, said Dr. Louis French, NICoEs deputy director, whos been researching military TBIs for 16 years.



NICoE has interdisciplinary teams of health care professionals working together. A neurologist conducts sleep studies and MRI scans, family care physicians perform physicals, a psychiatrist may conduct couples counseling, and a physical therapist may address physical issues.



The medical professionals address each potential issue and communicate with each other to make sure that patients leave at the end of their stay with a solid plan for their primary care physicians at their home bases.



Ive had more changes to my medication and different types of therapy here than the whole two years Ive been in treatment, Mannino said. This is the most thorough clinic Ive been involved with. They got me off a lot of meds and switched me over to vitamins, which helped me with my migraines.



Its nice seeing everything under one building, he continued. Everybody talks and updates each other on the staff, which makes it a lot easier to get help and for them to notice any changes. They care a great deal, and they really want you to get better. Its a really great facility, and one of the best things Ive done so far.





Art, Music Therapy



The art therapy, music therapy and the couples therapy all have been helpful, Mannino said. I was very hesitant at first, he added, which made it hard for them to help me. Once I actually accepted, I tried the art. I had never painted or drawn anything in my life, but thats when the therapy started. I said, Im here. Im getting help. What theyre saying is making sense. Some of the symptoms make sense for what Im going through, and thats when I really opened up.



This led him to talk with others who were going through similar issues and who had experienced similar trauma, he said, helping him to learn he wasnt alone.



He started with just writing words on paper, he said, and then it developed into images. As he worked with the art therapists, he brought those images to life through the watercolors and into a mask that each service member going through the program makes.



My art therapist and I talk about issues I havent even brought up to my psychiatrist, so its really helpful.  Some of it becomes subconscious at a point, where youre working with the paints in the art as other emotions and other thoughts come up. Its really interesting and therapeutic, he said.



NICoE art therapist and healing arts program coordinator Melissa Walker said one of her favorite parts of the job is to see service members like Mannino change from being skeptical in their first week to starting to trust others by the fourth week of group sessions.



By that fourth week, they just jump in and use all the materials and really enjoy themselves and socialize and laugh with each other, she said. Its incredible for us, and its in that fourth week, too, in the artwork that we see improvement -- that theyre symbolically showing this bright future, perhaps the contrast between how they felt before and how theyre feeling moving forward. And Id love to see that next canvas, and I hope they continue to explore that.



For music therapy, Mannino decided to learn how to play a guitar for the first time.



Its really helpful for memory, trying to remember each chord, each note, he said. It was super difficult at first just trying to remember which strings Ive got to hold, but it brings a different level of focus. It takes your mind off of the therapy and all of the treatment. Its more fun. It becomes a therapy in its own right.



At the end of the program, each student takes home a CD with a piece of their music and a photo of their mask as the CD cover.





Future



Mannino is engaged to be married in October. He said he couldnt have endured the worst of his PTSD and TBI symptoms without his fiancee, Diane.



Shes stuck with me through all of this, he said. Its been just as difficult for her, if not more difficult, because she sees the good days and the bad days, and shes always around me. Were working through it together. Having that kind of support just makes it that much easier to ask for help when its needed.



He said his command has also been supportive.



To have the support of command on top of it is even more helpful [in] trying to erase the stigma of getting help, he said. Its been a journey. Its been very difficult. Ive made a lot of progress, but its a long road, and I just need to keep moving forward.



Mannino earned a bachelors degree in business while serving in the Marine Corps and is now pursuing a masters degree in physics. He is participating in an internship at NASA and hopes to work in physics or science research.



He also has an established Veterans Affairs support group in New York for his long-term care, and he recommends that anyone who has TBI or PTSD symptoms should not be afraid to seek out care.



There is help out there; you dont have to be alone, he said. You dont have to be depressed every day. You dont have to be loaded up on medication. There are different programs that work for different people. There are options out there. Help is out there.





Part 2 of a five-part series.



 Part 1 - National Intrepid Center Zeroes In on Traumatic Brain Injury

 Part 2 - Art Therapy Helps Marine Heal from From Traumatic Brain Injury

 Part 3 - Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Paint, Sculpt Way to Recovery Published July 20, 2016
SOLitudes volunteer of the quarter creates board game club for youth development







Chris Doyle spray paints a road sign for the Tour de Franklin charity bike ride event in Somerset, New Jersey. Chris volunteered his time in April to paint and install signs in preparation for event, which raised $71,500 for the local Food Bank.



NASHVILLE - Through its corporate volunteering program, The SOLution, SOLitude Lake Management, an industry leader in lake and pond management and related environmental services for the United States, named Chris Doyle, Senior Aquatic Biologist, as Volunteer of the Quarter for the second quarter of 2016. Chris has volunteered 42 hours of his time since the beginning of the year, serving as a mentor for children in his community and working to help with local fundraisers in Somerset County, New Jersey.



Chris began volunteering with the Somerset County 4H Association over six years ago and has been an active member ever since. In 2014, he and his wife, Lisa, created their own club at the 4H called the CardBoard Gamers. The club is open to fourth through twelve grade students and currently has about twelve members, one of which is Chris son Alec. The club is designed to introduce kids to the joys of tabletop board games, particularly Euro-style board games. These games teach children strategic problem solving skills as well as important life skills such as sportsmanship, respect and face-to-face communication with their peers.



Chris also spent time earlier this year volunteering for the Tour de Franklin, a charity bike ride event held on April 24th, by installing and painting road signs in preparation for the annual fundraiser. Chris and his family participated as riders at the event, which raised approximately $71,500 with all proceeds going to the Somerset County Food Bank.



Chris has embraced our volunteer program, The SOLution, and is a valued member of the SOLitude family, said Tracy Fleming, Director of Marketing. We admire his commitment to his community and his family, and were lucky to have someone as dedicated as Chris leading SOLitudes biology team.



The SOLution is a company-wide program that encourages the company and all employees to strive to create a better world through volunteerism, community outreach, sustainability and environmental consciousness. SOLitudes company leadership feels it is important to not only be good stewards of the environment, but also to fulfill company core values to take action and be accountable and to protect and respect nature. To participate or share a non-profit's goals for consideration in The SOLution, contact Tracy Fleming at tfleming@solitudelake.com or visit www.solitudelakemanagement.com/solution.



SOLitude Lake Management is committed to providing full service lake and pond management services that improve water quality, preserve natural resources, and reduce our environmental footprint. Our services include lake, pond and fisheries management programs, algae and aquatic weed control, installation and maintenance of fountains and aeration systems, water quality testing and restoration, bathymetry, lake vegetation studies, mechanical harvesting, habitat assessments, invasive species management and nuisance wildlife management. SOLitude is the third largest distributor of AquaMaster fountains and aerators in the US and the world. Lake, pond and fisheries management services, consulting, and aquatic products are available nationwide. Learn more about SOLitude Lake Management and purchase products at www.solitudelakemanagement.com. Published July 20, 2016
KCDC Executive Director Art Cate retiring

JULY 19, 2016 at 7:26 p.m.





Agencys Board of Commissioners hires firm for executive search.





KNOXVILLE  Art Cate, the CEO and executive director of Knoxvilles Community Development Corporation (KCDC), announced today that he would retire at the end of the year after nearly 40 years of service at the public housing and redevelopment agency.



Arts contributions over the past 38 years have kept this agency at the forefront of an always-changing field, KCDC Board of Commissioners Chair Dan Murphy said. Cate is well-respected as a regional leader in this important and vital sector of public service. His knowledge of the industry and local housing market has been invaluable in developing KCDCs programs and initiatives.



Cates leadership and insight helped to steer the direction of KCDC for nearly four decades, and he has been a critical part of the agencys overall success.



At the commissioners June meeting, the board approved the selection of Waters & Company, a Dallas-based executive recruitment firm, to recommend local, regional and national candidates. The board plans to select a new executive director in late fall to allow for a transition period between leaders.



Cate was promoted to the executive director position in 2015 after serving for 14 years as KCDCs chief operating officer.



As executive director, Cate has achieved significant milestones such as securing financing and breaking ground on the $10 million, 95-unit senior housing development, The Residences at Five Points, as well as securing tax credit financing for the next phase of the Five Points Master Plan, a townhome community for seniors and families slated to break ground in 2017. Cate also led the agency in beginning the transition of its low-income housing portfolio to rental assistance demonstration (RAD), an innovative program that allows KCDC to leverage debt on its properties to make capital improvements or new construction.



I have dedicated my career to changing lives and neighborhoods through affordable housing, Cate said. KCDC has solid strategic plans in place to continue to upgrade affordable housing in neighborhoods and communities across Knoxville and Knox County. I am confident that KCDC and our community are well-positioned for positive change and growth.



In addition to his work at KCDC, Cate also has served as a consultant for several regional public housing agencies. After the Chattanooga Housing Authority (CHA) ran into financial difficulties, Cate served as acting COO of CHA for several months t



o improve the agencys financial situation and increase operational efficiency. CHA now is in good standing. Cate is a founder and past chairman of the Tennessee Housing Authority Risk Management Trust and a founder and former president of Emphasys National User Group (ENUG). He also has served as president of the Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (TAHRA) and chairman of the Administrative Practices Committee of SERC-NAHRO (Southeastern Regional Council-National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials).



In 2013, Cate was appointed by Gov. Bill Haslam to the Tennessee Workforce Development Board. He currently serves as president of the North Knoxville Business & Professional Association (NKBPA).



Cate graduated with a bachelors degree in human resources management and personnel administration in 1973 from the University of Tennessee. He resides in Fountain City with his wife, Cammie. They have three grown children. Since 1936, KCDC has been dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Knoxville. KCDCs mission is to improve and transform neighborhoods and communities by providing quality affordable housing, advancing development initiatives and fostering self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.kcdc.org. Published July 19, 2016


















Israel said Wednesday it has renewed diplomatic relations with Guinea, 49 years after the mostly-Muslim West African state severed ties following the 1967 Six-Day War.

"I am happy to announce that just now we signed... a joint declaration announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Guinea and the state of Israel," Israeli foreign ministry director Dore Gold said in a statement from Paris, where he met senior Guinean official Ibrahim Khalil Kaba.

The announcement followed close on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "historic" four-nation Africa trade and security tour aimed at boosting ties.

At the start of the July 4-7 trip, the first by an Israeli premier to sub-Saharan Africa for decades, Netanyahu proclaimed "Israel is coming back to Africa and Africa is coming back to Israel."

Prior to his departure Israel announced a relatively modest $13 million (12 million euro) aid package to strengthen economic ties and cooperation with African countries.

Netanyahu said he expected another exchange of ambassadors soon.

"In the coming days I think that yet another country will be added," his office quoted him as saying on Wednesday. "This is part of a process that is gaining momentum."

Israel's business with Africa constitutes only two percent of its foreign trade, leaving plenty of room for growth while demand for its defence expertise and products is rising.

It also sees African countries as potential allies, particularly at the United Nations and other international bodies, where it is regularly condemned over its occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli-Arab conflict drove a wedge between African countries and Israel in the 1960s.

It was exacerbated by Israel's occupation of North African heavyweight Egypt's territory in the 1967 war and another round of fighting in 1973.

The conflict led a stream of African countries to break off relations with Israel although many have since renewed them.

In his Hebrew-language statement, Gold called on them to join Guinea in resuming ties.

"The number of states on the continent yet to do so is shrinking and I hope that soon there will be none," he said.

"Israel calls on those states which have still not renewed diplomatic relations to follow in Guinea's footsteps so that we can work together for the benefit of all the peoples of the region."

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South Korea's ruling Saenuri Party said Wednesday that the unionized workers at Hyundai Motor Co., the country's top automaker, should end the latest strike, adding such actions are hurting numerous subcontractors.

"The average annual wage of Hyundai Motor workers stands at 96 million won ($83,900)," Chung Jin-suk, the floor leader of the party said. "Due to (the strike) of such high-income earners, those working at subcontractors that supply parts to Hyundai (and do not get paid as much) are being hurt."

Unionized workers of Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., a major shipyard in the country, have been staging partial strike since Tuesday, demanding improvements in working conditions.

Chung also pointed out workers at Hyundai Heavy also receive an average annual wage of 78.26 million won.

The party leader then said Hyundai Motor has been staging strikes for five straight years now and that unions should refrain from making strikes "habitual."

"The strike is expected to cost Hyundai Motor 39 billion won on a daily basis. Hyundai Heavy may also face massive losses if the strike continues," the lawmaker warned. (Yohhap)
By Choi Sung-jin



Swedish furniture maker Ikea has made it clear it will push ahead with selling chests and dressers in Korea that have safety problems, although the company has stopped sales in the United States and Canada.



About three weeks ago, Ikea recalled 29 million sets of "Malm" drawers in the U.S., where safety officials blamed them for the deaths of at least six toddlers after the drawers toppled on them. Last week, Ikea extended its recall to China, bowing to mounting pressure from the Chinese government and consumers.



In Korea, the company has neither recalled the furniture nor suspended sales but decided to refund customers if they want it.



"Unlike in the U.S. and Canada, Ikea Korea has expressed its position to continue the sales of the problematic dressers and provide fixing equipment that keeps them from falling only to customers wanting it," said an official at the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS). "Ikea Korea's steps fall far short of ensuring consumer safety, so we have demanded it supplements them."



Specifically, the agency called on Ikea Korea to make its recall plans more widely known and expand free fixing services. Also, KATS told the company to stop domestic sales of the furniture or guarantee the free fixing service. About 100,000 pieces of the Malm furniture have been sold in Korea since December 2014.



"The government will soon come up with additional measures, including the conduct of the safety checkup of similar furniture, to prevent children's safety accidents," a Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy official said.



An Ikea Korea official said Tuesday: "We received the official document only today and are discussing how to deal with this unprecedented development."




Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday told French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault "to mind his own business" after he warned Ankara over the crackdown after the coup in Turkey.

"He should mind his own business. Does he have the authority to make these declarations about my person? No he does not. If he wants a lesson in democracy he can very easily get a lesson in democracy from us," Erdogan told Al-Jazeera in an interview.

Ayrault had called for maintaining the rule of law in Turkey in the wake of the coup saying "this is not a blank cheque for Mr Erdogan" to silence critics.

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By Choi Sung-jin



Chinese businesses are stepping up efforts to localize memory chip production through massive investment, industry sources said Tuesday.



According to Chinese media, Fujian Electronics and Information Group broke ground last Saturday on a memory chip plant in a semiconductor industrial complex in Jinjiang, Fujian Province, in a joint venture with the local governments of Quanzhou and Jinjiang.



In the first phase, the company plans to invest 37 billion yuan ($5.53 billion) to build and operate the plant with a capacity of 60,000 sheets of 12-inch wafers a month by 2018. The group, to be subsidized 3 billion yuan from the Chinese central government, plans to double the plant's capacity within five years.



The Xinhua News Agency reported that the group's investment plan followed similar announcements by Tsinghua Unigroup in Beijing and XMC in Wuhan to invest about 80 billion yuan and 160 billion yuan, respectively, for localizing memory chip production. Put together, the three companies will invest 270 billion yuan.



The groundbreaking for the chip plant's construction marks the first project launched by the Fujian Province Semiconductor Industry Investment Fund, established jointly in June by the three municipal governments in Fujian, Chenzhou and Jinjiang.



The Taiwanese and Japanese are about to join China's memory chip localization drive. Sino King Technology, started by Yukio Sakamoto, former CEO of Elpida Memory, which was Japan's largest memory chip maker, has decided to set up a chip plant with the municipal administration of Hefei, Anhui Province.



Sino King's plant, which will start with a capacity of 100,000 sheets of 12-inch wafers a month, will reportedly invite 20 to 30 Taiwanese experts to design semiconductors and operate the plant, sources said.



Xinhua said China has sustained the biggest trade deficit in global semiconductor markets, importing $200 billion of computer chips a year. And while memory chips have been important links in China's semiconductor industrial chain, the market has long been dominated by foreign businesses, it said.



In China's DRAM chip market in the first quarter, three foreign companies -- Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix of Korea and Micron of the United States -- accounted for 93 percent of supply. In the NAND flash sector, too, six foreign makers, including the three and Japan's Toshiba, dominated the market, the state news agency said.



"The semiconductor industry is a basic, strategic and initiating sector for economic growth and information security of the state," Xinhua quoted a ranking Chinese official who attended the groundbreaking ceremony.



The current lull in foreign makers' investment provides good opportunities for Chinese companies to catch up with advanced competitors abroad, a Taiwanese industry expert was quoted as saying. "In the next five or 10 years, Chinese companies will have opportunities to compete with foreign giants."



Industry watchers here said it would be noteworthy whether Korean companies follow the example of domestic smartphone and heavy-duty equipment makers. Samsung Electronics, the world's largest smartphone maker and once the market leader in China, was overtaken by Huawei in 2014 and is not even among the top-five providers. Doosan Infracore, which had been the largest supplier of excavators in China, lost the top spot to China's Sanyi Group in 2010, and was pushed below No. 5.



Along with the rapid expansion of China's computer chip industry, the world's second-largest economy is emerging as a major market for semiconductor equipment. According to Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun, China's semiconductor equipment market is expected to grow 12.9 percent to $7.2 billion next year, recording a 1.5-times expansion in just two years to be the world's third-largest market.



Taiwan will be the largest semiconductor equipment market with $10 billion in 2017, up 5.9 percent from this year, and that of Korea is estimated to increase 29.5 percent to $7.9 billion.



Fujian Electronics, Tsinghua Unigroup and other Chinese makers localizing memory chip production want to move beyond the simple operation of plants to establishing a semiconductor industrial chain complete with independent intellectual property rights, the experts said. China's emergence in this industry will provide opportunities and challenges for Korea's semiconductor equipment makers, they said.




By Jhoo Dong-chan

GS Group Chairman Huh Chang-soo called for innovative future strategy during the executive meeting at GS Tower in Nonhyeon-dong, southern Seoul, Wednesday.

During this year's third-quarter meeting, in which the group's 150 executives participated, Huh said the company should anticipate how market trends would shift for the next five to ten years.

"We should question ourselves whether our current capacity will still be competitive in the future market," said Huh.

"Uncertainty in the global economy has prevailed for unstable exchange rates and low oil prices as well as the U.K.'s exit from the EU. The domestic economy is also experiencing difficulties with youth unemployment and the ongoing restructuring process in the debt-ridden heavy industries sector."

Despite unfavorable external factors, Huh pointed out that the group should keep moving forward.

"We should concentrate on what we can do best, strengthening our fundamental technologies and adapting to rapidly changing market trends for survival," he added.

Huh also ordered the group executives to strengthen the company's driving force for future strategies and put their utmost efforts on training future talents.

GS Caltex, the group's refinery unit, has shifted its structure into an export-driven company profit structure through its aggressive overseas marketing strategy and is continuously investing in future energy technology.

GS Energy is also focusing on developing next-generation battery materials and overseas energy resources while GS EPS, the group's other energy affiliate, is strengthening new renewable energy technologies.

In a bid to incubate future talents, GS Group established the Jeonnam Creative Economy Innovation Center jointly with the government last June as a part of its efforts to help small and medium-sized businesses.

The center has since helped a great number of startups. Marino Tech, one of startups developed under the center's assistance, recently clinched a total of $560,000 in export deals while joining President Park Geun-hye's business trip to the U.S. and Latin America.
The 2017 Renalt Samsung SM3 Z.E. sedan



By Jhoo Dong-chan

Renault Samsung Motor has launched sales of its fully electric-powered sedan, the 2017 SM3 Z.E., a company official said Wednesday.

The automaker has upgraded the electric vehicle (EV) model's exterior design as well as strengthened convenience features and lowered the vehicle price by 1.9 million won compared to the previous year's model.

The 2017 SM3 Z.E. has a chrome gloss black radiator grille and LED headlamps along with positioning lamps in the front. Two-tone gloss black alloy wheels are also equipped to suggest a more sophisticated expression.

The EV model also comes with the One-Touch Triple Signal Turn direction lamps that light three times upon a driver's touch.

This year's SM3 Z.E. also replaces the previous model's white pearl and mars grey with luxury cloud pearl and blue as the available vehicle colors.

The SM3 Z.E.'s price may sound too expensive as it starts at 39 million won ($34,106), but applying the local and central government's subsidies worth a maximum 21 million won, the price goes down to 16 million won.

It also offers a 36-month interest-free installment plan. For customers to buy it with a 48-month installment plan, the rate is 1.9 percent while a 60-month plan is 2.9 percent.

Renault Samsung Motor CEO Park Dong-hoon said in March that the automaker aims to sell a total of 2,000 EVs in Korea this year. Of them, it plans to sell 1,000 EVs on Jeju Island where its local government is most aggressively adopting and supplying eco-friendly cars among the nation's municipalities.

"Renault Samsung led and contributed to the nation's EV market with its advanced technologies," said Park.

"The automaker will join with the government's efforts on reducing emissions by introducing eco-friendly cars to the auto market as early as possible."
By Nam Hyun-woo



The Financial Services Commission (FSC) said Wednesday it plans to set up a task force to deal with business setbacks that foreign financial firms face.



During a meeting with country heads and deputy CEOs of foreign financial firms, FSC Vice Chairman Jeong Eun-bo said the team will be comprised of lawyers, officials from Financial Supervisory Service and other experts so that it can address problems faced by foreign firms and serve as a communication channel between the government and the companies.



"There are concerns as a number of foreign financial firms are withdrawing or downsizing their Korea branches recently," said Jeong. "Changes in management strategies, timid outlook on profitability and stricter global financial regulations are believed to lead to most of the moves, but as Korea's regulator, the FSC has to look at whether Korea's financial environment lags behind that of global standards."



Last year, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) withdrew its corporate banking business from Korea. Following it was Barclays, which closed its Seoul offices in January, Goldman Sachs, which gave up its license in the banking sector. Citigroup had already downsized its Korea business, dropping its consumer lending unit in 2014.



Jeong said that the government has been pushing for financial reforms, in which it lifted regulations on commissioning data processing and introduced an omnibus account system, and pledged a task force to help foreign firms save costs.



The meeting was attended by country heads and deputy CEOs of 20 foreign banks, insurers and brokerage houses operating in Korea, including Bank of America, Citibank, JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley.




Park Hyun-chung, former CEO of Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (SPO), poses before an interview.

/ Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Park Hyun-jung talks about struggle with maestro Chung

By Oh Young-jin

Park Hyun-jung, former CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, can't but think that the past year-and-a-half counts for the worst nightmare of her 54-year life.

Late in 2014, Park, a Harvard Ph.D. in sociology, was forced to endure accusations by her own employees of sexually harassing one employee and bullying many of them habitually. The media made a big issue of it and she resigned without a chance of having her side of the story heard.

"It was like having the letter A branded on my forehead," she said in a recent interview. "If there is something that is deader than death as we know, I have experienced it."

In a bizarre twist of events, police cleared her of the accusations. Now the tables are turned with the accusers becoming the accused for conspiring to frame her. The case is now pending at the prosecution for arraignment on defamation.

So did this exoneration lift Park's feelings?

"No," said the first woman to reach a senior executive position in Samsung Group.

Her bigger fight has just begun.

She believes that Chung Myung-whun, former SPO music director, is behind the conspiracy aimed at burying her socially. Now the two have filed complaints for defamation against each other.

Chung was just called in for questioning by the prosecution and the police over the defamation case in addition to another complaint brought by an NGO for embezzling more than 100 million won from SPO funds.

In and out of being questioned, Chung first said to the effect that he felt betrayed by the employees, whom he trusted when they accused Park. Then, his lawyers denied it and Chung later got back to his original position  Park violated the human rights of the SPO employees. He also denied allegations of misappropriation.

Seeing Chung being interrogated, Park said that she had mixed feelings but that she doesn't feel any sympathy for him.



"The ones who harmed me are going about their business as usual," she said, adding that she is determined to see the case through.

"You don't even imagine how hard it has been to stay angry for such a long period of time. It's not just about Chung but also about myself," she said.

Up until the police's exoneration, she couldn't log onto the Internet for fear that she would stumble upon stories about her. "There were thousands of articles about me, all starting with my name along with the accusations of sexual harassment." The irony is that she was the first to bring to Korea corporate education programs from the United States against sexual harassment when she worked for Samsung.

She doesn't feel as traumatized now when she checks the news about her. "Many of the articles are slugged as a smear case against Park."

That was no consolation for her. She has been unemployed since she quit SPO and there have been few job offers for her. Her name card bears her name, her mobile number and her having a sociology doctorate but without a job title. "Who would hire me now after that big a brouhaha?"





Chung Myung-whun, former SPO music director, raises his hands in a quirky act of surprise after being questioned by prosecutors in the defamation case brought against him by ex-SPO CEO Park Hyun-jung last week. / Yonhap



Her being jobless, however, has helped her concentrate on one thing  how to debunk what is presented as the true color of Chung. "I am preparing for my case to be presented to the prosecution every day, all day," she said, explaining that she has one lawyer while a big law firm works for Chung, the leader of his legal team being a senior prosecutor who recently retired from the department of technology-related affairs where the Park case is being investigated. The assignment to that department is because the accusations of Park's sexual harassment were disseminated through the Internet.

"The ongoing scandals over the prosecutors' misbehavior  a corrupt food chain that is sustained by money and linked by their sense of belonging  worries me," she said, pointing things out about the background for Chung's lead lawyer.

But she was confident not by the outlook of her case against Chung but by sheer determination.

"I am determined but I never knew I could be this strong-willed," she said.

She compared her situation with the winnowing process  separating the chaff from the wheat. "If I hold out long enough, the real issue  Chung  will come out in the open and face public judgment." She said that the police had restored Chung's secretary's mobile text messages that showed how deep Chung's connections have reached.

"Until he is in court and receives punishment, I will wake up every morning and work on my case," she added.

Her two-year-stint at the SPO allowed her to get a peek into our society that she didn't know about. "It was a kingdom for one person," she said. "The king and his queen do whatever they want. Everybody is expected to follow."

She remembered that she had to go through Chung's secretary and his wife before she was given a time slot and a number to call just to talk with him.

Then she came into Chung's kingdom and tried to bring it to the 21st century. The result was a clash of cultures.

"In one sentence, our society says all is equal before the law and calls for the abolition of privileges," she said. "In the next, it takes pity on Chung, the privileged person, and suggests he be spared public embarrassment for that," she said. "That is a conflicting narrative, making me wonder what overwhelming odds really powerless people fight against."

The writer is The Korea Times's chief editorial writer. Contact him at foolsdie5@ktimes.com and foolsdie@gmail.com. This column was based on two interviews with Park Hyun-jung, former CEO of the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra, Tuesday and two months ago. For fairness, we are open to comments and a request for an interview by Chung Myung-whun, the former SPO music director.
"Turtle" Courtesy of Seoul Museum of Art



Events mark 10th anniversary of media artist's passing





By Kwon Mee-yoo

2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the passing of media artist Paik Nam-june. A series of exhibitions and events commemorating the media art pioneer are being held around the late artist's birthday which fell on July 20.

The Nam June Paik Art Center in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province organized a special exhibition titled "New Gameplay" Wednesday.

The exhibit explores media art in the context of games, which is basically an extension of Paik's philosophy of combining art and technology.

Forty-five works of 34 artists are on display, ranging from a popular video game to experimental contemporary works of art touching on the concept of gaming. Visitors can operate and experience most of the art pieces for a better understanding of digital gameplay and contemporary art.





Bill Viola's "The Night Journey" employs first-person-shooter games for a meditative experience, while Chinese artist Feng Mengbo interprets communist propaganda in a 16-bit video game titled "Long March: Restart." Jeffrey Shaw's "The Legible City" allows visitors to take a simulated bicycle ride.

The exhibit runs until Feb. 19, 2017. For more information, visit njpartcenter.kr or call 031-201-8500.

"Video Chandelier 4" / Courtesy of Seoul Museum of Art



Gallery Yeh in Seoul holds "The Paik Nam June Show" at Seoul's Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from July 21 to Oct. 30.

The exhibit offers around 100 of Paik's media pieces as well as 43 photographs of the late artist taken by photographer Lim Young-kyun.

Paik's small and large works are displayed in the unique curved interior of the DDP. Major works on exhibit include "Turtle," a gigantic 10-meter-long turtle-shaped video sculpture using 166 monitors, and "M200," Paik's tribute to Mozart.

Some of Paik's "Video Chandeliers" are on display as well. The intricate video installations hanging in a forest setting demonstrate Paik's perspective on technology and nature. The exhibit also features Paik's drawings and objects, hinting at the artist's passion and ideas.

Visit paiknamjuneshow.com for more information.

Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) held an opening ceremony for "Hello Paik Nam June," a memorial for the artist, Wednesday.

Located at the site of Paik's former home in Changsin-dong, northeastern Seoul, the traditional Korean hanok house will be revamped to give insights on the artist's childhood, rather than displaying his artworks.

SeMA purchased the lot last October and originally planned to open the memorial around July, but the opening is postponed to November.

At the opening ceremony, artist Baik Hyun-jhin presented a performance of Korean and Western musical instruments and Kim Sang-don paid homage to Paik's artistic world in a performance inspired by a shamanistic ritual.
The number of employees in their 60s and older surpassed that of 20-somethings in the second quarter as a lingering economic slowdown has undermined the job market for young job seekers in South Korea, government data showed Wednesday.

A total of 3.98 million people aged 60 and over were employed in the April-June period, while those in their 20s reached 3.79 million, according to the data compiled by Statistics Korea.

The number of employees in the two age groups has fluctuated since the second quarter of 2014 when senior employees outnumbered young workers for the first time.

In the first quarter of 2016, the older group saw their employment reach 3.44 million, slightly fewer than the younger circle's 3.66 million.

The statistics agency said the increase in the number of senior employees is partly because of a demographic change in the country which has been struggling with a low birth rate and a rapidly aging population.

The number of those in their 60s and over rose by 470,000 to 9.8 million in the second quarter, while those in their 20s gained 52,900 to 6.42 million.

A slowdown in the South Korean economy also contributed to the sharp increase in senior employment as companies have reduced recruitment of young people such as college graduates.

Separate industry data released in April showed that 16 out of the country's top 30 business groups have decided to cut down on new hires this year, citing economic uncertainties.

At the same time, older people are increasingly returning to the job market after retirement as they have to support their grownup children who have failed to find work. (Yonhap)
/Courtesy of Twitter



By Lee Han-soo

Incheon Transit Corporation will provide free rides on Incheon subway line No.2 on July 29, before its grand opening.

The trial will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. from any of the line's 27 stations.

But passengers who want to transfer to Incheon subway line No.1 or Gyeongin subway line will have to pay fees at the transit gates.

The new line extends over 29.2 kilometers and travels from Geomdam Industrial Complex Station to Unyeon Station.

Line 2, which will be an unmanned automatic system, will officially open at 5:30 a.m. on July 30.
Scandals involving loyalists, aides hurting leadership



By Kang Seung-woo



A series of scandals involving loyalists and senior aides to President Park Geun-hye are not only damaging her ability to lead, but also signaling that she is entering an early lame duck period, analysts said Wednesday.



Her traditional political strongholds in the southeastern regions are turning their backs on her, angered by the decision to deploy an advanced U.S. anti-missile system in the southeastern county of Seongju.



Park's aides at Cheong Wa Dae allegedly pulled strings in the ruling Saenuri Party's nomination process for the April 13 general election  although the presidential office and even President Park herself denied such allegations.



TV Chosun released private phone conversations, Tuesday, in which Hyun Ki-hwan, a former senior presidential secretary for political affairs, pressured a candidate to change his constituency to help Rep. Suh Chung-won, a de-facto leader of those loyal to the President, win re-election during the April 13 general election.



This is the latest in a series of reports alleging influence peddling by the Pro-Park faction in the party's nominations. Other staunch loyalists, Reps. Yoon Sang-hyun and Choi Kyung-hwan, are also involved in the scandal.



Frustrated by the lopsided nominations, voters refused to support Saenuri Party candidates in the election, in which the party lost its parliamentary majority.



Following the disclosures, Suh gave up his bid for the party chairmanship.



"It was unimaginable in the initial stage of her administration, but as President Park's term nears its end, such cases have begun to pour out," said a Saenuri Party lawmaker.



Woo Byung-woo, Park's top secretary for civil affairs, is facing mounting allegations about his murky connections with arrested prosecutor Jin Kyung-joon in the sale of the latter's family's real estate to online game maker Nexon. Jin is behind bars for taking bribes from the company.



In addition, other news reports have also raised suspicion that Woo served as an attorney to secretly defend Jung Woon-ho, a former chief of local cosmetics brand Nature Republic. The disgraced businessman has been detained in a lobbying scandal that allegedly ensnared preeminent figures in the judiciary



Although Woo denied all allegations surrounding him, the scandal is expected to deal a heavy blow to the President's administration of state affairs as her key aide is at the center of such accusations.



"Although the civil affairs secretary has refuted news reports, they have become a burden to President Park's handling of state affairs, irrespective of their veracity," said a Cheong Wa Dae official.



Along with opposition parties urging President Park to dismiss Woo, the ruling party also says that it is necessary to investigate the allegations linked to him.



For President Park, it is a bitter pill to swallow that her usually faithful supporters in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province are turning their backs on her in response to the planned deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery in Seongju amid fears about the health risks linked to the system's X-band radar.



According to a Realmeter poll on Monday, Park's approval rating in Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province declined to 41.4 percent from 50.6 percent following the THAAD decision. In addition, 52.4 percent of respondents there had negative views on Park's job performance as president.



The drop is noteworthy since the region has staunchly supported President Park in the past.



Kim Chong-in, the interim leader of the main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea, criticized the government and the Saenuri Party for its poor handling of the current situation.



"It is doubtful that the government and the ruling side are prepared to cooperate with opposition parties in dealing with state affairs," Kim said in a party meeting at the National Assembly.



"Although the government should take responsibility for national security and the economic crisis, it is taking an overbearing attitude toward the people and political circles."



His remarks came after the presidential office warned against any "political offensive" regarding Woo and the THAAD deployment that would hurt the government's efforts to tackle a series of economic and security challenges facing the nation.



In Korea, the head of state usually carries out a Cabinet reshuffle or other personnel changes in a bid to overcome political difficulties and start afresh with a new lineup, but Park has often expressed opposition to such reorganization.



There are growing calls that Park should carry out a thorough personnel reshuffle to re-energize the government.



"Recent bribery scandals and the THAAD decision can derail Park's focus on stable government operation, so the necessity to replace her Cabinet members and other staff at Cheong Wa Dae is arising as part of self-reform efforts," said Yoon Hee-woong, a political analyst.




By Park Jae-hyuk



People in Seoul can beat the heat with various water festivals this weekend.



In Han River Park in Yeouido, the 2016 Water Fight Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.



Participants will do battle with water guns and water bombs.



Players are sorted into teams of 5,000 participants each, according to their blood types. Types A and AB will join the Blue Team, and types B and O, the Red Team.



After the water fight, they can enjoy performances of B-boys, DJs and indie musicians.



"Tourists will enjoy the greatest water fight ever seen," said Ghim Ni-ji, a member of the festival organizer.



Those more into thrills rather than fierce combat have another option, as a water slide will be set up in Sinchon, western Seoul, for the 2016 Wake Up City Festa, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.



A giant 120-meter-long water slide will be installed on the car-free street between Yonsei University and Sinchon Rotary. The top of the slide will be 10 meters high.



Various performances of traditional Korean music and popera will also be featured.



Both festivals will also offer children's swimming pools.



Tickets for both events are available at online shopping malls or can be purchased on the spot.




A 17-year-old migrant wielding an axe and a knife went on a rampage on a German train, seriously injuring four members of a tourist family from Hong Kong and a passer-by.

German authorities have cast doubt on whether he was a refugee from Afghanistan as originally thought, saying Wednesday he might have been from Pakistan.

Here is what we know about Monday's attack that the Islamic State group claims was carried out by one of its "fighters". The group has also released video footage of the attacker making threats.

It happened around 9:15 pm (1915 GMT) on the train carrying around 25 people running between the town of Treuchtlingen and Wuerzburg in Bavaria, southern Germany.

Media reports identified the attacker as Riaz A. He boarded the train and soon after went to the onboard toilet, emerging moments later with the axe and knife drawn.

Shortly before the train pulled into Wuerzburg, the teenager began shouting "Allahu akbar" (God is greatest) and slashing passengers, gravely injuring the four tourists. One of them is in critical condition.

A passenger pulled the train's emergency break and the assailant ran to evade special police forces, who were deployed nearby by chance.

He attacked a woman walking her dog along the river while trying to evade police. Prosecutors said he shouted "I'll get you, you bitch" as he brought the axe down on the head of the victim, who is also now fighting for her life.

When he began to attack officers with the axe, the teenager was shot dead by police.

Witnesses said the carriage looked "like a slaughterhouse", with victims' blood covering the floor.

Authorities said he arrived in Germany as an unaccompanied minor in June 2015 and was registered in the border city of Passau, a major hub of last year's record refugee influx.

He was placed in a shelter in the Wuerzburg region in March before being settled with a foster family.

Sources close to the German security services now think he might have pretended to be Afghan on arrival in Germany in 2015 in order to have a better chance of securing asylum, television station ZDF reported.

Locals described him as "calm and even-keeled" and a "devout Muslim" who "did not appear to be radical or a fanatic".

However investigators found a hand-painted Islamic State group flag in his room as well as a letter, believed to be a farewell message to his father, in which he discussed the situation of the world's Muslims, saying they "must defend themselves".

Riaz A. had worked as an apprentice in a bakery and had a good chance of getting a long-term training position common in German trades, Bavarian social affairs minister Emilia Mueller told DPA news agency.

Soon after German authorities said they found the IS flag among Riaz A.'s belongings, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack and said he was one of its "fighters," an IS-linked news agency said.

"The perpetrator of the stabbing attack in Germany was one of the fighters of the Islamic State," the Amaq news agency said, citing a "security source".

"He carried out this operation responding to calls to target countries of the coalition fighting IS," it added, referring to the US-led coalition targeting the jihadist group in Syria and Iraq.

Islamic State later released video footage of the attacker but authorities said they were still trying to determine its authenticity.

The rampage appeared to be the first time IS has claimed an attack in Germany.

While the attack has the potential to revive a heated national debate on the integration of migrants and refugees, regional authorities were quick to call for calm.

"It is undisputed that he was a refugee and if he hadn't been there he wouldn't have committed this act," Herrmann said.

"But I don't think that we should make blanket judgements in any way about refugees."

Herrmann said there was no indication that Chinese citizens were intentionally targeted in the attack.

Federal justice minister Heiko Maas tweeted that the assault must "carefully investigated" and said "radicalism must be fought in all its forms".

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By Jun Ji-hye



The government decision to allow the U.S. military to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here is raising suspicions that Seoul has virtually joined Washington's global missile defense program.



Despite repeated denials of this allegation from the Ministry of National Defense, some analysts and politicians here say THAAD is an integral part of the U.S.-led missile defense system (MD), designed to shoot down short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at the end-stage of their flights.



The ministry announced on July 13 that a THAAD battery will be placed in Seongju County in North Gyeongsang Province, next year, to more effectively deter North Korea's growing nuclear and missile threats.



Reports published by the U.S. government also support the suspicion, as they stated that Washington is working on increasing integration between THAAD and other ballistic missile defense systems, according to Justice Party lawmaker Kim Jong-dae, a former defense analyst.



A report made in May 2015 by the U.S. Government Accounting Office noted that there are two THAAD configurations  1.0 and 2.0.



THAAD 1.0 is a production effort for the batteries, interceptors and hardware, while THAAD 2.0 is primarily a software development intended to expand the capability of the weapon to defend against threats in multiple regions and at different ranges and to increase integration with other MD elements, the report said.



"THAAD 2.0 is developing multiple software that will add incremental capability with plans to be fully operational in fiscal year 2020," it said. "The Missile Defense Agency plans to equip a total of seven batteries through fiscal year 2025."



The U.S. Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2017 President's Budget Submission, published in February 2016, also mentions the THAAD 2.0, saying that the new capabilities include regional peer-to-peer engagement coordination with Aegis and Patriot systems, with upgrades to maintain interfaces with other MD elements.



Rep. Kim said during a National Assembly session, Tuesday, that deploying a THAAD unit in South Korea will result in Seoul's participation in the U.S.-led MD.



"Data regarding ballistic missile threats, obtained by THAAD radar, will eventually be provided to the U.S. mainland after THAAD 2.0 development is complete," he said. "This is in stark contrast to the position of the ministry that the THAAD unit will only be tasked with defending the Korean Peninsula."



He noted that the THAAD deployment will enhance missile defense cooperation between Seoul, Washington and Tokyo, and this will realign the order in Northeast Asia to South Korea, the U.S. and Japan vs. North Korea, China and Russia.



Japan officially announced its participation in the U.S. MD in 2003.



Rep. Yoon Young-seok from the ruling Saenuri Party also said, "China is worried that deploying THAAD on Korean soil would be a starting point for South Korea to participate in the U.S. MD that Japan also joined."



He said the major concern is that China, South Korea's No. 1 trade partner, could take action in trade retaliation against the deployment.



Beijing as well as Moscow have been objecting to the THAAD deployment because they believe the system is a strategic weapon for the U.S. and regard the deployment as an attempt by Washington to get its Asian ally to join the MD system to contain their influence.



Defense Minister Han Min-koo stuck to the existing position, Wednesday, saying that THAAD is a weapons system to defend the Korean Peninsula and that it will not share any information with other U.S. MD elements.



"Since the late President Kim Dae-jung was in office, the nation has held its position not to join the U.S. MD," Han said during an Assembly session. "According to that policy, we have as a goal to establish the KAMD (Korea air and missile defense) and have been working on it."



Kim Dae-jung served as President from 1998 to 2003.




By Kang Seung-woo

This building is part of real estate holdings in southern Seoul that sisters-in-law of Woo Byung-woo, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, sold to online gaming company Nexon in 2011. / Yonhap

Woo Byung-woo, senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, is facing mounting calls to resign as fresh allegations of influence peddling are being raised day after day.

However, Woo made it clear Wednesday that he will stay to help President Park Geun-hye.

The former senior prosecutor is taking flak for his suspicious relationship with senior prosecutor Jin Kyung-joon, who has been detained on bribery suspicions.

Local news reports raised suspicions on Wednesday that Woo's son, now serving as a conscripted policeman, received favors in his assignment thanks to his father's position at Cheong Wa Dae in violation of regulations.

According to the reports, the secretary's son was initially assigned to a unit guarding the Seoul government complex in April 2015, but he was transferred to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency in July of the same year, where he was the driver for a senior police officer until December.

Since then, his son has worked at the deputy commissioner's office because the senior officer was promoted to the post.

However, according to the regulations, a job transfer is permissible four months after a conscripted policeman begins their duties at their units and the news reports raised suspicion that his father's post may have affected the transfer.

Woo was appointed as President Park Geun-hye's top secretary for civil affairs in February 2015.

In response to the reports, Woo said it is heartbreaking that his son was included in the allegations.

On Tuesday, the local daily Kyunghyang Shinmun reported that Woo secretly served as an attorney for Jung Woon-ho, a former chief of local cosmetics brand Nature Republic. The businessman has been detained in a lobbying scandal that reportedly ensnared politicians, government officials and prominent figures in the judiciary.

However, he called the report "utterly groundless" and filed complaints with the prosecution against the newspaper.

The series of allegations began with the Chosun Ilbo's reporting that Jin pulled strings for Woo in the sale of his family's real estate to online game maker Nexon. Jin is behind bars for taking bribes from the company.

Woo is also suspected of having overlooked Jin's possession of Nexon shares in 2015 when the latter was promoted although he was in charge of verifying the backgrounds of high-ranking officials in their promotion.

In the wake of the allegations surrounding Woo, opposition parties have urged President Park to dismiss him.

However, Woo refused to resign, repeating his denial of the allegations.

The civil affairs secretary emphasized that he has never met or had any personal ties to the businessmen and that all the allegations against him are false.

"All these suspicions have been raised with regard to people that I don't know," he told reporters. "I don't think a civil servant should resign every time such allegations are raised."
Deokwon Arts High School Principal Kim In-jeong, third from left, poses with Steven Kreinberg, center, vice dean of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University, after signing a partnership agreement on the high school's campus in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul, July 7. Third from right is Andrew Eisenhart, an international student recruitment specialist at Temple University. / Courtesy of Deokwon Arts High School



Temple University teams up with local arts high schools



By Chung Hyun-chae



The Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University in Philadelphia, the United States, has embarked on partnerships with two of the top four Korean arts schools to recruit students.



The local schools are Deokwon Arts High School in Gangseo-gu, western Seoul, and Kaywon High School of Arts in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.



"What we want from this initiative is a collaborative partnership," Steven Kreinberg, vice dean of the college, told The Korea Times at the Millennium Seoul Hilton, July 7.



"Students at the high schools and their teachers learn about us and we learn about them so that we can tell them what kind of programs we have and how they should prepare themselves to get into Temple University."



The partnerships are the first of their kind between Temple University and Korean arts high schools.





Kaywon High School of Arts Principal Kim Myoung-kyoo, center, poses with Steven Kreinberg, third from left, vice dean of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University, and Andrew Eisenhart, second from left, an international student recruitment specialist at Temple University, on the high school's campus in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, July 8, after signing a memorandum of understanding on partnership ties.

/ Courtesy of Kaywon High School of Arts





The Boyer College is part of the Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University, which is ranked 11th in the United States by StartClass, a well-known education research website, and offers various undergraduate and graduate programs in music and dance: performance (keyboards, jazz, orchestral instruments, voice and opera), music studies (composition, history, theory and technology), music education and music therapy.



Temple has more than 38,000 students, 10.4 percent of whom are from Asia, according to the vice dean.



Auditions at Deokwon Arts High School



Under a memorandum of understanding signed with Deokwon, Boyer held auditions on the high school's campus for students interested in the American college.



"Although members of our faculty oftentimes go around the world and audition foreign students, this kind of audition is very unique in that we hold auditions exclusively for students from one partner high school," Kreinberg said. "We are trying to get a sense of their musicality, and those students also get to hear directly from us what kind of opportunities they can have at Temple."



Kreinberg and his colleague held auditions for 14 students who passed an intramural competition with videos of their performances.



"There is no set number of students we decide to select because it varies from instrument to instrument and program to program," Kreinberg said.



"Each department will make its final decision and the students will be informed of their results by the beginning of August," said Andrew Eisenhart, international student recruitment specialist at Temple University.



Among the 14 students who auditioned was Kim Su-jin, 18, a senior whose major is piano.



"The audition was very helpful as the interviewers gave us feedback," Kim said.

Lee Han, 18, another senior studying musical composition, said he hopes to study what he could not learn in Korea.



"As I had to prepare for the university entrance examination, I could not learn more about orchestration and modern music compositional techniques which I think are necessary for me," Lee said. "I would like to study in a free and open atmosphere in the U.S."



Kim In-jeong, principal of Deokwon Arts High School, strongly encourages her students to study abroad.



"I hope my students will go out on the world stage and learn more out there," Kim told The Korea Times on the school's campus, July 7, when the auditions took place.



"I expect them to bring a cultural diversity and a different perspective to not only the university but also to our students and faculty because they can add something that most American students and faculties may not understand or may not know," Eisenhart added, stressing that this is a high value for the university.



Kaywon High School of Arts



The Boyer College also signed a memorandum of understanding on academic cooperation with Kaywon High School of Arts on July 8.



"Although our students prefer to enter prestigious local universities because of their strong network here, I strongly feel that our students should experience education overseas sometime during their school years," Kim Myoung-kyoo, Kaywon's principal, told The Korea Times at his office on the school's campus, July 8.



"I hope these partnerships with the Boyer College will set a good example after our students spend quality time there," he added.



Kreinberg suggested that the college is willing to provide a summer camp where students can receive private lessons from its faculty.



"What we want to offer students are great opportunities," he said.
North Korea on Wednesday said it conducted the recent missile launch drill with the aim of practicing pre-emptive strikes against South Korean ports and airfields.

On Tuesday, Pyongyang test-fired three ballistic missiles -- two Scuds and one Rodong -- in an apparent "armed protest" against South Korea's recent decision to deploy an advanced U.S. anti-missile system in the country to counter growing threats from the North.

"The drill was conducted by limiting the firing range under the simulated conditions of making pre-emptive strikes at ports and airfields in the operational theater in South Korea, where the U.S. imperialists' nuclear war hardware is to be hurled," North Korea said in an English dispatch carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un "provided field guidance to the drill," observing that the ballistic missiles launched in Hwangju, North Hwanghae Province, flew across the country and hit the East Sea, the KCNA said.

In the "successful" drill, the KCNA said North Korea "once again examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on the ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area."

On July 8, Seoul and Washington announced a decision to deploy the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea by the end of 2017 to deal with evolving nuclear and missile threats from the communist country. (Yonhap)
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has no plans to meet one-on-one with his counterpart from North Korea on the sidelines of a regional security conference next week in Laos, a State department official said Tuesday.

Kerry is scheduled to visit the Lao capital of Vientiane from July 25-26 for a series of annual meetings hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Asia's biggest annual security gathering, known as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), according the department.

ARF is one of the rare international gatherings that North Korea has regularly attended and brings together the top diplomats from 27 countries, including all countries involved in the six-party talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear program.

The North's new foreign minister, Ri Yong-ho, is expected to attend next week's meeting.

"There are no plans for a meeting," State Department spokeswoman Katina Adams told Yonhap News Agency in response to a question about whether Kerry has any plans to meet with his North Korean counterpart.

"We have long made clear -- in close consultation with our partners and allies -- that we remain open to dialogue with the DPRK, with the aim of returning to credible and authentic negotiations on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But the onus is on North Korea to take meaningful actions toward denuclearization and refrain from provocations," Adams said.

While in Laos, Kerry "will discuss the region's security architecture and shared transnational challenges including maritime security, illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and the South China Sea," the department said in a release. (Yonhap)
South Korea is expected to face challenges in reflecting its stance on North Korea and its nuclear ambitions in a chairman's statement to be issued at the end of the upcoming regional security meeting, given the chair country's close ties to the communist country, a government source said Wednesday.

Top diplomats from 27 Asia-Pacific countries and the European Union will meet in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, and hold a series of meetings led by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations over the weekend.

The ASEAN Regional Forum, the region's largest security gathering, will be held on Tuesday, the last day of the annual gathering. The forum will issue a chairman's statement that summarizes what has been discussed during the gathering.

"This year, we could have more difficulty (in reflecting our stance in the statement)," a government official told a group of reporters on condition of anonymity. "There are many things that Laos, a chair country, can decide on its own."

His remarks suggested that since Laos has close ties with North Korea and the ASEAN follows a rigorous consensus-building process in reaching an agreement, it would be tough for South Korea to reflect its stance in the wording of the statement related to Pyongyang's provocative behavior.

He said that Laos has already distributed the first draft of the statement to participating countries which mentioned such issues related to North Korea and South China Sea. He didn't go into details of the wording. (Yonhap)
These are three of the eight photos released by North Korea's state-run Rodong Sinmun on its front page, Wednesday, one day after the North fired three ballistic missiles into the East Sea. In the photo on the right, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un watches one of the missiles. / Yonhap



By Yi Whan-woo

North Korea said Wednesday the latest test-firing of three ballistic missiles was to simulate preemptive strikes on South Korea's ports and airbases.

This is to counter the U.S. military forces to be deployed on the Korean Peninsula in the event of a war, it said.

"The tests examined the operational features of the detonating devices of nuclear warheads mounted on ballistic rockets at the designated altitude over the target area," Pyongyang's state-controlled Korean Central Television (KCTV) said.

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that the tests of three ballistic missiles  presumably two short-range Scuds and one medium-range Rodong  were made by "limiting the firing range to simulate pre-emptive attacks on South Korean ports and airfields hosting U.S. military hardware."

Citing North Korean leader Kim Jong-un who monitored the test, the KCNA assessed that the country's missile units are capable of carrying out "accurate and precise" strikes at any time.

The military officials and experts here speculated that Pyongyang intended to show its ability to destroy U.S. military assets in the wake of a decision to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.

They said Pyongyang is testing a high-arc trajectory on its missiles to ensure that they will hit any target in South Korea regardless of their type and range.

"North Korea is trying to emphasize that it can attack all U.S. military assets," said Jeon Hyun-joon, director of the Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Research Institute. "Those assets include ones that are located close to Seoul, such as in Pyeongtaek and Uijeongbu in Gyeonggi Province, and also Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province where the THAAD will be set up."

Cheong Seong-chang, a senior researcher at the Sejong Institute, said "Pyongyang is taking it as a given fact that THAAD will be deployed and it is taking relevant steps to counter the anti-missile battery."

Kim Yong-hyun, a professor of North Korean Studies at Dongguk University, warned that the reclusive state will ratchet up provocations. He cited that Kim Jong-un gave an order concerning the next missile test after monitoring the launch, Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Panmunjom Mission of the Korean People's Army (KPA) denounced the U.S. for its right to exercise operational control (OPCON) over South Korean forces during wartime in line with an agreement between Seoul and Washington.

"In case the U.S. imperialists transfer OPCON to the puppet forces, they will lose not only the pretext for staying in South Korea but also the excuse for interfering in Korean issues,"

the KPA spokesman said. "It wants to occupy South Korea eternally and then seize hegemony in East Asia and then the rest of the world." KPA warned that the American troops will be the first target of the North Korean military if a war breaks out.
By Richard Ruffin

Every time another black person is shot by a policeman and killed, I get into the same argument with the defenders of, well, the defenders of the policeman's right to kill a human being.

This is only an argument one hears in the U.S. Or, as in my case, with Americans living outside the U.S.

That's right. The fact that these are people, that these are human beings, in spite of their skin color, in spite of all their flaws, should give them the right and protection not to get shot. To, in fact, live. Strange concept, eh? That humans should have the right to not get shot in the back while running away from a cop is evident in most countries in the world. Why is it such a foreign concept in the U.S.?

I do not care how many prior arrests a person has had. I do not care how many times he has abused alcohol. I do not care if he ran a red light, or if his tail-light was not working, or if his license plate had expired. You do not kill a person for such actions. Nor do you kill a person for selling cigarettes, or CD's, on the sidewalk. Nor do you kill a person simply because you feared for your life. Simply fearing for one's life as an excuse to kill another person contradicts the main reason people become policemen, which is "to protect and to serve."

I thought that policemen were trained how to disarm crazy people with guns and knives. I thought they were trained how to pacify potential troublemakers. Well, in the U.S., I guess not. It's shoot first, and maybe there will be an inquiry later. Then again, maybe there won't be any inquiry.

As for police training in the U.S., officers are trained to "be afraid," to view every suspect as another potential "cop murderer." I also saw posted on the internet how while in some European countries police spend an average of several years before they graduate from their police academies, in America that time frame is down to months, even weeks in some circumstances. In any case, your chances of being killed while working in the line of duty as a police officer are practically nil, according to FBI figures, which put the threat level of dying while on the job at .00008. That's not very high, if you ask me. The Taser, baton, pepper spray and gun are weapons that should be used as a last resort.

Meanwhile the pillars of the white power structure will argue that if "he had just done as the cops said" this never would have happened. But the real culprit is that America is a country steeped in violence, with a terrible legacy of slavery to acknowledge and live up to. And the fact that there are about 300 million guns currently in circulation, and the NRA, a lobby run by a bunch of bigots who warn us that the only way to stay safe is to "pack heat," does not help matters.

So you have these incidents of racial profiling. In one incident, Tim Scott, a senator from South Carolina, was pulled over "not four, not five, not six but seven times," just because he is black. "I was pulled over for driving a new car through the wrong part of town, or for reasons just as trivial," he said in a speech that he gave before the Senate on July 14. He told the story of a staffer who eventually sold his new car, because he was "so tired of getting pulled over by the cops."

Videos have started to put a crimp in what once were police actions that went unchecked, starting with the video of the Rodney King beating in LA in 1992. But now certain police departments are refusing to give video recorded by the police to the citizenry for public viewing. Just where all this will lead time only knows.

And the racist right responds: "He never should have disobeyed the cops in the first place." As if killing a man reaching for his wallet, a boy playing with an air gun, or a man simply trying to make a living selling CD's or cigarettes on a street corner is justified. Is killing another human being ever justified? When? On what day, under which situation and under what right is it okay to take another person's life? Is it ever?

Of course it is. But that time is happening far too often, these days, to people of color.

Richard Ruffin writes from Taiwan. Write to rick.ruffin@gmail.com.
By Na Jeong-ju

Politics editor

China and Russia are growing increasingly anxious over a joint decision between South Korea and the United States to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery here.

Their state media produce reports about possible consequences of the presence of a U.S. missile system on the Korean Peninsula and how it will affect their strategic interests in Northeast Asia almost daily.

The countries agreed to hold a meeting of foreign ministers soon to discuss joint countermeasures.

To me, their emotional feedback looks quite contrary to the casual attitude they have showed toward North Korea's nuclear and missile tests for the past two decades.

Their anger is largely directed at the U.S., which they claim is putting regional security at risk and damaging their regional interests by bringing the battery to the Korean Peninsula. But they seem to be less concerned about the consequences of North Korea's nuclear and missile programs for regional and international peace in the future.

It is obvious that China and Russia cannot avoid responsibility for what North Korea is today. Rather, they have used North Korea to check the U.S. and boost their interests. North Korea has successfully upgraded its nuclear and missile technologies with the connivance of its traditional allies. As a result, North Korea is now the world's most irresponsible, unpredictable and dangerous country.

South Korea has always followed international rules in dealing with a rule-breaking North Korea. However, the North has never been seriously checked by China and Russia  militarily or economically  in the course of developing its nuclear weapons. Rather, it is doubtful whether they really have the will to guide North Korea on the right track and help it become a member of the global community.

Their willful negligence of North Korea always puts South Korea in a disadvantageous position in seeking appropriate measures against its military provocations. In other words, the South has been dealt a losing hand.

In this sense, South Korea's decision to accept a THAAD battery can be the first step to break this vicious cycle and make China and Russia realize that North Korea's nuclear threats can threaten their security interests, too, and the North should no longer be left to behave as it wishes.

From a military perspective, South Korea needs the U.S. missile defense system because North Korea keeps developing its missile technology. Some politicians here claim that the country should build nuclear submarines  and even nuclear weapons  to counter the North.

It is a well-known fact that the U.S. has long wanted to deploy the missile interceptor here.

However, the biggest reason South Korea did not comply with the U.S. request was that having a U.S. missile system in the South could damage relations with China and Russia. Seoul believed Beijing and Moscow could play important roles in keeping Pyongyang from getting out of control. But that turned out to be a naive idea.

The THAAD decision showed the allies of North Korea that South Korea and the U.S. now have a military option  rather than depending on U.N. measures with veto-wielding countries  to deter North Korea from continuing nuclear and missile developments.

This also suggests that the U.S. has realized that finding peaceful solutions through dialogue with North Korea will never be possible, as proved in the failed six-party talks.

In the coming years, the U.S. could keep risking its relations with China and Russia in dealing with North Korea. South Korea does not necessarily have to act in the best interests of the U.S., but should be prepared for grave diplomatic challenges in store.

North Korea, of course, will not back down. It will continue missile and nuclear tests, anyway.

What is certain is that the North should no longer be allowed to defy international rules and threaten countries with weapons of mass destruction. For this, China and Russia will have to act more responsibly in handling North Korea.

Simply put, South Korea wouldn't need the THAAD system if it were not for the threats from North Korea.
By Luis Alfredo Alfaro



Despite its remoteness, the possibility of signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between South Korea and Central American nations in the Central American Integration System (SICA) is a golden opportunity for all involved. Even though the involved countries have different cultures, manners, customs, stages of development, peoples, and a huge disparity in natural resources; whatever advantages or disadvantages, those should not be obstacles to strengthening trade and exchanging knowledge and culture.



South Korea could become an exemplary and unique case since East Asian nations, with the exception of the Republic of China (Taiwan), do not formally have many trade agreements like FTAs with members of SICA. Something important to consider is that historically, not only in Central America but in Latin America as a whole, Japan has been considered the economic power of Asia with strong cooperation started many decades ago. Japan has shown leadership in areas like, infrastructure development, culture, education, science, agriculture, trading, etc.  with that in mind, now is the biggest opportunity for South Korea to take over the leading role and introduce its "Han River Economic Miracle" to Central America.



This potential FTA means exchanging thoughts and ideas with a commitment to economic co-prosperity. Even though the social structures in Korea and Central America are quite different, especially with regards to authority and consensus building I think through a commitment to working together we can come to common agreement. The economic outlook for South Korea is looks good, while Central American countries are currently facing obstacles to economic prosperity like high violence and murder rates, complex social problems, gangs, drug trafficking, political instability, migration, and corruption.



But, lately actions have been taken with cooperation from the US government in coordination with the North Triangle (El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras) governments to design policies to counteract these obstacles. Central America is an area of extremely helpful people characterized by an amazing inner-happiness and big dreams. By grasping this philosophy and the idiosyncrasy of "Centro America," South Korea could develop a good business relationship with SICA members. Central America is a land of great resources, world renowned logistic routes and hubs like the great Panama Canal and (possibly in some years later the Nicaraguan Canal too),close proximity to the US economy and Canada and serves as a bridge to South America and Europe.



Efforts made by Korea with the governments from Central America, either the left or right wing, will be fruitful because they will find ways to consolidate, strengthen and grow in Central American economies. Things are moving forward for South Korea and Central America, but there still need to be more opportunities for growth and cooperation in the future..



Luis Alfredo Alfaro is a Ph.D. in ports and logistics systems, University of Dong-a, Busan. Contact him at myamerica81@gmail.com.




Scheduled flight service between the United States and Cuba will begin in the fall of 2016, a senior US State Department official told reporters on Wednesday.

"The Department of Transportation has awarded non-Havana flight routes and expects to make a final decision on Havana routes later this summer. The scheduled flights to begin as early as the fall," the official said.

In February, the US Department of Transportation announced that Washington and Havana reached an agreement to reestablish scheduled air service between the two countries.

Direct flights between Cuba and the United States had been non-existent for more than 50 years as a result of the hostilities during the Cold War.

The new US policy of reengagement with Havana is a part of President Barack Obamas plan to normalize relations with Cuba that he announced in late 2014. However, a congressionally-mandated embargo on Cuba is still in effect.

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By Ishac Diwan

ALGIERS  Since the United Nations Development Program began work on the Arab Human Development Reports (AHDR) in 2001, the situation in many Arab countries has gone from bad to worse. In fact, today the region cannot even come together to publish a new report. This is unfortunate, because finding a new shared vision for Arab people, especially Arab youth , is a prerequisite for ever achieving peace and prosperity in the Middle East and North Africa.

The first AHDR , published in 2002, identified three major "development deficits" holding the region back: knowledge, women's empowerment, and freedom. The report, described as "written by Arabs for Arabs," had a clear influence on the regional development narrative and the way national elites talked about the problems facing their societies.

Around the time of the first AHDR, the Arab world had reasons for optimism. Israel, having withdrawn from Lebanon in 2000, withdrew from Gaza in 2005. New Arab leaders  such as Abdullah II in Jordan, Mohammed VI in Morocco, and Bashar al-Assad in Syria  were coming to power and generating hope for change. Saudi Arabia announced its first municipal elections in 2003, and held them in 2005. Egypt and Iraq also both held (mostly) democratic elections in 2005. And Algeria's attempt to quell longstanding civil strife was largely successful, thanks in part to high oil prices throughout this period.

After the Arab Spring, which began in December 2010 and gained momentum through 2011, the UNDP began the 2015 AHDR, which focused specifically on the plight of Arab youth. I was a member of the 2015 AHDR team, along with around 30 intellectuals and activists from the Arab world. The 2015 AHDR shared similar themes with its 2002 precursor, but this time we engaged more directly with influential Arab youth to compile the best data possible, and to put a spotlight on the effects of the wars engulfing the region.

The 2015 report was finalized in May 2015. But it has lain in the drawers of the UNDP Arab Bureau in New York ever since, probably in no small part due to its harsh judgment of the Arab power elite.

One finding from the 2015 report that I can speak to directly is the emergence in the Arab world of a "silent majority" with a more liberal mindset, especially among the young. This promising trend reveals itself in generational comparisons of global opinion polls. Arab youth have more access to information from the outside world than ever before, and they are embracing values shared by other young people globally, rather than the values of their parents' generation. Specifically, Arab youth yearn for greater participation in civil society, emancipation from patriarchal hierarchies, and more space for individual creativity. While education did not emancipate as much as in the rest of the world, owing to the conservative curriculum, youth did.

Given these findings, the 2015 report advises national, regional, and international progressive groups to support the forces of emancipation, which hold the key to finding homegrown solutions to the challenges of ensuring better governance, more productive economies, and more resilient societies. The only route to large-scale change in the Arab world is to unleash innovation and creativity  and that demands an unbounded civil society. Fundamental civil rights must be established, supported by deep changes in the education system, reforms of family law, and a more open space for media and culture.

The 2015 report, which I hope will be published soon, should encourage a reasoned and constructive regional conversation. It begins with this warning: "The youth of the region are becoming continually more disenchanted with the ossified political power structures that marginalize them. Unless governments wake up to this blinding reality, they are going to have to deal with far more than a few extremists."

The new silent majority is the best defense against the radical and suicidal undercurrents that have filled the political vacuum created by the collapse of the old order. Reform-minded Arabs must aim to widen the center, rather than trying to bring together the fringes. And the silent majority needs to break its silence. Otherwise, revolts against an unacceptable status quo will continue to be led by extremists, who have only grievances, not aspirations.

The early 2000s held promise for the Arab world, and in today's youth we can see it renewed. Arab civil-society reformers must be encouraged to speak up now, or risk losing that promise for another generation.

Ishac Diwan is an affiliate at the Belfer Center's Middle East Initiative at Harvard University and holds the Chaire d'Excellence Monde Arabe at Paris Sciences et Lettres. Copyright belongs to Project Syndicate.
A corruption scandal involving Woo Byung-woo, the senior presidential secretary for civil affairs, is widening, although Cheong Wa Dae denies the allegations. Opposition parties are asking Woo to resign and demand that President Park Geun-hye offer an official apology.



Suspicions raised against the former prosecutor over a dubious real estate deal are quite persuasive.



He is suspected of having received favors from Jin Kyung-joon, the senior prosecutor detained last week in a bribery case, for the sale of his family's real estate to Nexon, the gaming company.



Woo's wife and sisters-in-law inherited the property near Gangnam Station from their father in 2008. They wanted to sell it to pay about 50 billion won in inheritance taxes but could not find a buyer for two years until Nexon bought it in 2011 for about 132.5 billion won. The suspicion is that Woo, then a senior prosecutor, asked Jin, his junior colleague at the prosecution who allegedly had relations with Nexon founder Kim Jung-ju, to broker the deal.



This allegation sounds plausible, given that Nexon suffered a de facto loss of 1.5 to 2.7 billion won from its sale of the property 16 months later if acquisition taxes and interest are included.



What's more, Nexon's employees were kept in the dark about the real estate purchase and the company was already building an office building in Pangyo, Gyeonggi Province. It's also incomprehensible why Nexon borrowed money from a Japanese bank for the deal although it was cash-rich at the time.



What's more embarrassing is that Woo might have turned a blind eye to Jin's possession of Nexon shares when he conducted a security check on Jin in early 2015 in return for the favors he received.



The presidential office denied all suspicions concerning the property deal and urged the opposition to refrain from political offensives aimed at undermining the government's efforts to overcome the looming security and economic challenges. However, it's doubtful if the latest corruption scandal will die down with such half-hearted explanations. In fact, there have been widespread rumors that Woo, who allegedly enjoys the full confidence of President Park, is an informal big shot in the incumbent administration.



The prosecution has launched an investigation into the scandal after Woo filed a complaint against a local daily that made the first report on the case. The probe must proceed swiftly and thoroughly. But President Park should dismiss him if it's judged to be hard to investigate him properly because he is keeping his post at Cheong Wa Dae.




UNHCR Korea Representative Naveed Hussain talks about the unprecedented refugee crisis in the world, and asked for more support from the Korean government during an interview with The Korea Times.

/ Courtesy of UNHCR Korea





By Kim Ji-soo



One of the first order of business for Naveed Hussain, representative of U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)Korea, after taking office in May was raising attention to the Syrian refugees detained at the detention center at Incheon International Airport.

Twenty-eight Syrians were detained at the Incheon Airport Waiting area for as long as six months and subsequently denied entry. Recently, 26 of the refugees won the lawsuit to apply for refugee status. Permission for two was withheld after they were found to have stolen a tourist's cell phone.

"We are very pleased that the court made the decision, and the government decided to allow them to enter the country. It was a positive step," said Hussain, 57, at his office in downtown Seoul.

"It was our belief that the case could have been done in a different way. There was no point in keeping them in detention for a long time and in such conditions ... not very friendly conditions," he said. He evoked the U.N. refugee agency's reasons for existence, which is to help refugees and internally displaced people request and receive asylum.





Korean actor Jung Woo-sung, who is the goodwill ambassador for UNHCR Korea, talks with a boy at a refugee camp in Lebanon recently./ Courtesy of UNHCR/ J. Matas



"Everybody knows what is happening in Syria. It is very hard for people to live there. The country is completely destroyed. We just hope that compassion will prevail over other conditions," Hussain said.

There is a growing awareness of the refugees' plight as the numbers increase. According to a recent UNHCR report, the global refugee crisis has reached record levels, with about 65 million refugees or internally displaced persons. "That is more than the population of South Korea or New Zealand," he said.

The crisis is expected to continue in the near future, and the refugee agency chief urged countries such as Korea to do their part.

The Korea chief pointed out how arguments against receiving refugees remain, despite the crisis.

"The refugees are people like us. If they do something wrong, they should be brought to justice. But to label the whole population, the whole group of people, may not be fair," he said when asked about the spread of xenophobia and Islamophobia in many parts of the world.

The UNHCR office in Seoul plans to increase awareness of refugee issues in the country, including inviting high-ranking officials, such as Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Kelly Clements.

"We want Korea to become members of the $20-million club,' the countries that contribute $20 million or more annually. It is not a question of money. It is a question of taking leadership at the global level," he said. Other nations will look to the example of Korea in supporting refugees, he pointed out, adding that Korean individual donors are among some of the most generous in the world, so the compassion exists, he said.

The Korean government has increased its financial assistance  $16 million in 2015 from $8 million in 2014  albeit it is still smaller than those of comparable economies. Since 1994, it has also granted refugee status to 592 people and "humanitarian stay"status to another 935 people, which also protects them from forcible deportation but provides limited privileges.

There are two important U.N. summits approaching,  the U.N. General Assembly meeting on Sept. 19 that will focus on refugees and migrants and the second one the following day called by President Barack Obama  in which the UNHCR urges Korea to take a more active role.

Hussain also asked people to join the agency's #WithRefugees petition. By signing up at www.withrefugees.org, people can help ensure refugees have access to schools, shelters, job training and employment. To date, the campaign has gained 350,000 of its goal of 1 million signatures. Some of those who have signed the petition are U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UNHCR goodwill ambassador, Korean actor Jung Woo-sung.

Hussain said he met with Jung for the first time and talked to him about ways to approach the Korean people.

"We cannot reach the segment of the public that he can," Hussain said.

On South Korea's program to help North Korean defectors adjust to life here, he said there are positive aspects of how the Korean government embraced them. The refugee agency considers the defectors citizens of this country, he said.

Hussain joined the UNHCR in 1993 and has served in tough areas, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Yemen, Sarajevo, Georgia, Albania and Sudan. He said one of his challenging but rewarding assignments was in Bosnia from 1993 through 1996. He said it was the first time since World War II that the United Nations was asked to lead an operation in an active war zone.

"The frontlines were shifting, we did not have access to all places (that need help), our planes (carrying aid) were shot at," he said. "And it was also a challenge trying to help refugees in the cold, like in -10 degrees Celsius temperature," he said.

He was in charge of a $200 million program during the Bosnian War, dealing with the logistics of how to help people, such as how to deliver food to people living on the upper floors of an apartment without electricity. He also saw a lot of deaths, he said. His advice for dealing with such extreme stress and stress in general: have a great team who can share the good and the bad, and also laugh at themselves.

"People who can laugh at themselves can reduce the stress, but there is no short cut," he said.

He revisited Bosnia in 2007, happy that the country was not at war but saddened to see the impact that the war has left behind.

Despite the challenges of field work, Hussain stressed that not all UNHCR staff work in extreme situations in the field; there was also work that needs to be taken care of in the office. "Working for the U.N. is a privilege," he said, where every country, from SouthKorea, to Nepal can stand up and talk.He said that however there is a price to pay in terms of being away from home and family depending on where one's work.

"(But) it is very rewarding. It is work that gives some meaning to my life," he said.
Fiction writer Kim Jin-myung / Korea Times File



By Jun Ji-hye

In a book published in August 2014, fiction writer Kim Jin-myung wrote that the United States would ask South Korea to allow American armed forces to deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) unit on Korean soil in order to hold China in check.

He also forecast that Washington will cite growing nuclear and missile threats from North Korea as an ostensible reason for the deployment.

Obviously, his imagination has become reality as Seoul and Washington officially announced their decision on July 8 to deploy a THAAD unit on Korean soil next year to defend the country from the North's evolving threats.

At the time of publication, his book, "THAAD," started a lot of talk and rapidly became one of the bestsellers in major bookstores.

The novel is recently regaining popularity since the government's announcement of deployment of the U.S. advanced anti-missile defense system.

But the writer expressed concerns over unpredictable changes that the deployment would bring to the Korean Peninsula, instead of being delighted at his book's return to popularity.

"The deployment of THAAD is not the end of the problems facing us," Kim told reporters. "It is just a beginning, and we will have to make a number of difficult decisions because of it."

He cited the worst case scenario in which the United States and China get to the stage of military conflict.

"In that case, Washington would possibly ask Seoul to stand by the U.S., while China would call for Seoul to express a clear position between Washington and Beijing," he said. "This will be an even more difficult decision than the one involving the deployment of the THAAD battery."

The writer said that soldiers have been mainly involved in the decision-making process for the deployment of THAAD, and opinions from economists tended to be excluded, although it is not just a simple weapons system but an issue that exerts great influence on the nation's economy and foreign affairs.

"It is regrettable that economic ties with China in the future were not taken into consideration," he said.

The comment apparently referred to a view from some critics that China, South Korea's No. 1 trade partner, would take action in trade retaliation against the deployment of THAAD, given that Beijing has repeatedly expressed opposition to the missile defense system, apparently out of concern that the weapon's AN/TPY-2 radar could spy on China's military activities and missile capabilities.

But the writer stressed that the public should now side with the government as the decision has been made anyway.

"We cannot say that it would have been right to refuse a request from the U.S., either, as Washington is our military ally," he said. "The best option for now is that the government should clearly say to the world that it will get rid of the THAAD battery once North Korea's nuclear threats disappear."
By Kim Yoo-chul



Samsung Electronics plans to buy new shares of Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) to prevent the ailing shipbuilding affiliate from suffering a liquidity crunch, Samsung officials said, Wednesday.



"Samsung has no plans to abandon the shipbuilding business given an increased possibility for a turnaround after self-restructuring programs," a Samsung official said. "Samsung Electronics will take part in SHI's rights issue."



But he did not disclose the investment's exact amount.



Samsung Electronics has been asked by the Korea Development Bank (KDB) and other SHI creditors to come up with plans to support the shipbuilder, details of which will be decided in the third quarter of this year.



"SHI plans to launch a rights issue to raise some 1-1.3 trillion won," the official said.



He excluded the possibility of Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong using his personal wealth to buy shares in SHI.



Samsung Group affiliates have a combined 24.08 percent stake in SHI, with Samsung Electronics holding the largest, 17.62 percent.



Samjong KPMG recently submitted the results of its due diligence on SHI to the Samsung affiliate and the shipbuilder's main creditor, KDB.



The consultancy said SHI is unlikely to suffer any serious liquidity shortage over the next four to five years given a sign of market recovery and an increased demand for value-added vessels.



SHI is close to winning a $2.5 billion order to build a floating LNG vessel for Italian energy company ENI, the company said.



"SHI's top management was notified that the company's self-rescue packages, including a plan to issue new shares, will keep the shipbuilder afloat," a KDB official said.



SHI's self-rescue fund-raising plan of up to 1.5 trillion won by selling non-core assets and cutting employees was earlier approved by the KDB.



As of the first quarter of this year, SHI had 1.09 trillion won in cash-equivalent assets; however, the amount of debt with a maturity of March next year was known to be 2.94 trillion won.



"SHI feels a sense of urgency in liquidity as the delivery of six drill ships has been delayed," Korea Investment analyst Lee Kyung-ja said. "It should fill in the void in cash by launching a rights issue."



To revive the country's three main shipbuilders  including Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI)  Seoul recently announced an 11 trillion won fund to help lenders absorb losses. SHI, hit by a slide in oil prices which have more than halved in the past two years, is struggling with big losses and debts.




Germany and Britain agreed Wednesday that Prime Minister Theresa May needed time to prepare for talks to leave the EU, after London took the first step towards Brexit by giving up its presidency of the European Council.

On her first foreign trip since taking office in the wake of Britain's seismic referendum, May told German Chancellor Angela Merkel that her government would not ask to leave the European Union before the end of 2016 in order to plan a "sensible and orderly departure".

"We will not invoke Article 50 until our objectives are clear, which is why I've said already this will not happen before the end of this year," May said in Berlin, referring to the formal EU mechanism to leave the bloc.

Merkel, who is expected to play a pivotal role in the Brexit talks, said it was in the interests of all that Britain had a "well-defined position" before beginning the negotiations.

"No one wants things to be up in the air -- neither Britain nor the member states of the EU," Merkel said.

"If we look at all matters and challenges facing us, it's most important to have Britain as a partner and we will do so and then negotiate on Britain leaving," she added.

Britain had earlier said it would no longer assume the six-month rotating presidency next July as planned, choosing instead to prioritise negotiations on implementing last month's shock vote to leave the EU.

Estonia's turn, which had been due to start in January 2018, is set to be brought forward by six months to take Britain's place, a spokesman for EU president Donald Tusk said after the announcement.

May has repeatedly asked for patience as her new government maps out its strategy for ending its 43-year-old membership of the EU despite some EU countries wanting Britain out of the bloc as soon as possible.

A key sticking point in the Brexit negotiations is likely to be the freedom of EU citizens to live and work throughout the bloc.

Merkel has warned that Britain cannot have continued access to the single market while restricting the freedom of movement -- an emotive issue in the June 23 referendum.

May avoided giving details on her position in her first parliamentary question session in London earlier this week -- a time-honoured ritual seen as a test of British political leadership.

She also mocked the opposition Labour and Liberal Democrat parties and dodged criticism about past undiplomatic comments made by her choice for foreign minister -- top Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson.

May backed Britain's continued membership of the EU.

Several commentators heard echoes of Thatcher in her barbed comments, with the Independent daily commenting that she was "eerily reminiscent" of the late so-called Iron Lady.

Observers in both Britain and Germany have drawn comparisons between Merkel and May: both pastors' daughters with supportive husbands, happy to stay out of the limelight, who rose to become leaders of centre-right parties.

They also share a love of Alpine hiking.

Given the importance of a relationship seen as key to the future negotiations, both leaders were at pains to stress their desire for close ties.

"I've been clear that Brexit means Brexit and the UK is going to make a success of it," May said, but stressed that Britain was "not walking away from our European friends".

"It's in that constructive spirit I've come here today to lay the foundation for a strong relationship in the months and years to come," she said.

Following a working dinner with Merkel, May will travel to Paris for talks with French President Francois Hollande.

May is likely to have tougher ride with the Socialist leader than with Merkel.

Hollande has a presidential election looming next year and is coming under pressure from the far-right National Front, which wants France to leave the EU too.

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Renowned Indian group Sanmar Chemicals announced it will increase investments in its Egyptian arm by $280 million, aiming to double the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) from 200,000 to 400,000 tons, the Egyptian ministry of trade and industry stated on Wednesday.

In 2007, Sanmar acquired the Egyptian petrochemicals plant Trust Chemical Industries (TCI), becoming the largest producer of caustic soda and PVC in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Caustic soda is used in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents, while PVC is used in the manufacture of underground pipes carrying water, gas and sewage.

"TCI Sanmar provides 2,000 direct and indirect jobs, supplying the domestic market with EGP 2 billion worth of products and saving the country around $200 million each year [worth of imports], group chairman PS Jayaraman said during a meeting with Egyptian minister of trade and industry Tarek Kabil.

The company's exports are worth around $400 million a year to several markets such as Southern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East and North Africa, Jayaraman said.

The groups total investments are planned to rise from $1.15 billion to $1.3 billion, the statement read.

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The festival will screen a total of 34 Arab films in its main competition, including features, shorts and documentary films

The ninth annual Algerian Oran Arab Film Festival celebrates Egyptian filmmaker Youssef Chahine with a section titled Youssef Chahine: A love story between Egypt and Algeria.

The section highlights 40 years since the release of Chahines film Awdet El-Ibn El-Dal (Return of the Prodigal Son, 1976).

The festivals website spotlighted the Egyptian- Algerian produced film, dubbing it as was one of the best films for the renowned Egyptian director, and among the all time top 100 films in the history of Egyptian cinema.

The films screenplay is co-written by songwriter Salah Jahin, who also wrote the score, as it encapsulates the thoughts of Jaheen towards president Gamal Abdel Nasser, the revolution, the 1967 defeat and then the triumph in 1973.

A musical melodrama, the story is about Ali, an activist who is released after many years in prison and who returns home, shaking up established relationships among his family members at the farm governed by his strict father.

It is one of the most important cinematic works of songwriter, caricaturist and actor Salah Jaheen. It featured the Algerian actor Sid Ali Kouiret, alongside Egyptian stars Shokry Sarhan, Mahmoud El-Meligy, Hoda Sultan and Lebanese soprano Majida El-Roumi.

The ninth Oran Arab Film Festival will run between 20 and 27 July, screening a variety of films, features, shorts and documentaries from filmmakers representing 17 Arab countries. 34 films are listed in the main competition, with 12 feature films, 12 Algerian short films, and 10 documentary works.

Commemorating the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, the festival will also screen three film adaptations of the Bard's plays.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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With 14 stages, 37 plays in the competition and several outside it, the National Theatre Festival's programme can be overwhelming. Ahram Online highlights five plays from the first week, 20-26 July

The festival runs between 19 July and 8 August.

Check our recommended plays from the festival's first week and scroll down for the complete programme (in Arabic).

Al Zombie Wa Al Khataya Al Ashra (Zombie And The Ten Sins)

The play is written and directed by Tarek El Deweri who was inspired by three literary works: George Orwells novel 1984, Ray Bradburys novel Fahrenheit 451 and the poems by the Lebanese Georges Saadeh. The play is a result of an extensive writing workshop with Nashwa Muharram, a professor of philosophy at Ain Shams University.



In a mechanical world, man loses his freedom and becomes creature without a name, an anonymous being that plays a specific or rather mechanical role in the well drawn system. El Deweri has created a play rich connotation.



We are presented the scenography of Mohamed Abul-Seoud and lights designed by Bakr Al-Sherif, where the mechanical world is filled with the surveillance monitors. The choreography by Ibrahim Abdou and Nirmeen Habib only emphasises the idea of automated movements.

Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 July at 9pm

Hanager theatre, Cairo Opera House grounds, Zamalek, Cairo

Gamila (Beautiful)



Inspired by the main plot of Shakespeare's comedy The Taming of the Shrew, the theater director Marwa Radwan has created an impressive performance with cast of the Youth Theatre.



The play tells the story of Gamila, a strong woman who rejects any mans approaches. Her younger sister is in love with a neighbour, but she cannot even think about marriage since the father insists that the older daughter should get married first. The neighbor asks a friend to help him. He asks his friend, a true Don Juan, to challenge Gamila and make her fall in love with him.



The play is filled with music, as Radwan offers a full hour of joy to the audience. Yet it is also one hour where everything is well studied and thought of. At the beginning, the performance incorporates a very popular music genre, electro-shaabi. Later on, we are offered songs composed by Tareq Ahmad Yehia, among other tunes weaved into the play. This is topped with the choreography by Monadel Antar who allows the actors to showcase their dance skills with brio.

Wednesday 20 and Thrusday 21 July at 7pm

El Ghad theatre, El-Nil Street, next to Balon Theatre, El-Agouza, Giza

El- Basaseen (The Watchmen)



Based on Gamal El-Ghitanis masterpiece, Zayni Barakat, Basaseen is a contemporary dance performance staged by the Egyptian Modern Dance Company, directed and choreographed by Monadel Antar.



The plot takes us back to the Mamluk dynasty in the 16th century, and a minister who pretends to be a devoted follower of the religion only to exercise despotic power over the population. Together with Shehab Bin Radi, minister of security, both characters rely on night watchmen to spy on the people. The play touches on topics related to government and the governed, men and women, and good and evil.



"El-Ghitanis novel is a base for me to tackle several issues of todays world. What was on the minds of those watchmen? How did they manage to create influence? Antar asks when commenting on his work.

"I infused the story with a more abstract dimension, expressed through the choreography. It is dance that allowed me to raise many questions, he adds.



As Antar tells many stories through dance, he begins with a trio, which allows him to paint the rivalry between the two ministers and introduce their relationship with the concubine, Wasilla. The dances follow thereafter, reflecting the broader relationship between the ruler and the ruled, between man and woman, good and evil, and so on. In the performance, we see rivalry, complicity, passion and rejection, and as the show advances, the choreography becomes more complex.

Thursday 21 and Friday 22 July at 9pm

Al-Gomhoriya Theatre, 12 Al-Gomhouria Street, Abdeen, across from Abdin Palace, Downtown, Cairo

Helm Leilat Seif (A Midsummer Night's Dream)



This famed Shakespearean comedy is directed by Mohamed Meky and produced by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.



It is a complex story with two main couples in love: Lysander et Hermia on the one hand and Demetrius et Helena on the other hand. Hermia wants to marry Lysander, but her father, Egeus, intends to give her hand to Demetrius, with whom Helena is in love. Hermia and Lysander flee into the forest, pursued by Demetrius who is followed by Helena. The plot thickens reaching numerous confusions between the characters.



The director breaks the classical theatre form; he uses the Egyptian dialect and songs, reaching an interesting show filled with music.

Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 at 9pm

Gomhouriya Theatre, 12 Al-Gomhouria Street, Abdeen, across from Abdin Palace, Downtown Cairo

El-Fanar (The Lighthouse)

Directed by Maher Mahmoud, and based on J. L. Galloway's The Dark, El-Fanar is yet another entry by the Youth Theatre.



The play tells the story of two men working in a lighthouse, almost trapped inside it for many months. Their loneliness and the isolation from the real world, creates a unique relationship between the two: at times they quarrel viciously, at other times they become very close to one another.



It is a game of music and singing, where the world of schizophrenia is captured in Yehia Sobeihs dark scenography.

Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 July at 7pm

Zaki Toleimat stage, El-Talia Theatre, Attaba Square, Downtown, Cairo

Complete programme of the 9th National Theatre Festival:





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Ati Metwaly is the only journalist from Egypt, and one of two journalists from North Africa, to have made it to this years list of finalists

Ati Metwaly, editor of Ahram Onlines Arts and Culture section, has been named as a finalist in this years CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Awards.

The announcement was made by Ferial Haffajee, Chair of the awards independent judging panel, on 18 July.

Metwaly is one of 38 finalists from 14 countries. She is the only journalist from Egypt, and one of two journalists from North Africa, to have made it to this years list.

Metwaly joined Ahram Onlines Arts and Culture section as an editor in May 2010, prior to the websites launch later the same year.

She has also written about music for Al-Ahram Weekly since 2009.

Prior to joining Al-Ahram, Metwaly was the editorial director and one of three founders of The Art Review (2005-2008), the first English-language bi-monthly publication about arts in Egypt.

Metwaly embarked on her journalistic vocation still during her university years, writing for an array of different local and regional publications including Al-Ahram Hebdo, Community Times magazine, Daily News Egypt, Al Ebdaa quarterly magazine, The Art Review, UAE-based Contemporary Practices magazine, and the UK-based Al-Sharq Al-Awsat and the Majalla magazine.

In 2010, Metwaly was awarded the Cultural Leadership International grant from the British Council in Egypt.

Metwaly, who was born-into an artistic family of whom all members are engaged in different art mediums, graduated from Cairo Universitys Faculty of Arts, French Literature and Language, in 1997.

According to the press release, over 1,600 entries from 38 countries across the African continent were submitted to this years edition in English, French and Portuguese.

In October, Metwaly, along with the other finalists, will fly to Johanessberg to attend the gala award ceremony scheduled for 15 October.

Other journalists from Egypt who won the award in previous years include Passant Rabie (Sports Award, Egypt Today, 2013), Manar Attiya (Francophone General News Award, Al Ahram Hebdo, 2012), Lamia Hassan (Environmental Award, 2011), Ethar El-Katatney (Economics and Business Award, 2009) as well as finalist Shahinaz Samir (General News, 2015, Al Ahram Hebdo)

The award was established in 1995 and has since grown to include 14 categories with the objective of reinforc(ing) the importance of the role of journalists in Africa's development and to reward, recognise and encourage journalistic talent across all media disciplines.

The award was founded by Edward Boateng, then Regional Director of Turner Broadcasting (CNN's parent company), Gary Streiker, then CNN Nairobi Bureau Chief, late photographer Mohamed Amin, and late Esom Alintah, then Secretary General of the African Business Roundtable.

For more arts and culture news and updates, follow Ahram Online Arts and Culture on Twitter at @AhramOnlineArts and on Facebook at Ahram Online: Arts & Culture

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Zahi Hawass received the Dominican Republic Cultural Award yesterday during his tour; the former minister asked the vice president to support Egypt's candidate for UNESCO director general

Former minister of antiquities Zahi Hawass received the Dominican Republic Cultural Award yesterday from the Dominican Republic's minister of culture Jose Antonio in a special event held in honour of Hawass.

Antonio gave Hawass the award for his efforts to protect and preserve Egyptian heritage, whether locally and internationally.

The Dominican minister asked Hawass to help the Dominican Republic to recover stolen artefacts that currently reside in Turin University in Italy as the former Egyptian minister once helped Peru in repatriating 100 artefacts from Hill University in the United States.

A 50-minute-long documentary on the Egyptian-Dominican excavation mission for the search for Cleopatra's tomb at Taposiris Magna was screened at a renowned cinema in the Dominican capital Santo Domingo.

Hawass announced that the mission, led by Kathleen Martinez, conducted a radar survey inside the Taposiris Magna temple in search of Cleopatra's tomb at a depth of 500 km, noting that the results would be announced soon.

During his Dominican tour, Hawass met Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez, vice president of the Dominican Republic, and asked her to support Egypt's candidate for the post of director-general of the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Moshira Khattab.

De Fernandez accepted the request and promised Hawass to discuss it officially with the Dominican minister of foreign affairs.

This was not Hawass' first meeting with De Fernandez. The duo first met in 2009 with late artist Omar Sherif when De Fernandez's husband was the president of the Dominican Republic.

Hawass asked the vice president to gather a group of 500 pioneer students every year to meet with prominent international figures in hopes that the students could benefit from such experiences experiences. De Fernandez agreed on such an idea and invited Hawass to be the first to meet the students.

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The SLFP does not condone the continuation of the Emergency Regulations (The Public Security Ordinance) more than a day necessary

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The alabaster statue of the fourth dynasty king Menkawre arrived safely to the Grand Egyptian Museum and did not suffer damage as claimed

Egyptian restorers were face to face Wednesday with an alabaster seated statue of King Menkawre at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir in an attempt to pack it for transportation to the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) overlooking Giza plateau.

Tarek Tawfik, GEM Supervisor General, told Ahram Online that the statue is safe and was undamaged during packing as rumoured.

The statue, he continued, has been in very poor condition since it was discovered in 1908 at Menkawre's Valley Temple in Giza Plateau. The statue was suffering from cracks and was incorrectly restored when first discovered.

Tawfik said that the first individuals who attempted to restore the statue used gypsum and cement, which had negative impact on the statue.

Recently, he continued, employees at the Tahrir museum consolidated and packed the statue before its voyage to the GEM, where employees would repair the statue and restore it correctly.

"The statue is safe and in the same condition as it has always been in," Tawfik asserted.

Eissa Zidan, director of GEM restorations, told Ahram Online that the packing procedures were carried out according to the latest techniques by consolidating the statue weak points with state-of-the-art Japanese paper called Tshou and covering it with cotton pillows which are in turn covered with the Tshou.

Zidan explains that the statue was also covered with a special kind of textile and cotton before it was consolidated with wooden beams padded with foam. Safety belts were also put around the statue with a special design named L-Shape.

The statue arrived safely at the GEM and it will be subjected to comprehensive restoration in order to prepare it to its permanent exhibition at the GEM.

The statue is depicting King Menkawre seated on the thrown with his royal skirt and crown decorated with the copra. His hand is on his feet.

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PRESS RELEASE

Filipino General: Joint Development of South China Sea Could Make Manila a Starting Point of the Maritime Silk Road

July 19, 2016 (EIRNS)Gen. (ret.) Victor Corpus proposed a "win-win" policy for the dispute with China, based on cooperation, but also warned that China has every reason to defend itself against a possible U.S. nuclear assault.

"Talk with China one-on-one with both sides setting aside sovereignty issues first but not surrendering their claims," Corpus told the Manila Times.

Corpus is known for having defected to the communist insurgency in 1970, then returning to the government in 1976, but then serving 10 years in prison. He later became head of the countrys military intelligence service, then served as Veterans Affairs officer at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, where he met the LaRouche movement.

Corpus pointed to the mutual benefit of jointly developing fishing and mineral resources in the region, but also the potential of

"making Manila the easternmost terminal hub of the Maritime Silk Road of the 21st century that will start in Manila and end up in Madrid."

Corpus called on China to help the Philippines in developing the Silk Road by modernizing communication systems, ports, airports, expressways and railways, and establishing industrial and manufacturing economic zones.

Most strikingly, he pointed out that China needs to

"guard the mainland from US Tomahawk missile attacks from submarines that could annihilate its more than a billion population in only two hours."

He concluded:
(Beijing)  The government has signaled that it is pushing forward with a program to allow debt-to-equity swaps as part of a strategy to deal with trillions of yuan of corporate loans at risk of turning sour.

The State Council, China's cabinet, released a policy, published in full by the official Xinhua News Agency on July 18, which says financial institutions will be allowed to hold equity in enterprises on a trial basis.

The announcement didn't give a timetable, but experts say it marks the official launch of pilot programs that will finally allow banks to exchange overdue loans for equity in the companies who owe the money.

Premier Li Keqiang in March highlighted debt-to-equity swaps as a key plank of the government's strategy to defuse risks in the financial system. The scheme is seen as a win-win by the government  it will rein in banks' bad debts and non-performing loan ratios, while lowering companies' leverage ratios and easing their debt repayment burden.

But the program has been slow to get off the ground, partly because of reluctance by the banks themselves to participate and partly because under current legislation, lenders are prohibited from using their own capital to buy shares in companies unless they have special approval from the government.

The first batch of swaps will involve the transfer of 1 trillion yuan worth of bank loans into equity, an executive from the China Development Bank (CDB), one of the country's three policy lenders, told Caixin in April.

CDB is among the financial institutions expected to participate in the first round, sources told Caixin. Others include Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Minsheng Bank, the Export-Import Bank of China, and China Merchants Bank.

The combined non-performing loan ratio of commercial banks rose to 1.81 percent at the end of June from 1.75 percent at the end of March, data from the China Banking Regulatory Commission show. That's the highest since the global financial crisis, when NPL ratios reached a record 2.04 percent at the end of March 2009.

A report from the International Monetary Fund in April estimated that China's commercial banks had loans "potentially at risk" amounting to 15.5% of total lending, or US$1.3 trillion.

A pilot program allowing banks to take equity stakes in high-tech startups is also underway as part of the government's strategy to boost financial support to emerging sectors. In April, 10 banks were chosen for the pilot program, and they each set up a subsidiary for making equity investment to ensure they complied with the law.

(Rewritten by Wang Yuqian)
PRESS RELEASE

Florida Bulldog Points to Yet Another Classified U.S. Intelligence Report on Saudi Royal Family Ties to Terrorism

July 19, 2016 (EIRNS)Florida Sen. Bob Graham summed up the situation after the public release last Friday of the long-classified 28 pages of the report by the Congressional Joint Inquiry into 9/11, in an admonition reported by Florida Public Radio station WFSU yesterday evening:

"Ive described it as being like pulling the cork out of the bottle. Youre happy that youve opened the bottle, but weve got a lot of work to do with the liquid thats inside that bottle."

Florida Bulldog intrepid editor Dan Christensen today published a new article, pointing to yet more "liquid inside that bottle." Christensen draws attention to a one-page "Executive Summary" of a September 2005 "joint FBI-CIA intelligence report assessing the nature and extent of Saudi government support of terrorism," which Director of National Intelligence James Clapper released last Friday, along with the redacted 28 pages.

According to Christensen, the existence of the 2005 assessment was previously unknown; Congress had required it be produced in a classified annex of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2004. Not only were significant sections of the released one-page summary blacked out, but so was half of the one-paragraph, accompanying transmittal letter for the annex signed by FBIs Robert Mueller and CIA director Porter Gross!

The Executive Summarys attempted whitewash of the Saudis

("there is no evidence that either the Saudi government or members of the Saudi royal family knowingly provided support for the attacks of 11 September 2001 or that they had foreknowledge of terrorist operations in the Kingdom or elsewhere"

(emphasis added), is followed by the admission that:

"There is evidence that official Saudi entities, [blacked out] and associated nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), provide financial and logistical support to individuals in the United States and around the world, some of whom are associated with terrorism-related activity.... The Saudi government and many of its agencies have been infiltrated and exploited by individuals associated with or sympathetic to Al-Qaida."

Christensens article, "28 Pages Connect Saudi Prince To Al Qaeda Leader, Supporters Of 9/11 Hijackers," otherwise features new leads to Florida contained in the 28 pages, and rubs in the Saudi Royal Family to the Bush family.

"The Saudi ambassador who met with President George W. Bush at the White House two days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in 2001 had connections to a major al-Qaeda figure and other Saudis suspected of helping two of the suicide hijackers while they were in the United States,"

the Bulldog story opens, illustrated by a picture of Dick Cheney, Prince Bandar, Condi Rice, and G.W. Bush sittingappropriatelyon the Truman Balcony of the White House on Sept. 13, 2001.
PRESS RELEASE

Turkey Arrests Pilots Who Shot Down Russian Warplane, as Erdogan Says He Is Ready To Cooperate with Iran

July 19, 2016 (EIRNS)Despite the coup, Turkey is moving ahead in the rapprochement process with Russia, and is ready to cooperate with Russia and Iran in the Syrian peace process.

Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag confirmed that two Turkish pilots who shot down the Russian warplane over Syria in November 2015 are in custody, among those arrested for taking part in the failed July 15 coup. Their arrest and prosecution was one of Russias demands for full restoration of ties. The other demand to which Erdogan has acceded was an apology by him, which was delivered a few weeks ago. Russia had also demanded the arrest of the man who killed the Russian pilot on the ground. This, too, has been done. The most important Russian demand, which has not been met yet, is the full closing of the Turkish border with Syria and Iraq, where supplies and fighters are being sent through to the Islamic State and the terrorist opposition to the Syrian government.

Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to meet in the first week of August, in their first face-to-face meeting since the rapprochement.

Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday in which he said Turkey is ready to work towards restoration of peace and stability in the region along with Russia and Iran.

"Today, we are determined more than ever before to contribute to the solution of regional problems hand in hand with Iran and Russia and in cooperation with them,"

Irans official Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) quoted Erdogan as saying. Erdogan informed Rouhani about the situation in Turkey, saying,

"At present, the situation is getting back to normal but it is too early to say that everything is over."

For his part, Rouhani said:

"Stability and tranquility in Turkey have a positive impact on the atmosphere in the whole region. We have no doubt that tranquility in the Islamic world countries does not suit terrorists and some superpowers."

He added that the past days had shown who Turkeys friends or enemies were, both at home and abroad.

It should be noted that it was Putin who was the first major head of state to call Erdogan and offer his support after the coup attempt, and it now seems that Rouhani is the second. President Barack Obama has yet to call him.
Anheuser-Busch InBev, the worlds largest beer maker, announced Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with the Justice Department clearing the way for U.S. approval of its acquisition of SABMiller.

AB InBev, the Belgium-based maker of Budweiser and Bud Light, says it will sell SABMillers U.S. interest in MillerCoors to Molson Coors, as previously announced, as part of the agreement. It also will allow some aspects of its U.S. sales operations to be reviewed and changed. Other conditions cover wholesalers and distributor volume.

The deal with Britain-based SABMiller, which makes Miller Genuine Draft, would create a multinational brewing company with about 31% of the beer market, according to Beer Business Daily. AB InBev also owns Corona, Stella Artois and Becks.

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As it struggles for growth in saturated markets such as the U.S., AB InBev is looking for growth into regions such as Africa, where SABMiller has a major presence. But to ease concerns that it would have too much control of the market, AB InBev is selling brands in other parts of the world.

AB InBev says it has approval in 21 jurisdictions including Africa and Latin America, and is working with authorities where the deal is still pending. The European Unions regulator gave approval in May, conditional on the sale of practically the entire SAB beer business in Europe.

The company reaffirmed that it expects the deal to close this year.

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Pimco, one of the worlds biggest bond investors, has nabbed the head of hedge fund giant Man Group to be its next chief executive.

Pimco said Wednesday that Manny Roman will replace current CEO Douglas Hodge, who will become a managing director. The Newport Beach firm boasts $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of June.

Luke Ellis will replace Roman at Man Group, one of the worlds largest publicly traded alternative asset managers.

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Roman said he looked forward to building on Pimcos success in what is a rapidly changing industry.

Man Group is an excellent business and I am sad to be leaving, but I have decided to accept this new, outstanding opportunity and move back to the U.S. where my family is based, Roman said.

The appointment comes after a tumultuous time for Pimco, whose full name is Pacific Investment Management Co. and which is one of the biggest names in fixed-income mutual funds. Its co-founder Bill Gross left the firm in 2014 in an acrimonious split he claimed was caused by an internal power struggle.

Gross co-founded Pimco in 1971 and ran its Total Return Fund. He left to join Janus Capital, a smaller rival.

A Wall Street legend, Gross had championed deft moves in and out of bonds, earning him the title bond king and attracting billions to his fund. But his management style caused issues at the end of his tenure.

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Owners of the failed San Onofre nuclear power plant operated the reactor outside the allowable limits for pressure and temperature, causing the radiation leak that shut down the facility for good, a new report has found.

Citing documents recently obtained from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, former Southern California Edison engineer Vinod Arora issued a report Tuesday laying blame for the breakdown squarely on Edison.

Higher primary reactor coolant temperatures and higher steam pressure caused tube-to-tube contact resulting in dangerous and potentially deadly tube ruptures, he said.

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Excessive tube wear inside replacement steam generators forced the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station to be shut down in 2012.

Edison called the comments by Arora misinformed and again faulted Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the Japanese firm that built the replacement steam generators that failed decades ahead of schedule.

As far back as September of 2013, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) identified flaws in how Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) used its computer codes to design the failed steam generators at SONGS, Edison said in an email. The NRC further issued a Notice of Non-Conformance against MHI for its flawed computer modeling in the failed design.

In particular, the NRC reports indicated that MHIs use of its computer codes in the design of the steam generators inaccurately predicted thermal hydraulic conditions in the steam generators, leading to tube vibration and wear, and a steam generator tube leak.

Arora cited records he obtained under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act that he said show Edison improperly deployed Unit 3 steam generators just before the radiation leak.

For more than a year, Arora has sought daily control-room operations logs but Edison has declined to provide the records.

If those logs have not been destroyed, they will show immediately whether or not Edison risked the lives of 8.5 million Southern Californians by redlining the Unit 3 generators, he said.

The California Public Utilities Commission ordered customers to pay $3.3 billion of the $4.7-billion cost of the premature closure, although that decision is being reviewed as a result of improper communications between regulators and utility executives.

Arora said the records obtained from federal regulators show that Edison  not its customers  should be responsible for the costs of the shuttered plant.

jeff.mcdonald@utsandiego.com

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David Greenspan, an actor and playwright with the charisma of a genial space alien, writes the kinds of plays that allow his eccentric virtuosity to shine.

Go Back to Where You Are, his 2011 topsy-turvy romantic comedy about a vacationing group of grief-stricken theater people now having its West Coast premiere at the Odyssey Theatre, is both characteristic of his work and something of a departure.

The merry meta-theatrical high jinks and backstage banter that allowed She Stoops to Comedy (Greenspans best play in my book) to light up like a Christmas tree are flamboyantly on display here. So too is the authors obsession with ancient Greece that is threaded throughout his body of work, which includes The Argument (a lecture on Aristotles Poetics) and Dinner Party (a play inspired by Platos Symposium).

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Part Pirandello, part Chekhov (The Seagull looms large), Go Back to Where You Are is a play only Greenspan could have written. But it also shares some DNA with contemporary comedies of love and loss by Terrence McNally (Love! Valour! Compassion! in particular) and Richard Greenberg (Eastern Standard came fleetingly to mind). Indeed, theres the germ of a Broadway hit tucked inside this relentlessly offbeat play.

Which is to say theres a lot going on in this 80-minute comedy that pretends its still being written as its being performed. The actors, under the direction of Bart DeLorenzo, comment on the plays dramaturgical problems in humorous asides. One line that is repeated several times, there is no chronology, applies as much to the playwrights philosophical worldview as to the dramatic architecture.

Bernard (Justin Huen) is an unconventional playwright and teacher working on a new piece at his beach cottage in the East End of Long Island. His grand sister, Claire (Shannon Holt), a well-known actress who sniffs her disapproval at his experimental plays, is hosting a gathering of theater friends at her swankier home nearby.

The occasion is the birthday of Claires visiting daughter, who never appears (as the guests keep sardonically pointing out). As this day also marks the anniversary of the death of Claires husband, the mood is as somber as it is festive.

Wally (Andrew Walke), Claires son now living in L.A., arrives with his store of grief for his dead lover and confusion over his stalled career. Charlotte (Annabelle Gurwitch), an actress accustomed to being overshadowed by Claire, is on hand with her usual load of uncertainties and regrets. Tom (Bill Brochtrup), a director with a complicated history with Claire, has brought his lover, Malcolm (Jeffrey Hutchinson), a set designer who has grown fed up with Toms dalliances with chorus boys.

As though this werent enough to sort through, Greenspan complicates matters further by summoning entities from the other side. Passalus (John Fleck), a shape-shifting spirit who was formerly a bit player in ancient Greece, has been sent by God (also played by Hutchinson) on a mission to aid Claires daughter.

Disguised as a British matron named Constance Simmons, Passalus becomes privy to everybodys inner turmoil. A jaded soul who wants to be permanently extinguished after this job is through, he begins to develop an attachment to Bernard, who stumbles upon him on the beach in his masculine persona and wants to learn more about him.

The question the play lightly poses is a heavy one: Can life be restored after so much death and disappointment? The material is rich, but the somersaulting style creates challenges. The larky-melancholy tone of this loopy romp eludes this talented ensemble.

Fleck, the veteran performance artist and actor, is a smart choice on paper for the role of Passalus, the part that Greenspan played himself at New Yorks Playwrights Horizons. But the production could use the authors guidance here. The dialogue lags in a way that suggests the performers are still searching for the plays rhythm. Everyone is just a beat or two off.

DeLorenzos staging is visually inviting. Nina Caussas set design, Halei Parkers costumes and Michael Gends lighting conjure the perfect ambience for a summer frolic. But Greenspans trickster magic gets lost in the shuffle.

------------

Go Back to Where You Are

Where: Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A.

When: 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays (call for additional dates). Ends Sept. 4

Tickets: $25-$34

Info: (310) 477-2055 Ext. 2, www.odysseytheatre.com

Running time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

charles.mcnulty@latimes.com
Independent theater companies may come and go, but L.A.s Latino Theater Company has stayed alive since its founding in 1985 by Artistic Director Jose Luis Valenzuela. Its one of a just a few local theater companies established in the 1980s that has prevailed.

The company, dedicated to the advancement of Latino theater in the United States as well as to the creative employment of all people of color, has mounted productions such as the award-winning Mexican trilogy Faith, Hope and Charity by actress-playwright and founding member Evelina Fernandez, Calligraphy (co-produced with Playwrights Arena) by Velina Hasu Houston and the experimental, Iraq war-themed Melancholia, which was collectively written as a company project.

In 2006, following a long and contentious competition with downtown developer Tom Gilmore, the Latino Theater Company was awarded a 20-year lease  along with a $4-million state grant  to operate the city-owned Los Angeles Theatre Center, a historic five-theater facility on Spring Street in downtown. In 2008, following extensive renovations on the venue, the Latino Theater Company produced its first full season at LATC.

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Problems erupted in 2012 when the City Council voted to terminate the theater companys lease along with that of its leasing partner, the Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture, because of failed expectations. (The theater company and the museum had been locked in a feud for years over lease payments.) Although the museum ultimately vacated the premises, the Latino Theater Company worked with the city to update the lease.

Last month, the Latino Theater Company received a $500,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to bolster the organizations systems and operations.

Valenzuela, who is also a film and stage director, spoke recently about the theater company for this conversation, edited for length.

How did the Mellon Foundation grant come about?

Its been an ongoing conversation and relationship for the last three to four years. The foundation first gave us a grant in 2014 for $89,000 to support the artistic director fellowship we were awarding as part of our Encuentro (Encounter) festival [which assembled 150 artists from theater companies nationwide to perform 17 plays in a month]. It was a very successful program, so the foundation was excited to support the organization again.

The theaters announcement said the grant money would be used to expand and professionalize your staff. Could you be more specific?

We will now be able to add a marketing director and a development director as well as hire a new managing director.

The marketing director will help with institutional marketing and a strategic marketing plan for the next five years. The new general manager will work in partnership with our board and the artistic director to ensure the future of the center within a new global culture and environment.

Whats your feeling about the state of Los Angeles theater these days?

I love L.A., of course, and I love the theater in L.A. But unfortunately, I dont think theater in Los Angeles gets respected  even in Los Angeles. I think there are a lot of very talented, very committed theater people here. Its astounding why we cant compete with a lot of other theater people in the rest of the country.

Los Angeles, specifically, does not have a lot of funding sources for theater, especially for the midsize houses.

Versus New York or Chicago?

Of course. Very different than New York. Very different from Chicago. Chicago is fairly well-funded for the midsize theater. Chicago is also very proud of their theater community and very united about what theater means for that city.

Still, I feel like there are a lot of people interested in Los Angeles theater that really want to promote the understanding that its important to the city.

I think people of color and the smaller theater companies are going to have a really hard time if the proposed changes to Actors Equitys 99-seat plan [instituting minimum pay requirements] become a reality.

How do you see your companys place within the Los Angeles theater world?

Most important is that we are an independent company and that weve been able to survive doing theater for the last 30 years. Its extra important since our mission is to give opportunities not only to Latinos but to other communities of color as well as to smaller theater companies that need production support and exposure.

See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour >>

How do you choose your productions?

Because L.A. is so diverse culturally, and because our audience is so culturally diverse, the theater that we do has to represent more global concerns and discussions.

So we are looking for young writers who have an interesting voice and young theater companies that are interested in being part of our organization.

Lets talk about the Los Angeles Theatre Center. How are its performance spaces [three midsize auditoriums and a smaller black box theater and creative space] used?

The Latino Theater Company usually does four to five plays per season, one season in the spring and one in the fall. Out of each season, two of the plays are Equity productions and two are produced in the small house [under the 99-seat plan].

And the rest of the time? Outside rentals?

Yes. These rentals usually come to the small theater. The bigger theater rentals are usually only for a weekend [for one-off presentations].

So then much of the time the theater is not operating at capacity?

Thats right.

As manager of the LATC, is it your responsibility to keep all of the houses rented?

Yes, it is. The theaters are sometimes used for dance productions, panels and youth festivals. We try to find things that are compatible to our audience or compatible with what we think our future should be.

Has the downtown resurgence these past years helped?

This is something that were always talking about. Its helped a lot. People were fearful to come to this part of town for many, many years. But now, not as much.

At the same time, the populations that live [downtown] or are moving in are slowly getting acclimated to what the cultural life is going to be for them. We have great cafes and great restaurants and great bars, but I think they are still tentative about seeing theater as part of their cultural life.

Are you saying you need to get the millennials on board?

Exactly. Its not in their DNA yet.

What else is in the works for the Latino Theater Company?

So much. We are creating a new relationship with seven Los Angeles playwrights thats called the Temblors Initiative. Were producing their plays in Equity houses, one to two [world premiere] plays a year over four years. Its a wonderful, very diverse group of playwrights.

This fall, we will be presenting A Mexican Trilogy in its entirety for the first time. And next fall, well be returning to our Encuentro program with Encuentro de Las Americas (Encounter of the Americas), which is going to include Canada, the United States, South and Central America. Im very excited about it.

Follow The Times arts team @culturemonster.

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While the stars of Fox News Channel were covering the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, their pugnacious leader Roger Ailes was discussing his departure in what would be a shocking exit following recent allegations of sexual harassment by a former anchor.

Ailes, 76, who turned Fox into the most influential force in the news media over the last two decades, has been uncomfortably thrust into the spotlight since former anchor Gretchen Carlson alleged that her contract was not renewed after she spurned sexual advances by Ailes.

Ailes has denied the Carlson allegations, which Fox is investigating. But one person close to Fox News said its a matter of time before Ailes leaves.

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See the most-read stories in Entertainment this hour 

His attorney, Susan Estrich, and a spokesperson for 21st Century Fox said Ailes was still a Fox News employee as of late Tuesday.

We dont have a deal, Estrich said. The review is ongoing. There have been no decisions reached and no deal. I dont know what the internal review has turned up.

Since the allegations by Carlson became public, reports have emerged of several other women who have worked with Ailes in the past also saying that he sought sexual favors in return for employment. Ailes has denied those incidents as well. But the reports have likely hurt the executives standing.

If Ailes, as appears likely, does depart under a cloud, it would be a sudden fall from grace by a powerful media figure who also wielded considerable political clout.

Ailes helped launch Fox News in 1996 and positioned it as being a fair and balanced network  many would say with a staunchly conservative viewpoint  that would be an alternative for viewers who believed there was a liberal bias in the established media outlets, including CNN, which had the cable news market all to itself.

Were not programming to conservatives. Were just not eliminating their point of view.  Roger Ailes in 2003

The point of view appealed to conservatives.

Were not programming to conservatives, Ailes said in a 2003 interview. Were just not eliminating their point of view.

By early 2003, Fox News Channel had passed CNN as the most-watched cable news network, a crown it has held ever since.

A political force, Ailes toiled in Republican politics as a media advisor for Richard Nixons 1968 presidential campaign  helping engineer the greatest political comeback of its time. He also played a major role in the presidential election of George H.W. Bush in 1988.

Ailes ability to transform personalities worked on Fox News as well. He oversaw Bill OReilly, who had trouble fitting into the broadcast network news culture, into one of the most influential commentators on TV. He helped conservative radio commentator Sean Hannity make the transition to television. Megyn Kelly was a corporate litigator before she came to Fox News and became one of its biggest prime-time stars.

By 2002, Fox News Channel had passed CNN as the most-watched cable news network, a crown it has held ever since. It also became highly profitable, and Ailes was richly rewarded by becoming one of the highest-paid television news executives.

That combination of political clout and financial success made Ailes a favorite of News Corp. founder Rupert Murdoch. However, Ailes is viewed less favorably by Murdochs sons, James and Lachlan, who now have leadership roles at 21st Century Fox. They have avoided making any changes at Fox News because it has been such a reliable profit center  generating more than $1 billion in profit annually.

But the sexual harassment charges appear to have led to a reexamination of Ailes role.

Carlsons complaint, filed in Superior Court in New Jersey this month, said Ailes, chairman and chief executive of Fox News, sabotaged the anchors career at the cable channel because she complained about a hostile working environment when she was a co-host of Fox & Friends. The suit also alleges that Ailes made sexual advances that were rebuffed by Carlson and that he directed innuendo-filled comments toward her.

Ailes said the allegations were untrue and defamatory.

Estrich, his attorney, said the news of Ailes possible departure has upset some of the Fox News talent who called to offer support.

NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj 

Ive heard Roger say, I want you to tell everybody to be professional about this, Estrich said. Put this aside and be professional.

The reaction is a testament to how Ailes personality is the force that has built Fox News into the most-watched cable news network and helped shaped the publics tendency to have their news delivered with a healthy side order of opinion and commentary.

Ailes departure could lead to uncertainty at Fox News Channel because of the loyalty of many anchors. Some anchors are believed to have clauses in their contracts that could allow them to leave if Ailes doesnt remain in power. But Ailes imperial managing style has left Fox without any clear successor.

One possible replacement is Bill Shine, a senior executive vice president for Fox News who has also been with the organization since its launch.

stephen.battaglio@latimes.com

Twitter: @SteveBattaglio

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As Donald Trump whips up Republicans to a fever pitch in Cleveland, and the Democrats tee up for their rejoinder next week in Philadelphia, a very different, though no less impassioned, kind of convention is set to kick off in San Diego.

About 130,000 people of all ages will gather at the San Diego Convention Center starting Wednesday in the annual pop-culture pilgrimage that is Comic-Con International. Some will be clad in superhero tights, some will wear Stormtrooper costumes  and some, riding the latest craze, will undoubtedly be decked out as Pokemon characters. But whatever their particular flavor of fandom, Hollywood will be there to greet them with open arms.

For the record: An earlier version of this article misspelled Suicide Squad director David Ayers last name as Ayers.

The convention offers attendees the chance to be the first on their block to catch glimpses of some of the most hotly anticipated upcoming superhero, sci-fi and fantasy films, including possible glimpses of Justice League, Doctor Strange and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. For the studios and TV networks, its an opportunity to stoke enthusiasm for their upcoming wares among a diehard crowd of true believers and potential influencers.

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As with last year, a few big players will be missing in action. Twentieth Century Fox  which brought 6,000-odd fans in the conventions fabled Hall H to their feet last year with its early look at Deadpool  is sitting this year out, reportedly over concerns over piracy, as is Universal Pictures. Paramount and Sony wont be putting on major panels either, though the former will be hosting the premiere of its new film Star Trek Beyond and the latter will offer a screening of its R-rated animated comedy Sausage Party. And, barring any surprises, Lucasfilm  the 800-pound gorilla at last years convention  will keep its Star Wars franchise powder dry this year following last weeks Star Wars Celebration convention in London.

That will leave the two behemoths of the comic-book world, DC and Marvel, to slug it out in the battle for buzz, while also providing a chance for films that may otherwise have gotten lost in the shuffle  like Luc Bessons sci-fi epic Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets and Oliver Stones Snowden  to grab a piece of the spotlight.

In its two-hour panel Saturday morning, Warner Bros. will try to move past the disappointment of this springs critically bashed Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and stir up excitement for its future slate of DC superhero films, including Suicide Squad and possibly debut footage from Wonder Woman and Justice League.

Suicide Squad director David Ayer, who earned a raucous reception at last years convention when he unveiled an early look from the edgy supervillain team-up film, is well aware that the expectations have been raised for the movie, which opens Aug. 5.

The film was sort of the redheaded stepchild of the DC universe  it was always supposed to be like the cooler little brother to your Batmans and your other shows, said Ayer, who will be on hand with the films stars, including Will Smith, Jared Leto and Margot Robbie. Suddenly it became a lot more prominent than I think any of us expected initially.

Warner Bros. will also offer sneak peeks at non-comic-book fare, including King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, a spinoff from the Harry Potter franchise set to hit theaters in November. For Fantastic Beasts director David Yates, who helmed the last four Potter films, Comic-Con will offer the chance to pull the curtain back a little further on the new J.K. Rowling-scripted film, about which little has yet been revealed beyond a teaser trailer.

This is a very different part of the Potter universe  its new characters and brand-new stories, Yates said. Its like going to a restaurant that you absolutely love, but its a different meal.

On Saturday afternoon, Marvel Studios  which skipped Comic-Con last year in favor of Disneys D23 convention in Anaheim  will pull out its own big guns in Hall H. While there has been no official word yet about what will be showcased or who the panels special guests may be, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige is expected show off the Benedict Cumberbatch-starring, supernatural-inflected Doctor Strange, while director James Gunn has teased that he may unveil an early look at Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

Though big-screen tentpole fare hogs much of the spotlight, Comic-Con is about far more than comic-book movies and sci-fi epics. Television has made an ever-more intense push into the convention in recent years, and 2016 will be no exception.

Fan favorites like The Walking Dead, Supergirl and Game of Thrones will be on hand, as will newer small-screen fare like Marvels Luke Cage, which hits Netflix in September.

Writer and producer Bryan Fuller, who has a new Star Trek series in the works, will join Trek veterans like William Shatner, Scott Bakula and Michael Dorn in a panel celebrating the 50th anniversary of the space-adventure franchise. Fuller will also be unveiling the Starz fantasy drama series American Gods, which he co-created and which is based on a bestselling novel by fan favorite Neil Gaiman, who will also be on hand.

Im excited to be in a room full of Neil Gaiman fans, Fuller said. Its always fascinating because Comic-Con is just like being shot out of a cannon. You dont quite know when your feet are touching the ground.

And for those who cant make it to San Diego this year, the official convention streaming service, Comic-Con HQ, launches this year with a new video initiative. Classic Comic-Con experiences such as the Eisner Awards (hosted by John Barrowman), the Masquerade and the Her Universe fashion show will all be streamed from Comic-Con HQ. And a select number of panels, such as Game of Thrones and Silicon Valley, will be available for streaming at some point after they wrap up.

Still, for longtime Comic-Con veterans like actor Bruce Campbell, who will be touting the upcoming second season of his Starz comedy-horror series Ash vs Evil Dead, there is nothing quite like being there.

Ten or 15 years ago, nobody cared about these conventions  they were for actors who werent working anymore, Campbell said. Finally, the studios realized the depth of the fandom thats out there, the intensity that it is. I laugh at all the big actors who come to Comic-Con now. Now, youll get Harrison Ford. I go, Where were you 10 years ago?

Times Staff Writer Meredith Woerner contributed to this report.

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Milo Yiannopoulos, an outspoken conservative and the tech editor for conservative website Breitbart.com, has been permanently suspended from Twitter for his bad behavior.

Yiannopoulos  formerly known as @nero on Twitter  had been tweeting about Leslie Jones, the Ghostbusters actress who quit the social media site Monday night after suffering days of race-based harassment. He called her barely literate and said her work was terrible and that she was playing the victim.

Twitter said in a statement Tuesday evening that he violated the sites terms of service regarding targeted abuse online.

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People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter. But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, and our rules prohibit inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others, the Twitter statement read, according to BuzzFeed.

Over the past 48 hours in particular, weve seen an uptick in the number of accounts violating these policies and have taken enforcement actions against these accounts, ranging from warnings that also require the deletion of Tweets violating our policies to permanent suspension.

Twitter continued by saying the company was working on enhancing tools to report abuse, with the goal of reducing the burden on the person being targeted.

The site has rules against hateful conduct, violent threats and harassment: We do not tolerate behavior that crosses the line into abuse, including behavior that harasses, intimidates, or uses fear to silence another users voice, the Support page reads. However, many people have criticized Twitter for not doing enough to protect victims and punish perpetrators of this kind of behavior. Women and people of color in particular have been vocal about the need for Twitter to improve user experience with regards to harassment.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey publicly responded to Jones criticism of the site, asking her to privately message him about it.

News of the permanent suspension came just minutes before Yiannopoulos hosted his event Gays for Trump at the Republican National Convention.

On Breitbarts website, Yiannopoulos issued his own statement, condemning Twitter for its cowardly move and saying the site was targeting him because of his conservative beliefs.

This is the end for Twitter, he wrote. Like all acts of the totalitarian regressive left, this will blow up in their faces, netting me more adoring fans. Were winning the culture war, and Twitter just shot themselves in the foot.

This wasnt the first time Yiannopoulos has been subject to punitive measures on Twitter: Last year, his account lost its blue verification checkmark. In response, he complained to the White House about the supposed violation of his freedom of speech.

Fans of Yiannopoulos  including many who side with his anti-feminist stance on Gamergate  got #FreeMilo trending on Twitter Tuesday night.

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Conservative lightning rod Milo Yiannopoulos was in high spirits late Tuesday night just hours after he learned that he had been permanently banned from Twitter.

Are you kidding? This is the most gigantic possible gift! the Breitbart News senior editor said by phone from Cleveland, where he was attending the Republican National Convention. He contended that his ban was politically motivated and represents a threat to free speech.

Twitter gave Yiannopoulos the boot on Tuesday following critical comments he made to actress Leslie Jones, one of the stars of the new Ghostbusters movie. He has been critical of the Sony release  which is a female-centric remake of the 1984 comedy  and was one of many who sent Jones, who is a black woman, negative tweets.

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Yiannopoulos, who hails from Britain and is openly gay, had amassed a Twitter audience of close to 338,000 followers. Attempts to access his feed on Tuesday resulted in an error message: The account you are trying to view has been suspended.

A Twitter screenshot of the suspension notice published by Breitbart informs Yiannopoulos that he was banned for repeated violations of the Twitter Rules, specifically our rules prohibiting participating in or inciting targeted abuse of individuals.

His ban gave rise to the hashtag #FreeMilo, which rose to the No. 1 trending topic spot on Twitter on Tuesday night.

When asked if his comments about Jones qualified as harassment, he replied, Of course not, and its ridiculous to suggest that it is.

He said he was not behind numerous tweets that referred to Jones as an ape and a savage.

Im not responsible for the conduct of millions of people on Twitter, he said.

In one tweet, Yiannopoulos mocked Jones diction and in another disparaged her looks. I made that joke at my own expense, he said.

Jones said on Twitter that the barrage of criticism has left her with tears and a sad heart.

Yiannopoulos got in trouble with Twitter last year when he used his account to claim that he was the new social justice editor of Buzzfeed.

The stunt got him temporarily suspended from the platform and eventually cost him his Twitter verification  the blue check mark that appears next to an account name.

Yiannopoulos sees his permanent ban as a political move by Twitter.

Theres a systemic bias against conservatives and libertarians [on Twitter], he said. The progressive press is going to take their side, dishonestly suggesting that I was making life difficult for a black woman.

He added: This is a political decision. With this they are sending a message to conservatives that theyre not welcome on Twitter.

In the past, Yiannopoulos has publicly criticized Twitter Chief Executive Jack Dorsey, claiming that the company has been sympathetic to the Black Lives Matter movement, even when factions of the movement have called for violence against police officers.

Hes made a decision ... that hes going to use [Twitter] as political weaponry during the election, said Yiannopoulos.

A Twitter representative said in a statement Wednesday: People should be able to express diverse opinions and beliefs on Twitter. But no one deserves to be subjected to targeted abuse online, and our rules prohibit inciting or engaging in the targeted abuse or harassment of others.

The statement continued: Over the past 48 hours in particular, weve seen an uptick in the number of accounts violating these policies and have taken enforcement actions against these accounts, ranging from warnings that also require the deletion of tweets violating our policies to permanent suspension.

Yiannopoulos has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and a vehement critic of third-wave feminism. On Tuesday evening, the provocateur was scheduled to appear at a Gays for Trump party at the Republican National Convention.

When asked if he deliberately tried to get himself banned from Twitter, Yiannopoulos replied, No, I didnt. But Im not going to pretend Im upset. It has served me brilliantly. And this has done me no harm  it has turned me into a free speech martyr.

david.ng@latimes.com

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2:55 p.m.: This article was updated with a statement from Twitter.

This article was originally published at 8:10 a.m.
I want the fairy tale.

You may recall that line from Pretty Woman, the 1990 smash hit that made Julia Roberts a star and announced Garry Marshall  already a major creative force in television with Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and The Odd Couple  as a force to be reckoned with in the movies as well. The line could also serve as a worthy epitaph for Marshalls three-decade-plus film career, during which he would recast the Cinderella story, again and again, in contemporary trappings that were as easy to smirk at as they were hard to resist.

Marshall, who died Tuesday at 81, gave us hard-luck fables and ugly-duckling fantasies, comedies of wish fulfillment and spectacles of female empowerment. He also gave us endless opportunities for guilt-free commodity fetishism, in which the cameras gaze was forever being magnetized by plush interiors, sparkling jewelry and even more sparkling dental work.

His aesthetics never drifted too far from Beverly Hills, or from the lessons he learned as a TV director before making the leap to the big screen. He knew that whatever his movies may have lacked in visual dynamism they could make up, to some degree, in human charisma  in the radiance of his leading ladies and their mega-wattage smiles, and in the infectious good vibes radiating from behind the camera.

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Not all of them were ladies, of course. He worked wonders with Matt Dillon in The Flamingo Kid (1984), the rare coming-of-age charmer in which Marshall didnt feel the need to tie everything up in a neat bow. (The movie also marked one of the directors earliest collaborations with Hector Elizondo, his longtime friend and a fixture of his movies ever since.)

Any traces of youthful disillusionment had been airbrushed away by the time he made The Princess Diaries (2001). It was our first real introduction to Anne Hathaway, who stumbled into the frame in gawky spectacles and a bushy Hermione Granger mane, and walked out having undergone the mother of all Disney makeovers. Talk about happy endings: Hathaway may have been crowned princess of a fictitious European monarchy called Genovia, with none other than Julie Andrews as her royal grandmother, but Marshall wound up handing this ingenue the keys to a far richer kingdom, namely that of Hollywood itself.

I still remember seeing The Princess Diaries in theaters with my family and leaving in a pretty good mood, all of us well aware that wed just been sold a load of goods and not really minding. I suspect that was more or less the effect Marshall hoped his movies would always achieve and which, at their best, they managed. One of the lessons of his unabashedly formulaic, often critically derided output is that sometimes  whether its a G-rated teenage transformation story or an epic tearjerker like Beaches  a load of goods is exactly what youre in the mood for.

And Marshall, to his credit, was committed to rediscovering his particular version of once-upon-a-time in any number of unique settings, not all of which were as squeaky-clean as Genovia  not at first, anyway. I like to do very sentimental, romantic kind of work, Marshall once said in a New York Times interview. Its a dirty job, but somebody has to do it. Its a telling remark, insofar as it raises the notion  largely corroborated by his films  that Marshall saw himself as not just a mass entertainer, but also an adept clean-up artist.

Long before Pretty Woman became ubiquitous shorthand for the 90s romantic comedy, the movie set off shudders of moral outrage for daring to cast Roberts as a streetwalking Eliza Doolittle. Never mind that its portrait of prostitution was carefully glossed over by a polite cutaway whenever things got too steamy  and by the very casting of Roberts herself, who led with her enchanting and thoroughly wholesome grin. Seeing Pretty Woman today, the very idea of indignation seems hopelessly quaint: The movie remains one of the neatest tricks that Hollywood ever turned, and one of the most profitable.

None of Marshalls other fairy tales would be as commercially successful, and few of them  certainly not Runaway Bride, a popular but lackluster reteaming of Roberts and her Pretty Woman beau, Richard Gere  would prove as emotionally satisfying. Even still, Marshall never tired of finding strange, unconventional environments in which to serve his deeply conventional brand of cinematic comfort food. At times he seemed drawn to certain dramatic scenarios for no other reason than to swoop in with his soft lighting and his beautiful actors, and set about carefully softening every edge  something that earned him both praise and criticism in the case of Frankie and Johnny (1991), a tender blue-collar romance starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer.

And this impulse could elicit, in its wilder incarnations, a measure of real appreciation, more for Marshalls pure daring than for his execution. He misfired with the S&M shenanigans of Exit to Eden (1994), and with The Other Sister (1999), a graceless attempt to squeeze the challenges of the mentally disabled into his signature romantic formula. But he fared rather better years later with Georgia Rule (2007), which turned the story of a teenage girls sexual abuse into a compelling maelstrom of bizarre moods and melodramatic twists, with Lindsay Lohan, Felicity Huffman and Jane Fonda steering the film from comedy to tragedy and back again.

The last movies Marshall directed were a loose trio of holiday-themed ensemble movies  Valentines Day, New Years Eve and this years Mothers Day  that invited no shortage of scorn from critics (this one included), and for good reason. At a time when decent romantic comedies are dispiritingly rare, Marshalls latest trick  six movies for the price of one!  felt close to self-cannibalism, in service of stories that were neither especially comic nor, truth be told, particularly romantic.

Their saving grace, in a way, was Roberts. Whether playing a tight-lipped Army captain in Valentines Day or a powerful home-shopping empress in Mothers Day, she offered a welcome reminder of the love and loyalty that Marshall commanded on screen and off, his pleasure in turning filmmaking into a warm, familial enterprise. But look closer at Roberts  seeming older, wiser and sadder than she did in her star-making breakthrough, her smile breaking through only in brief, bittersweet glimmers  and you can see the truth beneath the gilded fantasy. Not everyone, she seems to signal, lives happily ever after. But that doesnt mean we dont still want the fairy tale.

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Vanessa Seward stood at the bow of her Melrose Place boutique, asked to smile for a photograph in her new store. Thats easy; Im very happy today, the designer said, grinning widely.

Her first Vanessa Seward store in the U.S. opens Wednesday on a street that includes APC, Zimmermann, Isabel Marant and The Apartment by The Line  Los Angeles. Its a street filled with a number of brands she shops or identifies with, which made the choice to debut her first U.S. store in Los Angeles an easy one, the designer said.

We were hesitating between New York or L.A. first and its true, this location made perfect sense, Seward told WWD. I see the way the girls dress here and my take on comfortable Parisian glamor I think, I hope, it can really work.

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While the designer is eyeing New York for another possible door in the future, she is set to open a boutique next to Ralph Lauren on the Boulevard St. Germain in Paris in September followed by a store in London as early as November.

The Melrose Place space, totaling over 1,000 square feet, houses Sewards ready-to-wear, denim, accessories, shoes and custom jewelry collections. The store design by French architect Laurent Deroo draws from many of the elements in Sewards existing stores including the midnight blue used in lacquered display paneling. The store is accented by brass light fixtures and anchored by dark marbled stone floors, the richness of which is offset by a skylight covering nearly the entirely ceiling in a nod to Southern California. Sewards husband, composer and producer Bertrand Burgalat, curated the music that will be played in store and during a special dinner Wednesday evening to celebrate the opening.

The clothes, a mix of the summer and fall collections, hang along the stores perimeter.

Its superchic; Im over the moon, Seward said of the store and the business, which has taken off in a very rapid fashion.

The partnership with APC and its founder Jean Touitou has helped, with the company lending the young brand the back end functions and strategic expertise on the business side, along with an investment that gave APC a majority stake in the brand.

Its been an organic career trajectory for Seward, who spent nine years at Chanel, followed by Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent and Loris Azzaro. It was in 2012 that the Buenos Aires-born designer began working with APC on a capsule and then delivering a new one with each season thereafter before turning to focus on her own business in 2014. Her namesake collection for fall was unveiled in March 2015 in Paris.

The brand is now in about 50 doors and has two of its own stores in Paris.

The line is often referred to as retro, a label Seward doesnt necessarily find accurate but understands why the term has often been affixed to her designs.

I dont do it on purpose, meaning I think there is something because I do like the glamor of the Seventies. But I dont try to be literal about it because I like when things are timeless, she said.

As she walked a visitor through her collections, she called out its simple shapes, with flattering cuts meant to accentuate a womens femininity. Thats even translated into a limited-edition T-shirt made for the boutiques opening, which reads La me voila.

The pronouncement of the arrival of her Parisian chic brand is more subtly on display in the breezy dresses and blouses using prints sourced from the archives of Swiss textile company Les Soieries Abraham, trenches, reversible capes and long skirts Seward said she favors for their versatility with flats or heels.

The first collection I had done for winter, I had done an Abraham print with a green four-leaf clover, which had really been a success, Seward said. We sold out immediately when it arrived in boutiques and now Im like, I have to create my own codes being a new brand. After working in Chanel nine years, I realized its good sometimes to insist on certain things because then it becomes part of your identity. So Im insisting on the four-leaf clover.
Once upon a time, the California coast was up for grabs.

Really up for grabs.

Industry took what it could, erecting mills, oil refineries and power plants. Mega-hotels squatted on beaches. Subdivisions sprouted by the dozens. People of means built homes with backyard oceans, blocking public access and views.

And then, in the 1960s, something extraordinary happened. People began demanding a halt to unregulated development, and began fighting to save what was left.

On Monday morning, I stood with one foot in Oregon and one in California.

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@LATstevelopez straddles California/Oregon border at Pelican Bay SB, heading south to Mexican border #SaveYourCoast pic.twitter.com/KhZx4jQQPP  Allen J. Schaben (@alschaben) July 18, 2016

Then I began the first leg of my 1,100-mile trek to the Mexican border, a summer trip along the length of the state to study coastal preservation. Along the way Ill be reviewing past victories and disappointments with an eye toward understanding what Californians might do to make sure todays infants grandkids can still enjoy this glorious landscape.

The timing is right for two reasons.

First, this is the 40th anniversary of the California Coastal Act that resulted from all the activism of the 1960s and early 70s.

Second, developers are warming up bulldozers along several stretches of the coast at a moment when the state Coastal Commission has stirred up a troubling little political drama.

Commissioners fired Executive Director Charles Lester in February for reasons that dont add up. Some have challenged the science of experts as if theyre carrying water for developers. And Gov. Jerry Brown has been invisible, leaving reasonable people to assume he likes the way business at one of the nations most powerful regulatory agencies is being conducted.

But two ethics investigations are underway involving campaign donations from an executive with the most powerful coastal lobbying firm, and two legislative reform efforts are in play, one of which would put an end to private confabs between commissioners and those who want to build something on the coast.

When my plane landed in Arcata, my first visit was with former California Coastal Commission Chief Counsel Ralph Faust, who reminded me of the words of former agency Executive Director Peter Douglas:

The coast is never saved. Its always being saved.

The coast is never saved. Its always being saved  Peter Douglas, former Coastal Commission executive director

Douglas was right. Its a constant battle to save the coast, not just from big industrial projects, but from hundreds of little ones where someone wants to build or expand a house that could impinge on the publics right to access or views.

But like I said, the victories are many, and they offer lessons and inspiration going forward.

An hour after talking to Faust, I hiked the Ma-lel Dunes on Humboldt Bay with Jen Kalt of Humboldt Baykeeper. This 160-acre treasure has been called one of the most pristine dune systems on the West Coast, a place where forest meets sea and both the landscape and vegetation are unlike anything Ive seen. The dunes go on forever, then rise up and over a berm to miles of crashing waves.

And yet it was in danger of being destroyed.

Youd be walking in the dunes and see a motorcycle track, Kalt said.

The land was privately owned by a dune buggy club with big plans to transform a gift from Mother Nature into an off-road vehicle playground  at least until conservationists and local officials began a battle to turn the environmentally sensitive habitat over to the Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

In the early 1990s, the California Coastal Commission approved an amendment to the areas local plan, banning off-road vehicles.

Those are shore pine, this is Sitka spruce, these are bearberries and thats reindeer lichen, Kalt, a botanist, said as we walked past marshland, through forest, on our way to the lunar landscape of the dunes.

We passed signs saying motorized vehicles are prohibited.

In places the California coast is cold and gray and wet, and the sea-misted red hues on beach-strewn driftwood is brilliant.

At the Oregon border, I saw no swimmers, no surfers, no flip-flops.

The coast is different here, much wilder than the Southern California shore, and if you havent seen it, you should, if only for the rocky crests and curtain of giant redwoods that rise in full majesty from the edge of the continent.

One early stop, just north of Crescent City, was the scene of another California Coastal Commission victory.

Pacific Shores was sold in the 1960s as a dream community in the making. For as little as $1,800, a half-acre parcel could be had, and with it, the possibility of one day building an affordable vacation getaway or retirement home.

More than 1,500 dreamers were easily hooked, many of them sending checks from Southern California and even Hawaii. It all sounded too good to be true.

And it was.

Streets were paved and remain to this day in the ghostly seaside expanse, but when it came time to build sewer systems and other utilities, the Coastal Act was firmly in place and it forbade this very type of development.

The Coastal Commissions Douglas, traveling north with zoologist Bill Kier, the state Senates natural resources guru, identified Pacific Shores and surrounding privately owned land as coastal habitats crucial to bird and marine life.

To them, these were treasures, not commodities, and the public had a duty to reclaim and refurbish them for current and future generations.

The Coastal Act gave us a long time to work on it,  said Patty McCleary of the nonprofit Smith River Alliance, which facilitated the states purchase of many of those parcels.

Today more than half the land is in public hands, and McCleary, along with husband and business partner Grant Werschkull, hopes to one day complete the purchase of the remaining parcels.

On a tour of the surrounding land, I saw what might have been lost if Pacific Shores had been built. A wildlife paradise abounds between mountains and sea. Werschkull spotted and identified dozens of birds as they chirped a symphony with the whisper of waves in the distance.

I dont think you can appreciate the Coastal Act until you go to other states, where the beaches are private, McCleary said. Its different here, where we have this California experiment.

My next stops are Shelter Cove, Sea Ranch and Bodega Bay, where I will meet with some of the pioneers who gathered signatures in 1972 for Proposition 20, which changed everything.

Four years after that, the Coastal Act became law.

Forty years later, the coast is still being saved.

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Aug. 25, 2016, 10:40 a.m. Reporting from imperial beach, Calif.

We made it, Oregon to Mexico, along an 1,100-mile beach The drive began at the Oregon border. It ended five weeks later at the Mexican border. Where I almost got arrested. OK, thats an exaggeration. When photographer Allen Schaben and I got to the border of Tijuana and Imperial Beach, the party was much better on the Mexican side. Families were in the water and on the sand, a Mariachi band played, and the whole scene was rather festive compared with two people strolling quietly on the Imperial Beach side. I thought briefly about defecting. One man stood at the fence on the Tijuana side, so I walked up to say hello. I asked why he wasnt swimming and he said he didnt have a bathing suit, then he stuck his hand through the fence to shake my hand. A Border Patrol agent sped toward me in an SUV and yelled for me to stand back from the fence. I hesitated, because what was the big deal? But then I noticed a sign warning against contact or the passing of narcotics through the fence, etc. So I stepped back from the fence because I didnt know if Id be able to write my last road trip columns from a jail cell. Im going to wrap up the series on Sunday, but that wont be the end of my coverage of the California Coastal Commission on the 40th anniversary of the Coastal Act. Theres lots to keep an eye on. Legislation to ban private meetings between commissioners and developers could move forward later today. A vote has been delayed on the controversial proposal for a desalination plant in Huntington Beach, a project that doesnt make a lot of sense in my opinion but has big money backing it. The ever-controversial Newport Banning Ranch project -- a massive hotel/housing development on the last undeveloped plot of privately owned coastal property in Southern California -- will be up for a vote in early September. And the City Council election in Pismo Beach has gotten very interesting because Erik Howell, a councilman and coastal commissioner who ticked off Pismo residents by supporting a development that will block ocean views, now has challengers in his reelection campaign. Howell, if youve forgotten, accepted a $1,000 campaign donation from the domestic partner and business colleague of the lobbyist who represents the Pismo development. If he loses his council seat, he loses his Coastal Commission seat too. So stay tuned. The Coastal Commission will have a new director soon, a new chair and at least two new commissioners, and we need to watch closely because whats at stake is the greatest 1,100-mile coast in the world.



10:25 A.M. reporting from san diego

Lawmaker who led 72 coastal preservation bike ride from San Francisco to San Diego still has Schwinn that delivered win Former senator James Mills, 89, stands with the bike he rode from Sacramento to San Diego in 1972 to promote Prop 20, which created the Coastal Commission and led to the Coastal Act. The photo was taken overlooking the San Diego skyline from Mills Coronado apartment Wednesday. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The bike. I wanted to see the bike, and meet its owner. Arriving in San Diego meant our coastal trek from Oregon to Mexico was coming to an end, and it meant that it was finally time to pay a visit to Jim Mills. Mills, a state legislator from 1962 to 1981, was Senate president pro tempore in 1972 when he decided to support Proposition 20, the coastal preservation act. Without it, conservationists feared, coastal development would run amok, Highway 1 would be widened, and a string of nuclear power plants would spring up on some of the greatest beach fronts in the world. But there wasnt much money to fight Prop. 20s foes, said Mills, who had grown up wading in La Jolla Cove and has a deep appreciation of the states greatest natural resource. So in September 1972, he hopped aboard his canary yellow Schwinn Super Sport and led a bike rally from San Francisco to San Diego. The number of riders swelled at times, Mills said, and bikers were greeted each evening by locals serving plenty of carbs. We ate a lot of weenies and beans, and spaghetti too, he said. He recalled PG&E executives following the cyclists in a chauffeur-driven Cadillac, doing their own spin on Prop. 20. The bike rally drew lots of publicity, Mills said, and whether it made the difference is anyones guess. But Prop. 20 won 55% of the vote and led in 1976 to the Coastal Act that to this day protects the coast for the benefit of fragile marine and land habitats and the enjoyment of everyone. Mills was 45 when he rode down the coast, and 89 now. He greeted me and photographer Allen Schaben at his Coronado condo and said he hasnt done any riding lately, but hes doing a lot of writing. Mills has written several books and is working on another. He leads us down to the basement, and there it is. The dusty, canary yellow Schwinn that Mills rode in 1972, and for many years after the Prop. 20 campaign. He was an avid cyclist. Mills also kept the helmet he wore in 1972. We took the bike upstairs, where Mills put on his helmet and posed next to the bike that is a piece of California history. The Coastal Act has done a great deal of good over the years, Mills said, and the cause is no less important now than it was when he rode south from San Francisco. We need to preserve the coast for the benefit of future generations, he said, and I thank him for his contribution.



Aug. 21, 2016, 10:50 p.m. Reporting from the Mexican border

Steve Lopez reflects back on his 1,100 mile trek down the California coast

6:57 P.M. Sometimes the sausage is good enough to eat Two things will happen soon. The last column from my 1,100 mile road trip down the California coast will be done. And the reform bill banning private communications between California Coastal Commissioners and developers, as well as others, could finally emerge from the factory. As Ive been saying, Hannah-Beth Jacksons bill sailed through the Senate and should have done the same in the Assembly, but it got pushed off into a dark corner after a very fishy report claimed that reform costs money. The thing has come back to life, though, with amendments that arent as bad as the original amendments. I dont see why we need the amendments at all, or why the wrangling has to take place behind closed doors and out of public view. While I was thinking about that, a reader emailed me a clever idea about how to keep coastal commissioners honest -- make them strap on body cameras, like cops. I like it, and why not do the same with legislators, so we can all see whats going on? Having said all this, though, Im hearing from supporters of Jacksons bill that they think theres actually a chance the legislation is going to be OK, once all the cooks are done tweaking the recipe. Sausage is full of awful stuff, but just about all of it is good on the grill. So as much fun as Ive had telling you to ping Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, @Rendon63rd, and Appropriations Chair Lorena Gonzalez, @LorenaAD80, and ask what gives, maybe we should try another approach. Im told that Rendon, Gonzalez and other Assembly leaders have done some decent work rescuing this much-needed bill from the trash. So go ahead and tweet them again, and tell them youre encouraged, and still watching -- to the extent thats possible -- and counting on them to do whats necessary to get the bill to Gov. Jerry Brown, which is when the real fun will begin.

8:46 A.M. When it comes to coastal protection, why does state Assembly have such a problem with transparency? The need to clean up the way the California Coastal Commission operates was obvious. Commissioners meet privately with developers more than with any other group, by far. They have repeatedly failed to fully explain the nature of those meetings, and have even failed to report them on occasion. State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) penned a bill to ban such meetings. It cleared the Senate and bounced over to the Assembly, which nearly killed it, but finally decided this week to merely beat it to a pulp. The toothless mess that emerged from the Assembly Appropriations Committee this week would allow private meetings to continue under certain circumstances, and now Sen. Jackson has the task of trying to put some punch back into her bill. And heres the irony: We dont know which Assembly members, or higher powers, conspired to water down Jacksons bill because there is no transparency in the process. You cant peer through a window into the sausage factory. These amendments were hammered out privately. One can guess that the development lobby and labor groups did not like Jacksons reform bill because it would get in the way of a process that gives an advantage to those who want to build on the coast. One can even guess that the Brown administration shares their view. But we dont know, because a bill to shine a light on important decision-making got pummeled in a dark room, and the perps left no fingerprints. See Dan Weikels story at latimes.com. Ive sent in a request for an explanation to Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount). He has appointing authority for four coastal commissioners and itd be nice to hear what he thinks about the handiwork by his Appropriations Committee. If youd like to ping him or Appropriations Chair Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) to ask what happened, try @Rendon63rd and @LorenaAD80. Or you can drop a line to The Silent One @JerryBrownGov, but Ive tried, and despite months of turmoil and controversy on the 40th anniversary of the Coastal Act he signed into law, the governor doesnt want to be disturbed.



7:36 A.M. Summer is in the rear-view mirror, end of journey just down the road The tide splashes up on the beach at sunset on a warm summer evening at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Carlsbad. Leucadia. Encinitas. Cardiff. Solana. Del Mar. Summer is disappearing in my rear-view mirror. Week Five of my trip from Oregon to Mexico will be over in just a few days, 1,100 miles after it began. Photographer Allen Schaben is farther down the road, waiting for me in San Diego. Soon well stand at the Mexican border and reflect on a deeper love of the California coast, a greater appreciation of the Coastal Act on the 40-year anniversary of protections that became law. Ill wish Id had a week to spend in places where I only had an hour or two. Ill thank the people we met along the way, and tell others well take up their offer the next time through. Californians are passionate about their coast. Theyre closely watching those in public office whose job is to protect fisheries and dunes, to limit development and maximize access. Ive got one eye on Sacramento myself. On legislative reforms that would serve all Californians. On coastal commissioners, some of whom seem to have forgotten their purpose. Im pulling into San Diego, where the air is warm, the water blue, Mexico in the near distance.



4:14 P.M. La Jolla The palm fronds of a palapa reveal a surfer, a couple and children taking in a warm summer sunset at Windansea Beach in La Jolla. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)



1:07 P.M. newport beach

Watts in a name? Find Amp-le answers in Newport Beach On Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times) Im driving south on the Pacific Coast Highway and spot the sign. The boat name of the week, it says, is Watt A Man. Thats not a mistake. This is the headquarters for Duffy, which makes the electric boats that are part of the culture in the Newport harbor. Many years ago, I wrote a column about a day of hobnobbing and bar-hopping, by boat, with local residents. I also wrote, at the time, about boat owners trying to out-do each other with clever names for the battery-powered boats. One of my favorites was Salt n Battery. So what are some of the newer ones? I walk into the office, and salesman Jim Drayton says one of the best ones this summer was Amp-ly Endowed. Not bad. Tyler Duffield, of the Duffy family, shows me a list with a few more recent winners. Your name here. (Steve Lopez / Los Angeles Times) Its a Ohm Run. Watt the Hey. Watta Yacht. Going back through the years, some of the better names include: Current Affair. Carry Us Ohm Watts the Hurry. Shock Cousteau. Ohmer Simpson. Knots and Volts. I could go on, but why dont you, instead? Send me your best names. Its not as easy as it looks, Duffield said. Its usually the hardest part, he says. Someone comes in and orders a boat, and they get the colors and everything figured out, and the last thing to do is come up with a name before the boat leaves the factory. Yeah, Its a Duff Life out here, where people are Ohm on the Watter, but It Is Watt It Is.



9:13 A.M. Going under in Laguna Beach A snorkeler looks for fish at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Garibaldi swim and feed on rocks at Crescent Bay in Laguna Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

2:41 P.M. Catching waves in Huntington Beach



10:53 A.M. On our way toward Mexico A view of the beach through a telescope at Pacific City, a new 31-acre mixed-use development in Huntington Beach, also known as Surf City U.S.A. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The site of the proposed Banning Ranch development now before the California Coastal Commission. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The tide rolls in at twilight at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station located on the border of San Diego County and San Clemente. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

4:52 P.M. Laguna Beach

4:45 P.M. Laguna Beach



12:51 P.M. Dana Point A pod of dolphins leaps out of the water with a view of south Laguna Beach in the background on Aug. 12, 2016. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

10:37 P.M. sacramento

Profiles in courage: Legislators soften Coastal Commission reform, leave no fingerprints A perfectly sensible bill to clean up the way California coastal commissioners do business has been getting the waterboard treatment. First, Santa Barbara Sen. Hannah-Beth Jacksons SB 1190 was submerged by a ludicrous report claiming it would cost too much money to prohibit private conversations between developers and commissioners. Then it was tossed overboard and dragged like chum. Then on Thursday, legislators pulled SB 1190 back into the boat so badly decomposed its barely recognizable. As my colleague Dan Weikel reports at latimes.com, five amendments gutted the good intentions. The most egregious one allows commissioners to meet privately with developers during on-site visits. This comes just weeks after reports that Coastal Commission Chairman Steve Kinsey met twice with developers of the massive Newport Banning Ranch development and failed to properly report those confabs. Environmental groups, however, would not be able to have such meetings in the bills current form. On my best day, I could not have come up with a more Alice in Wonderland outcome. Details were still emerging, and it wasnt clear which legislators were responsible for the hatchet job, or whether they caved in to political, development or union pressure, or all three. No fingerprints on the body, in other words. Three environmentalists I checked with were livid, and understandably so. Stay tuned for updates on the autopsy, and dont stop letting @JerryBrownGov know how you feel about whats happening to coastal preservation on his watch. #SaveYourCoast



7:46 A.M. Sunset at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages Children run along the beach at twilight near the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) The sun sets over the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages in Newport Beach. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Isabella, 9, and Holden, 7, roast marshmallows over a beach fire with their parents, Steve and Amy Knuff, of Aliso Viejo at twilight at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Incoming tide rolls onto the beach at twilight at Crystal Cove Beach Cottages. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)



1:29 P.M. Column: Fighting for the California coast from a tiny office in her kitchen nook Susan Jordan, who created and runs the California Coastal Protection Network, is seen in her Santa Barbara office. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) If you were a coastal conservation activist in California, with 1,100 miles of shoreline to look after, how would you even decide where to begin? Theres always a battle somewhere, and let me give you just a couple of examples from one tiny section of the coast. Moss Landing is in the news again this week as the Surfrider Foundation and other activists try to stop Cemex, an international sand mining company, from trucking away the beach as it has done for decades, causing erosion that has begun to set off lots of alarms. Read more



8:49 A.M. Hermosa Beach

Remember when you could spend a night at a California beach motel for less than a weeks pay? A third-generation motel owner in this seaside town tells me he gets an offer, about every other day, from someone who wants to buy his property, bulldoze it and rebuild. But hes hanging on because three generations of families have been staying at his low-budget, no-frills motel since the 1960s, and he doesnt want to end those summer vacation traditions. Elsewhere on the California coast, motels and hotels have been bought out by chains and developers, driving up the cost of affordable family vacations. Look for my column on the Hermosa Beach motel in the coming days. And if you know of good low-budget beach lodging, or if youve seen your motel go from cheap to chic, drop me a line at steve.lopez@latimes.com Over the next two days, photographer Allen Schaben and I will be in Hermosa and Huntington Beach, reporting on the proposed desalination plant there. And, by the way, we should find out in the next day or two whether legislation banning private meetings between coastal commissioners and developers is released from legislative prison and put up for a vote in the state Assembly. Theres still time to weigh in at #SaveYourCoast and be sure to give a poke to @JerryBrownGov and Assemblywoman, Lorena Gonzalez @LorenaAD80. Read more
The San Diego City Council on Tuesday voted to ban single-use plastic bags at large grocery stores, pharmacies and corner markets  becoming one of the last major cities in California to limit the disposable products.

Citizens across the state have demonstrated the ability to transition to more sustainable, reusable bags, council President Sherri Lightner said. I strongly believe that now is the time to demonstrate local leadership on this issue and make a clear statement that we value our environment.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said he planned to sign the ordinance, which would make San Diego the 150th municipality in California with a ban on plastic checkout bags, which often end up in landfills or as litter in storm drains, rivers, canyons and beaches.

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A second reading of the ordinance is expected within a few weeks. Once finalized, the rules would give large food stores about six months to comply; smaller drug and convenience stores would get about one year.

The citys policy comes a few months ahead of a referendum vote in the fall general election on whether to uphold a statewide prohibition on single-use checkout bags.

After California in 2014 passed the nations only statewide ban on such products, the plastics industry launched a signature drive to overturn the law, criticizing it as a tax on shoppers and an ineffective way to fight pollution.

The American Progressive Bag Alliance has raised more than $6.4 million  funded largely by out-of-state bag manufacturers  to overturn the statewide ban. If that effort is successful, municipal bans  including San Diegos  would remain in place.

San Diego officials said that based on statistics from Los Angeles County, which adopted its ban in 2010, customers eventually will bring their own reusable bags for about 65% of purchases at grocery stores and other retailers, eliminating about 95% of all single-use plastic bags distributed in the city.

joshua.smith@sduniontribune.com

Smith writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune

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Beong Kwun Cho stood with a cocked Smith and Wesson revolver in his hand.

Crouched less than a foot away was his childhood friend, a man hed known for more than three decades since they were schoolboys in South Korea. Years ago, Yeon Woo Lee had been the one to carry the hahm, the chest full of gifts, at Chos wedding -- the equivalent of a best man.

Now, Lee was on his knees.

Chos mind ran through the events that led them to this moment, in the dead of night on a sparse industrial corner of east Anaheim, miles from the cheery glow of Disneyland. He waited for one bicyclist to pass, then another. He heard the rumble of an approaching train.

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He squeezed the trigger, then it was over. He watched his friend slump forward.

Prosecutors call it first-degree murder. Cho says its not that simple.

::

A street sweeper discovered the body of Lee, a 50-year-old South Korean national with bulbous eyes and round cheeks, before dawn Tuesday, Jan 25, 2011.

The man lay next to his rental car, blood pooled around his head. On his back were large, muddy footprints and next to his body, a cigarette butt, a flat tire and a jack.

To investigators, the scene seemed self-explanatory: A tourist unfamiliar with the area was changing a flat tire on a poorly lighted street when an attack or accident befell him. But when detectives sent the body out for an X-ray of the head wound, they saw the single bullet that had pierced his brain, back to front, before lodging in the front left side of his skull.

Records at E-Z Rent-A-Car led investigators to Room 146 at Howard Johnson, where the owner said Lee had paid cash and asked to be kept off the registration books. Detectives next retraced his steps to a Fullerton motel hed stayed at earlier. He had listed two 714 phone numbers. One was for a prepaid burner phone.

The other took them to a sand-colored home in Cerritos.

A photo of Yeon Woo Lee is shown in a Santa Ana courtroom this month. Beong Kwun Cho, Lees longtime best friend, is accused of first-degree murder in the shooting death of his friend. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times )

Around midnight, less than 24 hours after Lees body was found, Cho answered the door at the home where he lived with his wife and two daughters. He agreed to help investigators and drove himself to the police station.

Looks like it is something important? Cho asked in Korean, feigning confusion.

Cho claimed that hed last seen his longtime friend, who was visiting from South Korea, during dinner at a sushi restaurant Monday night. Hed been calling Lee all day Tuesday, and thought it was strange he couldnt get in touch with him, he told homicide detective Julissa Trapp and a Korean-speaking officer. He thought perhaps Lee had abruptly left for South Korea, Cho told the detectives.

A couple of hours into the interrogation, Trapp switched her tone.

I think that something happened between you and Mr. Lee Monday night, she said. I think you can explain. OK, maybe -- maybe it was an accident.

Cho hemmed and hawed. Then he said he was ready.

Could I smoke a cigarette for a moment and then explain everything as it is?

::

Chos two daughters grew up considering Lee an uncle, he said. Their families vacationed together. The two men did business together.

Then a few months ago, Lee asked Cho for a favor he wasnt sure he could do, even for his closest friend, he told the detective.

Lees motel business in South Korea was foundering. His marriage was falling apart. Lee told Cho he wanted to die, but didnt want to burden his family with the trauma and social stigma that comes with suicide, Cho said.

Lee tried to hire people hed met at nearby casinos to kill him and make it look like a random crime, Cho said, but they demanded payment ahead of time and he didnt trust them to go through with it. Ultimately, he turned to his best friend.

He said there is no other way -- this is the only way, he told Trapp.

His friend, Cho told police, orchestrated the entire scenario. It was Lee who procured the gun and a box of ammunition. Lee drove around scouting out possible sites, choosing a couple spots near bodies of water because he was superstitious. Lee arranged for them to go to a gun range together for target practice, and took Cho to a Wal-Mart where he bought black knit gloves and size 13 shoes  props to make his death look like a robbery.

Lee then chose the date for the deed, Cho said: his wifes birthday. It would be his last gift.

After dinner that night, they each drove their respective cars to the first spot Lee had picked out, between Anaheim Lake and a basin, only to find that there were crews working there late into the night. They drove to a second location nearby, a quiet stretch of Miraloma Avenue.

Lee flattened the tire, ransacked the glove compartment of his rental and smoked a final cigarette. He handed Cho the revolver wrapped in a T-shirt before dropping to his knees with his back to his friend, Cho said.

Keep talking to me so that I wont know when Im being shot. And while Im talking  shoot me in the middle of our conversation, his friend implored, Cho told the detective.

::

As the interrogation stretched into the wee hours of the night, Trapp pressed Cho.

She didnt believe Lee wanted to commit suicide, the detective said. He had purchased plane tickets to return to South Korea and sent his wife flowers and a letter saying he was coming home, Trapp pointed out.

Why is he going to spend the money if he knows hes going to die? she asked.

Chos story grew stranger. While maintaining that Lee wanted to die, he began enumerating reasons hed grown to resent his longtime friend over the years.

Cho said his family lost their home to debt collectors in South Korea years ago as a result of a bad business deal Lee made, for which Cho was the guarantor. In recent months, Cho said, Lee was blackmailing him, threatening to get Cho and his family deported from the U.S. if Cho didnt go along with his demands.

Then about a month before his death, Lee came over to Chos home to drink and passed out on the couch. In the middle of the night, Cho said, he awoke to find Lee, drunk and naked, in their bedroom. Lee, he said, was sexually assaulting his wife.

Embarrassed, confused and afraid, Cho said he pretended to be asleep.

I want to know, Trapp responded, as a husband, a father, as a man, as the head of the household, how did you feel?

I wanted to kill him, Cho said.

::

Beong Kwun Cho, far right, listens to testimony through an interpreter while next to his his attorney, Robert Kohler, far left, during his trial. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times )

Chos first-degree murder trial began this month in a top-floor courtroom in downtown Santa Ana.

The bulk of the prosecutions case was nearly nine hours of Chos videotaped interrogation, in which he admitted shooting his childhood friend in the back of the head, and to thinking his life would be better if Lee was gone.

Because I hated him, jurors heard Cho tell Trapp unequivocally. He... he wanted it and I hated him  He wanted it so bad.

Suicide is a sign of failure of moral upbringing, so it stigmatizes the whole family.  B.C. Ben Park, Penn State professor, speaking about Korean culture

Chos defense attorney, deputy public defender Robert Kohler, told the mostly non-Korean jury that cultural context could help them make sense of what may seem an improbable story.

Theres a strong stigma attached to suicide, B.C. Ben Park, a Penn State professor who has researched Korean attitudes toward suicide, told jurors. Suicide is a sign of failure of moral upbringing, so it stigmatizes the whole family.

Seong-han Hong, a friend who had known both men since middle school, described how Lee had a domineering personality and usually got his way in the decades of their friendship, especially when it came to Cho.

Cho, he said, was manipulated by others easily. He doesnt know how to say no to other people.

Kohler also called to the stand Chos wife.

The woman looked neither at her husband, who wiped away tears with trembling hands in the defendants seat, nor at the jurors weighing his fate as she testified in a barely audible voice.

Years ago in South Korea, she said, Lee made a pass at her, which she rejected. Then about a month before his death, Lee drunkenly came into the room where she and her husband were sleeping and touched her inappropriately, the woman said.

She fought him, but didnt make a sound or wake her husband because she was ashamed, she said.

In the following weeks, Lee raped her, she said. Twice. But she never told her husband about any of the incidents.

Thats how I grew up, she said through a translator. I grew up in Korea. Even if I was raped, thats not something I can even tell my friend. I was embarrassed and ashamed.

::

His hair grayer and thinner than in his mugshot from five years ago, and his cheeks a little hollower, Cho, now 56, sat through the two-week trial in a gray pinstripe suit, mustard tie and glasses.

He listened to his daughters describe him as a calm family man who was never violent nor ever raised his voice. He listened to his wife, who has since filed for divorce, describe being assaulted by his friend and being unable to ever talk to her husband about it. He listened to himself lie to police, then admit to killing his friend and pointing detectives to where in his garage theyd find the gun stashed.

Were you thinking of saving him when you put the gun to the back of his head and pulled the trigger?  Scott Simmons, deputy district attorney

He watched the surveillance footage showing Lee and himself at Wal-Mart purchasing the shoes and gloves, and the two men, each in their own car, meeting up and conversing at a gas station shortly before the shooting.

He listened to a stipulation about life insurance policies Lee had obtained in South Korea, including a $500,000 one issued in December 2009 that would not have been paid out in the event of a suicide within two years.

Seong Han Hong of Korea points to his friend Beong Kwun Cho. Hong has known Cho and Yeon Woo Lee, whom Cho is accused of killing, since their middle school days. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times )

On Monday, he took the stand in his own defense.

Right up to the last moment, he never thought Lee would go through with the plan, Cho said.

Whether I liked him or I hated him, he was a friend, he said. I was begging him, lets stop this. I was trying to save him.

Were you thinking of saving him when you put the gun to the back of his head and pulled the trigger? Deputy Dist. Atty. Scott Simmons asked.

Cho testified that it was only when Lee insulted his wife and his daughter that he pulled the trigger.

If jurors decide Cho did not intend to kill his friend until the moment he pulled the trigger, that he shot in the heat of passion, they have the option of finding him guilty of voluntary manslaughter. If they doubt that story and instead find that he decided earlier to kill the man, they could convict him of first-degree murder, for which he could get up to a life sentence.

Jurors began deliberating Thursday morning.

Whatever they decide, the friendship that spanned more than three decades, survived financial debacles and crossed the Pacific ends with one dead on a roadside in Anaheim and the other in a California prison cell.

Cho said he left behind the man he once considered closer than his siblings and his parents, even his wife, and drove into the night, not once looking back.

I realized, I did it, he said. I did it.

victoria.kim@latimes.com

For more California news, follow me on Twitter @vicjkim

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12:20 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details and to reflect the start of jury deliberations.
John Walthall could not accept his punishment when 12 jurors found him guilty of bilking $5.5 million from an elderly couple.

Breaking the decorum of federal court, he openly asserted his innocence and protested his conviction after the jury announced its decision. He did nothing wrong, he said, and contended that the panel of his peers had erred.

U.S. District Judge Andrew J. Guilford was not swayed. To Walthalls defiant pleas, the judge offered a blunt reply: The jury has spoken.

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More than a year later, prosecutors say, Walthall hatched a campaign of retribution from behind bars, taking aim at the federal prosecutors and FBI agents whose work put him in a Lompoc prison for a 14-year term.

For Guilford, he sought two men to help abduct the jurist, then shred him in a wood chipper, according to court papers.

On Tuesday, a federal jury in Santa Ana convicted Walthall, 60, of soliciting fellow inmates to abduct and kill a federal judge, two prosecutors and two FBI agents, according to Assistant U.S. Atty. Fred Sheppard, the lead prosecutor on the case.

The conviction caps a winding case seemingly ripped from a screenplay, with a con man from La Habra plotting revenge from a prison cell, complete with a wood-chipper slaying that could have been cribbed from Fargo.

The case traced to 2007 when Walthall coaxed an Orange County couple to dump millions of dollars into a partnership that would pull gold out of abandoned mines, according to court testimony.

The couple, both in their 80s, took Walthall at his word when he said he had two decades of experience in quarrying gold mines, prosecutors said.

But with the windfall, Walthall paid his sons film school tuition, bought a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, dumped cash into a string of dubiously named bank accounts and sent alimony to his former wife, prosecutors said.

He was charged in 2009 and managed to draw out his prosecution with delays and a claim of illness, according to court papers. In 2011, he didnt show up to court and fled to Mesquite, Nev., where he had lived under the alias of Art Langford. In his possession: a handgun, a spate of cellphones and the book How to Be Invisible.

Jurors the next year convicted Walthall of four counts of wire fraud and one count of failure to appear in court. Guilford, who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush in 2006, imposed a 168-month prison term.

This sentence finally delivers justice to the victims and, hopefully, serves as a cautionary tale to prospective investors, said Steven Martinez, then the assistant director at the FBIs field office in Los Angeles.

Once behind bars, the government contended, Walthall prepared a detailed plan of vengeance and eventually approached two inmates, Antonio Rodriguez and Crisanto Diego Trejo-Ortiz, to realize his retribution.

Walthall issued step-by-step instructions, prosecutors said. Hired hands would assault and murder the team of prosecutors and FBI agents who won a conviction against Walthall, according to court papers. Guilford, a former president of the state bar, would be kidnapped and forced to exonerate Walthall. Next, the judge would be tortured with the wood chipper and ground to a pulp by the blades.

In exchange, Walthall would pay up to $1 million per victim, according to court papers.

But the two inmates families notified the FBI, and Walthall laid out his plans to a co-conspirator who was actually an undercover agent, according to court papers.

The defense, led by attorney Timothy Scott, countered that the case relied on two paid informants who entrapped and manipulated Walthall. Scott contended that the informants were motivated by a reduction in their own prison sentences and that Walthall suffers from mental illness.

These two got a paranoid, delusional man to say paranoid, delusional things so that they could be seen as heroes, Scott said during his opening arguments, according to the Orange County Register. They have made a career out of entrapping others in criminal activity and selling it to the government for their own rewards.

But psychologists from the Bureau of Prisons examined Walthall and did not find signs that he suffered from delusional disorder or paranoid schizophrenia, prosecutors said.

The case was dogged by questions of conflict of interest. Prosecutors noted that the federal public defenders office did not recuse itself since the spouse of one of Walthalls targets worked in the agencys Santa Ana office. Walthalls attorneys, meanwhile, unsuccessfully sought to disqualify the entire bench of federal judges in the Central District of California, arguing that a case about the grisly murder plot of a colleague could pose the appearance of prejudice.

Federal prosecutors from the neighboring district based in San Diego handled the case, which was ultimately tried in Santa Ana before U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney.

The judge is scheduled to sentence Walthall on Oct. 11. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

For more news in California, follow @MattHjourno.

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A 53-year-old man got a little more than he bargained for when police say he tried to carjack an off-duty Ventura officer who had his infant child with him Tuesday night.

The police officer was sitting in his personal vehicle in a 99-cent store parking lot around 8 p.m. when he noticed a man, later identified as Kenneth Cornwell, casing vehicles, police said in a statement Wednesday.

Cornwell approached the officers vehicle in the 2700 block of East Main Street in Ventura and saw the officer sitting in the drivers seat. The officers child was in the car with him.

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The suspect tried to open the locked drivers door and then ran to the passengers door and opened it, police said.

Fearing for his safety, and his childs, the officer took out his gun and identified himself as a police officer, officials said.

The officer detained Cornwell until patrol officers arrived. The name of the officer and the gender of his child was not released.

Cornwell was booked at the Ventura County jail for suspicion of attempted carjacking and possession of narcotic paraphernalia, officials said.

For more California news, follow me @brittny_mejia on Twitter.

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A heat wave thats expected to push temperatures into the triple digits will bake Southern California through the weekend, the National Weather Service said.

The high temperatures will come filled with monsoonal moisture from a system sweeping over Arizona and Texas, giving the heat wave a humid, sticky feel, NWS meteorologist Kathy Hoxsie said.

This is a reminder that were in summer, and this is exactly the time of year to expect our hotter temperatures, Hoxsie said.

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Temperatures will continue to climb until they peak Saturday, when forecasters predict it could hit 106 degrees in Lancaster and 105 in Palmdale. Temperatures in downtown Los Angeles will peak in the lower 90s over the weekend, the agency predicted.

The heat wave is expected to last through July 27, Hoxsie said.

Thanks to five years of drought and an underwhelming El Nino, there wont be the requisite heat and low humidity that would trigger a Red Flag warning. But the risk of fires remains high nonetheless.

A small brush fire off the 101 Freeway and Cahuenga Boulevard on Tuesday afternoon quickly spread across 18 acres and pushed toward Hollywood hillside homes.

It took hundreds of firefighters hours to get the flames in check, and for a short while, some residents were under a voluntary evacuation order.

For those looking for relief from the heat, the beach is always an option  except in Long Beach, where a 2.4 million-gallon sewage spill has closed miles of coastline between Long Beach and Seal Beach until Thursday at the earliest.

Long Beach officials need two consecutive days of clean water samples before reopening the beach.

For breaking California news, follow @JosephSerna on Twitter.

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A homeless man living in West Hollywood has been charged with murder in the death of his 28-year-old girlfriend, whose body was found in a dumpster, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Abdulla Tario Camran, 29, was charged in the slaying of Joie Nicole Kinney, who prosecutors say was dating Camran at the time of her death.

Kinneys body was discovered July 6 in a dumpster near Cedars-Sinai Medical Center behind a former Jerrys Famous Deli.

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Ricardo Santiago, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County district attorneys office, declined to describe the alleged murder weapon. Coroners records in the investigation remain sealed at the request of Los Angeles County sheriffs detectives.

Camran was arrested by sheriffs deputies after being spotted on Arrow Highway in Pomona on Tuesday. He was due to appear in court Wednesday. Prosecutors have requested his bail be set at $2 million.

If convicted of the killing, Camran faces a possible maximum sentence of 25 years to life in state prison

richard.winton@latimes.com

Follow me on Twitter at @lacrimes.

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Donald Trumps presidential campaign has cut a check to Costa Mesa for more than $15,000 to cover some of the costs the city racked up for policing an April 28 rally that sparked a massive protest.

Thousands of people flocked to the event at the OC Fair & Event Center, filling the 8,500-seat Pacific Amphitheatre. Hundreds were turned away.

After the rally, protesters flooded the streets, blocking traffic. Some police vehicles were damaged as demonstrators smashed their windows or jumped on top of them.

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All told, the city incurred nearly $47,000 in costs related to the event, spokesman Tony Dodero said.

Costa Mesa determined that the significant costs and challenges that resulted after the event and outside the fairgrounds were part of the protest and not part of the event itself, according to a statement from Dodero.

Therefore, the city only requested that the campaign reimburse the city for ... $15,655.81" for the cost of additional officers and overtime that the event required, Dodero said.

The cost for Trumps campaign to use the Pacific Amphitheatre for the rally was $39,670, according to the rental agreement.

Members of the Orange County Fair Board later apologized to Costa Mesa residents who were adversely affected by the rally and its aftermath.

Click here for a Spanish version of this story

lucas.money@latimes.com

Money writes for Times Community News
From a distance, his tie looks to be a seamless monochrome. Up close, it reveals itself as a speckled pattern of ocher dots on a cream background.

That has always been Kip Holdens talent  to make the crowded, messy integration of disparate elements look, from a distance, united.



For the record: This article originally described Alton Sterling as an unarmed black man. Sterling had a gun in his pocket at the time he was shot, according to police.

But as mayor of Baton Rouge, Holdens ability to hold together a city he has cajoled, flirted with and chided for a decade as its leader is being tested.

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A black man named Alton Sterling is dead, killed by police here. Three police officers  one black, two white  are dead as well, gunned down while on routine patrol. The suspected gunman also was fatally shot by police.

The coalition of black Democrats and white Republicans that powered Holden to his first election in 2004 and had long stood by him splintered quickly after Sterling was shot.

Meanwhile, the rich, white enclave of south Baton Rouge has launched a campaign to split off from the poor, majority-black north, into a new city called St. George.

Holden has fought the separation in every way possible, even annexing the land under the stores at the Mall of Louisiana to keep their massive sales taxes in the city of Baton Rouge if the secession is successful.

The break would prove devastating to the remaining city of Baton Rouge, according to a Louisiana State University economics study. It would also be a major blow to the legacy of a mayor who has preached unity.

Unity to Holden means the kind of peace and quiet that fosters business growth and keeps simmering racial tensions far from the public square.

He has long tread a cautious line between supporting the right of people to demand better treatment from their government while refusing to endorse the protests.

But few areas of Baton Rouge are neutral anymore.

So Holden finds himself largely sequestered in his home and office, taking calls, speaking to victims families, taking the occasional midmorning nap after early-morning meetings, and mostly staying out of the spotlight.

Where is Mayor Kip Holden? asked local ABC affiliate WBRZ, which sent a reporter to track him down after Sterlings death. The story suggested the mayor had only made a single brief appearance to comment on Sterlings death despite marches and rallies that had devolved into skirmishes between protesters and police in Baton Rouge. The mayor was also a no-show at Sterlings July 15 funeral.

At the start of a new week, Holden walked from television tent to television tent in front of the Baton Rouge Police Department on Monday, raising expectations he would confront his critics and discuss the violence and death that had been heaved upon the city.

In a even voice he told CNN, Right now were actively in the investigative stage.

At the NBC News tent, he said, We must go forward, jabbing his finger  not back, thrusting an outstretched thumb behind his head.

In a decade in office, he retains most qualities from his initial run for mayor. He is still given to delivering rambling allegories. He is more hunched, his belly a little rounder, his hair a bit thinner, but he maintains the ephemeral, giddy nature of a retail politician, seemingly shaking every hand at once and grinning widely while eyes dart from person to person.

Look at this man. Isnt that one of the greatest smiles youve ever seen? said then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco at Holdens January 2005 inauguration. To me, that smile just exudes optimism.

Eight months later, Holden would be forced to rely on that optimism when all else failed, including the citys traffic system, and again when evacuees were driven north from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina.

But the killing of Alton Sterling has challenged Holden in ways for which he was not prepared. Protests have pressured him to choose a side. And, so far, he has chosen silence.

NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj >>

Hes just not there for us, said LaQuake Brown, eating lunch in one of the eateries in Holdens crown jewel, the citys waterfront. When Sterling was shot, where was he? Police get shot and hes giving them [condolences]. Where is it for that poor boy?

Holdens reign has been focused on improving the infrastructure and livability of Baton Rouge, but few would call him an ardent administrator. Instead, he turns to people around him who help lead the city  a criticism his opponents have used against him.

Voters didnt seem to care. Holden won reelection in 2008 with 71% of the vote. Under his administration, Baton Rouges languishing downtown riverfront has flourished. He built a new sewer system, supported improvements to the citys fine library system and rebuilt roads under Project Green Light.

He could also be thin-skinned and crushingly sensitive to even the hint of criticism, said Lanny Keller, a Baton Rouge Advocate political columnist. With a quick wit and acid tongue, Holden presents a formidable opponent in public settings.

I may not have graduated magna cum laude; I graduated Thank you, Lordy. But look whos the mayor, he said at a contentious 2008 debate.

Now, hes preparing a run for Congress. He hasnt filed his papers yet  the deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. He hasnt raised very much money, just as he failed to raise much during a failed campaign for lieutenant governor in 2015.

The larger stage has rejected him so far, but at noon on Monday at WBRZs studios in his hometown, Holden was in his element.

They dont know where I am all the time, he told The Times. Im in meetings, sometimes with the victims family, sometimes with law enforcement. Im not going to go broadcast that every time someone wants to know where I am or where Im going.

Ill share this with you, man, he said, launching into a defense of himself, a 63-year-old man trying to balance the needs of every citizen, black and white, in this city.

Then he was on camera, neither defensive, combative nor sensitive. Smiling and joking with the news anchor, John Pastorek, Holden asked for prayers for the officers not just every day, but every hour.

He asked for patience and unity. Yea though he slay me, I shall rise again, Holden said, combining quotes from the books of Job and Micah.

History will regard him as a great mayor, Keller suggested. Hes more successful than he is popular. There just hasnt been enough time and space to see that.

Outside, a towering bodyguard opened the car door and Holden escaped into a cool blast of air in the back seat. The bodyguard slammed the door and squeezed into the drivers seat .

On television, the WBRZ weatherman stepped into the frame. Local weather on Monday was unpredictable. A series of tiny storms were forming in dozens of tiny green, red and yellow pockets over a map of the state, what the weatherman called speckled showers.

On Monday in southern Louisiana, even the clouds couldnt seem to stay together.

nigel.duara@latimes.com

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Every morning that her husband sat behind the wheel of his police cruiser, Tonja Garafola began her day by tapping her phone to life and smiling at the text message waiting for her.

It usually arrived around 7:45, and this last Sunday morning was no different. Good morning, my love, it said.

An hour later, just as his overnight shift was winding down, 45-year-old Brad Garafola was shot dead.

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The East Baton Rouge Parish sheriffs deputy was one of three officers killed by a 29-year-old black separatist less than a mile from police headquarters in this southern Louisiana college town.

On Monday, Tonja Garafola learned about her husbands final minutes as he faced the killer, Gavin Eugene Long.

Armed with a IWI Tavor SAR 5.56-millimeter rifle, Long was taking his time. He was after cops, not civilians.

One officer, wounded, fell to the ground and crawled, according to authorities recounting of a surveillance video.

Long closed in on him.

Brad knew right then he could have waited for backup  he could have thought of just his family, of us, Tonja Garafola said. But thats not what he did.

He could have stayed down, but he was never going to do that, she said.

Instead, he moved to intervene, although its unclear how close he was to the wounded officer. Even after he was hit, Garafola returned fire as Long continued to shoot at him and the wounded officer.

Garafola went down fighting, said Sheriff Sid J. Gautreaux III.

Authorities believe Long, of Kansas City, Mo., was in Baton Rouge for days before the attack, which they described as militaristic in its precision. The superintendent of the Louisiana State Police called the officer killings assassinations.

Dechia Badeaux Gerald, the wife of another slain officer, took to Facebook after midnight Tuesday to thank well-wishers and write a message to her husband, Matthew Gerald.

No worries babe, [the Baton Rouge Police Department], our community, family, friends, thin blue line family and military family has our 6, she wrote, using the military lingo for watching a persons back. Im forever grateful and will never forget. Im drawing my strength from all the love surrounding me from all directions.

Garafola was a 24-year veteran of the Sheriffs Office.

Of course, of course, of course I want him back, his wife said. But I know that when he went to [help] that other officer, he wasnt thinking of himself. He was thinking of the officers family.

Garafola had four children, the eldest a 21-year-old son, the youngest a 7-year-old daughter.

Hell never get to walk his daughters down the aisle, Tonja said. Thats what I think about. Everything hes going to miss. Everything he wont be there for, because he was taken from us.

nigel.duara@latimes.com

Follow Nigel Duara on Twitter @nigelduara

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Dana Zzyym needed a U.S. passport, but the application offered only two gender choices: male or female. For Zzyym, neither was accurate.

Zzyym was born with ambiguous genitalia and identifies as intersex, neither male nor female. Zzyym  who uses the gender-neutral pronouns they and them  was denied a passport after the State Department declined to let Zzyym use the gender marker X.

Zzyym, a Fort Collins, Colo., resident and Navy veteran, has sued the State Department, saying the federal government violated the Constitutions guarantees of due process rights and discriminated against Zzyym based on gender. The suit names Secretary of State John F. Kerry as a defendant and alleges that in order to get a passport, Zzyym would have had to lie under penalty of perjury.

Oral arguments in the case were presented Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Denver before Judge R. Brooke Jackson. A decision is forthcoming.

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Dana, a U.S. veteran and American citizen, refused to lie and subject themself to a criminal penalty in order to complete a government form, said Paul Castillo of Lambda Legal, one of Zzyyms attorneys. The passport was denied not based on misrepresentation on the form or misconduct or fraud but because of who Dana is.

NEWSLETTER: Get the days top headlines from Times Editor Davan Maharaj 

Zzyym tried to apply for a passport in 2014 to attend the International Intersex Forum in Mexico City. In an application packet, Zzyym presented a birth certificate, which lists gender as unknown, and statements from multiple Department of Veterans Affairs doctors confirming that Zzyym is intersex, Castillo said.

In an interview, Zzyym said Zzyym presented a VA identification card, which does not list a gender, as well as a personal letter stating their gender identity, but still was denied.

This is who I am, Zzyym said. This is how I was born. Many people are able to get their passports with their biological sex, and I should be allowed to do the same thing.

The State Department declined to comment on pending litigation.

When Zzyym, 58, was born in Michigan with ambiguous genitalia, doctors initially left the sex designation on the birth certificate blank, according to the lawsuit. Shortly after birth, Zzyyms parents decide to raise their child as a boy named Brian Orin Whitney. The birth certificate was filled in as male.

As a young child, Zzyym underwent numerous gender-assignment surgeries, which, Zzyym said, left severe scarring and still cause physical pain. Zzyyms family never explained the surgeries or that Zzyym was born intersex, Zzyym said.

While identifying as a male, Zzyym enlisted in the Navy, completing three tours of duty in Lebanon and one tour through the Persian Gulf, according to the lawsuit.

After leaving the military, Zzyym researched the scars and started to ponder questions of identity. A Veterans Affairs urologist confirmed Zzyyms intersex identity in 2009. Whitneys name was legally changed to Dana Alix Zzyym in 1995.

Zzyym tried living as a female, but living as a woman was not right either, the lawsuit states. In 2012, Zzyym amended the gender marker on Zzyyms birth certificate to unknown.

Some countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Nepal allow people to mark their gender as X or other on their passports.

The State Department since 2010 has allowed transgender people who have completed clinical treatment to list the gender corresponding with their identity on their passports with a doctors statement. Transgender people who are in the process of transitioning genders can be issued temporary, two-year passports.

In June, an Oregon judge ruled that Jamie Shupe, a 52-year-old retired Army veteran, could legally identify as non-binary, rather than male or female.

In court filings, the State Department said current policy dictates that passport applicants check male or female and that Zzyyms application was handled appropriately and without discrimination.

Allowing passports with sex markers other than F or M would compromise the departments efforts to prevent identity theft and passport fraud by upending the departments long-established system for validating the identity and citizenship of passport applicants and requiring the department to rely on less reliable and less uniform identification documents, the government argued.

When Zzyym applied for a passport, Zzyym presented a Colorado drivers license that lists the driver as female, according to the State Department. Castillo, the attorney, said Zzyym tried to change the drivers license designation as well and was unsuccessful.

hailey.branson@latimes.com

Twitter: @haileybranson

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UPDATES:

6 p.m.: The story was updated to clarify State Department passport policies for transgender people.

The story was originally published at 2:15 p.m.
Since he lost his TV reporting job last year, Jarrett Hill has been looking for his next opportunity. It presented itself in an unexpected way.

Hill was sitting at a corner table Monday night in a Culver City Starbucks, drinking a venti iced coffee and watching the Republican National Convention on an MSNBC live stream. As Melania Trump spoke, she uttered a phrase that the 31-year-old California native had heard once before  from First Lady Michelle Obama.

 the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams , Melania Trump said during her address to the Republican National Convention.

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Instinctively, Hill finished the phrase aloud to his laptop screen:  and your willingness to work for them.

Kind of like a song that you havent heard in a long time and you remember the lyrics as you hear them. Or a movie that you know the line to and you kind of respond to it, he said.

He recalled the words from Michelle Obamas speech because, he said, he had thought to himself at the time that it was really beautifully written.

I believe I even wrote it down or typed it, Hill said. Obviously having no idea that eight years later Id hear them again from a woman who wanted to be first lady speaking at a convention in front of 40 million people.

When Hill googled Michelle Obama and parts of her memorable turn of phrase, her 2008 convention speech popped up. An hour later, after he had watched Melania Trumps full speech again, he realized more than just a few words had been borrowed.

Thats when it dawned on me, Oh, this wasnt like a line that happened to be similar, Hill said. This is a paragraph of text thats way too similar to be coincidental.

Hill took to Twitter to share his discovery. He apparently was the first person to publicly note the similarities between the speeches.

The discovery prompted headlines across media outlets and flooded Hill with interview requests worldwide.

One of Hills tweets, highlighting text from Michelle Obamas speech and sharing a link to a video of Melania Trumps speech, states: CORRECTION: Melania stole a whole graph from Michelles speech.

It had been retweeted more than 20,000 times as of Tuesday.

The controversy prompted Paul Manafort, Donald Trumps campaign chief, to blame Hillary Clinton and the media for bringing attention to 50 words, and that includes ands and thes and things like that that were similar to Michelle Obamas speech.

These are themes that are personal to her, but theyre personal to a lot of people depending on the stories of their lives, he said, pointing out Melania Trumps focus on her own story and what he referred to as family values.

Obviously, Michelle Obama feels very much similar sentiments towards her family, he said. Care and respect and passion, those are not extraordinary words.

 Social media lit up Monday night as some on Twitter pointed out that Melania Trumps prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention sounded strikingly similar to Michelle Obamas 2008 convention speech.

Although Manafort blamed those who work for the Democrats likely presidential nominee, stating they were the first to get it out there, Hill said he has no connection with Clintons team.

Other than being a registered Democrat, I dont have any real connection to the Clinton campaign, he said. Im sure its a good payroll to be on, but Im definitely not on it.

Hill said he expected the convention to churn out some spectacle.

You kind of expect something is going to happen here, he said. I did not think that the something that was going to happen was going to be me, or my tweet, or Melania using words that wed heard before.

Hill, who is from Fairfield, Calif., moved to Los Angeles in 2011 to work in television. In 2014, he was hired by ABC Action News WFTS in Florida to work as a producer and a digital on-camera reporter.

He lost his job in April 2015, less than a week after celebrating his 30th birthday.

It was a gut-wrenching loss for sure, he said. I moved to Florida for the job and then got laid off eight months after.

Since then, Hill has worked with his agent to look for his next full-time job and has freelanced for places like Huffington Post and Independent Television News in Britain. He also runs an interior design business on the side.

Now, things are looking up for Hill, who pulled up for his next interview in a car provided by CNN. Dressed in a blue blazer and white shirt, he seemed still in shock over the attention his Twitter feed had garnered.

He has done interviews with outlets that include the BBC, New York Times, Access Hollywood and MSNBC, and estimates that he has dozens of other media requests.

I would love to get a great job from this, doing something that I love, he said, but I dont think Ive even processed all of whats happening.

Hill also received tweets and texts from former colleagues at ABC Action News WFTS, congratulating him and requesting an interview.

He hasnt spoken to them yet, but said he planned to.

I loved a lot of people I worked with there, but Im a little salty, Hill said. I was really upset to have been laid off the way that I was.

My gut told me Id come back to that station on a national story someday. No idea it would be like this.

Times staff writer Noah Bierman contributed to this report.

For more California news, follow @brittny_mejia on Twitter

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(Beijing)  Baidu blamed third-party agencies for selling ad space to gambling websites, while regulators investigate the second advertising scandal to hit China's largest search service this year.

An investigation by The Beijing News found banner ads for online gambling sites showed up on Baidu's search results pages in late June. These websites were marked as "business promotion"  Baidu's pseudonym for paid ads. This also indicates that the search engine had verified the credentials of the company posting them. The ads for gambling services only appeared on Baidu at night after 10 p.m. and were not seen after 9 a.m., the newspaper said.

In response to the report, Baidu admitted on July 17 to accepting documents from the companies owning the gambling websites in April to verify its credentials, a requirement before displaying ads. But the search giant said it did not know at that time what contents would be shown. The companies had later changed their websites into gambling sites, Baidu said.

"Baidu's anti-cheating system still has deficiencies," the search engine said, referring to its mechanism that caught illegal contents on its platform after publication.

The Beijing News said online gambling sites would use forged business licenses from companies that did not have advertising accounts with Baidu to register on the search engine through third-party ad agencies. For example, a car maintenance company in the central province of Henan, whose name was used to register three gambling websites, denied that the company ever bought ad space from Baidu, the newspaper said. Two employees of independent ad agencies told the newspaper that some agencies help gambling sites get forged business license that have names of legitimate companies.

The Cyberspace Administration of China said on July 18 that it has asked its Beijing branch to investigate the matter.

Although gambling is illegal on mainland China, Caixin has learned that a majority of the 36 ad agencies working with Baidu last year have sold ad space to websites containing illegal information such as gambling and pornography to meet Baidu's sales target.

A former ad agent for the search giant told Caixin that Baidu increased sales targets from 500 million yuan in 2012 to 1.1 billion yuan in 2015. Revenue from advertising contributed to 96.5 percent of the company's earnings last year, the company's annual report showed.

Chen Deyang, general manager of Jiangsu Shidewei Technology Co. Ltd.  a former third-party agency that worked with Baidu  said that since 2014, Baidu has started to fine ad agencies if they fell short of the 95 percent sales target, and poor performance may also lead to the termination of their partnership.

Baidu was hit by another advertising scandal earlier this year. The Internet regulator who investigated a college student's claim that the search giant led him to shoddy cancer treatment in May concluded that Baidu's search algorithm "influenced the patient's medical choices" and "affected the fairness and objectivity of search results."

Last month, the company cut its revenue forecast for the third quarter, after the Internet regulator required search engines to distinguish promotional materials from organic search results.

(Rewritten by Chen Na)
Ready for Day 4? Find our coverage here As Day 4 of the Republican National Convention begins, were posting news and analysis over here. Below youll find our news feed from the first three days of events in Cleveland. Read More Facebook

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Mike Pence stuck to the script on an off-script night By Melanie Mason Indiana Gov. Mike Pence hit all the standard notes for a high-profile political address Wednesday night: introducing himself to unfamiliar voters, extolling his running mate and making an explicit appeal to independent and Democratic voters. That typical approach has been in short supply at the GOP nominating confab in Cleveland, with its outsized focus on base-pleasing issues like Benghazi and speakers whose anti-Hillary Clinton rhetoric is matched only by the audiences preferred chant of Lock her up! Adding to the unreality was Sen. Ted Cruzs non-endorsement of Donald Trump just an hour before Pence took the stage, prompting a chaotic backlash from attendees. But Pence appeared unfazed by the clamor, smoothly delivering a recitation of Trumps attributes and promising a capable team to win the White House in November. Facebook

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California delegate mad at Ted Cruz By Michael Finnegan Donald Trump supporter Michael Der Manouel, a California delegate from Fresno, is not happy with Sen. Ted Cruz. Everybody believed he was building to a point in his speech where he would endorse Donald Trump, and he couldnt bring himself to do it, and the convention expressed its displeasure, Der Manouel told The Times. He couldnt bring himself to do what Reagan did in 76, and its very disappointing, he said. Were going to move forward without all of these guys who reneged on their endorsement pledge. Were going to move forward without them. Facebook

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A dark star named Ted Cruz blots out the sun for Mike Pence By Robin Abcarian It wasnt supposed to be like this. The third night of the convention was supposed to belong to Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Donald Trumps running mate. No one anticipated that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, giving a surprisingly restrained speech, would nevertheless fail to endorse Trump, infuriating convention delegates. To those listening, please, dont stay home in November, said Cruz, in his typically languid debaters cadence. If you love our country, and love your children as much as I know you do, stand, and speak, and vote your conscience; vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution. Thats when the booing began, the Twitter volume went to 11 and, it seemed, no one could speak of anything else. Lost in the noise: Pences perfectly serviceable speech. Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence blows a kiss to his wife as he speaks during the third day of the Republican convention. (Mary Altaffer / Associated Press) Facebook

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Retired astronaut Eileen Collins skips over line endorsing Trump in prime-time speech By Christine Mai-Duc In her Wednesday night convention speech, retired astronaut Eileen Collins lamented the fact that the last time the U.S. launched astronauts on American soil was more than five years ago, imploring leaders to do better than that. She called for leadership that will make Americas space program first again, but skipped a line in her prepared remarks that would have endorsed newly-minted Republican nominee Donald Trump. She said she wanted to keep not political. She also passed up an opportunity to slam Obama for space program cuts. It was weird.  Laura Keeney (@LauraKeeney) July 21, 2016 Earlier this week, Collins told Mashable that her speech was not meant to be political. This is a chance I could not pass up: We can raise awareness of how the U.S. human space program has slowed over the years, Collins said in a statement to the website. Facebook

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FBI may have resumed controversial checkups on Cleveland-area activists, legal group says By James Queally Federal Bureau of Investigation agents may have knocked on the doors of several Cleveland-area activists Wednesday morning, resuming a controversial checkup practice that put the local civil rights community on edge in the weeks leading up to the Republican National Convention, a legal advocacy group said. In a statement issued Wednesday night, the Ohio chapter of the National Lawyers Guild alleged the FBI conducted a series of raids and may have entered a home without a warrant, continuing a practice that disturbed local demonstrators earlier this summer. Its been a consistent theme throughout all of these visits that law enforcement are looking for links and relationships among activists or people known to be activists around the Cleveland area and around the state of Ohio and also in some other locations outside of the state, said Jacqueline Greene, co-coordinator of the guild. Ultimately theyre on an information-fishing expedition. The purpose of these visits is to intimidate and chill First Amendment expression. National activists with Black Lives Matter and Campaign Zero have also said they received unnerving visits from the FBI in the weeks leading up to the nominating conventions, according to the Washington Post. Greene said her office had also reviewed video that appeared to show FBI agents and officers entering a home without consent. Asked about the incident Wednesday night, Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams said he was not sure if his officers were involved in any door knocks, as some are on loan to the local FBI office. He said he generally supports the tactic. Were not accusing them of anything, Williams said. Were going around and talking to them. The FBI said earlier this year that the visits were simply about ensuring safety during the convention, but local organizers have criticized the tactic as intimidation. FBI spokeswoman Vicki Anderson said the FBI and police officers from Elyria, a Cleveland suburb, conducted interviews this week in response to investigative leads. The occupants were interviewed outside the residence and no arrests were made, Anderson said in an e-mail to The Times. Law enforcement will continue to respond to investigative leads to ensure the security of the RNC. 9:10 p.m. Updated with a response from the FBI in Cleveland. Facebook

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Gingrich immediately tries to mend the Cruz rift at Republican convention By Seema Mehta Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich sought Wednesday night to get the Republican National Convention back on track after disharmony erupted in full, prime-time view when delegates booed Sen. Ted Cruz for declining to endorse nominee Donald Trump. Veering from his prepared remarks, Gingrich told the thousands of delegates and guests that they had misunderstood Cruz when he urged Americans to vote your conscience. Gingrich said that Cruz had actually urged voters to abide by their conscience and vote any candidate who will uphold the Constitution. In the presidential contest, Trump is the only candidate who would do so, Gingrich said. So to paraphrase Ted Cruz, if you want to protect the Constitution of the United States the only possible candidate this fall is the Trump-Pence Republican ticket, he said. Gingrich, whom Trump passed over as his running mate, also hailed Trump for being generous in allowing his GOP primary rivals to speak without requiring an endorsement. Facebook

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Watch Marco Rubios message to Republican delegates  Sen. Marco Rubio (Fla.) speaks in a video address played at the Republican National Convention. Facebook

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Ted Cruz to delegates: Vote your conscience By Seema Mehta Please, dont stay home in November, Ted Cruz said to convention-goers. If you love our country and if you love your children as much as I know you do, stand, and speak, and vote your conscience, vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution. Delegates chanted at him to endorse Donald Trump, and the phrase vote your conscience appeared to infuriate the crowd. Anti-Trump forces had unsuccessfully sought to make rules changes that would have unbound delegates and allowed them to vote their conscience. The lack of endorsement by Cruz, who mentioned Trumps name only once, was not surprising. Read More Facebook

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Gov. Scott Walker -- a Trump critic, then backer, then skeptic -- got the party memo on GOP unity By Lisa Mascaro  @ScottWalker hanging in the Digital Loft at the @GOPconvention. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/JUqjfqeTYO  GOP Convention (@GOPconvention) July 21, 2016 When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker addressed the Republican convention Wednesday, it was as if a memo had gone out from party headquarters that the time had come to step up the effort to unify the party behind Donald Trump. The first two nights of the convention had resulted in start-and-stop progress. Lots of pro-Trump voices. Few new converts. Convention crowds that began to thin toward the end of the evening. Walker, in some ways, was a prime messenger, thanks to his own discomfort over Trump. If Walker -- a onetime Trump rival, who endorsed Trump only to walk it back later -- could vote for the ticket, so could so many other Republicans who preferred someone else. The former presidential hopeful argued his case the way so many Republicans are doing it  not so much a vote for Trump as a vote for the alternative to Democrat Hillary Clinton. He made a point of not just naming Trump but also including the vice presidential nominee, Mike Pence, who many believe will help persuade conservatives who are cool to Trump to fall in line with the GOP ticket. Hillary Clinton is the ultimate liberal Washington insider. If she were any more on the inside, shed be in prison, Walker said. America deserves better than Hillary Clinton, he said. That is why we need to support Donald Trump and Mike Pence to be the next president and vice president. Let me be clear: A vote for anyone other than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton, he said. The speech was full of Walkers sensible Midwestern passion, and it roused the crowd. After House Speaker Paul D. Ryans address the night before, it was among the few speeches that gave prime time the feel of a traditional convention otherwise filled with B-list actors and Trumps business allies. Walker may have lost his chance to be the one onstage as the GOP nominee. But on Wednesday, he did his part to salvage the Republican Party in the age of Trump. Watch the full speech:  Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker speaks at the Republican National Convention. Facebook

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Mike Pence can bring it in a speech when he needs to By Javier Panzar Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is giving the biggest speech of his life tonight. If you are looking for a preview of what the man can do to a crowd it helps to look at the speech he gave to the Family Research Council Values Voter Summit in September 2010. Pence, then a congressman, was so well received he won the straw poll there, beating out former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and eventual 2012 Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Speaking shortly before Republicans won back a majority in Congress, Pence jabbed at then-speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and promised the crowd not to compromise with Democrats. I am here to say House Republicans are back in the fight and they are back in the fight for conservative values on Capitol Hill, he told a rapturous crowd. The crowd ate up the Republican red meat Pence offered throughout about the nation being trapped in bondage to big government. But Pence also managed to maintained a light touch. He put the crowd in stitches, joking that while MSNBC said Republicans would win just a couple of seats in the House, Fox News said Republicans will win all 435 seats in the Congress. Pence used one of his common lines -- I am a conservative but I am not in a bad mood about it. -- that he has repeated on television since Trump selected him as his running mate. Pence also flashed his socially conservative bonafides that made him attractive to a Trump campaign looking to broaden its appeal to the right wing. Dont ask, dont tell must remain the policy of the United States Armed Forces, he said. Watch: Facebook

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Watch: Conservative radio host Laura Ingraham tells those with bruised egos its time to support Trump It was a speech to fire people up, and included marching orders. We should all, even all you boys with wounded feelings and bruised egos, and we love you, we love you, but you must honor your pledge to support Donald Trump now, Laura Ingraham told delegates at the convention. Watch the full speech:  Laura Ingraham, conservative commentator, speaks at the Republican National Convention. Facebook

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The hot and cold relationship between Scott Walker and Donald Trump By Kurtis Lee His support of Donald Trump has fluctuated in recent months. Ahead of his states April primary, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker endorsed Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, who at the time was seen as the strongest candidate to derail Trumps quest to become the Republican nominee. Trumps response? He said that countries like Mexico and China had taken jobs away from Wisconsin and that immigrants in the country illegally were burdening the states taxpayers. Trump blamed it on a lack of leadership by Walker, whose own presidential bid last year faltered after only a few months. I wouldnt do this, except that he endorsed this guy Cruz, and Cruz would be a terrible president, Trump told Wisconsin Republicans at the time. But the effort to assail Walker, who is popular among Republicans in his state after staving off a 2012 recall spearheaded by Democrats, was not a formula for victory. Trump ended up losing to Cruz in the primary by 13 percentage points. As Trump has mended some relationships with establishment figures, the one with Walker remains complicated. Though the governor plans to make clear in his speech Wednesday night his support for Trump over Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, hes wavered in his applause of the billionaire businessman. During an interview with a local Wisconsin television station last month, Walker, who had initially said he would support the GOP nominee, backtracked. Alex and I with our great friend Mike Pence! #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/VS5r5rFuF1  Scott Walker (@ScottWalker) July 20, 2016 Its just sad in America that we have such poor choices right now, Walker said, a direct jab at Trump and Clinton. Walkers comments came on the heels of Trumps inflammatory statements about a Latino judge overseeing a fraud lawsuit against the now-defunct Trump University. Yet in recent weeks, Walker has not been as vocal in his criticisms of Trump. In fact, after Trump announced the selection of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence last week as his running mate, Walker offered plaudits. The Mike Pence decision this week to me is a sign that this is somebody who is actually thinking about how to govern, Walker said of Trump in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. For Walker, who some political observers believe is eyeing another presidential run in 2020, it was a step toward unity. Facebook

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17 arrested at flag-burning protest outside RNC; observers dispute police account By James Queally (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Cleveland police arrested 17 people on suspicion of assaulting officers and failure to disperse after a U.S. flag was set on fire outside the Republican National Convention on Wednesday afternoon, but legal observers are disputing the police narrative of the incident. Police Chief Calvin Williams said two people have been booked on charges of felony assault after they pushed and punched police who were trying to extinguish the fire outside the entrance to the Quicken Loans Arena on Wednesday. Fifteen other protesters face various misdemeanor charges, including failure to disperse, he said. Police had no plans to stop Revolutionary Communist Party members from burning the flag, which is a legal but controversial form of protest, and Williams said officers only moved in because several protesters clothes caught on fire. But Jocelyn Rosnick, co-coordinator of the Ohio Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, said 10 legal observers on the scene did not see any of the protesters clothes aflame and contended that no dispersal order was given. She also noted that officers are required to give multiple dispersal orders before making arrests. Flag burning as a means of speech is protected. It has been argued in a number of court cases all the way up to the Supreme Court, Rosnick said. Officers moved in seconds after the flag caught fire. One could be heard yelling, Youre on fire, stupid at a protester as he sprayed a fire extinguisher. A Times reporter who was standing feet away from officers when the flag was set on fire did not hear a dispersal order, however. All 17 people arrested were adults involved in the protest. Williams said police were only at the scene to prevent clashes between members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, which organized the flag-burning protest, and counter groups who had come to stop them, including Bikers 4 Trump. There were people on the corner that were basically saying, Why are you guys doing this? and the whole area got kind of amped up, the chief said. A city police officer and an Ohio state trooper were treated for minor injuries at the scene. None of the protesters whose clothes police said caught fire required medical treatment for burns, Williams said. Facebook

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Potential Trump Cabinet pick Harold Hamm makes convention debut By Javier Panzar Harold Hamm of Continental Resources, says climate change is not a problem, its Islamic terrorism, in his speech to the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 20. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) On Wednesday Reuters reported that Donald Trump will consider Harold Hamm, chief executive officer of oil and gas giant Continental Resources, as Energy secretary should he become president. In 2012 Hamm chaired Republican nominee Mitt Romneys Energy Policy Advisory Group, attacked President Obamas policies on oil and gave almost $1 million to a super PAC supporting Romney, according to Politico. Hamm isnt new to politics. Reuters reported that in 2009 Hamm formed a lobbying group to oppose the Keystone XL pipeline, fearing it would flood his companys territory with Canadian oil. But Hamm dropped his opposition after the pipelines operator agreed to add an extension that would pick up his companys oil and take it to refineries, according to the report. Hamm backed Trump in April. He is someone who is not beholden to special interests and has the fortitude to make tough decisions, he said at the time. With a slew of onerous regulations now threatening to cripple American business, the next president of the United States must have the courage, determination and intelligence to disrupt politics as usual. Facebook

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Band at RNC goes patriotic, then plays antiwar song By Colleen Shalby Country singer Chris Janson joined G.E. Smiths house band on stage tonight at the Republican National Convention. Janson was in the middle of playing his band LoCashs song Love this Life when he stopped to address the delegates dancing on the floor. Let me hear you if youre proud to be from the U.S.A.! Then he broke from his band to play the chorus from Born in the U.S.A. Chants of U-S-A followed. Bruce Springsteens 1984 hit is often deemed a patriotic song, despite its antiwar origins. The song is a criticism of the Vietnam War and the U.S. government, and if you know it, youll recognize the lyrics that surround the catchy chorus: I had a brother at Khe Sahn

Fighting off the Viet Cong

Theyre still there, hes all gone Heres the playlist (so far) from the convention. Facebook

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Eileen Collins, the first female U.S. space shuttle commander, urges investments in space exploration at RNC By Christine Mai-Duc In her speech Wednesday night at the GOP convention, astronaut Eileen Collins urged investments to make Americas space program first again. Collins herself has seen a few firsts in her career. She was the first female pilot of an American space shuttle, and in 1999 became the first woman commander of a U.S. shuttle mission. Before becoming an astronaut, Collins was a career military pilot and trained at Vance Air Force Base in Oklahoma. She also worked as an instructor pilot at Travis Air Force Base in California from 1983 to 1985. She was picked for the astronaut program after attending pilot school at Edwards Air Force Base. Shes also terrified of roller coasters. Facebook

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Florida Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi was questioned over Trump donation By Javier Panzar Florida Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, who will speak at the Republican National Convention Wednesday, has drawn scrutiny for soliciting a political campaign contribution from Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump when her office was considering joining an investigation into Trump University. The Associated Press reported last month that a Trump family foundation gave a $25,000 donation to a political group supporting Bondis reelection after she solicited the contribution. The donation alone appeared to be a violation of rules governing political activities by charities. The timing of the contribution also raised questions: The check arrived four days after Bondi said her office was considering joining a New York state probe of Trump University. Her office declined to join the suit against Trump after the check came in, citing insufficient grounds to proceed. The news made waves because Trump has been open about what he expects when he makes political contributions. I give to everybody, he said in an debate last August. When they call, I give. And you know what? When I need something from them, two years later, three years later, I call them. They are there for me. And thats a broken system. Bondi was highlighted in a 2014 New York Times investigation that uncovered lobbyist spending on meals, trips and other contributions for several state attorneys general. Facebook

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The architecture of the convention stage By Christopher Hawthorne In Cleveland, the stagecraft is sleek, anodyne and less traditional. There are no Obama-style Greek columns for Donald Trump. Nor has he revived the domestic architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright the way Mitt Romney did during the 2012 GOP convention in Tampa, Fla. Instead the set is a shotgun marriage of Star Trek and Macbook modern, with perhaps a touch  in the rounded stairs, lighted from below  of Art Deco. A dark oval stage is flanked by a pair of canted silver walls, between which hang several giant video boards. The goal seems to be a series of smooth surfaces to which none of the more direct ad hominem verbal attacks or accusations of plagiarism might stick  a slate that can be wiped clean whenever a change in tone or direction is wanted. Call it Teflon minimalism. For those of us watching on phones, tablets and television screens, this gap between the nostalgic and often aggressive rhetoric of the speeches and the sleek, vague futurism of the set design has been among the conventions most striking elements. Read More Facebook

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Trump business associate Phil Ruffin takes the stage next By Javier Panzar At the Republican National Convention, many of the speakers have something in common: They arent politicians. Instead, they are friends or business associates of nominee Donald Trump. Take Wednesday night speaker Phil Ruffin. The billionaire owns the Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and worked with Trump to develop the Trump International Hotel. Ruffin has developed properties across the U.S., including in California. He was on hand when Trump was campaigning in Las Vegas this February. Trump's Las Vegas supporters gathering for rally at the Treasure Island casino of Trump biz partner Phil Ruffin pic.twitter.com/Q5VWpxjbfW  Michael Finnegan (@finneganLAT) June 18, 2016 He has also stumped for Trump in his native Kansas. Hes a brilliant businessman, one of the best Ive ever seen, Ruffin told members of the Wichita Pachyderm Club in downtown Wichita, according to the Wichita Eagle. If he ever offers you a partnership, take the deal. Right now hes offering a partnership for the country: Trump and the country. He would do a great job.  Hed make a great president. Facebook

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Conservative talk show host Laura Ingraham chides John Kasich ahead of prime-time speaking slot By Christine Mai-Duc Conservative radio talk show host Laura Ingraham is expected to address the need to restore respect across all levels of society in a night themed Make America First Again. Ingraham, who said she would not choose between Ted Cruz and Donald Trump during the primaries, has taken to rallying conservatives behind Trump in recent days. On Twitter, shes criticized Ohio Gov. John Kasich, who dropped out of the race in May, for not attending the convention in his home state. How incredibly short-sighted & self-absorbed for John Kasich not to attend the RNC. What did he accomplish by skipping? Zippo.  Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) July 19, 2016 Hey @JohnKasich, you can have my speaking slot tonight. Endorse Trump. Put America first. No one agrees on all issues. We need you.  Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) July 20, 2016 It won't help Cruz or GOP if the story coming out after his speech tonight is that he didn't endorse Trump. He's smarter than that.  Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) July 20, 2016 Ingraham told the New York Times in May that the anti-Trump effort within the Republican Party was a little juvenile. There are a lot of purists out there who, if they dont get everything checked off on their little bucket list, then they say take your pail and go home, she told the newspaper. Come to the real world. How original. I address this level of disrespect in my speech tonight. Tune in--8:10pET! https://t.co/dZgtmV5CsL  Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) July 20, 2016 On Twitter, Ingraham cited a flag-burning protest and subsequent arrests outside the convention hall Wednesday, saying shed address this level of disrespect in her prime-time remarks. Facebook

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Obama praises Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Tonight, Scott will bash him at the Republican convention. By Noah Bierman The White House released a long statement Wednesday afternoon praising Florida Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, for responding to a suspected case of Zika. The statement recounted a phone call between the two men earlier in the day in which Obama touted an additional $5.6 million being sent to Florida from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: The president recognized Floridas strong record of responding aggressively to local outbreaks of mosquito-borne viruses like Zika, and offered federal support and technical assistance. It was a nice bipartisan moment, expressing how state and federal officials can make government work across party lines. Right? Well, heres an excerpt of the speech Scott plans to deliver at the Republican National Convention on Wednesday night. Today, America is in terrible, world-record-high debt. Our economy is not growing. Our jobs are going overseas. We have allowed our military to decay, and we project weakness on the international stage. Washington grows while the rest of America struggles. The Democrats have not led us to a crossroads; they have led us to a cliff. Facebook

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California delegation afflicted by norovirus: Heres what it does By Melissa Healy At least a dozen GOP staffers from Californias delegation to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland are experiencing vomiting, cramps and diarrhea, and the dreaded norovirus is being blamed for their gastrointestinal misery. Erie County Health Department officials have been called to the scene of the delegations quarters at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, about 60 miles from the convention site, and have collected fecal samples to confirm the diagnosis. Norovirus is the most common cause of diarrheal episodes globally and one of the leading causes of food-borne disease outbreaks in the United States. Treated with rest and fluids, its symptoms of severe gastroenteritis generally wane after two or three days. But it claims the lives of 212,000 annually worldwide, mostly children and the elderly living in low- and middle-income countries. Read More Facebook

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Man who burned flag outside Republican convention has done it before, group claims By James Queally Police officers arrest protesters from the Revolutionary Communist Party as they try to burn a flag.  #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/GGimuzX6he  Marcus Yam  (@yamphoto) July 20, 2016 The man who set fire to an American flag outside the Republican National Convention on Wednesday, touching off a struggle between police and protesters, did the same thing outside the convention in 1984, according to a statement issued by the group that organized the protest. The Revolutionary Communist Party has claimed Gregory Lee Johnson was the man who lit the flag on fire about 4 p.m. outside Quicken Loans Arena. Johnson was the plaintiff in a 1989 Supreme Court case that invalidated restrictions that criminalized burning flags in the U.S., the group said. Johnson also burned a flag outside the GOP convention in Dallas in 1984, according to the statement. Several people were arrested as police used fire extinguishers and pepper spray to stop the protest just seconds after the flag was scorched. The Revolutionary Communist Party had announced the protest earlier in the week, drawing the attention of a number of groups attempting to stop them. A dozen protesters emerged from a tightly packed crowd near Quicken Loans Arena, donning black T-shirts bearing the groups name and chanting America Was Never Great before setting fire to the flag. At least six people were seen being led away by police in zip-tie handcuffs. In its statement, the Revolutionary Communist Party said 14 people were arrested. On Wednesday evening, the Cleveland Police Department said 17 arrests were made. Two officers sustained minor injuries, police said. 17 arrests total:

Charges include Felonious Assault on Police Officer, failure to disperse and resisting arrest.  Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) July 20, 2016 Facebook

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The ghost of Richard Nixon is haunting the GOP convention By Mickey Edwards It has been a long time since Richard Milhous Nixon has found such love. Law and order, the mantra that elected Nixon president in 1968, has become a central focus of Donald Trumps convention. In the midst of Black Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter and All Lives Matter, dueling but not incompatible perspectives, varying in emphasis but capable of being reconciled, comes the ghost of Nixon, in the form of Trump, rallying what he hopes are majorities to shout down and shut up the voices of grievance. Like Nixon, Trump is a modern-day incarnation of poor besotted Thomas Hobbes, railing against a world he thought a bleak and forlorn home to a multitude whose lives were nasty, brutish and short. Donald Trump, bless his soul, is standing firm against the darkness. His anger makes Trump grate again. Read More Facebook

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With his double-aerial arrival, Donald Trump reminds the media whos in control By Melanie Mason (AFP/Getty Images) Donald Trump, newly minted as the Republican presidential nominee, was about to land on the shores of Lake Erie in a helicopter  and nobody knew where to look. Journalists, penned in on a field near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, pointed their cameras in all directions, making sure they had every possible angle. Unlike the raucous rallies filled with fans that have propelled his candidacy, Trumps arrival in Cleveland, advertised as closed to the public, was all about his media horde  a relationship that has been rancorous, but undeniably mutually beneficial. The elaborately staged proceedings left no question as to who was calling the shots. Every time a helicopter passed, heads snapped skyward. But fears that Trump would somehow sneak past were unfounded. As his private jet swooped past, the blaring soundtrack suddenly switched from the Rolling Stones to the operatic swells of Puccinis Nessun Dorma. But where to look next? From the south, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Trumps running mate, strolled in, flanked by family. Overhead, from the east, a Trump-branded helicopter circled and then reversed course. With each new sight  of an aircraft, a Trump family member, the man himself  the media gaggle dutifully pivoted to capture it. They shot photos and videos. They tweeted and Periscoped. They looked up and down, turned left and right  the collective herky-jerky dance of covering the quintessential cable news candidate. Finally, Trump emerged from the chopper, greeted Pence and strode to a grassy field, family in tow. He spoke uncharacteristically briefly. No questions, no news made. But no matter. The double-aerial landing got wall-to-wall coverage on television, Trump reinforced his reputation for showmanship, and the news media got another chance to practice the choreography of covering Trump. Facebook

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The Trump kids, making their national political debut, soften their fathers sharp edges By Robin Abcarian From left, Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump and Tiffany Trump on the convention floor (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) The four eldest children of Donald J. Trump have become the unlikely stars of the show in Cleveland. Its not even really what they have said or will say; its simply who they are. Their father can be uncouth; they are refined. He can be a bully; they are unfailingly polite. He often rambles and digresses; they stick to their scripts. In this, they are following the recent tradition of other candidates children, including Mitt Romneys five sons, and Chelsea Clinton. In two presidential campaigns, 2008 and 2012, the Romney brothers job was to humanize a father who struck some as robotic and rehearsed. In 2008, Clinton was selling her mother as more capable and experienced than her upstart opponent, Barack Obama. Like her mom, Chelsea was a bit rigid on the trail, but she was poised. When college students asked her about Monica Lewinsky, she replied, I do not think that is any of your business. (Contrast those political offspring to a star of the 2008 presidential campaign, Megan McCain, then a free-spirited 23-year-old who posted photos of herself jumping on hotel beds as she blogged about life on the trail, complete with music playlists.) In an impressive national debut Tuesday night, 22-year-old Tiffany Trump, Donald Trumps daughter with second wife Marla Maples, shared a couple of meager anecdotes about her father. Read More Facebook

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Multiple arrests apparently made after demonstrators burn flag outside GOP convention By James Queally Outside #RNCinCLe a group of protesters tried to burn two flags; riot police moved in to arrest at least 8 people. pic.twitter.com/WRPf7UdluF  Carolyn Cole (@Carolyn_Cole) July 20, 2016 Warning: Graphic images and language. A dozen people changed into T-shirts bearing the Revolutionary Communist Party name shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. The group set a flag on fire after chanting America Was Never Great, before Cleveland police officers moved in with a fire extinguisher. Youre on fire, stupid, one police officer yelled as he moved in on the group. To the east of the convention entrance, several protestors chanted, Whats the problem? The whole damn system. Several people were seen wrestling with police, and a few were led away in zip-tie handcuffs, with at least six moved to a police transport van. Jocelyn Rosnick, executive director of the Ohio chapter of the National Lawyers Guild told the Times up to 20 arrests may have been made, though the Cleveland Police Department has not confirmed the number. The protest was announced earlier in the week. Firefighters were on the scene and Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams reported that the entrance to the Republican National Convention had been shut down by police before it was later reopened. The police department reported at least two officers were assaulted. Two officers assaulted. Minor injuries.  Cleveland Police (@CLEpolice) July 20, 2016 Things getting physical pic.twitter.com/tKz8HGuzIY  James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) July 20, 2016 Flag was set on fire. Cops used pepper spray to break it up. Melee erupted #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/K6MGSjKI7L  James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) July 20, 2016 Crowd members were split over the incident. Its freedom of speech. Its the purest form of free speech, said Martha Conrad, an attorney from Chicago who said she would offer to represent those arrested. Its disrespectful. People fought and died for that flag, countered Jeff Jagels, 15, of Dayton. The scene has been tense for at least an hour. Minutes before the protest, a religious group that had been spotted around Cleveland earlier in the week said it could burn a gay pride flag instead of the American flag. And a U.S. Marine carrying an American flag was swarmed by media and later escorted away by police after cameras circled him. Bikers 4 Trump got down here but after flag caught fire #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/vjZU9txqJD  James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) July 20, 2016 Riot gear is out but things have calmed. Arrestees still chanting against police #RNC2016 pic.twitter.com/PSWSQvR9sP  James Queally (@JamesQueallyLAT) July 20, 2016 Facebook

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Dog owners get the chance to express a political preference Facebook

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There have been a grand total of three arrests at RNC protests so far By Matt Pearce A sign outside Cleveland Municipal Courtroom D says NO LO TERING. The I has fallen off, sadly. Is there anyone here scheduled for a protection order hearing? a court worker asked the young men and women waiting in the rather soviet hallway. Nope. This morning, a group of activists sat outside Courtroom D, not loitering, but awaiting judgment. Municipal court is maybe the closest thing protesters have to a stern church: hard benches, rules that cannot be broken and a rather stiff penalty for skipping attendance. Jails and municipal courts often form the crucial backstage to all the protests you see on Twitter and TV, the place where the system takes in arrested activists, parks them behind bars and then spits them out after a fine, or, more rarely, jail time. Read More Facebook

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Loyal supporters cheer Ted Cruz and boo as Donald Trumps plane flies overhead By Seema Mehta Now on the stage: Ted and Heidi Cruz. pic.twitter.com/HPx8NoBT8v  Teddy Schleifer (@teddyschleifer) July 20, 2016 Hours before Ted Cruz was to address the Republican National Convention, the second-place finisher in the nomination contest gave no indication he would endorse GOP nominee Donald Trump. In an amazing campaign field of 17 talented, dynamic candidates, we beat 15 of those candidates. We just didnt beat 16, Cruz told hundreds of supporters gathered at a riverside restaurant on Wednesday. Just then, Trumps plane flew overhead as the nominee returned to Cleveland ahead of the conventions third night. The crowd booed and Cruz laughed. That was pretty well-orchestrated, he joked, before continuing. Let me say to the men and women here, I dont know what the future is going to hold. What I do know is everyone has an obligation to follow our consciences, to speak the truth, and the truth is unchanging, to defend liberty. Theres a lot of talk about unity, he said. The way to see unity is for us to unite behind shared principles. Cruz pointed to his campaigns accomplishments in the 2016 campaign: winning nearly 8 million votes, 12 states and nearly 600 delegates; raising 1.8 million donations; and amassing 326,000 volunteers. All of which could lay the groundwork for a future presidential campaign, which was clearly the hope of many of the supporters. As Cruz was talking, a man yelled, Gods not done with you yet! and the crowd chanted 2020! 2020! 2020! Facebook

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Trump flies back into Cleveland for a campaign rally (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) Donald Trump ultimately landed at his Cleveland rally on a similarly styled Trump helicopter. He was greeted by vice presidential pick Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, Pences wife and his own adult children. Pence will speak at the convention tonight, and Trump is scheduled to join him on stage. Facebook

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Paul Ryan manages to endorse Trump without praising him in the slightest By Barton Swaim Paul Ryans speech to the Republican National Convention was far and away the best thus far. That must be because Ryan had an actual purpose  a purpose, I mean, other than to spout a few platitudes in the hope that no one would remember you had once praised Donald Trump on television. (That was manifestly the case with Sens. Tom Cotton and Roger Wicker, among others, on the conventions first night.) Ryans purpose was to recommend Trumps candidacy without in any way praising the candidate, or, in other words, to endorse Trump in the abstract without praising the man  indeed, almost without mentioning him at all. Read More Facebook

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California GOP is optimistic norovirus outbreak among staff at convention is contained By Seema Mehta California GOP officials said Wednesday they were optimistic a highly contagious virus that led to the quarantine of at least a dozen staff members was contained. Weve had no new outbreaks for the last 24 hours, which makes me feel like all of our efforts to fight it  have worked, executive director Cynthia Bryant told the delegation at its breakfast meeting. So knock on wood and say a prayer. The staff members had come down with what was confirmed to be norovirus, which causes stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and diarrhea. They could not leave their hotel rooms until they had been symptom-free for 24 hours. The affliction is generally short-lived but can be dangerous and even fatal, especially for the elderly and the young. Erie County health officials have been involved in testing for and monitoring the outbreak. The 550-member delegation was warned of the outbreak by the state GOP early Tuesday and advised to avoid shaking hands with others, to wash hands frequently, to avoid sharing food and to not use the delegation buses if they had any symptoms. No delegates, alternates or guests had reported any signs of the virus, Bryant said. Facebook

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Ann Coulter warns California Republicans the nation could turn into California By Seema Mehta Conservative author and TV personality Ann Coulter warned California Republicans on Wednesday that the nation could become like California if Donald Trump is not elected president in the fall. Trumps slogan is make America great again. Hillarys slogan is make America California without the nice beaches, without the good stuff, Ann Coulter told the states delegates at a breakfast meeting. Youre always ahead of the curve, Coulter said. You sent us two of our greatest presidents, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. And now a Republican cant get elected statewide in California. That is because of immigration. This is why Trumps campaign is absolutely crucial. Coulter, who was applauded by the Californians, contended the influx of immigrants over the past four decades had given Democrats an edge, and that the Republican establishment betrayed its base of supporters on immigration and trade issues. We all know there are certain flaws with our candidate, she said, laughing. Its not like we looked around the country and said, I know who we need to run. Lets get a reality TV star who has never held elected office. No. Hes the only one who will speak for Americans. . @AnnCoulter says she hasn't watched a minute of #RNCinCLE , is only here 'about town' pic.twitter.com/AwXUtEZ77p  David Siders (@davidsiders) July 20, 2016 Earlier, Omarosa Manigault, Trumps newly named director of African American outreach, told the crowd that Trump had changed her life by casting her in the first season of The Apprentice. Donald Trump really in that first season taught America that we can work hard, that we can accomplish whatever we put our minds to, and most importantly, sometimes folks arent going to like you, she said. Facebook

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Speechwriter takes fall for Melania Trumps plagiarism, says her offer to quit was refused By Mark Z. Barabak  Social media lit up Monday night as some on Twitter pointed out that Melania Trumps prime-time speech at the Republican National Convention sounded strikingly similar to Michelle Obamas 2008 convention speech. The in-house staff writer did it. After more than two days of evasion, denials and contradictory explanations, the Trump campaign released a statement Wednesday  to whom it may concern  ascribing the plagiarized passages in Melanie Trumps convention speech to a scribe working for his corporate operation. In working with Melania Trump on her recent first lady speech, we discussed many people who inspired her and messages she wanted to share with the American people, said Meredith McIver, who described herself as a longtime and admirer of the Trump family. A person she always liked is Michelle Obama. By McIvers account, Melania Trump read her some passages from Obamas speech at the 2008 Democratic convention and they inadvertently made their way into the final draft that she delivered Monday at the GOPs gathering in Cleveland. This was my mistake and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as Mrs. Obama, McIver said. No harm was meant. She said she offered her resignation to Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, as well as his family, but it was rejected. Mr. Trump told me that people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow these experiences. McIvers account was one of several explanations offered by the Trump campaign and its representatives, including denial that any plagiarism had taken place. Before the controversy erupted, Melania told NBC she had written virtually the entire speech by herself. Far from laying the matter to rest, the statement reignited the issue, which overshadowed the convention for a second straight day and sparked a new round of finger-pointing at Trumps barebones political operation and its repeated stumbles. NEW: Melania staffer falls on sword, says campaign rejected her resignation pic.twitter.com/6ZgfX2cEXQ  Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) July 20, 2016 Facebook

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Government should favor the hard-working middle, not protected minorities, Donald Trump Jr. says By David Lauter The government needs to do more for the hardworking men and women who built the great nation we live in, not members of minority groups who have status as a protected class, Donald Trump Jr. said Wednesday. The Republican presidential nominees eldest son, whose speech at the GOP convention Tuesday drew praise, also criticized his fathers detractors within the party. Some delegates who opposed Trump during Tuesdays roll call look like idiots, Trump Jr. said. I dont think anyone would ever accuse us of being appeasers of the opposition, Trump said of his family. Still, he agreed that his fathers decision to pick Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as his running mate was, to some extent, an effort to placate restive conservatives within the party. Describing a vice presidential selection process in which he and his siblings Eric and Ivanka served as chief advisors to his father, Trump said that they had chosen Pence over former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie mostly because it made sense to have someone to counterbalance my father. We dont need two Donald Trumps up there, he said, referring to the outsize personalities that his father, Gingrich and Christie share. Speaking to a large crowd at a breakfast sponsored by the Wall Street Journal, the younger Trump said he has thought about following his fathers path into politics, although not until his five children are older. Id love to be able to do it, he said. He described himself, jokingly, as a Fifth Avenue redneck, referring to his love of guns and the outdoors, and he made clear that he shares some of the views and blunt expressions that have distanced his father from minority voters. Responding to a question about the rise of identity politics on the political left, Trump said that the hardworking men and women who built the great nation we live in, theyre the only people who arent protected anymore; theyre the middle class. Currently, he said, the government benefits people who can show theyre one-sixty-fourth of some protected class. That has to stop, he said, adding that members of the middle class are the people we actually have to start catering to. Those are the people that are forgotten. We have to take care of the problems we have, but we also cant forget the people who built this nation. The hardworking middle, who pay taxes, the middle class. Facebook

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Donald Trump on Melania Trump plagiarism fuss: All press is good press Facebook

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Heres whats on tap for Day 3 of the Republican National Convention By Melanie Mason Were halfway through the four-day GOP convention in Cleveland and after last nights festivities, its official: Donald Trump is the Republican nominee for president. Tonight, well hear from Trumps pick for his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence. Also slated to speak are several of Trumps primary foes, including at least one who still harbors future presidential ambitions. Here are the highlights of tonights schedule of speakers: Gov. Mike Pence, the Republican vice presidential nominee.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, one of Trumps fiercest primary rivals

Other 2016 runners-up: Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (appearing via video) and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker

Trumps son Eric

Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker who was a finalist for Trumps VP pick 8:51 a.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly listed Ivana Trump as a speaker. Facebook

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Brexits Nigel Farage says some of Donald Trumps ideas are pretty out there By Lisa Mascaro Why is Nigel Farage at #RNCinCLE? He says GOP is asking: If #Brexit could reach "beer drinker" voters... how do we? pic.twitter.com/jVVerYlhB7  Lisa Mascaro (@LisaMascaro) July 20, 2016 Turns out that even the leader of Brexit finds Donald Trump a bit too much for British political sensibilities. Nigel Farage, the brash former leader of the United Kingdoms Independence Party, is visiting the GOP convention in Cleveland, and marveled Wednesday at the tone of the American political debate. Some of Donald Trumps comments are pretty out there, said Farage, the chief proponent of Britains divisive campaign to exit the European Union. To say that you would ban all Muslims coming into America ... I can see what hes trying to do; hes trying to reach voters who feel frustrated and, perhaps, a little bit scared, Farage said at a breakfast hosted by the McClatchy news organization in Cleveland. Occasionally, the style of it, it makes even me wince a little bit. The British politician, whose Brexit campaign is often compared to the outsider revolt underway in Republican politics this election year, said hes not about to tell Americans how to vote. Though its no surprise his politics align with Republicans, who invited him to Cleveland, Farage is no fan of President Obama. Its a big mistake for foreign politicians to tell people how to vote, he said, referring to Obama, weeks before the vote, laying out the consequences from the U.S. view if Britain voted to leave the EU. Obama came to the United Kingdom during the Brexit debate.  He came to our county. He was rude to us; he told us what we should do, and he led to a big Brexit bounce. He added, Although I have to say, I wouldnt vote for Hillary if you paid me. There is that sense of entitlement, he said about Clinton. Farage is a bit of a political tourist making his way through the GOP convention and U.S. politics. And even the leader of the Brexit campaign that shocked the world had the capacity to be surprised by what he saw in Cleveland  particularly the protests outside the hall. It was interesting seeing some of the language displayed on those protest cards  in particular on subjects around gay marriage, etc.  which in the United Kingdom would be hate crimes, he said. There were some big cultural differences. Facebook

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Donald Trump really, really wants to win California By Melanie Mason House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, asked on Wednesday what its like to meet with Donald Trump, described the GOP presidential nominee as inquisitive. And theres one question Trump asks again and again. Every time he meets with me, he asks me...'Can I win California? said McCarthy, a Republican from Bakersfield, at an event hosted by Politicos Playbook. McCarthy said he replies: Well, I dont think so. Its pretty difficult. Thats an understatement. California is one of the deepest blue states in the country. It hasnt backed a Republican for the White House since George H.W. Bush won in 1988. The Trump team insists theyll play well in Democratic-friendly terrain like Connecticut, Oregon and New Jersey, and that Trump will campaign in blue states. That has made veteran GOP strategists worry the Trump campaign will pull resources from pivotal swing states like Ohio, Florida and Colorado. But McCarthy put a positive spin on Trumps preoccupation with California, saying it illustrates the businessmans pluck. Hes probably the most confident person I ever met, McCarthy said. I like people who are willing to take a risk. McCarthy likened Trump to Californias own mold-breaking politician -- the Governator. During his gubernatorial run, Arnold Schwarzenegger had the biggest rallies youve ever seen, McCarthy said, noting both Trump and the former California governor would play the same song at their events: Twisted Sisters Were Not Gonna Take It. Both celebrities-turned-politicians were tapping into the frustration that nothing was happening for many Americans, McCarthy said. Fittingly, McCarthy noted, Schwarzenegger -- who endorsed Ohio Gov. John Kasich during the Republican primaries -- is taking over Trumps storied The Apprentice franchise on TV. Facebook

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Ben Carson explains how he draws a line from Hillary Clinton to, yes, Lucifer By megan.garvey@latimes.com Ben Carson explains linking Hillary Clinton to Lucifer in his #GOPConvention speech https://t.co/FdJfzaRI9I https://t.co/zwsTHyhMqz  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 20, 2016 Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson expounded Wednesday on a rather unusual claim he made during his GOP convention speech  that Hillary Clinton has ties to Lucifer. Yes, the devil. Carson, himself a former candidate who now backs GOP nominee Donald Trump, laid out an elaborate thesis during his prime-time address Tuesday that began with Clintons study of Saul Alinsky, a community organizer who advocated disruptive tactics to bring about change. His methods were the subject of Clintons college thesis. We all have people who are our mentors; we all have people we admire, Carson said on CNNs New Day. As a college student at Wellesley, she was on a first-name basis with Saul Alinsky. In Alinskys book Rules for Radicals, he employs Lucifer as a rhetorical tool to make a provocative point. The first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom  Lucifer, Alinsky wrote. The book was published in 1971, two years after Clinton wrote her thesis at Wellesley, Theres Only the Fight: An Analysis of the Alinsky Model. Carson suggested Alinskys ideas still shape Clintons thinking. Its very interesting how it uses controlled anarchy in order to change us from a democratic republic to a socialist society, Carson said of Alinskys book. Facebook

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Analysis: Anger and optimism vie for dominance in the Republican Party By Cathleen Decker Donald Trump won the Republican presidential nomination by harnessing the dour mood of GOP voters put off by the nations political class. Now, as he turns to the general election, he faces the challenge of incorporating something he has mostly omitted to this point  an overarching, positive vision for the nation. His best opportunity to date will come during his Thursday night convention address. Hillary Clinton will have the same opportunity  and the same demand  one week later. For Trump and his fellow Republicans, crafting an appealing argument requires a deft touch. They must persuade even parts of the country that have benefited under President Obama that what they say would be his third term  under Clinton  would be untenable. That requires a heavy dose of negativity. But history suggests that shifting gears toward an upbeat message is also a necessity. Read More Facebook

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Down-ballot Republicans whod like to network in Cleveland are instead navigating the Trump effect on the GOP By Lisa Mascaro Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) (Alex Brandon / Associated Press)) Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio spent this week building houses with Habitat for Humanity, motivating young campaign volunteers and kayaking with wounded veterans on the Cuyahoga River. Sen. Marco Rubio was home in Florida, stumping for votes before investigating mold contamination in a federal courthouse in Pensacola. And Sen. Kelly Ayotte was busy in New Hampshire fighting the scourge of opiate addiction crushing the state. As the Republican Party gathers in Cleveland to nominate Donald Trump as their candidate for president, some key lawmakers are steering clear of the GOP convention. Read More Facebook

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Second night of RNC is suffused with anti-Clinton message By Mary McNamara On Tuesday, the theme of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland was Make America Work Again but the subtext was We Hate Hillary Clinton. Once again the festivities were fueled by the festering personal rage that unites so many disparate groups in reality television, and once again the evening sparkled with oratorical oddities. The president of Ultimate Fighting Championship spoke, as did a professional golfer and former Celebrity Apprentice contestant and yet another cast member of The Bold and Beautiful, as well as some of Trumps children. On Tuesday, however, the lineup also included several of the GOP luminaries who did not decide to skip the convention altogether. Read More Facebook

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Are you signed up for Essential Politics? By Christina Bellantoni We hope youre enjoying our convention liveblog this week. If youre coming to us for the first time or are a loyal reader, you may not know that we have a daily politics newsletter. The email blast is free and rounds up the important political stories of the day, both at the national level and here in California. And we try to have a little fun with it, too. Heres todays. You can sign up here to get Essential Politics in your inbox Monday through Friday. Read More Facebook

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Day 2 of the convention in less than 3 minutes By Christina Bellantoni Relive the highlights of the second night of the Republican National Convention. Ray Whitehouse and Cleon Arrey present the evening in less than 3 minutes: Facebook

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Chris Christies Hillary Clinton show at the RNC, the supercut By Jessica Roy New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie spoke forcefully Tuesday night about Hillary Clintons record. Though the nights theme was Make America Work Again, Christie chose to focus on the presumptive Democratic nominee, putting her on trial for the audience. They responded favorably, chanting, Lock her up! Lock her up! Watch: Facebook

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Watch: Ben Carson tries to link Hillary Clinton to Lucifer (Carolyn Cole/ Los Angeles Times ) Are we going to elect someone as president who has as their role model somebody who acknowledges Lucifer? Think about that.  Dr. Ben Carson speaking at the Republican National Convention Facebook

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Vice President Biden was tweeting Republican National Convention videos. Heres why. By Colleen Shalby Anyone who follows the @VPLive account associated with Vice President Joe Bidens travels might have been surprised this evening when it started tweeting videos tagged with the Republican National Convention hashtag #RNCinCLE. Several went out. The tweets were quickly deleted, but the vice presidents account did not offer an explanation. A Twitter spokesperson told The Times that the tweets were accidentally sent by someone in Cleveland -- a mishap due to a technical error. Twitter had previously worked with the @VPBidenLive account during Bidens Cancer Moonshot Summit in June, using whats called Twitter mirrors. The devices are essentially iPads that allow people to take and send photos through Twitter using an official hashtag. Theyve been used during the Oscars, MLB All-Star game and political events. The Biden account was not properly logged out today, and thats how these @GOPConvention tweets ended up on the official vice presidential feed. Its not because Biden was hanging out with actor Tim Daly and Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina, who once shouted You lie! at President Obama. The Twitter spokesperson says the Biden team knows about the situation. Mike Memoli contributed to this report. Facebook

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Social media explodes with more Trump plagiarism allegations By Javier Panzar Another day, another speech by a member of the Trump family  and another round of plagiarism charges coursing through social media. The Daily Shows Twitter account seemed to pounce first when it pointed out lines from Donald Trump Jr.'s speech that seemed to be identical to words first used in a May article by F.H. Buckley in The American Conservative called Trump vs. the New Class. Within 45 minutes The Daily Shows tweet had been retweeted 9,900 times.  pic.twitter.com/QEftnTTwy3  The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 20, 2016 In his speech, Donald Trumps son said: Our schools use to be an elevator to the middle class, now theyre stalled on the ground floor. Theyre like Soviet-era department stores that are run for the benefit of the clerks and not the customers, for the teachers and the administrators and not the students. From Buckleys article: What should be an elevator to the upper class is stalled on the ground floor. Part of the fault for this may be laid at the feet of the systems entrenched interests: the teachers unions and the higher-education professoriate. Our schools and universities are like the old Soviet department stores whose mission was to serve the interests of the sales clerks and not the customers.  The relevant part of Trumps speech begins at the eight-minute mark here: In response, Buckley took to Twitter to defend the younger Donald Trump, saying the speech wasnt stealing. He later told Business Insider he was, in fact, a writer for the convention speech. Except it wasn't stealing...  Frank Buckley (@fbuckley) July 20, 2016 View Twitter post James Fallows, former chief speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter, responded to the hubbub on Twitter and in a piece for The Atlantic: You dont recycle, without attribution, things youve written and let someone else present them as his or her own words, Fallows wrote. At least I havent done it myself or previously known of people doing this. On the recycling issue re DJT Jrs speech tonight, my initial take https://t.co/PWZdi4IvmP item by me  James Fallows (@JamesFallows) July 20, 2016 Facebook

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Watch: Donald Trump Jr. hails father as mentor and best friend (Robyn Beck/Associated Press ) Donald Jr. gave a stirring speech Tuesday night that sparked immediate speculation about his own political future. The younger Trumps address was far more detailed than the traditional policy speeches his father usually delivers. In addition, Trump Jr. spoke of my father, my mentor, my best friend, Donald Trump as a businessman who hung out with guys on the construction sites, pouring concrete and hanging Sheetrock. Watch: Facebook

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How has the labor force really been doing since the Great Recession? By Priya Krishnakumar The theme of the second night of the Republican National Convention is Make America Work Again. In June, the U.S. economy added 287,000 jobs, the highest increase in job growth in eight months. The unemployment rate has declined steadily since reaching a high of 10% in October 2009, becoming 4.9% in June. It increased slightly from a 4.7% unemployment rate in May. Participation in the labor force is down overall since 2008 but has remained between 62% and 63% since 2014. Still, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito used Tuesday night to go after presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on the U.S. workforce. We know [Clinton] will double down on an economic agenda thats led to the lowest workforce participation in decades, she said. Facebook

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Shelley Moore Capito goes after Hillary Clinton on coal (Steve Helber / Associated Press) Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-West Va.) assailed Hillary Clinton during her prime time speech at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday night, alluding to the former secretary of States comments earlier this year about putting coal miners out of work. Since 2001, use of coal has gradually declined, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Still, the issue of coal is important to many voters in the country. In May, The Times Michael Finnegan explored the clash between Donald Trump and Clinton over coal. Read More Facebook

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All about Kimberlin Brown, the soap star-turned-California avocado farmer who is closing Tuesdays GOP convention By Christine Mai-Duc (Earl Gibson III / WireImage) The Republican National Convention lineup has featured several television stars, and tonight soap opera actress Kimberlin Brown will close out the festivities on Day 2. Brown, 55, hop-scotched between roles on shows including General Hospital, Port Charles and One Life to Live. Best known for her role as daytime villain Sheila Carter on The Young and the Restless, Brown later joined The Bold and the Beautiful. View Instagram post More recently, Brown has hosted a Design Network show called Dramatic Designs in which she helps homeowners with interior design projects. The GOP convention website describes Brown as a small business owner, and she and her husband own an avocado farm in Southern California. It doesnt appear either of them have contributed to federal or state political campaigns in the past. Facebook

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UFCs Dana White says Trump will fight for this country By Lance Pugmire UFC President Dana White spoke in support of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Tuesday at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, telling the supportive crowd, Donald Trump is a fighter and I know he will fight for this country. White recounted how after his close friend and former UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta purchased the company in 2001 for $2 million, Trump was supportive of staging UFC fights at his property in Atlantic City. Tuesday, the deep appreciation for that early support was noted in Whites speech, which began minutes after House Speaker Paul D. Ryan confirmed Trump as the Republican nominee. Im sure most of you are wondering, What are you doing here? White said. I am not a politician. I am a fight promoter. But I was blown away and honored to be invited here tonight and I wanted to show up and tell you about my friend, Donald Trump  the Donald Trump that I know. Read More Facebook

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Unifying a party against Clinton, not for Trump By Doyle McManus The view from inside the hall: The first half of Tuesday evenings program has been, to borrow a Trumpism, strangely low-energy. House Speaker Paul Ryan formally declared Trump and Pence the nominees to brief cheers from a partly empty floor. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell got booed, twice. Even a brief video appearance by Trump himself drew only moderate enthusiasm. But, to be fair, this was always going to be the least exciting program for the mostly pro-Trump delegates: a parade of congressional leaders, most of whom endorsed Trump only reluctantly. The evenings theme was supposed to be GOP plans to create jobs -- Make America Work Again -- but most speakers barely touched on it. Instead, most of them, from McConnell to Ryan, focused on criticizing Hillary Clinton. The Clinton years are way over; 2016 is the year America moves on, Ryan said. McConnell drew a lusty cheer when he promised that the Senate will continue to block Obamas attempt to fill Scalias seat on the Supreme Court. That honor will go to President Donald Trump next year, he said. Ryan finally roused the pro-Trump crowd to its feet with as close to a full-throated endorsement of the nominee as hes given. Whaddya say we unify this party? he said. Lets win this thing. And Christie drew ecstatic cheers -- plus chants of Lock Her Up! and Guilty! -- when he presented what he said was the prosecutors case against Hillary Rodham Clinton. Facebook

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Majority Leader Kevin McCarthys priorities: Congress, then Trump By Lisa Mascaro  @kevinomccarthy hanging in the Digital Loft at the @GOPconvention. #RNCinCLE pic.twitter.com/mWkgOfM8yd  GOP Convention (@GOPconvention) July 20, 2016 House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy backs Donald Trump, but he hasnt been anywhere near the forefront of the Trump movement. A speaking role at the Republican convention was not a role he was initially expecting to have. That might help explain why he barely mentioned Trump, now the GOP nominee, in his prime-time address. I have good news  in just 112 days  its over, said the Republican from Bakersfield. We have listened and you have told us  enough. House Republicans have other issues on their minds, namely preserving their majority in Congress, particularly with an unpopular nominee at the top of the GOP ticket. McCarthy is a powerhouse fundraiser and political strategist working on that goal. Together, by electing a Republican Congress, Donald Trump and Mike Pence, we can build a better America. Congress. Trump. In that order. Facebook

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Donald Trumps most ardent supporters  his kids  set to address convention By Kurtis Lee (Patrick Semansky / Associated Press) Among Donald Trumps most trusted advisers are his children. And on Tuesday night, Donald Trump Jr. and Tiffany Trump are taking the stage at the Republican National Convention to address the nation, offering insights into the man who just became the official nominee of the Republican Party. Ivanka and Eric Trump are also set to speak at the convention later in the week. The elder Trump frequently boasts about his children on the campaign trail  appreciation they plan to reciprocate in their convention addresses. These wont be typical child-of-candidate speeches, Donald Trump Jr., 38, told the Wall Street Journal. We will talk about him as a father, but I dont foresee a lot of the joking and the fluff we have grown so accustomed to from prior conventions. View Instagram post While the Republican nominee criss-crosses the country speaking to supporters, Donald Trump Jr., Eric and Ivanka run his real estate company. Ivanka Trump, 34, who will speak at the convention on Thursday night, has, according to her father, overseen the conversion of the Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C., into a high-end hotel. Its scheduled for completion this fall. Tiffany Trump, 22, the Republican nominees youngest daughter, recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania where she majored in sociology and urban studies. Facebook

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Why is it so hard for the Trump campaign to admit that Melania cribbed Michelle Obamas words? By Robin Abcarian We hold this truth to be self-evident, that Melania Trump borrowed thoughts and words from Michelle Obamas 2008 convention speech Monday night. No, wait. It is a truth universally acknowledged that when Melania Trump uttered words that sounded exactly like Michelle Obamas words, she didnt do her husband any favors. Hey, did I just plagiarize the Declaration of Independence and the opening sentence of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice? Nope. Those words are so famous, so cliched even, that they dont need to be attributed because everyone knows who wrote them. But what about lifting less famous turns of phrase? What about what happened Monday night, after a guy named Jarrett Hill, who has a YouTube channel on home design, noticed that Melania Trumps convention speech sounded an awful lot like the one delivered by Michelle Obama in Denver in 2008? He noted that two passages in particular used parallel language to describe parallel thoughts. Did Melania Trump  or her speechwriters  do something wrong? Did borrowing Obamas words cross the line? Or was it all just an embarrassing coincidence? Read More Facebook

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Watch: Top congressional leaders speaking at convention have one thing in mind: Keeping Congress in GOP control Three top congressional leaders addressed convention delegates Tuesday in prime time. They offered different messages, but all pushed a similar goal -- keeping Republicans in control of Congress. House Speaker Paul D. Ryan and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy have less to worry about given large GOP majorities. But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells party is in real jeopardy of losing the chamber this fall. Listen to how each man framed the contest as a need to shore up their ranks. And consider the message Sen. Roger Wicker, who leads the Republican Senate campaign arm, telegraphed yesterday at the convention: When Donald Trump is elected president he will determine the future of the Supreme Court and he will lead our troops as commander in chief.... He and Vice President Mike Pence will need a Republican Senate to get that job done.  Sen. Roger Wicker, who leads the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, talks about how Donald Trump would work with Congress. Facebook

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Its official: Trump will appear all four nights By Christina Bellantoni Donald Trump appeared briefly on screen to address convention delegates tonight, marking the second evening in a row hes been a presence at the party. He told the crowd hell join his vice presidential nominee Mike Pence Wednesday night, and of course hell formally give an acceptance speech Thursday night. That means convention-goers will get four nights of Trump in a row. Facebook

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Trump sends message to GOP convention: We have to go all the way By Lisa Mascaro .@realDonaldTrump: "This is going to be a leadership... that puts the American people 1st." #RNCinCLE #gopconventionhttps://t.co/YSrHfP190b  Fox News (@FoxNews) July 20, 2016 Donald Trump just cant stay away from his convention. From New York, he sent a video message Tuesday shortly after delegates delivered him the GOP nomination. Today has been a very, very special day, watching my children put me over the top, he said. Getting the partys nomination, Ill never forget it. Its something I will never, ever forget. But the convention in Cleveland is just the start, he said. This is a movement, but we have to go all the way. Most importantly were going to make America great again. Facebook

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Senate GOP Leader McConnell warms to Trump, hits Hillary Clintons tortured relationship with the truth By Lisa Mascaro Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is known as a skilled tactician, if a cautious politician. But on Tuesday, the Kentucky Republican showed the punch he packs behind the Southern pleasantries and penchant for home-state bourbon. Ladies and gentlemen, Ive been around a while.

And Ive been around the Clintons more than anybody should ever have to, McConnell opened. A couple years ago, Bill and Hillary camped out in my state telling anybody whod listen why they ought to vote against me, he said. Tonight Im here to return the favor. McConnell has long wanted the position he now holds as the Senate majority leader, and he once famously said his goal was to make President Obama a one-term president. Ive had my differences with Barack Obama, but l will give him this: At least he was upfront about his plans to move America to the left, he said. Not Hillary. Clinton, he said, has a tortured relationship with the truth. He said: I am here to tell you Hillary Clinton will say anything, do anything and be anything to get elected president. And we cannot allow it. McConnell was initially slow to warm to Donald Trump, but once it was clear Trump would become the nominee he cautiously embraced him. With Donald Trump in the White House, Senate Republicans will build on the work weve done, he said. Not McConnells first choice for the GOP nominee, but the one hes ready to negotiate with. Facebook

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As NRAs Chris Cox speaks, some context for U.S. deaths by firearm assault By Kyle Kim Chris Cox of the NRA went after Hillary Clinton as someone who would not protect the 2nd Amendment if she is elected president. He kept his remarks brief, focusing more on the type of Supreme Court justice Clinton would appoint than specific claims about gun violence. Heres some context for the topic. Violent gun deaths in the United States have hovered between 10,000 to 13,000 over the last 15 years. Facebook

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Heres the shortlist of 11 conservative judges Trump said he could nominate to the Supreme Court By Christine Mai-Duc (Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press) In his speech before the convention Tuesday night, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke of the importance of Republicans winning the White House in November, particularly as it relates to Supreme Court nominees. Let us put justices on the Supreme Court who cherish our Constitution, McConnell said. In May, Donald Trump released a list of 11 judges he might pick as Supreme Court nominees. They are: Steven Colloton: An Iowa judge appointed by President George W. Bush in 2003. He previously worked as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and was a clerk for former Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

An Iowa judge appointed by President George W. Bush in 2003. He previously worked as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Iowa and was a clerk for former Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Allison Eid: A Colorado Supreme Court justice since 2006 and former solicitor general for the state of Colorado who clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas.

A Colorado Supreme Court justice since 2006 and former solicitor general for the state of Colorado who clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas. Raymond Gruender: Appointed in 2004 to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in Missouri by President George W. Bush. A former federal prosecutor in Missouri.

Appointed in 2004 to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit in Missouri by President George W. Bush. A former federal prosecutor in Missouri. Thomas Hardiman: A federal judge on the 3rd Circuit of Pennsylvania who was appointed by Bush in 2003. Hardiman, the first in his family to attend college, graduated from Notre Dame University.

A federal judge on the 3rd Circuit of Pennsylvania who was appointed by Bush in 2003. Hardiman, the first in his family to attend college, graduated from Notre Dame University. Raymond Kethledge: A Michigan federal appellate judge for the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Appointed by Bush before his departure from office in 2008. Kethledge was previously in private practice and worked as a corporate attorney.

A Michigan federal appellate judge for the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals. Appointed by Bush before his departure from office in 2008. Kethledge was previously in private practice and worked as a corporate attorney. Joan Larsen: Sits on the Michigan Supreme Court and was a professor at the University of Michigan School of Law. She clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia, whose death has left a vacancy on the Supreme Court.

Sits on the Michigan Supreme Court and was a professor at the University of Michigan School of Law. She clerked for Justice Antonin Scalia, whose death has left a vacancy on the Supreme Court. Thomas Lee: A justice on the Utah Supreme Court since 2010 and a former faculty member at Brigham Young University Law School. Son of former Reagan-era Solicitor Gen. Rex Lee and brother of Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).

A justice on the Utah Supreme Court since 2010 and a former faculty member at Brigham Young University Law School. Son of former Reagan-era Solicitor Gen. Rex Lee and brother of Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah). William Pryor: A Bush appointee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Alabama. Took Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions place as state attorney general when he entered the Senate.

A Bush appointee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Alabama. Took Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions place as state attorney general when he entered the Senate. David Stras: A justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court since 2010. Previously worked as a legal scholar at the University of Minnesota Law School and clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas.

Diane Sykes : A federal appellate judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th District, appointed by George W. Bush in 2004. A former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice.

Don Willett: A justice on the Texas Supreme Court since 2005 who was appointed by Gov. Rick Perry. Willett has publicly mocked Trump on Twitter in recent months. Facebook

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Former U.S. Atty. Gen. Michael Mukasey has called for charges against Hillary Clinton By Javier Panzar U.S. Attorney General Mike Mukasey speaks at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC on April 23, 2008. Mukasey spoke on on combating the growing threat of international organized crime. (Nicholas Kamm / AFP / Getty Images) Former U.S. attorney general and Republican National Convention speaker Michael Mukasey has not been shy about criticizing Hillary Clinton. Last year, George W. Bushs former top lawyer said that if Hillary Clinton was convicted of destroying government records by erasing emails from her private server, she couldnt legally run for president. He eventually walked those comments back. But this year he wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal saying criminal charges against her were justified. Facebook

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House Speaker Paul Ryan announces tally for Trump Paul Ryan announces Trump has been selected as the GOP nominee #GOPConvention #RNCinCLE https://t.co/KjpeNheq0X https://t.co/1lQZ9dTw0L  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 20, 2016 House Speaker Paul D. Ryan announces the tally: 1,725 Trump 475 Cruz 120 Kasich 114 Rubio 7 Carson 3 Bush 2 Paul The chair announces that Donald J. Trump, having received a majority of these votes entitled to be cast at the convention, has been selected as the Republican Party nominee for president of the United States.  House Speaker Paul D. Ryan as convention chair Facebook

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Mood uneven in convention hall as the GOP nominates Trump By Seema Mehta (Win McNamee / Getty Images) The mood was celebratory, but also subdued and uneven, around the Republican National Convention as Donald Trump became the partys official nominee Tuesday evening, a reflection of how divisive this years primary contest became. Keiko Orall of Massachusetts, an incoming member of the Republican National Committee, described the feeling as hopeful. People are really excited to do something different, she said. Orall said full acceptance of Trump by the GOP establishment was going to take some time, but predicted the party would be united in November because of the prospect of a Hillary Clinton presidency. Theres a binary choice, she said. And theres a long game in the Supreme Court. New Yorkers were jubilant as their vote pushed their native son over the 1,237 delegates needed to claim the nomination. Congratulations, Dad  we love you! Donald Trump Jr. shouted as the band began playing New York, New York. Among some delegations, the mood was sour. When Ohio cast its 66 votes for its governor, John Kasich, some near the delegation booed and flashed their thumbs down. Many of its delegates left once Trump was named the nominee. Utahs state rules dictate that it can only vote for a candidate who is put into contention, yet tried to cast its 40 votes for Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Delegates said they were informed only just before the vote that they could not cast their votes for Cruz, even though he won the states caucus decisively. Chris Herrod, a mortgage officer from Provo, said it felt like a ham-fisted push for party unity. Utahans have been slow to come around to Trump. Were trying to get behind Trump. We obviously dont want Hillary, Herrod said. But, he added: Its a lot harder when theres a spear at our back. He said several delegates had told him they wouldnt have spent the money to travel to the convention if they had known they would not be able to vote for Cruz. Im not a Never Trump person, he said. I just believe in the process. The Alaska delegation was displeased when party rules dictated that all their votes be given to Trump, and demanded a poll of its vote. Party leaders halted the dispute by saying Alaska was among the states that didnt allow votes to be cast for candidates who have dropped out of the race. Others appeared to have put their differences aside. As Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced his delegations votes, he called primary winner Cruz our dear friend and our favorite son as he announced he had won 104 votes, compared with 48 for Trump, whom Patrick described as our new friend and our latest adopted favorite son. The California delegation  a 100% pro-Trump delegation since the state primary took place after the contest was decided  was seated in the front row and among the most enthusiastic in the room. We are rock-solid for Trump, said Shirley Husar, a delegate from Pasadena who announced Californias vote. Facebook

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Dana White said he wasnt a political guy. Now he is speaking at the RNC By Javier Panzar UFC President Dana White may seem like an unconventional choice to speak at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland: Just last December he told Yahoo Sports, Im not a political guy, at all, not a little bit. So what is he doing here? He told TMZ this week the speech will be about my relationship with Trump and the Trump that I know. That makes sense given that the nights theme is about the economy and that White has spoken about Trumps early support of the ultimate fighting league in the past. Donald Trump was the first one to have us come out at the Trump Taj Mahal, he told TMZ. Not only did we host the events there, but he actually showed up and supported the events. Youll never hear me say a negative thing about Donald Trump. Facebook

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Get your groove on to the music of the Republican National Convention Facebook

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Mike Pence nominated for GOP vice president Some know Mike Pence as congressman. Others know him as governor. But back home, most call him Mike.  Indiana Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb on Gov. Mike Pence as vice presidential nominee Facebook

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Trump tweets on becoming GOP presidential nominee Such a great honor to be the Republican Nominee for President of the United States. I will work hard and never let you down! AMERICA FIRST!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2016 Facebook

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Alaska contests the way its votes were counted at RNC and roll call vote pauses House band plays while RNC polls Alaska delegates after the state said their vote was improperly recorded. #RNCinCLE  Seema (@LATSeema) July 20, 2016 After a brief dust-up over the roll call votes of Alaska, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus took the stage to explain the procedure. Initially, all of Alaskas delegates went to Donald Trump. However, Alaska state rules have a provision that notes that when a presidential candidate drops out, those delegates remain with that candidate. Alaskas vote would have been 12 Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, 11 Trump and five for Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. The discrepancy was eventually alleviated with all delegates going to Trump. Chairman of Alaska's Rep party said he doesn't know why 28 delegates went @realDonaldTrump but "it's going to be corrected in record" @ktva  Emily Carlson (@emilyreporting) July 19, 2016 Facebook

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Donald Trump Jr. announced the votes to send his dad over the top By Lisa Mascaro Donald Trump Jr. announces New York's votes, putting his father over the top #GOPConvention https://t.co/4eFzMqhZI3 https://t.co/eVhTTogNvU  CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 19, 2016 I have the incredible honor of not only being a part of the ride thats been this election process and to watch, as a small fly on the wall, what my father has done in creating this movement  because its not a campaign anymore, its a movement -- speaking to real Americans, giving them a voice again. Its my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight.... Congratulations, Dad, we love you.  Donald J. Trump Jr. at GOP convention Facebook

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Rowdy protest outside RNC ends peacefully after police threaten arrests By James Queally (Marcus Ya
Comic-Con, that massive San Diego convention that spawned an international franchise for fans of sci fi and fantasy comics, films, television and genre books, began in 1970, in the basement of a San Diego hotel. The year before, the singular writer Ursula K. Le Guin had already published the best science fiction novel of the year: The Left Hand of Darkness, a book not about ray guns or rocket ships, but about other planets, other cultures, other sexualities.

As Comic-Con begins yet another flashy fest, one of alternative fictions true masters  author of childrens books, poetry, novels and nonfiction  is shaping her forthcoming book, Words Are My Matter. Worlds too are her subject matter, the deep currents of politics, race, culture, ecology, sexuality  our own earthly conundrums played out and spun out on alternative worlds. Le Guins parents were the remarkable Berkeley anthropologists and ethnologists Alfred and Theodora Kroeber, a couple as influential in the field of anthropology as on the imagination of their daughter, and the planets and people of her creation.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW ON THE PATT MORRISON ASKS PODCAST 

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When you see the popularity of events like Comic-Con, and television and films with alternative fiction, it seems like its mainstream  its not a genre apart anymore.

Right, the barrier finally fell. I will take a little credit because I spent about 40 years saying, why isnt imaginative literature literature? Why do you say you know this stuff is for kids and all that? Theres so much good imaginative literature that has been written that to deny that it was literature I think seems ridiculous to most people, to readers and to critics and to teachers. There are still some holdouts. Some people just dont like imaginative literature. They just want realism and nonfiction.

I think what has brought imaginative fiction, imaginative literature, back into central centrality is that so much of it is very good, and so much of it is kind of needed because of the fact that it sort of opens doors to other possibilities  and that it gives the imagination exercise. The imagination is a very important human faculty and it needs to be exercised.

It almost seems as if the walls we raise in literature are like the walls weve raised in gender: that youre either one thing or another.

It seems  doesnt it?  that human beings want things to be all very clearly black and white, but the only way you can really live fully is to live in that great big gray area thats uncertain.

But thats scary for a lot of people.

It is scary for everybody. Uncertainty is very scary.

Theres a usefulness to imaginative fiction, that maybe its easier to deal with reality if you dont look it directly in the face.

What does that Emily Dickinson poem say  Tell all the truth but tell it slant. Its a beautiful line, and it kind of describes the way a lot of imaginative literature takes the world very seriously but doesnt describe it realistically, in order to describe it better.

Especially maybe for adolescents and young adults, its a way of coping with a real world thats very puzzling to them.

I think a lot of adolescents, the world comes after them and says, this is the way I am and you cant change anything, and you cant do anything about it. Which is not entirely true, but it does seem that way. And through imaginative fiction, they can live in alternative worlds and find out that they are possible.

As were having these national discussions about transgender issues, your book The Left Hand of Darkness really set a tone for saying you dont have to be one thing or another.

That is exactly where the use  the social and psychological usefulness of imaginative fiction  can operate. I pulled a trick in my Earthsea books: Almost all of the people are people of color, including the hero, but you dont realize. I dont say anything about it for quite a while.

And all the fantasy novels at that point were all white, everybody was pure, lily white, and it was a way, it was almost tricking the reader into identifying with young Sparrowhawk and then finding out that he was not a white man! OK, it is a kind of trick. Its a useful one  you know, it worked!

Its a way of laying a trap for people with their own assumptions, I suppose.

Thats it precisely. Youre going to insist that the world is this way? Well, heres what happens to you!

As I remember, the television version of Earthsea didnt do a very good job with that.

Lets just not talk about that. Its so horrible!

OK, well put that aside.

Your work ranges over these cultures and creations, and there has to have been from your family  from your father, your mother, ethnologists and anthropologists  something that you absorbed, something that caught your attention, that said, I am not just of this time, this moment, this body, this place?

Well, I feel very strongly that I am of this body and this place and this time. But youre right, it was something in the air my father breathed as an anthropologist. And the people he knew, the people who came to the house and the things they talked about  you could say I grew up in a house where all the doors were open. There just werent a lot of shut doors, and no locked ones, and that does something to a kids mind. It gives him a freedom and a kind of security in the world: OK, people are different, there are all kinds of different people  isnt that interesting? Instead of, uuugh, isnt that horrible?

Certainly anyone who reads your books may find strangeness in the settings but so much familiarity in the characters.

People do seem to be people wherever they are, whatever they look like. In The Left Hand of Darkness, I kind of tried to experiment to see if you took gender away from people for most of the month, would they still be human? And yeah, they did  they do.

How does it feel to create worlds, to create populations? Its pretty powerful.

Its tremendous fun. Its hard work  thats why I cant do it anymore. Im too old, I havent got the strength to create whole populations anymore. But I certainly enjoyed doing it very much.

How did it make you feel, besides the fun part?

Well, sure, you are the creator and ruler and god of your little invented world. But after all, you only go partly insane when youre writing a novel, and part of you remembers that after all it is just a novel. It is not the world.

It is your little  what Tolkien calls your little sub-creation, and you can do with it what you will, within limits, because you find this world has its own rules and you have to obey them.

Theres the world you created. Everything you say about it establishes some facts about it and you have to stick to them. So its a kind of interplay between the creator and the created, all the time.

Is it hard to close the book literally on those worlds youve created? Saying goodbye to them when youre done writing about them?

Oh yes. Oh, finishing a novel can be awful. Very depressing. And I was always absolutely certain that I would never write another, that I was done, that was it, it was all gone. And then, somehow, another one would start simmering.

What can you characterize, in general, about your readers, and what they tell you about what your work means to them?

Theyre people of a certain courage because when I first started writing, particularly they were reading a kind of fiction that was frowned upon, that most college English departments didnt admit existed.

People who read imaginative fiction very often  most often  start reading it as kids and adolescents. And they just stick with it. And they wont be shamed out of it by being told thats just for children, Tolkien writes for the nursery, and so on. They just say, Oh nonsense, its not true, and go on reading what they want to read.

So theyre people of courage. And theyre very, very generous. I must say that the fan letters I get are just lovely, from age 5 on up.

Really? Age 5!

They get some help, usually from mama. But they send me pictures and the pictures are wonderful.

Does this mean that your books are now on syllabi in high school and college classes?

Oh yes, oh yes. Actually, high school teachers have been putting science fiction and fantasy, have been teaching it for years, sometimes I think a bit surreptitiously, and sometimes with a lot of resistance from fundamentalist parents who think that every imaginative, every fantasy is witchcraft and evil.

But high school teachers, after all, have to communicate with high school students and high school students like fantasy and science fiction. They find there are things they need, and they will read it, whether theyre told to or not.

You made a speech in 2014 when you won the National Book Foundations medal for distinguished contributions to American letters. I think you said the speech has more hits than a cat video, which is saying something. You spoke about your concern about the state of American literature, that its getting sold down the river, and your concerns that the online use of content for free could be depriving writers of their livelihoods.

My concerns are not about the state of literature, which I think is quite healthy, but the state of publishing, and the fact is that the publishers have been taken over by mega-corporations which are not interested in publishing books  they are interested in making money. Its all the bottom line. And literature does not happen on the bottom line.

And the capitulation of publishers to their own sales departments, and sacrificing editors to what the sales department says is going to sell, and so on, sacrificing writers to how well their last book did  its all pretty sick. Capitalism and art do not really get on together.

And I just was putting it out  a protest, because I was there in New York, and all my publishers were there, and Amazon had a whole table there, and so on.

And I just wanted to say, the way you are handling and selling books is not the right way to do it. Its just  youre degrading the art. Stop doing it!

You have also been concerned about the digitizing of books.

That is only hitting one part of it. That is only part of the problem. I am very concerned about the breaking copyright. A writer cannot be independent without copyright. The copyright is only about 100 years old, or a little older in some places, and there is a fairly strong, concerted capitalist movement to break it  in other words, to make artists, writers that they cannot be independent anymore.

They will have to find sponsors or sell via advertising and so on, or go find a rich man who will publish their books for them. Aaagh.

I think its very important that our government understands whats happening to copyright and strengthens copyright, rather than letting it get continually weakened.

How do these people think writers are to live? Where does the peanut butter come from? Sure, I could give away all my writing and put my work in common domain, but then how would I make a living? Everybody has to eat, and writers are workers, just like everybody else.

Reading your books makes me think of one common issue in alternative fiction, imaginative fiction  its the role of women. Even if you watch a Star Trek movie nowadays, the men are still wearing long pants 2000 years in the future, and long sleeves, and women are still in sleeveless short dresses. Cmon!

You know, film, Hollywood, TV  theyre so conservative and kind of reactionary. Its so timid, its kind of depressing! People who know science fiction only through movies dont know  they havent any idea what it is. They just know what movies are. I like movies, but gee.

Have you ever been invited to Comic-Con?

Invited, yes, years ago. I never went to many, even the science fiction conventions. The big cons, thats not my scene. Im too introverted.

Because I have an image of you being carried in shoulder-high on a sedan chair, to the cheering of throngs.

Ew  I bet when youre in a sedan chair, you get seasick!

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House Speaker Paul Ryans speech to the Republican National Convention was far and away the best thus far. That must be because Ryan had an actual purpose  a purpose, I mean, other than to spout a few platitudes in the hope that no one would remember you had once praised Donald Trump on television. (That was manifestly the case with Tom Cotton and Roger Wicker, among others, on the conventions first night.) Ryans purpose was to recommend Trumps candidacy without in any way praising the candidate, or in other words to endorse Trump in the abstract without praising the man  indeed, almost without mentioning him at all.

The first of only two direct references to Trump came near the beginning when, poking fun at himself for losing as the GOPs vice presidential candidate in 2012, Ryan said hed found things to do since then. The next time that theres a State of the Union address, he said, I dont know where Joe Biden or Barack Obama are going to be, but youll find me right there on the rostrum with Vice President Mike Pence and President Donald Trump. As an indirect and somehow lifeless expression of optimism about Trumps candidacy vis-a-vis Hillary Clintons, that could hardly be improved. (The other reference to Trump was similarly understated and similarly coupled with Pences name: Only with Donald Trump and Mike Pence do we have a chance at a better way.)

And there was a wonderful fake-out moment when it sounded as though Ryan would close with a rousing commendation of Trump, but didnt.

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It took some ingenuity to interpret the fact that a majority of Republicans dislike their partys nominee, but thats what Ryan did in the following paragraph: Democracy is a series of choices. We Republicans have made our choice. Have we had our arguments this year? Sure, we have. You know what I call those? Signs of life, signs of a party thats not just going through the motions, not just mouthing new words for the same, old stuff. Having presented the disaster that is the Trump candidacy as a sign of life, Ryan was free to describe the lifelessness of the opposition, and much of the rest of the speech wrote itself.

Indeed, Ryan all but conceded the fact that the GOP had made a regrettable choice in Trump. Whatever we lack going into this campaign, we should not lack for motivation. In the plainest terms I know, it is all on the line. So lets act that way. By whatever we lack one assumes he meant: Although our nominee is an unprincipled huckster ...

And there was a wonderful fake-out moment when it sounded as though Ryan would close with a rousing commendation of Trump, but didnt. This year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way when America elects ...

Surely the next words would be Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, right?

This year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way when America elects a conservative governing majority.

Ouch!

Unlike most of the other speeches in Cleveland, Ryans sounded as if thought had gone into it. The phrasing wasnt formulaic, and the sentiments  even if you disagreed with them  didnt sound stale. He didnt speak, for instance, of the failed policies of the last eight years. Instead: The Obama administrations record is one of discarded promises, empty gestures, phony straw-man arguments, reforms put off forever, shady power plays like the one that gave us Obamacare, constitutional limits brushed off as nothing, and all the while dangers in the world downplayed, even as the threats grow bolder and come closer. Its the last chapter of an old story. Progressives deliver everything except progress.

Apart from the redundant phony to describe straw-man arguments, that was a well-crafted political broadside.

The partys nominee must have hated the speech, if he heard it. And the probability that Ryans speech will be forgotten today  thanks to the commotion occasioned by one of Donald Trump Jr.s speechwriters having self-plagiarized  is almost certainly just fine with the House speaker.

Barton Swaim was a speechwriter for South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford. He is the author of The Speechwriter: A Brief Education in Politics.

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To the editor: Every media outlet, every law enforcement agency, every publicized comment from a citizen, every politicians news release agrees how outrageously wrong are the latest killings of police officers in Baton Rouge, La. I can do no less than concur. (Cops killing civilians, civilians killing cops. How do we fix this? editorial, July 19)

However, someone needs to say  as I do now  that until law enforcement agencies across the country mention not only the names of the too many officers killed, but also the names of civilians recently killed by police that are excused as being within department policy, and until many officials cease their oblique blame of President Obama for these problems, then we are not actually having a national conversation about these issues. We are simply accepting the conditions of the police state we live in.

How brave we are.

Bob Loza, Burbank

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..

To the editor: Certainly, Ernest Hemingway once observed, there is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else thereafter. Hemingway was talking about war and the battlefield.

The shooters in both Dallas and Baton Rouge were products of expert military training and the hunting of armed men in U.S. war zones overseas.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said of a different war in an equally terrible period of American history, The bombs in Vietnam explode at home. Could the same be true of the bombs in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan?

Leigh Clark, Granada Hills

..

To the editor: Guns dont kill people. People with guns kill people, and we cant ban people.

Patricia Freter, Yucca Valley

..

To the editor: In regard to the strained relationship between police and the black community, The Times asks, So what to do about it?

For starters, how about doing what officers ask you to do?

Your editorial calls the recent shootings of police officers reprehensible and indefensible, and then the rest of the piece places the blame for these disasters squarely on law enforcement policies. As for your call for better accountability, the recent acquittals of the Baltimore officers prove that charging them in the first place with crimes related to the the death of Freddie Gray was a supreme example of over-reaction on the part of the states attorney for the city.

One thing is very clear now: If theres ever a time to support your local police, this is it.

Charles Reilly, Manhattan Beach

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To the editor: I cant help but be struck by the irony in presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps messages that he is tough and that he will make America safe again. (Benghazi-related speakers drive home first nights focus on national security, July 18)

Trumps knee-jerk reactions to any perceived slight speak to a level of insecurity unmatched in any presidential candidate in U.S. history. Yet he would have us believe this behavior betrays a toughness that will make America safe. I would argue the opposite.

More disturbingly, Trumps reactions are so predictable that foreign powers will have no problem manipulating him. Several months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly praised Trump; as expected, Trump swooned at the compliment. Now Putin understands how false praise (or insults) can be employed against Trump to manipulate him.

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Far from making America safe, Trumps fragile ego will have the direct effect of making the world far more dangerous.

Matthew Singerman, Newbury Park

Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook
John Kasich has gone AWOL from a political party that has gone rogue.

When Cleveland was picked as the site of the Republican National Convention a couple of years ago, Kasich, as the Republican governor of Ohio, certainly expected to be a featured speaker and busy participant in the event. And, of course, in his biggest dreams, he pictured himself as the partys nominee. Instead, he is spending this week orbiting the convention site, running through a busy schedule of events, but never crossing the threshold of Donald Trumps extravaganza at the Quicken Loans Arena.

On Tuesday, the day Trump was formally nominated, Kasich threw a party for himself and his many Ohio fans at this citys Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum. Hundreds of people packed the place, jamming together uncomfortably as they waited to hear the governor speak. Talking to one Ohio Republican stalwart, I joked that it looked as though there were enough convention delegates attending the museum event to win Kasich the presidential nomination. If only it was that easy, the man said, sighing at the thought of what might have been.

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1 / 51 la-1491523602-y7ephyarj1-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 51 la-1491368625-0bgh58ihw8-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los angeles Times) 6 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 51 Trump inspires millions to take to the streets -- to oppose him. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 51 Cartoon caption contest winner at the DENT conference in Sun Valley, Idaho: Jon Duval, executive director of the Ketchum Community Development Corporation. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 51 Old radicals and big media descend on Selma (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 51 Horsey imagined the creation of the Ann Coulter phenomenon in this cartoon from 2007. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 51 This David Horsey drawing is a reconfiguration of a cartoon he first published in 2006. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 51 Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers, should give Cliven Bundy a call. After Sterling loses his NBA franchise and the deadbeat Nevada rancher loses his cattle, the two old racists will both need a buddy. Maybe they can team up together and open an all-white rodeo. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 51 Besides sending a chill up the spine of the international community, Vladimir Putin has accomplished one other thing by seizing Crimea and threatening the rest of Ukraine: Putin has brought back the bear. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 51 The right-wing insurrection at the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville, Nev., has taken another weird turn with new revelations about the family history of Cliven Bundy. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 51 David Horsey / Los Angeles Times (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times)

There are still plenty of mainstream Republicans who are also wistful about what might have been. After the campaign of Jeb Bush spent a mountain of money only to get stuck in the mud, Kasich became the favored candidate of traditional Republicans. His conservative ideas were focused on economic policy and more-effective, streamlined government, not talk radio anger and dark conspiracy theories. His Republicanism seemed akin to that of Bob Dole and Gerald Ford, not Ted Cruz and the tea party. Kasich kept his sensible, mild-mannered campaign alive long enough to be one of the three competitors left in the race at the end of May, but this was never going to be his year.

Tuesdays party was partly a thank-you to all the people who stuck with him in a losing cause. When he got up to speak, Kasich made note of the abrupt end to his campaign. To go further, he told the crowd, Id have had to tell things that werent true. He did not detail what those fibs might have been, but certainly one of them would have been, I can still win this thing.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich takes a private moment in the gift shop of Clevelands Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times )

The winner was clearly going to be Trump, a celebrity outsider with no governmental experience and no coherent, detailed plan beyond make American great again. Like so many experienced Republican politicians and intellectually inclined conservatives, Kasich has found it impossible (unlike Speaker of the House Paul D. Ryan) to trick himself into thinking it will somehow be OK that Trump is temperamentally unfit to be president. And so Kasich is boycotting the convention and declining to endorse the nominee of his party.

During his brief remarks at the Rock & Roll museum, the governor talked about how the campaign profoundly changed him, how it taught him to get past policy and look at whats going on inside people, and how he learned that politics should be about connecting hearts and lives in the United States of America.

When he was done, Kasich hugged his wife, waved to the big crowd and exited without saying a single word about the convention a few blocks away or the man who has turned the Grand Old Party inside out, Donald Trump. Tellingly, the song that boomed through the building as he left was one of the Whos most famous rock anthems, with words Kasich might have been singing to himself:

Ill tip my hat to the new constitution,

Take a bow for the new revolution,

Smile and grin at the change all around,

Pick up my guitar and play,

Just like yesterday,

Then Ill get on my knees and pray

We dont get fooled again.

david.horsey@latimes.com

Follow me at @davidhorsey on Twitter
Donald Trump and Mike Pence are quite the odd couple. Pence and Trump disagree on a significant list of issues, including trade, gay marriage, the Iraq war, Medicaid expansion, entitlements and immigration of Muslims. One of them, Pence, is a veteran politician, the other, Trump, cannot claim a single day of governmental experience. Pence is a believer in the inerrancy of the Bible while Trump is not sure the Good Book is any better than his own bit of gospel, The Art of the Deal. And while Pence dutifully recites from the standard conservative script, Trump says whatever pops into his head at any given moment.

The only thing the two seem to have in common is that both of them shun alcohol. Trump claims the devils brew has never crossed his lips. Pence refuses to attend any event at which alcohol is served, unless his wife comes along to shield him from temptation.

1 / 51 la-1491523602-y7ephyarj1-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 51 la-1491368625-0bgh58ihw8-snap-image (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los angeles Times) 6 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 51 Trump inspires millions to take to the streets -- to oppose him. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 51 Top of the Ticket cartoon (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 51 Cartoon caption contest winner at the DENT conference in Sun Valley, Idaho: Jon Duval, executive director of the Ketchum Community Development Corporation. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 51 Old radicals and big media descend on Selma (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 51 Horsey imagined the creation of the Ann Coulter phenomenon in this cartoon from 2007. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 51 This David Horsey drawing is a reconfiguration of a cartoon he first published in 2006. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 51 Donald Sterling, owner of the L.A. Clippers, should give Cliven Bundy a call. After Sterling loses his NBA franchise and the deadbeat Nevada rancher loses his cattle, the two old racists will both need a buddy. Maybe they can team up together and open an all-white rodeo. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 51 Besides sending a chill up the spine of the international community, Vladimir Putin has accomplished one other thing by seizing Crimea and threatening the rest of Ukraine: Putin has brought back the bear. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 51 The right-wing insurrection at the Bundy ranch in Bunkerville, Nev., has taken another weird turn with new revelations about the family history of Cliven Bundy. (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 51 David Horsey / Los Angeles Times (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 51 See full story (David Horsey / Los Angeles Times)

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Nevertheless, despite the dissonance of their pairing, it was Pence in the running mates honored seat at the Republican National Convention on Monday night, not New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie or former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Christie would have been Trumps match in feistiness. Gingrich would have been as prone to make controversial pronouncements as Trump. But, for once, Trump refrained from indulging his own impulses and, instead, followed the advice of cooler heads and made a boring pick for vice president.

In their first joint interview, on CBS 60 Minutes Sunday night, the contrast in rhetorical style could not have been more clear. Asked about how to combat Islamic State, Trump sounded, as usual, like a guy on a bar stool who speaks in broad and sometimes contradictory generalities. In the interview, he pledged to declare war against ISIS because they want to wipe us out, but said he could accomplish this with very few troops on the ground and unbelievable intelligence.

Taking his own stab at the question, Pence delivered a well-rehearsed poke at the opposition, attributing all the recent headline-making events -- from terror attacks in France to the aborted coup in Turkey -- to the foreign policy of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama that has led from behind and that has sent an inexact, unclear message about American resolve.

Though he is a man of lackluster accomplishments  he passed zero bills during his dozen years in Congress and has seen his popularity sink as Indianas governor  Pence is still a calming choice for Republicans who have been rattled by Trumps provocative Twitter posts and elastic political principles. Pence is a stolid, Max Headroom lookalike with very conservative views on social issues. The only time he has disappointed the religious right is when he backed down from signing a state law in Indiana that would have given business owners the right to claim a religious exemption from serving gay people. Despite that, he will shore up support among at least some of the evangelicals who are dubious about Trumps thin religious credentials, benign view of Planned Parenthood and history of divorces, philandering and shady business practices.

Does a governor of reliably red Indiana add much to the ticket? Not really. Though pleasing folks on the religious right, his strongly conservative views on abortion, gays and religion may scare away libertarians and moderate women. Sure, at the convention this week Republicans will cheer the choice, but do not be surprised if, thereafter, Mike Pence disappears in Trumps shadow as The Donald hogs the spotlights bright glare.

David.Horsey@latimes.com

Follow me at @davidhorsey on Twitter
For three hours, police officers chased a small but defiant group of about 30 demonstrators through downtown Cleveland.

The rowdy protesters defied officers at every turn, pushing past cops on bicycles trying to direct them down side streets and sprinting through a parking garage to evade police outside.

The cat-and-mouse game on Tuesday came to a head less than a block from a security checkpoint on the outer perimeter of the Republican National Convention.

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Many of the protesters hid their faces under bandanas despite the muggy weather. Some called the police pigs and began shouting at Clevelands police chief, Calvin Williams.

A police commander branded the gathering an unlawful assembly, and gave the protesters five minutes to disperse or face arrest.

It was the kind of tense scene that could quickly turn violent: frustrated police officers and stubborn protesters in a sweaty standoff in Clevelands stew-thick humidity.

Instead, the intersection was clear within five minutes. No one was arrested or injured.

The first two days of protests outside the convention had followed a similar pattern.

But clashes erupted Wednesday when about a dozen members of the Revolutionary Communist Party tried to burn a U.S. flag outside the Quicken Loans Arena, where the GOP convention is being held.

The flag-burning caused a melee with police that ended with several arrests. Two police officers sustained minor injuries, officials said.

The group had announced the flag-burning ceremony earlier this week, drawing a crush of media and counter-protesters determined to stop the desecration.

Police and media swarmed one man carrying a large flag around 4 p.m., but he turned out to be a Marine veteran who said he came out to oppose the planned burning.

Minutes later, a dozen people put on Revolutionary Communist Party shirts and set fire to a flag after chanting, America was never great.

Cleveland police and firefighters swiftly moved in with fire extinguishers and doused the smoldering flag. Several small fights broke out in the crowd, and the protesters were led away in zip-tie handcuffs.

The incident was the first wild scene in what many feared would be a week of day-and-night mayhem in Cleveland.

Instead, civil rights advocates, city officials and even demonstrators say a mix of smart policing and local demographics has helped keep things peaceful.

Only five people were arrested from Sunday to Tuesday, police said, and just three were charged with protest-related crimes. More people were arrested at individual Trump events in California last month.

Much to our pleasant surprise up to this point, all of our fears have been unfounded, Administrative and Presiding Judge Ronald B. Adrine said Wednesday after an arraignment for three protesters who tried to hang an anti-Trump flag at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

That could still change. Activists say protests will swell on Thursday, when Trump formally accepts the GOP nomination.

You cant go 5 feet in downtown Cleveland without overhearing an argument about Donald Trump versus Hillary Clinton, gun rights versus gun control, or whether blue or black lives matter more. But those passionate and polarizing discussions havent boiled over into violence or disruption.

An overwhelming police presence clearly has helped.

More than 3,000 officers from at least a dozen states have outnumbered demonstrators at any single event, according to Steven Loomis, president of the citys largest police union.

The largest protest so far, a march to end poverty that followed a surprise performance by the rap-metal supergroup Prophets of Rage on Monday, involved only 300 people, police said.

Officers on bicycles race ahead of marchers and form makeshift barricades between opposing ideological groups, preventing shouting matches from turning physical.

Every officer seems to know how they are supposed to work and bicycles are way better than weapons or even billy clubs, said Christine Link, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in Ohio. She called the maneuvers very well executed.

1 / 72 Cleveland Police Officers stand guard at the entrance to the Quick Loans Arena for the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 2 / 72 Protesters from Stand Together Against Trump make their voices heard at the public square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 3 / 72 Protesters from the Revolutionary Communist Party march around the downtown area during the last night of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 4 / 72 Protesters from the Revolutionary Communist Party march around the downtown area during the last night of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 5 / 72 Men open-carrying rifles watches Donald Trump give his acceptance speech during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 6 / 72 A bystander films the protesters from Stand Together Against Trump at the public square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 7 / 72 A woman covers her ears as protesters march by during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 8 / 72 Police officers sit together as protests have calmed down at the Public Square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 9 / 72 Protesters get into a heated argument at the public square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 10 / 72 Tony McConaghy, from left, Basheer Jones, Randy Grass, pray together at the public square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 11 / 72 A Trump supporter watches protesters standing in the fountain area of the public square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 12 / 72 Protesters stand in the fountain area of the Public Square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 13 / 72 A protesters lays on the ground to rest in front of a line of police officers standing guard at the public square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 14 / 72 Police officers stand guard at the public square during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 15 / 72 Protesters get into a shouting match with counter-protesters during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 16 / 72 A protesters, who declined to give his name, sports a flower during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 17 / 72 Father Jose S. Landaverde, 45, a priest with the Diocese of Quincy in Chicago, with Stand Together Against Trump March, during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 18 / 72 Protesters from the Stand Together Against Trump March walk within shouting distance of the Quicken Loans arena during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 19 / 72 Protesters supporting socialism get into a shouting match with protesters supporting capitalism, during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 20 / 72 Protesters from the Stand Together Against Trump March make their way through an underpass, which is on the permitted parade route during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 21 / 72 Police officers move in to arrest protesters from the Revolutionary Community Party attempting to burn an American flag during a demonstration. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 22 / 72 Police officers arrest protesters from the Revolutionary Community Party before they could burn a U.S. flag at the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 23 / 72 Chaos broke out Wednesday near the entrance to Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland when a group of protesters tried to burn two U.S. flags. Riot police moved in to arrest at least eight people believed to be anarchists. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 24 / 72 A police officer on Wednesday tells the crowd outside Clevelands Quicken Loans Arena to back up. The officer is holding a flag confiscated from the Revolutionary Community Party before members of the group could burn it during a demonstration at the site of the Republican National Convention. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 25 / 72 Police officers arrest protesters from the Revolutionary Community Party before they could burn a flag during a demonstration at the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 26 / 72 Riot police try to take control of the situation when chaos breaks out near the entrance to Clevelands Quicken Loans Arena after a group of protesters tried to burn two U.S. flags. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 27 / 72 At least eight people were arrested after a group of protesters tried to burn two U.S. flags at the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 28 / 72 A police officer can be seen bleeding after protesters from the Revolutionary Community Party were arrested Wednesday at the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 29 / 72 Police officers arrest members of the Revolutionary Community Party outside the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Wednesday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 30 / 72 A protester smiles for her mug shot while being processed near the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) 31 / 72 Police officers from Georgia form a human barrier during a protest by the Revolutionary Community Party outside the site of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 32 / 72 Protesters from the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance hold hands to keep photographers from stepping closer to their long Wall off Trump banner outside the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 33 / 72 Protesters from the Grassroots Global Justice Alliance march with a Wall off Trump banner. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 34 / 72 Protesters hold an anti-Trump banner outside the convention site in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 35 / 72 A protester gets into an argument with Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams outside the 2016 Republican National Convention on July 19. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 36 / 72 Protesters sprint down a back alley to get ahead of the police as they try heading into the convention area during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 37 / 72 Police officers use their bicycles to push back protesters and photographers during a confrontation on the second day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 38 / 72 A Michigan state police officer pushes back photographers at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 39 / 72 Pro-Trump supporters exchange words with anti-Trump protesters at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 40 / 72 A protester shouts at a Trump supporter in downtown Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 41 / 72 Protesters yell, Black lives matter! during a demonstration outside the convention hall in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 42 / 72 Police officers separate rival groups of demonstrators. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 43 / 72 A flower is held up as a protesters are escorted away in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 44 / 72 Members of Bikers for Trump scold a protestor for allowing the American flag to touch the ground. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 45 / 72 Demonstrators and law enforcement officers mingle on a public square. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 46 / 72 Tevor Leis, exercising his Ohio open carry rights, stands armed in Public Square in Cleveland, during the second day of the Republican convention. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 47 / 72 West Ohio Minutemen, an armed militia, march through the Public Square during the second day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 48 / 72 Police officers stand guard with assault rifles at the Public Square during the second day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 49 / 72 Lou Pumphrey, a U.S. Army E4 is attending the convention and brought along his peace flag. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 50 / 72 Stevedore Crawford, Jr. of Delaware, Ohio, shouts at police officers during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 51 / 72 Protesters from the End Poverty Now, March for Economic Justice, make their way downtown on the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 52 / 72 Protesters from the End Poverty Now, March for Economic Justice, make their way downtown on the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 53 / 72 Protesters from the End Poverty Now, March for Economic Justice, make their way downtown on the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 54 / 72 Anti-Trump protesters cross a barricade as march in downtown Cleveland, a block away from where the Republican National Convention is being held. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 55 / 72 Anti-Trump protesters march in downtown Cleveland near the Quicken Loans Arena where the Republican National Convention is being held. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 56 / 72 Randy Grant from Los Angeles say the pledge of allegiance at the start of the America First Unity Rally at Settlers Landing Park during the first day of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 57 / 72 Joshua Glaspie, from Chicago is relishing the opportunity to open carry his weapon, a Kimber Ultra Carry 2 9mm handgun, at the America First Unity Rally in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 58 / 72 Elan Stoltzfuz, holds his rifle up for photographers at Settlers Landing Park for the America First Unity Rally in Cleveland. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 59 / 72 Anti-Trump protesters gather in downtown Cleveland prior to a Stop Trump march to Quicken Loans Arena for Mondays opening of the Republican National Convention. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 60 / 72 Anti-Trump protesters gather in downtown Cleveland prior to a Stop Trump march to Quicken Loans Arena for Mondays opening of the Republican National Convention. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 61 / 72 Anti-Trump protesters gather in downtown Cleveland prior to a Stop Trump march to Quicken Loans Arena for Mondays opening of the Republican National Convention. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 62 / 72 Security personnel greet protesters during an anti-Donald Trump march toward downtown Cleveland on the eve of the Republican National Convention on July 17, 2016. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 63 / 72 Anti-Trump protesters. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 64 / 72 Members of the antiwar group Code Pink stand in front of the police guarding the anti-Trump protesters. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times) 65 / 72 Police officers in protective gear. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times ) 66 / 72 About 200 anti-Trump and Black Lives Matter protesters, including Henry Edward of Detroit, march through downtown Cleveland. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 67 / 72 Protesters and police. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 68 / 72 Protesters in Cleveland. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 69 / 72 Cleveland police wait for a 2nd Amendment rally, but few people showed up for the event at Public Square in downtown. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 70 / 72 Steve Thacker, 57, center, a retired Marine, is interviewed by numerous journalists in downtown Cleveland, where a 2nd Amendment rally was scheduled. Two participants showed up for the rally. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 71 / 72 Brian Lange, a Trump supporter from Lima, Ohio, buys a flag in Cleveland to show his support for the 2nd Amendment. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times) 72 / 72 Spencer Tunick photographs a group of nude women holding large round mirrors near Clevelands Quicken Loans Arena, where the 2016 Republican National Convention will start Monday. The photo shoot, on the eve of the convention, is part of Tunicks large-scale art installation Everything She Says Means Everything. (Marcus Yam / Los Angeles Times)

Police have given protesters broad leeway, choosing not to make arrests over minor crimes.

Clevelands police have been under a federal monitor since 2014, when the Justice Department found they disproportionately used force against blacks. The shooting death by police of a 12-year-old girl put the city at the center of a national debate on the policing of minority communities.

The consent decree changes the way they have been policing this convention, said Jocelyn Rosnick, head of the Ohio chapter of the National Lawyers Guild. Its not something that has been in the mix for other conventions.

While Latinos have come out in force to protest Trumps immigration policies in California, less than 10% of Cleveland residents identify as Latino.

Even the citys location  a good days drive from Chicago or New York and other presumed hotbeds of anti-Trump fervor  may have helped keep the protests in check.

Tom Moore, 24, of Marion, Mass., said young people seem happy to pillory Trump on social media, but are less likely to take to the street in marches as older generations did.

In general, it just makes me depressed about American protest culture, said Moore, who held a sign that read Grand Old Party, Same Old Klan.

Across the street, Bryan Hennon stood outside the citys main transit hub with a carbine rifle slung on his shoulder.

Ohios open-carry gun laws had raised concerns about potential attacks during the convention, fears that spiked after gunmen killed police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge in recent weeks.

Instead, Hennon and a dozen other members of the West Ohio Minutemen became mini-celebrities, smiling for the cameras as international media surrounded them.

Hennon said he had no problem with the docile demonstrations.

This is the way it should be, man, he said. People should be able to peacefully protest without being assaulted or feeling threatened.

Los Angeles Times staff writer Matt Pearce contributed to this report.

james.queally@latimes.com

Follow @JamesQueallyLAT for news on protests and police at the Republican National Convention.

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UPDATES:

5:35 p.m.: This story was updated with background.

3:10 p.m.: This story was updated with information on arrests at the flag-burning demonstration.

2:25 p.m.: This story was updated with developments from the scene of protesters attempts to burn the American flag outside the Quicken Loans arena.

This story was first published at 11:40 a.m.
Hillary Clinton steered clear of the plagiarism controversy enveloping Donald Trumps campaign Tuesday, instead heaping scorn on the Republican presidential candidates business record and the first day of his partys convention.

Last night in Cleveland was surreal, she told union members in a speech in Las Vegas, comparing Trumps dramatic entrance  silhouetted by bright lights as rock music blared  to the Wizard of Oz.

Lots of sound and fury, Clinton said. But when you pulled back the curtain, there was just Donald Trump, with nothing to offer the American people.

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When Trump says hell help workers and get tough on Wall Street, Clinton said, Dont buy it.

Donald Trumps business model is basically fraud and abuse, Clinton said.

She rattled off a list of Trump products that are produced outside the country, despite the candidates pledges to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United. States.

Trump ties come from China, not North Carolina, Clinton said. Trump suits were made in Mexico, not Ohio.

Clinton also talked about the recent killings of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rogue, an issue that has inflamed an already raw national debate over policing and race relations.

If you take aim at police officers, you take aim at all of us, she said in a speech to a union conference. There can be no justification for killing a police officer. None  none at all.

At the same time, Clinton said police need training in the proper use of force and how to build trust with the communities they serve.

Amid her blistering criticisms of Trump, Clinton made no mention of the most talked-about story from the first day of the Republican convention  allegations that the speech delivered by Trumps wife Monday night included lines lifted from a Michelle Obama speech in 2008.

Trumps campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, has defended Melania Trump and accused Clintons operation of stoking the controversy.

Clinton has been working to rally union support for her candidacy, and spoke to two organizations in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Her first speech was at a conference hosted by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, where she pledged to defend workers collective bargaining rights.

Supporting and respecting public employees means supporting and respecting police officers and firefighters, all the men and women who put their lives on the line to keep us safe, she told the union members.

Clinton later spoke to Unite Here, another labor group that includes the Culinary Union, a political powerhouse in Las Vegas. The union, which had decided not to back a candidate during Nevadas caucus in February, endorsed her Tuesday.

We will deliver Nevada for Hillary Clinton, said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Union.

Clinton is scheduled to campaign in Orlando and Tampa on Friday, where, a campaign official suggested, she may announce her vice presidential pick.

The on-the-record hint, which came after days of backstage rumors, was dropped when CNNs Wolf Blitzer interviewed Karen Finney, a spokeswoman for the Clinton campaign.

Blitzer asked whether the announcement could come on Friday.

I expect thats about right, Finney said.

Finney later downplayed her answer.

To be clear, there is no announcement set yet, she tweeted.

Clinton has been widely reported to be seriously considering several candidates, including Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia and at least two members of President Obamas Cabinet: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Labor Secretary Tom Perez.

Kaine drew greater interest than usual during a long-scheduled fundraising swing in California this week that included four events in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The attention has generated more than you might expect for a Virginia senator in California, said one donor who co-hosted a fundraiser for Kaine, granted anonymity to freely discuss the closed-door event.

Kaine got repeated questions about his status, but gave no indication about what he knew, according to several people familiar with the discussion

Staff writer Michael A. Memoli in Washington contributed to this report.

chris.megerian@latimes.com

Twitter: @chrismegerian

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Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio spent this week building houses with Habitat for Humanity, motivating young campaign volunteers and kayaking with wounded veterans on the Cuyahoga River.

Sen. Marco Rubio was home in Florida, stumping for votes before investigating mold contamination in a federal courthouse in Pensacola.

And Sen. Kelly Ayotte was busy in New Hampshire fighting the scourge of opiate addiction crushing the state.

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As the Republican Party gathers in Cleveland to nominate Donald Trump as their candidate for president, some key lawmakers are steering clear of the GOP convention.

Usually, elected officials would be climbing over one another for the chance to deliver a prime-time speech on the convention stage or share the limelight with their party. They can hobnob with donors at swanky parties.

Instead, House and Senate Republicans are setting aside the possible gains that come with attending a convention and charting their own route to reelection as they try to retain their majorities in Congress.

Im supporting Donald Trump, said Portman, a first-term senator meeting with campaign volunteers less than a mile from the convention site, as he wages a tough fight for reelection against Democratic former Gov. Ted Strickland.

He could be helpful because hes bringing more people into the party, Portman said of Trump, saying he would make his way to the convention hall at Quicken Loans Arena this week. But well see.

The story among House Republicans was similar, as many decided to stay away from Cleveland rather than hitch their reelection prospects to Trump.

Campaign officials said it makes sense for lawmakers to concentrate on their constituents at home rather than pass the week at parties and political events in Cleveland. Republican leaders remained confident they will hold the majority in both the House and Senate with Trump as the nominee.

Our members are doing what they need to do, said Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

Even though it doesnt always get as much attention as this years unusual presidential contest, the down-ballot battle for control of Congress has become fierce, with both parties sensing an advantage because Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton are so unpopular among voters.

The House and Senate battles have also attracted big-money Republican donors, including the influential Koch brothers and their political network, who would rather invest in Congress than Trump.

Republicans are likely to easily hold the majority in the House, where they have a comfortable margin and few seats at risk. Democrats would need to pull off a landslide to flip nearly 30 seats to retake the chamber.

In the Senate, though, the majority may be in jeopardy, with Republicans defending 24 seats, including some in the key swing states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Hampshire and Florida that could be tough to hold with Trump on the ballot.

The word volatile doesnt begin to describe the fight for a Senate majority this year, wrote veteran political analyst Charlie Cook of the Cook Political Report this month.

Democrats have been taking overt pleasure in linking virtually every single House and Senate Republican up for reelection to Trumps bombastic pronouncements and policies that break from GOP orthodoxy as Republicans convene in Ohio.

Theyre celebrating the most hateful, dangerous presidential nominee in a generation, Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York, who is in line to become the majority leader if Democrats retake the Senate, wrote in an email to donors Tuesday.

A few rank-and-file Republicans running for reelection did decide to make the trek to Cleveland.

Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who faces a tough reelection against Democratic former Sen. Russ Feingold, was expected to attend, and another lawmaker from the Badger State, Rep. Sean P. Duffy, had a prime-time speaking role Monday with his wife.

But Sen. John McCain, the GOPs 2008 nominee, was home campaigning in Arizona, as was Sen. Mark Steven Kirk, perhaps the most endangered senator facing reelection, in Democrat-heavy Illinois.

Were running for Senate. Were not running for president, said Ward Baker, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee working to keep the Senate GOP majority.

Ive always counseled people to stay in their states, he said at a briefing Tuesday in Cleveland. I gave that advice in 12, I did it in 16, and Id do it again in 20.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

Twitter: @LisaMascaro

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House Speaker Paul D. Ryan spent a career honing an image as one of Washingtons most serious, likable and wonkish Republicans.

At a recent fundraising dinner, he dazzled finance industry leaders by sparring for more than an hour over the intricacies of monetary policy.

He used his leadership position this year to turn the House into an incubator for GOP policies on poverty and taxes. During the mudslinging Republican primary, he implored presidential candidates to raise our gaze.

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Yet on Tuesday night, Ryan found himself presiding over a presidential convention that nominated a Republican nominee who could not be more different in style and substance from the 46-year old Wisconsin congressman.

As Ryan conceded just days ago, Donald Trump is not my kind of conservative. He previously called Trumps attack on an American-born judge of Mexican descent the textbook definition of racism.

 From reality TV stars to Donald Trumps wife, catch up quick on the opening day of the GOP convention. More coverage at latimes.com/trailguide

And only after a very public hand-wringing did the 2012 vice presidential nominee reluctantly agree to endorse Trump with a logic that only a debate champ might appreciate: he called it a binary choice of either supporting Trump despite misgivings, or helping Democrat Hillary Clinton.

In a convention speech Tuesday night, Ryan tried again to bring his party together, focusing largely on the risk of electing Clinton rather than the promise of Trump, whom he scarcely mentioned.

Democracy is a series of choices, he said. We Republicans have made ours. Have we had our arguments this year? Sure we have.

But he characterized the internal disputes as a promising sign of life and energy inside the party and said the time had come to unify.

This year of surprises and dramatic turns can end in the finest possible way  when America elects a conservative governing majority, he told delegates. So what do you that say we unite this party, at this crucial moment when unity is everything?

Ryan still faces an uphill battle for the rest of the week: Can he unify a fractured Republican convention boycotted by most of the partys biggest names and inject some of his own traditional GOP policy prescriptions into an inexperienced, unpredictable and often hostile presidential campaign whose positions sometimes contradict long-standing Republican ideology?

The task is a risky one for Ryan. While he may succeed in holding the party together, helping to elevate Trumps White House bid, it could come at the expense of the core GOP principles that have been Ryans lifes work.

At stake is not only Ryans brand as the keeper of conservative ideology of Washington, but also the future of the Republican Party. His differences with Trump over trade, immigration and the treatment of Muslims and other minorities are stark.

The partys at a real inflection moment and the outcome is not clear, said David Winston, a Republican pollster and strategist aligned with House Republicans. One of the things that Ryan is trying to do is at least have something  some clear policy direction here  that Republicans can use thats a structure for maintaining the Republican coalition  at least at the congressional level.

Foremost for Ryan is protecting his Republican majority in Congress, including the biggest House majority in generations, as lawmakers face voters this fall in the Trump era.

To that end, the speaker has been working feverishly to raise funds  which is why he appeared before the financial industry donors recently  and provide lawmakers with an alternative platform to run their campaigns.

Even before Trump became the nominee, the speaker turned the House majority into a think tank on Capitol Hill, doing what he does best  churning out a GOP agenda, Better Way, that offers policies on taxes, healthcare, poverty and other issues lawmakers can discuss with voters back home.

The hope is the platform gives Republicans something to talk about  instead of having to react to the latest outburst or Tweet-storm from Trump.

His instincts are right  always bring it back to ideas, always bring it back to providing people a vision for how to make America better, said Kevin Madden, a former aide to Romney and previous Speaker John A. Boehner (R-Ohio).

He may not be successful in having the presidential nominee stick to that playbook, but he can have impact on the overall environment Republicans are going to run in and putting ideas front and center.

On Tuesday, Ryan showcased his ideas. We offer a better way for America, with ideas that actually work. A reformed tax code that rewards free enterprise, instead of just enterprising lobbyists. A reformed healthcare system that operates by free choice, instead of by force, and doesnt leave you answering to cold, clueless bureaucrats. A commitment  to building a 21st-Century military  and to giving our veterans the care they were promised, the care that they have earned.

The speaker is popular among rank-and-file lawmakers who appreciate his willingness to take center stage at a time when many of them prefer to avoid tough questions.

But as the convention opened Monday, Ryan notably skipped presiding over the conventions first day when a raucous floor flight erupted in opposition to Trumps nomination. Ryans schedule had been set earlier, aides said, but his absence enabled him to avoid taking sides in the messy showdown.

Its not fun, said Michael Steel, a former top aide to Boehner and Trump rival Jeb Bush.

This was the year that a reform-minded conservative presidential nominee, against an incredibly flawed Democratic nominee, had a chance of winning the White House, Steel said, adding the speakers job is to help his fellow Republicans win races, regardless who is at the top of the ticket.

The speaker and his staff have helped adroitly with that, under the circumstances.

lisa.mascaro@latimes.com

Twitter: @LisaMascaro

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After months of questions about personal use of campaign funds, Rep. Duncan Hunters campaign committee has hired a law firm that specializes in political law, according to financial reports released Friday.

Hunter (R-Alpine) has already reimbursed his campaign account for $12,000 of expenses he identified as personal or mistaken on campaign finance reports, including video games, oral surgery, private school tuition, a garage door and unspecified items at a Coronado surf shop.

Federal law does not allow use of campaign funds for personal expenses, to protect against contributors such as defense contractors from having undue influence on someone like Hunter, who is on the House Armed Services Committee.

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The San Diego Union-Tribune first reported on the expenditures in April, when the Federal Election Commission sent the campaign a letter questioning payments to Hunters childrens private school and a video game website.

The report filed Friday covers spending in April, May and June. It shows Hunters campaign paid $2,655 in legal fees to Berke Farah LLP of Washington.

Other campaigns that have reported paying fees to the firm include that of former Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.). Schock resigned from office last year amid questions about spending from his campaign and official accounts.

Hunters spokesman, Joe Kasper, did not respond to questions about the newly filed report.

Kasper has said Hunter is conducting an outside audit of his campaign spending and was working with the FEC to amend past disclosure reports. He said Hunter was waiting for the results of the audit to repay any other inappropriate expenses.

Hunters campaign manager has been his wife, Margaret. She was paid $3,000 per month for campaign consulting for all of 2015 and most of 2014.

When questions began to arise about campaign spending in April, Hunter suggested her responsibility has been reduced. Hunter told The San Diego Union-Tribune at that time that two people had the campaign credit card  himself and his wife. Going forward, he said, it would only be him.

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Monthly payments to Margaret Hunter apparently stopped at that time, the new reports show, as she was not paid in April or May.

On June 2, she was paid $3,000.

A political watchdog group, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, has filed complaints with the FEC and the Office of Congressional Ethics asking the agencies to look into Hunters spending. Kasper has called the group a left-leaning political attack group that targets Republicans. The group has denied such allegations.

Federal oversight and law enforcement agencies typically keep investigations confidential early in the process.

Its not clear where Hunter obtained the nearly $12,000 with which he repaid his campaign for personal and mistaken expenditures in early April.

All of the personal financial disclosure forms Hunter has filed since taking office in 2009 report that neither he, his spouse or dependent children had more than $1,000 in reportable assets at the close of each year, including 2015.

Reportable assets include bank accounts, private retirement accounts, collectibles, insurance policies, college savings accounts, brokerage accounts, trusts, debts owed to the filer, and 13 other types of financial holdings, according to the instructions for filling out 2015 disclosure forms.

Kasper said the 2015 form was accurate, and declined to answer the Union-Tribunes follow-up questions about the source of the repayment funds.

Kasper would say only that Hunters office would ask the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives whether and how to disclose the source of the funds in the 2016 report, due next spring. He said the office would amend older forms if necessary.

The new report, which covers April 1 through June 30, shows Hunter raised $101,000 through 67 contributions. None of the donors had addresses in the 50th Congressional District in eastern San Diego County, which Hunter represents. All but six of Hunters contributors listed addresses outside of California.

Many of the donors were corporations and political action committees or PACs with interests in armed services and infrastructure and transportation, two of the committees on which Hunter serves.

For instance, American Commercial Lines PAC, representing the interests of an Indiana-based marine transportation services company, gave $2,500 during the period, bringing donations for the election cycle to $5,500.

The PAC for employees of Virginia-based defense contractor Northrop Grumman contributed $2,500 during the period, bringing its contributions for the election cycle to $10,000.

Morgan Cook writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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Donald Trump won the Republican nomination by harnessing the dour mood of GOP voters put off by the nations political class. Now, as he turns to the general election, he faces the challenge of incorporating something he has mostly omitted to this point  an overarching, positive vision for the country.

His best opportunity to date will come during his Thursday night convention address. Hillary Clinton will have the same opportunity  and the same demand--one week later.

For Trump and his fellow Republicans, crafting an appealing argument requires a deft touch. They must persuade even parts of the country that have benefited under President Obama that what they say would be his third term  under Clinton  would be untenable. That requires a heavy dose of negativity.

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But history suggests that shifting gears toward an upbeat message is also a necessity.

What voters want is a message of optimism  an upbeat, positive message that tells them, to use the words of a past candidate: Americans, better days are ahead, said G. Terry Madonna, a veteran pollster in Pennsylvania, a state targeted by Trump this fall but reliably Democratic for two decades.

A sense of optimism, ebullience, that says, Yes, things are tough but we can solve them, Madonna said.

Other Republicans, particularly those running in Senate and House races, have been anxious to distance themselves from Trumps mien and emphasize their own, different viewpoint.

On Tuesday night, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin, who only belatedly endorsed Trump and has upbraided him more than once for damaging remarks, tried to inject a sense of optimism into the convention. Ryan has sought to make clear that members of Congress have different priorities than their nominee.

He continued that effort Tuesday night, offering a bit of self-deprecation about how things didnt work out quite according to plan after the last time he was onstage as the 2012 vice presidential nominee.

But hey, Im a positive guy, he said. He offered a lengthy critique of Democrats but followed it with an equally lengthy list of Republican desires that he cast in uplifting terms.

By the true measure we are all neighbors and countrymen, called  each one of us  to know what is right and kind and just, and to go and do likewise, he said. Everyone is equal, everyone has a place, no one is written off, because there is worth and goodness in every life.

Ryan also offered what could be read as a warning to Trump.

We know better than most  we know better than to think that Republicans can win only on the failures of Democrats, he said. It still comes down to the contest of ideas. Which is really good news, ladies and gentlemen, because when its about ideas, the advantage goes to us.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who is trying to prevent Trump-related losses of seats in Congress upper house, added a less lyrical, but still specific, list of Republican policy goals. Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions joined the effort, describing Trump in his remarks as a man who is positive by nature.

But over the conventions first two days, many of the attendees and speakers have hewed to pessimism  often with an apocalyptic tone.

Speakers on Monday and Tuesday condemned the state of the country  Obama and Clinton in particular in harshly negative terms.

On both days, Republicans spent hours talking about Clintons role in the 2012 attack on the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, and Clintons uses of a private email system. Both are issues of high importance to conservatives and Republican regulars, but have presumably already exacted whatever political punishment they possess on Clinton.

The first night of the convention was supposed to highlight how to Make America Safe Again, and Tuesdays theme was to be Make America Work Again. In reality, the two nights were indistinguishable as speakers and delegates delivered blistered accusations and repeated grievances against Democrats.

Sharon Day, co-chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, said Clinton had viciously attacked the character of women who were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of her husband, referring to unproven claims against Bill Clinton.

Chris Cox, executive director of the National Rifle Assn.s lobbying arm, warned the delegates that we live in dangerous times, casting access to guns as the solution.

Former candidate Ben Carson suggested that Clinton was influenced by a follower of Lucifer.

Live convention coverage 

The epitome came when New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie offered a fierce  and in some cases inaccurate  condemnation of Clintons actions as secretary of State.

He cast the crowd as her jury, asking delegates over and over for a verdict.

Guilty! they yelled, adding chants of Lock her up! while they held their wrists together to mimic handcuffs.

Placating Republicans energized by that display, as well as other voters seeking a broader understanding of what Trump would bring to the White House, is a challenge for the nominee.

Throughout his campaign, Trump has been caustic and bleak in his assessments of the country, castigating his opponents, existing officeholders and negotiators as stupid. As the nation reeled in recent weeks over shootings of Americans by police, and later the multiple shootings of police, Trump asserted that the world was spinning apart and that nearly a dozen cities were on the verge of exploding.

Trumps fans are receptive to those arguments, as his nomination shows. A recent Suffolk University poll of likely voters asked whether in the last five to 10 years respondents felt more safe or less. Overall, 54% said less safe. But among Republicans, 76% said they felt less safe. Among other voters Trump will need to win the presidency, fewer than half took that view.

That suggests Trumps problem: He has to maintain his often bleak rhetoric to engage and motivate his core voters while somehow also attracting others.

Its really unfortunate that this is such a negative campaign, said Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson.

She said Trump has a negative message thats tailor-made for places where opportunity has left, such as the Rust Belt. But, she said, the message isnt enough in the Sun Belt, where the economy has improved  and where many important electoral states lie.

The first two days of the convention have failed to focus on those voters, pollster Madonna said.

Theres nothing wrong with him talking about the problems, but he has to have a path to solve them, he said. Saying Crooked Hillary does not provide voters with a solution.

On the highest-profile stage he will occupy until falls presidential debates, Donald Trump now has two days left to offer that solution.

Staff writer David Lauter contributed to this report.

cathleen.decker@latimes.com

Twitter: @cathleendecker

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The Republican convention dissolved into boos and open conflict in prime-time view when Donald Trumps fiercest primary rival took the stage Wednesday night and refused to endorse him as the GOP nominee, overshadowing the national introduction of vice presidential hopeful Mike Pence.

The powerful getting-to-know-you speech by Pence, Indianas governor, was intended to cap off the program and right a convention that has veered repeatedly off course.

But Sen. Ted Cruz  or Lyin Ted as Trump branded him during their caustic primary fight  rekindled the turmoil of the first two days when he declined to capitulate to his erstwhile foe and, as tradition and protocol dictate, stand behind Trump.

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The scene, which seems destined for repeated television replay in the days to come, may become one of the defining moments of the convention, which has been torn by much of the discord that marked the partys long and brutal nominating contest.

Cruz took the stage to a thunderous ovation and a cowboy-hat-waving salute from his fellow Texans, and the cheers persisted as he called for the defeat of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Citizens are furious, rightly furious, at a political establishment that cynically breaks its promises and ignores the will of the people, he said, acknowledging Trumps political-outsider appeal. We have to do better. We owe our fallen heroes more than that.

Follow live coverage from the Republican National Convention 

But the mood swiftly turned against Cruz at the speechs climax, when it was clear he was not only withholding his endorsement, but also leaving room for voters to abstain from backing the nominee.

To those listening, please, dont stay home in November, Cruz said. He paused dramatically, eliciting loud boos.

If you love our country and if you love your children as much as I know you do, stand and speak and vote your conscience, he said. Vote for candidates up and down the ticket who you trust to defend our freedom and to be faithful to the Constitution.

The phrase Vote your conscience, a rallying cry for the conservative anti-Trump movement, appeared to infuriate the crowd, which chanted at Cruz to endorse Trump.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, a staunch Trump ally who openly campaigned to become his running mate, mounted an unscripted defense just minutes after Cruz left the stage, praising the extra effort Donald Trump has invested in bringing the party together by allowing his formal rivals to speak.

He then slyly turned Cruzs snub into an endorsement.

Ted Cruz said you can vote your conscience for anyone who will uphold the Constitution. In this election, there is only one candidate who will uphold the Constitution, Gingrich said to loud cheers. So, to paraphrase Ted Cruz, if you want to protect the Constitution of the United States, the only possible candidate this fall is the Trump-Pence Republican ticket.

Preceding Cruz was Florida Sen. Marco Rubio  whom Trump disparaged as Little Marco when they fought for the nomination  who opted against making his concession in person.

Appearing in a brief recorded message played on a giant screen above the stage, Rubio referred to his fight against Trump with a wan smile. After a long and spirited primary, the time for fighting is over, Rubio said. Its time to come together. Its time to win in November.

A third former rival, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, scarcely mentioned the nominee in his speech, and his stiff body language suggested a lack of enthusiasm.

Instead, Walker articulated his own small-government vision of conservatism, growing the most animated when he recounted his battles with labor unions at home and warned of the perils of a Clinton presidency.

Let me be clear: A vote for anyone other than Donald Trump in November is a vote for Hillary Clinton, Walker said. Like Cruz, he warned the discontented against sitting out the November election, but made a more definitive pitch for Trump. We cant wait four years to get em next time. The consequences are too great.

Even as upheaval erupted on the convention floor, Trump set off what is almost certain to be another major rift with the partys foreign policy elite, saying in an interview with the New York Times that, as president, he would not necessarily abide by U.S. treaty obligations to defend the three Baltic nations if they were invaded by Russia.

He would defend those countries from attack only after reviewing whether they have fulfilled their obligations to us, the paper quoted him as saying.

The evenings chaos distracted from Pences strong introduction of himself as a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order, with homespun stories about his family and a self-deprecating joke about his place on the ticket next to the larger-than-life Trump.

Hes a man known for a large personality, a colorful style and lots of charisma, he said. So I guess he was just looking for some balance on the ticket.

But Pence in fact proved himself a valuable second, commanding the crowd as he praised the nominee and attacked Clinton with a far more disciplined style and traditionally conservative message than Trump.

You have nominated a man for president who never quits, who never backs down, a fighter, a winner, Pence said. Until now, hes had to do it all by himself against all odds. But this week, with this united party, hes got backup.

Trump arrived in this convention city Wednesday afternoon in a dramatically staged scene that was marred, despite his best efforts, by continued controversy and an emphatically negative reception from party holdouts.

Touching down at a lakefront airport on a cloudless afternoon, Trump switched to a helicopter stamped with his name and twice circled downtown before stepping off to a welcoming committee that included Pence, Trumps adult children and their spouses.

Although the clan was enthusiastic and friendly, even then tension was evident within the larger Republican family.

Supporters of Cruz, gathered nearby for a rally celebrating his unsuccessful bid for the nomination, booed when Trumps plane came into view and chanted 2020! 2020!  when, if all goes as Trump hopes, the Manhattan business mogul would be seeking a second White House term.

Of greater consequence, the convention was consumed for a third straight day by the controversy surrounding Melania Trumps Monday night speech, which pilfered lines from an address First Lady Michelle Obama gave at the 2008 Democratic convention.

On the streets outside the sports arena, the relative tranquility that has marked the weeks protest scene was briefly punctured Wednesday afternoon when a group of demonstrators attempted to burn an American flag.

Eighteen demonstrators were arrested and two police officers suffered minor injuries.

In some good news, California GOP officials expressed optimism that a highly contagious virus that led to the quarantine of at least a dozen staff members was contained.

Weve had no new outbreaks for the last 24 hours, which makes me feel like all of our efforts to fight it  have worked, Cynthia Bryant, executive director of the California GOP, told the states delegation at its breakfast meeting. So knock on wood and say a prayer.

Times staff writers Cathleen Decker, David Lauter, James Queally and Seema Mehta contributed to this report.

mark.barabak@latimes.com

For more political news and analysis follow me @markzbarabak on Twitter.

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8:55 p.m.: This article was updated with Pences address.

7:25 p.m.: This article was updated throughout.

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This article was originally published at 2:55 p.m.
Donald Trumps crude rhetoric is not the only thing that has sparked division between the Republican Partys presidential nominee and some of its establishment leaders. Trump also has spurned the Grand Old Party on many of its most cherished views.

Their rifts over trade, Social Security, foreign policy and the size of government are likely to outlast Trump, win or lose, because they expose the degree to which many Republican voters disagree with party orthodoxy.

You have a guy whos in between these parties. Hes not really a Republican. Hes not a Democrat, Antonio Sabato Jr., a Calvin Klein model who won a spot as a prime-time Republican National Convention speaker, said in a television interview this week. He comes in and says, I love this country. I want to do whats best for this country. 

Some Republicans in the Never Trump movement are hoping that a big loss by Trump will force the party to shed his positions and either return to the old doctrine or reform the platform for a new era. Other Republicans see Trump, and at least some of his ideas, as a vehicle to reach disaffected middle-class voters who have aligned in recent elections with Democrats.

Trump himself has not given details on many of his policy beliefs and has offered contradictory comments on others. Here are some ways he is at least partially at odds with the party.

Watch: Day Two of the Republican National Convention in less than 3 minutes. See more convention coverage at latimes.com/trailguide.

Trade

Trump: He has said hes in favor of free trade, but has been the most anti-globalist presidential candidate in a generation. During a speech last month in Pennsylvania, he criticized several major trade pacts, including the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Trans Pacific Partnership, as bad deals, threatening to withdraw from NAFTA and renewing opposition to TPP. He threatened China and other countries with tariffs and taxes. He praised British citizens for voting to withdraw from the European Union. The same week, he called on Americans to pay more for consumer products if it means saving jobs.

GOP: It has long considered itself the party of free trade, arguing that international commerce helps American consumers pay less for products and benefits U.S. companies and workers who are able to sell more goods and services overseas.

Social Security

Trump: He has said repeatedly that he will save Social Security without making cuts.

GOP: Many in the party have argued the government needs to raise the retirement age, cut the growth of benefits or create personal savings accounts to prevent insolvency in the program.

Military commitments

Trump: He has said the U.S. spends too much defending Japan, European allies and others who depend on U.S. military might and even has suggested that the U.S. might be better served if Japan had nuclear arms, a position he later recanted.

GOP: The party and much of the foreign policy establishment has long considered those commitments crucial to Americas influence and security, while agreeing with U.S. policy to limit the growth of nuclear-armed states. Japan in particular agreed to limit its defense capabilities after World War II.

Ukraine-Russia

Trump: He has made sympathetic comments about Russian Leader Vladimir Putin, at points saying he would get along very well with him. The Trump campaign reportedly worked to keep out any suggestion in the GOP platform that the U.S. should give weapons to Ukraine for its fight with Russia, according to the Washington Post.

GOP: Mitt Romney, the 2012 nominee, called Russia our No. 1 geopolitical foe. Other top Republicans, including Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), have tried to pressure the Obama administration to send arms to Ukraine.

Live updates from the Republican National Convention 

Immigration

Trump: Trump has notably called for a massive border wall, mass deportations and a temporary ban on all Muslims entering the country.

GOP: Party leaders, in a postmortem following the 2012 election, called for an end to divisive rhetoric and for passing an immigration overhaul that could provide a pathway to citizenship for about 11 million immigrants in the country illegally. Still, many lawmakers campaigned on the threat of immigration, and the GOP-led House refused to consider an immigration overhaul that passed the Senate in 2013.

Planned Parenthood / abortion

Trump: A former supporter of abortion rights, Trump now says he opposes abortion, except in cases of rape, incest or to protect the health of the mother. He has made inconsistent statements about funding other aspects of Planned Parenthood, including stating once it does do wonderful things for womens health. But he ultimately promised not to fund the group.

GOP: Most Republicans are adamantly opposed to funding the group, with some even briefly threatening to shut down the government over the issue in 2015. The platform makes no exceptions in its opposition to abortion, in what major advocates called the most pro-life platform in a generation.

Transgender

Trump: He said Caitlyn Jenner could use whichever bathroom she wanted. But in a May interview with the Washington Post, he said he would rescind President Obamas directives designed to protect transgender Americans in schools and their health coverage. Trump expressed a willingness to protect all people but said the issue should be addressed at the state level.

GOP: The platform adopted this week says that Obamas edict to the states concerning restrooms, locker rooms and other facilities  allowing transgender students to use the bathroom correlating with their chosen gender  is illegal, dangerous and ignores privacy issues. It adds: We salute the several states which have filed suit against it.

Financial regulation

Trump: Trump supported language in the party platform to restore the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, which prohibits commercial banks from engaging in high-risk investment. The issue is huge for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and other liberals who decried President Bill Clinton for repealing it and believe in breaking up big banks. Conversely, Trump said he would abolish Dodd-Frank, the financial regulatory legislation approved after the 2008 crisis.

GOP: The partys financial wing has long opposed calls to restore Glass-Steagall, arguing that it would not have averted the financial crisis. The Chamber of Commerce, a stalwart GOP ally, said this week that its return would only hurt our economy by attempting to turn back the clock more than 80 years. Many Republicans support getting rid of Dodd-Frank.

noah.bierman@latimes.com

Twitter: @noahbierman

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The four eldest children of Donald J. Trump have become the unlikely stars of the show in Cleveland.

Its not even really what they have said or will say; its simply who they are.

Their father can be uncouth; they are refined. He can be a bully; they are unfailingly polite. He often rambles and digresses; they stick to their scripts.

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In this, they are following the recent tradition of other candidates children, including Mitt Romneys five sons, and Chelsea Clinton.

In two presidential campaigns, 2008 and 2012, the Romney brothers job was to humanize a father who struck some as robotic and rehearsed.

In 2008, Clinton was selling her mother as more capable and experienced than her upstart opponent, Barack Obama. Like her mom, Chelsea was a bit rigid on the trail, but she was poised. When college students asked her about Monica Lewinsky, she replied, I do not think that is any of your business.

(Contrast those political offspring to a star of the 2008 presidential campaign, Megan McCain, then a free-spirited 23-year-old kid who posted photos of herself jumping on hotel beds as she blogged about life on the trail, complete with music playlists.)

In an impressive national debut Tuesday night, 22-year-old Tiffany Trump, Donald Trumps daughter with second wife Marla Maples, shared a couple of meager anecdotes about her father.

Please excuse me if Im a little nervous, she began. When I graduated college a few months ago, I never expected to be here, addressing the nation. Ive given a few speeches to classrooms of students, but never in an arena with 10 million people watching. But, like my father, I never back down from challenges.

She might have used the occasion to offer a few more stories about the kind of father he is  how many times must we hear how bold he is?  but, as has been noted, she grew up a continent away, in California, and may not have had that much to share.

Still, she said, he used to scrawl encouragement on report cards, that he was the first to call when a friend of hers died. She spoke of how she enjoys introducing him to friends who are surprised how nice he is.

Her older brother, Donald Trump Jr., like his dad a father of five, stood with his siblings on the convention floor during the roll call vote Wednesday and offered the delegate tally that put his father over the top, an emotional moment for the children. Later, in a prime-time speech, he praised his fathers business acumen and affinity for regular Americans, in what sounded very much like a tryout for a political career of his own.

(He accused Hillary Clinton of wanting to end Medicare and gut the 2nd Amendment, both demonstrably untrue. But he sold the lines with conviction, Job 1 for a political aspirant.)

He avoided getting sentimental about his father, sticking instead to claims that burnish his fathers reputation as a guy who wont take no for an answer. When people told him it was impossible for a boy from Queens to go to Manhattan and take on developers in the big city, said Trump Jr., rather than give up he changed the skyline of New York. (With the help of his fathers political connections, as biographers have documented.)

Then again, one does not expect the children of a man seeking the White House to contradict the beloved parts of his life story, whether they are true or not.

On Wednesday night, Eric Trump is scheduled to address delegates in a prime-time speech. His sister, Ivanka, is scheduled to introduce their father Thursday night, when he accepts the nomination.

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A fight over construction worker pay has left Gov. Jerry Brown and a powerful labor group at a stalemate over the governors plan to speed up housing development for low-income Californians, leaving uncertainty over whether a final deal can be reached before the end of the legislative session in August.

Brown has proposed legislation to streamline approval for housing with units for low-income residents. The State Building and Construction Trades Council, which represents ironworkers, roofers, electrical workers and other construction unions, wants Brown to force home builders to pay construction workers at rates often equivalent to union wages to qualify under the plan, something the governor is resisting.

Without the higher pay rules, known as prevailing wages, Browns plan would push construction workers into needing low-income housing themselves, said Robbie Hunter, the head of the State Building and Construction Trades Council.

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Its bad for the state of California. Its bad for residents, Hunter said. The developers are just going to pad their profits.

But Ben Metcalf, the governors director of Housing and Community Development, said the labor groups proposal is a deal-breaker because it would raise costs for developers, making them less likely to build new homes.

The cost-benefit analysis is such that few developers could actually afford to do that, Metcalf said.

The prevailing wage impasse reflects deep disagreement between the governors office and labor over the housing plan, and could threaten its approval in the Legislature.

Hunter said Browns proposal was the most important bill his organization has dealt with in the last three decades. He compared the loosening of housing rules offered by Brown to those that preceded the states energy crisis in the early 2000s and the nations financial crisis shortly thereafter.

We have found the history of mass deregulation in America doesnt work well for working people.  Robbie Hunter, head of the State Building and Construction Trades Council

We have found the history of mass deregulation in America doesnt work well for working people, Hunter said.

But the changes offered by Brown apply only in a limited set of circumstances: low-income housing projects that match a local governments zoning rules.

Browns plan is an effort to chip away at local restrictions that make it difficult to build housing, something many academics and researchers blame as a primary driver of Californias soaring housing costs.

Under the proposal, developers would be allowed to bypass some of those restrictions if they set aside between 5% and 20% of their projects for low-income residents depending on how close the project is to transit. To qualify, the projects would already have to comply with a citys underlying zoning. For example, a developer couldnt receive expedited approval to build 300 condominiums on land approved for only 100 units.

By itself, the plan would result only in a modest increase in new development  by one estimate, fewer than 2,400 new units would be constructed in San Francisco  but it would make dramatic changes in the housing approval process in that city, Los Angeles and others that now require often lengthy reviews for nearly all developments.

The strongest supporters of Browns plan are home builders and businesses, especially in the Bay Area where a tech-fueled job boom has spurred demand for housing. Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO of user-review website Yelp, said the states high housing costs have made it difficult for his company and others to attract and retain employees.

The governors simple solution will increase the states supply of housing, making it more affordable for all Californians, including those most in need of help, Stoppelman said.

Browns effort, however, has not been warmly received in the Legislature. No lawmaker has emerged as a full-throated backer of the proposal, even after the governor agreed to spend $400 million on low-income housing subsidies if the Legislature passes a version of his plan.

Instead, the proposal has continued to face intense opposition chiefly from labor and environmental groups upset that the plan would limit reviews for projects under the states main environmental law that guides development. Brown and others have criticized labor groups for threatening litigation under that law to leverage union-friendly hiring rules.

Lawmakers are feeling the heat, said Metcalf, the Housing and Community Development director.

They are getting a lot of political pressure from significant constituencies that dont want this to happen, he said.

In contrast to labors request for prevailing wages, Metcalf said the governor was open to some of the changes proposed by environmental groups, such as strictly limiting the program to urban areas.

Since 2001, the majority of Californias low-income housing projects that include taxpayer subsidies have required builders to pay prevailing wages, and theres little consensus on what effect the requirement has had on home building.

In 2005, researchers at UC Berkeley found that paying prevailing wages increased costs by as much as 37%, concluding that the requirement effectively subsidizes construction workers at the expense of low-income housing consumers. Other economists have argued that the Berkeley study significantly overestimated the effects of labor on construction costs and failed to consider benefits of a better-paid workforce.

The Brown administration is trying to drum up support for the plan this month through a series of events with housing advocates and other backers across the state, starting Wednesday in San Francisco with Mayor Ed Lee.

Negotiations are expected to heat up once the Legislature returns from its summer recess in August. Despite the strong opposition from powerful groups, Assemblyman Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica), who is part of the discussions, said he was hopeful a deal could get done.

I support a responsible compromise, said Bloom, who has authored narrower legislation than Browns. It looks somewhat different than whats on the table.

Prior to the $400 million in subsidies as part of this package, Brown had been reluctant to spend more state money on low-income housing during his current tenure as governor. If nothing gets done this legislative session, Metcalf said, its unlikely Brown will offer a similar deal to lawmakers.

I would worry a lot if I were them that if they pull the rug out from under this, there is not going to be an interest to do this again, Metcalf said.

liam.dillon@latimes.com

Follow me at @dillonliam on Twitter

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At least a dozen GOP staffers from Californias delegation to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this week experienced vomiting, cramps and diarrhea, and the dreaded norovirus has been blamed for their gastrointestinal misery.

Erie County Health Department officials were called to tthe delegations quarters at the Kalihari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio, about 60 miles from the site of the GOP convention, and collected fecal samples to confirm the diagnosis.

Norovirus is the most common cause of diarrheal episodes across the globe and one of the leading causes of foodborne disease outbreaks in the United States.

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Treated with rest and fluids, its symptoms of severe gastroenteritis generally wane after two or three days. But it claims the lives of 212,000 annually worldwide, mostly children and the elderly living in low- and middle-income countries.

Norovirus cannot be treated with antibiotics, because its not a bacterial infection. Physicians recommend that those afflicted with the virus rest and stay hydrated with drinks that replenish nutrients and minerals lost to vomiting. For those with severe symptoms, fluids need to be administered intraveneously.

Given the virus vast global impact, scientists are keen to develop a vaccine that would protect people from the infection. The problem: Norovirus is not a single virus, but a family of at least 29 different viral strains  different enough from one another that a single vaccine is unlikely to protect against the range of strains that circulate.

Moreover, the virus is in a constant state of evolution as it circulates from person to person in outbreaks around the globe. Like vaccines to protect against the influenza virus, a norovirus vaccine would have to be reformulated periodically  by some estimates, every two to four years  to keep up with the virus evolutionary drift.

The norovirus is highly contagious, spreading not only in food and in the air, but also when virus-laden particles settle or are deposited on surfaces touched by infected individuals. That explains why the infection spreads furiously when large numbers of people are eating, drinking and socializing in close quarters, such as on cruise ships and at conventions.

Thats also why afflicted staffers probably would have been as welcome inside Clevelands GOP convention hall as a band of rabid Hillary Clinton supporters: Those who were sick were quarantined in their rooms  with fluids delivered to their doors  until all symptoms cleared, and several severely dehydrated staffers went to local hospitals to replenish their fluids.

By Wednesday, state GOP officials told The Times the delegation had seen no new cases and concluded that the outbreak had probably been contained.

According to the Los Angeles Times Seema Mehta, the 550-member delegation was warned of the outbreak by state GOP officials in an email at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday. They were advised to avoid shaking hands with others, to wash hands frequently, to avoid sharing food and to not use the delegation buses to the convention if they have any symptoms  all difficult rules to follow at a political convention.

In the United States, some 6% of the population contracts norovirus yearly, and young children are at highest risk of both contracting and spreading the virus. Indeed, Mehta reports, Erie County Health Commissioner Pete Schade surmises the dreaded virus may have been introduced to the California Republicans by an infant traveling with one of the group who contracted the bug in California.

melissa.healy@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATMelissaHealy

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Using NASAs Hubble Space Telescope, an international team of scientists has tracked two planets crossing in front of the same star at the same time -- discovering that these worlds are both rocky and have comparatively thin atmospheres.

The findings, described in the journal Nature, lend growing support to the idea that such planets might potentially be friendly to life.

This spring, a team of astronomers using the TRAnsiting Planets and PlanetesImals Small Telescope (or TRAPPIST for short) in the Atacama Desert in Chile announced that they had discovered TRAPPIST-1, a nearby star just 40 light-years from Earth that hosts three potentially habitable, approximately Earth-sized exoplanets.

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Though the innermost planets are so close to the star that they take just 1.5 and 2.4 Earth days to circle it, they probably have pretty moderate temperatures, perhaps in the range to allow liquid water on the surface. Thats because TRAPPIST-1 is an ultra-cool dwarf star, just a little larger than Jupiter and exceedingly dim. Were you to stand on one of TRAPPIST-1s planets, the star would appear to have a low, dark-red glow.

Of course, whether theres water (and the potential for life) on any of these planets depends on what kind of atmospheres they might have  something scientists had not yet found out.

Then, shortly before announcing the triple-find, the researchers realized that two of the planets would be transiting the star nearly simultaneously, allowing the scientists a rare opportunity to study the planets atmospheres in one go.

We could actually do this for two planets at the same time ... killing two birds with one stone, said lead author Julien de Wit, an astronomer at MIT.

There was one hitch: The event was happening very soon  two weeks from their realization.

The scientists had to scramble to put together a proposal for time using the Hubble Telescope, sending it off within 24 hours. The proposal was quickly reviewed and, to their relief, approved.

That was really, really, really last minute, De Wit said, but fortunately it worked out.

To study the planets atmospheres, the scientists used a technique called transmission spectroscopy.

As the planets (TRAPPIST-1b and TRAPPIST-1c) cross in front of their host star, the starlight streams through the thin skin of gas and dust that may make up the two worlds atmospheres. The atoms and molecules clinging to the planets surface will absorb certain wavelengths of light, while letting others pass through unscathed. In other words, the planets atmospheres looks opaque in some wavelengths but transparent in others.

If you were theoretically able to see either or the planets silhouetted against its star in the transparent wavelengths, the dark circle would only look as big as the actual planets surface, because the light passing through the atmosphere would still reach Earth. But seen in the wavelengths that are absorbed by that planets atmosphere, that dark circle would look bigger, because the atmosphere would also be blocking those wavelengths of light.

Essentially, by subtracting one measurement from the other, you can tell how thick the actual atmosphere is.

Thats sort of the general idea, anyway. In fact, the scientists are looking at dips in starlight, to see how deep they are in the different wavelengths and how much they vary across those wavelengths.

If the dips in starlight had been deep and varied over a wide range of wavelengths, then the planets would likely have thick, puffy, hydrogen-rich envelopes like our solar systems gas giants. However, Hubble showed that the dips occurred only over a narrow range of wavelengths and didnt vary much, which means that they probably have atmospheres akin to those of Earth, Mars or Venus.

Of course, Earth, Mars and Venus have (from a human perspective) extremely different atmospheres, even though theyre all rocky planets of about the same size in about the same area. Venus air is thick with carbon dioxide and broils the planets surface (so much that its surface is technically hotter than that of Mercury, the planet closest to the sun). Mars, on the other hand, has lost the vast majority of its atmosphere and has only the thinnest layer still clinging to the surface. Earth, which sits between the two, has the just-right atmosphere: thick enough to keep liquid water stable but thin enough to keep from stifling us.

What kind do these two planets have?

The devil remains in the chemical details. De Wit says that Hubble should be able to pick out some characteristics, such as whether their atmospheres contain water or methane, but that the plaenets will probably best be picked apart by future missions such as NASAs James Webb Space Telescope, set to launch in 2018, which will be able to peer deeper into the infrared light spectrum than Hubble can.

With Hubble we can lift the veil a bit more, but with James Webb well be able to pin that down, he said, to really reveal what are the different components, the temperature, the pressure  so the whole story.

The scientists are hoping to raise funding very soon to build similar telescopes that will be able to find more ultra-cool dwarf stars with similar planets, because these worlds would serve as ideal targets for James Webb to study once it comes online.

amina.khan@latimes.com

Follow @aminawrite on Twitter for more science news and like Los Angeles Times Science & Health on Facebook.

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No one is happier than the Road Kings that the redesign of Johnny Carson Park is complete.

The car club has had its Picnic in the Park and Charity Car Show there since 1996 and with the grand reopening celebration set from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, the group is gearing up to return in 2017, said Don Baldaseroni, car show and publicity chair.

The Road Kings are looking forward to working with the city of Burbank to do another charity car show at Johnny Carson Park in June, Baldaseroni said. At our last car show there, we had spectators and car entrants from Australia, England, New York, Alabama, Chicago, Nevada, Arizona and all over California.

Members raise a majority of their funds at their fall car show in Santa Anita Park. The next one will be on Oct. 16.

Proceeds from the car shows go to local charities, and the classic car enthusiasts presented the annual distribution of funds at their meeting last week at the Burbank Elks Lodge.

One of the groups receiving a donation was the Burbank Historical Society, which maintains the citys best kept secret, Baldaseroni said.

There are still so many people who dont know about the societys Gordon R. Howard Museum, he added. Some people are familiar with the jet and Mentzer House in Izay Park, but have no clue that there is a two-story complex filled with memorabilia just around the corner.

Its an important part of the community because the museum preserves Burbanks past, said Baldaseroni, who also serves on the societys board of directors.

Funds from the car club were combined with a donation from Wells Fargo to create a new audio/visual room in the museums Cunningham auditorium.

The projector, sound and wiring systems were replaced and board member and society handyman Gary Sutliff constructed the rooms walls, door and window.

The Road Kings donation helped purchase the projector and materials to build room, said Michael Dennis, a society board member and electronics technician.

Also receiving funds during the distribution meeting were the Police Fire Museum, Relay for Life, Boys & Girls Club of Burbank and the East San Fernando Valley, Burbank Veterans Committee, Saddles for Soldiers and Dog Tags for Kids.

Three more organizations will receive donations at next months meeting including the Burbank Fire Department Muster Club, Burbank Temporary Aid Center and Family Service Agency of Burbank.

While the car club has missed doing its shows in Burbank over the last two years, it has volunteered time to help at car shows held by the Montrose Shopping Assn. and Old Town Newhall Assn.

Baldaseroni said the shows return to Carson Park in June will be a memorable one as the car club celebrates its 65th year in Burbank. However, members have no plans to retire.

Siblings serving Coast Guard

Congratulations to brother and sister Jonathan and Melissa DeSimone, who are serving in the U.S. Coast Guard.

Their father, James DeSimone, and I have known each other for more than 20 years after I did a story about his G.I. Joe collection and toy shows.

Jonathan DeSimone graduated from the Coast Guard Academy three years ago and was based in San Diego. His next assignment is to serve three years in Hawaii.

Melissa DeSimone just graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and is stationed on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro, home-ported in Alameda, Calif. A new vessel, the Munro was commissioned in the fall of 2015.

Ticktocker grads choose colleges

The young women who graduated from the National Charity League philanthropic organization were featured in my column last month.

Five of the Ticktockers had not yet decided on which college or university they would attending in the fall. But they have made their decisions.

Gabby Crispi will attend St. Marys College, Charlotte Duldulao will be going to UCLA, Zoe Kelman will study at Cal State Humboldt, Alyssa Magoon will be attending Cal State Northridge and Natalie Sardarov will be headed to UC Irvine.

--

JOYCE RUDOLPH can be reached at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.
For Burbank native Brett Kodama, his film about his grandmothers experience at the Manzanar War Relocation Center during World War II became more than just an informative piece about internment camps and a way to fund other film projects down the road.

Kodamas documentary, One-Two-One-Seven: A Story of Japanese Internment, turned into his own political statement on what could happen again under the wrong leadership in the United States.

In my head, it was a personal story, nothing grand-scale, he said. I made it initially as a jumping off point to get money for projects. But I also made it because of the comments that [Donald] Trump was making about how he wants to tag and round up the Muslim population.

Kodama, 24, a recent graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, was one of 12 finalists competing in the Student and Emerging Filmmaker Competition during this years March on Washington Film Festival.

The documentary is about Kodamas grandmother, Sharon Kodama, who was 4 years old at the start of the war. In the film, Sharon Kodama described how the pressure of the war and being held captive under their own will drove her father to kill his wife and himself, leaving Sharon Kodama and her sister orphans in the internment camp.

One-Two-One-Seven refers to the number 1217, the identification number Sharon Kodama and her family were given in Manzanar.

While working on the 13-minute piece last August, Brett Kodama found out that many of his friends from the East Coast did not know about Manzanar and how it housed more than 110,000 Japanese American people during the war.

They didnt even know that internment camps were a thing, he said. That pushed me to do the documentary.

Even after the documentarys screening last Saturday, people approached Brett Kodama and told them they had little to no knowledge about what had happened in Manzanar, he said.

They said that they knew it existed, but didnt know anything else about it, Brett Kodama said.

Though she was not hesitant to talk to her grandson about what had happened to her parents during World War II, Sharon Kodama, 77, said it took nearly two generations for her to become comfortable talking about her experience.

When you have this hatred all over you, you just dont want to talk about it and want to hide, Sharon Kodama said about herself and others after leaving the internment camp. Thats the way Japanese culture is. Everyone tries to hide and tries to not make waves  Now its easier to talk about because it was so long ago.

Sharon Kodama was in Washington, D.C. to watch her grandsons film last Saturday. She said that she was impressed by what he had done and, like her grandson, believes people should know more about what life was like in Manzanar.

I just visited the Holocaust museum and it makes you feel bad, she said. You just dont want anything like that to happen again, same thing with the internment here. It shouldnt have happened. It could have been worse and could have been like the Holocaust.

--

Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com

Twitter: @acocarpio
Bill Nye, the bow-tied scientist who graced the small screen in the 90s childrens show Bill Nye The Science Guy, recently visited Williamstown, Ky., the site of the $100-million Noahs Ark museum, a 510-foot-long replica ship.

The ark, built by a Christian ministry that believes the Biblical story of Noah as fact, was spearheaded by Ken Ham, a Christian fundamentalist who sparred with Nye in a widely viewed debate in 2014 (its believed that the debate spurred the funds to help Ham and the ministry build the ark  a belief the ministry has denied).

Remarking on the reaction of ark visitors, specifically children, Nye said the kids are being brainwashed, the Washington Post reports.

This could be just a charming piece of Americana, just something  I recently used an app called Roadtrippers that takes you to odd or unusual places  but this is much more serious than that, said Nye. This guy promotes so very strongly that climate change is not a serious problem, that humans are not causing it, that some deity will see to it that everything is OK.

Ham commented on Nyes visit on Facebook, saying, It was a clash of world views.

Q: What do you think of Nyes comments? What harm is there, if any, of an attraction like Hams ark replica and the beliefs it promotes?

A Biblical-themed amusement park with rides and attractions sounds like fun. Does it really matter that it rained and rained for 40 days, if I get to pet a llama? Does it not speak to the wonder of Gods creations to have an exhibit of unusual sea creatures or birds or reptiles or insects that are not native to the geographical location of the park? If I was to build such an amusement park, I would make sure have a section entitled, Mysteries of the Bible. I would then make great use of books such as Werner Kellers The Bible as History to explain some miracles and those not explainable, I would have a subsection called Unsolved mysteries of the Bible, or Faith, or To Be Known At a Later Date.

The problem is still, secularists want to have things explained logically and religionists want everything explained divinely. The only thing divine in this world is the ability of people to explore and, God willing, discover things they did not know before. Truly, the importance of Moses 40-year journey through the desert was that it prepared the new generation for freedom in the land of Israel. The importance of a Biblical theme park is that it will make people freely think about scripture and its importance to us all. And if there are clashes of culture, so what? When you get two theologians together " You know the rest!

Rabbi Mark Sobel

Temple Beth Emet

Burbank

My concern with Nyes campaign against creationism is that he perpetuates the idea that there is an inherent, and irreconcilable, conflict between science and religion.

Although the LDS church doesnt take the strict creationist view embraced by museum founder Ken Ham and his supporters, we believe that the Earth was formed at Gods direction and that we were created in his image. We dont profess to know exactly how this was accomplished.

This approach is reflected in a comment by former church President Gordon B. Hinckley. Asked about his views on evolution, he replied, Studied all about. Didnt worry me then. Doesnt worry me now.

His answer reflects the belief among most church members that science and religion can co-exist reasonably well, and have done so for many years. We have advanced from primitive flight to space travel, and from leeching to gene therapy, even as millions of parents have taught their children to believe in God and trust the Bible. I dont think their faith is an impediment to scientific progress.

As I noted in an earlier response to a similar topic, science and religion have very different purposes. Scientists seek to explain the minute details of how our universe, and life within it, function. Science changes as new pieces of the puzzle are discovered. Religion deals with the creation only in the broad terms required to explain our eternal relationship with God.

Henry Eyring, an LDS scientist who won the National Science Medal for developing the Absolute Rate Theory of chemical reactions, believed the sometimes bitter controversies between science and religion were unnecessary. His view is shared many church members.

Only as ones understanding approaches the divine will all seeming contradictions disappear, he wrote. In the meantime, we can only continue our quest for the balanced view that comes from weighing all evidence carefully in the search for enduring values.

Michael White

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

La Crescenta

In a rational world as part of a good education children would receive a neutral introduction to the history, ideas and mythologies of the worlds major religious beliefs in their political and social context. This would not be proselytizing and would supplement, not replace, the family and community religious milieu.

There would be no confusing any religion with the scientific principles and facts that we know underlie and explain the universe.

I am grateful for Bill Nye speaking out as he has, futile though it seems. Ironically, all the publicity surrounding the Nye-Ham exchange garnered Answers in Genesis, Ken Hams organization, a lot of donations. Ham also received Kentucky state tax incentives worth up to $18 million, despite the religious nature of his project.

As Nye points out, picture the impossibility of, say, an Islamic project getting such support from the state of Kentucky. We have left rationality far behind here.

Roberta Medford

Atheist

Montrose
Friendly bacteria might not sound too appetizing, but Yasmine Mason says bring em on.

About two years ago, after her youngest child had entered kindergarten, Mason launched Fermentation Farm, a market in Costa Mesa specializing in unpasteurized-fermented foods, which she says aid digestion and boost immunity.

Simply put, fermentation is a natural preservation process that uses bacterial cultures, the good bacteria. A variety of food and drinks rely on fermentation, including yogurt, sauerkraut, cheese, sourdough, kombucha, beer and wine.

The key to successful fermentation is to make sure the food is submerged in liquid, usually salty water, also known as brine, but wine or whey can also be used, Mason said. The food should then be sealed in heavy ceramic cylindrical crocks or glass containers, she added.

Studies have found that foods fermented by lactic acid bacteria may actually help keep gastrointestinal systems healthy and properly functioning. The live cultures can add healthy microbes to the intestines, boosting the immune system and reducing the concentration of enzymes that promote cancer in the gut, some research has suggested.

1 / 5 Pickled eggs by Fermentation Farm in Costa Mesa. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot) 2 / 5 Lizy Draime, a sales and preparation associate, hands out samples of bone broth at Fermentation Farm in Costa Mesa. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot) 3 / 5 Various handcrafted fermented food such as, from left, green tomatoes, ginger carrots, plain kraut, beet kraut and curtido for sale at Fermentation Farm in Costa Mesa. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot) 4 / 5 Dr. Yasmine Mason, DC, Fermentation Farm owner, her store in Costa Mesa. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot) 5 / 5 Refrigerated bone broth by Fermentation Farm in Costa Mesa. (Kevin Chang / Daily Pilot)

Local practitioners, nutritionists and doctors have referred their patients battling digestive disorders and cancer to Fermentation Farm, Mason said, since the preserved foods are enriched with essential amino acids, fatty acids and vitamins.

There isnt another place like this, said Cheri Swanson, a certified nutritionist who owns Swanson Health Center in Costa Mesa. Its teaching people things that they just dont know.

This is food science, said Mason. Helping people day to day is the best part of this business.

The flavors produced by the good bacteria often dont carry many calories, and the food ferments, because they are already naturally preserved, may last for weeks. Some will increase in flavor and nutritional value slowly over months.

The process has long been part of human history, playing a prominent role in human survival before the days of stoves and refrigerators allowed people to preserve food.

Mason, who grew up on a family farm in Nevada, said that at an early age she understood the importance of growing organic vegetables and organically raised animals  those not fed hormones.

With her interest in teaching others about health, she attended chiropractic school and founded Lifespring Chiropractic in Newport Beach with her husband, Derek.

About eight years ago, Mason began experimenting in the kitchen.

Her vanilla-bean yogurt, hissing kombucha and sauerkraut quickly became hits among her family and friends.

Swanson, who is currently Fermentation Farms biggest referral of patients, said she particularly shops for the stores pastured eggs and fermented ginger carrots.

They taste like candy and help digest a meal, she said of the vegetables during a recent visit to the store.

The health shop features a six-tap kombucha bar offering black and green tea drinks in flavors like mango, black cherry and apple. Mason says not only do these stimulate the immune system and improve digestion, but they also aid liver function.

Glass refrigeration houses the stores locally sourced products, which include grass-fed beef, bison and lamb, and raw dairy and free-range eggs.

Mason said she plans to expand the stores variety and has already added pico de gallo, chimichurri, dill pickles and sprouted raw almonds  in barbecue, cinnamon and garlic flavors. She wants people to understand foods that are dense in nutrients, Vitamin B, electrolytes and collagen, which are also immune system boosts, she said.

Mason has also added organic fermented sodas and gluten-free sweets to appeal to the pickier palates.

A popular favorite is her Zingy Yogurt, which is made up of cream, milk, raw honey, vanilla bean paste and villi mother culture. It can sit in the refrigerator for a week.

It tastes like whipped cream, she said as she dipped a spoon into the yogurts mason jar.

Fermentation Farm holds classes each month, ranging in topics from fermenting veggies and kombucha to gluten-free baking.

You cant get well if you dont eat some healthy food, said Swanson, as she reached for another serving of mango kombucha. And you can help yourself get healed with food. Thats whats so cool.

Fermentation Farm is at 1125 Victoria St., Costa Mesa. For more information, call (949) 650-0830 or visit fermfarm.com.
Four burglars smashed through the front window at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Costa Mesa and stole merchandise, according to authorities.

Officers responded to the Japanese market at 665 Paularino Ave. around 3:20 a.m. Tuesday when an alarm started ringing there, Costa Mesa police Sgt. Doug Johnson said.

Police said someone had smashed a large window with a brick.

Mitsuwa contains smaller individual stores, and the burglars apparently targeted one called Treasures, which sells luxury goods such as designer purses, Johnson said.

Security cameras showed four people wearing gloves and hoodies bending a security gate in front of Treasures so they could get inside, Johnson said. Police said the hoodies hid the burglars faces, so no further description of them is available.

After grabbing some items, the group fled the store in an unknown direction, according to police.

It was unclear Wednesday exactly what they took.

Were having a hard time getting hold of anybody from Treasures to find out what the loss was, Johnson said.

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Jeremiah Dobruck, jeremiah.dobruck2@latimes.com

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck
In the wake of the killings of five police officers in Dallas, a group from the Costa Mesa Police Department flew to Texas last week to mourn with other law enforcement agencies from across the nation.

Officers Jared Shurley, Jonathan Tripp, Christopher Bates and Sgt. Jim Brown attended a memorial Friday for Dallas police Officer Michael Krol.

Krol was among the four Dallas officers and one Dallas Area Rapid Transit officer slain July 7 when a gunman targeting police officers opened fire in downtown Dallas at a protest against recent fatal shootings of black men by police in Minnesota and Louisiana.

Officer Krol was honored by his beat partners, his girlfriend and his family in several eulogies, Brown wrote in an email about the trip. After the service, they honored Officer Krol with a 21-gun salute, helicopter flyover, flag ceremony and taps.

The Costa Mesa delegation also visited a memorial outside the Dallas police headquarters, toured the shooting site and talked with fellow officers along the way, according to Brown.

The Dallas police officers we spoke with throughout the trip were extremely grateful of our visit to Dallas, Brown wrote. You could see the pain and anger in their faces as we spoke with them. The officers spoke about the fallen officers names still on the daily roster, equipment in their lockers, patrol vehicles containing their gear, and working long hours since the shooting.

Brown said the trip was funded by the Costa Mesa Police Assn. with help from a private donor and JetBlue, which covered two of the officers flights.

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Jeremiah Dobruck, jeremiah.dobruck2@latimes.com

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck
Downtown Glendales Alex Theatre was strong both financially and operationally in its latest quarter, managers of the historic venue told the City Council during a presentation Tuesday.

Glendale Arts, the nonprofit that oversees the city-owned theater, said revenue rose to $469,224 between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, the theaters second quarter  an increase of nearly $96,000 compared to that same period in 2014.

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When factoring in expenses, the Alex also posted $89,627 in net income, more than double the amount from the same time in 2014.

City staff pointed to strong rental activity and higher revenue-yielding events to explain the hike, adding that the increases boost the ability of the entire Glendale Arts organization to become self-funded and not require city aid.

The Alex had 61 days of activity during the second quarter, five more than it had during that quarter in 2014, according to Glendale Arts leaders.

Events included five film screenings, two television shoots, six dance performances and two corporate meetings.

Attendance also increased for the most recent second quarter with 26,673 patrons, up from 22,750 during the same quarter in 2014.

Elissa Glickman, chief executive of Glendale Arts, said the immediate future for the Alex looks bright because its hosting an annual awards ceremony on April 23 for the Location Managers Guild International, a movie, television and commercial industry group.

It will be a very exciting evening, she said.

Glickman called the guilds award ceremony a great opportunity to expose both the Alex and city to industry representatives for possible production opportunities. The guild is also co-developing a promotional video about Glendale, Glickman added.

In February, Glendale Arts reported a flourishing first quarter for the theater, which posted a $148,000 gain between July and September. The period was the theaters most successful since 2008.

Last year, the 1,400-seat Alex, which features Egyptian and Greek motifs, celebrated its 90th anniversary. Its iconic 100-foot-tall Art Deco neon tower was converted to LED bulbs, expected to last considerably longer and be more environmentally friendly than the previously used incandescent bulbs.

In 2014, the Brand Boulevard theater underwent a $5-million face-lift that included new dressing rooms, a freight elevator and a loading dock.

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Bradley Zint, bradley.zint@latimes.com

Twitter: @BradleyZint

--

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Eight Burbank and Glendale police officers traveled to Dallas last week to join thousands in law enforcement in mourning the loss of five officers shot and killed in a sniper attack during a protest march earlier this month.

Six Glendale officers attended funerals in Dallas for three slain officers, while two Burbank officers attended two funerals, officials said.

These people paid the sacrifice of their life for their job, said Glendale Police Det. Shawn Carlson, who attended funerals of Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens and Sgt. Michael Smith, where he met officers from Kentucky, Missouri, Florida and elsewhere. The least I could do is show respect to their family and loved ones to be there.

While the mood was somber, area officers were overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support.

I didnt know how the community was going to be, if we were going to be met with protests, said Carlson, an 11-year veteran of the Glendale force. What I got was love and compassion from the citizens of Dallas and other cities.

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At the Dallas Police Department headquarters on Saturday after Officer Patricio Zamarripas funeral, two police cars parked out front were buried in flowers. Teary strangers approached Glendale police officers with hugs and heartfelt thank-yous, while drivers honked their horns as renditions of American flags  black and white with a thin blue line across the middle  flew from their cars.

Theyre walking up to any uniform that they see, said Glendale Police Officer Teal Metts, whod been to about a dozen police funerals during his 19-year law enforcement career, though never outside of California. My immediate response is thank you for your support. We dont really mean much without the support of the community.

The scale of the Dallas ambush shook the law-enforcement community across the country. Locally, patrol officers in Glendale and Burbank, who routinely ride solo, were ordered to pair up immediately after the attack. The redeployments were ordered as a precaution, as there were no known threats to those agencies.

This is something completely different, Metts said. Theyre being, I believe, attacked in a way thats much different than weve ever seen before.

The day he returned to Glendale from Dallas, Metts learned that three more police officers were fatally shot in an ambush in Baton Rouge, La.

The deadly attacks occurred after two high-profile police shootings of black men in Baton Rouge and Falcon Heights, Minn., sparked unrest nationwide.

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Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @atchek
Keith Hobbs has been named the new head of USC Verdugo Hills Hospital and steps into the role Jan. 4 after 20 years with Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. He replaces Paul Craig, who served as the interim chief executive officer.

Hobbs says he plans on walking every floor to stay in touch with his medical staff as part of his daily work routine.

I want to look at ways to build relationships and improve quality of care and to continue to strive to reach our objectives at USC Verdugo Hills, Hobbs said in a phone interview.

As a vice president at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Hobbs oversaw the operations and financials of several departments including radiology, pathology, anesthesiology and critical care medicine.

One of the first major projects under his tenure at USC Verdugo Hills will be the addition of a new neonatal intensive care unit, Hobbs said.

Earlier this year, the unionized nursing staff at USC Verdugo Hills signed a 14-month contract with the hospital that stipulated upping the quality of care being provided.

As bedside registered nurses we know that leadership is vital, said Erica Beltrand, a registered nurse and representative for the California Nurses Assn. in an email interview about Hobbs arrival. We look forward to a successful future where USC keeps its promise to our community of providing the same standards of quality and care at USC VHH as they have at Keck and Norris medical centers  our patients and their families deserve no less.

This past fall, Leapfrog, which publishes twice-yearly hospital safety scores, gave USC Verdugo Hills a C. Hobbs said new data submitted to Leapfrog will likely raise that score next time, and more improvement work is slated.

The Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation just granted a $250,000 donation to help fund renovations in our emergency care unit, he said. Upgrading that area to ensure the highest standard of safety and efficiency will be a priority in 2016.

The new neonatal care unit should also help raise the Leapfrog grade, Hobbs said.

Having grown up in La Crescenta, Hobbs said he looks forward to blending his knowledge of the Foothills community with his more than two decades of experience.

Working in combination, those two will bring some great success to USC Verdugo Hills, to the patients and families we serve as well as to the employees, he said.

Thomas E. Jackiewicz, senior vice president and CEO of USC Health, said Hobbs experience covers the key bases of running a hospital.

His long tenure at Childrens Hospital demonstrates a proven track record for strengthening and supporting all aspects of hospital operations  clinical, operational and financial, he stated in a news release.

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Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com

Twitter: @ArinMikailian
A gala evening event in support of the 52-year-old Community Scholarship Foundation of La Canada Flintridge is planned for Saturday, Aug. 27 at the beautiful hillside estate of Sandy and Mike Kobeissi.

Games of poker, bunco, blackjack and craps will be offered during the formal event, themed Monte Carlo Under the Stars. An exotic car show will add to the atmosphere and food and cocktails will be served, according to co-chairs Sandy Kobeissi and Analily Park. They and their organizing committee recommend reserving a spot at the poker and bunco games soon, as space is limited.

The party, which is for adults age 21 and up, gets underway at 6 p.m., with poker and bunco starting at 7 p.m. General admission is $75. The cost to play poker is $100 and a seat at a bunco table is priced at $75. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at csfmontecarlo.afrogs.org, or at Kobeissi Properties, 711 Foothill Blvd., between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Since its founding in 1964, the Community Scholarship Foundation has given approximately $1 million in scholarships to more than 800 students. The organizations mission is to help every student of merit reach for their dreams of higher education, regardless of financial means.

Kobeissi Properties is underwriting the Monte Carlo event. For sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more details about the fundraiser, contact Analily Park at parkstoy@aol.com or (818) 390-2327, or Sandy Kobeissi at sandy@kobeissiproperties.com, (818) 636-6146.
As county officials advance plans to remove decades of built-up sediment from behind Devils Gate Dam, they and conservationists opposed to the project  whose view is shared by a candidate in the county supervisors race  held dueling informational sessions Saturday.

In an afternoon meeting at the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge, county public works officials described a three- to five-year project that will involve up to 400 haul trips a day, amounting to 800 in-and-out truck trips daily along segments of Oak Grove Drive and Berkshire and Windsor avenues.

Officials shared concessions made to reduce health risks to nearby schools and job sites, including low-emission trucks with covered beds and time-sensitive hauling routes. A biologist consultant explained that to offset the impact of the dig on local wildlife experts would restore and replant a 70-acre portion of the land and remove invasive nonnative species that have flourished during years of neglect.

The habitat out there is becoming degraded. Once an area gets taken over by these nonnative plants the diversity of native wildlife goes down, said consultant Mari Quillman. There are lots of things that can be done here to restore and make it better.

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But in a walking tour of Hahamongna held Saturday morning by the Arroyo Seco Foundation, one litigant in a 2014 lawsuit against the county, environmentalists aimed to show locals the richness and diversity that would be threatened by what they believe is an overzealous excavation plan.

Foundation members pointed out mulefat shrubs and black willow trees, the preferred environment of the federally endangered bird Least Bells vireo.

Today were going to walk through the area, member Nicholas Hernandez, a man of Southern California tribal descent who goes by the name Nicholas Hummingbird, told participants. I want you to walk through it with the knowledge that this may be the last time you see the area as it is.

Set between the Angeles National Forest and the Rose Bowl, Hahamongna Watershed Park plays an important role in moving stormwater from the San Gabriel Mountains through the Arroyo Seco to downtown Los Angeles and the L.A. River.

A sandy-bottomed flood basin behind the 96-year-old Devils Gate Dam is intended to prevent flooding to homes and cities downstream, but in the meantime supports a range of native plant and animal species and provides a rare wildlife corridor connecting the San Gabriel and San Rafael foothills.

For all its splendor, however, the current condition of Hahamongnas stream bed is not ideal. Upwards of 4 million cubic yards of sediment have collected there as the result of decades of storm events, including a 2010 flood that brought tons of debris from the Station fire which preceded it.

Removing evidence of earlier upheavals and making Devils Gate and the land around it more effective at transporting water has been a stated priority of the countys Flood Control District and is something with which many locals agree.

But exactly how to haul the sediment away  to what extent and for how long  and how to do so with minimal impact to indigenous wildlife habitats is at the center of the lawsuit between the county and environmentalists with the Arroyo Seco Foundation and Pasadena Audubon Society.

This is not a natural sediment build up, Tim Brick, managing director of the foundation, said during Saturdays walk. "[The county] built the dam, and its the dam that trapped the sediment. They caused the problem and now they want to destroy the habitat to fix the problem they caused.

Brick handed out No Big Dig T-shirts to about 30 walk participants. He encouraged them to attend the afternoon meeting, speak out and later share their concerns with Kathryn Barger and Darrell Park, the two candidates running to replace L.A. County Supervisor Mike Antonovich in the 5th District.

Residents and activists who turned out to the community center passionately shared their concerns and questions with Quillman, county engineer Keith Lilley and his colleagues.

Our goal is that when alls said and done, the overall quality of habitat in Hahamongna will be better than it is today, Lilley told the crowd.

In a Q&A session, Democratic supervisorial candidate Park, who came into the meeting after its start, surprised the crowd with a bold suggestion.

That sediment did not get there by trucks. That sediment got there by gravity and water, and thats how were going to remove it, Park said. What nature wants to do, and what we stopped, it wants to flow down to the sea and help with beach restoration. Thats what we will do, and it will be far cheaper than what were doing now. We really, really, really need to rethink this.

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Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com

Twitter: @SaraCardine
Recognizing the importance of technology in classroom instruction and standardized testing now and in years to come, La Canada Unified School Board members voted unanimously Tuesday to promote current Technology Director Jamie Lewsadder to a cabinet-level position.

As the districts new chief technology officer, Lewsadder will continue to lead the department while becoming directly involved in making decisions that will help build the districts infrastructure and guide the use of technology inside and outside the classroom, according to LCUSD Supt. Wendy Sinnette.

Under Jamie Lewsadders leadership as director of technology, the technology department has been transformed in four short years, Sinnette told the board. Weve seen an integration of technology into curriculum, assessment, instruction  its increasingly evident that all that we do is interdependent with technology.

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The superintendent said the timing was right, as the district begins the process of updating its Facilities Master Plan to guide future projects and funding considerations, in which technology infrastructure upgrades will play a big role.

Lewsadder graduated from high school in 1994 and spent several years working and attending Glendale Community College before transferring to California State University, Northridge, in 2004. Three years later, she graduated with a degree in English Language Arts Education and, by 2008, had earned a graduate degree from University of Southern Californias Rossier School of Education.

That same year, she joined La Canada High School as an English teacher and remained in the classroom until 2013, when she was named technology director. Although she took some tech classes in graduate school, she admits her interest was piqued by helping her grandfather build computers when she was younger.

Speaking in a public comment, LCUSD parent and regular meeting attendant Belinda Randolph praised Lewsadder for always being responsive to questions and being a lifelong learner.

I assume you guys know Jamie did not major in IT in college. She has continued to teach herself and go and learn everything she needs, and I think thats an incredible role model for our students here in the district, Randolph said.

Board Vice President Dan Jeffries credited the districts easy transition to online state testing, in large part, to the preparedness efforts of Lewsadders team. Board President David Sagal agreed.

Technology is essential to what were doing, Sagal said. We certainly have the right person for the job and were very grateful for your hard work.

Beginning Aug. 1, Lewsadder will earn an 11-month salary of $131,725, according to the terms of the employment contract. Then, on July 1, 2017, she will be placed on year two of the districts cabinet-level salary schedule and will advance through its steps each additional year.

Lewsadder said after the meeting shed recently completed a Chief Technology Officer training program in Ontario, not to advance her career but because I wanted to do my job really well. When she learned at a recent leadership retreat Sinnette was eying her for a promotion, she was happy to be considered.

I just really want to be helpful and to be in the meetings where a lot of the decisions are made. I think it will honestly save time, she said. There are so many things that are involved with technology that it really cant be an afterthought anymore. It will be good to be a part of those planning conversations.

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Sara Cardine, sara.cardine@latimes.com

Twitter: @SaraCardine
With tensions on the boil over Turkeys demand for the handover of a Muslim cleric it blames for last weekends attempted military coup, President Obama telephoned the Turkish president Tuesday and assured him the U.S. does not support terrorists but will follow a lawful process before considering extradition.

Obamas phone call to Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan was the first since the attempted coup by elements of the Turkish military Friday, and his forceful words appeared to be a direct response to Erdogans demand Monday that the United States has to extradite his political nemesis and onetime ally, Fethullah Gulen.

The two leaders spoke after the Turkish government announced a vast expansion of its purge, which grew to 50,000 military, police, teachers and civil servants  a fast-moving process that drew an implicit rebuke from Obama.

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Its in times like this that its particularly important for the Turkish government and the Turkish people to adhere to the principles of democracy they have been fighting for and that theyre justifiably proud of, spokesman Josh Earnest said, referring to Obamas words.

Turkish officials said Erdogan replied that Turks, who turned out by the thousands to block the coup plot, had shown great support for democracy. He added that proceedings against those responsible will be in line with justice and the rule of law  something few in the country expect under Turkeys politicized system of justice.

Turning to the extradition demand, Obama made some other things clear, Earnest said.

The first is that the United States doesnt support terrorists, the United States doesnt support individuals who conspired to overthrow democratically elected governments. The United States follows the rule of law, he said. The U.S. will follow the extradition process agreed to by treaty that would also provide due process for Gulen, Earnest said.

Obama spoke one day after Erdogan called Gulen a terrorist and a criminal and questioned how the U.S. could hold him in the face of an urgent demand from its NATO ally.

Erdogans spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, told reporters Monday that the paperwork for an extradition request was being prepared.

Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish foreign minister, had announced he was traveling to Washington Tuesday but canceled his plans on short notice to attend a meeting of the Turkish National Security Council on Wednesday.

Obamas phone call came two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin contacted Erdogan, a delay that in itself bore testimony to the strained relationship. It seems unlikely to settle the dispute, which has taken on a far more bitter tone in the days since the Turkish military put down the revolt Saturday.

Warning signs that it could turn into a full-blown rift appeared in the pro-government media Monday in the form of accusations that the U.S. played a passive role, even as the rebels were shutting down airports, bridges and government offices in Ankara and Istanbul and attempting to seize top government officials.

Sabah, a leading pro-government daily, claimed in an editorial that Secretary of State John F. Kerry had failed in the middle of the coup attempt to say the U.S. stood in solidarity with Turkey and urge the military to return to their barracks.

But the White House and Kerry both issued strong statements during the attempted coup supporting the elected Turkish government.

Voicing gravest concern about the events unfolding in Turkey, Kerry said hed stressed over the phone to Cavusoglu the United States absolute support for Turkeys democratically elected civilian government and democratic institutions.

Media accusations continued Tuesday when Yeni Safak, a pro-government daily, claimed Kerry had extended support to the junta by saying he hoped there will be stability and peace within Turkey. Columnist Ibrahim Karagul said that the U.S. government had used the Gulenist organization in an attempt to trigger a civil war in Turkey. The pro-government tabloid Gunes also said that western countries were silent while the challenge to the government was under way.

Taking note of the accusatory tone, U.S. Ambassador John Bass decried speculation in news reports and by some public figures that the U.S. in some way supported the coup attempt.

That is categorically untrue, he said, and such speculation is harmful to the decades-long friendship between two great nations.

The Pentagon said U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter telephoned Turkish defense minister Fikri Isik on Tuesday and among the issues discussed was Incirlik Air Base, a principal launch point for air attacks against Islamic State, but which has had limited operations since the coup attempt.

The Turkish government cut power to the base as well as all access after it learned that aerial tankers from the base had been used for air-to-air refueling for the rebel air force Friday and Saturday. But there was no indication when the base would return to full operations.

Although Turks of every political persuasion have voiced relief at the outcome of the weekend struggle, there were growing misgivings over the mass purges taken by the government in the days that followed.

On Tuesday the government announced that the thousands of people it was suspending included 15,200 employees of the education ministry and that it had demanded the resignation of 1,577 deans of state and private universities.

Special correspondent Gutman reported from Istanbul, Turkey, and Times staff writer Tracy Wilkinson from Washington.

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The Turkish police officer boarded a crowded commuter bus heading toward Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul and snatched the keys from the driver, leaving him and the passengers in stunned silence.

A moment later, the driver at least managed a few words.

I dont know whats going on, he told commuters heading home at 10:50 p.m. last Friday on the E5, Istanbuls major east-west artery.

Almost immediately, dozens of lightly armed police officers showed up, parking their minivans across the eight-lane thoroughfare, causing a traffic jam that stretched for miles. The police had come to preempt soldiers, who soon appeared in military jeeps to confront them.

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Go home. Dont look! shouted soldiers toting machine guns and wearing camouflage and body armor.

Seconds later, bursts of automatic gunfire sent onlookers running, as soldiers and police battled to gain control of the road.

Thousands of commuters, among them families with children, left their cars and looked for cover. But barriers along the roadside meant the only way to run was farther along the contested highway.

Soldiers are coming. They are firing; they are fighting police! screamed pedestrians streaming onto the road from exit and entry ramps.

As people in Turkey began realizing last week that a military coup attempt was underway, either through their own harrowing experiences or televised comments by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, many also learned that soldiers trying to take over the government appeared to be using the popular WhatsApp social media platform to communicate.

Urgent orders and updates were being sent via the app to different units across the country, according to Turkish prosecutors, who have shared transcripts of the messages exchanged that night.

Important announcements here, said an account with a username of Maj. Murat Celebioglu said shortly after 9 p.m. Important developments will be sent from here to Ankara.

While the authenticity of the correspondences cannot be independently verified, much of the information shared on the app matches accounts from witnesses in Istanbul during the first few hours of the coup attempt, as would-be putschists mobilized to take control of transportation infrastructure, state-run media and police and municipal headquarters.

The transcripts show the participants in the attempted coup were hoping for support from the public, large parts of which had become antagonistic toward President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his increasingly autocratic rule. When the support did not materialize, the soldiers were ordered to open fire.

The soldiers named their WhatsApp group Peace at home, a reference to a slogan used by the countrys founder, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who, in 1931, described the new nations foreign policy with the phrase Peace at home, peace in the world.

At strategic points across Istanbul and Ankara, the capital, on the night of the attempted coup, the military units met resistance from police and government supporters who had caught on to the plan.

The bridges, the only way to move tanks and vehicles from the eastern to the western side of Istanbul, were important targets for the soldiers.

First bridges entry from Europe partly blocked  Second bridge police checkpoint entered. Police listening to orders. Appears to be no problem, reported Maj. Muammer Aygar at 9:43 p.m.

Intense clashes would occur at the bridges.

In other parts of Istanbul, the putschists tried to get support from senior civil servants and police officers.

In Fatih, is the situation positive or negative? asked one officer on the group at 9:43 p.m., referring to the conservative central district housing the police and municipal headquarters.

At the Istanbul police headquarters in Fatih, coup plotters were counting on allies on the force.

Police Assistant Manager following orders. He was informed. A large part following orders, Celebioglu wrote shortly after 10 p.m.

To my police friends, I kiss your eyes, wrote Armored Brigade Deputy Cmdr. Albay Uzay Sahin.

But thousands of government supporters and police reinforcements soon arrived at the police headquarters to thwart the soldiers.

Yildirim appeared briefly on television to say the coup would soon be thwarted.

Then early Saturday morning, Erdogan spoke via Facetime live on CNN Turk, telling residents to enter the streets and help police dislodge the soldiers who were taking over key points in Ankara and Istanbul.

On the E5 highway, rumors were circulating: Erdogan, who had been in Marmaris, was going to the Ataturk airport and he wanted the country to welcome him there in person. On side roads that skirted the roadblocks on the highway, police vans and fire engines with sirens blaring led convoys of flag-waving civilians converging on the airport.

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At the offices of a disaster-management agency near the airport, commanders of units that were part of the coup asked what to do about approaching civilians.

Repeat. Open fire to disperse crowds, Col. Muzaffer Duzenli said on the app.

Nevertheless, government supporters pressed on, penetrating military perimeters across Istanbul.

Shortly before 3 a.m., a crowd of tens of thousands greeted Erdogan as his plane landed. The president later gave a hastily arranged news conference from a meeting room at the airport and delivered a simple message: The coup attempt had failed.

Those who did this thought they knew what would happen, but it didnt happen that way, Erdogan said. You are not allowed to direct your guns at your own people, and you did that, so you will pay for it in the gravest way.

Farooq is a special correspondent.

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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday declared a three-month state of emergency following a failed coup attempt last week by dissident military officers.

The purpose of the state of emergency is to most effectively and swiftly take steps necessary to eliminate the threat to democracy in our country, the rule of law and the rights and freedom of our citizens, he said.

At least 246 civilians and security forces members were killed in the coup attempt, which began Friday evening and was suppressed within 24 hours.

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The government blamed the coup attempt on followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric who lives in self-exile in Pennsylvania and was once a close political ally of Erdogans. The Turkish government is seeking Gulens extradition from the United States.

In a statement after a full day of meetings with his national security advisors and then his full cabinet, Erdogan said he was acting under article 120 of the Turkish constitution, which allows for a state of emergency to be declared for up to six months in the event of widespread acts of violence aimed at destruction of the free democratic order.

Never be worried. There is nothing to worry about, Erdogan said in comments directed to the nation of nearly 80 million.

The authority and will of the civilian leaders will grow more in this process, he said.

Even before loyal forces arrested the last renegades, the government announced it was suspending thousands of military officers, judges and others from their posts as it investigates the coup attempt. The number of people suspended or detained has grown to about 60,000, including admirals and generals, clerics, finance ministry officials, teachers, university rectors and journalists  a purge that has prompted criticism and alarm from the U.S. and other countries.

The Turkish constitution requires a simple parliamentary majority to impose the state of emergency, but that is a foregone conclusion as Erdogans Justice and Development Party has an absolute majority, and leading opposition politicians have indicated they will support such a move.

The state of emergency is intended to protect our democracy at this difficult time, said a senior official who could not be identified because of official protocol. Its a temporary measure we were compelled to take.

The official could not immediately say how the declaration would affect fundamental rights and freedoms of Turkish citizens. But he said the application of the state of emergency would be strictly in the area of national security and would not affect financial or commercial activities.

He said the decree would be submitted to the Turkish parliament Thursday and would not be subject to review by the constitutional court. The court itself is now being subjected to close government scrutiny, and two of its members have been detained and are being questioned for their possible role in the coup attempt.

A confession by a former top military aide appeared Wednesday in publications including the pro-government daily Sabah and the independent daily Hurriyet.

The former aide to the militarys chief of staff delivered a series of stunning revelations  among them that Gulens followers have dominated the Turkish militarys officer corps for the past quarter century.

Lt. Col Levent Turkkan, a Gulen supporter since he attended military academy, also said he had planted listening devices on behalf of the Gulen organization in the office of the former chief of staff, Gen. Necdet Ozel, who held his post from 2011 to 2015.

Turkkan said he would exchange the device daily and then handed it over to a Gulen backer working for the Turkish telecommunications authority.

Yes, I am a member of the parallel establishment. I am from the Gulen community. After I was brought to the aide-de-camp position at the general staff, I started to execute the orders given on behalf of the community, he said.

Turkkan said he was from a poor family and first encountered the Gulen movement, which ran after-school college preparatory courses around Turkey, when he was in middle school. They were eager to assist him when he told them he wanted a career in the military, and on the night before the exams for military high school in the city of Bursa in 1989, a brother in the community delivered the test questions to him, he said.

In the Gulen organization, everyone had older guys responsible for them, he said.

Gutman is a special correspondent.

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Fathiya Safadi was married less than three weeks when her husband, Ashraf, a wanted Palestinian militant, was arrested, jailed and sentenced to 21 years behind bars in Israel.

Her friends suggested a divorce so she could start over and have a family. Instead, Safadi resigned herself to life without a husband at her side and childless: I thought, this is my fate. This is my life.

But her life changed a decade later when, during a prison visit, Safadis husband slipped her a candy wrapper and told her to take it straight to a fertility clinic in the West Bank town of Nablus. The wrapper contained his semen and  with the aid of clinic doctors  she became pregnant and gave birth to the couples first child, Amir.

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The Safadis are among dozens of Palestinian couples who have defied jail terms and conservative social norms to become parents by undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatments with semen smuggled out of Israeli prisons.

Although IVF is rare in the traditionalist society of the Palestinian territories, some have started to embrace the procedure as a way to support the cause of thousands of Palestinians in Israeli jails, many of whom are considered prisoners of war. For Fathiya Safadi, it is far more personal.

Even though people feel that having a baby from a prisoner is a patriotic act, I disagree. I consider Amir coming into my life as having saved me from a personal crisis, she said.

In June, she was back at the Razan fertility clinic in Nablus with 2-year-old Amir climbing on the waiting-room chairs as she nervously awaited another procedure in the hope of expanding her family.

My life had no meaning before Amir, she said. It was difficult.

Nothing was beautiful in my eyes. I was insecure.

In the nearly four years since the first IVF birth to a prisoners wife, about 50 Palestinian children have been born using the treatment, said Dr. Salem Abu Khaizaran, director of the Razan Medical Center, which pioneered treatments in the West Bank.

Abu Khaizaran said that wives of prisoners began inquiring about the fertility treatments as far back as 2003, but that he was initially skeptical that it would gain traction in Palestinian society.

We were reluctant to do it because we were worried that the community will not accept such treatment, he said. We are a small society, and if people suddenly saw a woman pregnant whose husband is in jail, they might start accusing her of cheating.

To offset social backlash, the Razan center instructed treatment candidates to bring two representatives from each side of the family to vouch for the woman. The prisoners wives won religious support for the procedure from a fatwa issued by the Palestinian Authoritys religious council, which deemed the treatment acceptable if it was for a husband and wife.

Though IVF treatments  which cost about $3,000  are not covered by the Palestinian public medical plans, unlike in Israel, the Razan center offers such procedures free of charge for the wives of prisoners.

About 6,000 Palestinians are in Israeli jails, many of them sentenced for involvement in violence against Israelis that includes stone throwing and bus bombings. Family members said Ashraf Safadi was wanted by Israeli forces for involvement in a Palestinian uprising against Israel, and in 2004 he was sentenced to 21 years in jail for shooting at Israelis. Among Palestinians, inmates like him are considered a cause celebre.

See the most-read stories this hour >>

Its considered a national mission and a national achievement, said Zaid Nasser, a doctor at the clinic. This is helping the prisoners.

They get hope from the fact that theyll have a family waiting for them when they get out of jail, he said.

Though Israeli prisoners are allowed conjugal visits  most notably for Yigal Amir, who assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995  they are not permitted for Palestinians from the West Bank or Gaza Strip.

So Palestinian prisoners have become creative.

Holding up a plastic pen and a pitted date, Nasser demonstrated some of the improvised containers used to smuggle seminal fluid out of prisons. The sperm can survive for up to 48 hours before it needs to be frozen, said Nasser, whose clinic now is treating about five women pregnant with the children of prisoners.

The Israel Prison Service did not respond to a request for comment.

As Fathiya caressed Amirs tiny knuckles with her thumb in the waiting room, she recalled feeling a moment of liberation for her husband when she found out she was pregnant. But she also described a sort of personal liberation. Having a child suddenly conferred on her social status: She moved from her familys home to an apartment set up by her in-laws.

My in-laws were extremely happy with Amir. Before I had no place in their family. I didnt feel like I fit in, she said. Socially I changed, personally I changed, and people started looking at me differently.

The fertility center provides the IVF treatments for free as a humanitarian gesture to the wives of prisoners who might miss the opportunity to get pregnant before their husbands are released from jail, said Abu Khaizaran. The center does not receive any subsidies from the Palestinian government or from political groups, he said.

Although the wife of a prisoner serving a life sentence would be eligible for pro bono treatments, a woman in her mid-20s whose husband is scheduled for release in 10 years would not be eligible. Fathiya, who will be in her mid-40s when her husband is released, qualified.

The reproductive life of a woman is short, Abu Khaizaran said. If they are too old, the husband will marry another woman just to have a child.

Back in the waiting room, it was the turn of Fathiyas brother-in-law, Ali Safadi, to watch Amir after she was called to begin the procedure.

The brother-in-law boasted that it was he who convinced his reluctant brother to try the procedure to preserve the couples marriage.

The personal part of this is that there is part of my brother with us. My brother is home with us, he said. I hope more will come, so when Ashraf gets out there will be three or four children.

Mitnick is a special correspondent.

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As U.S.-supported rebels advanced on a strategic town held by Islamic State in northern Syria this month, coalition warplanes paved the way with airstrikes.

They targeted what they thought were jihadist positions  but their strikes have resulted in the highest number of civilian casualties since the start of the coalitions campaign against Islamic State, monitoring groups have warned.

One of those airstrikes outside Manbij killed dozens of people Tuesday, activists said.

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A number of pro-opposition organizations based in the town reported anywhere from 56 to 212 people were killed in the pre-dawn hours, when airstrikes pounded a string of houses in the villages of Tokhar and Hoshariyeh, roughly 10 miles to the north. The number of casualties could not be independently verified by the Los Angeles Times.

Manbij, a one-time hub for archaeological smuggling 48 miles northeast of Aleppo, is an essential stop on the corridor connecting Aleppo province to Islamic States de-facto Syrian capital of Raqqa. Its proximity to Syrias northern border makes it an important hub for Islamic State members seeking to move between the groups territories and Turkey.

An estimated 70,000 people are thought to be trapped in the town and its surrounding villages.

Frightened residents had fled to the area as clashes raged between the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, a predominantly Kurdish militia operating in northern Syria, and Islamic State militants bunkered there.

After the first strikes, people rushed to remove the victims, and thats when the planes struck the site once again, the administrator of the Manbij  Mother of the World Facebook page said in an interview on Wednesday. Like others interviewed for this article, he would not give his full name for reasons of security.

Another activist, who wished to be identified only as Abu Omar, uploaded pictures depicting the remains of buildings he claimed had been destroyed in Tuesdays attacks, as well as graphic images of dust-covered corpses, including infants.

Amaq News, an agency affiliated with Islamic State, issued a report Tuesday saying 160 civilians were killed in Tokhar as a result of American airstrikes.

Syrias government condemned the airstrikes in letters of complaint issued by its Foreign Ministry to the U.N. and the U.N. Security Council, saying, Whoever wishes to fight terrorism in a serious matter should coordinate with the government of [Syria] and its army.

Syrian Democratic Forces spokesman Sharfan Darwish insisted that Islamic State had been present in the village and that the death toll was exaggerated.

We monitored the movements of Daesh. We saw a rocket launcher, a car bomb, a tank  and they had gathered in great number in Tokhar to launch a counterattack against us, he said, using the Arabic acronym for Islamic State.

Only two houses were hit on the outskirts of the village, he said. How can 200 civilians be in two houses? The numbers must be inflated.

Another Manbij activist, who gave his name as Hmoud, said the rocket launcher had been placed among civilians.

When a missile struck the launcher, that explosion caused the most damage.

Yet according to Christopher Woods, head of Airwars, a nonprofit organization that tracks the international air war in Iraq and Syria, Tuesdays strike was simply the latest in a string of attacks.

We were already preparing this news story to go out before [the Tokhar attack] because our researchers were so alarmed by the high number of casualty reports relating to Manbij, Woods said in a phone interview Wednesday.

Airwars estimates anywhere from 150 to 165 civilians have been killed since June 10, including a significant number of women and children.

On Wednesday, the coalition released a statement confirming it had conducted airstrikes near Manbij and was aware of reports alleging civilian casualties in the area. The group said the claims were being investigated and if they warranted further investigation, [the Coalition] will then determine the next appropriate step.

Earlier, an official release of airstrike information by U.S. Central Command said coalition warplanes had conducted three airstrikes near Manbij, knocking out Islamic State tactical units, fighting positions, a command and control node and vehicles. It did not mention any civilian casualties.

However, coalition spokesman Col. Christopher Garver said in an email Wednesday the initial assessment was still ongoing.

In May, the Syrian Democratic Forces mounted an offensive aimed at ousting the jihadists from the area. On Wednesday, the militants advanced into the southern neighborhoods of Manbij.

The U.S., which has come under criticism for its failure in forging a proxy ground force against Islamic State, has been quick to tout the Syrian Democratic Forces success, despite complaints that the Kurdish-dominated force intends to assimilate territories under its control into an autonomous Kurdish entity on Syrian soil.

Bulos is a special correspondent.

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On 19 July Guatemalas President Jimmy Morales, Interior Minister Francisco Rivas, and Attorney General Thelma Aldana announced joint efforts to clarify the circumstances surrounding the riot that broke out the previous day at the El Pavon prison, outside Guatemala City, which left at least 13 dead - 12 prisoners and a woman visiting one of the inmates.

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The speaker's list for the 2016 Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia reads like a who's who list among party elite.

President Barack Obama, vice president Joe Biden, former president Bill Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama and presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton's biggest primary challenger Sen. Bernie Sanders are all slated to address the crowd at the four day event scheduled to commence on July 25 at the Wells Fargo Center.

Theme Nights in Order

Each night of the festivities will feature a theme, with Sanders and Michelle Obama both slated to take the stage on opening night when the message will be "United Together."

The night will also feature words from DREAMER Astrid Silva, who will share intimate details of her crusade to keep families together through the immigration reform volunteer work she does. You can watch a live stream of the events here.

Sanders' prominent positioning among the party elite is seen as yet another attempt to quell any lingering animosity that might exist between his and Clinton supporters given their often volatile primary battle.

It is also part of a plan to now convert his many supporters into Clinton voters, with the first part of the effort being served up by his recent endorsement of the former secretary of state.

The next night, Bill Clinton headlines the list of speakers, where he is expected to highlight his wife's lifetime efforts of "working to make a difference for children, families, and our country."

Mothers Against Police Violence

That same night, members of Mothers of the Movement are also expected to take the stage, among them Gwen Carr, mother of Eric Garner; Sybrina Fulton, mother of Trayvon Martin; Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre Hamilton; Lucia McBath, mother of Jordan Davis; Lezley McSpadden, mother of Michael Brown; Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley, mother of Hadiya Pendleton; and Geneva Reed-Veal, mother of Sandra Bland.

On Wednesday, President Obama and VP Biden will serve up speeches meant to remind voters just how much is at stake in tabbing their successors come November's general election.

On the last night, Clinton and daughter Chelsea are slated to take the stage together, and the candidate is expected to outline her vision for the country and touch on how she's convinced we're better as a nation when we all work together.

The theme for the evening is "Stronger Together."
With long-haul flights a big part of my work, Ive spent a lot of time trying to overcome jet lag, and beat it at its own game. Some travel writers said that they barely notice changes to their circadian rhythm, and that long-term travel leads to more of the same. But my own body is different. As an insomniac who turned to meditation to help lull my body to sleep, jet lag has been a real thorn. At the beginning of my travels, I handled the woozy dissonance with mid-afternoon naps and a week of wandering through life as a zombie.

It wasnt enough.

I decided to deep dive into research and articles about sleep, jet lag and circadian rhythms. In the process, I came up with a system that has done wonders for me in minimizing jet lag when I shift time zones, and helps me sleep better generally.

While this isnt my typical narrative post, many readers write complaining about jet lag and asking how to make it easier. I thought I would share what Ive learned. Below, how to beat jet lag while you travel, including some important tips to keep in mind before you even leave home that will help it last a shorter time. And if youre like me where sleep has long been an issue: keeping some of these tips when you arent traveling will likely help you sleep better.

LAST UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2022

Circadian Rhythm Studies Go Beyond Jet Lag

Crucial to understanding how jet lag affects the body is to first start with circadian rhythm, essentially the bodys clock that governs our sleep and wake cycles.

Weve long read pop culture pieces about night owls or morning people and how one is inevitably better than the other. The truth is, your genes affect your body clock and may be contributing to you being one of those two types of people. Its not that you dont necessarily want to get up early, or cant do night shift; its that your genes are affecting the rhythm your body is best suited for and making it harder for you.

This piece focuses on jet lag, when that body clock is essentially out of sync. But the circadian rhythm itself is also important to learn about as a building block for understanding why that can happen. Its a 24-hour process in the body that affects a lot more than sleep, and also has profound impact on the immune system, metabolism, the temperature of our bodies, hormones, and a lot more.

As youll read below, there are different organs and systems in the body that have their own circadian rhythms, controlled via a central clock in the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN. Almost every organism on the planet has its own circadian rhythm, from plants to animals to people.

More and more studies have pointed to a circadian component that impacts body processes, so much so that a whole field of medicine has been growing: chronomedicine (or chronotherapy). It started in the 1970s when researchers saw that mice cancer responded better to treatment given in decreasing doses over a 24-hour cycle. Later research showed that circadian rhythms were important for other conditions, too, proving that certain genes run on a 24-hour cycle, and thus so does the physiology of what those genes impact.

In 2017, the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was awarded to three circadian rhythm researchers who discovered a clock protein that, like an actual clock, changes depending on the time of day. In animals that are nocturnal (like mice), the build up of the protein occurs at night; its the opposite for creatures that are not nocturnal.

Because of how circadian rhythms affect the bodys systems, mice research showed when a big dose of paracetamol was given in the AM, nothing concerning resulted. But, when the same dose was given at night, it adversely affected their livers. So essentially, this subset of medical practice has shown that there are optimal times and less than optimal or even hazardous times for medical interventions in certain diseases, including prostate cancer.

First: lets go back to the basics.

Wait, Where Does the Term Jet Lag Come From?

Jet lag is a fairly recent term, which makes perfect sense because airplanes are a fairly modern invention. The question I had in writing this piece was: when did it first pop up in writing?

There is a May 1958 piece in Popular Science magazine that alludes to its effect on our bodies. Called Trials of the Jet-Age Traveler, it warns that flying around the world:

at nearly the speed of sound will throw your eating and sleeping schedules off as never before.  You can make a mental adjustment by simply resetting your watch while whizzing over the time zones of Paris, Beirut or Karachi. But your body doesnt change its routine so easily.

Then there was a 1969 study by the Federal Aviation Administration, entitled Time Zone Effects on the Long Distance Air Traveler, which notes that pilots in the 1930s submitted early write ups about body clocks. The study is clear to mention that as of 1969 there was no definitive study about jet lag, but that desynchronization of the circadian system was a serious problem for travelers and pilots alike. (I also like that its final suggestion is moderate exercise and a warm bath to help induce sleep.)

From government studies, jet lag hopped into popular culture via the media society consumes. Per an Air and Space Magazine article, the first appearance in newspapers was from a Los Angeles Times article on February 13, 1966, by Horace Sutton:

If youre going to be a member of the Jet Set and fly off to Katmandu for coffee with King Mahendra, you can count on contracting Jet Lag, a debility not unakin to a hangover. Jet Lag derives from the simple fact that jets travel so fast they leave your body rhythms behind.

Googles nGram graph for jet lag in books from 1800-2008 show that it was first mentioned in the late 1940s, with the term gaining traction throughout the latter part of the 20th century, peaking in the year 2000.

What Is Jet Lag and Why Do We Get It?

Jet lag is the lag time between our internal body clock and the place we are now inhabiting.

Jet lag is essentially a chronobiological problem. The same issues arise not just when we fly long distances, but also we we do shift work. Both require your body to make changes to how your body clock perceives time. And its not just humans, either.

In her book Chasing the Sun, science journalist Lisa Geddes notes that daily sun cycles are important to many different species, from insects (honeybees can get jet lag too!) to plants, algae and so much more. A 2019 study at Yale University delved into plants and their night-day cycle. Joshua Gendron, leader of the Gendron Lab at Yale and senior author of the study, noted that the circadian clock is important to plants in much the same way that it is for humans.

As for us humans, much of our biology varies between day and night in a natural rhythm our bodies sink into with ease. Change those rhythms via shift work, long-haul travel, or insomnia, and the effects on the body are manifold, a lag in what the body anticipates and what its getting moment to moment.

Since this is a travel website, Ill start with long-hauls. When we travel long distances, our circadian rhythm is temporarily out of synch with the new destinations time. This means that internally we anticipate dawn and dusk to fall at certain times, which are suddenly at different times than whats happening outside. The desynchronization affects not just sleep, but also body temperature, blood pressure, hormone regulation, when we get hungry and how hungry we are.

You know that feeling when you wake up at 3am after a long-haul flight and you wince rolling over to check the clock because you just know its not actually day time but your body is all NO GET UP NOW ITS NOT NIGHT ITS ALL A LIE? Yeah, that. When this happens, I feel like a perpetual daytime / nighttime bird, unaware of which is which, dreading the middle of the night awakening.

That SCN I wrote about above is a master clock in our brain that uses our exposure to light to coordinate all of the workings of our organs. Located in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain just above where the optic nerves from the eyes cross, it synchronizes our circadian rhythm while also keeping everything it in line with the Earths rotation.

Were still learning about the SCN and other timekeepers in the body affect the molecular mechanisms of our circadian rhythms. A study from August 19, 2021 found that a gene called Npas4, which we already knew played a role in balancing excitatory and inhibitory inputs in brain cells, appears to also be a master timekeeper for the brains circadian clock. Scientists hope that by learning more about the molecular underpinnings of the circadian clock, they can help optimize it to improve health, and potentially also treat sleep disorders.

Per Dr. Smith L. Johnston, a flight surgeon and the chief of the fatigue management team at NASA, it takes about a day to adjust to each time zone we cross. But not all jet lag is the same. The bodys production of melatonin, a sleep hormone produced by the pineal gland to signify to our body that soon it will be time for rest, affects our bodys internal time measurement system. That system is also influenced by the direction we travel; heading west is easier on our body than flying east. A 2016 study shows that not only is it easier to recover from westward travel, but that hopping over a few time zones might be harder on our body clocks than a larger gap.

Driving the point home, a 2017 study that looked at sports teams and travel ascertained that traveling eastward affected athletic performance (in this case, of sprinters) for up to 3 days following arrival. What about westward movement? The study concluded that traveling west is less of a doozy for the body to process, simply affecting waking times more than peak performance.

Per a July 2016 New York Times piece:

For example, it would take you about eight days to recover from a westward trip across nine time zones, if you did nothing to fight it. But if you cross the same number of time zones going east, recovery would take more than 13 days, according to the model. This recovery time is worse than if you flew smack across the globe, crossing 12 time zones, which is about the distance from New York to Japan.

This is all because the bodys internal clock has a natural period of slightly longer than 24 hours, meaning that the body has an easier time with lengthening the day (heading west) than shortening the day (heading east).

I find it takes me a week to adjust when returning from Vietnam, but with the tips below Ive beat jet lags interference with my day-to-day living.

Prior, I simply curled up in a ball on the carpet at 3pm and called it a day.

Symptoms of jet lag

When your body clock is all over the place, its very hard to sleep well. I am not a great sleeper generally, though Ive vastly improved my sleep issues over the years, so when Im jet lagged I am basically a zombie.

Some of the symptoms of jet lag include:

Difficulty falling asleep

Inability to stay asleep through the night

Daytime exhaustion

Brain fog

Lower coordination

For some, increases in allergies and/or asthma (see below for more)

For some, stomach discomfort (see below for more)

Mood changes like being irritable or emotional.

Jet lag: not so fun! But with the tips in this piece, you can hopefully minimize the symptoms and get better sleep in a new destination.

Can Jet Lag or Shifted Sleep Affect our Immune System?

Jet lag isnt simply about sleeping a little better as you travel. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of studies about the effects long-term circadian rhythm changes have on the body. Some even discuss the role of circadian rhythm in neuropsychiatric illnesses, where scientists have found that clock genes have been implicated in the pathophysiology of several diseases including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression.

Stabilization of sleep and circadian behaviours is providing new approaches for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses via chronobiology and chronomedicine research.

Even your immune system has a circadian rhythm, as does your neuroendocrine system and many other function loops in the body. Per a 2015 study about body clocks and the immune system:

Most immune cells express circadian clock genes and present a wide array of genes expressed with a 24-h rhythm. This has profound impacts on cellular functions, including a daily rhythm in the synthesis and release of cytokines, chemokines and cytolytic factors, the daily gating of the response occurring through pattern recognition receptors, circadian rhythms of cellular functions such as phagocytosis, migration to inflamed or infected tissue, cytolytic activity, and proliferative response to antigens. Consequently, alterations of circadian rhythms (e.g., clock gene mutation in mice or environmental disruption similar to shift work) lead to disturbed immune responses. We discuss the implications of these data for human health and the areas that future research should aim to address.

Essentially, shift work or continuous jet lag tranches may alter the natural immune systems protective responses. Chronic misalignment of our body clocks  for example, when eating and sleeping patterns conflict with the natural light-dark cycle, or with prolonged shift work  is associated with higher risks of conditions like metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions, and cancer.

In the chart below, cells of the bodys central clock in the SCN (top) and of other body clocks in other tissues, including in the immune system (bottom), have a clock based on autoregulatory feedback loops (middle right inset). This clock controls the rhythmic expression of various types of molecules.

The SCN clock regulates the different peripheral clocks (including in immune cells) via humoral, neuronal, and systemic cues. The circadian regulation of the immune response is therefore not one body clock, but an integration of different signals from the central (SCN) clock, and then all of those peripheral clocks found in the immune cells, the organs, and even areas of infection of the body. (Source, specifically relating to inflammatory conditions and the circadian clock.)

Its also worth noting that these peripheral clocks adjust to the new time zone / shifted time at different rates, so your SCN may be more adjusted than, say, one of your peripheral clocks  like your liver. (Source)

A study published in early 2020 took that a step further, and genetically-engineered mice to remove the BMAL1 clock gene. The authors wanted to find out how the body clock could influence infection-fighting cells, specific to pneumonia. They already knew that mice had a harder time fighting off pneumococcal bacteria when they were infected during the day, versus at night. This experiment aimed to make that difference stronger by removing the mices ability to regulate body clock functioning.

We were really surprised to find that these mice, which had no clock in a set of immune cells, were more resistant to bacterial pneumonia, noted senior study investigator David Ray, PhD, in a write-up about the study. Almost everything weve learned about the body clock so far, whether its studied in shift workers or experiments in mice, says that disrupting the body clock makes people and animals more likely to get ill, not less.

In addition, in a study released in January 2021 in the journal Genome Research, scientists reported that our circadian rhythms affect our ability to fight off diseases to a greater degree than previously realized. Lead study author Jennifer Hurley talked with Inverse about her study, noting that while scientists knew chronic disruptions to the circadian clock over a lifespan can lead to increased risk of certain diseases, they didnt know how the disruption lead to an increased risk.

We had observed that all of the diseases that were associated with chronic circadian disruption were also linked to inflammation, which is a product of the immune system. However, a deep understanding of how the clock controls the immune system, in cells or in organisms, didnt exist. This study aimed to help fill that gap in knowledge.

So what did Hurleys team find? They found that macrophages, which are specialised cells that help in the detection, and destruction of bacteria and other harmful organisms in the body, play a critical role in the bodys levels of inflammation. And, it turns out, that they also affect the functioning of the bodys circadian clocks. From the Inverse piece:

Macrophages, Hurley and her team discovered, time changes in their responses to both pathogens and stress via the circadian control of metabolism. But the precise nature of their timing was wholly unexpected, Hurley says. We learned the circadian control mechanisms in the cell are more complex than we previously believed, meaning that there is likely more that circadian rhythms control than we knew, Hurley says. Our study has a lot of potential to forward science.

Since the body clocks we have affects many different systems we need to function, its even more reason to try and beat jet lag when you travel. Sleep hygiene and good sleep goes far beyond waking up and feeling rested, and extends to the workings of the immune system itself.

Can time of day affect medication efficacy for COVID-19?

Increasingly, scientists are looking to the circadian rhythm of the body to help manage the diseases of the present, and the treatments of the future. With the pandemic, coronavirus studies include a look at chronomedicines findings with how time of day can impact the bodys responses to medication  and even whether they will be helpful or harmful.

When we saw the controversy surrounding the use of ibuprofen, we wanted to fully understand why this drug was beneficial to some people, but having negative effects on others, said Harry Karmouty-Quintana of University of Texas Health. In a report published in the British Journal of Pharmacology called The case for chronotherapy in Covid19induced acute respiratory distress syndrome, Harrys team suggests providing anti-inflammatory medicine at specific times of the day, which would impact the bodys response to the medication without interfering with its fight against COVID-19.

We hypothesize that the intrinsic circadian clock of the lung and the immune system may regulate individual components of CRS, and thus, chronotherapy may be used to effectively manage ARDS in COVID19 patients, notes the study  which dovetails well with the sections on mast cells, below. We know mast cells have their own circadian rhythm, and that they release cytokines when they degranulate (release inflammatory substances into the blood). It follows, per Harrys team, that administering medication based on the schedule of that inflammatory flood could optimize the bodys attempts to heal.

Per the conclusion:

This would mean that afternoon is the preferred time window for drug administration whereas intake at night should be avoided. This is particularly important when administering immune modulators where a single dose is usually given. Furthermore, the goal of chronotherapy in COVID19 is to avoid reaching steadystate drug levels; as in the case of antiinflammatory therapy, these would dampen the inflammatory response directed towards the virus.

How to Beat Jet Lag: My 5 Tips to Help You Get Over it Faster, and Sleep Better

This list of tips has not been reviewed by a doctor, but are simply what I have found works for me as Ive traveled the world. Ive found a combination of various tips to minimize jet lag, culled together from my reading and testing, that truly mitigates the effects of jet lag. As a long-term traveler jet lag is a significant problem. I was incentivized to make it more bearable.

Now that people are not traveling much, these tips can still be used to get a more restful sleep, abide by a more advantageous sleep schedule, or ensure that going from day to night  whether for studies, work or more  is done with ease.

Use these five tips to beat jet lag when you travel, or just join the legions of people who want to sleep sleep better, with less 4am interruptions. By addressing jet lag and/or circadian rhythm dysfunction, you can help your sleep, travel recovery time, daytime lucidity and your health. Science tells us our bodies.

1. Melatonin! Does melatonin help you sleep better? It can, in smaller doses than you think.

When night falls and there is less light input to the SCN, melatonin secretion increases. At dawn, the levels of melatonin produced by our bodies drop again and the bodys daytime circuits take over.

I use melatonin in two different ways, both at 300mcg (not milligram) doses  way smaller doses than the dosing recommendations on the over-the-counter medicine you buy at your local pharmacy or on Amazon. Less is more for me, and frankly doctors seem to agree.

In his 2018 post Melatonin: Much More Than You Wanted to Know over on Slate Star Codex, Scott writes that, most existing melatonin tablets are around ten to thirty times the correct dose.

He continues that

Based on a bunch of studies that either favor the lower dose or show no difference between doses, plus clear evidence that 0.3 mg produces an effect closest to natural melatonin spikes in healthy people, plus UpToDate usually having the best recommendations, Im in favor of the 0.3 mg number. I think you could make an argument for anything up to 1 mg. Anything beyond that and youre definitely too high. Excess melatonin isnt grossly dangerous, but tends to produce tolerance and might mess up your chronobiology in other ways. Based on anecdotal reports and the implausibility of becoming tolerant to a natural hormone at the dose you naturally have it, I would guess sufficiently low doses are safe and effective long term, but this is just a guess, and most guidelines are cautious in saying anything after three months or so.

The thing is, many people are using melatonin as a sleep aidbut that isnt what its for. It acts more like a dimmer switch, reminding your body to wind down for bed.

Per the New York Times, Taking a melatonin supplement is sort of like taking a dose of sunset, tricking your body into feeling like its nighttime. It doesnt put you to sleep as much as it tells the body that its time to sleep.

The dosage recommended on most bottles is quite a lot higher than studies have shown our bodies need, and while I am not a doctor I have found great success with a severely scaled-back dosage. Even less dosing (0.3mg as the ideal) is effective when testing for insomnia in 50-years old or more patients. When I take the recommended doses (even as small as 1.5mg pills), I find my next day is adversely affected.

So whats a traveler to do?

Buy the correct dose of melatonin. This means grabbing 300mcg pills, not the giant pills you see at the local pharmacy. Options at this dosage include Sundown Naturals or Life Extension brands. If youre looking to test purity / reliability of your supplement, see LabDoors writeup here, via SSC.

Timing varies and the studies about taking melatonin for jet lag are not as clear as the dosing ones. Personally, after arriving at my destination I tend to sleep just fine  the issue is waking up in the middle of the night . In those cases, I will go to bed without a problem, but waking up at 4am I will take 1/2 of a 300mcg tablet to get back to sleep again. I will not do this for longer than 3 days.

. In those cases, I will go to bed without a problem, but waking up at 4am I will take tablet to get back to sleep again. I will not do this for longer than 3 days. Alternatively, if the jet lag has thrown off my circadian rhythm such that it cant remember its bedtime, I take 300mcg just before bed.

For more about melatonin  a lot more  see Examines long review of the studies and efficacy here.

In addition to melatonin, a 2018 study also found that Pycnogenol, a pine park extract from France, could reduce the severity and length of jet lag symptoms. Per the Washington Post, this research showed that supplementing with Pycnogenol actually reduced the duration of time individuals felt jet-lagged by nearly 50 percent and improved feelings of fatigue, visual impairment and inability to sleep. Dosing is 50mg a day, once or twice daily starting two days prior to the flight, and continuing for 4 days during the adjustment to a new time zone.

Now that Im not traveling any longer, I still take 300mcg of melatonin nightly, at 8pm (with a target bedtime of 10pm). Its really helpful for getting tired when I need to, and for a restful sleep. Any doses higher than 500mcg mean that I end up with far too vivid dreams and feel groggy in the next morning.

2. Restricting blue light exposure at night can shorten jet lag symptoms and help keep your sleep schedule stable.

Part of regulating circadian rhythms is to get in the habit of signalling to your SCN and your body when its time for bed and when its time to wake. In a modern world, we are exposed to quite a lot of artificial blue light (even though it looks white), a daylight signaler to our minds. Be it LEDs, fluorescent lighting, or the backlit screens of our portable devices, its easier for our bodies to get confused. Its even more confusing when your body clock thinks its halfway around the world.

The title of a January 2015 study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences summarizes it all: Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Per that study, people not only produce 55% less melatonin when using an iPad at night, but after tucking into bed thereafter it took extra time to fall asleep. Further, the sleep had less rapid eye movement (REM) time. The next morning, those iPad users felt sleepier and had difficulty feeling awake.

In contrast, those who read books instead awoke with more alertness. If that wasnt bad enough, the study found that next night the same iPad users had their circadian rhythms out of whack, delayed by well over an hour. This means that they began to feel tired later, because they had read on a blue-light device before bed the prior evening.

Is there consensus that blue light can affect circadian rhythm?

Generally yes, though there is some recent dispute about how much the phone or computers blue light affects the body vs. acts a stimulant. In the dissenting camp, Professor Russell Foster from the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute at the University of Oxford in England. He believes that the issue is stimulating our nervous systems via devices, not the blue light itself. And we do spend a lot of time on our devices.

That said, many scientists disagree with him. The Sleep Foundation says that blue light found in our handheld devices can delay the release of sleep-inducing melatonin, increase alertness, and reset the bodys internal clock (or circadian rhythm) to a later schedule. Live Science says the same about our smartphones and tablets, reminding us that studies have found that blue wavelengths suppress delta brainwaves, which induce sleep, and boost alpha wavelengths, which create alertness.

While yes, using them less may certainly create a less stimulating environment before bed, blue-blocking is not for naught. At least thats where the science is at as of December 2021.

Since I have started restricting blue light at night, I have found it a lot easier to shift my bodys clock when needed, have slept more soundly, and have felt more alert in the morning. I also do this as a matter of course now, instead of just when warding off jet lag. I sleep more soundly as a result.

Ways to restrict blue light at night

Using F.lux on your laptop and Android phone, and Night Shift on iOS devices

* see below for additional F.lux uses for jet lag

I have personally forced every friend and family member who doesnt have F.lux on their laptop to download it immediately, and promised them that it would change their lives. Ive never found one program that has this big an impact on my sleep cycle and comfort as I work in the evenings.

Ive always been more productive in the evenings, usually starting around 4pm. I will happily work away well into the night. And of course, after pecking away for hours, I found it difficult to shift into sleep. F.lux automatically blocks blue light from your screen at sunset based on your location, and lightens it in the morning. Its a free programme, and I encourage you to donate to them because its basically pillows for your eyes.

Im not affiliated with them, nor did they ask me to write this. I just evangelize wildly because its made such a huge difference to the way that I can work productively in the evening without feeling terrible the next day.

Using iOS New Night Shift or Androids Twilight App.

If youre using an iPhone or iPad, the new night shift mode allows you to block blue light, essentially Fluxifying your device for evening use, which can help you sleep.

For those on Android, the Twilight app allows you to do the same with your phone or device, blocking blue light starting at dusk.

Using Blue-blocking Glasses

If youre not looking to add a programme to your laptop, you can block your blue light using these extremely sexy (ok not so much) orange glasses: Uvex Skyper Blue Light Blocking Computer Glasses with SCT-Orange Lens. These allow you to read on whatever device your heart desires, but block blue light in the process.

For a less clunky versions, see these DONNA blue blocking lenses (good for smaller faces). I bought the DONNA glasses and they come with a tiny screwdriver, a sturdy case, and replacement screws for the sides.

Another option is the best-selling (and apparently celebrity endorsed?!) SWANNIES tinted blue light blocking lenses (available in several sizes), or their untinted version (available in one size only).

3. Shift your time zone BEFORE you travel to help you adjust faster

Many pieces address how to beat jet lag after you land, but I have found that preemptively signaling to my body that I am in that new time zone helps shorten my adjustment period considerably.

How to shift your time zones ahead of time.

I set F.lux to the new time zone 5 days before leaving, so my laptop blocks blue light during that countrys nighttime hours.

If its a particularly important trip  such as a time where I need to give a keynote or presentation, Ill wear those blue blocking glasses around the house during nighttime in my new destination. Yes, this makes me look like an idiot. No, I dont wear them out of the house. Yes, I have found that it makes a difference.

At the same time as I start my F.lux schedule, I take melatonin at what will be the beginning of dusk in my new destination. So if Im heading to Saigon but presently in Montreal, Ill take 1/4 of a 3mg pill of melatonin at 9am Montreal time for the 5 days leading up to departure. This does mean that I struggle more with sleep during those few days, but the process truly limits times impact upon landing.

If you want specifics of how to prepare ahead of time, the free Jet Lag Rooster app will show you exactly how to shift your schedule based on your bed time, waking hours, and travel plans.

Another app for shifting time zones is the paid Timeshifter , which touts a combo of neuroscience and tech to help take sleep pattern, chronotype, flight plan, and a range of personal preferences into account when helping you switch time zones. Endorsed by Silicon Valley and NASA astronauts, it has gotten great reviews and not only tells you how to shift your sleep schedule, but also when to take naps (and when to caffeinate) as you go. Its approach is based on personalisation, since everyone reacts a little differently to light and light changes. The founder claims that if you follow the apps instructions to a tee, you can shift the clock three to four times as fast as normal.

, which touts a combo of neuroscience and tech to help take sleep pattern, chronotype, flight plan, and a range of personal preferences into account when helping you switch time zones. Endorsed by Silicon Valley and NASA astronauts, it has gotten great reviews and not only tells you how to shift your sleep schedule, but also when to take naps (and when to caffeinate) as you go. Its approach is based on personalisation, since everyone reacts a little differently to light and light changes. The founder claims that if you follow the apps instructions to a tee, you can shift the clock three to four times as fast as normal. If you want a one-stop shop version of this plan: invest in Re-Timer glasses. Re-Timer aims to slowly shift the time of day that light is received by your eyes to complement your travel schedule. Instead orange lenses, these glasses emit green light, worn for about 50 minutes per session. This helps stimulate the parts of your brain responsible for regulating the 24-hour body clock. The company is quick to note that they are not seeking to fully modify your sleep schedule prior to departure. Instead, the glasses retime your body clock in small steps before you travel and continue the process after you arrive. Created by two sleep psychologists, the glasses were tested by the F.lux team here.

Wearable smart devices may help you shift your sleep and adjust faster.

Given the sheer volume of constant travelers, there is a big push to develop technology that helps microanalyze sleep cycles and potential jet lag.

In late 2019, engineers affiliated with the Lighting Enabled Systems & Applications (LESA) Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a way to deliver personalized advice using smart wearable technology. In the study about this advice, published December 2019 in the journal PLOS ONE, scientists developed a series of algorithms that can analyze biometric data recorded by a smart device to recommend the optimal combination of light exposure and sleep for a persons particular bio-rhythms.

The circadian and sleep processes are also very tightly related to your mental state and how alert you are, said Agung Julius, one of the co-authors on this paper. If you try to do something in the wrong time of day, your alertness is not going to be as effective as if you do it in the right time of day as defined by your circadian clock.

There are constant developments in the chronobiology space, and Ill be updating this piece as they come out.

Using an eye mask and ear phones are important for good sleep hygiene.

Similar to the sunrise-mimicking alarm clock below, when shifting your time zones its important to really block out light at the time you want your body to get to sleep. I use a comfortable sleep mask originally recommended by someone else, and its come with me all around the world. (Its on my travel packing list too). Sleep Master Sleep Mask with velcro, perfect too if youve got a small head like I do and regular ones just fall off easily.

For ear plugs, same logic: making a sleep environment quiet and dark is very important when regulating the body clock. I use these Moldex Spark Plugs, used for NASCAR races, because my ears are ridiculously small and these compact down the the right size. They come in boxes of 200, so like me you may find yourself doling out earplugs to everyone around you.

Morning light + exercise: help optimize your circadian rhythm to help overcome jet lag faster

A short but effective tip: work out in the mornings when you are in the new time zone, getting your blood flowing and waking you up even more. Initially, I was more awake at night and exercised then. Doing so simply woke me up further and made it harder to sleep.

Its also important to expose yourself to natural morning light if you can, especially in the initial days of jet lag. This is often hard as I want nothing more than to crawl under the covers and stay there, but even if it means opening the window and sticking my head out as soon as I get up, it helps remind my body that its actually day time.

A way to help optimize morning circadian rhythm is using technology. The Philips Wake-Up Light Alarm Clock with Sunrise Simulation, below, is built to mimic the sun rising over the planet. It starts out with a naturally bright hue and then gradually deepens the light over 30 minutes, just prior to your wake-up time. By imitating the rising of the sun, you can help shift your body faster to your current time zone.

As for exercise, it is helpful for phaseshifting the effects of bright light to help conquer jet lag faster (see this another study).

5. Help your body recover from jet lag with some diet changes: limit sugar and alcohol, shift meal times, limit coffee in afternoons, and stay hydrated.

As with limiting blue light and adjusting sleep schedule, meal times are an important factor in mitigating jet lags effects. Since the SCN affects not only sleep but also our hunger levels and many other systems within our body, eating at the wrong times can signal to your body that youre not where you actually are.

Airplane rides do try to serve the correct meals for the coming time zone shift, offering breakfast before a dawn landing for example. So they are helping your body eat at the new time zones schedule. But after arrival, I tend to crave my meals during my departure time zones dining hours. While it doesnt make it easy during those first few days, I try to rigidly stick to the new time zones meal hours.

Further, a 2019 study identified insulin as a primary signal that helps communicate the timing of meals to the cellular clocks located across our body, aka our body clock. While scientists knew that eating at unusual times (as is often the case during shift work or jet lag) is a major cause of body clock disruption, theyve now locked down how the body clock senses and responds to meal timingmeaning we can take some control back to help alleviate the problem. The study release notes that paying particular attention to meal timing and light exposure is likely the best way to mitigate the adverse effects of shift-work and jet lag.

In 2019, researchers found huge downturns in circadian rhythms and clock-related genes with high levels of glucose in the blood just prior to those events. And an interesting late January 2020 study that repairing compromised circadian clocks may even help to improve and control type 2 diabetes. The authors concluded that clock modulating medication could help diabetes and other metabolic diseases. All the more reason to pay attention to your sugar when you are actually actively changing up your body clock!

A December 2021 study investigated the connection with meal times and jet lag or shift work on insulin, and found that participants who ate during the night hours developed relative glucose intolerance, while those who ate only during the day showed no glucose changes of that manner. In addition, the study found that eating at in the night hours negatively affected pancreatic beta-cell function.

That study was surprising to me because it showed that daytime eating, even if sleeping on off hours due to shift work, can maintain circadian alignment and prevent glucose intolerance. So shift workers ought to limit their carbohydrates and sugars eaten at night time,

How do these studies apply to jet lag? As with changing your computer screen to the new time zone, those who need to arrive in a new destination and get going ASAP as soon as they land for meetings, conferences, or the like, may benefit from a slow shift ahead of time to the new meal times and types, in order to self-regulate insulin before departure. However, they should not be loading up on carbs during the nighttime when they do that; if eating meals at night, lower glycemic index foods are preferable.

Speaking of airplane rides, while alcohol makes them entertaining for some of us, it doesnt help with your bodys regulation of time zones since it dehydrates us.

Stick to water on the flight. And while youre at it, stick to more water than usual. Dehydration, even caused by lack of water (and not, say, a cocktail at 35,000 feet), can worsen the symptoms of jet lag upon arrival.

And then theres caffeine. In a new book about the mind-altering properties of plant-based substances, author Michael Pollan notes that,

Caffeine is not the sole cause of our sleep crisis; screens, alcohol (which is as hard on REM sleep as caffeine is on deep sleep), pharmaceuticals, work schedules, noise and light pollution, and anxiety can all play a role in undermining both the duration and quality of our sleep. But heres whats uniquely insidious about caffeine: the drug is not only a leading cause of our sleep deprivation; it is also the principal tool we rely on to remedy the problem. Most of the caffeine consumed today is being used to compensate for the lousy sleep that caffeine causes  which means that caffeine is helping to hide from our awareness the very problem that caffeine creates.

With a quarter life of caffeine usually around 12 hours, 25% of the caffeine in a cup of coffee you drank at noon will still be roaming around at midnight, which can impact the depth and length of your sleep.

Limit caffeine to AM in the target destination, and after you arrive, to help you adjust faster and better for the trip.

Are Allergies/Asthma Worse with Jet Lag or a Shifted Sleep Schedule?

Ok, this section isnt part of my jet lag tips or advice on how to get over a shifted body clock faster. But it IS extremely fascinating so Im including it anyhow. Each of us has something called mast cells, which are sentinels of the immune system. Mast cells are found throughout the body and mediate allergic, immune, and inflammatory reactions in it.

They can get dysfunctional and cause extreme reactions to foods, smells, and environmental triggers when they increase their numbers in a specific spot in the body by proliferation, or when they degranulate (dump different inflammatory mediators into the body) with little provocation. When they get dysfunctional, the cells are implicated in brain injuries, neurodegeneration, neuropsychiatric disorders, stress and neuroinflammation. (Source).

Asthma or allergic rhinitis, and mast cell activation disorders have historically shown circadian bias  the symptoms worsen for many patients between midnight and morning time, when plasma histamine levels are a peak in the body. (Source) Is this why many people anecdotally feel a surge of allergy symptoms when they are jet lagged?

Recent research clarified that mast cells are also controlled by their own internal clock. This clock is regulated by the combo of a specific set of clock genes and environmental factors like diet, light exposure (see tips below!), hormones, and more.

A 2014 study examined the ways that circadian clocks drive the daily rhythms in IgE/mast cell-mediated allergic reactions in mice, and a 2018 study takes it even further, with a title of The Circadian Clock Drives Mast Cell Functions in Allergic Reactions. In that study, the authors conclude that the circadian clock modulates a whole slew of different of human diseases and functions, including asthma and allergies. Though they note that the cellular mechanisms behind this modulation  how exactly the cells do it  is still under investigation, mast cells are integral.

Mast cells are under the control of the SCN too, and have a circadian expression and release of their mediators (like histamine, prostaglandin, etc  more about mast cell mediators here) in response to activation. As mast cells are everywhere  in all the connective tissue and mucosal tissues of the body  they are uniquely able to affect other immune cells. This means they can also affect the immune response if things go pear-shaped in mast cell land.

Therefore, the study concludes, disrupted mast cell clocks could impair the subsequent adaptive immune responses and trigger or fortify allergic symptoms. So if we are really jet-lagged, it affects not just our regular clock, our immune clock, but also this mast cell clock  one that has a big impact on allergic reactions and asthma.

As there is growing evidence on the importance of the biological clock in allergic syndromes, targeting mast cell clock can be considered a valuable target of chronotherapy. For now, the precise mechanisms and/or specific roles of the mast cell-intrinsic clockwork in regulating reactions remains unclear. Either way, these studies point to yet another aspect of the bodys clock that may help someone suffering from jet lag: working on and tamping down allergic reactions with similar mindfulness to timing, to minimize the effects on the body overall.

If mast cells may be why, how do you treat mast cell dysfunction?

This is a complicated topic, and one that science is undertaking from many different angles. But for those who do want to explore this angle, stabilizing mast cells may be a good start. The following is what I have done, and DOES NOT constitute medical advice. Its simply what Ive found helped me.

Taking quercetin powder to stabilize mast cells, 500mg, twice a day, with lunch and then right before bed in the new destination. The pure non-GMO powder I use here. Why quercetin? It has a potent anti-allergy response. See this study.

Increasing vitamin C to help stabilize mast cells. I use camu-camu as my source, since it has incredibly high percentage of vitamin C in it. The brand I use here. I take 1/2 tsp, twice a day, with again the second dose being right before bed.

Eating low histamine for a few days once arriving in a new destination. Low histamine diets vary, and there are many sites that discuss them. The Sighi lists are good, see here.

These are basic things, but not for those with an actual mast cell activation disorder (mastocytosis or mast cell activation syndrome), as those cases are far more complicated. Please see here for a much longer page about mast cell activation disorders, the immune system and traveling with allergies and reactions.

What about resetting the mast cell clock? Can that help?

However treatment of mast cell activity is not the same as resetting the mast cell clock, which is what the study itself proposes that we need to do.

Timing seems to matter, and I am curious to read what comes out of this approach.

There is some study work about giving mice steroids before bed to help reset the mast cell clock for allergic rhinitis (source), and also taking steroids at night for humans (source). The mast cell clock is potentially why taking those stabilizers at night helps me more than during the day. But this is speculation presently, and an interesting field of study.

As there is growing evidence on the importance of the biological clock in allergic syndromes, targeting mast cell clock can be considered a valuable target of chronotherapy. [] The biological clock is quickly becoming another lever in the field of personalized medicine, which aims to add the time factor as another dimension of therapy.

Hopefully inroads come soon for this potentially novel way to help us adjust better and feel better as we do.

Can Shifts in Sleep and Dysfunctional Body Clocks Lead to Depression?

Scientists think so! Disrupted sleep patterns can affect mental health, and scientists have studied the link between the two for decades. These days, attitudes toward depression include exploring a range of chronotherapeutics, therapies that target the body clock and circadian rhythms without the use of pharmacological drugs.

An August 2022 Nature article about mental health and the body clock also notes that,

[m]uch of the public conversation around depression casts the disease as a chemical imbalance in the brain. But mood disorders have increased with modern lifestyles. There is growing evidence that circadian-rhythm disruptions and altered light exposure (with more artificial light at night and less natural daylight during the day) that accompany those lifestyles increase the risk of depression.

Studies are underway to ascertain if resetting and rectifying the body clock can help ease symptoms of depression, especially in people who do shift work.

Take, for example, a study published in 2020 where participants started with a normal sleep-wake cycle, and then underwent different shifts to sleep meant to mimic the way the body clock adapts to shift work. When the sleep schedule switched, participants mood plummeted. It did not improve during the time that they spent on the shifted schedule.

The study concludes that circadian misalignment underpins mood vulnerability in shift work settings, and in combination with other research it appears that targeted resynchronization of circadian rhythms improves symptoms of mood disorders in people with mood disorders and shift work.

In addition, a September 2022 study looked at whether meal times can have an impact on mental health for shift workers. The study divided participants into two groups, with one group eating in daytime and nighttime hours, and the second group only eating during daytime hours (before 7:30pm per the chart below). The study revealed that meal timing really had an impact on the participants mood levels. By day 4, the day and night eaters had increased levels of depression and anxiety feelings, but no mood shifts were observed in the daytime only crew during their night shift.

So can we use meal time as a way to help keep our mood stable even if jet lagged or on a night shift? Possibly! Further research is underway.

Researchers also noted that individuals with a higher degree of circadian misalignment were more prone to depression- and anxiety-like mood swings.While circadian disruption may not be the sole cause of mood disorders, it still points to the conclusion that the increased risk of depression among shift workers is caused by the misalignment of the bodys internal clock with the outside world. Targeted therapies like light therapy (light boxes in the morning hours for the shift worker), wake therapy, and other non-pharmacological modalitieslike eating in the day time! could therefore help.

Can Shifts in Sleep Schedules Increase Nausea and GI Issues?

At this point in your reading, I feel like you already know the answer. Yes, yes there is.

I was curious about why I had a slew of gastrointestinal issues when I was most jet lagged. My stomach often felt bloated after meals, and queasy in early mornings. It turns out that there was a logical reason, one that relates to the role of circadian rhythms on the digestive tract.

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis identified a type of immune cell that helps keep time in the gut, a finding they published in October 2019. These cells, called type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3), keep the gut working the way its supposed to. And to make matters more interesting, those clock genes I wrote about near the beginning of this post? They are highly active in those ILC3s, to the point where immune molecules produced by those cells track with the activity of the clock genes.

In the October study, when researchers removed an important clock gene from mice, the animals both couldnt produce adequate ILCs, and they couldnt control a bacterial infection in their gut. The researchers believe that these findings help explain why disruptions to circadian rhythms are linked to gastrointestinal problems.

Marco Colonna, a senior author of the study, notes that what weve found here is that circadian rhythms directly affect the function of immune cells in the gut. He believes this could help explain some of the health issues found with people who engage in shift work, or who have jet lag or chronic sleep deprivation, such as IBS or metabolic syndrome.

To work optimally, the gut needs to be prepared for daily routines, nourishment, bacteria, and more, and this study shows that ILC3s play a critical part in making the gut run smoothly. When the researchers simulated a shift workers schedule in the study mice, the ILC3s did not work normally.

In addition, another 2019 study by researchers at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown in Lisbon discovered that an immune cells function is an important contributor to gut health  and that their function is directly controlled by the brains circadian clock. This study also studied the same ILC3 cells. The Lisbon researchers felt that their findings may at least in part explain the link between sleep patterns and gut inflammatory responses. So less protective ILC3s can lead to chronic inflammation and disease.

Thus, not only does jet lag affect the gut, but it can also affect inflammation and the guts ability to fend off bacterial infection  which is really important if we are traveling to a place with new bacteria, viruses, and germs. This is because it produces a less effective protective immune response when its time clock is wonky.

Additional human studies by Tengs group showed that ILC3s isolated from the inflamed gut of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) expressed lower levels of clock proteins than ILC3 from the non-inflamed gut in the same patients.  it has become increasingly appreciated that there are certain signatures of immune responses and therapies that exert day and night differences (termed as chrono-immunotherapy), the Cornell University researchers continued. Therefore, our critical finding that ILC3s in the inflamed intestine of patients with IBD exhibit altered circadian gene expression suggests that this is an important pathway in human health and disease and may hold a key for developing novel strategies to boost ILC3 responses in the context of impaired intestinal homeostasis or microbial dysbiosis.

Scientists are now looking at targeting clock genes in ILC3 cells to address this problem. In the interim, us non-scientists can optimize our circadian rhythm shifts to keep our immune system and gut health working as normally as possible.

Airlines are now undertaking ultra-long-haul travel, like the October 2019 Qantas Airways direct flight from New York to Sydney, a nearly 20 hour trip. Thats the worlds longest flight, and no airline has ever completed that route without stopping.

While the flight should provide more insight into the tolls of jet lag, you dont need to wait for that data. Use my jet lag protocol to hopefully help you ease into a new destination with less disruption to your body clocks and cells.

Further Reading on Jet Lag and How to Sleep Better

Some books that have helped me as I tried to beat jet lag, and learn more about how to sleep.

Jet Lag is a Reality Ill Take, Especially When Ive Learned to Beat It Faster.

Ultimately, jet lag isnt that bad. Its a temporary state, and we know it. Its a mindless torture of teeny chunks of time, one that allows us to let go of lifes reigns a little bit, and sink into disorder.

The tips Ive written about here have helped me beat jet lags effects on my life, but when I am in the throes of it I try to enjoy it also. As Pico Iyer said in his New York Times piece on the subject:

Fourteen hours later, Im on a different continent and hardly able to imagine the life, the home, I left this morning. Its as if I have switched into another language  a parallel plane  and none of the feelings that were so real to me this morning can carry through to it. Its not that I dont want to hear them; its that they seem to belong now to a person I no longer am.

There is something gloriously discombobulating about emerging from a long flight into the fog of a new place. So even if the impacts of jet lag lessen but never go away fully, there are far worse states of mind to inhabit.

-Jodi
The first recruitment drive in eight years of prison officers has begun, in hopes to fill the gap of many retired prison officers in that time.

Last Friday July 8 the Irish Prison Service announced a recruitment campaign, to take on 120 new recruits a year for three years, based in Dublin prisons.

The recruits will train for three years, to achieve a Higher Certificate in Custodial Care. Pay starts at just 436 a week before tax.

They must work an average of 39 hours a week, including night duties, every second weekend, some public holidays and festive days, as well as additional hours for premium pay.

Working as a Recruit Prison Officer can be complex and difficult, but it can be varied, challenging and highly rewarding. We are looking for individuals who have the capacity to relate to and engage with prisoners, act with professionalism, tolerance and humanity and the ability to role model positive social behaviour. They must also have the ability to think on their feet in dealing with situations which require security and control, the IPS says in the job description.

Members of minority and new communities are being encouraged to apply, to reflect the diverse Irish society.

The recruitment comes over a year since a serious assault on three prison officers in Portlaoise Prison, who received stab wounds and broken bones. At that time two more officers were assaulted by a prisoner attempting to escape in Tallaght hospital.

Following calls for extra safety measures by the Prison Officers Association, 160 extra stab vests were issued for escort duties.

Meanwhile the new 2016-2018 Strategic Plan by the IPS has promised to implement recommendations in the State Claims Agency Review of Assaults on Prison Staff, to make prisons safer for their staff and for the public.

We will develop and provide a multidisciplinary risk management approach to deal with violent, highly disruptive and high risk prisoners, the plan states.

It also plans to introduce new technology to detect the smuggling in of drugs and weapons .

Portlaoise prison campus has over 1,100 male prisoners, with 291 in the high security Portlaoise Prison, and 870 in the medium security Midlands Prison. The number of prison officers is not disclosed for security reasons.

Applications must be submitted by July 2, followed by assessment tests, interviews and medicals. See www.publicjobs.ie to apply online.
Eight years after packing in her 25-year nursing career for a new life as an artist, Newbridge native Eleanor Swan is to be honoured with a prestigious international award in Taiwan.

Having initially applied last year, the Russborough House based artist successfully negotiated various judging phases and was stunned to learn her piece 'Ode To A Not Too Distant Past' had been accepted for the Taiwan Ceramics Biennale.

Bestowed a bronze medal, Eleanor is getting ready to jet off to China to receive her prize at the opening ceremony on July 22 in Taiwan.

I was speechless. I could not believe it. Its probably the biggest thing I have done and it opens up other opportunities, she said.

The mum of three grown up children, who hails from Great Connell is married to Sean Dunne. Her family are super proud of her achievements.

Eleanor went to school at the Holy Family Secondary School and then progressed to train as a nurse at the School of Nursing at the Mater Hospital.

I worked in the operating theatre at Temple Street Hospital and it was great, but art college was always at the back of my mind, she explains.

When I left school in the 70s, I wanted to go to art college, but there wasnt as many opportunities for artists as there are today, so I went on to do nursing instead and I really enjoyed it.

However, in 2002 Eleanor decided to apply to the National College of Art and Design (NCAD).

I just thought Ill give it a go, and if I get in, I get in, and if I dont, I dont, she added.

Clearly impressed with her potential, Eleanor was accepted and graduated in 2006 with first class honours. She went on to complete an MA in Ceramics at NCAD.

It was hard work, but it wasnt a struggle if you dont mind putting in the work, she said.

Eleanors workshop is based at Russborough House in Co Wicklow.

I operate from there. Thats been great as well. You go in in the morning, do your days work, and go home in the evening. It gives you structure and I like having structure, she said.

The future looks bright for this local artist and she had applied for several high profile projects, exhibitions and opportunities.

Her award winning piece will be permanently displayed over in Taiwan.

The official opening of the Taiwan Ceramics Biennale is July 22 at the New Taipei City Yingge Ceramic Museum. After Eleanor recieves her medal, she will present a paper on her work at a special conference.

The following day, July 23, there will there will be an opening of an exhibition at the 77OMG Culture Centre in Taipei and Eleanor will have a piece Inscape in the exhibition.

Eleanors work can be viewed at her website www.eleanorswan.com which shows the range and depth of her ceramic work and paintings.
A local filmmaker is seeking extras for two shoots in Boyle and Dromahair next week.

Megan Devaney from Dromahair is directing a short film supported by the Kevin Spacey Foundation and is looking for enthusiastic extras to take part.

Out of Misery is a short comedy film about a boy called Cal who mistakenly believes his parents are planning to murder his senile Granddad and takes it upon himself to save the day.

The film is doing a number of local shoots, but are seeking extras for just two occasions.

The first scene requiring extras will be in Boyle, Co Roscommon this Sunday July 24. The filmmakers are looking for men only for the scene in Boyle.

If you are more of a vintage age, the production are seeking out older extras of mixed gender for a wake scene shooting near Dromahair next Wednesday, July 27.

Megan Devaney and Finbarr Crotty of Bear Print Films won the UK Film category with this film for funding and mentoring to up-and-coming artists from the Kevin Spacey Foundation.

Through their student work together at the National Film School of Ireland they have garnered acclaim at both national and international film awards.

If you or anyone you know is interested contact Megan by email megandevaney@outlook.com for more information.
The Presidency of the European Council rotates between the member states who hold it for 6 months at a time. The UK was due to hold the Presidency in the second half of 2017.

Some people expected David Camerons pledge to hold an EU Referendum by the end of 2017 indicated he planned to use the Presidency in a way that would then springboard him into a successful campaign.

He called it early and lost. Now it appears there will be no UK Presidency in 2017. The Independent reports it has been cancelled and the slot will be taken by another member state.

The Presidency of the Council involves chairing it and setting its agenda. We will never know how the 2017 Presidency could have been used by Theresa May to benefit the UK and the European Union as a whole.

Slovakia currently hold the Presidency and the website for their tenure is here, explaining their programme and priorities.

2017 is going to be an important year for Europe, with national elections is both German and France. The loss of the 2017 Presidency is a specific and significant loss of influence for the UK as a direct result of the unfortunate result on 23 June.

* Antony Hook was #2 on the South East European list in 2014, is the English Party's representative on the Federal Executive and produces this sites EU Referendum Roundup.
Nick Clegg has not had a major role in the parliamentary party over the last year. All that is about to change as he takes on a position that he is uniquely well suited to fulfil  that of European Union spokesperson.

It will be Nick who is holding Liam Fox and David Davis to account. Given Nicks wide-ranging experience at the highest levels of the British Government and as a trade negotiator for the European Union, we can expect no bovine scatology from Fox and Davis to pass him by. Their feet will be well and truly held to the fire.

Nick is extremely well respected across European capitals, too. As Deputy Prime Minister, he was the highest profile pro EU voice in British politics for some time.

He is kicking off his role by announcing his Brexit Challenge project. Over the coming months, Nick will be working with a range of experts, including academics and lawyers, to set out the difficult questions the Government has to answer in a host of areas that will be affected by Brexit. This is what Nicola Sturgeon has already done in the Scottish context and what Theresa May should be doing on a UK level.

He will publish a series of papers detailing the challenges and dilemmas facing the UK in a wide range of areas, from our trading relationship with the EU, the issues surrounding freedom of movement, policing and anti-terror co-operation, agriculture, university research funding, environmental standards and many other areas.

Tim Farron said:

There is no-one better placed in British politics to hold the Government to account over Brexit than Nick. When it comes to facing down Theresa May  whether its over the Snoopers Charter, immigration and loads of other issues they crossed swords over in government  Nick has been there and got the T-shirt. Now that Theresa Mays Brexit government is a reality, Ive asked Nick to take on a formal role in holding them to account. Over the next months I expect him to be the leading voice in this debate, taking them to task and flushing out what Brexit will really mean for Britain. Im proud to have him by my side as we lead the Lib Dem fightback in the months ahead.

Nick said:

Theresa May says Brexit means Brexit but no one actually knows what that means. Will we be in the single market or cut off from it, with all the implications that has for British jobs and our economy? What does it mean for immigration? What about the Brits who live abroad and the Europeans who have made our country their home? How will we co-operate with our neighbours to tackle terrorism, cross-border crime and climate change? With no meaningful opposition from the Labour Party, no exit plan from the Government, Whitehall unprepared for the Brexit negotiations, and above all, Theresa Mays refusal to seek a mandate from the people for what is in effect a new government, there is a real risk that she and her Brexit ministers wont be subject to the scrutiny and accountability which voters deserve. Whatever your views on Brexit, it is in everyones interest to make sure what happens next is debated openly and scrutinised properly. So I want to make clear that we will work openly and collaboratively with people of all parties and none who believe that Britain must remain an open economy and a tolerant, outward-looking nation.

The Mystic Clegg thing and the way that politics has gone since the Liberal Democrats left government have, I think, changed the way that people see Nick. His return to a front-line role, with a brief where he can excel with expertise and passion, is very good news for the country. While Labour fiddle and faff, Nick will provide this government with the credible and strong opposition they need on Europe.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
The frantic pace of by-election style selections so that we are prepared for a snap election.

Six of our former MPs have been re-selected for the constituencies they used to represent.

The most marginal seat in the country is Cambridge, which voted heavily to Remain. With Labour all over the place on the EU, Julian Huppert must now be in a very strong position, whenever the election comes:

Delighted & honoured to be reselected unanimously by @CambridgeLDs to restand for Parliament. So much to do for our city & our country #fb  Julian Huppert (@julianhuppert) July 20, 2016

In Cheltenham, 300 members reselected Martin Horwood:

At a packed meeting tonight @MartinChelt was re-selected as #Cheltenham Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate. pic.twitter.com/XRmTcGaB0d  cheltlibdems (@cheltlibdems) July 19, 2016

Former Cheadle MP Mark Hunter won in that seat. He said:

With Labour having descended into civil war at the same time, there has never been a better opportunity to make the case for the Liberal Democrats and we are determined to do so by campaigning hard on the issues that matter to local people. Im honoured to have been selected again to fight Cheadle for the Lib Dems  there are huge challenges ahead and local residents deserve a visible MP who will fight for them and speak up for our area.

Tessa Munt pledged to be a strong, positive and independent-minded voice (again) as she was re-selected for Wells

Stephen Williams will fight Bristol West again:

Delighted to have been reselected as the @LibDems candidate for Bristol West. A strong Liberal voice is needed to defend Britain in the EU  Stephen Williams (@swilliamsmp) July 17, 2016

After being unanimously selected to fight North Cornwall, Dan Rogerson told the Bude and Stratton Post

The Liberal Democrats are well placed to fight a general election, whenever it is held, and I am raring to go. In the last few weeks, we have signed up over 17,500 new members, a number of them here in North Cornwall. The Liberal Democrats made more gains than any other party in Mays local elections across the UK. We have also won all three Cornwall Council by-elections in North Cornwall this year, taking our total to an overwhelming 18 out of 21 Cornwall Councillors.

In other key seats, the following people have been selected:

Bath: Jay Risbridger

Taunton Deane: Gideon Amos

Yeovil: Daisy Benson

Chippenham: Helen Belcher

Hazel Grove: Lisa Smart

Thornbury and Yate: Claire Young

St Albans: Daisy Cooper

Bosworth: Michael Mullaney

.

* Caron Lindsay is Editor of Liberal Democrat Voice and blogs at Caron's Musings
LifeStyle

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THE Mayor in the Greek island of Rhodes has commissioned a plaque in honour of three Limerick women who lost their lives in a tragedy on the island in 1972.

Thirty two people, including Limerick women Theresa OShaughnessy, 37, from Sir Harry's Mall, Mary Allen, 40, from St Mary's Park and Josephine Deenihan, 40, from the North Circular Road died when a blaze engulfed the Oscar Restaurant on the island on Saturday, September 23, 1972.

The women, who were close friends, had travelled there for 15 days, and members of their families have been campaigning for years for them to be commemorated in some way.

The women were half-way through their idyllic holiday when disaster struck, after they had arranged to meet a number of other holiday-makers in the popular restaurant and nightclub.

The bodies of the three Limerick women could not be identified beyond a doubt at the time due to the blaze, when around 200 people were in the restaurant, which was burned to the ground within seven minutes.

Some managed to escape, including a Dublin woman, now 82, who was dining with the Limerick women that night.

A faulty electrical system and the highly flammable bamboo walls meant the building was gutted within minutes. The owner of the restaurant was jailed in 1974 for four years for involuntary manslaughter.

Padraig Power, a nephew of one of the victims, Theresa OShaughnessy, who worked in Todds department store as a cosmetics buyer at the time, said he is delighted that finally the women and other victims will be recognised  44 years on this September.

This is the first bit of good news that we have. For many of the families it felt as if there has never been any closure, but we feel that the plaque, which we have been campaigning for since 2014, is a small bit of justice for the women.

We just want them all to be remembered by future generations. We are very grateful for the assistance of the Irish Embassy in Athens in helping us to achieve this, he told the Limerick Chronicle.

I was five at the time, but I remember her [Theresa], she was a lovely person. My parents, who didnt have a landline at the time, were at mass when news of the tragedy emerged, and a travel agent informed the priest, who ducked out of mass to tell them, he explained.

Relative Denis OShaughnessy said: It was a hugely traumatic time for the families concerned, more so for our own family, as it took a week for the remains of Theresa to be identified. We will be forever indebted to the late Frank Thompson, undertaker, who went out to Rhodes and came home with the remains of our loved ones.

Mayor of Limerick, Councillor Kieran OHanlon said he is delighted that the Mayor and Municipality of Rhodes has decided to erect a plaque honouring all the people who perished in the fire.

It was a massive tragedy, which should be commemorated. I would like to pay tribute to those who have continued to look at ways of remembering the victims as a mark of respect and ensure that they have not been forgotten by those in their homeplace.

A memorial is due to take place in Rhodes in September.

Some 15 to 20 people of the associated Limerick families are expected to attend, along with the Irish Ambassador to Greece.
BROTHERS Brian and Kieran Collopy have been sentenced eight years in jail each for possession of over 37,000 worth of heroin due for wholesale distribution, which was found in their home in December last.

Judge Tom ODonnell at Limerick Circuit Court heard that Brian Collopy, 43, with an address at Killonan, Ballysimon, and Kieran Collopy, 40, with an address at St Itas Street, St Marys Park, were involved in a joint enterprise on December 15, 2015, when gardai received confidential information and went to search adjoining properties at 34-36 St Itas Street, St Marys Park.

Imposing sentence this Wednesday, Judge O'Donnell described the offence as a "covert calculated commercial enterprise carried out for the financial benefit of the two accused".

He said both were effectively peddling drugs which were dangerous and deadly to society.

However, noting the mitigating factors, he said he believed there were exceptional circumstances which allowed him not to impose the mandatory minimum sentence of ten years.

The judge also ordered that 1,140 found in the property, be forfeited to the State.

During evidence, Detective Sergeant Alan Cullen, head of the divisional drugs squad at Henry Street garda station, told the court when a team of gardai arrived they found 37,021.60 worth of heroin  amounting to approximately 10 ounces, or 264.44 grams  on the kitchen counter-top.

Ounces of heroin would normally be sold to wholesalers, who would break it down and sell it on, normally at around three to four grams to dealers, he explained.

This [operation] was at the top of the pyramid as regards heroin and the operation was in progress as gardai went in. They effectively ran themselves into a corner, as opposed to trying to escape, Det Cullen told the court.

The court heard that 11 months prior to this incident, and upon his release from prison, Brian Collopy travelled to Spain and other locations for about a week every month, travelling abroad about 11 times.

This is not the norm for someone drawing a single disability allowance, said John OSullivan, BL, for the prosecution.

However, Brian Collopys defence maintained that he has a serious heart condition, and had been travelling there to obtain cheaper medication.

When gardai arrived at the house before 8pm on that date, they entered by force and prior to do so heard the distinct sounds of footsteps going up the stairs.

In the kitchen, the heroin was wrapped up in plastic from black refuse sacks and the entire area was covered in brown dust, which when analysed was found to be diamorphine or heroin.

DNA analysis of the telephone on the kitchen counter matched it to Brian Collopy.

A saucepan containing damp brown powder was also found in the bath. Gardai believe that the bulk of the work had been completed at this point, and that the accused were tidying up their operation, and wiped some of the remaining heroin into a saucepan, before taking it upstairs.

The court heard that Kieran Collopy emerged from the bathroom when gardai entered the property, while Brian Collopy was in the front bedroom.

Numerous photographs of the scene were produced in court.

Some 800 in cash was seized from a kitchen press, and 340 was seized from a wallet in an upstairs bedroom.

In interviews with gardai following his arrest, Brian Collopy said that he knew nothing about any operation in the kitchen or in the bath, and denied that his fingerprints would be found on any items.

He claimed that that windows were being shot in by gardai when they breached the door, to explain his presence upstairs, but this was refuted by gardai.

He admitted to using Xanax but denied being involved in the sale or distribution of heroin. The clothes he was wearing that day were taken from him by gardai, but nothing of an evidential value was found on the items.

Nothing of an evidential value arose from interviews with Kieran Collopy, however there was a trace of heroin found on his hoodie and shoes.

An analysis of the phone was also carried out which showed that it had been used to book holidays abroad through a local travel agency.

Mr OSullivan said that the State has produced a coercive case against both men, who were caught in the act of bagging heroin for wholesale distribution.

In mitigation, the court heard that both men had indicated an early plea of guilty, and have now been in custody for seven months.

Both are charged with possession of drugs valued at more than 13,000, and two subsidiary charges  possession of drugs for sale or supply, and possession of drugs for their own use.

Brian Collopy, who is married and has two children, has previous convictions for drugs for his own use, for possessing a phone while in prison, and received a six-year sentence for threatening to kill.

He personally feels he has left of family down but accepts it was his own fault, said his defence, Michael Collins.

Kieran Collopy, also a father of two, has convictions dating back to 1992 for assault, receiving two years in prison, as well as seven months for handling stolen property.

He has also been charged with larceny, two counts of obstruction and escaping from lawful custody.

Kieran, along with his other brother, Damian, were both jailed in 2011 for five years for threatening to kill Willie Moran.

He is also unemployed and in receipt of social welfare, which the court heard was approved after a considerable time following consultations with the Criminal Assets Bureau.
LIMERICK councillors approved five trips abroad this week  and there are more to come if Mayor Kieran OHanlon has anything to do with it.

Limericks first citizen has previously said he will make no apology for travelling abroad to represent the city and county, and at this months full council meeting, he left Anti-Austerity Alliance councillor Cian Prendiville in no doubt as to his plans.

After members approved visits to Birmingham, Greece, London, a twinning visit to Hohenlohe in Germany, and a retrospective trip to Bordeaux in France, Cllr Prendiville expressed concern over the costs.

I would like to make an enquiry on the budget for these trips. Which budget is it coming out of? These trips will add up to 10,000. Is this the end of your international trips, he asked the mayor.

In response, Mayor OHanlon struck back: It most certainly is not, I can assure you.

It was agreed deputy mayor, Cllr Noel Gleeson would take part in the visit to Englands second city for the Birmingham Associations annual function in September. This will cost 562.36, the council states.

Mayor OHanlon will take part in the visit to London to attend a memorial service for Freeman of Limerick, the late Terry Wogan at Westminster, a trip which  along with council staff  will cost 718. He will also attend the Greek island of Rhodes, having accepted an invite from his counterpart there to the unveiling of a memorial for the three Limerick women who died in a restaurant fire.

This visit will cost 1,962, council documents show.

After Independent members John Gilligan jibed only Fine Gael and Fianna Fail councillors appear to be taking part in council trips, Cllr Michael Collins announced a change of tack.

In terms of the twinning visit to Hohenlohe, the Fianna Fail party leader said: We will be looking for expressions of interests from all parties. So it will not just be a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael trip. And to put Cian Prendivilles fears at ease, I am proposing a cap of 10,000 for this.

Under bye-laws agreed among city and county councillors, all trips need to be costed and approved by members.

In an interview following his election, Cllr OHanlon said: I make no absolutely no apology for travelling. People can call them junkets if they like, but I think it is important we sell ourselves abroad.
Apr 28, 2021, 6 PM

By Michael Baadke

Newspaper publisher and business executive Thurston Twigg-Smith, who assembled and developed the worlds greatest collection of Hawaiian stamps and postal history, died July 16 at age 94.

The Honolulu Advertiser collection was owned by Persis Corporation of Honolulu when it was auctioned by Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries in 1995. Persis also owned the newspaper that the collection was named for, and Mr. Twigg-Smith was chairman of both the corporation and the publication.

Born Aug. 17, 1921, in Honolulu, Mr. Twigg-Smith was descended directly from missionaries who arrived in Hawaii in 1820. The introduction to the three-volume Siegel catalog documenting the sale notes that Mr. Twigg-Smiths grandfather, Lorrin A. Thurston, was an earlier publisher of The Honolulu Advertiser whose portrait appears on the six Official stamps of Hawaii issued in 1896 (Scott O1-O6).

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Mr. Twigg-Smith studied mechanical engineering at Yale, graduating in 1942, and served as an Army officer in Europe during World War II. After the war he began working at the newspaper, taking on the role of publisher in 1962.

By that time he was already shaping his Hawaii collection, which in 1970 was manifestly amplified when Mr. Twigg-Smith obtained the entire Hawaii collection of Alfred J. Ostheimer III. The combined holdings would become The Honolulu Advertiser collection soon after, and Mr. Twigg-Smith oversaw its continuing expansion, with professional assistance from the Weill brothers, stamp dealers of New Orleans.

The collection would be featured in the court of honor at numerous national and international exhibitions, from Interphil in Philadelphia in 1976 to the 1992 Columbian World Stamp Expo in Chicago.

When the collection was finally offered at auction, the news was reported in Linns over the course of several weeks, with early announcements of the upcoming sale and later reports of the rarities dispersed.

Then-editor Michael Laurence attended the opening session of the five-day auction and reported in his Nov. 27, 1995, column that the cherished Dawson cover, the only cover bearing the 2 Hawaiian Missionary stamp, sold for $2,090,000, by far the highest price ever paid at public auction for a United States stamp artifact.

The following week, Jerome S. Wagshal disclosed that the high estimate by Siegel auctioneer Scott Trepel for 30 lots of the Hawaiian Missionaries was $4,602,500, and the hammer price was $4,714,000.

Rob Haeseler reported in the Dec. 11 issue that 17 bidders dominated the auction, and that the gross auction realization, exclusive of the 10 percent buyers commission, was just shy of $9 million.

When it was all over, Mr. Twigg-Smith started anew, forming a collection of Hawaii town markings, Missionaries and more. His personal collection of Hawaiian stamps and postal history was auctioned by Siegel on March 6-7, 2007, with some 771 lots on offer.

Mr. Twigg-Smith sold The Honolulu Advertiser to Gannett Corp. in 1993 but continued as its publisher for several years. In 2010, the newspaper was merged with The Honolulu Star-Bulletin to become todays The Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Mr. Twigg-Smith was also a collector of art, a supporter of local artists, and an active philanthropist, with numerous Hawaiian foundations and groups benefitting from his donations. In a page 1 story in the Dec. 4, 1995, issue, Linns reported that Mr. Twigg-Smith had given a $500,000 gift to the National Postal Museum, making it possible for the museum to acquire some of the treasures from the auction of The Honolulu Advertiser collection.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that Mr. Twigg-Smith is survived by his wife, Sharon Twigg-Smith of Honolulu; two daughters, two sons, two stepsons, 16 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Jul 20, 2016, 11 AM

Minor errors and varieties of British Commonwealth and Empire stamps, such as this Bahrain 1950 5-rupee-on-5-shilling King George VI and HMS Victory variety with the extra bar in the overprint (Stanley Gibbons 78a/Scott 79 variety), are in demand and brin

By Henry Gitner and Rick Miller

British Commonwealth plate and printing varieties are very popular with collectors and often command large premiums over the normal stamps.

Plate varieties of the Silver Jubilee omnibus issue of 1935 and damaged overprint and incorrectly typeset varieties of the 1942 Bahamas Columbus set (Scott 116-129) are valuable and in great demand.

So is the Bahrain 1950 5-rupee-on-5-shilling King George VI and HMS Victory variety with the extra bar in the overprint (Stanley Gibbons 78a/Scott 79 variety).

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A mint never-hinged example recently sold in an online auction for the equivalent of about $260. The normal stamp is valued in mint never-hinged condition in the 2016 Scott Classic Specialized Catalogue of Stamps and Covers 1840-1940 at just $27.

While mostly beyond the scope of Scott catalogs and other worldwide catalogs, such minor errors and varieties are well-documented in the Stanley Gibbons specialized catalog, which lists literally thousands of them.

To aid in collecting or searching for these items, we recommend obtaining a copy of the Stanley Gibbons Commonwealth & British Empire Stamps 1840-1970. The 2016 edition sells for about $110 retail, but you can probably find a fairly recent used copy for a fraction of that.

It would be hard to overemphasize how active the market for these varieties is and how eagerly they are sought by collectors on both sides of the Atlantic.

Most nonspecialist dealers in the United States dont make the effort to scrutinize their stocks for these varieties. Armed with a bit of knowledge, you could make some very lucky discoveries.
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A number of members of the California delegates' staff at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland have fallen ill with norovirus, according to news reports.

The highly contagious stomach virus is the same type of virus that is well-known for ruining cruise vacations.

Norovirus spreads very easily, especially at close-quarters events like conventions and cruises, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious-disease specialist and a senior associate at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Center for Health Security. [7 Devastating Infectious Diseases]

The virus causes vomiting, and the vomit is infectious, Adalja said. If a person comes in contact with a surface that has vomit on it, or that was not completely cleaned after having vomit on it, that individual can get sick, Adalja said.

The symptoms of a norovirus infection come on very quickly and dramatically, Adalja said. A person can go from feeling fine to suddenly vomiting, he said. Because of that, vomit gets in places that it shouldn't, he said. That is, a person may not to make it to a sink or toilet, he added.

In addition, the virus can survive for days outside of the body, so to become infected, a person doesn't necessarily need be near a person who is actively vomiting, but rather just in area where the vomit is or was, Adalja said.

The virus also spreads via stool and saliva. It's common to find the virus on infected people's hands because they touch their mouths, Adalja said. And alcohol-based hand sanitizers aren't very effective at killing norovirus, Adalja told Live Science. People need to be meticulous about washing their hands, he said.

The infected members of the California delegation were isolated from other people at the convention, USA Today reported (opens in new tab).

Indeed, you have to quarantine people who are infected with norovirus, Adalja said. "Actively sick people need to be removed from the general public and should minimize contact with" healthy people, he said. Sick people will just continue to "shed and spread" the virus everywhere, he said.

And though symptoms last only about 24 to 48 hours, people can still shed the virus after symptoms have passed, Adalja said. The best way to avoid infection is to wash your hands well, Adalja said. And if you see someone vomiting, go in the other direction, he said.

Originally published on Live Science.
We usually think of cyborgs as part human, part machine, but roboticists don't limit themselves that way. Researchers have developed a hybrid robot built with body parts from a novel source: sea slugs.

The new robot combines a Y-shaped muscle from the mouth of a California sea hare (Aplysia californica) with a 3D-printed skeleton.

Researchers surgically removed the so-called "I2" muscle from the mouths of sea slugs and glued them to flexible, 3D-printed plastic frames. When the muscles were subjected to an external electric field, the resulting contractions produced a deliberate clawing motion that was able to move the tiny robot up to 0.2 inches (0.5 centimeters) per minute. [The 6 Strangest Robots Ever Created]

The robot was modeled after the way sea turtles crawl, because the researchers wanted to create something that could move with only one Y-shaped muscle, study lead author Victoria Webster, a graduate student at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, told Live Science in an email. But, it should be possible to apply similar techniques to create more complex robots with different movement styles, such as the inchworm-inspired version that the team is working on now, she added.

With a few more developments, the scientists said, teams of robots could be deployed for tasks such as searching for toxic underwater leaks or finding an airplane's "black box" flight data recorder after it has crashed into the ocean.

And one day, the designers would also like to make entirely biological robots by replacing the plastic parts of the new hybrid bot with organic material.

"We're building a living machine  a biohybrid robot that's not completely organic  yet," Webster said in a statement.

Sea slugs live in a wide range of temperatures and conditions, so their muscles can function in myriad environments. This natural versatility is key to developing biological machines that are capable of operating in different environments.

"By using the sea hare as our material source, we have obtained materials which are more robust than the cells which have been used in the past," Webster said.

The team is now experimenting with including the ganglia, or nervous tissue, that controls the I2 muscle. "They respond to direct chemical stimulation or to stimulation of the sensory system nerves," Webster said. "By stimulating the nerves, we may be able to steer the robot in the future."

The scientists also developed a method to mold collagen gel from the sea slugs' skin into "scaffolding" for completely organic machines. These nonhybrid robots would be inexpensive, nonpolluting and biodegradable, the scientists said, enabling them to release many robots without having to worry if some of them are lost.

"Our hope is to continue developing these devices to include organic controllers, sensors and skeletons," Webster said.

The study's findings were published online July 12 in the journal Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems (opens in new tab).

Original article on Live Science.
Health officials in Florida are investigating a case of Zika that may have been acquired locally rather than in another country. But if the virus is spreading in Florida, how did it get there?

For someone to acquire Zika in Florida, a person infected with Zika would have to spread the virus to a mosquito, which then would spread it to another human.

For example, a new chain of "locally acquired" cases of Zika could happen if a Florida resident were to travel to a country where Zika is spreading, become infected with the virus and then return to Florida, where they would be bitten by a mosquito while the Zika virus was in their blood. This would make that mosquito capable of transmitting Zika to another person in Florida.

If the Zika virus has indeed found its way into the local mosquito population in Florida, it wouldn't be a surprise, experts say. The type of mosquitoes that carry Zika, called Aedes mosquitoes, are known to live in Florida.

"It was only a matter of time before the right mosquito found the right person," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious-disease specialist and a senior associate at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Center for Health Security. Two other types of mosquito-borne viruses  chikungunya and dengue  have already spread from other countries to the United States in the same way, Adalja said. [Zika Virus News: Complete Coverage of the 2016 Outbreak]

When a local mosquito initially bites a person infected with the Zika virus, it takes 10 to 15 days before the mosquito is able to transmit the virus to another person, Laura Harrington, a professor and chair of the Department of Entomology at Cornell University, told Live Science in an interview in February. That's because it takes time for the virus to make its way to the mosquito's salivary glands, where it can be transmitted to another person.

But once the virus reaches the salivary glands, the mosquito can transmit the virus for the rest of its life, Harrington said. (The mosquitoes that can carry Zika usually live about 15 days.)

Officials in Florida have not released much information about the new case. A statement from the Florida Department of Health issued yesterday (July 19) said that officials are investigating "a possible nontravel-related case of Zika virus in Miami-Dade county."

To determine whether the new Zika case was acquired locally, officials will likely first check the patient's travel history, to see if he or she has been to an area where Zika is spreading, Adalja said. Officials will also ask whether the patient has had sexual contact with anyone who traveled to an area where Zika is spreading, because the virus can be transmitted sexually.

And because a person in Utah may have caught the virus after caring for someone with Zika, officials will likely also check whether the Florida Zika patient had cared for someone with Zika.

But if none of these things happened, "it leaves you with the possibility that this was acquired locally," Adalja said. Officials would then likely check local mosquitoes to see if they are carrying the virus, he said.

Even if it turns out that Zika was acquired from a mosquito in Florida, health officials have said they do not expect widespread transmission of the virus in the United States. That's because, unlike in many countries where the virus has been spreading, the American lifestyle tends to limit exposure to the mosquitoes  people spend more time indoors here than people do in the South and Central American countries where the virus is currently spreading.

People in the U.S. also usually have screens on their windows and use air conditioning, all of which prevent exposure to mosquitoes, Adalja said. And standing water, where mosquitoes breed, tends to be less of a problem in the United States than it is in some other countries, he said.

The main way to prevent the spread of Zika by mosquitoes is to control the mosquito population, Adalja said. That usually involves spraying insecticide to kill mosquitoes and cleaning up areas where mosquito populations breed.

Officials could also release genetically modified mosquitoes that are not capable of producing offspring, Adalja said. This strategy has been used in other countries to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases but hasn't been tried in the United States, in part because of the anti-GMO movement in this country, Adalja said.

In a recent study, Adalja and his colleagues surveyed people living in Key West, Florida, about their attitudes toward genetically modified mosquitoes, and found that most people opposed releasing these mosquitoes. But that study was conducted before the rise of Zika, and people's attitudes may have changed since then, Adalja said. The virus has been linked to severe neurological problems in babies born to women who are infected during pregnancy.

The large number of Zika cases occurring worldwide "will hopefully change opinions there," Adalja said.

Original article on Live Science.
School & Education, Local News, Business & Finance, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: July 20 2016

Bank of America today announced that five high school juniors and seniors from the Long Island community have been selected as Student Leaders (#BofAStudentLeaders).

Pictured are the five Long Island community high school juniors and seniors selected as Student Leaders.

Melville, NY - July 19, 2016 - Bank of America today announced that five high school juniors and seniors from the Long Island community have been selected as Student Leaders (#BofAStudentLeaders). The program offers young people, who are engaged community citizens, an opportunity to build their workforce and leadership skills through a paid summer internship at a local nonprofit organization, like the EAC Network, and participation in a Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C.

Early employment opportunities are a critical stepping stone for young people entering the working world. When young people cant access early employment opportunities that build their skills, they are at risk of being left behind and not finding a meaningful job in todays competitive workforce. With local youth unemployment rates at 18 percent, Student Leaders connects young people to summer employment that supports their long-term financial success, and in turn helps the economic progress of Long Island.

Early employment opportunities help teens build the skills they need to establish a career and get on a path toward financial stability, said Bob Isaksen, Long Island President, Bank of America. Helping youth access resources and skills that prepare them for future success is an important part of our work to address the underlying issues related to economic mobility as we work to create a thriving Long Island economy.

The five Long Island Student Leaders are:

Diego Colonna a Bay Shore resident and rising senior at Bay Shore High School is interning at Family Service League.

Elizabeth Fernandez, a Roosevelt resident and rising senior at Roosevelt High School is interning at EAC Network.

Nikhil Anand, a Half Hollow Hills resident and recent graduate of Half Hollows Hills High School is interning at United Way of Long Island.

Nyeem Maloney, a Freeport resident and rising senior at Freeport High School is interning at EAC Network.

Tolulope Adebayo, a Baldwin resident and recent graduate of Baldwin Senior High School, is interning at EAC Network.

These five young people will join the more than 200 other Student Leaders from around the country in Washington D.C. on July 10-15 for a Student Leadership Summit. As part of this week-long convening, students will discuss how to build a more diverse and inclusive society, gain a better understanding of how cross-sector collaboration creates community impact, and become part of a network of community leaders that will support their citizenship and engagement. The students are joining an alumni cohort of more than 2,200 Student Leaders across the country.

Bank of America

At Bank of America, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is critical to fulfilling our core purpose of making peoples financial lives better. A commitment to growing our business responsibly is embedded in every aspect of our company, from our policies and practices to our services, products, governance and employee benefits. An important part of that commitment is forming strong partnerships across sectors, including nonprofit organizations serving community needs, bringing our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Were proud of our employees volunteer efforts, support of diversity and inclusion, and environmental and social responsibility. Across our company, were focused on simplifying banking and investing, advancing better money habits and making an impact in communities around the world. Learn more here and on Twitter.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By EAC Network Published: July 20 2016

EAC Network receives $5,000 from TD Charitable Foundation for its Chance to Advance program.

Chance to Advance serves the Long Island foster care population (ages 8-21) with educational and enrichment opportunities through the help of one-on-one mentors.

Hempstead, NY - July 19, 2016 - EAC Network is pleased to receive a $5,000 grant from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, Americas Most Convenient Bank for its Chance to Advance program on July 11, 2016.

Chance to Advance serves the Long Island foster care population (ages 8-21) with educational and enrichment opportunities through the help of one-on-one mentors. Research shows that youth in foster care have lower self-esteem, engage in more negative relationships, and are more likely to drop out of high school. However, intervention through mentorship helps children and young people to have positive outlooks and behaviors. In addition, children with mentors are more likely to complete their education.

This generous donation from the TD Charitable Foundation allows Chance to Advance to continue to provide children in foster care or who have been adopted with opportunities to help them thrive in their current environment, and it creates opportunities for positive development trips and workshops to empower, educate, and inspire our youth, said Demishia Owens, Program Director of Chance to Advance. The funding will also assist with training and recruiting mentors who are committed to making a difference in childrens lives.

TD Charitable Foundation has generously supported EAC Network for almost ten years.

Learn more about EAC Network and Chance to Advance. For more information on becoming a volunteer mentor, call Angela Curcio-Cardarelli, Youth Coordinator, at (631) 648-2700 x213.

About EAC Network

Founded in 1969, EAC Network is a not-for-profit human service agency serving 68,500 people annually through 70 programs across Long Island and New York City. EAC Networks mission is to respond to human needs with programs and services that protect children, promote healthy families and communities, help seniors, and empower individuals to take control of their lives. Among those the organization assists are children who have been physically or sexually abused, senior citizens needing support, people struggling with substance abuse and/or mental illness, youth in the foster care system, persons on public assistance seeking financial independence, adults and youth who are under or unemployed, individuals needing help to mediate disputes, and families in crisis. For more information about EAC Network, please call 516-539-0150 or visit www.eac-network.org, Facebook, and Twitter.

A staunch commitment to active involvement in the local community is a vital element of the TD Bank philosophy. TD Bank, Americas Most Convenient Bank and the TD Charitable Foundation provide support to affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and environmental initiatives, many of which focus on improving the welfare of children and families.

About the TD Charitable Foundation

The TD Charitable Foundation is the charitable giving arm of TD Bank N.A., which operates as TD Bank, Americas Most Convenient Bank, and is one of the 10 largest commercial banking organizations in the United States. The Foundation's mission is to serve the individuals, families and businesses in all the communities where TD Bank operates, having made more than $157 million in charitable donations since its inception in 2002. The Foundations areas of focus are affordable housing, financial literacy and education, and the environment. More information on the TD Charitable Foundation, including an online grant application, is available at here.

About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 8 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at approximately 1,300 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.tdbank.com. Find TD Bank on Facebook and on Twitter.

TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com.
Pets & Animal, Local News, Local Steals & Deals, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: July 20 2016

Kent Animal Shelter will spay/neuter Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs for LI residents for a special $20 rate in August, during PetSmart Charities annual Primp Your Pit campaign.

Calverton, NY - July 19, 2016 - This August, Kent Animal Shelter will spay/neuter Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs for Long Island residents for a special $20 rate, which includes a free doggie nail trim, during PetSmart Charities annual Primp Your Pit campaign.

American Pit Bull Terriers are one of the most popular dogs in the country. Yet an estimated 70% of all dogs housed and euthanized in animal shelters are Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs. Sadly, myths and misunderstandings contribute to high shelter intake and low adoption rates of Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs of all ages.

To reduce their shelter numbers, PetSmart Charities is providing grant funding to animal welfare organizations across the nation for spaying/neutering of Pit Bull Terrier-type dogs during the August campaign.

Spaying/neutering your dog is the most effective way to prevent unwanted litters from being born that may ultimately end up in our local animal shelter, says Pamela Green, Executive Director of Kent Animal Shelter.

The American Veterinary Medical Association endorses spaying and neutering puppies as young as eight to 10 weeks old. Research shows that the procedure may improve the behavior and health of the pet, including reducing the risk of certain reproductive cancers and infections.

Pit bull parents who wish to take advantage of this special offer must mention the Primp Your Pit promotion when they schedule their appointments. The promotion is based on availability and spaces are limited.

Please visit here or call 631-727-5731 for more information or to schedule an appointment. The Kent Animal Shelter clinic is open Monday through Saturday from 10AM to 4PM by appointment.

About Kent Animal Shelter: Kent Animal Shelter is a 501C3 organization established in 1968 in Calverton, NY that provides a no-kill haven for homeless animals, adoption services, a spay/neuter clinic, and humane education. More information is available at www.KentAnimalShelter.com or by calling 631-727-5731.

About PetSmart Charities: PetSmart Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit animal welfare organization that saves the lives of homeless pets. More than 400,000 dogs and cats find homes each year through its adoption program in all PetSmart stores and its sponsored adoption events. PetSmart Charities grants more money to directly help pets in need than any other animal welfare group in North America, with a focus on funding spay/neuter services that help communities solve pet overpopulation. PetSmart Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization, separate from PetSmart, Inc.
Local News, Crime, National & World News, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: July 19 2016

This is the second police officer shot and killed in Kansas City, Kansas in the past two months.

Nassau Police PBA: We need our nation to take a strong stand in supporting the police and sternly denounce the hateful rhetoric and the killing of police officers.

Nassau County, NY - July 19, 2016 - ''The Nassau County PBA mourns for Police Captain Robert Melton killed in Kansas and sends our heartfelt condolences to his family. The craziness in this world must stop. The police have to be recognized as good people trying to make our communities safer and not be subjected to hateful chants and rhetoric.

We need our nation to take a strong stand in supporting the police and sternly denounce the hateful rhetoric and the killing of police officers. We all need to come together and unite to make our country a safe place for everyone.''

This is the second police officer shot and killed in Kansas City, Kansas in the past two months.

James Carver

President
Local News, Crime, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: July 20 2016

To date fourteen people have been arrested and arraigned including three members of the Bloods street gang.

Suffolk County, NY - July 19, 2016 - Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota joined by law enforcement officials affiliated with the East End Drug Task Force today announced the dismantling of two drug distribution networks; one dealing heroin, the other cocaine, in eastern Suffolk County.

To date fourteen people have been arrested and arraigned including three members of the Bloods street gang. More arrests are expected. Approximately six kilos of cocaine and heroin were seized during the execution of more than one dozen search warrants since last Thursday, July 14.

District Attorney Spota said the investigation began when patrol officers from east end police departments saw a significant upward trend in the seizure of both heroin and cocaine last September. The EEDTF began actively looking into where the drugs were coming from and who was responsible for bringing them into the east end, DA Spota said.

The task force soon developed information which led them to focus on a cocaine operation in Riverhead and Southampton being supplied principally by Corey Woodley, 36, of Flanders and Eric Thomas, AKA E, 42, of Riverhead. Thomas, described by the District Attorney as a significant reseller for the cocaine distribution network, was on parole at the time of his arrest July 14 when task force members executed a search warrant at his Lewis Street home. Investigators seized cocaine and over $4,000 in cash from the house, as well as scales, a cocaine grinder and other drug paraphernalia.

Other defendants facing criminal charges include Ronald Paschall, also known as APP, 42, a Northampton man associated with The Stones - a subset of the Bloods street gang. Paschall has a prior criminal record including assault and felony drug possession. On July 6 he was arrested in Suffolk County by Task Force investigators as he was returning to the east end from picking up a kilo and a half of cocaine in NYC.

Paschall has been indicted by a Grand Jury for Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class A felony. DA Spota said the investigation revealed that Paschall was picking up cocaine twice a week which he then sold to resellers who distributed the cocaine to users in East Hampton, Riverhead, Southampton and Southold Towns.

The investigation broadened District Attorney Spota said into a probe of a second narcotics distribution ring run by Paschalls fellow gang members Jimmy Dean, 38, of Baiting Hollow and Deans runner, Dwayne Harris, 31, of Riverhead, who sold cocaine primarily.

Dean, a prior felony offender convicted of selling narcotics for which he received a five year prison sentence, is believed to be a leader of the The Stones gang on the east end. On July 13, police executed a search warrant at Deans Warner Drive home and seized heroin, cocaine, packaging materials, a loaded shotgun in the master bedroom next to Deans bed and another firearm, a loaded semi-automatic Glock, in Deans car. The handgun was traced to North Carolina where it had been reported stolen. Dwayne Harris, also a member of the Stones gang, has a prior criminal record including drug possession and DWI convictions.

Attending the press conference with DA Spota were Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter and Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, and officials of law enforcement agencies affiliated with the East End Drug Task Force including US Immigration & Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, Lt. Pete Healey of the NY State Police, the Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, Suffolk County Police Deputy Chief Robert Oswald and Deputy Inspector Armando Valencia who is the Commanding Officer of the SCPD Narcotics Section, Chief Martin Flatley of the Southold PD, Southampton Town Police Chief Rob Pearce, Southampton Village PD Chief Tom Cummins, Riverhead Town Police Chief David Hegemiller, and the Suffolk County Probation Departments Director of Probation Patrice Delpolsky.

"Drug dealers and weapons are a deadly combination. We are pleased to have removed several of both off the streets of Suffolk County during these enforcement operations, said Angel M. Melendez, special agent in charge of HSI New York. "As a member of the East End Drug Task Force, we work as a team to dismantle drug trafficking organizations that flood our communities with drugs and violence".

The East End Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement unit funded by the office of Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota. The task force includes detectives, police officers and law enforcement personnel from the New York State Police, Suffolk County Police Department, Suffolk County Sheriffs Office, Suffolk County Department of Probation, Southampton Town Police Department, Riverhead Police Department, East Hampton Town Police Department, Southampton Village Police Department, Southold Town Police Department, DEA, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Suffolk County District Attorney Investigators.

East End Drug Task Force Heroin-Cocaine Distribution Networks

Defendant Pedigree List 7-19-2016

Ronald Paschall aka App or Big App

Riverhead, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st

Unlawful Fleeing from a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle 3rd  2 counts

Reckless driving and other traffic violations

Speeding

Unsafe Passing on the Right

Gang Affiliation  Blood

Defense Attorney: Robert Macedonio

Date of Arrest: 7-6-16

Jerome Carey aka Sweets

Sound Beach, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st

Gang Affiliation  Blood

Defense Attorney: John Loturco

Date of Arrest: 7-6-16

John Miles aka Mann

Mastic, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st

Gang Affiliaton  Blood

Defense Attorney: Legal Aid

Date of Arrest: 7-6-16

Cory Woodley

Riverhead, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st

Defense Attorney: Keith OHalloran

Date of Arrest: 6-14-16

Herbert Prophet

Uniondale, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st

Failing to Display a Lit Tail Lamp During Hours of Darkness

Defense Attorney: Raymond Perini

Date of Arrest: 6-14-16

Reynaldo DeJesusMelo

Bronx, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st

Defense Attorney: Legal Aid

Date of Arrest: 6-29-16

Jimmy Dean

Baiting Hollow, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd - 2 counts

Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd

Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th

Criminally Using Drug Paraphernalia 2nd - 2 counts

Criminal Possession of a Weapon

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

Gang Affiliaton  Blood

Defense Attorney: Lane Bubka

Date of Arrest: 7-13-16

Dwayne K. Harris

Riverhead, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd- 3 counts

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th

Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

Gang Affiliaton  Blood

Defense Attorney: John Loturco

Date of Arrest: 7-13-16

Eric Thomas aka E

Riverhead, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd - 2 counts

Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

Defense Attorney: Jon Manley

Date of Arrest: 7-14-16

Lakiwa Kelly

Shirley, NY

Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance 3rd

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th

Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

Defense Attorney: Carl Irace

Date of Arrest: 7-16-16

Walter James

Riverhead, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th  3 counts

Defense Attorney: Steven Santucci

Date of Arrest: 7-16-16

Rosemary Hinchy Brown

Riverhead, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 3rd

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th

Criminal Use of Drug Paraphernalia 2nd

Unlawful Possession of Marijuana

Defense Attorney: Daniel Barker

Date of Arrest: 7-16-16

Tiffany Norris

Riverhead, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th  3 counts

Defense Attorney: Steven Devito

Date of Arrest: 7-16-16

Shawanna James

Flanders, NY

Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th

Date of Arrest: 7-16-16
European powers are trying to develop better means for pre-emptively spotting "lone-wolf" militants from their online activities and are looking to Israeli-developed technologies, a senior EU security official said on Tuesday.

Last week's truck rampage in France and Monday's axe attack aboard a train in Germany have raised European concern about self-radicalized assailants who have little or no communications with militant groups that could be intercepted by spy agencies.

"How do you capture some signs of someone who has no contact with any organization, is just inspired and started expressing some kind of allegiance? I don't know. It's a challenge," EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove told Reuters on the sidelines of a intelligence conference in Tel Aviv.

Internet companies asked to monitor their own platforms' content for material that might flag militants had begged off, De Kerchove said.

He said they had argued that the information was too massive to sift through and contextualize, unlike pedophile pornography, for which there were automatic detectors.

"So maybe a human's intervention is needed. So you cannot just let the machine do it," De Kerchove said. But he said he hoped "we will soon find ways to be much more automated" in sifting through social networks.

"That is why I am here," he said of his visit to Israel. "We know Israel has developed a lot of capability in cyber."

Beset by Palestinian street attacks, often by young individuals using rudimentary weapons and without links to armed factions, Israeli security agencies that once focused on "meta data", or information regarding suspects' communications patterns, have refocused on social media in hope of gaining advance warnings from private posts.

Israeli officials do not disclose how far the technology has come, but private experts say the methods are enough to provide often basic alerts regarding potential attackers, then require follow-up investigation.

"Nine out of 10 times, the terrorist has contacts with others who provide support or inspiration, so meta data still applies," said Haim Tomer, a former Mossad intelligence division chief turned security consultant.

When it comes to true lone wolves, even a valedictory Facebook message can often be picked up by Israel, he said.

"But in such cases, it would be a low-level 'green alert', meaning the person should be looked at further, whereas a 'red alert' would warrant instant action. That leaves the security services to decide how to handle matters," Tomer said.

As De Kerchove was at pains to make clear to the conference, European standards of civil rights, such as privacy, make the introduction of intrusive intelligence-gathering technologies in the public sphere and aggressive police follow-ups difficult.

While Israel's emergency laws give security services more leeway, its intelligence minister, Yisrael Katz, called for cooperation with Internet providers rather than state crackdowns. He cited, for example, the encryption provided by messaging platform WhatsApp which, he said, could be a new way for militants to communicate and evade detection.

"We will not block these services," Katz told the conference. "What is needed is an international organization, preferably headed by the United States, where shared (security) concerns need to be defined, characterized."
Local News, Business & Finance, Community, Charity & Cause, Press Releases

By Long Island News & PR Published: July 20 2016

Wit & whim, Port Washingtons philanthropic gift shop won the national ICON Honor Award.

Port Washington, NY - July 20, 2016 - Wit & whim, Port Washingtons philanthropic gift shop won the national ICON Honor Award, the home and gift industrys most celebrated and coveted mark of accomplishment. Watch Wit & whims award winning segment below.

The award ceremony was held at the legendary Fox Theater in Atlanta on July 14th with over fifteen hundred people in attendance. The ICON organization flew owner, Laurie Scheinman in for the event. I was wowed the moment I entered the almost 100 year old art deco theater! she gushed. I wasnt nervous at all because wit & whim was such a long shot in the race.

The ICON judges made their trip to wit & whim for an in-person assessment of the store and owner, Laurie Scheinman on June 15th. The shop was nominated in the Community Influence, Development and Outreach category, one of five awards recognized by the organization. The two-hour interviewed covered numerous topics including Scheinmans eclectic mix of unique and affordable goods, the origin of the store, along with its philanthropic mission.



She explained to the judges the idea for the shop began as a means of bringing hope and an element of fantasy into an incredibly jolting time in her life. It was a creative collaboration with my father to pass a scary time as his life was ending due to lung cancer. Developing wit & whim kept our minds off the scary stuff.

The shops sentimental warmth has resonated with generations of customers for four years now, transforming it from a small business to a community hub.

Workshops, kids crafts projects, themed shopping nights, kick-off parties and celebrations have influenced and engaged customers since day one. The little shop with the big heart represents a simple yet sentimental message. Gift and give back, donating 100% of its profits to a different charity each month. This months profit will go to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.

The judges were particularly interested in wit & whim's wide-spread community engagement. They took particular note of the window display, A Time to Soar which was created by an inner city second grade class. Laurie spent six weeks working with twenty-seven children in their classroom preparing larger than life paper mache birds of North America. The collaboration culminated with the children taking a field trip to the shop to install the birds which were perched and suspended in flight along two ten-foot branches suspended across the windows.

When they announced the nominees I felt really proud just to be mentioned, Scheinman explained. When they announced we won, I nearly fell out of my chair! I could barely speak but luckily remembered to thank my husband for being the financial genius behind the operation and congratulated my fellow nominees.

In her wildest dreams, Laurie admitted, she never could have expected wit & whim to take on the life it has today. When asked what lessons shes learned since wit & whims inception, Laurie paused and with a confident smile replied, To do your own thing. To follow your heart and to push the limits of where you think you can go.

More information about the ICON Honor Award can be found at www.iconhonors.com.
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
North Korea fired three short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea early Tuesday morning, six days after South Korea and the U.S. decided to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery here.

The move appears aimed at intensifying jitters in South Korea over the THAAD deployment.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff on Tuesday said the missiles flew about 500 to 600 km, far enough to strike any targets in South Korea including the far southern port city of Busan.

The U.S. Strategic Command said the first two missiles were Scuds with a range of between 300 to 500 km while the third was a Rodong missile with a range of 1,300 km.

Last Monday North Korea warned of a "physical response" to the THAAD deployment once the battery's location has been determined.

North Korea is believed to have around 600 Scud and 200 Rodong missiles. Some skeptics have said that the Scud's low trajectory and short flight time would make it impossible for THAAD to intercept, and that the 48 interceptor missiles in the arsenal of a single THAAD battery are not enough to stop 1,000 North Korean ballistic missiles.

But a military spokesman here said, "If the THAAD battery is deployed, it will form a multi-layered interception system along with Patriot missiles and be able to effectively block the North's missile attacks."

THAAD is effective in intercepting missiles at an altitude of 40 to 150 km, while Patriots are designed to intercept missiles 10 to 40 km above the surface. The spokesman added, "THAAD's role is to give us time to prepare for a full-fledged retaliation."

Choi Kang, a researcher at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said, "If the THAAD battery is useless against North Korea's missile threat, the North would have no reason to react so sensitively."
The Fair Trade Commission wants to lodge a complaint with prosecutors against Johannes Thammer, the head of Volkswagen's Korean operation, and nine other executives for false advertising.

Volkswagen was told of the decision last week, according to the consumer watchdog. The FTC will make a final decision after listening to Volkswagen's opinion on the matter in September.

The FTC is taking issue with Volkswagen advertising diesel car as environmentally friendly even though they only passed emissions tests using doctored data.

From 2009 to 2015, Volkswagen advertised cars as offering superior mileage and performance while meeting Euro 5 emission regulations.

But the German automaker was found last year to have installed emissions-cheating software. The Environment Ministry ordered Volkswagen to recall 125,000 diesel cars sold in Korea.
Workers at Hyundai Motor and Hyundai Heavy Industries have launched their first combined strike in 23 years after wage negotiations broke down.

Unionized workers at the firms are walking out for four hours a day until Friday. Both are demanding a pay raise, bonuses and better working conditions and environment.

The two companies were originally part of the same empire but were split among the founder's fractious children. Workers in both are already among the highest-paid in the country.

At Hyundai Motor the strikes are an annual event that has effectively been planned into the work process, though the conglomerate likes to complain of the losses they inflict.

But Hyundai Heavy suffered genuine losses of nearly US$7.5 billion last year because of an industry-wide slump and company restructuring.
Hafiz Saeed Khan, the Islamic States emir for Khorasan province (left); Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost (right).

A former Guantanamo Bay detainee who defected from the Taliban in 2014 and joined the Islamic State denounced the group and called the emir of Khorasan province illiterate for conducting acts of wanton violence against civilians in Afghanistan.

Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, the former Gitmo detainee who was lauded as a poet by advocates for the detainees held at the US-run prison, blasted the Islamic States Khorasan province for its recent attacks in his home district of Kot in Nangarhar, Afghanistan. The Islamic State, while greatly weakened throughout Afghanistan, maintains a presence in Nangarhar. Kot district is a known Islamic State stronghold in eastern Afghanistan.

In late June, the Islamic State launched an offensive in the district and attacked police outposts as well as civilians. The group killed women and children, and burned a number of residents houses, according to Pajhwok Afghan News.

Dost denounced the Islamic States most recent attack in Kot, and issued a statement to Pajhwok Afghan News explaining his reasoning for parting with the group. Dost is said to have defected from the Islamic State sometime last year.

After Abu Bakr al Baghdadi declared Khilafat [the caliphate, or the Islamic State], I wrote a book Mlak Al Amajad in Arabic in which issues about Khilafat and Imamat (leadership) have been discussed, Dost told Pajhwok.

I was in Terah area of Khyber Agency when I announced allegiance to the Khilafat, Dost continued. Groups of people were joining us and I would convince them, but we were unaware that illiterate people like Hafiz Saaed Khan from Arakzai are damaging the holy name.

Hafiz Saaed Khan is the Islamic States emir for Khorasan province. He is one of several disgruntled mid-level leaders from the Movement of the Taliban who defected and established Khorasan province in late 2014.

Dost claimed that Khorasan province became a tool of regional intelligence agencies and started torturing innocent people, according to Pajhwok. He is likely referring to Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence directorate [ISI] and Afghanistans National Directorate of Security.

I raised my voice against Syed Khan and separated himself from him and my several other friends also did the same, but a number of Afghans like Abdul Khaliq Omar, Saad Emarati and Sheikh Abdul Qahir continued to operate under the group, Dost concluded. Emirati is the Islamic States emir for forces operating in Logar province, Afghanistan.

Dosts criticism of the Islamic States actions in Nangarhar and his accusation that it fell under the influence of state intelligence services is ironic given his past statements.

For instance, in April 2015, Dost vigorously defended the Islamic State when it was accused of carrying out a massacre in Jalalabad in Nangarhar and accused Pakistans ISI of complicity.

We strongly condemned the attack and Daesh never kills civilians and innocent people, Dost claimed at the time, according to Pajhwok. Pakistan intelligence agencies spread fabricated messages [that the Islamic State executed the attack] on his [spokesman Shahidullah Shahid] name since he does not have accesses to telephone and internet.

Latest defection from the Islamic State

Dosts defection and criticism is the latest blow to the groups Khorasan province. In April 2016, several members of the Islamic State Khorasan province central council as well as other senior and mid-level leaders based in the eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar broke their oath to Abu Bakr al Baghdadi and rejoined the Taliban. The defectors, like Dost, accused the Islamic State of a rash of crimes, including:

 the ambiguous blind policies of Daesh, their wanton killing, beating, persecution, looting, burning, and usurping land and property of the oppressed Afghans, their displacement, treachery with their elders, depriving them of schools, clinics, public welfare projects and development, heedless towards general Muslim interests, adoption of extremism over leniency, prohibiting vice in fashion which produces corruption, Takfiri (excommunication) views of most members, improper establishment of religion, and having no reasonable, legal and regular way of fixing these problems; in short not having a remedy for the wounds of the Afghans.

Unlike the April defectors who rejoined the Taliban, Dosts status is unclear. He has not announced allegiance to any other group.

Dost had a vision of the establishment of the Islamic State

Dosts resume includes a laundry list of jihadist activities stretching back to the last 1970s. He was detained in Pakistan after the US invasion of Afghanistan and held at Guantanamo Bay for three years. US officials at Guantanamo determined Dost poses a low risk, due to his medical condition and no longer considered him an enemy combatant. In 2004, he was transferred to the Afghan government, which subsequently released him. [See LWJ report, Ex-Gitmo poet now recruiting for the Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan.]

Like many other detainees released from Guantanamo, Dost immediately resumed his jihadist activities. Pakistani officials detained Dost in 2006, but freed him as part of a prisoner exchange for Pakistans ambassador to Afghanistan in 2008.

Dost was the first high-profile jihadist leader outside of Iraq and Syria to defect from al Qaedas sphere of influence to the Islamic State. He swore allegiance to the jihadist group on July 1, 2014, just two days after Abu Bakr al Baghdadi declared the establishment of the Islamic State. Dost claimed he had a vision of the establishment of the caliphate while in detention at Guantanamo. This purportedly influenced his decision to leave the Taliban and join the Islamic State.

After joining the Islamic State, Dost served as a recruiter and propagandist in the Afghan-Pakistan region.

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.

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In an attack on a Malian military base in southern Mali, militants left at least 17 soldiers dead and wounded over 30 in an offensive claimed by two different groups. Many weapons and vehicles were also stolen during the assault.

Yesterday, a coordinated attack was launched on the Malian military base in Nampala near the borders with Mauritania in southern Mali. The base was assaulted from multiple directions, according to Malian officials. Additionally, a secondary ambush targeted Malian troops trying to withdraw to the nearby town of Diabaly. The base briefly fell to the attackers, but was quickly regained by the Malian military.

Responsibility for the attack has already been claimed by two different groups. The first group to declare their involvement was the National Alliance for the Protection of the Peul Identity and the Restoration of Justice (ANSIPRJ), which is an ethnic Fulani (also known as Peul) militia that formed just last month. The jihadist group Ansar Dine, which is part of al Qaedas international network, has also released a statement claiming its Katibat Macina was responsible for the assault. In its statement, Ansar Dine said its forces withdrew from the base after capturing several weapons and vehicles.

The jihadists likely withdrew to the Wagadou Forest, which straddles the border region between Mali and Mauritania. The Wagadou Forest has been a historical stronghold and base of operations for al Qaeda in Mali. The forest was said to have been largely cleared of al Qaeda bases in 2011 when Malian and Mauritanian forces targeted the jihadist group there. However, Malian officials have noted increased activity in the forest by jihadists in recent years.

In addition to the ANSIPRJ and Ansar Dine, Malian officials have stated that al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) also took part in the assault on the base. Reuters has reported that a Malian military spokesman said that Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb attacked from the north, the Macina Liberation Front [another name for Katibat Macina] linked to Ansar Dine waited outside the town to ambush military reinforcements and an ethnic Peul group attacked from the southeast.

This level of cooperation has not been confirmed, but is a likely scenario given how coordinated the assault was. The current realities of ANSIPRJ, especially with how new the group is, makes coordination with larger, more capable forces more plausible. Ansar Dines Katibat Macina is an ethnic Fulani group, just like ANSIPRJ, which could also help in coordination. AQIM also claimed last years assault on the military base in Nampala, which killed seven troops, and is still known to operate near the borders with Mauritania.

Al Qaedas involvement in the assault, if confirmed, means there has been at least 130 al Qaeda-linked attacks in Mali and the wider West Africa region in 2016. Since 2014, there has been over 270 al Qaeda-linked attacks in the region with most occurring in northern Mali.

Caleb Weiss is a research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal and a senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, where he focuses on the spread of the Islamic State in Central Africa.

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The Treasury Department announced today that three senior al Qaeda members have been added to the US governments list of designated terrorists. All three of them are located in Iran.

The newly-designated al Qaeda operatives are: Faisal Jassim Mohammed Al Amri Al Khalidi, Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi, and Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn.

The Iranian government has maintained a relationship with al Qaeda since the early 1990s. Although the two sides are sometimes at odds, including inside Syria, Treasurys announcement indicates that some of al Qaedas most important commanders are able to evade the American drone campaign by sheltering inside Iran.

Al Qaedas new generation

Al Khalidi is described as part of a new generation of al Qaeda operatives who rose through the organizations ranks to become a senior official. He was previously the emir of an al Qaeda brigade and a battalion commander.

In May 2015, Treasury notes, al Khalidi participated in an annual al Qaeda Council meeting with other al Qaeda commanders to discuss weapons acquisition. He was al Qaedas Military Commission Chief at the time  meaning he was one of the most important figures in the groups international network.

In addition, al Khalidi has been responsible for maintaining contacts between other al Qaeda operatives, including members of al Qaedas central shura (or advisory) council, and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (Pakistani Taliban) leaders.

Treasurys description of al Khalidi appears to echo a letter sent from Atiyah Abd al Rahman to Osama bin Laden in November 2010. Rahman, who was one of bin Ladens top lieutenants at the time and helped to broker al Qaedas deal with the Iranian regime, described three jihadists who had been groomed as part of a new generation  the same wording used by Treasury. Rahman named one of the three as Abu Hamza al Khalidi, which is one of the aliases used by the al Qaeda leader designated today.

Another brother from the [Arabian] peninsula with a military background, who is good, smart, with a sound mind, well-mannered, and religious, [is] named Abu Hamzah Al Khalidi, Rahman wrote. Rahman explained that Abu Hamzah al Khalidi is the cousin of Shaykh Al Khalidi, who is imprisoned with Shaykh Al Fahd and Shaykh Al Khudair in Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, Rahman described al Khalidi as an emir of one of our brigades, which again matches Treasurys description.

Al Khalidi and the others listed in the letter have been with us, in the arena, for almost three years, Rahman informed bin Laden. They continue to be promoted and we think highly of them, and know they will succeed, Allah willing. Rahman added there were a few others from the new generation as well. Rahman, who was al Qaedas main liaison to Iran for years, was subsequently killed in a US drone strike in 2011.

Two others in Iran

Treasury describes Yisra Muhammad Ibrahim Bayumi as a veteran al Qaeda member, who has been in the organization since at least 2006. He has been located in Iran since 2014. In 2015, Bayumi was involved in freeing al Qaeda members in Iran and served as a mediator with Iranian authorities.

Although Iran provides a permissive environment for some al Qaeda operatives, the regime detains others on occasion. Iran uses the threat of imprisonment to maintain leverage over its guests and has also kept some senior jihadists under house arrest. This has caused friction between al Qaeda and Iran at times. Al Qaeda has reportedly kidnapped Iranians to barter for its detained members on more than one occasion.

Prior to early 2015, according to Treasury, Bayumi was involved in assisting al Qaeda members located in Iran. He has also collected funds for the group, including, as recently as 2015, securing funds from Syria for al Qaeda members and facilitating al Qaeda funds transfers.

One of the more curious aspects of the ongoing Iran-al Qaeda relationship is that they are on opposite sides of the Syrian war. Yet, the Iranians continue to allow the Sunni jihadists to operate inside their country. According to a top al Qaeda defector, the reasons for this accommodation are simple: The Iranian regime wants to avoid terrorist attacks at home and still maintains some common interests with al Qaeda, despite the fact they are battling each other in Syria and Yemen.

Abu Bakr Muhammad Muhammad Ghumayn is a senior al Qaeda leader and has served in several financial, communications, and logistical roles for the group, according to Treasury. As of 2015, Ghumayn assumed control of the financing and organization of al Qaeda members located in Iran.

Before relocating to Iran, Ghumayn was based in Waziristan, Pakistan, where he acted as a conduit to senior al Qaeda leadership. He has also served within al Qaeda in an intelligence and security capacity.

Previous designations and other statements by Treasury and State Departments

Treasurys announcement today is the latest in a long line of designations. In 2009, Treasury acknowledged that several al Qaeda operatives were living inside Iran. Then, beginning in July 2011, both the Treasury and State Departments repeatedly targeted the Iran-based network.

Below is a brief timeline of designations and other official statements by the US government.

Jan. 2009: Treasury designated four al Qaeda members in Iran, including Osama bin Ladens son Saad, who was later killed after relocating to Pakistan. It is important that Iran give a public accounting of how it is meeting its international obligations to constrain al Qaeda, Stuart Levey, who was then Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said at the time.

July 2011: Treasury targeted Irans formerly secret deal with al Qaeda, designating six jihadists who were involved in al Qaedas operations inside the country. One of them is known as Yasin al Suri, a prominent Iran-based al Qaeda facilitator who operates under an agreement between al Qaeda and the Iranian government.

Iran is the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world today, David S. Cohen, who was then Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said in a press release. By exposing Irans secret deal with al Qaeda allowing it to funnel funds and operatives through its territory, we are illuminating yet another aspect of Irans unmatched support for terrorism, Cohen emphasized.

Dec. 2011: The State Department announced a $10 million reward for Yasin al Suri, making him one of the most wanted terrorists on the planet. Under an agreement between al Qaeda and the Government of Iran, Yasin al Suri has helped move money and recruits through Iran to al Qaeda leaders in neighboring countries in the region, Robert Hartung, the State Department Assistant Director for Threat Investigations and Analysis, explained during a briefing.

Feb. 2012: The Treasury Department designated the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) for a number of reasons, including the assistance it provided to al Qaeda and al Qaeda in Iraq. According to Treasury, the MOIS has facilitated the movement of al Qaeda operatives in Iran and provided them with documents, identification cards, and passports. In addition, the MOIS has provided money and weapons to al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)and negotiated prisoner releases of AQI operatives.

July 2012: In its Country Reports on Terrorism 2011, the State Department reported that Iran remained unwilling to bring to justice senior AQ members it continued to detain, and refused to publicly identify those senior members in its custody. Iran also allowed AQ members to operate a core facilitation pipeline through Iranian territory, enabling AQ to carry funds and move facilitators and operatives to South Asia and elsewhere.

October 2012: Treasury explained that Yasin al Suri had been temporarily sidelined as the chief of al Qaedas network in Iran. His replacement was Muhsin al Fadhli, a veteran Kuwaiti operative, who later relocated to Syria as part of al Qaedas Khorasan Group and was killed in an American airstrike. Treasury named Adel Radi Saqr al Wahabi al Harbi as one of Fadhlis men inside Iran. Harbi also eventually relocated to Syria, where he served as the military commander of Jund al Aqsa, an al Qaeda front group, until meeting his own demise.

Treasury explained how the deal between the Iranian regime and al Qaeda works. Under the terms of the agreement between al Qaeda and Iran, Treasury reported, al Qaeda must refrain from conducting any operations within Iranian territory and recruiting operatives inside Iran while keeping Iranian authorities informed of their activities. As long as al Qaeda didnt violate these terms, the Government of Iran gave the Iran-based al Qaeda network freedom of operation and uninhibited ability to travel for extremists and their families.

Treasurys Cohen explained in a press release that the designation of Harbi builds on our action from July 2011 and further exposes al Qaedas critically important Iran-based funding and facilitation network. Cohen added: We will continue targeting this crucial source of al Qaedas funding and support, as well as highlight Irans ongoing complicity in this networks operation.

May 2013: In its Country Reports on Terrorism 2012, the State Department said that Iran allowed AQ facilitators Muhsin al-Fadhli and Adel Radi Saqr al-Wahabi al-Harbi to operate a core facilitation pipeline through Iran, enabling AQ to move funds and fighters to South Asia and to Syria. Fadhli began working with the Iran-based AQ facilitation network in 2009, was later arrested by Iranian authorities, but then released in 2011 so he could assume leadership of the Iran-based AQ facilitation network.

Jan. 2014: Treasury and State Department officials told Al Jazeera that Yasin al Suri was once again in charge of al Qaedas Iran-based network.

Feb. 2014: Treasury identified another Iran-based al Qaeda facilitator, Olimzhon Adkhamovich Sadikov, who is an Uzbek and part of the Islamic Jihad Union. Sadikov provides logistical support and funding to al Qaedas Iran-based network, according to Treasury.

Apr. 2014: In its Country Reports on Terrorism 2013, the State Department once again noted that the Iranian regime hosted al Qaedas core facilitation pipeline and remained unwilling to bring to justice senior al Qaeda (AQ) members it continued to detain, while also refusing to publicly identify those senior members in its custody.

Aug. 2014: Treasury designated a senior al Qaeda leader known as Sanafi al Nasr, who served in early 2013 as chief of al Qaedas Iran-based extremist and financial facilitation network. Nasr relocated to Syria in 2013 as part of al Qaedas Khorasan Group and was killed in an American airstrike in 2015.

Curiously, the State Departments Country Reports on Terrorism for 2014 and 2015 said that the Iranian government previously allowed AQ facilitators to operate a core facilitation pipeline through Iran. Although Foggy Bottom didnt explicitly say it, the implication was that the Iran-al Qaeda deal was a thing of the past.

But todays designation by the Treasury Department indicates that senior al Qaeda leaders have continued to operate inside Iran.

Thomas Joscelyn is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Senior Editor for FDD's Long War Journal.

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Bakery chain SPC Group, which will operate the outlet as the Korean licensee of Shake Shack, held a marketing blitz ahead of the official opening on Friday.

New York-based burger brand Shake Shack will open its first outlet here in the affluent Gangnam area of southern Seoul this week.

"We intend to scale up our dining business and the launch of the burger brand here will help us to further grow," a spokesman of SPC Group said.

Currently, over 90 percent of the profits SPC Group earns come from its bakery chains while its restaurant business accounts for a mere 2 percent.

Shake Shack started out as a food cart in New York in 2002, and became popular with its hormone-free beef patties.

Its signature burger will be priced at W6,900, which is roughly equivalent to the price in the U.S. (US$1=W1,140).
Luton is a large town, borough and unitary authority area of Bedfordshire. Luton and its near neighbours, Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of about 258,000. Luton is home to Championship team Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport and The University of Bedfordshire. You can find us on Facebook and Twitter. For all the latest news from Luton sign up to our newsletter here.
5 Facts About Private Jets You've Never Heard Of

As the country with the most millionaires on Earth, it should surprise no one that Americans would own most of the world's private jets. However, 49.7% is a lot relative to the rest of the world's population.Though China has the second highest number of millionaires in the world and the world's largest population, Asia Pacific makes up only 11.8% of the market. Europe claims 20.8%, Latin and South America claim 11.6%, and Africa and the Middle East make up the remaining 6.1%.Though half a billion dollars certainly doesn't represent the average cost of a private jet, most people would consider buying a jet as a lifetime investment. Right? Wrong. Thirty percent of current private jet owners say they plan to buy another jet within the next five years.Unlike commercial carriers, once a private jet reaches its destination, it usually makes the return trip as an empty flight. This is called an empty leg, and it happens an estimated 40% of the time. This means almost half of the fuel and payroll hours spent on flying jets is wasted on an empty vessel.Believe it or not, chartering a jet on its empty leg can be less expensive than flying business class on a commercial flight.There are many celebrities who own private jets, like Oprah Winfrey, John Travolta and Michael Jordan. This comes as a surprise to no one. But what many people don't know is that some celebrities give up the luxury and comfort of the passenger seat to fly their jets themselves. Some celebs who do this include Jimmy Buffett, Tom Cruise, and John Travolta.Visit website:
Making phone calls to strangers to wake them up in the morning is fast becoming a popular part-time job among young people in a dismal labor market.

The wake-up call service costs W30,000-50,000 a month (US$1=W1,140). Customers post wanted ads seeking wake-up calls online and choose service providers on a trial basis for a day before they commit themselves.

One 22-year-old university student in Daejeon has given up all her other part-time jobs since she started making wake-up calls. "All I need to do is wake up early, and I can make W400,000 to W500,000 a month if I secure 10 customers, which is better than other part-time jobs," she said.

Most customers live alone and do not have family members to wake them up in the morning. They are usually office workers in their 20s and 30s but also include fathers who sent their children to school overseas with their mother. Others opt to be woken up in the morning by others simply because they feel lonely.

The number of one-person households rose from just 2.26 million in 2000 to around 5 million last year.

Part of the wake-up call service includes asking clients math questions or reading sections of newspapers to them to make sure they are really up. Other gimmicks include celebrity voice impressions or singing songs. Some women want to be woken up by an assertive male voice, while others prefer more dulcet tones.

But since payments are invoiced at the end of the month, some clients simply break contact without paying. There are also instances of sexual harassment of female callers.

"I was surprised when a male client sent me a photo of him in his underwear after I gave him a wake-up call," a student recalls.

Websites where wake-up call requests are made often include blacklists of rude customers. Prof. Lee Yoon-ho at Dongguk University said, "People can be vulnerable to sexual harassment so measures should be taken to prevent teens from getting into wake-up call services."
Canyon Ranch and Regent Seven Seas Cruises Make Waves with First-ever Spa Suite

The newest of the Regent fleet, the addition of Canyon Ranch as the spa and wellness provider on Seven Seas Explorer strengthens the partnership between the premier brands, with SpaClub facilities now available on all ships.Seven Seas Explorer sets a new standard for cruise vacations with the introduction of a new extravagant suite category, The Regent Suite. At $5,000 per person per day, this 4,443-square-foot suite offers a cruise industry first  an in-room spa complete with unlimited treatments, curated by Canyon Ranch SpaClub at Sea in partnership with the beauty experts at Red Flower and luxury cosmetics brand, Natura Bisse. The custom-created Regent Suite spa menu features Canyon Ranch favorites, signature Red Flower services, and three treatments exclusive to the spa suite curated by Natura Bisse.The full treatment menu for the SpaClub at Sea features services inspired by the seven seas of the modern world. Signature highlights include the Arctic Sea Nourishing Circle, where muscle tensions will be released using ingredients sourced from the Arctic Circle, and the Revitalizing North Pacific Ritual, a six-part massage perfected in Japan.Seven Seas Explorer will feature the brand's first-ever culinary instruction center, Gourmet Explorer Tours, and offer two new specialty restaurants  Chartreuse, which features classic French cuisine with a modern twist, and Pacific Rim, which will serve a diverse array of expertly-prepared Pan-Asian dishes. Additionally, Canyon Ranch-approved delicacies will be served on the ship's signature restaurant, Compass Rose.The maiden voyage for Seven Seas Explorer will be a 14-night sailing from Monte Carlo to Venice. The ship will remain in Europe for its inaugural season, sailing 11 voyages that cross the Mediterranean and visit sought-after destinations such as Barcelona, Ibiza, St. Tropez, Venice, Istanbul, Egypt and Jerusalem.For more information:
Hotel Valley Ho Launches STAY.ZEN In-Room Yoga Program

The new STAY.ZEN package includes a variety of yoga classes that guests can follow on the in-room TV.Also included is a yoga mat they can take home with them, two water bottles, and a six-month membership to The Yoga Collective, including hundreds of online yoga classes. Each room comes ready with a STAY.ZEN kit, available for $40 (a $110 value). A second mat is available for $25.Spa Director Josh Bredimus worked with several partners to put together the program. Our hope is that STAY.ZEN will improve the quality of travel for all of our guests and increase their overall level of wellbeing, he notes.For those who prefer to practice in person, VH Spa offers one-hour, all-levels flow classes. Fridays at 9:15 a.m., class is held in the movement studio. On Sundays at 9:15 a.m., class is held poolside, through September. Poses are done around the water feature at the OHasis Pool, and yogis finish their practice with relaxing poses in the shallow water. In the fall, the class returns to the movement studio. Each class is $18 including service charge; VH Spa members can enjoy classes for $3. Reservations are recommended. VH Spa also features men's and women's locker rooms, lounges, saunas, and a high-tech fitness center.More information:
Jet Linx Continues to Lead the Jet Card Industry with Enhanced Services

The Club and Executive jet cards are the two most consumer-friendly, cost-effective jet cards in the industry, providing guaranteed availability of any size jet category, guaranteed hourly rates, and a guaranteed highest standard of safety, plus an Elevated Lifestyle benefits program that includes partnerships with over a dozen luxury services.While we've watched competitors expand their programs nationally and even internationally at a fast pace, we realized we could offer a much higher customer service experience and more competitive pricing if we limited our guaranteed service offering to local clients only, said Jamie Walker, President & CEO of Jet Linx. We knew this client-centric philosophy worked when Jet Linx was the only private jet company in the U.S. that expanded during the recession.Jet Linx first launched a jet card program in 2004, years before any of the national operators discovered the model. The new Jet Linx Club Card and Executive Card provides clients with the ability to choose the program that best fits their unique personal and business travel needs. New members join through a one-time membership fee of either $12,500 as a Club Card holder or $17,500 as an Executive Card holder, paying by the hour for utilization and also earning flight credit and enhanced Elevated Lifestyle Plus (EL+) benefits the more members fly. Beyond being a jet card provider, the company also offers top-tier aircraft management from each location, aircraft acquisition and aircraft sales support.Jet Linx has flown 50 million miles since its inception and today manages the third largest part 135 fleet with 75 total aircraft ranging from light, mid, super mid and heavy jet aircraft. The company boasts local, private terminals in 14 cities spanning from East to West and guarantees service from and to anywhere in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Jet Linx also provides international service to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America.Some cost-effective differentiators for Jet Linx members include round trip rates based on occupied flight time only, meaning no additional charges for pilot wait time, pilot expenses, or overnights; one-way rates that charges for occupied flight time only as opposed to the common practice of charging for empty legs to get the aircraft home or inflating the occupied hourly rate to an amount that also reflects the cost of empty legs; as well as members' access to Jet Linx's entire fleet and every jet size, without penalty for the upgrade.Jet Linx is among the four percent who have earned an ARGUS Platinum Safety Rating, the highest safety rating awarded to an operator which has been presented to Jet Linx every year since 2005. In addition, Jet Linx attained The International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) Stage 3 certification this year (the highest IS-BAO rating), which has become a globally accepted gold seal for business aviation operations attesting to the highest standards in safety and efficiency, placing Jet Linx in the top one percent of all operators for safety.Our strategy of having our Jet Linx locations operated independently, with their own local staff who handles local clients, has earned us a 96 percent client retention rate, said Walker. With over 1,000 jet card clients and 75 aircraft owners we support from our base locations, we make it our priority to not only know all of them by name, but we also know how best to help them with their travel needs due to our local presence.For more information about Jet Linx, service experience and Jet Card benefits, visit
QUITO: Viewing the New Face of Ecuador's Old City

Hotels

Today, this largest and best-preserved historic center of Latin America is a living museum with 2.2 inhabitants and encompassing one million acres surrounded by the spectacular Andes Mountains.At 9,200 feet above sea level and stretching for 36 miles on a plateau lined with volcanoes, Quito was the first city ever to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1978 owing to its geographical beauty, 18century architecture, priceless Colonial treasures and its living traditions and culture. In fact, recently Quito enjoyed the distinction of being named the American Capital of Culture. Yet for too long travelers have bypassed it for that nation's most famous attraction, the nearby Galapagos Islands. Not any longer. Over the last decade, city planners have dedicated themselves to making Quito more inviting by investing$500 million in improvements. With this major renaissance, the city is now one of the prime travel destinations in the world.Quito has a rapidly gentrifying Old Town, its neighborhoods bursting with magic, legends and tradition. Our group had an exciting walk-about with our hotel's executive chef, Andres Davila as he demonstrated his daily routine buying the fresh foods that would be served for dinner that evening. We visited tiny shops, food purveyors and artisans that we'd never have seen but for him. We walked the ancient cobblestone streets with people in colorful native dress, all the while being bathed in a most delicious scent that permeated all. The fragrance was familiar yet exotically different. Chef Davila explained that it was a combination of cinnamon, pepper, incense, chamomile, verbena and lemon grass. Whateverit was wonderful. In Old Town alone there are 16 convents and monasteries and 40 churches including the Church of San Francisco and the famed La Compania Church, a perfect example of Baroque architecture and an important city landmark. Known as the Golden Church, we soon found out why. As we entered, a golden aura seemed to surround us. When our eyes grew accustomed to the dark, we saw gold-leaf covering every inch of La Compania's pillars, arches, alters and domes, an effect that left us slightly giddy and spell-bound.One of my favorite experiences was visiting the Otavalo Indigenous Market with its deep-rooted craft fair tradition and offering an astonishing diversity of products from textiles, carvings, pottery, jewelry, and much more. It is considered the largest indigenous market in the Americas and it was a true feast for the eyes  and for my Nikon! The colors, the people, the costumes, the gaiety. We spent several hours here but it still seemed not nearly enough to absorb all its wonders. However, my turquoise bracelet, dangling banana earrings, and carved Inca face will insure that I'll never forget Otavalo.Not. San Antonio de Pichincha, just outside Quito is a park that pays tribute to the Equator, claiming to be the earth's precise midpoint. However, the true Equator has been discovered to be a few hundred feet to the north owing to measuring techniques that, in 1936, were not as accurate as today. No matter. For me, I was delighted to be standing before the Equator monument that's 100 feet high and topped with a globe that's five feet across, convincing myself that I was, at that moment, straddling two hemispheres.A visit to La Compania, a magical hacienda in the Ecuadorian Highlands region, with lagoons, waterfalls and towering volcanoes, was a sweet treat. This opulent French Neoclassical-style mansion has ceilings, floors, wallpaper, rugs and furniture original to its 19century beginnings and a permanent rose exhibition. The plantation produces over 3,000 varieties of roses and its excellent quality has captured the attention of experts. Demanding importers consider them to be some of the best. Today, after a mere 10 years of rose production, Ecuador is the world's third most important flower exporter.A special treat was a railroad journey from Quito to Machachi aboard a quaint steam locomotive train. We chugged through gorgeous countryside - mountains, tunnels, lakes and ravines - to arrive at a lively dance festival: numerous performers, girls, guys, and kids kicking up their heels (actually espadrilles); skirts and boleros in bright, primary colors flowing, and black braids bouncing down their backs. Although gringos among mostly natives, we felt completely at home. The Ecuadorians are a convivial, warm and welcoming people.Feeling at home and welcome was due, in no small part, to Casa Gangotena, our hotel throughout this visit. It is a boutique hotel that opened in 2011 after a $10 million transformation from a 1920s mansion. Since its opening, Casa Gangotena has made an outstanding collection of international awards and accolades, including Conde Nast Traveler's Hot List, Travel + Leisure's It List, and Trip Advisor's Travelers Choice Award as the Best Hotel in South America.Its imposing location overlooks Plaza San Francisco whose cobbled square goes back to the days of the Inca in the historic heart of Old Town. Each of its 31 rooms has been restored to its former Art Nouveau elegance: original hand-painted ceilings, friezes, murals, and antique chandeliers. Since 1978, with Quito's World Heritage award, the city has been considered the largest and best preserved Historic Center in the Americas. A few years later, Casa Gangotena was included in Quito's cultural heritage inventory. During my visit, the hotel proved a wonderful base from which to explore the city, as well as a tranquil haven to return to each evening.Experiencing Quito is, in a word, a surprise; a revelation from start to finish. From its energetic, newly restored La Ronda district with its tiny, jewel-box arts and crafts shops, to its heart-stopping vistas from on high that rival the Amalfi Coast; from La Mariscal's non-stop party atmosphere to today's artisans and designers creating amazing works inspired by pre-Columbian times, Quito is quixotic, kaleidoscopic and, yes, surprising. It is, in fact, the quintessential travel experience we all seek.Quito, Ecuador Tourist Office www.quito.com.ec Casa Gangotena www.casagangotena.com Nu House www.nuhousehotels.com All images courtesy of Michael Sloane Travel Photography
Top 5 Ways To Experience Siena's Palio In Style



Stay In a Luxury Villa. Here are two recommendations that are within close proximity to Piazza del Campo, the square where the Palio race is held.





Relish in the City's History. Visitors won't want to miss the opportunity to stroll along Siena's cobble-stoned, narrow streets on a guided tour with a local art historian learning the medieval history and the anecdotes behind the Palio during the centuries.





Enjoy the Early Evening Rehearsal and Dinner. With the actual race being only 75 seconds long, visitors who want to see even more of the horses can attend the early evening rehearsal from their reserved seat. The rehearsal is followed by dinner in one of several contrada locations. Fans gather to share the anticipation of the next day and cheer for their favorite jockey. The Captain of the contrada hosts the festive dinner and everybody participates in the event with chanting and applause.





Attend the Benediction of the Horse. An art historian will meet guests in the early afternoon on race day to attend the benediction of the horses in a church of one of the several participating contradas. Guests can then go to the Piazza of the Cathedral to watch the preparations of the Historical Parade that takes place prior to the horse race. All the contradas are represented in medieval costumes, drums are played and flag-shows performed.





Get The Best Seat.com has exclusive access to some of the best seats in Piazza del Campo or in one of the prestigious residences overlooking the square with a magnificent view of the Historical Parade and horse race. There is also an opportunity for visitors to have dinner in the square in an exciting atmosphere, surrounded by candlelight on the palazzos, where the winning contrada celebrates the victory.



The Palio, a bareback horse race and Italy's most famous annual cultural event, takes place twice a year, on July 2 and August 16. Ten of the city's 17 contrade, or districts, are represented by a horse and jockey in each race. The seven districts that didn't race in the previous year compete against three randomly selected repeat' contrade.The Palio is one of the most exciting times in Italy, said Margherita Bilenchi, managing director for VillaRental.com's Italy division, and born and raised in Siena. My fellow managing director, Saffo Martelli, and I are always looking for new outlets to share our knowledge and expertise about the country we love, and about the Palio. We want people to understand all of the options available to them when visiting during this premier event so that they can have the most memorable and unique experiences.Martelli added, For many visitors, attending the Palio is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we want to help guests make the most of their vacation by customizing their experience and allowing them to get a real feel for the city's history and culture.The five-bedroom Villa Alfieri in the heart of Tuscany is located just five miles away from the medieval-walled city of Siena. This unique, restored country house is majestically positioned on a hill overlooking a stunning panorama of the Tuscan hills. After lounging by the outdoor swimming pool with waterfall and enjoying the Tuscan breeze, guests can enjoy a typical Tuscan cuisine prepared by a local chef.Surrounded by the hills and vineyards of Tuscany, near the quaint village of Sovicille and only 15 minutes away by car from the historic center of Siena and its Piazza del Campo, Villa Allegra can hosts up to eight guests. This villa is described as an intimate haven with breathtaking views of Tuscan vineyards and hills. Its interior decor features antiques coupled with a very stylish and sophisticated atmosphere, while the exterior reflects the best of Tuscan design and uses local stone.The Day Before The RaceThe Day Of The RaceOn July 2, 2016, the Contrada of Lupa won the Palio after 27 years. It was an incredible and breathtaking race that saw Lupa starting with a third position and heading to first position only at the last turn. The people from Lupa are still celebrating in the streets of Siena with their flags and in their medieval costumes. When a contrada has not won for the most years it gets the title of Nonna (grandmother). Lupa has been a nonna for many years as his last victory was in 1989, it has passed now the torch to Aquila which has not won since 1992.For more information about attending the 2017 Palio or a villa vacation in Italy, visit our destination experts at www.VillaRental.com or call 800-281-6879.
Top Reasons to Plan a Trip to Nanjing, China

Today, Nanjing's historical sites seamlessly meld with modern architecture, sophisticated cultural attractions, and a cosmopolitan vibe, offering travelers a perspective on China beyond the traditional tourist route.as temperatures cool, comfortably averaging 6373EF / 1723EC, leaves begin to change color, and cultural festivals are abound. There is no better time to plan a trip to China than the present, and a few of the not-to-be-missed attractions and events in Nanjing to incorporate into upcoming travel itineraries include:The Qinhuai River, known as the Mother River of Nanjing, is the focal point of the city's cultural center and home to its Confucius Temple. On the temple grounds, visitors can explore the Jiangnan Imperial Examination Hall, Dacheng Hall, which features the largest figure of Confucius in China and a collection of 38 panels made with jade, gold, and silver that detail his life, and the former residences of Wang Xie and Li Xiangjun, which provide a look into the lives of several of Nanjing's significant historical figures. While in the scenic area, visitors can take a leisurely river cruise, admiring the sights while enjoying tea and local snacks. On, Nanjing will commemorate 2,567 years since Confucius' birth, followed byfeaturing parades, performances, and cultural exhibitions. Nanjing Niushoushan Cultural Park , which recently opened in late 2015, was established to collectively exhibit and preserve the cultural treasures of Niushou Mountain  a centuries-old sacred Buddhist site in southern Nanjing. The park consists of an opulent and meticulously detailed Buddhist palace built into the side of the mountain which spans six floors underground; the Pagoda of Hongjue Temple; and the Tang-style Usnisa Pagoda nestled in the trees. Also located in the park is Usnisa Temple, a hillside monastery complex made up of two sections - a southern district with monks' living and dining quarters and a northern district for prayer and worship. The temple has seven distinct halls, including a meditation hall for up to 300 people.This newly opened archeological site and museum on the south bank of the Qinhuai River exhibits the history of the Grand Bao'en Temple (also known as the Porcelain Tower), a Ming Dynasty era pagoda that was considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Medieval Age. The temple's re-construction was funded by Chinese businessman Wang Jianlin with what is reported to be the largest single personal donation ever made in China.Colorful rain flower stones, also known as Yuhua stones or pebbles, are created from sediment, quartz, and other silicates in Nanjing's Yangtze River. Legend says that, during the Liang Dynasty, a monk named Yunguang moved God so deeply with his words that he was rewarded with thousands of colorful flowers that rained down from the sky. When they touched the ground, they turned into Yuhua stones. In celebration, the Rain Flower Stone Festival is held annually in the Yuhuatai Scenic Area, throughout the month of September with activities including a rain flower stone exhibition, tours to pick rain flower stones, and arts and cultural performances.Hairy crabs are a delicacy in many Asian countries, known for their vibrant orange roe and rich, buttery texture. In China, mid-September is known as the best time for female hairy crabs, while males peak in mid-October. During the Hairy Crab Festival the furry-clawed crustaceans are sold in stalls and by vendors throughout Gaochun County in southern Nanjing. The crabs are sourced from nearby Gucheng Lake, one of the country's top breeding grounds.Qixia Mountain lies approximately 14 miles northeast of Nanjing's city center and is the most beautiful spot in the area to view autumn leaves. The landscape is known for its flame-colored maple trees, lush forests, and crystal clear springs. There are plenty of cultural relics and scenic spots to explore including the Qixia Temple, Sarira Pagoda, Thousand Buddhas Cliff, and Mirror Lake.Nanjing, which translates to Southern Capital, is the capital of Jiangsu province in eastern China, situated in the Yangtze River Delta area 190 miles northwest of Shanghai. Recognized as one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, Nanjing has served as the capital city of 10 Chinese dynasties and regimes for a total of more than 1,800 years. A sophisticated metropolis and a modern center of history, education, and culture, Nanjing is home to some of the country's most significant historical attractions such as the Xiaoling Tomb of the Ming Dynasty, Dr. Sun Yat-sen's Mausoleum, The Presidential Palace, and a City Wall, which dates back more than 600 years. Popular attractions also include China's oldest public library and one of the country's first museums, the Nanjing Museum.Nanjing is accessible by Nanjing Lukou International Airport (NKG) with daily non-stop flights from North America. Three train stations  Nanjing Railway Station, Nanjing South Railway Station, and Nanjing West Railway Station  connect Nanjing to all of China's major cities, including Beijing, which is a 3.5-hour ride via bullet train. Travelers coming from Shanghai can reach Nanjing in approximately 90 minutes by bullet train or three hours by car.For more information on Nanjing please visit www.cityofnanjing.com
The U.S. Republican Party in a platform adopted Monday denounced North Korea as the "Kim family's slave state."

The party urged China to "recognize the inevitability of change" in North Korea and play a proactive role.

"We look toward the establishment of human rights for the people of North Korea," the platform reads. "We urge the government of China to recognize the inevitability of change in the Kim family's slave state and, for everyone's safety against nuclear disaster, to hasten positive change on the Korean Peninsula."

But the platform is merely a set of campaign promises announced ahead of the quadrennial presidential election in the U.S. and depends on the victory of the party's dubious candidate Donald Trump, who has signaled a more isolationist foreign policy.

The platform pledges to "continue to demand the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear weapons program with full accounting of its proliferation activities," pledging to "counter any threats from the North Korean regime."

It also expressed slightly crackpot fears about so-called electromagnetic pulse bombs, a kind of Bigfoot of the arms boffin community.

"A single nuclear weapon detonated at high altitude over this country would collapse our electrical grid and other critical infrastructure and endanger the lives of millions. With North Korea in possession of nuclear missiles and Iran close to having them, an EMP is no longer a theoretical concern -- it is a real threat," the platform reads.


The last time Taylor Swift held a strong opinion about an Apple product, Tim Cook made instant changes. So, hopefully Taylor will help convince Apple to take the Notes app to the next level.

In the last year or so, a bunch of celebrities have made public statements by sharing from the Notes app on their iPhones. Taylor Swift did it most recently, but previously, other young stars like Ariana Grande, Amy Schumer, and Demi Lovato made public statements by posting a screenshot of one of their Notes on Twitter or Instagram (or both simultaneously because theyre that social media-savvy).

Instagram

Its surprising how popular the Notes app seems to be among these famous over-sharers, especially considering Apple has made it unusually cumbersome to share your Notes with the world. Lets go through all the steps these celebrities had to go through just to give us a piece of their mind:

Take a screenshot in Notes Open Instagram or Twitter Choose the screenshot Crop/edit the screenshot accordingly Post on Instagram or Twitter Delete the screenshot from your camera roll

Six steps? That seems very labor-intensive, especially when you have some major PR damage control to take care of. And the steps multiply if your statement is too long to fit into one page, which means multiple, edited screenshots like Ariana Grande had to do when she was asked to apologize for licking a donut without paying for it.

Twitter

Despite expert cropping and editing, these screenshots always fail to look elegant. More importantly, they could accidentally reveal details or information that you might not have wanted to make public. For example, the fact that Taylor Swift had to search her Notes to find her response to Kim Kardashian led some to believe that Taylor had a prewritten statement all along. Not the best thing when youre trying to prove to the world that youre not, in fact, calculating.

Obviously, theres a need for Notes to be better integrated with social media. Right now, when you tap on the Share sheet in Notes and select Twitter, you automatically can only Tweet the text. Not very useful if your note is longer than 140 characters. And Instagram is not even an option in the Share sheet.

Apple could make this process more effortless if it were to include an sharing option that would treat our Notes more like photos, rather than text. This new Notes sharing feature could work similarly to Instapapers Tweet Shots. Just highlight a string of text from an article youre reading on Instapaper and choose the Tweet Shot share option. Instapaper will automatically create an image featuring the text you highlighted and that conforms perfectly to Twitter and Instagrams image aspect ratios. Plus, you can choose from different fonts and background colors.

Instapaper

Why this matters: Notes has the potential to become the go-to app for when people want to share something thats longer than 140 characters. It seems to be the go-to app for celebrities right now, even though its a pain.

Twitter has actually been verging on this territory for a while now, allowing direct messages to be up to 10,000 characters and making it so that links and photos dont count towards the 140-character limit.

If Apple were to capitalize on how Taylor Swift and other famous people are using Notes, the native app could become a surprise hybrid between Twitter and blog platforms like Medium and Tumblr. And if Apple were to add some flair with colored backgrounds and interesting typography, Notes could also become the app for making inspirational quotes to share on Instagram.
The Apple Pencil isnt my most used iPad Pro accessory, but it is one of the more useful accessories I own in certain situations. For example, SketchParty TV gaming sessions have never been the same since the app updated with Apple Pencil support. Same goes for jotting quick notes in the Notes app; instead of viewing my horrible handwriting made worse by writing with my finger, I can now look at my horrible handwriting as if I wrote it with a pen.

That said, the $99 Apple Pencil isnt perfect. Heres five things I would change about version 1 of the Apple Pencil.

Lightning never strikes twice

I hope Apple decides to ditch the Lightning connector on the end of the Apple Pencil in the next iteration.

I appreciate Apple using the Lightning port on the iPad Pro line to charge the Pencil and streamline the Bluetooth pairing process. Lets be honest, though, having an Apple Pencil sticking out of the bottom of a tablet is just tempting fate for someone to lose an eye, break the tablet, or both.

Susie Ochs Wireless charging would prevent this whole situation.

Not only is this a safety hazard, but its not all that practical. Sure, it does the job when you suddenly realize the Pencil is about to die and need a quick top-offI get that. I dont get having to remember to carry around the small adapter for quicker, safer charging of the pencil.

Using some sort of magnetic wireless charging system for the Apple Pencilmaybe embedded in the iPad Prowould work quite well.

Add an eraser

Can one truly consider a pencil a pencil if it lacks an eraser? You dont have to answer that.

Right now, the Pencil is by far the best writing tool for the iPad Pro. It lacks any noticeable latency, writing and drawing feel buttery smooth, and the battery never wants to give up.

Yet, when you goof and want to erase something, you have to break concentration and tap a few buttons or use a gesture to undo your last line. Making matters worse, the method for erasing or undoing a mistake differs between apps.

The Pencil by FiftyThree has an eraser built right in, and its supported by a decent list of apps.

By removing the Lighting connector from the Apple Pencil, the company can replace the new space with the necessary parts needed to add an eraser (and a speaker, but more on that in a minute).

Whether youre sketching or jotting down notes, flipping a writing utensil over to erase a mistake is just more natural.

Find My Apple Pencil

I cannot tell you the number of times Ive misplaced an Apple Pencil, only to waste countless minutes retracing my steps to find it.

Maybe Apple cant add a true Find My Apple Pencil feature, but at the very least there should be some sort of mechanism to play an audile alert on a nearby Apple Pencil thats connected to your iPad Pro.

iOS 9 (and the upcoming iOS 10) have a Batteries widget in the Notification Center. Apple could add a Page Me button next to every paired device hereincluding the Pencil.

I envision it working similar to the Find My iPhone feature from the Apple Watch. The two devices are connected using Bluetooth, with a simple press of a button on a watch, your iPhone starts beeping.

iPhone support

I know, this is likely to garner some laughs. But listen, the Apple Pencil practically begs to be used on an iPhone as a note taking machine. Instead of plopping down a tablet on a table during a dinner business meeting to take notes, using the Apple Pencil with an iPhone 7 Plus seems like the best miniature notebook one could ask for.

Legibly writing on an iPhone screen with your finger is so difficult that Messages in iOS 10 includes some prewritten well-wishes. How about Pencil support?

Not to mention, the Handwritten Notes feature in Messages for iOS 10 could use a better writing utensil than my finger.

At the very least, expand Apple Pencil support to the iPad mini line. While still bigger than the Plus iPhone line, its at least more manageable in certain situations.

More colors!

Apple, come on, you have charging docks to match the color of my iOS device, so why cant I have a Pencil in any other color than white? I get that white is a clean color, something youve long used for accessories for the Mac line but would it hurt to offer a space gray Apple Pencil? What about rose gold?
CMA CGM has reported its all-cash voluntary unconditional general offer for Neptune Orient Lines Ltd (NOL) closed on July 18, 2016, with CMA CGM now owning approximately 97.83 per cent of NOL's share capital.

Monday July 18 marked the last day of trading in shares of NOL on the Singapore Exchange. Trading in NOL was suspended.

Singapore's former national shipping company was acquired in a 3.38 billion Singapore dollar ($2.5 billion) acquisition by the French shipping line CMA CGM.

CMA CGM restated in a press release its earlier position, saying that it "does not intend to take any steps for the suspension to be lifted."

CMA has passed the required threshold allowing it to compel any remaining shareholders to sell; it has initiated the process for compulsory acquisition of the remaining two percent of shares on the market, at the same price offered for the voluntary buyout.

"As announced on June 28, 2016, CMA CGM has crossed the compulsory acquisition ownership threshold in NOL and confirms that it intends to exercise its rights to compulsorily acquire all the NOL shares held by NOL shareholders who have not accepted the Offer, in accordance with the Companies Act (Chapter 50 of Singapore)," explained CMA CGM.

Once it has made NOL a wholly-owned private subsidiary, CMA CGM intends to delist NOL from the exchange.

"CMA CGM will compulsorily acquire all remaining NOL shares at a price equal to the Offer Price of SGD1.30 as soon as practicable," stated CMA CGM.

CMA CGM will be a member of the Ocean Alliance along with Evergreen Line, Orient Overseas Container Line and Cosco China Shipping from April.

CMA CGM, founded and led by Jacques R. Saade, is a leading worldwide shipping group. Its 450 vessels call at more than 400 ports in the world, across all 5 continents. In 2015, they carried 13 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).

Headquartered in Singapore, NOL is the largest shipping company listed on the Singapore Exchange. Its container shipping arm, APL, provides world-class container shipping and terminal services, as well as intermodal operations supported by leading-edge IT and e-commerce.
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ) today informed the Stock Exchanges that Fitch Ratings, Singapore has affirmed India-based APSEZs Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at BBB-.

According to Fitch, the Outlook is Stable. The agency has also affirmed APSEZs senior unsecured rating at BBB- and the BBB- rating on its USD 650m 3.5% senior unsecured note due 2020.

Mr. Karan Adani, Chief Executive Officer of APSEZ said The rating affirmation is a demonstration of Fitchs confidence in the management and appreciation of APSEZs plans to handle more diversified cargo, especially with a growth in container and coastal volumes. Fitchs BBB- Stable Outlook to APSEZ is a testimony to our overall strength in the infrastructure space and our leadership position in the Ports Sector.



This rating of BBB- Stable (Investment Grade) by Fitch has been affirmed based on Robust Business Model, strong market position and managements commitment for reduction in related party loans and advances.



Fitch continues to see APSEZ as being well-positioned to benefit from Indias growth and related cargo opportunities. The company, unlike some other rated peers in the region, has significantly better flexibility in infrastructure renewal and expansion capex, which gives it the ability to generate strong free cash flows as mentioned by Fitch in their press release given today.



Fitch believes that the companys growth will be at 14% (CAGR), profits will improve positive cash flows and APSEZ is committed to recover the related party loans & advances gradually.



The rating would enable APSEZ to continue to tap international markets for long term and low cost funds.


The Mawingu Express, Maersk Line's direct service from India to Kenya, offers the fastest transit times in the market and better port coverage to bring business closer to East Africa.

"Through our global connections coupled with superior customer care and market expertise, we serve as the perfect partner to realise your business ambitions in the region," says a statement from the company.

From North and West India to:

 Mombasa - Benefit from our direct service the Mawingu Express which has the fastest transit time.

 Dar es Salaam - We load on the Mawingu Express and then do an easy transhipment in Salalah via our Masika Service with competitive transit times.

 Port Sudan and Djibouti  We do transhipments in Jebel Ali or Jeddah and connect to our dedicated Horn of Africa Service.

From South and East India and Sri Lanka to:

 Mombasa - We connect via Salalah to our Mawingu Service.

 Dar es Salaam - We connect via Salalah to our Masiika Service.

 Port Sudan and Djibouti  We connect via Jebel Ali on our Horn of Africa Service.
The Baltic Exchange's main sea freight index, tracking rates for ships carrying dry bulk commodities, fell on Wednesday due to weaker rates for capesize and panamax vessels.



The overall index, which factors in rates for capesize, panamax, supramax and handysize shipping vessels, was down 10 points, or 1.34 percent, at 736 points.



The capesize index fell 49 points, or 4.97 percent, to 937 points.



Average daily earnings for capesizes, which typically transport 150,000-tonne cargoes such as iron ore and coal, were down $399 at $6,859.



The panamax index was down 7 points, or 0.8 percent, at 872 points.



Average daily earnings for panamaxes, which usually carry coal or grain cargoes of about 60,000-70,000 tonnes, decreased $55 to $6,972.



Among smaller vessels, the supramax index rose 2 points to 702 points, while the handysize index rose 5 points to 376 points.

Reporting by Eileen Soreng
Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson visited Chinese North Sea Fleet headquarters, July 20 to meet with fleet commander Vice Adm. Yuan Yubai.



The goal of the five-day trip is to improve mutual understanding and encourage professional interaction between the two navies.



"This is an important time in a very important relationship," said Richardson. "As growing nations and global powers, our two navies will play a pivotal role in the direction this relationship takes. We should take advantage of our common culture as Sailors to advocate for customs and laws that have served mariners and their nations for thousands of years, and in particular the last 70 years, where so many have greatly prospered."



During the meeting with Yuan, CNO underscored the importance of lawful and safe operations in the South China Sea and elsewhere professional navies operate. He also reiterated that U.S. forces will continue to sail, fly and operate wherever international law allows--a point emphasized by U.S. officials during recent visits to Asia.



"The U.S. Navy will continue to conduct routine and lawful operations around the world, including in the South China Sea, in order to protect the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of sea and airspace guaranteed to all," said Richardson. "This will not change."



Richardson began the week in Beijing where he met with People's Liberation Army (Navy) (PLA(N)) commander Adm. Wu Shengli and members of the Chinese naval staff.



"I am supportive of a continued and deepening navy-to-navy relationship, but I will be continuously reassessing my support conditioned on continued safe and professional interactions at sea. In this area we must judge each other by our deeds and actions, not just by our words," said Richardson.



The visit, which has been in work for months, was Richardson's first visit to China and his first in-person meeting with Wu. Over the last year, the two admirals have held three discussions via video teleconference.
Austal Limited successfully completed Full Shock Trials by USS Jackson(LCS 6) on July 16, 21016.

The Navy stated that USS Jackson (LCS 6) performed exceptionally well during her third and final underwater explosion as part of her Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST). This is a significant milestone for the LCS program and Independence variant warship.



Last month, the Navy commenced FSST on JACKSON to validate her operational survivability after exposure to underwater shock.



Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said this test now completes the physical shock trial for the LCS programme and we note the positive reaction of the United States Navy following the trial.



Were very pleased with the performance of JACKSON during these Full Ship Shock Trials following the extensive work programme that has been implemented on the ship to meet this standard. Whilst the Navy will continue to assess the results for several months the final test appears to validate the ability of our aluminum trimaran to operate and survive after exposure to underwater shock.


Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M)'s wholly owned subsidiary Keppel Singmarine Pte Ltd (Keppel Singmarine) has secured contracts from Jan De Nul Group to build three Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHDs). The TSHDs are worth about S$100 million in total.



The first two dredgers are expected to be completed in 2H 2018 while construction of the third dredger will require a notice within six months from Jan De Nul to exercise the option for the dredger.



To be built to Jan De Nul's design, the dredgers will be able to dredge to a maximum depth of 27.6m, and have a hopper capacity of 3,500 m3. The two dredgers will be built to the requirements of classification society, Bureau Veritas, in Keppel Nantong Shipyard, a subsidiary of Keppel O&M.



Mr Abu Bakar, Managing Director of Keppel Singmarine, said, "We are pleased to receive these new contracts from long-standing customer Jan De Nul. Across the group, we have undertaken a number of newbuild dredger projects as well as repairs for customers such as Jan De Nul. We are always on the lookout to add value to our customers and markets, and this project is a natural extension of Keppel Singmarine's strong track record and expertise in specialised vessels. This is also in line with our efforts to deepen our presence in non-oil and gas markets where we can leverage our capabilities."



A TSHD is mainly used for dredging loose and soft soils such as sand, gravel, silt or clay. The dredged material can be deposited on the seabed through bottom doors or discharged through a floating pipeline to shore and used for land reclamation.



Mr Robby De Backer, Director of Newbuilding Department of Jan De Nul Group, said, "We are pleased to build our next dredgers with Keppel Singmarine to meet the needs of the market. We need such compact dredgers for maintenance work, for coastal restoration and for a variety of land reclamation work around the world. We are confident that Keppel Singmarine with its expertise and experience will provide us with robust, reliable and advanced dredgers in a safe and timely manner."



The above contracts are not expected to have a material impact on the net tangible assets or earnings per share of Keppel Corporation Limited for the current financial year.


General Dynamics Electric Boat has been awarded an $18.9 million contract modification for the continued development of the Virginia Payload Module (VPM).



The funds will be used to procure two VPM pre-production setups to support the manufacturing start of the VPM payload tubes. The VPM will comprise four large-diameter payload tubes in a new hull section to be inserted in Virginia-class submarines.



This modification brings the cumulative value of the overall Virginia-class Lead Yard Services contract, initially awarded in 2010, to $1.46 billion.
The new Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP met with His Excellency Mr. Christophe Lecourtier, Ambassador of France to Australia, Captain (Navy) Yann Marboeuf, Defence Attache to Australia, Vice Admiral Jacques Cousquer, Head of International Development Division (Asia Pacific Region), Direction generale de larmement (DGA) in the French Ministry of Defence, and Captain (Armement) Raphael Jammes, Submarines Cooperation Programs Manager, DGA.



In his first major meeting as Minister for Defence Industry, Mr Pyne, the Ambassador and Vice Admiral Cousquer discussed the Federal Governments Future Submarine program. The Minister enforced the Governments strong commitment to working with France and DCNS to maximise both the defence capability and economic benefits of this ground breaking shipbuilding project.



The Future Submarine program will bring unprecedented economic benefit to Australia, driving jobs and growth across the country, Mr Pyne said.



Australia and France share a longstanding and close defence relationship with a shared commitment to addressing global security challenges such as terrorism and piracy.



The Future Submarine program has tied together France and Australia for decades to come both in both defence capability and through the economic benefits that will flow from this massive shipbuilding project, Mr Pyne said.



The proposal from DCNS best meets Australias unique requirements for a regionally superior Future Submarine with 12 to be built at the Adelaide shipyard in South Australia.



Defence and DCNS are planning to hold Australian industry events in mid-November to engage with local defence manufacturers so that the economic opportunities for this program can be maximised.




Royal IHC has entered into a partnership with NETICS, a civil engineering and consultancy agency. A leading global player in engineering with dredged sediments, NETICS specialises in building with nature and designs innovative hydraulic structures made from reclaimed sediment.



NETICS possesses unique expertise and has developed cutting-edge techniques for creating structures such as dikes, dams, breakwaters, islands and environmentally friendly riverbanks.



All structures are sustainable solutions that combine dredged sediment with geotextile tubes (Baggertube). NETICS also develops methods for pressing sediment into building blocks, which can be used to build both dams and houses (GEOWALL). Ever since its foundation, NETICS has ranked highly in the top-100 most innovative SME companies in The Netherlands.



Efficient sediment management enables the company to shift the current focus on cost reduction in the material processing chain to value creation. This represents an opportunity for innovation and sustainable growth for each party in the chain.



The majority of NETICS clients are government agencies, conservation organisations, port companies, industrial concerns,

dredging and mining companies, (hydraulic) building contractors, knowledge institutes and suppliers of dredging equipment and dewatering methods.



As part of the partnership IHC acquired an interest in NETICS. IHC will also supply expertise and support NETICS in its ambition to introduce the techniques and expertise it has developed worldwide. The partnership offers both parties strategic advantages, for example with regard to innovation in the processing chain and techniques for using dredged sediments. The shared objective is to develop end-of-pipe solutions, and introduce these internationally.


KVH Industries has announced that Brent Bruun, currently executive vice president of mobile broadband for the company, has been promoted to the newly created position of chief operating officer (COO).

In this position, Bruun will assume direct responsibility for KVHs corporate development, as well as operational responsibility for mobile communications products and services for maritime and land markets. His purview as COO covers the customer lifecycle from sales and manufacturing through customer onboarding and on into long-term services, support, and customer retention.

Bruun joined KVH in early 2008, and has served as executive vice president of the mobile broadband group, the companys largest business unit. Bruun was previously senior vice president with satellite operator SES Americom, and gained strong corporate financial background from positions held with GE Capital and KPMG earlier in his career.
Turkish F-16 fighter jets scrambled on Wednesday to check reports that missing Turkish coastguard vessels had appeared in Greek waters in the Aegean Sea, Turkish military sources said.



They gave no further details. Some Turkish military hardware was seized and used in last weekend's failed coup in which more than 230 people were killed. Officials have said no military equipment remains unaccounted for.



Turkey's government and military General Staff say they are fully in control of the situation in the country but tensions remain high as the authorities purge tens of thousands of suspected coup supporters from state institutions, including in the armed forces.





Reporting by Istanbul bureau
INTTRA, the world's ocean shipping electronic marketplace, and NYK Line, informed that NYK has joined the rapidly growing INTTRA eVGM network for facilitating compliance with new container weight requirements adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which went into effect on July 1, 2016.



NYK is offering the INTTRA eVGM Service to customers as one solution via which they can exchange and process the container weight information required to meet the IMO's Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Verified Gross Mass (VGM) requirement. Under SOLAS VGM, every container must have a VGM - or certified weight - to be loaded onto a ship.



"Differentiation through technology is central to the strategy of our company, and INTTRA is a key technology partner," said Lincoln Leung, Head of Global Business Process Management at NYK Line. "The flexibility of the INTTRA eVGM solution enhances our range of customer solutions relating to SOLAS VGM, and we will benefit from the efficiencies of standardization."



"NYK's selection of INTTRA's eVGM network is another signal that the world's leading carriers and freight forwarders are coalescing around a common compliance solution: the INTTRA eVGM Service," said Jim Whalen, INTTRA's Asia President. "We welcome NYK as an important addition to the network."


ABS Group anticipated the update to Circular A-123 from the United States (US) Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requiring US executive departments and agencies to adopt enterprise risk management (ERM), and has expanded its suite of ERM advisory solutions aimed at risk-informed decision making and mitigation strategies.



To help organizations comply with the new guidance and manage their risk exposure, ABS Group provides a suite of advisory resources and proprietary risk management tools through the Company's safety, risk and compliance services business unit.



"ABS Group has highly developed methodologies that enable organizations to quickly implement a proactive risk management culture. Our best practices are based on an adaptive ERM framework that applies a holistic approach throughout an organization and provides controls for diverse risk factors," says John Duncan, ABS Group Vice President, Government. "Since 1971, we have worked with thousands of commercial and government clients to understand and mitigate an extensive range of strategic and operational risks, giving us an unparalleled level of experience to address the entire risk portfolio."



"Our risk management professionals have performed extensive research as to why organizations have failed in the past to systematically identify, analyze, and address risks. This insight supports our evolving guidance and proprietary tools that can assist leaders charged with ERM," says Laura O. Jackson, ABS Group Senior Program Director for Strategic Planning and Enterprise Risk Management. "Our goal is to provide clients with a tailored ERM framework and organizational risk profile that will serve as the foundation for managing risk effectively and efficiently across their enterprises."



Jackson recently presented the webinar "Introducing Enterprise Risk Management," which is available for download in the ABS Group Knowledge Center.



ABS Group offers complementary engineering and analytical services in predictive and data analytics; incident investigation and root cause analysis; training and certification services; safety culture and performance evaluations; and security risk assessments.
DNV GL launched a new joint industry project (JIP) together with thirteen global partners to mutually develop a Recommended Practice for the coupled analysis of floating offshore wind turbines.

Despite the fact that the wind industry has a strong focus on the development of floating offshore wind turbines, it is still missing a widely recognised and unified approach for the practical methods to build and validate the numerical models, in accordance with the requirements in the standards.

Standardisation is a key milestone to guide the industry towards the development of reliable floating wind turbines. Guidance includes setting up minimum requirements for the design on new concepts that can help investors evaluation, and supporting the more mature technologies towards a safe and secure commercialisation.

The project is the first of its kind, bringing together multiple stakeholders from the wind, oil & gas and maritime industries, making it the most interdisciplinary project that engages in the technical advancement for floating offshore wind projects to date.

The participants come from a broad range of industries, including utilities, component manufacturing, engineering consultants, maritime research institutes, shipyards and academic research.

The following companies are contributing to the development of the new Recommended Practice: Ramboll, Ideol, EDF, MARIN, STX Solutions Europe, Esteyco, NAUTILUS Floating Solutions, Dr. Techn. Olav Olsen, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), GICON, Glosten, Atkins and MARINTEK

Floating wind turbine specialist Denis Matha from Ramboll commented on the engineering consultancys participation in this project: Ramboll supports this joint industry project and will contribute to this effort by providing our knowledge and experience in the design and analysis of floating wind turbines, covering coupled simulation as well as our structural, mooring and cable expertise."

Denis adds:" We expect that this project will provide an excellent platform to jointly develop a Recommended Practice by addressing the key issues and bringing together the expertise of key stakeholders.

Ideols CEO Paul de la Gueriviere said: We are happy to join this JIP and share our years of experience coupling multiple wind turbines with our patented floater. We have been convinced for a long time of the benefits of a common framework for the loads analysis of floating wind turbines and are confident that such efforts will lead to substantial gains in efficiency and cost. The Recommended Practice should strongly help the floating offshore wind industry and accelerate the development of commercial-scale floating wind farms.

The new Recommended Practice will build on the experience from the application of the Offshore Standard DNV-OS-J103 Design of Floating Wind Turbine Structures which was published in 2013 and will contain methods and ways to fulfil the requirements set in DNV-OS-J103.
UASC announced two new Indian Subcontinent  Europe services (IEC1 & IEC2), to better align with its customer's needs, providing a superior service between India Subcontinent and Europe with enhanced reliability and more competitive transit times.

These new, fixed day services are set to replace the current IEC1 service.

The IEC1 service rotation, effective 25th July, will be: Djibouti - Port Qasim - Nhava Sheva - Hazira - Mundra - King Abdullah Port - Gioia Tauro -Tangier - Southampton - Rotterdam - Antwerp - Felixstowe - Dunkirk - Le Havre

The IEC2 service rotation, effective 24th July, will be: Khor Fakkan - Jebel Ali - Port Qasim - Nhava Sheva - Mundra - Jeddah - Cagliari - Tangier - Hamburg - Antwerp - London Gateway

By continuously introducing new and upgrading existing services, UASC can provide its customers with superior service reliability, competitive transit times and improved connections, allowing its customers to avail of new opportunities globally.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  Records obtained by state legislators shed new light on a controversial investment fund established by the University of Virginia earlier this year.

The $2.3 billion fund  which was set aside to fund projects that would boost the universitys academic standing  is now the subject of a General Assembly inquiry led by Sens. Chapman Petersen, D-Fairfax City, and Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach. They accuse UVa officials of quietly setting aside massive cash reserves for investment as they raised tuition, ostensibly to cover rising costs.

In light of this cash reserve, why are we raising student tuition and acting like were broke? Petersen said.

They came with a slate of new allegations Tuesday, accusing the university of hiding from public scrutiny, that could arise from the creation of the new fund. To support their case, they shared dozens of pages of investment reports, emails and meeting minutes they had obtained.

Petersen and DeSteph also sent details and follow-up questions to three state investigative agencies Tuesday. Five other legislators  Sen. John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, and Dels. Barry Knight, Scott Taylor and Glenn Davis, all Virginia Beach Republicans  signed the letters to the state's attorney general, auditor of public accounts and inspector general.

First, they take issue with the way the fund was established.

Records show the Strategic Investment Fund existed more than two weeks before the board of visitors approved it in a public meeting.

About $1.7 billion in earnings invested in UVas Investment Management Company were marked University Strategic Funds as early as Jan. 31. This money includes $385 million in reserve operating funds, along with $620 million in unrestricted funds and $700 million in investment earnings since 2009.

This pot of money was labeled University Operating Funds in previous reports.

The problem is that the board of visitors did not authorize the creation of the Strategic Investment Fund until Feb. 19, DeSteph said.

My question would be, what wouldve happened if they had not approved it? Somebody wouldve said, Weve already done it, DeSteph said. Its almost like the board is there to rubber-stamp [administrative decisions].

DeSteph and other Republican legislators  including Majority Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo  sent a letter to President Teresa Sullivan and Rector William Goodwin on Tuesday.

The legislators also suspect the university used lines of credit opened to help it get through financial difficulties to bolster the investment fund.

In November, the board gave the administration clearance to take out up to $300 million in operating lines of credit.

According to previous university statements, this cleared the way for the university to transfer $480 million in operating cash to the Strategic Investment Fund  providing it with a boost while keeping UVas bond rating strong.

But according to minutes from the November meeting, during which Chief Operating Officer Patrick Hogan addressed the board, the purpose of these new lines of credit was to meet different stress scenarios facing the university, such as an inability to fund operating expenses or convert assets into cash without significant losses.

The operating lines of credit will be a new source of liquidity and are being considered only as back-up liquidity, according to a summary of the action item provided to the board in November.

DeSteph said the administration acted inappropriately. It appears administrators told the board  and the public  it would use these lines of credit one way and then decided to use it another way, he said.

What they told the public was they were going to set up lines of credit and only use them if needed, DeSteph said. It looks like they set up the lines of credit and maxed them out.

Finally, legislators want to know why officials went into closed executive session when talking about the fund at last months board of visitors meeting.

Officials cited the personnel exemption under the Freedom of Information Act, according to the minutes from that meeting. The exemption allows officials to discuss the assignment, appointment, promotion, performance, demotion, salaries, disciplining or resignation of specific public officers, appointees or employees of any public body.

UVa spokesman Anthony de Bruyn said the board acted within the law.

Emails exchanged by UVa officials provide hints about why they may have discussed it in private and illustrate how the fund will work.

The fund, expected to pay out up to $100 million each year, is supposed to enhance student experience and the universitys reputation. The administration will divide the money into grants distributed to different departments, schools and divisions, which send in competing requests.

Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, said the personnel exemption should not apply to faculty members at a public institution competing for funding from university coffers. That should be open for public discussion, she said.

The personnel exemption is not meant to cover anything and everything an employee does, Rhyne said. It is meant to protect that individuals private details [and] his working conditions.

These private details could include salary, health care, performance evaluations or disciplinary actions.

Its not about the work they are performing, she said.

Petersen said the university has tried to minimize public discussion and avoid public scrutiny over the past few years. Petersen has butted heads with the administration over several transparency issues, including the citation of the presidential working papers exemption of public-records law.

I feel like theyre trying to do as much of their business beyond the publics eye [as possible], he said. A $2 billion cash reserve? How can that not be a public issue?

Former Rector Helen Dragas  her second term as a board member ended June 30  has asked the Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council to investigate the matter. Her attorney, Kevin Martingayle, sent the council a letter expressing her concern about the meeting on June 28.

Maria Everett, director of the council, did not respond to requests for comment.

DeSteph and Petersen have asked the states inspector general, attorney general and chief auditor to open investigations into the fund.

Martha Mavredes, the auditor of public accounts, is leading a routine yearly audit of the universitys funds, which typically starts during the summer and wraps up in November.

University officials maintain the fund will be a permanent asset to UVa, allowing administrators to make improvements that benefit students, and de Bruyn reiterated this point on Tuesday.

The university is confident the Strategic Investment Fund will enhance academic excellence at the university  including faculty quality, student instruction and research pursuits  without passing the costs of these investments in the form of higher tuition to Virginia students and their families, he said.
MARTINSVILLE -- "Its been a building era," Jim Tobin said when asked about achievements at Piedmont Community Services during his 26-year tenure as executive director.

Various services at Piedmont have been created or expanded during that time as a shift to community-based services occurred in Virginia and to some extent nationally, said Tobin, whose last day as Piedmonts executive director was June 30. He is working full time at Piedmont this month during a period of transition and to finish up some loose ends, he said. Tobin will officially retire July 30. Greg Preston is the new executive director of Piedmont.

In the 1960s, as an offshoot of the civil rights movement, the idea of shifting services from large, state-run mental institutions to community services began. By the time Tobin became executive director of Piedmont in December 1989, that movement was well under way.

The vast majority of people who need behavioral health services are better off receiving community services rather being in a large, state-run institution (perhaps for life), Tobin said. They want "a life like ours"  to live in a neighborhood, to have friends, to be part of a family, to go shopping, to walk their dogs, he added. Community-based services also are much less expensive to provide than state mental institutions, he said.

At Piedmont under Tobin, the most dramatic growth has been in the area of intellectual disability (formerly called mental retardation) services. When Tobin began at Piedmont, that agency itself had no intellectual disability staff, though MARC Workshop offered services. Piedmonts first mental retardation case manager was created under Tobin. Today, Piedmont directly runs six residential group homes for people with intellectual disabilities in the community and indirectly funds at least that many more, Tobin said.

Though less dramatic, mental health services also have grown significantly at Piedmont under Tobin. He hired Piedmonts first mental health case worker, and now Piedmont employs 12, he said.

An area he regrets is that, because of lack of funding, substance abuse services (alcohol and drug services) have not grown nearly as much as intellectual disability and mental health services have at Piedmont, he said. And in all three areas  intellectual disability, mental health and substance abuse services  the need for services exceeds Piedmonts ability to provide them, especially in the area of intellectual disabilities, where there are long waiting lists.

Tobin said another accomplishment was the "unusually strong partnerships" Piedmont has formed in the community  with school systems, the criminal justice system and others.

For example, a number of years ago, behavioral health and law enforcement agencies did not know how to be good partners, Tobin said. But today, once a week a counselor and nurse practitioner go to local jails to provide counseling, mental health assessment, discharge planning and maintain access to psychiatric medicines.

In Virginia, Tobin said, approximately 16 percent of people in local jails have diagnosable mental health concerns.

Another partnership between Piedmont and law enforcement is the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), in which hundreds of local law enforcement officers have received best-practices training on how to respond to people in mental health crisis. Training is offered four times a year.

Also, an assistance center at Memorial Hospital in Martinsville, which is administered by Piedmont, is a partnership between Piedmont, the hospital and law enforcement. A law enforcement officer who encounters a person in a mental health crisis can take that person to the assistance center for a mental health assessment and return to duty. A CIT-trained officer provides security at the center. Tobin called it a "win-win for everyone."

During Tobins tenure, Piedmont has begun a number of services in local schools, including drug education, and placed mental health case managers and mental health counselors inside most schools.

"Its sad how many kids are on psychiatric medicines," he said.

Tobin thinks he will work part time for at least a couple of months for Piedmont on grant writing, program development and overseeing planning for expansion of a Piedmont building in Rocky Mount.

His plans are indefinite after that.

"I havent got my head fully wrapped around this. I choke on the word retirement. Its like, Im done. Im not done," said Tobin, 70.

He hopes to be involved in development of new mental health programs and transitional housing (housing with supportive services for people with mental health issues or challenges).

Working for Piedmont "has been an extraordinary opportunity for me and my family," Tobin said. He and his wife of 47 years, Theresa Tobin, have three grown daughters: Dr. Caren Aaron, an internist at Memorial Hospital; Christine Tobin of Mouth of Wilson, who teaches high school English at Oak Hill Academy; and Maureen Tobin of Seattle, Washington (who has two sons).

During retirement, Tobin hopes to travel on a leisurely cross-country trip, he said.

"Im looking forward to not being responsible for money or people  too much responsibility with budgets and people," Tobin said.

In a previous interview, Tobin said Piedmonts executive director oversees coordination of a network of services, about half of which are provided directly by Piedmont and about half of which are provided through contract or affiliate organizations.

Piedmont has a direct staff of 350 and an annual operating budget of about $22 million. Piedmont directly serves about 6,000 people a year, plus people who receive prevention education and many others served through contract or affiliate organizations.

Tobin said the "fun part" about his job at Piedmont has been listening to and working with the community to accomplish what the community wants and is ready for Piedmont to do, he said. For example, Piedmont has walked away from developing some group homes because of neighborhood opposition.
DANVILLEIn U.S. District Court in Danville on Tuesday, one Martinsville man was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and in a separate case, a Martinsville man pled guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.

U.S. Attorney John P. Fishwick Jr. said in a news release Feb. 19 that Kelly Lovon Johnson (now 30), was found to be illegally in possession of a firearm while also in possession of marijuana.

Brian P. McGinn, public affairs specialist for the U.S. Attorneys Office, Western District of Virginia, said in an email in February: "The firearm was a Quality Firearms International .380 pistol. The offense date was August 29, 2014, and he was officially charged federally on October 28, 2015."

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Martinsville Police Department conducted the investigation of the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Bassford prosecuted the case for the United States, the U.S. Department of Justice news release said.

In court Tuesday, a character witness for Johnson, who asked the court to have mercy on him, testified that he has known Johnson since his last release from incarceration, that he is a good worker, that he has done charity work for a church and is thought very highly of by people at that church.

Johnsons lawyer Randy Cargill of the federal public defenders office  argued that even though Johnson has an extensive criminal history and a high criminal history score, a number of those convictions were traffic-related. Cargill said Johnson also had some previous drug convictions.

Bassford argued that even if those traffic-related convictions werent considered, Johnson still would have a serious criminal record.

Both Cargill and Bassford said they thought a sentence of 120 months under a plea agreement would be fair.

When given an opportunity to speak, Johnson said he takes responsibility for his actions. "I know what I did is wrong," he said. However, he added he thought 120 months would be a harsh sentence for a gun and a small amount of marijuana, and considering that part of his criminal record involves traffic-related offenses.

Judge Jackson L. Kiser told Johnson a sentence of 120 months under a plea agreement "is a super break for you. Your attorney has done a great job."

Kiser said he thought 120 months was a fair sentence and he sentenced Johnson to 120 months.

In the second case, Mario Ahlazshuna Dillard, 30, of Martinsville pled guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of receipt and distribution of child pornography.

According to a summary of the governments evidence given by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bubar and to the superseding indictment, Dillard "did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce" a girl under the age of 12 to make sex videos that would be transported, including by computer. The three counts of sexual exploitation of a child were alleged to have happened about Oct. 11, 2014, through about Jan. 11, 2015; from Nov. 16, 2014, through Oct. 27, 2015; and about Jan. 13, 2015, according to the superseding indictment.

On the receipt and distribution of child pornography charge, the superseding indictment alleges that from as early as July 9, 2014, until on or about Oct. 29, 2015, Dillard received or distributed or attempted to receive or distribute child pornography. Bubar said in court that when interviewed by law enforcement, Dillard said he downloaded and distributed child pornography. Bubar also said law enforcement found a large amount of child pornography in Dillards possession.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

Paul Collins reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at paul.collins@martinsvillebulletin.com.
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.A woman charged in the 2014 death of Ridgeway, Virginia, native Arthur Stuart "Stu" Galloway pled guilty Monday to second-degree murder in Nash County Superior Court in North Carolina.

Joan Delois Johnson was sentenced to 144-185 months (or at least 12 years but no more than 15 years and five months), according to Assistant District Attorney Alicia Slaughter. She said that because of policy of the district attorneys office, she could not discuss facts in the case.

Johnsons lawyer and a spokesman for the Rocky Mount Police Department could not be reached Tuesday. An employee with the Nash County clerk of courts office declined to release information over the phone or by email.

The Rocky Mount Telegram newspaper reported that Johnson, a 60-year-old local woman, will serve her sentence at the Nash Correctional Institution.

It also reported that according to police reports, officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a house on the 1500 block of Sunset Avenue. Police said Galloway was the victim of an aggravated assault. He was taken to Nash UNC Health Care and later transferred to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, where he died, the newspaper reported.

According to an obituary that was published in the Martinsville Bulletin on Aug. 18, 2014, Galloway, 61, died on Aug. 13, 2014. He was born in Ridgeway, graduated in 1971 from George Washington Carver High School and was a graduate of St. Augustine College with a degree in accounting.

He was the owner/CEO of Dollar Bill Financial Services in Rocky Mount and actively involved with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He also was a member of Shiloh Apostolic Temple in Ridgeway.
MassLive Media hosted its Insider Breakfast with Google, a training session about digital trends for local businesses on Wednesday.

The quarterly event, which focuses on digital trends and Google best practices, featured a keynote address by Sheldon Bernstein, a Google sales enablement manager. Other speakers included MassLive Media Regional Training Manager Megan Downey, who led a digital video session, an opening address by MassLive President Allison Werder and closing remarks by Michael Burnham, MassLive Media sales director.

Above are photos from the event, which took place on the morning of Wednesday, July 20.
Headline Here

Rick Sullivan, president and CEO of the Economic Development Coucnil of Western Massachusetts speaks July 18 at a Federal Reserve Bank of Boston celebration of Springfield's winning entry into the Boston Fed's Working Cities Challenge program. he's surrounded by other members of "Team Springfield"

(Steve Osemwenkhae/ The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston)

SPRINGFIELD -- A team of Springfield organizations was honored July 18 for their winning entry in the most recent Working Cities Challenge grant program of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston.

In June, the Boston Fed announced that Springfield will receive $475,000 in Working Cities Challenge grant money for programs linking low-income residents to the in-demand training needed for jobs that often go unfilled.

The consortium, called the Springfield Works Initiative, also plans a web portal, a dedicated internet link where prospective employers can post their needs and prospective job seekers can post a resume and learn what skills they need and where they can get them.

In later phases of the grant, the Springfield Works Initiative plans to address some of the structural issues that keep the poor out of the workforce, such as fear of losing housing, child care needs and a lack of transportation.

Springfield Works Initiative partners include: the EDC, Springfield Planning and Economic Development, the School Department Regional Employment Board of Hampden, MGM Springfield, Partners for Community Action, HAP Housing, Springfield Technical Community College, Western MA National Machine and Tooling Association, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Tech Foundry, United Personnel Services, United Way of Pioneer Valley and DevelopSpringfield,

other winners were teams from Haverhill, Lowell, Pittsfield and Worcester

In June, the Boston Fed awarded $475,000 in grant funding for each initiative - totaling $2.8M - made possible by a consortium of partners including the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, the Barr Foundation, the Smith Family Foundation, and Living Cities. The winners of the competition were selected by an independent jury that does not include the Boston Fed.
Bill Cosby, 79, is now "completely blind" and living "in his own personal hell," according to the New York Post.

The TV icon, who has been battling allegations he sexually assaulted 50 women, is confined to a home in Pennsylvania with his wife, Camille, at his side, a source told the newspaper. "His alleged victims may take some solace in the fact that he's in his own personal hell. He has been suffering from a degenerative eye disease and is completely blind . . . All his Hollywood friends have turned their backs on him."

Cosby, who owns a home in Shelburne, faces civil action from a dozen accusers, as well as a criminal charge in suburban Philadelphia. He has denied wrongdoing.

In January, one of Cosby's lawyers, Monique Pressley, described him as a "blind man."

In a decade-old deposition, Cosby testified that his weakening eyesight "is ongoing. It's getting worse" and refers to his then-ophthalmologist, who has a subspecialty in glaucoma.

Although Cosby performed on stage a year ago without assistance, during recent court appearances he has been led into court by lawyers and aides on both of his arms or using a cane.
schoolboy-q-features-e1392916144933.jpg

Schoolboy Q

(File Photo)

Rapper Schoolboy Q heads out on a fall tour that will include a stop at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, CT.

The show is slated for Sept. 6.

Schoolboy Q released his latest album "Blank Face" in July. The recording's lead single "That Part" features Kanye West.

Tickets for the show are available through Live Nation beginning Friday, July 22 at 10 a.m.
"The Beatles: Live At The Hollywood Bowl," an album culled from the Fab Four's performances at the historic Southern California venue in 1964 and 1965, is set for release on Sept. 9.

Apple Corps and Universal Music are promoting the album as different from the out-of-print vinyl release "The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl," assembled by The Beatles late producer George Martin in 1977. The new album, produced by his son, Giles Martin, offers four bonus tracks and boasts technological improvements that provide better fidelity from the original three-track recordings.

"A few years ago, Capitol Studios called saying they'd discovered some Hollywood Bowl three track tapes in their archive," Giles Martin said in a statement on the band's website. "We transferred them and noticed an improvement over the tapes we've kept in the London archive. Alongside this I'd been working for some time with a team headed by technical engineer James Clarke on demix technology, the ability to remove and separate sounds from a single track. With Sam Okell, I started work on remixing the Hollywood Bowl tapes. Technology has moved on since my father worked on the material all those years ago. Now there's improved clarity, and so the immediacy and visceral excitement can be heard like never before. My father's words still ring true, but what we hear now is the raw energy of four lads playing together to a crowd that loved them. This is the closest you can get to being at the Hollywood Bowl at the height of Beatlemania. We hope you enjoy the show..."

"The Beatles Live At The Hollywood Bowl will be released worldwide on CD and for digital download and streaming on Sept. 9, followed by a 180-gram vinyl LP on Nov. 18. The album includes a 24-page booklet with an essay by music journalist David Fricke. Its cover art features a photo taken on Aug. 22, 1964, the day before the band's first appearance at the Hollywood Bowl.

The new album's release will coincide with Ron Howard's documentary "The Beatles: Eight Days A Week - The Touring Years."

Following a world premiere event in London on Sept. 15, the documentary will roll out theatrically worldwide. In the U.S., Hulu is the presenting partner for Abramorama's theatrical release of the film, which will be available to stream exclusively to Hulu subscribers beginning Sept. 17.

"The Beatles: Live At The Hollywood Bowl" track listing

1. Twist and Shout [Aug. 30, 1965]

2. She's A Woman [Aug. 30, 1965]

3. Dizzy Miss Lizzy [edit of Aug. 29 and 30, 1965]

4. Ticket To Ride [Aug. 29, 1965]

5. Can't Buy Me Love [Aug. 30, 1965]

6. Things We Said Today [Aug. 23, 1964]

7. Roll Over Beethoven [Aug. 23, 1964]

8. Boys [Aug. 23, 1964]

9. A Hard Day's Night [Aug. 30, 1965]

10. Help! [Aug. 29, 1965]

11. All My Loving [Aug. 23, 1964]

12. She Loves You [Aug. 23, 1964]

13. Long Tall Sally [Aug. 23,1964]



14. You Can't Do That [Aug. 23, 1964 - previously unreleased]

15. I Want To Hold Your Hand [Aug. 23, 1964 - previously unreleased]

16. Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby [Aug. 30, 1965 - previously unreleased]

17. Baby's In Black [Aug. 30, 1965 - released as B-side to "Real Love" in 1995]
Flynn Vickowski.jpg

Flynn Vickowski

LONGMEADOW  After receiving a prestigious international student exchange grant, a Longmeadow resident will conduct research in environmental studies in the South American country of Peru.

Flynn Vickowski, a 2014 Mount Holyoke College graduate, received a Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant, a fellowship whose participants are selected by Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, a statement from the program says.

"Vickowski will be based in southeast Peru at biological field stations managed by (the Association for the Conservation of the Amazon Basin) to research populations and habitat use of spectacled bears in an effort to inform future policies addressing conservation and human-bear conflict," the statement says. Vickowski is set to leave for Peru Aug. 8.

As a student at Mount Holyoke, Vickowski had a double major in neuroscience and behavior and in Spanish, according to Mount Holyoke. She spent a summer studying Spanish and working as an intern at a therapeutic riding barn in Cordoba, Argentina.

This year, Vickowski is among the more than 1,900 U.S. citizens to receive Fulbright grants to teach, conduct research and provide expertise abroad during the 2016 to 2017 academic year, the Fulbright Student Program statement says. All grant recipients are selected on the basis of academic and professional achievement in addition to a record of service and demonstrated leadership in their chosen field.

"Fulbrighters address critical global challenges -- from sustainable energy and climate change to public health and food security -- in all areas, while building relationships, knowledge, and leadership in support of the long-term interests of the United States and the world," the statement says.
By ANDY METZGER

BOSTON -- Dozens of members of Congress have asked U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew for an investigation into the Chinese railcar company building Red and Orange line subway cars for the MBTA.

The China Railroad Rolling Stock Corporation, or CRRC, has used subsidized financing from the Chinese government to "underbid private competitors" for contracts in Boston and Chicago, the 55 members of Congress wrote in a letter dated July 15.

The letter led by Oregon Democrat U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio and Republican Virginia U.S. Rep. Randy Forbes also keys off China's alleged cybercrimes to raise concerns that "critical rail infrastructure and the sensitive cargo that it carries will become increasingly vulnerable to hackers as the proliferation of Chinese state investment continues without adequate scrutiny."

DeFazio is the ranking member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

"As with all vehicle contracts, CRRC MA completely complies with the specification and provides vehicles of high quality and competitive pricing," said company spokeswoman Lydia Rivera. "As the world's largest railcar builder, supplying railcars to more than 13 countries, we have not been notified of any security problem."

The deal for the Chinese company to build 284 new subway cars includes the construction of a giant assembly facility in Springfield where the company made plans to establish its U.S. headquarters.

Announced in the final months of Gov. Deval Patrick's administration, officials hailed the $566 million deal, saying it would create jobs, reduce subway wait times and fit an average of 15 more passengers per car.

CRRC held a groundbreaking at the Springfield site last September attended by Gov. Charlie Baker and other dignitaries. According to Transportation for Massachusetts, the railcar manufacturing contract was about $200 million below the original estimate and the Springfield facility will be 150,000 square feet.

Last year a judge denied Hyundai Rotem Company's attempt to block the deal. The rival alleged there must have been improper communications when officials from the company met in Hong Kong with Patrick and former Transportation Secretary Richard Davey.

The product of a recent merger, CRRC is the largest railcar manufacturer in the world and "four times larger than the entire U.S. rail manufacturing sector," according to the congressional letter.

Congressman Michael Capuano, a Somerville Democrat who sits on the transportation committee, did not sign the letter.

"The company in question is currently building a facility in Massachusetts that will result in additional jobs," a spokeswoman wrote to the News Service in an email. "Rep. Capuano thought it was fair to wait to learn more about the issue before signing onto a letter like this."

The letter asks for an investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to investigate the "pending transfer of ownership in the Vertex Railcar Corporation involving" CRRC and Majestic Legend Holdings.

On his website DeFazio explains he wants an investigation into a "joint venture with the North Carolina-based rail manufacturing company, Vertex Railcar Corporation," CRRC and Majestic Legend Holdings - which is "associated with" the parent company of computer manufacturer Lenovo, according to the letter.

Lenovo's parent, Legend Holdings, and CRRC, are both Chinese state-owned entities, the letter said.

"Given the ownership and history of these companies, the Chinese government is able to utilize the companies to pursue its international trade agenda," the letter said. "This agenda has aggressively asserted Chinese interests into a range of foreign markets such as Australia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and others."

The inter-agency committee chaired by Lew can make determinations that a transaction "presents national security risks," enabling the committee to impose conditions or refer the matter to the president, according to the Treasury's website.

"In effect, American railcar manufacturers and its associated industries, such as steel, are now competing against the resources of the world's second largest economy," the letter argues.
CHICOPEE -- The Planning Board agreed to allow Chicopee Comprehensive High School students to construct a home on Rolf Avenue, despite concerns from neighbors about the small size of the lot and safety issues.

Student Builders Inc., a nonprofit that handles the financial transactions for the school's house-building program, applied for a waiver to build a home with 75 feet of road frontage, instead of the required 100 feet.

Comprehensive High School teachers and N. Riley Construction, which will volunteer as the general contractor and do the work students cannot, explained in a letter the valuable learning experience the students receive when building a house.

Students in a variety of different Career and Technical Education shops including carpentry, electric, welding, horticulture, drafting and even business will do some work on the project. Students also built a home at 820 McKinstry Ave. in 2011 and 2012.

The vacant piece of land at the corner of Rolf Avenue and Kendall Street was an ideal spot for the next house because it is so close to the school students can walk to the site, Kenneth Widelo, director of Career and Technical Education, said in an earlier interview.

The land on Rolf Avenue was taken by the city for tax title. The city then requested proposals from people who wanted to purchase it. Student Builders Inc. was selected as having the best plans for the property.

Neighbors Lynette and Eric Stasko said they have no problems with Student Builders Inc., but the land has been vacant for 51 years and is too small for today's standards for a house.

"We are not sure why anything has to be built on this property," Lynette Stasko said.

The couple also submitted a proposal to purchase the property and add it to their existing house lot. Although the price they offered was $15,000 higher, the bid was not selected, she said.

Neighbor Jean Chouinard said she was concerned the house will block the visibility on the corner of the two streets. Now children from the neighborhood and nearby Lambert-Lavoie School ride their bikes fast down the hill but drivers can see them at the corner because the lot is vacant.

Planning Board member Thomas Reniewicz said he grew up in the neighborhood and admitted he was one of those children. In fact he ended up on the hood of a neighborhood's car after careening down the hill on his bicycle.

"I appreciate the lack of visibility there," he said.

City Planner Lee Pouliot said the home will be set back 30 feet from the property line, instead of the 20 feet required by ordinance, to prevent visibility problems.

After some debate, the Planning Board approved the waiver in a 4-0 vote.

Earlier the Zoning Board of Appeals granted a variance to waive the frontage requirements and allow the home to be built on the 7,500-square-foot lot. The city bylaws require homes to be built on lots of at least 10,000 square feet.

Teachers hope to begin building the house in the fall.
michael krol local dallas victim_1467990589570_1550086_ver1.0.jpg

Dallas Police Officer Michael Krol

EAST LONGMEADOW -- A memorial to slain Dallas Police Officer Michael Krol is expected to be unveiled at East Longmeadow High School in a ceremony this fall, Superintendent Gordon Smith said.

Krol, a 1994 graduate of East Longmeadow High School, was one of five police officers killed by a sniper who targeted law enforcement officials at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas on July 7. Krol was 40 at the time of his death.

The shooter, Micah Xavier Johnson, was killed at the scene.

"The discussion last week was about having a brick engraved with Officer Krol's name," Superintendent Gordon Smith said during an interview. "And having some kind of ceremony."

Since the shooting, signs in front of East Longmeadow High School have read, "In valor there is hope, Officer Michael Krol, Class of 1994" and "Salute a Hero."

Plans are not yet concrete, but a memorial will be held in some form when school resumes after summer vacation, Smith said.

"(Krol has) been on our mind," Smith said. "He, his family and all the officers as well."
SPRINGFIELD  A number of family members were arrested in a drug raid that occurred in Springfield on Tuesday, after a "lengthy" investigation led police to believe they were dealing heroin.

In total, five family members, including a number of brothers, a sister, their mother, and their stepfather were taken into custody at 178 Belmont Ave, where police say they also seized 305 bags of heroin.

Jose Garcia, 37, Subjely Maldonado-Soto, 36, and Subdaly Monsanto, 18, were the only adults arrested and have been the only ones to be publicly identified.

Additionally, two teenage sons were also arrested  ages 15 and 17 years old.

Police say a friend of the brothers, a 16 year old male, was also present at the residence at the time of the arrests, and had a loaded gun on him. A detective was forced to "wrestle" the firearm from the teenager's possession to avoid violence, according to Sgt. John Delaney of the Springfield Police Department.

Police say they used a search warrant to enter the residence, at which point they discovered and seized hundreds of bags of heroin, all of which had labels reading "Skim City" on it.

Additionally, police say they also seized a number of bags of marijuana, $1,111 in cash, and an assortment of drug paraphernalia, including packaging materials and scales.

The family members were scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in both District and Juvenile Court, according to Sgt. Delaney.

The adults have been charged with both possession of heroin with intent to distribute, as well as possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
jj.jpg

Library trustee Jonathan McCabe resigns, says he could help the library more as private citizen.

(Republican file Diane Lederman)

AMHERST -- The day he resigned from the Jones Library Board of Trustees, Jonathan McCabe and his six-year-old daughter sold lemonade in front of their house to raise money for the teen space at the library.

McCabe planned to deliver the $18.56 to the Jones Library Design Subcommittee at its July 19 meeting.

Explaining that he is frustrated with what he called "perennial obstructionists" who want to block an effort to secure state money that would advance a proposed library building project, he said he feels he can help the library more as a private citizen than as a board member.

"I would prefer to confront these folks as a fellow citizen rather than as a minor elected official," McCabe wrote in a statement distrubuted to local media outlets.

His resignation was effective July 18, he wrote in a letter to the town. He added: "I have greatly enjoyed my tenure on the Board, but have recently realized that Board responsibilities are consuming more of my time than I am able to devote."

The Select Board and the trustees will need to elect a new member to the board to fill out McCabe's term, which expires in 2019.

In 2014, the library received a $25,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to look at expanding and renovating the current library, or building a new facility. Supporters say the project would meet myriad needs, including space for teens and better space for children.

The plan is to apply for a state library grant in 2017 for the renovations. If the library is one of the projects chosen, the state would cover 50 percent of the project cost.

The Jones Library building is 47,463 square feet now, and the last expansion occurred in 1990. The library hopes to expand to 68,000 square feet.

But some voiced their opposition to a library expansion this spring when town meeting members considered two articles related to the expansion.

Former library trustee Carol Gray posted a message to a Town Meeting listserv stating, "we really need to defeat this massive library expansion."



"It's not in the best interest of future generations to lose what is left of our charming old-fashioned downtown," Gray wrote.

In his statement to the media on his resignation, McCabe said he would continue to attend library design committee meetings -- as well as other public meetings -- "... with greater liberty to speak my piece, and with the benefit of sound information I have gathered in the course of my public service to the town in the last four years."

As a member of Board of Trustees, McCabe has served on the town's Joint Capital Planning Committee. In that committee, he wrote, he became familiar with four major capital projects the town may undertake over the next decade.

Besides the library, the town is looking at building a new elementary school, fire station and public works building.

The library and school are eligible for state funding.

McCabe voiced support for pursuing state money for the eligible projects, which he said would "free up local capital funds" for the fire station and DPW building projects.

"This is just common sense," McCabe wrote, adding later: "This is our money, folks. Why take a pass on it? You don't have to agree with every element of the library and school plan to recognize that a major influx of state funds will allow us to address so many needs that will otherwise remain unaffordable if we attempt to go it alone. "
maxresdefault.jpg

The Massachusetts Turnpike near the Ludlow service plaza.

A 58-year-old Agawam man was killed on the Massachusetts Turnpike Tuesday night.

Massachusetts State Police from the Charlton Barracks responded to the westbound lanes of the Mass Pike around 11:41 p.m. for a report of a single-car rollover crash.

For reasons still under investigation, 58-year-old Brian Dee, of Agawam, lost control of the vehicle, causing the Lincoln Zephyr to rollover into the wood line at the 55.5 mile marker in Ludlow.

Dee, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was ejected from the car. He was pronounced dead at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

The crash is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Analysis and Reconstruction Section.
HOLYOKE -- Despite some initial compilations regarding permitting, the Hispanic Family Festival in the Paper City was a success this past weekend, drawing crowds to Holyoke.

The Western Mass Puerto Rican Paradewas the highlight of the Hispanic Family Festival and topped off four days of festivities at Springdale Park on Main Street.

The parade route began behind Holyoke High School and made its way through the city before ending at City Hall on Dwight Street.

"This is a great event in the city of Holyoke that highlights our culture, our diversity," Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse told The Republican on Friday.

Check out Seen@ photos from the festival above, and shots from the Western Mass Puerto Rican Parade at the link below.
Tech Needs Girls, a training and mentorship programme, last Friday hosted a night of networking and capacity building for its committed and dedicated mentors at the Marvel Mini Golf Center in Accra.

The organization which has trained over 3,000 girls across the country focuses on mentoring young adults in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. It has also expanded its boundaries by setting up Girl Tech hub in Burkina Faso.

Mohammed Ali

http://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/tech-needs-girls-celebrates-women-in-technology-in-style.html
A new initiative in Great Falls hopes to encourage people to check out the city while they check out their social media.

Great Falls Montana Tourism recently started the new effort called the Great Friends League.

Some of the ways to become a "Great Falls Champion" include sharing stories in person, joining the Great Friends League Facebook page, or tagging photos of the area with #VisitGreatFalls or #GreatFallsMontana.

The first public meeting for the Great Friends League is Tuesday night 7/26 in Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art cafe from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

By: Cody Proctor & Julianne Dellorso  MTN News

Full Story: http://www.krtv.com/story/32473602/tourism-agency-launches-great-friends-league?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KRTV_Great_Falls
With Fiber, Mosqueda no longer hesitates as he hands out his Wi-Fi password when hosting friends, even during a housewarming party.

"Every time I say that I have Google Fiber, people freak out," says Mosqueda. "And I say, You should freak out. Its amazing."

Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY

Full Story: http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/07/19/google-fiber-wants-to-be-your-broadband-company/86725276/
The Small Business FAQ is the place to go to for the basics  how many small businesses are in the United States, how many employees they have, and what their growth trends are.

A related tool, "Frequently Asked Questions About Small Business Finance," is also being released today.

The Finance FAQ outlines the borrowing and lending universe for startups and exiting small businesses, provides demographic information, and touches on important trends in the amount and modes of finance.

Small Business FAQ https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/advocacy/SB-FAQ-2016_WEB.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Finance FAQ https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/Finance-FAQ-2016_WEB.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany announced the Winners of Merck Foundation Film Awards More Than a Mother 2021 in partnership with African First Ladies who are also the Ambassadors of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother.

The theme of the awards was: to create a film or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages about breaking Infertility stigma, Empowering Girls and Women through Education at all levels.

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, President of More than a Mother campaign emphasized, I am extremely happy to announce today the winners of Merck Foundation Film Awards More Than a Mother 2021 in partnership with African First Ladies. Big congratulations to all the winners. I appreciate the efforts put in by the young talents across Africa in their films through which they have beautifully conveyed important messages in line with the theme of the awards. I strongly believe that all forms of art including filmmaking can play a significant role in bringing about a culture shift in society, in the world. Our aim was to utilize this medium to encourage promising filmmakers and new talents across the continent to create short or long films either drama documentary or docudrama conveying messages to break the stigma of infertility or empower Girl Education at all levels.

This year, Merck Foundation had two categories: English and French.

Here is the list of Award Winners:

FIRST POSITION (English):

Sharon Kavhu and Hatite Hoabeb, NAMIBIA

Film Name: Matumaini

Link: https://bit.ly/3McVCtM

Emulo Kgomotso, BOTSWANA

Film Name: 3 in 5

Link: https://bit.ly/3Mkc7o0

SECOND POSITION (English):

Nanmet Anthony, NIGERIA

Film Name: Future Present

Link: https://bit.ly/3sE69Xc

FIRST POSITION (French):

Doux-mignon MALOBA, DRC

Film Name: Le defi de Mariana

Link: https://bit.ly/34eZ0Du

Merck Foundation More Than a Mother Film Awards were launched in 2017.

Winner of 2017 edition:

Ms. Molatelo Mainetje, SOUTH AFRICA

Film Name: Womb Man

Link: https://bit.ly/3ttAMhl

Winners of 2019 Edition:

Ms. Cecilia Oppong-Badu, GHANA

Film Name: Her She Woman

Link: https://bit.ly/3sB14yX

Mr. Godfred Dela Duvi, GHANA

Film Name: Exhale

Link: https://bit.ly/3HE3eC0

Ms. Jane Labous, SENEGAL

Film Name: Angels

Link: https://bit.ly/3HAkdFn

Ms. Fatou Fadiga, GUINEA

Film Name: Infertile

Link: https://bit.ly/3hGtpNP

Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej further added, I would also like to announce the Call for Applications for the new edition of the Merck Foundation Film Awards More Than a Mother 2022. I am looking forward to the entries from our African Filmmakers and students of film making institutions this year too.

However this year, Id like to emphasize that the theme in 2022 aims to address wider range of topics such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and Women Empowerment at all levels.

Filmmakers and Young talents of Africa, its time to showcase your talent and contribute towards making a difference in society with your unique films with strong and relevant messages about app critical ca and sensitive issues we face in our continent. Be the voice of the voiceless, break the silence and lets all join hands to create a cultural shift.

Who can apply?

All African Filmmakers, Students of Film Making Training Institutions or Young Talents of Africa are invited to create and share a long or short FILMS, either drama, documentary or docudrama to deliver strong and influential messages to address any of the following social issues such as: Breaking Infertility Stigma, Support Girls Education, End Child Marriage, End FGM, Stopping GBV and Women Empowerment at all levels.

Last Date of Submission

30th July 2022

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Mr Mahen Seeruttun a repondu a deux questions du depute Rughoobur concernant le departement des forets.

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Merck Foundation Health Media Training will be chaired by Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation (Merck-Foundation.com); Merck Foundation, to announce a call for applications for 6 different awards for Media, Film, Fashion and Music fraternity in Mauritius, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles to break Infertility stigma and raise awareness about coronavirus.

Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, in partnership with Media Trust Board, Mauritius to conduct Merck Foundation Health Media Training, particularly for Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles media fraternities. The objective of the training is to emphasize the significant role that media plays to break the stigma around infertility, in addressing sensitive social and health issues such as breaking Infertility stigma, empowering girls and women through education. Moreover, in the given unprecedented times, raising awareness about coronavirus and the best health prevention practices during this global pandemic.

Inviting media to participate for the training, Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and President of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother said I am happy to initiate this important training session as I strongly believe that media plays a significant role in influencing our society to create a cultural shift. Media has the capacity and ability to break the stigma around infertility in the community and has played a critical role during the global pandemic. Merck Foundation, in partnership with Media Trust Board, Mauritius would like to invite media representatives from Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles to this important online training that focuses on the international standards and media ethics for reporting sensitive social and health issues and aims to be the voice of the voiceless in their communities.

We are also providing scholarships of one year diploma and two year master degree for doctors in respiratory medicines, intensive care, and other specialities to improve healthcare for coronavirus patients and risk groups. I look forward to meeting the enthusiastic journalists from these 3 countries and partner with them as Merck Foundation advocates to empower infertile women and couples and support girl education in their communities, added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.

Mr. Chayman Surajbali, Chairperson of the Media Trust Board, Mauritius emphasized,

We are proud of our partnership with Merck Foundation and happy to launch Merck Foundation Health Media Training where the training will equip our media with sharp and specific media skills so as to write and deliver impacting stories about health and social issues. This initiative will help media representatives of our country to report on sensitive and social issues with a greater knowledge and encourage them to be the voice of the voiceless in raising awareness about infertility and breaking the stigma around it. We look forward to making it a great success with Merck Foundation.

The Merck Foundation Health Media Training is a part of Merck Foundation More than a Mother Community Awareness Program and will be addressed by top fertility experts and media stalwarts from Africa and Mauritius. The Health Media training invites journalists from Print, TV, Radio, and Online media. So far, Merck Foundation has trained 1700 media representatives from more than 30 countries across Africa and Latin America.

The training will also mark the announcement of two media recognition awards for the media fraternity from Mauritius, Madagascar, and Seychelles, Merck Foundation Media Recognition Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Merck Foundation Mask Up With Care Media Recognition Awards 2021; two awards for fashion fraternity of these countries, Merck Foundation Fashion Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Merck Foundation Make Your Own Mask Fashion Awards 2021; in addition to Merck Foundation Film Awards More Than a Mother 2021 and Merck Foundation Song Awards More Than a Mother 2021.

Moreover, Merck Foundation in collaboration with The Ministry of Health and Wellness, Mauritius, has underscored their commitment to build healthcare capacity in Mauritius. Till today, 71 healthcare providers have been provided or will be provided with scholarships of one-year diploma and two-years master degree in many critical and underserved specialties. Out of which, 32 Medical graduates have been enrolled in the fields of Oncology, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Preventive Cardiovascular Medicine, and Sexual & Reproductive Medicine. Another 39 medical graduates have been already selected to be enrolled in PG Diploma courses in many new underserved specialties including Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Gastroenterology, Laparoscopic Surgical Skills, Mental Health: Psychological Therapies, Orthopedic Trauma Science, Paediatric, Emergency Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Dermatology, Neonatal Medicine, Pain Management, Psychiatry, Clinical Microbiology & infectious diseases, Ophthalmology, Internal Medicine, Neuroimaging for research, Urology, Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Cancer and Clinical Oncology, Critical Care, General Surgery, and Orthopedic & Trauma.

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Chicken will be the best-positioned protein due to its low price position in times of pressure on consumer spending power but rises in production costs and the long-term impact of COVID-19 threaten to disrupt the sector, according to Rabobank.
BOOMcast, created by FATHOM for Mike North of Prototype This! And Outrageous Acts of Science on television, is a 3D printed cast with embedded electronics that enable a doctor to monitor the legs physical state from anywhere in the world. The cast allows North to maintain an active, enjoyable lifestyle that doesnt compromise the healing process. Outfitted with pressure sensors, bluetooth speakers, LED lights, gyroscope, accelerometer, and WiFi enabled Intel Edison, the BOOMcast is a true demonstration of how wearable technologies can be used for innovative medical purposes. To sum it up as Mike North puts it, We call it the BOOMcast and this thing is badass.

CREATING BOOMCAST

When North broke his fibula, he immediately understood that none of the traditional cast options would be conducive to his personal and professional needs. As a TV host who travels frequently and an overall active human being, North needed a durable and easily removable cast. North enlisted help from FATHOM to create a 3D printed the cast that integrates technology from industry-leading companies like Intel and Google. The BOOMcast is programmed to deliver medical information to Norths doctor, play music from his phone, map pressure and audio data into LED lights that convey information for Norths edification, and other extensive auxiliary features:

3D-printed body and functional ratcheting straps (FDM Nylon 12 for impact strength and durability)

Sole of cast built in PolyJet multi-materials (rigid substructure with rubber-like cushioning)

Custom fit from digital body scan (FARO ScanArm)

Bluetooth-enabled speakers by Boombotix

Intel Edison (WiFi-enabled) powered by SparkFun, Adafruit, and Arduino

Gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer

Force sensitive resistors

Real-time data transfer to the cloud

Multi-color LED feedback

Hardware inserts

Additive manufacturing equipment used include Fortus 900mc and Objet500 Connex3

The BOOMcast was 3D printed in Nylon 12, a performance thermoplastic with excellent impact strength and durability. The BOOMcast includes four force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) that record the contact pressure along the leg to indicate whether the healing bone has exceeded the doctors recommended load-bearing conditions.

Externally, the most immediately noticeable feature is the speaker system. Broken legs often leave patients on the sideline of the party, but with the BOOMcast, the party goes to them. The casts fully functional speaker projects any music North desires and has a double-stomp function that provides a hands-free way to change tracks. The speakers are also programmed to exude inaudible low-frequency tones that research has indicated will facilitate the healing of the fractured bone.

Beyond the electronic components, the BOOMcast utilizes additive manufacturing technologies to result in an overall superior cast than standard offerings. This one-of-a-kind leg cast is removable, lightweight, comfortable, and durable while also being travel-friendly as it expands to account for swelling that occurs with pressure changes during commercial flights.

The BOOMcast is just one of many exciting projects developed at FATHOM. Be sure to follow our blog and the original web series What Can You FATHOM? for the latest on additive manufacturing technologies and applications!

Open Source Information: 3D CAD (Download) // Mobile App (GitHub) // Edison App (GitHub) // DIY (Instructables)
by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, July 19, 2016

Across the country, big newspaper publishers are selling real estate, including their own headquarters, to raise cash and gain room for maneuver amid a long-term secular decline in print advertising revenues.

This week brought the news that The Boston Globe is selling its offices in Bostons Dorchester neighborhood after almost six decades and moving back to downtown Boston.

The Globe is selling the 815,000-square-foot headquarters, situated on 16.5 acres not far from the University of Massachusetts at Boston and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, for an undisclosed sum to an unnamed buyer.

Executives cant reveal any of the details because of a confidentiality agreement, but in 2009, the City of Boston assessed the propertys value at around $35 million. A number of redevelopment plans have already been proposed for the property, but a previous planned sale to developers Winstanley Enterprises was derailed last year by financing issues.

The newspapers editorial operations are returning to downtown Boston, which it left back in 1958, with a new lease for office space in the Exchange Place complex. Its printing and distribution are relocating to a new hub in Taunton, Massachusetts, where the company will generate additional revenues by printing newspapers for a number of other publishers, including the Boston Herald, The New York Times and USA Today.

The move is scheduled to take place January 1.

As noted, a number of other newspaper publishers have sold real estate, or at least tried to, in recent years.

In 2014 Freedom Communications, the previous owner of the Orange County Register, sold the newspapers headquarters in Santa Ana, CA to developer Michael Harrah for $27 million. Last year the San Diego Union-Tribune sold its 13-acre headquarters in Mission Valley, CA, for $50 million after it was acquired by Tribune Publishing.

Back in 2011, McClatchy sold the Miami Heralds headquarters for $236 million.

Also, the Tribune Publishings flagship headquarters building in Chicago, Tribune Tower, is up for sale with a solid offer from a developer, CIM Group, which reportedly bid between $240 million and $260 million for the landmark.
by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, July 20, 2016

Microsoft reported Tuesday that search revenue from Bing, excluding traffic acquisition costs, grew 16% -- driven by higher revenue per search and search query volume. More than 40% of the search revenue in June was driven by Windows 10 devices.

During the company's earnings call, CEO Satya Nadella noted Windows 10 users have now asked Cortana 8 billion questions since being integrated into the operating system. The Cortana search box has more than 100 million monthly active users,

Microsoft expects COGS to quickly reach about $7.5 billion to $7.6 billion, as a result of device sales.

Bing's ad revenue still dwarfs Google's and Facebook's, but it made progress by striking deals with Apple, Amazon, and Yahoo, as well as tying searches to its voice assistant Cortana.

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Google remains Bing's biggest rival when it comes to search. The major difference between the two is that Microsoft depends on a variety of revenue-generating ventures and Google, for the most part, relies on advertising.

Microsoft reported $92 billion in non-GAAP revenue and $2.10 in adjusted earnings per share for the full year. The companys operating income was $27.9 billion on a non-GAAP basis.

Personal computing such as Windows, Devices, Gaming and Search came in at $8.9 billion in revenue compared with $12.7 billion in the last quarter. The Surface line continues to see progress, climbing 9% in the last quarter -- mostly driven by Surface Book and Surface 4, but the phone revenue declined 71%.

A jovial Nadella said: "Microsoft Cloud is seeing significant customer momentum and were well positioned to reach new opportunities in the year ahead."

Revenue from its Intelligent Cloud business in the quarter ending June 2016 hit $6.7 billion and Azure revenue grew 102% year-over-year, with the expectation it will hit a $20 billion run rate by 2018. Although Nadella didn't say it, the advertising surely plays a role in the need for storage.

As its phone business declines, Microsoft is betting hard on the future of cloud services by pouring billions of dollars into cloud computing and storage. Earlier this month, Microsoft revealed that it worked with the University of Washington to find a way to store 200 megabytes of data on synthetic DNA strands, an amazing feat.

Still, competition is fierce in cloud services -- especially with Amazon, IBM and Google. Similar to Microsoft, Martin Schroeter, IBM SVP and CFO, said during the company's earnings call that for the latest quarter IBM delivered 12% revenue growth led by cloud services. Cloud-as-a-service revenue rose 50% with an annual run rate of $6.7 billion, up from $5.4 billion last quarter.

Microsoft's earnings report for the quarter ended June 30, 2016 states that it had a $12.1 billion run rate in its commercial cloud products. In comparison -- and most interestingly -- Amazon said during the company's calendar fourth-quarter earnings call that its cloud services were on a $10 billion run rate. Amazon is expected to post second-quarter earnings on July 28.
by Thom Forbes @tforbes, July 20, 2016

Unilever is acquiring Dollar Shave Club, which will continue to operate as an independent  and presumably irreverent  company under founder and CEO Michael Dubin.

Unilevers acquisition underscores the success of Dollar Shave Clubs unconventional marketing for its range of mens beauty products, which also includes hair styling products and skin care all sold by subscription using home delivery, writes John Michael Brown for Financial Times. Dollar Shave Club sends razor cartridges directly to customers for as little as $1 a month, a model attractive to consumers fed up with shopping for expensive shaving equipment.

No financial terms were disclosed, but multiple sources close to the deal tell Fortune that Unilever is paying $1 billion in cash for the business, writesFortunes Dan Primack. It is based in Venice, Calif.

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If the pricing is true, the transaction will be the third largest ever in e-commerce, only beaten by Zulily and Wayfair, points out John Mannes for TechCrunch.

Perhaps the most prominent star of the category has been Warby Parker, the hip maker of eyeglasses and sunglasses that has since branched out into physical retail stores as well, write Mike Isaac and Michael J. de la Merced for the New York Times. But as the model grew more popular and the market became inundated with subscription-based products, it became more difficult for some start-ups of the ilk to continue raising money.

Dollar Shave Club is an innovative and disruptive male grooming brand with incredibly deep connections to its diverse and highly engaged consumers, Kees Kruythoff, president of Unilever North America, says in a release announcing the agreement. In addition to its unique consumer and data insights, Dollar Shave Club is the category leader in its direct-to-consumer space. We plan to leverage the global strength of Unilever to support Dollar Shave Club in achieving its full potential in terms of offering and reach.

Dollar Shave Club burst into our collective awareness in March 2012, with a YouTube video starring Dubin that now has nearly 23 million views.

The deal can be traced to a dinner between Dubin and Kruythoff six or seven months ago, reportsRecodes Jason Del Ray, pointing out that Unilever does not own a razor brand, although it has personal care brands such as Axe and Dove. The idea at the time was that Kruythoff would potentially take an advisory role with Dollar Shave Club, or Unilever might invest in the startup, he writes.

We werent looking to be acquired  but he did a really great job convincing us of a few things, Dubin tells Del Ray, including how ambitious and aggressive and innovative they are and the economies of scale they can bring in a lot of different areas.

Translation: Unilever can help the startup get better deals on things like advertising buys and product manufacturing, writes Del Ray.

Unilever will look to expand the subscription model Dollar Shave Club has used since 2012 to accumulate 3.2 million customers and take on brands such as P&Gs Gillette and Edgewell Personal Care Co.s Schick in the estimated $3 billion U.S. mens shaving products market, write Bloombergs Sarah Frier and Matthew Boyle.

But competition stretches beyond Gillette and Schick, observe the NYTs Isaac and de la Merced. Among its main competitors on the start-up side is Harrys, which focuses more on the design of its razors but has also branched out into other grooming products, as well as Bevel, a razor targeted to African-Americans.

Procter & Gamble, meanwhile, blindsided by the success of the upstart Dollar Shave Club, the Wall Street Journals Sharon Terlep reports, is itself experimenting with ways of cutting out the middleman. One is the Tide Wash Club it has launched in Atlanta  an online subscription service for Tide Pods that offers free shipping at regular intervals.

Another new offering: Tide Spin, an undertaking P&G is calling the uberization of laundry, in which customers in parts of Chicago can use a smartphone app to order laundry pickup and delivery from Tide-branded couriers, Terlep writes.

P&Gs razor brand, Gillette, filed a federal lawsuit against Dollar Shave Club in December, claiming that several of its products cut it too close to a patented formula Gillette invented to coat its razors and improve the quality of shaves. Whatever the outcome of that case, Unilevers entry into the market insures that the razor wars are not going to be decided by the bang of a judges gavel.
by Philip Rosenstein , Staff Writer, July 20, 2016

It has now been decided, Donald Trump is no longer the presumptive Republican nominee. He has officially won a majority of the 2,472 delegates present at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, and will lead the Republican ballot on November 8, 2016.

Despite another attempt by the #NeverTrump camp at the start of the evening to derail proceedings in Ohio, Trump sailed through the nominating roll call vote.

His son, Donald Trump Jr., who spoke later in the evening, announced the apportionment of the New York delegates, the vast majority of which went to his father, flanked by his siblings Ivanka and Eric, among others.

One could sense what looked like genuine emotion from Trump Jr. and his siblings as the New York delegates officially made Trump the GOP presidential nominee. Donald Jr. capped off his floor announcement for the New York delegation with a touching, note extraordinary for a national convention: Congratulations Dad! We love you!

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While much can be said about the speakers last night, which ranged from Trumps children, Donald Jr. and Tiffany, to a rousing UFC president Dana White, House Speaker Ryan and Senate majority leader McConnell (who appeared on stage to resounding boos), the utterly unbelievable political rise of the New York businessman and TV personality is noteworthy.

According to CNN, back in August 2015, Donald Trump jumped from having a 1% chance of winning the Republican nomination in July to 19% at the end of August. At the time, Jeb(!) Bush had a 24% chance of winning the nomination.

A concoction of strong debate performances, nonstop TV appearances and rousing campaign stops elevated a scrappy, if not wildly understaffed campaign apparatus, to the heights of American politics in 2016.

Credit the power of Donald Trumps personality. He has been able to convince old rivals to support his nomination and bring in recently averse Republicans, most notably Paul Ryan, to his campaign.

Present throughout the Trump campaign and central to the Cleveland convention is a visceral anti-Clinton position. Trump has understood where many Republicans stand on this issue  and convention speeches have followed suit.

So have convention attendees, who rose to their feet in a united lock her up chant during Chris Christies speech last night. Trump has won the first battle, but now its war.
by Larissa Faw , July 20, 2016

Maybe the country wouldn't be stuck with deciding between Clinton or Trump if those younger than 35 were eligible to run for office. Now, Captain Morgan is petitioning the U.S. government to allow those under 35 to become president as part of its new campaign.

There are multiple agency partners working on the #Under35POTUS campaign, among them: Taylor Strategy serves as lead creative agency, MKTG for experiential, VaynerMedia for social strategy, Carat for media and Starpower for influencer engagement.

The project centers around the Under35Potus.com website where those over age 21 are encouraged to sign the petition to change Article II, Section I of the United States Constitution, which restricts those under the age of 35 from becoming president. If 100,000 signatures have been acquired by August 17, 2016, the White House will review the petition, distribute it to appropriate policy officials and issue a response. They have a long way to go. As of press time, only 464 signatures have been submitted.

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To help raise awareness, Captain Morgan is introducing a campaign video featuring influential and notable Under 35s who are making an impact and changing the world in their own right  including Moguls Tiffany Pham, JASHs Mickey Meyer, Thrillists Ben Lerer and Thinkfuls Dan Friedman. Their achievements are shown during the uplifting song "We Are Young" by Fun.

Captain Morgan also penned an open letter that appeared in the New York Times on July 19 calling on everyone to join the cause and sign the petition.

From now through November 8th, the #Under35Potus movement will also be supported by digital, social, PR/Influencer and experiential marketing efforts as well as a robust media buy across platforms like You Tube, Tinder, Buzzfeed, Snapchat, and ESPN.com.

Its no secret that Millennials have gradually been disengaging from the political process. The fact that there are very few elected Under 35s on Capitol Hill is symbolic of this disengagement, and bringing more young adults into the democratic system can only make our nation better, stated Adrienne Cuschieri Grooms, senior brand manager, Captain Morgan. Its not like were trying to create change for the sake of change. This is a very real and important issue. Millennials make up some of the most progressive, innovative, intelligent, and successful people in our country  why shouldnt they be able to be President of the United States?

More than half (52%) of 21-34 year olds say lowering the presidential age requirement would be beneficial for the country, and a clear majority of those polled  56% - say they would be willing to act on this idea by supporting an amendment to lower the age requirement.
Must be something in the Brazilian water.

WhatsApp, the popular Facebook-owned over-the-top (OTT) messaging service, was blocked again in Brazil yesterday for failure to comply in a criminal case, though very briefly.

WhatsApp cannot be offered to more than 100 million Brazilians without complying with the laws of the country, while failing to comply with judicial orders and obstructing criminal investigations, Judge Daniela Barbosa Assumpcao de Souza reportedly said in a court statement.

A judge in the Brazilian Supreme Court lifted the ban a few hours later, saying that the ruling violated the principles of freedom of communication and expression.

This is the third time the service has been blocked in the country since December.

In his decision, the chief justice stressed how people from across Brazil, including members of the judiciary, rely on WhatsApp to communicate with others every day, and that they bear the greatest burden when a service is blocked. We hope that this puts an end to blocks that have punished millions of Brazilians and that people can continue using services like WhatsApp to stay in touch with those who matter to them, WhatsApp said in a statement reported by Recode.

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WhatsApp has featured prominently in the global debate on privacy versus law enforcement/security since it rolled out end-to-end encryption on its service last year.

Consistent governmental interruptions of service could make the Brazilian people look elsewhere for a messaging service.
by Larissa Faw , July 20, 2016

iCrossing has appointed Kayvan Salmanpour as its first chief content officer as the integrated marketing agency owned by Hearst seeks to strengthen its brand as publisher marketing strategy.

Based in New York, Salmanpour reports to Nick Brien, iCrossings CEO and Troy Young, president of Hearst Magazines Digital Media.

Salmanpour will focus on integrating editorial strategy and performance-minded distribution with original content production through an omni-channel approach. He will tap into the "combined strengths of the integrated agency, Hearst Magazines Digital Media and other partners," the agency said.

He joins iCrossing from Novel, an agency originally formed as an outgrowth of The New Republic. Earlier in his career, he was one of the first employees at NewsCred, a content marketing platform for brands, where he built the companys sales, content and business development teams.

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Marketers today must embrace digital marketing to strengthen both their brand vitality with customers and drive sales, stated Brien. As an integrated marketing agency that is part of Hearst, we have unique access to world-class content creators and editorial insights, which are tremendous advantages. Adding rich storytelling expertise on top of our own strategic, creative, media and technology capabilities will accelerate how we deliver impactful results for clients.
by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, July 20, 2016

Chicago-based Walton Isaacson has named Jeff Davidoff as President, a new position at the agency, effective immediately.

Davidoff, who has more than 25 years of experience on both the client-side and agency-side of the business, will report to the agencys co-founders Aaron Walton and Cory Isaacson. Hell be based in Chicago but also divide his time between the agencys Los Angeles, New York and Miami offices.

Davidoff was previously CMO at Donuts, the not-com domain registry. Before Donuts he was the CMO for The ONE Campaign, a grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization founded by Bono, with over 7 million members worldwide. Davidoff joined The ONE Campaign from Orbitz Worldwide where he was CMO for both Orbitz.com and Cheaptickets.com. Earlier he served as VP of Brand Marketing & Communications at Whirlpool Corporation.

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Walton Isaacson Co-founder Cory Isaacson stated, Jeff Davidoff embodies Walton Isaacsons purpose-driven culture. From his ground breaking LGBT Orbitz work to Whirlpools Habitat for Humanity campaign, Jeff marries ideas and impact.

Co-founder Aaron Walton added, Having worked with Jeff as a client I am excited to have him join our team. We share core values and a common vision of where marketing is headed and of our agencys role within that changing landscape.
Social-media marketing firm Sprinklr just raised another $105 million at a valuation of $1.8 billion. The round -- which brings the companys total funding to $239 million -- was led by Singapore-based investment firm Temasek.

Sprinklr most recently raised $46 million in April of 2015. At the time, the company was valued at just over $1 billion.

While social marketing might seem like a no-brainer, today, it was not always that way, according to Ragy Thomas, founder and CEO of Sprinklr.

Sprinklr was founded in 2009 because we saw something most companies didnt -- that social media was destined to become a disruptive force that would forever change business, Thomas said on Wednesday.

Today, more than half of the Fortune 50 and nine of the 10 most valuable global brands use Sprinklrs platform, Thomas added. Clients include GM, Virgin America, Samsung and Microsoft, Nike, McDonalds, and P&G.

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The new funds should help the social-media firm continue its aggressive acquisition strategy.

Most recently, Sprinklr acquired social visualization platform Postano. Last year, it bought audience segmentation and management platform Booshaka, location-specific text analytics software NewBrand,and the social-community software specialists at Pluck.

The fresh funding is also expected to support Sprinklrs continued international expansion. Since the beginning of 2015, Sprinklr has expanded into Brazil, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, while adding to its existing operations in the UK, France, Germany, India, and Canada.

Wellington Management Company LLP and EDBI, the corporate investment arm of the Singapore Economic Development Board, also participated in this latest round, as did Sprinklrs existing investors.
Between 2005 and 2015, rate of new HIV infections increased in 74 countries.

A major new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 (GBD 2015) study, published today in The Lancet HIV journal, reveals that although deaths from HIV/AIDS have been steadily declining from a peak in 2005, 2.5 million people worldwide became newly infected with HIV in 2015, a number that hasn't changed substantially in the past 10 years.

The new GBD estimates show a slow pace of decline in new HIV infections worldwide, with a drop of just 0.7% a year between 2005 and 2015 compared to the fall of 2.7% a year between 1997 and 2005. The study is being launched at the International AIDS meeting in Durban, South Africa on Tuesday 19 July.

Improvements and updates in GBD's data sources and methodology indicate that the number of people living with HIV has been increasing steadily from 27.96 million in 2000 to 38.8 million in 2015. Annual deaths from HIV/AIDS have been declining at a steady pace from a peak of 1.8 million in 2005, to 1.2 million in 2015, partly due to the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Furthermore, the proportion of people living with HIV on ART increased rapidly between 2005 and 2015, from 6.4% to 38.6% for men, and from 3.3% to 42.4% for women (figure 1D). Yet, most countries are still far from achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target of 81% by 2020.

While the annual number of new infections has decreased since its peak at 3.3 million per year in 1997, it has stayed relatively constant at around an estimated 2.5 million a year worldwide for the past decade.

"Although scale-up of antiretroviral therapy and measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission have had a huge impact on saving lives, our new findings present a worrying picture of slow progress in reducing new HIV infections over the past 10 years", says lead author Dr Haidong Wang from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA.1

"Development assistance for HIV/AIDS is stagnating and health resources in many low-income countries are expected to plateau over the next 15 years. Therefore, a massive scale-up of efforts from governments and international agencies will be required to meet the estimated $36 billion needed every year to realise the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, along with better detection and treatment programmes and improving the affordability of antiretroviral drugs", says the Director of IHME, Professor Christopher Murray.1

The findings come from a comprehensive new analysis of HIV incidence, prevalence, deaths and coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the global, regional, and national level for 195 countries between 1980 and 2015 (see table 1 for country-by-country data).

Despite years of strong progress in reducing HIV at the global level, success in different countries and regions varies as the HIV epidemic has peaked and declined at different times, and depending on access to, and quality of ART, and other care.

Key regional and country GBD 2015 findings include:

In 2015, three-quarters of new infections (1.8 million) were in sub-Saharan Africa. Outside of Africa, south Asia accounted for 8.5% (212500), southeast Asia for 4.7% (117500), and east Asia for 2.3% (57500; figure 2A).

Within Europe, the highest number of new infections in 2015 were in Russia (57340), Ukraine (13490), Spain (2350), Portugal (2220), UK (2060), Italy (1960), and Germany (1760; table).

Between 2005 and 2015, 74 countries experienced a rise in age-standardised incidence rates, notably in Indonesia and the Philippines, north Africa and the Middle East, and eastern Europe, but also in some countries in western Europe (Spain and Greece; table).

In 2015, especially high rates of incidence (new infections in 2015 divided by the total population) were recorded in southern Africa, with more than 1% of the population becoming infected with HIV in Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland, compared with around 39 per 100000 in Ethiopia and 42 per 100000 in Congo (figure 2B).

In 2015, the highest incidence rates in Europe were in Russia (exceeding 20 per 100000), while Cambodia (above 46 per 100000) had the highest rates in Asia. In parts of Latin America and the Caribbean (Belize, Guyana, and Haiti), rates exceed 50 per 100000 people (figure 2B).

No country has achieved the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target that 81% of people living with HIV should be receiving ART by 2020 yet, Sweden (76%), the USA, Netherlands, and Argentina (all at about 70%) are close.

ART coverage is highly variable and massive scale-up of treatment is needed in the Middle East, north Africa, eastern Europe, and east Asia where only around a fifth of people living with HIV receive ART, and in central Asia where treatment reaches less than a third of people with HIV (figure 3).

Although global HIV mortality has been declining at 5.5% a year since the mid-2000s, progress has been mixed between regions and countries (figure 1C). In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, mass scale-up of ART and interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission have led to huge declines in HIV death rates over the past decade, while in many countries in north Africa and the Middle East like Morocco, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Tunisia, progress has been nonexistent (table and figure 4).

In a linked Comment, Dr Virginie Supervie and Dr Dominique Costagliola from the Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sorbonne Universites, Inserm/UPMC, Paris, France discuss the reliability of current approaches to estimate trends in HIV incidence and say that even the most recent estimates of the worldwide HIV burden may still underestimate the scale of the problem. They say, "The GBD estimates of HIV incidence are significantly lower (two to ten times) than the reported number of newly diagnosed HIV cases for most countries in North America, Europe, central Asia, and Australia (table). The study reveals that there are still large uncertainties and gaps in knowledge about the HIV incidence in many settings. Without timely and reliable assessment of HIV incidence it will be impossible to end the HIV epidemic."[1]

This study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and National Institute of Mental Health and National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, USA.
NEW YORK

July 19, 2016

Harry Reich

Ray Wertheim

Theresa Davidson

Christopher Zahn

Rachel Gandell Tetlow

Collaborating for the full-scale expansion across all states of the EFA's adolescent education program, The EN dometriosis: P romoting O utreach and W ide R ecognition (ENPOWR) Project

dometriosis: romoting utreach and ide ecognition (ENPOWR) Project Implementing more robust efforts to improve the standards of diagnosis and care associated with endometriosis, particularly among young adults so as to reduce the current delay to diagnosis in the field of Adolescent Gynecology.

Improving training standards for surgeons on the techniques specific to endometriosis, such as proper recognition and excisional removal of the lesions

Producing updated practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis

Jeanne Rebillard

/PRNewswire-iReach/ -- Endometriosis, a disease that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age globally, has prompted the collaboration between two leading nonprofit organizations dedicated to the improvement of women's health? the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Tamer Seckin, MD, FACOG, and Founder of Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) and Medical Director, Dr., a pioneer in minimally invasive surgery for treating endometriosis, Dr., endometriosis specialist, and, EFA Managing Director, met with ACOG's Vice President for Practice, Dr., and Director of Federal Affairs,to discuss:"I am thrilled about collaborating with ACOG, as it is one of the most influential women's reproductive health organizations in the nation, with the ability to make a tremendous impact on practice as a whole," said Seckin. "Early diagnosis is crucial to detecting endometriosis and awareness is key to timely treatment. Working with ACOG, the EFA can expand its awareness campaign nationwide to reach so many more medical professionals and women."According to the Journal of Human Reproduction, women who suffer from endometriosis have to wait an average of 12 years before getting a proper diagnosis. "This is unacceptable, and it has to change," said Seckin. He added, "Misdiagnosis, dump diagnosis and ignoring or dismissing the symptoms of endometriosis, and incomplete and improper surgeries are the main reasons for the long delay in diagnosing, and treating the disease."In March, EFA cofounder Padma Lakshmi met with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill to initiate discussions about more collaborative efforts to facilitate endometriosis awareness."The collaboration between the EFA and ACOG is the first of what I hope will be many partnerships with the EFA," said Seckin. "The EFA looks forward to creative partnerships both in the public and private sectors that will help spread the word out about this debilitating disease."To learn more about endometriosis or to discuss partnership initiatives, visit the EFA website at endofound.org or call 646-854-3309.Tamer Seckin, MD, FACOG, and Founder of Endometriosis Foundation of America (EFA) and Medical Directorstrives to increase disease recognition, provide advocacy, facilitate expert surgical training, and fund landmark endometriosis research. Engaged in a robust campaign to inform both the medical community and the public, the EFA places particular emphasis on the critical importance of early diagnosis and effective intervention while simultaneously providing education to the next generation of medical professionals and their patients. For more information, visit www.endofound.org., Endometriosis Foundation of America, 845-518-4636, jeannerebillard@gmail.comNews distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.comSOURCE Endometriosis Foundation of America
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The researchers mapped where the patients lived, together with the location, size and number of natural gas operations, and compared them to asthma patients who suffered no attacks during the same year."Those who lived closer to a large number or bigger active natural gas wells were significantly more likely - 1.5 to four times more likely - to suffer asthma attacks," the study said.The findings held up even when the researchers accounted for other factors that can exacerbate asthma, such as living near main roads, having a family history of asthma, and smoking, they said.However, the study uncovered only an association between fracking and asthma, and did not prove any link or explain why asthma may be more common."Ours is the first to look at asthma but we now have several studies suggesting adverse health outcomes related to the drilling of unconventional natural gas wells," said lead researcher Sara Rasmussen of the Bloomberg School's Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. "Going forward, we need to focus on the exact reasons why these things are happening because if we know why, we can help make the industry safer."The growth of Pennsylvania's fracking operations - with more than 6,000 wells developed in the past decade - has raised concerns about effects on air and water quality.The Marcellus Shale Coalition, an industry group, pointed to the researchers' failure to prove cause and effect, and asked why the study did not look at earlier years, before the rise in natural gas operations, for comparison."It's also striking that the authors failed to provide comparative data from, say, eight years or so prior to shale development emerging in the region," said spokeswoman Erica Clayton Wright.The study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.Source: AFP
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The new study, supported by a $10 million contract, will explore whether treating babies with four months of an oral drug - valganciclovir - that targets the virus can improve outcomes."UAB has been the world leader in studying congenital viral infections for the past 50 years," said David Kimberlin, who holds the Sergio Stagno, Endowed Chair in Pediatric Infectious Disease at UAB. "Our team of researchers and physicians has been instrumental in learning more about CMV and treating the disease. The next step is being able to identify and treat CMV in babies who are asymptomatic at birth."Studies conducted by UAB researchers Suresh Boppana, and Karen Fowler, Dr.P.H., under a $15 million contract with the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders found diagnostic tools to screen for congenital CMV. In 2011, Boppana and Fowler developed a saliva test that can identify the silent virus in newborns with 97% accuracy. This has directly led to increasing testing of babies for CMV."Now that there is a targeted screening program for identifying CMV, we will see more babies with CMV who are asymptomatic," said Kimberlin, principal investigator of the study and co-director of the UAB Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. "Under this new contract, we will be able to build upon the previous studies to observe and identify proper treatment plans for the asymptomatic population of infants."The five-year study across nine sites will look at male and female infants under one month of age with asymptomatic congenital CMV infection. Four months of oral valganciclovir, an antiviral treatment for infections caused by viruses, will be administered to babies without baseline sensorineural hearing loss. Those with baseline SNHL also will be enrolled if they are receiving oral valganciclovir prescribed by their physician.A $1.5 million contract will support a study to assess the incidence of neonatal herpes infections in the United States and Peru using large databases in both countries to see how common the infection is. Knowledge gained from these investigations will inform future therapeutic studies aimed to decrease mother-to-infant transmission of herpes simplex virus. A prospective trial also will be conducted in Peru under this contract.Source: Newswise


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Establish long-term family cohorts that are followed for 20 years or so.

Establish rapid epidemic response protocols, especially in larger MDR-TB outbreak settings (like Papua New Guinea (PNG) where 1% of the population is sick with MDR-TB) and in smaller settings with high number of exposed children (like creches and orphanages).

Commit to childhood TB as an essential part of 'End TB' strategy.

Dr Furin expressed her outrage for very little attention being paid to but they are not. We are practicing the trickle down effect in pediatric TB. We assume that whatever good is happening for adults will somehow make it down for children. But there is a wide gap between our expectations and the ground reality," she said.Some of the current gaps in pediatric TB care Dr Furin pointed out are lack of - point-of-care test on easily accessible samples; sensitive screening tools; effective, nontoxic TB treatment; all oral short course potent regimens for all forms of TB; pediatric formulations and family-centered approach.According to her there are three main priority areas we need to focus on:It is indeed unfortunate that even when child-friendly pediatric formulations for TB treatment are available, the uptake has been slow. Then again, even two years after Bedaquiline and Delaminid were recommended by WHO for treatment in adults, there is still no talk of having a recommendation for adolescents and children.But in this dismal scenario, there are small sparks of hope too. The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) has played a vital role in not only developing pediatric fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) for treating drug-sensitive TB, but also advocating for their use, in getting national guidelines changed and switching the market from old to the new. Vijay Agarwal of Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd, an Indian generic drug manufacturing company informed that they have started manufacturing and supplying the FDCs of Rifampicin 75mg + Isoniazid 50mg and Rifampicin 75mg + Isoniazid 50mg + Pyrazinamide 150mg.These were prequalified by WHO in June 2015, and the company started getting the first orders in April 2016. Kenya was the first country to approve them and till to date, 10 countries, including Kenya, have purchased them through the Global Drug Facility (GDF) of Stop TB Partnership.Unfortunately, India, where these drugs are being produced, has yet to roll them out. The company was expecting to get a purchase order from the RNTCP this month and would be able to deliver supplies within two months of getting the order. To begin with, the Indian government is expected to roll out these FDCs for HIV co-infected pediatric TB patients in 5 states (Haryana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh).Another good news shared by Bassirou Souleymane of Damien Foundation with CNS (Citizen News Service) was the encouraging results obtained for children who were part of an observational study launched in 2013 in 9 countries of Africa to determine effectiveness and tolerance of a modified Bangladesh regimen for MDR-TB. Out of the 58 children and adolescents aged less than18 years started on this regimen, 47 were recruited early enough for cohort analysis - 9 of them being HIV positive. The overall treatment success rate was 83%. Also, all adverse drug events were mild to moderate."Treatment results of the Bangladesh regimen appear excellent in children and adolescents, including in HIV-infected patients. Adverse drug events were not frequent, and all were mild. But as the sample size was small, more studies are needed. These results should encourage to apply the short regimen to children and adolescents," said Souleymane.Integrating pediatric TB program with programs like Maternal and Child Health, could help find lot many kids with undiagnosed TB. So healthcare facilities where children go for vaccinations, deworming and for sickness like pneumonia, malnutrition, provide a good and cost saving opportunity for screening them for TB.Dr John Ditekemena of Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation spoke about the challenge of addressing the wide policy-practice gap and the need to scale up of new tools - GeneXpert and new pediatric FDCs. He advocated for a community health approach to bring health information and basic services to the people. Community has to be involved in TB management by reinforcing capacities of community members to handle TB related issues in children like active case finding, index case finding and contact tracing.It is our moral obligation to protect our children. No child should get TB, and no child should die of it. What we need is a strategy and not empty talks. Merely signing on the dotted line is just not enough. There has to be the political will to transform words into action.Source:
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"Mala was running high fever, had low blood pressure, and was looking toxic, when she was brought to the emergency unit of Fortis," said Dr. Sudha Menon, consultant, internal medicine, Fortis Hospital.The doctors first suspected dengue and H1N1 but the results turned out to be negative. Later she developed pneumonia and her condition kept worsening and then getting better, according to doctors."There was a shower of bacteria on her lungs and fluids in the lungs started accumulating around her heart.Besides, there was a clot in a vein that connects the heart, head and the neck region. Oral hygiene was compromised, leading to the spreading of anaerobic bacteria," Dr. Sudha added.The doctors conducted tracheostomy, a surgical procedure during which an incision is made in the windpipe to relieve an obstruction to breathing. Mala was eventually found to be suffering from Lemierre's syndrome, a rare condition caused by bacterium Fusobacterium necrophorum, a common inhabitant of the mouth, further leading to sepsis. The bacteria penetrated the neighbouring jugular vein, causing an infected clot. Pieces of this clot broke off and travelled to the lungs, blocking branches of the pulmonary artery. This caused shortness of breath, chest pain and severe pneumonia. Spreading of the sepsis affected multiple organs and, in no time, Mala shed 20 kilos. Although Mala has been discharged and is back to her routine work now, she recently developed swelling of jaws again and is being treated at a local dental health facility.Experts cautioned that the oral infection is just like an infection of any part of the body and is usually not taken care of. However, the infection can spread to other parts of the body within 48 hours and can even lead to life-threatening condition. Basic oral hygiene techniques include brushing teeth two times a day, massaging gums daily, visiting a dentist every six month for cleaning and not ignoring any kind of pain in the oral cavity.Source: Medindia
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Calisi and Cai looked at blood samples collected from 825 sick or injured pigeons brought to the city's Wild Bird Fund rehabilitation center from 2010 to 2015. Each was identified by the zip code where it was found.They found that the pigeons' blood lead levels rose in summer, as they do in samples from children. Zip codes with high lead levels in pigeons also had some of the highest rates of raised levels of lead in children. While pigeons have been used to monitor various types of pollution in some European cities, to her knowledge no one has previously correlated lead exposure in birds with exposure rates in children, Calisi said."This is a powerful example of how we can use pigeons to monitor the location and prevalence of pollutants," Calisi said. "We can use these 'rats with wings' -- which are anything but -- to monitor dangers to human health." Urban pigeons are particularly suitable for this work because they don't fly far, typically spending their lives within an area of a few blocks, she said.The sources of urban lead pollution aren't clear. Lead-based paint can still be found in old buildings, but pigeons don't spend much time indoors. Roads and especially construction sites are likely sources of particulate and airborne lead, and pigeons do pick up roadside gravel to aid in digestion. Children are also exposed to these sources of lead and can bring residues into their households by regular foot traffic.Now at UC Davis, Calisi is expanding the work to look at other pollutants, such as other heavy metals, pesticides and fire retardants, in California cities. Calisi was recently awarded the title of Environmental Health Science Scholar by the UC Davis NIEHS (National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences) Center. She is also a CAMPOS (Center for Advancing Multicultural Perspectives on Science) scholar in the UC Davis ADVANCE program.Source: Eurekalert
On July 18, 2016, about a week after new U.S. Ambassador to Beirut Elizabeth Richard arrived in the country, the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, which is affiliated with Hizbullah, published an article by Sabah Ayub that harshly criticizing her and mocked her, attacking statements she had made to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in March 2016 to the effect that Hizbullah was the source of Lebanon's economic, security, and political problems. Richard, according to Ayub, then called Hizbullah a threat to Lebanon, and underlined that the organization and its financial network should be targeted.

According to Ayub, Richard spoke "with familiar American insolence" and "waves a stick in the face of the Lebanese state before ever setting foot in it"; "her arrogance has [even] led her to speak on behalf of the Lebanese." In a dig at the Lebanese regime, he added that it wasn't lifting a finger against a diplomat who openly stated that she would fight Hizbullah from within the country.

It should be mentioned that this is not the first time that a newspaper close to Hizbullah has criticized the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon; in 2009, Talal Salman, owner of the Lebanese daily Al-Safir, scathingly attacked then-Ambassador Michele Sison, accusing her of interfering in the country's internal affairs, inciting civil war, and making provocative statements.[1]

Following are excerpts from Ayub's article in Al-Akhbar:[2]



Elizabeth Richard (image: Yalibnan.com, July 18, 2016)

"Elizabeth Richard, 56, appears very enthusiastic about working in Lebanon, where she took up her duties last week. In a video [distributed] by the U.S. Embassy, she said: 'I can't wait to explore Lebanon's cultural treasures and natural beauty'... The new American ambassador, who visited the 'land of the cCedars' in 2007 as part of an American initiative to train and arm the internal security forces, looks decisive in her first message to the Lebanese people, saying: 'As Lebanon works to maintain its security and build strong state institutions..., the American people will continue to stand with you.' This is flowery diplomatic language that hides the intentions of the American ambassador - which are not hidden [from us], particularly with regard to her view of [the concepts of] 'preserving its security' and 'strong state institutions.'

"[However,] a few months ago, Richard was much more explicit at a congressional hearing, after submitting her candidacy for the [ambassadorial] post, when [she, as] legal expert, announced her practical agenda... and promised that she would work to solve all of Lebanon's 'major challenges'! How? The picture is very clear to Richard, since [in her eyes] there is one source of all Lebanese economic, security, and political suffering: The resistance [i.e. Hizbullah].

"On the economic level, Richard revealed a magic formula for solving the Lebanese crisis, when she said [at the hearing]: 'Our goal is to dismantle Hizbullah's international financial network[3] while supporting Lebanese institutions and the Lebanese people. This will contribute directly to promoting Lebanon's economic prosperity.' How will damaging the international financing of the resistance lead to the recovery of the state's economy?! Richard did not explain this at the hearing, and was not required to do so in her country. Furthermore, the Lebanese state - the government and diplomatic corps - did nothing to demand answers regarding a diplomat openly stating that she would fight, from within [Lebanon], a Lebanese party that is represented in parliament and that participates in the government! No one dared to make demands or even to question the ambassador's statement. With the tone of someone who runs Lebanon's affairs, and with well-known American insolence, Richard said that she would ensure that 'Hizbullah cannot penetrate the Lebanese financial sector' because 'both Lebanon and the United States have an interest' in doing so. The new ambassador waved her stick in the face of the Lebanese state before ever setting foot in her host country, and without any of the officials being shocked by it.

"On the security level, Richard has her own personal philosophy. Israel, of course, was absent from her statements regarding the security threats surrounding Lebanon, which mostly focused on the Islamic State [ISIS] and [Jabhat] Al-Nusra. However, the ambassador appeared calm in light of the threat of the two organizations that emerged from the womb of Al-Qaeda, and is convinced that the partnership between the U.S. and Lebanon's security forces.. has had a decisive role in defending Lebanon against these threats, which is why the Lebanese should not fear ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra. But what is the first challenge for the state, in Richard's view? The answer: Hizbullah. 'Hizbullah's activities in Syria create serious security challenges for Lebanon,' said the ambassador, who promised to support the Lebanese army because it is the country's 'sole legitimate defender.'

"The third 'major challenge' for the Lebanese [after the economic and security challenges], according to Richard, is the political vacuum [a reference to the ongoing inability to select a president] and the damage to Lebanon's independence and sovereignty. [She says that] she will work to solve these issues as well, while cooperating with [Lebanese] 'voices for moderation and progress.' [But] against whom? Richard said: against Hizbullah's ongoing intervention in Syria - undertaken without the consent of the Lebanese people. So the new ambassador's arrogance has led her to speak on behalf of the Lebanese and she does not even cite figures, even false ones, to support her claim regarding the degree of Lebanese consent to, or disagreement with, Hizbullah's involvement in Syria.

"In short, as Richard told Congress: Hizbullah went [to fight] in Syria in defiance of the will of most Lebanese, which harms Lebanon's sovereignty and independence.

"Generally speaking, Western diplomats lack the ability to understand events in Lebanon and to grasp the complexity of its society, regime, economics, and politics. [However,] Richard appears to have such an ability, as her opinion is clear and her goal is singular: to damage the Lebanese resistance [Hizbullah], its party, its men, and its finances, by any means necessary.

"In her previous role, before becoming the guardian of the Lebanese, Richard was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. At a July 2015 congressional hearing, she bragged about the State Department's achievements, and enumerated projects that she had personally supervised, including: establishing and developing Qualifying Industrial Zones [QIZs]; creating job opportunities; fueling exports in Egypt, Jordan, and Israel; brokering a deal between General Motors [sic; it was General Electric] and Egypt to provide a large amount of power to Egypt; establishing railroads in Algeria; purchasing tons of Iraqi rice [sic. the report at the hearing was of Iraq buying rice from the U.S.]; encouraging investments in the Gulf states; supporting youth initiatives; and medical collaborations between Israel and the UAE. Most Middle Eastern and North African countries are included in the [list] of achievements last year by Richard and her State Department, but Lebanon is not. And here she arrives today, in the most helpless country in the region, with a single political plan - and not a development plan, but promises for arming, and a brandished stick!"

Endnotes:

[1] See MEMRI Special Dispatch No. 2630, Owner of Lebanese Pro-Syrian Daily 'Al-Safir': "Silence That Chatterbox [U.S.] Ambassador!", November 4, 2009.
In a June 15, 2016 article in the Jordanian daily Al-Dustour, Jordanian lawyer Sufian Al-Shawa claimed that the U.S. has developed a special gas that melts people and objects, and that it utilized this gas in the 9/11 attacks and the 2003 Iraq War. According to Al-Shawa, the U.S. has also supplied this gas to Israel, which used it against Palestinians in the Jenin refugee camp. Al-Shawa stated that use of this gas explains the disappearance of the parts of the aircraft that struck the World Trade Center, and the disappearance of the bodies of Iraqi fighters and of 3,000 Palestinian fighters in Jenin. Al-Shawa also mentioned the 1992 crash of El-Al Flight 1862 near Amsterdam, arguing that its high death toll and the disappearance of the passengers were the result of the plane carrying this melting gas.



Sufian Al-Shawa (Raialyoum.com, June 16, 2016)

The following are excerpts from the article:[1]

U.S. Scientists Looks For Ways To Wreak Havoc On Humanity Instead Of Working To Help The World

"There is no end to scientific research. However, some countries, like the U.S., search for ways to wreak havoc instead of having their scientists research fields that would help the world. It seems as though the cowboy genes still reside in the bodies and minds of the Americans... As though the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, Japan, during WWII, which killed tens of thousands of Japanese, was not enough to get the U.S. to end [its] horrible research and experiments, it recently discovered a new devastating gas that can melt humans, steel, rocks, and basically anything.

"The world began to hear about this gas after the collapse of the famous [Twin] Towers in New York on September 11, 2001 - a crime that Arabs were accused of committing... The whole world saw small passenger jets that were simultaneously hijacked from a number of U.S. airports hit the tall towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. But firefighters did not find the fuselages of the planes that had hit the towers. They also did not find any trace of the passengers on these jets. The question asked was, where are the fuselages of the planes? The planes and the bodies of the pilots were never recovered. So where did they go? The truth is that the U.S. knows the answer, but has not revealed it, and it has remained one of its military secrets.

"In the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, during the battle for Baghdad Airport, a high-ranking Iraqi officer that refused to be named revealed that, on April 3-4, 2003, the U.S. had struck the airport with tactical nukes that melted the bodies of Iraqi soldiers and their tanks, leaving nothing but their spines. By April 5, high-ranking [Iraqi] commanders were convinced of the existence of these bombs, which compelled Republican Guard Commander Seif Al-Din Al-Tikriti to order some of the Republican Guard divisions to withdraw in the hopes of regrouping [later], fearing the American bombs that could melt their bodies. He said in shock: 'The U.S. fights us using a devastating weapon that has never been heard of in [the history of] war, which is a gas that melts people, rocks, and iron.' The Battle of Baghdad ended, the American army took over the sister [country] Iraq along with its allies, and the gas bombs that melt everything were forgotten; no one spoke of them or asked the U.S. about this horrible weapon and whether its use is banned in international [law], or how it had defeated the Iraqi forces."

The U.S. Supplied The Gas To Israel As Well

"Israel acquired this gas from its greatest ally - the U.S.... In 1999, after the outbreak of the Al-Aqsa Intifada, Israeli forces attacked the Jenin refugee camp.[2] The peace doves [in the form of] Apache Helicopters directed their rockets at the Palestinian people and the Merkava tanks sent their shells as gifts from Israel to the defenseless Palestinian people in the heroic camp - the Jenin refugee camp. The battle lasted 10 days, and camp residents defended it with what weapons they had and with bare chests, and despite this, the armed Israeli forces were unable to enter the camp. The Israeli chief of staff at the time, Shaul Mofaz, was furious. He relieved the commander of the force that had assaulted the camp of his duties and personally took command of the operation. He did this without shame, since Israel claims that its army is the strongest in the Middle East, and despite this, the chief of staff himself [had to] command the attack of a target that is merely a refugee camp, not a fortress. After 15 days of hard fighting, the Israeli forces entered the camp, and the result was akin to an earthquake. Israel carried out a despicable massacre that exceeded all of its past massacres.

"There were 3,000 young people in the Jenin refugee camp who defended their homes against the Israeli forces. When these forces entered the camp, the horrible massacre began. The Israeli army pursued these young people and killed them on sight. The attack ended after the massacre. Israel killed 3,000 young Palestinians, but astonishingly, the dead bodies were never recovered. There were 3,000 armed young men, all of whom were killed by Israel, but where are the martyrs' bodies? Especially [in light of the fact] that ambulances were prevented from reaching the injured, until they had bled out and died as martyrs. This is the morality of Jewish racism.

"The Palestinian delegation to the Security Council requested to send an inquiry board to discover what had become of the martyrs' bodies. And indeed, the Security Council took a resolution to launch an investigation into the Jenin massacre, but Israel refused to cooperate with it and barred the inquiry board from entering Israel. The big question... is whether there is something that Israel fears? The truth later leaked, which is that Israel used a poison gas that melts martyrs' bodies. The bodies crumbled to ash and melted under the rubble.

"It is no secret that there is an alliance between the U.S. and Israel, but it is a dirty alliance. This poison gas, which is unknown to both small and large countries, began to be exposed on October 4, 1992, when a civilian Israeli El Al airliner, en route from New York to Tel-Aviv, crashed in Amsterdam due to a mechanical failure.[3] When the control tower asked what the plane was carrying, the captain replied that it was carrying textiles en route to Tel-Aviv. After the plane crashed on residential buildings in Amsterdam, a fire broke out, killing 250 Dutch citizens. But, strangely, the Dutch police and firefighters could not recover the fuselage or the bodies of the passengers. It became clear that the plane was carrying poison gas that melted the fuselage and the bodies of the passengers, and there was a spate of cancers in that area.

"This was why Israel feared the inquiry board approved by the Security Council to investigate the disappearance of the bodies in the camp of heroism - the Jenin refugee camp. This clarifies the determination of the U.S. and its protege, Israel, to terrorize and destroy the world. These are the fangs of Satan, the fangs of the new vampire Dracula."

Endnotes:
As Kashmir burns, the intellectuals blame the Indian Army. Meanwhile, the Hurriyat continues to add fuel to this fire, unquestioned by these keyboard ninjas. Targeting all these so called intellectuals has emerged retired Chief of the Indian Army, General V.K. Singh. The best thing is that he has some questions that will make you think very, very hard.

 BCCL

How many Kashmiris did Burhan Wani save while the half of the Kashmir was devastated during floods last year?

Singh tries to question everybody who thinks that Indian Army occupation is the cause of unrest in the valley. His argument that the Indian Army was the savior of the valley during one of the worst floods in the history of Kashmir is very much self-explanatory.

While some young men top the Civil Services and serve the nation, some decided to pick arms against it.

The former general also talked about how the youth of Kashmir stands divided.

Kashmir will be ours. There was no doubt about it in 1947 and there will be no doubt about it now and in the future.

Heres the original post that Singh shared on his Facebook page.
The volatile environment in Kashmir following the death of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani has polarized an entire nation. In the aftermath of that encounter, 44 civilians have been killed till now, engulfing the valley in a mindless cycle of violence. And, its safe to say that despite the complete lockdown in Kashmir for the past few days, the situation is not simmering down even one bit.

Views and counter-views, in the wake of protests in the valley, have stormed the internet. And as expected, because of the rightist social media dialogue in the country, very few make sense despite the usual cautious patriotic overtones ringing in the Indian-army-is-sacrosanct script.

 Facebook

Drifting from the same sycophancy, an ex-army major in the Indian army, Dinesh Tiwari, has come out to share why the valley still burns despite efforts to bring the Kashmiri youth into the mainstream fold. And no matter how much you think you know about the situation in Kashmir, this post shows that the deep-rooted distrust between the army and the civilians is too great for our politicians to even fathom.

Read what the ex-major wrote and decide for yourself.

I have been to Kashmir. No, not as a tourist.

I have lived there. I have worked there.

I was part of the heavy military instrument of the Indian State in the paradise, guarding it from the heaven dwellers themselves. And some mischievous neighbors too.

As a 21 year old, with the might of one of the biggest militaries in the world behind me and its command pinned on my shoulders, its determination manifested in the AK in my hand, I have roamed the towns and villages with authority which none of the Burhan Wanis or Bhatts or Wazirs or Bhans or Wattals or anybody else whose land it was, would have dared to.

Ironically, as a Citizen of Nepal, serving in the Indian Army, I was a bundle of contradictions myself.

 Reuters

When I led a group of armed men through a tense neighborhood, I could not help recall the state I was in myself as a teenager, back home in Nepal, angry and frustrated because of the curfew imposed in my hometown, from six in the evening to six in the morning every day for years.

When the maoist insurgency was at its peak, I was a teenager. I have been frisked, violated, insulted; made to do pushups and squats just because I asked the police man at the check post to repeat himself when he instructed something and I did not properly hear.

There were regular visits to our houses-- by police in uniform, by police without uniform, by a secret police who every one knew was a secret police; also from unknown people with weapons prominently hidden under wraps, meant to be seen and feared, demanding food, shelter, and money.

I was angry, very angry. I was angry at the then mysterious figure of Prachanda, whose only one picture in combat fatigues was public at that time. I was angry at the ideologue Dr Baburam Bhattarai -- legendary nepal topper (Board First) and PhD from JNU -- who was known to be the brain behind the movement.

I was angry at the people who marched in my town with weapons held high, after they blew away the local bank and the police station.

I was also angry at the policeman who frisked me, dragged me by my arm, threw my bag scattering away all my stuff on the floor and pinned me down to the ground and poked the back of my neck with a pointed object. It wasn't a stick. It was cold and heavy. I did not see it but a chill ran down my spine.

It blew up the anger. I was angry at the government. At the state, which had ignored so many people for so many years that they were ready to fight, and kill and die.

Also, I was angry at myself. Without knowing the reason, without a target, the anger was building up and building pressure and engulfing me.

I was lucky. I had options to flee. I fled at the right time.

When I looked at a beautiful Kashmiri child, who approached me with an innocent admiration and a genuine query, 'You must be Kashmiri, are you Kashmiri?', I was fumbling for an answer.

I would have liked to tell him -- 'Yes, I am.'

I would have loved to say -- 'Yes, we are. We are all Kashmiris. We are all heaven dwellers.'

I would have wanted him to know--'We are here for you. We are your men.'

I would have wanted to give him a smile, a nudge, pinch his cheeks, and ruffle his hair a bit and say, 'Yes, I am a Kashmiri. And I love Kashmir. And you.'

But I did not. Because I did not. I did not love Kashmir. And I did not love that child.

I was not a Kashmiri. And I was not a tourist.

 Reuters

Kashmir, for me was a duty. An assignment, an ardous task that had to be fulfilled to my utmost capability and most importantly, survived.

I did not pack a camera, few romantic novels and Faiz and Gulzar's poetry books before stepping on to the heaven.

I was trained to kill, and armed for it. My literature was bloody.

As a preparation, I was not educated on the beauty the land was but on the contours of terror that prevailed within the landscape.

I did not go through accounts of romantic unions in the scenic backdrops, but brainstormed over hundreds of case studies of bloody and fatal encounters in the terrain.

For me Kashmir was not to be appreciated, but assessed, analysed and acted upon, and survived.

For me the innocent child was not that innocent.

The images of children carrying messages, supplies and even weapons, read in the extensive case studies, immediately cropped up in my mind.

Even before noticing his sparkling beautiful blue eyes, pink apple-like cheeks, and loveliest smile, I had to scan through his whole body to know what was hidden.

Images of children blowing themselves away in front of security forces flashed before me even before I could comprehend the emotions in his voice.

 Reuters

Even before I could think of extending my hand to ruffle his hair, the grip on the AK tightened automatically and my trigger finger was alert.

No, my friend, I am not a Kashmiri. I could not be one. I was not expected to be one. Therefore, I was not educated to be one. I was not trained to be one.

And I do not love you and your Kashmir. I could not. I was not expected to. I was not educated to. I was not trained to.

I was fumbling for an answer. I did not reply.

The child's mother came running, lifted him up and dragged him away hurriedly, slouching a bit, without even looking at me.

Today, he must be Burhan's age. And we don't love him still. And that is one of the reasons why Kashmir burns.

~ Dinesh Tiwari

This was originally posted by Dinesh Tiwari here on Facebook.
City swelters as sizzling hot days come right after plum rain season

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-07-20 15:03

THE city swelters today with the mercury topping 36 degrees Celsius by noon, which soon triggered this year's first orange heat wave alert, forecasters said.

Under the subtropical high, the heat wave rolls into Shanghai on the first day we've been out of the plum rain season. The Shanghai Meteorological Bureau issued a yellow alert for it at 9:40am and it was soon upgraded an orange one at 1:04pm. Most districts recorded their mercury at above 35 degrees and a high of 37 degrees is expected in downtown as well as suburban Baoshan and Jiading Districts.

Such sizzling condition with highs between 35 and 37 degrees is expected to last into the weekend.

Skies are likely to be mostly cloudy between Thursday and Sunday but there is still a slim chance for a few scattered showers.
Casualties reported as seaplane crashes into bridge in Jinshan

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-07-20 15:03

A seaplane crashed into a bridge in a test flight in Shanghais Jinshan District today.

The 9-seat Cessna 208B propeller seaplane with Joy General Aviation of neighboring Zhoushan Archipelago crashed into the No. 7835 Bridge along the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway at 12:15pm, 10 minutes after it took off from the Jinshan City Beach for its trial flight.

Eight passengers, including a reporter and a cameraman with Shanghai Television to report the new flight opening, along with the captain and deputy pilot, were onboard the plane. The captain and four passengers were sent to the Jinshan Hospital after being salvaged from the Hangzhou Bay, while rescues are still trying to locate and save the others.

The captain is 63 years old with over 40 years of flying experiences. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The seaplane that costs about 30 million yuan is scheduled to operate a new shuttle flight route between Zhoushan and the citys Jinshan District.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dimitris Mardas returns today from Nairobi, where he represented Greece at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 14 Ministerial session, the theme of which was From Decisions to Actions on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.



During the UNCTAD plenary, Mr. Mardas expressed Greeces support for reforming the Organizations institutional framework with the aim of simplifying the decision-making process, enhancing effectiveness and increasing the potential for implementing projects through securing the requisite resources.



He also stressed that, in view of the 2030 Agenda, immediate practical solutions must be found to strengthen connectivity between southern and norther states, the effectiveness of governments and, in general, international cooperation. At the same time, he referred to the determining factors that promote or hinder trade transactions between the north and south, and he proposed ways to improve industrial cooperation between enterprises of industrial and developing states.



Mr. Mardas also had a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Kenya, during which the excellent level of bilateral relations was reaffirmed and there was a discussion of ways to further deepen these relations in all sectors.



During his visit to Kenya, Mr. Mardas, who was accompanied by Larissa MP and chairman of the Greece-Kenya Friendship Parliamentary Group Nikolaos Papadopoulos, led a Greek business mission to Nairobi, where meetings were arranged between Greek entrepreneurs already active in Kenya or interested in becoming active there and representatives of the Kenyan public and private sectors. In this context, Mr. Mardas, accompanied by entrepreneurs, met with the Minister for East Africa, Labor and Employment, the Physical Planning Minister, the Deputy Tourism Minister, and the Vice President and CEO of Kenyas National Chamber of Commerce.
Today is the 42nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, which ushered in the ongoing illegal occupation of over a third of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the United Nations and the European Union.



The repercussions of the Turkish invasion include the uprooting of over 200,000 Cypriots from their ancient hearths, the humanitarian tragedy of the missing, the systematic and  according to Turkish Cypriot protests  still ongoing Turkish settlement, and looting of the Greek and Christian heritage, of the occupied areas.



Greece does not and will never accept the consequences of the Turkish invasion. It has made it clear to all sides that the elimination of the anachronistic system of guarantees and the withdrawal of all Turkish occupation forces  which, as the recent events in Turkey confirmed, undermine rather than ensure constitutional order and democratic normalcy  are an integral part of the solution of the Cyprus problem.



A constant concern and chief pursuit of our foreign policy is the ending of the ongoing Turkish occupation, which assails not only the rights of the Greek Cypriot community, but also those of the Turkish Cypriot community. Our goal is the achievement of a just, viable, comprehensive and agreed solution of the Cyprus problem, based on the relevant UN resolutions and the implementation of the community acquis throughout the territory of Cyprus.



Today, we bow to the memory of our brothers who fell in Cyprus in 1974. We express our respect for and patriotic gratitude to all the defenders, Cypriots and Greeks, of the Republic of Cyprus.



Greece is and will remain at Cyprus side, assisting and supporting Cypriot Hellenism and the whole of the Cypriot people.
5 killed as seaplane crashes into bridge in Jinshan

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-07-20 15:25

FIVE people died after a seaplane crashed into a bridge during a test flight in Shanghais Jinshan District today.

The 9-seat Cessna 208B propeller seaplane owned by Joy General Aviation based in neighboring Zhoushan Archipelago crashed into the No. 7835 Bridge along the Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway at 12:15pm, 10 minutes after it took off from the Jinshan City Beach for a trial flight.

There were 10 people onboard, including eight passengers, the captain and the copilot.All of them were rushed to the Jinshan Hospital. Five of them were pronounced dead in hospital.

The captain, who is 63 years old, reportedly has over 40 years of flying experience. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The 30-million-yuan seaplane was scheduled to operate a new shuttle flight route between Zhoushan and the citys Jinshan District.
Jade Buddha Temple begins cooking seasonal vegetarian mooncakes after abbot blessing

From:Shanghai Daily | 2016-07-20 17:09

SHANGHAIS Jade Buddha Temple began cooking its popular vegetarian mooncake today after the temples abbot blessed the traditional Mid-autumn Festival food.

About 4 million mooncakes in over 20 flavors will be made in the next 50 days this year by about 170 senior cookers, including many who have been making mooncakes in the temple for over three decades, said Huang Zhiliang, general manager with the vegetarian food company of the temple.

The traditional Suzhou and Cantonese style mooncakes are being made through stuff making, modeling and baking that can hardly be produced by machines, Huang said.

More simply packed mooncakes, about 20 percent more than that of last year, will be made this year as fewer people are buying the mooncakes as gifts under the nations frugality campaign, but buy to eat themselves, he added.

The temple has a 30-year tradition of making mooncakes for the Mid-autumn Festival that falls on September 15 this year.

The temples abbot and senior monks bless the mooncakes, and people believe they will bring good luck. The mooncakes are available in the temple and supermarkets across the city from today.

For the overseas market, most buyers are overseas Chinese and foreign visitors to the temple on Jiangning Road in Putuo District which receives millions of foreign tourists every year, according to Huang.
Zhangjiakou invites scholars to explore its history

From:chinadaily.com.cn | 2016-07-20 14:45

An international academic seminar about Zhangjiakou will be held from Aug 16 to 18 in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province. The long history and cultures of Zhangjiakou, which was an important international hub in the past, will be discussed, as well as the city's connection with the Belt and Road Initiative.

It will invite about 80 scholars from China and 10 overseas countries such as the United States, Russia and Australia, organizers announced at a news conference in Beijing.

Wang Jingwu, Zhangjiakou's deputy Party secretary, said that during the 13th century, the city connected China with East Asia, the Middle East and Europe along the Silk Road. The seminar can promote the citys glorious past and make the world understand more about China.

As Beijing and Zhangjiakou will jointly hold the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, he is confident about Zhangjiakou's tourism potential. He said it's a good gateway for holidays, with its attractive natural environment.

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Awards boost creative work in Chinese culture
Mr. Zhou Muyao talks on Shanghais people-to-people diplomacy

By:Zhang Yijiong | From:english.eastday.com | 2016-07-18 09:44

Shanghai, July 18-To mark the 60th anniversary of founding of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC), Shanghai local news portal website Eastday.com had an interview with Zhou Muyao, former Shanghai vice-mayor and vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Peoples Congress, who traced back the achievements in the citys people-to-people diplomacy since the very beginning of the 21st century and expressed wishes for its future development.





In the early years of the 21st century, Zhou was a senior official in charge of local foreign affairs of Shanghai and also served as president of the SPAFFC. Foreign affairs and people-to-people exchanges with foreign countries were of great significance as China faced up with another golden era for her development in the new century, Zhou remembered. He believes that people-to-people diplomatic work, or in other frank words, making friends should better serve the citys economic development, cultural exchange and social development.

What makes Shanghais people-to-people diplomacy?





Shanghai is a city typical of the ideas of a Chinese saying that all rivers run into sea, which means the city always opens arms to diversities in cultural background as her unban spirit. For years, the city thinks it her compelling obligation to serve the whole country and to see the world as well. Zhou said that since Shanghai opened to the outside world quite early, it is easy for exotic cultures to survive in the city and expats will find only a little difficulty in getting accustomed to living, which have paved way for development of people-to-people diplomacy.





The SPAFFC is a mass organization committed to forging closer ties between Shanghai and the world and to making Shanghai better known by people all over the world. Since its establishment in 1956, the association has created variety of opportunities for communication and exchange. For instance, in 2015 the association received a total of 161 delegations from 58 different countries and organized and assisted in 28 groups abroad. Also, so far the association has maintained good relationships with 345 foreign friendly organizations. Zhou believes that Shanghais people-to-people diplomacy is well driven by a professional seasoned team who has sixty-year-long profound working experience.

The childrens diplomacy





The SPAFFC devotes itself to collaboration and exchange between the city and the world in economy, society, hi-tech, culture, education, sports, etc. Zhou emphasized that the associations real value comes in making friends, which means connecting with other countries in people-to-people ways, especially in communication among juveniles and children from all over the world.





In 1990s the people-to-people diplomacy was envisioned for establishment of a smooth mechanism for juveniles and children from domestic and all over the world. The association organized the Shanghai International Childrens Cultural and Art Festival and the Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp.





Starting from 1994, the Shanghai International Childrens Cultural & Art Festival is the oldest multi-national childrens cultural exchange program in China. So far, the festival has drawn nearly six thousand participants from over forty countries and regions who have made friendships with more than ten thousand domestic children. The childrens diplomacy also means letting domestic children go abroad besides welcoming foreign children to China. The festival was held in Sydney in 2005 and in Rome in 2008.





From 2005 to 2016 the Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp has received in total over a thousand young participants from nearly fifty countries and regions. The features of joy, interaction, friendship and to be a folk ambassador were shown with a string of experience programs of to become a Shanghainese in one day, I love Shanghai Urban Orienteering Competition, A Bite of China Chinese cuisine, and folk craftworks.

Honorary Citizen and Magnolia Award





Zhou hopes that the SPAFFC will pass on the fine tradition of making friends to make Shanghai Honorary Citizens and winners of Shanghai Magnolia Award better known throughout the world.





The year of 1989 saw the very beginning of honoring foreigners who live in Shanghai for their outstanding contributions to the citys development. In 1992 the city established Magnolia Gold Award and Magnolia Silver Award. In 1993 the honorable award was given for the first time to the foreign friends for their achievements in Shanghais economic development, social development and foreign exchange. In 1997 the Shanghai honorary citizenship title was introduced as the top level prize for expats in the city. By the end of 2015, 39 expats were titled as Shanghai Honorary Citizen, 289 winners of Magnolia Gold Award, and 1009 of Magnolia Silver Award.

The future prosperity of Shanghais people-to-people diplomacy





In the new century, shanghai local people have shown mounting enthusiasm in foreign exchange and thus have had closer ties with people from all over the world. For the future vision of people-to-people diplomacy, Zhou advised deep engagement of the mass and making innovation. Thats to say, the previous practice of more welcome and less going abroad is in need of transition into the way of more welcome and more going abroad.





In March 2016 the association has started to work in strategic cooperation with Eastday.com in overseas marketing, branding, event planning, and people-to-people exchange, of which Zhou highly praised, saying that people-to-people diplomacy should keep up with the development tendency of Internet+.





For Chinese version please click: http://shzw.eastday.com/G/20160628/u1ai9479697.html




The Lansing State Journal reports an East Lansing-themed piano was installed Monday as part of Keys in the Cities. It's decorated with sheet music for the Michigan State University fight song, a block "S'' and replicas of some local landmarks.

Larry Grudt, executive director for Keys in the Cities, says about a dozen donated pianos have been decorated and installed in Lansing and East Lansing. The project that's organized through Lansing art gallery Keys to Creativity is in its second year.

Pianos located outdoors will stay in place through mid-October, while those located indoors will remain year round. The program could expand statewide next year.
CASS CITY  Proponents of wind energy in the Thumb hosted the final of four community conversations Monday night at Cass City High School, and the majority of the audience left in favor of wind turbines.

Wind Works Michigan touted benefits to the tax base and local economy, farmland preservation, and stable farm income as reasons why wind energy is good for rural communities.

Gratiot County is considered a national model for wind farm planning, said Donald Schurr, president of Greater Gratiot Development Inc.

Wind is, from my perspective in a rural area, its bringing opportunities for the community to have wealth opportunities, he told a crowd of about 50 people, who were both for and against the renewable energy source.

Of those in the audience that participated in polls throughout the presentation, 44 percent were strongly in favor of wind turbines, and 34 percent opposed them. The remainder of the audience was neutral.

Audience members were given a clicker to vote on a variety of wind-related questions.

By the end of the presentation, 64 percent of the audience thought wind farms would benefit Michigans Thumb; 24 percent disagreed, and the rest were neutral.

Other issues presented included how wind turbines affect property values; state, county and local zoning issues; environmental factors and decommissioning the turbines.

In Michigan, The counties that experienced wind growth also experienced the highest developing value of property because of the wind turbines, Schurr said.

Matthew J. Wagner, manager of wind development for DTE energy, cited a study that shows there is a chance that wind farms may increase property values  although that was challenged by audience members.

According to Schurrs presentation, Huron County received $18.9 million in wind revenue from 2014 to 2015. Gratiot County received $16.6 million; Tuscola County 8 million, and Sanilac County $3.2 million.

All other things aside, it does make money for the communities, Schurr said.

Can you remember the days when we were talking about cutting staff, cutting sheriffs department, cutting everything? Well, were still having fights in Gratiot County. Were fighting over how to spend it instead of how to cut it.

Were not Pollyanna. These are big honkin machines. They change the environment and the landscape forever. Is it something that makes sense for us collectively to pay attention and live with that?

Gratiot County began holding countywide meetings to work with developers and do research.

And most of all, we got a regional reputation for collaboration, he said.

Chuck Lippstreu of Michigan Agri-Business Association said any community that has the potential to host wind turbines should be having a dialogue about wind energy.

Wind energy preserves open space and affords long-term protection for farmland and agriculture, he said.

Skip Pruss, a representative from 5 Lakes Energy of Lansing, presented environmental data on various energy sources, and how wind energy leaves a smaller footprint than other sources, such as coal and nuclear.

Many companies, he said, have 100 percent zero carbon goals, and will only invest in communities that have clean energy sources, such as wind and solar.

The meeting lasted about 2 hours.
FILION  William H. Nelson learned to fly on a 40-acre plot near his childhood home in Filion aboard an old Piper Cub.

The lightweight airplane topped out at speeds of just 75 miles per hour, but it was fast enough for him to want more. He honed his skills playfully buzzing over longtime friend Lloyd Davidson, as he tended to the family farm on his tractor.

Soon Nelson would join the Air Force.

By the time Nelson, a colonel, was training pilots at the McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, during the Vietnam War, he was a decorated war hero, having already served his country during World War II and the Korean War. His job at the base was to help pilots transition into the F-105 Thunderchief.

Eventually, Nelsons wing was transferred to Takhli Air Base in Thailand to fight in North Vietnam. The Filion native was the vice-commander of the 355th Tac Fighter Wing, which received a Presidential Unit Citation for its action.

He was in the Air Force because he loved to fly, said Bob Nelson, who was 13 years old when his father went off to Vietnam. He believed in his country and he thought if they said it was the right thing to do, he was willing to believe it and go for it. He was part of that generation that wasnt as skeptical as some of us are now.

At Takhli Air Base, a young Hubert Oxford III served as Captain Staff Judge Advocate during that time with Col. Nelson. For a period of about 10 months, from late 1965 through July 1966, the two got to know each other quite well.

For some reason, Col. Nelson took me under his wing and we became friends, Oxford recalled. He was a caring commander, a dedicated warrior.

Flying a mission south of Hoa Binh, Vietnam on July 20, 1966, Colonel Nelson crashed  possibly shot down by enemy fire  and died.

In World War II, if you made 25 missions in a B-17 and were still alive, you got to go home, Oxford said. These guys had to fly 100 missions over North Vietnam to be able to go home. Knowing you had to face that every day and get up and do it again the next day  you had to have plenty of guts, Ill tell you that.

Oxford said it was a bad day at the base when any pilot failed to return. It was exceptionally bad when he found out about Col. Nelson.

In some air bases you go to, theres a big difference between a person that flies an airplane and a person whos there to serve the people who fly the airplanes, Oxford said. But on this base, everybody was in it together  it was a good relationship between everybody.

For years, Nelsons body was not found. However, on Sept. 30, 1977, the Vietnamese returned his remains, with positive identification announced by the U.S. government less than a month later. He was eventually buried in Colfax Township Cemetery, just outside of Bad Axe.

It wasnt one event, it was a series of events, said Bob Nelson. Normally you die and youre buried. That wasnt quite the way it worked out.

Today is the 50th anniversary of Col. Nelsons death. Bob Nelson and his sisters Judith and Barbara think about their father a lot  but this years date will be particularly hard with the recent passing of their mother, Marjorie, who was 95.

The day always rings a bell, an emotional Nelson said. My mom just died a couple of weeks ago, so this will be the first time I havent called her on that day.

For Oxford, the date will provide another day to remember the man who had such a lasting impact on him.

I considered him my mentor and it was a tremendous blessing to have known him, Oxford said. He was a great American and represented all that is good in our country.

Added Oxford: I want the people from your part of the world to know that they had a hero from Filion.
Retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn railed against Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama and unisex bathrooms in a fiery but scattershot address that capped a raucous and emotional first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Monday.

Clinton is an "Obama clone" who would put the interests of other nations above those of the U.S., said Flynn, a national security adviser to Donald Trump who was passed over as a vice presidential choice in favor of Republican Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana.

"Wake up, America!" Flynn shouted to a hall that was emptying following the address by the candidate's wife, Melania Trump. Her speech has now come under criticism for allegedly plagiarizing sections from Michelle Obama's 2008 speech to the Democratic National Convention.

"The destructive pattern of putting the interests of other nations ahead of our own will end when Donald Trump is president," said Flynn, the former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. "We do not need a reckless president who believes she is above the law."

Flynn appeared to be calling for unleashing the U.S. military against a host of enemies but, as with other speakers before him, did not provide any guidelines on how that should be done.

Instead, Flynn went on a riff about bathrooms. He seemed to suggest that Democrats' support for the rights of transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice was sapping America's will to win.

"War is not about bathrooms," Flynn said. "War is not about political correctness or words that are meaningless. War is about winning."

He added that "America's once traditional, undisputed role as world leader is now in jeopardy. It's in jeopardy, folks. Coddling and displays of empathy toward terrorists is not a strategy for defeating these murderers, as Obama and Hillary Clinton would like us to believe."

Earlier at the convention, the grieving mother of one of the four Americans killed in the Sept. 11, 2012, attacks on the U.S. compound in Benghazi, Libya, said through tears that Clinton lied to her about what led to the deadly assault.

Patricia Smith, the mother of slain Foreign Service officer Sean Smith, said that "For all of this loss, for all of this grief, for all of the cynicism the tragedy in Benghazi has wrought upon America, I blame Hillary Clinton. I blame Hillary Clinton personally for the death of my son. How could she do this to me?"

Smith, who has made the claim before, said that "In an email to her daughter [Chelsea] shortly after the attack, Hillary Clinton blamed it on terrorism," Smith said.

But "when I saw Hillary Clinton at Sean's coffin ceremony, just days later, she looked me squarely in the eye and told me a video was responsible. Since then, I have repeatedly asked Hillary Clinton to explain to me the real reason why my son is dead. I'm still waiting."

The video in question was a trailer for a slapdash, low-budget movie called "Innocence of the Muslims" made in California and mocking Islam that was put up on YouTube in July 2012, well before the Benghazi attacks. An Arabic version of the trailer was uploaded onto YouTube on Sept. 4, 2012.

The State Department condemned the video, which was blamed for inspiring attacks on the U.S. Embassies in Cairo, Khartoum and Tunis. Protests and attacks related to the video resulted in a number of deaths and injuries across the Middle East, Africa, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

However, as numerous State Department, congressional and independent investigations have found, the attacks in Benghazi were premeditated and not related to the video.

Clinton has disputed Smith's account of what was said by herself, President Obama and National Security Adviser Susan Rice at Joint Base Andrews in private conversations with the families when the bodies of the four Americans were returned three days after the Benghazi attacks.

The fact-checkers at PolitiFact, a project of the Tampa Bay Times and affiliated news organizations, have been unable to resolve the dispute.

"It is impossible to know with certainty what Clinton told these families in brief conversations at a private reception only three days after Benghazi," PolitiFact concluded.

"Some, but not all, family members who have spoken to the media said Clinton mentioned a video or protests in their meeting. Some said she didn't mention a video. Clinton says she did not."

"If she did say something about the video, would it have been an intentional lie? It's very possible that this is one of the many conflicting pieces of intelligence that the administration was working with at the time. There simply is not enough concrete information in the public domain for anyone to claim as fact that Clinton did or did not lie to the Benghazi families."

-- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com.
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.
Senior U.S. Army maneuver officials recently took part in a firepower demonstration of reconnaissance vehicle prototypes less than two months after the service killed the Light Reconnaissance Vehicle effort.

Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, along with leaders from the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, Georgia, attended the June 15 live-fire event at Benning's Red Cloud range to demonstrate the firepower potential of mounting 30mm cannons on different recon vehicle prototypes.

McMaster, director of the Army Capabilities Integration Center and deputy commanding general of Futures at Training and Doctrine Command, has been a strong supporter of equipping scout formations with a new Light Reconnaissance Vehicle since 2012.

The Capabilities Development and Integration Directorate Mounted Requirements Division at the Maneuver Center of Excellence teamed up with General Dynamics Corp.'s land and ordnance and tactical system units to host the demo.

The exercise featured the ground mobility vehicle 1.1 prototype firing the M230-LF 30mm cannon and the light armored vehicle combat reconnaissance vehicle prototype with a Kongsberg turret firing an integrated MK44 30mm cannon.

Related Video:

Army Live-Fire Demo of 30mm Vehicular Weapons

Both weapon systems are belt-fed and vehicle mounted. The M230-LF is identical to the cannon used on the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, other than being belt-fed. And the MK44 is similar to the main gun on the Bradley Fighting Vehicle, but the Bradley's gun is chambered for 25mm.

Scouts need a specialized vehicle with enough firepower to destroy enemy recon formations, a point that McMaster continues to emphasize.

"To overmatch that enemy in those encounter actions, you need some firepower," McMaster told the audience after watching the devastating effects of 30mm ammunition on rusted-out tanks down range.

"We are facing threats, enemies and adversaries who have watched us very closely in recent years and have adapted their capabilities and developed new capabilities that have resulted in our forces in the future potentially losing our ability to overmatch the enemy in close combat."

McMaster and other leaders at the event said they hoped the demo would help drive more discussion on the need for specialty vehicles in the service's combat formations.

"This is an effort to invigorate and improve the capabilities of our reconnaissance formations and, in particular though, to make sure every Army formation has that appropriate combination of mobility, protection and lethality," McMaster said.

The Army quietly canceled its Light Reconnaissance Vehicle program in June, opting instead to equip cavalry scout units with the more general-purpose Joint Light Tactical Vehicle.

That decision came without notice after maneuver leaders held a two-week vehicle assessment at Benning last August involving six companies as part of a platform demonstration to evaluate prototypes from industry.

Instead, the Army will equip scout units in infantry brigade combat teams with JLTVs with potential sensor and lethality upgrades, officials maintain.

The service awarded Oshkosh Corp. a $6.7 billion contract last fall to build the first 17,000 production models of the JLTV. Both the Army and Marine Corps plan to buy a total of nearly 55,000 of the combat vehicles, including 49,100 for the Army and 5,500 for the Corps, to replace about a third of the Humvee fleets.

But maneuver officials maintain that the Army should not wait until the next major war to realize that its combat formations don't have the type of vehicles they need for the next fight.

"The inter-war period is critical because it is a time when you must leverage an opportunity to get ready for the next conflict," Maj. Gen. Eric Wesley, commanding general of the Maneuver Center of Excellence, told the audience. "And if you don't leverage that opportunity, you are frittering away a resource that has strategic implications."

Wesley also said that the Maneuver Center has a responsibility to show the Army leadership the types of vehicle platform programs that the service needs to field.

"We've got to make changes so that we are agile," he said. "We need to take on leadership in this role, and that is why we are doing this at Fort Benning, Georgia."

-- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com.
A measure passed by a House committee last week would make it harder and potentially dangerous for active-duty troops and veteran couples to receive some federally funded fertility treatments, critics say.

Injured troops still on active duty currently can receive infertility treatment, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), through the Defense Department. A measure to extend the same benefit to veterans treated through the Department of Veterans Affairs for service-connected infertility received bipartisan support in recent legislation, but was blocked from passing after a dispute between Senate Democrats and Republicans over Zika virus research funding attached to the bill.

Now both could be jeopardized through an amendment included in a Labor and Health and Human Services spending bill approved by the House Appropriations Committee on July 14.

The amendment, sponsored by Rep. Andrew Harris, a Maryland Republican, would block the federal government from funding IVF unless "such treatments do not result in the destruction of viable human embryos before embryo transfer," according to a committee summary.

During IVF, a woman's eggs are removed from her body and fertilized with sperm. Several days later, after doctors have observed the eggs' viability, some of the eggs are returned to the woman's body in hopes that a pregnancy results, while the remaining eggs are frequently stored through a delicate freezing process known as cryopreservation, said Erin Kramer, an IVF expert and director of government affairs at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

If the pregnancy attempt fails, the remaining eggs may be thawed and implanted. But sometimes, Kramer said, thawing can naturally result in some of the remaining eggs no longer being viable and, therefore, destroyed.

The only way to avoid freezing or the possible resulting destruction of remaining embryos is to implant them all, which could result in a high-risk pregnancy or premature birth as the woman attempts to carry to term multiple babies.

The amendment, Kramer said, would force federally funded doctors, including those at the VA and DoD, either to implant all embryos at once or to freeze and store the remaining embryos indefinitely, with no chance at a second implantation attempt should the first one fail, she said.

"It actually makes the practice of IVF dangerous, and it would actually preclude the cryopreservation and thawing process," Kramer said. "Nobody plans to be infertile. Nobody ever expects to be infertile. ... Here you have active-duty service members and veterans who are infertile because they served."

Harris and his staff did not respond by deadline to requests for comment.

Officials with the Wounded Warrior Project, who are advocating for the measure that would allow the VA to provide IVF treatment, said they were surprised by the funding rules amendment after months of building what they saw as solid bipartisan support around the issue.

"This was something that came late in the process," said Brian Dempsey, an attorney with the Wounded Warrior Project who has worked on the issue. "We thought this was a done deal, and we're now entering a different discussion here, and one that ... provides no new benefit to veterans or their families."

The VA rule for IVF, included in the spending bill covering the VA and military construction, is on hold at least until September when Congress returns from summer recess. At that time, the bill could be passed or could be further delayed if lawmakers do not reach a consensus, Dempsey said.

"At the end of the day, veterans and their families still don't have access to any benefits at the VA that will allow them to pursue IVF," he said. "Wounded Warrior Project's number one priority is to get this benefit to veterans and their families."

-- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com.
The Ferrari FF is an all-wheel drive, four-seat sports car with a V-12 engine. This one was spotted outside the Skillman Library in downtown Detroit.

DETROIT - Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Daimler Van vehicles have been added to a list of new cars and trucks being sold with potentially defective airbags made by Takata Corp.

A report released Wednesday by Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), who leads a Senate commerce committee, cites several makes and models that are equipped with part in question.

Takata-made airbags are part of an unprecedented recall that spans 14 automakers and 22 brands, and includes some 34 million vehicles in the U.S.

At the heart of the recall is an airbag inflator that can become explosive and send metal pieces flying through the cabin of the vehicle when it's deployed.

Nelson's report adds these vehicles to the list of new cars and trucks with defective airbag inflators:

Daimler Vans

2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

Ferrari

2016 Ferrari FF

2016 Ferrari California T

2017 Ferrari California T

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB/488 Spider

2017 Ferrari 488 GTB/488 Spider

2016 Ferrari F12/F12tdf

2017 Ferrari F12/F12tdf

2017 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

Mercedes-Benz

2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe/Convertible

2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe/Convertible

The faulty Takata airbags have been linked to at least 13 deaths, including 10 in the U.S., as well as more than 100 injuries.

The chemical propellant that ignites the air bag inflators - ammonium nitrate - can be damaged by moisture over time in humid environments. Once damaged, the propellant becomes explosive.

The Takata airbags affected by the expanded recall lack a chemical drying agent, also known as a desiccant.

Automakers have until the end of 2018 to recall affected vehicles, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In the meantime, the cars and truck with the faulty airbags can still legally be sold, because the newer airbags would take time to deteriorate and automakers will presumably fix them via the recall before then.

Fiat Chrysler, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Volkswagen had previously told the Senate committee that they have new makes and models with Takata airbags that are included in the recall. Those vehicles include:

FCA

2016 Jeep Wrangler

Mitsubishi

2016 - 2017 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Toyota

2015 Scion xB

2015 Lexus IS250C / 350C

2015 - 2016 Lexus GX460

2015 - 2016 Toyota 4Runner

Volkswagen

2016 Volkswagen CC

2016 Audi TT

2017 Audi R8 / R8 Spyder

Automakers do not have to disclose the potentially faulty airbags to customers, although at least two - FCA and Toyota - have pledged to do so anyway, the report said.

The NHTSA has set up a dedicated site at www.airbagrecall.com where vehicle owners can select the brand of their car or truck to see if it is affected by the recall.
MIS Jeff Gordon Winner Circle

Jeff Gordon celebrates with his crew after winning the Pure Michigan 400 at the Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Sunday, August 17.

(Danielle Duval | MLive.com)

Four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jeff Gordon is taking a break from retirement to give his former boss a hand.

Gordon, who retired at the conclusion of the 2015 season, is returning to the track for Sunday's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, replacing Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the No. 88 Chevrolet. Earnhardt announced last week that he was sitting out the New Hampshire race due to concussion-like symptoms, and team officials said Wednesday morning that Earnhardt will miss the Brickyard as well. In addition, Hendrick Motorsports said Earnhardt will sit out the July 31 event at Pocono, and look for Gordon to race that one, too.

Gordon spent his entire 23-year Sprint Cup career racing the Rick Hendrick Motorsports No. 24 Chevrolet. Hendrick also fields cars for Earnhardt. Gordon won the Brickyard five times, including the inaugural race in 1994.

Earnhardt said Wednesday in a report on NASCAR.com that he is encouraged by the progress that he has made. He has not given a timetable for his return. Alex Bowman replaced Earnhardt at New Hampshire.

Sunday's race will be aired at 3 p.m. on NBCSN.
As international airlines fight to add new Myanmar routes and destinations the countrys airspace is becoming increasingly crowded. With an eye on safety the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) is looking at switching to a space-based surveillance system to keep track of the rising number of foreign and domestic aircraft in the skies.





Almost 30 international airlines now fly to Myanmar, and the number of weekly international flights from Yangon more than tripled between 2010 and 2015. A booming economy and visa-free agreements with neighbouring countries are helping prompt foreign carriers to eye new destinations and more frequent flights.

Monitoring and tracking all these aircraft falls to the DCA, which provides air traffic control, navigation and communications services for planes inside the countrys airspace.

In order to provide these services the DCA relies on ground-based surveillance technology like radar, but faces difficulties because much of Myanmar is remote and the terrain challenging, according to U Soe Paing, director of Air Navigation Safety at the DCA.

Myanmars telecommunications industry has also turned to satellite-based systems for the same reason.

Safety is a top priority for the DCA, U Soe Paing said, and so it is looking at switching to a satellite system provided by US firm Aireon, which that company plans to have up and running in 2018.

A key benefit of the satellite-based system will be in bringing real-time aircraft surveillance to areas  remote or over water  where traditional systems are impractical, according to a recent report from airline industry non-profit the Flight Safety Foundation.





The satellite system will also allow real-time monitoring, helping civil aviation authorities to more accurately track aircraft and respond to emergencies, the report said.

The Aireon service will offer us increased safety and visibility that exceeds the capabilities of ground-based infrastructure, U Soe Paing said.

The DCA has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aireon to investigate how the system would work in Myanmar and the potential benefits. Aireon already has similar agreements with civil aviation authorities in Singapore and India, the firm said. Aireon and its partners are still in the process of deploying satellites. The system will use receivers placed on a network of 66 Low Earth Orbit satellites  the Iridium NEXT constellation  provided by US telco Iridium Communications.

The last of these satellites is expected to be in place by the end of 2017, allowing Aireon to have its surveillance system in place and operational the following year.

The firm is developing the new system in partnership with air navigation service providers in other countries including Canada, Italy, Ireland and Denmark.
The investors behind Myanmars first special economic zone will start accepting proposals for factories in second zone known as Zone B at the end of the rainy season, as both phases of Zone A near completion, with US$760 million in foreign investment committed to the project so far.





Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holdings chair U Win Aung told The Myanmar Times that the first zone, covering 400 hectares, is almost finished. Seventy-three foreign investors from 16 countries have agreed to invest in the project, which is located in Thanlyin township, around 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of Yangon.

We will begin to process applications for the remaining 2000 hectares of land in Zone B after the rainy season, U Win Aung said.

After a slow start, investment into the SEZ gathered speed in April 2015, according to an announcement earlier this week by Myanmar Japan Thilawa Development, a special-purpose company set up by the projects investors to develop and operate the project.

At the current level of investment, manufacturing capacity can reach up to $241 million dollars a year, MJTD said. The company expects total investment into Thilawa to reach $1 billion in a few years and the value of annual production to rise to $350 million. These forecasts are made by MJTD and we wanted to make them public, said spokesperson U Myint Zaw, general manager of the administration and HR department.

The company said more than 40 factories have already been built, including five garment factories, 15 construction sector-related factories for products such as steel materials and cement, 11 food and beverage factories including packaging and tins, six agriculture-related factories including chemical fertiliser and machine parts, five factories for motor vehicle parts, and three producing medicines and medical equipment.

Investment into Thilawa accounted for 12.5 percent of total investment into Myanmar in fiscal year 2014-15 and 3pc of total exports, MJTD said. In the same financial year, foreign investment was worth more than $8 billion and exports came to $12.52 billion, according to data collected by the Ministry of Planning and Finance.

The SEZ is a joint venture between Myanmar and Japan  each government has a 10pc stake while a consortium of nine local companies called Myanmar Thilawa SEZ Holdings (MTSH) controls 41pc and a Japanese private-sector consortium controls the remaining 39pc.





Zone A will create at least 40,000 jobs by 2018, according to a document filed by MTSH to the Yangon Stock Exchange earlier this month.

The company will require more capital over the next two years to start work on Thilawa Zone B, project director U Thurane Aung previously told The Myanmar Times. The board has not yet decided whether to raise new capital by issuing new shares through the stock exchange or by taking out a loan, he said.

Translation by Khant Lin Oo and Thiri Min Htun
Suzuki Motor Corporation is planning to expand its operations in Myanmar with a factory in Thilawa special economic zone that will start production in 2018, the companys managing director said yesterday.





The Japanese multinational first started making automobiles and motorcycles in Myanmar in 1999 at a joint-venture factory with the government in Yangons South Dagon township.

After 12 years of operations we had to stop production, as our investment permit expired, said managing director Takayuki Sugiyama of Suzuki (Myanmar) Motor Company. However, we maintained the facilities and restarted production in May 2013, with a new licence.

The company must rely on local suppliers, which Mr Sugiyama said was a major challenge. For this and other reasons, he said, Suzuki has bought 20 hectares of land in Thilawa SEZ and will build its own factory there.

He said he hopes the government will set reasonable policies around car imports. Since the previous government opened the market for imports in 2011, more than 7 million cars have been brought into the country.

The current government must now decide whether it will encourage more imports or support the market for local production, Mr Sugiyama said.

Foreign investors like Myanmar, because it has a lot of land and human resources. But they are wary of investing because there are no clear laws or policies on the automobile industry, U Khin Maung Kyaw, president of the Automobile Policy Drafting Task Force told The Myanmar Times.

They want precise laws to protect their investments. That is why we are trying to come up with a clear automobile policy that can contribute to a win-win solution between Myanmar and foreign countries.





Neighbouring countries such as Thailand have developed into automobile manufacturing hubs, he said, adding that even if Myanmar is unable to export homemade vehicles, it would at least be able to sell them domestically.

But I should emphasise that we must manufacture the cars that are suitable for Myanmar, for example those with 1.3cc engines, which are cheap enough for many people to buy, he said.

Economy-class cars, to match Myanmars economic situation.
A member of the Yangon high-rise inspection committee charged with a city-wide review of high-rise projects has defended the controversial inspections, saying they are a one off, as developers brace for the second batch of results to be released tomorrow.





Following a two-month blanket suspension on construction at all projects with nine floors or more, the committee released its first round of results last week, telling 12 developers to drastically change their designs, according to documents seen by The Myanmar Times.

On July 21, the Yangon Region government will submit reports on 20 more projects to the cabinet, said spokesperson U Ye Min Oo.

Dozens more projects are still under review  in addition to 64 projects under construction, more than 100 projects that had received principal permits from Yangon City Development Committee have also been suspended.

The committee is inspecting the buildings twice a week, as efficiently as we can. We will submit our inspection reports to the regional government, which will discuss them and issue instructions to YCDCs Department of Engineering (Building), U Ye Min Oo said.

The committee works between 1pm and 6pm, he said, so the number of reviews released each week will vary, as some projects take longer to assess than others.

Developers have grown increasingly frustrated with the review, as their projects have now been suspended for more than two months, pushing up costs and creating a climate of uncertainty. Some companies have been forced to lay off construction workers.





U Ye Min Oo said the committee has already inspected 64 buildings and have ordered major changes to 12 projects, while others have been told to make small changes such as modifying drainage systems, building car parks or improving fire protection.

Developers ordered to make major changes to the size or scale of their projects say they will write to the government in protest. Many are likely to lose out, as they have relied on presales to fund their projects and will now be forced to renegotiate with buyers, and to offer refunds.

This is a serious problem, said U Win Naing, chair of Pyae Soan Win Naing Company, who was told to cut the number of floors at his 31-storey project by an unspecified amount, to avoid obstructing a view of Shwedagon Pagoda.

We have sold a lot of apartments through a pre-purchase system and have spent between K7 and K8 billion kyat on the project, including bank loans. We are preparing to present a petition, to ask the government to reconsider its decision, he said. If it does not, our lives will be destroyed, because we will be unable to repay our bank loans.

U Myo Myint, a member of one of the inspection teams, said policies often change when governments change, but admitted that conflicts between pre-purchase buyers and contractors are likely.

For some, including U Kyaw Kyaw Naing of i-Green Construction, disputes are almost certain. The government has told his company to reduce the number of floors in its residential project from 12.5 to six.

We have sold all 33 apartments through presales, but when the government ordered all high-rise projects to be suspended [in May], some of the buyers did not come to pay the money. I will ask the government to cover the losses, he said.

U Ye Min Oo said the committee is not responsible for handling developer feedback, as its mandate is simply to check that projects comply with draft urban plans. Developers can send their request letter to the Department of Engineering (Building), the Yangon Region government or the Union government, he said.

Developers have accused the local government of lacking transparency because its assessment criteria were not made public, but U Ye Min Oo said the review mostly followed existing YCDC high-rise building standards.

The committee has also considered the impact of the projects on the city and its neighbourhoods, he said, including the impact on local residents in the area, on traffic and on fire safety.

We have been inspecting the technical standards of buildings and their impact on the city, he said. If a project seems to present a danger to the citys character or to residential areas, even if the construction is sound, we will tell the company to make changes.

He said the committee will now begin to assess projects that were recently approved but have not yet started construction, while keeping high-level urban development plans firmly in mind.

Under the last government, officials wanted to build more high-rises in Yangon with no thought for factors such as traffic, population growth, or the environment, he said.

They only thought about the engineering process and were willing to give permits if the developer could build a solid building with the right construction materials. They did not consider smart urban development or sustainability.

Once the committee has checked that recently approved buildings fit with draft urban development plans, it will feed the reports back to the government, which will draw up new rules and regulations, he said. These rules will be aimed at promoting urban development in Yangon, and YCDC will be granted sole power to approve new projects.

We will write new rules and regulations, to ensure that new projects will fit into our urban development plans. Many officials from YCDC are involved in the new committee, and we will make sure that in future nobody will be asked to knock down floors after they have received permission to build, he said.

This is a one-off. After this, developers will know what they are allowed to do, and what they cannot do. But we needed to check all the projects [approved by the former government]. Some developers may lose out, but the review will be finished soon.

U Yan Aung, general manager of Asia Construction, said it is difficult and expensive to knock down floors once they have been built, while developers who have not yet started building will find it much easier to accept design changes.

To reduce traffic and help to make Yangon a green city, the government should minimise high-rises in the downtown area, but should only ask companies to knock down floors that have already been built if it is absolutely necessary, he said.

Officials should have discussed their decisions with the companies, he said. This review will be bad for investment as the government has lost the trust of investors and developers.

YCDC plans to hold a press conference to explain the review and to outline the governments new construction policies, according to secretary Daw Hlaing Maw Oo, who said the event will take place shortly after Martyrs Day, which was celebrated yesterday.

Additional reporting by Zay Yar Linn
On July 19, 1947, nine national heroes  including Bogyoke Aung San, the father of Burmese independence  were assassinated by political rivals in the Secretariat building in Yangon.





Yesterday marked the 69th anniversary of the assassinations, as well as the first commemorated at a newly-renovated Martyrs' Mausoleum in Yangon. It was also the first year the ceremony was attended by Myanmar's military chief, in an auspicious sign for political reconciliation between the military establishment and National League for Democracy. The Myanmar Times photo desk fanned out across Yangon  and in some cases, the country  to capture moments of public grief as well as hope for a brighter future.

Read our wrap-up of the anniversary's commemoration and it's potential political ramifications here.
A shift in policy, away from building dams and toward running irrigation channels to farmland, has led to a 50 percent cut in the request for irrigation funding next year, the agriculture ministry says. U Myo Tint Tun, assistant secretary in the ministry, told The Myanmar Times on July 18 that expenditure in 2017-18 would be less than half of this years level.





The expenditure for irrigation in 2016-17 is about K253 billion [US$216 million], and next years expenditure will be about K120 billion, he said.

Deputy agriculture minister U Tun Win told the Pyithu Hluttaw last month that the ministry would not be building dams next year, as the existing dams and reservoirs were losing their capacity to store water used for monsoon and summer paddy. He also announced a change in the previous governments policy of instructing farmers to grow paddy in irrigated fields, saying farmers would now be free to cultivate what they liked.

Instead of building new dams, the irrigation department will extend canals from recently built dams and reservoirs to distribute water to farmlands. We wont be building new dams and reservoirs, but we will be building irrigation canals and drains to take the water from new dams to the fields, said a spokesperson on July 15.

Previous policy was to build dams and reservoirs throughout the country to promote regional development, green the environment, ensure enough paddy cultivation and safeguard access to drinking water. However, a decrease in rainfall had lowered the reserves stored in some dams and reservoirs, said U Tun Win. As a result the government was considering allowing farmers to grow crops that required less water.

Last year, irrigation-related expenditure, including emergency funding, was high. In his report to the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, then-president U Thein Sein said he had disbursed K12.81 billion of his K100 billion emergency fund, of which the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation had spent nearly K8 billion.

The ministry spent K237.291 million supplying water to Nay Pyi Taws Yaysin dam, K1052.7 million on building the Kyauktalonegyi dam in Taunggyi township, Shan State, and K1200 million to dredge Nyaungyan-Minhla Lake in Thazi township. It spent K3946.945 million for dredging in silted streams and creeks and preventing erosion of river banks in Ayeyarwady Region, K830 million on flood prevention in Myitthar basin, K528.860 million on dredging Nadi Lake to prevent silting in Inle Lake, and K200.570 million on flood prevention in Ingapu town, Ayeyarwady Region.

Translation by Thiri Min Htun
Would-be hoteliers who fail to apply for a licence before construction starts will not be permitted to operate, the government has announced. U Myo Win Nyunt, director of the hotel and tourism supervision division of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, told The Myanmar Times yesterday that the ministrys days of turning a blind eye were over.





The rule will be applied to any building begun since June 1, but it is not new.

Normally hoteliers would get municipal permission before building, and apply for a hotel licence on completion of the work, he said.

We used to issue a licence to developers on the basis of a bond before so as not to affect their business. But the law requiring hoteliers to get a licence before they start construction has been in place since 1993, he said, adding that some developers were not always sure what they were going to build.

If they propose to build a hotel at the outset, we can provide guidelines on waste and sewage disposal, kitchens, lobbies, and rooms in a systematic and standardised way, because weve had experience of hotels that got these things wrong, he said, adding, We wont take action against them if they failed to apply before building, but we wont issue them a licence either.

U Kyaw Min Hlaing, joint secretary of the hoteliers association in the Ngwe Saung zone, agreed that the existence of the rule was widely known in the industry, but had been widely flouted.

Theres one hotel in Ngwe Saung without a licence because it violated a ministry regulation. They failed to get permission before starting to build. We understand the ministry could take action, but we dont know what form the action would take, he said.





Submitting an application presented no difficulties, said U Kyaw Min Hlaing. I dont know why people dont comply. Its not difficult or expensive. All you have to do is follow the rules.

He admitted, however, that a requirement to apply in person in Nay Pyi Taw, or not being able to make changes to the design or the number of rooms once the permit had been issued, could deter some developers.

I hope this means the government will also take action against illegal hotels, as well as taking better care of small hotels in Ngwe Saung and Chaung Tha beaches which dont yet have electricity, he said.
Workers are demanding that a new election be held for representatives to the Nay Pyi Taw Arbitration Council, claiming that the recently appointed members were not democratically elected.





Local and regional workers held a press conference yesterday, claiming that the five worker representatives to the quasi-judicial dispute settlement body had not been chosen in accordance with the law.

The arbitration councils aim is to solve conflicts between employers and their workers. The Nay Pyi Taw council is the highest level of the tribunal body, and typically handles appeals to decisions made by committees at the township or district level.

Each of the dispute settlement levels ideally has representatives from the Ministry of Labour, employers organisations and labour groups. The 15-member Arbitration Council has five representatives from each sector.

On July 12, five members meant to represent the workers in these disputes were elected by labour organisations that had been selected by the Ministry of Labour.

After the first council was created in 2012, most of the labour representatives were from private businesses, a sticking point for labour unions.

According to the account presented at a press conference yesterday, the Settlement of Labour Disputes Law requires representatives to be elected by the ministry, after taking proposals from the employer organisations and recommendations from the workers organisations.





When the workers representatives for the Nay Pyi Taw Arbitration Council were chosen, it should have been at the township and regional level, said Ko Kyaw Myat Thu, secretary of Mandalay Regions industries and service companies union. It should not have been decided by [private] organisations. This election was not chosen by regular workers. The decisions made by the Arbitration Council are important to the lives of the workers.

The current law was passed by parliament in March 2012.

The worker organisations and unions need to be able to vote for the Arbitration Council members, according to the Ministry of Labours policy, said U Saw Hla Aung of the Worker Unions Cooperation Committee in upper Myanmar. But, I do not feel that the election of the workers representatives was done in accordance with procedure.

Daw Khaing Zar Aung, an executive member of the Labour Union of Myanmar, said the workers have a right to object.

The government invited all official worker organisations that have the [official paperwork]. Two representatives can attend the election meeting. Our organisation sent two representatives, too. The government publicised the event to let workers organisations that are not registered know about it. We can understand the objection of the worker organisations that were not included in the meeting. But I want them to understand: Over half of the worker organisations in Myanmar knew about the event.

Translation by San Layy and Thiri Min Htun
People flocked to the Bogyoke Aung San Museum in Yangons Bahan township yesterday, as nationwide commemorations marked the day 69 years ago that Myanmars independence hero and eight colleagues were gunned down by a political rival.





About 100 people were lined up at the front of the museum since 6am to tour the place where Bogyoke Aung San lived, along with his family, from May 1945 until his assassination on July 19, 1947.

We intended to open the museum from 8am until 5pm, but there were many visitors so we started [admitting people] at 7am, said Daw Nann Hla Win, secretary of the Bogyoke Aung San Museums displays committee.

A steady stream of visitors persisted throughout the day, at times forming a queue through the museum that limited opportunities for stationary reflection as more and more admittees created a slow-moving procession through the two-storey wooden building, where photos of Bogyoke Aung San and his family, excerpts of his public remarks, and original furnishings from his time in the house are on display.

The students already knew that today is the day that Bogyoke Aung San fell. We wanted to show them the Bogyokes house and his belongings so that they can know how honourably he conducted himself, said Daw Khin Saw Thein, a teacher at No 3 BEHS in Shwe Pyi Thar township who led a group of middle school students to the museum yesterday.

A number of governmental and non-governmental organisations were on hand to help facilitate smooth operations on the museums big day.

Daw Hla Hla May from the Free Funeral Service Society-Yangon told The Myanmar Times that she arrived at the museum at 5am, together with around 50 other members of the organisation, to assist visitors and museum personnel.





Fellow volunteer Daw Khin Thidar Sann Oo said this years event was special, just over 100 days after the National League for Democracy  led by Bogyoke Aung Sans daughter Daw Aung San Suu Kyi  took power.

I am very happy and glad to see that this time is different from the past, after witnessing this crowd of people, she told The Myanmar Times yesterday.

With what is likely to be its busiest day of the year passing yesterday, Daw Nann Hla Win, the museum official, put a plug in for interested parties to consider a visit any time of year.

The museum is open six days a week from 9:30am to 4:30pm, with the exceptions being Mondays and gazetted holidays. As was the case yesterday, admittance is free today and tomorrow in honour of Martyrs Day.
Yesterday's commemoration of the 69th anniversary of Martyrs Day was marked by a series of firsts: the first observed under the new government, the first attended by the commander-in-chief and the first held at the newly upgraded Martyrs Mausoleum.





While ceremonies and the laying of wreaths occur nationwide, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing chose to pay his respects alongside the National League for Democracy-backed dignitaries before dining at State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyis lakeside home.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi  joined by the Speakers, the chief justice, Thura U Shwe Mann and the commander-in-chief  shared a meal with two prominent monks.

Political analysts called yesterdays tableau a milestone, and said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing breaking bread together on such a historic day represents an achievement of national reconciliation.

The people want to see the sight of this close working relationship; it will be perceived as a starting point for national reconciliation. We are surprised by it, said U Htwe Win, son of martyr U Ba Win.

U Nyan Win, the NLD spokesperson, said Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing just came to the state counsellors house for the food-offering ceremony, and that there was no serious discussion.

I dont know exactly what they talked about while they were having lunch, the spokesperson said.





In the lead-up to next months 21st-century Panglong Conference, the state counsellor and commander-in-chief have made a series of public appearances together, most recently in a joint tour of the Defence Services Museum in Nay Pyi Taw last week.

U Tin Maung Than, a political analyst, noted that Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing has become the first Tatmadaw chief to visit the house of a former opposition leader, and in this case, one the military establishment had put under house arrest and persecuted for decades.

The United Nationalities Federal Council recently demanded the nationwide ceasefire declaration from the government. [Daw Aung San Suu Kyi] reportedly told them that she would try to fulfill their demand. I am asking myself if these two events [the UNFC meeting earlier this week and subsequent lunch with the commander-in-chief] are somehow linked, U Tin Maung Than said.

U Thu Wai, chair of the Democratic Party (Myanmar), said that Bogyoke Aung San would be happy on the 69th Martyrs Day because his daughter has become the leader of the country and also has repaired relations with the military leader.

Peace and national reconciliation will be affected by their good relationship. This will reflect well on the peace process, he said.

U Ye Htun, a former lower house MP from Thibaw/Hsipaw township, said the Tatmadaw chiefs attendance on Martyrs Day also reflects a commitment to restoring the military establishments public image.

It feels like the Tatmadaw has regained its original position when I see these pictures. Seeing Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing together is a good sign of mutual trust, he said.

Military leaders, the Speakers, and ministers yesterday began the Martyrs Day ceremony amid bouts of rain. Thousands of civilians lined the streets around the mausoleum, waiting to pay respect to the national heroes who were assassinated on July 19, 1947.

Crowds amassed outside Bogyoke Aung Sans house, now a museum, with police having to deploy barricades to control the swarm.

State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi paid her annual respect with other relatives of the assassinated martyrs families.

The secretariat was also opened to the public for the day, for the second year.

I am very happy to be here for the first time in my life, said Ko Kan Htoo Aung. He said he came to Yangon from Kyaikto, Mon State, especially to witness Martyrs Day and to visit the Secretariat. He was assisted in his trip by the Shwe Min Thar foundation.

I hope the new government will do more for disabled people like me, he said.

Ko Phoe La Pyae, 23, from Hlaing Thayar township said, Young people should always remember the sacrifice of our leaders for our country.

U Tin Oo, patron of the NLD, delivered a speech at the partys headquarters yesterday. He called for national unification to fulfill the wishes of the martyrs, and to build a democratic federal Union that guarantees independence, equality and peace of all nationalities.

With the leadership of our party and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, we should inherit the desire of our national heroes and try our best to achieve these goals, by transforming our sadness into strong conviction, he said.

The NLD issued a similar Martyrs Day statement urging the public to uphold the beliefs of the martyrs based on unity and peace.
On yesterdays double holiday  Martyrs Day and the full moon day of Waso  President U Htin Kyaw donated Waso robes and honoured fallen martyrs in the Dhammayone, a religious community hall in the Nay Pyi Taw Council Office compound.





At 9:30am, the president arrived with his wife Daw Su Su Lwin to offer the robes. An hour later, a senior monk from Zegone monastery in Pyinmana township gave a sermon to mark the beginning of Buddhist Lent and then one to honour the nine fallen martyrs, including Bogyoke Aung San.

Also in attendance were Nay Pyi Taw Council chair U Myo Aung, Union Minister for Defence Lieutenant General Sein Win, Union Attorney General U Tun Tun Oo, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Vice Senior General Soe Win.

Security was strict and the media was not allowed to take photos or videos when the president poured water and bowed to honour the fallen leaders. Members of the media were forced to stay outside the Dhammayone.

At 10:37am, the estimated time of the assassination of the martyrs in 1947, all in attendance stood silent for one minute while fire engines sirens wailed and vehicles honked, honouring those assassinated at the Secretariat in Yangon.

U Htin Kyaw attended the ceremony despite battling back pain, a source from Zabuthiri townships General Administration Department told The Myanmar Times yesterday.

Ceremonies to honour the fallen leaders were held across much of the country.
What is worse than an ever-more-authoritarian regime that constantly aims to crush a robust civil society? The answer emerged bluntly in Turkey on Friday night: to have your army pointing its guns at you. To have your army bombing the parliament building. To have a military takeover.





Turkey has experienced its share of coups detat since the 1960s, and the nation knows very well the atrocities that follow such an intervention and the damage they cause to democratic structure. But we have never seen anything like this past weeks coup attempt: It bore none of the hallmarks of previous military attempts to seize power.

There is a saying in Turkey: to wake up to the noise of an army tank, referring to a midnight military takeover. This latest attempt, though, began on a Friday during rush hour, with jets flying low in Ankara and gendarmerie closing down the Bosporus Bridge in Istanbul. It did not seem to be planned thoroughly from the start, as communication continued to flow through social media and broadcast television.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made several appearances on TV and called the nation to take to the streets to defend democracy  however ironic that was, in light of his tendencies toward authoritarian rule. The condemnation of the coup attempt was unanimous in the public; main opposition parties gathered at the parliament to show solidarity against the putsch.

One prominent public intellectual, Murat Belge, who had backed Erdogans party initially but became a critic after the presidents shift toward palpable authoritarianism, wrote, Even though I do not agree with the AKP supporters on the streets on many topics in life, what they did was a very important and positive action. Journalist Hasan Cemal, a fervent opponent of Erdogans illiberal policies, underlined his years-old slogan, Soldier! Take your hands off the politics, a day after the coup attempt.

The coup attempt, and the resistance to it, played out using modern technology. The perpetrators formed a Whatsapp group called Peace at Home (they also called themselves the Peace at Home Council) and managed the coup through messages, according to Turkeys state-run news outlet Anadolu Agency. On the other side, government officials used SMS messages and social media to call people out to the street to resist the military. Erdogan and former president Abdullah Gul spoke on live TV through FaceTime. All that played a crucial role in putting the coup down.

To see Erdogan and the AKP using social media to rally Turks to protect democracy was bitterly ironic. Blocking or slowing the internet and imposing a TV broadcast ban are the main methods Erdogans administration has come to use during major news events. That was what the government did, for example, after a 2014 mine explosion in Soma, and attacks by the Islamic State last year in Suruc and Ankara and this summer in Istanbul. The Dogan Media news outlets, whose live broadcast Erdogan joined via FaceTime, have been blacklisted by the AKP, and its executives and journalists have been called traitors countless times and persecuted through various methods including ad revenue cuts, smear campaigns and tax fines.





Erdogan and senior Turkish government officials blamed the coup on the Gulen movement  an Islamic network whose leader, Fethullah Gulen, has been in exile in Pennsylvania since 1999 and has feuded with Erdogan since 2014, when prosecutors close to Gulen attempted to arrest Hakan Fidan, the head of the national intelligence agency, because of his involvement in a secret negotiation with the outlawed PKK. Both the president and the exiled cleric had risen from different ideologies of Islam, but they had united in 2007 in an alliance against Kemalist elites, especially in the military. A series of sham trials known as Ergenekon and Balyoz (Sledgehammer) followed, purging the military of many adherents of Kemalism, the secular ideology espoused by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the modern Turkish republic. But once the military was weakened, and ceased to be an obstacle for Erdogans regime, a power struggle between the Gulen movement and the AKP followed.

Erdogan ordered detention of disciples of Gulen in the media, police force, judiciary and private sector. Allegedly, the spree of arrests that targeted judges and military officers after the coup attempt was planned long before. Seen in that light, the failed coup, which looked like a kamikaze attack rather than a thoroughly planned military takeover, may instead have been an attempt to head off those arrests in a preemptive strike. One of the alleged masterminds of the coup, General Akin Ozturk of the air force, was appointed by the AKP after his predecessor had been sacked during the Sledgehammer trial.

So the coup attempt bears lessons for everyone who overlooked the importance of a robust civil society, separation of powers and freedom of expression. It also shows that the draconian state the AKP has built is actually very fragile. Erdogans government didnt replace the previous elite with sound constitutional changes and democratic reforms; it only transferred power from Kemalists to their own followers.

Once his loyalists were back in control of the country this weekend, Erdogan called the coup attempt an opportunity sent from God to cleanse the state of the Gulenists, and said that July 15 should be celebrated as the triumph of democracy. But it would be naive to expect that any democracy would come out of this appalling incident in the short term. Everything Erdogan has done up to now, and everything he has done in the days after the coup  6000 people have been arrested since Friday  shows that he would prefer to maximise his power rather than promote democracy. And it is uncertain which way this obvious rift in the military will evolve. It is too soon to claim that soldiers will never again try to take power after July 15; everyone believed until last week that Erdogan had rendered a coup impossible, and yet, the attempt was made anyway.

Finally, the lingering tension in the country has alarming traits. Unnervingly, the mosques and Erdogan himself are making unending calls to stay on the streets to protect democracy, and certain Islamic groups are going to districts mostly inhabited by Alawites, a minority Muslim group, shouting slogans. The same Islamist wave may well start targeting all other segments of the society that it considers infidels, emboldened by the defeat of the coup attempt. Unfortunately, just like coups detat, Turkey has been the scene of many pogroms in the past, such as the 1993 massacre of mostly Alawite intellectuals in a hotel in Sivas.

People on the streets are to be congratulated for their resistance to the military takeover, but caution is warranted: There is a difference between protesting the army and asking for democratic reforms, and calling the crowd on the streets itself an army, with Erdogan the commander, as in one of the slogans that was frequently chanted Friday night: Iste Ordu, iste Komutan (Here is the army, here is the commander). History dictates that it is highly unlikely that the latter would bring us the liberal democracy Turkey still longs for.

 The Washington Post

Ezgi Basaran is a Turkish journalist and academic visitor at St Antonys College, Oxford University.
[July 20, 2016] The Republic of Mali Chooses OT to Supply Its Latest Generation Electronic Passport

OT (Oberthur Technologies), a leading global provider of embedded security software products and services, has signed a contract with the Government of the Republic of Mali, following an invitation to tender, to supply a complete solution for issuing electronic passports which meet the strictest international security standards. The Public-Private Partnership (PPP) grants OT a contract for 10 years, during which time the Republic of Mali will benefit from a comprehensive and innovative hi-tech industrial solution for its latest generation passport. The Republic of Mali has given OT, via Mali Solutions Numeriques (MSN), and its partner Afritek, complete responsibility for Malian passports, from collection of payment from citizens to registration and validation of applications, through to production, personalization and distribution of the passports. The implementation of its Identity Management System (IDMS) solution reinforces OT's position as a world leader in the market of high-security identification solutions. The Republic of Mali is providing its citizens with the ability to identify themselves and travel in complete security. Mali's new electronic passport features the latest security innovations and now includes fingerprints, further increasing the passport's level of security.

OT's expertise will improve the quality of the passport issuing process and biometric verification when collecting information and during border checks, while ensuring the quality of the service offered to Malian citizens, including the practicality of payment methods and the speed of the passport issuing process, which can take less than 24 hours. This puts the Republic of Mali among the most advanced countries in terms of security of travel documents and improves its citizen's mobility. "Our association with the Republic of Mali is historic. During our initial partnership, we delivered traditonal passports. Fifteen years on, we are delighted and proud to have reinforced our relationship by providing the Malian Government and citizens with our expertise in fraud prevention using a comprehensive solution enabling the production and issuing of reliable and effective latest-generation biometric documents" says Christophe Fontaine, Managing Director of the Citizen Access and Identity business at OT.



Mr Salif Traore, Minister of Internal Security, says: "We wanted to have access to the latest technologies for Mali's new electronic passport and that was made possible thanks to our trusted partner, OT, which was capable of investing and making this project a reality. OT's investment not only gives us an identity document which is simple to authenticate and effective at combating all attempts at fraud, but also allows our fellow citizens to travel with ease and assurance, in complete confidence". ABOUT OBERTHUR TECHNOLOGIES

OT is a world leader in embedded digital security that protects you when you connect, authenticate or pay.

OT is strategically positioned in high growth markets and offers embedded security software solutions for "end-point" devices as well as associated remote management solutions to a huge portfolio of international clients, including banks and financial institutions, mobile operators, authorities and governments, as well as manufacturers of connected objects and equipment. OT employs over 6 500 employees worldwide, including almost 700 R&D people. With a global footprint of 4 regional secure manufacturing hubs and 39 secure service centers, OT's international network serves clients in 169 countries. For more information: www.oberthur.com Download The M World,

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The journey to public Wi-Fi has been bumpy, but increasingly business are striking the right balance, using ads to cut costs or remarketing to customers to generate a positive ROI on their Wi-Fi investment.

Targeting mobile customers is a must for travel and tourism businesses such as airports, malls, hotels and cafes. By 2020, eMarketer predicts smartphone penetration will reach 88 percent of the US population. For brick-and-mortar businesses looking to capitalize on our growing smartphone dependence, wireless charging as a service should learn from Wi-Fis bumpy road. According to Tech Crunch, smartphone users consistently rate battery life as their No. 1 gripe  and wireless charging services such as Powermat provide the next logical evolution in customer engagement.

As brick-and-mortar businesses take the next step toward offering wireless charging, theyre asking the same questions we heard in the early Wi-Fi days: Is it worth the investment and what will it do for my business? Smart businesses successfully addressed these questions with Wi-Fi  today, Powermat is helping them do the same with wireless charging.

Was Wi-Fi worth the investment?

When businesses first looked at Wi-Fi solutions they asked if it was worth the trouble. Installing, troubleshooting and billing for Wi-Fi created new cycles for business managers and IT support teams. Looking back, we know the answer today is yes, because so many customers demand it:

That same Flightview study uncovered that half (50 percent) of those respondents would pay for in-seat charging stations after Wi-Fi, because dependency on devices means dependency on battery. Consumer demand reflects that, as evidenced by a recent HIS survey that found:

70.1 percent of respondents hadnt used wireless charging technology before but would like wireless charging on their next device.

Over 1 billion devices (smartphones, wearables, laptops, etc.) are expected to be wireless charging enabled by 2020. By 2025, that number will exceed 2 billion.

What did Wi-Fi do for my business?

Another question businesses faced was how to monetize Wi-Fi for a positive ROI. There were many different approaches. Some airports and train stations offer Wi-Fi for a limited time usage for free, around 15-30 minutes, after which you pay to continue. However more travel-related businesses are shifting towards a free Wi-Fi service supported by ads and coupons. Either way, these establishments are footing the bill with advertisers, not out of their own coffers.

The Wall Street Journal estimates luxury hotels are cashing in with innovative Wi-Fi services, by as much as 10 percent per night. Others are capitalizing via loyalty and customer engagement. Restaurants, stadiums, shopping centers and other venues are monetizing Wi-Fi by connecting with their customers on social media , such as requiring a Facebook Page like in order to access Wi-Fi or an email address. With all that data, venues and retailers can remarket to their customers easily. For consumers, the Wi-Fi is free and everyone wins.

Wireless Charging for Businesses

These strategies work for wireless charging, too. Powermats mobile engagement platform offers opportunities for businesses to engage with customers, enhance customer loyalty and drive greater sales and revenue. Businesses such as the Settlement Co coffee shop use the Powermat platform to send targeted and contextual information and updates to people as they charge or when they are on the go.

Settlement Co recently tested a remarketing campaign using 19 Powermat charging spots. The business shared three bundled coupon promotions using the Powermat platform. In the first week, Settlement generated an average of 20 percent conversion rate from coupon view to redemption. Settlement continues to reach new Powermat users weekly, leading to more sales and more growth.

Conclusion

In the beginning, consumers wanted Wi-Fi, and businesses delivered in a big way. By offering free, premium Wi-Fi, businesses attracted new customers and were able to explore new opportunities in remarketing and customer retention. Today, the emergence of wireless charging is no different, providing new opportunities for businesses to deliver relevant communications in the context of what consumers are doing or where they are. Its an approach that we enable with Powermat, helping businesses capitalize on their investment by delivering powerful results.

The customer buying journey is unique in every industry, but its clear that wireless charging, like Wi-Fi, has the potential to drive sales.

About the Author

Carlo Chiarello, Chief Product Officer, Powermat, is responsible for formulating and executing corporate strategy, product research and development, and marketing and sales at Powermat. Prior to joining Powermat, he worked for 11 years in several executive roles at BlackBerry  most recently as Executive Vice President, BlackBerry Handset Division, and held various positions at Innovance Networks, Nortel Networks and Bell Canada.

Edited by Peter Bernstein
Kampala (AFP) - The Ugandan army said Wednesday it had evacuated 38,000 civilians caught up in fighting in Juba, the capital of crisis-hit South Sudan.

Most of those taken across the border were Ugandans but "they were joined by hundreds of Kenyans, Rwandans among other nationalities who wanted to leave South Sudan for their safety," Ugandan army spokesman Paddy Ankunda told AFP.

Describing the evacuation process in recent days as successful, the army spokesman said "the total number of civilians evacuated from South Sudan by road under protection of the UPDF (Ugandan army) since the start of the operation has reached 38,000".

The evacuation operation began on Friday.

The Ugandan army joined the conflict in South Sudan soon after it began in December 2013, fighting on President Salva Kiir's side against a rebel force led by arch-rival Riek Machar, now the country's vice president. The combat troops only pulled out late last year.

The recent violence in the capital echoes the fighting that first triggered the civil war and marks a fresh blow to a deal reached last year to end the bitter conflict which began when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup.

Kiir is a member of the Dinka tribe, while Machar is a Nuer, and the dispute has split the country along ethnic lines and caused tens of thousands of deaths.

The Ugandan army's rescue operation involves a heavily protected convoy of 30 vehicles which have been ferrying people the 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Juba to the Ugandan border.

Once the evacuees safely reach Ugandan territory, helicopters take young children, the sick and pregnant women to a hospital in Gulu, in the north of the country, said Ankunda.

These are people who fled Juba after deadly fighting broke out earlier this month between government forces and the rebels.

The United Nations' refugee agency, UNHCR, estimated that 10,300 South Sudanese found refuge in Uganda between Friday and Tuesday.
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The United States will host the fifteenth annual U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum, commonly known as the AGOA Forum, on September 26, 2016, at the U.S. Department of State, in Washington, D.C. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is the U.S. government's signature trade initiative with sub-Saharan Africa. The AGOA legislation mandates the annual AGOA Forum to foster close economic ties between the United States and its partners in sub-Saharan Africa. This years theme is Maximizing AGOA Now while Preparing for the Future Beyond AGOA.

The 2016 AGOA Forum will bring together African and American government officials, civil society, and private sector representatives to discuss current trade and investment relations and possibilities for future engagement. The AGOA Forum is timed to follow the Presidents second U.S.-Africa Business Forum (USABF), which will take place in New York City on September 21.

As in past practice, the AGOA Forum will include a number of events on the margins of the ministerial. This years side events, incorporating private sector, civil society, and African Womens Entrepreneurship Program (AWEP) stakeholders, will take place on September 2223, 2016, at venues to be determined. Please contact the AGOA Civil Society Network for more information. This year, the U.S. Department of Labor will host a Ministerial Roundtable on the margins of the AGOA Forum in Washington on September 2223, 2016. This Ministerial Roundtable will, for the first time, bring together a select group of trade and labor ministers from sub-Saharan Africa to support policy coordination.

Once finalized, the AGOA Forum program will be available at agoa.info/forum .
Africas rapidly growing workforce needs decent work. Increased trade and investment can help drive inclusive growth for sustainable development but we need more integrated policies to realize that potential.

It could prove vital for the creation of decent jobs, especially for millions of young Africans, and this is the message that the ILO is bringing to the 14th United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD 14) being held from 17 to 22 July in Nairobi, Kenya.

How to translate decisions into actions after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development ? Thats what will be at the heart of the conversation among Heads of State and Government, ministers of economic affairs and trade, accompanied by leaders from international organizations, business, civil society and media.

After decades of assuming that sound economic, trade and investment policies would automatically deliver growth and thereby employment and decent work, the world has come to know better. That is why all Member States explicitly made inclusive growth and decent work for all one of the 17 global sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The 2030 Agenda is an integrated approach to development where economic growth, environmental protection and social justice shall go hand in hand. Full employment and decent work for all is placed together with inclusive economic growth as SDG number 8 , at the very heart of the 2030 Agenda.

Harnessing the potential of trade and investment as an important stimulus for the generation of decent work opportunities and sustainable development is a crucial component of the global partnership for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The ILO and its Decent Work Agenda brings several interconnected policy tools and supporting evidence-based research to such a new global partnership.

The Decent Work Agenda has four strategic objectives, considered equally important and mutually reinforcing: To set and promote standards and fundamental principles and rights at work; to create increased opportunities for women and men to decent employment and income; to enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all, and to strengthen tripartism and social dialogue  that is, to strengthen trade unions and employers organizations and their capacity for dialogue with each other and with governments.

Working women and men across Africa recognize the need for such policies. The Addis Ababa Declaration at the 13th African Regional Meeting of the ILO in December last year spells it out: In spite of high and sustained growth over the past decade  in fact six of the top ten fastest growing economies were in Africa  progress has been lacking in diversifying productive capacity, inequality is increasing and poverty remains among the highest in the world.

Lack of employment and decent work for young people is the continents most pressing challenge. The ILOs report on Global Employment Trends for Youth 2015 pinpointed the fact that North Africa has the highest youth unemployment rate in the world, at more than 30 per cent, a majority of them long-term unemployed. While sub-Saharan Africa fares better, at 11.6 per cent youth unemployment  the long-term figure there of 48.1 per cent is also very serious. And this does not count the millions of young people who have given up to look for a job altogether. If they are included, the figures nearly double in low-income countries.

With high unemployment and underemployment depicting a bleak scenario, employers including foreign investors are also concerned that they cannot find the skilled workers they need. This indicates a serious skills gap  which certainly is a barrier for African countries to take successful part in global supply chains, the dominating mode of production, trade and growth in the globalized economy.

The ILO is assisting our member states in addressing this multifaceted challenge by leading the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth . This is a unique partnership developed by 21 United Nations agencies as a platform to engage all partners investing and supporting youth employment around the world. Better skills development and linkages to global markets and investments are key among the actions to be taken under this initiative.

Meeting the challenge of assuring progress towards decent work throughout global supply chains will require the strengthening of a range of labour market institutions, including the capacity of public authorities and employers and workers organizations to effectively monitor and enforce compliance with laws and regulations. This was one of the conclusions of the discussions on the ILOs International Labour Conference , which met in Geneva, Switzerland last month.

These conclusions can instil new life into the trade and investment outlooks of the African continent. They urge governments to adopt a more integrated and coordinated approach to policy-making. It is crucial to ensure that all relevant ministries are involved across their respective portfolios when their policies influence each other  and that is certainly the case for trade, investment and labour policies.
WhatsApp was temporarily suspended in Brazil after a judge said the company had failed to hand over information requested in a criminal investigation.

The third suspension in two years lasted for a few hours, affecting millions of users.

But Supreme Court judge Ricardo Lewandowski later lifted the nationwide blockage, saying it was disproportionate.

WhatsApp said they did not have access to the details requested.

The most recent suspension happened in May, and forced 100 million people to turn to alternative services  a huge proportion of the internet-using population in a country with some of the worlds highest mobile phone charges.

In March, a Facebook executive was detained overnight for failing to comply with an attempt to block WhatsApp.

A Whatsapp spokesperson had said: As weve said in the past we cannot share information we dont have access to.

Indiscriminate steps like these threaten peoples ability to communicate, to run their businesses, and to live their lives.

Correspondents said it was the latest clash in a battle between tech firms and judicial systems over how to collaborate in criminal investigations without compromising individual freedoms  like in the dispute between Apple and the FBI over access to the phone of the San Bernardino gunman.

Twitter users responded with frustration  and, in many cases, with humour:

End-to-end encryption  introduced in April  is a key advantage touted by WhatsApp.

In its websites frequently asked questions, it says : Privacy and security is in our DNA, which is why we have end-to-end encryption in the latest versions of our app [This] ensures only you and the person youre communicating with can read what is sent, and nobody in between, not even WhatsApp.

Technology commentators suggest the regular interruptions to service could dent WhatsApps popularity.

-bbc
Polytechnics in the country risk a freeze on humanity related programmes if attempts to amend the Technical Universities Bill, currently before Parliament are successful.

Employment and Labour Relations Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, is one of the lead campaigners calling for the hands of polytechnics to be tied by legislation to prevent them from running programmes not part of their mandate.

I suggest strongly that we will tie the hands of the polytechnics through legislation that they will not and they should not be allowed to depart into Business and Management where the orientation will shift, he told the Members of Parliament (MPs) Tuesday.

As the unemployment rate of graduates continues to surge in Ghana many people are blaming the tertiary institutions for the development. They say the institutions have focused on programmes which are not part of their mandates to the chagrin and detriment of products.

They have noted if the tertiary institutions are not compelled to align to their core mandates; it will spell doom for the future human resource material of the country.

Mr Iddrisu believes institutions such as the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) mandated to run science-related programmes and the University of Cape Coast given the mandate to train educational professionals have all deviated from their mandates.

Both KNUST and UCC are running humanity programmes such as Law, Tourism, Sociology, and Economics among others which do not form part of their mandate.

Technical and vocational education, the Minister observes, lies with the discovery of oil in the country and if you look at the skill that we need, it is at the level of technical and vocational education.

MP for Bekwai, Joe Osei Owusu says graduates of the Maritime University are unable to find jobs in the country despite the many opportunities available in the maritime industry.

This, he argues is due to the limited scope of in practical aspect of their education.

Weve had several interactions with the authorities of the Maritime Institution but they complain there is no vessel in which the technical part of the certification of the students would be done, he said.

He is appealing to the government to help acquire a vessel for the school for the students to fulfil that essential part of their education.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected]
20.07.2016 LISTEN

By Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK July 19, 2016

The Supreme Court (SC) by a majority of decision (4-1) cleared Dr Zanetor Rawlings to hold herself out as the parliamentary nominee of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the forthcoming general elections. The SC also directed the High Court to deliver a ruling in that regard because an individual can only be a candidate after the Electoral Commission (EC) has opened the opportunity for filing. The apex court, therefore, said since the EC was yet to take that action, the argument of Dr Rawlings not being eligible did not hold water. (see, Klottey Korle controversy: Supreme Court Clears Zanetor, Ghanaweb, July 18, 2016. This article is an analysis of the judgement and the potential implications for political parties in Ghana.

Let me say from the onset that, the SC was wrong in its decision for a number reasons. First and foremost, the apex court misdirected itself in turning the case into an Article 94(1)(a) interpretation of the 1992 Constitution. Article 94(1) states, subject to the provisions of this article, a person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament unless - (a) he is a citizen of Ghana, has attained the age of twenty-one years and is a registered voter, There is no ambiguity in the language of Article 94(1)(a) that required interpretation. Therefore, the SC erred in assuming jurisdiction over a case that should been adjudicated by High Court.

Second, the case was not about Article 94(1)(a) but rather the NDC Constitution, which required that in order to be eligible to contest its parliamentary primaries as a prospective parliamentary candidate of the party, party members must be a registered voter in Ghana. Article 94(1)(a) is therefore antecedent to NDCs Constitution. For this reason, Article 94(1)(a) cannot be applied prior to NDCs parliamentary primary requirements. In my view it should be the other way round as the requirement to be a registered voter prior to contesting the NDCs parliamentary primaries is not inconsistent with Article 94(1)(a). Article 94(1)(a) can only be invoked if NDCs requirement to be a registered voter breached it.

The SC also erred in law by concluding that Dr Zenator Rawlings is an individual and directing the High Court to rule in her favour so she can hold herself as parliamentary nominee of NDC. The fact of the matter is that Dr Rawlings cannot be described as an individual because she is not an independent candidate but seeking to represent NDC in parliamentary. In fact, Article 97(1) of the 1992 Constitution states, a member of Parliament shall vacate his seat in Parliament -(g) if he leaves the party of which he was a member at the time of his election to Parliament to join another party or seeks to remain in Parliament as an independent member; or (h) if he was elected a member of Parliament as an independent candidate and joins a political party. Dr Zenator Rawlings is therefore no longer an individual but a representative of NDC and for this reason, the SC should have directed its attention to Article 97(1)(g)(h).

Finally, the apex court erred because disqualification of Dr Zenator Rawlings at the NDC primaries for not meeting NDCs eligibility criteria does not necessarily disqualified her from contesting the parliamentary seat as she could still contest as an independent since she will be a registered voter by the time the EC opens nominations but cannot do so on the ticket of NDC.

Before I consider the implications for political parties, its worth noting that I agree with the lone dissenting Justice (JSC Anin Yeaboah) on the earlier ruling of the same court. I refer readers to an article by Dr Poku Adusei entitled Critique of SC on Zanetors Case (Ghanaweb, June 13, 2016). For easy reference, I reproduce sections of his article (particularly the dissenting Justices reasons on the early ruling).

Anin Yeboah JSC held that article 94(1)(a) is devoid of any ambiguity in anyway whatsoever. In affirming earlier Supreme Court decisions in Republic v. Maikankan & Others and Aduamoa II & Others v. Adu Twum II, Anin Yeboah JSC held that the original jurisdiction vested in the Supreme Court to interpret the provisions of the 1992 Constitution was a special jurisdiction meant to be invoked in suits raising genuine and real issues of constitutional interpretation. He noted that upon a closer reading of the reliefs sought by the Plaintiff at the High Court, it becomes abundantly clear that the High Court was never called upon to interpret article 94(1)(a) of the Constitution. Accordingly, a mere reference to a provision of the Constitution for a court lower than the Supreme Court to consider would not amount to interpretation as envisaged under articles 2(1) and 130(1) of the 1992 Constitution.

Anin Yeboah JSC further highlighted the need for a restatement of the law by clearly distinguishing between the interpretation of a constitutional provision and the application of a constitutional provision in cases which are filed before the Supreme Court. In the opinion of the dissenting Justice, the High Court Judge was merely applying the provisions of article 94(1)(a) of the Constitution and no more. Elsewhere, in the United States of America, the exercise of sieving cases which end up at the Supreme Court is undertaken by a Single Justice. This saves the full panel of the US Supreme Court from hearing a lot of unmeritorious claims.

Now to the implications for political parties. By this ruling the SC is saying that the rules of engagement as outlined in registered political parties constitutions are irrelevant, even when those rules are consistent with the 1992 Constitution. This can create potential problems and disputes for political parties in the organisation of future parliamentary primaries. The ruling has also weakened political parties and their ability to enforce their rules of engagement. In the end democracy itself could be at risk of confusion.

The most serious implication for political parties would be their presidential primaries. With this ruling, any citizen who meets all the requirements under Article 62 with the exception of not being a registered voter in Ghana could contest the presidential primaries of a political party with the hope that by the time the EC opens nominations for the presidential election s/he would be a registered voter (as membership of political parties does not require meeting Article 94(1)(a) conditions). Article 62 states, a person shall not be qualified for election as the President of Ghana unless - (a) he is a citizen of Ghana by birth; (b) he has attained the age of forty years; and (c) he is a person who is otherwise qualified to be elected a Member of Parliament, except that the disqualifications set out in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of clause (2) of article 94 of this Constitution shall not be removed, in respect of any such person, by a presidential pardon or by the lapse of time as provided for in clause (5) of that article.

Are political parties in Ghana aware of this potential future dilemma for them following this ruling and if this unexpected situation happen how would they deal with it?

In conclusion, this ruling is not only bad but also per incuriam (a mistaken decision of a court). It is bad because it appears the decision was so designed because of the personality involved, the daughter of Ex-President Rawlings who is also allegedly supported by the President Mahama and the NDC. I rest my case.

Kofi Ata, Cambridge, UK
The Chairman of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) says the government has refunded the controversial a3.6 million it used in the rebranding of 166 Metro Mass buses.

Professor Paul Kingsley Buah-Bassuah told Joynews the money has been returned to the Petroleum Fund where it was taken from.

What was used for the re-branding of the metro rapid transport buses have been refunded in full. The petroleum component has been refunded that is, the GHC3.65 million has been paid to the country according to our report, he said.

The government of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came under heavy criticism for spending the amount of a3.6 million which was oil revenue in rebranding 116 Metro Mass Transit (MMT) buses in 2015.

Criticism peaked following the revelation that due diligence was not observed in terms of the procurement process in the award of the contract to a wholly-owned Ghanaian company, Smarrtys Production, and Management.

The issue became murkier that the Transport Minister, Dzifa Attivor who superintended the signing of the contract had to resign.

Many people called for transparency in the contract and demanded full disclosure of governments agreement with the company.

But the accountability button was pushed by pressure group, Occupy Ghana who took the matter to court demanding Transport Ministry be forced to make full disclosure of its contract with the Ghanaian company.

The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, also directed the Attorney-General (A-G), Marietta Brew-Opong to investigate the matter resulting in the discovery of an overpayment to Smarrtys.

She recommended legal action to be instituted against perpetrators including the Mrs Attivor and ordered Smarrtys to return part of the money.

The Supreme Court in its ruling in the case brought before it by Occupy Ghana ordered the A-G to make available the entire contract document to the group except the ones that have security implications.

Even though it received all but one document, Occupy Ghana hinted it will sue the government to return the a3.6 million it took from the Petroleum Fund.

In a development that has taken many aback, Professor Buah-Bassuah has announced the money has been returned.

He says the committee will capture the refund in its the next edition of its semi-Annual Report on the Petroleum Fund.

Meanwhile, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) has welcomed the refund saying it is in the spirit of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act.

Deputy Director of the Centre, Benjamin Boakye, said the use of the money in the first place for the rebranding of the buses by the government was not in order.

As a result, he believes it is appropriate that government has heeded to a public call for it to be refunded so that we can re-prioritize investment in the country.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Austin Brakopowers | Email: [email protected]
kwame Nkrumah

20.07.2016 LISTEN

I dont know who put this farcical notion out there that there was ever any such thing as Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumahs Ghana. And so I was quite amused to come across an article in which Mr. Koku Anyidoho, the Deputy General-Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was virulently accusing the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the main opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, of playing fast-and-loose with the facts surrounding the integrity, or the lack thereof, of the countrys current voters register (See So Bawumia Lied About the Togolese Voters Register? Hmmm!!!

Well, the stark fact of the matter is that it was, indeed, then-Transitional Prime Minister Nkrumah who led the erstwhile Gold Coast, renamed Ghana on March 6, 1957, to independence. But the political processes that culminated in the declaration of Ghana as a sovereign nation-state was not the handiwork of any one person.

For one, the name Ghana was not the idea of Mr. Nkrumah but Dr. Danquah. In fact, it is precisely because of the all-too-apt recognition of the process of independence as a collective effort that we have that group of leaders widely known and acclaimed as The Big Six.

I am also well aware of the fact of Mr. Anyidohos own uncle, the late Prof. Kofi Nyidevu Awoonor, having penned and published his own version of what he claimed to be the authentic history of Ghana, in which the pathologically ethnocentric writer sought, unconvincingly, to downplay the central role of great thinkers and activists like Dr. J. B. Danquah, while hyperbolically seeking to elevate the stature and status of his own uncle, Mr. Awooner-Renner, or some such personality.

Mr. Anyidohos deliberate misspelling of the name of Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and its unmistakably arrogant implications are not lost on the critically thinking reader. I suppose it is part and parcel of his dastardly attempt to seriously undermine the credibility, integrity and stature of the Oxbridge-educated former Deputy-Governor of the Bank of Ghana.

Predictably, the former Communications Director of the late President John Evans Atta-Mills fails royally in the attempt. At best, Mr. Anyidoho makes the level-headed Ghanaian citizen conscious of the imperative need to ferreting out and poignantly exposing the collusive shenanigans between the leaders of the ruling National Democratic Congress and the Charlotte Kesson-Smith Osei-led so-called Independent Electoral Commission (EC).

For starters, absolutely nobody has provided any evidence, let alone a convincing one, to contradict Dr. Bawumias well-researched fact of Ghanas voters register having been criminally packed with the names and vital statistics of Togolese nationals, among a remarkable number of other foreign nationals.

The critic would also do himself and like-minded people great good by reviewing the reaction that greeted Mr. Alfred Agbesi Woyomes Epic Heist before presuming to point fingers at those who are supposed to be alienating Anlo-Ewes from Ghanaian citizenship.

And so it is anybodys good guess how Mr. Anyidoho reached the rather bizarre conclusion that the 2016 New Patriotic Partys Vice-Presidential Candidate was peddling a whole fabric of mendacity, when Dr. Bawumia and his team of crackerjack technical experts published convincing evidence that, indeed, the countrys voters register was heavily compromised with the names of foreign nationals, a shocking discovery that prompted Nana Akufo-Addo, the NPPs Presidential Candidate, to remonstratively declare that Ghanaians were not interested in using an ECOWAS voters register in the conduct of their local elections.

We must also highlight the strategically equivocal response offered by Mrs. Charlotte Osei, the Electoral Commissioner, to the effect that the EC Chairperson had not been successful in convincing her Togolese counterparts to release the necessary corroborative evidence to enable her and her staff ascertain the veracity of Team Bawumias forensically convincing evidence.

I bet any person who reasons scandalously like Mr. Anyidoho is also apt to insist that the forensically proven evidence of over-voting has never occurred in Ghanas Fourth Republic. Indeed, Mr. Anyidoho would be grossly mistaken if he thinks that Ghanaians are, somehow, too daft and naive to see through the veritable hoax that is the 56,000 NHIS-registered voters insolently presented to the Wood Supreme Court by the unabashedly anti-elitist EC Chair. We shall have more to discuss on this subject as the occasion calls for the same.

*Visit my blog at: kwameokoampaahoofe.wordpress.com Ghanaffairs
20.07.2016 LISTEN

Sustainable development requires significant changes in the mind-set whether it is about changing the way goods are produced and consumed, the way we set our political and social priorities, or about the way we sense the dangers to the planets ecosystem. In other words, sustainable development is about learning to make better decisions than we have made in the past.

The framework underlying the sustainable development concept is based on the Brundtland definition  to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This very general definition is then expanded into four broad aims:

 a healthy economy should be maintained to promote quality of life while at the same time protecting human health and the environment;

 non-renewable resources should be used optimally;

 renewable resources should be used sustainably;

 damage to the carrying capacity of the environment and the risk to human health and biodiversity from the effects of economic activity should be minimized.

Environmental information is a key element in achieving a good level of public involvement and participation in the process of sustainable development. Africa has enormous resources in their natural biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems that have the potential to be harnessed for sustainable economic development. Effective management calls for a change in the attitudes of the public and civil society in order to identify, assess and record these resources

Poverty and environmental protection are closely linked as Africas development blueprint, the New Partnership for Africas Development (NEPAD), makes clear. NEPADs environmental action plan states that

Africa is characterized by two interrelated features: rising poverty levels and deepening environmental degradation  poverty remains the main cause and consequence of environmental degradation and resource depletion in Africa. Without significant improvement in the living conditions and livelihoods of the poor, environmental policies and programmes will achieve little success.

In Africa, there is a strong link between poverty and degradation of natural resources. For example, land degradation and desertification contribute to increased poverty, insecurity and the deterioration of the lives of African people.

The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) recognizes both the relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in underdeveloped countries as well as the problem of unsustainable production and consumption patterns in developed countries. The protection of the environment and of natural resources is therefore an essential part of development: without adequate environmental capital, development is undermined and this in turn may reduce the resources available for investing in combating environmental damage. Hence poverty alleviation is not only a moral imperative but also a prerequisite for environmental sustainability and sustainable development.

Africa faces many challenges relating to sustainable development. Over the past 30 years, the environment in Africa has continued to deteriorate. Thousands of people in Africa have already died from starvation brought about by environmental degradation. Millions more people are faced with imminent disaster because their water sources have run dry, their land has become so denuded they cannot rear livestock, and the soil so poor they cannot cultivate it. According to the FAO, poverty alleviation and environmental protection will remain the most important priorities over the next two decades.

Africas severe environmental problems like soil erosion and declining soil fertility, deforestation, pollution of water supplies, and biodiversity loss are everyday, real and critical concerns for African people. The unsustainable management and utilization of natural resources has been exacerbated by poverty and population pressures. With the worlds fastest growing population, averaging about 3% a year, the region will be home to more than a billion people by the year 2025. The continents population growth rate ranks highest in the world and therefore places additional strains on all systems.

The majority of poor people live in rural areas and depend directly or indirectly on terrestrial and marine natural systems for income generation. Africa poverty has contributed to accelerated degradation of natural resources. It is estimated that two-thirds of the regions people live in rural areas and depend primarily on agriculture and other natural resources for income. In Africa, the poor depend on natural ecosystems for their livelihoods and live in the most fragile and degraded rural and urban areas. Though offering an enormous potential in natural and human resources, Africa is plagued by a rampant poverty affecting both rural and urban populations along with tremendous impacts on the environment. Alongside this situation, the standard of living has drastically deteriorated due to the lack of an efficient system of domestic and/or industrial waste management.

The region is losing its natural resources at relatively rapid rates in comparison with other regions of the world. Africa is losing millions of hectares of forest every year. Its wildlife population of rich and unique species of animals and plants is under increasing pressure. Africas biological resources are declining rapidly as a result of climate variability, habitat loss, over-harvesting of selected resources, and illegal activities. Yet biodiversity contributes to poverty reduction in at least five key areas: food security; health improvement; income generation, reduced vulnerability, and ecosystem services.

Environmental degradation contributes markedly to many health threats, including polluted air, dirty water, poor sanitation, and insect-transmitted diseases such as malaria. Lack of availability and low quality of freshwater are the two most limiting factors for development in Africa, constraining food production and industrial activities, and contributing significantly to the burden of disease. Land degradation and water shortages in many parts of Africa are a major threat to the ability of poor farmers to earn a living from the land. Land quality and productivity are declining in cultivated areas, rangelands and forests resulting in reduced agricultural yields, affecting economies and food security; desertification of arid areas, raising competition for remaining resources; and increased potential for conflict. Land degradation impacts are felt most keenly by the poor because they are forced to cultivate on river shores and marginal lands such as desert margins which get degraded more rapidly. The poor also often live in degraded urban environments, including sites close to waste disposal areas or vulnerable to flooding

Real, lasting poverty reduction is only possible if the environment is able to provide the services people depend on, and if natural resources are used in a manner that does not undermine long-term development. African countries ever increasing population demands creative efforts to find new ways of producing more food from the countrys finite resources. African governments should link biodiversity conservation with policies to overcome poverty, especially in local communities that live around protected areas and in zones richly endowed with biodiversity through the sustainable use of the resources.

Deforestation is a major problem for the environment and is partly caused by unsustainable agricultural practices including forest clearance for agricultural activities, mining and harvesting timber, poles and fuel wood. Environmental damage almost always hits poor people the hardest and the overwhelming majority of those who die each year die from air and water pollution are poor people.

Africa has been experiencing a rapid rate of urbanization which leads to high-density slums, where the risk of contamination from unsafe water and poor sanitation is highest. Most African poor people living in rural communities depend directly on natural resources for their livelihood opportunities. These are under pressure from domestic and foreign consumer demands. Most local communities are heavily dependent on forest products, natural resources and ecological services for their livelihoods and for daily subsistence. They are affected by the degradation of the environment caused by poor land, pollution, and exhausted natural resources.

Natural ecosystems provide most of the worlds poor with food, fuel, medicine, building materials and cultural identity. In addition to satisfying these immediate needs, natural resources provide services such as global climate and are reservoirs for globally important biodiversity resources. Land degradation and forest biodiversity loss are major problems in Africa due to increasing population pressure, climate change, erosion, water scarcity, unsustainable agricultural practices and exploitation of forests. Farmers have little support from their governments who are not allocating sufficient budgets to agriculture. In addition, a large section of the African population in sub-Saharan Africa have no access to electricity or other modern cooking energy, with significant costs in terms of forest degradation, time spent on firewood collection and health problems due to indoor pollution. Undeveloped science and technology and lack of access to energy lead to large post-harvest losses due to spoilage, poor storage and transport facilities.

It is widely acknowledged that climate change is likely to pose a major challenge to community livelihoods, including agriculture, natural resources and fresh water, as a result of rising temperatures. Africa contributes the least to climate change and has the least capacity to adapt, yet will still bear the brunt of extreme weather patterns leading to natural resources deterioration. It is the developed world that has been, and still remains, responsible for most human-generated greenhouse gas emissions. Yet it is the poorest countries that are likely to be the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Priority action
Guwahati: Global rights body Amnesty International (AI) urged the Myanmar Union government in Naypietaw to immediately relocate a hazardous Sulphuric acid factory, built close to Kankone village, as it was posing serious health & environmental problems in the locality. Moe Gyo Sulphuric Acid Factory, erected in 2007 adjacent to Kankone locality in Sagaing region of northwest Burma (Myanmar) continues spreading smelling emissions causing respiratory, skin and eye problems to the villagers.

It came to light during a recent AI research mission to Myanmar, when the residents of Kankone village informed the AI representatives about their health related ailments. Slowly the emissions have damaged the soil and also crops in the area.

Myanmars government must intervene immediately and stop the operations of the Sulphuric acid factory. The factory must be relocated to an area where it cant endanger anybodys health, said AI business & human rights researcher Mark Dummett, who visited the Burmese village last month, in a statement.

The said Sulphuric acid factory was the subject of an investigation committee led by Aung San Suu Kyi in 2013, where the committee found that the factory was built without necessary permission from local authorities. The company that runs the factory is owned by the Myanmar military.

It is a criminal offence in Myanmar to operate a factory without permission but the government failed to open an investigation into this matter, and imposed no sanction on the owners for illegally operating the factory from 2007 to 2013, added the AI statement. The newly elected municipal authorities recently decided not to renew the factorys annual license to operate pending an assessment of its health and environmental impacts. According to the villagers, the factory stooped from functioning for some weeks, but soon resumed its operations on 15 June without renewing the license. The Myanmar government needs to stop the operations of the factory and move it to a safe location. It also should ensure that any negative impacts caused by the factory are fully assessed, disclosed and remediated, asserted Mark Dummett.
20.07.2016 LISTEN

The Neo-Freudian and the founder of individual psychology, Alfred Adler (1870-1937), asserted that every individual is motivated to strive for superiority in order to compensate for inferiority. In his view such compensatory striving and its attendant final fictive goal can fashion out the development of the individual.

The final fictive goal is what motivates individuals conduct. The purpose of this article is to elucidate the concept of final fictive goal as espoused by Alfred Adler and establish the connection between the aforesaid construct and our national identity as Ghanaians. This correlation will reveal our purpose in life and our goal as a country (development). Knowledge of our national purpose and discourse will somewhat prevent conflicts before, during and after 2016 polls in Ghana.

Adler opined that an individuals life cannot be understood apart from social context (Mosak & Maniacci, 1999). This thought of Adler was partly necessitated by a philosophy in the 19th century Europe known as idealistic positivism. Adler was typically influenced by the philosophy of Hans Vaihinger and the ideas of Max Weber, as espoused in his book called protestant ethics and the spirit of capitalism to propound a theory known as fictive finalism or final fictive goal. Sigmund Freud had emphasized on constitutional factors and experience during early childhood as determiners of personality traits (Hall & Lindzey, 1957).

Adler found from the Vaihinger rebuttal to this rigid historical determiner of personality and discovered the idea that man is motivated more by his expectation of the future not by the experience of the past. These goals do not exist in the future as a part of some teleological design. Adler believed in predestination or fatality, but to him they exist subjectively or mentally here and now as striving or ideals which affect present behavior (Hall & Lindzey, 1957). If a person believes, for example, that there is a heaven for virtuous people and a hell for sinners, this fiction (Adlers view), it may be presumed, will exercise considerable influences on his or her behavior. In the Adlers view, these fictive goals were, the subjective causation of psychological event (Hall & Lindzey, 1957).

As citizens of Ghana, we all have individual final fictive goals. Our life cannot be understood unless it is placed within social context. All human problems are social and even those within the province of individual are capable of becoming social (Mosak & Maniacci, 1999). As Christians, the final fictive goals motivate us to love our neighbor as ourselves. 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31). We do that for eternal blissfulness in heaven. Muslims are motivated by a final fictive goal by practicing their five pillars of faith. These include: Shahada, five daily prayers, Zakat (alms giving), Ramadan and Hajj (Insoll, 2003). The practitioners of African traditional religion have their own means of describing God for the purpose of the final fictive goal. For example, Professor John. S Mbiti, asserted that man, in some ways, considers himself to be the center of the universe, and this egocentricism makes him interpret the universe both anthropocentrically (looking at God from the point of his relationship with man) and anthropomorphically (Giving human attribute to God). This view of God regulates the conduct of African believers. I am yet to find a society or a country whose final fictive goal is conflict. In the view of the French social psychologist and sociologist, Gabriel Tarde (1843-1904) society cannot be defined but individuals in it could be defined. As a country however, our constitution defined our identity and goals.

The development of Ghana is the final fictive goal in the nation as a whole. We have an identity as one country with a common goal. Our tribal, ethnic, religious, political affiliations are the products of culture. Democracy and rule of law are the vehicles helping us as we traverse the rough road to development. To a very large extent, I do agree with Asantehene that if democracy will bring conflicts to our nation then it is not worth practicing. Ghanaian electorates, leaders must be guided by the final fictive goal of the nation and must be ever ready to avoid conflicts

As a country, we must conduct self-introspection: what are our goals? How far have we reached those goals? How come that we are very rich by natural resources and ironically poor by bank account (Baffour Ankomah)? The answers to these questions from foreigners perspective will help us to understand our shortcomings. Therefore, in his book, from third World to First, the Singapore Story: 1965-2000 pp, 355-356, the Singapores oriental despot who transformed that country into its height of economic glory, Lee Kuan Yew gave a horrifying tale of administrative ineptitude he witnessed during his visit to Ghana. Underneath are the vignettes of his observation.

By 1966, "Osagyefo (Redeemer), as Nkrumah was called, "had recovered enough of his bounce to give me dinner with some of his senior ministers and a bright young vice-chancellor of his university. This man, Abraham, was only 30 years old, had taken a First in classics at Oxford and was a fellow of All Souls college. Nkrumah was very proud of him. I was impressed, but wondered why a country so dependent on agriculture should have its brightest and best do Classics-Latin and Greek.

On our arrival at Accra, the person who came up to the aircraft to greet me was Krobo Edusei, the then minister for presidential affairs. He had gained notoriety as a corrupt minister who had bought himself a golden bedstead" (this was for the wife), a story much publicized in the World press. On my 2nd, night in Accra, he took me to a nightclub. Krobo Edusei, proudly announced that he was the owner and that all VIPS would enjoy their evenings there. With impunity Krobo Edusei talked about the number of properties he had acquired as a minister. I was not optimistic about Africa. My fears for the people of Ghana were not misplaced. Notwithstanding their rich cocoa plantations, gold mines, and high Volta dam, which could generate enormous amounts of power, Ghanas economy sank into disrepair and has not recovered the early promise it held out at independence in 1957, he asserted. Instances of corruption in Africa and Ghana could be mentioned ad infinitum. As we are going to the polls, we must vote on issues that fit into our national final fictive goals.

In sum, an identification of our purpose of life and national development as shrouded in Adlers final fictive goal, must encourage us to make good choices for our country. Conflict is definitely not a choice for us. Let us allow the institutions of the country to work. As Leonardo da Vinci, observed: the greatest deception men suffer from is their own opinion. The natural desire of good men is knowledge. If education instigates us to fight among ourselves, then it is not education but miseducation. Let us work hard to ensure a peaceful and violent-free election 2016. I am intelligent because I know that I know nothing (Socrates). I humbly stand for Corrections. Feedbacks must be emailed to

[email protected]

Reference

Hall, C. S., & Lindzey, G. (1957). Social psychological theories: Adler, Fromm, Horney, and Sullivan. In Theories of personality (pp. 114-156). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Inc. doi:10.1037/10910-004

Insoll. T (2003). The archaeology of Islam in Sub-Saharan Africa, Combridge University Press

Mbiti, J. S (1997). African Religions and Philosophy, 2nd, ed, Heineman.

Mosak, H. H., & Maniacci, M. P. (1999). A primer of Adlerian psychology: The analytic-behavioral-cognitive psychology of Alfred Adler. Philadelphia, PA: Brunner/Mazel.

Nana Yaw Osei (Padigo), PhD Candidate, Psychology

College of Doctoral Studies

Grand Canyon University, Arizona, USA
20.07.2016 LISTEN

Dedication - To my lovely pal with a principled soul, Emmanuella Dziedzorm Adompreh.

Folks believe I am not secretive about my dreams. Well, I am smart; I declare my vision but conceal the actual plans. Know the difference. Planning is a remarkable attitude of mine as a very ambitious guy. I practically plan any vital action I take as a writing entrepreneur. In fact, I do not live like a blind man as mediocre minds think because I am a maverick. Also, I proudly tell people that I will surely establish a writing empire in the world. That is my supreme vision. And I am always planning strategically to accomplish this seemingly impossible ambition. Indeed, I assert that anything great is highly possible with planning, but nothing great is possible without planning.

Okay, what is planning? Ideally, planning is the process of thinking or designing a plan meant to achieve a particular goal. In the world of business management, planning is depicted as a process which entails identifying or stating objectives, formulating strategies to realise them, creating the necessary means, and executing the appropriate steps. Philosophically speaking, "Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now," Alan Lakein revealed. Interestingly, I recently asked my dear friend Boadicea who her ideal man is, and she told me, "...He must have good plans..." Impressive, yet "plans are nothing; planning is everything," Dwight Eisenhower stated.

Moreover, let me summarise a formidable story to epitomise the incredible power and significance of planning, of course, a strategic one. In my favourite Hollywood movie, "Mission Impossible 5: Rogue Nation," Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) together with Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Isa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson) planned in a magical way to defy the odds. Although it was really impossible to download the Syndicate's electronic ledger hidden in a secure computer facility where all security data are stored offline underwater, they managed to retrieve the ledger mysteriously through a mind-blowing plan of action. You definitely have to watch how they planned and implemented it successfully.

Hey, do you visualise anything overwhelming which looks unattainable in our mediocre society? All you need to do is to plan painstakingly for a considerable period of time before you later proceed with pragmatic actions. Never act first if you have not planned very well since your results are most likely to be abysmal. Remember what Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US President, said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening my axe." I spent about 6 months planning the nature of my upcoming book, but I surprisingly used exactly one week to pen it all down or to actually write the whole book. Ha-ha, most writers normally do the opposite.

Source: sirarticle.blogspot.com
20.07.2016 LISTEN

Introduction

Everyday across the world thousands of visa applicants are refused visas at US consulates. Whiles many of these refusals can clearly be justified on the evidence, there are a great many who feel they should have been issued with a visa on the basis of the evidence.

A refusal under section 214 (b)

The most common ground for a B visa refusal is under section 214 (b). A refusal under section 214 (b) simply means that you failed to satisfy the consular officer (CO) that that you have sufficient ties to your home country to justify your entitlement for the visa. In determining whether you have ties, the CO will consider whether you have a permanent employment or business, meaningful financial and economic connections, close family ties, social or cultural associations and any other factor that will induce you to return to your home country.

Can I appeal the decision to refuse?

The consular non-reviewability doctrine under US immigration law states that a decision by the CO is not subject to review by the judiciary or other authority. This means that no authority has power to determine whether the COs decision to refuse you a visa under section 214(b) was in accordance with law. However, the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) requires consular supervisors to adopt internal review procedures by reviewing at least 20% of all nonimmigrant visa refusals especially the ones emanating from less experienced COs. This is designed as a tool to maintain high professional standards of adjudication.

In practice, these internal reviews hardly ever result in cases being overturned and the applicant being recalled for the issuance of a visa. Therefore, the only remedy available to you after a refusal under section 214(b) is to make a reapplication.

How can I make a reapplication?

You can make a reapplication at any time after your initial refusal. You must complete and submit a Form DS-160, pay the relevant visa fee, submit your biometrics, and appear for a personal interview in the same way as your original application.

When can I make a reapplication?

The law does not set any time limit within which you may make a reapplication. However, COs generally tend to be biased towards applications made immediately after a refusal. This is based on the assumption that ties are such things that cannot reasonably change overnight. If you were refused a visa under section 214(b), the CO may generally find it difficult to accept how you could have suddenly developed ties within a month or two after your initial refusal.

To establish that there has been a change in your circumstances, there has to be a reasonable time between your previous refusal and your reapplication. Generally, a minimum period of 6 months is considered sufficient time to establish a change in circumstances.

What factors must I consider in making a reapplication?

In considering whether to reapply, you may first consider whether you explained your situation accurately at the interview. If you think you did, you may further ask yourself whether in your opinion, the CO overlooked something in your application. If that is also the case, you may finally wish to consider whether you have any additional information you can present to establish your ties.

What are my chances?

The determination by the CO that you did not qualify for the B visa in your original application was made only on the basis of the facts that existed at the time of the application. The law requires the CO to give full consideration to any evidence presented by you to overcome the refusal. Therefore, the fact that you failed to prove that you qualify for a B visa at the time of your original application should not preclude you from subsequently qualifying for the visa in a reapplication.

Unfortunately however, a number of applicants may never be able to show sufficient ties or a change in their circumstances and may not qualify for a B visa regardless of the number of times they reapply.

To be continued

Emmanuel Opoku Acheampong

Disclaimer: This article only provides general information and guidance on US immigration law. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. The writer will not accept any liability for any claims or inconvenience as a result of the use of this information. The writer is an immigration law advisor and a practicing law attorney in Ghana. He advises on US, UK, and Schengen immigration law. He works part-time for Acheampong & Associates Ltd, an immigration law firm in Accra. He may be contacted on [email protected]
KSRTC will set up a group booking system for devotees coming in groups to book a bus. This way, they will be able to journey together. A group must be 40 members.
Accra, July 19, GNA - Ghanaian farmers benefitted from $ 22 million interest-free short-term financing under the Olam Livelihood Charter (OLC), according to 2015 results announced by global agri-business giant, Olam International.

The Olam Livelihood Charter, Olam International's flagship smallholder sustainability initiative, caters for a total of 31,722 Ghanaian farmers in the cashew and cocoa sectors, cultivating a total of 73,968 hectors of land. Some 57 per cent of these farmers are women.

Launched in 2010, the OLC is a global initiative, which aims at bringing prosperity to farming and rural communities, building long-term relationships based on fairness and trust, and transferring skills and knowledge through partnerships.

The initiative now covers some 344,466 farmers in 17 countries worldwide, including Ghana.

The initiative is based on the principle that supporting smallholders with agri-training and seeds or fertiliser is not enough.

Initiatives must be holistic in approach and tackle wider social, economic and environmental challenges to achieve mutually beneficial impacts in the long-term.

Besides enjoying access to short-term financing under the OLC in the course of the year, Ghanaian farmers were supplied some 155,500 quality seedlings and benefitted from 23,177 training days in Good Agricultural Practices.

Olam Ghana also conducted HIV and Aids awareness and testing campaigns and screening programmes for Typhoid.

One of the programmes under the Olam Livelihood Charter with the farmers in Bia Juabeso has produced the world's first verified climate smart cocoa with Rainforest Alliance.

'Without finance, there's no farm investment. Without adequate nutrition or healthcare, farmers cannot fulfil their potential. Without environmental know-how, their landscape degrades,' explained Mr Amit Agrawal, Country Head of Olam Ghana.

'Everyone stands to benefit from getting it right. When farming communities thrive, the economy grows and food security in Ghana is enhanced.

'Meanwhile we at Olam can grow our business and provide our customers with consistent volumes of traceable, sustainable products,' he said.

GNA
20.07.2016 LISTEN

"Children are central to where we are heading for in TB control. If we aim to end TB in the next 20 years we should know the trends in infection and disease in the paediatric population and amend it," said Dr Jennifer Furin of Harvard Medical School, at a session in International TB Conference (TB 2016) - a two-day conference dedicated exclusively to this infectious disease - that immediately preceded the 21st International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) being currently held in port city of Durban. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that nearly 1 million children get infected with TB and more than 30,000 children become sick every year with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB).

A survey in India done by Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) found that 9% of children with TB were already resistant to rifampicin, before they started treatment. Another study estimated that 2 million children had latent MDR-TB infection. However the actual magnitude of the childhood TB epidemic is likely to be much higher than that currently estimated, as TB in children is often missed due to non-specific symptoms and difficulties in diagnosis.

UNBELIEVABLE BUT TRUE: CHILDREN NOT OUR PRIMARY FOCUS

Dr Furin expressed her outrage for very little attention being paid to paediatric TB care and control. Children need to be our primary focus but they are not. We are practicing the trickle down effect in paediatric TB. We assume that whatever good is happening for adults will somehow make it down for children. But there is a wide gap between our expectations and the ground reality, she said.

Some of the current gaps in paediatric TB care Dr Furin pointed out are lack of - point-of-care test on easily accessible samples; sensitive screening tools; effective nontoxic TB treatment; all oral short course potent regimens for all forms of TB; paediatric formulations and family-centred approach.

According to her there are three main priority areas we need to focus on:

(i) Establish long term family cohorts that are followed for 20 years or so.

(ii) Establish rapid epidemic response protocols, especially in larger MDR-TB outbreak settings (like Papua New Guinea (PNG) where 1% of the population is sick with MDR-TB) and in smaller settings with high number of exposed children (like creches and orphanages)

(iii) Commit to childhood TB as an essential part of End TB strategy.

DELAY IN ROLL-OUT OF NEW CHILD-FRIENDLY DRUGS IS UNACCEPTABLE

It is indeed unfortunate that even when child friendly paediatric formulations for TB treatment are available, the uptake has been slow. Then again, even two years after Bedaquiline and Delaminid were recommended by WHO for treatment in adults, there is still no talk of having a recommendation for adolescents and children.

But in this dismal scenario, there are small sparks of hope too. The Global Alliance for TB Drug Development (TB Alliance) has played a vital role in not only developing paediatric fixed dose combinations (FDCs) for treating drug sensitive TB, but also advocating for their use, in getting national guidelines changed and switching the market from old to the new. Vijay Agarwal of Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd, an Indian generic drug manufacturing company, informed that they have started manufacturing and supplying the FDCs of (i) Rifampicin 75mg + Isoniazid 50mg and (ii) Rifampicin 75mg + Isoniazid 50mg + Pyrazinamide 150mg.

These were prequalified by WHO in June 2015, and the company started getting the first orders in April 2016. Kenya was the first country to approve them and till to date, 10 countries, including Kenya, have purchased them through the Global Drug Facility (GDF) of Stop TB Partnership.

Unfortunately, India, where these drugs are being produced, has yet to roll them out. The company was expecting to get a purchase order from the RNTCP this month and would be able to deliver supplies within two months of getting the order. To begin with, the Indian government is expected to roll out these FDCs for HIV co-infected paediatric TB patients in 5 states (Haryana, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh).

SHORTER DRUG REGIMEN FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Another good news shared by Bassirou Souleymane of Damien Foundation with CNS (Citizen News Service) was the encouraging results obtained for children who were part of an observational study launched in 2013 in 9 countries of Africa to determine effectiveness and tolerance of a modified Bangladesh regimen for MDR-TB. Out of the 58 children and adolescents aged less than18 years started on this regimen, 47 were recruited early enough for cohort analysis - 9 of them being HIV positive. Overall treatment success rate was 83%. Also all adverse drug events were mild to moderate.

Treatment results of the Bangladesh regimen appear excellent in children and adolescents, including in HIV infected patients. Adverse drug events were not frequent and all were mild. But as sample size was small, more studies are needed. These results should encourage to apply the short regimen to children and adolescents, said Souleymane.

Integrating paediatric TB programme with programmes like Maternal and Child Health, could help find lot many kids with undiagnosed TB. So healthcare facilities where children go for vaccinations, deworming and for sickness like pneumonia, malnutrition, provide a good and cost saving opportunity for screening them for TB.

Dr John Ditekemena of Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation spoke about the challenge of addressing the wide policy-practice gap and the need to scale up of new tools - GeneXpert and new paediatric FDCs. He advocated for a community health approach to bring health information and basic services to the people. Community has to be involved for TB management by reinforcing capacities of community members to handle TB related issues in children like active case finding, index case finding and contact tracing.

TIME TO ACT IS NOW

It is our moral obligation to protect our children. No child should get TB and no child should die of it. What we need is a strategy and not empty talks. Merely signing on the dotted line is just not enough. There has to be the political will to transform words into action.

Shobha Shukla, CNS (Citizen News Service)

(Shobha Shukla is the Managing Editor of CNS (Citizen News Service) who is leading CNS onsite Correspondents Team at XXI International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) and International TB Conference (TB 2016) in Durban, South Africa, with kind support from Lilly MDR TB Partnership. Follow her on Twitter: @shobha1shukla)
Juba (AFP) - South Sudan journalist John Gatluak knew the risks of war: his radio station was destroyed twice but he never stopped broadcasting the news, even when hiding in swamps.

But the quiet, deeply committed journalist was shot dead on July 11 in the capital Juba, the latest in a string of killings and assaults on media and rights groups daring to criticise the leaders of a conflict that has driven the world's youngest nation to the depths of despair.

"Being a journalist in South Sudan is risking one's life," Gatluak said last year when his station in the war-ravaged town of Leer was looted again, according to a statement from his employer Internews, which supports media freedom.

"But I have dedicated myself to serving my community through radio as a watchdog, informing them about what the politicians are doing."

His wife gave birth to their third child the day after he was hunted down and shot at close range when his compound was stormed by gunmen.

- Ethnic killings -

The latest violence echoed the December 2013 start of the civil war with fighting starting in Juba, leaving in tatters a peace deal that was hoped would end the bitter conflict between President Salva Kiir and arch-rival Riek Machar, now vice-president in a so-called unity government.

Hundreds died in this latest spasm of violence, which began with a shootout at the presidential palace between men loyal to Kiir and Machar on the eve of South Sudan's fifth anniversary of independence.

Like many of the tens of thousands killed in a war that has divided the country along tribal lines, reports suggest Gatluak was targeted for his ethnicity.

Scars across his forehead marked him out as a Nuer, the same ethnicity as Machar.

Nine journalists have been killed since 2015, ncluding government cameraman Kamula Duro, who died after fighting erupted between rival forces at the presidential palace on July 8.

Bullets smashed into the popular Eye Radio station office in Juba, which continued reporting through some of the worst of the fighting.

Last year a reporter was shot in an apparently targeted attack, days after Kiir publicly threatened to kill journalists who reported "against the country".

- Exit blocked -

"Officials have intensified repressive measures," press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (known by its French acronym, RSF) said, which ranks South Sudan as the 140th worst nation out of 180 for press freedoms world wide.

The US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said the crackdown is just the latest in a string of efforts to muzzle the press, including beatings, threats, arrests and the closure of several newspapers.

For some, the latest violence is the final straw, but with security forces restricting South Sudanese men from using land borders or the airport, those who want to leave must risk using back routes to smuggle themselves to safety.

"The rest are in fear across the country," said CEPO, a civil society group.

- Arrests and beatings -

Others have been arrested. Veteran journalist Alfred Taban was arrested on Saturday and his Juba Monitor newspaper closed after he wrote in an editorial arguing that South Sudan's leaders had "completely failed".

He is no stranger to arrest, having worked as a journalist in Khartoum before Sudan split in 2011, where he was repeatedly harassed for his support for an independent South Sudan.

Hassan Shire of East African rights group Defend Defenders called it: "another unacceptable attack on free speech at a time when the country needs it most".

Taban, who is in poor health, joins journalist George Livio, who worked for the UN-backed Radio Miraya in the town of Wau. He has been in detention since his arrest in August 2014.

Civil society leaders are also wary of speaking out.

"The system in South Sudan cracks down on anything that is not in accordance with the 'norm'," the author of the popular satirical Saakam website told AFP.

"It is understood... that if you are not in agreement with what they do, you must be an enemy -- or even worse -- a paid enemy. Not many have or will want to dare go into investigative journalism for fear of being gunned down as a spy."

Amid the gloom, Saakam's satire has continued to mock leaders with stories that provoke laughter but that are all too close to the bone.

"Former rebels intend to remain 'In Opposition' even if they democratically become majority in government," one satirical Saakam piece read.

"New S.Sudan states run out of new symbols, clash over old ones," another headline read, poking fun at how Kiir undermined the fundamental power-sharing pillar of the peace deal by nearly tripling the number of regional states.

But in a serious reflection, Saakam said the "real threat" to journalists and their families "cannot be overstated".

One recent post by Saakam highlighted a genuine message urging peace from the president of Somalia, a country that is a byword for anarchy.

"At least listen to Somalia," the post read.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed a contribution of 10 million (approximately US$11.1 million) from the Government of Germany to support nearly 350,000 people in the eastern Sudan state of Kassala.

WFP will use the funds to provide food assistance to more than 88,400 refugees, migrants and asylum seekers from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia as well as members of their host communities, through general food distributions and food vouchers for one year.

We are grateful to the German Government and people for this contribution which enables us to provide a package of assistance to vulnerable families in Kassala State, said WFP Representative and Country Director Adnan Khan. Refugees and asylum seekers have little to no means of securing their needs. Host communities have also been over-stretched and need support to improve their incomes through programmes that provide them with new skills to build community assets and contribute to the development of their areas.

An additional 100,000 refugees and vulnerable Sudanese will receive monthly voucher assistance as part of WFPs asset-creation and income-generating activities.

Germanys contribution will additionally support school feeding for more than 46,500 school children. The grant will also help WFP purchase special nutrition supplements to treat and prevent moderate acute malnutrition among 112,000 pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under five for one year.

Since 2012, Germany has provided a total of US$24.6 million to WFP operations in Sudan, including contributions to the WFP-operated UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). Germany continues to be among WFP Sudans top five donors.

I am glad that Germanys contribution can help towards improving the living conditions of refugees and asylum seekers and at the same time assist host communities and vulnerable Sudanese in eastern Sudan, said Germanys Ambassador to Sudan Rolf Welberts. This is part of Germanys continued commitment to address challenges caused by migration in Sudan and the Horn of Africa as a whole.

WFP operations in Sudan remain among its largest and most complex, providing food assistance to vulnerable people in Darfur and other food insecure groups in the east and border areas to the south.

In 2016, WFP plans to assist 4.6 million vulnerable people in Sudan through a mix of activities which include general food distribution, school feeding, nutrition programmes and food assistance for assets and for training.
Paris (AFP) - Three French soldiers were killed during a mission to gather intelligence in Libya, President Francois Hollande said Wednesday in the first official confirmation that France has troops in the country where IS controls a key city.

Hollande said the troops died in a helicopter accident while taking part in "dangerous intelligence operations".

He did not say when the incident took place.

Libyan sources gave a different account of events, telling AFP the M17 helicopter was shot down by surface-to-air missiles.

They were "probably targeted by Islamist groups in the Magroun area, about 65 kilometres west of Benghazi" on Sunday, a commander of forces loyal to a controversial general, Khalifa Haftar, said.

Another source close to Haftar -- who opposes the internationally backed unity government in Tripoli as well as the Islamist factions that have overrun large parts of the country -- said the dead soldiers were military advisors.

Announcing their deaths earlier Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian praised the officers' "courage of devotion" but gave no details of how they were killed.

Rival militias in Libya have been vying for power since the overthrow of veteran dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Several Islamist groups, including the Islamic State, have a presence around Benghazi which is situated in the east, analysts said.

IS's main stronghold is the central coastal city of Sirte.

Forces loyal to the unity government have been embroiled in a two-month battle to try to retake the city from the jihadists.

- Europe's shores at risk -

Western powers have been nervously watching the group's advance on Europe's doorstep.

Hollande said Libya was experiencing "dangerous instability" and noted: "It's only a few hundred kilometres from Europe's shores."

France had previously revealed its warplanes were carrying out reconnaissance flights over the country from the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier.

But Paris has never confirmed reports that it has intelligence agents and/or special forces on the ground.

France, together with Britain, led the push in 2011 for the NATO-led campaign of airstrikes that helped topple Kadhafi's regime.

The two countries were later accused of not doing enough to support Libya after the intervention.

British media reported in May that British special forces had taken part in combat against IS in the country's northeast.

The news of the soldiers' deaths comes as France struggles to recover from a massacre in Nice last week, in which a Tunisian with a fascination for jihad slammed a truck into a crowd, killing 84 people.

IS, which directed last year's attacks on the national stadium in Paris and several nightspots in the capital, claimed the attack.

But French investigators have said there is no proof Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel was acting on the group's behalf.
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to this High-Level Event on responding to the impacts of El Nino and mitigating recurring climate risks.

The lives and livelihoods of millions of peoplewomen, girls, men and boysaround the world have been turned upside down by the extreme weather events linked to this powerful El Nino.

From the dry corridor in Central America, to the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa, to the Pacific Islands and South-East Asia, El Nino has caused droughts and floods that have devastated communities, undermining the livelihoods of more than 60 million people.

I myself witnessed the effects in Ethiopia, where El Nino has affected millions of people, testing their resilience and in some cases increasing vulnerability and requiring special assistance to avoid food insecurity and malnutrition. I appreciated the Ethiopian Governments significant and well-targeted efforts to support people and ensure their productivity as they weathered the crisis.

Just two days ago, I passed through Malawi. During my one-hour stay at the airport I had the opportunity of meeting the Foreign Minister and our UN country team, and I met at that time with Ms. Kyung-Wha Kang, Assistant Secretary-General of OCHA, who was there on a fact-finding mission. I was told at that time that Ertharin Cousin [Executive Director] of WFP would be arriving the following morning. I heard that she is now going to brief on the situation in Malawi about El Nino. The Foreign Minister and the UN country team and Ms. Kyung-Wha Kang, OCHA Assistant Secretary General, expressed very serious concern about what is happening. Then, I travelled to South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda. In all these areas people were appealing to the United Nations and the international community about this very serious impact of El Nino.

There have been many warnings that human-induced climate change may interact with El Nino in ways we have never before experienced.

We should expect future events to be less predictable, more frequent and more severe, starting with La Nina, which is likely to begin towards the end of 2016 and extend into 2017.

The challenges to our response go far beyond humanitarian action.

Extreme weather events reverse development gains. People and communities cannot escape poverty or banish hunger if their resources are wiped out by floods, storms or droughts every few years.

Even when malnutrition is treated and children survive, they can be affected for life by stunting and impaired development. This has serious implications for education, the ability of people to make a living, and the opportunities for societies and nations to prosper and develop in a sustainable way.

For many of the poorest and most vulnerable, extreme weather events linked to climate change could put the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at risk.

This unprecedented challenge requires unprecedented changes in the way we work.

It is crucial that we learn the lessons of this El Nino. We must prevent, prepare for and mitigate the effects of climate change, which has the greatest impact on those who have least responsibility for causing it.

We must bring together humanitarian, development and climate-resilience elements to achieve common goals and collective outcomes.

We must ensure that investments are made early in disaster risk reduction and building resilience, and that they focus on the most vulnerable people to change their lives and to move from delivering aid to ending need.

These changes were endorsed at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul two months ago.

They are outlined in my Agenda for Humanity, and in the commitment to transcend humanitarian and development divides agreed by heads of key UN humanitarian agencies at the summit.

Working together to reduce disaster risk was an important thread running through last years political achievements: the Sendai Framework, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

This new way of working presents a challenge, but also provides an opportunity for progress.

Many Governments have shown great leadership in driving a coherent and effective emergency response to El Nino, allocating significant resources of their own.

Others were able to reduce the risks of El Nino and mitigate its impacts so that they did not require international assistance.

Still others benefited from international solidarity expressed through resources from the Central Emergency Response Fund. CERF has provided $120 million to humanitarian partners for life-saving activities linked to El Nino in 19 countries.

We must learn from these successful practices.

We must scale up our response and share the burden of climate change more equitably, demonstrating greater solidarity with those in need.

I call on affected Governments, donors, civil society, development and humanitarian actors, and our private sector partners to support the efforts of my two Special Envoys for El Nino and Climate, Her Excellency the former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, and His Excellency Ambassador Macharia Kamau of Kenya, in raising awareness and bringing greater resources to bear.

Looking forward, I call on all parties to honour the promise of the 2030 Agenda and the commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit.

The task is enormous, but together our resources are vast and our will to act is strong.

We cannot afford to fail.

Thank you for your commitment.
Dear Inspector General,

I happen to agree with your decision on shutting down social media. However, not in such times as this. Your concern for security and safety in Ghana is indeed paramount in this election as was seen in your view you put across to Ghanaians of which some of us got to know through social media platforms. I write to you this morning after careful thought and research, obviously not suffering from kpokpogbligbli, to opine why I do not fully agree with your decision.

It is widely attributed to the infamous Idi Amin that your freedom of speech I can guarantee but your freedom after speech I am not so sure. Clearly, his methods of meting out judgements to people he found to have committed a crime on such basis was very much of an abuse and very undemocratic. But freedom of speech doesnt mean careless talk and everyone must be held accountable for his or views and expression but more importantly, as prescribed by the 1992 constitution of Ghana, the same constitution that gives us the democratic right for freedom of expression.

Just as everything man has created has good and bad effects if not properly controlled, social media is no exception.

Social media have in recent times being used to organise and carry out very violent and disturbing activities. For example, in London on August 4, 2011 a peaceful protest in response to the fatal shooting of Mark Duggan erupted into full scale riot leaving Tottenham in flames. The violence and looting quickly spread across other districts of London. As a result of this, the British government with David Cameron as Prime Minister explored the idea of turning off social media. In a statement to the House of Commons, he stated [f]ree flow of information can be used for good. But it can also be used for ill. And when people are using social media for violence we need to stop them. He also announced that government was considering whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality. Another negative effect of social media will be the flash robs phenomenon. It is a way of organising young people to ransack stores, a case that has become very spontaneous in the USA in recent years.

On the good side, social media gives the opportunity for people around the world to access the state of ongoing activities in a particular country at real time. A clear case will be the Arab Spring, where many of the North African countries decided to protest against their dictatorship governments. The world was open to the various infringements of Human Rights by governments and regimes on the very people they govern. When the government of those countries decided to shut down social media, people decided to physically respond and also found ways of going round it by calling their family members abroad to post the messages on their behalf, using fax machines and also the technological knowledge of the protestors in using circumvention and anonymity technology helped them gained access to social media to make watchdogs across the globe to have sight of what was occurring in their country.

If these examples seem too far away from us, during the annual flooding of Ghanas beloved capital, Accra, many people were informed to avoid places like Circle as pictures of the flood went viral on social media. Places like Haiti received aid from Ghana when their suffering went viral on social media in January 2011. Individuals and groups organised fundraising and geared support through such media.

The consequences of shutting down social media are far more damaging than beneficial. Not that we hope or pray for violence but since the only thing we learn from history is that history repeats itself, it will be relevant to note the following.

It infringes on the democratic right of freedom of expression of the citizen. It also prevents people from gaining access to information, in that people may walk into places where there is violence without knowing as a result of them not having access to social media.

Shutting down social media also has economic consequences. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reported that Egypt had incurred costs of at least $90 million (34% of GDP) from lost revenues as a result of shutting down telecommunications and Internet services for five days, accounting for approximately $18 million per day). Looking at the fact that Ghana is now building its hub and name in the telecommunication industry, it would not be a good precedent to deter investors from coming into the country as they will speculate that every election year will have them being shut down and prevented from operating.

It will also prevent international watchdog communities from having information as to what is happening in the country in real time in case of any oppression which will help in judging the credibility of the election.

Instead of shutting down social media, I suggest the following.

There can be partnership between the security agencies and the various social media platforms on particular terms and conditions that can help safeguard the security of the nation. For example Google is in partnership with NSA to help them fight cyber attacks on their systems. In return, they provide NSA with the nature and code of the cyber attack to help NSA prepare against future attacks whiles not infringing on the privacy rights of Googles customers. It is up to the police to determine what is best in this case.

Also, there must be rightful prosecutions of people who are caught to be spreading false information to the general public. Such prosecutions must be carried out without fear or favour, especially of politicians who openly put out false information just to cause fear and panic.

Every individual is his/her best form of security. Hence, it is prudent for everyone to share information from only verified sources. Far more important, we must also report to the police any suspicious activity being carried out by any individual or group since they, the police, are not omniscient.

To conclude, shutting down social media will tarnish Ghanas image as a rising model of democracy in Africa. It may also result in future closure of other forms of media be it the electronic media or the print media. The act may also be precedence for dictatorship as information will be suppressed.

It is for the above reasons that I hope you reconsider your stand on shutting down social media as you continue to serve mother Ghana in overseeing the work of the police as you provide us with Service with Integrity.

My name is Kotey and thank you.

Author: Kotey Edwin

Blog: koteyscribbles.wordpress.com

References: http://thebftonline.com/business/ict/19176/what-a-social-media-shutdown-on-election-day-means-for-the-business-of-politics-.html

http://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1208&context=njtip

See Raymond Schillinger, Social Media and the Arab Spring: What Have We Learned?, HUFFINGTON POST (Sept. 20, 2011, 3:59 PM), http://www.huffingtonpost.com/raymond-schillinger/arab-spring-socialmedia_b_970165.html

Sam Gustin, Social Media Sparked, Accelerated Egypts Revolutionary Fire, WIRED (Feb. 11, 2011, 2:56 PM), http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2011/02/egypts-revolutionary-fire

How Egypt Shut Down the Internet, TELEGRAPH (Jan. 28, 2011, 11:29 AM), http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/8288163/How-Egypt-shutdown-the-internet.html; Christopher Rhoads & Geoffrey A. Fowler, Egypt Shuts Down Internet, Cellphone Services, WALL ST. J. (Jan. 29, 2011)

England Riots: Maps and Timeline, BBC (Aug. 11, 2011, 11:43 AM), http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10321233

The Economic Impact of Shutting Down Internet and Mobile Phone Services in Egypt, ORG. FOR ECON. CO-OPERATION AND DEV. (Feb. 4, 2011), http://www.oecd.org/document/19/0,3746,en_2649_201185_47056659_1_1_1_1,00.html

Ellen Nakashima, Google to Enlist NSA to Help It Ward Off Cyberattacks, WASH. POST (Feb. 4, 2010), http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/03/AR2010020304057.html
Telecom brand of the year, Tigo, has revamped its loyalty programme for its pre-paid customers. In what will give customers a very exciting morning, they are offering free calls, text messages and internet browsing to customers from 6am to 8am every day.

The exciting package will enable all Tigo pre-paid customers catch up with latest news on their social media platforms during the early morning rush hours where people commute from home to work and call their loved ones.

Kokrokoo which is what the rooster crows every morning is giving every Tigo pre-paid customer free 10 minutes to call Tigo lines, 30 text messages and 30MB of internet browsing from 6am to 8am every day.

Kokrokoo is just one of the surprise offers Tigo has lined up for the rest of the year for its customers.

Thanking customers for their consistent loyalty over the years, the Director for Mobile, Tara Squire, said all customers need to do is keep their line active as the offer does not require an activation code or subscription.

He urged new customers to get a sim and enjoy several other innovative products on Ghanas favourite network. Kokrokoo is active from July 20  3 August 2016.
KIGALI, RWANDA (19 July, 2016)  The African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA) is commending the adoption of a comprehensive new roadmap to eliminate malaria in Africa by 2030.

On Sunday, African leaders endorsed the Catalytic Framework to end AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria in Africa by 2030 during the 27th African Union (AU) Summit in Kigali. The framework outlines a pathway to eliminate malaria incidence and mortality, and prevent its transmission and reestablishment in all countries by 2030. By building Africa-wide consensus, leaders have charted a pathway to malaria elimination.

H.E. President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad, current Chair of the AU, AIDS Watch Africa and of ALMA, urged leaders to redouble their efforts to sustain existing donor funding and ramp up domestic resources to ensure the success of the roadmap and implementation of innovative health solutions to eliminate malaria.

Today, Africas leaders have again shown their commitment to the fight to end malaria, HIV/AIDS and TB by adopting the Catalytic Framework to end AIDS, TB and Eliminate Malaria by 2030 with clear targets and milestones. Through our continued leadership and increased cooperation to finance and provide lifesaving anti-malaria interventions, we can sustain our momentum and achieve a malaria, HIV/AIDS and TB -free Africa said Idriss Deby Itno, President of Chad and Chair of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance (ALMA)

Since 2000, malaria mortality rates in Africa have fallen by 66 percent among all age groups and by 71 percent among children under five years old. Annual malaria deaths in Africa have decreased from an estimated 764,000 in 2000 to 395,000 in 2015. Still, malaria remains one of the top causes of morbidity in pregnant women and mortality in children under five.

A ground-breaking coalition of 49 heads of state and government, ALMA has worked with governments to keep malaria high on the national and international development agenda since its founding in 2009.

African leadership is our most powerful weapon in the war against malaria, said Joy Phumaphi, Executive Secretary of ALMA. In renewing their commitment to fight malaria and endorsing a framework to get us there, African leaders have brought us one step closer to an Africa free of malaria.

We are confident that Ghana can eliminate malaria if it continues to make progress in implementing preventative measures. Ghana recently announced a new awareness raising campaign to encourage all households to sleep under mosquito nets. The Catalytic Framework demonstrates Africas continued commitment to the fight against malaria and will help Ghana to work together with other countries in the region to address our common challenges.

Joining other African heads of state and government, Ghana committed to the full support of, and compliance with the requirements of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the International Health Regulations focusing on improved quality data collection, analysis and sharing. Countries committed to the strengthening of health systems, accountability and community engagement.

The meeting pushed for the accelerated implementation of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa; emphasizing the need for improved quality of locally produced commodities as well as access and affordability. The Chair emphasized the importance of local manufacturing in each sub region as a vehicle for both improved health services and employment creation.

Leaders at the Summit also commended international donors  calling on partners to fully replenish the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria this year at the Global Fund Replenishment Conference. Theycommitted to increased domestic financing from both the public and private sectors and endorsed the domestic financing scorecard introduced by the AUC.

The Catalytic Framework was adopted and it defines continent-wide goals for HIV/AIDS TB, and Malaria, focusing on the guiding principles of country ownership and leadership, financial and political commitment, equal access to health services for vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations, and robustsurveillance and response systems. It outlines milestones and targets, with the aim of reducing malaria incidence and mortality rate by at least 40 percent by 2020, and 75 percent by 2025; With the ultimate goal of eliminating malaria, and preventing re-establishment in all African countries by 2030.
The First Lady Mrs Lordina Mahama says Ghanaians, ought to strive to inspire disabled people to achieve their full potential in life. According to her it is time society change out-dated perceptions of disabled people.

The First Lady made the observation when she donated cartons of wheelchairs, carts, and albino cream, walking sticks and white canes to persons living with disability in Western Region.

Mrs Mahama noted that the way public authorities and criminal justice system respond and protect people with disability must be changed.

I appeal to all stakeholders, including employers and the corporate world, to encourage people living with disability; to create opportunity for them to participate in all economic and social activities, without any form of discrimination or stigma she stated.

She called on Parents, Teachers, religious bodies, corporate organisations, non-governmental Organisations to continue to perform their social responsibilities to enhance quality life for people living with disability.

In Ghana and many other parts of the world, there are stigmas, negative attitudes and social taboos expressed against persons with disability. These negative attitudes lead to the neglect of these vulnerable people thereby hampering the development of their God-given potentials.

This the First Lady describes as unacceptable. She stressed that having a disability does not mean a person is not healthy but because of stigma and discrimination people with disability are subjected to depression, and other health challenges.

It is for this reason she believe all must avoid discriminative behaviour and rather show care and love towards the disabled in our society.

Mrs Mahama said with the coming on stream of the new educational reforms, the government has put pragmatic measures in place, for academic and technical/vocational education, for persons with disability to prepare them for opportunities on the job market.

It is important emphasising this point as I have always done, that persons with disability do not need our sympathy, what they need is opportunity she noted

She reiterated government commitment who through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, is committed to fully implementing the Disability Act, which has been passed under this government.

Governments commitment to the welfare of the disabled is expressed in the appointment of Dr Henry Seidu Danaa as Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs. As part of the implementation of the Act, many more public places are now disabled user friendly.

She said the Lordina Foundation will continue to support Government initiatives towards disabled people that will allow them many opportunities and to live independently and to reach their full potential.

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The recent decision of the Supreme Court in Abu Ramadan v. The Electoral Commission (Writ No. J1/14/2016), which is contained in a judgment written by Justice Gbadegbe for a unanimous seven-member panel, has generated a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding in the general public and among diverse legal and opinion commentators. The ensuing confusion caused one of the Justices on sat on the case to take the unusual step of offering, in an extrajudicial context, a clarification of the judgment in response to a question from the press, a move that has generated collateral controversy of its own. Even the Electoral Commission, the primary defendant in the case and the party to which the Courts orders are directed, reportedly is unable to determine what, if anything, the judgment and orders of the Court require of it.

The debate sparked by the Courts judgment in the Abu Ramadan Case is far from academic. The issues at stake in the case are weighty and urgent, and the Courts judgment touches on very important and fundamental constitutional questions, notably the Supremacy of the Constitution, the role of the Supreme Court in enforcing fidelity to the Constitution, and what the independence of the Electoral Commission means within our constitutional system. Moreover, the specific questions presented to the Court in the Abu Ramadan Case demand clear and authoritative resolution, as they bear directly on the content and integrity of the voters register that is to be used in this years presidential and parliamentary elections--which elections are only a few short months away.

Because the public misunderstanding and political impasse surrounding the Courts judgment and orders persist, we have decided to enter this debate in the hope that the analysis we offer here might lend some further illumination to the issues arising out of the Courts judgment and help to put the continuing controversy to rest.

For the purposes of this article, we have divided our analysis of Justice Gbadegbes judgment for the Court into two parts. The first part deals with certain general propositions and questions of constitutional law that are contained in the discussion portions of the judgement and whose impact and implications are far-reaching and extend beyond the specific issues presented in the case. There are two main issues here: (a) the effect of a declaration by the Court that a certain law or provision of a law is unconstitutional; and (b) the meaning of the Independence of the Electoral Commission as it relates to the power of the Supreme Court to enforce the Constitution. The second part deals with the specific orders of the Court; specifically, what action, if any, is required of the Electoral Commission in order to bring the voters register in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Constitution, as interpreted by the Court. We shall deal with these issues one after the other.

(A) Is an Unconstitutional Law Void or Not?

The first broad or general question of constitutional law that arises from the judgement may be framed as follows: What is the effect of a Supreme Court declaration that a law or provision of a law is unconstitutional? More specifically, can a law or an act continue to have validity as law despite a determination and declaration by the Supreme Court that the law or act in question is inconsistent with the Constitution? Language in the judgment of the Court appears to suggest that this last question can be answered in the affirmative. That language is the genesis of much of the confusion that this case has generated. The relevant portion of the Judgment reads as follows: As the registrations were made under a law that was then in force, they were made in good faith and the subsequent declaration of the unconstitutionality of the use of the [NHIS] cards should not automatically render them void.

In essence, the Court wishes to say that, an act that has been found and declared by the Court to be unconstitutional may nonetheless retain current and prospective legal validity. The theory or reason the Court gives for this proposition is that, at the time the act was done the law under which it was done was a valid law as it had not yet been declared to be unconstitutional. This is a profoundly extraordinary and deeply troubling proposition as a matter of constitutional jurisprudence. Since every act, until it is found and declared to be unconstitutional, can be said to have been done in good faith compliance with existing law, the upshot and implication of the Courts statement, even if unintended, is to allow an unconstitutional law or act to continue to be applied despite having been found and authoritatively declared to be unconstitutional.

Unfortunately but understandably, no authority or citation either to a provision of the Constitution or an established constitutional precedent is provided by the Court in support of this novel proposition. The absence of supporting authority or citation is not surprising, because one will have to search but in vain in our constitutional jurisprudence, and in the jurisprudence of every other constitutional system analogous to ours, for an authoritative support for the proposition that a law declared by the apex court to be unconstitutional is not void and thus can continue to be enforced or applied.

It would be easy to disregard the above proposition as mere dictum were it not for the fact that these words come from a unanimous panel of the Supreme Court and touch on arguably the most important and fundamental question in our constitutional system, namely the meaning of the Supremacy of the Constitution. So fundamental is the doctrine of the Supremacy of the Constitution, and of the related question of the effect of a judicial declaration of unconstitutionality, that the Framers of the Constitution gave it pride of place as the very first Article of the 1992 Constitution. And it is to that provision that one must have recourse in seeking to find an authoritative and clear resolution of this matter.

Article 1, clause 2, of the Constitution states: This Constitution shall be the supreme law of Ghana and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provision of this Constitution shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void . Article 2 of the Constitution then proceeds to lodge exclusively in the Supreme Court the power to determine and declare authoritatively whether a challenged law is unconstitutional.

The combined effect of these two preeminent provisions of the Constitution is clear and straightforward: If the Constitution is the supreme law of Ghana; and if it lies within the exclusive province of the Supreme Court to declare that a law is unconstitutional; then, a law declared to be unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, is definitively void and, therefore, of no legal effect. To say otherwise, that is to say, to suggest that a law found and declared by the Supreme Court is nonetheless not void and, thus, retains continuing validity for any reason whatsoever is to negate the notion of the Constitution being the supreme law of Ghana.

It is, of course, not unusual to find jurisdictions or constitutional systems in which a law declared as unconstitutional by a final court may still not be automatically void. But what distinguishes those jurisdictions, such as the Netherlands and Switzerland, from ours is that, in those constitutional systems, the Court does not have the final authority to decide the fate of a law it has found to be unconstitutional. In those systems, it is usually the Legislature or Parliament that retains the final say as to what to do about a law declared by a court to be unconstitutional. The Legislature may choose, in those jurisdictions, to retain the law despite the judicial declaration of unconstitutionality. In other words, those jurisdictions follow the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy. That, however, is not the kind of constitutional system in force in Ghana. Under Ghanas constitutional system, going as far back as the 1969 Constitution, it is for the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional and, the 1992 Constitution, like its predecessor constitutions, is emphatic that, once such a declaration has been made by the Court the affected law is automatically void.

The view has been propounded in some quarters that an unconstitutional law may be voidable, but not void. This is a rather fanciful proposition. The concept of voidability is a concept known to contract law, but completely unknown to constitutional law. In contract law, where the parties are deemed autonomous and self-interested and, therefore, best suited to protect their own interest, a party may choose to be bound by a contract although the contract may contain a legal defect that would otherwise render it void and give the party the right to walk away from the contract. In those circumstances, contract law doctrine leaves it to the affected party to decide for himself or herself whether to proceed with the contract or not.

It is obvious why such a doctrine or concept has absolutely no place in constitutional lawcertainly not under the constitutional system and jurisprudence that operates in Ghana and in every other known common law jurisdiction. Not every concept recognized in one branch of the law may be transferred or imported into other branches of the law. The concept of a voidable contract is one such concept that is limited in its application to the realm of contract law. At any rate, Article 1 of the Constitution speaks only of an unconstitutional law being void, not voidable. And it is for good reason that the term voidable is not the term used in the Constitutionthe contract law concept of voidability simply does not make sense in the constitutional context, definitely not in a constitutional system where the Constitution is the supreme law of the land.

The question remains as to when or at what point in time a law is deemed to be void once it has been declared unconstitutional. There are two possibilities. The first view, which is the settled view under Ghanaian constitutional jurisprudence, is that when a law is void for unconstitutionality it is void ab initiothat is to say, it is deemed to be void from the moment of its enactment, even before it was formally declared unconstitutional. The second possibility is that, a law declared unconstitutional, though void, is void only from the moment it is declared unconstitutional. There is no third way. Thus, whether one applies the first or the second position, which is to say, whether an unconstitutional law is void ab initio or void with effective from the time it is declared unconstitutional, once it has been declared unconstitutional it ceases, at the minimum, to have legal validity immediately and prospectively.

The proposition put forth by the Court, however, appears not to embrace either of these two possibilities. Instead, the Court appears to suggest that a law that has been found and declared unconstitutional may nonetheless continue to have current and prospective validityin other words, that such a law may still not be void. That position is clearly erroneous and completely at odds with the doctrine of the Supremacy of the Constitution enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution. If the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and the Court has the final power to declare a law unconstitutional, then no law that has been so declared by the Court can co-exist with or under the Constitution. This much is trite law.

The Supreme Court in the Abu Ramadan Case appears to have been led to its untenable position by a concern that to rule that the NHIS card, having been declared unconstitutional, ceases to be useable immediately (currently) would amount to a retroactive application of its declaration of unconstitutionality. This is bizarre reasoning. In fact, whenever a Court holds that an unconstitutional law is void ab initio, it is essentially applying its ruling back to the time the law was enacted. To say that, this amounts to a retroactive application of its ruling and is thus improper amounts to saying, in effect, that the very idea of an unconstitutional law being void ab initio is problematic.

But since when did this well-worn doctrine of void ab initio, which is deeply embedded in our constitutional jurisprudence, become problematic? To the contrary, to throw the doctrine of void ab initio into doubt, as the Courts language does, creates real absurdity. Are we going to continue to hold a person in prison after finding and declaring unconstitutional the law under which he was charged, prosecuted and convicted, on the theory that to apply the unconstitutional ruling retroactivelywhich is to say to hold that the law is void ab initio--is untenable because that persons conviction was done in good faith under a law that had not been declared unconstitutional at the time?

The Court also appears to be concerned that, saying that the unconstitutional law is void ab initio might raise doubts about the legality or constitutionality of past elections conducted and concluded on the basis of a voter register containing NHIS registered voters or that it might cause manifest injustice to the affected voters. But this concern, too, is totally unfounded. The doctrine of void ab initio has never been applied and is never applied to undo acts that have already been legally and practically concluded and which, therefore, no longer present a live legal controversy. Thus, for example, there is no danger to the validity of any past election in which NHIS cards were used by holding now that the use of NHIS cards is unconstitutional and, therefore, void.

Elections that have been held and conclusively decided and settled, and pursuant to which a government has been lawfully and irreversibly installed, cannot legally or practically be undone by a subsequent finding or declaration that certain voters who may have voted in those elections were registered as voters using an unconstitutional form of identification. That matter simply does not arise after the fact. The notion that applying the void ab initio doctrine in these circumstances might cause a nuclear meltdown (to borrow a phrase from another of the Courts past decisions infected with the same fallacy) is simply a red herring. For example, when the Supreme Court ruled that prisoners were entitled under the Constitution to be registered as voters and, thus, proceeded to declare as unconstitutional and void the existing law that denied prisoners the right to be registered to vote, no one could be heard to argue that such a declaration would call into question past elections that had wrongfully excluded prisoners from voting. That point was legally moot.

Prisoners would be duly entitled to be registered in voter registrations that were conducted after the ruling. Similarly, any question or doubt as to the validity of past elections arising out of a subsequent declaration that use of the NHIS card is unconstitutional is simply moot as a matter of law. Indeed that question was never before the Court in the Abu Ramadan Case, because it simply would have had no legal legs to stand on. The Courts jurisdiction is properly reserved for deciding live and present legal controversies; not moot or dead issues. The impact on past elections is, therefore, not a concern that should have entertained the Courts attention for even one moment.

At any rate, if the Court felt any unease, for whatever reason, in saying that the use of the NHIS cards was void ab initio, it could simply have resorted to the alternative doctrine of voidness by saying that unconstitutionality ruling applied only to voters registers that would be compiled and used (and thus to elections that would be held) after the declaration of unconstitutionality. In other words, the unfounded fear or concern that seems to have detained the Courts attention needlessly in Abu Ramadan, causing it to make the untenable proposition it made, is easily and correctly addressed by saying that the declaration of the NHIS cards unconstitutionality would take effect from the date of the declaration of unconstitutionality.

In fact, that is precisely what the Court did when it offered those who had been previously registered using the NHIS card the judiciously equitable remedy of a fresh opportunity to get registered currently using a constitutionally-compliant form of identification. Having offered all affected NHIS-card registrants that just and sufficient remedial opportunity, there was no longer any manifest injustice that might be visited on such persons for the Court to be concerned with. There was, therefore, absolutely no need for the Court to turn the Constitution and well-established constitutional doctrine on its head by suggesting that an unconstitutional law is not necessarily or automatically void.

The appropriate solution to the Courts quandary or difficulty, if any, lay in devising an appropriate equitable remedy for those voters affected by the ruling, which is, in fact, what the Court rightfully did. There was thus no further need or warrant to, in effect, jettison Article 1 of the Constitution and thereby shake the very foundation of the Constitution by disturbing the fundamental doctrine of the Supremacy of the Constitution. The havoc to the doctrine of the Supremacy of the Constitution as well as to the Courts own authority under Article 2 and to the integrity of constitutional law and jurisprudence that would arise from the Courts erroneous pronouncement to the effect that an unconstitutional law is not automatically void is so grave and untenable that it must not be allowed to stand.

(B) Is the Electoral Commission subject to Judicial Oversight and Orders in the Performance of Its Functions?

The second general issue of broader constitutional import that arises from the Abu Ramadan judgement concerns the meaning of the independence of the Electoral Commission vis-a-vis the power of the Supreme Court (and the superior courts generally) to enforce compliance with the Constitution and applicable laws. In this portion of the judgment, too, the Court speaks with equivocation. In one breath the Supreme Court flatly rejects the contention of the Electoral Commission that the Constitution forbids any control or direction of the 1st Defendant as to how to accomplish its work. The Court rightfully points out that as a creature of Article 43, the Electoral Commission is subject to the Constitution; to deny that it is so subject is to misconstrue the nature of the independence bestowed on it in relation to our exclusive jurisdiction, which is critical to effectuating the supremacy of the law. The Court continues: The correct position is that the courts as constituted under the 1992 Constitution may intervene in acts of the First Defendant to ensure that it keeps it within the boundaries of the law and also give effect to the provision of the Constitution.

This indeed is a correct statement of the constitutional position as it pertains to the meaning of the independence of the Electoral Commission. Yet the Court appears in another breath to undercut the authority of this position. Specifically, in relation to the function of the Electoral Commission under Article 45(a) to compile the register of voters and revise it at such periods as may be determined by law, the Court states that the Commissions function under article 45(a) is not subject to any other provision, therefore in performing that said function, we cannot make an order compelling the Commission to act in a particular manner.

This last pronouncement is puzzling, because immediately following the listing of the Electoral Commissions functions in Article 45 is Article 46, titled the Independence of the Commission, which states: Except as provided in this Constitution or in any other law not inconsistent with this Constitution, in the performance of its functions, the Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.

How does this provision of Article 46 square with the Courts assertion that the Commissions function under article 45(a) is not subject to any other provision, therefore in performing that said function, we cannot make an order compelling the Commission to act in a particular manner? It is clear, pursuant to the provision of Article 46 reproduced above, that while the Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority in the performance of its function, that independence does not limit or disable the Supreme Court from exercising in relation to the Commission its foundational enforcement powers under Article 2 of the Constitution.

Article 2 of the Constitution, titled Enforcement of the Constitution, opens the doors of the Supreme Court to any person who alleges that, an enactment or anything contained in or done under the authority of any enactment or any act or omission of any person is inconsistent with or in contravention of a provision of this Constitution. If the Supreme Court, upon determining the matter, upholds the allegation of unconstitutionality, it is empowered under Article 2 (2) to make a declaration to that effect and, further, to make such orders and give such directions as it may consider appropriate for giving effect, or enabling effect to be given, to the declaration so made.

It is clear from this provision of Article 2(2) that the Constitution gives the Supreme Court a wide remit and scope to determine what kind of orders and directions may be appropriate to enforce a declaration of unconstitutionality. No part of the provisions pertaining to the Electoral Commission in the performance of its functions can be read to mean or suggest that the Commission is exempt from this broad enforcement mandate of the Supreme Court. Once the Supreme Court has properly asserted jurisdiction over a matter involving alleged unconstitutionality on the part of the Electoral Commission and proceeded to declare the offending act or enactment of the Electoral Commission unconstitutional, it is for the Court, pursuant to Article 2(2), to determine, in its own judgment, what orders or directions it considers appropriate to give effect to the declaration of unconstitutionality.

Read in light of Article 2, then, it is clear that the independence bestowed on the Electoral Commission under Article 46 of the Constitution is subject to the broad reach of the Supreme Courts declaratory and remedial powers. This indeed is as it should be. To hold to the contrary would, again, upset the Supremacy of the Constitution and defeat the courts unique role in ensuring that all authorities established by law exercise their powers and perform their functions in obedience to and in compliance with the Constitution.

Where the Court in the Abu Ramadan Case appears to have misled itself is to have turned to Article 45(a), expecting to find there a specific statement to the effect that, in the compilation of the voters register, the Electoral Commission would be subject to the authority of the courts. No such function-specific subject to language could be found in Article 45(a) because such language is simply unnecessary. What the Court was looking to find but could not find in Article 45(a) is right there in Article 46. Article 46, which covers all of the functions of the Electoral Commission at once, makes it clear that the Commission, in performing any one of those functions, is not subject to the control or direction of any other person or authority except as provided for in this Constitution and in any other law not inconsistent with the Constitution.

The above proviso or exception clause in Article 46 means that, notwithstanding the independence bestowed on the Electoral Commission, the Commission may be subject to the direction of an authority as long as that authority derives its powers to do so from the Constitution or a constitutionally-compliant law. Article 2(2) of the Constitution, which empowers the Supreme Court to make such orders and give such directions as it may consider appropriate to enforce a constitutional ruling, is the clearest example of the kind of provision that represents an exception to the independence bestowed on the Electoral Commission under Article 46.

Thus, for example, if the Supreme Court makes a declaration that the exclusion of prisoners from the voters roll is unconstitutional, the Court can, without offense to the independence of the Electoral Commission, make an order directing the Commission to make appropriate arrangements to register prisoners. Similarly, where the Court has declared that the use of NHIS cards for voter registration is unconstitutional, nothing in Article 46 stops the Court from making an order or giving a direction compelling the Electoral Commission to bring the voters register into compliance with the Constitution by deleting or removing the names of NHIS card registrants from the register. To the contrary, Article 46 clearly indicates that the Court, in exercise of its enforcement powers under the Constitution, is free to order and direct the Commission to do or refrain from doing a particular thing.

It is important to add that, exercising its powers in this manner, does not turn the Supreme Court or any other competent court into a supra or super Electoral Commission. The functions and powers bestowed on the Electoral Commission are solely for the Commission to perform and exercise; the courts may not take over those functions, as the Constitution has not appointed them to perform those functions. Thus, for example, it is not for the Supreme Court or any court to arrogate to itself the task of compiling the voters register or demarcating constituencies.

Those functions are exclusively for the Electoral Commission to undertake or perform. However, where a competent court finds, in a given case, that the Electoral Commission, in performing any one of its functions or in exercising any of its powers, has acted inconsistently with or in contravention of the Constitution, that Court may order or direct the Commission to undo the unconstitutionality and bring its conduct in compliance with the Constitution. Where, therefore, the Supreme Court has determined that in compiling the voters register, the Electoral Commission accepted for registration a certain form of ID that was not constitutionally admissible for voter registration purposes, there is no offence to the independence of the Electoral Commission for the Court to proceed to order the Electoral Commission to remove the offending registrations from the voters register.

If a court, and in the final analysis the Supreme Court, did not have the power to do this, the Electoral Commission would become a law unto itself. Nothing in the notion of the independence of the Electoral Commission contemplates such an outcome. Indeed, it would be inconsistent with the notion of the Supremacy of the Constitution to have an Electoral Commission that could not be ordered by a competent court to do what was necessary to correct a constitutional violation.

The Reliefs and Orders in the Abu Ramadan Case

In contrast to the portions of the judgment where the Court discusses the issues of voidness and the Independence of the Electoral Commission, the portion of the Abu Ramadan Judgment dealing with the reliefs and orders of the Court is reasonably clear and unproblematic. The Court concludes that, upon a true and proper interpretation of the article 45(a) of the Constitution, the mandate of the Electoral Commission to compile a register of voters implies a duty to compile a reasonably accurate and credible register.

Immediately prior to making this ruling, the Court had stated, that The continued presence [on the register of voters] of such names being derived from a constitutionally declared wrong offers sufficient proof of the extent of the inaccuracy of the current register of voters and can therefore be said to be unreasonable. Simply put, the voters register cannot be said to be constitutionally compliant, as it is not reasonably accurate and credible, insofar as it continues to contain or include the names of persons who were registered using NHIS cards. The Court affirms this conclusion in its reliefs (2) and (3) for the Plaintiff.

Following on these findings and conclusions of law, the Court proceeds to make two very specific orders: (a) That the Electoral Commission takes 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; and (b) That any person whose name is deleted from the register of voters by the Electoral Commission pursuant to this order (a) above be given the opportunity to register under the law.

Wherein lies the confusion? Rather than accept the specific reliefs granted and orders issued by the Court as finally settling the matter, some commentators have sought to read the specific reliefs and orders against the backdrop of the controversial general propositions that the Court had made in the discussion portions of its Judgment and, in so doing, have arrived at a conclusion that essentially renders the granted reliefs and orders nugatory. In effect, the argument goes, since the Court suggested generally, first, that an unconstitutional law may not be necessarily void and, second, that it cannot make an order compelling the Electoral Commission to act in a certain manner in compiling the register of voters, its final orders specifically instructing the Commission to take steps immediately to delete the offending names from the voters register to comply with the Constitution and applicable laws of Ghana and to give affected persons the opportunity to register under the law amount to nothing.

This is a bizarre argument. When Plaintiffs go to court with a case, they ask for or seek certain particular reliefs and orders from the court, the denial of which dooms their case and the grant of which upholds their claim. On the way to making the final orders, the Court may say a whole host of things, not all of which are necessary to decide the case or can be said to constitute the law or holding of the case.

Where certain general propositions or statements made by the Court in the discussion portion of the judgment seem inconsistent or at variance with the specific reliefs it grants and the orders it makes in the concluding reliefs and orders portion of the judgment, it is bizarre to read the opinions expressed in the discussion as trumping or negating the reliefs and orders the Court specifically grants and makes. After all, it is through the reliefs it grants (or dismisses) and the orders it makes that the Court finally decides and settles the case before it. Furthermore, it is through the Orders that the Court directs the parties as to what their obligations are under the Judgement. Moreover, it is a subsequent failure or refusal of a party to carry out or comply with an Order addressed to it that could give rise to a citation for contempt.

In short, notwithstanding some of the statements made by the Supreme Court in its discussion, statements to which we have taken serious exception here as to their cogency and correctness as a matter of constitutional law, it is, ultimately, the reliefs granted and the orders made by the Court that conclusively resolve the matters presented before the Court in the Abu Ramadan Case. And it is clear from those reliefs and orders that (i) the current voters register, insofar as it continues to include the names of persons who were registered using NHIS cards, is not credible or accurate and, thus, not constitutionally compliant; (ii) the Electoral Commission is duty bound to remove those names from the voters register in order to bring the register into compliance with the Constitution, and (iii) affected registered voters are entitled to, and must be allowed, a fresh opportunity to register using a constitutionally compliant form of ID.

One other line of argument that has been proffered by those who suggest that the Courts orders do not change the status quo is that, since the Court required the Electoral Commission to clean the register of voters to comply with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution and applicable laws of Ghana, the Commission cannot clean the register as ordered by the Court because there is no mechanism for it to do so under any existing law. It is difficult to understand the import of this argument. The Order of the Court commands the Commission to delete the offending names so that the resulting register would comply with the Constitution and applicable laws of Ghana.

The Order does not dictate a process or mechanism by which the Commission must proceed to do. And there is no reason or need for the order to do so. The Order simply says the Commission must take steps immediately to carry out the order. The notion that no current or existing law gives the Commission the authority to delete names and, therefore, the Commission is disabled from carrying out the order, simply disregards the fact that the Order of the Court, issued pursuant to the Courts Article 2 powers, needs no new or additional implementing legislation or legal instrument in order to be effective. As an Order made to enforce a constitutional ruling, it carries with it the authority of the Constitution. Thus if any existing law presumably prevents the Commission from giving effect to the Order, then, that law, insofar as it frustrates obedience to the Constitution and the Orders of the Court under its Article 2 powers, simply cannot stand.

It has also been suggested that, the Electoral Commission may not be able to delete or remove the names of those persons who were registered using NHIS cards because, it is alleged, the Commission has no mechanism, in the current register, for tracking and identifying the affected persons or names. If true, this would represent a curious and serious administrative lapse or omission on the part of the Electoral Commission. What, then, would the remedy be for such an administrative problem? Is an administrative lapse that renders compliance with a constitutional ruling administrative impracticable under the current internal processes of a body grounds for that body to evade its constitutional obligation, when doing so would mean the retention of an unconstitutional status quo?

To countenance such a proposition, and thus answer the above question in the affirmative, would be to countenance a subversion of the Supremacy of the Constitution in the name of administrative convenience. If the Electoral Commission asserts that it is unable under its existing internal processes to carry out the order of the Supreme Court directing it to remove from the register of voters the offending names that render the register currently non-compliant with the Constitution, then the only constitutionally valid recourse is for the Commission to compile a new register of voters that satisfies and comports with the Constitution. Anything short of that would place the Electoral Commission above the Constitution and the Supreme Court.

Akoto Ampaw is a senior advocate . . . . .

H. Kwasi Prempeh is a constitutional scholar and currently a legal and governance consultant based in Accra. From 2003 to 2015, he was a Professor of Law at Seton Hall University School of Law, New Jersey, where he taught constitutional law and comparative constitutional law, among other courses.
20.07.2016 LISTEN

By Edna A. Quansah/ Shadrack Sam, GNA

Accra, July 20, GNA - Professor Kwame Karikari, former Executive Director of Media Foundation for West Africa, has cautioned Journalists to be truthful, credible and cautious in exposing misdeeds in the society.

He gave the caution at a seminar organised by TV3 Network Limited on the role of the media in delivering fair, peaceful and transparent elections at Accra.

Speaking on code of conduct for Journalists, Prof Karikari highlighted the importance and challenges of the media and admonished journalists to adhere to the codes and ethics of the profession to ensure a conducive environment.

"We are facing a lot of challenges in our media today. The media is one of the important tools for public communication and must be part of development. In recent times some journalists speak negatively about people without evidence. We have to be concerned about our language.

'Some of the media houses are owned by politicians who employ thugs to do their dirty bidding. Journalists should be careful when exposing crimes by politicians,' he noted.

Mrs Beatrice Abbey, Managing News Director of TV3, advised journalists to be fair and avoid being influenced by others.

"I have no doubt that the media will uphold the tenets of the profession by providing fair and accurate reportage to deepen our democracy.

'That notwithstanding, it is important to remind ourselves that we have to jealously safeguard our fundamental freedom by ensuring that as journalists we do not allow ourselves to be influenced by self-seeking individuals who wants to perpetuate anarchy for their own interest,' she said.

She added that Journalists must be committed and live up to the mantra as the 4th Estate of the realm.

Mr Kojo Yankah, Board Chairman of TV3, said journalists must be consistent before and after the Parliamentary and Presidential elections billed for November7.

The Board Chairman urged Media houses to be fair to all political parties and ask critical questions but should be polite with their audience.

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Chief of Essikado described the media as a consciousness industry therefore anyone using the media must be conscious and must have a responsibility to perform.

The event is the third training programme this year to enlighten journalists on the role of the media in a fair, peaceful and transparent election.

GNA
The National Migration Coordination Mechanism (NCM), a Government led inter-agency coordination platform that will be in charge of national migration issues in Kenya has been launched.

The body launched on 19 July, is tasked with facilitating inter-agency coordination, collaboration and information-sharing on migration concerns at the national level. It brings relevant Government ministries, departments and non-state actors to a common platform.

NCM was conceived from the findings and recommendations of a joint assessment by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and IOM in 2014. It also draws from the Migration Profile for Kenya, drafted by IOM and launched by the Government in 2015.

Speaking during its launch, the Director of Immigration Services, Maj. General (Rtd) Dr. Gordon Kihalangwa said the NCM provides a platform for stakeholders to enhance the understanding of migration realities and address the twin problem of duplication and wastage of resources.

The inception of NCM comes at a right time, when Kenya and countries in the region are grappling with similar migration challenges, he told a workshop that brought together high level Government officials in Naivasha, Kenya.

In July 2012, IGAD member states adopted a Regional Policy Framework (RMPF) to address the migration dynamics in the East and Horn Africa region.

To support the implementation of the RMPF at the national level, IGAD and IOM are supporting the establishment and strengthening national platforms and mechanisms for cooperation on migration.

NCM will now be domiciled at the Department of Immigration Services, within the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government.
Unemployed graduates in the country say President Mahama and the National Democratic Congress are only creating short term jobs with few months to elections, ostensibly to win their votes.

They wonder why President Mahama would wait till until an election year before coming out with promises of creating jobs which are never honoured.

A statement signed by Desmond Bress-Biney, President of the Unemployed Graduate Association of Ghana, noted that Ghana under the presidency of John Dramani Mahama had been filed with countless promises to finding solution to unemployment than any other government in the fourth republic. Yet, the government's approach to solving unemployment has utterly failed. The system is ineffective and it needs to change through a revolution by supporting the growth or small businesses, huge investment in agriculture, among others.

According to the unemployed graduates, the claim by government to have provided jobs through programmes like LESDEP, GYEEDA, Youth in Agriculture among others sharply contradicts a report by the World Bank that over 48% of the youth between the ages of 15-24 are unemployed.

They further questioned how interventions such as the Youth in Community Policing, Youth in Fire Maintenance, which all sprang up before the 2012 elections, have been unable to address the unemployment situation in the country.

Where are the jobs government created through development projects when the projects have long been completed? Where are the jobs created through LESDEP and Better Ghana Health Management all subsidiaries of the Jospong Group of Companies and the jobs created through RLG, a subsidiary of the AGAMS Group which the government proudly boasted of and associated itself with during the last election? they asked.

President Mahama has pledged to create more jobs for the teeming number of employed Ghanaians should he be given a second term to govern the country.

According to the President, he has spent his first term fixing the macroeconomic fundamentals of the country, and is convinced that this has paved way for investments to be made in the economy which will yield the fruits in his second term.

Members of the association said they were all for any initiative that would inure to the benefit of the youth and the nation at large.

They described the One District, One Factory policy of Nana Addo Dankwa-Akufo-Addo as a feasible initiative that would create long-term jobs for the youth.

The amount we lose to corruption annually and payment of unnecessary judgement debt is enough to make one factory one district feasible. Blessed with natural resources across all ten regions and fairly distributed district by district should be enough conviction and motivation. Research has also proven that with a minimum of between $1 million - $2.5 million we can set up a district base factory. If we can loan millions of dollars to construct roads which is a good project but will not yield much direct returns like a business will do, why cant we loan to create businesses that will yield much returns to pay debt? the statement asked.

Elucidating further, members of the association said all it will take to get the policy running is dedication and commitment through good management.

Simply put, a cow rearing community will simply need a meat factory or a milk factory, a cassava cultivating community will need a starch factory or gari factory. A sugar cane growing community will need a sugar factory. A pig rearing community will need a pig meat factory. A maize growing community will need a kenkey factory with the modern approach to distribute food to companies or maize bear factory. A forest community will obviously need a wood factory and a bamboo community will need a toothpick factory and so on and on, adding that millions of jobs can be created through the policy, the statement observed.
20.07.2016 LISTEN

They are so complacent over the faith that belongs to mankind in wholeness. Deadly complacency has been the bane to sustenance of greatness of the faith. They may have to recall the fall of Spain and others where the light of truth manifested in development in all ramifications. They can talk of the greatness in the leaders who suffered for the faith, whether at its final advent or even today. But they are not ready to reflect on why a great man would not agree, despite all his abundance, to seek the palmers journey. Yet, they call me names and forget to realize that hypocrisy is an aged trend. People fall apart in goodness and in devilishness.

They will come to my home, in my name and for my sake, to meet the people who lord over me. They will say they want to reconcile us. They will gather us in that manner as always to talk and show pretence that they love us. They will end it with no eventful aftermath because they have in our own midst theirs who have come to destabilize us. They will smile back to their homes after receiving the blessings from those who lord over us but abhor us on that margin that we have accepted a foreign creed. And the trend that we remain nobody continues.

And a worthy man  the son of Kano  spoke of my likes when he proclaimed that this nation will know no peace until the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. Aminu Kano spoke seemingly with the lore that I will be born, though I was born by a nobody. And these were men who knew and had the keys to the nurture of this land I have nowhere to belong than it. How I wish the table can be turned so that every existence in this land can be recognized by worth, allowed to display equal wit and sweat and granted the same page in entrance and exit.

I am pained when my counterparts in fewness in the same country are spoken for and uplifted, whereas I am uncertain who is there for me? Yes, I am a minority. But does that imply that I should not exist and struggle for life opportunities as other minorities? Who do perceive this message of truth, not prophetic; it is a message from an exploited entity whose eyes do dare sleep in the dearth of night when most creatures, save man, seek immortality.

I do not need to cry again because I have cried too long and no one in my country where I was born by my parents  not where I have traveled to  cares to listen or act. I do not need to fear suppression and denial anymore because both are meted against me even in my own birthplace  the spot that I first bowed. I do not need to coexist with the same stream of humus blood because I have been isolated to belong to nobody.

I have been made the drowning man who clinches a fly in search of rescue. I have been made a lackey lured to the middle of the road to toil without clue whither the next destination. I am made a child whose parents died of frustration, yet groping for a care that is insecure. But how long can this child bear this when of a man the memoirs of this unjust death in silence hunts him, appearing in the mirror of his heart like a colossus stretching its arms to consume him alike.

Yes, let me carry my burden alone for saying no gods but God in the midst of people whose tongue, food and attire are the same. Yes, let me swallow the hard pills of total alienation in the being of my people. Nay, maybe it is that I will be annihilated and no one will care because I have chosen to belong in faith to a people who, not unlike the self of mankind, look at their own feet alone.

Where do I stand in this land where injustice is commonly staged in my direction and the yells of the demoralized are not heard? Where do I get the means to place a full page notice on the assaults on my psyche, on my niche and from the government house of the states we are supposed to belong? How much do I have to keep talking in the expensive press? Which powers have I to withstand the pressure of such multitude with dry hearts and steady rattle-mania?

Still, even if I cry out of sorrow, even if I wallow in pain, even if I look onto the sky, seeing it too far and stretching my palms in vain to receive a drop of recognition, even if my nights be longer to seek heavenly restoration, I have been made a fidget. O! I toil between the hungry men who have never satiated themselves to know of my being. O! I have been dropped, not by my own choice, into this parcel where I am disused. O! I have been slapped with filthy nomenclatures that mar the very necessity to my existence.

So who is there to speak for me, to care for me, to belong to me and to give me the sense of belonging? Who is there to uplift me and not despise me, to give me equal opportunity to try and succeed, not to deny me and ensure my perpetual failure and stagnation? Who is there to stand by me, to recognize my efforts and to reward me like other existences in this place? Is it enough to weep silently in the heart for a cause that no end is in view? Is it enough to cry aloud to a people whose ears, eyes, hearts and all that make existence are motionless? I have cried out so loudly that only my own organ perceived me. I have done what I can do, though nothing in relation to the human is enough.

Where then do I belong? A question that is uncalled but called for. Is it to my overt enemy who has steadily wedged war against me? Or to my covert enemy who displays the teeth of a smiling lion yet dines with me with a long spoon?

Addicts are salvaged, rehabilitated and reintegrated into the society. They are often given a sense of belonging. Looters are begged to repent through plea bargaining. They are accepted to their societies without stigmatization. They feel freer. How much have been spent on Western propagandas! But mine is a case no one in this land wants to consider. Hunted from all sides, I have none of human to further recline than swallow the hard pills of forsakenness.

It pains and I writhe in fury. In this 21stcentury, knowledge being exposed of every bit of human existence, my existence is still being queried and mocked. The notion why an Igbo should accept Islam - a Hausa religion  is still static. Quite an unfortunate and unwholesome misconception! What is the truth in the media proclamations by the leaders of our homes where peace, unity and tolerance are propagated? That we gather twice or so for homage to these leaders who claim our none-existence, who snub us and delegate a sub to handle us? And in the whole region, such has yielded no effect on our lives but only increased our want, frustration and disunity.

Even as I pray us to allow peace and understanding reign, to resist the temptation of regarding a religion to be forbidden to the Igbo, to control the hatred concealed for other Igbo of diverse faith, I do call to the understanding of our constitution which secures freedom to religion and association. Even as my overt foes have devised other means to defame and harm me, the covert are adamant, only watching like the hypocrite and feeling indifferent like the infidel.

Upon all that befall an innocent, I stand strong on the foundation of truth and look onto He who had written on the leaves of fate that what will be sure will be. Patience is an answer to greater things unphantomable and that beyond the comprehension of mortal minds. And knowing this, I do maintain in humility seeking it becomes my breath and food, nay my blood.

Muhammad Ajah is an advocate of humanity, peace and good governance in Abuja. E-mail [email protected]
Staff of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), have threatened to embark on a strike if their demands for the dissolution of the Board of the Corporation is not met.

The state broadcaster's workers Union have barred members of the GBC Board, chaired by Richard Kwame Asante from entering the corporation's premises.

They have accused the board of micromanaging the affairs of GBC and misappropriating GBC's internally generated funds by illegally employing directors without recourse to due process.One of the leaders of the Union, Samuel Ayitey, said on Wednesday that they are prepared to lay down their tools, disrupting transmission across the country, if the situation is not resolved before Monday, July 25th.

There's no turning back. If my job is on the line, the numerous dependents that you and I have, their lives are equally on the line so it is either I go for it or they come for me. It is either we sit down for 24 hours without any transmission countrywide or Monday morning we hold a press conference and invite all the press in the country.

NMC absolves GBC Board

Meanwhile the National Media Commission (NMC), has cleared the governing board of GBC of any wrongdoing after a petition sent to them by the workers' union.

The Executive Secretary of NMC, George Sarpong, debunked the claims saying their investigations proved that the board was innocent of the allegations that had been levelled against it.

The GBC union made a number of allegations to the commission. The commission established a committee to independently investigate the claims and the committee took each of the claims one by one and gave the union the opportunity to prove the case against the people. They could not substantiate any of the claims they made, he said

They took time to investigate this matter thoroughly beyond the claim that the GBC union made. The commission went out of its ways and investigate further into the matter and found that those allegations were unsustainable, Mr. Sarpong added.

NMC 'in bed' with board

The workers accused the NMC of betraying them by lodging a complaint with the Police because of their decision to prohibit the GBC board members from entering the premises.

A worker at the GBC who spoke to Citi News on condition of anonymity said: The NMC has refused to objectively consider the issues in question, when they came out with their fictitious reports earlier to clear the board, they were popping champagne and celebrating.

Protesting workers to be punished

Management of the GBC is set to crack down on the protesting workers.

A memo sighted by Citi News indicated that, any person who was a signatory to a document declaring the GBC board persona non grata, will be punished.

GBC management considers the whole write up as misconduct on the part of the signatories to the notice and appropriate procedures will be invoked to ensure sanity within the corporation's governance structure, the memo stated.

The memo also noted that, the the union does not have the mandate to declare the board persona non grata. Constitutionally, the National Media Commission (NMC), is the statutory body mandated to appoint and dissolve the GBC board.

Any grievance about the work or conduct of the board should be reported to the NMC for redress.

 citifmonline


The Truth Forum  an offshoot of the New Patriotic Party (NPP)  has described the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) as a legacy of shame under the Mahama administration.

It is instructive to note that in all his rounds in the five (5) SADA regions during the just ended Accounting to the People Tour, no mention was ever made of SADA, its supposed legacy as of now and what the future holds for it. The pressing question is why the President seems to have totally abandoned this Pet Project of his and why he is no longer bold to even name it and account to the Northern people on how 'well' they have managed SADA and bridged the gap between the North and South as they originally promised, Anthony Karbo, a deputy communications director of the NPP said at a news conference in Wa, Upper West on Wednesday.

He added: Clearly, the President's unwillingness to touch the SADA, subject these days is an admission of his failure and the legacy of shame he is leaving with regards to Northern development and the many promises he made to the people of the North especially in 2012 when he led the onslaught to tell Northerners that with a Northern President, the North would see the deserved commitment and attention for development.

Below is the full statement:

THE SADA NIGHTMARE  PRESIDENT MAHAMA'S LEGACY OF SHAME

We called you here today to discuss and evaluate the Northern Developmental Agenda and how far we have come eight years since our people were promised a Special Development vehicle which would ultimately lead to rapid economic development, poverty reduction and social progress!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is also four (4) years since our people were told that we needed a Northern President, because with a brother as President, our troubles were over, the shameful poverty that confronts the vast majority of our people, would be over and that it is a Northern President who can bring to bear, the commitment needed to develop the North and create the opportunities needed for prosperity and wealth.

Why the NDA or SADA ?

Ladies and Gentlemen, by 2008, there was a general consensus nationally that the north had become generally underdeveloped compared to other parts of the country with a high incidence of poverty.

The Northern agitation which began in the 1940s and 50s, even before Ghana became independent was championed by stalwarts of the then Northern People's Party who believed that our people needed special interventions to catch up with Southern Ghana, seemed to have finally been accepted nationally as true.

The New Patriotic Party (NPP), whose antecedents includes the Northern People's Party and our flag bearer, Nana AKufo-Addo, who fully agreed with the principles and the agitations initiated by the likes of Chief S.D. Dombo, Mumuni Bawumia, Jato Kaleo etc. took on the Northern Challenge and pledged to create this special vehicle  the Northern Development Authority (NDA) to spearhead an aggressive programme of action to immediately bridge the developmental gap between the North and the South and to create the necessary opportunities for production in the North, create prosperity and jobs for our people. For this programme, the NPP pledged a billion dollars in all, to create the necessary impact desired.

Despite initially ridiculing the pledge of the NPP and Nana Akufo-Addo to establish a Northern Development Programme, the NDC, led mainly by its then Vice-Presidential Candidate, John Dramani Mahama, also bought into the idea and eventually promised setting up a similar programme. We quote from the NDC 2008 Manifesto 

DEVELOPING THE NORTH  SAVANNAH ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (SADA)

And this is what the NDC said to justify the setting up of the SADA (even though as earlier mentioned, they ridiculed it)

All data from every credible institution or source speak about the desperate condition of the north. Available data reveal that 9 out of every 10; 8 out of every 10; and 7 out of every 10 people are classified as poor in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions respectively. It is the considered opinion of the NDC that this grave manifestation of poverty in the Savannah Belt comprising the three regions and the northern parts of the Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions is caused by historical, ecological and political reasons.

An NDC Government shall therefore take immediate and urgent steps to bridge the development gap between the North and South as follows:

 Set up a Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to be directly under the President, with a vision and mandate to accelerate the socio-economic development of the Savannah Belt through strategic investment in human capital and the harnessing of its resources; Commission the development of a Master Plan for Northern Ghana's Development, based on the harnessing of the development potential of the Savannah areas of Ghana. The plan will focus on accelerated development by supporting infrastructure and utilities to tap and mobilise the full economic potential of the Area for the benefit of the people;

 Establish a Special Development Fund for SADA to be sourced from the Consolidated Fund, Multi-donor Agencies; Bilateral and Multilateral, Development Finance Institutions; private sector capital, notably from local and international Banks as well as investors in the Savannah economy.

The initial start-up contribution to this fund shall be 200 million GH, with annual contributions from Government of 100 million each year for 20 years. Once established, the Government of Ghana will lead a Donor Conference on Northern Ghana, with the aim of raising an additional $ 200 million from Ghana's Development Partners and the Private sector, in order to assure the new Authority a firm and financial solid foundation.

Per the Manifesto promise of the NDC itself, SADA should have had at least a billion cedis allocated to it by now in addition to other funds that was to be sourced from Development Partners and the Private Sector.

How Much Has Been Allocated?

According to the 2012 Manifesto of the NDC, 260 million Ghana cedis had been allocated to SADA by 2012, instead of a promised 600 million Ghana cedis. According to the 2013 and the 2014 Budgets, 20 million Ghana cedis was allocated to SADA per year while there was virtually no mention of SADA in the 2015 and 2016 Budgets.

This means that a total of GHC 300 million Ghana cedis has been allocated to the SADA Programme, as compared to a promised 1billion Ghana cedis.

This means that the NDC government has only delivered at most 30% of what it promised the people of the North but ladies and gentlemen, the critical question to ask is, how even these meagre amounts compared to what was promised, has been utilised.

How Has The Money Been Utilised?

Indeed ladies and gentlemen, the record is even worse when John Mahama government, from 2012 is isolated, the record is even pathetic!

Not only has the government of John Mahama per their own records allocated only GHC 40 million out of a promised GHC 400 million cedis they should have allocated per their own manifesto promise in 2008, but they have also supervised and led the wanton thievery of these resources which were allocated in the name of Northern development.

Among others these resources which were released to ostensibly help the Northern poor and uplift them from suffocating poverty, was virtually pilfered into private accounts and pockets and into buildings and cars for the President, his friends and family while the ordinary man and woman of the North have been left poorer and more deprived.

Various Audit reports have revealed the amazing levels and shameless schemes with which these resources were stolen by men close to the 'Northern President'.

A few examples will have to be mentioned.

Some officials of SADA were involved in corrupt deals notably the use of over GHc 250,000 on unapproved and wasteful trips to Birmingham, Berlin and Istanbul.

The payment of GHc 620,000 for the services of consultants. Indeed, the initial Audit Report put this amount at over GHC 1million Ghana cedis

The four are Dr. Charles Jebuni as Chief Technical Advisor who took a total of GH437,206.00 in a period of 22 months (GH19,873.00 monthly); Salifu Mahama as Engineer for Housing, took a total of GH96,000.00 for 16 months (GH6,000.00 monthly); and Kennedy S. Mohammed, Resource Mobilization, collected a total of GH75,000.00 for 10 months (GH7,500.00 monthly).

In the 2012 farming season, SADA supplied 714 bags of hybrid seeds to two service providers at a time the farming season was over. Because of this, SADA lost over GH320,000.

The biggest of all these wastages was the sinking of GHC48 million into Guinea Fowl rearing and Tree Planting projects.

For the rest of the resources that the NDC claims to have invested, all one can say is that, for whatever reason, it has not trickled down into improving on the lives of our people. Our people are now suffering more than ever, jobless more than ever, and hungrier and thirstier more than ever.

Ladies and Gentlemen, one can only assume that in similar fashion, the rest of the GHC 300 million apparently allocated were all embezzled or craftily wasted.

We call on the President and the government to immediately release a full breakdown of the 300 million Ghana cedis allocated and when it was released as well as what it was used on.

8 Years of No Show & Corruption at the expense of the Poor

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, the cumulative effect of the lack of a comprehensive vision and game plan for our people, the thievery and the lack of commitment to the North and the people has meant that the last 8 years has virtually been 8 wasted years for the North as development has stalled and poverty is on the rise.

The only thing the people of the North have witnessed is obscene corruption at their expense and by people we consider our own.

To worsen matters, the government of John Mahama either deliberately or through its sheer incompetence, have either abolished or weakened many of the social intervention schemes that provided great relief to our people.

The current poor state of the National Health Insurance Scheme and the virtual return of the Cash & Carry System have led to increased suffering and in some cases avoidable deaths of our people!

Many are no longer able to afford healthcare as they were some years back when the NHIS was fully functional and meeting the needs of the poor.

Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the saddest cases is the issue of the anti-snake serum, which has been taken off the drug list by the NHIS, in an environment where snake bites are very common, especially during the farming season, this decision and action can at best be described as wicked! Our already poor and suffering people would have to cough up huge monies to secure treatment or face death.

Again, nowhere is the cancellation of the all-important Teacher and Nursing Trainee Allowances having a toll than in the North. Northerners who hitherto relied on these allowances as vital support pillars to gain training to become Teachers and Nurses, have now been denied this pillar and have no choice but to remain out of these Teacher and Nursing trainee institutions as the cost of pursuing training today has been totally priced out of the reach of the poor.

No mention of SADA by JDM & No Commitment to Recover Monies

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, it is instructive to note that in all his rounds in the five (5) SADA regions during the just ended Accounting to the People Tour, no mention was ever made of SADA, its supposed legacy as of now and what the future holds for it. The pressing question is why the President seems to have totally abandoned this Pet Project of his and why he is no longer bold to even name it and account to the Northern people on how 'well' they have managed SADA and bridged the gap between the North and South as they originally promised.

Clearly, the President's unwillingness to touch the SADA, subject these days is an admission of his failure and the legacy of shame he is leaving with regards to Northern development and the many promises he made to the people of the North especially in 2012 when he led the onslaught to tell Northerners that with a Northern President, the North would see the deserved commitment and attention for development.

Perhaps the area where the President has shown a total lack of commitment to the issues of the North and SADA, is with regards to retrieving the monies pilfered in the name of SADA. So far, virtually no action has been taken to retrieve these monies and to properly invest them for the people of the North and no action instituted to prosecute perpetrators of the thievery which occurred to set a precedent for future handlers of such schemes. Years after the rot in SADA was exposed, it can be concluded that those who enriched themselves with SADA funds have gotten away with their crimes and loot.

It is clear that with few months to the election, nothing will be done and obviously, the people of the North can only expect action on this score under a new administration since it is clear that whatever happened was from the President and people too close or to dear to the President for him to take any action.

Donors Have Abandoned Programme

Ladies and Gentlemen, what the Northern President and his henchmen have done to the North, will obviously have long term effects on the quest for Northern development and transformation.

Thanks to the obscene mismanagement of SADA and totally failed legacy of the Northern President, many Ghanaians including even Northerners, view with scepticism any push for special resources for Northern development as they feel that such resources like the ones that have already been committed, would end up in individual pockets and on wasteful and reckless ventures.

Already, donors who showed a great deal of interest in SADA in its early days, have all abandoned the programme and unwilling to commit any form of resources to it. The ordinary Northerner through no fault of his or hers will have to bear the consequences of the actions and crimes of people in Authority.

Felling of Rosewood tree

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, one of the biggest unexposed issues confronting the North today has to do with the ongoing reckless destruction of the Northern ecology with direct supervision of the current government. These actions if not checked immediately will lead to permanent and irreversible damages to the environment and the climate of the North which will can only lead to more suffering, drought and harsh weather cycles.

Aside failing woefully to bring the needed development to the North, the NDC John Dramani Mahama administration is also strenuously trying to destroy the ecology of the North just because it would serve their selfish interests and the interests of businesses they have set up or those that belong to cronies and people willing to cut deals with them.

As we speak, the government through its Minister of Lands and Forestry has regrettably authorised the felling of Rosewood trees in all the three Northern Regions and this is being done at an obscene speed and without any scheme to replace these trees or to tap these resources sustainably despite the obvious risks such dangerous actions pose to the generality of the millions in the North and Ghana as a whole.

As we speak, as many as thirteen (13) companies have been authorised by the government to recklessly engage in an unprecedented deforestation exercise of the North. Thirteen Companies.

These Companies include  Trans Atlantic Resources Limited, GL Interlink Limited, Riyaad Farm and Wood Limited, Dero Limited, Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited, Jowak Limited, Time Concept Limited, Doakyewaa Enterprise Limited, Adu-Tutu and Sons Limited, Savanna Investment (GH) Limited and Brasoma Company Limited.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, why would the government of John Dramani Mahama, deliberately throw all caution to the wind and endanger the very lives and livelihoods of the people of our people6

for self-enrichment purposes? Is all they care about money, even if the obscene quest for it endangers the lives of our people?

Most shocking is the fact that this government found it prudent to invest GHC 32 million in an afforestation programme for the North barely years ago, but is currently also engaged in the massive deforestation of the North even after the programme to grow trees in the North failed woefully. It is clear that this government has only one guiding principle. Whether it is in the decision on growing trees or cutting trees, there is only one common factor that runs through such decisions  how much money the President and his cronies will make from such deals.

Why would this government in its SADA policy document indicate that the vision for the Savanna Areas is a forested and green north, admit that climate change is altering the farming cycle of the people of the North and leading to sharp falls in harvests but then go ahead to cut down thousands of existent trees for sale?

Ladies and Gentlemen, it would interest you to know the high prices of these woods. It is then that you will understand the rush of people in this government to rid the North of all these trees despite the obvious risks and without any attempt to protect the ecology of the North or even replace these trees.

Per the current world market prices, one square metre of these woods cost as much as 50,000 dollars. This is why all over the world especially in places like Thailand, people have gone to all extents, including bloodshed, to fell these trees and sell them.

At this point, ladies and gentlemen, one wonders how more reckless John Mahama and his NDC can be.

It must be also stated that all the millions of dollars being made out of felling these trees is going into the pockets and bank accounts of persons in government and their cronies and that nothing is being invested back in the north.

We wish to call on the Mahama administration to immediately end the ongoing destruction of our ecology and to immediately come clean on the issue of the Rosewood tree. What influenced the regrettable decision to cut these trees, why the government decided not to take any action to replace these trees or conserve the ecology of the North even after taking this regrettable decision and how much has been accrued to these Companies from these trees. We will also like to know the process of selection that went into picking these 13 Companies to fell these trees and what consultations went into these decisions.

Conclusion

In ending, ladies and gentlemen, it is clear that the current government has orchestrated and supervised a legacy of shame in the North. They have failed to live by their promises, failed to meet the expectations of the people of the North and failed to even meet up to the standards other governments set in the area of bringing development and relief to our people.

What John Mahama and his NDC government have achieved is ensuring that cronies of the government enrich themselves obscenely in the name of Northern Development and the destruction of the Northern Brand and even environment. And there appears no end in sight to this legacy of shame and the nightmare the people of the North are seeing today. We say enough is enough.

Thank YOU very MUCH.

-starrfmonline
African Aurora Business Network (AABN) Innovation Centre graduated a total number of 91 young executives from its Young Executive Business Growth Program (YEBGP) as part of the Youth Inclusive Entrepreneurial Development Initiative for Employment (YIEDIE).

YIEDIE is creating economic opportunities for youth aged 17-24 in Ghanas construction sector by training young women and men in technical construction skills and helping youth to start and grow small businesses. It is increasing collaboration and support amongst construction sector stakeholders to improve their enabling environment. YIEDIE is implemented by Global Communities in partnership with the YIEDIE Consortium: Youth Empowerment Synergy (YES-Ghana), Opportunity Industrialization Centre Ghana (OICG), HFC-Boafo Microfinance Services Ltd. (HFC-Boafo), Artisans Association of Ghana (AAG) and African Aurora Business Network (AABN).

YEBGP, launched by AABN in November 2015, is providing business development services and advisory services to young entrepreneurs and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Construction Value Chain. The group of ninety-one (91) graduates comprised sixty-three (63) young entrepreneurs, ten (10) Business Advisors and twenty-eight (28) SME leaders. All graduates completed a six-month intensive business advisory and hands-on certification program, which prepared them for success. Some of the training modules include Business Planning and Pitching, Introduction to ICT and Business Mentoring.

The ceremony was marked by a Grand Pitch of business plans by six finalists selected through a competitive YEBGP process, pitching their business plans; Mr. Manaf Suleman Cheiba, Miss Dorcas Sobeng, Mr. Abubakari Nurudeen, Miss Philipina Antoinette Mensah, Mr. Bashiru Ahmed Jamal and Mr. Samuel Lamptey. These finalists pitched their business plans to a five-member jury to be assessed and critiqued.

The Commissioner of the Grand Pitch, Mr. Ebenezer Odoi congratulated all of the finalists for making it this far and challenged them to be entrepreneurial in their business approach. The winner of the Grand Pitch was later announced at the graduation ceremony. A graduation cake and cocktail was held to enhance the networking skills of graduates.

The Grand Pitch was followed by the graduation ceremony at the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC). Mrs. Maureen Erekua Odoi, the Executive Director of AABN, highlighted some of the achievements of AABN in the area of youth empowerment over the past 15 years. She also touched on the four elements of a successful entrepreneur as emphasized by the International Labour Organization (ILO): motivation, resources, abilities and skills, market and innovation. She added: Young entrepreneurs need an enabling environment so that they can be nurtured into successful entrepreneurs, much like a nest. Thus, AABN has introduced a service dubbed The Eagles Nest for aspiring young entrepreneurs.

Mr. William Quaye, the Country Manager of AABN, advised the graduates that entrepreneurship is an unending journey with an uneasy path. He further urged them to be strategic in their business choices and make hard work, creativity, innovation and passion the hallmark of their businesses.

Guest Speakers at Graduation Ceremony included: Reverend Edward Agyemfra, the Head Pastor of International Central Gospel Church (ICGC)- Rehoboth Temple; Mrs. Vera Kafui Mills-Odoi, the Project Director of YIEDIE; Mr. Isaac Arhinful, a Lecturer at Ghana Telecom University College; Mr. Ebenezer Odoi, a member of the AABN Governing Council and Commissioner for the Grand Pitch; Mrs. Awurabena Okrah, the CEO of Winglow Clothes and Textiles Limited; Mr. Gideon Bidor, the President of AAG; and Mr. Emmanuel Nomafo, the Project Manager of YES-Ghana.

Mrs. Awurabena Okrah, the overall SME winner of the YEBGP Grand Pitch held in March this year, was present to lead a Mentoring Session and advised the graduates based on her 30 years of experience in business. She reiterated the importance of planning as a young entrepreneur. Mrs. Okrah encouraged the graduates to develop a strategic plan of how to implement the operational activities of their businesses. In her Keynote address, Mrs. Vera Kafui Mills-Odoi challenged the graduates to bounce back when they experience instances of failure in their businesses, and to be innovative, have long term goals and focus on solving problems.

Miss Dorcas Sobeng emerged the overall winner of the Grand Pitch. In appreciation, Miss Sobeng made the following statement: I am grateful to AABN for bestowing on me such an opportunity. I urge the youth in the YEBGP to shine for excellence and make good use of the skills and knowledge acquired at AABN to build their businesses. Mr. Ernest Annan, the class captain of the graduating class added: We, the graduating class of 2016, are a powerhouse of innovation and creativity. We will push boundaries to make this world a better place even in small ways.

African Aurora Business Network (AABN) has provided 10 years of excellent Business Advisory Services and training for young entrepreneurs, women and SMEs. AABN serves its numerous clients through a team of accredited and experienced Certified Business Advisors with a total of 140 years expertise in SME development globally. Part of our mission is to empower Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), stakeholders and its environment through strategic partnerships.

AABN is currently celebrating a decade of global impact, agribusiness development, women enterprise development, innovations through training and business advisory services, while empowering the youth in sustainable enterprise. AABN is powered by 50 Certified Business Advisors with over 20 years of experience in youth enterprise development and SME advisory services.

This year, over 1,000 young entrepreneurs, SMEs and actors in the construction value chain will receive business development and advisory services on scholarship from the YEBGP as part of the YIEDIE project. Aspiring entrepreneurs and SME leaders can apply by contacting the AABN Helpline on 0302225078 or [email protected]

Mr. Ebenezer Odoi, the Commissioner of the Grand Jury, gave words of advice to the Grand Pitch finalists

Mrs. Maureen Erekua Odoi, the Executive Director of AABN, delivering her speech

Mrs. Awurabena Okrah motivated the graduates
South Africa takes this opportunity to express its appreciation and gratitude to the Government and people of Kenya for hosting this 14th Ministerial Conference of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). South Africa reaffirms its support for the outcomes of previous UNCTAD Ministerial Conferences, in particular, the Doha Mandate of 2012 and the Accra Accord of 2008.

This Conference is taking place in the midst of a deepening global crisis. A feature of this phase is sharply depressed commodity prices which are having a significant impact on developing countries, including those on the African Continent. Many developing countries remain confined in the low value added parts of Global Value Chains (GVCs) as suppliers of primary products and commodities. The current circumstances require that we intensify our efforts to diversify our economies away from an over reliance on primary, unprocessed products, and move up the value chains through pursuing industrialization.

An integral component of this involves pursuing a development integration agenda on the African continent which combines market integration, infrastructure and industrial development. The aim is to create a larger regional market that supports diversification and industrialization across the continent. Global negotiations and rules must provide a supportive framework for this agenda and not complicate it. This requires recognising that developing countries' efforts to transform their economies also need policy space.

In this regard South Africa reiterate its commitment to the WTOs Doha Development Mandate. At the 10th WTO Ministerial Conference held here in Nairobi last year we agreed to non-binding discussions on other possible issues for future negotiations. However, I want to stress that we did not agree to discard the WTO Doha Mandate in favour of a new mandate dealing with so called 21st century trade issues. While some of the matters raised in exploratory discussions do speak to important new realities, we insist that any subject must be addressed from a developmental perspective and that we will not agree to proposals that will constrain policy space needed to support industrial development and pursuit of SDGs by Developing Countries.

In light of these dynamics, UNCTAD must continue to play an active role in assisting developing countries to understand profound developments underway in the world economy and issues arising in the interdependence in the areas of trade, finance, investment, macroeconomics, and technology that affect the growth and development prospects of developing countries. At the heart of UNCTADs mandate is a development-centered approach that eschews a one-size-fits-all approach. The global economic, financial and trading systems remain unbalanced and the current economic crisis has had significant impacts on the ability of developing countries to implement measures to address the consequences of sustained economic turbulence.

An investment led strategy is required to contribute to the economic transformation of African countries. In this regard there is a need for investment policies that promote and attract investment that contributes to sustainable development. These must be complemented by targeted trade and investment promotion and facilitation measures that are aimed at channeling investment to the manufacturing sector, including promoting corporate governance and good business practices that support the sustainable development agenda.

Investment policy must be part of the broader development objectives of Governments. South Africas National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) and Trade Policy and Strategic Framework (TPSF) are explicit in demanding an approach to development and industrialization that is decided on a sector by sector basis, and dictated by the needs and imperatives of sectoral strategies. Sectoral work is grounded on a self-discovery process of engagement between government and stakeholders and will build in appropriate disciplines to meet industrial policy objectives. Our experience has been that deliberate policy interventions are needed to promote diversification beyond a traditional export basket dominated by primary products. Tariff reductions alone have not induced the necessary structural changes in the economy to significantly alter the export basket beyond the range of products that reflect South Africas static comparative advantage. South Africas strongest export performance in more sophisticated products has been in sectors that have been built up through past and present industrial policy.

Virtually all of todays developed countries actively used developmental trade and industrial policies and used a range of policy tools to help themselves pull away from their existing and potential competitors. Developing countries therefore need policy space to industrialize and to integrate in a more favourable way into the global economy.

UNCTAD must continue to be given a robust mandate to provide analytical work that supports developing countries in their efforts to promote developmental regional integration, as well as helping them assess the increasingly complex implications of plurilateral and mega-regional trade agreements. Sustainable industrialization must be promoted through a policy mix that support inclusive growth through an investment framework that establishes investors legal responsibility and adequate procedure for redress and accountability as well as developing policy options to increase tax transparency in the operations of multinational enterprises.

More broadly, the issue of changing international tax rules and closing loopholes which facilitate and enable international tax evasion and aggressive avoidance cannot just be dealt with by one organization, the OECD, which the vast majority of developing countries are not even members of. It must be at the centre of a multilateral intergovernmental process under the auspices of the United Nations. UNCTAD has an important role to play in the development of a normative definition of illicit trade flows while developing support and capacity to enhance the involvement of developing countries in addressing base erosion and profit shifting to safeguard their taxing rights.

Technology transfer is essential to the enabling of sustainable development in developing countries and UNCTAD should continue to take a lead role in supporting these efforts by developing countries rather and provide an approach to intellectual property rules that takes into account the development dynamics of developing countries. The ability of developing countries to participate in scientific collaboration and to build local capacity is an essential component of any Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) policy. South Africa has partnered with various countries and institutions to build the MeerKAT, originally the Karoo Array Telescope, which is a radio telescope under construction in the Northern Cape of South Africa. It will be the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the southern hemisphere until the Square Kilometre Array is completed around 2024. Although the MeerKAT radio telescope has only just entered initial testing, early photographs have already lead to the discovery of 1,230 new galaxies. This telescope, which is predominantly a locally designed and built instrument, shows the world that Africa can compete in international research, engineering, technology and science.

It is therefore important to support an overarching UNCTAD mandate that will support research and analysis, policy advice and technical assistance on issues related to trade, development and interrelated issues. South Africa will work for an UNCTAD XIV Ministerial Declaration that reaffirms principles underlying UNCTAD's mandate in order to strengthen the role of developing countries in the global economy and to achieve sustainable development goals. South Africa will hence not be able to support any Declaration that waters down UNCTAD's mandate in respect of Doha 2012.

Thank you.
Ministers of Defense from the Great Lakes region met in Nairobi on 20 July 2016 to review progress and challenges facing the efforts to neutralize negatives forces in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, as well as to further refine and reinforce the common strategy to cut-off their illegal trade activities in the region.

Over the past years, the governments of the Great Lakes region and the international community have remained engaged in support of the efforts of the Government of the DRC to fight negative forces within its territory. The neutralization of armed groups in eastern DRC remains essential to bringing stability to the DRC and the region. In this regard, the UN Security Council Resolution 2277 (2016) encouraged the Government of the DRC, with support from the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region, to engage regional actors in finding a durable solution to the repatriation of disarmed FDLR members and their dependents.

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) held several extraordinary summits, including one joint special summit with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) dedicated to the issue of negative forces. In the final declaration of the last ICGLR Summit held in Luanda, Angola, on 14 June 2016, the Heads of State and Government recommended further support for the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) to continue to work together to neutralize all negative forces. They also urged the UN and other concerned parties to accelerate the repatriation of disarmed ex-combatants of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) in the cantonment camps to Rwanda or resettlement to a third country outside the region.

Despite these considerable efforts, the region remains largely confronted with the presence of such negative forces as the FDLR, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), and other remnant groups equally harmful to regional peace and stability. These forces, which continue to commit acts of violence and human rights abuses are also involved in the illegal exploitation of natural resources as a means of survival. Moreover, they contribute to a climate of tension and mistrust among the countries of the region.

As we engage in discussions on effective action to neutralize armed forces operating in eastern DRC, it is important to recall the impact these negative forces have on the daily lives of the vulnerable populations in the region, United Nations Special Envoy for the Great Lakes, Said Djinnit, said in his introductory remarks. We must ensure that protection of civilians from all forms of violence, remains a priority in our actions to neutralize armed groups, he concluded.

The meeting brought together ministers of Defense from the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and the troop contributing countries of the Force Intervention Brigade of MONUSCO, namely South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, as well as Angola, in its capacity as Chair of the ICGLR; Mozambique as Chair of the SADC Peace and Security Organ; and the Guarantors of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework Agreement, namely the UN, AU, ICGLR and SADC. The meeting was co-chaired by Jao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, Minister of Defense of Angola and Chair of ICGLR Committee of Ministers of Defense; UN Special Envoy Djinnit; and Zachary Muburi-Muita, ICGLR Executive Secretary.

The participants adopted an outcome document containing recommendations on the way forward to be submitted to the respective Ministers of Defense of ICGLR and SADC in preparation for their next Joint Summit of Heads of State and Government of the region.
21.07.2016 LISTEN

Posterity will judge you, oh Ghanaian electorates. You will soon be offered the opportunity on November 7, 2016 to decide on the future leaders of our dear country Ghana. The decision you take on that day to vote for more principled men and women of integrity to be our leaders, much the better for the future prosperity of Ghana.

It is obvious that President Mahama and his current NDC party and government have failed Ghana economically, socially, security-wise and in every facet of democratic governance. Our youths are jobless in their alarming huge numbers. Armed robbery is robbing Ghana of some innocent lives and depriving many people of their safety and security while the government looks on completely ineffective and nonchalant like a nutter with his mouth agape and dribbling.

Look at how the majority of Ghanaian masses are suffering under the most corrupt, incompetent and clueless President Ghana has ever had. Are you able to pay your unnecessarily hiked utility bills? Are you able to afford your entire cost of living with dignity as I do not want to go into the details of things? I am afraid not.

Why would you then even dream of, let alone, vote for, such a President and government to collapse your life and that of the future generation? You are invited to vote massively against President Mahama and NDC by voting in Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP. Let us try Nana Akufo Addo, the nationally-acclaimed incorruptible person of whom no NDC member has raised a finger in challenge of his proclaimed integrity but his height and other such silly physical appearance accusations.

Please, Ghanaian electorates do not be deceived by the likes of Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey who for his selfish ends and probably already legally or illegally acquired wealth would want President Mahama and NDC win election 2016 to continue to worsen your plight. That is their wish reading from their publications, speeches and actions and body language.

Who in Ghana does not know that the Chairlady of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Charlotte Osei, by her actions is colluding with the NDC to help them win election 2016 on a silver platter? It is only the NDC members and some saboteurs within the NPP of whom Dr Charles Wereko-Brobbey is very conspicuous that are not aware of the schemes by Charlotte Osei. He lays bare his evil intentions in his publication on Modernghana.com where he was mocking the NPP. His said feature article was titled, Wereko-Brobby: Now that the comedies for Election 2016 are over [Article]. The underlying web link takes any interested public reader to his malicious article.

http://www.modernghana.com/news/705241/wereko-brobby-now-that-the-comedies-for-election-2016-are-o.html

Please fellow Ghanaians, do not allow the one-off goodies and a few Cedi wads that the NDC and President Mahama have stolen from the public coffers to grease your palms fool you into voting to re-elect them in the upcoming 2016 general elections.

President Mahama insults Ghanaians by saying we have a short memory hence he can embezzle public funds, carry out dodgy projects at highly bloated costs to accumulate huge debt for you and I, and the future generations, to pay.

Out of the abundance of his stolen money or illegally acquired wealth, he comes to give you a peanut and then gets your life-changing vote for almost free to continue to aggravate your conditions of living. If such is not an act of depiction of short memory and folly on the part of whoever sells his vote as just explained, then I do not know what else is.

Are you ready to go through four more years of NDC economic hardships full of thievery, corruption, armed robbery, practice of selective justice and utter public insolence, and threats to peoples lives?

If you are fed up with the untold hardships brought to bear upon you by the style of governance by the NDC, then I welcome you with open arms to overwhelmingly vote for Nana Akufo Addo and the NPP come election 2016. Let us prove President Mahama and his accomplices wrong. Let us make it known to them that they cannot always take us for fools. Let us show them that if we were fools of yesteryear, we have now wised up so giving them the boot from office.

Rockson Adofo
Tunis (AFP) - Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid on Wednesday asked for a parliamentary vote of confidence on his government, officials said.

Defeat in the vote would force Essid to stand down after just a year and a half in the job.

A government official, who did not wish to be named, told AFP that Essid had officially requested the vote of confidence following weeks of pressure to resign.

The vote is expected to take place next week, said a source in parliament.

Essid was already forced into a broad reshuffle in January, when the country witnessed its worst violence since the Arab Spring uprisings of 2011 that toppled president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The premier took another blow in early June when President Beji Caid Essebsi criticised his government on local and said he would consider proposals to create a new government of national unity.

Essid said in June that he would be ready to resign the post "if the country's interest demanded it".

Sources close to the prime minister say he is prepared to stand down but refuses to leave under pressure without a vote of confidence.

If Essid's administration loses the vote, the president would be required to choose the "most suitable person" to form a new government.

Political parties, unions and employers would then negotiate the formation of a new administration.

His supporters have condemned "pressure" from supporters of Hafedh Caid Essebsi, the president's son who is among the leaders of the Nidaa Tounes party.

"If we want a real democratic transition, we must install democratic traditions," an official close to the prime minister told AFP.

Tunisia's current government is composed of four groups including the party Essebsi founded in 2012, Nidaa Tounes, and the Islamist Ennahda party.

Last week, on Essebsi's initiative, political groupings including Nidaa Tounes and Ennahda listed the priorities of a new unity government.

The "Carthage Accord", which was also signed by Nobel Prize-winning groups the UGTT union and UTICA, painted a sombre picture of Tunisia's economic, social and security situation.

Fighting terrorism, corruption and unemployment, as well as addressing regional disparities, would likely remain the priorities for any new government.
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel said Wednesday it has renewed diplomatic relations with Guinea, 49 years after the mostly-Muslim West African state severed ties following the 1967 Six-Day War.

"I am happy to announce that just now we signed... a joint declaration announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Guinea and the state of Israel," Israeli foreign ministry director Dore Gold said in a statement from Paris, where he met senior Guinean official Ibrahim Khalil Kaba.

The announcement followed close on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "historic" four-nation Africa trade and security tour aimed at boosting ties.

At the start of the July 4-7 trip, the first by an Israeli premier to sub-Saharan Africa for decades, Netanyahu proclaimed "Israel is coming back to Africa and Africa is coming back to Israel."

Prior to his departure Israel announced a relatively modest $13 million (12 million euro) aid package to strengthen economic ties and cooperation with African countries.

Netanyahu said he expected another exchange of ambassadors soon.

"In the coming days I think that yet another country will be added," his office quoted him as saying on Wednesday. "This is part of a process that is gaining momentum."

Israel's business with Africa constitutes only two percent of its foreign trade, leaving plenty of room for growth while demand for its defence expertise and products is rising.

It also sees African countries as potential allies, particularly at the United Nations and other international bodies, where it is regularly condemned over its occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli-Arab conflict drove a wedge between African countries and the Jewish state in the 1960s.

It was exacerbated by Israel's occupation of North African heavyweight Egypt's territory in the 1967 war and another round of fighting in 1973.

The conflict led a stream of African countries to break off relations with the Jewish state although many have since renewed them.

In his Hebrew-language statement, Gold called on them to join Guinea in resuming ties.

"The number of states on the continent yet to do so is shrinking and I hope that soon there will be none," he said.

"Israel calls on those states which have still not renewed diplomatic relations to follow in Guinea's footsteps so that we can work together for the benefit of all the peoples of the region."
Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel said Wednesday it has renewed diplomatic relations with Guinea, 49 years after the mostly-Muslim West African state severed ties following the 1967 Six-Day War.

"I am happy to announce that just now we signed... a joint declaration announcing the resumption of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Guinea and the state of Israel," Israeli foreign ministry director Dore Gold said in a statement from Paris, where he met senior Guinean official Ibrahim Khalil Kaba.

The announcement followed close on the heels of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's "historic" four-nation Africa trade and security tour aimed at boosting ties.

At the start of the July 4-7 trip, the first by an Israeli premier to sub-Saharan Africa for decades, Netanyahu proclaimed "Israel is coming back to Africa and Africa is coming back to Israel."

Prior to his departure Israel announced a relatively modest $13 million (12 million euro) aid package to strengthen economic ties and cooperation with African countries.

Netanyahu said he expected another exchange of ambassadors soon.

"In the coming days I think that yet another country will be added," his office quoted him as saying on Wednesday. "This is part of a process that is gaining momentum."

Israel's business with Africa constitutes only two percent of its foreign trade, leaving plenty of room for growth while demand for its defence expertise and products is rising.

It also sees African countries as potential allies, particularly at the United Nations and other international bodies, where it is regularly condemned over its occupation of the West Bank and blockade of the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli-Arab conflict drove a wedge between African countries and the Jewish state in the 1960s.

It was exacerbated by Israel's occupation of North African heavyweight Egypt's territory in the Six-Day war and another round of fighting in 1973.

The conflict led a stream of African countries to break off relations with the Jewish state.

Guinea, Gold said in his Hebrew-language statement, "was the first to sever ties back in 1967" but many have since renewed full relations.

"The number of states on the continent yet to do so is shrinking and I hope that soon there will be none," he said.

"Israel calls on those states which have still not renewed diplomatic relations to follow in Guinea's footsteps so that we can work together for the benefit of all the peoples of the region."
The opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) has condemned President John Mahama for destroying the Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA), a programme meant to accelerate development in some of Ghanas poor Regions.

The partys Deputy Communications Director, Anthony Karbo said the president has avoided making comments about SADA because he is fully aware he has failed Ghanaians living within the savanna areas of the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Brong Ahafo Regions as well as some areas in the Volta Region.

in all his rounds in the five (5) SADA regions during the just ended Accounting to the People Tour, no mention was ever made of SADA, Mr Karbo said at a press conference in Wa in the Upper West Region, Wednesday.

SADA was a flagship programme of the NDC government which was launched in 2008. Through the programme, government promised to put GH200 million as seed money to develop the aforementioned areas and also to put infrastructures in place to attract investors.

But Joy News investigations by Manasseh Azure in 2014, revealed massive rot at the Authority which had become a vehicle for severe mismanagement.

Further investigations by the Auditor-General confirmed that government wasted GH48 million into a Guinea Fowl rearing and Tree Planting projects.

There are no Guinea fowls to show for the investment so far and there was no value for money for the tree planting project. Although SADA paid GH32 million for five million trees, only 700,000 were planted.

After more than eight years of the programmes existence, the NPP has castigated the President for failing Ghanaians in a programme that showed so much promise yet has failed to fly due to corrupt practices.

Read full statement

DEVELOPING THE NORTH  SAVANNAH ACCELERATED DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (SADA)

And this is what the NDC said to justify the setting up of the SADA (even though as earlier mentioned, they ridiculed it)

All data from every credible institution or source speak about the desperate condition of the north. Available data reveal that 9 out of every 10; 8 out of every 10; and 7 out of every 10 people are classified as poor in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions respectively. It is the considered opinion of the NDC that this grave manifestation of poverty in the Savannah Belt comprising the three regions and the northern parts of the Brong Ahafo and Volta Regions is caused by historical, ecological and political reasons.

An NDC Government shall therefore take immediate and urgent steps to bridge the development gap between the North and South as follows:

 Set up a Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) to be directly under the President, with a vision and mandate to accelerate the socio-economic development of the Savannah Belt through strategic investment in human capital and the harnessing of its resources; Commission the development of a Master Plan for Northern Ghanas Development, based on the harnessing of the development potential of the Savannah areas of Ghana. The plan will focus on accelerated development by supporting infrastructure and utilities to tap and mobilise the full economic potential of the Area for the benefit of the people;

 Establish a Special Development Fund for SADA to be sourced from the Consolidated Fund, Multi-donor Agencies; Bilateral and Multilateral, Development Finance Institutions; private sector capital, notably from local and international Banks as well as investors in the Savannah economy.

The initial start-up contribution to this fund shall be 200 million GH, with annual contributions from Government of 100 million each year for 20 years. Once established, the Government of Ghana will lead a Donor Conference on Northern Ghana, with the aim of raising an additional $ 200 million from Ghanas Development Partners and the Private sector, in order to assure the new Authority a firm and financial solid foundation.

Per the Manifesto promise of the NDC itself, SADA should have had at least a billion cedis allocated to it by now in addition to other funds that was to be sourced from Development Partners and the Private Sector.

How Much Has Been Allocated?

According to the 2012 Manifesto of the NDC, 260 million Ghana cedis had been allocated to SADA by 2012, instead of a promised 600 million Ghana cedis. According to the 2013 and the 2014 Budgets, 20 million Ghana cedis was allocated to SADA per year while there was virtually no mention of SADA in the 2015 and 2016 Budgets.

This means that a total of GHC 300 million Ghana cedis has been allocated to the SADA Programme, as compared to a promised 1billion Ghana cedis.

This means that the NDC government has only delivered at most 30% of what it promised the people of the North but ladies and gentlemen, the critical question to ask is, how even these meagre amounts compared to what was promised, has been utilised.

How Has The Money Been Utilised?

Indeed ladies and gentlemen, the record is even worse when John Mahama government, from 2012 is isolated, the record is even pathetic!

Not only has the government of John Mahama per their own records allocated only GHC 40 million out of a promised GHC 400 million cedis they should have allocated per their own manifesto promise in 2008, but they have also supervised and led the wanton thievery of these resources which were allocated in the name of Northern development.

Among others these resources which were released to ostensibly help the Northern poor and uplift them from suffocating poverty, was virtually pilfered into private accounts and pockets and into buildings and cars for the President, his friends and family while the ordinary man and woman of the North have been left poorer and more deprived.

Various Audit reports have revealed the amazing levels and shameless schemes with which these resources were stolen by men close to the Northern President.

A few examples will have to be mentioned.

Some officials of SADA were involved in corrupt deals notably the use of over GHc 250,000 on unapproved and wasteful trips to Birmingham, Berlin and Istanbul.

The payment of GHc 620,000 for the services of consultants. Indeed, the initial Audit Report put this amount at over GHC 1million Ghana cedis

The four are Dr. Charles Jebuni as Chief Technical Advisor who took a total of GH437,206.00 in a period of 22 months (GH19,873.00 monthly); Salifu Mahama as Engineer for Housing, took a total of GH96,000.00 for 16 months (GH6,000.00 monthly); and Kennedy S. Mohammed, Resource Mobilization, collected a total of GH75,000.00 for 10 months (GH7,500.00 monthly).

In the 2012 farming season, SADA supplied 714 bags of hybrid seeds to two service providers at a time the farming season was over. Because of this, SADA lost over GH320,000.

The biggest of all these wastages was the sinking of GHC48 million into Guinea Fowl rearing and Tree Planting projects.

For the rest of the resources that the NDC claims to have invested, all one can say is that, for whatever reason, it has not trickled down into improving on the lives of our people. Our people are now suffering more than ever, jobless more than ever, and hungrier and thirstier more than ever.

Ladies and Gentlemen, one can only assume that in similar fashion, the rest of the GHC 300 million apparently allocated were all embezzled or craftily wasted.

We call on the President and the government to immediately release a full breakdown of the 300 million Ghana cedis allocated and when it was released as well as what it was used on.

8 Years of No Show & Corruption at the expense of the Poor

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, the cumulative effect of the lack of a comprehensive vision and game plan for our people, the thievery and the lack of commitment to the North and the people has meant that the last 8 years has virtually been 8 wasted years for the North as development has stalled and poverty is on the rise.

The only thing the people of the North have witnessed is obscene corruption at their expense and by people we consider our own.

To worsen matters, the government of John Mahama either deliberately or through its sheer incompetence, have either abolished or weakened many of the social intervention schemes that provided great relief to our people.

The current poor state of the National Health Insurance Scheme and the virtual return of the Cash & Carry System have led to increased suffering and in some cases avoidable deaths of our people!

Many are no longer able to afford healthcare as they were some years back when the NHIS was fully functional and meeting the needs of the poor.

Ladies and Gentlemen, one of the saddest cases is the issue of the anti-snake serum, which has been taken off the drug list by the NHIS, in an environment where snake bites are very common, especially during the farming season, this decision and action can at best be described as wicked! Our already poor and suffering people would have to cough up huge monies to secure treatment or face death.

Again, nowhere is the cancellation of the all-important Teacher and Nursing Trainee Allowances having a toll than in the North. Northerners who hitherto relied on these allowances as vital support pillars to gain training to become Teachers and Nurses, have now been denied this pillar and have no choice but to remain out of these Teacher and Nursing trainee institutions as the cost of pursuing training today has been totally priced out of the reach of the poor.

No mention of SADA by JDM & No Commitment to Recover Monies

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, it is instructive to note that in all his rounds in the five (5) SADA regions during the just ended Accounting to the People Tour, no mention was ever made of SADA, its supposed legacy as of now and what the future holds for it. The pressing question is why the President seems to have totally abandoned this Pet Project of his and why he is no longer bold to even name it and account to the Northern people on how well they have managed SADA and bridged the gap between the North and South as they originally promised.

Clearly, the Presidents unwillingness to touch the SADA, subject these days is an admission of his failure and the legacy of shame he is leaving with regards to Northern development and the many promises he made to the people of the North especially in 2012 when he led the onslaught to tell Northerners that with a Northern President, the North would see the deserved commitment and attention for development.

Perhaps the area where the President has shown a total lack of commitment to the issues of the North and SADA, is with regards to retrieving the monies pilfered in the name of SADA. So far, virtually no action has been taken to retrieve these monies and to properly invest them for the people of the North and no action instituted to prosecute perpetrators of the thievery which occurred to set a precedent for future handlers of such schemes. Years after the rot in SADA was exposed, it can be concluded that those who enriched themselves with SADA funds have gotten away with their crimes and loot.

It is clear that with few months to the election, nothing will be done and obviously, the people of the North can only expect action on this score under a new administration since it is clear that whatever happened was from the President and people too close or to dear to the President for him to take any action.

Donors Have Abandoned Programme

Ladies and Gentlemen, what the Northern President and his henchmen have done to the North, will obviously have long term effects on the quest for Northern development and transformation.

Thanks to the obscene mismanagement of SADA and totally failed legacy of the Northern President, many Ghanaians including even Northerners, view with scepticism any push for special resources for Northern development as they feel that such resources like the ones that have already been committed, would end up in individual pockets and on wasteful and reckless ventures.

Already, donors who showed a great deal of interest in SADA in its early days, have all abandoned the programme and unwilling to commit any form of resources to it. The ordinary Northerner through no fault of his or hers will have to bear the consequences of the actions and crimes of people in Authority.

Felling of Rosewood tree

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, one of the biggest unexposed issues confronting the North today has to do with the ongoing reckless destruction of the Northern ecology with direct supervision of the current government. These actions if not checked immediately will lead to permanent and irreversible damages to the environment and the climate of the North which will can only lead to more suffering, drought and harsh weather cycles.

Aside failing woefully to bring the needed development to the North, the NDC John Dramani Mahama administration is also strenuously trying to destroy the ecology of the North just because it would serve their selfish interests and the interests of businesses they have set up or those that belong to cronies and people willing to cut deals with them.

As we speak, the government through its Minister of Lands and Forestry has regrettably authorised the felling of Rosewood trees in all the three Northern Regions and this is being done at an obscene speed and without any scheme to replace these trees or to tap these resources sustainably despite the obvious risks such dangerous actions pose to the generality of the millions in the North and Ghana as a whole.

As we speak, as many as thirteen (13) companies have been authorised by the government to recklessly engage in an unprecedented deforestation exercise of the North. Thirteen Companies.

These Companies include  Trans Atlantic Resources Limited, GL Interlink Limited, Riyaad Farm and Wood Limited, Dero Limited, Kofi Vinyo and Company Limited, Jowak Limited, Time Concept Limited, Doakyewaa Enterprise Limited, Adu-Tutu and Sons Limited, Savanna Investment (GH) Limited and Brasoma Company Limited.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the question is, why would the government of John Dramani Mahama, deliberately throw all caution to the wind and endanger the very lives and livelihoods of the people of our people6

for self-enrichment purposes? Is all they care about money, even if the obscene quest for it endangers the lives of our people?

Most shocking is the fact that this government found it prudent to invest GHC 32 million in an afforestation programme for the North barely years ago, but is currently also engaged in the massive deforestation of the North even after the programme to grow trees in the North failed woefully. It is clear that this government has only one guiding principle. Whether it is in the decision on growing trees or cutting trees, there is only one common factor that runs through such decisions  how much money the President and his cronies will make from such deals.

Why would this government in its SADA policy document indicate that the vision for the Savanna Areas is a forested and green north, admit that climate change is altering the farming cycle of the people of the North and leading to sharp falls in harvests but then go ahead to cut down thousands of existent trees for sale?

Ladies and Gentlemen, it would interest you to know the high prices of these woods. It is then that you will understand the rush of people in this government to rid the North of all these trees despite the obvious risks and without any attempt to protect the ecology of the North or even replace these trees.

Per the current world market prices, one square metre of these woods cost as much as 50,000 dollars. This is why all over the world especially in places like Thailand, people have gone to all extents, including bloodshed, to fell these trees and sell them.

At this point, ladies and gentlemen, one wonders how more reckless John Mahama and his NDC can be.

It must be also stated that all the millions of dollars being made out of felling these trees is going into the pockets and bank accounts of persons in government and their cronies and that nothing is being invested back in the north.

We wish to call on the Mahama administration to immediately end the ongoing destruction of our ecology and to immediately come clean on the issue of the Rosewood tree. What influenced the regrettable decision to cut these trees, why the government decided not to take any action to replace these trees or conserve the ecology of the North even after taking this regrettable decision and how much has been accrued to these Companies from these trees. We will also like to know the process of selection that went into picking these 13 Companies to fell these trees and what consultations went into these decisions.

Conclusion

In ending, ladies and gentlemen, it is clear that the current government has orchestrated and supervised a legacy of shame in the North. They have failed to live by their promises, failed to meet the expectations of the people of the North and failed to even meet up to the standards other governments set in the area of bringing development and relief to our people.

What John Mahama and his NDC government have achieved is ensuring that cronies of the government enrich themselves obscenely in the name of Northern Development and the destruction of the Northern Brand and even environment. And there appears no end in sight to this legacy of shame and the nightmare the people of the North are seeing today. We say enough is enough.

Thank YOU very MUCH.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com | Edwin Appiah
Government has up to the end of this month to come up with four-year arrears of interim premium allowance owed members of the Civil and Local Government Staff association or face industrial action.

This follows a meeting between executives of CLOSSAG and the Employment and Labour Relations Ministry which ended inconclusively.

The executive secretary of CLOSAG, Isaac Bampoe Addo says without payment threat of striking is inevitable.

Mr Bampoe said they have not come to any favourable conclusion hence their decision to strike.

"We have exhausted committees upon committees that have looked into this issue and all have come to the same conclusion that we have not been treated well, we have not been treated fairly," Mr Bampoe said.

He said to equity to prevail, they must also be given they should also be given the interim premium.

Mr. Bampoe-Addo insists members of CLOSAG were worse off when the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) was implemented and so the Interim premium was to cushion them.

He said they have waited for almost six years to this to be done and all they are now considering is their pockets and not the impact of the industrial action.

"Now civil servants are wallowing in poverty, the report that brought in the single spine report came out that civil servants were the lowest paid in the public services and the differences are wide are of concern to us," Mr Bampoe revealed.

According to him, they have waited enough and can't endure anymore waiting and that the only thing that can bring them back is to be given the interim premium.

Story by Ghana| Myjoyonline.com |Abubakar Ibrahim
By Dennis Peprah, GNA

Nsawkaw, (B/A), July 20, GNA - Alhaji Alhassan Adama, Tain District Chief Imam has rallied Muslim leaders to join the campaign against child marriage, especially in the Zongo communities.

He said Islam strongly condemned socio-cultural practices, which impeded the development of the individual, family and the nation.

He was contributing discussions at a sensitization workshop on forced and early marriage held in Nsawkaw, the district capital.

It was organised by Action Aid Ghana, an NGO with support from United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and brought together assembly members, pastors and Imams.

He encouraged the people to work together to stop the practice, which he said was inimical to the growth of the girl-child.

Alhaji Alhassan applauded Action Aid Ghana for the workshop, and called for intensification of public education.

The Reverend Jackson Abdul Mahama, the Minister in-charge of Nsawkaw Presbyterian Church, spoke of the need for Christians and Muslims to unite in the fight to curb the practice.

He said since child and early marriage was a societal problem, concerted effort by the traditional authorities, the assembly, religious and opinion leaders, was required to deal with it.

He labeled early marriage as a huge challenge to the church in the district and promised they would work hard to aid the people to jettison the practice.

Mr. Kwame Denkyira Afram, The Brong-Ahafo Regional Programme Officer of the NGO, said early marriage was a human rights violation and breached the law.

He stated that statistics showed that the practice was common in the region and appealed to the people to report suspected cases to the relevant state institutions - the police, department of social welfare and the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for action.

GNA
By Florence Afriyie, GNA

Kuntanase (Ash) July 20, GNA - A female teacher accused of murdering her husband at Aputuogya near Kumasi was ordered to be sent back to police custody when she made her second court appearance.

The plea of Adowa Oppong Pokuaa was not taken.

The Kuntanasi Magistrate Court, presided over by Mrs. Cynthia Blagogee, upheld the request by the prosecution to keep her in police custody to allow more time to complete investigations into the case.

The incident happened on June 30.

Pokuaa and the deceased, Justice Adu Bosompem, a tutor of the Kumasi Senior High School (SHS), had been married for some time and had three children.

There was said to have been a misunderstanding between the couple and in the heat of the verbal exchanges the accused reportedly picked a kitchen knife and threatened to take her own life.

The man attempted to disarm her to prevent her from carrying through the threat and in the process got stabbed in the ribs.

Bosompem was rushed to the Saint Michael's Hospital in Pramso but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Pokuaah would make her next appearance on Tuesday, August 2.

GNA
Supporters of Kweku Adoboli, the former UBS trader whose unauthorised trading led to losses of $2.3bn at the Swiss bank, have launched a crowdfunding appeal to help him fight deportation from the UK.

Mr Adoboli was jailed for seven years over Britain's biggest banking fraud after being convicted of two counts of fraud for abuse of position including one count relating to the unauthorised $2.3bn of losses. A jury at Southwark Crown Court acquitted him of four counts relating to false accounting after his 10-week trial in 2012.

Mr Adoboli, born in Ghana, was released last year after serving half his sentence. Since then, in addition to being banned by the Financial Conduct Authority, the financial regulator, from working in the financial sector, Mr Adoboli has been unable to work at all due to Home Office deportation rules.

He has been fighting possible deportation to Ghana and his supporters have now turned to crowdfunding to help fund legal fees after he lost a court ruling in the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber). Home Office rules mean the government automatically seeks the expulsion of any overseas citizen awarded a sentence of four years or more.

Mr Adoboli was served with a Home Office deportation order last year and has unsuccessfully challenged it at the upper immigration tribunal. His advisers anticipate that there may be further multiple appeal stages ahead and that at least 75,000 is needed to fund his appeal against deportation.

His supporters have launched an appeal on Fundrazr.com, a crowdfunding platform, and the website has raised 9,805  about 13 per cent of the target  despite the appeal having only gone live on Monday.

Mr Adoboli said he wanted desperately to stay in the UK, not just for his friends and family but also to carry on his voluntary work talking to traders about his experience and the perils of the banking culture. He has spoken at various regulatory conferences about what happened to him which he could not do if he was sent to Ghana.

I really, really want to focus on my work  it's part of the rehabilitation process and turning something really awful into something positive and good, he said.

The last five years have been such a struggle and I want to turn that into something positive, he said. It feels wasteful  no one benefits from me being deported. I can be honest because I'm a person who has been through this and paid the price and I have nothing to lose by saying what I did.

Now aged 36, Mr Adoboli has lived in the UK since the age of 12 but never applied for British citizenship. He attended a Quaker boarding school in Yorkshire where he was head boy after which he attended Nottingham University, studying computer science. He later worked in the City.

Mr Adoboli's arrest in 2011 shocked the City and prosecutors said the loss was so large that it could have destabilised UBS. He was portrayed by prosecutors during his 2012 trial as a reckless gambler and master fraudster. They claimed he regularly exceeded his risk limits and booked fictitious hedging trades exposing the bank to larger losses. In his defence, Mr Adoboli argued that he only wanted to make money for the bank, while others in the lender's management turned a blind eye to his tactics.

In using Fundrazr his supporters have chosen the same platform as Tom Hayes, the convicted Libor banker, who is also seeking crowdfunding to launch an appeal against his conviction based on new evidence. Hayes has so far raised 26,700  about 18 per cent of the 150,000 he is seeking for legal funds. Hayes was the first person convicted by a jury in the Libor rigging scandal  receiving a 14-year jail term which was reduced to 11 years on appeal.



By: citifmonline.com/Ghana
In our first commentary on the Abu Ramadan Cases published here on 30th June, 2016, we put forth the following three propositions in response to certain arguments advanced by others in the wake of the Supreme Court's 5th May, 2016, judgment and orders. First, that a thing (whether or law or an act) declared unconstitutional by the apex court is, under our Constitution (article 1) and system of laws, void and, thus, ceases to have legal effect or validity.

Therefore, following the declaration by the Supreme Court that use of the NHIS card for purposes of registration as a voter is unconstitutional, all such registrations ceased to have current or future legal effect or validity.

Second, that the independence of the Electoral Commission notwithstanding, the Supreme Court, having found an act or action of the Commission to be unconstitutional, is vested with power under the Constitution (article 2(2)) to compel the Commission to take such steps or actions as the court deems appropriate to undo or remedy the constitutional violation.

Therefore, having found use of the NHIS card for registration as a voter to be unconstitutional, the Supreme Court had power to order the Electoral Commission to remove or delete the affected registrations from the register of voters and provide all affected persons a fresh opportunity to be registered as voters using a constitutionally-compliant form of identification.

Third, an order of the Supreme Court directing a party to do or take a certain action to enforce a declaration of unconstitutionality by the Court is effective on its own accord; accordingly, it requires no existing or new legislation to implement it and, furthermore, trumps or supersedes any existing legislation prescribing a contrary or nonconforming action. The latest ruling of the Supreme Court in the Abu Ramadan Cases, dated 5th July, 2016, and issued to clarify the Court's judgment and orders of 5th May, 2016, vindicates all three propositions.

The Supreme Court July 5th clarification ruling was expected finally to bring to a closure the controversy and competing interpretations as to the meaning and import of the judgment of 5th May, 2016, and the consequential orders it made. Unfortunately but predictably, this latest clarification, unambiguous as it is, appears to be the source of further forced misinterpretations and needless argumentation by some.

What the Plaintiffs sought in their application for clarification.

It is to be noted that in their application for clarification, the Plaintiffs irregularly sought declaratory reliefs. These were:

a)A declaration that the order made by this Honourable Court pursuant to the judgment in the instant suit dated 5th May 2016 that 1st defendant/respondent 'delete or clean' the current register of voters to conform to the provisions of the 1992 Constitution and applicable law means the immediate removal of the names of persons who registered with the National Health Insurance Card and who had otherwise not established qualification to register or remain on the register of voters.

b)A declaration that the said order is made pursuant to article 2(2) of the Constitution and provides the legal basis and the authority for 1st Defendant/Respondent to comply with same forthwith.

c)A declaration that the earlier dismissal of Plaintiffs/Applicants' reliefs 4(a) and (b) in the suit does not bar the 1st Defendant/Respondent from adopting the validation process as an auditing tool to clean the current register of voters; and

d) An order further directing the 1st Defendant/Respondent to remove the names of persons who used the National Health Insurance Scheme Card and others who had not lawfully established qualification to register from the current register of voters forthwith and provide those who remain eligible and subsequently establish qualification to register under law an opportunity to do so in time to participate in the general elections of 2016.

The Supreme Court correctly observed that it was incompetent for a party to seek declaratory reliefs in an application invoking the Court's inherent jurisdiction to clarify orders it had already made, as that amounted to opening the case all over again.

On that ground alone, the Court dismissed reliefs (b) and (c) above. It noted that relief (c) in particular was an attempt to re-package a relief that the Court had dismissed in its judgment of 5th May 2016. With regard to relief (d), the Court again correctly dismissed same, on the grounds that the relief sought was a repetition of the very order it had given in its judgment of 5th May and was therefore equally incompetent in an application for clarification.

With regard to relief (a) the Court observed that, though it was couched as a declaratory relief and, thus, technically incompetent, in order to do substantial justice and as the issues affecting the right to be registered are at the heart of democratic government a strict adherence to technicalities would undermine the quest for justice, noting that the fundamental principle is that the Court looks at the substance of every application and not the form, and this principle applies with greater force in issues arising under the Constitution. It was on that basis that the Court proceeded to consider the contending arguments and finally gave the ruling and orders we have considered above.

The Court's power to clarify it judgments and orders under its inherent jurisdiction

The Supreme Court noted that the Court's powers to clarify its previous judgments and powers derive from its inherent jurisdiction and are grounded in its equitable authority to protect the integrity of its judgments by clarifying the meaning of its judgment or orders where there is an ambiguity or where the judgment or order provokes divergent interpretations among the parties.

The Court's jurisdiction to clarify its past judgments or orders may not, however, be used to effect substantive alteration in its prior judgments or orders, the Court held.

According to the Supreme Court in its most recent ruling in this matter: [The orders of 5th May 2016, which the application for clarification turns on, are:

(a)'That the Electoral Commission takes steps immediately to delete or as is popularly known clean the current register of voters to comply with the provisions of the Constitution and applicable law.

(b)That any person whose name is deleted from the register of voters by the Electoral Commission pursuant to order (a) above be given the opportunity to register under law

As background to its ruling, the Supreme Court observed that while both parties contend there was no ambiguity in the Court's orders, the Court itself noted that they all place different meanings on the scope and meaning of the orders of 5th May 2016 and held strong divergent views as to the meaning of those orders.

It said that, while the Applicants, Abu Ramadan and Evans Nimako, argued that the orders required the EC to take steps immediately to delete or clean names of persons who registered with NHIS cards as well as those deceased persons and minors from the register of voters, ostensibly without recourse to the affected persons, the EC, on the other hand, held a contrary view, arguing that the processes of deletion and or cleaning should be done under the Public Elections (Registration of Voters) Regulations, C. I. 91of 2016, as the applicable law.

Court Clarification orders

In its ruling on these competing interpretations of its orders of 5th May, 2016, the Supreme Court was emphatic and left no doubt whatsoever for a contrary meaning of the import of its orders of 5th May, 2016. The Court held in the unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Gbadegbe as follows:

:By way of clarification of the orders made under the judgment of 5th May 2016, the 1st defendant (that is, the Electoral Commission) was to take immediate steps, that is, forthwith, to take steps to remove from the current register of voters all persons who had used NHIS cards to register. This order having been made under Article 2(2) of the Constitution therefore takes precedence over any existing statutory provision, including C. I 91. Accordingly, the 1st respondent (i.e. the EC) was to take steps forthwith to remove the names of all persons who had registered with the NHIS cards. In order not to violate their fundamental electoral rights and in order not to disenfranchise such persons, the 1st respondent was to give adequate notice to those affected by the order of the processes of deletion and re-registration, subject to eligibility. The removal of the names from the register was to precede the processes of re-registration s clarified

The Chief Justice, in concluding matters read out the orders of the Court consequent upon the ruling in the following words:

1. The 1st Defendant/Respondent is hereby ordered to take steps forthwith to implement this court's decision of 5th May, 2016, in the terms clarified.

2. For the avoidance of doubt, the 1st Defendant / Respondent is hereby ordered forthwith to take all the necessary steps to delete from the current register of voters the list of persons whose names were submitted to this court on 29th June 2016 as persons who registered with the NHIS Card.

3. Further to the above order (2) the 1st Defendant / Respondent is further ordered to delete from the current register of voters the names of persons not included in the list submitted to this court on 29th June 2016 but who are also found to have registered with NHIS Cards.

Nothing could be clearer. First, the EC is commanded to take steps forthwith (immediately) to remove from the register of voters those who registered using NHIS cards, because the NHIS cards did not distinguish between Ghanaians and non-Ghanaians and, thus, those who used it to register did not meet a constitutionally-mandated eligibility criterion, namely, that a registered voter must be a Ghanaian citizen.

Secondly, because some of those who registered using NHIS cards may indeed be Ghanaians and in order not to violate their fundamental right to be registered and to vote, the EC was to give to those affected by the order adequate notice of the processes of deletion and re-registration so that they may re-register (but subject to their satisfying the eligibility criteria as set out in article 42 of the Constitution, namely that their Ghanaian citizens, of 18 years and above, and of sound mind).

Further, and for the avoidance of doubt, the Court directed that the removal of the NHIS registrants should precede the re-registration. Finally, the Court clarified that its orders consequent to its declaratory powers under Article 2(1) of the Constitution takes precedence over or supersedes any statutory provision, including C. I 91, Nothing could be clearer than these orders and directions of clarification.

The due process argument

One would have expected that with this lucid clarification by the Court of its order of 5th May 2016, the hitherto, raging controversies over the meaning and import of these orders would come to a definitive and conclusive end. Not so, according to certain commentators.

Now that it is no longer possible to advance the exhibition and challenge argument or to argue that the EC can only delete by using applicable laws, some commentators are, surprisingly, still arguing that, somehow, the orders of the Court require due process, as a basis for deletion of the names from the register and that in a constitutional democracy, 'due process' requires that the rights of persons should not be taken away without due process of law. This is a bizarre argument. As whatever rights and related claims are at stake here have been fully litigated and adjudicated in a judicial proceeding, the notion that the resulting order of the apex court, issued to enforce the final judgment in the case, is itself not in accord with or lacking in due process is simply mind-boggling.

The due process argument indeed misunderstands and misreads the import of the judgment and orders of 5th May 2016 and the ruling clarifying that judgment.

The judgment of 5th May, 2016, and the earlier judgment of 30th July, 2014, had the combined effect of declaring that the registration of persons who used NHIHS cards to register was unconstitutional and unlawful, not because those persons, provided they were Ghanaians, did not have a right to be registered, but because the use of the NHIS card could not, and did not, satisfy a constitutionally necessary condition for registration, namely that the registrant must, in accordance with article 42 of the Constitution, be a citizen of Ghana.

Thus, with due respect, deleting the names of such persons did not take away any rights that they may have. (And under due process doctrine, no process is due unless there is, first and foremost, a cognizable legal right or interest at stake).

On the contrary, deletion of the names upheld constitutional due process by requiring that any such persons enforce their right to be registered as a voter and to vote by using due process, namely satisfying the eligibility criteria under article 42 of the Constitution.

The Court's orders appropriately grant all affected persons the opportunity to avail themselves of precisely this process. Taken together, these constitute what due process means and requires in the instant context.

The Court's decision springs from Articles 1(2), 2(1) & (2) of the Constitution, which provide as follows:

1(2) This Constitution shall be the supreme law of Ghana and any other law found to be inconsistent with any provisions of the Constitution shall, to the extent of inconsistency, be void.

2(1) A person who alleges that 

(a) an enactment or anything contained in or done under the authority of that or any other enactment; or

(b) any act or omission of any person

is inconsistent with, or is in contravention of a provision of this Constitution, may bring an action in the Supreme Court for a declaration to that effect

2(2) The Supreme Court shall, for the purposes of a declaration under clause (1) of this article, make shall orders and give such directions, as it may consider appropriate for giving effect to or enabling effect to be given to the declaration so made

Until the Abu Ramdan cases, the meaning of these plainly written, well-trodden provisions of the Constitution had never been in contention and were clear enough even to law students studying constitutional law and Ghanaian lay persons.

Urban bias

It is now however being contended that, where the Supreme Court makes consequential orders under article 2(2) to enable effect to be given to its declaratory powers under article 2(1), such an order would be contrary to due process if the effect is to take away forthwith a non-existent right of a citizen.

With a touch of populism, it is further being argued that it is constitutionally impermissible for just two persons, Abu Ramadan and Evans Nimako, the Plaintiffs/Applicants, to disenfranchise or take away from thousands who registered by NHIS, many of whom may be the rural poor, their right to vote. To give further populist twist to the argument, it is suggested that it is only the urban elite, who have an urban bias, who fail to see the injustice that the rural poor stand to suffer from such a position.

These are very astonishing arguments indeed. Such argumentation, in our view, seeks to jettison and re-write the very clear language and injunction of the Constitution in article 1(2) and article 2(1) & (2), and to do so not on substantive legal and constitutional grounds, but on populist grounds that run contrary to what the Constitution says and demands.

True enough, in any society, with social and class cleavages, it is to be expected that people from different social and class backgrounds will tend to see things from their class bias, this is especially so for the privileged classes and social groups.

But it is one thing to make that general observation and quite another to suggest that insisting on compliance with clear provisions of the Constitution, in respect of an issue as fundamental as who are qualified to be registered and vote in public elections, is to look at issues from an urban bias to the detriment of people living in rural communities.

Further, it bears reminding that not only does article 2(1) empower a person (that is, even a single person, not two, as in the Abu Ramadan case) who alleges that an enactment or a provision of an enactment is inconsistent with, and in contravention of, the Constitution to bring an action for a declaration to that effect, but the Constitution again in article 3(4)(a) provides that all citizens shall have the right and duty at all times to defend this Constitution .. Thus, it is dangerous and subversive of the very clear language and intendment of the Constitution to suggest that it is an affront to constitutional democracy for just two persons to go to Court to defend and enforce the Constitution on the tendentious and populist ground that to do so would permit just two persons to disenfranchise thousands of the rural poor.

Taken to its logical conclusion, this bizarre theory means that any time a citizen invokes Article 2 of the Constitution to seek to overturn a law or act of a public body or agent that is otherwise binding on the entire population, that Plaintiff may be accused of trying to impose his or her solitary will or wishes on the entire country. Perhaps what the proponent of this outlandish theory wishes to see is the complete abolition of Article 2.

In any event, it is not the two Plaintiffs, but the Supreme Court that determined the matter and made the consequential orders.

Automatic deletion

But, since the recent ruling of the Court on the motion for clarification makes it clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Court's orders were not for the EC to delete in accordance with or by using applicable laws but to take steps to delete forthwith, TO COMPLY WITH THE CONSTITUTION AND APPLICABLE LAW, there is a new shift to the due process argument. This new shift is procured by the magic and new words automatic deletion, which have been smuggled into the debate.

The 'due process' argument is no longer that that 'due process' requires that the names be deleted by so-called 'applicable laws'. That argument having been dealt a deathblow by the Supreme Court's clarification, the new argument goes thus: The Supreme Court clarification did not order the EC automatically to delete the names of NHIS registrants from the voters' register, as the Plaintiffs had asked for.

Rather, as the argument goes, the Court ordered that the EC should takes steps by giving adequate notice to such persons of the processes of deletion and re-registration before deleting the names; and that automatic deletion would be contrary to due process.

In the first place nowhere in the application of the Plaintiffs did they make any reference to automatic deletion. What they argued was that the Court's orders meant the EC was to delete forthwith, or immediately delete, the names of those who registered with NHIS cards as well as deceased persons and minors from the register of voters and not by the exhibition and challenge mechanism under C. I. 91. In that sense, the automatic deletion phrase was simply being foisted on the Plaintiffs as a straw man argument.

Secondly, to juxtapose automatic deletion (as the position of the Plaintiffs/Applicants) to the Supreme Court's orders is to do so out of the context of the contending views on the import of the Court's orders. The EC's view was that the EC could only delete by using applicable laws, (i.e. by the exhibition and challenge process under C. I. 91).

The Plaintiffs' view, on the other hand, was that the Court's orders under article 2(2) superseded the exhibition and challenge process and meant the EC should delete forthwith or immediately those names from the register of voters, without recourse to that process. This was the context of the Court's order. For the avoidance of doubt, we reproduce the order in Justice Gbadegbe's ruling and the Chief Justice's orders of the Court.

Gbadegbe JSC said in the ruling of the Court thus:

This order having been made under Article 2(2) of the Constitution therefore takes precedence over any existing statutory provision, including C. I. 91. Accordingly, the 1st respondent (i.e. the EC) was to take steps forthwith to remove the names of all persons who had registered with the NHIS cards.

The Chief Justice on her part said in order (2) thus:

2. For the avoidance of doubt, the 1st Defendant / Respondent is hereby ordered forthwith to take all the necessary steps to delete from the current register of voters the list of persons whose names were submitted to this court on 29th June 2016 as persons who registered with the NHIS Card.

It will be seen, from an analysis of the syntax of the two orders, that both orders call upon the EC immediately or forthwith to take the necessary steps to delete the NHIS registrants from the voters' register. In order words, the orders were that whatever steps you need to take in order to delete immediately or forthwith the names of the NHIS registrants from the voters' register, without recourse to the challenge and exhibition process, take them. Such an order in contrast to those who have been arguing that the EC could only do so by using applicable laws (namely the exhibition and challenge process) was, if you wish, an order of automatic deletion, even though that was not the language of the Plaintiffs or of the Court.

Of course the Court also correctly and in fairness to those whose names were to be deleted ordered that the EC was to give adequate notice to those affected by the order of the processes of deletion and re-registration, subject to eligibility, in order not to violate their fundamental electoral rights and in order not to disenfranchise such persons. No one ought to have any difficulty with that aspect of the Court's orders. Certainly, the Plaintiffs, have never argued that those affected should not have notice of the processes of deletion and an opportunity to re-register. Their argument has always been that the orders of the Court required no other applicable laws for them to be carried out by the EC!!

THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Throughout the Abu Ramadan trilogy, the meaning and import of the independence of the Electoral Commission has dominated discussions, both in the public space and the judgments of the Court, with some suggesting that the Supreme Court cannot take over the functions of the constitutionally independent commission and so cannot give orders directed at the Commission.

While it is not in dispute that the Supreme Court cannot take over the functions of the Electoral Commission, it is playing to the gallery to suggest that when a party obtains a declaration that a particular provision of a law under which the EC operates or an action of the EC is unconstitutional and the Supreme Court makes consequential orders to enable effect to be given to that declaration, the Court, thereby, is encroaching on the independence of the EC or may be seeking to do what the EC was set up to do.

It is most unfortunate to frame any such consequential orders, (directed to ensure that the acts of EC or any other independent constitutional body are in compliance with the Constitution) as undermining the independence of such constitutional bodies or taking over their functions. The EC and the other independent constitutional bodies, it need be emphasized, are creatures of the Constitution.

They owe their independence to the provisions of the Constitution, and that same Constitution makes clear that their independence is subject to the provisions of the Constitution and to the supervisory jurisdiction of the superior courts to ensure that their actions are in accord with the Constitution and within the law. That is why article 295 (8) of the Constitution provides the following, in no uncertain terms:

No provision of this Constitution or any other law to the effect that a person or authority shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority in the performance of any functions under this Constitution or that law, shall preclude a court from exercising jurisdiction in relation to any question whether that person or authority has performed those functions in accordance with this Constitution or the law

It is salutary for the EC and its members to bear in mind this important provision of the Constitution whenever they assert their constitutional independence. Quite apart from article 295(8), which applies equally to all independent constitutional and statutory bodies, there is article 46, which guarantees the independence of the EC, but also expressly makes the independence subject to the provisions of the Constitution and any other constitutionally valid law thus:

46. Except as provide in this Constitution or in any other law not inconsistent with the Constitution, in the performance of its functions, the Electoral Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.

In short, the Electoral Commission, notwithstanding its constitutional independence, is not above the Constitution and the law but is subject to law and the supervisory jurisdiction of the superior courts. It is irresponsible and dangerous for any commentator to suggest otherwise and thereby lead sections of the public to the mistaken view that the Supreme Court, in ordering the deletion of NHIS registrations from the register of voters in order to enforce a declaration of unconstitutionality, is acting beyond its powers and seeking to usurp the powers of the EC.

THE LIST OF NHIS REGISTRANTS AND THE CREDIBILITY AND INTEGRITY OF THE EC AS AN INDEPENDENT CONSTITUIONAL BODY.

Though the application for clarification of the Court's orders of 5th May, 2016, did not directly raise this issue, in the course of dealing with the clarification of its orders, the issue of EC's credibility as a body that Ghanaians can trust and rely upon to act impartially and honestly and conduct free, fair and credible national elections came up from the most unexpected quarters. On correct procedural grounds and in order not to tarnish completely the integrity of the Commission, the Supreme Court, however, declined the invitation to wade into what appeared to be a scandal of monumental proportions for the integrity of the Commission.

It would be recalled that, in the course of proceedings on the application for clarification of the orders of 5th May, 2016, the Supreme Court ordered the EC to file in the court registry by 29th June, 2016, the full list of persons who registered with NHIS cards and the modalities or procedures it intended to use to delete the names from the register of voters and adjourned the case to 30th June 2016..

The Commission, in compliance with the Court's order, produced a list of 56,772 persons as the full list of those who registered with the NHIS cards. When on 30th June 2016, Counsel for the Plaintiffs was asked his reaction to the list, he observed that he had only been served with the list an hour and half ago and so could not speak intelligently to it.

The Court went into recess, giving the Plaintiffs' lawyers one hour to study the list and the come up with their reaction thereto. When the Court resumed sitting on the same day, Plaintiffs' lawyer pointed out a number of mind-boggling defects and inconsistencies in the list and observed that the list was a fictitious one, manufactured by the EC and conjured out of nothing simply to meet the court's orders. Midway through Counsel's oral submission on the EC list, the Court, seeing that these were weighty matters, which could take some time, directed Plaintiffs to file in the registry of the Court written submissions on whatever objections they had to the list by Monday, July 4th, 2016, and adjourned the case to Tuesday, 5th July, 2016.

On Tuesday, 5th July, 2016, the Court gave its ruling on the application for clarification in the terms set out above. With respect to the challenge to the authenticity and credibility of the list of NHIS registrants that the EC had provided, the Court dismissed same for lack of jurisdiction.

The Court noted as follows:

We have given due consideration to the objections tendered to the list of persons submitted to the Court by 1st defendant/respondent (i.e. the EC). We are of the opinion that we are precluded in the instant post-judgment application for clarification from veering into issues not immediately covered by the application. The determination of these questions does not properly belong to an application for clarification. Our jurisdiction is limited to clearly indicating what we meant by the portions of the judgment on which this application is base.

We are of the opinion that an enquiry into the authenticity and credibility of the list submitted might result in the modification or alteration of the substance of the judgment. The issues raised by the objections to the list submitted by 1st respondent (the EC) are outside the orders on which the post-judgment clarification application is based.

Though, the Court declined the invitation to veer into the authenticity and credibility of the list submitted by the EC, in its orders, the Court, in our view, impliedly recognized that there may very well have been merit to the objections, when the Court made the following third order:

3. Further to the above order (2) the 1st Defendant / Respondent is further ordered to delete from the current register of voters the names of persons not included in the list submitted to this court on 29th June 2016 but who are also found to have registered with NHIS Cards.

Clearly, if indeed, the list submitted by the EC was the full list of NHIS registrants on the register of voters, order (3) would have been completely unnecessary.

Plaintiffs' objection to EC's list

The Plaintiffs raised objections to the authenticity and credibility of the list, stating that it was neither accurate nor credible, of doubtful integrity, riddled with manifest inconsistencies and contradictions and, in fact, had been conjured out of nothing by the EC. These are, indeed, very serious allegations made against the EC, and if true, impugn the very integrity of the EC and questions whether it is ready or fit to act impartially and conduct the 2016 general elections in a credible and fair manner.

Even though the Court may seem technically correct, on jurisdictional grounds, not to have veered into the matter of the accuracy and credibility of the EC list, the issues are not that straightforward. It will be recalled that the Plaintiffs in Abu Ramadan II did not ask directly for the relief that the EC should be ordered to delete from the register of voters those who registered using the NHIS cards. The reliefs Plaintiffs sought in Abu Ramadan II were the following:

1. A declaration that upon a true and proper interpretation of article 45(a) of the constitution of the Republic of Ghana, 1992, (hereinafter, the constitution}, the mandate of the Electoral Commission of Ghana to compile the register of voters implies a duty to compile a reasonably accurate and credible register.

2. A declaration that the current register of voters which contains the names of persons who have not established qualification to be registered is nor reasonably accurate or credible and therefore inconsistent with article 45 (a) of the Constitution and thereby making same null and void, of no effect.

3. A declaration that the current register of voters which contains the names of persons who are deceased is not reasonably accurate or credible and is therefore inconsistent with article 45 (a) of the Constitution thereby making same unconstitutional, null and void, of not effect.

4 (a). An order setting aside the current register of voters and compelling the Electoral Commission to compile a fresh register of voters before the conduct of any new public elections or referenda in Ghana.

Or, in the alternative:

(b) An order compelling the Electoral Commission to audit the current register of voters through the validation of the registrations of such persons currently on the register:

i.To delete the names of unqualified persons and deceased persons, and

ii.To provide each validated registration with biometric evidence thereof, and

iii.To strike out the names of those persons who fail to validate their voter validation within the stipulated period

before the conduct of any new registration exercise or public election or referendum in Ghana.

It can thus be seen that, when the Court in its judgment of 5th May, 2016, 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 Constitution and applicable law', it was in fact not granting the specific reliefs sought by Plaintiffs, but rather reliefs formulated in the Court's own terms.

The second point to be noted is that the Court itself recognized that there was a difficulty of determining the exact number of those who registered using the NHIS cards, when it observed at page 21 of its judgment as follows:

..it appears from the proceedings herein that that the exact numbers are not known. This creates some difficulty in determining the actual percentage in order to answer the question posed whether the register may on such ground only be said not to be reasonably accurate or credible. .

It nonetheless proceeded to state that that should not present us with an insurmountable problem. It can, therefore, be seen that the current predicament that the nation finds itself in is directly the result of the failure to determine at the stage of Abu Ramdan II the number of persons who registered using NHIS cards by requiring the EC, which has exclusive custody of the data, to produce, at that stage of proceedings, the full list of such persons.

Had the Supreme Court done so, and the Plaintiffs then proceeded to challenge the authenticity of the list, the Court would clearly have been seized with jurisdiction to delve into this all important matter and determine whether or not the list was credible or concocted. As it is, the Supreme Court and the whole nation appear to have been deliberately short-changed by the EC with a list, which is neither accurate nor credible, but which the Court refuses on jurisdictional grounds to veer into.

Reasons for Plaintiffs' objection to the EC list.

The reasons for the Plaintiffs' objections to the EC list as fictitious and conjured out of nothing were several and weighty. But the most fundamental reason advanced by the Plaintiffs was that the EC was incapable of determining those who registered with NHIS cards for the 2012 general elections because the registration forms did not have any column or portion for recording those who used the NHIS card to register.

According to Plaintiffs, the only column on the primary registration form, Form 1A, for identification of the card used to register was the column for those who registered using the national identification cards issued by the National Identification Authority. There was no column for filling in the NHIS card number, passport number or driver's license number on that form. Thus, so the argument of the Plaintiffs goes, whether by Form 1A or its electronic reproduction, Form 1C, which is lodged in the EC's database, it is impossible for either the EC or any other person to determine those who registered using NHIS cards.

The Plaintiffs, in addition, stated that they had recordings of a meeting held at the EC's conference room, between themselves and their lawyers, on the one hand, and the two Deputy Commissioners of the EC, namely Mrs. Georgina Opoku-Amankwaa and Mr. Sulley Amadu, and the EC's lawyer, at which the two admitted that the EC did not have the record of those who registered with NHIS cards. Indeed, it was in recognition of this error in the Form 1A, which was used for the 2012 registration exercise under C. I. 72, that when the EC drafted the current C. I. 91, it made provision for filling in not only the national ID number of a registrant, but a registrant's passport number and driver's license number. None of these can be found in the Form 1 A and Form 1C used for registration in 2012.

To further buttress their points the Plaintiffs drew attention to names on the list that had no NHIS card numbers whatsoever. Again, the Plaintiffs argued that all the NHIS cards issued in 2012 had eight (8) digits. However, from the list filed by the EC some of the numbers were 2 digits, others 3, others 5, and yet others 7 and 12! Furthermore, the Plaintiffs pointed to the incredulous fact that from the list submitted, there were a total of 82 districts, out of the 216 districts, where not a single person, according to the EC's list, registered using NHIS card. The point was further made that some of the purported NHIS numbers were in fact passport numbers.

As indicated, these are not trifling matters and if gone into and established as facts by an adjudicatory body would ground the citing of all the members of the EC for contempt of the Supreme Court. It is thus to be very much regretted that the Supreme Court deemed itself unable to delve into this all important issue.

Lessons of the Abu Ramadan/Evans Nimako Trilogy

What then does the Abu Ramadan/Evans Nimako saga teach us? In our view, there are a number of lessons to be learnt by all of us, as a people. First, we must commend the Plaintiffs, Abu Ramadan and Evans Nimako, for stepping forward to defend the Constitution with the tenacity they displayed. It is indeed the right and duty of all citizens to defend and guard jealously the Constitution of the Republic. Second, it should be understood without disputation that the Supreme Court has the power and authority under article 2 (2) to give orders to any person or authority to give effect or enable effect to be given to any declaration of unconstitutionality.

Third, any such orders take precedence over any statutory provision, including constitutional instruments. Fourth, the Supreme Court's clarification ruling and orders apply with equal force to the deletion of deceased persons from the register of voters. The EC should not wait to be dragged to Court again, this time on contempt citation, before it implements this aspect of the Court's orders of 5th May, 2016.

Again, the EC and all other independent constitutional bodies are subject to the Constitution and the supervisory jurisdiction of the superior courts. Next, it is about time that our governments, especially, and all of us took seriously the establishment of a national identification system that will assure reasonable proof of who is a Ghanaian citizen.

The Supreme Court stated this need in the most eloquent of terms when it observed in its judgment as far back as 30th July 2014 thus: The need for a credible and reliable multipurpose national identification system comprising the relevant data and communication infrastructure that would answer to most of our national needs, whether for electoral, planning or developmental, or other purposes, is greater than ever before. We think the time has come for the appropriate authorities to respond to this need. We are in July 2016 and nothing has yet been done about this by the authorities!

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Any such national identification system should be effectively linked to the records at the births and death registry. Our births and death registry, on the other hand, should be properly equipped and resourced with qualified and competent personnel to ensure that we have accurate records of every Ghanaian citizen who is given birth to and who dies.

All Ghanaians need to be vigilant to ensure that the will of the people prevails in the 2016 general elections. Finally, the Electoral Commission needs to recognize that its integrity and reputation have been seriously called into question by the Abu Ramadan & Evans Animako trilogy, especially with respect to the list it produced claiming only 56,772 NHIS registrants on the register of voters, as against the total 14,031,000 voters on the register.

It therefore behoves the Commission to take genuine steps, by deed and not pious assurances, to win back the confidence of the populace, including demonstrating a readiness to listen to reasonable proposals made by all stakeholders to ensure that the 2016 elections are credible, free and fair, and affirm the sovereign will of the people of Ghana.

Akoto Ampaw is a private legal practitioner based in Accra.H. Kwasi Prempeh is a legal policy and rule of law and governance consultant based in Tema.

Postscript

On 13th July 2016, the Electoral Commission announced to the general public, through its Director of Electoral Services, one Samuel Tettey, its time table in respect of the deletion of the names of NHIS card registrants from the register of voters and their re-registration where they satisfy the eligibility conditions. The EC, at the same time announced, its time-table for the exhibition of provisional voters' register to enable registrants verify their names on the register. There are obviously worrying aspect of the programme announced that need to be addressed.

According to the announced time-table, the EC had deleted the names of 56,772 persons who registered using NHHIS cards from the register of voters and would publicize the names of these persons in one of the dailies, at the district registration centres and at municipal and district assembly offices on 15th July 2016. From 18th July 2016, it would commence the re-registration of those who have names had been deleted subject to their meeting the eligibility criteria. The re-registration exercise would end on 12th August 2016. At the same time from 18th July 2016, the EC would commence the process of exhibition of the register of voters for a period of three weeks to end on 7th August, 2016.

The first difficulty with this programme as announced is that it does not make provision for the display at their registration centres of the names of those whose names have been deleted from the voters' register. Thus, unless, the affected persons read their names in the dailies, the EC's website or go to the metropolitan, municipal or district offices of the EC, they would have no means of knowing that their names have been deleted from the register so they can re-register, subject to satisfying the eligibility criteria.

To complicate matters, notice of the deletion of names will be given only three (3) days before re-registration commences on the 18th of July 2016.

To further confound issues, the exhibition of the voters' register will be taking place, more or less, concurrently (at the same time) with the re-registration of those who names have been deleted from the register. Finally, there is to be the exhibition of the register of those who re-register between 5th and 7th August 2016.

The question is when will the final voters' register, inclusive of those whose names were deleted and who re-registered, be exhibited for verification by all registered voters? It would seem that the jumble that the two exercises are enmeshed in is because the EC is in danger of being caught by Regulation 9 (4) of C.I. 91 which provides that the EC shall not include in the register of voters the name of a person who qualifies to register as a voter for an election but who registers less than sixty days to that election.

Thus, in order not to be caught by the 60 days deadline, the EC now has to rush to do the notification of deletion of names from the register, the re-registration and the exhibition of the voters' register, all, more or less, at the same time.

It is clear that the EC has allowed itself to be caught in this predicament because of its intransigence in not complying with the decision of the Supreme Court as far back as 30th July, 2014, on the unconstitutionality of registration of persons who used the NHIS card to register as voters.



By: Akoto Ampaw and H. Kwasi Prempeh
The amount of fuel guzzled per month by one V8 SUV used by government officials can build a school for a small village, Mr Sam Okudzeto, former president of the Ghana Bar Association, has said.

Part of the problem that we are suffering from in this country now is because of the parties. They come into power; many of them you see are riding in V8 in Accra. Where are they going in V8 cars? Do you know the amount of petrol these cars consume? You will be shocked that that can provide a school block for a small village and that is one person using it for a month. The petrol one person uses for the month can provide a school block for a village, he stated.

Excessive power that has been centralised whereby one person virtually has power to dismiss everybody and appoint everybody, and we kept repeating it that it was a wrong approach to governance. But even if it is the constitution, you can still go behind it and say, Lets sit down and discuss the issue because this is national, what solutions can we provide for it, and then we can all put our heads together, Mr Okudzeto added.

Speaking to host of the Executive Breakfast Show (EBS) on Class91.3FM, Prince Minkah, after think tank Institute of Economic Affairs launched findings of its pre-election survey, which identified unemployment, unreliable electricity, and poverty as the most important problems confronting Ghanaians ahead of the 2016 polls, Mr Okudzeto said Ghana needed an overhaul of governance structures to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

According to him, partisan politics and excessive centralisation of power had left the country with several development challenges. He said Ghanaians must sit up and challenge the wrong approach of governance that is characterised by the abuse of power, by voting based on issues.

In his view, Ghanaians must sit up and choose intelligent people to lead them.

The country is full of very brilliant, intelligent people [but] we have sidelined them, we have pushed all of them to the side and then you have people who know next to nothing wielding power, showing power, and the rest of us are suffering. I think its about time that Ghanaians sit up, he noted.

Source: Ghana/ClassFMonline.com/91.3FM
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business JV with Ridgewood to focus on premium and luxury projects: DLF In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Saurabh Chawla, Senior ED of Finance at DLF said that the rationale behind this JV is to increase focus on premium and luxury projects and Ridgewood will take 100 percent control in certain projects post re-alignement.
business Role of rating agencies needs to be probed in Ricoh Ind:JN Gupta Former Executive Director of Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) JN Gupta says that there is something wrong with the company. The period of losses -- when the entire fraud process started -- is not clear. Though, the company says that auditors are looking at accounts, it has not been opening balances prior to April 2015.
business SBI signs JV with Canada's Brookfield for stressed assets fund "SBI and Brookfield propose to form a joint venture (JV), whereby Brookfield will commit approximately Rs 7,000 crore and SBI up to 5 percent of total investments into stressed assets," the public sector lender said in its release.
business Margin growth from acquisitions to come in Q3-Q4: Wipro CEO Abidali Z Neemuchwala said he is hopeful of seeing more demand for the digital business. Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and President & Chief Human Resources Officer also weighed in.
business Wipro Q1 net falls 8%; expects Q2 IT svcs revenue growth 0.01-1% Guidance for July-September period was far below estimates as Wipro expects revenue from IT services business to be in the range of USD 1931-1950 million, a growth of 0.01-1 percent over Q1.
July 20, 2016

U.S. Considers "Pause" In Supplies For Group Beheading Sick Child

Yesterday some ten year old kid in Syria was beheaded by U.S. supported "moderate rebels".

The "rebels" alleged that the boy was a fighter for a Palestinian group on the Syrian government side. But the boy looks very small and weak, has infusion tubes in his arm and no military attributes like a uniform or weapons.

There is now additional information about the case:

8:08 AM - 20 Jul 2016 Elijah J. Magnier @EjmAlrai

#Palestinian child, Abdullah Issa, was at Hospital, beheaded by Mateen al-Nahlawee coz his father is a militant.

#Palestinian Abdullah Issa was suffering from lack of oxygen n the bloodstream causes thalassemias and needed blood transfusion every month+ He was not fighting among Al-Quds pro-gov group but his father. He was a patient at the Hospital in #Aleppo when beheaded by pro-#US Zinki.

The five "individuals" who killed the child are members of the Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki, a group supported by the CIA as well as with Saudi money and weapons. The group issued a statement on the case. It called it "an act of an individual" and blamed the "international community" for its problems. While only one person does the cutting the video shows that the five "individuals" are clearly acting as a group, cheering Takbeer and Allahu Akbar during and after the beheading.

Despite the publicly available video and the statement by the Zinki group leaders admitting the case, the U.S. State Department had only a very subdued response to it:

QUESTION: Is this the kind of thing that would affect assistance, U.S. assistance to this specific group but also just in general to the FSA?

MR TONER: Well, I think wed take a  if, as you said, if we can prove that this was indeed what happened and this group was involved in it, I think it would certainly give us pause.

QUESTION: It would give you pause?

MR TONER: Well, give us pause about any assistance or, frankly, any further involvement with this group.

QUESTION: So, in other words, so it will draw  there will be some kind of consequence if youre satisfied that this actually happened?

MR TONER: I cant  again, I cant say what that consequence will be, but it will certainly give us, as I said, serious pause and well look at, frankly, any affiliation or cooperation with this group we may have going forward, if these allegations are proven true.

We may expect, says the State Department, a "serious pause" in the delivery of new lethal U.S. weapons to the group. Will a day or two do?

And here is how a western expert, who is paid by Qatar and other Gulf states to support the head choppers, responds to the case:

8:17 AM - 19 Jul 2016 Charles Lister @Charles_Lister Zinkis beheading is 100% reprehensible. Simple. But for #Assad supporters to suddenly claim the moral high-ground is rank hypocrisy.

7:04 AM - 19 Jul 2016 Charles Lister @Charles_Lister And yes - todays event notwithstanding - I stand by this statement. Comparing ISIS/AQ to these groups *is* absurd.

Amnesty International provides material that proves how both, Zinki and ISIS, abduct people, torture and commit summary mass killings. But the Islamic State is bound by a brutal but strict interpretation of Islamic law. It would likely never behead a sick child on camera for the fun of it. Neither has any element of the Syrian state ever done such crime.

Comparing the Zinki group to the Syrian government or even the Islamic State savages is indeed absurd.

Posted by b on July 20, 2016 at 16:44 UTC | Permalink

Comments
The Morgan Hill City Council July 20 will talk about placing a $38 million general obligation bond for street infrastructure repairs and maintenance on the November ballot. If the bonds are approved by voters, they would be repaid with a parcel tax on local property owners.

But the council might approve a new local sales tax instead, as they are awaiting results of a surveycurrently being tabulated by consultant Godbe Researchon the question of which new funding source the voters might prefer. Those results will be presented to the council July 27, when the five-member body is scheduled to approve a local funding measure for the ballot.

The bond could be used to fund basic city services such as parks, recreation and public facilities, according to a draft Resolution of Necessity for the bonds, which city staff is recommending the council approval.

But the crucial need, as discussed by council members numerous times for the last three years, is funding for repair and maintenance of city streets and roads. Staff estimates that the city currently suffers a funding shortfall of about $5.8 million per year to maintain streets and roads at their current level.

Councilman Rich Constantine said the choice between a general obligation bond and a sales tax is one of palatability to the voters. With the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authoritys half-cent countywide sales tax for transportation infrastructure already approved for the Nov. 8 ballot, another such measure for Morgan Hill might get complicated.

If there are too many sales tax initiatives on the ballot, it may be confusing to voters, or it may turn off voters, Constantine said.

At least one resident wonders why the city is just now pursuing a new local tax or bonds when they have known about the inadequate funding for street and road repairs for several years.

Issuing a bond doesnt resolve the problem of city leaders not being more attentive to their fiscal responsibility. These funding gaps have been a known and ongoing issue for Morgan Hill for years, particularly with respect to street maintenance, reads a letter from Morgan Hill resident Chris Monack to the council addressing the July 20 agenda item. Every budget available on the Citys website, from 2007-08 to the present, has identified funding for street maintenance and repair as insufficient. Those same budgets continually noted increases in street maintenance backlogs.

The two-year budget approved by the council in June designates about $2.06 million for street maintenance for 2016-17, and about $2.13 million for the same purpose for 2017-18far short of what elected officials and city staff say they need. That budget also adds $250,000 in general fund dollars for capital street improvements for each of the next three years.

A passage from the citys current Capital Improvement Program adds, The 2016 Pavement Management Program update recommends needed rehabilitation of $3.9 million per year to maintain the citys current Pavement Condition Index of 67 (good), though the deferred maintenance backlog will increase from $25.2 million to $30.7 million. The latest PMP report indicated a need to invest $6 million annually to increase the PCI from 67 to 72 and stabilize the backlog at $22.9 million.

A city staff report for the July 20 meeting notes that City Hall and consultants have been conducting public outreach and surveys over the last several months in an effort to determine the publics priorities, and their level of interest in taxing themselves for additional funds to pay for those priorities. A November/December 2015 scientific survey conducted by Godbe Research found that local residents top priorities for their city government include rapid response to 911 emergencies; maintaining the number of police officers on patrol; maintaining crime prevention and investigation programs; maintaining fire protection; and maintaining city streets and repairing potholes.

The last page of the 771-page budget approved in June adds that the survey found that 58 percent of respondents said yes to the concept of a local funding ballot measure to maintain city services.

If the council approves the resolution of necessity at the July 20 meeting, they will have to conduct another public meeting before sending a measure to Registrar of Voters to place on the Nov. 8 ballot. That second meeting will take place July 27.

If approved, $38 million worth of bonds would be repaid by an annual property assessment of $29 per $100,000 of assessed (not fair market) value of each property.

A sales tax measure only requires one public meeting before the councils approval for the ballot. The council will also discuss this option at the July 27 meeting. City staff have not identified how much a potential local sales tax would cost the taxpayers.

The VTA has already submitted its Nov. 8 ballot measure for a countywide half-cent sales tax, to raise $6 billion over the next 30 years for streets and roads projects and maintenance.

Constantine added that even with those funds, about $23 million of which are earmarked for Morgan Hill street repairs, the city still wont have enough money to meet its current and long-term transportation infrastructure needs.

The deadline to submit a measure for the Nov. 8 ballot is Aug. 5.

Also on the agenda for the July 20 council meeting:

 Discussion on the Residential Development Control System and General Plan update. No action is recommended, but the council will likely continue to discuss both documentsand perhaps approve final draftsat the July 27 meeting. The RDCS update requires voter approval in November.

 Approve about $1 million in funding for the countys DeWitt Avenue S curve realignment.

 Purchase two Ford Explorer police vehiclesone for the K-9 unitfor about $114,000.
Of the UK equity income fund managers that we spoke to, not one believed that we would vote to leave the EU. While it still isnt clear what the implications will be, the effect has already been felt in markets, most prominently among banks whose share prices have tumbled. Those funds holding banks will be hurt, but it could also be deemed a buying opportunity as markets often overreact. Domestic facing stocks have also been hit hard, exemplified by housebuilders.

Given that mid-caps tend to be more domestic facing, it is no surprise that the FTSE 250 has been hit harder than the FTSE 100, many of whose constituents have a significant proportion of their revenues in USD. Looking forward, the uncertainty arising from the Brexit vote may give rise to a change in the market dynamics that have been favourable for mid-caps and funds with large allocations to them. While investors would be wise to consider such effects, we would always point to the long-term when considering investing in funds.

Below we highlight some sector offerings that we rate positively at Morningstar, which have demonstrated an ability to outperform peers over the long-term.

Royal London UK Equity Income Martin Cholwill is one of the more experienced managers within the category. He has been the manager of this fund for over a decade giving it a good level of continuity. Cholwill is concerned mainly with cash flows  targeting companies with robust business models whose yields are above average and sustainable. This has seen him delve more into the mid-cap space over the last few years, with the fund holding over 45% as at the end of June 2016, but this is a reflection of where he finds reliable yield rather than a structural bias. We like his genuine long-term approach  the portfolio turnover sits at around 15% - and the funds low fee structure. The fund sat within the top decile of the category over five years to the end of June 2016, and its historic yield stood at 4.6%. Rathbone Income Carl Stick has spent nearly his entire twenty-year-long career at Rathbones and has managed this fund since 2000. The fund experienced significant underperformance in 2007 and 2008, but we like that Stick clearly learned from this and has since taken a more thoughtful and cautious approach to investing. While his process sees him consider four factors when considering stocks (valuation, dynamics, product/management strength and price), there is a clear emphasis on balance sheet strength that runs through the portfolio. As a result, the fund not only sits within the top quartile over five years, it has a significantly lower volatility, giving it one of the better risk/return profiles within the category. Its historic dividend yield stood at 4.1% as at 30 June 2016. Troy Trojan Income This fund has benefitted from the oversight of Francis Brooke since its inception in 2004. Troy is a privately owned investment boutique that has its roots in family wealth management, and accordingly there is a strong focus on capital preservation, and hence absolute returns, and the long term. Brooke manages the fund with this in mind, following a well-structured process that targets quality companies with low capital intensity and typically secular earnings growth. This has resulted in a bias towards consumer staples and healthcare and away from sectors such as mining. The fund has typically had a greater emphasis on large-caps than the category average (it held 75% in large-caps at the end of June 2016) at the cost of mid-caps. We like that the fund has performed exactly as we would expect, proving incredibly resilient in falling markets, but still participating in rising markets. As a result of the approach, the fund sits within the top decile over five years and has one of the lowest volatility figures in the category. Its historic dividend yield at the end of June 2016 was 4.0%. The FTSE All Share yield at the end of June 2016 was 3.5%.
Canada is one of the world-leaders in terms of immigration, and it will be good for brokers if that trend continues, according to one veteran.One of the problems that new to Canada people face is the expectation that they would have been in their job for some length of time and the difficulty to get an employer to declare someone full-time permanent, Layth Matthews, a broker with Rate Miser, told MortgageBrokerNews.ca. A lot of people are putting together their livelihoods on contract work and, frankly, thats probably as secure as everything else.And due to the difficulty of getting a mortgage through the big banks, due to these very reasons, many turn to brokers; many of whom  along with lenders  specialize in hard-to-place B-type deals.I think any business coming from people abroad is good for the mortgage industry and good for the country as well; I do get the occasional application and usually we have to have 35% down and the rules seem like theyve gotten even stricter in the past few years, Matthews said. If Donald Trump gets elected, it could be a big market; Im just kidding, sort of.Canada is one of the most sought-after countries by immigrants. Priceonomics.com recently crunched immigration data  taken from respective countries censuses  and determined Canada currently sits third among the 50 most populous nations.According to the data, 21.8% of Canadas population is made up of foreign-born citizens.And Canadas status as a leader in attracting immigrants will likely continue. Which is good news for brokers. According to thePriceonomics.com report Canada (21.8%) is unique among the countries with a high foreign-born population in that there are few signs of increasing xenophobia. Canada has welcomed Syrian immigrants at a rate unlike any other country, and only a small minority of the country sees immigration as more of a problem than an opportunity.
The Republican Party is making a U-turn on previous policy to try to hit Hillary Clinton in a vulnerable spot -- her Wall Street ties. How? By reinstating a law almost every Republican used to be against.



The party approved a platform Monday that calls for breaking up big banks by reinstating the Glass-Steagall Act, according to a Bloomberg report. The law, passed during the Great Depression, kept banks commercial lending separate from activities like securities trading. When the law was repealed in 1999, almost every Republican in Congress supported the decision, according to Bloomberg.



Bernie Sanders, whose upstart candidacy gave Clinton a run for her money this spring, has called for breaking up big banks. So has Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee. And Clintons cozy relationship with Wall Street banks is something Republicans think they may be able to use against her.



This is one of the prongs that Trump will continue to use, the message that Clinton doesnt want to break up the big banks, but she is being sent to DC to protect them, Isaac Boltansky of Compass Point Research and Trading told Bloomberg.



But many feel the Republicans are making a mistake by throwing their platform behind a renewed Glass-Steagall.



This has the potential to do damage to a really critical industry, Tony Fratto of Hamilton Place Strategies told Bloomberg. The Republicans are making a mistake by choosing this populist route, and it isnt going to pay off. This is embarrassing.



Perhaps even more embarrassing -- Republicans are finding themselves on the same side as their mortal enemy: Elizabeth Warren. Warren, who many consider to be on the shortlist for Clintons VP pick, has been one of Congresss most aggressive advocates for the return of Glass-Steagall. Shes sponsored legislation to reinstate the law, according to Bloomberg -- but it hasnt advanced in the Republican-controlled Congress.



While some are inclined to see the Republican platforms support of renewing the law as a stunt -- a populist ploy that will never go anywhere in practice -- others warn not to get too complacent.



It is a mistake to simply dismiss the news as a cynical political ploy, Brian Gardner, and analyst at Keefe Bruyette & Woods, told Bloomberg. The risk that Congress will reinstate Glass-Steagall is higher than many investors appreciate.


Energy companies begin reporting their second-quarter earnings this week, with the worst of the oil bust seemingly behind them. The questions for analysts and investors  and the Houston economy are when the industrys recovery will get underway and how fast it will proceed.

For now, the energy sector may be stuck in a holding pattern of low oil prices and unstable market conditions, making it too unstable for companies to invest in equipment, operations, and renewed hiring, said Bill Herbert, a senior energy analyst at Piper Jaffray & Co., an investment research firm.

Its going to be pretty placid, and a lot of the industry is going to be treading water, Herbert said of the months ahead.

The worlds two largest oil field services companies, Schlumberger and Halliburton, which together slashed at least 70,000 jobs since the bust began in late 2014, report earnings this week, while the biggest oil producers, including Exxon Mobil and Chevron, report next week.

So, heres what investors, employees and other interested parties might expect as earnings season advances:

-- Two words: more losses. Thats the assessment of Brian Youngberg, an energy analyst at Edward Jones.

But Youngberg expects second quarter losses to narrow from the first three months of the year. Halliburton for example, will bleed more red ink but wont approach the $2.4 billion net loss from the first quarter, according to Bloomberg forecasts

The number of rigs drilling for oil and gas in the U.S. plummeted by 26 percent in the first three months of the year and then by another 25 percent in the second quarter, but that downward trajectory ceased in June.

-- Fewer job cuts. The worst of the job cuts likely came to a close in the second quarter, but more reductions could still be announced as executives look ahead to the rest of the year. Theyre effectively wading chest deep in a pool of blood from all the job losses, Herbert said. They dont want to cut into the muscle, if not bone.

While the oil field services sector likely has reached bottom in North America, analysts said, that doesnt mean jobs will rebound soon.

Theyre learned they can probably do what they need to with less people, which may not be good for the job market, and probably not good for Houston, Youngberg said.

Texas oil economist Karr Ingham estimates the state lost more than 100,000 jobs from oil producers and their equipment and service providers. Thats one-third of the states energy workforce.

-- Diminished optimism. The outlook of CEOs is unlikely to be as bright as it was a few weeks ago now that oil prices are again falling after rising above $50 a barrel in early June. Crude settled at $45.24 per barrel on Monday, down 71 cents.

Crude is up substantially from its recent bottom of $26.21 a barrel in February, but Youngberg said, Were probably not out of the woods yet, and oil prices probably got ahead of themselves.

Stock values, which have rallied along with crude prices, could also retrench if prices renew their slide.

-- More cost cutting. Most producers want to further reduce their expenses and debt levels before launching new drilling projects. Even if companies can profit off of $50 oil, they want to see prices stay at the level or higher for an extended period, Young-berg said. That may push any real recovery into 2017.

Most companies will remain conservative. I think we really need $60 before companies get more excited, Youngberg said. Its still proceed with caution.
The Bureau of Land Management gives the public opportinuties for comment and protest, but sometimes a little more time is required.

As previously reported, the New Mexico BLM postponed its quarterly auction, this one for Permian Basin leases in Lea in Eddy counties, set for Wednesday because it was accused of not being transparent enough about the change in venue from Santa Fe to Roswell.

"That, in fact, is why we are delaying the sale to Sept. 1," New Mexico BLM spokesperson Donna Hummel told the Reporter-Telegram on Friday. "That gives everybody 45 days public notice  not just insider, industry notice, which is what we were being accused of. We are very interested in transparency. This is not about insider information; it was on our webpage.

We felt that we could have done a better job; we didn't realize how many people were paying attention and were caught unaware of the change of location. That's why we're delaying it. We have made a lot of efforts to get out to the different associations so that bidders know," Hummel said.

New Mexico BLM has taken notice of protests at other auctions across the U.S., including one in Nevada last month that drew upward of 200 protesters, Hummel said. And you might not think that protests would happen in Texas, but the BLM saw protest over its sale around Lake Lewisville.

"In April, we had a number of parcels on Forest Service land and (Army Corps of Engineers) land in Texas that previously we had successfully leased, but we had an upwelling of protests and concerns prior to the lease sale, and we needed more time to analyze all the last-minute protests that came in, so we had to pull those parcels," Hummel said.

"We were surprised by that because we hadn't seen that before. Rather than get engaged early on during comment period, we only heard from local residents and even local elected officials right at the protest period, which is usually only a month before the sale. We just simply didn't have enough time to analyze the information that they were providing. So, we pulled them (the parcels) from the sale because we were not done with our analysis," she said.

Reasons for protest vary, but one such group active in challenging the BLM is WildEarth Guardians, which focuses heavily on combatting climate change through efforts to end the extraction of fossil fuels on public lands. Climate and Energy Campaign Director Tim Ream said the problem starts right at the very top.

"The big issue is, President (Barack) Obama has leased more than 10 million acres of our public lands since he came to office, and there has never been an adequate analysis of the impacts of that leasing on climate change."

Ream said National Environmental Policy ACT (NEPA) requires impact statements or environmental analyses of federal actions; however, agencies like BLM don't go far enough.

"They're doing a NEPA analysis, but what they generally do  and it's different from office to office  is, say the climate science in its formative stage, nobody knows what's going to happen and, therefore, they don't really have to do anymore analysis. Then they often promise to do it later when climate science, I guess, gets good enough or they promise to do it in the applications for permits to drill stage, but they don't do it there, either."

While Ream and the WildEarth Guardians don't want to see more drilling on public lands in New Mexico, Permian Basin Petroleum Association Executive Vice President Stephen Robertson says not doing so could be detrimental.

"It would have a giant impact on the communities in southeast New Mexico and New Mexico overall. The tax revenues, the royalty revenues collected by the BLM on federal lands does great benefit for the state. If you take that away, you're taking away a giant industrial help that provides tax base for the entire state. You're talking about funding for schools, you're talking about health care, you're talking about funding for infrastructure."

New Mexico Oil and Gas Association Vice President and Director of Communications Wally Drangmeister agreed on the scope of the effect.

"In New Mexico, 53 of the natural gas and 54 percent of the oil just this last year was produced on BLM lands. It's huge in New Mexico," he said. "You're not likely going to execute a new lease unless you have some plans to drill at some point in time. From a community point of view, it's absolutely a good sign for those communities."

The issue of transparency wasn't only raised by environmental groups.

"I live in Roswell, and I didn't even know until the BLM called me to ask if we could send out a notification to postpone it," said Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico President Mitch Krakauskas. "I probably should have checked the sale notice online because they don't send hard copies out anymore, but I do think they missed the boat. They should have put it out a little bit sooner."

Krakauskas said the New Mexico BLM can improve its operations by getting together with trade organizations such as his and NMOGA to let them distribute notifications. Robertson said PBPA is already helping the agency with that.

"Some of the activities we work on have to do with increasing membership communications with the BLM. Recently, we've discussed a few projects with the BLM. One which we're working on right now is helping the BLM update their contact list. So many times, the BLM might have an application from a company, especially in current times, that's an older application. They may have done work with the company for a long time, but the point of contact they have with that company is no longer there because of the economic environment we're in right now.

"We're trying to help the BLM by doing a lot of the legwork on our end by updating those contact lists, getting better phone numbers for people, getting better names the BLM can contact whenever they have an issue (to avoid) playing phone tag. There can actually be activity done almost immediately to help solve any issue BLM may have discovered."

As for the rise in protests, Ream said it's his group's last option.

"BLM doesn't like it when we show up at the auctions and sing and shout and carry signs, but that didn't happen spontaneously. For years, they've ignored our climate comments on their environmental analyses  they just ignored them. And when we formally protest through the system, there's a step in the process where you can later engage in a lawsuit  it's called a protest  when we do that, they ignore us.

We submitted a formal petition under the Administrative Procedures Act calling for climate analysis in the federal oil and gas program. We did that months ago. We haven't heard a word back from the administration yet. We're trying every option within the system that we can to try to get them simply to analyze the climate impacts of this program. Nothing else is working, and when nothing else works through your government, then you have to start showing up on their doorstep."

When asked if the WildEarth Guardians will be in Roswell on Sept. 1, Ream replied: "Oh, absolutely."

Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes.

***

Read Q&A interviews with the PBPA's Stephen Robertson and WildEarth Guardians' Tim Ream about the New Mexico BLM lease auction at mrt.com.
MMH events

Advance Care Planning Training Part II, 1:30-2:30 p.m. today at Midland Memorial Hospital Main Campus, main lobby, Collette Underwood collette.underwood@midland-memorial.com, 221-1166.

Support groups this week

 Bariatric Support Group, 11:30 a.m.today, ACT Counseling Center, 2445 E. 11th St., Odessa; 272-4333.

-- Diabetes support group meets 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Midland County Public Library Centennial branch; sponsored by Midland Memorial Hospital; 221-3286.

-- New Beginnings cancer support group, 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Texas Oncology - Allison Cancer Center, 400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Parkway, Suite 100, 218-8714, fatima@giftsofhopemidland.org.

-- West Texas Amputee Support Group, 11 a.m. Saturday, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital; 550-4371.

Weekly support groups

-- TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Christian Church of Midland, 2609 Neely Ave. 694-8643.

-- Overeaters Anonymous; 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays and 3-4 p.m. Sundays; B&J Plaza, 206 N. Midkiff Road, Suite 1-D; 553-1031.

 survivors of sexual abuse; interactive Bible study to help deal with the consequences of sexual abuse meets Tuesdays. Child care available; House of Hope, 570-5935.

-- Peer to Peer support group for veterans, active duty, guard, reserves and their families, 6 p.m. Tuesdays, Permian Basin Community Center, 401 E. Illinois Ave., Suite 403; Wil Hoggard, 213-5342, william.hoggard@wtcmhmr.org.

-- PDAP meetings:

7-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays: Parents group and younger group (12-17), 1208 W. Wall St.; college group (18-26), 2503 W. Ohio Ave.; older group (27 and over), First Presbyterian Church

11:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays: older group, 1208 W. Wall St., includes lunch

* * *

Alcoholics Anonymous  hotline 580-7868.

 Serenity Group, 8 p.m. daily, 3101 N. A St., Building C; 685-3100.

 710 Group, 7 a.m., noon and 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 710 Ohio Ave.; 682-8162.

 Alpha Omega, 8 p.m Tuesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 311 S. Pecos St.

--12-Step Group of Alcoholics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. Saturdays; 206 N. Midkiff Road; 697-0272.

Narcotics Anonymous  hotline 582-2926.

 Laundry Group, 8 p.m. daily and noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 104 N. Marshall St.

 Xodus Group, 5:30 p.m. Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 7 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, 206 N. Midkiff Road.

-- CODA Group, 12-step program for relationships, 7 p.m. Thursdays, 206 N. Midkiff Road; 697-0272.

-- La Hacienda Alumni, support group for former patients, 7 p.m. Thursdays, 206 N. Midkiff Road; 697-0272.

***

MMH payment options

Midland Memorial Hospital recognizes that our community is facing challenging financial times. Resources are tight and families are having to make important decisions about what to spend money on now and what has to wait.

Realizing health care can be expensive and the increasing deductibles make it hard to manage, the hospital has adjusted its payment procedures. We want to make sure you receive the care you need, when you need it. To find out about the new options now offered to better accommodate your payment needs, call 221-4705.

Source: Midland Memorial Hospital

***

How sick are you?

Midland Memorial Hospital offers a a nurse triage program 68-NURSE.

The program is designed to help people determine whether their health situation warrants a trip to the emergency room. Midland residents can call the line by dialing 686-8773.

The program is free and available 24 hours a day-365 days a year. Local nurses are available to help you determine the best place to receive care for your situation. 68-NURSE can help you save time and money by directing you to the most appropriate healthcare option, whether its a neighborhood clinic, urgent care center, emergency room  or just staying home.

* * *

The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services has a toll-free number residents can call to obtain information on services for the disabled or long-term care.

For more information, call 855-937-2372.

* * *

Contact your Hospital District representative

Midland Memorial Hospital

400 Rosalind Redfern Grover Parkway, Midland, TX 79701

Phone: 221-1111

Website: www.midland-memorial.com

President Russell Meyers 221-1584

Directors -- District 1: vacant, District 2: Dorothea Logan, District 3: Larry Mercer, District 4: Cressinda Hyatt, District 5: Alison King, District 6: Joe Kiowski, District 7: Jeffrey Beard

Zika in Texas

Texas has had 68 reported cases of Zika virus disease, according to the website www.texaszika.org. This count includes three pregnant women, one infant infected before birth, and one person who had sexual contact with a traveler.

Texas Zika Cases by County:

County Cases

Bell 1

Bexar 6

Collin 2

Dallas 15

Denton 2

Ellis 1

Fort Bend 3

Grayson 1

Hamilton 1

Harris 20

Lubbock 1

Medina 1

Tarrant 9

Travis 2

Val Verde 1

Williamson 1

Wise 1

Total 68

Source: www.texaszika.org/
The word immunization has long evoked images of nervous children wincing as they get injections to protect them from measles, mumps and other diseases.

Now Californias doctors are turning their attention to adults, who havent been as diligent about getting their own shots. The California Medical Association Foundation, the charitable arm of the Sacramento-based physicians organization, published a vaccine schedule last year to inform doctors and patients about recommended vaccines for adults.

In June, the foundation also released a public service announcement, in English and Spanish, to raise awareness about the importance of adult immunizations.

Vaccines received as children, including for tetanus and diphtheria, wear off over time. The specific vaccines that are recommended by state and federal officials depend on age, health and travel plans.

Millions of people newly covered under the Affordable Care Act can get certain vaccinations -- for the flu, tetanus, measles, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease and other illnesses -- with no copay or other out-of-pocket cost.

The California Department of Public Health uses limited federal and state funds to provide vaccinations for both children and adults at community health centers and local health departments. Federal funding for the vaccination program, aimed primarily at the uninsured, dropped from $32 million in 2010 to $8 million in 2014, according to the department.

State public health officials said many adults dont get vaccinated, even though immunizations can protect them against some dangerous diseases. They urge Californians to check with their doctors to figure out what vaccines they need.

The public health department also monitors vaccine-preventable diseases. In June, the department urged certain gay and bisexual men, and people with HIV, to get vaccinated against meningococcal disease following an outbreak in Southern California.

Kaiser Health News recently spoke to Dr. Ruth Haskins, president-elect of the California Medical Association, about why vaccines are important for adults and what is being done to increase their vaccination rates. A condensed version of the conversation is below.

Q: How big of a problem is the lack of vaccinations among adults?

A: It literally is a life-and-death issue. There are people dying from flu. It is completely preventable if everybody was to get the influenza vaccine during the flu season.

I see it in my practice on a regular basis as a gynecologist. When it comes to influenza, pregnant womens resistance is down. Their immune systems are dimmed so they are more susceptible to getting the flu.

Q: What other vaccines are recommended for adults?

A: Shingles vaccine. Ninety-three percent of adults have had varicella in their childhood. If they had chicken pox as a child, it can come back as shingles as an adult. It can cause blindness, it can cause pain that is not consolable and it can also cause death. It is preventable with a vaccine. The simple varicella vaccine is very effective at preventing shingles.

By the time they reach 80 to 90 years old, 50 percent of people not vaccinated will have an episode with shingles. That is huge. Because our life expectancy, especially as women, is 85 now, it is very important for older women to get the shingles vaccine.

The other vaccine that affects me as a gynecologist every single day is (for) pertussis. If adults who are around newborns were vaccinated and if pregnant women were to get the pertussis vaccine, that would help to protect children. The youngest are the most vulnerable. Babies between 0 and 6 months old dont have the capacity to form antibodies to respond to the vaccine, but they are absolutely at risk of getting pertussis.

Every resource recommends that all pregnant women have the influenza vaccine during flu season and have the pertussis vaccine during their pregnancy to protect their unborn child. Despite all of our efforts, only about 30 percent of women are getting it.

Q: Its not just pregnant women who need these vaccines, right?

A: For shingles, all adults over age 50 should consider it. All people, as long as they dont have a contraindication, should have the influenza vaccine.

Q: Why dont more adults get vaccinated?

A: I think it is misinformation. I think they are looking at the sensationalized information about the folks who are ... against vaccines. They are paying more attention to the stuff that makes headlines than they are to their own physician, who only cares about public health.

Q: Is there also a sense of invincibility -- people thinking they arent going to get the flu or they arent going to get shingles?

A: The thing I hear most often among my patients is, Ive never had the flu before so Im not getting the vaccine.

That just really ignores herd immunization -- the fact (is) that the more who are vaccinated, the less you see the disease.

Q: How could the public service announcement help increase vaccination rates among adults?

A: I hope it starts to get people talking. I hope that just seeing the happy faces on the (public service announcement) of people getting vaccinated, especially people of a variety of ages and stages of life, they recognize its not just for kids.

The take-home message I wish everybody would have from the (public service announcement) is Maybe I should be getting vaccinated, maybe its for me too. These are adults who are happy and healthy. Its not just for sick people, and its not just for kids.

Q: What else is being done to increase vaccination rates among adults?

A: A good electronic medical record system will prompt a physician to give the vaccines when they are due. Even better systems send out widespread notices to patient populations automatically to tell them its time for their flu vaccine.

More than that, there is more peer pressure that if you dont vaccinate your patient population, you will be judged. Eventually that will be one of the markers for how much you get paid.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency
Is Obamacare sinking in Texas? Or just facing more growing pains?

Health care spending nationwide will hit a new high this year, rising 4.8 percent, the government said this week. For over 1 million Texans who buy insurance on Healthcare.Gov, they can only dream about having it so good.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, which has about half the states exchange customers, wants to increase premiums almost 60 percent for 2017. Scott and White Health Plan wants to ratchet up premiums over 30 percent, and Cigna, 24 percent. Aetna and Oscar are planning double-digit increases, too.

UnitedHealth, the countrys largest insurer, is pulling out of the exchange business in Texas and over a dozen other states.

Many consumers already feel squeezed by the cost of insurance, along with high deductibles and co-pays. In Texas, 85 percent of exchange customers get federal subsidies to offset premiums and federal officials say shopping around usually uncovers an affordable plan. But subsidies wont necessarily keep pace with increases at Blue Cross and Scott and White, whose final prices will probably be announced this fall.

A young woman with two children recently called to discuss dropping the familys Blue Cross plan for a few months, said broker Bob Garrison of Insurance Connection USA in Denton. She and her husband pay about $1,300 a month and cant face more sticker shock, he said.

When your health insurance is bigger than the mortgage, somethings wrong, Garrison said.

Its not working for Blue Cross, either.

In justifying its rate increase to state regulators, the company said it paid $1.26 in claims for every $1 in premiums collected last year. For the states largest insurer, that resulted in a loss of $770 million in the individual marketplace. And Blue Cross is projecting another loss this year for its exchange business.

To some, this is further evidence that the Affordable Care Act is unsustainable. Higher premiums are likely to drive away potential enrollees, especially healthier people, and that could lead to a downward spiral.

Pretty soon, health insurance on the exchange will be a good deal only for the very sick, said Devon Herrick, senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas. More healthy folks will drop out and pay the fine. That appears to be happening in Texas.

Others see the price spikes -- and big losses at insurers -- as part of the evolution of a new insurance market. Whats happening with Obamacare is reminiscent of other programs, such as Medicare Advantage, said Ashraf Shehata of the consulting firm KPMG.

It gets better, he said, adding that it typically takes three to five years for a new insurance market to stabilize.

Texas is in the middle of many changes right now and it kind of feels like the valley of despair, said Shehata, who specializes in health care. But Ive seen other states figure out how to be successful.

That typically entails more coordinated care among providers, keeping new customers in the system and controlling expenses, including pharmacy bills. He cited gains in parts of New York and Minnesota and said Dallas-area providers are heading down the right path already.

Eventually, such progress is likely to be imported into the employer-sponsored market, where about half of Americans get health coverage. On the exchange, plan designs have embraced narrower networks of doctors and hospitals.

For 2016, Blue Cross dropped its PPO on the exchange and offered only HMO plans, which have fewer providers and little or no coverage outside of the network. Judging from its rate increases, the strategy hasnt bent the cost curve yet.

In its state filing, Blue Cross said medical claims were significantly higher than expected. But insurers also have complained about customers dropping coverage and jumping back in later.

People can cite special circumstances, such as job loss or marriage, to enroll at any time, not just during open enrollment. Apparently, many are waiting until theyre sick to get coverage.

Special-enrollment customers used 55 percent more medical services, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association said earlier this year. One-fourth to one-third of exchange customers signed up through special enrollment, a spokesman for the parent company of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas told The New York Times.

Federal officials are trying to tighten the rules on continuous coverage without rejecting people who have a legitimate change in circumstances.

Theyre trying to balance access to coverage with whats rational for insurance companies, said Elizabeth Carpenter of Avalere Health, a consulting firm.

She expects regulators to scrutinize special enrollment more closely and strengthen rules to discourage exits. Enrollment in the exchanges is well short of some early projections, and Texas sign-ups are lagging the national average and some other large states, notably Florida.

In Texas, an estimated 18 percent of people are still uninsured, Blue Cross Blue Shield said in an email.

Thats hurting the health of the exchange market here. Some tweaks can be made by federal agencies and Austin lawmakers could urge more Texans to participate -- if they can get past the politics.

Other improvements, such as adding low-cost insurance options or changing the age bands for pricing, could set Obamacare on a stronger course for the long-term.

But theres a tough hurdle: Those changes require approval from Congress. And thats a no go, at least until the next president.

Related columns by Mitchell Schnurman

Texas loses on Obamacare while California embraces it

Cracks emerge in health care act in Texas

No, you dont get to keep your insurance. And premiums are jumping 20 percent.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency
For many in Midland, theres nothing casual about politics. Its a sport, and the Republican National Convention might as well be part of a political playoff.

But the reality is, there are potential voters who dont eat, drink and breathe party politics. Their version of must-watch TV is still Netflix, and maybe they will catch the parties nominees on the respective Thursdays.

Congressman Mike Conaway of Midland has a message to those voters.

I hope the stakes of this election begin to get clearer and clearer, said Conaway, who arrived Tuesday in Cleveland. Do you want four more years of President Obama or an about-face.

After convention sessions that include Make America safe again and Make America work again, Trump will stand on the podium at the RNC in Cleveland basically dead even with Democrat Hillary Clinton, according to a pair of national polls released Tuesday. Although Obama easily handled Republican opponents in 2008 and 2012, battleground polling shows a potentially tougher contest.

Conaway said that ultimately the general election isnt won at these four-day political pep rallies. As he said, the immediacy of events in September and October will play a factor when people go to the polls, but that doesnt mean there isnt a chance to make a case. Keynote speeches should connect, he said, and nominees cant be cavalier about the opportunity at hand.

Nielsen Media Research reported 38.4 million people watched Obamas speech at the Democratic National Convention in 2012. Mitt Romneys speech at the RNC that same year was seen by 30.3 million. In 2008, 38.9 million watched John McCain at the RNC. That same year, 38.3 million watched Obama at the DNC.

Even vice presidential candidates can garner their fair share of attention. In 2008, Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin attracted an audience of 37.2 million, according to Nielsen.

There will become a growing awareness about whether Trump is your guy, Conaway said. People will have that chance to see Trump as a leader.

Conaway repeated that this is a binary decision between Trump and Clinton. He believes Republicans who were turned off by Trump during the primary process will see Clinton as the worse option. Those voters, he said, will see the opportunity to fill Supreme Court seats and put the GOP in a dominant position in Washington as reasons to cast a ballot for the New Yorker.

I cant imagine how anyone would say staying home is good path  or voting for Hillary, Conaway said.

When asked about the prominent Republicans  such as former President George W. Bush  who didnt make the trek to Ohio, Conaway said the convention process is about putting Trump front and center. Conaway said its great when there is a Ronald Reagan-type who can galvanize a party, but in general you dont want to distract from the guy who is trying to get the job.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A Texas official overseeing an historic $800 million border security spending plan says nowhere along the state's 1,200-mile border with Mexico is secure nearly a year after the money was approved.

Texas leaders have faced criticism in recent years for vaguely defining what constitutes a secure border while embarking on costly missions in pursuit of that goal.
Pursuant to court rulings by Judge Robert Junell of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has removed the lesser prairie chicken from its list of endangered or threatened wildlife.

Junells ruling in September in a lawsuit brought by the Permian Basin Petroleum Association and several New Mexico counties overturned the birds listing as threatened. He upheld that ruling on Feb. 29.

Lesli Gray, public affairs specialist with the service, said that removing the chicken from the listing does not constitute action on our part regarding the biological determination of whether or not the species merits listing as an endangered or threatened species.

We are doing a species status assessment using the best scientific information available, she said in a phone interview.

She said the Fish and Wildlife Service is working with stakeholders such as the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies , which is overseeing a range-wide conservation plan in the five states where the bird has habitat: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado. Other partners include the services Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Conservation Reserve Program and Lesser Prairie Chicken Initiative and a joint program of the Bureau of Land Management Candidate Conservation Agreement and Center of Excellence in Hazardous Materials Management Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances in New Mexico and other individual conservation agreements with private landowners.

Ben Shepperd, president of the PBPA, said he was pleased with the action.

Its the culmination of many years work on endangered species issues and were pleased (Judge Junells ruling) vindicated our efforts, he said in a phone interview.

Shepperd said that PBPA members had worked hard and made massive commitments to do the right thing for the land, plants and animals, while still allowing industry to operate.

And this affects all of us, not just oil and gas, he said.

He said he shudders to think, in this poor economic climate, what the Endangered Species Act might have done to the industry, not just the lesser prairie chicken but the dunes sagebrush lizard as well. And there are some more species on the horizon that were evaluating now. We plan to remain vigilant.

Bill Van Pelt, grasslands coordinator with the Western Association, said in an email, We are pleased the USFWS is going to continue to work with WAFWA on the LPC conservation. The judges decision to direct the USFWS to remove the lesser prairie chicken was directly linked to voluntary participation in the five-state lesser prairie chicken range-wide conservation plan. To date, over $61 million has been collected from participating companies. In turn, an endowment has been set up to work with landowners, which has put 132,028 acres of habitat conservation on the ground throughout the range of the species. Continued participation in the conservation plan will maintain management at the state level.

The Center for Biological Diversity in Tucson, Arizona, criticized the action, saying in a press release the service removed the listing without proposing new protections for the birds. The center says the prairie chicken population has declined by more than 13 percent since last year.

The services own scientists have warned that losing even a small amount of suitable habitat could send these magical birds into a death spiral, said Tanya Sanerib, a senior attorney for the center, in the press release. Yet, even with populations declining and habitat dwindling to dangerous levels, the agency is giving up and failing to propose new protections critical to this unique birds survival.

Gray disagreed.

There are a lot of programs doing good things for the chicken, she said.

She said there is no timeline for when the service will make a determination on whether to again list the species.

The lesser prairie-chicken, a species of prairie grouse renowned for its colorful spring mating display, has been considered a species in trouble for almost two decades, according to the FWS. Once abundant across much of the five range states, its historical range of native grasslands and prairies has been reduced by an estimated 84 percent.
Politicians almost always have a way with words.

But those who have their way with other people's words sometimes don't survive the backlash (Vice President Joe Biden being a notable exception).

Here's a look at past acts of word pilfering in politics:

JOE BIDEN:

 Now vice president, then Delaware senator, Joe Biden was forced to drop out of the 1988 presidential race in September 1987, calling it quits after a short-lived campaign plagued with charges he had plagiarized in law school, exaggerated his academic credentials and plagiarized portions of speeches including some from Robert F. Kennedy and British politician Neil Kinnock. At the time, Biden said he had quoted from Kinnock in earlier speeches and called the failure to attribute an oversight.

___

BARACK OBAMA:

President Barack Obama borrowed lines from his friend, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, in the 2008 campaign. Obama said at the time he didn't see it as a big deal, but he probably should have given him credit. But Hillary Clinton, who was challenging him for the Democratic nomination, ridiculed Obama in a debate, calling him a candidate of "change you can Xerox." Patrick chided Clinton for the plagiarism accusations, calling it trivial.

___

BEN CARSON:

In January 2015, Republican presidential prospect Ben Carson apologized for not correctly citing passages of his 2012 book "America the Beautiful" that were lifted from online articles and websites. Carson said he attempted to cite everything but he "missed a couple."

___

KENTUCKY SEN. RAND PAUL:

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul began enforcing new rules for his staffers and researchers in the face of accusations that he plagiarized material from several sources for speeches, a newspaper column and his book. Paul made the move to stem the fallout from the accusations that caused the Washington Times to cancel his column. Paul initially tried to downplay the revelations that he used material from Wikipedia without attribution to describe the plot of a sci-fi movie during a speech.

___

MONTANA SEN. JOHN WALSH:

Montana Sen. John Walsh ended his run for a full Senate term in 2014 after it was revealed he plagiarized other sources for a college research paper he wrote for a master of strategic studies degree at U.S. Army War College in 2007. Not only did the plagiarism scandal end his political career, his master's degree was revoked and his name was grinded off a plaque listing graduates of the college. Walsh apologized for the plagiarism.

___

MASSACHUSETTS SEN. SCOTT BROWN

In October 2011, Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown blamed his staff for passages about his upbringing on his official Senate website that were lifted word-for-word from a 2002 speech by former senator and presidential candidate Elizabeth Dole. A spokesman for Brown, a Republican, said excerpts of the speech were on Dole's website, which aides used as a template for his, and that the passages were transferred inadvertently without being rewritten.

___

VLADIMIR PUTIN:

A scholar at Washington's Brookings Institution said in 2006 that portions of a research paper written by Vladimir Putin in 1997 appeared to be copied verbatim from a book written by two American professors. Putin wrote the paper three years before becoming Russia's president. A Kremlin spokesman in 2006 called it an "absurd" accusation and refused to comment. Putin wrote the thesis to secure the equivalent of a master's degree in business administration at the St. Petersburg Mining Institute.

___

VIKTOR YANUKOVYCH:

In 2011, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, whose advisers included Trump's campaign manager Paul Manafort, was accused of plagiarizing entire passages in an English-language book on reforming his country. His top aide first dismissed the allegations of plagiarism as a "shameless" attempt to discredit the president. But the translator of the book said he unintentionally deleted most of the footnotes in the publication and apologized to the president.
*NSYNC member Joey Fatone made a surprise appearance at the My2K Tour event last weekend and performed with 98 Degrees. As a treat to fans, the boyband and Fatone performed a cover of *NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye" hit complete with the song's original dance choreography.

The unforgettable collaboration happened during the My2K Tour concert in West Palm Beach, Florida, which featured appearances by O-Town, Ryan Cabrera and Dream, according to Pop Sugar.

During their set, a member of 98 Degrees introduced Fatone to the crowd. The NSYNC member then appeared on stage wearing the same clothes as Nick Lachey, Jeff Timmons, Justin Jeffre and Drew Lachey.

Dressed in their matching camouflage pants and tactical vests, 98 Degrees and 39-year-old Fatone then performed "Bye Bye Bye," the 2000 hit song from *NSYNC's second studio album, No Strings Attached.

The crowd went wild as Fatone kicked off the song. The members of 98 Degrees then joined in at the chorus and danced the choreography to the song, which was the same as *NSYNC used in the video for "Bye Bye Bye," Billboard reported.

The collaboration between Fatone and 98 Degrees is certainly a special treat especially for fans of groups from the boyband era. Hopefully, Nick Lachey's group will feature other crossovers in their upcoming performances for the My2K Tour.

As for the nationwide event, the next stop for the tour is Greenville, South Carolina. Then, for the rest of the week, 98 Degrees and the other featured artists and groups will head out to Alabama, Massachusetts, Georgia and Virginia.

Aside from performing their hit songs, such as "Invisible Man," "I Do (Cherish You)" and "The Hardest Thing," doing cover medleys of songs from other artists and groups is also part of 98 Degrees' set list for the tour. Other than "Bye Bye Bye," the other songs included in the medley are "Summer Girls" from LFO, "Fly" by Sugar Ray, "I Want it That Way" by the Backstreet Boys, "All the Small Things" from Blink-182 and "Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears.

 2015 MusicTimes.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Some government officials and politicians are ...
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is already making the rounds for Donald Trump in Cleveland ahead of his speech Wednesday at the Republican National Convention.

While the governor will be addressing the convention Wednesday, his appearance will take place before the nationally televised portion of the proceedings.

Reporter Holly Gregory talked to Scott on Tuesday. Heres a transcript from that interview.

Holly Gregory: "Can you give us a preview of what you'll be speaking about?"

Gov. Rick Scott: "As you expect, I want Donald Trump to win. I'm going to talk about the fact that it his opportunity to fire the Washington politicians. And we have the right person to do it: Donald Trump. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure he wins in November. We've got to change the direction of this country. We've going to have somebody that's going to stand up against ISIS. Think about what happened in Orlando. We lost the 49 individuals there. We've got to have somebody who is going to say enough is enough."

Gregory: If (Trump) were to win the White House, you would have an ally that you have not had at the point. How would that benefit the state of Florida?"

Scott: It would be great to have a partner. Look at what happened with the federal government. I tried to get Obama to declare a state of emergency; they won't. Look at the water problems we're having now in Lake Okechobee. They don't ever seem to be a partner for Florida. So it would be nice to have somebody that I met 20 years ago and has become a good friend. I want to make sure he wins."

Gregory: (Florida has) a prominent role here in the convention. We have a very good spot on the floor; we have a couple of prominent speakers. What do you think about Florida's importance to this election, and how you are going to help get Donald Trump elected through Florida?

Scott: As you know, we're the biggest swing state. It seems like you have to win Florida to win the presidency. He's doing very well in our state, but we have to all get active. This is an election about Hillary Clinton, a career politician. She had her chance to destroy ISIS and failed. We have a new chance now with a new person, a business person that knows how to get things done. That will destroy ISIS and help us build our military.


The Army is investigating the death of a drill sergeant who was injured on a live-fire training range, a post spokesman said Friday.

Staff Sgt. Pascual Murillo, 28, of San Antonio was injured during exercises Thursday night and died Friday morning, said Mike Alley, chief of external communications at Fort Leonard Wood.

Murillo was a drill sergeant with the 14th Military Police Brigade, Alley said.

The nature and circumstances of Murillo's injuries were under investigation, and no one else was injured in the incident, the Army said.
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The Pearl will add a food hall to its complex of trendy, independent restaurants and retailers next spring.

The 5,500-square-foot hall  located on the ground floor of the Bottling Department building at 312 Pearl Parkway, near the Hotel Emma  will house about seven independently owned food vendors and include beer and wine service, Pearl spokeswoman Elizabeth Fauerso said Tuesday.

The Pearl is currently in talks with potential tenants to fill the space, Fauerso said, but the complex hopes to attract vendors eager to create new food concepts.

Its kind of an incubator, Fauerso said. Its a space where people can be experimental and creative. And diners, visitors and everyone benefits from that because its hopefully a catalyst for culinary creativity.

When the hall opens, diners will be able to eat in common areas inside the hall or outside under a covered patio, in arbor seating or in a park adjacent to the hall, Fauerso said.

Construction work to finish out the hall for tenants will begin in August and last until January, records filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation show.

The food hall will join several new recent developments hitting the Pearl. Botika, a Peruvian-Asian restaurant from chef Geronimo Lopez, opened July 5 in the space formerly occupied by Arcade Midtown Kitchen before that restaurant closed in June 2015.

Jazz, TX  an upscale jazz venue  will likely open in August in the Bottling Department buildings basement beneath the food hall, Fauerso said. Clayton and Little Architects reconstructed the building last year after it burned down in 2004.

The Good Kind  a 20-seat market and cafe by Tim McDiarmid of Tim the Girl culinary company and One Lucky Duck Texas owner Noah Melngailis  will replace the One Lucky Duck juice bar and restaurant this fall.

Pearl is also eyeing an expansion that would require the city to permanently close Schiller Street and part of East Quincy Street along the Museum Reach and sell the land to Broadway SA Investors GP, a landholder for Pearl developer Silver Ventures. City Council members will vote on the measure in August.

The Pearls food hall will join another planned for the Kress building and former site of the San Antonio Childrens Museum on Houston Street as part of a retail and office development by developer GrayStreet Partners. Graystreets managing partner Kevin Covey told the Express-News on Friday his firm plans to begin renovations in November or December.
San Antonio-based Vysk Communications Inc. fought off an alleged coup attempt by one of its local investors after the spat spilled into Bexar County District Court last month.

Vysk, which makes smartphone cases designed to prevent eavesdropping and hacking, filed a lawsuit last month in Bexar County District Court seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent San Antonios Acequia LLC from seizing its assets. Acequia is headed by Peter Selig, a self-described angel investor who also is a co-founder and president of River Walk restaurant Acenar.
More than six months after bringing actor Sean Penn to Mexico to meet with Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, actress Kate del Castillo is quashing rumors about any type of relationship she had with the drug lord.

Del Castillo told media that she didn't commit any crimes and never received money from Guzman, according to the Narco Blog.

SEE ALSO: El Chapo's attorney: Drug lord is going 'crazy,' bald from 'torture' in maximum security prison

Connections between del Castillo and Guzman stem from a meetup she orchestrated between Penn and Guzman in October. Penn wrote about the lengths it took to meet up with Guzman in an article for Rolling Stone, published in January.

Penn has admitted having mixed feelings on how people reacted to the article.

Guzman was apprehended in January. He is in prison in Ciudad Jaurez, which borders El Paso.

RELATED: One year later: The rise and fall of 'El Chapo' Guzman, the world's most ambitious drug lord

Del Castillo said she has never had an affair with Guzman, according to the Narco Blog. She said that her only interest in meeting with Guzman was to obtain the rights to make a movie about Guzman's life. Del Castillo also said she no longer has contact with Guzman.

The actress lost some work because of the meeting, the Narco Blog reports, but she does have a new Netflix series in the works, which the Narco Blog said is called "Ungovernable."

Variety reports the Netfilx series will be about Irene Urzua, a fictional First Lady of Mexico. The current First Lady of Mexico is Angelica Rivera, who is married to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.
A woman was sent to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after getting shot twice in Vallejo allegedly by a man police found riding in a stolen car.

Officers responded to reports of a verbal dispute on the 300 block of Thomas Avenue at 12:30 a.m. Tuesday only to find a 48-year-old woman suffering from two gunshot wounds at the scene.

The woman, who was not immediately identified, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later listed in stable condition, said Deputy Christine Castillo, a spokeswoman for the Solano County Sheriffs Office.

Witnesses at the scene were able to identify the suspected shooter as Lawrence Bailey, a 56-year-old Vallejo resident, who had fled the scene, Castillo said.

Several hours later, just before 7 a.m., Vallejo police officers pulled over a stolen car on the 2800 block of Redwood Parkway in Vallejo. Bailey was a passenger in the car, alongside Delvon Bailey, 21 of Sacramento, who was the driver. It was unclear if the two men are related.

Officers were able to take both men into custody safely, Castillo said. They found a firearm in the car that they are testing to determine if it was the same weapon used in the earlier shooting.

Officials said they do not believe the shooting was a random act, rather that it was the result of a civil dispute between Lawrence Bailey and the victim.

Lawrence Bailey was booked into the Solano County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder, possessing a firearm as a felon, possessing ammunition as a felon and possession of a concealed firearm.

Delvon Bailey was booked on suspicion of vehicle theft and acting as an accessory after the fact to the attempted murder.

Officials ask anyone with more information regarding the case to call (707) 784-7050 or to leave anonymous tips at Solano Crime Stoppers at (707) 644-STOP.

Kevin Schultz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kschultz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kevinedschultz
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Donald Trump's son, in his first remarks since the plagiarism scandal erupted, told CBS' Norah O'Donnell that he blames speechwriters, not Trump's campaign chairman, for Melania Trump's speech last night and the cries of copycat that surrounded it.

"I imagine there's people who shouldn't have done that or who should have cleaned it up better," Donald Trump Jr. said.

The "CBS This Morning" co-host, who grew up in San Antonio and graduated from MacArthur High, spoke with Trump today on the floor of the Quicken Loans Arena, the site of this week's Republican National Convention, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Trump Jr., executive vice president of the Trump Organization and campaign adviser to his father, added that he believed the possible first lady otherwise "did excellently."

Trump Jr. went on to disavow the notion that what happened with Melania's speech had anything to do with his dad's new campaign honcho, Paul Manafort, as some have speculated.

A portion of the interview airs tonight on CBS News' prime-time coverage of the Republican National Convention (9 to 10 p.m.) on CBS.

It will also be featured Wednesday on "CBS This Morning, which airs from 7 to 9 a.m. on CBS.

Trump Jr. also discussed the family's role in helping to choose Gov. Mike Pence (R-Indiana) as his father's running mate.

Trump Jr. is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night, addressing the evening's theme of "Make America Work Again."

Some more quotes from O'Donnell's interview:

When asked if Manafort, the campaign's chairman, should have done a better job overseeing the speech, Trump Jr. backed Manafort.

"Paul didn't really have anything do with the speech," he said, acknowledging that Melania Trump "of course" worked with speechwriters.

"Having never done this before you have to work with speechwriters," he said. "Those are the people that did this, not Paul."

Trump's sons comments came just hours after Manafort told "CBS This Morning" that Mrs. Trump "never cribbed from another speech."

"They're a couple of phrases," Manafort said of Mrs. Trump address, which shared several similarities with Michelle Obama's 2008 Democratic convention speech. "It's basically three places in the speech and its fragments of words."

Melania Trump's words:

"My parents impressed on me the value of that you work hard for what you want in life--that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise. That you treat people with respect. Show the values and morals in in the daily life."

Michelle Obama's:

"And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you're going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don't know them, and even if you don't agree with them.

jjakle@express-news.net
San Antonio's Interstate 35 neighbors in Austin can act as if they want nothing to do with the Alamo City all they want, but a new report proves otherwise.

Hotel search website, Trivago, recently published data revealing the top destination searches by each U.S. city. The capital is keeping a secret.
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Albany

An Albany Law School graduate has made the vice presidential short list for presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, according to multiple media outlets.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, who graduated from Albany Law in 1975, returned to his alma mater in 2014 to deliver the commencement address.

Along with Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, Vilsack has reportedly made Clinton's short list for vice presidential contenders, with national media reporting him as "the person on the list she can most trust" and "the safest pick of all."

Vilsack served two terms as governor of Iowa before being appointed to the agriculture post by President Barack Obama in 2009. Vilsack also served in the Iowa state Senate and as the mayor of Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He was also chairman of the first White House Rural Council and helped launch First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative to improve children's health and nutrition. He received the Albany Law Distinguished Alumni Award in 2007.

 Staff report
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BETHEL - There is little the town can do about the remains of a Castle Hill Drive home that burned down last year.

The owner, Edward Bruce, passed away in the fire on his property in June 2015.

The remains of his home are boarded up and secure, but the town cannot seize the property because it does not own it, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said, and Bruces estate has yet to address it.

There are conditions by which a town can seize property and take control of it, he said. Say if its a tall structure and its in danger of falling on public property or on somebody elses property, then we can do something about it. But it is ugly, but its not a hazard.

The courts took months to determine who owned the Castle Hill property. Now the familys lawyer told the town they are in the process of hiring a contractor to remediate the asbestos in the house, Knickerbocker said. The attorney told town officials the family would then hire a demolition contractor.

But those things can take months, Knickerbocker said. Thats not a guarantee that theyre going to get this thing done. I have people call them a couple times a month to say, Come on, please.

Knickerbocker said the familys attorney has also negotiated with developers who are interested in buying the property, but nothing has panned out yet.

Some residents posted on a Bethel Facebook group about rodents on the property, but Knickerbocker said officials inspected the area last Thursday and Monday and did not find any evidence of rodents.

There are plenty of places where they could be, so its something our health department will stay on top of and observe frequently, he said.

In the meantime, Knickerbocker said the town needs to continue to put pressure on the family to deal with the property.

We are just as anxious to get that taken care of as the neighbors are, he said.

Eugene Skowronski, the familys attorney, did not return requests for comment in time for publication.
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BETHEL - Orange cones line the intersection at Plumtrees and Walnut Hill roads to help drivers navigate temporary lane changes.

The town opened this bypass Tuesday morning so that traffic can still flow as road work continues in this area until October.

This is a major step in a more than $2.4 million project, which will be paid for with state and federal funds, to improve this intersection close to the Bethel schools, Director of Public Works Douglas Arndt said.

The goal of the project is to widen the intersection, tear down the narrow, two-lane Plumtrees Road bridge and build a three-lane bridge, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said. This will alleviate some of the traffic issues at this spot.

This [intersection] has been a bottleneck, Knickerbocker said. Trucks and school busses cant really turn into this little narrow bridge without swinging into the other lane. Theres huge backups in both directions.

Workers from Nagy Brothers in Monroe will demolish the bridge this week or next week and should rebuild it by October, Arndt said. Knickerbocker said this is two and a half months earlier than he originally thought.

After that, the bypass will be gone and the majority of road work will be complete. Workers will realign the drainage system in the spring, possibly earlier depending on the severity of the winter, Arndt said. By this point there will be limited impact on traffic, he said.

Knickerbocker said drivers have not had trouble understanding the bypass.

It was flowing fine all day [Tuesday], he said. I went up there several times to take a look at it. Its going to be a little bit of a challenge when school starts at the end of August, so Im hoping for really good weather so they can hurry up.

Michele Bradshaw, a Bethel resident for 27 years and math teacher at the high school, said she was one of the first to drive through the bypass on Tuesday morning.

It really isnt that big of a deal, she said. You just have to go slower because it used to be a straight shot.

Arndt said he also has not had any problems driving through the area.

This [Wednesday] morning I drove through, it was early, but there werent any issues that I saw with the bypass, he said. And were still looking to make some minor improvements. Right now were in the slow season. Well see what it looks like when school is back in session.

These minor improvements could include adjusting the lanes slightly to maximize the traffic flow, he said.

Still, he urges drivers to be careful as they go through the bypass.

Workers are in close proximity to the road, he said. And [drivers] just need to be aware that they should be driving very cautiously through there for their own and others safety.
Fort Ann

The Queensbury man who accused ex-Albany County lawmaker Deborah Busch of trespassing on his Fort Ann lakefront property now is facing charges of his own.

Thomas Bolen will appear Aug. 3 in Town Court to answer a criminal summons of falsifying a written statement, according to Fort Ann Town Justice Dane Clark.

Clark on Wednesday wouldn't confirm whether the charge stems from the 2014 court case involving Busch and her boyfriend, Rory Russell, convicted of trespassing on Bolen's property on Pilot Knob Road. The case recently was overturned.

Bolen initially told State Police he repeatedly warned the neighbors to stay off his property but later testified at trial he never told Russell that in person or spoke to Busch at all, according to a sworn statement signed by Russell's attorney, former District Attorney Robert Winn.

Bolen couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.
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STAMFORD  Earl Kim said the citys school district must assume a person is innocent until proven guilty.

True.

But the new superintendent needs to realize the districts problems with AFB Construction Management and its CEO, Al Barbarotta, are broader and deeper than the possible extortion case being investigated by Stamford police and the FBI.

AFB has overseen maintenance and repairs of school buildings for 16 years, was the only bidder for the contract most of the time, and has been allowed enormous autonomy. School boards and superintendents offices over the years have deferred to AFB in many instances.

The school board voted last month to extend AFBs contract until Nov. 1, instead of renewing it for an entire year as usual.

The private vendor is so entwined in the public school system, and has operated with so little oversight for so long, that the path to extricating his company is overrun with thorns.

Thats moreso now, in the middle of a federal investigation, when city attorneys have restricted school officials from speaking about AFB.

An expectation to separate

If Barbarotta is guilty of whatever hes alleged to have done, Kim told The Advocate last week, we would expect AFB to separate from the district.

But no one seems to know what would then happen. School officials so far have no plan for how to operate without AFB.

That has been left to Kim, a Hawaii native who arrived in Stamford July 5 to a district struggling to recover from a series of scandals that began in 2014.

Among them: the arrest of a Stamford High teacher for having sex with a student; the arrests of two school administrators for failing to report it; criticism from a state prosecutor that district officials kept things secret to protect their reputations; the revelation of cases in which teachers suspected of harming students were quietly passed along; the superintendents decision to retire for lack of public trust; the FBI investigation into whether Barbarotta used his position as facilities director to win business with another contractor for the city.

Kim said the district formed a transition team to begin discussing how, and whether, management of school facilities should be restructured. Barbarotta, whose cellphone and computer were seized by Stamford police, is on the team as an adviser, Kim said.

The review, and possible restructure, could extend beyond Barbarottas Nov. 1 contract cut-off, Kim said. So AFB may remain in charge of Stamford school buildings for some time to come.

A question of leadership

The escalating problems with AFB have more to do with district leadership than AFB. School boards and superintendents failed to face questions about AFBs performance as they arose.

In late 2013, for example, city attorneys wanted to know why AFB was allowed to ignore bidding regulations on a $424,000 energy-efficient lighting project at Scofield Magnet Middle School. It turned out the district finance director, superintendent and a school board member waived the regulations, allowing Barbarotta to choose whatever subcontractors he wanted.

Barbarotta said he wanted to make a model of the Scofield project. If I can prove it here, I can sell it all over the state and I can make a lot of money, Barbarotta told The Advocate in January 2014. School officials were fine with that.

Around the same time, city engineers questioned AFBs energy-conservation claims for school buildings and hired an auditor to check. The auditor found faulty data and measurements that failed to meet industry standards. School officials not only accepted AFBs claims, they paid AFB bonuses based on them. City attorneys put an end to the bonuses.

In 2013, the administration of then-Mayor Michael Pavia decided not to renew AFBs contract to manage parks and city buildings. Bringing the functions in-house would save more than $200,000 a year and improve work quality, the administration found. School officials did not conduct a similar review.

No bidders

The Pavia administration cited a red flag  other companies had stopped bidding on the city contract. There was a question about whether AFB had too much of a say in the bid requirements, in effect keeping its competition out of the picture. Even though other companies were also not bidding on the Board of Education contract, school officials did not investigate.

When The Advocate revealed AFB had relationships with some of the subcontractors it hired, school officials said they left the choices up to AFB. One case involved AMC Environmental  a tenant in AFBs Bridgeport headquarters at the time  that received 90 percent of the asbestos testing work in the district.

In 2014, school officials were fine with Board of Education member Richard Lyons, who headed the committee that oversaw AFB, stepping down to take a job with AFB. In fact, the superintendent recommended, and the school board approved, a 42 percent increase in AFBs fee to cover Lyons $120,000 annual salary plus $42,000 benefits package.

School custodians reported during a Board of Education meeting last July that AFB regularly put off or ignored their requests for repairs. The custodians also said it was them  not AFB  who submitted work requests to school tradesmen and city engineers. The custodians said it was them  not AFB  who often obtained job estimates from outside contractors and completed bidding paperwork.

Some school members dismissed their reports as the complaints of disgruntled union workers. When two principals then told the board about long-unaddressed repairs in their buildings, the city  not AFB  rushed to complete the work last August before schools opened in the fall.

Wheres the watchdog?

Taxpayers, who have paid AFB about $20 million over the years, have bemoaned the lack of oversight.

Barbarotta, brought to Stamford by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy when he was mayor, has said he is one of Malloys closest friends. He has been a major bundler of campaign cash for Malloy. Cash was bundled when a number of AFB employees contributed at the same time. In Stamford, some say that is a reason AFB has operated unfettered.

The question for Kim and other school officials is whether they will tackle the problems, no matter what the FBI finds.

angela.carella@scni.com; 203-964-2296; stamfordadvocate.com/

angelacarella.
A New Mexico restaurant's sign reading "Black Olives Matter: Try Our Tapenade" stirred up a controversy  and a lot of business.

The owner of Paisano's posted the phrase to make a pun, but while many seemed to appreciate the humor, a vocal few were offended.

The sign at the Italian eatery in Albuquerque referenced the Black Lives Matter movement and some felt it inappropriately made light of a serious issue and accused the restaurant owner of being racist.

"I called the restaurant to complain today," one commenter wrote on the KOB Facebook page. "It was thoughtless at best and creepy at worst. I didn't find it funny. I'm glad they took it down. Things are tense enough without stirring any pots.

On the other hand, the overwhelming number of the more than 400 people who commented on the KOB page said they found the sign funny and thought those who were offended were overly sensitive.

"Hypersensitive bullies telling someone how to run their business is becoming the new normal," wrote one. "What has this country descended to anyway?"

"That's our neighborhood restaurant," another shared. "We went to school with the owners. Its not offensive. Its funny and the food is awesome! Get over yourselves!"

In response to the firestorm, the restaurant removed the message and owner Rick Camuglia told KOB-TV he didn't mean to offend people.

"We put up what we thought was a cute play on words, which we do commonly here at the restaurant," Camuglia told the news station. "We were trying to promote our pan-seared ahi tuna with a black olive tapenade relish. And so we put 'black olives matter, try our tapenade.'"

The controversy became a hot topic in social media and while Camuglia has received some angry phone calls, he's also seeing a spike in business from people who want to support him.

The 40-year-old restaurant released a statement to the Washington Post saying Postaino's has been overwhelmed with customers, both regulars and many people traveling from neighboring cities and even states.

"I can't count the number of customer's orders who've included adding Black Olives to every dish ordered. Pizzas, Sandwiches and pasta dishes with 'double Black Olives Please!' all day long," the statement went on. "So much that we almost ran out and ordered more."

This all unfolded at a time when the Black Lives Matter movement is gathering strength after police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, fatally shot Alton Sterling after pinning him to the ground, and Philando Castile was shot dead by a police officer during a traffic stop in a suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul.

Black Lives Matter has responded with protests around the country, including one in Dallas where five police officers were killed by a lone gunman.

Because of these recent events, Harold Bailey, president of the NAACP chapter in Albuquerque, told KRQE that the sign was "in bad taste."

With reporting from the Associated Press
A police SWAT team stormed a suspected illegal gambling parlor near Interstate 880 in Oakland Wednesday following a shooting there and a six-hour standoff with several people holed up inside, officials and neighbors said.

Officers showed up shortly after 3 a.m. to the converted warehouse space at 1530 E. 12th St., where gunfire erupted during an apparent all-night party.

About a dozen people came out with their hands up, including one victim, who appeared to be limping with the assistance of others. But several people inside stayed put for hours, prompting the temporary stalemate with armed police.

We know you are inside. Can you please call 911 so we can communicate with you? SWAT team members said over a loudspeaker aimed at the building, while heavily armed and camouflaged officers took cover behind an armored police vehicle.

Just after 8 a.m., a man and woman emerged from the building with their hands up and were questioned by police before being released.

An hour later, SWAT team members entered the building with their guns drawn and began a room-to-room search. They emerged soon afterward, and officials said a shotgun and a replica handgun were recovered inside.

The injured victim was taken to a hospital, treated and released. Police said two suspects in the shooting were taken into custody.

The building is in an industrial part of the city, halfway between the Lake Merritt and Fruitvale BART stations near International Boulevard. Residents in the area described the repurposed building, which includes several small rooms and a recording studio, as a wild place that allegedly houses recently installed illegal slot machines.

It was bound to happen, said one resident, who asked not to be identified, of the shooting and subsequent standoff. They got all kinds of s going on in there.

Officer Johnna Watson, an Oakland Police spokeswoman, said beat officers have previously responded to complaints at the building, but she could not immediately give details of why they were called there.

Wednesdays predawn shooting came during a party inside the building that attracted a large crowd, local residents said.

People were high out of their minds, another resident, who also asked not to be named, said of the soiree.

Evan Sernoffsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: esernoffsky@sfchronicle.com
A 19-year-old girl went missing Sunday and the Harlingen Police Department is asking for the public's help in finding her.

San Benito resident Nahomi Rodriguez had clocked out at her McDonalds job when she asked two men for a ride home.
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Macys Inc., looking to reverse falling sales and make headway in the off-price market, is expanding its new discount outlet chain in the South, with two stores planned in San Antonio.

Macys opened three of its Backstage outlet stores in Texas on Tuesday  a 20,000-square-foot outlet store inside its store in Ingram Park Mall on the citys Northwest Side, and the others within existing stores at Town East Mall in Mesquite and Hulen Mall in Fort Worth. The stores offer discount prices on clothes, designer handbags, home decor, toys, shoes, makeup and other retail goods.

The openings mark Macys latest efforts to boost falling revenue in an era dominated by Amazon and other online sellers by expanding into the off-price market occupied by Nordstrom Rack and T.J. Maxx.

Sales at Macys Inc.s 870 stores in the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico plummeted 7.4 percent to about $5.8 billion during the first quarter this year, down from $6.2 billion during the same time frame last year. Macys now expects sales to fall by up to 4 percent this year, the company said in May.

The companys stock has also lost more than half its value, closing at $35.30 a share on Wednesday, down 51.07 percent from $72.14 a year ago.

Amid declining sales and stock prices, Macys longtime CEO Terry Lundgren announced in June he would step down in 2017. Macys President Jeff Gennette will replace him.

Macys is leaning on Backstage, which debuted last fall, to help it attract younger and more thrifty customers, and has plans to open 22 of the stores in Texas, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia, said Vanessa LeFebvre, Macys Backstage senior vice president and general merchandise manager.

Seven of those stores will be stand-alone, while 15  including the Texas stores that opened Wednesday  will be housed within existing Macys stores.

The Backstage stores in Texas are the first outside the northeastern United States.

Texas has always been high on our priority list, LeFebvre said. We know the Texas consumer really loves the off-price market, we know that they love Macys; its a growing population, the economy has been strong in Texas so for a multitude of different reasons, Texas has always risen to the top of the list to debut the Backstage concept.

At the San Antonio store, about 18 previously owned and returned designer bags by Tory Burch and Burberry, among other brands, sat in a glass display case at discounted prices. In the shoe section, a pair of Ivanka Trump boots, previously listed at $225, was marked at $79.99. A backpack by Perry Ellis was priced at $34.99, down from $160. A Tommy Hilfiger slim-fit dress shirt was marked at $24.99 from $69.50.

Juanita Arellano, 26, said Wednesday she doesnt typically shop at outlets but decided to see what deals she could find at the Backstage store.

If I see a good price, whatever it is, Ill get it, Arellano said as she eyed a furniture set.

Janice Hernandez, 79, found a pair of Easy Spirit shoes for $26.99, previously priced at $80.

Im a big bargain hunter, Hernandez said.

Macys also plans to open a stand-alone Backstage store at The Rim shopping center at 17503 La Cantera Parkway in September, LeFebvre said.

San Antonio has a growing younger population, which we are really appealing to the millennial and that young mom, LeFebvre said. It is a diverse population that really aligns well with our strategy.

jfechter@express-news.net

Twitter: @JFreports
A Lubbock police officer decided to break a car's passenger window when he thought the driver was unconscious and in need of medical attention. But seconds after the window broke, the 2002 Pontiac Grand Am took off down the street, speeding into a power line pole, causing an explosion and the vehicle to catch on fire, according to a news release.

RELATED: Lubbock radio host: Orlando victims were 'getting lit, using illegal drugs and spreading STDs'

D'Morea Quashaveante Robinson, 18, was charged with driving while and intoxicated and booked into Lubbock County Detention Facility Friday. Around 7:50 that morning at the intersection of 19th St. and University Ave., right in front of Texas Tech University, Robinson was slumped over in his silver car, according to a Lubbock police news release.

Lubbock police did not immediately return requests for comment. A mug shot was not immediately available.

RELATED: Extreme hang glider to attempt world-record flight across Texas, from Laredo to Lubbock

The officer who arrived first, saw Robinson seemingly unconscious with blood on his face and shirt. After failed attempts to open the locked car doors, the officer broke the window using a department-issued ASP baton.

After the officer broke the window, Robinson woke up and drove at a high speech into a power line pole. An explosion occurred and the vehicle caught fire.

RELATED: 3 injured in Lubbock in gunfire exchange during argument

Robinson was taken to the University Medical Center in Lubbock for treatment after suffering moderate injuries before being booked in the detention facility.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
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If a textbook entitled "Mexican American Heritage" is approved in November, high school students across Texas will learn during the 1960s and '70s Mexican-Americans were lazy, critics say.

Activists and educators on Monday called a Mexican-American studies textbook proposed for use across the state biased and poorly researched and argued that its contents are especially offensive in a state where a majority of public school students are Hispanic.

"Industrialists were very driven, competitive men," the textbook says, according to excerpts. "In contrast, Mexican laborers were not reared to put in a full day's work so vigorously. There was a cultural attitude of 'manana,' or 'tomorrow.'"

The Responsible Ethnic Studies Textbook Coalition told the Washington Post Mexicans were being stereotyped in the textbook as "lazy." They also said the authors of the book "reinforce that stereotype in a discussion of relations between works and American industrialists in Mexico in the late 1800s."

RELATED: Coalition, professors demand state board dump Hispanic American textbook

And although the state's more than 1,000 school districts don't have to use board-sanctioned classroom materials, most do. As a result, Texas has an outsized influence on school textbooks nationally. Its market is so large that edits made by publishers to meet the state's curriculum standards can wind up altering content in textbooks sold elsewhere.

"What we have now is a deeply flawed and a deeply offensive textbook," Celina Moreno, an attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, said at a news conference in the lobby of the Texas Education Agency, where the board meets.

Moreno and other activists are part of the coalition, which scrutinized the proposed textbooks and detailed what it described as "multiple factual errors."

The coalition said those included suggesting that Mexican culture promotes laziness, linking Mexican-Americans to immigrants who are not in the country legally, and characterizing leaders of the Chicano movement that advanced Mexican-American civil rights in the 1960s and '70s as adopting "a revolutionary narrative that opposed Western civilization and wanted to destroy this society."

RELATED: 12 books banned or challenged in Texas schools during 2014-15 school year

A battle over the high school text is shaping up to become the latest ideological clash for the Republican-controlled Texas Board of Education. Its members have long waged high-profile debates over the teaching of evolution, climate change and Christianity's influence on America's Founding Fathers to more than 5.2 million public school students statewide.

Democrats, who are outnumbered 10-5 on the board, pushed unsuccessfully two years ago to create a full Mexican-American studies program. Instead, publishers were asked to submit textbooks on a variety of ethnic studies topics that the board could consider for use beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year.

Texas got one submission: Virginia-based publisher Momentum Instruction offered the textbook titled "Mexican American Heritage." But the book is now being decried as racist and inaccurate by many of the same advocates who had wanted a broader Mexican-American studies course.

RELATED: New Texas textbooks downplay slavery in the Civil War

A phone number for Momentum Instruction rang unanswered Monday. The liberal watchdog group Texas Freedom Network says the textbook publisher is controlled by Cynthia Dunbar, a former Texas Board of Education member who has advocated for state curriculum standards downplaying the constitutional separation of church and state.

Hispanics now make up 52 percent of Texas public school students, with most being Mexican-Americans.

The education board plans to vote in November on whether to approve the "Mexican American Heritage" textbook.

David Bradley, a social conservative and veteran Board of Education member, said Monday that activists who forced Texas to solicit proposed ethnic studies textbooks are now angry with the results.

"You ought to be careful what you ask for. You got it," Bradley, a Republican from Beaumont, said in a phone interview.

He said Texas should focus on basics like reading, writing and math before worrying about more specialized courses.

"I'm Italian, Irish and French," Bradley said. "And I feel like I'm being discriminated against when we only have an exclusive minority studies program in Texas."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
A federal judge on Wednesday denied bail to an accused Bandidos Motorcycle Club member upon hearing allegations that he was involved in a killing more than 14 years ago.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Mathy found Frederick Fast Fred Cortez could pose a danger to the community, and rejected his lawyers request to release him on bond pending trial.
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A man accused in the fatal shooting of a clerk last month during a robbery is facing a second robbery charge after investigators say happened on the same day.

Olanda William Taylor was charged with aggravated robbery Tuesday in the June 7 robbery of a Jack in the Box at 2235 Northeast Loop 410.

Taylor has been in jail since June 10, when he was arrested on a capital murder warrant in the death of 23-year-old Zachary Benavidez.

San Antonio Police Department investigators said Taylor fatally shot Benavidez because he was blocking his attempt to reach the cash register of the Diamond Food Mart at 2347 Vance Jackson.

According to another arrest warrant affidavit, Taylor is accused of robbing the Metro PCS at 5602 U.S. Highway 87 before attempting a robbery of the Jack in the Box.

When confronted by detectives, Taylor admitted to robbing the Jack in the Box, saying that he jumped over the counter and grabbed two employees.

Investigators said he was racking the gun when one of them pushed him away and ran out the back door. It was not clear what occurred between him and the other clerk before he fled the scene with his accomplice.

Taylors accomplice was not named in the affidavit, but police have already arrested DAnthony Carter, 18, who they said shot another customer in the leg during the robbery of the Diamond Food Mart. Carter has also been charged with capital murder.
A 31-year-old Seguin woman was arrested on a felony charge after allegedly drunkenly passing out while leaving her son in a hot car.

Lilly Luna, 31, was charged Saturday with a state jail felony of endangering a child and a class C misdemeanor of public intoxication. She was booked into the Comal County Jail on a $5,750 bond.

RELATED: West Texas woman arrested on 7 felony charges after alleged sexual, drunken joyride with 3 kids

The incident occurred in New Braunfels at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday outside Herberts Taco Hut in the 1400 block of North Walnut Avenue.

New Braunfels police spokesman David Ferguson said dispatch received a call about a woman seen passed out next to her vehicle.

Ferguson said Luna was found by officers passed out and lying in the grass next to her black Chevrolet Equinox. The officers had to make several attempts to wake her up before she regained consciousness.

RELATED: Texas dad charged with DWI after child falls out of moving car

She was uncooperative with officers, Ferguson said. She also showed signs of being heavily intoxicated at the scene.

The vehicles front door was cracked open. An unattended 3-year-old boy was inside the vehicle in a car seat. The child was removed from the vehicle and was hot to the touch and sweating, Ferguson said.

He said the temperature that day was 83 degrees with a heat index of about 87. EMS responded to the scene and gave the child a clean bill of health.

RELATED: Police: Central Texas woman passed out drunk in yard, left 3-year-old daughter crying in street

If convicted, Luna faces up to two years in prison for the felony charge.

Arrangements were made for someone to pick up the child.

twhite@mysa.com

Twitter: @tylerlwhite
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A man arrested Tuesday is accused of using a sawed-off shotgun to rob four West Side businesses over the course of a week.

Mario Martinez, 39, who was arrested during a traffic stop Tuesday, faces four charges of aggravated robbery.

He was silent as San Antonio Police Department officers led him in handcuffs to a police vehicle from the West Side substation at 555 Academic Court.

Sgt. Jesse Salame, an SAPD spokesman, said after a description of Martinez's vehicle was sent out to officers, two of them who were on patrol spotted Martinez's vehicle and alerted the Robbery Task Force.

The unit put Martinez under surveillance as they followed his vehicle to a hotel.

Once he left, they pulled him over in a traffic stop and took him into custody.

Upon searching his vehicle, investigators say they found a sawed-off shotgun that was seen during several of the robberies, including one on July 11 at Dons and Bens Beverage Barn, 8333 Culebra Road.

We cant underestimate how important it is to catch these criminals in particular, because they dont stop, Salame said.
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Plenty of merchandise was available at the 2016 Republican National Convention this week in Ohio, including a not-so-nice campaign button targeting Hillary Clinton.

RELATED: GOP delegate: Clinton should be shot for treason

If you live under a rock, you might not know Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, is not particularly well-liked by the GOP. In fact, speakers at the convention spent most of the second night of the convention bashing her former presidential candidate Ben Carson told the Tuesday crowd one of Clinton's role models was Lucifer. The devil.

The distaste for Clinton trickled all the way down to campaign buttons.

RELATED: Liar. Lock her up. Shoot her. GOP denounces Clinton

A button, half-white and half-blue, reads "KFC Hillary Special 2 fat thighs 2 small breasts...left wing." The button, although not official convention merchandise, was sold Sunday from a vendor somewhere at the Quicken Loans Arena where the convention is being held, according to social media reports.

KFC did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

TMZ reported, however, the company "does not endorse any political candidate and certainly does not support offensive, derogatory portrayals of any person," according to a KFC spokesperson.

RELATED: The Latest: Cruz on 2020: Not sure what the future holds

TMZ reported the company is not ruling out taking legal action against whoever is making the buttons, which uses KFC's trademark.

Other buttons said "Bomb the hell out of ISIS" and "Vote Donald Trump for president 2016."

kbradshaw@express-news.net

Twitter: @kbrad5
Formosa's hazardous waste cannot be treated in Ha Tinh province





None of the waste treatment plants in Ha Tinh province has technology that is advanced enough to treat hazardous industrial waste



VietNamNet Bridge - None of the waste treatment plants in Ha Tinh province has technology that is advanced enough to treat hazardous industrial waste, according to the Ha Tinh Department of Natural Resources and Environment.Ha Tinh agencies late last week had a working session with Formosa Ha Tinh on the treatment of the companys waste.Formosa Ha Tinh was asked to provide documents on the environmental impact assessment as well as industrial waste sources and waste treatment solutions.The company was also requested to provide a list of individuals and companies involved in the carrying and treatment of industrial waste.Formosas representatives said the company had signed a hazardous waste treatment contract with the Phu Ha Environment Service Company, in Phu Ninh district in Phu Tho province.About 145 tons of waste have been carried from Formosa to the plant for treatment since August 2015.The Ha Tinh Department of Natural Resources and Environment has examined the 145 tons of waste to find if Phu Ha Company kept the waste at its treatment plant in Ky Anh district in Ha Tinh province, or if it carried the waste to Phu Tho province for treatment.The department said there was no waste treatment plant in Ha Tinh province which has technology to treat hazardous waste.The Ky Anh Urban Environment Company has been asked to carry 267 tons of waste sludge now buried in a farm to a waste treatment plant owned by Phu Ha Company in Ky Anh district in Ha Tinh province and store the sludge there.Vo Ta Dinh, director of the Ha Tinh Department of Natural Resources and Environment, said late last week the analysis of the waste sludge now buried in the farm in Ky Anh Town in Ha Tinh province had concluded.According to Dinh, the work of excavating, packing and carrying away the 267 tons of waste in the farm to other places to avoid environmental pollution was still being implemented.Meanwhile, Nguyen Chi Thuc, director of the Phu Ha Environment Company, confirmed that Phu Ha, based in Phu Tho province, signed a contract with Formosa Ha Tinh on waste treatment, and Phu Ha has carried the waste to Phu Tho for treatment.As for the waste treatment plant in Ky Anh district in Ha Tinh, it is still under construction and trial operation, and has not been licensed to operate officially.Therefore, he said the waste must not be treated in Ha Tinh province.

PL TPHCM
Prosecutors asserted a Mexican cartel chief, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking earlier this year, operated a drug trafficking scheme that generated revenue upwards of $10 billion.

To call it even, a court may rule he has to give all of that money back in property forfeitures.

RELATED: Leader, co-founder of Mexican drug cartel Beltran Leyva pleads guilty to U.S. conspiracy charges

The 45-year-old ex-Beltran Leyva cartel leader, Alfredo Beltran Leyva, pleaded guilty to trafficking "multi-ton quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine" in February, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Through further investigation, the department found that members of Leyva's cartel committed "murders, kidnappings, tortures and violent collections of drug debts" in order to keep the cartel afloat.

RELATED: Leader of defunct Mexican drug cartel Beltran Leyva arrested

Additionally, the government agency said it found evidence Leyva's group paid off public officials in Mexico to guarantee unhindered transportation of the cartel's narcotics.

On June 28, prosecutors in Leyva's case submitted a preliminary order of forfeiture of $10 billion to be considered as Leyva is sentenced Wednesday.

A preliminary order of forfeiture is standard of federal cases leading up to sentencing. In the order, the court may enter a generalized amount equal to any proceeds Leyva obtained from the offense he was found guilty of  in this case, drug trafficking.

The court suggests Leyva made billions during his reign as a cartel capo, exceeding what Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman was valued at, $1 billion, by Forbes in 2012.

Leyva's sentencing hearing will begin at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

RELATED: El Chapo's attorney: Drug lord is going 'crazy,' bald from 'torture' in maximum security prison

Leyva, otherwise know as "El Mochomo," founded the Beltran Leyva cartel with his three brothers  Arturo, Carlos and Hector.

The Beltran Leyva cartel is a splinter group from the Sinaloa Cartel, formerly led by Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, which led to a bloody war between the two cartels.

The Beltran Leyva organization later began to disintegrate after the 2008 capture of Alfredo Beltran Leyva.

Staff writer Joshua Fechter contributed to this report.

MMedina@mySA.com

Twitter: @Mariah Medinaaa
Climate change is no longer a scientific problem.

There will always be important scientific work to do regarding climate change. We need to know as much as we can about the nature of our climate, the warming effects of air pollution, the acidification of the oceans, the way weather patterns will change. All of that is absolutely crucial. But climate change is not caused by scientific charts and graphs and Al Gore, and the scientific answer for what really does cause climate change is very clear and well-established. Climate change is caused by human beings burning fossil fuels, an inconvenient truth that no amount of denial can change.

Climate change is no longer a technological problem.

Yes, burning fossil fuels causes climate change, and we do so to power our technology. The anthropocene, the geological era defined by human impact on the planet, really ramped up during the industrial revolution and our impact has increased exponentially as our technology has increased, so technology plays a pivotal role in the problem of climate change. But we have already invented clean energy technologies that, if brought to scale and backed by political will, could quickly replace almost all fossil fuels. The technology for a greener world already exists, and in some cases (such as the electric car), even predates our fossil-fuel-dependant technologies. We arent waiting on some kind of miraculous techno-fix.

Climate change is a social problem.

Not just in the sense that it increases social and economic inequality as the worlds poor and indigenous communities bear the brunt of the effects of warming while the worlds (mostly white) rich contribute most to it. When I say it is a social problem, I mean that it is a human problem: it results from human behaviour, behaviour that we seem unable or unwilling to change.

Consider that some of the brightest minds in the world today are putting significant hope in geo-engineering, the idea that we can solve global warming by dimming the sun, primarily by pumping pollution into the stratosphere without knowing exactly when and how we might be able to stop doing so, if ever, and with a high probability that doing so will save some parts of the world from climate change but will drastically disrupt the climate and food supply in other parts of the world. Because thats easier than getting politicians to implement plans to address climate change that might lose them votes in the next election, because we human beings dont like to change our behaviour. We talk about technology and science to avoid the elephant in the room: us.

The science is clear. The technology exists. What we lack is the will to change, and the courage to face moderate costs now to avoid bigger costs in the future. If you have the will and the courage to change, ask your MP to represent that courage in Parliament. Change is hard, but courage is contagious.

Jeff Wheeldon is increasingly interested in social psychology and behavioural
Posted on 07/20/2016, 11:00 am, by mySteinbach

Steinbach RCMP are currently investigating a recent theft incident involving an Arctic Cat ATV that was taken from a local residence in Giroux, Manitoba.

On July 18, 2016, Steinbach RCMP received a report of a stolen ATV from a residence in the town of Giroux. Police believe the theft occurred sometime between 12pm on July 17 and 1pm on July 18, 2016.

The ATV is described as a red 2015 700cc Arctic Cat Wildcat two-seater with very low mileage. The VIN number on the ATV is 4UF15MPV1FT305926.

If you have any information in regards to this incident, you are asked to contact the Steinbach RCMP Detachment at 204-326-4452 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can also submit a tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com or text TIPMAN plus your message to CRIMES(274637).
TAYLORVILLE, Ill.  This week, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a ban on the sale of synthetic drugs called bath salts, The Pantagraph reports. With this law, were going to be able to go after the retailers, and itll help us tremendously, said Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp. Its been very frustrating for us in law enforcement dealing with the problem with bath salts because these chemists are out in front of us.

Starting January 1, selling or offering to sell any synthetic or natural material containing any quantity of a cathinone chemical structure will be a Class 3 felony and carries up to a $150,000 fine. The law also gives local jurisdictions the right to yank the licenses of stores who receive a conviction under the ban.

This law  helps law enforcement get after the broad category of these cathinones and gets after the labelingthe false, misleading labelingthat can go on these compounds at retailers so we can try to put an end to the ready availability of these very dangerous, very lethal drugs, the governor said.

Synthetic cathinones are stimulants that are chemically similar to a controlled substance found in the khat plant and have been sold at retailers such as adult stores, independent convenience stores and head shops, according to a 2011 report from the U.S. Justice Departments National Drug Intelligence Center. They are typically packaged to look like normal consumer products, hence the nickname bath salts.

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association supports the law, although its manager of government affairs, Alec Laird, pointed out that the ban doesnt really impact our members, because they dont stock bath salts.
Brexit stalwarts have regularly espoused the idea that the UK can obtain restrictions on immigration, one of the top priorities of Leave voters, while still having unfettered access to the EU for trade purposes. as we said in our post, EU to UK on Brexit: What About Nein Dont You Understand?, EU leaders felt compelled to issue a firm statement after a European Parliament meeting at the end of June because it was clear that the British side wasnt listening to what they were saying. As we wrote:

As we described yesterday, it was evident when British Prime Minister Cameron spoke at a regularly scheduled session of the European Parliament that Camerons demand for what amounted to a special deal as part of a Brexit, in terms of concessions on immigration, was a non-starter as far as the Europeans were concerned. We inferred from the write-ups of the meeting in what is effectively the house organ of the Conservative party, the Telegraph, that the Tories were ignoring the message. Apparently it was so clear at the European Parliament meeting itself that the UK representatives were in their own bubble that European officials took the atypical step of not simply reiterating their position, but stating it even more firmly in an effort to puncture the delusion. From EU leaders harden stance against Brexit concessions in the Financial Times: Europes leaders have dug in their heels over uncontrolled migration in the single market, scotching UK hopes for a favourable deal in a direct snub to prime minister David Camerons plea to recognise British voters concerns.. There will be no single market a la carte, said Donald Tusk, the EU Council president, as the group met to set out the terms of engagement for any divorce talks following the Brexit referendum. Diplomats said the joint statement was deliberately toughened up after Mr Cameron said he would have avoided Brexit if European leaders had let him control migration. With the explicit consent of German chancellor Angela Merkel, a sentence was unexpectedly added to the statement yesterday saying that access to the single market requires acceptance of all four freedoms, a reference to EU principles on the free movement of capital, labour, services and goods. That was our response to Cameron, said one senior EU diplomat, who added that leaders were not expected to go into policy issues at this stage. This is very significant from a negotiating perspective. Details can always be horse-traded but principles are another matter entirely, and the EU members are taking a unified position.

Back to the current post. The statements over the last few weeks by Theresa May, other senior Government officials, and the Tory press, suggest that the message from EU leaders has yet to penetrate the British reality-distortion sphere.

The think tank Bruegel yesterday released two posts which throw yet more cold water on British optimism about its glorious Brexit. One compares key elements of the deals that some of the countries that the UK is looking to as possible models for its post-departure relationship. Its devastating finding is that all the nations examined, (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, which are part of the European Economic Area, and Switzerland , which has entered into bilateral agreements), take more immigrants as as percentage of their populations than the UK does now, as shown by the blue bars in this chart:

Germany also takes more immigrants than the UK does. Thats one reason the idea of cutting Britain any slack in the Brexit negotiations is so unpopular with German voters. The chart also shows something weve mentioned previously, that the UK takes in more non-EU immigrants than ones from the EU. Has any pro-Brexit policy maker suggested curbing their numbers? They presumably do not want to acknowledge that some were recruited to fill skill gaps, like NHS nurses. But presumably many others are deemed to be economically valuable.and that may be due to how they help suppress wages.

The concluding remarks:

While the UKs strategy toward access of the EU single market after Brexit is unclear, the experience of the four non-EU countries having access to it suggests that the conditions of access may involve: Sizeable net financial contribution to the EU budget (Norway pays similar amounts to current UK payments in relative terms, though Switzerland and Liechtenstein pay surprisingly small amounts.);

Sizeable net inflow of EU workers and their families (relative to population, all four non-EU countries received about twice as many EU immigrants as the UK);

The adoption of a very large share of EU regulations  without a voice in influencing them. None of these elements may look attractive to those who campaigned for Brexit.

And before Brexit fans get hopeful about Switzerlands low contribution, bear in mind that despite being a bank-dominated economy, Switzerland does not have passporting rights with the EU for banks, but only for insurance companies. So the Swiss arrangements arent a ready template.

The other post, by the director of Bruegel, Guntram Wolff, is clearly meant to send a warning, admittedly in bureaucratese, that the UK side needs to lower its expectations. He says explicitly that a Noway or Switzerland-style deal is unlikely. From his post:

UK voters decision on June 23 to leave the EU raises profound questions about the future relationship between the UK and Europe. But a Norway- or Switzerland-style deal would not suit the UK. Negotiators will find it hard to define a solution that satisfies both parties. With the announcement of Theresa May as conservative leader and prime minister, it looks like the UK will seek an agreement that limits the movement of labour. May, who has a tough stance on migration and a softer stance on the single market, has declared that Brexit means Brexit. But negotiating a special deal that is materially different to any existing models will be a long and difficult undertaking There are several conceivable models for the future economic relationship. But arguably none of them is satisfactory. If the UK follows the Norwegian model, it would be subject to EU rules but have little influence over them. The UK would have to fully accept all EU regulation, EU competition policy, EU jurisprudence on single-market matters and almost full payment into the EU budget. It would still have to accept the free movement of labor. This option would indeed be very favourable to British and European business compared to leaving the single market. But it would break promises made during the referendum and it would diminish, not strengthen, the UKs sovereignty, compared to the UK being a member of the EU. The Swiss model is equally under pressure. Switzerland also wants to restrict worker mobility, and may in fact become the first victim of the Brexit negotiations as the European Commission seeks to make it clear that no country can expect to be in the single market without also accepting the free movement of labor. So neither of these options would work for the U.K.. But the more isolationist the approach taken by the UK, and the more punitive the mood on the continent, the bigger the economic losses will be for both. A cooperative solution would be advantageous. Still, some may fear this would lead to other countries following the UK example and cherry-picking the union they want. Energy would be better spent on showing the benefits of membership. The conundrum of defining a new deal will last for quite some time.

Wolffs cherry-picking comment is an allusion to the warning Angela Merkel gave to the UK on June 28:

Well ensure that negotiations dont take place according to the principle of cherry-picking  It must and will make a noticeable difference whether a country wants to be a member of the family of the European Union or notWhoever wants to leave this family cant expect to do away with all of its responsibilities while keeping the privileges.

In other words, there does not appear to be any overlap between both sides bargaining positions. The Europeans perceive this clearly, yet the British appear to believe that the EU will relent on what the E regards as basis principles despite consistent warnings to the contrary. Needless to say, this is not a good foundation for productive negotiations.
By Raul Ilargi Meijer, editor-in-chief of The Automatic Earth. Originally published at Automatic Earth

Its been a while since we posted an article by our friend Euan Mearns, who was active at The Oil Drum at the same time Nicole and I were. Is it really 11 years ago that started, and almost 9 since we left? You know the drill: we departed because they didnt want us to cover finance, which we said was the more immediate crisis, yada yada. Euan stayed on for longer, and the once unequalled Oil Drum is no more.

On one of our long tours, which were based around Nicoles brilliant public speaking engagements, we went to see Euan in Scotland, he teaches at Aberdeen University. I think it was 2011?! An honor. Anyway, always a friend.

And theres ono-one I can think of whod be better at explaining the Peak Oil Paradox in todays context. So heres a good friend of the Automatic Earth, Euan Mearns:

Euan Mearns: Back in the mid-noughties the peak oil meme gained significant traction in part due to The Oil Drum blog where I played a prominent role. Sharply rising oil price, OPEC spare capacity falling below 2 Mbpd and the decline of the North Sea were definite signs of scarcity and many believed that peak oil was at hand and the world as we knew it was about to end. Forecasts of oil production crashing in the coming months were ten a penny. And yet between 2008, when the oil price peaked, and 2015, global crude+condensate+NGL (C+C+NGL) production has risen by 8.85 Mbpd to 91.67 Mbpd. That is by over 10%. Peak oilers need to admit they were wrong then. Or were they?

Introduction

It is useful to begin with a look at what peak oil was all about. This definition from Wikipedia is as good as any:

Peak oil, an event based on M. King Hubberts theory, is the point in time when the maximum rate of extraction of petroleum is reached, after which it is expected to enter terminal decline. Peak oil theory is based on the observed rise, peak, fall, and depletion of aggregate production rate in oil fields over time.

Those who engaged in the debate can be divided into two broad classes of individual: 1) those who wanted to try and understand oil resources, reserves, production and depletion rates based on a myriad of data sets and analysis techniques with a view to predicting when peak oil may occur and 2) those who speculated about the consequences of peak oil upon society. Such speculation normally warned of dire consequences of a world running short of transport fuel and affordable energy leading to resource wars and general mayhem. And none of this ever came to pass unless we want to link mayhem in Iraq*, Syria, Yemen, Sudan and Nigeria to high food prices and hence peak oil. In which case we may also want to link the European migrant crisis and Brexit to the same.

[* One needs to recall that GWI was precipitated over Kuwait stealing oil from Iraq, from a shared field on the Kuwait-Iraq border, leading to the Iraqi invasion of 1991.]

The peak oil debate on The Oil Drum was a lightning conductor for doomers of every flavour  peak oil doom (broadened to resource depletion doom), economic doom and environmental doom being the three main courses on the menu. The discussion was eventually hijacked by Greens and Green thinkers, who, not content with waiting for doomsday to happen, set about manufacturing arguments and data to hasten the day. For example, fossil fuel scarcity has morphed into stranded fossil fuel reserves that cannot be burned because of the CO2 produced, accompanied by recommendations to divest fossil fuel companies from public portfolios. Somewhat surprisingly, these ideas have gained traction in The United Nations, The European Union and Academia.

It is not my intention to dig too deeply into the past. Firmly belonging to the group of data analysts, in this post I want to take a look at two different data sets to explore where peak oil stands today. Is it dead and buried forever, or is it lurking in the shadows, waiting to derail the global economy again?

The USA and Hubberts Peak

The USA once was the poster child of peak oil. The Peak Oil theory was first formulated there by M. King Hubbert who in 1956 famously forecast that US production would peak around 1970 and thereafter enter an era of never-ending decline (Figure 1). Hubberts original paper is well worth a read.

Figure 1 From Hubberts 1956 paper shows the peak and fall in US production for ultimate recovery of 150 and 200 billion barrels. The 200 billion barrel model shows a peak of 8.2 Mbpd around 1970 that proved to be uncannily accurate.

Looking to Figure 2 we see that Hubberts prediction almost came true. US production did indeed peak in 1970 at 9.64 Mbpd while Hubberts forecast was a little lower at 8.2 Mbpd. The post-peak decline was interrupted by the discovery of oil on the N slope of Alaska and opening of the Aleyska pipeline in 1977 that was not considered in Hubberts work. Herein lies one of the key weaknesses of using Hubberts methodology. One needs to take into account known unknowns. We know for sure that unexpected discoveries and unexpected technology developments will occur, its just we dont know, what, when and how big.

Figure 2 In red, US crude oil production from the EIA shows progressive growth from 1900 to 1970. The oil industry believed this growth would continue forever and was somewhat aghast when M. King Hubbert warned the party may end in 1970 which it duly did. The discovery of oil in Alaska created a shoulder on the decline curve. But apart from that, Hubberts forecast remained good until 2008 when the shale drillers and frackers went to work. Hubberts 1970 peak was matched by crude oil in 2015 and exceeded by C+C+NGL that same year.

Following the secondary Alaska peak of 8.97 Mbpd (crude oil) in 1985, production continued to decline and reached a low of 5 Mbpd (crude oil) in 2008. But since then, the rest is history. The shale drillers and frackers went to work producing an astonishing turnaround that most peak oil commentators, including me, would never have dreamt was possible.

Before going on to contemplate the consequences of the shale revolution, I want to dwell for a moment on the production and drilling activity in the period 1955 to 1990. 1955 to 1970 we see that total rigs* declined from 2683 to 1027. At the same time crude oil production grew from 6.8 to 9.6 Mbpd. It was in 1956 that Hubbert made his forecast and in the years that followed, US production grew by 41% while drilling rigs declined by 62%. No wonder the industry scoffed at Hubbert.

[* Note that Baker Hughes archive pre-1987 does not break out oil and gas rigs from the total.]

But then post 1970, as production went into reverse, the drilling industry went into top gear, with operational rigs rising sharply to a peak of 3974 in 1981. But to no avail, production in the contiguous 48 states (excluding Alaska) continued to plunge no matter how hard the oil and its drilling industry tried to avert it. Hubbert must surely have been proven right, and his methodology must surely be applicable not only to the US but to the World stage?

The oil price crash of 1981 put paid to the drilling frenzy with rig count returning to the sub-1000 unit baseline where it would remain until the turn of the century. The bear market in oil ended in 1998 and by the year 2000, the US drilling industry went back to work, drilling conventional vertical wells at first but with horizontal drilling of shale kicking in around 2004/05. Production would turn around in 2009.

Those who would speak out against peak oil in the mid-noughties, like Daniel Yergin and Mike Lynch, would argue that high price would result in greater drilling activity and technical innovation that would drive production to whatever level society demanded. They would also point out that new oil provinces would be found, allowing the resource base to grow. And they too must surely have been proved to be correct.

But there is a sting in the tail of this success story since drilling and producing from shale is expensive, it is dependent upon high price to succeed. But over-production of LTO has led to the price collapse, starving the shale drilling industry of cash flow and ability to borrow, leading to widespread bankruptcy. In fact informed commentators like Art Berman and Rune Likvernhave long maintained that the shale industry has never turned a profit and has survived via a rising mountain of never ending debt. Economists will argue, however, that improved technology and efficiency will reduce costs and make shale competitive with other sources of oil and energy. We shall see.

Herein lies a serious conundrum for the oil industry and OECD economies. They may be able to run on shale oil (and gas) for a while at least, but the industry cannot function properly within current market conditions. Either prices need to be set at a level where a profit can be made, or production capped to protect price and market share. This of course would stifle innovation and is not likely to happen until there are queues at gas stations.

2008-2015 Winners and Losers

BP report oil production data for 54 countries / areas including 5 other categories that make up the balance of small producers in any region. I have deducted 2008 production (barrels per day) from 2015 production and sorted the data on the size of this difference. The data are plotted in Figure 3.

Figure 3 The oil production winners to the left and losers to the right, 2008 to 2015. The USA is the clear winner while Libya is the clear loser. About half of the countries show very little change. Click chart for a large readable version.

What we see is that production increased in 27 countries and decreased in the other 27 countries. One thing we can say is that despite prolonged record-high oil price, production still fell in half of the worlds producing countries. We can also see that in about half of these countries any rise or fall was barely significant and it is only in a handful of countries at either end of the spectrum where significant gains and losses were registered. Lets take a closer look at these.

Figure 4 The top ten winners, 2008 to 2015.

The first thing to observe from Figure 4 is that the USA and Canada combined contributed 7.096 Mbpd of the 8.852 Mbpd gain 2008-2015. That is to say that unconventional light tight oil (LTO) production from the USA and LTO plus tar sands production from Canada make up 80% of the global gain in oil production (C+C+NGL). Iraq returning to market in the aftermath of the 2003 war makes up 18%. In other words expensive unconventional oil + Iraq makes up virtually all of the gains although concise allocation of gains and losses is rather more complex than that. Saudi Arabia, Russia, The UAE, Brazil, China, Qatar and Colombia have all registered real gains (5.258 Mbpd) that have been partly cancelled by production losses elsewhere.

Figure 5 The top ten losers, 2008 to 2015.

Looking to the losers (Figure 5) we see that Libya, Iran, Syria, Sudan and Yemen contribute 2.828 Mbpd of lost production that may be attributed to war, civil unrest or sanctions. I am not going to include Venezuela and Algeria with this group and will instead attribute declines in these countries (0.979 Mbpd) to natural reservoir depletion, although a slow down in OECD technical assistance in these countries may have exacerbated this situation. That leaves the UK, Mexico and Norway as the three large OECD producers that register a significant decline (1.687 Mbpd) attributed to natural declines in mature offshore provinces. Let me try to summarise these trends in a balance sheet:

Figure 6 The winner and loser balance sheet.

We see that these 20 countries account for 8.463 Mbpd net gain compared with the global figure of 8.85 Mbpd. We are capturing the bulk of the data and the main trends. In summary:

Unconventional LTO and tar sands + 7.096 Mbpd

Net conventional gains + 2.592 Mbpd

Net conflict losses -1.225 Mbpd

The sobering point here for the oil industry and society to grasp is that during 8 years when the oil price was mainly over $100/bbl, only 2.592 Mbpd of conventional production was added. That is about 3.1%. Global conventional oil production was all but static. And the question to ask now is what will happen in the aftermath of the oil price crash?

One lesson from recent history is that the oil industry and oil production had substantial momentum. It is nearly two years since the price crash, and while global production is now falling slowly it remains in surplus compared with demand. This has given the industry plenty time to cut staff, drilling activity and to delay or cancel projects that depend upon high price. In a post-mature province like the North Sea, the current crisis will also hasten decommissioning. It seems highly likely that momentum on the down leg will be replaced by inertia on the up leg with a diminished industry unwilling to jump back on the band wagon when price finally climbs back towards $100 / bbl, which it surely will do one day in the not too distant future.

For many years I pinned my colours to peak oil occurring in the window 20123 years. Noting that the near-term peak was 97.08 Mbpd on July 15 2015 it is time to dust off that opinion (Figure 7). The decline since the July 2015 peak is of the order 2% per annum (excluding the Fort McMurray impact). It seems reasonable to presume that this decline may continue for another two years, or even longer. That would leave global production at around 92 Mbpd mid 2018. It is nigh impossible to predict what will happen, especially in a world over run by political and economic uncertainty. Another major spike in oil price seems plausible and this could perhaps destabilise certain economies, banks and currencies. Should this occur, another price collapse will follow, and its not clear that production will ever recover to the July 2015 peak. Much will depend upon the future of the US shale industry and whether or not drilling for shale oil and gas gains traction in other countries.

Figure 7 The chart shows in blue global total liquids production (C+C+NGL+refinery gains+biofuels) according to the Energy Information Agency (EIA). The near term peak was 97.08 Mbpd in July 2015. The decline since then, excluding the Fort McMurray wild fire impact, is of the order 2% per annum. In the current low price environment, it is difficult to see anything arresting this decline before the end of next year. In fact, decline may accelerate and go on beyond the end of 2017. The dashed line shows the demand trajectory and scheduled balancing of supply and demand by the end of this year. By the end of next year the supply deficit could be of the order 3 Mbpd which on an annualised basis would result in a stock draw of 1.1 billion barrels. But remember, forecasts are ten a penny

Concluding Thoughts

M. King Hubberts forecast for US oil production and the methodology it was based on has been proven to be sound when applied to conventional oil pools in the USA. When decline takes hold in any basin or province, it is extremely difficult to reverse even with a period of sustained high price and the best seismic imaging and drilling technology in the world. On this basis we can surmise that global conventional oil production will peak one day with unpredictable consequences for the global economy and humanity. It is just possible that the near term peak in production of 97.08 Mbpd in July 2015 may turn out to be the all-time high. Economists who argued that scarcity would lead to higher price that in turn would lead to higher drilling activity and innovation have also been proven to be correct. Much will depend upon Mans ability to continue to innovate and to reduce the cost of drilling for LTO in order to turn a profit at todays price levels. If the shale industry is unable to turn a profit then it will surely perish without State intervention in the market. But from 2008 to 2015, oil production actually fell in 27 of 54 countries despite record high price. Thus, while peak oil critics have been proven right in North America they have been proven wrong in half of the Worlds producing countries. Should the shale industry perish, then it becomes highly likely that Mankind will face severe liquid fuel shortages in the years ahead. The future will then depend upon substitution and our ability to innovate within other areas of the energy sector.

Related reading:
Surface tension can sort droplets for biomedical applications (Nanowerk News) Imagine being able to instantly diagnose diabetes, Ebola or some other disease, simply by watching how a droplet of blood moves on a surface.

That's just one potential impact of new research led by Arun Kota, assistant professor in Colorado State University's Department of Mechanical Engineering and the School of Biomedical Engineering. Kota's lab makes coatings that repel not just water, but virtually any liquid, including oils and acids - a property called superomniphobicity.

Arun Kota's superomniphobic device can sort droplets by surface tension. (Image: Sanli Movafaghi/Colorado State University)

They described their most recent innovation in engineered superomniphobic surfaces in Lab on a Chip ("Tunable superomniphobic surfaces for sorting droplets by surface tension"). Kota and his team engineered a simple and inexpensive device that can sort droplets of liquid based solely on the liquids' varying surface tensions. They did it by making their device's surface tunable, meaning they can manipulate its surface chemistry to turn up or turn down how well it repels liquids.

The researchers patterned a surface with titanium dioxide "nanoflowers" by decorating a pristine thin film of titanium in a nanoscale pattern that looks like a field of flowers under a scanning electron microscope. Exploiting titanium dioxide's photocatalytic properties, they slightly changed the surface chemistry on various spots on the device by shining UV light on it for set lengths of time.

The result: a flat film that can sort liquid droplets based on their surface tensions, when the device is placed at a slight incline.

A scanning electron microscope image shows titanium dioxide "nanoflower" structures on the superomniphobic device surface. (Image: Sanli Movafaghi/Colorado State University)

This elegantly simple concept could form the basis for a host of applications, from biosensors for point-of-care diagnostic platforms to lab-on-chip systems that can quickly distinguish between droplets of different chemicals, or diseased and non-diseased blood.

Fundamentally, Kota's team is interested in the physics and chemistry of how and why some materials result in superomniphobicity, as well as perfecting the science behind superomniphobic surfaces.
When magnetism meets topology (Nanowerk News) The search for exotic particles is one of the most fascinating pursuits of modern physics. While this area of research is traditionally associated with elementary particles created in high-energy physics, simple quasi-particles, with sometimes highly unconventional properties, can also emerge in the complex, many-body world of materials. One such particle is the Weyl fermion. First postulated by Hermann Weyl in 1929, the Weyl fermion is a solution to the Dirac equation of fermion fields that describes a massless fermion with definite handedness. However, no elementary particles that behave as Weyl fermions have yet been observed.

Energy dispersion of magnetic excitations of the all-in all-out magnetic structure (shown in the inset) of Sm 2 Ir 2 O 7 as a function of momentum transfer, measured by resonant X-ray scattering.

Inside materials, the occurrence of Weyl fermions as quasi-particles hinges on stringent symmetry constraints. Mathematically, the Weyl fermion is described by a two-component spinor, compared to the four-component spinor of Dirac fermions (describing e. g. conventional electrons). Due to the two-component spinor, only two states must meet at the Fermi level of the material. This requires that either time-reversal or inversion symmetry must be broken, to ensure that the touching conduction and valence bands are non-degenerate.

Materials hosting Weyl fermions are known as Weyl semimetals. The non-trivial topology of the Weyl points manifests in striking properties, such as Fermi arc surface states, which provide a smoking gun experimental signature. In a series of breakthrough experiments in 2015, Weyl semimetals were discovered in a class of materials with broken inversion symmetry.

So far, all Weyl fermions have been found in uncorrelated materials, where the electrons only interact weakly with each other. In general, electronic interactions can enrich topological phases. For Weyl semimetals, electronic correlations can stabilise magnetic order, which offers the possibility of a time-reversal symmetry breaking Weyl semimetal. This correlated Weyl semimetal state is predicted to exhibited yet undiscovered exotic properties, such as the anomalous Hall effect.

The most promising candidate materials for this state are iridium-based pyrochlore oxides, known as pyrochlore iridates. While the frustrated pyrochlore lattice hosts many intriguing magnetic states, such as the spin liquids, spin glasses and spin ices, the presence of iridium atoms with strong spin-orbit coupling can induce non-trivial band topology. In pyrochlore iridates, to stabilise a correlated Weyl semimetal state, the microscopic magnetic order has to preserve inversion symmetry.

Theoretical studies have identified that the all-in all-out magnetic order would fulfil the required symmetries. In this all-in all-out magnetic structure, the magnetic moments either point all towards or away from the centre of the tetrahedra formed by the iridium ions

A team of researchers from the London Centre for Nanotechnology and the University of Oxford, working with collaborators at central facilities, have now discovered that the magnetic moments in pyrochlore iridates indeed order in the all-in all-out structure. This confirms theoretical predictions and allows the elusive correlated Weyl semimetal state to be realised in these materials. Using resonant X-ray scattering techniques, both the magnetic order and excitations were comprehensively characterised in the prototypical pyrochlore iridate Sm 2 Ir 2 O 7 . By analysing the excitation spectrum it was possible to deduce the effective Hamiltonian describing this class of material for the first time (Physical Review Letters, "All-inall-Out Magnetic Order and Propagating Spin Waves in Sm 2 Ir 2 O 7 ").
Applying silicon nanoparticles to diagnose and fight cancer (Nanowerk News) The Lomonosov Moscow State University researchers in collaboration with their German colleagues have succeeded in proving that silicon nanoparticles can be applied to diagnose and cure cancer  another example of how nanotechnology to cure diseases is applied, particularly with regard to nanotechnology to fight cancer. For the first time the ability of particles to penetrate into the diseased cells effectively and dissolve completely after delivering the drug was shown.

The details of the research are presented in the article published in the latest issue of Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine ("Studies of silicon nanoparticles uptake and biodegradation in cancer cells by Raman spectroscopy").

Nanotechnology to fight cancer. Left: Schematic representation of silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) biodegradation processes: (I) localization of SiNPs on the cell membrane; (II) penetration of SiNPs in the cytoplasm with partial solubility of the nanoparticles; (III) strong dissolution of SiNPs after 10-13 days within the cell body. Right: Raman spectra of SiNPs for different incubation times: 9 h, 48 h and 13 days of incubation depicted in red, blue and green, respectively. Inset: corresponding xz-cross-section of Raman spectroscopy images of MCF-7 cells cultivated with SiNPs. (Image: Lubov Osminkina) (click on image to enlarge)

The scientific direction of the team is called theranostics. This term means a combined 'therapy' and 'diagnostics', denoting the process of simultaneous detection and treatment of the disease. One of its applications is spotting a range of oncologic diseases with the help of nanoparticles filled with medicine for their targeted delivery into a cancer cell. Nowadays a lot of such nanoparticles do not meet the requirement of biocompatibility. According to one of the researchers, Liubov Osminkina (senior research fellow, Physics Department of Lomonosov Moscow State University), some of the nanoparticles can act quickly, deliver the drug accurately, cure a number of diseases, but months later a patient may suffer from liver, kidney, lung pains, or even headache.

'The reason is that gold, silver, titanium oxide, cadmium selenide and a plenty of other nanoparticles are almost not excreted,' Liubov Osminkina explains. 'When nanoparticles reach the bloodstream, they can get stuck in internal organs and after a while they begin to harm the organism due to prolonged toxic effects.'

Searching not only biocompatible, but also bio-degradable transportation for a targeted drug delivery scientists noticed porous silicon. Its nano-particles would certainly do no harm, rather may help the organism, as the result of their dissolution is silicic acid, vital for bones and connective tissues.

These nanoparticles were Liubov Osminkina's main concern when she received the DAAD-MSU "Vladimir Vernadsky" grant in 2013 (a joint program for research by Moscow State University and the German Academic Exchange Service DAAD) for synthesizing photoluminescent nanoparticles of porous silicon nanowires for theranostics. She went to Jena, the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology one of the main scientific directions of which is biophotonics -- the use of optical techniques for studying living systems. The particular attention of a young employee of Moscow State University was focused on the Raman micro-spectroscopy.

The Raman spectroscopy is based on the aptitude of molecules to a so-called inelastic scattering of monochromatic light that is accompanied by a change of their internal state and thus a change of the frequency response of the emitted photons. This type of spectroscopy distinguishes the relative simplicity and the abundance of the information obtained -- enough to illuminate a material with a laser and analyze the spectrum of the radiation. Raman micro-spectroscopy was used at the Institute of Photonic Technology, among many other optical methods. With its help, scientists scanned the contents of a living cell and comparing the spectra obtained lined up a picture of what and where is located inside the cell.

'That's when I came up with an idea to conduct a study of nanoparticle biodegradation using Raman micro-spectroscopy,' the scientist says. 'This technique makes possible not only to locate the nanoparticles in the cell (the signals from the silicon and cell components have different frequencies), but also to watch the process of their disintegration. The latter was possible because, as already known, the Raman spectrum of silicon nanoparticles depends on their size - the smaller they are, the broader the spectrum becomes, shifting to lower frequencies'

Upon successful completion of the grant study, Osminkina won another DAAD-MSU grant which was for the implementation of her new ideas -- and she went to Jena again. The essence of Osminkina and her colleagues' new study came to the fact that the breast cancer cells were incubated with silicon nanoparticles of the 100 nm in size, and then, in particular, with the Raman micro-spectrometer, scientists have observed what happens in the cells during different periods of time from 5 hours to 13 days. Taking into account Raman spectrum and the reconstructed images of these particles and the cells they saw how during the first 5-9 hours nanoparticles localize on the cell membranes and penetrate into the cell during the next day and then begin to biodegrade, as evidenced by a decrease in signal amplitude, spectral broadening and the appearance of the peak of the amorphous silicon phase. It was shown that on the 13th day the nanoparticles dissolve completely and the signal disappears.
Titanium + gold = new gold standard for artificial joints (Nanowerk News) Titanium is the leading material for artificial knee and hip joints because it's strong, wear-resistant and nontoxic, but an unexpected discovery by Rice University physicists shows that the gold standard for artificial joints can be improved with the addition of some actual gold.

"It is about 3-4 times harder than most steels," said Emilia Morosan, the lead scientist on a new study in Science Advances (DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1600319) that describes the properties of a 3-to-1 mixture of titanium and gold with a specific atomic structure that imparts hardness. "It's four times harder than pure titanium, which is what's currently being used in most dental implants and replacement joints."

Crystal Structure of Beta Titanium-3 Gold. (Image: E. Morosan/Rice University)

Morosan, a physicist who specializes in the design and synthesis of compounds with exotic electronic and magnetic properties, said the new study is "a first for me in a number of ways. This compound is not difficult to make, and it's not a new material."

In fact, the atomic structure of the material -- its atoms are tightly packed in a "cubic" crystalline structure that's often associated with hardness -- was previously known. It's not even clear that Morosan and former graduate student Eteri Svanidze, the study's lead co-author, were the first to make a pure sample of the ultrahard "beta" form of the compound. But due to a couple of lucky breaks, they and their co-authors are the first to document the material's remarkable properties.

"This began from my core research," said Morosan, professor of physics and astronomy, of chemistry and of materials science and nanoengineering at Rice. "We published a study not long ago on titanium-gold, a 1-to-1 ratio compound that was a magnetic material made from nonmagnetic elements. One of the things that we do when we make a new compound is try to grind it into powder for X-ray purposes. This helps with identifying the composition, the purity, the crystal structure and other structural properties.

"When we tried to grind up titanium-gold, we couldn't," she recalled. "I even bought a diamond (coated) mortar and pestle, and we still couldn't grind it up."

Morosan and Svanidze decided to do follow-up tests to determine exactly how hard the compound was, and while they were at it, they also decided to measure the hardness of the other compositions of titanium and gold that they had used as comparisons in the original study.

One of the extra compounds was a mixture of three parts titanium and one part gold that had been prepared at high temperature.

What the team didn't know at the time was that making titanium-3-gold at relatively high temperature produces an almost pure crystalline form of the beta version of the alloy -- the crystal structure that's four times harder than titanium. At lower temperatures, the atoms tend to arrange in another cubic structure -- the alpha form of titanium-3-gold. The alpha structure is about as hard as regular titanium. It appears that labs that had previously measured the hardness of titanium-3-gold had measured samples that largely consisted of the alpha arrangement of atoms.

The team measured the hardness of the beta form of the crystal in conjunction with colleagues at Texas A&M University's Turbomachinery Laboratory and at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University, Morosan and Svanidze also performed other comparisons with titanium. For biomedical implants, for example, two key measures are biocompatibility and wear resistance. Because titanium and gold by themselves are among the most biocompatible metals and are often used in medical implants, the team believed titanium-3-gold would be comparable. In fact, tests by colleagues at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston determined that the new alloy was even more biocompatible than pure titanium. The story proved much the same for wear resistance: Titanium-3-gold also outperformed pure titanium.
Representatives of Invest Tipperary have said that they have renewed confidence with regard to the level of attention Tipperary is getting from government and relevant agencies following a key meeting with the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Mary Mitchell OConnor last week.

The meeting at the Ministers office on Kildare Street was attended by representatives of Invest Tipperary, the voluntary organisation established earlier this year to assist in the promotion of Tipperary. Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council, Councillor Siobhan Ambrose, Chief Executive Joe MacGrath and a representative from the IDA were also in attendance.

The meeting, which was arranged by Labours opposition spokesperson for Jobs Deputy Alan Kelly, recognised the very significant wins for Tipperary with announcements of 300 jobs separately for Casthel (Amneal) and Nenagh (First Data) but was predominantly focused on repeating those wins elsewhere in the county.

Speaking after the meeting, Invest Tipperary board member and former Irish ambassador to China Joe Hayes said he was very encouraged by the determination from all at the table to attract further foreign direct investment wins for Tipperary.

We were very pleased in the first instance to get the meeting for Invest Tipperary but were even more pleased with the time the Minister gave us and, indeed, the fact that she had arranged an IDA representative to be present.

We got an opportunity to ask some hard questions and got a lot of the answers we were hoping for. While we cannot go into any detail as it was a private meeting with the Minister and her officials, suffice to say that with the larger urban areas having benefited massively from foreign direct investment over the past five years or so, there has been a redoubling of efforts to win investment into the regions.

Specifically from our perspective with Tipperary, we are satisfied that our county is getting due recognition in these wider efforts. Much of this is down to the efforts of our own local authority and both the Minister and the IDA were left in no doubt by the commitment of the CEO Joe MacGrath, backed up by the Cathaoirleach Siobhan Ambrose, at the meeting that Tipperary is very much open for business.

The CEO and the Cathaoirleach could not have been more forthcoming with regard to emphasising that potential IDA clients looking to invest in Europe will find Tipperary a very business friendly and suitable environment for their investment.

The Cashel native said that a very strong case was made to the Minister, her officials and the IDA.

Together with the CEO and Cathaoirleach, we sold the Tipperary case very strongly to those at the meeting and why not? Geographically we are excellently located, within easy reach of Shannon Airport, as well as Cork and Dublin and the countrys ports. We have quality locations across the county that are site ready for investment, as per our own report earlier this year.

We also tick the box for one major FDI requirement, which is third level graduates. There are over 100,000 third level students within a 90 minute drive of Tipperary. We have a compelling case and its one we intend to continue to make and, from last weeks meeting, we are confident that this key audience of the Minister and her IDA representatives are listening.

He concluded: We are not in any way underestimating the task at hand but we are reassured by the level of attention Tipperary is getting and we will continue to keep chasing so that any opportunities for our county are seized on.
Tuesdays heartbreaking tragedy in which a father and son died and the boys mother was injured, is affecting communities in the nearby county border villages of Emly and Lattin.

Gardai are investigating two incidents which occurred on Tuesday morning on the main Tipperary to Limerick road, just past Oola.

Marco Velocci and his three-year-old son Alex died in a collision with a truck at Brooks Bridge in Co. Limerick, shortly after 8am. Velocci was from Oola but had been living in the West Tipp village of Lattin for the last two years.

Jodie Power, the little boys mother, was injured in a separate but connected incident just minutes before the fatal collision. Jodie, who lives in Oola with her two little boys, is in Limerick University Hospital where she is being treated for a broken arm and stab wounds. Members of the extended Power family live in the Donohill/ Emly areas. Her parents, Elizabeth and Perry, live in Oola, and she has two brothers - James and Perry Jnr.

The Velocci family also live in Oola, Marcos father Onorio is well known in Limerick where he worked in chip shops in the city after he emigrated to Ireland from Italy.

Marco Velocci was a member of the E.L.C.O. Gunclub (Emly Lattin Cullen Oola) and in the wake of the tragedy friends paid tribute to someone they described as kind-hearted and quiet.
The Federal Housing Administration released lender guidance spelling out the circumstances under which it will insure mortgages on properties encumbered by Property Assessed Clean Energy liens similar to tax assessments.

PACE financing has been a point of contention between mortgage lenders and the municipalities and private companies that make them. Both kinds of lenders have claim on the same collateral  the borrower's homes.

The programs are currently available in California and Florida and will soon be available in other states, including Missouri and Colorado. But they have been under a cloud since 2010, when the Federal Housing Finance Agency ordered Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to stop acquiring mortgages on homes with PACE liens.

The FHA's guidance addresses PACE programs where the obligation is treated like a property tax. That means the full obligation does not have priority of an FHA mortgage lien, and it does not have to be paid in full when a property is refinanced or changes hands. But delinquent obligations or obligations on foreclosed properties will retain a first-lien position. By law, the FHA cannot accept a first-lien PACE structure. So lenders will be responsible for escrowing PACE payments as they would property taxes. In addition, purchasers of homes with existing PACE obligations will be responsible for any unpaid balance of the obligation.

Renovate America and Renew Financial, two administrators of PACE programs, hailed the guidance as the first federal housing policy that specifically endorses PACE. "In saying PACE should be treated as any other property tax assessment and not as a traditional loan product, the FHA gives much greater clarity to state and local governments," said Renovate America CEO J.P. McNeill.

The guidance does not sit well with mortgage industry participants, however. The National Association of Realtors is concerned that putting PACE loans in a primary lien position will make it more difficult for distressed homeowners to refinance their mortgage outside of the FHA or the VA. "Should that happen, a foreclosed property with a PACE loan in the primary position will likely remain on the market longer than it should, further increasing uncertainty in mortgage markets and placing unnecessary pressure on homeowners," NAR President Tom Salomone said in an email.

"We're already experiencing tight lending standards that keep qualified buyers out of the market, and today's announcement givens lenders another reason to withhold mortgage credit on otherwise desirable properties," Salomone said. "That will only make it harder for buyers to find affordable homes in a time of limited inventory and rising prices."

The Mortgage Bankers Association is also urging the FHA to amend its guidance, citing the potential for low- and moderate-income borrowers to be misled and steered into financial obligations they might not understand.

Pete Mills, the trade group's senior vice president of residential policy and member engagement, said the program puts taxpayers at risk by effectively making the FHA the guarantor of home improvement loans made by private contractors.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg attended a meeting of the Counter-ISIL Coalition at Joint Air Base Andrews, Maryland on Wednesday (20 July 2016). Discussions focused on the military campaign against ISIL and reaffirmed nations' resolve to degrade and defeat the terrorist organisation.

Hosted by US Defense Secretary Ash Carter, Wednesday's meeting was attended by Coalition defence ministers. All 28 NATO Allies are members of the Coalition, and NATO - while itself not a member of the Coalition - is stepping up its support. The Secretary General briefed the Coalition on the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Warsaw to help fight terrorism and project stability in North Africa and the Middle East.

At Warsaw, leaders decided that NATOs advanced AWACS surveillance aircraft will provide valuable information directly to Coalition forces. NATO is also stepping up support for partners in North Africa and the Middle East, including Iraq. NATO is already training hundreds of Iraqi officers in Jordan, and will soon expand this training into Iraq itself.

In the margins of the meeting, the Secretary General met with the Iraqi Minister of Defence, Khalid Al-Obeidi. The two agreed on the importance of NATO's continued support for Iraq as it fights to overcome terrorist threats and establish greater stability.
Arctic mercury pollution causing harmful effects on shorebird populations

Effects of mercury on shorebirds' migration abilities

(NaturalNews) New research published in, has shown that shorebirds breeding in Alaska are being exposed to alarming levels of mercury , putting their entire population at risk.Shorebirds travel to Alaska for their breeding season in the spring, before making the long trek down to Central and South America for the fall and winter.Due to atmospheric circulation and other factors at play in the Northern hemisphere, high amounts of mercury deposits have been found to accumulate in the Arctic, raising concerns for the breeding populations of these birds.According to Phys.org , mercury exposure has been linked to reduced reproductive success and other adverse health reactions in shorebirds.Even more alarming, the type of mercury present in the aquatic environments that shorebirds commonly forage in, is, for the most part, methylmercury, the chemical element's most dangerous form.As a result, Marie Perkins of the Biodiversity Research Institute, conducted a study to investigate the exact levels of mercury concentrations in shorebirds and their resulting effects.By collecting blood and feathers from nine different shorebird species breeding in the Arctic, Perkins and her team of researchers found that some shorebirds examined had "mercury concentrations upwards of two micrograms per gram of blood."Additionally, shorebird species that commonly foraged in areas distant from highly concentrated methyl-mercury wetlands were found to have the lowest levels of mercury in their blood."These species already face a lot of tough new challenges, from climate change to disappearing stop-over habitat, so throwing a neurotoxin in the mix that can reduce reproductive success is likely to harm their populations," wrote Dan Cristol of the College of William & Mary, a researcher not involved in the study.What Cristol believes to be a bigger threat to shorebirds' livelihood than mercury's effect on their reproductive ability though, is its affect on these birds' capacity to carry out arduous, lengthy migrations.According to Stanford.edu , many shorebird species travel more than 15,000 miles over the course of their annual migrations, sometimes traveling up to 2,000 miles non-stop in less than two days.Cristol, who is an expert researcher on mercury's effect on birds , is worried that mercury levels in shorebirds "probably spike when they leave the breeding grounds and start burning their reserve fuel, making their already arduous continent-jumping trips even harder."While much more research needs to be done to determine exactly how exposure to mercury and other heavy metal toxins can result in adverse health effects for Arctic shorebirds, the results so far don't look too promising. For this reason, researchers like Marie Perkins have been encouraged to expand their studies on mercury exposure in Arctic shorebirds.Perkins, who is currently pursuing her PhD at McGill University, is "working in collaboration with BRI and the Arctic Shorebird Demographics Network to closely examine mercury exposure in multiple shorebird species breeding across the North American Arctic."
'No evidence?'

Yes, radiation damages DNA

(NaturalNews) A judge with the British Columbia Supreme Court has dismissed a class action lawsuit initiated by a yoga instructor. The lawsuit claims that the smart meters installed by electric company BC Hydro are making residents sick.Nomi Davis of Salt Spring Island filed the suit in 2013, noting that she began to suffer health problems after BC Hydro installed a smart meter at her home against her wishes.Smart meters are digital utility meters that transmit utility usage information to the utility company via high-energy radiofrequency (RF) radiation. This is the same radiation emitted by cellular phones and towers, as well as by wireless internet.After the installation of the smart meter at her home, Davis began suffering from headaches and joint pain. Other customers suffering health problems after the installation of BC Hydro smart meters joined Davis's lawsuit.The lawsuit claimed that by installing smart meters without customers' consent, BC Hydro had violated those customers' rights to life, liberty and security of person.Judge Elaine Adair was not convinced however, and said that there was simply not enough material evidence to support those claims, and that therefore no court would be able to find in the plaintiffs' favor."There is no admissible evidence that these issues could be resolved on a class-wide basis," Adair wrote.Part of the problem seems to stem from the fact that not everyone reacts to RF radiation in the same way  thus the need for the label of "electro-sensitivity." Yet, according to the EMF Safety Network, which has collected reports on the health effects of wireless radiation, problems associated with smart meters include mood disorders (anxiety, irritability, agitation and stress), sleep problems , headaches, flu-like symptoms, pain or ringing in the ears, balance problems and dizziness, fatigue, weakness, eye problems (including pain), cramps or neuropathy in the legs, skin disorders, respiratory problems, urinary problems, cognitive symptoms (hyperactivity, disorientation or problems with concentration, memory and learning), seizures, cancer recurrence and even dysfunction of the endocrine system or heart.Despite the judge's claims, there is indeed reason to believe that smart meters might cause health problems. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified cellular phone radiation as a possible carcinogen, based on a review of the scientific research.Cell phones and smart meters both use RF radiation to transmit their signals.Traditionally, scientists have believed that "non-ionizing" radiation, including RF radiation, is too low-energy to damage cells or DNA. Yet, evidence continues to build up to the contrary. The industry-funded Interphone study, for example, found that a decade of cellular phone use increases the risk of brain tumors by 40 percent. Among those who started using cell phones before age 20, the risk increase was 400 percent.Findings like these are what led many European governments to ban cellular phones and wireless internet from libraries and elementary schools, and also led to the European Union's environmental watchdog organization warning in 2007 that overenthusiastic adoption of cellular technology "could lead to a health crisis similar to those caused by asbestos, smoking, and lead in petrol."A 2015 study from the journaluncovered one mechanism by which RF radiation might cause a wide variety of health problems, including cancer. A review of prior research on the health effects of RF radiation revealed that radiation levels equivalent to those obtained from normal cell phone or wireless internet use are enough to cause oxidative stress  a condition in which the production of cell- and DNA-damaging free radicals overwhelms the capacity of the body's antioxidants to keep them in check.Protect your body from oxidative stress by boosting your antioxidant intake! Try the Health Ranger's Organic Turmeric Gold from the Natural News Store; it's organic and extracted with non-GMO alcohol. Turmeric has been shown to have eight times as much antioxidant power as vitamin C, and three times the power of grape seed extract.
Americans must declare they will no longer put up with labeling deception



Deceptive QR coding allows USDA to determine what constitutes a product containing GMOs

(NaturalNews) Don't be fooled by the new "GMO labeling" bill that sailed through Congress in recent weeks with bipartisan support. The bill would allow companies to forgo actual on-package labeling of GMOs. Instead, companies would be required to embed this important information in QR codes, which are completely inaccessible to many shoppers.If signed into law, this bill would grant the USDA full authority to determine what constitutes a product containing GMOs. For example, a product sweetened with genetically modified sugar beets could be listed as non-GMO in the QR code, because the end product is refined and doesn't contain a significant amount of genetically modified material, DNA or proteins. Countless food products, although made from genetically modified crops, could be declared non-GMO in this tricky new labeling code. Americans would be further blinded and misled as to how their food is made, giving the biotech industry new loopholes to deceive the American people.An overwhelming majority of Americans want to know if the food they're eating is made with genetically modified organisms, and they are tired of being misled. All consumers have a right to know how they are being experimented on . When the genetic makeup of seeds is changed to accommodate the continued use of herbicides, people must know. Since there's no true oversight governing the widespread laboratory changes of crop genetics, it becomes even more important that people know what they are eating so that they can avoid potential carcinogens, endocrine disrupters and genetic pollution in their food.Now that the bill is headed to President Obama's desk, it is one step away from being signed into law, where it would begin a cascade of deception. The new " GMO labeling " law is meant to shut Americans up on the issue of GMO labeling and to centralize control over the matter to the USDA (which has historically been infiltrated by the biotech industry  the same biotech industry that needs to be held accountable in the first place.)The law would nullify any existing state laws requiring that GMOs be labeled directly on product packaging (such as Vermont's new labeling law). While the bill does allow for organic food companies to label their products as non-GMO directly on the packaging, this precedent is still overshadowed by deceptive QR codes and USDA interpretation of GMOs that permit expansive biotech experiments on nature and humans.For these reasons, GMO labeling advocates such as the Environmental Working Group opposed the bill. The law would allow companies to conceal information on GMOs in unreadable QR code, while allowing further untested biotech experiments to persist. Consumers wouldn't really be voting with their dollars by purchasing non-GMO. They would simply be appeased and deceived in the process.The biotech industry knows that if GMOs were labeled directly and correctly, then more people would become aware that the food they are eating is a questionable experiment on their bodies. That's why the biotech industry wrote a "solution" that appeases Americans, while allowing the industry to establish further deception and control over all that information on GMOs, so that it can be embedded into QR codes that consumers can't read or understand.In fact, consumers wanting any information on a product would be required to own a smart phone so as to scan the packaging. Smaller companies would have the option of printing a phone number so customers can call for more information.In the end, the bottom line is that the consumer won't get the full scoop on GMOs. Since the USDA can permit food companies to disclose only certain kinds of biotechnology in the QR code, consumers will ultimately be left more in the dark than ever before.
Evidence against Roundup builds

Movement to hold Monsanto accountable

(NaturalNews) A California rancher has filed a lawsuit against Monsanto in federal court, accusing the country of misleading customers into believing that the blockbuster herbicide Roundup was as safe as table salt.Plaintiff Peter Johansing says that he used Roundup for 40 years, and has now been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of cancer that has been particularly linked with Roundup's active ingredient, glyphosate.The lawsuit notes that the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified glyphosate as a "probable carcinogen."Johansing's lawsuit is just one of a flurry of lawsuits Monsanto is currently defending itself against from farmers claiming that Roundup gave them non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.Roundup is one of the top-selling herbicides in the world. Its use has been heavily driven by the widespread adoption of the genetically modified (GM) crops engineered to resist it. In the United States, for example, more than 90 percent of soybeans grown are engineered for resistance to herbicides, including Roundup.In 2014, a groundbreaking study conducted by French researchers showed that people who were exposed to glyphosate had twice the risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as non-exposed people. This was one of the studies that the IARC reviewed before concluding that Roundup is probably carcinogenic. The IARC noted that the evidence for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was stronger than for other types of cancer.Farmers are at the greatest risk of exposure, the IARC said, but also noted that traces of glyphosate have been detected in water, soil and even air following application. Other studies have detected traces of the chemical in food.Johansing's suit was filed just weeks after a federal judge denied Monsanto's request to dismiss a lawsuit by Christine Sheppard, a former coffee grower from Hawaii. Sheppard is accusing Monsanto of having knowingly concealed the risks of Roundup , which she says gave her non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.Sheppard used Roundup from 1996 to 2004, before beginning the process of converting her farm to organic production. She was diagnosed with cancer in 2003.Monsanto claimed that the lawsuit fell outside of Hawaii's two-year statute of limitations for tort claims. The judge rejected this argument, however, citing the IARC's ruling on glyphosate less than two years ago.The company also tried claiming that it cannot be sued for the content of its product labels, which are regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)."The complaint is not attempting to impose a different warning label," the judge wrote in dismissing the argument."Rather, plaintiffs contend that Monsanto's existing label (or the label used from 1995 to 2004) is 'misbranded' because it misrepresents Roundup's safety, and is an inadequate warning. A pesticide is 'misbranded' under FIFRA if its label is 'false or misleading in any particular,' or omits necessary warnings or statements. The product is 'defective' under either theory."Other lawsuits include one filed by three Nebraska farmers and another by the widow of a California farmer who died of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In the latter case, the farmer's dog also developed lymphoma. Both cases accuse Monsanto of actively concealing the truth about its product's risks."Monsanto championed falsified data and has attacked legitimate studies that revealed Roundup dangers," the Nebraska complaint reads. "Monsanto led a campaign of misinformation to convince government agencies, farmers and the general population that Roundup is safe. Its continuing denial extends to the date of this Complaint."Avoid glyphosate and other toxic chemicals by growing your own herbs, vegetables and fruits with the Food Rising Mini-Farm Grow Box 2.0 , available from the Natural News Store. The grow box is an electricity-free, bottom-fed, constant-height, self-watering, non-circulating, hydroponics system developed by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger. It requires only 1/20th the water of a soil-based system.
Marconi: The Man Who Networked the World Marc Raboy Oxford University Press: 2016. 9780199313587 | ISBN: 978-0-1993-1358-7

As inventor of the wireless telegraph, Guglielmo Marconi was a central figure in the development of twentieth-century communications. Yet how should we view him? As Nobel laureate? Entrepreneur? Fascist? In his grand, wide-ranging biography Marconi, Marc Raboy reveals a complex individual who played all these parts. By examining them, Raboy seeks to show how radio came to be intertwined with big business, imperialism and global politics in ways that still define electronic communications. Guglielmo Marconi on his yacht, Elettra, in 1922. Credit: General Photographic Agency/Getty

Marconi was born to privilege in 1874: his father was an Italian aristocrat, his mother a member of the Jameson Irish-whiskey dynasty. Educated in England and Italy, Marconi decided at age 20 to study the electromagnetic waves predicted by James Clerk Maxwell in the 1860s and verified experimentally by German physicist Heinrich Hertz some 20 years later. Marconi wanted to use these waves to develop a wireless telegraph system. He sent messages across his father's estate by using a Hertzian spark-gap transmitter to generate radio waves, which were detected by a version of the 'coherer' invented by French physicist Eduoard Branly (iron filings in a glass tube lined up in response to the waves). Marconi's breakthrough was in connecting these two devices to elevated aerials.

To commercialize this invention, Marconi's mother took him to England in 1896 to confer with her family, as well as William Preece, chief engineer of the British Post Office. A cousin, Henry Jameson Davis, helped Marconi to secure patents, launch the Wireless Telegraph and Signal Company (later Marconi's Wireless Telegraph Company) and seek capital. Marconi concentrated on increasing transmission distances; he had sent messages across the English Channel by early 1899.

Despite media acclaim and rising share prices, Marconi's company wasn't turning a profit. While his board dithered, Marconi decided to take a dramatic step to capture the ship-to-shore communication market. The Serbian-American inventor Nikola Tesla had promised to send a wireless message across the Atlantic (W. P. McCray Nature 497, 562563; 2013). Perhaps taking a cue from that, Marconi began working with British electrical engineer John Ambrose Fleming (who later invented the vacuum tube), to build a powerful transmitting station in Cornwall, UK. In December 1901, Marconi beat Tesla by receiving in St John's, Newfoundland, a message sent from the Cornwall station.

Marconi's enterprise flourished, selling wireless apparatus to shipping companies and navies around the world. Anxious to prevent the British from monopolizing the new technology, German emperor Wilhelm II supported the creation of the company Telefunken to advance German radio inventors, and convened the first international telecommunications conference in Berlin in 1903. The Germans wanted all ships to be able to communicate with all shore stations, whereas the British insisted that the Marconi system should be accessible solely to Marconi customers. Drawing on his background as a scholar of ethics, media and communications, Raboy effectively traces how Marconi and his managers manoeuvred through this emergent world of communications policy.

Marconi became a scientific celebrity. He won a share in the 1909 Nobel Prize in Physics. He served as Italy's head of radio operations during the First World War, and in 1919 represented the country at the Paris Peace Conference called by the Allied victors. Marconi found the negotiations frustrating, concluding that handling nature was easier than handling human nature. With his fellow Italian delegates, Marconi was also incensed that the Allies refused to cede to Italy the city of Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia) and the Dalmatian coast. He came away from the conference sympathetic to Italian nationalism.

That led him to support the Fascists, and in 1927 Benito Mussolini appointed him to head Italy's national research council; later, he became president of the new academy of science. Using records recently discovered in the government archives in Rome, Raboy provides a detailed account of Marconi's involvement in Fascism, including his tacit approval of excluding Jewish scientists from the academy. In the 1930s, Marconi conducted radio experiments from his yacht, Elettra, and built a powerful radio station for the Vatican. He died in 1937, and various companies continued to use his name until Marconi plc was purchased by Ericsson in 2006.

Raboy superbly traces every twist and turn of Marconi's life, showing us his influences, business strategies and shrewd management of his own public persona. Raboy skilfully locates his activities in the context of communications policy, the arms race between Britain and Germany, and popular culture. But has he made the case that Marconi networked the world, as his book's subtitle claims? He asserts that Marconi envisioned global communications from the outset, but provides little early evidence to support this. I suspect that, like other inventors, Marconi was mostly worried about getting his apparatus to work and finding customers. The big global vision came in the 1920s, with his company's success in transmitting worldwide.

Raboy is also curiously indifferent to details of the technology or Marconi's rivals. One of Marconi's early breakthroughs was learning how to tune circuits using 'jigger' coils. Raboy offers no explanation of how this invention worked or how tuning allowed Marconi to send private messages from one point to another. Would we settle for a biography of Pablo Picasso that didn't explain Cubism?
In the 1960s, ecology was dominated by descriptions of patterns in nature and assertions that these patterns were determined by physiological tolerances, energy flows through ecosystems or competition among similar species.

Robert Treat Paine changed the field's course with a simple experiment. He removed ochre starfish (Pisaster ochraceus) from a seashore in Washington state, revealing that a single predator could control the abundance, diversity and distribution of other organisms sharing its ecosystem. Thus was born Paine's concept of a 'keystone species'  one that influences most of the other species in its community, just as the wedge-shaped stone at the top of an arch holds the structure in place.

Paine, who died on 13 June, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1933; his mother was a photographer and writer, his father an art historian. As a boy, he spent hours exploring the woods, acquiring a feel for the rhythms of nature and honing his powers of observation. Credit: Benjamin Drummond

Paine developed a passion for palaeontology as an undergraduate at Harvard University in Cambridge. But his plan to study fossils as a graduate  at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor  was derailed after he started attending classes taught by ecologist Frederick E. Smith. Smith was unafraid to ask provocative questions about patterns in nature. Switching to ecology, Paine studied a living fossil: a species of lamp shell, or brachiopod, for his 1961 PhD.

Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, California, in 1962, Paine joined the zoology faculty at the University of Washington in Seattle. There he conducted his now-classic starfish experiments, developed other transformative ideas and established a dynasty of experimental ecologists up to and beyond his official retirement 36 years later.

Paine's studies at Michigan coincided with the development of an avant garde idea in ecology. Challenging conventional wisdom that the availability of prey regulated predators, the zoology faculty troika of Smith and his colleagues Nelson Hairston and Lawrence Slobodkin proposed in 1960 the 'green world hypothesis'. In their view, the world was green because herbivores, who could otherwise consume all plant (green) matter, were regulated by their predators (N. G. Hairston et al. Am. Nat. 94, 421425; 1960). The paper attracted considerable attention, but like all conceptual and most field ecology at the time, lacked solid field evidence.

Enter Paine's starfish. Paine demonstrated conclusively that, at least on one rocky shore, the top predator both controlled its prey and affected most of the other species in the community (R. T. Paine Am. Nat. 100, 6575; 1966). The ochre starfish is a generalist predator, consuming barnacles, snails, limpets and more. Its favourite food is the California mussel  the dominant competitor for space on the rocks. By controlling mussel numbers, starfish enable a wide diversity of species to co-exist, including other prey species, and an array of seaweeds, sponges and anemones that the starfish do not consume. When Paine removed the stars from the system, mussels quickly crowded out other species. Comparable dynamics were later demonstrated for keystone species in other marine, terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

Paine expanded these ideas to include the concept of 'trophic cascades'  the rippling through a community of strong, top-down effects that affect multiple ecosystem levels and species. These ideas upended established theories about the dominance of 'bottom-up' effects, such as those mediated by changes in rainfall or nutrients. Experimental evidence is hard to argue against, and it was clear from Paine's experiments that single species could matter.

His findings had a major effect on conservation. Sharks, for example, are now understood to have key roles in controlling the distribution, abundance and diversity of many species in ocean ecosystems.

Paine delighted in romping around the rocky intertidal zone, especially at his long-term study site on Tatoosh Island off the Olympic peninsula of Washington. He was in his element in the field  steering his outboard motor boat through swells, navigating his two-metre frame over slippery algae, hauling supplies up steep cliff faces, peppering everyone with observations, and generally outpacing students decades younger than him. He also took intense pleasure in devising ways to adapt hardware supplies to manipulate the abundance of species with different characteristics. A home-made fence or cage had to achieve its intended ecological purpose as well as withstand pounding waves and storm surges of a not-so-pacific ocean.

Bob's legacy is defined by his charisma and his brilliant mentoring of generations of ecologists, as much as by his research. He kindled curiosity, independent thinking and a willingness to observe closely and then manipulate nature to discern her secrets. Even after retiring, Bob actively supported his ever-expanding family of academic (as well as biological) children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Now recognized as one of the greatest ecologists in history, Bob was not afraid to be provocative, but understood that what mattered were results  especially experimental ones. His towering stature easily intimidated students until they spent time with him and discovered an encouraging and inspiring mentor and often a friend.
Most commercial aerospace technology companies dream to be recognized and funded by the country's premiere space agency, NASA. And that's what the five new space engineering companies received when they were chosen by the agency to develop a concept each for the next generation Mars orbiter in line with the upcoming journey to Mars.

JPL: NASA Selects Five Mars Orbiter Concept Studies https://t.co/V04q1Vjxjk  AAS Press Office (@AAS_Press) July 18, 2016

The intention is to work on a new generation of Mars orbiter that can work in line with supported human missions to the red planet and with NASA's plans of sending man to Mars in 2030. The companies awarded by NASA are Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Orbital ATK and Space Systems/Loral. They are tasked to develop a concept study for a spacecraft that could be built in time for 2020 mission, according to the New Scientist.

"We're excited to continue planning for the next decade of Mars exploration," Geoffrey Yoder, acting associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission said in a press release.

Telecommunications and global high-resolution imaging systems are vital in such orbiters. NASA is looking for the best concept technology that can provide the most efficient and the best communications, imaging and operational systems for the orbiter.

To aid in the development process, the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group published a research on the scientific objective for a Mars orbiter earlier. The orbiter concept project is under the management of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The project is in line with the launch of the new Mars 2020 rover that will take into the red planet an improved set of instruments that will enable scientists to search for signs of life on Mars. NASA plans to send humans to Mars in 2030 under its Journey to Mars mission. Aside from the new Mars 2020 rover, the agency also plans to launch Insight Lander in 2018.
Climate change is a global problem, posing threat to people anywhere in the world. In New York City alone, it was predicted in a study conducted by Columbia University that by the 2080s, as many as 3,331 people could die every year from intense heat exposure during the summer months.

In yet another study headed by the World Health Organization, it was estimated that as early as 2030, the world will have approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year due to many health problems brought by climate change. Among these are heat-related mortality in elderly people, coastal flooding, diarrhoel disease, malaria, dengue and undernutrition.

All populations will be affected by climate change, but some are more vulnerable than others. The study said the health impacts of climate change will greatly depend on the resilience of a community. As such, those people in countries with weak health infrastructure will be the most affected as they do not have the ability to prepare, respond and cope with the stressors.

According to the Deccan Chronicle, the study was discussed at a meeting held by the French government in Paris on July 8. This is to study actions taken to implement the Paris agreement in order to reduce the health risks linked to climate change.

Experts noted that there is a strong need to ensure that overall economic growth, climate policies and health programs must include the poorest and most vulnerable populations.



The Scientific American was able to get an opinion of another expert who is not involved in the study. Jeremy Hess, an Emory University physician and epidemiologist who has studied the relationship between climate change and health conditions, told the site thorough an e-mail exchange that the numbers estimated by WHO might have been even smaller than the actual number due to lack of adequate data.

Experts suggest that reducing greenhouse gas emissions by choosing greener facilities for transport, food and energy can be of help in improving overall health.
A new study revealed that men and women tend to behave differently when it comes to contacting potential partners in dating websites.

The study, published in the journal Social Network Analysis and Mining, suggests that men tend to be more aggressive and contact other users they are interested in while women tend to be more conscious of their own attractiveness to other users.

For the study, the researchers developed a reciprocal recommendation system that better matches users who are mutually interested in and likely to communicate with each other. They based their new system on data collected from Baihe, one of the largest dating websites in China. The new reciprocal recommendation system calculates a reciprocal score that measures the compatibility between two users and each potential dating candidate, generating a recommendation list to include users with top scores.

The researchers then tested their new method in Baihe and discovered that their proposed recommendation system significantly outperformed previously proposed approaches. Additionally, the collaborative filtering-based algorithms achieve much better performance than content-based algorithms in both precision and recall.

Their study also showed behavioral differences between male and female users when it comes to sending a message to their potential matches. Male users tend to focused on their own interest and are oblivious to their attractiveness to potential dates while female users tend to be more conscious toward their attractiveness and take it into consideration when finding potential dates.

"We found that males like to send a lot of messages to attractive female users, but they don't get a lot of responses," explained Shuangfei Zhai, a PhD candidate at Binghamton University and co-author of the study, in a statement. "For females, they're self-conscious because they tend to evaluate the likelihood of getting a response to the user that they're sending messages to. In terms of the data, it shows that women have a much larger chance of getting responses from users that they send messages to."
After its recent success in launching and landing the Falcon 9 rocket on Monday, SpaceX reveals its newest goal: to launch three rockets at once.

The triple launch plan will be part of the Falcon Heavy project, where a large rocket made from three rockets will be strapped together. This will allow the rocket to fly farther and faster than its lightweight counterparts.

"SpaceX expects to fly Falcon Heavy for the first time later this year," the private space company owned by Tesla billionaire Elon Musk said in a statement pubslished by the Orlando Sentinel.

"We are also seeking regulatory approval to build two additional landing pads at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. We hope to recover all three Falcon Heavy rockets, though initially we may attempt drone ship landings."

According to a report from Orlando Sentinel, SpaceX is seeking federal permission for two landing sites in Florida. The goal is to return each booster to separate landing zones at its complex simultaneously.

Elon Musk confirmed the triple landing plan on Twitter, saying that two of the rockets would land simultaneously, while the third would arrive shortly after.

Can't wait to see all three cores of Falcon Heavy come back for landings! First two will be almost simultaneous. https://t.co/ryMiewZM4L  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 18, 2016

SpaceX's goal is to develop reusable and low-cost space transportation that will, eventually, enable an expedition to Mars.

The company has created the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 vehicles, including the Dragon spacecraft, which is commissioned by NASA to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS).

The Falcon Heavy launch will yet again mark another milestone for the company, The Verge reports. According to SpaceX, the Falcon Heavy will have more than 5 million pounds of thrust (comparable to18 Boeing 747's), and will be capable of lifting a heavier payload than any other rocket in history, apart from the decommissioned Saturn V and Apollo program.

Apart from the Falcon Heavy launch, SpaceX is also preparing for the launch of the first rocket that will return to space after its successful recovery, The CS Monitor reports.
Firefighters battled a brush fire in the Hollywood Hills from the air and the ground on Tuesday as summer temperatures climbed above 90 degrees.

The fire was reported just after 3 p.m. near the northbound Hollywood (101) Freeway and the Cahuenga Boulevard exit, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The fire was burning in an uninhabited area near the Hollywood Reservoir. It burned nearly 20 acres.

Downed power lines in the area were also creating a hazard, said Margaret Stewart, a department spokeswoman.

LA city and LA County fire departments used helicopters to drop water on the flames from above and crews used hoses and picks on the ground.

LA Department of Water and Power crews responded to assess the downed power lines but there were not power outages, said Kim Hughes, a DWP spokeswoman.

No injuries were reported.
The Republican National Convention kicked off in Cleveland on Monday, and bold claims peppered the speeches delivered during the events primetime festivities.

The theme of the conventions opening day was Make America Safe Again, a sentiment woven into the impassioned remarks delivered by former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Its time to Make America safe again, he said. I know we can change it because I did it by changing New York City from the crime capital of America to the safest large city in the United States. What I did for New York, Donald Trump will do for America!

In spite of recent police shootings and racial tension nationwide, the numbers say America has never been safer. The violent crime rate sits at a record low since the FBI began tracking the data in 1995. According to the agencys 2014 Uniform Crime Report (UCR) , the rate of violent crime nationwide went from 684.5 per 100,000 people in 1995 to 365.5 in 2014, a drop of nearly 47 percent.

Giuliani also missed the mark regarding his claim that New York is the safest large city in America. According to FBI data on cities with a population of 1 million or more, that title is actually held by San Jose, which has a violent crime rate of 321 per 100,000 people. New York has a violent crime rate of 596 per 100,000 people. Large cities with lower rates include Phoenix, San Antonio, Los Angeles and San Diego, along with San Jose.

Another focus of the evening was the Never Trump movement, a group of grassroots protesters who demanded changes be made to the conservative party and convention rules. The group had amassed signatures supporting its cause from a majority of delegates in 11 states, though only seven states were required to force a revote.

But that vote didnt happen, because the Trump campaign killed the last-minute revolt.

Chaos overtook the convention floor when Arkansas Congressman Steve Womack determined that a voice vote approved the rules package without any changes. When protesters demanded a roll call, Womack left the stage.

"We are now in uncharted territory," said Utah Sen. Mike Lee. "Someone owes us an explanation. I've never seen the chair abandoned like that. They vacated the stage entirely."

When Womack returned, he announced that some of the 11 states had withdrawn from the petition to hold a vote on party rules.

Though the party rules were not changed last night, the revolt is not over. After all, the protesters were really concerned with changing the rules for 2020. Essentially, conservatives want closed primaries, where only Republicans can vote in their elections. This improves the chances of a nominee like Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

Nothing that happened Monday night prevented a future rule change from happening, though, since the party will meet to discuss changes every year leading up to the presidential election in 2020.
No one every begins a journey to the next chapter in their life with a truly empty suitcase. There is always a lifetime worth of experiences already packed away.

As 26-year-old Sant Kumar of Hayward packs to head off to medical school in Washington, D.C., one life experience still looms larger for him than all the others: the sudden death of his father from leukemia when Kumar was just 17-months old.

"He didn't have any symptoms beforehand," Kumar said. "He was diagnosed. Three weeks later he was gone."

Kumar's mother then made the difficult decision to send him to live with his grandparents in India for the next three years. To this day, Kumar says, he still remembers the lessons his grandmother, in particular, taught him.

"She was always involved in the community, especially in the under-served areas," Kumar said.

His grandmother was the reason why, Sant says, he decided to travel back to India to volunteer with a medical organization. While there, one child, suffering from Spina Bifida touched Kumar so much he started a fundraising campaign so the boy could get a life-changing spinal operation.

It turned out to be life-changing not just for the boy but for Kumar, too.

"A kid from Hayward, California can have an impact in India on someone's life. I think that is what drove me to continue," Kumar said.

Kumar used money left over from that fundraiser to start IndoRelief, his own non-profit helping poor communities in India with whatever the locals say they most desperately need.

In just over a year IndoRelief has helped hundreds. The organization has provided medical supplies and run clinics and shelters for the homeless. Their biggest endeavor yet and one that Kumar is most proud of is an orphanage for former child laborers.

Kumar says their success in such a short time is a result of hard work on the part of him and his all-volunteer team.

The inspiration for it, though, rests firmly with his grandmother.

"What she did for me with when I was barely two years old transformed my life," Kumar said.

The next chapter in Kumar's life will be a busy one, for sure. It is medical school, after all.

But he vows to keep on with IndoRelief. It is work too important no to.
Security at Kaiser's call center in Vallejo has been beefed up after an employee said she was nearly abducted as she was out for a walk during her morning break on Monday.

A call center employee said she was targeted by two men in a green van Monday as she was out on a walk during her break.

"It's scary, really scary," said the victm's co-worker, who did not want to be identified. "You just really need to be aware of your surroundings."

The woman is friends with the victim, who tells NBC Bay Area two men in a green mini van tried to lure her into their vehicle.

"One of the guys had opened the van and started running after her," she said.

The victim had to run through the bushes to escape, but managed to get into the building safely.

In a written account of the event the victim said "Thank God I got away, but it was very scary."

The incident comes on the heels of two kidnapping in Vallejo -- cases in which the victims have still not been found. While unconnected, police continue to search for 14-year-old Pearl Pinson and 57-year-old Elvira Babb.

Midsi Sanchez was kidnapped from the streets of Vallejo when she was 8 years old, but escaped and survived. She is heartbroken over the recent kidnapping in Vallejo.

"It's just sad we share something so heart-wrenching and such a big tragedy that we share this together," Sanchez said.

Sanchez wants everyone to be aware of what is taking place in Vallejo. She hopes the two men in the green mini van do not strike again.

"I think it's everyone's job to help spread the word to keep each other safe," Sanchez said.
A Berkeley father and his 6-year-old daughter both drowned while visiting Hawaii on Saturday, the father when he jumped in the water to save his struggling daughter, local officials said.

Mark Hornor, 46, and his 6-year-old daughter Mina were visiting the Makapu'u Tidepools on the eastern side of Oahu on Saturday morning while on a trip to the island to visit family, according to Honolulu Emergency Services Department spokeswoman Shayne Enright.

The tide pools are down a short paved path that requires a hike. The area was windy on the day of the accident, Enright said.

A large wave is believed to have knocked Mina out and then Hornor tried to rescue her, but, in an instant, a series of rogue waves swept them both out, officials said.

Matthew Hornor, the victim's brother, said Mark Hornor may have most recently called the Bay Area home, but he had lived in Hawaii for years and knew the dangers of the water. In fact, the attorney and avid bicyclist was carefully guarding his three daughters during their vacation.

"It wasn't like there were rough waves and Mark wasn't risking anything or being reckless," Matthew Hornor said.

A stranger, who was also in the tidepools, helped save Mark Hornor's older daughters, who are 8 and 12 years old. They survived by "clinging to rocks," Matthew Hornor said, adding that his brother "didn't know another wave was coming."

Matthew Hornor continued: "Then the second wave came. Thats what brought Mark and Mina out to the water."

At about 11:20 a.m., emergency services received 911 calls reporting two people in distress in the water. Lifeguards responded on personal watercrafts and found Hornor, bringing him back to nearby Sandy Beach Park, Enright said.

They then went back and found Mina and brought her back to Sandy Beach as well. The lifeguards performed CPR on them as they were taken to a hospital, but they both died there later that day.

Cell phone video show lifeguards pulling the father and daughter from the water, but it was too late.

"I think he just died of exhaustion, trying to get to her," Matthew Hornor said.

He also believe it took too long for emergency responders to get to the beach and to Mark and Mina Hornor's aid.

"In those critical moments, if they would have been closer," it could have been a "totally different story for both of them," Matthew Hornor said.
Police believe that an armed suspect remains at large after a lengthy search triggered when they received reports of a man with a gun in the vicinity of the Berkeley Marina.

"We had two very legitimate witnesses who gave good descriptions," police Sgt. Andrew Frankel said. "That led me to believe they saw something."

"It sounded to us like we were looking for someone potentially armed with a long gun," Frankel said.

Berkeley police received several reports starting at 12:19 p.m. of a man on the pedestrian over-crossing near West Frontage Road carrying what appeared to be a rifle, Frankel said.

He was last seen walking into McLaughlin Eastshore State Park and was described as a white or Hispanic man in his 40s who was wearing a yellow shirt, Frankel said.

Frankel said California Highway Patrol officers, including a helicopter crew, and East Bay Regional Park District police were assisting to search for the man and a day camp in the area was placed on lockdown.

Police cleared the scene around 6 p.m., according to Frankel, who believes the suspect remains at large.
The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved expenditures through a landfill mitigation fund that are intended to bolster the county's highway safety.

The allocation of $100,000 from the Keller Canyon Landfill Mitigation Fund is touted as a way to help fund the development of technologies for monitoring state Highway 4 in response to the recent shootings on it and other East Bay freeways.

This comes after Supervisor Federal Glover announced late last month that he was seeking his fellow supervisors' support for using the fund this way, which was created to help public agencies and nonprofits dedicated to improving the lives of Pittsburg and Bay Point residents.

Among the 82 recipients of $1.5 million in grants offered through the fund this year are law enforcement agencies that line Highway 4 from Bay Point to Antioch. The agencies will split the grant to pay for enhanced surveillance of the highway, according to Glover's office.

"The allocation set aside for to monitor Highway 4 - possibly including cameras and license plate readers - will be used by law enforcement to keep our residents safe," Glover said in a statement.

Since the beginning of 2015, there have been nearly 40 shootings along Interstate 80, Interstate 580, Interstate 880, state Highway 242 and Highway 4 in Contra Costa and Alameda counties.

Local leaders have taken various steps to address the shootings, which have resulted in deaths, injuries and property damage.

Among those efforts, the Pittsburg City Council in May approved a plan by the city's police department to earmark $100,000 for several security cameras on four miles of Highway 4.

Pittsburg police Capt. Ron Raman on Monday confirmed the cameras have been installed and said he hoped to have them activated this week.
Dori Hess sums up her situation in a made-for-TV sound bite.

I bought a car I cant drive, she said.

Mechanically speaking, her new car is perfect. But legally, its not drivable.

Hess bought a 2011 Acura TSX for about $18,000 in September.

I paid for it in full, she said.

And yet, the car is still unregistered.

Whats the hold up? The dealer.

Hess says AutoNation Acura of Stevens Creek agreed to title and register the TSX for her. Her paperwork even lists a $29 service fee. But the dealer hasnt titled or registered the car. The expired plate is proof.

The state of California doesn't give gives drivers long to register a newly-purchased car.

"The DMV allows applicants (dealer or non-dealer) 20 days for an initial registration and 30 days for a transfer," the DMV said. "The 'Report of Sale' can serve as an operating permit for up to 90 days or when the new plates/registration are received, whichever comes first."

So, Hess's Acura is screaming for a ticket.

The DMV investigator told me I could be pulled over, and the car could be towed, Hess said.

Hess said the dealer didnt offer an explanation; it was stalling.

Put off, she said. Called the manager, called the sales manager. Never got through to anybody.

Hess got so frustrated, she started driving a rental. And hired attorney Scott Kaufman.

Its pretty simple: you sell a vehicle, you give that person the title, he said.

But even getting a lawyer involved didnt bring a solution immediately.

Not yet, Kaufman said. Not yet.

Thats when Hess spoke with us.

We contacted AutoNation, and a spokesman said waiting almost nine months for a title is unusual.

Rosemary Shahan, the consumer advocate who leads Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, is lobbying the Legislature to give drivers a break when dealers are careless with paperwork.

You get penalized if they dont do their job, she said.

Shahan says titles easily get tangled up several ways: when theres a lien from the previous owners loan; when a transfer from another state doesnt take; or if the car was reported totaled or stolen.

Shahan said a bill that is currently on the governors desk addresses temporary registrations, but does nothing to help consumers like Hess.

Until state law swings in consumers favor, Shahan offers a simple solution for anyone who is about to buy a car: Demand to see the title.

Make the dealer show you the title to the car, Shahan said. Dont buy the car unless they can show you the title to it.

Hess wishes she had known to ask.

I just want the car not to be here and me to have money back.

Fast forward: 15 days after Hess went on camera and we contacted AutoNation abouse her case, she grabbed the keys for one final drive -- to finally hand them over.

Im excited, she said.

Hess says AutoNation had her sign a non-disclosure agreement. So, the closest we got to the conclusion was following her to the dealer and watching her turn into the driveway.

In a statement AutoNation said:

After working for months to resolve the title issue on behalf of the customer to no avail we offered to take back the vehicle. The customer agreed. We are glad that this issue could be resolved and it was unfortunate that the title had become such an issue.

Hess says shes happy its over. Shes also glad she got tough, hiring a lawyer and alerting NBC Bay Area Responds.

It was like a snowball rolling down a hill, she said. And finally were at the end.
A laid-off Bay Area journalist changed the national conversation with one tweet on Monday, and became an overnight sensation rocking the television talks shows spanning from the BBC to MSBNC.

Jarrett Hill, who is originally from Fairfield, California, first shared on Twitter that Melania Trumps speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland sounded similar to Michelle Obama's 2008 convention address.

An Oakland company dedicated to rooting out plagiarism, Turnitin, later discovered that 6 percent of Trumps speech was copied from Obamas.

I knew there would be a big story, Hill told NBC Bay Area on Tuesday evening, one more than a dozen hed given that day, including to the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and NBCs Nightly News. But I had no idea Id be a part of it.

Hill doesnt seem to be tired of telling the story of how it all happened: He was sitting in a Starbucks in Los Angeles, where he moved after getting laid off from ABC Action News WFTS in Florida last year, and was listening to Trumps speech. He heard her say " the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams 

And his ears perked up.

Then this followed:  and your willingness to work for them.

Hill knew that phrase. He had written it down after Obama said it eight years ago. He Googled the words and saw that he had been right; Obamas speech popped right up to the top of the search.

I just thought it was a great way to express possibility," he recalled. "I guess Melania thought it as well.

Hill tweeted out what has now become the most memorable moment to date from the RNC.

Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort has countered that no one stole anything.

Melania mustve liked Michelle Obamas 2008 Convention speech, since she plagiarized it," Hill tweeted.

He then corrected himself, after watching a YouTube speech Obama made, and realized that Trump took more than just one sentence.

"CORRECTION: Melania stole a whole graph from Michelle's speech," Hill tweeted, linking viewers to the video he used to compare the speeches.

A stand-up comic, interior designer, DIY enthusiast and host of a weekly podcast where he interviews celebrities and rants about the weeks biggest stories, Hill said he is actively looking for work.

He first graduated from Solano Community College in 2005, and then moved to Atlanta, where he studied mass media, radio, TV and film.

Since then, he's held several jobs and been in several cities. He said he's worked as a CNN Presents intern, a production assistant with WXIA TV 11 Alive News in Atlanta, and an activities cruise director with Celebrity Cruises. He still hosts Back2Reality and contributes as a blogger to the Huffington Post.

But until he finds that steady paycheck, Hill said hes enjoying his 15 minutes no matter how surreal it is.

Watching the whole thing unfold, he said. I thought the whole thing was weird. I mean really weird.
A now retired PG&E executive testified Tuesday that he did not write  nor even necessarily understand  the letter at the heart of the governments obstruction charge against the utility.

Prosecutors say the April 6, 2011 letter is evidence that the company misled federal National Transportation Safety Board investigators into believing the company did not have a policy of avoiding costly inspections of over pressurized gas pipelines.

William Hayes, a 37-year veteran who was head of construction and maintenance when he retired in 2012, acknowledged Tuesday in federal court that it was his electronic signature on the letter PG&E sent to federal accident investigators.

But, he said, he was only acting as the companys liaison in passing on what a team of lawyers and internal experts provided him.

"You signed this letter, you sent this letter" to federal investigators, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hallie Hoffman said as she pressed Hayes for an explanation of the letter.

Hayes said he did have some understanding about the intent of the letter -- to correct the record to reflect that the policy at issue was never actually approved.

"We sent material that was not fully vetted," he said, adding that the company had sent "wrong information" and "we corrected it."

"I understand we sent some information about a policy that was never approved," he said. "It didnt surprise me, given the volume of data going back and forth."

Hayes could not answer questions related to the various statements made in the letter he signed, including the repeated use of "we" in the letter he signed.

"Im not sure who we are," he said at one point.

The government alleges that the letter reflected an actual policy allowing it to avoid having to order costly inspections called for by regulations following any pressure surges above allowable levels.

In the disputed policy, PG&E asserted it could avoid inspecting lines after surges of as much as ten percent above maximum allowed levels.

Hayes told PG&E lawyer Margaret Tough that although he only read  and did not write  the letter disavowing the policy, he did not consider it misleading or false. He also testified that no one with the federal investigative team even asked him about it.

Hoffman pressed Hayes about another clash with federal investigators following the explosion of the San Bruno gas pipeline that left eight people dead.

PG&E documents suggest its engineers knew about a then unexplained 1988 leak near Crystal Springs reservoir when they began assessing the San Bruno pipelines integrity in 2002.

The leak turned out to be on a defective seam weld  a discovery prosecutors maintain should have triggered costly inspections that the company sought to avoid.

Instead, the company twice used cheaper above-ground corrosion-only surveys to vouch for the lines safety.

On Tuesday, prosecutors showed Hayes the companys account about how the document apparently got lost and went undisclosed for months.

By the companys account, a worker found a document related to the 1988 seam weld leak in the San Carlos field office just eight days after the blast.

But rather than turn it over  or even read the document, according to PG&Es version of event, the worker took it and other documents to the Walnut Creek office.

It was not until May 2011  after it was found by an outside accountant  that the document was given to federal investigators.

Hayes could not explain what happened.

Both sides asked him about then company president Chris Johns ensuing letter urging that workers disclose all relevant information the following month.

Hayes said he took Johns letter to mean "we gotta get better about this" to track down documents.

"Theres no intention here," he told the jury about the misplaced document. "These things happen  unfortunately, they happen."

After Hayes testified, prosecutors called an FBI agent/engineer to the stand to testify about what she found in looking at the records the utility provided the government.

Sandra Flores testified that she found a total of 196 segments on five pipelines identified in the charges where PG&E failed to order tests to check for damage following pressure surges that prosecutors should have triggered them.

On Wednesday, federal prosecutors say they will call their final witness, National Transportation Safety Board investigator Ravi Chhatre to testify.

PG&E lead lawyer Steven Bauer told the judge Tuesday that he believes the company will put on a defense, but left open the possibility that it may rest without calling a single witness.
Citizens and elected officials in San Francisco on Tuesday called for more accountability in the Police Department, and one of the options the Board of Supervisors considered, an independent police auditor, was voted down, 6-5.

Demonstrators including the mother of stabbing suspect Mario Woods, the man who was fatally shot by police in December, stood outside City Hall on Tuesday demanding action. Police accountability for the lives lost through officer-involved shootings was their biggest concern.

"The travesty in all this, as a mother? The system," said Gwen Woods. "I know no one will be held accountable."

Supevisor John Avalos proposed the board vote to withhold $30 million from the Police Department budget if it refuses to submit quarterly progress reports.

Supervisor Malia Cohen, who successfully helped pass Proposition D, requiring all officer-involved shootings be investigated by the Office of Citizen Complaints, was proposing something different. She wanted the board to approve a ballot measure that proposes making the office independent of SFPD. But the divided board voted against it.

"[The office] currently does not have the ability to do an independent audit of the San Francisco Police Department," Cohen said, "and auditing is important because it helps account and chronicle the data we need to continue to move in the right direction."

The proposal specifically called for the Office of Citizen Complaints to be renamed the Department of Police Accountability and would have required the DPA to conduct an audit every two years of how the Police Department handles claims of officer misconduct and use of force.
President Barack Obama says the nation will get through the recent killings of police officers with the "love and empathy of public servants" like the ones who were targeted in recent days.

In an open letter to the nation's law enforcement officers, Obama said overcoming will also require resilience, the grace of loved ones and the good will of activists.

The White House released the letter Tuesday. It was dated Monday, the day after two police officers and a sheriff's deputy were killed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, after being ambushed by a lone gunman. Baton Rouge is where police on July 5 fatally shot Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man outside a convenience store. Sterling's death sparked nationwide protests.

Sunday's law enforcement deaths followed the July 7 sniper killings of five Dallas police officers as they guarded a peaceful protest.

Obama has said nothing justifies attacks on law enforcement, a sentiment he reiterated in the two-page letter. The Fraternal Order of Police posted the president's letter on its social media sites.

"Any attack on police is an unjustified attack on all of us," the president wrote.

The letter comes as Obama remains under intense criticism from some police officials and others who accuse him of fostering a climate that has led to the intentional killing of law enforcement officers.

The White House has also been resisting pressure to illuminate the building in blue light in a show of support for law enforcement. Spokesman Josh Earnest has said such a step was unlikely while noting the president's steady outreach to and support for police and other law enforcement over the past couple of weeks.

Obama telephoned the families of the Baton Rouge officers on Monday to offer his and the first lady's condolences. Last week, he paid tribute to the Dallas officers at a memorial service there. He also met a couple of times with law enforcement officials and others, and fielded questions during a televised town hall on race in America.

He was to be briefed Tuesday afternoon by Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. Obama is interested in additional steps that can be taken to protect law enforcement officers, Earnest said Tuesday.

In the letter, Obama said "we will get through this difficult time together."

"We will do it with the love and empathy of public servants like those we have lost in recent days. We will do it with the resilience of cities like Dallas that quickly came together to restore order and deepen unity and understanding," he said. "We will do it with the grace of loved ones who even in their grief have spoken out against vengeance toward police. We will do it with the good will of activists like those I have sat with in recent days, who have pledged to work together to reduce violence even as they voice their disappointments and fears."

"Thank you for your courageous service. We have your backs," Obama said.

Chuck Canterbury, president of the Fraternal Order of Police, welcomed Obama's letter and said law enforcement cannot be held responsible for such issues as poverty, unemployment or lack of mental health services, a point the president touched on in the letter.

"The work now is to assist our communities by continuing to recognize that we are but one spoke in the wheel and we will do our part," Canterbury said. "Now it's time for politicians and government to assist us in working in the communities we have always worked in to make life better for all Americans."
Cook County prosecutors have dropped murder charges against two men whose convictions more than two decades ago were based largely on the work of a Chicago police officer at the center of numerous misconduct allegations.

Prosecutors asked a judge Wednesday to dismiss all charges against Jose Montanez, 49, and Armando Serrano, 44, who have both been incarcerated for 23 years for crimes they say they didn't commit.

In February 1993, both men were sentenced to 55 years in prison for the killing of Rodrigo Vargas. According to their attorneys with The Exoneration Project, their convictions hinged on the testimony of Francisco Vicente, a heroin addict who was facing felony charges when he allegedly told Detective Reynaldo Guevara that the two men had confessed to the killing.

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Both men denied the accusation and maintained their innocence.

Vicente later recanted his testimony telling the Medill Innocence Project, "my false testimony was given as a result of threats, intimidation and physical abuse by Det. Reynaldo Guevara."

The convictions were among a handful of cases reviewed by the Cook County States Attorneys office involving Guevara.

Several families have claimed in years past that their loved ones were framed by the detective, who retired from the police department in 2005.

Juan Johnson, who was wrongfully convicted in 1991 and released after 11  years behind bars after evidence showed Guevara had coerced witnesses to implicate him in a crime, was awarded more than $21 million in 2009. The settlement was one of the largest ever in a wrongful conviction lawsuit.

The Better Government Association reported in 2015 that Chicago has paid more than $20 million to review, litigate, and settle Guevara-related misconduct cases.

This was no mistake; Detective Guevara framed these innocent men. We give credit to Anita Alvarez for recognizing this injustice and setting Jose Montanez and Armando Serrano free, Russell Ainsworth, Montanezs attorney from The Exoneration Project, said in a statement. Sadly, dozens more innocent Guevara victims remain incarcerated for crimes they didn't commit. We will not rest until every single one of them is exonerated.

Montanez and Serrano are expected to be released from prison later Wednesday.
Police broke up scuffles between groups of demonstrators a few blocks from the Republican National Convention as crowds in the hundreds gathered Tuesday afternoon.

There were no arrests, police said, despite several tense moments that saw officers step in between protesters pushing and shouting at each other during some of the biggest, most raucous gatherings in downtown Cleveland since the four-day convention began on Monday.

One skirmish broke out when right-wing conspiracy theorist and radio show host Alex Jones started speaking in downtown's Public Square through a bullhorn. Police on bicycles pushed back a surging crowd, and Jones was whisked away.

Minutes later, more officers on bicycles formed a line to separate a conservative religious group from a communist-leaning organization carrying a sign that read, "America Was Never Great."

Overall, five people have been arrested since the convention started, said police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia.

That includes one person accused of trying to steal a state trooper's gas mask and three people who allegedly climbed flagpoles at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hung an anti-Donald Trump banner.

The demonstrators on Tuesday  including anti-Muslim protesters, religious conservatives and marchers decrying racism and "murder by police"  appeared outnumbered by law officers and members of the media.

Demonstrators soon spilled into the streets, and some appeared to be making their way toward the convention arena before turning back. More skirmishes broke out at one intersection. But by the evening, the protests were breaking up.

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams waded into crowds of demonstrators during the day, warning one group, "It's an unlawful gathering. You're blocking a city street." They eventually moved along.

About 300 officers from more than a dozen law enforcement agencies are patrolling on bicycles in downtown Cleveland during the convention, the police chief said.

Supporters of bike patrols say they make officers more maneuverable and less threatening-looking at a time when tensions are running high between police and the public.

Also Tuesday, health officials said 11 members of the planning team for the California delegation to the Republican convention were recovering from a bout of norovirus, or what's commonly known as stomach flu. No delegates appeared to be affected.

The symptoms, which can include vomiting and diarrhea, were first reported Thursday as logistics members arrived at a hotel about an hour west of Cleveland, said Pete Schade, Erie County health commissioner.

Those who got sick are keeping themselves isolated in their rooms, Schade said, and the Ohio Health Department is trying to identify the source. Norovirus can be contracted from an infected person, from contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Ohio Health Department spokesman Russ Kennedy confirmed there was at least one suspected norovirus case and said the victim was apparently infected before arriving in Ohio, based on when the person fell ill.

Cynthia Bryant, executive director of the California GOP, told delegation members to wash their hands frequently, avoid shaking hands and not to share food.
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trumps former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski spoke at a breakfast for Illinois delegates to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland Tuesday morning, stressing how important it is for the billionaire to win Illinois in the upcoming November election.

"Illinois is really important," Lewandowski said. "You know this."

Lewandowski predicted that Trump will campaign throughout the state in the lead-up to November's general election

I think youll see him in Chicago and see him in Illinois and the suburbs," Lewandowski said. "Youll see him in Springfield and youll see him in places Republicans dont go."

Lewandowski also took responsibility for planning Trumps ill-fated rally at the University of Illinois at Chicago in March.

Weve been to Chicago a lot, Lewandoski said Tuesday. And if you remember, I was the guy who planned that rally. Didnt work out so well.

Can you imagine in your wildest dreams any other Republican presidential candidate trying to hold a rally in Chicago at a University, Lewandowski asked.

Trumps former campaign manager also commended Trumps wife, Melania Trump, for her keynote address at the RNC Monday night. Melania Trump has become embroiled in a controversy surrounding portions of Mondays speech that appear to be culled from Michelle Obamas 2008 address at the Democratic National Convention.

Trumps campaign denied the plagiarism claims in a statement Tuesday, calling the allegations just absurd.

Theres no cribbing of Michelle Obamas speech, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort said Tuesday morning in a CNN interview. "Certainly, theres no feeling on her part that she did it. What she did was use words that are common words."

Before his speech Tuesday, Lewandowski blamed the oversight on the speechs writer and the conventions organizer and called for accountability. However, he did not specifically blame his replacement, Manafort, who serves as the convention manager.

"Is Manafort the one," Lewandowski asked. "I think it's whoever is in charge of the convention, so you can put the blame on anybody you want."

During Tuesday's breakfast, Rep. Peter Roskam said that he didn't expect an apology from "anyone whose name rhymes with Trump." Rep. Randy Hultgren dismissed the plagiarism allegations, claiming speeches delivered by wives of nominees are historically "very similiar."

"There's not a lot of uniqueness in those speeches," Hultgren said. "I thought she did a fine job."

Ultimately, Lewandowski said the response was up to Trump.

Donald Trump will make the decision of what he thinks the right thing to do is, Lewandowski said after his speech.

During his time with the former reality star's campaign, Lewandowski was a chief promoter of the idea that the best campaign strategy was to let Trump be Trump. He frequently dismissed the notion that Trump needed to hire more experienced political hands, spend more on polling and sophisticated data operations or moderate his rhetoric as he moved toward the general election.

Lewandowski was ousted as Trumps campaign manager in June because of his poor relationship with the Republican National Committee and GOP officials. He has since taken a job with CNN, serving as a political commentator.

During his time as Trumps campaign manager, Lewandowski was often a polarizing figure. In March, he was accused of grabbing then Breitbart News reporter Michelle Fields at a campaign event in Jupiter, Florida. Battery charges were filed against him, but later dropped.

During his speech Tuesday, Lewandowski talked about being hired by Trump in 2015, calling the presumptive candidate a blue collar billionaire.
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton slammed Gov. Bruce Rauner Tuesday, blaming him for the fallout from the states budget impasse.

In Illinois, Gov. Bruce Rauner has been holding the budget hostage for months, endangering public colleges and universities, hurting families, and demanding outrageous concessions from public sector unions, Clinton said during an American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees event in Las Vegas.

Rauner is currently locked in a contract battle with AFSCME Council 31, which represents over 35,000 Illinois government employees. On Tuesday, the governors office released a contingency plan that deals with a potential AFSCME strike, which could come as soon as September.

Clinton also bashed Rauner during a February campaign speech in Chicago, chastising his pro-business, union-weakening Turnaround Agenda and faulting the governor for cuts to social services and higher education.

The governor has refused to start budget negotiations unless his so-called Turnaround Agenda gets passed first, Clinton said. Now, his plan will turn Illinois around. all right. All the way back to the time of the robber barons of the 19th century.

They need a governor who will actually pass a budget, Clinton said.

The former Secretary of State also claimed that Illinois Republicans were pushing an agenda that impedes on union rights

When I look at whats happening here in Illinois, its a Republican agenda to roll back the clock on everything that made the middle class strong in the 20th century, its pretty terrifying, Clinton said. They want to undercut workers rights, undercut unions. You know, the American labor movement was essential to building the American middle class.

On Tuesday, Clinton also condemned Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker for weakening the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers in his state and warned against future efforts to subvert union rights through the courts.
A 4-year-old girl was hospitalized Tuesday after being discovered in a hot car in a northwest Chicago suburb.

The young girl was found unresponsive around 4:30 p.m. inside a vehicle on Holly Court in unincorporated McHenry, according to police.

Authorities believe the girl overheard conversations about going to grandma's house for dinner, went outside and climbed into the car without anyone knowing.

The family began to look for the girl about 15 minutes later and found her in the car unresponsive. The girl's mother quickly took her out of the car and called 911, police said in a release Wednesday.

The child was transported to Centegra Northern Illinois Medical Center in McHenry and was transferred to Lutheran General Hospital for further treament. Her condition was not immediately known.

Police said the incident remained under investigation Wednesday and the family was cooperating.

Temperatures have remained in the upper-80s and low-90s across much of the area so far this week with an Excessive Heat Watch taking effect across the area Thursday afternoon.

As of late May, at least eight children around the U.S. had died after being trapped in hot cars, according to health officials. Earlier this month, a 3-year-old boy died after being found unresponsive in a car outside a relatives home in Ohio.

Health officials have warned that the temperature in a car can rise sharply in as little as 10 minutes even in mild weather, and a child's body can heat several times faster than an adult's body.
"Making a Murderer," the Netflix show that captivated binge-watchers across the country earlier this year, is returning with new episodes, the company announced Tuesday.

In a press release, Netflix said the shows executive producers and directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos are working on new episodes of the Emmy-nominated docu-series.

The new episodes are expected to take fans of the series "back inside the story of convicted murderer Steven Avery, and his co-defendant, Brendan Dassey, as their respective investigative and legal team challenge their convictions and the State fights to have the convictions and life sentences upheld," according to Netflix.

"This next chapter will provide an in-depth look at the high-stakes post-conviction process, as well as, the emotional toll the process takes on all involved," the company said.

The 10-part series dominated airwaves and social media after its Dec. 2015 release, centering on the story of Steven Averys 2005 conviction for the murder of photographer Teresa Halbach, as well as the related conviction of Avery's nephew Brendan Dassey.

"We are extremely grateful for the tremendous response to, and support of, the series. The viewers interest and attention has ensured that the story is not over, and we are fully committed to continuing to document events as they unfold" Ricciardi and Demos said in a statement.

The two have hinted at the potential for a second installment previously, but the announcement marks the first time Netflix has confirmed the news.

Featured in the new episodes will be Averys new lawyer from suburban Chicago Kathleen Zellner and Dasseys legal team, led by Laura Nirider and Steve Drizin of Northwestern Universitys Center on Wrongful Convictions of Youth.

Avery was convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in Halbach's death. He had been wrongfully convicted years earlier in a rape case and served 18 years in prison before being freed. Avery sued Manitowoc County for $36 million shortly before he and Dassey were arrested in Halbach's death.

Avery, who is seeking to be released on bond, filed a wide-ranging appeal earlier this year claiming authorities used an improper warrant and that a juror was out to get him, among other things.

Dassey was arrested at the age of 16 in connection with case, but his attorneys maintain his confession was coerced. His legal team has taken Dasseys case to federal court in Wisconsin in the hopes that he will be granted a writ of habeas corpus, which will force the government to examine his case and rule whether he has been imprisoned illegally.

Details on when the new episodes might air weren't immediately released.
Another day, another $4.75 million in taxpayer money out the door at Chicago City Hall.

The City Council Finance Committee approved three settlements Tuesday, stemming from lawsuits against Chicago Police. The largest, $3.75 million, involved a man named Esau Castellanos, who was shot and killed by officers in March of 2013.

In that case, police said after Castellanos took off and crashed his car, he pulled a gun on them and fired several shots. Officers fired a total of 19 shots, striking Castellanos three times.

But as she presented the proposed settlement to aldermen, First Assistant Corporation Counsel Jane E. Notz said the facts did not match up with the officers version of events.

Neither officer had been shot, she said. No gun was recovered, and the only bullets from the scene were from the officers guns.

An angry 12th ward alderman George Cardenas, declared that after still another multi-million dollar settlement, hes starting to wonder who he can believe.

Were not disciplining anybody, nobodys learning from this, Cardenas said. Double digit property tax increases on residents of this city, garbage fees, fees on top of fees---and people are saying enough!

But that wasnt the end.

Alderman also approved a $550,000 settlement to Chicago firefighter Robert Cook, who said he was beaten and his family terrorized by a crew led by notorious officer Jerome Finnegan. Finnegan is currently serving a 12 year sentence in federal prison.

And another $425,000 was approved for a woman named Gentila Mitchell. Mitchell sued the city, after a car being pursued by police jumped the curb and slammed into a light pole, which fell on the womans two children. Investigators said GPS data indicated the officers were driving 99 miles per hour, chasing offenders suspected only of stealing a car.

If these officers were in fact pursuing this vehicleand they denied they were doing itbut if they were pursuing it, it would have been in violation of the departments pursuit policy, Notz said.

Earlier this year, NBC5 Investigates reported that in the last ten years, over 140 pursuit-related crashes in the Chicagoland area, have resulted in 108 people killed, and another 216 injured, with more than $95 million paid out in settlements.

The latest settlements approved by the City Council Finance Committee bring to over $19 million dollars in agreed payouts for the City of Chicago from police-related incidents this year.
In a frightening moment that has many residents concerned, an apparent sinkhole opened up inside a suburban garage.

Barrington village officials say the owners of a home in the 300 block of Fox Hunt Trail called 911 after hearing a loud banging sound in their garage.

When they went to see what it was, they said it appeared a hole had started swallowing their two cars.

Village of Barrington

From what I can see its not the kind of sinkhole weve been seeing in Florida where there is cave-in around the house and the house is actually falling into the hole, said local builder Rick Peters, of Wellington Homes.

Following the collapse, the village restricted access to the garage, and later tagged the entire dwelling uninhabitable because officials feared a similar collapse could happen in the basement of the nearly 50-year-old home.

It was alarming, said Barrington resident Michele Polvere. It was very alarming. I was just happy that I heard right from the beginning that nobody was hurt.

Still, Peters said the hole may have been caused by something else.

It looks like this slab collapsed in the middle so it looks like there is more of a just a back fill excavation problem here because a sinkhole you would see it around the house, he said.

The village echoed that sentiment, saying they believe the home may have foundation issues.

The homeowner will have a structural engineer check the home and the village is encouraging other residents to do the same.
During a radio interview Tuesday, Sen. Mark Kirk announced he would write in former Secretary of State Colin Powell for president, instead of voting for Republican nominee Donald Trump.

The announcement comes days after his opponent, Rep. Tammy Duckworth, released a campaign video slamming Kirk for previously endorsing embattled former CIA Director and retired U.S. Army General David Petraeus for president.

During the interview with WJBC Tuesday, Kirk explained that he changed course because Powell is much more experienced at the national level. Powell, a retired four-star general, served as Secretary of State during George W. Bushs first term as president.

However, Kirk conceded that a vote for Powell, or Petraeus, wouldnt count because write-in candidates are required to register with the state.

"It wouldnt count, yeah," Kirk said. "It's just kind of a protest vote for me and I think that Donald Trump is too bigoted and too racist for the Land of Lincoln."

The Democratic Party of Illinois responded to Kirks endorsement of Powell Wednesday, faulting the senator for changing his pick.

"Choosing a president is a serious business, and Republican Mark Kirk has shown for the third time in six weeks hes not serious," DPI spokesperson Sean Savett said in a statement. "Kirks presidential picks keep changing but his willingness to shift positions - whether owing to political pressure or lack of conviction - stays the same."

In March, Kirk told NBC Chicago he would support Trump if he were the Republican presidential nominee. Then in May, Kirk told USA Today that he would be willing to serve as a national security adviser to Trump.

Kirk ultimately pulled his tacit endorsement of Trump last month after Trump made a series of inflammatory statements about the heritage of a Hispanic judge presiding over civil fraud lawsuits against his beleaguered Trump University.

After Kirk made it clear that he would no longer support Trump, his campaign announced that he would back either Petraeus or Powell. Earlier this month, Kirk said he would write in Petraeus during an interview with Steve Cochran before changing course this week.

Meanwhile, the senator released a campaign video Wednesday, tying Duckworth to imprisoned former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Kirks campaign has repeatedly tried to link the congresswoman to Blagojevich, who appointed her director of the IDVA in 2006.

The video outlines the former governors history of political corruption through a series of news clips. Blagojevich was found guilty of soliciting bribes for political appointments in 2011. Most notably, Blagojevich actively solicited bribes for President Barack Obamas vacant US Senate seat after he was elected president in 2008.

The spot also features a clip of Duckworth commending Blagojevichs accessibility and dedication to the armed forces.

"After the US Attorneys office announced Gov. Blagojevich was under investigation for hiring fraud Duckworth said she would still support his run for re-election," the videos final title card reads.

Kirks campaign is not planning an ad buy around the video, which mirrors the format of Duckworths campaign spot from earlier this week. That video slammed Kirks bizarre presidential ticket of Petraeus and vice presidential candidate and Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

The Duckworth campaign scoffed at Kirk's new video Wednesday afternoon.

"This video is a hot mess, and unsurprisingly for someone who has lied about his military record 10 times as Mark Kirk has, totally dishonest," Duckworth campaign spokesman Matt McGrath said in a statement. "What's true is that Tammy Duckworth served 23 years in the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, and has dedicated her life to serving veterans, with real results."

"Kirk, meanwhile, has lied about being shot at in combat, lied about receiving military awards he didn't earn, and voted against the most comprehensive veterans' benefits bill in recent history," McGrath added.
One day after the owners of a Chicago furniture store say a tragic accident destroyed their security fencing, the store has become a target for thieves.

Nasser Ali, the owner of the furniture store at 71st and State streets, said a burglary was caught on camera Monday night, as thieves stole a number of items from the South Side shop.

They took TVS and electronics, a few of them, Ali said.

Just one day earlier, an SUV crashed into the stores security fencing, damaging it significantly. The thieves broke into the shop from the stores alley, disabling new, high-definition security cameras mounted on the roof.

We found that three security cameras were taken down and stripped of electric before they attempt to come through the front of the store, Ali said.

But the burglars failed to take into account the cameras mounted inside the store.

Footage showed one thief breaking the windows of the building with a rock before two others enter.

For us, we deal with this every day, Ali said. Its not normal, but its tough.

Ali has been doing business in the Park Manor neighborhood for the past 16 years. The owners plan to repair the damage and carry on, possibly with even more security.
A University of Chicago Medicine professor was fatally struck by an SUV Wednesday morning near Jackson Park on the South Side.

Dr. Gary Toback, 74, was in the crosswalk crossing 67th Street at Bennett Avenue about 6:40 a.m. when he was struck by a 2016 Jeep Cherokee heading east on 67th, according to Chicago Police.

He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The Cook County medical examiners office confirmed the fatality, but couldnt immediately provide additional details.

The 40-year-old woman driving the Jeep and a 2-year-old girl passenger were taken to Comer Childrens Hospital for evaluation, police said. They did not have any visible injuries.

She was cited for failure to yield to a pedestrian in the roadway, and is scheduled to appear in traffic court Aug. 18, police said.

We have lost an institutional leader who represented the University of Chicagos values and aspirations, a statement from University of Chicago Medicine said.

Dr. Gary Toback was a professor in the Department of Medicine who joined our faculty in 1974, served as interim nephrology chief from 2009 to 2015, and conducted world-renowned research on renal growth factors. He was a treasured colleague, friend, mentor, leader and physician.
What to Know The parents of a Nebraska toddler killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World last month say they will not be pursuing a lawsuit against the

The parents of a Nebraska toddler killed by an alligator at Walt Disney World last month say they will not pursue a lawsuit against the company as they focus their attention on healing.

In a statement Wednesday, Matt Graves said he and his wife are "broken" and that the pain gets worse each day.

"We will forever struggle to comprehend why this happened to our sweet baby, Lane," the Graves said. "We know that we can never have Lane back, and therefore, we intend to keep his spirit alive through the Lane Thomas Foundation. It is our hope that through the foundation we will be able to share with others the unimaginable love Lane etched in our hearts."

In announcing their intent not to sue Disney, the Graves said they wanted to focus on the future health of their family. They asked for continued privacy.



Walt Disney World Resort President George Kalogridis said in a statement the company was providing ongoing support for the family "in the wake of this tragic accident," including "honoring their request for privacy."

An animal described as being as long as 7 feet snatched the little boy as he waded in shallow water around nightfall June 14. The beach, located at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa across a lake from the Magic Kingdom, had "no swimming" signs but no warning about alligators.

The company said it would add gator warnings after the tragedy.

A statement by Disney spokeswoman Jacquee Wahler said the company also was conducting a "swift and thorough review of all of our processes and protocols."
Carl Hubbard was a father, mechanic by trade, volunteer firefighter in Guilford and Stacey Hubbards husband.

He was truly a fighter, Stacey said, my hero, he never complained at all. He fought to the bitter end.

Carls cancer diagnosis in December 2011 came as a complete shock to his family.

It was a week before Christmas, Stacey said, he collapsed at a family party and we thought it was his heart until the next day we found out his body was ravaged with cancer.

After seven months of treatment and care at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, Carl passed away four years ago this week. He was 40-years-old.

We spent 115 days here at the hospital, Stacey said, and they became our family.

Stacey is in her fourth year keeping her husbands memory alive as the captain of Carls Crusaders, currently the top fundraising team in the 2016 Closer to Free Ride.

Go big or go home, Stacey said, as my brother-in-law says.

In three years Carls Crusaders has raised more than $229 thousand for patient care and the search for a cure. This year Stacey said the teams goal is to reach $100 thousand.

Team members include Guilford firefighters like Rich Johnson, who knew Carl for more than 20 years.

Im happy to put in that time to help raise some funds and support the people that need it, Johnson said.

Cancer survivor Ryan Walton is in his second year riding with Carls Crusaders.

I had just gotten out of the hospital, he said, looking for something to do, and get into as a positive work out and get back in shape.

Emergency surgery at Smilow in November 2014 saved his life.

I realized how fortunate I was that Id be leaving the 15th floor and some people might not, Walton said.

This year 14-year-old Cameron Hubbard will ride for the first time in honor of his father.

I know my husband couldnt be prouder of him right now, Stacey said.

NBC Connecticut is a proud sponsor of the Closer to Free Ride on September 10th. You can still register here.
A Connecticut womans social media response to a Playboy playmate 's photo of a naked woman in a gym locker on her Snapchat has gotten popular.

Last week, Dani Mathers, posted a selfie in a gym locker with a naked woman in the background.

The former Playboy Playmate of the Year can be seen in the photo with one hand over her mouth as if to stifle a laugh accompanied by a caption that reads, "If I can't unsee this then you can't either."

Nicole Henry, of Hebron, said she couldnt unsee Mathers' post.

I was upset," Henry said. "I was mad. I was like, 'why would you do that to another human being?'"

After seeing the post, the kindergarten teacher was compelled to post a photo of herself in a bikini.

"My body has rolls," the Facebook caption reads, in part. "This body may be fat, but its volunteered at the local childrens hospital and worked at many day care centers taking care of kids of all ages."

Henry's message for the post, that's been shared hundreds of times, is for people to love themselves, no matter what shape or size.

"I want people to understand that they should love themselves and its okay to like yourself," Henry said.

Mathers has since posted an apology video on her Snapchat and appears to have deleted all of her social media accounts.

Los Angeles Police said they were investigating the Playboy model for allegedly "illegally distributing" the photo.
Connecticuts delegation to the Republican National Convention has one of the best seats in Clevelands Quicken Loans Arena.

The historically Democratic leaning state landed a prime spot at the very front of the campaign floor, just to the right of the speakers podium.

Connecticut GOP Chairman J.R. Romano said the favorable seating arrangement came as a surprise to him.

"There is some speculation and I'll take the speculation that it's because CT could be in play and in fact because of recent polling, is in play for Trump, Romano said during a Skype interview Tuesday morning. We're getting a little facetime. We're excited about it."

One of the things that Romano may not be excited when the delegation returns to Connecticut could be some of the ties to the national RNC platform.

The official party platform reads, Traditional marriage and family, based on marriage between one man and one woman, is the foundation for a free society and has for millennia been entrusted with rearing children and instilling cultural values.

Connecticut has allowed same-sex marriage since 2008 and the issues has largely disappeared from political campaigns run by both Democrats and Republicans. There is even a gay Republican candidate running against Rep. Elizabeth Esty for Congress, named Clay Cope.

Romano said the party platform does not necessarily reflect the views and values of Connecticut Republicans.

"What I think we all have to understand is that gay marriage, it's been decided by the Supreme Court," he said. "It doesn't define the party. It's not a litmus test that every candidate has to follow. You know, Donald Trump I'm not even sure follows 50 percent of it."

Romano said the Republican Party is far more concerned with putting people back to work than with social issues.

"We are the big tent party. We're not mandated to all think the same the way the Democrats are. We have different opinions, we can have adult conversations about it unlike shouting matches which is what the left does."
Four people have been arrested in connection with a Mansfield shooting investigation that began in April, according to state police.

According to police, on April 6 troopers responded to calls reporting a large disturbance at 137 Spring Hill Road in Mansfield. When they arrived the incident was winding down and the people on scene were not cooperative, so troopers cleared the scene.

Shortly after, Willimantic police reported that the Windham Hospital emergency room had an adult female patient with a cut on her head caused by a gunshot at 137 Spring Hill Road.

Troopers returned to the scene and seized evidence. Eastern District Major Crimes responded to head the investigation.

On April 7, Michelle Martinez, 47, of Brook Street in Willimantic was arrested. She faces numerous charges including criminal attempt to commit murder, first degree assault, second degree breach of peace, unlawful discharge of a firearm.

Maria Fiasconaro, 28, of Boulder Lane in Mansfield, and Dalia Acosta-Santiago, 34, of West Park Street in Willimantic, were also arrested and each charged with first-degree assault and second degree breach of peace.

Police said through the course of investigation they determined the suspects may have tampered with evidence at the time of the crime. They filed arrest warrants for all three women on additional charges.

On July 1, both Martinez and Acosta-Santiago were arrested once again. Martinez was charged with witness intimidation and interfering with an officer. Acosta-Santiago was charged with witness intimidation: threatening, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and interfering with an officer. Both were issued on $250,000 bonds and are next scheduled to appear in court in August.

Police said Fiasconaro turned herself in on July 6 when she learned of an active warrant for her arrest. She was charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, false statement, and interfering with an officer. She was issued a $250,000 bond and is next scheduled in court on August 19.

Ernest Kinsler, 28, of Goodwin Road in Canterbury was also arrested in connection with the case. Police said they had a search warrant for Kinsler and his vehicle. Police said they located Kinsler and conducted the search on July 19 around 5:30 p.m. During the search, they found a bullet in his vehicle. Police said Kinsler is a convicted felon from a previous unrelated case.

He was arrested and charged with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. He was held on a $100,000 bond.
The Connecticut Humane Society partnered with the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut and St. Vincent de Paul Place for a free pet wellness clinic Wednesday in Norwich.

"It is enabling us to help pet owners who can't have access or don't have access to pet health care to come get some free services," says Theresa Geary, Director of Operations, Connecticut Humane Society.

All of the pet services are provided by in house veterinarians from the Humane Society at no cost to the owner.

"So we will examine these animals, we will do some nail trimming, some basic you know mat grooming if we need to," says Geary. "But really we're wanting a veterinarian to get their hands on these animals, often it's the first time, and theyre going to look for heart worm testing, we're going to look for flea and tic problems, and we really want to make sure these guys are in good health."

Something the Connecticut Humane Society places a strong emphasis on.

"It's really important if we take a pet into our home that we're providing for them what they deserve," says Alicia Wright, Coordinator at the Connecticut Humane Society. "What they need, what they want as we would for our own children or other members of our family."

This was the 4th clinic held at the William A. Buckingham Memorial Building in Norwich, with the intention to complete 6 clinics funded by multiple grants. Appointments are first come first serve, and they are hoping to serve around 40 pets with the estimated cost for these services being roughly $260.

"It's a great opportunity for us to connect with the community and work with them by keeping those pets in their home instead of bringing them into a shelter so it's a great, great event for us," explains Wright.
On Tuesday night, nearly 200 people entered Faith Congregational Church in Hartford to start a conversation.

"Too many in this community feel the police are not on their side. The whole community has to work to change that perception," said Reverend Stephen Camp with Faith Congregational Church.

"Every time (police officers) go to a call, every time they make a stop, they try to be perfect in every aspect, and we don't always get it right," said Hartford Police Chief James Rovella.

Hartford's mayor, police chief, local clergy and community leaders spoke to residents and listened to concerns and suggestions.

With tensions rising across the country between police departments and communities, Reverend Stephen Camp felt it was important to address the violence, saying it's a concern facing every community.

"We have work to do. We're not exempt from what we see in other places. There is work to be done to make sure the police department has the kind of relationship with the community that is meaningful, that is not at odds with the community," said Rev. Camp.

Middletown Police Captain Gary Wallace also attended the meeting to hear the conversation and maybe bring some ideas discussed Tuesday night back to his department.

"What we really want to do deep down inside is talk about why it's happening and then together come up with solutions," said Middletown Police Captain Gary Wallace.

Hartford Resident Michael Harris brought his two children to the meeting, saying it's important for him to have his kids active in the community. He said he feels like Connecticut is insulated from troubling developments nationally.

"In Connecticut I think it's a beacon of light here. You don't really hear about police brutality and things escalating like you do across the country," said Harris.

Even so, Harris said he has had experience with police harassment in the state.

"I went to high school and I worked in West Hartford. And just driving to work every day, I'd get pulled over. They'd said stuff like a car, like this, was stolen, and it went on and on until my mom went screaming to the chief of police there and shut it down," said Harris.

Harris said he's also had the conversation regarding police interaction with his own 15-year-old son who's in high school.

"it's a source of stress for African American parents in general to have a teenage son. It's something that's constantly on your mind," said Harris. "I've had to have that discussion. It pains me. That's why I'm here."

Harris said he's seen community policing in the Blue Hills area and said one-on-one relationships like that help.

"I think more interactions between police and community, walking the beat like in the old days, riding bikes, talking to people, that to me is how you make a difference," said Harris.

the Tuesday night meeting, Police Chief Rovella also asked for help from the community. He said he needs police recruits from Hartford, he needs residents to report crimes, and he needs everyone to look after their neighbors.

Rev. Camp said it's important that Tuesday night's meeting be the start of many conversations for positive change because a difference can be made when everyone comes together.
Hamden police have arrested a man accused of punching a teenager in the face and strangling a woman during a burglary.

Police arrested Anthony Washington, 40, of Knox Street in West Haven on Sunday. He is charged with third-degree burglary, third degree strangulation, two counts of third degree assault, third degree criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

On Sunday, police responded to a report of a fight in progress at a home on Woodin Street. Police said Washington broke into his ex-wifes home then attacked two family members, a 15-year-old boy and a 42-year-old woman. According to police, Washington punched the teen and strangled the woman, dragging her around the house.

The female victim was transported to Yale-New Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the teen suffered a jaw injury.

Police said they found Washington nearby and arrested him. He was released on a $10,000 bond and expected to appear in court in Meriden on August 5.
NBC 5 Investigates has uncovered new information about changes local fire departments are making after the ambush on Dallas police nearly two weeks ago that left five dead and nine injured.

Among the many questions up for debate is should first responders like paramedics wear body armor so they can quickly enter a shooting scene.

Gunman Micah Xavier Johnson shot 14 officers: One DART officer, two El Centro College officers and 11 Dallas police officers. At least 10 of the officers were transported to the hospital by police cars and not by ambulance. The scene was too chaotic for some officers to find ambulances and too dangerous for paramedics to enter.

On police radio during the night of the attack, you can hear officers trying to locate the closest Dallas Fire-Rescue ambulance - one asking, Is DFR set up somewhere or am I taking this guy to the hospital?

Many officers opted to go straight to the hospital with their wounded colleagues in the back of the police car.

You know, obviously thats a split-second decision that an officer may have to make, said Dallas police detective, Chris Anderson.

Anderson heard the radio calls that night while in his car near Baylor Medical Center. He drove to the emergency room to alert doctors injured officers were on the way.

That situation is unfolding so fast we wanted to make sure at least they knew what had happened and what was coming in, said Anderson.

All of the officers taken to Baylor arrived in police cars.

We immediately had multiple patients which created some bit of chaos, Dr. Stephen Burgher, with Baylor Medical Center, told The Dallas Morning News.

The number of patients was unusual but paramedics tell NBC 5 Investigates its no surprise to see police take their own to the ER in a crisis.

Its human nature, but its also part of the rescuer mentality, MedStar Public Affairs Director Matt Zavadsky.

Fort Worths paramedics are already studying the Dallas attack.

Unfortunately the book is being rewritten because we are already dealing in new environment, said Zavadsky.

So they are adapting.

At protests in Fort Worth last week, MedStar paramedics embedded with a police tactical team nearby so medics could move in along with responding officers if needed.

That way youve got folks specifically trained to handle the medical situations as close to the hot zone as possible, said Zavadsky.

MedStar is also considering bulletproof vests in some supervisors cars in case paramedics need them in an active shooter situation.

Other cities have gone a step further. Earlier this year, Cleveland ordered EMTs to wear body armor on all ambulance calls after an active shooter fired at medics.

Dallas Fire-Rescue told NBC 5 Investigates the department ordered body armor and helmets even before the police ambush. The vests are not available to medics yet. The department is still finalizing a policy on how and when to issue body armor when theres an active shooter.

"The decision to send medics into a WARM ZONE will involve discussion/feedback or input from law enforcement and the ranking DFR officer," Dallas Fire Rescue spokesman Jason Evans said in an e-mail to NBC 5 Investigates.

Some worry body armor could give a false sense of security and cause medics to take unnecessary risks.

Every city, every community, every agency is going to make a decision that they feel is in the best interest of their community, said Zavadsky.

In the most urgent cases, a police car may still be the fastest option.

Every time we have one of those it gives us the experience to learn something different, learn something better, said Zavadsky.

There have been reports that some Dallas paramedics rushed into the shooting scene to help, even without bulletproof vests.

Dallas Fire-Rescue has not commented on that yet, they are waiting to hold a news conference in the next couple of weeks to talk more about what they did that night.

Everyone NBC 5 Investigates spoke with agrees that police and firefighters did everything they could that night still with each major incident departments conduct after action assessments to get even better if it happens again.
Orange People CEO Raghav Putrevu has quite the view from his second floor office along North Dallas Parkway. In the distance, cranes tower over the construction site at Toyota's North American Headquarters.

"There's a lot of energy here. There's a lot of progress. There is a lot of development," said Putrevu. "It's exciting for a small company like us. It's an opportunity."

Orange People, named one of the Top 500 fastest growing private companies in America by Inc. Magazine, employs more than 100 people. Nearly half of the employees have committed to a permanent move to Plano, Putrevu said.

Toyota is Orange People's biggest client.

"When Toyota announced their move about two years ago, that's when we really started to look at this market," Putrevu said. "It is a big reason for our move. They are our most valued client. We've been a business partner with them for five years now."

Orange People provides multiple services, including information security, data warehousing, systems integration, data management and cloud computing.

"The way I look it, this will become our hub. Southern California will still remain a strong anchor for us," Putrevu said. "From a family standpoint, it is a little bit of a challenge because we have Southern California roots. We a lot of of family, friends and a strong network, but once we considered the move, we were discovering a lot of connections here."

Orange People is currently leasing an office, but Putrevu is looking for a permanent space close to the Toyota campus.

Putrevu said Orange People will double its workforce in two years. Most of the hires will be recruits from North Texas.

"It's just not about supporting our existing client. There's a huge opportunity for us here," Putrevu said.
D/FW International Airport police arrested a woman who held officers at bay for more than an hour Wednesday morning after refusing to exit her vehicle during a traffic stop.[[387646861,C]]

The standoff was bookended by two short chases, one that led to the standoff outside the airport's east control tower and another that ended on E. Airfield Drive near the rental car center.

D/FW officials said airport police attempted to pull over the driver on airport property and that the woman, who has not yet been identified, led police on a short chase.

A woman leads police on a short chase along E. Airfield Drive Wednesday, July 20, 2016.

The woman eventually drove down a dead end street that led to the airport's east control tower. It was there that the woman refused to exit her vehicle for more than an hour.

The driver then turned around and drove away, headed south on E. Airfield Drive. Just past Walnut Hill, the woman's car was disabled near the rental car center and she was taken into custody.

Chopper 5 captures the beginning of a brief chase after an incident reported at D/FW International Airport Wednesday morning.

Officials with the airport said an investigation into the incident is ongoing, and charges against the woman are pending.

The woman was transferred to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas for evaluation, officials said.

During the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration briefly stopped using runways in the vicinity, but normal flight operations quickly resumed and flights were not affected.

American Airlines officials said they were aware of law enforcement activity at the airport and confirmed a diversion alert was in place.

well we have been told we can go. I guess the "event" is over...  Raymond Curtice (@RaymondCurtice) July 20, 2016

Federal Aviation Administration's Lynn Lunsford said they "briefly suspended operations on the east side," but that operations have since resumed. Fewer than 10 flights were delayed according to Lunsford.

Authorities pursued a driver after responding to an incident at control tower that briefly suspended operations at D/FW International Airport Wednesday morning.

NBC 5's Ken Kalthoff contributed to this report.
Side by side, Dr. Rev. Michael W. Waters and Imam Omar Suleiman have not had much time to reflect on the events of the last two weeks.

There is too much work to do.

"We are really trying to understand how such a beautiful night could end up turning tragic so quickly," Waters said.

Each came to downtown Dallas the night of July 7 to walk for peace, then found themselves running from hate. When gunfire began targeting Dallas police officers, the pair found themselves running together. As the gunshots rang out, they ran to the Omni Hotel.

"I ended up just emptying my wallet with one man and said, 'I'll give you everything I have just get me to my church,'" said Waters.

The pair piled into a stranger's vehicle with several other people and made their way back to Waters' church where the Christian and Muslim prayed together.

"It was a very emotional night for us both and as I was walking out of the church that night, I gave Michael a big hug," said Suleiman. "I said, 'If we weren't brothers before this, we are now. We're family now.'"

The two first met after the Charleston church shooting and have come to the other's side over the past year.

Waters and his congregation have supported the Muslim community during anti-muslim rallies outside North Texas mosques and Suleiman has supported calls for justice in Waters' South Dallas neighborhood.

"When his community suffers, my community suffers," said Waters. "When we experience pain, his community experiences pain. At the end of the day we are one human family, one world community. Far be it for us to remain silent when someone else is suffering."

"When we grieve, we grieve similarly and when we hope, we hope similarly," said Suleiman. "Humanizing one another is at the heart of solving every problem we have."

Bonded by tragedy, they hope their friendship can be a model for unity.

"Our friendship, our brotherhood is a sign of what is possible and what we should desire to see in our nation," Waters said.
The Dallas Homeless Commission appointed to find solutions to the citys homeless problem focused on homeless children at a meeting Tuesday evening.

The meeting was set for 6 to 8 p.m. at North Dallas High School, where about 180 homeless children attended classes last school year.

The Dallas Independent School District reported a total of about 3,600 homeless children were enrolled last year, a 15-percent increase from the year before.

Mark Pierce, the district's homeless program manager, said the numbers have grown each year as he works to serve those students with more than just an education.

"There was a group of kids out there that a lot of people don't know about, a group of homelessness. And that's the teens  the throw away kids, the runaway kids, the kids that have no place to go," Pierce said.

One formerly homeless student who graduated from North Dallas High School is Paula Ramos. She said Mr. Pierce helped her complete her classes.

"He was there to help me with school supplies," she said. "I had trouble finding a way to get paper and pencils. And then he also helped me with food. When I was hungry, he would help."

Incarnation House is a new place for homeless kids around the corner from North Dallas High School on Central Expressway.

The offshoot of a church across the street from North Dallas High School opened in January.

The place has computers for school work, art and music equipment along with shower and laundry facilities kids take for granted elsewhere.

"This is really a program. It isn't a place to just hang out. But, we have some really nice things to do once they get here," Incarnation House Executive Director Teresa Keenan said.

Incarnation House offers after school programs for homeless kids from 4 to 8 p.m. and also a before school program at the high school.

"We really try to focus on their needs, whether it's educational needs, or immediate needs like clothes and food and toiletries," Incarnation House Program Manager Laura Mendoza said. "It's the kids sleeping on couches in their grandparents' house, or living two families to an apartment, or living in a hotel. We have a bunch of kids and their families living in hotels over off of I-35. Really anything that's not stable, that's not adequate, that can change immediately."

Paula Ramos said Laura Mendoza helped her in an earlier version of the support program for North Dallas High School homeless kids.

Now, living in Mesquite, Ramos is serving this summer as a camp counselor for homeless elementary school kids at the Lake West YMCA in West Dallas.

"I love to give back to students who had trouble like me, and especially so young, it hurts me to see them like that," she said.

Ramos is also college student and she hopes the kids she is helping now complete their education.

"Even with their struggles I hope they try to go to school. Even if they have these problems," Ramos said.

The Dallas Homeless Commission was to hear from Mark Pierce and Teresa Keenan Tuesday evening about success stories and the growing challenge to serve other homeless kids.

Pierce said 10 Dallas high schools now have support program for homeless kids, but he hopes to see them at all of the two dozen or so high schools in Dallas before he retires because he said the need is citywide.

Pierce also said Dallas shelters only provide 48 hours of housing for homeless kids.

"If they need some kind of assistance, 48 hours isn't enough. So we really need to be able to expand that," Pierce said.

Public meetings are set for the next five weeks on different aspects of the Dallas Homelessness problem. Recommendations will then be prepared for the mayor and Dallas City Council.
Dallas police said a 15-year-old girl with autism has been found safe after she went missing Tuesday night.

Dallas police said Amaya Xavie Burns was reported missing after she was last seen walking in the 9800 block of Sophora Circle at about 11 p.m.

In a tweet Wednesday morning, the department said Burns was found safe and had been reunited with her mother.

No further information was released.
Nearly 100 children from around the world will participate in the opening ceremony for the Olympic Summer Games. And 9-year-old Kenya Delgado, who is from North Texas, will be one of them.

Thanks to the Ronald McDonald House charity, Kenya, her family, and her best friend, 12-year-old April Borjas, are all heading to Rio.

Almost a year ago, Kenya's family packed up all of their belongings and left Fort Worth for Minnesota so that Kenya's youngest brother Anton could receive medical treatment. Anton was fighting a rare disease, epidermolysis bullosa.

After 10 months of treatment, 5-year old Anton passed away. During that time, both Kenya and April became closer.

9yr old Kenya is 1 out of 100 kids from around the world who will be performing during Olympics ceremonies @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/txxGMAwfdW  Courtney Gilmore (@CourtneyNBC5) July 20, 2016

"I just got to see something so beautiful come out of something really tragic," said Vanessa Delgado, Kenya's mother.

Both girls are a part of the McDonald's Olympics Kids Program, which celebrates friendship. Kenya and April will also have a special presence at the opening ceremony.

"I definitely think that will be the highlight of the her trip, but spending time with April will take the cake. I will pick April up on July 26 and bring her here cause we're going to all fly out together so I think that they will have a blast and be inseparable I'm sure," said Kenya's mom.

McDonald's has sent children to the Olympics before, but this is the first year that the children will walk in the Opening Ceremony.
A little postage stamp went on a big journey almost a decade agoand set a world record in the process.

In the long list of Guinness World Records that we had no idea existed, a 1991 Pluto: Not Yet Explored stamp traveled a very long way to set a world record for the farthest distance traveled by a postage stamp.

In 2006, the young stamp embarked on a journey to everyones favorite dwarf planet, Pluto. It traveled over three billion miles on a mission to stamp its way into the record books.

The 29-cent postage sticker journeyed inside a NASA spacecraft as part of the New Horizons mission, according to a NASA press release.

The stamp also served as NASA's rallying cry to set the record straight for exploring Pluto, the press release said.

And its journey isnt over yet! NASA recently announced the New Horizons mission will travel another one billion miles to find an object known as 2014 MU69- considered to be one of the early building blocks of the solar system, the press release said.

NASA, along with the U.S. Postal Service, celebrated the victory on July 19 at the Postal Service Headquarters. Anyone who is a fan of space has been asked to use the hastag #PlutoExplored on social media to spread the good news.
Donald J. Trump officially became the presidential nominee of the Republican Party on the second day of its convention in Cleveland on Tuesday -- as his children and the Republican leadership took the stage. Here are some of the night's top moments that you might have missed.

Trump Clinches the Nomination

Donald Trump locked up the Republican Party's presidential nomination on Tuesday just after 7 p.m. when his son, Donald Trump Jr., announced from the floor that the majority of New York's delegates were casting their vote for him.

"It is my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegate count tonight with 89 delegates and another six for John Kasich," he said. "Congratulations Dad, we love you."

The younger Trump pledged that the campaign would put the solidly Democratic New York into play in the November election with support from areas that are not particularly conservative.

"It's not a campaign anymore," the younger Trump said. "Its a movement. Speaking to real Americans, giving them a voice again."

The Stop Trump movement was stopped but not without embarrassment. Kasich has not endorsed Trump and the Ohio governor has refused to attend the convention in his home state.

Washington, D.C.'s delegation tried to award 10 votes to U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and nine to Kasich in accordance with its primary results, but was turned back by convention officials. All of its votes went to Trump. On MSNBC, one of the Kasich delegates called the rule interpretation an outrage.

Alaska's delegation objected to the same rule by demanding a roll call vote. The request was denied -- and all of its delegates also went to Trump -- but the convention's speakers were delayed.

[NATL] Scenes From the GOP Convention in Cleveland

A Hello from New York

Donald Trump left Cleveland for New York City but returned to the convention remotely. He was proud to be the Republican nominee, he said.

"By the way, we are going to win the state of Ohio and also of course we are going to win the presidency," he said.

He promised to restore law and order and a strong border, to eliminate the Islamic State and to put the American people first.

Trump will be in Cleveland again on Wednesday with his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

Auditioning for Attorney General?

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a former federal prosecutor, told the audience that because the U.S. Justice Department had refused to prosecute Hillary Clinton, he would present the facts and let them sit as a jury of her peers.

"She fights for the wrong people," he said. "She never fights for us."

He called her the architect of the disastrous overthrow of the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, an apologist for Nigeria's Boko Haram, which later abducted still-missing school girls, an awful judge of Syria President Bashar al-Assad and the inept negotiator of a nuclear arms deal with Iran, the worst in U.S. history.

Guilty or not guilty, he asked in what became a refrain.

"Lock her up," the crowd chanted.

Clinton fired back on Twitter with a reference to the George Washington Bridge lane-closing scandal.

"If you think Chris Christie can lecture anyone on ethics, we have a bridge to sell you," she wrote.

Family Trump

[[387548961,C]]

In addition to Donald Trump Jr.'s role in his father's nomination, he gave what some commentators called the best speech of the convention. He described his father as his mentor and his best friend, a man who never gives up, who changed the skyline of New York City.

"For my father, impossible is just the starting point," he said. "That's how he approaches business projects. That's how he approaches life."

He said his father had spent his career with regular Americans, pouring concrete and hanging sheetrock on construction sites, valuing their opinions as much or more than the graduates of Harvard University or Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

"We didn't learn from MBAs," the son said. "We learned from people who had doctorates in common sense."

Donald Trump's daughter, Tiffany Trump, called her father "a natural born encourager" whose "desire for excellence is contagious."

La policia informo que el sujeto podria estar relacionado con varios robos a viviendas en el norte de la ciudad.

"He always helped me be the best version of myself by encouragement and by example," she said.

They spoke as fallout continued over Melania Trump's speech Monday night  a portion of which was nearly identical to one Michelle Obama gave in 2008. NBC News reported that the original draft of the speech did not include the disputed section.

The campaign denied there had been any plagiarism in the speech by Donald Trump's wife, and deflected questions about whether anyone should be fired. Paul Manafort, Trump's campaign chairman, accused Hillary Clinton of bringing attention to the accusations. But Donald Trump Jr. seemed to blame unidentified speechwriters and the former campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski, who was pushed out in favor of Manafort, said Manafort should take responsibility.

Emilie Plesset contributed information to this article.
Decades later, July 18 will long be remembered as a horrific day in San Diegos history. Now, the director of a new documentary hopes his movie will help San Diegans know and remember the victims, survivors and unknown heroes of the 1984 McDonalds massacre.

Thirty-two years have gone by but the events of that day are still fresh in the mind of survivors like Wendy Flanagan.

I dont want to relive that day ever again," she said.

But sadly, she says she remembers everything whenever she hears news of another mass shooting.

I go through it over and over. I relive it every time," she said.

On July 18, 1984, Flanagan was 16 years old, taking orders behind the register at a McDonald's in San Ysidro. At some point, she walked away from the front counter to get more ice.

And thats when she heard the gunfire.

James Oliver Huberty opened fire inside the McDonald's, killing 21 people and injuring 19 others.

But director Charlie Minn says you won't see or hear the shooter's name anywhere in his new documentary about the tragic mass shooting.

This cowards name will not be in the film, but what he did that day was beyond comprehension.

Instead, the focus of the movie is on the several victims of all ages who lost their lives, the untold stories of heroes who shielded others from the spray of bullets and the survivors who continue to live with the scars from that day.

Minn interviewed people like Flanagan for the documentary.

But Flanagan says she won't be joining other at the theaters when the film is released.

I wont watch the movie because its vivid already in my mind. And I dont need to relive that. I have taken these 32 years trying to forget that day.

The movie lasts 77 minutes, the same amount of time between the first call to police at 4 p.m. until the moment a SWAT marksman fired at single shot at the gunman, killing him.

On Monday, flowers adorned the memorial site in San Ysidro where the McDonalds used to stand.

The movie will first open to people in San Diego on Friday, September 23. It will run at the Ultrastar Mission Valley-Hazard Center for at least a week.

Minn says he doesnt hold back in the movie so many may find the images disturbing.
An 11-year-old girl home alone when a robber broke into her house in Escondido Tuesday hid quietly in a closet and sent text messages to her mother reporting there was a stranger lurking inside, police confirmed.

The Escondido Police Department (EPD) said the young girl was at her home in the 2300 block of Live Oak Road just after 10:30 a.m. when an unknown man allegedly entered the residence.

Police said the girl saw the suspect but he did not see her. She quickly made her way into a closet and texted her mother to say someone was in their house. She stayed in there until the suspect was gone.

The girls mother alerted police. When officers arrived, they searched the home but could not immediately locate a suspect or suspects.

The EPD said the girl was unharmed.

The suspect was described as a 6-foot-tall man with a buzz-style haircut who was wearing baggy jeans. He left the home in a newer model extra cab truck that had a chrome diamond-plated tool box on it, police said.

The incident is under investigation.

Police said a couple of the rooms inside the family's home were ransacked, although it is unclear, at this point, what was taken from the home.

Investigators said the suspect forced entry into the house through the garage door.

Police said there was a report of a possible weapon involved in the robbery, but investigators could not confirm if the suspect who entered the home was armed with a weapon or if a firearm was taken from the residence in the robbery.

Authorities released the terrifying 911 call the mother had to make. NBC 7 San Diego typically does not play 911 calls, but this one provides a lot of information about what was going on at the time.

"Someone is robbing the house, I said, 'can you hear somone in the house?'", the mother told dispatchers.

On the call, the mother relayed what her daughter told her.

"And then I said can you get out? And she said, 'so scared, no (inaudible),' I said, 'where are you, hide.' 'I'm in the closet, help,'" the mother told dispatchers.

Officers remained at the scene for several hours collecting fingerprints and swabbing for DNA evidence, per standard procedure, the EPD said.

A law enforcement helicopter scoured the neighborhood in search of the suspect to no avail. Police officers also checked neighboring homes to see if there had been any other similar break-ins and searched the area for witnesses.
The wound didn't shock Art Sherman until he saw how much blood he lost, and realized he was still alive.

He'd seen the fire coming close, and reached for his helmet. Seconds later, he was on the floor of the plane flying over Austria with blood gushing from his head. A thumbnail-sized chunk of flak had penetrated his skull.

Sherman was lucky. He survived being wounded in World War II. Seventy years later the nonagenarian recalled his story to a kid who was about his age when Sherman was battling the Nazis as a bombardier overseas.

"It would have killed me if it had gone a few millimeters more," Sherman said in a video interview at Heroes of the Second World War. "I'm still alive and appreciate living this long."

The "kid" who created the project, Rishi Sharma, recently graduated from Agoura High School.

The history buff came up with the idea because he felt that members of the "Greatest Generation" are being forgotten by younger generations. Some 16 million Americans served during WWII, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Fewer than 1 million survive today and they're dying at a rate of more than 400 a day, according to the National WWII Museum. The VA projects that only half a million will be alive by 2017.

"They're kind of just being left to die, without people realizing what they've done for the world," Sharma said. "People my age just don't realize what these guys had to do."

Sharma was inspired by The Library of Congress's Veterans History Project, which collects stories from veterans of wars spanning the last century. Similar projects exist throughout the country.

"We have more than 100,000 stories in our archive, but there are 21 million living American veterans," said Lisa Taylor, a spokeswoman for the Veterans History Project. "We have our work cut out for us."

Sharma tries to do one interview per day.

He borrows his parents' car to get to the interviews at veterans' homes.

He sets up his camera, tripod and microphone where the lighting is good. And he looks each of his subjects in the eye.

"Before I even do the interview, after I've set up shop, I explain to them how thankful I really am," Sharma said. "I tell the guys, 'I really think that you are a hero. And I just want you to know that.'"

Some veterans he seeks out, some come to him.

Len Zerlin, a 92-year-old Air Force veteran from Thousand Oaks, reached out to Sharma after reading about him in a newspaper.

Zerlin has spoken to classes about his World War II experiences, but stopped because the audiences seemed indifferent.

"I wanted to know about him," Zerlin said. "What motivated a kid who just graduated school to want to do this?"

Milt Bick, a 91-year-old Oak Park resident who served in the Marine Corps during WWII, got in touch with Sharma through his daughter.

"My sister and I thought it was a good idea to get it on to paper," said his daughter, Randi. "He found it fascinating going back in time. He talked about things that he wouldn't normally talk to us about."

Sharma is so committed to the interviews that he says he's putting off college.

"I would be doing this no matter what," said Sharma who is raising travel expenses online. "I'm just trying to meet my heroes and trying to understand who they were."
A memorial service is scheduled Wednesday for a Long Beach police dog who was fatally shot while working to apprehend a knife-wielding suspect.

Credo, a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois, was killed June 28 as police were trying to arrest a suspect wanted in connection with a December 2014 gang- related shooting. Credo had been with the department for about two years.

The memorial service will be at LBPOA Park. Police noted that parking is limited at the site, and encouraged people planning to attend to carpool or take alternate transportation. They also discouraged people from bringing pets to the service, since numerous police dogs will be in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Credo's memory to the Long Beach K9 Officers Association by visiting its website at www.lbk9oa.org or mailing to P.O. Box 17366, Long Beach, 90807.

Credo was killed while police worked to arrest Barry Prak, 27, of Long Beach, who had been spotted by members of a U.S. Marshals Service task force that includes Long Beach police. After a standoff with Prak at an apartment, he came out of the residence and "began to aggressively charge the officers," according to police.

Credo tried to stop the man, who brandished a knife, as he advanced toward officers. One officer fired at the suspect, striking him and Credo.

Following the shooting, an officer was seen carrying Credo's limp body from the scene and placing the canine on a sidewalk. Officer Mike Parcells drove Credo to a nearby animal hospital, where he died.

Prak later died at a hospital.

Parcells has been a K-9 handler for 16 years. Another of his police dog partners, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois named Ranger, was fatally shot Oct. 2, 2005, while police tried to flush an armed parolee from a hiding spot under a porch.

"These K-9s are not just dogs. These are police officers. This dog was injured in the performance of his duty and that's going to weigh heavily on the Long Beach police family," LBPD Deputy Chief Richard Conant said.
Making a sauce-flavorful splash, when you're a pizza joint, can take on a few delicious dimensions, from offering interesting toppings to wallet-nice discounts.

But taking a twofer tact is one solid way to make a start in a new spot, especially when that twofer involves A) free pizza and, far more importantly, B) giving back and helping others in the community.

Both of those plans are ahead for the new PizzaRev arriving in Thousand Oaks at The Oaks Mall on Hillcrest Drive. This is indeed the PizzaRev that features regional brews like Figueroa Mountain Brewing Co. and offers some offbeat toppings like vegan sausage, fennel seeds, and crumbled meatballs.

The construct-your-own pie shop, which now has over 40 locations, will make a double debut beginning on Thursday, July 21.

That's the traditional "free pizza day" at the new shop, one that's all about a "complimentary, personal-sized pizza" with the toppings of the customer's choice. The customer's role? Like or follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter.

The second part of the opening, and the heart of the opening, happens on Thursday, July 28 when PizzaRev donates 100% of all sales made during certain hours to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Southern California.

Those hours? Be there to buy your pie between 11 and 2 or 5 and 8 on the 28th.

It's not every eatery that goes the double-debut route, but making sure to show on July 28, to give back and lend your support to LLS, is definitely a big-of-spirit thing to do.

Can you make both dates? Start here, if you don't yet know the build-your-own pizza company.
A Los Angeles-based street artist built a miniature wall, featuring razor wire and "Keep Out" signs, around Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Visitors gathered around the star Tuesday, snapping photos before it was removed. Trump's star is in front of Forever 21 clothing store in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard, a prominent location on the Walk of Fame not far from the Hollywood and Highland Center.

The 6-inch tall wall, which formed a barrier between Trump's star and that of "House of Cards" actor Kevin Spacey, was built by the British artist known as Plastic Jesus. Known for his guerrilla-style street art, Plastic Jesus also installed "No Trump Anytime" signs outside Trump Tower in Chicago, as well as in other prominent locations around the U.S. and London. He created similar signs that read "No Kardashian Parking Anytime" and other works that take on celebrity culture. [[379720771, C]]

The installations are usually left in place for a short time, then removed.

Trump, who became the Republican presidential nominee Tuesday on the second day of the party's convention in Cleveland, has proposed a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico to keep out unauthorized immigrants.

The New York business magnate and reality show personality was inducted into the Walk of Fame in January 2007. [[387337681, C]]
Hundreds of animals were auctioned off Saturday at California's Santa Barbara County Fair. Most will end up at a slaughterhouse.

A lamb named Lily was meant to be one of those animals, but at the last minute, high school student Leslie Torres pulled her out of the auction, NBC affiliate KSBY reported.

"I didn't want her to die, so when I got told there was a sanctuary that was interested in her, I pulled her out at the last minute," said Torres.

Erika Satkoski has adopted Lily and will be giving her a new home.

"Of all the animals here, it's sad that just one has been saved, but I think it's an important lesson to learn and I want to support and be behind this," Satkoski said.

Read more from KSBY
Actor Tom Sizemore was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence in Los Angeles Tuesday morning, according to police.

Sizemore, 54, was arrested around 8:15 a.m. in the 400 block of South Main Street, LAPD said. He was released around 8:20 p.m. after posting $50,000 bail, The Associated Press reported.

Los Angeles police Officer Jane Kim declined to disclose to the AP details about the alleged victim or the severity of any injuries.

The arrest comes two weeks after the "Black Hawk Down" actor accidentally ran over a stuntman while filming the USA Network show "Shooter" in Agua Dulce. Sizemore's manager Charles Lago declined comment about Tuesday's arrest.

Sizemore became a star in the late 1990s and early 2000s with acclaimed appearances in "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat."

He then developed serious substance dependency problems that devastated his movie career, left him homeless, sent him to jail and led to a failed suicide attempt.

Most famously, he was sentenced to six months in jail in 2003 for beating up his then-girlfriend, "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss.

In 2005, his probation was revoked when he was caught using a prosthetic device to try to fool a drug test. Sizemore eventually got his probation reinstated, but he tested positive for drug use in 2006 and was given another three years probation and ordered to take weekly drug tests.

The following year he was arrested on suspicion of drug possession in Bakersfield, and sentenced to prison for violating his probation.

His comeback started in recent years after he wrote the candid book "By Some Miracle I Made It Out of There: A Memoir" about his recovery from addiction.

Sizemore told The Associated Press in 2013 after the book's release that he believed his dependency was related to the trappings of success, something he thought he could mask with alcohol.

"First I drank. People could tell if you were drunk, so then I was like, 'Hey, look, let me find a drug where I feel comfortable in my own skin,'" he said in the interview. "But I did. I found a drug and it was called cocaine. I did it for a while. Then I found an even better drug and it was called heroin."

Finally, he said, crystal meth became the drug that consumed his life and powered his spectacular fall from success.

His recovery was documented on VH1 unscripted series "Celebrity Rehab" and its spinoff "Sober House."

City News Service and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A speechwriter for Donald Trump's company said Wednesday she made a mistake and apologized for using passages from a 2008 Michelle Obama speech in the Republican party convention speech delivered by Melania Trump.

In a statement issued by the campaign, Meredith McIver took the blame but made it clear that Mrs. Trump knew the passages were from the first lady's speech.

"A person she has always liked is Michelle Obama," McIver says of Mrs. Trump. "Over the phone, she read me some passages from Mrs. Obama's speech as examples. I wrote them down and later included some of the phrasing in the draft that ultimately became the final speech."

She said she offered her resignation Tuesday but the Trump family rejected it.

"Mr. Trump told me people make innocent mistakes and that we learn and grow from these experiences," she said in the statement.

The passages in question came near the beginning of Mrs. Trump's nearly 15-minute speech.

In one example, Mrs. Trump said: "From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect."

Eight years ago, Mrs. Obama said: "And Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: like, you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond, that you do what you say you're going to do, that you treat people with dignity and respect."

There were similar overlaps in a passage dealing with conveying to children that there is no limit to what they can achieve. Mrs. Trump's address was otherwise distinct from the speech that Mrs. Obama gave when her husband was being nominated for president.

"I did not check Mrs. Obama's speeches. This was my mistake, and I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama. No harm was meant."

McIver was described in the statement as an "in-house staff writer at the Trump Organization."

McIver started at the Trump Organization in 2001, according to her profile on the website of a booking agency called the All American Speakers Bureau.

Before that, she worked on Wall Street, according to the profile. She is originally from San Jose, California. The profile says she trained at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in English.

"I asked to put out this statement because I did not like seeing the way this was distracting from Mr. Trump's historic campaign for president and Melania's beautiful message and presentation," McIver said.

She apologized for "the confusion and hysteria my mistake has caused."

Donald Trump directly addressed for the first time Wednesday the controversy over his wife's speech, writing on Twitter that media coverage about whether the speech was plagiarized has been overblown. But Trump also cited the adage that "all press is good press."

"Good news is Melania's speech got more publicity than any in the history of politics especially if you believe that all press is good press!" Trump wrote.

He followed up the tweet with another that said, "The media is spending more time doing a forensic analysis of Melania's speech than the FBI spent on Hillary's emails."

The FBI investigated Clinton for nearly a year before director James Comey concluded that she had been "extremely careless" but there was no evidence she committed a crime.

Melania Trump's prime-time speech on Monday, the first night of the GOP's convention in Cleveland, was her first real introduction to American voters who'd seen her by her husband's side for months but had barely heard her speak.

Within moments of her triumphant appearance on the convention stage, the accusations of plagiarism surfaced, eclipsing her achievement in the latest stumble by the Trump campaign.

Trump's advisers defiantly denied the plagiarism charge Tuesday, though the word-for-word overlap was obvious between Melania Trump's remarks the night before and two passages in Michelle Obama's 2008 speech to the Democratic convention in Denver.

"It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible. Very proud!" Trump wrote early Tuesday.

Hours later, Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort called the speech criticism "just absurd" and said the issue had been "totally blown out of proportion."

"There were a few words on it, but they're not words that were unique words," he told The Associated Press. "Ninety-nine percent of that speech talked about her being an immigrant and love of country and love of family and everything else."

Manafort also tried to blame Hillary Clinton, saying on CNN, "This is, once again, an example of when a woman threatens Hillary Clinton, how she seeks out to demean her and take her down."

The White House declined to wade into the controversy Tuesday.

Trump's son, Donald Jr., had faulted outside speechwriters: "Those are the people that did this, not Paul (Manafort)," he said in an interview with CBS News and other reporters.

Yet for Melania Trump, 46, a Slovenian-born former model who is Donald Trump's third wife and 24 years his junior, the controversy marred a moment in the spotlight that had been months in the making. It required her to overcome her wariness about public speaking and the traditional role of the politician's wife, as well as her heavily accented English, to present herself to the public as her husband's partner, a poised mother and wife passionate about issues impacting women and children.

Trump's oldest daughter, Ivanka, has taken up much of the role of the typical political spouse. She was the one who introduced her father at his official campaign announcement and appears often by his side. Melania has sat for a handful of interviews, in which she's described herself as a private person, focused on raising the couple's 10-year-old son, Barron.

But on Monday she delivered her speech with deliberation and poise, and it was rapturously received by convention delegates. Listeners compared her to Jackie Kennedy and said she'd won hearts from the GOP crowd.

Many delegates were eager to defend her, convinced that whatever had happened, Mrs. Trump herself was not to blame. And they were sympathetic that her moment in the sun had turned into the latest black eye for her husband's rocky campaign.

Nebraska delegate J.L. Spray, a member of the Republican National Committee, said the part of the speech that matched Mrs. Obama's "was such non-substantive stuff. The media and the Democrats needed something to focus on, so they came up with this. If you say 'God bless America' at the end of your speech, are you plagiarizing Ronald Reagan?"
Two teens have been arrested in the theft of an unmarked Miami-Dade police car, officials said.

Christian Carvajal, 19, and a 15-year-old suspect, were arrested on grand theft charges, police said Wednesday.

The dark grey Dodge Charger was discovered stolen from an officer's home in the area of Southwest 162nd Avenue and Miller Drive last Friday. The officer's two personal vehicles were also broke into.

Police found the Charger submerged in a canal the next day . Detectives said fingerprints left on the door handle of one of the cars led them to the teens

Among the stolen items recovered were a Smith and Wesson A/R-15 rifle, a Glock 9MM firearm inscribed with 'Miami-Dade Police Department,' a ballistic helmet, a Taser electronic control device, a Miami-Dade Police Department badge, and a computer.

Officials said Carvajal was trying to sell the Glock. He also faces charges of burglary and unlawful taking of a law enforcement officer's firearm.
John Timoney, who spent seven years as the top cop in the city of Miami, is currently in the hospital battling what has been diagnosed as stage 4 lung cancer.

The 68-year-old told NewsWorks.org that his voice is completely gone when the site requested an interview.

Timoney started his law enforcement career with the New York Police Department, where he spent 29 years and rose to the rank of First Deputy Commissioner. After spending four years as the Commissioner for the Philadelphia Police Department, Timoney spent a year in private security before being named the chief of the Miami Police Department.

During his time in South Florida, Timoney received praise at the start of his tenure for a reduction in the murder rate and the number of police involved shootings. There would be some controversy, including the use of force by officers during the Free Trade Area of the Americas summit and his use of a luxury SUV without cost from a local dealership.

Timoney has spent the past six years working as a consultant for both the country of Bahrain and the Camden County, NJ Police Department.
A group of Cuban migrants were rescued off the coast of Boca Raton Wednesday, while two others were missing at sea.

Six migrants in all were rescued around 9 a.m. Wednesday morning roughly two miles off shore east of the city. They told Coast Guard crews they had been in the water since sunset Tuesday night and claim two other migrants were missing.

Coast Guard crews are searching by air and water for those two remaining migrants.

All six rescued migrants were in good condition but some were being treated for displaying signs of dehydration.

Officials said a vessel was found on the beach just south of the Boca Raton Inlet. It was later confirmed that it's the vessel the Cubans were on.

Stay tuned to NBC 6 on air and online for updates.
Award-winning journalist Jose Diaz-Balart is stepping down as host of his MSNBC morning program The Rundown with Jose Diaz-Balart and picking up a new role as Saturday anchor at NBC Nightly News all while continuing his duties as anchor at Telemundo Network.

This is a significant moment for the broadcast and a true testament to Joses many talents, said Janelle Rodriguez, SVP of Editorial at NBC News. We are thrilled that hell officially join our top-notch lineup with Lester Holt on weeknights and Kate Snow on Sundays.

This new role puts Diaz-Balart in the position of being the first journalist to deliver the news in both English and Spanish, on two main television networks.

He will now hold the historic distinction of occupying preeminent anchor positions on two major broadcast networks in two languages, Rodriguez said.

But this is not the first time Diaz-Balart makes it in the history books, in 1996 he became the first Cuban-American to host the CBS Morning News.

Excited about his new venture the ex-WTVJ alum took to his various social media platforms to share the news with his followers and to express his gratitude about joining NBC Nightly News:

The 55 year-old news anchor already part of the Nightly News rotating cast of anchors since November 2015 starts his official day as permanent Saturday host on August 6th at 6pm

You can also catch Jose Diaz-Balart on the Telemundo Network News Monday thru Friday at 6:30pm and on Sunday at 12 noon on the public affairs program Enfoque.

Telemundo and NBC Universal are both owned by Comcast Corp.
A man who was injured in a police-involved shooting in North Miami remained hospitalized Tuesday, while his attorney spoke out to give new details on what led to the shooting.

Charles Kinsey is recovering from a gunshot to the leg fired by a North Miami Police officer Monday near Northeast 14th Avenue and Northeast 127th Street.

Police said officers responded to the scene after they received a 911 call of an armed man threatening suicide. Officers tried to "negotiate" with the two men and at one point, an officer fired, police said in a statement.

"Nobody patted him down from my understanding, nobody checked to see if he was armed or the other individual was armed, they just had them laying on the ground for a period of time and then the shot went off and hit him in the leg," said Kinsey's attorney, Hilton Napoleon.

Kinsey is an orderly at a nearby assisted living facility for mentally disabled adults. He says one of the home's residents, a severely autistic young man, walked out. Kinsey found him holding a toy truck, sitting on the pavement.

Napoleon said Kinsey explained the situation to police.

"He said 'listen, there's no need for that, I'm a mental health professional, this individual has mental health problems and nobody's armed,'" Napoleon said.

Police said the officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, per department policy. The shooting remains under investigation with the assistance of the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office.

Napoleon things the Dallas and Baton Rouge incidents have left police on edge, and that may have led to an accidental shooting in the case of Kinsey.

"I can't say that it did in this case specifically, but it leads you to wonder that had those things not happened, had the police not been ambushed in those parts and had they not been on heightened alert, would they have come out with assault rifles and accidentally, I don't know if it was intentional or accidental, shot an individual who's laying on the ground with his hands up," Napoleon said. "He was on the ground, he was laying on the ground with his hands up and he got shot in the leg."

Napoleon says if police believed Kinsey was a threat, he would have been shot in the chest or head. The fact that he was shot in the leg shows this was an accidental shooting, Napoleon said.

Police haven't confirmed those details of the shooting but said they're looking for witnesses and anyone who may have photos or video of the incident, to call them at 305-891-0294.
The son of a Sweetwater woman who was found dead inside her home last week has been arrested and charged in the case.

Joaquin Villagra, 32, was taken into custody after he approached officers from the Miami-Dade Police Department Tuesday and, according to the police report, told them he had a fight with the victim shortly after he had taken cocaine.

Villagra said he blacked out during the argument and wasnt sure if he was responsible for the death of his mother. After being questioned, he was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. It's unknown if he's hired an attorney.

The body of 54-year-old Lisbeth Sandigo was found inside the home the pair lived in off Southwest 107th Avenue and 5th Street. Sandigos car, which was reported missing at the time of the initial investigation, was being driven by Villagra at the time of his arrest.

Villagra also told police he took the victims credit card as well before leaving in her vehicle.
An Oakland, California, company dedicated to rooting out plagiarism was hopping on Tuesday, hours after Melania Trump's speech to the Republican National Convention raised questions about what it took from Michelle Obama's speech in 2008.

Turnitin spokesman Chris Harrick popped both speeches into his company's anti-plagiarism algorithm at NBC Bay Area's request and found that six percent of Trump's speech to the convention on Monday in Cleveland, matched the first lady's eight years ago. Trump used 63 words that matched Obama's, and of those, 23 were "cloned" in the same exact sequence from the 2008 speech, the text analysis company found.

"I won't answer what percentage counts as plagiarism or not," Harrick said, "but our mission is to show that writing with integrity matters."

Melania Trumps speech at the Republican National Convention contained two passages that match nearly word-for-word the speech given by Michelle Obama in 2008 at the Democratic National Convention.

Comparisons of the two speeches flooded the news and social media near midnight, as the convention drew to a close, on Monday. On Tuesday, members of the Trump team defended Trump or, like campaign manager Paul Manafort, denied there was any plagiarism at all.

Trying to tamp down the controversy, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said on NBC's "Today" show that "93 percent of the speech is completely different" from the speech Obama delivered at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. He did not explain how he arrived at the 93 percent figure, though it was remarkably similar to the Turnitin analysis.

To put Monday's incident in context, Harrick gave this example: Say a student were asked to turn in a 1,000-word poem and wrote every word herself, except for the first line of "To be or not to be, that is the question?" Isn't that cheating? Harrick asked rhetorically.

That said, scientists often use the exact same words to explain something because those are the only words that can be used to describe a phenomenon like genome sequencing, Harrick said. His company has even come up with a plagiarism spectrum, from "cloning" exact words and phrases to "find and replacing" words, which Trump did, to retweeting without sourcing.

Journalists weren't the only ones wanting to see the similarities between the two speeches. Harrick said he estimates "hundreds" of his company's clients, mostly professors and universities, were using the algorithm to see the same thing on Tuesday.

Turnitin.com

Turnitin's computer program found that Trump copied about two dozen words word-for-word from Obama's speech eight years ago.

Trump said on Monday: ..and we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

Obama said in 2008: "...and pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children  and all children in this nation  to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them."

There were other incidents in which Trump's speech kept some of the same wording as Obama's.

Harrick said this is the biggest question of plagiarism Turnitin has ever been asked to decipher since the company was founded in 1998. And Harrick said the company is hoping take this 15 minutes of a teachable moment to impress what copying can do to prevent people from doing it in the future.

"Think for yourself," he said. "Or you'll run into problems down the road."
What to Know The restaurant owner said the phrase was meant to be a cute play on words

Many Facebook users didn't agree, calling the sign "tacky" and "insensitive"

Some did take a lighter approach, writing on the social media platform that people take offense too easily

An Italian restaurant in New Mexico is under fire for apparently trying to leverage the Black Lives Matter movement to boost sales of its olive tapenade.

Paisano's in Albuquerque put "BLACK OLIVES MATTER TRY OUR TAPENADE" below a billboard outside its restaurant last week to promote one of its specials, drawing outrage on social media from many who said it trivialized the movement protesting recent fatal shootings of black men by police.

Owner Rick Camuglia told NBC affiliate KOB restaurant workers thought it was "a cute play on words."

We were trying to promote our pan-seared Ahi tuna with a black olive tapenade relish. And so we put black olives matter, try our tapenade,' Camuglia said.

Some Facebook users took to the restaurant's page to voice their frustration; some called the sign "tacky and hideous;" others called it "disgusting" and "insensitive."

Others weren't offended by the sign. One Facebook user posted she was "so sick of people" getting "offended over every little thing." Others quipped, "All olives matter."

The restaurant pulled the promotion from the billboard amid the backlash, but Camuglia, who said he had been getting calls accusing him of being racist, told KOB it was not his intent to offend anyone. He told the station he doesn't feel the need to apologize.

"I think it shows an interesting state of affairs of where our country is that people, first of all, can be offended by a statement about a vegetable," Camuglia said. "Black olives matter, and it does matter in our tapenade."

The restaurant later posted on Facebook that it had been inundated with calls requesting dishes with black olives and served up so many of them it nearly ran out and had to order more.
What to Know Police believe multiple suspects are behind attacks on women near Prospect Park on July 12, July 2, June 26 and May 22

The women were walking alone at night when the suspects attacked them. They were all able to fight off the suspects or call for help

There have been no arrests in any of the four cases

A series of attacks in the area around Prospect Park are raising serious concerns and worries among residents.

All of the attacks were just a few blocks from the park and NYPD sources said Tuesday that they dont believe theyre the work of one suspect.

The news is alarming to neighbors and visitors.

I want to feel safe and secure, and its just very sad, Flatbush resident Sharon Myrie said.

The most recent attack happened on July 12 on Park Place between Carlton and Vanderbilt avenues. Police say a woman was walking and talking on her cell phone when a man came up behind her, grabbed her and pusher her to the ground. He then tried to remove her underwear. She screamed and the man took off.

Just 10 days earlier, on July 2, there was another attack at Seventh Avenue and Garfield Place. Police released surveillance photos of the suspects face. The woman was able to fight him off.

On June 26, there was another assault in Windsor Terrace. Surveillance video captured the man lifting a womans dress and then pulling down her underwear. The video then shows him punching her after she fell to the ground. She fought back and the suspect ran away.

Christine Hulker said a friend emailed her to warn her about the attack in her neighborhood.

Just to be careful when its dark out. And being alone in the park at dark, Hulker said of the email.

On May 22 there was yet another attack, this one on Second Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues. A woman was walking when a man grabbed her, pushed her to the ground and tried to rape her. She yelled for help and fought him off. Police released a sketch of the suspect and a photo of a dark-colored Acura leaving the scene.

Police are trying to put an end to these crimes and to catch the men behind them.

The guy will do it again, and hell be caught! Park Slope resident Peter Dube said.

Police had initially said that they had two persons of interest who they were looking for in the Windsor Terrace case but so far there havent been any arrests in that attack, nor in the other three.

The NYPD asks anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Police say they've made an arrest in the Queens hit-and-run that killed a mother and critically injured her 9-year-old daughter Sunday.

Jaraim Budhu, 58, of Queens, is facing manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, assault, leaving the scene and other charges in the crash, police say. He was charged Tuesday night.

Attorney information for Budhu wasn't immediately clear.

Budhu is accused of speeding in his BMW X5 through a stop sign near 115th Avenue and 130th Street in South Ozone Park at about 5 p.m. Sunday, hitting a 2010 Toyota Corolla carrying four people, including 41-year-old Zaalika Rasool and her daughter. Zaalika was thrown from the car and killed.

The woman's husband, Azaam Rasool, was driving. He ran out of their car to find his wife pinned underneath another car.

"There was nothing I could do for her," he told NBC 4 New York Monday. "My daughter, I'm looking for her. She start crying, and I said, OK, she's alive."

After the collision, the BMW struck three parked cars before it came to a stop, police said. The driver then fled on foot.

Zaalika worked for the city's Department of Transportation for 15 years, her family said. Her son Shaan Rasool was in tears as he described how devoted his mother was.

"Everyone loved her. She was always there whenever anybody needed her," he said.

Azaam had begged for the public's help finding the driver who fled the scene after the crash.

"Just get this guy so I can feel relief," he said.
A New York man held an 81-year-old Navy veteran captive for four years, starving and beating him, in order to steal his pension checks for drugs, authorities say.

Perry Coniglio, 43, was arrested in Orange County Wednesday on multiple charges, including unlawful imprisonment, endangerment of an incompetent person, grand larceny and criminal possession of a weapon.

Highland Falls police said Coniglio, a motel handyman, held former U.S. Navy veteran David McClellan captive for four years at the U.S. Academy Motel, near West Point.

Police said they had gotten complaints for years that Coniglio, who was posing as the victim's caretaker, was verbally abusing the elderly man. But when video surfaced that it turned more physical, they raided the motel Tuesday night.

"That of course elevated our concern for the well-being of the victim yesterday, so last night we moved in and took Coniglio into custody," said Highlands Police Det. Joseph Cornetta.

McClellan was taken to the hospital and is in the care of adult protective services.

Coniglio allegedly cashed the victim's pension checks and cleared out his bank accounts over the years.

Attorney information for Coniglio wasn't immediately available.
#KBO Heroes reach brink of Korean Series after rallying past Twins Powered by back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning, the Kiwoom Heroes defeated the LG Twins 6-4 on Thursday to move within a victory of reaching the South Korean baseball cham...
Donald Trump said he never asked John Kasich to be his running mate after the Trump team reportedly reached out to the Ohio governors staff with the job offer.

According to a New York Times report, a Kasich senior adviser said it was Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who made the offer in May, a few weeks after Kasich suspended his campaign for the Republican nomination.

But after arriving in Cleveland Wednesday afternoon, the elder Trump distanced himself from the report, tweeting: John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!"

John Kasich was never asked by me to be V.P. Just arrived in Cleveland - will be a great two days!  Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 20, 2016

The New York Times said Donald Jr. told the staffer that as the most powerful vice president in history, Kasich would be responsible for domestic and foreign policy, leaving Trump with the task of making America great again.

Trump said he would consider the Ohio governor for the vice presidency on May 4, the same day Kasich dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination.

Last week, Trump said it was Indiana Gov. Mike Pence that was his first choice, among a short-list that included former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

[NATL] Scenes From the GOP Convention in Cleveland

With 18 electoral votes, Ohio has been carried by every winning presidential candidate since 1964, which makes Ohio a key battleground. That makes Kasichs support for the partys nominee even more important.

Kasich is still refusing to endorse Trump. In an interview with NBC News Monday, he said Trump would "have to change everything that he says" for him to agree to speak at the convention.

"We can't be attacking Muslims and Hispanics, and trying to shut down trade, and not caring about the debt," Kasich told NBC News' Lester Holt. "Those are all problems for me."

Kasich said he didn't see eye-to-eye with the Republican Party's nominee.

Las autoridades de Corpus Christi han implementado un refugio de mascotas desplazadas por Harvey.

"I don't hold any personal animus towards Donald Trump," Kasich said. "We just are two companies that have different values, different directions, and different philosophies."

Kasich arrived in Cleveland Tuesday and avoided the convention altogether. Instead, he headlined a state party reception at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, about a mile from the Quicken Loans Arena.

"The message for me was never about rhetoric," Kasich told a crowd of about 2,000. "There's no way I would enter a race for president just to win an election."

During a delegation breakfast Wednesday, House Speaker Paul Ryan urged Ohio delegates loyal to Kasich to put their support behind Trump.

Kasichs refusal to back Trump and attend has angered top Trump staff and Republican faithful.

"Ain't Your Mama" singer puts her abs on display

"He is making a big mistake. He is looking at something that is not going to happen. He is hurting his state, Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort told MSNBCs Morning Joe Monday. He is embarrassing his state, frankly."

Manafort continued to dig into Kasich Monday, telling Bloomberg News: Will John Kasich finally grow up? Maybe. If he does, we'll welcome him."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
FactCheck.org is a non-partisan non-profit organization that will hold candidates and key figures accountable during the 2016 presidential campaign. FactCheck.org will check facts of of speeches, advertisements and more for NBC.

CLEVELAND  The theme of the second night of the Republican convention was Make America Work Again, but the false and misleading claims we flagged touched on topics beyond the economy and jobs:

Donald Trump Jr. distorted Clintons gun control proposal, claiming, as his father did, that she wants to take away Americans guns. Clintons gun control proposal doesnt call for taking away guns.

Two speakers claimed that Clinton paid women less than men in her Senate office. Thats true if one includes only workers who worked for Clinton full-time for a full year, but its not accurate if including workers who worked part of the year or took unpaid leaves of absences.

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and former U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey both mentioned Clintons what difference does it make quote on Benghazi, but left out the context of that remark. Clinton didnt say that the loss of life in Benghazi didnt make a difference.

Sens. Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia took Clintons words on coal-mining jobs out of context. Capito said Clinton promised to devastate communities and families across coal country. But Clinton said she wants to bring renewable energy jobs to coal country to replace lost coal jobs.

Capito used a one-sided report and back-of-the-envelope calculation to claim that the burden of government regulations in this country amounts to $15,000 a household. And she exaggerated the number of coal mining jobs that have been lost since 2011, putting the figure at 60,000, when its 36,700.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wrongly said that Clinton was for the Keystone XL pipeline before she was against it. She did not take a position until she opposed the pipeline in 2015.

Capito also said the Obama economic agenda has led to the lowest workforce participation in decades, but the rate began its decline in the late 1990s and is due mainly to baby boomers retiring and other demographic factors. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, is below the historical norm.

Sen. Jeff Sessions claimed that respect for America has fallen, but the U.S. is viewed more favorably in many countries now than it was before President Obama took office.

Donald Trump Jr. also wrongly said that his father funded his entire primary run out of his own pocket. Trump provided about 73 percent of the funding, but not all of it.

Note to Readers Our managing editor, Lori Robertson, is on the scene in Cleveland. This story was written with the help of the entire staff, based in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Next week, we will dispatch our staffers in Philadelphia for the Democratic convention. We intend to vet the major speeches at both conventions for factual accuracy, applying the same standards to both.

Analysis

Distorting Clintons Gun Stance

Donald Trump Jr. followed in his fathers footsteps in distorting the facts on Clintons gun control proposals. He claimed that Clinton would take away Americans guns, but she doesnt propose a ban on all guns or taking away guns.

Trump Jr.: She says shell issue executive orders to take away Americans guns. She wants to appoint judges that will abolish the Second Amendment.

Trumps language was similar to that of his father, who has claimed that Clinton wants to take your guns away and she wants to abolish the Second Amendment. As weve written before, her gun control proposal calls for restrictions, such as a ban on semi-automatic assault weapons and expanded background checks, but she doesnt propose taking away guns.

Her gun violence prevention proposal, which is on her campaign website, calls for expanding background checks to some private sales online and at gun shows, changing the federal law that allows gun buyers to purchase a gun if a background check remains incomplete after three days, and reinstating a ban on certain semi-automatic assault weapons that expired in 2004. That law didnt ban any guns in circulation before it took effect.

As for abolish[ing] the Second Amendment, that claim is likely based on Clintons comment in a 2015 speech that the Supreme Court is wrong on the Second Amendment, and I am going to make that case every chance I get. But that comment was about a specific case, the 2008 Supreme Court ruling that found the handgun ban in Washington, D.C., unconstitutional. The conservative Washington Free Beacon wrote that Clinton appeared to be criticizing that ruling, and her campaign confirmed to us that she was referring to that case.

Campaign spokesman Josh Schwerin said Clinton believes Heller was wrongly decided in that cities and states should have the power to craft common sense laws to keep their residents safe.

In her own words, in April, Clinton talked about protecting the gun rights of lawful gun owners: There is a Second Amendment, there are constitutional rights. We arent interested in taking away guns of lawful, responsible gun owners.

Gender Pay in Clintons Senate Office

Two featured speakers at the convention claimed that Clinton paid women less than men in her Senate office. Thats true if one includes only workers who worked for Clinton full-time for a full year, but its not accurate if one also includes workers who only worked part of the year, or who took brief unpaid leaves of absences.

Annual salary data provided to us by the Clinton campaign show median salaries for men and women in Clintons office were virtually identical if one included employees who only worked part of the year.

The issue of pay disparity in Clintons Senate office was first raised at the convention by Sharon Day, co-chair of the Republican National Committee.

Day: She [Clinton] repeatedly plays the gender card. In fact, she boasts, Deal me in. Well Mrs. Clinton, consider yourself dealt in. Because as a senator you paid women less than the men in your office.

Later in the night, Kimberlin Brown, an actress best known for her roles on two soap operas, said that in then Senator Clintons office  men have been paid better than women.

We took an in-depth look at this issue back in April 2015 when RNC Chairman Reince Priebus made a similar claim. Those attacking Clinton base their claims of gender pay disparity on a report by the Washington Free Beacon of publicly available expense reports submitted biannually to the secretary of the Senate. Looking at median salaries among full-time, year-round employees, the Free Beacon concluded that women working in Clintons Senate office were paid 72 cents for each dollar paid to men.

The Clinton campaign provided FactCheck.org a list of the names, titles and annual salaries of every full-time person employed in Clintons Senate office between 2002 and 2008. Those data show the median salary for men and women to be the same at $40,000. The data also show Clinton hired roughly twice as many women as men.

The Clinton list of salaries included full-time workers who may have worked only part of the year, or who took brief unpaid leaves of absence. Experts told us that Clintons methodology was reasonable, because Senate staffers often toggle between Senate and campaign work. But experts also told us the Free Beacon methodology was legitimate, too.

There are many different ways to measure these things and you will get slightly different answers, Eileen Patten, a research analyst at the Pew Research Center, told us last year. Its not that either data set is flawed. They just show different things.

Context Makes a Difference

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson led his speech with an oft-used quote from Hillary Clinton on the Sept. 11, 2012, Benghazi attacks, but he left out the full context.

Johnson: What difference, at this point, does it make? I am the guy that got under her skin and provoked that infamous response from Hillary Clinton by asking a pretty simple question: Why didnt you just pick up the phone and call the survivors?

Former U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey was more egregious in misrepresenting Clintons quote, saying: So I guess about her emails were soon gonna hear the same infamous question that we heard about the death of four Americans in Benghazi, what difference at this point does it make? Clinton didnt say that the deaths didnt make a difference.

Johnsons initial question in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Jan. 23, 2013, was about ascertaining whether the attack on the diplomatic facilities in Benghazi started spontaneously in response to an anti-Muslim video on the internet, as the Obama administration initially said, or whether it was a terrorist attack, which the administration later acknowledged. (See our latest Benghazi Timeline story for more on that.)

Johnson asked: But, Madame Secretary, do you disagree with me that a simple phone call to those evacuees to determine what happened wouldnt have ascertained immediately that there was no protest? That was a piece of information that could have been easily, easily obtained?

Clinton said she didnt want to interfere with the FBI or State Department investigations. After some back-and-forth, she made the what difference does it make comment, saying, With all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans. Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided that theyd they go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make? It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again, Senator.

Republicans, like Mukasey, have portrayed the remarks as being uncaring toward the lives lost that night. Johnson himself went on to describe in his speech several victims of terrorists attacks, saying it made a difference to them. But Clintons full remarks indicate she was concerned about the lives lost.

Heres the fuller exchange between Johnson and Clinton:

Johnson: But, Madame Secretary, do you disagree with me that a simple phone call to those evacuees to determine what happened wouldnt have ascertained immediately that there was no protest? I mean, that was a piece of information that could have been easily, easily obtained? Clinton: But, Senator, again Johnson: Within hours, if not days? Clinton: Senator, you know, when youre in these positions, the last thing you want to do is interfere with any other process going on, number one Johnson: I realize thats a good excuse. Clinton: Well, no, its the fact. Number two, I would recommend highly you read both what the ARB said about it and the classified ARB because, even today, there are questions being raised. Now, we have no doubt they were terrorists, they were militants, they attacked us, they killed our people. But what was going on and why they were doing what they were doing is still unknown  Johnson: No, again, we were misled that there were supposedly protests and that something sprang out of that  an assault sprang out of that  and that was easily ascertained that that was not the fact, and the American people could have known that within days and they didnt know that. Clinton: With all due respect, the fact is we had four dead Americans. Was it because of a protest or was it because of guys out for a walk one night who decided that theyd they go kill some Americans? What difference at this point does it make? It is our job to figure out what happened and do everything we can to prevent it from ever happening again, Senator. Now, honestly, I will do my best to answer your questions about this, but the fact is that people were trying in real time to get to the best information. The IC has a process, I understand, going with the other committees to explain how these talking points came out. But you know, to be clear, it is, from my perspective, less important today looking backwards as to why these militants decided they did it than to find them and bring them to justice, and then maybe well figure out what was going on in the meantime.

Targeting Coal Miners?

Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia took Clintons words on coal-mining jobs out of context. Sullivan claimed that Clinton promised to target coal miners and oil drillers for extinction. Capito said Clinton promised to devastate communities and families across coal country.

Clinton has said she wants to move away from coal, but added, we dont want to forget those people. She promised to bring renewable energy jobs to coal country to replace lost coal jobs.

Sullivan: We will put coal miners and oil drillers back to work, not target them for extinction as Hillary has promised. Capito: Hillary Clinton has already promised to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business. She wants to put thousands more Americans out of work. She has promised to devastate communities and families across coal country.

Sullivan and Capito were referring to Clintons much-criticized comments at a CNN town hall forum in March. Journalist Roland Martin asked Clinton to make her case for why poor whites who live in Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama should vote for her and support her economic policies.

Her critics focused on a part of her response in which she said, were going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business. But she said more than that. Sullivan and Capito ignore her promise to create new jobs for communities hurt by the shift away from coal.

Clinton, March 13: Look, we have serious economic problems in many parts of our country. And Roland is absolutely right. Instead of dividing people the way Donald Trump does, lets reunite around policies that will bring jobs and opportunities to all these underserved poor communities. So for example, Im the only candidate which has a policy about how to bring economic opportunity using clean renewable energy as the key into coal country. Because were going to put a lot of coal miners and coal companies out of business, right, Tim? And were going to make it clear that we dont want to forget those people. Those people labored in those mines for generations, losing their health, often losing their lives to turn on our lights and power our factories. Now weve got to move away from coal and all the other fossil fuels, but I dont want to move away from the people who did the best they could to produce the energy that we relied on.

Clinton later apologized for her remark about putting coal miners out of work, explaining what I said was totally out of context from what I meant. As we wrote, former President Bill Clinton campaigned for his wife in Kentucky and elaborated on her point that renewable energy can create jobs in fossil fuel states (although he exaggerated the amount of electricity that Texas gets from wind energy).

Regulation Exaggeration

Capito used a one-sided report to claim that the burden of government regulations in this country amounts to $15,000 a household. The figure, oft-cited in conservative circles, is based on a conservative groups admitted back-of-the-envelope calculation of estimated regulatory costs that does not include any potential savings.

Capito: Right now, the burden of government regulations in this country amounts to $15,000 a household. So let me ask you  a couple of questions  are you ready? Alright. Is burdening every household in America with a cost of $15,000  worth more applause lines at campaign rallies? Is burdening every household in America with a cost of $15,000  worth more campaign cash? Is burdening every household in America with a cost of $15,000  worth a few more one-liners?

As we wrote in February 2015, the figure cited by Capito comes from an admitted back-of-the-envelope calculation from a report by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a staunch opponent of government over-regulation. In the report, Ten Thousand Commandments: An Annual Snapshot of the Federal Regulatory State, author Clyde Wayne Crews Jr. calculates the 2013 cost of federal regulatory compliance at nearly $1.9 trillion. To arrive at the cost-per-family figure, that $1.9 trillion was simply divided by the number of American households. By that math, Crews argues, each U.S. household pays $14,974 annually in a hidden regulatory tax.

The $1.9 trillion figure is based on the Office of Management and Budgets annual reports to Congress on the benefits and costs of federal regulation. The problem is that the Competitive Enterprise report focused on the costs and ignored the benefits listed in those reports. The OMB typically makes the case that benefits exceed costs. For example, the White House argued in 2012 that regulations that have short-term costs often result in long-term savings. In areas that include food and workplace safety, clean air, fuel economy, energy efficiency, and investor protection, well-designed regulations are preventing tens of thousands of premature deaths and hundreds of thousands of illnesses and accidents  and saving billions of dollars, the report states.

While one can take issue with the OMBs cost-benefit analyses, to highlight the costs while ignoring benefits tells only half the story.

Capito also exaggerated when she claimed that Obamas recklessness had deprived more than 60,000 coal workers of their jobs since 2011.

Capito: His recklessness has cost more than 60,000  60,000  coal workers their jobs since 2011.

To be sure, there has been a 41 percent decline in coal mining jobs since the end of 2011, and the administrations policies favoring cleaner sources of energy and discouraging the burning of coal have played a role. But so have competing energy sources, such as natural gas, and technology, and according to figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the total number of coal mining jobs lost during that period is under 36,700  well below the figure Capito cited.

Clintons Position on Keystone

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said that Hillary Clinton backed the Keystone XL pipeline before she came out against it. She said in 2010 that the administration was inclined to support the project, but that it was still under review. Clinton never took an official position until 2015, when she opposed it.

McConnell: Hillary has changed her position on so many times, its impossible to tell where the conviction ends and the ambition begins.  Once a backer of the Keystone pipeline, last year she opposed it.

The claim that Clinton backed the Keystone XL pipeline is based on an answer she gave during a community forum at the Commonwealth Club in 2010.

Clinton was asked about the Alberta Clipper, a different pipeline project. But the answer she gave was about the Keystone XL pipeline, which would be built by TransCanada Corp. and would run 1,179 miles from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City, Nebraska, where it would connect with existing pipelines to refineries on the Gulf Coast.

At the time, Clinton said that the administration was inclined to approve the Keystone proposal, but she stopped short of fully embracing it, saying that a final decision had not been made because the administration had not completed its analysis.

Question, Oct. 15, 2010: Another international issue that you signed in on last year was the Alberta Clipper, a pipeline from Alberta that brings tar sands, oil sands directly into Wisconsin to the U.S. Midwest. This is some of the dirtiest fuel in the world. And how can the U.S. be saying climate change is a priority when were mainlining some of the dirtiest fuel that exists. (Applause.) Clinton: Well, there hasnt been a final decision made. It is  Question: Are you willing to reconsider it? Clinton: Probably not. (Laughter.) And we  but we havent finish all of the analysis. So as I say, weve not yet signed off on it. But we are inclined to do so and we are for several reasons  going back to one of your original questions  were either going to be dependent on dirty oil from the Gulf or dirty oil from Canada. And until we can get our act together as a country and figure out that clean, renewable energy is in both our economic interests and the interests of our planet  (applause)  I mean, I dont think it will come as a surprise to anyone how deeply disappointed the president and I are about our inability to get the kind of legislation through the Senate that the United States was seeking.

For years after those comments, Clinton declined to publicly take a position on the Keystone pipeline until September 2015, during a campaign event in Iowa, when she opposed it.

Clinton, Sept. 22, 2015: As I said, you know, I was in a unique position having been secretary of state, having started this process and not wanting to, you know, interfere with the ongoing decision making that both the president and Secretary [John] Kerry have to do in order to make whatever the final decision might be. So, I thought this would be decided by now and therefore I could tell you whether I agreed or I disagreed. But it hasnt been decided, and I feel now Ive got a responsibility to you and other voters who ask me about this. And I think it is imperative that we look at the Keystone pipeline as what I believe it is  a distraction from the important work we have to do to combat climate change. And, unfortunately, from my perspective, one that interferes with our ability to move forward to deal with all the other issues. Therefore, I oppose it. And I oppose it because I dont think, I dont think its in the best interest of what we need to do to combat climate change.

As Clinton said during the first Democratic presidential debate in October 2015: I never took a position on Keystone until I took a position on Keystone.

Labor Participation

Capito also said Clinton would double down on an [Obama] economic agenda  thats led to the lowest workforce participation in decades.

But Obamas economic agenda hasnt caused the decline in the labor force participation rate, which actually started going down in the late 1990s, a full decade before he took office. Furthermore, the decline is due mainly to millions of baby boomers reaching retirement age and other demographic factors.

Capito didnt mention that the rate of joblessness among those who want work and are looking for it is now 4.9 percent  well below the historical norm. Meanwhile the number of job openings has more than doubled under Obama, to the highest number in the more than 15 years the Bureau of Labor Statistics has been tracking it.

No Respect?

Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama said that respect for America has fallen. Crime is rising. Neither statement is true.

As weve written before, the U.S. is viewed more favorably now than it was before Obama took office in 2009. According to the Pew Global Attitudes Projects June 2016 update, the percentage of those with favorable views of the U.S. increased in countries such as Japan, Italy, France, Britain, Germany and China. Among the few countries in which the U.S. favorable rating has slipped is Russia, where U.S. favorability plunged to 15 percent in 2015, down 31 percentage points from 2008.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made a similar claim about crime rates in a July 11 speech in Virginia Beach. As we wrote then, the violent crime rate is lower now than it has been since 1970. The rate has been on a steady decline since it peaked at 758.2 in 1991. It was less than half that, 365.5 in 2014. (The FBI describes its data as estimated, and as we mentioned it comes from voluntary reports from local law enforcement agencies. The rate is the number of offenses per 100,000 people.)

The murder and nonnegligent manslaughter rate nationwide was 4.5 in 2014, the lowest point since at least the early 1960s, when the rate dipped as low as 4.6. (Note the numbers do not include lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.)

Trumps Self-funding

Donald Trump Jr. said that his father funded his entire primary run out of his own pocket. Trump provided most of the funding for his primary campaign, but not all of it.



Trump Jr.: A president not beholden to special interests, foreign and domestic, and one who funded his entire primary run out of his own pocket just to prove it.

On May 26, CNN reported that Trump had reached the required number of delegates to clinch the Republican presidential nomination. And as of May 31, Trumps campaign had raised nearly $65 million, according to funding records from the Federal Election Commission.

Trump contributed $395,508 directly to his campaign and loaned it another $45.7 million. But the Trump campaign spent more than $63.2 million through the end of May, according to FEC records.

The rest of the money the campaign spent came from individual donations from campaign contributors. And as of the end of May, the campaign had received a total of nearly $17.1 million from donors other than Trump.

So, Trump funded roughly 73 percent of his primary campaign through contributions and loans.

 Lori Robertson, with Eugene Kiely, Brooks Jackson, Robert Farley and DAngelo Gore

Sources

U.S. Department of State. Hillary Clinton Remarks on Innovation and American Leadership to the Commonwealth Club. Transcript. 15 Oct 2010.

Schleifer, Theodore. Hillary Clintons 5 takes on the Keystone Pipeline. CNN. 22 Sep 2015.

Bradner, Eric, et al. Hillary Clinton opposes Keystone XL pipeline. CNN. 22 Sep 2015.

CNN. Democratic Presidential Debate in Las Vegas. Transcript. 13 Oct 2015.

Federal Election Commission. Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. Report of Receipts and Disbursements. 20 Jun 2016.

Full Rush Transcript Hillary Clinton Part//CNN TV One Democratic Presidential Town Hall. CNN Press Room. 13 Mar 2016.

Reilly, Katie. Clinton Apologizes for Saying Shed Put Coal Out of Business. Time. 3 May 2016.

Kiely, Eugene. Bill Clintons Economic Exaggerations. FactCheck.org. 18 May 2016.

Crews, Clyde Wayne. Ten Thousand Commandments: An Annual Snapshot of the Federal Regulatory State. Competitive Enterprise Institute. 2014.

White House Office of Management and Budget. 2014 Draft Report to Congress on the Benefits and Costs of Federal Regulations and Unfunded Mandates on State, Local, and Tribal Entities. 2014.

Sunstein, Cass. Making Regulation Smarter to Save Lives and Money. White House Blog. 10 May 2012.

Farley, Robert. Gender Pay Gap in Clintons Senate Office? FactCheck.org. 22 Apr 2015.

Scher, Brent. Hillary Clintons War on Women. Washington Free Beacon. 23 Feb 2015.

US. Bureau of Labor Statistics, All Employees: Mining and Logging: Coal Mining [CEU1021210001], retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. 20 Jul 2016.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey; Labor Force Participation Rate. Data extracted 20 Jul 2016.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Labor Force Statistics from the Current Population Survey; Unemployment Rate, Seasonally Adjusted. Data extracted 20 Jul 2016.

Bureau of Labor Statistics. Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey: Job Openings, Seasonally Adjusted. Data extracted 20 Jul 2016.

Kiely, Eugene. Trump Distorts Clintons Gun Stance. FactCheck.org. 10 May 2016.

Clinton, Hillary. Gun violence prevention. HillaryClinton.com. accessed 19 Jul 2016.

C-Span.org. Clip of Senate Hearing on Benghazi Consulate Attack. 23 Jan 2013.
The national rollout of Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence has touted the Indiana governor's record on jobs, tax cuts, infrastructure and school funding.

While many of the claims Donald Trump made about his running mate while introducing him Saturday are technically true, the context of the claims shows a more complicated picture of Indiana's economic picture under Pence.

With Pence set to accept the GOP vice presidential nomination on Wednesday night, here's a closer look of some of the claims about his Indiana record:

TAX CUTS

"Governor Pence enacted the largest income tax cut in the state's history."  Trump while introducing Pence on Saturday

The individual income tax that the Republican-dominated Legislature approved at Pence's behest in 2013 is Indiana's largest ever, although it was modest and didn't have much competition for that mark.

Under Pence, the state's income tax rate dropped to 3.3 percent beginning in 2015 and will go to 3.23 percent beginning in January 2017.

The only previous income tax cut in state history was a 0.1 percentage point reduction in the 1970s, according to Purdue University economist Larry DeBoer, who has studied Indiana tax policy for about 30 years. That rate was raised during the 1980s to 3.4 percent  where it remained until Pence won the new cuts.

Whether the cuts do much to boost the Indiana economy is uncertain, DeBoer said. Someone with $50,000 in taxable income will see their previous state income tax bill of $1,700 drop by $85 a year when the cuts are fully in place. That will mean about an extra $3.50 a month starting in January.

The Pence income tax cut amounts to an estimated $265 million in taxpayer savings this budget year, DeBoer said.

But it is far from the biggest tax cut in Indiana history as statewide caps on property taxes, which primarily fund local governments, are projected to save taxpayers about $800 million this year, according to DeBoer. Those were enacted under Pence's gubernatorial predecessor, Mitch Daniels.

JOBS

"Today, there are more Hoosiers going to work than ever before in the 200-year history of the great state of Indiana."  Pence at a July 12 Trump campaign rally in Indiana.

While that's true, the state's population also has reached record levels. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Indiana's population has grown nearly 9 percent, or about 540,000 people, since 2000 to some 6.6 million residents in 2015.

Indiana's jobless rate was 8 percent when he took office in January 2013 and was 5 percent in May, the most recent month available. But that improvement started long before Pence became governor as Indiana's unemployment mark topped out at 10.9 percent in early 2010 amid the Great Recession. Indiana's jobless rate over that time has also largely paralleled the national mark, which was 4.7 percent in May.

ROADS

Pence said on Saturday that Indiana has made "record investments" in roads, and Trump touted a report by CNBC that ranked the state as first in the nation in infrastructure.

In fact, improving Indiana's roads wasn't a priority of Pence's until it became a liability: a monthlong traffic snarl caused when an Interstate 65 bridge was closed last August for emergency repairs.

Motorists were detoured, traffic backed up and Democrats attacked. A brutal labor union-sponsored TV spot aired during an Indianapolis Colts game blaming a handful of roadway deaths on Pence's desire to build a budget surplus at the expense of properly funding infrastructure.

Weeks later, Pence proposed a road improvement plan that relied on borrowing, drawing down state reserves and accounting gimmicks to reach an advertised $1 billion sticker price.

In the end, he got just a fraction of that after Indiana's Republican-controlled Legislature balked. And much of the money set aside for local governments came from local taxes held in state reserves that were already supposed to be returned.

SCHOOL FUNDING

"Under Governor Pence's leadership, Indiana enacted the largest K-12 education funding increase in the state's history."  Trump while introducing Pence on Saturday.

When simply looking at dollars, Indiana's current state budget does give the largest school funding increase. The two-year budget spends about $480 million more toward K-12 education.

But that amounts to just a 2.3 percent increase for education. Between 2000 and 2008, the increase averaged about 2.7 percent a year  although the total dollars were much lower because local taxes covered a greater portion of school budgets at the time, DeBoer said.
Say hello to the latest addition to Philadelphia's beer scene. A family-run craft brewery will be opening in the East Falls section of the city.

Wissahickon Brewing Co., is constructing a 5,000-square-foot production brewery that will house a 15-barrel brewhouse, as well as a tasting room, at 3705 W. School House Lane.

"Our location is close to one of the most popular beer communities in the city, Main Street Manayunk," founder and head brewer Timothy Gill Sr. told the Philadelphia Business Journal. "We are also very close to Roxborough, Wissahickon, Brewerytown and Fairmount, which are great neighborhoods populated with craft beer enthusiasts, who just graduated from college, and free-thinking professionals."

Get more breaking business news at PBJ.com
Kitty Heite remembers the Republican National Convention well.



She protested the whole week in August 2000 when the RNC came to Philadelphia.



Next week, Heite will be at it again -- marching and protesting with a coalition of activist organizations called the DNC Action Committee. To the longtime activist, it feels the same, except with a different political party.



Sixteen years ago, we protested the prison industrial complex. That's only gotten worse. Inequality in wealth? It's gotten worse. Healthcare? Schools? Heite asked, reeling off causes that protesters hope to rouse Democrats with during the DNC. Nothings gotten better. It's gotten worse.[[387675471, C]]



A dozen activist organizations who make up the DNC Action Committee came together Wednesday at the Center City liberal stronghold Arch Street United Methodist Church to make two things clear: There will be numerous marches and rallies throughout Philadelphia July 24-28 and Hillary Clinton is not part of the solution.



We are taking our demands to the streets, the convention floor, and the entire nation, committee leader Brianna Jones said at the church. Make no mistake. There will be protests during the DNC.



Groups included in the coalition include Black Lives Matter, Democracy Spring, Reclaim Philadelphia and Poor Peoples Economic Rights Campaign. All of the groups have planned protests and marches.

Jones said the DNC Action Committee has been meeting every other Sunday since the beginning of the year in preparation for the convention.



Several leaders spoke of support for Bernie Sanders, but Heite said the coalition is not about a particular politician. It's about the issues affecting a vast number of Americans, she said.



While the groups message may not be centered around Sanders, who last week endorsed his rival Hillary Clinton for the party nomination, many showed strong animosity for the woman expected to formally receive the party nod Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center.



Cheri Honkala, the leader of the Poor Peoples Economic Rights Campaign, was among the more adamant and went so far as to suggest Clinton has spies infiltrating the ranks of protest groups.



Honkala said she will vote for Green Party candidate Jill Stein in the November general election. Many others at the meeting said they would not vote for Clinton in November.



The Democrats are creating loyal opposition because they dont want an exodus from the Democratic Party, Honkala said, adding that some so-called protesters are on the payroll of the Clinton campaign.

Members of Reclaim Philly, which describes itself as an organization of "former Bernie Sanders campaign staffers and volunteers, as well as concerned Democrats," also held a rally outside Philly's City Hall around 4 p.m. Wednesday. The group marched to the headquarters of Ballard Spahr LLP at 17th and Market streets and called for the resignation of DNC Host Committee members Daniel Hilfterty, David Cohen and Ed Rendell.

"Reclaim Philadelphia believes that without transparency and public accountability about who funds the DNC and what moneyed interests gain access to elected officials at the Convention, the Party leadership cannot credibly pledge to enact a progressive policy agenda that would raise standards of living for the vast majority of working-class Americans," a spokesperson for the group wrote. "Reclaim Philadelphia has attempted to discuss its demands for transparency with the above-mentioned host committee members on several prior occasions and has so far not received any satisfactory reply."

During the protest, six people received citations for allegedly failing to disperse.
John Timoney, who served as Philadelphia's police commissioner from 1998 to 2001 is battling late stage lung cancer according to a report by NewsWorks.org.

The 68-year-old native New Yorker is being treated in a Miami hospital and told reporter Bobby Allyn his voice is "completely gone," when asked if he could do an interview.

"I am quite upset about this," former Philly District Attorney Lynne Abraham told NewsWorks.

Timoney was Philly's top law enforcement official from 1998 through 2001. He spent seven years as Miami's police chief after leaving Philadelphia. In 2011 he was hired as a consultant to help launch Camden County's Metro police force and most recently consulting for Bahrain.

During his visits back to Philadelphia, Timoney is sometimes seen rowing on the Schuylkill River.

John Timoney, who served as Philadelphia's police commissioner from 1998 to 2001 is battling late stage lung cancer according to a report by NewsWorks.org
A notorious flag-burner, who set an American flag on fire outside the Dallas Republican National Convention in 1984, was among several demonstrators arrested Wednesday in the most turbulent protest since the four-day event in Cleveland began.

Joey Gregory Johnson was tackled by "several police officers" after successfully setting an American flag on fire, according to a statement from the Revolutionary Communist Party.

"American lives are not more important than other people's lives, announced Johnson before burning the American flag. According to the political group  of which Johnson is member  Donald Trump's message of America first is "a fascist message of control over the people of the world, waging unending war to exploit people all over the planet."

Johnson was charged and convicted with the desecration of a venerated object after the Dallas RNC incident. In Texas v. Johnson, the Supreme Court determined that Johnsons actions were symbolic speech protected by his First Amendment rights, invalidating prohibitions on desecrating the American flag.

Video posted on social media appeared to show a law enforcement official spraying something into the surging crowd after skirmishes broke out over the flag-burning protest. Cleveland Chief of Police Calvin Williams told NBC News that no pepper spray was in Wednesday's demonstrations. The chaos prevented members of the media and others from getting into the arena for the evening's proceedings.

Williams said 17 people were arrested, including two for felonies of assaulting an officer. Police said two officers were assaulted and suffered minor injuries. One officer was seen bleeding from his elbow.

One man who was in handcuffs stood in the street with his shirt pulled above his shoulders. A woman in a torn shirt also was led away in handcuffs.

Carl Dix, a representative of Revolutionary Communist Party, said the group organized the burning of the American flag as a "political statement about the crimes of the American empire. There's nothing great about America."

The skirmish erupted just outside an entrance to the arena and near a row of popular restaurants where a couple of cable news networks had set up their operations for the convention.

Officers, some wearing riot helmets, yelled at the crowd to move back as members of the flag-burning group locked arms amid chants of "It's time, it's time for a revolution." Pushing and shoving broke out, and police began pinning people to the ground.

Police Chief Calvin Williams was among a dozen officers pushing people away. He later pulled aside a man with a bandanna over his face and told him he needed to check his backpack.

Firefighters extinguished the flag and took it away.

Earlier in the day, blocks away from the arena, a right-wing religious group lifted a banner reading "Jesus is angry with you sinners," while kissing lesbians mocked their message, helping turn Cleveland's Public Square into part-carnival, part-debate floor.

The expansive square was a free-flowing mix of ideas and beliefs along with colorful characters pounding on bongos and wailing on a sousaphone.

The day's demonstrations started with a few dozen people holding banners printed with a red-brick design and forming a human wall to mock Donald Trump's plan to seal off the Mexican border.

"We want to wall off the hate of Trump," said Tim Chavez, of Columbus.

A half-dozen Trump supporters defended the GOP nominee from attacks by immigration activists.

Police officers used bicycles and their bodies to separate those with opposing views.

Jesse Gonzalez, of Lakewood, a Cleveland suburb, carried a rifle on Public Square while wearing a camouflage-style "Make America Great Again" hat.

"I'm out here to illustrate that not all gun owners, if any or very few, are irresponsible or uneducated," he said.

The city's police chief said he spent three hours Tuesday evening riding with bicycle officers on patrol and that he waded into one confrontation because he's "still a police officer."

Williams said he plans to show up wherever there are "issues" during the convention.

As of Tuesday evening, police said five people had been arrested since the start of the convention.

That includes one person accused of trying to steal a state trooper's gas mask and three people charged with climbing flagpoles at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and hanging an anti-Trump banner.
What to Know A 21-year-old Miami woman was taken to the hospital after being attacked by a lemur at her home.

A 21-year-old woman is recovering from injuries suffered when a lemur bit her outside her Miami home, authorities said.

A local media outlet reported that Victoria Valledor looked outside after hearing scratching noises on the door of her home Monday. When she opened the door to check, the lemur jumped on her and bit her.

Isabella Valledor said her sister called 911, but the lemur started chasing her again. She was taken to the hospital, where she required some stitches to close some of the bite marks.

Personnel with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission went to the home.

Wildlife spokesman Lorenzo Veloz said officials were able to coax the lemur away without sedation and capture it.

"That tells you it has had contact with humans,'' Veloz said.

Lemurs are not native to Florida, he said, adding that it would be "very rare to find one out in the wild.''

Veloz said investigators from the wildlife agency are trying to determine where the lemur came from. He said state records show there are about five people who have captive wildlife licenses in the area. Once the owner is located, Veloz said, officials will determine whether to issue a citation.
A group of advocates has set up a temporary camp consisting of small tents in Dover to promote an idea to build tiny houses for the homeless.

Delaware State News reports advocates gathered at the corner of Division and State streets on Tuesday to raise awareness about the issue.

Victory Church pastor and advocate Aaron Appling says most people don't realize how big of a problem homelessness is and hopes the demonstration makes people more aware.

The advocates hope officials approve a plan that would allow them to build 15 tiny houses for the homeless on Victory Church property. The houses would be 200 square feet and feature a bed, toilet and kitchenette.

Tiny homes has become a movement of sort among Millennials -- some are seeking more affordable housing and for others it's more of a social movement devoted to simplicity over excess.[[387636702,C]]
Gov. Tom Wolf hit the road to talk about the state's efforts to fight opioid addiction in Pennsylvania.

Wolf attended news conferences in Harrisburg and Allentown on Monday as he discussed $20 million in new funding.

Lawmakers approved $10 million in behavioral health funds and $5 million in Medicaid funding, which allows the state to draw another $5 million in federal funds.

Wolf's office says the first phase of the money enables the Department of Human Services to create 20 programs to treat approximately 4,500 people and connect them with therapy and job-finding assistance.

It is still determining how many additional programs the Medicaid money can fund.

The governor's office says heroin and opioid overdose are the leading cause of accidental death in Pennsylvania.
Aside from the big names like Cold War Kids, Chromeo and 311, it looks like the Del Mar Racetrack is placing bets on local music in a big way during their 2016 concert season.

In a partnership with Pacific Records and their director of A&R, Gary Hyde, 10 San Diego acts have been tapped to play the Racetracks Seaside Stage a couple hours prior on nights featuring those big Grandstand headliners.

On July 22 (the same night Cold War Kids kick off the concert season), Otto Pilot will perform their acoustic rock tunes, followed on July 29 by indie pop/jazz multi-instrumentalist (and quite the exceptional drummer) Elise Trouw, wholl play prior to the Fitz & the Tantrums show.

Things heat up in August as the hip-hop production trio the Kneehighs open for Girl Talk on Aug. 5; roots-rocker Ryan Hiller warms up the crowd before Brian Setzers performance on Aug. 6 at 2:30 p.m.; Morgan Leigh Band bring the country-pop prior to Chris Youngs show on Aug. 12; indie-rock group Creature Canyon perform at 5 p.m. before 311 and Matisyahu's show on Aug. 13; soul/R&B chanteuse Rebecca Jade treats audiences before Thievery Corporation on Aug. 19; and Sandollar deliver all the beach rock vibes you can handle prior to Peppers set (another hometown group by the way) on Aug. 26.

When the Racetrack concert season wraps up in September, well also see local world-music superstars Todo Mundo head up the Seaside Stage right before the Wailers main stage set (Sept. 2) and Super Groupie (San Diego purveyors of beach soul) on the same night as the red-hot EDM/pop duo Chromeo (Sept. 3).

Needless to say, the opening slots afforded to local acts are huge opportunities to spread the good word about their music.

I am stoked! Creature Canyon frontman Austin Steele told SoundDiego. Its cool this year too because its the first year that there are opening acts for the big headlining bands, and all of the acts are local talent.

Even when there are stylistic differences between the San Diego artists and the headliners, as in the case with Steeles band and the 311/Matisyahu show for example, true music fans should be able to appreciate the pairings.

We have great songs and the guys in the band are amazing musicians, so as long as we are well-rehearsed, Im sure their fans will dig our stuff, he said.

For fans of the openers, keep your eye on their respective social media accounts for tickets. Steele (who also plays in Super Groupie) gave us the rundown on how to get in.

Anyone who buys tickets to the races gets into the show for free! We will also be giving out free tickets through our Facebook and Twitter through contests and fun shenanigans. [Del Mar Racetrack] is giving us a bunch of tickets to give out for free!

The other local acts scheduled to perform will also be hitting their pages with details on how to score tickets so be sure to check them out. Looks like everyones a winner this year. For more information and complete details, visit the official Del Mar Racetrack website.

2016 Del Mar Racetrack Lineup

July 22: Cold War Kids, Otto Pilot (Seaside Stage at 6 p.m.)

July 29: Fitz & the Tantrums, Elise Trouw (Seaside Stage at 6 p.m.)

Aug. 5: Girl Talk, the Kneehighs (Seaside Stage at 6 p.m.)

Aug. 6: Brian Setzer's Rockabilly Riot, Ryan Hiller (Seaside Stage at 2:30 p.m.)

Aug. 12: Chris Young, Morgan Leigh Band (Seaside Stage at 6 p.m.)

Aug. 13: 311 and Matisyahu, Creature Canyon (Seaside Stage at 5 p.m.)

Aug. 19: Thievery Corporation, Rebecca Jade (Seaside Stage at 6 p.m.)

Aug. 26: Pepper, Sandollar (Seaside Stage at 5:30 p.m.)

Sept. 2: The Wailers, Todo Mundo (Seaside Stage at 5:30 p.m.)

Sept. 3: Chromeo, Super Groupie (Seaside Stage at 5:30 p.m.)

Dustin Lothspeich books The Merrow; plays in Diamond Lakes and Boy King; and runs the music-equipment-worshipping blog Gear and Loathing in San Diego. Follow his updates on Twitter or contact him directly.
A community meeting about the recent violence against police officers following the police shootings of black men in Louisiana and Minnesota became heated Tuesday evening in Encanto.

The meeting was held at 6 p.m. in the George L. Stevens Senior Center on 570 S. 65th Street.

In a statement, Fourth Disctrict Councilmember Myrtle Cole said that as an "African American woman, a former police officer" she hopes to establish trust between communities in San Diego and law enforcement.

In light of all the event that have happened, the loss of life, we just want to make sure that it does not happen in Americas Finest City. We dont want that to happen here in San Diego, she said.

Alton Sterling, 37, was shot and killed by police two weeks ago in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In St. Anthony, Minnesota, Philando Castile, another black man was shot and killed by a police officer.

The shootings sparked protests nationwide for the "Black Live Matter" movement, including San Diego.

Three police officers were shot and killed in Baton Rouge Sunday. In Dallas, Texas, five officers were killed and seven others were injured by a sniper on July 7.

Cole said the effort to establish trust between law enforcement and communities in San Diego was personal.

But the meeting quickly became heated.

Gwenlyn Martin, a volunteer at the Encanto Recreation Center said she's been giving her grown son the same speech since he was a child.

"Don't turn up your music. If police stop you, be respectful. How many of you guys are giving your children that speech," Martin said.

Superior Court Judge Michael Washington also spoke, saying he's the only African American judge in the North County. He said he agreed with residents about keep ing police accountable but also wanted to hold community members accountable.

"If you hear an invitation to add a police officer to our police force, then apply or talk to brothers and sisters to apply," Washington said. "Because if we wait for them to solve our relations, it's not going to get get there."

Cole says Tuesday's discussions will be one of the many this community will have, followed by one on Thursday.

On Monday, law enforcement officials from across San Diego County also held a conference asking members of the public for support in wake of the Dallas and Baton Rouge attacks.
Monthly premiums in California's health insurance exchange will increase by more than 13 percent on average next year after two major insurers requested large rate increases, officials said Tuesday.

The increases are significantly higher than the 4 percent hikes in each of the last two years. They come as many other states report big premium spikes in the fourth year of President Barack Obama's health overhaul.

Covered California sells health plans to about 1.4 million people who don't get coverage from an employer or from the two large government-funded programs, Medicare and Medi-Cal. The exchange is a central piece of Obama's health insurance overhaul, allowing people to compare policies and collect a subsidy to lower their monthly premiums if they qualify based on income.

The average increase is driven by two large insurers, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California, which together cover half of the Covered California market, said Peter Lee, executive director of Covered California.

Anthem requested a 17 percent increase, while Blue Shield is seeking 20 percent. The average increase ended up at 13 percent because most of the other participating insurers requested rate increases of less than that amount. Prices for the two lowest-cost plans with the most popular benefit package, known as a "silver" plan, will rise by 8 percent.

The proposed rates are subject to review by state regulators, who can label them as unreasonable but can't block them.

Consumers can limit the impact on their premium cost increases by changing plans, Lee said, although that may require some people to change doctors depending on the provider networks offered by each plan.

"We have a competitive marketplace," Lee said. "Health plans that raise their rates do so at their peril."

Almost 90 percent of Covered California customers get federal subsidies that will help offset the premium increases.

The proposed increase in California is higher than the average for states that have already reported insurance premiums so far, though many insurance companies are seeking large increases. In 14 states analyzed by the Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm Avalere Health, the cost of an average-priced plan will rise 11 percent if insurers are allowed to adopt the rates they've requested.

Price increases for the average cost plan ranged from 5 percent in Washington state to 19 percent in Virginia, according to the Avalere study released last week. Rhode Island was the only state among those surveyed registering a decrease, at 5 percent.

Price growth for next year's premiums is driven by rising health costs for a population that has turned out to be more expensive to insure than anticipated. Officials also blame rising prescription drug costs and people who hold off buying coverage until they get sick.

Health plans are adapting to big changes in the health care market since 2014, when the bulk of Obama's health care insurance overhaul was put in place.

Fewer people are signing up through the exchanges than anticipated, and they're using more health care services than anticipated. That's left insurers with fewer customers to share the overall cost.

Insurers are also dealing with the end of two temporary programs created to help them absorb the uncertainties of the new world of health care.

The programs helped provide a financial backstop for health insurance companies that took on especially costly pools of consumers. Obama's Affordable Care Act requires insurers to issue policies without considering customers' health.

"Insurers are still getting used to the new rules prohibiting discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, so this is a bit of a shakeout," said Larry Levitt, senior vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health policy group.

Insurance rates have been more stable in the employer-based insurance market where many more Americans have coverage, he said. Covered California insures about 5 percent of California's population.

The California premium increases were denounced by Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group that backed a failed 2014 ballot measure that would have given regulators more power over insurance rates.

"Rate regulation needs to move to the top of the legislature's list," said Jamie Court, the group's president.
Some prominent GOP leaders from San Diego are not attending the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Republican National Convention headed into its second day on Tuesday with Donald Trump cinching the nomination for president.

Many local Republican leaders, such as past presidential nominee Mitt Romney, made it clear that Trump is the reason why hes staying away from the convention.

Ryan Clumpner, a political consultant in San Diego is deeply involved with the local Republican Party. He told NBC 7 that he didnt have any interest in going to the convention this year.

Similar to Romney and Republican State Assemblymember Rocky Chavez, for Clumpner, the issue was also Trump.

Until the party stands for something I can connect to and I can relate to again, its not something I want to be in the middle of, he said.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer had also announced that he would not vote for or endorse Trump because of the Republican nominees controversial comments about Latinos and Mexico.

But Trump is not the only reason by some leaders have opted out of making the trip to Cleveland. For Congressman Duncan Hunter, one of Trumps supporters, the reason is family.

NBC 7 requested an interview with Hunter. His Chief of Staff Joe Kasper sent us the following statement:

Representative Hunter was one of Trump's first supporters and remains active in support of the GOP nominee, but he's also a family man with a wife and three kids and he knows there are plenty of others who are eager to attend the convention. Family time is important and being gone for months at a time makes time at home and in the district with voters all the more valuable.
A man accused in a series of attacks on homeless men while they slept could face the death penalty, according to San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey.

Jon David Guerrero, 39, of San Diego is charged with three counts of first degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and two counts of arson.

The allegations include a weapon was used in all crimes. There is also a special circumstance in that more than one murder occurred in a series, so he could face the death penalty.

He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday for his arraignment, but Guerrero's public defender asked for a two week continuance because he was not prepared to proceed to trial. The judge granted the request.

Guerrero is represented by public defender Danesh Tandon, who said after court that San Diego deserves to know the whole story.

"This story started well before July 3 when the first lost of life happened," he said.

A friend of the accused serial killer said Guerrero had a "short fuse" and that he was becoming increasingly concerned about the number of homeless coming to San Diego from out-of-state because of the nice summer weather.

"He was kind of laid back, but it seemed like he had a little bit of a short fuse," said Dameon Ditto. "Not to say that I would think he would ever do anything like what he's been accused (of)."

Guerrero is accused in five attacks that began July 3, San Diego Police said, and authorities believe he acted alone. Guerrero was taken into custody near the most recent attack at 18th and C Street just after 4:30 a.m. Friday. He was booked into the San Diego Central Jail in downtown on Friday.

Police say physical evidence found at the scenes and in Guerrero's apartment links all attacks.

Three of the men attacked died from their injuries.

linda baldwin

Two victims initially who were initially taken to the hospital in critical condition are expected to survive, Harvey revealed Tuesday. San Diego Police had initially said one of the victims would survive and is expected to testify.

At the hearing, the Judge ordered news outlets to blur the defendant's face. NBC7 and another news organization requested to be heard by the court to oppose that decision, but were not granted the request to argue against the order.

Harvey said if convicted, Guerrero faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. He also faces maximum exposure. He could face the death penalty.
An Indiana animal shelter is encouraging "Pokemon Go" players to walk an adoptable dog, and Facebook has hired a production company to film the initiative.

Muncie Animal Shelter director Phil Peckinpaugh said a film crew shot video about the shelter's efforts Monday. It will appear on Facebook Stories, a video series that showcases human interest stories from around the country.

Peckinpaugh promoted the program on Facebook after the smartphone game craze sent groups of players walking around the community in search of digital creatures.

More than 250 people visited the shelter between July 12 and July 17 after Peckinpaugh advertised the program on Facebook. The post was shared tens of thousands of times as of Tuesday morning.
Thousands of people invested hundreds of dollars each into a company developing a high-tech mini drone, but when the company missed several delivery deadlines, many investors started to worry they'd never get what they bought.

ONAGOfly said it designed the worlds first smart nano drone. It appears to have all the capabilities of a regular drone but can fit in the palm of your hand.

The video just took me in, drone enthusiast Jay Boucher of Arlington, Virginia, said. There was fantastic footage. It looked very controllable.

ONAGOfly used a crowd-funding site to raise money to develop the product.

Boucher signed up and paid $260. He was told his nano drone would be delivered in March.

As of today in July, it still has not been delivered, Boucher said.

ONAGOfly received hundreds of similar complaints on social media.

Those who did receive their drones have numerous complaints, as well. They say the battery doesnt hold a charge and the drone doesnt function the way the company promised. They say when they call customer service, they get no support.

On its Facebook page, ONAGOfly thanked its customers for their patience and posted a video explaining they only expected a few thousand requests for the drones but received more than 17,000.

NBC4 Responds never heard back from ONAGOfly, but the company did issue Boucher a full refund.

The company, which raised more than $3 million through the crowd-funding effort, also addressed complaints regarding the drones features. In an online update to its customers, the company said it made a series of updates to its software.

ONAGOfly also said it has completed shipping out all U.S. orders.
The D.C. man who admitted to pretending to be a top aide to U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) to score field passes to a Washington Redskins game and "special privileges" at a South Beach bar and lounge in Miami pleaded guilty Wednesday afternoon.

Jarrett Lewis, an employee of a DC-based non-profit, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of impersonating a US government official. He faces up to three years in prison.

Jarrett Lewis, who is of no relation to the congressman, admitted to using the yearlong scheme to obtain field passes from the Washington Redskins and special access at the famed Clevelander bar on South Beach in Miami. According to prosecutors, employees of the bar notified the office of Rep. John Lewis. The scheme was executed between 2014 and 2015, according to prosecutors.

Jarrett Lewis admitted listing the address of the Rep Lewis' Cannon House Office Building office suite when sending emails as part of the scheme.

Michael Collins is the longtime chief of staff of Rep. Lewis, a civil rights icon who has represented Atlanta in the US House of Representatives since 1987.

A spokeswoman for Rep Lewis declined to comment on the case, telling News-4, "The matter is now in the courts."

Jarrett Lewis was a student at Syracuse University before serving with a DC-based non-profit, according to testimony and court records. He and his attorney declined to comment to News-4 after a hearing Wednesday.

He faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced in October.
A Metro Transit Police officer identified himself as "the police" and pulled a gun on another driver in an episode of road rage.

Steven Lee Smith, 39, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of second-degree assault and one count of misconduct in office, Montgomery County prosecutors said Wednesday.

Smith, who has been a Metro Transit Police officer for the past 15 years, was pulling out of the Citgo station near Connecticut and Georgia avenues in Silver Spring, Maryland, on April 12 when he became involved in an altercation with a driver in another car, prosecutors said.

He pulled out his service weapon and said he was "the police," according to prosecutors.

Additional details on the incident were not released immediately.

Smith appeared in court Wednesday. He agreed to resign from the Metro Transit Police force, and will lose his pension.

"The alleged actions in this case are unacceptable to us, and have no place within the Metro Transit Police Department," a Metro spokesman said.

Information on Smith's lawyer was not available immediately.

Nearly eight in every 10 drivers in the U.S. admit expressing anger, aggression or road rage at least once in the previous year, according to results of a survey released last week.

Stay with News4 for more details on this developing story.
A senior Navy official has been charged with brandishing a gun at a group of men he reportedly accused of being drunk and noisy at a neighbor's party.

Karnig Ohannessian, who was named a deputy assistant Navy secretary in January, faces three misdemeanor counts after the June 11 confrontation, which was recorded on a cellphone video obtained by CBS News, police said.

The video shows a man pointing a gun at people and telling them to leave the area outside his home in Burke. A magistrate determined Ohannessian's arrest last month lacked probable cause, but on Tuesday, police said they took their case to the chief magistrate, who determined that charges were warranted.

Get in the car, he repeatedly shouts.

Someone can be heard saying, "Youre pointing a gun at my friend. This is a criminal offense. So, please stop it.

During the confrontation, a middle-aged woman standing near the man with the gun uses a cellphone and appears to try to calm the man.

"Let them leave," she says.

I can shoot the f--- out of you guys right now, the man with the gun shouts.

Police said they received three 911 calls about the incident and responded about 8:15 p.m. for a report of a man brandishing a gun. The alleged victims were gone by the time police arrived.

As the investigation was underway two days later, a 24-year-old man went to the West Springfield District Police station and filed a report about the incident.

Ohannessian's biography on the Navy's website states that he is a principal policy adviser to the assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations and environment and the recipient of two Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Awards.

In a statement, Rear Adm. Dawn Cutler, Navy Chief of Information, said officials are aware of the incident and video. "Mr. Ohannessian's supervisor is taking the appropriate action, to include working to understand the full details of what occurred."

Ohannessian did not return a call from the Associated Press seeking comment Tuesday.
A woman with $90,000 of cocaine in her luggage was caught at BaltimoreWashington International Airport, customs officials said.

Officers found nearly 3 pounds of the drug in the bottom of a Jamaican woman's suitcase Monday afternoon, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

Officers noticed the suitcase was unusually thick and saw the cocaine during an X-ray scan.

Officers say 30-year-old

Trudian James, 30, of Hanover Parish, Jamaica, was turned over to Maryland State Police. Online court records show James was charged with several drug offenses.

Court records do not list a lawyer for James.
A Donald Trump adviser and New Hampshire state lawmaker says he's standing by his controversial comments calling for Hillary Clinton to be shot by a firing squad for treason.

State Rep. Al Baldasaro, who served as a Marine and advises the Republican presidential nominee on veterans' issues, said in an interview with NBC News Wednesday that he's standing by the comments he made earlier on the Jeff Kuhner Show on WRKO.

He said the presumptive Democratic nominee's use of a private email server, for which Clinton won't face charges following an FBI investigation, should be considered treason.

"As far as I'm concerned, the laws of the land on treason could be a firing squad if she's found guilty," Bladasaro said.

"I stand by it because treason is treason. When you take information on a service, that's a non-classified server, classified info, and you've got names of American CIA, Secret Service, ambassadors or whatever and you're sharing that out there, you're giving the enemy information," he told NBC News.

Asked to respond to Baldasaro's comments, Trump aide Hope Hicks told NBC News, "No, of course Mr. Trump does not feel this way."

The U.S. Secret Service is aware of Baldasaro's comments, a representative said.

Baldasaro also on Wednesday dismissed suggestions that his comments were too controversial, arguing that Republicans needed to be tougher critics of Clinton.

"We have to stop being nice. We gotta start putting America first. We have to protect our country first  no one is above the law," he said.

Veterans groups are already calling for Trump to cut ties with Baldasaro.

"There is no room in this debate for those calling for the murder of Hillary Clinton. If Trump cannot get a hold of his out-of-control mob that is growing increasingly unhinged, he should drop out," Jon Soltz, an Iraq War veteran and chairman of VoteVets.org, said in a statement.
The Rhode Island State Police arrested and charged two members of a religious organization that uses cannabis in its services, necn affiliate WJAR reports.

56-year-old Anne Armstrong and 46-year-old Alan Gordon - leading members of the Healing Church of Rhode Island - were charged with possession of marijuana and intent to have a growing operation in their home in West Greenwich.

Police also seized 12 pounds of marijuana, 59 marijuana plants, 10 pounds of hash oil and packing materials.

They are held without bail and will appear in court in August.
Three suspects are sought after several thousand dollars were stolen and almost $40,000 in damage was caused to several stores in Merrimack, New Hampshire.

According to Merrimack Police, the thieves went to the Merrimack Commons Laundromat around 7 Monday morning and broke in through the roof.

They then went to a dance studio and a Dollar Tree, causing damage among all three.

Anyone with information should contact police.
Police say investigators searching waters in North Smithfield, Rhode Island, for a missing swimmer have found a body.

Town police and fire responded to reports of a missing swimmer at the Slatersville Reservoir just before 7 p.m. Tuesday. The area is popular for fishing.

Police say the body of 19-year-old David Pinthiere of Providence, Rhode Island, was pulled from the water just before 8 p.m., according to necn affiliate WJAR.

There is no evidence to suggest foul play, according to police.
Crews are responding to a haz-mat situation in Westborough, Massachusetts.

Westborough Fire confirms firefighters are at a Tier II haz-mat scene at an industrial building on Flanders Road with Southborough Fire crews on Wednesday.

Firefighters have encountered several chemical reactions and have since evacuated the building; Dow Chemical in en route to assist.

Meanwhile, the Mass. Department of Fire Services has placed air monitoring equipment throughout the area to monitor environment safety.

No other details were immediately available.

Stay with necn and www.necn.com as this story develops.
A family of four from California is recovering after a driver crashed through the front door of a restaurant in Quincy, Massachusetts.

The crash happened at Wild Willy's Burgers and left heavy damage to the building. The driver, a 90-year-old man, and his elderly female passenger, were not injured, but were shaken up.

Witness Shakira Rivas explained she saw the driver seem to have difficulty with his car, just before it came crashing through. Officers say the driver became confused, mistaking the gas for the brake pedal.

Rivas said, "He backed up real far and he just pressed the full gas. You could hear the wheels and he just went right through like it was nothing, and then everybody just got hurt inside.

Det. Karen Barkas of Quincy Police said, He doesn't remember it but we will be filing an immediate threat with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. No charges are being filed at this time."

Employees here say the elderly couple comes to the restaurant often.

The owners tell us the structure of the building is alright. They need to repair the front counter and the door. They're hoping to reopen as soon as possible.
Official temperature measurements are taken in the shade  so when youre out in the sun it often times feels warmer than what the thermometer reads. High dew points also can make it feel warmer than the actual temperature.

When dew points climb into the 60s its uncomfortable, when theyre in the 70s it feels like Florida. Over the next couple of days, dew points in the Midwest will reach 80. The heat indices (the summer equivalent to wind chills) will climb to 120 in some areas! Excessive heat warnings, watches and advisories are highlighted on map below:

The jet stream is pushed north into Canada and then drops into New England. That means two things for us: 1) we are going to get hot (not as hot at the Midwest  closer to 90) and 2) our weather turns active with a chance for severe thunderstorms on Friday.

First, lets talk about the heat. Temperatures will reach the low 90s between Thursday and Monday. That would be the first heatwave of 2016 in Boston. We just missed a heat wave over the weekend, because temperatures were knocked down into the 70s on Sunday. Inland locations did, however, experience a heat wave. The last official heat wave in Boston was in 2015 between September 7th and 9th.

Meteorologist Matt Noyes' Pics of the Day

Severe weather could return on Friday. As the jet stream cuts across New England, it puts us in a favorable position for strong to severe thunderstorms. At this point, its too early to pinpoint specific locations, but damaging winds and large hail are possible. Stay tuned to necn as we fine tune this forecast.
Police are investigating several high school students in Wellesley, Massachusetts, for allegedly posting racist and Anti-Semitic comments, and threats on social media.

Students from Wellesley High School and other surrounding communities have been accused of racial and ethnic harassment as well as hate speech.

According to David Lussier, the Superintendent of the Wellesley Public Schools, the district is still working to investigate the allegations.

"In the past few days, we have learned about disturbing allegations of racial/ethnic harassment as well as hate speech," Lussier wrote in a letter to parents, Tuesday. "We will work diligently to ensure that our schools continue to be safe and productive learning environments for all students."

He added, "We will work with our community partners in the days ahead to meet this charge. We plan to share specific action steps we will be taking together as we move ahead in this process."

Some of the posts are believed to have racist and Anti-Semitic language and mentions of genocide.

Lussier declined an interview with NECN, but said they are in the process of investigating the students, some of whom are from surrounding communities.

NECN obtained copies of the comments, which were written during a group Facebook chat last Friday. It appears several students were referencing their classmates of color throughout a lengthy exchange that included racial slurs and violent threats.

In one portion, a student wrote, "If one more N***** shows up in this group chat, I'll (expletive) lynch him."

Another classmate stated he hated African Americans and wanted to "genocide" them.

The conversation was shared by several students at Wellesley High School, who today told NECN they hope the school takes action.

According to Lussier, disciplinary action will be determined at the completion of the investigation. In the meantime, he said the district is working closely with community groups, such as the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO), to discuss how to address the issue moving forward.

No disciplinary action has been taken at this time.

The complete letter to parents can be found here:

Dear Members of the WHS Community:

In the past few days, we have learned about disturbing allegations of racial/ethnic harassment as well as hate speech involving students from Wellesley High School and from some surrounding communities. While we are still in the process of investigating these allegations, we believe it is important to name such a visible violation of several of our Core Values including Respect for Human Differences, Cooperative and Caring Relationships, and Commitment to Community. These core values only mean something if their violation draws an immediate and visible response.

At a time when issues of race and division are challenging the nation, we should not assume that we are immune to these same challenges in Wellesley. To this end, perhaps there has never been a more important time to underscore our ongoing belief that our strength lies within the diversity of our community.

We will work diligently to ensure that our schools continue to be safe and productive learning environments for ALL students. As always, we will work with our community partners in the days ahead to meet this charge. We plan to share specific action steps we will be taking together as we move ahead in this process.

We thank you in advance for helping to underscore these important messages to our students and to our entire community.

Best regards,

Dr. David Lussier

Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Jamie Chisum

Principal, WHS
Police in Millis, Massachusetts, say a homeowner was injured when he attempted to chase a suspected burglar and was dragged by the suspect's vehicle.

The man returned home to his Irving Street residence around 3 p.m. Tuesday and first found a vehicle in his driveway. He then found the man, Daniel Coyle, 32, in his basement.

Police said the homeowner locked Coyle downstairs and called for help.

As Coyle attempted to flee the scene in the vehicle, the homeowner grabbed on, gettting dragged 30 feet.

Police pursued Coyle through Millis, Holliston, Sherborn and Medfield, where he pulled into a CVS parking lot and was arrested.

The homeowner was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

Coyle appeared in court Wednesday and was ordered held on $25,000 bail. He will face charges in all four towns and is due back in court next month.
The New Hampshire attorney general has ruled that the fatal shooting of a Michigan man last month by police was justified.

Nineteen-year-old Lane Lesko, of Ann Arbor, died of a gunshot wound June 21 in Peterborough.

In a report Wednesday, Attorney General Joseph Foster said Greenfield Police Chief Brian Giammarino fired the fatal shot after fearing that his life was in danger.

The report says before the confrontation, Lesko stole a BMW from a dealership in Greenfield at gunpoint and then led police on a chase. Foster says Lesko was forced off the road and then ignored police commands to hold up his hands. The report says he instead began shooting at police with what "appeared to be a black handgun."

Police later determined it was a BB pistol.
Police in Manchester, New Hampshire, have arrested two men accused of robbing a Pokemon GO player at knifepoint early Wednesday morning.

The robbery happened around 2 a.m. on the bicycle path behind 375 Willow St.

Police say the victim, a 24-year-old man, was accosted by Raymond Lavigne, 29, and Michael Drake, 26, and tried to get away.

Drake allegedly pulled out a knife, pressed it to the victims throat and demanded his cell phone and wallet, which he ultimately gave up.

The victim fled to a local business and called police, who responded to the bike path.

Police initially found the suspects, but they fled.

Drake was later tracked down and taken into custody. He had a knife on him at the time. He was charged with Armed Robbery and Resisting Arrest/Detention.

Lavigne was found on Mitchell Street and was taken into custody as well. He was charged with Armed Robbery, Resisting Arrest/Detention and Falsifying Physical Evidence for throwing away the phone before the arrest.

Both men are set to be arraigned Wednesday.
Two state troopers from New England are facing charges following an arrest that resulted from a police chase back in May.

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Joseph Flynn, 32, and New Hampshire State Police Trooper Andrew Monaco, 31, are both charged with simple assault, a misdemeanor, by the New Hampshire Attorney General's Office.

The charges stem from their alleged use of force in the arrest of Richard Simone, 50, of Worcester, Massachusetts, on May 11, in Nashua, New Hampshire.

Necn helicopter footage shows police repeatedly punching Simone after he got out of his truck and got down on his knees, after leading police on a very lengthy chase from Holden, Massachusetts to New Hampshire.

According to the complaints in New Hampshire, Trooper Flynn allegedly used his hand to strike Simone's back and his hand on the right side of Simone's body above his waist.

The complaints also say Trooper Monaco allegedly struck Simone on the left side of his head with his hand, lacerating his ear, and also drove his knee into his torso.

In all, they say Trooper Monaco delivered what appeared to be 12 punches and two knee strikes, while Trooper Flynn appeared to deliver 8 punches, all while the New Hampshire Attorney General's office said Simone appeared to be prone on the ground, submitting to the arrest and making no aggressive movements.

The attorney general's office also said they interviewed a New Hampshire state police supervisor and said after the incident, Trooper Monaco approached that supervisor and said numerous times, "I (expletive) up Sarge, I'm sorry, I (expletive) up."

Trooper Monaco also stated to another officer on scene "I just ruined my life over one (expletive)."

After the incident, New Hampshire State Police said Trooper Monaco was immediately relieved from his duties.

Massachusetts State Police said Trooper Flynn has been suspended with pay.

Both departments are conducting their own internal investigations.

Trooper Flynn and Monaco have been released on personal recognizance and will be arraigned in Nashua on September 13th.

Meantime, Simone has a lengthy criminal record.

Necn reached out to Trooper Flynn's attorney, but did not immediately hear back.

It's still not clear who's representing Trooper Monaco.
A long-running summer day camp at the Humane Society of Chittenden County in South Burlington, Vermont, teaches kids about proper pet care.

"I think it kind of opens their eyes totally to how much responsibility it is it take care of an animal," said Erin Alamed of the Humane Society of Chittenden County.

Camp Paw Paw runs several different sessions for kids aged 7 to 12.

Children learn about proper pet care and safety. They also meet with members of the community who work daily with animals, from police K-9 handlers to therapists and trainers.

"They're like, best buds for you," said camper Gianna Petrunich, describing why she likes animals.

When necn visited, the campers were honing their observation skills by examining insects.

"That sense of valuing other living organisms - I think it's really important," said ecologist Linden Higgins, who taught the kids some basics on identifying insects.

The goal of all the programming is to foster a deep respect for animals early, possibly setting the stage for decades of supporting animal welfare.

"You treat animals nicely, and carefully, and you treat them the way they want to be treated," said camper Adam Kavanaugh.

"They have hearts too, just like people, and they need help because they can't take care of themselves," Ava Desautels, another camper, said about animals.

For more information on the Humane Society of Chittenden County, you can visit their website.

Several pet adoption centers across Vermont are participating in necn's Clear the Shelters day this Saturday. Click here for more information.
The wish of a 13-year-old Maine boy battling Lymphoma is being granted by the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Logan Theriault is heading to Boston for an adventure that will take him to places including the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium and finally, a trip to Fenway Park, where he'll also get to meet Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia, according to affiliate WCSH.

Logan and his family will return home to Lewiston on Saturday, which is also his birthday.
Delegates are expected to nominate Donald Trump for president at the Republican National Convention Tuesday night, but it's Trump's wife Melania who is the topic of discussion.

"It's interesting," said former U.S. Senator Scott Brown. "After everything that happened yesterday, you had a paragraph or two that had similarities."

Brown, an early Trump supporter, thinks far too much is being made regarding allegations of plagiarism in Melania Trump's Monday night convention speech. He said he's more interested in Hillary Clinton's speeches to Wall street firms that she hasn't disclosed and other allegations of plagiarism in Massachusetts that he says never got much play.

"Remember when President Obama lifted from Deval Patrick," Brown asked. "You know. And there were tremendous similarities. And also Kennedy. And you didn't hear about that."

Recently fired Trump Campaign Manager Corey Lewandowski, a New Hampshire delegate, says Melania Trump is a smart and articulate woman whose speech was not properly vetted by the campaign. And he seems to point the finger at his replacement, Paul Mannafort.

"Look, I know about accountability in this campaign," said Lewandowski. "I've been there, guys."

House Speaker Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and two of Trump's children are among Tuesday night's speakers.
A two-day retreat based around the Revelations of Julian of Norwich will be held in Norwich in October facilitated by Rev Robert Fruehwirth, former Priest Director of the Julian Centre, who has been reflecting on the mystic for more than 25 years.

The Norwich Christian Meditation Centre and the Friends of Julian of Norwich are co-presenting a two-day retreat called Increase our Compassion: Life from the Heart of Julian of Norwichs Revelations of Divine Love.



The retreat will be led by Rev Robert Fruehwirth on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 October, 9am5pm at St Lukes Church on Aylsham Road, Norwich.



Considered by Thomas Merton to be one of the most significant theologians ever in the English tradition, and one of the most valuable mystics in the Christian tradition, Julian of Norwich (c.1342-c1416) is loved and respected across the world as one of the most powerful and creative of spiritual writers of all time.



Her book, 'Revelations of Divine Love', relates Julians stunning mystical experience of Gods compassion and love for all of humankind, and tells us how Julian was challenged to grow in compassion and acceptance in response to this experience - compassionate acceptance of herself and others, and all that she found in Gods creation.



Rev Robert Fruehwirth (pictured) has reflected, meditated, and spoken on Julian for more than 25 years, first as a monk in the Order of Julian of Norwich, then in the person-centered counselling post-graduate programme at the University of East Anglia (UEA), and as the Priest Director of the Julian Centre in Norwich. With his wife and two children he currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina in the United States, serving as an Associate Rector at St. Michaels Episcopal Church in Raleigh.



His book 'The Drawing of this Love: Growing in Faith with Julian of Norwich' , is published at the end of July by Canterbury Press. He combines the commonly understood teachings of Julian with an exploration of what happens when we try to live them.



During the retreat there will be periods of reflection, reading, and prayer based on Julians Revelations and the themes developed in the addresses. Plenary discussions will provide times of group questioning and exploration of the themes in the retreat addresses and readings from Julian.



You can book your place and find out more information at www.julian-of-norwich.eventbrite.co.uk .



You can download a postal booking form here with the full programme.



Please contact Rev Suzanne Cooke at suzanne@cookehouse.co.uk with any queries.



Keep in contact with the Norwich Christian Meditation Centre through Facebook and Twitter .



www.julian-of-norwich.eventbrite.co.uk



St Lukes Church, 61 Aylsham Road, Norwich NR3 2HF
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), a Linux Foundation project and organization dedicated to advancing the development of cloud-native applications and services, announced it accepted another "project" under its governanceKubeCon, the Kubernetes community conference.

The donation of KubeCon to the CNCF is unique in that this isn't a software project, but a community conference, which will benefit from the "well-oiled (community conference) machine" that the Linux Foundation provides, according to Joseph Jacks of Kismatic, the original organizer of KubeCon.

KubeCon is a conference dedicated to education and community engagement of Kubernauts (Kubernetes enthusiasts). Kubernetes is an opinionated framework for building distributed systems or, in other wordsa container orchestrator. KubeCon organizers anticipate approximately 1,500 attendees of the next installment of the conference to be held in November 2016 in Seattle. This number of attendees stands to be a significant jump from the approximately 600 attendees at the 2015 San Francisco inaugural conference and the approximately 500 attendees at the March 2016 edition held in London.

This third installment of the conference will place emphasis on end users, particularly those running Kubernetes deployments in production environments, leveling off the number of vendor and product-centric pitches. The event will retain the same program committee, and talks will still range from introductory to advanced use. The program committee is encouraging submissions that address cloud-native projects.

In coming under the governance of the CNCF, KubeCon will join its software project counterpart, Kubernetes, which was previously donated to the CNCF. Both the KubeCon speaker list and attendee list stand to benefit from this most recent "project" donation.

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation is thrilled to host KubeCon as a CNCF event. As a commons for cloud-native projects, we are looking forward to expanding the CNCF community beyond Kubernetes to bring multiple cloud-native communities together in one venue, said Chris Aniszczyk, interim executive director of the CNCF. We are also looking forward to furthering cloud-native education by hosting our own CloudNativeDay. Co-located with ContainerCon North America, CloudNativeDay will enable face-to-face collaboration with some of the worlds top technologies advancing and accelerating cloud native computing.
As a naturally paranoid person, I wiped the Moto G4 and G4 Plus that I recently tested before returning them to Motorola. This isnt the first tutorial about how to wipe an Android phone, but it is the first one written by a paranoid person.

In this tutorial, one more step, critical to safely wiping an Android device has been added. There could be an evil entity extracting personal information from lost, stolen or discarded Android phones or those sold by the unwary on by Craigs List and Ebay. Maybe not, but I dont want to find out.

These wipe instructions correct one flaw in most wipe procedures. Most people use a four-digit numerical PIN to lock their phones. The PIN is also the password used to encrypt the data on a phone. And that is not good enough, at least for paranoid people like me who change their passwords regularly and use two-factor authentication. Cracking a four digit password is easy. It takes just 10,000 guesses, assuming all have to be tried before finding the right one. This guessing exercise takes a half hour or less, depending on the computing resources applied to guessing the password.

Why a factory reset isnt good enough, even with encrypted data

It will be easy to understand why your data is still vulnerable after a wipe by understanding the steps often recommended to wipe an Android phone:

A simple factory reset leaves data on the device that though erased, can be recovered using apps such as MobiKin Doctor and FonePaw. Security researchers and presumably criminals have proprietary apps that restore erased data easier, faster and more rigorously.

A factory reset of data encrypted with a four-digit pin is vulnerable to recovery because decrypting data takes such little time.

How the paranoid wipe their Android devices

First reset the device. Go to settings, select backup and reset. Confirm that you want to erase all your data.

After the Android device returns to the setup screen, used when the phone was first put into use, go through the setup process, eliminating unnecessary actions such as adding email accounts and recovering apps from Googles backups to save time.

When the setup dialog asks to choose a screen lock, select the password option. This is the most important part of securely wiping the Android device. Use a site such Nortons Identity Safe to generate a 16-character password. The password generated will look something like this Nc]Q)r%{+4sh9BER. Print the password so no mistake is made later in the process of wiping the device.

The reason for generating a long and complex password is it increases the amount of time to guess the four-digit PIN from less than a half-hour to over one hundred years.

The password generated isnt memorable like your significant others name and birth date. The numbers, special characters and uppercase and lowercase letters will have to be entered exactly the first time and exactly a second time to confirm that it has been entered correctly when setting the devices password.

Next, make sure the device is plugged into a power source. Return to the settings menu. If your screen locked, carefully enter the password again. Select Security from the settings menu, then select encrypt phone, and enter the password again, carefully. Select encrypt. This will re-encrypt the storage with the new, long hard-to-guess password. This can take up to an hour.

The last step is to return to the settings menu, select Backup & reset, then select Factory data reset, and for the last time, enter the long password.

Now the phone is ready to be returned to the manufacturer, discarded, sold or given away.
There has been anecdotal talk that Microsoft's aggressive Windows 10 upgrade/giveaway harmed PC sales, since it's known most people upgrade to a new OS via a new PC purchase rather than doing a software upgrade. Now Gartner has confirmed this theory.

In an interview with The Register (and confirmed with the analyst by me), Gartner research director Ranjit Atwal told the publication, "People with older PCs upgraded to Windows 10 and held onto them. Microsoft didnt expect that number to be so high."

+ Also on Network World: Credibility and trust: Microsoft blows it +

By June of this year, 40 percent of consumers in the U.S. (consumers, not IT) had upgraded their PC to Windows 10, and most interesting, the average age of the PC was four years. That's much older than you typically see upgraded. Usually by that point the system is in its later years and is about to be replaced.

That's not surprising. Microsoft made a great effort to keep the system requirements for Windows 10 at the same low level as previous versions. In fact, Windows system requirements have not gone up since Vista, although there you needed a decked out system. People are buying systems with 8GB of memory when the OS needed only 1GB.

About 308.3 million PCs were sold worldwide in 2014, according to IDC. That number fell to 276.2 million in 2015, a 10.4 percent drop. Gartner puts the percentage drop from 2014 at 8 percent. However, there are a few caveats:

Gartner also said the economy and mature markets also played a role in the drop, and here's the big one: it couldnt quantify with any certainty how many PC sales were lost due to the Windows giveaway despite that one-in-five figure.

It was clear to me that Windows 10 was eating into the old operating systems just looking at the monthly usage stats from Net Applications, StatCounter and especially Steam. There would be an increase in Windows 10 and a proportional decrease in Windows 7 and especially 8.1 Despite some upgrades that made Windows 8.1 more tolerable, that OS was so maligned and hated people were more than happy to move off it to Windows 10. Windows 7 users have been much slower to take the plunge.

What happens after the free Windows 10 upgrade ends?

The big question now becomes what happens when Microsoft ends its freebie on July 29? They've already snagged about 350 million installs. Will PC sales continue to sputter or will they finally pick up? If I had to make a prediction, I would say a slow return to normal. Anyone who wanted Windows 10 has it by now. They either took the upgrade or bought a new PC.

What comes after July 29 is simply PC replacement, and that has slowed considerably. The fact is PCs are well-made and last a while. My father used an 8-year-old Dell Dimension up until the lack of software support forced his hand to a Windows 10 machine. That Dimension worked like a charm right to the end. PCs last these days, so if you wait for them to fail before upgrading, you'll be holding on for a whilewhich is unfortunate for the PC vendors.
Hirotec America recently embarked on its first IoT effort and, as new as it is, the effort is already paying dividends, says Justin Hester, Research & Development Project Manager. Hirotec is a $1.4 billion tier one parts and tooling supplier to automakers, specializing in closures (such as doors and hoods) and exhaust systems. Hester was instrumental in getting the IoT effort off the ground at the companys US headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan, but has since moved to Japan to work on Hirotecs global IoT efforts from the companys global headquarters in Hiroshima.

Justin Hester, Research & Development Project Manager, Hirotec

How did the IoT conversation start at your company?

Hirotec is mainly a tier one production company for the automotive space, but we also sell tooling to produce the same assemblies, so what we learn from internal production we implement on the tooling side and what we learn from tooling we implement in production, so both businesses benefit. Once we started thinking about that same model for the data side, we started to see the potential benefit of what data and data analytics could give us for both our tooling and production customers.

In our opinion, IoT isnt just about receiving information. IoT really is a closed loop automated system where were collecting data from all our devices, whether in our production facility or our customers production facility, automatically analyzing the data, automatically tying it to other datasets -- whether theyre public or private -- then making at least automated suggestions if not taking automated action.

For example, our system could theoretically look at our production schedule for the day, look at the weather, look at traffic patterns, and predict a traffic backup on a main delivery highway. Knowing that will delay our truck for an hour, the system could automatically rework the production schedule to optimize for the trucks that will be available. That gives you an idea about where we want to go and the potential that we see.

If that is the nirvana vision, how do you get there from here?

We knew we couldnt get there right away, so we started looking at how we could do this in little chunks. What we realized was our CNC shop here in metro Detroit, which is the manufacturing headquarters where we make production tooling we sell to the North American automotive industry, was a perfect area to start -- it has machines of different ages, so we have to connect them differently, and they spit out various data types. And while the machines themselves are very complex, the data we need to collect isnt very complex. Is the machine running or not? Is the machine being set up or is the machine turned off? Very basic data points that we can pull.

So that was a great place to start because its a small area, its local, it exposes us to variation between machines and it will bring some value to the organization. Were actually in the midst of the project right now. We are connecting eight CNC machines to a server from Kepware that collects data using various protocols and sends it up to the cloud where PTC ThingWorx does the analytics and the data visualization for us.

Are you looking to collect more information than you would have historically?

Yes, and to be clear, the new dataset is a small portion of where we think well be in the long term. Again, its the idea of small projects, six-week sprints, adding incremental value and providing us with a proof of concept. But one of things we found was that uptime data, cutting data, etc., was available, but not in a usable sense. It couldnt be consumed in real time with relevant context around it. Thats really where the value is. So even with this small project were bringing value to the organization because the data is available in a quick, labor-free or real time fashion.

A lot of scheduling in the CNC shop is based on after-the-fact analysis and conjecture. Now were going to be able to give our manufacturing leadership real time data on whats actually happening on the floor, which is helpful in itself, and start giving great data to help streamline schedules and help understand our asset and resource allocation. Do we maybe need to add more resources? Are we overtaxing the resources? You can make those decisions without this tool, but it is harder and not as accurate. The immediate value we can bring is providing that data upfront in real time.

And as we continue to grow, were going to use that as our basis to add more and more value. The next step in North America is to tie this data into our scheduling ERP system so we can start doing real time scheduling of parts to our CNC machines. If we know when the machines are running and we know how often they can be on and manned, then its very easy for a computer to take the hours of the jobs coming in and optimize the schedule.

The Kepware server you mentioned helps you get over the initial hump of just connecting the various piece parts?

Exactly. We call it our universal translator. We dont have to worry about what protocols our machines use, whether it Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus, DeviceNet, any of those industrial communication protocols. With Kepware, I dont have to force my machine builders or my production teams to support a certain protocol that might not fit their application. They may have a legacy machine that requires a legacy protocol. They may need high speed communication which requires a different protocol. Its not our place to make the business conform to the tool. This IoT tool should conform to the business, and thats where Kepware plays a huge, but behind the scenes, role.

Its one of those roles thats not big and fancy, but it is essential to get things talking. Thats why were so excited about it. Its one of the few tools we havent put much effort into, not because its not important, because we dont have to. It just works.

And youre using Kepware to pass data off to ThingWorx? (Ed note: PTC acquired Kepware in January, 2016.)

Right. ThingWorx is really the IoT platform. I love the name ThingWorx because the software does exactly what they call it. It just makes things work together.

At its core it is really a relational database, but a very open-ended one. We use ThingWorx as a scalable, flexible IoT platform that gives us customized visualization of our data and customized analytics of our data. ThingWorx doesnt care what kind of data its getting in. It conforms to our business processes. At its core theres a lot of computing power being used to allow these different connections and data points to relate to each other, but from a user standpoint, its conforming to us.

In the first project were using it as a visualization tool to give us this real time look into our CNC shop, but within the next couple of years well potentially be using it to do things like rescheduling the line in real time and for predictive maintenance, telling us a machine is going to break before it breaks, those kinds of things.

You called it a platform, so I presume youre building on top of it.

Absolutely, and we are using their interface to do it. They call any type of screen you create a mashup because you take these different data types and put them wherever you want on a screen and it does all the hard coding in the background.

Thats another thing that drew us to this ecosystem -- I dont need hardcore professional programmers. I can take engineers or business leaders who understand their section and with limited training they can get what they need out of the system quickly. That was very important to us, because Hirotecs expertise lies in automotive manufacturing and automotive production. Were not programming experts.

There are so many IoT platforms emerging now, do you think youll end up with multiple platforms or will you strive like hell just to have one?

One of the key things weve determined is the need to stay flexible. We always understand that the market brings new technologies and new solutions and were evaluating them all the time. That being said, when we did this initial evaluation we said we needed an ecosystem thats scalable and flexible because you can run into a lot of trouble if you start having multiple solutions across multiple business functions because then you have to create custom connectors and it gets confusing and convoluted.

We need an umbrella that has different flexible tools under it. Were not interested in getting a separate tool for each function; one IoT platform for production, a different one for tooling, a third one for our back office, a fourth for our service division. To us, thats just asking for problems down the road.

I imagine, however, that youll eventually want to integrate your systems with other suppliers at some point, so will you end up running into this problem anyway?

I think the industry definitely has that challenge. But again, that was a reason we went the route we did. As long as we stay flexible in our ability to connect to things, we can bring them in.

Right now everyone sees the value of platforms and there are a lot of vendors trying to bring solutions to the market, and I think over the next five years well see consolidation and some standardization. Thats one of the benefits of working with a leader like PTC with ThingWorx and Kepware, because theyre a leader that understands the manufacturing space, and you know they are helping to set some of those standards.

Did you evaluate many other platforms?

We did. We started with our traditional automation partners, Siemens and Rockwell, Mitsubishi, all these companies, and they all have interesting solutions. We also looked at nontraditional suppliers like Microsoft. We think of Microsoft as a business software provider, but we looked at them and some of the other major players. They all have great solutions. But no one other than PTC, in our opinion, was able to bring this robust ecosystem to the floor. Everyone had a solution for a portion of our business, but they couldnt give us that overarching toolset to solve all our problems.

I want to change gears a bit to consider organizational change. Youre in R&D, but has this new IoT push changed the way you work with IT?

It absolutely has, and I think its very exciting. IT in an engineering company really was the superman in the background that kept the business running, but it was really more a request and fulfilment role. The business or the engineering side would come and say, I have a request to do this. Then IT would say, Okay, well execute that.

Now were seeing -- and this has us very excited  that IT is starting to play a more vision-setting role up front. So were engaging IT on jobs earlier, whereas previously they would have had no visibility into our roadmap and strategic goals. Even in this small-scale project, our R&D engineering team engages with IT on a daily basis. From an R&D and IT standpoint, weve engaged with them more in the last six months than probably the entire history of the company.

And what we found is that, not only do you get better answers to the questions youre trying to solve, but that additional perspective is really helping all of us improve across the business, not even just in this space were working in. When youre dealing with other teams on a daily basis, its amazing how those benefits go outside of the projects youre working on because we better understand each others daily life which helps us support each other better on a daily basis.

Do you think this may eventually lead to some larger scale IT/R&D organizational overhaul at some point?

The way I put it is, I dont think the standard businesss org chart will look the same in five to ten years. As the world marches down this IoT path, this smart manufacturing path, were going to start seeing the lines blur between the traditional kinds of reporting structure weve had. We dont have an answer today, but we can see that something is going to change. We dont know what, exactly, so right now were just dealing with cross-functional teams.

In the interconnected world of IoT, the question of data ownership gets interesting, especially considering your business as a tool supplier. Will you be collecting data about the performance of your tools in other peoples operations, and will they permit that?

Thats an ongoing conversation that were having internally, and then will to start to have it externally. How do two companies share data? Who owns it? How do you put it in the proper sandboxes? These are all great questions, and the honest answer is we dont have a solution today. But whats great is the industry is starting to recognize this challenge and were starting to brainstorm answers. Its just a matter of us all coming to the table and finding a solution that fits everyones needs.

Anything else you think is critical to this whole IoT movement?

When it comes to IoT in the industrial space, two things, and they tie together.

One, Im passionate about the six-week sprint idea. Ive seen more creative and lower-cost solutions come out quicker than Ive seen on other projects, larger or smaller. Six weeks in, people can see the light. Ive seen our team present new solutions that weve never come up with before, just because of the sprint model.

And I think that ties into the big fascination I have with IoT, which is, I dont necessarily think were waiting on technology to solve any of our challenges. I think what were doing is understanding culturally in business how to implement these solutions. The sensor data is there. The communication protocols are there. The tools like Kepware and ThingWorx are there. Its more a matter of what does that look like in my business? Its all very much cultural and human things that we need to solve, not so much technology challenges anymore.

Technology will continue to move forward and give us even better solutions, which is great, but the reality is its more of a business/human transformation than anything else.
Recognition for trio's innovation that improves lives of others

THREE Park House School pupils, whose water pump monitoring invention won national plaudits last year, have been recognised again for a national award which recognises technology that improves peoples lives.

Year 9 pupils Jack Hygate, Connor Humphreys and Laurence Bu-Rashid first took home the TeenTech 2015 Award last year for their eWaterPay invention.

The system enables local villagers in impoverished countries to buy water at a nominal cost using a mobile phone app which in turn raises funds for maintenance of the pumps while monitoring them to ensure they are in good working order.

Two of the boys visited The Gambia recently to see their invention in action after it was installed and implemented there.

Last week, the trio won another national prize  the Tech4Good Awards which recognise new and innovative ways that technology can improve the lives of others.

One of the trio, Jack Hygate, said after the award ceremony: The thing we are most proud of is definitely how far weve come and the fact that we are actually making a difference to peoples lives.

A year ago, the eWaterPay system was just an idea but, after a lot of work, we have created a system that is, right now in Africa, helping maintain water systems in Africa providing people with clean, safe water, forever.

The head of computer science at Park House School, Mhari Douglas, said: The boys have taken a brilliant idea and turned it into an amazing product.

They have put so much time and effort into producing the eWaterTap solution and have learnt so much along the way.

The Tech4Good Awards has allowed them to network with many other people who are also developing new pieces of technology.

Once again, I am so proud to see their work being recognised on a national scale.

Headteacher Derek Peaple said: I am proud and humbled in equal measure by what these amazing young men have achieved.

Their vision for change, and innovative use of technology to secure it, is an inspiration.
Council say dual carriageway widening is on track

ROADWORKS on the A339 are now in their 23rd week and, according to the schedule of works, still have 29 weeks to go.

Since work began on February 8, lanes in both directions have been narrowed between the Robin Hood roundabout and the Bear Lane roundabout and a temporary 30mph speed limit is in place.

Motorists have, at times, endured delays on one of the busiest roads through Newbury which has seen intermittent lane closures to allow certain aspects of the work to be carried out, exacerbating the effects of the year-long closure of Boundary Road.

However, the council says that, as well as providing access to the soon-to-be regenerated London Road Industrial Estate, the works will lead to improved traffic flow through the centre of Newbury by reducing the number of vehicles using the Robin Hood junction.

The work, which is being carried out by Balfour Beatty on behalf of West Berkshire Council, has seen land cleared along the west side of the road (adjacent to Victoria Park) to widen the carriageway before work is switched to the opposite side for the construction of a new junction on to the London Road Industrial Estate.

So far, the works have seen more than 100 concrete piles driven into the ground to provide support for a new retaining wall while the installation of a new drainage system is still under way.

According to the council, work to lay the foundations for the widened carriageway is now nearing completion with the construction of the carriageway expected to start imminently.

Last week, West Berkshire Council said the works, which are expected to last a total of 52 weeks, remain on schedule.
Following Turkeys coup detat on Friday (15 July), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his country should re-introduce capital punishment swiftly. The Turkish government has been in the meantime consolidating its power over the country, mainly the judiciary system and the army. The military coup claimed 290 lives, left more than 1,400 injured and led to 6,000 arrests.

President Erdogan referred to the crowds of people that gathered in front of his residence, calling for the reintroduction of death penalty, which was banned in 2004 as a concession towards the European Unions accession criteria. Still, in reality, the last time death penalty was enforced in Turkey was in 1984. The European Union was quick to react when EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini stressed on Sunday (17 July) that no country can become an EU Member State if it introduces a death penalty, which is very clear from the EUs acquis. Mrs Mogherini also added that Turkey is an important member of the Council of Europe and as such is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights that is also very clear on the death penalty.

Mrs Moherini also said that the EU was the first to have stressed the need to have the legitimate democratic institutions protected against the attempt of coup, which is, however, no excuse for taking the country away from fundamental rights and the rule of law. She emphasized that the EU would be extremely vigilant on this not for the sake of the EU but for Turkey itself and the Turkish people. It is not the first time that President Erdogan has called for the reintroduction of capital punishment in his country. In 2012, he said that the debate should be reopened to address the most serious crimes.
Spare Change: Hard-working farmer Louis Escobar was one of a kind

Louie performed the kind of job most try to avoid. And he did it with little, if any, complaint.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 38F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 38F. Winds E at 10 to 15 mph.
As all clinicians know, one in five Australians will experience mental health issues in any given year, with sixty-five per cent of people not accessing treatment to support them with this lived experience says UNSW Professor Philip Mitchell, Head of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Psychiatry. Mental illnesses are common and highly disabling, one in three of us will have a mental health issue in our lifetime.

UNSW School of Psychiatry has established the Australian Mental Health Prize which will recognise Australians who have made outstanding contributions to either the promotion of mental health, or the prevention and treatment of mental illness in areas such as advocacy, research or service provision.

The Prize will be launched by former Governor General, Dame Quentin Bryce on July 13 at the Universitys Lowy Building. For far too long we have failed to recognise the hard work, innovation and dedication of professionals and researchers in Mental Health, says Quentin Bryce. A Prize such as this is the least we can do to show our gratitude and respect for those working in this critical sector.

Chairof the Australian Mental Health Prize Advisory Group, Ita Buttrose said:

It is unacceptable that suicide is the leading cause of death of 15-44 year olds. This must be seen as a national emergency.

She hopes:

the prestigious Prize will help reduce stigma and raise awareness of mental health and help improve care in Australia. There are some incredibly exciting and good things happening in the mental health area in Australia and the Prize, the first of its kind, will highlight the important work Australians are doing. For something that profoundly affects so many Australians and their families, we believe this recognition is incredibly important.

Australia has led the way internationally in many aspects of mental health, such as community awareness, public advocacy and innovative services, Professor Mitchell says. Its time to acknowledge and raise the profile of the ground-breaking work that many Australians are doing.

We call upon clinicians and health professionals as well as the public at large to nominate the people they feel should be recognised for their work, Professor Mitchell said.

To enter nominees must provide a CV and 200 words outlining the work being undertaken and how it is making an impact. Nomination forms can be obtained from: http://australianmentalhealthprize.org.au/

Members of the Advisory Group will select, champion and enhance the prestige of the Prize through networks and the larger community. Entries close 31 August 2016. Six finalists will be chosen with the winner being announced on November 28.

Background

The Australian Mental Health Prize

The Australian Mental Health Prize has been established by the University of New South Wales through its School of Psychiatry, Australias pre-eminent psychiatric research department, and will recognise Australians who have made outstanding contributions to either the promotion of mental health, or the prevention and treatment of mental illness in areas such as advocacy, research or service provision.

The importance of mental health in Australia

Mental illnesses are common and highly disabling. In any one year, one in five adult Australians, and one in seven children aged 4 to 17 will experience some form of mental illness. One in three of us will have a mental illness in our lifetime.

Mental illness impacts severely on our capacity to work, to earn a living, and to maintain close relationships.

The average lifespan of people with severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder is shortened by 10-15 years.

Suicide rates are still unacceptably high, with over 2000 Australians taking their own life each year.

Suicide is the most common cause of death in males under 45.

Why establish the Australian Mental Health Prize?

Australia has led the way internationally in many aspects of mental health, such as community awareness, public advocacy and innovative services. Our open public discourse involving politicians and high profile individuals occurs in few other countries. Programs include beyondblue, the national depression initiative, and headspace, the national network of youth mental health services.

The Australian Mental Health Prize will:

Acknowledge and recognise the important and ground-breaking work that many Australians are doing for mental health.

Raise public awareness on the importance of mental health and

Provide an incentive to improve services and outcomes for people with mental illness.

What are the criteria for the Australian Mental Health Prize?

The Prize will be awarded annually to an Australian who has made outstanding contributions to either the promotion of mental health, or the prevention/treatment of mental illness in areas such as advocacy, research or service provision. It will recognise contributions undertaken in Australia which are of national significance.

Who is involved with the Prize? The Prize has been established by a group of eminent Australians in partnership with the University of New South Wales. Chaired by Ita Buttrose AO OBE, the Prize Advisory Group comprises: UNSW Scientia Professor Philip Mitchell AM, Professor the Hon Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO, Judy Brewer AO, Professor Allan Fels AO, Adam Gilchrist AM, Jack Heath, Professor Patrick McGorry AO, Ben Quilty, Jessica Rowe AM, Sophie Scott, UNSWScientia Professor Henry Brodaty AO, UNSW Professor Valsamma Eapen, UNSW Scientia Professor Perminder Sachdev AM.

Timeline: July 13: Launch of Prize and call for nominations (http://australianmentalhealthPrize.org.au );

August 31: Applications close

October 9-15: (Mental Health Week) Announcement of finalists

November 28: Award ceremony and announcement of winner (UNSW, Sydney).

Issued on behalf of the Australian Mental Health Prize, UNSW School of Psychiatry.

Source: http://australianmentalhealthprize.org.au/
An interdisciplinary team of scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen has studied the metabolism of women with gestational diabetes after giving birth. Along with partners at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), they were able to show that breastfeeding for more than three months brings about long-term metabolic changes. The research findings have been published in the journal Diabetologia.

Four percent of all pregnant women in Germany develop gestational diabetes before the birth of their child. Although their blood sugar levels initially return to normal after delivery, one in two of the mothers affected develops type 2 diabetes within the next ten years. While it has been shown that lactation can lower this risk by 40 percent, the reasons for this are not yet understood.

In an earlier study, researchers led by Professor Anette-Gabriele Ziegler, Director of the Institute of Diabetes Research (IDF) at the Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen, showed that breastfeeding for more than three months postpartum has a protective effect, which lasts for up to 15 years after gestational diabetes. In their most recent study, they examined whether the metabolism could be responsible for this.

For their analyses, the scientists examined almost 200 patients who had developed gestational diabetes. The participants in the study received a standardized glucose solution and gave a fasting blood sample beforehand, and during the test. The scientists then compared the samples on the basis of 156 different, known metabolites. On average, the women had given birth three and half years earlier.

"We observed that the metabolites in women who had breastfed for more than three months differed significantly from those who had had shorter lactation periods," first-author Dr. Daniela Much from the IDF reports. "Longer periods of lactation are linked to a change in the production of phospholipids and to lower concentrations of branched-chain amino acids in the mothers' blood plasma." This is interesting because the metabolites involved were linked in earlier studies with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, the authors say.

"The findings of our study provide new insights into disease-related metabolic pathways that are influenced by lactation and could thus be the underlying reason for the protective effect," concludes Dr. Sandra Hummel, head of the Gestational Diabetes working group at the IDF, who led the study. Breastfeeding, she explains, is a cost-effective intervention which aims to reduce the long-term risk of developing type 2 diabetes among women with gestational diabetes.

In the future, the scientists will look at ways of translating this knowledge into concrete treatment recommendations. "On average, women with gestational diabetes breastfeed less often and for shorter duration than non-diabetic mothers," Hummel says. "The aim is now to develop strategies that will improve the breastfeeding behaviors of mothers with gestational diabetes."
The Bill & Melinda Gates Institute for Population and Reproductive Health, based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, is launching The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a global urban reproductive health program supported by a three-year, $42 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Managing urban areas and providing essential health services, especially in urban poor settlements, is key to building habitable and sustainable cities. The United Nations projects that the world will be 66 percent urban in 2050, with an additional 2.5 billion more people living in cities  90 percent of whom will be concentrated in cities in Asia and Africa. Yet despite increasing urbanization, the poorest people living in cities are rarely able to access health information and services.

From 2009 to 2015, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation pioneered an Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (URHI) to test a comprehensive approach to improve contraceptive access in select cities in Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and India. Rigorous evaluation has shown this strategy to be successful, with an increased number of women able to access modern contraception, and even greater improvement among poor women. Progress was especially notable in Senegal and Nigeria, which saw increases in contraceptive use of 12.2 and 11.1 percentage points respectively.

The Challenge Initiative (TCI) will scale up the tools and approaches developed and lessons learned in URHI to more cities and geographies, especially in areas where there continues to be a great need for contraceptive information, supplies and services. TCI is taking an innovative, demand-driven approach: rather than being chosen, participating cities will self-select, and will be asked to bring their own resources (cash or in-kind) to the table. Such cities will work with TCI's in-country partners  called "accelerator hubs"  to develop proposals for implementing a package of family planning interventions that are cost-effective and customized to their urban needs and circumstances. Cities with the most promising proposals will receive technical expertise from the accelerator hubs throughout project implementation and will have access to matching funds from a Challenge Fund seeded by the Gates Foundation and open to contributions from other interested donors.

"TCI represents an exciting new approach to providing life-saving reproductive health and family planning information and services to individuals, families and communities, building on the demonstrated success of URHI. And this year is an apt time for TCI's launch, as it is the halfway point to the Family Planning 2020 goal of enabling 120 million more women and girls to access contraceptives by 2020," says Jose "Oying" Rimon II, MA, director of the Gates Institute.

Participating cities will also benefit from joining TCI's global community of practice, which will exchange lessons learned and share best practices in delivering health and family planning services to model cities. TCI's approach encourages cities to assume an active role in project design and implementation, while local and global partners take supporting and facilitating roles.

"The future of sustainable development challenges and opportunities will be found in the dynamic growth of cities around the world," says Christopher Elias, MD, President of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "Meeting the growing demand for voluntary family planning, particularly among the urban poor, will allow more women and couples to plan their futures and break the cycle of poverty."

The Gates Institute at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health is the lead coordinating partner of TCI. TCI's accelerator hubs consist of two Hopkins-affiliated institutions, Jhpiego and the Center for Communication Programs; IntraHealth International, a U.S.-based non-profit; and the India office of Population Services International. An entrepreneurial mindset and healthy competition funding model will be set up so that hubs that are able to line up more cities with competent proposals will receive greater resources to provide technical assistance.

"The Bloomberg School has a long and proud history of advancing public health all over the world, including in the areas of reproductive health and family planning," says Michael J. Klag, MD, MPH '87, dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, which is celebrating its centennial this year. "This new grant takes an innovative, cities-based approach and will enable the Gates Institute to continue its forward-thinking work to benefit more women, their families and their communities."

Source: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
A new study of American Muslim women from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds found that the majority of women had delayed seeking medical care due to a perceived lack of female clinicians. Not seeking timely medical care can result in poor health outcomes. The desire to be treated by a female healthcare provider is just one of the religion-related factors that may influence the decisions of Muslim women and are examined in an article in Journal of Women's Health, a peer-reviewed publication from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers. The article is available open access on the Journal of Women's Health (http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/jwh.2015.5517) website.

In the article "Predictors of Delayed Healthcare Seeking Among American Muslim Women," Milkie Vu, Alia Azmat, Tala Radejko, and Aasim Padela, MD, The University of Chicago, IL, evaluated several religion-related factors and socio-demographic characteristics in a sample of more than 250 Muslim women who attend community and religious events. These included religiosity, fatalistic beliefs regarding healthcare, perceived religious discrimination in healthcare encounters, modesty, use of complementary alternative medicine and worship practices for health, and having lived in the U.S. for more or less than 20 years.

In the accompany Editorial entitled "Muslim Women's Preferences in the Medical Setting: How Might They Contribute to Disparities in Health Outcomes?" Erin Marcus, MD, MPH, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, FL, states: "The authors' findings reinforce the importance of gender diversity in the health workforce as an important factor influencing health outcomes."

"The finding that more than half of a diverse, community-based population of American Muslim women-a population comprised of nearly equal numbers of African Americans, Arab Americans, and South Asians-did not receive adequate healthcare shows the potential health disparities linked to religious beliefs," says Susan G. Kornstein, MD, Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Women's Health, Executive Director of the Virginia Commonwealth University Institute for Women's Health, Richmond, VA, and President of the Academy of Women's Health.
A major new analysis from the Global Burden of Disease 2015 (GBD 2015) study, published today in The Lancet HIV journal, reveals that although deaths from HIV/AIDS have been steadily declining from a peak in 2005, 2.5 million people worldwide became newly infected with HIV in 2015, a number that hasn't changed substantially in the past 10 years.

The new GBD estimates show a slow pace of decline in new HIV infections worldwide, with a drop of just 0.7% a year between 2005 and 2015 compared to the fall of 2.7% a year between 1997 and 2005. The study is being launched at the International AIDS meeting in Durban, South Africa on Tuesday 19 July.

Improvements and updates in GBD's data sources and methodology indicate that the number of people living with HIV has been increasing steadily from 27.96 million in 2000 to 38.8 million in 2015. Annual deaths from HIV/AIDS have been declining at a steady pace from a peak of 1.8 million in 2005, to 1.2 million in 2015, partly due to the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Furthermore, the proportion of people living with HIV on ART increased rapidly between 2005 and 2015, from 6.4% to 38.6% for men, and from 3.3% to 42.4% for women. Yet, most countries are still far from achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target of 81% by 2020.

While the annual number of new infections has decreased since its peak at 3.3 million per year in 1997, it has stayed relatively constant at around an estimated 2.5 million a year worldwide for the past decade.

"Although scale-up of antiretroviral therapy and measures to prevent mother-to-child transmission have had a huge impact on saving lives, our new findings present a worrying picture of slow progress in reducing new HIV infections over the past 10 years", says lead author Dr Haidong Wang from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA.

"Development assistance for HIV/AIDS is stagnating and health resources in many low-income countries are expected to plateau over the next 15 years. Therefore, a massive scale-up of efforts from governments and international agencies will be required to meet the estimated $36 billion needed every year to realise the goal of ending AIDS by 2030, along with better detection and treatment programmes and improving the affordability of antiretroviral drugs", says the Director of IHME, Professor Christopher Murray.

The findings come from a comprehensive new analysis of HIV incidence, prevalence, deaths and coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the global, regional, and national level for 195 countries between 1980 and 2015.

Despite years of strong progress in reducing HIV at the global level, success in different countries and regions varies as the HIV epidemic has peaked and declined at different times, and depending on access to, and quality of ART, and other care.

Key regional and country GBD 2015 findings include:

In 2015, three-quarters of new infections (1.8 million) were in sub-Saharan Africa. Outside of Africa, south Asia accounted for 8.5% (212500), southeast Asia for 4.7% (117500), and east Asia for 2.3%.

Within Europe, the highest number of new infections in 2015 were in Russia (57340), Ukraine (13490), Spain (2350), Portugal (2220), UK (2060), Italy (1960), and Germany.

Between 2005 and 2015, 74 countries experienced a rise in age-standardised incidence rates, notably in Indonesia and the Philippines, north Africa and the Middle East, and eastern Europe, but also in some countries in western Europe .

In 2015, especially high rates of incidence (new infections in 2015 divided by the total population) were recorded in southern Africa, with more than 1% of the population becoming infected with HIV in Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland, compared with around 39 per 100000 in Ethiopia and 42 per 100000 in Congo .

In 2015, the highest incidence rates in Europe were in Russia (exceeding 20 per 100000), while Cambodia (above 46 per 100000) had the highest rates in Asia. In parts of Latin America and the Caribbean (Belize, Guyana, and Haiti), rates exceed 50 per 100000 people.

No country has achieved the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target that 81% of people living with HIV should be receiving ART by 2020 yet, Sweden (76%), the USA, Netherlands, and Argentina (all at about 70%) are close.

ART coverage is highly variable and massive scale-up of treatment is needed in the Middle East, north Africa, eastern Europe, and east Asia where only around a fifth of people living with HIV receive ART, and in central Asia where treatment reaches less than a third of people with HIV.

Although global HIV mortality has been declining at 5.5% a year since the mid-2000s, progress has been mixed between regions and countries. In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, mass scale-up of ART and interventions to prevent mother-to-child transmission have led to huge declines in HIV death rates over the past decade, while in many countries in north Africa and the Middle East like Morocco, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, and Tunisia, progress has been nonexistent.

In a linked Comment, Dr Virginie Supervie and Dr Dominique Costagliola from the Pierre Louis Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sorbonne Universites, Inserm/UPMC, Paris, France discuss the reliability of current approaches to estimate trends in HIV incidence and say that even the most recent estimates of the worldwide HIV burden may still underestimate the scale of the problem. They say, "The GBD estimates of HIV incidence are significantly lower (two to ten times) than the reported number of newly diagnosed HIV cases for most countries in North America, Europe, central Asia, and Australia. The study reveals that there are still large uncertainties and gaps in knowledge about the HIV incidence in many settings. Without timely and reliable assessment of HIV incidence it will be impossible to end the HIV epidemic."

Source: The Lancet
Using data from the largest ever genetic study of schizophrenia, researchers have shed light on the role of the immune system.

It had been suspected that the illness was an autoimmune disorder like multiple sclerosis, Crohn's or rheumatoid arthritis where the immune system misfires and attacks the body.The international team led by Dr Jennie Pouget from the University of Toronto and Dr Jo Knight from Lancaster University have found strong evidence that schizophrenia is different.

They tested the idea that genetic variants influencing immune function contribute to the disease but they found that the pattern in schizophrenia is not the same as in classic autoimmune disorders.

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Among 108 regions of the genome previously linked to the schizophrenia, they found only six which act on both the immune system and the brain.

Jennie Pouget said: "This doesn't mean that the immune system isn't involved at all but it could be involved in a completely different way."

People with schizophrenia show hallmarks of immune diseases such as prior infection and inflammation, supporting the idea that immune disturbances may play a role by disrupting the brain.

However, it is not clear if these immune disturbances are a cause or a consequence of the illness and they themselves could be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental risk factors.

Jo Knight said that the illness was also influenced by the environment.

"For example, we know that schizophrenia is more likely if someone has had a severe infection requiring hospitalisation.

This means that the involvement of the immune system could be environmental, like being exposed to a virus as a fetus in the womb."

They conclude that schizophrenia does not appear to be an autoimmune disease and that the illness could be caused by environmental risk factors which activate the immune response, like infections or stress ,although further research is needed.
The last phase of ANRS IPERGAY has confirmed that "on-demand" pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective method of reducing the risk of HIV infection in men who have sex with men and who report high-risk behavior. These results will be presented at AIDS 2016 in Durban, South Africa (18 to 22 July). From late 2016, a vast research program, ANRS PREVENIR, will assess PrEP on a large scale in Paris and its suburbs (France).

Reducing the number of new infections in populations particularly affected by HIV is more than ever a public health priority recognized by international institutions and by most developed and resource-limited countries. Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, in which preventive antiretroviral therapy is offered to people not infected by HIV, is a new approach that is being implemented in several towns mainly in the United States, and will soon be in Europe. Paris will be the first European capital to launch an ambitious program of PrEP designed to reduce new infections in the groups most at risk.

These advances in prevention are based on clinical trials, in particular on the findings of two studies: PROUD, in England, and ANRS IPERGAY , a French-Canadian study conducted with HIV-AIDS community organization AIDES. ANRS IPERGAY is a study of "on-demand" PrEP at the time of exposure to the risk of HIV infection among seronegative men who have sex with men (MSM) and who reported at-risk behavior in the six months prior to inclusion. Started in 2012, the first phase of ANRS IPERGAY was conducted double-blind (half the group took an oral antiretroviral combining TDF and FTC [Truvada] at the time of sexual relations, the other half took a placebo). It showed that Truvada reduced the risk of HIV infection by 86% (Molina et al. New England Journal of Medicine Dec 3, 2015).

Final results

Once these findings became available in November 2014, ANRS IPERGAY entered its second and last phase: all participants were given Truvada. The aim was to ensure the benefits of "on-demand" PrEP and its long-term safety and to assess its impact on sexual behavior. Professor Jean-Michel Molina (Hopital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Universite Paris Diderot, Paris, France) presents in an oral communication the final results of this last, "open-label" phase at AIDS 2016 in Durban, South Africa (18-22 July). Dr Bruno Spire (lnserm U912-Sesstim, Marseille, France) will complete the picture by reporting an analysis of sexual behavior.

The results of the follow-up between November 2014 and June 2016 in 362 volunteers (333 who participated in the randomized phase + 29 new recruits) presented today are even more remarkable than those of the first phase: a single person, who in fact interrupted PrEP, was infected by HIV in the "open-label" phase. The incidence (the number of new cases) was therefore only 0.19 infections per 100 person-years of follow-up. The incidence in the Truvada arm during the double-blind phase was 0.91%.

Professor Molina said "The results of the "open-label" phase of the trial confirm the very good efficacy and safety of on-demand PrEP in reducing the risk of HIV infection in high-risk MSM. These results should promote broader use of PrEP in at-risk populations in countries where justified by the epidemic situation."

Professor Jean-Francois Delfraissy, Director of ANRS, applauds the French decision taken in late 2015 to authorize PrEP and its reimbursement, by means of a temporary recommendation for use. "The question today is no longer to know whether PrEP is effective and should be used, but rather how to make it available rapidly to the people most at risk."

Diversified prevention

What about condom use, which remains the cornerstone of prevention of infection by HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases? A study of sexual behavior during the open-label phase of the trial revealed a slight drop in condom use, particularly among those identified as being keen users of condoms in the double-blind phase. In the vast majority of cases use of PrEP compensated for this decrease.

"The decrease in condom use in the "open-label" trial is not worrying at present," said Dr Bruno Spire. "The trial participants were sure of being protected by PrEP, which they knew is effective. A small minority of participants, however, use neither PrEP nor condoms. We must try to understand what is holding them back." Dr Spire added that "Henceforth it seems important to speak of diversified prevention, which includes freedom of choice, rather than combined prevention, because it is somewhat illusory to imagine that most people will be able to use several methods of prevention at the same time."

ANRS will soon roll out an ambitious operational research program in Paris and its suburbs among 3000 people at high risk of HIV infection (mainly MSM, transgender people, and migrants). ANRS PREVENIR is designed to reduce the number of new HIV infections and will assess how community support improves treatment adherence and keeps participants on long-term PrEP.
In recent years, measures have been introduced to reduce the rate of "antipsychotic polypharmacy"taking more than one antipsychotic drugamong patients with schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses. But at least 12 percent of patients are still prescribed multiple antipsychotics after an inpatient stay at a state psychiatric hospital, according to an analysis of U.S. data in the July Journal of Psychiatric Practice, published by Wolters Kluwer.

"Antipsychotic polypharmacy continues at a high enough rate to impact nearly 10,000 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia each year in state psychiatric inpatient hospitals," write Glorimar Ortiz, Vera Hollen, and Lucille Schacht, of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute (NRI) in Falls Church, Virginia, which supported the study. The results "provide insights into quality initiatives that could help further reduce the use of antipsychotic polypharmacy and reduce practices that are not consistent with best-practice guidelines," the researchers write.

Despite New Best Practice Guidelines, Many Patients Receive Multiple Antipsychotics

The study included data on more than 86,000 adult patients discharged from 160 state psychiatric inpatient hospitals during 2011. Data were obtained from the Behavioral Healthcare Performance Measurement Systema comprehensive proprietary national database maintained by the NRI, representing 80 percent of all US state psychiatric hospitals.

Most schizophrenia treatment guidelines recommend against using antipsychotic polypharmacy, or using it only as a last resort. Taking more than one antipsychotic can increase the risk for complicationsincluding drug interactions, medication side effects, and metabolic disorderswithout improving outcomes. More complex medication regimens may also increase the risk that patients won't follow their prescribed treatment.

In 2011, the Joint Commission introduced performance measures to reduce antipsychotic polypharmacy. Those standards defined some situations where using more than one antipsychotic is scientifically validated: multiple failed attempts at single-drug treatment, adjusting doses to work toward single-drug therapy, or to augment the effects of the antipsychotic drug clozapine.

The data showed that 12 percent of patients were discharged with a prescription for multiple antipsychotic drugs. Of the discharged patients who were prescribed at least one antipsychotic medication, 18 percent were prescribed more than one antipsychotic.

The most common reason for antipsychotic polypharmacy was to "reduce symptoms"cited for 37 percent of patients. Meanwhile, only 36 percent met one of the three criteria established by The Joint Commission for appropriate use of multiple antipsychotics.

Two factors were identified as strong predictors of antipsychotic polypharmacy: a diagnosis of schizophrenia and an inpatient stay of 90 days or more. The researchers note that 40 percent of patients at state psychiatric inpatient hospitals have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, while nearly 20 percent experience a longer hospital stay"suggesting a high-risk population needing special attention."

The results highlight the need for continued efforts to reduce the rate of antipsychotic polypharmacy. "Low percentages for the three appropriate justifications suggest that implementation of the proposed best practices are taking place at a low rate," Ms. Ortiz and coauthors write. They believe their findings suggest that need for revised standards and definitions that are more appropriate for psychiatric inpatient hospitals.
By triggering a process called autophagy -- in which cells literally engulf their own insides --researchers from Drexel University and Yale University were able to decrease lung injury in mice that were exposed to high concentrations of oxygen. The study, published this month in the American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology, offers a potential new solution for preventing chronic lung conditions that affect premature babies.

"When a cell is under extreme stress, autophagy is a self-sacrificing, protective response. The cell conserves energy by getting rid of its nonessential organelles," said Vineet Bhandari, MD, a faculty member in the College of Medicine and chief of neonatal medicine at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children. "We thought that if we were able enhance autophagy in the lungs, then we could decrease cell death. And that's exactly what we saw."

Bhandari studies Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD), the most common chronic lung disease in premature infants. When babies are born weeks or months before their due date, their lungs are not fully formed or able to make enough surfactant -- a shielding, liquid coating. In order to save the baby's life, physicians often must administer supplemental oxygen.

However, prolonged exposure to excess oxygen can increase pulmonary damage, leading to lifelong problems.

"If you have an immature lung that is genetically predisposed to getting BPD, then it's getting hit with supplemental oxygen, this sets off inflammation and leads to cell death. Once cells start dying, this leads to a permanent change in the lung architecture," Bhandari said.

There are currently no treatments for this chronic lung disease that affects up to 15,000 babies per year in the United States. So Bhandari, a neonatologist, is looking for new ways for doctors to prevent injury to the developing lungs, while still providing life-saving oxygen to those who are born premature.

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Autophagy allows cells to survive environmental stress. During the process, less essential cell components -- like the endoplasmic reticulum or mitochondria -- disassemble and morph into an autophagosome. This then fuses with a lysosome, and the contents are recycled.

"If forms a vacuole inside the cell and digests itself," Bhandari said.

To find out whether increasing cell self-destruction in the lungs could actually decrease cell death -- and ultimately prevent lung injury -- Bhandari and his research team targeted a regulator protein called RPTOR, which when inhibited, is responsible for inducing autophagy.

Using both genetic manipulation and drug treatment, the researchers increased autophagy in newborn mice that had been exposed to high levels of supplemental oxygen. The increase in autophagy protected the cells from dying and increased survival in the mouse models of BPD.

The researchers also tested human lung tissue of premature infants with BPD and found similar levels of increased autophagy. This suggests that autophagy is a natural process in premature infants with BPD that could be modulated to improve their health outcomes, Bhandari said.

"My effort is to try to enhance the autophagic process and make it more efficient, so that the lung cells can survive hyperoxic exposure," he said.

The next steps will be to replicate these results and then eventually test the method in clinical trials with human patients. Bhandari hypothesizes that by inhibiting the regulatory protein RPTOR in infants, through drugs or other means, lung infections in premature infants could be prevented.
During warm months when daily temperatures become hotter, industries must increasingly take preventive measures to protect their workers against heat-related injury and illness. To determine what protections should be used, they may follow guidelines from bodies of knowledgeable experts.

One such set of guidelines comes from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) - they recommend that industries employ the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) for work in hot environments. The ACGIH TLV consider both environmental conditions and work demands with the goal of maintaining the internal body temperatures of workers within safe limits. However, it is unclear if these guidelines adequately protect workers. In this study, investigators applied the ACGIH TLV recommendations for work-rest periods by having the study participants perform moderate intensity work bouts in progressively hotter environments. As environmental heat levels increased, the recovery periods between work bouts were lengthened. Yet, the core temperatures of the young physically active adults tested rose continuously.

These findings demonstrate that under the work conditions tested, the ACGIH TLV do not adequately protect workers from potentially dangerous increases in their internal temperatures. Therefore, current guidelines should be revised, especially given the warming climate and the increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme heat events.

Source: American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham is the only university to be awarded grants in all three perinatal networks from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to improve maternal and infant health.

UAB is a member of the NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network, NICHD Neonatal Research Network, and the NICHD Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research.

Over more than two decades, these networks have brought to UAB more than $20 million to fund research for pregnant women and babies, and the new awards total a $1.1 million base per year for the next five years.

"It has been a great honor and privilege to participate in these perinatal networks for the past 25 years," said Joseph Biggio, M.D., vice chair for Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of the UAB Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. "Being a member of these networks has allowed us to advance the care of pregnant women and babies, especially those who are born premature."

NICHD Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network

UAB's Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine was awarded $200,000 per year in base funds for the next five years. UAB has participated in the cooperative agreement for 25 years as one of 14 university-based clinical centers in the MFMU Network.

The MFMU Network focuses on answering clinical questions in maternal-fetal medicine and obstetrics in regard to the continuing problem of preterm birth through translational research, the use of genetics, and the evaluation of new technologies in the promotion of maternal-child health and prevention of disease. This award also brings UAB an additional $500,000 to $1 million each year as a result of UAB's participation in several ongoing research projects through the Center for Women's Reproductive Health.

UAB's Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, in conjunction with other members of the MFMU Network, has published multiple studies identifying new practice procedures and treatments under the leadership of Alan Tita, M.D., Ph.D., professor in UAB's MFM division and principal investigator of the MFMU Network.

In April 2016, a network study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine describing the need for administering betamethasone, a steroid medication, to women at risk for late preterm delivery to reduce the risk of neonatal respiratory and other complications.

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NICHD Neonatal Research Network (NRN)

For 25 years, UAB's Division of Neonatology has participated in the NICHD NRN and was recently awarded $200,000 in base funds per year, with an additional $500,000 to $1 million per year to conduct additional research in the network.

The NRN was established in conjunction with the MFM Units Network to do similar research in pediatric neonatology. Areas addressed by the NRN include trials of therapies for sepsis, intraventricular hemorrhage, chronic lung disease and pulmonary hypertension, as well as the impact of drug exposure on child and family outcomes. Principal investigators for the network, Wally Carlo, M.D., Edwin M. Dixon Endowed Chair in Neonatology, and Namasivayam Ambalavananan, M.D., co-director of the Division of Neonatology, have led nationwide studies on ventilator care, antenatal steroids, chronic lung disease and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

A study in the NICHD NRN published in the NEJM reported that neonatal mortality has been decreased over the last 10 years, including decreases in almost all specific causes of neonatal mortality, because of improvements in care implemented in the NRN centers. A second paper showed that improvements in perinatal care, including obstetrical and neonatal interventions, are increasing survival rates substantially in the most premature babies. Survival rates are substantially increasing among those delivered at a gestational age of 20 weeks to 25 weeks and six days.

NICHD Global Network (GN) for Women's and Children's Health Research

UAB has participated in the NICHD GN for more than 13 years. The most recent research grant exceeding $700,000 per year renews a partnership to help improve maternal and infant health outcomes and build health research capacity in resource-poor settings for testing cost-effective, sustainable interventions.

UAB investigators developed and led the testing of innovative interventions that reduced childhood mortality and neurodevelopmental disabilities through grants received from the NICHD GN. The resuscitation program developed and found effective by UAB investigators has been introduced in more than 75 countries to save babies' lives at birth, with the potential to reduce infant deaths soon after birth by 1 million.
Actor Irrfan Khan meets Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/TAxmceWHIJ  ANI (@ANI_news) July 19, 2016

Irfan: movies dekhne ka time mil jata hai?

Kejriwal: khaali hi baitha rehta hun, saare kaam toh Modi ji karte hain pic.twitter.com/ZQZVmFC1e5  Mojo (@Singhlicious) July 19, 2016

What is Irrfan Khan thinking? 

. pic.twitter.com/4lm8r4wSDC  PhD in Bak***** (@Atheist_Krishna) July 19, 2016

Kejriwal: madaari ki free ticket de na

Irfan: talk to my hand pic.twitter.com/EOQLz3Hks3  maithun  (@Being_Humor) July 19, 2016

Irrfan taking real like method acting lessons from Kejriwal for his upcoming role of Hyena in life of PIE part 2. pic.twitter.com/mRUqYjeIcm  Innov8 (@pliersnwires) July 19, 2016

Irrfan: Sir mere Haath ki Rekhaein Padh ke bataiye kuch



Kejriwal: Sab Mili hui hain ji pic.twitter.com/9L5pXn2ptW  Censored News India (@censorednewsIn) July 19, 2016

Irrfan: "Bhai, ye kaal teeka kyun lagaya hai deewar pe?"

AK: "Ji,, bus wo kisi ki nazar na lage isliye..." pic.twitter.com/YxHJyxOh8D  Abhijeet Jha (@DarrKeAage) July 19, 2016

AK- Aap Hollywood ki movie mein bhi kaam karte ho na?

Irrfan- Han!

AK- Main unka bhi review de dunga.pic.twitter.com/58K7LiY8fK  Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) July 19, 2016

Irrfan: Aaj kise gaali deni hai yeh aap kaise decide karte ho ?

Kejriwal: Toss karke, sikke ke dono side Modi hai ji pic.twitter.com/IZl3Mj6rVi  The-Lying-Lama  (@KyaUkhaadLega) July 19, 2016

Irfan: Woh sala guard mujhse BULB me discount maang raha tha.

Kejriwal:Ashutosh ki baat ka bura mat maaniye pic.twitter.com/XMDdeeesmP  Arnab Goswamy (@the_sashiks) July 19, 2016

Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan has created much hype on social media by posting tweets seeking an appointment with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Khan apparently wanted to meet the dignitaries personally and ask them a few questions as a 'common man' of the country.Rahul Gandhi's office replied to the tweet and so did Delhi CM Kejriwal, who fixed 11 pm on Tuesday as the time for a one-on-one meeting with the actor.So, as per the date and time fixed by the Delhi CM on Twitter, the actor met Kejriwal and posed questions relating to the nation's political system and freedom of expression.But all this was for the promotion of Khan's upcoming movie Maadari. And though the meeting was a successful one, and Khan set an example on how the social media platform can be used in more ways than one, it was the pictures of the one-on-one meeting that had Twitteratti talking.As soon as images of the meeting were put out on public domain, memes and hilarious tweets followed.Take a look.
Thiruvananthapuram: The newly released Mammootty starrer-'Kasaba', has landed in a controversy with Kerala Women's Commission today issuing notices to the actor, the movie's director and producer for some scenes and dialogues allegedly portraying women in a poor light.



Commission chairperson, K Rosakutty Teacher, said since the film had incorporated dialogues and scenes allegedly insulting womanhood, notices have been issued to Mammootty, director Nithin Renji Panicker and producer Alice George.



The Commission also decided to write to Film certification board and film bodies like AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movies Artistes) and MACTA (Malayalam Cine Technicians Association) to ensure that scenes and dialogues portraying women in a bad light are avoided at the time of certification itself.



"In the name of freedom of expression, women cannot be insulted," the commission said, adding, when an actor like Mammootty makes such "sub-standard dialogues", it will lead to a "dangerous acceptance" of such actions and remarks in the

society.



"Actors like him should desist from enacting such scenes," the commission said.



The film has received flak for some alleged crude dialogues delivered by superstar, who threatens a senior female police officer on duty.




New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday asked her party members to be active, aggressive and hold the government and ministers to their words and actions during the Monsoon Session of Parliament.



"We may be lacking in numbers, but we will make up for it with our work and we continue to demand accountability through Parliament. I count upon each one of you to be present, to be active, to be aggressive and hold the government and the ministers to their words and actions," Sonia said.



In the Congress Parliamentary Party meeting chaired by her, Sonia raised several issues including attacks on Dalits in Gujarat's Una district and unrest in Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to target the government in Parliament.



In a blistering attack on the government, Sonia accused it of destabilising institutions, polarising society and mistaking its parliamentary majority for a licence to impose its narrow ideology on people.



Sonia also slammed the government for "deception", "glib marketing slogans" and snatching the rights of Dalits, adivasis, specifically citing the Gujarat incident where four Dalits were beaten and humiliated publicly.



She called the Gujarat case, "just one example of the social terror this government condones".



Sonia referred to the unrest in the Kashmir Valley which has witnessed turmoil for the past 12 days after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani with clashes claiming over 40 lives.



"Recent events in the Valley are tragic and pose a grave danger to the country. There can be no compromise on national security. Militants must be dealt with firmly. Yet we must ask ourselves, what has driven scores of young people to such levels of violence," she said.



The Congress President also accused the government of practising deception, saying they are creating a "bubble" of achievement.




New Delhi: A bitter war of words ensued on Wednesday over the alleged suicide of a woman Aam Aadmi Party activist, with BJP holding the party responsible for the death, even as AAP accused the saffron party of playing politics "over dead bodies".



AAP spokesperson Ashutosh tore into BJP leader Vijender Gupta for allegedly "hijacking" the family of the victim and coming in the way of postmortem of the body. Gupta was forcing the family members of the woman to name AAP in the case, he alleged.



At a press conference, Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Gupta alleged that the entire AAP dispensation was "responsible" for the death of the 28-year-old woman, who had been "sexually harassed" by a few "members of AAP" for past few months.



Faced with a barrage of queries by journalists at the press conference as to whether the party was not politicising the case, BJP Delhi Satish Upadhyay said, "If we do not take up people's issues then who will? We will try to get justice for the family and if needed will meet the Home Minister too."



AAP's Delhi Convenor Dilip Pandey claimed that the accused Ramesh, who was arrested and later released on bail, was not a member of AAP as being claimed by BJP and that the party had extended all possible help to the woman when she had approached it with the complaint.



"It is a fact that she had contacted the party. The party assisted her and got an FIR lodged. In fact the Chief Minister's Office had called the DCP office in this regard, but the police chose not to act and the accused secured bail.



"BJP leader Vijender Gupta is politicising the issue. He has stalled the postmortem of the body. BJP has a history of doing politics over dead bodies," Pandey told reporters.



Ashutosh accused Gupta of "stooping" to an unprecedented low and alleged that the woman was to be cremated at 1 PM at Nigambodh Ghat but even that could not take place.



"Gupta has taken the family of the victim somewhere. The family is being forced to name AAP in the case. What sort of politics is this?" Ashutosh asked.



Gupta also claimed that the family was not supported by the DCW when it had gone there seeking help in the case.



However, DCW chief Swati Maliwal on Wednesday tweeted, "V sad case of Soni suicide. DCW counselor met SHO ACP n got her FIR filed. Court gv bail to accused. We demand strictest action in this case."



The woman allegedly committed suicide in Narela area of outer Delhi on Tuesday. Her family members claimed that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester was released on bail.



Police said the woman consumed a poisonous substance at her home in the afternoon and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital.
New Delhi: Parliament witnessed stormy scenes on Wednesday with the Opposition trying to corner the Narendra Modi government over the alleged atrocities against Dalits in Gujarat. As soon as the House met for the day, opposition MPs were on their feet raising slogans against the government over the issue.



Congress president Sonia Gandhi and AAP MP Bhagwant Mann are also likely to raise the issue in Parliament.



Gujarat has seen violent protests for over one week after a video emerged of Dalit men being beaten in Gujarat's Una district for allegedly skinning a dead cow. Seven people have also tried to commit suicide during the protests.



Sonia, who chaired the Congress Parliamentary Party meet on Wednesday, is using the recent attack against Dalits in Gujarat to hit out at the Centre.



"Modi government snatched away rights of Adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers. The Modi government is systematically weakening and subverting environmental rights. Brutal atrocities against SC, ST and minorities are continuing with impunity. Four Dalit youth savagely beaten and humiliated publicly in Gujarat is an example of social terror this government condones," Sonia said.







Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati also raised the issue in Rajya Sabha. "It is a matter of great concern. This incident is against human rights. Congress party is the major opposition party in Gujarat and still they did nothing. They should have acted long before. All these people are together against Dalits," she said.



Assuring action in the incident, Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot said FIR was lodged against the culprit and accused have been booked under Atrocities Act. A time bound CID investigation has been ordered in the incident.



"I condemn these incidents where Dalits are tortured, beaten up. We will set an enquiry. Gujarat government has taken strict action against the police officers involved, and they have been charged under Section 307 under IPC. I think parties shouldn't politicise the matter," Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.



Under fire from all quarters, Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel met the youth, who were attacked, in hospital.


New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal has gone strangely absent from the high-profile Delhi government advertisements splashed across major newspapers, ceding his space to deputy Manish Sisodia and sparking speculation about the unpredictable chief minister's immediate plans.



The apparent move to project Sisodia in Delhi has tongues wagging: Is the Delhi CM plotting a move to Punjab, where AAP is strongly placed against the ruling Akali Dal-BJP combine in elections due early next year?



Three times over the past fortnight, Sisodia's face has smiled at voters from ads in the major newspapers titled "Why should the people of Delhi suffer?"



This is strange in itself: AAP is a party dominated by its boss to the extent that it has sparked comparisons with Narendra Modi's stranglehold over the BJP.



Speaking to CNN-News18, Sisodia tried to downplay the ads, saying that only one face was allowed on them. The ads may have pertained to his departments but they also had a generic message, outlining the achievements of the Delhi government while taking potshots at the Centre. They used the language and logic used by Kejriwal in the past.



It's not just the ads. When Kejriwal's principal secretary Rajinder Kumar was arrested by the CBI and 9 officers of the Delhi Government were transferred on July 4, Kejriwal did not speak or even tweet from the campaign trail in Punjab. Here was a juicy opportunity to take on Modi's government, and Kejriwal, uncharacteristically, ducked it, giving Sisodia the chance to lash out against the BJP at press conferences.



So what could this recent reticence mean?



Rumours about Kejriwal moving across the border to the much bigger prize, Punjab, refuse to die down. At various levels, this would make sense for AAP.



The party could win the election on the back of his earnest campaigning style and the hard miles done by the AAP team over the past year. Kejriwal could then find himself CM of a rich and strategic state, a bigger platform for the long-cherished dream of a national conquest.



"The public chooses the CM. And he cannot be CM of every state in which we win," Sisodia said. But it is true that AAP could be a force in Goa, where elections are scheduled in early 2017, and has little to lose in Gujarat's assembly elections, also due next year, where it dreams of bearding Modi in his den.



Party leaders are sceptical about a move, but Kejriwal himself has kept mum on his plans, cleverly refraining from shooting down the speculation. This uncertainty is bound to add to the BJP's discomfiture in a state where it is saddled with an unpopular ally that is battling incumbency.



The other possibility is that Kejriwal wants to place himself above the fray and take on a national role, leaving Delhi-related sniping at the BJP to Sisodia and saving himself for the bigger issues.



And of course, it could just be that Sisodia's pictures are appearing on the ads because the party wants Kejriwal to focus on campaigning. But this is also interesting in that it may be a pointer to the year ahead: While Kejriwal hits the road trying to make AAP a national force, a project that fetched meagre returns in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Sisodia runs Delhi. Kejriwal is known to be a fan of Sisodia's administrative skills: In fact, he flirted with the idea of making him CM during the party's first, 49-day, foray into power in Delhi.



Sisodia, who plans to shed his urban development and information technology portfolios due to his increased workload, acknowledged his growing administrative responsibilities.



"In the run-up to Punjab and Goa, the CM will be busy and I will be focusing on Delhi. Whenever the CM is away, I look after the work of Delhi as acting CM," he said.



One thing is clear: Kejriwal continues to lead the BJP a merry dance. AAP seems to be the only party the Hindu right fears, precisely because it departs from the script so often. The CM's conspicuous absence from the ads, coupled with the fact that he still heads all the really crucial government meetings, may be yet another manifestation of his smoke-and-mirror tactics.
New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday defended party vice president Rahul Gandhi saying he was "not sleeping" but was "looking down" during a debate on atrocities on Dalits in Parliament.



Rahul was caught sleeping in Parliament even as a bitter war of words was going on in the Lok Sabha between the Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress over the alleged attack on Dalits in Gujarat's Una district.



"Rahul Gandhi was looking down. He was not sleeping. How can anyone sleep in so much uproar? He was not sleeping. There are much bigger issues to discuss," Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said.



But leaders across the political line attacked the Gandhi scion and questioned his seriousness over the issue.



"When the Dalit issue was being discussed in house, Rahul Gandhi was sleeping. This shows how serious Congress is on the issue," Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati said.







Hitting out at Rahul, Union Minister Mahesh Sharma said, "This shows the Congress mentality, what they have been doing. They are not really interested in moving ahead. They make a hue and cry for no reasons, and so they waste Parliaments time. They are a sinking ship, complete hooliganism and their hero is sleeping. Congress has been rejected. They are just doing politics."



Rahul will be visiting Una in Gujarat on Thursday where some Dalits were allegedly beaten up for skinning a dead cow.
New Delhi: Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday alleged that a few Chief Ministers, including him, were not allowed to carry mobile phones to the the Inter-State Council meet and that he raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi wondering whether they posed a "security threat".



Kejriwal said some of the Chief Ministers were allowed to take their phones inside the meeting venue.



West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was among those who were barred, objected to the move, and she was not allowed to speak while his speech faced "interferences", the AAP chief said.



"They made few a Chief Ministers, including me, to leave our phones outside. It was very strange. They kept phones of a few Chief Ministers outside while others were allowed to take their phones inside. I raised the issue in my speech as well. I asked the Prime Minister whether a few Chief Ministers pose security threats to him," Kejriwal said.



He was speaking at the launch of a book 'Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party', authored by Pran Kurup, his IIT Kharagpur batchmate, at the Constitution Club in the national capital.



"In fact, Mamataji protested. She said return (the phone) otherwise I will leave. She asked what if there is an emergency in West Bengal, how will people contact her then? Then they allowed her to take her phone inside. But they did not let Mamataji speak. I also had to face a lot of interferences," Kejriwal said.



Kejriwal wondered why they were invited in the first place if the Centre "does not want to listen to the voice of the Opposition".



"Others did not protest (for not being allowed to carry their cell phones inside), maybe because they are under the threat of CBI."



The Inter-State Council meeting had taken place on Saturday last after a gap of 10 years.
Pakistan continued to raise the Kashmir issue with top UN officials and submitted letters to UN chief Ban Ki-moon and Security Council President expressing "concern" over alleged human rights violations in the Valley after the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.



Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi briefed officials on the situation in Kashmir, saying fundamental human rights were being "blatantly violated" in the state. A statement issued by Pakistan's mission to the UN here yesterday said Lodhi also forwarded letters written by Adviser to the Prime Minister, expressing "Pakistan's serious concern at the alarming situation" in Kashmir and "drawing attention to the brutal killings of innocent civilians and grave violations of the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiris by the Indian occupation forces." Lodhi also raised the killing of Wani in her meetings with the UN officials, calling it an assassination of a Kashmiri youth leader. "Dubbing the Kashmiris agitating for their right to self-determination as 'terrorists' was a travesty of truth and was further inflaming passions," she said in the statement.



Lodhi had also tweeted that she briefed the President of the Security Council on the situation in Kashmir yesterday. In another tweet she said the letter written by Aziz to President of UN Security Council will be circulated as an official document of the UN.



Lodhi in her meetings called for an "end to impunity and brutal repression against innocent civilians by Indian occupation forces in Jammu & Kashmir. Calling for an "independent and transparent" inquiry into the "extra-judicial killings" in Kashmir, Lodhi said the UN has longstanding commitments to the people of Jammu and Kashmir under several UN Security Council resolutions. The Pakistani envoy was informed that the UN Secretary General was concerned about the situation in Kashmir and was ready to mediate peace talks between India and Pakistan provided the two neighbours accept his good offices.
Hundreds of protestors from across the country have thronged Cleveland in Ohio keeping security and law enforcement agencies on edge, as Republican delegates gathered here this week to officially nominate Donald Trump as their presidential nominee.



Groups representing African-Americans, human rights bodies and Muslim organisations have been holding peaceful protest rallies, ranging from a few dozens to a few hundreds -- all saying they are opposed to Trump's policies. "He is not good for the United States. He is going to bring a bad name to the country. I do not feel safe under him," said Kareem, who said he has travelled from New York City to register his protest against the newly-nominated Republican candidate.



The protestors have remained peaceful so far, but law enforcement agencies are taking no chances. Officials and security personnel from as many as 37 different organisations and several states have been keeping a close eye on all protestors for the past few days.



Police personnel donning body armour and helmets are seen patrolling streets round the clock on bicycles, horses and helicopters. Old time convention watchers and political analysts say this is for the first time in past few decades that they have seen such a large number of protestors on streets.



"He needs to understand that Black Lives matter," said Jessi from Chicago. "We do not need a divisive president for the country," he said, holding an anti-Trump banner in his hand. Police officials expect protests to intensify over the next two days, particularly tomorrow, when Trump will deliver his acceptance speech.



In order to maintain peace and security in the city, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt Jennifer Ciaccia said "dispersal orders" were likely being issued downtown. The police so far has arrested five people in the first two days of the Republican National Convention. On Tuesday, several Muslim groups were seen distributing "Islamophobin" chewing gum designed as fake medicine to cure blind intolerance.


The Appomattox Court House National Historical Park is seeking volunteers to build a split-rail fence near the North Carolina Monument.

The fence will be along a 25 yard section of the History Trail. The build will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, July 29. Volunteers will meet park staff at the North Carolina Monument parking lot on Virginia 24, west of the main park entrance.

Volunteers are encouraged to bring proper clothing and shoes for use on a trail. The walk to the project site is short but labor intensive. Bring water, snacks and bug repellant. Work equipment including safety gloves will be provided. For more information contact Alyssa Holland at alyssa_holland@nps.gov or (434) 352-8987 ext. 234. Please RSVP by July 28.
When Tanya Gallagher first auditioned for her church choir, she made her worship leader sit in the dark.

I was too shy to sing in front of him, she says. I started singing, and he turned on the lights and he told me, You sound like a 40-year-old woman who's been smoking for years. Hes like Thats a good thing. You can sing on Sunday.

Long before she began singing in public, which she will do at TOOLRY on July 25, the 28-year-old musician based out of Vancouver remembers sitting on her grandfathers lap as a little girl, singing along to what she describes as his lovely, deep Johnny Cash vibrato as he played piano.

Now, its really fun whenever I go back home, we have moments where hes learned all the songs on my CD and hes like, Tanya, I can play this one.

She recalls writing songs, which she thought of more as poems at the time, since she learned how to write, and later picked up the guitar at 18.

Born and raised Pensacola, Florida, the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, Gallagher got her start playing regular gigs in beach bars, enjoying the areas mix of Florida-Alabama culture.

Were part of the deep South, she says, about three hours from New Orleans.  We have that sort of influence of this folk, bluegrass, zydeco.

Despite living so close to folk influences in New Orleans and Alabama, Gallagher really engaged in folk music through her father, who listened to James Taylor, Carole King, and Joni Mitchell. Her music  and even her childhood poems  had that folky feel.

That style has followed Gallagher through two albums, the most recent of which, an EP titled Virginia, comes out next month.

She recorded the music a few years ago when she first moved to Vancouver, but never released it. Later, she realized those particular songs were drenched in truth, and she needed to get distance from the situations in the tracks before she could share them.

She says the EPs title track, Virginia, comes from the many adventures shes had in the state. Atop gentle guitar picking and vocal harmonies, Gallaghers soft, lilting tone and slight twang create a picturesque map of the state, from Norfolk to Richmond to Floyd, as told through the eyes of a hot and cold romance.

I think that song is kind of my short novel of my time in Virginia, she says. Maybe not true to just one story.  Maybe not true of just one person, but of the collection of people Ive met while I had time in Virginia over the years. My little love song to Virginia.
Why Marvel Comics' Daredevil: Born Again may be difficult to adapt to the MCU

Frank Miller's original comic book storyline will likely see significant changes for Marvel Studios Disney Plus version
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FORGIVE ROBOCOP

Imam Taulib Seales, who officiated at the service, said that if Alexis in life, committed any wrong against anyone, please forgive him. Imam Searles spoke before a standing room only crowd of mourners which included Jamaat al Muslimeen leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr.

Anyone who is here and my dear brother had any debts according to them (those gathered), it is important you make that debt known to any one of his (Alexis) sons, any family members...before he is buried.

Anything at all, please make that debt known. If it is you can forgive the debt, it is always better, said Imam Seales.

Alexis was one of three persons killed on Sunday in a shootout at his carwash businessplace at Freedom Street in Enterprise. Also shot and killed were Alexis customer Kevin Escayg and Thomas Hamza Sharpe, the latter believed to be one of the hitmen who ambushed Alexis and Escayg. Escaygs four-yearold son Kirchard Scott, was also shot, remains warded at hospital.

Whatever wrongs our dear brother would have done, may Allah forgive him for his sins. All this conversation and talk now will not benefit him. May Allah bless all of you here to understand the reality of this world, the reality of life, the reality of death, Imam Searles said.

There was a heavy police presence at the funeral comprising officers from the Guard and Emergency Branch (GEB), Riot Squad and Central Division. Soldiers were also visible.

Alexis body arrived in a Cadilla from the Muslim Funeral Services shortly after 4 pm. However, neither mourners nor media personnel were allowed to take photos of Alexis in the coffin. However, they were allowed to view his body in which only his face was shown.

Imam Bakr said he shared a close relationship with Alexis.

Speaking following the service, Bakr disagreed with calls made by various groups for a lockdown of the Enterprise area in the wake of the killing of Alexis. I dont agree with that call. Why do you want to lockdown the peoples area? This is one person who got killed. What about all the other people who are peace loving and who live in this area? You want to put some kind of discomfort to them by locking them down? I think that is grossly unfair, Bakr said. He insisted that the killing was not an isolated case but part of a systemic national problem.

This menace of violence has spread right through the country.

We can no longer isolate one place.

Everywhere, we have this kind of behaviour, Bakr said. He noted that most of these crimes are committed by young people some about 14 and 15 years old. Yet with the vacation period now, the National Security Ministry has failed to put mechanisms in place to move these yourths forward in a positive way, Bakr said. He quoted from the Holy Quran saying death is inevitable and what is important to Muslims is how he/she lived their lives. Death really dont mean anything to us.

Depending on how we live, when we get to our final destination and Allah is pleased with us, and we are pleased with Him, that is all that matters. The rest dont matter really cause once you are born, you will die. Alexis, a father of 19 who had three wives, was later buried at the nearby Munroe Road Cemetery
Jamaica feeling irie

This according to Jamaicas Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson- Smith at a media conference following the end of the first bilateral meeting on Monday afternoon between Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston.

Johnson-Smith also acknowledged the TT Governments efforts, in particular Minister of Foreign and Caricom Affairs Dennis Moses, to ensure that processes are expedited and blockages removed to allow for 15 detained Jamaicans to return home recently and ensuring that another 25 or 26 have completed their special inquiry processes and will be returned to Jamaica, as soon as possible.

It is important for us to recognise the mark of good faith when countries agree to solve issues, when promises are made and they are kept, that we must recognise the good faith that carries with it, she said. Johnson-Smith said she was able to advise the Jamaican public that Trinidad and Tobago was committed to train its Immigration officers and provide a facility for persons who were not allowed to enter the country, to dignified accommodation until their return.

The meeting also discussed the implementation of the Shannique Myrie ruling and the processes that need to take place in respect of the implementation of Caricom law and how they will be rationalised with domestic law, she said. Moses, who shared the press conference with his Jamaican counterpart, said the bilateral talks heard of the training of over 100 immigration officers, including supervisors, on interfacing with members of the travelling public at Piarco International Airport. The daily training, he said, which began last week Wednesday and was due for completion yesterday, involved 20 to 30 persons a day.

The dedicated facility to accommodate persons being denied entry at Piarco, Moses said, should be completed in two weeks. The immigration issue surrounding the denial of entry and treatment of nationals of Jamaica at ports of entry, he said, involved specific and difficult issues.

Coming out of the meeting, Moses said, was the need for public awareness and information sharing across populations of both countries so they can be informed of travel requirements and qualifications.

Discussions were also centred on implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy regime, which includes movement of goods, services, people and the right of establishment and capital in the region and in between countries.

This sets us on a solid path to address trade issues between our countries, Johnson-Smith said noting that more work was being done in that regard and that private sector meetings and further bilateral will take place. In terms of energy, she said, We have confirmed that technical matters will be addressed as well as policy and political issues on the pricing of energy and how it is treated within Caricom and vis-a-vis, third parties.
Escayg family appeals for help

Shenelle Escayg is a breast cancer survivor, loving mother of four (Kimberly, Isis, Isa and Kirchard), seven months pregnant and a devoted wife...now widow. Shenelles husband Kevin Escayg died protecting their four-year-old son, Kirchard.

Her husband and son were both shot several times. Young Kirchard is currently fighting to recover at hospital, both physically and emotionally.

The support you provide will be used to help this mother and young family in the wake of their recent tragedy with hospital fees for Kirchard, funeral expenses for Kevin and whatever else is needed for our very pregnant Shenelle, the website explained. The account was created by a relative of Escayg and posted on social media. The post quickly spread among the social media platforms.

On one of the posts on Social Media a relative, Laura Pierre-Escayg, wrote: Shenelle Escayg is not only a survivor but a giver. Her life seems to be about service to others in their time of need and now she is in need of our support. A life filled with giving and service should always be rewarded accordingly. Newsday was told that Escayg was at a baby shower when she had her last conversation with her husband.

The deceased Escayg went to a car wash owned by Alexis and as he was holding his five-year-old son, a group of gunmen in two cars, drove up to Alexis car wash and began firing indiscriminately.

While shielding his son, Escayg was shot multiple times and died on the scene. Alexis and one of the gunmen were also killed. Little Kirchard was shot in the abdomen and was rushed to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope where he remains warded in a serious but stable condition, having undergone surgery.
Mahfood: I was misquoted

He spoke after a lunch held in honour of Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley by the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce at the exclusive Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in New Kingston. Mahfood claimed he never called for a boycott of TT goods at any point in time. He said there was a misquote by the media that was taken out of context. How was he misinterpreted? You know how you media misreport or misrepresent.

The truth is, there has never actually been a call of mine to boycott any Trinidadian goods, Mahfood said.

He endorsed Rowleys opening statement at the luncheon that, We are one united people, blessed to have been born in the Caribbean and that if we join forces together, we are much stronger than as individuals. Nevertheless, Mahfood said Jamaicans feel very strong about the movement of people across the region and this was discussed with Rowley.

He welcomed Rowleys meeting with former Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Chairman of the CARICOM Review Commission at which the issue of free movement was also addressed.

Hopefully arising out of this visit we will see some resolution to these issues, he said. On the movement of labour, Mahfood said, there was a tremendous amount of job vacancies in the services sector in TT, but the current standard or qualifications under CARICOM does not allow Jamaicans to legitimately work in those jobs.

He suggested to Rowley that he give consideration to a work permit programme that would allow Jamaicans, Guyanese and other CARICOM nationals to get the jobs in TT or other markets that were advertised locally and that could not be not filled. Asked about claims that goods from Jamaica spend long periods of time on TT ports and that goods from TT go straight to Jamaican shelves, Mahfood said, the issue was not discussed. However, he said, The reality is that Trinidad is a more challenging market to gain access to - always has been. He added, I think that is just something at the government level in Trinidad. They have to be a little bit more aware that as we expand this partnership and as we grow it, we have to have better awareness of regional products entering the market.
US: We See

No Signs

Putin Will

Use Dirty Bomb
(Newser)  Coty Vincent's car was smashed last week after a hit-and-run accident, so she lugged her twin boys to a rental car company, CNN reports. But the Oklahoma mom didn't find only a vehicle at Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Tulsa: She also found a young man she says is "one of the most compassionate and caring people I've ever met," per her Facebook post. She tells Today that the car company sent 25-year-old employee John Goodlett to her home to pick up her and the 11-month-old babies and bring them to the office. She didn't have a double stroller, so she asked Goodlett to carry one of her sons inand once inside, Vincent figured he'd hand the baby back to her and "let me fend for myself." Instead, he held onto his young charge and started working on her order on the computer. Vincent was so touched that she took a photo of him holding the baby and posted it online, where the image quickly went viral (it's got more than 25,000 shares on her Facebook page).

There's a reason Goodlett may have felt a special kinship with the little ones: He has a twin sister. "Just like any sibling, one moment we got each other's back, one moment we're yelling at each other's throats," he tells Today. "But  it's a natural love." Vincent, meanwhile, has started a #BeAJohn hashtag, noting, "This world would be a better place if we all would just be a John." Enterprise is doing its part: After getting wind of Goodlett's interaction with Vincent, it bought the mom a double stroller and made a donation to the Boys & Girls Club where Goodlett spent time when he was a kid (he turned down a gift card for himself). "I'm still blown away," he tells Today. "It's kind of shocking to see the world took it as such a big motion. I hope it helps get the message out that this is the way people are supposed to treat each other every day." (This mom has her hands full.)
(Newser)  In 2009, right around the time the first section of the much-lauded High Line project opened to the public, offering New Yorkers access to an unused section of elevated railroad tracks in Manhattan that had been transformed into a green space, a couple of guys chatted one night over "too much wine" and plotted quite the oppositean underground park. The Lowline, as it has come to be called, is the brainchild of James Ramsey, owner of the Lower East Side design firm Raad Studio, and Dan Barasch, who had been exploring installing underground art in the New York City subway system. What started off as a super-idealistic vision of the world's first subterranean park replete with filtered natural sunlight has now been given a green light by the New York City Economic Development Corporation. The park's open date is projected to be in 2021.

The project technically goes back to 1908, when a 1-acre Williamsburg Bridge trolley terminal opened on Delancey Street to help transport residents of the Lower East Side to Brooklyn. By 1948 it was closed to the public and never used again, even though it's right next to the city's J/M/A subway line. At the heart of the redesign is the use of very forward-thinking solar tech that uses a "remote skylight," where sunlight is collected and passed through a glass shield, reflected and gathered to a focal point, and directed down through fiber-optic cables to a reflective surface that redistributes the collected lightjust enough to enable photosynthesis. To be built in what Mother Nature Network describes as an already "tree-deprived Lower East Side," the project enjoyed two successful Kickstarter campaigns with thousands of supporters worldwide. "We're channeling sunlight the way they did in ancient Egyptian tombs, but in a supermodern way," Ramsey told New York in 2011. In fact, when the sun is shining, the entire park will be solar powered, not just the greenery. (Check out the "sidescraper" proposal for New York's Central Park.)
(Newser)  Hillary Clinton is narrowing the field of possible running mates, with Democrats predicting she'll reveal her pick as soon as Friday. The front-runners? Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Sen. Tim Kaine of Virginia, report CNN and the Washington Post. Labor Secretary Thomas Perez, retired four-star Navy Adm. James Stavridis, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren are still up for consideration, but Clinton's warm comments about Vilsack and Kaine when speaking to friends and advisers suggest she may have a preference for them, reports the Post. They're also "safe" choices, per Politico. Sources close to her campaign say Clintonwho's had input from Bill Clinton and President Obamawill reveal her pick in Tampa, Fla., on Friday or Miami on Saturday.

Both Vilsack and Kaine have governing experience and "fit Clinton's ideal of low-key, loyal effectiveness," per the Post. As former governor of Iowa, Vilsack could help secure a victory in the swing state. He's also a longtime friend of Clinton. Kaine, however, may have a slight edge, sources say. A senior administration official describes the Spanish-speaker as a "progressive Catholic" who's on the same page as Obama on criminal justice reform, capital punishment, and anti-poverty efforts. On Monday, Clinton called him "world-class" and "one of the most highly respected senators I know." Perez, a Hispanic liberal, was one of several candidates to meet face to face with Clinton in recent days, though sources say he's likely the third choice. (Guess this means she isn't considering the bold option.)
(Newser)  Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel apparently spent days in a state of gleeful anticipation before he used a truck to kill at least 84 people in Nice, France. The Guardian reports that photos have emerged of the 31-year-old Tunisian posing for selfies in and next to the rented truck used in the horrific attack. In one, Bouhlel and a passenger can be seen giving the camera the finger while sitting in the cab of the truck. The passenger and another man who appears in Bouhlel's photos are among those who were taken in for questioning after the attack last Thursday, the Telegraph reports. Bouhlel's brother Jabeur tells Reuters that Bouhlel "seemed very happy and pleased, he was laughing a lot" in a photo he sent of himself amid a crowd in Nice just hours before the attack.

ISIS has called Bouhlel a "soldier," though relatives say he ate pork, drank alcohol, and didn't go to the mosque, the Independent reports. According to reports in French media, phone records have revealed that Bouhlel met both men and women, including a 73-year-old man, through dating sites. Relatives say Bouhlel suffered from mental illness and was radicalized in just two weeks by an ISIS recruiter. David Canter, director of Britain's International Research Center for Investigative Psychology tells the AP that Bouhlel appears to be more of a "spree killer," like the Columbine shooters, than a terrorist. Such killers sometimes align with extremists because they "will hook onto whatever is in the wind at the time they want to express their anger and frustration," he says. (Seven people have been arrested over possible links to the Nice attack.)
Why target firms for the sins of US and Philippines? Updated: 2016-07-19 10:36 By Xin Zhiming(China Daily)

A boy plays at a KFC restaurant in Nantong, Jiangsu province. Yum Brands Inc, owner of KFC and Pizza Hut chains, gets more than half of its revenue from China. [Photo/China Daily]

US and Philippine businesses and products, from the American fast food chain KFC and Apple's iPhones to dried mangoes from the Philippines, have become the targets of online calls for mass boycott in the week following the ruling of the arbitral tribunal in the case initiated by Manila against Beijing over the South China Sea dispute.

The boycott call reportedly prompted a number of youths to assemble in front of a KFC outlet in Laoting county, Hebei province, on Sunday where they tried to dissuade people from entering the restaurant. The video of this event has hit the internet but its authenticity is yet to be proved. There is no denying, however, that the online call to boycott Philippine and US goods is related to the arbitration case because those two countries were behind the move on the South China Sea issue.

The boycott call is reminiscent of the mass protests in 2012, when China-Japan relations soured because of their dispute over Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. During the protests, Li Jianli, the driver of a Toyota car in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, was hit by a young protestor in the head and was paralyzed in the right side of his body.

Although no violence was involved in the KFC incident, the rising clamor for boycotting products from the US, the Philippines, Japan and the Republic of Korea (for its decision to deploy the US' Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense system, which poses a threat to China's national security) is worrisome. And if this goes unchecked, there could be unexpected outcomes that, like the protests in 2012, cause serious social and personal damage.

It is understandable that some people want to vent their anger by boycotting Philippine and US businesses and products, but they should not violate the law or disrupt the normal operation of businesses, Chinese and foreign both.

Not buying products or availing of the services of US, Japan or Philippine companies is a personal choice. And although it may seem unreasonable, people have the freedom to choose what to do so long as their activities do not damage the interests of others.

Unfortunately, what happened in the past, especially the brutal attack on the Toyota driver in Xi'an and smashing of cars made by Japanese companies in some Chinese cities four years ago, shows that things often go out of control if not properly managed from the start.

In the KFC boycott case, the normal operation of the restaurant must have been disrupted. In such cases, police are obliged to step in to restore order.

After China launched its reform and opening-up more than three decades ago, large numbers of foreign enterprises invested in the country and thus helped boost its economic growth and create jobs for the local people. China today is the world's second-largest economy and foreign-funded enterprises played a vital role in its miraculous economic achievement.

No doubt, foreign-funded companies should not be exempt from punishment if they violate Chinese laws and regulations. For instance, British drug-maker GlaxoSmithKline China was fined about $500 million in 2014 for bribing hospital personnel, and medical institutions and organizations to inflate drug prices.

But the normal operation of law-abiding foreign companies should be protected. It is part of the serious commitment China has made to the world, without which few enterprises from abroad would like to continue to invest in the country.

Moreover, it is well known that many of the foreign-funded enterprises in China, such as KFC, have been localized and mostly employ local people and purchase raw materials from China. So by boycotting them we would compromise the livelihoods of many Chinese.

The author is a senior writer with China Daily. xinzhiming@chinadaily.com.cn
(Newser)  Republican National Convention organizers are worried about a guest even less welcome than the Clinton family would be: norovirus. The highly contagious virus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea and is known for turning cruises into hellish experiences, has struck down at least a dozen members of the California delegation, the Los Angeles Times reports. Delegates and other members of the 500-strong group from Californiawhich is staying at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, almost 60 miles away from Clevelandhave been told to avoid sharing food or shaking hands and to stay away from buses to the convention if they have any symptoms of the bug.

California GOP chairman Jim Brulte says the virus has affected staffers, but so far none of the state's 172 delegates have fallen ill, the Washington Post reports. The affected staffers have been told to stay away from the convention, where California's delegation is seated next to Maryland's, until at least 24 hours after they stop showing symptoms. "Most of them are disappointed they can't work, but they understand that they're out of circulation," Brulte says. State health officials have been notified of the apparent outbreak. (Read more Republican National Convention stories.)
(Newser)  An Air Force lieutenant who was sent to the United Arab Emirates to help take on the Islamic State has died at the age of 25, the Miami Herald reports. The Air Force Times IDs her as 1st Lt. Anais A. Tobar, per a Department of Defense press release, which notes she died on Monday of a "non-combat-related injury." The release didn't indicate either the cause of death nor where in the UAE it took place; an Air Force spokesperson says her body was found in her room. Tobar was assigned to the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron based at North Carolina's Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and had been deployed in Abu Dhabi to help out with Operation Inherent Resolve, which leads targeted operations against ISIS.

Tobar was born in Venezuela and grew up in Florida, spending much of her youth in Miami and attending Osceola High School in Kissimmee before heading off to Florida State University. After a stint in the Air Force Reserve in high school, Tobar fully enlisted in the Air Force to "see the world," family friend Mercy McGee tells the Orlando Sentinel, adding to the Herald, "There are not enough words to tell you what a loving and wonderful girl she was. She was God-fearing, deeply devoted to serving others and her country." Officials told Tobar's family an autopsy would be done once Tobar's body was brought back to the US, McGee notes. (Read more obituary stories.)
(Newser)  On Monday, a judge sentenced Chicagoan Timothy Jones, 23, to 90 years in prison for the 2011 death of a pregnant 17-year-old. But other sentences from that day were just as impactful: those of victim Charinez Jefferson's mother, Debbie Jefferson, who lost her life to bone cancer in February and whose deathbed message to Jones was read by a prosecutor, reports the Chicago Tribune. "I watched you during the trial and you showed no remorse," said Jefferson. "So maybe you wouldn't know how I feel. From this day forward, when you open and close your mouth and eyes, and you are still able to walk and talk, stop and take a minute and think about the lives you destroyed." Charinez, who was eight months pregnant, isn't the only one unable to walk and talk in the aftermath of Jones' crime: Her unborn son Kahmani was saved, but he exists in a vegetative state.

Jefferson called Charinez as she was walking home from a corner store with a male friend in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on Aug. 16, 2011. "Here I come, Mama," Jefferson recalled her saying, reports the Tribune. Minutes later, Jones fired two shots at the man, a member of a rival gang. The intended victim ran, so Jones turned to Charinez, shooting her eight times: in the foot, ankle, thigh, buttock, chest, and neck, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. A witness testified that she begged Jones to spare her and her unborn child; instead, he shouted an expletive at her, reports the Tribune. Kahmani's brain was deprived of oxygen, and his skull was fractured as Charinez fell to the ground. Said Jefferson, "All of your sleepless nights and dreary days, I pray you ask God for forgiveness and to have mercy on your soul." (Read more deathbed stories.)
(Newser)  The Pan-American Highway runs about 19,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina and manages to connect the Americas in remarkable fashion through a network of roads. Well, almost: Even this highway can't penetrate the Darien Gap, a dangerous stretch of rainforest on the border of Panama and Colombia. As Jason Motlagh writes at Outside, it's dangerous for any number of reasons: poisonous snakes, bandits, paramilitary groups, drug smugglers, a dearth of fresh water, you name it. Despite all that, or perhaps because of it, the Gap has in recent years become a major draw for migrants from all over the world looking to get into the US. One typical path: They fly into Brazil or Ecuador because of lax visa rules, then start the long journey north, often in the company of human smugglers. The Gap is by far the most arduous part.

"The entire expanse, a roadless maze that travelers usually negotiate on foot and in boats, is dominated by narco traffickers and Cuba-backed guerrillas whove been waging war on the government of Colombia since 1964," writes Motlagh. "Hundreds of migrants enter each year; many never emerge, killed or abandoned by coyotes (migrant smugglers) on ghost trails." Motlagh doesn't just write about the Gap, however. He and a photographer and videographer actually cross it themselves, by foot and by boat, after gaining the trust of Marxist FARC rebels who control a 50-mile north-south route. Along the way, they meet Nepalis, Bangladeshis, even one man from Afghanistan hoping to ultimately reach Las Vegas. Click to read the full, harrowing story here. (Read more Colombia stories.)
(Newser)  A hiker and his three young children have made it to safety in southwest Colorado after two nights spent lost in the wilderness. Volunteers in the Weminuche area spent hours searching for Dustin Beaver, 33, his 8-year-old son and daughter, and 6-year-old son, after they failed to return from a hike on Saturday. They were reported missing Sunday night by Beaver's wife when she found her husband's car still parked at the Cave Basin trailhead, reports the Durango Herald. With no sign of the family by late Mondaysave for footprints and the smell of a campfirethe La Plata County Search and Rescue called in several helicopters. "They were literally less than 30 minutes from launch," an official tells the Herald. Then came "the best news in the world."

With help from an Arizona family, Beaver and his children had reached the Pine River trailhead, well outside the search area and in "almost the opposite direction" that the family had been heading on Saturday, an official says. Beaver, who'd planned to take the kids to Dollar Lake, told police that he followed directions from a fellow hiker that took him in the entirely wrong direction, per KDVR. The family wandered for two dayswith food, water, and a tent for shelterbefore meeting up with the group that took them down the mountain. Police say they returned "in good condition" around 8pm complaining only of numerous bug bites. A La Plata County official adds Beaver's wife cried "tears of joy" when she heard the family was found. (Read more Colorado stories.)
(Newser)  Three ballistic missiles launched by North Korea Tuesday into the Sea of Japan off of South Korea's eastern coast wasn't just an arbitrary exercise, the Washington Post reports. The apparent intent of the Kim Jong Un-approved launch: A dry run at "preemptive strikes at ports and airfields in the operational theater in South Korea, where the US imperialists' nuclear war hardware is to be hurled," the Korean Central News Agency says. "Kim Jong Un expressed great satisfaction over the successful drill." NBC News notes it's not clear what date the drills that KCNA is referring to took place, though it appears to be referencing Tuesday's launch. The launch is also seen as an angry protest of sorts in response to the South's plans to protect itself against incoming warheads via the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system it's setting up with help from the US.

Others who are also not pleased with the defense strategy: local South Koreansespecially in the area of the county of Seongjuwho are afraid that the missile-intercepting system could put a target directly on their region. Some residents even hurled eggs at the South Korean prime minister last week when he visited to try to ease their fears. North Korea also made it clear Wednesday that while the actions were directed against the South, America should take heed as well, per Stars and Stripes. "The US should go back home, abandoning its wicked intention for permanent stay in South Korea," a North Korea army rep was quoted as saying by KCNA. (South Korea is also freaked out by strange North Korea radio broadcasts.)
(Newser)  Running late for a flight? Cross your fingers that the plane's coffeemaker is broken. An "inordinate amount of coffeemaker problems" are causing flight delays, American Airlines' chief of operations saysand causing passengers to lose their lids. The New York Times reports defective coffeemakers require a thorough check since any issues could suggest a problem with the plane's circuitry. Airlines don't keep track of such delays specifically, but Delta and United also acknowledge that they do happen. A Twitter user says her American flight last month was delayed 45 minutes thanks to a faulty coffeemaker. A man says his hourlong flight in November was delayed 40 minutes for the same reason. And this isn't anything new: A Dallas banker told the Wall Street Journal in 2012 that a leaky coffeepot also grounded one of his flights.

Because planes' coffeemakers are so elaboratethey include circuit breakers, wiring insulation, and special latches to hold the pot in place, and they're sometimes hooked up to water tanks treated with chemicalsplenty of things can go wrong. Of course, you want officials to identify a problem that might present a fire risk. But even the smallest of issues can require the machine to be disabled (no water or power) or swapped for a functional one. Airlines realize this is an issue: United recently increased checks on coffeemakers, while American is considering replacing all of its machines, which can cost up to $20,000 apiece. In the meantime, know that flight delays blamed on coffeemakers are for your own safety. As a pilot wrote to the Times in 2002, it's not worth risking "an in-flight electrical fire for the sake of not having your flight delayed." (See where flights are delayed most.)
(Newser)  The parents of Lane Graves, the toddler killed by an alligator at Disney World last month, will not sue Disney, they announced in a statement released to People. "Melissa and I are broken," Matt Graves said of himself and his wife. "We will solely be focused on the future health of our family ... We will forever struggle to comprehend why this happened to our sweet baby, Lane."

The family added that they will "keep his spirit alive through the Lane Thomas Foundation," which, per its website, is accepting donations that will be contributed to "various charitable organizations." "It is our hope that through the foundation we will be able to share with others the unimaginable love Lane etched in our hearts," the statement continues. A rep for the Orlando resort says Disney is providing "ongoing support for the family, which includes honoring their request for privacy." There's no official word, but TMZ thinks Disney is likely funding the family's foundation. (Read more Disney World stories.)
(Newser)  Rhode Island's delegation to the Republican National Convention is taking some heat back home for using its spotlight to trash the state's reputation on national TV, the AP reports. State GOP Chairman Brandon Bell delivered Rhode Island's votes in the state-by-state roll call that led to Donald Trump's nomination Tuesday night. It's a time when delegates traditionally use their few minutes with the microphone to share quirky trivia or tout amenities or local products. Bell praised Rhode Island's coastal beauty and its history of religious tolerance but said it constantly ranks at the bottom nationally, calling attention to one recent CNBC ranking declaring it the worst state for business. He blamed a "corrupt Democrat political machine" he says has run the state for 80 years.

The speech quickly earned laughs outside the state, with people on social media joking about Rhode Island's reputation for self-loathing. A local conservative talk-show host defended the criticism of Democratic leadership as appropriate for a political event. But some business leaders and others in the Democrat-leaning state weren't so happy. "What an embarrassment! It was disgraceful," entrepreneur Rajiv Kumar wrote on Twitter. The head of a local tourism bureau said that every state has good and bad attributes but that Bell wasted an "unbelievable platform to talk about the virtues of Rhode Island." "To call out and degrade our state like that I think was a missed opportunity," said Evan Smith, president and CEO of Discover Newport. "Calling it the home of Hasbro and Mr. Potato Head would have been fun. It could have been whimsical or different." (Read more Rhode Island stories.)
(Newser)  A prominent Donald Trump delegate from New Hampshire says Hillary Clinton should be "put in the firing line and shot for treason," over the Benghazi attacks that killed four Americans, reports the AP. New Hampshire state Rep. Al Baldasaro, who appears frequently with Trump and serves as an adviser on veterans' issues, made the remarks Tuesday when asked on a Boston radio program if Clinton were responsible for the Benghazi deaths. He said Clinton "is a disgrace for the lies she told those mothers about their children," adding, "Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason."

He also called Clinton a "piece of garbage" for using a private email server while she was secretary of state. Baldasaro is known for making controversial comments in his role as a New Hampshire lawmaker. No word yet from the Tump camp, reports BuzzFeed, which first reported on the comments. (In a speech at the Republican convention, the mother of a Benghazi victim said she blamed Clinton "personally.")
Britain lists East Turkistan Islamic Movement as proscribed terrorist Updated: 2016-07-19 14:26 (Xinhua)

LONDON - The British Home Office has listed the East Turkistan Islamic Movement as an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization.

Britain's latest list of proscribed terrorist organizations, published Friday by the Home Office, has officially proscribed the terrorist group Turkistan Islamic Party (TIP), also known as the East Turkistan Islamic Party, East Turkistan Islamic Movement or Hizb al-Islami al-Turkistani.

"TIP is an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization founded in 1989 by Uygur militants in western China," the Home Office says in the official document.

TIP aims to establish an independent caliphate in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China and to name it East Turkistan, says the document.

It is based in Pakistan and operates in China, Central Asia, South Asia and Syria, says the document. "The group has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in China, the latest of these being in April 2014. TIP has links to a number of terrorist groups, including al-Qaida."

In November 2015, TIP released the 18th issue of its magazine Islamic Turkistan through the Global Islamic Media Front, detailing TIP's jihad against the Chinese authorities, says the document.

"Video footage from September 2015 shows TIP hosting training camps in areas controlled by the Pakistani Taliban in North Waziristan," it says.

"More recently TIP has maintained an active and visible presence in the Syrian war and has published a number of video clips of its activities."

Examples of TIP involvement in Syria from March to April 2016 include TIP claiming a joint attack with Jund al-Aqsa in Sahl al-Ghab and publishing a video of a suicide bomb attack in April 2016.

A video published by the terrorist group in March 2016 promotes the victories of TIP in Syria and calls for Muslims to join jihad; and a video slide show published in April 2016 shows fighters and children in training, the Home Office file says.

"TIP has been banned by the UN and is also sanctioned by the USA under the Terrorist Exclusion list," it notes.
(Newser)  A Texas woman identified only as Jenny survived a rape, but she says that was only the start of an ordeal she endured at the hands of Harris County officials, who jailed the woman for a month. Click 2 Houston describes the 25-year-old, who suffers from bipolar disorder, as the "star witness" in the trial of serial rapist Keith Hendricks. The woman began to testify against him on Dec. 8, 2015, but suffered a breakdown, with the court transcript showing she became incoherent and vowed not to return as she fled. The Chronicle reports she entered the traffic outside the Harris County Criminal Courthouse and was then involuntarily committed to a hospital. From there, a handcuffed Jenny was taken to the Harris County Jail on Dec. 18; she was placed with the general population until her release on Jan. 14 (she finished testifying against Hendricks on Jan. 11).

Click 2 Houston reports that Texas judges may issue what are called "attachment orders," which stipulate that a witness be held (or, in some cases, have to post bail) in order to secure their testimony. Jenny's attorney, Sean Buckley, says it was inappropriate in this case, as Jenny did originally show up as requested, committed no crime, and jail is "not an environment for a rape victim." On Wednesday, he filed a suit against Harris County, its sheriff, a jail guard accused of hitting her, and the prosecutor who requested the attachment order. Jenny is seeking unspecified damages; Hendricks was handed two life sentences. The DA's office called the orders "a common tool" and said "in this case the judge and family agreed with the decision to obtain" one. Buckley contends Jenny's mother thought she was being given mental health treatment in a non-jail facility. (The victim in the Stanford rape case was grilled about her "partying" while on the stand.)
(Newser)  Wednesday night is the night that America meets GOP VP nominee Mike Pence, but per a senior adviser to John Kasich who spoke anonymously to the New York Times, the process by which he was chosen sounds like it could have been a little wonkyand may even have involved a bizarre olive branch being offered to the Ohio governor. According to that adviser, Donald Trump Jr. contacted him with a most interesting offer for his boss: a chance for Kasich to become "the most powerful vice president in history," per the Times, by helming both domestic and foreign policy. And while a supposedly all-powerful Kasich (said to be the Trump team's "perfect choice," per the article) would be doing most of the heavy lifting, "making America great again" is what Jr. allegedly said his dad would be doing. Kasich reportedly rejected the offer at the end of May in a phone call with Trump.

Josh Voorhees writes for Slate that, as strange as this story is, it "isnt the first time someone close to Trump has suggested that the GOP nominee would effectively outsource the day-to-day" presidential tasks: In May, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort told the Huffington Post that Trump "sees himself more as the chairman of the board than even the CEO, let alone the COO." Chris Cillizza pipes in with a similar take at the Washington Post, adding, "[Trump] has repeatedly expressed little interest or curiosity in the nuances and intricacies of policy, and he's made clear he thinks most average Americans don't care, either." Meanwhile, at the National Review, Charles Cooke compares Trump to a "too-powerful Queen who thinks that her palace is all a big joke. 'Off with their heads? What enormous fun!'" Trump tweeted out a response Wednesday afternoon to the Times story that attempts, in Trump Twitter style, to render all of this moot, retorting, "John Kasich was never asked by me to be VP. Just arrived in Clevelandwill be a great two days!" (Read more Donald Trump stories.)
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.
Washington:

The International Monetary Fund says the country's democratic institutions were crucial to its economic stability,following the Turkey's bloodycoup attempt at the weekend. But the IMF praised authorities' handling of economic policy to stave off instability in the wake of Friday night's dramatic events, which reportedly left hundreds dead.

"We think first of all that, aside from the inherent value of democratic institutions, it's very important to preserve them in Turkey," IMF research director Maury Obstfeld told reporters in Washington. "That has been one of the foundations of the economic accomplishments that the country has made over several years and we wouldn't want to see those endangered."

Obstfeld however said Turkish authorities had acted properly in shielding the local economy from shocks. "The Turkish authorities, particularly the central bank, have stepped in very effectively to provide liquidity and we would anticipate in our baseline that things will settle down." European and American leaders have reacted with alarm as Turkish authorities since Saturday have arrested 7,500 people, suspended twice as many state education workers and reportedly also rounded up hundreds of judges and prosecutors.

In televised remarks, Turkish premier Binali Yildirim said yesterday that authorities in Ankara would "act within the law" to bring an end to the crisis. The IMF today predicted that the British vote to exit the European Union would reduce global economic growth by 0.1 percentage points through next year. The forecasts were finalized prior to the attempted coup. Global equities markets have not so far suffered losses in its wake.

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New Delhi:

A woman activist of AAP allegedly committed suicide in Narela area of outer Delhi on Tuesday with her family members claiming that she had gone into depression after her alleged molester, a party colleague, was released on bail.

Police said the woman consumed poiswoman worker commits suiconous substance at her home in Narela in the afternoon and died during treatment at LNJP Hospital.

The woman had filed a complaint against party colleague Ramesh Wadhwa for allegedly touching her inappropriately and a case of molestation was registered in June and the accused was arrested, said a senior police officer.

Family members of the woman told police that she went into depression after bail was granted to the accused who, she had alleged, was being protected by the local MLA.

Delhi BJP alleged that AAP leaders had ignored her harassment complaint.

It may be recalled this girl had been raising issue of her harassment for months but AAP leaders ignored. This incident has established anti-woman character of AAP, said Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay in a statement.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and local MLA Sharad Chauhan are responsible for her death, he alleged.

AAP refuted the allegations and accused BJP of playing politics over her death.

There is no mention of the MLAs name in any of the complainants. Whosoever is alleged to have harassed the girl has no connection with the party. The BJP should not stoop this low and play politics over the death of a poor girl. We also want action against the culprit, AAP spokesperson Deepak Bajpai said.

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Beijing hails London's labelling ETIM as terrorist group Updated: 2016-07-20 23:21 By Zhang Yunbi(chinadaily.com.cn)

Beijing hails Londons decision to recognize the East Turkistan Islamic Movement as a terrorist organization, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

The United States and the United Nations have listed ETIM, as the group also known, as a terrorist organization since 2002. ETIM has carried out several deadly terrorist attacks in recent years in Xinjiang, and has been condemned by Beijing.

The British Home Office included the Turkistan Islamic Party on a list of terrorist organizations it published on Friday.

"TIP is an Islamic terrorist and separatist organization founded in 1989 by Uygur militants in western China," the Home Office said in the document.

The document noted that the TIP is based in Pakistan and operates in China, Central Asia, South Asia and Syria.

It said: "The group has claimed responsibility for a number of attacks in China, the latest of these being in April 2014. TIP has links to a number of terrorist groups, including al-Qaida."

In response, the Spokesperson Office of the Foreign Ministry said China endorses the British government's prohibiting any individual or entity from being involved with or supporting this organization.

China "welcomes the increased recognition among the international community, including the British side, of ETIM's violent terrorist nature and the danger it poses", the office said.

The British document also noted that the "TIP has been banned by the UN and is also sanctioned by the USA under the Terrorist Exclusion list".

The Spokesperson Office said, "We are ready to work with various parties, including Britain, to further strengthen practical cooperation in fighting terrorism and resolutely crack down on international terrorist forces."
Hyderabad:

A 24-year-old software engineer from Kachiguda was allegedly killed by his roommate in Austin in the US, his family said here on Tuesday.

The victim, identified as Gundam Sankeerth, allegedly stabbed to death by his roommate Sai Sandeep Goud. Goud, 27, is also from Hyderabad.

Today morning we got a call from our relatives and Pranith, one of his friends, that Sankeerth was stabbed by one Sai Sandeep Goud, a roommate, on Monday, Sankeerths uncle Srinivas said on Tuesday.

Sankeerth died while being shifted to a hospital and the accused had been taken into custody by the local police, Srinivas said.

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Srinagar:

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh today reviewed the security situation in Kashmir and appealed to the people to maintain peace while calling for strict vigil along the Line of Control (LoC).



The Army Chief also complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation besides appreciating the synergy being shown among all security agencies that has resulted in successful counter-terrorist operations, an Army spokesman said.



The Chief of Army Staff today reviewed the security situation in Kashmir during his visit to the Srinagar based 15 Corps, the spokesman said.



He said the Army Chief was briefed by the Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua on the situation along the LoC and the hinterland including the measures instituted to ensure close coordination with all security and other government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley.



The Army Chief, accompanied by the Northern Army and Chinar Corps Commanders, also visited the Kupwara Division in north Kashmir and Awantipur based Victor Force where he was briefed on the operational preparedness as also the initiatives taken by Army in collaboration with civil administration to alleviate hardships being faced by the populace due to the prevailing unrest, the spokesman said.



He said the Army Chief also met the Director General of state Police K Rajendra Kumar and was reassured about the excellent synergy between Army, Police and intelligence agencies.



In his interaction with officers and troops, the Army Chief commended their operational preparedness and commitment to the cause of national security. He exhorted everyone to ensure strict vigil along the Line of Control, the spokesman said.



Appreciating the synergy being shown among all security agencies that has resulted in successful counter terrorist operations, the spokesman said Gen Singh also complimented the troops on ground for showing maximum restraint even in the face of grave provocation.



He expressed his grief and concern over the casualties of civilians and security forces during the protests while making an earnest appeal to the Awaam (people) to maintain peace and help the security forces serve them better.



The Army Chief also impressed upon everyone to continue their positive engagement with the Awaam and lend them all possible assistance in close coordination with the other stakeholders.

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Raipur:

Chhattisgarh Government informed state assembly on Tuesday that the deadly disease AIDS has claimed almost 1,600 lives in the state.

In a written reply to the question by MLA Amit Jogi in the Assembly, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ajay Chandrakar informed that a total of 8,978 AIDS patients were detected in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in the state.

1,588 deaths were reported due to the AIDS during this period, he added.

As many as 20 posts of programme officers, including 11 assistant directors and six deputy directors, of AIDS Control Society are lying vacant in the state, the minister said.

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New Delhi:

The government has asked scientists to work towards developing a system to predict cloudburst, the Rajya Sabha was told on Tuesday as it discussed the flood situation which has claimed lives of 196 people and caused other damage in various parts of the country.



During the discussion, members from various parties questioned the government preparedness in dealing with natural calamities and pressed for creation of a separate ministry for the purpose.



Several members sought steps for putting in place a warning system for floods and cloudbursts.



Replying to the discussion, Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said India does not have technology to predict cloudburst which develops over a very short span of time (1-3 hours).



In fact, no country in the world has been able to predict cloudburst, he added.



So it is difficult to forecast...It happens in a very small locality. The effect is so devastating that there are huge losses, the minister said while replying to the Calling Attention Motion on situation arising due to floods.



The government, he said, has asked the scientists to work towards developing a system to predict cloudbust.



We are hopeful that in near future, efforts of scientists to forecast the cloudburst will bring result. Efforts are there, not only Indian scientists but scientists from across the globe are making a combined effort, he said.



During the ongoing South West monsoon season, various parts of the country like Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Kerala have been affected by heavy rains/flash floods/and rain oriented calamities of varying degrees.



As per information, 196 people have lost their lives, 2,184 cattle heads have perished, 38,285 houses/huts have been damaged and about 0.357 hecatares of crop area affected, the minister said.



Responding to questions about preparedness, Rijiju said the primary responsibility to deal with natural clamities lies with the state government concerned.



The Central government supplements the efforts of state governments by providing financial and logistic support to effectively deal with such exigent situations, he added.



He said Centre extends assistance through State Disaster Response Fund and National Disaster Response Fund.



Primary responsibility lies with state governments because we cannot act at our own because we have to work with state governments, the minister said.



Replying to questions and clarifications, he said the Home Ministry has emergency control room which functions 24X7.

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New Delhi:

Republican Party on Tuesday formally declared Donal Trump as its candidate for the upcoming US-Presidential elections later this year. Trumps nomination comes after a ferocious round of primaries, which were studded with controversial remarks.

The billionaire Trump has always been known for his controversial stance on major domestic and international issues. Lets have a look at his recent remarks which left the world gasping.

1. Mexican immigrants bring drugs and crime: The Republican party candidate claimed Mexican immigrants to be criminal and rapists on the day he announced his intentions to run for president at Trump Tower Atrium in Manhattan on June 16, 2015, setting a tone for his campaign.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

2. The Wall: The flagship of his campaign, Donald Trump has promised to build a wall between US and Mexico to stop immigration. He plans to fund the wall with Mexican money.

"It's an easy decision for Mexico: Make a one-time payment of 5 to 10 billion dollars to ensure that $24 billion continues to flow into their country year after year," Trump says on donaldjtrump.com. The $24 billion is remittance money that Mexican immigrants send home to their families. Trump threatens to start cancelling existing visas, if Mexico doesnt pay for the wall.

3. People cheered during 9/11 attack: During a rally in Birmingham, Ala., on November 21, 2015, Trump allegedly asserted that "thousands of Muslims were cheering" when the World Trade Centre collapsed in 9/11 attacks. The claim has been debunked.

"I watched when the World Trade Center came tumbling down. And I watched in Jersey City, New Jersey, where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down. Thousands of people were cheering."

4. Ban entry of Muslims to US: On December 7, 2015, the republican candidate advocated for a complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States, especially refugees, since their homes were breeding grounds for terrorists.

"Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country's representatives can figure out what is going on. According to Pew Research, among others, there is great hatred towards Americans by large segments of the Muslim population."

5. Donald Trump can shoot people and he will not lose voters: During his primary campaign in Iowa in January, 2016, the real-estate giant claimed that he could shoot people in the streets without losing voters.

"I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot people and I wouldn't lose voters," Trump said at a rally in Iowa, pointing his finger at the crowd like he was shooting a handgun, as he expressed confidence that he would remain atop the Republican field.

6. Islam hates US: In a televised interview to CNN on March 9, 2016, Donald Trump said, "I think Islam hates us." On being asked whether he thinks Islam is at war with the West, he said, "There's a tremendous hatred. We have to get to the bottom of it. There is an unbelievable hatred of us."

7. Torture worse than waterboarding: During Republican presidential debate in Manchester, N.H. on Feb. 6, 2016, Trump said that he will bring back banned torture techniques to give a fitting answer to killing of Christians in the Middle East.

"In the Middle East, we have people chopping the heads off Christians, we have people chopping the heads off many other people. We have things that we have never seen before -- as a group, we have never seen before, what's happening right now. The medieval times -- I mean, we studied medieval times -- not since medieval times have people seen what's going on. I would bring back waterboarding and I'd bring back a hell of a lot worse than waterboarding."

8. Hillary is only a candidate because she is a woman: During the peak of primary race in April 2016, the republican candidate had accused democratic leader Hillary Clinton to be unfit to even run for a city council position.

"She's playing that card like I've never seen anyone play it before. All I'm doing is bringing out the obvious, that without the woman card, Hillary would not even be a viable person to even run for a city council position."

As the race for US presidential election warms up between Republican Billionaire Donald Trump and Democratic veteran Hillary Clinton, we are likely to be in for a new volley of controversial remarks.

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Ahmedabad:

Fresh protests have been reported across Gujarat by the Dalit community against the assault on fellow community members for allegedly killing a cow. Chief Minister Anandiben Patel is also scheduled to visit Una town today and meet the victims.



Meanwhile, a strong protest over the issue has also been reported from Rajya Sabha.



"(The) Chief Minister will visit Una town tomorrow and meet the Dalit youths, who became victims of atrocities. She will also meet family members of these victims. She will be accompanied by Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Ramanlal Vora and Chief Secretary G R Aloria," an official release said.



The incident had come to light after a purported video showing some persons, believed to be 'gau-rakshaks', publicly beating four partially-stripped Dalit youths at Una town of Gir-Somnath district on July 11, had gone viral.



The Chief Minister condemned the incident and appealed the people to maintain peace.

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Mumbai:

Devotees can now donate shares or stocks via demat account specially registered for Siddhivinayak temple. This comes as a separate option than traditional offerings in cash and gold.



The Siddhivinayak Temple has tied up with SBICAP Securities to provide devotees with an electronic platform to make offerings and donations of financial instruments.



"Devotees across the world can now donate to the temple in the form of shares through this facility. This will help in increasing revenue of the temple which will be further used for social cause," Narendra Murari Rane, chairman, Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple Trust said here.



The initiative will initially allow for donations like shares or stocks of listed entities to be made in the

electronic format via a demat account set up specially for the temple.



This will be later extended to other financial instruments like mutual funds, bonds and gold ETFs.



Rane said the donated shares will be sold on the same day or next day without considering the market conditions.



"The temple has deposited around 44 kg of gold stock under the government's Gold Monetisation Scheme, launched last November. The temple has a gold pool of around 160 kg which includes 72 kg in the form of jewellery," Rane said.



He said the temple gets donation of around Rs 75 crore every year in the form of gold and cash.

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Singapore:

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has called for restarting of negotiations for Indias Free Trade Agreements with the UK and the European Union, citing the growing importance of the Indian economy to the world.



India today is a very strong and important economy that other countries want to associate with, said FICCI Secretary General A Didar Singh, calling for the restart of the India-EU FTA which has been on the anvil for 10 years.



Therefore, we feel India-EU FTA has a much better chance being operative and coming on for a common cause now because businesses need that, he said, after addressing the South Asian Diaspora Convention here yesterday.



Singh also called for an urgent initiation of India-UK FTA, saying it would help clear the current uncertainty among businesses created by the UKs decision to leave EU, or Brexit.



He said the call came from a FICCI survey of the 800 Indian companies based in the UK, which reported a sudden 15 per cent decline in return on investments as the pound sterling fell 15 per cent following Brexit vote last month.



Responding to the survey, the companies said they see a decline in profitability over the next three to five years, especially following the split decision which will impact their European business done through UK-based offices.



The companies, responding to the survey, said they were facing problems in getting new contracts and businesses, according to Singh.



Over 50 per cent of the 800 Indian companies surveyed had presence in the EU through UK offices.



All these businesses will have to re-calibrate their strategies, Singh said of the Brexit impact and uncertainty faced by business over the next two years.



There are concerns about managing businesses in the post-Brexit environment and some companies would like to set up another office in the EU, which would add more costs and make them less competitive.



Singh also hoped that the India-UK FTA would help relax student visa conditions allowing internships and employment for Indians studying there. There has been an estimated 20 per cent drop in Indian students going to the UK for studies over the last two and a half years when the internship and employment condition was removed.

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New Delhi:

In an attempt to celebrate this years Independence Day in an elaborate way, BJP is likely to carry out a Tiranga Yatra for a week as part of the celebrations. The party will also highlight its pro-poor and nationalistic agenda in the celebration.



Moreover, the celebrations relating to August 15 were at the center of deliberations at BJP Parliamentary Party meeting held on Tuesday attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi among others, with senior leader and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu saying they have worked out some details but final plans will be declared following a discussion with its president Amit Shah.



BJP sources said the party is likely to carry out Tiranga Yatra for a week between August 15 and 22 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Independence Day.



Modi referred to the Vikas Parv, during which the government and party office bearers held over 200 events to publicise his dispensations successes in its two years in power, and said the exercise was very successful and people responded to it enthusiastically.



Mood is good. Keep it up. But observe caution, the Prime Minister told the party leaders. Over 66 ministers and 33 party office-bearers took part in the Vikas Parv.



As Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar spoke at length about the legislative agenda for the Monsoon session, Modi asked them to work hard, study and raise the standard of discussion, Naidu told reporters following the meeting.



The party leaders also gave Modi standing ovations twice over his successful foreign tours, including his address to the US Congress and the decision of two countries to accord their highest civilian honours on him.



External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj presented a detailed account of his foreign travels between the last session and the current session. Party leaders were also briefed about Yoga Day on June 21 and anti-Emergency day events held by the organisation.

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New Delhi:

Rajya Sabha on Wednesday was adjourned for nothing less than three times as opposition led by Congress protested against attacks of Dalits in Gujarat.



Main opposition Congress, BSP and TMC competed with each other in trying to raise the issue more vociferously, throwing the House into a pandemonium and forcing two adjournments, first for 10 minutes, second for about 30 minutes and then for approximately 1.5 hours till 2 PM.



No sooner the listed papers were laid, Derek OBrien (TMC) was up on his feet raising the issue. Dalits are being oppressed in Gujarat but it is not being discussed here, he said as other members joined in.



This is an organised crime that is happening in Gujarat ... this issue should be taken up, he said referring to the stripping and assault on some Dalit men in Gujarat allegedly by members of a local cow vigilante group.



By this time, Congress and BSP members too were on their feet with Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad seeking permission to speak.



Deputy Chairman P J Kurien allowed him but Mayawati (BSP) appeared eager to speak before him saying she wanted to raise a point-of-order.



Congress members asked under what rule does she want to raise point of order as they rushed into the well shouting slogans against the government. They contended that Azad should speak first.



Kurien pleaded with them to return to their seats and let Mayawati, who is our sister, be allowed to raise her point of order first.



But as none relented, he was forced to adjourn the House for 10 minutes.



When the House met after the brief break, Congress members rushed into the well shouting slogans like Dalit Virodhi yeh sarkar nahi chalegi, nahi chalegi (this anti-dalit government will not be tolerated).



BSP members followed suit and matched Congress members in slogan shouting.



In the melee, Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Thawar Chand Gehlot got up to make a statement but his submission could not be heard in the din.



Nevertheless, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi prodded him to continue speaking and make his statement.



In the din, Gehlot could only be heard as saying that the state government had taken prompt action over the incident and arrested the accused persons. An inquiry has been ordered and strict action would be taken against those found guilty, he added.



Kurien asked the agitating members to allow the Minister to speak but as his pleas when unheeded, he again adjourned the House till 1200 hours.

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New Delhi:

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday condemned the brutal attack on dalits in Una, Gujarat in Lok Sabha. Heavy uproar has also been registered from both the houses in Parliament.



He also gave an account to what steps have been taken so far against the culprits.



"Nine people have been arrested so far, 4 police officials suspended for negligence of duty," said HM Rajnath Singh in Lok Sabha on Una incident.

9 arrested in connection with Una incident, 7 remanded to judicial custody, rest 2 sent to police custody: HM in LS pic.twitter.com/v6SWHG4ldT  ANI (@ANI_news) July 20, 2016



Uproar took over soon after Rajnath Singh praised Gujarat government's efforts in handling the situation post incident.



"Atrocities against dalits is a social evil. We must take it up as a challenge. Urge all parties to come together to fight this," he added.



He also praised how his party has managed to lower down the atrocity counts than their main rivals.



"During Congress rule in Gujarat, the number of cases of atrocities against Dalits were high, sharp decline since BJP is in power," said HM Rajnath Singh.

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Washington:

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, has a track record of achieving the impossible, his son has said, while his daughter told Americans that his father is a natural-born encourager as the siblings made a passionate push for the candidacy of their dads race for the White House.



This is the most important election of our lifetime, one that will determine the future of our country and, in turn, the future of the world, Donald J Trump Jr, 38, said in his address to the Republican National Convention.



For too long, our country has ignored its problems, punting them down the road for future generations to deal with. In business, I was trained by my father to make the tough investments decisions today to assure a brighter future tomorrow, he said.



Weve actually started to believe that solving our great problems is an impossible task, and thats why we need to elect a man who has a track record of accomplishing the impossible, he added. Remember one thing: Were still Americans, were still one country, and were going to get it all back. Were going to get it back better than ever before, he said.



I know well get it back because I know my father. I know that when someone tells him that something is impossible, thats what triggers him into action, Trump Jr said amidst applause from the audience. Ive seen it time and time again, that look in his eyes when someone says it cant be done. I saw that look a little over a year ago when he was told he couldnt possibly succeed in politics. Yes, he did, he said.



He also slammed Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate. Let me tell you something about risk. If Clinton was elected, shed be the first president who couldnt pass a basic background check. Its incredible, he said.



Clinton is a risk Americans cant afford to take. She says shell issue executive orders to take away Americans guns. She wants to appoint judges who will abolish the Second Amendment, he alleged.



Shell throw every possible obstacle in the path of safe, reliable, affordable energy produced in America, by Americans, for American businesses and families. Rather than being energy independent, our country will be forced to remain beholden to her buddies in the Middle East, the Junior Trump said.



Trumps daughter, Tiffney Trump, 22, said: My dad is a natural-born encourager, the last person who will ever tell you to lower your sights up, give up your dreams.



I always looked forward to introducing him to my friends, because they meet a man with natural charm and no facade. In person, my father is so friendly, so considerate, so funny and so real, said Tiffney, reflecting the fatherly and humane character of 70-year-old Trump.



Its often said that with enough effort and determination, you can do whatever you put your mind to, but saying those words and living them are different things, and my father has lived them, she said. He motivates me to work my hardest and to always stay true to who I am. Thats a great quality to have in a father, and better yet, in the US president, Tiffney said.

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Rajkot:

The bandh call given by Dalit organisations to protest the brutal thrashing of the community youths in Una town got a mixed response today with incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade reported at some places, even as Chief Minister Anandiben Patel met family members of the victims.

'I met Dalit families of victims of Una incident & assured them full support of government' (sic), tweets Ms Patel.



The Congress, meanwhile, announced that party vice president Rahul Gandhi will visit Una tomorrow. AAP national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is also likely to visit the place on Friday.Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions observed total bandh where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade were witnessed.



The bandh has been largely peaceful so far, police said, adding that it had no affect in other parts of the state. The Dalit community members continued their protest across the state against the brutal assault on some community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow at Una in Gir-Somnath district. Police has been deployed as standby in many areas of the state.



The bandh was largely observed in Amreli and Junagadh cities of Saurashtra region, including some other small towns like Dhoraji and Dhrol with some incidents of damaging buses and stone-pelting reported during protest.



The protest call crippled life in Junagadh and Amreli as schools, colleges and business establishment observed total bandh. Some protesters damaged a state transport bus at a depot in Junagadh, police said.



Rajkot also witnessed street protests during the bandh following which around 50 people were detained by police. However, the bandh call was not followed in the town and the situation was normal. In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.



As a precautionary measure, authorities have decided to shut down several routes of state transport buses due to the bandh call and protest by Dalit Panthers and other community organisations. In Ahmedabad, the protesters tried to enforce bandh in some pockets, like Chandkheda and Kalapinagar, where they were seen forcing markets and schools to shut down.



Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited Mota Samaliyala village in Una, where the alleged incident of beating of seven Dalits had taken place triggering violence across the state, and met family members of the victims. Ms Patel assured them that the government has taken all measures to ensure that the victims get justice. The scene of beating of Dalits will be disturbing to anyone who witnesses it. The beating, in the manner it took place, is not becoming of any civilised society. The state government has done everything possible, including arrest of the accused, and (facilitating) hospitalisation of the injured, Patel said after the meeting.



She was accompanied by state Social Justice Minister Ramanlal Vora and Ahmedabad MP Kirit Solanki. The state has been witnessing widespread protests following the incident. The Dalit protests have spread to several parts of the state unleashing violence, in which a head constable was killed during stone-pelting in Amreli district yesterday.



Besides, state transport buses were attacked and more than 10 members of the community allegedly attempted suicide. Meanwhile, Gujarat Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi said Rahul Gandhi will meet the Dalit victims and their family members during his visit to the state tomorrow.



He will land at Diu and reach Una by road tomorrow morning. He is scheduled to meet family members of the victims. Gandhi will then reach Rajkot and meet some of the victims, who are undergoing treatment at a hospital there. He will then leave for Delhi, said Doshi.

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Kolkata:

West Bengal Food Minister Jyotipriyo Mullick today alleged that cow smugglers operating at Indo-Bangladesh border, against whom strict action is being taken by the state government, were targeting him and a car had tried to run him down in Salt Lake area of the city.

I go for morning walks everyday. On Friday I was walking around BC park in Salt Lake. All of a sudden a green colour Tata Sumo came towards me at high speed and tried to mow me down. I jumped on to a footpath... It was close shave, Mullick told PTI.

I personally feel that cow smugglers are trying to scare me as strict action is being taken against them, he said adding that such cowardly acts will not deter strict action against cow smugglers.

(West Bengal Chief Minister) Mamata Banerjee has given clear instructions that action will be taken against cow smugglers operating in the Indo- Bangla border. And her orders will be followed. So such threats cant deter us from taking action, Mullick said.

The minister also said that in the last few months, he had received few threat letters and had submitted those to Bidhanagar North police station.

According to a close aide of Mullick, the car which had tried to mow him down had been following him for two days prior to the incident.

Following the attack on Mullick, his security has been beefed up and Bidhanagar police have launched an investigation into the case.

His security has been beefed up and we have launched an investigation into the case. We are also going through the footage of the CCTV cameras, a senior police official of Bidhannagar police said.

Banerjee had earlier this month said that strict action would be taken to curb cattle smuggling in border areas of the state.

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New Delhi :

Expressing ire at UP Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice-president Dayashankar Singhs derogatory remark on Mayawati, BSP supremo today demanded his arrest.

Earlier Mayawati had hit out at centre over the ongoing atrocities on Dalits in Una of Guajrat. Both the houses witnessed major uproar on the same issue. Hitting out at BJP, Mayawati responded back saying that it reflected the frustration on the part of BJP.

The BJP leader has used derogatory remarks in Mhow for BSP supremo. The leader had later apologised for his comments.

However, Finance Minsiter Arun Jaitley strongly condemned the statement and said, I should tell Mayawati ji that the party shares her grief over this issue, I will look into this matter, we stand with her.

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GREENWICH  Jill duPont opened her first store on Marthas Vineyard when she was just 16 years old. Now the small business owner is paying it forward with the new summer pop-up shop Beach Box, run by a trio of juniors at Greenwich High School.

Located at 73 Greenwich Ave., Beach Box benefits from the supervision of duPont, who runs the local boutique, Out of the Box. But the temporary shop is spearheaded by 16-year-old aspiring entrepreneurs, Bella Coupet, Nina Edward and Alissa Landberg. From inventory and signage to design and layout, the trio has immersed themselves in the daily grind of running a business.

The venture was initiated after Edward reached out to duPont as the school year wrapped up, inquiring about part-time employment at Out of the Box. Impressed by her initiative, duPont hired her, and the two brainstormed opening up the second floor space for a pop-up. From there, Edward recruited her two friends, now business partners, to manage the shop.

Together, theyve worked to stock the shop with fresh new merchandise chosen from catalogs as well as trips to wholesale shops in New York City. They also cleaned out the entire space and repurposed decorations and props from Out of the Boxs basement to enhance the aesthetic. DuPont didnt want the pop-up to be identical to her existing shop and encouraged the girls to take it in their own direction.

We decided it should have a younger approach, Coupet said. I would wear most of the items in this store.

Jill told us to choose clothes that we would actually wear, Edward added. That was the mindset behind the store.

Situated just above Out of the Box, Beach Box features light and breezy merchandise from beach cover-ups and dresses to jewelry and sandals. Though targeted for a younger audience, the aspiring entrepreneurs think the shop has something for everyone, regardless of age.

When it launched last month, the pop-up shop was pretty quiet. Lately, its been picking up more steam, especially after last weeks annual Sidewalk Sales on Greenwich Avenue. According to Landberg, the popular event drove both awareness of and traffic to Beach Box. They put out signs, sample merchandise and props on the street directing customers to the shop.

A lot of them came out of curiosity, she said.

Many probably thought it wont be here forever, so I might as well check it out now, Edward added.

Already, the young women have learned some ins and outs of running a business. For all three, this is their first taste of the working world. Whether its using the cash register, helping customers or restocking inventory, they have been involved with the whole process.

Theres so much learning involved, but I think were learning pretty fast, Coupet said. Its been a cool experience, and I took on more responsibility than I anticipated.

More important, the women said they feel empowered as a result of the work theyre doing at Beach Box. Outside the shop, Edward said she feels like she may not be taken seriously because of her age. Inside the shop, however, she feels valued by both customers and fellow employees.

Outside of here, I feel like our opinions dont matter as much, but in here, I feel like we have a really strong voice, Coupet said. They listen to what we have to say and value our opinions.

That empowerment was exactly what duPont intended when she hired the trio.

My motivation for doing this wasnt financial, but I think it was an opportunity for these girls to discover their strength and weaknesses, she said. I think that theyll emerge as stronger people, and if thats all I get from this project, Id be really happy.

Megan.Dalton@scni.com; 203-625-4411
A little more than 20 years ago, George Malkemus and Anthony Yurgaitis were just two high-powered businessmen who literally put the world on its heels (stilettos, that is) as president and vice president, respectively, of Manolo Blahnik in North and South America. They traveled around the world, escaping as often as possible to their Litchfield getaway. And then they started a farm. Not just any farm, but a 300-acre celebrated dairy farm in Litchfield that led to other ventures, including dairy stores in Bantam and New Haven, and their celebrated restaurant, Arethusa al tavolo, in Bantam. These days they continue with the Manolo Blahnik brand and are expanding a clothing and accessory venture with actress Sarah Jessica Parker. Jeans-clad George and husband, Tony, sat for a chat recently at the farms main barn.

Q: In New York City you live in a world of high fashion and celebrity friends; then you became farmers. Whats up with that?

George Malkemus: I think its because it started with the fact we had a home in Connecticut that was across the street from what at that time had been a horse farm. We found out it was being sold into development, and selfishly we didnt want the view from our windows ruined, so we bought the property. Then we began researching the history of the farm and found out it was originally a dairy, one of over 4,000 dairy farms in Connecticut in its heyday. We had thought about just raising pedigree cattle and selling calves and embryos, focusing on preserving breeding. In 2008, when the recession hit, I said one day, Why dont we start to bottle our own milk? and everybody went crazy saying, You shouldnt do that. We rented a dairy in Bolton for a year to see if the market would embrace us. It did. We moved the bottling operation here and then added production of ice cream, butter, yogurt, the whole nine yards. And then it was the ice cream and cheese shop, and then we found Dan Magill and opened the restaurant and then Yale invited us to open a shop down there (in New Haven) and then it was the cafe across the street from the restaurant. We figure all those entities will provide an income that will sustain a trust that will keep everything going after we are gone and conserve our farmland.

Q: What does the farm offer that your Manolo Blahnik career does not?

GM: Its a different kind of satisfaction. What we experience on the farm is so different than what we do in New York City. The city is not all about clothes and jewelry and being thin. People there have children and home and work with charities. But its the city. We come here and the people are so different. Its a different lifestyle and, of course, there are the cattle and working with our employees here. Its part of our lives now. Its soothing.

Q: So is that the secret of your farming success?

GM: When this all started to take off, we wanted it to reflect the same attention to detail that the shoes we sell do. That is how we approached the farm. We are focused on detail and want our products to be the best. We wont settle, and that means work. I love when people say to us, So whats it like to be a gentleman farmer? We arent. We are hands on. We have cattle that win blue ribbon after blue ribbon. We are going to San Diego, where our 16-year-old cow, Veronica, is going to receive an award as one of the worlds greatest cows. We are proud that we have developed a pedigree of cows that is like the pedigree of our shoes.

Q: What is your favorite chore on the farm and whats your least favorite?

GM: I like being with the animals, seeing a new calf born. My least favorite chore is dealing with an employee who is not doing what they should be. When you are dealing with live animals, false moves can be serious.

Tony Yurgaitis: Oh, you know there are days you love this job, and then are those other days. I think my favorite time on the farm is going to the barns. I do clean stalls, but I dont milk the cows. There is something about being there and doing what needs to be done. I love talking to other farmers about the business. The part I dont like  paying the bills.

Q: You bought this property 20 years ago and have turned it into a business to be reckoned with. Any surprises along the way?

GM: The restaurant has been a fantastic surprise to us. It truly is farm-to-table because what we serve comes from the milk from our cattle. I think the secret of a successful restaurant is finding the right chef and letting him or her do whatever he wants when it comes to the menu. Dont try to cut corners.

Q: So if you and Mr. Blahnik were going to collaborate on an Arethusa shoe, what would it look like?

GM: It would be a mule and it would be red. Red is the color of passion, and thats what we are about. And a mule, well, because they are a stubborn animal and as a shoe they are hard to walk in, but incredibly sexy. Its easy to slip your foot out of them and play footsies with someone.

Q: Has Manolo Blahnik ever tried any of your dairy products?

GM: Oh yes, he visited the farm, although he really doesnt like being in the country, although Im not sure people in Litchfield think this is the country. He loves milkshakes with vanilla and chocolate ice cream.

Q: Whats new in shoes and in dairy products?

GM: In fashion we have a new line of bags coming out with Sarah Jessica Parker. And she will be launching her LBD (Little Black Dress) line with us. And as far as shoe style, classic is in.

Q: Something most people dont know about you?

GM: God is very much a part of our lives, and we are very thankful for our lives. I was an Episcopalian who converted to Catholicism when I met Tony. We go to church every week.

Q: But the Catholic Church opposes your relationship. How do you handle that?

TY: Sometimes you have to walk around the churchs position on gay marriage.

MaryEllen Fillo is an award-winning journalist and adjunct professor. Mwazorko@gmail.com, on Facebook at MaryEllen Fillo and twitter @maryellenfillo.
/ H John Voorhees III

NEWTOWN - A committee studying how the school district should deal with declining enrollment has given its report to the Board of Education, which is now tasked with deciding what to do.

The committees report to the school board outlines a variety of responses including:
The world is in constant change due to advances in technology, science, and innovation. What was considered hot a year ago may no longer be relevant today. Just look at all the new social media platforms that have sprouted since Facebook was created.

Despite all the good that change can bring, you have to keep up or you may get left behind. One of the best ways to stay competitive is to develop habits that can help you quickly learn new skills.

Here are 10 habits to incorporate into your learning to help you learn new material twice as fast.

1. Speed reading.

We know that many successful entrepreneurs read as a daily habit. For example, Warren Buffett developed the habit of reading several hours every day.

The average reader reads at approximately 200 to 400 words per minute. The expert speed reader can do read 1,000 to 1,700 words per minute. Its no surprise that theres tremendous value in being able to read quickly and efficiently.

Speed reading encompasses skills such as chunking (reading groups of words instead of one word by one word), minimizing subvocalization (reducing the habit of saying the words in your head as your read), skimming (reading through a paragraph quickly to look for important and related information), and meta-guiding (using a tool such as a pen to guide your eyes in your reading).

Related: 7 Hobbies Science Says Will Make You Smarter

Speed reading requires practice but once you instill the skill as a habit, you will be able to get through much more information within a shorter time period.

2. Control your learning environment.

Have you noticed that there are times in the day when you are in the flow and learning seems easy but then there are other times when nothing is sinking in and it feels like you are fighting an uphill battle? We all have biological rhythms for our sleep, body temperature and even peak mental state. Figure out when you are most alert and aware and use that time to do your learning.

Being in a fearful, disorganized and stressed state will also block access to your inner stores of creativity and intelligence. To put yourself in an optimum learning mode, choose a safe, reasonably organized, and comfortable environment. Take deep breaths to help you relax and focus.

There is also research indicating that varying the room temperature can also influence your ability to learn. Try to maintain your room temperature between 72 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit in order to optimize your learning ability.

3. Take notes.

Taking notes helps our brains to analyze and synthesize the information that we are learning. The very act of writing makes our brains think that we are undergoing a mini-rehearsal of the information.

Research has shown that making notes using a keyboard does not help students remember the information as well as writing it down. Writing is much slower than typing and when writing, we are forced to make quick judgments about the information that we are hearing. When we type on a keyboard, often we are not thinking about the information but merely copying it word for word.

To increase your learning speed, try to develop the habit of making hand-written notes.

I am a big fan of using tools like Evernote to sync all my notes across all my devices. It can scan and read written notes, and keep track of audio notes. This gives me confidence in the fact that Ill never misplace an important note no matter how I decide to create the note.

4. Combine all learning modalities.

All of us have preferred learning modalities: visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic (VARK). If you are a visual person, you will find learning a lot easier if you see the new material presented visually, such as through pictures, diagrams or PowerPoint. If you learn best by listening, then you will love podcasts, interviews, and audiobooks. Those with a reading or writing modality learn best when they can read the information and write down notes. If you are kinesthetically-inclined, you learn better when you can use your hands and physically touch or try something out for yourself.

Related: 3 Tips for Learning Efficiently When You're Doing Nothing Better

By understanding what your preferred learning modality is, you can speed up your absorption of information by choosing a learning system that supports your modality.

For even faster learning, combine all modalities. For example, if you are reading about coding skills from an article, read it out loud to yourself and draw a mind map while you are doing this. Then immediately try the code on your website.

5. Create mental associations.

You can shorten your learning time by creating mental associations to link what you already know to new information. Techniques such as using a familiar acronym or rhyme to help you remember different types of marketing sequences, using favorite colors to help you remember algorithms or visualizing something interesting about a client to help you remember their name are all ways for you to create mental associations.

The more mental association techniques you know how to employ, the easier it will be for you to increase your learning speed.

6. Exercise your brain.

A brain is just like any muscle in your body -- the more you exercise it, the more effective it becomes. Try learning something new, set yourself a new challenge or use fun resources like BrainHQ and Lumosity to increase your attention, memory, cognitive abilities and brain speed. The more you train and exercise your brain, the faster your learning will be.

7. Listen to alpha state-inducing music.

We have four major types of brainwave patterns: alpha, beta, theta and delta. Out of these, the alpha state (approximately eight to 13 Hz) is where our concentration is best and peak learning is easily achieved.

You can help your brain to enter into the alpha state by listening to music with a beat of eight to 13 Hz (such as baroque music) while you are learning. Even if you dont like baroque music, you can use other types of music with similar beats. Try to avoid music with singing as lyrics can be distracting.

8. Modified practice after six hours.

Malcolm Gladwell first popularized the concept of deliberate practice in his book "Outliers: The Story of Success." Deliberate practice is practicing with intentional focus on skill improvement and focusing on growing out of ones comfort zone. In his book, Gladwell uses the concept of deliberate practice to explain why some athletes and musicians improve so much faster than others.

Related: 5 Habits That Made Elon Musk an Innovator

More recent research has found that by modifying your practice slightly, you increase your learning speed, especially if you are trying to learn motor skills. This is because the process of modifying your practice supports brain reconsolidation where existing memories are strengthened with new knowledge. The ideal time to do your modified practice is six hours after your first practice as the brain takes about six hours to do its reconsolidation work.

9. Get hands-on experience.

Nothing beats learning like actual hands-on experience. Textbook knowledge transforms into something much more useful when we can combine it with practical knowledge.

For example, you can read as much as you want about share investing but until you actually buy your first shares of stock, you wont understand what the process actually entails and what it is like to put real money on the line.

Another alternative is to fully immerse yourself in the experience of learning. For example, if you were trying to learn Spanish, spend a few months living in Mexico and dont allow yourself to use any English while you are there. You will pick up the language a lot quicker than using audiobooks and textbooks.

10. Teach someone else what you are learning.

When you teach someone else what you are learning, you retain approximately 90 percent of what you have just learned, especially if you do this immediately after learning.it yourself.

By sharing your knowledge with someone else, not only are you helping someone else but you will also discover quickly how well you know your subject and discover any gaps.

Build these ten habits into your learning and you will be amazed how quickly your learning speed will increase.

Related:

10 Habits That Help You Learn Twice as Fast

The Only 3 Ways to be More Productive

4 Lessons About Being Indomitable Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Roger Federer



Copyright 2016 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
NORWALK  A Norwalk man with an extensive criminal history was charged in two separate incidents on Tuesday after police say he was found hiding in the ceiling at his former job.

In the first incident, police were dispatched to a Westport Avenue pet supply store, where it was reported that former employee Daniel Bassett had entered the store and was loitering while apparently intoxicated.
NEW MILFORD  The sewer commission is exploring several options for repaying the $4.3 million it owes the town, a debt stemming from expansion of the sewage treatment plant.

The project was financed with $22.2 million in bonds, but the commission hasnt always been able to pay its annual debt obligations and the town has made payments on the commissions behalf. Mayor David Gronbach wrote to the commission July 5, requesting the commission devise a plan to pay back the money.

The commission spent more than an hour discussing the letter and ways of paying off the debt at Mondays meeting.

One suggestion was to assess a debt service fee in addition to usage and connection fees already charged to residential and commercial customers.

Other ideas include using part of the fees charged to septic companies to dump at the sewer plant; increasing the dumping fee; and using money left from two projects that expanded the sewer line along Route 7. The state is auditing the two projects to see how much of the $2.4 million in combined project costs is left.

On Tuesday, Gronbach said he doesnt expect to have any money left over, based on a report he received from the state, but agreed to use it for that purpose if there is.

If the state doesnt take the money, I will look at applying it to the outstanding bill, but that amount is extremely fluid and might actually be compromised," Gronbach said.

Gronbachs letter also suggested the commission increase fees charged to septic companies to empty their trucks, which the commission discussed Monday night.

The commission kept the dumping fees low because it wanted to stay competitive and attract the commercial septage. By having low rates, the plant attracts drivers from all over the area and New York. This keeps the plant running efficiently and provides about half of the commissions profit.

Some commissioners and plant staff said they would be reluctant to increase the rates, only to lose all of the business they currently have.

Gronbachs letter also said the commission is required by law to cover the operation and maintenance of the sewer system, to pay principal or interest on the bonds the town issued on its behalf, and to build up its reserv es, in that order.

According to the town ordinance, the commission is legally required to pay the debt before funding its capital and maintenance reserve.

The problem is that the commission has regular maintenance purchases too large to include in the operating budget that are now placed in the fixed asset replacement fund.

Robert Pudelka, who as superintendent of the Water Pollution Control Authority oversees the sewer system, said he wants to keep the fund balance above $400,000 so he plant can cover any pump replacements or unexpected purchases.

Scott Chamberlain, a commissioner who also sits on Town Council, asked if there was a way to borrow money to complete projects that would make the plant more efficient and save operating costs in the long run. But other commissioners hesitated to borrow more money before they craft a plan for this debt.

Another challenge facing the commission is the low connection rate to the system, which is a main component of how the bonds were going to be paid off.

Theres a lot of buzz about people connecting, but not many coming in, Pudelka said.

The perception of who uses the plant is also challenging because most of the town feel only those on the sewer line use the plant, even though everyone in town uses and benefits from it, several commissioners said.

On Tuesday, Gronbach said he would like a plan by Sept. 30 but said hes flexible on the time frame to pay back the debt.

The commission said they would like to pay off the debt in 16 years.

Officials will come back to the commission with more information at the Aug. 15 meeting, including what the debt means for the commissions audit and financial standing.

kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345; @kkoerting
All amounts are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise indicated.

TORONTO, July 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Enirgi Group Corporation ("Enirgi Group" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce its strategy for lithium production at its 100% owned Salar del Rincon commercial lithium carbonate development project (the "Rincon Project"), located in the Province of Salta, Argentina. The global demand for lithium is expanding rapidly in response to the growing needs of the electric vehicle and power storage markets. This strategy sets out a pathway for the creation of a global lithium business centred around Enirgi Group's assets in Argentina.

Enirgi Group's President and CEO, Mr. Wayne Richardson, has recently been in Argentina to brief key stakeholders at the federal and provincial levels regarding Enirgi Group's overall lithium strategy and the Company's plans to emerge as a leading high quality, low cost producer of lithium compounds. Mr. Richardson unveiled a strategy to develop and invest in lithium production in Argentina utilizing the Company's proprietary Direct Extraction Process Technology ("DEP Technology") for lithium brines, and to position Argentina and Enirgi Group at the centre of the global lithium supply chain.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ENIRGI GROUP'S LITHIUM STRATEGY Near-term plan to construct an initial, scalable 50,000 tonne per annum ("tpa") lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE") commercial plant (the "Rincon Plant") at the Salar del Rincon, underpinned by the positive results of the Company's recently announced definitive feasibility study ("DFS").



Medium-term plan to further develop the mineral resource and reserve potential at the Salar del Rincon.



Longer-term plan to increase the Company's production capacity by scaling the Rincon Project into a larger regional processing facility that will utilize Enirgi Group's game-changing DEP Technology for the development of Salar del Rincon and other lithium brine salars.

Mr. Richardson commented, "Enirgi Group's plans are well advanced and through the development of our disruptive direct extraction process technology, we are able to produce high quality lithium product from raw brine to bag within 24 hours, radically reducing the processing time through the elimination of pre-concentration ponds. Not only does this ensure efficient use of capital, we believe that our process yields the highest recovery rates in the industry and has a very low environmental impact. These features provide us with a competitive edge and the confidence to announce and prosecute our plans to become one of the world's leading high quality, lowest cost quartile producer of lithium compounds with a target to bring the first 50,000 tonnes of production online in 2019."

Rincon Project Development

Since 2008, Enirgi Group and its parent, The Sentient Group of Global Resource Funds ("Sentient Group"), have been actively progressing the Rincon Project. Combined they have invested approximately $200 million in the Rincon Project, including, acquisition costs, mineral resource and reserve definition, proprietary technology development and testing and infrastructure construction. The Company has significant operational and lithium sales experience having undertaken a campaign of operations at the Salar del Rincon and the construction of a commercial scale demonstration plant. Enirgi Group's Chemicals Division employs over 85 individuals on site and in Salta, Argentina, including key geological, operational, legal, financial and administrative staff.

The Chemicals Division is supported by a team of over 100 professional engineers, mechanical tradesmen and electrical tradesmen from Enirgi Group's Innovation Division in Sydney, Australia.

Enirgi Group's exploration, drilling and resource definition work at the Salar del Rincon has been undertaken in conjunction with SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. ("SRK") over the past seven years. The geological work has resulted in three independent mineral resource estimates produced by SRK with each providing greater certainty of the Salar del Rincon's mineral resource potential. The resource estimates were followed by a pre-feasibility study on the Rincon Project in 2015 and, most recently, the DFS on the Rincon Project, as previously announced by the Company on July 7, 2016.

Direct Extraction Process Technology

Enirgi Group's Innovation Division has developed its proprietary DEP Technology in conjunction with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation ("ANSTO"). The DEP Technology has undergone successful lab, bench and demonstration scale testing and was validated by ANSTO as part of the DFS. A notable highlight of the innovative DEP Technology is that it does not utilize a network of solar concentration ponds which, as a result, will significantly minimize impact on flora and fauna. Additionally, it is economical  the DFS estimates a total cash operating cost of $2,070 per tonne of LCE, which is anticipated to fall within the lowest-cost quartile when compared to other lithium brine and hard rock producers. The successful working relationship between Enirgi Group's Innovation Division and ANSTO has resulted in a formal research relationship between the parties on lithium brine extraction technologies pursuant to a lithium project development agreement.

Rincon Plant Construction

The DFS supports the construction of the Rincon Plant with an ungeared NPV (9%) of $1.36 billion and a 24.5-year mine life. The capital expenditure for the Rincon Plant is projected at approximately $720 million (including contingency).

Enirgi Group is currently in discussions with Sentient Group and other strategic partners with respect to funding options for the Rincon Plant, which may include applying to list Enirgi Group on a major North American stock exchange.

Concurrent with progressing the detailed engineering of the Rincon Plant, Enirgi Group is evaluating the ability to produce lithium hydroxide in addition to lithium carbonate. The Company expects to undertake final demonstration scale tests on site in early 2017, prior to commencing formal construction of the initial 50,000 tpa LCE plant. The DFS estimates an 18-24 month construction schedule from the date of commencement of construction of the Rincon Plant. Subject to receipt of necessary funding and final permitting, the Company is targeting first production from the Rincon Plant in 2019.

Refer to Figure 1  Initial 50,000 tpa Rincon Plant General Layout (3D Isometric View)

Refer to Figure 2  The modular lithium demonstration plant tested in Sydney, Australia with brine sourced from the Salar del Rincon

Argentina Investment

The Company believes that Argentina is well-positioned to accelerate the development of its lithium-rich brine deposits to become a world leader in lithium production.

"Our investments to date in Salta Province have been well received by government which continues to be a strong supporter of the Rincon Project," noted Mr. Richardson. "Salta's reputation as a leading Province in Argentina for both geological attractiveness and mining regulation is well deserved. When this is combined with the new federal government's recent initiatives to stimulate the mining industry through the elimination of taxes on mining exports and the relaxation of restrictions on the import of goods and foreign exchange requirements, we see Argentina quickly positioning itself to advance to the forefront of future lithium development and production."

Regional Processing Facility

The Company believes that the economic fundamentals for lithium brines in Argentina will support scaling-up production at the Rincon Plant in the future beyond the current planned production capacity of 50,000 tpa of LCE.

"Roskill Consulting Group Ltd. and Global Lithium LLC are both forecasting significant increases in demand for lithium compounds by 2020 beyond current production estimates that will need to be filled by expansion from current lithium producers or new lithium projects coming on-line. Enirgi Group's studious approach to developing its lithium brine resource and direct extraction process technology allows us to understand the challenges facing new entrants in the lithium brine production market, particularly if the new entrants attempt to develop new extraction and processing techniques or attempt to improve on the relatively expensive traditional evaporative brine extraction techniques", noted Mr. Anthony Deal, Enirgi Group's VP Corporate Development. "Accordingly, large-scale, well-funded producers with low-cost technologies will be the best positioned to meet the anticipated lithium production gap."

The Salar del Rincon's geographic location, relative to other lithium-rich brine deposits situated in the lithium triangle (Argentina, Chile, Bolivia), positions the site favourably to unlock the region's lithium brine resources through a regional processing facility. The Salar del Rincon is also situated in close proximity to key infrastructure, including existing natural gas pipeline, electricity, rail and road transport that is required to build and support a regional processing facility and its expanded production capacity.

Refer to Figure 3 - Location of the Salar del Rincon, Salta Province, Argentina

The Rincon Plant's modular design would allow it to scale-up production capacity beyond the initial 50,000 tpa LCE nameplate capacity contemplated in the DFS to meet increased demand, should market conditions warrant. The Company owns nearly 100% of the lithium mining rights on the 232 km2 halitic zone of the Salar del Rincon and will plan to undertake the geological work necessary to convert additional mineral resources into mineral reserves as part of a feasibility program on an expanded Rincon Project.

In addition, Enirgi Group's Chemical Division and Innovation Division are working on strategies to leverage the application of the DEP Technology to other lithium brine resources in the region. The strategies may include the application of DEP Technology at other lithium salars, adapting the technology to produce an intermediate grade product at other regional lithium salars with final processing at the Salar del Rincon, and/or securing and supplying brine feedstock for the Rincon Project from other lithium brine salars.

"We are examining strategies that could involve the expansion of the Rincon Project into a Regional Processing Facility for lithium brines with the potential to meet 25-30% of future estimated global demand", noted Mr. Richardson.

Qualified Person

The DFS was summarized in the form of an independent technical report dated June 3, 2016 (with an effective date of February 24, 2016) prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators and Staff Notice 43-704 of the Ontario Securities Commission. A summary of the DFS is included the Company's news release dated July 7, 2016 disseminated on MarketWired. The material scientific and technical information relating to the DFS contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Terry Braun, P.E., Principal Consultant, SRK Consulting (U.S.) Inc., an independent Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

ABOUT ENIRGI GROUP

Enirgi Group is a privately held specialty chemicals and diversified industrial company with six unique divisions that own and operate a portfolio of high-quality assets and operations located around the world. Enirgi Group's Chemicals Division is advancing the development of Enirgi Group's lithium project located in the province of Salta, Argentina. Enirgi Group is focused on developing innovative technologies to sustainably progress a number of development projects around the globe with the goal of becoming a leading low-cost, high quality producer of specialty chemicals and energy storage solutions.

Enirgi Group is wholly-owned by Sentient Group. The Sentient Group Limited is an independent private equity investment firm specializing in the global resources industry with over $2.7 billion of assets under management in metal, mineral and energy assets across the globe.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward looking statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements about the Company, the Rincon Project and its business. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are based on certain assumptions relating, but not limited to: resource and reserve estimates, estimated NPV, anticipated mining and processing methods for the Rincon Project, the estimated economics of the Rincon Project, estimated capital costs, timing for commencement of construction and production from the Rincon Project, receipt of necessary funding and permitting for the Rincon Project, the successful commercialization of the Direct Extraction Process, the listing of Enirgi Group on a stock exchange, the expansion of the Rincon Project into a Regional Processing Facility, the application of the DEP Technology to other lithium salars, the ability of Enirgi Group to meet any amount of future lithium demand from its production and global lithium demand and consumption. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. The forward-looking statements in this news release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by forward looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, risks related to uncertainty in the demand for lithium and pricing assumptions; uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the project in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from logistical, technical or other factors; not meeting a stock exchange's listing or eligibility requirements; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's properties; uncertainties involved in the estimation of lithium reserves and resources; the possibility that required permits may not be obtained on a timely manner or at all; the possibility that capital and operating costs may be higher than currently estimated and may preclude commercial development or render operations uneconomic; the possibility that the estimated recovery rates may not be achieved; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labor disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in the work program; and risks related to projected project economics, recovery rates, and estimated NPV and anticipated IRR and other factors. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, opinions and expectations of the Company's management at the time they are made, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances, should change.

SOURCE Enirgi Group Corporation

Image with caption: "Figure 1 - Initial 50,000 tpa Rincon Plant General Layout (3D Isometric View) (CNW Group/Enirgi Group Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160720_C5335_PHOTO_EN_736879.jpg

Video with caption: "VIDEO: Figure 2 - The modular lithium demonstration plant tested in Sydney, Australia with brine sourced from the Salar del Rincon". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20160720_C5335_VIDEO_EN_737761.mp4&posterurl=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.newswire.ca%2Fimages%2F20160720_C5335_PHOTO_EN_737761.jpg&order=2&jdd=20160720&cnum=C5335

Image with caption: "Figure 3  Location of the Salar del Rincon, Salta Province, Argentina (CNW Group/Enirgi Group Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160720_C5335_PHOTO_EN_736883.jpg

For further information: Enirgi Group Corporation, Jessica Helm, VP Corporate Communications, 1 Adelaide Street East, Suite 3001, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 2V9, P | + 1 416 956 5122 E | [email protected] W | enirgi.com
IMBRUVICA significantly improved progression-free, overall survival, and overall response rate versus an established chemotherapy

TORONTO, July 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Janssen Inc. announced that Health Canada has approved IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) an oral, once-daily, single-agent targeted therapy for previously untreated patients with active chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).1 This is the 4th approval for IMBRUVICA, which now is approved for use in all lines of CLL therapy for patients needing treatment, considerably expanding the number of Canadian patients who may benefit from this chemotherapy-free treatment. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults.2

The latest approval is based on data from the Phase 3 RESONATE-2 (PCYC-1115-CA) study, a head-to-head clinical trial comparing IMBRUVICA to chlorambucil (a chemotherapy agent). Results showed using IMBRUVICA first-line was associated with statistically significant improvements in progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and overall response rate (ORR) compared with chlorambucil treatment. 3

"The clinical data showed that IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib) is much more effective than the comparator traditional chemotherapy," says Dr. Carolyn Owen, Associate Professor, Division of Hematology and Hematological Malignancies, Foothills Medical Centre*. "Hopefully, this approval will provide an increase in treatment options for patients with CLL that will ensure their disease is well controlled, allowing them to enjoy their life to the fullest."

The expanded IMBRUVICA indication is based on data from the randomized, international, multi-center, open-label Phase 3 RESONATE-2 trial, involving 269 previously untreated patients with CLL aged 65 years or older. It showed IMBRUVICA significantly improved PFS, OS and ORR versus chlorambucil. At a median follow up of 18.4 months, the PFS, as assessed by an Independent Review Committee (IRC), indicated an 84 per cent statistically significant reduction in the risk of death or progression in the IMBRUVICA arm versus the chlorambucil arm (HR=0.16 [95 per cent CI, 0.091-0.28]).4 Median PFS was not reached for IMBRUVICA versus 18.9 months for chlorambucil (95 per cent CI: 14.1, 22.0).5 Analysis of OS demonstrated an 84 per cent statistically significant reduction in risk of death for patients in the IMBRUVICA arm (HR=0.16 [95 per cent CI, 0.048-0.56]). Results also showed a statistically significant improvement in ORR in the IMBRUVICA arm versus the chlorambucil arm (82 per cent versus 35 per cent, respectively; p<0.0001).6 Data from RESONATE-2 were presented in an oral session at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting on December 7, 2015, in addition to being featured in the official ASH press program and simultaneously published online in The New England Journal of Medicine.

"We are pleased with the recent approval of IMBRUVICA by Health Canada," says Shelagh Tippet-Fagyas, president of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada. "This approval means broader drug access and options for CLL patients, such as the benefit of earlier chemotherapy-free treatments."

The adverse reactions (AR) reported in the Phase 3 RESONATE-2 trial reflect exposure to IMBRUVICA with a median duration of 17.4 months.7 The most common ARs (20 per cent) of any Grade were diarrhea (42 per cent), musculoskeletal pain** (36 per cent), cough (22 per cent) and rash** (21 per cent). The most common Grade 3/4 AR ( > five per cent) was pneumonia** (eight per cent).8 Approximately five per cent of patients receiving IMBRUVICA in the studies supporting the CLL indications (PCYC-1102, RESONATE [PCYC-1112] and RESONATE-2) discontinued treatment due to ARs.9 These reactions included pneumonia, subdural hematoma and atrial fibrillation. ARs leading to dose reduction occurred in approximately four per cent of patients.10 Serious warnings and precautions include major bleeding events (some fatal), not to use in patients with moderate or severe hepatic impairment, and not to use concomitantly with a strong CYP3A inhibitor. Other warnings and precautions include effects on ability to drive and use machines, second primary malignancies, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, hypertension, decrease in QTcF interval, drug interactions, tumor lysis syndrome, diarrhea, cytopenias, lymphocytosis, leukostasis, minor bleeding events, infections, perioperative considerations, embryo-fetal toxicity, other reproductive risks, risk of exposure to infants through breast milk, and occurrence of certain adverse events more frequently in the elderly.11

About Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is a slow-growing blood cancer of cells that become white blood cells called lymphocytes, most commonly B cells.12 Chronic lymphocytic leukemia is one of the most common types of leukemia in adults.13 In Canada, there were approximately 2,195 adults diagnosed with CLL in 2010.14 Historically, CLL treatment has been challenging since the more effective treatment regimens were usually associated with high toxicity.15 There has been a real need to develop therapies for CLL that can offer better efficacy and tolerability, especially in older patients.16

About IMBRUVICA (ibrutinib)

IMBRUVICA contains the medicinal ingredient ibrutinib which is a targeted inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK). Ibrutinib blocks BTK activity, inhibiting cancer cell survival and spread.17 The recommended dose of IMBRUVICA for CLL is 420 mg (three 140-mg capsules) orally, once-daily.18

IMBRUVICA is approved in Canada for the treatment of patients with previously untreated active chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including those with 17p deletion. It is also approved for the treatment of patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy, including those with 17p deletion. IMBRUVICA is approved for the treatment of patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM), and approved (with conditions) for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL).

IMBRUVICA is co-developed by Cilag GmbH International (a member of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies) and Pharmacyclics LLC, an AbbVie company. Janssen Inc. markets IMBRUVICA in Canada.

About the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies

At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, we are working to create a world without disease. Transforming lives by finding new and better ways to prevent, intercept, treat and cure disease inspires us. We bring together the best minds and pursue the most promising science. We are Janssen. We collaborate with the world for the health of everyone in it. Learn more at www.janssen.com/canada. Follow us on Twitter @JanssenCanada.

* Dr. Owen was not compensated for any media work. She has been a paid consultant to Janssen.

** Includes multiple AR terms

________________________________

1 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

2 The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada "What is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?" Available online at: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/?region=on. Accessed June 2016.

3 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

4 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

5 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

6 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

7 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

8 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

9 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

10 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

11 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

12 American Cancer Society. "Leukemia--Chronic Lymphocytic". Available online at: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003111-pdf.pdf. Accessed June 2016.

13 The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada "What is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia?" Available online at: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-type/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia/?region=on. Accessed June 2016.

14 Canadian Cancer Society "Chronic lymphocytic leukemia statistics," Available online at: http://www.cancer.ca/en/cancer- information/cancer-type/leukemia-chronic-lymphocytic-cll/statistics/?region=on. Accessed June 2016.

15 Shanafelt, T. American Hematology Association, "Treatment of older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: key questions and current answers," 2013. Available online at: http://asheducationbook.hematologylibrary.org/content/2013/1/158.full. Accessed June 2016.

16 Shanafelt, T. American Hematology Association, "Treatment of older patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: key questions and current answers," 2013. Available online at: http://asheducationbook.hematologylibrary.org/content/2013/1/158.full. Accessed June 2016.

17 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

18 IMBRUVICA (Ibrutinib) Product Monograph, Janssen Inc. Updated July 19, 2016.

Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding expectations for IMBRUVICA. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Janssen Inc. and/or Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of continued clinical success and regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including health care reforms; and trends toward health care cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2016, including in Exhibit 99 thereto, and the company's subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. None of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies or Johnson & Johnson undertakes to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

SOURCE Janssen Inc.

For further information: Media Contact: Janssen Inc., Teresa Pavlin, Office: (416) 382-5017; Investor Contact: Leslie Fishman, Office: (732) 524-3922
TORONTO, July 20, 2016 /CNW/ - Mainstreet Health Investments Inc. (the "Company") (TSX: HLP.U) will release its fiscal 2016 second quarter results on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 after markets close. Management of the Company will hold a conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, August 11, 2016 to review the financial results.

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS:

DATE: Thursday, August 11, 2016



TIME: 10:00 a.m. ET



DIAL IN NUMBER: 647-427-7450 1-888-231-8191



CONFERENCE ID: 50443678







WEBCAST: Available at www.mainstreethealthinvestments.com/investor-events-and-presentations. Please connect at least 15 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast. The webcast will be archived on the Company's website following the call date.



TAPED REPLAY: 416-849-0833 or 1-855-859-2056 Available from 1:00 p.m. ET on August 11, 2016 until midnight on August 18, 2016



REFERENCE NUMBER: 50443678

About Mainstreet Health Investments Inc.

Mainstreet Health Investments Inc. is a North American health care real estate company with a growing portfolio of high quality properties located in the United States. Our properties are operated by best-in-class health care providers under long-term, triple net leases. Our mission is to create long-term shareholder value while providing an investment opportunity that matters. For more information, visit www.mainstreethealthinvestments.com.

SOURCE Mainstreet Health Investments Inc.

For further information: Randy Henry, Director of Investor Relations, (317) 582-6971, [email protected]
-Debut bond provides even greater diversity of funding sources-

-Revenue surpasses $1bn for the first time-

DUBLIN, Ireland, July 20, 2016 /CNW/ - SMBC Aviation Capital, one of the world's leading aircraft leasing companies, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, SMBC Aviation Capital Limited DAC, has closed the sale of $500 million of its 2.65% senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the "Notes"). The Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by SMBC Aviation Capital. Proceeds from the offering will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, the purchase of aircraft and the repayment of existing indebtedness.

SMBC Aviation Capital also today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2016, with revenue surpassing $1billion1 for the first time in the company's history.

Revenue of $1,046 billion (2015: $ 906 million ), an increase of 15%

(2015: ), an increase of 15% Operating profit of $530 million (2015: $ 433 million ), an increase of 22%

(2015: ), an increase of 22% Aircraft assets in excess of $10.2 billion , comprising 297 owned and 145 managed aircraft

, comprising 297 owned and 145 managed aircraft Fitch Ratings and Standard & Poor's affirmed the company's long-term issuer default rating at BBB+, meaning it is one of the highest rated aircraft lessors in the industry

$600m Revolving Credit Facility entered into with a consortium of five major banks during the year

Revolving Credit Facility entered into with a consortium of five major banks during the year Order placed for 10 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, bringing order book to 205 aircraft, comprising 110 A320neo, 90 B737 MAX 8 and 5 A321ceo aircraft

Completed 57 aircraft deliveries, including SMBC Aviation Capital's first B787-8 Dreamliner

Concluded 45 new lease agreements, sold 27 owned and managed aircraft and added 12 new customers

Commenting on the news, Peter Barrett, CEO of SMBC Aviation Capital, said: "Today's announcement illustrates our commitment to diversifying our sources of funding, and clearly demonstrates the market's confidence in our growth plans.

I am also pleased to report a strong financial performance for the year, with revenue surpassing the $1 billion mark for the first time in our history. We have continued to expand our business across the world, particularly in Asia, which is a testament to both the strength of our strategy as well as our position as a global leader in this sector.

We are optimistic about our growth prospects over the longer term. The continuing support of our shareholders, combined with our focus on our customers and providing them with the most technologically advanced aircraft, mean that we are well positioned to drive future growth."

Note to Editors

About SMBC Aviation Capital

SMBC Aviation Capital is the world's third largest aircraft lessor, with over 100 airline customers in 43 countries. As of 31 March 2016, the company owns, manages and is committed to purchase 660 aircraft. Established in 2001, the company rebranded to SMBC Aviation Capital in 2012 following its acquisition by a consortium comprising two of Japan's biggest companies SMFG and Sumitomo Corporation.

This communication and the information contained herein is not an offer to sell securities in the United States. Securities may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered pursuant to the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or exempt from such registration requirement. Any public offering of securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that will contain detailed information about our company and management, as well as financial statements. No money, securities or other consideration is being solicited by this communication or the information contained herein and, if sent in response to this communication or the information contained herein, will not be accepted.

1 Results for the period relate to SMBC Aviation Capital, its subsidiaries and affiliate group companies.

SOURCE SMBC Aviation Capital

For further information: For media enquiries, please contact: Rob Greening (UK) Powerscourt +44-207-250-1446; Jack Hickey (Ireland) Powerscourt +353-83-448-8339
By GMM 19 July 2016 - 10:25





Italian officials are refusing to acknowledge that Monzas chances of keeping the grand prix are now over.

Reports this week have suggested Bernie Ecclestone has inked a deal with alternative race host Imola, but the truth is that the contract is not yet signed.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone told the Italian media from his holiday in Croatia that Monzas problem is "political", and that if a deal with Imola falls through, "we will have to say goodbye to F1 in Italy".

But Italian automobile club chief Angelo Sticchi Damiani hit back by saying those political hurdles have now been cleared.

Lombardy vice president Fabrizio Sala has now told Italys La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Im sorry that Ecclestone said the obstacles for the Monza GP are political.

"The region has already done its part and at the end of May confirmed the allocation of EUR 5 million per year needed to close the contract.

"We are pleased that the president of the Aci, Sticchi Damiani, has clarified that there is no political problem and that next week a binding offer will be presented to FOM.

"We hope a conclusion can be reached quickly. The grand prix of Italy at Monza is part of our tradition and we cant allow it to be lost," Sala added.
As the Abia political crisis lingers with various interest groups coming to Umuahia Government House for solidarity with Governor Ikpeazu...

As the Abia political crisis lingers with various interest groups coming to Umuahia Government House for solidarity with Governor Ikpeazu, the embattled governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu yesterday, vowed that he could not afford to relinquish his seat to Dr. Uche Ogah, saying that the mandate was freely given to him by God and Abia people.The Governor also claimed that the mandate given to him by Abia voters has spiritual connotation which he could not afford to abandon. Ikpeazu, who spoke while addressing the people of Abia North who were on a solidarity visit to him at the Government House, Umuahia, disclosed that he had previously visited Uche Ogah three times to solicit his support and urged him to drop his ambition but to no avail.Dont over-heat the polity, OYC warns Ohanaeze Youth Council has warned against over-heating the political situation in the state and allow the judiciary to resolve the political impasse. Specifically, Ohanaeze youths have attacked fiery Lagos lawyer, Festus Keyamo for his legal opinion on the Justice Okon Abang judgment, describing his call for the immediate swearing -in of Dr. Uche Ogar as Abia governor as vexatious antics and vituperations.The group dismissed Keyamos legal opinion on the matter as a slap on the legal profession, and nothing but a verbal diarrhoea. Faulting Keyamos legal opinion, the group in a statement by Mazi Okemiri Alex, the chairman of State chairmen of OYC and Chetachi Ikpe, Abia State deputy chairman of the group, asked if Keyamo was not aware that the governor of Abia State Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu is in the Appeal Court to challenge the decision of the Federal High Court in Abuja.The group condemned what it called all manner of unguarded statements on the Abia political crisis by people from across the country just to be noticed, rewarded or just talk for talking sake.OYC also condemned the call by a group,Ndigbo Bu Otu Union which gave Governor Okezie Ikpeazu seven days to vacate Umuahia Government House and warned that any attempt to unleash violence on Abians and Ndigbo will be resisted. According to them, the group is non-existent but was just thrown up by politicians to create tension in Abia State and urged those behind it to retrace their steps and give peace a chance in the state.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun will attend the 2016 International Leaders Forum (I...

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun will attend the 2016 International Leaders Forum (ILF) during the United States Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania scheduled for July 25-28, 2016.This follows the National Chairman acceptance of an invitation by the President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), Kenneth Wollack.Odigie-Oyegun will be accompanied to the Convention by the APC National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni. The Democratic National Convention is used to nominate the Democratic Partys candidate for President and Vice President of the United States of America. The Convention is also used to officially adopt the Democratic Partys platform (manifesto).NDI on behalf of the Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC) has hosted international visitors at every Democratic National Convention since 1984.In Philadelphia, International Leaders Forum (ILF) will bring together current and former government officials, parliamentarians, diplomats and senior political party leaders from over 100 countries to observe the nomination process of the Democratic Partys candidate for President and Vice President of the United States.Throughout the convention week, NDI will hold a series of special events for the international visitors. Participants will attend morning and afternoon seminars on U.S. politics, and domestic and foreign policy issues defining the presidential election. Bi-partisan panel discussions will be led by Democratic and Republican leaders, journalists and opinion makers.
Detectives from the Delta State Police Command have arrested a bishop of a new generation church in Warri for allegedly sponsoring the milit...
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN has declared that the fight against corruption by the Buhari administration is not one-sided. Speakin...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo SAN has declared that the fight against corruption by the Buhari administration is not one-sided.Speaking with journalists at the end of the 27th ordinary session of the African Union which ended yesterday in Kigali, Rwanda, Osinbajo described as absurd and without foundation whatsoever the view that the fight against corruption was one-sided.I think its entirely absurd. I think that view is absurd and without foundation or basis whatsoever. We look at corruption from all possible facets.If you look at, for example, corruption in the military, from military procurements, obviously the only individuals responsible for that could be persons who had held office within the period in question and that has been done and clearly the opposition was not in the office at that time.He explained that those who were in office were not necessarily opposition individuals. These were Service Chiefs and other personnel who had served for a while, he stated.On the fraud and corruption associated with large sums of money given out by the past National Security Adviser to several political figures, Osinbajo said: Again these were huge sums of money, over 2 billion US Dollars and the sheer size and the enormity of what we are talking about, must not be diminished in anyway or trivialised in anyway by any suggestion that it is partisan. How? in what way?I think those who make that suggestion obviously want to trivialise a very important programme of the government, a very important fight against corruption and also the strong effort to recover huge sums of money that have been stolen from Nigeria.On the just ended summit, Osinbajo said it afforded leaders of the continent the opportunity to affirm their commitment to human rights, with special focus on women, and also agreeing to a financing model that makes AU member states more directly responsible for the sustenance of the organization.According to Vice President Osinbajo, SAN, the summit afforded African leaders the opportunity to review their different national programmes in view of the agenda of the summit, noting that the efforts and programmes of the Buhari administration were well received.Said he: I think were in a very good place in respect of our human rights agenda as well as in womens rights, everyone endorsed the lots of serious efforts that we are making in that respect.Osinbajo added that there was appreciation from other leaders regarding the 500 Billion Naira Social Intervention Programme of the Buhari administration which focuses primarily on women, including the one million market women, traders and artisans who will get macro-credit loans.I think people do appreciate that and our efforts on Social Protection, Prof. Osinbajo said.On issues of peace and security, the Vice President said the summit was also useful, and Nigeria has received tremendous support from everywhere.Every one is in full support of the efforts that have been made against Boko Haram and other problems in the whole of Africa.The summit resolved to hold new elections for new officials of the AU Commission, AUC, as the voting process on Monday could not produce election results that met the required majority according to the AU rules. The AUC is the secretariat of the African Union and led by a Chairperson, and supported by a deputy chairperson and 8 commissioners.Speaking after the elections in Kigali, Osinbajo described the process as fair and based on the rules of the elections.I am pleased with the process. I think the process went very well, the rules were followed and the wishes of the member states were well reflected. The outcome l think is a fair conclusion and it is very clear that the member states will like to see fresh elections, would like to see possibly fresh set of candidates or at least additional candidates to those who have already been nominated. I think its a fair process. It went very well.The Vice President added that Nigeria has previously suggested that the elections be postponed until January, which is now about when they would be held again.Explaining the outcome of the summit regarding the AUC elections further, Oinbajo said: The extension of the election is clearly the product of the rules and the way the rules were interpreted. Why the elections ended the way they did was because many members obviously felt (the need for) a fresh look at candidature and possibly have a few others.
Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is set to open his new five-star hotel this week.The Euro 2016 and Champions League winner is currently on holiday on Ibiza, recovering from a busy season on board a private yacht.But the Real Madrid superstar, 31, will return to his native Funchal in Madeira for the grand opening of his boutique hotel this Friday.It is designed to appeal to millennial traveller, according to the chain, with the hotel aiming to become a "trendsetter" in the Portuguese harbour spoThe stylish hotel is decorated with Ronaldo memorabilia, with signed shirts adorning some of the walls in a contemporary art deco style - the floors are furnished with grass-effect carpets.There are 48 rooms, with the basic rooms priced at 180-a-night - all equipped with WIFI, mood lighting and high tech shower heads.And the single CR7 suite -which costs 575-a-night - boasts a PlayStation4 , virtual reality glasses and games, plus cardio workout equipment.The hotel wellness suite even offer a CR7 Get in Shape programme for guests hoping to replicate a Ronaldo six-pack, accompanying its exclusive outdoor gym and sauna facilities.The rooftop swimming pool appears to be the highlight of the hotel, overlooking the views of Funchal and the harbour.The hotel - just a stones thrown away from Ronaldos official museum - is the first of four the former Manchester United player is involved in launching.The 70million Pestana CR7 portfolio will be completed by a luxury site in Lisbon that will open later this year, while sites in Madrid and New York are due to launch in 2017 .
Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday told Senate President Bukola Saraki and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Oyegun t...

Senator Oluremi Tinubu yesterday told Senate President Bukola Saraki and All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman John Oyegun that Senator Dino Melaye threatened to assault her during the Senates July 12 Executive Session.Melaye, Sen. Tinubu said, boasted that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal threats.In separate petitions yesterday, Sen. Tinubu complained about the Kogi State lawmakers gross misconduct and warned that he remains a danger to her and the Senate.The totality of that misconduct amounted to an assault against my person, as a Senator, as a female and a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria.I take the cautionary step of submitting this letter in order to seek proper recourse that will protect me against criminal assault on the floor of the Senate (or elsewhere), that I and other lawmakers may exercise our rights as Senators to represent our constituencies in the manner and with the decorum befitting this hallowed chamber.I write that such misconduct as that exhibited by Senator Melaye shall never be repeated against me or any other Senator and so that reputation and the vital functions of the Senate as a respectful deliberative body shall not be undermined, Tinubu said.She noted that a week had passed since the indecorous eruption by Senator Melaye, but, the Senate leadership has been silent and has not reacted to his threatening misconduct.Sen. Tinubu continued: So that this serious transgression is not allowed to pass, I formally submit for the record that I object to the reckless misconduct of Senator Melaye.What he did was completely unjustifiable and contrary to the established customs and norms that govern the behaviour of members of this body.For merely voicing my opinion on the floor of the Senate, which is the fundamental right and duty of every lawmaker, I was verbally abused and threatened by Senator Dino Melaye.Melaye, she added, used blatantly sexist and misogynistic language offensive to every woman in Nigeria and offensive to every person who truly believes that gender discrimination has no place in the Nigeria we are trying to build for ourselves and all future generations.Sen. Tinubu added: Unless Sen. Melaye is appropriately disciplined, he remains a danger to me and to the Senate at large. He has promised twice within one week to attack me.Despite her refraining from saying anything in public about the incident, Melaye, she said, had paraded his misconduct in public as if to threaten a female Senator is a badge of pride.She urged the Senate leadership to recognise the gravity of the situation and take appropriate action.Describing the incident, Sen. Tinubu told Odigie-Oyegun that What took place at that session was nothing short of a threat of physical assault and abuse against me by Senator Melaye.She added: I would like to place on record for the party this formal complaint in the hope that the party will act to appropriately sanction Senator Melaye for his malign behaviour.In this way, the party will affirm its policy of zero tolerance for gender discrimination and restore its reputation as a vehicle for positive change and not an arm of regression and intolerance towards women.Explaining how Melayes attacks occurred on July 12, Sen. Tinubu said: I was duly recognised by the Senate President after Senator Melaye had spoken and berated some Senate colleagues over their perceived roles in the judicial case involving the Senate leadership.Although I remained silent and attempted no interjection during his statement, Senator Melaye tried to abridge my rights as a Senator by hectoring at me and interrupting my contribution.Tinubu said at one point, she cautioned Melaye that other Senators were there by equal right as he and represented their constituents.She continued: In a burst of apparent rage, Senator Melaye charged at me in what can only be seen as an effort to physically attack me. The attack was only prevented by some respectful Senators who moved to impede his path or otherwise block him from approaching closer to me. I thank those Senators for their personal courage and sense of decorum.Senator Melaye hurled foul and vulgar language at me. What he said should never be heard in any public institution let alone the floor of the Senate. Denigrating me as a woman, Senator Melaye threatened to beat me on the floor of the Senate simply because I dared to express an opinion different from his.She added: I am both a ranking Senator and a woman. But Senator Melaye took neither into consideration as he issued threats of rape and assault, while boasting that he would face no consequence even if he fulfilled these criminal threats.Compounding the damage inflicted by Sen. Melaye is the fact that we are both of the APC. Thus, I am compelled to report this incident. It also gives me great concern that the Senate leadership has heretofore been silent on this matter as if condoning the errant behaviour of the Senator.Tinubu urged the party to investigate this matter in order to restore the public image and moral standing of the party and of APC members in the Senate.In this manner, we show that we reject the misconduct that has wronged our nation and people for so long. Only if we act against such excesses will the people truly believe we are committed to the reforms we have promised them. We must start by ensuring that our own members know how to behave, according to the decorum befitting their elect.
A law firm representing the embattled Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday, said the Code of Conduct Bureau had cleared...

A law firm representing the embattled Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, on Tuesday, said the Code of Conduct Bureau had cleared the Army chief of any wrongdoing in the $1.5m properties he (COAS) bought in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.In a statement, Buratais lawyer, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, advised critics to respect the Army chiefs rights to private family life as guaranteed in Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).Also, documents obtained from the CCB indicated that in his asset declaration Form CCB  1 submitted on August 21, 2015, Buratai declared that the properties in Dubai belong to his wife.Osuagwu said the military chief didnt make any false declaration, adding that the said property was not acquired after he became the chief of army staff to warrant the invocation of Section 15 (3) of the CCB Act.He said, We view the further attempt by some select few to still dwell on this same Dubai properties and criticise the COAS as a veiled attempt to divert his attention from the current war he is waging to secure the country in various troubled spots in Nigeria.Critics are therefore advised to respect the Generals right to private family life as guaranteed under Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As Amended) and construct their views within the ambit of the rule of law having been duly cleared by the CCB.The COAS complied with Section 15(1) of the Act and included his spouses assets in his declarations. That is what the law requires of him and he did not disappoint. The COAS acted lawfully and has not breached any law.According to Osuagwu, by a letter dated June 29, 2016, the law firm requested the CCB to clear the air over the said UAE properties.Osuagwu added, Without much delay, the CCB responded in its letter dated July 11, 2016, and stated clearly from the asset declaration filed by General Buratai that the said property was duly filed by the Army General and in the spouses name.Having so declared the property as required of him by law, the Chief of Army Staff has discharged the duty placed on him by the 5th Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the CCB and Tribunal Act.A copy of the CCBs response to Buratais lawyer, forming the basis of Osuagwus assertion, was signed by Mrs. Ijeanuli Arinze Ofor, on behalf of the CCBs chairman, Mr. Sam Saba.The letter, titled, Re-Request for information pursuant to Section 1 and 4 Freedom of Information Act 2011, read, We refer to your mail dated June 29, 2016, on the above subject matter. We wish to state here that General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, after his appointment as Chief of Army Staff, declared his assets as required by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.He was served the Form CCB  1 on July 21, 2015 and returned same on August 21 2015. We also wish to confirm that his property in Dubai was declared in the wifes name. Please accept the warmest regards of the chairman.
A prophecy from T.B. Joshua for 2016 seems to be coming to pass as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele...

A prophecy from T.B. Joshua for 2016 seems to be coming to pass as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, made depressing revelations concerning the Nigerian economy during a recent closed-door meeting with senators. During a New Years Eve broadcast the popular televangelist addressed the nation on Emmanuel TV about how things would supposedly get worse under the Buhari regime.He particularly referred to the dire conditions in which Nigerians would find themselves due to the Nigerian economy. He revealed that, among other things, there would be food scarcity  in the clerics words he said, There will be large scale scarcity, shortage of food [].During the same prophecy he continued, The president will do everything to reject devaluation of the Naira  which is a good idea from a good leader. But there will be overwhelming pressure which he will not be able to resist [], he said. Joshua additionally went on to say, Nigeria, we are in a valley.The future is crying for help. A few months later on the 22nd of May he further elaborated on the word valley as he proclaimed, I explained that we are in a valley but it is not the valley of the shadow of death. There is no snake or scorpion, its different. When you are in the valley you will cry and cry but you will still get out of the valley.He went on to say, You have to continue to cut your coat according to your size. Dont just continue to spend your money on something that wont be able to help you. Spend your money on something that the whole world will be looking for  food, shelter.On the 20th of July, 2016, the clerics prophetic words are apparently coming to light as headlines across Nigeria read Nigerias Economy in Bad Shape  CBN. These headlines were referring to the meeting held in Abuja with the CBN governor and senators. It was during this meeting that the CBN governor spoke about the difficult times ahead and the necessary steps needed to circumvent these difficult times.With almost all economic activity being stagnant in Nigeria, different economic policies are being put into place to help the people of Nigeria; whether or not this will indeed help the current situation is yet to be seen.However, it can be recalled that on the day T.B. Joshua gave his 22 May, 2016 prophecy he also advised the people of Nigeria saying, If you are the type [of people] planning to build a house now, stop it for the mean time. If you are in the business of buying land stop it for the mean time  look for another business. Stop it for the mean time until February next year. Use that money on the need of people now [...].He also advised that we have to go to the farm to arrest [and] alleviate the forthcoming situation.While the clerics prophecies remain controversial in some circles, they do continue to be cited by many across the world. He was recently said to have predicted the Nice attacks as well as the Brexit from the EU. His influence continues to grow as his social media presence gains more popularity.
Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Woman Leader Mrs. Kemi Nelson has denied receiving N75 million from Senator Oluremi Tinubu to ...

Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Woman Leader Mrs. Kemi Nelson has denied receiving N75 million from Senator Oluremi Tinubu to organise a rally against Senator Dino Melaye for reportedly assaulting Mrs. Tinubu at the Senate chamber.Mrs. Nelson spoke while reacting to a report by a civil rights movement, Committee for the Defence of Womens Rights that Senator Tinubu released N75 million to her through one of her sisters identified as Funlola to organise a protest against Melaye.She said the report was a figment of the imagination of the committee.The National President of CDWR, Prof. Taibat Majekodunmi, had made the allegation against the APC chieftain in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.But Mrs. Nelson said in a statement she personally signed that she didnt need to collect money from Senator Tinubu or her husband, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to organise such a rally.She added that they were her mentors, who she was ready to support without any pecuniary gain.The politician said she would participate in a rally that would be staged by a women group today in Abuja to protest the alleged assault on Senator Tinubu by Melaye.We are moving to Abuja in full force to be part of this protest against Melaye for harassing a woman of substance like Senator Tinubu, whose family paid a huge price for our democracy.Our democracy is still nascent and we must do everything within our power to protect it.We should not allow people like Melaye to rubbish what took years and cost us several lives to achieve. What Melaye did was not just against Senator Tinubu, but against all women and against our democracy. We will not behave like Nero, who sleeps, while Rome burns.All right thinking members of the society must rise against this oppression and an open insult against women by a man that has done little or nothing for our democracy. We cannot pretend that nothing is happening, when such a sacrilege is being committed in our country, the statement said.An umbrella body of Nigerian female students, the National Female Students Association of Nigeria (NFSAN) and All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Caucus in Ekiti State have condemned Senator Dino Melaye for attacking the Chairman, Senate Committee on Women Affairs.In a statement issued in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the National President of the NFSAN, Idongesit Micah, criticised Melaye for assaulting and threatening Senator Tinubu.The group condemned Melayes opposition to the emancipation of womanhood.It said: This same Melaye stood up during the debate on a Bill prohibiting sexual harassment of female students by lecturers in tertiary institutions and suggested that female students should be cautioned not to sexually harass lecturers as not all lecturers have the anointing to resist sexual temptation.The students community saw this statement as unbecoming from someone at such high level. Melaye failed to understand the number of female students that have been victimised and dropped out of school as a result of sexual harassment by lecturers when he gave this myopic suggestion.Melaye is happy that the present Senate has only seven female members out of 109 members and the way and manner he is going about with his threats, women will be afraid of contesting elective positions for fear of being bullied or beaten up by the likes of Senator Dino Melaye.Ekiti APC Women Leader, Mrs. Dupe Bakare described Melayes conduct as reprehensible and lacking in decorum associated with the hallowed chambers of the National Assembly.Speaking on the issue in Ado-Ekiti yesterday, Mrs. Bakare criticised the Kogi senator over what she described as a show of shame.Melayes motor park act had given the senator away as a man lacking respect for family value, she said.Mrs. Bakare described Melaye as unrepentant terror to filial integrity in the world where women offered support for a strong family as a foundation for the health of the larger society.Senator Melaye has proven to be a man not cultured to be in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. A group, Asiwaju Change Movement (ACM), yesterday urged Melaye to tender public apology or face the wrath of the law over what it described as unruly behavior he displayed at the National Assembly, the group said in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mrs. Simisola Jegede in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Ex-Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Mallam Nuhu Rubadu Wednesday said he was still paying dearly for his ef...

Ex-Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) chairman, Mallam Nuhu Rubadu Wednesday said he was still paying dearly for his efforts to rid the country of corruption.According to him, corruption would not have become so endemic if past administrations had the will to fight it.Ribadu, who denied tampering with recovered assets while at EFCC, said highly placed government officials frustrated the commissions work, culminating in his removal from office and halting the progress being made in the anti-graft war.Somebody was brought in to destroy the agency. It was a tragedy, Ribadu said.He spoke in Abuja at a National Stakeholders Workshop on the Recovery and Management of Recovered Assets, organised by the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), in collaboration with the Commonwealth Secretariat.PACAC chairman, Prof Itsay Sagay (SAN), said if Ribadu had not been removed, maybe corruption would not have become so endemic.He said developing strategies for recovery of stolen assets would act as a deterrent to looters.Seizure of assets is more painful to them than imprisonment, Sagay said.Ribadu, who gave the keynote speech with the theme: Assets Recovery in Nigeria: Experiences from the past, said although he was still paying the price for stepping on some toes, he had no regrets.He denied allegations that he was part of those who allegedly re-looted recovered assets, including N1trillion, and expressed surprise that it was a subject of Senate investigation.He said: Considering the care we took in handling whatever was in our custody, I find it baffling and disheartening when I hear people make insinuations about how we handled recovered assets.It is a most unfair remark but certainly not totally surprising as the fight against corruption is essentially a thankless job, especially in our climes.That was why I was telling Prof Sagay: Dont bother sir, people will abuse you; dont say anything. This is the job.We are hurting people; we are taking things from those who took things and we denied them chance to make use of them and enjoy and with their family.Im still paying dearly. In my own madness, I decided to go into politics and I am still paying for it. But I am not bothered. Ill continue fighting till my last breath. If Im given the opportunity Ill do it again.Ribadu believes the Buhari administration has the political will to tackle corruption and has demonstrated it.He described EFCC chairman Ibrahim Magu as a good, courageous and honest guy.Ribadu said: We have the most vital tool needed in this war, namely political will. I see in the present leadership, specifically the president, the will to allow the war to be fought without interference and the eagerness to support it in whatever way possible. These two points are important prerequisite in winning the anti-corruption war.We are also lucky to have a set of people, including Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) who are very passionate and committed to be in charge of the process, he said.According to him, due to the limitations of the existing laws on asset forfeiture, the current attempt at enacting a law to cover the spectrum of issues around forfeiture is a welcomed development.He said despite lack of lack of adequate legal guidance, a lot of stolen assets laundered in several countries had been returned.According to him, the most significant case of assets recovery prior to the establishment of the EFCC are those stolen by the late head of state General Sani Abacha loot. He said N83billion was recovered from Abachas loot locally alone.As a legal officer and prosecutor then with the Nigeria Police, I was attached to the team that worked on the Abacha case. With paucity of assets recovery laws, we relied on informal methods including Administrative Confiscation, a mechanism of confiscating assets through non-judicial means. Within the first few months, we recovered billions domestically from such forfeitures, he said.Ribadu said a national policy on assets recovery and their use must be developed, backed by a strong legal framework.I would suggest that high level, serious consultations be held between all the three arms of government to discuss steps and measures of evolving a very comprehensive national strategy on the fight against corruption that would enumerate the roles expected of all; the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.We should have a strategy that is a product of a consensus. Out of this strategy we can agree, if need be, to have new laws or institutions with clear mandates and responsibilities, Ribadu said.PACAC Executive Secretary, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, said between $20billion to $40billion is stolen annually from developing countries.According to him, seizure is important to the asset recovery process as it ensures the blockage or preservation of assets.He said such seizures require judicial backing, usually through ex-parte orders (in which notice is not given) so as to prevent the looter from transferring or hiding the assets.Director, Rule of Law Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, Katalaina Sapolu, said the international community and the Commonwealth would support the Buhari administrations bid to recover stolen funds.She said more importantly is what to do with the assets when recovered.The management of recovered proceeds is really an issue. Asset recovery has been implemented. But what do you do with the stolen assets once you receive them?We do not think that there has been, in many jurisdictions, a really settled view on the approach, because it requires development of policy and establishment of relevant institutional frameworks, Sapolu said.According to her, the outcome of the three-day workshop would help in the formulation of such policies.
An Indian company Thursday said it had sent 6,000 green tea bags to White House hopeful Donald Trump, believing they would help him to b...

An Indian company Thursday said it had sent 6,000 green tea bags to White House hopeful Donald Trump, believing they would help him to become smarter and cleanse his soul. The unusual gift  which equals four years supply if drunk four times a day  was from Kolkata-based Te-a-Me Teas, its executive director Sumit Shah told AFP.Shah also said the company had set up a website  where people could tweet a message to Trump and urge him to drink the tea daily. We firmly believe green tea can do a lot of good to people.We thought green tea will help him (Trump) cleanse his mind, body and soul, he said. Green tea is also proven to make people smarter. So our message is, please Mr Trump drink the tea. For your sake, for Americas sake, for the worlds sake. Trump, a political novice and a real estate tycoon, has riled critics with his radical views on Muslims and immigrants during an often vitriolic presidential campaign.Next week, Trump is set to be formally nominated to run against his Democratic rival, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. The Indian tea company said it wanted to instil responsible leadership among famous personalities across the world and denied the move was a publicity gimmick. We dont even sell in the US. I guess with Trump its just about the timing (of our gesture), Shah said.
An Ogudu Magistrates Court has remanded a 48-year-old nurse in Kirikiri Prisons for allegedly failing to pay a commercial bus owned by th...

An Ogudu Magistrates Court has remanded a 48-year-old nurse in Kirikiri Prisons for allegedly failing to pay a commercial bus owned by the Lagos State Government the correct fare.The nurse, Oduwole Taiwo, who lives at Lucky Fiber Road, Ikorodu, was said to have boarded the bus from Ikorodu to Ojota at about 4.15 p.m. A journey which costs N100 instead of the N50 she offered to pay.The prosecutor, Sgt. Ihiehie Lucky, told the court that the accused committed the offence on July 10 at Ketu Bus Stop.He said there was an argument between the accused and a LAGBUS ticketer over fare.He said, As the ticketer was collecting money from other passengers, she got to the accused and she brought out N50 to pay instead of N100.The conductor became angry and threatened that she would not be allowed her to disembark at her bus stop until she pays her bus fare.The driver tried to settle the matter and to his dismay, the accused left the ticketer and held the drivers trouser on motion.The accused also unlawfully held the steering of the bus, causing the driver, Ogbogbo Gabriel, to lose control and in the process, the bus hit a BRT bus.The offences contravened Sections 166(1), (d) and 171 of The Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.Section 166(1) provides a fine of N15, 000 or three months imprisonment or both for disorderly behaviour, while Section 171 stipulates three years for assault occasioning harm.Taiwo pleaded not guilty to the two charges of disorderly conduct and assault occasioning harm.The Magistrate, Mrs O. Sule-Amzat, granted the accused bail in the sum of N20, 000 with one surety in like sum.The case was adjourned to September 20.
Nigeria has applied to join the Open Government Partnership, a global coalition in the fight against corruption.

Nigeria has applied to join the Open Government Partnership, a global coalition in the fight against corruption.A statement signed by Salisu Isah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), confirmed the application on Tuesday.It stated that the minister, in a letter to the OGP Steering Committee, said Nigeria by joining the organisation had committed to transparency and accountability in the management of public office.I am honoured to submit this letter of intent to the Open Government Partnership Steering Committee on behalf of Nigeria and to express Nigerias commitment to join the partnership.As you are aware, Nigeria meets the eligibility criteria set out by the OGP and the government of Nigeria is strongly committed to the principles of Open Government.By joining OGP, the government of Nigeria commits to transparency and accountability in the management of public office.We believe that the OGP membership will enhance innovation, economic development and accelerate the transformation of our public service.The Attorney-General noted that Nigeria was already participating actively in the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) process and implementing the EITI standards.He emphasised that Nigeria had also enacted the Public Procurement Act and the Fiscal Responsibility Act to enhance transparency in public contracting, public procurement and the management of public finance.Nigeria has also improved access to information through the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act and the Code of Conduct Bureau Act.The requirement for the disclosure of assets by public officials is embedded in the constitution and all public officers are required to declare their assets every four years.Against this background, Nigeria is committed to working with you and other countries within the OGP framework to implement the OGP initiatives.This is with major focus on accountability of government institutions, enhancing freedom of information and corporate ownership transparency, particularly in the extractive industry.The OGP was launched in 2011 and its membership has grown from eight to 69 countries. Currently, only eight are from the African continent.Nigeria intends to become the ninth African nation to join the coalition with the intention that it would aid its anti-graft war.(NAN)
The increasing spate of bombings in the Niger Delta region has continued to take its toll on the Nigerian economy, as the Central Bank o...

The increasing spate of bombings in the Niger Delta region has continued to take its toll on the Nigerian economy, as the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, yesterday, disclosed that Nigerias oil revenue dipped by 18.01 per cent to N186.7 billion in April 2016. The CBN, in its Economic Report for April 2016, released yesterday, stated that oil revenue accounted for 47.71 per cent of the gross Federally-collected revenue of N391.3 billion in the month under review, while non-oil revenue, at N204.7 billion, accounted for 52.31 per cent of the gross Federally-collected revenue for the month.The CBN disclosed that gross oil receipts fell short of the preceding months level of N227.69 billion by 18 per cent, blaming the decline in oil revenue on the fall in receipts from crude oil and gas exports owing to shut-downs and shut-ins in production arising from repair works at some NNPC terminals and pipeline vandalism as well as the persistent low crude oil prices.Also, at N391.33 billion, the CBN noted that estimated gross federally-collected revenue in April 2016 fell short of the provisional 2015 monthly budget estimate of N814.87 billion by 52.0 per cent, while it was also lower than the receipt of the preceding month by 7.1 per cent.According to the CBN, the development relative to the provisional monthly budget estimate was attributed to the decline in oil revenue. Furthermore, the CBN disclosed that Nigerias crude oil production dipped by 4.6 per cent from an average of 1.76 million barrels per day or 54.56 million barrels in the month March 2016, to an average of 1.68 million barrels per day or 50.40 million barrels in April. In addition, the CBN stated that crude oil export stood at 1.23 million barrels per day or 36.90 million barrels in April, representing a decline of 6.1 per cent when compared with crude oil export of 1.31 million barrels per day or 40.61 million barrels recorded in the preceding month. The decline in crude oil production was attributed, largely, to the blowing up of the Trans-Forcardos pipeline and Chevron installations which continued to disrupt crude oil production in the Niger Delta region as well as crude oil theft, the CBN explained.The CBN further stated that of the total net federally-collected revenue, the sum of N226.87 billion was transferred to the Federation Account for distribution among the three tiers of government; N61.66 billion was transferred to Value Added Tax (VAT) Pool Account; N47.73 billion to the Federal Government Independent Revenue; and N13.47 billion to Others, including Tertiary Education Trust Fund, National Information Technology Development Fund and Customs Special Levies.From the N226.87 billion transferred to the Federation Account, the Federal Government received N109.11 billion, while the State and Local Governments received N55.34 billion and N42.67 billion, respectively. The balance of N19.75 billion was shared among the oil producing States as 13 per cent Derivation Fund.Similarly, the sum of N61.66 billion was shared from the VAT Pool Account among the three tiers of governments as follows: Federal Government, N9.25 billion; State Governments, N30.83 billion; and Local Governments, N21.58 billion, the CBN stated.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, yesterday said the reason why some governors could not pay salaries and fund their states well...

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, yesterday said the reason why some governors could not pay salaries and fund their states well was because they have failed to think outside the box. Amosun, who spoke during a meeting with Organised Private Sector at the Government House, Abeokuta, said; The era of free money from Abuja had gone.He added that the development had made governors to become endangered species among their people. While reacting to the allegation of mismanagement of bailout by governors, Amosun said it was erroneous to accuse governors of mismanagement of the bailout funds released to their respective states by the Federal Government.He declared that the responsibilities of state governments have actually grown beyond current resource allocation. According to him, the huge depletion in the nations revenue owing to falling oil price has made it imperative for Nigerians to think out of the box. The governor said stakeholders should not remain complacent about the economic situation of the country but must work harder to diversify into agriculture and other non-oil sectors.He noted that oil dependence made Nigerians to be lazy, calling for the need for partnership between the government and the private sector to revitalise the nations economy. On the spate of militant attacks rocking riverine communities in Ogun and neighbouring Lagos State, he said government was working to tackle the emerging security threat.Amosun alleged that some traditional chiefs and residents of the affected communities connived with the suspected militants to engage in oil theft, noting that the creeks would soon be cleared of criminals to secure governments investments.
People suspected to kidnappers have abducted Mrs Felicia Oyenuga, wife of a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly(OGHA), Hon. Olufo...

People suspected to kidnappers have abducted Mrs Felicia Oyenuga, wife of a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly(OGHA), Hon. Olufowobi Oyenuga.Hon. Oyenuga representing Ijebu East state constituency at OGHA. His wife in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olufowobi Oyenuga was said to have been kidnapped on Tuesday morning at Odoladalepo in Ijebu Ife after she had dropped her son off by their farm.The Nation gathered that the driver of kidnap gang, Ahmed Folorunso, who drove the vehicle used for the abduction was arrested along Ondo Road in Ijebu Ode following a fierce chase by a combined team of Vigilance group in Ijebu Ife and a Police patrol team.But other members of escaped, made away with their victim, Mrs Oyenuga, and had also contacted the lawmaker who is the Chairman, OGHA House Committee on Establishment, demanding N25m ransom before his wife would be released, according to a source.The Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi confirmed the abduction and arrest of one of the suspects.We got a report that a woman was kidnapped this morning at Ijebu Ife. We learnt that some members of the state vigilante service in the area gave the kidnappers a hot chase.Another police patrol team were detailed to join them in the pursuit. They caught up with one of the members of the gang, Ahmed Folorunso, at Ijebu Ode, in their operational vehicle with number plate EPE 663 AJ.The suspect is already in our custody. We are optimistic, well rescue the woman very soon. We are doing the needful to ensure the woman(victim) is rescued and other fleeing members of the kidnap gang arrested, Adejobi said.
Nigerias main opposition political party, the PDP, on Tuesday said the tone of conversation amongst Nigerians on social media had taken...

Nigerias main opposition political party, the PDP, on Tuesday said the tone of conversation amongst Nigerians on social media had taken a disturbing dimension.As a result, the party took responsibility for the role it played in fostering the toxic atmosphere, and promised to improve on the tone of its discussion going forward.We have noticed, with a growing sense of dismay, the level of toxicity that pervades the political space with respect to discussions on national issues, the PDP said. We accept responsibility and apologise for whatever role we have played in reaching this level of toxicity.Henceforth, we commit to focusing only on the issues and proffering cogent & competent solutions to the issues facing the nation.The surprisingly conciliatory tone came in a series of tweets on its Twitter handle,between 9-10:00 a.m. Tuesday.This toxicity, some of which finds expression in discussions across social media platforms, has reached the level where bridges are being burnt, personal relationships are being strained and an unnecessary tension fills what should ordinarily be patriotic and enlightening conversations on how to move the nation forward, the party said.The Nigerian social media space had become a platform for dangerous political rhetoric, with a focus on re-tweets and likes often overshadowing constructive engagement.Last month, the PDP said on Twitter that it had uncovered a plot to assassinate Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, a major opposition figure in the country.Governor Fayose may have to take extra security measures to prevent Aisha Buhari or the 1st family from assassinating him, the June 21 tweet read.In late March, the handle sparred with the Central Bank, suggesting that the bank was illegally handing out dollars to President Buharis inner circles amidst widespread scarcity of forex across the country.First Lady Aisha Buhari got $22m forex from CBN on the instructions of Emefiele and the company sold at N362 same day. #CorruptionAndBuhari.The PDP also tweeted that In 12 days, President Buhari has spent 6 million in London. Change is really here.The party said Nigerians would no longer see attacks from its handles in the future and urged its supporters to eschew abusive use of social media.We urge our supporters and the believers in the ability of our party to provide these solutions to henceforth show more restraint and maturity as we point out the many obvious flaws of this administration and proffer solutions & alternatives to their many failures, the party said.It ended by quoting Abraham Lincoln, a former president of the United States.Were not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.The PDP dominated Nigerian government at the center since 1998 until it was voted out in 2015 general elections.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has said that attacker Riyad Mahrez wants to stay with the Premier League champions.The 25-year-old Fennec Foxes star was instrumental in Leicesters title triumph last season and was awarded the PFA Players Player of the Year award.He has been strongly linked with a move away from the club, with the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona mentioned as possible destinations.However, nothing concrete has emerged from the speculation and it appears Mahrez is set to stay with the Foxes.Ranieri certainly believes this is the case. The Italian spoke to the British media after Tuesday's 2-1 friendly win at Oxford and said: "I think everybody here is happy. It's finished, the market has finished."Asked specifically if he had spoken to Mahrez, Ranieri said: "Yes, he wants to stay."The news will come as a major relief to Leicester fans, having already seen key midfielder NGolo Kante depart for Chelsea earlier in the month.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday advised Nigerians to stop accusing his ministers and other top government officials of corruption ...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday advised Nigerians to stop accusing his ministers and other top government officials of corruption without any concrete evidence.In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, the President appealed to Nigerians to ignore orchestrated attempts to discredit the ministers and other senior government officials.Specifically, Buhari faulted media report that the immediate past Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, was being investigated over crude oil swap deals and gas lifting during his tenure as GMD of the petroleum corporation.The President said while he would not spare anybody who soils his hands, Nigerians should wait until such individuals are indicted.Terrible and unfounded comments about other peoples integrity are not good. We are not going to spare anybody who soils his hands, but people should please wait till such individuals are indicted, he said.Buhari reiterated the administrations commitment to probity, accountability and integrity.He promised that transparency remains a watchword, which would never be trifled with.
The war of words between Senators Dino Melaye and Oluremi Tinubu got messier Wednesday as a four-man delegation of the Lagos state House o...





The war of words between Senators Dino Melaye and Oluremi Tinubu got messier Wednesday as a four-man delegation of the Lagos state House of Assembly stormed the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress APC in Abuja accusing the senate leadership of a conspiracy of silence.Armed with a strong-worded petition which they submitted to the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the house called for immediate sanctions to be meted on Sen. Melaye. The state lawmakers said their protest became necessary due to alleged derogatory statements made by Mr Melaye against Mrs Tinubu.Led by the Deputy Speaker of the assembly, Hon. Wasiu Sanni, the lawmakers exonerated Mrs Tinubu of any wrongdoing, saying while she is highly-respectful, she does not take shit.Sanni who addressed journalists after a closed-door meeting with Chief Odigie-Oyegun, urged Mrs Tinubu not to give in to the uncouth behaviour of Sen. Melaye. We are here to show our displeasure at the ugly incident that happened at the national assembly between two senators of APC, specifically Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and Sen. Dino MelayeWe are here to pay solidarity visit to Senator Oluremi Tinubu, that we condemn the act, she should not be intimidated and she should not yield to verbal assault.But let me say this that Senator Oluremi Tinubu that we know, who incidentally was the First Lady of Lagos state between 1999 to 2007, some of us are like sons or brothers to her husband Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and in Yoruba land if you are a son to a womans husband you are supposed to be her son; she respects us and always addresses us as Sirs. So, she is a woman that is cautious but she does not take nonsense, she does not take shit. She does not take cheating.We are not unaware that there could be issues at the senate and people can have divergent opinions but when irresponsible, uncultured, irrational and unguarded statements are used against a fellow senator, it is bad.Even where there are abuses, there should be equal and opposite reaction, not excessive. When we are encouraging women to go into politics, we dont want a situation where husbands would now bar their wives from politics or where constituents would now resort to sending thugs or egbesu boys to the senate to represent them.We also felt that the leadership of the senate did not act on time. They allowed it to fester. We believe that it should have been nipped in the bud. They allowed the issue to fester which is unbecoming of an august body like the senate. There was conspiracy of silence and we dont think its acceptable, Sanni stated.When asked to justify their protest and the allegation that the sum of N75 million was paid to sponsor the protest, the lawmaker said I am the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yinka is here, Hon. Desmond Elliot is here; we are buoyant enough to sponsor ourselves and we all represent Lagos Central Senatorial District where Oluremi Tinubu is representing.It is a cause that we are convinced that we must fight and thirdly, yesterday we went on recess we are not resuming on till August 29th.There were protests by concerned women groups to the Lagos State House of Assembly who wanted their protest taken to the president. We read it at plenary and it was resolved that it be transmuted to the president and also that we should call the attention of the national leadership of our party to sanction the erring senator, he explained.
The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Wednesday, listed six impeachable offences committed by Gov. Abdulaziz Yari, citing them as reasons...





The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Wednesday, listed six impeachable offences committed by Gov. Abdulaziz Yari, citing them as reasons lawmakers are pushing for his impeachmentA statement issued in Gusau by the Chairman of the Assemblys Committee on Information, Mannir Gidan-Jaja, accused the governor of misappropriating billions of naira from the state coffers.It listed the money allegedly misappropriated to include N11 billion bailout fund, N1 billion agricultural loan released to the state by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and corrupt abuse of local government funds.The assembly also accused the governor of failing to remit funds deducted for pensions and gratuities to pension fund administrators as provided by law.According to the statement, the governor had also ignored a resolution of the assembly not to appoint Murtala Jangebe as Chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board.It said that the assembly had passed a vote of no confidence in Jangebe, after he was allegedly found to have misappropriated over N1 billion belonging to the board in 2014.The statement accused the governor of frequent foreign trips which have had negative impact on the day-to-day running of government, apart from imposing financial burden on the state.The lawmakers condemned the arrest of the Speaker, his Deputy, Majority Whip and supporting staff of the assembly by the Department of States Services, DSS.The lawmakers described the arrest as a clear interference in the functions of the legislature as enshrined in the Constitution.The statement urged President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the DSS against further interference in the matter.We are also demanding the unconditional release of our principal officers who are currently under detention with the DSS in Abuja.
BERLIN (Reuters) - Audi will boost spending on digital technologies and electric cars over the next decade, sources at the German carmaker said, as it follows parent Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) in reshaping its business in the wake of the diesel emissions scandal.

Volkswagen's (VW) main profit contributor plans to invest about a third of its R&D budget which totalled 4.24 billion euros ($4.69 billion) in 2015, in digital services, electric cars and autonomous driving by 2025, two sources at Audi told Reuters late on Monday on condition they not be identified because the plans are still confidential.

Audi will offer on-demand mobility services for premium customers and increase the share of electric vehicles of its overall sales to about a fourth by 2025, the sources said. The Ingolstadt-based brand sold a record 1.8 million cars last year.

Chief Executive Rupert Stadler plans to outline details of Audi's new business roadmap to more than 2,000 managers on Wednesday at a closed-door conference in Munich, the sources said.

A spokesman at Audi declined comment. German business daily Handelsblatt reported late on Monday about Audi's transformation plans.

To free up funds for the new strategy, Audi plans retrenchments in its conventional car programme including steps to reduce country-specific engine and transmission variants, the sources said, without being more specific.

The changes come as three U.S. states plan to unveil new lawsuits against Volkswagen on Tuesday tied to the automaker's sale of diesel vehicles with emissions-cheating software, even after they announced settlements with the German automaker in June.

VW last month announced plans to spend billions of euros on electric cars, ride-hailing and automated driving to become a world leader in green transport by 2025.

($1 = 0.9032 euro)

(Reporting by Andreas Cremer; Editing by Diane Craft)
NEWARK -- An East Orange man faces a 17-count indictment charging him with the murder of three people in Newark in a single weekend.

An Essex County grand jury indicted Jeffrey Holland, 27, in connection with the Jan. 29 strangulation of Tiniquah Rouse, 21, in her Newark home, and for placing Rouse's 5-month-old child inside a closet and leaving the child unattended, acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said in a statement Wednesday.

Holland also faces indictments in the Jan. 30 break-in at the home of Ashley Jones, 23, and Jarrell Marshall, 28, a Newark couple that was gunned down just steps away from three children, ages 1, 3 and 4, Murray said.

Authorities said Holland strangled Rouse while she was in her bath tub and then placed the infant in the closet.

Authorities said Holland is the biological father of the 1-year-old and 4-year-old, and both were Jones' children. The 3-year-old is the daughter of Marshall and another woman, Murray said. The children were not physically harmed, officials said.

The indictment against Holland includes charges of felony murder, burglary, desecration of human remains, endangering the welfare of a child, hindering apprehension or prosecution, theft by unlawful taking, and weapons possession offenses, said Essex County Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who is handling the case.

Holland also faces a contempt charge because there was an active restraining order baring him from having contact with Jones, at the time of the murder, Murray said.

Authorities said Holland had prior romantic relationships with both Jones and Rouse.

Holland pleaded not guilty to the three killings in February. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the indictment on July 25 before Superior Court Judge Ronald Wigler.

Tom Haydon may be reached at thaydon@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Tom_HaydonSL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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A photo of Bayonne resident Pablo Caamano, who authorities say was fatally stabbed in Woodbridge on July 18, 2016. Photo provided courtesy of Mike Bedkowski.

- Wake, funeral for fatally stabbed Bayonne man slated for this weekend

A Bayonne woman has been charged with fatally stabbing a Bayonne man in Woodbridge early Monday morning, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced this afternoon.

Amarlis Calderon, 32, had initially been accused of lying to investigators and disposing a knife in connection to 33-year-old Pablo Caamano's death.

Carey said she has since been charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose on top of earlier charges of tampering with evidence and hindering police.

Calderon, who is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center, has had her bail set at $500,000, up from its previous amount of $75,000, according to Carey.

Carey said investigators determined that Calderon was walking on Randolph Avenue in Woodbridge when Caamano drove by and stopped to pick her up. At that point, Calderon stabbed him, he said.

The prosecutor said "the couple" knew each other. James O'Neill, a spokesman for the prosecutor's office, declined to describe their relationship any further.

After Calderon stabbed Caamano, she got into his car and they headed toward Interchange 12 on the New Jersey Turnpike, Carey said. O'Neill declined to say who drove the car toward Interchange 12.

The car then pulled over on the side of the road at Interchange 12, where Caamano was later pronounced dead at the scene, O'Neill said. He couldn't say who called police.

State police were initially alerted about the incident at 3:20 a.m. and responded to the scene with members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, according to Carey.

Carey said an earlier statement from the prosecutor's office incorrectly said Caamano was on Randolph Road when he was pronounced dead.

The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Robina of the New Jersey State Police at 609-947-6024, or Det. Marchak of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office at 732-745-3254.

Jonathan Lin may be reached at jlin@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @jlin_jj. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
JERSEY CITY -- A fifth man has been charged in connection with a fatal shooting and assault in Jersey City last month, but no one has yet been charged with the homicide.

Kawon Robinson, of Jersey City, surrendered yesterday and is charged with aggravated assault on a 25-year-old Roselle man on June 4 in the incident in which 25-year-old Davon Gordon of Bayonne was fatally shot in the torso.

Katrell Trent has been accused of shooting at the Roselle man on West Side Avenue near Fairview Avenue that Saturday morning and he is charged with attempted murder, officials said.

The Roselle man, 25, was shot once on the lower part of his body and he was released from the hospital within days of the shooting.

Darrion K. Trent, Tony Martinez and Maurice Miles have been arrested and charged with the aggravated assault on the Roselle man, officials said.

Gordon was shot at roughly 2:45 a.m. and he died at the hospital about six hours later.

This afternoon, Robinson's bail was set at $75,000 cash or bond by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Martha Royster when he made his first appearance on the charge this afternoon in Central Judicial Processing court in Jersey City via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.

At the bail hearing, the state was represented by Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor Michael D'Andrea and Robinson was represented by defense attorney Amanda Hickey.

D'Andrea had asked for a $100,000 cash only bail, saying that Robinson had avoided homicide investigators and that Robinson's home had been staked out as a result.
GUTTENBERG -- A Catholic priest is under criminal investigation by the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office following allegations he sexually abused a young parishioner at a Guttenberg church where the priest worked in the 1990's, a victims rights group said.

In addition, officials at the Newark Archdiocece said they had taken accusations about the priest directly to authorities and would be ready to cooperate.

The Rev. Michael "Mitch" Walters had been accused by the parishioner at the St. John Nepomucene Parish in Guttenberg of molesting him two decades ago, Road to Recovery, a Livingston-based group that advocates for victims of clergy abuse, announced on Wednesday.



"Fr. Michael "Mitch" Walters was stationed in the 1990s at St. John Nepomucene Parish in Guttenberg, New Jersey, in Hudson County, and a man has come forward to allege that he was sexually abused by Fr. Michael "Mitch" Walters at St. John Nepomucene Parish when he was a minor child," the Road to Recovery stated in an announcement in advance of a press conference it had scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Guttenberg church on Polk Street.



Ray Worrall, a spokesman for Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, declined to confirm whether the office was investigating the allegations.



"We can't comment whether or not this office is even involved in an investigation," Worrall said in an email.



The assertion by the Guttenberg parishioners are in addition to allegations by five parishioners at St. Cassian's Parish in Montclair that Walters abused them when he worked there decades ago.



Walters was removed from the ministry in October after the allegations were made last year, when he was working as a weekend pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows in South Orange while also serving in two positions at the Archdiocese of Newark, overseeing educational and spiritual enrichment programs for parishioners, and fundraising for missionary and evangelical work.



A spokesman for the Newark Archdiocese, Jim Goodness, said Wednesday that church officials had informed county prosecutors of the allegations against Walters, after the archdiocese was contacted by a lawyer for several people alleging they had been abused by the priest in Guttenberg and Montclair.



"We brought the information directly to them," Goodness said, referring to prosecutors. "We are ready to cooperate to any extent possible."



NJ Advance Media staff writer Mark Mueller contributed to this report.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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Jersey City cop kill David T. Cheatham appears in court in Jersey City yesterday, July 19, 2016, on charges he threatened a woman with a knife.

David T. Cheatham

JERSEY CITY -- A 59-year-old Jersey City man convicted in the 1973 murder of a police officer has been charged with threatening to cut a woman in a domestic incident on Monday.

David T. Cheatham, of the 400 block of Martin Luther King Drive, is charged with making terroristic threats and weapons offenses related to a knife, the criminal complaint says.

Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor John Wojtal said in court that the victim identified Cheatham, adding that authorities also recovered the knife with which he allegedly threatened her.

The criminal complaint did not provide any other details on the incident.

Cheatham, Franklin Jennette and Steven Thomas were convicted in the Sept. 12, 1973 murder of Jersey City Police Officer Casper Buonocore Jr., who was shot by a sniper on Ocean Avenue as he was leaving the scene of an arrest and melee.

Thomas said in a statement to police that at 8 p.m. on the night of the shooting he saw Jennette carrying a gun at a bar and then went to an Armstrong Avenue building with him to buy drugs.

Cheatham showed up and told them of police activity on the street. Jennette suggested they go upstairs, telling Thomas he intended to shoot a police officer, the statement said.

As the three leaned over the side of the roof, Jennette took out a gun and Cheatham pointed out which police officer to shoot, according to the statement.

The front cover of The Jersey Journal from Sept. 13, 1973, the day after Jersey City Police Officer Casper Buonocore Jr. was shot and killed.

Cheatham, who is currently on parole, has 13 prior arrests, three disorderly persons convictions and criminal convictions for murder, burglary and a weapons offense.

He was in prison from March 7, 1974 to April 27, 1989, when he was first paroled, but returned to prison some five years later on a parole violation. Since then, Cheatham has been in and out of custody for additional parole violations, New Jersey Department of Corrections spokesman Matt Schuman said.

Cheatham was most recently in prison from June 11, 2015 to Oct. 30 of the same year, when he was released with an electronic monitoring device, Schuman added.

Jennette was in prison from Jan. 3, 1974 to Aug. 26, 1999, for the murder, state corrections records indicate. He also has several prior parole violations and was back in prison from May 14, 2002 to Aug. 13, 2002, and Sept. 8, 2006 to Aug. 11, 2008.

Jennette, who is currently incarcerated on a parole violation, has been in prison since 2010, Schuman said.

Thomas' conviction was overturned by the New Jersey Supreme Court in 1978 due to improper questioning by the prosecutor.

Cheatham's bail for the most recent offense was set at $15,000 with a 10 percent cash option when he made his first court appearance on the charge yesterday in Central Judicial Processing court via video link from Hudson County jail in Kearny.

Journal city editor Patrick Villanova contributed to this report.
SAO PAULO, July 20 (Reuters) - The board of Brazil's central bank plans to unveil interest-rate decisions exclusively on its website, starting with the one slated for Wednesday, according to a statement.

The decision will be published right after the meeting of the board finishes around 6 p.m. local time (2100 GMT), the statement said.

(Reporting by Guillermo Parra-Bernal; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
citibikejclaunch48.JPG

Cyclists celebrate the Citi Bike Jersey City launche on September 21, 2015. The city has announced it is adding 15 bike stations to citywide, adding to the existing 35 stations. Michael Dempsey | The Jersey Journal

(Jersey Journal file photo)

JERSEY CITY -- Mary Ford loves Citi Bike Jersey City, but barely uses the bike-share station closest to her home.

Ford, 57, who lives on Garfield Avenue, would have to walk to Bayside Park to grab one of the Citi Bike bicycles stationed there and use it to get to the Downtown financial services company where she works.

"That's sort of a long, lonely walk past a cemetery," she told The Jersey Journal. "After dark, I don't really want to do that."

Ford is in luck. This week Jersey City announced the locations of 15 new Citi Bike stations, and one of them is outside the Danforth Avenue light rail stop, much closer to Ford's house. She is thrilled.

"I will use it constantly now," she said.

Citi Bike Jersey City launched in September with 35 stations citywide. Along with the 15 new stations, the system will also add 150 bikes, bringing the total size of its fleet to 500.

Installation of the new stations is expected to begin this week.

Nine of the new bike-share stations are located Downtown, where most of its users live: Sixth and Monmouth streets, Sixth Street and Jersey Avenue, Brunswick and Seventh streets, Third Street and Jersey Avenue, Second and Grove streets, Columbus Drive and Monmouth Street, Columbus Drive and Warren Street, the Marin Boulevard light-rail station and at Morris Canal Park.

Of the rest, three are in Bergen-Lafayette: Astor Place and Park Street, Berry Lane Park and one outside Lafayette Park. There are two new stations in the Greenville area, near Audubon Park and the one outside the Danforth Avenue light rail station, plus one new one in the Heights, outside Leonard Gordon Park.

In addition, an existing bike station is being moved to make a second location outside Berry Lane Park.

Earlier this year, the city sought suggestions for where 15 new stations should be located, and says it received over 500 responses.

Mayor Steve Fulop has said he pressed Motivate, the company the runs the bike-share system, to install bike stations citywide, and not just outside the Downtown and Journal Square PATH stations.

"Part of the commitment we made when we launched was that the service would be accessible and convenient for residents in every neighborhood across the city," Fulop said in a statement. "Today's expansion is part of that ongoing commitment."

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
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Efrain Cruz, 19, of Kearny, appears in court in Jersey City yesterday, July 19, 2016, on robbery charges.

JERSEY CITY -- The legal troubles continue to mount for a 19-year-old Kearny man already in jail on an aggravated assault charge.

Efrain Cruz, of Kearny Avenue, made his first court appearance yesterday for his alleged role in a June 30 robbery, in which he is accused of punching the victim in the head, face, neck and upper body, while saying "Give me all your stuff," the criminal complaint states.

Following his court appearance, Cruz was to be processed on an outstanding warrant for a July 9 burglary and theft, court officials said. The location of the second incident was not disclosed.

His bail was set at $60,000 cash or bond for the aggravated assault charge in Central Judicial Processing.

He may appear in CJP this afternoon on the charges related to the alleged July 9 burglary.
121 River St SJP SJP.png

The global accounting firm Ernst & Young is weighing an $39 million tax break offered by the state to relocate more than 1,000 jobs from its Manhattan headquarters to the Hoboken waterfront.

(SJP Properties)

HOBOKEN -- The accounting giant Ernst & Young is weighing whether to move more than 1,000 high-paying jobs from its Manhattan headquarters to Hoboken or to Brooklyn, with New Jersey officials trying to help it decide by offering a $39 million tax break.



On Thursday, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority approved a 10-year tax credit for Ernst & Young under the state's Grow NJ program, which is intended to encourage businesses to create new jobs or retain existing ones in the state.



Ernst & Young, which also goes by E&Y, has told New Jersey it is contemplating moving between 1,000 and 1,300 employees from its U.S. headquarters at 5 Times Square across the Hudson River to an existing building on the Hoboken waterfront at 121 River Street. At least 430 of those employees would spend at least 80 percent of their work time at the new location, according to the tax break package approved by the EDA.



But the firm is also considering moving to Brooklyn's Industry City neighborhood. Despite the borough's wild popularity among the young and tattooed, E&Y told the EDA that the Brooklyn enclave would be less expensive than the Hoboken waterfront.



A spokeswoman for the EDA, Erin Gold, said Ernst & Young had six months to respond to the offer, with specific financing plans and other details of the move.



Gold said state officials were confident the offer would be sufficient to lure the accounting firm, "but confirmation would need to come from the company."



A spokeswoman for E&Y, Barbara Burgess, said she could not immediately comment on the incentive package or say whether the company had decided to move the jobs to Hoboken.



According to the EDA, before the agency approved the tax break, it received a certification from Ernst & Young CEO Stephen R. Howe Jr., asserting that, "but for the Grow New Jersey award, the creation and/or retention of jobs would not occur."

The median salary of the jobs involved would be $116,000, or 139 percent higher than the Hudson County median, according to the EDA.



Despite the $39.8 million tax break, which would be spread over 10 years, the EDA calculated that the net benefit of the move to the state, carried out over a 20-year period, would be $87 million.



On top of the tax revenues generated by newly relocated jobs, the EDA said Ernst & Young also pledged to spend $54 million to customize the 168,000 square feet of space it would occupy in the River Street building, which is owned by SJP Properties in Parsippany.



E&Y would occupy about a third of the total space in the 13-year-old brick and masonry building, one of two towers that make up SJP's Waterfront Corporate Center.

SJP declined to comment.



A spokesman for Mayor Dawn Zimmer of Hoboken said the city would not be offering any additional incentives to help lure Ernst & Young to its waterfront. But that doesn't mean the city wouldn't welcome the firm, its employees or any other potential benefits the move might bring.

"Bringing new industries and jobs to Hoboken would be great for our local economy," the spokesman, Juan Melli, said in an email, "and for residents who would have access to expanded job opportunities."

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SteveStrunsky. Find NJ.com on Facebook.


Trenton-pool

Trenton's Cooper Pool seen Wednesday, July 20, after lifeguards walked off the job

(Greg Wright | For NJ.com)

UPDATE: Pool vendor yanks contract with 'high risk' Trenton

TRENTON -- The city's four public swimming pools will be closed indefinitely after the city failed to pay its vendor on time.

USA Management, the Georgia-based vendor contracted to operate the pools, has yet to receive a payroll payment that was due July 8, spokeswoman Elle Anderson said.

"We will not staff the pool until payment has been tendered," she said.

The lifeguards, who work for the vendor, walked off the job Wednesday afternoon to protest what they say is a continuing problem with the city.

"They did not want to work more hours and not get paid," Anderson said.

Under the contract, she explained, the city sends USA Management the money, which goes into a payroll account.

"If we don't receive those contract payments, the payroll account is not funded for those guards to be paid," Anderson said. "We work off the funds of the contract."

When the company informed the lifeguards that their paychecks may be delayed, they decided to take their own action.

"We never directed anyone to leave or said, 'You're not getting paid,'" she said.

Their walk out forced city officials to temporarily close the pools, but they reopened shortly after when USA Management told everyone to return to work.

Though the pools will remain open until 8 p.m. Wednesday, they will not reopen Thursday morning, Anderson said.

City spokesman Michael Walker anticipated that the pools would reopen no later than Thursday.

"We are working through an issue with the vendor contracted to operate the city's pools," he said.

The city later sent NJ Advance Media a copy of a wire transfer confirmation. It shows that $20,895 was sent to USA Management at 3:02 p.m.

USA Management was awarded the $185,188 contract last month. It runs from June 27 through Sept. 5.

Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- A Bayonne woman pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to charges she stabbed a man to death in his vehicle near Interchange 12 on the N.J. Turnpike early Monday morning.

Amarlis Calderon, 32, entered her pleas through her attorney, at her first court appearance before Superior Court Judge Alberto Rivas on charges of murder for fatally stabbing Pablo Caamano, 33, also of Bayonne, about 3 a.m. Monday.

Calderon is also charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of hindering police by lying to investigators, tampering with evidence for trying to dispose of a knife and disposing of the knife.

Calderon listened to the court proceedings through an interpreter and did not say anything.

Her attorney, Melissa Karabulut, a public defender, asked the judge's permission to have part of her body photographed because "when I visited her in jail I noticed bruising on parts of her body."

The judge agreed with the request.

Rivas kept Calderon's bail at $575,000 -- $500,000 for the murder and weapons charge and $75,000 for the other charges.

Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Scott LaMountain did not provide any details as to what the motive for the alleged attack may have been.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey said Tuesday that the investigation into the stabbing determined Calderon was walking on Randolph Avenue in Woodbridge, stabbed Caamano when he drove by and stopped to pick her up. The couple knew each other, Carey said.

The prosecutor said Calderon got into the vehicle and the couple headed toward Interchange 12 on the Turnpike, where they pulled to the side of the road.

The New Jersey State Police were alerted Monday at 3:20 a.m. and responded along with members of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.

The northbound ramp of the Interchange to the outer lanes of the highway were closed for most of Monday morning while investigators looked for evidence.

Calderon was remanded to the Middlesex County jail in lieu of $575,000 bail.

Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Carlo Bellario court appearance

Pictured right, Carlo Bellario, 48, of Toms River, sitting with his attorney, Jef Henninger, at a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick over charges Bellario is facing for possessing a BB gun while filming a movie in Woodbridge in November last year.

((Spencer Kent | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com))

UPDATE: Actor takes plea deal after all

NEW BRUNSWICK -- Carlo Bellario, the comedian/actor facing charges for having a BB gun while filming a movie in Woodbridge last year, will gamble going forward in his case Wednesday afternoon, saying he planned to opt for trial, rejecting a new plea deal of no jail time and a significant reduction to what prosecutors had offered earlier this year.

A few hours before the hearing Wednesday afternoon at the Middlesex County Courthouse, in New Brunswick, Bellario was decisive in his decision to reject the plea deal.

"I've suffered enough," he said. "They realize that the production company is the culprit, so why the need to still punish me?"

According to Bellario's attorney, Jef Henninger, the county Prosecutor's Office plans to offer Bellario probation without jail for "creating public false alarm" -- which would be a drastic contrast to the three-year prison deal the prosecution offered at a preliminary hearing in March.

But, regardless, Henninger said, "If that's the deal, he's going to reject it."

It is unlikely the Prosecutor's Office would offer a similar deal if Bellario opts for trial. In fact, Henninger said, the terms could go even higher than they were in March.

"It will probably go even higher because they are probably going to be even more limited in what they can offer him," said Henninger.

Last November, Bellario was shooting a movie entitled "Vendetta Games" directed by Andre Joseph, of Staten Island, who runs a production company, Epyx Productions. One of the scenes, Bellario had said, involved him having a "semi-automatic BB gun," as described by Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Kuberiet at the March hearing. Kuberiet had said that under state law, the BB gun is considered a firearm.

Police were called and when they arrived, Bellario had the BB gun in his hand, he told NJ Advance Media in a previous report. He thought the director had a permit for the BB gun.

According to Kuberiet, Bellario has six prior convictions in two states, including charges of theft, credit card theft, and burglary, according to court records.

Bellario's attorney, Jef Henninger, said in March that if Bellario were convicted at trial, the court could potentially add as much as 10 or more years in prison to his sentence.

Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.
View of 321 St. Charles Avenue, between Union and Gravier Streets in the Central Business District. Erected in 1857 by Gallier, Turpin and Co. as the Bank of New Orleans, in 1920 the building housed the Louisiana State Lottery Company headquarters. The Lottery operated from 1868-1893 under a 25 year contract approved by the La. State Legislature. The building later housed the United Fruit Company until March 20 when it was demolished to make way for a larger United Fruit Co. building. Streetcar tracks and automobiles are visible on St. Charles and pedestrians are seen on the sidewalk.
Solar panels catch sun on a rooftop in New Orleans on Tuesday, September 14, 2010. (Photo by Rusty Costanza, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune archive)
TORONTO,ON--(Marketwired - July 19, 2016) - An interview was held at the Zoryan Institute of Canada with Dr. Samuel Totten, an independent genocide and human rights researcher and faculty member of the Institute's Genocide and Human Rights University Program, to examine the recent German Bundestag Armenian Genocide resolution and propose ways in which other nations, such as the United States and Israel, can learn from this model of recognition.

The following are the insightful statements made by Dr. Totten in his interview with the Zoryan Institute:

Zoryan Institute: Does the U.S. recognize the Armenian Genocide?

Dr. Totten: "The United States has avoided recognition of the Armenian Genocide for decades and continues to do so for political expediency. Instead of being a leader in recognizing the genocide as a genocide, the U.S. government continues to drag its feet. This is in direct contrast, for example, to Germany. On June 2nd, 2016, by a unanimous vote in the Bundestag, the German parliament not only acknowledged its nation's own complicity in the Armenian genocide of 1.5 million people in 1915, but called that human tragedy what it is: genocide. The Bundestag's vote should serve as a shining example to all of those nations who have yet to make a similar declaration, including the United States.

In 2007 during his first presidential campaign Obama made a bold statement, but unfortunately he did not follow through: "Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915.  as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide."

Zoryan Institute: The U.S. was once known for its generous humanitarian aid to Armenia during World War I. How should these acts now serve as a model to the U.S.?

Dr. Totten: In regard to acting with honour, the U.S. government today could learn something of real value from one of its predecessors: more specifically, on July 16, 1915, while Ottoman Turkey was doing its all to exterminate the Armenians - men, women, children, the elderly, and even infants -- U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Turkish Empire Henry Morgenthau, Sr. informed U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing about the slaughter of Armenians. In part, Morgenthau's telegram read as follows:

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"Deportation of and excesses against peaceful Armenians is increasing and from harrowing reports of eyewitnesses it appears that a campaign of race extermination is in progress under a pretext of reprisal against rebellion."

From that point forward, Morgenthau and the United States Government stepped up, reached out, and began to work in various ways on the behalf of the targeted victims. After the end of WWI, those efforts involved a massive and ongoing humanitarian effort that included raising millions of dollars from the American public and sending food to those in dire need.

In other words, both the U.S. Government and the American people refused to be bystanders to the extermination of a people, the Armenians. In that regard, they absolutely refused to deny that something horrific-extermination, genocide-was being perpetrated by Ottoman Turkey.

What America did in that calamitous period in history should serve as a source of national pride and a shining example of courage and altruism to the current presidential administration and all future administrations. In fact, the current candidates for president in the upcoming elections should be required, by the voting public, to state unquailingly their policy on this issue.

Zoryan Institute: As you previously mentioned, on June 2nd the German Bundestag acknowledged its complicity in the Armenian Genocide. Do you think that this resolution would bring about a change in U.S. policy?

Dr. Totten: Today, despite the fact that Germany, the political and military ally of Turkey at the time, has now officially recognized its complicity in those events and explicitly labeled them "genocide," America has so far failed to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. One can only conclude that the U.S. Administration, once again has capitulated to Turkish pressure to deny this very well documented and recognized historical event.

The United States avoidance of doing so would have been akin to a U.S. President at the end of World War II dithering over whether to deem the Holocaust genocide. No one would have stood for that, and no one should stand for the ongoing silence of the U.S. regarding the matter of the Armenian genocide.

The failure of the U.S. to recognize its own diplomatic record and openly label the "events of 1915" as "genocide" has reached the point where it is no longer simply a moral issue, but rather a matter of U.S. credibility. How can the U.S. criticize human rights abuses perpetrated in other countries, impose sanctions, and even invade other countries, when it cannot be honest in the face of incontrovertible historical fact?

The Bundestag resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide and its own complicity in it stands in stark contrast to U.S. silence and, ironically, denial of America's own proud record during those times. It is not too late for President Obama to rescue his reputation for integrity and the U.S.'s credibility internationally by recognizing the Armenian Genocide. It is the right thing to do, and now is the time to do it."

Samuel Totten is an independent researcher. Samuel Totten, as a faculty member of Zoryan Institute's Genocide and Human Rights University Program and former editor of Genocide Studies International journal published by the Institute in conjunction with the University of Toronto Press

His most recent book is Genocide by Attrition: Nuba Mountains, Sudan. The Zoryan Institute and its subsidiary, the International Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies, is the first non-profit, international centre devoted to the research and documentation of contemporary issues with a focus on Genocide, Diaspora and Homeland.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/7/8/11G105875/Images/Sam_Totten_Picture_1-9ab266c6529dbc01b5dcaecc5ec5e2f8.jpg


WASHINGTON (AP)  The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol has issued a subpoena to Donald Trump. The nine-member panel sent a letter to the former president's lawyers on Friday, demanding his testimony under oath by mid-November and outlining a series of corresponding documents. The decision by lawmakers to exercise their subpoena power comes a week after the committee made its final case against the former president, who they say is the "central cause" of the multi-part effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. It remains unclear how Trump and his legal team will respond to the subpoena, if at all.
The moon landing on July 20, 1969, was the biggest news in the solar system.

Here on Earth, the news of Sen. Edward M. "Teddy" Kennedy's plunge into a deep saltwater pond on Chappaquiddick Island that same week was big news, with critics raising questions for decades about the death of his passenger Mary Jo Kopechne in that same crash.

Kennedy was, of course, the brother to the late President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963, and presidential candidate and former attorney general Robert "Bobby" Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968.

But the moon landing was celebrated as an American achievement, a signal that even though the Soviets and their cosmonauts had the early lead in the space race, the American astronauts got their first.

Ever since, the NASA program to land a man on the moon has been a beacon of American ingenuity and scientific know-how.

Were you alive during the moon landing? Are you old enough to remember it? If so, you'll remember right where you were  glued to the television set.
The Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor just had its second best June on record after handling 303,000 tons of freight, including shipments of huge cranes from Europe.

The deepwater port on Lake Michigan has handled 1.1 million tons of cargo so far this year through the end of June, which is slightly behind last year and the record year in 2014, spokesman Rich Allen said. However, the year-to-date volume is 14 percent ahead of the previous five-year average.

Stevedores at the port have been unloading a lot of coal, steel, limestone, fertilizer, oils and recycled rubber. Last month, they handled a lot of large project cargo, including container cranes bound for intermodal yards in the Midwest.

"New shipments of intermodal cranes helped drive June's maritime port cargo numbers above the same period last year," Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor Port Director Rick Heimann said. "We've had multiple large cranes and containers of crane components arrive by ship from Europe that will be used to handle containers in multiple intermodal yards around the Midwest. June cargo volumes were also helped by new outbound shipments of recycled rubber and strong volumes of bulk commodities for use in the steel-making process by ArcelorMittal."

Two iron ore boats were headed for ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor in East Chicago Monday evening.

Overall shipping through the Saint Lawrence Seaway, the passage that connects Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, has been a little slower this year.

"Although the overall cargo numbers remain down when compared to the same time frame last year, in June we were above the five-year average," said Betty Sutton, Administrator of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corp. "Imports arriving in the Great Lakes Seaway System kept longshoremen busy during the month of June. About 45 ships arrived from 19 different countries with high value cargo like windmill components, machinery, aluminum ingots, steel, sugar, and general cargo."

The United States receives commodities and finished goods through the Seaway, and ships out mostly agricultural products to foreign markets.
CROWN POINT  Attorneys for the state and defense appeared Wednesday to update a judge on the pending capital case against a man accused of killing Gary Patrolman Jeffrey Westerfield.

Carl Blount, 27, appeared in front of Lake Criminal Court Judge Samuel Cappas for a further proceedings hearing. Blount faces a charge of murder, and the state is seeking the death penalty.

Defense attorney Richard Wolter said theyve received the final firearm report from the state, which means they can consult with their expert in anticipation of next years trial.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney David Urbanski said all of the reports regarding ballistic evidence are complete. He said they should have a questionnaire that will be sent to prospective jurors completed within 48 hours.

We are in very good shape, Urbanski said.

Jury selection is expected to begin Jan. 9, 2017. The state would begin presenting evidence Feb. 6.

Blount was additionally charged last month with intimidation, carrying a handgun without a license and battery. The charges stem from a domestic violence incident that happened before Westerfield was fatally shot.

Police previously said Westerfield was on patrol July 6, 2014, and was searching for Blount, who was a suspect in the domestic dispute. Westerfield, 47, was found shot to death inside his patrol car in the 2600 block of Van Buren Place in Gary.

Blount has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He did not say anything during Wednesdays hearing.

His next court hearing is scheduled for Aug. 2.
CROWN POINT  Kimberly Partyka has spent the past two years thinking of what she would say to the man who admitted to driving drunk and causing a crash that killed her mother.

Wearing a cross containing her mothers ashes, Partyka dabbed her eyes with a tissue before outlining all the milestones her mother, Charlene Partyka, missed. Her mother wasnt there when she received her nursing license, her mother wasnt there for her wedding day and her mother wasnt there when she learned she was expecting her first child.

I want you to think of her every day, she said. She was an amazing role model and a selfless Christian.

Dennis M. Pokropinski, 45, of Schererville and Lowell, pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death, a Class C felony. Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez sentenced Pokropinski to 18 months in prison followed by 18 months in community corrections.

The maximum term he could have faced was three years under the terms of the plea agreement. Partykas daughters said most of their family agreed with the plea arrangement.

Pokropinski was driving a 2007 Dodge Nitro on June 15, 2014, on Ind. 55 near 137th Avenue when he crossed the center line and crashed into Charlene C. Partykas 2012 Ford Fiesta, according to court records.

Witnesses told police Pokropinski said he had fallen asleep while he was driving. He had a blood-alcohol level of 0.131, according to court records. The legal limit in Indiana is 0.08.

Charlene Partyka, 48, of Lowell, died at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois.

Joyce Partyka-Staib said Charlene Partyka wasnt able to attend her wedding either. She described her hardest days without her mother as the days when she wishes she could turn to her for advice.

You took away sharing recipes, phone calls between mom and daughters, Partyka-Staib said.

Britney Partyka told the court she longs for the days before her mother died. She doesnt wish Pokropinski ill will. Like her sister, she wants him to think about her family.

I hope you remember our faces because we will never be able to forget yours, she said.

Sitting in a chair next to his attorney, Pokropinski turned to face Partykas family that filled the courtroom. He apologized for the pain and suffering he caused them.

I do think about it and deal with it every day, Pokropinski said.

He told them he wanted the hearing to bring them a sense of closure and told them he would accept the punishment handed to him.

Defense attorney James Thiros told Vasquez the crash has shaken his clients soul. He argued for a probationary sentence, because Pokropinski doesnt have any prior criminal history.

He said his client has been employed at the same job for about 20 years, and he has coached various sports at local schools.

Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Jatkiewicz argued for Pokropinski to spend three years in prison, reasoning that a portion of a persons life should be forfeited if they take a life.

Vasquez said it was evident the crash caused a lot of hurt, which continues two years later.

He said Pokropinski appeared to be a decent person, but Vasquez also told him he exercised bad judgment the day of the crash.

The message has to be crystal clear that if you do something like this, there has to be a punishment, he said. There just has to be.
LOWELL Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said Tuesday he doesnt expect the mother of an abandoned infant to face adult criminal charges.

Carter said his office hasnt receive any evidence yet, but he is certain the teenage mother of a newborn found last week near Lowell will come under the jurisdiction of the Lake Juvenile Court.

Heidi Laub said her 9-year-old daughter, Elysia, found the baby early July 11 at the edge of their 3-acre property in the 18000 block of White Oak Avenue, just west of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Ind. 2, a sparsely occupied area of open farm fields and large wooded sections in unincorporated West Creek Township.

A medical team at Franciscan St. Anthony Health hospital in Crown Point found the full-term Caucasian girl in good condition, other than being sunburned. The states Child Protective Services has found a foster home to take the child.

Lake County police said Monday an anonymous tip enabled them to find the mother, whose identity was not being released because she is a juvenile. The case has been turned over to the state Department of Child Services for further investigation.
CROWN POINT  Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said he will no longer serve up light charges for drunken motorists.

Basically, we have taken the position that there will be no reductions, Carter said Tuesday during a meeting with The Times editorial board.

A recent Times review of traffic arrests in 2014 in Lake County showed the prosecutors office only won convictions to operating while intoxicated charges in 36 percent of the cases. The prosecutor pleaded down 58 percent to reckless driving.

Carter said he has now directed his staff of 65 deputy prosecutors to insist on guilty pleas to OWI charges or take their case to trial. But defense attorneys arent going to take those to trial. They will plead (their clients) to OWI.

He said he ordered the policy change last month in the wake of the controversy surrounding Randolph L. Randy Palmateer, 37, business manager for the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council.

Hammond police arrested Palmateer at a sobriety checkpoint March 25. A deputy prosecutor signed a plea agreement about a month later allowing Palmateer to plead guilty in May to reckless driving rather than the OWI.

It was the second time in five years. The prosecutors office had charged Palmateer in 2011 with OWI and reduced it in Lake Station City Court to reckless driving. Carter said his office didnt do a political favor for Palmateer, a Democratic precinct committeeman whose union endorsements have been highly sought.

Carter said the deputy handling Palmateers case didnt follow county politics and Carter said he wasnt aware of the Palmateer case until it already was closed.

Carter did look into why Palmateers 2011 conviction wasnt reported to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicle for inclusion on Palmateers permanent driving records. He also found other alcohol-related convictions in Lake Station City Court not reported to the state between 2008 and 2012.

State police and a special prosecutor have now taken over that investigation, at Carters request.

State law gives prosecutors discretion to reduce OWI charges, but the Times survey of 2014 traffic arrests in neighboring Porter County showed about 81 percent resulted in an operating while intoxicated plea or conviction.

Carter said Tuesday, We are going to mirror (Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel) plea policy. What hes doing, we are going to do. Its the right thing that needs to be done.

Carter said his offices enforcement of drunken driving laws became lax because of the sheer volume of cases. Of the 30,000 traffic offenses his office processes annually, more than 1,000 are OWI charges.

Carter warned the effect of his new policy may not be noticed immediately because he will honor plea bargains previously negotiated before the change, but not yet brought to open court for sentencing.

He said there will also be exceptions to his policy when an OWI charge rests on weak evidence, particularly when the driver declines to take a breath test.

We have to prove at trial the driver was impaired. The court will say it isnt enough that they were speeding, driving left of center or making unsafe lane movement, because the driver may have dropped a cellphone or spilled coffee or were texting.

Carter said arrests at sobriety checkpoints, like Palmateers, create challenges for his office, since the offender wasnt involved in an accident and jurors my sympathize with a defendants plea that they only had a few drinks.

We are realistic and will make allowances for weak cases so they arent lost.

Carter said his policy change wont necessarily result in more harsh sentences.

The courts dont care if you have a reckless driving or an OWI conviction. You will go to court-approved treatment.

He said new laws have softened the consequences of misdemeanor OWI convictions to ensure defendants keep their jobs by giving them limited driving privileges to work, church and medical purposes.

Persons convicted of a second misdemeanor OWI are likely to be given the choice by a judge of spending a handful of days in jail or doing up between 180 hours and 360 hours of community service.
GARY  One man was hospitalized in critical condition and another suffered a graze wound to his head in two separate shootings early Wednesday, police said.

Gary police were dispatched about 2:15 a.m. to the 4900 block of Rhode Island Street for a gunshot victim, Lt. Dawn Westerfield said.

Officers found what appeared to be a bullet hole in a front window, but no one answered the door, she said. As police were investigating, they were notified of a 23-year-old Gary man with a gunshot wound at a local hospital, she said.

Police determined the man had been shot outside the home on Rhode Island, and he was transferred to another hospital for further treatment, she said.

The man, who was in critical condition but expected to survive, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the arm, chest, hip and foot.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sgt. Jon Basaldua at (219) 881-1210.

Poilce were dispatched about 3:15 a.m. to an apartment building in the 400 block of South Huntington Street in the citys Miller section after a window was damaged by a bullet, Westerfield said. Police found damage to at least two apartments.

About an hour later, police responded to another home in Miller for a man with a gunshot wound.

The 46-year-old Gary man told police he had been passing fliers out near the apartment on South Hunington Street when someone pulled up in a vehicle and fired five shots at him, Westerfield said.

The man, who had a graze wound to his head and declined medical treatment, said he ran to his vehicle after the shooting and drove to another location, police said.

Anyone with information who wants to remain anonymous should call (866) CRIME-GP.
VALPARAISO  The downtown Porter County Courthouse is scheduled to reopen Thursday, but repair work still lies ahead in the wake of a break-in and vandalism that police said was carried out by a mentally ill man from Michigan.

"We'll have some lingering consequences," said Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper, whose office area was hit particularly hard.

Police believe the crime was carried out by 26-year-old Kristopher Newcomb, of Battle Creek, who was found sleeping on the floor inside the five-story building by an employee of the adult probation department who showed up early for work.

Newcomb, who faces counts of burglary, theft, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, tested positive for alcohol consumption, which is believed to be a contributing factor, said Porter County Sheriff Dave Reynolds.

Newcomb was being held Wednesday in a padded cell at the county jail and was not cooperating with the booking process, which is the reason a booking photo of Newcomb is not yet available, according to the sheriff's department.

It appears he broke into the building through a ground level boiler room window on the south side of the building sometime between the the last person leaving at 10 p.m. Tuesday and the employee arriving sometime before 5:45 a.m. Wednesday, said County Facilities Director Matthew Stechly.

Much of the damage was focused on the upper floors of the building at 16 Lincolnway.

Harper said while her third-floor office and courtroom were protected by heavy doors, the staff offices suffered damaged furniture and equipment. Paperwork from as many as 40 to 50 primarily civil case files was also scattered around the room, tainted further with blood stains and shards of glass from the door window.

"The clerk is going to have to recreate some files," she said.

The judge and her staff were busy Wednesday cleaning up what they could with the help of maintenance workers.

She said Porter County Commissioner John Evans, R-North, was on site early in the morning, and he, the other commissioners and the county's information technologies department made sure she got what she needed to get the office back up and running.

The vandal also broke the glass on the door to the county prosecutor's victims assistance unit, and damaged a laptop computer and printer, said Porter County Prosecutor Brian Gensel.

He said the damage won't impact operations.

A chair was found lodged in what had been a window of the door leading to Magistrate Court 2. Vending machines were damaged, some inactive wiring for the building's heating and air conditioning unit were pulled out, and blood was found smeared on walls, Stechly said.

Valparaiso police estimated the damages at $12,000.

While the building is equipped with security cameras and a security crew during business hours, there is no alarm to draw attention to break-ins, said Porter County Commissioner Laura Blaney, D-South.

"We are continually working to improve our facilities and this incident clearly illustrates a need we need to look at," she said.
The Dinner and Dementia education series is an opportunity to visit and tour memory care facilities available in Lake County, receive disease education to help better manage care giving tasks, and receive a complimentary dinner that is provided by the host site.

Sponsored by Alzheimers & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana, a division of Real Services, this series of programs will be hosted by a different facility each month. Tours of the facility and dinner will be available from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with the educational program following from 6:30 to 7:30.

A free dinner will be provided to all those who register for each program at least one week in advance.

Although these are free programs, registration is required. To register for any, or all, of these programs, contact Alzheimers & Dementia Services toll-free at (888) 303-0180.

Dinner & Dementia Series events are:

Aug. 16  Residences at Deer Creek, 401 E. U.S. 30, Schererville, hosts What You Need to Know about Alzheimers and Dementia, presented by Debbie Carriveau, director of the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care.

Aug. 30  Cedar Creek Health Campus, 18275 S. Burr St., Lowell, hosts Understanding Communication Changes presented by Brenda Obinger, program specialist at the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care.

Sept. 13  Hartsfield Village, 10000 Columbia Ave., Munster, hosts Understanding Behavior Changes, presented by Carriveau.

Sept. 27  Wittenberg, Village, 1200 E. Luther Drive, Crown Point, hosts Taking Care of the Caregiver presented by Obinger.

Oct. 11  St. Anthony Home, Franciscan Communities, 205 Franciscan Drive, Crown Point, hosts Managing Daily Care Tasks (Bathing, Dressing, Toileting, etc.) presented by Carriveau.
EAST CHICAGO  Within 30 minutes of the Planned Parenthood opening Tuesday, four people sat inside the lobby browsing their phones while they waited for their names to be called.

The clinic is in the 3900 block of Main Street, an area city officials have been working to revitalize. By the end of the year, the clinic will close and merge with the Gary location in the 1100 block of Broadway.

Wayne Caldwell, 20, of Merrillville, was among those who visited the clinic. He was disappointed to learn that on Dec. 15 the East Chicago center will merge with Gary's location.

Caldwell said he goes to East Chicago because it's smaller, has quicker service and he is able to dodge prying questions from people who might recognize him at other locations.

"Because the one in Gary  everyone goes there," he said. "I rather not have everyone in my business."

The merger is part of a statewide restructuring of Planned Parenthood, which provides healthcare services such as Pap tests, cancer screenings, birth control, STD testing and wellness exams. Across the state, four centers will be merging with others. The clinics in Muncie and Terre Haute are also closing.

In Northwest Indiana, the other clinic impacted by the changes is the Valparaiso location, which will merge Thursday with the Merrillville location. The Gary location will have Spanish-speaking staff from East Chicago working there.

Ali Slocum, communications director for Planned Parenthood of Indiana and Kentucky, said the changes were not driven by politics. She said the changes make sense for the long-term plan of the organization and its limited resources.

In fiscal year 2015 to 2016, 2,004 people visited the East Chicago clinic. During that same time period, there were 1,628 people who visited the Valparaiso location.

Slocum said the organization has seen a decrease in people using some of their services for a variety of reasons. For example, visits have decreased for Pap tests after medical officials changed the guidelines for how often a woman should have one.

Caldwell said he visited the Planned Parenthood for a check-up, because he doesn't have insurance and is living on a college-student budget.

Takesha Rash, 23, of East Chicago, stopped by the East Chicago facility for a check-up. She has used the clinic's services for three years, and she said the city needs its own location.

"I like the place and the people," she said. "I think they should keep it. I don't know why they would move. There's a lot of people that come here."

In Valparaiso, Danielle Soria, 28, of Portage, visited the center Tuesday to get birth control. The clinic is in a building that houses a women's clinic and a law office. It's the only Planned Parenthood in Porter County.

Soria said she won't mind driving a couple more minutes to Merrillville.

"I'm sad to see it close," Soria said. "It's a nice facility and the staff is great, but they have to do what they have to do."
When Claire Brennecke learned from her priest about a chance to travel to Europe and meet young Catholics from around the world, she decided she wanted to attend World Youth Day.

I wanted to grow in my faith, said Claire, 17, of Valparaiso.

When she told her mother that she wanted to be a part of World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, the pair began to contemplate going.

I thought it would be a great experience for us to go together, said Megan Brennecke, who had chaperoned smaller mission trips.

The group of 82, 55 of those being under the age of 35, will leave Thursday for Rome. The pilgrimage is being coordinated through the Diocese of Gary Office for Youth & Young Adults .

Both Bishop Donald Hying and Bishop Emeritus Dale Melczek will accompany the group.

You have no idea what youre getting yourselves into, said Bishop Donald Hying during a Mass Monday night to celebrate the trip.

Representatives from 15 different churches in the Region will travel as part of the group. A group of seminarians will travel with them as well.

Marc Vargas 16, of Calumet City, had been invited to participate in the trip and is looking forward to learning more about himself.

I had heard of Youth Day and I have had people tell me their experience at it, and I thought why not try it, Vargas said.

Before the start of World Youth Day, the group will spend time in Rome and Assisi seeing sites of religious significance. Then they will tour the concentration camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and see more in Krakow.

I love to travel and I also love my religion so it was a combination of the two, and I thought it would be a great chance to grow deeper in my faith, said Grace Tam, 16, of Valparaiso.

For World Youth Day, the group will walk 10 miles to a site for an overnight vigil, a camp out, and a morning Mass led by Pope Francis on July 30-31.

Many of the young people going are excited about getting to see the pontiff and be in his presence.

Ive been to the Vatican, and that was very exciting but I didnt get to see the pope, said Natalie Nowesnick, 18, of Merrillville.

Most of the pilgrims are looking forward to the event as a whole and learning more about their faith.

Its so beautiful to see so many people together, united for one reason, said Brooke Fowler, 23, of Highland.
VALPARAISO  The John W. Anderson Foundation has awarded Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry $1,000 for its Meat the Need program. These funds will be used to assist Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry in paying processing fees for approximately 750 pounds of donated meat in Lake and Porter Counties, which will then be distributed to area hunger relief agencies providing over 3,000 meals to residents in need.

Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry facilitates the donation and processing of large game and livestock through the Meat the Need program. Hunters and farmers wishing to donate may do so by contacting a participating meat processor in their area and taking the large game or livestock in for processing. There is no charge to donors. The butcher will process, package, and freeze the meat. Local hunger relief agencies will be contacted for pickup and distribution of this nutritious protein back into the community in which it was donated, where funding is available. To date, there are 90 participating meat processors working in 85 counties in Indiana. The group will be working with Humanitarian Distribution Center, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, and local meat processors, to ensure Lake and Porter County residents and hunger relief agencies have access to this nutritious meat.

The goal is to provide nutritious meat to hunger relief agencies within Indiana building stronger, healthier communities by helping to meet the basic needs within each community, getting them back on track to hunger-free, independent living. Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry has helped to distribute over 620,000 pounds of meat to Indiana food banks, providing almost 2.5 million meals to Hoosiers in need.

For more information on the Hoosiers Feeding the Hungry program, its services and to find participating meat processors in your area, or to find out how you can help, visit www.HoosiersFeedingtheHungry.org.
Observers of Northwest Indianas past silo approach to government know all too well the detrimental effects of allowing municipal and county borders to stand in the way of communication and the common good.

In recent years, weve seen encouraging strides in local government agencies beginning to chip away at the figurative walls we build between our communities.

And the strengthening of a cooperative relationship between an Illinois and a Northwest Indiana sheriff is no exception.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart and Lake County Sheriff John Buncich deserve our thanks for putting aside geographical boundaries in fighting the gang, gun and drug-related activity that can flourish in the shadows of jurisdictional short-shortsightedness.

The duo held a press conference last week, reasserting that a cooperative bond between the departments was being strengthened with more information sharing on the investigation into such crimes by both departments.

An initial cooperative effort between the departments, announced nearly three years ago, has led to a brighter spotlight on the flow of guns between the two states  weapons ultimately used in street crimes.

Increased scrutiny on the Lake County gun show, for instance, has been a byproduct of the cooperation.

Dart and Buncich said the departments street gang units have been cooperating on cases that have identified 2,000 gang members  including the arrest of leaders who moved from Chicago to public housing in Lake County.

John (Buncich) and I have been working together for years, and its broken down a lot of barriers, Dart said last week.

Indiana is the No. 2 source of guns we find at our crime scenes in Chicago, Dart said. Its stupid not to be aware of the fact gangs could care less about borders.

As a matter of fact, they sort of like them because traditionally, jurisdictions dont have the ability to cross borders.

Congratulations to Dart and Buncich for kicking aside the imaginary territorial lines and attacking gangs, guns and drugs from both sides in concert.

Other Region government bodies on both sides of the state line should learn from this example.
SPRINGFIELD  Participants in drug court programs across Illinois will be allowed to use medication to combat opioid addiction under a new state law that will take effect Jan. 1.

Gov. Bruce Rauner signed a measure late last week that prevents judges from barring drug court participants from using medications such as methadone when prescribed by a doctor to treat opioid addiction. At the same time, Rauner signed another measure, also effective Jan. 1, requiring substance abuse programs licensed by the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide educational information on medication-based treatments and the use of anti-overdose drugs.

Kathie Kane-Willis, director of the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy at Roosevelt University in Chicago, said the new laws are important steps in strengthening efforts to combat the states growing heroin- and opioid-addiction crisis.

The drug court bill in particular will ensure that people struggling with addiction have access to the most effective treatments, Kane-Willis said.

Drug courts are an alternative to jail or prison for people who have been convicted of nonviolent drug crimes. Participants make regular court appearances and undergo addiction treatment.

However, despite research showing the effectiveness of medication-based treatments, some courts have required participants to refrain using medications as a condition of completing the program, according to the Illinois Consortium on Drug Policy.

People have died as a result of being forced to get off of medication-assisted treatment to complete drug court, Kane-Willis said.

Both laws were designed to fill in gaps in a major anti-opioid law the General Assembly passed last year with overwhelming bipartisan support. State Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, was the lead sponsor of last years package and this years bills, and state Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake, shepherded them through the upper chamber.

This is part of our continued shift toward treating drug addiction like what it is: A devastating health concern that becomes the root cause of other personal and societal ills, Bush of the drug court bill in a prepared statement. We want to ensure that there is no gap in doctor-prescribed medication for those trying to overcome addiction. We wont deny someone the treatment they need.

Dennis McGuire, deputy director of the drug court program in McLean County, said officials there will need to review and discuss the new law, but he doesnt foresee it requiring any major changes.

Were going to rely on our treatment providers to come up with the best course of action on how to treat the individual client, McGuire said.

There are currently about 40 people going through the program, which he said is reserved for high-risk, high-need individuals.
A man has been charged with manslaughter in connection with a deadly hit and run in Queens.



Police say 58-year-old Jairam Budhu is also facing charges of criminally negligent homicide and assault.

They say he turned himself in Tuesday night.



The crash happened around 5 p.m. Sunday.

Investigators say Budhu's BMW X5 sped through a stop sign at the intersection of 115th Avenue and 130th Street in Ozone Park and then slammed into another car.



Forty-year-old Zaalika Rasool was killed. Her 9-year-old daughter was critically injured.

Funeral services for Rasool were held Tuesday morning.

Family and friends remembered her as a dedicated mother of three.

"Family person, very energetic, very humble, very sweet, caring, quiet," said Gibran Deen, the victim's cousin. "Everything a human being should be, this person was, and now, she's not here."



Rasool worked at the city Department of Transportation. The DOT says it's looking into making road changes to make the intersection safer.

Video surfaced on Facebook of a man getting into a car with the same license plate. It shows the man acting belligerently and arguing with another person before entering the BMW.

Police have not confirmed whether the man in the video is Budhu.
Police say two police officers who were on patrol in Brooklyn Tuesday night were not the intended target of a drive-by shooting.

The officers from the 70th precinct were patroling on foot near Flatbush and Ditmas Avenues in Flatbush around 10:30 p.m. when an unknown number of shots were fired from a dark colored four-door sedan.

Police say there were at least two people in the car, the shooter and a driver.



There were no injuries.

Police say the target was believed to be a group of males at the other end the block.

The NYPD requested to shut down the Verazzano Bridge to search for the vehicle suspected of being involved in the shooting, but the MTA says it did not shut down any bridges.

Residents who spoke with NY1 say they're still concerned.

"It's coming close to home and something needs to be done soon," said one Flatbush resident.

"I think it's ridiculous because I have a daughter who she's an officer too," said another.

The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

The NYPD has taken extra precautions since the recent killings of police officers in Dallas and other parts of the country.


UPDATE 7:30 p.m. Long Island Railroad service into and out of Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal have been restored with residual delays. LIRR says the interruption was caused by an "unauthorized person" on the tracks being struck by a train.

LIRR service is restored into and out of Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal.  LIRR (@LIRR) July 19, 2016

Service on the Long Island Railroad has been suspended into and out of Penn Station in Manhattan and Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn Tuesday evening.

The LIRR says the service change is due to an unauthorized person on the tracks being struck by a train east of Queens Village.
Make your Hump Day soundtrack Miles Davis or Elvis Presley  or both. Or tune in to Day 3 of the Republican National Convention and, for some comic relief, the late-night after-party.

Whats Streaming

MILES AHEAD (2015) on Amazon and iTunes. Don Cheadle depicts Miles Davis, the towering jazz trumpeter and composer brought down by drugs and fury, in this biography, which Mr. Cheadle also directed and helped write. But which Miles is he, and what does he sound like? Some of the movie takes place in the 1950s, when Davis was working with the arranger Gil Evans on the record Miles Ahead; elsewhere its 79, when a journalist (Ewan McGregor) bangs on his door for a story and wonders why he no longer plays his horn. In between, Miles reminisces about his first wife, Frances Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi), and a love and life gone wrong, while nodding to albums like Some Day My Prince Will Come and Kind of Blue. Purists may howl, but theyll also miss the pleasure and point of this playfully impressionistic movie, Manohla Dargis wrote in The New York Times. Like his subject, Mr. Cheadle is somewhat of a pugilist himself, and he has a killer sucker punch.
SAN FRANCISCO  After a lawsuit was filed against the high-speed train start-up Hyperloop One, accusing some of its top figures of harassment and mismanagement, the company is fighting back.

Hyperloop One sued the plaintiffs in the original case on Tuesday, accusing the four men  one of whom is a company co-founder  of trying to start a competing venture and to poach employees to do so.



The lawsuit, filed in California Superior Court in Los Angeles, further muddies the water surrounding Hyperloop One, which was built on an idea of the billionaire Elon Musk that the time for superhigh-speed train travel had arrived. (Mr. Musk is not involved in the company.)



At the heart of the companys premise is a way to design a train that could shuttle passengers or cargo through pneumatic tubes much more quickly than over traditional tracks. Mr. Musk initially contended that such a system could speed up travel from the Bay Area to Los Angeles to roughly an hour, though Hyperloop One is focused more on moving objects than people.


Mr. Pakman said the acquisition represented a 10x return for his firm.

Other investors in the company include Science, Felicis Ventures, Comcast Ventures and Technology Crossover Ventures.

Dollar Shave Club itself gained attention soon after it was established in 2011, after the founder Michael Dubins guerrilla YouTube marketing campaign went viral for its schlocky, slapstick brand of humor. The company made a name for itself as a direct-to-consumer subscription razor blades service, which cut costs by eschewing traditional store-shelf space and passing on the savings to consumers.

As the brand grew, Dollar Shave Club expanded beyond razor blades, offering its own line of shaving cream and after-shave lotion, among other products.

Now Dollar Shave Clubs competition stretches beyond Gillette and Schick. Among its main competitors on the start-up side is Harrys, which focuses more on the design of its razors but has also branched out into other grooming products. Harrys  co-founded by Jeff Raider, a co-founder of Warby Parker, and backed by investors like Tiger Global and Thrive Capital  also owns its manufacturing, having bought a German razor factory two years ago. Harrys last fund-raising round gave it a valuation of roughly $700 million, excluding that latest investment, and the company is likely to want a price of more than $1 billion.

And then there is Bevel, a razor seller that aims at the African-American market, which has drawn backing from the likes of Andreessen Horowitz.

Yet Dollar Shave Club is still on the fast track in terms of sales growth. In Tuesdays deal announcement, Unilever said that the razor seller collected $152 million in sales last year, and was on pace to pull in more than $200 million in revenue this year.

The deal could prove particularly lucrative for Unilever, which among its various properties does not yet own a direct-to-consumer mens shaving product line. The two sides first became acquainted about six months ago when Mr. Dubin sat down for dinner with Mr. Kruythoff, a meal arranged by a senior JPMorgan Chase banker, Romitha Mally.
His political career started there, when Richard Nixon appeared as one of Mr. Douglass guests. The two hit it off as Mr. Ailes urged Mr. Nixon to embrace television as the ultimate way to move the masses, and he went on to become Mr. Nixons media guru.

He went on to serve several of the nations most consequential Republican politicians, including Ronald Reagan and George Bush, for whom Mr. Ailes sharpened the devastating attack against his Democratic opponent, Michael Dukakis, as soft on crime.

It was impossible to walk around this convention without bumping into a former Ailes client. One of them, Rudolph W. Giuliani, even provided one of the bigger moments of the first night of the convention, delivering a colorblind message about race and policing in the Black Lives Matter era, the same kind of message that has frequently been aired in Fox News programs.

The conservative movement deserves to give Roger Ailes a lot of credit for the work that he did in helping candidates and founding Fox News and giving conservatives a voice in this country, said another of his clients roaming the convention hall, Gov. Terry Branstad of Iowa.

But Mr. Ailes has always made it clear he wants his legacy to be what he built at Fox News, though one former political adversary, the former Obama adviser David Axelrod, said he brought the same skills to both.

Roger Ailes created a network that speaks to Americans he had targeted effectively for decades as a Republican media consultant, Mr. Axelrod said on Tuesday night. He called Mr. Ailes brilliant and visionary. But he also said, The rise of Fox News has corresponded with an era of rising polarization in our politics.

Mr. Ailes brilliantly packaged his network as Fair and balanced, an antidote for what he described as a liberally biased mediasphere. But it also became a catchphrase for a brand of journalism that at times  especially during Foxs opinion lineup in prime time  formed an ideological cocoon for a version of the news that was at odds with the mainstream reports it sought to discredit.
One day this past May, Donald Trumps eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., reached out to a senior adviser to Gov. John Kasich of Ohio, who left the presidential race just a few weeks before. As a candidate, Kasich declared in March that Trump was really not prepared to be president of the United States, and the following month he took the highly unusual step of coordinating with his rival Senator Ted Cruz in an effort to deny Trump the nomination. But according to the Kasich adviser (who spoke only under the condition that he not be named), Donald Jr. wanted to make him an offer nonetheless: Did he have any interest in being the most powerful vice president in history?

When Kasichs adviser asked how this would be the case, Donald Jr. explained that his fathers vice president would be in charge of domestic and foreign policy.

Then what, the adviser asked, would Trump be in charge of?

Making America great again was the casual reply.

Ultimately, Trump chose Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, not Kasich, to be his running mate. (Neither Donald Jr. nor Paul Manafort, Trumps campaign chairman, replied to multiple requests on Tuesday for comment for this article. After the article was posted, Donald Jr. disputed the Kasich advisers account.) About this, both much and little can be made. On one hand, voters do not seem to care all that much about who the No. 2 is when they go to the polls. On the other, how a presidential candidate goes about picking that person offers an early look at the nominees executive style. In Trumps case  based on the recollection of over half a dozen operatives and elected officials working with both the Trump campaign and potential running mates Trump considered  the winnowing of his initial wish list reveals a distinct blend of practicality, impetuousness and disengagement.
On the other hand, you had to wonder: What happened to the guy who, as mayor of New York in the weeks after Sept. 11, did everything possible to tamp down the mood of terror and fear in that awful hour?

Day after day, he all but invoked Franklin D. Roosevelts famous line, The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. Here is a sampling of Mr. Giuliani, vintage 2001:

The life of the city is going and the city is stronger than it was last week, he said that September. We had the most horrible attack in the history of the city. We emerged a strong city, more united.

Mr. Giuliani recalled the courage of people during the Battle of Britain in World War II, when German bombs set off 1,500 fires in one night, part of an air war that went on for months. Theres nothing wrong with being afraid, he said, but you dont give in to it.

A few weeks after the attacks, he played surrogate family member at the wedding of a woman whose brother, a firefighter, had died in the line of duty. The mayor walked the bride down the aisle and danced with her. Visit New York, he implored tourists. He urged joy at every turn.
When the authorities executed a search warrant last month at the home of Jeremiah Reichberg, a Brooklyn businessman arrested in a federal corruption investigation, they noticed one of Mr. Reichbergs family members trying to leave the house carrying various items, a prosecutor told a federal judge on Tuesday.

Among the items, said the prosecutor, Martin S. Bell, were electronic devices, thumb drives, smartphones, data-containing disks and business cards, which related to people currently and formerly at the New York Police Department and elected officials in local politics.

Mr. Bell, speaking at a hearing in Federal District Court in Manhattan, did not elaborate on the significance of the business cards and other materials seized in the search. The comment came as he described the case against Mr. Reichberg and his co-defendants  two former New York commanding officers who were also arrested last month in the continuing investigation.

But his statements offered a glimpse at some of the evidence that is under review in the case, in which prosecutors have said Mr. Reichberg and another man provided gifts to the two former commanders in return for illicit favors.
But his political career soon ebbed: A promising run for president in 2008 imploded, and Mr. Giuliani, especially in recent months, had evolved into a reliable firebrand of cable-news conservatism.

Mr. Giuliani, in a phone interview on Tuesday, said that his passion was real and that he did not think he had changed in the intervening years. Rather, he said, it was the nation that had changed after eight years of President Obamas leadership.

That was a hell of a speech, the former mayor said. The emotion came from the heart.

He did not deny that he was tapping into fear, but said it was a fear that exists and must be addressed. I think fear is a legitimate feeling, he said.

It was true in a different context in 1993, he said, when he ran for mayor and crime was the concern. I believe I was elected mayor of New York City because they were afraid, Mr. Giuliani said. You can call it a campaign of fear because people were afraid they were going to be killed.

By 1997, he said he was able to run an optimistic campaign because the fear had faded as crime fell.
After gunning him down, the killer escaped on foot, until a mob that had gathered on his trail beat him. He was taken into custody by the police. The man first identified himself as Meet Kill, and claimed to have shot Kem Ley over a debt. That story seems implausible, and relatives of both men have since reportedly said they didnt think the two knew one another. And so the killers motives remain unclear, as does the question of whether he acted on anyones orders.

What already is clear, however, is that many Cambodians believe Kem Ley died for his political beliefs, and few have much faith in the investigation the government has promised to conduct. Whatever the truth behind Kem Leys death, the event already seems to mark a point of no return in public opinion: The fracture between the people and the government may now be irrevocable.

The credibility of the ruling Cambodian Peoples Party has been shaky since the 2013 general election, when the C.P.P. barely managed to hold on to its parliamentary majority. Given the irregularities surrounding that narrow victory  especially major discrepancies in voter registration lists  the result signaled a crisis of faith. There were mass protests in Phnom Penh for several months, until a deadly crackdown.

For a while in 2014 the government seemed willing to cooperate with the C.N.R.P., but then it dropped even the semblance of that. For close to a year now, various officials, the courts and other public institutions have hounded opposition lawmakers, environmental and labor activists and members of civil society  anyone, basically, who asks hard questions.

The C.N.R.P.s leader, Sam Rainsy, has gone into exile abroad to avoid arrest in relation to an old defamation suit by the former foreign minister. Kem Sokha, the partys deputy leader, is also being threatened with a defamation suit for a statement he is said to have made to his alleged mistress. He has sought refuge at C.N.R.P. headquarters since late May.
In an interview on Yahoo News on Monday, Isikoff asked Flynn why he had attended an anniversary celebration for RT, the Putin propaganda machine, last year, sat next to the Russian autocrat at the celebratory dinner, and delivered a speech.

The purpose of the trip, Flynn said, was to try to persuade the Russians to get the Iranians to stop meddling in the Middle East. Isikoff quite reasonably asked whether he had received a fee, and if so, why he accepted the money. I didnt take any money from Russia, Flynn said.

Isikoff asked, Who paid you? and Flynn testily snapped: My speakers bureau. Ask them.

It would seem absurd at any other convention, but in Cleveland the idea that there is some nefarious undertone to Trumps obsession with Putin  is the Russian leader flattering Trump to somehow gain control over him?  somehow does not seem entirely crazy.

Trump loves conspiracies. He was one of the original birthers questioning Obamas citizenship and religion and he likes to hint darkly that Obama is in league with terrorists. Those are among the things about Trump that terrify ordinary people, but the Cleveland meeting is no place for ordinary people.

Trumps former adviser, Roger Stone, who described his recent book about the Clintons as a horrifying true story of rape, intimidation, cover-up, drugs, greed and power, is using the convention to promote himself. So is Alex Jones, who runs the right-wing conspiracy website infowars.com.

The establishment, George Soros and others have done everything they can to try to shut down our free speech, Jones shouted at a tiny rally on the Cleveland waterfront on Monday, where he seemed free to say whatever he wanted, and Soros was nowhere in sight.
Mr. Portmans wife, Jane Portman, joined her husband at the wounded veterans event Tuesday morning, as he did his best to ignore what was going on elsewhere in Cleveland. This is just how he rolls, she said. Hes a positive, optimistic person. These are activities that hes been involved with and engaged with for years and years. They are positive and they are hopeful, and they lift people up and they pull people together.

No matter how wholesome the events have been, Democrats have capitalized on Mr. Portmans self-exile from convention festivities.

After the Habitat event on Monday, Mr. Portman joined with Newt Gingrich and Iowa Senator Joni Ernst to speak to a large group of mostly high school and college-age campaign volunteers at Cuyahoga Community College. Outside the auditorium where Mr. Portman was speaking, the Ohio Democratic Party protesters wore judge-like robes, to highlight Mr. Portmans decision to not vote to have a hearing for Merrick B. Garland, President Obamas Supreme Court nominee. Another one held up a big blown up portrait of Mr. Portmans head sporting a Make America Great Again hat.

Donald Trumps campaign in many ways is Rob Portmans worst nightmare, said David Pepper, the chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. If you really are troubled by him on all these issues, then to me, you own up to it like John Kasich does and simply say, I cant support him. Thats what leadership looks like.

Both Ted Strickland and Rob Portmans campaigns are trying to paint their opponents as friendly to China. Mr. Stricklands campaign passed out fortune cookies reading Rob Portman: the best senator Chinas ever had. And at the Cuyahoga Community College event, counter-protesters from the Ohio G.O.P. held up a sign saying Ted lost 350,000 jobs and one, wearing a tire outfit, held up a sign saying Retread Ted: Made in China.

Mr. Portman is one of the Republican Partys most prolific fund-raisers, and he put in the hours with Mitt Romneys campaign in 2012. He said he will probably campaign with Mr. Trump this fall. At the event for campaign volunteers, Mr. Gingrich, the former House speaker, praised Mr. Portmans practical conservatism, especially his work on curbing opioid addiction. Ms. Ernst recalled how the Portmans helped her Senate campaign in 2014. Now, with Mr. Portman holding a slim lead over Mr. Strickland, he will have to call in a few favors from the candidates hes helped out over the years.

Democrats are relishing the idea of taking back control of the Senate by kicking people like Mr. Portman out of office. Its an unfair political fact that the people who will likely suffer the most for Mr. Trumps divisive candidacy are the people who have tried to make the Republican Party more inclusive.
The current rules that exaggerate victories create the illusion of a majority. In half of the 16 contested presidential nominating contests since this system went into effect, the eventual nominee locked up the race with less than a majority of the primary vote. Proportional representation would dispel the illusion that they won by more than they actually did.

Second, a shorter calendar: Proportional representation would help some minor candidates survive, but coming in last doesnt help with fund-raising or morale. And its a long slog from January to June. A second-choice-of-many candidate may not be able to stick around to be considered at a contested convention.

But if we dont need to winnow our choices down to one, we can do the whole thing in a faster window. I think even a single-day primary with proportional representation would be good, but thats not going to happen. A shorter primary season  say, lasting 12 to 16 weeks  is something the parties could actually do.

Third, pay more attention to the delegates themselves. For practical purposes, its probably necessary that delegates be allied with a candidate when they appear on primary ballots. Voters cant be expected to learn much about the delegates as people.

But at the convention, under this proposal, delegates might be free to vote for someone other than the candidate they originally backed. On the first ballot, delegates would be bound to vote for the candidate to whom they were pledged. For that, who they are doesnt matter. But if they get to deliberate, it would.

We can assume that delegates would take cues from the candidate they originally backed. But they wouldnt have to move in lock step, either. They could behave like elected representatives in a representative democracy.

Wed thus want candidates to choose delegates whom they believed in. These would be politicians and activists committed to the party, exactly the sort of people who choose party leaders in most other democracies.
Soon, we will enter a new name into the history books: Donald J. Trump, the real estate mogul and entertainer who began his campaign with a screed against Latin American immigrants and who grew in popularity as he promised Americans that he would seal off the country from Mexico.

The nomination of Mr. Trump by the Republican Party will endure in the memory of Latinos in this country for generations to come. Our future historians will write about the Trump campaign and the nativist anger it unleashed with the same sense of hurt that African-Americans feel when they look back on the cruelties of Jim Crow, and that Asian-Americans experience as they contemplate the injustice of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

The Republican convention that began Monday in Cleveland with an hour of testimony about the innocent blood spilled by illegal aliens only deepened the insult. Each speaker served as an echo of the words Mr. Trump uttered a year ago when announcing his candidacy at Trump Tower in New York: When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best, he said. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists.

Only Trump mentions Americans killed by illegals, said one of the convention speakers, Jamiel Shaw Sr., whose son was murdered by an immigrant in Los Angeles in 2008. Trump is sent from God.

Some 11 million people live in the United States as undocumented immigrants. Many speak English as their primary language, and nearly all pay federal and local taxes. But in the vision offered by the Republican Party this week, they are a scourge murdering Border Patrol officers, or unlicensed drivers who drink to excess and kill American citizens.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SIX days ago, on March 16, Merrick B. Garland was nominated to the Supreme Court. Today, therefore, he surpasses the record previously held by Louis D. Brandeis, who in 1916 waited 125 days between his nomination and his confirmation.

Judge Garlands long wait reflects the intense partisan politics that surround this Supreme Court vacancy  politics that were similarly intense in Brandeiss day. In Brandeiss case, opposition to his appointment combined scarcely veiled anti-Semitism with hostility to what some perceived to be his radical politics. In Judge Garlands case, the opposition focuses not on his religion or his perceived radicalism  he is viewed as a moderate liberal  but on the expectation that he would, nevertheless, by replacing the conservative stalwart Antonin Scalia, shift the court decisively to the left.

But the Brandeis precedent shows  and Judge Garland is also likely to demonstrate, if he is confirmed  that even the most politically contentious nominees, once they join the Supreme Court, can serve as unifying figures who put the bipartisan legitimacy of the institution above their own ideological agendas.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has responded to the failed coup in Turkey with indiscriminate retribution. At last count, nearly 35,000 members of the military, security forces and judiciary  including 103 generals and admirals  have been detained or dismissed; 15,000 education ministry employees have been suspended; the licenses of 21,000 teachers have been revoked; and more than 1,500 university deans have been forced to resign.

The purge is stunning in its breadth and depth, extending into the political and business classes as well as the government. How many of these people were actually involved in the weekend mutiny against Mr. Erdogan is unclear. Also unclear is whether Turkeys fragile democracy can survive this challenge, whether it will become a kind of de facto authoritarian state and  of deep interest to Washington  whether it can recover sufficiently to continue on as a credible member of NATO, the alliances eastern anchor.

At such a time, one would hope for a leader willing and eager to unify his people under the rule of law, to reaffirm democratic values and to address the grievances that motivated the plotters in the first place. So far, Mr. Erdogan seems determined to fail this test of leadership.

Since the coup attempt, he has raised the prospect of reinstating the death penalty. After many terrorist incidents, he told CNN, the Turkish people seem amenable to the idea that terrorists should be killed. But of course any blood bath sanctioned by the government would destabilize Turkey further and seal Mr. Erdogans legacy as the man who destroyed modern Turkeys promise as a model Muslim democracy.
Mr. Ryan denounced Mr. Trumps attack on an Indiana-born judge of Mexican heritage as the textbook definition of a racist comment. He added: Its absolutely unacceptable. But do I believe that Hillary Clinton is the answer? No, I do not. Thus goes his justification for abandoning principles and good sense: The bizarre excesses of Mr. Trump  racism, xenophobia, paleo-protectionism  are nothing compared with the prospect of Mrs. Clinton winning the White House.

Unlike Mr. Ryan, other Republican leaders have backed away from Mr. Trump as a candidate gone amok, notably Mitt Romney, the presidential candidate who campaigned alongside Mr. Ryan. Even John Kasich, the conventions host governor, has felt obliged to boycott the celebration of Mr. Trump. In contrast, Mr. Ryan seems to be trying to look just loyal enough to avoid blame for a Clinton victory while positioning himself to pick up the pieces of the party if Mr. Trump loses. But he cannot have this both ways. He is tying his future to Mr. Trumps ugly campaign.

Even before the credibility challenge presented by the Trump candidacy, Mr. Ryans reputation as a congressional thinker and innovator was subject to increasing doubts, as was his leadership of fractious House Republicans in their failure to agree on basic budget resolutions. Their election year agenda, called A Better Way, has been widely criticized for lacking detail in its claims about curtailing poverty. Last month, after years of vowing to come up with a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, Mr. Ryans caucus finally offered a proposal. Far from being innovative, the plan was built around Mr. Ryans longstanding proposals to shift Medicare to a market-based competitor of health care companies.

Under scrutiny, Mr. Ryans prescriptions for reforms and savings have proved to be glossy variations on the tired Republican tactic of more tax cuts favoring the rich over the middle class, while his budget-cutting proposals have never added up to his grand promises.

As a conservative policy leader, Mr. Ryan should have every reason to oppose Mr. Trump. They hold different positions on core issues, including on immigration (Mr. Ryan opposes Mr. Trumps call for 11 million deportations), trade deals (Mr. Ryan supports the Pacific trade deal that Mr. Trump has vilified) and international engagement (the speaker favors a stronger NATO and wariness toward Russia, while Mr. Trump seems ready to embrace isolationism).
CLEVELAND  One of the last times you saw Ted Cruz, flames were shooting from his head and spittle was flying from his mouth  metaphorically, at least  as he branded Donald Trump a pathological liar, a serial philanderer, utterly amoral and a narcissist on a level this country had seldom seen. It was the day of Indianas Republican primary, Trump had just insinuated a connection between Cruzs father and the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and Cruz announced that he must at long last tell the world what I really think of Trump.

But when you see the Texas senator on the convention stage here on Wednesday night, that contempt and candor will be absent. He may not exactly praise Trump, but hell almost certainly swallow whatever misgivings he still feels, and his presence alone will be taken by some viewers as a gesture of implicit, tentative support.

It will also be an example of what he always says he cant stand about other politicians and what voters loathe as well: the elasticity of their convictions, the urgency of their self-interest and the alacrity with which they take an eraser to their past words.

Theres a lot of erasing going on these days, and Trump is a big reason. For many Republicans, rallying round him means conveniently forgetting how much they disagreed with or even detested him before, a breach much wider than the one that typically exists between opponents within a political party.
IS there a war on cops? With five police officers shot dead and seven more wounded in Dallas, and three killed, three wounded in Baton Rouge, La., it is hard to argue that there isnt. Hours before the slaughter in Dallas, a man in Bristol, Tenn., went on a shooting rampage with anti-white, anti-cop motives (according to a preliminary inquiry), killing a woman and wounding three other people, including a police officer.

Officers were attacked in their homes in Indianapolis and St. Louis by black men enraged by recent events. Other police officers have been shot, shot at and killed in the past two weeks, under circumstances in which politics played no obvious part. Last year, there were 40 police officers killed by intentional gunfire across the United States; this year, there have been 30, and the summer isnt over.

Still, I dont believe there is a war on cops.

Twenty-one years ago, when I was sworn in as a New York City police officer, I entered the police academy beneath a sign that read Fidelis ad Mortem  Faithful Unto Death  and hoped that it was a promise I wouldnt have to keep, either by giving my life or by taking anothers. Since then, 160 members of the department have proved its truth, many from illnesses contracted in the aftermath of Sept. 11.

But while violent death was always a risk for cops, it was a daily reality for the African-American and Latino residents of the South Bronx, where I worked. It was the reason we were there. There was a war going on, it often seemed, but most of us were on the same side.
Though Tom Kibble never received a Nobel Prize in Physics, the consensus among his colleagues is that he deserved one. His research was at the root of at least three seminal discoveries that earned others the coveted prize.

Dr. Kibble, who died on June 2 in London at 83 and who was long associated with Imperial College London, conducted research that spanned the scales of physics, explaining fundamental interactions among the building blocks of matter as well as theorizing about the topology of the cosmos.

Most notable, Dr. Kibble helped discover the Higgs mechanism, which explains why particles have mass. The discovery helped lay the foundation for the so-called Standard Model of particle physics, a theory that classifies and describes the interactions of subatomic particles.

He spent much of his later career contemplating how, after the Big Bang, the universe cooled and went through successive phase transitions (when a medium changes form, such as liquid freezing into solid). Most significant, he predicted that topological defects would emerge in the universe at each phase transition, similar to the cracks that form when water freezes.
SEATTLE  Microsoft is best known for software products like Windows and Office. If you bought a PC, more often than not it came with Windows, and chances are you bought a copy of Office to go with it.

But the personal computers that Microsoft makes a lot of software for arent selling the way they once did. And the companys entry into the smartphone business  which has been eating into PC sales for several years  was a disaster.

Its a good thing Microsoft is determined not to miss the boat on cloud computing, a current trend that connects people over the internet to software hosted in big data centers.

On Tuesday, in its quarterly earnings results, Microsoft offered strong signs that its cloud business was growing quickly. Revenue from Azure, a business Microsoft started to compete in cloud computing with Amazon, the market leader, rose more than 100 percent in the quarter.
BATON ROUGE, La.  Asha Bennie, a lifelong resident of this Deep South city, said she was horrified by the ambush-style shooting here on Sunday of six law enforcement officers by an African-American man.

But Ms. Bennies sense of fear and disquiet does not stop with the trauma of that moment.

Her Indian-Trinidadian family runs Bennies Rental Properties, a storefront business just down the street from the convenience store where, on July 5, two white Baton Rouge police officers shot and killed a black man, Alton Sterling. Ms. Bennie knew Mr. Sterling, who had been staying in the shelter the company operates. And as much as she grieves for the officers, she worries if anyone will still care about police reform, and about justice for Mr. Sterlings family, now that so much of the citys, and the nations, attention is focused on the fallen officers.

All on the news, people are talking about what happened with the police, she said Tuesday. But we still have the tragedy of what happened down the street, and we have to deal with it.

Calls for unity reverberated across Baton Rouge soon after the massacre of its law enforcement officers Sunday, much as they did in Dallas after the July 7 slaying of five officers there. But unlike Dallas, Baton Rouge was still struggling with the raw and churning emotions set off by the shooting of Mr. Sterling. While many blacks participated in the subsequent protests against the police here, many whites did not.
CLEVELAND  Mike Hill, a black Republican state representative in Florida, grew steadily more disheartened as he watched television clips of his partys overwhelmingly white national convention lecturing African-Americans about the police and race relations.

There was Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York, nearly shouting Monday night that the police only wanted to help people, regardless of race. A sea of white convention delegates, cheering wildly as two black speakers ridiculed the Black Lives Matter movement and unconditionally praised law enforcement officers. And a series of speakers pushing Donald J. Trumps law-and-order message and arguing, as he has, that the United States had lost its way.

When a lot of white Republicans get together and bring up race, even telling black people how they should see police and the world, it evokes the worst kind of emotion, said Mr. Hill, who supports Mr. Trump but decided to skip the convention. We have so few black Republicans to begin with. Talking about race wont bring us more.

For many black Republicans, the partys convention has veered unexpectedly and unhappily toward lecturing and moralizing on issues of race, an off-putting posture at a time when Mr. Trump is staggeringly unpopular with minority voters. He drew support from zero percent of African-Americans in recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal polls in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and he is struggling badly with Hispanics, partly because of his harsh language about Mexicans and immigrants.
CLEVELAND  Thirteen staff members from the California delegation are having an experience unique among the thousands of delegates, volunteers and party officials who traveled here for the Republican National Convention: They are quarantined in their hotel rooms about 60 miles from the convention site.

The first signs of illness, thought to be norovirus, the highly contagious intestinal illness, appeared on Thursday night, just after the staff members arrived in the Cleveland area. By early Monday, symptoms had sufficiently spread among the group to notify the Erie County Health Department.

They apparently brought it with them from California, Peter Schade, the departments health commissioner, said, adding that while he was waiting for test results, we are suspecting its norovirus.

Kaitlyn MacGregor, communications director for the California Republican Party, said that although the infected staff members, who were responsible for managing the logistics of the conventions largest delegation, were stuck at the hotel, the sickness had not spread to any of the more than 300 delegates from the state. The Health Department has instructed the delegation to practice good hygiene in the hopes of containing the illness, Mr. Schade said.
On Syria

When Mr. Christie got to the topic of Syria, he reminded the crowd that Mrs. Clinton had called President Bashar al-Assad a reformer and a different kind of leader. He said she bore some responsibility for the deaths of the 400,000 people who have been killed in Syrias civil war: as he put it, dead at the hands of the man that Hillary defended.

As an awful judge of the character of a dictator and butcher in the Middle East, he said, guilty or not guilty?

Fact check: Mrs. Clintons comments about Mr. Assad came in an interview in 2011, before much of the bloodshed, when she said that some members of Congress in both parties believe hes a reformer. Some in the George W. Bush administration had also expressed hope that he would be a better leader than his father, Hafez al-Assad. And Mrs. Clinton did not defend the atrocities committed by Mr. Assad during the later period of the civil war.

On Iran

Mr. Christie delivered a familiar critique of the signature agreement of the Obama administration, though it was reached a year ago last week, or two and a half years after Mrs. Clinton left the State Department. She launched the negotiations that brought about the worst nuclear deal in history, he said.

Fact check: Mrs. Clinton did indeed press the effort, sending two secret emissaries to feel out the Iranians about beginning talks. Mr. Christies assertion that America and the world are measurably less safe because of the deal is far more questionable: Iran gave up 98 percent of its nuclear fuel, dismantled vast numbers of centrifuges and other nuclear infrastructure, and so far appears to have stuck to everything it agreed to. (It is in the areas outside the agreement  missile launches and support for terrorism  that Iran is pushing the envelope.)

On Russia

Mr. Christie accused Mrs. Clinton of giving President Vladimir V. Putin that stupid, symbolic reset button, and said she had harmed the United States security and sought instead to strengthen Russia.

Fact check: Mrs. Clinton did support a reset of relations with Russia early in the Obama administration, pursuing a hope of Mr. Obamas that the United States could pull Russia into a closer and more effective working relationship. That effort failed as Mr. Putin consolidated power.
CLEVELAND  Donald J. Trump was formally crowned the Republican nominee for president at the partys convention on Tuesday, ending a tumultuous primary season but not the nagging questions about his polarizing candidacy as he once again found himself embroiled in controversy.

With his campaign appearing in disarray after his wife, Melania, delivered a convention speech cribbed in part from one once given by Michelle Obama, Mr. Trump officially claimed the nomination. But the gap between Mr. Trump and the party he now aims to lead yawned as wide as ever across the convention.

At times, the only unifying appeals  the only themes truly capable of rallying the Republican Party, even briefly  were ominous denunciations of Hillary Clinton. Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, a Trump ally stung by his rejection in the hunt to be Mr. Trumps running mate, rebounded with a call to arms against Mrs. Clinton.

Casting himself as her prosecutor in a mock trial, Mr. Christie roused the crowd to spontaneous chants of Lock her up!
There is nothing more important than my rock-solid conviction that the person I choose could literally get up one day and be the president of the United States, Mrs. Clinton said.

She made those comments as the Republican National Convention entered its first evening in Cleveland. A parade of speakers, including former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, spoke about the need to be tough in the fight against terrorism as they attacked Mrs. Clintons record.

The terrorist attack in Nice, France, the mass shooting in Orlando and the recent killings of police officers and police shootings of black men have all added to voters sense of insecurity this summer, with both candidates seeking to present themselves as the solution.

Voters are evenly split on whether Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Trump would better handle terrorism and national security, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll, a change from last month, when Mrs. Clinton had a seven-percentage-point advantage on the issue.

Mr. Trumps choice for running mate, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, a social conservative not known for foreign policy experience, supported the war in Iraq and praised Mrs. Clintons handling of a NATO-led coalition to oust Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi in Libya  both of which Mr. Trump has criticized.

Other presidential candidates have used a running mate to bolster their appeal on foreign policy. In 1980, Ronald Reagan chose George Bush, whose resume included serving as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the top American diplomat in China. In 2000, George W. Bush picked Dick Cheney, an experienced Washington hand and former secretary of defense.

Eight years ago, as she competed against Barack Obama in the Democratic primary, Mrs. Clintons campaign seized on national security to portray Mr. Obama as an inexperienced and dangerous choice. It ran one of the starkest ads of that cycle, in which a phone rings at the White House at 3 a.m. as the narrator asks, Who do you want answering the phone? Mrs. Clinton, wearing glasses, picked up the receiver.
Launched last year, the Hearst Health Prize is an annual $100,000 cash award given in recognition of an organization's or individual's outstanding achievement in managing or improving health in the U.S.Click here for high-resolution version

NEW YORK, NY and PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwired - July 20, 2016) - Hearst Health, a division of Hearst, and the Jefferson College of Population Health of Thomas Jefferson University, today announced the national panel of judges for the 2017 Hearst Health Prize. Launched last year, the Hearst Health Prize is an annual $100,000 cash award given in recognition of an organization's or individual's outstanding achievement in managing or improving health in the U.S. The announcement was made by Gregory Dorn, MD, MPH, president of Hearst Health, and David B. Nash, MD, MBA, dean of the Jefferson College of Population Health.

The interdisciplinary judging panel includes several returning judges from last year's competition, as well as notable additions. The nine judges for the 2017 Hearst Health Prize are:

A. Mark Fendrick, MD : A nationally recognized expert on value-based insurance design, Dr. Fendrick's work focuses on connections between clinician payment, consumer engagement, access, quality and costs. He is the director of the Value-Based Insurance Design Center, a professor of internal medicine at the School of Medicine, and a professor of Health Management & Policy at the School of Public Health at the University of Michigan.



Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA, JD, FCPP, FAAN : A public health executive with experience in health and human services senior management, executive leadership and consulting, Hansen-Turton is the chief operating officer of Public Health Management Corporation, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania. She also serves as the founding executive director for the Convenient Care Association and is CEO of the National Nursing Centers Consortium.



H. Stephen Lieber, CAE: As president and chief executive officer of HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society), Lieber is an established HIMSS leader on issues such as electronic health records, interoperability, technology standards, IT adoption and certification.



Ron Loeppke, MD, MPH, FACOEM, FACPM: Currently the vice-chairman of U.S. Preventive Medicine (USPM), Dr. Loeppke has more than 30 years of clinical and physician executive experience in the occupational health, preventive medicine and medical management arenas. He is a member of the Population Health Management Journal Editorial Board, and is the co-chair of the International Occupational Medical Society Collaborative (IOMSC), a global initiative involving over 30 countries.



David B. Nash, MD, MBA: Named the founding dean of the Jefferson College of Population Health (formerly Jefferson School of Population Health) in 2008, Dr. Nash is a board certified internist who is internationally recognized for his work in public accountability for outcomes, physician leadership development and quality-of-care improvement.



Valinda Rutledge, MBA, MSN: A devoted proponent of quality improvement, innovation and accountability in healthcare delivery, Rutledge has held a variety of CEO positions within various hospitals and healthcare systems. Currently she serves as vice president of Public Payor Health Strategy in the Care Coordination Institute at Greenville Healthcare System. She previously led the Patient Care Model Group at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI).



James M. Schibanoff, MD: A consultant to Hearst Health and former editor-in-chief of the Milliman Care Guidelines (now MCG) from 1998 until 2012, Dr. Schibanoff supervised editorial and peer review of care guidelines and analysis of the evidence used to inform their development. Prior to Milliman, he served as the CEO of Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego.



Lisa Simpson, MB, BCh, MPH, FAAP: A nationally recognized health policy researcher and pediatrician, Dr. Simpson is president and CEO of AcademyHealth. Her areas of expertise include translating research into policy; quality and safety of healthcare; health and healthcare disparities; childhood obesity; and child health services.



Mark D. Smith, MD, MBA: Acclaimed for his experience in identifying and evaluating high-quality health programs and interventions, Dr. Smith was the founding president of the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) and former executive vice president of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. He is a professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco and visiting professor at the School of Public Health at the University of California at Berkeley.

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Full bios can be found at Jefferson.edu/HearstHealthJudges.

"We are honored to bring together this extraordinary group of healthcare experts," Dorn said. "Our judges' experience and expertise ensures that the Hearst Health Prize judging process will surface the best practices that advance the field of population health."

"I am eager to work with my fellow judges in the months ahead as we evaluate entries for the Hearst Health Prize and learn about new population health initiatives that are making a meaningful impact and improving health outcomes in the U.S.," Nash said.

The Hearst Health Prize is now accepting submissions from organizations and individuals who have demonstrated measurably-improved outcomes in managing the health of a population. The deadline is August 26, 2016. For full details about the Hearst Health Prize, including eligibility, submission criteria and application, and competition rules, please visit www.jefferson.edu/HearstHealthPrize.

The judges, in conjunction with faculty from the Jefferson College of Population Health, will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:

Population health impact or outcome, demonstrated by measurable improvement

Use of evidence-based interventions and best practices to improve the quality of care

Promotion of communication, collaboration and engagement

Scalability and sustainability

Innovation

Community Care of North Carolina won the inaugural Hearst Health Prize in March 2016 for its statewide transitional care program for Medicaid patients. The two 2016 finalists were Centering Healthcare Institute's CenteringPregnancy prenatal care program and Jersey City Medical Center-Barnabas Health's Wealth from Health, Inc. program.

Key Dates for the 2017 Hearst Health Prize:

August 26, 2016: Closing date for submissions at 11:59 PM (ET)

January 2017: Finalists notified

March 27, 2017: Finalists will present at a special poster session at the Population Health Colloquium in Philadelphia

March 28, 2017: Winner of the $100,000 Hearst Health Prize will be announced at the Population Health Colloquium

About Hearst Health

The Hearst Health network includes FDB (First Databank), Zynx Health, MCG, Homecare Homebase, MedHOK, Hearst Health International, Hearst Health Ventures and the Hearst Health Innovation Lab (www.hearsthealth.com). The mission of the Hearst Health network is to help guide the most important care moments by delivering vital information into the hands of everyone who touches a person's health journey. Each year in the U.S., care guidance from the Hearst Health network reaches 84 percent of discharged patients, 177 million insured individuals, 44 million home health visits, and 4 billion prescriptions.

About the Jefferson College of Population Health

The Jefferson College of Population Health (JCPH) is the first and only school of its kind in the country. Established in 2008, it is part of Thomas Jefferson University, a leading academic health center founded in Philadelphia in 1824 as Jefferson Medical College (now Sidney Kimmel Medical College). The College is dedicated to exploring the policies and forces that define the health and well-being of populations. Its mission is to prepare leaders with global vision to examine the social determinants of health and to evaluate, develop and implement health policies and systems that will improve the health of populations and thereby enhance the quality of life. Jefferson College of Population Health provides exemplary graduate academic programming in population health, public health, health policy, healthcare quality and safety, and health economics outcomes research. Its educational offerings are enhanced by research, publications and continuing education and professional development offerings in these areas.

Image Available: http://www.marketwire.com/library/MwGo/2016/7/19/11G107255/Images/HearstHealthPrize_new-0f8551a8ae6e8ab981df7e848fc1bfe3.jpg


Wisconsin residents without photo identification can vote in Novembers election if they sign an affidavit swearing to their identity, a federal judge ruled Tuesday, providing temporary clarity in a long-running dispute about voter identification.

In granting the preliminary injunction, Judge Lynn S. Adelman of the Federal District Court in Milwaukee said a safety net is needed for those voters who cannot obtain qualifying ID with reasonable effort. He called the option of signing an affidavit a sensible approach that will both prevent the disenfranchisement of some voters but also preserve Wisconsins interests in protecting the integrity of its elections.

Wisconsins attorney general, Brad Schimel, said in a statement that he was disappointed with the courts decision. Mr. Schimels office has defended the law for years and insisted that requiring identification was a necessary safeguard against voter fraud. The requirement was approved by Gov. Scott Walker and the Republican-led Legislature in 2011.

We will decide the next course of action after Wisconsin Department of Justice attorneys have had time to fully review and analyze the courts decision, said Mr. Schimel, a Republican.
Referring to the United States, Mr. Yildirim said, we would be disappointed if our friends told us to present proof even though members of the assassin organization are trying to destroy an elected government under the directions of that person. He added, At this stage there could even be a questioning of our friendship.

Mr. Kerry has said Turkey, as part of the extradition process, must provide evidence that withstands scrutiny in an American court  something analysts say Turkey does not have.

On Tuesday, Mr. Gulen again denied any involvement. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today once again demonstrated he will go to any length necessary to solidify his power and persecute his critics, Mr. Gulen said in a statement. It is ridiculous, irresponsible and false to suggest I had anything to do with the horrific failed coup. I urge the U.S. government to reject any effort to abuse the extradition process to carry out political vendettas.

Turkish officials may be certain about Mr. Gulens actions and motives, but the nature of his movement has long confounded analysts and diplomats in Turkey, partly because the organization is opaque and individuals do not openly declare allegiance to it.

Mr. Jeffrey said it would have been hard for Gulen followers, as Islamists, to infiltrate the armed forces, which have been a stronghold of secularism in Turkey.

In diplomatic cable written in 2009, and made public by WikiLeaks, Mr. Jeffrey detailed how Mr. Gulen came to exile in the United States. He left Turkey in 1999 after being charged with plotting to overthrow the state. The charges, Mr. Jeffrey wrote, were based on a sermon Mr. Gulen had given in which he said, our friends, who have positions in legislative and administrative bodies, should learn its details and be vigilant all the time so they can transform it and be more fruitful on behalf of Islam in order to create a nationwide restoration.

Mr. Gulen was later acquitted, in absentia, on all charges.

Jenny White, a professor at the Stockholm University Institute for Turkish Studies who has studied the Gulen movement, said it is centered on a worldwide network of secular schools. The goal, she said, is to create a golden generation of young people who are educated in science, but have Muslim ethics.
PARIS  Camille Henrot drew obsessively as a girl growing up in Paris. She doodled on the walls of her familys apartment and scratched up the wooden panels in the elevator. Her mother, an engraver, let her skip school to go to the zoo and sketch the animals there.

Ms. Henrot, who just turned 38, remains relentless in the practice of her art. Now living in New York, she won the Silver Lion at the 2013 Venice Biennale for Grosse fatigue, a collagelike video on the creation of the universe. She also draws and creates sculpture. Her most recent major work is a suite of frescoes, her first ever, in the vaulted stables of the 16th-century Palazzo Ruspoli in Rome.

The frescoes are part of an exhibition called Monday, commissioned by the Fondazione Memmo, that loosely illustrates the melancholy and metaphysical angst associated with that day. One frescoed figure sits on a stone, smoking idly. Another glumly shoulders a globe. A series of semi-abstract bronze sculptures evokes similar emotions. The show also includes a zoetrope of miniature dogs spinning around a maypole.

Camille is very brave in the sense that shes not getting stuck in a formula, said Massimiliano Gioni, curator of the 2013 Biennale, who gave her a show at the New Museum, where he is artistic director, in 2014.
RIO DE JANEIRO  Goldman Sachs has led a new $10 million financing round in the Brazilian start-up CargoX, the companies said on Wednesday, an indication that investor interest still exists in Brazil despite political and economic turmoil.

CargoXs earlier investors  the Valor Capital Group, the Uber co-founder Oscar Salazar, and Hans Hickler, a former chief executive of DHL Express USA, among others  also participated in the round, which closed last month.

For Goldman Sachs, the investment signals that the bank, which has a big private equity business, is open to early-stage companies and is interested in backing them well before valuations soar.

The financing comes from Goldman Sachs Private Capital, a group within the companys Special Situations division. Hillel Moerman, a co-head of Goldman Sachs Private Capital, will join the board of CargoX.
The global banking giant HSBC has repeatedly found itself in the cross hairs of American regulators and prosecutors in recent years. To settle allegations of money-laundering and mortgage abuses, it has paid billions of dollars  but has not been criminally charged.

That has spurred an outcry that the bank is too big to jail. But now two senior executives of HSBC face criminal charges, accused of a currency manipulation scheme that federal prosecutors say generated $8 million in profits and fees.

The global head of HSBCs foreign exchange cash trading desk, Mark Johnson, a Briton, was arrested by federal agents Tuesday night at Kennedy International Airport as he was boarding a flight to London.

He and Stuart Scott, the former head of the banks currency trading desk for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud related to a transaction on behalf of a corporate client, exchanging dollars for British pounds.
LONDON  The bond giant Pimco has hired Emmanuel Roman, the chief executive of the British hedge fund manager Man Group, as its new top executive, as the California-based fund looks to turn around its fortunes.

The announcement comes nearly two years after William H. Gross, Pimcos co-founder  who is known as the bond king  was forced out and joined its rival, Janus Capital Group.

The hiring of Mr. Roman, a former Goldman Sachs banker who joined Man in 2010, comes at a pivotal time for Pimco, which is owned by the German insurer Allianz.

Pacific Investment Management Company, or Pimco, has seen hundreds of billions of dollars in client assets walk out the door since Mr. Grosss departure, and it is facing a lawsuit by Mr. Gross accusing the company of wrongful termination and seeking $200 million in damages.
FRANKFURT  Matthias Muller was supposed to be part of the cleanup crew at Volkswagen. Named chief executive after its emissions deception, Mr. Muller vowed to overhaul the carmakers culture by decentralizing decision-making and encouraging employees to speak their minds.

But three lawsuits now say Mr. Muller was part of the problem. Complaints by Maryland, Massachusetts and New York filed on Tuesday claim that Mr. Muller was, at the very least, aware of the engineering problems that had prompted Volkswagen to take illegal shortcuts to pass emissions tests.

The use of so-called defeat devices to fool regulators was part of a cunningly cynical fraud, said Eric T. Schneiderman, the New York attorney general. The defeat devices were part of a willful and systemic scheme linked to the highest levels.

The accusations put the credibility of Mr. Muller and the rest of the management team in the cross hairs. Almost all are longtime insiders who will have trouble arguing they never noticed a pattern of wrongdoing that spanned a decade and involved millions of cars.
Kobrick Coffee Company. has been roasting beans since 1920, originally in Lower Manhattan and now New Jersey. This year it opened its first retail shop, a quaint Italian-style cafe in the meatpacking district.

But thats not the only thing novel about this old-timey cafe. Besides the usual coffee drinks like macchiatos and cortados, the cafe serves what it calls coffee cocktails, alcoholic drinks with a zing of caffeine.

Top sellers include the Mexican Jumping Bean, a frothy concoction of reposado tequila, a ristretto espresso shot and flavored liqueurs, and the Three Hour Kyoto Negroni, made with a mix of gin, campari and vermouth that is then slow-dripped over a Kenyan coffee through a long, cylindrical tube.

Theres a lot of synergies between coffee preparation and cocktail preparation, said Scott Kobrick, 30, the boyish fourth-generation member of the family business who spearheaded the idea for a cafe. In many European countries, a barista is a bartender, as a literal translation, and coffee is used as an ingredient in their bar program, and the bartenders use similar tools, too.
The night-life slum known as Hell Square, a three-by-three grid of Lower East Side blocks below East Houston Street, has teemed with mobbed bars and hooting drunks for over a decade. But on a recent Saturday night, the scene was less frenzied at Jia, a lounge on Rivington Street that opened in May.

At the bar, Marvin Avilez, a software developer who lives nearby, said he was opposed to the neighborhoods bar oversaturation  and yet there he was with two women, ordering $18 flutes of bubbly. Youre not going to get this ambience anywhere else in the Lower East Side, said Mr. Avilez, 40. Was his patronage betraying his ideals? When its in, its in, he said with a shrug.

THE PLACE

Jia is a windowless, 75-person-capacity rectangle on the first floor of the crystalline, 20-story Hotel on Rivington. Ostensibly inspired by 1930s Shanghai, the decor includes floral wallpaper, floral upholstery and floral lampshades; there is a dance floor, a pair of disco balls and a D.J. booth. This used to be an opium den, a host claimed. Nefarious mythology aside, Jia mostly seems eager to conjure the spirit of Pauls Cocktail Lounge or Electric Room, both intimate lounges embedded in hotels.
Standing at a 29th-floor window of a skyscraper on Third Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, Dennis M. Walcott was deeply impressed last week when he spotted the newest branch of his library system under construction.

Mr. Walcott, it should be said, is the president and chief executive of the Queens Library.

What he could see so clearly was the Queens Library at Hunters Point, across the East River and a mile away, in Long Island City.

You talk about the pride of the borough of Queens, said Mr. Walcott, who was a deputy mayor and schools chancellor in the Bloomberg administration.

Neighborhood libraries are not typically foreground buildings. It is telling that the latest addition to the New York Public Library system occupies the basement of a 50-story condominium tower in Manhattan in which one apartment sold for more than $23 million.
An off-duty New York police officer accused of driving into a group of four pedestrians on a Brooklyn sidewalk last weekend, killing one, has been fired, Police Commissioner William J. Bratton said on Wednesday.

The officer, Nicholas Batka, 28, had been suspended by the Police Department after he was arrested on eight charges, including manslaughter and driving while intoxicated, after an accident early Saturday morning in Williamsburg that killed Andrew Esquivel, 21, and seriously injured the three others. Mr. Batka, a probationary officer, was dismissed on Tuesday, Mr. Bratton said.

Two other officers who had been with Mr. Batka that night were stripped of their guns and badges and placed on modified duty, Mr. Bratton said.

He said the department was investigating what the two other officers had been doing during the course of the evening, to determine how much were they drinking, and whether they were, in fact, driving after ingesting significant amounts of alcohol.
SAN FRANCISCO  Airbnb has hired former United States Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. as an adviser to help create the companys new anti-discrimination policy, adding a big name to its battle to prevent people on its service from refusing minority and transgender customers.

In a blog post on Wednesday, Brian Chesky, chief executive of the company, which helps arrange short-term rentals, wrote that the fight against bigotry is the greatest challenge we face as a company. He added, While we have a policy that prohibits discrimination, we want this policy to be stronger.

Mr. Holder said in a statement, Airbnb is committed to building a community where everyone can belong. Im eager to help them craft policies that will be the model for companies who share Airbnbs commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Airbnb has been grappling with a discrimination controversy since December, when Harvard researchers said it was harder for guests with African-American-sounding names to rent rooms through the service. That led to a spate of bad publicity for the company, including reports that some Airbnb hosts had rejected African-American and transgender travelers. The company has since removed some hosts for discriminatory behavior.
Cloud computing may seem like the new big thing in the technology industry. In reality, theres nothing new about it. It has just had different names over the years.

Long before Amazon, Microsoft and Google were talking up their competition for cloud customers, a number of young companies were talking up something called an Application Service Provider. It was smack in the middle of the dot-com boom, and the young A.S.P.s hoped to offer services to all the new internet companies that were popping up.

Traditional tech companies like IBM were offering similar services. And if you want to get technical, people had been able to buy timesharing on old mainframes as far back as the 1960s.
Q. I am confused by all the variations of the Microsoft Office programs offered these days. If I just want to use Excel (and maybe Word) on my PC, whats the least expensive way to get it?

A. The current array of variations of the Microsoft Office suite and its core trio of productivity programs (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) can be overwhelming. Microsoft offers separate versions of the software for different types and numbers of users  as well as different ways to pay for them. Before you get out the credit card, first decide how and where you want to use Microsoft Excel, and then find a variation that meets your needs.

If you are looking for the least expensive way to get the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program, the company includes a free browser-based version of the software in its Office Online collection. To use Excel Online, you need to sign in with a free Microsoft Account, or an account assigned to you by your school or employer.

With this version, you do not need to install any software on your computer because you work right in your browser to create, edit, collaborate and store your files. You can store a file on Microsofts OneDrive server or download it to your computer; however, to use a downloaded file you need to have some version of Excel or a program that can open Excel files, and not all of the spreadsheets functions may work after downloading. Because the software lives online, you can get to your files from mobile devices and other computers when you sign in with your Microsoft account.
NOT long ago, many parents wondered at what age they should give their child full access to the car keys. Nowadays, parents face a trickier question: At what age should a child own a smartphone?

The smartphone, after all, is the key to unfettered access to the internet and the many benefits and dangers that come with it. But unlike driving a car, which is legal in some states starting at the age of 16, there is no legal guideline for a parent to determine when a child may be ready for a smartphone.

The topic is being increasingly debated as children get smartphones at an ever younger age. On average, children are getting their first smartphones around age 10, according to the research firm Influence Central, down from age 12 in 2012. For some children, smartphone ownership starts even sooner  including second graders as young as 7, according to internet safety experts.

I think that age is going to trend even younger, because parents are getting tired of handing their smartphones to their kids, said Stacy DeBroff, chief executive of Influence Central.
Lisa Wolpe was only 4 when her father killed himself. A German-born Jew, he had fought with Canadian forces against the Nazis. It would be a long time, though, before she learned any of that about him: the Judaism, the war record, the suicide.

When I was little, my mother told me that my dad died because hed sneezed while he was cleaning his gun, Ms. Wolpe says in her solo show, Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender, at Here. Borrowing from Hamlet at its start and its finish, the show is a kind of search for her father  and a means of catharsis for her.

As a piece of theater, though, it feels more like a lecture, delivered with the house lights up but curiously absent of intimacy. Presented by the Los Angeles Womens Shakespeare Company, which Ms. Wolpe founded in 1993, it intercuts autobiography and observations on Shakespeare with long passages of dialogue from some of his characters, male and female. (The show runs in repertory with Macbeth 3, a three-person, hourlong adaptation in which Ms. Wolpe plays Macbeth.)

Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, The Winters Tale and The Merchant of Venice are among the works sampled, yet when Ms. Wolpe speaks those plays words, she doesnt summon character or mood. The borrowed text remains text.
It may simply be that the conventions play a role in unifying the two party bases  something that might well be inevitable. Or put differently, the conventions might be doing more to move voters toward where theyll probably go eventually than actually changing the race.

It strikes me, for instance, that two of the great late comebacks in political history  the 1976 and 1968 races  both involved convention fights. You could argue, in my view with some persuasiveness, that Gerald Ford and Hubert Humphrey surged at the end as voters belatedly unified behind candidates that failed to unify their parties at the conventions.

Toni Interesting. So if you took the glass-half-empty side, even if Scott Baio had given an amazing speech, it probably wouldnt have mattered. How sad.

Ill put the following into the category of doesnt matter in the end, but our readers might be interested in this statistic anyway. Harry Enten, at FiveThirtyEight, pointed out: Melania Trump has just a 28 percent favorable rating compared to a 32 percent unfavorable rating. That means her net favorability rating is -4 percentage points. Its lower than the net favorability of every presidential nominees spouse in every final campaign poll that asked the question since 1988.

And this was before the plagiarism controversy. Thoughts?

Nate Haha, not really. I doubt most voters really know much about her, though this wont help.

Toni Based on his speech announcing Mike Pence as his running mate, Trump didnt seem too excited about his pick. And then on Monday, the Trump campaign went out of its way to demean John Kasich, Ohios governor, who isnt attending the convention in Cleveland. Ohio is a very important state  thats not debatable. It seems like political malpractice. What is the thinking?

Nate I just dont know. Theyve done this to a few people  Jeff Flake and Susana Martinez come to mind. My best rational explanation is that they think this sort of approach can dissuade public dissent from Republicans, who would fear being criticized by their partys nominee. I have no idea whether thats actually a considered tactic that theyre applying to Kasich, the very popular Republican governor of a must-win swing state.
The next wave of innovation has come from internet companies like MyWebGrocer, which offers digital grocery services, and Dealer.com, which offers digital marketing services for the auto industry. Dealer.com became a legend in Burlington after it was sold for $1 billion a couple of years ago. Mike Lane, one of Dealer.coms founders and its former chief operations officer, who is now on the VCET board, is an angel investor who has funded eight start-ups. One of his investments is Faraday Inc., which uses data analytics to help companies target customers.

In the future, there will be several $50 million to $100 million exits here, Mr. Lane said, along with other larger ones mixed in.

He credits Vermonts community and socially conscious spirit with his success. We didnt buy the philosophy that we had to be in a hot spot, said Mr. Lane, who returned to Vermont after working in Cambridge, Mass. Even Zuckerberg realized that he could have been anywhere to build Facebook.

That can-do spirit also inspired Marguerite Dibble, 26, who began her firm GameTheory while she was still a student at Champlain College. Its mission is to use gaming to inspire behavior changes, such as teaching teens financial literacy.

In Burlington, I can call anyone and learn from their experience, said Ms. Dibble, who was born in a small Vermont town with no ZIP code. The degrees of separation are lessened here. Theres a shared Vermonti-ness.

The energy to power GameTheorys innovation comes from Burlingtons green grid, which is owned by the city. The state has long been one of the countrys greenest. But in 2014, Burlington upped the ante by turning only to wind, water and biomass to power the city  one of the first cities in the nation to do so. There are also incentives for reducing energy. Landlords, for example, can choose to have free energy audits, and more than 100 have done so.

Other Burlington businesses also work hard to save energy on their own. Seventh Generation, which makes environmentally conscious household products and was founded in Burlington, gives its employees bonuses for helping reduce greenhouse gases. Like many other companies in Burlington, Seventh Generation also aims to be socially responsible and was formed as a B Corp, which means it has to meet social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards.
Mohamed Alyajouri, who lives in Beaverton, Ore., and develops health programs for a nonprofit, was fed up with the track work on MAX Light Rail, which runs into downtown Portland. Trains were rerouted, forcing riders to disembark and walk several blocks or ride a shuttle bus to get back on a train.

So Mr. Alyajouri turned to his cellphone to find a better solution.

As cities grow and concerns about pollution and congestion rise, commuters in urban areas are increasingly turning to apps to compare and combine public and private transportation alternatives. The shared modes complement public transit, enhancing urban mobility, said Darnell Grisby, director of policy development and research at the American Public Transportation Association, a trade group based in Washington.

Since 2013, the mass transit service TriMet has offered passengers in Portland the option to purchase fares on bus, light rail and commuter rail service through an app called TriMet Tickets. About 8.6 million fares have been purchased since 2013, or 3 percent of total ridership. In May, TriMet began a three-month experiment with RideTap, an app integrated into TriMet Tickets that allows commuters to schedule rides with Lyft, a car service company, or Car2Go, a car-sharing option. Alternative ride sources are a pressure-relief valve to transit agencies, said Nat Parker, chief executive of Moovel, which developed RideTap.

Mr. Alyajouri downloaded RideTap, located and booked a Car2Go while still on the train, disembarked and walked to his reserved car to drive downtown.
HOUSTON  A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled that Texas voter identification law, one of the strictest in the country, violated the Voting Rights Act and that the state must find ways to accommodate voters who face hardships in obtaining the necessary documents.

Democrats and voting rights advocates hailed the ruling as a significant victory in one of the nations most closely watched voting rights cases. It was the fourth time in nearly four years that a federal court found that the Texas law discriminated against or disproportionately affected black and Hispanic voters.

The court got it right, recognizing the stink of discrimination, said Trey Martinez Fischer, a state representative who is the chairman of the Mexican-American Legislative Caucus, one of several minority groups, voters and Democratic lawmakers who sued Texas over the law.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in New Orleans, found that the law had a discriminatory effect on blacks and Latinos, who often lack the forms of identification required under the Texas law. But the ruling did not strike down the law entirely, ruling instead that new procedures must be found to assist potential voters lacking the required identification.
He hopes his 3-D printing construction method, which he calls Contour Crafting, will create a way to build homes for a fraction of the current cost. While he cant do anything about the price of land, Mr. Khoshnevis said his technology would build a house in a day and cut down on the construction cost by 30 percent.

The method supplies a concrete mixture through a robotic gantry guided by a computer. Instead of a hand laying a line of bricks, the machines nozzle pours a shaped tube of concrete, following the entire outline of the house in one lap. The next go-round adds another layer, building until it is time for the roof to be added by a crane, then perhaps another story on top. For apartment buildings, Mr. Khoshnevis has plans for a machine that will climb the building as it builds it.

He aims to build a full house in one day without a human hand, a goal he says will happen within the next year or two. Though Mr. Khoshnevis started the 3-D printing construction movement in 1996, the Chinese company Winsun has already printed homes and apartments using a similar method, though creating the pieces off-site and assembling them at the location of the structure. Mr. Khoshnevis says American building codes have created a longer timeline for 3-D-printed houses to ensure their safety.

For cities in the far future, Mr. Khoshnevis and NASA are working together to build structures using Contour Crafting on the moon from materials available there. If your great-great-great-grandchildren end up living on Mars, it might be one of these machines that builds their houses.

Mr. Khoshnevis has some high-powered fellow believers. Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Alphabet, Googles parent company, recently listed 3-D-printed construction on a list of the next really interesting moon shots, referring to ideas that will radically shape the future. We can build them with 100 percent recyclable materials, Mr. Schmidt said. So its another good reason from an environmental perspective.

Arthur Mamou-Mani, director of Mamou-Mani Architects and FabPub as well as a lecturer at the University of Westminster, said humans would be much more empowered to face challenges and respond with creative solutions as a result of the availability of 3-D printers and other fabrication machines.
CLEVELAND  New York Times correspondents are chronicling the colorful, the unusual and the quirky at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Whole Lotta (Fist) Shakin Goin On

Historically, rock n roll has been about challenging authority. The 90s band Third Eye Blind decided to renew that tradition in a big way early Wednesday morning at a convention-related party held, fittingly enough, at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum here.

Appearing at a charity event to benefit Musicians on Call, the bands frontman Stephan Jenkins chose the end of the groups set to urge the Republican Party to become more accepting of gay Americans  like my cousins  and to not live your life in fear and imposing that fear on other people. The group then played its 1998 hit Jumper, which is about an alienated young man who commits suicide.

Needless to say, many of those in the previously festive crowd, nearly all Republicans in town for the convention, were not pleased at being lectured on what they expected to be friendly turf. Some disagreed with Mr. Jenkinss point and others were angry at the interjection of divisive politics into the fun. Still others noted that they were already supportive of gay rights, had relatives who were gay and werent interested in being scolded by a self-righteous rock n roller.
CLEVELAND AND THE SURROUNDING SUBURBS WERE HIT HARD BY THE FORECLOSURE CRISIS AND THIS IS THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN THE RECOVERY. A RECYCLING CENTER FOR THE REMAINS OF BLIGHTED HOMES EMPTIED, AND ABANDONED BY FORECLOSURE OR HOMEOWNERS SIMPLY WALKING AWAY UNABLE OR UNWILLING TO MAINTAIN THEM. IN SOME AREAS OF CLEVELAND A QUARTER OF THE HOMES ARE NOW VACANT. KIM FIELDS: There were more families, more homeowners now its very distressed its not very clean and I dont want to live like with bars on my window I dont, and I want people to come over and not say oh my god look at the house next to you, thats not what I want them to see, thats not what I want to see when I walk out of my house. VO: KIM FIELDS LIVES IN THE WOODLAND HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD ON THE CITYS PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN EAST SIDE. SHE BOUGHT HER FIRST HOME HERE IN 2001, JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE HOUSE WHERE SHE WAS BORN. VO: FOR MOST OF THE COUNTRY THE RECESSION AND THE HOUSING CRISIS ENDED 7 YEARS AGO, BUT HOME PRICES HERE ARE STILL FALLING. HOMES ARE WORTH ON AVERAGE 70 TO 80% LESS THAN THEY WERE 15 YEARS AGO. KIM FIELDS: This house has been vacant since 2014 I believe.//And theres another property there. So one two three four.. THERE ARE 6000 EMPTY HOMES ON THE EAST SIDE OF CLEVELAND. ERIC LOFTON LIVES DOWN THE BLOCK FROM FIELDS, NEXT TO ANOTHER RECENTLY EMPTIED HOUSE. FIELDS: this was a decent looking house too cause I saw the guy taking care of it. Eric: All new kitchen Kim: Are you serious, are you serious. Eric: The Bank still owns this property. They paid them to move out. And when they came over I told the guy someone is going to go in there as soon as they see them moving. They should have let the family just stay in, and then at least it would have been occupied wouldnt have broken in. I am talking about not even an hour after they left someone was over here wiping the house out. Cleaning it out. //Hot water tank, water furnaces, everything gone. Stainless steel sinks were here. All of it gone. Its really bad, the whole area we dont get a break. (SOME NAT HERE ABOUT HER CLEANING UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD) IT was much more stuff back here but when we did our community cleanup in april Community members helped to pick up 75% of the stuff, there was so much stuff in here // thats what they do they just come and pull their trucks up here and dump. (trim) *****[00:12:50] Coming home every day and just riding down my street and seeing some of the houses that were so beautiful. And look at them just look at them now. RICHARD: (MVI_0076 8:54) I would like to think that the banks have a moral responsibility but it doesnt seem they work on moral responsibility// RICHARD GOUDREAU IS WITH HARVARD COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER, A LOCAL NONPROFIT. (NAT) THE CITY HAS BECOME SO OVERWHELMED BY THE VACANT AND BLIGHTED HOMES ITS NOW FALLEN ON GROUPS LIKE GOUDREAUS AND CITIZENS TO HELP ENFORCE THE LAW. (NAT) EACH WEEK HE JOINS ACTIVIST ANITA GARDNER ON A TOUR OF EMPTY AND BLIGHTED HOUSES. (NATS) THEY INSPECT THE HOMES EXTERIOR FOR VIOLATIONS AND FOLLOW UP ON COURT ORDERED REPAIRS. (NATS) ANITA: [00:12:16] Most black communities are targets. Easy targets because we dont get together we dont holler loud enough we dont scream loud enough. And then when we do were violent. Or it was our fault. We dont know what were talking about. If someone told you you could have the american dream, were like everyone else we want a house. RICHARD: (MVI_0076 8:54) These were all middle income, middle class worked at the steel plant, ford chevy chrysler, and the parts plants, those jobs left, the predatory lending came in, it was just a perfect storm of everything right in this area, and this is what you have left//people are just walking away from the properties. Just wholesale walking away. (CRASH) CHERYL: were still working to get families back into homeownership. But every house cant be saved. SHERYL STEPHENS IS IN CHARGE OF DEMOLITIONS FOR THE COUNTYS LAND BANK. ITS A NON PROFIT ENTITY TASKED WITH ACQUIRING BLIGHTED PROPERTIES AND HOPEFULLY FINDING A PRODUCTIVE USE FOR THEM. OFTEN THAT MEANS TEARING THE STRUCTURES DOWN FIRST. (CRASH) CHERYL STEPHENS: We went from one hundred and fifty demos in the first year to last year we did it approximately eight hundred fifty. And this year were on track to do nine hundred fifty two thousand more.//When we started there were approximately twenty nine thousand thirty thousand or structures that were functionally obsolete vacant and blighted and condemned that we needed to demolish across the county //the Cuyahoga land bank and its partners have eliminated over 6000 properties in this process. CHERYL STEPHENS: So there are multiple reasons why we tear houses down. First of all the population of Greater Cleveland has been reduced over the last 20 years. // Now// the official count is below 400000 people. The number of structures we have in the city are in excess of the population numbers. ****VO: IT CAN COST $40 TO $90,000 TO REHAB A HOME AND MAKE IT LIVABLE FOR A FAMILY, SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS THE PRICE OF BUILDING A NEW ONE SOMEWHERE ELSE. BUT ONLY ABOUT $10000 TO DEMOLISH IT. EACH BLIGHTED STRUCTURE REMOVED ALSO HELPS BRING UP THE PROPERTY VALUES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD. [00:00:00] In Ohio we have a very modest housing prices. And with low housing values its not the same as in New York City or Chicago or San Francisco. Where a structure and the plot of land its own are worth so much more. I mean the vacant partitions are selling for and were transferring them to non-profits for like $100 or if youre an adjacent property owner for a hundred dollars countywide AT THAT RECYCLING PLANT THEYRE RECEIVING THE REMAINS OF UP TO TEN HOMES A DAY, DESTINED TO BE TURNED INTO GARDEN MULCH OR BURNED FOR FUEL. SCOTT HINKLE IS THE OPERATIONS MANAGER. (SCOTT EXPLAINING THE PROCESS) We demo houses...goes across the belt. We have anywhere between 7 and 9 guys separating the concrete and wood. SCOTT: When youre pushing it down a hill and you see a toy or something that wasnt cleaned out, well you think there was someone living in it at one point. And it it makes you think// this was once in a neighborhood where someone lived, now what is going to happen to the neighborhood. And then you think its actually coming together its better the house is going down, the crime is going down, now the homeless people are not going go to be you know squatting there, the drug addicts. We need this, we needed this a long time ago. FOR KIM AND HER NEIGHBORS EACH HOUSE TORN DOWN IS BITTER SWEET. A DANGER AND EYE SORE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD GONE, BUT HOMES THAT ONCE HELD FAMILIES ARE GONE TOO. THE WEALTH GAP BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE HOUSEHOLDS REVERSED ITS TREND AND GREW IN THE YEARS FOLLOWING THE RECESSION. THE EFFECTS OF THAT COULD LAST FOR GENERATIONS... [00:09:30] Every day. I find a new house. Last summer. There was people living in the house of a kids playing on the lawn. And now I go by there in the doors open and use trash on along there is no curtains. Theres broken windows there because what happened. No its still happening. And its not going to stop. For a while. And I dont know whats going to make it stop.
CLEVELAND  Corey Lewandowski, Donald J. Trumps former campaign manager, was sitting in a bar here at sunset on Monday, staring out at the arena where the boss who fired him last month would soon accept the Republican nomination for president.

As he reflected on the past year, Mr. Lewandowskis eyes began to well up.

I got the reputation as a tough guy; thats my reputation, right? Mr. Lewandowski asked, a reference to his shiv-in-the-side tactics, which propelled Mr. Trumps rise but also contributed to Mr. Lewandowskis abrupt fall. Rival Trump advisers forced him out, calling him unfit to lead.

The people who know me know that I care, he said, as a tear trickled down his right cheek. My heart, he added, is in the right place.

This is not, to say the least, the Republican National Convention that Mr. Lewandowski had expected.
He said he was unsure if he would discuss his older brother Fred, who died as an alcoholic in 1981 at 43  and whom he has described as an example of how destructive choices can damage lives that seem golden.

Without my brother Fred I might not be here, Mr. Trump said. He was really smart, great-looking. I dont drink or smoke because of what happened to him. I focused on building my business and making good choices. I may talk about that, but I dont know if I should.

Acceptance speeches seldom seem complete without anecdotes about personal trials and triumphs: Mitt Romney, trying to persuade voters to see him as more than a rich businessman, devoted about a fourth of his 2012 address to his parents unconditional love, his Mormon faith and reminiscences about watching the moon landing. In 2008, Barack Obama described how his grandfather benefited from the G.I. Bill and how his mother and grandmother taught him the value of hard work. And Bill Clintons 1992 speech vividly recalled the life lessons he learned from his mother about fighting and working hard, from his grandfather about racial equality  and from his wife, Hillary, who, Mr. Clinton said, taught him that every child could learn.

Mr. Clinton finished his speech with a now-famous line tying his Arkansas hometown to the American dream. I end tonight where it all began for me, he said. I still believe in a place called Hope.

James Carville, a senior strategist for Mr. Clintons 1992 campaign, said that if Mr. Trump hoped to change the minds of those who see him as divisive or bigoted, he would need to open himself up to voters in meaningfully personal ways in his speech.

If hes really different than the way he seems in television interviews or at his rallies, Thursdays speech will be his single greatest opportunity to show voters who he really is, Mr. Carville said.
CLEVELAND  Speaking to Iowa Republicans here on Monday, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin repeatedly reminded them of his childhood in the state that kicks off the presidential nominating process. Before the same crowd on Tuesday, Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas had his own boast. Im the only politician here this week that married a girl born in Iowa, said Mr. Cotton, admitting it was a pander.

Bruised by their indecorous primary, which left some of the partys brightest stars reduced to wounded pets on the side of the road and pessimistic about taking over the White House in November, many Republicans are quietly turning their focus to 2020.

Jockeying for future presidential campaigns is a feature of every party convention, and the Republican meeting in Cleveland this week is no exception. But the subtle wooing and chit collecting have taken on a new air of urgency this year, with many party leaders openly skeptical about whether Donald J. Trump can defeat Hillary Clinton.

Mr. Trumps ascendance has shown that Republican voters craved alternatives to conventional candidates from governors mansions and Congress.
There have been aerial signs reading Hillary for Prison, rallying cries of lock her up, misogynistic souvenir swag mocking her body parts and, in a violent turn, a public call for Hillary Clinton to be executed.

Political conventions are usually a mix of talking up the partys nominee and denouncing the opponent. But as Republicans gather in Cleveland to nominate Donald J. Trump, the venom being directed at Mrs. Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, has taken a strikingly sinister tone that makes the days of Swift-boating and Bush-bashing at past conventions seem tame.

Here are some of the harshest attacks leveled at Mrs. Clinton this week.

Firing Squad or Electric Chair?

Hillary Clintons responsibility for the deaths of Americans in Benghazi, Libya, in 2012 has been a regular topic of conversation among Republicans, and on Tuesday Al Baldasaro, a delegate for Mr. Trump from New Hampshire who advises him on veterans issues, suggested that she had committed treason.

This whole thing disgusts me  Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason, Mr. Baldasaro said on The Kuhner Report radio show.
I feel terrible for the chaos I have caused Melania and the Trumps, as well as to Mrs. Obama, Ms. McIver wrote. No harm was meant.

But harm was of course done.

After a Twitter user discovered the plagiarism, the story of the cribbed lines hung over the convention and eclipsed the otherwise positive response to Ms. Trumps speech.

Her husbands warring advisers pointed fingers at one another. His family was furious. The campaign chairman said that he believed Ms. Trump wrote the speech herself, as she asserted, and that it would be crazy to think she would crib lines when all of America was watching.

As it turned out, Ms. Trump had torn up an early version of her address done by two professional Republican speechwriters. Instead, in a campaign that blurs the lines between family, business and politics, Ms. Trump reached out to one of the most trusted people inside Trump Tower for help.

Image Meredith McIver

Now Ms. McIver, a registered Democrat with no known political experience, is suddenly at the center of one of the biggest political stories in the country.

Mr. Palitz, a lawyer who has remained friends with Ms. McIver for decades, said that knowing her generally meticulous attention to detail, it sounds like she sort of stepped up and fell on her sword.
On Sunday, the day after Mr. Trump formally introduced Mr. Pence as his running mate in Midtown Manhattan, they sat in the balcony of the theater-style auditorium there, standing and clapping in rhythm with the music.

Several church members talked about their experiences of deepening their faith in God.

There was no talk of Mr. Pence or the election, but one song, its lyrics flashing across the big screens, encouraged the faithful: Set your church on fire, win this nation back.

It was a far cry from the wooden pews and kneelers of St. Columba, the austere Catholic church of Mr. Pences youth.

Gregory Pence said he did not see his brothers turn to evangelical Christianity as a rejection of their Catholicisim, but rather as a reflection of the fact that he had different spiritual needs.

The two of them still pray together, just not usually in church. Indeed, Gregory said that when his brother called after learning that Mr. Trump had chosen him as his running mate, they wept and swapped verses from Scripture. (Well done, my good and faithful servant, Gregory Pence told his brother.)

He declined to say whether he had been supporting Mr. Trump before his brother joined the ticket. But asked if he thought his brother might have had some doubts about signing on with a man whose resume includes three wives and a casino empire, and who liberally invokes coarse language and imagery, he answered without hesitation.

Judge not lest ye be judged, he said.
CLEVELAND  The tensest exchange yet between the police and protesters at the Republican National Convention unfolded Wednesday afternoon with officers arresting several people after some of them tried to burn a United States flag near the site of the convention.

Just before 4 p.m., demonstrators spread word that someone would be burning a flag near the entrance to the Quicken Loans Arena, where the convention is being held. Soon after, a group of people, some claiming to be members of the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA., came to the area with a flag and someone began to light it on fire, several witnesses said.

As the flags edge began to singe, the police called out for assistance and officers swarmed through the area on foot, on bicycle and on horses. One officer clutched the flag while others began handcuffing demonstrators.
SKOPJE, July 19 (Reuters) - Macedonia issued a seven-year eurobond worth 450 million euros at a yield of 5.625 percent to finance budget needs this year and next, the finance ministry said late on Tuesday, shrugging off protests by the opposition.

The joint lead managers on the issue were Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Erste Group and Societe Generale.

In a statement, the ministry said that the eurobond represents "exceptional favorable conditions having in mind the complicated political situation in the country."

"The assets ... will be used for 2016 and 2017 budget needs, and for paying some due debts," it said.

Macedonia has been in crisis since last February, when the opposition accused former Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski and his counter-intelligence chief of wiretapping more than 20,000 people.

The crisis was worsened by President Gjorge Ivanov's decision this year to pardon 56 officials investigated over the scandal, which led to street protests and the cancellation of an election set for June 5.

The bond issue was postponed last Thursday after the opposition Social Democratic Party asserted the current government may not have the legal authority to issue the security .

"Without the malicious obstructions by the opposition and having in mind the big interest by the investors, the yield could have been more favourable, even under 5 percent," the statement said.

Earlier in the day, the Social Democratic Party warned it will investigate the issue, including potential breaches of anti-corruption practices.

The ministry said that the eurobond was issued in line with the law and in coordination with the Justice Ministry, legal representatives of the government and the joint lead managers.

(Reporting by Kole Casule; Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Larry King)
One of the biggest changes that will hit a digitally aware city, it is widely agreed, is the seemingly prosaic issue of parking. Space given to parking is expected to shrink by half or more, as self-driving cars and drone deliveries lead an overall shift in connected urban transport. That will change or eliminate acres of urban space occupied by raised and underground parking structures.

Shared vehicles are not parked as much, and with more automation, they will know where parking spaces are available, eliminating the need to drive in search of a space.

Office complexes wont need parking lots with twice the footprint of their buildings, said Sebastian Thrun, who led Googles self-driving car project in its early days and now runs Udacity, an online learning company. When we started on self-driving cars, we talked all the time about cutting the number of cars in a city by a factor of three, or a two-thirds reduction.

In addition, police, fire, and even library services will seek greater responsiveness by tracking their own assets, and partly by looking at things like social media. Later, technologies like three-dimensional printing, new materials and robotic construction and demolition will be able to reshape skylines in a matter of weeks.

At least that is the plan. So much change afoot creates confusion.

We know for sure that there will be a lot of physical changes to our cities, said Timothy Papandreou, the chief innovation officer for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency. Streets will be redesigned. There will be lots more real-time data. Automation will be everywhere. But its also crazy: Things are changing so quickly that we cant pretend to have all the answers.
LOS ANGELES  When the extension of the Expo rail line opened here in May, it was almost as if the city had stepped into another century. Suddenly, it was possible to go from downtown to the Santa Monica beach by train, escaping a drive that could take two hours. The inaugural runs were packed with people, carrying beach chairs and recording the 15-mile, 45-minute long ride with cellphones.

The $1.5 billion, aboveground Expo project is not the only piece of the transit transformation unfolding here. An 11.5-mile extension of the Gold Line, running from Pasadena to Asuza, just northeast of downtown, opened this spring. If not as glamorous as a train to the Pacific Ocean, it was certainly appreciated by people in the San Gabriel Valley, who otherwise have to navigate the traffic of Interstate 210.

And all of that is likely to be dwarfed by an initiative that is expected to go before the voters in November, pending a final vote by the county Board of Supervisors, that would impose a countywide 1-cent transit sales tax, raising $860 million a year. The tax would finance 40 major transit projects over the next 40 years, including 100 miles of new rail lines and what has been a touchstone for mass transit advocates (and frustrated commuters) for decades: A train tunnel under the Sepulveda Pass, connecting the Los Angeles basin with the San Fernando Valley.

There may be no part of America more identified, for better and for worse, with the automobile than this city. But this burst of activity, and the considerable interest it has stirred here, suggests that a fundamental reconsideration of Los Angeles may be at hand, a shift to an era when mass transit  subways, light rail, buses  could be as central to getting around, and perhaps even to this regions image, as the car.
A day after Black Lives Matter supporters and protesters shut down streets in Wichita, Kan., amid national turmoil over the recent killings of black civilians and police officers, the citys police chief faced a pressing question: What could be done to ease tensions?

So the chief, Gordon Ramsay, along with protest organizers and other community members, came up with an idea: They would hold a barbecue.

Up to 2,000 people gathered on Sunday in McAdams Park, located in a north-side neighborhood with entrenched grievances against the police. Businesses donated hamburgers, hot dogs and grills. Volunteers flipped burgers. Uniformed officers danced the Nae Nae and the Cha-Cha Slide with residents as a D.J. played music from a portable table set up on the grass.

We are the flash point for incidents related to the disparities when something bad happens, particularly to people of color, Chief Ramsay said in a telephone interview. When we see protests and riots and a lot of anger toward the police, we need to be part of the solution.
A study published in the journal Nature and conducted at the University of Heidelberg gained attention around the world for what it concluded about the psychological effects of living in urban environments. Previous studies showed that people living in cities risked experiencing anxiety and mood disorders at a much higher rate than noncity dwellers  from 29 percent to 39 percent more.The German study, published five years ago, tried to find out more specifically, or rather how, physiologically, this was so. To that end, researchers examined the brains of 50 people, some of whom lived in big cities, some in the country, while they were engaged in challenging mathematical exercises. Among city dwellers, the study found, the amygdala, a set of neurons lodged deep in the brains medial temporal lobe, went into overdrive during the experiment, meaning that urbanites are hypersusceptible to stress, presumably because they experience so much of it. Confronting stress regularly doesnt seem to immunize you against the effects of more of it.

To all but the most flamboyantly neurotic residents of Manhattan, who feel that anything more than 25 minutes spent in the woods will devolve into a horror movie, it is clear what is unnerving about metropolitan life: both human and vehicular congestion and the pollution, aural and environmental, to which they give rise. Our biggest cities are plagued by housing shortages, egregious displays of income inequality, status anxiety, inadequate schools and ailing infrastructure. This, if we allowed our imaginations to be colonized by stories like the one of a Minneapolis bridge collapsing over the Mississippi River nine years ago, killing more than a dozen people, would mean we would rarely travel over water or under it. In pedestrian friendly cities, there is the worry of pedestrian fatalities. In New York, in the summer, you will always find a contingent of people nervous about air-conditioners falling out of high-rise windows and killing them.

These are merely the baseline triggers of distress. We can add to them the potentially catastrophic twin threats of terrorism and climate change, fears against which neither money nor position provide much of a buffer. Crime has plummeted during the last two decades, but a shattered relationship between the police and the public has replaced it as one of the countrys most pressing civic problems. The last eight months have passed as a calendar of tragedy: Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, Orlando, Baton Rouge, Dallas, Nice. Terrible things can and do happen anywhere, of course, but they have been happening with greater frequency and rippling devastation in major cities.

Will this cause a retrenchment from the opportunities that cities offer, an exodus? It is possible, but current demographic predictions have the worlds urban population surpassing six billion by 2045. In 1990, there were 10 megacities in the world, meaning cities with inhabitants of 10 million or more. By 2014, that number had nearly tripled. Within the next 15 years, the United Nations projects, there will be more than 40 megacities. By 2050, about 70 percent of the worlds population will be urban. After 9/11, you often heard people talk about leaving New York  perhaps it was safer to live in the country. Some people did move, but the population of the city has grown over the last 15 years  in Lower Manhattan, it has doubled. And since 9/11, the city has witnessed one of the most aggressive real-estate booms in its history.
The United States is among several governments, including Malaysia, Singapore and Switzerland, that have investigated 1MDB. The inquiries began last year after an investigative report in The New York Times. As part of a broader examination of the use of shell companies in high-end real estate in the United States, The Times traced the purchases of about $150 million in residential properties in New York and in the Los Angeles area, as well as several works of art, to relatives or associates of Mr. Najib.

The Justice Department named three of those people in its filings. One, Riza Aziz, is the stepson of Mr. Najib and a Hollywood film producer. Another, a financier named Jho Low, is a longtime friend of Mr. Aziz and his family. The third is Mohamed Badawy al-Husseiny, a former official at a government fund in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, that participated in deals with Malaysias fund. Prosecutors also cited Khadem al-Qubaisi, who was an official at a related fund in the United Arab Emirates, as well as another individual who was an associate of Mr. Low.

The people named in the complaint have not been charged with crimes. The defendants in an asset forfeiture case are the properties that the government wants to seize. But an asset complaint does not preclude criminal charges.

Mr. Azizs movie company, Red Granite Pictures, said in a statement that it was confident that when the facts come out, it will be clear that Riza Aziz and Red Granite did nothing wrong.

Mr. Low, Mr. Husseiny and Mr. Qubaisi did not respond to requests for comment. In the past, representatives for Mr. Aziz and Mr. Low have acknowledged that their clients own United States properties but have said that they did nothing improper.

The complaint does not name Mr. Najib, but it does cite Malaysian Official 1, described as a high-ranking government official who oversaw the fund and is a close relative of Mr. Aziz.
PARIS  Frances government pushed through Parliament a controversial overhaul of the countrys labor law on Wednesday, the last step of a lengthy legislative process that has split President Francois Hollandes Socialist Party less than a year before presidential and legislative elections.

The law, which eases rules for firing, hiring and setting work hours, was one of the most hotly debated and widely protested measures of Mr. Hollandes term, which began in 2012. For months, angry protesters took to the streets of Paris and other cities for occasionally violent demonstrations against the proposal.

Recent polls show that 70 percent of the public oppose the overhaul. Proponents of the measure say it is essential to reduce the countrys stubbornly high unemployment rate and to make the French economy more competitive.

France is still reeling from the attack that killed 84 people on Bastille Day last week in Nice, and asking whether it could have been avoided and who was to blame. The attack, the third major terrorist assault in France in 19 months, turned the nations attention away from what has been one of the most controversial actions taken by Mr. Hollandes government.
WEIMAR, Germany  Residents of Weimar flocked to the German citys central park to escape unusually scorching heat this week, setting up picnics and watching bees skitter across the wildflowers near a placid reflecting pool.

But for two Syrians also soaking up the sun, who recently arrived in this eastern city of 65,000, the summer idyll belied deeper worries after news of an attack on a passenger train by a fellow migrant.

When you hear about something like this, like this attack, you are naturally just a little afraid, said Hanan Alderzy, 28, who arrived in Weimar three months ago from the central Syrian town of Masyaf. Will people treat you differently?

She said she understood the fears of her new German neighbors. But, she added, it would be wrong to blame the actions of one refugee on all refugees. A man must be known by his name, not where he came from, she said.
MOSCOW  The red Subaru was making its way through an intersection in central Kiev on Wednesday when the drivers door suddenly blew ajar with a burst of smoke.

The blast threw the driver, Pavel G. Sheremet, a prominent journalist, into the back seat. The vehicle stopped then rolled backward, and for a moment, he seemed to be struggling to crawl free of the wreckage, closed circuit video showed.

Bystanders rushed over and pulled him out, before the car burst into flames in front of a McDonalds restaurant. But Mr. Sheremet was fatally wounded. The bombing left a small crater in the road, charred metal, melted glass  another political murder mystery in a part of the world that has had many of them.

Ukraine's Interior Ministry said that the bomb had been placed in or under the vehicle and detonated by remote control.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, THERESA MAY, SAYING: Brexit does mean Brexit, as he says, we will make a success of it. What we need to do in negotiating the deal is..to ensure that we listen to what people have said on controls of free movement, but we also negotiate the right deal and the best deal in trade for goods and services for the British people. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LABOUR LEADER, JEREMY CORBYN, SAYING: Six years of government austerity has failed. The long term economic plan is clearly dead.Is there a new one? (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, THERESA MAY, SAYING: We have not abandoned the intention to move to a surplus, but what I have said is that we will not be targeting that by the end of this parliament. He uses the language of austerity - can I just say this to him - He talks about austerity, I call it living within our means. He talks about austerity but actually were not saddling our children and grandchildren with significant debts to come. Its not about austerity. It is about ensuring that we have an economy that works for everyone. (SOUNDBITE) (English) LABOUR LEADER, JEREMY CORBYN, SAYING: In her speech on the steps of Downing Street, she also addressed insecure workers, saying you have a job, but you dont always have job security.... those people who are worried about their future in work, Im talking of the people that sent us here to serve them. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, THERESA MAY, SAYING: Im interested that he refers to the situation of some workers who might have some job insecurity and potentially unscruplious bosses. I suspect that there are many members on the opposition benches who are familiar with an unscruplious boss. ... Maybe even a boss, who exploits the rules to further his own career. Remind him of any body? (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER, THERESA MAY, SAYING: The Labour party might be about to spend several months fighting and tearing itself apart. The Conservative party will spend these months bringing this country back together.
MARIETTA, Ga.  Its an early Thursday afternoon in June in this Atlanta suburb, and Keyshia Kaoir calls out to her boyfriend, Gucci Mane, that breakfast is served.

Up in this airy houses recording studio, Gucci  everyone calls him Gucci  smiles widely and makes his way downstairs, following the smell of a chicken-and-egg scramble. He smiles as she brings the plate to the table, smiles as he jabs a fork into it, smiles as she lovingly hovers over him.

But for the clink of the fork hitting the plate, the three-story house is quiet. Situated at the end of a nondescript cul-de-sac, its barely distinguishable from its modest upper-middle-class neighbors. Inside, though, the decor is Miami Modern: white marble, white leather, white piano, white Maybach in the garage, exercise equipment in the living room, palm trees on either side of the living room  inside the living room.

Its like you living in a forest, Gucci said, still grinning.

Gucci is the picture of a man relaxed, sparkling even  warm, cheerful, peaceful. Hes wearing a red V-neck T-shirt, distressed gray denim shorts, a diamond chain with a diamond cross pendant, and a chunky black ankle monitor over a red sock sticking out of a spotless Air Jordan 4.
Jonathan Groff showed off a photo on his phone. It was him, a baby faced and smiling fan meeting Sutton Foster at the stage door during her Tony Award-winning run in Thoroughly Modern Millie more than a decade ago. He swiped right, and there they were again. This time they were backstage  with Mr. Groff in a Millie wig  headlining a concert at City Center this month. The smile was still there.

And for good reason: Mr. Groff, at 31, is having a whopper of a year. He received a Tony nomination for playing King George in Hamilton, leaving to shoot a David Fincher series for Netflix.

Right now, Mr. Groff is smiling about Looking: The Movie, a 90-minute film-cum-finale with an HBO premiere on Saturday, July 23. Directed by one of the shows creators, Andrew Haigh, the movie brings to an end a drama about a group of gay friends in San Francisco. The series divided viewers with its talky storytelling, go-there sex scenes and spotlight on Mr. Groffs character, a narcissistic video game designer.

Despite lasting just two seasons, Mr. Groff said Looking would be remembered as an empowering way for gay men to see themselves on television, not living vicariously through a woman, as he did as an avid fan of Sex and the City.
Justine van der Leun  an American who moved to Cape Town after marrying a white South African  shows how this might have happened. Her investigation ends up exposing the T.R.C.s expediencies and inadequacies, and thus the shaky foundations on which the new democracy was built. This is no surprise to those who know South Africa: The commission helped circumvent civil war by clinching the negotiated settlement between former enemies, because its design provided a mechanism to let perpetrators on both sides off the hook. But where her book is gripping, explosive even, is in the kind of obsessive forensic investigation  of the clues, and into the soul of society  that is the legacy of highbrow sleuths from Truman Capote to Janet Malcolm.

The authors truth-seeking mission sets her, inevitably, against Biehls mother, Linda, the sort of woman who swept into town, and then swept into rooms, and then swept around rooms, her lipstick and eyeliner painted in broad, unbroken lines. While the official narrative of Amy Biehl is reflected in the person of Linda, inscrutable but nonetheless deeply sympathetic, van der Leun finds herself attracted to the effects of this story on the pardoned perpetrators themselves.

In the process she breaks news in two ways. First, by showing how at least some of these men might not have been responsible for Biehls death, even though they owned up to the act before the T.R.C. And second, by ferreting out a white man who was beaten up and left for dead by the same mob on the same day that Biehl was killed, and who now lives a severely disabled life, forgotten and ignored. This man, she writes, had never seen justice. He had never experienced truth, and he was not interested in reconciliation. Van der Leun suggests that this is symbolic of the country as a whole, two decades after liberation: She describes her new home as increasingly unviable, repeatedly terming it an impossibility, a place where an undercurrent of aggression and tension . . . flows beneath the surface and bogs down everything.

The redemption, such as it is, comes from her relationship with one of the murderers, a driver at the Amy Biehl Foundation named Easy Nofemela. He explains his nickname to her: Easy come, easy go. Easy to accept pain. Easy to release the pain. Easy has the books last laugh; he is a feckless but lovable jester who finds truth even as he confounds the authors ill-fated quest for it. A native Xhosa speaker, he struggles with English, and says things like the following, of the impossibility of reconciliation: We try to build together pieces. But is broken. Heartbroken.

Van der Leun begins as the ingenue, identifying  somewhat cloyingly  with Amy Biehl. She can write superbly, and among Easys people in Gugulethu, she crafts a close sense of place that rivals the work of Katherine Boo  although her work is at the other extreme to Boos, because of van der Leuns presence within it. In a way that is increasingly fashionable, We Are Not Such Things is a personal quest, sometimes too much so: We follow our author, an American innocent abroad, on her journey through darkness into enlightenment.
Here you go, try this, an attendant at Stella Maris Bait and Tackle in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, said on a recent Sunday afternoon, after learning that a novice angler would soon embark on a half-day fluke-fishing trip aboard the Ranger VI, a party boat docked nearby. He handed over a Stella Maris custom rig with a bushy chartreuse lure.

Stella Maris, at 2702 Emmons Avenue, has served the local fishing community since 1947, catering to amateur and professional fishers alike, and to the boats, like the Ranger VI, that line the pier. The name is Latin for Star of the Sea, an ancient name for the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the sea. A statue stands in a glass case at the rear of the shop, overlooking an ice chest of frozen bunker and a bucket of live clams.
On the information supericeway.

Now that the UK has voted to leave the European Union, British businesses are wondering how they will maintain the benefits of trade as a member of the massive, tariff-free single market of the EU.

Estonia has just the thing: join its e-residency program.

Set up in 2014, the program was meant to give Estonia, the small former Soviet republic on the Baltic sea that joined the EU in 2004, an edge in attracting business. Once you become an e-resident, you can set up an Estonian company online in a day, administer it remotely, and sign all documents digitally. The tax on retained profits is 0%.

Since the Brexit vote, the number of UK residents applying for the program has increased by a factor of 10, according to Kaspar Korjus, managing partner of the e-residency project. In the week after the referendum, there were 70 applications from the UK, he said. Fintech executives and firms are particularly keen, because they want an EU entity for passporting and the euro to avoid currency fluctuations, Korjus adds.

As interest in the program surged, the country decided to create a landing page aimed at the UK: howtostayin.eu.

So far, the program has attracted applications for around 12,000 e-residencies and 1,000 companies, from 135 different countries. According to an appropriately high-tech dashboard, 88% of e-residents are men and the most popular types of companies are consultancies and computer programming firms.

Estonia is fast becoming the tech darling of Europe. In 1991 only half of the country had a phone, but according to Wired:

by 1997, 97% of Estonian schools were online. In 2000, cabinet meetings went paperless. By 2002, the government had built a free Wi-Fi network that covered most of the populated areas. By 2007, it had introduced e-voting, and by 2012 huge amounts of fibre-optic cabling were being laid  promising ultra-high-speed data connections  and 94 per cent of the countrys tax returns were being made online.

Story continues

The country insists the set up is not a giant tax-evasion scheme. E-residents and companies are expected to pay tax on earnings in the countries where they are generated, and the Estonian government is committed to sharing all the necessary details with those countries tax authorities.

What Estonia hopes to get from all this, apart from a bit of an identity boost, is the banking and advisory business that companies often need to administer their affairs. The country will attract companies in the first place on the basis of the quality of its user interface, according to Ben Hammersley, writing in Wired. Although ease-of-use was the original pitch for the e-residency program, it may get a big boost as a convenient backdoor for Brits worried about missing out after Brexit.

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LOS ANGELES  The first test of ocean water following a massive sewage spill came back clean Wednesday, suggesting stinky sludge that drained into the Los Angeles River didnt flow 20 miles to the coast, officials said.

The sample taken Tuesday showed no excessive levels of bacteria, said Nelson Kerr with the Long Beach health department.

Officials were waiting for the results of a second test on Wednesday before deciding to reopen some five miles of Long Beach/Seal Beach coastline to swimmers.

It doesnt look like were impacted by the spill, Kerr said. This initial round of testing looks really good, for the most part.

A buried pipe near downtown Los Angeles collapsed Monday, causing a blockage and spill of 2.4 million gallons of raw sewage onto streets and into storm drains that feed into the river.

Crews managed to contain, divert or vacuum at least 750,000 gallons and the rest flowed into the river, officials said.

About 4 miles of coastline in Long Beach and a mile in neighboring Seal Beach were closed to swimmers and waders while health officials tested the waters for bacteria.

The sewage leak was initially capped Monday night, but another rupture occurred during repairs. It was finally stopped Tuesday and an above-ground bypass system was being built so repairs and cleanup could get underway, said Adel Hagekhalil, assistant director of Los Angeles Sanitation.

Warning signs and flags were up along the closed beaches and lifeguards shooed away some visitors.

Just pure disappointment, beachgoer Francisco Aleman of Lake Elsinore told KABC-TV. My little sister, she wanted to come to the beach forever, the whole summer she gets here and its like, you cant get in, so whats the point, you know?

The closure was a financial hit for M&M Surfing School of Seal Beach, which had to cancel classes for 70 students at a loss of $85 each.

Nobody went out, owner Michael Pless said. The bummer is I have people coming from all over the world. I have people from England, Sweden. I had people flying in to meet me.

The 1929 concrete, tile-lined pipe that broke was 18 feet underground, while more recent pipes are 80 to 100 feet below, Hagekhalil said.

The cause of the collapse wasnt clear.
From the Zika virus to a safety recall that rendered hundreds of units of blood useless, several factors have caused Southern Californias blood supply to dip to dangerous lows, local health officials said Tuesday.

The blood supply is getting so low that the American Red Cross, for the first time in eight years, has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets  cells in the blood  urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish the reserves.

The shortage is not exclusive to Southern California. Across the country, blood banks have seen 39,000 fewer donations over the past few months coupled with a spike in the demand for blood since early this year, said Dr. Ross Herron, chief medical officer of the Red Cross West Blood Services Division.

He said the Red Cross strives to keep a five-day supply available at all times to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies.

But in Southern California, the Red Cross has less than a five-day supply on hand, he said. On some days over the past few months, the regions blood supply has dipped to a two-day level, Herron said.

Right now, blood products are being distributed at a faster level than they are coming in, he said. Thats why weve issued an emergency call.

Summer is typically slow for blood donations because nearly 25 percent of the supply comes from school and college campus blood drives, Herron said.

Also, new regulations from the Food and Drug Administration on mens iron levels and the Zika virus have further affected blood supply, he said.

Travelers to Zika-infected regions  including areas of Central and South America, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands  must wait 28 days before they can donate blood. And in May, the FDA raised the minimum hemoglobin count  an indication of iron level  for male donors from 12.5 grams per liter to 13 grams per liter, further reducing the number of donations.

At Orange County Global Medical Center, which in Santa Ana houses the largest trauma center in the county, blood supplies are on par with their preferred levels, which is about a weeks worth of blood supply when the demand is normal, said laboratory director Michelle Bosewicht.

But the center came close to going below that figure last month, she said, when its blood supplier, San Bernardino-based Lifestream, recalled 2,000 units of blood because of an issue with collection bags and filters.

The current blood shortage is real and its nationwide, Bosewicht said. So far, weve been able to keep levels. But we want to be certain that our facilities can handle traumas and emergencies in the community as well. And for that, were going to need the publics help with blood donations.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7909 or dbharath@ocregister.com
SAN BERNARDINO  The man accused of killing three people, including a 9-year-old boy, pleaded not guilty to criminal charges Monday in San Bernardino Superior Court.

Trayvon Eshawn Brown, 26, of Rialto entered his plea before Superior Court Judge Alexander R. Martinez, who presided over the arraignment. Brown faces three counts of murder with enhancements on each count for using a firearm, according to the criminal complaint filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney.

A documented gang member, Brown is accused of the July 8 slayings outside Superior Liquor at 2950 Del Rosa Ave.

Three victims  Samathy Mahan, 25; Travon Hefty Lamar Williams, 26; and Travon Williams, 9  exited the liquor store shortly before 9:30 p.m. when police say Brown confronted them.

The mother of 9-year-old Travon Williams, Ebony Newman, 27, let out a cry just before the court proceedings began. Brown looked over at the grieving mother and appeared to have chuckled.

They were all shot as they came out of the store, San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said Friday. Mahan ran around the corner and Brown followed him and shot him again multiple times.

The following day, friends lit candles outside the store.

Newman and three other family members were in the courtroom to watch the proceedings, but they declined to comment.

Brown, who is on post-release community supervision, is also being held on a no-bail warrant for violating the terms of release. Under the PRCS program, triple non offenders  non-violent, non-serious, non-sexual  who would have been placed on parole are instead monitored by local county probation agencies as part of the California Prison Realignment Plan or Assembly Bill 109.

Brown was convicted in June 2013 for an attempt to evade a peace officer with reckless driving, San Bernardino County Probation spokeswoman Kimberly Epps said.

On July 14, 2016, he reported to the Fontana probation office, she said in an emailed statement Friday. Probation officers recognized him and detained him on a warrant. Probation contacted the San Bernardino Police Department who responded to probation and assumed custody of him.

Epps said records show that Brown was in compliance with his probation and reporting according to his terms of release prior to the shooting.

Earlier court records show Brown was arrested and charged with resisting arrest, carrying a loaded firearm while in participation of a street gang, a minor illegally carrying a concealed firearm, with gang enhancements in December 2007.

That case outcome is listed as pending adjudication, according to court records.

Were finding its a reoccurring thing that were making contact with these people who are freed on probation, Burguan said. Time and time again, we make arrests of someone on PRCS and now a 9-year-old boy is dead.

Burguan also said the community was key in solving this crime and thanked them for coming forward.

Many times, we investigate crimes and the community refuses to come forward. This wasnt one of those times, he said. People are outraged over this, and this just goes to show that when the community gets involved and calls us with information, we can make an arrest and hold the person accountable for their crimes.

Police said an ongoing violent history between Brown and Mahan sparked the triple homicide.

Detectives said in a written statement that a shooting on June 15 happened at 2871 N. Park Ave., directly around the corner from the July 8 homicide scene. They say Brown and Mahan fought, and according to a witness, Brown had been shot during the altercation between the two.

After the triple homicide happened, detectives began receiving dozens of calls from both anonymous and named callers who identified Brown as the shooter.

Prosecutors havent decided whether or not to seek the death penalty in this case.

Martinez set the next court date for Brown for Aug. 3. Martinez set Browns bail at $3 million.
For more than a generation, opportunistic California politicians have barraged voters with woeful tales about how the most productive, inventive, wealthy and enterprising Californians are leaving this state in droves to avoid high taxes and excessive government regulation.

These stories, used successfully by the likes of Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger while running for governor, and unsuccessfully by failed candidates from Bill Simon to Meg Whitman and Neel Kashkari, tell of rich Californians seeking greener pastures in more laissez faire states like Texas and Idaho.

Theres only one problem with those stories: They dont match the facts, even though they are often purveyed by folks with a financial stake in the fables, some of them business relocation experts.

Its not just that California has outpaced the rest of America economically for most of the last 20 years. Its not merely that innovative businesses and venture capital investments here are the largest and most successful in the world.

Its not only that coastal California real estate, property in the states most populous areas, brings more cash than comparable real estate anywhere else in America except Manhattan, but also that there are plenty of buyers around with the cash to pay seemingly outrageous prices.

Its also that truth matters little anymore.

That especially holds when some numbers appear to back up the untruth. In terms of people leaving California, there is such a number: California had a net population outflow to other states of 625,000 residents between 2007 and 2014. Newborn children and immigrants more than made up for that loss, so dont expect the state to lose congressional or Electoral College clout after the next Census in 2020.

But the majority of those departing are not the extremely prosperous residents about whom we so often hear from folks described by Gov. Jerry Brown as California declinists.

Rather, of those who left during the latest years for which statistics exist, the vast majority earned less than $30,000 per year. A net total of 469,000 of those leaving possessed no college degree. Given the prevailing levels of rents and home prices in California, its easy to see their financial motive in leaving for far lower-priced states like Texas, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona.

But as lower-income residents left, there was a net increase of 52,700 residents from other states making more than $50,000 per year who do have at least a bachelors degree. The figures come from a Beacon Economics study released this spring.

The upshot is that, while its true that a few big businesses have shifted their national headquarters out of California primarily because its far cheaper for them to expand their facilities in states with lower land prices, most of this state has not suffered much. New businesses arise and succeed here faster and in larger quantities than anywhere except perhaps Israel, also a center of high-tech innovation.

Land values remain the primary reason for businesses shifting headquarters or expansion outside California. Its difficult to attract and retain workers here with salaries under $50,000, because of housing prices.

Said one executive, I pay some of my people with masters degrees $70,000 and $80,000 a year and they still have no hope of buying a house anywhere near Silicon Valley.

That reality explains a lot of the corporate expansion to cheaper states.

So does the price of raw land for expansion in places like Las Vegas, Boise or Tucson, where empty desert abuts directly on city limits. That situation is rare in California, but it makes large tracts of land elsewhere available at very low prices.

The bottom line: Yes, this state has lost some population to other states, but for the most part it has not been the most creative, wealthiest and entrepreneurial Californians who left. Which means that doomsaying politicians and urban experts who say the out-migration numbers spell impending disaster are mostly blowing self-serving smoke.
SAN FRANCISCO  The pregnant wife of a prominent Chinese dissident has arrived in the Bay Area with their 4-year-old son to live as refugees for at least a year, an activist said Wednesday.

Liu Xiaodong, 40, the wife of Zhao Changqing, arrived with the boy Tuesday from Bangkok. She was escorted by Yang Jianli, president of Initiatives for China/Citizen Power for China, a grassroots movement dedicated to a peaceful transition to democracy.

Yang said Xiaodong will live with supporters in suburban Hayward and take care of her children. Her baby is due Aug. 23.

The 47-year-old Changqing has been a leading defender of human rights and democracy in China since the 1989 Tiananmen Students Movement.

As a former student leader and a prominent political prisoner of conscience, he has been imprisoned five times in 27 years.

Xiaodong says her husband was released a week ago and is living in China under heavy surveillance.

She said she spoke to him while traveling and he is doing fine physically but having difficulty finding a permanent home. She said he will stay in China to continue his work.

In 2005, Changqing refused to participate in a flag-raising ceremony or sing the national anthem. He was put into solitary confinement for more than a month. He was later returned to solitary confinement for refusing to take part in military drills and for receiving Falun Gong members, according to published reports.

His wife and son left China in May and went to Bangkok. She says she no longer felt safe in Thailand.
DANA POINT  City officials said this week they are not backing off lawsuits that aim to shut down two Capistrano Beach sober-living houses affiliated with two treatment centers, contending that their operation violates state law and the citys zoning code.

The lawsuits, filed by the city June 22 in Orange County Superior Court, allege that sober-living homes Capo By the Sea, at 27036 Azul Drive, and Sovereign Health Group, at 25512 Evans Pointe, are operating as drug abuse recovery and treatment facilities without state licenses.

The citys announcement follows a recent statement issued by Sovereign Health disputing Dana Points lawsuits and calling then baseless.

The citys lawsuit falsely alleges that Sovereign Health was operating an alcohol and drug abuse treatment facility in violation of state and local laws, the July 5 statement said. Dana Points filing clearly demonstrates that the city has insufficient understanding of California state licensing regulations.

Sovereign officials did not respond to requests for comment.

Dana Point City Attorney Patrick Munoz said the lawsuits follow an investigation into city and state regulations governing sober-living homes after residents complained about drugs, noise, second-hand smoke and the proliferation of these homes in their neighborhoods.

Munoz said the city filed its lawsuits based on the investigation.

The city welcomes a good faith effort by the defendants to present any information they may have to support their position without the need for incurring the costs of litigation and discovery, he said.

The city also alleges in the suits that the homes are providing service to more than six people, which under the Dana Point zoning code means they are businesses, and that they are illegally operating in a residential area.

Sovereign Health said it operates nine treatment facilities in five states: California, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Utah. Each facility, it says in the statement, is fully licensed in accordance with the regulations of the state where the facility is located. In addition, all Sovereign facilities have been awarded Gold Seal accreditation by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation available in the behavioral health field, according to the statement.

Dana Points investigation was so haphazard that no one from the city even bothered to contact Sovereign Health with regard to how the property named in the complaint was being utilized, the statement said.

The lawsuits are the latest in Orange County and other Southern California coastal areas known as the Riviera of Rehab because of the hundreds of drug and alcohol addiction treatment centers and sober-living houses concentrated there.

John T. Kahal, who owns the house on Azul and operates Capo By The Sea, also disputed the citys lawsuit. He said the home is not providing treatment services. He said patients receive treatment in his licensed treatment facility at another Capo Beach house or at two outpatient suites in the Ortega Business Center in San Juan Capistrano.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@ocregister.com or on Twitter:@lagunaini
Facing a fall contest against a Republican opponent focused on law and order, Hillary Clinton has narrowed her search for a vice-presidential candidate, telling several potential running mates that she needs a No. 2 who would bring national security experience to the Democratic ticket.

Clintons shortlist includes James G. Stavridis, a retired four-star Navy admiral who served as the 16th supreme allied commander at NATO, and Sen. Tim Kaine, a former Virginia governor who serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

She is widely expected to present her choice for running mate at a rally in Miami on Saturday, according to people involved with the planning who could not discuss private conversations for attribution.

A Saturday rollout would come two days after the end of the Republican National Convention, shifting attention from the GOP gathering in Cleveland. On Friday, Clinton plans to visit Orlando, Florida, where a gunman who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State killed 49 people at a gay nightclub last month.

The choice of Florida as the backdrop for Clintons announcement rally, which would be followed by a bus tour in swing states immediately after next weeks Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, is no coincidence.

Clinton leads Trump by 7 percentage points in Florida, according to an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released this week, and the state is considered critical to a Trump victory in November.

In recent days, her campaign has held focus groups to try to determine what qualities undecided voters want to see in Clintons running mate, these people said. A campaign spokesman declined to comment.

When asked Monday night about her vice-presidential search, Clinton told Charlie Rose of PBS that she is afflicted with the responsibility gene and would base her decision on the practical matter of who is best prepared.

There is nothing more important than my rock-solid conviction that the person I choose could literally get up one day and be the president of the United States, Clinton said.

She made those comments as the Republican National Convention entered its first evening in Cleveland. A parade of speakers, including former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, both spoke about the need to be tough in the fight against terrorism as they attacked Clintons record.

The terrorist attack in Nice, France, the mass shooting in Orlando and the recent killings of police officers and police shootings of black men have all added to voters sense of insecurity this summer, with both candidates seeking to present themselves as the solution.

Voters are evenly split on whether Clinton or Trump would better handle terrorism and national security, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll, a change from last month, when Clinton had a 7-percentage-point advantage on the issue.

Trumps choice for running mate, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, a social conservative not known for foreign policy experience, supported the Iraq War and praised Clintons handling of a NATO-led coalition to oust Moammar Gadhafi in Libya  both of which Trump has recently criticized.

Other presidential candidates have used a running mate to bolster their appeal on foreign policy. In 1980 Ronald Reagan chose George Bush, whose resume included serving as the director of the CIA and the top American diplomat in China. In 2000, George W. Bush picked Dick Cheney, an experienced Washington hand and former secretary of defense.

Eight years ago, as she competed against Barack Obama in the Democratic primary, Clintons campaign seized on national security to portray Obama as an inexperienced and dangerous choice. It ran one of the starkest ads of that cycle, in which a phone rings at the White House at 3 a.m. as the narrator asks, Who do you want answering the phone? Clinton, wearing glasses, picked up the receiver.

After the 3 a.m. ad she was seen as the best commander in chief and surged with men, said Mark Penn, the chief strategist on her 2008 campaign.

This time, Clinton has four years of experience as secretary of state to draw on. Last month, in one of her strongest attacks yet, she ridiculed Trumps foreign policy positions, mocking his suggestion that the United States reconsider its ties to NATO.

No potential candidate understands NATO better than Stavridis, who worked closely with Clinton when she was secretary of state and whose experience includes overseeing operations in Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, the Balkans, and along the shores of Africa. On Monday night, Clinton called Stavridis, a West Palm Beach, Fla., native who is now dean of the Fletcher School at Tufts University, exceptional.

Asked about the vice-presidential speculation, Stavridis said in an email, Stavridis is too long for a bumper sticker and too hard to pronounce  but clearly global security is a fundamental concern for our nation.

But advisers say choosing a running mate who has never held elective office would be an unnecessary risk that Clinton, a cautious candidate by nature, would be unlikely to take.

She is still considering several candidates who are considered safer choices, including Kaine; Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a Pittsburgh-born former governor of Iowa; and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez both have virtually no national security experience, but a black or Latino vice-presidential candidate could bring excitement to a campaign that has lacked it. Clinton, whose advisers are still studying the findings of multiple focus groups, has not ruled Booker or Perez out, one of the people involved in the process said.

On Friday, Clinton held meetings at her Washington home with several potential candidates, including Julian Castro, the housing secretary; Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts; and Gov. John W. Hickenlooper of Colorado. She emphasized the need to have a running mate with national security experience, the people involved with the process said.

Vilsack has limited national security experience, but emerged as a vocal critic of the Iraq War during the Bush administration. Brown, known mostly for his fiery stances against global trade deals, which could help Clinton in Rust Belt states, sits on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

Asked whether Kaine, among the top candidates under consideration, was a boring choice, Clinton told Rose, I love that about him.
ISTANBUL  Turkish authorities extended their purge of state institutions on Tuesday, suspending more than 15,000 employees of the education ministry for suspected links to a failed military coup last week.

Shortly after the suspensions were announced,the High Education Board ordered the resignation of more than 1,500 deans from universities across the country and revoked the licenses of 21,000 teachers, Turkish officials said.

By Tuesday night, the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had either purged or detained nearly 35,000 members of the military, security forces and judiciary in an effort to remove from the government bureaucracy and political-class loyalists of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric whom the government has accused of orchestrating Fridays coup attempt.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim likened Gulens followers to a parallel terrorist organization.

We will dig them up by their roots so that no clandestine terrorist organization will have the nerve to betray our blessed people again, Yildirim told Parliament on Tuesday.

The purges of educational institutions are intended to blunt the influence of followers of Gulen, a rival of Erdogans who has been in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999. Gulen has inspired an international network of schools, including more than 160 public charter schools in the United States, which have won grants from the federal government. But Gulens movement has said it has no direct ties to these schools and he has denied involvement in the coup.

Western diplomats have criticized Turkey for the sweeping expulsions and arrests in the wake of the attempted coup, urging Erdogans government to remain committed to democratic principles including respect for human rights and for the rule of law.

Turkish officials say their response is appropriate considering that the plotters have been accused of trying to kill or capture the president.

It took several thousand soldiers to carry out this coup attempt, the presidents spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said Tuesday. We have seen many of them on the streets and there are those that hijacked helicopters and F-16s. Many of those shot at innocent people and blocked the roads.

Then there were the generals that planned the coup and declared martial law, he continued. It is only natural that we apply the rule of law to arrest these people on charges of treason and trying to change the constitutional order of the country illegally.

The Turkish government also widened its crackdown on news outlets sympathetic to Gulen by canceling licenses on Tuesday for a number of radio and television channels.

Earlier this year, Turkish authorities seized Turkeys most popular newspaper, Zaman, after a court ruling placed it under state control. The newspaper was closely associated with Gulen and had become fiercely critical of Erdogan and his government.
SANTA ANA  A 23-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in prison for a drunken driving crash in which the SUV he was driving erupted into flames just before two California Highway Patrol officers rescued him, a woman and their two young children.

Leonardo Morales pleaded guilty June 10 to driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving with a blood-alcohol level exceeding the legal limit of .08 percent or more causing injury as well and two counts of child abuse and endangerment, all felonies.

Morales also admitted sentencing enhancement allegations of inflicting great bodily injury and causing great bodily injury on a child younger than 5.

Morales also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving on a suspended or revoked license.

Morales was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Tahoe that slammed into a tree on the northbound Costa Mesa (55) Freeway off-ramp to 17th Street about 3:50 a.m., on April 13, 2015, according to CHP Officer Florentino Olivera.

Two CHP officers patrolling the area saw flames at the scene of the crash but were too far down the off-ramp to respond to the emergency, so they called it in to dispatchers, Olivera said.

Because of their quick response, two other officers were able to get to the victims before it was too late, Olivera said.

When CHP Officers Daryl Hansen and Timothy Montoya got to the scene of the fiery crash, they saw Morales lying on the ground, the panic-stricken toddler dashing around and 22-year-old Kathy De Rosa stuck in the front passenger seat, Olivera said.

The 2-year-old was running around and crying and pointing at the car, he said.

As the two officers worked to pull De Rosa out, Montoya heard a baby crying in the back seat. The baby was face-down, bloodied, on the floorboard of the rear drivers side seat, Olivera said.

By then the car was fully engulfed in flames, he said.

Montoya quickly snatched the baby and ran her to safety, Olivera said. The two officers also managed to get De Rosa out of the SUV.

The two adults were taken to Western Medical Center in Santa Ana and their children were taken to Childrens Hospital Orange County, Olivera said.

The 9-month-old had serious lacerations to her legs and feet, according to Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi. The 2-year-old boy sustained a head injury and a deep bruise on his head, Concialdi said. Morales sustained a back injury and De Rosa had cuts to her face, according to Concialdi.

Morales and De Rosa were arrested together Aug. 31, 2014. Court records show that on Sept. 3, 2014, Morales pleaded guilty in that case to driving under the influence of alcohol and on a suspended license, and De Rosa pleaded guilty to misdemeanor resisting arrest.

De Rosa was accused of brandishing a deadly weapon in front of an officer in the arrest, but the charge was dismissed as part of the plea deal, according to court records.

On March 13, 2015, De Rosa pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, driving with a blood-alcohol level over the legal limit of .08, child abuse and endangerment and driving without a valid drivers license, all misdemeanors, according to court records.

That plea stemmed from a Dec. 14, 2014, arrest in Santa Ana, in which prosecutors accused her of driving with a blood-alcohol level of .20 and causing injury to two children in the car.

De Rosa was placed on four years of informal probation for the March 2015 DUI conviction and was ordered to participate in an alcohol program for first offenders and a child abusers treatment program.

Court records also show Morales has had trouble paying more than $4,000 in fines related to his various convictions, which include driving on a suspended license in 2012.

In September 2014, Morales was sentenced to three years of informal probation and ordered to participate in an alcohol program for first offenders.
LONDON  Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday offered praise and a primer in diplomacy to Boris Johnson, Britains foreign secretary, whose reputation for gaffes and insults precedes him.

When the two appeared before reporters after a brief meeting in Johnsons office, Kerry said the U.S. ambassador to the European Union had just been regaling him with tales of his experiences with Johnson while they were at Oxford University together.

He told me this man is a very smart and capable man, Kerry said. Thats the Boris Johnson that I intend to work with, and we intend to make good things happen.

Johnson, standing at a podium with Kerry, uncrossed his arms and adopted a look of modesty, interjecting, Phew. Just stop that.

Then Kerry sidled closer to Johnson and told him, with a wry smile, Its called diplomacy.

As the exchange illustrated, the first bilateral meeting between Kerry and Johnson and the latters first news conference as foreign secretary was a friendly but occasionally awkward affair.

Their approaches could not be more different. Johnson, with his messy blond hair, made his opening remarks from notes. The tall and silver-coiffed Kerry spoke mostly extemporaneously, an experienced hand at answering questions.

At times, Kerry sounded like an instructor to the neophyte diplomat. He went out of his way to recite a long, sober list of crises and challenges before them, including the war in Syria, international terrorism and complex trade deals.

He gave the impression that he was addressing Johnson as much as the world, almost as if he was trying to exhort his counterpart to act less like Shakespeares wayward Prince Hal and more like the responsible and capable Henry V.

Johnsons initial forays into international politics  a meeting with European Union officials on Monday and talks with Kerry and European diplomats on Syria and Yemen in London on Tuesday  are viewed as a partial charm offensive. Everywhere he goes, he is trying to undo the damage wrought by his previous verbal excesses.

Those mocking remarks continue to dog Johnson. He said last week that the United States will be in the front of the queue for an apology from him, after earlier saying that President Barack Obamas part-Kenyan heritage gives him an ancestral dislike of the British Empire. He also has compared Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, to a sadistic nurse in a mental hospital.

Johnson bristled when asked whether he wanted to take back his remarks about Obama and Clinton.

I am afraid there is such a rich thesaurus of things that I have said that have been, one way or another, through what alchemy I do not know, somehow misconstrued, that it would really take me too long to engage in a full global itinerary of apology to all concerned, he said.

I think most people who read these things in their proper context can see exactly what was intended. Everybody Ive met in the job so far understands that, particularly on the international scene.

Kerry, who winced when a reporter spoke of Johnsons outright lies, seemed unsure how to respond when asked whether he had ever met anyone like Johnson before.

With respect to my colleague now, let me say, he started. I served 28 years in the United States Senate, a year and a half, two years as lieutenant governor. I was a prosecutor for many years. I ran for president of the United States, and now I have been secretary of state for three and a half years. I have met everybody in the world like Boris Johnson. Or not. I dont know what you mean by like Boris Johnson.

There are indications that Johnson is acting with more decorum since assuming his new post. In his meeting in Brussels with the European Unions Foreign Affairs Council, Johnson delivered the message that Britain leaving the EU  as it voted to do last month  did not mean it was abandoning Europe.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who has said Johnson lied a lot to rally British voters in his push for the United Kingdom to leave the EU, told reporters that he saw a different Johnson this time around.

Boris Johnson, I would say, came to this council with some humility, Ayrault said.

There are also indications that his views are changing. Before being appointed foreign secretary, Johnson wrote in a column in the Telegraph newspaper that cooperation with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin was needed to fight the Islamic State militant group in Syria.

He took another tack on Tuesday, before meeting with Kerry and European foreign ministers.

I will be making clear my view that the suffering of the Syrian people will not end while Assad remains in power, he said in advance remarks released by his office. The international community, including Russia, must be united.

Kerry, in turn, quoted Winston Churchills assertion that much can be achieved in tough times by Britain and the United States working together, heart in hand.

Kerry said the United States would help Britain and the EU make a smooth break.

In that spirit, I returned to London today to reaffirm our special, unbreakable ties between the United States and Britain, he said. Its clear no shift in administrations, and Im speaking for the United States, is going to alter the bonds we have.
Peter Krasnows work at the Laguna Art Museum spans so many forms, its almost as if the exhibit is the work of many artists, not just one.

There are the early scene paintings inspired by his native country, Ukraine, and his first years in the United States, in Boston, New York City and Chicago. Art Deco and expressionism show up in his sculpture and paintings from the 1920s. His later wood sculptures resemble Northwestern Native American totem poles. Once he moved to the West Coast and settled in Los Angeles, his work became abstract and riotous with color, reflecting the bright and sunny atmosphere he found in California.

The retrospective Peter Krasnow: Maverick Modernist, runs to Sept. 25.

Anything he stumbled across or saw, he was happy to include it if it so struck him, said Michael Duncan, the guest curator for this show and an expert on Krasnow and other West Coast modernist artists. Krasnow incorporated in his work the warm and bright colors he saw as he traveled west, and the things he saw, such as desert plants and Native American cultural objects. His Jewish heritage also was a big part of his later, abstract work. Hebrew letters, Jewish folk tales and symbols are painted with orange, pink, green and yellow and a host of other crazy colors that almost seem to foreshadow psychedelic art.

Innovation is the theme among all of Krasnows art, according to Duncan.

Its really about a way of making innovation in modernist art and a way of pushing art forward into what he thought was more of an engagement with the world around him.

Krasnow came from northern Ukraine and was sent to the United States by his father in 1907, following persecution of Jews in his home country. He eventually landed in Chicago, where he graduated from the art school at the Art Institute of Chicago and met Rose Bloom, a teacher and social worker he later married. Later, in New York, Krasnow struggled to find a foothold in the citys competitive art scene.

Then, in 1922, a road trip. The Krasnows went west to California, and Krasnow documented the trip in a memoir and drawings of mountains, roads, Native Americans and others they met along the way. They settled in Los Angeles, where Krasnow met other important artists who became friends, such as photographer Edward Weston, architects Rudolph Schindler and Richard Neutra, and painters Helen Lundeberg, Henrietta Shore and Lorser Feitelson.

In Los Angeles, Krasnow also earned more recognition and attention, starting with a solo show at the museum that is today the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In his first years in Los Angeles, Krasnow continued with an expressionist style of recognizable figures and objects. But over the ensuing decades, he moved to abstract paintings and carving wood sculptures and bas-relief carvings for architectural projects. His later demountable wood sculptures were abstract, multipart pieces that took their inspiration from the knots, grains and shapes of cast-off lumberyard scraps.

The Laguna Art Museum retrospective moves through each of Krasnows changing styles in more or less chronological order, starting with his East Coast urban scenes and portraits and moving west to brighter colors and more abstraction. The highlight is the museums main gallery, where Krasnows wildly-colored paintings from the 1950s, 60s and 70s contrast with bright white walls and are complemented by the tall totem-like wood sculptures set up around the room. Here are paintings such as Two Brothers, from 1950, referencing the Jewish folk tale of two brothers who secretly aid each other when they fear the others crops are failing, and Casa Verdugo, from 1963, a cheery and vivid depiction of the artist colony the Krasnows lived in for a short time when they arrived in Los Angeles.

The Krasnow exhibition has been a long-time aim for the museum, which received a large gift of his work in 2000. Now, Laguna Art Museum has the largest holding of Krasnow art, including about 150 paintings, 500 drawings and 60 wood sculptures.

Laguna Art Museum Director Malcolm Warner said the Krasnow retrospective also falls in line with the museums aim to give greater exposure to outstanding, but under-recognized, California artists. Lundeberg, a friend of Krasnows and the subject of the museums exhibition this past spring, is another example. And like the shy Lundeberg, Krasnow wasnt big on self-promotion.

Peter Krasnow was an unworldly artist who doesnt seem to have cared very much about his marketablility, Warner said. That he changed mediums frequently didnt help him build a reputation, either. When he was successful with a particular type of work, notably his woodcarvings of the 1920s, he switched to something else, Warner said. He would change direction according to his own feelings and desires as an artist, regardless of whether it was a good career move.

Upstairs from the Krasnow exhibit is a smaller show, The Wave Portfolio: Photographs by Anthony Friedkin. These black and white photos by the California photographer and lifelong surfer capture waves in different forms, relaying a variety of tones, from inviting and sunny to threatening and powerful to somber and moody.

Contact the writer: aboessenkool@ocregister.com
HUNTINGTON BEACH  A petition to release Leeloo, a possible wolf hybrid being held at OC Animal Care, is gaining steam on social media, mirroring a controversy last year in which the husky-mix Karma was ordered euthanized after a DNA test revealed she was part wolf.

Leeloos owners, Kara Brundage, 39, and Jeremy Clover, 42, of Huntington Beach, worry that their 3-year-old, 100-pound dog might also face death because of her genetics. Leeloo has been held at OC Animal Care since June 10, after she bit a 5-year-old girl.

Were familiar with the Karma situation and are petrified she could end up in the same way, Brundage said. We know why they are testing her, because she looks like a wolf. Were going on 40 days now and have gotten no written notification.

Brundage said she and Clover were told Monday by Orange County Animal Control Lt. Brian Frick that the investigation is over and that the county agency is waiting for the DNA test results.

Animal activists have jumped on social media to support Leeloo, with more than 5,000 people signing a petition at Change.org to get the dog released.

Its a response similar to the one Karma generated last fall.

Karmas story drew widespread attention when she was slated to be euthanized by OC Animal Care. The agency declared Karma, a wolf-dog/husky mix who belonged to an Anaheim family, vicious because, they said, she had killed at least one cat and charged, though didnt bite, a woman in Anaheim.

Karma was ordered euthanized because the effectiveness of rabies vaccines on wolf hybrids is unknown, so the dog could not be legally licensed.

However, after public outrage and intervention by the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Karma was released. Supervisor Todd Spitzer helped get Karma relocated to a wolf-dog sanctuary in North Carolina.

The bite involving Leeloo took place June 7. Brundage took the girl and her mother for a ride on her horse, and when they returned to Goldenwest Stables, the girl asked if she could give Leeloo some water. Brundage told the girl that it was OK, but that she should stand back while the dog, who was on a leash, drank, Brundage said.

A few minutes later, after Brundage turned her back, Leeloo walked over to the girl and nipped at her leg. When the mother pulled her child away, Leeloo grabbed the girls leg, Brundage said.

The girl was taken to urgent care but did not need stitches, Brundage said.

The girls family was unavailable for comment.

After the occurrence, the child was 100 percent our priority, Brundage said. We wanted to be sure she was all right. The mom didnt want an incident report. But when they told her that her daughter might need rabies shots, we immediately told her to give them information about where Leeloo lived.

OC Animal Care officers took Leeloo and began their investigation, which has extended well beyond the mandatory 10-day quarantine period. As part of the process, officers submitted DNA samples to the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory for testing.

Jennifer Hawkins, director of OC Animal Care and chief veterinarian, confirmed Tuesday that her agency initiated the investigation after the girls mother reported the bite. Leeloo was impounded, in accordance with the agencys guidelines on dogs that bite humans. In some cases, dogs can be quarantined at home, Hawkins added.

She said that it was reported that Leeloo was either wolf or wolf-dog hybrid and that the shelter has authority to hold dogs if there is an immediate threat to public safety and if an investigation is underway into a potentially dangerous or vicious animal.

Once the DNA results are revealed, Leeloos fate will be determined by the courts, Hawkins said.

Brundage said neither she nor Clover have been given information by OC Animal Care on Leeloos status. They filed a public records request with the agency July 6, asking on what charges Leeloo is being investigated, what the initial complaint is, and statistics on how long dogs are normally quarantined.

The couple have hired a lawyer, who sent the agency a letter requesting a hearing and asking that Leeloo be released.

Brundage said she and Clover have found two wolf-dog sanctuaries  one in California and one in Texas  willing to take Leeloo. The couple are open to giving up the dog to save her life, she said.

I kick myself for turning my back, Brundage said. When I did that, I lost 50 percent control of the situation. Its not Leeloos fault. Its my fault.

Contact the writer: eritchie@ocregister.com or on Twitter:@lagunaini
SACRAMENTO  Eloy Ortiz Oakley, a nationally recognized innovator in public education, will become the next chancellor of the California Community Colleges and the first Latino to hold the post.

Oakley, superintendent-president of the Long Beach Community College District since 2007, was unanimously selected Monday by the Board of Governors of the 113-college system that serves 2.1 million students in 72 districts.

During his current tenure, Oakley helped create Long Beach College Promise, a program to bring high school administrators and teachers together with college faculty and staff to create structured paths for students to follow from one educational institution to another, according to the chancellors office.

In Oakley we see a change agent  someone whose relentless focus on student success will help more students obtain certificates and degrees or transfer to four-year institutions on time, said Geoffrey L. Baum, the board president.

Oakley is a product of a community college. He enrolled at Golden West College after serving four years in the Army and then transferred to the University of California, Irvine. He received a bachelor of arts degree in environmental analysis and design and a masters in business administration.

Oakley addressed the board about student needs in a changing economy, the Los Angeles Times reported.

We must pay particular attention to African-Americans and Latinos in this state. This is the backbone of our workforce, he said. Our economy no longer has a spot for those who lack skills.. We need to redouble our efforts as a system to ensure that every student in California has the opportunity to obtain a college credential.

Oakleys selection was praised by Gov. Jerry Brown, who appointed him to the University of California Board of Regents in 2014.

Eloy Oakley knows Californias community colleges inside and out and has served at every level in the system  from teaching in the classroom to running a campus as superintendent, Brown said in a statement.

Oakley succeeds Brice W. Harris, who retired in April after nearly four years as chancellor. Oakley will take over from the interim chancellor, Erik E. Skinner, on Dec. 19.
NICE, France  When a Tunisian man drove a truck down a crowded street in Nice last week in an attack claimed by the Islamic State, more than one-third of the people he killed were Muslim, the head of a regional Islamic association said Tuesday.

Kawthar Ben Salem, a spokeswoman for the Union of Muslims of the Alpes-Maritimes, said that Muslim funerals were being held for at least 30 of those who died during the Bastille Day attack, including men, women and children.

The Paris prosecutors office, which handles terrorism investigations, said Tuesday that all 84 people killed in the attack had been formally identified, meaning that the number of Muslim fatalities may be even higher. The number of people who were wounded was also raised, to 308 people.

The attack occurred after a fireworks display, as the Tunisian man, identified as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, drove a cargo truck around a barrier and accelerated as people were slowly beginning to leave the beach area. The truck plowed into the crowds, tacking from one side of the road to the other. The road had been closed to vehicular traffic for the display.

About 120,000 people in the Alpes-Maritimes are from the Maghreb  including Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco  and while the majority are most likely Muslims, some are Jews and Christians, according to rough estimates by various local associations. Nice is also a destination for Muslims from Senegal and other West African countries where French is spoken, and there is also a sizable community of Muslims from the Comoros Islands.

This is complicated in terms of mourning for the whole world; this is also a little complicated for the Muslim community which is afraid that acts of violence, will be directed at them, Ben Salem said. We hope that this sends a global message that the barbarity touches the whole world and that the people here, the victims, are not those who commit the crimes in Syria and Iraq.

At least 10 children and teenagers were killed in the attack, but because Lahouaiej Bouhlel was identified as a Muslim, she said, many people dont see that some Muslim children were killed with the other children.

Thousands of locals and tourists turned out for the July 14 fireworks, a free event held on the beautiful waterfront that arcs along the bay.

Oucine Jamouli, 62, the head of a Moroccan association, attributed the heavy Muslim turnout at least partly to the fact that there is less drinking at the Bastille Day festival than at other big events in Nice because it is a family-oriented celebration.

It is also less religious than Nices other major festivals: a Christmas market, the Carnival festival at Mardi Gras and the fireworks for Aug. 15, which marks the Catholic feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary to heaven.

There are so many people at the fireworks, of every race, every color, every religion, said Jamouli, who runs a Moroccan restaurant a block from the Promenade des Anglais, where the attack occurred. Terror basically aims at the whole society and at its freedom.

People from at least 13 countries lost their lives, according to reports drawn from foreign ministries around the world, including citizens of Estonia, France, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Tunisia and the United States.

For the Muslims who died, the Islamic association will conduct a ritual Muslim cleansing of the body and will say prayers. Depending on the wishes of the families, the bodies will either be buried in the Nice area or be repatriated to their home countries.

The U.S. Embassy said that several Americans were not accounted for, according to reports it had received from relatives who reached out to diplomats there to say that they have not heard from family members who were believed to have been in Nice around the time of the attacks.

Estonias prime minister, Taavi Roivas, said in a statement on Tuesday: For the first time, we have to face a harsh reality and say that the agony of terrorism has reached us in the saddest way imaginable.

The two Estonians killed in the attack were a woman whose name has not been released, who was strolling along the Promenade des Anglais with her granddaughter, and a 21-year-old student at the Tallinn University of Technology, identified by officials as Rickhard Kruusberg.

Michel Raineri, the French ambassador to Estonia, sent a letter of condolence to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on Tuesday, writing that the attack reaffirms that only the unity of Europe can help us win over hate and hostility.
The bond giant Pimco has hired Emmanuel Roman, chief executive of the British hedge fund manager Man Group, as its new top executive, as the Newport Beach-based fund looks to turn around its fortunes.

The announcement comes nearly two years after Bill Gross, Pimcos co-founder  who is known as the bond king  was forced out and joined its rival, Janus Capital Group.

The hiring of Roman, a former Goldman Sachs banker who joined Man in 2010, comes at a pivotal time for Pimco, which is owned by the German insurer Allianz.

Pacific Investment Management Co., or Pimco, has seen hundreds of billions of dollars in client assets walk out the door since Gross departure, and it is facing a lawsuit by Gross accusing the company of wrongful termination and seeking $200 million in damages.

Pimco has called the lawsuit legally groundless and is seeking its dismissal.

Mannys deep understanding of global markets, unique skills in investment management and appreciation of Pimcos macro-based investment process make him the ideal executive to position the firm for long-term success, Daniel J. Ivascyn, Pimcos chief investment officer, said in a news release Tuesday.

Roman will join Pimco on Nov. 1, replacing Douglas Hodge as chief executive, and will be based at the companys headquarters in Newport Beach. Roman, 52, joined Man in 2010 after it acquired GLG Partners, where he was co-chief executive. He has nearly 30 years of experience in the investment industry, including 18 years at Goldman Sachs.

Hodge will move into a new role as managing director and senior adviser, Pimco said.

At Pimco, Roman will find a company that has struggled to regain its stride  and client trust  since the departures of Gross and Mohamed A. El-Erian, the companys former chief executive.

El-Erian, who had long been seen as Gross heir apparent and had served as Pimcos most prominent spokesman, abruptly left the company in January 2014. Gross was forced out about nine months later.

Client withdrawals at Pimco have weighed on the operating profit of Allianzs asset management arm in recent years, and they have caused some investors to call for the insurer to take a more direct role in managing Pimco.

Allianz said that in the first quarter of 2016, those outflows at Pimco slowed, but continued to weigh on its overall client assets in its asset management arm. Allianz had 9 billion euros (about $9.9 billion) in net outflows in the three-month period, driven by clients pulling funds from Pimco, the company said. That was compared with 62 billion euros in outflows in the first quarter of 2015.

In June, Pimco notified employees that it was cutting 68 jobs, or about 3 percent of its workforce, and closing some funds as part of a cost-cutting effort.

Man Group, based in London, is one of the worlds largest publicly traded hedge fund managers, and it has seen its business stabilize under the leadership of Roman, who took the chief executives role in 2013.

The company began as a barrel maker along the Thames River in London in 1783 and evolved into an investment manager. It has offices in 16 countries and had $78.6 billion in assets under management as of the end of March.

Under Roman, Man has made a variety of acquisitions as it looks to expand the geographic base of institutional investors and increase the scope of its operations in the U.S. market.

Since 2013, it has reached deals to buy Pine Grove Asset Management, a hedge fund manager with offices in New York and Summit, New Jersey; Numeric Holdings, an investment manager based in Boston; Silvermine Capital Management, a leveraged loan manager based in Connecticut; and a portfolio of funds with about $1.2 billion in assets from Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments, a unit of Bank of America.

In the first quarter, Man had inflows of $500 million in new client money, a positive sign for Romans turnaround efforts. That was compared with outflows of $1.3 billion in the same quarter a year earlier.

Luke Ellis, Mans president, will succeed Roman as chief executive on Sept. 1, the company said Wednesday. Ellis has been with Man since 2010.
Orange-based Blueray XL has agreed to pay a $9,120 penalty for the sale and distribution of a pool product from an unregistered pesticide-producing facility, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Blueray XL made claims that misled consumers about the products use, according to the EPA. The company made Blueray XL 4-in-1 Mineral Clarifier at an unregistered manufacturing facility.

Since our companys founding in 2013 we have always strived to be in full compliance with EPA laws, Chris Galvan, president and founder of Blueray, said in a statement. Since 2014 we have worked with California DPR and EPA for a proper classification of our product since its method of operation was brand new in the pool industry and there were no precedents in place to help in its quick and accurate classification.

Galvan said Blueray had done everything it could to properly classify and advertise its copper, silver and zinc mineral-based pool product.

Due to inadvertent wording on our website, our product inadvertently fell under the classification of a pesticide, he said.

After a detailed review, Galvan said, the product was found to not be a pesticide.

We are now in full compliance with Federal EPA laws for our one-of-a-kind Pool & Hot Tub 4-in-1 Mineral Clarifier.

Blueray XL is not the first Orange County pool product company to be slapped with a fine this year.

In February, Irvine-based PoolRx Worldwide Inc. agreed to pay $11,300 for the sale and distribution of a misbranded product.

PoolRxs product is used to reduce algae in pools. The EPA found PoolRx manufactured the pesticide without an EPA establishment number and under unapproved brand names including Sundance Spa Unit, PoolRx Unit Small Spa, PoolRx Unit Large Spa and PoolRx Booster.

PoolRx has since registered the facility and obtained EPA approval for its revised labels.

The company did not immediately return requests for comment.

Contact the writer: hmadans@ocregister.com or Twitter: @HannahMadans
Ann Coulter showed the California delegation Wednesday that Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has no copyright on political incorrectness, as she spoke at a breakfast meeting of an America for Americans.

The conservative pundit promoted her belief that illegal immigration was causing the country to deteriorate and spoke of President George W. Bushs betrayal for pursuing legalization of those in the country without documents.

Thats what knocked us out (of Congress), she said. Bush pursuing amensty.

She wholeheartedly embraced Trumps immigration proposals and included a nod toward 2012 GOP nominee Mitt Romneys controversial statement of creating an environment where undocument immigrants would self deport.

Self deportation was good, she said. Mass deportation and the (Trump-proposed border) wall are better.

She bemoaned aspects of the countrys multiculturalism, complaining that 200 languages are spoken in California, 12 languages are on the ballots. (This years ballots in the state are available in 10 languages, according to the secretary of state.)

Were being out-voted by foreigners now, she said.

Asked to describe Trumps path to victory in November, Coulter said she expected blacks to support him in greater numbers than any Republican presidential candidate since Richard Nixon. And she said she expected a flood of white voters to hit the polls.

There are a lot of white voters who havent voted in 30 years who will be motivated to cast ballots by Trump, she said. I think the polls underestimate the white vote.

Speaking to reporters afterward about her immigration concerns, she said, California should be a warning to the rest of the country.

Coulter was warmly received by the crowd, although several Indian American delegates  including at least two immigrants  left the breakfast before her appearance.

One of them, Arun Bhumitra of Rolling Hills on the Palos Verdes Pennisula, later told me they left to change into suits for a subsequent event.

Bhumitra, who like all 172 delegates support Trump, declined to comment on what he thought of Coulters politics.

She is a good speaker, said the aerospace engineer and entreprenuer. She has strong views on things. But you have to listen to the candidate himself.
NORWALK  A La Habra man was sentenced Tuesday to more than 110 years in state prison for shooting at law enforcement during a 2014 standoff, the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office said Tuesday.

Jason Edwin Devore, 39, was found guilty in June of five counts of assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm, and 16 counts of second-degree robbery, officials said in a statement. He was sentenced to 111 years and eight months in prison.

Devore and George Contreras, 21, of Los Angeles, barricaded themselves in a trailer in Norwalk on June 10, 2014, after law enforcement attempted to arrest Devore, who was a suspect in a series of robberies across the Los Angeles region, the statement said.

The suspects fired at police three times during the prolonged standoff, prosecutors said.

Contreras surrendered, but it took tear gas to get Devore to leave the trailer.

Contreras in June pleaded no contest to two counts of assault on a peace officer and one count of second-degree robbery. He was sentenced to 12 years and four months in prison, officials said.
By Nqobile Dludla

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa cleared Anheuser-Busch Inbev's (ABI.BR) $100 billion-plus deal to acquire SABMiller (SAB.L) on Thursday, putting the world's largest brewer "on track" to complete the merger within the next six months.

The Competition Tribunal, which gives the final word on mergers in Africa's most industrialized country, said in a statement that concessions made by AB InBev to get the deal approved were designed to address both public interest and competition concerns arising from the merger.

The merger will bring together AB InBev's Budweiser, Stella Artois and Corona brands with SABMiller's Peroni, Grolsch and Pilsner Urquell and brew almost a third of the world's beer, dwarfing rivals Heineken (HEIN.AS) and Carlsberg (CARLb.CO.)

Having secured South Africa's approval for the deal AB InBev Chief Executive Carlos Brito said it was on track to close the merger in the second half of 2016, adding that South Africa was "a market that would play a critical role in the combined company."

Brito said AB InBev would live up to its commitments on jobs and employment, seeking local inputs and stick to plans meant to give blacks a larger role in the business.

AB InBev shares were suspended before the announcement.

The takeover would be the largest made of a British-based company and the fourth-biggest overall of any corporation.

Analysts and investors who have been nervous about opposition from the unions in South Africa and expected delays from the regulators breathed a sigh of relief after the announcement.

"The reality is that this is a big company that cannot afford to get this deal delayed. It's great news that it's all done and dusted," said Lentus Asset Management chief investment officer Nic Norman Smith.

"Government's job should be to get out of the way of businesses as much as possible and let capital flow. The less delays and involvement they have the better for everybody."

As part of the conditions, the Tribunal ruled that no South African employee could be laid off for five years after the merger.

Story continues

Other conditions to the tie-up include a requirement that the merged entity sell off SAB's stake in liquor maker Distell (DSTJ.J) as well as invest 1 billion rand ($68 million) in South African agriculture and enterprise development.

The conditions outlined by the Tribunal were largely unchanged from those recommended by its sister watchdog Competition Commission in May.

Since the deal was announced in November, AB InBev has completed a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, lined up debt financing and addressed anti-trust concerns in the United States, Europe and China with proposed asset sales.

The two key approvals required are by the United States and China, although the proposed disposals there are expected to lead to clearance. Australia and Europe have already given their blessing to the deal.

($1 = 14.7585 rand)

(Editing by James Macharia, Greg Mahlich)
CLEVELAND  In Cuyahoga County, just like he did in most of Ohio, Gov. John Kasich had broad support on the way to his March 15 Republican primary win over Donald Trump.

Trump, who got the official nomination Tuesday during the roll call at the Republican National Convention, lost Ohio to Kasich by 11 points. In Cuyahoga County, Trump lost by twice that amount.

But in one corner of Cuyahoga County, just about 30 minutes from the conventions home, Quicken Loans Arena, there is a place that bucked the Buckeye States will, giving Trump his highest vote total in a precinct win.

Hello, North Royalton.

Its a patch right off State Road, not far from an expansive McDonalds, a shiny new City Hall, a Kentucky Fried Chicken and two gas stations.

This area went to Trump, 186-146. It wouldve had the highest vote total overall for Trump in Cuyahoga County if not for the Broadview Heights precinct casting 189 votes for the real estate magnate in the losing effort to Kasich.

Both towns were rarities: Trump got 47,061 votes total in Cuyahoga County while Kasich racked up 78,712.

North Royalton resident Bernadette Busch and her sister, Evelyn Busch, were pleased to cast votes for Trump over Kasich. They didnt like their governor in March, and theyre even less thrilled with him now because hes decided not to attend the convention. Plus, Kasich has declined to endorse Trump.

We havent had good luck with governors, Evelyn Bush, 77, said. Kasich hasnt been great. We have the lottery to help schools, but then the schools want to raise taxes.

When youre on a fixed income, its difficult, she added. Especially when the cost of everything keeps going up.

The sisters decided to back Trump in December and, sitting on the porch Tuesday afternoon, planned to watch their pick become the standard-bearer for the Republican Party.

He is a businessman, Bernadette Busch said. He can straighten things out.

Just past Trumpeter Boulevard (swan and duck-themed, not Donald-themed), Ruth Leissa stood in her garage and said she was voting for Trump as well.

The 88-year-old said her husband died of cancer in 2012 and that she has been living alone since then. They were married 61 years, and Leissa said shes struggled with the loss, often feeling scared to be by herself.

She said Trumps brand of tough-talk and hard-line stances against immigrants makes her feel less afraid. Leissa also said terrorism by Muslims is her biggest fear, though she rejected a suggestion by a friend to purchase a gun under Ohios liberal firearms laws.

I wouldnt even know what to do with it, she said. Im a Christian. Im not going to shoot. God will look out for me.

As she spoke, her neighbor, 20-year-old Dena Schadenfroh, walked up the driveway with her dog, Myrt. Schadenfroh said she voted for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary, and she believes Trumps rhetoric against Muslims and other minority groups is wrong.

While Leissa got some dog treats for Myrt, Schadenfroh said she worried about Trump.

He just blames the immigrants and minorities for everything, and its not right, she said. Look at the shooter in Orlando. He wasnt an immigrant.

Leissa listened. She nodded her head.

Sometimes he says things he shouldnt say, she said. He doesnt always know when to stop talking.

Leissa has lived in Cuyahoga County her whole life. She met her husband at a dance in Cleveland. They raised two kids in neighboring Parma. Her husband served in World War II, and her large blue sedan bears a bumper sticker that reads Land of the Free Because of the Brave.

Both Schadenfroh and Leissa expressed reservations about presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Shes a crook and belongs in jail, Leissa said. Schadenfroh didnt agree, but said she had a lot to think about between now and November.

When Schadenfroh headed back to her house, Leissa headed inside hers, to watch the convention and the state-by-state delegate roll call to formally nominate Trump.

The world is a crazy place, she said.
The second night of the Republican National Convention from Cleveland is in the books. I took some notes, tweeted some tweets and picked some of the bests and the worsts of the night.

Winners

Donald Trump Jr.: Trumps eldest son took on a bigger challenge than the family members who spoke before him to the convention crowd: He didnt just play it safe with a testament to his dad being a good guy and then beat a retreat. He delivered a broader address that not only cast his dad effectively as someone willing to get his hands dirty in pursuit of business success but also went after Hillary Clinton as an out-of-touch bureaucrat who is out of her depth. This was a big speech with a high degree of difficulty. And, Don Jr. stuck the landing.

Donald Trump: Its easy to overlook the ho-hum results of the roll call vote early on Tuesday evening. But, you shouldnt. A year ago the idea of Trump easily winning the 1,237 delegates he needed to formally become the partys nominee was considered absurd. Three months ago, there were still lots of doubts. In the weeks leading up the convention, chatter flew among the Republican delegates that an insurrection was brewing. Nope! The Trump kids and their spouses  and the New York delegation  pushed him over the top, a very nice piece of political theater, well staged. Trump did the unthinkable on Tuesday night. And, whether you like him or hate him, he deserves a massive amount of credit for that.

Mitch McConnell: The Senate Majority Leader has made no secret of his doubts and worries about Trump as the Republican nominee. But ever the savvy pol, McConnell found a way to thread the needle on Tuesday night  offering what I thought was the most convincing case for Trump by an establishment politician. McConnell focused on the ideas that unite he and Trump, and that separate he and Hillary Clinton. The Supreme Court. Obamacare. Defunding Planned Parenthood. And so on. It was a Reagan-esque attempt to point to the 80 percent of agreement rather than focus on the 20 percent of disagreement. (Worth noting: McConnell was greeted by a smattering of boos when he walked on stage, suggesting the gulf that still exists between the establishment and the Trump base.)

Dana White: OK, it was weird that the president of the UFC was speaking at a party convention. Which he acknowledged at the start of his address. But, his energy and passion won the crowd over. I liked his story of Trump supporting UFC  although its a little odd to say you are for someone because he came to your events. Still, for a curveball, White was a good one  with plenty of snap and action.

Brains: Never before has the human brain received so much attention in a convention speech. Ben Carson is the best.

Losers

Paul Ryan: For some very smart people, the Speaker delivered a meaty, substantive address about the Republican party he wants to lead.

This the essence of the Presidential acceptance speech Paul Ryan would have given, had he been nominated this week.

For me, the speech felt flat  filled with attempts at reaching rhetorical heights that the Wisconsin Republican never came all that close to. It may have been the fact that Ryan was committed to delivering a speech that touched people far outside the convention hall filled with anti-establishment, Trump supporters. Ryan might have been playing chess while I watched checkers. But, for me for you, dawg, it didnt work.

Ben Carson: The convention crowd responded warmly to Carson. But, the brain surgeon quickly went off script  and not in a good way. He dropped a Lucifer reference! Then he did it again! There was a Thomas Jefferson name drop. Saul Alinsky came up! Time and again, Carson seemed to start a sentence and then, halfway through, head in an entirely different direction. The result was, too often, a word salad.

President Barack Obamas call for reeling in nasty political rhetoric: Remember when the president, in the wake of targeted shooting of police officers in Baton Rouge, La., and Dallas, implored both parties to take it down a notch at the party conventions? Yeah, not so much. For the second straight night, chants of Lock her up! rang through the convention hall. (The her in question is, in case you have lived on another planet for the last year, Hillary Clinton.)

Shelley Moore Capito: The West Virginia Senator is a talented politician. But, she was an odd fit in the prime-time lineup  sandwiched between Donald Trump Jr. and Ben Carson, two stalwarts of the Trump movement. Capito is, um, not that; she was able to win in West Virginia by touting her moderate credentials and her ability to work across the aisle. The speech she gave was too long and felt sort of forced; lets turn the tide, felt blah to the crowd. Also, how many gratuitous West Virginia references did she work in there!
Long before Superman, Batman or Spider-Man burst into pop culture, a sword-wielding caped crusader roamed the byways of rural California, battling corruption and standing up for all that was just, decent and good.

Who in Orange County knew that the masked man Zorro, clad in black, was Orange Countys own original superhero, cultivated in San Juan Capistrano?

That is the premise for The Curse of Capistrano, an outdoor drama that Camino Real Playhouse is presenting this weekend and next at Historic Town Center Park in San Juan.

The play, adapted from a serialized story written in 1919 as The Curse of Capistrano, is a lively escape complete with swordfights, cracking of whips, humor and intrigue. The original story by Johnston McCulley introduced the caped character known as Zorro  a Spanish term meaning, in this case, sly fox  nearly two decades before Superman and Batman were born as comic book superheroes.

From the silent era to modern times there have been dozens of Zorro movies made in the U.S., Mexico and Europe. The tale of Zorro spawned a 1950s Disney television series that led to a succession of TV and movie re-enactments. The story harks back to colonial Alta California, when Spain ruled what one day would become the domain of Fantasyland, the Festival of Arts and Surf City.

The Curse of Capistrano opened with three performances July 15-17. We had a good crowd and it was lots of laughs, applause, everything, said Tom Scott, president of Camino Real Playhouse and co-producer of the play.

Its not hard to guess that, in the end, Zorro gets the girl, but there is a twist.

The plot involves an underwhelming aristocrat named Don Diego, families that jockey for favor, unwanted courtships, a meddling governor, snide Spanish soldiers and the elusive, mysterious folk hero Zorro.

The story is family-friendly. Half an hour before the show, the producers invite parents to send their children up on stage for a round of harmless, good-natured lessons on how to manipulate a flexible foam sword like Zorro would. Camino Real provides kid-sized Zorro masks.

To conclude the training, boys and girls learn to make the trademark swoosh-swoosh-swoosh sign of Zorro.

For fans of all ages, instructors James and Leslie Leone demonstrate sword technique, show how Zorro might disarm someone with a whip and explain where the Spanish period fits within California history.

During the past 20 years, Camino Real Playhouse has ventured outdoors to do summer productions of Shakespeare. In 2015, while preparing to present A Midsummer Nights Dream in Historic Town Center Park, director Dan Blackley asked why the playhouse doesnt do The Curse of Capistrano.

What? came the reply from Scott and Beverly Blake, co-founders of Camino Real. They were intrigued.

The story line and the outdoor setting in a park barely a block from the church bells of historic Mission San Juan Capistrano seemed irresistible. So Blackley and Kyle Seitz set out to craft a script from McCulleys original words. Walter Molina, on Spanish guitar, flavors the scenes with live music.

Though silver-screen portrayals of Zorro have tended to place the story around the Pueblo of Los Angeles, Scott said that, during the Spanish era, the vast domain of Los Angeles covered what is now Orange County and San Juans landmark mission.

The actor who portrays Zorro, who wont be named here to preserve the plot, said that eight weeks of endurance training and fight choreography to prepare for the role were challenging. I found out how out of shape I was, he said. He gained muscle mass and lost nearly 10 pounds.

Learning to swordfight and use the whip were fun, he said, and the swordfights are choreographed so well that what might seem dangerous is actually a well-rehearsed art form.

Its like a dance, he said, except instead of stepping on each others toes, we could stab each other. It requires a lot of practice.

The swords used are not as sharp as a normal one, but they still could cut, the actor said. We remain connected throughout the entire performance, he said. And then (its) hours upon hours upon hours of practice.

Contact the writer: 949-492-5127 or fswegles@ocregister.com
After the International Court in Hague ruled that China has no historical claims to the the South China Sea and is breaching the sovereignty of the Philippines by exploring resources, Chinese citizens started showing their support for their country by boycotting American brands like Apple and KFC.

Soon after the landmark decision was reported by national news outlets, photos and videos of smashed up iPhones started showing up on Chinese social media. But what do the United States and Apple have to do with a conflict between China and the Philippines, you may ask. The U.S. is seen as a strong ally of the Philippines and since the Apple iPhone is apparently considered the ultimate American product, it became a prime target for people to direct their anger against.

Shanghaiist reports that the whole iPhone smashing madness began after a number of Chinese patriots started encouraging people to boycott goods from countries supporting the contested ruling to prevent proceeds from their sale from fueling their armies. Lets all start boycotting today. Do not buy goods from South Korea, Japan, America and the Philippines. Do not travel there. I cannot fight on the front lines, but I will not be the foolish citizen who provides bullets for the enemy, one person wrote on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter.

Such messages were met with skepticism by some web users who challenged these patriotic citizens to destroy their expensive iPhones to show they really mean what they say. And many apparently did just that. Messages like Take out your iPhone, f you dont smash it, you arent Chinese, photos of smashed Apple products and even videos of young people destroying their phones with hammers or whatever they could get their hands on started showing up online. It became such a problem that state-owned news agency Xinhua issued a message urging people not to take out their anger on their own property, denouncing the trend as an irrational act of patriotism.

Less radical Chinese posted that although they support their country, there is no point in smashing their iPhones since they paid good money for them, but they did promise not to buy the iPhone 7 when it comes out.

Apple was not the only company targeted by angry Chinese, though. KFC, which operates around 5,000 outlets in the Asian country also became a victim of the boycott. One restaurant had a big banner rolled around it, which read What you eat is KFC. What is lost is the face of our ancestors.

This is not the first time angry Chinese resorted to destroying products made in countries they resent, as a form of protest. A few years ago, during a similar territorial dispute with Japan over the Diaoyu Islands, people took to the streets to destroy Japanese cars.

via Mashable
Laura Davidson

As our marketplace grows ever more crowded, agencies are looking everywhere for new ways to be heard. Were testing everything from hard-selling online auctions that shout at our customers to branded content that whispers trust me so softly its sometimes hard to tell whos talking. Among these many innovative strategies, one that is working particularly well for our agency is strategic partnerships. We are successfully playing matchmaker, pairing off our clients, not just with those companies and products working in the travel space, but also tech innovators, perfumers and toy companies that, at first sight, share no common interests.

When one of our clients, Residence Inn, rebranded in its 40th anniversary year, it turned its focus to the Millennial business traveler. To attract the attention of this famously evasive audience, LDPR sought out a strategic partner that spoke the generational vernacular and played off the Millennial romance with digital technology in a way that was edgy and newsy enough to still be cool. Blippar, an app that allows you to blip everyday objects and images through your smart phone camera, isnt exactly a household name and  as yet, doesnt have a travel application  but it was the perfect fit.

When Residence Inn launched its new experiential social gathering concept, The Mix, LDPR asked Blippar to create customized augmented reality experiences at the four launch events in LA, Boston, Austin and Washington, D.C. Blippable coasters unlocked trivia, beer pairings, and shareable selfie digital postcards. Local celebrities in each market hosted the events, and encouraged attendees to share the fun on social media using the #InnTheMix hashtag.

The founders  a musician and an architect  were so inspired by the Scottish Highlands and the countrys ancient Celtic culture that they created the Hylnds fragrance line. Its said that smell is our most evocative sense, and one whiff of Bitter Rose, Broken Spear (one of the three fragrances in the line) promises to flood the synapses with thoughts of smelted iron, bitter rose, and melancholy thistle. Another, Isle Ryder, supposedly whisks you away to the glens scented with spruce, fir, and wildflowers.Destinations are usually promoted through their visuals  videos, photos and film  and sometimes through their tastes (e.g., food and drink). But how many are sold through their smells? When Visit Scotland launched its #ScotSpirit campaign in February, which positioned the country as a sensuous place that stirs the soul, LDPR introduced the campaign to the US media with a multi-sensory event that included Scottish cuisine and its famous spirit (courtesy of Balvenie, one of the great whisky brands, and a sponsor of the event). But we also included something unexpected: the distinctive aromas of Scotland, captured by Brooklyn-based indie perfumers D.S. & Durga.

When you think of Atlantis, chances are that building Legos is not the first activity that comes to mind. Yet Lego became the perfect partner when the famous Bahamian resort launched its AKA Kids Club and was looking for a new way to get its family message heard.



Atlantis partnered with both Lego and Jet Blue to host a JetAdventure superfam that brought 50 media and mom bloggers  and their kids  to the resort on a JetBlue charter flight along with Lego master builders and a five-foot Lego scuba diver. LDPR even got Toys R Us in the action to host a kick-off event. Atlantis opened a dedicated Lego construction room at its new Kids Club, and hosted Lego master builder camps. By tapping into Jet Blue and Legos resources, social media outlets and fan base, Atlantis AKA kids club saw a 42 percent increase in visitors and helped to secure Atlantis the coveted Number-one Family Beach Resort award from Parents Magazine.

So, the next time you play matchmaker and use a strategic partnership to amplify your clients message, keep in mind that similar backgrounds arent always an indicator of success. In PR, as in love, the union of two very different partners often produces the most interesting results.



* * *

Laura Davidson is President of Laura Davidson Public Relations (LDPR).
The Government must provide more certainty on solar energy so that its potential to assist in meeting emissions targets and in improving farm incomes can be realised, IFA President Joe Healy said at a recent IFA seminar in Portlaoise.

Although up to 15,000 acres of farmland in Ireland are under some form of solar contract, Joe Healy said a number of crucial questions remain to be addressed, particularly regarding the feed-in-tariff to be applied to solar generated energy, grid connection, farm scale projects, and community participation in solar development projects.

The IFA President said, The European Commission will next week set out Irelands emission reduction targets to be delivered by the year 2030 for the non-ETS sector, which includes farming. Solar energy has significant mitigation potential that could assist us in reaching those targets. The Government must come forward with greater policy certainty to facilitate this, as well as to deliver on our 2020 renewable energy obligations, on which we are currently falling short.

The use of farmland for solar PV could supplement and strengthen farm incomes, providing some level of guaranteed income to allow farmers to hedge against the severe income volatility that is more evident now than ever before. However, more clarity is needed around solar development so farm families can make informed decisions as to whether it represents a real opportunity to diversify their farm enterprises and maximise the income they generate from their farms.

Community involvement

Solar PV is a settled technology internationally and in Europe; in Germany, for example, 6.3% of all energy requirements come from solar generation, while that figure is 9% in Italy.

The environment exists to support Government in making the necessary decisions in light of others countries experiences. We must also learn lessons from our own experiences with renewable energies. Stakeholders cannot be left behind; the National Energy Forum announced by Government last December is an important platform to ensure all voices are heard.

Solar energy projects have to work for the farmer, for his or her neighbours, and the wider community. Developer driven renewable projects in Ireland must end if we are to ensure that past mistakes are not repeated, Joe Healy said.

Cautious approach advised

Also speaking at the IFA Seminar in Portlaoise, James Murphy, IFA Renewables Chairman emphasised that while there are good reasons to be optimistic about solar energy in Ireland, farmers should exercise caution in signing up to any agreement.

He said, Signing up to solar PV on your farm can provide an alternative source of income. However, as yet there is no certainty on the REFIT Tariff, grid connection policy or community involvement and until there is, farmers should exercise a cautious approach. All farmers should get legal advice before signing any agreement with solar development companies.

James Murphy cautioned that the use of exclusivity agreements by solar companies represent a one-way-bet in which farmers take on all of the uncertainty and developers get all the commitments they need, usually at no cost.

He said that if a company is genuinely interested in developing on a farmers land, there should be no exclusivity agreement and the deal should move straight to option agreement discussions under which farmers should negotiate a guarantee base price, If you sign up to a exclusivity agreement with a solar development company, you are giving them a valuable asset but they are committing to nothing. Farmers need to ensure they are well advised and they get a fair deal, James Murphy concluded.

Speakers at an IFA seminar on the opportunities and challenges that currently surround Solar Energy, in Portlaoise. Brian Denvir, SEAI; Clare Duffy, ESB Networks; Thomas Cooney, IFA Environment Chairman; IFA President Joe Healy; and, Bob Hanna, Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Picture: Finbarr O'Rourke




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Dressed in a dark blue polo T-shirt and pressed khakis, Afghanistans youngest mayor strode up the ramp at Eppley Airfield to meet some new friends from Iowa.

Welcome, welcome, said a group of white-haired Council Bluffs residents. They were old enough to be parents of the 31-year-old mayor, Farhad Niayesh, and his companions, two fellow millennial-aged rising stars in Afghanistan politics.

Thank you very much, each said, returning warm smiles, firm handshakes and a shared belief that this moment was a baby step toward something much, much larger and so, so seemingly elusive  world peace.

The group will cement their bond today at a ceremony in Council Bluffs formalizing a friendship between Afghanistans third-largest city, Herat, and the Bluffs. The two cities will become sister cities as part of a decades-old citizen diplomacy program called Sister Cities International.

The program pairs up cities from different countries to promote mutual understanding. Its founding principle is simple: Its better to be friends than strangers.

This was a point made abundantly clear in the hour that I got to spend with Farhad Niayesh, Somaia Ramish and Zalmai Attarpoor.

Farhad became mayor last year in Herat, which at last count had about 430,000 people. Somaia, 29, is one of four women on the 19-member Herat provincial council, which has an advisory role in local government. Zalmai, 33, is from Herat; he now lives in Kabul, Afghanistans capital, and works as a cultural affairs assistant for the U.S. State Department.

The three Afghans arrived in the United States last week, spending time in Washington, D.C. for the annual Sister Cities International conference. Now they were on to the Iowa leg of their journey, which was to include a trip to Des Moines and a Thanksgiving-style dinner.

We sat down in the airport cafeteria, where I was struck right away by their grasp of English. At times, Somaias passion and message came too quickly for English, and she shifted to Persian, with Zalmai translating.

We got down to business quickly enough. Impressions of the United States so far? Green, very green. Buildings in D.C. are not so tall. Americans, despite their differences, are very good, very cooperative, very kind and comfortable with each other, Farhad said.

Did they not see the TV all week? Were they not aware of our current crisis over race and policing and the deaths of both officers and citizens?

Farhad took a long view, placing this boiling moment in America into the larger historical context. In every society, some people have problems, he said. You have over 300 million people. We are hopeful that (most) of the problems have been solved in this country.

We spent more time talking about Afghanistan and the lengthy U.S. military presence, which began as a response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

After 15 years, did these young leaders want the United States to leave? No, they said, not yet. Has the U.S. involvement been successful, despite continued problems? Yes, they said.

In fact, these three measured time in two eras: Before the United States came in 2001, and after.

Before the invasion, electricity in Herat was spotty. Farhad recalls getting two hours at a time. Now, its on mostly 24-7.

Before the invasion, girls quit primary school and women were so stripped of rights that they hardly were known outside their families by their own names. Under Taliban rule, women couldnt even use public restrooms.

Now look at Somaia. She wears her colorful hajib loosely over dark hair. Shes got a political position, and, as a published poet and founder of a womens radio station, she has a voice. Plus a Facebook account.

After 2001, the doors of Afghanistan opened to all the world, she said.

The Afghans talked about the rise of social media, of education and of a younger generation  theirs  that had benefited from all the change.

If you compared it to the past, you cannot compare, Zalmai said. Were more educated, more talented and more confident. And not only in Herat, also in Afghanistan. We have freedom of speech better than most of our neighbors.

Farhad echoed him: You can express your opinion.

He said his generation is more educated, talented, enthusiastic. And they have open minds.

This does not mean things are perfect, Somaia said.

With all this achievement, there are still problems. We still need the support of the international community, she said in Persian as Zalmai translated.

Theyre getting support, at least, from one Iowan who is the linchpin in this new relationship.

Rick Burns is a retired Army lieutenant colonel from Elk Horn, Iowa, who spent about a decade in Iraq and Afghanistan on three separate military deployments. His takeaway was that these war-torn places, while difficult, had potential and that it took relationships and investment in people to bring about real change. He pushed to establish a Sister Cities friendship between Council Bluffs and a subdistrict of Baghdad, called Karadah. Then he started a nonprofit called Karadah Project International to help fund sustainable projects.

Burns also pushed for this recent Sister Cities partnership between Council Bluffs and Herat. Even though Afghanistan has a long way to go, he said he is inspired by the optimism and energy that this rising political class seems to show.

He said the bridges being built between his corner of western Iowa and Herat and Baghdad are crucial plays in the long game of what he called citizen diplomacy.

Council Bluffs has chosen sister cities that dont make for easy travel. One of the sister cities is Tobolsk  in Siberia.

We dont pick easy places, said Linda Steensland, who is on the board of the Bluffs Sister Cities chapter. You dont want to do anything easy. You want to do something that will advance relationships and help the world for the future.

Thats how the Afghan visitors saw it, too.

They need U.S. support, Farhad said. But Americans also need to see that their investment in Afghanistan is bearing fruit. He said he saw natural ties in agriculture. Herat is a major producer of saffron, a sweet, hay-like herb. He sees ties in higher education, with Herat University and the University of Nebraska at Omahas Center for Afghanistan Studies. Plus, he said, there is so much to be gained by sitting across the table from one another.

Right now, you see me, Farhad said. I see you. We did not have a good contact with each other (before). People didnt know or understand about each other. There is a problem with the media broadcasting the bad news. All the dark spots are showing to the people of the world. We have many good things. And one of our goals is to be friends with the people of different cities, to understand each other.

It was a timely message.

During a violent, angst-ridden summer here in the United States, Farhads words struck me as particularly relevant.

You dont have to live in different cities across the globe for the Sister Cities ideal to ring true.

Friendship breeds good will. Mutual understanding reduces conflict.

And simply meeting someone and listening to their story is a reminder that we share more in common than we may think.

We want to bring peace to the world, Zalmai said. Its possible. All sides should know each other.
Omaha native Dan Mirvish has landed a lead for his next film.

David Koechner (Anchorman, The Office) will star as Huey in Bernard and Huey, a comedy about two old friends who reconnect after 30 years.

Mirvish will direct and serve as a producer, along with another Omaha filmmaker, Dana Altman. The production is expected to begin this fall in Los Angeles and New York City.

The script was written by Jules Feiffer, the Pulitzer-winning cartoonist, playwright and screenwriter. Feiffer based the script on characters he introduced in the late 1950s in the Village Voice and resurrected in the 80s in Playboy magazine.

I have been a fan of Jules Feiffers Bernard and Huey cartoons since my youth, Koechner said in a statement. I am excited to get the chance to bring a comic strip, middle-aged superhero to life. Im very happy to work with the brilliant and curvaceous Mirvish, as well.

Mirvish said hes thrilled to have an actor of Davids depth and talent in the film.

Mirvishs debut was 1995s Omaha (The Movie), a comedy about a young guy who comes home to confront friends, family, a pair of Colombian jewel thieves and a gang of Iowa kickboxers. The film builds to a climax at Carhenge.

Omaha (The Movie) was a film that resulted in a film festival. When it was rejected by Sundance, Mirvish co-founded the Slamdance Film Festival, an annual event in Park City, Utah, that is still going strong.

Omaha (The Movie) is also notable for launching a few big careers. The film is the earliest Internet Movie Database credit for Nebraskan Jon Bokenkamp (creator of NBCs The Blacklist) and Rian Johnson (director of Brick, Looper and the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VIII). The two worked, respectively, as an assistant editor and a production assistant on Omaha.

Mirvish never left film following his debut, but his career has had a few odd turns.

In addition to founding a film fest, he also co-created an Internet hoax during the 2008 presidential election. His elaborate gag fabricated a phony policy adviser named Martin Eisenstadt. The hoax led to a 2009 satirical novel called I Am Martin Eisenstadt.

Mirvish has also served as a speechwriter for then-U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. Hes also worked as a blogger for the Huffington Post, where he discovered the Hathaway effect: the phenomenon that Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway shares go up whenever Anne Hathaway is in the news.

Even with all his other activities, Mirvish has kept at least one foot in film. Next month hell release his nonfiction book The Cheerful Subversives Guide to Independent Filmmaking. And then hes off to make Bernard and Huey.

Mirvishs path to his fifth feature was as winding as the rest of his career. For his previous film  the 2013 drama Between Us, which starred Julia Stiles and Taye Diggs  Mirvish used the 1971 drama Carnal Knowledge as inspiration.

That got him wondering what Carnal Knowledge screenwriter Jules Feiffer, now 87, was up to.

Dana Altman had a connection to Feiffer. Altmans grandfather, Robert Altman, directed Feiffers screenplay for Popeye.

Altman and Mirvish reached out to Feiffer to ask if he had any unproduced screenplays.

He told us, I got some stuff, but I dont know where anything is; everything is in storage. Try me back in four months,  Mirvish said.

They tried back in four months. Feiffer told them, I still dont know. Try me back in four months.

This went on for a year and a half.

Around this time, a friend of Mirvishs said he recalled reading a Feiffer script for Bernard and Huey in the 90s in Scenario magazine, a quarterly publication that reprinted screenplays. It was the inaugural issue of the magazine, actually, only two copies of which Mirvish could find, one of them at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in L.A.

Mirvish read the script and loved it and wanted to make a movie of it. But this was a shorter, edited version. He needed to find the original artifact.

Mirvish went back to Feiffer and asked who might have an original copy. Mirvish said the conversation went like this:

Feiffer: I think I remember my assistant had an edited version.

Mirvish: Lets find your assistant.

Feiffer: Shes dead.

Mirvish: Agent?

Feiffer: Dead.

Mirvish: Lawyer?

Feiffer: Dead.

But fortunately movie producer Michael Brandman was still alive and well. Brandman had some association with the Bernard and Huey project. He had gone on to write and produce the Jesse Stone movies starring Tom Selleck.

Mirvish got in touch with Brandman who, thank goodness, still had a copy of this elusive screenplay. What had been lost for 30 years was now found and will soon come to a theater near you.
They prayed, they sang, they held their glowsticks aloft on the lawn outside a sick girls hospital room Wednesday night.

Some 260 people had come to Childrens Hospital & Medical Center to pray the rosary and send warm wishes up to Room 607, where for the second time in her young life, Lauren LoLo Hacker was fighting to stay alive.

It was a scene reminiscent of a moment 3 years ago when Laurens then-fifth-grade classmates at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School spent a frozen snow day in this same courtyard, making snow angels. Lauren had watched from her sixth-floor room and then trekked down to the hospital atrium landing where, IV pole in tow and wearing a mask and hat, she waved to her friends. Below, in dripping coats and somber faces, they waved back.

This group of children-turned-teenagers  and their families and fellow church members  have had a front-row seat to Laurens cancer roller coaster. Laurens mother, LesLee, posted almost real-time updates in scientific detail on social media. News stories were done about above-and-beyond efforts to buoy Laurens spirits  including a bedside visit from Taylor Swift. And when Lauren got better, she became a public face of blood drives and pediatric cancer awareness. Her nickname, LoLo, became a rallying cry as her community responded with posters and messages that said, Go, LoLo, Go!

Laurens classmates had been there from the beginning, when what appeared to be just the flu before Christmas in 2012 was really a monster called acute myelocytic leukemia. This is a form of cancer that has a high fatality rate in adults. Treating it in children is trickier because there is comparatively little research, funding for research or awareness.

Yet Lauren did get better. She left the hospital in June 2013. Her strawberry-blond hair grew long. She played volleyball and went sledding. When a baby giraffe was born at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Laurens classmates lobbied hard for the giraffes name  LoLo.

Lauren sailed through sixth grade, seventh grade and most of eighth grade. But her mom didnt like a spot she saw on Laurens left calf. It had a tinge of blue and grew from being the size of a pea to a nickel. It looked like a bug bite that hadnt healed.

A doctors call confirmed it in March, the night of Laurens 14th birthday party.

Lauren returned to Childrens Hospital on April 13. She missed her eighth-grade graduation. As she went through more rounds of very strong chemotherapy, Lauren again got very, very sick. The chemo wiped out her immune system, making something as innocuous-seeming as tooth-brushing a hazard. Recently, after brushing her teeth, Laurens gums bled.

Then her jaw swelled with infection. She was in terrible pain. Sepsis wracked her body, and just a couple of weeks ago, Laurens situation was dire. Even now, shes not out of the woods.

LesLee, who hasnt left Childrens in weeks, said she and husband Phil just want to get Lauren through this round of chemo, which could end in a week or two, depending on Laurens condition.

Shes not safe right now, LesLee said. If we can get her through the next week, week and a half ...

Her voice trailed off.

Sitting there, watching her suffer like this, it is, it is, torture, LesLee said. Youre so helpless.

LesLee said the Hacker family is living day to day, but Lauren has her sights set on the future. She intends to begin high school on time at Marian and doesnt want to miss THAT. She doesnt always like being the focus and wants people to pray and think of other sick children at the hospital.

Still, community support lifts up the Hacker family. LesLee posts Go, LoLo, Go signs on her blog that friends and strangers alike have photographed all over the world. There are 14 pages of photographs of people holding homemade signs on beaches and before monuments everywhere from Alaska to South Africa.

Go, LoLo, Go is also a rallying cry for a nonprofit LesLee said shes launching called LoLos Angels. She wants to steer donations toward AML research.

The slogan has had another result.

Its brought us together, said Meg Filipi, a parishioner who helped organize the vigil Wednesday. Its made the kids more aware.

That was more than apparent on the hospital lawn Wednesday night. The official count was 263 people. They included friends, like Laurens classmates Kiley Root, Lucy OBrien and Emma Garriott, who remembered with crystal clarity that snow day in 2013  and that day in April when they learned the news that Laurens cancer had come back.

Everyone was crying, said Emma.

The crowd included Laurens priest, her preschool and grade school teachers and the school janitor. Rep. Brad Ashford also was there, saying that Laurens story just grabbed me. Ashford said he was arranging for Vice President Joe Biden to call Lauren on Thursday. Biden is leading an effort to eradicate cancer. And Ashford said he would push for more funding for research on Laurens kind of cancer.

But also praying were a pair of strangers. Joel Diaz, a 21-year-old paramedic student, and Hector Ramirez, a 22-year-old aspiring history and Spanish teacher, came because they heard about Lauren and wanted to pray for her.

Shes going through some tough times, said Ramirez. Its the least I can do.

The rosary concluded with a song, This Little Light of Mine. Voices filled the air and people raised their glow sticks toward the sixth floor.

But there was another, powerful light shining in the Omaha sky. A big, round full moon.

Look, said someone in the crowd, pointing up. Thats incredible.
NORTH PLATTE, NEB.  On most days, Wallace, Nebraska has a population of 357.

On Saturday, the villages population grew by more than 130 motorcycles, which lined Mike Maupins yard, continued around his home, and up and down the adjacent street.

But just after 10 a.m., motorcyclists, their spouses and families thundered out of Wallace, rolling out for Maupins 11th annual Mikey Ride poker run. The bikers headed out for a day of fun for a good cause, traveling 240 miles to seven towns, where they purchased poker hands at various stops.

Later, the public was invited back to Wallace for a dinner and live auction. Proceeds from the day benefit Charlie Stephens, 3, a North Platte girl who has been battling pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia since last September.

The poker run benefits someone new every year. Maupin heard of Charlie after working with her father.

Maupin started the day by telling bikers to drive safety.

I want everyone back here to eat tonight, he said.

After trying out the route last week, he warned bikers about construction areas, but also a patch of brand-new road, which brought cheers, as well as a free-will donation lunch provided in Trenton.

Before participants strapped on their helmets and started their motorcycles, Gary Smith led the group in prayer, asking for blessings on both the riders and Charlie.

Then, the group took turns heading out of the driveway, one by one down the road.

Some people got their lawn chairs out, one biker was overhead telling another. Ready for the parade.
(Adds Total's comment)

By Sonali Paul

MELBOURNE, July 20 (Reuters) - Total SA is unlikely to challenge ExxonMobil in a bidding war for explorer InterOil Corp, the French firm's partner in a gas field in Papua New Guinea, analysts said on Wednesday.

ExxonMobil this week topped an offer from Oil Search which was backed by Total.

Oil Search is due to declare on Thursday whether or not it will match ExxonMobil's $2.2 billion bid.

Total said in a statement that it was analysing ExxonMobil's competing offer.

ExxonMobil and Total both want to simplify the ownership of the Elk-Antelope gas field by taking out InterOil's 36.5 percent stake. This would clear the way for the majors to tie together their rival gas export projects, PNG LNG and Papua LNG.

Total said it was the operator of Petroleum Retention Licence 15 (PRL 15), the joint venture developing the Elk-Antelope gas field in Papua New Guinea.

It said it would remain the largest shareholder with 31.1 percent interest while InterOil and Oil Search hold 28.3 percent and 17.7 percent, respectively.

"Total considers that the initial offer by Oil Search for InterOil represented a fair value," the company said in statement.

Analysts said it made more sense for Total to let ExxonMobil take over InterOil.

Using Elk-Antelope to feed an expansion of ExxonMobil's existing PNG LNG plant could generate double the return compared to building Total's proposed $10 billion Papua LNG plant, they said.

"While it is possible that they go it alone, it would certainly make more economic sense if it was to be combined," said Saul Kavonic, an analyst at consultancy Wood Mackenzie.

The oil majors are targeting Papua New Guinea for growth as the quality of its gas, low costs and proximity to Asia's big liquefied natural gas (LNG) consumers make it one of the world's most attractive places for gas projects.

Total entered Papua New Guinea in 2014, by buying a 40.1 percent stake in Elk-Antelope for $401 million up front plus future payments that could range between $594 million and $2.48 billion, based on reserves between 7.1 trillion cubic feet and 9.9 tcf, according to InterOil.

Story continues

Total will have to make those payments to ExxonMobil if the U.S. firm succeeds in taking over InterOil.

"Total would need to believe in material upside to want to counter-bid at this stage," Bernstein analyst Neil Beveridge said in a note.

ExxonMobil offered $45 worth of its own shares plus $7.07 per share for each trillion cubic feet equivalent (tcfe) above 6.2 tcfe up to a maximum of 10 tcfe.

Oil Search offered 8.05 of its own shares for every Oil Search share plus $6.05 per share for each tcf above 6.2 tcfe.

Oil Search said last week that two experts had concluded that Elk-Antelope most likely held 6.43 tcf of recoverable gas, with potential for a further 1-2 tcf of gas, yet to be certified.

(Additional reporting by Bate Felix in Paris; editing by Ed Davies and Jason Neely)
Construction of new homes posted a solid increase in June, led by a surge of building in the Northeast and the West. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that housing starts rose 4.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.19 million from a revised 1.14 million in May. The June reading was the highest level since February but was down from 1.21 million a year earlier.

Monsanto rejects Bayers revised takeover offer

Monsanto on Tuesday rejected the second takeover bid from Bayer. The German drug and chemicals company last week boosted its offer from $62 billion to about $65 billion, or $125 per share. Tuesday, Monsanto Co., a seed company, called the revised offer inadequate, as it did the initial bid. St. Louis-based Monsanto said it remains open to talks with Bayer and others.

Brexit to cut global growth, IMF predicts

Britains decision to leave the European Union will reduce global economic growth this year and next, the International Monetary Fund said Tuesday. The IMF shaved its estimate for worldwide growth to 3.1 percent this year and 3.4 percent in 2017. Both estimates are 0.1 percentage points lower than the banks previous forecast in April.
U.S. antitrust officials are poised to file lawsuits to block Anthems takeover of rival health insurer Cigna and Aetnas deal to buy Humana Inc., according to a person familiar with the matter.

Justice Department officials are concerned that the deals, which would transform the health insurance industry by turning its five biggest companies into three, would harm customers, according to several people familiar with the situation. While the companies may offer to sell assets to gain approval for the deals, thats unlikely to sway antitrust officials, one of the people said.

The final decision to sue to block the deals could come this week and will be made by next week, another of the people said. The companies could settle a lawsuit before or after one is filed.

We dont comment on rumors or speculation, but were steadfast in our belief that this deal is good for consumers and the health care system as a whole, said T.J. Crawford, a spokesman for Aetna.

For antitrust officials at the Justice Department, it is standard practice to prepare complaints against deals even in cases that are ultimately settled with remedies like asset sales. But in recent years, the department has shown an increasing willingness to go to court and block deals it believes could stifle competition, and antitrust officials have for months signaled their skepticism about the insurer tie-ups.

The Justice Departments No. 3 official, Bill Baer, who previously ran the antitrust division and is overseeing the investigations into the insurer mergers, earlier this year said the two deals were transformational and represent a game changer for the industry.

The governments concerns echo a broader sentiment within the Obama administration that competition must be protected in the health insurer sector in order to deliver quality health care to Americans. This month, President Barack Obama and Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell have both cited the importance of competition in insurance markets.
A federal grand jury has returned an 11-count indictment against nine former members of the Winnebago Tribal Council.

Each was charged with conspiracy, theft and misapplication of funds belonging to an Indian gambling establishment and wire fraud.

U.S. Attorney Deborah Gilg announced the indictments Wednesday. A court hearing is expected to be held in early August.

Charged were Charles Aldrich, 48; John Blackhawk, 61; Morgan Earth, 70; Louis Houghton, 69; Travis Mallory, 38; Lawrence Payer, 70; Thomas Snowball Jr., 55; Darwin Snyder, 49; and Ramona Wolfe, 76.

The tribal headquarters is in the northeast Nebraska community of Winnebago, about 90 miles north of Omaha.

Darla LaPointe, tribal chairwoman, said the scandal has been devastating to the community since surfacing in early 2015. Thats when a group predominantly made up of women started to publicly voice concerns.

LaPointe said the new tribal council she leads has worked to improve communication and transparency and to implement internal policies to ensure that questionable activity does not occur again.

Our membership expects and deserves nothing less, she said.

Agents from the FBIs Omaha office investigated the case after a tribal special investigation last year found abuses of prepaid credit cards, nCasino Resort complimentary services, casino gift certificates, tribal council loans, payroll advances, bonus payments and other financial irregularities.

The indictment alleges each defendant received a tribal council salary of more than $80,000 in 2013 and more than $87,000 in 2014. The salaries had been increased by about 35 percent in February 2013 retroactive to October 2012.

Because salary increases were retroactive, the defendants received lump sum distributions in February 2013, according to the indictment. General members of the tribal council received $8,288. The vice chairman, secretary and treasurer received $9,945, and the chairman got $11,602.

Additionally, each of the defendants received five separate bonuses totaling $5,955 in 2013 and six separate bonuses totaling $11,019 in 2014. The defendants also received additional paychecks for unused vacation time. Aldrich, Blackhawk, Houghton, Payer and Snyder also received longevity pay for continuous employment ranging from $3,200 to $5,000 each per year.

Blackhawk was a 30-year veteran of the council and chairman for nearly 20 years when he resigned in March 2015 after the tribal investigation.

The indictment also alleges the defendants devised and executed a plan to receive additional funds directly from the casino in 2013 and 2014 without accounting for the money through the tribes payroll department and without approving the distribution of the funds at a regular council meeting.

The casino funds totaled $87,000 in gift certificates issued by the casino and $240,500 loaded to prepaid debit cards paid for by the casino. The gift certificates were not purchased, but the defendants were able to cash them at the casino or otherwise redeem them for merchandise, according to the indictment. The distributions were recorded on the books of the casino as miscellaneous administrative expenses.

The total loss to the casino was $327,500. The indictment says the distributions violated tribal and casino policies and were not approved by the Winnebago Gaming Commission.

Defendants attempted to justify the distribution by stating the funds paid were additional salary or stipends to members of the tribal council to compensate them for additional oversight duties they were allegedly required to perform regarding the operation of the casino during 2014, according to the indictment.

A conspiracy conviction is punishable by up to five years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. A conviction for theft or misapplication of funds belonging to an Indian gambling establishment is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. A wire fraud conviction is punishable by up to 20 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of $250,000.

Randy Thysse, the FBI supervisor in Omaha, said the office aggressively investigates all allegations of public corruption.

These individuals used their elected official positions to enrich themselves and in the process betrayed the trust of their peers and those they were elected to serve, he said.

LaPointe said the current tribal council is confident the community will heal and recover.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1127, david.hendee@owh.com
Prosecutors will be able to point to evidence that Anthony Garcia searched for the address of his former boss, Dr. Roger Brumback, shortly before the time that authorities believe Brumback and his wife were killed, a judge has ruled.

Douglas County District Judge Gary Randall refused a defense attempt to throw out that Internet search, which police say they found in Garcias online cloud storage.

Randall also refused a defense attempt to kick Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine off the case.

The judges rulings came as prosecutors and the defense gear up for Garcias trial, scheduled to begin Sept. 26.

Its been three years since Garcia was arrested and charged with what authorities describe as the revenge-fueled killings of the Brumbacks in May 2013 and Shirlee Sherman and 11-year-old Thomas Hunter in March 2008.

Prosecutors argue that Garcia killed the four out of vengeance for his 2001 firing from Creighton University Medical Center by Brumback and Thomas Hunters father, Dr. William Hunter. The termination dogged Garcia as he tried to obtain jobs and medical licenses.

Garcias attorneys  Robert Motta Jr. and Robert Motta Sr. of Chicago  had suggested that Kleine had leaked information to the public through the press over the three years.

Kleine denied any improper behavior  pointing out that any allegations were mentioned in court or court fillings.

The judge agreed.

Court filings are readily accessible public records in the state of Nebraska, Randall wrote. While defendant has questioned the timing of questions from the media, there is no direct evidence that the state acted or spoke improperly to the media.

The judge noted that, at the conclusion of a hearing over prosecutors conduct last week, Robert Motta Jr. changed from requesting Kleines removal to advocating for his wifes return to the case.

Judge Randall removed Alison Motta after she, on the eve of Garcias original trial, thrice claimed that a DNA sample implicated another man and exonerated Garcia of the Sherman and Hunter killings. The sample was too mixed to link anyone to the killings, experts say.

Randall said he found it disingenuous that defendant alleges improper conduct against the state ... and then requests this court not remove the county attorney but rather admit Alison Motta (to the case), Randall wrote. This is indeed at least the fourth attempt by the defense to (readmit) Alison Motta. ... The court has already rendered its decision on the matter and will not admit Alison Motta ... as a remedy for the defenses motion to disqualify the Douglas County Attorney.

After Alison Motta was removed, Garcia wrote the court saying he wanted nothing to do with attempts to appeal her removal.

That left the 43-year-old defendant with the remaining Mottas and three local attorneys, including Jeremy Jorgenson.

On his approach to the case, the junior Motta told the judge last week: I dont practice here, so I can take a scorched-earth policy.

Randall wrote Monday that that approach wont change his mind.

The court is aware that defendants out-of-state attorneys are admittedly willing to take a scorched-earth policy in this case, the judge wrote. The court is also aware that the public has a right to information about this case and the state has been more than willing to keep the public informed. However, this conduct does not warrant disqualification of (prosecutors), and it most certainly does not warrant the granting of Alison Mottas (return).

Contact the writer: 402-444-1275, todd.cooper@owh.com
Authorities are asking for the publics help in identifying a man who stole nine aquariums valued at $7,500 from the University of Nebraska at Omahas Elkhorn River research facility.

Sometime between July 4 and July 9, the Douglas County Sheriffs Office said, the man broke into UNOs research station near 245th and Q Streets in western Douglas County and left with the aquariums.

Also missing from the facility was a phone headset, a 40-liter cooler and a 50-gallon plastic trash bin, the Sheriffs Office said.

A light bulb inside the research station was broken during the theft, the Sheriffs Office said.

A research station employee told the Sheriffs Office that a UNO student who works at the station made him aware of the thefts via email on Sunday.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the Sheriffs Office, 402-444-6000.

Links to surveillance video and photos of the man:
The Westside school board signed off Monday night on hiring KETV reporter and anchor Brandi Petersen to lead the districts communications team.

She will start Aug. 8 and make an annual salary of $93,800.

Petersen has worked at KETV for 15 years but said on-air and in a blog post that she wanted to spend more time with her family, which includes two young boys.

In a press release, Westside officials said Petersen is a familiar face to Omahans who will help tell stories involving Westside schools, staff and students. Petersen also will help the district communicate changes related to the $79.9 million school construction bond issue approved by voters last year.

Brandis commitment to serving the public, her integrity, her positive spirit, and her writing and speaking skills will all be great assets for the Westside Schools, and the district is very excited to add her to the Warrior team, the press release read.

Petersen will replace Peggy Rupprecht, Westsides longtime communications director. Rupprecht is joining Creighton University to teach in the schools Department of Journalism, Media & Computing.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1210, erin.duffy@owh.com
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Lindsey Koepkes first job with the Nebraska State Fair was a temporary, three-month internship.

Now, more a decade later, Koepke remains connected to the Nebraska State Fair through her job as executive director of the 1868 Foundation.

Koepke said that her intern job  which included running games and activities in the Family Fun Center  was to end shortly after the conclusion of that years Nebraska State Fair. I went through the fair and I just knew I had to be a part of this. I love this place. So, I just kept showing up for work. They never gave me an end date. I just kept coming to work because I wanted to be part of the Nebraska State Fair.

Her temporary internship turned into a year-round job as the fairs special events coordinator. When the executive director of the 1868 Foundation resigned, she became part of a team that took on the foundations work on an interim basis.

Koepkes duties included handling the donor letters, sending out the annual appeal and thank-you letters, mailing tickets and getting to know donors. At that moment I realized I wanted to be part of the 1868 Foundation, she said. These folks are incredible, they are passionate, they genuinely care about their state fair  I did too, thats what I want to do.

Koepke said she applied for the executive director job and was hired 10 years ago in January. That meant she was part of the transition of the State Fair from Grand Island to Lincoln. She noted that passage of Amendment 4 campaign, which allocated a portion of lottery proceeds to the State Fair, as an important development.

The fair needed an upgrade in facilities, which is something that could have happened in either Lincoln or Grand Island. Another need was to boost attendance.

Koepke said that from her perspective, a good portion of the attendance when the fair was in Lincoln was people who came out for the midway and carnival.

With the move to Grand Island, people continue to come out for the midway and carnival. In addition, many more people are interested in getting into the livestock and other exhibition buildings and seeing the 4-H entries and open class exhibits.

Clearly, out here, we have a much different clientele: Families who come out and cover every corner of the fairgounds, not just an afternoon on the midway rides. Even my aunt who lives in here in town enters seven, eight, 10 different flower entries in the open class exhibits.

Koepke said moving the state fair from Lincoln to Grand Island was traumatic for many people. That was one thing we kept hearing with people talked about the relocation of the fair. Well, what about my history with the fair? We heard time and time again how as kids, folks would come to the fair, they would eat their lunch under the same tree and Were not going to have those memories anymore when the fair moves. So people were understandably upset with that.

Koepke said backers of the move would respond that Grand Island is wonderful; the facilities are going to be incredible. Its time we rebuild and have people start creating new legacies with the State Fair.

With the move, the 1868 Foundation added three board members from the Grand Island area: Jay Vavricek, Ken Staab and Jayne Mann. Koepke noted that the foundation already had a few donors from Grand Island, but there still was untapped potential. That trio was also on the committee that raised money to relocate the Nebraska State Fair to Grand Island.

Following the relocation, there was one immediately important piece of business. We wanted to know who stepped up to the plate to help raise those funds to help relocate the fair. Those folks needed a big thank you. They needed to be respected by the state fair and the foundation. We needed to come up to them and say, Thank you. Look at what you have done for the Nebraska State Fair.

Perhaps one reason Koepke so loves the fair is that she grew up on a farm and remains a small town girl at heart. She lives in Hickman, 15 miles south of Lincoln. Koepke offices in Lincoln and travels to Grand Island about two times a week, sometimes more.

Koepke said she and her husband have a 5-year-old son. As a former farm girl, that partly explains why they live in Hickman, Nebraska. Koepke said they wanted their son to grow up near family, noting she has nephews who live just two houses down from their home so they (her son and nephews) get to spend quite a bit of time together.

Hickman also has strong 4-H groups, while the Norris school district has a very strong FFA program. Because of those programs, Koepke said, she is always getting comments from Hickman area residents about their State Fair experiences.

Jayne Mann of Aurora, Nebraska, chairman of the board for the 1868 Foundation, praised the work that Koepke has done as executive director. Just as the Nebraska State Fair has been reinvigorated with the move, so has the foundation, which Mann said was operating at a lower level. Koepke said many people did not even know that the Nebraska State Fair had a foundation connected to it. The move was an opportunity to make people aware of the 1868 Foundation, which takes its name from the first Nebraska State Fair in 1868.

Mann praised Koepke for her attention to detail. She noted that whenever the foundation board wants something done, Koepke accomplishes it. At the same time, Mann said, Koepke is a self-starter.

With the move to Grand Island, the 1868 Foundation has taken on bigger and bigger projects. One was raising money to put the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system into the Fonner Park concourse. Mann noted that by far the biggest capital project is the Thompson Foods Company Open Air Equine Arena. She said Koepke worked with a grant writer on successful applications to get money from other foundations. That moved the foundation into new territory.

Koepke agreed, noting the foundation has never had a project as large as the arena project. She said it was thrilling to have The Thompson Foods Company say, I believe so much in what youre doing, I want to put my name on that facility.

The 1868 Foundation has board members living in Urbandale, Iowa; Omaha, Lincoln, Aurora, Albion, Grand Island and Imperial, Nebraska. Koepke said she and the foundation board would like to expand board membership to every corner of the state. She noted the 11 days in Grand Island is a state fair, which means people can feel pride in it no matter where they live. Koepke said people can have the same feeling that Hickman residents do about the fair and that she herself has whenever she visits Grand Island.

The first year the Nebraska State Fair was here, I was seven months pregnant and I bought a paver that said, Baby Koepke, she said. During the fair, I come out here and look at it and think about what was going on and what was going through my brain at that moment, the first year the fair was in Grand Island.
KEARNEY, Neb.  Raiden Stimple, 9, of Grand Island, Nebraska, covers his eyes at the end of the finish line.

3, 2, 1, he counts as his dad, Greg, sets four Pinewood Derby cars into slots at the top of the racetrack. Dad, come on. Pull it, Raiden says.

As Greg pulls the lever to race the cars, Raiden uncovers his eyes and asks, Which one won? Which one came in second?

The excitement was part of the Pinewood Derby Sunday in the parking lot at the Classic Car Collection at 3600 E. U.S. Highway 30. The Boy Scouts Overland Trails Council partnered with the Kearney Community Learning Center to put on the event during Cruise Nite.

We wanted to do an event that would attract youths and adults just to get them interested in scouting, said Danielle Reeves of the Overland Trails Council and an organizer of the derby. This is an event that draws a lot of excitement for the boys. It is an opportunity to offer something for people who may not be in Cub Scouts but get to come to this.

Building a race car cost $8. Builders had the option to sand the car, chisel it and spray paint it. The derby cars could not exceed 5 ounces.

Once wheels and axles were attached to the cars, racers paid $2 to race and placed their cars in a slot at the top of the track. Race winners could choose from a variety of kid and adult prizes.

For the kids prizes, we have kites, boomerangs, bouncy balls, Hot Wheels. We got a great donation from Walmart, which helped purchase all our prizes, Reeves said. Then, we have two free oil changes. One is from Midway and one is Garrett Tire. We have a couple State Fair and movie passes that are all donated, as well.

Proceeds from the Pinewood Derby will help Scouts attend camps, pay membership fees and pay for adult training.

Greg Stimple said he attended Sundays Pinewood Derby because of Raidens involvement with Cub Scouts. He said he and Raiden are no strangers to racing in Pinewood Derbies.

We race once in Grand Island for our pack, and we race in the district race, Greg said. We race in St. Paul and then in Omaha for the nationals. We dont just race ours one time. We try to race them wherever we can.

Raiden said his favorite thing about racing his cars in the Pinewood Derbies is the trophies.

I have more like 15 trophies, he said. They are all first place.

Ryan Adkins of Council Bluffs said he was in town for Cruise Nite and decided to visit the Classic Car Collection. He said he noticed the Pinewood Derby in the parking lot and decided to build and race a car.

It was here and I thought, Hey, it is a fundraiser for kids, so why not? he said.

Adkins said he is a Ford guy so he decided to build a hot rod and paint it blue.

This was the first year the Pinewood Derby has been in conjunction with Cruise Nite. Reeves said organizers hope to have the event again next year.
RED OAK, Iowa - Justin Bernards beekeeping prowess doesnt just get him all the honey he needs  he was recently recognized for his advocacy for pollinators by a statewide program.

Bernard, from Red Oak, Iowa, was named a Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student  one of 14 in Iowa who are finalists for high school juniors.

Bernards project, PolliNation  Helping the Nation help Pollinators, was a showcase for how a beehive works through school presentations.

The project also includes purchasing beekeeping suits and hand tools for up to five users to get engaged with beekeeping, doing away the fear that honeybees are a stinging pest akin to wasps or hornets.

Two years ago, Bernard started keeping bees after learning how important pollinators are to the environment.

I applied for a youth scholarship and was accepted  mentoring for a year with 3 Bee Farms in Griswold with owners Mike and Donna Brahms.

After a year, he was awarded his own beekeeping suit and a beehive.

Ive already expanded to three more hives as Im working to educate other people on the importance of pollinators, Bernard said.

The honeybee population has taken a hit in recent decades, partially because of pesticides farmers use.

That can be prevented through communication, shutting the bees in the hive to wait out while the farmer sprays pesticides, for instance, he added.

Bernard made a trip to West Branch, Iowa, on June 24 to the Hoover Presidential Library-Museum and National Historic Site.

On Oct. 12, hell receive a $1,000 award and speak to a selection committee of Iowans about his project. Three students will be chosen based on their presentations to receive $5,000 scholarships for accredited colleges or universities.

Bernard plans to study teaching agriculture at Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

Bernard also sells the honey he reaps  56 pounds of it, last harvest. His page can be found on Facebook at Lazy JB Ranch.
CLEVELAND  Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad looked like he was going to rush onto the Republican National Convention stage Monday night and tell retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn to wrap it up already.

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa was scheduled to follow Flynn with a coveted prime-time speaking role.

But the hour was growing late, and Flynn was fired up. He kept going. And going. And going.

Melania Trump had already given the headliner speech, and many delegates started streaming out of the arena. As the minutes ticked by, it became obvious that Ernst would not take the stage before 10 p.m. Central time, when the networks were likely to cut away.

Branstad grew increasingly agitated, pacing the floor next to the states delegation and gesturing toward the stage. This is nonsense, he said.

When Ernst finally took the stage a half-hour late, she found herself speaking to a largely deserted hall.

Her fellow Iowa Republicans were still smarting Tuesday that their rising star got pushed out of the national spotlight.

Branstad readily acknowledged that he had been worked up about the situation.

The person who was before her went on way too long and repeated himself, and that didnt have to happen in my mind, he said. But it is what it is.

Ernst put on a brave face. She said her relatives back home had been able to watch the speech on CNN. As for the deserted hall, she said it was most important that the Iowa delegation was there standing and supporting her throughout the speech.

Amid allegations that parts of Melania Trumps speech had been plagiarized from Michelle Obama, Ernst was asked about the process for writing her own speech.

She said she wrote it herself and submitted it to party officials and the Trump campaign, and they made only minor tweaks.

I appreciated the way that they worked with me and allowed me to use my own voice in this process, she said. I know thats not always the case, but they gave me plenty of leeway.

Rep. Steve King of Iowa said he was disappointed that Ernst didnt make it to the stage in prime time.

I dont know what went on with Gen. Flynn, what he was thinking, King said. I cant imagine that was all off the teleprompter, because it was going to be choreographed more tightly than that. But I think that he might have gotten wrapped up in the moment and the crowd reaction to his speech. He just had more to say, and he kept going.

* * *

Voters' voices and viewpoints

In presidential politics, the views of voters are often drowned out by the bluster and fury of national campaigns. The World-Herald would like to give Midlands voters a chance to be heard in this election, whether you support Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton  or neither of them. We're looking for people who are willing to answer a few questions about what they're looking for in a candidate and what they have found. If interested, send an email and tell us a little bit about yourself, such as name, age, occupation and hometown. Send to: leia.mendoza@owh.com.
CLEVELAND  Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, refused Tuesday to back away from controversial comments he had made the day before on a cable television show.

King spoke to reporters at an Iowa delegation lunch and noted that he had been responding to another guests description of the Republican Party as being dominated by old white people.

That comes out of the mouth of leftists constantly, King said. They have decided its open season on white people in America from an ideological standpoint. And I hope it stops there. But somebody needs to stand up for the contributions that have been made by western civilization.

King was willing to take on that role.

If we disparage our roots, if we disparage what makes this a great nation then well lose the formula for being an even greater nation, he said. So I stood up for our foundation, for our history, for our culture of western civilization.

King appeared Monday as part of a panel on MSNBC that was discussing the Republican convention, the partys rising stars and diversity.

Charles Pierce of Esquire said that if youre really optimistic you can say this is the last time that old white people will command the Republican Partys attention, its platform, its public face.

Pierce said he thought that would happen after the 2012 election but that it was obvious it had not  judging from the scene inside the arena this week.

That hall is wired by loud, unhappy, dissatisfied white people, he said.

King jumped in to push back on those statements.

This old white people business, though, does get a little tired, King said. Id ask you to go back through history and figure out where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that youre talking about. Where did any other subgroup of people contribute more to civilization?

Kings political opponents pounced on those comments Monday. For example, the Iowa Democratic Party issued a statement tying King to GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and calling their rhetoric divisive and dangerous for the country.

Donald Trump built his candidacy on hate speech, division and anti-immigration rhetoric, Party Chair Andy McGuire said in the statement. Rep. Steve King is merely following Trumps lead with his latest blatantly racist comments.

King insisted Tuesday that he was simply speaking truth.

This is American exceptionalism and we are the frontrunners in what is western civilization today. And our roots go, they go back primarily in our foundational years to Europe and you can trace them back through the middle ages, through the dark ages, back to Rome, back to Greece, back to Mosaic law. And we should all know that, King said. Everybody in America should understand the foundation of western civilization, and they wouldnt be making these kind of ridiculous criticisms.

* * *

Voters' voices and viewpoints

In presidential politics, the views of voters are often drowned out by the bluster and fury of national campaigns. The World-Herald would like to give Midlands voters a chance to be heard in this election, whether you support Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton  or neither of them. We're looking for people who are willing to answer a few questions about what they're looking for in a candidate and what they have found. If interested, send an email and tell us a little bit about yourself, such as name, age, occupation and hometown. Send to: leia.mendoza@owh.com.
Even the Pokemon are vulnerable to the heat wave.

At least six Pokemon Go players have shown up in local emergency rooms due to heat exhaustion.

And theres still a few more days of this misery left.

The National Weather Service expects to extend the areas heat warning into Saturday, said Van DeWald, meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

Heat index values above 110 degrees are possible again Thursday, and then only slightly lower on Friday and Saturday thanks to a hint of a cool front.

DeWald said the cool front is expected to dip into the area tonight into Friday, stall out and retreat, before returning and pushing all the way through on Sunday.

It will bring cooler temperatures and it will squash the humidity, he said. The weather service is forecasting a high in the upper 80s on Sunday and a heat index around 90 degrees.

Kathy Niver, spokeswoman for Creighton University Medical Center, said three Pokemon players came in Tuesday night with symptoms of heat exhaustion. Another three came in during the preceding days, she said.

Near-record misery

If youre looking for bragging rights, heres something: Youre probably experiencing heat that is about as bad as the records set during the Dust Bowl.

Omahas temperature topped out at 96 degrees, but the heat index peaked at 111 degrees at 4 p.m. Wednesday. The record high temperature for the date is 110 degrees, set in 1934  a drought year, so the dry heat may have felt a degree or two cooler.

The humidity that is making people miserable also is keeping temperatures from setting records. When theres a lot of moisture in the air, the suns energy is diverted into heating up that moisture, rather than generating higher temperatures.

Extra shade for cows

The heat has ranchers and farmers concerned, too.

This kind of weather is always a problem for cattle, so people try to get ahead of it, said Melody Benjamin, vice president of member services for the Nebraska Cattlemen.

Ranchers will be providing their cattle extra water and trying to be sure theyre in the shade, if shade is available. At feedlots, extra shade and sprinklers will be used to keep cattle cool, she said.

Animals arent the only ones stressed. The workers trying to keep them cool also are at risk of overheating, she said.

The effect on crops may not be clear for a few weeks, said John Hansen, president of the Nebraska Farmers Union. High heat stresses plants and can reduce yield by affecting pollination. The good news is that many areas of the state have seen decent rains, so crops are going into this hot spell with some soil moisture available.

Were hopeful that we can get through this hot spell without too much damage, Hansen said.

Panting pooches

Dogs at The Paw Spa Pet Resort near 168th and Harrison Streets didnt stay outside as long as usual Wednesday, said operations manager Matt Mosley.

We cant use the outside area like we would during spring and fall, so we have to shorten our play times because of the heat, Mosley said.

On Wednesday morning, the resort had 85 dogs boarded. By this weekend, Mosley said, theyll have about 145. All those pooches require carefully monitored rotations outside. About 15 dogs are let outside at a time to allow staff to watch them closely.

At the Nebraska Humane Society, dogs arent put into play groups on hot days. The dog walkers are reminded of the heat and they keep walks short and in the shade.

Pam Wiese, spokeswoman of the Nebraska Humane Society, said dogs overheat so quickly because their bodys cooling system works through panting. When the air is humid, dogs suck in warm, heavy air and cant cool down properly.

Wiese said its best to skip walks on extremely hot days.

Its not going to kill (your dog) to give up the walk for a day, but it may kill (the dog) to walk today, she said.

A spot to cool down

The Salvation Army has opened its cooling stations to help residents cope with the blistering heat.

The stations, located in the lobbies of Omahas Salvation Army buildings, include a big cooler of water bottles and a place to sit in the air conditioning for a while.

Tiffanie McCowin, programs director at the Burrows Center for Help and Hope, the Armys primary home in Benson, said on average 30 people a day use the stations, which was close to the amount who used it Wednesday.

We just try to do what we can for people to beat the heat, McCowin said.

Cooling stations are set up when the temperature has hit 90 degrees or higher for two consecutive days, McCowin said. The stations will be available at least Thursday and Friday. Those in need who qualify can also stop by the Salvation Army to get a box fan and other supplies.

Locations offering cooling stations:

 Burrows Center for Help and Hope at 61st Street and Northwest Radial: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 North Corps at 24th and Pratt Streets: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 Citadel Corps at 38th and Cuming Streets: 8:30 a.m. to noon; 1 to 4:30 p.m.

 The Kroc Center at 28th and Y Streets: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (also open on weekends)

 Lied Renaissance Center at 36th and Cuming Street: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You get used to it

Even with the temperature dancing near 90 degrees by midday Wednesday, plenty of bicyclists and parents pushing strollers made the rounds on Zorinsky Lakes trails.

Just down the road, it was another work day for Rico Campbell.

Campbell was trimming trees on the side of 156th Street near the south entrance to Zorinsky.

Campbell and his crew work for Asplundh, a tree company contracted by OPPD. He said the group began their work at 7 a.m. that day.

You try to get as much as you can done in the morning, Campbell said.

Otherwise, he said, the high temps wouldnt stop them from working every day this week. He said the crew drinks plenty of water and takes a lot of breaks, but there are no plans to halt working.

You get used to it after a while, Campbell said.
The Douglas County Board approved a settlement Tuesday with an employee of the Douglas-Sarpy Counties Nebraska Extension Office who had filed discrimination complaints against Douglas County and the University of Nebraska.

Under the settlement, Extension assistant John A. Kilpatrick would be on paid leave for about 15 months, until his earliest possible retirement date of Sept. 20, 2017.

Douglas County and NU would each pay half of the $67,000 cost, under the terms of the settlement. A university spokeswoman said an NU attorney would sign the agreement.

The Extension Office is a joint effort of Douglas and Sarpy Counties and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. It was not explained why Sarpy County is not part of the settlement.

Kilpatrick would qualify for retirement pay and benefits, including 47 percent of his average monthly salary.

Kilpatrick would withdraw discrimination complaints he had filed with the Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission and the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission. And he would give up his right to file discrimination or other lawsuits against the county, including for age discrimination.

It was not made public what type of discrimination Kilpatrick had alleged. County officials declined to comment. Kilpatrick could not be reached for comment, nor could his attorney, Michael Dowd.

The settlement agreement says that Douglas County and NU deny the allegations raised in the discrimination complaints and that the settlement does not constitute an admission that they violated the Nebraska Age Discrimination in Employment Act or other fair employment laws.

According to county records, Kilpatrick has worked for the Extension Office since October 1997, and his annual pay was $52,868 in 2014.
LEXINGTON, Neb.  After previous controversy, the Lexington Planning Commission has recommended approving a conditional-use permit for the Islamic Center of Lexington.

The conditional-use permit grants the Islamic Center permission to expand into the entirety of the building at 401 N. Grant St. The mosque occupied a portion of the building for a number of years before applying to expand.

This was the second time the matter came before the commission. The first, in November 2015, ended with the commission recommending that the city deny the permit. In December 2015, the Lexington City Council voted to officially deny the application, citing parking and land use concerns. During the council meeting, it was disclosed that the mosque actually expanded into the rest of the building in March 2015 without first acquiring permission from the city.

The city served a cease-and-desist order on the mosque in January and later filed a lawsuit in Dawson County District Court. The American Civil Liberties Union wrote a letter to the city on the mosques behalf, telling the city its zoning ordinances were in violation of federal law.

The lawsuit was continued while the two sides negotiated. Thursdays meeting of the Planning Commission was without any of the acrimony that previously marked the situation.

City Attorney Brian Copley spoke to open the public hearing on the matter. Weve all been here before, he said. This agreement is the product of a lot of negotiations on how the mosque can be incorporated into the vision for downtown Lexington.

He said the Islamic Center agreed to limit its occupancy to 200 people and would not oppose any special designated liquor license permits near the property. A few other minor changes, such as consolidating metering and changing which door constitutes the entrance to the mosque, were also agreed upon.

In exchange, the city agreed to drop the lawsuit, grant the conditional use permit and allocate the mosque 67 parking spots. Copley stipulated that the Center doesnt own or have exclusive rights to the parking spots; rather, they simply have permission to count them toward their parking requirements under the zoning ordinance.

We can make it work with this situation. I cant speak to the next one, Copley said, referring to any entities that may move into the area in the future. Weve got a real parking problem in that area.

Planning Commission member Seth McFarland said the last time the commission considered this conditional use application, theyd been told explicitly that it was not a church.

There was a lot of miscommunication regarding the use of the building and the occupancy, Copley said. It is clear now that worship is the intended use.

Kristie Tepley, the owner of Teps Bar and Grill, which neighbors the mosque, raised some concerns about special liquor permits. While she acknowledged the mosques agreement not to contest applications for such permits, she said the State Liquor Control Commission is the entity that grants the permits.

What happens when I have to fill out the application, and I have to check the box that says there is a church within 150 feet of where I want to hold the event? she asked.

Copley and Development Services Director Bill Brecks both said the law states clearly that if that box is checked, then the Liquor Control Commission contacts the church and gives them the opportunity to oppose the application.

McFarland countered that his familys business was turned down for a special permit during the 2015 Sizzlin Summer Shindig, due to the proximity of another mosque in downtown Lexington.

We didnt get the option for a hearing, he said. It was denied the second we checked that box.

Copley noted that this was one of the aspects of the agreement that the mosque made concessions on and that it at least gives area businesses a fighting chance. He reiterated that state law is clear that someone has to actively oppose an application for it to be denied. In your case, he addressed McFarland, Im certain that someone must have spoken out against it.

Despite some concerns, Planning Commission members, including McFarland and Steve Smith, said they were happy with the communication between the city and the mosque. The commission voted unanimously to recommend approving the plan.

The final say rests with the City Council. The council will consider the conditional use permit July 26.
The 2016 Republican National Convention opened Monday with the theme Make America Safe Again. But in some cases the facts werent safe from distortion:

 Two security contractors at the CIA annex in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012, repeated their claim that they were told to stand down. Multiple official reports say such an order was never issued.

 The sister of a slain Border Patrol agent said President Barack Obama has left Border Patrol agents thinly equipped and undermanned. Both funding and staffing for the Border Patrol have increased under Obama.

 A Senate candidate claimed that neighborhoods have become more violent under Obama. The violent crime rate has gone down 20 percent under Obama, as of the most recent FBI statistics for 2014.

 Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Michael McCaul both claimed that Hillary Clinton supports open borders. She supported a bill that would have created a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally, but it also would have increased border security.

 Giuliani said Clinton advocated for the overthrow of Moammar Gadhafi in Libya and should be accountable for the countrys chaos. He failed to mention that Trump, at the time, also supported the ouster of Gadhafi.

 Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions claimed that wages have fallen, when theyre up under Obama. He blamed immigration for a low labor force participation rate, when its mainly the result of demographics, including the aging of baby boomers.

Excerpts from FactCheck.org, a nonpartisan website that weighs political claims. It is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania.
CLEVELAND  Sen. Deb Fischer is firmly in Melania Trumps corner, but she feels the would-be first ladys speechwriter needs to be on the receiving end of a youre fired.

The Nebraska Republican said she respected Melania Trumps courage for standing up and giving her first-ever speech to a national audience. She said the Slovenian-born wife of the GOP presidential candidate delivered a good speech on Monday that underscored her love for this country.

But Fischer also said parts of Melania Trumps address were clearly plagiarized from Michelle Obamas address to Democrats in 2008  resulting in a controversy that has overshadowed the speech.

Whoever did that needs to be fired, Fischer said. Im sure it was staff who did it.

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, both of Iowa, brushed off the plagiarism suggestions and instead praised her speech as an authentic expression about freedom and liberty.

Thats what I would hope that everybody would focus on, Grassley said.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad rejected the suggestion that someone needed to be fired over the speech. Because theres some similarities to somebody elses speech? Branstad asked. I dont think thats a big deal.

J.L. Spray, Nebraskas national GOP committeeman, appeared to agree that the controversy was overblown.

He said the plagiarism issue was trumped up to divert attention from the withering criticism that Republican speakers had directed Monday night at Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

Contact the writer: 402-444-1309, robynn.tysver@owh.com

* * *

Voters' voices and viewpoints

In presidential politics, the views of voters are often drowned out by the bluster and fury of national campaigns. The World-Herald would like to give Midlands voters a chance to be heard in this election, whether you support Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton  or neither of them. We're looking for people who are willing to answer a few questions about what they're looking for in a candidate and what they have found. If interested, send an email and tell us a little bit about yourself, such as name, age, occupation and hometown. Send to: leia.mendoza@owh.com.
Its over.

Former Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa., used that phrase again and again as he told Iowas Republican National Convention delegates that its time for them to get past any desire they might have for a different nominee.

The bulk of Iowas delegates were die-hard supporters of Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, during the primary battle. But Santorum said Wednesday they have to let that go and get behind GOP nominee Donald Trump in the general election.

"I know Iowa can go for Trump, but hes going to need the Republican Party united  and its not. Lets just be honest: Its not. In your own delegation its not," Santorum said. "Thats over. Its over. Yesterday  its over. Its now understanding whats at stake. Its a binary choice. It is time to save this republic and Iowa is on the front line."

Santorum ran for president in 2012 and 2016. Four years ago, he narrowly won the Iowa caucuses and won 10 other states before dropping out. This year, he had a poor showing in Iowa and promptly ended his campaign.

Santorum highlighted the importance of having a Republican president fill the pending and upcoming vacancies on the Supreme Court, which he said will determine the countrys trajectory for the next 30 years.

If Hillary Clinton makes those selections, he said, it would be the end of the "constitutional republic." He suggested that the high court would disregard the rule of law and any constraints on the power of government.

"If preserving the republic for this generation and your children and grandchildren doesnt fire you up, then youre in the wrong place," Santorum told them. "You shouldnt be here. If youre looking for the perfect candidate, go home, read your Bible and practice your faith and wait for the second coming because it isnt going to happen until then."

 Joseph Morton

* * * * *

Ben Sasse missing from freshman class of 2014

U.S. Sen. Ben Sasses absence from this years GOP convention was glaringly obvious on Tuesday night when 10 of the 12 Republican senators elected in 2014 took the stage in Cleveland.

Sasse, a Nebraskan who is a sharp critic of presidential nominee Donald Trump, was one of the two GOP freshmen who did not gather on stage to call for party unity.

The other missing freshman was Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo. He has said he had meetings to attend in Colorado.

Republicans took control of the Senate after the 2014 election, and Sasses GOP classmates  including Joni Ernst of Iowa and Tom Cotton of Arkansas  rallied Tuesday in support of keeping the Senate majority and winning the White House for Trump.

 Robynn Tysver

* * * * *

Deb Fischer on Trump: His kids are softening him up

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer got a chuckle from the Nebraska delegation Wednesday morning by stating the obvious: Donald Trump is not your typical presidential candidate.

"Hes a different guy ... we all know that," Fischer told her fellow Nebraskans at breakfast.

Fischer said she is beginning to see a whole new side to The Donald  a side that is far kinder and gentler than generally talked about or seen on this years campaign trail.

Fischer described Trump as a father and a husband who has earned the loyalty and support of his family. That has become obvious during the convention, said Fischer, as his wife, Melania, and two of his children have taken to the stage to praise the combative New York real estate developer.

"I think were getting a truer picture of who this man is," Fischer said.

Fischer has been a strong supporter of Trump since he all but secured the nomination earlier this year. She chose not to run as a delegate this year, but she and her husband, Bruce, have been hanging out with the Nebraska delegation this week.

The other U.S. senator from Nebraska, Ben Sasse, has taken a different route. Sasse is one of the leaders of the Never Trump movement. Needless to say, he is not at the convention.

 Robynn Tysver

* * * * *

Former U.S. ambassador says Trump isn't scary

Jim Nicholson, who has served as U.S. secretary of veterans affairs and ambassador to the Vatican, told the Nebraska delegation Wednesday morning that when they go home after the convention, their job will be to get anti-Trump voters to move to the GOP side.

As part of that job, Nicholson said, they must confront the idea among some that Trump is "scary."

Nicholson argued that nothing is further from the truth.

"Hes really smart. He talks as tough as an acre of garlic but when he tells you something, it will happen," he said. "We have a forceful person here, but I think hes the man for our times."

Nicholson served both of his federal jobs under former president George W. Bush. He was the guest speaker at the Nebraska delegations breakfast.

 Robynn Tysver
Two words, one meaning

The State of Nebraska has a projected $95 million budget shortfall, and Gov. Pete Ricketts is insistent on cutting taxes (With $95 million less than expected, Ricketts orders belt-tightening, July 15 World-Herald). Meanwhile, there is a proposal to increase our state parks fees.

What is the difference between a tax and a fee? I think it is more politician double-talk for putting money in one pocket while they sneak it out of your other.

Do they really think we are that gullible?

Rob Mathena, Omaha

King doesnt know history

Rep. Steve King has his colors wrong (Rep. Steve Kings comments about white people cause stir, July 19 World-Herald). In an interview during the Republican National Convention, he said, Id ask you to go back through history and figure out, where are these contributions that have been made by these other categories of people that youre talking about, where did any other subgroup of people (non-whites) contribute more to civilization?

We need to go no further than look at the founders of the worlds major religions to show how wrong he is.

Moses, the founder of Judaism, was not white. Jesus, the founder of Christianity, was not white. Muhammad, the founder of Islam, was not white. Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, was not white. Confucius, the founder of Confucianism, was not white. Hinduism has no founder and existed in India for several thousand years before white people arrived there.

Apparently Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, Siddhartha, Confucius and Hindus belong to subgroups of people.

Most people in the world are members of one of the religions founded by these people and must recognize that it was non-whites who set the foundation not only of Western civilization but of civilization itself.

King needs get his story right.

Mark Koesters, Omaha

Were not electing talking heads

As a concerned and conscientious citizen, I want to watch and understand what is happening at the Republican National Convention, but I cant find good coverage on any television station.

I want to see and hear the speeches, but all I can get are a few clips from a speech and lots of commentary from the media.

Although I was able to watch most of Rudy Giulianis powerful Monday night speech when it re-ran on PBS, commentators once again interrupted his speech with their own comments and views, like they had done with so many of the speakers.

I am a journalist who still believes that America is a marketplace of ideas and that, if we allow all sides to be heard, the majority will make good decisions. So I am very disappointed by the broadcast media coverage of this years presidential election process.

Broadcasters dominated the presidential debates during the primary season by denying good candidates the opportunity to address many important subjects, allowing only a select few to comment on those topics.

Now they are blocking huge chunks of speeches with their own commentary instead of waiting until the end of the speech.

Since we are a government of the people, by the people and for the people, I am pleading to broadcasters to hold comments until after the speeches, so we can hear from the people.

Janet Raddish, Omaha

A sign of hope

I was driving past the memorial for slain Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco and saw the most touching sight: an African-American family with children placing balloons and flowers at the site. It gave me a true feeling of hope for all of us. Maybe there is still more good than bad in this world.

Cindy Ramsey, Omaha

Stop fueling our fears

I agree with The World-Heralds July 19 editorial, Time to have difficult talk; nothing justifies attacks on law enforcement.

But it got one thing wrong: Its not the slaying of the officers that adds to the nations fears. Its the media and the Republican Party ever since 9/11. Theyve pushed and sensationalized fear at every opportunity ever since then.

I prefer the words of President Franklin Roosevelt: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. When we give in to fear, the terrorists, whomever they happen to be, win.

So lets stop pumping up the fear.

Jack D. Hofmockel, Council Bluffs

Union Station is a blessing

Regarding the July 11 World-Herald article about Omahas Union Station, evidently one is never too old to experience nostalgia.

It is rare for me to have a desire to go back to my childhood days, but that Union Station article brought back many great memories.

About 73 years ago, I was in the eighth grade at Garfield School, and our music teacher had us sing O Holy Night under the huge Christmas tree (40 feet tall?) at Union Station. The World-Heralds article showed readers two of those huge trees.

Then, during the Korean War, my husband returned from Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego via a train there.

I consider Union Station as one of my blessings in this life, and it is my hope the National Park Service will give this outstanding building status as a National Historic Landmark.

Ruth Wise, Atlantic, Iowa
DefExpo2022: Invest for Defence to be held on October 20

Dalits backlash in Una: Violent protests across Gujarat after cow killing

Ahmedabad

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

Ahemedabad, July 20: Una city in Gir Somnath district of Saurashtra region in Gujarat is witnessing a spate of sporadic protests and violence, allegedly after killing of a cow by Dalit community members.

So far, nine people have arrested in this connection and the state's Chief Minister Anandiben Patel visited Mota Samaliyala village, to take stock of the situation and to meet the victims. Let us know all about the present controversy prevailing in Una.

What happened in Una?

On July 11, some persons, believed to be 'gau-rakshaks', publicly beaten four partially-stripped Dalit youths at Una town. The victims' contention was that they were just skinning a dead cow and had not killed it, whereas the accused alleged these youths were involved in cow slaughter. The incident had come to light after the purported video went viral on social media.

On Tuesday, July 19, a policeman was killed in mob violence and a Dalit committed suicide, as protests against last week's thrashing of four youths snowballed across Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

The Dalit who died during the day was among the five persons from the community who tried to take their own lives in separate incidents in Gujarat.

Dalits call for bandh

The bandh call given by Dalit organisations to protest the brutal thrashing of the community youths in Una town got a mixed response today.

Some parts of Saurashtra and north Gujarat regions observed total bandh where sporadic incidents of stone-pelting and road blockade were witnessed.

The bandh was largely observed in Amreli and Junagadh cities of Saurashtra region, including some other small towns like Dhoraji and Dhrol with some incidents of damaging buses and stone-pelting reported during protest.

The protest call crippled life in Junagadh and Amreli as schools, colleges and business establishment observed total bandh.

Some protesters damaged a state transport bus at a depot in Junagadh, police said. Rajkot also witnessed street protests during the bandh following which around 50 people were detained by police.

However, the bandh call was not followed in the town and the situation was normal.

In Patan, a group of protesters pelted stones at a movie theatre, forcing its closure. They also forced road blockade in the town, police said.

As a precautionary measure, authorities have decided to shut down several routes of state transport buses due to the bandh call and protest by Dalit Panthers and other community organisations.

In Ahmedabad, the protesters tried to enforce bandh in some pockets, like Chandkheda and Kalapinagar, where they were seen forcing markets and schools to shut down.

Political reactions

BJP

Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel- "It was indeed a despicable act, and no community can tolerate it. Local police was also at fault, as they did not acted swiftly. Apart from arresting the culprits, we have also suspended such policemen. State government will provide a compensation of Rs 4 lakhs to each of the victims."

"I have asked the authorities to take strict action to see that such incidents do not happen again. I appeal people to control their anger and emotions. I appeal youths to stay away from violence. I also request youths not to take any extreme step."

Congress

Congress President Sonia Gandhi- "We will raise Una incident issue in Parliament. The government has snatched rights of Adivasis, Dalits and traditional forest dwellers under Forest Rights Act and weakening environment rights."

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi will visit Una tomorrow (Thursday, July 21).

Congress state unit chief Bharatsinh Solanki and Leader of Opposition in Assembly Shankersinh Vaghela today met Governor O P Kohli and handed over a memorandum seeking a judicial probe into the incident.

AAP

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal- "Atrocities against dalits n minorities have increased sharply during BJP regime." Kejriwal is also likely to visit the place on Friday.

Manish Sisodia- "Have ordered magistrate inquiry in AAP activist suicide case in Narela. DM north will do the inquiry."

Trinamool Congress

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee- "Incident in Una is organised crime against Dalits. I urge Central Govt to treat Dalits with care & give full protection.This is unacceptable."

OneIndia News

(With agency inputs)
Infosys relaunches Employ Stock Option plan to rein in attrition

Business

oi-PTI

Bengaluru, July 15: Infosys has relaunched its employee stock option plan (ESOP) for junior to middle level management staff as it looks to rein in rising attrition that stood at 21 per cent in the April-June 2016 quarter.

However, the company is not "unduly concerned" about the jump in attrition, which read 17.3 per cent in the March quarter and 19.2 per cent in the year-ago period.

"Today, we relaunched our ESOP programme after a gap of 10-years plus, after about 13 years. We are rewarding about 7,500 of our employees from junior to middle level management with restricted stock options and we will extend it to middle management to senior leaders and title holders subsequently," Infosys Chief Operating Officer U B Pravin Rao said.

Infosys Q1 net up 13.4% at Rs 3,436 cr, cuts FY17 revenue guidance

He added that the company continues to focus on reskilling employees and has also revamped its leadership development programmes.

ESOPs allow employees to own equity in the company, which is seen as a morale booster for them. Infosys added 13,268 (gross) and 3,006 (net) people in the said quarter, taking its headcount to 1,97,050 at the end of June 2016.

Elaborating on the higher rate of attrition, Rao said one of the reasons is "seasonality because typically in Q1, we have higher exits due to higher studies". He added that while the attrition levels have shot up, Infosys has been able to retain "high performers".

"We are really encouraged, we also track high performers' attrition, which has come down. Earlier last quarter, it was 13.4 per cent and this quarter, it has come down to 11.2 per cent, so we are encouraged by that," he said.

Infosys has been able to retain high performers, says Pravin Rao

Rao said Infosys will "watch out", but at this stage, it is "not unduly concerned" and continues to focus on employee experience and engagement. This year, Infosys has given wage hikes of 6-12 per cent to its employees in India and about 2 per cent to onsite workers, apart from offering equity to incentivise top performers.

Infosys, which is undergoing a turnaround under Sikka's leadership, has been witnessing a string of senior leaders quitting the firm.

These exits include high-profile names like former chief financial officer Rajiv Bansal, head of manufacturing and EVP (Executive Vice-President) Sanjay Jalona, Infosys BPO head and EVP Gautam Thakkar, and Infosys EdgeVerve head and EVP Michael Reh.

The most recent exit was that of Samson David, Infosys' head of cloud, infrastructure and security business. David, who had joined Infosys as a trainee software engineer in 1992, had been recently tasked by Sikka to spearhead the company's flagship artificial intelligence platform Mana.

PTI
Telenor will not participate in spectrum auction, loss widens

Business

oi-PTI

New Delhi, July 19: Telenor India will not participate in the upcoming spectrum auction which is in line with its earlier announcement indicating exit from the country.

"We recognise the significant operational and financial improvement delivered by our Indian operation. We have however, after thorough consideration, decided not to participate in the upcoming spectrum auction, as we believe the proposed spectrum prices do not give an acceptable level of return," the Norwegian telecom operator said in its financial report.

While announcing the March quarter results, the company had said that long terms presence in India is dependent on its ability to secure additional spectrum.

For the June quarter of 2016, the company has reported widening of operating loss to 132 million Norwegian Krone (about Rs 105 crore at present exchange rate) compared to NOK 90 million (Rs 71.3 crore) it posted a year ago.

"Operating profit was negatively impacted by NOK 224 million (Rs 178 crore) in impairments and write-downs, but offset by lower depreciations following the impairment and write-down of assets in the first quarter," it said.

The total revenue of the company, however, grew by about 12.73 per cent to Rs 1,230 crore from Rs 1,080 crore for the said quarter. Announcing financial results for first quarter ended March 31, 2016, Telenor Global CEO Sigve Brekke had said, "long terms presence in India is dependent on our ability to secure additional spectrum. We are not able to compete with current spectrum portfolio we have in growing data market."

Brekke had said the company is looking at solution to procure spectrum and "a price that we can justify".

Telenor India offers GSM-based services in six out of 22 circles in the country. The company has operations in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh East and West, Bihar, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Telenor in its report for the second quarter said: "We will continue our efforts to meet customer demands and grow the business based on the current spectrum holding. As we evaluate our options in India, we will be disciplined on capex."

The government is planning mega-spectrum auction in which airwaves worth Rs 5.66 lakh crore will be up for the bids. As per global telecom industry body GSMA , the total value of spectrum auction at base price is more than 20 times the annual free cash flow of the entire mobile industry in India and almost double the cost of all spectrum investments to date in the country.

Telenor during consultation with telecom regulator TRAI to decide base price for mobile airwaves was among couple of companies that pushed for auction of most valuable spectrum in 700 Mhz band.

TRAI has recommended Rs 11,485 crore per Mhz base price for auction of spectrum in 700 Mhz band, the highest ever for any radiowave and the same has been accepted by the government.

Out of total spectrum value of Rs 5.66 lakh crore, the quantum of airwaves frequency in 700 Mhz band being put for auction alone constitutes about Rs 4 lakh crore.

PTI
What does the US actually want in Syria?

US-India join hands in exploring petroleum and energy sector

Business

oi-PTI

Cleveland (US), July 20: The United States and India have agreed to take several key steps in petroleum and energy sector, aimed towards achieving the ambitious goal of energy independence.

The key prospects include development of petroleum storage, which is considered crucial for national security and strategic needs, increase technical co-operation in new technologies in development of bio fuel (2nd generation ethanol and bio-diesel) and assessment and reassessment of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon reserves in India, both onshore and offshore.

The decision was taken during a meeting between the Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and his American counterpart, Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, on Monday. Pradhan left for India on Tuesday after visiting Houston and Washington DC.

The Minister also met US Special Envoy & Coordinator for International Energy Affairs Amos Hochstein, during which they discussed the continued bi-lateral cooperation in the energy sector.

India-US bilateral energy cooperation had started in the form of energy dialogue in 2005 under which oil and gas is also discussed.

Over last decade, several areas of interest for cooperation like technology for production from marginal fields, shale structures, developing gas pipeline network, improving refinery efficiency, etc., had been identified.

Pradhan and Moniz agreed there is a need for regular meetings of officials and experts from both sides for progress in cooperation in concrete areas, a media release said. GAIL has contracted for import of LNG from the US to the tune of 5.8 MMT per year from end 2017.

Indian companies have also invested in shale oil and gas projects in the US, i.e. GAIL has 20 per cent equity in Eagle Ford basin; IOC and OIL have 10 per cent equity in Niobrara basin.

The two sides also signed an MoU to renew cooperation in Gas Hydrates for another period of five years. An earlier MoU on the same issue had expired in 2013.

The Minister also addressed a gathering of business leaders, energy experts and senior US Government officials organized by Dr Daniel Yergin, Vice President of IHS. The business interactions elicited positive reviews from entities with investments in India, who acknowledged a tangible improvement in the business environment.

Senior US administration officials acknowledged a major positive shift in the trajectory of US-India relations and committed to explore new opportunities for co-operation.

PTI
Explained: 8 things you should know about Lt. Gen. Pande, Indias next Army Chief

All about the nation: Next Army Chiefs son serves in the Air Force

Next Army Chief Lt. Gen. Pande is first engineer to hold the post

Pakistan govt likely to take decision on next Army chief's appointment by mid-September

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh to visit J&K today

India

oi-Jagriti

Srinagar, July 20: Army Chief General Dalbir Singh to arrive Jammu and Kashmir on a day-long trip today to review the security situations in the Valley as well as Line of Control (LoC).

At least two people were killed at Churat, Qaziund where the troops were forced to open fire on Monday when a large mob turned violent, resorting to heavy stone pelting and attempted to snatch weapons from the soldiers.

An inquiry has been ordered into this unfortunate incident.

Army also appealed to the people to maintain peace and refrain from attacking security forces or their vehicles or establishments.

Burhan Wani killing: Here is what he did before his death

Violent protests erupted in the Valley after killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8.

Wani was killed along with two other terrorists on July 8 in an encounter at Bumdoora village of Kokernag in Jammu and Kashmir by a joint team of police and Army.

OneIndia News
Accession Day: Valley lights up on this day when J&K became part of India

Army Chief tells troops to maintain maximum restraint in Kashmir Valley

India

oi-Oneindia

By OneIndia Defence Bureau

Srinagar, July 20: The Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag on Wednesday visited Srinagar-based Chinar Corps and reviewed the security situation in Kashmir. The Chief's visit was in the backdrop of the dawn to dusk curfew entering its 12th day in the Valley.

According to the Indian Army sources in Srinagar, Gen Dalbir Singh was briefed by Northern Army Commander Lt Gen D S Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua on the situation along the Line of Control.

"The Chief was briefed about the measures initiated ensuring close coordination with all security and other government agencies towards maintaining peace in the Valley," an official said.

The Chief visited the Kupwara Division and Awantipur-based Victor Force and reviewed the preparedness of Indian Army owing to the current unrest.

"He gave a very patient hearing to the needs and views of the soldiers. In addition to getting an update on operational preparedness, he was also informed about the steps taken by Army in helping the civilians," an official said.

During his interaction with the troops, he wanted everyone to ensure strict vigil along the LoC.

"The Army Chief complimented the troops and other security agencies for their synergy in counter-terrorist operations. He asked the troops to show maximum restraint even if they faced grave provocation," the official added.

The Chief requested the Awaam to maintain peace and so that the security forces could serve them better.

Meanwhile, an Army spokesperson said that Kargil Vijay Diwas would be celebrated at Drass from July 21 to 26. A series of events have been planned to mark the occasion.

In a Facebook post, Yasir Mushtaq, a television journalist working in Bengaluru and hailing from Baramula, says that for the last many days private mobile services have been badly hit in the Valley.

"I reached Kashmir on July 15 and my mobile stopped working suspended services. Since then I am cut off from rest of India. Around 3000 people have been injured and more than 60 have died in the Valley. Protests still continue in various parts of the Valley. Hope things will become normal soon. I cannot come out without a curfew pass," he writes.

OneIndia News
Delhi-NCR likely to choke in the coming days

'Red light on, gaadi off' postponed as LG hasn't given nod: Delhi Minister

Delhi Police to arrest a few more in call snooping case

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, July 20: The Crime Branch sleuths may arrest two or three more persons in the alleged call detail recordings (CDR) racket, which it busted after arresting four persons.

"Two to three persons may be arrested soon," Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Ravindra Yadav told IANS on Wednesday.

"During interrogation the accused have taken names of six to seven persons," a senior officer related to the probe requesting anonymity told IANS.

In a second major breakthrough within a fortnight, the Delhi Police had busted the pan-India snooping racket on Tuesday by arresting four persons, including two owners of detective agencies, one police official and one expert hacker, who used to work with the Jaipur police.

According to police, the accused had obtained over 2,000 CDRs in the last two years.

The four were identified as Aniket Prakash Dhamle, 25, a resident of Pune, and Abhinav Kumar, 35, a resident of Mumbai -- both ran detective agencies; Gajraj Singh, 23, a student and hacker, who had been assisting the Jaipur police's Cyber Crime Cell officers since 2013; and an officer of the Jaipur police cyber crime cell, Mukesh Kumar Meena, 38.

On July 10, the Delhi Police had cracked an inter-state gang involved in illegally getting CDRs and then selling these to various people, mainly detective agencies.

Five persons -- Uttar Pradesh police constable Narender; Jaiveer Singh Rathore, 46; Pankaj Tiwari, 26; Aditya Sharma, 32; and Sanjeev Chaudhary, 42 -- were arrested for illegally obtaining CDRs.

IANS


'Difficult for Finmin to hike MPLAD allocation to Rs 25 cr'

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Jul 20: A proposal for five-fold increase in annual allocation under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme from Rs 5 crore to Rs 25 crore has not found favour with the Finance Ministry, Parliament was informed today.

"Finance Ministry gave its comments on the proposal on June 13, 2016... The enhancement requested would entail a five fold increase resulting in annual budgetary allocations totalling Rs 19,750 crore (against Rs 3,950 crore at present).

It would be difficult to make such provisions," stated Statistics Minister D V Sadananda Gowda in a written reply to Lok Sabha today. Finance ministry has also said: "While the increase from Rs 2 crore to Rs 5 crore (2 times) was after 12 years, the present request for 5 fold increase is after only 5 years.

"The audit reports, results of evaluation of the scheme, the utilisation of funds released till now for the scheme, the unspent balances lying in the field, etc. have to be carefully considered, while keeping in view the constraints in the availability of resources with the Central Government."

Gowda said there is no proposal in the ministry to increase the annual allocation of MPLADS funds. However, he stated that Lok Sabha Committee on MPLADS in its sitting held on July 2, 2013 had recommended to increase the annual allocation per MP to Rs 10 crore.

After that Deputy Speaker Lok Sabha and Chairman, Lok Sabha Committee on MPLADS in a letter dated February 25, 2015 had requested for increase of annual allocation of MPLADS funds per MP to Rs 25 crore.

The minister also told the house that the government released Rs 858 crore in the current fiscal till June end, while the unspent amount was 4,963.77 crore under the MPLAD scheme. About Rs 997.50 crore was utilised under the MPLAD scheme till June end this fiscal.

The minister said funds under the MPLAD scheme are non-lapsable, both at the end of the Union Government and at the end of the District Authority and the unspent balances of a particular year are utilised in the subsequent years.

In view of the nature and dynamics of the scheme, the unutilised balances, which also include interest accrued, are bound to exist at any given point of time and utilisation of MPLADS funds in the same financial year is not feasible, he added.

During 2015-16, an amount of Rs 3,502 crore was released while Rs 3,628.01 crore was utilised. The unspent balance in the MPLAD scheme was Rs 4,947.13 crore at the end of last fiscal.

PTI
Even Hafiz Saeed claims Burhan Wani was his boy

India

oi-Vicky

New Delhi, July 20: Hafiz Saeed must accept it that his Lashkar-e-Taiba is finding it extremely difficult to operate in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian army along the border has made it hard for militants from Pakistan to infiltrate and official figures suggest that the infiltration has dropped by at least 60 per cent.

It is obvious that Saeed wants to stay relevant in the Valley and the current situation is an ideal option. He is looking to make the most of Burhan Wani's death- the militant who has been turned into a martyr.

The actual reason why Pakistan is backing Burhan Wani

The statement by Saeed that Wani's last wish was to talk to him is a lie say officers who were tracking the Hizbul Mujahideen commander. There was no such intercept as in his last days the heat on Wani was high and every move and call of his was monitored.

Officers say Saeed is lying

Saeed who has been going to town on the Wani issue had said recently that Kashmir will burn now. He said that Wani had called him to say that his last wish was to talk to him. "He called me and said that and a few days he had been martyred," Saeed the mastermind of the Mumbai 26/11 attack said.

Wani who was killed on July 7 was under the radar of both the Indian Intelligence Bureau as well as the army for three months. "Every move of his was being tracked. The calls he made were also closely tracked for several weeks before the encounter to kill him took place. We had details of his location, but we were setting up ground to catch him alive," an officer part of the operation told OneIndia.

"At no point in time did he call Hafiz Saeed. Moreover Saeed says that he had made the call a few days before his death. This was the time he was running to save his life and did not use a mobile as he feared he would be tracked," the officer also noted.

Hafiz Saeed is an uncomfortable man today and these are the reasons

What does Hafiz Saeed want?

Saeed has realised that the Hizbul Mujahideen, considered to be a local outfit in Kashmir, has overtaken his Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Saeed is unable to build on the public perception in Kashmir and without local support it is impossible for the LeT to operate in the Valley.

Moreover the LeT chief also realises that his operatives are frowned upon in Kashmir. Between 1990 and 2011, Pakistan militant groups including the LeT have killed 13,226 civilians, a fact that has not gone down too well with the public.

On the other hand, the Hizbul Mujahideen under Wani decided that not a single civilian would be targeted and their focus would only be on the security forces. This had helped Wani gain support from a large number of locals.

Now Saeed wants to play on this sentiment and indicate to everyone that Wani was his boy in a bid to gain local support for his LeT.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, July 20, 2016, 14:57 [IST]
ISIS operatives in India held 5 out of 9 meetings in Karnataka

India

oi-Vicky

Bengaluru, July 20: The investigations that were conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into an ISIS case relating to India shows how Karnataka has become central to the conspiracy. Out of the nine crucial meetings that the alleged operatives held, five were in Karnataka, the NIA states.

The NIA learnt that the meetings in Karnataka were held on a regular basis where a conspiracy was hatched not just to recruit more youth and establish a Caliphate in India, but also to carry out attacks in various parts of the country.

The NIA had on December 9, 2015 arrested 18 people from across the country after it had been found that they were part of an Indian ISIS module. However two were granted conditional pardon by the court following which a chargesheet against the rest was filed.

Karnataka centric to probe into ISIS

Apart from the meetings that were held in Karnataka, the NIA also states that the driving force behind this module was Shafi Armar from Bhatkal. Shafi and his brother Sultan had started the Ansar-ul-Tawhid, a recruiting wing for the ISIS in India. However with the heat building up on the outfit they changed the name to Junood ul-Khilafa-Hind.

The meetings in Karnataka that the alleged operatives had were held at Devarayana Dargah, state forest Tumkur, in the month of August, 2015. The second meeting was held at Deoband in September 2015.

This was followed by another meeting at Tumkur hills in October 2015. The fourth and fifth meeting were held at the residences of two accused persons Suhail and Afzal at Bengaluru on October 24th and 25th 2015 respectively.

The rest of the meetings were held in Lucknow on November 1 2015, Hyderabad on December 14 2015 and Pune on December 18 2015. The last meeting was at Pune.

OneIndia News

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, July 20, 2016, 12:15 [IST]
Jharkhand resident booked for forging PM Narendra Modi's signature

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi: A Jharkhand resident was booked by the CBI on Tuesday for allegedly forging signature of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on a letter which claimed that he had been invited to organise a musical programme for Independence Day celebrations here.

The letter from one Pandit Swaraj Kumar Roy was sent to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) which was taken aback as no such communication had been issued. The matter was then referred to the CBI for enquiry and the agency registered a case after preliminary investigations.

Roy, who hails from Bokaro, had sent a letter dated May 2015, purportedly issued by Prime Minister's Office, asking him to organise a classical music programme on Independence Day, a CBI Spokesperson said today.

"The allegations pertain to forgery of signatures of Prime Minister of India on a letter purportedly issued by the PMO to the said accused for arranging classical music programme on upcoming Independence Day," she said.

The spokesperson said searches were conducted at Bokaro steel City (Jharkhand) and Bishnupur District Bankra (West Bengal) from the premises of accused which led to the recovery of large number of incriminating forged documents and articles relating to forgery of the signatures of Prime Minister of India. No arrest has yet been made in the case.

PTI
Over 19% prisoners on interim bail or emergency parole yet to return to Delhi jails: RTI

Karnataka cabinet approves new guidelines for release of prisoners

India

oi-PTI

Bengaluru, Jul 20: Prisoners undergoing life sentence will now be released on the grounds of good conduct with the Karnataka government today approving new guidelines in this regard.

The guidelines have been given approval in the light of the Supreme Court directions. The new guidelines will cover all convicts, both male and female, serving life sentence and covered by the provisions of section 433 A of CrPC, who will be eligible for premature release after 14 years of actual imprisonment without remission, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said "all other convicted male persons not covered by section 433 A of CrPC, undergoing the sentence of life imprisonment, would be entitled to be considered for premature release after they have served at least 14 years of imprisonment inclusive of remission, but only after completion of 10 years of actual imprisonment without remission."

Female prisoners, not covered by section 433 A of CrPC and undergoing life imprisonment, would be entitled for being considered for premature release after they have served at least 10 years of imprisonment inclusive of remission, but only after seven years of actual imprisonment without remission, he added.

Quoting from the guidelines, the minister said male prisoners, undergoing life sentence who have attained 65 years and have served actual imprisonment of 14 years with remission, would also be entitled for consideration.

Also to be considered are female prisoners undergoing life sentence who have attained the age of 60 years and have served actual imprisonment of 12 years with remission, he added.

PTI
Kashmiri Pandits protest against Pak's 'support' to terrorists in Delhi

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Jul 20: A group of Kashmiri Pandits held a protest at Teen Murti Marg here against Pakistan's "interference" in the internal affairs of India and open "support" to terrorists.

They submitted a memorandum at the Pakistan High Commission on Tuesday. The protest was led by the All India Kashmiri Samaj (AIKS), which is a central body for several Kashmiri Pandit organisations in India and abroad.

"The protest was organised against Pakistan's gross interference in the internal affairs of our country, as also Pakistan's open support to known terrorists and their sympathizers in Kashmir," AIKS said in a statement.

The demonstration was earlier planned outside the Pakistan High Commission in Chanakyapuri here but police barricaded a certain stretch of Shanti Path, citing security concerns, therefore the protesters later assembled at Teen Murti Marg.

Kashmiri Pandits rehabilitation only possible if 'separate homeland' is created: Panun

"A memorandum was submitted to Pakistan High Commission by a delegation of AIKS, urging the Pakistan government to desist from inciting trouble and violence in Kashmir, with the objective of keeping the pot boiling in the Valley, at the cost of ordinary people of Kashmir and its youth," a protester said.

PTI
Delhi-NCR likely to choke in the coming days

'Red light on, gaadi off' postponed as LG hasn't given nod: Delhi Minister

When Madaari actor Irrfan Khan met Arvind Kejriwal

India

oi-Mukul Kumar Mishra

New Delhi, July 19: Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan on Tuesday met Delhi Chief Minister and Aam aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. Reportedly Khan who was in Delhi to promote his film Madaari asked several questions to Kejriwal.

Both did informal talk about changes in the nation's political system and about freedom of expression, sources said.

Irrfan, who earlier met and interviewed Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad during his visit to Bihar capital Patna recently, had a candid chat with Aam Aadmi Party convenor Kejriwal as a part of promotional activity for his film Madaari.

During his 30-minute interaction with Kejriwal, Irrfan asked various questions like how to be part of the system, about freedom of expression, and changes in the politic arena.

Often called India's most popular export to Hollywood, Irrfan reached out to Kejriwal to fix a meeting via Twitter. He also called Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While a post from Gandhi's official Twitter handle responded to the actor's offer, Modi's PMO India Twitter handle asked him to address a letter to him.

Madaari, which explores a father-son relationship and traces the plight of a common man who loses his son in an accident, also features Jimmy Sheirgill in a pivotal role. The film is slated to release on July 22.

OneIndia News

(With inputs from IANS)
Case against man for giving instant triple talaq to wife

5-year-old dies after being attacked by pack of dogs in MP

2 RPF personnel dead after being hit by speeding train

Woman killed, 23 others injured as fuel tanker overturns and catches fire

Madhya Pradesh: Indias wrong map depicted in school diary

India

oi-Jagriti

Bhopal, July 20: At least three persons have been arrested in Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh for depicting India's map wrongly in a school diary.

The map published in the diary distributed among students of Green Bells Public School excluded some parts of Jammu and Kashmir from India.

The three who have been arrested for sedition are owner, principal and the man who runs the press where diaries were printed. Trio have been sent to jail.

The police action came after a complaint was filed by a Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activist, reported the Indian Express.

The Green Bells Public School is located at Burhar town in Shahdol. Around 1000 students study here.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 20, 2016, 12:05 [IST]
Maha CM Devendra Fadnavis under attack over transfer of dead Excise official

India

oi-Oneindia

By Oneindia Staff Writer

New Delhi, July 20: Opposition is training guns on Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for a transfer order of an Excise Inspector, who had died three years ago.

Name of this Excise Inspector is Sandip Maruti Sabale who reportedly died three years ago in a road accident.

It is being said that as an in-charge of the Excise Department, Fadnavis recently signed an order, transfering Sabale from Kohlapur to Nashik. According to a Firstpost report, the transfer order stated that Sabale must assume his duties with immediate effect. Order further said that if Sabale doesn't join duty, a deceplinary action will be taken against him.

Though government has suspended the clerk who made the gaffe, Opposition remained belligerent. Parties have demanded a high-level inquiry to probe the transfer of the Sabale.

Prithviraj Chauhan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra was quoted as saying, "It shows that chief minister Fadnavis has no control over the administration. He has signed the letter transferring a deceased excise officer.

Demanding an inquiry of the whole matter, he further said, "An inquiry committee has to now find out who was drawing a salary in the absence of Sabale. The inquiry should be initiated immediately and strict action be taken against those found guilty."

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 20, 2016, 16:08 [IST]
Modi govt has snatched rights of Dalits: Sonia Gandhi

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Jul 20: Berating the Modi government over attacks on Dalits in Gujarat, Congress President Sonia Gandhi today said it is an example of "social terror" condoned by the ruling dispensation.

With Dalits in Gujarat protesting the brutal assault on fellow community members on July 11 for allegedly skinning a cow in Una in Gir-Somnath district, she said the Gujarat case is "just one example of the social terror this government condones".

The Congress chief accused the government of snatching the rights of Dalits and adivasis, specifically citing the Gujarat incident where four Dalits were beaten and humiliated publicly. Dalit protests in Gujarat have spread to several parts of the state including Ahmedabad unleashing violence in which a head constable was killed in stone pelting and state transport buses attacked.

Three more members of the community have also allegedly attempted suicide. The Congress has also demanded a probe by a sitting High Court judge into the Una incident.

Senior Congress leader Ahmed Patel had tweeted, "Failure of authorities to protect Dalits in Gujarat is absolutely shocking. Is it the Gujarat model? Independent probe is need of the hour".

PTI
Naxal attack: Commandos walked into a death trap of 300 IEDs

India

oi-Vicky

Patna, July 20: The Naxal attack on the commandos belonging to the CRPF's elite COBRA force came as a huge surprise to them. It was the commandos who launched the operation, but due to a tough terrain and bad weather they were unable to assess the gravity of the situation and walked straight into a trap of landmines which had 300 IEDs planted.

The commandos on a specific tip off proceeded towards the Aurangabad forests in Bihar. While it was the commandos who gunned down the three naxals first, the second half of the operation became problematic for them. In retaliation, 10 commandos were killed by naxals.

Security forces taken by surprise by Naxals in Bihar

Naxals rigged the terrain with IEDs

The naxalites had been looking to strike back for nearly an year now. In the year 2015, a record 527 naxalites had been arrested. In the same year the Home Ministry had stated in a report that the lowest naxal violence had been reported. The naxals were completely on guard and had anticipated such a strike by the security forces.

One officer tells OneIndia that the terrain was nothing but a death trap. "The 500 metre area leading up to the naxal camp was rigged with 300 IEDs. The naxals were in a better position when compared the security forces despite losing 3 of their men first," he said.

The naxals immediately moved the bodies and also managed to rescue those injured. However, for the security forces the death trap, bad weather and tricky terrain proved fatal and they ended up losing 10 of their men.

Some officers feel that the security forces were unable to move the injured persons to a safe place and this further hampered their operations. Investigations are being conducted into the incident and also the possible lapses.

OneIndia News

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Story first published: Wednesday, July 20, 2016, 12:30 [IST]
'Plant trees instead of building me a memorial,' Anil Dave's last wishes

No culling of animals ordered by central government: Environment minister

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, July 20 Seeking to put at rest certain controversies pertaining to reports that the central government has allowed "killing" of animals to protect agricultural farms, new Environment Minister Anil Dave on Tuesday said "no such orders" have been given by the union government.

"I want to make it clear that neither centre has given any such orders to kill animals nor the states have asked for it," Dave said replying to queries during question hour in the Lok Sabha.

However, he said wild boar, nilgai and monkeys have been placed in Schedule V of the Wild Life Protection Act that allows people to "drive them away" in specific areas.

Dave said Bihar, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh had requested to include "problematic wild animals" in schedule V in accordance with section 62 of the WildLife (Protection) Act 1972. Accordingly, nilgai has been placed in the category in 31 and wild boar in 10 districts of Bihar.

Wild boars have been placed in Schedule V in 13 districts of Uttarkhand for a year.

The order was issued in December 2015 for Bihar and in February 2016 for Uttarakhand, he said adding a similar order was issued for Shimla in March 2016 for six months where in a species of monkey (Rhesus Maccaque) was placed in the category.

Karnataka has also made requests for wild boars, he said.

Raising supplementary questions, Bangalore Rural MP D.K. Suresh (Congress) said: "Crop damage by wild boars is pushing farmers from bad to worst condition."

He said the "menace of wild boars" is very high in the country. "Almost all the states,

including Karnataka, are facing this problem," he said.

Dave clarified that with certain animals brought under Schedule V of the Wildlife Act, the states now have the right "to drive the animal (away) with a stick".

Last month, in a rare public spat over the culling of wild animals, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi had accused the then Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar of showing a "lust for killing animals".

She also had charged that the Environment Ministry had allowed the slaughter of peacocks in Goa and elephants in West Bengal.

Javadekar, however, had said that the permissions to take action against animals were granted

after requests from the states and were based on existing laws.

IANS


Opposition creates uproar in Lok Sabha over attacks on Dalits in Gujarat

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, July 20: Virtually the entire Opposition in Lok Sabha led by the Congress today protested the attacks on dalits in Gujarat by raising slogans against the goverment during Question Hour.

As soon as Speaker Sumitra Mahajan read out obituary references, the Opposition raised slogans and demanded adjournment of the Question Hour to discuss the issue.

[Dalits backlash in Una: Violent protests across Gujarat after cow killing]

Barring AIADMK, members from virtually all opposition parties were on their feet raising slogans as questions were being answered in the Question Hour. Soon thereafter, Congress members trooped into the Well, with some members showing newspapers carrying stories on a recent incident in Gujarat.

[Rajya Sabha disrupted over Una Dalit issue]

The Speaker said the members were free to raise the issue during Zero Hour but she will not allow the Question Hour to be disrupted. Members of Congress, the Left parties, NCP, RJD and Trinamool Congress were seen raising slogans.

While most opposition members were standing near their benches, members from Congress were in the Well raising slogans like 'daliton pe atyachar band karo' (stop atrocities on Dalits), 'Gujarat model shame shame' and 'sarkar jawab do'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present in the House when the noisy scenes were being enacted. When Sugata Bose (TMC) asked a question on Nuclear Suppliers Group to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, some opposition members were seen asking him to sit down.

Refusing to relent, he asked questions on the hurdles created by China in India's bid to get NSG membership, which were responded to by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. BJD members were also seen standing at their places.

They were apparently raising the issue of Chhattisgarh's plan to build a dam on river Mahanadi. Later, TMC and BJD members staged a walkout around 11.30 pm. But the other opposition members continued to raise slogans during the entire Question Hour till noon.

PTI
Delhi-NCR likely to choke in the coming days

'Red light on, gaadi off' postponed as LG hasn't given nod: Delhi Minister

Police seize 700 kg of marijuana

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, Jul 20: Over 700 kg of marijuana brought for supply in the national capital and in neighbouring states was seized by police from a drug trafficker who had procured the contraband from Odisha.

Acting on a tipoff, Crime Branch team stopped a truck near Geeta Colony Flyover on July 13 and seized 720 kg of marijuana sourced from Odisha, that was stashed in a hidden cavity of the vehicle.

Sanjiv (31), who was carrying the contraband was arrested by the team, said Ravindra Yadav, Joint Commissioner(Crime) of Police. The seized marijuana was estimated to be worth around Rs 72 lakh in the international market, said the officer.

Sanjeev was in contact with another supplier Sagar in Faridabad(Haryana) who had paid him Rs 10,000 as a commission for bringing marijuana from one Vijay based at Ganjam in Odisha.

The drug was to be delivered to different parties in Delhi, Haryana and other neighbouring areas.

PTI
Ruckus in Chhattisgarh Assembly over Agusta chopper deal

India

oi-PTI

Raipur, July 19: Noisy scenes were witnessed in the Chhattisgarh Assembly today as Congress accused the ruling BJP government of irregularities in the purchase of an AgustaWestland helicopter in 2007 and demanded a discussion.

As many as 33 Congress MLAs were suspended after they trooped into the well. The suspension was revoked later.

Senior Congress legislator Satyanarayan Sharma raised the issue on the last day of Monsoon session today by moving an adjournment motion notice demanding a discussion.

He alleged that the state aviation department violated the rules while buying the helicopter for Rs 26.58 crore. Citing news reports, Leader of Opposition T S Singhdeo said Directorate General of Civil Aviation had imposed ban on long distance flights of Agusta choppers.

Serious technical snag developed in the same chopper during a recent tour of agriculture minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Singhdeo said. State Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel alleged kickbacks were given which were deposited in a foreign bank.

Shivratan Sharma, who was in the Speaker's chair, rejected the demand for discussion. Congress legislators then started shouting slogans. BJP MLAs responded with slogans too, causing a ruckus. When MLAs could not be pacified, Speaker adjourned the House for five minutes.

PTI
There should be 'plebiscite' in Kashmir, says Scindia

India

oi-PTI

New Delhi, July 20: Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia today said in Lok Sabha that there should be "plebiscite" in Kashmir as the situation in the Valley has deteriorated and the PDP-BJP government has "insulted" the "crown" of India.

"In Kashmir today, there is a need for plebiscite," he said using Urdu word 'rai shumari' while initiating a discussion in the House on Kashmir situation. "PDP-BJP government has shed all the principles.

Administration is divided and the government, which should support people, is using weapons against them," Scindia said, adding "the wounds there can be healed only through humanity."

While attacking the Centre and state government, the Chief Whip of Congress said, "There is a need to create an environment of peace and tranquality; growth and development."

Describing Kashmir as "an important part of the heart of every Indian", he said, "but today that crown is being insulted. This I feel is irresponsible." He said the UPA government had created an environment of peace and harmony by taking everybody along.

PTI
'We demand for RSS to be banned too', says Congress MP on PFI Ban

We will prove Godse's connection with RSS in court: Congress

India

oi-IANS

By Ians English

New Delhi, July 19: The Congress on Tuesday asserted that it will prove in court the connection Mahatma Gandhi's assassin had with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), saying "history can neither be changed nor rewritten".

"If it comes to trial then we are ready to give evidence to the court, as history cannot be changed, cannot be rewritten, and cannot be denied just because it does not suit the current government," Congress spokeswoman Priyanka Chaturvedi told IANS over the phone.

"Why should one apologise? The Supreme Court has made an observation and it is not the final verdict," Chaturvedi said.

"If we have to go to trial to prove Nathu Ram Godse's connection with the RSS, we will do it by providing evidence to the court. There have been been various records that prove he was connected with the RSS," she said.

Godse was tried and convicted for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948. He was executed on November 15, 1949.

Chaturvedi said "history has witnessed Godse's connection with the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha".

The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi would have to face trial in a defamation case filed by an RSS activist for accusing the organisation of killing Mahatma Gandhi 68 years ago.

According to party sources, Rahul Gandhi is ready to face trial instead of apologising for the remarks in question that he reportedly made while campaigning in Maharashtra for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.

Chaturvedi said her party respects the observation made by the apex court.

She said the RSS had no role to play in the struggle to get independence from British rule.

"They had apologised to the British and stayed away from the independence movement."

"Saradar Vallabhbhai Patel had banned the RSS. And it is also known what Patel had to say about Hindu Mahasabha and RSS. The ban was revoked by Patel only after they agreed to remain a cultural organisation instead of becoming a political entity," she said.

Patel was the first home minister of independent India.

IANS